STATS ARE FOR NERDS:
12 Comics Pulled/Discussed. 5 Indie, 4 of which are #1s, 1 is a one-shot. The #1's come from Image, Dark Horse, Boom!, and Dynamite. Dynamite also is dong the one-shot. 4 Marvel, 2 of which are King in Black tie-ins, 2 of which are Reign of X titles. And 3 DC comics, two are Future State and one is Young Animal.
My personal life is ever-tumultuous and I don't ever knw what's coming next, but I like the routine I've got going here. Let me know your thoughts by email, comment, social media message, etc! And when you're back, Continue Reading for this week's comics pulls and spotlights!
Spotlights on Representation:
Maria Llovet's Luna Joelle Jones' Future State Wonder Woman #2 NK Jemisin and Jamal Campbell's Far Sector #10 John Ridley's Tim FoxBatman Part 3 of 4 Queer characters in this week's comics!
PULL LIST:
One-Woman Creative Team: Maria Llovet's Luna
To appreciate the art of Maria Llovet, you have to be familiar with the tradition of "oddball" art styles being paired with trippy stories, such as Frank Miller, Rafael Grampa, Tradd Moore, or Frank Quitely. While I can't claim to be the absolute most knowledgeable about every comic artist ever, I'm happy to have Llovet as a female artist on that list. Her work on Faithless and Faithless II for Brian Azzarello's vision was intensely sensual, uncomfortable at times, and fiercely unique. She--they--pushed boundaries of traditional storytelling in comics, worked in the realms of the taboo, and still came out with one of the coolest sets of twelve comic issues I've ever read. Its individuality is near incomparable, but good god, it is not for the light of heart. I was serious about the uncomfortable moments, both in art and story. While Llovet has done her own one-woman comic series before, this will be the first time I experience her work as it comes out. If I had t guess, based on her work in Faithless, and the single issue of her self-created work, there will likely be heavy LGBTQ+ themes in Luna, too. Faithless' Faith was a sexually confident artist in a relationship with the devil's daughter, but they end up being a three-way love/sex group with a heavily tattooed man, who later turns out to be an actual Angel. Questions of sexuality, gender identity, and the like are not uncommon in comics that touch on religion or cults, and Luna likes to be touching on both, further proving my theory. No matter how Luna turns out, I'm proud to be supporting a female creator-owned comic. Creators who write AND draw always earn my respect, even if only due to the amount of work they have to put in to their comic. And, in my opinion, they tend to be a more full vision of a story.
Two-Woman Creative Team: Future State Wonder Woman #2
There is a second female-created, written, and drawn series this week--Joelle Jones covers all those roles for Future State Wonder Woman #2. While this is issue two-of-two for the new Amazon, there have been some teases of more Yara Flor comics coming after Future State from DC and Jones. I first discovered Joelle Jones when I was recommended Lady Killer, her comic about a 1960's housewife who moonlights as a killer for hire. Genius storytelling, stunning, irresistible art, Lady Killer is something as close to perfect as we can get in comics. Jones did some time under Tom King's Batman run, drawing what have to be the most beautiful pages the series has ever seen. I remember one of the issues followed Bruce and Diana to another realm, where they spent decades fighting an endless war together--what was something of a few hours on Earth. In their years there, King wrote the two of them naturally becoming closer, and while I'm fully here for Bat/Cat, I one-hundred percent wanted Diana to fuck Bruce Wayne at that moment. I blame Joelle Jones' seductive art, but Batman wasn't as weak as me. Woof, though. Some of that issue will get your blood pumping. Whatever happens in this week's Yara Flor finale, I have no doubt Jones is doing her character justice. The next time we'll see Yara will be in the Future State Justice League and Superman/Wonder Woman issues, and then hopefully Yara as Wonder Girl, after!
