The Weekly Pull: Birds of Prey, Fall of the House of X, Pine and Merrimac, and More
01/02/2024 11:17 am EST
The Best of Red Sonja
- Written by Various
- Art by Various
- Published by Dynamite Entertainment
This year should hopefully be a good one for the She-Devil with a Sword, with the long-awaited Red Sonja movie reboot expected to make its debut. If you want to prepare for that, as well as continue to celebrate the character's recent 50th anniversary, then this week's new collection is here to help. From her original origin stories published under Marvel to her newer fare from fan-favorite creators like Gail Simone and Mark Russell, this hardcover aims to give a comprehensive look at the past 50 years of Red Sonja — and get you excited for the new 50. — Jenna Anderson
Beware the Planet of the Apes #1
- Written by Marc Guggenheim
- Art by Alvaro López
- Colors by Alex Gomes
- Letters by Joe Caramagna
- Published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics' recent endeavors with licensed film properties have been hit and miss with the likes of Alien and Predator missing more often than they hit. However, the Planet of the Apes franchise seems to be the exception to this rule as every Apes miniseries published by Marvel so far has delivered a noteworthy addition to an outstanding modern canon. Perhaps it's the epic scope of the story as a historical narrative transforming our planet into the one first seen in 1968. Planet of the Apes, published last year, focused on the final stages of humanity's resistance, with violent insurgents and dedicated humanitarians battling for the planet's future. Now writer Marc Guggenheim and artist Alvaro López plunge far into the future when humanity has been reduced to mute and malleable beasts of burden. An appreciation for the classic Apes films and the revitalized energy brought to the franchise in the past 15 years may combine to outstanding effect as the two timelines are drawn closer together. At the very least it will be interesting to see Cornelius return to the spotlight as a wise scientist searching for humanity's lost potential. -- Chase Magnett
Birds of Prey #5
- Written by Kelly Thompson
- Art by Arist Deyn
- Letters by Clayton Cowles
- Published by DC
There's a reason why I have, without fail, recommended every single issue of Birds of Prey thus far — it's simply too good not to. The "Megadeath" arc nears its peak in this issue, packing in some electrifying action sequences and some intriguing lore related to Black Canary and Sin. Guest artist Arist Deyn provides an unexpected flair to this issue, further cementing Birds of Prey as one of DC's wildest and most wonderful books right now. — Jenna Anderson
Fall of the House of X #1
- Written by Gerry Duggan
- Art by Lucas Werneck
- Colors by Bryan Valenza
- Letters by Clayton Cowles
- Published by Marvel Comics
All good things must end, and the Krakoan age of the X-Men is no exception. There's plenty of debate to be had about how well the X-Men line fared in its current status quo after Jonathan Hickman abdicated his role of Head of X. I'd personally wager, superfluous miniseries and all, that the X-Men line from the second half of 2019 through at least the first half of 2024 has generated more excitement and worthwhile stories than the entire decade that preceded it combined. Fall of the House of X #1, from Gerry Duggan, the most recent X-Men writer, and Lucas Werneck, the artist for most of Immortal X-Men's run, is the first chapter of the era's final act. Where sister series Rise of the Powers of X will, presumably, resolve the dangling plot threads concerning heavily sci-fi concepts like the Dominion hanging over all of time and space, Fall of the House of X focuses on the terrestrial conflict between mutants and Orchis, the anti-mutant organization that has all but eliminated the presence of mutants on Earth, with the trial of Cyclops as the tale's narrative centerpiece. Whether Krakoa goes down in flames or rises from the ashes, and whether its swan song is a satisfying conclusion or an absolute mess, it should be a compelling spectacle. -- Jamie Lovett
Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #5
- Written by Joanne Starer
- Art by Natacha Bustos
- Colors by Tamra Bonvillain
- Letters by Ariana Maher
- Published by DC
It genuinely breaks my heart that Welcome to Smallville is nearly at its end because the series has been a no-holds-barred delight in every single way. But with the publication of this week's penultimate issue, it's clear that the book is going to stick the landing, delivering plenty of humor and heart while still meaningfully advancing the stories of Bea and Tora. I can't wait to pick this issue up. — Jenna Anderson
Kneel Before Zod #1
- Written by Joe Casey
- Art by Dan McDaid
- Colors by David Baron
- Letters by Troy Peteri
- Published by DC
Zod occupies a curious place in Superman's mythology. Thanks to his appearances in Superman movies like Superman II and Man of Steel, Zod is one of Superman's best-known enemies. Despite that, he's been used relatively sparingly in Superman's comics, at least in comparison to other villainous heavyweights like Lex Luthor and Doomsday. Zod gets a little more presence in the comics realm this week with the publication of Kneel Before Zod #1, a new series focusing on Dru-Zod in his current role as ruler of New Kandor, where he reigns with his wife, Ursa, and son, Jor-Zod. Kneel Before Zod has some exciting creative energy behind it, hailing from writer Joe Casey and artist Dan McDaid. Casey long ago earned a reputation as one of comics' most provocative writers, and McDaid, making his debut in DC's main line of comics, has an art style that packs a lot of punch and physicality. For a series focusing on the brutish rogue ruler of a potentially dangerous galactic nation-state (nation-planet?), I could hardly think of a better pairing. DC promises the arc of Kneel Before Zod will be unexpected, eschewing typical heroic narratives. With these creators and this lead, it's hard to imagine it going any other way. -- Jamie Lovett
Pine and Merrimac #1
- Written by Kyle Starks
- Art by Fran Galán
- Colors by Fran Galán
- Letters by Pat Brosseau
- Published by Boom Studios
A hard-boiled detective yarn about a married couple who combine brains and brawn getting in way over their heads? That's exactly the sort of new comic book I want to start 2024 with and Boom Studios is ready to deliver this week. Writer Kyle Starks has proven about a dozen times over that he's a master of genre storytelling in comics and one of the funniest writers working in the medium today. Combine Starks' track record with the outstanding impressionistic approach of artist Fran Galán whose characters cut instantly recognizable silhouettes that affect action and romance equally well, and you have what looks like a surefire hit. The titular characters of Pine and Merrimac look as though they were pulled from central casting for a classic noir movie poster, which makes it impossible to resist discovering what dark mystery they're ready to uncover in Pine and Merrimac #1. -- Chase Magnett
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