Tag: DC Comics

Joker: Killer Smile Actually Does Joker Right [Review]

There hasn’t been a shortage of Joker-related content this year. But there’s been a shortage of good films and comics about him. With Jeff Lemire behind the keyboard, “Joker: Killer Smile” is actually worthy of conversation. 

I’ve been a fan of Lemire ever since I read A.D. After Death. (Not many people would agree with me on that one.) But to me, Jeff Lemire represents what comics is all about: the marriage of art and literature on the page, distributed to the masses for cheap. 

Joker: Killer Smile Is a Beautiful Comic About Beauty

“Joker: Killer Smile” does just that. It’s a beautiful comic about beauty. Literary and artistic, “Killer Smile” hones in on how the Joker sees himself as a performance artist. 

When you really think about it, though, the performance artists on display here are Jordie Bellaire (my favorite colorist) and Andrea Sorrentino (the line artist).

Andrea’s line work is substantial. It evokes noir with heavy shadows, extreme closeups, and uneasy camera angles that convey the paranoia of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. There’s no shortage of innovation in their collaboration. Cheekbones and shadows are evoked with color instead of crosshatching. The palette is washed out without being weak.

With plenty of room to breathe, the art carries the weight in this book. It helps that every word in the comic is meant to be there. It’s a relief to see a writer (especially a more experimental one) with the confidence and trust to let the art do the talking.

There are also some nods to Watchmen in “Joker: Killer Smile.” The therapist who brings his work home with him, to the disappointment of his wife. There’s an abundance of Rorschach imagery in the panels. There’s a story within the story, serving the same thematic purpose as “Tales of the Black Freighter” did back in 1986.

There’s Just One Downside to “Joker: Killer Smile”

Like nearly all Joker stories, the plot engine is extremely tired. The I’m A Therapist Who Will Fix Joker trope has been played out — just have your friend tell you about Harleen so you don’t have to spend money on it yourself. Still, this is a really successful interpretation of that premise that feels…different.

“Joker: Killer Smile” is a 9/10. This is a surreal comic that is actually digestible. (No unintelligible Azzarello escapades here.) Better yet, it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Buy this book.

Review: “Harleen” #1 (of 3) from DC’s Black Label

Written by Stjepan Šejić
Illustrated by Stjepan Šejić
Colored by Stjepan Šejić
Lettered by Gabriela Downie

Harley Quinn’s story began when Dr. Harleen Quinzel was walking home from the bar, after the pitch for her criminal psychology research grant didn’t go as well as planned. She’d run into the Joker on Gotham’s streets that night, and her life would never be the same.

“Harleen” Book #1 of 3 is really Act One of Three in terms of the overall story. And so Šejić very clearly sets up the circumstances surrounding the main character’s situation. 

Harleen Quinzel is a young psychiatrist whose research got funded against all odds, so she’s on a mission to prove herself and get people to look beyond her past. Dr. Quinzel hypothesizes that Gotham’s most hardened criminals have lost their ability to feel empathy, and that restoring that ability could be both rehabilitative and preventative. 

She needs to prove her theory on criminal psychology and validate that she’s where she is now because she’s earned it. And all of this hinges on her ability to study DC’s laundry list of A-list criminals: most notably The Joker, who is locked up in Arkham after Batman took him down the night Harley was walking home.

Locked away, the Joker needs an audience, and she’s listening. (It’s her job, after all.) 

Stjepan Šejić (pretty much) single handedly made “Harleen” DC’s best Black Label book thus far. Sixty pages full of constantly entertaining panels later, I’m thinking about how impressive it is that one guy can so fully understand the fundamentals of art and storytelling.

“Harleen” #1 is a story about a bright young woman with a tendency for self-sabotage. Narrated by her future-self, it’s structured to show Harley’s reflections on Harleen’s downfall. 

Šejić cleverly repeats verbal motifs for symbolic effect in “Harleen” #1. For example, Harley thinks about her budding relationship with The Joker as stars aligning. It suggests that some mystical element wedged itself between Dr. Quinzel and her science, pulling her towards her fate.

The writer/artist also uses visual motifs to this end in “Harleen” #1. Harley constantly draws on the symbolism of light and shadows, poetically saying how when you’re walking toward the light you can’t see your own shadow behind you. To represent this visually, Šejić creates a half-page panel where Dr. Quinzel walking toward her bright future as a psychiatrist studying Arkam’s most notorious criminals, but behind her the shadow of Harley Quinn lurks with a gun and mallet in hand.

