Every week, comic fandom is gifted with a slew of fantastic stories from a slew of fantastic creators. These days there’s just so much good stuff out there that it can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re new to comics. Thus AIPT presents to you, Fantastic Five! A weekly column where we pick five fantastic books released during the week and tell you why you should take a chance on them via a snippet from our reviews.
Enjoy, and happy reading!
We Only Find Them When They’re Dead #4
Words by Al Ewing. Art by Simone Di Meo.
In Di Meo, Ewing has the perfect playmate. The Italian illustrator gives the book a signature look unlike most other books on the stands, with panels that crash at odd, diagonal angles befitting the randomness of space. Formerly a long-running artist on the Power Rangers franchise, Di Meo is especially skilled at drawing headgear and space equipment, which usually crowd the edges of his miniature panels. Full bodies are almost never shown; Di Meo’s art, which he colors in bright, neon tones with assistance from Mariasara Miotti, prioritizes the face. Whenever Di Meo uses a structured grid, as in the majestic flashback sequence that opens the issue, it injects a musical, almost elegiac, tone that complements Ewing’s script, which leans heavily on the poetic resonance of repetition. (9.5/10)
–Dan Spinelli
Black Cat #1
Words by Jed MacKay. Art by C.F. Villa.
The King in Black event is still quite early in its release, but Black Cat #1 is the strongest tie-in yet. Jed MacKay and C.F. Villa make a case for Black Cat to be your favorite hero in the event and beyond. (9/10)
–David Brooke
Once and Future #14
Words by Kieron Gillen. Art by Dan Mora.
On the writing side of things, Gillen complements Mora’s illustrations with a thoughtful script that has space for both a supernatural bar fight and a pointed condemnation of bigotry’s moral rot. Gillen’s long been fascinated by how people play the parts they do in their lives. It’s one of the most recurring themes in his scripts. Once and Future delves into this on both a fantastical and an ordinary level. (9/10)
–Justin Harrison
New Mutants #14
Words by Vita Ayala. Art by Rod Reis.
Rod Reis proves yet again he’s one of the best artists in the industry, and he provides so much life to the characters. Ayala’s writing is fast-paced and it’s clear that they not only understand the characters, but they belong on this title. (9/10)
–Lia Galanis
Rorschach #3
Words by Tom King. Art by Jorge Fornés.
Rorschach #3 is a great issue that shows us the making of a monster with Laura Cummings, but at the same time presents a torn conflict — if you had lived through what that family did, could you see that as normal? Looks like our main Detective might be considering that now too. So watch our for the Squids as you enjoy the beautiful art inside. (9/10)
–Christopher Franey
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