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RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 34

Ash Griffith | December 31, 2019

Topics: 2019 in review, Alpha Comics and Games, Bad Weekend, Canto, comics, Comics X-Change, Criminal, Fearless, Josh Wright, RVA Comics X-Change, Snotgirl, Something is Killing the Children

Happiest of holidays, comic fans! Welcome to this week’s issue of your RVA Comics X-Change, and the final issue of 2019, featuring our End of the Year review, where we take a quick snapshot of the year in comics that was 2019.

For today’s issue, we decided to reach out to some of our friends in comics who were kind enough to help us out with recommendations throughout this year. These are some of their favorite reads from the year that was 2019, and what we were digging as we trudged along.

Our friends at Alpha Comics and Games in Willow Lawn have been there with us since the start, and have recommended quite a few of our own personal favorites. Not only do they themselves have great taste, but they always know just what to recommend you, even when you can’t tell what you’re in the mood for. 

Something is Killing the Children, by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’edera

“It reminds me a little of some storylines in Hellboy, so it’s definitely a good read while you wait for The Return of Effie Kolb,” said Co-Owner Alex Smith. “It’s really really hard to sum up the ‘book of the year’ when there are always so many awesome things out, but Something Is Killing The Children was one of the few releases this year that actively caters to things I like.”

Canto, by David M. Booher and Drew Zucker

Smith also passed along a recommendation from her partner in Alpha Comics, Co-Owner Brianna Beebe. “Brianna’s comic of the year would be the delightful fantasy comic Canto,” Smith said. “While it has lots of references to existing fantasy works like The Wizard of Oz, it takes them and builds them into a fascinating and rich world completely of it’s own. The story is emotionally resonant, if a little sad at times — but the whole experience of the comic is wonderful.”

Josh Wright has been another recurring face with us this year, helping us find the balance between indie comics and tried and true mainstream. When Josh hasn’t been researching the next comic to talk about with us, he can be seen doing improv comedy with his two-person team, Sweet Sweet Angel Babies, or slinging some solid jams with his band, Lovely Dove (also a duo, because Wright is nothing if not consistent). 

Sentient, by Jeff Lemire and Gabriel Walta

“The humanity Lemire brings to his sci fi books is always a joy!” said Wright. “The oversized format from TKO really showcases Walta’s artwork. Can a spaceship’s A.I. take care of children who suddenly find themselves all alone? If you love The Vision or Descender, check out Sentient.”

Our own Editor-In-Chief, Marilyn Drew Necci, also helped us out this year by taking the time to give us the low down on her favorites as well. When she isn’t reminding me I need to read Paper Girls, she is also telling you the best shows you need to keep on your radar every week in her weekly show column.

Bad Weekend, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips

“It’s a dark crime story that takes place at and around a comic book convention, featuring main characters who are washed-up, struggling industry vets trying to survive any way they can,” said Necci. “It’s not only a great crime story but a great look at the darker side of the comics world, where work-for-hire policies continue to rip off many of our best creators. ”

I decided to break my own rules and offer two favorites for the year instead of just one (it’s so hard to narrow it down!). However, I went against the very foundation of my comics fandom in my recommendations – neither are pop culture-based or remotely related to Betty or her frenemy for life, Veronica.

Fearless, by Seanan McGuire, Kelly Thompson, and Leah Williams

I will go anywhere and do anything for the women of Marvel’s Avengers. When I found out that there was an anthology series coming out this year that not only featured them, but less-covered characters like Jessica Jones? I couldn’t have been more excited – except then I discovered that it is also incredible. This four-part series is out now, with a trade paperback collection more than likely to be released sometime in 2020. 

Snotgirl, by Bryan Lee O’Malley & Leslie Hung

This series is so divisive, and I get it, but it still bums me out. A lot of people criticize O’Malley’s approach to twenty-something women as being similarly empty as that of YA Author John Green’s approach to teenage girls, which is a shame. I of course disagree, and I think that this is honestly some of O’Malley’s best writing to date. Some of the later issues of this series are stronger and more thought-out than his iconic Scott Pilgrim series, which only goes to show that when he takes more time to go above and beyond vapid slacker humor, he really hits the mark. 

