Comics Guide for comics shipping week of Feb. 26, 2024

MAJOR PUBLISHERS

MARVEL COMICS

"Gang War" continues this week in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #44 and MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #17.

IMMORTAL THOR #7 revisits Utgard-Loki, one of the most famous of the Norse myths.

"Fall of X" continues this week in CABLE #2, DEAD X-MEN #2, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #15 and RESURRECTION OF MAGNETO #2.

MSH SECRET WARS #2 gets the facsimile treatment.

UNCANNY X-MEN #268 FASCIMILE EDITION reprints the issue that linked Captain America, Black Widow and Wolverine in World War II.

WOLVERINE #44 continues "Sabretooth War."

AVENGERS: TWILIGHT #3 (OF 6)

Story: Chip Zdarsky | Art: Daniel Acuna (CA) Alex Ross | Teen+ | $4.99

Over the last few weeks, fans have seen Captain America’s new suit and caught glimpses of new and familiar characters in covers and interior artwork. Now, see a new Ms. Marvel design in Alex Ross and Daniel Acuña’s covers for February’s AVENGERS: TWILIGHT #3. Today, Kamala Khan is one of the Marvel Universe’s brightest and honorable heroes. In AVENGERS: TWILIGHT, will she continue to live up to her esteemed reputation or has her mantle been irreparably tarnished?

AVENGERS: TWILIGHT #3 will take Captain America off the shores of New York City to the Raft, a government facility full of secrets and danger! Can Cap infiltrate it before the new Iron Man gives him the same gruesome fate as Tony Stark?

“Steve is the perfect character with which to see a changed future since he's been through that experience before coming out of WW2,” Zdarsky explained to ComicBook.com in a recent interview. “His ethics and morals and outlook have a consistency to them, so seeing how he reacts to a changed America is always interesting, to me at least! And this future America is seemingly perfect, so Steve has to question whether or not to upset what his fellow Americans are comfortable with in pursuit of the truth.”

I guess grown-up Kamala Khan was reason enough for Marvel to send a press release.

GIANT-SIZE FANTASTIC FOUR #1

Story: Fabian Nicieza | Art: Creees Lee | Cover: Bryan Hitch | Teen+ | $6.99

GIANT-SIZE FANTASTIC FOUR #1 will pack startling revelations about the past and set up an wildly uncertain future as the Fantastic Four discover a hidden secret about Atlantis in the form of NATLUS! Awakened after thousands of years, be there when this ancient ruler re-stakes his claim on the throne of Atlantis!

IMPERIUS REX! Namor is imprisoned, serving out his sentence as the disgraced King of Atlantis! So when a new yet ancient threat arises from the sea, who better to leap into the fray than Marvel’s First Family: the FANTASTIC FOUR! Embark on a GIANT-SIZE deep dive into some of Atlantis’ most dangerous history … and the present that can scarcely hope to contain it!

“As a 12-year-old who bought — and still has — the original Giant-Size Fantastic Four run which featured great Marvel creators of the ‘70s like Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Chris Claremont, John Buscema, Rich Buckler and more, it was a thrill to write this issue!” Nicieza said. “I tried to follow in the footsteps of those issues by creating something big and new. I came up with a character whose name and history will have Sub-Mariner fans either chuckling and saying, ‘why did no one ever think of that?’ or they’ll want to drown me! I’m excited to see which it will be!”

GIANT-SIZE FANTASTIC FOUR #1 will also include a reprinting of FANTASTIC FOUR #33, a classic issue from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby featuring betrayal, action and high drama — in the Atlantean style! Get your first look at Natlus on Bryan Hitch’s cover below and stay tuned for more GIANT-SIZE announcements in the months ahead! For more information, visit Marvel.com.

I appreciate Nicieza's appreciation of history — of how the original Giant-Size line tried to do something ambitious with each issue to justify its existence, even if it was to just introduce a new character. Although I wish they'd have named this "Natlus" character Nautilus. Natlus looks like a typo.

And judging from the preview, it looks like the Atlanteans of the comics, after 60 years dressing one way, are new dressing another way — like the Atlanteans of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Knock me over with a feather.

