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New Number Ones: New Comics Series and Specials Coming the Week of November 8, 2023

New Number Ones: New Comics Series and Specials Coming the Week of November 8, 2023

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to the New Number Ones!

Each week we bring you the list of new series and special editions coming this week. We are highlighting what you need to put in your cart at the comic shop or digital marketplace.

We have 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 some really important new starts on this list be sure to check them out. Also there are a couple of special editions down below that would make excellent holiday gifts for the music fan in your life.

We have books on the list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Image Comics, Ablaze, Z2 Comics, IDW Publishing, Titan Comics, Kodansha, and Boom! Studios.

One thing to remember, we continue to measure the “comic week” as Wednesday. #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.

New Series
New One-Shots and Special Editions

New Series This Week 

The Agent #1
Ablaze Comics
Written by Mathieu Gabella
Art by Fernando Dagnino
Cover Art by Dagnino

For some, magic is a myth. For others, it is a weapon.

What if witchcraft really existed? If our beliefs, superstitions, and legends were material? This is what Rhym, a young narcotics lieutenant, must question when she finds herself confronted with the impossible. While staking out a subway deal, a suspect magically kills his informant and drives the entire station into madness with just a handful of weed. Rhym miraculously escapes unscathed. She’s unaware, but she is a witch, and that fact arouses the interest of a very particular unit of the French secret services. A group of special agents who, like the criminals they hunt, have mastered the art of sorcery…

Welcome to a world where it is better to wear an amulet than a bulletproof vest and where a simple curse by email can destroy you more surely than a bomb. Between thriller, espionage, and fantasy, Mathieu Gabella and DC Comics artist Fernando Dagnino present a powerful adventure!

Release Date: November 8, 2023

PCS NOTES: This one has a plot that seems very interesting. 

Count Crowley: Mediocre Midnight Monster Hunter #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by David Dastmalchian
Art by Lukas Ketner & Lauren Affe
Cover Art by Lukas Ketner

A dead werewolf would have made Jerri Bartman feel victorious just a few days ago. But this deceased beast was her friend and our beloved monster hunter is shocked and depressed. The return of her predecessor brings no consolation and now there’s a ghoulish child-snatcher on the loose in Beloit… Holly Halloween, Count Crowley! Things are really getting batty!

Release Date: November 8, 2023

PCS NOTES: We have been enjoying these Count Crowley stories and are looking forward to this new series.

Petrol Head #1
Image Comics
Written by Rob Williams
Art by Pye Parr
Cover Art by Parr

JUMP STRAIGHT INTO THE NON-HUMAN RACE WITH 42 ROBO-GORGEOUS LAUNCH-ISSUE STORY PAGES!

In a climate crisis-ravaged future metropolis, an old, grumpy, obsolete, smoke-belching, cigar-chomping, HOTROD-RACING ROBOT is one 12-year-old girl’s only hope. Together, can they outrace the chasing Robo-Cops with an invention that might just save humanity?

Release Date: November 8, 2023

PCS NOTES: This looks fun. We can’t wait to check it out. Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comics Series and Specials Coming the Week of November 8, 2023” →

New Number Ones: New Comics Releasing for the Week of August 2, 2023

New Number Ones: New Comics Releasing for the Week of August 2, 2023

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to the New Number Ones!

We are trying something new this month. Each Wednesday we will give you the list of new series and special editions in a post highlighting what you need to put in your cart at the comic shop or digital marketplace.

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 noticed a couple of trends. First, the fallout of last week’s Hellfire Gala will have effects on the rest of the Marvel universe; so keep an eye out for those new books. Secondly, DC Comics is not heavy in the debut release category this month, but we expect that to change in September. Lastly, there are a bunch of really excellent new series coming your way from new and established creators.

This week, we have books on the list from: Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Fantagraphic Books, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, Mad Cave Studios, and Titan Comics.

One thing to remember, we continue to measure the “comic week” as Wednesday. #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.

