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New Number Ones: One-Shots and Special Editions for November 2022

New Number Ones: One-Shots and Special Editions for November 2022

Posted on by Bob Harrison

In this regular column, we collect the one-shot books, special anthologies, and original graphic novels that are being released this month. In November, there are quite a few that caught our attention. You can check out our regular New Number Ones column for the month here.

There is an alphabetical list of these special books below by release date, and don’t forget to check for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about these comics.

There are books on the list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Humanoids, Inc., AfterShock Comics, and AWA Studios.

Crossgen Tales #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Barbara Randall Kesel, Ron Marz, & Mark Waid
Art by Butch Guice, Greg Land, Ben Lai, & Brandon Peterson
Cover Art by Paco Medina

ONE-SHOT SPECIAL

Surprising tales from a universe of fantasy, folklore and science fiction! The debut issues of four of the signature titles from the 21st century’s most innovative imprint—and some of the biggest names in comics—offer a window into other worlds! In RUSE (2001) #1, Detective Simon Archer and his assistant Emma Bishop face magic and mystery on the Victorianesque planet Arcadia! In MYSTIC (2000) #1, meet sisters Genevieve and Giselle—one is a sorceress, one is a socialite, but their destinies are about to be transformed! In SIGIL (2000) #1, a planetary union is locked in a centuries-long war with the starfaring Saurians! And in SOJOURN (2001) #1, the archer Arwyn and her allies fight for survival in the shadow of the undead dictator Mordath! But who are the Sigil-Bearers who unite these four stories?

Release Date: November 2, 2022

PCS NOTES: This is a reprint collection but if you are a fan of Crossgen or brand new to the concept of this imprint, this is a great place to get aquainted.

The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1
DC Comics
Written by Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Louise Simonson, & Roger Stern
Art by Jurgens, Butch Guice, Tom Grummett, Lee Weeks, John Bogdanove, Bill Sienkiewicz, Clay Mann, Brett Breeding, Walter Simonson, Gabriel Rodriguez, Fabio Moon, Jamal Campbell
Cover Art by Jurgens & Breeding

ONE-SHOT SPECIAL

THE LIFE OF SUPERMAN / STANDING GUARD / TIME / ABOVE AND BEYOND

30 years ago, the unthinkable happened. The Man of Steel died. After sacrificing himself to stop the unstoppable global threat, Doomsday, Metropolis and the rest of the DC Universe mourned the loss of their greatest hero. To mark this monumental moment in comics, DC has reunited the complete creative team behind the original event for four brand-new stories. Led by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding, the special kicks off with a new Superman story and villain…DOOMBREAKER! Followed by a series of short stories revisiting some of Superman’s greatest allies and exclusive pinups done by some of comics’ greatest artistic talent including LEE WEEKS, GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, and WALTER SIMONSON.

Release Date: November 8, 2022

PCS NOTES: The event that helped to define comics in the 90s is remembered in this special issue with legendary creators contributing new content.

It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth
Image Comics
Written by Zoe Thorogood
Art by Thorogood
Cover Art by Thorogood

ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL

Cartoonist ZOE THOROGOOD records six months of her own life as it falls apart in a desperate attempt to put it back together again in the only way she knows how. IT’S LONELY AT THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH is an intimate metanarrative that looks into the life of a selfish artist who must create for her own survival.

A poignant, slice-of-life-style story perfect for fans of Adrian Tomine’s The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist.

Release Date: November 9, 2022

PCS NOTES: As soon as I heard about this OGN, I was excited for it. I can’t believe it is almost here. Zoe Thorogood is a fantastic cartoonist.  

The New Golden Age #1
DC Comics
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jerry Ordway, Steve Lieber, & Diego Olortegui
Cover Art by Mikel Janín

ONE-SHOT SPECIAL

From the Justice Society of America to the Legion of Super-Heroes, The New Golden Age will unlock DC’s epic and secret-ridden history of heroism, launching a new group of titles set firmly in the DC Universe. From the 1940s to the 3040s, heroes take on the great evils of their time. But in the aftermath of Flashpoint Beyond, those heroes and villains will have their lives turned upside down. DC’s future…and its past…will never be the same again. But how are Mime and Marionette connected to this? Why are Rip Hunter and the Time Masters the most unlikable heroes in the DC Universe? And who or what is…Nostalgia? Don’t miss the start of the strangest mystery to have ever plagued the DC Universe.

Release Date: November 8, 2022

PCS NOTES: I am not sure what Geoff Johns is up to, but I think I might like it. This book should lead into the Justice Society of America book that launches later in the month. Check out our regular New Number Ones for the details.  Continue reading “New Number Ones: One-Shots and Special Editions for November 2022” →

New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in September 2022

New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in September 2022

Posted on by Bob Harrison

As the calendar turns to September and summer starts to fade, hopefully, 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, Ablaze Comics, AWA/Upshot Studios, Valiant Entertainment, IDW Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics, Ahoy Comics, and Scout Comics. We also have two smaller publishers in Opus Comics and Comics Experience Publishing.

There are some interesting titles this month that are revivals of older series that haven’t been around for a while. We are interested in checking those out.

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 9/7/22
Week of 9/14/22
Week of 9/21/22
Week of 9/28/22

Week of September 7

Alien #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Art by Julius Ohta & Yen Nitro
Cover Art by Björn Barends

PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON AND JULIUS OHTA LAUNCH A NEW ALIEN EPIC! MAN, MACHINE, AND THE MOST TERRIFYING CREATURE IN THE UNIVERSE…IT’S AN EXPRESS ELEVATOR TO HELL, AND YOU’RE GONNA WANT TO BE ON IT! A small colony of synths have settled in secret on a backwater moon. When a company of United System soldiers come to them for help retrieving biotechnology on a hostile planet that could be the key to saving humanity, the synths must decide whether the prospect of peace between man and machine is worth the risk of betrayal.

