howard the duck - Graphic Policy

Tag Archives: howard the duck

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

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!

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: Howard the Duck #1 (Marvel) – Chip Zdarsky is putting out one of the most entertaining Marvel comics around with Howard the Duck. My top pick was a tough decision between this and Johnny Red #2, and that’s honestly a good problem to have.

Bigfoot: Sword Of The Earthman #1 (Action Lab Entertainment) – This looks like a mix of John Carter, Gladiator and Bigfoot. Which sounds amazing.

Extraordinary X-Men #3 (Marvel) – I actually never read issue #2 due a slight snafu with Diamond not delivering it to my LCS, so I’ll be getting two issues to read on Wednesday, and based on the buzz I’ve heard about #2, I’m excited for #3 as well.

Johnny Red #2 (Titan Comics) – This Garth Ennis penned series came out of nowhere last month to be one of the best comics I ended up reading with it’s tale of a Second World War British fighter pilot facing off against the Nazi’s in Russia. I can’t wait to get my hands on this issue.

Seduction Of The Innocent #1 (Dynamite Entertainment) – looks like an old school crime comic with some modern flair. My fancy is tickled.

Ash

Top Pick: Spidey #1 (Marvel) – As a huge Spider-Man fan I am always excited and interested in new titles, and this is no different. A fresh take on a young web-head…well it has been done before (Ultimate Spider-Man anyone?) but you know I am really excited by this new take. It promises to be fun, action packed and completely modern (#Spidey?). The artwork is bold, bright and as fresh as the plotline promises to be. For any true-believers out there, this is an issue not to be missed!

Brett

Top Pick: The Private Eye Deluxe Edition (Image Comics) – It’s actually a tough week for choices and I could easily do a top twenty myself, but I have to go with the Private Eye as my top pick. First, there’s a good chance you missed this when it was first released as a digital comic. Second, it’s by Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin. Third, it’s fantastic. Fourth, this series was launched as a pay what you want directly from Vaughan, and is a solid example of disrupting the system successfully, so much so it’s in print. So, pick this up in print, or go and grab it digitally. Just make sure to read it.

Carver: A Paris Story #1 (Z2 Comics) – Z2 has been putting out solid books regularly and this new series has a nice throwback to 70s European action films. There’s lots of cliches, but that’s partially what makes it all really fun. This should be creator Chris Hunt’s break out series. Do yourself a favor and give it a look.

Johnny Red #2 (Titan Comics) – Did you read the first issue? If so, that should be reason enough as to why this is on the list. Writer Garth Ennis is taking on the classic character and doing so in a brilliant way. Just completely caught me off guard int he quality, because holy crap it’s good.

Sheriff of Babylon #1 (Vertigo) – I did an early review of the issue and it’s not what I thought it’d be. At its heart, Sheriff of Babylon is a crime comic set in a warzone. What’s really impressive and fascinating is writer Tom King’s use of his real life experiences.

X’Ed #1 (Black Mask Studios) – It’d be easy to just call this Inception the comic, but there’s much more going on here than a trippy dive in to someone’s mind. The comic has some really interesting twists and turns in the first issue that kept me on my toes, and that ending is rather intriguing. Black Mask Studios has had a string of hits and I expect this to be their next.

Elana

Cyborg #5 (DC Comics) – Writer David F Walker is doing something significant in sci-fi with this comic. It’s a superhero series about race. I’m a huge supporter of where he’s going with this. Listen to our interview with him a few weeks back.

Gotham Academy #12 (DC Comics) – This is one of my favorite comics and I feel like its been going under the radar. Amazingly written, a diverse group of kids, art that can be both adorable and haunting as needed. I don’t even catch all of the easter eggs and references to Batman lore from ages past but that doesn’t matter. The school is haunted both literally and metaphorically and it’s impossible to not be invested in these stories. This is the last issue of a wonderful arc.

The Humans #10 / Image Firsts The Humans #1 (Image Comics) – If you’ve been reading this kickass 1970-biker-apesploitation series then you need issue 10, the culmination of the first miniseries. This month Image Comics is also reissuing number 1 so tell the fresh meat there’s something they need to buy for good times and cheap thrills. This comic feels like an ultra-violent 1970s underground comic, it comes with it’s own online soundtrack and the art is freaking flawless. Still not convinced? Here’s my review of the first part of the series.

Papergirls #3 (Image Comics) – This is the new Saga: very friendly to non-comics readers, totally enchanting, breathlessly exciting and full of amazing female characters. Read J9s review of issue 2. Boy, that was a “heart in your throat” cliff hanger at the end of the last issue!

