Thursday Morning Superhero

Today's abbreviated Thursday Morning Superhero is brought to you by ComiXology as I did not have a chance to make it to my local comic book store. 2019 has been oddly busy, but thanks to the advent and growth of digital comics I am able to maintain my pull list and keep up with the phenomenal series from Jeff Lemire and Donny Cates.

Pick of the Week:
Gideon Falls #10 - It seems we finally have our issue that allows the path of Norton and his quest for the Black Barn cross with Father Wilfred and the repercussions are not positive. Apparently the Black Barn dates back to a mysterious murder in the late 1800's and I have a feeling that Norton's connection to the Barn goes deeper than first imagined. I worry what the two have awakened crossing paths and am sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see what Jeff Lemire has planned for us now that the door has been opened.  This does not bode well and is shaping up as a potential True Detective season four.

The Rest:
Babyteeth #14 - Sadie is at long last reunited with her baby and the reunion in Hell is not as heartwarming as you may have guessed. There are still a lot of questions as to how Sadie ended up giving birth to the Anti-Christ and how the hell they are going to get out of...hell. This issue was a dramatic turn from other issues and allowed us to see Sadie for the vulnerable mother that she is at heart. It was uplifting, although problematic given the situation Sadie and her family are in.




The Batman Who Laughs #2 - Batman has been infected with the Joker toxin and it is only a matter of time before the serums he is injecting himself with become ineffective. In this issue, brilliantly illustrated by Jock, Bruce Wayne confronts the demons infecting Gotham City while coping with the severity of his current infection. It plays out almost as if Wayne is accepting his fate due to the serum and identifying an appropriate successor. I love having Scott Snyder paired with Jock for a Batman series. It is what every DC fan has been clamoring for.





POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Pick of the Week:
Babyteeth #12 - This series has evolved effectively and we are treated to a quieter issue that lulls the reader into a false sense of security only to have the rug swept out from under them. Sadie is desperate to return to the Red Realm to save her son.  The only person who is capable of opening it from this side is Simon, a child who recently returned from the Red Realm and his mother doesn't want him to endure any more pain. As a parent this issue really resonated with me and I think it is a big reason why I have enjoyed this series as much as I have. The dialogue between Sadie, her father, and Simon's mother is very moving, when they aren't shouting at each other. The tease at the end of the issue has me salivating for issue #13.

The Rest:
Ether: The Copper Golems #4 - Boone and his crew manage to shut down one of the portals being powered by a copper golem, but don't quite understand who is opening these portals between the Ether and Earth and their motivation. Their journey brings them to the Enchanted Primeval Forest where they are greeted by a master storyteller who enchants most of the group in a series of tales tapped to their inner most psyche. This allows us to experience a series of mini-comics within this story that are an absolute delight. Not sure how Matt Kindt and David Rubin will be able to wrap things up with the next issue, but I will  be there for it.


Gideon Falls #6 - The first chapter in this series reached a stunning conclusion in a very trippy issue. Father Fred is attempting to save Clara and has an unexpected trip in and out of the mysterious Black Barn that is a central force in this series. I don't pretend to understand what the Black Barn is, but Clara's brother is involved and there are dark forces at play. Meanwhile, Noton and his therapist have found the door to the Black Barn and hatch a plan to assemble it. Very curious to see what happens as Norton begins to assemble the pieces of the Black Barn he has been collecting throughout the city of Gideon Falls and I'm worried that we will meet Clara's brother in the near future and it doesn't bode well.




POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

This Saturday marks the return of International TableTop Day! I cannot wait for another excuse to play board games all day on Saturday and encourage you all to find out what events are in your area by checking out the official website.  I am looking forward to playing Azul, a clever tile drafting and placing game that has some stunning components. I've only played it a few times and it is quickly becoming one of my go to games. 

