Welcome back to Conskipper’s New Comic Day Picks for the week of August 11, 2021!
This week brings a number of new series, new story arcs, and a lot of fun at your local comic shop. There are also a ton of free comics available from participating comic book stores this Saturday, August 14, so whether you go to your local shop today or on Saturday, be sure to pick up this week’s hits and some freebies (and you can read more about this year’s FCBD right here).
–The Unbelievable Unteens #1 (Dark Horse Comics): Jeff Lemire and Tyler Crook team up for an exploration of the teen heroes of the Black Hammer universe in The Unbelievable Unteens. As usual with Black Hammer comics, the story examines the superhero genre in an irreverent, loving, and metacognitive fashion, delivering the perfect combination for long-time fans of the medium. And speaking of combos, having Lemire and Crooks on the series is a real treat for Dark Horse Comics readers, uniting two creators from two of their biggest critical hits: Black Hammer and Harrow County. This one is not to be missed,
–Hardware: Season One #1 (Milestone/DC Comics): The arrival of Milestone’s new Hardware series completes the original trinity of heroes and comics for the company, joining Static and Icon and Rocket on the comic shelves once again. Writer Brandon Thomas is joined by Hardware’s co-creator, Milestone founder, and artist extraordinaire Denys Cowan as they reexamine industrialist/hero Curtis Metcalf and his versatile suit of armor. The first issue provides a solid jumping on point for new readers and will also please those who were there for the first time around the block in 1993 (and yes, we still have all of the polybagged first issues in the basement…).
–Detective Comics #1041 (DC Comics): The brand new story arc by Mariko Tamaki, Dan Mora, and Jordie Bellaire kicks off in Detective Comics #1041, as the Bat’s foes unite to finally put the man who put them front of a judge multiple times on trial. And “trials” there will be for the Dark Knight when the vast majority of his foes come together for their common good.
As has been standard for DC Comics flagship titles as of late, this issue also begins the back-up feature The Road to Task Force Z by Matt Rosenberg, Darick Robertson, and Diego Rodriguez. We all know about Amanda Waller and her Task Force X (and perhaps you’ve heard of the recent James Gunn film as well), but the mystery is just beginning for this new group which has ties to some notable characters including the Dark Knight Detective himself. For Batman, and DC fans, this one delivers on all fronts.
–Captain Marvel #31 (Marvel Comics): We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Kelly Thompson’s run of Captain Marvel is the best in the character’s long history. And if for some reason, you haven’t picked it up, we are giving you yet another chance to do the right thing, and start with issue #31 (and, you know, track down the previous trades or back issues as well).
Thompson’s stories capture the history and back story that makes Marvel fans of old happy, while at the same time expanding on her mythos in new and creative ways. The start of a new story arc sees Carol and Rhodey rekindle their on-again/off-again relationship, as they go on vacation, and just when they are settling down, a distress call comes in from Carol’s half sister—Lauri-ell, the new Kree Accuser. And you know what that means…time to head for space once again. Thompson is joined by Takeshi Miyazawa and Ian Herring who deliver the romance, whimsy, and action. The rotating teams of artists and writers have also expanded the look and visual storytelling of the series, and compliment all aspects of Carol’s complicated life.
-Elric: The Dreaming City #1 (Titan Comics): Next to Conan and Kull, Michael Moorcock’s Elric of Melniboné ranks pretty high in the eyes of sword and sorcery fans, whether in original novel form or his many comic adaptations. Titan Comics continues the Elric series this week with another excellent retelling in The Dreaming City. The art by Julie Telo is superb and Julien Blondel returns to expertly guide the wayward prince through Moorcock’s original story. If you are new to the character, track down some of the trade collections from Titan and be sure to check out the variant cover by Valentin Secher below.
That’s it for this week. Enjoy Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, and be sure to keep your local comic shops cash register ringing.