Hey gang! We took a small break from this column, but we are finally bringing it back this month. March had some fantastic comics, but here are just a few of the team’s favorites.
Marcus Orchard – Ultramega #1
Tokusatsu and Kaiju are at their best in Ultramega #1. This thrilling debut by James Harren, Dave Stewart, and Rus Wooton takes the stuff that makes the genre great and makes it all terrifying. We have body horror, grotesque monsters, and actual stakes all packed in this giant-sized issue. If you are at all a fan of cool comics with stellar art and wild action, this is one to check out.
Ethan Maddux – Batman/Superman #16
Batman/Superman #16 is the start of Gene Luen Yang and Ivan Reis’ run, and it is a hell of a beginning. The book’s dual film reel narrative (truly the best way I can describe it) is engaging, either way, you read it (concurrently or one at a time), and is a great example of a story made specifically for comics. You couldn’t adapt this story if you tried as it’s truly unique. Ivan Reis’ art is some of his best yet, and the old-fashioned sensibilities of the plot and characters make this one of my favorite issues of the year, and certainly one of the best of Infinite Frontier.
Geoff Luu – The Other History of the DC Universe #3
This is a comic that holds nothing back. John Ridley’s The Other History of the DC Universe has been incredibly personal, emotional, and socially relevant, well worth its Black Label inclusion. In Other History #3, Ridley utilizes the Japanese character Katana’s history and unique perspective to great effect, for instance tying them closely to racism and violence against Asian-Americans, issues that still plague us today. The skill with which Ridley blends the quirkiness of comics stories with far more serious real-world issues forces us to reframe our own perspectives on these characters. Through Katana’s eyes, we see major moments from DC history in a new, sometimes uncomfortable light, but at a time in which an increasing number of people are gaining greater social awareness, Other History’s willingness to go where other comics often don’t is an immense strength that makes it both an entertaining and an important read.
Danilo Téo – Nocterra #1
This past month Image released Nocterra by Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel. This title at first had my hopes down, mostly because of the recent stories released by Snyder at DC, but it was a great surprise! Not only the story is refreshing with new, well-structured lore from the very beginning, but the artwork is also stunning throughout the comic. It feels, for me, like a mix of “Mad Max” and “A Quiet Place”. It reads incredibly well, the characters are charismatic and it’s an interesting new read. I’ll definitely be keeping up with it for a few months more.
There you have it! What are your favorite comics? Let us know in the comments below!
