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Year in Review 2022: The Best New Comics and OGNs of the Year

Posted on December 31, 2022January 20, 2023 by Bob Harrison

It is the end of the year, and that means “Best of the Year” lists. I hate year-end “Best of” lists. They are never accurate and invariably are the cause of consternation for someone.

If you have read my columns, you know that I don’t disparage people’s work in public. I have read some very bad comics this year. Some were poorly conceived. Some were poorly executed, but I won’t talk about them on this site. Our goal here is to celebrate what is excellent.

With that being said, I have spent some time coming up with some of the best things that I read this year. I read a LOT of comics, but not all of them. I can only talk about what I read; so, that is the caveat when reading the lists below. These are the things based on what I read.

There were hundreds of new comic series that premiered in 2022. Many of them were good. Some were excellent. Below, you will find some things that I recommend checking out.

Top 10 – Honorable Mentions – OGNs

Top 10 Best New Series

As I mentioned, there were a lot of new series to hit stands this year. I couldn’t read them all, but these two list of the Top 10 and Honorable Mentions are worth a read if you haven’t seen them. Also, they are in alphabetical order. You are asking a lot to get me to give a Top 10. I won’t rank them further. Continue reading “Year in Review 2022: The Best New Comics and OGNs of the Year” →

Preview Reviews for the Week of March 3, 2022: Chef’s Kiss, Loaded Bible, and Rogue Sun

Posted on March 1, 2022March 1, 2022 by Bob Harrison

Welcome to the latest installment of Preview Reviews.

This week we have three books to review for you. The first is an Original Graphic Novel, Chef’s Kiss from Oni Press. The next two are both from Image Comics and they are: Loaded Bible: Blood of My Blood #1 and Rogue Sun #1.

All three of these books are featured on our New Number Ones for March. Check out the rest of that list to see what is coming this month.

You can find these books at your LCS on March 2, 2022.

Chef’s Kiss
Oni Press
Written by Jarett Melendez
Art by Danica Brine
Colors by Hank Jones
Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover Art by Kevin Wada

Original Solicitation:

Watch things start to really heat up in the kitchen in this sweet, queer, new adult graphic novel!

Now that college is over, English graduate Ben Cook is on the job hunt looking for something…anything…related to his passion for reading and writing. But interview after interview, hiring committee after hiring committee, Ben soon learns getting the dream job won’t be as easy as he thought. Proofreading? Journalism? Copywriting? Not enough experience. It turns out he doesn’t even have enough experience to be a garbage collector! But when Ben stumbles upon a “Now Hiring—No Experience Necessary” sign outside a restaurant, he jumps at the chance to land his first job. Plus, he can keep looking for a writing job in the meantime. He’s actually not so bad in the kitchen, but he will have to pass a series of cooking tests to prove he’s got the culinary skills to stay on full-time. But it’s only temporary…right?

When Ben begins developing a crush on Liam, one of the other super dreamy chefs at the restaurant, and when he starts ditching his old college friends and his old writing job plans, his career path starts to become much less clear.

PCS Review:

I absolutely love this book. I have been waiting a long time for this day to come. This is one of the best OGNs that I have ever read. The art is spectacular. The writing is witty and endearing. It is a triumph from start to finish.

The character development in the book is very good and critical to the success of the story. As I was reading this book, I knew that I loved it, but near the end there is an emotional crisis in the story that I was not prepared for. It shook me, and I am better for it.

Danica Brine just absolutely kills it on the art in this book. She, sublimely, leads you through very ordinary life events but before you know it you are engrossed and drawn further into the characters’ world. Hank Jones’s colors could not be better chosen or executed to fit the tone of this story.

Hassan Ostmane-Elhaou is a virtuoso letterer. As if this book couldn’t get any better, his lettering ties all the aspects of book together seamlessly.

I applaud Jarrett Melendez for the passion and effort that he put into this story as well as all of the creative team. Do not miss this book.

Loaded Bible: Blood of My Blood #1
Image Comics
Written by Steve Orlando & Tim Seeley
Art by Giuseppe Carafo
Colors by Josh Rodriguez
Letters by Fabio Amelia & Maurizio Clausi
Cover Art by Mirka Andolfo & Arif Prianto

Original Solicitation:

Decades after the events of the original cult series, Jesus’ vampire-hunting clone is a bigger outlaw than ever, and now, he has to face a threat like no other. The church has cut a deal with the vampire nations to unite under their cloned savior – Dracula. A 6-part monthly miniseries starting on Ash Wednesday!

PCS Review:

I went into this book not knowing what to expect regarding the plot. I did expect some chaos considering that it is written by Tim Seeley and Steve Orlando. I was not disappointed in that regard. Despite not being familiar with the previous work with this character, this debut issue was captivating and easy to grasp. The story that is unfolding is intriguing and will have us looking forward to the rest of the series.

The art and lettering in this book are excellently done and balance chaotic gore and clear storytelling in an effective manner. We are definitely all in on this six-issue run.

Rogue Sun #1
Image Comics
Written by Ryan Parrott
Art by Abel
Colors by Chris O’Halloran
Letters by Becca Carey
Cover Art by Declan Shalvey & O’Halloran

Original Solicitation:

Yesterday: New Orleans’ greatest hero, ROGUE SUN, was murdered.

Today: rebellious teenager DYLAN SIEGEL discovers that Rogue Sun was his estranged father, Marcus — and that he’s inherited his father’s mantle. Tasked with protecting our world from the forces of the supernatural — and solving his father’s murder — Dylan will be forced to come to terms with the man he’s spent the majority of his life hating.

From acclaimed writer RYAN PARROTT and rising star artist ABEL comes A SUPERNATURAL MURDER MYSTERY that explores the complicated bond between father and son and cements itself squarely in a corner of the IMAGE COMICS’ SUPERHERO UNIVERSE!

PCS Review:

Ryan Parrott definitely has something here. The start of the new Rogue Sun character comes off with tons of potential. The characterization in this book is well done. The pacing and plot points are excellently crafted. We are intrigued.

The art by Abel is very good. The action sequences and facial acting in particular are noteworthy. Chris O’Halloran’s color work is fantastic. The slightly textured feel adds a gritty feel and the lighting is excellent. Becca Carey’s letters are really well done.

Overall this is a solid debut issue and we are looking forward to more with this character.

New Number Ones: Comics Series Coming in March 2022

Posted on February 28, 2022February 28, 2022 by Bob Harrison

For March, 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, Vault Comics, Image Comics, Marvel Comics, Valiant Entertainment, Oni Press, AWA/Upshot Studios, and Dark Horse Comics.

This month we have five Wednesdays which means five #NCBD celebrations.

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 3/2/22
Week of 3/9/22
Week of 3/16/22
Week of 3/23/22
Week of 3/30/22

Week of March 2

Batman: Killing Time #1
DC Comics
Written by Tom King
Art by David Marquez & Alejandro Sanchez
Cover Art by Marquez & Sanchez

Three villains, one Dark Knight, and a deadly heist gone wrong. Catwoman, the Riddler, and the Penguin join forces to pull off the greatest robbery in the history of Gotham City. And their prize? A mysterious and priceless artifact in the secret possession of Bruce Wayne! But, as the events unfold, what fun is a heist without a bloody double cross or two?

Release Date: March 1, 2022

PCS NOTES: Tom King returns to Batman with a limited series and fantastic artist in tow. This looks fun and we expect plenty of “Hmmm” quotes.