Make a Solicit Check - Best of June 2017 Comics Solicitations

There are many comics coming out every month, it’s easy to lose track of promising new releases. That’s why we here at Critical Writ have started "Make a Solicit Check" — a monthly column devoted to the most interesting announcements.

This month: non-compliant ladies, ice-controlling superheroes and Lovecraftian eldritch monstrosities from beyond time.

10. Hush, Little Baby

Babyteeth #1 - Donny Cates, Garry Brown (Aftershock)

Oh, this one can go really good or horribly wrong. Thus far, Donny Cates had a winning string with Buzzkill, Paybacks, the amazing God Country and the upcoming Redneck; taking the fantastic and looking at it through a more human lens. For instance, God Country is Thor/Kirby's New Gods from the perspective of a family taking care of a member suffering from Alzheimer's, now cured thanks to a Mjolnir-like magic weapon.

This, though, will require more from Cates particularly; it's a Rosemary's Baby-style horror, told from the perspective of a pregnant teenage girl, whose baby will be the Antichrist. This type of horror can be already exploitative of fears and anxieties related to pregnancy, and taking an underage mother's perspective can turn it into a interesting story — or make it even more exploitative, depending on how it is written. Fingers crossed that Cates manages to make it work.

9. One Flew Under the Cuckoo's Nest

The Unsound #1 - Cullen Bunn, Jack T. Cole (Boom! Studios)

Cullen Bunn's Marvel output is mixed, but his creator-owned stuff, especially of the horror genre like Harrow County is top notch. This time, he's trying his hand at a horror set in a psychiatric hospital, which could turn out interesting, or tread old grounds by demonizing people suffering from mental illness. Our protagonist, Ashli, starts her new job in one of the aforementioned hospitals, only to find a new, darker world set in its bowels. I'll say this: even if the writing turns out to be disappointing, at least the art is going to be amazing. Just look at this cover.

8. Ice, Ice, Baby*

Iceman #1-2 - Sina Grace, Alessandro Vitti (Marvel)

The reveal that Bobby Drake of the X-Men is gay was met with trepidation. On the one hand, yay for increased diversity in mainstream comics! On the other hand, the handling of the reveal is commonly considered to be awkward, making the person responsible for the reveal –Jean Grey– look invasive and unconcerned with the privacy of Bobby's thoughts. There's also the fact that Iceman's had a sizable list of female love interests, so identifying him as gay is a bit weird when other orientations like bi or pan seem more fitting. Regardless, it's a new world for Bobby Drake, with his first ongoing solo ever. Sadly, yet in line with Marvel's other picks for RessurrXion (ugh), it will not be written by a gay man (or even a bi or pan one), but a straight man. Of course. Let's hope it's at least enjoyable enough.

*Oh like you wouldn't have done that yourselves.

7. It's Not Easy Being Dead

September Mourning, Vol. 1 - Mariah McCourt, Emily Lazar, Sumeyye Kesgin (Image)

So here's a weird thing: generally the word "volume" is reserved for collected editions and graphic novels that are part of a series. Even Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire's A.D.: After Death, despite each of its three parts being extensively longer than a regular issue, refers to each of them as an issue. So this new series, using the word "volume," should be a graphic novel and thus noticeably more expensive, right? Except it's only twice as long as a regular issue and it costs only a dollar more than any other new Image series.

In any case, the series sounds pretty interesting. Created by an all-female team, it'll tell the story of an amnesiac girl turned into a human/grim reaper hybrid by a former Reaper of the lonely, injured and abused. Left in charge of the souls of the "worthless", she aides them in remembering and finishing the last thing they left undone in their lives.

September Mourning, Vol. 1 is set to be released on June 14.

6. Heartbreak Hotel

Heartthrob Season 2 #1 - Christopher Sebela, Robert Wilson IV (Oni Press)

I really like Oni Press's seasonal model of releasing its original comics; on the one hand, it allows creators to test the waters, to see if readers like the concept. It allows them to release shorter and easier to produce regularly stories, with breaks between seasons allowing them a manageable production schedule. On the other, readers get a chance to test new stories from new creative minds and see if they can provide a satisfying payoff without needing to invest in a long-running title that can go off the rails before reaching the destination that might not even be worth the journey. Everybody wins.

Heartthrob is proof it works. Its first season, released in 2016, told the story of Callie Boudreau, a terminally ill woman saved by a heart transplant (at the time when this procedure was revolutionary), who discovered that along with a stranger's organ she also got his soul in the deal, sharing her mind. What followed was a story of love, crime, Fleetwood Mac and the eventual breakup. Now Callie's in hiding from the FBI in Canada, trying to live a normal life. Except Mercer is still inside her mind, waiting for his chance at payback.

Heartthrob Season 2 #1 will be released on June 7.

5. Fghtan! Fghtan! All-Ages Fghtan!

Calla Cthulhu - Evan Dorkin, Sarah Dyer, Erin Humiston (Dark Horse)

H.P. Lovecraft is a touchy subject in the sci-fi/fantasy/horror fandom. On the one hand, he create possibly the world's first and most enduring modern mythology that influenced many works in ways big or small. On the other... the guy was a horrible racist prick with questionable writing skills. Luckily, you don't have to enjoy him or his work to enjoy anything influenced by it, including this all-ages comic. Calla Cthulhu (quality pun) is a regular teenage girl except for the fact that in her veins runs the blood of the Great Old Ones. When others take summer jobs at McDonald's, she has to battle otherworldly threats, like her uncle, the King in Yellow. And this time, she also has to stop a terrifying Dread Dead One from awakening in the ruins of R'yleh. Written by Evan Dorkin (Beasts of Burden) and children's author Sarah Dyer, it's promising to be a fun read, with a subtle smattering of scares.

Given that it's an advance solicit, you'll have to wait until August 16 to read it.

4. Lon the Professional

Beautiful Canvas #1 - Ryan Lindsay, Sami Kivela (Black Mask Studios)

I love how exciting and unpredictable Black Mask's output is. This time, we have a story of a hitwoman named Lon Eisley, hired to kill a little boy—only a few days after finding out her girlfriend is pregnant. She spares the kid and together they hit the road across the dystopian world, which sounds like it's influenced by the Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas aesthetic.

3. Heroes We Need

Secret Weapons #1 (of 4) - Eric Heisserer, Raúl Allén, Patricia Martin (Valiant)

I honestly feel bad for not covering Valiant often enough in those columns. This indie superhero publisher has built itself a nice niche, and I can only compliment its release strategy. Knowing full well it isn't as big a fish as either of the Big Two, Valiant doesn't overstretch its capabilities, only releasing generally about a dozen titles (ongoings and miniseries) and primarily investing in quality by hiring talents like Matt Kindt, Jeff Lemire, Fred Van Lente and Jody Hoser.

Sadly, few releases means not every character gets their chance to shine. And out of all its characters, few have been as underutilized as Livewire. This African American female technopath has been part of the universe since its reboot in 2011, and a key member of Unity; the publisher's Avengers/Justice League equivalent. Well, in June she'll finally get her chance to shine. Written by the screenwriter behind the Oscar-nominated Arrival and upcoming Valiant superhero movies (Harbinger and Bloodshot), this comic will see Livewire build her own team from people ignored by the universe's greatest villain, Toyo Harada, in his quest to build an army that would turn his vision of a utopia into reality. Where he saw disappointments, she sees talent that can be utilized. Secret weapons, if you will.

Secret Weapons #1 will be released on June 28.

2. The B Is Back

Bitch Planet: Triple Feature #1 - Cheryl Lynn Eaton, Andrew Aydin, Conley Lyons, Maria Fröhlich, Joanna Estep (Image)

There hasn't been a new Bitch Planet issue for a while now, and the store shelves are poorer for its absence. To make up for it, Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentino DeLandro are bringing a special anthology special issue for this feminist sci-fi satire comic. Written and drawn by creators hand-picked by DeConnick and DeLandro, the three stories featured promise to provide us with the series' trademark revolutionary rage and biting criticism of real life patriarchy. This series has been deeply missed, so it's fantastic to see it return with a bang.

Bitch Planet: Triple Feature #1 is set to be released on June 14.

1. It's Just Another Freaky Friday

Crosswind #1 - Gail Simone, Cat Staggs (Image)

She may be taking a break from mainstream comics, her hit Vertigo horror series may be on hiatus, and her all-ages Wonderfalls book may be still in development, but there's still one title by comics queen Gail Simone to look forward to. Announced in late 2015, her ongoing  that mixes body-swapping and mob stories will finally see the light of day. Ever since her exclusivity contract with DC ended, Gail has been on a roll, releasing quality series one after another, so this especially worth looking forward to.

Crosswind #1 is set to be realeased on June 21.

TRADE-SPOTTING - JUNE 2017 EDITION

(NOTE: many of the below trade solicits are advance solicits and won’t be released until August or later.)

Boom! Studios: Mega Princess (August); Namesake (August); SLAM! Vol. 1 (August)

Dark Horse: Dead Inside Vol. 1 (August 2)

DC Comics:  Clean Room. Vol. 3: Waiting for the Stars to Fall (July 12); Deathstroke. Vol. 2: Gospel of Slade (July 5); Frostbite (July 26); Midnighter and Apollo (July 19); Mother Panic. Vol. 1: A Work in Progress (July 26); Shade, the Changing Girl. Vol. 1: Earth Girl Made Easy (July 12)

Image Comics: Descender. Vol. 4: Orbital Mechanics (June 21); Monstress Vol. 2 (June 21); The Wicked + The Divine. Vol. 5: Imperial Phase (I) (June 7)

Marvel: Ghost Rider. Vol. 1: Four on the Floor; Hulk. Vol. 1: Deconstructed (July 12); Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. Vol. 3: The Smartest There Is; Ms. Marvel. Vol. 7: Damage Per Second (July 19); Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat! Vol. 3: Careless Whisker(s) (July 19); The Totally Awesome Hulk. Vol. 3: Big Apple Showdown (July 12); U.S.Avengers. Vol. 1: American Intelligence Mechanics (July 19)

Oni Press: Angel City: Town without Pity (August 16)

Dominik Zine is a nerdy demisexual lad from northeastern Poland and is generally found in a comfy chair with a book in hand.

Make a Solicit Check - Best of May 2017 Comics Solicitations

There are many comics coming out every month, it’s easy to lose track of promising new releases. That’s why we here at Critical Writ have started "Make a Solicit Check" — a monthly column devoted to the most interesting announcements.

This month: we got a comic overload! So many exciting new titles have been announced for May, we just had to increase the regular size of the column. First, though, we'll pay lip-service to the month's least interesting solicitation.

DISHONORABLE MENTION

Secret Empire #1-3 - Nick Spencer, Steve McNiven, Andrea Sorrentino (Marvel)

Nick Spencer sucks and the only good thing coming out of Secret Empire is that the idiotic and offensive "Steve Rogers is secretly a Nazi" plotline will finally go and fucking DIE. Also, this better not be another event series that gets constantly delayed and ends up lasting the entire year like Civil War 2 did, or until we die of old age—whichever comes first.

Now let's talk about good comics.

