Welcome to another big week in comics! I feel like I've been going pretty hard on these pull lists each week, and I hope the new formatting helps with the added features. Feedback is always appreciated!
One thing that stood out to me about this week's pull list is that a solid third of them are #4's. I'm not sure why this struck me as odd, but I wanted to share. You might have also noticed I read a good deal of limited series'. This week alone, there is the Death Metal event tie-in, the fourth of five for Star and Ludocrats, and the final issues of Dead Earth, the X-Men tie-in to Empyre, and Ant-Man. I'm also picking up the final book of the once-ongoing Harley Quinn series, where the notoriously self-contained book is going canon for it's bonus-sized final issue. A lot of independent publishers often prefer short story contracts, to keep their releases fresh and new, offering more all the time. Since I'm actively trying to expand the ratio of indie comics I read, it makes sense that I'm reading more limited series', as well. I'm also still doing the spotlights on representation in comics, which I plan to continue for the foreseeable future. This week, I'm discussing comic writer Ta Nehisi Coates, pop culture's response to Harley Quinn's multi-faceted sexuality, and a spotlight on the women of comics showcasing writer Karla Pacheco and her new Spider-Woman series. You may also notice a number of these "blurbs" are smaller than my usual pull list writing. This is due to a larger number of commitments over the weekend, pressing myself for time, and the fact that for some of these, I've either talked them to death already, or the story isn't capturing me as well as it used to. If the shortness of those blurbs is off putting, apologies, I'm a little overdue for a pull list cleanup. Continue Reading for all this and more!
Real quick! Make sure youcheck out my top five PICK list from last week's comics, 8/12/20! (opens in new tab)
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Spotlight on Creators of Color: Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of this week's Captain America
I won't lie to you and tell you this author wrote a Captain America comic so good, even I read it. I haven't read Ta-Nehisi Coates' Captain America, but you don't have to in order to understand how important his writing it is. Coates' career in writing began as a columnist for The Atlantic. He quickly grew an audience through his posts on racial issues, the struggle of Black Americans, and other generally avoided topics. He even held the position of Senior Editor at the Atlantic, continuing to write while doing so. In 2008, Coates published The Beautiful Struggle, a memoir about coming of age in West Baltimore and its effect on him. The son of a Vietnam War veteran-turned Black Panter, Coates understood from an early age what it mean to be a patriot and to serve your country. He has also written, Between the World and Me, which explores the relationship that black men and women in America experience with racism, fear, and political violence. In 2016, Coates came on board at Marvel for writing the new Black Panther series. The month it premiered, it held the score for highest selling comic. His run is still he'd as being one of The runs to read, alongside Christopher Priest. He even started a spin-ff series, Black Panther: World of Wakanda, which was critically acclaimed but it was cancelled after it's first six issues. Coates' first fiction novel was published last year, called The Water Dancer. The story is about an American slave with superhuman powers, and how he uses them to help the people around him. When he started writing Captain America with Filipino artist Leinil Yu, Coatespublished another article on The Atlantic, discussing his motives for taking the job. He discusses, in that article, the good and bad of America, the good and bad of comics, and how he wants to ask questions as much as answer them. In this day and age of America, it only makes sense to me to have a person of color writing Captain America. We are no doubt a society that survives off the backs of the oppressed, and Coates does an excellent job of showing how multi-faceted patriotism is.
