Tag Archives: steve wands

A New Story Arc Begins in Your First Look at Minor Arcana #6

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BOOM! Studios has revealed a first look at Minor Arcana #6 from one of the most renowned creators in comics, New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning writer and artist Jeff Lemire, along with colorist Patricio Delpeche and letterer Steve Wands. Minor Arcana is his first ever creator-owned, ongoing series at BOOM! Studios, beginning a new story arc on April 23, 2025.

The past proves to be a more comforting place as Theresa reflects on fond memories growing up with her grandfather. But Theresa has pressing issues to deal with in the present, most notably, the surprise visit she paid to her ex Alex. Feeling compelled to make amends, Theresa realizes she can no longer be avoidant.

Minor Arcana #6 continues the first part of the new ongoing series from Jeff Lemire and BOOM! Studios. Mirroring the suits of a tarot deck, the chapters will be collected into The Book of Wands, The Book of Swords, The Book of Cups, and The Book of Pentacles respectively.

Minor Arcana #6 features main cover art by series creator Jeff Lemire, and variant covers by highly acclaimed illustrators Laura Perez, Miguel Mercado, Michael Walsh, and Stephanie Hans. Additionally, each issue of Minor Arcana will feature a special tarot card variant cover illustrated by Jeff Lemire culminating in a full tarot deck at the end of the series!

Minor Arcana #6

Warm Fusion #2 has interesting aspects but feels like a jumble of ideas and visuals mixed together

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WARM FUSION returns us to a rainy, rotting future New York City where Detective Hannover runs out of leads just as Nicholas and Mr. Barnaby accelerate their deluded, experimental plans. The investors arrive, sending Prophetiq into an urgency verging on panic. And an attempt to get Hannover out of the picture leaves Vin to fend for herself-and eventually make her way into the depths of the unknown to confront the true evil set to be unleashed!

Story: Scott Hoffman, Sam Stewart
Art: Alberto Ponticelli
Color: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Steve Wands

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Zeus Comics

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

ECCC 2025: Go Beyond the Emerald City in AWA’s New Graphic Fiction Universe Set in the Land of OZ

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Think you know OZ? Think again. While The Wizard of Oz and Wicked have captivated audiences, they’re just a sliver of the vast, enchanting world L. Frank Baum created across 14 books. Artists Writers and Artisans (AWA) has announced Ultimate OZ Universe, a visionary expansion that stays true to Baum’s rich canon. Launching November 12 with the first volume, The Lost Lands, this isn’t just another trip to Emerald City—it’s an odyssey into unexplored corners of OZ, bringing to life long-overlooked characters, hidden histories, and untold adventures, all deeply rooted in the lore that started it all.

OZ is having a moment—again. Wicked has dominated Broadway for over 20 years with sold-out shows—and made a massive impact on the big screen in one of 2024’s biggest films—while The Wizard of Oz remains an enduring classic. Yet, these stories only scratch the surface. Ultimate OZ Universe dives deeper, exploring uncharted regions, uncovering lost lore, and introducing a new generation of fans to the limitless magic of Baum’s creation. Available in trade paperback and hardcover, the series includes QR codes throughout its pages that link to video footnotes and commentary with original music, maps, and behind-the-scenes features for a truly immersive experience. 

Co-written by award-winning writer Cullen Bunn and songwriter and Baum enthusiast Larry King, with artwork by Mike Deodato, Jr., the initial book–the 144-page The Lost Lands graphic novel–is a visually stunning and narratively rich odyssey. It features colors by Ive Svorcina and lettered by Steve Wands. With industry-leading collaborators including King’s ShaggyMan Productions and esteemed Broadway producer Kevin McCollum , Ultimate OZ Universe: The Lost Lands is an expansion, a bold reimagining, and a meticulously researched celebration of Baum’s original vision, updated for today’s audience. This first story is just the beginning—more books, music, and even big-screen adventures are already on the horizon, ensuring the magic of OZ shines brighter than ever.

Beginning with The Lost Lands, Ultimate OZ Universe is a meticulously researched saga that explores the hidden corners of the continuity established in Baum’s original 14 books—and the dozens of others from his successors. Larry King, a decades-long Oz obsessive, collaborated with Baum historians Jay Duncan, Julie McNulty, and Mike Bujnak to master every intricacy of this beloved world. Together, they ensured that every panel, character, and storyline honor the spirit of OZ while pushing the boundaries of modern storytelling. Blending reverence with innovation, this series offers a fresh, visually striking, and immersive experience for both devoted Oz fans and newcomers alike.

During Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, attending fans will have the opportunity to learn more about Ultimate OZ Universe via a special panel on Saturday, March 8th from 1:45-2:30 pm in Room 320 (Level 3). During the discussion, panelists Mike Deodato Jr., Cullen Bunn, Axel Alonso, and Larry King will share a first peek at the new AWA universe.

