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.

Make a Solicit Check - Best of April 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: part-time female Grim Reapers, elements-bending bisexuals and deity crafters.

10. Phase One of (Ugh) RessurXion

X-Men Blue #1-2 - Cullen Bunn, Jorge Molina, Matteo Buffagni (Marvel)

X-Men Gold #1-2 - Marc Guggenheim, Ardian Syaf (Marvel)

Weapon X #1-2 - Greg Pak, Greg Land (Marvel)

Royals #1-2 - Al Ewing, Jonboy Meyers (Marvel)

On the one hand, it’s good that Marvel is finally invested in an expansion of the (thus far) sidelined lineup. It’s been a bad year for the X-Men fans, whose favorite titles fell into a slump with an increased focus in favor of the Inhumans, with only Wolverine being really good.

On the other hand… Marvel takes one of its most popular teams (and famously a stand-in for many marginalized real-life groups, from the Black community to the LGBTQIAP* community) and puts two middle aged white dudes in charge of two of the main series. And when it actually give one of the other books an Asian American writer, you saddle him with Greg Land, a.k.a. Mr "Traces Everything From Magazines So Everything Looks Fake And The Characters Shift Their Facial Features Every Goddamn Panel."

X-Men Blue #1-2, which features the time-displaced original five X-Men (what are they still doing in modern day?!) under the tutelage of Magneto (look, just give Bunn a new Magneto ongoing, Marvel - stop looking for excuses), is set to be released on April 12 and April 26.

X-Men Gold #1-2, which features some of the most popular X-Men under the leadership of Kitty Pryde, is set to be released on April 5 and April 19.

Weapon X #1-2, which will explore the resurgence of the infamous project, bent on hunting down its most famous results like Old Man Logan, Sabretooth and Lady Deathstrike, is set to be released on April 12 and April 26.

Royals #1-2, which will feature a group of Inhumans under the leadership of Medusa going into space with Noh-Var, a.k.a. Marvel Boy, in search of their roots (and Ewing saddled with another subpar artist after Land on Mighty Avengers and Sandoval on New Avengers), is set to be released on April 5 and April 19.

9. Dream Bigger

Black Cloud #1 - Ivan Brandon, Jason Latour, Greg Hinkle (Image Comics)

Zelda comes from a world of dream - and now she's on the run in ours, with broken dreams in her hands. But when the rich and powerful get interested in them, she'll have to fight back to stay alive. Written by Ivan Brandon (Drifter) and Jason Latour (Southern Bastards, Spider-Gwen) and drawn by Greg Hinkle (The Rattler) and Matt Wilson, this oneiric new series is set to be released on April 5.

8. Make Your Own Deity

Godshaper #1 - Simon Spurrier, Jason Goonface (Boom! Studios)

The Eisner Award-nominated fantastic writer Simon Spurrier is starting a new series for Boom, the company where he publishes most of his creator-owned series. This time he's taking us to a world where every human has their own deity — except for people like Ennay. He's one of the titular Godshapers, godless social pariahs with the ability to mold the gods of others. He travels with a god without a human named Bud, looking for food, shelter and the next rock'n'roll gig.

7. Aftershock Rising

Eleanor & the Egret #1 - John Layman, Sam Kieth (Aftershock)

World Reader #1 - Jeff Loveness, Juan Doe (Aftershock)

Like I said previously, Aftershock Comics output is a little hit or miss. However, in April they're launching two new series that seem like they belong firmly in the former category. Eleanor & the Egret is the tale of an investigation into an art theft in fin de siecle Paris, where the only clue is a single white feather, which could belong to the thief. Or maybe her talking egret sidekick. The comic comes from writer John Layman, who recently wrapped up his 60-issue Image series Chew and artist Sam Kieth (The Sandman). Though fair warning, Chew has featured offensive portrayals of background trans women courtesy of the series co-creator Ray Dillory which Layman likely signed off on, so I'll leave it up to you to decide whether you want to support this series.

The other new ongoing is World Reader from The Jimmy Kimmel Show writer Jeff Loveness, who penned the 2015 Marvel miniseries Groot and is currently writing Nova for said publisher. With artist Juan Doe (Animosity: The Rise) he's bringing the story of Sarah, an astronaut with the ability to talk to ghosts of dead worlds, on her quest to find what is killing the universe before it kills Earth as well. Having to deal with her maintaining her crew's trust and her own sanity, and fighting Death itself, Sarah has her work cut out for her.

