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Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Wednesdays 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 Wednesday.

Border Town #4 (DC Comics/Vertigo) – Each issue has been fantastic giving us a monster story with a look and monsters we rarely see in entertainment and comics. This is a solid update to the Scooby-Doo concept and it works so well.

Dark Ark #12 (AfterShock Comics) – The new spin on classic Bible stories is fantastic bringing a sense of horror that’s beyond entertaining.

Die #1 (Image Comics) – Adults have to deal with the returning horror they barely survived as teenage role-players. Yeah, we’re in.

Doomsday Clock #8 (DC Comics) – We’re this far into this series, we really want to see what’s next and what the hell is going on.

Freeze #1 (Image Comics/Top Cow Productions) – People around the world are frozen and one person can fix that but should he? We’ve seen the concept in manga but we want to see this Western take on the concept.

Killmonger #1 (Marvel) – The breakout character from the Black Panther film gets his own miniseries that adds more to his history.

Laguardia #1 (Dark Horse/Berger Books) – A new series that looks at immigration and discrimination in America.

Martian Manhunter #1 (DC Comics) – The character has been put center of the DC Universe playing a big role with the Justice League and we want to see what this series brings and adds to the character.

Prodigy #1 (Image Comics/Millarworld/Netflix) – A new Mark Millar property and we want to see what this whole deal with Netflix is bringing to the comic market.

Self Made #1 (Image Comics) – A new series that sounds like a fantasy world that’s a bit focused on castes which is interesting enough. An Image #1 issue is something we want to check out.

Shazam #1 (DC Comics) – With a film out soon, it’s not surprising that we’re getting a new series and we want to see where this characters fits in the Rebirth DC Universe.

Snap Flash Hustle #1 (Black Mask Studio) – If it’s Black Mask, we check out the first issue. They tend to be a lot of future stars and interesting concepts.

Winter Soldier #1 (Marvel) – This new spin on the character sounds different enough from what we’ve seen before, a character who’s attempting to find redemption by helping others.

Wizard Beach #1 (BOOM! Studios) – This story about slackers wizards sounds fun and entertaining so we want to check out this debut issue.

The Wrong Earth #4 (AHOY Comics) – One of the best comics on the shelves right now.

X-Men: Exterminated #1 (Marvel) – The event still has one issue to go but this is the aftermath, yay delays! Still, we want to see this sendoff for the classic Cable before kid Cable takes over. Plus, we’re sure there’ll be spoilers for how it all ends.

Around the Tubes

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The weekend is almost here and we’ve got lots of geeky things we’re taking care of on our end. What will you all be up to? Sound off in the comments below. While you ponder that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

The Beat – ‘Pooot!’: Kathryn and Stuart Immonen have a new Instagram comic – Interesting.

 

Reviews

Talking Comics – The Empty Man #1

Comics Bulletin – Marvel Knights 20th #1

Comics Bulletin – Super Support Group #1

The Beat – Upgrade Soul

Comic Mix – The Wrong Earth #3

Review: The Wrong Earth #3

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The grim vigilante Dragonfly violently crosses a line, shocking the upright citizens of Earth-Alpha. Meanwhile, the campy Dragonflyman succumbs to the pressures of confinement on gritty Earth-Omega. Plus, Stinger investigates the supernatural mystery of the Specter of the Sidekick Museum.

The Wrong Earth has gone three for three in excellence with another issue that’s top notch entertainment. Two versions of the same hero on two Earth’s, the series again perfectly balances being an homage and send up of the comics before it.

On one Earth is Dragonfly, the vigilante hero on an Earth that’s more innocent and his actions are so over the top, it’ll make you laugh. Writer Tom Peyer pulls off this sort of moment in a way that is enjoyable, funny, serious, it just pulls all of that off at the same time. The opposite of that situation is Dragonflyman which is the more family friendly hero stuck in a gritty 80s/90s world and we get to see what that might do to the character.

