DC Preview: Return To The Dark Multiverse With ‘Hush’ And ‘Flashpoint’

August 6, 2020

Following last year’s Tales From The Dark Multiverse one-shots, DC Comics is taking readers on two more trips to the bleak realm this November.

The official descriptions and some preview art are below:

THE DARK MULTIVERSE INFECTS TWO MORE

ICONIC DC EVENTS THIS NOVEMBER!

Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Batman: Hush #1 On Sale November 3

Tales From the Dark Multiverse: Flashpoint #1 On Sale November 17

Following the smash success of last year’s Tales from the Dark Multiverse series of one-shots, DC returns with more chronicles that explore dark and twisted versions of DC’s most memorable stories!

Tales From The Dark Multiverse: Batman: Hush #1 – On Sale November 3

It begins on November 3 with the story that kicked off the modern era for the Dark Knight, Batman: Hush, the landmark story that introduced Bruce Wayne’s childhood friend Tommy Elliot to the DC universe and his quest as he tried to destroy Batman!

But in this version, of the classic tale, writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Dexter Soy pose the question: What if Tommy had ruined Bruce Wayne’s life when they were children?

Tommy Elliot grew up to be the Dark Prince of Gotham City with help of Talia al Ghul, Oswald Cobblepot, Harvey Dent, and Jason Todd! But vengeance is coming in the form of Batman the Silenced…who will tear Tommy’s life apart! Written by rising star Phillip Kennedy Johnson (The Last God) with jaw-dropping artwork from Dexter Soy (Batman and the Outsiders)!

Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON

Art by��DEXTER SOY

Cover by DAVID MARQUEZ

ONE-SHOT | PRESTIGE FORMAT

ON SALE 11/3/20

$5.99 US | 48 PAGES | FC | DC

Tales From The Dark Multiverse: Flashpoint #1 – On Sale November 17

On November 17 the event that changed the game for DC’s Super Heroes and Super-Villains is contaminated by the Dark Multiverse, courtesy of fan favorite writer/artist Bryan Hitch (Hawkman, Justice League: Rebirth)

Spinning out of the events of a world where a single choice by the Flash effected the entire DC Universe, find out what would have happened if Barry Allen had not put things right. If a world where the Flashpoint reality was never undone, where Thomas Wayne still haunts Gotham City as the Batman, and the Amazonian and Atlantean armies still prepare for war, will the Reverse Flash embrace this darker more deadly world and finally eclipse Barry Allen’s legacy?

Written by BRYAN HITCH

Art by BRYAN HITCH

Cover by DAVID MARQUEZ

ONE-SHOT | PRESTIGE FORMAT

ON SALE 11/17/20

$5.99 US | 48 PAGES | FC | DC

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Marvel Comics Exclusive Preview: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #46 – “Sins Rising” Part II

Anthony Composto - EIC

August 6, 2020

amazing spider-man #46 sins rising marvel comics exclusive preview

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #46 hits your local comic book store August 12th, but thanks to Marvel Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive three-page preview for you.

About the issue:
The Lethal Legion returns to threaten the Big Apple, and only the Sin Eater can save us? How can Spider-Man stop the murderous vigilante and… should he?

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #46 is by writer Nick Spencer and penciller Marcelo Ferreira, with inks by Roberto Poggi, colors by David Curiel, and letters by Joe Caramagna. The cover is by Casanovas.

The issue is the second part of the “Sins Rising” arc, a story that Spencer has been building to since very early in his run.

Check out the AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #46 preview below:

Are you reading AMAZING SPIDER-MAN? Sound off in the comments!

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DC Comics First Look: DCEASED Dead Planet #3

Kevin Sharp

August 6, 2020

DC’s new series DCeased: Dead Planet continues, and now comes a first look at issue #3 with the start of the “Earth War” storyline.

Check out the preview cover art and pages below:

The sequel to the bestselling miniseries continues! THR’s Heat Vision calls DCeased: Dead Planet “a tense and surprisingly fun read as the next-generation Justice League—with Superman and Batman’s kids having taken over their parents’ roles after the originals turned into zombies in the first series—tries to do the right thing in the worst possible situation.” The new Justice League is trapped on Earth, and they’ve discovered that life still survives on this dead planet! Survival is precarious, though—and with billions of anti-life-infected still roaming the surface, death lies around every corner.

In September’s DCeased: Dead Planet #3, a mysterious second “garden” has been located on the other side of the planet, and John Constantine and Swamp Thing lead a mission to investigate…but what they discover will fundamentally change everything! The road to “Earth War” begins!

