What you may have missed in January!Honorable Mention Highlights: January 2022
Bylines in Blood #1 A mystery circling around an independent news source willing to tell the truth. This book has extreme Jessica Jones vibes and presents a painfully relatable tale in a world too close to home for comfort; people record every moment of their lives, the truth has all but vanished as the elite invent facts to serve their purpose, and journalism as a career has effectively been eradicated. It's gritty, it's dark, I like it. She Hulk #1 Jennifer Walters has been many things. Successful lawyer, savage monster, weird Blonde and Red Russian hit machine, my green-skinned crush for the last 30 years or so. Many hats worn by this lady with a new one being forced onto her head each time we see her. That pattern stays true in this book, which finds Jennifer humbled and having to start over since her stint as the Gamma blasting Hulk of the most recent Avengers team. She is hunble, grounded, and focused more on altruism than heroism. Could be a cool direction for her. Batman/Catwoman Special #1This book is a fascinating look at Catwoman and Batman's growing relationship over a span of decades. It injects humanity into these bombastic characters much in the way Marvel's Life Story series do, while perfectly displaying just how complex Selena is as a character. It's also a nice memorial for John Paul Leon who tragically passed in May of 2021. Definitely worth a grab for Bat fans.
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How come we never see the awkward Batman teen years?
Weekly Pull Highlights: January 19, 2021
What an excellent chunk of new books this week! Romance with a science fiction twist, fantasy in a natural environment, and the awkward in-between years of Batman. Honorable Mention Highlights: December 2021
Refuse x Last Resort Double Shot One side is a beautiful, near-wordless journey of a woman utterly isolated and striving to get back to her world. The other side is a tongue-in-cheek exploration of how ridiculously exploitative capitalism is, and the complications of being surrounded by, well, yourself. It's a huge book being a double-shot and all, but definitely worth a pick-up. Gotham City Villains Anniversary Giant I don't have to say a whole lot about this book. You know why? Because the first story is by Danny DeVito, detailing how The Penguin and Catwoman fell in love, cured COVID-19, and saved the world. See, that's enough. Buckhead #1 This book is zany, and fast, and honestly a little disorienting (but in a good way?). While many books struggle to gain speed in the first issue, this one feels almost like they put too much into the opening chapter, but with tech meeting ancient civilizations meeting an entertainingly diverse cast, I think I'm into it. One-Star Squadron #1 If you aren't Batman or Tony Stark or Oliver Queen, it's unlikely your superhero-ing can serve as a moneymaking endeavor. That is, unless you team up with an agency that helps you live a secure life with a plan (and maybe a pension). I always appreciate a story talking about the mundane surrounded by the fantastic. And what's more mundane than paying taxes? Lunar Room #1 I think this has a lot of potential to be a cool magical Neo-Noir story, but the first issue didnt entirely hook me. I like the world and the mystery thats building, but the characters were a smidge on the cliche side. Still, werewolves and magic in a gritty city underbelly, could appeal to the World of Darkness crowd and those adjacent. No Holds Bard #1 SHAKESPEARE AS BATMAN. I love the concept of this, but the delivery is a bit ho hum. It is too aware of the joke instead of just letting the concept be funny on its own. Still, i had fun on the ride, even if there was an occasional eye roll in the mix. Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit #1 I didn't know I needed Ms. Marvel to have her own Spider-esque web of multiverses - but now I do! Giving her a new story to help those unfamiliar get acquainted before her new show hits, I'm excited to see a very multi-faceted tale all about Kamala(s). Apache Delivery Service #1 This book has a lot going for it - minimalist storytelling, an emotional time period and setting, a diverse cast with a broad experience, and evocative imagery. It's not a "nice" book, but it has potential to be an impactful one. A King's Vengeance #1 Tonally dark, ultra-violent Adventure Time. This book lays out a fairly basic concept and then delivers with some dope art and cool character design. Nifty book all around. I mean, Thirteen Ghosts, but with Batman Villians. Think about it!
