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Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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PaperGirls01_CoverWednesdays 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!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Alex

Top Pick: Old Man Logan #5 (Marvel) – I loved the first Old Man Logan, it remains to this day one of the best Wolverine stories told in the last fifteen years. This sequel doesn’t quiet measure up to those lofty heights, but I never expected it too. This story is a fun exploration of a character that has been missing from our comics for a long time, and I’m enjoying every page.

Detective Comics #45 (DC Comics) – Honestly, if it wasn’t for the possibility of more Harvey Bullock, this comic wouln’t be on my list at all. Who doesn’t love Harvey Bullock?

 

Brett

Top Pick: Drawn Onward (Big Planet Comics/Retrofit) – I picked up a copy of this small press indie book a while ago, and seriously it’s one of the best comics I’ve read this year. A comic that looks at a relationship from two perspectives, you need to read the comic front to back, and then back to front to get the full experience. Absolutely brilliant. You can read my review here.

Captain Canuck #4 (Chapterhouse Comics) – Remember when superheroes were supposed to be fun? This comic series follows Canada’s champion and is exactly that, fun with lots of action!

Cyborg #3 (DC Comics) – A comic that has parts superhero and part reflection, Cyborg’s solo series has been a breath of fresh air in many ways, especially since its tackled so many issues such as race and disabilities head on.

Jughead #1 (Archie Comics) – Archie’s relaunch of their titles have been amazing so far. Chip Zdarsky and Erica Henderson are masters at what they do, and the fact they’re on this comic has me beyond excited.

Southern Bastards #11 (Image Comics) – The best ongoing comic being produced hands down, no question.

 

Elana

Top Pick: Paper Girls #1 (Image Comics) – The writer of Saga (aka the comic even my Dad will read) and the artist of Wonder Woman team up for some 1988 newspaper girl badassness.

Top Pick: Jughead #1 (Archie Comics) – I never read Archie till the relaunch and boy does this one look like fun. Zdarsky and Henderson are aces at comedy without being mean spirited. Both are zany and oddball talents, making them the most Jughead-worthy team ever.

8House: Yorris Part 1 (Image Comics) – 8House is always something interesting and new. I’d suggest getting all #1 of the 8House mini imprint if you’re hungry from something unique and strange. This book has a euro-comic feel shared by many of the 8House stories.

Cyborg #3 (DC Comics) – A seriously smart comic about disability and race. It’s also great as pure sci-fi. Because those are things good sci-fi is supposed to do.

Doctor Strange #1 (Marvel) – I’ve wanted a new Doctor Strange book for a long time. Jason Aaron’s pitch is a strong one: “Who do you call when things are coming out of your dreams and trying to kill you? He’s the only person standing between us and the forces of darkness, but has he been paying his tab?” –  The mildly de-aged Doctor sounds like he could be the Marvel version of John Constantine. But I’d prefer if it goes its own way since Constantine is winning at Constantine-ing (boy do I love that comic).

The Humans #8 (Image Comics) – Serious shit went down last issue in my favorite historical-fiction/funny-animal/ape-sploitation comic. Now, the biker gang’s old ladies are on the cover of this month’s issue with semi-automatic weapons pointed. That’s all I’m saying.

 

Kenny

Top Pick: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #50 (IDW Publishing) – Shredder vs. the Turtles. 90% of my childhood was built around this rivalry and time has made me no less excited to see these mortal enemies go at it again.

Doctor Strange #1 (Marvel) – I have always had a special place in my heart for comic book characters that are so far on the fringe of their own universe that people with outrageous super powers rarely dare to go into their realm and Doctor Strange personifies this better than almost anyone.

The Omega Men #5 (DC Comics) – After all the push back resulting from DC attempting to end this series at issue 6 I had to check out what all the fuss was about and I have yet to be disappointed.

What If? Infinity – Thanos (Marvel) – Anyone who has ever heard a story has always wondered “What if?”. And I always get a kick out of Marvel trying to answer these questions. Especially, ones I never thought to ask like how Thanos joining the Avengers would turn out.

