A new batch of first issues in review

ANT #1 by Erik Larson. Back in 2004, Mario Gully’s ANT #1 was published by Arcana Studios. It ran for 11 uneven issues before going the way of many independent comics. Now Larson has resurrected it, retooled it and will probably tie it into the Savage Dragon Universe. It’s a typical Larsen tale: filled with action, minimal unneeded dialogue and dynamic art in Larsen’s style. I walked away from most Image superhero titles long ago but have recently jumped back on the train, beginning with SAVAGE DRAGON. I like Larsen’s quirky style, and this fits the bill for me.

ARROWSMITH #1 by Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco. Remember the previous series from DC? Yeah, most folks don’t, although it is a cult favorite. Basically, it’s World War I, but with flying dragons instead of planes and a troll or two. It’s part high drama, part adventure tale and part fantasy. It’s clear Busiek knows the characters and the story and Pacheco hits all the right artistic buttons. The good thing is you can jump in without knowing the previous story.

AVENGER FOREVER #1 by Jason Aaron, Aaron Kuder, Cam Smith, Jason Keith and Triona Farrell. There’s a new Avengers tea, led by a Deathlok and Ghost Rider. They go off to a variety of Earths in an effort to build a team. It’s weird, looks great and I’m not quite sure if I like it or not. To be, it’s just another Avengers book.

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1 by Jock. A villain named Powerline is being transferred and that goes south real fast. So Batman needs to make his way from Point A to Point B while trying to keep this guy alive. So it’s a caper tale in reverse. First issue of the Black Label book is well pace and Jock’s art is Jock’s art, meaning you’ll either love it or hate it.

BATMAN THE IMPOSTER #1 by Mattson Tomlin and Andrea Sorrentino. It’s another Black Label Batman title and, as with many of the Black Label books, is more psychological than action filled. It twists the legend about, with Leslie Thompkins acting as not only friend but therapist. And she’s African American now. While the story is intriguing, you come to this, at least I did, for Sorrentino’s incredible art. Is it good? Well, it’s a deep dive, so be prepared.

BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN SPECIAL by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN is a legendary mini-series that has even spawned an acclaimed animated adaptation. Loeb and Sale revisit the story, this time with Julian Day as the chief villain. It fits nicely in that story and acts as a nice epilogue to the original classic. The story is fun and Sale’s artwork is on point. Highly recommended.

BLACK PANTHER #1 by John Ridley and Juann Cabal. Long delayed, Ridley’s take on T’challa is finally here. The Black Panther is back on planet Earth and finds everything has changed.in Wakanda, leaving him confused. He resigns as head of the Avengers and discovers that the sleeper agents he has put in place are being hunted. So, this becomes a mission to find the enemy. Ridley is good at crafting a story and this is no exception. It’s a great start.

BOLERO #1 by Wyatt Kennedy and Luana Vecchio. This is a tough one to describe, so here goes. Devyn is unhappy with how her life is going. She ends up in another world where she meets Capgras, a talking catlike creature that offers her a key to 53 possible realities. But there are rules. You can’t ask to speak to mother. You can only hop around in the Multiverse 53 times. And never take someone else’s key or you could run into yourself. Yeah…a very unusual first issue which takes a bit to get going, as there is a ton of back story to Devyn’s life. But it’s worth it.

CHILLING ADVENTURES IN SORCERY #1 by Eliot Rahal, Evan Stanley, Amy Chu, Pat Kennedy, Tim Kennedy, Vincenzo Federici, and Derek Charm. Archie Comics reboots their horror line with this anthology set in the Archie Universe. Fans of AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE should rejoice. Unfortunately, this is just a glimpse when we all want a full buffet. The stories are cool, the art is fitting and have a neat tongue-in-cheek attitude. Now give us more!

THE CRIMSON CAGE #1 by John Lees and Alex Cormack. What do you get when you mix MACBETH with Professional Wrestling? You get THE CRIMSON CAGE #1. Plain and simple. A wrestling star, an up-and-coming wrestler, his scheming wife and some mystical stuff. Obviously aimed at a specific audience, but this is another great book from AWA.

DARKHOLD ALPHA by Steve Orlando and Cian Tormey. The Book of Cthon has been found and that means trouble for the Marvel Universe. Welcome to a world where everyone and everything changes. Yeah, it’s a starting point for a series of one-shots and an eventual Omega issue. In the end, I’m pretty sure this is another “everything changes for the Marvel Universe; where, in the end, nothing does.

