The Geeky Brummie Pull List with Amazing Fantasy
It’s a bumper week with seven comics making up the Pull List. The new Amazing Fantasy book by Kaare Andrews is our Comic of the Week, with the latest issues of Head Lopper, S.W.O.R.D., Shadowman, Skybound X, Star Trek: Year Five and Strange Adventures making up the rest of the list. Seven more new comics make it in to our On The Radar section, including the latest issues of Beta Ray Bill, Black Knight, Static, Vinyl, Grendel and 2000AD and you should definitely check them out.
NOTE: Due to some distribution problems this week in the UK, some of these comics may be delayed and won’t be in your local comics shop just yet.
In Meanwhile… we take a look at some of the best panels and interviews from the recent San Diego Comic Con @Home event.
If you want to send any comics or comic related events we should feature, feel free to reach out to me at keith@geekybrummie.com. Now on with the comics…
Title: Amazing Fantasy
Issue: 1
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Written and Illustrated by Kaare Kyle Andrews
EXPERIENCE THESE HEROES LIKE NEVER BEFORE! Red Room Black Widow, teenage Spider-Man, World War II Captain America — the most iconic versions of your favorite Marvel characters from across time and space all wake up on an island of intrigue, darkness and…Amazing Fantasy. Are they dead? Are they dreaming? Or have they truly been transported to another fantastical realm? And is there any way for them to return home? This isn’t just a love letter to your favorite Marvel eras, it’s a reinvestment in the seminal characters you’ve always loved, plucked from their quintessential timelines. Brought to you by KAARE ANDREWS, this is the one you’ve been waiting for, True Believers… It’s one Amazing Fantasy for the ages!
I’ve enjoyed Andrew’s work before and it exciting to see him take on a book like this. With throwbacks to how comics used to be and changing art styles for each character, this is a really interesting new book that doesn’t tie in to any current continuity and that means anything can and probably will happened. This is definitely a book to put on your Pull List.
Title: Head Lopper
Issue: 16
Publisher: Image Comics
Written and Illustrated by Andrew MacLean : Coloured by Jordie Bellaire
Our heroes band together and close in on locating the fabled Mulgrid’s Stair. But what of the fate of Arnak Pluth, its struggling people, and the tyrant that rules them? All this and more as this story arc concludes with an explosive finish!
I really think this book doesn’t get enough love. The quarterly schedule probably means people forget about it but for the last 16 issues MacLean and Bellaire have delivered a vibrant and engaging story that keeps getting better. I love how fluid MacLean’s art is and it works so well for the sword and sorcery work of the Head Lopper and Bellaire continues to compliment his art with a colour palette that pops. Highly recommended.
Title: S.W.O.R.D.
Issue: 7
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Written by Al Ewing : Art by Stefano Caselli
THE MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE…The Hellfire Gala is over…but not all the guests have gone home. Victor Von Doom is staying for dinner. He’s chatting to an old friend in a very new setting — about thrones, empires, magic, Mysterium…and the LAST ANNIHILATION!
Here he is again, Al doing what Al does best. Big, bold and exciting stories. This book follows on The Last Annihilation story that began over in Guardians of the Galaxy and it’s nice to see S.W.O.R.D stretching its wings outside of the events affecting Krakoa and the rest of the mutants. Will Al soon to finish his run on the equally excellent The Immortal Hulk it’s nice to know he’s still going to have somewhere to continue shaking up the Marvel Universe.
Title: Shadowman
Issue: 4
Publisher: Valiant Comics
Written by Cullen Bunn : Art by Jon Davis-Hunt
Masters of Horror Cullen Bunn and Jon Davis-Hunt bring Shadowman’s descent into the darkness of London.
What’s your darkest secret worth?
Danger is a drug and it’s deep in the veins of mankind. Shadowman’s on a quest to find the source of his hallucinations and Jack has less control than he once thought.
The worst has happened…Deadside has arrived!
