The Weekly Pull: Batman: One Bad Day, X-Men Unlimited, Barbaric, and More
20th Century Men #1
- Written by Deniz Camp
- Art by S. Morian
- Letters by Aditya Bidikar
- Published by Image Comics
They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. That advice has always been a bit questionable when it comes to comics, but even if it could generally be applied, I mean, look at that cover to 20th Century Men #1. Talk about a mood. The new Image Comics series from writer Deniz Camp and artist S. Morian looks back on the iconography and history of the 20th century and attempts to craft new comic book mythology where, as the synopsis claims, "the edges of our reality and fiction touch, overlap…and then explode." It's a bold premise, but if the interiors look half as good as that eye-catching ever, then readers of this extra-sized debut issue are in for a ride. -- Jamie Lovett
prevnextAquaman and The Flash: Voidsong #3
- Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing
- Art by Vasco Georgiev
- Colors by Rain Beredo
- Letters by Troy Peteri
- Cover by Mike Perkins and Rain Beredo
Aquaman and The Flash: Voidsong has been one of the most enjoyable miniseries DC has done in a while and issue #2 has thrown a bit of a monkeywrench in the partnership between Barry and Arthur, but this issue they have to find a way to work together despite that challenge in one last attempt to save everything. It's a series that's been full of interesting turns, great art, and a surprising amount of fun despite the serious nature of the threat and this issue is no different so you definitely want to check out how things pan out between this unlikely pairing of heroes. -- Nicole Drum
prevnextBarbaric: Axe To Grind #1
- Written by Michal Moreci
- Art by Nathan Gooden
- Colors by Addison Duke
- Letters by Jim Campbell
- Published by Vault Comics
Vault Comics has shown no limit to its ambitions across the past several years with a number of series featuring idiosyncratic concepts spanning genres from some of comics' most notable rising stars; there's no better example of this, perhaps, than Barbaric – the story of Owen, a sword & sorcery-style barbarian compelled to do "the right thing'' by his cursed, bloodthirsty axe named Axe. Fantasy, action, and comedy came together to create a comics saga that is genuinely unlike anything else on the market and capable of pleasing old-school Conan fans and skeptics alike. The story returns this week with its second miniseries outing under the appropriate title Axe to Grind following a one-shot appearance last month. Wherever the series goes, readers can anticipate the heights of mayhem with an abundance of sword-swinging and spell-slinging action set to eviscerate all comers and a sense of black humor able to match that madness. Axe to Grind specifically promises readers a look at Owen's past as he seeks revenge on a past acquaintance, Gladius. The promise of learning more about how Axe came into his life and what sort of awful shenanigans he engaged in prior to being bound to only "good forms" of carnage is an extra bit of temptation that'll leave Barbaric: Axe to Grind at the top of my reading stack on Wednesday for months to come. -- Chase Magnett
prevnextBatman: One Bad Day -- The Riddler #1
- Written by Tom King
- Art by Mitch Gerads
- Letters by Clayton Cowles
- Published by DC Comics
The first in a string of prestige anthology one-shots about Batman's rogues' gallery, the "One Bad Day" mythos begins with The Riddler — and it looks like it does so in a pretty distinct fashion. To be honest, I'd be on board with anything Tom King and Mitch Gerads would contribute to that project, but their take on The Riddler is particularly intriguing to me. Some components of this dangerous cat-and-mouse game between Batman and The Riddler will (and probably already have) courted controversy among some readers, but it's hard to deny the craft that is on display, both in King's script and Gerads' art. — Jenna Anderson
prevnextFlavor Girls #2
- Written and Illustrated by Loic Locatelli-Kournwsky
- Colors by Eros de Santiago with Loic Locatelli-Kournwsky
- Published by Archaia Press/Boom Studios
I knew absolutely nothing about Flavor Girls prior to checking out its first issue, which made the execution of its premise an absolute pleasant surprise. Equal parts a stylish magical girl take and a thoughtful environmental fable, this new installment of Flavor Girls is expected to up the ante even further, while further introducing Sara (and the audience) to its status quo. Loic Locatelli-Kournwsky is tender, stylish, and entertaining, and I'm excited to see what else it has in store. — Jenna Anderson
prevnextNita Hawes' Nightmare Blog #7
- Written by Rodney Barnes
- Art by Szymon Kudranski
- Published by Image Comics
It's time for a new arc for Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog and if you aren't already reading this series that spins out of Killadelphia (which you already should be reading) then you need to start. This issue picks up now that Nita has beaten the demon Corson and she continues her work rooting out the supernatural evils plaguing Baltimore. This time? It's a murder in Annapolis from the 1700s. Rodney Barnes does fantastic work with these stories so you can't miss reading this next great adventure. -- Nicole Drum
prevnextTrve Kvlt #1
- Written by Scott Bryan Wilson
- Art by Liana Kangas
- Colors by Gab Contreras
- Letters by D. C. Hopkins
- Published by IDW Publishing
Crime stories usually aren't my favorite thing, but there's something about Trve Kvlt that immediately captured my interest. Every time I see that Liana Kangas cover that looks like the movie poster for a forgotten late-'90s cult movie, I stop and stare. The cover vibes seem fitting as the story, written by Scott Bryan Wilson, involves a slacker fast food restaurant worker plotting out a heist only to have things get out of hand when a Satanic cult gets involved. How can you not want to see how that turns out? -- Jamie Lovett
prevnextX-Men Unlimited: X-Men Green #1
- Written by Gerry Duggan
- Art by Emilio Laiso
- Colors by Rachelle Rosenberg
- Letters by Joe Sabino
- Published by Marvel Comics
X-Men Unlimited is a series of Krakoa-related stories that Marvel's digital readers are already quite familiar with. However, each arc is being brought to comic stores for more fans to find and it's a thrill to see these stories in print. The very first installment, Latitude, made it clear these stories feel every bit as essential to the X-Men as standard monthly series while bringing in different talent and ideas that don't quite fit that model. Gerry Duggan, current writer of X-Men, and Emilio Laiso, coming from Marvel's Star Wars line, makes it clear that this is a story with top talent to tell it. X-Men Green seems even more promising than Latitude as it focuses on Nature Girl and her obligations to a world outside of mutantdom. With Wolverine hunting a former student whose focus is on preserving the natural world, it's a concept already fraught with X-history and significant modern themes. How do the laws of Krakoa relate to the planet the island occupies and its many other species? That's a question all X-readers should be excited to explore when the first installment of X-Men Unlimited: X-Men Green hits stands this week. -- Chase Magnett
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