Kim and Kim #3 is really a lot to process. There’s new characters galore, some flashback, robot gorillas, and some genuinely sweet moments like when Kim Q and Kim D hold hands and talk about how they never remember not being around each other. The banter between the Kims and their friends and frenemies still crackles under the pen of writer Mags Visaggio, but she also tells and doesn’t show a big climactic action scene where Thomas, the polyform, pulls out a gun and makes it to Dimension 12. Or does he? The ending of Kim and Kim #3 has plenty of fun interactions between the Kims and their friends Gretchen and Kathleen, but it seems there’s a “missing reel” between scenes. Or maybe that’s just the futuristic drugs they’re on.
Eva Cabrera and Claudia Aguirre continue to kick ass in the art department beginning with the battle between the Kims and robot gorillas as they’re marooned in a snowy dimension far from, well, everything. They start the fight slow and chill with a couple wide panels of Kim Q enjoying some kind of drug before there’s an explosion, and the comic goes from hangout to action mode in no time at all. It’s a moment of zen before a big helping of chaos. Aguirre’s intense red and orange colors show that despite their skis and tacky coats, these robot gorillas are no pushovers. The fight is paced nicely by Visaggio with each reversal happening on a page turn like Tom almost getting captured. Cabrera and Aguirre also continue to show their skill with set pieces in a Firefly worth escape sequence that introduces Mina Sayles, a skilled pilot and plot fixer upper.
Mina is a cool character, and the flashback establishes her daring nature better than any dialogue could. (And most of her dialogue is plot clarification spiced with a little sass about Kim and Kim messing up her old van.) However, this sequence is placed awkwardly between Kim and Kim cuddling up in the cold and Kim D waking up in a nice, warm bed. We quickly learn that Mina and her Owl buddy have saved them and are fixing the Contessa, but the sequence of events turns Kim and Kim #3 from a one-liner heavy thriller to a slight head scratcher. Visaggio has loads of cool ideas, colorful dialogue, and fun characters, but sometimes the pieces don’t all fit together like the middle of this issue, and the transition from Tom pointing a gun at everyone and Kim and Kim eating ramen with their friends.
The great thing about Kim and Kim as a comic is how relatable the main characters are even though they live in a world filled with necromancy, interdimensional travel, and again, robot gorillas. (Honestly, you can’t go wrong with them as minions, especially when you add skis.) They forget to charge their phones while traveling between dimensions, gloss over major events (Like the supposed resolution of the miniseries’ plot), and maybe have a little bit too much fun. Kim and Kim also deeply care about each other, and the quiet scene where they hold hands in the freezing cold dimension is heart wrenching.
Some pieces of the plot don’t really fit together, but Kim and Kim #3 is a fun read for the character banter, candy shop color palette from Claudia Aguirre, and the strangeness of the world that Mags Visaggio and Eva Cabrera have constructed alone.
Written by: Magdalene Visaggio Illustrated by: Eva Cabrera Colored by: Claudia Aguirre Lettered by: Zakk Saam Cover by: Devaki Neogi In Stores: September 28
Kim & Kim return on September 28th to discover Dimension 12, make frozen pizza, and battle robot gorillas on a snow planet! It’s the penultimate issue of the ultimate interstellar, punk rock odyssey!
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.
Anthony
Top Pick: Wayward #16 (BOOM! Studios) – Wayward returns and looks to switch gears from its setting in Japan back to Rori’s homeland: Ireland. The team of Jim Zub, Steven Cummings, Tamra Bonvillain and Marshall Dillon (and some always excellent back material) created a very energetic and emotional ride in Japan with a battle between the traditional yokai and the new school of people with powers. It will be exciting to see what will be incorporated in Rori and her friend’s world with Ireland and its rich folk tale history being brought to life.
Island #11 (Image Comics) – Island has been a consistent treat from its inception, featuring a wide variety of creator stories that are a pleasure for the eyes and mind. This issue features Matt Sheehan and Malachi Ward (whose story reaches its conclusion) and pieces from Grim Wilkins and Robin Bougie.