12. Who's Got the Heart of a Hunter?/Pounding Like Thunder

Youngblood #1 - Chad Bowers, Jim Towe (Image)

And we start off the good comics, surprisingly, with a Youngblood comic. Or maybe not that surprisingly. in the recent several years Rob Liefeld was happily giving his creations into the hands of other, MUCH better writers, which led to exciting series like Joe Keatinge and Sophie Campbell's Glory, Brandon Graham's Prophet and Warren Ellis and Tula Lotay's Supreme: Blue Rose. And since 2017 is the 25th anniversary of Image Comics, it's only fitting the publisher would mark the occasion with a reboot of the comic that started it all. Written by X-Men 92's Chad Bowers and featuring the art of newcomer Jim Towe, whose impressive redesign of the team excited Liefeld a few months back, the series will likely be more fun than the original.

Though we'll all mourn Diehard punching a guy with his crotch.

Youngblood #1 is set to be released on May 3.

11. Phase Two of RessurrXion - No "Ugh" This Time, Because Secret Empire Exists

Secret Warriors #1-2 - Matthew Rosenberg, Javier Garrón (Marvel)

Jean Grey #1 - Dennis Hopeless, Victor Ibanez (Marvel)

Generation X #1-2 - Christina Strain, Amilcar Pinna (Marvel)

Cable #1 - James Robinson, Carlos Pacheco (Marvel)

Black Bolt #1 - Saladin Ahmed, Christian Ward (Marvel)

Actually, I've got one more little rant: Jean Grey is one of Marvel's oldest female characters and finally getting her first ever ongoing series. So who do they pick as the writer? Kelly Thompson? Marguerite Bennett? Mariko Tamaki? Nope - Dennis Hopeless. I'll admit his run on Spider-Woman is stellar, but come on. And apparently the plot will focus on the Phoenix Force, because of course it will. Why test new waters (like he did with Spider-Woman) when you can fall on the tired Jean-Phoenix connection.

As for the other series, I actually don't have any big criticisms. I was going to remark on the oddity of Matthew Rosenberg's Secret Warriors having a roster consisting of Daisy Johnson, Kamala, Lunella (and Devil Dinosaur), the never-really-catching-on Inferno and the nihilistic Karnak. But given the opening arc's premise of fighting off Nazi!Cap's attack on Inhumans it actually makes sense for such disparate characters to form a team.

Other than that, we have a promising Generation X about young X-Men under the care of Jubilee, and an interesting-sounding series about the Inhuman king Black Bolt, written by an accomplished writer Saladin Ahmed and drawn by the master of psychedelic art Christian Ward. And, finally, there's Cable. I guess if you like the epitome of 90s gun-toting anti-heroes, you'll enjoy it?

10. Grrl Power

Samaritan #1 - Matt Hawkins, Atilio Roj (Image)

Grrl Scouts: Magic Socks #1 - Jim Mahfood (Image)

In a pleasant coincidence, Image is releasing two new comics about women kicking butt. The first one, Samaritan by Matt Hawkins, is focused on a woman with a vendetta against one of America's biggest military contractors, and she's going to exact it by stealing all their research and making it public. Hawkins's work is generally hit or miss for me, but the premise is enough to warrant a look. The first issue is set to be released on May 24.

But the comic that's going to get the most critical reaction will likely be Grrl Scouts: Magic Socks by writer and artist, Jim Mahfood. Mahfood is primarily know for the cult-classic Tank Girl, and this is his first new creator-owned comic in years. Originally released as Girl Scouts in 1995 (the name change is the result of a cease and desist letter from Girl Scouts of America), the psychedelic adventures of Gwen, Daphne and Rita were released by Oni Press in a 4 issue miniseries in 1998 and later, in Grrl Scouts: Work Sucks, by Image in 2003. And now the girls return with a new series set to be released on May 17.

9. All-Star

Eternal Empire #1 - Jonathan Luna, Sarah Vaughn (Image)

One of the best Image titles released in recent years was Alex + Ada - a touching science-fiction story about artificial intelligence and relationships. Since the series' end in 2015 its creators were mostly silent, with only Sarah Vaughn writing a terrific three issue Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love miniseries for DC. Now they're back, this time with an epic fantasy series about the war against the Eternal Empress and one of her workers' rebellion. While the setup isn't the most original, neither was Alex + Ada's - and the duo made it an unforgettable tale.

Eternal Empire #1 is set to be released on May 3.

8. God Gaves Us Rock'n'Roll

The Last Song #1 (of 4) - Holly Interlandi, Sally Cantirino (Black Mask)

Music can be a saving force in our lives, helping get us through dark days. Such was the case with Nicky Marshall, whose troubled upbringing started by his father's suicide led him to start a rock'n'roll band Ecstasy with his childhood friend Drey. The miniseries from an all-female creative team of newcomers will start with the grassroots clubs of the 80s and chronicle the duo's career.

7. Ave Gillen, Morituri Te Salutant

The Wicked + The Divine: 451 A.D. #1 (one-shot) - Kieron Gillen, André Lima Araújo (Image)

Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie's The Wicked + The Divine is one of Images best ongoing series, and now it's getting another special one-shot issue focused on one of that world's earlier Pantheons. Set in the last years of the Roman Empire, as Atilla the Hun ravages Gaul, it will feature another version of Lucifer, unwilling to take the unraveling of the world lying down. Featuring amazing art by Avengers A.I.'s André Lima Araújo, the one-shot will not be collected in the series' volume 5, so if you don't want to wait for an unspecified amount of time for a volume with all of the special issues, you won't want to miss it.

The Wicked + The Divine: 451 A.D. #1 is set to be released on May 17.

That's not the only one-shot written by Gillen and released in May. There's also the James Bond: Service comic, with art by Antonio Fuso and published by Dynamite, featuring 007 against a backdrop of Britain facing Brexit. That concept might make you interested in it to check it out, even if like me you're apathetic towards the character.

