The Weekly Pull: Batman, Suicide Squad: Blaze, Starhenge, and More
07/05/2022 06:26 pm EDT
Batman #125
- Written by Chip Zdarsky
- Art by Jorge Jimenez
- Colors by Tomeu Morey
- Letters by Clayton Cowles
- Published by DC Comics
Chip Zdarsky's profile soared thanks to his work on books known for their quirky, even absurd comedy like Sex Criminals and Howard the Duck. That he'd spend his next act writing each of the big two's respective epitome of the gritty street vigilante archetype, Daredevil and Batman, let alone write them simultaneously, is a surprise. And yet, his Daredevil run has been celebrated, and he's shown the too rare writing talent for stories that are nuanced and emotional without sacrificing that noirish tone associated with the character. The idea that he might bring that same talent to Batman is exciting. That he's teaming with Jorge Jimenez, easily one of the brightest stars in superhero comics art today, well, I haven't been this excited for the start of a Batman run since Grant Morrison's tenure began more than 15 years ago. An exciting new era of Batman is about to begin, and fans would be foolish to miss the boat. -- Jamie Lovett
Birds of Prey: Whitewater
- Written by Gail Simone
- Art by Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood
- Published by DC Comics
I will celebrate any and all trade paperbacks that collect issues of Birds of Prey, especially if they are issues of Gail Simone's excellent run on the title. This string of issues follows the team in the wake of Black Canary's exit, with Big Barda, Hawkgirl, Ice, and more prominently entering the series' fold. That, combined with a delightful crossover with the Secret Six, makes this a significant and genuinely entertaining chapter in the Birds of Prey's history. — Jenna Anderson
Black Adam – The Justice Society Files: Hawkman #1
- Written by Cavan Scott
- Art by Scot Eaton and Norm Rapmund
- Colors by Andrew Dalhouse
- Letters by Rob Leigh
- Published by DC Comics
With the release of DC's Black Adam movie just a few months away, fans have a unique opportunity to dive into the lore of the Justice Society of America, the iconic group of superheroes who will be joining Dwayne Johnson's titular antihero on the big screen. The first in a string of one-shot issues, this week's Secret Files introduces fans to Aldis Hodge's version of Carter Hall / Hawkman, in a story that teases some compelling pieces of JSA lore, as well as the larger conflict of the film itself. This bunch of one-shots will be must-reads for those who are excited for Black Adam, as well as for those who have been eager to see the JSA further spotlighted. — Jenna Anderson
Green Lantern Vol. 2: Horatius
- Written by Geoffrey Thorne
- Art by Tom Raney, Marco Santucci, ChrisCross
- Colors by Michael Atiyeh
- Letters by Rob Leigh
- Published by DC Comics
Geoffrey Thorne, Marco Santucci, Tom Raney, Michael Atiyeh, and Rob Leigh embraced the far-reaching and fantastical concepts that Green Lantern is a perfect fit for while also spinning unique narratives for the main cast that kept those larger elements grounded in relatable concepts, and in Horatius, everything just went into overdrive. The final six issues not only bring John Stewart to a completely fresh place but also successfully reenergize the Green Lantern Corps, and it really is a team effort to bring both sides of this story to a satisfying close while also opening up the franchise to any number of interesting future paths. It wasn't the Green Lantern story I was necessarily expecting, but perhaps that's part of what made it so delightful, and I think you'll enjoy it too. -- Matthew Aguilar
Mind MGMT: Bootleg #1
- Written by Matt Kindt
- Art by Farel Dalrymple
- Colors by Farel Dalrymple
- Letters by Farel Dalrymple
- Published by Dark Horse Comics
If you've never read Matt Kindt's Mind MGMT, it remains one of the most inventive and engaging experiments from serialized comics in the 21st century. Kindt layered mysteries far beyond the text with page margins and many other elements being put to work to reveal a grand conspiracy involving all sorts of strange psychic abilities. While the original series ended well, there remains an urge to explore such a wonderfully complex creation and Kindt has teamed with Farel Dalrymple—the rare artist who can match Kindt's idiosyncratic style and resourceful imagination—to deliver a new chapter in the mythos. Mind MGMT: Bootleg #1 promises to start filling readers in on what happened after the Mind MGMT agency crumbled. Making any predictions on where either of these storytellers might take the narrative is a fool's endeavor, but this promises to deliver some of the mind-bending comics available in 2022 and only a fool would miss it. -- Chase Magnett
Power Rangers Vol. 4
- Written by Ryan Parrott
- Art by Francesco Mortarino
- Colors by Raul Angulo
- Letters by Ed Dukeshire
- Published by Boom Studios
The Omega Rangers have been one of the best additions to the Power Rangers franchise in some time, and the Eltarian War has been equally as compelling as an event and a larger-scale story. Now the event reaches its action-packed conclusion and the ever-so-talented team of Ryan Parrott, Francesco Mortarino, Marco Renna, Walter Baiamonte, Raul Angulo, and Ed Dukeshire more than deliver. The action is frenetic and epic in scale, while the character moments that the series has become synonymous with are plentiful and hit hard when they need to. Power Rangers fans have been a bit spoiled, but trust me, I am in no way complaining. -- Matthew Aguilar
Starhenge, Book One: The Dragon & The Boar #1
- Created by Liam Sharp
- Published by Image Comics
I'm almost ashamed to admit that The Green Lantern was my first real experience with Liam Sharp's work, but boy, his work left an impression. Sharp's years working for 2000 AD on various sci-fi stories were apparent in his work on the series, as he (and writer Grant Morrison) transformed Hal Jordan from a Top Gun castoff in spandex to the hero of a strange space opera with the epic artwork to match. After reading that, I can hardly wait to get my hands on Starhenge Starhenge, Book One: The Dragon & The Boar #1, the first chapter of a brand new space odyssey entirely of Sharp's own making. Get ready to see a master at work. -- Jamie Lovett
Suicide Squad: Blaze #3
- Written by Simon Spurrier
- Art by Aaron Campbell
- Colors by Jordie Bellaire
- Letters by Aditya Bidikar
- Published by DC Comics
Each new installment of Suicide Squad: Blaze has upped the ante considerably. The first issue introduced a new batch of Belle Reve inmates and a gleefully gory new style for the franchise in, perhaps, the best #1 issue of Suicide Squad since the 1980s. The second issue ramped up the stakes with some notable deaths amongst members of the Squad and most of the Justice League; it made clear this story could go anywhere and wouldn't hesitate in executing its premise. So the arrival of this finale makes for that perfect moment in comics where readers can expect anything and everything, but have absolutely no clue what's coming next. Waiting to pick up this issue has me absolutely ecstatic, especially considering how well this same creative team polished off their excellent run on John Constantine: Hellblazer. However this Squad tale sorts itself out, the journey is bound to be bloody and thrilling while the conclusion ought to be the stuff of dreams or rather, nightmares. -- Chase Magnett
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