New Series
New One-Shots and Special Editions

New Series This Week 

Astonishing Iceman #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Vincenzo Carratu & Javier Tartaglia
Cover Art by Jesus Saiz

THE OMEGA-LEVEL MUTANT AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE!

After the events of this year’s can’t-miss HELLFIRE GALA, BOBBY DRAKE, A.K.A. ICEMAN, sets his sights on heroic deeds like never before. But as a new situation develops that links Iceman to his Antarctic ice palace, he’ll have to be slicker than ever to accomplish his mission before ORCHIS knows what hit them! An all-new adventure that’ll push Iceman to the limits of his powers…and beyond!

Release Date: August 2, 2023

PCS NOTES: We are super excited to see this amazing character in the hands of Steve Orlando and team. I promises to be a fantastic ride.

Buffy: The Last Vampire Slayer #1
Boom! Studios
Written by Casey Gilly
Art by Oriol Roig & Gloria Martinelli
Cover Art by Ario Anindito

Thess is all grown up, having taken up the mantle as the new Slayer!

But with new responsibilities comes new enemies, and a mysterious clan will do anything to get to her, even if it means using her friends as bait.

Fans won’t want to miss this brand new mini series from veteran Buffy scribe Casey Gilly, set after the events of Buffy: The Last Vampire Slayer Special #1!

Release Date: August 2, 2023

PCS NOTES: This is a fun direction for this fan favorite franchise. Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comics Releasing for the Week of August 2, 2023” →

New Number Ones – New Comic Series Starting in June 2023

New Number Ones – New Comic Series Starting in June 2023

Posted on by Bob Harrison

Welcome to the New Number Ones for June! 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.

We are getting this out a little later than we want, but there are plenty of great books to check out this week. 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.

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, Titan Comics, Oni Press, Ahoy Comics, Vault Comics, AWA Studios, and IDW Publishing.

One thing to remember, we continue to measure the “comic week” as Wednesday. #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 6/7/23
Week of 6/14/23
Week of 6/21/23
Week of 6/28/23

Week of June 7th  

Destiny, NY: Mystic Mafia #1
Black Mask Studios
Written by Pat Shand
Art by Elisa Romboli
Cover Art by Leirix Li

Lilith Aberdine is the last surviving daughter of a mystical crime family. She has spent her whole life running from her past, but now those old demons are finally catching up to her. She thought she was meant to be with former prophecy girl Logan McBride, but life has pulled them apart. Now, with Lilith in New York and Logan in California, will destiny reunite them or drive them further apart?

Release Date: June 7, 2023

PCS NOTES: This universe that Pat Shand has created is full of interesting characters, and this seems like a great jumping off point.

In Hell We Fight! #1
Image Comics
Written by John Layman
Art by Jok
Cover Art by Jok

Life in hell ain’t easy. Demons try to torture you for all eternity. Monsters want to eat you. There’s a stunning lack of reliable indoor plumbing. And it’s almost impossible to get ice cream. At least, until today, when three condemned teens and their annoying tagalong demon frenemy embark on a daring scheme to hijack a demon lord’s delivery truck. What happens next will take them on an epic journey across the underworld, an infernal excursion of nonstop excitement, danger, and adventure.

Presenting a devilishly fun new series from multiple Eisner-winning writer/letterer JOHN LAYMAN (CHEW, Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum) and Argentinian superstar artist JOK.

Release Date: June 7, 2023

PCS NOTES: John Layman is a brilliant writer, and whenever he has a new series, it immediately goes on the pull list. Continue reading “New Number Ones – New Comic Series Starting in June 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” →

Brainiac on Banjo: Bond… Hoagy Bond?

Brainiac on Banjo: Bond… Hoagy Bond?

Posted on by Mike Gold

Have no fear, look who’s here… James Bond… They’ve got us on the run… With guns… And knives… We’re fighting for our lives. – Casino Royale, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

The US release of the first James Bond comic book.

