Honorable Mention Highlights: September 2021
Telepaths #1 What happens when everyone passes out and then immediately wakes up being able to read each other's thoughts? Sounds pretty awful, doesn't it? Well, Straczinsky has taken on exactly this concept. Not a ton happens in issue number one, mostly just covering the finer details of "why" and "how," but with there being nothing more personal than your own inner-most thoughts, I could definitely see this book getting into some nitty gritty of what it means to have personal space. Dark Ages #1 Oh look, Marvel has some sort of event going on. Been a minute since they've had one of those... That said, this event is actually kind of neat so far. It's an interesting concept: how would superheroes function in a world of no electricity. It really only works for Marvel too, seeing as how so much of the Marvel heroism is based in science and technology. In a word full of Marvel cash ins, I'm actually pretty stoked for this one. Search for Hu #1 Kind of like Pearl from Bendis, but set it inside a martial arts movie. There's some clichés, some "why did you never tell me" moments, some special military behind-closed-doors knowledge to be had - not a bad time, but not an exceptionally special one, either. It has potential, though, especially if you love a good "chosen-one" story. Nine Stones #1 I like the characters of this book. The premise isn't entirely new. The narrative plays out fairly predictably. But the writing of the characters is what really shines. They just feel cute and realistic, and I find myself wanting to see their love blossom. And in general it's nice to have an LGBTQ story that just feels natural and not forced. Maw #1 I have high hopes for Maw, but dang did the first issue not deliver. I get the message it's trying to say, but it's handling of that message is done with heavy hands. Like, filled with lead hands. That said, I dig the creepy atmosphere built around the self-help group/ cult, and the promise of body horror will always get me hooked. Corset #1 Man, you know I love a good steampunk story. This one has that distinct "Victorian-era but MACHINES" vibe, which can be done so well in comics. What's cool about this one is that the main focus is on fashion, which just makes so much sense in a steampunk environment. The characters are well developed, the story is very familiar and engaging (I see you, Beauty and the Beast) and the twist is just twisty-enough. I'm only sad it's a one-shot, because this title sucked me in for sure. 10 Years to Death (One Shot) This is another of those big, beautiful one-shot titles from Aftershock that we've been talking about a lot. This one is a horror title, but less gruesome than some of the others, and reads a little more like a supernatural thriller. The tale is told from the perspective of a now-grown man, retelling an experience he had as a kid with his uncle. It's well paced, spooky, and feels just grounded in reality enough to keep you sucked in the whole way through. Definitely worth picking up. Impossible Jones #1 She was a criminal, in it for herself and the score. Now, she finds herself with powers she didn't earn, and a nagging feeling of responsibility to be on the right side of the law. Sounds impossible? Nah, just Impossible Jones. Cute, colorful, creative use of some superhero tropes - I think this is going to be a super fun titles to follow moving forward. Unborn #1 I'm a sucker for a good "group of ragtag, brash yahoos out in space on some sort of dangerous mission for a corporation and/or to save the earth in a mundane way" kinda scifi story. If you feel the same, are a fan of the alien franchise, or just looking for some interesting sci-fi that is more of the "this spaceship runs on diesel" type, then this is a good choice. Unborn doesn't try too hard to break the mold, but instead chooses to tell a story about interpersonal relationships and coping with the past against a backdrop of clunky space mechanisms and regenerative alien bugs. Turbo Kid: Apple's Lost Adventure #1 This is apparently a prequel to a movie. If the movie is anywhere as balls-out bonkers as this book, I need to watch it. Turbo Kid appears to be one part Mega Man, one part Tank Girl, and if I need to say more than that then you just don't understand joy. Human Remains #1 So, the whole "emotions are bad" thing has been done before, but usually under the umbrella of government control. Here we have some sort of mysterious entities that teleport in and obliterate anyone feeling to strongly a certain way. Cool premise that I can't help but feel like is based on something. The entity attacks people playing outside, people at weddings, people congregating at church, people gathering for concerts and parties, people blowing off steam at a bar. Where we come in, everyone is pretty much forced inside and all the revelry of the social world is gone. Where have I seen that before? Frontiersman #1 I love a good superhero book with scruples. Frontiersman was not what I expected. After Image's recent tangles with the superhero being a bit lame (looking at you, Mr. Radiant Black), I expected this to be another run of the mill super story. What I got instead was a very natural feeling character in a slowly built world struggling with concepts like relevancy, climate change and the nature of social media martyrdom. It was a moderately paced, chill kinda read with some nice world building. I'm rooting for you, Frontiersman.
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I mean, they did say they were a bad idea, right?
Weekly Pull Highlights: September 1, 2021
Despite the ongoing battle Chris is fighting with Bad Idea comics & their vast array of gimmicks, we've got not one, but TWO books from them to cover this week, plus an excellent modern spy tale based on a true story. 
It's almost like we never left at all!