Preview: Camgirl

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Camgirl

Writer: Sarah H. Cho
Artist: C.P. Smith
Letterer: Steve Wands
Cover A: Alison Sampson
Cover B: Tula Lotay

In CAMGIRL, Dani is independent, loves to party, and makes a whole lot of money. Kyoko, Dani’s online alter-ego, is obedient, exotic, and a walking stereotype that caters to her customer’s basest fantasies. When one of Kyoko’s most ardent followers starts to send her increasingly threatening messages, Dani’s two lives become dangerously intertwined. To turn the tables on a relentless stalker who seems to know everything about her, Dani must confront her personal demons and rediscover who she is and what she’s capable of doing.

Camgirl

Warm Fusion #1 is pretty standard neo-noir but with some interesting details and nice visuals

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New York City, over two decades into the future, has been devastated by crime, ongoing storms, radiation from a terrorist incident in Times Square and the genetic mutations caused by a life-saving “cure.” After a series of murders rip through the city’s brothels, an escort named Vin Young, who cosplays as Snow White- and is one of the generation of deformed victims – decides to help find the killer, or killers, responsible, reluctantly joining forces with Jarrod Hannover, the lone cop assigned to the case. The two are led to a biotech megacorp launching a cellular metal called Warm Fusion – a pioneering technology meant to replace prosthetics limbs – and soon confront the sociopathic scientist Nicholas Fleischer, his monstrous alter-ego Mr. Barnaby, and the hideous monster that he’s been secretly creating.

Story: Scott Hoffman, Sam Stewart
Art: Alberto Ponticelli
Color: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Steve Wands

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Zeus Comics

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Family Secrets Revealed in Your First Look at Minor Arcana #5

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BOOM! Studios has revealed a first look at Minor Arcana #5 from one of the most renowned creators in comics, New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning writer and artist Jeff Lemire, along with the incomparable letterer Steve Wands. Minor Arcana is his first ever creator-owned, ongoing series at BOOM! Studios, continuing January 15, 2025.

In this illuminating issue, we dive into the history of Budd St. Pierre, Theresa’s late grandfather. Burdened with bad omens as he trudges through the mundanity of his life in Limberlost, Budd reflects on his past, present, and future. He can’t shake the feeling that something bad is coming…something that may have lasting effects over the ones he holds close.

Minor Arcana #5 continues the first of the four major story arcs of the new ongoing series from Jeff Lemire and BOOM! Studios. Mirroring the suits of a tarot deck, the story arcs will be collected into The Book of Wands, The Book of Swords, The Book of Cups, and The Book of Pentacles respectively.

Minor Arcana #5 features main cover art by series creator Jeff Lemire, and variant covers by highly acclaimed illustrators Patricia Martín, Sebastian Fiumara, Aaron Campbell, and a BOOM! Studios 20th Anniversary Variant by InHyuk Lee. Additionally, each issue of Minor Arcana will feature a special tarot card variant cover illustrated by Jeff Lemire culminating in a full tarot deck at the end of the series!

Minor Arcana #5

DC’s Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg delivers superhero holiday cheer

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DC's Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg #1

Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg, the Batmobile lost a wheel… and you know the rest! Read these eight merry tales about characters from the DCU set during the holiday season. Be enthralled by Dr. Midnight’s literally silent night, become captivated by a Deadman story written by Marv Wolfman, and ponder the question: in a world without the Joker’s torment, is it really a wonderful life? Probably not. DC’s Batman Smells, Robin Laid An Egg, is a heartwarming new holiday anthology coming as a gift to you this this holiday season! How can you not pick up a comic titled DC’s Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg?

The song the comic is based on has become a holiday classic in many ways. Enshrined in pop culture, used as alternative lyrics in concerts by school kids who don’t feel like singing the real words, it’s been a thing for decades. So with a comic entitled DC’s Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg, you’d expect a read that was a lot of comedy and full of holiday cheer. And, the result is exactly that.

As with any anthology, DC’s Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg varies in quality of the stories but overall, the eight are really solid. They range from good to great, there’s not a stinker in the bunch. There’s riffs on classic stories, like the Joker being shown a world where he didn’t exist, and a lot of new original takes as well. It features a wide range of characters including a reunion of the Secret Six, that just reminds us we need a return of the Secret Six.

The art styles vary greatly and some are downright fantastic. Francesco Francavilla’s Dr. Midnight stands out with a wordless tale, and emphasizing how varied the storytelling is. There’s quite a few I’d love to see regularly on comics as well and like the stories some stand out more than others.

DC’s Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg is really good overall. A fun one-shot packed with original stories, it’s a nice holiday addition from DC which has already started a great tradition in its mini-series featuring Santa. Some of the stories deliver laughs, other nostalgia, and most of all, many deliver heart and warmth. It’s a nice read that’ll get you in the mood for the holiday season.

