Every week, the toughest thing to do is figure out what comic books to pick up. Luckily, the fine staff of Comic Vine is here to help ease the tension. So sit back and relax while we let you know what books are essential reading this week.
Get ready because there's the first wave of CONVERGENCE books hitting this week! In addition, it's the beginning of the end of the Ultimate universe! Did we find these books important enough to be considered essential reading? Find out now! (Spoiler: They are)
Tony's Picks
DESCENDER #2
(Image Comics)
The first issue of the creator-owned series by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen was a great start to the story. We were introduced to a new comic book universe that did go beyond a single city or even planet. Jumping forward ten years after a huge threat appeared, we’re left wondering what happened in that time. We also got to meet Tim-21, a robot boy that was asleep for those ten years. With the universe not looking too kindly upon robots, you can imagine things won’t be going too smoothly for this innocent robot boy.
The combination of the story with Dustin Nguyen’s water colored art, we were immediately captivated into learning more about this new world and the characters. Or at least any character that survived the big event from ten years ago. A new series with new worlds to explore has that big unknown feeling and this next issue feels like it’ll be more of an exploration into the unknown.
ALL-NEW HAWKEYE #2
(Marvel)
Last month’s debut by Jeff Lemire and Ramón Pérez brought Clint Barton and Kate Bishop back together again. We’ve had some great stories with the two in the previous volume but there’s was just something really nice about seeing the two fighting a horde of HYDRA agents side by side while bickering with each other almost non-stop. The action kept heating up and we had a bit of a cliffhanger when we discovered what their mission lead up to.
If that wasn’t enough, we also got to see some flashback moments in Clint’s childhood dealing with what he and his brother, Barney, dealt with before they ended up at the circus. If this story continues at the same pace, we’ll have plenty of great stories and art as well as some humorous, touching, and action-packed moments.
Check out the solicit here and the preview below.
CONVERGENCE #1
(DC)
There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding this series. We know there’s a bunch of two-part nostalgia trips back with our favorite versions of the characters we love. How will they interact with other versions of characters and themselves? What’s the big story behind this “ultimate” version of Brainiac? Why has he been taking all these cities from different universes? More importantly, what effects will all this have on the DC Universe after the even is over?
The zero issue was a set up issue. There wasn’t a ton of action but it was cool seeing the different worlds and seeing how Superman reacted to the notion. It’s hard to say what’s coming up but after talking to Jeff King at WonderCon (video interview coming soon), I am intrigued to see how certain things will play out.
CONVERGENCE BATGIRL #1
(DC)
Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, and Red Robin fighting together? That’s pretty much all I needed to know. I cannot wait to see these versions back, even if it’s just for this two-part story. But the question is, how will they fair against Catman and Gorilla Grodd from the Flashpoint Universe? Also, why is Stephanie Brown being attacked by them?
It’d be great to see a pure story with just these versions of the characters. Having them fight different versions of characters from other universe feels a little odd but it could work out to give us a nice and strange new sort of story.
Although, if that’s what we’re seeing in all the Convergence books these two months, it could wear a little thin. I’m also curious to see how Alisa Kwitney and Rick Leonardi will handle the characters.
JUPITER'S CIRCLE #1
(Image Comics)
There were a lot of things I dug about JUPITER’S LEGACY. One of the things that bothered me was we had a group journey to a mysterious island where something happened to them. They gained powers but the story jumped to decades later and into the present. I wanted to see more of what happened on the island and afterwards. That’s kind of what we’re getting here.
With the story taking place in the late 1950s, it’s a completely different world. But of course Mark Millar gives his take on things.
This won’t be the innocent or rosy superhero story from that time period. We will see the gritty truth for these characters and how things lead up to what we saw in JUPITER’S LEGACY.
REBELS #1
(Dark Horse Comics)
Who says comic books can’t be educational? Brian Wood is no stranger to writing about different time periods. Fans of NORTHLANDERS will know what I’m talking about. With a look at America’s fight for independence back in 1775, it’s a chance to dive into the history books without feeling like your stuck inside a classroom. You can check out more about the series from our interview with Brian from March HERE.
Andrea Mutti’s art looks fantastic and Jordie Bellaire’s colors adds quite a bit to the feel of the story. Even if the idea of reading something historical seems odd to you, this will definitely be worth checking out.
Mat's Picks
MILES MORALES: THE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #12
(Marvel)
In addition to being essential, I have a feeling this week's issue of MILES MORALES is going to break my heart. I'll prepare the box of tissues and sack of bon-bons just in case. Do people eat bon-bons when they're sad?
