Sandman #18 - Classic Comic of the Week

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By d. emerson eddy — Like many of the fringe kids in the '80s and '90s, I was drawn to the haunting and beautiful quality of The Sandman. I gravitated more towards the horror and fantasy aspects than the philosophical questions at the time, but it served as a familiar base to later explore even further from different perspective. The series is incredible in that there are many layers that you can read, enjoy, and understand, unfolding new joys with each re-reading.

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The Wicked + The Divine #8: The Wic + Div Re-Read

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This week’s issue of The Wicked + The Divine Re-Read Project is putting the spotlight on issue #8, a personal favorite of the series for me (admittedly, they are all personal favorites but this one seriously stands out). This issue takes the audience on a trip and the art shines more than ever. No need to tarry in the introduction, on to the issue!

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SMALL PRESS PREVIEW: Two Swords Til Mercy

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By Zack Quaintance — I am so pleased to bring you today’s small press preview, which features Two Swords Til Mercy from writer Brentt Harshman, artist J. Paul Schiek, colorist A.H.G., and letterer LetterSquids. The writer and artist on this book are a couple of my favorite up and coming creators to follow on Twitter, both effusive with praise for other creators and open with insights into their own careers and processes.

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Batman #520 - Classic Comic of the Week

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By d. emerson eddy — Batman #520 came out towards the beginning of one of the best runs on Batman, and probably my favorite, from Doug Moench and Kelley Jones, but it features guest artwork from the legendary Eduardo Barreto. He's probably best known in the United States for his work on The Shadow Strikes and The New Teen Titans, and is definitely an artist who probably flies under the radar for many readers. There's a beauty and economy of line to Barreto's work that's somewhat reminiscent of a pared down Joe Kubert or Jordi Bernet. Just perfect to portray the pulp sensibilities of Batman and to convey the more intricate emotions throughout what is largely a “quiet” issue.

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Small Press Preview: The Scent of May Rain

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Scent of May is a new comic from writer Mark O. Stack and artist Kaylee Rowena, and its official description is…a Jewish golem woman created in 1920 spends 100 years on a journey to reveal her soul through her relationships with other women and theatre.

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BLACK HOLE COMICS AND ENTERTAINMENT - A Mission Statement

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My name is Toren Chenault and I'm one of the co-founders of Black Hole Comics and Entertainment. I’m from Cincinnati, but currently live in Lansing, Michigan. I'm also the President/Publisher/CEO whatever other fancy title people like to have with these types of companies. That isn't important. What is important is that you are reading the very first post for Black Hole! And I'd like to welcome you.

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Batman The Adventures Continue #1 - COMIC OF THE WEEK

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By d. emerson eddy — No new comics were sent out physically this week, with Diamond essentially shutting down for the foreseeable future until things start getting back to normal. How long that may last, we don't know. To coincide with that, nearly all publishers have taken a similar approach to their digital releases. Even with the slim pickings, there was a selection of some great stuff in Finger Guns #2, Sera & The Royal Stars #7, Sabrina: Something Wicked #1, and Ash & Thorn #1. It was nice to at least see something new, even though it reinforced the idea that we live in uncertain times. Though I do suggest checking them out, it didn't quite feel right to me to focus on something that also has a print edition that isn't necessarily easy to get right now, so thankfully there was a digital first release that can be considered comfort food, Batman: The Adventures Continue #1.

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Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow - CB Favorites

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By Kimota1977 — If you are a comic person you will inevitably be asked one question by every other comic person you meet – “What’s your favorite story?” Most people see my online handle and assume it is that most glorious of superhero deconstruction tales written and illustrated by god-tier creators – Miracleman.

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Wic + Div Re-Read: The Wicked + The Divine #7

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By Alex Batts — We’re back for another installment of The Wicked + The Divine Re-Read Project, this week taking a look at issue #7. This issue continues to deepen the mystery and gives us a bigger introduction to another member of the Pantheon. With that said, let’s get into it!

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Brubaker and Lark's SCENE OF THE CRIME: The Herrimam Files

By Taylor Pechter — Ed Brubaker is one of the most acclaimed writers of crime comics in the entire industry, with a long line of lucrative and award-winning books to his name. But today, I want to look back at one of his earlier works — Scene of the Crime, which saw Brubaker collaborating with artist Michael Lark, inker Sean Phillips (who would go on to become Brubaker’s most-frequent collaborator), colorist James Sinclair, and letterer John Costanza. Scene of the Crime — publisher by Vertigo back in the summer of 1999 — is the story of Maggie Jordan and the private investigator examining the circumstances of her mysterious death, Jack Herriman.

