We add a couple of titles that slipped by us from March and bring you up-to-date on April’s releases!
BATMAN: CREATURE OF THE NIGHT (TPB)
Written by Kurt Busiek. Art by John Paul Leon
RELEASED: 20TH APRIL 2021 / DC COMICS
A spiritual sequels to Busiek’s and Stuart Immonen’s Superman: Secret Identity (itself a masterpiece), this showcases Leon’s extraordinary art in an Elseworld’s meta-tale. Young Bruce Wainwright’s parents are killed in a robbery gone wrong. His grief manifests itself in the form of bat-like creature, not unlike Bruce’s favourite comic book character, The Batman… and so begins an odyssey for Bruce that spans decades, taking him into adulthood. There’s genuinely nothing quite like this in the current canon. It’s Elseworlds without being named as such and real-world in it’s motivations and emotional backdrop. Busiek humanises like no writer before him and takes a break from creating and maintaining epic narratives like his Marvels runs and Astro City to create a more intimate story that delves into the psyche of it’s protagonist and asks us to think about the fictional worlds we visit. Leon proves himself a master once more with his dark, detailed style ratcheting-up the realism of Bruce’s story. Collects Batman: Creature Of The Night #1-#4. Buy the original issues from our webshop. Alternatively, buy from Gosh Comics in person or via mail-order or get it from Bookshop.org.
SUPERMAN: UP IN THE SKY (TPB)
Writer: Tom King. Artist: Andy Kubert
RELEASED 20TH APRIL 2021 / DC COMICS
It’s kind of a strange thing to see a writer who loves trauma as much as Tom King writing a character that exemplifies hope as much as Superman. Even more strange then, that it should turn out to be one of the better modern Superman stories. When Superman goes on quest to rescue a young girl named Alice from the clutches of an Alien race, he finds himself challenged from all corners. But he also begins to worry that by pouring so much time and energy into the rescue of one person, he’s dooming others to an uncertain fate simply by not being there to rescue them. It’s a huge concept when you sit and think about it, one that must haunt Superman every day. Trust King to look at Clark the way no one else has in a while. Kubert’s art is a joy in this. He creates dynamic panels that sell the ideas beautifully. Another great enclosed storyline from DC, meaning anyone can pick this up without having ever read Superman before. Collects Superman: Up In The Sky #1-#6. Buy a selection of the original issues from our webshop or buy the book from Gosh Comics or get it at Bookshop.org.
NEW GODS - BOOK ONE: BLOODLINES
Written by Mark Evanier & Paris Cullins. Art by Cullins
RELEASED: 13TH APRIL 2021 / DC COMICS
Even with the promise of the movie now dashed, the New Gods remain a potent creation thanks to Kirby’s astonishing early runs and the Snyder Cut. Who better to carry the flame of Kirby’s ideas than Evanier, who worked so closely with him in previous years? This late eighties series picks up the threads left by the brilliant Starlin / Mignola mini-series, Cosmic Odyssey. Once again, we find Darkseid hungering for the Anti-Life equation, only this time seeking the very source itself! This presents a problem for Orion, who must prevent his father from attaining his goal - but risks succumbing to the bloodthirsty urges that may just be his destiny. This is a great lost series of nineties - at least that is until now - having spent many years out of print. Cullins excellent, action-packed artwork has been lovingly restored here, making the comics seem as if you just plucked them from the shelf in 1989! Collects New Gods (1989-1990) #1-#14. Buy the book from Gosh Comics in person or via mail-order or get it from Bookshop.org.
THE IMMORTAL HULK OMNIBUS (VOL.3-PANINI EDITION)
Written by Al Ewing / Art by Joe Bennett and others
RELEASED 8TH APRIL 2021 / MARVEL / PANINI
Immortal Hulk has been a pleasant surprise since beginning in 2018. Trading on the character’s horror roots, Al Ewing and Joe Bennett may have created one of the single greatest runs in modern comics, with an intelligent Hulk evolving beyond the need for humanity and truly discovering what lies beneath. It’s safe to say if you though Hulk was scary out of control, you’ll be terrified of him when Banner finally wrestles with the mind of the beast. This is truly a modern classic. This run features issues drawn by guest artists such as Javier Rodriguez and Nick Pitarra, as well as reprinting classic issue from Mike Mignola and others. For the price, the Panini reprints offer the best value on thick paper stock with excellent printing. Collects Immortal Hulk #31-#40 and more. You can buy the previous run in single issues in our webshop or alternatively, buy the book at your favourite comic shop, in person or via mail-order or buy a copy online.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (HC OGN)
Written by Paul Levitz, art by Simon Fraser
RELEASED 7TH APRIL 2021 / DARK HORSE COMICS
Paul Levitz is a name that long time comic readers will know well, especially if they – like me – are DC readers. Levitz has written or edited a lot of your favourite comics. Interesting then, to see him writing a metaphysical tale that starts like a joke: A Priest, a Rabbi and a Minister walk into a bar... only that's where the laughs stop, because these three are dead. And the bar is halfway point to heaven, a place they can't go because they have unfinished business. Levitz has created so many stories over the decades, it's great to see him work on something that feels more personal, yet every bit as engrossing as his super-hero work. Simon Fraser's art has a realism of movement and expression that really sells the moral anguish presented here. You can buy the book at your favourite comic shop in person or via mail-order or order a copy online.