Because “Harleen” #1 is told in retrospect, there is a lot of tension between the past and present in the art. The moment The Joker and Dr. Quinzel first met, both characters flank the leftmost and rightmost side of two splash pages, eyes locked on each other, The Joker pointing his gun directly at her, with panels in between showing all her major decisions up to that life-altering moment. Šejić uses this structure to comment on how life is just a series of decisions leading up to one moment that might undo all those decisions, good or bad.

In these ways, the genre elements of thrillers, tragedies, and romance stories comes through in the art of “Harleen” #1. From the moment Dr. Quinzel meets The Joker, before she learns that her research was even funded, she is doomed.

It seems that Harleen’s hypothesis about criminals lacking empathy might only be half of the story. As she unravels her future by inevitably growing closer to The Joker in Books 2 and 3, she might discover they are the way they are because of self-destructive tendencies. Only then will she be able to empathize with them herself, instead of merely sympathizing as a researcher.

Book 1 of “Harleen” looks at the full spectrum of humanity, from good intentions to hidden agendas. It’s an empathetic portrait of a young woman dealing with doubting colleagues, unexpected success, and people who want her to fail to prove their own point.

Get Your “Harleen” #1

Rating: 9.2/10

“Harleen” #1 is surreal, smart, and fun. It’s honest, heartbreaking, human, and most importantly, self-aware.

6 Comics to Pick up this Week (09/18/19)

FLASH FORWARD #1 (OF 6)

DC Comics
(Wr) Scott Lobdell (A) Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund (CA) Evan Shaner

Following the events of Heroes in Crisis, Wally West sets out for redemption after the multiverse was re-written without him in it. After the uproar of Wally fans responding to Heroes in Crisis, I’m curious how DC, with this mini-series, attempts to sway back into the good-graces of Wally’s most fervent fans.

INFERIOR FIVE #1 (OF 12)

DC Comics
(Wr) Keith Giffen, Jeff Lemire (A) Jeff Lemire & Various (CA) Keith Giffen, Michelle Delecki

After the “Invasion” that rocked the DC Universe, the citizens of Dangerfield, Arizona are affected by strange goings-on — but only five misfit kids seem to notice them. Can they uncover what’s happening before some sinister force collects them all? Stranger Things meets X-Files? Sign me up!

SPIDER-MAN #1 (OF 5) CHIP KIDD DIE CUT VAR

Marvel Comics
(Wr) J. J. Abrams, Henry Abrams (A) Sara Pichelli (CA) Chip Kidd

WHO IS CADAVEROUS?! WILL J.J. ABRAMS (and son, Henry) KNOCK SPIDEY OUT OF THE BALL-PARK?!

More importantly, ARE DIE CUT COVERS COMING BACK?!

I don’t know which I am more excited to find out. Jokes aside: I am very excited to pick up this issue. I think Spider-Man is in good hands with the incredible writing of JJ Abrams and the always stunning artwork of Sara Pichelli.

I also LOVE that it is a mini-series, which always feels re-assuring to me when considering to start a new series. Just enough commitment to not feel like I’m committing to (approximately) a million issues.

ABSOLUTE CARNAGE #3 (OF 5) AC

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Donny Cates (A/CA) Ryan Stegman

THE SUMMER OF SLAUGHTER CONTINUES!

HOLY SMOKES, this series is amazing. From the captivating story to the jaw-droppingly-gorgeous artwork, I am HOOKED! What is in store for the Venom/Spider-Man gang, and who will they recruit to help fight off the massacring masses following the orders of Carnage? 

FOREVER MAPS #1

Scout Comics
(Wr) Michael Lagace (A/CA) Todor Hristov

I am always down to pick up a new Scout Comics first issue, and this story pulled me in like a fly to honey.

In 1794, John finds a map, follows it, and when he arrives at the end he finds another map, and another and another and SO ON! Decades later he realizes that as he follows these maps, he does not age — after about 100 years, he realizes that when he stops, time starts to catch back up with him.

John is torn between family and immortality: does he choose living forever? Or having a life worth living?

I can understand some of the not-so-nuanced symbolism to modern life in this story, but I have not yet had enough Red Bull to decipher it beyond that…Regardless, I am seriously intrigued.

