Deathstroke Inc. Vol. 1 HC
by Joshua Williamson, Howard Porter (Artist), Paolo Pantalena (Artist), Stephen Segovia (Artist), Trevor Hairsine (Artist), Hi-Fi (Colorist), Romulo Fajardo Jr. (Colorist), Rain Beredo (Colorist), Steve Wands (Goodreads Author) (Letterer)
The Synopsis
DC’s deadliest assassin gets a major upgrade, a new mission, and a new partner…Black Canary? Slade Wilson joins a secret organization to take down the biggest villain!
After suffering too many losses, Slade Wilson decides it’s time for a change. When he’s enlisted to work with an ages-old secret organization called T.R.U.S.T. who want to take down the heavy-hitter villains, he’s all in. They’ll supply him with an all-new team and resources for his new mission into the depths of the weirdest parts of the DCU, including a new partner…Black Canary! Wait what?!
What kind of missions does T.R.U.S.T. have in mind for Slade? How about heading into deep space and stop Cyborg Superman from spreading his consciousness to every machine in the Multiverse! But as they battle the dangers of space, Black Canary begins to uncover the truth about T.R.U.S.T and exactly why they want to control Deathstroke… Maybe T.R.U.S.T. isn’t so trustworthy after all.
This volume collects Deathstroke Inc. #1-7 and a story from Batman: Urban Legends #6.
The Verdict
The clash of different personalities in this unique new team makes added depth to the new direction that the writers are taking Deathstroke as a character. The exploration of Slade as a person and how he defines himself really did a great job of showcasing the fight for his own identity. The determination and ruthless nature of his fighting skills paired well with Black Canary’s own skills, and yet the clash of her optimism and morality with his “do whatever needs to be done” mindset made for such an interesting character dynamic between them. A definite must-read for longtime Deathstroke fans, and a fresh new direction in the DC Universe.
The Swamp Thing, Volume 1: Becoming
by Ram V., Mike Perkins (Illustrator), Mike Spicer (Color Artist), June Chung (Color Artist), Aditya Bidikar (Letterer)
The Synopsis
Swamp Thing returns in a new series that stars Levi Kamei as the next Guardian of the Green!
Unable to control his transformation into the monstrous Swamp Thing, Levi is thrust into the harsh, unforgiving mystery of grisly murders committed by a supernatural desert legend. Levi must revisit past events in his homeland of India and face the deadly reality of a ravenous new villain in order to comprehend what he is truly, and horrifyingly, becoming. A new era of global action and horror blossoms here, and Swamp Thing will be at the root of it!
Collects Future State: Swamp Thing #1-2 and Swamp Thing #1-4
The Verdict
I love this new direction for the iconic DC Comics character. Levi is a heartwarming and heartbreaking new host for the Avatar of the Green, and the artwork and narrative do an excellent job of highlighting both Levi’s unique culture and backstory with the horror and gritty reality of Swamp Thing titles throughout the company’s history. The juxtaposition of the harsh desert landscape introduced in the early chapters of this new series with the beauty of the Green was great to see on the page, and having Levi as the new host allows readers to get new glimpses into the mythos surrounding the Green itself. A definite must-read for longtime Swamp Thing fans.
Suicide Squad, Vol. 1: Give Peace a Chance
(Suicide Squad (2021) (Single Issues) #1-6)
by Robbie Thompson, Eduardo Pansica (Illustrator), Julio Ferreira (Illustrator), Dexter Soy (Illustrator), Joe Prado (Illustrator), Marcelo Maiolo (Color Artist), Alex Sinclair (Color Artist), Wes Abbott (Letterer)
The Synopsis
The Suicide Squad enters a brand-new era as they encounter fresh foes and threats at every turn!
All hell breaks loose for the squad! With all new do-badders they don’t only have to worry about surviving their next mission…they have to survive each other! This volume collects the most daring tales of the antiheroes as the DC Universe spins out in the aftermath of Future State!
Collecting Future State: Suicide Squad #1-2 and Suicide Squad #1-6.
The Verdict
As a longtime fan of the Suicide Squad titles, I loved this new direction the team and series are taking. The new concepts introduced with these new characters and members of the squad were fantastic to see, and the mysteries were so intriguing to dive into. From Amanda Waller’s powerful new endgame to the divide between her and Rick Flagg and the way Waller was able to gain control of Superboy all drove this new team led by the new fan-favorite character Peacemaker. The bright and intense artwork really kept me invested in this story as it evolved, and the chemistry of this new team was unique enough to make the title feel fresh and alive on the page. A must-read new direction for the squad!
