There’s a bunch of new books and only so many dollars to spend. Here’s what looks good to pick up for this week.
Archie #705 (Archie Comics)
(w) Nick Spencer (a) Sandy Jarrell
Have Archie and Sabrina dated before? Possibly (Edit: upon further research, the answer is “no”). The idea that arguably the two biggest names in the publisher’s stable are going steady is huge news. So huge that the book is going forward with the title Archie and Sabrina, even though solicits and Previews still just call it Archie. Nick Spencer’s brief time as writer has been a fantastic and drama-filled read, and it looks like things are going to get crazier going forward.
The Immortal Hulk #19 (Marvel Entertainment)
(w) Al Ewing (a) Joe Bennett
Simply put, there may not be a better horror book on the stands than The Immortal Hulk. Yes, though a bunch of strong-arming practices Marvel was able to get this title to outsell Batman. However, that narrative in recent days has overshadowed the general consensus that The Immortal Hulk is phenomenal. To quote a friend of the site, this comic fucks.
The Flash #72 (DC Comics)
(w) Joshua Williamson (a) Howard Porter
The “Year One” moniker holds a special place in the DC lexicon, ever since 1988’s classic Batman: Year One. Since then, we’ve seen Green Arrow, JLA, Teen Titans, and Wonder Woman receive the “Year One” treatment with success. While readers brace themselves for Frank Miller and John Romita Jr.’s Superman: Year One, Joshua Williamson and Howard Porter are in the midst of giving The Flash his own “Year One” story. Full of classic villains, time-travel shenanigans, and the optimism of Silver Age Barry Allen, Williamson and Porter are crafting what will hopefully be an evergreen story for the Scarlett Speedster.
Sonata #1 (Image Comics)
(w) David Hine (a) Brian Haberlin & Geirrod Van Dyke
There’s something about a political allegory with a twist that revs my engines. Sonata comes from a creative team comprised of talent known for their work with the dark, seedy, and supernatural to bring us a story dealing with… the dark, seedy, and supernatural. But it’s story is also meant to examine the perpetual conflict in the Gaza Strip, and if there is truly any path to peace between peoples who have been at odds for ages.
Spider-Man: Life Story #4 (Marvel Entertainment)
(w) Chip Zdarsky (a) Mark Bagley
There’s plenty of Spider-Man content for readers this week, and as much as I want to highlight Amazing Spider-Man, Chip Zdarsky and Mark Bagley’s real-time, decade-by-decade reimagining of the wall-crawler’s life is the one to pick up. This time, Spidey is the 1990s (as evidenced by the horrifically awesome variant by Kaare Andrews). While the decade may not have been kind (*cough* Clone Saga *cough*), this issue looks to be totally tubular, man!