6. Archie's Not Throwing Away Its (One-)Shot

Big Moose One-Shot - Sean Ryan, Ryan Cady, Gorf, Thomas Pitilli, Cory Smith, Wilfredo Torres (Archie)

Little Sabrina One-Shot - Art Baltazar, Franco (Archie)

Continuing March's slew of one one-shots, the company behind Archie Comics has announced two new one-shots for April. The first one is another one under the "Little" heading, featuring the adventures of a very young Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Or, Little Kid Witch, in this case. The second one-shot will be focused on "Big" Moose. As much as I like the "Little" stories for their humor and generally cheerful tone, I'm more excited for the newest addition to the "New Riverdale" lineup. Moose has undergone a surprising amount of character development over the years, including a story arc where he discovered that he had dyslexia. I don't know if the new story will cover any of that, but I'm excited to find out. (Zachary)

5. Everyday Superhero

The Adventures of Superhero Girl (Expanded Edition) - Faith Erin Hicks (Dark Horse)

Like it or not, superheroes comics are the biggest genre in the industry, and while the Big Two publish most of them, both smaller publishers and individual creators release their original superhero stories every month. Those can be both darker and more lighthearted than Marvel/DC output - and Faith Erin Hicks's (The Nameless City) The Adventures of Superhero Girl belongs to the latter. It was originally published in The Cost and released in its entirety online. This comic aimed at younger readers tells a story of a young heroine who can leap tall buildings in a single bound and punch huge monsters with her bare hands, but has to buy second-hand capes and has a weakness for kitties. This reprint of the 2013 collected edition will be fully colored and feature two new stories and art by such great creators like Tyler Crook, Jake Wyatt and Paulina Ganucheau.

Given that it's an advance solicit, you'll have to wait until June 14 to read this comic.

4. The Reaper Is A Part-Timer

Kim Reaper #1 - Sarah Graley

Like practically all American university students, Kim has to work a part-time job.  The twist is that hers is guiding deceased souls into the afterlife. But everything goes to hell* after her fellow student Becka finally gathers the courage to ask her out on a date, unaware that her crush is an angel of death. This sets off a chain of events that will set them against such diverse threats like vengeful cat-dads, zombies and the underworld itself.

The comic will be out on April 5.

*I regret nothing!

3. The End Is Nigh

Clean Room #18 - Gail Simone, Walter Geovani (DC/Vertigo)

I know I seem like a broken record, but I can't help it — the decline of DC's Vertigo imprint remains one of the publisher's biggest crimes. But even in those dire times there are a few good comics coming out of Vertigo. Sadly after April there's going one less them, at least for a while. Gail Simone's amazing horror series Clean Room imagines a world where a cultish organization, resembling the Church of Scientology in its structure, is Earth's only line of defense against psychopathic entities imprisoned by their compatriots in our orbit. And now it's reaching its season finale. It's hard to tell when /Clean Room/ returns, but rest assured, you'll find out in this column.

Clean Room #18 will be out on April 26.

Also ending on that same day, by the way, is Jeff Parker and Evan Shaner's Future Quest, a mega-crossover of Hanna Barbera's science-fiction cartoon series.

2. The Panther Thrives

Black Panther: The Crew #1 - Ta-Nehisi Coates, Yona Harvey, Butch Guice 

Ta-Nehisi Coates's run on the Black Panther has been an unquestionable success. The series, originally intended to run for 11 issues, took advantage of the MacArthur genius's knowledge of politics and sociology and explored the nature of government through an Afrofuturist lense. Now it's been extended to a 24 issue run (and Coates apparently has story ideas for up to 60 total), with a new storyline starting in April, set to explore the relationship between Wakandan state and its religion. But there's more to Black Panther than the main series a spin-off series World of Wakanda started in November, exploring the backstories of the comic's supporting characters, the Midnight Angels, and now it's going to be joined by The Crew. The original short-lived series by Christopher Priest (author of thus far the definitive run on the Wakandan hero) intended to showcase Marvel's less known characters like Kasper Cole (Panther's apprentice - who coincidentally is also getting his own one-shot/story arc in April's Black Panther: World of Wakanda), led by the late James "Rhodey" Rhodes, a.ka. War Machine. This version of the team is much more high profile, joining together the Panther, Luke Cage, Misty Knight, Storm of the X-Men and Manifold, and is set to explore modern day issues that are the focus of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Black Panther: The Crew #1 is set to be released on April 12.

