What’s old is new again

cnnradionews staff July 23, 2024

3 5 minutes read

Here we are with a (tardy) pre-SDCC Top Comics to Buy for July 24, a week in which properties like EC Comics, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dick Tracy and Flash Gordon are all making a play at newness. Some nostalgia chasing is inherent to the modern comics market, but to me what makes this week stand out is that (with the possible exception of TMNT) these aren’t the usual reboot suspects. But I digress, you can find my usual set of weekly recommendations below … enjoy!

Top Comics to Buy for July 24, 2024

Epitaphs From The Abyss #1
Writer: J. Holtham, Chris Condon, Stephanie Phillips, and Brian Azzarello
Artists: Jorge Fornes, Peter Krause, Phil Hester (inked by Travis Hymel), and Vlad Legostaev
Colorists: Dan Jackson, Michelle Madsen, Marissa Louise, and Brittany Peer
Letterer: Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith
Publisher: Oni Press
In our first extra-sized, 40-page dose of fear, witness shocking tales of torment and tension in the undying EC tradition-as wrenched from the grave by the vile intentions of acclaimed writers Brian Azzarello (Batman: Damned, 100 Bullets), Chris Condon (That Texas Blood, Night People), J. Holtham (FX’s The Handmaid’s Tale), and Stephanie Phillips (Harley Quinn, Grim) and realized into bloody reality by “all-slaughter” artists Jorge Fornes (Rorschach, Danger Street), Phil Hester (Family Tree), Peter Krause (Irredeemable), and more!
Why It’s Cool: EC Comics in 2024 is a wild idea, given how much of the original books were predicated on pushing the boundaries at the time they were published (up until EC ended in 1956). It’s much much harder these days to to do anything fresh in the horror space, arguably the most robust of any genre, with innovative work being done in horror movies and TV and videogames and manga and on and on. Much of today’s horror is built on the foundation laid by the original EC. In other words, these are some of the biggest possible shoes to fill. But Oni Press is giving it a go, and if you’re like me, you’ll want to check it out to see how the whole thing shakes out. We’ll have a full review coming tomorrow…
Price: $4.99

Hello Darkness #1
Writers: Jude Ellison S. Doyle, Dave Cook, James Tynion IV, Steve Orlando, and Garth Ennis
Artists: Letizia Cadonici, David Cousens, Werther Dell’edera, A.L. Kaplan, and Becky Cloonan
Colorists: Alessandro Santoro, Angel De Santiago, Miquel Muertro, Marissa Louise, and Tamra Bonvillain
Letterers: Becca Carey, Nathan Kempf, Andworld Design, Jodie Troutman, and Pat Brosseau
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
With a spine-tingling lineup of industry legends including Garth Ennis, Becky Cloonan, James Tynion IV, Werther Dell’Edera, Brian Azzarello, Vanesa R. Del Rey, John Arcudi, Ryan Sook, and more, everything from primal fears to modern political horrors will be awakened, in the classic style of Creepy and Eerie and the contemporary chills of Black Mirror.
Why It’s Cool: Meanwhile, the folks over at BOOM! Studios are launching a very EC Comics-inspired anthology of their own, on the same week as the EC Comics relaunch. They’re different books, though (obviously). This one also features a story from BOOM!’s popular Something Is Killing the Children. The standout story for me is definitely the Ennis/Cloonan/Bonvillain/Brosseau piece, which shook me to my core, with an honorable mention to the opening story by Doyle/Cadonici/Santoro/Carey, which is right — kids are scary.
Price: $5.99

Nice House By The Sea #1
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Alvaro Martinez Bueno
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Andworld Design
Publisher: DC Comics – Black Label
No one who was invited to the House knew Max–but she knew each and every one of them. Masters of their fields, titans of industry and knowledge, they all represented the best and brightest of humanity. So when Max whispered to each of them the truth of what they deserved–to be saved from disaster, to carry on the flame of civilization in a paradise built just for them–they all leaped at the chance. Why not? Why shouldn’t they be the ones to live forever? Isn’t it their destiny to survive the culling of the lesser herd? Wouldn’t being named the future of humanity be…nice?
Why It’s Cool: I’ll be honest, although I loved Nice House on the Lake, I wasn’t sure the concept had anywhere left to go after the first 12 issues wrapped up. It seemed like a very smart pandemic parable played out against a horrific backdrop. That was all well and good. But I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised by how new Nice House By The Sea #1 felt, while building in a sensical way from the previous volume. Also, this art team is just so damn excellent.
Price: $4.99

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Joelle Jones
Colorist: Ronda Pattison
Letterer: Shawn Lee
Publisher: IDW Publishing
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have all left New York to pursue their own interests, but there are forces gathering that will pull them back together-whether the bad guys like it or not. First up: Raphael! But why is everyone’s favorite brawler in prison?! When a surprise attack behind bars puts Raph’s position in jeopardy, he needs to figure out how to get out of jail and warn his brothers that trouble is coming. Superstar writer Jason Aaron (The Mighty Thor, Batman: Off-World) teams up with Jo lle Jones (LadyKiller, Catwoman) for the first issue of a new TMNT series that will start a bold new era, celebrating the TMNT’s 40th anniversary while setting them up for the next 40 years to come!
Why It’s Cool: You know, so many ongoing comics relaunch with a new #1 and bill themselves as “a great jumping on point.” But holy cow, this one actually delivers one of the best jumping ons points I’ve read for an ongoing story in a good long while. I loved this issue. It hooks me for the run to come AND makes me want to go back and read the full run that came before it. Mission accomplished.
Price: $4.99

Zatanna – Bring Down the House #1
Writer: Mariko Tamaki
Artist: Javier Rodriguez
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: DC Comics – Black Label
MAGICIAN ON TRIAL! Despite Zatanna’s willful determination to avoid Real Magic at all costs, a terrifying showdown with the interdimensional demon that interrupted her stage show reveals that she might not have run as far from the world of sorcery as she once hoped. Now a mysterious group of magic casters emerges from the shadows to accuse her of wielding great and terrible power against one of their own–her late father and greatest shame, Giovanni Zatara!
Why It’s Cool: Everything Javier Rodriguez draws is a must-read for me, but even more so when it’s written by Mariko Tamaki and paired with a character as visually interesting as Zatanna. This book just looks great. It’s an electric read page to page. Making it all the more exciting to me is that Zatanna remains one of those DC characters without a clear number 1 iconic story. Folks? This could easily be it.
Price: $5.99