Spotlight on LGBTQ+ Characters: Harley Quinn
If you aren't aware that Harley Quinn has long-since ditched the Joker for a better life, boy, have I got news for you! Harley Quinn was made quickly famous by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm when they created her for an early episode of Batman: The Animated Series, appropriately titled Mad Love. The story is soon after translated into comic form, and remains a "classic" for Batman fans today. Mad Love shows the origin of Harleen Quinzel, mentally unstable sidekick and under-trodden lover to the Joker. But that relationship was never destined to remain status quo, especially as the world modernized. Mad Love, while a classic story in the Batman mythos, was a sexist look at an relationship that is physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive to the woman involved. I don't blame Dini or the other creators of that time period for this, that would be like blaming Chris Claremont for his numerous writing sins in the 80's now-iconic Uncanny X-Men, or like blaming pre-14th century Italian artists for not understanding proper linear perspective in their paintings. I think I've made my point clear, but as forgiving of retro comics culture sins as I am, I appreciate even more when comics nowadays are written and drawn a little more conscientiously. In any case, Harleen has been through some incredible personal changes in her history, most famously for her sexuality. Having originally been written as madly in love with the Joker, but the relationship as abusive, it makes sense that in time, Harley has enough of that poor treatment and dumps the Joker. This is still comics we are talking about, and at the "Big Two" they're ultimately supposed to reflect the world we want to see. If I recall correctly, it took years of her comics to get her fully emancipated from him once she started that move. It also makes sense that she finds comfort in her closest relationship with her best friend, often team mate, and equal boss-bitch criminal Poison Ivy. You can thank creator couple Amanda Connor and Jimmy Palmiotti for making this historic change for the characters. In their Harley Quinn comics, Harleen and Pamela are actual, literal girlfriends, having fallen for one another post-Joker breakup. While this isn't always the case in every DC property, it's generally known today that Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy are a couple. Publicly, it's been surprisingly mixed reactions to this this revelation. Truthfully, we live in a world with some very opposing views of "alternative" sexuality for women. When a woman is a lesbian, she's either seen as a whore, a damaged dyke, or its hot. Bisexual women are greedy, attention seeking and faking it, or going through a phase. So I suppose it shouldn't be all that surprising when Harley Quinn's sexuality was, well, sexualized and profited off of. At the same time, she and her creators of the era were cursed, cancelled, and harassed for daring to change the comics status quo. Since dropping the Joker and joining team green, another DC property has taken Harley's character by the reigns and grown it to far better places. Inspired originally by designer statues, Marguerite Bennett's DC Bombshells series took the comics world by storm, planting the women of the DC universe in a Wold War II styled world. The characters, like Wonder Women, Batgirl, and of course, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, are all strong female figures of the era, taking up classic jobs of the period like solider, airplane factory worker, and Baseball bat star. The series has been immensely critically acclaimed, and has sparked countless lines of action figures, statues, and other art inspired by the period redesign of the characters. Additionally, Harleen Quinzell in the series is confirmed to be a lesbian, and in a relationship with that universe's Pamela Isley. This is a plot point Bennett speaks openly and proudly about, as a queer woman herself, and has stated more than once that she enjoys exploring women's sexualities and normalizing them. While this week's Harley Quinn #75 is the final issue of her series, there's still plenty of places you can catch Harley, in addition to the aforementioned DC Bombshells series. The same legendary team who changed Harley's relationship status has an ongoing DC Black Label book for her called Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey, which has been a fun read so far. For a slightly more modern (and sexy, TBH) take on Harley's turn to the dark side, definitely check out Harleen by Stjepan Sejic, a 3-issue DC Black Label series from last year. There's also the recent two seasons of DC Universe's Harley Quinn animated TV show, which I would definitely recommend if you're into classic Harley Quinn chaos, but not so much her relationship with the Joker. And I would be remiss to not mention last year's fabulous Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey film with Margot Robbie. I've seen it a handful of times now, and I swear each new viewing is better than the last. While the future of the canon comic Harley Quinn is a little uncertain (don't get me started on the increasingly-true-sounding rumors of yet another DC universe reboot), it's become very clear that Harleen is not going to be a soon forgotten character. Her story arc, from her psychiatric doctor origins, to her toxic romance with the Joker and subsequent self-rescue, to her newfound love with Poison Ivy, all follow a pattern of progression and introspection that is a reflection of our own world. It only makes sense that a character whose modern interpretation is so strongly influenced by Deadpool, another queer third-wall breaker in comics, would carry the same values of empathy, humor, and open-mindedness.
