This week’s Hot Comics to Buy List features a number of major moments in a number of series as well as some zaniness from Gerard Way’s Young Animal Imprint.
Poe Dameron #25
Written By: Charles Soule
Art By: Phil Noto
Published By: Marvel comics
While the cover for Poe Dameron #25 may look like this issue is the final entry in the Poe Dameron series, that is thankfully not the case. In fact, the series is doing the complete opposite of winding down. With issue #25 the Poe Dameron series is finally catching up to the beginning of the film The Force Awakens and the newest arc will explore Poe’s journey during the unseen moments of the movie, which is an exciting prospect.
I’ll admit that I’m surprised that this series has made it all the way to issue #25, considering its early struggles and sluggish pace. That being said, Poe Dameron has recently come into its own and is telling stories that are actually engaging. Poe Dameron is a character who is interesting in the films, but also rather mysterious and one dimensional. As a result, more quality stories focusing on him personally are sorely needed. Issue #25 is also the perfect jumping on point for new readers and the beautiful cover by Phil Noto is more than worth the price of admission alone.
Cave Carson Has An Interstellar Eye #1
Written By: Jon Rivera
Art By: Michael Avon Oeming
Published By: DC Comics
DC’s Young Animal line has been one of the best surprises in comics the past couple of years. Curated by My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way, the imprint has reinvented characters like the Doom Patrol while also creating its own cast of engaging heroes. Cave Carson was a major player in the recent Milk Wars crossover that featured a surprisingly deep and fun look at the effects of capitalism as well as a deconstruction of many DC icons.
This book is set in the regular DC Comics universe, but it is unlike anything being published by DC. Simply put, Cave Carson and the entire Young Animal line are weird books that are zany, off the wall but also full of heart and questions to ponder. As for accessibility, Cave Carson Has An Interstellar Eye #1 is but the second in the relaunch of the Young Animal line so this is the perfect time to jump headfirst into the insanity that is Young Animal.
Archie #29
Written By: Mark Waid and Ian Flynn
Art By: Audrey Mok
Published By: Archie Comics
Archie has consistently been one of the best series since it launched 28 issues ago. Mark Waid has managed to reinvent the world of Riverdale, while also staying true to the characters that inhabit it. Issue #29 kicks off a new arc for the series and promises to reveal the identity of Cheryl and Jason Blossom’s true parents and deliver some serious repercussions as well. The issue is also drawn by Audrey Mok who has proven a perfect fit for the series with her expressive and down to earth take on Archie and the gang.
I had the opportunity to sit down with co-writer Ian Flynn this past weekend at Toronto Comicon and he stressed that Archie #29 is the start of the most daring arc of the series yet. Since the last arc featured Betty getting paralyzed and Reggie going to jail, it’s hard to imagine how this story will up the ante, but it’s going to be an exciting journey to find out.
Lucy Dreaming #1
Written By: Max Bemis
Art By: Michael Dialynas
Published By: Boom Studios
While the comics industry is full of mature, adult driven stories featuring angst and lots of leather, there are also a number of quality all-ages series that are worth reading. One of these stories is the brand new series called Lucy Dreaming, from Say Anything musician Max Bemis and The Wood’s Artist Michael Dialynus.
Lucy Dreaming is an all-ages book that stars a young girl named Lucy, who lives out her favourite stories every night in her dreams. The series is a coming of age story in which Lucy learns about the real world and herself through her adventures in dreamland and the book features a wonderfully charming style. If you’re looking for a book for someone who’s just getting into comics, or are simply looking for a charming all-ages story then you should certainly check out Lucy Dreaming #1.
Kill or be Killed #17
Written By: Ed Brubaker
Art By: Sean Phillips
Published By: Image Comics
There’s something about an unreliable narrator that is intriguing and there’s no book that has a better realized unreliable narrator than Kill or be Killed. The series follows a man named Dylan who meets a demon and must commit one murder every month, or risk dying himself. The twist is that it’s not clear if the demon actually exists or if it’s just a figment of the Dylans’ twisted psyche. The series has slowly built cases for both arguments and it is unclear which possibility is true.
Issue #17 opens up with Dylan potentially figuring out a way out of the demon’s curse, but the only problem is that he’s still trapped in a mental hospital. The prospect of Dylan finding a way out of the demon ‘curse’ is exciting and the last few issues have really driven this series up a notch. To summarize, Kill or be Killed is a wonderful book and you owe it to yourself to give it a read.
Liked this article and want to read more like it? Check out a list of the Top 5 Best Graphic Novels to Read Right Now! and last week’s Great Jumping on Points.
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