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With Further Ado #251: The Best Batman Story Ever…?

With Further Ado #251: The Best Batman Story Ever…?

Posted on by Ed Catto

I think I just read the best Batman story ever! Surprisingly, it didn’t even have Batman in it. It was in issue #3 of The Ambassadors. This comic is written by Mark Millar. Travis Charest illustrated it and it was just published by Image Comics.

Image described this “miniseries” series this way:

The most ambitious comic book of all time is finally here! Imagine that you could gift superpowers to six people. In a world of eight billion, who do you choose? Join six of the greatest artists in the industry for an enormous story about ordinary people from around the world explaining why it should be them.

That sums it all up pretty well. (Although is it the most ambitious of all time? I tend that to think that Don Simpson’s upcoming X-Amount of Comics: 1963 (WhenElse?!) Annual would get that appellation from me right about now.) In this series, a woman has created a way to bestow superpowers on people and has to choose the individuals who will receive them. Continue reading “With Further Ado #251: The Best Batman Story Ever…?” →

New Number Ones: One-Shots and Special Editions for May 2023

New Number Ones: One-Shots and Special Editions for May 2023

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to our New Number Ones: One-Shots & Specials for May 2023.

In this regular column, we collect the one-shot books, special anthologies, and original graphic novels that are being released this month. 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, Dark Horse Comics, Marvel Comics, Archie Comics, Image Comics, Fair Square Comics, Avery Hill, Boom! Studios, Living the Line, and A Wave Blue World.

Dawn of DC: We Are Legends Special Edition #1
DC Comics
Written by Greg Pak, Ram V., Alyssa Wong
Art by Haining, Minkyu Jung, Lalit Kumar Sharma, Rain Beredo, Sunny Gho, & Sebastain Cheng

ONE-SHOT SPECIAL

We Are Legends, part of the year-long Dawn of DC storytelling initiative, is set to make a major impact on the comics industry this May, with the launch of three six-issue series: Spirit World, The Vigil, and City Boy. Each feature new characters of AAPI heritage, as leads of their own books! Earlier this year, these heroes first made their presence known across the DC Universe in the Lazarus Planet epic. In the newly announced Dawn of DC: We Are Legends Special Edition promotional comic book, you can meet City Boy in a story that first appeared in Lazarus Planet: Legends Reborn, get to know Xanthe and their unique mission in a Spirit World tale from Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate, and receive intel on the mysterious organization known as the Vigil in an excerpt from Lazarus Planet: Next Evolution. All three short stories are included in this comic, providing everything readers need to know to jump on board Spirit World, The Vigil, and City Boy starting in May. This promotional comic will be made available free to retailers.

Release Date: May 2, 2023

PCS NOTES: We tend to avoid putting reprints on this list, but this book is free at your local comic shop and it is really a primer for three interesting new series coming this month. You can find out more about those books on our regular NEW NUMBER ONES column.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Lost Summer #1
Boom! Studios
Written by Casey Gilly
Art by Lauren Knight
Cover Art by Mirka Andolfo

ONE-SHOT SPECIAL

Spike is determined to keep the last copy of his embarrassing poetry from being discovered, sending Buffy and the Scooby Gang on a faux-supernatural goose chase to New Orleans to cover his tracks.

At an antiques fair, the group is fascinated by The Casquette Girls’ clothes on display.

When Dawn utters a wish she most likely should have kept to herself, the gang gains a firsthand account of the sisters’ identities… beyond what they could have imagined.

Buffy, The Last Vampire Slayer writer Casey Gilly is joined by Golden Rage artist Lauren Knight, bringing fans a historically fun and frightful one-shot to sink their fangs into! Continue reading “New Number Ones: One-Shots and Special Editions for May 2023” →

New Number Ones – New Comic Series Starting in May 2023

New Number Ones – New Comic Series Starting in May 2023

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Holy New Comics, Batman!!  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.

There are a ton of new books this month. It feels like big two are jumping back into the fray this month after a couple of relatively slow new number one months for them. There are a couple of special things to look out for as well. Keep an eye out for the sister column to this one: New Number Ones: Specials and One-Shots where we highlight important releases that are not part of series. Some of the books on this list are in some ways related to books on that list.

Also this month has Free Comic Book Day, and we will have a special column later this week so that you can see what to expect when you go to your Local Comic Shop on May 6th.

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, Ablaze Publishing, Titan Comics, Oni Press, Red 5 Comics, 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. There are five Wednesdays in May 2023, so that means five weeks of new comics.

Week of 5/3/23
Week of 5/10/23
Week of 5/17/23
Week of 5/24/23
Week of 5/31/23

Week of May 3rd  

Animal Castle, Vol. 2 #1
Ablaze Publishing
Written by Xavier Dorison
Art by Felix Delep
Cover Art by Delep

Animal Castle Vol. 2 picks up shortly after the events of Vol. 1 with Miss B trying to convince the animals not to give in to violence, in order to put an end to Silvio’s reign…

At the castle, the dictatorship continues. Thanks to the efforts of Miss B and her friends, the animals attempt to remobilize the pacifist movement of the Daisies. But Silvio the bull dictator is trying to keep them under his hoof to keep his power. Helped by his cruel canine militia, he decides to have the rebellious animals imprisoned in the dungeon. But Miss B and her friends will respond once again with trickery…and solidarity!

