We’re inching closer to new comics (that aren’t DC) making a return, but we aren’t quite there yet as most publishers have stayed in quarantine. So as you exercise caution and stay safely at home, these are some stories you might want to check out in order to pass the time. Coincidentally, each of these books feature characters with verde visages.
She-Hulk
(w) Dan Slott (a) Juan Bobillo, Paul Pelletier, Scott Kolins
Dan Slott is one of the most polarizing creators in modern comics. His long tenure as Spider-Man’s writer was divisive (except for Superior Spider-Man). His tenure on Iron Man and Fantastic Four have been met with a similar reaction. Even his acclaimed run on Silver Surfer has its detractors. But the one work of his that is rarely criticized is She-Hulk. This 12-issue run is often considered the defining portrayal of Jennifer Walters. Mixing courtroom drama, slice-of-life storytelling, and a dose of superhero bombast, She-Hulk is a complete package.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (vol.1)
(w/a) Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird (a) Jim Lawson
Now might be a perfect time to revisit (or visit for the first time) the original comics starring the heroes-in-a-half-shell. Most are probably aware that the original first issue out of Mirage Studios is much grittier than the beloved 1980s cartoons or 1990s movies. However, the original TMNT “continuity” only comprises a handful of issues of the original volume’s 62 issues, as the series was mostly an anthology book with different creators taking a crack at these characters. Arguably the crowning achievement of this series is the 13-part “City at War” storyline, which I had the pleasure of covering over at the TMNT Fansite.
Planet Hulk
(w) Greg Pak (a) Carlo Pagulayan, Aaron Lopresti (i) Jeffrey Huet (c) Chris Sotomayor
One of the best Hulk stories of all time, and a partial basis for the movie Thor: Ragnarok, Greg Pak’s Planet Hulk takes Marvel’s jolly green giant and sets him on a classic hero’s journey. From being exiled from Earth, to facing a series of trials, and ultimately returning home victorious and stronger than when he left, this Hulk story has more in common with the mythology of ancient Greece than it does with typical superhero fare. Considering that the follow-up, World War Hulk, is just as compelling, you ought to be angry if you haven’t already read Planet Hulk.