Pick of the Week:
Babyteeth #10 - I have enjoyed Babyteeth since the first issue and it is one of my favorite books on my pull-list, but Donny Cates and Garry Brown outdid themselves with this issue. Following the chaotic events of the Coyote's assault on the compound where Sadie and her family were, this issue presented a softer side and reminded me that Sadie is a child herself and cannot fathom how to deal with her child possibly being the Antichrist. In this issue we learn why Sadie is hiding in Palestine and why she is currently without her child. Clark apparently can open up a portal to the red dimension and is currently in that evil place with Sadie's sister. We have officially come full circle and are current with Sadie recording the message for Clark in the first issue. The humorous interlude of the flying demon cat was definitely a highlight in an otherwise extremely emotional issue. I won't spoil the additional details we learn in Palestine, but I can confirm that this series is taking a turn I did not expect and I couldn't be more excited about.

The Rest:
Saga #51 - Another gut wrenching issue that was otherwise filled with some moments of peace and beauty. Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples' have created an amazing universe filled with some of the most spectacular beings that have graced a comic book page. Saga serves as a reminder that there is good in even the most trying times. We have Prince Robot trying to make right with his family, Marko and Alana trying to provide as normal of a life as possible for their daughter, and even The Will seeking redemption for his mercenary past.  Despite the punch in the gut in this issue, the reader is left hopeful that some of this will be behind us in the near future.


Redneck #12 - Holy hell this issue is full of blood. Being a comic book about vampires it isn't the most shocking revelation, but holy hell that was a lot if blood.  I mean a freaking lot of blood. I am going to have to go back and read this to make some sense of the carnage that I just witnessed. Phil plays one hell of a trump card to force the vampires out of his house the the battle between the FBI and fleeing vampires was a site to behold. Donny Cates sprinkled in a nice surprise and is setting the stage nicely for the next arc. If you haven't read this series yet it would be a great time to pick up the first trade and catch up on the rest of the story.

Darth Vader #15 - Vader really is much more impressive in comic book form. I don't think it would have fit the Star Wars saga to have him mind control a giant squid in order to avoid drowning, yet it feels oddly appropriate given the extent of his power that has been on display in this series. The Mon Cala are putting up one hell of a fight and are taking advantage of their planet's natural defenses, but the Empire is escalating its attack and Vader and the Sixth Brother are en route to the Jedi hidden on the planet's surface. Something tells me there are going to be a lot of dead Mon Cala in the next issue.




A Look Back:
East of West #1 - I do enjoy Jonathan Hickman as a creator, but I need to be in the right state of mind to venture into his creations. Over the weekend I had a friend recommend East of West as it recently was picked up in a television deal. After reading the first couple of issues I understand its appeal. I enjoy a good sci-fi/western and this series centers around the birth of the three of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The fourth didn't survive the ritual and it seems to me that entails him remaining in human form for his siblings to track down. The opening plot focuses on an assassination attempt on the president's life. There is a lot to soak in and I am looking forward to learning more about what Hickman has in store for the readers. Fortunately I picked up the trade and look forward to finishing the first arc.



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Black Panther comes out tonight at midnight and from what I have been reading we should all go see it immediately. My schedule will permit me to view this film on Monday so I would appreciate you all remaining spoiler free on social media.  I'm looking at you, Carl! In addition to being critically acclaimed and projected to break some box office records, it brings joy to my heart that we have a movie with a nearly all-black cast that is getting this much hype and is already being celebrated world wide. Go see Black Panther this weekend. In fact, see it twice!

Pick of the Week:
Babyteeth #8 - Woah.  Donny Cates brought the heat (literally at one point) in the latest issue of his comic that chronicles the lives of Sadie and her newborn Clark. Something is a bit off with Clark, most notably his thirst for his mother's blood. It turns out that he might be the Antichrist and there are various groups that have a vested interest in his life. We recently met Sadie's mother, and in this issue she tells her about her ancestry and why Clark is important in opening the gate between our realm and the devil's.  There are some other amazing tidbits that Cates teaches us about Sadie's mother that I won't get into due to spoilers.  While Sadie's mother is currently holding her and Clark in a safe house, Sadie's father and sister will stop at nothing to save her and Clark, despite the efforts of the demon-ish Dancy and a fire-breathing demon raccoon type animal. Cates provides comic relief in an effective manner and this remains one of my favorite books currently in print.

