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RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 26

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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.

RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 15

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Happiest of Tuesdays, my fellow River City comic fans! Welcome back to installment number fifteen of RVA Magazine’s biweekly go-to for everything comics and nerdy, RVA Mag’s Comics X-Change!

This week’s issue is particularly meaty, as I sat down to talk to Tommy Donovan of Richmond Comix on Midlothian Turnpike. Donovan was oh-so-kind enough to share a hearty top-eight stack of comics for us to look forward to in the upcoming weeks. Later on, I’m going to get political with you as we discuss the upcoming comic about New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and finally, a witchy favorite returns to our Netflix screens.

Grab your snacks, grab your charger, and buckle up, friends, because we’re diving in.

Sparrowhawk #5 by Delilah Dawson and Matias Basla

“The book follows a Victorian-era teen as she gets swept into a magical realm and has to fight monsters to survive,” said Donovan. “The most accurate way to describe this is Victorian teen fairy Fight Club. And it has been an insane ride so far. I can’t wait to see how it ends!”

Spider-Man: City at War #1 by Dennis Hopeless and Michele Bandini

“We got our first look at this version of Spidey last year during Spidergeddon,” said Donovan. “If that was any indication, this book will be great!”

Belzebubs by JP Ahonen

“For music fans, we get a Graphic Novel this week called Belzebubs, based on a Finnish black metal band,” said Donovan. “I don’t know much about the band, but the art manages to blend the power of black metal with a cute cartoony style in a way that has me really eager to read it.”

Firefly: Bad Company #1 by Josh Lee Gordon, Francesco Mortarino, Giuseppe Cafaro, and Moy R.

“Boom Studios has been doing a fantastic job with Joss Whedon’s properties, Buffy and Firefly,” said Donovan. “This week we get a new title based on some of the bad guys in the Firefly universe, called Firefly: Bad Company. If you’ve ever wondered where the con artist who tricked Mal into marriage came from, this is the book for you!”

Detective Comics #1000 by Peter J. Tomasi, Brian Michael Bendis, Paul Dini, Warren Ellis, Geoff Johns, Tom King, Dennis O’Neil, Christopher Priest, Kevin Smith, Scott Snyder, and others

“This book is going to be a massive 96 pages with stories by creators from the entire history of Batman,” said Donovan. “This book will also feature the first comic appearance of the Arkham Knight, from the video game series.”

Marvel Action: Black Panther #1 by Kyle Baker and Juan Samu

“[This] is the first Black Panther book aimed at a younger audience,” said Donovan. “It is the third in the Marvel Action line, and the first two titles (Spider-Man and Avengers) were incredibly fun reads that the whole family can enjoy together.”

Marvel Rising #1 by Nilah Magruder and Rob DiSalvo

“This one is based on the cartoon of the same name and features Captain Marvel, Ms Marvel, Spider-Gwen, Squirrel Girl and America Chavez,” said Donovan. “This one is chock-full of girl power and stars some of my favorite Marvel characters!”

Heroes in Crisis #7 by Tom King and Clay Mann

“Writer Tom King is using his own experiences to explore PTSD in the superhero community In Heroes in Crisis,” said Donovan. “Issue 7 of 9 continues a murder mystery, while we also see confessional-style scenes with various heroes that show the many ways trauma can affect people. Even super people.”

It isn’t enough for United States Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (aka AOC) to be a real life badass who lives to make old cis white men agitated and uncomfortable on the day to day in our world. Now she’s tackling the comic book realm as well. AOC will be starring in a title published by Devil’s Due Comics, called Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force.

Even though the one-shot, which will feature work by creators like Jill Thompson, Jose Garibaldi, and Tim Seeley, won’t be out for another couple months (the official street date is May 15th), Devil’s Due publisher Josh Blaylock has let slip a few things that the AOC will encounter as the unofficial leader of the new class. Among them will be a storyline taking aim at Washington, as well as a plotline about the United States Congress fighting back against the establishment.

Battle on, sister.

Next on my docket for you is yet another powerful lady, albeit in a tinier package. When The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina dropped on Netflix around Halloween, we saw our favorite cute witch and her sassy black cat get the polar-opposite Riverdale treatment. Everything that was once pink and fun and adorable and played by my childhood style icon Melissa Joan Hart was suddenly turned upside down and dripping in blood.

And it ruled, y’all.

This week my fellow spooky kids got a treat in the form of a trailer for the upcoming second season, which will officially release on April 5th. Just in time for Easter!

The trailer doesn’t reveal anything too terribly deep for the upcoming season, but still gives us enough to bite onto. The witch school is basically goth Hogwarts, Harvey is getting pulled deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole, and Hilda is still the Rodney Dangerfield of the piece, getting no respect. I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it.

That concludes yet another issue of RVA Mag’s Comics X-Change, friends! Tell us: what are you looking forward to in the next two weeks? What should we keep our eyes peeled for?

RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 13

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Welcome back, comic fans of the River City! Welcome to RVA Comic X-Change, Issue Lucky Number Thirteen! Only good things come in a baker’s dozen, and we’re just one of them.

