For those of you that can remember a bygone era when Quintessential Comics was last posted, then do I have a treat for you! We’re back after a long, long hiatus to cover a handful of new and upcoming graphic novel releases to coincide with a fresh start to a new year. If you’re looking for a new series or just want to keep up with upcoming releases then this is the issue for you. Onward and upward!
“Bowling With Corpses and Other Strange Tales From Lands Unknown”
This first entry is getting a lot of buzz amongst “Hellboy” fans, as author Mike Mignola has been celebrated for his work on the Dark Horse protagonist. This work is more of an anthology piece, as opposed to a linear story with congruent themes. What really makes this one so fun is that the stories draw from folklore, showcasing familiar tropes such as a search for a lost artifact, devilish deals and grim games of chance. Not to mention, as is the case with “Hellboy,” there’s plenty of occult mystery if you’re into that whole thing. If you’re a big fan of Mignola’s past work or his signature art style, I’m sure you’ll find plenty to love in these pages!
Continuing the trend of drawing from tales of yore, “Tongues” is a modern reimagining of the Greek myth of Prometheus. This retelling takes place in Central Asia which breathes new life into the tale in a variety of ways. The story tackles the complicated friendship between Prometheus and the eagle that is forced to carry out his torture as the god plots his revenge on the one who imprisoned him. The narrative style here is of note as well, with the main plotline intertwining with the story of an East African orphan and another individual fans of author Nilsen’s other work might recognize. This entry has been described as a meditation on human nature disguised as an adventure story. If that sounds enticing to you be sure to put a hold on this one now!
Calling all kaiju and mecha fans! This addition to the list is sure to excite fans of IP like “Pacific Rim,” “Godzilla,” or “Gundam!” This graphic novel takes place in a world where, a century prior, a massive gateway unleashed waves of giant monsters known as Tetza that can only be opposed through the use of great mechs known as Iron Kings. Over time, all out war gave way to gladiatorial bouts that determine humanity’s continued survival. Our protagonist, Anita Marr is a fighter in the gladiatorial games and has been tasked with piloting a cutting-edge mech dubbed Dawnrunner. As the story unfolds, the connection between Marr and her mech begins to reveal a possible path to victory for humanity. If you’re looking for a good, old-fashioned robot vs. monster brawl, here it is!
“Moon Man”
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to read a sci-fi comic that was the product of a famous rapper, actor and fashion designer? Just me? Well, regardless, “Moon Man” is brought to us by superstar musician Kid Cudi, assisted by Eisner Award nominee Kyle Higgins (“Radiant Black”). I think the driving force in this entry is the abundance of mystery and suspense. After a failed mission to the Moon, main character Ramon is eager to return to a life of normalcy. That might be complicated though, as a missing few minutes of footage from the expedition hold the secrets to a sudden transformation occurring in him that might shock the world.
“Ultimate Black Panther, Volume 1”
Let’s finish up this list with one that you can actually check out now! Marvel has been receiving quite a bit of praise for its relaunch of its Ultimate Universe. Taking place on Earth-6160 where the Maker meddled in events to ensure that Earth’s heroes never became their destined selves, the Ultimate Black Panther fights to protect Wakanda from the Moon Knight military organization and the Maker’s Council alike. There are plenty of fresh takes on the character to be seen here, from him teaming up with Killmonger to featuring an alliance with Wind-Rider, this world’s Storm. Long-time fans of T’Challa looking for a fresh spin on the character just found it. Plus, the new costume is tough.
