Martian Manhunter #5 (of 12)
(W) Steve Orlando (A/CA) Riley Rossmo
In Shops: May 22, 2019
SRP: $3.99
J’onn J’onnz is no longer the sole survivor of the planet Mars! The vicious criminal Charnn somehow survived the epidemic of H’ronnmeer’s Curse-and now he’s here on Earth! To survive his attack, J’onn will need Diane’s help-but even after he told her everything, what secrets is she hiding?
Martian Manhunter #4 (of 12)
(W) Steve Orlando (A/CA) Riley Rossmo
In Shops: Mar 27, 2019
SRP: $3.99
There’s only one witness to the murder of the Addams family, and the disappearance of Ashley Addams. Good news: master detective John Jones has tracked the witness down! Bad news: the witness is… an iguana. Can even John’s Martian telepathic mind withstand contact with a primitive animal? And in his past on Mars, the fiery plague of H’ronmeer’s Curse is creating a desperate situation… how far will J’onn J’onnz go to keep his family safe?
Martian Manhunter #3
(W) Steve Orlando (A/CA) Riley Rossmo
RATED T+
In Shops: Feb 27, 2019
SRP: $3.99
Detective Diane Meade knows the shocking truth: her partner is not the real John Jones! With a gun to his head, J’onn J’onnz must explain his first horrifying night on Earth, and how he came to wear her partner’s face…but even as they speak, Middleton’s serial killer is back at his bloody work!
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.
The Avant-Guards #2 (BOOM! Studios) – The first issue of this series was excellent. The focus on building of an extracurricular college basketball team is so much fun.
Captain America #8 (Marvel) – Ta-Nehisi Coates has been putting together an epic Captain America run that dips into the past while forging something new for the future.
Daredevil #2 (Marvel) – The first issue blew us away and we’re expecting no less from the second.
The Forgotten Queen #1 (Valiant) – A whole new series from Valiant that’s really something different from them and we’re excited.
Heroes in Crisis #6 (DC Comics) – The event is controversial but we really want to see where it all goes.
Martian Manhunter #3 (DC Comics) – The maxi-series has been fantastic so far. It’s given us a new take on the classic character focusing on his origin and tragedy but also the impact today.
Peter Cannon Thunderbolt #2 (Dynamite Entertainment) – The character is updated and it’s fantastic.
Star Trek: Q Conflict #2 (IDW Publishing) – The first issue was fun bringing together the crews from the various series. How they all interact will be the draw of this series.
Sweetie #1 (Action Lab Entertainment) – This series focused on a young girl that’s a comic superfan seems like it’ll be a lot of fun.
X-Force #3 (Marvel) – The first two issues have felt like a nice return of X-Force and the team dynamic has been solid. Add in Ahab and the return of Stryfe and we’re all in.
Martian Manhunter #2
(W) Steve Orlando (A/CA) Riley Rossmo
In Shops: Jan 09, 2019
SRP: $3.99
Return to Mars in the days before its doom to see the love affair of J’onn and M’yri’ah…and a Martian coming-of-age ritual you’ll NEVER forget! All of these painful memories J’onn carries with him to his new life on Earth…but first he’s gotta survive the pain of a car crash, being set on fire and accidentally revealing his true form to his detective partner! Did we mention she’s heavily armed?
It’s new comic book day! What’s everyone getting? What are you excited for? Sound off in the comments below! While you wait for shops to open, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
The Hollywood Reporter – TKO Studios Plans to Change How Readers Buy Comics – This should be interesting. We wish them luck and look forward to reading their releases.
Reviews
Talking Comics – Martian Manhunter #1
Atomic Junk Shop – Outer Darkness #1-3
Newsarama – The Prague Coup
Talking Comics – Prodigy #1
The Beat – Pyongyang
Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling short reviews from the staff of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full review for.
These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews.
Elana
Die #1 (Image Comics)* – Easily a best new series of 2018. This is a power team of two of my favorite creators: Stephanie Hans and Kieron Gillen. Gillen knows his table-top Role Playing Games, his magical world building, his teen comics, his team comics, his emotionally vulnerable men and women and casts that are diverse racially, sexually and in social class. He’s doing all of that here and it shines. Stephanie Hans creates luminous paintings. Her faces are sensitive and unmistakable. Her character designs are exciting in both the real world and fantasy world the story takes place. These are two of the best talents in comics today doing what they do best. I couldn’t be more excited. Overall 10 Recommendation: Buy! (PS: Our latest episode of Graphic Policy Radio is an interview with Gillen and Hans.)
