May 3

Happy Free Comic Book Day everyone!!!!

This is always one of the best days of the year for comic collectors like me. The comic companies put out free books to promote things they are going to release over the next year. Comic book shops set up special tables and give great sales to encourage people to purchase comic books.

It is important though for the customers to not only pick up the free comics, but also buy something in the shops. The comics are free for us, but not for the shops. It does cost the shops money to stock these books for us, so, if you have not yet gone for your free comics, make sure you get something else as a thank you for the shops for giving this excellent opportunity.

I picked up several vol. 1 Ghost Riders, a couple of Thanos books, a Chip Zdarsky written Jughead book, Weapon X-Men #3 (which I missed on New Comic Book Day), and an Amazing Spider-Man that I did not have yet. I also grabbed a book that I had never seen before. It was called Mildly Microwaved Pre-Pubescent Kung-Fu Gophers #1. It was so funny as it was clearly making fun of the TMNT. So I went up to the check out and showed it to the workers. They told me that it was a satire of the Turtles. I smiled. Yeah, I got that.

The Free Comics I picked up today included The Phantom #0, Black Mirror, Post Malone’s Big Rig #0, Will Eisner: A Comic Biography, Fantastic Four #1, Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe #1, Godzilla; New Heroes, Kanga-U, Mark Spears Monsters #0, Diablo, The Mighty-Nein Origins, Def Leppard’s Hysteria #0, IDW: Find Your New Fear, and Conan: Scourge of the Serpent.

Lots of great things coming in the world of comics.

Books this week:

Lost Fantasy #1. “Book One: A World Beneath.” Written by Curt Pires and art and cover art by Luca Casalanguida. My favorite new book of the week. Lost Fantasy has a cool concept and a bad ass final page. I was completely engaged with this issue when I read it this morning that I immediately sent a text to Todd saying that he needed to pick this new Image book up.

TVA #5. Written by Katharyn Blair and art by Pere Perez. Cover art was done by Pere Perez and GURU-eFX. A Scarlet Witch variant is here to cause more trouble for the erstwhile agents of the TVA. It was fun to see the characters from the Loki Disney + series in this Marvel comic. And anytime I can get more Miss Minutes is a good time.

Crush Depth #2. Written by David “DB” Andry and Tim Daniel with art and cover art by Alex Sanchez. This continues as a great new series by Mad Cave. Liana does not appear to be a heroic individual, but she may have to change if she hopes to survive under the water in the submarine that is filled with some kind of monster. Crush Depth has had two excellent issues and I am excited to see where it goes from here.

Pinupocalypse #2. Written , art and cover art by Andrew Tarusov. The newly created zombies are after Foxy and Roxy but it allowed Foxy to head back to her own house. I do not think I have ever seen a zombie surprise birthday party before. Only here. This is a fun new zombie series that turns the genre on its head.

Planet Death #0. Written by Derek Kolstad & Robert Venditti with art by Tomas Giorello. Tomas Giorello & Dave Stewart did the cover art. This is a opening issue of a series from the once again new company Bad Idea. I guess there is quite the rabbit hole of info on Bad Idea that I started to go down, but pulled myself out of. This book was cool and it was printed on the old comic newsprint. Apparently, the company is launching a new Planet Death series in July.

Fantastic Four #31. “The Fantastic Two.” Written by Ryan North and penciled by Cory Smith. Cover art was done by Joshua Cassara & Dean White. things aren’t looking good for the FF. It seems that since Ben has lost his powers because of Doom, the others are also losing their powers. So they have to try and get Ben all rocky again.

Red Sonja & the Army of Darkness #1. Written by Tim Seely and art by Jim Terry. Cover art by Mark Spears. I have always enjoyed Ash Williams from the Evil Dead franchise. I loved the TV show Ash vs. the Evil Dead. I have never thought much about Red Sonja. To be honest, I was more interested int he Mark Spears cover. I did like the book. Dynamite has been doing some good work with IPs that you wouldn’t expect. This is another one.

Mark Spears: Monsters #4. Written, illustrated and cover art by Mark Spears (Silver Medalist). I am not sure how this was delivered early, but I am glad it was. This book is solid monsters action every time out. It still has that Monster Squad vibe to it, clearly alluding to that series. The Wolfman’s howl in this issue is a perfect example.