6. A Bug's Life

Bug!: The Adventures of Forager #1 (of 6) - Lee Allred, Michael Allred (DC/Young Animal)

Young Animal is probably the best thing DC is currently involved in. All of the series released thus far has been a quality creation, and now a new comic is joining them. This six-issue miniseries, created by the entire family of Allreds, will celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the legendary Jack Kirby's birth by telling a story using one of his lesser known New Gods creations. Forager originally was a member of humanoid bugs living under the surface of New Genesis. This comic's incarnation will take part in an interdimensional pursuit after General Electric; a villain set on finding a reality bending metal. The Allred involvement promises this to be a fun, enjoyable title, and it's a good way to celebrate the late comics legend.

Bug!: The Adventures of Forager #1 will be released on May 10.

5. Awesome (Co)Mix, Volume 2

All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #1-2 - Gerry Dugan, Aaron Kuder (Marvel)

Rocket #1 - Al Ewing, Adam Gorham (Marvel)

I Am Groot #1 - Christopher Hastings, Flaviano (Marvel)

May 2017 is now officially a Guardians of the Galaxy month. Not only is the second movie premiering, not only do we have good ongoing comics about Star-Lord and Gamora, but we're finally getting a new run on the team itself. While Gerry Duggan wouldn't be my first choice, he's doing good work on Deadpool, so there's hope for a fun title. A twice-monthly one at that, as Marvel decided to ape DC a little bit.

But that's only the start of Guardians news. Gwenpool's Christopher Hastings is scripting I Am Groot, which is the third time he's taken a bizarre idea: a whole ongoing focused on Baby Groot. Hopefully, he will make it work like Zachary's favorite new character.

But the true star of this month's news is that Al Ewing is taking over Rocket Raccoon. The book will feature our favorite mammal building an Ocean's Eleven-style team for one last heist. And that team? Technet. Leave it to Ewing to bring back a mostly forgotten team of interdimensional bounty hunters. Plus, Pip the Troll.

By the way, if you're worried about Gamora's absence in May solicitations, don't worry. The series wasn't cancelled (yet), issue #5 was just delayed from April.

4. *insert Stranger Things theme*

Misfit City #1 - Kiwi Smith, Kurt Lustgarten, Naomi Franquiz (Boom!/Boom!Box)

Kiwi Smith is a pretty big deal in the movie industry, having written scripts for films like 10 Things I Hate About You and Legally Blonde. Now she's joining forces with Kurt Lustgarten and artist Naomi Franquiz to bring a new fun-sounding Boom!Box series, joining the imprint's star titles like Lumberjanes and Giant Days. The comic will join the growing numbers of media inspired by 80s entertainment (particularly The Goonies), like last year's Stranger Things show or upcoming video games Knights and Bikes and Crossing Souls. Misfit City will tell the story of an all-female group of friends living in a town famous for being the set for an 80s movie (appropriately enough), who find adventure in the form of Black Mary's treasure map.

3. Who's The Cat That Won't Cop Out/When There's Danger All About?/(Cage!)

Luke Cage #1 - David F. Walker, Nelson Blake (Marvel)

David F. Walker's Power Man and Iron Fist has been one of Marvel's highlights in recent years. The comic is ending, and the band is breaking up again; Iron Fist is moving to his own series written by Ed Brisson in March, while Luke Cage remains in Walker's hands. The new series, starting in May, will see Luke take on a more detective role (hence the Shaft theme above). The opening arc is little bit of a noir cliche; a person travels to a city to take part in a funeral of an important person for them (in this case Dr Burstein, the man who made Luke unbreakable), only to get involved in mysteries/crime surrounding said town. However, Walker has a good enough track record that I'm willing to give it a chance.

2. Ain't No Time for Subtlety

Calexit #1 - Matt Pizzollo, Amancay Nahuelpan (Black Mask)

We're living in terrifying times, and we really need fiction to help us deal with reality and inspire us. That's the goal of the creative team behind the astounding (both in quality and the length of hiatus between each issue) Young Terrorists. The duo will bring the not-really-serious idea of California seceding from the US –based on the the state hard stance against #45's hateful politics– and craft a story imagining a world where that concept is reality. It's not going to be subtle, but given that we live in a world where punching Nazis is inexplicably controversial, we don't really have time for subtlety.

1. Very Likely Better Than Penny Dreadful's Frankenstein Monster

Victor LaValle's Destroyer #1 - Victor LaValle, Dietrich Smith (Boom!)

Victor LaValle is a renowned and award-winning African American novelist.  He is the author of Big Machine, and most recently nominated for the Nebula award for his The Ballad of Black Tom novella. So as you can imagine, an announcement of his first comic book is a pretty big deal. Destroyer will tell the tale of the last heir of the infamous Victor Frankenstein; a Black woman Dr. Jo Baker, who resurrects her son Akai, killed by Chicago police; mirroring the disturbing number of real-life tragedies in recent years. In fact, Akai's name is based on one of the victims of those shootings, Akai Gurley. Unfortunately for Dr Baker and her son, that act puts her on a collision course with her ancestor's original creation, who's working towards the destruction of humanity.

TRADE-SPOTTING - MAY 2017 EDITION

(NOTE: many of the below trade solicits are advance solicits and won’t be released until June or later.)

