Ten Forward: August 2016

Every month we spend an evening scouring the pages of the latest issue of Previews and pick the ten titles we are looking forward to the most. This month it's the June issue which includes comics scheduled to ship in August 2016.

SUICIDE SQUAD: REBIRTH #1

Writer: Rob Williams

Art: Philip Tan & Jonathan Glapion

DC $2.99

Kenny J: It's a double bill of Suicide Squad this month but it's best to start at the beginning with Suicide Squad: Rebirth setting out where DC’s group of reluctant antiheroes will be going in the near future. If one thing is certain it's that this latest version of the squad will be very similar to that being teased for their upcoming cinematic outing as Jack Flagg heads up the other crew but not necessarily leads them. With that gorgeous Jonathan Glapion and Philip Tan cover depicting the now essential Harley Quinn, holding Polaroids of Killer Croc, Deadshot and Katana, Flagg will have his work cut out trying to control this slew of villains making up the team under the writing stewardship of Rob Williams. Very much a solid DC writer and with the cast soon to be everywhere it remains to be see what surprises Williams has up his sleeve. Let's just say we haven't seen a ‘rebirthed’ Joker yet.

Mini Reviews 29/05/2016

We may not have time to review every book on our pull-lists but we do aim to provide a snapshot of what's been released over the past week, encompassing the good, the bad, and those that lie somewhere in between.

DC UNIVERSE REBIRTH #1

Writer: Geoff Johns

Art: Various

DC $2.99

Matt C: As someone who bailed out on the New 52 fairly early on I was hopeful that this issue would provide a gateway back into the DC Universe because, to be honest, I’ve missed have a regular dose of Batman, Superman et al on my pull-list. The last time I really loved something that was a solid part of the DCU was Flashpoint, and that actually factors in heavily here, the implication being something went wrong following the shifting of the timeline after that event. And yes, it doesn’t take much to see that as essentially a sort of stealth apology for the New 52 from the people behind the New 52 (and at this point I’m not sure if this is brave or foolish, but I’m leaning towards the former). Geoff Johns wraps all this up in an engaging tale of desperation as a character with knowledge of what should have been attempts to convince various parties they’re living the wrong life. That will probably sound a fairly familiar premise to those who’ve read more than a handful of comics, but Johns knows these characters better than most and has knack for making space time continuum dimensional madness palpable thanks to the way he hooks into the emotional cores of his characters. There’s a reveal towards the end that will doubtless get the hackles up for some, and how it’ll will factor in longterm may prove to be a problem, but as way of beckoning back lapsed readers (complete with the read-between-the-lines apology) I felt it did its job well. Thanks to Johns’ (and the artists) input it’s resolutely a DC comic book, but it’s a DC comic book that offers an optimistic vision of the future. And it’s about time. 8/10

Mini Reviews 10/04/2016

We may not have time to review every book on our pull-lists but we do aim to provide a snapshot of what's been released over the past week, encompassing the good, the bad, and those that lie somewhere in between.

BLACK PANTHER #1

Writer: Ta-Nehisi Coates

Art: Brian Stelfreeze & Laura Martin

Marvel $4.99

Billy P: I keep hearing how Marvel has little to offer these days, especially after Secret Wars, but many of the PCG folks vehemently disagree. Tom King’s The Vision, Jason Aaron’s Mighty Thor and Doctor Strange, Mark Waid’s Black Widow, and now, Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Black Panther, are must-read books of the moment. Indeed, signing up Coates - winner of the National Book Award and the MacArthur Fellowship - is an experimental manoeuvre, but, based on this introduction, one that may prove to be a triumphant decision. As I write this on a blustery Sunday morning, Black Panther #1 has sold out its print run of 200,000 copies, more than twice the demand for Miller and Azzarello’s Dark Knight III. With the character due to emerge from Wakanda, and into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Captain America: Civil War, it looks like the stars may finally align for this second-tier property (not that the Black Panther is second-rate, of course, but relatively unknown to the general populace). I have to admit, I have not followed the character for many years, except for his appearance in Hickman’s multiverse-spanning Avengers/New Avengers/Secret Wars run, but I believe that Don McGregor’s inaugural run in the 1970s is one of those truly exceptional masterpieces. While reading Black Panther #1, I couldn’t help thinking that Coates is building towards something special. The issue itself is not at all about capes flying into save the day, nor is it a ‘quick-fix’ of brawls, punches and masculine heroics (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Instead, Coates begins by building the world of Wakanda – its socio-cultural and political infrastructure – that has less fireworks, but more nuance and subtlety. This is now firmly entrenched on my current pull-list - I recommend you do the same (if you can manage to grab hold of a copy). 9/10

Ten Forward: March 2016

Every month we spend an evening scouring the pages of the latest issue of Previews and pick the ten titles we are looking forward to the most. This month it's the January issue which includes comics scheduled to ship in March 2016.