Future State: Gotham Vol. 1
by Joshua Williamson, Dennis Culver (Goodreads Author), Giannis Milonogiannis (Illustrator), Nikola Cizmesija (Illustrator), Troy Peteri (Letterer)
The Synopsis
The event that was DC Future State continues in this graphic novel collection starring the Red Hood and the entire Bat-Family.
Disaster strikes Gotham City, and all evidence points to the Next Batman! Red Hood must choose justice over his family and allies when the corrupt Magistrate enlists him to bring in the new Batman dead or alive! Featuring the entire cast from the popular Future State Batman titles, this story line kicks off the next chapter in this forbidding world of tomorrow, and does so in brilliant, monochromatic storytelling! This black-and-white collection will showcase the brutal world that’s around the corner in Future State Gotham!
Includes stories from Future State: Dark Detective #2 and #4, plus Future State: Gotham #1–7.
The Verdict
As the present-day DC Universe attempts to curtail some of the darker futures seen during the Future State event, this title takes readers back into the grim world of Gotham’s Future State, following Jason Todd when he is once again alone and separated from his Bat family. As he works to protect Gotham from the threats looming over them, the powerful hand of the Magistrate he now works for threatens the freedoms and lives of both heroes and villains alike. The gritty future the story depicts reflects beautifully in the black and white artwork that brings these futuristic versions of iconic characters to life. A great title in DC’s Future State line.
Harley Quinn Black + White + Red
(Harley Quinn Black + White + Red #1-14)
The Synopsis
Harvey Award nominated and one of the crown jewels of the DC library is the inimitable BATMAN: BLACK & WHITE – innovative short tales of the Caped Crusader, told purely in primal black and white ink. Unfortunately, now Harley Quinn wants in on the action…and she’s got her red pen, and some NOTES.
For the first time in print, 19 short tales of Gotham City’s craziest clown princess are presented in nothing but black, white, and bold splashes of red. See how Harley’s story unfolds in worlds beyond the DC Universe, in the alternate timelines of Batman: White Knight, Harleen, and the Harley Quinn animated series! Witness her darkest hours and her happiest moments! Behold a-wait a second, did she just…win an underground rap battle?!
An incredible array of talent from across the comics industry have put their reputations in jeopardy to bring you these stories. So show a little gratitude, will ya?
This volume collects Harley Quinn Black + White + Red Digital Chapters #1-17 in print for the first time-along with two all-new, never-before seen stories by writer David Mandel (Veep) and artist Adam Hughes; and Harley’s co-creator, writer Paul Dini, with legendary Batman: The Animated Series artist Kevin Altieri!
Collects Harley Quinn Black + White + Red 1-19
The Verdict
While there are so many authors and artists in this collection it would be impossible to stop and name them all, each one of these amazing creators did an incredible job of crafting unique moments in Harley Quinn’s history and bringing them to life on the page. The action, humor, and special connection Harley has to the greater DC Universe are felt profoundly in these stories, and the titles each reflect a different side of Harley’s personality and mindset that makes her character so unique. The short story/anthology aspect of this collection makes for such an entertaining and captivating new direction for this fan-favorite character. A definite must-read for Harley Quinn fans!
Crush and Lobo
by Mariko Tamaki, Amancay Nahuelpan (Illustrator), Tamra Bonvillain (Color Artist), Nick Filardi (Color Artist), Ariana Maher (Letterer)
The Synopsis
The thrilling and chaotic fan-favorite miniseries from Detective Comics dream team Mariko Tamaki and Amancay Nahuelpan collected for the first time! In case anyone was wondering, Crush is doing just fine, actually. Sure, she effectively quit being a Teen Titan. And okay, her relationship with her girlfriend, Katie, is kind of on the rocks, if you want to get all technical about it. Oh, and she recently found out her dad, Lobo, is in space jail. But that’s cool, because he’s the worst. Okay, so maybe Crush has some stuff. But that doesn’t mean she’s gonna do anything
Collects Crush and Lobo #1-8
The Verdict
I loved this title, as it gave the classic insanity and madness that Lobo is known for, while also doing an excellent job of diving more into the mindset and backstory of his daughter and new fan-favorite Titan character, Crush. The LGBTQ romance storyline that weaves so naturally into her interstellar adventure to confront her father makes this story so engaging, and the gritty conflict between father and daughter promises to keep the DC Universe more dangerous and zanier than anyone would ever imagine. A brilliant title in DC’s new lineup.
