October 16th, 2024
Rob's Picks:
Batman Full Moon #1
Supernatural horror returns to Gotham in this limited series from Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia) and artist Stevan Subic (The Riddler: Year One). When the world’s greatest detective investigates an especially brutal mass killing, all signs point to an improbable culprit—a hybrid of man and wolf that emerges under the light of the full moon. It's more than the ultra-rational Batman is willing to believe. But the facts of the case, a date with Zatanna, and a house call from Dr. Kirk Langstrom (the Man-Bat) put his skepticism to the test, reminding Bruce that even “rational” explanations can lead to monstrous truths. You can feel the chill in the air and the grime on every surface of Subic’s rendition of Gotham, and there is a brutal beauty to his monstrous creations. Recommended if you enjoyed City of Madness or the Dark Knight’s other forays into the supernatural.
Crypt of Shadows #1
Marvel’s horror anthology title returns for a Halloween one-shot featuring four stories from top-notch creatives. Steve Orlando (Scarlet Witch) provides the framing story, “Bad Reception,” where Agatha Harkness plays horror host, introducing a trio of chillers that make up the bulk of the issue. In the first story, Wanda tries to teach Vision about the Halloween spirit, but costume party prep is interrupted by the arrival of an unexpected guest. Writer Chris Condon (The Enfield Gang Massacre) makes this story more humorous than horrifying—a soft opening to ease readers in. Man-Thing stands at the doorway between life and death, as indifferent to both as nature itself. But in “The Green Tide,” he must answer to Prince Namor when unnatural powers corrupt life in the deep. Artist Raffaele Ienco (Batman: Sins of the Father) and writer Benjamin Percy (Ghost Rider/Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance) bring an old-school pulp energy to this entry. Jason Loo (Werewolf by Night) presents an explosive finish with “Monster Games.” Artist Carlos Magno pulls no punches in this action-horror slugfest that sees Jack Russell collide with Blade and Kraven the Hunter. This is a worthy entry in the Crypt of Shadows library and a great showcase for the current horror talents at Marvel.
Mystique #1
Written and illustrated by Declan Shalvey, Mystique #1 kicks off a globe-trotting spy caper with the feel of a Mission: Impossible movie set in the Marvel universe. The world’s most elusive and mysterious mutant is on the move again! Since the fall of Krakoa, Mystique has been laying low, but now she's putting a new plan into motion that looks a lot like her old one: revenge on the enemies of mutantkind. With her power of disguise and lifetimes of experience, Raven Darkhölme is a master of espionage, staying two steps ahead of her pursuers and her prey. Only one man is super-spy enough to see her signature on a series of high-profile thefts and executions: Nick Fury! With few resources and no backup, Fury heads into the field to discover the purpose of her mission before it’s too late to stop her. Like the best of the current X-books, this title fills a specific niche and quickly declares its intentions. By giving equal time to Mystique and Fury, we’re set up for a tense, paranoid spy-vs-spy procedural.
Solomon's Picks:
Vicarious #1
Ryan Parrot, Eleonora Carlini, and Mattia Iacono deliver a fascinating story about experiencing sensations through someone else’s point of view. I’m a sucker for a great sci-fi book, and this one caught my eye with its intriguing premise, beautiful art style, and eccentric cast. Vicarious explores a world where senses can be shared with others through a neural-link. “Proxy” is the label given to those who sell their bodies and senses to strangers online. This lifestyle, while lucrative, is extremely dangerous, putting them at the mercy of some truly twisted individuals. Our main character, Justin, is compelling even before becoming a Proxy—awkward but competent, a pretty boy who can hold his own in a fight. He seems to have a heart of gold, but the need to pay rent drives him to desperate measures. Having him take this role out of necessity rather than desire adds a layer of discomfort, highlighting the appeal of his new lifestyle while reminding us of its underlying horrors. He is literally a slave to others' desires, right down to his opening line, “What can you use me for?” If the internet has taught us anything, it’s that people will pay to see anything. I’m eager to see how Ryan Parrot explores the extremes people will go to in order to feel something. Loved this debut issue and can’t wait to see where the story goes. Give this a grab if you haven’t—seriously!
Crypt of Shadows #1
New year, another Crypt of Shadows! This year's batch of stories is varied as usual, offering three unique tales starring some iconic characters. The opening story, “Do Androids Dream In The Witch House?” features Wanda, starting and finishing with an almost sitcom vibe, while the core of the story is a cat-and-mouse chase between her and Joshua Jovan (Werewolf by Night). The art is smooth and colorful, providing a stark contrast to the darker, more jagged style of the other stories. “The Green Tide” features Namor and Man-Thing as they attempt to stop a mutation threatening swamp life in the Everglades, culminating in a showdown with a Kraken. The final story, “Monster Games,” is a high-energy adventure featuring Werewolf By Night, Blade, and Kraven. This was definitely my favorite of the batch, from the character interactions to the tone and the intense battles. Pick this up if you haven’t already—there’s a bit of everything here, so at least one of these stories (if not all) is sure to keep you entertained!
Godfather of Hell #1
From Cavan Scott, Pius Bak, and Raul Angulo comes Godfather of Hell, a fantastic new story! The series follows Dario Santini, a petty gangster whose crimes on Earth come with a heavy price. A life of stealing, scamming, and killing was bound to catch up with him, and in Dario’s case, his penance is becoming the strong arm for Samael, the 7th Lord of Hell. Dario seemed destined to suffer for eternity, but after murdering one of Hell’s guards upon arrival, Samael had no choice but to acknowledge his skills. Now, Dario is forced to collect the debts of those who sold their souls to Lucifer but refuse to pay the price. The main character is a stereotypical mobster with a nasty attitude and a disregard for rules, making it both fitting and darkly humorous to see him in this role. The art and colors work beautifully together, giving the many faces of Hell an extra sinister, yet oddly charming, quality. This first issue is a solid setup, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes next. If you’re looking for something new, this is definitely worth a grab!