This week we’ve got a good handful of goodies just for you coming out in the next two weeks. We’ve got some feminism for you, some romance, and because I can not think about anything other than Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame right now, naturally I have some good Marvel goodness to tide us over. Fasten your capes, grab your beverage of choice, and let’s dive on in.

Lumberjanes #59 by Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, and AnneMarie Rogers

Lumberjanes is one of those series that I had heard about for awhile, but never got the chance to check out until now. Following the story of five girls spending the summer at a scout camp, strange creatures and the supernatural pop out at every turn. Naturally.

Kim Possible Adventures Trade Paperback by Michael Stewart, Abby Denson, John Green, and others

Yes, you read that correctly. John Green of Young Adult novel fame, author of Paper Towns and The Fault in Our Stars among others, dug his meaty grips in on this classic series. Following the adventures of the Disney Channel heroine, this one finds Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable bringing Rufus the naked mole rat with them as they jump into the comic world.

Avengers: No Road Home #2 by Al Ewing, Mark Waid, and Jim Zub

With Avengers: Endgame in just over two months, I’m digging my hands into everything. This week the Avengers go toe to toe with Greek mythology as they battle Nyx, Queen of the Night. However Hawkeye’s fate lies conveniently in her hands.

Black Widow #2 by Jen and Sylvia Soska and Flaviano

My favorite Avenger has yet another series in time for the penultimate MCU film of this current arc. Color me blessed. Natasha Romanoff walks into nothing but trouble in part two of this five-part series.

Love Romances #1 by Jon Adams, Dennis Hallum, and Gail Simone

Are you a love story junkie who knows Valentine’s Day is never enough for you? Samesies. Lucky for us, Marvel has us covered with a new anthology series asking, amongst other questions, can robots fall in love? Well, can they, Marvel? Can they?

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #3 by Saladin Ahmed, Javier Garron, and David Curiel

Did you also leave your theater’s showing of Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse with an intense desire to scoop up any comics featuring Miles Morales? Um, duh — of course you did. Lucky for you, so did I. Miles finds himself in some Scooby Doo-esque hijinks this week, but lo and behold, who is our convenient guest star this week? Captain America, you say? Ah, yeah.

Unstoppable Wasp #5 by Jeremy Whitley and Gurihiru

Ant-Man is the most underappreciated of the MCU film franchises, and I won’t rest until Luis has his own comic series. In the meantime, Nadia Van Dyne (daughter of Hank Pym, but not Janet Van Dyne… hmm) has a pretty solid series of her own to tide me over. Just when she thinks she has hit the rockiest of bottoms, it gets worse. She finds out she and her father have more in common than she realized. Awkward.

So many good things to tide us over until Brie Larson dones the red, blue, and gold for Captain Marvel in only seventeen days. And there’s only sixty-six days until we find out what happened to our beloved meddling kids in Avengers: Endgame. But who’s counting? (Me. I am.)

RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 11

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Good afternoon, comic book fans of the greater River City! Welcome back to another solid issue of RVA Mag’s Comics X-Change, where we take a look at the new comics you need to dive into on New Comic Book Day, and talk about the hottest topics in comics culture.

This week we have two exciting things going on. We sat down with local comic book artist and illustrator Morgan K. Sawyer to talk about his newest comic series and just what it is about Richmond that is suddenly bringing all the talented comic creators out of the woodwork. After that, we have my pick of the week, a belated but oh-so-jaw-dropping comic film pick.

My spidey-senses are tingling, y’all.

Morgan K. Sawyer is a local comic artist and illustrator who recently announced that his newest series, Gaffe, would be released toward the end of next year by Iron Circus Comics. While Sawyer has been drawing most of his life, he got involved with comics when friends asked for him to draw for them, and he’s been entwined in the comics world ever since.

While most people will quickly tell you that comics have always been cool, longtime fans know that comics have hit a trendiness uprising in recent years. Sawyer agreed with me that, at least partially, it has something to do with the storytelling.

“I think it still leaves your brain just enough to fill in the blanks, so it leaves your imagination room,” said Sawyer. “It’s also a visual medium, so even if you’re not necessarily reading it for the words or the story, you still have the visuals that will tell the story for you.”

Richmond is the home to so many different mediums of creativity, including our beloved comics. It’s no surprise that so many different comic artists, writers, and amalgamations thereof are popping out of the woodwork recently. It doesn’t hurt that the cost of living is more feasible than somewhere like New York. But what is it about Richmond specifically?

Sawyer agreed that Richmond has, in its own way, inspired his work.

“I wouldn’t be doing comics if it weren’t for my comics teacher, Kerry Talbot,” said Sawyer. “He pushed a good amount of the local artists who draw comics who went through [VCU’s] CommArts [Department]. He was the foundation that a lot of us built off of.”

Another lovely trend in vogue at the moment (but still forever cool) is the classic RPG, Dungeons and Dragons, and it’s the inspiration for Sawyer’s new series, Gaffe.

