What does Secret Wars have in store for us this week? What happens to Superman and Batman this week given their new status quos? And it's a really big Wednesday for indies, with several new series launching from some of the biggest and most exciting creators in the business.
Let's dive in.
Secret Wars #4
Marvel says: ALL THE ANGELS SING!
Why you should care: Sheesh! That description is no teaser at all. But whatever. After the brilliant issue #3, we're definitely on board for the duration.
Darth Vader #7
Marvel says: The Emperor's machinations revealed! Everything changes for Vader! The tale of Vader's transformation from A New Hope to The Empire Strikes Back continues!
Why you should care: All those exclamation points couldn't be empty hyperbole. Right?
Ultimate End #3
Marvel says: THE BATTLE YOU THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER SEE! The mash up of the ULTIMATE UNIVERSE and the MARVEL UNIVERSE reaches its tipping point.
Why you should care: Bendis has been doing some of his most enjoyable work ever on this grand finale to the Ultimate universe, and so has Bagley. There's a ton of love going into this lovely send-off.
A-Force #2
Marvel says: With monsters appearing on the utopian island of Arcadia and threatening its inhabitants, She-Hulk and her team of Avengers set out to discover the source. But when they stumble upon a conspiracy that reaches far beyond Arcadia, She-Hulk may just find herself on the wrong side of the law!
Why you should care: This headline-baiting series was much better than we feared, and with a proper A-Force series recently ordered up for the post-Secret Wars Marvel Universe, it's probably a good idea to get in on this one now.
Action Comics #42
DC says: The Superman epic you never expected — "TRUTH" continues! Who will stand by Clark Kent?
Why you should care: "Who will stand by Clark Kent?" Judging by that cover art, we're guessing a whole bunch.
Detective Comics #42
DC says: The all-new Batman tries to find his place in Gotham City! But how can he manage his already uneasy relationship with the GCPD?
Why you should care: Seeing Jim Gordon as Batman is a gas, and we're admittedly curious as to how his new status alters things between Gordon and the police.
We Stand On Guard #1
Image says: SAGA writer BRIAN K. VAUGHAN teams with artistic legend and MATRIX storyboard artist STEVE SKROCE for an action-packed military thriller that will have everyone talking. 100 years from now, a heroic band of Canadian civilians must defend their homeland from invasion... by the United States of America! The hyper-detailed combat between badass freedom fighters and giant f***ing robots begins with a spectacular 40-PAGE FIRST ISSUE for the regular price of just $2.99!
Why you should care: Two words: Vaughan and Skroce. And the "Canada vs. U.S." premise is just bonkers enough to be a blast.
Chew #50
Image says: The landmark issue #50, and the showdown everyone's been waiting for.
Why you should care: Anytime an indie comic reaches 50 issues, that's a big deal. With this series recently green lit for an animated feature film, Chew has never been hotter.
18 Days #1
Graphic India says: From legendary creator Grant Morrison (All-Star Superman, Batman & Robin, The Invisibles), comes the first chapter in his newest creation. 18 Days is the story of three generations of super-warriors, meeting for the final battle of their age, a climactic war that concludes the age of the gods and begins the age of man. "This is not a Lord of the Rings or a Star Wars where the good guys win because they are right. The good guys in 18 Days are forced to cheat and lie and break rules to win. Although it has fantastic, mythic trappings, this is a very modern story of realpolitik and the failure of ideals in the face of harsh truth." — Grant Morrison.
Why you should care: A very long time ago — well, nine years — Richard Branson's Virgin empire created a comic book line called Virgin Comics. It wasn't quite what you'd imagine; it was formed primarily to retell stories from Indian mythology, with the talents of major writers, filmmakers and others. It didn't last long, but most of the titles it planned to release have found a new home at "Graphic India," a new company founded by some of the people behind Virgin Comics. Grant Morrison was involved with Virgin from the start, but very little of his work there ever saw the light of day. 18 Days is a retelling of the Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata.
Spire #1
Boom Studios says: The Spire is a mountain of metal and stone that rises out of the middle of the desert, containing a vast city of twisting tunnels, grinding elevators, and ancient machinery, and home to over a million human and non-human residents. Shå, the last of the Medusi, is responsible for keeping watch over them as Commander of the City Watch, despite the fact she isn't shown any respect due to her race. When a string of grisly murders is committed just as a new Baroness of the Spire is about to be sworn in, Shå will have to find the serial killer and bring them to justice. But the new Baroness has a deep hatred of non-humans, and Shå will have more than one enemy at her back.
Why you should care: We love original settings and unique settings, and it sounds like Spire has both in spades. We can't wait to check this one out.
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