The Weekly Pull: Future State: Gotham, X-Corp, Time Before Time, and More
05/11/2021 05:18 pm EDT
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #25
- Written by Jeremy Lambert
- Art by Valentina Pinti
- Colors by Raúl Angulo
- Letters by Ed Dukeshire
- Published by BOOM! Studios
When BOOM! Studios took over the Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics, it launched a new continuity with the main character back in high school but set in the 21st century. For the series' milestone 25th issue, the creators are diving back into the original timeline as the reboot series -- which has flirted with multiversal ideas already -- crosses over with its source material. While the current Buffy series has had its ups and downs over the past 24 issues, Buffy the Vampire Slayer #25 should be a treat for the longtime Buffyverse faithful. -- Jamie Lovett
DC Festival of Heroes: The Asian Superhero Celebration #1
- Written by various
- Art by various
- Published by DC Comics
DC's latest one-shot is a delightful celebration of Asian superheroes, giving some beloved fan favorites some much-deserved spotlight as well as introducing a brand new hero to the fold. DC Festival of Heroes: The Asian Superhero Celebration is a collection of short stories featuring a look at DC's stellar roster of Asian characters, and there are some you definitely don't want to miss, including standouts featuring Cassandra Cain, Grace Choi, Tai Pham, the New Superman, and Connor Hawke, and Red Arrow just to name a few. Not only that, but we get the full debut of the Monkey Prince, and DC's newest hero is definitely going to be one to watch. This is quite the celebration and one you shouldn't miss. — Matthew Aguilar
Future State: Gotham #1
- Written by Dennis Culver, Joshua Williamson
- Art by Giannis Milonogiannis
- Letters by Troy Pateri
- Published by DC Comics
Yes, Future State the event is over, but fans of Jason Todd as well as those looking for a comic whose visual approach steps outside of the norm for most Batman-related titles should definitely give Future State: Gotham #1 a read this week. The issue sees Red Hood choose justice over family as he is enlisted by the Magistrate to bring in the new Batman, but what's really striking about the issue is the gorgeous black and white art. Sure, it's not an entirely unique approach, but it lends something rich to this particular story. It's admittedly not for everyone, but it is definitely worth a read. -- Nicole Drum
Heroes Reborn: Peter Parker, The Amazing Shutterbug #1
- Written by Marc Bernardin
- Art by Rafael de Latorre, Ron Lim, and Scott Hanna
- Colors by Jim Campbell
- Lettering by VC's Ariana Maher
- Published by Marvel Comics
We've only just barely begun to dive into Marvel's Heroes Reborn event, but we've already gotten to see some unique takes on the tropes of the Big Two superhero comics. I would definitely rank the very concept of Peter Parker: Amazing Shutterbug among them, as the idea of mashing up Peter's status quo with that of DC's Jimmy Olsen feels like a creative no-brainer. Placing Peter on the sidelines of such a massive event — and getting to see his outlook on heroism filtered through the lens of Hyperion and the other superheroes — has the makings of a fun subversion, especially with writer Marc Bernardin and a team of talented artists at the helm. — Jenna Anderson
The House of Lost Horizons: A Sarah Jewell Mystery #1
- Written by Chris Roberson
- Art by Leila del Duca
- Colors by Michelle Madsen
- Letters by Clem Robins
- Published by Dark Horse Comics
It's a locked-room mystery set in the Mignola-verse: Sold. If you're looking for a bit more detail than that, let me break it down. Chris Roberson has displayed a knack for writing mysteries across decades of past comics work; you can see it in comics like iZombie and Cinderella, not to mention his prose fiction. A story like this with more than a half-dozen suspects stranded together requires an adept wordsmith to present readers with a mystery they can chase, too, and Roberson has the skills to deliver. Pair him with Leila del Duca who blends the mundane with the fantastic—if you have never looked at Shutter, call your comic book store today—ensuring readers receive all they need in a multi-faceted supernatural whodunnit. That will inevitably subtle character "acting" alongside the many horrors that Mignola's sprawling collection of interwoven stories always evoke. It's not rare to find mysteries in comics, but it's exceedingly rare to find satisfying ones that play to the classic tropes of an Agatha Christie novel. It seems that The House of Lost Horizons is prepared to do exactly that, though, and so I'm ready to pick the first Sarah Jewell mystery and however many follow; it's time to start looking for clues. -- Chase Magnett
