Comics I’m Picking Up the Week of July 24, 2019

Here are the books I’m looking forward to seeing at my local comic store the week of July 24, 2019.

History of the Marvel Universe

Publisher: Marvel
Words/Story: Mark Waid
Art/Colors: Javier Rodriguez

“Everything you ever wanted to know about the Marvel Universe—in one lavishly illustrated series! From the Big Bang to the twilight of existence, History of the Marvel Universe chronicles completely, for the first time, everything that was, is, or will be! Lushly illustrated text tells the complete story of the Marvel Universe, revealing previously unknown secrets and serving as the ultimate reference book for Marvel fans! Witness the greatest tale ever told—and be prepared for some shocking revelations!”

Category: Like They Need My Help

Why I’m Excited: I can’t keep track of a whole universe on my own. It seems a daunting task to track the continuity for hundreds of characters. Even with the wall chart they published a number of years ago, understanding the connections that have been developed over 80 years of serial storytelling is a bit beyond me. Also, getting Mark Waid to pull it all together assures a good read.

Marvel

Fearless

Publisher: Marvel
Words/Story: Seanan McGuire, Leah Williams, Kelly Thompson
Art/Colors: Claire Roe, Carmen Nunez Carnero

“The fiercest ladies of the Marvel Universe—on and off the page! Straight off her silver-screen debut, Captain Marvel takes the world by storm! And speaking of the weather, Storm of the X-Men faces a problem only a goddess could solve. Add the Invisible Woman, and you’ve got an unstoppable trio in a story by Hugo-nominated novelist and Spider-Gwen: Ghost-Spider writer Seanan McGuire! Then, Leah Williams takes us back to the golden days of romance with Millie the Model! Plust: Get your dose of ‘herstory’ with profiles on classic and contemporary creators!”

Category: Tried and True Creators

Why I’m Excited: I’m a True Believer that comics are for everyone. There have been major steps forward in visibility for women heroes, and a slow uptick in the number of female creators that drive these companies and characters forward. This book looks to be a good complement to the Marvel Rising books featuring the younger set. The callback to the golden age of romance comics is a good reminder that all genres can thrive in the medium. (Now if only there were a more robust distribution system than the monopoly we have now.)

Marvel

Batman: Curse of the White Knight

Publisher: DC/Black Label
Words/Story: Sean Murphy
Art/Colors: Sean Murphy and Matt Hollingsworth

“The Joker recruits Azrael to help him expose a shocking secret from the Wayne family’s legacy—and to run Gotham City into the ground! As Batman rushes to protect the city and his loved ones from danger, the mystery of his ancestry unravels, dealing a devastating blow to the Dark Knight. Exciting new villains and unexpected allies will clash in this unforgettable chapter of the White Knight saga—and the truth about the blood they shed will shake Gotham to its core!”

Category: Tried and True Creators

Why I’m Excited: I was skeptical of the “White Knight” concept when first solicited last year, but I was very impressed by what he delivered. The art was, of course, stunning and I found it a good assessment of what makes the dynamic work well; even if Batman’s “fighting around.”

DC/Black Label

Archie vs. Predator II

Publisher: Archie Comics
Words/Story: Alex de Campi
Art/Colors: Robert Hack

“Betty, Veronica, and Predator-Archie have been left in the wreckage of their town, all their friends dead. Normally, they’d just go down Memory Lane and get home again where everything’s okay, but that’s no longer an option. It isn’t until they find an undamaged car and drive it down a different road where they can finally return to Riverdale—but their hometown feels different. And it’s made even more bizarre when they come face-to-face with a few people they’d never expect: themselves. Only different, newer versions. Little do they know, Predators on Mars are watching them—planning their next attack.”

Category: Return to a Beloved World

Why I’m Excited: Of all the genre-mash comics from Archie, none made me laugh more than the idea of setting Riverdale’s finest against the universe’s most deadly sport hunters. That the main trio survived wasn’t a surprise, but the impact of Jughead’s sacrifice really let me know that he was my fave character (unless you count Apa’s abs on the WB). Now somehow the survivors encounter new and different versions of themselves (the Waid/Staples #1 versions would be a good choice) and will likely confront the choices they’ve had to make to survive.

Archie Comics

Also out this week: A new era of X-Men under the pen of Jonathan Hickman and the pencil of Pepe Larraz. Some stores will have short comics boxes with the cover art to use in beginning your collection.

See you at the racks!