Spiral Comics Logo

‘First Impressions’ Category

First Impression: RISE OF THE BLACK PANTHER [2018] #1

by Glenn Snow | November 6th, 2017
RISE OF THE BLACK PANTHER [2018] #1

Nice. The secret origin of the Black Panther. I’m eager to see the MCU movie! “SECRET ORIGIN OF THE BLACK PANTHER Part 1 Just in time for the highly anticipated film, witness the early years of the man who will come to rule one of the most scientifically advanced countries in the world. Wakanda has always kept itself isolated from Western society, but that’s all about to change. Young T’Challa knows he is destined to become king, but when his father is brutally murdered by outsiders, he’ll find himself taking up a mantle he may not be ready for. Experience never-before-seen drama from the reign of T’Chaka, the king whose death changes a nation’s history forever. Learn about the mother […]

First Impression: STAR WARS ADVENTURES: FORCES OF DESTINY–PRINCESS LEIA [2018]

by Glenn Snow | November 6th, 2017
STAR WARS ADVENTURES: FORCES OF DESTINY--PRINCESS LEIA [2018]

Sweet! There’s a whole slew of STAR WARS ADVENTURES one-shots marked with the ‘Forces of Destiny’ banner and offered for pre-order this month. ‘Forces of Destiny’ is Disney’s attempt to create a ‘sub-brand’ within the greater Star Wars brand (akin to how the ‘Disney Princess’ brand exists within the greater Disney brand). These are all inspiring stories of female Star Wars characters aimed at a younger audience. “The Star Wars Forces of Destiny initiative celebrates the inspiring stories of iconic heroes from a galaxy far, far away…. Star Wars Adventures has joined the festivities with an exciting weekly series of comic books that explores all corners of the Star Wars universe, showing how choices both big and small ultimately shape […]

First Impression: HUNGRY GHOSTS [2018] #1

by Glenn Snow | November 6th, 2017
HUNGRY GHOSTS [2018] #1 Comic Book Cover

Japanese-inspired ghost stories spun around a common thread of food. Looks delicious! This mini-series kicks off Dark Horse’s new imprint, Berger Books. Karen Berger is best known for her integral role in creating DC’s Vertigo imprint back in 1993. She was the line’s Executive Editor until 2013. With this new imprint at Dark Horse, she’ll be editing a select, curated line. “On a dark, haunted night, a Russian oligarch dares a circle of international chefs to play the samurai game of 100 Candles-where each storyteller spins a terrifying tale of ghosts, demons and unspeakable beings-and prays to survive the challenge. Inspired by the Japanese Edo period game of Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai, Hungry Ghosts reimagines the classic stories of yokai, yorei, and […]

First Impression: KLAUS AND THE CRISIS IN XMASVILLE [2017] #1

by Glenn Snow | October 10th, 2017
KLAUS AND THE CRISIS IN XMASVILLE [2017] #1 Comic Book Cover

Here’s a pretty cool looking one-shot from writer Grant Morrison about an evil Santa from an alternate dimension and his horde of evil zombie-like Santa minions. Kinda makes the Grinch look like a pushover. Well, all the Who’s in Whoville did kinda win over the Grinch pretty easily, so he was scary in name only. Morrison’s evil Santa should have a horde of evil zombie-like Grinches. That’d be scary. You know, for you know Who’s. “Eisner Award-winning creator Grant Morrison (All-Star Superman) and Russ Manning Award winner Dan Mora (Saban’s Go Go Power Rangers) reunite for a brand-new Klaus Special. An evil Santa from an alternate dimension has founded an evil soda corporation that uses Christmas and Santa as a […]

First Impression: IMMORTAL IRON FISTS [2018-TPB]

by Glenn Snow | October 9th, 2017
IMMORTAL IRON FISTS [2018-TPB]

This is original all-ages-type material in trade paperback format. Danny Rand is the mentor to an apprentice named Pei. Pei’s first appearance was in IRON FIST: THE LIVING WEAPON [2014] #1. As far as I can tell, this material was solicited in comic book form over a year ago, but never published. Now, for its first time in print, it is going directly to trade paperback. “FIRST TIME IN PRINT. There’s a new Iron Fist in town: the young kung fu monk Pei. And Danny Rand is ready to teach her everything she needs to know about harnessing her chi and being a hero. But can he teach the young native of K’un-Lun how to fit in at a New […]

