Deep Cuts #5
- Written by Kyle Higgins, Joe Clark
- Art by Juni Ba
- Colors by Igor Monti
- Letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
- Published by Image Comics
Deep Cuts has quietly been one of the most interesting comic book series coming out of the direct market. It's a doubly unusual premise in that it is a series of one-shots, where each issue tells a complete, standalone story, and also in that those stories revolve around music, which is notoriously difficult to create comic book stories about. However, Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark have managed to do so successfully by being sure to focus on the humans who create and appreciate the songs. Deep Cuts #5 focuses on the type of person with a rare point of view on music, a professional critic who feels himself aging out of the modern sound. Each issue of the series also has a different artist, and for this outing, it's the award-winning Juni Ba, contributing the visuals. As mentioned, each issue of Deep Cuts stands alone, so even if you haven't given the series a shot yet there's no reason to let this installment pass you by. -- Jamie Lovett
prevnextGiant-Size Fantastic Four #1
- Written by Fabian Nicieza
- Art by Creees Lee
- Colors by Creees Lee
- Letters by Joe Caramagna
- Published by Marvel Comics
Whether it's the genuinely transformative nature of Giant-Size X-Men or the adolescent comedy of Giant-Size Man-Thing, Marvel Comics' Giant-Size titles have long been a source of innovation and interest for readers. This week's Giant-Size Fantastic Four appears to be no exception. The oversized one-shot prepares to examine Namor's current status quo as a prisoner with the Fantastic Four being drawn to Atlantis as a new undersea threat arises. Whether this leads to rising romantic tensions or imperial intrigues, Atlantis and Namor have long been a source of many of the Fantastic Four's strongest and strangest conflicts. Veteran writer Fabian Nicieza promises to deliver a classic appreciation for all of the characters involved framed within Marvel's current status quo, while artist Creees Lee brings digital innovations and a new vision to those familiar elements. Fans of the current Fantastic Four and those looking for an excuse to catch up on Marvel's first family alike should find plenty to appreciate in the newest Giant-Size addition to this classic comics line. -- Chase Magnett
prevnextThe Immortal Thor #7
- Written by Al Ewing
- Art by Martin Coccolo
- Colors by Matthew Wilson
- Letters by Joe Sabino
- Published by Marvel Comics
While the first story arc of Immortal Thor displayed plenty of ambition as it summoned tremendously powerful new antagonists in the form of Utgard rivals and portrayed an iconic collection of Thor's greatest allies, it's this second story that reveals the storytelling ambitions that have defined Al Ewing as one of Marvel's brightest stars. Immortal Thor #6 revealed the meta-trickery of Utgard Loki at play in a story playing with the story logic of superhero comics and Norse gods alike. Immortal Thor #7 is set to explore just how deep that rabbit hole goes in a bona fide journey into mystery. In addition to Utgard Loki, Thor is also facing off against a corporate rival in the Minotaur who threatens to shatter the fourth wall as he uses Thor's own comics against him. The exact shape and nature of these threats may remain unclear but discovering how they will unfold poses one of the most exciting new adventures at Marvel Comics in 2024. That's what makes Immortal Thor #7 the can't-miss comic of this week. -- Chase Magnett
prevnextGreen Arrow #9
- Written by Joshua Williamson
- Art by Sean Izaakse
- Colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr.
- Letters by Troy Peteri
- Published by DC
With DC's Absolute Power event on the horizon, the ArrowFam's conflict with Amanda Waller is finally about to come to a head. This week's Green Arrow installment ups the ante in some meaningful and unexpected ways, showcasing that Joshua Williamson, Sean Izaakse, and company's stamp on the series has really hit its groove. As we're nearing the end of the first year of Green Arrow, this issue illustrates how much of a gem this series is becoming in DC's arsenal. -- Jenna Anderson
prevnextMarvel-Verse: Mary Jane
- Written by Various
- Art by Various
- Published by Marvel Comics
I am always a fan of the concept of the Marvel-Verse trade paperbacks, which allow readers a cost-effective way to dive into the history of a particular character. It's about time that Mary Jane Watson got her own showcase in this line, especially after her decades-long tenure as one of Marvel's most unique heroines. From her relationship with Spider-Man to her tenure as an actress, I'm definitely excited to collect some of the highlights of MJ's world. -- Jenna Anderson
prevnextThe Savage Sword of Conan #1
- Written by John Arcudi, Patch Zircher, Jim Zub
- Art by Max Von Fafner, Patch Zircher
- Published by Titan Comics
I didn't expect to care about Conan comics after growing tired of Marvel Comics' attempts at integrating the character into its superhero universe, to varied results. However, I've been impressed with Titan Comics' handling of the character since relaunching Conan the Barbarian in 2023. Under the Titan banner, Conan's adventures have been a loving throwback to his original Bronze Age adventures, which made the character a comic book icon. With that in mind, I approach Titan's relaunch of The Savage Sword of Conan with optimistic expectations. As the black-and-white, magazine-format companion to Conan's colorful comic book adventure, The Savage Sword of Conan typically had a darker, grimmer edge that appealed to older readers. Titan is reviving the title in all its black-and-white glory and leveraging it to revive some other Robert E. Howard characters. This first issue features a Conan story by John Arcudi and Max von Fafner, a Solomon Kane tale by Patch Zircher, a prose story by Jim Zub (the writer of Titan's Conan the Barbarian), and has some bonus pinup art as well. It all sounds like a feast for fans of pulpy, sword-and-sorcery adventure. -- Jamie Lovett
prevnextStar Trek: Defiant #12
- Written by Christopher Cantwell
- Art by Angel Unzueta
- Colors by Marissa Louise
- Letters by Clayton Cowles
- Published by IDW Publishing
Star Trek: Defiant occupies a unique space in Star Trek fiction, and not just for comics. Where IDW Publishing's flagship Star Trek series stars an Avengers-like lineup of Star Trek characters from across the franchise's various TV series, Star Trek: Defiant acts more like the Thunderbolts or Suicide Squad of the Star Trek universe. The series follows a crew of characters led by Worf who are disavowed by Starfleet, if not outright criminals, including Ro Laren, B'Elanna Torres, and Spock (yes, Spock). However, Starfleet finds value in having an off-the-group band of bounty hunters around to take "unofficial" orders from command, getting the dirty work done in a way that gives the Federation plausible deniability. Star Trek: Defiant #12 sees original series artist Angel Unzueta returning to the book. He joins writer Christopher Cantwell in kicking off a brand new story arc, "Hell Is Only a Word," which picks up an unresolved storyline from back in Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 1. The arc promises a blend of horror and sci-fi, almost like Star Trek goes Alien, and as the beginning of a new arc, it should be inviting to new readers. -- Jamie Lovett
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