Archie Comics

• Betty and Veronica Vol. 1 (Adam Hughes, Jose Villarrubia, Jack Morelli; collects issues #1-3; out on May 10)
• Josie & the Pussycats Vol. 1 (Marguerite Bennett, Cameron DeOrdio, Audrey Mok, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Jack Morelli; collects issues #1-5; out on May 24)

Boom! Studios

• The Backstagers Vol. 1 (James Tynion IV, Rian Sygh; collects issues #1-4; out in July 2017)
• Giant Days: Not on the Test Edition Vol. 1 (James Allison, Lissa Treiman, Max Sarin; hardcover; collects issues #1-8; out in July 2017)
• Lumberjanes To the Max Edition Vol. 3 (Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, Brooke Allen, Carey Pietsch, Carolyn Nowak; hardcover; collects issues #18-24; out in July)
• The Woods Vol. 7 (James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas; collects issues #25-28; out in July 2017)

Dark Horse

• Dept. H. Vol. 2: After the Flood (Matt and Sharlene Kindt; collects issues #7-12; out on July 5)
• Ether. Vol. 1: Death of the Last Golden Blaze (Matt Kindt, David Rubin; collects issues #1-5; out on July 19)

DC Comics

• Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye. Vol. 1: Going Underground (Gerard Way, Jon Rivera, Michael Avon Oeming; collects issues #1-6; out on June 28)
• DC Comics Bombshells. Vol. 4: Queens (Marguerite Bennett, Mirka Andolfo, Laura Braga, Marguerite Sauvage, Sandy Jarrell, Pasquale Qualano, Matias Bergara, Richard Ortiz; collects issues #19-24; out on June 21)
• Harley Quinn. Vol. 2: Joker Loves Harley (Amanda Conner, Jimmi Palmiotti, John Timms, Chad Hardin and others; collects issues #8-13; out on June 21)
• Justice League of America. Vol. 1: Road to Rebirth (Steve Orlando, Jody Houser, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Mirka Andolfo, Stephen Byrne, Jamal Campbell, Andy MacDonald; collects /The Atom/ #1, /Vixen/ #1, /The Ray #1/, /Killer Frost/ #1 and /Rebirth/ #1; out on June 7)
• New Super-Man. Vol. 1: Made in China (Gene Luen Yang, Viktor Bogdanovic, Richard Friend; collects issues #1-6; out on June 21)
• Nightwing. Vol. 2: Back to Blüdhaven (Tim Seeley, Marcus To, Marcio Takara, Minkyu Jung; collects issues #9-15; out on June 14)
• Teen Titans. Vol. 1: Damian Knows Best (Benjamin Percy, Khoi Pham, Jonboy Meyers, Diogenes Neves; collects issues #1-5 and /Rebirth/ #1; out on June 14)

Image Comics

• Mayday (Alex de Campi, Blond, Tony Parker; collects entire miniseries; out on May 17)
• Motor Crush Vol. 1 (Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, Babs Tarr; collects issues #1-6; out on June 14)
• No Mercy Vol. 3 (Alex de Campi, Carla Speed McNeil, Jenn Manley Lee; collects issues #9-14; out on May 24)
• Revival Deluxe Collection Vol. 4 (Tim Seeley, Mike Norton; hardcover; collects issues #36-47; out on May 31)
• Violent Love. Vol. 1: Stay Dangerous (Frank J. Barbiere, Victor Santos; collects issues #1-5; out on May 24)

Marvel Comics

• Black Panther: World of Wakanda. Vol. 1: Dawn of the Midnight Angels (Ta-Nehisi Coates, Roxanne Gay, Yona Harvey, Rembert Browne, Alitha E. Martinez, Afua Richardson, Joe Bennett; collects issues #1-5; out on June 14)
• Occupy Avengers. Vol. 1: Taking Back Justice (David F. Walker, Carlos Pacheco; collects issues #1-4; out on June 21)
• Star-Lord. Vol. 1: Grounded (Chop Zdarsky, Kris Anka; collects issues #1-6 and Annual; out on June 21)
• Star Wars: Doctor Aphra. Vol. 1: Aphra (Kieron Gillen, Kev Walker; collects issues #1-6; out on June 21)
• Ultimates 2. Vol. 1: Troubleshooters (Al Ewing, Travel Foreman; collects issues #1-6; out on June 21)

Dominik Zine is a nerdy demisexual lad from northeastern Poland and is generally found in a comfy chair with a book in hand.

Jade Street Protection Services #Issue 3 Magical Mafia, Baby!

Jade Street Protection Services #3 gives a chance to world-build as we learn a bit more about this illegal magic stealing gang that’s been going after Magical Girls. So far we have villains who seem pretty standard, but also hints of emotional conflict that might come into play later. Not only do we learn our villain's plans but we also get a better understanding on how magic works in this world, something I would've preferred be covered in the first issue but it’s fine here.

This issue gives us some moments to see how our protagonists are handling the situation they are  thrown into, going from magical girl students to being targets.This issue gives us some solid character moments and balances the attention between a sizable cast.

The joy of settling into something new is undercut by the sense of dread as our leading ladies are offered the choice between hiding out like other magical girls have done before them, or doing something more than mere surviving. The concept of being “unsuitable” by the standards of the academy and the way it controls magical girls and the resignation to being considered unsuitable in society is a theme that once again pops up in this series. Unfortunately, before we can linger on about this concept our girls are once again thrust into a fight to save a certain someone we haven't seen in awhile.  What revelation will we see in Issue #4? I don’t know but I can’t wait to find out!

As always this series is brought to us by series creators Katy Rex and Fabian Lelay on writing duties, and LeLay on art. The issue is colored by Mary Jayne Carpenter. The flats are done by Elizabeth Kramer and smooth lettering by Taylor Esposito. This book is published by Black Mask Studios.

Elizabeth Ledwell is a witch who has a certificate in graphics communications she doesn't use.

Jade Street Protection Services Issue #2 Getting Magical Here!

 (I hope this kid doesn't get a flat tire!)

The American wave of Magical Girl genre comics has been a treat these past few years. We’ve seen an influx of Magical Girls who are queer, racially diverse, and with unique body types. Jade Street Protection Services stands out with its inclusion of (to my knowledge) the first ever Autistic Magical Girl—who’s also nonverbal and the lead to boot!

I was in love with the series before it came out, and by the end of issue one I was hooked, with it’s foundation for the world our protagonists live in, and a strong sense of coherent pacing.  Issue #2 lost that clarity and solid structure for a good chunk of the issue. While usually that’s what one would chalk up to bad pacing or poor plotting, here it adds to a sense of what our characters are going through while processing the events of the previous chapter and what’s going to happen next. They're starting to question the adults that were supposed to guide them into the world. Magic is one of the many things that they’ve never thought too much about, but now these characters are starting to see how magic affects those who aren’t able to wield it. The seeds for new friends and foes are spread across the pages, tucked in between quick fight scenes.

