The Weekly Pull: Way of X, Batman: Creature of the Night, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, and More
04/20/2021 03:17 pm EDT
Batman: Creature of the Night
- Written by Kurt Busiek
- Art by John Paul Leon
- Colors by John Paul Leon
- Letters by Todd Klein
- Published by DC Comics
This volume already sits in hardcover on my bookshelf, but I'm excited to finally possess a trade paperback of Creature of the Night to cheaply recommend (and loan) to friends. If you missed the spiritual sequel to Superman: Secret Identity, this affordable collection provides the perfect opportunity to discover one of the best superhero stories told in the past decade. John Paul Leon and Kurt Busiek's tale examines a life that mirrors Bruce Wayne and Batman's quest for vengeance but provides the character's familiar themes on a fresh canvas more closely tied to our reality. It unpacks trauma, grief, and the pursuit of justice in a deeply human tale told in a memorably impactful fashion by Leon. Whether it's read on its own or in tandem with Secret Identity, Creature of the Night encourages readers to explore the substance beneath more simply enjoyable elements of the superhero genre in a 4-part series dedicated to unpacking the meaning of the Batman mythos. Don't miss this outstanding series a third time when it arrives at your local comic book store in a very affordable fashion this week. -- Chase Magnett
Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade #1
- Written by Si Spurrier
- Art by Sergio Davila
- Inks by Sean Parsons
- Colors by Arif Prianto
- Letters by Cory Petit
- Published by Marvel Comics
The first issue of this series kicked off a story that opened the door to take readers into a fresh legend for Dane Whitman, offering up a collision of history, legend, magic, and more, and that adventure continues in a huge way this week with a book that dives right into things. Artifacts, origins, murder, chaos, and Camelot -- this issue is a wild ride through legend and it's a ride you absolutely want to take as Spurrier digs deep not only into stories that are familiar but gives Dane Whitman his due as a complex and fascinating character. -- Nicole Drum
Black Widow by Kelly Thompson Vol. 1: The Ties That Bind
- Written by Kelly Thompson
- Art by Elena Casagrande
- Colors by Jordie Bellaire
- Published by Marvel Comics
We're finally on the cusp of the release of Marvel's Black Widow movie — but there's still more than enough time for you to check out some major comics involving Natasha. Her recent solo series, the first volume of which is collected and published this week, is absolutely a great place to start, in that it's incredibly accessible and rewarding for both new and old readers alike. Kelly Thompson's narrative sees Natasha thrown out of her life as a super-spy and into domestic bliss, a status quo shift that sends some of her fellow heroes — and a surprising array of villains — on her trail. Every page of this collection is absolutely electrified with compelling, character-driven storytelling, and the art and colorwork from Elena Casagrande and Jordie Bellaire is truly perfect. You don't want to miss out on this collection, trust me. — Jenna Anderson
Cojacaru the Skinner #1
- Written by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden
- Art by Peter Bergting
- Colors by Michelle Madsen
- Letter by Clem Robbins
- Published by Dark Horse Comics
I'm a newcomer to Mike Mignola's Outerverse, that line of connected horror comics built on Baltimore and separate from his iconic work on Hellboy. It might be time for me to fix that. Mignola teams with co-writer Christopher Golden and artist Peter Bergting for Cojacaru the Skinner, a new story set in France at World War II's height. The tale sees a desperate resistance sell invoking the name of a long-dead witch hunter. That sounds like as potent a pitch as any to get me on board with this burgeoning horror-fantasy universe. -- Jamie Lovett
Guerilla Green
- Written by Ophelie Damblè and Cookie Kalkair
- Art by Cookie Kalkair
- Lettering by Jim Campbell
- Published by BOOM! Studios
I'll be honest, the second I first saw the cover for Guerilla Green, I knew it would be right up my alley. The graphic novel centers around Damblè's experience in the guerilla gardening movement, combining narrative with a sort of nonfiction guide to help readers add a bit more green to their own world. I'm down for anything that encourages sustainability or improving the environment around us, especially when coupled with this graphic novel's pastel art style. This looks to be adorable, informative and entertaining in so, so many ways. — Jenna Anderson
The Many Deaths of Laila Starr #1
- Written by Ram V
- Art by Filipe Andrade
- Colors by Filipe Andrade with Ines Amaro
- Letters by AndWorld Design
- Published by Boom Studios
This is a series I was sold on trying before I even heard the premise. Ram V and Filipe Andrade is the sort of creative team that captures the "young guns" energy in comics that most publishers pretend to possess. Combine these two talents with a title like this, one that evokes a mood of magical realism, and you have the sort of #1 issue that readers are likely to still read and discuss long after "Best of 2021" lists fade from the internet. That may seem overly optimistic, and perhaps it is, but a story about Death and old gods losing their place in the world as humanity pursues immortality pursues themes of cyclical lives, inevitability, and the purpose (or purposelessness) of mankind that have made Ram V's other comics resonate across the past several years. With ambitious designs on The Swamp Thing and a dedicated following for smart stories elevated with some of the slickest design work and inviting pages in the direct market today, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr is positioned to be the next big thing. I cannot wait to read the first issue. -- Chase Magnett
Way of X #1
- Written by Si Spurrier
- Art by Bob Quinn
- Colors by Java Tartaglia
- Letters by Clayton Cowles
- Published by Marvel Comics
The X-Men's Krakoa era is all about letting go of the old cycle of reacting to humanity's fear and hatred and forging a new way in a new land. Now that mutants have conquered death and founded a new Eden on Earth, they need a new sense of spirituality to match their new worldly status. That's where Nightcrawler comes in. The priest/pirate who looks like a demon has long been depicted as the spiritual heart of the X-Men, making him uniquely suited to building a new religion that meets the demands of a post-human society. The series sees Si Spurrier, a writer who doesn't shy away from tackling big questions, teaming Captain America artist Bob Quinn for a series that looks to be the holistic Nightcrawler solo series fans have longed to read. -- Jamie Lovett
Women of Marvel #1
- Written by Various
- Art by Various
- Published by Marvel Comics
While the argument can be made that the women of Marvel -- both characters and creators -- deserve far more space than simply a giant-sized special, this week's Women of Marvel #1 is a much-needed spotlight on some of comics' most iconic characters as well as amazing talent that brings them and many others to life. The issue is packed with 11 stories covering a range of favorites such as She-Hulk, Rogue, Mystique, Captain Peggy Carter, and even Marrow. And with creators like Mariko Tamaki, Nadia Shammas, Elsa Sjunneson, and more, it's an issue with a lot to offer. You don't want to miss this celebration of the women of Marvel. -- Nicole Drum
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