Spotlight on Women in Comics: Karla Pacheco's Spider-Woman
Karla Pacheco has more of a right than anyone to write Spider-Woman, seeing as she was born on the day her first solo series was released in 1978. The character of Jessica Drew first appeared as a villain in the 1977 Marvel Spotlight #32. On a trip in England, Nick Fury is targeted by the femme fatale, who is there working for Hydra at the time. Through a tragic series of events. Jessica learns her own history is a lie, and the man she thought she loved was conspiring against her sanity. In reality, she was experimented on in utero by her own father, and brainwashed at a young age to fight for Hydra. Breaking free of her controllers, Jessica winds up in America, and eventually as an Avengers team member. Since then, it's been a crazy road for Jessica Drew. She was the Avenger who rescued Carol Danvers from the Bay after she was attacked by Rogue; she was the one chosen to be replicated by the Skrull Empress during Secret Invasion. More recently, she decided to have her own baby, and that a man didn't need to be involved. Now, as a mother AND superhero, Jessica is getting the series she always deserved. Personally, I've been reading Spider-Woman for about five or six years. I've had the pleasure of witnessing the first appearances of fellow Spider-Women Gwen Stacy and Cindy Moon, aka Ghost-Spider and Silk. Together, the three of them make one of my favorite teams at Marvel, although we haven't seen them together for a while. This winter, Venom and Absolute Carnage writer Donny Cates is leading the new event, The King In Black, which is meant to be the coming of the symbiote god, Knull. In preparation, Marvel has solicited a number of characters to get series' around this time. This includes both Silk and Felicia Hardy's Black Cat. Additionally, the Ghost-Spider series is coming to and end, leaving an opening for Gwen to start anew. With Drew's ongoing Spider-Woman book, all that leaves in the Spider-World is Scream, who's most recent solo stories have been closely related to the events of Venom. Hopefully the first female symbiote will get her time to shine during The King in Black, as well. Which leaves me with the current Spider-Woman series. I knew this comic was going to be a winner when I saw Marvel is hack to using her original tagline on the cover: To Know Her is to Fear Her! While an enjoyable read, the last Spider-Woman solo series was a much lighter take on Jessica and her life, hence bringing in the baby and starting a relationship with one of the lamest villains in history. Another change signaling good news came in the form of a costume update! Again, the last series was much lighter, and displayed this by giving her a more "Batgirl of Burnside High" type of modern look. It was a nice motorcycle ride outfit, but didn't in any way say "superhero." For Pacheco's run, Jessica's been designed a much darker suit, literally. The main red portion is flipped to black, with a simple red and yellow spider logo on the chest and minimal web details in the same colors. As the cherry on top, this outfit even has a proper explanation (something the former series' motorcycle look lacked)! When Jessica is acting as an Avengers team member, she wears her traditional red and black suit. But being an Avenger doesn't pay the bills, so Jess needs to find some paying gigs. the Best paying jobs for a superhero with cash problems are usually in security or secret ops of some sort, so the new black suit was designed for her paid gigs. I think it's brilliant! And to make matters even better, Pacheco is clearly going back to Jess' roots as a superhero and giving her retro stories the spotlight they (sometimes) deserve. This first plot line, for example, has Jess headed back to England and the facility where she was created. That's literally back to her first appearance, and I'm excited to see what Pacheco has waiting for us. Karla Pacheco's writing can be found mostly in Rick and Morty comics, but has recently been picked up by Boom! Studios for their new Betty Paige seires. She wrote 2019's Punisher Annual, Fantastic Four 2099, and has had features in Fearless and Gwenpool's Holiday Special, to name a few. It's clear to me that Pacheco is a brilliant dark humor writer, which is perfect for a Spider-Woman comic. I can also attest that she's a gas to follow on Twitter. I love to see good female forward comics written by female writers, and Karla Pacheco's Spider-Woman is bond to go down in history as one of Jess' best portrayals to date.
Dark Knights: Death Metal Guidebook
While I've been feeling pretty ho-hum about this follow up to 2017's Metal event, this is one tie-in I'm excited about. It's advertised as showcasing the various factions that have popped up on Earth during this new reign of terror. Based on the first few issues, we already know there are territories run by Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, and Aquaman, but we're about to get an in-depth look at just how twisted the heroes have allowed their world to become. The team working on this one-shot is exciting enough in themselves, too. With short stories by Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, James Tynion, Becky Cloonan, Vita Ayala, Christopher Priest, and Chip Zdarsky, it's bound to have just about anything you can imagine. Art is by Becky Cloonan, Eduardo Risso, Doug Mahnke, Khary Randolph, and Dan Ponasian, and covers are by Yasmine Putri and the Dodsons. If you can't find a single creator in that list to spark your interest in this one-shot, maybe DC isn't the place for you. I'm hoping to see less Batman in this, and more of the general twisted universe. I get that Batman is an integral part of the story, but it WAS marketed as being Wonder Woman-centric, so straying a bit from the bat cave topics is what I'm looking for here.