YOUTH VOL.1 (TPB)
Written by Curt Pires, art by Alex Diotto
RELEASED 7TH APRIL 2021 / DARK HORSE COMICS
Curt Pires and Alex Diotto have channelled the coming of age comic through a discovery of powers story to create a queer love story that feels every bit as sensitive and tactile as the work of say, Tillie Walden. Originally starting life as a ComiXology original and now thankfully available for us luddites, this is a beautiful book that will satisfy all your comics cravings. You can pick up a copy at your favourite comic book shop in person or via mail-order or order a copy online.
BATMAN: KINGS OF FEAR
Written by Scott Peterson, art by Kelley Jones
RELEASED 6TH APRIL 2021 / DC COMICS (BATMAN: KINGS OF FEAR TPB)
Written by Bat-editor Scott Peterson and drawn by Kelley Jones, this features all of Jones' dark, gothic styling and mood. The plot is pure, '90s Bat classic, with The Scarecrow unleashing a new formula of his trademark fear gas and then manipulating The Batman into thinking that maybe Gotham would be better off without him after all. Look out for in-depth review of this in our upcoming Bat list! You can buy the book at Gosh Comics now or order a copy from Bookshop.org.
B.P.R.D.: HELL ON EARTH vOL.1 (TPB)
Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, art by Guy Davis and Tyler Crook
RELEASED 24TH MARCH 2021 / DARK HORSE COMICS
These trade paperback versions (of the earlier HC omnibus editions) are absolute blessing. You get three trades worth – around sixteen issues in this case – of comics for a very reasonable price and they often include previously unprinted material and FCBD shorts, all placed in the correct chronological order. Not only that but you get Mignola and Arcudi's expansive universe building and art by horror masters like Guy Davis and Tyler Crook, with Dave Stewart's unsurpassed colouring! Collects the B.P.R.D. Hell On Earth TPBs New World, Russia and Gods and Monsters. You can buy a selection of the original trades and issue in our webshop or buy the book at your favourite comic shop via mail order or in person or order a copy online.
HAWKEYE: GO WEST (TPB)
Written by Kelly Thompson, art by Leonardo Romero, Stefano Raffaele, Stefano Caselli
RELEASED 17TH MARCH 2021 / MARVEL COMICS
Marvel's smaller, YA-aimed digest-sized reprints are a great way of getting some of the more recent out-of-print trades. With the Hawkeye series incoming, this is your opportunity to own some excellent Kelly Thompson-penned Kate Bishop stories. The key in this is the fun that Thompson and Leonardo Romero are clearly having with the character. Throwing in some frankly insane silver-agey elements: Giant women! Land Sharks! The book is fast-moving and funny whilst keeping it's eye on the wider Marvel universe. Collects Hawkeye (2016) #13-#16, Marvel Generations: Hawkeye & Hawkeye and West Coast Avengers (2018) #1-#4. You can buy the book from your favourite comic shop via mail order or in person.
EVERYTHING (VOL.2)
Written by Christopher Cantwell, art by I.N.J. Culbard
RELEASED 17TH MARCH 2021 / DARK HORSE COMICS
Christopher Cantwell choosing to write comics has been one the best decisions made for modern comics in a long while. Ditto partnering up with I.N.J. Culbard. Everything (in case you missed Vol.1 ), is a sinister piece that speaks to our modern obsession with consumerism. We'll be looking at the two volumes soon on The Crush, so I'll hold off on talking too much about them now! Collects Everything #7-#12. You can buy the trade from your favourite comic shop via mail order or in person.
IRON MAN (2020 vOL.1: BIG IRON TPB)
Written by Christopher Cantwell, art by Cafu
RELEASED 17TH MARCH 2021 / MARVEL COMICS
Speaking of Christopher Cantwell, here's here too, re-imagining the billionaire playboy Tony Stark for an age when everyone hates billionaire playboys. Working with artist Cafu, they take Tony back to basics, both in terms of his financial position and his mission. He's working with Patty Walker – Hellcat – and taking his fight to the streets, giving Cantwell and Cafu a chance to bring back some great old-school villains and dial back the magi-tech that sometimes blights Iron Man. Collects Iron Man (2020) #1-#5. You can buy the trade from your favourite comic shop via mail order or in person.
ULTARMAN (VOL.1: THE RISE OF ULTAMAN TPB)
Written by Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom, art by Francesco Manna
RELEASED 17TH MARCH 2021 / MARVEL COMICS
One of the most enduring Japanese entertainment creations re-invented for a new generation. Kyle Higgins, whose Power Rangers proved a massive hit in recent years teams with Mat Groom and Francesco Manna to bring Ultraman back to American audiences. Keeping the cultural touchstones (place and cast) as well as the hyperbolic style familiar to Japanese audiences whilst adding a modern American comics dynamism is a tough line to walk but Higgins, Groom and Manna walk it well to bring us an exciting, fun Kaiju comic! This is one for fans of Ultraman and those of us that haven't caught up yet! Collects The Rise of Ultraman #1-#5. You can buy the trade from your favourite comic shop via mail order or in person.
THE SHERIFF OF BABYLON (NEW EDITION TPB)
Written by Tom King, art by Mitch Gerads
RELEASED 16TH MARCH 2021 / DC COMICS
A welcome re-issue of the complete collection of Tom King and Mitch Gerad's highly personal, complex Iraq-set thriller, beginning just after Saddam's reign ends in Baghdad. This is a taut, fascinating story that's every bit as tense and gritty as the upper echelon of Hollywood thrillers. Dealing with it's characters sensitively whilst never shying away from the darker aspects of their personalities. Likewise for the nations they represent. This is must-own, adult comics work that if you missed before, you really ought to think about picking up this time around. Collects Sheriff of Babylon #1-#12. You can buy the trade at Gosh Comics or order copy online from Bookshop.org.