Black Panther #3
(W) John Ridley (A) Juan Cabal (CA) Alex Ross
RATED T+
In Shops: Jan 26, 2022
SRP: $5.99
T’CHALLA VS. THE X-MEN OF MARS!
With assassins closing in and Wakanda’s faith in him shaken, T’Challa goes to visit Storm on the newly terraformed Mars. But this will not be a happy reunion, as T’Challa has ulterior motives for his visit. And back home, Shuri discovers who is behind the attacks on Wakanda’s secret agents, a revelation that will change everything…
Wednesdays (and now Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
Batman/Catwoman Special #1 (DC Comics) – John Paul Leon left us far too soon and this issue is a great opportunity to see why he’s such an admired artist.
Black Panther #3 (Marvel) – John Ridley has grounded the character and put him on a quest to figure out who’s assassinating his undercover agents. Action and paranoia!
Cocaine Coast (Ablaze) – The true story about the European drug trade, and it’s been turned into a Netflix series!?
DC vs. Vampires #4 (DC Comics) – The series has kept us guessing as to who is a vampire and who’s not and who’s getting killed next!
Devil’s Reign #3/Devil’s Reign: Winter Soldier #1 (Marvel) – The event has been fantastic so far and we’re here for every release… including the spin-offs!
The Harbinger #4 (Valiant) – The series has been awesome so far and we’re expecting some major implications for the Valiant Universe to spin out of it.
Saga #55 (Image Comics) – Saga‘s return is a big deal after what feels like a decade since we last saw it on the shelf. How will it feel picking the series up after such a long break? We’ll find out soon enough!
Stray Dogs: Dog Days #2 (Image Comics) – We’re sad this is just two issues diving deeper into this amazing horror series from the perspective of dogs. We want more!
Superman & Robin Special #1 (DC Comics) – We loved Super Sons, so to see a grown-up Jon and Damian team up should be entertaining.
Task Force Z #4 (DC Comics) – The concept of a “zombie” Suicide Squad might seem silly but it really works.
There are a lot of comics that come out every week and we’re kicking off a new regular feature where we highlight some of the interesting comics and debuts coming each week!
We want to hear what you want with this so let us know your thoughts in the comments.
This week’s highlights:
Black Panther #3
(W) John Ridley (A) Juan Cabal (CA) Alex Ross
RATED T+
In Shops: Jan 26, 2022
SRP: $5.99
T’CHALLA VS. THE X-MEN OF MARS!
With assassins closing in and Wakanda’s faith in him shaken, T’Challa goes to visit Storm on the newly terraformed Mars. But this will not be a happy reunion, as T’Challa has ulterior motives for his visit. And back home, Shuri discovers who is behind the attacks on Wakanda’s secret agents, a revelation that will change everything…
Bluefin has teased some of what we’ll be seeing in 2020 and one is a new Black Panther figure! The character joins the Marvel Fighting Armor series from Sentinel.
It includes:
It’s expected to ship in August 2022 and will retail for $100.
Much like 2021, It feels weird writing a “best of” list for the past year since it’s been so difficult for so many. Comics, and entertainment as a whole, continued to be an escape from the rough reality of the year that was. Things struggled to get back to normal, whether you think it was too soon or not.
Comics have been an escape for me as I myself remained holed up at home, forgoing movie theaters and generally the public as a whole.
To pick one that stood out above all the rest doesn’t quite feel right as there was so much that was fun and entertaining.
The comic industry continued to shift in massive ways as creators figured out new ways to become independent or were lured by the promise of big paydays by venture capital. Publishers got bought out and some struggled to stay open. Stores opened. Stores closed. Distribution continues to shift. The industry continues to be disrupted in many ways. Some ways for the better. Some for the worse.
Things shifted for everyone.
Publishers canceled projects, shifted schedules, and continued to look to go directly to the consumer. Publishers faced distribution issues as ports backedd up and printing issues as paper became scarce. Creators looked for new ways to earn money and also go directly to the consumer. Consumers had more choices than ever before that made it easier to escape the world burning around them and find enjoyment in make-believe worlds where justice prevails in the end.
