We've got superheroes in jeans, wizards, and bodacious babes in my pull list this week. Let's see what I got myself into!
AVENGERS #1 — 3 out of 5 stars
Chip Zdarsky's Avengers #1 drops with a chill first issue. Fair, considering the previous issues had nukes exploding, people dying, and Miracleman coming back. I don't mind the downtime, as it lets us catch up with the current status quo--superhero public relations is at an all time low due to the events of Avengers Armageddon, and Mayor Luke Cage is trying his best to keep New York from exploding. Spider-Man's spider senses are tingling and he doesn't know why, while Carol Danvers is trying to drown her sorrows (as she loses her flight and most of her power) in a Hell's Kitchen bar, which cues a Daredevil intervention. Just in time, because angelic soldiers descend upon the Big Apple, talking about a devil's contract is null and void—and they've come to collect!
I'm not a fan of street-level Avengers, but Zdarsky knows how to write 'em. Even the talky parts are engaging, thanks to Marco Checchetto's dynamic pencils. If you're reading Avengers for the first time, this is a pretty good jumping on point, even if most of the context is in other books.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS #1 — 3 out of 5 stars
Dungeons & Dragons #1 from Dark Horse comes out blasting with literal legends of the lore as protagonists. Mordenkainen! Volo! Tasha the Witch Queen! If you're hip-deep in D&D, you know it's gonna be a banger. If the name- and lore-drops fly over your head, you're in luck, because writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly pepper the story with satisfyng hints about these characters and why it's a big deal they're working together, while Ibraim Roberson and Arabson Oliveira's art work well to bring these legends to life.
With a surplus of ways to engage with the Dungeons & Dragons brand, I'm not sure how a $4.99 floppy would compete. But with just enough intrigue, drama, and a little bit of flirting, the book tries its best to keep you entertained.
RED SONJA/BARBARELLA #1 — 4 out of 5 stars
Red Sonja/Barbarella #1 sees these two bombastic bombshells go head to head in this fun little issue from by writer Homero Rios and artist Diego Yapur. Barbarella is sent by a Col. Phate to stop a trafficking ring hawking temporal artifacts—and possibly people. Meanwhile, Red Sonja is sucked into it by a mysterious mirror in the midst of rescuing an elderly oracle...and Barbarella happens to be on the other side of it! Dropped into the middle of nowhere and at the mercy of the cold-blooded Appraiser, they must work together or die trying!
As far as first issues though, this one is solid. Does what it needs to do, and looks good doing it. And look good it does—Yapur's art is incredible, and colorist Fares Maese gives the issue the Heavy Metal magazine vibes I love. If you're in the market for a throwback to Bad Girl comics, this is a good pickup!
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