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Rapid Reviews: New Comics for the Week of 5/17/23

Rapid Reviews: New Comics for the Week of 5/17/23

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to our latest Rapid Reviews column.

This week we have some debut issues and some middle issues to discuss. Both Marvel and DC relaunched major team books this week and we have reviews of both of those as well as some excellent smaller books that we think you should check out.

For all the New Number Ones and Special Issues for May check out our monthly rundowns on Here and 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.

Avengers #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Jed MacKay
Art by C.F. Villa
Colors by Federico Blee
Letters by Cory Petit
Cover Art by Stuart Immonen

As the cover indicates, the Avengers are looking up. This reset and new beginning to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is encouraging. The debut issue to this volume is a well crafted jumping on point. It is accessible for new readers and establishes the rollcall through the use of structured flashbacks.

It is clearly a Carol Danvers story, and Jed MacKay has a good handle on the characters in this book. C.F. Villa delivers gorgeous and dynamic visuals and Federico Blee’s work adds an excellent mix of light and shadow that accentuates the important aspects of each page. It is a fun and exciting story that has me eager for the next issue.

Chilling Adventures Presents: Jinx, A Cursed Life #1
Archie Comics
Written by Magdalene Visaggio
Art by Craig Cermak
Colors by Ellie Wright
Letters by Jack Morelli
Cover Art by Cermak

This book is a rocking good time. Mags Visaggio crafted a fun one-and-done story with interesting personal dynamics and fun dialogue. Craig Cermak and Ellie Wright created a beautiful and engaging visual narrative. I will second the comments of editor Jamie Lee Rotante from the Letters column in that I love Visaggio writing the Jinx character. Continue reading “Rapid Reviews: New Comics for the Week of 5/17/23” →

Favorite Creator Owned Comic Series Are Coming Back For More – Alice Never After, Black’s Myth, Dark Spaces: Good Deeds

Favorite Creator Owned Comic Series Are Coming Back For More – Alice Never After, Black’s Myth, Dark Spaces: Good Deeds

Posted on by Bob Harrison

When new “Indie” creator-owned comics hit the shelves, the guarantee of more than a first arc is often dependent on sales and critical acclaim. Therefore, it is always good news to hear that a series that you enjoyed is getting a shot at a second arc. There has been some recent news with three properties that are on there way back to production, and all from different publishers. Check below for the details on Alice Never After, Black’s Myth: The Key to His Heart, and Dark Spaces: Good Deeds.

Alice Never After

One of our favorite series of 2022 is headed back with a new arc. Dan Panosian and Giorgio Spalleta are returning to Wonderland. Continue reading “Favorite Creator Owned Comic Series Are Coming Back For More – Alice Never After, Black’s Myth, Dark Spaces: Good Deeds” →

New Number Ones: New Comic Series Coming in April 2023

New Number Ones: New Comic Series Coming in April 2023

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Spring has sprung. April will be delivering a great array of new comics. If you are new here, in this column, we have compiled an alphabetical list with cover art and the official solicitation text from the publishers of some of the cool new comics that are coming out this month. Check below for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about the new comics in question.

This month, we have books on the list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics, , Mad Cave Studios, Ahoy Comics, Comics Experience Publishing, and IDW Publishing.

One thing to remember, we continue to measure the “comic week” as Wednesday. As such, if we have a month like March that starts on a Wednesday, the comics released the day before count as week one. #NCBD is Wednesday.

We will bring you reviews of these debut issues as they come out, and don’t forget to use the comments section to let us know what you think of this list.

You will find the books listed below in the order of when they are released.

Week of 4/5/23
Week of 4/12/23
Week of 4/19/23
Week of 4/26/23

Week of April 5  

Disney Villains: Scar #1
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Chuck Brown
Art by Trevor Frailey
Cover Art by Jahnoy Lindsay

A startling new vision starring Disney’s greatest villain, set within the world of The Lion King! Eisner and Ringo Award-winning author Chuck Brown (Bitter Root) and stunning artist Trevor Fraley tell a tale of fire and fury, centered on an enraged Scar, unable to accept that he will never be king – not so long as long as Mufasa and his new son inhabit Pride Rock. A plan is starting to formulate within Scar’s corrupt mind, which will bring him face-to-face with the mysterious shaman, Rafiki…

Release Date: April 5, 2023

PCS NOTES: We are interested in seeing this story be excavated from the existing tale everyone knows and loves.