(Love is sure to blossom!)

The information for all this comes at us somewhat sporadically and quickly, with many questions still unanswered. Emma the narrator also feels the effects of this near information overload, in a scene that strikes close to home for anyone who's suffered through a panic attack. This issue serves its purpose in building onto the story the previous issue hinted at.

While it wasn’t as dramatic as the first issue, we can’t forget that this is clearly a comic made by people who love the Magical Girl genre as much as there fans. Katy Rex and Fabian Lelay have created and written a magical girl series befitting of the Black Mask Studios punk mindset to comics.

Lelay's illustrations offer a sense of loose and tight art that would befit a magical girl zine, and Mara Jayne Carpenter bring us the color needed to set the mood. Taylor Esposito does a wonderful job at
lettering that allows this book to be an easy read for the eyes.


Elizabeth Ledwell is a witch who has a certificate in graphics communications she doesn't use.

Rock'n'Roll, Space Cars and Diverse Bounty Huntin' Buddies: Kim & Kim #1

Black Mask Studios is a small comics publisher that started out last year, and already has a great portfolio, with We Can Never Go Home, a teenage runaway miniseries with superpowers (sequel starts later this year) as the prime example. This year they already have a Goonies-inspired crime story 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank and last week's magical girl academy delinquents comic Jade Street Protection Services (reviewed by our Elizabeth Ledwell). Now we have a cartoony sci-fi adventure series by a trans woman, Mags Visaggio, and featuring rock'n'roll bounty hunters.

Kimiko Quatro is a pink-haired trans girl with a love of fighting. Kimber Dantzler is a more grounded, but still attitude-filled, bisexual girl of color. Together, they are The Fighting Kims - perpetually broke bounty hunters, traveling the omniverse in their space flight capable car.

As I think it's obvious from the above paragraph (especially the description of the Kims mode of transportation), this isn't a hard sci-fi comic. Instead, it's a rocking, high-flying cartoon (though not rated PG-13), where guitars are valid melee weapons and shape-shifting octopi from Dimension 12 don't raise an eyebrow.

The story starts after the Kims are left without any money for the falsely accused guy they caught (including not covered expenses). Completely broke, the duo is forced to take on a warrant that's already taken by Kimiko's former crew led by her father, Furious Quatro. Their target is a rogue mob courier who worked for a powerful mob boss El Scorcho, until he decided to steal his heroin and kill a bunch of his goons. As they end up finding out, things aren't quite as simple.

The main draw are the characters and their relationship. The Kims clearly love each other, which is obvious even in their discussions, and the creators know how to pace their story and allow them to share a few friendship moments. Thus far, the primary focus is on Kimiko, since it's her dad and former crew they're stealing the warrant from, so Kimber isn't as developed as her buddy. However, it's only the first issue and there's enough time to build upon the foundations already seen (including a seemingly strained relationship with her mother).

Written by Mags Visaggio and drawn cartoonishly by Eva Cabrera and Eva Aguirre, Kim & Kim is a fantastic, fun ride that's only just begun.

Dominik Zine is a nerdy lad from northeastern Poland and is generally found in a comfy chair with a book in hand.

Make a Solicit Check: Best of September 2016 Comic Solicitations

There are many comics coming out each month, so it’s easy to lose track of something interesting coming out. That’s why we here at Critical Writ have started Make a Solicit Check – a monthly column devoted to the most interesting announcements.

In our inaugural edition, we’ve got Romantic century deities, vigilante surgeons, black superheroes and trans superheroines.

HONORABLE MENTION

Angel Catbird Volume 1 – Margaret Atwood, Johnnie Christmas (Dark Horse)

Before we begin the list proper, let’s take a moment to talk about a comic coming out in September that isn’t mentioned in solicitations released this month. That’s called an "advance solicit," and publishers use them generally for graphic novels. So technically I shouldn’t be writing about it – but considering it’s a comic book written by Margaret freaking Atwood, I think I can bend the rules to mention it. The first volume of a humorous trilogy about a genetic engineer who accidentally spliced his DNA simultaneously with cat and owl DNA. So obviously he becomes a superhero.

It will be released on September 6.

THE LIST PROPER

12. Neverending Story

Everafter: From the Pages of Fables – Matthew Sturges, Dave Justus, Travis Moore (DC/Vertigo)

Most of the list is focused on exciting new titles and returns. But the last spot is perfect to talk about how there’s something wrong going on with Vertigo since the firing of Shelly Bond. Don’t get me wrong – there are good comics coming out from DC’s once great imprint. There’s Astro City, Gail Simone’s Clean Room, Tom King’s The Sheriff of Babylon (ending in November) and this month’s solicitations also announce Frostbite – a miniseries from Joshua Williamson set after the second ice age.

But it also brings news of the premature end of Art Pop and this comic, which shows how much of a shadow of its old self Vertigo became. I mean – a new Fables series? The comic just ended last year, and even that happened with a whimper, as the series lost its momentum long ago. But if you feel your life is empty without this series, I won’t begrudge your interest. It’s going to be set after the end of the original series, in a world with mundanes (i.e. us) aware of the existence of magic. It’ll be about The Shadow Players – a global organization made up of both humans and Fables (with returning characters Bo Peep, Peter Piper, Hansel and Connor Wolf). The first issue of Everafter will be out on September 7.

