Bitter-Root-Featured Columns 

This Month In Comics: November 2018

By | December 4th, 2018
Posted in Columns | % Comments

Here in the States we’re supposed to use November to think about what we are thankful for. Allow me to give you a hand with that. Here’s your roundup on all the wonderful, sometimes sad, and occasionally scary stuff that happened This Month In Comics.

Best Issue: “Middlewest” #1

I’ve always been ready to love Skottie Young, but I was getting kind of sick of the babies thing. “Bully Wars” and “I Hate Fairyland” were a step in the right direction, but with “Middlewest” he’s finally working on a project that brings out his talents in a big way. The first issue had all the whimsy and wonder you’d expect, but the character work cut like a knife. I’m still not sure I’ve recovered.

Best Writer: Al Ewing for “Immortal Hulk” #8 and #9

Immortal Hulk #7 SMP

Comic book decompression has made most single issues hard to assess, but some writers manage to put out old-school episodes month after month. Al Ewing has been crushing it in “Immortal Hulk,” weaving together one-shot horror stories and morality plays like EC Comic issues from the 40s. Ewing brings together deep cuts and fresh ideas to prove to all of us that old storytelling techniques still have a lot to offer. Seriously, don’t miss a single issue of this series.

Best Artist: Chuck Brown & Sanford Greene, “Bitter Root” #1

The first issue of “Bitter Root” was awesome, in no small part because of the artwork. Chuck Brown and Sanford Greene share credit in the issue, so they can share credit on our list too. Their exaggerated style is perfect for this series. A little bit freaky, a little bit zany, but deeply emotive underneath it all. “Bitter Root” #1 had to introduce an extended family of monster hunters, warriors, and scholars to readers and even if there was not a single word in the issue, you’d know who everybody was and what makes them tick. From the gentle giant, to the wise old witch, to the feisty young warrior, the Sangerye family is the best new superhero team in comics. Their story is told in their faces, their body language, and their kickass gear.

Best Writer Who Is Also An Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson, “Murder Falcon” #2

Cartoonists are underrated. While the collaborative aspect of comic books is super important, there’s something to be said about someone who writes and draws. For a superstar, look no farther than Daniel Warren Johnson and his new series “Murder Falcon.” The story is light and funny. Evil is rising, Jake is a heavy metal guitarist, and the better he plays, the better Murder Falcon kicks evil’s ass. Oh, Murder Falcon is an 8-foot-tall cyborg bird monster. He only murders bad guys. The story and writing are cool and funny. But Johnson infuses the art with a deep sadness. No, more than that. A longing. Jake is forlorn. He’s got regrets. Life has kicked him while he’s been down. Things have taken a turn for the magically awesome, but his broken heart isn’t magically healed. The tension between those two tones is thanks to one amazing creator.

Scariest Real Life Superpower: Cassandra Nova’s AV guy in “X-Men Red” #10

The evil Cassandra Nova has released a terrorist threat video, using the voice and face of the heroic Jean Grey. How did she perform such a nefarious deed? Is it mind control? A shape shifter? Some mutant illusion ability? No. She just had someone use a deep learning artificial network to doctor up a fake video. As in, this is a real thing that someone could very easily do any day now. Supervillains are real.

OTP: Chloe and Max in “Life Is Strange” #1

Max and Chloe were childhood best friends, but then Max moved to the big city. She never called Chloe, not even after her dad died. But then Max manifested time travel powers and saved Chloe from a crazed gunman. The two of them reconnected. Like you do. Max tried to help Chloe solve the disappearance of her erm, “best friend” Rachel Amber, and they became even closer. They snuck around smoking weed, danced all night, and went skinny dipping in the prep-school pool. They even brought down a serial killer together. So when Max had to choose whether or not to sacrifice Chloe or their entire childhood town, obviously she chose Chloe. Right? Right!?

Continued below

The “Life Is Strange” comic knows that Max and Chloe are in love, but it also understands the tension that defines their relationship. Max really did betray Chloe when she flaked on her for a decade, and Chloe really did go through a lot, including the death of her dad and first love Rachel. Yeah, I said it. Chloe was obviously in love with Rachel. I want Max and Chloe to kiss already. The writers of the comic do too. Hell, the characters as much as say it. They need each other beyond all reason, and even though they’ve let each other be hurt again and again, they can’t live without each other. They will literally wreck time and space to be together. That’s true love.

Most Shameless Self Promotion: Wicked Intervention

Every coupla weeks, my column returns with new entries. It is loved. It is hated. In a few months, it will be over. It’s happening now. It’s happening again.

“The Wicked + the Divine” is one of my favorite ongoing series, the ultimate collaboration between Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie (and a culmination of the years of good work they’ve done together). It’s the kind of comic that makes me want to obsessively comb through every detail, read a dozen Wikipedia tabs, explore the entire discography of a pop band, and then get a masters degree in comparative mythology. I don’t do all those things. I research for and write this column instead. Come read the series and then come check it out. It’s the kind of discussion about the kind of book that reminds me why we love comic books like we do.

Brian K. Vaughan Did Some Stuff. He’s Pretty Great: Brian K. Vaughan: Saga Enamel Pins

Okay fine, Brian K. Vaughan didn’t release any notable issues this month, but we should still talk about him. His work in consistently superlative. His worst writing is better than a lot of people’s best, and those are the same people who rise through the industry. We gotta acknowledge the heavyweight comic book champ. So what did he release this month. Some new enamel pins? Oh. These are actually pretty cool.


//TAGS | This Month In Comics

Jaina Hill

Jaina is from New York. She currently lives in Ohio. Ask her, and she'll swear she's one of those people who loves both Star Wars and Star Trek equally. Say hi to her on twitter @Rambling_Moose!

EMAIL | ARTICLES


  • Avengers #50 featured Columns
    This Month in Comics: December 2021

    By | Jan 11, 2022 | Columns

    Goodbye 2021, and hello 2022! Well, not quite yet. We may be in January of the new year now, but This Month in Comics stops for no one. Let’s take a look back at December of 2021 to see what stories made our hearts warm, which stories stopped us cold, and which ones gave us […]

    MORE »
    Hawkeye_kate_bishop_1_featured Columns
    This Month in Comics: November 2021

    By | Dec 7, 2021 | Columns

    As the year gets ready to come to an end, there are plenty of new adventures starting in the world of comics! We have adventures in alternate worlds, familial fights against space devils, and cute lil void cats protecting the universe’s fate. There was plenty to enjoy this November. Here are some of the highlights […]

    MORE »

    -->