Creepy and unsettling is what you want from a horror comic and Shadowman continues to delivery. Bunn and Davis-Hunt have created a beautiful book here and while some might find the pace a little slow in places I think it keeps the slow-burn tension and horror right where it needs to be.
Title: Skybound X
Issue: 4
Publisher: Skybound/Image
Written by Donny Cates, Robert Kirkman, Mairghread Scott and Brandon Thomas : Art by Lisandro Estherren, Ryan Ottley, Emilio Lopez, Khary Randolph and Pablo Tunica
The fourth chapter of RICK GRIMES 2000! Plus, new REDNECK and EXCELLENCE stories, and the first appearance of SEA SERPENT’S HEIR!
What a great celebration of Skybound this is. Rick Grimes 2000 is just fabulous and rotating selection of back up stories have been a revelation. The first peeks at new characters to come has been very welcome to and has be looking forward to their own comics down the road. With only one issue left to go, I’m gonna miss this book once it’s finished.
Title: Star Trek: Year Five
Issue: 23
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing : Art by Stephen Thompson
A Tholian horde bearing down on Earth, a time-traveling madman out for blood, a rot festering within the highest levels of the Federation that’s about to explode – and that’s just where we begin! The biggest battle the Enterprise and her crew have ever faced continues in part two of the amazing three-part finale of Star Trek: Year Five from showrunners Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly (Gotham City Garage, Green Arrow) and artist Stephen Thompson (Satellite Falling, Die Hard: Year One).
With only a couple of issues left to go, it’s time to say goodbye to artist Stephen Thompson. Thompson’s art has been part of the reason this series has been so great. His interiors and covers have perfectly captured the era of 60s Trek and the transition to the era of TMP. Kelly and Lanzing are crafting one of the great Trek stories and I’m grateful we’ve had the opportunity to explore the end of the original Enterprise’s journey. We already know what is next for Kirk and his crew and the change our majestic bird is about to undertake and the journey there has been filled with great moments and all the creatives involved has shown an obvious love and fondness for our crew. I’m sure they will bring it home in spectacular fashion in the closing issues and we wish Thompson happy trails. Just remember to head for the second star on the right and straight on til morning.
Title: Strange Adventures
Issue: 11
Publisher: DC Black Label
Written by Tom King : Art by Mitch Gerads and Evan ‘Doc’ Shaner
Adam Strange may save the world, but can he save his marriage?
There are things that happened in the original war with the marauding Pykkts that Adam never told his wife, Alanna, and she wants answers now. Adding fuel to the fire is the possibility that he didn’t just deceive her, but entire galactic civilizations, in his quest for victory-which raises the question: How much has been true in the stories he’s told Earth to mobilize its greatest heroes against an invasion right here at home?
This is the big one before the finale. Massive secrets are revealed, as two timelines rush toward a collision.
It feels like it’s taken a long time to get to this point. This book seems to have massed less of a following than Mister Miracle but it’s just as worthy of your attention. As we near the end of Adam Strange’s journey things are beginning to finally make sense, and we can the true finally revealing itself. The artwork has been topnotch through the series and I’ve loved the pulp adventure style story that has been given a very modern and contemporary twist. With only one issue left to go I hope it’s not the last we’ll see of Adam.
On the radar this week some other comics not on the Pull List but well worth checking out:
BRZRKR #4
BOOM! Studios
Written by Matt Kindt and Keanu Reeves : Art by Ron Garney and Bill Crabtree
What secret in Berzerker’s past holds the KEY to his immortality?
The last piece of B.’s tragic origin and the fate of his parents are revealed as Diana continues unearthing his memories, prompting a new mission in the present day.
Will this one unlock the mystery that is his existence? Or will B. be cursed to wander the Earth forever?
Beta Ray Bill #5
Marvel Comics
Written and Illustrated by Daniel Warren Johnson : Coloured by Mike Spicer
BILL VS. SURTUR IN THE EPIC FINALE! Beta Ray Bill and his allies must fight the ultimate battle against Surtur, the fire god responsible for the destruction of Bill’s home planet! It’s going to take an eminent amount of power to defeat this foe! But with his goals in sight, is Bill ready to pay the cost required to return to his former self?
Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade #5
Marvel Comics
Written by Simon Spurrier : Art by Sergio Fernandez Davila
THE EBONY CROWN! The BLACK KNIGHT’s ancient enemy has forged the EBONY CROWN — a weapon with the magical might to dwarf even the EBONY BLADE. The end is within reach. No more suffering. No more pain. All Dane has to do…is let go. But he can’t give in to the darkness. Not if there’s any chance of ending the blood feud started in Camelot long ago. Dane must fight. One last desperate battle. But he might not be the world’s last hope. There is another. Her name is JACKS, she’s @#$% off, and she will change the BLACK KNIGHT FOREVER.
Static: Season One #2
DC/Milestone Comics
Written by Vita Ayala : Art by ChrisCross and Nikolas Draper-Ivey
Virgil Hawkins learns that a secret identity is a tricky thing when his high school bully gets upgraded to his super-powered archnemesis! But if he thinks the fires of Hotstreak burn hot, then he definitely isn’t ready for the white-hot anger of his parents, when they learn what he’s brought to their front door…
Vinyl #2
Image Comics
Written by Doug Wagner : Art by Daniel Hillyard and Dave Stewart
Our serial killer Walter has sealed himself in an underground bunker with a sunflower death cult. Now he’s being hunted by an insane myriad of Husks, Sunflower Girls, and monsters. Everything the cult can send at him. Good thing Walter didn’t come alone. That’s right. Walter brought along some friends.
Grendel: Devil’s Odyssey #8
Dark Horse Comics
Written and Illustrated by Matt Wagner : Coloured by Brennan Wagner
Matt Wagner! Grendel Prime and Sigma-Seven’s journey through the stars reaches its exciting conclusion as a broken warp drive sends them hurtling toward the farthest reaches of the universe. There, they will encounter a society that not only threatens the success of their mission to find a new home for humanity . . . but also its very reason to exist. Creators Matt Wagner and Brennan Wagner bring their metaphysical odyssey to a thrilling finale as Grendel Prime confronts a force that even he cannot overcome!
2000AD #2242
Rebellion
Written by John Wagner, James Peaty, Rory McConville, Dan Abnett and Gordon Rennie : Art by John Higgins, Paul Marshall, Dan Cornwell, Steve Yeowell and Patrick Goddard : Coloured by Sally Hurst, Dylan Teague, Len O’Grady and John Charles : Letters by Annie Parkhouse, Jim Campbell and Simon Bowland
This weeks 2000 AD Prog continues the latest Judge Dredd thriller, where Dredd is investigating a series of badge-slayings, along with the latest instalments of Aquilla, the cosmic chaos of Department K, Sinister and Skip Tracer.
Comic Con Returns Home
Last week San Diego Comic-Con has returned to living rooms around the globe for panels, exhibits, contests and more. This the second time the convention has taken this form thanks to the global pandemic, but it means that those of us who are unable to travel across the sea have access to more than ever before.
A huge number of panels and interviews were made available over the weekend, so many in fact that you may have missed some. Therefore, we are pulling together just a few of our favourites for you to enjoy here. You can always explore more of what Comic-Con has to offer by visiting their website – San Diego Comic Con
Paramount+: Peak Animation | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Paramount+ is bringing cast and producers from its highly anticipated upcoming animated original series to ComicCon@Home. Programming includes exclusive conversations with the casts and producers of the upcoming kids series Star Trek: Prodigy; plus adult animated comedies Star Trek: Lower Decks, as the scrappy underdogs of the U.S.S. Cerritos return in an exciting second season; new series The Harper House; plus a special segment of Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out The News.
Critically Acclaimed Artists’ Secrets–Bringing Comics Stories to Life | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Critically acclaimed Image Comics artists Emma Kubert (Inkblot), Jorge Corona (The Me You Love in the Dark), Trish Forstner (Stray Dogs), Alexandre Tefenkgi (The Good Asian), and Joe Palmer (Time Before Time) come together for a freewheeling, in-depth conversation about the art and technique behind successful sequential storytelling.
