The Weekly Pull: Green Arrow, The Department of Truth, Doctor Who, and More
This week's comics also include a new Zatanna debut, a Godzilla reprint, and more.
Anansi Boys #1
- Written by Neil Gaiman and Marc Bernardin
- Art by Shawn Martinbrough
- Colors by Christopher Sotomayor
- Letters by Jim Campbell
- Published by Dark Horse Comics
Readers of Neil Gaiman, in comics or prose, will know that the beloved fantasy author's stories are filled with rabbit holes every bit as worthy of exploration as their sources. That's the origin of Anansi Boys, a sequel to American Gods following the sons of Mr. Nancy following the Western African trickster god's death. It's impossible to find any consensus amongst readership as to which novel is better as they explore such diverse tones, settings, and themes within a richly shared fabric. Whether you are already a fan of the novel or arriving at the story with fresh eyes, Dark Horse Comics' adaptations of Gaiman's written work have been consistently excellent and the arrival of Anansi Boys #1 is cause for celebration. Artist Shawn Martinbrough's dynamic style is a perfect fit, capable of delivering tense heists, violent brawls, and old-fashioned familial drama in a dynamic fashion. The addition of Marc Bernardin in adapting the novel to comics promises a complete work that functions in the medium, even amidst Gaiman's busy writing schedule. So more than a decade after first discovering Anansi Boys, the debut of Dark Horse's newest comics adaptation this week is all the cause I need to rediscover the wonders of this exceedingly imaginative tale. -- Chase Magnett
Dark Ride Vol. 3: The Devil's Due
- Written by Joshua Williamson
- Art by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas
- Published by Image Comics
Dark Ride Vol. 3: The Devil's Due TP cover
- Andrei BRessan, Adriano Lucas, Image Comics)A family-driven horror by way of Disney Parks lore, Dark Ride has been a consistent and fun journey month-to-month. This final volume of the series takes the Dante family's quest for power, both in their horror-themed amusement park and beyond, into some gruesome and unexpected new territory. This book will surprise theme park fans and horror buffs in equal measure, and you'll definitely want to see how it sticks the landing. — Jenna Anderson
The Department of Truth #23
- Written by James Tynion IV
- Art by Martin Simmonds
- Colors by Martin Simmonds
- Letters by Aditya Bidikar
- Published by Image Comics
Writer James Tynion IV has made himself the modern master of horror comics with a current bibliography long enough to fill this entire article with recommendations. While readers haven't lacked for Tynion-led tales of terror, the return of The Department of Truth this week after a nearly two-year hiatus is still cause for celebration. The dense examination of conspiratorial beliefs and (re)shaping of reality delves into the very heart of Tynion's fascination with the genre. Readers already familiar with the series will know how richly woven its own characters and concepts are before they even delve into centuries of existing lore. The wait will have been worth it, though, as no artist can replace Tynion's collaborator on the series, Martin Simmonds. Simmonds and Tynion recently reminded readers why they are an unstoppable duo in the pages of Universal Monsters: Dracula, a new nightmare of the classic film painted in resplendent shadows and blood-stained splashes. Neither creator has lost a step during the hiatus, arguably improving their craft on other projects before returning to the heart of Tynion's nightmarish visions this Wednesday. Even if I find myself trembling at the thought, I still cannot wait for The Department of Truth #23 to arrive. -- Chase Magnett
Doctor Who: The Fifteenth Doctor #1
Doctor Who: The Fifteenth Doctor #1 cover
- Stanley Lau, Titan Comics)- Written by Dan Watters
- Art by Kelsey Ramsay
- Colors by Valentina Bianconi
- Letters by Richard Starkings
- Published by Titan Comics
On Friday, Doctor Who wrapped its latest season, which was its first season on Disney+ and first starring Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, alongside Millie Gibson as companion Ruby Sunday. Fans will have to wait six months before the Doctor returns to television in the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas Special, but another adventure with Ruby and the Doctor is already here. Titan Comics is launching Doctor Who: The Fifteenth Doctor, its latest ongoing Doctor Who comic book series. Considering Doctor Who's rich history in comics (a comic story inspired the first Doctor Who 60th anniversary special), Titan's previous quality Doctor Who comics (its first run of Eleventh Doctor comics is a personal favorite), and the talent of writer Dan Watters (see The Six Fingers, Arkham Asylum: The Order of the World, etc.) and artist Kelsey Ramsay (Dark Spaces: Good Deeds, Life is Strange), I have high hopes that Doctor Who: The Fifteenth Doctor will continue what has was been a great new era for Doctor Who fans. -- Jamie Lovett
Green Arrow #13
Green Arrow #13 cover.