Saga #38 (Image Comics) – It’s Saga. Nuff said.
Generation Zero #2 (Valiant) – Valiant is one of those companies whose titles are always worthy of taking a stab with each and every first issue. The first issue of Generation Zero focused on Keisha Sherman and her personal investment in revealing the shady things going on in her hometown. The members of the former Project Rising Spirit team called Generation Zero were more in the background during the first issue but look to thrust themselves forward as they meet with Keisha for the first time.
Kim and Kim #3 (Black Mask Studios) – It’s great having a title that truly cares about fleshing out its characters first and foremost, while the plot progresses alongside. This isn’t to say that the story and world of Kim and Kim isn’t lively or vibrant, it embodies just that, but the true heart belongs between the two titular characters weaving in and out of this sci-fi adventure romp.
Alex
Top Pick: The Paybacks #3 (Heavy Metal Comics) – There have been so many great comics released this year, and many of them from publishers other than Marvel and DC. This is one of them. What started out as a brilliant take on super-heroic debt has taken on a new life as the second series kicked off with a question of how far would you go to clear said debt, wrapped up in a brutally funny cast of characters. If you can find this, buy it.
Action Comics #964 (DC Comics) – Superman takes Clark Kent to his fortress of solitude (kinda). If that sounds interesting to you, then you need to read this.
Conan The Slayer #3 (Dark Horse) – When you think of Conan, violence is often not far away. And this comic has an almost poetic brutality to the fight scenes, which is awesome, but it’s Cullen Bunn’s narration style the has a throwback feel to the pulp novels where Conan first appeared that really pulls me in. I can’t get enough of this series.
Hal Jordan and The Green Lantern Corps #5 (DC Comics) – This is an honest surprise for me. I never used to like Green Lantern, but this series (as well as Green Lanterns) have been one of the highlights post Rebirth for me. I can’t wait for this one.
X-O Manowar #50 (Valiant) – Well, here we are. The final chapter in the current run of X-O Manowar is promising to be epic, and part of that is the large page count. The breakneck pace of the story so far has been exhilarating, and that nothing has been going well for X-O and his allies when facing the godlike Torment leads me to believe that we’re going to see a sacrifice of some kind this issue.
Javier
Top Pick: The X-Files: Origins #2 (IDW Publishing) – I’m re-living reading those old Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew mysteries from back in the day, with Jody Houser’s and Matthew Dow Smith’s take on a juvenile Scully and Mulder.
Deadly Class #22 (Image Comics) – Rick Remender starts a new arc with the survivors from the last installment’s bloodbath, and a new incoming freshman class. Plus, I still don’t believe Marcus is really dead.
The Paybacks (Vol. 2) #3 (Heavy Metal Comics) – Superheroes in debt, willing to do anything to pay off their outstanding balances. I know I’d kill to get rid of some of my old student loan debt.
Lake of Fire #2 (Image Comics) – Crusaders and Heretics versus Aliens? I liked Cowboys versus Aliens, so why not. I’m in for now.
Bloodshot Reborn #17 (Valiant) – One of my favorite series from Valiant. It is consistently well written by Jeff Lemire, and the art is top notch (with Mico Suayan for this issue).
Jason
Star Trek: Waypoint #1 (IDW Publishing) – Even as a kid I was shrewd about my money and quickly learnt that a lot of my passions and obsessions had some truly awful and lazy spin-offs, Star Trek being one of the worst offending money grabbing staples of my youth, and one I happily ignored for a decade or two. I’m a fan, but money will always trump slavish in my devotion to any ‘franchise’, even now. Except somewhere in between then and now licensed properties quietly became, well, kinda awesome. Titans’s unstoppable Doctor Who or BOOM!’s magic touch on the seemingly inexhaustible Adventure Time comics get great ideas and writers and the readers will follow. Even so, I’ve been skeptical of my childhood repeat offender until now.
