Conskipper’s New Comic Day Picks: January 6, 2021

Welcome back to Conskipper’s New Comic Day Picks for the week of January 6, 2021!

Happy New Year! 2021 starts off with DC’s much-discussed Future State event (and just in case you are looking for a checklist of all the titles, click here) as well as two big Marvel releases, one from a classic Kirby creation and the other from the world of Star Wars. We hope you saved some money over the holidays!

–DC Future State: Wonder Woman #1 (DC Comics): DC kicks off their highly anticipated Future State series with a number of high profile titles (just look at our top five this week!) and Joelle Jones and Jordie Bellaire’s take on the Amazonian (rainforest that is) Princess has a lot of fans talking. Jones handles both the writing and art on the series, which pictures a new hero named Yara Flor taking up the mantle of Wonder Woman. The cultural aspects of the story serve to imagine Wonder Woman in a unique, refreshing fashion, and yet lose none of the ethical and moral strength that the character is known for. With engaging artwork and story, as well as the beautiful colors used by Bellaire, it is no surprise that this series is hitting the ground running.

-Eternals #1 (Marvel Comics): The long-delayed Eternals series by Kieron Gillen and Esad Ribic arrives this week with a lot of expectations. Not only do fans expect great things from the veteran team of Gillen and Ribic, but the series will also serve as the introduction to the characters for many fans before their big screen debut in 2021. Gillen and Ribic both know there away around the cosmic aspects of the Marvel Universe with previous work on Thor, Beta Ray Bill, Loki, and Journey into Mystery, so the Eternals are in good hands. Great art and great writing are usually the recipe for success, so this one looks like a sure thing.

-DC Future State: The Next Batman #1 (DC Comics): In what is bound to be one of the biggest sellers of 2021 (even with the $7.99 price tag), a new Batman arrives in Gotham City. The title of the mini-series The Next Batman is a clear indication that no matter what happens after Future State, this mysterious Batman is most likely here to stay in one form or another (and if Marvel can have two Spider-Men, why not DC with their flagship character?). Writer John Ridley and artist Nick Derington guide the new Batman on his precarious way through this issue, and both are up to the task, with detailed scripting and gorgeous artwork. With back-up stories featuring the Outsider’s Katana and the Arkham Knights, this over-sized package is an excellent introduction to these new characters, and what DC is trying to accomplish with Future State.

-DC Future State: Harley Quinn #1 (DC Comics): Speaking of DC’s flagship characters, you can’t leave out the vivacious rascal known as Harley Quinn! Writer Stephanie Phillips, artist Simone Di Meo, and colorist Tamra Bonvillain reimagine Harley for DC Future State in this series and as Phillips told Conskipper in our exclusive interview with her, Harley is now a “…more pro-active versus re-active” character. Harley still maintains her wild ways in the series, but she absolutely comes across as a more focused, and determined, individual. The engaging cover by Derrick Chew is a colorful attention grabber, so don’t pass this one by on the rack, as it may be gone the next time you visit your favorite comic shop.

-Star Wars: The High Republic #1 (Marvel Comics): Speaking of new takes on classic characters, the Star Wars publishing arm is gearing up for a full-scale attack on your wallet! The company is releasing a plethora of new novels and comics that will explore the High Republic era of the Star Wars Universe, one that is ripe for new stories and expansion. The first comic story set in this era is Star Wars The High Republic by writer Cavan Scott and artists Ario Anindito and Mark Morales. As with all current publishing, this comic series will compliment the novels (and future films/TV series?), so Star Wars completists will want to pick this one up. This tale of the Jedi in their “heyday” is an engaging one, and with a cover by Phil Noto, how could any Star Wars fanatic resist!