 

Paul

Top Pick: Siege #4 (Marvel) – This has been a fantastic Secret Wars tie in, and I am very excited for this issue….Thanos has arrived!  Can Abigail and the defenders of The Shield survive?  Can’t wait to find out!

Avengers #0 (Marvel) – A slew of new Avengers titles coming down the line, and this issue #0 gives us a look at the new teams.  Very excited to get inside the teams we’ve only seen teaser pics about; the rosters, their missions…and apparently someone is keeping a close eye on these Avengers.  Can’t wait!

Contest of Champions #1 (Marvel) – Heroes fighting in a cosmic game of chess, to see who can wield incredible power.  Yeah, it’s been done before, but with different versions of heroes and villains to pull from?  Ok, I’m interested.

 

Pharoah

Top Pick: Doctor Strange #1 (Marvel) – Jason Aaron tackles another iconic Marvel property, and I got a feeling, he is about make this legend, even more relevant and exciting than ever!!!

Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel)- any storyline that brings back Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson into the Spiderverse, is one at least finding out why, which is only part of the fun.

Batman and Robin Eternal #1 (DC Comics) – The reintroduction of Dick Grayson into Batman’s world??/ I cannot wait to read this, as Dick revisits a case when he was Robin.

Contest of Champions #1 (Marvel) – a classic showdown between Thanos, Maestro, Venom Gamora, and a host of others battle it out

Paper Girls #1 (Image) – I love Brian K.Vaughn’s work , as he truly has the Midas touch when it comes to series, especially when it original series , and this one is right up his alley and he teams up Cliff Chang of Batman fame for this one.

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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DC_Bombshells_2_5575d95d36ac86.74035338Wednesdays 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!

We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Brett

Top Pick: Plutonia #1 (Image Comics) – A new series by Jeff Lemire? Well, that alone gets this on my list, but the idea of him tackling a coming of age story through the lense of the superhero genre is too awesome to not look forward to. Add in beautiful artwork by Emi Lenox, and this is the first comic I’m reading this week.

Imperium #8 (Valiant Entertainment) – Harada and Divinity, two of the most powerful beings in the Valiant universe have come face to face. This is the climax to “Broken Angels,” continuing the awesomeness that is this series.

Midnighter #4 (DC Comics) – Writer Steve Orlando has made punching to solve problems cool again. I’ve never been the biggest Midnighter fan, but Orlando has given me reasons to be as he’s given the character a fresh mix of a personal life and superhero life. Such a fantastic series.

The Omega Men #4 (DC Comics) – Superhero terrorists? This series shows the gray and that there’s a fine line between terrorist and revolutionary, all in space! A very cool sci-fi series that does what sci-fi does best, explore our society through entertainment.

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #44 (IDW Publishing) – I’ll keep plugging the various IDW Transformers series until you people wake up and see that it’s more than just giant robots and fighting! Every series has been an interesting mix of political intrigue, action, and religious philosophy. It’ more than meets the eye (sorry had to).

 

Alex

Top Pick: X-O Manowar #40 (Valiant Entertainment) – I’ve become a huge fan of this series over the past few months, and after the way the last issue ended, I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks.

We Stand On Guard #3 (Image Comics) – I have been really enjoying this series so far. We’re almost at the half way mark, and I’m really looking forward to see where the story takes us.

 

Edward

Top Pick: Danger Girl: Renegade #1 (IDW Publishing) – Love’m or hate’m, the Danger Girl team is back, and this time focuses on one of the team’s unanswered questions, Abby’s past.  Those that like the series can expect more tongue-in-cheek humor combined with decent action.

Jem and the Holograms #6 (IDW Publishing) – More fun abounds for this series which has been focused so far solely on the battle of the bands, and while it has been a simple enough concept, the creative team fills these pages with life.

