By [ad_1]
Each week, CBR has your guide to navigating Wednesday’s new and recent comic releases, specials, collected editions and reissues, and we’re committed to helping you choose those that are worth your hard-earned cash. It’s a little slice of CBR we like to call Major Issues.
If you feel so inclined, you can buy our recommendations directly on comiXology with the links provided. We’ll even supply links to the books we’re not so hot on, just in case you don’t want to take our word for it. Don’t forget to let us know what you think of the books this week in the comments! And as always, SPOILERS AHEAD!
TIMELESS #1 (MARVEL)
COMIXOLOGY
In Timeless #1, Kang the Conqueror takes center stage as Jed MacKay, Kev Walker, Greg Land, Jay Leisten, Mark Bagley, Andrew Hennessy, Marte Gracia and Ariana Maher tease the future of the Marvel Universe. Like the Avengers villain’s recent solo series, Timeless primarily reasserts why Kang is one of Marvel’s most formidable characters as he tracks the ripples of a rogue timeline and deals with its creator. While the comic’s focus on Kang makes way for a fun prehistoric fight scene from Walker, it largely leaves compelling hints of future storylines as only single panels or lines of dialogue.
On its final page, Timeless #1 hints at a legitimately seismic revelation about Marvel’s future. In the same way that DC Universe: Rebirth and Doomsday Clock brought Watchmen’s heroes into the DC Universe, Timeless ends with the inevitable introduction of a once-unthinkable idea. Likely to inspire excitement and trepidation in equal measure, this reveal almost overshadows the rest of the issue.
SWAMP THING: GREEN HELL #1 (DC)
COMIXOLOGY
While plenty of comics have depicted the end of the world in the DC Universe, few have been as viscerally horrifying as the ecological apocalypse of Swamp Thing: Green Hell #1. In Jeff Lemire, Doug Mahnke, David Baron and Steve Wands’ Black Label series, Swamp Thing returns as DC’s elemental forces decide to wipe the last scuffling remnants of humanity from a bloody Earth.
With a smart plot and a well-considered take on humanity’s last days, Green Hell offers a bleak but fascinating take on a world that feels unsalvageable, even after some familiar faces show up. Mahnke delivers some impressively brutal and gory work in years, along with one of his signature inhuman monster designs. Although it almost seems hopelessly bleak in spots, this debut sets up an intriguing scenario to bring some aging DC heroes out of retirement.
DEVIL’S REIGN #2 (MARVEL)
COMIXOLOGY
After Chip Zdarsky, Marco Checchetto, Marcio Menyz and Clayton Cowles made Daredevil one of Marvel’s best ongoing titles, Devil’s Reign #2 sees the creative team’s opus continue to play out on the streets of Marvel’s New York. After Mayor Wilson Fisk effectively outlaws superheroes, Daredevil, Iron Man, Captain America and Marvel’s street-level heroes go on the run as the Kingpin’s deputized villains patrol Manhattan.
While there are definite shades of past events like Civil War and Dark Reign, Devil’s Reign is Marvel superhero storytelling at its finest. With pitch-perfect takes on the crossover’s sizeable cast, Zdarsky’s script sets up some inventive challenges for the heroes of Devil’s Reign. Checchetto and Menyz deliver stunning work throughout the issue, which is bookended by a well-choreographed pair of respective fights featuring Iron Fist and Ben Reilly’s Spider-Man.
DUNE: A WHISPER OF CALADAN SEAS #1 (BOOM! STUDIOS)
COMIXOLOGY
In Dune: A Whisper of Caladan Seas, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson adapt their Dune Universe short story as a one-shot comic with Jakub Rebelka and Ed Dukeshire. For fans of this year’s Dune film or Frank Herbert’s original novel, this one-shot makes for an approachable standalone entry into the wider world of the Dune franchise.
Set during the Harkkonen attack on House Atreides that took place during the film’s climax, this story follows a band of trapped Atreides soldiers as they dream of their ocean-filled homeworld. Rebelka’s distinctive art brings the fiery grit of battle, the grungy desert caves of Arrakis and the cool colors of Caladan together well.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #83 (MARVEL)
COMIXOLOGY
Throughout the “Beyond” storyline over the past few months, Amazing Spider-Man has split its focus between Ben Reilly’s corporate-sponsored Spider-Man and a hospitalized Peter Parker, who’s been recovering from an excruciating supervillain attack. In Amazing Spider-Man #83, Patrick Gleason, Morry Hollowell, Nathan Fairburn, Chris Eliopoulos and Joe Caramagna keep their attention on a slowly recovering Peter as he tests the limits of his body and mind.
Gleason’s script has a strong grasp on Peter’s humanity and fragility, and his art captures that internal struggle well on the page. With strong colorwork throughout, this Amazing Spider-Man issue is an impressive example of a riveting superhero story where its main hero barely gets out of bed.
STRAY DOGS: DOG DAYS #1 (IMAGE)
COMIXOLOGY
With its unique mix of classical Disney-style art, adorable canines and a horrific and heartbreaking series of murders, Stray Dogs was one of 2021’s most distinctive comic book hits. And with Stray Dogs: Dog Days #1, Tony Fleecs, Trish Forstner, Brad Simpson, Tone Rodriguez, Martin Vasquez and Lauren Perry reunite for a series of short stories spotlighting several members of its sizable cast.
One of Stray Dogs’ biggest strengths is the juxtaposition of its horrific subject matter and inviting cartoony art. That holds true in Stray Dogs: Dog Days too, but the new title only works best with at least some familiarity with the original series. Still, this comic offers some alternatively cute, creepy and heart-wrenching stories from the world of this buzzworthy series.
We hope you like the items we recommend! Comic Book Resources has affiliate partnerships, and as such, we receive a share of the revenue from your purchase. This won’t affect the price you pay and helps us offer the best product recommendations.
About The Author
[ad_2]