11. So Long, Howie

Howard the Duck #11 – Chip Zdarsky, Joe Quinones (Marvel)

The majority of Marvel solicitations this month are devoted to Civil War II and its tie-ins. This madness will end in October, and you can expect our summary then. Thankfully though, there are other, more self-contained titles coming out – but sadly, after September we’ll have one less Marvel comic to look forward to. Chip and Joe’s comedy series Howard the Duck is ending with issue eleven, after 16 issues total. This is the effect of the series reaching its natural end, instead of a cancellation – which should make the pain more bearable. Expect a heartfelt goodbye review from Zachary sometime in September.

10. Many Happy Returns

The only downside of Image’s creator-owned titles is that in order to allow the artist a pace of work to be certain they don’t die of exhaustion, long hiatuses between story arcs became a necessary evil.

On the plus side, every return is cause for celebration. September marks the returns of:

- Deadly Class by Rick Remender and Wes Craig – a coming of age story in an assassins school with a diverse cast of characters (September 28);

- Invisible Republic by Gabriel Hardmand and Corinna Bechko – a Blade Runner/Breaking Bad resembling science fiction political thriller in space (September 21);

- Monstress by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda – an amazing steampunk fantasy (September 7);

- No Mercy by Alex de Campi and Carla Speed McNeil – a Lord of the Flies-inspired story about lost teens (September 14);

- Southern Cross by Becky Cloonan and Andy Belanger – Alien-like space horror series (September 14);

- Wayward by Jim Zub and Steve Cummings – urban fantasy set in Japan, mixing American Gods and Buffy (September 28).

9. Back to School

Gotham Academy: The Next Semester – Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan, Karl Kerschl

By September, DC’s Rebirth will be in full swing, with most of the announced title out, some of them finishing their opening arcs and even their very first crossover (mentioned below). One of the last additions is the return of one the most praised series DC released in recent years, Gotham Academy. Considering the writing team is the only one unchanged for the relaunch, we can pretty much expect more of the same – which is good news for the fans and groan-worthy news for the detractors. The first issue will be out on September 14.

8. It’s Crossover Time

Yep, barely a quarter of the year after it started, DC’s Rebirth will have its very first crossover event. Batman, Nightwing and Batwoman’s team will join forces (following the conclusions of their respective story arcs the same month) for Night of the Monster Men – an attack of giant monsters. It will take two issues of each comic (which means that with the twice-monthly release schedule the crossover will be over in the middle of October) and will consist of the following titles:

- Batman #7, written by Steve Orlando; and Tom King, drawn by Riley Rossmo (out on September 21);

- Nightwing #5 – written by Steve Orlando and Tim Seeley, drawn by Roge Antonio (out on September 21);

- Detective Comics #941 – written by Steve Orlando and James Tynion IV, drawn by Andy McDonald (out on September 28.

7. The Comic I Couldn’t Leave Off the List If I Wanted To

Doom Patrol – Gerard Way, Nick Derington (DC/Young Animal)

Now we’re talking! The surprise announcement for DC’s new imprint headed by the famous musician Gerard Way, Young Animal, overshadowed Rebirth in some circles. I literally have no idea what to expect from the comics that will come out under Young Animal, but I personally can’t wait. The first comic released under this imprint will be Doom Patrol, a.k.a. the proto-X-Men, a.k.a. the bonkers team Grant Morrison wrote in the 90s. The first issue will be out on September 14.

6. The Old Romantics

The Wicked + The Divine 1831 #1 (one-shot) – Kieron Gillen, Stephanie Hans (Image)

WicDiv’s current explosive story arc might end in August, but we’ll be getting more from Kieron Gillen in September, while Jamie McKelvie works on the next – a look at one of the previous Pantheons from the comic world’s past. The second to be shown and the first to get their own one-shot comic, the gods of the Romantic period will be drawn by the talented Stephanie Hans (who drew the Amaterasu focused issue #15), and feature among others a Byronesque Lucifer. A must have for the fans, especially since it won’t be collected in the volume 4 trade. It’s set to be released on September 21.

5. Eat the Rude

Glitterbomb #1 – Jim Zub, Djibril Morissette-Phan (Image)

September is a good moment to start releasing new horror comics – and good horror tends to put a mirror in front of our fears and obsessions. Such is the case with Glitterbomb starring Farrah Durante, a middle-aged actress looking for work in a Hollywood – the shallow, youth-obsessed place we know and (do not) love. Her frustrations open her to an entity that will help her exact revenge on the unjust system she’s been forced to live with until now. The comic is set to be released on September 7.

4. The Surgeon General

Surgeon X #1 – Sara Kenney, John Watkiss (Image)

Sara Kenney (a famed documentary, drama and animation filmmaker) joins forces with artist John Watkiss and Karen Berger – the legendary editor and founder of Vertigo – for an exciting dystopian comic. Surgeon X tells the story of a vigilante surgeon, using her skills and black market medicine to save lives in a far-right governed Britain (insert UKIP, David Cameron and Brexit reference here) after an antibiotics apocalypse. The first issue is set to be released on September 28.

3. The Women of Comics

CBLDF: She Changed Comics (Image)

This is advance preview for a book that will be released on October 5, but I’m putting it here – because it’s part of the September solicitations, and because of how important it is. This isn’t a comic book, but instead it’s a book about women writing them. It will showcase female creators changing the medium today (including Raina Tegelmeyer, Noelle Stephenson and G. Willow Wilson), and present the plights of women imprisoned and threatened for making comics – and talk about women whose comics are banned in the US. If you’re deeply interested in comics and their creators, it’s a must have. It’ll be out on October 5.

2. Black Powers

Black #1 – Kwanza Osajyefo, Tim Smith 3, Jamal Igle, Khary Randolph (Black Mask)

When big publishers disappoint you in terms of diverse comics, turn to the indie ones. Black Mask continues its winning streak with Black – a comic successfully Kickstarted during this year’s Black History Month. It’s a story set in a world where only Black people get superpowers – and the US makes sure no one knows about it. Created by an all-Black team, the comic will explore institutional racism through the lense of a superhero comic.