Peyer does the impressive thing creating a story that perfectly balances every aspect of itself. It can be a send-up/spoof. It can be an homage. It can just be enjoyed. It can be all of the above. The comic is so layered and done in a way where you can pick and choose why you enjoy it. Add in moments like the opening with the trial of Ms. Deuce and it’s hard to not enjoy the series as it bathes in tropes and comic history.

Then you take the art by Jamal Igle with ink by Juan Castro, coloring by Andy Troy, and lettering by Rob Steen and it all becomes more impressive as the styles of the two worlds are clear. They’re done in the “style” for that period of comic history and for one creative team to go back and forth between the two so easily is impressive.

Peyer and Igle have taken whats come before and remixed it in a way were it’s both new and familiar. And with that it continues to shine as an amazing read.

And that’d be enough, but there’s more!

Writer Paul Constant and artist Frank Cammuso give us an adventure featuring Stinger. The story is a throwback in many ways and the art can only be described as amazing in not just what’s presented but the entire design which has an aged look to it all.

But again, there’s more!

Writers Matt Brady, Rob Staeger, and Carol Lay each contribute prose writings with art by Joe Orsak, Elliott Mattice, and Lay, all of which is entertaining and just adds to the “value” of it all.

Again, AHOY Comics and the team on this comic has delivered entertainment from start to finish. It again shows we should expect more from our comics and AHOY is again making the case that they should be the publisher of the year and this is one of the best monthly comics being put out right now.

Story: Tom Peyer, Paul Constant, Matt Brady, Rob Staeger, and Carol Lay
Art: Jamal Igle, Frank Cammuso, Joe Orsak, Elliott Mattice, Carol Lay
Ink: Juan Castro Color: Andy Troy, Frank Cammuso Lettering: Rob Steen, Frank Cammuso
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

AHOY Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Wednesdays 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 Wednesday.

Blackbird #1 2nd Printing (Image Comics) – Who doesn’t love a good new-noir with a supernatural twist and a female lead? They’re reprinting the first issue with the premiere of the 2nd, so if it’s as fun as it sounds , you can get all caught up.

Border Town #3 (Vertigo/DC Comics) – It’s a bit of Scooby-Doo and Buffy, set in a world we can relate to and featuring characters and monsters we rarely see. So far, it’s bringing Vertigo back to the excellence you expect from the imprint.

Death of the Inhumans #5 (Marvel) – How will this one end? We have no idea but this event that we initially rolled our eyes about has been amazing and exceeded expectations in every way.

Doctor Who: The 13th Doctor #1 (Titan Comics) – If it’s half as good as the latest series, then we’re all in.

The Empty Man #1 (BOOM! Studios) – Cullen Bunn’s horror series returns. Bunn is a master at horror and this one mixes the cold reality of an X-Files/FBI vibe with slasher-ish horror. It’s also being worked on as a film, so grab this and say you were cool before the film.

The Green Lantern #1 (DC Comics) – Grant Morrison and Liam Sharp take on the classic character bringing it back to its “police” roots.

Harley Quinn #53 (DC Comics) – Harley and Tiny Tina on a road trip, sounds like a fun ride for some light reading on this long weekend.

James Bond 007 #1 (Dynamite Entertainment) – Greg Pak writing James Bond? Yeah, we’re sold on that alone.

No Angel TP (Black Mask Studio) – Collecting issues 1-4, it’s a great series and now you can get in on the ground floor.

Outer Darkness #1 (Image Comics) – A new series from John Layman and Afu Chan is a mix of sci-fi and horror that’s focused on mankind colonizing the galaxy and discovering all sorts of horrors.

Spider-Geddon #3 (Marvel) – The event has been fantastic so far with each issue delivering pure action and excitement and just delivering on the multiverse of possibilities. We’re expecting more of the same (which is good).

Suicide Squad Black Files #1 (DC Comics) – A new arc “Revenge of Konrad” is kicking off this week!

