Tops and Bottoms for 9/11/23.

Morning.

Another busy week but always time to read comics. I’ve been keeping up to date with my challenge of reading all the new releases from Marvel and DC Comics on their respective apps. Very much a mixed bunch – you can read all about that later.

I even got to a 60th anniversary Doctor Who event at the BFI last weekend. Hanging with someone working on the show at the moment and two massive fans of Who. We saw a presentation on the TARDIS and I got to hear some hilarious stories over a number of pints late into the night. I even listened to some Tom on the Big Finish app on my train home. I’m just organising something special for the NIA podcast at the moment regarding Who in comics. Watch this space.

Back to comics.

This week on the ACP we get into it with guest Gareth Hopkins about the motivations we have as comics creators and readers. What pushes or pulls us when we are pursuing our hobby. At one point we discuss how we react to compliments. It’s an interesting chat and Gareth is full of insight, information and humour.

At least half the Hopkins family, along with some specially invited guests have a raft of new comics releasing from Absolute Collider, his new publishing venture with his daughter Martha. You can find some of these books to buy at Thoughtbubble Comics Festival this weekend or from their site right here.

For those asking, I’m unlikely to be at Thoughtbubble. That Frank Miller thing from a few years ago put a nasty taste in my mouth. Not this year. I’ll be at Gosh tomorrow though, if anyone is about.

Back to the task at hand.

Tops.

Peacemaker Tries Hard!

Written by Kyle Starks with art by Steve Pugh. This series is well written, funny and fun. A highlight of the DC app whenever it appears. I know this isn’t the titular character of our youth and follows the antics/vibe of the movie/TV stuff but it’s so good that I manage to internally put that aside for fifteen minutes a month. Nice little nods to the rich history of DC in each issue too.

Bottoms.

It’s a tie this week.

Making a second appearance in as many months Warlock Rebirth has all the scripting nuance of a toddler playing with action figures on a rainy afternoon. He fights her, she fights him, she fights someone else, he helps out, they become friends and he asks her to join his club. Compared to previous artwork by Lim it looks super rushed. Marz and Lim have done much better, this is absolute tripe.

Yawn, another Iceman series. The story pulls the same scene twice in the same comic! Trite and predictable dialogue, overly digital glare on the art. By the numbers rubbish. This series is unlikely to make double figures.

See you next week.

Many thanks for reading.