Story: Dorado Quick, Drew Maxey, Ricardo Sanchez, Alexis Quasarano, Marv Wolfman, James Reid, Zipporah Smith, Calvin Kasulke
Art: M.L. Sanapo, Marianna Ignazzi, Aaron Conley, Marcial Toledano Vargas, Paul Pelletier, Francesco Francavilla, Andrew Drilon, Anthony Marques
Color: Arif Prianto, Giovanna Niro, Ivan Plascencia, Marcial Toledano Vargas, Eren Angiolini, Andrew Drilon, Wil Quintana
Letterer: Dave Sharpe, Pat Brosseau, Steve Wands, Carlos M. Mangual, Josh Reed
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Dive Deeper Into Your First Look at Minor Arcana #4

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BOOM! Studios has revealed a first look at Minor Arcana #4 from one of the most renowned creators in comics, New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning writer and artist Jeff Lemire, along with the incomparable letterer Steve Wands. Minor Arcana is his first ever creator-owned, ongoing series at BOOM! Studios, continuing December 11,2024.

In a desperate bid to free herself of this new “curse,” Theresa finds herself thrown into the Unseen World once again. Delving deeper into the mysterious realm, Theresa uncovers secrets that will prove vital to her understanding of this power… but also finds herself stalked by a Dark Figure whose presence grows increasingly sinister.

Minor Arcana #4 continues the first of the four major story arcs of the new ongoing series from Jeff Lemire and BOOM! Studios. Mirroring the suits of a tarot deck, the story arcs will be collected into The Book of Wands, The Book of Swords, The Book of Cups, and The Book of Pentacles respectively.

Minor Arcana #4 features main cover art by series creator Jeff Lemire, and variant covers by highly acclaimed illustrators Megan Hutchison, Raúl Allén, and DANI with Jordie Bellaire. Additionally, each issue of Minor Arcana will feature a special tarot card variant cover illustrated by Jeff Lemire culminating in a full tarot deck at the end of the series!

Minor Arcana #4

Harley Quinn & the Gotham City Sirens is entertaining but doesn’t really stand out

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Graphic novels to read anywhere: DC Compact Comics collect DC’s bestselling, most iconic stories in a new size! Get Harley Quinn & the Gotham City Sirens for just $9.99!

Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn are tired of playing by other peoples’ rules regardless of which side of the law they’re on. They have a new agenda that’s all their own, and they’ll use any means necessary to pursue it. But can they get along and work as a team? And who will get hurt along the way?

It features Gotham City Sirens #1-13

Story: Paul Dini, Tony Bedard, Marc Andreyko, Scott Lobdell, Guillem March
Art: Guillem March, Raul Fernandez, Andres Guinaldo, David Lopez, Alvaro Lopez, Peter Nguyen, Jack Purcell
Color: Jose Villarubia, Tomeu Morrey, Ian Hannin, Tony Ayna
Letterer: Steve Wands, Travis Lanham, Sal Cipriano

Get your copy in comic shops! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

JSA #1 is an interesting debut that relies too heavily on continuity

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JSA #1

Long-time fan favorite characters Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Jade, Obsidian, Jesse Quick, Hourman, Ted Grant, and Sandman are all back on the roster as DC’s first super team faces their greatest and most personal challenge yet. Will golden age ideals hold true in a world recovering from the events of Absolute Power? Or do they need a more hardcore approach to stand a chance against the new Injustice Society of America? JSA #1 brings the classic team into the “All In” world in a debut that’s a bit of a mixed experience.

I love Jeff Lemire‘s writing. He’s a name that I see on a comic and I know I need to check it out. I’ve rarely walked away from his comics without at least being entertained, though at times a bit perplexed. He’s one of those creators that can deliver amazing comic experiences. Which makes JSA #1 all the more frustrating.

The idea of “Golden Age” superheroes attempting to figure out their role in a modern world is a really intriguing one. JSA #1 teases that in some ways with a team divided in how to go about dispensing justice. But, it’s more of the “modern” members of the JSA. Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, and more are missing, having been whisked away by some unknown force. That leaves the newer members to not just figure out what happened but also how to go about it.

And that begins my frustration with JSA #1. The idea of Golden Age heroes figuring out how to be heroes in the modern world is an amazing one. But, that’s not what this is. This is more modern heroes fighting over the direction of the JSA while some hold onto the ideals of those Golden Age heroes. The main attractions aren’t really there for much of the comic.

Which leads into the second problem with the issue, you really need to know who these characters are. A lot of the conflict comes from personal relationships and personalities. None of which is really explained leaving new readers generally in the dark as to who these characters are and why they have beef with each other. The comic’s biggest challenge is its history and continuity. For a first issue, it relies too heavily on it.

The art by Diego Olortegui is ok. With color by Luis Guerreo and lettering by Steve Wands, the comic looks good but not great. There’s some aspects that really stand out and others not so much. There’s a few panels where things are fantastic but again others where its rather average. The characters themselves look good, the action is decent, the emotion is generally there but still, it feels a bit “daytime soap” as opposed to grand superhero epic.

JSA #1 isn’t a bad start but it’s also not inviting to new readers. I generally have no idea who these characters are let alone the conflicts they have with each other leaving me generally in the dark for personal one-on-one scenes that rely heavily on all of that. The comic feels like a continuation of what’s come before instead of using what has come before as something it can tease, wink, and nod to, while still being a welcoming read for those that are new. JSA #1 is for the hardcore fans only at this point.

Story: Jeff Lemire Art: Diego Olortegui
Color: Luis Guerrero Letterer: Steve Wands
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

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