SPIDER-PUNK: ARMS RACE #1 (OF 4)

ANARCHY IN THE SPIDER-VERSE! SPIDER-PUNK GETS HIS OWN SERIES!

Grab your boots, your instruments, and your amps — Spider-Punk is back! After stealing the show in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Hobie Brown is headlining an all-new limited comic book series. The series will reunite writer Cody Ziglar and artist Justin Mason with the character following their acclaimed 2022 Spider-Punk series. This new era promises to be an even bigger riot as this anarchy-driven corner of the Spider-Verse is fully unleashed! Spider-Punk and his hardcore Spider-Band will take on Earth-138 versions of iconic Marvel villains and rock alongside Earth-138 versions of familiar heroes including an all-new Black Panther!

With an ax in hand and a chaotic band of punk rockin’ heroes backing him, he quickly rose to fame as a fan favorite! Now, Hobie Brown returns, and in a world without Norman Osborn, SPIDER-PUNK REIGNS! This ain't no victory lap though — as Hobie and team try to rebuild society, Justin Hammer and Doctor Otto Octavius have other plans ... like introducing the world to new Spider-Slaying Sentinels!

On writing the series, Cody told IGN, “It feels so friggin' cool to dive back into Earth-138 with Justin and explore the world of Hobie and the Spider-band even more! There's some new additions to the Spider-Punk roster, some real dope villains, and some other cool stuff I don't wanna spoil … but absolutely cannot wait for folks! And yes, there'll 100% be a Spider-Punk Playlist Vol 2!"

Sounds like Marvel has re-discovered fun.

WHAT IF?... VENOM #1 (OF 5)

Story: Jeremy Holt | Art: Jesus Hervas | Cover: Leinil Yu | Teen+ | $4.99

Years ago, in a familiar church tower, the Venom symbiote was spurned by Peter Parker and found a willing host in the vengeful and wrathful Eddie Brock! Or, at least, that's the story you know! From rising stars JEREMY HOLT (MARVEL'S VOICES: SPIDER-VERSE) and JES S HERVÁS (MARVEL: UNLEASHED) comes an ALL-NEW look at what makes the Marvel Universe's most sinister symbiote tick, with a journey that reimagines its earliest days bonded to a host with a rage and temper ENTIRELY different from those of Eddie Brock!

When Eddie Brock joined with the Venom symbiote, it unleashed his unstable nature and lethal tendencies, but what if the symbiote bonded with others instead? Writer Jeremy Holt (Marvel’s Voices: Spider-Verse) and artists Jesús Hervás, Tadam Gyadu, Manuel Garcia, and Diogenes Neves answer that pressing question and more in WHAT IF?... VENOM. The five-issue limited series will put a bold twist on the Venom symbiote’s origin as it’s rejected by Peter Parker and tossed around on a thrilling trip through the Marvel Universe. This amazing unearthly power will be given to the likes of She-Hulk, Wolverine, Doctor Strange, Loki and Moon Knight, each of whom will be equipped with insane new designs as the symbiote shatters the limit of the rage, darkness, violence, hubris and mischief within these five iconic characters. The saga will explore how all these characters grapple with their newfound gifts and reveal who the symbiote will ultimately seek control of! Today, fans can see four new symbiote designs and a special first look at the debut issue showing She-Hulk unleashed!

“Having the opportunity to play within the Venom sandbox is cool. Having the opportunity to bond five iconic heroes to the alien parasite is cooler,” Holt said. “In doing so within the What If…? concept, I’ve had an absolute blast crafting a linear revisionist history that’s provided me the latitude to introduce distinct versions of the anti-hero that we’ve all come to love.”

What if ... I never read another comic book with a symbiote in it?

Note the homage to Sensational She-Hulk #1 below.

