The Weekly Pull: Avengers: Twilight, Cobra Commander, John Constantine Hellblazer, and More
01/16/2024 03:42 pm EST
Avengers: Twilight #1
- Written by Chip Zdarsky
- Art by Daniel Acuna
- Lettering by Cory Petit
- Published by Marvel Comics
Honestly, Chip Zdarsky being attached to the Avengers in any capacity is enough to pique my interest. But the premise of Avengers: Twilight — a dark future with a distinctly-different version of heroism — is icing on the proverbial cake. I have no doubt that Zdarsky, Daniel Acuna, and company will deliver something truly breathtaking with this series. — Jenna Anderson
Cable #1
- Written by Fabian Nicieza
- Art by Scot Eaton
- Inks by Cam Smith, Victor Nava
- Colors by Javier Tartaglia
- Letters by Joe Sabino
- Published by Marvel Comics
As big of a fan as I've been of the high-concept sci-fi reimagining of the X-Men during the Krakoan age, sometimes a reader craves a fun action comic about a time-traveling mutant with a comically large gun. The preview pages for Cable #1 from Fabian Nicieza and Scot Eaton promise to deliver that as Nathan Christopher Charles Dayspring Askani'son Summers looks past the immediate threat of Orchis and onto the next potential foe of mutantkind, the Neocracy. No one has written more Cable comics than Nicieza. However, there's something new in this Cable miniseries thanks to the inclusion of Cable's younger self. Teen Cable hasn't seen as many horrors as his older self, which – as Nicieza explained to ComicBook.com previously – makes a world of difference in their outlook and attitude. Cable is back, guns blazing, and fans of the character shouldn't miss it. -- Jamie Lovett
Cobra Commander #1
- Written by Joshua Williamson
- Art by Andrea Milana
- Colors by Annalisa Miloni
- Letters by Rus Wooton
- Published by Image Comics
Even though I grew up on G.I. Joe and Transformers (like most children of the 90s), I've never been a regular reader of the many comics adaptations from across the past four decades. So it speaks to the tremendous artistry and ambition behind Skybound's Energon Universe that I now treat each new release as can't-miss comics. Duke #1, also by writer Joshua Williamson, was a triumph featuring the incredibly versatile aesthetics of artist Tom Reilly to a story featuring familiar elements in entirely novel circumstances. Based on that success, there's no doubt that Cobra Commander #1 this week is prepared to make readers everywhere turn their heads and take the constantly retreating villain of old much more seriously. Williamson has revealed a knack for updating both the storytelling style and ideas for a 21st-century readership. When combined with the slick and subtle artwork of Andrea Milana, it's bound to deliver a fearsome tale of evil that will make readers think twice before dismissing the lisp beneath the helmet. Cobra Commander #1 promises to expand upon the already impressive Energon line; if Cobra Commander is to be the first villain to get their own title, then he's bound to be a terrifying force upon the comics page. -- Chase Magnett
Guardians of the Galaxy #10
- Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing
- Art by Kev Walker
- Colors by Matt Hollingsworth
- Lettering by Cory Petit
- Published by Marvel Comics
Guardians of the Galaxy has easily been one of my favorite main line Marvel books right now, taking the now-iconic band of cosmic misfits to new heights. The first nine issues of this series have been chock-full of emotional resonance and sci-fi oddities — and with this week's kickoff of "The Battle of the Branchworlds", that is sure to culminate in a massive way. I'm very excited to see what the latest chapter of this already-excellent series has in store. — Jenna Anderson
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America #1
- Written by Simon Spurrier
- Art by Aaron Campbell
- Colors by Jordie Bellaire
- Letters by Aditya Bidikar
- Published by DC
Simon Spurrier is the most accomplished writer to tackle the character of John Constantine or the Hellblazer concept in the 21st century, rivaling the likes of Garth Ennis and Jamie Delano. That statement is obviously not hyperbolic for anyone who's read Spurrier's 12-issue run on John Constantine, Hellblazer (with artists Aaron Campbell and Matías Bergara), or its spiritual successor Damn Them All (with artist Charlie Adlard). They embrace the punk and grunge spirits that infused a genuine antihero with so much charm and ugliness while addressing the darkness of its modern era. Each installment through Spurrier's prior run at DC Comics was a hit—all killer, no filler—and it was a comics tragedy when the series was ended after such a short stint. So the start of a new nine-issue miniseries that also sees the return of Campbell, whose artwork is as chilling and darkly unforgettable as anything on the stands today, is cause to celebrate. No creators in comics today better grasp how Alan Moore's street magician and the evils of capitalism can be addressed in surprisingly entertaining fashion than Spurrier and Campbell. And now we get to see this indomitable duo applies their creative lens to the United States. John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America is simply not to be missed. -- Chase Magnett
Tokyo These Days Vol. 1
- Created by Taiyō Matsumoto
- Published by Viz Media
Taiyō Matsumoto, the master manga artist whose works include Tekkonkinkreet, Ping Pong, and Sunny, is back with the first volume of his latest creation, Tokyo These Day. Matsumoto is already known for the meta touches he puts into his work, but the premise of Tokyo These Days seems to lean into that notion. The story focuses on a retiring manga editor who takes a familiar train ride to visit an artist whose work he's edited in the past and is later asked to help out with another artist he used to work with who refuses to be edited by anyone else. Based on reviews, it's a story about several creative people at turning points in their lives and a reflection on how our environments change us and the world changes around us. As he's one of the greats, any new Matsumoto release from him should be given consideration. -- Jamie Lovett
Wild's End
- Written by Dan Abnett
- Art by I.N.J. Culbard
- Letters by I.N.J. Culbard
- Published by Boom Studios
It has been just under a decade since writer Dan Abnett and artist I.N.J. Culbard published Wild's End #1 at Boom Studios. The series, originally pitched as The Wind in the Willows meets War of the Worlds, has followed anthropomorphic animals confronting an alien invasion in early 20th century Britain across three miniseries and every one of them has been a joy to discover. Across each installment Abnett and Culbard have developed deeply human characters in suspenseful circumstances in a quaint, dreamlike vision unlike anything else in comics today. The high quality of storytelling was immediately obvious and has not flagged in the intervening years as the saga evolved across multiple settings and sets of characters. So to have that sprawling work collected in its entirety is a gift for collectors and the unaware alike. Those of us who have tracked its progress can finally settle in on a cold winter night to enjoy the complete story at once and those who missed it early on will be able to take in a single, rewarding tome. Wild's End is bound to hold a constant spot on comic book store and library shelves alike for many years to come; we can all just be glad that it's finally complete. -- Chase Magnett
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