IT’S NEW COMIC BOOK DAY! #NCBD
The best day of the week just got a lot better with a new round of awesome comics arriving in stores this week. Staff members at Major Spoilers are here to help you with your comic book selection this week, with their roundup of comics they recommend.
ADVENTURES OF THE SUPER SONS #2
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artist: Art Thibert, Carlo Barberi
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Kids today, amiright? What with their vaping, texting, emoji-ing and whatnot—never mind what happens when teen villains the Gang get their hands on Gold Kryptonite! That’s exactly what the young bad guys plan to do to impress the Earth’s biggest villains! Super Sons Robin and Superboy stand face to face with Rex Luthor, Joker Jr. and other psychos pulled right from your nightmares. The Gang has already robbed Superboy of his powers, and now they’re ready to reveal their grand plan!
STACY: Picking up right on the heels of the awesome first issue, the story of the teen villains who have formed The Gang is revealed. Lots of swerves in this one, and it is well worth it for all of those who are missing Jon or need an extra dose of Damian. Myself, I am thoroughly enjoying it.
BATMAN #54
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Matt Wagner
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Dick Grayson-the original Robin-gets to spend some quality time fighting crime with his mentor for the first time since Batman popped the question to Catwoman. It’s a walk down memory lane as Bruce Wayne helps Dick get over the loss of his high-flying acrobat parents, which in turn led to his crime-fighting career. Guest artist Matt Wagner (Mage, TRINITY) jumps on board for this special issue!
STEPHEN: This is an interesting way to tell a story, and it may take you more than a few rereads to get the flow down, but it is an interesting story from Tom King, and the art by Matt Wagner is always a treat.
WAYNE: Tom King’s star sure has risen since he took over Batman! There has been some discussion online about the art in this issue, but I still love Mr. Wagner’s stuff! Definitely one to pick up this week!
BORDER TOWN #1
Writer: Eric M Esquivel
Artist: Ramon Villalobos
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Don’t miss the start of this all-new ongoing Vertigo series by writer Eric M. Esquivel (Gregory Graves, Ricanstruction) and artist Ramon Villalobos (Nighthawk, America).
When a crack in the border between worlds releases an army of monsters from Mexican folklore, the residents of Devil’s Fork, AZ, blame the ensuing weirdness-the shared nightmares, the otherworldly radio transmissions, the mysterious goat mutilations-on “God-dang illegals.” With racial tensions supernaturally charged, it’s up to new kid in town Frank Dominguez and a motley crew of high school misfits to discover what’s really going on in this town torn between worlds.
INGRID: Set in Arizona, near the border with Mexico, this book deals with two border conflicts. On the surface, the weirdness in town is blamed on “illegals”, and racial tensions are at a high. But at another level, there’s break between our world and a world of monsters from Mexican folklore who are causing the weirdness. I love folklore, and I love a book that has something to say.
CASPER’S GHOSTLAND #1 – 100TH ISSUE ANNIVERSARY
Writer: Pat Shand, Mike Wolfer
Artist: Eric Shanower
Publisher: American Mythology Productions
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: A beloved Harvey classic returns! Casper’s Ghostland ran for 98 issues from 1958-1979 and there was one Harvey special in 1992 making this the 100th issue ever! All of your favorite characters are here – Casper, Wendy, Hot Stuff, Spooky, The Ghostly Trio, Nightmare, and more! Casper and Hot Stuff discover forest creatures using some salty language in “From Bad to Curse,” and Casper discovers Spooky’s weakness in “Blow off Some Scream,” both illustrated by Eisner Awards-winner Eric Shanower! Casper’s Ghostland comes with four covers – Main Cover by Eric Shanower, Party Time by Buz Hasson & Ken Haeser, The Gang’s All Here by Bill Galvan, and a special Blank Cover Sketch Edition!
MATTHEW: This sounds wonderfully goofy and I’m totally here for it.
COVER #1
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: David Mack
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Years in the making, from the award-winning team of Brian Michael Bendis and multimedia sensation David Mack, comes a brand-new graphic novel experience. And it’s all kind of based on a true story. Sort of… Deep in the American intelligence community, someone realizes that comic book creators, who travel all over the world to sell their wares, might make the perfect cover for operatives in the dangerous, topsy-turvy world of intelligence and counterintelligence…and that’s when all hell breaks loose. This is the story of the time the world of comics and the world of international spywork smashed together-with unexpected results! Artist David Mack, follows his Emmy nominated work on Jessica Jones, and his critically acclaimed video work for Dashboard Confessionals and Amanda Palmer, brings another completely unique vision to this driving comedic spy story that is also a beautiful Valentine to all those creators who sit alone and make beautiful stories.
MATTHEW: Not gonna lie, this seems like it could be a giant train wreck. A comic about comics creators as super-spies might be a ridiculous Mary Sue mess or it just be the greatest thing ever. I wanna see which…
STEPHEN: I’m down for this. It’s been a while since I’ve read BMB, and this is capes adjacent enough for me to want to see where he’s going.