Creators of Color writing a Woman of Color: Far Sector #10
Another Future State character, but one who premiered in her own series, is Jo Mullein, Green Lantern. Once a Black cop in the US, Jo was chosen to be Green Lantern not for ability to overcome fear, but for her ability to continue fighting through life, despite living in constant fear. It's a concept I've been completely enamoured with since hearing, for several reasons, not the least of which have to do with speaker Brene Brown and her talks on courage relating to vulnerability. But what's more relevant at this moment is how she connects to DC's Future State event. While It's clear that not every aspect of Future State will "stick" in the comics going forward, a good deal of the immediate DC comics future is becoming more and more clear. One thing that seems to be an easy guess for something that will "stick," is Jo's Green Lantern. Future State: Justice League #1 told us that Jo saved the GL corps in their final hour. We know the corps is kind of destroyed, and Jo was given her ring to test her ability to reload it with power without connecting to any central battery. Jo's ring does it, we know now, so she must be the trigger for the future of the Green Lantern corps and how it will run. Jo was created by Black-American novelist N.K Jemisin, and Black-American comic artist Jamal Campbell. While the two have extensive careers aside from this series, Far Sector is what really put them on my personal map, as well as a lot of other fans in the industry. Involving creators of color in to projects like this not only put characters of color on the front and center, but portrays them in realistic ways. Representation doesn't mean anything if it isn't handled well, and this series certainly is.
John Ridley's Tim Fox Batman part 3-- notes about 2's language of a black man from the hood.
Something was clearly different between issues one and two of John Ridley's The Next Batman, and it wasn't until my partner pointed it out that I realized what it was. My partner was raised in the deep South in a single parent household in an area that most people would call the ghetto. He witnessed gang violence from a young age, not to mention to extreme disparity between treatment of humans from his area versus the well-to-do neighborhoods. We're used to seeing a Batman who has never truly been a victim. Bruce Wayne is so privileged, when he loses, it's normally the people around him who get hurt, not actually him. His behavior, mannerisms, speech patterns, preferences, and ideology is all that of a privileged white man. John Ridley is giving us a Batman who goes against that hardened grain. My partner, also being a lifelong Batman and comics sweaty, was almost giddy after reading issue two, which features narration from Tim as he goes through Gotham, different than the first issue. He said it was like reading a Batman he could hang out with, who might be one of the guys he grew up around. Suddenly Batman is a dude he can relate to, him and other fans of color like him. While I think a lot of this is going to pass under the radar at the moment, people are going to start catching on to Tim Fox and his different style. It's going to be recognized for as important as it truly is, and I can't wait for the rest of the world to get there, too.
Queer characters in this week's comics:
Likely Luna, Sonja, Vampirella, Kate Pryde, the new Valkyrie, Northstar, Kyle, Prodigy, and liely more in X-Factor, and Jo Mullein. I want to talk about the new Valkyrie, though. She isn't new at all, actually, but one of the original of Odin's Valkryor. Her story is tragic, as she had taken a lover among her fellow Valkyrie, a woman who had died in battle long ago. It's been long known that most the Valkyries are queer, so it makes sense this one is, too. She's clearly based off of Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie character who premiered in Thor: Ragnarok, and then again in Avengers: Endgame. Her character is openly lesbian, even saying she'll take a Queen when she is King of Asgard, which she now is, and which we expect to see in Love and Thunder. The new Valkyrie in comics now is clearly based visually off of Thompson's Valkyrie, as she is a Black woman with a similar costume design. Marvel is known for doing this with successful character, it isn't new. But I'm excited to see how they'll handle this new Valkyrie character in the comics, and if they'll touch on the sexuality of any of the others, as well.
Deep Beyond #1
I was attacked to this series because I follow co-author Mirka Andolfo's work, but it seems like a fascinating plot, in any case. The story takes place on a dying Earth, where scientists are left to save the last of a losing humanity. And, if you couldn't tell from the title, there is something sinister lying in wait, below them, deep underwater. It seems to be part-dystopia, part-horror story, and entirely fun to read! Artist Broccardo's career can be found scattered through mostly Marvel titles, many of which are under the Star Wars label. Andolfo is known for her creator-owned projects and unique art style seen across publishers, while this is one of Goy's first comic adventures. Altogether, I fully expect this premier issue to own up to its more recent hype.
Fear Case #1
While Matt Kindt and Tyler Jenkins are seasons creators, they aren't what drew me to this new indie series. The "fear case" in the story is an actual case, like a briefcase, that appears at places of immense tragedy, just before they happen. The concept makes me think of a few other comics, but this will no doubt be individual enough on it's own. Secret agents of some kind will be searching or following the case, hoping to solve its mysteries. I've been honestly on the face with some Matt Kindt projects recently, so I'm hoping this one will impress me far more.