DC HORROR PRESENTS: REFRIGERATOR FULL OF HEADS #1 by Rio Youers and Tom Fowler. This is a direct sequel to BASKET FULL OF HEADS where our heroine appears but is not the star here. A young couple end up crossing paths with some bikers and also a reanimated shark head. And that’s just part of the tale, where a haunted sword and an axe will come into play. If you liked the first series, you’ll love this. If you didn’t read the first series, go find the trade paperback.

DC HORROR PRESENTS: THE SOUL PLUMBER #1 by Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, Ben Kissel, John McCrea and PJ Holden. A young man decides to follow a man who is trying to build an army against demons. The boy doesn’t make the cut because he can’t afford to pay but steals the plans on how to do it and takes it upon himself to follow God’s plan for him. It’s a fun little romp that has its’ tongue firmly planted in its’ cheek.

THE DEATH OF DOCTOR STRANGE #1 by Jed MacKay and Lee Garbett. First off: Doctor Strange has been murdered and apparently by someone who the good doctor knew. That means the Marvel Universe has no Sorcerer Supreme, which means magic will be out of control in the Marvel Universe. Suspects arrive and so does Doctor Strange: a much younger Doctor Strange who has stepped out of the time-stream to help. Does this mean that the old doc will get replaced by the new doc, who is actually the old doc? Follow the story through multiple issues and a lot of one-shots to find out.

DEVIL’S REIGN #1 by Chi Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto. Here’s the next Marvel event book/crossover/intertwined one-shots. DAREDEVIL has ended and this book spins out of that title. Kingpin is putting his own super-villain army together, declares that super-heroes are against the law (haven’t we been down this road before several times?) and decides to run for President. Is this going to truly shake-up the Marvel Universe or is it an excuse to come out of it with a bunch of first issues? Personally, I think it could be a little of both.  

ECHOLANDS #1 by J. H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman. Welcome to an epic fantasy tale told in a horizontal format. It’s a neat take on an old theme but it looks absolutely beautiful. I’ll be honest: the selling point for me was always going to be Williams art. Throw in a huge list of what music he listened to during the creative process, and if it was original or reissued vinyl, and that just adds to figuring out where Williams’ mind was at during this process. Highly recommended.

ET-ER #1 by Jeff McComsey, Dan Panosian, Javier Pulido and Shawn Crystal. Two stories set in a medical center that takes care of extraterrestrials. Cute concept, fun stories-picture GRAY’S ANATOMY with aliens.

EVIL ERNIE #1 by Scott Lobdell and Ariel Medel. A new origin for an old character. Ernie is a kid who has a secret and one that is powered by a button named Smiley. The classic Pulido character is the thing of legend and Dynamite is trying to find a way to embrace him. I’m curious to see where they go with this as Smiley has already made appearances in other Dynamite titles. This first issue is a bit bare on plot, but I have hope for what follows.

FANTASTIC FOUR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1 by a whole host of creators. As has been done in the past, Marvel celebrates the FF with an oversized retelling of FANTASTIC FOUR #1 and the wedding of Reed and Sue from FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #3, with each page being drawn by a different creative team. Despite the $7 price tag, it’s cool to see the various takes on these classic stories.

THE FOURTH MAN #1 by Jeff McComsey and Mike Deodato. Another AWA title featuring Deodato’s amazing art. Two detectives look into the murders of four men, beginning with the first one. A P.I. gets himself in trouble in a number of ways and is killed. So what will the connection be between them all? Fun noir story with great art. I love how Deodato finds references for his characters, with Paul Giamatti playing the P.I. and James Caan as the guy who has hired him.

GUN HONEY #1 by Charles Ardai and Ang Hor Kheng. I have to admit that I am a huge fan of the Hard Case Crime novels, but not so much with the comics, which don’t seem to have the same vibe as the novels. This is the exception. While is doesn’t fit into the novel’s noir feel, this title is filled with enough intrigue and sex to fit the bill. The story is captivating, the art is nice and there is a cool little cliffhanger to keep us coming back for more.

GUNSLINGER SPAWN #1 by Todd McFarlane and Brett Booth. Coming out of events in SPAWN and the SPAWN UNIVERSE one-shot, Image let’s loose a plethora of SPAWN titles, beginning with this one. With his origin first revealed in SPAWN #174 AND #175, this fan favorite has commanded great interest (and great expense as issue #174 will run you at least $400) over the years. Now he is out on his own, in the present day, where he is trying to fit in this world while also dealing with finding a way back into his own time. If you’re a SPAWN fan, you will understand where this is going, along with McFarlane’s style. The true highlight here, especially for first tie readers, is the art of Brett Booth. In the end, it’s a fun read.