Afrofuturism, Funk, and the Black Imagination | Comic-Con@Home 2021
The works of best-selling authors Octavia Butler, Samuel Delaney, Nnedi Okorafor, Nalo Hopkinson, and Tananarive Due (to name a few) are part of a written corpus that has laid the ground for the blossoming of the movement of Afrofuturism that was brought to light by the music of George Clinton, Sun Ra, Bootsy Collins, and others. The works of the late Charles H. Long, James Noel, Tracey Hucks, and Rachel Harding bring to light how black religion and the imagination of matter speak to how Black people in the Atlantic World syncretize their experience to create community and fashion a future. This dynamic panel builds on the very successful Comic-Con@Home2020 panel and will explore the connections between Afrofuturism, Funk, and the Black imagination and how comics, graphic novels, and animation are capturing the rich dynamic that spawns new ways in which popular culture is being impacted by these forces.
HBO Max & Cartoon Network Studios: Adventure Time: Distant Lands | Comic-Con@Home 2021
What time is it? It’s time for more adventure in the land of Ooo and beyond with Adventure Time: Distant Lands, based on the Emmy-and Peabody Award-winning Cartoon Network series Adventure Time from creator Pendleton Ward and executive producer Adam Muto. Join moderator Bex Taylor-Klaus (Blaine) as they deep dive into the recent special, Together Again, and preview the upcoming Wizard City along with Adam Muto (executive producer), John DiMaggio (Jake), Mace Montgomery Miskel (Pep), and Toks Olagundoye (Dr. Caledonius). Uncover some secrets, hear behind-the-scenes stories and stick around until the very end for a special sneak peek at the upcoming Adventure Time: Distant Lands – Wizard City. It’s going to be James Baxter good!
Marvel Comics: X-Men | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Welcome to life under the Reign of X! From the start of the Hellfire Gala right through its show-stopping conclusion, Marvel’s magnificent mutant mavens have led the new nation of Krakoa through some of the biggest changes the X-Men have ever seen. Ryan Penagos, aka Agent M, leads a panel including Vita Ayala (Children of the Atom, New Mutants), Gerry Duggan (Marauders, X-Men), Benjamin Percy (Wolverine, X-Force), Leah Williams (X-Men: The Trial of Magneto), and senior editor Jordan D. White. Join these X-traordinary X-perts for a sneak peek at what’s coming next! With Inferno heating up, the Master of Magnetism under investigation for the shocking death of Scarlet Witch, and an all-new team of X-Men out in the world, there’s never been a more X-citing time to start reading!
Action Figure Insider: Toy Presidents | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Life is different when the buck stops with you. In this panel, Daniel Pickett (ActionFigureInsider.com) sits down for a one-of-a-kind conversation with the people at the top of a wide variety of toy and collectible companies. What keeps them up at night? What is their favorite part of their job and what advice do they have for people coming into the toy industry? Be a fly on the wall for this unique conversation with Andrew Sumner (EVP at Titan Entertainment Group), Brian Flynn (owner and principal of @Super7 ), and Jeremy Padawar (partner at @Jazwares ).
Doctor Who Comics Panel | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Titan Comics’ Doctor Who books are back and better than ever in 2021, with brand-new stories and characters from across the Whoniverse! Forbidden Planet TV’s Andrew Sumner goes behind the scenes of the critically-acclaimed series with Eisner Award-nominated writer Jody Houser, artist Roberta Ingranata, colorist Enrica Eren Angiolini, and editor Jake Devine as they discuss the success of their Doctor Who: Missy series.
Creating Comic Art with the iPad | Comic-Con@Home 2021
The iPad has transformed the way you read comics but did you know you can create comic art on the iPad too? Watch comic book artwork come to life as Hi-Fi’s Brian Miller (The Simpsons) and Kristy Miller (Femme Magnifique) demonstrate step-by-step how to pencil, ink, and color comics on the iPad. Learn the basic tools and techniques and see which apps work best and how you too can transform your iPad into a portable art studio.