Space Riders TP Vol. 1 (Black Mask Studios) – It feels like 70’s Jack Kirby filtered through many levels of Heavy Metal Magazine (think Moebius, Druillet). Only more underground and loose. A bit of a space western with a Jodorowsky-ish flying skull ship! A more Red Sonja-ish Gamora. Christy Karacas (creator of the cartoon Super Jail) levels of choas and scribble. If my description makes sense to you then you’ll probably like this. If my description doesn’t make sense to you, and you are ok with that, you may like it too. “I like my coffee like I like my space: black and infinite”- Capitan Peligro.

Thomas

Top Pick: Robin War #1 (DC Comics) – Perfectly timed for the winter season, DC Comics is running a small event that crosses over the various Robin titles, bookended by these one-shots. Previews and solicits make this event look like it could be a lot of fun, so it’s a definite must-read!

All-New X-Men #1 (Marvel) – Continuing Marvel’s All-New All-Different launches, this gives Dennis Hopeless the chance to write young superheroes once again. The All-New X-Men – minus Jean Grey, but with Kid Apocalypse and Idie added to their ranks – are headed for a road-trip to decide their role in the future of the Marvel Universe. All-New X-Men may not be set to headline the X-Men range as it did under Brian Bendis, but it still looks set to be one of the most fun comics out there.

Exit Generation #3 (ComixTribe) – Sam Read and Caio Oliveira have been producing an unusual but fantastic series, steeped in sci-fi and with an admirable sense of style. Independent comics don’t often get the attention they deserve, and this series is one that deserves a lot of attention!

Invincible Iron Man #4 (Marvel) – One of the strangest shifts in All-New All-Different Marvel is a change in Mary-Jane Watson’s status quo. She’s going from a member of Spider-Man’s supporting cast to a member of Iron Man’s supporting cast, and this is the issue that kicks that off. It’s going to be fascinating to see how (not to mention why) Brian Bendis pulls this off…

Spider-Gwen: Most Wanted Trade Paperback (Marvel) – The first Spider-Gwen series (shorted to a miniseries due to Secret Wars) was tremendously popular, and this is the chance to collect it as a trade paperback! Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez pull off a tremendously fun story with energy and verve, and this book is sure to impress anyone who didn’t pick up the original issues.

Sunday Roundtable: All-New, All-Different Marvel…. Is it?

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

On Sunday, talking heads circle tables and pontificate on television about the hottest topics pressing our nation. We bring that tradition to our site as the Graphic Policy team gives our thoughts in each week’s Sunday Roundtable.

On tap this week?

We’re a little bit over a month into All-New, All-Different Marvel with lots of new series debuting. So far, do you think it’s really all-new and all-different?

Alex: I’ve really only read two or three comics from Marvel’s ANAD phase – Howard The Duck, Hercules and Extraordinary X-Men – and honestly? Howard was as good as it was before, I enjoyed Hercules quite a bit, but Extraordinary felt like a big prologue to the rest of the series. I don’t know if I’ll pick it up next month. From what I’ve read and seen, the reviews have been pretty hit and miss from Marvel the last month or so.

That said, some of the comics coming down the pipeline look very interesting to me (but they’re just relaunches of the series I was already reading…)

Elana: I won’t read Herc on principal. Why would Marvel editorial make one of their only bi characters straight. In Greek myths Hercules has romances with men and women. And in the comics in the past he was written explicitly as bi. Former writer Greg Pak has confirmed that about his run as well. It was a real step backwards from marvel to do this.

Mr. H: So far Amazing Spider-Man is gold! I’m not that taken with Avengers or Invincible Iron Man though. I haven’t read my copy of Extraordinary X-Men yet. I shall soon.

Brett: For what you’ve read so far? Does it feel like it’s all that different? To me, it’s pretty much the same.

Paul: I have read Extraordinary X-Men, The New Avengers, Uncanny Avengers, Hercules, Uncanny Inhumans and The Vision. X-Men feels ‘been there, done that’ with mutants facing yet another extinction level threat; it would be nice if something new could be explored instead of falling back on old formulas; new team, same reason for it. The Avengers titles, so far, have really disappointed me. I do not like how a lot of characters are being presented, which is a shame because so many great characters were added to the new line ups. Uncanny has lost its way with the many relaunches so close together, and The New Avengers just feels very juvenile and a waste of so much potential. Inhumans and Vision are the two stand out titles for me so far. Great characters, story and they really grabbed me with their first issues. I agree with Alex, some of the new ones coming up look good, but they are relaunches of what I’ve been enjoying already (hoping I still enjoy them with the new start). Overall, with only a couple exceptions, this does not feel All New or All Different. Sure we have some characters coming over from Secret Wars (Singularity and Old Man Logan, for example) but they are coming into stories and situations that feel rehashed (though A-Force hasn’t dropped yet, not sure of their mission). I’m hopeful, as always, to see what’s coming..but no, this does no feel new or different to me…so far at least. Come on and wow me Marvel!

Mr. H: Other than Amazing Spider-Man it all feels the same to me.

Of course I am going to read Doctor Strange #1 and #2 today and get a mini review up of #2 along with Secret Wars #7.