Luna #1
If you were a fan of Brian Azzarello and Maria Llovet's Faithless or Faithless II, chances are you'll be into Luna. The story takes place int he 1960's, where a young woman joins a peace-loving hippy cult, and gets more than she bargained for. Imagery from the various covers would suggest the cult is far more demonic-based than she knew before, with lots of blood and sensuality. As far as I k now, it's a limited series, so it isn't a long term commitment to the weirdness. I personally really enjoy Llovet's art style and comic story interests, so I think this will be a series definitely worth keeping up with.
Sonjaversal #1
It's Spider-Verse, but with Red Sonja. How can it be bad? In all seriousness, though, this is bound to be a fantastic series. Writer Christopher Hastings is known for projects like Gwenpool and other semi-ridiculous characters, which makes him a pretty solid candidate for this series. It's solicited as the Sonjas all coming together--Red Sonja, Blue Sonja, Green Sonja, and more. Based on the cover, we've got Cyber-Sonja, Dino-Sonja, Mer-Sonja, and other I can't begin to try naming. I've struggled getting into Red Sonja titles since the end of Jordie Bellaire's Vampirella/Red Sonja, so I'm hoping this one will stick the landing. I'm always here for a semi-ridiculous gimmick, and universe-spanning events are totally in right now. I fully expect this to be a somewhat parody of such events, but still pull readers in with creativity.
Vampirella Valentines Special 2021 #1
I wasn't planning on reading this special, but it turns out it takes place in an alt-reality where Vampi weds Dracula and reigns over Earth in darkness. Okay, never mind, I'm in. The solicitation says that a mysterious character will come in and threaten their reign, and to bring back the light. My guess: Vampirella will end up having sex with them, man or woman or beast. I can't imagine her sex life with Dracula is too great. This issue is, of course, entirely unconnected to what Christopher Priest is doing in the main series, so don't expect any of the same there. Her history with maintaining a plethora of many kinds of lovers is tradition at this point, so I'd be surprised if they DIDN'T get it on. Either way, I'm hoping the plot of this issue will be entertaining enough for the $5 price tag and honestly unattractive cover.
King in Black: Marauders #1
This single issue appears to be the ONLY tie-in for the X-Men during Marvel's King in Black event, so be sure to pick this up if you want to see any of that! To be honest, I appreciate Head of X Johnathon Hickman sticking to his guns over not involving the main x-titles in very many main-universe events, because so many other ongoing series' are already getting involved. He did a compromise, this time, making the tie-in a one-shot of what is regularly an ongoing series, so it doesn't interrupt what's happening over there. As for the content of this issue, it'll have Kate and the Marauders, led by her Red Queen and Bishop's Red Bishop (lol). The team is off to rescue mutants from Knull's symbiote goop and whatnot, so it should be a fun story featuring at least one Marauder death, and at least one Symbiote Marauder, possibly the same person. In any case, should be a fun enough story.
King in Black: Return of the Valkyries #2
I was surprised by the first issue of Return of the Valkyries, not because of what ultimately happens, but because of how it's told. Much of the issue is told from the perspective of the new Valkyrie, who I theorize was definitely based off Tessa Thompson's MCU Valkyrie. She tells the story of her and her former lover, a fellow Valkyrie in the original Valkyror. The other woman, of course, died, and the Valkyrie is stuck in an eternal Darkness, forever remembering the worst moment of her life. Until, that is, Jane Foster's Valkyrie (and her Pegasus) come to accidentally rescue her. They were tasked with bringing Sentry to his final resting place, after his murder in King in Black #1. As a fun tidbit, Jane has death sight, which means she sees a skull over the head of those soon to perish, the larger the skull, the sooner the death. When she looks back on Earth at one point in the story, the planet has a massive, Earth-sized skull over it in space. I'm not sure what'll happen in this next issue but we have another Valkyrie to pick up before we find out how Brunhilde is coming back. She certainly is, since she's on the cover of the final issue. I'm super curious about the dynamic between all the Valkyries we're going to see in this mini-series!
