Some new comics from last week, yes!

Below are my further notes on the following books that caught my interest (with minor spoilers)…

RECENT COMICS, RELEASED 11/30/2016:

Savage#1 (Valiant) by B. Clay Moore, Clayton Henry, Lewis Larosa

“Fifteen years ago, the world’s most famous soccer star and his former supermodel wife –pregnant with their unborn child – disappeared without a trace. The world believes they are dead… But, in reality, their private jet crash-landed on a mysterious, unknown island ruled by prehistoric creatures from another time… This is the story of how they lost their humanity.”

An interesting first issue, where the present is a well-drawn action-packed moment of a man vs. dinosaur fight for survival. The rest of the issue gives you the background of the man’s birth and parents that brought him there. It’s all right and understood, through uncertain as to where the story goes towards. it’s a far cry from the 1990’s Turok the Dinosaur Hunter, also done by Valiant Comics (and now licensed in the hands of Dynamite, I think). The art is best in the present time with moody colors and heated tones, then a bit dry in the flashback. So far, it’s a story worth giving a chance to, because dinosaurs are freakin awesome when done right.

Superman Annual (2016-) #1 (DC) by Patrick Gleason, Peter Tomasi, Jorge Jimenz

“Now, Swamp Thing comes hunting for the Man of Steel to discover what strange connection this new Superman has to the planet. But their contact is something neither is prepared for, leading to Kal-El battling the Earth elemental who wants to bury him.”

I haven’t read much into the Superman in a while. So here, with an appearance by an old favorite of the DC Universe, the Swamp Thing is here. They talk and fight, as go the way of things of powerful beings. Though, there feels so much more into how Superman’s power connects to the Earth in a more spiritual way, as can only be understood through his meeting with the Swamp Thing. Here, this Superman must find this new Earth as his home, therefore be bonded to it like no other. It’s a good tale of friendship and cooperation via the Green avatar, though not always understood at first. Overall, not a very epic tale but one very much worth reading for those who enjoy the ongoing journey of Earth’s mighty adopted son.

Seven To Eternity #3 (Image), by Rick Reminder, Matt Hollingsworth, Jerome Opena

“The last Mosak charge headlong into battle against the Mud King and his terrifying guardian, the Piper. Will Adam join the fight, even though the Mosak were the cause of his family’s downfall?”

The series is growing on me much since the first issue. I think there is still much to sift and study through on its world building and mythical structure. But perhaps in doing so, one can do in living through Adam and the Mosak’s Knights crazy fight against the Piper. Such takes a good portion of the issue, and the twists and turns feel like some awesome Magic: the Gathering game turned upon itself. The issue gives a bit of optimism in a world that feels against the side of good, with a need for more heroes to take out a great established evil. The art really sings, with exquisite detail and vibrant colors. There is still much for the reader to lose oneself in, for the many unanswered questions on the overall setting and concepts at play. My hopes are in future issues, that more will reveal.

Saga #40 (Image) by Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples

“”THE WAR FOR PHANG,” Part Four

It’s all fun and games until…”

Wow, if Robot’s dreams weren’t creepy enough..now the kids can watch them on his face. And for much of the issues, we find Robot far more complex and troubling than us readers have become used to, which much towards his own failure to build his own happy family. The ending is a bit disturbing towards what may be the next big tragic fall in this story. Such is a part of the growing isolation between characters here, even though the Phang War seems to move on to its questionable conclusion. Gwendolyn, Petrichor have their own paths, seemingly going nowhere to anything particular optimistic. The are tough times ahead, with the only bright spot in the universe being Hazel and whoever she manages to make friends with. Such builds the excitement, and the long road ahead for the reminder of Saga for the many years to come.

One a side note, there is one particularly striking shot done by Fiona Staples here, which brings Saga back its limitless realm of imaginative possibility. Amazing, I show you…

Seriously, I want a print of this.

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That’s all until next time. Did we miss any worthwhile reads on the latest shelves?  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.