Brett: How were folks expectations going in? Anyone excited/interested in what was announced?

Mr. H: I was very excited with all new avengers and Extraordinary X-Men but not wowed yet

Alex: Not really, to be honest. I actually picked up an older Eternal Warrior comic today rather than one of the All-New, All-Different comics I could have picked up, which speaks volumes as to my interest level in what has already been released.

Brett: So far I’ve been underwhelmed, with some exceptions (The Vision being the standout). But, I can’t figure out what the new comics are missing for me. I’d outright say there’s some soul missing, but not even sure I know what that means.

What’s missing for you all?

Elana: What’s missing is diverse creative teams.

Paul: Originality is missing for me. From what I’ve read, it all feels familiar. New faces, but same stories/missions. Or in the case of New Avengers, they’ve gone in a really odd direction…feels like a bad kids cartoon show (thinking Avengers: United they Stand). I agree that Vision has been a pleasant surprise, and I really like Uncanny Inhumans. And there is more to still come and too soon for me to call this All-New, All-Different a wash, but so far it’s been ‘meh’.

Alex: Some soul?

I think you nailed it, honestly, Brett. Howard the Duck aside, there seems to be something missing, and soul (which, although an Image comic, is exactly what Limbo has in spades) is a great descriptor.

The All-New, All-Different seems underwhelming so far, but there’s still much more to come.

Brett: Yeah that’s the one word that keeps coming to me. The comics I’ve read are going through motion but missing that spark.

Alex: Yeah – that’s one of the reasons I didn’t pick up All-New Wolverine today, and instead I picked up an older back issue I was looking for.

Brett: I’ve also noticed a lot of the comics riff off of other successful things. All-New Wolverine feels like Orphan Black a bit. X-Men is redone earlier plots. It’s weird.

Alex: It’s almost like they didn’t have a solid idea of where to take some comics.

Elana: Right now I think that Marvel has a lot of good books but very few outstanding ones. I know that the audiences for Squirrel Girl, Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel are huge. I presume that Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur will be too. I liked the new issue of Howard the Duck more then the previous ones. But the title that has excited me the most has been All-New Wolverine. That wasn’t even a book I was looking out for! It just came and bowled me over.

Alex: I picked up All-New Wolverine today, largely on your recommendation, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.

Elana: Looking forward to getting your thoughts. I feel like the longer I think about it the more I like it.

Alex: I enjoyed it. Nothing can top Howard for me from the ANAD Marvel offerings, but All-New Wolverine was far better than I expected it to be. I think the best thing about the issue was that it felt like an organic next step for the character (I know very little about her, honestly), with forcing a female Wolverine on us because they could.

My one complaint? Drop the All-New from the title. If she’s Wolverine, title the comic as such. All-New implies that there will be a return of the old Wolverine (and I don’t mean Old Man Logan).

Elana: If Marvel really wanted all new all different they would have diversified their creative teams. Moon Girl is great but the only titles coming with black creators are still a ways off. Black Panther and Luke Cage / Iron Fist are going to be fantastic I’m sure. But it’s still a ways off.

I wasn’t particularly interested in any of the coming X titles but when the X-Plain the X-Men podcast had Dennis Hopeless on they totally sold me on his upcoming All-New X-Men teen roadtrip book. Diverse cast, cool concept.

Alex: Uncanny looks interesting to me because I want to see how they handle Sabretooth, but that’s because I enjoy seeing villains reform (however temporary it may be). Other than that I’ve found I’m more interested by books like Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. As well as the ones I’ll be reading anyway (Moon Knight, Howard).

Brett: And there you have it folks! The Graphic Policy team has weighed in with their thoughts. What are yours? Sound off in the comments.

Sell-Outs and New Printing Roundup

Posted on November 8, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

Check out this week’s announced sell-outs and new printings!

BOOM! Studios

BOOM! has announced that Welcome Back #1 has sold out and gone to printing for a third time. The third printing ships with a new cover by artist Claire Roe, who illustrated several pages in issue #2 and is taking over interior art duties for Jonathan Brandon Sawyer as of issue #3. The comic is written by Christopher Sebela.

Dark Horse

Dark Horse and Diamond Distribution are sold out of the prequel comic book for Call of Duty: Black Ops III. Dark Horse is reprinting the comic with a brand-new cover for the second edition, with an on-sale date of December 2. The comic is written by Larry Hama and drawn by Marcelo Ferreira.

Marvel

Howard the Duck #1 has sold out at the distributor level. The new volume is written by Chip Zdarsky with art by Joe Quinones. this second printing will ship with two covers. Both a Howard the Duck and a Gwenpool second printing variant will be made available and arrive December 16. Expect the Gwenpool version to sell-out.

Review: Howard The Duck #1

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Alex K Cossa

First spectacular issue! A great jumping on point! Sure to go up in value! Don’t miss out on the series everyone is calling “Howard the Duck!” The last page will shock you! Nothing will EVER be the same again! Hey! Where are you going? Come back! Waugh!

