The Weekly Pull: The Old Guard, Death Metal, X-Men, and More

It is nearly a new comic book day once again. New releases are on the way and will hit comic book [...]

By Jamie Lovett - July 14, 2020 11:50 am EDT

It is nearly a new comic book day once again. New releases are on the way and will hit comic book stores and digital comics platforms. Every week in The Weekly Pull, ComicBook.com's team highlights some of the releases we're most excited about that will be arriving in stores. Those releases might be from the big two or a smaller publisher. They might be new monthly issues, an original graphic novel, or a collected edition. It can involve superheroes or come from any other genre. Whatever it may be that has us excited, if it goes on sale this week, then we're going to let you know all about it.

This week, The Old Guard wraps up its latest miniseries, a new installment of Giant-Size X-Men from Marvel, and the next chapter of the Dark Nights: Death Metal event. We also dip into Eurocomics, spotlight some new sci-fi, and celebrate 80 years of DC Comics' Emerald Knight, Green Lantern.

What comics are you most excited about this week? Let us know which new releases you're most excited about reading in the comments, and feel free to leave some of your suggestions as well. Check back tomorrow for our weekly review roundup and again next week for a new installment of The Weekly Pull.

Avengers #34

Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Javier Garron
Published by Marvel Comics

Part 2 of 'The Age of Khonshu" is upon us, and if it's anything like Part 1, we're in for a crazy time. Fans learned quite a bit about Moon Knight and Khonshu last issue, but it turns out that even a God can be terrified, and Moon Knight is going to need all the powers and help he can get to hold the line against the encroaching evil. Jason Aaron and Javier Garron definitely got our attention last time, and we can't wait to see what they come up with next. — Matthew Aguilar

Bettie Page #1

Written by Karla Pacheco
Art by Vincenzo Federici
Published by Dynamite Entertainment

"Queen of Pinups" Bettie Page has been the subject of multiple comic series over the years, and while there's always a fine line to walk with dramatizing real-life icons, it seems like Karla Pacheco and Vincenzo Federici might be the perfect people to take on the job. This debut issue will see Bettie traveling to a tropical island to film a "tastefully sensual" fantasy film, only for production to be rocked by a costar's murder. This new Bettie Page series has so many elements - gorgeous fashion, female relationships, and a murder mystery - that make it feel like a perfect summer read. — Jenna Anderson

Blacksad: The Collected Stories

Written by Juan Diaz Canales
Art by Juanjo Guarnido
Published by Dark Horse Comics

Noir isn't my favorite genre, and I'm embarrassingly uneducated on the subject of European comics. That's why I feel lucky to have somehow stumbled upon Junot Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido's European noir Blacksad comics. Through Guarnido's lush artwork and Canales' writing, Blacksad's anthropomorphic world displays more humanity than the average gritty gumshoe story. Blacksad: The Collected Stories brings five of Blacksad's most significant cases into a single volume. If you're looking to dip your toes into the world of European comics, or just want some beautifully rendered detective stories in your life, then you should give this Blacksad collection a look. -- Jamie Lovett

Dark Nights: Death Metal #2

Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Greg Capullo
Published by DC Comics

Dark Nights: Death Metal #1 was absolutely bonkers, and Death Metal #2 keeps the pedal to the metal. Writer Scott Snyder has plenty of crazy revelations to share, and Capullo's artwork has never been better. New Batmen, big surprises, and evil transformations abound in this issue, and it will be incredibly easy to get swept away in all the fun. — Matthew Aguilar

Engineward #1

Written by George Mann
Art by Joe Eisma
Published by Vault Comics

I'm always on the lookout for exciting new sci-fi comics, and Vault Comics has published a steady stream of them since its founding in 2016. Its latest is Engineward, from writer George Mann and artist Joe Eisma. The series imagines a universe where Earth is but a myth, and humanity is ruled over by celestial beings tied to the zodiac. The preview for the first issue reveals a world of monsters, mechanical men, and mystery and hints at a setting with a vibrant history waiting for readers to uncover. I'm excited to dig into this new speculative fiction adventure and see what else Engineward has to offer. -- Jamie Lovett