What’s New in Independent Comics | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Christina Harrington (managing editor, Aftershock Comics), James Haick (president, Scout Comics), Joshua Starnes (publisher, Red 5 Comics), and Travis McIntire (CEO, Source Point Press) discuss how independent comics publishers have been affected by the pandemic related changes to the comics industry and showcase their fantastic new books coming out this year.
Star Wars: The High Republic – We Are All The Republic! | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Star Wars: The High Republic authors Claudia Gray, Charles Soule, Cavan Scott, Justina Ireland, and Daniel José Older discuss the latest books and comics in this exciting new era, including The Rising Storm, Race to Crashpoint Tower, and Out of the Shadows. Plus, get a sneak peek at new reveals and upcoming titles. Moderated by Star Wars: The High Republic Show host Krystina Arielle.
Kevin Eastman Studios Panel | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Kevin Eastman will talk The Last Ronin, Drawing Blood, and other KESI projects! Guest panelists will Include artist Ben Bishop and writer David Avallone.
35 Years of Dark Horse: Past and Present | Comic-Con@Home 2021
2021 is Dark Horse Comics’ 35th Anniversary of building characters and bringing stories to life. Join Karen Berger (Berger Books, DC’s Vertigo), Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, Lucky Devil), Christopher Golden (Lady Baltimore, The Golem, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D), Faith Erin Hicks (Avatar the Last Airbender, Pumpkin Heads), and Roye Okupe (YouNeek Studios) as we discuss what the future holds for one of the industry’s leading publishers.
HBO Max and Warner Bros. Animation: Looney Tunes Cartoons | Comic-Con@Home 2021
There’s More Folks! Looney Tunes Cartoons continues to captivate a new generation of fans with over 400 minutes of Looney mayhem and there’s much more to come. Moderated by voice cast member Eric Bauza (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Marvin the Martian), join Pete Browngardt (executive producer), Aaron Spurgeon (art director), Alex Kirwan (supervising producer), Caroline Director (storyboard artist), and Keika Yamaguchi (assistant art director) for a panel discussion to find out what’s next for Bugs, Daffy and the rest of your favorite Tunes! Looney Tunes Cartoons is produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Stream episodes now on HBO Max.
The Art of IDW | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Watch as fan-favorite IDW artists collaborate on a unique, one-of-a-kind, SDCC 2021 exclusive piece of art right in front of your eyes! IDW’s hosts, writer Sam Maggs, and director of talent relations, Joe Hughes, interview six artists while they create a unique piece of art. Join our incredible artists Bracardi Curry (Sonic the Hedgehog), Brenda Hickey (My Little Pony), Jodi Nishijima (TMNT), Livio Ramondelli (Transformers), Alan Robert (Beauty of Horror), and Drew Zucker (Canto) to see art in action!
AHOY Comics: Expect More! | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Independent publisher AHOY Comics has made a name for itself in the past three years with its deep bench of clever and irreverent titles from a stable of acclaimed creators, such as Second Coming, The Wrong Earth, and more. Creators and editors Tom “Call Him Chief” Peyer (The Wrong Earth), Mark Russell (Second Coming), Eric Palicki (Black’s Myth), Paul Constant (Snelson), and Liana Kangas (Black’s Myth) have a conversation with moderator and panelist Stuart Moore (Captain Ginger) as we suss out where the future of AHOY Comics is headed. How will the badass protagonist of the new series Black’s Myth balance being a punk rock private detective and a secret werewolf? Will Jesus and Sunstar ever solve that pesky conflict between good and evil in Second Coming: Only Begotten Son? And will the titular washed-up ’90s comedian from upcoming Snelson get with the times or stay “cancelled” forever? Learn the answers to these burning questions and more in this can’t-miss panel, and follow AHOY Comics on Twitter at @AhoyComicMags.