WOMEN OF MARVEL #1

Story: Gail Simone, Celeste Bronfman, Erica Schultz, Sarah Rees Brennan & Nao Fuji | Art: Lydia Rasero, Leila Leiz, Giada Belviso, Arielle Jovellanos & Nao Fuji | Colors: Triona Farrell, Ceci De La Cruz & Giada Marchisio | Cover: Carmen Carnero | Variants: Jan Bazaldua, Elena Casagrande, Zu Orzu | Teen+ | $5.99

Here are the adventures readers can expect this year:

Industry legend Gail Simone and newcomer Lydia Rasero deliver a reality-shattering tale starring the original Marvel heroine: Invisible Woman! Join her for an interdimensional battle that culminates in what might be the biggest female Marvel super hero team up ever put to the page!
Jackpot writer Celeste Bronfman and acclaimed artist Leila Leiz bring you Madame Web’s latest vision! Be there when she shares what the future looks like for some of the current leading ladies of Marvel Comics.
Hallow’s Eve scribe Erica Schultz and fresh talent Giada Belviso put Black Widow’s skills to the test! When Bucky gets himself in a sticky situation, witness Black Widow save the day in style!
It’s a Scarlet Witch tale like no other featuring a double dose of Marvel Comics debuts: New York Times Best-Selling Author Sarah Rees Brennan and rising superstar artist Arielle Jovellanos! Take a mind-bending journey to the end of the multiverse and back as Wanda protects her friend Darcy Lewis from an otherworldly threat!
Plus essays, interviews, additional art pieces, and more!

I don't read the Marvel Voices books, or the DC equivalents, assuming the stories therein to be not-in-continuity, and like all anthologies, hit or miss. Feel free to correct me, Legionnaires.

DC COMICS

ABSOLUTE DARK KNIGHT HC (2024) includes Batman: Dark Knight Strikes Again in slipcased hardback. Maybe THIS is the last version of this book I have to buy!

AMAZONS ATTACK #5 guest stars Peacemaker.

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #10 guest stars Man-Bat.

GREEN ARROW #9 (OF 12) guest stars Amanda Waller.

POWER GIRL #6 guest stars Supergirl. That's a lot of pulchritude in one book.

ZERO HOUR: CRISIS IN TIME OMNIBUS HC: Maybe THIS Is the last version of this story I have to buy!

DARK HORSE

AVATAR: FRONTIERS OF PANDORA — SOLEK'S JOURNEY #1 (OF 6)

Story: Ray Fawkes | Art: Gabriel Guzman | Cover: Aniekan Udofia | $3.99

Dark Horse Comics is the home of the ever-growing expansion of comics and graphic novels exploring further into the world of James Cameron’s Avatar with incredible artists and storytellers. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora — So’lek’s Journey features Ray Fawkes (Black Hammer ‘45, Constantine), Gabriel Guzmán (Avatar: The High Ground), Michael Atiyeh (Avatar: The High Ground, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), and Michael Heisler (Avatar: The High Ground, Mass Effect: Foundation). Covers for issues #1-3 are by painter and muralist Aniekan Udofia, covers #4-6 will be provided by Gabriel Guzmán with Michael Atiyeh.

The next evolution of James Cameron’s immersive universe takes shape in Ubisoft’s Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, where players will experience an open-world action-adventure as a member of the Na’vi fighting against the RDA for the sovereignty of their homeworld. This six-issue miniseries tie-in introduces readers to new characters and clans and provides the origin story of one of the critical characters in Ubisoft’s new game.

Meet So’lek — a Na’vi warrior who must go on a transformative journey across Pandora. While the battle of the Hallelujah Mountains is over, the trauma of war is never-ending. Alone, desperate and grief-stricken, So’lek must look to Eywa and find a path towards healing. Though danger, doubt and pain await him, he must answer the call.

“For fans who want more of Avatar, Dark Horse Comics has you covered.” — Comics Beat

Then there are fans who don't want more of Avatar. I would be included in that number. Here's a PREVIEW.