Release Date: September 7, 2022

PCS NOTES: We are interested to see where this arc goes. Phillip Kennedy Johnson has been doing excellent things on this series. You can check out our recent interview for more about his work on Alien. 

All-Out Avengers #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Derek Landy
Art by Greg Land, Jay Leisten, & Frank D’Armata
Cover Art by Land & D’Armata

INTRODUCING: THE ALL-NEW AVENGERS SERIES THAT STARTS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPLOSIVE ACTION AND RACES TO A SHOCKING CLIMAX! An alien attack. A missing piece of wormhole tech. A city warped, its citizens transformed into hideous creatures loyal to an Empress from the far side of the universe. And a certain Captain Marvel, looking to her fellow Avengers with murderous intent… Plunge into the action and take a deep breath because you will not be allowed up for air as a thrilling new series kicks off in the strongest, strangest way possible.

Release Date: September 7, 2022

PCS NOTES: Well, if superhero action is what you want, this is the place for it.

 

Antioch #1
Image Comics
Written by Patrick Kindlon
Art by Marco Ferrari
Cover Art by Ferrari

FRONTIERSMAN creators KINDLON & FERRARI pick up where that series left off with an all-new ONGOING SERIES!

A king from a lost continent enters the world of man with a purpose: to stop us from killing the planet. But when he finds himself in a superhuman prison, his title is useless and his powers only matter if they help him survive!

Release Date: September 7, 2022

PCS NOTES: We are interested in this based on the concept and the trust we have in the creative team. Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in September 2022” →

New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in April 2022

New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in April 2022

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to April! 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: AfterShock Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics, Marvel Comics, Boom! Studios, AWA/Upshot Studios, IDW Publishing, and Dark Horse Comics.

This month is super front loaded with new comics. The first week has double the number of new series as each other week; so, make sure you go out this week and get your fill of new comics.

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 4/6/22
Week of 4/13/22
Week of 4/20/22
Week of 4/27/22

Week of April 6

Alice Ever After #1
Boom! Studios
Written by Dan Panosian
Art by Giorgio Spalletta & Fabiana Mascolo
Cover Art by Panosian

Return to Wonderland in this twisted sequel by superstar artist and writer Dan Panosian perfect for fans of Mirka Andolfo’s Mercy and Luna.

Alice first visited Wonderland as a child. Now an adult, it’s her only escape from a cold, strange reality she finds herself living in.

But in order to return to her fantasy world, she’ll need something stronger than mushrooms that change her size, and is forced to resort to crime to feed her growing addiction.

Will Alice choose to escape from her uncaring family and childhood trauma in Wonderland, or find the courage to face her demons in the real world?

Release Date: April 6, 2022

PCS NOTES: Dan Panosian’s amazing talent as an artist is unquestioned, but his writing in recent years makes this book required reading.

Batman Beyond: Neo-Year #1
DC Comics
Written by Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly
Art by Max Dunbar & Sebastian Cheng
Cover Art by Dunbar & Cheng

CHAPTER 1: GOTHAM’S SWORD

Neo-Gotham is alive and has killed Bruce Wayne. It’s rejected Terry McGinnis as Batman and offered him the chance to escape. Terry turned it down—he is the city’s protector, and he will uphold the legacy of Batman. Now Neo-Gotham will do everything in its power to destroy Terry, including creating brand-new villains to fight him. Terry’s first year without Bruce Wayne begins…does he have a fighting chance? From the rising-star creative team of Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing and Max Dunbar, a new future for Batman Beyond has begun!

Release Date: April 5, 2022

PCS NOTES: As solicitations go for a new chapter in a existing property go, this is a pretty good one. We are intrigued. Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in April 2022” →

New Number Ones: Comics Coming in January 2022

New Number Ones: Comics Coming in January 2022

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Happy New Year!

As we step gently into 2022 being careful to keep safe and healthy, 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: AfterShock Comics, Boom! Studios, DC Comics, Vault Comics, Image Comics, Marvel Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, AWA/Upshot Studios, Scout Comics, Behemoth Comics, Titan Comics, and ComixTribe.

This month is a little light on new series as publishers usually plan for slow sales in January due to holiday shopping hangover.

There are a few new number ones from Marvel that are interesting additions to their stable of books, and there are a couple of one-shot books that we added to the list that we think you might want to check out.

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 1/5/22
Week of 1/12/22
Week of 1/19/22
Week of 1/26/22

Week of January 5

Bylines in Blood #1
AfterShock Comics
Written by Erica Schultz & Van Jensen
Art by Aneke Murillenem
Cover Art by Murillenem

The future. The very concept of truth has died. Politicians invent their own facts, and independent newspapers no longer exist. In this world, private detectives serve as ronin, searching out the hard truths that people are desperate to keep hidden.

The best of these is Satya, known as Lady Dick, a former journalist turned gumshoe who runs every lead to ground. But Satya has just received her hardest case yet: her old editor has been murdered. Someone wanted him silenced, and the trail points toward the highest bastions of power. To find justice for her friend, she’ll have to put everything – and everyone – she knows at risk.

Release Date: January 5, 2021

PCS NOTES: We have been looking forward to this book for a while now and are excited to get our hands on it.

Elektra: Black, White & Blood #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Various
Art by Various
Cover Art by John Romita Jr. & Richard Isanove

RED DAWN / NOT THE DEVIL / THE CRIMSON PATH
Fact • noun • fakt – Definition of Fact 1 a: something that has actual existence b: an actual occurrence c: ELEKTRA NATCHIOS IS THE BEST ASSASSIN IN THE MARVEL UNIVERSE!