Lazarus #19 (Image Comics) –  The ongoing battle of Duluth proves to be an issue for Forever after she is nearly killed in the last issue.  How thia works from here on will be interesting as numerous clans are trying to take down the Carlyles.

Star Lord and Kitty Pryde #3 (Marvel) – A lot of the Secret Wars tie-ins have either mostly ignored the crossover or told a crossover-centric story.  This is one of the few that does both while maintaining the charm of what made the pair of heroes so special to begin with.

Wonderland #39 (Zenescope) – Zenescope’s stand-out series returns with higher stakes as Calie faces threats in Wonderland and on Earth.

 

Elana

Top Picks Tie: 8House: #3 Kiem Part 1 (Image Comics) – Brandon Graham’s inter-connected fantasy world series begins a new storyline. The art by Xurxo G. Penalta is beautifully detailed and creative. The world has an air of Dune mixed with cyberpunk. The story involves astrolprojection. This will be unlike anything else you buy.

Top Picks Tie: Heavy Metal #276 Jack Kirby Issue (Heavy Metal) – Jack Kirby made art for the CIA’s secret Operation Argo plan to free American hostages. Never before published, we can finally see it in this issue! It is based on Robert Zelazny’s famous fantasy series “Lord of Light.” The rest of the mag sounds good too. But the Kirby cover alone with worth the cost of admission.

Jem and The Holograms #6 (IDW Publishing) – The Food Fight of the Century is over and now it is time for the Battle of The Bands! A really fun series for people of all ages and genders. Which band would you be voting for: The Holograms or The Misfits (not the Danzig Misfits, the entirely fictional Misfits that the artist has said sound like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs)? I think Black Sabbath singer Dio would vote for Jem and the Holograms but Black Sabbath singer Ozzy would vote for The Misfits. Please tweet me your own wild speculations to @Elana_Brooklyn #JemBattle (this is just me, not an official IDW tag).

Midnighter #4 (DC Comics) – I’m addicted.

Toil and Trouble #1 (BOOM! Studios) – I’m fairly discriminating about my “re-imaginings of Shakespeare” but this new mini series looks stunning, innovative and feminist.

Silver Surfer #14 (Marvel) – A title that had felt at the periphery of the Marvel U (in an interesting, exploratory way) now finds itself at the middle of it. It looks like the rebuilding of the post Secret Wars Marvel U starts here. The last issue ended on some absolutely stunning art. Among the best I’ve seen in ages. I was very frustrated with Slott’s response to the Hercules bi-erasure story but he’s apologized so I’m still reading this.

 

Kenny

Top Pick: DC Comics Bombshell #2 (DC Comics) – Making this story a period piece has me interested in the many ways they could take Wonder Woman, Batwoman, and Supergirl, after a solid set up in the first issue. But it’s mostly the gorgeous art that has me most excited about diving back into this world.

Daredevil #18 (Marvel) – Honestly, I could break down the multitude of reasons this comic is worth reading but, to keep it simple, when Mark Waid is writing Daredevil it is always worth checking out.

Deadpool vs. Thanos #1 (Marvel) – Deadpool messing with anyone is usually all I need to be happy, but watching him send Thanos into a massive rage has me feeling extra giddy inside.

Herald: Lovecraft and Tesla #6 (Action Lab Entertainment) – Being a history junky, I am all for any type of twisted history tale. And just the potential of watching Mark Twain versus a book golem is enough to make me want to read this right now.

 

Mr. H

Top Pick: Deadpool vs. Thanos #1 (Marvel Comics) – The one who personifies death vs. the one who can talk you to it? Oh yes this is a must see even for me. Viva la Deadpool!

Daredevil #18 (Marvel Comics) – The final chapter. See how it all ends. I am on the bench with anticipation.

DC Comics Bombshells #2 (DC Comics) – The Womens’ Super Revolution continues. Is Steve Trevor going to make it? We shall see…

Green Lantern #44 (DC Comics) – Hal as a renegade just really fits and I’m liking this fun little space chase, I’m hoping that some incoming Thanagarian influence can shift it into over drive though!