In the end, though 2021 continued to look bleak, it left the comic industry as a whole stronger than ever before with many challenges ahead and many answers yet to come.
It feels weird doing this “best of” but at the same time I feel like I want to “honor” and spotlight the comics that got me through the year and had me excited to read the next issues. This is what I’ve read so if you don’t see something mentioned it’s not that I didn’t enjoy it, I just might not have read it. Sorry, I can’t read everything (there was a massive glut in webcomics but more manga for me).
All of these are listed in no particular order (hell it’ll probably just be in alphabetical). Enough with the rambling… lets get on with some comics!
The comics that had me excited in 2021 and have me excited for 2022. It turns out maybe I enjoy horror more than I know?
When it comes to a story by John Ridley, I have a lot of expectations as to what I’m walking in to. I fully expect to be entertained by well-rounded characters who show depth. I fully expect to be challenged as far as my beliefs and thoughts. I hope there’s going to be some solid action. So far, his run on Black Panther has delivered all of that and more. Black Panther #2 picks up on T’Challa attempting to figure out who is attacking his undercover agents and also recalling them home from their mission.
Ridley has brought Black Panther down to Earth, literally and figuratively. No longer focused on galactic matters, he’s a King in transition as his country moves towards Democracy. He’s also a King that is dealing with the decisions of the past in his agents placed around the world ready to sow disruption if needed. Someone knows of his plan and is attempting to kill his agents. But who?
Along with a person who is clearly struggling with his decisions, Ridley is delivering a T’Challa that’s somewhat paranoid. He thinks it could be the Avengers that are doing this. It could be someone else. Lets face it, it most likely is. But, the fact that this man who has been shown to be so sure of himself isn’t, is a hell of a change. It creates a character who is now fallible. He can make mistakes and likely has made them.
And with all of that, we still get a hell of a lot of action. The comic has explosions and solid fights and more than enough to deliver a solid action basis. We’re getting a little bit of everything with the series.
The art by Juann Cabal is solid. With color by Federico Blee and lettering by Joe Sabino, the comic delivers a mix of everything. There’s the action as mentioned but there’s also humor and some very human moments. There’s a good balance of the big budget moments and the quieter ones where you can see the character reflecting on their decisions and moments. Cabal and the art team deliver a very human visual look at superheroes. It’s subtle and grounded.
Black Panther #2 is another fantastic issue. And that shouldn’t be surprising. Ridley and the rest of the creative team have put out fantastic comics in the past so, it’s not surprising they continue to. The series gives us a much more human look at T’Challa and a King who isn’t perfect. It’s superhero action that shows mistakes can be made and decisions can hurt others. It truly takes Black Panther from his cosmic adventures and brings him back to Earth.
Story: John Ridley Art: Juann Cabal
Color: Federico Blee Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Wednesdays (and now Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
A King’s Vengeance #1 (Scout Comics) – A warrior is brought back to life to avenge himself on the demons responsible for his death. That cover just looks so damn cool.
Avengers Forever #1 (Marvel) – Marvel is going all in with its multiverse as Avengers from across it are gathered to take on a massive threat.
Batman: One Dark Knight #1 (DC Comics) – Batman must escort a prisoner from Arkham to Blackgate as gangs descend on him during a blackout. The concept has been done before but this is a pretty solid and entertaining execution.
Black Panther #2 (Marvel) – The first issue was fantastic delivering espionage and intrigue, some politics, and action all grounding the series and character a bit.
Chicken Devil #3 (AfterShock) – The series feels like a throwback to 80s action flicks and we’re enjoying the over-the-top violence and humor.
Deserter: Junji Ito Story Collection (VIZ Media) – Junji Ito. Nuff said.
Fist of the North Star Vol. 3 (VIZ Media) – Collecting the classic series in beautiful hardback. If you’ve never read it, here’s your chance!