Hairball #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Matt Kindt
Art by Tyler Jenkins
Cover Art by Kindt & Hilary Jenkins

A brand-new supernatural nightmare that’s Junji Ito meets Hayao Miyazaki from the Eisner-nominated creators of Fear Case and Apache Delivery Service.

A young girl with a black cat begins to suspect the innocuous beast is behind all her troubles: her parents’ fighting, family plagues, and innumerable supernatural horrors. As she tries her best to rid herself of this creature, she discovers that maybe the cat is not evil after all and a greater terror may be behind these horrific events harming her life.

Release Date: April 5, 2023

PCS NOTES: This looks like a suspense-filled trip. We will definitely be checking it out. Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comic Series Coming in April 2023” →

New Number Ones: New Comic Series Coming in March 2023

New Number Ones: New Comic Series Coming in March 2023

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Spring is just around the corner. And we have newly sprouting comics series to show you. If you are new here, in this column, we have compiled an alphabetical list with cover art and the official solicitation text from the publishers of some of the cool new comics that are coming out this month. Check below for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about the new comics in question.

This month, we have books on the list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics, AWA Studios, Ahoy Comics, Mad Cave Studios, Valiant Entertainment, Sumerian Comics, and IDW Publishing.

There are five jam packed Wednesdays in March and the first and the fifth weeks have the most New Number Ones.

One thing to remember, we continue to measure the “comic week” as Wednesday. As such, if we have a month like March that starts on a Wednesday, the comics released the day before count as week one. #NCBD is Wednesday.

We will bring you reviews of these debut issues as they come out, and don’t forget to use the comments section to let us know what you think of this list.

You will find the books listed below in the order of when they are released.

Week of 3/1/23
Week of 3/8/23
Week of 3/15/23
Week of 3/22/23
Week of 3/29/23

Week of March 1  

Cosmic Ghost Rider #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Stephanie Phillips
Art by Juann Cabal, Jonas Scharff, Arif Prianto & Espen Grundetjern
Cover Art by Morry Hollowell & Valerio Ganfiordano

DUEL IDENTITY, PART ONE / COSMIC GHOST STORIES

VENGEANCE REAWAKENED! In a far-flung corner of deep space, Frank Castle has eked out a quiet existence, his days as Cosmic Ghost Rider finally behind him. But across the universe, a vicious bounty hunter is leaving a trail of bodies in his wake and his name is… Cosmic Ghost Rider?! When Frank’s peaceful existence is shattered, he must suit up once more and face his most savage enemy yet—himself! Be there for the start of a sprawling space adventure with shocking twists and turns in the saga of Cosmic Ghost Rider!

Release Date: March 1, 2023

PCS NOTES: A fan favorite character returns in his own series guided by some excellent creators.

DC / RWBY #1
DC Comics
Written by Marguerite Bennett
Art by Meghan Hetrick & Marissa Louise
Cover Art by Hetrick

The world of Remnant comes crashing into the DCU! Grimm are running amok around Gotham, and Batman’s on the hunt to find whoever brought these mysterious monsters to his city. But as the trail goes cold, the Dark Knight finds himself face-to-face with none other than Team RWBY! What other effects are taking hold around our world with Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang here, and what does it mean for the future of the DCU?! Marguerite Bennett returns to RWBY with Meghan Hetrick and Soo Lee for an epic tale of adventure spanning every corner of the DC Universe!

Release Date: February 28, 2023

PCS NOTES: What a fantastic creative team DC assembled to tell this story?! Surprisingly for me, it has my interest.
 Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comic Series Coming in March 2023” →

Upcoming Release: Second Coming Is Coming Back with “Trinity”

Upcoming Release: Second Coming Is Coming Back with “Trinity”

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Sometimes items show up in our inbox here at PCS, and they just make us shout, “Hell Yeah, Bring it on!!” This press release was one of them. We are huge supporters of Ahoy Comics here as you can tell from Mike Gold’s latest column.

Second Coming is also very dear to us in particular, and any time we can let people know that more Second Coming is on the way, we are happy to do it.

Press Release:

AHOY Comics’ Controversial and Acclaimed Comic about Jesus Christ and His Superhero Roommate is Resurrected with SECOND COMING: TRINITY

2022 Eisner Winner Mark Russell, Co-Creator Richard Pace and Artist Leonard Kirk All Returning for the Third Series

(January 17, 2023) You welcomed Jesus with open arms in SECOND COMING. You marveled at his miraculous return in SECOND COMING: ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. Now the book that turned the comics industry upside-down with “quite a bit of humor…[and] a lot of heart” (The New York Times) is back for its third act with SECOND COMING: TRINITY. Continue reading “Upcoming Release: Second Coming Is Coming Back with “Trinity”” →

Brainiac On Banjo: Streaming Ahoy!