ECLIPSE #10
Writer: Zack Kaplan
Artist: Giovanni Timano
Publisher: Top Cow Productions
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: In a world where sunlight is deadly, David and Valerie are trapped in the post-apocalyptic wasteland during the dangerous daylight, while Cielo commits to helping the Scientist recreate a serum for his sunlight immunity-even if it means taking on her father’s company, Solarity.
WAYNE: I love me some great science fiction, and Eclipse is one of those terrific comics! I have no idea what will happen next! I also love Port Earth by Mr. Kaplan, so this one comes highly recommended!
JAMES BOND: ORIGIN #1
Writer: Jeff Parker
Artist: Bob Q
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: At last, the definitive account of James Bond’s exploits during World War II! MARCH, 1941: Seventeen-year-old James Bond is a restless student in Scotland, an orphan, eager to strike out and make his mark on the world. But a visit by an old family friend coincides with THE CLYDEBANK BLITZ, the most devastating German attack on Scotland during the War. James will fight through hell to survive, coming out the other side determined to make a difference. He’ll find his calling in a new British government service, secret in nature…
The ongoing epic kicks off, by JEFF PARKER (Future Quest, Thunderbolts, Batman ’66) and BOB Q (The Green Hornet)!
MATTHEW: I’m not a huge Bond fan, but I am a huge Jeff Parker fan, and this sounds like it could be amazing…
JUSTICE LEAGUE #7
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Mark Morales
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: It’s wall-to-Source-Wall Justice League action as artist Jim Cheung rejoins writer Scott Snyder! Hawkgirl takes wing against Legion of Doom leader Lex Luthor; John Stewart faces off with old foe Sinestro; the Flash must run down the Still Force-empowered Gorilla Grodd; and Wonder Woman tackles the tag team of Black Manta and Cheetah-underwater, no less!
WAYNE: Mr. Snyder is reworking the Justice League in his books, and it’s been a great read! Great team action!
NOBLE #11
Writer: Brandon Thomas
Artist: Manuel Garcia
Publisher: Lion Forge Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: David Powell has fully adopted his identity as the superhero Noble. Stopping bombs, saving lives, David continues to be both an inspiration to many and a potential threat to others. Astrid goes on her own, much more covert, mission to find Simon Simms and Jameela, two enhanced individuals who worked for Doctor Mayes. For both of them, their missions aren’t so simple as “superhero” and “location.” A new threat arises that directly challenges Noble’s image and cause, while Astrid continues to hunt Esparza.
STACY: Lion Forge is doing what other publishers are struggling for, creating a diverse and inclusive slate of title that appeals to everyone. Noble is an excellent title with top-notch writing and art from a stellar creative team. It should be on everyone’s pull list.
OUTPOST ZERO #3
Writer: Sean Kelley McKeever
Artist: Alexandre Tefenkgi, Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: The Outpost enters emergency protocols in order to survive through the night. But that won’t stop Alea from uncovering Sam’s secret.
INGRID: Tensions are running high at Outpost Zero. This remote community lies buried under tons of ice, while the people in charge try to figure out how best to deal with this before their fragile dome collapses. Meanwhile, the suicide of one of their young people shakes the others to their core. This is a tight drama with a lot of tension and a lot of unanswered questions.
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #2
Writer: Rob Williams
Artist: Sergio Davila
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: The world has faced the opening attack of a terrifying new power. Green Lama is the Earth’s most powerful being and he has been left in a coma. It’s up to the Project Superpowers team to come together to defend humanity. And who is the new host of The Spirit of The American Flag?
INGRID: If you missed issue #1, this issue is also a decent jumping on point. The Project Superpowers team, now minus the Green Lama, is up against an unknown villain, and a new Spirit of the American Flag has been chosen and is getting used to the idea of being a superhero. Interesting characters, decent drama, and a splash of humor make this book a standout.
WARBEARS #1
Writer: Margaret Atwood
Artist; Ken Steacy
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
SOLICITATION: From the Booker Prize-winning author of The Handmaid’s Tale, comes this historical fiction graphic novel tracing the Golden Age of comic books.
Oursonette, a fictional Nazi-fighting superheroine, is created at the peak of World War II by comic book creator Al Zurakowski who dreams of making it big in the early world of comics publishing.
A story that follows the early days of comics in Toronto, a brutal war that greatly strains Al personally and professionally, and how the rise of post-war American comics puts an end to his dreams.
International and New York Times best-selling novelist Margaret Atwood and acclaimed artist Ken Steacy collaborate for one of the most highly anticipated comic book and literary events!
STACY: With a story by comic legend Ken Steacy and Margaret Atwood (YES! THAT Margaret Atwood) Warbears almost didn’t make it on my radar. I’m glad I gave it a second look. This title is inspired by real life events that happened in the Canadian comic industry at the end of World War II. If you enjoy novels such as The Amazing Adventures of Kaviler and Clay by Michael Chabon or The Astounding, the Amazing and The Unknown by Paul Malmont, then this is the book for you. I highly recommend it.
ROBOT OVERLORD: Today is the day! Today you get to discover that one comic that you love! Enjoy your quest!