X-Corp by Tini Howard, Vol. 1
by Tini Howard, Alberto Foche (Illustrator), Valentine De Landro (Illustrator), Sunny Gho (Color Artist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer), Jason Loo
The Synopsis
Krakoa is for closers! The deals have been made. Mutantkind is safe on its new island nation. As the Reign of X continues, what are the wants of the mutants who have everything? Leading the charge is X-Corporation, headed by CXOs Monet St. Croix and Warren Worthington — a duo as cutthroat and ruthless in the boardroom as they are on the battlefield. But X-Corp needs more than just its figureheads. And as Monet sets out to staff their team with some of the brightest and most devious mutant minds available, Warren finds himself in a tense meeting with one of Krakoa’s first allies, who wants to know the truth: on Angel’s wings, will X-Corp crash or soar?
COLLECTING: X-Corp (2021) 1-5
The Verdict
The development of Marvel’s new age of mutants as the nation of Krakoa came to be formed has been the comic book publisher’s crowning achievement in the current Marvel Multiverse. The exploration of the nation’s various teams and assets has been so fun to read, and this comic was no different. The blend of business meets corporate espionage was a welcome new addition to the mutant’s evolving storyline in the Marvel Universe, and the chaos that erupts from both Monet’s cutthroat moves and Warren’s brilliant mind for business relationships adds both action and depth to the growing story that is Krakoa.
X-Men: X of Swords
by Jonathan Hickman, Gerry Duggan (Goodreads Author), Benjamin Percy (Goodreads Author), Tini Howard, Leah Williams (Goodreads Author), Vita Ayala (Goodreads Author), Zeb Wells, Ed Brisson, Leinil Francis Yu (Illustrations), Matteo Lolli (Illustrations), Joshua Cassara (Illustrations), Pepe Larraz (Illustrations), Carlos Gómez (Illustrations), Viktor Bogdanovic (Illustrations), Carmen Carnero (Illustrations), Rod Reis (Illustrations), Phil Noto (Illustrations), R.B. Silva (Illustrations), Mahmud Asrar (Illustrations), Stefano Caselli (Illustrations)
The Synopsis
A tower. A mission. A gathering of armies. Swords will be drawn in the first epic crossover of the astonishing Dawn of X! Wolverine, the X-Men, Cable, X-Force, Excalibur, X-Factor, the New Mutants, the Marauders, the Hellions and the rest of Krakoa’s residents will all feel the effects — but which ten mutants will wield the blades? Weapons both new and familiar are drawn from their scabbards as the X-Men prepare to do mythic battle against a truly daunting foe! Jonathan Hickman and his fellow visionary creators — who have painstakingly put all the pieces into place during Dawn of X — join forces to smash the board!
Collects: X of Swords: Creation (2020) #1, X of Swords: Stasis (2020) #1, X of Swords: Destruction (2020) #1, X-Men (2019) #12-15, Excalibur (2019) #13-15, Marauders (2019) #13-15, X-Force (2019) #13-14, New Mutants (2019) #13, Wolverine (2020) #6-7, Cable (2020) #5-6, Hellions (2020) #5-6, X-Factor (2020) #4.
The Verdict
This was one of Marvel’s best X-Men crossover series in recent years. The exploration of Apocalypse’s history and the war-driven world of Arakko was such a brilliant new direction to take the mutants now that they are formed into their own nation. The multi-world tournament showcases the brutal history of the mutants and the fight for survival that so many have had to face over the years. The action, mythos, and world-building took the mutants to all new heights, and the shocking conclusion will see one major change to one of the nation’s most vital mutants. A Must-read!
Hellions, Vol. 1
by Zeb Wells, Stephen Segovia (Illustrations)
The Synopsis
Bad is the new good! When the new nation of Krakoa opened its doors to all mutants and forgave all past crimes, its leaders knew that they’d have to accept some of their worst foes into the fold…but they didn’t plan for what to do with them. Not to worry – Mister Sinister has plans for the troublemakers. Meet his new Hellions: Scalphunter, Wild Child, Empath, Nanny, Orphan-Maker, Psylocke…and Havok?! Under Sinister’s direction, they are sure to become productive members of mutant society…and the new mutant team that you’re going to hate to love! Though right now the Hellions can barely keep from killing one another, let alone find a way to fit into Krakoan society. Of course, that might be just what Mister Sinister is counting on when he sends them to clean up his messes…
COLLECTING: HELLIONS (2020) 1-4
The Verdict
The Marvel Universe’s answer to the DC Comics team Suicide Squad just got another contender with a mutant twist! The twisted and chilling nature of some of Marvel’s deadliest and most damaged mutants leads one team to form in an attempt to find a place for these misfits in their nation before they are forced into Krakoa’s prison deep in the bowels of the island. Between Psylocke’s morality and Sinister’s devious nature keeping the team torn in two, and the emotional exploration of each team member’s unique psyche, this was a brilliant new direction for Marvel’s mutant nation.