Future State: Wonder Woman #2
With everything to look forward to about this week's issue of Future State Wonder Woman, there's one massive reason not to: it's the last issue. The biggest flaw of Future State, as far as I can tell from online activity, is that it was meant to be something much longer, but was shortened down to two-to-four issues per. Since the characters and themes were developed from a much larger story, it feels like we're getting cheated on what could have been months or years with these new, updated, brilliant characters and their lives. But in any case, I'm close to ecstatic to be able to enjoy this issue this week. I can't say enough praise about the first issue, and I have no doubt the second will feel the same. Joelle Jones has clearly put an incredible amount of thought and effort behind Yara Flor's creation, and the payoff is phenomenal. Definitely don't miss this week's issue, and don't miss the variant by Jenny Frison! The better she sells, the more likely it is we'll get to see Yara pop up in main DC continuity as on ongoing, recurring character.
Future State: The Next Batman #3
We're already on to issue three of four in John Ridley's Tim Fox Batman series! While I'm sad it's coming to an end, I'm happy to see DC already has a new series planned for him following Future State, called The Next Batman: Second Son. Apparently, this series will show Tim's origin story and how he decides to becomes the next Batman. This series has been really interesting so far, with Ridley writing Batman a way we've never seen him before--truly street level. Bruce Wayne could never understand what a kid robbing a liquor store might be going through, no matter how much research he does. He's a rich, white, straight, extremely privileged man, beating the shit out of people who need help--either mentally or with their life situation. Tim Fox has already proved himself to be a little different than that, especially since he has the Magistrate to keep him on his toes. When he encounters a couple who brutally bashed in a man's face and left him for dead, he's ready to bring them to justice. Then they tell him why they did it: he groomed their teenage daughter online, and killed her, then he got away with it. How is what they did to him different than what Batman does to criminals most nights? The magistrate arrive before he can answer, causing problems for all of them. I'm interested to see how that arc will go, and how this series will end, prepping the runway for the next.
X-Factor #7
This is such a wholehearted, fun comic series. While it touches on topics like depression and sense of self, it does so in a very hand-holding, gentle way, and is therefore what I would call a leisure comic. Nothing that really happens in X-Factor is necessary reading for other Reign of X material, at least yet. But it's a perfectly fine, fun series. The cast is probably the best part, and the fact that writer Leah Williams has such a strong grasp on their power-sets and what makes them useful and unique as individual characters and in a group. The best parts of the series aren't the thoughtful, introspective moments, somehow. Rather, the best parts for me are actual in-the-moment investigations, where each member of X-Factor proves their worth. It's especially fun seeing Eye-Boy continue to be one of the most useful people around, despite his appearance and reputation, both rather silly. Daken and Polaris are really well done, and well drawn, the former still trying to shack up with a shy but willing Aurora, and the latter at odds with herself a familiar too-often. Together, the group is a quick family, with a dynamic that's delightful to read issue after issue.
Hellions #9
The last issue of Hellions was almost a drag, until I saw the ending and kind of figured out what was going on the whole time. It was funny, not superb, but good. I imagine this issue will be a lot of the same, as it seems this series was given to Zeb Wells just to have some fun with these oddball characters, and give them a place to go and something to do for the time being. This issue will no doubt be about the same, a fun comic journey through some of the more sidelines X-Men characters and ideas.
Far Sector #10
Where we left off with the last issue of Far Sector was a pretty big deal, finally letting us see the bones of the plot that have been hidden beneath a mystery of murder, betrayal, and deceit in space. It's both hilarious and entirely genius that Jemisin created the idea of memes being a commodity to non-Earth communities. In combination with this space station's government enforced lack-of-emotion in it's citizens, their use of slave labor to create memes to induce emotional reaction at the same time is morally corrupt extortion to everyone involved. Jo is getting closer and closer to the source of all these corruptions, and will likely find only more problems the closer she gets. It's also worth noting that since the last issue Far Sector came out, Jo has made an appearance in Future State: Justice League, where we learned that she saved the Green Lantern Corps in their final hour. Will this series end with the reveal that Jo's story this whole time has taken place in the future, when Green Lanterns are all but lost? I can't wait to find out!
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