February 7th, 2024
Rob's Picks:
Solomon's Picks:
Mace Windu #1 - Mace Windu has his own thrilling story with Mace Windu #1 in stores now! By Marc Bernardin and Georges Jeanty, this issue was such an enjoyable read, as Windu is a character who I’ve always felt was underutilized but had loads of untapped stories/potential. He is tasked with tracking down Azita Cruuz in order to retrieve a specialized Coaxium Formula that could challenge the order that the Republic has fought hard to maintain. We see Mace Windu take on many trials and tribulations in this first issue alone, fighting his way through mercenaries and various unruly characters. His actions and mannerisms match perfectly with what we’ve been shown before, and I absolutely love the energy he gives off throughout this whole issue. We see his special approach to the Force and his unique way of following the Jedi Code in action several different times, and even if you know nothing about Star Wars, this issue would definitely catch your attention. Come grab a copy now!
Ultimate Black Panther #1 - The New Ultimate Universe has delivered another banger, this time with Ultimate Black Panther! Created by Bryan Hill, Stefano Caselli, and David Curiel, this debut issue was an excellent read with plenty of fan favorites getting time to shine (Killmonger fans will love the pages he’s present, along with a special guest). While there was more buildup than I would have hoped, everything else about this issue is fantastic, from the internal debates that happen due to the forthcoming war Wakanda is soon to be locked into, the highlighting of Suri’s unmatched intellect, wonderful illustrations, and excellent pacing. This issue has me beyond hyped for where this new version of Black Panther’s story will end up! Seems like the Ultimate Universe titles fly off the shelves quickly, so be sure to add this to your pulls to guarantee a copy for yourself!
Thundercats #1 - A surprise that I wasn’t expecting going into 2024 is the return of Thundercats! Given to us by Declan Shalvey and Drew Moss, this first issue was an electrifying return to the series that I’m sure long-time fans will love! It was a quick read that wastes no time with a long and dramatic monologue on the backstory of the group (for the fifth time), instead it offers about two pages of exposition and immediately throws you into the story. It feels very true to the characters I remember from my childhood, and the art is absolutely incredible! An epic battle takes place towards the end of the book featuring the full cast, and a shocking ending will be sure to catch your eye. This reminds me a lot of the Saturday morning cartoon I grew up with, so I'll be sure to keep an eye on this series and recommend you do the same!