BLACK WIDOW #1

Writer: Chris Samnee & Mark Waid

Art: Chris Samnee

Marvel $3.99

Stewart R: I quite enjoyed Nathan Edmondson and Phil Noto's recent Black Widow series (though some of the later issues remain in that growing pile of unread comics presently), but the prospect of Waid and Samnee picking up Natasha's story after their incredible run on Daredevil is just a reader's dream. It certainly appears that following Scarlett Johansson's successful portrayal of Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the publisher are keen to push the character's profile ever more to the fore - something we can expect of Janet(Hope) Van Dyne in the next few years too I imagine - and from an interview with the pair over at CBR last year it seems that they have a fairly open plan with very few constraints. The interesting thing for me is that where Waid really got to the heart of who Matt Murdock was in Daredevil it seems that Natasha has always been a more mysterious, enigmatic character and I'm excited to see this master writer tackle her motives and emotions.

Ten Forward: February 2016

Every month we spend an evening scouring the pages of the latest issue of Previews and pick the ten titles we are looking forward to the most. This month it's the December issue which includes comics scheduled to ship in February 2016.

SPIDER-MAN #1

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Art: Sara Pichelli

Marvel $3.99

Billy P: Those who read the PGC regularly will know I have made no secret of my chagrin about Marvel’s ‘All-New, All-Different’ initiative. Today, you find me less cynical – well, not really, but less negative, certainly. Tom King’s The Vision and Jason Aaron’s Doctor Strange have been firmly solidified on my pull-list, so it’s not all bad. And despite my newfound distaste for relaunches, especially those that continue as if Secret Wars hadn’t happened, I am truly pleased that Miles Morales now inhabits the 616. More than that, I am happy that Brian Michael Bendis returns as writer; but, even more than that, I am ecstatic that Sara Pichelli is back on pencils! I honestly believe that Miles Morales is a wonderful creation, especially given that the Marvel multiverse is populated by numerous so-called ‘Spider-Totems,’ within which Miles is but one of many. But where the Ultimate Universe succeeded in many ways was to scribble in the margins of the main Marvel Universe without affecting the sacrosanctity of continuity. Of course, Peter Parker will always be THE Spider-Man, but the introduction of Morales – a young, Hispanic web-slinger – to replace a deceased Parker as the Spider-Man of Earth-1610 was a spectacular coup de théâtre. But despite Bendis remaining as writer throughout the character’s career since his inauguration in 2011, I found myself jumping-off once Pichelli left the book. I used to believe that a good writer could save bad art, and that the converse was untrue. However, Pichelli forced me to change this viewpoint. Will it be ‘all-new,’ or ‘all-different’? It certainly has the potential: after all, this is a new canvas for Morales, both literally and figuratively. Given my disappointment with the Amazing Spider-Man relaunch and my belief that it is time for Dan Slott to move onto newer pastures – with thanks for his services – Miles Morales may be the Spider-Man I am looking for.

The Paradoscars 2015

This is now the 9th year we've run the Paradoscars here (formally known as the Paradox "Oscars") and it was in existence 'offline' for several years before that. Yep, we like voting for a best 'things' of the year and we like it even more ever since we invited our readership to join in. So, while the PCG may have come up with the nominations in each category, the winners were chosen by you. As ever, in some categories the voting was very tight, in others (*cough*'Best Publisher'*cough*) the winner left their fellow nominees in the dust.

The winners have now been announced, once again at the local curry house with a tipsy PCG. While all the nominees deserved the limelight, we feel the winners have come out on top because they deserved to be there – in other words, they’re the best of the best.

Thanks to everyone all of you who voted, especially considering many of our nominees weren’t more mainstream, predictable choices, and we do hope you all come back for more passionate opinions on our beloved medium next year.

And so here they are, the winners of the Paradoscars 2015:

Mini Reviews 29/11/2015

We may not have time to review every book on our pull-lists but we do aim to provide a snapshot of what's been released over the past week, encompassing the good, the bad, and those that lie somewhere in between.

