Welcome to our latest Rapid Reviews column. We are excited to talk about these three new number ones. They have some things in common; one of those things is they have a female lead character whose personal sense of self is challenged by the outside world. Each one of them is presented with different obstacles and approach those challenges in ways unique to their circumstances. We enjoyed all of these first issue. Read below to find out why and let us know what you think if/when you read them.
For all the New Number Ones that came out this week check out our weekly rundown Here.
Our reviews are spoiler free and focus on the positive aspects of comic storytelling in each issue. You can find all of these books at your Local Comic Shop now or wherever you get your comics.
Marian Heretic #1
Boom! Studios
Written by Tini Howard
Art by Joe Jaro
Colors by Walter Baiamonte
Cover Art by Jaro
ORIGINAL SOLICITATION:
Experience a bold new series where divine conviction meets dark compromise.
Sister Marian is a witch hunter, a Mother Superior and a heretic — guided by a Goddess the Church refuses to acknowledge. When the Holy Father Church brands her order blasphemers, Marian strikes a dark bargain to become their personal enforcer. As she delivers murderous judgment night after night in the city of Vespers, she can feel her soul fracture… but what can she do with the lives of her sisters at stake?
Acclaimed writer Tini Howard and artist Joe Jaro, launches a provocative new take on nunsploitation, religious horror, and rebellion!
PCS Review:
What at fantastic start to this highly anticipated series. Let’s talk about the concept for a second. This is the story of a woman who sacrifices her freedom and wellbeing to protect her family while maintaining a façade of subservience, despite a core belief that goes against that subservience. The power dynamics that are at play are masterfully orchestrated by both writer and artist for maximum evocation of compassion for the protagonist. We are immediately “Ride or Die” with Marian.
Joe (Jose) Jaro and Walter Baiamonte combine to craft a spectacular visual narrative that has a gorgeous anime-like feel. In particular there is a sequence in the middle of the book involving a fire that is, well.. “fire”.
The exploration of faith as a concept and religion as structure is on display in this tale. Tini Howard it tackling some heavy themes, and we are here for every panel of it.
Mary Sue #1
Boom! Studios / Boom! Box
Written by Meghan Fitzmartin
Art by Lisa Sterle
Colors by Dearbhla Kelly & Heather Breckel
Letters by Jodie Troutman
Cover Art by Lisa Sterle
ORIGINAL SOLICITATION:
Despite what her mom thinks, Cassie has lots of friends — they just all happen to be online, where she can talk to them about her beloved favorite show, Riverview, and get their feedback on her fan fic WIP, starring Jessica, her very own hot vampire OC.
But her fic writing persona is revealed to the entire school when her former best friend finds it and can’t resist reading some of it out loud to their classmates.
Cassie thinks things can’t get more humiliating, until her very own Mary Sue pops right out of her fic to save the day — or make it much, much worse.
PCS Review:
I love the concept of this book. Meghan Fitzmartin is subverting negative narratives about fan fiction by embracing it along with the culture and relationships that go along with it. The story is instantly heartbreaking for the protagonist and will bring up feelings of teenage isolation and awkwardness for the reader.
Lisa Sterle’s art is beautiful and the perfect style for this story. From creative panel and page designs to a slightly heavy linework style, this issue moves at a great pace and has the right amount of weight. The coloring in this book adds to the temperature modulation and scene settings in excellent ways. Jodie Troutman’s lettering is fantastic and definitely an asset to the storytelling as well as readability.
We are eagerly anticipating the next issue, because “How the heck did that happen?”
Temporal #1
Mad Cave Studios
Written by Stephanie Williams
Art by Asiah Fulmore
Colors by DJ Chavis
Letters by Becca Carey
Cover Art by Taurin Clarke
ORIGINAL SOLICITATION:
Once upon a time, Savannah and Marcus were the most skilled temporal thieves in the business, slipping through history to acquire rare artifacts. That was before they settled down, had a son, and built a quiet life together. Ten years later, as their son Harper celebrates his birthday, Savannah questions whether suburban bliss is enough. When Harper’s disappointment over a replica gaming console triggers memories of her former life, Savannah makes a decision that could jeopardize everything she and Marcus have built. Against her husband’s knowledge and her best friend’s warnings, Savannah steps back into the portal for ‘one last job’ – a simple mission to retrieve an original gaming console from the past. But nothing stays simple for long in a business where time is money.
From acclaimed writer Stephanie Williams and rising comic artist Asiah Fulmore comes a thrilling new limited series about family, identity, and the dangerous allure of who we used to be. TEMPORAL explores what happens when your past and future collide—and the ripple effects that follow when you steal more than just objects from history.
PCS Review:
This conflict in the main character of Temporal is that feeling of time passing you by that everyone gets. Savannah, the main character, has access to technology that will put her in danger and drive this story, but Stephanie Williams is asking questions about maturing in adulthood and what to do when you aren’t ready to move on from younger pursuits. The setup for this is relatable, despite the time-travel thievery, and the character development is excellent.
We are smitten with Asiah Fulmore’s slightly cartoony style for this book, and the work that they do with blurred backgrounds to adjust the reader’s eye is masterful. Becca Carey continues to prove her excellence in the field. This book is lettered wonderfully.
This opening installment of the trials of Savannah’s journey of growth is wonderful, and we look forward to the rest of it.