New Mutants by Jonathan Hickman, Vol. 1
by Jonathan Hickman, Rod Reis (Illustrator)
The Synopsis
The new generation claims the dawn! The classic New Mutants — Sunspot, Wolfsbane, Mirage, Karma, Magik and Cypher — get together with new friends Chamber and Mondo for a new mission…tracking down their teammate Cannonball! Hitching a ride into outer space with the Starjammers, the New Mutants soon find themselves in trouble and on trial for crimes against the Shi’ar Empire! But when Deathbird returns and throws the Empire into turmoil, the New Mutants’ happy reunion soon becomes a complicated struggle for galactic freedom! Who will claim the Shi’ar throne? It’s a star-spanning adventure from the mind of X-visionary Jonathan Hickman!
COLLECTING: NEW MUTANTS (2019) #1-2, 5, 7
The Verdict
Marvel’s next generation of mutant heroes finally reunites on the island nation of Krakoa just in time for a space-faring adventure. The unique stories told in this narrative showcase the New Mutants unique chemistry together, and the writers find a great balance of intimate character growth for several characters, (Wolfsbane, Mirage, and Magik to name a few), and space-shattering action. A truly brilliant story.
X-Force, Vol. 1
by Benjamin Percy (Goodreads Author), Joshua Cassara (Illustrator), Stephen Segovia (Illustrator), Dean White (Colorist), GURU-eFX (Colorist)
The Synopsis
X-Force is the CIA of the mutant world–one half intelligence branch, one half special ops. Beat, Jean Grey and Sage are on one side. In a perfect world, there would be no need for an X-Force. We’re not there…yet.
COLLECTING: X-FORCE (2019) 1-6
The Verdict
The black-ops team of the Marvel Mutants was a brilliant addition to the nation of Krakoa. The cold, calculating mind of team leader Beast showcases the evolution that some of Marvel’s OG mutants have undergone. Jean’s morality clashes with Hank often, and Wolverine’s clash with Kid Omega on the ground makes for both humorous and bloody action scenes. The introduction of this secret society of mutant-hating powerful humans makes for a great foil and need for X-Force.
Marauders, Vol. 1
by Gerry Duggan (Goodreads Author), Matteo Lolli (Illustrator), Michele Bandini (Illustrator), Lucas Werneck (Illustrator), Mario Del Pennino (Illustrator), Federico Blee (Colorist), Erick Arciniega (Colorist)
The Synopsis
Ahoy, muties – the X-Men sail at dawn! Mutantkind has begun a glorious new era on Krakoa, but some nations’ human authorities are preventing mutants from escaping to this new homeland. Which is where Captain Kate Pryde and her high-seas allies come in! Funded by Emma Frost and the Hellfire Trading Company, Kate and her crew of Storm, Pyro, Bishop and Iceman sail the seven seas to liberate their fellow mutants – as the Marauders! But the real cutthroats are back home in the Hellfire Club’s Inner Circle, where Sebastian Shaw has recruited a new Black Bishop to aid in his machinations against the Club’s two queens. As tensions rise, Kate’s crew finds itself caught in the dead center of the Battle of Madripoor! Can the Marauders avoid being made to walk the plank?
COLLECTING: MARAUDERS #1-6
The Verdict
Kate Pryde shines brightly in this new series. The comic does an excellent job of diving into the black market work and missionary work that Krakoa undertakes to protect mutants and help their allies around the world. The intricacy of the Hellfire Trading Company and Emma Frost’s manipulations to secure her seat of power lead to some great tension with Sebastian Shaw, and the story also highlights some of the sexism that exists in Shaw as he tries to assert his dominance in the company. Yet it was Kate’s humor and heart that shone the brightest, as she fought to find the answer to her inability to resurrect herself on Krakoa. A truly beautiful comic series for the mutant nation.
Author Anthony Avina's Blog 