Waypoint is a brand new series from IDW offering up anthology stories from all across the breadth and time of the thankfully lens flare free Prime Universe for all us bitter old school nerds. This time around with two stories, a classic original series story by Sandra Lanz and one that finally got me buying Star Trek comics again, “Puzzles”. Written by Donny Cates and Mack Chater set sometime after the Next Generation, with a mysterious ship appearing, with Data and Geordie sent out to investigate. Not giving too much away, it gives a heady sci-fi spin on Data and Geordie’s unusual but lasting friendship and the preview pages made me smile with where Cates and Chater have taken it and how much they understand the unusual pairing.
Jonesy Vol. 1 (BOOM! Studios) – Collecting all six issues of the colourful, charming and captivating miniseries from writer Sam Humpries and artist Caitlin Rose Boyle. Self described “cool dork” Jonesy, introduces readers to her high school life, spending her time making zines and most importantly, using her super secret power to make people fall in love. A modern day Cupid with converse, plaid and attitude.
Like Allison or Tynion, it’s hard to believe this isn’t written by teenagers. Told from our anarchic math makers point of view the dialogue is snappy and genuine, coupling perfectly with the delightfully brash and vivid cartoon style of Boyle, it would appeal to fans of slice of life fantasy-realism likeScott Pilgrim or Giant Days.
Shay
Top Pick: Black Panther Epic Collection TP Panther’s Rage (Marvel) – Marvel has always been a master of political undertones. They’ve brought light to injustices in a palatable way to bring the masses together. This is a throwback TP where we get some of the awesome that is Black Panther and why he’s so important, not just to the MCU but, to the world. This collections shows the Panther taking care of business in Wakanda, sharing some of their culture. It expands horizons which is great for promoting global awareness in a time , much like now, where people don’t think about their neighbor , let alone people far away . This TP follows him from his culture to the south in the US where he fights the Klan and Soul Strangler. Considering how race relations are in this country , and across the world, this is a great time to read this and remind ourselves what’s at stake, what used to be, and what could be again. Understanding leads to compassion and compassion leads to the end of hate.
Batgirl #3 (DC Comics) – Part 3 of the Beyond Burnside arc is getting popcorn at the movies good. There’s a second villain, the mysterious “the Student” mark and a trip to Korea keeping BATGIRL hella busy. Should be a fun read.
Suicide Squad #3 (DC Comics) – Has got the people at Bele Reve losing their collective minds thanks to more dark & mysterious forces. Meaning the Suicide Squad doesn’t get to enjoy R & R. In the midst of the chaos the always crazily awesome Harley manages to stay “sane”. Plus more Katana backstory. The Black Vault story arc is interesting and getting better by the issue.
The X-Files: Origins #2 (IDW Publishing) – I need to know what was in the woods that Mulder ran off into to check on his friends after the men in black appeared. I also need to know how Scully’s Sunday school teacher ended up dead and if her father is in for a similar fate. Issue 2 promises to show us the first mystery these two solve, even if it’s not the two of them solving it together.
Kim and Kim #3 (Black Mask Studios) – I’ve been waiting to see what happened next in this awesome LGBT positive space cowboy action comic. I also want to see if the hunt for Lady Babylon leads to some more answers & a stop to the space slave trade.
Brett
Top Pick: Teen Titans: Rebirth #1 (DC Comics) – A new Teen Titans team headed up by Damian sounds fun and exciting to me. The first issue is really fun and generally what I expected. The clash of personalities is something that should be entertaining and add on top that this sets the team off on the wrong foot makes it even more entertaining.
Captain Canuck #9 (Chapterhouse Comics) – Captain Canuck always puts a smile on my face. It’s a throwback in many ways before comics became grim and gritty and that’s pretty awesome.
M.A.S.K.: Revolution #1 (IDW Publishing) – This is straight up nostalgia for me. I loved these toys growing up and to see them return in comics has me super excited.
The Paybacks #3 (Heavy Metal Comics) – The funniest and most entertaining comic on the shelves right now. Each issue has been amazing.
Tomboy #8 (Action Lab: Danger Zone) – Maybe the best comic you’re not reading? A brutal vigilante story starring a teenage girl.