Release Date: January 5, 2021

PCS NOTES: Despite the plethora of three worded title anthology limited pallet series from the Big2, this book has three shorts by some great creators and we are here for it.

The Fourth Man #1
AWA/Upshot Studios
Written by Jeff McComsey
Art by Mike Deodato & Lee Loughridge
Cover Art by Deodato

Three dead bodies lay in a rural morgue – all murdered in the span of three weeks. It’s up to two detectives from opposite sides of the tracks to determine who put them there, if the murders are linked and what, if anything, they have to do with a pair of dueling car dealerships. A dark comedy mystery thriller by Jeff McComsey and Mike Deodato Jr. that is inspired by an outlandish true crime story, The Fourth Man story will keep you guessing till the last page.

Release Date: January 5, 2021

PCS NOTES: The premise is intriguing and the creative team seals the deal on checking out this new crime series.

Monkey Meat #1
Image Comics
Written by Juni Ba
Art by Ba
Cover Art by Ba

DJELIYA creator JUNI BA introduces a new fantasy universe in this ANTHOLOGY SERIES! The Monkey Meat Company made its fortune selling cans of processed meat all around the world. Using that money to fuel their wacky experiments, they turned their native island into a magical hyper-capitalist hellscape where even demons have to pay rent! Follow the lives of the creatures of Monkey Meat Island in this fun, action-packed romp. Each issue is its own story!

Release Date: January 5, 2021

PCS NOTES: This book looks super interesting, and we love the idea of one and dones. Definitely on the pull list.

Pantha #1
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Tom Sniegoski & Jeannine Acheson
Art by Igor Lima
Cover Art by Judy Jong

A cruel Egyptian queen eternally cursed to transform into a savage beast. For millennia, Pantha has endured her punishment for angering a powerful goddess, hiding herself away from the world and the ugliness of her humanity. But now someone-something-is killing the gods, and now so it falls upon Pantha to save the pantheon! In exchange for her help comes the promise of redemption and freedom from her curse, but even that comes with a price! Featured in her own series for the first time in a decade, and spinning out of the pages of SACRED SIX, Pantha’s back!

Release Date: January 5, 2021

Week of January 12

Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Art by Rafael de Latorre & Frederico Blee
Cover Art by Chris Bachalo & Tim Townsend

The next pulse-pounding chapter in the saga of New York City’s Guardian Devil, this time starring ELEKTRA as Daredevil! Joined by Rafael De Latorre, Chip Zdarsky continues his landmark run and the DAREDEVIL story that spins directly out of the shocking revelations in the pages of DEVIL’S REIGN! Elektra is the world’s deadliest assassin—and she’s taken a vow not to kill. Someone puts themselves directly in her path with deadly consequences. What else would you expect from the MARVEL UNIVERSE’S GREATEST HUNTER?!

Release Date: January 12, 2021

PCS NOTES: Zdarsky’s Daredevil run has been some of the best comic storytelling that Marvel has put out in the last few years. We look forward to it continuing here.

Distorted #1
Scout Comics
Written by Salvatore Vivenzio
Art by Gabriele Falzone

Somewhere in the world, there is someone who feels different/special/cursed, who is losing their mind right now. You’re not alone. Take James for example. He would like to run away from his parents and from a life that doesn’t belong to him. On the other hand, Tom is forced to face his past and hunt down his own kind, like a hound on the leash of an unknown master. Brennar is on the hunt for money and a peace he can’t find anywhere. They are three people whose superpowers are more like a burden. In this world, there are no superheroes.

Release Date: January 12, 2021

PCS NOTES: Yeah, this looks good.

Justice League vs. The Legion of Super-Heroes #1
DC Comics
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Scott Godlewski
Cover Art by Godlewski

One thousand years in the future, a Legion of Super-Heroes comes together to dedicate their lives to recapturing the great age of heroes of the 21st century. When the heroes discover that reality is falling to a great darkness in both times simultaneously, the Justice League and the Legion of Super-Heroes must team up to stop it all. But what is the connection between the secrets of the new Gold Lanterns and the coming of the Great Darkness? A monumental DC epic event miniseries!

Release Date: January 11, 2021

PCS NOTES: Well, we are hopeful for some good team comic storytelling in this series.

Quad #1
Behemoth Comics
Written by Eduardo Schaal
Art by Schaal
Cover Art by Schaal

In the last decades of the 21st century, a Massive Solar Storm hit planet Earth, destroying all technology in its way. Global communications were lost, nuclear reactors collapsed, the climate suffered the worst drastic changes and financial systems were gone. The survivors had to adapt to the harsh new reality. New societies were built over the ruins of those that crumbled. Four generations have passed.

The mechanic Terah and her black cat Elvis accept a quick and simple repairing job in the middle of nowhere. There’s something odd about this job. It’s never really simple.

Release Date: January 12, 2021

PCS NOTES: We have seen post-apocolyptic survival stories before, but this looks intriguing. Plus as a black cat owner, I kind of have to give it a shot.

Rain #1
Image Comics
Written by Joe Hill & David M. Booher
Art by Zoe Thorogood & Chris O’Halloran
Cover Art by Thorogood

THE FIRST IN CHRIS RYALL & ASHLEY WOOD’S NEW SYZYGY PUBLISHING IMPRINT LINE OF TITLES AT IMAGE COMICS!

On a seemingly normal August day in Boulder, Colorado, the skies are clear, and Honeysuckle Speck couldn’t be happier. She’s finally moving in with her girlfriend Yolanda. But their world is literally torn apart when dark clouds roll in and release a downpour of nails—splinters of bright crystal that shred the skin of anyone not safely under cover. RAIN makes vivid this escalating apocalyptic event, as the deluge of nails spreads across the country and around the world, threatening everything young lovers Honeysuckle and Yolanda hold dear.