Jon
Die #1 (Image Comics)* – Kieron Gillen’s latest offering is built on a very simple premise: what might have happened to the kids from the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon when they returned from their adventures in a magical land? The result is the most sublime merger of comics and gaming to hit the page and that’s saying quite a bit given all the great books that have built on the tropes of both mediums over the last few years. Gillen never misses a beat, introducing us to a group of characters we want to know more about. Though not for everyone, Stephanie Hans artwork is a great complement to it, equal parts menacing and fantastic. I got to the end and I want another issue now. Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
Shean
Namor: The Best Defense #1 (Marvel)* – In what could be worst timing, we get Marvel’s own underwater superhero. As this could have been a great story, but never has the similarities been more apparent than on this one shot, as it comes off as straight up plagiarism.As this version is not formidable in anyway and is a much more neutered iteration of the character. I would say to read it simpl as an origin story, otherwise, nothing new here at all. Story: 4 Art: 6 Overall: 5 Recommendation: Read
Star Wars: Qui-Gon Jinn #1 (Marvel)* – In what definitely feels a companion story , we find Qui Gon Jinn at unease with the force. As him and a much younger Obi-Wan, find themselves rescuing a princess in the middle of a civil war. As Qui-Gon’s instincts leads him to a place where his Visions becomes amplified. By issue’s end, we see Qui-Gon is the first Jedi to foresee the wrath headed their way by way of the Sith. Story: 9 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy
Killmonger #1 (Marvel)* – In probably the best debut issue of an origin story I have read in a minute, we definitely get a masterclass in character study. As we find Erik as he is about to graduate MIT , his first instinct is to satisfy his blood lust for Klawe. He gets interrupted by Kingpin’s henchmen, King, Rook and Knight. by issue’s end, he begrudgingly joins this motley crew, even if it is just a stepping stone. Story :10 Art:10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
Immortal Hulk: Best Defense #1 (Marvel)* – We find Bruce Banner looking for what happened to Doctor Strange. As the book unfolds like a sleepy town mystery, one which Captivates the reader from the onset. He soon finds more quandaries than he initially expected. By issue’s end, Bruce and Hulk must find a way forward and the road into gets more treacherous. Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy
Ryan C
Martian Manhunter #1 (DC Comics)** – I went in to this one with zero preconceptions and was absolutely blown away. Riley Rossmo’s art is a joy to behold, as usual, all inventive page layouts and ultra-expressive characters and chaotic action scenes, but Steve Orlando, well — he’s pretty up-and-down, isn’t he? Fortunately, he’s “up” here in a big way, re-envisioning J’Onn J’Onzz as a dirty cop from Mars trying to atone for past sins as a clean cop here on Earth. Oh, and there’s a Martian sex scene in here that you’ve gotta see to believe. Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
Shazam! #1 (DC Comics)** – I suppose I should have known better, but — anyway, this is unmitigated crap. Geoff Johns’ updating of the Marvel family is obvious and unimaginative, Dale Eaglesham’s art is way too ’90s Image for a project like this — and nothing much really happens in the book, either, it’s pretty much all stage-setting. I enjoyed Mayo “Sen” Naito’s art on the backup strip, but that’s about all I can say for this poorly-considered work. Doc Shaner, Chris Samnee, Steve Rude — I’d love to see a “Shazam!” comic from one of them, but the approach DC is taking here is fundamentally flawed from the outset. Overall: 2 Recommendation: Pass
Batman #60 (DC Comics)** – Probably the best issue in quite some time, as Tom King’s Penguin/Bane storyline finally gels into something teeming with both suspense and menace, and the alternating art of Jorge Fornes and Mikel Janin accentuates the drama inherent in different scenes in fundamentally opposite, but equally appealing, styles. Oh, and that cliffhanger — holy shit! Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Border Town #4 (DC Comics/Vertigo)** – Yeah, okay, this issue is “guilty” of burying its storyline beneath its polemic, especially in the clumsy “info-dump” writer Eric M. Esquivel resorts to in his stage-setting for a Joe Arapaio stand-in character, but it’s still fun and engaging stuff with compelling characters, smart “world-building,” plenty of humor, and superb Ramon Villalobos art. Esquivel is a bit too “tell, don’t show” as a writer too frequently, but it’s not an ever-present feature at this point like it was in issue one. Yeah, this isn’t as good a #3, which remains the best installment to date, but it’s still pretty damn good and well worth four bucks. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy
Mr. H
Shazam! #1 (DC Comics)* – I cannot express how excited I was for this one. Geoff Johns and Gary Franks take on the big red cheese was so refreshing. The way they flipped Billy Batson from aw shucks to street smart wiseass with a heart of gold. That along with Gary Franks gorgeous art made a spectacular combination. Well I’m happy to say this story picks up where that left off. Billy has gone from house outcast to leader of the pack and the whole Marvel Family is just a joy to see in action. Now sure not a lot happens this issue but that is not to say it isn’t a lot of fun. Seeing the group discuss their superhero team name was a gas the art by Dale Eaglesham was a great successor to Gary Frank. The colors were vibrant and just whole lot of fun. The cliffhanger with a return of a long thought dead character sets up some serious intrigue and I am definitely back next month. Fun, laughs, and a sprinkle of action. This was everything monthy comics should be. Overall: great feel and continuity and good to see a monthly from Captain Marvel again. Overall: 8.9 Recommendation: Buy
Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write. See you next week!
Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).
No matter what you know about J’onn J’onnz, you’re not prepared for this! Martian Manhunter #1 is a reinvention of the Manhunter from Mars in this twisted, unexpected series from writer Steve Orlando, artist Riley Rossmo, colorist Ivan Plascencia, and letterer Deron Bennett.
Get your copy in comic shops now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site
The weekend is almost here and we’ve got so much to do to rap up the year while hopefully dodging bad weather. What do you all have on tap? While you think about that and wait for the work day to end, here’s some news from around the web in our morning roundup.
South China Morning Post – Marvel ‘insults China’ by making its first Asian superhero film about Shang-Chi, a son of Fu Manchu – This isn’t too surprising though it’s most likely the origin will change. Still, will the history be a problem for Marvel Studios? It’s a big deal as the studio relies heavily on the region for their films bottom line. The country is a powerhouse when it comes to the box office and any bumps could be devastating in the short and long run.
Reviews
Geek Dad – Martian Manhunter #1
No matter what you know about J’onn J’onnz, you’re not prepared for this! Martian Manhunter #1 is a reinvention of the Manhunter from Mars in this twisted, unexpected series. Back on Mars, J’onn was about as corrupt as a law officer can be, and when a reckoning comes for his entire society, he’ll get a second chance he doesn’t want or deserve! One shocking murder, and an unexpected fragment of the Mars he lost, will change his life-and the course of the Earth-forever!
J’onn J’onnz has been a character that has had so many takes and versions, it’s hard to keep track. The basics are often there but tweaks in his history or his role are often made and have made things… confusing at times.
Writer Steve Orlando and artist Riley Rossmo team up for this new maxi-series that explores J’onnz and after one issue, looks like it’ll rewrite the character for the better in many ways.
The focus here is his past as a crooked cop on Mars and his, what feels like, attempt to repent in some sort of way as a “good” cop on Earth after the reckoning of his people. We get to explore his life a bit on Mars, his family and the society there. It’s an interesting twist to his story delivering what feels like a depth and clear vision as what this character should be.
Orlando and Rossmo deliver a sadness about him that oozes from the page. This is a being who feels guilty of his actions of the past and is attempting to find redemption, it seems. And with it, we get a nice Law & Order type procedural at the same time.
Rossmo’s art is fantastic and he’s joined by Ivan Plascencia on color and lettering by Deron Bennett. The art is classic Rossmo with his exaggerated style that’s one of the most unique out there. With a color palette that’s defined, this is a comic that just doesn’t look like anything else on the shelves this week making it stand out even more so.
This is a fascinating first issue and delivers a story that has me caring for a character I’ve never particularly liked. It has a clear vision for a character who, like his shapeshifting, has been all over as far as history and background. The team here is delivering something that feels special and like it’ll be the next maxi-series “must read.”
Story: Steve Orlando Art: Riley Rossmo
Color: Ivan Plascencia Letters: Deron Bennett
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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