Robert Kirkman @ Home | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Creator Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible, Die!Die!Die!) answers fan questions on his comic book titles, film and TV adaptations, and more! Stay up to date with the latest from Kirkman and Skybound at www.skybound.com.
Boldly Going: 55 Years of Star Trek–The Best of Inglorious Treksperts | Comic-Con@Home 2021
The hosts of the addictive hit Star Trek podcast, Inglorious Treksperts, Mark A. Altman (Pandora, Free Enterprise), and Daren Dochterman (Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Director’s Edition) return to #SDCC with an epic line-up of some of their favorite guests including Anson Mount (Strange New Worlds), Nicholas Meyer (Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan), Michael Dorn (The Next Generation, DS9), Jeffrey Combs (Deep Space Nine, Enterprise), Brannon Braga (First Contact, Enterprise), Robin Curtis (Star Trek III), Bryan Fuller (Voyager, Hannibal), Erin Gray (Buck Rogers, Battle Of The Network Stars), and other special surprise Trek guests galore.
Conversation with Alex Ross: The Alex Ross Marvel Comics Mural and Poster Book | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Renowned comics artist Alex Ross discusses the creation of the epic mural that was commissioned for the New York City offices of Marvel Comics. These now-iconic images are now the subject of Ross’s newest book, The Alex Ross Marvel Comics Poster Book, which features all 35 full-figure portraits, commentary by Ross, and a four-page pull-out poster of the complete Marvel mural. Ross will discuss the creation of these portraits, the stories behind each Marvel character, and his approach to creating these singular images in a conversation that will look back on his award-winning career in comics, and look ahead at what else is on his drawing table. Moderated by Sal Abbinanti.
The Annual Jack Kirby Tribute Panel | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Mark Evanier (former Jack Kirby assistant and author of Kirby: King of Comics) chats with Walter Simonson (Thor, New Gods), and Paul Levitz (former publisher and president of DC Comics) about the late, great Jack Kirby. The focus is on Jack’s oft-reprinted Fourth World series and how, despite what some folks would tell you, it was not a failure but a book ahead of its time . . . and its time is now.
The Art of Stardust with Charles Vess and Neil Gaiman | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Forbidden Planet TV’s Andrew Sumner (EVP Titan Entertainment) chats with legendary fantasy artist Charles Vess (illustrator, Stardust) to discuss his personal archive from the creation of Stardust and introduce his wonderfully personal Art of Stardust book, with a special introduction from Neil Gaiman (author, Stardust) himself.
And to finish, Comic-Com was also where the winners of the Eisner Awards were announced. So sit back and enjoy as the best in comics is celebrated.
ComiXology Presents the 33rd Annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards | Comic-Con@Home 2021
Your Local Comics Shops
Your local comic shops are now open and you can pop in for your geek fix. Listed below are some of the best shops across the county with links to check the very latest information including opening time and covid safety measures. When visiting these shops please be patient and respectful to all the staff who are doing an incredible job.
FORBIDDEN PLANET INTERNATIONAL (VARIOUS) – includes Worlds Apart Birmingham
Please check with stores for any changes to opening times and services.
Follow the stores social media pages for updates!
FORBIDDEN PLANET (VARIOUS) – includes Birmingham Megastore
Check their website for more information –
https://forbiddenplanet.com/stores/
GOSH! COMICS (LONDON)
Check their website for more information –
https://goshlondon.com/the-gosh-blog/the-gosh-authority-130620-reopening-news/ and https://twitter.com/GoshComics
OK COMICS (LEEDS)
Follow the stores social media pages and website for updates!
http://www.okcomics.co.uk/ and https://twitter.com/OKComics
PAGE 45 (NOTTINGHAM)
Check their website for more information –
http://www.page45.com/ and https://twitter.com/PageFortyFive
TRAVELLING MAN (VARIOUS)
Check their website and social media for more information –
https://travellingman.com/ and https://twitter.com/TravellingManUK
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