HAWKEYE: KATE BISHOP #1 by Marieke Nijkamp and Enid Balam. Just in time for the new Disney+ series, Kate Bishop is back in action. She’s left the West Coast and has headed East to start her life over. And no sooner is she here than she is in the midst of a new mystery that involves her sister. The dialogue is snappy, the story leaves a lot to fill in over the next few issues and the art is totally reminiscent of the recent WEST COAST AVENGERS run. This was a lot of fun.

THE HEROES UNION #1 by Roger Stern, Darin Henry and Ron Frenz. Welcome to an all-new universe with a whole host of new heroes. Legendary creators Stern and Frenz team up for this oversized book (64 pages for $5!) that looks and feels like the Eighties all over again, from the writing to the art and even the page layout. This is the first in a whole series of forthcoming titles including STARTUP, SUPER SUCKERS and THE BLUE BARON. While is doesn’t have the same feel of current books, the fact that this feels like a throwback is sure to entertain and attract older readers. Plus, the price is right for a book this big.

HE WHO FIGHTS WITH MONSTERS #1 by Francesco Artibani and Werther Dell’Edera. It’s World War 2 Germany and the Germans are rounding up Jews. What do the people do? One man is tasked with finding a solution to the Final Solution in the form of…a Golem. Taking a fabled tale and setting it loose in Nazi Germany may not be the most creative concept ever developed but it is something different. The chief selling point by Ablaze is Werther Dell’Edera, who they proudly proclaim is the artist on the hit series SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN. Is the book any good? It’s not bad and a fun concept to float about. The real payoff will obviously be when the Golem comes to life.

HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #1 by James Tynion IV, Tate Brombal and Chris Shehan. This book is a spin-off from SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN. For those unfamiliar, the main series follows monster hunter Erica Slaughter. This series, filling in the hiatus of the main series, explores the secret history of the Order that turned Erica into a monster hunter. If you have not read SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN, you won’t care about this title. For fans, it’s a must read.

HULK #1 by Donny Cates and Ryan Ottley. Al Ewing and Joe Bennett set a new standard for the Green Goliath and now Cates and Ottley have the difficult task f running with their character. So what do they do? The put him in a suit of armor let Banner control him and shoot him into space. What?! Yeah…that’s where we begin. Cates is known for some pretty strange character turns and this appears to be another one. A nice start and leaves me curious to see what’s next.

INFERNO #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti. Hickman’s final statement on the X-books is here. This will ultimately result in a shakeup of the status quo…again…and lead t a host of reboots and first issues. Basically, Mystique is looking to finally resurrect Destiny at all costs. Hickman has a long game with everything he does, and this is no different. Multiple storylines flow through this issue, from Moira to Cannonball to the role of the ruling committee. In the end, Mystique looks to be positioning herself to take on a more dynamic role in the X-Universe.

KNIGHTED #1 by Gregg Hurwitz and Mark Texeira. What happens when someone is forced to take up the role of a superhero? You end up with this book. Your average guy accidentally kills The Knight and now he has to take up the hero role, whether he likes it or not. This was a ball to read as it throws elements of the Batman legend (compete with butler) into a blender and out this comes. A tongue in cheek read with killer art from Mark Texeira.

LADY MECHANIKA: THE MONSTER OF THE MINISTRY OF HELL #1 by Joe Benitez. Here’s a book which has a monumental following which will only grow larger now that it’s at Image. Part horror, part science-fiction, and part cyberpunk. This is a wondrous title with the always amazing art and writing of Benitez. You definitely want to add this to your pull list.

LAURA AND OTHER STORIES #1 by Guillem March. Here’s a neat little anthology book that isn’t really an anthology book. It’s a series of connected tale involving our heroine and it’s wonderfully different. We all knew March was a brilliant artist but who knew he could tell such touching stories. If you’re looking for superheroes in tights, this ain’t your book. But if you’re looking for something with a lot of heart and soul, this is your cup of tea.

MAGIC ORDER 2 #1 by Mark Millar and Stuart Immonen. The band is back together. It’s magicians versus magicians in an underworld feel.Things have changed in the world since the first series, meaning their have been power grabs which need to be rectified. If you loved Millar’s first book, you’ll love this. Unfortunately, I’m having issues with the characters, that no feel more cliched than they did before. But…maybe that’s just me.