Transformers: Lost Light #25 (IDW Publishing) – IDW’s Transformers line is wrapping up with an unknown future and this issue is this series’ finale. We loved the off the wall stories and we’re expecting a bit more heart and emotion than you’d expect from robots who change into things.

Wet Hot American Summer (BOOM! Studios) – The cult classic film comes to comics in this original graphic novel. We have no idea what to expect but we’re intrigued in how the humor of the film (and Netflix series) translates to the printed page.

The Wicked + The Divine Funnies #1 (Image Comics) – A cute little one shot from the W+D team for a bit of fun before our beloved series comes to an end.

The Wrong Earth #3 (AHOY Comics) – AHOY Comics has been knocking it out of the park with comics that teach us to expect more. This superhero focused series has two heroes from different Earths swap places. To see the two styles, in both attitude and art, is an impressive accomplishment that makes this comic of the year material.

X-23 #6 (Marvel) – A fun back to school undercover mission with the baddest member of the X-Men.

The Wrong Earth #2 Has Sold Out and Gets a Reprint

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The Wrong Earth #2 has sold out at Diamond Comic Distributors and going back to press. That’s impressive for just the third release from a startup publisher. AHOY Comics has been receiving praise in reviews and that’s resulting in sales.

This second print features a different-colored logo and is timed to coincide with the release of issue #3.

Monday 10/29 is the cutoff for stores to place their orders. The Diamond ordering code is AUG189232.
Wednesday 11/21 is the In-store date for the second printing.

The saga of two world-swapped heroes continues as, on gritty Earth-Omega, the cheerful Dragonflyman faces off against corrupt, violent police. Meanwhile, the naïve authorities of colorful Earth-Alpha enrage the grim Dragonfly. EXTRA FEATURE! Dragonflyman and Stinger confront the dastardly menace called NIMBY! Plus a text story by Kek-W, illustrated by Carol Lay!

Review: The Wrong Earth #2

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The saga of two world-swapped heroes continues! On gritty Earth-Omega, the cheerful Dragonflyman faces off against corrupt, violent police. Meanwhile, the naïve authorities of colorful Earth-Alpha enrage the grim Dragonfly.

I gushed over The Wrong Earth #1, the debut comic from AHOY Comics and the second issue is just as good diving deeper into its exciting world. The Wrong Earth #2 is both a spoof and homage of comics, a brilliant balancing act that’s impressive and I’d imagine hard to do. Writer Tom Peyer nails the mix as we bounce between the two worlds and two different heroes.

It’s hard to really praise the writing in this series. What’s pulled off is utterly brilliant. While the concept of taking a modern “grim and gritty” hero and placing them in an innocent world and vice versa might sound simple, being able to get the tones of it all right isn’t. Each interaction you have characters whose tone and vibes are opposite. You have situations and characters that clash. Yet, this flows perfectly.

Peyer also is able to balance both lovingly playing with and poking fun at the concept. You can spoof it and just go over the top making fun of comics past and present. You can play it for straight and put forward what you think is the best of both eras. But this series in its two issues does both. Characters will remind you of other comics and the beats do too. It takes that seriously playing up a loving kiss to it all. But, it does it in such an over the top way at times it’s hard to not see it as an entertaining goof too.

The art by Jamal Igle with ink by Juan Castro, color by Andy Troy, and lettering by Rob Steen is on point. Igle and the team perfectly nail the styles of the two eras. It would be expected for a series to employ two artistic teams to pull off what Igle, Castro, and Troy do, but the trio pull off the amazing by bouncing between the eras in a way that each character continues their innocent or gritty in the opposite world. What’s more impressive is nothing seems completely out of place, it still works visually. The details too in the art add to the story allowing the reader to understand more about each hero and how they differ.

All of that alone would merit a 10 out of 10 across the board, but with AHOY you should expect more!