Justice League: Last Ride #1
- Written by Chip Zdarsky
- Art by Miguel Mendonca
- Colors by Enrica Angiolini
- Lettering by Andworld Design
- Published by DC Comics
Honestly, Chip Zdarsky could write out a computer manual or a grocery list and it would still be one of my most anticipated reads, which makes the launch of this week's Justice League: Last Ride especially exciting for me. The first issue in a new miniseries — Zdarsky's first long-form work for DC — puts the DC universe's biggest heroes in an unconventional situation, as they must join forces one last time before the end of the world. I'm always down for alternate universe takes on the Justice League, and this looks to be chock-full of the gravity, humor, and spectacle that sets the team apart from other superhero ensembles. — Jenna Anderson
Marvel-Verse: Loki
- Writers: Various
- Artists: Various
- Published by Marvel Comics
We're around a month away from the debut of Disney+'s Loki so if you're wanting to do a little bit of reading that will both give you a good sense of the character beyond the MCU but also just be a lot of fun, then Marvel-Verse: Loki is for you. The book collects a number of Loki stories from across several decades and includes some of the character's most legendary stories. You even get some Kid Loki action. It's a great way to familiarize yourself with the character but also help make the wait for the next Disney+ series go a little faster -- Nicole Drum
The Sprite and the Gardener
- Written by Rii Abrego and Joe Whitt
- Art by Rii Abrego
- Published by Oni Press
The Sprite and the Gardener is a charming-looking graphic novel releasing in book stores this week and in comic shops and digital services later this month. Its story follows a sprite who befriends a simple gardener, unlocking new talent for growing the garden as their friendship goes. I'm not familiar with the past work of Rii Abrego or Joe Whitt's past work. However, the preview pages and the simple, whimsical, pastoral charm of this comics' premise have made it one I'm eagerly anticipating digging into. If you're looking for something with a little less tension and a little more beauty, then give The Sprite and the Gardener a glance. -- Jamie Lovett
Time Before Time #1
- Written by Declan Shalvey and Rory McConville
- Art by Joe Palmer
- Colors by Chris O'Halloran
- Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
- Published by Image Comics
To me, the trick with any time travel story is to ground it in the present, regardless of the story's setting in time. That's exactly what Time Before Time gets right. The first issue spans more than a millennium—jumping more than 50 years into our past, 120 into our future, and far beyond without ever landing anytime close to 2021. Yet it all reads as being absolutely relevant to our moment in time. Protagonists are shackled by endless debt; the future appears increasingly bleak; management doesn't care if you live or die as long as you do your job; 2141 looks a lot like 2021. It's a less than inspiring vision of the future, but one that feels real and is made real in Joe Palmer's artwork as he capably distinguishes many different timelines in the first issue alone. There's a passionate core of truth amidst the fantastical applications of time travel and it makes Time Before Time read in a vital manner a step above most of the neat sci-fi pitches published at Image Comics. Whether you're a fan of sci-fi looking to go down one of the genre's most familiar rabbit holes or someone seeking to grapple with a darkening future that often seems inevitable, this debut issue delivers. My advice would be to not miss the moment Time Before Time #1 arrives at your local comic book store. -- Chase Magnett
X-Corp #1
- Written by Tini Howard
- Art by Alberto Foche
- Published by Marvel Comics
Marvel's merry mutants are expanding yet again, this time into the corporate world with Angel and Monet leading the charge in X-Corp #1 The new series embraces the societal intrigue and politics that have made Marauders shine but leans into those elements even more and with two compelling favorites leading the charge. Angel and Monet are the absolute perfect picks to lead this series, and thanks to a stellar cast and all the delightful banter between them, this has all the makings of another immense addition to the X-Men franchise. — Matthew Aguilar
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