Release Date: May 3, 2023

PCS NOTES: We haven’t read the first volume of this book, but it looks intriguing. 

Cult of Carnage: Misery #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Sabir Pirzada
Art by Francesco Mortarino & Javier Tartaglia
Cover Art by Skan

DEATH AND DESTRUCTION RETURN HOME! Liz Allen is the mother of Normie Osborn, who she is blissfully unaware is the all-new and all-deadly RED GOBLIN! But what Liz DOES know is that the Red Goblin has been active and has been seen VERY close to her home. And after her late husband’s father, NORMAN OSBORN (maybe you’ve heard of him?), gets pulled into the chaos and violence swirling around Normie, Liz has no choice but to use the resources at her disposal as the head of ALCHEMAX to take matters into her own hands and become something the Marvel Universe has NEVER SEEN BEFORE!

Release Date: May 3, 2023

PCS NOTES: Who doesn’t love a little Carnage in their life?

Edge of The Spider-Verse #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Zander Cannon & Karla Pacheco
Art by Pere Perez, Guillermo Sanna, Rico Renzi, Antonio Fabela
Cover Art by Patrick Brown

ENTER: KRAVERTOOTH THE HUNTER / CURSE OF THE SPIDER-KILLER

INTO THE OTHER EDGE OF THE SPIDER-VERSE! SPIDER-REX returns and faces the VENOMSAURUS! PLUS—WHO IS THE SPIDER-KILLER?! Zander Cannon introduces the world to the scariest Spider-Character EVER CREATED!!! Bringing your favorite breakout characters back, as well as introducing brand new Spiders who will blow your mind!

Release Date: May 3, 2023

PCS NOTES: This just looks hella fun… Continue reading “New Number Ones – New Comic Series Starting in May 2023” →

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” →

Preview Reviews for February 22, 2023: Black Cloak #2, Bulls of Beacon Hill #2, and Local Man #1

Preview Reviews for February 22, 2023: Black Cloak #2, Bulls of Beacon Hill #2, and Local Man #1

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to the latest installment of Preview Reviews.

This week we have a trio of new books to review for you, including one of our most anticipated New Number Ones of the month. We have Black Cloak #2 and Local Man #1 from Image Comics and Bulls of Beacon Hill #2 from AfterShock Comics.

You can find these books at your LCS or wherever you buy books on February 22, 2023. We think they are all excellent.

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

Black Cloak #2
Image Comics
Written by Kelly Thompson
Art by Meredith McClaren
Colors by McClaren
Letters by Becca Carey
Cover by McClaren

Original Solicitation:

Murdered prince. Hungry mermaids. Vengeful queen. Plentiful suspects. Dead assassin. Dying Black Cloak. So far this case is going to the devils. And it’s super great that absolutely everything is on the line. No pressure!

PCS Review: Continue reading “Preview Reviews for February 22, 2023: Black Cloak #2, Bulls of Beacon Hill #2, and Local Man #1” →

New Number Ones: New Comic Series Coming in February 2023

New Number Ones: New Comic Series Coming in February 2023

Posted on by Bob Harrison

One month down, already? Well if it’s the beginning of the month, we have new 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, Comics Experience Publishing, Mad Cave Studios, and IDW Publishing.

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

Special Note: As part of the Sins of Sinister Event. Marvel is rebranding and renumbering a few of the “X” titles.. We will note those below with the Logo for the event.

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 2/1/23
Week of 2/8/23
Week of 2/15/23
Week of 2/22/23

Week of February 1  

Almighty #1
Image Comics
Written by Edward Laroche
Art by Laroche & Brad Simpson
Cover Art by Laroche

MINISERIES PREMIERE

THE WARNING writer/artist EDWARD LAROCHE returns to comics with a five-issue epic! Max Max: Fury Road-style action combines with the mutated horror of Annihilation in this original sci-fi/fantasy epic for mature readers.

The year is 2098 in a Third World America ravaged by economic collapse, anarcho-warfare, and a mysterious environmental disaster contained behind a massive wall. A girl has been abducted, and a killer has been hired to find her and bring her home.

Release Date: February 1, 2023

PCS NOTES: Sounds like this will be a fun ride.

Black Tape #1
AWA Studios
Written by Dan Panosian
Art by Dalibor Talajic& Ive Svorcina
Cover Art by Panosian

Jack King was a rock’n’roll god who projected a stage persona on par with the devil. After Jack dies on stage, his widow, Cindy, grapples with grief and struggles to protect his legacy, unaware that she is being surrounded by dark forces that covet the master tapes to Jack’s final, unreleased album – a heavy metal masterpiece that just might open a doorway to hell.

