Justice League Odyssey #3 hits your local comic book store on November 28, but thanks to DC Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive five-page preview for you.
About the issue: Another day, another planet…another alien race trying to sacrifice you! Life on the final frontier of the universe heats up for Cyborg, Starfire, Azrael, and Green Lantern Jessica Cruz as the team continues their search for the elusive Darkseid and their own connection to the ancient prophecy linking each new planet they explore. But the more the heroes delve into the legends of the Ghost Sector, the more they discover that Darkseid might not be the most dangerous threat to their new home!
Justice League Odyssey #3 is written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Philippe Briones, Jeromy Cox worked on colors, with letters by Deron Bennet. The main cover is by Stjepan Sejic, with the variant cover by Rachel Dodson and Terry Dodson.
Check out the preview below:
Do you have Justice League Odyssey on your pull list? Comment below with your thoughts.
Coming in 2019, another unique entry into the AfterShock Comics library, via the creative duo of Phil Hester and Ryan Kelly, which will challenge the notion of true love, titled, Stronghold.
The book includes deities with hidden identities, a secret society tasked with keeping ancient secrets and the possible annihilation of Earth! That’s a lot to shoulder. The story follows Claire, a college student with a part-time job as a delivery driver, who falls in love with Michael, a down-and-out insurance adjuster. She belongs to a society called The Stronghold, which is centuries-old. The secret society believes that Michael may be an amnesiac immortal elder god, whose eventual awakening could spark a universal Armageddon. Claire, struggling with her strict faith, reveals herself to Michael and the results may potentially destroy, not only her society, but the world as well. Ultimately, if their love is to be born, the Earth must die. So, sounds like they have an extremely important decision to make!
“What makes Stephen King‘s work scary isn’t the big, bad monster, as much as how effectively he contrasts it with the reality of everyday life. The most-frightening parts of The War of the Worlds radio broadcast or the original Night of the Living Dead film, are hearing and seeing the mundane media reports struggling to grasp the bizarre events,” said Hester. “To maintain that contrast, I sort of have to keep a bright line in my mind between the down-to-Earth details of falling in love and the vast cosmic cataclysm yawning underneath everyone’s feet. If a reader can feel the authenticity of the relationship, they’ll feel like they have a stake in its success or failure in the face of these otherworldly forces.”
Look for Stronghold #1 to land on shelves on Feb. 20, 2019. In the meantime, click HERE for an exclusive look at Cover A and Cover B for the first issue, via Previews World, and HERE for the original report, including a sneak peek at some interior pages, by The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the story.
What do you think, is true love more valuable than the fate of the planet? Are you excited to get your hands on this book? Let us know in the comments section below.
The upcoming AfterShock series will serve as a different take on the Shakespearean play as a supernatural folk adventure. The story will follow Lord Oberon, the King of Fairies, who has been deceived by Queen Titania, who proceeds in exiling him to planet Earth. He then casts his sights on Bonnie Blair, a 10-year-old ‘Chosen One’, who is destined to one day conquer an ancient evil, to make her his new weapon in an attempt to recapture his throne.
“I grew up on classic fantasy and fairy tales so I’ve always been on the lookout for a story that could subvert some of the standard settings and characters — and more accurately mirror our modern world — where heroes and villains are sometimes interchangeable,” Parrott stated. “If you look at some hallmarks of popular fantasy — it’s traditional for a guide to lead naive characters (and the audience) through new magical worlds, explain the rules and give insight. I personally love villains. I can’t get enough of characters that are gleefully self-serving, so I thought — what if the guide that was leading you was completely unreliable and serving their own devious motives? How would you even know? That’s the black little heart at the center of Oberon.”
See below for a sneak peek at Cover A and Cover B and keep an eye out for Oberon #1, which lands on shelves on Feb. 6, 2019, from AfterShock Comics.
Click HERE for an exclusive look at a preview for the first issue, as revealed by SyFy Wire.
What do you think, are you excited for a new fantasy comics series? What other past famous plays or poems would you like to see get the comic book touch? Let us know in the comments section below.
The Dark Knight may have just turned one of his most powerful allies into a powerful enemy in Batman #59.
Riding high on the desire for revenge, Bruce launches a one-man assault on Arkham based on intel from The Penguin. But has he turned Gordon and the GCPD against him once-and-for-all in the process?
