June 7, 2024

Welcome to the first post-#100 entry in the EYG Comic Cavalcade. We are kicking off the next one hundred posts with a loaded one.

I visited the new location in Dubuque for BAM (aka Books A Million) the other day and I purchased a couple of graphic novels there. First, it was Fantastic Four: Full Circle with art by Alex Ross. Ross usually only does covers but this was a beautiful job. I remember seeing this at Comic World earlier last year, but I did not pick it up and look at it. Glad I did now. The other was the 40th anniversary of Maus, with both graphic novels contained within. Maus is an outstanding piece from Art Spiegelman and I am glad it is finally in my actual collection. I do have the separate books in my classroom library.

Then, I finished up the 8th and 9th volumes of Saga by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples. I got to the final volume and I was shocked! It ended on the worst cliffhanger I had ever seen. I was under the impression that this was a collected version of the entire series, but I have since discovered that I was incorrect. I immediately rushed to eBay and found issues #55-65 available and I purchased it right then and there, the epitome of impulse buying. They should arrive any day now.

Wednesday I got to spend my first summer afternoon at Comic World and it was wonderful. I was able to purchase a whole bunch of back issues, including a trove of Avengers Vol. 3 books. I also picked up a slightly creased cover of Fantastic Four #79. Otherwise, it was in pretty decent shape considering. Todd had also brought me Amazing Spider-Man #160 as I continue to add to my wall crawler collection and some more New Warriors Vol. 1, including the previously mentioned New Warriors Annual #4. No sign of Annual #2 this week.

Other books this week:

The Last Mermaid #4. Story and art by Derek Kirk Km. This series continues to be a beautifully illustrated tale, heavily using imagery to tell the story, in particular the action bits. I have really enjoyed this story that is being told in this format that stands out among the countless books being produced.

Get Fury #2. Written by Garth Ennis and drawn by Jacen Burrows. Cover art by Dave Johnson. I decided that I wanted to give Get Fury a second chance. The first time I read #1, I was not a fan, but I must say I think that I was distracted when I read it because when I read it a second time, I thought it was much better, so I picked up issue two and an happy I did. I do like Garth Ennis a lot so I figured it was worth a second chance.

Amazing Spider-Man #51. Written by Zeb Wells and art by Ed McGuinness & Todd Nauck. Cover art by McGuinness & Marcio Menyz (Gold Medalist). Picking up from last issue’s confrontation with Norman Osborn that unleashed the evil Goblin on Peter. This issue, Spider Goblin is in full force and let the Sinister Six beware.

Uncanny X-Men #35. “Dream’s End.” This issue sees the end of the Krakoa age of the X-Men. It is also Legacy number 700, so they released a double sized issue with a ton of artists and writers involved. It is quite an epic comic, leading us into the next run of X-books.

Space Ghost #2. Written by David Pepose and art by Jonathan Lau. Cover art was by Francesco Mattina (Silver Medalist). I love this new series featuring Space Ghost. Space Ghost gets a look at how the two kids are able to help him, and they get their costumes. There is also a preview of Johnny Quest contained within.

The Mammoth #1. Written by Paul Tobin and illustrated and cover art by Arjuna Susini. This new series from Mad Cave Comics is an intriguing book. I am not sure what the story is as it is just starting, but I can’t wait to see where it goes.

The Infernals #4. “The Fall” Written by Noah Gardner & Ryan Parrott and drawn by John J. Pearson & Lola Bonato. Cover art by John J. Pearson & Tia Roxae. The Morgenstern family battles dominate this issue with Abraham coming to his end. Major things happening from Hell.

Wolverine: Blood Hunt #1. Written by Tom Waltz and art by Juan Jose Ryp. Cover art by Ben Harvey. Logan in a bar, drinking. Who knew that the world would suddenly have gone dark and that vampires would spring forth. Wolverine vs. vampires? What more could you ask for?

Uncanny Valley #2. Written by Tony Fleecs and art and cover art by Dave Wachter. Another Boom! Studios interesting book, as we have a cartoon grandfather trying to take his grandson, who had no idea he was part cartoon, to save him.

Blow Away #2. Written by Zac Thompson and illustrated by Nicola Izzo. Cover art by Annie Wu. Another great new Boom! Studios book, Blow Away follows a photographer who believes that she witnessed a murder. The trick? She is in the snow on Mount Asgard.

Bear Pirate Viking Queen #2. Written by Sean Lewis and illustrated and cover art by Jonathan Marks Barravecchia. The second of three issues in this mini series features the Viking part of this book. We also get to meet the Queen who is as brutal as you would expect. I love the special feel of the art in these issues.

Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace #4. “Terragenesis” Written by Iman Vellani & Sabir Pirzada and art by Scott Godlewski. Carlos Gomez and Jesus Aburtov did the cover art. Ms. Marvel’s new body goes through the Terragin mist once again. We also learn that her mutant powers are much like the MCU version. This is the last issue of this mini series.

Blood Hunters #2. Another issue with multiple stories. This time, we have a book featuring the Hulk, Kate Bishop and Elsa Bloodstone in individual stories involving the Blood Hunt saga.

What If…? Aliens #4. Written by Hans Rodionoff & Brian Volk-Weiss and art by Guiu Vilanova. Phil Noto did the cover art. A facehugger is running around the base and Burke wants to get himself and his daughter out of there. A betrayal shows Burke what it was like. Irony.

Profane #1. Written by Peter Milligan and illustrated by Raul Fernandez. Cover art was by Javier Rodriguez (Bronze Medalist). One of my favorite new books of the week, Profane #1 features a noir detective story with detective Will Profane. I love a good noir and this one seems to be a really good one.

The Ultimates #1. Written by Deniz Camp and art by Juan Frigeri. Duke Ruan & Alejandro Sanchez did the cover art. The new team of Ultimates are forming around Iron Man, Cap and Thor. What other heroes will step up to join this new team?

Love Everlasting #15. “Just West of Love” Written by Tom King and art and cover art by Elsa Charretier. This next arc of Love Everlasting ends with the death of the Cowboy and Joan back to her time jumping thanks to her mother.

Other books this week: The Boy Wonder #2, Minor Threats #3, What If…? Venom #5, and Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance #4.