All week long The Beat has been covering all facets of the comic book industry and attempting to secure our own doors away from the various comics characters who attempt to breach the domain in which we all live under one roof: The Stately Beat Manor. Together, members of the Manor bolted down each window, locked every door, and secured ourselves from being distracted by members of the Circus of Crime — who had been causing damage across the City — or so we heard from our own outside sources. Due to characters from the Marvel Universe continually breaching the manor, we took all necessary precautions. Unfortunately, we locked ourselves in with the Circus, whose individual members took our Beat contributors one-by-one. Their various tricks distracted us long enough from to steal our entire supply of gold. The Gold-less contributors of the Beat Manor continued to deliver carefully curated staff picks of the best comics of the week. The following is a public service announcement to comics lovers around the world wondering what books to purchase this very week!
Alex’s Picks:
Weirdworld #1
Writer: Jason Aaron Artist: Mike Del Mundo
Welcome to the wildest, most dangerous new corner of the Marvel Universe. Welcome to Weirdworld.
• A world of swords and sorcery and strange, perverted science. A world where one barbarian walks alone, on a dark and savage quest though all things weird and fantastic from throughout Marvel history.
• His name is Arkon. A lost man in a lost world. Follow him if you dare.
We’ve been waiting to dive into the fabulous land of Weirdworld #1 for quite sometime here at The Beat. the story hailing from Marvel written by Jason Aaron with art from Mike Del Mundo has been one of our most anticipated tie-ins from the entire Secret Wars event. With Secret Wars providing an excuse from Marvel creators to take chances that are event more off the wall than usual comes the titular story, centered around a Conan analogue known as Arkon, a lost man in a lost world. Join the saga of Arkon as we continue to explore parts of the Marvel Universe that remained hidden until the 70’s!
Starfire #1
Writer: Amanda Conner Artist: Emanuela Lupacchino
From the writers of the outrageous smash hit HARLEY QUINN comes former Outlaw Starfire in her all-new ongoing series! She’s an alien warrior princess trying to find peace on Earth, and she’ll fight anyone and anything to get it!
The debut of the New 52 saw a lot of controversy from the character of Starfire, as the female hero initially solicited sexual acts from the male heroes in Red Hood and the Outlaws #1. Thankfully, Amanda Conner seems to have something different to say about the heroine in the upcoming Starfire solo title with pencils by Emanuela Lupacchino. While it is too soon to discover if Conner can do justice to the good will behind her name and the character, it seems that the lead is simply trying to find peace on Earth even with her more violent tendencies entrenched within the alien.
Dave’s Pick:
Savage Dragon #204
Story/Art: Erik Larsen
Malcolm Dragon vs. Angel Dragon? It comes to this-as Malcolm and Angel have it out in what may be our strangest issue yet.
On top of all that, it’s got a Captain Ultimate back up strip. If you aren’t reading the book published by Monkeybrain Comics, it’s one of the best all ages comics on the digital market.
Kyle’s Picks:
Gotham Academy #7
Writers: Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher Art: Karl Kerschl
Special guest student Damian Wayne drops by the academy – and he is not pleased to meet his new classmates!
Of all of DC’s “new look” titles that came about towards the end of the New 52 era, Gotham Academy was definitely the most stylized. With gorgeous art from Karl Kerschl, and scripting from Brendan Fletcher and Becky Cloonan that evokes a nearly Miyazaki like tone, it’s the title that sets itself apart from the rest of the pack with charm and storybook style grace. Issue 7 sees Damian Wayne join the pack of students at this Bruce Wayne funded school, and given that he might be DC’s best new character of the past ten years, that makes Gotham Academy all the more of a must read. Jump on-board now!
Nameless #4
Writer: Grant Morrison Artist: Chris Burnham
The world descends into chaos and the astronauts stranded in the Tunnels of Xibalba must endure unspeakable tortures when their captors finally reveal themselves.
As all human hopes, fears, doubts, and dreams are subjected to the cruel and merciless scrutiny of an inhuman, sadistic intelligence, is reality collapsing? Or sanity?
With The Multiversity, Annihilator, and Nameless; Grant Morrison has entered into a new career high-point in terms of output. Nameless can be as difficult to parse as his writing ever is, but it’s Morrison writing cosmic horror utilizing the philosophical underpinnings of Thomas Ligotti. If you can’t be convinced based on that alone, than perhaps the stunning work of Chris Burnham and Nathan Fairbairn will pull you in instead? Given that Burnham has probably been Morrison’s best collaborator in recent years not named Frank Quitely, and Morrison is a writer who I think often thrives best under particular artists’ representation of his work, Nameless should be at the top of your radar.
Matt’s Pick:
Weirdworld #1 (AGAIN!)
Writer: Jason Aaron Artist: Mike Del Mundo
Welcome to the wildest, most dangerous new corner of the Marvel Universe. Welcome to Weirdworld.
• A world of swords and sorcery and strange, perverted science. A world where one barbarian walks alone, on a dark and savage quest though all things weird and fantastic from throughout Marvel history.
• His name is Arkon. A lost man in a lost world. Follow him if you dare.
Weirdworld: It’s the comic so awesome we picked it twice!
( I sweat Marvel isn’t paying us to endorse this comic!)
I know almost nothing about Weirdworld, but a comic penned by Jason Aaron is a pretty safe bet. Jonathan Hickman called him the most consistently good comic book writer of the past few years on an episode of Word Balloon, and I find it hard to disagree. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Mike Del Mundo art on anything but covers, but the interior pages on his portfolio are top-notch. Looking forward to this.
Zach’s Pick:
Ghost Racers #1
Writer: Felipe Smith Artist: Juan Gedeon
Robbie Reyes, Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, Alejandra Blaze and many, many more step into the arena for all-out, high-speed warfare. The stakes have never been higher as the most vicious Spirits of Vengeance ever do battle for they’re very souls! Buckle up for a wild ride this June for GHOST RACERS #1!
Even after Tradd Moore left Ghost Rider, I’ve loved what Smith has been able to do with the series…but this. THIS is what Ghost Rider can be about and his zaniest. The 5 flaming riders across history meeting in the “Killiseum” (can’t make this up) for a glorious death race. May they ride eternal, shiny and chrome.
I’ve been really pumped for Ghost Racers and Weird World. Glad to see these picks. I’m also excited for Afterlife with Archie #8, Black Sicence #15, Copperhead #8 and Saga #29. So many good books out!
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