“Gaffe is basically taking that genre of Dungeons and Dragons, and doing it from the monster’s perspective,” said Sawyer. “The monsters aren’t necessarily bad guys, they’re just doing their job. I was playing with a lot of [Kevin Smith’s] Clerks-style humor, where I was just thinking about Dante. Minimum wage guys who are stuck at this job, but they’re monsters. And having a miss on all fronts.”

The main character is also a zombie who doesn’t remember how he died, but ends up working with the monsters. Sawyer focuses on the zombie’s day-to-day life, while doing his art in a style more cartoonish and animation-based than his previous work, Welcome to Paradise.

This week I have one solid film recommendation for you. Yes, yes, I know, I am so late to the boat with this, but. Y’all. If you haven’t seen Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, then I need you to whip out your phone, pull up your Lyft app, and pay the $5 to get your butt down to Bowtie Cinemas and watch this movie.

In an interesting departure from the way we usually think about the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Spiderverse is completely animated, rather than the live action that we have become so accustomed to. Another important point is that, instead of focusing completely on Peter Parker (although he is featured, and is important to the plot), the main character of the story is Miles Morales. Morales, the young African-American/Latino teenager with spider powers of his own, has been a huge fan favorite of the Marvel Universe since his creation, and is finally making his long-awaited film debut.

The story naturally follows the traditional Spider-Man route: teen gets bitten by conveniently available radioactive spider, growth and maturity montage happens. Then a plot point I wanted to tell you, but it’s a spoiler so I can’t, happens. What makes this film so unique is the fact that we end up meeting so many different iterations of the classic hero, who — in their own way, naturally — come to help Morales grow and embrace his new Spider-identity.

Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse is not only a perfect example of quality filmmaking, but also one of the greatest films the MCU has produced in its history. When you hear people leaving the theater say that they usually hate those “weird superhero movies,” but they loved this one? Then yeah, I’d say this was a pretty okay film.

Until next time, comics fans!

RVA Comics X-Change: Issue 10

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Good afternoon, comics fans! Welcome to not only the first Comic X-Change issue of the new year, but the big whopper – Issue Number 10! For such a special issue, and to kick this brand new year off right, I decided to reach out to one of my very best comic friends and gurus, Kevin Smith of Third Eye Comics in Mechanicsville.

This issue, we’ve got some good hearty amuse-bouches for you to appetize your palate after the holidays. Kevin is bring us some big hitters to watch for in the lands of Marvel and DC, and then I’m going to close us out with the big topic my brain can’t shut up about – Stranger Things Season 3. Let’s get down to business, y’all.

“Miles Morales: Spider-Man #2” by Saladin Ahmed and Javier Garron

“Previously [Miles Morales] had taken over one of the Spider-Man books that Peter had started years ago, but now he has one all to himself.” said Smith.

“The Immortal Hulk #12” by Al Ewing and Joe Bennett

“[Bruce] Banner was killed about three years ago in Civil War II, and thought to have been gone for awhile, and had been brought back,” said Smith. “Marvel’s taking The Hulk back to his origins, the way he was back in the 60s when he was created, where Banner and Hulk are more of a Jekyll and Hyde creature now.”

“Web Of Venom: Venom Unleashed #1” by Ryan Stegman, Juan Gedeon, and Kyle Hotz

“I’m really enjoying this because [Venom writer Donny] Cates has decided to take Venom and, instead of just being one character, [write] the mythology and the history of the symbiotes,” said Smith. “[He’s] taking them back literally to the dawn of time.”

“Heroes in Crisis #5” by Tom King and Clay Mann

“DC has created this super secret place called Sanctuary,” said Smith. “Someone has gone into the Sanctuary, somebody has found the video files of the heroes where they take their masks off and confess what happened.”

“Die #2” by Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans

“This is something best described as the kids from Stranger Things, mixed with the kids from IT, mixed with Jumanji,” said Smith.

On January 1st, Stranger Things fans were gifted not one but two wonderful presents, and just as we thought the holidays were winding down to a close. Both the official release date poster artwork (above), and a new trailer that also confirmed the official release date, were released as we rung in the new year. We still have just under another six months to go before all of our questions are answered in eight new episodes, but let’s take a look at some things.

“One summer can change everything.” So the new season will take course over the course of the summer of 1985, which we kind of figured when the first teaser came out and showed Mother of the Year Steve Harrington working his new summer mall job. The final episode title is “The Battle of Starcourt,” so while it’s safe to assume that the mall is where the showdown with the big-bad is going to play, is it centered around July 4th? What specifically about July 4th is so crucial?

Also, why are four of the kids stoked for the fireworks, while El and Mike are the only ones wigging out?

Let’s also backtrack a little bit more and dig deeper into theory land. A month or two ago, David Harbour posted on his instagram about shaving his mustache. While this in and of itself is innocuous enough given that he has been filming Hellboy and probably has a new project to work on, something else feels weird. He did go into a long speech about how Hopper was the greatest role of his life…

Now granted, he could just be generally excited that filming is over, and ready to see how fans react to the new season. Or you could be me, dig much deeper, and question if Harbour just released a backdoor spoiler. Is it a possibility that beloved asshole sheriff Chief Jim Hopper dies this season?

Guess we’ll find out in another one hundred and seventy-seven days. But who’s counting?