DCeased: Dead Planet #3, written by Tom Taylor with art by Trevor Hairsine, Gigi Baldissini, Rain Beredo and Saida Temofonte hits shelves Tuesday September 1 with a main cover by David Finch, a card stock variant cover by Francesco Mattina and a card stock movie homage variant cover by Ben Oliver.

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Review: Reformatting Your Consciousness In FAR SECTOR #7

Justin Munday

Writer N.K. Jemisin and artist Jamal Campbell return to the City Enduring with the 7th issue of their outstanding comic series, Far Sector. While every issue has brought along a massive change for Sojourner Mullein’s tenure on The City Enduring, this one dives deep into the world of cyberpunk and expands upon the already considerable lore and backstory for this Green Lantern elseworlds tale. With once again unbelievably brilliant visual work from Campbell and solid lettering from Deron Bennett, this is yet another stellar chapter in this surprise hit from DC’s Young Animal line.

“On today’s agenda: a giant mech fight, transforming her consciousness into digital information, and a high-speed pursuit through an alien computer network. All with six minutes of power left. But it’s all in a day’s work for Green Lantern Jo Mullein as she comes closer to unraveling the greatest conspiracy the Green Lantern Corps has ever seen.”

Writing & Plot

Writer N.K. Jemisin once again packs mountains of story and plot development within a 22-page comic issue in Far Sector #7, and she makes it look effortless. This issue opens with a moment of tragedy, but then uses the momentum of that loss to reel in more of Jo’s backstory, the capabilities and origin of her special Green Lantern, introduces a new race living on The City Enduring, and makes points about their impoverished struggle, and all of this reads with a compelling grace seldom seen in this or any medium. Jemisin’s experience as an accomplished novelist is most obvious in her penchant for world and character building, as both of these elements are continuously fleshed out in new ways from issue to issue. The history, politics, and social structure of The City Enduring are firmly implanted by into the consciousness of the reader by this point in the series, which is why Jemisin decides to add a new race with specific class issues (on top of the fact that their actual origin is really cool). Her understanding of the comics medium is displayed by her ability to let the visual storytelling do its work. There are plenty of silent panels or smart cuts to-and-from scenes that demonstrate that she knows how this medium should function. The mix of poignant socio-political talk, taste for action, and sense of clever (if not sometimes a little dated) humor make Jemisin a comics writer with a wide range of talents and makes Far Sector a unique joy with every issue.

Art Direction

I’ve used every review of prior Far Sector issues to praise Jamal Campbell‘s incredible artwork, and I’m here to do it again for issue #7. Campbell’s stylized digital pencils and colors are consistently some of the most awe-inspiring visuals seen in comics of this or any era. The massive space-operatic scenery of The City Enduring and its million of denizens, and all of their spacecraft and architecture, is drawn with immaculate detail and clarity. This comic has the quality of those incredible concept rendering of an often-canceled sci-fi film but made into a sequential story. Character animations are stunning and filled with a vibrancy to make them easy to connect to. The action sequences pack a beautiful punch and are smoothly choreographed. He’s given plenty of room to work and direct via Jemisin’s scripts, and he does so with a penchant for knowing where to focus the reader’s attention despite so much happening on each page. Jamal Campbell’s unmistakable visual style is a massive chunk of what makes Far Sector so special and is worth the read on his art alone.

Far Sector #7 is a stellar addition that capitalizes on what has made this comic series such a thrill to read thus far. N.K. Jemisin’s script continues to build on the lore of The City Enduring and Jo Mullein herself, while also adding socio-political intricacies and character-building that never feels overstuffed or out of place. Jamal Campbell’s absolutely incredible visual work shines bright on every page, whether the scene be an emerald-clad brawl or a quiet conversation at a virtual diner. This issue is yet another successful chapter in the comic’s narrative, and I look forward to seeing where it heads next. Be sure to grab the latest copy of Far Sector from your local comic shop on 8/4!

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AfterShock Comics Exclusive Preview: LONELY RECEIVER #1

Anthony Composto - EIC

August 6, 2020

lonely receiver #1 aftershock comics exclusive preview

LONELY RECEIVER #1 hits your local comic book store September 2nd, but thanks to AfterShock Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive four-page preview for you.

About the issue:
Catrin Vander, a lonely video producer, buys an Artificial Intelligence partner that’s meant to bond for life. After ten years together, her holographic wife suddenly disconnects without a warning. The breakup drives Catrin to the point of near insanity. She’s alone for the first time in years and reeling from a loss she can’t comprehend.