The Writing
Batman #59 features the tight, tense writing we’ve come to expect of Tom King. Following up on Penguin’s information, Bruce Wayne decides to interrogate the man he believes orchestrated attempts on the lives of Dick Grayson and Alfred.
King does an excellent job at forcing readers to second-guess themselves. Going into it, we’re confident Batman has the culprit pinned dead-to-rights. However, the interrogation is so brutal and uncompromising that the reader starts to lose confidence with each page. It’s not until the very last panel of the issue that we learn who’s truly masterminding the situation.
Another strong point for Batman #59 is the level of pathos dedicated to The Penguin. While a classic member of Batman’s rogues gallery, we don’t often get to see Penguin in such an earnest, genuinely somber light. You get the impression that Oswald Cobblepot fully understands the ramifications of his actions here. He’s embraced that he is effectively signing his own death warrant, and he’s happy to make that sacrifice to reunite with the mysterious “Penny.”
The Artwork
The artwork provided by Mikel Janin in Batman #59 is strong throughout. Right from the first panel, we can soak in the detail in the gates of Arkham Asylum, and the imposing structure behind them. Janin has contributed to about a third of all the Batman issues since Rebirth, and he clearly has a mastery of the character’s aesthetic at this point.
Much of the book shifts bewteen the present in Arkham and a flashback sequence of Wayne’s conversation with The Penguin. Each sequence is defined by a different mood owing largely to Jordie Bellaire’s excellent choice of colors. Bright, high-contrast yellows, greens, and oranges dominate the Arkham sequence, while the Penguin and Batman sequences are veiled in a palette of somber blues. The effect brilliantly highlights the tension in the former, while conveying the heavier emotional tone of the latter.
Final Thoughts
Batman #59 is an excellent new chapter in King’s ongoing run. If you’re not already reading this, you really should be.
Having been around since 2012, appearing in the pages of Harbinger, Livewire, aka Amanda McKee, is FINALLY getting her own series, which will be ongoing at Valiant Entertainment.
She is an accomplice, mentor and a savior, but now, an enemy of the state! Looking to provide protection to other super-powered psiots, like herself, that may be vulnerable, she sends the U.S. into a nationwide blackout, via her technopathic abilities, causing pure devastation. She decided to choose the few over the many and now must try to outrun the government she has long-served. With her former allies and the world hunting her, what kind of hero will Livewire be … or will she choose to be one at all?
“Amanda (Livewire) has always been such a strong, complex, compelling character and, I personally have been waiting for a long time for her to get her own solo title,” said Ayala. “She deserves to shine, and the folks over at Valiant are determined that her first solo book be impactful! And honestly, we need a hero like her right now.”
Look for Livewire #1 to land on shelves on Dec.19, 2018, but do also keep an eye out for more exciting project announcements from Valiant, which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year, having launched in 1989.
This series will further build on what has already been set into motion with Valiant’s ‘Beyond’ initiative, which will carry the publisher into 2019, while continuing to expand the Valiant Universe.
Click HERE for an exclusive look, via Valiant, at both Cover A and Cover B for the first issue, including some preview pages as well. The first issue will also have a special ‘Glass’ Variant, which will be done in UV ink and glows in the dark. It’s limited to 500 copies, however, so act fast (more HERE). The Hollywood Reporter broke the news. The official report can be found HERE.
What do you think, is it about time this fan-favorite character got her very-own series? What direction would you like the series take? Let us know in the comments section below.
The limited series will introduce a new and ruthless intergalactic conqueror known as Imperatrix Virago. The premise reads, “Beyond the margins of human reason lies a realm known as the Deadside, where the souls of the dearly departed linger—and where demons wait for us in the dark. For countless ages, Earth’s chosen protectors have guarded the veil between both worlds—but there are other doors to the Deadside, through which gruesome terrors from galaxies untold can trespass… With the planet’s freedom at stake, can the reigning Geomancer and her steadfast Eternal Warrior stand together against an invasion unlike any they’ve ever witnessed?”
“Valiant fans will know that the Deadside is far more than just an afterlife. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem with its own customs and flora and fauna,” Paknadel proclaimed. “Imperatrix Virago doesn’t care about all that, though; for her, it’s a transport medium that will take her to any world in the universe where there is life. In other words, it’s the place from which she strikes.”