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: A&A: The Aventures Of Archer And Armstrong #7 (Valiant) – The last issue was one of the better ones I’ve read in this series, which is saying a lot when it comes to A&A’s quality. I’m remarkably excited to get my grubby mitts on this issue.
Angel Catbird Vol.1 (Dark Horse) – The early reviews I’ve read have been very good, which is awesome. Other than the cover and the preview text, I know next to nothing about the TPb other than it’s apparently very good. Sometimes, that’s the only reason you need to read something.
Batman #6 (DC Comics) – Another week, another Batman comic. Strangely, the twice-monthly shipping isn’t bothering me as much as I thought it would… probably because Tom King and David Finch are still going very strong right now.
Moon Knight #6 (Marvel) – I think I must be one of the very few people for whom this series isn’t clicking for. I recognise it’s good, but I’ve been picking it up primarily because of the art, not the quality of the story. But I have faith in Jeff Lemire, and I’ve also found the series has been getting better issue by issue. At some point, the series is going to click for me, and I’m really hoping its here.
Ninjak #19 (Valiant) – Ninjak’s team up with the Eternal Warrior continues here, and it’s a safe bet that any comic featuring the Eternal Warrior will be on my pull list – this comic is no exception. Although not quite as good as Wrath of the Eternal Warrior, this story is only one issue in.
Anthony
Glitterbomb #1 (Image Comics) – Jim Zub has been part of a slew of excellent titles throughout his career, including the current ongoing at Image, Wayward. Glitterbomb looks to be another intriguing concept from Zub with newcomer artist Djibril Morissette-Phan. The premise looks to attack celebrity culture and fame with a twist of horror and violence. Morissette-Phan, whose previewed art, with the colours of K. Michael Russell, makes this series look even more intriguing and gritty.Kill or Be Killed #2 (Image Comics) – The first issue contained some rather unexpected moments for a series that appeared to be purely grounded in reality. The creative team of Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Elizabeth Breitweiser are no strangers to implementing supernatural elements (see the fantastic Fatale). Dylan is the front and
Kill or Be Killed #2 (Image Comics) – The first issue contained some rather unexpected moments for a series that appeared to be purely grounded in reality. The creative team of Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Elizabeth Breitweiser are no strangers to implementing supernatural elements (see the fantastic Fatale). Dylan is the front and center vigilante-esque protagonist whose agenda to kill those deemed as scum of the Earth is initiated by a mysterious demon after a failed suicide attempt. It’s too early to tell whether this is more of a projection of the mindset of Dylan or a full on horror element part of the story. Either way, this looks to be another hit title for a team that continues to impress.
Paper Girls #9 (Image Comics) – With another Erin (whom may or may not be one to trust according to the last issue) thrown into the mix, things are getting pretty hectic in the present time. Oh, and there are some gigantic monsters fighting amidst the city.
A&A: The Adventures of Archer and Armstrong #7 (Valiant) – Archer and Armstrong have found themselves amongst a circus troupe of Armstrong doppelgangers as the duo continue their journey to find the immortal’s long-lost wife. A&A continues to be one of the funniest and more entertaining comics on the stands that never fails to be filled with laugh out loud moments.
Kim and Kim #2 (Black Mask Studios) – The first issue of Kim and Kim introduced an energetic and colourful world centered around bounty hunters Kimiko Quatro and Kimber Dantzler. They have propelled themselves forward into the midst of a pretty heavy situation involving a particular bounty that looks to be the driving force for Kim and Kim. With a real punk aesthetic and
Shay
This is a damn good week for comic book lovers. Whether you’re into the big boys of DC and Marvel , or the mini majors with an indie edge like Image. It’s about time to get your geek on!
Top Pick: Everafter: From the Pages of Fables #1 (Vertigo) – Full disclosure, I am such a Fables fan that I have a tattoo of the cover of issue #7 on my arm. Of course, I’m hella hyped for something new from the geniuses behind the Fables brand. Here’s to more bad ass ladies, shifty bad guys and what I’m sure will be a fun ride. Philip Willingham himself recommends it and it’s from The Wolf Among Us creators.