This is the second first issue of Howard the Duck that Chip Zdarsky and Joe Quinones have given us this year, and while the story doesn’t carry on where the last issue left off the feel of the comic does, and I absolutely love it. If you think comics should be fun , then you should be reading Howard The Duck. If you think reviews should be longer, well then keep reading.

Howard The Duck ended the last season/volume/five issue series as a comic that took great delight in poking fun at the Marvel Universe, and the plethora of reboots and relaunches that the company, and industry in general, has been so fond of lately. Thankfully, that hasn’t changed. Chip Zdarsky is still taking good hearted pot shots at the comics industry, but he’s doing it without detracting from the well written (if somewhat simple) story line. Joe Quinones artwork continues to shine in this issue, his pencils giving a sense of innocent simplicity to the series that works very well with how the writing distances itself somewhat from the tonally darker stories that had been taking place in the Marvel Universe.

Chip Zdarsky has written a comic that is willing to take a poke not only at itself, but at the Marvel Universe as a whole. There are tongue in cheek jabs at everything from interstellar travel times to typical comic book conventions such as the recap page that make everything from the front cover to the very last page worth reading.

As with the last issue, amidst all the zany antics that Howard and Tara find themselves in this issue, there are still poignant moments between the shape shifter and the anthromorphic duck.

If all that wasn’t enough to encourage you to think about picking Howard The Duck #1 up, there is also a backup strip featuring Gwenpool. Admittedly I am nowhere near familiar with this character (was she a fan art mashup that took off? Am I remembering that right?) the backup story was just as entertaining as the main strip. Why is Gwenpool featuring in Howard The Duck?

Honestly, I had no idea. It seemed like it was shoe horned in to add some buzz to a title that, as much as I love it, may have been lost among the other big name Marvel offerings during the All New All Different relaunch. Whether that’s the case or not, the back up story is actually really entertaining. I was expecting to rate this comic ignoring the Gwenpool story (and even without it, Howard The Duck #1 is worth buying), but the back up story isn’t filler. Instead the backup strip is as good as, if not better than, most of the other full comics I’ve read this month.

There have been some great comics released this week, and this ranks right up there among the best.

Writer: Chip Zdarsky Artist: Joe Quinones & Joe Rivera
Story: 10 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.75 Recommendation: Buy

Also posted on Ramblings Of A Comics Fan

Michael Cho Launches some Marvel Variants! They’re Awesome.

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

This February, critically praised artist Michael Cho puts his own stamp on the All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe. Marvel has announced a series of stunning variant covers, all illustrated by Cho, coming to your favorite new Marvel launches!

An illustrator and cartoonist, Cho’s unique style breathes life into some of Marvel’s most popular characters. Featuring Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Wolverine, the Inhumans, Daredevil and many more, you won’t want to miss these gorgeous covers, coming in the month of February.

Look for these eye-catching Michael Cho Variants to grace the covers of these Marvel Comics in February:

A-Force #3
All-New Wolverine #5
All-New, All-Different Avengers #5
Amazing Spider-Man #7
The Astonishing Ant-Man #5
Captain Marvel #2
Daredevil #4
Doctor Strange #5
Guardians of Infinity #3
All-New Hawkeye #4
Howard The Duck #4
Invincible Iron Man #6
The Mighty Thor #4
Ms. Marvel #4
Old Man Logan #2
Rocket Raccoon & Groot #2
Scarlet Witch #3
Spider-Gwen #5
Spider-Man #1
The Totally Awesome Hulk #3
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #5
Uncanny Inhumans #5
Venom: Space Knight #4
Vision #4

Check out the variants below!

All-New_All-Different_Avengers_5_Cho_Variant

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

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!

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: We Stand On Guard #5 (Image Comics) – The six issue series is heading to it’s conclusion, and it’s been one hell of ride so far. I’ve had this on my top picks ever since it debuted back in July.

Extraordinary X-Men #1 (Marvel) – It’s been a LONG time since I read an X-Men book, and I really enjoyed seeing Old Man Logan interact with the characters during his Secret Wars mini series.

Hercules #1 (Marvel) – The whole idea that Hercules is trying to remind people who he is seems so very meta to me, as I think that’s what Marvel are doing, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if he turns up in the MCU at some point.

Howard The Duck # 1 (Marvel) – This was one of my favourite comics before Secret Wars launched, the off beat humour was right up my alley, and I can’t wait to see where Mr. T Duck ends up now.

Johnny Red #1 (Titan Comics) – I was fortunate enough to have already read and reviewed this comic, but what I’m most looking forward too is getting my hands on this comic and seeing those double page spreads.

Klaus #1 (BOOM! Studios) – Grant Morrison reinvents Santa Claus. ’nuff said.