Brainiac On Banjo: Streaming Ahoy!

Posted on by Mike Gold

The reading today is from the book of Punter, Chapter 9, Verse 17: “All we have to fear, is me.” – Firesign Theater

Presuming climate change doesn’t do us in first, Americans are about a decade way from abandoning the concept of the continuous media vehicle. In English, that means the idea of television (and radio before 1962) had lengthy “seasons” and, if successful, would return for a following season.

Of course, this was well before streaming became a thing.

Unlike the rest of magazine publishing, the comic book medium also was a continuous media vehicle: numbering was consecutive and rarely split into “volumes” of, say, twelve monthly numbers per year. Nobody cares what consecutive issue numbers were applied to Time Magazine in August 1975, but if you ask the issue number for the X-Men cover-dated that same month there are enough comic book enthusiasts who know the answer to that – #94, for those who came in late – to fill Yankee Stadium. At least the #94 that was in use in August, 1975. Around that time, the late, legendary comics retailer Joe Sarno pointed out in an interview if you put consecutive numbering on something, some people are going to collect it. Continue reading “Brainiac On Banjo: Streaming Ahoy!” →

Rapid Reviews for the Week of 1/11/2023

Rapid Reviews for the Week of 1/11/2023

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to our first Rapid Reviews column of 2023.

This week we have a bunch of middle issues to discuss. While we did include one New Number One and one concluding issue, the middle issues of comic arcs and series are often overlooked.  These books are really well done and definitely belong in your pull list.

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.

All Against All #2
Image Comics
Written by Alex Paknadel
Art by Caspar Wijngaard
Colors by Wijngaard
Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover Art by Wijngaard

The first issue of this comic was excellent. This second issue is better. The sides of the conflict that is rapidly escalating are clearly delineated in this issue. The defining feeling of this issue is the anxiety of the primary narrator B’Tay. Paknadel, Wijngaard, and Otsmane-Elhaou all combine to use their extensive skills to pass that uneasiness and anticipation on to the reader with this extraordinarily tense comic. It is beautiful, terrifying, and sad all at once. This book is a must pull.

Billionaire Island: Cult of Dogs #3
Ahoy Comics
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Steve Pugh
Colors by Chris Chuckry
Letters by Rob Steen
Cover Art by Pugh

This is a thoroughly entertaining comic. There are two complementary stories on display, and the techniques used to tell them clearly and effectively are brilliantly executed by Russell and Pugh. The rising tension in the main story has this reader completely engaged in this series. Pugh does wonderful job with high quality visual storytelling and Russell’s socio-economic commentary finds its customary place behind a thin veil in a post-apocalyptic storyline. Well done all around. Continue reading “Rapid Reviews for the Week of 1/11/2023” →

Preview Reviews for the Week of 11/9/2022: Billionaire Island: Cult of Dogs #1, Specs #1, and Two Graves #1

Preview Reviews for the Week of 11/9/2022: Billionaire Island: Cult of Dogs #1, Specs #1, and Two Graves #1

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to the latest installment of Preview Reviews.

This week we have a three terrific books for you. The first is Billionaire Island: Cult of Dogs #1 from Ahoy Comics, and the second is Specs #1 which is from Boom! Studios. Finally, there is Two Graves #1 from Image Comics.

You can find these books at your LCS or wherever you buy books on November 9, 2022.

Also the rest of the #NewNumberOnes for October are here.

Billionaire Island: Cult of Dogs #1
Ahoy Comics
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Steve Pugh
Colors by Chris Chuckry
Letters by Rob Steen
Cover Art by Steve Pugh

Original Solicitation:

The long-awaited return of the “series that’s simultaneously infuriating and hysterically funny in its indictment of not just the 1%, but of the people-and the economic system-that enable them” (Comics Beat). The year is 2046, two years after Billionaire Island fell-taking the world’s economy with it. Only one man-er, dog-can save us now. But where is Business Dog?

PCS Review:

Reading a political socio-economic commentary by Mark Russell on election day just feels right. This next volume in the world of Billionaire Island is off to an excellent start. The brilliance of Russell’s writing is that while it is loaded with social commentary and satire, the story is usually compelling and interesting. That is certainly the case with this book.

The story picks up two years after the first volume ends and does an excellent job of laying out the environment while ramping up a new conflict. The character development and pacing of the book are well executed.