BLOOD OATH TP

Story: Rob Hart & Alex Segura | Art: Joe Eisma | Dark Horse | 152 pages | $22.99

It’s 1922 in New York. The peak of Prohibition. Hazel Crenshaw just wants to be left alone, to tend to her farm, to care for her younger sister, and to run her business. But her business is inescapably tangled up with the New York gangs that will eventually coalesce into the mafia, and a new, unknown partner. When the Crenshaw farm is attacked, Hazel must not only defend her home, she must cope with the realization that her flirtation with the other side of the law might also put her in the crosshairs of something else — something much more sinister …

So ... historic-fiction horror? It doesn't say for sure, but it sounds like supernatural threats join the nascent mafia as problems for Hazel to solve.

Here's a PREVIEW.

WHISTLEBLOWERS: FOUR WHO FOUGHT TO EXPOSE THE HOLOCAUST TO AMERICA

Story: Rafael Medoff | Art: Dean R. Motter | $19.99

Dark Horse Books and Yoe Books present the next title from their publishing partnership — Whistleblowers: Four Who Fought to Expose the Holocaust to America. This remarkable graphic novel anthology tells the riveting true stories of four heroes who risked everything to expose the horrors of the Holocaust. Included is the retelling of Arthur Weil’s passage on the tragic May 1937 voyage of the St. Louis, based on Weil’s never-before-published diary, one of only two existing diaries from among the passengers. Whistleblowers is written by Holocaust scholar Dr. Rafael Medoff, with art and colors by Eisner and Harvey Award Nominee Dean Motter, and features a foreword by Mark Zaid, whistleblower attorney.

Whistleblowers presents the true stories of four courageous individuals who risked their careers — or their lives — to confront the unfolding Holocaust. They were a young journalist — and future U.S. senator — who exposed the truth of Hitler’s plans; a member of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s cabinet who pressured FDR to grant haven to refugees; an eyewitness to Nazi atrocities who met with American and British officials to disclose the death camps; and an American civil servant who blew the whistle on colleagues who were blocking the rescue of refugees.

Acclaimed author and Jewish history professor Dr. Rafael Medoff, director of the David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies, and award-winning comics creator Dean Motter bring to life these tales of moral courage in the shadow of genocide. The foreword is provided by Mark Zaid, prominent Washington DC attorney and co-founder of Whistleblower aid, a nonprofit that provides legal assistance to government and private-sector whistleblowers, including in the complaint that triggered Donald Trump’s first impeachment. Trump called Zaid “a sleazeball.”

Advance Praise for Whistleblowers: Four Who Fought to Expose the Holocaust to America:

"Rafael Medoff and Dean Motter tell an important story for our times: how the righteous can take stands for truth that saves lives in times of horror. Sadly, humankind has not learned to ensure 'never again,' so we must learn from these stories to do what we each can."—Paul Levitz, publisher emeritus at DC Comics

"When the refugee ship St. Louis was turned away from America's shore, my fellow-passengers and I felt as if there was no hope. It seemed the whole world had abandoned us. It’s inspiring to read, today, about the handful of Americans who tried to get the U.S. government to save Jews from the Holocaust. Whistleblowers: Four Who Fought to Expose the Holocaust to America tells a story that needs to be told to every generation. With its compelling comic book format, Whistleblowers will reach hearts and minds in classrooms across America." — Prof. Hans Fisher, survivor of the voyage of the St. Louis

“Throughout history, courageous whistle-blowers have exposed corruption, brought down tyrants, and saved human lives. This powerful graphic novel shines a light on the forgotten heroes who challenged America’s abandonment of the Jews during the Holocaust.” — Prof. Stephen H. Norwood, University of Oklahoma

Blurb from Conservative Judaism:

“Dr. Rafael Medoff has undertaken important and innovative projects to teach about the Holocaust through cartoons and comic strips, to help ensure that the mistakes of the 1930s and 1940s will not be repeated." — Stan Lee

Sounds educational. Here's a PREVIEW.

DYNAMITE

FIRE & ICE: TEEGRA ONE-SHOT

Dynamite's collaboration with the families of Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta in expanding the world and stories of their iconic film Fire and Ice continues this February with a special release turning the spotlight to fan-favorite Teegra.

