The weekend is almost here, New York Comic Con is in full swing, and Joker is out in the theaters! What geeky things will you all be doing this weekend? Sound off in the comments!
The Beat – Dark Horse cancels single issues of the Spell on Wheels sequel – But you can still get it.
The Beat – Treatment by Dave Gibbons acquired by Madefire Studios – Interesting.
Review
Talking Comics – Batman #80
Your favorite witches are back on the road as powerhouse creators Kate Leth, Megan Levens, Marissa Louise, and letterer Rachel Deering come together to bring you another chapter in the Spell on Wheels saga, Spell on Wheels: Just to Get to You!
Andy, Claire, and Jolene hit the highway once again! A dark presence in the west possesses Claire and they’re determined to discover who and why.
As they follow the I-10 towards danger unknown, paranormal problems grow alongside personal ones and the witches grapple with phantoms, family drama, cryptids, crushes and everything in between.
Spell on Wheels: Just to Get to You #1 (of 5) arrives in comic shops October 9, 2019.
It was new comic book day yesterday. What’d you get? What’d you dislike? Sound off in the comments below! While you decide on that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
Around the Tubes
ICv2 – ‘Son of Shaolin’ OGN – At this point are there comics not optioned?
Norwich Bulletin – Items damaged at Putnam comic book store following Tuesday’s storms – This sucks! Go support this store!
Fresno Bee – His neighbor’s Atwater home burned down. Then he stole their comic books, police say – This is a rather strange story.
Kotaku – Marvel Heroes Stops Selling Fantastic Four Stuff – Interesting… Let the conspiracies spiral out of control!
Kotaku – Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite Aims To Prevent Endless Combos – Are folks happy or sad about this?
Around the Tubes Reviews
Newsarama – Batman/Elmer Fudd Special #1
CBR – Batman/Elmer Fudd Special #1
Newsarama – The Defenders #2
Talking Comics – Secret Empire #5
Newsarama – Secret Empire #5
CBR – Secret Weapons #1
ICv2 – Spell on Wheels TPB
Newsarama – Wonder Woman #25
Best friends. Road trips. Fighting the patriarchy. Found family. Magic. Really, what more can you ask for? Dark Horse’s Spell On Wheels was one I picked up the first issue of then completely forgot about in the mess of life. Definitely a mistake that I wanted to correct with this trade and I’m glad I did.
The overall plot architecture of set forth by Kate Leth is a pretty similar one to early seasons of Supernatural, Buffy, or Charmed: monster-of-the-week with a metaplot that strings it all together like beads on a necklace. In the case of Spell On Wheels, it’s more of an item-of-the-week. Our protagonists, a trio of Northeasterner witches, have their house broken into and looted for the tools of their trades. When they can’t find who’s responsible, they track down the buyers for their stuff on a road trip to make sure they aren’t the last witches out there.
It’s not all adventurous romps though. Jo, Andy, and Claire help where they can and correct some of the wrongs they end up running into along the way. We see a world where, even though the supernatural certainly exists, it’s not the only thing people ever care about. It makes the world as a whole feel far more real than it would otherwise. The charming and often rounded art of Megan Levens is a good fit for this story. The characters and words here aren’t sharp and aggressive, they’re inviting and open. The colors of Marissa Louise provide just the right amount of pop to the frames, pulling the eyes exactly where they need to go.
Overall, Spell On Wheels is definitely a trade to grab then continue with individual issues if you’ve enjoyed it. It really takes those first five issues to suck you entirely into the slow burn. This story wouldn’t be the same without the creative team that it has and it shows.
Story: Kate Leth Art: Megan Levens
Color: Marissa Louise Cover: Jen Bartel
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0
Recommendation: Buy, especially if you’ve been binging Charmed or The Magicians lately
The witches head out to recover the last of their magical possessions, but they soon discover they’re in a fight for their lives and the bad guy is not who they expected!
Spell on Wheels concludes on a high note, which, given all the characters have had to go through to get their stuff, is nice to see. Writer Kate Leth keeps it really entertaining with some interesting developments before everything concludes. That includes a metaphysical resurrection of someone else from the witches’ past. Given what the spirit wanted to do, it does make one wonder if there is a second volume to come.
The tarot card style inspired cover is a fitting one for the last issue. It manages to give a hint at a few things without revealing what is going to happen inside. Like the previous issues of this series, the art by Megan Levens is clean and well-defined. Levens manages to keep the magical elements realistic and eye-catching at the same time.