Spider-Woman #3
Since I spoke so much about Spider-Woman in my Spotlight on Women in Comics, there isn't a whole lot to say here without repeating myself. I've really enjoyed the first two issues of this series, and how it's a totally different look and take on Jessica Drew. In her last comic, she was more like a private detective who wanted to be taken seriously like a cop, but spent an awful lot of time trying to become a mom. This series isn't totally retconning the kid's existence, but it's definitely only a side factor to the story. If anything, I think Pacheco would bring the son in as a potential future superhero, especially since Jess is still learning about her true origin. Its a darker Spider-Woman, and I really believe that's the vest option for a character like Jessica. She has a dark origin, dark history, and has been through some shit. There's only so much happy-go-lucky detective work a person like that could do before needing a career change. As a paid superhero working in security, Jessica is able to really take out her anger and frustrations on people around her, with the bonus of getting paid. It's only the third issue of many (I hope), so catch up with Karla Pacheco's Spider-Woman! I promise if nothing else, the art alone is worth the buy.
Cable #3
As someone who never really got the hype about the original version of Cable, this series is surprisingly great! Once again, I think it comes down to Johnathon Hickman and his uncanny ability to match creative teams to characters. Cable is being written by Gerry Duggan, with art by Phil Noto, who has a particular ethereal look to his style. It lightens the comic just a touch, and truly makes it feel like you're in the odd new Krakoan world of the mutants. Previously, Cable has decided to go on missions regarding the disappearance of mutant children, of which there have been many of late. In the last issue, he even took one of the Cuckoo sister, all five of whom he is dating, on a stake-out date night to another case. This issue, it's a classic team up, but like you've never seen them before! Deadpool and Cable have a history that makes them brothers in arms. But the Cable Deadpool knows is (supposed to be) dead, and this new Cable has never met him. Its also noteworthy that Deadpool isn't actually a mutant, but rather a mutate, and therefore does not have the ability to visit Krakoa whenever he wants. This was touched on in the most recent Deadpool by Kelly Thomspon, where he breaks onto the island, only to be told he only has to ask (and be given permission) to visit. This makes me wonder if their meeting in this Cable issue will be on Krakoa or the mainland. Either way, it's sure to be an absolute blast. Duggan did a pretty good job of writing Deadpool before Thompson, and has killed it with these Cable issues so far. This will be one you won't want to miss!
Wolverine #4
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Benjamin Percy is a fantastic Wolverine writer. Perfectly balanced humor, horror, and thoughtful moments make this series a must-grab each week it comes out. I love the relationship between the X-Force, Maurauders, and Wolverine titles. In Marauders, the team learns of tainted shipment of their Krakoan medicines--through a US government agent, no less, as we discovered last week in X-Force. In X-Force, the team has been tracking these rogue shipments, and finding out more intel on the companies that are involved. In Wolverine, Logan has taken it upon himself to do some close-up research, allowing himself to be captured to get the biggest intel. It's been an elegant ballet of the three stories crossing over one another and working together to piece the whole picture together. But the fun never lasts, and at the end of his last issue, Wolverine was asked to pay a price for his rogue mission. According to the solicitation of this one, it doesn't last long, and Logan slips away to his favorite backwoods bar. But again, this is Logan, and he can't quite get a moment of peace when he needs it. There's bound to be a mysterious murder or two, and I'm hoping for a cameo from Omega Red! I know he's on the cover, but that doesn't always mean anything. Unless I'm mistaken Vampires will be involved! There have been a number of hints in the Marvel universe for the past two years or so that Dracula and his vampire minions are up to no good, including the dumping of a sickly Dracula in the Russian deadlands of Chernobyl. Surely, nothing bad can come of that... This issue will be part of a shorter story arc that will lead into X of Swords, tying in at issue #6 of Wolverine.
