The Comic Lounge's Picks of the Week (2/5/20)
RYAN'S PICKS
MARTIAN MANHUNTER #12
This has been one of DC's sleeper books, quietly becoming a critical success. As a long time Martian Manhunter fan this has been an insanely fun ride. It definitely stuck the landing and will leave you wanting more.
Here's the solicit:
It's the Martian Manhunter and Charnn's last confrontation! To save the souls of every human on Earth, J'onn must put his past behind him for good and become the hero we know him to be. But Charnn won't make it easy; he's going to strike at every vulnerability and weakness the Martian Manhunter has. The finale to the critically acclaimed series is here!
AFTER REALM QUARTERLY #1
This book is perfectly suited for Oeming, a fantasy book mixed with Norse mythology. This was easily one my favorite reads of the year so far. It clocks in at 56 pages and never feels like it drags. Can't recommend this fun adventure book enough.
Here's the solicit:
From Eisner and Harvey Award-winning Michael Avon Oeming, co-creator of Powers and The United States of Murder and writer of Thor: Ragnarok and Red Sonja, comes The After Realm, a new ongoing extra-length quarterly! In the aftermath of Ragnarok, Oona, an elven ranger, sets out into the post-apocalyptic chaos to discover the fate of the old gods. But first, she must fulfill an oath to a lost friend that could doom what's left of the Nine Realms.
STAR WARS DARTH VADER #1
More Star Wars books??? Yes please. I'm loving the new, main, Star Wars book. I have high hopes for this one, especially because there is so much untapped potential for some really great stories. I have full confidence that Greg Pak will deliver. Plus who doesn't love reading new Darth Vader stories???
Here's the solicit:
"JOIN ME, AND TOGETHER, WE CAN RULE THE GALAXY AS FATHER AND SON!" THE TRAGEDY OF DARTH VADER CONTINUES! In the shattering climax of The Empire Strikes Back, Darth Vader infamously reveals his true relationship to Luke Skywalker and invites his son to rule the galaxy at his side. But Luke refuses -- plunging into the abyss beneath Cloud City rather than turn to the Dark Side. We all remember Luke's utter horror in this life-altering moment. But what about Vader? In this new epic chapter in the Darth Vader saga, the dark lord grapples with Luke's unthinkable refusal and embarks on a bloody mission of rage-filled revenge against everything and everyone who had a hand in hiding and corrupting his only son. But even as he uncovers the secrets of Luke's origins, Vader must face shocking new challenges from his own dark past. Writer Greg Pak and artist Raffaele Ienco unleash Darth Vader on his dark quest of vengeance and discovery this February! With covers by InHyuk Lee!
X-MEN FANTASTIC FOUR #1
Ever since that scene in HOX #1, where Cyclops tells Mr. Fantastic that, "Franklin will always have a home on Krakoa", I have been waiting for this moment. Out of all the X-Men related books to spin out of HOX/POX, this is the one I've been most excited about. Plus you put Chip Zdarsky on the book and it's sure to be an awesome story. Seriously guys, if you've been reading any of the X-books, this one is essential.
Here's the solicit:
KRAKOA. Every mutant on Earth lives there ... except for one. But now it's time for FRANKLIN RICHARDS to come home. It's the X-MEN VS. the FANTASTIC FOUR and nothing will ever be the same.
TREVOR'S PICKS
ANT-MAN #1
Seeing another Ant-Man series coming out (even if it's a mini) always gets me a little excited. Seeing how this time around Scott's trying his best to be a good dad while stumbling into major world trouble, it's no BIG surprise they got my attention with this.
Here's the solicit:
Scott Lang is back and doing better than ever! Er, at least according to him, but his daughter, Stinger, and the anthill he's living in say otherwise. Desperate to raise his daughter's opinion of him, Scott takes a job from local beekeepers only to uncover a global conspiracy that could topple the world order! No time to call the Avengers, this sounds like a job for - ANT-MAN?! Join the explosive creative team of Zeb Wells (NOVA) and Dylan Burnett
MARAUDERS #7
Yo ho, no and I gotta ummm, I can't believe that big of a cliffhanger happened in issue #6! The Hellfire Trading company hasn't even made it that far in its new business endeavor and things are already unraveling. With the child villains seeking to rid themselves of mutants, will Emma Frost be able to navigate her company out of these stormy waters in time?
Here's the solicit:
THE TREASURE OF ISLAND M! As Verendi's plans against Krakoa grow, the Marauders find themselves missing something vital... something that brings Storm and the White Queen to blows. Artist Stefano Caselli (AVENGERS, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) joins the crew of the craziest X-series of them all!
JUSTICE LEAGUE ODYSSEY #18
Jessica Cruz and the JLO square off against the evil Cyborg! That's right, evil Victor Stone pings to the one and only Darkseid. Hopefully this issue we will learn whether all is lost for our cybernetic friend and the rest of the original team in this series.
Here's the solicit:
Green Lantern Jessica Cruz and the new JLO have their first encounter with their lost friend Cyborg. Will Victor Stone's hidden messages be the clue to releasing him from Darkseid's deadly grip, or is Vic gone forever? How much is Jessica willing to risk to save her old friends?
MARIO'S PICKS
LOIS LANE #8
This has been by far my favorite Superman related title at DC and it really comes as no surprise given it's written by Greg Rucka and stars some of the characters I associate with him so it's a slam dunk. The only negative is that it's not an ongoing so every issue is also another issue closer to the end. An ongoing Question book by Rucka coming next?
Here's the solicit:
As the world comes to realize Lois Lane is also the wife of Superman and mother of Superboy, the DC Universe's most acclaimed reporter finds herself hunted by a deadly assassin code-named the Kiss of Death. The only thing standing between Lois and execution is the Question, but can Renee Montoya stop the Kiss before she fulfills her contract?
DAREDEVIL #17
Daredevil has consistently been one of my favorite titles from Marvel since it started and I look forward to every issue, including this one. Things are starting to move along quickly and I can't wait to find out how things continue to play out. If you're a DD fan, you should definitely be reading this series!
Here's the solicit:
TARGET: DAREDEVIL! • The war in Hell's Kitchen builds as Owl takes his stab at Wilson Fisk, formerly the Kingpin of Crime - now Mayor of New York! • Matt must come to terms with what Daredevil truly means. • And he better do it soon, as a new and deadly foe makes a decisive return...
MAGNIFICENT MS MARVEL #12
I feel like Ms. Marvel has been quietly one of the most consistent titles from Marvel since she came on the scene years ago now and it's still true now. While I wish the plot with Kamala's dad moved along a bit quicker without the fill in sub-plots, it's served as a solid emotional storyline that definitely has resonated with me. And will Bruno and Kamala FINALLY get together??
Here's the solicit:
When Ms. Marvel's newest nemesis goes after one of her old ones, Kamala will have to choose between saving her enemy...and saving her father.