Anyway, Miles has found himself in quite the predicament recently, being kidnapped by the almighty Hydra (Hail them, BTW) thanks to his girlfriend's parents. Here's the thing, this is the last issue of the series.
This volume hasn't been perfect and there's been a couple rough patches, but I can't wait to see what happens next, especially with the goat-legged Doctor Doom showing up. I'm bummed to see the Ultimate universe disappear but this is an issue I can't wait to read. Now, if anyone needs me, I'll be drooling over Justin Ponsor's colors.
Check out the solicit here and to save you some time, we posted the preview below.
BILL & TED'S MOST TRIUMPHANT RETURN #2
(BOOM! Studios)
If you're a young chap with the pep in your step that the normal 30-40 year old has, then this new Bill & Ted book has probably piqued your interest. The first issue was a lot of fun and reminded readers what the Bill & Ted universe used to be like.
What I really loved about that first issue was that it took place right after Bogus Journey and continued on. Sure, the story of Bill and Ted trying to write their next hit song, after writing KISS' "God Gave Rock and Roll to You," was a bit silly, but it feels like the creative team, as a whole, really captured the essence of this world.
In addition, there was a great back-up story in the first issue, which I hope continues on throughout this series. If you're a fan of the original movies or just want to read something a bit out there and comical, which can essentially be described as two idiots finding a TARDIS, then this is the book for you. Excellent.
Check out this excellent preview of this week's issue.
CONVERGENCE: THE QUESTION #1
(DC)
You had me at Renee Montoya as the Question, then hit a home run by telling me Greg Rucka is writing the book. This is the "shut up and take my money" book of the week.
Sure, Two-Face is in this issue as well, but all I really care about is seeing Rucka write Montoya one more time. She hasn't really been around in the New 52, except for a picture of her on the wall in an issue of BATWOMAN, and she's one of my personal favorite detective characters, especially when she became The Question.
While all that sounds delightful and dandy, adding Cully Hamner as the artist makes this an essential read. The creative team here, writing this particular character, is what truly excites me about the book.
As far as CONVERGENCE as an event goes, I'm not sold. However, this is the first of many CONVERGENCE mini-series I cannot wait to get my dirty hands on.
Honorable Mention: BIRTHRIGHT #6
Corey's Picks
DARTH VADER #4
(Marvel)
The most enigmatic of the Sith lords continues his subterfuge and it's in a way that most aren't used to seeing: subtly. While Vader's always been an upright, seemingly very direct character, the way that Kieron Gillen has written him thus far is with a much more deft touch, while not losing that inner dignity and power that comes with the Dark Lord.
It can be a tough needle to thread, and if done incorrectly, it makes the character look more like a skulking schemer than the symbol of badass for an entire universe. And of course Salvador Larroca knows how to render said symbol as best as possible, making this one an obvious one to look forward to.
Check out the solicit here and the preview below.
MORTAL KOMBAT X #5
(DC)
There's a fine line between so-bad-it's-good and just plain awful and the mythology behind Mortal Kombat's video games has always consistently erred on the side of the former .I haven't necessarily appreciated the gameplay tweaks, and flat-out overhauls, they've sometimes made, but the storyline behind each game is like its own kung-fu epic.
Shawn Kittelsen clearly GETS exactly what makes a Mortal Kombat storyline great, and while it's far from anything like psychological realism (every simple disagreement MUST end in ultra-violence!), it's still pretty great.
That's thanks in large part to Dexter Soy's art capturing that very ultra-violence to which I refer, and with the game's release, I'll take as much back-story as I can get.
HOWARD THE DUCK #2
(Marvel)
Ahhhh, Howard the Duck. From snarky bag of curmugeonly tension to inexplicable film star to interdimensional explorer to super zombie hunter (and that's a hunter of super-zombies, not a zombie hunter who's super), Howard's had a great many incarnations, and while some have been better than others, this newest one feels like it's getting back to what originally made the character so appealing while still striking new ground.
Chip Zdarsky's brought back that snark and sardonic sense of humor, while straying from the flat-out parody/satire that Howard used to be all about. Joe Quinones' art played up the absurdity of Howard's world, giving us an amazing debut that I can't wait to see the follow-up of.
Check out the solicit here and the preview right below this very sentence.
Honorable Mention: SAGA #27
That's it for this week's edition of Essential Comics. Let us know what your books you're super-duper excited for this week in the comment section below!