Weekly Pull Highlights: August 18, 2021
Did you miss us? We're finally back from summer break with three awesome indie books that bring the retro-chic, the wealthy elite, and the Victorian bleak. It's good to be back, baby!
Honorable Mention Highlights: June 2021
Crush & Lobo #1 Crush is a fun character. Lobo is also a fun character. While this comic is steeped in a bit of recent history, it seems like it's gonna be a fun ride. Also, we might find out more about Crush along the way, which would be a cool edition to the DC mythos overall. Out of Body #1 A weird and funky world of astral projection that follows one man's simultaneous journey of self discovery and a desperate fight for his life. This book had some shaky points, but overall is a very nifty concept with just enough magical elements to add some spice. Freak Snow #1 What? What is happening? This book is absolutely b-a-n-a-n-a-YES. We follow a crazy man in the snow. That's about it. We don't know why there is snow. We don't really know who he is. But he's crazy and there is snow. It's a trippy, cold world with splashes of color and I truly, truly love it. Compass: The Cauldron of Eternal Life #1 A delightful bit of historical fiction that blends multiple cultures into a tale of treasure hunting and treachery. This book reads like a modern adventure book but feels like a old-school pulp serial. It's refreshingly straightforward in it's plot set up and ha a unique cast of characters. Batman Reptilian #1 Garth Ennis's Batman is weirdly passive aggressive and incredibly meta. He understands that people know the "rules" of Batman and uses that to his advantage. This book is easily set up to be a new entry in the Batman Dark Works of Art Hall of Fame alongside titles like Arkham Asylum or Long Halloween. Liam Sharps painted pages are profoundly peculiar, overflowing with the dark and gruesome world of Gotham like it's rarely been seen. Vinyl #1 I love Vinyl. Hands down. I love the Suicide Squad of weird serial killers that is being advertised. I love the cult shit. I love that it starts smack in the middle but fully includes the ready in events that happened elsewhere. I love Walter, so much. This book is gory good fun and should be on everyone's list (check out Plastic, too - another fun serial killer romp). United States of Captain America #1 A bit of a clunky start to the premise, but a fun idea. Cap and Falcon suiting up on a meet-and-greet-and-protect-from-assassins road trip is a cool idea, and this will be a great book to introduce more characters that people can feel represent them - more than many other heroes can. If you like to spec, might be a book to look into to, as any of these characters have major TV or possibly even movie potential. Darling #1 This book is going to make you feel some kind of way - maybe sad, maybe fascinated, maybe concerned - but you will definitely feel it. Taken from the author's real pain about a brother he lost to drugs, and put to page like street art in a cover, you definitely know it's the 80's and that things just aren't going to end well for anyone involved. Barbaric #1 It's not at all what you're expecting, and that's what makes it fantastic. A drinking, debaucherous barbarian is cursed to only do good - which is a lot less fun than his original plan. Plus, when you have a bloodthirsty talking axe coming along for the ride, everything gets a lot more metal. It's a good time, for sure. 
Shoutout to all our Slytherin listeners!
Weekly Pull Highlights: June 16, 2021
We're feeling a little ssssassy this week with a whole lot of titles starting with "s" - and what's even better is that they're all really good! From a Supergirl book not focused on Supergirl, to a fun twist on the "we're here to save the world" trope, there's all sorts of really need sssstories this week! 
Romance is a completely viable genre, goshdarnit.
Weekly Pull Highlights: June 9, 2021
Can we talk about how little the romance genre is used in comics? Can we also talk about changing that? One title this week sets about righting that wrong, as well as a martial arts comedy and a creepy new cryptid. Look at all that genre diversity, folks! 
'You mean Back to the Future's bull$#!%?'
Weekly Pull Highlights: May 12, 2021
Whether you're looking for a new(ish) twist on the Justice League (Chips Ahoy!), or an unexpected direction for time travel, we've got a whole lot of very cool stories this week. 
We love good practical effects in this family.
Weekly Pull Highlights: May 5, 2021
Not sure what to get Mom this Mother's Day? Here's a handful of excellent titles, ranging from deep looks into societal flaws, to pulpy endeavors on pirate ships, to gruesome body horror... look, Mom isn't all scented candles, you guys. 
It's not necessarily new Spidey territory, but it's done very well.
Weekly Pull Highlights: April 14, 2021
Oh heavens, there's some real heavy talk up in this episode. Political commentary, moral quandaries, emotional turmoil - important books make us have important discussions, but take solace in the fact that we still end with a debate on flare leg jeans, okay? 
It's like a video game... rhymes with "SmallOut: Shmew Megas"
Weekly Pull Highlights: April 7, 2021
Indie titles are really flexing on taking older tropes and stories and completely flipping them upside down. This week, we've got a "super" spin on post-apocalyptic wastelands, a bloody take on horror anthologies, the corporate prequel to the zombie sequel, and the hidden figures behind good old Supes' himself. Man, we love indie books. |
Cover B PodcastChris & Tee host this weekly comic-focused show, providing insight on new comics, entertainment news and more. Archives
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