The indie comics scene has been growing in popularity over recent years, with a diverse range of creative titles covering anything and everything, from gritty supernatural horror, science-fiction, and even superheroes. But with so many publishers and so many creators popping up on those ‘new release’ emails you get from comic book store newsletters, it can be difficult to know which series’ to follow when faced with so much choice.
By the end of May and going into June, these are but a few choices I think are worth following.
1 – Batman: Last Knight on Earth #1
DC Comics – Released: May 29th
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo
In 2011, a new dynamic duo took over the creative duties in the Batman corner, as DC relaunched new #1’s across the board as part of their reboot, New 52. Since then, Snyder and Capullo have put out some of the most popular, twisted, yet riveting Batbooks in decades, all to finally culminate in one last story: Last Knight on Earth.
In their latest series, Bruce Wayne finds himself in Arkham Asylum, as he so often does, only this time as a patient. In a way, you could say he’s had this coming. 80 years dressed as a Bat must signify something. It’s while he’s strapped down to a bed, however, that he is told the ‘Batman’ persona was never real. Naturally, after checking out with the guards and finding the DC universe in tatters, he must unravel the mystery of his past and discover the cause of the end of the world. Why him? Because he’s Batman. It’s said this could be the last time Snyder and Capullo work on a Batman title, but surely, like Batman himself has done before, they’ll find a way back…
2 – Die
Image Comics – Released: June 5th (Die Volume 1: Fantasy Heartbreaker TPB) April 3rd (Die #5)
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Stephanie Hans
Ever imagined what a D&D themed Jumanji series would look like? Well thankfully so did Kieron Gillen. Die, as in numbered 3D-shaped plastic as well as the… well, ‘verb’, see’s a group of teenagers at a birthday in 1991 begin an ordinary game of D&D, only to be magically pulled into the game and disappear. It’d be nice to say they reemerge unscathed, but this happens only after a few page turns: when they do, one of them is missing and another has lost an arm. Jump to 2018, and the remainder of the group are adults. Only trouble is, that missing sixth member wants them to partake in another quest…
With writer Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine) and artist Stephanie Hans (The Wicked + The Divine 1831, Journey Into Mystery), Die is a nostalgic tribute to childhood fantasy escapism found in RPGs, boardgames, and basements that dives into a world of warlocks, knights, and orcs.
Each of the characters take on an alter-ego within the game world, like in any RPG, that reflects an aspect of their character – Chuck is a fantasy novelist in the real world, but a Fool in Die, while Matt is a statistics professor at a University, and becomes a Grief Knight. You’ll come to recognise influences that range from Jumanji, the works of Tolkien, and of course D&D, in the way the world of Die is built as well as inspiration behind its characters.
If Die feels familiar or nostalgic, it’s not because you fell into the game world, like Jumanji, Tron, or The Last Starfighter, rather it’s thanks to Gillen’s love and awareness for the references and tropes he uses, redirected to tell you this isn’t like any RPG you’ve played before. Die isn’t a kids game, it’s a mature, violent, adults-only RPG, so don’t expect Robin Williams or Dwayne Johnson to offer comic relief: think severed arms, festering corpses, and a healthy sprinkle of PTSD for good measure.
The first TPB, ‘Fantasy Heartbreaker’, will release June 5th, but if you can’t wait until then, the 5-issues that make up the first story arc are currently out, as of April 3rd, so you have no excuses not to dive in already. And don’t worry, there’s very little chance of being pulled in…
3 – Invisible Kingdom #3
Dark Horse – Released: May 22nd
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Christian Ward
With Christian Ward’s psychedelic art and G. Willow Wilson’s expert storytelling, Invisible Kingdom is a kaleidoscopic space-opera, following the journey of two young women entangled in a conspiracy, which will undoubtedly draw them together to face-off against a corrupt intergalactic corporation and a powerful religious group. On one hand we have the young religious acolyte, Vess, who uncovers hidden funds linking the monastery to a company called ‘Lux’, while Grix – an employee of Lux and freighter captain – discovers evidence of dodgy dealings at Lux that could (inevitably) lead her into trouble.
The corporate and political intrigue sounds familiar – which is one of many reasons the series has set itself up to be such an absorbing read. It’s a choice between quiet obedience, or risk the consequences of exposing a shocking truth about the corruption behind a powerful intergalactic conglomerate and an equally powerful religious sect.
