Hello, Comic Peeps!
Sean Von Gorman
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By CHRISTY BLANCH
Can you believe it’s already February? I can’t. It’s been a crazy year so far, but it’s nice to be able to sit down and read (and write about) some comics. After last week’s bounty of what seemed to be a million books out, this week seemed sparse. That is until you actually start looking at what was out. Just wow. What a time for comics!
I only wish more people were making it into comic-book stores to see all these amazing books. I know I mention this a lot, but comic shops are having a hard time right now, so try to do your part. Go in and visit. There are so many amazing things out every week and this week was not any different!
First, the Boom/DC crossover of Planet of the Apes/Green Lantern #1 by Justin Jordan, Robbie Thompson, and Barnaby Bagenda is big fun! I am totally digging Zola and Cornelius! To be honest, I am a huge fan of the Apes, so I knew I would love this but I am surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The art is great, which I expected, but it’s super great! If you are a fan of either Planet of the Apes or Green Lantern, I think you will love it. If you aren’t, I would still check it out because it’s really fun and right now, we need fun! Plus, I’m always down to see Hal drawn by Ethan Van Sciver (see the cover below). He made me fall back in love with Hal so there’s a huge soft spot there for me.
Next, The Spirit: The Corpse-Makers #1 from Dynamite is just amazing. All I really need to say is Francesco Francavilla. Writer. Artist. Storyteller. Simply fantastic. If you like pulp, you will LOVE this. Did I mention Francavilla? The art alone is worth the price. The story makes it worth even more. If one book this week gives you your money’s worth — if not more for your money — it’s this one.
Finally, I knew when Marvel announced the Darth Maul series by Cullen Bunn and Luke Ross that I would love it. The Darth Maul character never got enough time in the universe and as most people do, I wanted to know more. When I read the story, I was taken with it. This is not just going to be an “I’m so cool, look at me I’m a Sith” story. I do hope it takes a little bit of a turn from the Darth Vader story about hiding things from the “boss” and I think it will. Plus, the backup story by Chris Eliopoulos and Jordie Bellaire is just plain fun. I was a little jealous of both of them when I read it because who wouldn’t want to write a fun little Star Wars story like this. Plus, it’s Jordie. Yeah, I’m a fan.
The Lightning Round this week includes Image’s Paper Girls #11 by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang. This is the beginning of a new storyline and a perfect time to catch up on the series. It’s SO good! The Electric Sublime #4 is a great end to a series that I think was way overlooked. W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo, and Mat Lopez should be congratulated on a great series! The Flintstones #8 continues a great series by Mark Russell and Steve Pugh. I think the Chaykin variant cover is great, but that may be because of the anthropologist in me.
So, comic peeps, run, don’t walk (unless it’s icy, then walk with caution) to your local comic shop and get some of the amazing fare that is out this week. There is something for everyone, so make sure to pick something up for your friends and family members, too! Comics are for everyone!
Until next week, Toodle-Pip!
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Columnist Christy Blanch writes LAST WEEK’S COMICS TODAY for 13th Dimension. She also operates Aw Yeah Comics in Muncie, Ind.
