The Weekly Pull: X-Men Annual, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Catwoman: Lonely City, and More
12/20/2022 08:34 am EST
Batman: Killing Time
- Written by Tom King
- Art by David Marquez
- Colors by Alejandro Sanchez
- Letters by Clayton Cowles
- Published by DC
Tom King and Batman are a divisive pairing in the world of comics, but readers of all opinions may find themselves surprised upon taking a look at the writer's singular Black Label outing Killing Time. The miniseries functions as a rebuke to criticisms of the long-running introspection of Batman as it tells a thrilling plot filled with villains and neatly balances itself between mystery and action thriller. It delivers a singular Batman showcase accessible to any reader that doesn't hesitate to add the stylistic flourishes King's Batman was renowned for. It's an excellent Batman story that relies on an outstanding art team led by the detailed work of David Marquez whose neatly sequenced pages make each issue an enthralling read and promises the collected volume could consume an entire evening. Marquez's vision of Gotham at night, especially in chase sequences, will leave readers hungering for more. Batman: Killing Time is a thesis statement about all of the excitement accessible even within the typical confines of a Batman story. -- Chase Magnett
Catwoman: Lonely City
- Created by Cliff Chiang
- Published by DC
I will never get tired of writing about Catwoman: Lonely City, the four-issue epic that DC has published across the past year. The miniseries imagines Selina Kyle and her allies, adversaries, and more on the cusp of their twilight years, and in a version of Gotham City and the larger DC universe that's both familiar and chillingly foreign. Cliff Chiang's work on this series is absolutely sensational, with an approach to aesthetics and emotion that will stick with readers long after they reach the finale. You owe it to yourself to check out Lonely City, and this collection provides the best opportunity yet to do so. -- Jenna Anderson
Dead Seas #1
- Written by Cavan Scott
- Art by Nick Brokenshire
- Letters by Shawn Lee
- Published by IDW Publishing
Who needs a haunted house when you can have a haunted prison ship? Dead Seas is the latest new series from IDW Publishing's recently founded IDW Originals imprint, which has produced some quality books. The series hails from writer Cavan Scott, who's well known for his work on Star Wars and has been expanding beyond ith several original comics ideas, and artist Nick Brokenshire, who has also been impressive on licensed titles. The story takes place in a world where ghosts are real, and their ectoplasm can be harvested and put to good use. But it's dangerous work, which leads prisoner Gus Ortiz to volunteer to do it in exchange for a reduced sentence that will allow him to reunite with his daughter sooner. It's a solid premise, and we look forward to seeing the execution. -- Jamie Lovett
Mary Jane & Black Cat #1
- Written by Jed MacKay
- Art by Vincenzo Carratu and Michael Dowling
- Colors by Brian Reber
- Letters by Ariana Maher
- Published by Marvel Comics
Writer Jed MacKay has become one of the most inventive writers at Marvel Comics transforming B-list figures at the publisher into leading roles in series like Moon Knight and Strange, most recently. However, MacKay's work on Black Cat is what marked him as a writer to watch out for in this superhero universe as it updated Felicia Hardy's narrative to wide acclaim. A combination of thrilling heist tropes and newfound pathos for the anti-heroine served to move a supporting member of Spider-Man's cast out of their eight-legged shadow. Even after the end of multiple Black Cat volumes, MacKay continues to push Hardy's story along in new miniseries and one-shots, with Mary Jane & Black Cat: Beyond proving to be a high-water mark. Now he reteams the two Parker paramours turned stars unto themselves and, along with artists Vincenzo Carratu and Michael Dowling tosses them into Marvel Comics' new event, "Dark Web." The promise of any sequel to Mary Jane & Black Cat is promising, but having them occupy Manhattan-turned-Hell at Christmas makes this title seems like a present come early. -- Chase Magnett
Rogues
- Written by Joshua Williamson
- Art by Leomacs
- Published by DC
Joshua Williamson has undoubtedly put his stamp on The Flash's mythos, penning a lengthy run for the Scarlet Speedster during DC Rebirth. But with Rogues, Williamson's understanding of what makes the character's world so special is able to truly thrive – in the weirdest ways possible. Picking up on The Flash's villains past their prime, the four-issue miniseries chronicles their efforts to pull off one last heist... in Gorilla City, no less. What evolves from there is a gonzo, but gratifying thrill ride, with LeoMacs bringing to life some of the wildest visuals I've seen in DC as of late. Don't sleep on this collection, trust me. -- Jenna Anderson
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds -- The Illyrian Enigma #1
- Written by Kirsten Beyer, Mike Johnson
- Art by Megan Levens
- Colors by Charlie Kirchoff
- Letters by Neil Uyetake
- Published by IDW Publishing
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the latest addition to Paramount+'s expanding Star Trek universe, took Star Trek fans by storm, becoming the highest-rated Star Trek series of all time on Rotten Tomatoes and garnering further critical acclaim. It was only a matter of time before the crew made it into IDW Publishing's line of Star Trek tie-in comics, and that time has come. The modern incarnations of Capt. Christopher Pike, Number One, and Mr. Spock did appear previously in the Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 follow-up comic Star Trek: Discovery -- Aftermath. However, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds -- The Illyrian Enigma marks the first time the entire Enterprise crew from Strange New Worlds will appear in comics. Even more exciting is that it's picking up where Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' first season left off, with the crew still reeling from Una's arrest and determined to investigate further in the hopes of swaying the Federation's feelings about augments in Starfleet. With veteran Star Trek comics writers Kirsten Beyer and Mike Johnson at the helm, and Megan Levens on art, The Illyrian Enigma should deliver a quality story to tide fans over until Strange New Worlds' return for its second season. -- Jamie Lovett
X-Men Annual #1
- Written by Steve Foxe
- Art by Andrea Di Vito
- Colors by Sebastian Cheng
- Letters by Clayton Cowles
- Published by Marvel Comics
Look, I'm a father. Thanks to Disney+, my kid caught a couple of episodes of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends and became obsessed with Firestar. Given that's the closest thing to showing interest in the X-Men she's ever displayed (while I'm an X-fan, she prefers Spider-Man), I feel compelled to indulge her fascination. That's why I voted for Firestar in the X-Men poll earlier this year, and it's a big part of why I'll be reading X-Men Annual #1 (well, that, and I'm going to be reviewing the issue too). Steve Foxe, who reimagined the Krakoan era as if it took place in the '90s in X-Men '92: House of XCII, teams with artist Andrea Di Vito on the annual. Together, they'll spotlight the most reluctant X-Men member and whether she'll rise to the challenge thrust upon her. It should be an intriguing look at a character due for a modern update. -- Jamie Lovett
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