LONELY RECEIVER #1 is by writer Zac Thompson and artist Jen Hickman, with letters by Simon Bowland.

“Set in the new future, drenched in pastels and sunshine, LONELY RECEIVER is a horror/breakup story in five parts.“

Between the stellar creative team and the haunting description, this is a book you’ll want to add to your pull list ASAP. Unless you’re scared, that is…

Check out the LONELY RECEIVER #1 preview below:

Are you excited for LONELY RECEIVER? Sound off in the comments!

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Review: Wade Has The Ultimate Case Of FOMO In DEADPOOL #6

Corey Patterson

DEADPOOL #6, available in comic book stores on Wednesday, August 5th, is an exciting X-Men tie-in event featuring our favorite mercenary. It seems Wade Wilson has developed a king-sized grudge against the mutant group, but for what reason?

Story

In a desperate attempt to crash the X-Men’s party, Wade enlists his new Monster Island recruit Jelby, a mutant who can carry an infinite amount of things inside himself. It seems Wade isn’t satisfied with his own band of heroes; his epic case of FOMO (fear of missing out) leads him to using Jelby as a protective shield so he may enter Krakoa.

But when he enters the gate, Wade is met by a less than welcoming greeting.

Kelly Thompson’s writing in this issue captures the hilarity of Wade’s personality in his poorly veiled desire to be a part of the X-Men. He may lash out at the team for excluding him from their group, but we all can see his jealousy plain as day.

Artwork

Kevin Libranda’s penciling and ink work, Chris Sotomayor’s coloring, and VC’s Joe Sabino’s lettering provided thrilling illustrations for this issue. The illustrations featuring Wade and his monster minions are contrasted with the more polished depictions of the X-Men. Their vibrant, solid colors stand diametrically opposed to Wade’s monster’s duller hues. In addition, the lettering further emphasizes this distinction by granting our titular character’s letter balloons its classic yellow background.

Conclusion

DEADPOOL #6 was the X-Men tie-in story we’ve been waiting for in this run. It was fun getting see the Merc with a Mouth express his grievances to them, both with his snarky words and his fists.

What trouble with the X-Men do you think Wade will get into? Let us know in the comments below!

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Review: ICE CREAM MAN #20 Embodies An Alternate Dr. Seuss

Corey Patterson

ICE CREAM MAN #20 hits comic book stores on Wednesday, August 5th, bringing readers along on a journey to new levels of horror. This issue ironically markets itself toward “kids,” which means it will be safe for anything but that demographic. It seems the nefarious Ice Cream Man has invited readers into the home of his family. But is this kid-friendly setting all it appears to be?

Story

Readers are brought to a scene that may seem familiar to some—an overheard father telling his children a bedtime story. All seems well, that is until we notice someone pricking their finger while cutting carrots for their “kidzz.” And to make matters worse, we find that the father is none other than the Ice Cream Man.

If this wasn’t shocking enough, we are treated to a few of the stories in Ice Cream Man’s book. These stories are told much like our favorite Dr. Seuss tales—only with more blood. And that person cutting carrots? It turns out she’s the children’s mother. What possible connection could the Ice Cream Man have with this family?

Writer W. Maxwell Prince’s narrative unsettles us in a way few comics can. We are simultaneously repulsed and intrigued by the Ice Cream Man’s antics.

Artwork

Martín Morazzo’s penciling and ink work, Chris O’Halloran’s coloring, and Good Old Neon’s lettering provided readers with stunning illustrations. The drawings depicted in each of the children’s stories in Ice Cream Man’s book remind us of the Seuss, Roald Dahl, and Mary Pope Osborne stories we loved as children. The styling to the characters, from their smiling faces to their colorful adornments, serve their purpose by functioning as a direct juxtaposition to the bleak, colorless panels that warp them into horrors. And the spacing of the word balloons adds to the unsettling nature of the story, compelling the reader to slow down and take in each unnerving detail.

Conclusion

ICE CREAM MAN #20, like the series’ previous issues, continues to upend readers’ expectations. Just when we thought the Ice Cream Man couldn’t get worse, he targets kids! We’re anxious to see what comes of this thrilling story.

What did you like about this “kids” issue? Let us know in the comments below!