1. About Damn Time

The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars Part One - Michael Dante DiMartino, Irene Koh (Dark Horse)

If it feels like it's been years since we last saw Korra and her Team Avatar, it's because it has. Since the series finale in December 2014 we haven't had any new content set in Korra's timeline — until now. Series co-creator Michael Dante DiMartino and artist Irene Koh (Secret Origins: Batgirl, Afrina and the Glass Coffin) bring us this long-awaited official continuation. After their spirit world honeymoon, Korra and Asami return to Republic City to find it in peril from greedy entrepreneurs and triad turf wars.

Given that it's an advance solicit, you'll have to wait until June 7 to read this comic

TRADE-SPOTTING - APRIL 2017 EDITION

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

Archie Comics

• Archie Vol. 3 (Waid, Eisma, Szymanowicz, Morelli; collects Archie #13-17; out April 19)

Boom! Studios

• Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers Vol. 3 (Higgins, Prasetya, Lam; collects Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #9-12; out in June)
• Giant Days Vol 5 (Allison, Sarin, Fleming; collects Giant Days #17-20; out in June)

Dark Horse

• Empowered Vol. 10 (Warren; out on June 21)
• Spell on Wheels (Leth, Levens; Sabrina the Teenage Witch-style road story from writer of Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat!; collects entire miniseries; out on June 7)

DC Comics

• Doctor Fate. Vol. 3: Fateful Threads (Levitz, Liew, Miranda, McCarthy; collects Doctor Fate #13-18; out on May 3)
• Doom Patrol. Vol. 1: Brick by Brick (Way, Derrington; collects Doom Patrol #1-6; out on May 31)
• Blue Beetle. Vol. 1: The More Things Change (Giffen, Kolins; collects Blue Beetle: Rebirth #1 and Blue Beetle #1-6; out on May 10)
• Detective Comics. Vol. 2: The Victim Syndicate (Tynion IV, Bennett, Barrows, Martinez, Oliver and other; collects Detective Comics #943-949; out on May 10)
• Supergirl. Vol. 1: Reign of the Cyborg Supermen (Orlando, Ching, Lupacchino; collects Supergirl: Rebirth #1 and Supergirl #1-6; out on May 17)
• Superwoman. Vol. 1: Who Killed Superwoman? (Jimenez, Santorelli, Herbert, Lupacchino, McCarthy; collects Superwoman #1-7)
• Wonder Woman. Vol. 2: Year One (Rucka, Scott, Evely; collects Wonder Woman #2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14; out on May 3)

Image Comics

• Southern Cross. Vol. 2: Romulus (Cloonan, Belanger, Loughridge; sci-fi horror series in an Alien-inspired universe minus xenomorphs; collects Southern Cross #7-12; out on April 26)
• Surgeon X. Vol. 1: The Path of Most Resistance (Kenney, the late John Watkiss; story about a vigilante surgeon in an antibiotics apocalypse; collects Surgeon X #1-6; out on April 26)
• We Stand On Guard (Vaughan, Skroce; sci-fi miniseries about Canadian resistance against US mech invasion, now much more prescient than when initially released; out on April 5)

Marvel Comics

• All-New Wolverine. Vol. 3: Public Enemy II (Taylor, Virella, Morissette-Phan; collects All-New Wolverine #13-18; out on May 3)
• Black Panther. Vol. 1: A Nation Under Out Feet (Coates, Steelfreeze, Sprouse; collects Black Panther #1-12; out on August 2)
• Champions. Vol. 1: Change the World (Waid, Ramos; collects Champions #1-5; out on May 3)
• Hawkeye: Kate Bishop Vol. 1 (Thompson, Romero; collects Hawkeye #1-6; out on May 3)
• Jessica Jones. Vol. 1: Uncaged! (Bendis, Gaydos; collects Jessica Jones #1-6, and probably more manageable than its monthly releases; out on May 10)
• Loki: Journey Into Mystery (Gillen, Abnett, Lanning, Fraction, Braithwaite, Elson, Portacio, Breitweiser, Di Giandomenico, Hans, Davis; collects entire Kieron Gillen run on Journey Into Mystery starring Kid Loki, plus connected issues of The Mighty Thor, New Mutants and Exiled; out on August 2)

Oni Press

• Night's Dominion Vol. 1 (Naifeh; DnD-style fantasy series; collects Night's Dominion #1-6; out on June 28)
• Space Battle Lunchtime. Vol. 2: A Recipe for Disaster (Riess; second half of adorable sci-fi/cooking show miniseries; collects Space Battle Lunchtime #5-8; 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.

