This month in comics featured the return of a few key titles that many publishers have likely been waiting to schedule until after the pandemic. I have a suspicion that our current pandemic has finally outlasted these publishing schedules. Hey Big Two, it’s finally time to adapt to the new normal! We are heading into the Fall which is an extremely important time for comic book releases. August featured key comic book entries in landmark events from Marvel and DC. “Dark Knights: Death Metal” #3 and “Empyre” #5 both fell flat for me but there are plenty of other noteworthy releases. Read on for some impressions of important releases like “Batman: Three Jokers,” “Thor,” and “X-Men.” Spoiler warning: I actually liked a few of these comic books.
Biggest Disappointment:“Batman: Three Jokers” #1
After years of hype, fans were eager to see what Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson, and Rob Leigh were bringing to DC with “Batman: Three Jokers” #1. Visually this issue was triumphant with beautiful nine-panel grids and heavily detailed art from Fabok. The oversized issue features vivid line work and a culmination of how Fabok has evolved as an artist. Anderson’s colors take chances with backgrounds and hues as well ensuring that the title appears vivid and breathtaking at all times. Unfortunately, the dour tone of the story and weak plot from Johns did not live up to the high expectations I had for this installment. To make matters worse, Johns tucked in a twist ending in the script that left a bad taste in my mouth.
I had similar criticisms regarding early chapters of “Doomsday Clock” where Johns was able to turn the series around towards the very end. It isn’t so much the content of the book holding it back as it is the actual tone. Scenes with Jason Todd and Barbara Gordon carry a grim aesthetic that the lead “Batman” title doesn’t even have right now. The issue isn’t terrible and Johns and company definitely have the page count to steer the ship in a different direction. No matter what happens in future issues I’m confident that “Batman: Three Jokers” #1 is going to be a visual delight. I would really like to go back to the days of Johns “Justice Society of America” run with Dale Eaglesham where he wasn’t taking comics quite so seriously.
Best Book/Videogame Crossover: “Thor” / “Fortnite season 4: Nexus War”
The ongoing “Thor” series from Marvel has offered a solid new direction for The God of Thunder. In a series full of twists and turns, issue #6 offered a wild new direction for the series with a cliffhanger featuring one of Marvel’s biggest villains coming home to roost. As if the issue wasn’t exciting enough, Marvel turned around and announced “Fortnite Season 4: Nexus War.” This is a videogame spin-off that directly ties into the current Donny Cates, Nic Klein, Matt Wilson, and VC’s Joe Sabino crafted run on the hero.
The tale even features the newest design with Thor becoming the herald of Galactus. Seeing these changes implemented in a different medium for a book that is working so well in Marvel Comics is an exciting prospect. Going forward I would love to see the publisher more willing to explore some of these newer ideas influenced directly from the comic books. Seeing the Marvel Cinematic Universe costume design for Thor simply would not have carried the same impact or sentimental value for me. The irony of all this is the fact that despite my appreciation for this tie-in I more than likely will never step foot in the virtual world of “Fortnite” to see Nic Klein’s Thor in action. There just aren’t enough hours in the day.
Best Artist: Stuart Immonen
Stuart Immonen’s art in “Plunge” is beautiful. His linework is fluid and beautiful on each and every page. The character expressions and body language are fascinating on any given page. Immonen is a modern master of the comic book page. Whenever I read a comic book by Immonen, I know that he has complete control of the visuals on any given page. Immonen’s art is so great at directing the eye towards the action. On top of Immonen’s beautiful visuals, readers are treated to Dave Stewart’s gorgeous colors. Stewart’s eye for the proper shading on Immonen’s art is unmatched by anyone else in the industry. This pairing is some of the best modern art that comic books have to offer. I keep crossing my fingers that Immonen will stay out of retirement long enough to draw one page of Jonathan Hickman’s epic X-Men run which we’ll be talking about in our next segment!
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Best Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Marvel’s crown jewel right now is the X-Men line of comic books. I cannot believe how much content The House of Ideas is unleashing between all of the different titles. ‘Head of X’ creator Jonathan Hickman was responsible for multiple issues this month that made Marvel’s “Empyre” event look like it was a methodical, planned-out narrative oozing with quality. The title I’m describing is not “Empyre” #5, it is… “X-Men” #11! The way the X-Men quickly assemble to battle off the Cotati forces made for an extremely kinetic issue. The title was pulsing with the right level of action and finally managed to make great use of the talent from Leinil Yu. Hickman did an amazing job focusing on Magneto’s role in the story. The issue even seeded the upcoming ‘X of Swords’ event in the opening pages. Yu’s visual direction is best suited for action and this issue utilizes his talent well.
Hickman’s August was a one-two punch with another dose of “Empyre” and “X-Men” goodness with “Empyre: X-Men” #4. This issue’s irreverence and drama make “Empyre” look like a work of art. The personal drama of Explodey Boy is Hickman at his humor-based finest. Somehow the drama with Scarlet Witch proceeds to balance out the story and give the issue a level of tragedy. Also, I’m glad to see Hickman get the chance to tackle a polarizing character like Wanda Maximoff although I never dreamed I would see it in a crossover storyline. There are so many stories to tell in the Krakoa-era of X-Men and there’s no person I trust more to tell those stories than Jonathan Hickman and his collaborators. Before we leave this topic, I want to take the opportunity to shine the spotlight on Jorge Molina and Lucas Werneck. Molina’s magical mutant zombie adventure is vivid and Lucas Werneck’s rendition of Explodey Boy is sentimentally beautiful.
Best (and only) Fandome: DC Fandome
In the month of August, there was one Fandome held. Correct me if you know of any other Fandome’s that I missed! The DC Fandome was a mix of really important information about comics intersecting with all of DC. The Milestone Media panel was a much-needed refresher on DC’s key imprint but it was sandwiched between hours of filler content that made this experience monotonous. I really appreciate how DC is adapting to the pandemic and still giving a convention-style experience. I really would have liked to see the programming cut down in half. The update on the Sandman Universe line of titles was a welcomed change that provided key interviews with important creative talent. I have an unfortunate feeling that our pandemic is here to stay and hope DC’s next event will continue to adapt to these changes.
It’s great to see so many important developments in the realm of comic books for August. I hope to see the usual output in September going into the Holiday season.