NYX #1 by Christos Gage and Marc Borstel. Spinning out of SACRED SIX, Nyx starts a relationship with a pickup while trying to find her place in the world. The story is a bit sparse, but the art is great. Definitely for VAMPIRELLA fans, may be a little too weird for non-fans.

OUT #1 by Rob Williams and Will Conrad. Here’s a monstrous tale(literally) set in a concentration camp in World War II Germany. There’s a group of captured G.I’s, some strange experiments and a possible traitor in the midst. Horror, intrigue and a great mystery. And Conrad’s art really shines. This is a little less predictable that the Golem influenced HE WHO FIGHTS WITH MONSTERS #1 and it works with its’ straight ahead narrative.

THE SCORCHED #1 by Sean Lewis, Todd McFarlane, Stephen Segovia and Paulo Siqueira. It’s another SPAWN spinoff in the form of the expected team book, bringing all of the Spawn characters together as…well…a team. A lot of action, a bit of mythology and the usual superhero dialogue. So, if this is your cup of tea and you follow the SPAWN stuff, this is right up your alley.

SHE-HULK #1 by Rainbow Rowell and Roge Antonio. Jennifer Walters is back in another series. Her life is in shambles, and it gets worse when she has to fight Titania in her underwear. She is working for a law office that has given her a closet for her personal office, she has to crash in an apartment Janet Van Dyne is letting her use, and the formerly dead Jack of Hearts shows up and may be dead…again. And that’s just the first issue. The dialogue if fun, the art works and there is just enough tongue in cheek to make it work. In other words, it’s not as dark as the previous series was.

SILVER SURFER: REBIRTH #1 by Ron Marz and Ron Lim. The classic team is back with this one. And it feels so old school it will certainly capture your nostalgia vibe. Throw into that mix Genis-Vell, a resurrected Captain Marvell(yes, the classic guy) and Thanos. Boy…this was a ton of fun and can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

STRAY DOGS: DOG DAYS #1 by Tony Fleece and Trish Forstner. Fleece and Forstner are back with a great anthology in the STRAY DOGS universe. As with STRAY DOGS, these are tales of beauty and heartbreak. If you aren’t moved by a single one of them, something is wrong…especially if you’re an animal lover. Not gory, but totally grim.

TANGLED RIVER #1 by Michael Cohen. I will admit I’m so happy to see Michael Cohen publishing again. I was a huge STRANGE ATTRACTORS fan and was thrilled to see that back. And now this: a wonderful, light fantasy tale by Cohen. And this one is in color! It is not for everyone and that’s fine. It sets up what appears to be a long-running tale and this is what world building is all about.

TIMELESS #1 by Jed MacKaym Kev Walker, Greg Land, Jay Leisten, Mark Bagley and Andrew Hennessy. Here’s everything you need to know: it’s a Kang adventure through time that ends with a possible future appearance by Miracleman. Yep…that’s about it. It looks great and the story wanders about. But the payoff is Miracleman…we hope.

VAMPIRELLA/DRACULA: UNHOLY #1 by Christopher Priest and Donny Hadiwidjaja. Spinning out of Priest’s amazing, redefining 2019 run, we get a direct continuation of the story. Vampirella has married someone who MAY become the king of the vampires. But is he really? If you take away the concept that our heroine first met and fell in love with this guy when he was a child, it is a straight-ahead story that, knowing Priest, will have one heck of a payoff in the end.

VENOM #1 by Al Ewing, Ram V and Bryan Hitch. Venom has changed and now lives in the lives of Eddie Brock and his son. That means part of this story is in space with Eddie and part on Earth with Dylan. And you can feel who is handling what storyline. To that end, it feels a little disjointed. Looks great as it’s Hitch, but just feels a little disconnected.

X-FORCE KILLSHOT #1 by Rob Liefeld. Rob Liefeld returns, again, to several of his most famous creations and some of his least famous. And it is a mess. Liefeld’s art is what it is and always have been. But the story is a time-travelling mess which makes no sense but leaves the door open for a sequel that we probably don’t need.

X LIVES OF WOLVERINE #1 by Benjamin Percy and Joshua Cassara. Here’s an unusual concept for a mini-series that may or may not work. Wolverine is sent on a mission which takes him through all the places in his life from his origin to, eventually the present. At the same time, the forthcoming X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE will follow a similar timeline, focuses on his deaths. Marvel promises that this will clarify his history and set the stage for the future. Well…that remains to be seen as we have all been told THAT story before.