1. Representation Matters

Alters #1 – Paul Jenkins, Leila Lenz, Tamra Bonvillain (Aftershock)

Here she is – the world’s first trans superheroine! Written by Paul Jenkins (the creator of Marvel’s Sentry), drawn by Leila Lenz and colored by a trans woman herself, Tamra Bonvillain (who hopefully had a hand in the comic’s handling of trans issues), it tells the story of Chalice, a trans girl just before transitioning who discovers she has gravity manipulating powers. This means she’s one of the titular Alters – a group of humans that suddenly develops superpowers (yes, just like the X-Men/Inhumans). Not out of the closet yet, she becomes the superheroine Chalice – and has to maintain two secret identities – as a heroine and as a trans girl. The (hopefully good) comic will be out on September 7.

Dominik Zine is a nerdy lad from northeastern Poland and is generally found in a comfy chair with a book in hand.

"Jade Street Protection Services" – Positive Autistic Representation Is Magic!

Before we begin this review there’s somethings you should know: I love the magical girl genre, regardless of whether it's deconstruction, reconstruction, spoof, parody, or homage. This flood of magical girl comics in America has been grand—splendid, even. Since these American comics have been coming out, the genre is becoming more diverse than ever.  I was hooked from the moment Jade Street Protection Services was first announced, even though all I had was a blurb describing the series as "Magical girls who are misfits at their magic academy form a gang."  Misfit magical girls? I was floored with how much I was excited for this book. A fresh take on this beloved genre that I just had to read.

Then an interview from the creators came out, and I knew that I had to review this book. The interview in question revealed that the main character Emma is a non-verbal autistic girl. I’m an autistic girl, however unlike Emma I’m verbal. I can’t criticize this book or discuss whether or not it got the non-verbal autistic’s experience; however, I can talk about the autistic experience in general and what the book got wrong or right based on my own experience.

Autism is a neurological condition with a wide range of experiences; most media has unfortunately failed to portray this properly (the same might be said for disability in general). Since even the most intersectional of feminist spaces often fail to bring up disabilities or the realities that disabled people live with, you can probably understand why I was both extremely excited and terrified about this series. Would they have Emma wish for a "cure" for her disability? The concept of "curing" autism is met with resentment by the autistic community due to its clear roots in the devaluation of autistic persons and experiences. Would Emma’s magic make her "normal," would she "overcome" her disability by getting powered up? The tired trope of overcoming one’s disability is nothing more than an ableist notion that disability can be turned off in order to achieve success or functionality; it’s just one tactic out of many to distance the disabled identity from success or humanity.

Thankfully, the book rises above these pitfalls and tropes. Jade Street Protection Services is amazing in what it does for the genre: all of the harmful implications of the genre's previous lack of diversity—like the way magical girls have to look or act—all of the misogynistic bullshit that women are faced with in real life, is targeted for criticism by being exemplified as the antagonist.

In the opening characterization of the main cast, we witness Emma's struggle to find where she belongs in high school, feeling like she wasn’t made for it. She's not into what the other girls are into, and her difference partly stems from her lack of finding her niche and her inability to communicate freely with her fellow students.

But if you’re not going to fit in at school, there are certainly worse places than the Mattsdotter Academy School for Magical Girls.

The Academy has more than one type of girl. Here's a rundown: Emma is our insecure but thoughtful protagonist; she knows that she and her fellow magical girls are worth fighting for. Divya is an overachiever with some serious spreadsheet skills who cares what people think about her.
Saba is a mischievous fun loving girl who knows how to perfectly coordinate her hijab with her Lolita fashion. Noemi is the cool strong-but-silent type who has a heart of gold if anyone would care to notice. Kai is a fighter and lover of ladies who may not be as chill as she seems.

So, right off the bat we have five very different girls with their own strengths and weaknesses. These differences at first cause our cast to fight, so much so that a gym class disaster causes giant conjured toilets to run amok, and our leading ladies and a fellow classmate land in detention.

After a debate about whether to ditch for kebabs or froyo, some personality differences arise that make the girls actually talk to each other sans Emma, who observes. A fellow classmate (Andrea)-- who dislikes Emma because she’s a "spaz"--begs the group to not leave her with Emma "the muted marvel" in one of the book's best moments: Andrea is called out on her ableist behavior and subsequently ditched. Considering how schoolchildren with special needs are often ostracized by peers and faculty, seeing this ostracizing called out—and making this the point where our main cast forges their outsider status together—is tremendously inspiring.

It’s not only these big, obvious moments that make this book so enjoyable, but also the little humanizing moments.  Divya and Noemi happily have a short conversation in Spanish. We see Emma stimming when she’s anxious; at one point while she and the gang are hiding, she’s asked to do it quietly—she’s not asked to stop, or scolded, or embarrassed, just to keep it down while they're hiding. Saba’s love for cute things extends to naming a roach cutie. Noemi and Kia share a moment that hints at a possible romance. Also the girls "swear" by saying kittens or sparkles; it’s just as good as it sounds.

Over the course of their search for kebabs and froyo, our girls provide some light exposition on the rules of their magic system. One of these rules forbids magical girls from creating anything, allegedly because this messes up their magic—but as we see with our antagonists, the rule may be connected to a more sinister prospect, such as the selling of magic and magical girls! Is the Academy in on this? Could there be foul play? We’ll hopefully find the answers in the next issue of Jade Street Protection Services. Without giving too much away, I want readers familiar with Madoka Magica to think about the similarities between Emma's and Mami's outfits, and what implications the use of this motif might have.

On the whole, this is a breezy read with likable characters and light exposition that knows how to hook you in. Jade Street Protection Services is available now from Black Mask Studios.

Until next time, stay magical folks!

Elizabeth Ledwell is a witch who has a certificate in graphics communications she doesn't use.