We're back from San Diego Comic Con and ready to rock yet another week with some great essential reading for all of you this upcoming week. So sit back, relax, and check out some comics you need to pick up on Wednesday, July 15.
Tony's Picks
JUSTICE LEAGUE #42
(DC)
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jason Fabok
Oh man, here we go. Round 2. Last issue we saw the first chapter in Darkseid War. As you would expect, Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok kicked things off in a big way. We saw Grail, Darkseid’s daughter, make her debut against the Justice League. She didn’t hold back and it didn’t go too well for the League. If they could barely hold their own against her, what happens when Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor enter the picture.
It sounds like it’s time for Wonder Woman to take the center stage in this war and Batman may be going through some changes. And let’s not forget Mister Miracle will also get to take part in the action. Johns has stated he wants this to be an “event” book and it sure feels like one. Jason Fabok is killing it in the art department. Things are gonna get bananas.
HAWKEYE #22
(Marvel)
Written by Matt Fraction
Art by David Aja
It’s almost here! The final issue of the previous HAWKEYE series is about to reach its conclusion. Yes there’s been a delay. At the end of the day, I’m just excited to see how the story ends. Things happen and it’s unfortunate but after how issue #21 ended, everything got a little bit crazy.
Fraction and Aja (and Annie Wu) did some great things in this series. It’s definitely one we’ll want to read again. Even though we’ve already seen some of the action after this part of the story, we’ve become invested in the series and it’s worth seeing how the story will end.
BLACK CANARY #2
(DC)
Written by Brenden Fletcher
Art by Annie Wu
Full disclosure, I got to read this issue over the weekend. I really enjoyed the first issue. Brenden Fletcher and Annie Wu brought a different level of action and excitement to Black Canary and her current situation. Yes, I’ll admit, Dinah being a singer in a rock band caught me a little by surprise. I also have to admit that the action and little twist in that first issue won me over. I am curious to see what will happen next for Dinah and her band.
If a comic about a singer in a rock band isn’t quite your thing, don’t worry, there’s plenty of other stuff going on in this issue. I’m really intrigued to see what Brenden Fletcher and Annie Wu have coming up. And if you haven’t check out our interview with Brenden to see what he has to say about this issue and the series.
Honorable Mention: SILVER SURFER #13
Mat's Picks
BOOK OF DEATH #1
(Valiant)
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Robert Gill, Doug Braithwaite
Oh, Valiant is doing another event? Well, their event track record has been freaking awesome so that right there makes me want to buy it at least four times.
Even better is that this event is going to take a look at the end times for Valiant characters and the Geomancer's connection to all of it. Conceptually, I'm really excited about this story and how it's going to affect the Valiant universe.
Also, check out that creative team. Robert Venditti, Robert Gill, and Doug Braithwaite are one hell of a team to have as the backbone to this event. While this may not be a book that will be new reader friendly, read it anyway. I dare you. Also, if you're a fan of Valiant, which you should be, this is a must buy.
MARTIAN MANHUNTER #2
(DC)
Written by Rob Williams
Art by Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira
I've always been intrigued by Martian Manhunter, but never really excited about what he's up to, until now. The post-Flashpoint DC Universe really set a precedent for who this character is and why he's on Earth.
All of that was undone in issue one of MARTIAN MANHUNTER. Sure, there's the after-thought that all the reader is shown and told could be a lie, but it's still was an insanely gripping first issue. Why does John J'onzz want to die if he's helping prepare for the Martian invasion of Earth? How long have the other Martians been here?
Writer Rob Williams delivered a pretty captivating issue and I, for one, cannot wait to see what's coming down the road next. Plus, the artwork was pretty awesome as well. This new series has a lot going for it, right out of the gate.
ANT-MAN ANNUAL #1
(Marvel)
Written by Nick Spencer
Art by Ramon Rosanas, Brent Schoonover
So Marvel has this little movie coming out on Friday called "Ant-Man." It makes a bit of sense that we're going to have an Ant-Man book to read this week, right?
Luckily, Spencer's run with this character has been a ton of fun. The book has a great sense of humor to it, while pushing the character forward on a path to redemption. Of course, this book still has the feeling SUPERIOR FOES had, but a bit more grounded and serious.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Scott Lang and Hank Pym team up in this one as well. Maybe we'll get some Eric O'Grady in here as well? One can only hope. Anyway, it'll be nice to check this book out with everything else in SECRET WARS mode.
Honorable Mention: BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA #13
Corey's Picks
PLANET HULK #3
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Marc Laming
At this point the idea of Captain America riding a giant, red T-rex either appeals to you or doesn't. Regardless of the book's quality, or lack thereof, in your eyes, that's what's at the core of this book. And from my perspective, it's the only box that needs checking. What a weird, fantastic book with such a weird, fantastic quality that came from out of nowhere.
Sam Humphries and Marc Laming have put together one of the best, oddest books out of all of Secret Wars and it's only just beginning to reach its stride, what with the addition of Doc Green. It's not the most epic or the most significant of all the tie-ins, but it's one of the best at building world of this gargantuan tale and making it seem even more grand and epic than the core title suggests.
SIEGE #1
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Filipe Andrade
The Secret Wars tie-ins have earned the benefit of the doubt, and one that includes one of my personal favorite/underused characters certainly gets even more benefit than usual.
Abigail Brand is a character that seems to have been supplanted by a combination of Maria Hill and Daisy, but I've always personally loved the idea of a badass, uptight space agent, and in this context making her the person who watches over the Wall is just as good (seeing as how there is no space, it is known). Kieron Gillen's already making plenty of waves around the Marvel U and with artist Felipe Andrade, those waves will only continue looking better and better.
CAPTAIN MARVEL AND THE CAROL CORPS #2
Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, Kelly Thompson
Art by David Lopez
And hey! SPEAKING of space travel being outlawed/impossible, the first issue of this book left off on one helluva cliffhanger as an unusually grounded Captain Marvel strained against the status quo. We also got to see all of the supporting cast from the book before all this Secret Wars stuff began, making this book an especial treat for those of us who're longtime fans.
BUT this book is no vapid fan service as it recasts all those character into unique, interesting roles and allows Kelly-Sue Deconnick and David Lopez to take the familiar and make it entirely novel, while still keeping with the tradition of those characters. The first issue of this series was an absolute joy to read, but it set the stage for some legitimate intrigue that I can't wait to see the culmination of.
Honorable Mention: YEARS OF FUTURE PAST #3
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!