The Geeky Brummie Pull List with John Constantine: Hellblazer
A few more comics are out this week I’m currently enjoying and of course my pick of the week is John Constantine: Hellblazer. Also out this week are the latest X of Swords stand alone issue, Transformers ’84, Star Trek: Year Five, X-Ray Robot and the first issue of Colonel Weird Cosmogog. In Meanwhile… we take a look at some more comic related news stories.
Now on with the comics…
Title: John Constantine: Hellblazer
Issue: 11
Publisher: DC Black Label
Written by Simon Spurrier : Art by Aaron Campbell : Coloured by Jordie Bellaire : Cover by John Paul Leon
Genres: Horror/Superhero
From the Publisher:
A message from Clem Thurso, the most virulently bigoted politician in the UK, unexpectedly sends John on a journey deep into the heart of occult evil-and down into a chamber below Parliament where something truly unspeakable waits…
I believe that this is possibly the best John Constantine book I’ve ever read. Which is high praise indeed as the original run was pretty spectacular. This is the penultimate issue of this run and it’s a real shame DC doesn’t realise it is putting out one of the best comics on stands today. The writing in this book by Spurrier is wonderful and the art of Campbell perfectly captures the unease and horror of John’s adventures. I cannot recommend this book enough and I’m going to miss it when it’s gone.
Title: X of Swords: Stasis
Issue: 1
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Written by Jonathan Hickman & Tini Howard : Art by Mahmud Asrar & Pepe Larraz
Genres: Superhero
From the Publisher:
X OF SWORDS PART 11. A ritual. A parliament. A game begins.
As I mentioned last week I’m a bit behind in reading this merry mutant crossover – this stand alone issue is the next chapter in the X of Swords story and is probably quite important in the overall story.
Title: Star Trek: Year Five
Issue: 15
Publisher: IDW
Written by Jody Houser : Art by Silvia Califano
Genres: Movies & TV/Science Fiction
From the Publisher:
The final voyages of the U.S.S. Enterprise continue with the amazing crew of writer Jody Houser (STRANGER THINGS, HARLEY QUINN & POISON IVY) and artist Silvia Califano (THE X-FILES: CASE FILES)! With the Klingon threat behind them, the crew of the Enterprise begins their victory tour of the original planets of the Federation. But they’ll soon discover that for all of the danger they faced on the five-year mission, the biggest threat of all may be something closer to home.
With new Trek taking over our TV screens it has been nice to relive the golden age of TOS in this wonderful series. Showing us the last year of Kirk and co’s original five year mission onboard the Enterprise, it has been more than just a nostalgic trip into the past. The writing and art have captured the look and feel of the 60s original whilst also feeling modern and contemporary. If you have any love for the Star Trek universe you’ll feel right at home between these pages.
Title: Colonel Weird Cosmagog
Issue: 1
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Written by Jeff Lemire : Art by Tyler Crook
Genres: Action/Adventure/Science Fiction/ Superhero
From the Publisher:
From the world of the Eisner Award-winning Black Hammer series comes a bizarre sci-fi adventure origin story!
Wacky space adventurer Colonel Randall Weird leaves Black Hammer farm and embarks on a strange journey through space and time for something that he’s long forgotten with his sanity and life at stake!
“Jeff Lemire’s Black Hammer feels like it’s walking two roads-one honoring the past of superhero comics, and one forging a path into the future of the genre.”-Cullen Bunn
The title alone has me intrigued about this new series spilling out from the pages of Black Hammer. Colonel Weird is one of the esoteric characters in the main series, and you may suffer if you have little prior knowledge of the main storyline. Weird’s has only appeared before in fleeting visits in the main Black Hammer story during his endless journey through time and space, and this series looks to fill in some of the gaps between these appearances. A great character and a great title means I’ve high expectations for this one.
Title: X-Ray Robot
Issue: 3
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Written by Michael Allred : Art by Michael Allred
Genres: Movies & TV/Science Fiction
From the Publisher:
Max Wilding, super scientist, travels through another dimension before the Ultimate Nihilist can put an end to both Max and reality itself, while his coworkers are thrown into strange timelines that threaten their safety and sanity—and Max discovers the true identity of the ultimate villain.
One of the best cartoonists in all of comics has done it again! X-Ray Robot is another Allred homerun!!” —Brian Michael Bendis
More madness from the mind of Michael Allred. If you want your comics to be full of joy and unexpected turns then make sure you grab a copy of this book.
Title: Transformers ’84 – Secrets and Lies
Issue: 4
Publisher: IDW
Written by Simon Furman : Art by Guido Guidi
Genres: Action/Adventure/Movies & TV/Robots, Cyborgs & Mecha/Science Fiction
From the Publisher:
The epic conclusion to Secrets and Lies! On Earth, Grimlock stands alone against… Megatron?
Meanwhile, on Cybertron, The Wreckers take on their very first mission! The secret history of Earth and Cybertron is revealed!
