Some books that will probably come out August 6:
"ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM"
ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM #6 (OF 9, $4.99) is by Ryan North and R.B. Silva.
"Reed reveals a terrible secret he’s acquired about Doom’s global domination." My thinking is (and always has been) that Doom was behind the vampire uprising in "Blood Hunt," and had gamed it out to where he'd end up Sorcerer Supreme. But maybe this is a different secret, and maybe worse! Did I mention I've been enjoying North's handling of Doom? He's an easy character to get wrong, but so far North is getting him right.
RED HULK #7 ($3.99) is by Benjamin Percy and Jethro Morales. We met "War Wolf" at the end of the last issue, and now we're gonna see a fight.
SUPERIOR AVENGERS #5 (OF 6, $4,99) is by Steve Foxe, Luca Maresca & Kyle Hotz. The Superior Avengers are about to reveal their true intentions, and it's about time, because this miniseries is nearing the end. I've been mildly enjoying the title, but it's not crucial to the crossover. And I've done a summary of each of the characters over in the "One World Under Doom" thread.
ULTIMATE COMICS
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE #8 is by CHRIS CONDON and ALESSANDRO CAPPUCCIO. Wolverine battles the Ultimate Angel, who I think was introduced last issue. I don't know anything about him, but he's got to be more interesting than ours.
ULTIMATE X-MEN #18 is by PEACH MOMOKO. More X-manga.
ABSOLUTE COMICS
ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN ($4.99): It looks like they really are going to make Hal Jordan a (reluctant) bad guy, which I feared. It makes me sad. I got my fill of that in Emerald Twilight.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN ($4.99): The true enemy stands revealed: Ra's al Ghul. It makes sense that in a Darkseid-infused universe, Ra's would achieve his goals. And they're not nearly as benign as he always pretended.
INTERESTING STUFF
ARCHIE VS. MINOR THREATS #1 (OF 4, $4.99) is by Timmy Heague (Archie Comics’ Fear the Funhouse: Toybox of Terror, Black, White, & Bloodshot), Patton Oswalt (Minor Threats, DC Horror Presents), Jordan Blum (Minor Threats, DC Horror Presents) and Scott Koblish (Deadpool, Superman: Legion of Three Worlds).
I don't read a lot of current Archies, as they are far more juevinile than when I was actually a juvenile. But the crossovers are usually pretty good.
Jordan Blum: “Some of my favorite comic crossovers have been the ones where you go 'how the hell is that gonna work?!' Which, by the way, is the appropriate response to pitting the all-American teenagers of Archie against the down on their luck supervillains of Minor Threats. What was born out of this unlikely pairing was a story that dramatically affects the events of Frankie's journey and super crime for years to come, while also exploring unique character dynamics that challenge the Riverdale gang's status quo like we've never seen. This is one of the funniest, most action-packed, most violently unhinged stories we've ever done and one that can only exist in the medium of comics. Put on your domino masks and raise your milkshakes. ... This one is gonna be a barn burner!”
Patton Oswalt: “Not since Alan Moore’s WATCHMEN crossed over with Bazooka Joe has there been a comics match-up as made in heaven as this one! Prepare to be TRANSPORTED.”
Timmy Heague: "When I write comics set in the town of Riverdale, it's like hanging with my friends. Now I'm writing the adventures of my favorite fictional friends with my best friends Jordan and Patton, where their comic book creations get to crossover with some of my all-time favorite characters in all of comic book history. For my first four issue mini-series, I couldn't ask for anything more. Also, Scott Koblish on art?! Riverdale and Twilight City are not ready for the mind-blowing awesomeness that he is cooking on these pages! Archie and the gang are NOT ready. Anyway, someone got a milkshake and a burger? All this comic stuff makes a guy hungry!"
Scott Koblish: “This is one of the most challenging and rewarding projects I’ve ever attempted! I’m really excited to be working with Patton, Jordan, Timmy, Hi-Fi and all the incredibly supportive folks at Dark Horse and Archie who are encouraging me to take my art to the next level on something truly unique!! Strap in, the thrusters are set to reach the stars on this one!!!”
ANCESTRAL RECALL #1 (OF 5, $4.99): Ahoy alert!
Black painter Melvyn Waring can summon famous Black people from history to help find his missing wife.
"The gripping new saga from two Milestone Initiative members — writer Jordan Clark and artist Atagun İlhan — uses science fiction and comedy to explore the importance of Black history, the connections between the past and present, and learning to push through difficult life changes," the PR says.
"As Black history is literally being erased all around us, ANCESTRAL RECALL feels like an urgent call to not just preserve it but celebrate the links between our past present and future,” said writer Jordan Clark. “Melvin's journey takes readers through time and space and introduces them to figures who are rarely seen in history books such as Jean-Louis Michel, the greatest swordsman of the 17th century and Cheryl Linn Glass, the first Black woman race car driver. The series is my love letter to those who paved the way and hopefully an affirmation for us here in the now."