In this issue’s back-up comic story, Dragonflyman and Stinger confront the dastardly menace called NIMBY! Writer Paul Constant, artist Tom Feister, and letterer Rob Steen deliver a second comic featuring the heroes and it has the fun innocence playing off of comics of the time. Of course there’s winks and nods and it’s just a fun bonus to read.

And that’s not all… it’s an AHOY comic, we’re getting more.

The comic features prose writing and instructions to microwave a meal featuring the writing of Kek-W, Bryce Ingman, and Mark Russell, and art by Carol Lay, Alan Robinson, and Joe Orsak. It’s all solid and honestly seeing as how I loved this comic for the main story, this is all bonus and it’s entertaining bonus material. The comic for me is the draw and the rest is extras that only add to the value of it all.

The first issue was fantastic, the second is just as amazing. AHOY Comics launched and told us to expect more from comics and in two issues they have me doing exactly that. This comic would be worth the price for the main story alone but then there’s a second comic, plus prose stories, and it’s all good. This is seriously some of your best value for your money when it comes to comics and this publisher is at another level.

Story: Tom Peyer, Paul Constant Kek-W, Bryce Ingman, Mark Russell
Art: Jamal Igle, Tom Feister, Carol Lay, Alan Robinson
Ink: Juan Castro Color: Andy Troy Letterer: Rob Steen
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

AHOY Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Wednesdays 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 Wednesday.

After Houdini (Insight Comics) – Harry Houdini is a top-secret operative for the US Government during World War I and the government needs his son to take his place! Sounds like fun to us!

Captain America #4 (Marvel) – Ta-Nehisi Coates’ run on Captain America has been amazing so far and we’re expecting no less from this issue. It’s a perfect blend of action and depth.

Infinite Dark #1 (Top Cow Productions/Image Comics) – The universe has ended and humanity exists on a ship whose occupants await the next Big Bang. But, there’s a murder that needs to be investigated. The concept sounds amazing and original and we’re totally in.

Infinity Wars #4 (Marvel) – The event has been much better than expected and with everything warped, we want to know what what happens next.

Last Space Race #1 (AfterShock Comics) – The pitch for the series which sounds a bit like the Right Stuff and X-Files has us intrigued to find out more about this.

My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies (Image Comics) – Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips with an original graphic novel. Nuff said.

Ruinworld #4 (BOOM! Studios) – Really fun fantasy for all-ages.

Spider-Geddon #1 (Marvel) – Marvel has been putting together a solid lead up to this even which again brings together various Spider-people from around the Multiverse.

Transformers: Unicron #5 (IDW Publishing) – Things are wrapping up and it looks like everyone is dying. This is definitely the dark before the light as IDW brings to a close an epic run of the Transformers that’s been years in the making.

The Wrong Earth #2 (AHOY Comics) – The first issue of this series was amazing which has two heroes switching places with their multiverse self. Image grim and gritty mixed with a happier version. Add in so much more material in the comic and you’ve got a hell of a package from a publisher that’s showing we should expect more from comics.

Baltimore Comic Con 2018: Talking Ahoy Comics with Tom Peyer and Stuart Moore

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AHOY Comics — the startup publisher that has been asking readers to “expect more” from its comic book magazine format — is made its first ever appearance at Baltimore Comic-Con with took place September 28th to Sunday September 30th.

We got a chance to talk to two original editors of DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint, Tom Peyer and Stuart Moore who each have series at AHOY. Tom is the writer behind The Wrong Earth and High Heaven and Stuart is the writer behind Captain Ginger.

We talk to them about their series and this new publisher that’s showing that comics can be so much more than 22 pages.

AHOY Comics Makes Their First Ever Appearance at Baltimore Comic Con

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AHOY Comics — the startup publisher that has been asking readers to “expect more” from its comic book magazine format — is making its first ever appearance at Baltimore Comic-Con to promote the upcoming anthology series Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror and its new publishing initiative that features traditional, full-length comic book stories accompanied by extra material, including prose fiction, poetry, cartoon gags, and traditional comic book back-up stories.

