The Weekly Pull: Lazarus Planet, Wasp, Public Domain, and More
Barnstormers 4
- Written by Scott Snyder
- Art by Tula Lotay
- Colors by Dee Cunniffe
- Letters by Richard Starkings
- Cover by Tula Lotay
- Published by Comixology
Whatever slightly weird elements this story has had, this is the issue where things get very pulpy and the action and intrigue really pop off so if you've been hanging on and flying along with the story to now, THIS is the issue you want to be all in on this week. The penultimate issue in the series, everything is coming to a head for Bix and Tillie and this one is full of action, adventure, and more. And, of course, the art is more than worth the time. -- Nicole Drum
prevnextLazarus Planet: Assault on Krypton #1
- Written by Various
- Art by Various
- Published by DC
DC's Lazarus Planet event has officially kicked off, pitting an array of the universe's heroes and villains against threats caused by a volcano of Lazarus Pit serum. Through this week's Assault on Krypton, we begin to see the effects of that wholeheartedly — and get some well-executed and promising stories in the process. Come for that concept, stay for things like a Nicole Maines-penned story bringing Dreamer fully into the DC universe, and Leah Williams and Marguerite Sauvage's first chapter in a Power Girl and Omen team-up. -- Jenna Anderson
prevnextNew Champion of Shazam #4
- Written by Josie Campbell
- Art by Evan "Doc" Shaner
- Lettering by Becca Carey
- Published by DC
Every new issue of New Champion of Shazam! has been an instant classic, which makes the nature of its finale both heartbreaking and exciting. As Mary's fight to protect her family — and the world — evolves even further, we can safely expect the team of Josie Campbell, Doc Shaner, and Becca Carey to knock it out of the park once again. This is the kind of book I constantly find myself wanting to shove into the hands of every comic reader I see, and I'm sure that is set to continue with this installment. — Jenna Anderson
prevnextPublic Domain Vol. 1
- Written by Chip Zdarsky
- Art by Chip Zdarsky
- Colors by Chip Zdarsky
- Letters by Chip Zdarsky
- Published by Image Comics
For as much as audiences like to grouse on the topic of "movies about movies" or "comics about comics," it doesn't stop that media from telling deeply compelling and human stories steeped in history and an intense understanding of the underlying premise; Chip Zdarsky's Public Domain is an excellent example of a comic about the comics industry transcending its subject matter. While the characters and subjects involved are all fictionalized, it's not difficult for readers to perceive similarities to iconic figures like Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, along with decades of corporate entities abusing the creative talents who made the very things they profit from. Yet amidst those saddening reflections of reality, there's an abundance of life and possibility. Family becomes a central focus and despite decades of misdeeds, those involved still possess humor, passion, and care. The human spirit is shown to be greater than the systems that savage it, and Zdarsky hones the edge of bittersweet humor into something bound to evoke tears and laughter before the end of the first volume. Those familiar with the history of superhero comics are bound to appreciate Public Domain for how it comments on the topic, but it's far from required knowledge as the first volume of Public Domain lays out an essential tale of creativity and compassion in spite of the human mess. -- Chase Magnett
prevnextStargirl: The Lost Children #3
- Written by Geoff Johns
- Arr by Todd Nauck
- Colors by Matt Herms
- Letters by Rob Leigh
- Cover by Todd Nauck
- Published by DC
Stargirl: The Lost Children, as a limited series, is just such a great book generally one that if you love the JSA and/or just love Stargirl you need to be reading, but this week's issue is one that all long-standing, diehard comic book fans will want to dive into. Stargirl finds the missing Wing… and a whole bunch of other sidekicks that have been missing including those she — and we — have never heard of. We also get into the threat of the Childminder and the whole story is both a great mystery as well as a rich love letter to comics. This is a great read. Do not miss this. -- Nicole Drum
prevnextSuicide Squad: Blaze
- Written by Simon Spurrier
- Art by Aaron Campbell
- Colors by Jordie Bellaire
- Letters by Aditya Bidikar
- Published by DC Comics
I simply adore the concept of Suicide Squad in comics; it was the first volume that got me hooked on the medium, which is why I am always looking for the next great take, albeit with very high standards. Suicide Squad: Blaze is just such a comic book. The series take familiar faces from the outstanding film The Suicide Squad and teams them up with a pack of nobodies to address a potentially world-ending source of power. From there it crawls through explosively gorey action and plumbs the dingiest depths of the human soul in an odyssey of imperialism and abuse that's impossible to set down, assuming you can stomach what's before you. Simon Spurrier's knack for seeing brilliant new concepts in well-trod territory and Aaron Campbell's viscerally compelling artwork makes Blaze an irresistible pageturner, especially when things go from bad to worse. If you've been looking for a good Suicide Squad comic to read, Suicide Squad: Blaze is the best series to bear the title of the past decade. It's not to be missed. -- Chase Magnett
prevnextWasp #1
- Written by Al Ewing
- Art by Kasia Nie
- Published by Marvel Comics
Despite being a founding member of the Avengers and a staple of Marvel Comics heroine, Janet Van Dyne's incarnation of The Wasp has yet to be celebrated in her own solo book. This week, in honor of the character's sixtieth anniversary and with the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania around the corner, that is set to change. After Al Ewing's inspired and complex take on Ant-Man last year, I am incredibly excited to see Wasp get the same treatment. -- Jenna Anderson
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