BY DAVID BERCKThe last couple of weeks were slow without a ton of new releases. Sure, there were enough to keep people happy, but we all still want more, more, MOAR, right? Things definitely pick up again this week with definite endings and lots of beginnings. We've got some pure entertainment, like Akaneiro from Dark Horse and Half Past Dark from IDW. Let's not forget a brand new superhero for the modern age in Image's newest release, Bounce! If you're into non-political comics that support populist movements, there's also something new for you this week with Occupy Comics!
Then there are the bittersweet double endings of three Green Lantern titles all dealing with the conclusion of "The Wrath of the First Lantern" story arc as well as the departure of writers from all three series. It's a mishmash and a hodgepodge of really cool stuff, so let's get to what's in the spotlight for May 22, 2013!
Black Mask Studios
Occupy Comics #1
What do you get when you combine Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Matt Pizzolo (Halo-8 Entertainment), and Brett Gurewitz (guitartist, Bad Religion)? You get a new comics company called Black Mask Studios. You may have heard of Occupy Comics already, as it was a wildly popular project over on Kickstarter. Though the proceeds from Occupy Comics is going to help support different Occupy initiatives, Pizzolo maintains the stories to be published by artists such as Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta), David Lloyd (V for Vendetta), Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), and more than 50 other comic pros may well be perceived as "surprisingly thoughtful and non-partisan." In other words, don't let politics be a reason to skip this series. Black Mask's website hints that issue #1 will contain a story about how Occupy Sandy rescued a community in Rockaway, NY, after the devastating hurricane. In their own words, "Occupy Comics is a once-in-a-lifetime coalition of intelligent creatives using sequential art to record history as it's being made."
Boom! Studios
Hellraiser: The Dark Watch #4
There's a new High Priest in Hell, but nobody's quite sure why this person was chosen. There's also an army being raised even after Elliot Spencer's (ok, honestly now, how many of you knew Pinhead's real name?) rebellion has been put down. Is there a war coming? With whom?!? So many questions! Don't be afraid of this series. Unlike some of the other Hellraiser properties of the past, Clive Barker is actually involved in this. Come see what's going on in Hell, won't you?
Dark Horse
Akaneiro #1 (of 3)
Remember when American McGee came out with a dark and twisted version of Alice? Well, he's at it again, this time taking aim at Red Riding Hood and placing her in folkloric Japan. This mini-series is based on the game of the same name. Check out conflicting culture clash in a young woman who battles demons to save her world.
DC Comics
Green Team: Teen Trillionaires #1
If you think this title sounds familiar, then you're into far more obscure comics than I am. The Green Team survived all of one issue back in the 1970s and was never heard from again, outside of two more issues being published in an anthology, until now. Money is no object for these kids as they band together for more fun than anyone without their money can ever hope to have. Bruce Wayne? Feh. Panhandler. Oliver Queen (aka Green Arrow)? Pauper. That's how rich these kids are and they're living in their own outrageous world. What trouble could they possibly get into? The begged question is why resurrect a title from the '70s that lasted one official issue? Co-writers Art Baltazar and Franco (Superman Family Adventures; Tiny Titans) say that DC approached them with a new concept that knocked their socks off and motivated them to want to create the most outrageous comic in the New 52.
This week, there are three, Three, THREE!! Lantern titles being released. All of them mark the end of the Wrath of the First Lantern crossover arc. All of them also mark the end of runs for their writers. Not to diminish that Tony Bedard and Peter Milligan won't be writing for Green Lantern: New Guardians and Red Lanterns, respectively, anymore, but the HEEEEEYUGE news here is the end of Geoff Johns on the main title after almost 10 years of work. This is an extra-sized issue with the final battle with the First Lantern and the Guardians followed by a special retrospective of Johns' run with Green Lantern. A highly sentimental pick.
IDW
Half Past Danger #1
Take Jurassic Park and throw Indiana Jones in it and what have you got? I have no idea, but it might be something like Stephen Mooney's first solo project, Half Past Danger. Get your retro pulpy serial action-adventure taste of Nazis vs. Dinosaurs right here! There's even a ninja on the cover. How can you not buy this?!?
Image
The Bounce #1
Joe Casey (Sex, Butcher Baker Righteous Maker, Haunt) has created a new hero, Jasper Jenkins. He's acrobatic, reliable, and relatable. Casey describes Bounce as a "slacker superhero comic for the 21st century." Can't wait!
Marvel
Daredevil #26
This surprise hit is now entering its third year and Marvel is celebrating with a double-sized issue featuring an enemy they say Daredevil cannot beat! Who could it be? And why is Iron Man rumored to be showing up?
Journey Into Mystery #652
Marvel continues to feature Sif! Old-timer Thor fans will want to give this one serious consideration as Beta Ray Bill (yes, THAT Beta Ray Bill) returns!