Previews! is a monthly column designed to highlight some of the more exciting comics coming to shops in the upcoming month. Already in the midst of summer – which, like movies, is comics’ blockbuster season – we’re going to take a look at a few standouts hitting, well, stands in July 2015.
Marvel
Secret Wars still rages on over in the Marvel universe, and unfortunately this means it’s a pretty bad time to decide to get into Marvel characters. That doesn’t mean you should be ignoring Marvel, as there’s some great works coming out to entice your wallet.
Runaways #2
Written by Noelle Stevenson, Drawn by Sanford Greene
With only one issue out so far and a teenage AU of some great heroes like the Winter Soldier and Jubilee, Runaways is one of the least serious of the Secret Wars tie-ins. Echoing the endearing and heartbreaking original by Brian K Vaughn (which, I believe, is a must-read for anybody), and written by the ever-charming creator of Lumberjanes, I really recommend checking out Runaways.
Angela: Asgard’s Assassin Vol 1 – Priceless
Written by Kieron Gillen & Marguerite Bennett, Drawn by Phil Jimenez & Stephanie Hans
Angela is one of Marvel’s newest superheroines but she’s already got a lot on her plate. Collecting the first six issues of her solo series, this is a great place for readers to meet the redheaded angel. Angela kidnaps a baby right from under Asgard’s nose and is chased throughout the galaxy in an expertly written series by authors of Young Avengers and A-Force.
DC
While DC had most of their new primers in June, July has a few standout books coming up, including;
Cyborg #1
Written by David Walker, Drawn by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado
Despite being a prominent member in the new Justice League and fondly remembered from the Teen Titans cartoon, Cyborg has never had his own solo series. This is thankfully going to change, and DC has a black superhero headlining in his own adventures.
Black Canary #2
Written by Brenden Fletcher, Drawn by Annie Wu
From the current writer behind the excellent Gotham Academy and the redesign of Batgirl, Black Canary has gotten her own makeover and is staring in a smashup of rock n’ roll, superspies, and martial art showdowns. With only one issue out so far (which came out on June 17th), you’ve still got perfect timing to jump on the bandwagon and see where Dinah Lance goes next.
Independents
Power Up #1
Written by Kate Leth, Drawn by Matt Cummings
If you’re anything like me, you grew up watching magical girl anime and are absolutely loving its resurgence. Well, here’s a comic for you. A self-described combination of Sailor Moon and Scott Pilgrim – written by the excellent Kate Leth of Kate or Die fame – Power Up features a twentysomething, a rejected athlete, a soccer mom, and a goldfish as the cosmic heroes of our modern age. Excited? Hell yeah.
The Spire #1
Written by Simon Spurrier, Drawn by Jeff Stokely
Honestly, I’d never read anything by either these two creators, but the cover alone caught my attention. The premise, however, had me put an order in. Spinning the tale of Sha, the last of the Medusi, as she serves as a watchman for a city built into a desert tower and hunts down a killer among human and non-human residents. Boom is a great company putting out fantastic stories like Lumberjanes and The Woods, and I’ve no doubt this is going to be a story worth jumping on to.
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Jess Bawgus writes a little too much about comics for Girls in Capes. She fell in love with superheroes while earning her BA in History and German from Bryn Mawr College, and currently spends her days between a public library and local comic shop Level Up Entertainment.
You can also check out her Comics 101 column at Girls in Capes.