Something is Killing the Children #41. “All Her Monsters” Part One. Written by James Tynion IV and art by Werther Dell’Edera. I purchased cover A by Werther Dell’Edera and Virgin Cover D by Anwita Citriya (Gold Medalist). Erica Slaughter is back. After a bit of a break, Something is Killing the Children is back with more tales from Erica’s backstory. I have missed this series quite a bit and so I am thrilled that this series is back.

Godzilla vs. Spider-Man #1. Written by Joe Kelly and art by Nick Bradshaw. Variant cover F art by Jerry Ordway. It is Spidey’s turn to take on the King of Monsters. Mismatch you say? Yeah it is. But that is why we love Spider-Man. He never gives up. And what happens when Godzilla gets taken over by the Venom symbiote?

Ultimate Spider-Man #16. Written by Jonathan Hickman and art by Marco Checchetto. Cover art was done by Marco Checchetto & Matthew Wilson. Oh, big time twist this issue. Did not expect anything like what happened here. Bad things are happening for Peter (and Kraven, by the way).

The Patchwork Girl of Oz #4. Adapted, illustrated and cover art by Otis Frampton, based on the novel by L. Frank Baum. Scraps is here and she is wildly entertaining. Rhyming everywhere, Scraps feels like a real chaotic creation. This has been a lot of fun so far and the book is setting up the adventure to save the newly rocky Unc.

Green Hornet/Miss Fury #4. Co-written by Alex Segura & Henry Barajas with art by Federico Sorressa. Variant cover B art was done by Jae Lee & June Chung. Green Hornet vs. Kato? Can the heroes avoid all of the mind controlled innocents that are out to get them? Who knows, but this penultimate issue sets up a big time finale.

Nights #15. “Tricky Snakes and Ladders.” Written by Wyatt Kennedy and art and cover art by Luigi Formisano. Back cover art by Armand Luro. Victor’s vampire adventures continue as this series takes an even more fantastical turn.

Rogue: The Savage Land #4. Written by Tim Seely and art by Von Randal. Cover art was done by Kaare Andrews. Rogue, Magneto and Ka-Zar are on their mission, trying to stop a Savage Land war while their powers are sort of on the fritz. However, Magneto thinks he knows what is going on.. it’s Rogue’s doing. Huh?

Void Rivals #18. Written by Robert Kirkman and art and cover art by Lorenzo De Felici. I have been losing interest in Void Rivals over the last few issues, but this one brought everything back to the beginning as Darak and Solila are reunited, though maybe not in the best moment possible. I think these to being separated was a big reason I was losing interest in this book. I hope things get worked out.

World’s Finest Annual #1. “Chapter Three: Certain Doom.” Written by Christopher Cantwell with plot by Cantwell & Mark Waid with art by Dan McDaid. We are Yesterday moves on. Gorilla Grodd’s Legion of Doom is executing a plan dealing with time travel. It feels a bit convoluted and poor Cheetah.

The Rocketfellers #5. Written by Peter J. Tomasi with art and cover art by Francis Manapul. When Rae unexpectedly faints, the Rocketfellers rush her to the hospital. A group of mercs come to their home with plans. This left only the dog, Rex to handle the situation… and handle it he does. A shocking final page of the issue gives us a glance at an upcoming antagonist.

Thunderbolts Doomstrike #3. “No Unconquered Land” Written by Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly and art was done by Tommaso Bianchi. Cover art was done by Leinil Francis Yu & Romulo Fajardo Jr. The new team of Thunderbolts take on the originals over Doom.

Human Fly #4. “Terror Tour” Written by Jason Franks and art and cover art by Jan Scherpenhuizen. The Human Fly has a tough issue… and he has a concussion. Mercury is here too fighting beside Fly.

Red Hulk #3. “Uncharted Territory.” Written by Benjamin Percy and art by Geoff Shaw. Cover art was done by Geoff Shaw & Marte Gracia. Thaddeus Ross, with Deathlok and and energized down Machine Man, is looking for a burst of energy to generate the Red Hulk. They are on their way to a nuclear plant, but Doom may have a different idea.

Hellhunters #5. Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and art by Adam Gorham. Cover art was done by Declan Shalvey. This demonic WWII series closes up with a fun episode. These heroes are very fun together in this book. I would be down with seeing more of this team. I mean, Bucky was picking his nose. This was great.

