Each month I like to showcase a batch of new comics that you should be reading. I try and make it varied, mixing up creative ideas, genres and different storytelling to have a list that will appeal to everyone. This month we have an Immaterial Girl, bombshells, road trip buddies, gangsters, devil worshipping rock groups, reincarnated assassins and much more.
As always, let me know which comics you will be reading in the comments below!
Zodiac Starforce
Written by Kevin Panetta. Art by Paulina Ganucheau. Published by Dark Horse Comics.
Zodiac Starforce a group of teenage girls who protect monsters and a dark evil, while juggling school. Although, when team leader Emma gets infected with the evil she must work with her team to save herself before it become too late. If you’re a fan of Sailor Moon I think you are going to really enjoy this bright and fun comic book series.
Zodiac Starforce #1 is available from August 26th.
Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl
Written by Kieron Gillen. Art by Jamie McKelvie. Published by Image Comics.
The long awaited Phonogram is back for a 3rd series about the world where music is magic. Phonogram has always been an exploration of how music makes people feel and how they interact with it and this new series is no different. This time around the series follows Emily Aster who has just sold half her soul for the ability to rule a coven of phonomancers. As you can assume, things go terribly wrong for her.
Don’t worry if you haven’t read the previous two Phonogram series you’ll be able to jump right in with this series from the team who bring you The Wicked + The Divine.
Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #1 is available August 12th.
Howard the Human
Written by Skottie Young. Art by Jim Mahfood. Published by Marvel Comics.
The basic idea of Howard the Duck is that duck unwillingly trapped in a world of humans against his will – but what if that formula was reversed? As part of Secret Wars, Marvel have decided to flip this idea with Howard the Human in which in this special one-shot sees Howard trapped in a city of animals as the only human. Along for the rise re two fantastic creators in Skottie Young and Jim Mahfood who are perfect for what will be an odd and amusing read.
Howard the Human is available from August 19th.
DC Bombshells
Written by Marguerite Bennett. Art by Marguerite Sauvage. Published by DC Comics.
Originally a series of statues and variant covers, DC Bombshells has evolved into it’s own comic book series starring the women of DC Comics set in World War II. In this alternate reality WWII was fought by super-powered women and aided behind the scenes. This first issue features stories starring Batwoman, Wonder Woman and Supergirl. If you’re into solid stories about female heroes, or just like the pin-up art style then this should be on your radar.
DC Bombshells are available from August 12th.
Dark Corridor
Written and Art by Rich Tommaso. Published by Image Comics.
Dark Corridor is set in the fictional coastal city of Red Circle – a city that is totally run by organised crime figures. That’s until one day when they slowly start being picked off by a mysterious female assassin and the balance of power begins to shift. Dark Corridor has been described as “a Goodfellas script re imagined by Quentin Tarantino” which seems like a cool idea to me. Expect plenty of action and adventure in this new ongoing series.
Dark Corridor #1 is available from August 5th.
Harley Quinn Road Trip Special
Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti. Art by Various. Published by DC Comics.
In this one-shot special Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and Catwoman have gone on a Summer road trip and one can only assume that all kinds of misadventures will be had. If you’ve never read Harley Quinn before this is a great place to jump on as this is a self-contained story and one that should require little to no previous reading to understand.
Harley Quinn Road Trip Special is available from August 26th.
The Beauty
Written by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley. Art by Jeremy Haun. Published by Image Comics.
The Beauty is a procedural science fiction series about a near future in which an STD give people perfect looks. While it appears there is only benefits this begins to change when people who have been infected start to die. Two detectives must track down why this is happening and what can be done to try and stop it.
I had a chat to Jeremy Haun about this upcoming series which included the themes of this comic, the creative process and a clever bit of marketing.
The Beauty is available from August 12th.
Secret Wars: Secret Love
Written by Michel Fiffe, Felipe Smith, Marguerite Bennett, Jeremy Whitley, Katie Cook. Art by Michel Fiffe, Felipe Smith, Kris Anka, Gurihiru, Katie Cook. Published by Marvel Comics.
While Marvel has never shied away with having a romantic element in their comics, they haven’t really pursued romance comics in some time. This is about to change with the Secret Wars one-shot Secret Love which is anthology of different romance stories from throughout Battleworld. Expect a mixture of fun, silly and sweet stories involving Marvel characters.
Also, don’t worry if you’re not reading Secret Wars you’ll be able to jump in on this easy enough.
Secret Wars: Secret Love is available from August 19th.
This Damned Band
Written by Paul Cornell. Art by Tony Parker. Published by Dark Horse Comics.
You know how some rock bands claim they’re worshipping the Devil? What if didn’t realise that they actually were? That’s a the premise of This Damned Band by Paul Cornell and Tony Parker. If you’re a fan of This is Spinal Tap then you’ll probably dig the humour in this new series, which is played out in a documentary style.
This Damned Band #1 is available from August 5th.
Welcome Back
Written by Christopher Sebela. Art by Jonathan Brandon Sawyer. Published by BOOM! Studios.
Welcome Back is a 4-issue miniseries about a pair of assassins that are continually resurrected each time they die in order to play their part in a war that people have long forgotten why they were fighting it. As one of the assassins is reincarnated into her new life she suddenly becomes self-aware of her past and begins to question what she is actually fighting for. Expect plenty of action and awesome art by Jonathan Brandon Sawyer.
Welcome Back #1 is available from August 19th.
Have Your Say
Which of these comics will you be reading this month? Let me know in the comments below or via our Facebook or Twitter.
The Beauty sounds pretty interesting, might have to pick that up! Also I love the cover of This Damned Band.