Zachary Krishef is an evil genius. Do not question his knowledge of Saturday Night Live trivia or Harry Potter books.

Make a Solicit Check - Best of March 2017 Comics Solicitations

There are many comics coming out every month, so 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: pandimensional lesbian teen superheroines, spectral punk musicians and teenage consciousness jumpers.

10. After War Comes (Ugh) ResurrXion

If all goes well, March will be the end of Marvel's other "heroes fight heroes" event, IvX - though this being Marvel, it might just as easily continue until June. Either way, after of inter-species conflict between mutants and Inhumans the publisher will begin its awkwardly named RessurXion initiative that's meant to revitalize the X-Men and try to make their rivals a thing. But that's in April; before that, we'll get preludes aiming to set the stage for future comics. For the mutant side, we've got X-Men Prime #1, written by Marc Guggenheim – writer for X-Men Gold – and drawn by Ken Lashley. For the Inhuman side, we have Inhumans Prime #1, written by scriptwriter extraordinaire Al Ewing - who'll pen the Royals book – and drawn by Ryan Sook.

Both preludes are set to be released on March 29.

9. All Hail the Queens

Rat Queens #1 - Kurtis J. Wiebe, Owen Gieni (Image)

One of Image's more popular ongoing series – and with one of the most irregular release schedule in the publisher's catalog – is back. The humorous series inspired by D&D-style sword and sorcery worlds might have a brand new artist (Owen Gieni), a #1 after its title and the words "soft reboot" in the solicit – but it's still the same Rat Queens we know and love. So why is it at the tail end of the column? Well, it has to do with a controversy that happened in May 2016. The artist for the third story arc, Tess Fowler, came out with details regarding the series' sudden hiatus and end of her term working on it, details involving Kurtis J. Wiebe (writer, series co-creator) lying to her about original artist and co-creator, Roc Upchurch, not being in the running for the series' art duties. Upchurch, who has been arrested for battery against his wife (who later came forward with information about him not supporting their children), has been replaced by Stjepan Seijic (and later Fowler) mid-arc due to Wiebe not wanting the series connected to domestic abuse. Fowler related that despite asking to be told if Upchurch is still in the running, she was repeatedly lied to until finally she confronted Wiebe and he allegedly confirmed it. For what it's worth, Wiebe denied it. But the sudden hyping of Upchurch's early sketches and original art, along with absence of similar treatment regarding Fowler and colorist Tamra Bonvillain and Fowler wanting to get rid of her Rat Queens-related art despite expressing excitement numerous times during her time as the series artist – all of it suggests that while Upchurch may not have been chosen as the new artist (according to Wiebe's statement), he may have been considered as one.

In any case, the comic is set to return on March 1 – and depending on whatever account you find more trustworthy, you can buy it or ignore it then.

8. Many Happy Returns - Spring Edition

It's that time again! Similarly to our first, September-related edition, a huge number of Image titles return from their hiatuses. While every month a few of them start their new story arcs (for instance, February is when Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky's Sex Criminals returns), this time a lot of them make their comeback. The one I want to draw a special attention to is Copperhead – a space western starring a female sheriff on a backwater mining planet. The series, penned by Jay Faerber, has been on a hiatus for over a year, and judging from the fact that it has a new artist (Ron Riley), it suggests art-related complications. In any case, its eleventh issue is set for release on March 8.

The other returning comics are:
- Deadly Class #27 - by Rick Remender, Wes Craig and Jordan Boyd, set for realease on March 15;
- Head Lopper #6 - by Andrew MacLean, set to be released on March 15;
- I Hate Fairyland #11 - by Skottie Young, set for release on March 15;
- Injection #11 - by Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire, set to be released on March 15;
- Low #16 - by Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini, set for release on March 8;
- Mirror #6 - by Emma Rios and Hwei Lim, set to be released on March 15.