Star #4
To preface, Star is one the Marvel comics that were continued to release digitally after the Diamond Distributors shut down this spring. While I had a number of those comics on my pull list, I have waited for all of them to be released on print to read. It's been a while since the last paper Star issue was released, so forgive me if I forget some of the details. As I recall, Star is trying to get a hang of her newfound powers, courtesy of the reality stone in her chest. She tried acting like a villain, and only discovered worse villains than her who wanted to take advantage. She trained a bit with Scarlet Witch, only to have Wanda become more uncertain on what to do with her. It has also just been revealed that the mysterious group searching for Star and the reality stone are none other than Thanos' Black Order. Why do they want the stone, and what do they plan on doing with it? Nothing pleasant, I imagine, especially when you take into account that Star must be killed for anyone to take it from her. In this issue, she's up against Captain Marvel, again. The last time these two sparred, Star was in the process of killing most of New York, and Carol was forced to, ultimately, kill her. Star survived only through the power of the reality stone, it seems, but that won't make this next encounter with her would-be murderer any easier. With any luck, the two will drop their hatred for one another, and Carol will give Star a hand at becoming the best hero she can be. Star #5 is the final issue of this mini-series, and will be coming out on print September 9th. If you're a fan of Kelly Thomson, Captain Marvel, or female Marvel characters fighting tooth and nail to make their mark while surviving in a dog-eat-dog world, this is the comic for you.
Wonder Woman: Dead Earth #4
This week sees the release of Daniel Warren Johnson's final issue of Wonder Woman: Dead Earth. It's a magazine format DC Black Label series, which makes it a fascinating release in it's own. There's something about the extra-sized art and formatting of these larger comics that makes them incredibly satisfying to behold, let alone read. Dead Earth has easily landed among my top 3 Black Label magazine format comics, alongside Superman: Year One and Harleen. Although I've basically already said it, I have to reiterate that this comic is a work of art. We've followed Diana on a post-apocalyptic journey through the wastelands of Earth. She's fought incredible monsters, rescued countless surviving humans, and discovered the ugly, heartbreaking truth of how the Earth came to be so dead. The reveal in the last issue, while heartbreaking, was also satisfying. I can't get over how truly powerful Johnson writes this version of Diana. Truly, from her birth, she was a force to be reckoned with. So much so, that her own mother had to commission power dampening gauntlets for everyone's safety. It makes sense, since in the beginning of this tale, we learn that Diana was created not from mud and Zeus, but from the collected semen of hundreds of Greek gods. It would make sense that she would become the most powerful among them. i'm honestly not sure how this mini-series will end, but I'm excited to find out. This is the Wonder Woman story you've been waiting for, whether you realize it or not. Pick up the final issue of Wonder Woman: Dead Earth this week!
Decorum #4
It took the first three issues of Decorum for the story to start to make a single picture. Well, two pictures, but rapidly becoming one. The last issue showed us just what the deal with that tall drink of assassin is, and what she wants with this new delivery girl. It seems she is part of an assassin's guild, and every so often the guild members submit a new member for the group's training and approval. It was a delightful scene, watching the three other non-guild assassins list their various kills and slaughters, each trying to one up the last with their resume. The world Johnathon Hickman has created here is clearly intricate, but we are only ever given just enough information to move along to the next point. As with any original extraterrestrial world, there's likely loads of history and inter-species dynamics we'll never even have the opportunity to see. The main character of this comic is still a bit of a mystery, although we're starting to see her drives. She's so polite, every solicitation so far has mentioned manners and politeness in regards to a career as an assassin. It's an entertaining thought, and I hope we get to see more of her in action very soon.
Empyre: X-Men #4
If you haven't caught up on my Empyre: X-Men ongoing review, check it out here! This is the final issue of the X-Men's tie in to Empyre, and I'm still laughing about how much better it is than any of the other Empyre books. Its so much better, the rest of the even might as well not be happening, from my perspective. This issue will be the culmination of what we've seen so far: Wanda Maximoff raising the dead of Genosha to be zombie, the Cotati aliens invading the island, mutant zombies turning Cotati into zombies, octogenarian terrorist group Hordeculture is only there to cause more chaos it seems, and then Magik finds Wanda's staff and goes full Darkchilde. I can't wait to see how the mutants get out of this one. Presumably, Magik now controls all the zombies of Genosha, and therefore can also stop the giant Cotati zombie monster that's just hatched. While this might seem like a simple solution, we all know it will be anything but easy. For one, Magik is incredibly unpredictable in her Darkchilde form, and power hungry. Now that she's accidentally given her darkest side full reign, its possible that it'll be very difficult to get her to stand down. However this mini-series ends, this comic has been my shining light in the past few weeks, and I'll miss it just a little. No worries, though! All the writers involved with all four issues are currently in charge of other Dawn of X titles, so there is more great X-Men comics on the way!
