This week ECHG writer Adam Holtzapfel gives us a look at what’s a must read in the comic world.
I’ll preface this by saying this is a topic I’ve been meaning to cover for several months, but life happens.
The first comic I want to cover is Shirtless Bear Fighter from Image Comics. If you’re a fan of stuff like Axe Cop you’ll love this 5 issue mini series that is now available as a trade (for those not in the know it’s one book collecting all 5 issues). Written by Jody Leheup & Sebastian Girner with art by Nil Vendrell & Mike Spicer this is sure to be a favorite of readers that like books that don’t take themselves too seriously. In this series we get the story of Shirtless, a man raised by bears. After the death of his lady at the betrayal of the bears he decides to fight them. The series starts off with bears attacking Major City and Shirtless has one mission, to punch those bears in the face. Peppered with comedy and just being an absurd story overall this is a fun read. I will say I’m glad Image decided on doing it as a mini series instead of an on going one. Let’s keep our fingers crossed we see another mini series featuring Shirtless in the future. You can currently find all 5 issues or the trade in local comic shops.
Next up is Slasher from Floating World Comics. Chuck Forsman brings readers a 5 issue series centered around gimp suits and gore. A psychosexual thriller with art that reminds you of Black Flag flyers and a story that is sure to make you question what the fuck you just read, this is a must for horror fans and people interested in something out there with no heroes, capes, or tights. You can find issues 1-5 in your local comic shop with a trade coming out in January 2018.
Everyone’s favorite slasher hunter, Cassie Hack returns in Hack/Slash Resurrection from Image Comics. Made popular by Tim Seeley the new series written by Tini Howard is sure to please fans of the original. Art by Celor & K. Michael Russell are sure to keep your eyes glued to the page. This series follows Cassie as she makes the transition from living off the grid to becoming a camp counselor at a slasher hunter camp. Issues 1 & 2 can be found at local comic shops.
If you like vampires then Redneck from Image Comics is the book for you. This ongoing series from Donny Cates with art from Lisandro Estherren and Dee Cunniffe is a lot better than you’d expect. This one took me by surprise, telling the story of the Bowman family, who have lived peacefully for centuries running their BBQ joint and living off of cow’s blood until something upsets the balance. Currently on issue 7, you should be able to find this in local shops as well as the trade collecting issues 1-6. This is one not to sleep on.
DC brings us an interesting offering with Batman: The White Knight. With Sean Murphy doing double duty by handling the writing and art on this, the 8 issue series takes a look at what happens if Batman goes too far. Issue 1 dives into a chase between Batman and the Joker. At the end of the first issue we see a change in the Joker as he gives up crime to become the White Knight to not only save Gotham City, but to save Batman as well. You can find issue 1 (3rd printing), 2 (2nd printing), and the highly in demand issue 3 at local shops.
Another Batman series from DC is Batman Creature Of The Night. Written by Kurt Busiek with art by John Paul Leon, this series examines what happens in a world where superheroes are just in comic books? If you read Busiek’s 2004 mini series Superman Secret Identity then you will have an idea where this book is going. This is an examination of Bruce Wainwright’s life, a child who is a huge Batman fan. As his life takes a turn for the worse what would happen if somehow he became his favorite character or does he choose a different path? Issue 1 is in local shops.
Lastly we take a look at Astonishing X-Men from Marvel Comics. Written by Charles Soule with art by Jim Cheung this series begins with Shadow King up to his old tricks. With a team consisting of Psylocke, Angel/Archangel, Rogue, Gambit, Bishop, and more can they stop him or will the Earth perish? With Marvel currently having what seems like 800 mutant focused books, this is the strongest one on the shelves. I’d also add X-Men Blue & X-Men Gold as solid reads, but if I had to choose one series it would be Astonishing X-Men. You can currently find issues 1-6 in shops or a trade collecting all 6 will be out in February 2018.
(Images taken from Google)