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Review: JIM HENSON’S STORYTELLER – GHOSTS #4 Honors The Dead

Gabriel Hernandez

Jim Henson's Storyteller Ghosts #4, Walsh cover

JIM HENSON’S STORYTELLER – GHOSTS #4, available from BOOM! Studios on August 5th, is a Slavic tale of death, loss, love and the power of a promise. Ver’s story and art is worthy of the most heartfelt entries from any anthology series such as The Twilight Zone or Amazing Stories.

Cover Art

Michael Walsh’s cover latches on to the dread of those things that wait just behind you in the dark. The Old Woman, the stories main protagonist, hangs on to her lantern as tightly as she hangs on to life itself. All the while, Weles, the Slavic grim reaper, watches and waits for the opportunity to strike. Walsh’s cover is anxiously haunting.

Writing

Ver’s story follows an Old Woman fighting to make her way home in the dark to keep a promise to her family. During her journey, she’s accosted by all manner of demons and even the god of Death from Slavic mythology trying to prevent her return. Her only mode of protection is a single lamp that keeps those that live in the dark at bay.

Once she reaches her destination, the true nature of her journey is revealed and it resonates deeply with anyone who’s ever felt the painful loss of a loved one. I can’t express how powerfully this story tugs on the emotional heart strings in a way that honors those last goodbyes. Moving and poignant work her from Ver.

Pencils/Inks

Ver’s artwork stands out for its clean lines and mildly realistic. Although the story is squarely centered on the emotional pain of loss, the demonic zdusze are truly something out of a nightmare. Mis-shapen Anatomy, grotesque crawling movements, and eyes that stare without seeing. It’s horrifying in exactly the way you expect to see the horrid things coming for you in the dark.

Likewise, Weles and his henchman are terrifying but in a completely different way. Ver created a mystical god that is as terrifying and cruel as it is majestic. Ver’s designs for Weles and its henchmen look right at home as god you’d find on ancient tableaus in ancient houses of worship. Ver has demonstrated a mastery of horror characters in this art.

Coloring

This entire tale rests on the clash between darkness and light. Ver used the splashes of yellow against pitch black to surround the Old Woman in a lonely glow that shrinks as she approaches the house. You can feel the tension build as the light and color shrinks to the size of a flickering candle on the verge of going out. It’s an excellent example of coloring restraint that heightens the tension rather than diminishing it.

Lettering

Jim Campbell’s lettering stands out for its depiction of whispers emanating sourcelessly from the dark. In several panels the Old Woman hears echoes and continuations of her own thoughts coming from the pursuing zdusze. Those words flow through the dark in precisely the way you would imagine the dark itself mocking your escape. The whispers look great and add to the tone despair and fear.

Conclusion

JIM HENSON’S STORYTELLER – GHOSTS #4, available from BOOM! Studios on August 5th, is a haunting, sometimes heart breaking, tale that reminds you a promise to a loved one can overcome the fear of the dark and even Death itself. Highly recommended.

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Review: REAVER #10 Solves A Mystery And Breaks Your Heart

Gabriel Hernandez

REAVER #10, available from Image Comics on August 5th, finally brings Essen and Rekala face-to-face with the mysterious Stagger and the plan he has for all those stolen children. Justin Jordan’s story is doesn’t waste any time getting to the heart of the mystery, and Niko Henrichon’s art sets every panel on fire, literally and figuratively. To see how we got this far, check out our review of the previous issue here.

Cover Art

Becky Cloonan’s cover is a bit of a bait-n-switch but not in an unsatisfying way. Featuring the scowling face of Stagger’s lieutenant, scarred and pumped up from the dose, Cloonan’s cover hints at the big battle scene at the end of the issue, and it’s a doozy.

Writing

Justin Jordan’s story gets right to the point answering all the lingering questions since the first issue of the arc. Where have all the children gone? Why were they stolen? Who is this mysterious Stagger? Without spoilers, all these questions are answered in efficient short order, and it’s all done in the context of an issue that’s almost entirely one continuous fight scene. Essen has embraced his inner berserker to glorious effect, and Rekala is… well… Rekala at her best.

Jordan does throw in a cliffhanger curve ball with the reveal of Stagger that begs a whole list of brand new questions. The ending builds a huge level amount of “What the…?!?!” energy to set up the final issue. I’m curious to see how Stagger’s revealed identity pays off in the run’s conclusion. Stay tuned for that review.

Pencils/Inks

You can tell Niko Henrichon is just having fun at this point. Essen is laughing AND on fire while he punches an evil henchman’s jaw completely off his face. Rekala, easily the breakout character of 2020, shows a surprising few moments of compassion once she finds the children, than quickly shifts into skineater mayhem once the villains go on the offensive.