Ludocrats #4
Ludocrats is, if you hadn't guess based off the title, absolutely ludicrous. There is no way to really describe the plot and characters, except tat is is a menagerie of the most insane and bonkers ideas all mushed together, and then put in comic form. Every line, every background minion, every world building explanation, all of it was designed to make you question how anybody could even think such crazy thoughts. If you need a "for example", here's the solicitation for this week's issue: We were going to give away a free pen on the cover of this issue, as it's the penultimate issue, but we costed it, and then our accountant attacked us, and then we decided to just do the comic instead. Hope that's okay with you. I'm sorry. We're disappointed too, but also bleeding from the accountant onslaught. If you still aren't totally on board, the comic is written by Kieron Gillen (The Wicked and the Divine, Once & Future, DIE, Angela: Asgard's Assassin, Iron Man, Journey Into Mystery, Phonogram, and so, so much more) and Jim Rossignol, with art by Jeff Stockley (Bloodborne, The Spire), colors by Tamra Bonvillain, and text by Clayton Cowles. You may think to yourself, naming the colorist and letterer doesn't make a comic, but I would argue the opposite. It wasn't until comics by Kieron Gillen that I ever took any great consideration of the importance of color and the lettering in comics. Another great example would be Once & Future, where the lettering is so good, you can feel the hairs on your spine stand up while you read the villain's lines. As the solicitation mentions, this is the penultimate issue of Ludocrats, with the final #5 arriving September 30th. Don't miss the fun variant by popular Italian artist, Mirka Andolfo!
Ant-Man #5
As I said with Star #5, I did not read the digital issues when Marvel released them, so this is my first time reading this comic. Scott Lang has had a bad week. He discovered some lame bug villain, stopped him, and accidentally released a bunch of even worse ones. Now, his entire home has been destroyed, and don't laugh that his home was an anti-hill! Ants are people, too! This is undoubtedly a silly mini-series, but it fills an Ant-Man shaped void that the MCU movies left. While Star has another issue coming, this is the final comic in Zeb Wells' Ant-Man series. It's been fun, but his talents will be much more appreciated on his new project, Hellions.
Thor #6
When Donny Cates announced he's be writing Thor, this is not what I expected. Which is not at all to say his Thor is bad, it's just a lot more similar to his other work than I thought it would be. Cates has quickly become known for dramatic monologues, third person narration, and doing whatever it takes to leave his mark on a character (Eddie Brock's lost hand, Silver Surfer's silver turned black, etc.), and this is no different. While those aspects of his writing aren't bad on their own, they've certainly become his trademark in a predictable way. Cates' Thor issues all have the same feeling, so far. Big power, big enemy, big stress. With all the glam and power that is his Thor, it's actually balanced with a more subtle strength on Asgard, where we follow Lady Sif and Beta Ray Bill. This is the part of the series that shines, for me. Everybody knows Thor and his struggle with his impulsiveness against his duty to honor his people. But the side characters, like Sif and Bill, have been mostly out of the spotlight for too long. To make it even better, Sif is now All-Seer, guardian of the Rainbow Bridge. I'm excited to see how her duty will change if her relationship with Beta Ray Bill does. Meanwhile, in the Thor-centered parts of the story, King Thor has already long abandoned his people and gone off to hunt The Black Winter with Galactus. This issue promises the Death of King Thor, but we all know not to take those warnings seriously in comics. No one ever says dead in comics. Cates' Thor has been selling out quickly, so be sure to pick this issue up early Wednesday if you're following along.