The startup company is the brainchild of Publisher Hart Seely, an award-winning reporter whose humor and satire has appeared in The New York Times and on National Public Radio; two original editors of DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint, Tom Peyer and Stuart Moore; and Chief Creative Officer Frank Cammuso. The company is publishing two titles this month, The Wrong Earth and High Heaven, followed by Captain Ginger and Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror in October. Baltimore Comic-Con will be the new company’s first ever convention appearance.

Peyer will be joined at the convention by AHOY Comics “Dark Ops” Manager and Captain Ginger co-creator Stuart Moore, artist Jamal Igle of The Wrong Earth, and June Brigman and Roy Richardson, the artists of Captain Ginger, the upcoming space odyssey in which the human race has died out and cats have inherited the Earth (or, well, at least one starship).

Fans who want to meet the AHOY Comics founders “in the inevitably disappointing flesh” can attend their panel and visit the AHOY Comics booth (#2017):

Friday, September 28th to Sunday September 30th.
Panel: Saturday 4-5PM ET
AHOY Comics launches in Sept/Oct with an impressive list of creators, a sharp sense of humor, and some unexpected extras: prose fiction, poetry and satire! Now meet the AHOY crew in the *shudder* flesh! Writer/editors Tom Peyer and Stuart Moore join artists Jamal Igle, June Brigman, and Roy Richardson, plus designer/letterer Todd Klein and cartoonist Frank Cammuso. Preview the twisted afterlife of High Heaven, the space-cats of Captain Ginger, the jumbled heroes of The Wrong Earth, and Baltimore‘s own Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror!

Review: The Wrong Earth #1

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On one world, Dragonflyman and his sidekick Stinger enjoy a life of adventure. On another Earth, the Dragonfly hunts criminal parasites like a lethal exterminator. But what happens when these two heroes change places?

AHOY Comics launches their imprint with this superhero series which is as much a spoof as it is a serious take on the genre. The concept of the multiverse is popular in comics and this series is running with that with a concept like we’ve seen before, but I couldn’t tell you exactly where.

The Wrong Earth #1 has two Earths where one superhero is the classic positive one that works with the police and their counterpart on another Earth is the gritty version who murders and is wanted by the police. The series is a fun take on the classic and modern superhero with a Freaky Friday sort of twist as the two switch places in a way.

Writer Tom Peyer nails the differing tones of the characters with ease resulting in a story that’s a send-up of comics in a way. There’s the classic story which really does feel like a golden age tale. It has the tone and interactions down perfect. The grittier version is so over the top it’s hard to not laugh in a good way. Peyer doesn’t take either seriously as both are played to extremes in their own way.

The art by Jamal Igle nails the switch down too. Each Earth and character is different in so many ways yet the basics are there. The style itself switches in a subtle way that becomes more noticeable as the two characters switch spots. It’s a great idea and really emphasizes dueling eras. All of the characters are so detailed and all will remind you of others in a way. It’s as much it’s own thing design wise as it is an homage to what has come before, similar to the concept and story.

But beyond that main story, which would be more than enough AHOY promises more from their comics. There’s a “Golden Age” solo story featuring Stinger, Dragonflyman’s sidekick. Written by Paul Constant and art by Frank Cammuso, the story has the “golly gee” vibe about itself and then you get to the end… really was expecting that twisted end.

And there’s even more! Grant Morrison provides a prose story with art by Rob Steen and a cartoon is provided by Shannon Wheeler. It all comes together to create an experience that feels jam packed and you can take on as much as you want.

AHOY promised a lot going into this debut and they have delivered a comic that feels at times more magazine than comic (in a good way). You really feel like you get a lot out of this and if this is the start, I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Story: Tom Peyer, Paul Constant, Grant Morrison, Shannon Wheeler
Art: Jamal Igle, Frank Cammuso, Rob Steen, Shannon Wheeler
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 20 Recommendation: Buy

AHOY Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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