Giant-Size X-Men: Magneto #1

Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Ben Oliver
Published by Marvel Comics

Marvel's Dawn of X relaunch has brought a wealth of creativity into the X-Men storytelling, something that will surely continue with this week's Magneto one-shot. This issue, which sees "Head of X" Jonathan Hickman partnering with artist Ben Oliver, chronicles Magneto's work as an ambassador of Krakoa, with surprising results. If the truly stellar Jean Grey/Emma Frost one-shot from earlier this year is any indication, this issue will absolutely be a pivotal and breathtaking sight for X-Men fans to behold. — Jenna Anderson

Green Lantern: 80 Years of the Emerald Knight The Deluxe Edition

Written by John Broome, Bill Finger, Denny O'Neil, Len Wein
Art by Neal Adams, Dave Gibbons, Gil Kane, Marty Nodell
Published by DC Comics

It's the 80th anniversary of one of DC's most iconic heroes, Green Lantern, this year, and Green Lantern 80 Years of the Emerald Knight might just be one of the best ways for fans to celebrate the hero. The volume celebrates all of the Green Lantern legacy from Alan Scott in 1940 through Hal Jordan and many other beloved Willpower wielders: John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, Jessica Cruz, and more. If you're a Green Lantern fan, this volume has some of the most beloved and truly greatest stories featuring Green Lantern along with some stunning art and it makes it truly something you don't want to miss. -- Nicole Drum

Jimmy Olsen #12

Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Steve Lieber
Published by DC Comics

The first issue of Jimmy Olsen felt like a revelation as it delivered a comic drenched in the absurdity of the superhero genre and DC's continuity, but one that held a sincere appreciation for that absurdity and aimed to utilize it in grappling with more significant themes. Throughout the past year, the series has never faltered and upheld the reputations of its entire creative team as being one of the most accomplished in comics today. Even as the end arrives, it seems impossible to predict what will happen in these final few pages or what sort of denouement might be offered in a story that has examined class through an atypical lens. It would have been enough if Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen had simply been the most comical and consistently entertaining superhero comics of the past year, but it also managed to be one of the most clever and clear-sighted. I will miss it dearly for the remainder of this year and remember it as a rare bright spot in 2020. -- Chase Magnett

The Old Guard: Force Multiplied #5

Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Leandro Fernandez
Published by Image Comics

Whatever your opinion of Netflix's recent adaptation of The Old Guard, it's as apparent as ever that this is a comic book that can bring it. The action sequences in its second outing, Force Multiplied, are as astonishing as ever. Fernandez's work captures the scales and momentum of careening cars and accelerating axes alike, producing some of the most exciting Image comics of the past year. Force Multiplied has also developed the mythology of these almost-immortal warriors in a number of fascinating directions which have made this sequel as satisfying as its predecessor, while simultaneously opening doors for future development. The Old Guard remains one of the best series still being published under the Image banner today, and this finale seems confident that this won't change anytime soon. This finale offers a spectacular climax that will give readers plenty to enjoy before the wait for the next adventure begins. -- Chase Magnett

Snakes Eyes: Deadgame #1

Snake Eyes Deadgame #1 — (Photo: IDW Publishing)

Written by Rob Liefeld, Chad Bowers
Art by Rob Liefeld
Published by IDW Publishing

This week, I'm going a little outside my comfort zone with a recommendation, but given the hype, that departure might just be worth it. The long-awaited Snakes Eyes: Deadgame from Rob Liefeld is pretty much too intriguing not to suggest. It's got everything: one of the most popular if not most mysterious G.I. Joe characters, a long wait to get here -- the project was first announced last July, a wild amount of variant covers, and, well, it's Liefeld. Even for someone who isn't as familiar with the world of G.I. Joe (like myself) that's pretty intriguing, but the book also promises a lot of intrigue and adventure with it being teased that the mysterious Snake Eyes will find himself haunted by deadly secrets from his past. If you're looking for something out of the box with the potential to be a thrill ride, this is it. -- Nicole Drum