New comics again! This week from the last week, with four of continued issues I have enjoyed, and two new series. Below are my fresh thought on these current reads, which you may or may not agree…

Here we go, (with minor spoilers)…

RECENT COMICS:

Seven to Eternity #1 (Image) by Rick Remender, Jerome Opena

i love the art, a great combo of pencils and colors used to show a whole new exciting world. There lies fantastic concepts and imagery, plenty for those who like to take their time with something completely new and reimagined. Along with that, is also a lot of lingo and background details to piece together. This at time can seem a bit frustrating at times with odd unexplained magic and unfamiliar imaginative terminology. Overall, there is a story of good vs. evil that is not hard to figure, as we have an good-hearted soul resisting all the darkness that is brought before him in a string of dark emotions. I am curious to where the story and art could talk me with every page, which is too beautiful to ignore.

Britannia #1 (Valiant) by Peter Milligan, Juan Jose Ryp

PICK OF THE WEEK! An interesting take on ancient Roman history, with dashes of dark comedy and horror. The author takes the best of the outrageous aspects of its core with Nero and the Vestal Virgins and mixes it with the almost regular life of Centurion soldier whose honorable act brings on supernatural happenings. There is much to enjoy with the detailed, lively art (love the facial expressions) and well-paced writing, as we have a series of character building moments backed by deeds for better or worse. I love how conflicted the main character becomes, and the challenges the first issue foreshadows in the northern British Isles. I look forward to seeing how all this connects, and more of the guilty pleasure entertainment throughout.

Karnak #5 (Marvel) by Warren Ellis, Roland Boschi

Another great issue added to this highly underrated series. Here, we have Karnak whose power is to see the flaws in his adversaries. There in an interrogation cell, we meet an elderly cultist who describes himself as a painter but reaches inside the mind of Karnak to create an illusion. It’s a battle of the psyche, with a conclusion reminding us off the badassery of Karnak. This is a great character building issue, from different perspectives leading to a conclusion that leaves much open for our others to explore. Such is an example of how much of the Marvel Universe is still unexplored in those lesser known underused characters.

Chew #58 (Image) by John Layman, Rob Guillory

It’s almost the end for Tony Chu, as this issue focuses much on the relationship between him and Amelia. The issue also feels like a slow goodbye to the cast whose importance is waning in this world that may end. Perhaps its time, as an important decision must be made, which I am sure will lead to some very inventive use of the weird ideas of John Layman’s Chewverse. There are a few bites left, of which I feel will leave a bitter after-taste. The series has been great as a whole, of which I will finish to the last scrap.

Vision #11 (Marvel) by Tom King, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Jordie Bellaire

The end is almost here for this brilliant series. Vision must now fight his Avengers teammates for the life the android brother who killed his android son. It’s a troubling dilemma where so much emotion put into these machines. It’s a more of an action-packed issue where we find Vision as a formidable match against his the rest of the Avengers core. Yet, there is parallel to that of his wife, whose danger to others is far more the threat. This leads to an interesting end for the Vision and his attempt of a family, now not turning back on how dark and wrong it has all become. I look forward to the final act of this tragic play, and what may come of it all for Marvel’s original android.

Black Hammer #3 (Dark Horse) by Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston

So far, a great series. But, it’s hard to see where it’s all going or what’s even the point. Still, I am enjoying the moments between, where the great mysteries of the present must wait. We focus on the past of Barbalien, who is a bit of a parallel to John Jonz, DC’s Martian Manhunter. But here, there is focus on his past in a cool noirish style action-packed city-drama as Jan Janz is not as fortunate in his visit to Earth, as he experiences loneliness and social ineptness. There leads to his current predicament of exile, finding new bonds in the surreal, quiet farm setting. The art and style of the almost self-contained story are bittersweet, leading the reader to keep reading and be patient with the overall arch.

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That’s all until next time. Did we miss anything on the shelves, that is a worthy read?  Do you have further thoughts on the books covered here? Leave a comment below!

Orion T – SW chief writer and seeker of great comic books and all related wonderful things.