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Small Press Preview: SHE Vol. 1

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By Zack Quaintance — There were no new direct market comics today, and this was the first Wednesday in my lifetime that I can remember that happening without a holiday or some other long-planned reason for delay. Today’s absence of new books was due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the resultant shelter in place orders, and the ripple effect it’s having on the economy. All that said, there are still plenty of excellent comics out there for fans and readers to find and support.

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Comic of the Week: Transformers Vs. Terminator #1

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By d. emerson eddy — We live in interesting times. As I write this, I'm uncertain as to when my next choice for comic of the week is going to go up. Diamond Comics Distribution is no longer shipping new product for the time being, everything non-essential in my region is closed anyway, and it looks like many publishers are pushing back digital releases in order to help brick-and-mortar retailers as well to not give further undue hardship during this time. So, when new comics will resume a regular schedule is up in the air. I know that uncertainty can lead to anxiety, it certainly does for me, so I wanted potentially the last comic of the week for a while to be something of comfort food. For me, a mash up of two seminal '80s products representative of my childhood could have come at a better time.

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3 comics things I like and don’t like this week, March 27

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By Zack Quaintance — I remember when the scope of the coronavirus crisis first started coming into focus, someone in the media whom I respect (although not enough to remember their name, apparently), warned that American life was going to change for the foreseeable future. I didn’t really understand what that meant, not really. See, I already work from home. My wife and I do things on the weekend and in the evenings, just like anybody. We see movies, go to dinner with friends, take in sites, go on weekend trips. The list goes on, but none of these things have ever felt all that essential to me.

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SMALL PRESS PREVIEW: 20 Fists Rounds 1 - 3

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By Zack Quaintance — As of this writing, it’s unclear whether any new comics will be available this coming Wednesday. The coronavirus pandemic has shut down most major American cities, and that shut down includes printing companies that pump out the weekly physical books, as well as Diamond Comics Distribution, which is basically the sole comics distribution mechanism in North America. Publishers could (and still might) but their books online digitally, but it remains to be seen whether they actually do that, presenting as it does a risk of alienating comics retailers who see digital as a threat to their business.

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Basketful of Heads #6 - One Hot Panel

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By Zack Quaintance — Saying I’m sitting here reading comics as the world burns is a fun phrase to type, but it’s maybe not the whole truth. I’ve actually been really busy as the world burns! Mostly covering the state and local government reaction to this crisis (because for a day job, I work as a reporter in the state and local government space). While I know this distancing has given plenty of folks more free time as usual, that just isn’t the case for me. I’m beset by more anxiety than usual while being busier than ever.

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Comics Anatomy: Theomachy by Goran Gligovic

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By Harry Kassen — Hello readers, Harry Kassen here. I’m back this month, but I want to thank Jed McPherson for taking the time to write an article for Comics Anatomy last month and all of you for being cool with new stuff as I work on developing this column. If anyone else would like to write a guest article, please contact me or Zack and let us know what you’re thinking.

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COMIC OF THE WEEK: Starship Down #1

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By d. emerson eddy — In recent years, Andrea Mutti has been doing some very good science fiction and horror stories including Fearscape, Infinite Dark, and Port of Earth. Mutti's style reminds me a bit of Stuart Immonen and Chris Sprouse, with figures full of open, clean lines, but there's a darkness and scratchiness within that's all his own. It gives an ominous feel to his artwork that is perfect for the horror of the unknown that tends to lurk around the corner of these stories and he's proven equally adept at designing some exquisite beasties. All of that is what led me to pick up Starship Down #1, as I kind of went into this one blind.

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4 comics things I like and don’t like: Gene Luen Yang, those New Warriors characters, and more!

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By Zack Quaintance — I’ve said this on my Twitter a few times, but with everything so crazy and uncertain in the wider world, it really helps me to continue pushing on with this comics coverage nonsense. It’s a nice distraction, a nice escape, and a nice familiar way to ease my anxiety as everything else slowly melts. So, I’m going to keep doing it, and I hope you’ll find some relief of your own within my efforts.

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SMALL PRESS PREVIEWS: White Ash - Chapter Five

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By Zack Quaintance — When I think of Kickstarter comics, I think of White Ash, the comic series from writer Charlie Strickney, artist Conor Hughes, and colorist Fin Cramb. White Ash is a fantasy comic set in a modern day mining town in rural Pennsylvania. It has some loose commentary about places like that, but the main engine for the book is a story of forbidden love.

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