August has come and gone, with a lot of comic-related media coverage focused on D23 and Disney Plus’s line-up of new television series. The debacle around “will they, won’t they” for Sony and Disney took Spider-Man by storm, and the expectations of movies coming up on the horizon, especially the thematically-charged Joker feature film, continued to be highlights. And yet, despite of that smoke screen of excitement, comic books delivered the most on their promise, with several series and arcs reaching a crescendo, or introducing relevant new concepts. Let’s dive in!
Best issue: Marvel 1,000
Before any pitchfork is raised, hear me out. Marvel has celebrated its 80th Anniversary during the month of August 2019, and to do so, has published a behemoth of a stand-alone comic called “Marvel 1,000.” No, it is not an accurately numbered landmark – after all there is no series labelled “Marvel” to reach the 1,000 milestone – but perhaps that is the whole point of it. This issues celebrated the history of the publisher, having an unifying plot, with mostly one-page stories, and a very large cast of creators, each delivering one small entry through it’s history.
It is not for the story and art itself that this made issue of the month (as any anthology book, there are hits and misses), but rather by the undeniable editorial achievement that was pulling all of this together, under an absolutely must-be-met deadline. The narrative flows fluidly enough, there is a compelling undercurrent to the madness, and it is just an amazing/uncanny/incredible (see what I did there?) tour-de-force of the Marvel Universe. The vast array of artistic styles and writer’s voices shine through, as this becomes a display of mainstream comics possibilities (and a must-have for comic conventions!).
Best Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Hickman plays the long game, as any versed come book reader will tell you. His runs of “Fantastic Four,” “Avengers,” and his creator-owned “East of West” are undeniable proof of that. So when the writer was pegged to write perhaps the most long-game series in comics, the X-Men, it seemed like a match made in Heaven. It looks to be the case.
August saw the publication of “House of X” #2 and #3, as well as “Powers of X” #2 and #3, totalling five comics of his new run, including July’s debut. And in just those less-than-half-a-dozen issues, he was able to reinvigorate the franchise, generating incredible buzz with fans, lighting the sales chart… and just deliver an amazing story overall.
At this time, and no spoilers ahead, the decision to split these series in two has been made clearer, with very distinctive narrative choices being made, tonally and structurally. The sense of scale, scope, and world-building is felt on every page, and as these series progress, and more attention is given to characters and dialogues, it also becomes very clear that Hickman gets these mutants. From Cyclops’s revitalised leadership, the White Queen’s demeanour, to the oppressive machines of the future (?), this all clicks into what seems a vast “Planet X.”
Best Artist: Joe Quinones
Choosing an artist on today’s marketplace is an unfair decision. August was so well-represented, from Jorge Jimenez’s work on “Justice League,” to Andrea’s Sorrentino brilliant design choices on “Gideon Falls,” to Ryan Stegman’s punch in the face delivery of Carnage madness. However, when looking at one particular artist, who managed to represent the world of comics and how diverse it can be stylistically, Joe Quinones takes the coup. Case in point, “Dial H for Hero” #6.
This series was already pushing the envelope on what types of stories it wants to tell, allowing a level of artistic freedom not always found in periodic stories. It fred up Quinones to flex his muscles on different visual flows, influences and, apparently, even drawing tools. On issue #6 of this series it really blows up into overdrive, as each pages is a jam session of characters from different worlds and realities, all portrayed on the style that would be associated to it. Not only are they well-represented, but they somehow mash with each other; like an harmonic jazz improv session, Quinones proves his mastery by making it look easy (it really isn’t).
Continued belowBest “They are Back!” Reveal: The Legion of Superheroes & The Justice Society of America
DC had been playing at those beloved characters for a very long while, going all the way back to their ‘Rebirth’ kick-off, and throughout their later series, most noticeably “Doomsday Clock.” But it was during the month of August that both the Legion of Superheroes and the Justice Society of America returned to comics, even if for a moment on the pages of “Superman” #14 and “Justice League” #30. Perhaps even more importantly that their return per se, it what seems to be the tone these teams will have when fully reintroduced to DC canon. Both seem linked to a positive and hopeful tone, with Legion’s return being tied to the successful formation of an union of planets, and the JSA with the connection and collaboration of heroes towards Justice, rather than Doom.
Best “Wait, What?” Moment: Moira X
Going back to the madness that has been Hickman’s X-Men, this one takes the podium. Spoilers ahead for those who have not been following a series. Not only is Moira MacTaggert a mutant, she is living her tenth life (?), every time dying and returning in the past on her mother’s womb (??), and influencing the life of the X-Men and the Marvel Universe as a result (???). Timelines, charts, and info graphs follow.