Brett

Top Pick: Citizen Jack #1 (Image Comics) – Wow is there a lot of great comics this week. This horror-comedy for anyone who hates politics! This Presidential candidate worships the devil. Hopefully this is as smart satire as it can be.

James Bond #1 (Dynamite Entertainment) – I’m a huge James Bond fan and so excited for this new series.

Klaus #1 (BOOM! Studios) – A new take on Santa Claus which is a bit more Conan, and the art is amazing. Such a great first issue.

Monstress #1 (Image Comics) – Marjorie Liu’s new series that’s a beautiful fantasy series and a fantastic story.

Unfollow #1 (Vertigo) – A new series from Vertigo? That alone will get me to check out the series.

Elana

Top Pick: Papergirls #2 (Image Comics) – Stand By Me meet’s Repo Man to paraphrase J9’s review of issue 1 which see also described as “an admirable pack of sharp young women who are actively trying to integrate their school smarts with street smarts.” Issue 1 was incredibly good. a compelling cast of girls standing up to bullies like cops, and teenagers, and aliens (?!). The art and dialog both nail the 80s setting.

Top Pick: Monstress #1 (Image Comics) – Marjorie Liu’s new creator owned fantasy series is “a dark fantastic adventure set in an alternate 1900s Asia.” This is a series concept that is all new and much needed from an excellent writer (her Black Widow series was The Best) and the art looks pitch perfect and stunning.

Howard the Duck #1 (Marvel) – The relaunch looks funny (it’s by one of the funniest writers in the business) and Howard’s scene with Doctor Strange in the park seems oddly touching. Give the new series a shot!

The Humans #9 (Image Comics) – EVERYBODY DIES! I mean, clearly, from the stakes established in the last issue of the world’s best apesploitation-biker-gang-historical-fiction comic, that is on the table.

Niobe #1 (Stranger Comics) – The actress who played Rue in The Hunger Games and who did a masterful takedown on cultural appropriation in her web video is cowriting a new fantasy series with a black elf girl in the lead. It looks good!

Velvet #12 (Image Comics) – Brubaker writes the best noir mystery thrillers. period. This one has an awesome older woman in the lead and you need it.
Kenny

Top Pick: Klaus #1 (BOOM! Studios) – I had no idea I ever wanted to know Santa Claus’ origin until I saw this comic. The fact its based on ideas of Viking lore also speaks to the inner history buff in me. Oh, and Grant Morrison. I cannot wait to read this just to see how strange it gets.

Drax #1 (Marvel) – Honestly, this pick is more out of curiosity than pure excitement. Former WWE wrestler CM Punk makes his big debut at Marvel with my favorite character from the Guardians of the Galaxy. This could be a fun action packed adventure or pure disappointment. Either way, I have to know how it turns out.

Uncanny X-Men #600 (Marvel) – I’m a sucker for milestone issues. I’ve been a fan of Brian Michael Bendis for a long time too. So, anytime one of his great runs ends, I am always excited to check it out.

Mr. H

Amazing Spider-Man #3 (Marvel Comics) – Seeing Peter Parker take his friendly neighborhood crusade on a grand scale has been an absolute joy to watch. I didn’t think Slott and Co. could go higher after Superior Spider-Man but they did. It’s a new and exciting take on Peter Parker and having Hobie Brown and his cast join Parker Industries has been awesome. Plus how can you not be excited about Spidey and the Human Torch meeting again! One of the longstanding great on again off again friendships in comics, gets another chapter. No doubt things will be heated. Flame on!

Green Lantern #46 (DC Comics) – Hal teaming with the Black Hand? Color me interested. A must see for me for sure!

Justice League Darkseid War: Superman #1 (DC Comics) – I absolutely enjoyed the Batman tie in last week and I’m anxious to see what they can pull off with Big Blue. The design looks great and anytime Lex Luthor is the voice of reason, you get a fun tale out of it. Hopefully the momentum continues here.

Paul

Top Pick: Extraordinary X-Men #1 (Marvel) – I am excited that the X-Men are back! I am excited for this team line up (Colossus and Magik together? Yes please!) However, I am not excited with the prospect of the mutants facing yet another extinction level threat. Haven’t they been through enough? Just when the world was seeing new mutants again, a new threat wants to wipe them out; and now they will be pitted against the Inhumans. Very curious to see how this plays out..but a little leary about another extinction looming over our merry mutants.

Uncanny X-Men #600 (Marvel) – This series started out with such an interesting premise….Cyclops, leading a revolution for mutants, ushering in a new era. To be honest, we haven’t seen that pan out…all the fanfare, but nothing to show for it. Nor have I been a huge fan of Bendis’ work on this book *coughresearchyourcharacterscough*. I have liked the new mutants assembled at Cyclops’ school; Emma Frost is always reason enough for me to read a book she’s in and there have been a few bright points in this book that kept me coming back (Eva Bell and Dazzler especially). So yes, I will include this as a ‘top pick’…at least to see how it concludes..and hope Bendis doesn’t muck it up.

