The Weekly Pull: Batman and Robin, Avengers Inc., Roaming, and More
Here's what's new from Marvel, DC, and more this week.
Alligator Loki #1
- Written by Alyssa Wong
- Art by Bob Quinn
- Published by Marvel Comics
A little over two years ago, the Loki Disney+ series gave fans a variant of the God of Mischief they didn't know they needed — Alligator Loki. The scaly-but-cuddly foil to Frog Thor became an overnight sensation, leading to a hit Marvel Unlimited webcomic, which gets collected in its entirety this week. Expect a lot of mischief, and some adorable art from Bob Quinn. -- Jenna Anderson
prevnextAvengers Inc. #1
- Written by Al Ewing
- Art by Leonard Kirk
- Colors by Alex Sinclair
- Published by Marvel Comics
Al Ewing knows how to reconceptualize a character from the ground up (see Immortal Hulk and Immortal Thor). He also has a talent for creating a team book that acts as the cooler, brainier, less predictable sibling to the sweeping, straightforward superhero operatics of a flagship title. This knack is most recently on display in X-Men Red, serving as a counterbalance to X-Men. Previously, he and his collaborators did the same with runs on a string of secondary (and underappreciated) Avengers titles: Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, and U.S.Avengers. Ewing is back on the Avengers this week, teaming with perennially underrated artist Leonard Kirk on Avengers Inc. Based on the title, it sounds like a Marvel riff on Batman Inc., but the synopsis reveals a more noirish take on Earth's Mightiest Heroes, with the Wasp (Janet Van Dyne) teaming up with Victor Shade (The Visions's human alter ego) to solve Marvel universe mysteries. Their first case: How does Victor Shade exist independently of the Vision? I'm eager to see how this mystery unfolds, and readers shouldn't sleep on Avengers Inc. -- Jamie Lovett
prevnextBatman and Robin #1
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Written by Joshua Williamson
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Art and colors by Simone Di Meo
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Letters by Steve Wands
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Published by DC
While Batman comics lately have been disappointing and I was very markedly not a fan of Knight Terrors, I'm very much looking forward to Batman and Robin teaming up again in the wake of, well, a lot of lackluster events in the DC Universe as of late. Getting to see Batman team up with Damian — particularly in a situation where there's a new villain that will require the pair to work together — feels like a reset and its refreshing so this one gives me a lot of hope. -- Nicole Drum
prevnextBatman: Gargoyle of Gotham #1
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Written by Rafael Grampá
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Art by Rafael Grampá
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Colors by Matheus Lopes
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Letters by John Workman
- Published by DC
There is a rarified class of artists working in the direct market whose names make any title a must-affair and Rafael Grampá may top that list in 2023. Grampá's interior work presents a one-of-a-kind style defined by heavily detailed line work, some of the most impactful layouts and action sequences in comics, and a singular vision that reveals unexpected angles on familiar concepts with every turn of the page; plus, it's exceedingly rare as that degree of complexity demands a great deal of time. Whether you know Grampá from the iconic and exceedingly bloody Mesmo Delivery or The Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child (the best DKR installment since the original four issues), if you know his art then you already know why Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham ought to be in every comic readers' pull file this week. It also marks a first in Grampá's career as he steps into the role of writer to present his own vision of the Dark Knight from every angle. The first issue introduces readers to a Batman who, having abandoned his Bruce Wayne alter-ego to become a full-time vigilante, is drawn into a twisted conspiracy filled by a new rogues gallery. Whatever answers await to be uncovered, comics readers everywhere know that the journey to discovering them will be filled with superb action sequences, dynamic settings and character designs, and a vision of Gotham City unparalleled in comics this decade. Buckle up, friends, we're in for an incredible ride. -- Chase Magnett
prevnextCaptain Marvel: The Saga of Monica Rambeau
- Written by Various
- Art by Various
- Published by Marvel Comics
In just a matter of months, The Marvels will be debuting on movie screens — which gives you plenty of time to catch up on the comic adventures of its three protagonists. Monica Rambeau has arguably had the most distinct history of them all, operating under a slew of code names and roles in the Marvel universe. This week's trade paperback collects just a few of those highlights, and creates a fascinating portrait of the woman Monica has become over the years. -- Jenna Anderson
prevnextCoda #1
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Written by Simon Spurrier
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Art by Matias Bergara
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Colors by Michael Doig
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Letters by Jim Campbell and Colin Bell
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Published by Boom! Studios
While, for me, the main hook for Coda #1 is that Simon Spurrier is writing it, if that's not enough for you then don't worry, there's plenty of other reasons this makes my list this week. A continuation of the adventures of Hum and Serka, we head back to the fantasy world of Coda where we've got a little bit of everything: discontent, prophecy, an apocalyptic setting, and plenty of skepticism and the challenges of dealing with both the ordinary and the extraordinary which is what the best fantasy stories do. It's a really exciting prospect to get to dip back into this world so this might be the book I'm most looking forward to this week. -- Nicole Drum
prevnextHexagon Bridge #1
- Created by Richard Blake
- Published by Image Comics
I'm a huge science fiction fan, constantly looking for exciting new sci-fi comics. Finding new comic books in the genre isn't hard; quite the opposite. The challenge is discerning which are worthwhile and will stand out from the deluge of high-concept streaming service pitches that tend to flood the direct market. To that end, a cover like Richard Blake's for Hexagon Bridge #1 will go a long way to separate a new book from the back. It's clear that some extra consideration went into the book's design, offering reason to believe the creator has applied as much consideration and effort to the story within. Based on the few preview pages available, Blake seems to have the interiors to back up the cover's promise. Hexagon Bridge's story follows a young girl with precognitive abilities and her sentient robot partner trying to rescue the girl's parents from a mysterious parallel dimension with an ever-changing landscape and meddlesome denizens. There's nothing about that premise I don't like. -- Jamie Lovett
prevnextRoaming
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Written by Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki
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Art by Jillian Tamaki
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Colors by Jillian Tamaki
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Letters by Jillian Tamaki
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Published by Drawn and Quarterly
The Tamaki siblings, Jillian and Mariko, are a consistent source of joy and inspiration amongst comics afficionados making any new release from either or both of them a cause to celebrate. Readers may be familiar with past works ranging from the transcendent exploration of adolesence in This One Summer to the quiet, but tense exploration of early loves in Skim and even the chaotic humor and forms of SuperMutant Magic Academy (a solo outing from Jillian). Each new comic drawn by Jillian Tamaki offers a unique joy and her newest collaboration with Mariko, Roaming, promises readers one of the best new comics of 2023. It focuses on early adulthood in the story of a trip to New York City that reveals romantic entanglements and tests long-standing bonds of friendship. Tamaki's loose forms and pastel colors paint both characters and settings through the lens of memory making the specifics of the narrative seem universal in the emotions experienced. Jillian Tamaki's artwork is always reason enough to seek out a new comic with their name attached, but the third collaboration with Mariko promises another introspective and profoundly beautiful narrative that simply cannot be missed. -- Chase Magnett
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