Rise of the Black Flame #1 (Dark Horse) – There’s a cult, missing girls, the jungle of Siam! It sounds like an adventure mystery that will give you chills!
Batman Arkham: Poison Ivy TP (DC Comics) – All of Poison Ivy’s ( aka Red) greatest hits and fights against Batman in one place. Who doesn’t like a little female bad assery ?
Color Your Own Women of Power (Marvel) – It’s a fun time and a coloring book for fans. You can now color in ( or out of ) the lines and make your own fantasy costumes for your fave lady superheroes. What’s not to love about the chance to put something functional on your faves?
Glitterbomb #1 (Image Comics) – Looks like it has some promise. Dark forces beyond our control hell bent on tearing down celebrity culture and beauty. Should be a fun read and an interesting series of it plays its cards right and shows us the ugly behind the beauty.
Brett
Top Pick: The Sheriff of Babylon #10 (Vertigo) – Hands down the best comic out there right now. It’s entertaining, but also a brutal and honest look at life in Iraq post war. Writer Tom King gives a visceral feel to each issue and artist Mitch Gerads’ art is absolutely amazing in its detail.
Cyborg: Rebirth #1 (DC Comics) – A new creative team takes on Cyborg and I’m really intrigued to see where writer John Semper Jr. takes the character.
Supergirl #1 (DC Comics) – I really enjoyed writer Steve Orlando’s take on the character in his Rebirth issue. He’s clearly focused on the teenage and immigrant aspects of the character and making sure it’s all fun too.
Alters #1 (Aftershock Comics) – I’m intrigued on this one which sees a world where people are changing by gaining powers, but also a new hero is transitioning from male to female at the same time as gaining powers. I hold my breathe hoping this one is a story featuring a transgender character done right, but who knows.
Eclipse #1 (Image Comics) – An interesting concept of a world where sunlight kills people so the survivors are forced to live in nocturnal cities and someone begins to use it as a weapon for murder. Sounds original and intriguing.
We’re going into a busy weekend of conventions with four team members at three conventions, NOVA Open, Baltimore Comic Con, and Dragon Con! If you see us, stop and say “hi”!
While you wait for our coverage to begin, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.
Written by: Magdalene Visaggio
Illustrated by: Eva Cabrera
Colored by: Claudia Aguirre
Lettered by: Zakk Saam
Cover by: Devaki Neogi
In Stores: August 31
Kim & Kim return on August 31st with their interstellar journey of friendship, adolescent mischief, and cephalopod mania. Will they chase down that fucking ridiculous bounty? Will Kim Q. reconcile with her douchey dad? Will they come up with enough cash to buy more booze? Not yet, because first they gotta get into some barfights and accidentally tear open a rift in the fabric of spacetime or something! Fighting and science together at last!
Black Mask Studios rolled out Kim & Kim this week, and it’s getting a lot of buzz for its cast of queer characters and their bonkers sci-fi adventuring.
Our titular heroines are Kimiko “Kim Q.” Quatro and Kimber “Kim D.” Dantzler, best friends embroiled in interdimensional bounty-hunting. The general concept is a lot of fun – I love bounty hunter narratives, especially if they involve space and/or other dimensions and kick-ass ladies; however, certain things didn’t jibe with my personal taste in comics. I go back-and-forth on how well Kim Q’s first person narration works, and I hope it’s going to prove to be a valuable element of the storytelling and in connecting readers with Kim herself, even though device often feels tired. The opening “In about three seconds I’m gonna come crashing through a window” was especially hammy, and hard to not roll my eyes at. I also often felt the dialogue was trying too hard to be snarky and edgy. While the cover art is pretty slick, the general aesthetic isn’t one I typically enjoy – overly cartoony and poppy but with violence and swearing, I could see myself really enjoying Kim & Kim more when I was 14. Claudia Aguirre’s color palette is my favorite part of the artwork by far – punchy and vibrant, it left me wanting a pack of fruit stripe gum. At best I’d describe Kim & Kim as Tank Girl lite, just to be nice, because I really want to come around to liking it. Its shortcoming could very well be the nature of a pilot issue finding its footing and, despite my criticisms, it was still a fun read.
