The Weekly Pull: X-Men: Hellfire Gala, Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor, Newburn, and More
07/25/2023 11:58 am EDT
Batman: The Knight
- Written by Chip Zdarsky
- Art by Carmine di Giandomenico
- Colros by Ivan Plascencia
- Letters by Pat Brosseau
- Published by DC
I have sung the praises of Batman: The Knight countless times over the past two years, and I welcome the opportunity to do so yet again. The twelve-issue miniseries brilliantly chronicles the adolescence of Bruce Wayne's Batman training, using a globe-trotting setting to establish his relationships with countless friends, foes, and everything in between. Chip Zdarsky's writing could not be more perfect (as evident by his currently-stellar run on the main Batman title) and Carmine di Giandomenico's art is equally lively and emotional. If you somehow slept on The Knight already, this collection is the best opportunity yet to remedy that. — Jenna Anderson
Knight Terrors: Angel Breaker #1
- Written by Tim Seeley
- Art by Acky Bright
- Colors by Brian Reber
- Letters by Saida Temofonte
- Published by DC
For me, the biggest appeal of the Knight Terrors event has been the eclectic array of characters it spotlights — and Angel Breaker, a recently-introduced assassin who previously studied under Black Canary and Zealot, might be among the most exciting. This week's Knight Terrors: Angel Breaker #1 promises to dive into the titular antihero's past, as the search for a magical object accidentally unleashes a dire figure from her dreams. After Hack/Slash, Tim Seeley feels like a perfect fit to concoct this story, and I'm excited to see how Angel Breaker's costume is rendered in Acky Bright's art. This has the potential to be one of the most promising installments of Knight Terrors. -- Jenna Anderson
Newburn #9
- Written by Chip Zdarsky
- Art by Jacob Phillips
- Colors by Jacob Phillips and Pip Martin
- Letters by Jacob Phillips
- Published by Image Comics
It has been just over a year since Newburn #8 and its return is very welcome. When it was arriving on a monthly basis in 2022, Newburn was a highlight on the pull list of any crime comics reader. Each new installment promised a perfectly crafted mystery possessing plenty of style, some visceral action, and a wonderfully understated sense of humor. They also expanded upon a new mythology of New York City's underworld and revealed two distinctive characters. So the anticipation for this series' return has been great. The series' last installment dramatically recontextualized its eponymous anti-hero in a fashion that's bound to be investigated in all of the upcoming issues. Given the already tumultuous landscape of various cartels and the NYPD, it's bound to lead to many more devious mysteries and gripping standoffs. Any reader who read Newburn #8 already knows why they should be excited this week. Everyone else can treat this as the perfect opportunity to pick up the first collection and the new issue for some outstanding reading. Enjoy. -- Chase Magnett
She-Hulk #15
- Written by Rainbow Rowell
- Art by Andrés Genolet
- Colors by Dee Cunniffe
- Letters by Joe Caramagna
- Published by Marvel Comics
When I initially decided to recommend She-Hulk #15, I wasn't sure if it would be the last solo Jennifer Walters comic for the time being. Thankfully, Marvel recently confirmed that isn't the case, with writer Rainbow Rowell, cover artist Jen Bartel, and more carrying over to a new Sensational She-Hulk run later this fall. But in the meantime, She-Hulk #15 is sure to be a promising and downright delightful culmination of how the run has been thus far, and I know it's on the top of my list to read for this week. — Jenna Anderson
Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1
- Written by Mark Waid
- Art by Bryan Hitch and Kevin Nowlan
- Colors by David Baron
- Letters by Richard Starking and Tyler Smith
- Published by DC
The premise of Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor is intriguing – Superman strives to save his arch-nemesis from a fatal affliction. But it's the names of the creators exploring that idea which makes the title's debut issue a must-read comic this week. Mark Waid's track record with Superman in comics is unassailable; Birthright remains one of Superman's canonical texts. Approaching a complex moral conundrum within the colorful context of a longstanding tradition is what Waid does in all of his best comics, which makes The Last Days of Lex Luthor particularly enticing as Waid currently delivers his best DC work in decades in Batman/Superman: World's Finest. Artist Bryan Hitch alongside inker Kevin Nowlan delivers a style that's proven to be nearly as impactful as when it reshaped comics at the turn of the century. Ultimate Invasion is a feat and The Last Days of Lex Luthor promises to provide a rival with a very different tone. Watching Hitch apply himself to both tales simultaneously is an embarrassment of riches for readers. Watching these titans of the superhero comics industry tackle Superman in a prestige 3-issue series makes this the issue to pick up for discussions at your local comic book store this week. -- Chase Magnett
Thunderbolts Epic Collection Justice, Like Lightning
- Written by Kurt Busiek, Roger Stern, Peter David, and John Ostrander
- Art by Mark Bagley, Steve Epting, Jeff Johnson, Mike Deodato, Sal Buscema, Pasqual Ferry, and others
- Colors by Joe Rosas, and others
- Letters by Dave Lanphear, Oscar Gongorra, Richard Starkings, and others
- Published by Marvel Comics
For as much as modern comic book readers love to malign the late 90s as a low point for superhero comics, it's not without its charms and Thunderbolts stands out not only as the best thing to come from "Heroes Reborn," but one of the best decade's best Marvel series. The Epic Collection line provides current readers an outstanding opportunity and price to rediscover the birth of this team composed of Masters of Evil as they redefine themselves in a saga crafted by many of the era's best creators. First and foremost are writer Kurt Busiek—whose career marks him as a master of the genre, redefining it here—and artist Mark Bagley who reimagined a wide array of iconic characters and established the style that would soon define Ultimate Spider-Man. All of the diversions and additions compiled in the Epic line offer an excellent chronological reading experience that helps readers find the best shape of Thunderbolts (minus some potential for recoloring). Those looking to discover or rediscover Thunderbolts, a genuine 90s classic, will be well served by this new collection. -- Chase Magnett
X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023 #1
- Written by Gerry Duggan
- Art by various
- Colors various
- Published by Marvel Comics
The Hellfire Gala has become an annual event during the Krakoan era of X-Men and it typically sets the stage for the next years worth of stories. None have been foreshadowed or promised to represent as seismic a shift in the status quo as X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023, which begins the "Fall of X" era, which may or may not be the final chapter of the mutant saga beginning with House of X and Powers of X. The enemies of Krakoa are ready to strike, and they've chosen the night of the gala to make their statement. With Marvel being as secretive as they have been about the issue, one has to wonder what shape that statement will take. The will also reveal the latest team of X-Men who will be tasked with playing mutant heroes during this dark chapter in their history. With murderers' row of artistic talents depicting all of mutantkind in their fashionable finest, it's an issue that can't be missed. -- Jamie Lovett
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