The Rest:
Kick-Ass #1 - Kick-Ass is back and a brand new Hit-Girl is just around the corner. While I was initially skeptical of another iteration of this Mark Millar creation, the identity and background of the person behind the mask is one that is needed in comics. Even though it is a spoiler, the new individual behind the mask is Patience, a veteran who was a war hero in Afghanistan, an African-American, and a single mom. We quickly learn what an amazing woman she is and I look forward to how her identity shapes the direction of the character. This explosive debut issue features the ultra-violence that is associated with the series and is a lot of fun. I am very curious to see what plans Millar has for this character and look forward to seeing where her journey leads.

Darth Vader #11 - Now that Vader has the list of force sensitive children, he is on a mission to eliminate them.  Joined by The Ninth Sister, a former Jedi turned Inquisitor, Vader is investigating a force sensitive incident that was reported on Cabarria. We quickly learn that there is a group of bounty hunters that are targeting Vader. A highly entertaining issue that sees the destruction of Vader's lightsaber and an exciting flying vehicle chase. A great start to a new arc that seeks the answer of who set Vader up?






POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

This will be the final pre-Turkey day Thursday Morning Superhero and it has me reflecting back on 2017 and the books we were graced with. One of my most anticipated books of the year hasn't been released yet (Sword of Ages), but I find it fitting that this week we are treated to a pair of books from author Donny Cates. He has jumped out as one of my favorite new authors and someone that will have a big impact on this industry.

Pick of the Week:
Babyteeth #6 - The mystery grows as we learn a bit more about the Warlock Dancy and his connection to Sadie and her family. Sadie is clearly in need of help with her child, but she notes her concern about trusting someone who can easily alter people's minds in order to get them to do what he insists. In a particularly funny moment, Sadie spots a demon on the wing of the plane (straight out of the Twilight Zone) and Clark wakes up screaming! Being the potential Antichrist, his scream nearly brings down the plane before Dancy intervenes. Without spoiling anything, the location where Dancy brings Sadie and her family took me completely off guard and has me even more excited about unraveling the history between Dancy and his group. Mix in the seemingly unstoppable force that is headed Sadie's way and we have ourselves quite the impressive book.

The Rest:
Doctor Aphra #14 - Really entertaining story as both Aphra and Imperial officer Magna Tolvan are dealing with recent changes in command. The two come into contact as Aphra is on a team that is trying to steal data from the Clone Wars from the post that Tolvan is stationed. The two run into one another and there is clearly a mutual respect and possibly more between these two strong female characters. The evolution of Aphra from the time when she was Vader's partner continues to impress and I would love to see her work her way into another medium.



Darth Vader #8 - The inevitable run-in between Jocasta Nu, the Jedi librarian, and Darth Vader is nearly upon us. Nu is securing a database of all of the force sensitive children in the galaxy from a secret room in a Jedi archive when she is forced to detonate her ship after she is discovered. This draws the attention of Vader and what ensues next really has me excited for this series. The rage of Nu watching her books mistreated is a sight to behold. I love seeing a different side of a character that I previously knew little about.

Doctor Strange #381 - Donny Cates is taking over the Doctor Strange series and his first arc gives us a new sorcerer supreme, Loki! Things are working out about as well as you would expect between Loki and the other magical beings, but I fear he has grand plans for the magical gifts he has been bestowed with.  I have not read much Doctor Strange, but I am curious to see why Stephen Strange gave up his title and abilities and passed them on to Loki. There is likely a plan for this madness, but we will have to wait and see. I enjoyed Cates' debut on this title and look forward to continuing with the arc.





POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

An odd thing happened over the weekend at New York Comic Con. Marvel announced that there was a planned partnership with the defense contractor Northrop Grumman. There was a promotional comic book image featuring the Avengers and the Northrop Grumman Elite Nexus (N.G.E.N.) that had to be yanked due to public outrage over the agreement. Fans even brought up Tony Stark and how he got out of the weapons business after he saw its impact first hand. Marvel heard the outcry, cancelled the partnership and the event announcing it, and this is likely the last we will hear of it.