“ANCESTRAL RECALL is one part Everything Everywhere All At Once and one part Don Quixote,” said series editor Sarah Litt. “And it’s two parts funny. Jordan and Atagun have created a surreal, mystical, charming powerhouse of a comic that will make you laugh, cry, travel through time, and reckon with the power of Black history in each stunning panel.”
AVENGERS IN THE VERACITY TRAP ($25.99): Abrams ComicArts presents this book by Chip Kidd (in his writing debut) and Michael Cho, in the Fantastic Four: Full Circle format. I don't know how much confidence to have in Kidd (who's an excellent designer), but I love Cho's retro-Silver Age art ... and it stars "my" Avengers! Pointy-headed Iron Man! Captain America! Giant-Man and Wasp! Thor! Hulk! (Hulk?) And do I see Gagoom, son of Goom? Fin Fang Foom? Rommbu?
"Writing this book was really just an excuse to see Michael Cho depict glorious, epic, jaw-dropping sequential storytelling with these iconic characters that we love so much. He more than delivered." says writer Chip Kidd. "Oh, and it was also my ultimate comics ego trip, which Abrams and Marvel actually allowed me to take. I still don’t know why, but I am beyond grateful."
"I’ve always held a special spot in my superhero-loving heart for the Avengers, especially the early Marvel age comics they appeared in. is a tribute to the wonder, the delight, and the zany 'anything could happen!' spirit of those stories," explains Michael Cho. "Chip wrote a fantastic and heartfelt story and, in drawing this book, I tried my best to channel some of the energy and, especially, the joy that crackled from the pages of those classic comics."
DC THE NEW FRONTIER TP (DC COMPACT COMICS EDITION, $9.99): This fresh take on '50s DC Comics deserves to be reprinted everywhere and often. It stars just about everyone who was around circa 1956 -- not just the Five Who Survived (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Aquaman), but also Adam Strange, the Challengers of the Unknown, the Silver Age Flash, Blackhawks, Lois Lane & Jimmy Olsen, Martian Manhunter and some test pilot named Hal Jordan.
CHEETAH AND CHESHIRE ROB THE JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 (OF 6) is by Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott ($3.99). I enjoy heist movies as much as the next guy, but it's not my go-to. Still, two creators whose work I enjoy is a big plus. Especially Nicola Scott, who can do no wrong in my eyes.
As you might expect from the title, Cheetah and Cheshire team up to steal something from the Justice League satellite, which is a pretty daunting task. They recruit a crew, but the PR doesn't say who's on it.
“I won’t bury the lede,” said Rucka. “This is a crew of villains, or at least nominal bad guys. Not one of them has access to — let alone would be welcomed aboard — the Justice League Watchtower. We’re not making this easy on them. But for Cheetah especially, this is an all-or-nothing play — she needs to do this job, and she’s not going to let anything, or anyone, keep her from getting what she’s after.”
CRUEL UNIVERSE 2 #1 (OF 12, $4.99): Hey, look who's back!
CUL DE SAC #1 (OF 4, $5.99) is a horror story by MIke Carey, whose work I've always enjoyed. Art by Jonathan Wayshak, with whom I'm not familiar.
GODZILLA: ESCAPE THE DEAD ZONE #1 ($4.99) is by Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan (Kill Your Darlings) and Pablo Tunica (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles): I read a preview of this in IDW's FCBD book, and wasn't impressed. But then again, compared to some on the board, I'm a dilettante Godzilla fan. The book stars a half-human, half-kaiju hybrid, and I'm not sure if he's the only one in the titular Dead Zone.
HELLBOY IN LOVE: THE ART OF FIRE #1 (OF 2, $4.99) is by Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden and Alex Nieto. Evidently this Lara Croft-esque Anastasia Bransfield appeared in the 2023 Hellboy in Love, which I haven't read yet, so I'm unfamiliar with her. I do remember Hellboy being in love Selma Blair in the 2004 movie, and who could blame him?
“We’re having so much damn fun with this series,” Golden said. “Sending Hellboy on these romantic adventures with Anastasia fills in a vital missing era of his life, but Anastasia’s own research is also illuminating some key elements of the Mignolaverse’s ancient history. We’re digging into that more in this two-shot. Readers are going to love Alex Nieto’s gorgeous, playful take on Hellboy and Anastasia … and the evil at the root of Anastasia’s story!"
HELLO DARKNESS #13 ($5.99): BOOM's version of Oni's EC books.
JSA #10 ($4.99) is by Jeff Lemire and Rafael De Latorre ($3.99): I've been enjoying this title, even if they did kill Wildcat. (Which I hope is temporary, but it doesn't look like it.) They've introduced a new Kid Eternity, who so far is genuinely interesting.
JUSTICE LEAGUE VS GODZILLA VS KONG 2 #3 (OF 7, $4.99): How could I resist this? Especially since the first one didn't disappoint.
RICHARD CORBEN LIBRARY: ROWLF AND OTHER FANTASY STORIES HC (128 pages, $3.99): Yes, I am collecting these. Corben wasn't always to my taste, as his eccentric style wasn't suited to every kind of story. But he was unique and should be celebrated.