YOU ARE OBSOLETE #1 CVR A CLARKE

AFTERSHOCK COMICS
(Wr) Mathew Klickstein (A) Evgeny Bornyakov (CA) Andy Clarke

After reading the description of this comic, my first thought was “Ew.” Right on time for spooky-season, this comic sounds like it will give you some serious chills, heebie-jeebies, and general discomfort (especially for those nearing or surpassed 40 years old).

On an isolated European island, a reporter discovers that children have taken control over the island and are killing off all adults by their 40th birthday. (Sounds kind of like Lord of the Flies, no?) She must discover what is behind these killings while staying on the good side of the children’s harsh leader. Got the creeps? Yeah, me too.. 

6 Comics to Pick up this Week (09/11/19)

GOTHAM CITY MONSTERS #1 (OF 6)

DC Comics
(Wr) Steve Orlando (A) Amancay Nahuelpan (CA) Philip Tan
I am absolutely GETTING IN THE SPOOKY SPIRIT and diving right into this comic on Wednesday!

Frankenstein has to take down his former mentor, Melmoth, so he heads to Gotham City in search of allies. He recruits Killer Croc, Lady Clayface, Orca, and vampire Andrew Bennett… but will these dreaded creatures be enough to save humanity before the entire cosmos collapses in on itself??

Zoinks! Gotta pick up this ghoulish issue to find out!

BATMAN #78 YOTV

DC Comics
(Wr) Tom King (A) Clay Mann (CA) Tony S. Daniel
Tom King has created an interlude to the final story arc of his long-running Batman series featuring our favorite feline badass and Batman’s ex(?)-fiance, Catwoman!

Selina knows how Bane is fueling his regime in “City of Bane,” and she’ll help Batman shut down the supply line — but first, she has to whip her battered Bat into shape.

I am going to keep all of my fingers and toes crossed that this interlude will lead to a happier (than Batman #50) ending between Catwoman and Batman (that I may or may not have held a bitter resentment about ever since that issue was released over a year ago). Don’t let me down Tom King!

KING THOR #1 (OF 4)

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Jason Aaron (A/CA) Esad Ribic
The epic conclusion to Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic’s INCREDIBLE Thor story.

Seven years ago, Jason and Esad introduced the Thor of the far future, All-Father of a broken realm and a dying universe, as he stood in battle against the Butcher of Gods, wielder of All-Black the Necrosword. Now that nefarious blade has returned, in the hands of Thor’s all-time greatest enemy — his brother, Loki — for one final, cataclysmic showdown.

Buckle up, folks! It’s going to be one hell of a final series.

DAREDEVIL #11

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Chip Zdarsky (A) Marco Checchetto (CA) Julian Totino Tedesco
New story arc!! I really enjoy Chip Zdarsky’s writing, and if you haven’t caught this series from the beginning, this new story arc “THROUGH HELL” would be a great place for new readers to dive in!

TREES THREE FATES #1 (OF 5)

Image Comics
(Wr) Warren Ellis (A/CA) Jason Howard
Continuing my interest in spooky things in this upcoming Halloween season (I tell myself, even though I love spooky and horror all year ’round), I will be picking up the first issue of this horror / mystery continuation of Trees, a series created by Ellis and Howard.

“Trees Three Fates” — In the remote Russian village of Toska, there’s a dead body by the leg of the Tree that landed eleven years ago. Police sergeant Klara Voranova, still haunted by that day, has no idea how this murder will change everything-nor what awaits her in the Tree’s shadow.

COFFIN BOUND #2 (MR)

Image Comics
(Wr) Dan Watters (A/CA) Dani
Holy smokes. I am honestly shocked that I am adding this comic to my “Books to Pick Up!” list this week.. The first issue… what to say, what to say… it reviewed VERY well by creators.

The description of the first issue was just RAVING reviews by creators about how amazing this comic was. My expectation was that it would exceed (or at least meet) the reviews from so many of my favorite writers.

It was a difficult read; the dialogue almost felt like I was reading lines from the Canterbury Tales. THAT BEING SAID, I loved the artwork and I loved the idea of the story and how shockingly breathtaking many of the scenes were.

Even though the dialogue was obscure, I am going to pick up the second issue to give it a fair shot and see where this story goes!