Troy

Uncanny X-Men #600 (Marvel) – Well we’ve gotten a tributary re-numbering, marking the end of an era. Whether you loved or hated Bendis’ run on the core x-titles this issue is bound to be essential reading for any X-Fan moving forward. For myself personally I am itching to see how the transition to the new status quo for the X-Men is undertaken, and I am really dying to see the final verdict on Scott Summers “Revolution” It will also be nice to see Hank McCoy held to account for his actions as well.

Unfollow #1 (DC Comics) – When I first read the plot for this story, it sounded to me like an experiment put together by Arcade from Marvel, with Phillip Zimbardo and Stanley Milgram. I really enjoy a good social commentary and what better social commentary than our Faustian addiction to social media? This dark and hunger games-esque story detailing what happens when a network of random strangers must kill each other to procure a cash prize is sure to be water-cooler talk for some time. I’m here for it.

Waugh! Your New Look at Howard the Duck #1!

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

He’s back! That Marvelous Mallard. That Foul Fowl. We’re talking about the one and only Howard the Duck – coming to you this November for a brand-new Howard the Duck #1! Don’t miss your chance to jump on board the series the world is talking about before they keep talking about it without you! Along with his shape shifting companion Tara Tam and new office administrator Aunt May, he’ll take on the hard cases no mere man nor duck will touch. Plus, don’t miss a special backup story featuring the highly anticipated debut of Gwenpool! Written by Christopher Hastings with art by Danilo Beyruth – be there as this new character makes her way to the Marvel Universe for the very first time. It’s all happening this November!

HOWARD THE DUCK #1 (SEP150773)
Written by CHIP ZDARSKY
Art & Cover by JOE QUINONES
Variant Covers by JOE QUINONES (SEP150774), DAVID AJA (SEP150775),
BOB MCLEOD (SEP150777)
Gwenpool Variant by RON LIM (JUL158701)
Hip-Hop Variant by JUAN DOE (SEP150776)
Movie Variant by YASMINE PUTRI (SEP150778)
FOC – 10/12/15, On-Sale – 11/04/15

Gwenpool is coming…

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

Your eyes do NOT deceive you. She’s real, and she’s making landfall in the Marvel Universe this November! Introducing…GWENPOOL! The cosplay sensation is coming to comics! The character makes her debut in November’s Howard the Duck #1.

She’s smart, she’s charming, and she can shoot and stab her way through a gaggle of Hydra goons before you know it! Gwenpool will be first featured in backup stories in Howard the Duck #1-3, written by Christopher Hastings with art by Danilo Beyruth.

A stranger in a strange land, she’ll enlist the aid of someone who knows a thing or two about being from an alternate universe – Howard the Duck! Now birds of a feather, the Marvelous Mallard is about to show Gwenpool the ins and outs of her new home – the All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe!

Then, tis the season in December’s Gwenpook Special #1 – as the biggest creators and biggest heroes from across the Marvel Universe band together for holiday cheer! She-Hulk throws a party and invites the entire Marvel U! Deadpool and both Hawkeyes – Kate & Clint – team up to take down a holiday pickpocket! Ms. Marvel battles her most dangerous threat yet: the holiday blues! And of course, the woman of the hour, Gwenpool herself! Featuring Gerry Duggan, Charles Soule, Christopher Hastings, Danilo Beyruth, Langdon Foss, Gurihiru and more – this is one you won’t want to miss!

She’s here, and she’s ready to slice and dice her way into your heart – literally.

HOWARD THE DUCK #1 (SEP150773)
Written by CHIP ZDARSKY & CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS
Art by JOE QUINONES & DANILO BEYRUTH
Gwenpool Variant by RON LIM (JUL158701)
FOC – 10/12/15, On-Sale – 11/04/15

GWENPOOL SPECIAL #1
Written by GERRY DUGGAN, CHARLES SOULE, CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS & MORE
Art by DANILO BEYRUTH, LANGDON FOSS, GURIHIRU & MORE
Cover by KRIS ANKA
Gwenpool Variant by ROBBI RODRIGUEZ
She-Hulk Variant by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
On Sale in December!

Review: Howard The Duck #5

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Alex K Cossa

While the world’s greatest super heroes fight to save New York City – and possibly America and parts of Canada – Howard and Tara Tam learn a lot about each other, and themselves. Communication is key in life. Be inquisitive about the people you surround yourself with.

When I first saw the first issue of this comic on the shelves five or so months ago, I was fairly confident that I was going to ignore it.

I didn’t.

On impulse, I leafed through the first few pages, and knew that I’d be adding the book to my pull list. Chip Zdarsky has written a comic that is willing to take a poke not only at itself, but at the Marvel Universe as a whole. There are tongue in cheek jabs at everything from interstellar travel times to typical comic book conventions such as the recap page that make everything from the front cover to the very last page worth reading.