First Impression: TALES OF SUSPENSE [2018] #100

by Glenn Snow | October 9th, 2017
TALES OF SUSPENSE [2018] #100 Comic Book Cover

Wow, the revival of a Marvel title from the 60’s! TALES OF SUSPENSE [1959] ran for 99 issues from 1959 to 1968. Issue #39 is famous for introducing Iron Man, but other issues gave us the Natasha Romaoff Black Widow (#52) and Hawkeye (#57). Initially launched as a science fiction anthology series along with TALES TO ASTONISH, Stan Lee himself is credited with scripting many of the early monster stories, where you can find ‘prototype’ characters and situations of future Marvel icons. As the series progressed, the monster stories faded away in favor of more action-oriented characters and stories. Captain America began featuring in the series with issue #59, and when the series ended at issue #99, a new CAPTAIN […]

First Impression: SLEEPLESS [2017] #1

by Glenn Snow | October 9th, 2017
SLEEPLESS [2017] #1 Comic Book Cover

A new fantasy romance from Image. Fans of SAGA will probably want to check this one out. “Lady ‘Poppy’ Pyppenia is guarded by the Sleepless Knight Cyrenic, but danger is around every corner once the new king is coronated. Writer SARAH VAUGHN (ALEX + ADA, ETERNAL EMPIRE) and artist LEILA DEL DUCA (SHUTTER, AFAR) team up with editor / colorist ALISSA SALLAH and letterer DERON BENNETT for this new fantasy romance.” Buy It Now

First Impression: BONEHEAD [2017] #1

by Glenn Snow | October 9th, 2017
BONEHEAD [2017] #1 Comic Book Cover

This is one of the most exciting offerings this month. I want to read about ‘parkour gangs who live for the thrill of physical risk and use neuro-linked helmets to augment their abilities.’ Yeah, I’m gonna need one of those helmets. “‘THE MASK IS WHO YOU ARE’ In a near future, a sprawling megalopolis sees the rise of ‘Boneheads’ parkour-gangs that use neuro-linked helmets to augment their abilities and live for the thrill of physical risk. As a gang war threatens to tear the city apart, a mysterious Bonehead rises, a man with no past that might be the key to saving the city’s future. From writer BRYAN HILL (POSTAL) and artist RHOALD MARCELLIUS ( Marvel’s Contest of Champions ) […]

First Impression: MARVEL COMICS DIGEST [2017-DIG] #4

by Glenn Snow | October 9th, 2017
MARVEL COMICS DIGEST [2017-DIG] #4

The X-Men get the digest treatment from Archie Comics with issue #4 of MARVEL COMICS DIGEST [2017-DIG]. The cover image shown is from GIANT-SIZE X-MEN [1975] #1. The solicitation doesn’t say that there’s a reprint of GIANT-SIZE X-MEN [1975] #1 in there, but if there is…it is definitely worth picking this issue up. And the fact that Archie is only doing a single printing on all these digests, makes them more collectible in the long run. “Marvel Comics’ best-selling heroes are back in the ever-popular digest format. This fourth issue spotlights the X-Men. This is a can’t-miss collector’s item that will only be printed once.” Buy It Now Interested in Getting Started In X-MEN comic books? Check out our guide […]

First Impression: ASTRA LOST IN SPACE [2017-DIG] VOL 01

by Glenn Snow | October 9th, 2017
ASTRA LOST IN SPACE [2017] VOL 01

A new shonen manga series. New to this format, but it’s been serialized for a long time on ShonenJump.com. And very popular there. “It’s the first day of Planet Camp, and Aries Spring couldn’t be more excited. She, along with eight other strangers, leave for Planet McPa for a weeklong excursion. Soon after they arrive, however, a mysterious orb appears and transports them into the depths of space, where they find an empty floating spaceship… For teen audiences.” Buy It Now