- Phil Hester, Ande Parks, Ryan Cody, DC)- Written by Joshua Williamson
- Art by Amancay Nahuelpan
- Colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr.
- Lettering by Troy Peteri
- Published by DC
We're officially over a year into DC's Green Arrow relaunch, and it absolutely feels like the series has been reborn anew. With Absolute Power on the horizon, this week's issue presents a conflict that is going to take the combined efforts of the ArrowFam to fight. Green Arrow #13 is not only the perfect jumping-on point for newer readers, it is simply the best and most entertaining the already-great series has been thus far. Don't miss it. — Jenna Anderson
Godzilla: King of the Monsters #1
Godzilla: King of the Monsters #1 cover.
- Herb Trimpe, Marvel Comics)- Written by Doug Moench
- Art by Herb Trimpe and Jim Mooney
- Colors by Janice Cohen
- Lettering by Joe Rosen
- Published by Marvel Comics
With a rising cultural presence, and even an Oscar under his belt, the impact of Godzilla is only continuing to grow. That makes the timing of Marvel's reprints of Godzilla, including this week's facsimile of his first appearance in the publisher's comics, all the more special. I am absolutely looking forward to adding this issue to my collection, as a unique time capsule of Zilla's greatness in the 1970s. — Jenna Anderson
Rare Flavours #6
- Written by Ram V
- Art by Felipe Andrade
- Letters by AndWorld Design
- Published by Boom Studios
If you haven't been reading Rare Flavours, you've missed one of the most enchanting comics on the shelves for the last six months. From the reunited The Many Deaths of Laila Starr team of writer Ram V and artist Filipe Andrade, Rare Flavours has followed the journey of a demon with an insatiable appetite for food and life as he and his, at first, unwitting documentarian chronicle the finest foods, and people, the creature has ever sampled. Tuning in to the cultural and personal resonance found in food and, more broadly, art and the importance of consuming each actively and with meaning, Rare Flavours has read like a Gaimanesque take on an Anthony Bourdain travelogue. Rare Flavours #6 is the series' finale. Yes, you could wait for the inevitable collected edition, but why rein in your appetite that way? Get all six issues (or however many you missed) and binge on this singular delight. -- Jamie Lovett
Resident Alien: The Book of Life #1
Resident Alien: The Book of Life #1 cover.
- Steve Parkhouse, Dark Horse Comics)- Written by Peter Hogan
- Art by Steve Parkhouse
- Colors by Steve Parkhouse
- Letters by Steve Parkhouse
- Published by Dark Horse Comics
Every new Resident Alien miniseries arrives like a warm hug from a favored relative who lives in a distant state. The story is filled with familiar and (sometimes oddly) human characters who reflect many mundane conflicts through the elevated lens of magical realism, even if having an alien doctor in your small town sounds more like sci-fi. Resident Alien: Your Ride's Here promised to conclude the series before providing a few final twists to allow for its return in Resident Alien: The Book of Life #1 this week. While much of the series so far has focused on Harry's establishment of an Earth-bound life and escaping notice by government authorities, The Book of Life promises to open a new chapter as Harry begins his own family. As much as things are about to change, Peter Hogan's low-key humor, Steve Parkhouse's richly animated characters, and their combined appreciation for humanity's subtleties are set to provide readers with what they've always loved. Whether you're already a fan or just arriving from Syfy's television adaptation, The Book of Life is bound to be one of the most satisfying comics you'll find on the stands this week. -- Chase Magnett
Zatanna: Bring Down the House #1
- Written by Mariko Tamaki
- Art by Javier Rodríguez
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Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
- Published by DC
While lacking in the exposure of DC's A-list heroes, Zatanna has long been a fan-favorite character among fans who've encountered her in comics, one of her many animated incarnations, or elsewhere. How do you elevate such a character's profile? Well, one way might be to get the folks at an adult-oriented prestige imprint like DC Black Label to find an award-winning writer like Mariko Tamaki – whose range includes vital graphic novels like Roaming and This One Summer, as well as stellar work on other DC B-listers such as Crush & Lobo, and projects like Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass that exist where the two often disparate comics worlds meet – and pair them with a top tier artist like Javier Rodriguez – who has stunned on comics like The Defenders, Daredevil, and The Amazing Spider-Man – for a gorgeous and fresh take on the character. Zatanna: Bring Down the House looks like the comic that Zatanna fans have always wanted. They'd be fools to miss it now that it's here. That goes for everyone else too. -- Jamie Lovett