Review – Batman/Superman #1: The Next Laugh

I usually don’t fall head over heels for stories built on the backs of multiverse concepts. And as far as falling head over heels for stories goes, forget about stories that try to milk sales from the sore teat of previously successful concepts — like the whole “Batman Who Laughs” thing.

And yet…here I am, really stoked on Batman/Superman #1. Yes, Superman’s and Batman’s rockin bods and thick necks might have something to do with the allure, but mainly it boils down to great art and great writing.

Joshua Williamson seems uniquely capable of getting inside Superman’s and Batman’s psyches, and David Marquez is easily one of my top four favorite pencilers (ever) in comics. (That list includes Lee Bermejo, Ransom Getty, and Ryan Stegman.)

To my fellow reviewers who feel that Alejandro Sanchez’s colors are “flat” or “dull” or some other negative adjective, to you I say, HOW DARE YOU. The use of light and shadow, the clarity of the hues, the ethereal ghosts in Crime Alley?! Lower your expectations, please, because this dude is a coloring god. (And since I’m name dropping artists not associated with the book, I’ll randomly say that John Rauch is also a coloring god.)

Superman’s opening line — once you get past the whole Jimmy Olsen Does It Again bit — tells you what to expect, straight up. (This was especially helpful for me, A Person Who Did Not Read Batman Who Laughs.)

“From the moment we met, it was clear that Batman and I didn’t see eye to eye. But over time we learned there are some things we always agree on…We would never give in to the devil on our shoulder and hurt our enemies the way they hurt us. If we act like them, we become them.”

Superman

Thinking about how heroes would make the best villains if they decided to become that harkens to the whole With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility Thing, but in a very moody way that is Very DC.

Here’s the nuts and bolts of the whole story: Batman Who Laughs escaped to Earth-0 and wants to use serum on infected batarangs to make DC’s roster of heroes villains. The details don’t really matter. That’s just a Plot Point, and I’m more concerned about Storytelling.

This Whole Situation makes Batman and Superman wonder if the other is infected. Watching Batman ask Superman all these hypothetical questions about what Superman would do if Batman Suddenly Went Bad was…really endearing, like you were watching an odd couple whose love has somehow survived decades and decades and decades. Batman, the cautious planner, Superman, the optimistic live in the moment kinda alien/guy.

All this philosophical musing about the merits of a hero really pops, thanks to colorist Alejandro Sanchez. That scene where the other Superman “dies,” surrounded by the pulpy corpses of his Justice League comrades, is horrifying! My favorite panel: an extreme closeup of Superman mid-“death.” Watery, red eyes. Blood pouring down his chiseled cheekbones. Sweaty hair and shiny lip. Pain. Perfection.

And without David Marquez, where would Sanchez’s colors even be? Showing off his impeccable knowledge of meaty man anatomy, he creates methodical shots that are worthy of a Best Cinematography Oscar. (Why don’t the Eisner’s have a Cinematography Award???) Even the small stuff shines, like the perfectly rendered hands, especially in that one panel of Superman flying to his “death.” The majestic swoops and sweeps of Batman and Superman’s capes, responding to wind and gravity. All that comes together in the two page fight scene against the drones, with the dynamic poses and laser eyes.

Aaaaaand then Shazam Who Laughs shows up? Okay, whatever.

Williamson makes this Year of the Villain cliffhanger resonate with a Batman quote that puts us right where we started. “If heroes ever started to act like our enemies, we’d be better villains than they ever were.”

This comic has tight storytelling, world-class art, and asks a troubling question about being human. Next issue, please.

5 Comics to Pick up this Week (08/21/19)

HEADLESS #1

Scout Comics
(Wr) Alexander Banchita (A) Robert Ahmad

This murder mystery promises to unveil quite a tangled web of horror and intrigue in this story of the Headless Horseman who is responsible for turning the women of Salem into witches and the Knights Templar that are set out to banish all magic from Salem.

PRETTY VIOLENT #1 CVR A HUNTER (MR)

Image Comics
(Wr) Derek Hunter, Jason Young (A/CA) Derek Hunter

Pretty Violent looks like a step-sister to Skottie Young’s I HATE FAIRYLAND. It’s a gore-filled laugh out loud story of Gamma Rae, who has always wanted to be a super-hero. The punchline? Her siblings are notorious hero-killing criminals! Sure, we all have our own version of family issues, but this may prove to be quite a pickle for Gamma.