Sherlock Holmes. Tarzan. Superman. James Kirk. James Bond. The public’s continuing appetite for heroic fantasy superstars has long been well established, and ever since communication went mass they have been at the center of the most prevalent form of entertainment worldwide. This is a truth that validates our low-brow culture: it turns out that both boys and girls just want to have fun.

Not all such characters live forever. Tarzan, like The Lone Ranger, The Shadow, Bulldog Drummond and many other superstars of action, are in serious danger of being relegated to the storage stacks of cultural history. Of course, that death need not be permanent: Doctor Who, Star Trek and several others have been successfully resurrected and modernized without destroying the fabric of their creation.

When it comes to one of the most successful heroes, at the present we are on hold. Daniel Craig has retired as the latest James Bond and, even though the next Bond flick is just entering its development stage I can’t help but wonder how they’ll pull off James’ inevitable resurrection. Continue reading “Brainiac on Banjo: Bond… Hoagy Bond?” →

With Further Ado #232: Ms. Tree – Success Is No Mystery

With Further Ado #232: Ms. Tree – Success Is No Mystery

Posted on by Ed Catto

I never grew out of Superheroes, but I did grow into detective fiction. I’m not sure when it was (maybe middle school?), but mysteries and detective stories were my favorite literary genre. And while I’ve always been all in on comics, there was never an overwhelming amount of traditional detective/mystery/private eye comics.

Oh, there were a few that pulled me in, and I enjoyed them all. I particularly remember Mike W. Barr’s Maze Agency, Jonni Thunder and those Jason Bard back-up stories in (appropriately) Detective Comics. And the long running Ms. Tree was also always a favorite.

This character, and series, were created by two folks who would become favorites of mine. Max Allan Collins is a Mystery Writers of America 2017 Grand Master ‘Edgar’ winner, although I knew him better as the Dick Tracy writer and the guy behind the Nate Heller novels. Terry Beatty is a fantastic artist and today many folks know him as the inker of the Eisner Award-Winning Batman and Robin Adventures series and the World’s Finest graphic novel. Continue reading “With Further Ado #232: Ms. Tree – Success Is No Mystery” →

With Further Ado #228: 2022 Annual Gift Giving Guide – Part 2

With Further Ado #228: 2022 Annual Gift Giving Guide – Part 2

Posted on by Ed Catto

Like an overstuffed Christmas stocking, there are so many great gifting options that we’re spilling into Part 2 this week! Here’s some more wonderful and wonderous ideas for you all:

Being Bond: A Daniel Craig Retrospective
by Mark Salisbury

I often tell a family story from 1973. My mom wanted to take my brother and me to see the animated movie version of one of her favorite books Charlotte’s Web. My dad was less than excited about this family outing. He incredulously asked my mom, “You want to take these kids to see a movie about a pig?!?”

Instead, he whisked the whole family to the Auburn Palace Theater to see Live and Let Die, which was the latest James Bond thriller. It was my first encounter with James Bond. My head exploded. I think my brother Colin’s head exploded too.

This movie opened with M and Moneypenny visiting 007’s apartment (flat?), They haven’t been able to reach Bond and an Italian Special Agent is missing.

They knock on the door, and the camera cuts to James Bond being awakened and checking his digital wristwatch. This was months before digital watches were commercially available, and it was so cool to me.

And unbeknownst to his boss, James Bond also had that Italian special agent in his bedroom. She was beautiful and naked. Even as 10-year-old, I thought, “Gee, I’d like to have a beautiful naked Italian secret agent in my apartment someday.”

The point is that half of the fun of a James Bond movie is imagining what it would be like to be James Bond. Daniel Craig is one of the few men who actually got to be James Bond, and this book, Being Bond by Mark Salisbury, is a celebration of Craig’s turn as the iconic character.