Pick of the Week:
Babyteeth #5 - Sadie, in addition to dealing with the possibility that her newborn is the Antichrist and that there is an assassin currently trying to kill him, now learns that her sister is working with a warlock who is part of a secret organization known as "The Way". The life of a young mother is never easy, but Sadie has it particularly rough. What I love about this book is the way that author Donny Cates walks the fine line of keeping this book light and touching, while interweaving the bigger picture of the competing factions we are introduced to in this issue. Sadie is not only confronting the difficulties of being a young mother and family drama, she now has to worry about "The Silhouette", a group who believes that her child will bring about the end of days, and whether or not she should trust Dancy Cherrywood, the warlock who just saved her life. Loving the direction this series is heading and really enjoying the multiple titles from Cates I am currently reading. He is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

The Rest:
Royal City #6 - Jeff Lemire gives us a glimpse into the past as he takes us to 1993 as we learn more about the family dynamics, Tommy's life before his death, and some of the day to day activities that the family engaged in. On the surface this feels like a very simple issue, but it was nostalgic and was an issue that made me reflect on my life as a teenager in that same time period. I am still not sure on where this series is heading, but it evokes feelings of Sweet Tooth and I am really enjoying every single panel. I think that this flashback will cause a lot of readers to revisit the first five issues to see what connections they are able to draw.  At least that is what I plan on doing.



Daredevil #27 - This is by and far my favorite current Marvel series. Charles Soule has done a phenomenal job with Daredevil and the current arc is a must-read. In this issue we learn how Blindspot came to China and the price his family paid to get him his sight back. Trapped in a pit, Daredevil is forced to listen to the horrifying truth, listen to the screams of Tenfingers who is thought to be dead, and forced to confront a demon if he wants to save his former partner. This is a dark and gritty arc and Ron Garney, Matt Milla, and VC's Clayton Cowles are absolutely crushing the art in this series.

Doctor Aphra #13 - The arc that featured the soul of an awakened Jedi trapped in a droids body came to its conclusion in this issue and left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. I have really enjoyed this spin-off and think Aphra is a terribly interesting character who walks the fine line of good versus evil quite well. I think what frustrated me a bit with the conclusion of this series is the lack of a payoff from Vader. He showed up, defeated Rur, and simply returned to the Emperor with no repercussions for Aphra. Given their past relationship, I expected more than Vader allowing her to escape and take a leave of absence. I am hopeful that this will be rectified in the next issue, but this oddly felt like a series finale even though it is slated as an ongoing book.



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Author Donny Cates is a Texas native and put together a quick fundraiser to raise money for the Houston Coalition for the Homeless in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. For only $25, not only can you get this awesome t-shirt, but you can help an amazing organization that could greatly use your support.  Click here to place an order if you are so inclined.

Pick of the Week:
Saga #46 - An emotional issue of Saga sees the conclusion of the abortion that Alana needed to survive. The fetus had already passed, but it is clear that Marko and Hazel still had a lot of emotions to work through as they grieved together. Hazel's relationship with her imaginary brother is beautiful and heart breaking at the same time. We are reminded about how much suffering Hazel has had to endure in her short life and how fragile life is for the group of outcasts that currently make up this story.  Not to be outdone, Prince Robot and Petrichor deal with issues of loss and suicide in one of the heavier issues.  Brian K. Vaughan does a great job treating these topics with care and attention in a non-judgmental way that seems very appropriate. For a book that can get extremely bizarre and gratuitous, this issue really stands out and is one I will likely read many times over.

The Rest:
Secret Empire #10 - Is this the issue where Nick Spencer will finally stop taking so much crap for turning Captain America a Hydra agent?  The finale of this summer's big Marvel event takes us inside the sentient cosmic cube that is Kobik as the Captain America that we all know and love returns. Would he lose this battle? Would there be a lasting impact on the Marvel Universe? Nope. In the end I am ok with this and really enjoyed this arc from the beginning. Was Captain America being a sleeper Hydra agent a gimmick? Absolutely, but it was one that had a great team behind it and a compelling story to boot. Well done Mr. Spencer.  Well done.