Kid Juggernaut #1. Written by Emily Kim and art by Minkyu Jung and Peter Nguyen. Cover art was done by Woo-Chul Lee. This adapted Marvel Voices issues with Kid Juggernaut. I thought this was a really engaging one shot and I am more excited about Kid Juggernaut than I ever was before this.

Who are the Power Pals #2. Written by Duane Murray and art and cover art by Ahmed Raafat. The second issue of this Dark Horse book continues the look at these characters of the Power Pals. I think this twosome is not being shown as a great pair. They are not necessarily likable and I think that is an interesting step in these characters’ development.

Killer Kobra #1. “The Hunt Begins Part 1 of 3” Written by Joe Brusha and artwork by Rodrigio Xavier. Cover art was done by Igor Vitorino & Ivan Nunes. I had never heard of this book before I saw it on the shelf in Bettendorf. It is from Zenescope and i had one thought… crossover with Man Goat and Bunnyman!!!

Doom Academy #3. Written by Mackenzie Cadenhead and artwork by Pasqual Ferry & Joao M.P. Lemos. Variant cover B art by Woo Chul Lee. Doyle, Shaylee and Scoop are trying to save Zoe who has been pulled into a book with fairy tale creatures. I loved Strange Academy and I think things are just as cool with them in Latveria.

The Question: All Along the Watchtower #6. “The Price.” Written by Alex Segura and art by Cian Tormey. Cover art was done by Tormey & Romulo Fajardo Jr. The six issue series drew to a finale with this issue as Renee Montoya, aka The Question, steps up to save the Justice League from the forces that have been assaulting the Watchtower in this series. I really enjoyed this book and I hope to see more of The Question in Justice League Unlimited.

You’ll Do Bad Things #2. Written by Tyler Boss with artwork by Adriano Turtulici. Cover art was done by Tyler Boss (Bronze Medalist). There are a bunch of independent comic books dealing with the idea of a serial killer (or multiple ones). This is another of those books, with Seth trying to move on from his police work and write a romance novel. I’m not sure that is going to happen.

NYX #10. Written by Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly with artwork by Francesco Mortarino. Cover art was done by Sara Pichelli & Federico Blee. NYX ends with this issue, as Ms. Marvel, Laura and the others bring down Mojo. I am going to miss this group as I have enjoyed this series. I know Ms. Marvel is going to be at the center of some big X-Men issues moving forward, but I will miss her group of New York mutants.

Feral #12. “Up a Tree” Written by Tony Fleecs and art by Trish Forstner. Cover art was done by Tony Fleecs, Trish Forstner & Tone Rodriguez. The cats escaped the big confrontation last issue with the bear only to meet up with the cat Lucky and his pet dog. They all have an idea of a way to save themselves from the horrors of the outside… Pet City Supercenter!

Kill Train #4. Written by Olivia Cuartero-Briggs with artwork by Martina Niosi of Outclass Studio. Cover art was done by Skylar Patridge. This was another penultimate issue of a great series. Kill Train gave us an unexpected twist at the end of this issue that caught me off guard. This has been bloody and brutal and I love it.

The Slasher’s Apprentice #1. Written by Justin Richards and artwork and cover art by Val Halvorson. Here is yet another new Mad Cave book that is awesome and deals with a serial killer. This time, a slasher. Our main protagonist wants to be an apprentice at the learning tree of the Hopton Valley Killer.

Dark Pyramid #2. Written by Paul Tobin and artwork and cover art by PJ Holden. Becca is in search of her missing boyfriend, a podcaster who had fallen off a mountain and disappeared while recording his show. Becca has gotten help from Shailene but has come across some mysterious and frightening creatures.

Darkwing Duck #3. “Where Did Darkwing Learn Martial Arts?” Written by Daniel Kibblesmith and artwork by Ted Brandt and Ro Stein. Tad Stones did the cover art. This issue goes into Darkwing’s mysterious past and we find out that he was just like Po in Kung Fu Panda and Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange. Funny book.

Other books this week: Wolverine and Kitty Pryde #1, Godzilla vs. Los Angeles #1, Frankenstein: New World-The Sea of Forever #3, Parliament of Rooks #5, Doom’s Division #2, The Seasons #4, and Something Crawled Out #1-2.