I’m an unashamed fan of this series, and I’ve been singing it’s praises since the first issue. It’s one of the highlights of my pull list every month, and I’ve really enjoyed Howard‘s almost irreverent treatment of some of Marvel‘s biggest names in the series so far. Chip Zdarsky has a great grasp on how to write characters that appear briefly in each issue that captures a caricature of their personalities without feeling as though he’s disrespecting them. Joe Quinones artwork continues to shine in this issue, his pencils giving a sense of innocent simplicity to the series that works very well with how the writing distances itself somewhat from the overarching Marvel Universe story lines going on right now.

When November comes, Howard will return with the same creative team and a new #1, but this final issue caps the current run with such an excellent comic book that it’s hard not to laugh as you read through the issue. Will it make much sense if you haven’t read the other four issues? Probably, even if you certainly won’t be all that familiar with the story up until this point, you should still be able to enjoy Howard The Duck #5 for the almost Anti-Marvel comic that it’s pretending to be. Chip Zdarsky pokes more fun at the Marvel Universe with this issue than in many of the previous ones, and I love every moment of it (especially the last page). The climactic battle for New York (and maybe some other places) that’s hinted at on the front cover is spectacular. I’ve not enjoyed a comic book fight this much in years. I won’t tell you why, because that’ll ruin some of the enjoyment for you, but I will let you know that I’ve a new appreciation for a certain maneuver popularized by Wolverine and Colossus.

Amidst all the zany antics that Howard and Tara find themselves in this issue, there is still a poignant reminder that it doesn’t matter what you look like, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, we’re all in this together.

If all that wasn’t enough to encourage you to think about picking Howard The Duck #5 up, the this retailer note from Marvel’s preview page probably won’t help, either.

Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Joe Quinones
Story: 10 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.75 Recommendation: Buy

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Graphic Policy Team

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!

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: Americatown #1 (Archaia/BOOM! Studios) – It’s the near future and the US has gone to crap causing Americans to flee the country and become undocumented immigrants in others. This story focuses on a town in Brazil that’s risen due to this. A fascinating comic with both social commentary and family at the heart of it.

Descender #6 (Image Comics) – Jeff Lemire’s mysterious sci-fi series has been mesmerizing in both story and the art by Dustin Nguyen.

Letter 44 #19 (Oni Press) – Is it time for President Blades to surrender and end World War III? Does he have more fight in him? Writer Charles Soule always seems to have a twist I don’t see coming in this futuristic sci-fi political thriller. Plus there’s that whole astronauts dealing with aliens far away from Earth thing too.

Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #1 (Image Comics) – I haven’t read the first two volumes, but I’m looking forward to seeing what the praise and hype is all about.

Rebels #5 (Dark Horse) – Writer Brian Wood has been digging into the American Revolution, and giving it a personal touch by focusing on just a few individuals and not being bogged down by grand plans and battles. It might be taking place in the past, but the series is relevant to the world today.

Alex

Top Pick: Howard The Duck #5 (Marvel) – I have no idea what’s happening in this series half the time, but I absolutely love it. There’s the kind of humour I love peppering each issue, from the front cover right to the end. It’s always a happy Wednesday when I get to pick this up.

Batman #43 (DC Comics) – Of the two titles staring just Batman (this and Detective Comics), Scott Snyder’s writing is putting this comic head and shoulders above the other. Snyder is the bet writer to tackle the Dark Knight in years, and I love Greg Capullo’s art work.

Edward

Top Pick: Star Wars: Lando #2 (Marvel) – The first issue of this series was surprisingly fun and with a great twist of an ending. It will be interesting to see where it goes from here.

A-Force #3 (Marvel) – One of the more interesting concepts for a Secret Wars series gets its third issue. The first was so-so, the second was a lot better, how will this one turn out?

The Beauty #1 (Image Comics) – The emphasis on beauty is always an issue in modern society, and so it will be interesting to see what the take is on it in this series.

Gotham Academy #9 (DC Comics) – There still hasn’t really been a missed opportunity so far in this series, and that will likely continue here as the gang faces a werewolf.

String Divers #1 (IDW Publishing) – Now that Ant-Man made miniaturization cool again, we might see more stories like this, about a group of scientist fighting supernatural threats at the microscopic level.

Elana

Top Pick: Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #1 (Image Comics) – This is one of the best comics series of the 00s and now it’s back. Everyone who loves music needs this comic, even people who don’t read comics. Here’s my short review of issue 1. I’ll be writing a bigger piece soon because it’s worth it!

A-Force #3 (Marvel) – Interesting premise. Female characters that I can’t get enough of like She-Hulk and Dazzler and a school of Namors. The story presents a mystery intriguing enough that I keep buying this book even though I can’t deal with the outfit they put Nico in. I’m sorry but not only is her get-up impractical it’s not even goth. Nico would never wear that. But buy this anyway because it’s a lot of fun.