ABSOLUTE CARNAGE VS DEADPOOL #1 (OF 3) AC

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Matthew Rosenberg (A) Marcelo Ferreira (CA) Tyler Kirkham

Deadpool finally decides to checks himself into the Ravencroft Institute to straighten out the ol’ noggin, just in time for another patient to check in as well, you guess it — CARNAGE. Something tells me that their stay at the Institute might not go quite as Deadpool planned..

GHOST-SPIDER #1

Marvel Comics
(W) Seanan McGuire (A) Takeshi Miyazawa (CA) Jorge Molina

I am very vocal and unapologetic about not loving stories that involve multi-dimensional travel, BUT I am interested in this new series starring our fave Spider-Woman, Gwen Stacy aka Ghost-Spider…Let’s see if I can keep everything straight!

Earth-65 Gwen Stacy travels to Earth-616 to do some super-heroing and University!? While most college-goers may have struggled to balance homework / social life and a job, at least we were limited to one world. Gwen is thrown into a crash course of multiversity while she splits her time between Earth-65 and 616!

BATMAN #232 FACSIMILE EDITION

DC Comics
(W) Dennis O’Neil (A) Neal Adams, Dick Giordano (CA) Neal Adams

I really love that DC is starting to reprint hard to find issues for us who don’t want to break the bank to read these much sought after comics!! This book features the first appearance of one of Batman’s biggest foes, Ra’s Al Ghul! 

6 Comics to Pick up this Week (08/14/19)

POWERS OF X #2 (of 6)

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Jonathan Hickman (A/CA) R. B. Silva

While I left POWERS OF X #1 slightly perplexed, I feel committed to this series and am confident in Hickman’s storytelling.

I know I’ve said it before, but coming into this series being a neutral observer of previous X-Men stories, this one managed to hook me in and is holding tight. That being said, these comics are FILLED with information and can feel very dense while reading, but part of the challenge that came with reading these comics is what has made me even MORE invested into the story.

(Reece’s overview in “Everything You Need to know about House of X” definitely helped me understand the foundation of the story.)

GWENPOOL STRIKES BACK #1 (of 5)

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Leah Williams (A) David Baldeon (CA) Terry Dodson

Gwenpool is BACK IN ACTION! This fantastically funny, fourth-wall-breaking female wants to secure herself a permanent role in the Marvel Universe and attempts this by kidnapping none other than our favorite web-slinger! (?)

This issue seems like a light, fun comic that might be a good palate cleanser after the heaviness of Powers of X #2.

WHITE TREES #1 (OF 2) (MR)

Image Comics
(Wr) Chip Zdarsky (A/CA) Kris Anka

This two-part mini series of high fantasy is about a group of three “unbending” warriors coming together for one last adventure after 20 years apart.

Zdarsky promises to highlight character dynamics and depth. Anka’s cover and interior artwork is reminiscent of Fiona Staple’s work in SAGA, and the cover of the first issue is pulling me in.

This comic is going to be very close to the top of my comics to read this week.

ONCE & FUTURE #1 (of 6)

BOOM! STUDIOS
(Wr) Kieron Gillen (A/CA) Dan Mora

Indiana Jones meets Helsing meets Merlin? That is what I’m getting out of the synopsis of this first issue: a group of Nationalists use an ancient artifact to bring a villain back from Arthurian myth. Ex-monster hunter, Bridgette McGuire, recruits her unsuspecting grandson (a museum curator) to help her defeat this mystical threat.

This sounds like a magical roller-coaster that I am VERY excited to read!

DETECTIVE COMICS #1009 YOTV DARK GIFTS

DC Comics
(Wr) Peter J. Tomasi (A) Christian Duce (CA) Doug Mahnke

“Take Your Shot” begins! Have you been looking to dive into a DC title, but are intimidated by all of the high issue numbers? This week we have NOT ONE, but TWO new story arcs starting in DC (Check out Flash #76 below in our weekly picks list!) 

Deadshot, aka Flloyd Lawton, has come back to Gotham after a long stint with the Suicide Squad, but without Amanda Waller to monitor the newly returned sharpshooter, Batman fears that Floyd will go back to his old ways…Add Mr. Freeze into the mix, and we have one heck of an action-packed comic!

