Category: Recommended

Top 5 Releases of 2019 (So Far!)

Alright, it’s June!!! Halfway thought the year, and we have so many exciting new releases already. I wanted to take the time to tell you what I’m currently freaking out over and what has my full attention.

5. METALSHARK BRO by Bob Frantz, Kevin Cuffe, & Walt Ostlie

This new Scout Comics release was only sold as a single issue, with the rest of the story being released as a trade on July 31st this year. It’s a really fun story about a Shark who eats a man who’s meant to claim all the souls that pledged allegiance to Satan. As punishment, the Shark becomes anthropomorphized and has to kill all the people who swore their lives to Satan. Until he is done with his task, he can’t become a regular shark again. The premise for this comic is wild, and it’s a very entertaining read.

4. GHOST TREE by Bobby Curnow & Simon Gale

This IDW series is a four-part mini that tells the story of a man who returns to his grandpa’s house 10 years after his death to meet beneath a certain tree, like his grandfather asked of him. When he arrives at the tree, he sees his grandfather’s ghost — along with all of his ancestors! It’s a really beautiful story that has a suspenseful arc underlying the main plot. We’re only half way through, so my eyes are glued to the calendar as I await issue #3. 

3. BATMAN: LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH by Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo

I consider Snyder and Capullo to be legendary Batman creators at this point; their stamp is firmly set onto the history of Batman. This is the last dance, the final hurrah, the curtain call for Snyder and Capullo. Of course, they’re going to hit us with some crazy plot to put Bruce Wayne through the ringer. Only one issue in and I am chomping at the bit to get the next issue. (Don’t be surprised if you see this on my end of the year list.)

2. SPIDER-MAN: LIFE STORY by Chip Zdarsky & Mark Bagley

This is an amazing read. Go get it right now if you haven’t. This is not your typical Spidey story. Chip Zdarsky masterfully weaves modern American history into a history of Spider-Man told in real time. The book is cute, and funny at first, right up until the end of issue one when Flash Thompson volunteers to go fight in the Vietnam War. Don’t be surprised if you cry while reading. 

DAREDEVIL by Chip Zdarsky & Marco Checcetto

I consider this to be the best book out right now. Matt Murdock is framed for murder. It isn’t clear if he did or he didn’t commit the crime. Matt certainly doesn’t think he did, and that fact that even readers aren’t sure yet makes you feel so involved with the story. Additionally, Marco Checcetto’s interior work is some of the best Daredevil art I’ve ever seen. On top of that smorgasbord of awesome, the always-incredible Julian Tedesco is drawing the covers. If anything else I hope that by end of this read you pick up Daredevil. Trust me it’s the best thing out right now and you can take that straight to the bank!

Review of PRODIGY #1

After another comic book enthusiast at Gauntlet Comic Books recommended PRODIGY #1 to me, I am here to tell you it’s an amazing book. The premise is simple and the story is engaging right from the get-go. As Image Comics explains on their website, Edison Crane is “a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, genius composer, Olympic athlete, an expert in the occult, and now international governments are calling on him to fix problems they just can’t handle.” 

The protagonist Edison Crane, deep in contemplation, as usual.

Early in the origin portion of this comic, Edison is beaten by bullies. After, he watches Enter The Dragon, a Bruce Lee film. Just by observing Lee’s movements, he becomes a master of Kung Fu and fights off his bullies the very next day. Later in Cran’es origin story, his father disowns him and divests him of an inheritance, leaving him only a penny. Edison tells his father that with that penny, he will become a multi-million dollar business owner in a year — and that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to curve his borden Edison starts taking stunt request from elementary schoolers who write in their ideas to him so throughout the comic he’s also organizing his next stunt which is to jump over the grand canyon on a motorcycle that mid flight burst into flames and he lands on his feet. 

I can’t make all this up, people…but Mark Millar certainly can. This book is so amazing and entirely worth adding to your collection. Props to Millar and Albuquerque for their fantastic work on this mini series. I expect to see it on Netflix soon; the premise is just so undeniably fun!

Review of FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #1

Written by Tom Taylor, FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN takes the “Neighborhood” part of his nickname and plays within that world.

The first issue of the currently ongoing series opens up with a great sequence where Spidey saves a father and daughter from a potentially fatal car accident by backflipping through the window and pulling them out to safety. After saving them, he offers some advice on how to more effectively navigate rush hour in Queens, reinforcing the idea that this Spider-Man is just being the most perfect ambassador of his neighborhood.

Right after that heroic act, he helps an elderly woman named Marnie bring groceries up to her apartment. (He’s such a good kid.) Peter continues to just be generally helpful and nice to all those whom he encounters.

One of Peter’s neighbors asks him to contact Spider-Man to assist her with a problem that can’t be solved through the police. Peter says he will pass the message along, then goes out for some hot dogs. On his way back, he sees two strange cars double parked outside the apartment building and it triggers his Spidey senses. He rushes to help, and gets knocked out instead.

Overall, this issue does a great job of world-building an intimate community and making every person Peter comes across seem like a potentially important character. I know I was a bit late in diving into this series, but I hope to be caught up soon because it looks to be a wonderfully endearing tale of Peter Parker — and, I mean, who doesn’t love that?