NEW COMICS 4 THIS WEEK (08/07/24)
*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10*
Absolute Power # 2 
Avengers # 17 
Batman # 151
Blue Beetle # 11 
Daredevil # 12
EC Cruel Universe # 1
Free Agents # 2
Gatchaman # 2
Incredible Hulk # 15
Kosher Mafia # 1 
Shazam! # 14
Space Ghost # 4
Spectacular Spider-Men # 6
Spider-Man: Black Suit & Blood # 1
Thundercats: Cheetara # 2
Uncanny X-Men # 1
EC Cruel Universe # 1– The revival of EC Comics continues with this new Science-Fiction anthology series that follows in the footsteps of “Weird Science” & “Weird Fantasy” but this new series feels more like a mixed bag even with the A-List talent they recruited to tell such gripping stories that starts strong with “The Champion” by Matt Kindt & Kano and “Solo Shift” by Corinna Becko & Caitlin Yarsky but the other stories tend to go for the more mean-spirited endings to get a shock out of the readers which are fine but it feels like some fans want more awe and weirdness in these type of stories that sets it apart from EC’s horror material. A bumpy start to this anthology but it’s still a fantastic read from beginning to end that will mystify the readers while staying true to the original incarnations of EC.
Kosher Mafia # 1– What do you get when you take the premise of “Once Upon A Time In America” with a Jewish setting?- A unique title such as this one where the concept is intriguing! The story puts focus on Ephraim Gold, an enforcer for the Kosher Nostra in Clevland, Ohio circa 1936; There, he meets up with a bookkeeper named Howard Berkowicz Who is ordered to “retire” him after Howard repeatedly asked the Kosher Nostra to protect their community against rising Nazism; This is an interesting take on Jewish gangsters during the WWII era that offers captivating characters and the overall story revels in its historical setting that gives readers a gangster story for the ages and yes, this title may not be to anyone’s liking but historical fanatics will enjoy it with much fanfare and with such fantastic art to accompany the writing, this is a series that can’t be missed.
Spider-Man: Black Suit & Blood # 1– Spider-Man’s black costume (either the symbiote or the cloth version) gets the spotlight in this new anthology series that once again uses a color palette but also features stories that lean into a dark factor; For the most part, Spidey vets J.M. DeMatteis and J. Michael Straczynski serve up tales that will appeal to any old-school Spidey fan while Alyssa Wong’s contribution focuses on Mary Jane’s fear of Peter wearing the black suit, further touching on that one particular plot thread from Amazing Spider-Man # 300, that will no doubt send chills down anyone’s spine, the same goes for Dustin Nguyen’s tale (This entry will frighten the readers out of their socks, to say the very least!); Anthologies can be hit or miss but to see this one focus on the more dark side of Spider-Man is a welcome addition that will keep anyone entranced as this series rolls on.
Uncanny X-Men # 1– IT’S BACK!!! IT’S FINALLY BACK!! The second core book to come out of the “From The Ashes” relaunch comes with a huge amount of excitement and a stellar creative team in Gail Simone (Who has not lost a step in her writing) and David Marquez (His artwork belongs in a museum. Just saying!!) that’s looking to win back those X-fans who may not have been overly enthralled by the Krakoa era but to their credit, they devised a story that brings back classic elements from the Chris Claremont days of yesteryear or even the Scott Lobdell era (had to say it) while at the same time, forging their path with these timeless characters that we grew up on. Simone’s focus on the main characters, particularly Rogue, works well because she sets out to make them charming but also helps in showing if they truly are up to the task of keeping Professor Xavier’s dream alive; Sequences such as the team battling a giant dragon then visiting a sick child at a hospital (a heartwarming moment that is sure to be remembered) is a clever way to bring Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine and Nightcrawler (Jubilee is probably showing up in a few issues) closer than they’ve ever been that displays them as a family more than a team that’s willing to put their lives on the line time after time. I’ve read many incarnations of “Uncanny X-Men” but this is the one that fans will enjoy with ease because simply put?!- it makes good on making it a new beginning while letting us know that the best is yet to come.
Well, that’s it for me this week. Thanks for sticking around and I will see you all next time.
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