So begins a gripping 5-issue presentation of New York Times bestselling author JOE HILL’s acclaimed novella, adapted by rising stars DAVID M. BOOHER, ZOE THOROGOOD, and CHRIS O’HALLORAN.

Release Date: January 12, 2021

PCS NOTES: We are fans of everyone involved with this book and can’t wait to read it. 

The Scorched #1
Image Comics
Written by Sean Lewis
Art by Stephen Segovia
Cover Art by Puppeteer Lee

The first ALL-NEW issue of TODD McFARLANE’s superhero team book!

There’s a threat so big that no single hero can stop it, and the formation of this new supergroup is the only thing standing in its way. Members will include SPAWN, REDEEMER, GUNSLINGER, MEDIEVAL SPAWN, and SHE-SPAWN, with many more heroes waiting in the wings!

Join the battle in this FIRST ISSUE extravaganza as the forces of heaven, hell, and earth collide!

Release Date: January 12, 2021

PCS NOTES: Fans of Spawn and his expanded universe won’t want to miss this.

We Ride Titans #1
Vault Comics
Written by Tres Dean
Art by Sebastian Piriz
Cover Art by Piriz

Kaiju hit hard. Family hits harder. Trying to keep your family from imploding is a tall order. Kit Hobbs is about to find out it’s an even taller order when that family has been piloting the Titan that protects New Hyperion from kaiju for generations. Between a spiraling brother, a powder keg of a father, and a whole bunch of twenty-story monsters, she’s got her work cut out for her.

Release Date: January 12, 2021

PCS NOTES: New Year, New Comics from Vault. All is good.

Week of January 19

Angel #1
Boom! Studios
Written by Christopher Cantwell
Art by Daniel Bayliss
Cover Art by Nimit Malavia

Welcome to Detective TV, starring Angel and his co-star, Cordelia! But wait, Angel isn’t just a celebrity? No, he leads a double life… as a real monster hunter for Angel Investigations! Sometimes this double life can get his friends in trouble. As Wesley is recovering from a horrific curse, Angel stumbles into a series of supernatural events, and finds himself sucked into an unexpected and mysterious world.

He soon faces a terrifying enemy, who sees him as an intruder…

Release Date: January 19, 2021

PCS NOTES: It will be interesting to see what Christopher Cantwell does in the Buffy-verse.

Batman: The Knight #1
DC Comics
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico & Ivan Plascencia
Cover Art by Di Giandomenico

The origin of Batman and his never-ending fight against crime in Gotham City is modern mythology, but what about the story in between? How did an angry, damaged young man grow into the most accomplished detective and crime-fighter the world has ever known? How did the Dark Knight…begin?

Release Date: January 18, 2021

PCS NOTES: What a great team of creators for this book! Should be entertaining. 

Ben Reilly: Spider-Man #1
Marvel Comics
Written by J.M. DeMatteis
Art by David Baldeon & Israel Silva
Cover Art by Steve Skroce & Dave Stewart

THE HUMANITY AGENDA, PART ONE

BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT! Iconic Spider-Man scribe J.M. DeMatteis returns to spin his webs once more within the Spidey mythos, this time joined by explosive artist David Baldeón! Together, they’re bringing you unlocked memories in the life of BEN REILLY, A.K.A. SPIDER-MAN! Darkness looms over New York City as murders begin to pile up…but how are they all connected? Do the answers Ben is looking for reside in the haunted halls of the RAVENCROFT INSTITUTE?

Release Date: January 19, 2021

PCS NOTES: Despite not being a huge fan of Ben Reilly, we are interested in this book based on our faith in this creative team.

Bolero #1
Image Comics
Written by Wyatt Kennedy
Art by Luana Vecchio
Cover Art by Vecchio

A new series from two bright-eyed and bushy-tailed little scamps!

A woman running away from a broken heart discovers a mother-key into parallel universes. The rules are:
* The key can work on any door.
* The mother will only let you visit 53 universes.
* Do not ask to speak to the mother.
* Never hop more than 53 times.

Release Date: January 19, 2021

PCS NOTES: I love this concept. The possibilities are limitless… Wait. The possibilities are limited to 53. Fun!

Cowboy Bebop #1
Titan Comics
Written by Dan Watters
Art by Lamar Mathurin
Cover Art by Stanley Lau

An original story set in the year 2171. The bounty hunter crew of the spaceship Bebop chase an ex-gang member who holds a vest which gives the wearer unlimited luck.

Release Date: January 19, 2021

PCS NOTES: Dan Watters is a really good comic writer. I am hopeful that fans of the original anime will enjoy this new take. 

Cursed Pirate Girl: The Devil’s Cave #1 – ONESHOT
Boom! Studios
Written by Jeremy Bastian
Art by Bastian
Cover Art by Bastian

In the long awaited continuation of Cursed Pirate Girl, her loyal companion Pepper Dice reveals that there’s still time to bring back her father, the Pirate Captain Douglas! If she can escape the Sea King’s Palace with The Bright Star, will she be bold enough to enter The Devil’s Cave in the hope to bring her father back? Or will the Devil Jonah and his minions stop her?

Release Date: January 19, 2021

PCS NOTES: We are big fans of Jeremy Bastian and the Cursed Pirate Girl and are excited to see this next installment in this story.