Story: Kate Leth Art: Megan Levens
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
Dark Horse Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
The witches’ first stop on their supernatural road trip turns into an overnight stay! Their host is up to something, and he might want more than just their magic orb!
The strange albeit humorous journey continues in Spell on Wheels #2. While things may seem simple and straightforward, there is much more to the first stop in our journey then appears. We’re introduced to the home of a frustrated artist who seems harmless at first. Claire wisely isn’t convinced and tries to protect her friends from a man whose intentions are more selfish than anything else. Writer Kate Leth keeps things fun and entertaining in this new magical series continuing what was set out in the first issue.
This issue continues the spellbinding art style by Megan Levens. Through the art, it manages to show the darker side of magic. I will admit the paintings are abstract but colorful, which stands out in contrast to the odd blandness of the artist’s home.
Story: Kate Leth Art: Megan Levens
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Dark Horse Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Spell on Wheels #1 is a nice start to a new short run series. If the first issue is any indication, we should be treated to something akin to The Craft goes on a road trip without all the drama. While these twenty something witches are off making a living, doing a bit of sorcery and spells for the nonmagical folks, they are robbed by a vengeful ex-boyfriend. The premise of this series is the girls hitting the road to get their magical wares back and it seems pretty darn fun so far.
Kate Leth hits on some pretty deep undertones in this issue making it a standout and a pretty fresh take on not only the road trip story but, on the magical front. The way that Leth gets the action going and leads the story shows us her talent and mastery of writing. There are some interesting things going on in this premiere issue that fit in nicely with some pretty deep social issues.
One of the things that stuck with me was the violating feeling of the robbery. There is something to be said about having your private space invaded and having someone take private precious things from you. Leth handles that by having two of the girls sleep together to feel safe. There’s also the issue of the jilted ex. Nathan, the culprit breaks into the house to steal from the girls because he was dumped. Leth owns kudos for showing the kind of entitled arrogance that causes a jilted male ex to exact revenge against the woman who dared to deny him.
While Leth keeps the story light and airy with a hint of fun she manages to tackle some pretty deep societal and, male/female relation issues. She’s able to explore some of these feelings without bringing the story down or making things heavy. Everything is presented as an organic part of the story and something for the reader to think about as they read it and after.
I also loved that the central characters of the story who are three twenty-something women, leaning on each other while finding out who they are. As a comic book, it passes the Bechdel Test and when they talk it’s not about the men in their lives or society, it’s about each other. Spell on Wheels #1 shows women getting along, living autonomous lives, and existing much like most women live their lives. That feels like it’s in contrast to the way that so much of media presents women and their interpersonal relationships with each other.
There is also the way that Leth handles the fact that she’s dealing with a diverse group of girls. She doesn’t make the different ethnicities an issue. There is no mention of race because the story doesn’t need it. The story is presented as things happen in real life when friends of different races hang out they act as if it is normal because it is. The racial diversity is not a central or integral part of the story it just is and that is a beautiful thing.
Megan Levens’ artwork brings a sense of airiness and light to the story. It throws back to the old Josie and the Pussycats comics which is appropriate because that was another great girl-powered, ass kicking trio. The color palette is relaxing and bright and, doesn’t overpower the story being told. Levens’ gets extra kudos for the fact that she takes on the different ethnic backgrounds of the girls and makes them look different but, not stereotypical, like caricatures of their races or, like racially ambiguous people dipped in different hued crayons.
Overall Spell on Wheels #1 has me hooked and I’m all strapped in and ready to ride shotgun in Jolene, that beautiful convertible coup that will taking them on the journey. This issue ends with the witches knocking on the door of the first person who bought some of their stolen magical loot off of the dark web magic ebay. I can’t wait to see how it all plays out, because Spell on Wheels looks like it is going to be a fun road trip romp with some strong female characters and a killer story.
Story: Kate Leth Art: Megan Levens
Story: 8.9 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.6 Recommendation: Buy
Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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.
Shay
Top Pick: Harley Quinn #6 (DC Comics) – The punk scene and Harley are a match made in anarchist heaven! This issue will give you life!