Look for Incursion #1 (of four) to land on shelves on Feb. 20, 2019, but do also keep an eye out for more exciting project announcements from Valiant, which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year, having launched in 1989.
This series will continue what has already been set into motion with Valiant’s ‘Beyond’ initiative, which will carry the publisher into 2019 and further expand the Valiant Universe.
Click HERE for an exclusive look, via Valiant, at both Cover A and Cover B for the first issue, including some preview pages as well. Paste Magazine broke the news (more HERE).
A new limited series, via Valiant, will tell the story of a foe from the team ripped from the pages of Unity, War-Monger, in The Forgotten Queen.
The premise for the series, from the creative duo of Tini Howard and Amilcar Pinna, will follow the main character as she ascends from her presumed death to wreak havoc on the Valiant Universe, “Long ago, the mighty generals of the Mongol Empire rode from Siberia to Carpathia and conquered all who stood in its way. Legends tell of a witch who walked with them, who could infect the hearts of any warriors in her midst with an unquenchable thirst for battle and bloodshed … a War-Monger. And now she is walking again.”
“I’m a sucker for unlikable women, I’m a sucker for immortal heartbreak and I’m a sucker for defining a villain. I couldn’t resist,” Howard stated. “The Forgotten Queen is dirty and bloody, mean and ancient and modern. There are fights, sacrifices and kissing. We start on a modern research vessel working hard at sea, and we stick around to uncover what kinds of mysteries sink to the bottom of the ocean.”
This series will continue what has already been set into motion with Valiant’s ‘Beyond’ initiative, which will carry the publisher into 2019 and further expand the Valiant Universe.
Look for The Forgotten Queen #1 (of four) to land on shelves on Feb. 27, 2019, but do also keep an eye out for more exciting projects from Valiant, which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year, having launched in 1989.
Click HERE for an exclusive look, via Valiant, at the three variants for the first issue, including some preview pages. Comic Book Resources broke the news, more from them, HERE.
From the evil space empire with a rigid caste system bent on genocide, to the elaborate and over-the-top execution methods, Lightstep #1 is working with some classic tropes of the space opera. The new five-issue limited series from Dark Horse is a treat for genre fans. However, a wider audience can still find plenty to enjoy.
The Writing
Lightstep #1 is the comic book debut for writer Miloš Slavkovic. It’s an impressive premiere, though not without nitpicks. For example, the author does a great job at introducing us to this world and its mythology. However, that exposition comes at the expense of character development.
We don’t know much about our protagonist, January Lee. The reader understands she is undergoing some kind of internal conflict regarding the society and her relationship to it, and we get some existential rumination to go along with it. What we don’t get enough of is why the reader should care. We don’t really know enough about January Lee at this point to get fully-invested in her story. That would be fine, if the story were a bit slower-moving, but the pace doesn’t match the pathos.
Looking at it more broadly, fans of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising trilogy can draw a number of parallels with Lightstep #1. We have a society of gene-obsessed and brutal, yet effete elites that ruthlessly terrorize and destroy their inferiors. The book doesn’t delve into radically new territory, but it succeeds at what it attempts overall.
As I mentioned in my review of Outer Darkness #1 from Image, embracing genre tropes is not a bad thing. You just need to know how to employ them properly so it doesn’t come across as cliché. There are points where Slavkovic is in danger of crossing into that territory. However, he manages to stay within the lines. It’s a strong start to what I hope will develop into an even more impressive story as the series unfolds.
The Artwork
Slavkovic pulls triple-duty here as a writer, artist, and colorist, which is a bold move for a first comic. But, given he is an artist by trade, the work in Lightstep #1 is as impressive as you’d expect.
He does a great job at giving us an alien, yet still believable setting for the story. There’s a lot of attention to detail in the backgrounds, and each panel has a sense of liveliness to it.
Lightstep #1 works with a bright, pastel palette throughout. It was a good choice, as the entire book comes across like a rococo painting. The choice of colors helps to give the society an impression of being elite and regal to a fault. The only points at which we get a break from the oppressively-bright colors are in glimpses of the lives of commoners, highlighting the different worlds in which these people live.
