The Weekly Pull: Birds of Prey, Giant-Size X-Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Black, White, & Green, and More
This week's new comics also include a new Robin series from DC Black Label and The Amory Wars.
The Amory Wars: Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume II #1
- Written by Claudio Sanchez, Chondra Echert
- Art by Guillaume Martinez
- Colors by Valentina Bianconi
- Letters by Taylor Esposito
- Published by Boom Studios
For 16 years, No World for Tomorrow has been the only installment of The Amory Wars – the epic sci-fi saga told primarily through the lyrics Claudio Sanchez pens for the band Coheed and Cambria – without a companion piece to help explain its narrative. Sanchez, co-writer Chondra Echert, and artist Guillaume Martinez begin to rectify that this week as Boom publishes the first issue of The Amory Wars: Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume II, a comic book telling the story of Coheed and Cambria's fourth studio album. The story catches up with Claudio Kilgannon, who is destined to destroy the galaxy he calls home. Currently believed dead by his enemies, the tyrannical Red Army, what will be Claudio's next move? The long-awaited finale to the beloved rock space opera begins here.-- Jamie Lovett
Birds of Prey #9
- Written by Kelly Thompson
- Art by Jonathan Case and Gavin Guidry
- Colors by Jordie Bellaire
- Lettering by Clayton Cowles
- Published by DC
The second full story arc of this Birds of Prey relaunch continues to absolutely amaze me. Kelly Thompson's script delivers the perfect blend of rapport between the Birds and intrigue for the larger mystery, all of which is perfectly accompanied by moody art from Jonathan Case and Gavin Guidry and colors from Jordie Bellaire. Don't sleep on this series. — Jenna Anderson
The Boy Wonder #1
- Written by Juni Ba
- Art by Juni Ba
- Colors by Chris O'Halloran
- Letters by Aditya Bidikar
- Published by DC
I have always had a soft spot for Damian Wayne, my own favorite Robin. He possesses a mythical scope that emphasizes and contrasts many of the best elements within the Batman mythos, as the prince to Ra's al Ghul's ancient dynasty of world-shaping assassins and youngest "son" to the world's greatest detective (and, arguably, superhero). Ever since Grant Morrison's titanic run on Batman introducing Damian, he has remained a headstrong, skillful, and angst-ridden youth growing up in a world that demands the world of him. So it's very exciting to know that cartoonist Juni Ba is tackling Damian's role in the new miniseries, The Boy Wonder. For readers unfamiliar with their work, Ba possesses an entrancing style enhanced by a wide array of artistic influences along with a knack for modernizing mythic tales. Comics like Djeliya and Monkey Meat pull upon intercontinental sources to produce richly complex narratives and illustrations unlike anything else readers will find in stores today. What's more is Ba's appreciation for African and Middle Eastern folklore is well suited to Damian's own background as a scion of the al Ghul family, rather than only emphasizing his father's heritage. So whether readers are fans of the youngest Robin or simply seeking out some of today's best cartooning in all of superhero comics, The Boy Wonder #1 is bound to thrill them when it arrives this week. I, for one, can't wait to read it. -- Chase Magnett
Crocodile Black #1
- Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson
- Art by Som
- Colors by Patricio Delpeche
- Letters by Becca Carey
- Published by Boom Studios
Boom Studios has proven to be an outstanding curator of new, creator-driven comics in the past decade and series like Crocodile Black suggest that reputation will only continue to build upon itself. The new noir series from writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Som puts a spotlight on two outstanding comics talents in a tale dripping with moral ambiguity and suspense. Crocodile Black #1 introduces readers to a familiar world as a young man just getting by at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic discovers a pair of black crocodile skin boots that awaken his deepest (and darkest) yearnings. Readers familiar with Johnson's past comics work will know what to expect based on that quick pitch, as Johnson has repeatedly showcased a fascination with studying corrupted psychologies, monsters (metaphorical and literal), and the strange twists that make for great tragedy. Som, best known for outstanding graphic novels and magazine work outside the direct market, will offer a revelation for many comic book store readers unfamiliar with her output. Her impressions of the world are always clear but can deftly move between grounded sequences and dreamlike imaginings that dexterously twist a narrative on the comics page. With Johnson and Som in collaboration, it seems all but certain that Crocodile Black will prove to be one of this summer's most exciting new comics series. -- Chase Magnett
Giant-Size X-Men #1
- Written by Ann Nocenti
- Art by Lee Ferguson
- Colors by KJ Díaz
- Letters by Cory Petit
- Published by Marvel Comics
Marvel's sporadic publishing of Giant-Size X-Men one-shots is typically something special. This week's edition feels like a respite from the uneven conclusion to the Krakoan era of X-Men. Ann Nocenti writes this issue, and she always delivers thoughtful narratives. The story focuses on Angel as he takes on a brand-new villain called Maze, built in the mold of classic X-Men villains like Arcade but dealing with inner truths. Will this issue force the Angel to acknowledge the Archangel inside of him? Will it set Angel up for his position as co-leader of X-Factor when X-Men relaunches "From the Ashes?" There's only one way to find out. The issue also reprints a Marvel Two-in-One story in which Angel teams up with the Thing because... why not? -- Jamie Lovett
Sirens of the City
- Written by Joanne Starer
- Art by Khary Randolph
- Published by Boom! Studios
After the gloriously heartfelt Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville miniseries, I already thoroughly enjoy the work of Joanne Starer. This week brings the collection of her collaboration with Khary Randolph, a genre-bending take on autonomy amid the backdrop of 1980s New York City. Sirens of the City is a recent title that I'm definitely excited to add to my collection. — Jenna Anderson
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Black, White, & Green #1
- Written by various
- Art by various
- Letters by Nathan Widick
- Published by IDW Publishing
The idea behind Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Black, White, & Green isn't new. It's the latest take on the idea of taking a marquee character or property and offering star creators the opportunity to create a short story with their distinct spin on the concept via a black-and-white anthology, which came into fashion with Batman: Black and White, and has since been iterated on and expanded with splashes of color via anthologies like Harley Quinn Black + White + Red, Superman: Red & Blue, Wonder Woman: Black & Gold, Dark Horse's Grendel: Black, White, and Red, and Marvel's various Black, White, and Red and Black, White, and Blood anthologies. So while IDW's idea to do that same as it expands its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as it expands its TMNT line for the 40th anniversary is a little obvious, it also feels natural and organic given the TMNT's origins as a black and white comic book series. And, of course, you need a splash of green in there to reflect modern Turtlemania. But this style of anthology lives and dies based on the talent the publisher can assemble for them. IDW isn't slouching there, assembling Declan Shalvey, Paulina Ganucheau, and Jesse Lonegran for this debut issue, and the likes of Javier Rodriguez, Jock, and Tyler Boss for future installments. Whether you are a hardcore Turtlemaniac or follow great creators wherever they go, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Black, White, & Green shouldn't be overlooked. -- Jamie Lovett