Wynonna Earp Vol 1 TP (IDW Publishing) – This reboot/re-imagining of Wynonna Earp will bring TV fans and die-hard fans from the OG comics when she was still blonde and buxom together under one accord. Wynonna is one hell of a bad ass and her story deserves to be told. Get semi caught up with this trade paperback and enjoy yourself. It’s a great jump off point to get to know the new Wynonna, meet her for the first time or, discover some of the things that you wish you
Black Panther #7 (Marvel) – Black Panther gets more than by with a little help from his friends! This issue has everything you need and want, a lot of action, some serious double crossing, a nice spirit walk , funny and clever quips ,a dash of blaxploitation fire and , some killer cameos!
Spell on Wheels #1 (Dark Horse) – Girl powered road trip! But, the girls are witches on the trail of the thief that stole their powers.
Death of X #2 (Marvel) – It’s going DOWN! two more issues then we have IvX! This is the bridge to cover that gap and set the stage for one hell of a fight. Without giving away too much lets just say that the X-men, especially Cyclops should “Beware when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become one.” Because where the Inhumans are concerned he’s starting to sound an awful lot like the humans who came for the X-men and the other mutants.
Joe
Top Pick: Dept. H #7 (Dark Horse) – This has been such a good series so far by Matt and Sharlene Kindt. The underwater claustrophobia continues as Mia searches for who killed her father while trying to stay alive. The combination of the pencils and watercolor is just beautiful in this book and you should definitely check it out.
Black Hammer #4 (Dark Horse) – Such an original series. I always have liked what Lemire does, but this is so weird and silly and yet has such a great story. The characters are somehow relatable while still being so over the top. The way it pokes at superhero tropes is hilarious and refreshing. I also love the classic style art in this book, it really fits well.
Batman #9 (DC Comics) – Now that we are done with “Night of The Monster Men,” we can get back to a more focused story I hope. I love what Tom King was doing with this book, and am excited to see what this “I Am Suicide” arc is all about. King has made Batman very vulnerable so far, and I want to see how far he takes The Dark Knight, and how far DC is willing to let him.
Death of X #2 (Marvel) – I love Aaron Kuder’s art. It’s a breath of fresh air for Marvel. I also liked the first issue and want to see what Soule and Lemire do here since they are both writing this series. I’ve been intrigued by this title, and as a kid who grew up with The X-books being my favorites, I want to see what Marvel is really planning for them.
Infamous Iron Man #1 (Marvel) – Who doesn’t want to see Victor Von Doom as Iron Man? I’m so curious to see what Bendis will do here. I am sure everyone is. Is Victor truly redeemed post-Secret Wars? What will he think of Riri? Where the hell is Tony? There are tons of questions, and I am very hopeful for this series.
Alex
Top Pick: Faith #4 (Valiant) – Alex looking forward to a Valiant comic? Hardly a surprise, really, but this issue that has Faith, Archer and Faith (yes, really) attending a comic book convention is going to be an absolute blast to read.
Batman #9 (DC Comics) – At last the crossover story is done, so hopefully now we get to something that’s just flat out better.
Black Hammer #4 (Dark Horse) – A story about forgotten, or lost, heroes trapped for some reason in a town that most of them don’t want to be in. It’s a brilliant story, and one I was fortunate enough to read the first two issues in one go – absolutely worth your time.
Green Lanterns #9 (DC Comics) – After eight issues, I’ve found that I’ve become rather fond of the Green Lantern property post-Rebirth, and a large part of that new found fandom is because of this comic. It’s fairly similar in tone to Faith, and seeing as how that’s one of my favourite series right now, it stands to reason that this would also be pretty high on my list.
Ninjak #20 (Valiant) – I’m still not as excited about this comic as I want to be, but it’s still more enticing to me than almost anything that Marvel are publishing this week. I don’t know whether that says more about Valiant’s consistent high quality or Marvel’s lack of anything interesting.
Brett
Top Pick: Infamous Iron Man #1 (Marvel) – Doctor Doom as Iron Man is an intriguing concept and we get the details as to why and how here. If you don’t want Civil War II spoiled, you might want to avoid this comic, but, it gives us our first hint as to what the hell goes down at the end of that event. Beyond that, Doom as hero is actually really interesting and something I want to see.
Death of X #2 (Marvel) – The first issue was a bit mixed for me, but I really want to see what happened between Mutants and Inhumans and the fate of a lot of characters. Marvel has teased things, and I want the details.