Final Thoughts
I’d hesistate to say that Lightstep #1 is great, but it could be the beginning of a great series. I’m looking forward to seeing how it unfolds, and I recommend you check it out, too.
Spider-Man: Enter the Spider-Verse #1 continues the dimension-hopping adventures from the soon-to-be concluded Spider-Geddon. The one-shot sees surviving Web Warriors hopping between worlds to tie-up loose ends from an old Spider-Man adventure.
Despite the title, I don’t expect this to be a “must-read” item before the movie hits theaters next month. In fact, the story is not a particularly pressing entry in the larger Spider-canon at all. However, it can scratch the itch if you’re really hungry for more multiverse adventures.
The Writing
Spider-Man: Enter the Spider-Verse #1 isn’t necessarily targeted at younger readers. However, I feel this would appeal more to the all-ages demographic.
Marvel legend Ralph Macchio helms writing duties here, but don’t expect a ground-shaking adventure or anything. The team find themselves up against alternate universe versions of some familiar villains, though they never seem to pose much of a threat. The writing is light overall, choosing to eschew dramatic tension in favor of banter. That’s the main issue I have here: the book doesn’t read like a standard one-shot. Instead, the story feels like it should be an episode in a larger story. There’s not a lot in the way of plot, which can leave readers less than satisfied.
The book’s second half is occupied by a reprint of issue #1 of Spider-Man (2016). This reprints the first adventures of Miles Morales in the main Marvel universe, prepping readers for the upcoming Spider-Verse film.
The Artwork
The line work from artist Flaviano is solid throughout Spider-Man: Enter the Spider-Verse #1. Character designs are appealingly-detailed for the most part, and figures carry a sense of dynamic movement.
That said, the trade-off is that settings are sparse throughout the entire book. The artist elected to focus the characters and neglect backgrounds in favor of a more stylized look. While not unappealing, it would be nice to have a more even balance of style and substance in the backgrounds, as this can leave us unmoored in terms of setting and make it hard to orient ourselves.
Erick Arciniega’s colors are one of the book’s highlights. Everything is vibrant with a not-quite-but-almost-neon palette.
Final Verdict
As mentioned before, Spider-Man: Enter the Spider-Verse #1 will satisfy if you’re really desperate for more Spider-Verse adventures. However, it’s not an essential story, and it’s probably not one you’ll miss if you don’t pick it up.
Spider-Geddon #4 sees alliances shift and former allies betrayed as 2018’s big Spider-event moves toward its climax. The Inheritors race to resurrect Solus, while the many Spider-people of the Multiverse fight to stop them. However, the team’s greatest threat might come from within.
The plot feels a bit rushed here, leading to some less-than-developed motivations. It’s a solid chapter in the ongoing story overall, but not a standout moment.
The Writing
Overall, the keyword to describe writer Christos Gage’s work here is economy. Spider-Geddon #4 does what it needs to setup the climax coming in the next issue, but doesn’t take many chances outside of that. As a result, this issue doesn’t deliver much in the way of surprises.
There’s the follow-through on a betrayal telegraphed in the previous issue, involving the character you’d most expect to double-cross the others. Another betrayal in the issue’s last few pages came as more of a twist; however, I didn’t feel it was setup as effectively as it could have been. New developments introduced feel like they’re carried-out in the interest of plot expediency. For example, it’s not much of a spoiler to say the Inheritors resurrect Solus, as it happens within the first five pages with little setup or fanfare.
If you’ve followed Spider-Geddon up to now, you should find this latest chapter engrossing enough. However, I enjoyed the previous issue a bit more.
The Artwork
With an event book carrying the hype of Spider-Geddon, it would have been pretty easy for artists to cut corners. As with previous issues, though, the team behind Spider-Geddon #4 offers a coherent, strong presentation.
Figures feel lively against the detailed backgrounds. In every panel, characters maintain a sense of animation and kinetic energy. The settings and design never feel boring, despite half the issue taking place aboard Leopardon.
The page layouts land the beats of the dialogue well, and give us a good range of wide, panoramic views and tight close-ups.
Final Thoughts
Spider-Geddon #4 isn’t the strongest chapter of the Spider-Geddon event thus far. You get the sense that Gage was forced to compact certain elements to fit the five-issue run. However, it’s not a bad entry, and it gets us where we need to be for our next issue.