Silk #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Emily Kim
Art by Takeshi Miyazawa & Ian Herring
Cover Art by In-Hyuk Lee

SILK IS BACK! Cindy Moon returns as the web-spinning Spider-Hero SILK in an all-new, all-star series! As Silk gains popularity in the public eye, Cindy is questioning her place in the world. But existentialism will have to wait when a powerful new villain is turned loose! In a race against the clock, Silk discovers the dangers of ancient Korean magic—and social media. Don’t miss the comics debut of stunning storyteller Emily Kim and the return of legendary comic artist Takeshi Miyazawa!

Release Date: January 19, 2021

Silver Surfer: Rebirth #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Ron Marz
Art by Ron Lim, Don Ho, & Israel Silva
Cover Art by Lim, Ho, & Silva

THEY’RE BACK! No, we don’t mean the guys on the cover… We’re talking about legendary creators Ron Marz and Ron Lim returning to tell a story set during their fan-favorite run of SILVER SURFER! Someone has stolen the Reality Gem, an object that allows the user to fulfill any wish no matter the consequences! But whoever has taken it is doing things like bringing back the dead hero Captain Mar-Vell. It’s up to Silver Surfer to team up with the least likely of allies, Thanos, to find the Gem and restore reality to its proper form!

Release Date: January 19, 2021

PCS NOTES: A pair of Rons on the Surfer book. Sounds like a win to me.

She-Hulk #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Rainbow Rowell
Art by Roge Antonio & Rico Renzi
Cover Art by Jen Bartell

The best character ever is back in her own series and about to glam up the whole Marvel Universe! Jennifer Walters, A.K.A. the Sensational She-Hulk, is no longer savage and needs to put her life back together. She’s got a career to rebuild, friends to reconnect with (and maybe represent in a court of law) and enemies to…well, she may not want to connect with them, but they are DEFINITELY going to connect with her. And the last page of this first issue is going to send Jen down a road she’s never traveled and that will shake up her life and possibly the whole Marvel Universe.

Release Date: January 19, 2021

PCS NOTES: Rainbow Rowell is an excellent choice to bring Jennifer back to her own series. Looking forward to it.

Special Note: These are the first two issues of this major Wolverine event. It runs through two series that are released every other week. Ultimately it is a twenty week event. It looks interesting.

X Lives of Wolverine #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Benjamin Percy
Art by Joshua Cassara, Frank Martin, & Chris Sotomayor
Cover Art by Adam Kubert & Martin

THE BIGGEST WOLVERINE STORY OF ALL TIME BEGINS HERE! WEEK 1—Logan. James Howlett. Weapon X. The mutant best known as WOLVERINE has lived many lives under many identities and in many places, but never before has the fate of the future been so entwined with the past! Fan-favorite eras of Wolverine’s saga are explored anew, along with never-before-seen episodes as Logan must travel to various points in time to prevent the death of a key figure in mutant history. But these LIVES are only one side of the story… Be here for the start of the time-shredding saga across all of Wolverine’s history and future yet to come!

CONTINUED IN X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE #1

Release Date: January 19, 2021

X Deaths of Wolverine #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Benjamin Percy
Art by Federico Vicentini, Federico Blee & Chris Sotomayor
Cover Art by Adam Kubert & Frank Martin

DEATH IS NOT THE END. DEATH IS THE OMEGA. WEEK 2—If WOLVERINE’s future lies in the past, what does that mean for the present? The reciprocal series to X LIVES OF WOLVERINE, X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE is can’t-miss reading, chock-full of revelations for the best there is as well as the fate of mutantkind!

CONTINUED FROM X LIVES OF WOLVERINE #1 / CONTINUED IN X LIVES OF WOLVERINE #2

Release Date: January 26, 2021

 

Week of January 26

Batman / Catwoman Special #1
DC Comics
Written by Tom King
Art by John Paul Leon w/ Bernard Chang, Tommy Lee Edwards, & Mitch Gerads
Cover Art by Leon

Some great romances are destined to be. The Batman / Catwoman series shows readers the romance between Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle as it changed over their lives, but what about their connections from before they became costumed adventurers? This special one-off issue, meticulously illustrated by John Paul Leon (Batman: Creature of the Night), traces the life of Selina Kyle from her earliest days to her entry into the criminal underworld, and reveals that Bruce was actually a presence in her life all along. Whether it was fate or coincidence, this story gives even more reasons why Selina and Bruce’s connection is one of the most enduring love affairs in comics.

Release Date: January 25, 2021

PCS NOTES: This is the last thing that John Paul Leon was working on when he passed away last year. Friends and colleagues stepped in to finish the book and we highly recommend getting this book. 

End After End #1
Vault Comics
Written by Tim Daniel & David Andry
Art by Sunando C & K. Michael Russell
Cover Art by Sunando C

Life is nothing if not a series of endings.

School. Jobs. Friendships. Love.

Until THE end.

Walter Willem’s end was fast and unexpected. His was an unremarkable life. So, how is it that his story continues as cannon fodder in an endless war waged against an insatiable darkness hellbent on consuming all of existence?

And is Walter right in believing he’s arrived in the midst of this titanic battle as the one destined to finally end it?

That’s the tale of the End After End.

Release Date: January 26, 2021

PCS NOTES: Yeah. Sound good to me.

Happy Hill #1
ComixTribe
Written by Rich Douek
Art by Joe Mulvey & Chris Sotomayor
Cover Art by Mulvey

When a child goes missing on the grounds of an exclusive vacation resort, the investigation uncovers dark secrets hidden for decades, and an unstoppable supernatural menace who will make this vacation permanent! Happy Hill is a vacation horror thriller. Available with two enhanced covers, Happy Hill reveals the horrifying truth about how far some people will go to be happy. The hills are alive with the sound of screaming!

Release Date: January 26, 2021

PCS NOTES: This series was kickstarted last year and we spoke with the creators about it. You wont want to miss it.