Steve Pugh does a fantastic job with the visual narrative. His character expressions are important to the success of the story, and they stand out so exquisitely because of the brilliant panel designs and page layouts. Chris Chukry’s bright color work blends perfectly into the tone of the book, and Rob Steen continues to be the unheralded star of Ahoy comics with his excellent lettering.

This is an entertaining book that makes you think and invites you to come back for issue #2. Also the homicidal golf cart steals the second half of the issue. Continue reading “Preview Reviews for the Week of 11/9/2022: Billionaire Island: Cult of Dogs #1, Specs #1, and Two Graves #1” →

New Number Ones: New Comic Series Coming in November 2022

New Number Ones: New Comic Series Coming in November 2022

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to November. The leaves are falling outdoor decorations are making there way into yards, and new comic series are hitting the stands. In this column, we have compiled an alphabetical list with cover art and the official solicitation text from the publishers of some of the cool new comics that are coming out this month. Check below for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about the new comics in question.

This month, we have books on the list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, AfterShock Comics, Image Comics, Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics, Mad Cave Studios, Source Point Press, Ahoy Comics, and Ablaze Comics. Also this marks the first time that books from Frank Miller Presents has made this list.

This is another month with FIVE Wednesdays. That is a win for everyone!!!!

We will bring you reviews of these debut issues as they come out, and don’t forget to use the comments section to let us know what you think of this list.

You will find the books listed below in the order of when they are released.

Week of 11/2/22
Week of 11/9/22
Week of 11/16/22
Week of 11/23/22
Week of 11/30/22

Week of November 2

Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #1
DC Comics
Written by Mark Silvestri
Art by Silvestri & Arif Prianto
Cover Art by Silvestri

The Joker will go to any lengths to get Harley Quinn back after she is abducted by a strange culprit. But who? Mysterious, Joker-like monsters are stalking the streets of Gotham, collecting severed heads. But why? Jim Gordon is missing, and after receiving a package containing a bloody piece of Gotham’s commissioner, Batman knows he must be willing to do anything to save him. But how? When The Joker proposes an uneasy alliance with Batman, the answers to those questions begin to become clear— and they will shake Gotham City and the Bat-Family to their core. This meticulously crafted tale of the Dark Knight’s deadliest team-up will introduce you to a grim and gritty Gotham that only Marc Silvestri could bring you.

Release Date: November 1, 2022

PCS NOTES: A legendary master returns to serialized storytelling. We are interested to see what this series brings.

Behold, Behemoth #1
Boom! Studios
Written by Tate Brombal
Art by Nick Robles
Cover Art by Robles

Greyson’s world is crumbling following his brother’s sudden and mysterious death. His sleepless nights are haunted by vivid nightmares of a terrifying monster, pushing him to the brink of losing both his sanity and his job as a social worker. But he’s truly shaken to the core when his newest case—a young orphaned girl named Wren—is found at the scene of a brutal murder, just hours after first meeting Greyson. The line between nightmare and waking life blur as Greyson soon discovers that the monster from his dreams might just be real—a mythical, ancient beast that is bringing about the end of the world, with shocking connections to both him and Wren…

Release Date: November 2, 2022

PCS NOTES: This sounds very interesting and I am eagerly anticipating what Nick Robles does on a book like this. 

Cherish #1
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Katana Collins
Art by Gabriel Caitano
Cover Art by Marc Silvestri

Dynamite Entertainment proudly presents a new series by bestselling author Katana Collins and rising star artist Gabriel Caitano: Cherish, featuring character designs by Marc Silvestri!

When the blood on the boardroom floor moves from metaphorical to literal… Cherish is the story of Amelia Fellows, a young woman who witnessed the betrayal and murder of her father at the hands of those he once trusted. Unfortunately for Amelia, the people behind her father’s death are some of the richest, most powerful people in the world. If Amelia wants justice for her father, she’ll have to get it herself as the well-armed hi-tech vigilante, Cherish.

Issue #1 comes out swinging as Cherish infiltrates the corporate headquarters of Unicon. The company, led by chairwoman Valerie Nolan, had once worked with Cherish’s father. The only way Amelia will get the incriminating evidence she needs to take down everyone involved in her father’s death is to integrate herself into the staff and hide in plain sight. But things get complicated when Valerie’s son, Conrad, who Cherish has been seducing for information, becomes suspicious. Now it’s a race against time for Cherish to see if she can survive long enough to get the justice she seeks.

