Deadpool #1 (Marvel)
Cody Ziglar (W), Roge Antonio (A)
The Merc With A Mouth is back in an all-new ongoing series courtesy of writer Cody Ziglar (Miles Morales: Spider-Man, Spider-Punk) and artist Roge Antonio (Venom, Symbiote Spider-Man 2099). Picking up right where Alyssa Wong’s run ended, Deadpool is heartbroken and alone…well, except for his Carnage hound! Symbiote dogs really are man’s best friend. But nothing is going to keep good ol’ Wade Wilson down! In this oversized first issue, see him get back to his roots with plenty of action, quips, and fourth wall breaks. Ziglar clearly has the voice of Wade Wilson down, imbuing this fun and gory romp with a surprising amount of heart, just like all the best Deadpool stories. Featuring a brand new villain, clear ties to past beloved runs, and the promise of more time with his daughter going forward, this new volume of Deadpool is shaping up to be an all-time classic.
Geiger #1 (Image)
Geoff Johns (W), Gary Frank (A)
Joe Glow. Meltdown. The Glowing Man. He has had many names, whispered in hushed tones across this desolate land. Even the Nightcrawlers and the Organ People give him a wide berth. His real name is Tariq Geiger and he has the power to change everything. The creative trio of writer Geoff Johns, artist Gary Frank, and colorist Brad Anderson reunite for a new installment in their Saga of the Unnamed (a loosely connected series of stories about fantastical yet unsung heroes throughout American history). After a two-issue “proof of concept” origin story back in 2021 (Geiger: Ground Zero), the titular Geiger has returned for an exciting new ongoing series set in the near future. Following a nuclear war that devastated most of the planet, our hero must traverse the radioactive hellscape with nothing but his wits, his unpredictable powers, and his trusty two-headed wolf companion, Barney. He’s not looking for trouble, but somehow trouble always seems to find him.
Akogun: Brutalizer of the Gods #1 (Oni)
Murewa Ayodele (W), Dotun Akande (A)
Myths and magic are all the rage, everyone loves a classic hero’s tale with exciting battles and epic stakes. We love these stories so much, in fact, that we have inadvertently oversaturated the market to the point that it can be difficult to find something truly unique. Enter writer Murewa Ayodele and artist Dotun Akande – the creative team behind the underrated I Am Iron Man mini-series – who tackle this conundrum head on not by finding a novel take on the pantheons we know well (Greek, Roman, Norse, etc.), but instead by delving into the myths and legends of their home country of Nigeria. Deriving from the cultures of West Africa, Yoruban mythology turned out to be the perfect raw material with which to craft an exciting new fictional world. Featuring plenty of gods, monsters, avatars, and demons, Akogun: Brutalizer of the Gods will scratch that mythology itch while delivering an epic the likes of which you’ve never seen.
Redcoat #1 (Image)
Geoff Johns (W), Bryan Hitch (A)
Just like Geoff Johns’ other release this week (Geiger), Redcoat is another installment in the ongoing Saga of the Unnamed, this time focusing on a Revolution-era British rogue who somehow gains immortality. Teaming up with artist Bryan Hitch (The Ultimates, The Authority), Johns introduces Simon Pure, an undying mercenary who has run-ins with some of history’s most iconic figures like George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the mysterious organization behind everything – The Founding Fathers. Both Redcoat and Geiger are part of the rollout of Ghost Machine, a new publishing initiative led by Johns that aims to give more creative and publishing control to comic creators. Much like the rise of Image in the 90’s, Ghost Machine will hopefully be a vehicle for up-and-coming talent to produce the comics that they want to make. This will be an imprint to keep your eyes on.