OTHER STUFF
ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #363 ($9.99)
Complete story
BETTY AND VERONICA: SUMMER FUN IN THE SUN #1 (ONE-SHOT, $4.99): Archie and the gang must live someplace where it's not 100 degrees in the summer.
Complete story
DC FINEST: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA -- THE RETURN TP ($39.9): I didn't much care for the "Detroit Era" at the time it was published. I found Vibe to be an embarrasment, Steel to be superfluous, and Aquaman to be as useless as ever. (What an opportunity to upgrade the character beyond "talks to fish," which was squandered.) But some people remember the Detroit Era fondly. If you're one of those, have at it. Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #241-261, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA ANNUAL #3, and INFINITY, INC. #19.
GUNSMITH CATS OMNIBUS VOLUME 3 ($29.99): Dark Horse sends me a press release for every one of these, so maybe they're proud of the series.
THE HERCULOIDS #6
LAND OF UNFINISHED DREAMS HC ($19.99) IS Italian creators Marco Daeron Ventura and Marco Ferraris. A retired literature teacher is shocked to wake up inside the bedtime story he's been telling his grandson.
“Hi, I’m Marco Daeron Ventura, the author of The Land of Unfinished Dreams!
"This story holds a special place in my heart because it’s inspired by my grandparents, who were such a big part of my childhood. They are all in here, often in different forms and shapes. Writing this book was my way of keeping their memory alive because they meant the world to me, and also a chance to shine a spotlight on grandparents everywhere. They have so many incredible stories to tell, and I genuinely believe there’s a unique kind of magic about them that we often overlook when we’re young.
"I was deeply moved while writing Ned and Rose’s great adventure, and I truly hope, from the bottom of my heart, to pass some of these emotions on to everyone who reads it.”
“Hi, from Marco Ferraris, the illustrator of The Land of Unfinished Dreams!
"This project was truly a challenge for me—my first time working on something so rich and complex. My goal was to capture the sweetness that flows through the entire story, stylizing my illustrations to reflect memories from my own childhood. Drawing these pages transported me back to when I was seven years old, building cardboard forts in my grandparent’s garden with my friends and embarking on epic adventures. Back then, a strange-looking tree could easily transform into a fierce Silver Dragon, one you could defeat only by expertly throwing a Talking Pear.
"What’s a Talking Pear, you ask? By reading this book, you’ll soon find out—and discover just how fearsome they can be!”
MARVEL PREMIER COLLECTION: CIVIL WAR ($14.99) is by Mark Millar (Wolverine: Old Man Logan, Kick-Ass) and Steve McNiven (Wolverine: Old Man Logan, Death of Wolverine). I have assumed the Marvel Premier Collection is Marvel's answer to the DC Finest line, which I thought was DC's answer to Marvel's Epic collections. But what do I know?
This latest book was something I enjoyed at the time, even if I'm not a fan of superheroes fighting each other. And I don't know how well it holds up. If you haven't read it, you probably should, but for my part I've read it once, and seen the movie, and that's enough.
MARVEL RIVALS: HELLFIRE GALA #1 is by Paul Allor, Daniel Scalisis and Ig Guara. It's based on a video game, which makes it easy for me to ignore.
“It starts, of course, with the game itself," Allor said, "which is primarily focused on the fightin’ but also showcases a rich world with an incredible tapestry of characters, heroes and villains, all at loggerheads,” he said. “So we used the story of this new season as a jumping-off point, while also going deeper into the characters, as they face an existential threat, and must make some excruciating choices in deciding how to deal with it.”
RED SONJA VS. THE ARMY OF DARKNESS #4
RETURN TO SKULL ISLAND #2 (OF 4)
"Written by Transformers legend Simon Furman! Kong has his first encounter with the newest and biggest threat to Skull Island – leaving a trail of suffering and destruction in its wake! Meanwhile, the team struggles to evade the toxic tendrils that are tightening their grip on the island."
ROY #1 (FANTAGRAPHICS) is by Gilbert Hernandez and Natalia Hernandez. Not my favorite Hernandez. YMMV.
SILVERHAWKS #6
THUNDERCATS #17
VAMPIRELLA #4
Replies
AVENGERS IN THE VERACITY TRAP: Abrams ComicArts presents this book by Chip Kidd (in his writing debut) and Michael Cho, in the Fantastic Four: Full Circle format.
Run... don't walk... run to your LCS and buy this book!
I don't know how much confidence to have in Kidd...
He dedicated this book to himself: "I earned it." He did. Frank Cho's dedication is much more traditional" "For Jack Kirby, who built universes with just a pencil."
...and it stars "my" Avengers! Pointy-headed Iron Man! Captain America! Giant-Man and Wasp! Thor! Hulk! (Hulk?)
Yes!
And do I see Gagoom, son of Goom?
I don't know about that, but you do see Googam, son of Goom. ;)
Seriously, you'll want to read this book... sooner rather than later.
I think Gagoom was the son of Goombah, son of Bada-Bing.