Catwoman #43 (DC Comics) – Spoiler is back! Series writer, the awesome Genevieve Valentine was our podcast guest last night. We think she’s doing outstanding work and taking the characters in directions that make sense yet are 100% unlike what we’ve seen before. In this issue Steph wear’s a Black Canary band t-shirt and Selina wears more contour because clothing should reflect the people wearing it damnit! Love this book.

Constantine: The Hellblazer #3 (DC Comics) – Now the great ConJob is heading back to London. That city is full of bad memories for him and it looks like he’ll be getting help from an interesting new character. This series keeps gets better with each re-reading so I expect issue 3 to be the best yet.

Gotham Academy #9 (DC Comics) – Olive and Maps are starting to have her own Scooby Gang whether they want it or not (Maps does, Olive says she doesn’t, which is why she needs it most of all). Look at all of these adorable children! They keep melting my stoney heart with their cuteness and feelings and mystery solving and angst.
Mr. H

Top Pick: Batman #43 (DC Comics) – The new Dark Knight Jim Gordon’s maiden voyage continues. He’s got the tech does he got the stuff? Meanwhile the mystery of Mr. Bloom starts to grow. Oh yeah that Bruce Wayne guy shows up to give some pointy eared advice too.

DC Comics: Bombshells#1 (DC Comics) – Tales of mighty maidens from WW2 era. Very historically retro style book coming our way. Plus who doesn’t want to see A League of their own style Batwoman?

JLA: Gods and Monsters #1 (DC Comics) – The creative team from the hit movie gives us the backstory on how this big Three got together. All I know is I can’t get enough of Bekka as Wonder Woman!

Secret Wars #5 (Marvel Comics) – In Doom we trust. I sure do. Nuff Said.

Paul

Top Pick: A-Force #3 (Marvel) – She-Hulk has broken the biggest rule of Battleworld…no travelling between regions. And now the Thors are coming! This is a fantastic story with the ladies of Marvel, and as I’ve said before, anything wit She-Hulk front and center is great. If you’re not reading it, go get issues #1 and 2..I’ll wait…go now!

Secret Wars: Battleworld #4 (Marvel) – I have really enjoyed this book, giving us 2 shorter stories showing us characters and areas of Battleworld not explored in the main books. This is the last issue in this series, so I’m very interested to see what final stories will be told before the end of Secret Wars.

Star-Lord and Kitty Pryde #2 (Marvel) – Issue #1 was a fun, light hearted story in-between all the darker stories being told in Secret Wars. Peter is an anomaly that Kitty will not let out of her sight…and Peter wouldn’t have it any other way. Will she take him back to Valeria, or keep this discovery for herself?

Pharoah

Top Pick: The Beauty #1 (Image Comics) – In a time where dystopia and vanity is all over mass media, this comic hits it right on the nose, as the creators imagine a world where beauty can come to anyone as sexually transmitted disease, WHOA!!!

Doctor Who: Four Doctors #1 (Titan Comics) – All I have to say , what happens when you have the 10^th, 11^th and 12 doctors join forces, is a whole lot of quips and more than quadruple the trouble

Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #1 (Image Comics) – I love McKelvie and Gillen’s work on everything they have done so far, as music and magic are one and the same in this world, as the buys kick off a brand new arc

Providence #3 (Avatar Press) – Alan Moore, continues his exploration of all that makes Lovecraft, a master of what he did, as Moore and Jacen Burrows only furthers the unsettling discovery.

King Tiger#1 (Dark Horse) – who does not love a good old kung fu movie, as this comic, has all the makings of a classic Shaw Brother movie.

Troy

Top Pick: A-Force #3 (Marvel) – One of the more interesting Secret Wars tie-ins in my opinion. A-Force continues the story of an elite team of female avengers as they continue to unravel the curious mysteries of Battle World. Knowing that the A-force brand and team will continue post-battleworld this is sure to be a rewarding read to invest in!

Inhumans Attilan Rising #4 (Marvel) – With the upcoming Inhumans movie, and seeds planted on the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The inhumans are poised to make a big splash in the MCU over the next few years. A traditionally reclusive community the ensuing emergence of the Inhumans both on the small screen and the big screen makes a surreal parallel to the source material. Now is very good time to learn about them and see what makes them so amazing. Who wants to get me some Terrigen crystals this Christmas?

Secret Wars # 5 (Marvel) – Despite achieving some manner of Godhood the chinks in Dr. Doom’s Deistic armor are starting to show. Last issue hinted at a showdown between Doom and his longtime rival Reed Richards. There’s definitely something epic about an impending battle of wits between a God and Mortal who are in a lot of respects equally matched. I can almost hear Michael Buffer’s clarion call in the distance. Impatiently awaiting this cosmic scale knock down drag out J

« Older Entries Recent Entries »