Weekly Pull Highlights: December 29, 2021
The year has come and gone (somehow very slowly and very quickly, all at once), but that doesn't mean we don't have a couple great books to ring in the new year with. We hope 2022 starts with the best possible scenario - lots of time to read! Hollywood over here, sippin' on Haterade...
Why do so many in Hollywood find it necessary to diss superhero films? Directors, actors, filmmakers - you name it, celebrities of all calibers have decided it's the "posh" thing to do to hate on a whole subgenre of films that make millions of people around the globe, very, very happy. But why? We talk about the who, what, and why of these haters - and why they're inherently wrong for being so rude about the whole thing. Have an opinion, sure, but be kind, folks!
Honorable Mention Highlights: November 2021
The Dark Knights of Steel #1 Remember when you were a kid playing make-believe and you'd merge together very different IPs to the point where suddenly Optimus Prime is driving Mario to the next castle? This is kind of like that. Suddenly you're in a fantasy setting, but still watching the same DC characters you'd expect in a big crossover. I think is most surprising is how well it works - well done, team, I definitely care about the princes after all. A Thing Called Truth #1 Relatable, fun characters embroiled in a tale of misogyny and betrayal. This book is delightfully developed and honestly is a story unlike a lot of what's out there. It's realistic and grounded while building to an exciting thrust. Knighted #1 What if Batman was a pervy jerk, got accidentally killed by a random loser, and then replaced by said random loser at the behest of "Alfred" (who absolutely hates Batman to begin with)? If that premise isn't enough to delight you, then just know that this book is incredibly clever and wonderfully cheeky. Sure, it's another "what if popular super hero but different" story, but it's got some fun twists and turns. My Date with Monsters #1 What a fascinating concept for a book. Bad science leads to real nightmares, and the only way to avoid the apocalypse is for a very single mom to fall in love and build a stable family. Has it already built in some pretty predictable plot points? Yeah, but that doesn't take away from my investment in the very likeable characters. I'm excited to see how it all plays out. Provenance of Secrets #1 Another day, another noir - but this time, our gumshoe is investigating a theater cult (that as a former theater kid, seems completely believable). Boldly black and white, with a swiftly unraveling mystery, this one has set up to be a very interesting read. Good Boy #1 If you had told me I would one day read a comic book adaptation of John Wick where the dog lives and the person dies but it still turns into a bullet blasting blood bath, I would have told you to seek help. And yet, here we are. This book shines mainly for the novelty of the concept, but does have some fun art and tongue-in-cheek moments within to earn a mention. Turkey Day One Shot The perfect story for the holidays! It's got it all! Community. Family. History. Alien-possessed murder turkeys. If you like B-level horror movies, this book will be a fun ride for you. In the mix is also a nice bit of cheeky commentary on the problematic nature of the Thanksgiving story and the treatment of indigenous people in modern society. Oh, and also gore. Lots of gore. I want all my Greek myths liberated, please.
Weekly Pull Highlights: December 1, 2021
Tee's got a deep, sultry, post-bronchitis tenor going on, but the comic reviews rest for no one this week! This was a big week, especially if you're a fan of turning literature on it's head. Time for some post-turkey reading material! I mean, maybe do more than Year 1? Maybe? Just a thought.
Did you even know this was released? We're gonna guess that's a no, since we barely found it out about it. Is it better than the game? Not really. Is it a bad flick? Not entirely. But we'll cover all of that, so maybe you don't have to go hunt this down in the local Redbox.
What to get the comic lover who has everything?
What do you get for your favorite comic book reader? Well, we've got some ideas! From hard cover editions, to fancy Legos, to the nerdiest of jewelry, we have something for everyone in this year's edition of the holiday gift guide!
Secret Shortbox, Big Willy style.
If ol' Willy S had a box of comics under his (or her...look it up!) writing desk, what do you think would be in there? We have a couple guesses - in fact, that's what this whole episode is about!
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Cover B PodcastChris & Tee host this weekly comic-focused show, providing insight on new comics, entertainment news and more. Archives
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