A lot of the pull-quotes for the first issue center on the fact that the Kim & Kim is LGBTQ-positive, even describing the work itself as “queer as shit,” which is great to advertise proudly – it’s a huge part of what drew me into reading it. Yet I actually found the queer element to be pretty casual and organic, and I liked that. Kim Q mentions her status as trans offhandedly while she and Kim D. hang out and drink after a lost bounty, and I appreciate that the moment wasn’t forced exposition nor did it land as gimmicky. I did find myself wondering what other elements of the comic beyond gender ID/sexual orientation might be considered uniquely queer – the outlandish style and sassy attitudes landed more as standard dystopian punk than queer-specific in my eyes, but I’m saying that from the perspective of someone who embraces the queer label despite being cis/heteroflexible – in other words, I know I’m not exactly an authority on the word though I may feel I identify with it. It got me wondering, is dystopian punk queer by nature? I’d love to see some thoughts on that in the comments section.
Turn on some Sleigh Bells (Veruca Salt if you’re old school) or the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, and get ready to be amazed by Kim and Kim #1. The new Black Mask series from writer Mags Visaggio, artist Eva Cabrera, and colorist Claudia Aguirre follows the adventures of Kim Q and Kim D, a pair of fast-talking, fashion forward, and not afraid to cave your face in with a musical instrument bounty hunters. As they travel the Omniverse in their flying van, they try to avoid any entanglements on the way to pay dirt, but of course, this doesn’t happen, and thus the comic has a plot. The story of ne’er do wells trying to stay solvent in a dangerous sci-fi setting has been told several times before in shows like Firefly and Cowboy Bebop, but Visaggio, Cabrera, and Aguirre put their own mark on the genre with a candy floss color palette, a shonen meets metalheadedge to some of the fight sequences, zippy banter, and most importantly, excellent LGBTQ representation.
Kim Q and Kim D are whip smart badasses, who just happen to be trans and bi respectively. Visaggio brings up their sexual and gender identities organically in the story as they lust over Saar, a sexy bounty hunter friend turned rival, in a very funny scene, and when Kim Q talks about falling out with her dad and trying to capture Quilt, a shapeshifting drug mule just to spite him. And, in some down time, they also talk about starting a punk rock bakery with cupcakes saying “queeriarchy” on them and drunkenly sing William Blake’s “Jerusalem” as Visaggio gives Kim and Kim an easy rapport and friendship and doles out exposition about the insane world with multiple dimensions and shapeshifting tentacle in a friendly, sarcastic manner via narrative captions.
A lot of sci-fi has really forced and sterile dialogue (See almost every episode of Stargate SG-1 I was subjected to in college.), but Visaggio makes Kim, and the various unsavory folk sound like actual human beings albeit much more quippier in a way that would make Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson, and Russell T. Davies smile. This easygoing style along with Eva Cabrera’s anime meets trippy sci-fi art style really helped me connect to the characters, and Visaggio even introduces little personality conflicts between the Kims as Kim D is more business focused while Kim Q is more of a dreamer and emotionally driven. For example, Kim Q doesn’t want anything to do with a bounty that her father, Furious Quatro (He sounds like a razor brand geared towards toxically masculine men.) has set, but Kim D knows that their last bounty was voided so she’ll bite the bullet and do this one last job. The Kims ends up on the same page by the end of the issue, but they reach that destination (Pissing off your parents is a totally valid character motivation and adds to the punk attitude of the comic.)