Most of these scenes are accomplished with dynamic motion in the panels, a keen understanding of gore that makes sense for the battle without being gratuitous, and an understanding of how to reflect emotion through the faces of characters that more often let their blades do the talking. Henrichon exhibits herculean execution by drawing an engaging comic that’s almost all battle, and it’s done really well.

Coloring

Henrichon’s coloring is pure, dramatic mood in this issue. Prior issues were excellent demonstrations in the use of yellows to show firelight for lighting and shadows that punch up the emotion. In this issue, the use of yellows, particularly in the “harvesting room,” cast a sickly veneer on the whole scene that amps up the gruesomeness of the children’s plight. Henrichon’s coloring doesn’t just amplify mood. It changes the entire tone of the scene to great effect.

Lettering

Clayton Cowles’ minimal amount of lettering in this issue is clean and concise. The only sound effect of note is a body “CRASH”-ing through a wooden door that looks great. Otherwise, the dialog placement is excellent, and Cowles’ lettering keeps you moving through a briskly paced issue.

Conclusion

REAVER #10, available from Image Comics on August 5th, answers all the right questions while opening the door for many more; all through the lens of of brutal, non-stop action. I’m eagerly anticipating how this run will end in the next issue.

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Review: EMPYRE: X-MEN #2 – Magik is a Bad@$$!

Matthew Brake

Marvel Comics releases the second issue of the Empyre tie-in series Empyre: X-Men #2 August 05. Writers Gerry Duggan, Ben Percy, and Leah Williams are joined by artist Lucas Werneck, colorist Nolan Woodard, and letterer VC’s Clayton Cowles as they continue to explore the multi-sided conflict between the X-Men, Hordeculture, the Cotati, and a bunch of mutant zombies.

Writing

The writers do a good job of making this a really crazy, fun issue! It’s big, bombastic, and all over the place, mostly due to the multiple factions fighting on Genosha, but that’s part of its charm. While it looked like the zombies might become a bigger threat than the Cotati in issue #1, the Cotati reassert themselves and escalate their threat in this issue.

Magik continues to demonstrate what a badass she is across all of the X-books as she takes center stage in this issue, asserting her place as the Krakoan war captain and summoning a number of psychics to Genosha by issue’s end. One wonders if this will lead to a conflict with Magneto, who was very specific with Warren that their squad was to remain small. Could this possibly lead to Magneto’s return to Genosha by the series’ end and a reunion between him and Wanda Maximoff (whose fate is still unknown)?

Art

One of more creative sequences in this issue is Black Tom’s appearance on Angel’s shoulder. Werneck does a good job not only drawing the assembly of Tom’s avatar, and the comedic subtlety of the scene is captured well.

The combination of Werneck’s design for Black Tom and Warren’s look of surprise and confusion might make Tom’s involvement the standout part of what is, overall, a very humorous, quippy issue.

Coloring

Woodard, of course, deserves credit not only for making this a beautiful issue, but for some of the effects that make this issue work so well. In the above scene, he utilizes the blacks and browns of Black Tom’s avatar to maximize the effect of his self-assembly. The black and brown is well done, with the colors lacking any line work, seeming to have just been speckled on the page.

Woodard’s colors also stand out when he draws Magik’s armor, in particular the shiny, metallic, supernatural look (which I think is part of the effect of Warren being on the other side of an energy barrier).

Either way, it comes on the end of Magik’s escalating badassery throughout this issue.

Lettering

There are plenty of opportunities for Cowles’s letters to shine in this issue. I’m used to their usually being at least one prose page in any of the X-titles, a trend this issue ignores (probably a good idea in a visual medium). At no point does the text overwhelm the page, and the lettering serves as the perfect complement to what is an action-filled story.

One neat bit of lettering on Cowles’s part is his dialogue for Multiple Man.

Portraying the simultaneous voices of Madrox’s copies is a nice touch and a nice accentuation of his powers, in an issue where the character serves no real function other than to be a background member of the team.

Conclusion

Empyre: X-Men #2 is a fun, action-filled issue that has a lot going on, and for the most part, all of the different factions in this issue are balanced well. The Cotati threat escalates, as does the X-Men’s response to the crisis on Genosha. The Scarlet Witch’s fate remains unknown, but hopefully will be resolved by the end of the series, but Magik begins to suspect that someone, quote, “took a big old magical $@#% here.” It will be interesting to see if this affects the characters’ interactions in other books like Strange Academy (probably not).

What did you think of Empyre: X-Men #2? Tell us in the comments below!

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