FLASH #76 YOTV DARK GIFTS

DC Comics
(Wr) Joshua Williamson (A) Rafa Sandoval, Jordi Tarragona (CA) Howard Porter & Various

New DC Story Arc Alert! “Death of the Speed Force” begins!

Flash is back with a new mission, a new outlook, and a brand-new speedster HQ — sounds like an amazing and uplifting fresh start for our favorite speeders! Sound too good to be true? Well, the Fastest Man Alive is slowing down-and there’s only one explanation: the Speed Force is dying.

6 Comics to Pick up this Week (08/07/19)

ABSOLUTE CARNAGE #1 (of 5) AC

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Donny Cates (A/CA) Ryan Stegman

This MUCH anticipated story, created by Cates and Stegman (an ABSOLUTE power-house team), has promised to break comic book sale records — and we are holding our breath waiting to get our grubby little mitts on this comic.

Branching out into five additional mini-series that will run along-side the main title of ABSOLUTE CARNAGE, I am sure that this series will rock Marvel sales for the next few months. Donny Cates notoriously creates insanely captivating stories and new characters that I think we will see within the first three issues of the main series.
Buckle up, folks, because there will be CARNAGE!

House of X #2 (of 6)

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Jonathan Hickman (A/CA) Pepe Larraz

The first issue of this series sucked me in like a fly to honey, which shocked me, especially because I have never really been interested in any other modern X-Men stories. This story is NEXT LEVEL. It definitely lives up to the mass-hype that was created prior to its release, which I think will also carry over for years to come.

This series is a MUST READ!

COFFIN BOUND #1

Image Comics
(Wr) Dan Watters (A/CA) Dani

This comic has received nothing but RAVE reviews. Here a few of my favorites:

  • “Coffin Bound is a comic with a strong pulse that bleeds all over your hands while reading. You should give it a read.” – Declan Shalvey
  • “A gore-splattered-but poetic-road trip with one of the strangest stripper scenes in comics.” – John Harris Dunning
  • “Gorgeous and odd and very much its own unique monster. I am jealous at its filthy strangeness.” – Ivan Brandon

BERSERKER UNBOUND #1 (of 4) CVR A DEODATO

Dark Horse Publishing
(W) Jeff Lemire (A/CA) Mike Deodato

Jeff Lemire, swords, sorcery, and evil wizards?! TAKE MY MONEY!

LOIS LANE #2 (of 12)

DC Comics
(Wr) Greg Rucka (A/CA) Mike Perkins
Lois Lane’s investigation of an international conspiracy forces her to keep secrets from Clark, who, being completely in the dark, can not help her. Though she does find unexpected help from the streets of Gotham City…

DCEASED #4 (of 6)

DC Comics
(W) Tom Taylor (A) Trevor Hairsine, Stefano Guadiano (CA) Andy Kubert

It seems like this is the part of the story where hope is crushed by the reality that being hopeful might prove to be fruitless in a world overrun with zombies. The Daily Planet becomes a haven for those who are not infected with the virus, but can they stay safe in a city full of humans and super-humans infected with the Anti-Life Equation? Methinks not..

5 Comics to Pick up this Week (07/24/19)

Some weeks are DC-heavy, some weeks there are several amazing independent titles, but HOLY SMOKES, Marvel is PACKING A PUNCH. We’ve got some serious heavy-hitter comics releasing this week! Hold onto your butts, folks, this is going to be an epic New-Release-Wednesday.

House of X #1 (OF 6)

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Jonathan Hickman (A/CA) Pepe Larraz
OF COURSE this has to be on my list this week: X-MEN (soft) REBOOT. Uncanny X-Men and X-Force have ended and the next chapter of X-Men begins with Hickman’s House of X and Powers of X, the mini series that will bring Mutants “out of the shadows and into the light.”

There has been an astronomical amount of hype around this mini-series and his additional series Powers of X, (which will allegedly change the way we see the past, present and future of mutants) and my hope is that this series can make itself worthy of all of this hype. House of X and Powers of X seem to be all anyone wants to talk about for the past two months and although I do not typically get excited over modern X-Men stories, I am SUPER intrigued about this — and if it will really be as revolutionary as the Marvel / Diamond descriptions and solicitations are making it seem!