Thors #3 (Marvel Comics) – Move over CSI and every other crime drama. This one is how it’s done.

 

Paul

Top Pick: Thors #3 (Marvel) – This is one of my favourite books to come out of Secret Wars.  The Thors have been hunting a murderer who has been targeting Jane Fosters from different areas of Battleworld, and now they have a suspect.  This is a great cop story, following the Thors as they uphold the laws of Doom, and I can’t wait to see the interrogation of their suspect.

Age of Apocalypse #3 (Marvel) – Issue 1 was fantastic and took me right back to the AoA I remember…and then issue 2 totally left me flat, basically a rehash of the first.  I am really hoping they pick this story up and we get more into the thick of things.  I’m really enjoying seeing the story from Cypher’s point of view, but I want to see more then some observations on character behaviour.  There’s been hints of a virus that could end all the mutants…can we please see more of this story?

Squadron Sinister #3 (Marvel) – I was surprised that I enjoy this book as much as I do.  I’m familiar with the Squadron Supreme, and Hyperion from his time in Avengers…and it’s a fun read to see Battleworld’s version of this team being nothing more then an organized gang, quietly taking over realms to expand their power…but how long will this go before Doom steps in?

Review: Arclight #1

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cover of Arclight #1“Oh my god, this is beautiful”- me, aloud to myself upon viewing the new comic book Arclight by Brandon Graham and Marian Churchland.

Arclight is part of a 4 issue mini-series within 8House, Graham’s new comics universe for Image. 8House is a brand new inter-connected, fictional universe by a singular creator and his equally singular crew of talented artists whose styles stray far from the tired (and usually ugly) house styles of other publishers. Graham’s crew are building quite an innovative fantasy world together with their own aesthetics and language. They are inventing a new flavor of fantasy world.

From the press release, “ARCLIGHT will bring readers the chilling story of a high-ranking lady of one of the houses who has her mind trapped in a monster’s body. She will soon learn that the monster trapped in her body has taken over her old life in her absence.”

Arclight’s world is preoccupied with blood which is considered precious and is essential for magic but is also used as a form of identification. A reoccurring theme this far is switching bodies and transforming bodies. A Lady is transformed into a creature made of twisted tree roots. An animal that looks like a magical sea slug is merged with a storybook goose.

In issue one, this book is setting up a magical mystery story. Everything in this issue is en-media-res, and you just roll with it.

The atmosphere of the book — the look and feel of its colors and even how light itself is portrayed on the page are central. I love how Churchland draws hands– you can see the bones inside them. I love how she draws skin– it has texture but it seems to glow. And I love the clothes she invents– where can I buy them?!

The back of the book includes a glossary of the symbols used in the art — a runic alphabet. We also get 1 page of Graham’s own art showing part of the story from the perspective of a farmer.

The official description of the book states it is about a woman who’s mind has become trapped in the body of a monster. That feels heavy with symbolism. And the knights who surround her wear etherial gowns and address each other as “sir”.

So, are the characters in Arclight transgender? 

In an interview with Churchland a journalist calls the knights genderqueer and the artist didn’t challenge that description. They look androgynous to my eyes, are referred to as “Sir”, wear sheer gowns, some have breasts, some don’t, and they all have ambiguous names. Until I’m told otherwise I’ll use the pronouns their/her/his to refer to them.

In the world of Arclight, for all we know, genderqueer could be the most common gender. Maybe it’s just the norm for members of the knight caste? Maybe, these characters have a completely different relationship to gender then we can even imagine. And after last week in particular that’s pretty fucking cool. 

What is an Arclight?

I had assumed it was a form of theatrical lighting because it sounds like one. There are theaters that go by that name. But the actual term is an arc lamp which wikipedia says is a gas discharge lamp. It produces light by an arc between metal electrodes through an inert gas in a glass bulb. In other words it’s a light that is a bit steam-punk. This comic is far far more unique then anything steam-punk. So let’s pretend I didn’t look that up.