Release Date: February 1, 2023

PCS NOTES: We have always known that Dan Panosian is a gifted artist, but his writing has had us cheering up a storm the last few years. Dalibor Talajic is another creator who has been laying down excellent work. This is a combination we think will make some excellent comics.

Blood Tree #1
Image Comics
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Maxim Simic
Cover Art by Christian Alamy & Brad Anderson

SERIES PREMIERE

Two obsessed NYPD detectives hunt for a vicious butcher called the Angel Killer, a sociopath who preys on the innocent family members of known murderers in order to “purify” the rest of society.

From comics super team PETER J. TOMASI and MAXIM SIMIC comes a story that confronts the battle of nature versus nurture, considers how present and future generations are tainted by past generations, and asks the age-old question: Who must pay for the sins of the fathers-and perhaps even the sins of the mothers?

Release Date: February 1, 2023

PCS NOTES: Great creators interesting topic. We are in. Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comic Series Coming in February 2023” →

Spotlight SquadCast Interview with Tony Fleecs and Tim Seeley about Their Upcoming Book Local Man

Spotlight SquadCast Interview with Tony Fleecs and Tim Seeley about Their Upcoming Book Local Man

Posted on by Bob Harrison

In the latest episode of the Pop Culture SquadCast we sat down with a pair accomplished comic creators and talked about the book that they are creating together.

Both Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs are known for creating excellent and inventive comics over the past couple of decades, and this one is off to a great start.

The two cartoonists are creating a book called Local Man that focuses on a superhero who is at a low point in his life and has to go back to his hometown and solve crimes without using his super powers.

Local Man is being published by Image Comics and issue one comes out next month.

We spent some time in our conversation talking about the interesting way that Seeley and Fleecs have worked together to create this comic. Since both have been writers and artists and letterers on comics, they are able to divide up the work in creative ways.

We also talked about their take on the state of the comic industry and what being and independent creator means today.

We hope you enjoy the conversation.

Pop Culture Squad: Let’s start off with Local Man. How fun is making this book?

Tony Fleecs

Tony Fleecs: It’s pretty great. Like, I’ve done a lot of collaborating and Tim’s done a lot of collaborating and co-writing and working with people, and it’s always fun working with somebody who’s also
a writer/artist because it’s sort of like both of us. We both do things differently, but we both can sort of do the, the whole thing, which is neat. I can send something to Tim and just be like, “Can you draw on this? Or can you fix this writing or whatever?” Continue reading “Spotlight SquadCast Interview with Tony Fleecs and Tim Seeley about Their Upcoming Book Local Man” →

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” →

New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in January 2023

New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in January 2023

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to 2023! There are new comics coming. 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, AfterShock Comics, Image Comics, Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics, AWA Studios, Oni Press, and Ablaze Comics.

This month has a mixed bag of new books. Some are restarts to existing properties and some are brand new debuts.

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 1/4/23
Week of 1/11/23
Week of 1/18/23
Week of 1/25/23

Week of January 4  

Children of the Black Sun #1
Ablaze Comics
Written by Dario Sicchio
Art by Letizia Cadonici
Cover Art by Cadonici

From the artist of the hit series The House of Slaughter!

“It is not difficult to be happy under a blue sky. But it takes a lot of courage to be strong even under a black sun.”

Over the years, a black sun has risen twice. A dark dawn whose rays have done terrible things to people’s minds, driving them to all sorts of horror. Twelve years have passed since the last time and the world still fears the return of that inexplicable phenomenon. But fear is not the only legacy of those terrible days. All the women who got pregnant under the influence of the black sun have given birth to babies with some… peculiarities. White hair, ashy skin, abnormal proportions, and eyes as red as fire: the Children of the Black Sun.

Brightvale is a small town like many others. Here the Children of the Black Sun are treated with particular contempt, especially in the days leading up to the anniversary of the two disasters. The hatred of their fellow villagers, terrified of a possible return of that horror, will push these kids to unite and embark on a hallucinatory journey to discover themselves and their true nature. But is the black sun really about to return?

Release Date: January 4, 2023

PCS NOTES: I have to say, I am intrigued by the premise of this book.

Joe Fixit #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Peter David
Art by Yildiray Çinar, Dee Cunniffe, & Matt Milla
Cover Art by Cully Hamner & Jordie Bellaire

PETER DAVID RETURNS TO JOE FIXIT! Peter David’s tour de force through some of his greatest Hulk hits continues with a return to JOE FIXIT! Gone are the ripped-up shorts of the Hulk of yore—this enforcer prefers the slick suave of a striped suit, and the Hulk has traded in “monster” for “mobster” as he lends his strength to the Las Vegas casino scene. Of course, the Kingpin has his own ideas about who the toughest guy in town is, and it’s up to Spider-Man to keep the two of them from destroying Sin City!

Release Date: January 4, 2023

PCS NOTES: Peter David writing the Hulk is always entertaining and this return to the “Mobster era” looks like fun.   Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in January 2023” →