Check out our discussion here.

New Number Ones: Comics Coming in September 2021

New Number Ones: Comics Coming in September 2021

Posted on by Bob Harrison

This month we give our readers a list of the exciting new comic book series debuting in September. We have compiled an alphabetical list with cover art and the official solicitation text from the publishers. 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: AfterShock Comics, Boom! Studios, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Vault Comics, Image Comics, Marvel Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, AWA/Upshot Studios, Titan Books, and Bad Idea Comics, but we threw in a couple from smaller publishers that we don’t normally have on the list like Ablaze Comics and Comics Experience Publishing.

There are several crossover type things in the works from DC and Marvel and we spotlighted two “Alpha” books that will lead you all over their comic line to follow the story from beginning to end. This is not something that we are super fond of, but if you are reading books that are in the crossover’s path, getting the Alpha issue might help when you get to the event issue in your favorite series.

Also, Pay Attention!! Five Wednesdays of comics this month!!!!

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 9/1/21
Week of 9/8/21
Week of 9/15/21
Week of 9/22/21
Week of 9/29/21

Week of September 1

Almost American #1
AfterShock Comics
Written by Ron Marz
Art by Marco Castiello

Spies…like us? In 2008, husband-and-wife Russian intelligence operatives walked into the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic in order to defect, making a deal to trade secrets for new lives. But instead of the American Dream, Janosh and Victorya Neumann found themselves caught up in red tape, bureaucracy and turf wars between the FBI and CIA – all while their past tries to kill them.

Based on the real-life story of real-life spies, ALMOST AMERICAN is written by comics master Ron Marz in close consultation with the Neumanns, with art by rising star Marco Castiello.

Release Date: September 1, 2021

PCS NOTES: I feel like Ron Marz is the perfect person to be telling this story.

Batman: Fear State Alpha #1
DC Comics
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Riccardo Federici
Cover Art by Ben Oliver

The event over a year in the making begins. . . Fear State settles upon Gotham City, and no one is safe! Overwhelmed by the dual threat of the Scarecrow and Peacekeeper-01, Batman and his allies have been one step behind since the events of Infinite Frontier #0. . . and with the arrival of a mysterious anti-Oracle and the return of Poison Ivy. . . Batman might have more than he can handle!?

Release Date: August 31, 2021

PCS NOTES: This is the first of those line-wide (or at least Gotham-wide) crossovers. You can follow the checklist here.

Dark Ages #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Tom Taylor
Art by Iban Coello & Brian Reber
Cover Art by Coello

This is what the Watcher has been watching for! A danger older than the Earth threatens everything. For once, the heroes who have saved the planet so many times are almost powerless in the face of it. X-Men and Avengers assemble. Spider-People and Fantastic Four come together. Heroes for Hire fight alongside Champions. None of it will be enough. The lights are about to go out. The world outside our window…is about to end. An all-new saga of the Marvel Universe as you’ve never seen it before from Tom Taylor and Iban Coello!

Release Date: September 1, 2021

PCS NOTES: I am really excited about this story.

Monster Kill Squad #1
Bad Idea Comics
Written by Christos Gage
Art by Tomas Giorello & Diego Rodriguez
Cover Art by Giorello

Once upon a time, monster attacks were rare. A forest witch might murder a few hikers, a killer clown might eat a few children, or a malevolent ghost might drive a young couple insane just for the hell of it. But these events were scarce, easily covered up, and soon faded into campfire stories good for a laugh. But no one’s laughing now. Over the past 90 days, cryptozoological attacks have increased a hundredfold, and the arcane has become everyday. Monsters of every shape and size strike at will, and the good, taxpaying folks of the US of A have had enough of this nonsense. Enter: THE MONSTER KILL SQUAD. A Government Unit of the most dangerous motherfuckers on the planet, the deadliest folks alive are here to put a bullet in the brain of everything that walks, crawls, flies, or hides in shadows. And if it doesn’t have a brain, all the better — we’ve got a gun for that, too. Witches and wraiths. Demons and deadites. Goblins and ghosts. There have always been monsters. Now there are monster killers, and the MKS will kill it, and kill it good.

Release Date: September 1, 2021

PCS NOTES: Bad Idea Comics has no shortage of interesting comic story ideas. If you want this book, you have to get it from a limited list of retailers. Find one here.

Pyrate Queen #1
Bad Idea Comics
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Adam Pollina & Tamra Bonvillain
Cover Art by Pollina & Bonvillain

This September, embark on a tale of love, loss, life, death and bloody revenge! Meet Monday Ryan, a pyrate with a bad reputation and a price on her head. To be a pyrate is to live a short and merry life and to live it free. It ends for most with a length of rope and a four foot drop. After a series of successful attacks, Monday Ryan, her husband, and her crew of bandits are targeted and pursued relentlessly by the British Royal Navy. When a violent trap leads to their capture, Monday and crew are fitted for the gallows — until the Royal Navy learns that Monday’s pregnant. Civility prevents the hanging of a pregnant woman, and Monday is spared the noose, but her crew and husband are not. Set adrift on a small raft and left to her fate on the open sea, Monday vows that the life growing inside her will be born into a world where its father’s death has been avenged. She will find and kill every last soul responsible for her husband’s death, and her baby will enter into this world free of vengeance, free of bloodshed, and free of a future drenched in violence.

Release Date: September 1, 2021

PCS NOTES: See above!!

Red Sonja #1
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Mirka Andolfo
Art by Giuseppe Cafaro
Cover Art by Andolfo

MOTHER, PART ONE.

