In the previous Bam Smack Pow must-read comic books article, Hannah Rose May’s Smile for the Camera led the way with an amazing conclusion. Wonder WomanNo. 35 by Stephanie Williams changed Diana Prince’s origin story for the better. Also, Deniz Camp’s Assorted Crisis Events returned with an incredible issue. Now it’s time for another week of new comic books. Let’s start with my favorite.
X-Men: Hellfire Murder (Marvel)
- Writer: Saladin Ahmed, Eve Ewing, Jed Mackay, Erica Schultz, Gail Simone
- Penciller: Tony Daniel, Joelle Jones, Aaron Kuder, Federica Mancin, Cory Smith, and Luciano Vecchio
- Inker: Joelle Jones, Aaron Kuder, Federica Mancin, Mark Morales, OREN JUNIOR, and Luciano Vecchio
- Colors: Fer Sifuentes
Logan is my favorite comic book character for more than him being the best there is at what he does (and what he does isn’t very nice). In this issue, readers get the chance to see that he’s more than just claws, anger, and hair. He knows how to use his enhanced senses and critical thinking to solve a murder.
Jubilee and Wolverine are back together, and I never knew how much I missed their solo adventures. Gail Simone is doing a fantastic job with them, but that’s a team comic. This was a throwback to their former days, and I loved it.
Absolute Superman No. 21 9 (DC)
- Writer: Jason Aaron
- Artist: Rafa Sandoval
- Penciler: Zander Cannon
- Colors: Ulises Arreola
Superman fought his toughest opponent, but while the fight was brutal and he almost died, the Man of Steel didn’t sacrifice his morals. Sadly, the victory came at a cost. Kal-El has buried himself deeper into protecting Earth and saving humanity. That may seem like a good thing, but even steel can bend and even break. The same goes for the Man of Steel.
Powers 25 No. 11 (Dark Horse)
- Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
- Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
- Colors: Nick Filardi
There’s been a mystery of who put a hole in the face of someone powerful, and the answer was just given. It wasn’t what anyone would have expected, and right when part of the puzzle is revealed, the issue ends. It fits the theme of the Power comic book, and that made this fan happy. Well done, everyone.
Universal Monsters: Blood of the Wolf Man No. 2 (Image)
- Writer: Joshua Williamson
- Artist: Leomacs
- Colors: Pip Martin
The Universal Monsters comic books know how to tell a story without using the monsters as a crutch. For example, in this issue, there was no Wolf Man. It was all about the lead character, Adam Jaeger, and his past. Why is he transforming all of a sudden? How did he get the curse, and how does it connect to his mother? What does Adam’s father know? We’re left with all of these questions, which means you have to grab the third issue to get more answers.
Star Trek: Red Shirts – Ghost of the 21st Century (IDW)
- Writer: Gerry Duggan
- Artist: Scott Buoncristiano
- Colors: Charlie Kirchoff
Last year, writer Christopher Cantwell introduced the world to a new Star Trek character named Chip Miller. He was a Red Shirt who seemed incompetent and clumsy but was really working for the Romulans. Now, the story continues with writer Gerry Duggan, and he began this new chapter years after the events of IDW’s Star Trek: Red Shirts.
Miller is still secretly working for the Romulans but is now a high-ranking officer in Starfleet. With that power came a responsibility to himself to make money. But someone almost as unassuming as Cip Miller could be his downfall.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles No. 300 (IDW)
- Writer: Gene Luen Yang
- Artist: Freddie E. Williams II
- Colors: Andrew Dalhouse
This is a must-read for any fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Because, like most milestone issues, the lives of the main characters will be changed forever. The dead may now walk the Earth (not as zombies); Shredder will make his return outside of Dan Watters’ series, and Casey could become one of the Ninja Turtles’ villains. A great story and a perfect starting point for new readers.
Uncanny X-Men No. 32 (Marvel)
- Writer: Gail Simone
- Artists: Jim Towe, Rogê Antônio, and Federica Mancin
- Matt Wilson
- Colors: Matt Wilson
There were aliens fighting zombies, jokes, and some heartwarming moments from the Outliers. Gail Simone put in work putting this story together and balancing so many characters and storylines. You couldn’t have asked for a more complete issue ofUncanny X-Men.
Narcos No. 5 (Image)
- Writer: Doug Wanger
- Artist: Daniel Hillyard
- Colors: Dave Stewart
I absolutely loved how this ended. The serial killer got to prove how insane he was by delivering a good monologue, and his defeat didn’t happen in a cliché way. If he’d lost in a way people saw coming, it would have ruined the story. Thankfully, Doug Wagner gave readers a proper finale to this mini-series. If we’re lucky, there’s a crossover with Marcus (Noacos) and Rennie Bethary from I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer.
For those interested, here’s a look at the raw inks and some progress shots for that first spread from Flash 35. https://t.co/JVmx8WmyJkpic.twitter.com/zcNQ7DHPcB
The Flash No. 35 (DC)
- Writer: Ryan North
- Artist: Gavin Guidry
- Colors: Adriano Lucas
Wally West (The Flash) has learned how to keep everyone in Central City safe. By using his Flashes of Insight, he’s managed to predict dangerous things from happening. In this issue, he uses this to stop Captain Boomerang from robbing a bank and makes him look foolish in the process. Now he’s going to attempt to use his new skills elsewhere. There’s no way this can go wrong, right…?
Writer Ryan North is only five issues into his run of The Flash, and it’s starting to feel like this will be historic. Sure, it’s a little early to say that, but anyone who’s read his issues of Fantastic Four can see what I’m seeing.
Odin No. 3 (Image)
- Writers: James Tynion IV and Marguerite Bennett
- Artist: Letizia Cadonici
- Colors: Jordie Bellaire
Writers James Tynion IV and Marguerite Bennett continue this trippy story about a group of racists searching for the old gods for nefarious reasons. Thankfully, things aren’t going well for them because one of them dies in each issue. The part to pay attention to is that it happens after Fred tells a story.
There was a question of whether or not Fred is more than he appears to be, but now it’s obvious that he’s something more than human. If I had to guess, Fred is Loki.