Mace Windu: Jedi of the Republic #1 - Following the conclusion of the Battle of Geonosis, Mace Windu finds himself conflicted about the Jedi's new role in the name of the Republic. Preferring peace to war, Windu is now a General and must lead various military forces in a quest for peace. Windu's first mission takes him to the planet Hissrich and he assembles a team that includes Kit Fisto, the blind Jedi Prosset Dibs, and pilot Rissa Mano. While we don't quite know what the separatists are up to on this planet, it is clear that the Jedi must find out quickly and intervene. This was an enjoyable first issue that gives Windu the additional attention that his character deserves.

Star Wars #35 - Han Solo is the galaxy's only hope as the Republic needs someone to smuggle Grakkus the Hutt past enemy lines so that he can be properly interrogated. After the demise of Sunspot Prison it is imperative to get Hutt to a new holding facility. If you recall, this Hutt is a muscular foe with a set of robotic scorpion legs and quite the formidable foe. Solo has to deal with not only the smooth talking ways of the Hutts, but one of the strongest characters that exists in the comics to boot. This was a highly entertaining issue and a great way to get your Star Wars fix in before Force Friday this weekend.



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

It seems like things are starting to return to normal. The convention season is behind us, my kids are back in school, and Nintendo is still making it really difficult to purchase their products. At least I have Supreme Court action, back from the dead fighting, a new virus breaking out on earth, and crazy vampire grandpas to keep me occupied.

Pick of the Week:
Dept. H #17 - Mia gets one helluva an email from Lily that details the shaky background of their friendship. The crew is close to finally making it back to the surface, but if we can trust the briefing from Lily it looks like they might want to remain under water. According to Lily, the H-Virus had another outbreak on land and is creating all sorts of havoc. I want to trust her and feel that her heartfelt email to Mia is a way to get her message out before they all die. Aaron is looking might suspicious, but I haven't nailed down a motive on him just yet.  What is clear is that Matt and Sharlene Kindt have crafted a great murder mystery at the bottom of the ocean and this is a series well worth your time.

The Rest:
Redneck #5 - We finally learn the truth about what happened to Slap and holy hell was that brutal. Apparently not everyone in the family is on board with attempting to co-exist with humans and Slap was caught in the crossfire. This issue brought back memories of the first and makes you really appreciate what author Donny Cates is setting up. JV is pissed off and I don't think things are going to end well for anything. Add into the mix that they are accountable for turning Father Landry and are going to have a hard time remaining hidden for long. I am expecting a lot of blood in the next issue.



Secret Empire #9 - We had some nice victories over the past few issues. Led by Sam Wilson, the Avengers were able to take down the planetary shield and destroy the bubble over Manhattan. On top of that, they were able to welcome the Winter Soldier back to the team after everyone thought he was killed at the hands of Zemo. Come from behind victories and the return of seemingly dead best friends is pretty cliche superhero comic, but it is pretty cliche for a reason. When properly written and executed it is a lot of fun.  Thanks to Nick Spencer and crew, Secret Empire continues to be an entertaining event that will likely have no real impact on anything other than a fun story. Issue 9 is an epic battle showing how the tides really are turning, but there is one enemy that they were never prepared to face. Captain America himself.

Daredevil #25 - Matt Murdock has made it all the way to the Supreme Court. In an attempt to establish a legal precedent that masked superheros don't have to identify themselves to testify, Murdock is up against one of the best lawyers in the country and Kingpin himself. In addition to the lawyer, Fisk reaches back out to Tombstone to take a more violent approach to preventing this case from being heard. I liked watching the justices fight Daredevil in his mind as he made arguments and dealt with tough questions. This was a fun approach to Daredevil that focused more on the law and less on him beating up bad guys with his billy club, which based on the conclusion of this issue, Plan C for Fisk involves a lot of fighting.



POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.