7. The Ghost of Musics Punk

Coady and the Creepies #1 (of 4) - Liz Prince, Amanda Kirk (Boom! - Boom!Box)

Punk may not be dead, but Coady, a third of a sister punk band The Creepies, sure is. After a van accident that left her siblings Corey and Criss (respectively) badly scarred and in a wheelchair, the three girls are ready to bring their music to the masses. There's one problem that no one knows about: Coady is a ghost. How will they manage with that on their road to fame, we'll see in March.

6. The Monster Chef

Brave Chef Brianna #1 (of 4) - Sam Sykes, Selma Espiritu (Boom! - kaBoom!)

It's not easy being an aspiring chef. It's worse, when you're a woman in a traditionally male field (ironic, considering countless times women are told to get back to the kitchen whenever they say anything on the Internet). But the worst is when you are all of the above – like our heroine, Brianna Jacobson – and want to impress your famed restaurateur of a Dad, and you have to compete with 15 brothers, and the only open spot where you can open a restaurant is in Monster City. Such is the premise of this miniseries from a renowned fantasy writer (Aeons' Gate), promising oodles of fun for fans of Adventure Time and Steven Universe. March can't come soon enough.

5. Aqualad II: The Aquatic Boogaloo

Teen Titans #6 - Benjamin Percy, Khoi Pham, Wade Von Grawbadger (DC)

The Rebirth Teen Titans is a fun comic, and a welcome return to form for a team continuously mangled by the New52 reboot. And it's set to become even better now that Jackson Hyde, pre-New52 known as Kaldur'ahm (a.k.a. the one true Aqualad) will make his long teased return to DC universe. As a fan of Young Justice I can only applaud this move. Aqualad will join Teen Titans on March 22.

4. You Get a Crossover! And You Get a Crossover! And You...You Don't Get a Crossover.

I think we can agree that DC's Hanna Barbera re-imaginings was more or less a success. Sure, two comics out of the four released sucked (one sucked so bad, it was retroactively made a miniseries), but both Future Quest and The Flintstones are so good, they more than make up for them.

We're therefore curious about the upcoming annuals. Adam Strange/Future Quest Annual #1 (written by Marc Andreyko and Jeff Parker, with art by Steve Lieber) will feature DC premiere science hero popping up in the Future Quest's alternate dimension after the events of Death of Hawkman – and a backup story by Dan DiDio and Phil Winslade, Top Cat will have a surprise multidimensional encounter with Batman. In Booster Gold/The Flintstones Annual #1 (written by Mark Russell, with art by Rick Leonardi and Scott Hanna), time-travelling hero/gloryhound Booster Gold will visit the modern Stone Age family – and in a backup story Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will take a look at their futuristic counterparts, the Jetsons (with art by Pier Brito).

Meanwhile star writers James Tynion IV and Chris Sebela will bring us a meeting of two space heroes in Green Lantern/Space Ghost Annual #1, with Arel Olivetti on art duty – and in a backup story, Howard Chaykin will tell us a tale about Ruff and Reddy, Hanna Barbera's first comedic duo. Finally, in a bizarre choice, the Suicide Squad will clash with... the Banana Splits in Tony Bedard and Ben Caldwell's (so at least the art is guaranteed to be high quality) Suicide Squad/Banana Splits Annual #1 – while Mark Russell will script the backup story about Snagglepuss as the Southern Gothic playwright, with art by Dale Eaglesham.

All four comics will be out on March 29.

3. On Second Thought, Let's Not Go To Camelot. 'Tis a Silly Place.

The Once and Future Queen #1 (of 5) - Adam P. Knave, D.J. Kirkbride, and Nick Brokenshire (Dark Horse)

From the creators of Monkey/IDW six volume Amelia Cole series comes the re-imagining of one of the classic Western legends and myths: the Arthurian myth. In this diverse retelling, featuring characters of East Asian, African and British descent, the place of King Arthur is taken by a Queen – a nineteen year old chess prodigy of Asian descent who pulls Excalibur from stone and becomes the once and future ruler of Britain. This exciting-sounding story of magic and adventure will begin on March 1.