This coffee table book has stories, gossip, bios and synopses and ephemera. It is packed with so many gorgeous photographs that it’s almost easy to overlook the movies’ storyboards. I find them fascinating. It’s another way to enjoy the story in the making, as we, as fans, toggle between the storyboards and the films.

I also really enjoyed the bits where author Salisbury pulls back the curtain to reveal how each of the Craig 007 movies got made. It was surprising, to me, how many breadcrumbs and lost bits of one film end up getting baked into the next movie. Continue reading “With Further Ado #228: 2022 Annual Gift Giving Guide – Part 2” →

New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in August 2022

New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in August 2022

Posted on by Bob Harrison

August has a massive list of new series hitting the stands! 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, A Wave Blue World, IDW Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics, Abstract Studio, and Scout Comics.

This is another fun five Wednesday month. The bulk of the interesting new number ones will be found in the first week with just a couple in the last week.

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 8/3/22
Week of 8/10/22
Week of 8/17/22
Week of 8/24/22
Week of 8/31/22

Week of August 3

Batman: White Knight Presents – Red Hood #1
DC Comics
Written by Sean Murphy & Clay McCormack
Art by Simone Di Meo & Dave Stewart
Cover Art by Murphy & Stewart

“Bruce Wayne is Batman.” Four words that saved Jason’s life and destroyed his future forever. Banished by his mentor and damaged by The Joker, the former Robin is left to become something different, something stronger, a relentless force for justice in the city…Red Hood! With nobody to answer to, he walks the dangerous line between hero and villain. That is until he meets Gan, a local girl from East Backport who needs his help to save her neighborhood from a super-criminal terrorizing its citizens. And she’s willing to fight alongside him, whatever it takes!

Release Date: August 2, 2022

The Dead Lucky #1
Image Comics
Written by Melissa Flores
Art by French Carlomagno & Mattia Iacono
Cover Art by Carlomagno

San Francisco is changing. Tech consortium Morrow is building the city of the future with “peacekeeper” robots looming on every corner—and wherever Morrow isn’t, the Salvation gang is. Bibiana Lopez-Yang is changing too. She came back from Afghanistan with PTSD and the ability to control electrical currents. If she can hold it together, she might be the hero San Francisco needs. But against an enemy this big, it isn’t enough to be good. She’ll have to be lucky.

From debut writer MELISSA FLORES and superstar art team FRENCH CARLOMAGNO and MATTIA IACONO  comes the newest book in the MASSIVE-VERSE!

Release Date: August 3, 2022

PCS NOTES: I am interested in this superpower inclusive book from newer creators.

Edge of Spider-Verse #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Dan Slott, Alex Segura, Karla Pacheco, & Dustin Weaver
Art by Mark Bagley, Weaver, Pere Perez, Martin Coccolo, Caio Majado, D.J. Bryant, & Brian Reber
Cover Art by Josemaria Casanovas

SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES / THE HERO WITHIN / SPIDER-REX!! / MY DAME… MY DESTINY
THE END OF THE SPIDER-VERSE IS COMING! edge (’ej) noun – 1. outermost limit of an object. – 2. the sharp side of a blade. The leading edge of the Spider-Verse brought you Spider-Gwen and Peni Parker. This final edge will introduce you to some of the most important characters in the future of the Spider-Verse…but it will also slice the final strand of the web. IN THIS ISSUE: SPIDER-MAN NOIR! ARAÑA’S NEW STATUS QUO! SPIDER-REX AND MORE!

Release Date: August 3, 2022

PCS NOTES: Spideriffic stories from some great creators. Looks good to me.

Elle(s) #1
Ablaze Comics
Written by Kid Toussaint
Art by Aveline Stokart
Cover Art by Stoikart

Elle is just another teenage girl…most of the time. Bubbly and good-natured, she wastes no time making friends on her first day at her new school. But Elle has a secret: she hasn’t come alone. She’s brought with her a colorful mix of personalities, which come out when she least expects it…

Who is Elle, really? And will her new friends stand by her when they find out the truth?

