Several new series have debut issues this week, while other great books are continuing along. For that latter group, it might be a good idea to revisit the previous issues since the pandemic has cause a bit of a hiccup in the release schedule.
A Man Among Ye #1 (Image | Top Cow)
(w) Stephanie Philips (a) Craig Cermak
It’s a real-life pirate story, with creative licensing, of course. Top Cow has continued to deliver quality titles, from its sex-positive graphic novels, to the Edenverse titles, and even its stand alone series like Eclipse or Port of Earth. There’s no reason to expect anything different from A Man Among Ye. The fact that it might piss off a certain group of, let’s call them gatekeeping comics readers, is all the more reason to give the first issue a shot.
— Dan Gehen
High adventure on the high seas in the waning days of piracy, when men were men, and the best pirates were…women? Writer STEPHANIE PHILLIPS (Butcher of Paris, Descendent) and artist CRAIG CERMAK (Red Team, Voltron) bring to life the tale of Anne Bonny and Mary Read as they hoist the skull and crossbones, draw cutlasses, and seek a treasure that will make them legends. In an era when sailing with women was thought to be bad luck, Anne and Mary might just be the only people capable of saving the pirate way of life.
Dark Nights: Death Metal #1 (DC Comics)
(w) Scott Snyder (a) Greg Capullo (i) Jonathan Glapion (c) FCO Plascencia (l)
I’ve said I’m not the biggest fan of Snyder’s Batman, but I loved DC Metal because of how fun it was. Was it perfect? No, but I had a blast reading it. That said, I didn’t plan on grabbing Death Metal #1, yet every time I see a preview I want to read it. So, why not?
— Jason Jeffords Jr.
Get ready for the earth-shattering encore! The legendary team behind Dark Nights: Metal and Batman: Last Knight on Earth take center stage and reunite for one last tour. When the Earth is enveloped by the Dark Multiverse, the Justice League is at the mercy of the Batman Who Laughs. Humanity struggles to survive in a hellish landscape twisted beyond recognition, while Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman have all been separated and fight to survive. Unleash the beast and let the head banging begin!
The Green Lantern Season Two #4 (DC Comics)
(w) Grant Morrison (a) Liam Sharp
Not much needs to be written here. I love the creators and loved the series so far. Plus, The Flash is in this one!
— Jason Jeffords Jr
Guest-starring the Flash, as the Emerald Warrior and Fastest Man Alive put their friendship on the line to fight for their lives on a world changed beyond all recognition! Is the world ready for an attack by ptechnodactyls and the ancient super-beings known as “the Golden Giants of Neo-Pangaea”?
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 (BOOM! Studios/IDW Publishing)
(w) Ryan Parrott (a) Simone Di Meo
While the series is the ultimate in pandering to 1990s kids, it has been far better than picking a couple toys out of storage and smashing them together. The art by Di Meo has been sublime, and Parrott’s script has brought about several eye-catching developments. Why this series continues to slip under the radar is beyond me.
— Dan Gehen
It’s the ultimate showdown between the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, up against the joint forces of Rita Repulsa and Shredder! Cowabunga!
Strange Adventures #2 (DC Comics)
(w) Tom King (a) Mitch Gerads, Evan Shaner
The artistic duo of Gerads and Shaner alone are worth picking this up. Throw in a sprinkling of Tom King doing what Tom King does best, and we can expect to see this crew cleaning up at next year’s Eisner Awards. But considering this year’s snub of Superman Smashes the Klan, perhaps we shouldn’t set expectations so high. Regardless, Strange Adventures is one of the few “sure things” you can grab from your LCS this week.
— Dan Gehen
What is the truth about Adam Strange? When an activist who publicly accused him of war crimes ends up dead, the public begins to doubt Strange’s stories about his adventures on the planet Rann—and he’s even starting to doubt himself. It’s going to take a special investigator to get the truth, and he’s going to have to tear apart Adam Strange’s life and reputation to do it. A special miniseries set on two worlds, it takes two artists to bring Strange Adventures to life. Mitch Gerads tackles the earthbound sequences, while Doc Shaner launches us into space. And it’s all written by Tom King, the Eisner Award-winning writer who brought you Mister Miracle, Omega Men, and Sheriff of Babylon.
Tartarus #3 (Image)
(w) Johnnie Christmas (a) Jack Cole (l) Jim Campbell
Tartarus has been my favorite title of the year hands down. If you haven’t checked it out you absolutely should.
— Jason Jeffords Jr
“DATE NIGHT IN HELL”
Tilde and Klinzu face a new impossible foe-the most dangerous threat they’ve faced so far. When the smoke clears, not everyone will make it out alive.
Includes a new installment of “LIFE,” a backup story by STEPHANIE COOKE and MEGAN HUANG, exclusively in single issues.
Wonder Woman: Dead Earth #3 (DC Comics)
(w/a) Daniel Warren Johnson (c) Mike Spicer
This Wonder Woman take has been unique and a blast to read. It helps that Johnson’s art is phenomenal.
— Jason Jeffords Jr
The revelation of the Haedras’ true nature overwhelms even the mighty Amazon Princess, forcing Diana to seek out the one person who can help her: Superman. But what Diana finds at the Fortress of Solitude is one of the most shocking secrets in the history of Wonder Woman.
You Look Like Death: Tales From the Umbrella Academy #1
(w) Gerard Way, Shaun Simon (a) I.N.J. Culbard (c) Jordie Bellaire
More Umbrella Academy is always a good thing.
— Dan Gehen
The first Umbrella Academy spin off series! When 18-year-old Séance gets himself kicked out of the Umbrella Academy, and his allowance discontinued by Hargreeves, he takes to a place where his ghoulish talents will be appreciated. After a magical high on a vampire-drug-lord’s stash, Klaus needs help, and doesn’t have his siblings there to save him.
* Séance gets his own miniseries!
* From Gerard Way and Shaun Simon of the True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys!