27-05-26 | With summer approaching it’s time to start thinking about suitable literature to fit the mood. June is all about variety. We’ve got big superhero story arcs, provocative indie titles, inspiring gay pride comics and disturbing horror yarns. The big news this month is Avengers: Armageddon, which plunges the Marvel universe into chaos once again. Hardly original, but who needs original when you’ve got the Red Hulk kicking the crap out of Spidey? Excelsior!
WICCAN & HULKING: RAID OF ULTRON and others
Marvel, DC and IDW are celebrating Gay Pride in style! Raid of Ultron is an exciting anthology that brings together a fine selection of queer artists. DC’s pride issue launches a full lesbian mini-series called Dream Girls. Also of note is Star Trek Celebrations, featuring another fun Sulu story and more.
BRZRKR: LIGHT DRAWS BREATH
Keanu Reeves’ immortal brute is back in another stunning one-shot from BOOM! Studios. In this latest issue the BRZRKR is revived by bronze age alchemists. Do these proto-scientists realise the power they have unleashed? Can the BRZRKR cope with being reborn in a world so gloomy?
THE DEVIL IN THE HERD
There is a new trend on the horizon, mixing horror with westerns. Take indie title The Devil in the Herd, for instance, in which a faceless farmer stalks Jedidiah across the fields of the old west. A spooky and atmospheric cowboy tale by Katelyn Windels and the fine folks at Invader Comics.
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF LUCAS DREAMWALKER
R.L. Stine, writer of the iconic Goosebumps series of novels, leaps into comics with this amazing noirish horror story. Originally published as a serial in the BOOM! anthology Hello Darkness, it tells the tale of a man who keeps dying in his dreams. Unfortunately for Lucas some dreams come true …
GRANT MORRISON’S BATMAN AND ROBIN – collected edition
Dick Grayson finally takes on the mantle of Batman in this classic story arc from Grant Morrison. After Bruce Wayne’s death Grayson and Damian Wayne team-up as the new Dynamic Duo. The full 2009-2010 Batman epic, filled with twists and turns, is reprinted in this massive hardcover volume.
AVENGERS: ARMAGEDDON #1
The Red Hulk has defeated Dr. Doom and taken his throne. After several months of exciting Marvel action, the story arc kicks into fifth gear with Avengers: Armageddon, the first of a five part series. Captain America, Wolverine and Spider-Man are part of an unlikely team in this fun blockbuster.
ABSOLUTE CATWOMAN #1
It’s time for the latest DC reboot in the popular Absolute Universe series. Since Absolute Batman was all about stripping Bruce Wayne of his millions, it makes sense to turn Catwoman into a wealthy spinster. As expected Selina Kyle’s life gets turned upside down, leading into an amazing adventure.
BLOOD OF THE WOLF MAN #1
And finally we take a look at another creative take on the Universal Monsters. College student Adam Jaeger turns into the snarling beast we know and love from the old black & white monster movies. He must tame the beast within or face death every full moon. Another stylish winner from Image Comics.
BONUS : THE SECRET OF DRAGONWELT
And in case the news hasn’t reached you: Peter Pan Comics recently released its first videogame! The Secret of Dragonwelt deals with Prince Abel, a young hero who sets out to destroy the evil dragon Verdugo and save Princess Wicca. A classic point-and-click adventure which is free to play on Itch.io!