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE #1
Writers: Frank Miller & Brian Azzarello

Art: Andy Kubert, Klaus Janson & Brad Anderson
DC $5.99

Billy P: I know I’m in the minority, but I loved The Dark Knight Strikes Again! Sure, it was exuberant, chaotic and, at times, incoherent, but I have so much affection for that book. I mean, it’s not The Dark Knight Returns, a book that rightly dwells in the annals of graphic genius, but DKSA is brilliantly bonkers. (Check out Grant Morrison’s wonderful analysis of both books on Kevin Smith’s Fatman on Batman). Following Miller’s Holy Terror, I thought I was done with Frank. That book is simply reactionary and vulgar, a conservative wish-fulfilment that crosses the line into Islamaphobic flag-waving. Unlike his early work, Frank has not aged well, at least politically, which begs the question: does anyone actually care about a third part in ‘The Dark Knight’ sequence? Promoted as the comic book equivalent of a Hollywood blockbuster, there is so much about the economic logics of DKIII that just rankles, not least the plethora of variants which reek of the 1990s, a period which saw the market collapse amidst shiny, foil covers and a discerning readership who cried havoc and refused to toe the party line any more. On the other hand, it’s Frank Miller doing the Batman, and I was too intrigued not to pick this up. Joined this time by Brian Azzarello on writing duties and Andy Kubert on pencils, perhaps Miller’s right-wing leanings would be curtailed (in fact, Miller has repeatedly stated that this is Azzerello’s gig and Frank is simply consulting). Kubert impresses by channelling Miller’s art style from the DKR period, and Brad Anderson’s colours ensure that this certainly looks like it exists in the DK world. That being said, there doesn’t seem to be enough material to cast any judgement beyond a disgruntled ‘meh.’ I mean, it’s okay, but we’re going to need the complete run to decide whether or not this lives up to both the hype and the history. The book tries its best to end on a cliffhanger but, once more, I feel that I simply don’t care enough. I will definitely pick up the complete run, if only for the fear that the creative team are building towards something substantial and I may miss out. But for the moment: meh. 5/10

Mini Reviews 15/11/2015

We may not have time to review every book on our pull-lists but we do aim to provide a snapshot of what's been released over the past week, encompassing the good, the bad, and those that lie somewhere in between.

THE GODDAMNED #1

Writer: Jason Aaron

Art: R.M. Guéra & Giulia Brusco

Image $3.99

Matt C: The creators behind what was arguably one of the very best comic books series of the 21st century so far (although ‘unarguably’ is probably more accurate), Scalped, now turn their attention to the early  Biblical period before the Flood, where mankind has given themselves over completely to sin in the most degenerate and barbaric fashion. The magnificently intense creative synergy between Jason Aaron and R.M. Guéra is still present and correct and together they establish a profane, enthralling take on a society heading towards an apocalypse. To go into more detail would likely spoil the surprises in store but suffice to say this is not only another win for Image but also another example of why Aaron is in the midst of an unstoppably brilliant creative momentum right now. 9/10

Ten Forward: January 2016

Every month we spend an evening scouring the pages of the latest issue of Previews and pick the ten titles we are looking forward to the most. This month it's the November issue which includes comics scheduled to ship in January 2016.

Also this month, we welcome Ann L and Billy P to the assembled ranks of The PCG.

GUTTER MAGIC #1

Writer: Rich Douek

Art: Brett Barkley

IDW $3.99

Ann L: I don’t know if it’s the fact that this book is being released on my birthday next year or if it’s the part fantasy, part noir feel to the cover that’s drawing me in, but any comic that has its main character, Cinder Byrnes, trying to "lie, cheat and steal his way into wizardry" has my vote. Like you, I’m picky with what I read, and if I’m going to commit four months of my life and invest in a book, then it’s got to have that je ne sais quoi! Set in a modern NYC, where World War II was fought with magic and not bombs, Rich Douek’s Gutter Magic seems to be asking: what if Cinder Byrnes could use magic? And what if your closest ally was a green-skinned goblin, and your sidekick a powerful magician reminiscent of Hermione Granger? This has all the elements of Scott Snyder’s terrifying Wytches, Greg Rucka’s excellent Black Magick and Marguerite Bennett’s stunning DC Comics Bombshells all wrapped up into one glorious hodgepodge, and I for one can’t wait to blow out my candles, have a slice of cake and cosy up and dig into what is surely going to be a dark magical adventure.