With the jaw-dropping art style of Frank Frazetta and the innovative, timeless animation stylings of Ralph Bakshi, the character of Teegra was an instant hit with moviegoers in 1983 when the original film released. In the smash hit new prequel comic book series from Eisner-winning writer Bill Willingham (Fables) and Leonardo Manco, readers have seen new angles to her, adding further dimensions. Now Willingham is delivering a deluxe 40-page package for fans focused solely on her escapades.

Special guest artist Gabriele Di Caro joins Willingham on art for a stunning approach to this fantasy femme fatale. The Italian virtuoso is known for his unparalled erotic works such as The Arcana of Maison Fleury series of graphic novels. His mastery of the female form, in capturing both sensual beauty and power, is perfect for Teegra, and right in line with the legacy established by Frazetta and Bakshi.

When you go to war against the dark forces of the frozen north, you need a few things. You need warriors and weapons and the will to fight. And you also need strong allies. But how do you cement alliances? Well ... if you have a daughter of marriageable age, maybe a strategic betrothal is the way to go. One problem though ... When the eligible princes of many kingdoms line up to compete for fair Teegra's hand, what happens when the promised princess is suddenly nowhere to be found? Let's find out together in the story we almost called Teegra's Big Run.

This all-star creative team is rounded out with two absolutely stunning covers by top talents. Dan Panosian took a moment from writing and doing covers for Savage Red Sonja to portray another gorgeous and fearsome woman of swords and sorcery. Then fans will be delighted by the return of Meghan Hetrick, beloved for her unique style.

Whether one has read the previous chapters of Fire and Ice released so far or not, this is a truly can't-miss release packed with a thrilling story and excellent artwork!

That is nice artwork.

MORE COMICS

Comic-strip collector’s alert: ALLEY OOP: UNDER THE SEA TP and COMPLETE DICK TRACY VOL 6 1938-1939 HC ship this week.

Titan's THE COLD EVER AFTER TP is a D&D-ish fantasy of a Royal Guard and Queen's Protector who is tasked with saving the kidnapped princess, with whom she's in love. Or as Titan phrases it: "Epic fantasy, queer romance and hardboiled detective noir!" Here’s a PREVIEW.

Mad Cave's HOUND GN is set in World War I, where a young soldier has to survive not only the enemy, but the dangerous cult in his own ranks. World War I stories never end well, do they? Here's a PREVIEW.

Pantheon’s I’M SO GLAD WE HAD THIS TIME TOGETHER HC is our autobiographical, homosexual coming-of-age story of the week. Here's a PREVIEW.

In Silver Sprocket's INFLUENCA GN, the zombie apocalypse happens regularly. This is a story of two professional zombie hunters who share their adventures online, who take (and document) a romantic vacation during zombie uprising No. 7. I can't tell if it's a black comedy, a satire, a parody or what. "Told through the lens of interviews, social media posts, and nostalgic reminiscing, Influenca is a glimpse into a day at the end of the world, past and present, and what life looks like when the apocalypse becomes predictable." Here's a PREVIEW.

Fantagraphics' THE N-WORD OF GOD HC: "Mark Doox is an Ordained religious iconographer who is a classically trained painter. In The N-Word of God, Doox recontextualizes religious and racial narratives through Byzantine and early Italian art styles, challenging binary racial ideas with a mix of satire, wit and striking illustrations." If I was interested in religion, this might be interesting. Might be anyway. Here's a PREVIEW.

Fantagraphics' RETURN TO EDEN HC features the artist's mother's bittersweet reminiscences of growing up in postwar Spain, beginning 1947. Here's a PREVIEW.

Amaze Ink’s A SIMPLE TRUTH GN is a biographical story by Joe Sacco (Josephine) who enters “the uncharted waters of international adoption” and promises “the personal heartache and courage it takes to bring a child home.” I can't think of a topic in which I'm less interested. Oh, wait, there's golf. So this would be No. 2.