The Harbinger #3 (Valiant) – Peter Stanchek is back in the Valiant Universe and this series is paving way for the future of psiots.
Hawkeye: Kate Bishop #2 (Marvel) – With Kate in the spotlight as part of the MCU, the series shines a light on her in the comics as she heads back east to deal with a case… and family.
Impossible Jones #2 (Scout Comics) – The first issue was so much fun delivering a new entertaining superhero world that was a mix of homage, sendup, and its own thing. We’re excited to finally be able to read the second issue.
King Conan #1 (Marvel) – Conan grows weary in his old age and heads off on one last adventure.
Menopause: A Comic Treatment (Graphic Mundi) – Short stories about menopause in this graphic medicine anthology.
Nightwing #87 (DC Comics) – The series goes experimental with art that’s just one giant continuous image.
No Holds Bard #1 (Behemoth Comics) – When Queen Elizabeth I is kidnapped, only the dramatic duo of William Shakespeare and William Page in their superhero alter-egos, THE BARD and PAGE can save her! All written in iambic pentameter!?
Search for Hu #4 (AfterShock) – The series has been just solid mob action as two warring families/factions go after each other and a son attempts to figure out who attempted to kill his parents.
Serial #9 (Abstract Studio) – This series has been an amazing build with every issue and the last one left us shocked. Horror, serial killers, so much tension!
Black Panther #2
(W) John Ridley (A) Juan Cabal (CA) Alex Ross (VCA) Ken Lashley, Rob Liefeld, Kael Ngu, Skottie Young
Rated T
In Shops: Dec 22, 2021
SRP: $3.99
“THE LONG SHADOW” PART 2-T’Challa must act quickly to save his sleeper agents before they are assassinated! With the help of his sister, Shuri, he might be one step closer to the culprits…but is it too late? The assassins seem to always be one step ahead. And T’Challa better watch his back, for secrets lie everywhere…
Three of Marvel’s hottest new #1s will be getting new printings in January! Readers will get a chance to dive into the latest eras of some of comics’ most iconic heroes by picking up these sold-out debut issues of Black Panther, Hulk, and Venom! Complete with two new covers each, these exciting new printing covers will showcase new art, sketches, and more!
Academy Award-winning writer John Ridley and artist Juann Cabal take the world of Wakanda into a new age in Black Panther #1. The new run kicks off with an action-packed espionage story that will upend everything in T’Challa’s life and have ramifications for the entire Marvel Universe! Secrets from T’Challa’s past have come back to haunt him! Fresh from his travels in space, Black Panther receives an unexpected and urgent message from a Wakandan secret agent! Now, T’Challa must race the clock not only to save his agent, but also to keep his true agenda under wraps. Because if the truth comes out, it could cost T’Challa everything… BLACK PANTHER #1’s second printing covers will feature the sketch art of Alex Ross’ mesmerizing cover as well as a second printing cover featuring Juann Cabal’s new Black Panther design.
Superstar creative team Donny Cates and Ryan Ottley look to the stars for Bruce Banner’s colossal-sized next era in Hulk #1! Immortal no longer, the Hulk’s uncontrollable rage has reached an all-new level, and nobody – including the Avengers – is prepared to handle it. But is it really the Hulk that people should be afraid of, or is there something missing to this puzzle? Hulk #1’s second printing covers will showcase Hulk and Iron Man’s explosive fight in a wraparound cover as well as a character sketch by Ryan Ottley.
And a new symbiote saga begins in Ram V, Al Ewing, and Bryan Hitch’s Venom #1. This trio is set to take the symbiote mythos to the next level with thrilling new developments for father-son pair Eddie and Dylan Brock. Each writer will lend their talents to a different character, with Ewing taking us beyond the stars with Eddie in his new role as the “King in Black,” and Ram V bringing us back to earth penning Dylan’s beginnings as a Super Hero. Together, the two journeys will intertwine and impact one another to create a singular and epic new vision. Venom #1’s second printing covers will feature all-new artwork from Bryan Hitch as well as a sketch artwork of his main cover.