Although Claudia Aguirre looked like she robbed a cotton candy stand in crafting Kim and Kim #1’s color scheme, it is actually a pretty violent comic and high energy with an air of mystery towards the beginning and the end of the issue. Like Annie Wu on Black Canary, Eva Cabrera uses the comics medium to show the “greatest hits” of a fight scene beginning with Kim Q chasing a bounty on foot and smashing them with her trusty guitar while Kim D takes out their knees with her sniper rifle. Aguirre punctuates the punches, gun shots, and broken bones with bold background color choices, including plenty of red, and the entire team turns what could be a cliched interrogation sequence into a high powered punk musical montage featuring both shopping and fisticuffs because Clovis is a multi-faceted planet. However, Visaggio and Cabrera know when to take their feet off the pedal and let Kim and Kim banter about attractive humans or plan their next move, which makes the comic both thrilling and emotionally compelling. You really care about these crazy queer kids by the end of the issue as the comic goes from something fast and loose like Firefly or SyFy’s Killjoys to a more direct space quest like Star Trek Voyager or Battlestar Galactica ,but a ton more stylish and humorous.
Kim and Kim #1 is the perfect comic for readers, who like their science fiction action-packed, character, and not sanctimonious. Mags Visaggio, Eva Cabrera, Claudia Aguirre, and letterer Zakk Saam pack each panel with a great joke, intriguing mystery, detail about the wacky world around them, or best of all, a badass fighting move. If you like comics with multi-faceted female queer leads, immersive worlds, fun color palettes, or a mix of both, look no further than this book yet another in-your-face hit from Black Mask Studios.
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: 4001 A.D.: Shadowman #1 (Valiant Entertainment) – 4001 A.D. has been a pretty great event so far, and while it isn’t the best miniseries Valiant are putting out right now (Divinity holds that title), it’s still better than most other . As with the Bloodshot tie-in comic, this one looks like it can be read independently of the main series; so if you’re not reading the main series, you can sill pick this up no problem.
Batman #2 (DC Comics) – I really enjoyed the first issue – much more than I expected I would – and so naturally I’m looking forward to this. Tom King’s take on Batman has been solid, but at only an issue in it’s probably too early to pass fair judgement on that, eh? Plus, there’s David Finch on pencils, and as I’m a big fan of his work, it’s hard not to jump on this book.
Moon Knight #4 (Marvel) – Honestly, this series hasn’t been as good as the 2014 series, but we’re also only four issues in. I’ll give it a couple more before I do cancel it, because it feels like there is potential here for a great story… but we haven’t really seen that yet. That said, the artists’ are probably the best part of this book.
Vote Loki #2 (Marvel) – The first issue was brilliant fun. Is it particularly faithful to the Presidential election process? I honestly don’t know, but I absolutely loved it nonetheless. It’s a fun comic that doesn’t take itself too seriously at all, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Anthony
Top Pick: Roche Limit Monadic #4 (Image Comics) – Roche Limi has been a great, cerebral, neo-noir, sci-fi ride right from the beginning. This is the final chapter of the trilogy that will feature the philosophical, thoughtful words of Michael Moreci, Kyle Charles’s expressive, flowing illustrations, and Matt Battaglia’s moody colours.
The Fix #4 (Image Comics) – Last issue ended with a literal bang that could potentially swing this series into an even darker direction. Nick Spencer, Steve Lieber and Ryan Hill have been crafting quite the hilarious and poignant series so far. It will be interesting to see what arises before this series takes a little break and check in on Mac (and Pretzels?!) since last issue focused more on Donovan.
Paper Girls #7 (Image Comics) – Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang and Matt Wilson continue to present an inventive, fun and entertaining ride and are introducing a whole new set of unexpected directions after the last issue. With its colourful aesthetic, imaginative images and grounded characters, this has been a monthly treat.
Tokyo Ghost #8 (Image Comics) – Rick Remender is one of the most exciting creators out there right now whose Image titles are all stellar in their own right. Working alongside the incredibly detailed line work of Sean Gordon Murphy and one of the best colourists in Matt Hollingsworth make Tokyo Ghost one of those titles that is firing on all its creative cylinders. This is also one of the most relevant titles on the stands poking at the multiple distracting vices that surround us, even though this is a futuristic setting. Now that the character of the Tokyo Ghost has been revealed, it appears that Constable Dent will have his hands full.