The Black Hood Season 2 #1 (Dark Circle) – Archie’s “superhero” series gets a second volume. The first was brutal, dark, and really great to read. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #1 (DC’s Young Animal) – This new line of comics from DC has been really interesting and the latest release is an interesting one with a rather obscure character. I have no idea what to expect, but it’s one that’s high on my list to find out.
The Bunker #19 (Oni Press) – The time traveling mind trip comes to an end with this issue which feels like it has so much to wrap up. It’s been one hell of a ride, so how this all ends is something I really want to know and can’t wait to find out.
Anthony
Secret Path: Confronting the past is something that often requires dealing with controversial subject matter, looking outward to return inward in the present time, reflecting and hoping a light is shone on what is often ignored. Secret Path tells the story of a young boy named Chanie Wenjack whom died trying to find his way home, 400 miles away, after escaping from the often brutal conditions that many Aboriginal people faced in Residential Schools. Gord Downie, lead singer of The Tragically Hip and long time activist for Aboriginal rights, and artist Jeff Lemire, present a story in which Canada must come face to face with their own past reality.
Black Hammer #4 (Dark Horse) – The team of Black Hammer continues to flesh out some very thought provoking, emotional, and deconstructive stories/images on the superhero genre as a whole. This issue looks to focus on Abraham Slam’s past, intermingling with the present time.
Black Panther #7 (Marvel) – Chris Sprouse has been doing a solid job penciling the last few issues after Brian Stelfreeze’s first four issues and looks to continue expanding the wide range of characters and places with Ta-Nehisi Coates’s scripts and Laura Martin’s wide-ranging colours. It looks like the creative team will be re-introducing ‘The Crew’ with the new set of members looking like Black Panther, Misty Knight, Storm and Luke Cage.
Black Widow #7 (Marvel) – Black Widow returns and looks to confront the very person that has been screwing around with her life: Weeping Lion. Chris Samnee, Mark Waid, and Matt Wilson have created a wonderfully balanced series, showing the power of visual storytelling alongside scripts that don’t really rely too heavily on exposition.
Faith #4 (Valiant) – Faith and Archer decide to spend some much needed time together by going to the local comic convention, away from the hustle and bustle of being a superhero. But, sometimes you just can’t escape that. The two have found themselves about to face off against a group of people trying to invade on the fun to be had at nerdvana.
Jason
Top Pick: Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #1 (DC’s Young Animal) – Even a few titles in, Gerard Way’s ‘Young Animals’ is already proving to be a shot in the arm for DC’s comics line, with the My Chemical Romance frontman and his team embracing the weird and cherry picking the most obscure and weird characters from the company’s vaults.They don’t come any more obscure than Cave Carson, the one with the cybernetic eye, first appearing in four issues of the ‘Brave and the Bold’ in the 60’s before making his way onto the aptly named “Forgotten Heroes” along with Animal Man in the 80’s.
“Inspired by the visionary work of DC’s experimental past, but shaped and focused on the absurdity of today” is the imprints mission statement and it would seem that Way and Rivera are taking the spelunking hero down a psychedelic, self exploratory path as he struggles with his grip on reality after his wife’s death.
Infamous Iron Man #1 (Marvel) – Following in the footsteps of Doctor Octopus as Superior Spider-man, this month Iron Man becomes infamous as the leader of Latveria dons Stark’s armor. One of two characters taking over the Iron Man Mantle along with Riri Williams it remains to be seen if Bendis and Maleev’s Victor is truly on a path to redemption or working an angle to a new devious master plan.
While his last big plan saw Doom elevate himself to the status of God of the newly formed battleworld, can one of the biggest and most complex villains of the Marvel Universe really step up and become a true hero? With the series’ second issue featuring long time adversary and sure to be skeptical Ben Grimm, it’s sure going to be an interesting look into an already layered character.
Dark Horse has announced a new original comic series, Spell on Wheels, written by Kate Leth with illustrations by Megan Levens and a beautiful cover created by Ming Doyle.
Spell on Wheels: Night of the Wand follows the adventure of three talented witches —Andy, Claire and Jolene — as they embark on a road trip to retrieve their stolen magical objects. The three witches must work together to retrieve their possessions, but are they strong enough to defeat the dark magical force behind the thievery?
The first issue of Spell on Wheels: Night of the Wand goes on sale October 19, 2016, with four subsequent issues published monthly.
Megan Levens and Kate Leth will attend the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con. The Spell on Wheels creative team will host a signing on July 23, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. at the Dark Horse booth.