Release Date: August 3, 2022

PCS NOTES: This is a book where the cover image and solicitation are intriguing enough for us to add a super low hyped book to this month’s list

Continue reading “New Number Ones: New Comics Series Coming in August 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.

Everything We Read This Week: Week of November 17, 2021

Everything We Read This Week: Week of November 17, 2021

Posted on by Bob Harrison

On our weekly trip through this week’s pull-list, we found a bunch of great books that we have been wanting to talk about for some time.  This column features mostly spoiler-free brief analysis and commentary of each book.

There were not a whole lot of new series that came out this week but the issues #2’s and #3’s for some newer series were excellent.  We encourage you to go out and find the comics you like, and remember, Read More Comics!!

We reviewed books from DC Comics, AfterShock Comics, Boom! Studios, Mad Cave Studios, Titan Comics, Vault Comics, Marvel Comics, and Image Comics this week. There were plenty more good books out there this week but this list is all we have gotten through so far.

As always, we hope you might find what we say interesting enough to try some of these comics. Don’t forget we welcome comments on these and any other comics that you read. Feel free to leave a comment and get the conversation moving.

Some of the books on this list are also on our New Number Ones for the month of November. You can see them noted with the New Number One tag and can check out the solicitation for the series on our previous article.

And here are the books we read in alphabetical order:

Aquaman: The Becoming #3
DC Comics
Written by Brandon Thomas
Pencils by Scott Koblish
Inks by Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors by Adriano Lucas & Alex Guimarães
Letters by AndWorld Design
Cover Art by David Talaski

This book is now officially promoted as the Prequel to Aquamen, and while that is interesting, it is a disservice to think of this book only as service to something else. Brandon Thomas is building characters and telling an intriguing story. The execution of the fast-paced chase elements to this book are a credit to the storytelling skills of Scott Koblish. The rest of the art team and letter compliment the theme and tone of the issue. As a midpoint book in this limited series this issue definitely raises the stakes.

Bountiful Garden #3
Mad Cave Studio
Written by Ivy Noelle Weir
Art by Kelly Williams
Colors by Giorgio Spalleta
Letters by Justin Birch
Cover Art by Williams

You should be reading this book. It has been excellent through this third issue. The story exploration and development are well paced. The art by Kelly Williams is as terrifyingly foreboding as it is gorgeous, and it is really gorgeous. The color work by Giorgio Spalleta accentuates the shadowy nature of the story. Justin Birch does excellent work lettering this book and meshes the tone well. The complete book has a feel that there is a monster in the shadows, and there are shadows everywhere.

Chicken Devil #2
AfterShock Comics
Written by Brian Buccellato
Art by Hayden Sherman
Colors by Sherman
Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Cover Art by Sherman

What a treat this book is!! I am tempted to go full chicken metaphor in this review, but I will corral that urge.  This book is visually exciting. The bright color work combined with interesting panel layout and camera angles command the full attention of the reader. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou proves again why he is one of the best letterers in the business. The story that Brian Buccellato is telling is captivating, and I cannot wait for the next installment of this book about a Chicken entrepreneur who’s life has become more chaotic than he ever dreamed possible.

Eat the Rich #4
Boom! Studios
Written by Sarah Gailey
Art by Pius Bak
Colors by Roman Titov
Letters by Cardinal Rae
Cover Art by Kevin Tong

For the very little amount of in-panel violence depicted in this series so far, it is consistently terrifying. This issue’s plot and accelerating action make for a captivating read. The mental gymnastics that writer Sarah Gailey has Joey, the protagonist, employ to maintain some semblance of sanity begin to take their toll in this issue. The delicate balance of willful ignorance and outrage that she has been maintaining falls to pieces and Pius Bak’s panels bring it all down in a pulse pounding last few pages of this book. A special shout out to the use of word art in this book. It is excellent in its design and placement. Do yourself a favor and read this series. Continue reading “Everything We Read This Week: Week of November 17, 2021” →