Thank you again for getting us through yet another year, comic fans. With so much going on both in print and on the film side of things, such as the release of a little-known film called Avengers: Endgame, it’s been a pretty big year. What have your favorites been? What are you looking forward to in 2020?

As always, until next time, comic fans.

Top Image via Superman’s Christmas Adventure, Vol. 2, #1 (1944)

RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 27

Ash Griffith | September 24, 2019

Topics: Archie Comics, Fearless, Gentleman Ghost, Ghost Spider, ghostbusters, Hellcat, Jughead, Marvel comics, Spider-Gwen, Teen Titans, Teen Titans Go!, Teen Titans Go! vs Teen Titans, Weird Al Yankovic

Happy Tuesday comic fans! Welcome to your official fall edition of the comics exchange – same good comic fun, but with more caramel apple spice for your diet.

This week we’re focusing on the “feelgood” — some comfort food, if you will. With everything going bananas in the world, and our inevitable demise looming heavier than the cream in a pumpkin cold brew from Starbucks, we need some more wholesome media in our day, to balance it out a little bit. Today we have a little bit of yesterday mixed with a little bit of today, and finished off with a wholesome topping of personal heroes in our news.

Grab that scone and your warm beverage of choice, have a seat, and let’s dig on in.

This week in the news we have DC’s Teen Titans Go!, the animated series about the DC Universe team of the same name — except as teenagers, naturally. The heroic group featuring Robin (aka Batman’s beloved Boy Wonder), Starfire, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven, and Bumblebee has seen a couple movies fall under their belt along with the television series. This week a brand new addition comes to the film repertoire: Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans.

Not only does the film give us a very bizarro-world take on things, with every version of the characters meeting each other, but the gang also meets a very familiar villain: national treasure of the world “Weird Al” Yankovic takes a starring role as classic DC villain Gentleman Ghost.

No word yet on whether he has written a parody of the theme song to accompany him on this journey. But the digital version of the film is released today, so you can go see for yourself!

Now that you have that happy amuse-bouche, if you will, here are our recommendations for comics being released this week.

Jughead’s Time Police #4, by Sina Grace, Derek Charm, and Rebekah Isaacs

I’ve openly embraced my not-so-secret love for comics from the Archie universe in the past, and here I am doing it once again for you, dear reader. This week sees the release of part four of a five-part series where our favorite doofus, Jughead, plays the roll of a Doctor (Who) of sorts, if you will. Jug is trapped on a different timeline and has to find his way back — while stopping shenanigans, of course. 

Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary Trade Paperback, by Erik Burnham, Cavan Scott, Devin Grayson, Dan Schoening, Anthony Marques, Marcello Ferreira

This year marks the 35th anniversary of one of Bill Murray’s best works of art — Ghostbusters. If you’re like me, and buying tickets to both showings listed on Fandango in your area just won’t cut it, we’ve got this paperback coming out. This special anniversary edition of the graphic novel adaptation features four stories focusing on four different groups of Ghostbusters over the course of the franchise’s history. From the OG squad — featuring Murray, Dan Akroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Harold Ramis — to four of the best ladies in comedy — Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones — we’ve got it covered. Hopefully this will keep us satisfied until the release of the newest addition to the film franchise next year. 

Ghost-Spider #2, by Seanan McGuire, Takeshi Miyazawa, Jorge Molina

My beloved Gwen Stacy returns once again in her new series, and just in time for classes to start. And new foes to follow her every move once again. Can a girl ever get a break? Apparently not even on the way to that chem final. 

Fearless #3, by Seanan McGuire, Zoe Quinn, Claire Roe, Jenny Frison

Once again the Marvel anthology is back with more from the best ladies in the franchise. This time we even get a visit from Hellcat aka Patsy Walker of Jessica Jones fame. Grab it while you can, because this is issue number three of a four-part series, and we’re almost at the finish line. 

