Mike Maillaro
- ALTERS #1 – On it’s surface, Alters could have just been like a million attempts to redefine the superhero genre: “the world struggles to accept the emergence of a new kind of mutant species known as alterations, or ‘Alters’.” But this book promises to tackle important social issues like differing genders, gender identities, ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations. The first issue introduces us to a transgendered hero named Chalice. Aftershock continues to redefine what the comic industry can be, and I am looking forward to seeing what they can do with this book.
- CYBORG REBIRTH #1 – My interest in Cyborg having his own book waned soon after David Walker was off the book. I have been giving all of the Rebirth books a fair try to win me over. I am really hoping this can recapture some of the magic that Walker put into the book.
- FLINTSTONES #3 – Not at all what I expected from a Flintstones comic, but it’s been terrific. If definitely feels like if they made Flintstones today, it would very much resemble this comic. I enjoy all of DC’s Hanna Barbara line, but this is definitely my favorite.
- BLOODLINES #6 – Still not sure what DC’s intentions were with this series. I’ve really enjoyed it, but they gave it just about no publicity and it’s not clear where it fits in with anything else going on in DC. But, for me, it was a well-done story about people getting “infected” with super-powers, and a nice call back to the Bloodlines annuals from the 90’s.
- MOON KNIGHT #6 – This book continues to make me question everything. Jeff Lemire can sometimes be hit or miss, but I absolutely love what he’s doing with Moon Knight. It is a very fresh take on the character, and one of the best comics I read every month.
- PAPER GIRLS #9 – Every issue of this series gets better. With all the love Stranger Things is getting, fans should check out Paper Girls. It’s very much in the same spirit, with some time travel thrown in for good measure.
- SUPERGIRL #1 – Supergirl was one of my most anticipated DC Rebirth series. I will admit I didn’t quite love the Rebirth issue, but I am still going to give this series a fair shot. If nothing else, it will tide me over until season 2 starts on my birthday!
- BATMAN #6 – Last issue was absolutely nuts! I have no idea where this series goes from here, but Tom King seems to have big shake ups in store for Gotham City. I’ve loved his work on Vision, and he might be topping it here!
- DOCTOR STRANGE #11 – As much as I enjoyed the Last Days of Magic story arc, I did think things may have been resolved a little too easy last issue. I am hoping this story still has some twists and turns ahead for the reader. Either way, Jason Aaron is writing one terrific Doctor Strange comic.
- Batman Beyond #16
- Green Arrow #6
- Nightwing #4
- Superman #6
- All-New All-Different Avengers #14
- Daredevil #11
- Invincible Iron Man #13
- Silk #12
- Squadron Supreme #11
- Star Wars Poe Dameron #6
- Uncanny X-Men #12
- A&A The Adventures Of Archer And Armstrong #7
- Ninjak #19
James Fulton
- Daredevil #11 – Charles Soule’s Daredevil is very good, and with this latest arc, doesn’t seem too beholden to DD’s recent past, which is always nice.
- Kill or Be Killed #2 – The first issue of this series did everything you could want a first issue to do. Now that it’s out of the way, I look forward to learning a lot more about this poor guy, who is being forced by a demon to kill someone every month, or die himself. It’s a great setup, and the team of Brubaker and Phillips is one of the most reliable in the business.
- Moon Knight #6 – I agree with everything Mike had to say about this book above, and am going to add that I love that there are different artists portraying the different aspects of Marc Spector’s personalities. Especially since some of those artists are James Stokoe and Francesco Francavilla…
- Sheriff of Babylon #10 – It’s not saying much to say this is the best Vertigo comic of the last decade. It might not be saying much to say this is the best comic DC has published in the last decade. All of that is true though – this series is incredible, and after this one, there are only two issues left.
- The Woods #25 – I’ve seen a lot of people expressing surprise about how good Detective Comics has been since James Tynion IV ‘rebirthed’ it. It’s not a big surprise to me though, because I’ve been reading The Woods, which is even better than ‘Tec. It’s coming back after a short hiatus, and a pretty brutal last issue, and I can’t wait for it.
John Babos
- A&A The Adventures of Archer & Armstrong #7 – A really fun romp!
- Batman #6 – Picking this up as I’m intrigued by upcoming This is Suicide arc where Batman forms his own Suicide Squad vs. Bane.