Moon Knight #4 (Marvel) – The best Marvel titles are the ones not directly under the sway of events and Moon Knight stands tall amongst the bunch. Jeff Lemire, Greg Smallwood and Jordie Bellaire continue the push/pull of whether Marc Spector is insane in the membrane but either way, this continues to be one of the more entertaining and visually spectacular series Marvel is releasing.
Mr. H
Top Pick: Batman #2 (DC Comics) – King and Finch had such a great and unique opening installment, so naturally I am back. Like Snyder did on his run, King seems to be focused on putting the Man back in the Bat. We had a whopper of a cliffhanger last time and I am so curious to see what Gotham and Gotham Girl (Sounds like she should be on the CW) are up to. Are they run of the mill Superpowers? Or something more. Really enjoyed Finch’s pencil’s last time too. Well rounded issue that I’m looking forward to seeing more.
The Amazing Spider-Man # 15 (Marvel Comics) – While I hate the whole Regent character. I thought we were done with him back in Amazing Spider-Man: Renew your Vows, this issue looks to have MJ all front and center. Anytime a writer uses her right is a treat for me. Let’s hope that’s what Slott has on his mind here.
Green Lanterns # 2 (DC Comics) – Buddy cop drama with other worldly ramifications? Yup. I’m on board. Plus I am digging this Red Dawn plot line. Eager to see where it goes.
Brett
Top Pick: Sheriff of Babylon #8 (Vertigo) – Easily one of the best comics on the market right now. This murder mystery set in the Green Zone in Iraq is a fascinating behind the curtain look at life in the war zone in 2014 and each issue is a master class in character study and how to use imagery to enhance the spoken word.
Civil War II: Kingpin #1 (Marvel) – What’s the Kingpin been up to? We find this out with this Civil War II tie-in, my most anticipated one. The talented Matthew Rosenberg is at the helm which has me really excited to see what Marvel’s king of crime is up to.
The Flintstones #1 (DC Comics) – The recent reworking of Hanna-Barbera characters has been interesting, and this latest one tackles the classic cartoon characters. I’m not sure at all what to expect but Mark Russell has delivered hilarity in Prez, God is Dissapointed in You, and Apocrypha Now. I expect no less from this.
Kim and Kim #1 (Black Mask Studios) – Kim & Kim are twentysomething besties out to make a name for themselves in the wild world of interdimensional cowboy law enforcement. That’s the description and it sounds awesome. The artwork looks fantastic too.
Solarman #1(Scout Comics) – Joseph Illidge, Brendan Deneen, and N. Steven Harris bring back the classic character and gives him a modern facelift. I’ve read the first issue and it’s a must get.
Paul
Top Pick: Civil War II X-Men #2 (Marvel) – Magneto is ready to go to war against Inhuman and mutant alike to ensure the future seeing Inhuman, Ulysses, doesn’t jeopardize the future for mutants. This is typical Magneto, doing what he thinks is right to ensure the survival of mutants; nothing really ground breaking, but I did enjoy the first issue and it’s always fun seeing Magneto take matters into his own hands.
Batman #2 (DC Comics) – Not being an avid DC reader, I really enjoyed the start of this Rebirth title. I’m curious to learn more about this new Gotham hero and to see how Batman reacts to him; because Batman always plays well with others.
Green Arrow #2 (DC Comics) – Yup, another DC title on my list. The first issues were fun, and I’m really enjoying seeing Ollie and Dinah together again. This new iteration of Dinah is going to take some getting used to though (rock singer chick). And the ending from issue #1! Damn, gotta see what happens with that.
Justice League: Rebirth #1 (DC Comics) – Yup, this is the third DC title on my list (Marvel is having a quiet week) and I’m a sucker for a team book. Going in not knowing anything about these characters post New 52 but I am intrigued by the synopsis; a ‘new’ Superman that Batman and Wonder Woman are suspicious of? Interesting. And a couple new Green Lanterns I see. Well, here’s hoping!
