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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We are forever tied to the 90's...
Weekly Pull Highlights: August 25, 2021
Brand new time, same great comic content (I mean, we think it's pretty okay, anyway)! This week we have a blast from the past, a book turned sideways, and a big twist (surprise! it's aliens) - not too bad for a Thursday, huh? 
Can you believe it - it's our 100th episode!
Weekly Pull Highlights: March 17, 2021
Well now, how about THAT! We made to episode #100, and it's all thanks to you, our amazing listeners. This episode is a bit of a long one, but it's because we have some really great books this week that dive into some really intense themes. And lord knows, we can't pass up a chance to go hyper analytical... it's just what we do. 
It's like 'The Girl On the Train' meets 'Bolt.'
Weekly Pull Highlights: February 24, 2021
Themes in comics tend to come in waves (vampires, anyone?), so when we get a few books that shift the tide into untouched waters, it's a nice reprieve. This week has all sorts of time periods, perspectives, and purposes - and it's definitely appreciated. 
I mean, buying SOME stuff is okay...
Weekly Pull Highlights: February 17, 2021
This week might be a quickie, but we're sharing some excellent new titles, one of which takes a horror-filled looked at the evils of consumerism and corporate commercialism. ...did we mention we have new merch?! Visit https://teespring.com/stores/coverbpodcast to get yours today. 
You know it's a good book when it's got an exclamation point.
Weekly Pull Highlights: February 10, 2021
Look, sometimes a rant comes out of left-field and we just really need to share our feelings, okay? From unexpected hits, to misses that get bigger the more we talk about them, we discuss the big indie #1s of the week.  Look, sometimes we DO get rendered speechless...What a strange week for comics, you guys. Some interesting new titles, but also some just... strange stuff. But hey, if you've been looking for a way to break into Firefly, that happened! So... good?
Honorable Mention Highlights: January 27, 2021
Dead End Kids #1 Get ready for some feels, fam. We're finally far enough away from 9/11 that we can start reading stories, not of the tragedy itself, but of the aftermath left behind. Following three teens all affected by the consequences of the awful event in very different ways, we see something fascinating... What happens when life keeps moving, and crazy stuff keeps going down entirely unrelated to this originally life-altering experience? I'm incredibly excited about this book because it really feels like a very new, very necessary story about people just trying to keep on going. The Eighth Immortal #1 I want to like this book, I really truly do. It's got really cool somewhat manga-esque art and an interesting use of color. The premise is right in line with the types of stories I enjoy, being all about a race of immortals who are barred from ever reproducing because there can only ever be 7 of them. Lots of myth, lots of prophecy and the like. And yet, it's hard getting past the elephant in this book that is how ABSOLUTELY HORNY THIS BOOK IS. I am by no means a prude, but goddamn, there is sex on like every third page of this book. Wowsers. Stake #1 "but Chris, you said you were sick of Vampires!" I know, okay, look.... This book was cool, it had interesting art and enough uniqueness in it's world building to stand apart. It was basically "what if Faith from Buffy became a Twitch streamer?" I liked it, okay. There. I liked a Vampire book. Firefly #25 So, now, I know it seems weird to have a mid-series book in here, but I think this is a GREAT jumping on point for folks who love Firefly and want more of it. We just finished the Serenity crew (and friends and associates) bailing on the fight and making a life for themselves in Haven... Except, years later, looks like all of THAT has gone sideways. New characters, the loss of old ones, and KayLee taking on the captain's mantle, I am MORE than excited to see what the sam-heck happened during that flash-forward we didn't get to see! 
I have some questions about that lightsaber usage...
Weekly Pull Highlights: January 6, 2021
We're back from break and boy were there some great titles this week! Whether you're looking for something adorable, something dark, or something regal, there are all sorts of options. There's even something for folks looking for a comic about ninja nuns fighting the Flying Spaghetti Monster! Comics are weird, y'all. Happy New Year! 
Are mermaids the new vampire?
Weekly Pull Highlights: November 18, 2020
Talk about some eccentric titles this week! Creepy sea stories, political intrigue, and paranoia on the farm - get ready to have uneasy dreams with these cool new books. Plus, we discuss the excellent new installment of Marvel Voices. 
Put him in a body bag, Ralphie!
Weekly Pull Highlights: October 28, 2020
It's Halloween, and honestly our reviews this week are a little spooky. There's one shining star in the bunch, but a lot of this week had titles that couldn't quite get past the finish line... maybe we're just grumpy from Mercury in retrograde. |
Cover B PodcastChris & Tee host this weekly comic-focused show, providing insight on new comics, entertainment news and more. Archives
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