- Batman Beyond #16 – Adult Tim Drake’s time is almost done as Batman Beyond as Terry McGinnis is set to reassume the role. Will this book lead into Batman Beyond Rebirth #1?
- Cyborg Rebirth #1 – Victor Stone gets the Rebirth treatment.
- Green Arrow #6 – SJW Oliver Queen plus Black Canary, Shado and more. A great read.
- Nightwing #4 – Intrigued by Raptor and the whole Court of Owls angle.
- Ninjak #19 – The Eternal Warrior team-up continues.
- Squadron Supreme #11 – Will get fallout from their clash with the Thunderbolts in their title next week?
- Supergirl #1 – This is very much a reset as the book tries to have closer ties from the CW TV show. I enjoy the DEO angle. However, Director Bones is off limits as he seems to be part of DC’s Young Animal as Mister Bones so Cameron Chase is DEO Director in this super-book.
- Superman #6 – This book is effectively the Super Sons prelude with Jon Kent’s journey to become DC Rebirth’s Superboy.
Phil Allen
- Batman #6 – As big a Bat-fan as I am, I’m not enjoying this story so far; hopefully this second arc will turn that around. I haven’t been a big fan of Tom King and this series isn’t helping that opinion yet (though I hear Vision is good, which he just won a Harvey Award for).
- Batman Beyond #16 – This series did exactly what I’m hoping Batman will do (see above) and turned a better direction after the first arc. I am interested to see where this run will end and “Rebirth” will pick up.
- Cyborg: Rebirth #1 – I have been on the fence about getting this series but I’m enjoying the way Vic has been portrayed in Rebirth so far, mostly in Justice League, so I’m in.
- Green Arrow #6 – Not my favorite Rebirth series, or even GA run, but it shows potential. I’ll be sticking around a few more issues.
- Harley Quinn #3 – I’m done. I didn’t care for the way Harley was depicted in the last dozen or so issues of the New 52, and I thought it might get better with Rebirth. Turns out it didn’t, so I’m out.
- Jughead #9 – I thought Chip Zdarsky and Erica Henderson were a great team on this book, and Ryan North taking over might be just as perfect. I’m not familiar with much of Derek Charm’s work yet but the previews look great so far!
- The Fuse #21 – This series remains as strong as ever, still a favorite of mine.
- Other issues I’m looking forward to:
- Glitterbomb #1
- Justice League #4
- Kill or be Killed #2
- Midnight of the Soul #4
- Paper Girls #9
- Star Wars: Poe Dameron #6
- The Woods #25
Matt Graham
- Pick of the Week: Aftershock – Alters #1 – Aftershock hasn’t let me down yet, so I welcome another title. Alters introduces the world’s first transgender superhero, taking the hazy fill-in-your-blank persecution and relating of the X-Men’s mutants and putting a specific point on it. Chalice is not transitioning from male to female, but to a mutant gifted with powers…here called Alters. Now she protects a world that may hate and fear her across several separate issues.
- Personally, I attribute my open-mindedness as I grew up to the diverse cast of Marvel Mutants who were always there for me and never judged, and that persecution hook” has always piqued my interest in fiction and non-fiction.
- I enjoyed Paul Jenkins in the titles I’ve crossed path with him (Witchblade), and Leila Leiz has turned out some cool art. Alters #1 gets a fair shot from me.
- Supergirl #1 – One of the few non-Young Animal books I’m interested in. The Rebirth one shot was okay. Didn’t set my world on fire, but it didn’t fail me like Suicide Squad’s first ongoing issue did (that was one of the others I was interested in). It looks like a mix of Buffy and Supergirl’s show with Rebirth fondant holding the cake together. My enjoyment will come from the cake to fondant balance, which I’ve found iffy across Rebirth’s board.
- Glitterbomb #1 – A horror-satire on celebity culture and fame, fading, and failure. Farrah Durante is a struggling middle-aged actress in youth-obsessed Hollywood. She becomes a beacon for a horror that lurks in the depths offshore, something that gives her the power to exact revenge on the shallow industry that took the best years of her life before leaving her behind.
- This could be a good companion to the movie Neon Demon from earlier this year. Same concepts, hoping for a better execution.
- Papergirls #9 – My favourite series of last year is keeping its position for now. This title drops cliffhangers like no other while every issue seeds a little bit more and pans a little bit out while keeping you blind and strapped in.
- Harley Quinn #3
- Daredevil #11
- Uncanny X-Men #12