Release Date: November 2, 2022

PCS NOTES: This seems like a character that fits nicely into Dynamite’s wheelhouse, and we are looking forward to what the creative team has in mind. 

Deadpool #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Alyssa Wong
Art by Martín Cóccolo & Neeraj Menon
Cover Art by Cóccolo

MARVEL’S TOP MERC IS BACK IN BUSINESS! We all know Wade Wilson is one of the top mercenary/assassins in the Marvel Universe, even if he is simultaneously the most annoying one…but he’s pushing to make that recognition official as he auditions for the elite group known as the Atelier. Now, he has 48 hours to kill one of the world’s most famous supervillains. Only problem? He’s been kidnapped, and something…strange…is GROWING INSIDE HIM. Things are going to get gross as writer Alyssa Wong and artist Martín Cóccolo  take out their pent up aggression on everyone’s pizza-faced, jabber-mouthed, misguided, hate-to-love, love-to-hate fave…Deadpool!

Release Date: November 2, 2022

PCS NOTES: Who doesn’t love Deadpool? We are happy to see this book in the hands of Alyssa Wong.

Hell To Pay #1
Image Comics
Written by Charles Soule
Art by Will Sliney & Rachelle Rosenberg
Cover Art by Dave Johnson

The Shrouded College will give you magic… but you’ll incur a debt. Until it’s paid, you belong to them. Married couple Maia and Sebastian Stone took that deal. They have worked for the College ever since, using their new abilities to track down 666 cursed coins: qurrakh… aka, the Devil’s Dollar. Only a few remain. The Stones are almost free… but the devil’s in the details.

Hellboy meets Indiana Jones in this supernatural adventure from CHARLES SOULE and WILL SLINEY.

Release Date: November 2, 2022

PCS NOTES: The thing is that when Charles Soule lays out the rules of engagement, the Devil is always in the details, but that is also where the fun is. Looking forward to this.  Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comic Series Coming in November 2022” →

New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in June 2022

New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in June 2022

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Summer is just around the corner, and there are excellent new comics series coming in June! We have compiled an alphabetical list with cover art and the official solicitation text from the publishers of some of the cool new comics that are coming out this month. Check below for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about the new comics in question.

This month we spotlight books from the usual suspects: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, AfterShock Comics, Image Comics, Boom! Studios, Mad Cave Studios, Ahoy Comics, Vault Comics,  Dark Horse Comics, and Scout Comics.

It’s a FIVE-WEDNESDAY MONTH; so, we have five glorious weeks of new comics. The bulk of the new releases are in the middle weeks with the first and last being very light with new series.

We will bring you reviews of these debut issues as they come out, and don’t forget to use the comments section to let us know what you think of this list.

You will find the books listed below in the order of when they are released.

Week of 6/1/22
Week of 6/8/22
Week of 6/15/22
Week of 6/22/22
Week of 6/92/22

Week of June 1

The Closet #1
Image Comics
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Gavin Fullerton & Chris O’Halloran
Cover Art by Fullerton

Thom is moving cross-country with his family and dragging the past along with them. His son, Jamie, is seeing monsters in the bedroom closet and will not let them go. A tale of existential familial horror by JAMES TYNION IV and GAVIN FULLERTON.

Release Date: June 1, 2022

PCS NOTES: The current reigning master of horror comic storytelling is at it again. We are intrigued by this book. 

Code 45 #1
Scout Comics
Written by Benjamin Hunting
Art by Joe Ng

There are dragons lurking in the tunnels beneath Montreal’s city streets – at least that’s the rumor that confronts new metro driver Vanessa. Terrified by these mysterious and horrifying apparitions, the night shift turns to self-medication, losing the ability to tell the difference between reality and fantasy. Pulled in deep by the underground raves that blast through the system’s abandoned stations, Vanessa quickly finds herself on the verge of crossing into a dark world she never knew existed.

Release Date: June 1, 2022

PCS NOTES: This is an ominous solicitation, and we are interested in checking it out.

New Think #1
AWA / Upshot Studios
Written by Gregg Hurwitz
Art by Mike Deodato
Cover Art by Rahzzah

This Black Mirror-style anthology examines the rapid proliferation of technology, the cultural and political polarization of the country, and the technocrats that have driven us to such extremes of thought that we need to present the present as something…futuristic. Each of the five issues is a stand-alone tale with its own art team

Release Date: June 1, 2022

PCS NOTES: I am intrigued by the rotating art concept in this series and Gregg Hurwitz’s return to comics. Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in June 2022” →