One of the hardest things about reading comics is knowing where to start. Comics shops carry hundreds of titles and get dozens of issues in every week on new comic-book day. On top of that, many comics have complex mythologies and backstories that make it hard to just pick up any random issue and have a clue what is going on.
That’s why Heroic Girls recommends comics every week that are excellent “jumping on” points for new readers or books that you should have been reading all along. Without further ado, here are our picks for the week of October 9, 2019.
The Batman’s Grave #1
I’ll be completely honest. I’m pretty vague on what The Batman’s Grave #1 is about. It’s a new limited series with a cryptic plot. Per DC: “The World’s Greatest Detective must try to inhabit the mind of a murder victim to solve a case-without filling the empty grave next to those of his parents. Can Batman imagine the life of a corpse with a half-eaten face without dying himself? Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch, one of the most legendary creative partnerships of the modern age, reunite in this maxiseries about life, death and the questions most are too afraid to ask.”
What caught our eye was the bit where they mentioned Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch. Ellis is simply one of the best writers in comics today and he is seldom better than when he is paired with Bryan Hitch. So we have new Batman limited series written and drawn by one of the most talented and innovative creative teams in comics?
Yes, please.
Watchmen #1
There is no graphic novel more feted than the Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons brilliant dark deconstruction of the superhero genre. The story was originally told over the course of a 12-issue miniseries. It’s a story that is uniquely tailored to the genre of comics. It’s literally impossible to translate the work adequately into another medium. Not that the movie or upcoming television show are bad — but they will never be able to capture the magic of the comics.
DC re-released Watchmen #1 this week as a part of their “dollar comics” line-up. So if you’ve ever wondered what all of the hype is about, you can get a taste for only a buck, then decide if you want to buy the graphic novel (and you definitely should.)
Doctor Doom #1
With the Infinity Saga wrapped up and Thanos dead, Marvel Studios needs a new threat for the next generation of Avengers to battle. Disney’s recent acquisition of 20th Century Fox means that they re-acquired the rights to The Fantastic Four. Combine those two things together, and there is a distinct possibility that Victor Von Doom will be the next big bad in the MCU.
That’s why we’re recommending Doctor Doom #1, a new series that takes the longtime Marvel villain and recasts him as an antihero. After being framed for an act of terrorism that killed thousands, Doom must prove his innocence while avoiding the combined might of the world’s superheroes now that he has been branded as public enemy #1.
White Fox #1
Ami Han, White Fox, is. a spy, a superhero, and the last of the kumiho, a mystical race of shapeshifters. But who was she before she became White Fox? And what happened to the rest of the kumiho?
Those are the questions posed and answered in White Fox #1, a one-shot comic that explores the origins of one of Marvel’s newest superheroes. Marvel seems to have a lot of faith is White Fox, who has shown up in the pages of the Avengers, the relaunched Agents of Atlas and Domino and the Hot Shots.
But this comic moves her out of the background and places her front and center, fleshing out a new heroine who has been hovering on the edges of mainstream recognition.
Secrets of Sinister House #1
It’s almost Halloween, and DC is celebrating with a giant-sized book of horror-themed stories. Secrets of Sinister House #1 is packed with eight different fun-sized horror stories. It’s worth noting that sometimes a book like this would be where a major publisher “tries out” unproven talent that is looking for a break in the industry. That’s not the case here.
The book is packed with great art from Rafael Albuquerque , John Romita Jr. , Bill Sienkiewicz and others, and it even had a Harley Quinn story written by her creator, Paul Dini.
For the Kids
Mooncakes
A story of love and demons, family and witchcraft. Nova Huang is still young, but she’s one of the most powerful witches in New England. She spends her days working in her grandmothers’ spell book shop and her nights hunting down the supernatural.
Tam Lang, a genderqueer werewolf, was Nova’s childhood crush. Tam has been wandering from place to place for years until the one fateful night they find themselves back in their hometown… battling a giant horse demon in the woods. Tam turns to Nova for help, and their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery.
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane: The Unexpected Thing
The birth of the greatest super hero romance of all, as you’ve never seen it before! It’s the moment Mary Jane Watson has been waiting for: her first date with Spider-Man! But before her big night, another suitor is vying for her attention – and his name is Peter Parker! Mary Jane is facing an impossible choice, but it might not be a problem for long – not after Gwen Stacy arrives in school and sets her sights on Peter! What’s a lovesick MJ to do? She wasn’t always the girl she is today, but how did she become the sort of person to push her problems away rather than face them? And how can she overcome this self-destructive habit? Plus: Harry Osborn! Liz Allan! Flash Thompson! MJ on stage! And more!
Cheshire Crossing
Originating as fan fiction from the brilliant imagination of Andy Weir, now brought to vivid life by Sarah Andersen, Cheshire Crossing is a funny, breakneck, boundlessly inventive journey through classic worlds as you’ve never seen them before.
Years after their respective returns from Wonderland, Neverland, and Oz, the trio meet here, at Cheshire Crossing—a boarding school where girls like them learn how to cope with their supernatural experiences and harness their magical world-crossing powers.
But Alice, Wendy, and Dorothy—now teenagers, who’ve had their fill of meddling authority figures—aren’t content to sit still in a classroom. Soon they’re dashing from one universe to the next, leaving havoc in their wake—and, inadvertently, bringing the Wicked Witch and Hook together in a deadly supervillain love match.
To stop them, the girls will have to draw on all of their powers . . . and marshal a team of unlikely allies from across the magical multiverse.
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