September is an odd time all around for pop culture; it can be filled with highs and lows, and comic book releases are no different. There is an undeniable lull between summer’s end and the holiday season spanning October to December. So did publishers keep readers interested? I’d say absolutely. These are the columns I find most daunting when tasked with them. There’s the need to cover just a few of the highlights that had a major impact on you, while taking into account the hundreds of books that get released in a month’s time. And then there’s urge to cover even more to avoid looking forgetful and receiving a barrage of “Yeah this is all great, but you forgot…” tweets.
As someone who dabbles in all comic book genres, I am glad to share some of what made this month special. Let’s get started!
Best New Series “Something Is Killing The Children” #1
Getting out ahead of the October and Halloween is James Tynion IV’s new horror series. Best known for his work at DC comics, especially on various “Batman” titles, Tynion has become a fan favorite for those stories for nearly a decade. Having his name pop up on a highly discussed horror series at Boom Studios prior to its release was a nice surprise, but the better surprise was how great the first issue turned out. Tynion fills out the first issue with a script that is all at once engaging, scary, and honest. The story is detailed, but never cumbersome. Werther Dell’edera’s loose pencils blend the normal small town setting into a world of horror and fantasy and Miquel Muerto’s high contrast colors will keep you on edge even during the scenes set in broad daylight.
Using a slightly re-arranged chronology to give us the introduction to this spooky tale, readers are given an clear singular story that takes its cues from supernatural folk tales, serial killer mysteries, and dramas about troubled teens. Mixing these sub-genres makes for an all together terrifying and intriguing premiere that might entice readers to keep an extra light on. With such a strong first issue readers looking for a new horror series will definitely want to check it out. For me, this is filling the hole in my heart left by the absence of “Wytches.”
Best Ongoing Series Featuring An Original Avenger “The Immortal Hulk”
I briefly considered not adding this series in this column because I have written about it more than once and it has been discussed by many reviewers. However, I felt it would be a disservice to not include it here. Not only is it one of the best and most original series currently coming from Marvel, it is one of the best runs with the Hulk ever done. It is so much more than the typical superhero comic relying on the same old material.
Writer Al Ewing and artist Joe Bennett have consistently crafted a series that somehow takes on everything fans have come to expect from the sordid relationship between Bruce Banner and his mean, green alter ego with an incredible amount of genre blending. For those out there that might skip over a Hulk title, “The Immortal Hulk” takes on the task of mixing supernatural, metaphysical, religious, science fiction, horror and superhero stories into this jaw dropping series that is so much better than it has a right to be.
This series balances Avengers team-ups, Carnage & Wolverine crossovers, and taking the Hulk back to his Universal Monsters and 1950s sci-fi influences in a way that I never knew I wanted or needed in my life. This is a series that exists in the great Marvel universe, but strongly stands on its own. With issue #23 landing in early September wrapping up major plot points and planting new story seeds, it is unclear where coming issues will take the Hulk. Whether “The Immortal Hulk” continues, is eventually rebooted or we see Bruce/Hulk spun off into a new series, we can only hope that the quality of storytelling remains as good as it has been. If I haven’t sold you yet, every issue has an absolutely stunning cover by the masterful Alex Ross – as well as an array of variants.
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Best Writer Donny Cates
Cates is EVERYWHERE recently and with good reason. With multiple releases in September alone, his talent is on full display. Mostly spreading his narrative tendrils through the Marvel universe with books like “Venom,” “Silver Surfer: Black,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” all with new issues in September and more with in those series and brand new series in the coming months. He’s also released smaller books like “Babyteeth” over at Aftershock Comics. He is a rising star on a trajectory rarely seen.
His talent for creating original stories with established characters or creating all new ones is something truly excellent and should be recognized by more people. Anyone reading just one or more of his current Marvel books will be impressed with how he spans the narrative throughout.
While I typically have a hard time choosing a best writer, there is no denying that Donny Cates is on fire this month, has been for some time now, and looks to be continuing his winning streak. If you’ve only read a few of his books, or none at all, look up his bibliography and buy more of his stuff!
Biggest Continued Surprise “Blade Runner 2019”
Set parallel to the events of Ridley Scott’s classic sci-fi noir, “Blade Runner 2019” from writers Michael Green, Mike Johnson, and artist Andres Guinaldo is a welcome return to the original look and tone of the first film. Whether or not Blade Runner 2049 was the sequel you always wanted, there is no denying it is a very different experience from the dark and rainy cyberpunk L.A. that exists in 2019.
Following a mystery with a female Blade Runner named Ash who is keeping a slew of secrets as she is on her own case involving Replicants, a wealthy family, and various nefarious characters. The story stands on its own and keeps away from weak fan service. It is a worthy follow up to one of the greatest science fiction films of all time, and it continues to be one of the biggest surprises in comics with “Blade Runner 2019” #3 keeping the strong narrative going.
