April showers bring May flowers. April comics bring…May tonics? We’ll have to workshop that one. But anyways, what new sequential art came down the pipeline this month? From ambitious debuts to solid entries in marquee franchises, April 2021 was full of good work, from independent presses to the big names. Let’s take a look at some standout titles from April and unpack what they brought to the table.
Most Post Apocalyptic Depiction of Las Vegas: “Geiger” #1.
Here’s a story that knows what it’s doing, and has the pleasure of doing so spectacularly. “Geiger” #1 really just glows, and from a world building perspective it’s a wonderful case study in how to set a stage. This story treads familiar ground but recycles tropes in fun, enticing ways — keeping some things close to the chest while expanding on others. It’s a tug of war between reader and author. For us, we’re frothing at the mouth like irradiated zombies, eager to see how this story’s version of societal collapse plays out. From the author perspective, the carrot’s dangled just out of reach until the opportune moment strikes. The content of “Geiger” #1 might not be for everyone, but for those looking to fill the rugged super hero story in a dystopia niche, it’s there for the taking. “Geiger” #1 was an explosive first issue, but the story itself is by no means a done deal. There’s a lot of room for it to transcend its tropey trappings, and room for error too. “Geiger” #1 earns its place in This Month in Comics for that reason: this is a moment to bookmark the story. In the words of another futuristic, dystopian anti-hero: We’ll be back.
Most Vibes Per Panel: “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr” #1.
Ram V has been on a tear recently, and while calling something a creator’s magnum opus feels a little gauche, “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr” #1 is getting pretty close to magnum opus territory. the first issue of this story was an absolute Joy, and sincerely could have a place on every comic fan’s pull list. It’s got humor, heart, intrigue, mythology, and a lot to say about contemporary living and ennui. Plus, it’s just downright gorgeous. Andrade’s surreal, sensual look at Mumbai really gets the serotonin flowing. There’s a casual beauty to “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr” #1, an effortlessness to its construction that’s totally deserving of praise. Palettes mix in match, making beauty out of unexpected combinations. Pinks go with reds, dark blues go with greens, and on and on. The writing in this one is also spot on, and “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr” #1 earns its place in This Month in Comics partially just for being scripted so well. The first issue was fertile ground for plot and characters, so don’t be surprised if this title shows up in this column again. If you’re looking to recommend a comic to a skeptic of the form, “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr” #1 is a great bet.
Most Ambitious Crossover Event in Comics History: “Locke & Key/Sandman: Hell & Gone” #1.
Maybe we’re prone to hyperbole, maybe this title really is all that — you’ll have to read it to find out! But really, both Locke & Key and Sandman are iconic titles, and now that it’s happened the crossover seems, in retrospect, inevitable. Both stories involve dreamscape territories that are major factors in the plot. Both stories include an ensemble class of emotionally resonant characters. Both stories have that twinge of nostalgia about them, focusing on people (and gods) who must reckon with their pasts. There’s a lot of good ground here. Joe Hill, surprising no one steers the ship of “Locke & Key/Sandman: Hell & Gone” #1 soundly. While the story may be a bit wordy for some, reading this story feels a lot like a homecoming, which is what something like this should try to accomplish. “Locke & Key/Sandman: Hell & Gone” makes the This Month in Comics list because it feels like a milestone in comics history — not because of its immediate cultural impact or necessity, but because it’s indicative of what we’ve accomplished in the format.
Continued belowMost Quixotic Comic Quest: “Alien” #2:
What is it about the Alien franchise that makes it so prone to quality fluctuations? Maybe it’s simply that the original 1979 Alien was so complete in its execution that everything else pales in comparison — we’re chasing a high we hit forty years ago and can’t quite reach again. There’s something so engaging about the xenomorph: it’s this weird, psycho-sexual ur-demon that perches on the ledge of the uncanny valley, taunting us throughout the ages. And for whatever reason, that just scratches our itch (maybe we should unpack that?) Anyways, “Alien” #2 from Marvel takes on the franchise mantle, injecting some new life into the story. As we noted on Alien Day just last week, stories in the franchise often fall flat when they just become a “measly humans running from unstoppable beasts.” “Alien” #2 circumvents this by having its fare share of human baddies and plot points. Still, the art direction is sometimes heavy handed, and not everything fully works. “Alien” #2 still makes it onto This Month in Comics because, like any foray into the Xenoverse, just trying is worthy of praise.
Rookies of the Month: “Eternals” #4.
When we reviewed this issue last week, we praised Kieron Gillen and the creative team for making us care so much about a group of misfit and mismatched heroes who don’t as of yet have a large place in the fandom. Comics as a genre is so oversaturated with stuff that any creator who can cut through the chaff and make us pay attention is worth a second look. In the case of “Eternals” #4, it’s worth a lot of looks. Gillen’s characterizations are on point, and the entire story just feels well constructed. “Eternals” #4 might not be breaking any new ground, but it makes up for that in execution. That, and the whole thing looks pretty as hell. Ribić has a knack for painting beautiful expanses, but he doesn’t skimp on the little things either. If you’re coming at this story as a Gillen completionist or as a stalwart Marvel fan, you’ll be satisfied. Honestly, if you’re coming at this story with the hope of finding something fun to read and beautiful to look at, you’ll be more than happy. For those reasons, “Eternals” #4 finds its spot on This Month in Comics.