Industry icon MIRKA ANDOLFO presents an all-new vision for the She-Devil With A Sword, in a thrilling new ongoing series! Our story begins in a village on fire, set by members of the dreaded Three-Eyed Shezem. When Red Sonja arrives, the only survivor of the flame is a lively child with curious white tattoos. The child will become Sonja’s travel companion, on a journey from hardened ice to imposing forests, where dangerous secrets wait to be revealed…

Begin a trailblazing adventure with MIRKA ANDOLFO and incredible artist GIUSEPPE CAFARO!

Release Date: September 1, 2021

PCS NOTES: Pretty excited to see what Mirka Andolfo has in store for Sonja. Continue reading “New Number Ones: Comics Coming in September 2021” →

New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming In July 2021

New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming In July 2021

Posted on by Bob Harrison

This month we give our readers a list of the exciting new comic book series debuting in July. We have compiled an alphabetical list with cover art and the official solicitation text from the publishers. Check below for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about the new comics in question.

There are quite a few of great new and interesting series starting this month from AfterShock Comics, Ahoy Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom! Studios, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Vault Comics, Image Comics, Marvel Comics, Scout Comics, Valiant Entertainment, Dynamite Entertainment, AWA/Upshot Studios, Titan Books, and Bad Idea Comics.

A very interesting nugget from this month’s list is that there are no new Batman books and two Superman books. DC is mixing it up to keep us on our toes.

We will bring you reviews of most 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 7/7/21
Week of 7/14/21
Week of 7/21/21
Week of 7/28/21

Week of July 7

Black’s Myth #1
Ahoy Comics
Written by Eric Palicki
Art by Wendell Cavalcanti
Cover Art by Liana Kangas

Meet Janie “Strummer” Jones, just an ordinary werewolf PI, trying to make it on the mean streets of LA. When the case of a lifetime falls into her lap, it’s up to her and her charming djinn assistant Ben Si’lat to figure out just how many silver bullets have been used, and just where do silver bullets come from anyway? A new horror series from writer Eric Palicki and artist Wendell Cavalcanti, with lush covers by Liana Kangas. Every AHOY book comes with extra prose stories and illustrations. Issue 1 features a stunning variant cover by Jamal Igle.

Release Date: July 7, 2021

PCS NOTES: You had me at “ordinary werewolf PI”. I am up for this one!

Clans Of Belari #1
AfterShock Comics
Written by Rob Blackie & Peter Blackie
Art by Daniel Maine & Carlos Lopez
Cover Art by Andy Clarke & Jose Villarrubia

PRIMARY LAWS OF THE BELARI SYSTEM:

1.) No person or Clan may exit the system.
2.) No person or Clan may do the Designated Work of another Clan.
3.) Clans may not merge.
4.) Any person that breaks a Primary Law shall be made Outcast.

On the far side of the galaxy, an isolated branch of humanity is trapped in a feudal dystopia. Oder is maintained by a system of oppression, until an orphaned girl and her incorrigible adoptive father sow the seeds of a revolution and unite the clans against a fearsome alien threat.

From Rob Blackie and Peter Blackie (creators and writers of Netflix’s historical action-adventure series, Frontier) and artist Daniel Maine comes this vast and enthralling sci-fi adventure.

Release Date: July 7, 2021

PCS NOTES: Who doesn’t love a sci-fi epic that delves into the nature of how humanity treats itself? Looks good.

Fight Girls #1
AWA / Upshot Studios
Written by Frank Cho
Art by Cho & Sabine Rich
Cover Art by Cho

Ten hard-as-nails women face off in an ancient contest of champions where the winner truly takes all: the title of “Queen of the Galaxy.” To win the challenge each contestant must survive the hazards of the planet’s harsh landscape, the ferocious predators on and below its surface, and their fellow contestants. This edition of the contest has a twist: one of the contestants is an infiltrator who has her eye on something bigger than the prize. Who is she and what does she really want?

Release Date: July 7, 2021

PCS NOTES: I will say that Frank Cho is a very good storyteller, and that makes me want to see what this book has in store for the reader.

Justice League Infinity #1
DC Comics
Written by J.M. DeMatteis & James Tucker
Art by Ethen Beavers
Cover Art by Francis Manapul

From Justice League Unlimited producer James Tucker and series writer J.M. DeMatteis comes an all-new season starring the World’s Greatest Heroes! There is a being wandering the universe searching for its true purpose, but what it finds out on the farthest edges of the cosmos will change not just our universe, but many! Meanwhile, the war for the throne of Apokolips arrives on Earth, and the true ruler will only be decided one way: Who can destroy the Justice League?

Release Date: July 6, 2021

PCS NOTES: This takes place in the “universe” that is very special to a lot of people, and the creative team inspires a lot of confidence that this will be a good story. Looking forward to it.

The Lot #1
Bad Idea Comics
Written by Marguerite Bennett
Art by Renato Guedes
Cover Art by Guedes

In 1970, legendary filmmaker Oliver Larsen began production on his latest horror masterpiece on the lot of Los Angeles’ famed Cloverleaf Studios. Obsessed with bringing authenticity to the genre, the director insisted on casting real-life occultists to perform a genuine Satanic ritual live on camera – until something went horribly wrong. In the bloody aftermath, the production was shut down, the footage was confiscated, and the soundstage was forever shuttered.

Until today.

On the heels of a promotion that’s just made her the youngest studio chief in decades, Aviva Copeland is planning to overhaul Cloverleaf’s fading image for the 21st century – starting with the prime piece of California real estate that’s gone unused for 50 years: the very same lost soundstage where Larsen filmed his doomed masterpiece. But, as Aviva will soon discover, this corner of the lot may have been closed for a half-century, but it’s far from empty… and the evil that lives within its haunted walls will soon seize its chance to kill again.