Once & Future #10
Another amazing work by Kieron Gillen, I highly recommend getting on board with Once & Future if you haven't already. As I mentioned in my bit about Ludocrats, Gillen really has a way of making his comics shine where others might give less attention. Specifically, these comics shine in coloring and lettering. I'd never really thought much about those as being factors in a comic's flow or success, but Gillen has me in the know now, and I find myself critiquing those aspects in other comics far too much, now! I jest, get better. Once & Future takes place across two worlds--ours, and the Otherworld: the magical realm where King Arthur and his whole mythology get their power. But there is no gate to Otherworld, no entry and no exit. Otherworld is either there, or it isn't. Because of this, the Once & Future team came up with a way to show the influx and existence of Otherworld without having to over-use dialogue: color. While the main portion of the comic, in the real world, is colored in standard tones of things you might find in nature. When a character is passing thorough Otherworld, the panels take on an ethereal air of bright neon accents. To see something similar look to "the Queit" in Sex Criminals--the usage of color is very similar in those parts of that comic. The lettering of Once & Future is also remarkably done. Clayton Cowles is one of the only letterers commonly referred to when discussing excellence in lettering. Looking at this comic in particular, Cowles finds the exact text to make your skin crawl when you read undead King Arthur's speeches, and allows you further insight into the specifics of a scene and a character without unnecessary description. This story arc wraps up with issue #12, so fingers crossed we get more Once & Future in the...future.
Valkyrie: Jane Foster #10
It was March when the last issue of Valkyrie: Jane Foster came out, so I wouldn't blame you for forgetting what had happened. In a trap set by Thor's brother, Tyr, Valkyrie and Thor found themselves stuck deep in the Earth, fighting to destroy an ancient evil. The trap did it's work, and infected King Thor. Now it's up to Jane, as Valkyrie, to save all of Asgard from being destroyed by the same ancient evil. This Valkyrie series will be at least twelve issues, but it looks like the last two will be digital release only. Not something that makes sense to me, as I don't read digital comics, so I will likely end up missing the conclusion to this arc.
Excalibur #11
I'm thrilled with how must attention Jubilee is getting in this series! She's obviously a total fan favorite character, but never seems to get any real moments to shine in the comics. This week, the problems between Jubilee, her baby son, and the magical Citadel will come to a head. I fully expect to see Jubilee going full bad-ass mom, and I couldn't be more excited. Out of all the Dawn of X books, I admit Excalibur is my least favorite. I would have said something similar about Marauders only two weeks ago, though, so that can change at any moment. But still, my favorite part of this comic has been Jubilee and her son, so I'm glad she's getting a bit of a showcase here. The next issue of Excalibur is a X of Swords tie-in, so this will wrap up this (dull and slow) story arc!
Red Sonja #18
Due to some events of the past weeks, I'm going to take this time to discuss Sonja's portrayal. For a very long tie, Red Sonja was one of the top characters self-righteous comics readers would use as an example when arguing how sexist women in comics are written and drawn. I will give them that Red Sonja's metal bra-and-panties battle gear never made for a good fighting look, but it's been a long time since she fought wearing it. A host of "fans" will argue that Sonja is sexist because of her origin in Conan comics--if she fights in a bikini, so should he! The thing is, Conan fights half naked more often than not, so that entire argument is invalid. In any case, it's been a solid decade since Gail Simone and other writers made the change for Sonja to wear more battle-ready armor and outfits in the field, and she is seen more often in full garb than her traditional metal bikini. Yet Sonja is still the practical figurehead of "everything wrong with comics", if you visit the right forums. The continued and seemingly purposeful ignoring of Sonja's character growth does nothing but de-legitimatize her as a whole. So please, stop spreading misinformation, and stop shitting on Red Sonja books because the covers tend to feature her in the bikini. As for this comic specifically, Sonja has just been upgraded to War General, and a thick, heavy outfit came along with it. She's doing the bidding of her enemy, for now, because she must trade her service so her people don't starve. It's a supremely messed up situation, and I can't wait to see her get the hell out of it.