Fearless #1 (of 4) Frison Connecting Variant

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Seanan McGuire & Various (A) Claire Roe, Carmen Nunez Carnero (CA) Jenny Frison
A celebration of the women of Marvel, this mini-series showcases an amazing collection of female characters who have fought, overcome, loved, and have been an inspiration to so many. From an all-female creative team, it’s so powerful to see women celebrating women and I am HERE for this series!

Valkyrie: Jane Foster #1

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Jason Aaron, Al Ewing (A) CAFU (CA) Mahmud A. Asrar
First, she was Dr. Jane Foster, then she became Thor, the Goddess of Thunder, and spinning from the pages of War of the Realms, she is now VALKYRIE. Jane Foster is one bad-B and I am so pumped to see Jason Aaron’s story of Jane Foster as Valkyrie, guide and ferry-woman to the dead.

Web of Venom: Funeral Pyre #1

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Cullen Bunn (A) Alberto Jimenez Alburquerque, Joshua Cassara (CA) Declan Shalvey
An “Absolute Carnage” tie-in/prequel, Carnage has been hunting all former symbiote hosts and killing them off. This one-shot story tells the tale of the hunting down of his next victim, Andi Benton, formerly Mania (living in Philadelphia) without a symbiote to save her from the destruction of Carnage.

Batman: Curse of the White Knight #1 (of 8)

DC Comics
(Wr/A/CA) Sean Murphy
In this sequel to Batman White Knight series (retroactively part of DC’s Black Label), Joker recruits Azreal to run Gotham into the ground by revealing a shocking secret about the Wayne family. While fighting to save his city, Bruce deals with how the secret begins to unravel and exposes the true history of his ancestry. This sequel series promises “new villains,” (which hooks me in), and the success of the first series is setting this series up to be a must-have!

Star Pig #1 (of 4) Cvr A Richard

IDW Publishing
(Wr) Delilah S Dawson (A) Francesco Gaston (CA) Sara Richard
“Perfect for fans of Saga and Guardians of the Galaxy,” this is the story of a 16-year-old girl, going to Space Camp (in space), who is rescued by a space-faring Water-Bear after a shuttle accident sets her flying through space. This trippy yet adorable story looks like it will be a lot of fun, and I’m excited for this adventure to begin!

Review: Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #1

Who would’ve thought that a Golden Age character would become the poster-boy for “pivot to video”? Well, in Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber’s newest maxi-series, anything’s possible. Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #1 is a hilarious collection of four related short stories provide a “bizarre tour of the underbelly of the DC Universe.”

The series opens with a family history of the Luthor and Olsen families, focusing on their role in shaping Metropolis. In a hilarious death sequence, Jimmy’s “great-great-grand-something” falls to his death after getting whacked with a shovel while disputing over the land that would be Metropolis. After this brief history, we see a standard day in the life for Jimmy Olsen: falling from outer space with nothing to break his fall…while metamorphosing into a giant turtle, thanks to a biomedical experiment. Though Superman tries to save his life and prevent major damage to Metropolis, he shatters The Monarch of Metropolis — a massive lion monument/tourist attraction erected by the Luthor family.

These shenanigans are fun, but the story really hits its stride in the second half. Jimmy’s space turtle fiasco costs the city and the Daily Planet, but the video of his fall is the only thing bringing money in for the publication. He’s too much of a liability for Metropolis, but he’s good for business, so Daily Planet’s publisher relocates him to Gotham. After moving in to his crappy new digs, it’s revealed that the Daily Planet published a front-page fake news story about Jimmy Olsen getting murdered!

For me, this was a comical story about the “long, slow death spiral” of print media, as the comic puts it. The “pivot to video” and clickbait trends are central themes to this story filled with wacky plot points. Fraction uses puns, witty wordplay, and slick sarcasm in a measured way that complements the strange subject matter. Steve Lieber’s art is just cartoony enough to match the funny script, and the colors heighten the Golden Age nostalgia while remaining crisp.

Credit: DC Comics

Rating 9/10

I need to learn more about the DC Universe, and this comic seems like an amusing tour de force. As a writer, I’m delighted to see comic creators working in a print-based medium address the challenges of the twentieth century. Although comics have adapted to the digital medium (with Comixology), the silver screen (MCU movies), and smaller screens (YouTube reviewers), it’s nice to see a traditionally print-based medium address its own reckoning in such a lighthearted way.