New York Times best-selling writer Marguerite Bennett and artist Renato Guedes present a terrifying vision of horror and Hollywood in the boldly bloody Bad Idea manner!

Release Date: July 7, 2021

PCS NOTES: A new horror story from Marguerite Bennett is not something that you let slip by. Find somewhere that Bad Idea is sold and get this book. 

Mamo #1
Boom! Studios
Written by Sas Milledge
Art by Milledge
Cover Art by Milledge

BOOM! Studios is proud to showcase the incredible artistic vision of Sas Milledge!

Can Orla O’Reilly embrace her destiny in order to bridge the divide between humanity and the faerie world?

Orla, the youngest in a long line of hedge witches, finds herself pulled back to her hometown after the death of her grandmother – Mamo.

Without Mamo managing magical relationships between the townsfolk and the fae, the seas are impossible to fish, the crops have soured… and Jo Manalo’s attic has been taken over by a poltergeist!

Now, Orla and Jo will both be pulled into worlds they never wanted to be part of. Can the two girls work together to save the town?

Sas Milledge debuts her first original series perfect for fans of The Last Witch and Sabrina The Teenage Witch that answers the question of how we all reconcile our responsibilities with our dreams for our own future.

Release Date: July 7, 2021

PCS NOTES: This solicitation and cover art got us. We are interested in meeting Orla.

Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Rob David, Tim Sheridan & Kevin Smith
Art by Mindy Lee
Cover Art by Stjepan Sejic

Following a vicious Orlax attack on his father King Randor, He-Man learns the creature is linked to the origin of the sword of power. To save Randor and put an end to the chaos He-Man embarks on an epic journey that pits him against his longtime foes Skeletor and Evil-Lyn, and sees Teela take the reins of a powerful legacy.

The official prequel to the upcoming Netflix show!

Variant cover by Mike Mignola.

Release Date: July 7, 2021

PCS NOTES: Are you excited for the new Netlfix He-Man series. We are, and this book looks to be a good introduction to the series if you need a refresh on the world of Eternia.

Ordinary Gods #1
Image Comics
Written by Kyle Higgins
Art by Felipe Watanabe
Cover Art by Watanabe

For fans of THE OLD GUARD and GOD COUNTRY comes the extra-length first issue of a centuries-spanning action epic from writer KYLE HIGGINS and artist FELIPE WATANABE!

The Luminary. The Prodigy. The Brute. The Trickster. The Innovator. Five gods from a realm beyond our own, leaders in the “War of Immortals.” Aleast, they were – before they were trapped, sent to a planet made into a prison, forced into an endless cycle of human death and reincarnation. Christopher is 22. He’s got two loving parents and a 12-year-old sister. He works at a paint store. He’s in therapy. He’s one of the Five. Which means, in order to save everyone he cares about, Christopher will have to reconnect with his past lives and do the unthinkable: become a god again.

Release Date: July 7, 2021

PCS NOTES: I like the concept behind this story and am intrigued to see how they pull it off.

Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #1
Dynamite Comics
Written by Kurt Busiek, Amanda Diebert, & Mark Russell
Art by Benjamin Dewey, Cat Staggs, & Bob Q
Cover Art by Lucio Parrillo

Dynamite proudly presents a prestige project by the world’s greatest storytellers! Red Sonja, like you’ve NEVER seen before…all presented in beautiful black, white, and red!

KURT BUSIEK and BENJAMIN DEWEY  take you to The Mountains Of Night, a foreboding haunt where the She-Devil With A Sword seeks a precious, priceless item…

AMANDA DEIBERT and CAT STAGGS wind you through a mysterious adventure of crimson and ebony…

MARK RUSSELL and BOB Q return to put their final stamp on their classic Red Sonja series, with a coda that will leave you breathless…

Release Date: July 7, 2021

PCS NOTES: Yes another limited pallet anthology series, BUT try to convince me that Dynamite could come up with a better lineup of talent for the first issue of this offering. You can’t. Just get the book and enjoy.

Skybound X #1
Image Comics
Written by Various
Art by Various
Cover Art by Ryan Ottley

Celebrate a sensational 10 years of Skybound with a cavalcade of your favorite creators for all-new stories of your favorite series past, present and future! Each issue of this oversized, weekly series will kick off with a new chapter of a serialized THE WALKING DEAD story—RICK GRIMES 2000—by Robert Kirkman & Ryan Ottley!

In addition, we’ll be debuting all-new series and characters every issue, starting with the First Appearance of the most requested WALKING DEAD character of all-time: Clementine, star of the bestselling Telltale’s The Walking Dead video game series!

Did we mention new ULTRAMEGA and MANIFEST DESTINY stories?! If you want to know what to expect in Skybound’s next 10 years, it all starts here!

Release Date: July 7, 2021

PCS NOTES: Not much to add to the solicitation for this book.

X-Men #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Gerry Duggan
Art by Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia
Cover Art by Larraz & Gracia

THESE X-MEN ARE…FEARLESS! The heroes of Krakoa are here to save the planet! Things might be complicated between the nation of Krakoa and the rest of the world, but to the X-MEN, things are simple—you do what’s right, you protect those who need protecting and you save the world we all share. Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Sunfire, Rogue, Wolverine, Synch and Polaris are the chosen champions of mutantkind, and they will not shrink from any battle for their home planet. Writer Gerry Duggan reteams with superstar artist Pepe Larraz to chart the course of the X-Men in a world of the Reign of X!

Release Date: July 7, 2021

PCS NOTES: It’s time for a new X-Men #1. Let’s be honest some of the best storytelling at Marvel is coming from the X-office. We will be on-board with this new number one for sure. Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming In July 2021” →