I’ll be honest, the last few weeks have been just insane for me, with work assignments, Girl Scout cookie sales, income taxes, and an unplanned car search, there has been nothing normal of late in my life. But I am seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. I found sometime Saturday to sit down and work my way through a pile of comics, and suddenly all is right in my world. So I am back with three reviews of books I’ve read in the last week. There’s been a lot of good reads, and a couple of clunkers. I’ll focus on the positive on what you should be reading. In turn, I expect you to leave a comment or send a note to let me know what I should be reading, too.

Poe Dameron #1

Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Phil Noto
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna

The brash young hero of Episode VII finally leaps into his own comic! While I would have loved to have seen this book out last December when the movie came out, getting it the week that the movie is available on DVD/Blu-Ray is just as good, as the movie has been on constant play in my home since I brought it home. This comic takes places in the weeks just prior to Episode VII. We see General Organa give Poe Dameron the mission to track down Lor San Tekka, who might have information on finding Leia’s missing brother, Luke Skywalker. Poe gets to handpick a crew, dubbed the Black Squadron, to accompany him on his mission. Along with his loyal droid BB-8, Poe is blasting off into his next adventure. Charles Soule and Phil Noto accurately capture the larger-than-life personality of Poe, and somehow manage to contain him into a 22-page story. As a bonus, an eight-page BB-8 feature from Chris Eliopoulos and Jordie Bellaire is included in this first issue.

Spider-Woman #5

Writer: Dennis Hopeless
Penciler: Javier Rodriquez
Inker: Alvaro Lopez
Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham

I have really enjoyed the new take on Jessica Drew in the relaunch of Spider-Woman. Following the birth of her son in the last issue, Jessica has returned home to take on the biggest challenge of her life: motherhood. Dennis Hopeless and Javier Rodriquez completely nail the experience of being a first-time parent, particularly as a single mother. The feeling of isolation, the overwhelming responsibility, the sleep deprivation, and the realization that life you once knew may be gone forever. Jessica is suffering from all of that, and she finds that she has to rely on her friends for support, breaks, and even vicariously living. I know that when I became a dad for the first time 11 years ago, I went through a lot of this, and that is even with my lovely wife by my side. My hat goes off to all of the single parents out there, both mothers and fathers, that struggle to go it alone during the first week’s of a child’s life. While I don’t think this comic should be used to promote planned parenthood, it is a good example of what life will be like for anyone expecting their first child.

Star Trek #55

Writer: Mike Johnson
Artist: Tony Shasteen
Color Artist: Davide Mastrolonardo
Letterer: Neil Uyetake

This issue kicks off a new storyline focusing on Spock from The Original Series (TOS). You will recall that in the 2009 movie, the TOS Spock came over into the new JJ Abrams Star Trek universe. Finding himself stuck in this new universe, TOS Spock is looking for a new role. This is a universe where Vulcan (the planet) is no more, and the surviving Vulcans are looking for a new world to colonize and start anew. The TOS Spock wants to help with those efforts, but the Vulcans of this universe blame the TOS Spock for everything that has happened. They banish Spock from their race, leaving him completely and utterly alone in the universe. I’m curious and scared to see where this story arc goes from here. While I don’t want this to be the last TOS Spock story, it certainly has the makings for it to become that. I hope I am wrong, but I am willing to trust Mike Johnson and Tony Shasteen to tell that story if it needs to go there. Until then, live long and prosper, and buy this book!

Finally, let’s rewind last week, and fast-forward this week!

Last Week:

• A.I.M. (Class of ’66) was featured in the Superhero Yearbook.
• John gave us his picks for Four Comics I Want – Gold Key Alliance, Wonder Woman Earth One, Black Panther, and Empress.
• Cullen kept the Comic Cards Calvacade series going with episodes 27 and 28.
• John interviewed Jim McClain and Serena Guerra about their Solution Squad book.
• Throwback Thursday took a look at the early adventures of the Daredevil.
• Jerry and John interviewed Greg Smallwood, artist on the new Moon Knight title, on the podcast.
• Cullen posted pictures from Emerald City Comic Con over on our Instagram account.

This Week:

• So who’s ready for the return of Fear the Walking Dead? Check out the WCPE TV listings.
• Brent will have his picks for Four Comics I Want! Think he will have a Doctor Who book on his list?
• Jerry, John, and Cullen will have multiple features this week, touching on comics, cards, shows, and more!
• As if this was now enough, there is yet another FREE PODCAST due out on Friday!

Categories: Jerry

Tags: Charles Soule, Dennis Hopeless, I've Got Issues, Javier Rodriguez, Jerry McMullen, Mike Johnson, Phil Noto, Poe Dameron, Spider-Woman, Star Trek, Tony Shasteen