This is the final issue in this triumphant return to the Transformers universe by Simon Furman. Hopefully he will penning more adventures for IDW as this series has really scratched an itch for someone who read the original Marvel UK stories that Simon so expertly crafted all those years ago. In 2020 it has been lovely to read comics filled with such verve and energy. A absolute pleasure to read.
Did You Kill Jimmy Olsen?
This fabulous little series may have passed you by even if it did feature in the Pull List a couple to times. Written by Matt Fraction with art by Steve Lieber this collected edition of Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen: Who Killed Jimmy Olsen? is an absolute joy to read. The perfect antidote to the sometimes overly gritty and dark comics on shelves, this is a comic dedicated to the pure fun of reading comics and I recommend you grab a copy today.
Jimmy Olsen must die! Wait, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Jimmy Olsen lives! Superman’s best friend and Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen tours the bizarre underbelly of the DC Universe in this new series featuring death, destruction, giant turtles, and more, combining Silver Age energy with a distinctly modern sensibility! It’s a centuries-spanning whirlwind of weird that starts in Metropolis and ends in Gotham City. Award-winning writer Matt Fraction (Sex Criminals, Hawkeye) makes his DC debut with Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen, an irreverent, hijinks-filled journey across the weirdest and wildest corners of the DCU, illustrated by Eisner Award-winning artist Steve Lieber. Collects Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #1-12.
First Look at Once & Future #13
BOOM! Studios has revealed today the first look at Once & Future #13, the launch of a new story arc in the critically acclaimed series from New York Times bestselling writer Kieron Gillen, artist Dan Mora, colorist Tamra Bonvillain, and letterer Ed Dukeshire, about retired monster hunter Bridgette McGuire, her unsuspecting grandson Duncan, and their intrepid ally Rose who protect their nation from legends and myths risen from the grave to battle for dominion over the land.
The arrival of Beowulf and Grendel from the legendary Old English poem was an unexpected one, leaving Team Gran to wonder—if Beowulf can be brought to life, what other heroic figures or deadly creatures might get dredged up from the annals of history to wreak havoc and destruction across the country?!
Meanwhile, in the Otherworld, Merlin is up to his old tricks and crossing over with another story was just the beginning of his plan . . .
Once & Future #13 will be available for sale on November 18, 2020.
The Unthinkables Are Coming For You
We looked at this great new comic earlier in the year. Now Unlikely Heroes Studios has taken the leap to bring the book to a wider audience with a brand new Kickstarter campaign. Written by Paul Hanley with art by local boy Ian Richardson we thoroughly enjoyed this first issue and this is a great way to get a copy in your hands. You can read our first impressions here – geekybrummie.com/comics/the-gb-pull-list-preview-review/
For the first time ever, indie powerhouse Unlikely Heroes Studios is taking on an entirely new property and a brand new team, and our unlikely heroes are…villains? Join writer Paul Hanley (Doctor Who, Judge Dredd), penciler Ian Richardson (Marvel UK, Dark Horse), inker Julien Hugonnard-Bert (Star Wars, X-Men), colorist Simon Gough (Snake Eyes), and letterer Thomas Mauer (Dark Horse, Image) on a messed-up adventure the likes of which you’ve never experienced.
Check out these preview pages >
You can pledge for your issue via the Unlikely Heroes Studios campaign page here – The Unthinkables
Save Hellblazer
I’d like to remind everyone how magnificent this series is and how we shouldn’t allow DC to cancel it with issue 12. Sign the #SaveHellblazer petition here – Persuade DC Comics to continue the John Constantine: Hellblazer series
I hope that recent events depicted in Justice League Dark don’t have any bearing on this situation.
Your Local Comics Shops
Comic shops are open but things will be quite different for a while yet. Until things settle down I’ll continue to keep this section as a list of comic stores around the UK you can support.
So let your local comic shop know you are here for them. Contact them to pre-order titles, new collections or back issues from them and arrange either to collect or have your comics mailed out to you.
Here are a few of the great comic shops in the UK so get in touch and see how you can order comics and continue to support their stores –
FORBIDDEN PLANET INTERNATIONAL (VARIOUS) – includes Worlds Apart Birmingham
Stores reopened 15th June 2020 – please check with store for any changes to opening times and services.
Follow the stores social media pages for updates!
FORBIDDEN PLANET (VARIOUS) – includes Birmingham Megastore
All stores are now open. Check their website for more information –
https://forbiddenplanet.com/stores/
GOSH! COMICS (LONDON)
Store is now open again. 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)
OK Comics is now open. Follow the stores social media pages and website for updates!
http://www.okcomics.co.uk/ and https://twitter.com/OKComics
PAGE 45 (NOTTINGHAM)
Page 45 reopened this week. Check their website for more information –
http://www.page45.com/ and https://twitter.com/PageFortyFive
TRAVELLING MAN (VARIOUS)
Travelling Man has opened its doors again . Check their website and social media for more information –
https://travellingman.com/ and https://twitter.com/TravellingManUK
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