This monthly series is dedicated to giving brief reviews to ongoing comic series, allowing us to cover more unique comics in our full Comic Book Yeti format while not leaving ongoing series out in the cold. Over time, we may add more to this segment, but for now, enjoy the show.
RESONANT #8, VAULT COMICS
Writer: David Andry
Artist: Skylar Patridge
Original Article: Resonant #7
This issue feels like Andry's version of the moment at the top of the roller coaster right before the terrifying descent. It opens with Patridge's excellent Fern content for the readers that are also dog lovers. Wordie's colors are gorgeous and bright and I don't trust any of it. Every panel depicting Paxton finding himself looks lush and inviting. The issue ends with Paxton and Claire, bathed in deep pink hues, in a place I never expected Resonant to go.
TRVE KVLT #2, SELF PUBLISHED (KICKSTARTER)
Writer: Scott Bryan Wilson
Artist: Liana Kangas
Original Article: Trve Kvlt #1
Trve Kvlt starts to pay off on the promise of "Satanic panic" as Marty and Alison come face to face with new antagonist Veronika, who doesn't like mayo on her Burger Lord burger and knows a lot of different names for the Devil. This issue employs a series of black panels with narrative captions and lettering to simulate Marty and Alison being blindfolded. It's a bold choice, but effective to give a sense of their predicament. A solid second issue that provides real stakes for Marty and sets up the main conflict to this series.
–Jimmy Gaspero, Contributing Writer
ANCIENT NOISE #4, SELF-PUBLISHED
Writer: David Crispino
Illustrator: Tony Gregori
Original Article: Ancient Noise #1
If you thought Ancient Noise couldn’t get any stranger, you ain't seen nothing yet. Issue four is pure insanity in all the best ways. Characters bounce through timelines with loads of body horror played for laughs and disgust. It’s so absurd, you can’t flip to the next page fast enough. The creative team has really found their footing with this issue. Ancient Noise is a lean, mean, art-driven adventure comic that’s a viscerally entertaining read for those with a dark sense of humor. A popcorn comic, if there ever was one.
–Alex Breen, Contributing Writer
SPACE BASTARDS #3, HUMANOIDS
Writers: Eric Peterson & Joe Aubrey
Illustrator: Darick Robertson
Original Article: Space Bastards #1
We return to the one-horned Manny and newbie powerhouse Davey’s story at the Intergalactic Postal Service, and Manny’s out for revenge. This issue pits the two protagonists against one another with the graphic zaniness Space Bastards has bestowed upon its slightly sadistic readers. Issue #3 is grounded in character development, teeming with giddy ultraviolence, and introduces Zordakk, who is bound to be everyone’s new favorite Space Bastards character.
THE WRONG EARTH: NIGHT AND DAY #3, AHOY COMICS
Writer: Tom Peyer
Illustrator: Jamal Igle
Original Article: The Wrong Earth: Night and Day #1
Night & Day finally settles into its storyline, and there’s a delightfully evident balance of action and nuance in issue #3. Conflict between Dragonfly and Dragonflyman, the newly introduced villain, the core environmental plotline, and the internal trauma the heroes face all emerge against Peyer’s wonderful tongue-in-cheek tone. The art is exceptional in this issue, with a fluidly kinetic two-fold splash page and a parody of a popular Spider-Man meme that seriously garners applause for ingenuity.
HAPPY HOUR #5, AHOY COMICS
Writer: Peter Milligan
Illustrator: Michael Montenat
Original Article: Happy Hour #1-3
After a rocky fourth issue, the fifth and penultimate installment of Happy Hour thematically circles back to what made issue #1 so compelling. The story is character-driven, exploring an intriguing new development in Jerry and Kim’s tenuous relationship that proves itself more plausible. Michael Montenat’s art feels vibrant and focused on propelling the concept of war – both emotional war and ideological war – that author Peter Milligan’s dialogue excels in conveying this issue. Also, the character design of the “joy-sucking” vermin is superb.
I WALK WITH MONSTERS #4, VAULT COMICS
Writer: Paul Cornell
Illustrator: Sally Cantirino
Original Article: I Walk with Monsters #1
While the previous issues have relied on solid exposition and flashbacks, this fourth issue allows the characters to ruminate in their present task at hand. The slow-burn build-up feels heavy here, with only one flashback scene powerfully emphasizing the true relationship dynamic between Jacey and David that has led them to their current, possibly fatal, circumstance. There’s still a heavy tonal atmosphere, but with a sense of teetering calmness, gracefully elevated by Cantirino’s art. The final page is executed with perfect terror, setting up an explosive subsequent issue.
THE RECOUNT #2, SCOUT COMICS
Writer: Jonathan Hedrick
Illustrator: Gabriel Ibarra
Original Article: The Recount #1
While the tonally weighty plot of issue #1 gave readers a heavy amount of information to digest, this second issue hones its focus on the main characters. The heart-pounding action is non-stop, and Gabriel Ibarra’s art coupled with Sunil Ghagre’s coloring pummels readers with visual unease. The entire creative team added a poignant layer of depth and emotional nuance in this issue, upgrading the already frightening stakes with a jaw-dropping last page reveal.
–Katie Liggera, Contributing Writer
SAVAGE #2, VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT
Writer: Max Bemis
Illustrator: Nathan Stockman
Original Article: Savage #1
Picking up with the main character a captive of a cartoonishly evil mad scientist, the second issue of Savage focuses more on satire and rapid-fire comedic dialogue. For his part, Kevin talks more like a generic teen celebrity than ever, shouting about his celebrity when not recognized and telling his captor's beautiful young ward he didn't realize girls could be pretty and smart (despite the fact that he was initially taught to survive by his former supermodel mother). Overall, a confusing turn. At least the art by Stockman and colors by Farrell continues to shine, especially during the action sequences.
–Mike Lyons, Contributing Writer
SNOW ANGELS #2, COMIXOLOGY
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Jock
Original Article: Snow Angels #1
While Issue #1 suffered from a massive case of set-up fatigue, Issue #2 wastes no time in raising the stakes, putting the characters in visceral danger and setting the tone for a thrilling read. Lemire's writing is as engrossing as ever and Jock gives us his signature style of textured landscapes and gorgeous figure work. Sometimes faces that are meant to be serious or panicked inadvertently look silly, the lettering still stands out as a touch overdone, and it does occasionally feel as though it's taking itself far too seriously. All that said, it's an impressive comic well-deserving of the hype.
GIGA #3, VAULT COMICS
Writer: Alex Paknadel
Artist: John Lê
Original Article: Giga #1
There's a lot to keep up with in this comic and a refresher is definitely in order before jumping into this third issue. That minor setback aside, Giga continues to deliver one of the most compelling, interesting, and well-rounded stories in comics right now. Paknadel's dialogue is tight and believable, Lê draws splash pages that belong in museums, and every turn of the page gets the reader more invested in an already astounding series. Giga reminds us all why we fell in love with Vault in the first place.
–Wells Thompson, Content Editor
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