Late last week, I teamed up with DJ Ben Ha Meen of the For All Nerds show for a new, monthly comic review series. Each month, we'll pick 3 to 5 of our favorite issues and go back and forth. Since each of us hadn't read the other's picks, Episode 1 was equal parts education, reaction and clowning. I can't wait for you to see the shenanigans. In the meantime, let's talk about some other books I enjoyed in July.

Recent Comic Reviews

​SPEED RACER #1 | David Pepose (w), Davide Tinto (a) | Mad Cave Studios | $4.99

This one was so good, I wrote a lengthy Twitter thread about it. David Pepose knows how to write a fun comic, and this one is no exception. Tinto's manga-inspired art combines with Rex Lokus' colors to transport me back in time to my PS2 days, playing my favorite racing games. David describes it as 'Rocky meets Fast & Furious', and I think he's spot on. In one issue, he gives these characters more emotional depth than I ever remembered from the cartoon. The drama is exactly what we needed to take this to the next level, but it doesn't come at the expense of the action.

​MARVEL KNIGHTS: THE WORLD TO COME #2 | Joe Quesada (w/a), Priest (w) | Marvel Comics | $4.99

The comic that broke the internet. Unveiling a white Black Panther in issue #1 certainly raised some questions. Issue 2 answers a few and leaves others a mystery. We finally know who T'Challa's mysterious son is, and how he got to Wakanda. What's not immediately clear is why. This issue harkens back a lot to (and feels a lot like) the original Marvel Knights Black Panther, but you technically still don't need it to enjoy this story. Quesada's art is a treat, and Priest hasn't lost a beat on these scripts.

​UNCANNY VALLEY #10 | Tony Fleecs (w), Dave Wachter (a) | BOOM! Studios | $4.99

One of my favorite indie reads of late has finally reached its conclusion, and it was great. I won't spoil any plot points in case you're actually following along. But the series is very much about knowing -- and embracing -- who you are. To deliver that message with a parody of every toon known to man is quite a feat, and it stuck the landing. Be on the lookout for the trade collecting the last 5 issues, in stores soon.

The Purge is Coming

Each year (usually around Thanksgiving), I go through and purge titles from my Pull List. This year, the purge is coming early. Looking ahead at the next few weeks of releases, my budget is TOAST if I don't make changes. I'm talking $80-$100 per week. I'm afraid, because I don't think it will be easy to make these cuts. For the first time in 5 years, I don't feel like there are many bad comics on shelves. Even the books I'm behind on have interesting things going on (allegedly). But with services like Hoopla and GlobalComix out there, there's no real excuse for overspending anymore. A little patience can go a long way to keeping dollars in your pocket.

... Now I just have to take my own advice. Send prayers up lol.

Marvel Team-Up: DC Edition

Monday was the Final Order Cutoff for Marvel and DC's first team up in nearly 30 years, Deadpool/Batman #1. The 64 page one-shot will include 6 stories, teaming up Daredevil with Green Arrow, Captain America with Wonder Woman, and Old Man Logan with Frank Miller's Dark Knight among others. With more than 20 covers to choose from, I had an insanely difficult time placing my order. I settled for the Esad Ribic cover, but I'm probably gonna pick up the Skottie Young cover too. Let's hope the upcoming Batman/Deadpool #1 makes it easier. Ah, who am I kidding? DC's cover artists are gonna go absolutely insane lol.

If you've decided which cover you're grabbing, let me know on Facebook, Discord or in our FREE Patreon community! Maybe it'll help me make a decision.

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Read Something Dope Today,

BJ KICKS

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