I'm not sure what Phoenix Studios' SWAN WATER PRINCESS GN is. "Swan lives in an underwater world called Atlacam. At school, she gets a perfect score on an aptitude test, which means she's next in line to rule Atlacam. Captain Queen Bowron hears of this and secretly sets Swan up to be taken away by pirateers. After being kidnapped by Pinkbeard and her pirateer crew, Swan, along with her plush seal friend, Mono, navigate through high water adventures and learns what makes a true quarter master princess." I'm thinking Disney-ish gay fantasy, but I'm not positive.

Living the Line's TIHKU GN promises "cutting-edge Finnish comics storytelling" by the artist collective Kutikuti. I would very much like to know what Finnish comics look like! Also, I just like saying "Kutikuti," because I am 12. Here's a PREVIEW.

Valiant alert: VALIANT CLASSICS COLLECTION: NINJAK 7TH DRAGON TP ships this week.

Fantagraphics' WALT DISNEY'S MICKEY AND DONALD: MICKEY'S CRAZIEST ADVENTURES HC, by Lewis Trondheim and Nicolas Keramidas, spoofs Silver Age cliches. Or says the website. Here’s a PREVIEW.

In Band of Bards' WORLDS AWAY #1 & 2 DOUBLE ISSUE, a pair of astronauts, an estranged mother and daughter, go on a quest for energy source which is also sought by a "deadly sorceress." So sci-fi plus magic? I imagine at some point the astronauts will have a heart-warming mother and child reunion.

In Band of Bards' WORKING CLASS WIZARDS #1 (OF 3), "a heavy metal guitarist in 1970s Chicago hasn't made the big time with his songs of magic, wizards & elves," but then is confronted with the real thing. I suspect you're supposed to listen to heavy metal — or at least Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On" — while you read.

THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #1 (OF 6)

Featuring a new CONAN epic from John Arcudi and Max Von Fafner, the rousing return of SOLOMON KANE written and drawn by Patch Zircher, an electric prose story from Jim Zub, spectacular art pin-ups, and more, THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN Issue #1 heralds a new era of adrenaline-fueled adventure!

Originally published in 1974, The Savage Sword of Conan featured Robert E. Howard’s iconic Conan the Barbarian untethered from the bounds of the restrictive Comics Code Authority. A darker and more mature title than the flagship Conan the Barbarian comics, The Savage Sword of Conan delved into more gritty and bloody storylines and art, quickly becoming a cult classic publication. The Savage Sword of Conan featured writing and art from legendary creators such as Roy Thomas, Neal Adams, Barry Windsor-Smith, John Buscema, Walter Simonson and much more.

Launching in comic shops in 2024 during the 50-year anniversary celebration, the brand-new The Savage Sword of Conan magazine will be written and drawn in its original black-and-white style by a murderers row of writers and artists including John Arcudi, Frank Tieri, Patch Zircher, Howard Chaykin, Rafael Kayanan, Cary Nord, Rebeca Puebla, Dan Panosian, Richard Pace, Gerardo Zaffino and many more!

"Ever since we announced the launch of this new comic book line, fans and creators alike have been clamouring for the return of this iconic title — ONLY if it was in its original B&W anthology magazine format,” says editor Matt Murray. “It's been a really tough secret to keep that we at Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics have actually been planning on that all along, but it can be a tough skull to crack on a few levels. We hope that we can live up to the expectations, as well as the legacy of the classic book, and think that with the writers and artists we already have on board (and those we're still talking to) we can forge a new and exciting chapter in CONAN's savage story."

Coincidentally, I was boarding some issues of Marvel's SSoC a few nights ago. (When I originally bagged Savage Sword, magazine boards did not yet exist.) I'm not particularly nostalgic for the original magazine which — after a terrific start — fell into formula, and I bought and read it more out of obligation than enjoyment. But I am nostalgic for being the age I was when the original Savage Sword came out, when I read comics sprawled out on a shag carpet in the house I grew up in, listening to Rock 103 on my prize component stereo system that I had bought with paper-route money. Dem wuz de days.

As for the new incarnation, the fact that they're limiting it to six issues gives me optimism that it will contain bigger stories than most of Marvel's clockwork output. And it's Solomon Kane as I like him: in small doses.