That’ll do it for us this week, comic fans. What has been staying at the top of your radar lately?

Until next time.

RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 26

Ash Griffith | August 27, 2019

Topics: Absolute Carnage, comics, Comics X-Change, Deadpool, Fearless, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Ghost Spider, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel comics, MCU, Pretty Violent, Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man

Welcome back, comic fans of the beautiful River City! Welcome to this week’s special birthday edition of your RVA Mag Comics X-Change! I have a few hot recommendations for you that I just might take off my save-for-later list, and then after that, we’re going to take a second to talk about Tom Holland’s Spider-Man leaving the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), and what that means for the future. 

Grab that cold iced coffee and let’s dive on in, comic fans!

Ghost Spider #1, by Seanan McGuire and Takeshi Miyazawa

Once again we are gifted with the return with one of my favorite newer Marvel characters, Spider-Gwen. While the character of Gwen Stacy is of course not new to the Spider-Man Universe, Spider-Gwen is a little fresher. In Ghost Spider, Gwen wants to start anew and does something I think we’ve all pondered a little at some point – goes to another dimension. 

Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool #1, by Frank Tieri and Marcello Ferreira

Carnage and Deadpool both check into the same therapy institution? Whatever could be the worst thing that can happen? Considering they are also in a group therapy session together, I’m sure absolutely nothing. 

Pretty Violent #1, by Derek Hunter and Jason Young

Gamma Ray has had super powers since she was a baby, so it only makes sense that she should be a superhero and save the world, right? Probably, except when you factor in the fact that her family is full of criminals who hunt and kill heroes. Awkward. If you were a fan of I Hate Fairyland, this is sure to be right up your alley. 

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11, by Tom Taylor and Juann Cabal

Our beloved MJ is finally back, and from the looks of the cover, it appears that she is donning the classic red and blue suit as well. I guess we’ve hit the jackpot, beloved readers. 

Fearless #1, by Seanan McGuire, Leah Williams, Kelly Thompson, Claire Roe, Carmen Nunez Carnero, and Nina Vakueva

This summer Marvel gives us a gift in the form of a female-hero anthology series. Captain Marvel, Storm, The Invisible Woman, and even Netflix favorite Jessica Jones can be found starring in this multi-part series focusing on stories featuring different women from the Marvel Universe. 

As you’ve undoubtedly seen this week, Sony won back the rights to Spider-Man from Disney. This means a lot of things for the friendly neighborhood Avenger and the future of his roles in the narratives going forward. It may be the last time we see Tom Holland hanging out with Thor and Rocket, but on a heavier note, it also means that all of the work done to set up Phase 5 of the MCU may be in jeopardy. 

The Infinity Arc not only set up the pacing for the new heroes being introduced into the MCU (Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, and others), but established Spider-Man’s long awaited role in the franchise. As it stands, where Avengers: Endgame left us with Tony Stark’s death, and after the events in Spider-Man: Far From Home, there’s a strong implication that Spider-Man will be carrying the bulk of the story as Phase 5 moves on. 

With Spider-Man now back out of the picture, that leaves all of these storylines out in limbo (not to mention billions of dollars in potential film revenue). However, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Spider-Man being taken back out for a while could actually end up helping the MCU as it moves forward, crafting a new version of the franchise for upcoming generations. 

It has long been a popular complaint with the MCU, that the films, and even the individual scenes within them, are cluttered with too many characters. As the original cast of Avengers, and maybe even Spider-Man as well, move on, this leaves room for new superheroes to move in and build new stories. The female empowerment scene that a lot of folks called cheesy? Now we might actually see the female-led Avengers film it paved the way for.

While the door may not be entirely closed on Spider-Man and the stories he built in his time in the MCU, if nothing else, this shift has opened up room for other characters that previously would not have had much space. So we may have lost a spider, but we’re likely to gain quite a bit more. 

See you next time, comic fans.

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