The Weekly Pull: Dark Nights: Death Metal, Giant-Size X-Men, Horizon Zero Dawn, and More
08/04/2020 04:40 pm EDT
Collapser
Written by Shaun Simon and Mikey Way
Art by Ilias Kyriazis
Published by Young Animal
Collapser is undoubtedly one of the best series I read last year, and I couldn't be happier that it's finally getting a trade paperback. The six-issue run follows Liam James, a young man who struggles with anxiety but finds solace in his weekly DJing gig. After a bizarre chain of events, Liam wakes up with a literal black hole inside of his chest, which turns him into a sort of cosmic superhero. The series takes its bizarre concept and absolutely excels at it, with a heartfelt narrative from Shaun Simon and My Chemical Romance's Mikey Way, and some legitimately trippy art from Ilias Kyriazis. This miniseries is too perfect, poignant, and creative to ignore. — Jenna Anderson
Dark Nights: Death Metal Legends of the Dark Knights #1
Written by Marguerite Bennett, Garth Ennis, Daniel Warren Johnson, Scott Snyder, Frank Tieri, Peter J. Tomasi, James Tynion IV, Joshua Williamson
Art by Tony Salvador Daniel, Francesco Francavilla, Jamal Igle, Daniel Warren Johnson, Joelle Jones, Riley Rossmo
Published by DC Comics
Fans have already met some crazy Batmen in Dark Nights: Death Metal, but get ready for that world to expand even further in the new Legend of the Dark Knights one-shot. The book features a host of short stories from an amazing roster of writers and artists, and if you want to learn more about favorites like Batmobeast or B-Rex or check out the origin of The Robin King, this is a book you don't want to miss. That's just the tip of the iceberg too, so if you're into Death Metal, this is an easy yes. — Matthew Aguilar
The Dreaming: Waking Hours #1
Written by G. Willow Wilson
Art by Nick Robles
Published by DC Black Label
The Dreaming returns in a new form with a new creative team this week. G. Willow Wilson, the writer of the Eisner-winning series Invisible Kingdom, teams with rising star artist Nick Robles for a brand new story that acts as a perfect starting point for Sandman Universe-curious readers. The story involves William Shakespeare, a mainstay of The Sandman's narrative since The Sandman #20. The story examines Shakespeare's ambiguous origin as a means of exploring the identities of Lindy, a graduate student and single mother struggling to get by, and Ruin, a mess of a nightmare that escaped from the Dreaming. It's the type of story that The Sandman's mythology exists to tell, and in such capable hands, it should make for excellent reading. -- Jamie Lovett
Fire Power by Kirkman & Samnee #1
Written by Robert Kirkman
Art by Chris Samnee
Published by Skybound
I didn't expect to like Fire Power at first. Chris Samnee is one of the great comic book artists of this generation, but I was worried that it would turn out he's spending his time and talent working on little more than an Iron Fist riff when he could be doing something more interesting. It turns out that I was both right and wrong. Fire Power debuted with a prelude graphic novel in July, and yes, it's every bit the Iron Fist riff that it appears to be on the surface. But it is also excellent. Samnee's storytelling abilities elevate any material, and writer Robert Kirkman made sure that the characters were vulnerable and charming enough to be endearing. The first issue of the ongoing Fire Power series catches up with Owen Johnson long after his journey to that Shaolin temple where he unlocked the Fire Power within himself. Now he's back at home living the domestic, suburban life, but as the saying goes, his past isn't done with him yet. Check out Fire Power for the sublime art. Stay for the characters and adventure. -- Jamie Lovett
Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex #1
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Arty by Rod Reis
Published by Marvel Comics
One of the most intriguing X-Men is getting his time in the sun thanks to Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex #1. Jonathan Hickman and Rod Reis will showcase the super-thief as he looks to break into one of the most challenging locations around…the World. That's right, Fantomex has to break into his own home away from home, and while few have his skill set, you just know things are going to go badly when all is said and done. Any chance we have to see what Fantomex is up to is one worth taking, and this promises to be a fun ride. — Matthew Aguilar
Horizon Zero Dawn #1
Written by Anne Toole
Art by Ann Maulina
Published by Titan Comics
Horizon Zero Dawn is a truly breathtaking game set in fascinating sci-fi lore, which makes its jump into comics long overdue. The first issue of this new series will follow Aloy and Talanah in the events following the game and is sure to be a gorgeous thrill ride through and through. If you're among the many who are eagerly awaiting the release of the game's sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, this will hopefully help tide you over in the meantime. — Jenna Anderson
Undiscovered Country #7
Written by Scott Snyder, Charles Soule
Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Leonardo Marcello Grassi
Published by Image Comics
Undiscovered Country #7 kicks off a new story arc in the dystopian series, which is a big reason it's on my list this week. With the expedition team having escaped the Destiny Man and crossed into Unity, the landscape and everything else changes dramatically. While Undiscovered Country #7 isn't exactly a prime hopping-on point if you're new to the series, it's an issue that presents some pretty interesting concepts and definitely makes the reader think and is one worth checking out. -- Nicole Drum
Usagi Yojimbo #11
Writing and art by Stan Sakai
Published by IDW Publishing
Last month's Usagi Yojimbo #10 was a stellar self-contained story that also laid the groundwork for Usagi's return to his home province—a place dominated by his enemies and filled with grief and lost loves. The return itself is enough to tip off long-time readers of Stan Sakai's samurai saga that this story will offer a significant turning point in the rabbit ronin's journey. Even before the first issue has arrived, it's apparent that there will be many reunions, some of which could easily turn violent. The series has been on a hot streak since making the jump to IDW and it feels as though the past year has all been building to this storyline. Usagi Yojimbo is returning home after many years away, and there's no way that homecoming won't lead to some very memorable comics from one of the medium's most-talented cartoonists. -- Chase Magnett
Vampire: The Masquerade #1
Written by Tim Seely, Tini Howard & Blake Howard
Art by Devmalya Pramanik, Nathan Gooden
Published by Vault Comics
If you're a fan or player of World of Darkness' Vampire: The Masquerade, this week's Vampire: The Masquerade #1 from Vault Comics is a new comic you don't want to miss. The book contains two stories -- one by Tim Seely with art by Devmalya Pramanik, and the other by Tini Howard and Blake Howard with art from Nathan Gooden -- and offers various elements of the larger World of Darkness setting and Vampire lore. While not necessarily a book for those new to the setting, those familiar will enjoy sinking their teeth into things (and yes, pun intended.) -- Nicole Drum
Wonder Woman: The Last True Hero Vol. 1
Written by William Messner-Loebs
Art by Jill Thompson, Paris Cullins, Lee Moder, and others
Published by DC Comics
William Messner-Loebs is one of the great, unsung (or undersung, at least) creators of modern superhero comics. His work at DC Comics as both a writer and artist on characters like Wonder Woman and The Flash, as well as his extraordinary creation Journey, mark him as a comics storyteller of immense skill. Current readers will finally have easy access to more of his DC work in a new collection (the first of many, hopefully) of his Wonder Woman work. Readers will find an array of classic adventures defined by an appreciation of mythological roots and comics' own lore. In addition to Messner- Loebs' outstanding ideas, the stories are drawn by some of the best artists operating at the time, including Jill Thompson. Whether new readers are seeking out Wonder Woman comics or stalwart fans are aiming to collect essential DC fare for their library, this first collection provides a truly epic set of stories that will thrill any fan of superhero comics' greatest heroine. -- Chase Magnett
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