Readers may be reminded of Weyland-Yutani, while the cross between science-fiction and fantasy – the contrast between Grix and the traditionally robbed religious Vess – echoes something of a Star Wars influence. Fans of Christian Ward’s art should find a copy of ODY-C, a similarly psychotropic, gender-bent retelling of Homer’s Odyssey (even maintaining the Homeric hexameter), with writer Matt Fraction, while anyone unfamiliar with G. Willow Wilson would do well do discover her efforts behind Marvel’s Kamala Kahn in Ms. Marvel, as well as Wonder Woman. It’s a bit of a dream team and the issues currently out set-up what promises to be a gripping conspiracy-lead space opera.
4 – Gideon Falls #13
Image Comics – Released: May 15th
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino
Two stories become intertwined when the mysterious ‘Black Barn’ starts to make appearances, its presence marked by death and madness. Trust Jeff Lemire, the mastermind behind Old Man Logan and The Descender, to turn a barn house into a scary entity…
Gideon Falls follows Norton, a socially awkward young man obsessed with the mysterious Black Barn, of which he finds parts scattered amoungst city trash. Surprisingly enough he has a psychiatrist who questions the reality of this ‘barn’ and his unhealthy obsession with its existence. At the same time, as all good horror stories do, a Catholic priest – Father Fred – with a troubled history (in typical fashion) arrives in a small town with its own troubled history, coincidentally intertwined with the Barn. Gideon Falls may as well be captioned ‘Tin Foil Hat Time’ in a gritty conspiracy tale of urban horror and rural history, primarily driven by character obsessions, mental illness, and questions of faith.
Gideon Falls continues with #14 on June 19th, with Volumes 1 and 2 available in TPB format as of April 17th 2019. Andrea Sorrentino’s gritty art style compliments Jeff Lemire’s writing, with harsh textures that add to the urban horror vibe of the series. As the series develops, you’ll confront red herrings and twists that will lead you to question characters’ faith and mental stability.
One things for sure, if Friday 13th Part III didn’t make you think twice about entering a barn, Gideon Falls may well do…
5 – Last Stop on the Red Line #1
Dark Horse – Released: May 15th
Writer: Paul Maybury
Artist: Sam Lofti
A vicious strangulation on a Boston subway car with no leads sets in motion an investigation by Detective Migdalia Torres, who takes in a strange man named Yusef – and in true noir fashion, it may well be the case that this mysterious character shares some connection to this crime…
What turns out to be a supernatural crime noir, with hellish creatures and vampires, not only has Paul Maybury created a poor advert for the Boston subway service, but this first issue (which released May 15th 2019) introduces a compelling horror crime series to Dark Horses ever expansive library. With no Hellboy to call upon to solve this supernatural murder mystery, Last Stop on the Red Line sounds like a gothic horror Agatha Christie novel, complimented by Sam Lofti’s unique art. The cover couldn’t really be for anything other than a vampire crime series, while the interior art has, at times, a more urban Doctor Strange vibe to it.
6 – Age of Bronze #34
Image Comics – Released: May 1st (digital release only)
Writer & Artist: Eric Shanower
Eric Shanower began the immensely ambitious Age of Bronze way back in 1998, with the last issue – #33 – having been released in August 2013. Currently the series is available in four TPB editions. This project sought to tell the entire story of the Trojan War through the ever popular American comic book style, breaking down the barrier between high-brow education and ‘pulp’ entertainment – an effort which has been attempted in the past by publications such as ‘Classics Illustrated’.
Moreover, Shanower’s research on the project boasts an impressive bibliography, to say the least. With the goal of drawing from literary traditions including Homer’s Iliad to Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida, as well as Bronze Age Aegean archeology in an effort to make Age of Bronze as historically accurate as possible… no wonder it’s taken this long to finally see the series make its come back! It’s worth noting that the gods are present, but rather in a more religious sense – with statues and so on – rather than having an actual presence, such as in Homer’s Iliad, placing this Trojan War story in a more grounded reality, rather than fantasy.
By the time the full story is complete, Age of Bronze aims to be contained within seven volumes – an epic in the truest sense of the word. This month sees the release of #34, beginning the next arc in the series, so prepare your ‘arrow to the knee’ (or rather ‘achilles’) memes, and, now the series is back, let’s hope it doesn’t take Shanower as long to finish as it took Odysseus to return home to Ithaka.
If you haven’t caught up with the series, just for the ambitiousness of the project alone it is worth it. Fans of the series will certainly be happy to see it make its return, while Classicists of all disciplines, especially Classical Receptionists like myself, absolutely must give this series a read. Now Eric Shanower has returned to Age of Bronze, let’s hope Matt Fraction and Christian Ward finish their excellent ODY-C series, as well.
Just remember to be wary of Greeks bearing gifts… unless it’s Age of Bronze #34, of course.
