The Weekly Pull: The Joker, Children of the Atom, Proctor Valley Road, and More
It's almost new comic book day, which means new releases hitting stores and digital platforms. [...]
Batgirl Vol. 8: The Joker War
- Written by Cecil Castellucci
- Art by Various
- Published by DC Comics
While there seems to be a lot to look forward to with regards to Barbara Gordon in DC's Infinite Frontier initiative, I can't help but celebrate the shining moments of her Rebirth run. The final arc of Batgirl, which gets compiled into a hardcover collection this week, brought some of the most genuinely exciting and warranted additions to Barbara Gordon's story. "The Joker War" arc is one of the rare tie-ins that actually elevates the larger event, providing a rematch between Barbara and The Joker that is unabashedly satisfying. The rest of the arc is filled with noteworthy things as well, from an emotional storyline involving James Jr. to the first canonical appearance of Ryan Wilder's Batwoman to a truly delightful story of Barbara, the Batgirls, and the Birds of Prey playing Dungeons & Dragons. Every page of this volume proves that Cecil Castellucci and company's work on Batgirl was truly a labor of love — one that could become a classic run for Barbara as a character. — Jenna Anderson
prevnextThe Black Canary: Bird of Prey
- Written by Robert Kanigher, Gardner Fox, and Dennis O'Neil
- Art by Carmine Infantino, Murphy Anderson, and Alex Toth
- Published by DC Comics
While Black Canary has become one of the more prolific and beloved female characters in the DC universe, it's been relatively difficult for fans to check out her very first appearances in comics, with the latest collection of her solo stories being out of print for the better part of twenty years. Luckily, this week's release of Black Canary: Bird of Prey rectifies that problem, placing her solo tales from the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ages into one handy paperback collection. From her very first appearances alongside Johnny Thunder (whose story in Flash Comics she would quickly take over) to her quintessentially 1970s Adventure Comics back-ups from Dennis O'Neil and Alex Toth, every installment in this collection has something to love. As someone who has only gotten to read most of these early stories in less-than-perfect condition, I'm incredibly hyped to have them preserved for a whole new era. — Jenna Anderson
prevnextChildren of the Atom #1
- Written by Vita Ayala
- Art by Bernard Chang
- Published by Marvel Comics
After a year-long delay due to the coronavirus, Marvel Comics will finally launch Children of the Atom this week. The latest addition to the X-Men line comes from Vita Ayala and Bernard Chang and introduces a new team of young heroes who idolize the X-Men but may or may not be what you'd assume they are. Ayala is doing killer work on their other X-Men series, New Mutants. Here they have the chance to examine fans' relationship to a franchise that means so much to them and look at the point where intersectionality and the mutant metaphor meet. It's been a long wait, but this book seems to be worth it. -- Jamie Lovett
prevnextThe Joker #1
- Written by James Tynion IV, Sam Johns
- Art by Guillem March, Mirka Andolfo
- Published by DC Comics
After the events of "The Joker War" in Batman (among others), The Joker #1 offers up what's next for the iconic villain, but what makes this book worth picking up this week isn't so much that it's a Joker story, but it's one that centers around Jim Gordon and given everything that character has been through, it's certainly an interesting tale of the former Commissioner in retirement trying to hunt down Gotham's biggest threat. The issue is also a pretty good jumping-off point for readers just getting involved, which is always a plus. There's also a Punchline backup that, if you're into that character, is a pretty solid draw as well. -- Nicole Drum
prevnextProctor Valley Road #1
- Written by Grant Morrison and Alex Child
- Art by Naomi Franquiz
- Published by Boom Studios
Hot on the heels of BRZRKR, Boom Studios is dropping another exciting new series from another all-star team of creators. Proctor Valley Road centers on a group of four misfit teenagers confronting supernatural evils in their haunted hometown. It's a concept that will draw comparisons to Stranger Things but comes from a potent set of original creators. Writers Grant Morrison and Alex Child are set to explore the horror genre with the unexpected (and gruesome) stakes that define the transition from childhood to adulthood, and artist Naomi Franquiz's take on this desolate, ghostly setting allows shadows to loom large over the expressive faces of these young people. Proctor Valley Road offers a familiar, but reliable framework to explore adolescence and how young people confront terrors left for them from the past; it should be an absolute thrill to read on Wednesday. -- Chase Magnett
prevnextThor & Loki: Double Trouble #1
- Written by Mariko Tamaki
- Art by Gurihiru
- Published by Marvel Comics
The team of Mariko Tamaki and Gurihiru are back with another fun, all-ages Marvel story in Thor & Loki: Double Trouble. This pairing is an all-star creative team, with Tamaki known for her critically-acclaimed writing on Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up Me, Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass, and This One Summer. The Gurihiru art team's work has delighted fans on titles like Superman Smashes the Klan, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and The Unbelievable Gwenpool. If you're looking for some lighthearted and playful shenanigans this week, then Thor & Loki: Double Trouble is the book for you. -- Jamie Lovett
prevnextWonder Woman: Earth One Vol. 3
- Written by Grant Morrison
- Art by Yanick Paquette
- Published by DC Comics
Wonder Woman: Earth One has proven to be an exemplar amongst this acclaimed line featuring a bold new take on the Amazonian princess and truly stunning layouts, designs, and artwork from Yanick Paquette. The third volume completes the planned trilogy with Wonder Woman now the queen of the Amazons confronting militarism as embodied in the familiar of Max Lord. The completion of Grant Morrison's story offers a largely original take on a mythos DC Comics has struggled to present over the past couple of decades. For any flaws it may possess, the purpose and concepts are well-defined and challenging. Morrison's consideration of duality, gender, and conflict all deliver the rich thematic considerations that the Earth One line promised from its very start. Seeing those ideas brought to their natural completion offers readers something to discuss and celebrate as Wonder Woman's star in modern pop culture continues to rise. I look forward to discussing this trilogy for many years to come. -- Chase Magnett
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