2. Consciousness Jumping Is the New Black

Afar - Leila Del Duca, Kit Seaton (Image)

One of the few remaining titles announced on last year's Image Expo (covered in one of Critical Writ's first posts) will finally be out in March. Leila Del Duca, a very talented artist of Shutter is making her writing debut with a science fiction graphic novel, with art by similarly talented Kit Seaton (The Black Bull of Norroway webcomic). It will be a story of two siblings, Boetema (a 15 year old girl) and Inotu (a 13 year old boy), on the run from a cyborg bodyguard after the latter gets them into trouble. It all gets more complicated after Boetema develops an ability to jump into the consciousness' of people from worlds light years away.

Afar is set to be released on March 29.

1. The Hero We Need

America #1 - Gabby Rivera, Joe Quinones (Marvel)

It's about damn time; the long demanded America Chavez ongoing is here, and the pandimensional bisexual teenage Latina and Kate "Hawkeye" Bishop's bestie is finally getting it. Her popularity has been on the rise since Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie's Young Avengers – and unlike with /Mockingbird/ and /Nighthawk/ Marvel seems to be willing to make her a star we all knew she can be. Case in point: hiring a popular queer Puerto Rican YA author Gabby Rivera (Juliet Takes a Breath). Add Joe Quinones on art duties, the character's current stint as the leader of Earth's most powerful heroes in Al Ewing's Ultimates2 - and all we need now is a Hawkeye/America crossover.

America #1 is set to be released on March 1.

TRADE-SPOTTING - MARCH 2017 EDITION

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

Aftershock Comics

• Animosity Vol. 1 (written by Marguerite Bennett, art by Rafael De Latorre and Juan Doe; a post-apocalyptic comic set in a world where animals gained sentience; out March 1)

Boom! Studios

• Goldie Vance Vol. 2 (written by Hope Larsson, art by Brittney Williams; a fun diverse detective comic set in the 50s, with a biracial queer protagonist; out in May)

Dark Horse

• Harrow County Vol. 2: Abandoned (written by Cullen Bunn, art by Tyler Crook and Carla Speed McNeil; a Southern gothic horror with a witch protagonist, gorgeously drawn; out on May 24)

DC Comics

• Green Lanterns Vol. 2: The Phantom Lantern (written by Sam Humphries, art by Jack Herbert, Robson Rocha, Ronan Cliquet, Eduardo Pansica and others; out on April 26)

Image Comics

• Glitterbomb Vol. 1: Red Carpet (written by Jim Zub, art by Djibril Morissette-Phan and K. Michael Russell; a cosmic horror comic depicting the reality of life in Hollywood; out on March 1)
• Romulus Vol. 1 (written by Bryan Hill, art by Nelson Blake III; female-led action comic about a warrior fighting against an ancient conspiracy; out on March 29)
• Invisible Republic Vol. 3 (written by Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman, art by Gabriel Hardman; political thriller in space; out on March 29)
• Revival Vol. 8: Stay Just a Little Bit Longer (written by Tim Seeley, art by Mike Norton and Mark Englert; the final volume of the long-running crime/political story set in Wausau, Wisconsin, where the dead suddenly came back to life; out March 29(
• Ringside Vol. 2: Work (written by Joe Keatinge, art by Nick Barber and Simon Gough; a crime story set in the world of wrestling with two gay leads; out March 29)
• Saga Vol. 7 (written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Fiona Staples; out March 29)
• Wayward Vol. 4: Threads and Portents (written by Jim Zub, art by Steve Cummings and Tamra Bonvillain; urban fantasy comic primarily set in modern Japan, think Buffy mixed with American Gods; out March 1)

Marvel Comics

• Black Widow Vol. 2: No More Secrets (written by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee, art by Chris Samnee; out April 26)
• Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet Book 3 (written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, art by Brian Steelfreeze and Chris Sprouse; out April 12)
• Mockingbird Vol. 2: My Feminist Agenda (wirtten by Chelsea Cain, art by Kate Niemczyk; out April 19)
• Scarlet Witch Vol. 3: The Final Hex (written by James Robinson, art by Leila Del Duca, Annapaola Martello, Stephanie Hans, Shawn Crystal, Jonathan Marks and Vanessa Del Rey; out April 19)

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