Comics Wrap-Up (Early Jan.)
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #2
Saladin Ahmed (writer), Javier Garron (penciller/inker), David Curiel (colorist), Cory Petit (letterer), Marco D’Alfonso (cover)
I’m enjoying this new run a lot but I’m also kind of missing Sara Pichelli’s art. And, if I have to be honest, Brian Michael Bendis’ writing? I love Saladin Ahmed’s Black Bolt, and I think the first issue of Miles Morales was a lot of fun, but maybe because these characters are supposed to be younger, it didn’t feel as right. And while the new character, Judge, is really cool I’m really missing the Miles/Ganke friendship that was one of the things I loved best from Bendis’ run. In this second issue, there’s a bit more Ganke/Miles interaction, but I didn’t feel much of their closeness. What I liked best, though, was the dynamics between Miles and Rhino. I love their rapport and the way the two are learning to work together as a (temporary?) team.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1
Tom Taylor (writer), Juann Cabal (penciller, inker), Nolan Woodard (colorist), Travis Lanham (letterer), Artgerm/Stanley Lau (variant cover*)
*I’m only including the name of the cover artist whose cover I bought
I’ve been loving the Spectacular Spider-Man series and was a bit bummed that it was ending, and thought of following Amazing Spider-Man but the Secret Empire event made me not want to read Nick Spencer ever, so I was glad when this title was announced. And even more excited that Tom Taylor and Juann Cabal (All-New Wolverine) were working on it. And… it did not disappoint? It started out with a more slice-of-life feel, which I really appreciated and hope will continue in future issues.
Captain Marvel #1
Kelly Thompson (writer), Carmen Carnero (peciller/inker), Tamra Bonvillain (colorist), Amanda Conner (cover)
I think this is my favourite post-DeConnick issue of Captain Marvel. I was hopeful with Tara Butters & Michele Fazekas’ run but it was too short, and then Civil War II happened and tried its hardest to make Carol as unlikable as a superhero can get, (I just stayed away from the main event and read Carol’s trades, dropping the single issues) and then Margaret Stohl came in. And I absolutely loved her first issue, which dealt with Carol’s post-CWII PTSD, but as her run continued it got more and more action-focused which was still a lot of fun to read, but not really my thing. Her miniseries, The Life of Captain Marvel, was my favourite by her, and to me it was partly because it focused on Carol’s life again.
I was really excited to know that Kelly Thompson would be the next person to take on the series. From the kids comic Mega Princess to her Marvel works like Mr. and Mrs. X, I’ve never not loved anything I’ve read by her. I pulled West Coast Avengers, a series I’ve never followed before, partly because she was writing, and it’s one of my favourite ongoing series now. So, yes, maybe I was a little TOO excited about Kelly Thompson writing Captain Marvel. But it turns out that I was right to be excited, and this series might even top West Coast Avengers as my favourite Marvel ongoing, if future issues continue being this awesome. First of all, Carol and Jessica are fighting side by side! I can read an entire book with just these two being sassy with each other and to Tony Stark.
Blackbird #4
Sam Humphries (writer), Jen Bartel (artist), Triona Farrell (colours), Sana Takeda (cover)
This series is going to be the one I cling to once The Wicked + The Divineends, I guess. It has similar vibes and I love it almost as much, the art is amazing and so far the variant covers are all by my favourite artists, and hey, there’s a character with my name in it. My colleague who also reads this finds it amusing because she’s called Nina and I’m Marisa.
Anyway, this issue doesn’t deal with the reveal at the end of issue 3, about Nina and Marisa’s mother. Since I read the third issue, it was all I could think of, waiting for this issue for answers… and I’m still waiting. In a way that’s good, because I can feel Nina’s frustration, and as she tries to find answers I can see more of the worldbuilding. I’m intrigued by the idea of Cabals and magic and demons/monsters introduced by Blackbird.
Up until the third issue, Nina was mostly tumbling into this other world, guided only by what she had read in forums populated by people who were conspiracy theorists or were like her, who had once been touched by magic and could not forget. Her obsession had led to self-destructive behavior, and the most satisfying thing about this issue is that she was finally beginning to shed away her self-doubt.
DIE #2
Kieron Gillen (writer), Stephanie Hans (artist), Clayton Cowles (letterer), Jana Schirmer (cover)
As someone who handles a lot of manga and light novels at work, I was tired of the whole “got sucked into a game” trope YEARS ago. (I don’t want to say isekai, since isekai covers other portal fantasies too, and the one I’m specifically tired of are video game-worlds.) And yet, make the game D&D, or some version of it, and somehow… I’m hooked?
The first issue established that in the 90s, a group of teenagers played a game. They disappeared. Two years later, they reappeared. Except one of them never did, and another of them was missing an arm, and none of them could talk about what happened to them. And now, as adults who were trying their hardest to put the past behind them, they got dragged back into the game.
This issue is SAD. Back in the game, they find out that Sol, the friend they had left behind, was the person who brought them back. And not only that - the Sol they knew was gone, after years of being trapped in the game, replaced by a twisted person who wanted them to play forever. If they wanted to return home, they would have to find a way to beat the game.
Some of the questions raised in the first issue were answered in this one. Those answers mostly raised new questions. It’s bleak, and right now it feels like the dial is closer to horror than fantasy, and I’m enjoying it a lot. (Also, the art is perfect, but it’s Stephanie Hans, of course it’s perfect.)
Young Justice #1
Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Patrick Gleason (artist), Doc Shaner (cover)
It’s… good? It’s the first issue so I’m still not sure if this is a series I’m going to continue pulling, but I got this first issue out of curiosity (I wanted to know why/how Conner came back), and liked it enough that I decided to get the next issue, at least. Plus, I still don’t know why/how Conner came back.
The story’s a little all over the place, but I’m saying this as a biased person who will always prefer reading about the consequences of adventure rather than the adventures themselves. Basically, in this issue Metropolis got invaded by Gemworld and when none of the grown-up superheroes turn up, the younger heroes took a stand, and inadvertently formed a new Young Justice team, as they do. This being a book by Bendis, reading the interactions between the characters is a delight to read, and while I love what little I’ve seen of Tim Drake, Bart Allen and Cassie Sandsmark in this issue, I’m also looking forward to getting to know the lesser known characters like Teen Lantern and Jinny Hex. (Also. Conner. Why. How. And yay!)