Captain Marvel #20
In case you missed out on the last issue, your new favorite Captain Marvel character is Carol's half-sister, the Kree ex-soldier Lauri-ell. Just so ya' know. I had so much fun in the last issue of Captain Marvel. Kelly Thompson writes a number of excellent comics at Marvel, but for this series she shines on the team-ups and the hang-outs. In issue #19, we got both. As if heartfelt and humorous moments between Chewie the Flerkin and Lauri-ell mixed with sister team fight scenes weren't good enough, the issue ended with Carol having Doctor Strange help split the frightening power of her Accuser All-Weapon among herself and three other allies: Spider-Woman, Iron Patriot, and Hazmat. While this was likely the smartest decision for Carol's safety, the Kree/Skrull Alliance will almost certainly have a problem. And there's still the problem of Lauri-ell's impending execution. Carol only met her sister after the All-Weapon identified their shared genetic structure, during her execution. Hopefully the three new Accusers will be able to help get to the bottom of this mystery, and find the real criminals behind the destruction of that Kree/Sckrull city. I'd love for Lauri-ell to be a mainstay in Carol's universe, but I have a sad feeling she isn't meant to last. Either way, I know I'm gong to enjoy this issue, and the next, which wraps up this Empyre story arc.
Catwoman #24
Exciting news, Catwoman collectors! Famed comic cover artist Jenny Frison will be taking over the variant cover art for the Catwoman series starting with issue #27 in October! I'm not sure how many issues she'll be working on, but it's at least a solid handful, and therefore reason enough to keep me reading the series a little while longer. This new arc of Catowman, which started in the last issue, finds Selina on a remote island, looking to purchase a list of the all the private information of every villain in existence. I admit, it seems like a rehash of what just happened in her arc of Year of the Villain, as well as coming off as a random and unnecessary object to have. I kind of feel like...who cares? But Selina does, so I guess we do. It's going to be more glam, jewels, thievery, and double crossing as this arc of Catwoman continues!
Avengers #35
The Age of Khonshu continues! I'm not really sure why Marvel chose to put out this story arc for the Avengers when there's an Empyre: Avengers book going and the various Avengers team members are in the thick of it. This book is just ignoring the fact that Empyre is going on everywhere else in the Marvel universe. In any case, the Avengers have all been subdued by Moon Knight, working at the behest of the Egyptian god Khonshu. But as was revealed int he last issue, Khonshu is not doing so well himself. Now, the city of New York has been redesigned in his image. This story arc is going to last until issue #27, and I'm severely bored with it already. It doesn't make sense that a story arc chock-full of ancient Egyptian symbolism wouldn't interest someone as into those topics as I am, but it just isn't hitting the mark. I'd much prefer it if we can get back to the whole Baby Starbrand situation, which I find a lot more interesting. Who knows, if this pattern of dullness continues, I might end up having to take Avengers off my pull list.
Harley Quinn #75
Hold fast for the final issue of Harley Quinn! Whether it's due to the ending of the DC universe, another reboot, or total cancellation of the character, I'm saddened by this finale. Harley Quinn is one of a number of DC books hitting a premature cancellation, after months of executives swearing there won't be another reboot. *looks at camera like Jim from the office* Sure. It's worth noting that I don't usually read the Harley Quinn series, I've just been collecting the odd issue for the Frank Cho covers, which are stunning. I'm obviously a fan of the character, but I want her to be written in the main DC universe in a relationship with Ivy again. To the best of my knowledge, this Harley Quinn series stays out of the regular DC canon, keeping itself in a self contained Harley world. For this last issue, though, it's suddenly become canon again. Don't ask me how all that works, I'm just here for the fun. There are two parts to this issue, according to the solicitation. The first is a "roast" of Harley, meaning all the DC characters will be ribbing her good. This is Harley Quinn we're still talking about, so I imagine it's not going to be as fun and games as the roasters were hoping. The second part is a showdown between her and the Joker's new girlfriend, Punchline. I'm not going to go into why I think she's a poorly written character, her drives are garbage, her outfit is cringey, or her being with the Joker is repulsive for a handful of reasons. Somehow, she's caught on with women readers, and I am aghast as to why. In any case, it'll be interesting to see how they play off that fight, seeing as this is a Harley book and Punchline has already beaten her (DON'T GET ME STARTED) in Batman. When it comes down to it, I just want this issue to be a fitting send off for Harley and whatever it is she's off to do next.
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