Story: Brandon Graham and Marian Churchland Art: Marian Churchland and Brandon Graham
Story: 8 Art: 9.5  Overall: 9  Recommendation: Read (and also frame it)

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Image Expo 2015

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image expoImage Comics had a banner year in 2014, launching numerous high-profile, well received, projects from some of the industry’s top creators. Today’s Image Expo was not just a look back at was, but what will be coming, as the publisher attempts to take its momentum and capture even more of the market share.

General Announcements:

  • The publisher has introduced $9.99 Volume Ones that create an easy and cheap access point for those interested in exploring any of these series
  • Image Has been awarded the Diamond Comics’ Publisher of the Year Gem Award for the second year in a row
  • Image finished the year with a double-digit market share
  • Image has announced a $2.99 price point
  • They reported a double digit year-to-year growth from 2013
  • Image had a 16.48% market share for graphic novels in the book market in 2014

New series:

  • Savior  asks what if the most dangerous man on Earth was also the one trying to do the most good? Announced by Todd McFarlane, by Brian Holguin.
  • Paul Jenkins has been announced as the new writer for Spawn.
  • James Robninson and Phillip Tan announce a new sci-fi series where humans go to war with God called Heaven.
  • Starve is announced by Brian Wood, Danijel Zezelj, and Dave Stewart
  • Black Road is announced by Brian Wood and Gary Brown.
  • 8House is mentioned, it’s created by Brandon Graham with art by Marion Churchland, Emma Rios, Hwei Lim and more. This series has been mentioned at previous events.
  • Brandon Graham announces Island, a new comics magazine.
  • Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Rios’ series Pretty Deadly will return with a second arc set during World War I.
  • Emi Lenox‘s travelogue graphic novel set in Japan Tadaima was announced.
  • Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire will bring us A.D. After Death.
  • Jeff Lemire also has Plutona with Emi Lenox and Jordie Bellaire about a group of kids who find a dead super hero in the woods.
  • We Stand on Guard by Brian K. Vaughan and Scott Skrooce has “giant fucking robots”
  • Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda bring us Monstrous
  • Brian Buccellato and Tony Infante team up for Son of the Devil
  • Eric Canete and Jon Tsuei announce Run Love Kill
  • Kieron Gillen, and David LaFuente are blessing us with The Ludocrats
  • No Mercy by Alex DeCampi, Carla McNeil, and Jenn Manley Lee is announced
  • Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie‘s The Wicked + The Divine will have guest artists focusing on individual gods.
  • Chip Zdarsky and Kagan McLeod have Kaptara coming, which he calls a “gay Saga,” a sci-fi comedy series where they can do “whatever (they) want”
  • Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie will bring us Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl which will be a final statement to those characters
  • Darwyn Cooke returns to Image with Revengeance
  • Skottie Young‘s I Hate Fairyland has been announced
  • Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang will bring us Paper Girls where four 12-year-old girls experience something very strange the day after Halloween

We’ll provide more information as it is released.

Image Expo 2014: Brandon Graham’s 8House, A Series of Science-Fiction Miniseries

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In 2014, Brandon Graham will team up with four different creators to bring a series of science-fiction/fantasy miniseries set in a world ruled by eight houses to life.

The first of the series will be 8House: Kiem, written by Graham and drawn by Xurxo Penalta and follows a soldier who must project her mind into the body of her dead twin in order to fight monsters on a distant comet.

The second of the series is titled 8House: Arclight, written by Graham and featuring art by Marian Churchland. Arclight will bring readers the chilling story of a high-ranking lady of one of the houses who has her mind trapped in a monster’s body. She will soon learn that the monster trapped in her body has taken over her old life in her absence.

The last of the series will be 8House: Mirror, and will be written by Emma Ríos and drawn by Hwei Lim. 8House: Mirror will examine what it means to be “human” and promises to take readers on an ironic space opera battle between self-absorbed humans intent on their own survival and noble monsters striving to save their worlds.

8HOUSE