MCU Comics Corner: Backordered #4

Hello friends! I am glad you are back for my *fourth* edition of Backordered. With Christmas just over a month away, I thought it was a good time to review what I’ve been reading and hopefully offer some suggestions for you or the comic book lovers in your lives just in time for the holidays.

Before I get started, I wanted to remind you that the FFW+ MCU Comics Corner is rocking and rolling again. Kandace and Robby have their latest episode available NOW for subscribers, where they continue discussing Jonathan Hickman’s celebrated run on “Avengers” leading up to “Secret Wars.”

Just one more housekeeping note: Remember to visit our partner Organic Priced Books to purchase the Hickman omnibuses and several other titles I will mention below. For additional suggestions, check out the “Friends From Work Recommends” tab on the website. Finally, use code “FRIENDSFROMWORK” to get a discount on your order.

Now, onto my…

WEEKLY PULL LIST

• Ultimates (2024) #3-6 by Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri

• Ultimate Spider-Man (2024) #8-10 by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto

• Ultimate X-Men (2024) #6-9 by Peach Momoko

• Ultimate Black Panther (2024) #8-9 by Bryan Edward Hill and Stefano Caselli

  • I have to start with the work going on in the new Ultimate Universe. In my opinion, not one of these books has been disappointing. Deniz Camp continues to fire on all cylinders with “Ultimates,” highlighted by the Fantastic Four-focused fourth issue. Hickman keeps methodically building out “Spider-Man,” and Momoko’s “X-Men” has been picking up steam. I recommend checking them all out, but if you can only read one, make it “Ultimates.”

• The Boy Wonder #5 by Juni Ba

  • I mentioned this series in my last article, but the final issue had yet to come out. Now that it has, I want to reiterate my love for this gorgeous book that weaves together the history of every Robin. You can pre-order a hardcover collection right now at OPB.

• Wolverine: Revenge #1-3 by Jonathan Hickman and Greg Capullo

  • Hickman and Capullo is the All-Star creative team-up you didn’t know you needed. The first three issues of this five-issue miniseries are compelling, violent, and bloody. The red band editions make much better use of that label than last summer’s “Blood Hunt” event. Issue #4 comes out in January.

• NyX #2-5 by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, and Francesco Mortarino

• Uncanny X-Men (2024) #2-5 by Gail Simone and David Marquez

  • Both of these books concluded their initial story arcs last week. “NyX” felt particularly timely following the recent election, and I’ve been a fan of Kelly and Lanzing for a few years now (spoiler alert: they’ll appear in this post again later). However, Simone and Marquez's work on “Uncanny X-Men” is on another level. If X-Men ‘97 made you a fan of Rogue and Gambit, this series will deepen that love. Simone also introduces four exciting brand-new mutants that are instantly memorable.

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2-3 by Jason Aaron, Rafael Albuquerque, and Cliff Chiang

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Nightwatcher #1-3 by Juni Ba and Fero Peniche

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Nation #1-2 by Erik Burnham, Tom Waltz, Mateus Santolouco, and Vincenzo Federici

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II - Re-Evolution #3 by Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz

  • You have reached the obligatory section about my childhood favorites, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. So far, the relaunch has been a resounding success, led by Jason Aaron’s run on the main title. With the Turtles separated, each issue has spotlighted one of the four (and each has a different artist), with Leonardo’s issue (#3) being the best. But I hear the Donatello-focused fourth issue may take over that crown. Also, don’t sleep on what Juni Ba is doing with the “Nightwatcher” series.

• Absolute Batman #1-2 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta

• Batman and Robin: Year One #1 by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee

• Batman The Long Halloween: The Last Halloween #1-2 by Jeph Loeb and Eduardo Risso

• Detective Comics #1090 by Tom Taylor and Mikel Janin

• Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval

  • As I’ve mentioned in past editions of this series, DC and, specifically, Batman first piqued my interest in comic books in high school. But even then, I was going to the local bookstore to buy graphic novels when I could, rather than going to my LCS to purchase new issues off the rack. Over the last month, I’ve started reading a few Batman stories issue-by-issue for the first time. Can you blame me? Look at that powerhouse list of writers and artists! Snyder and Dragotta are doing some truly fresh things with the character on “Absolute Batman.”

  • “Batman The Long Halloween” was one of the first graphic novels I purchased in high school, so, of course, I am 100% invested in seeing Loeb (RIP Tim Sale) finish that story with “The Last Halloween.”

  • “Detective Comics #1090” may seem like a strange inclusion, but it begins a new arc for the hero and introduces a new piece of lore to Bruce Wayne’s backstory, which interests me enough to pick up #1091 when it comes out next week.

  • It is no secret that I have never been a huge Superman fan, but much like with TMNT, Jason Aaron has delivered an outstanding #1, and I am excited to see where it goes.

• The Nice House by the Sea #1-4 by James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno

• The Department of Truth #25-26 by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds

• The Exorcism at 1600 Penn #1 by Hannah Rose May and Vanesa Del Rey

  • As you probably know by now, I will read just about anything James Tynion IV writes. So that means keeping up with “The Department of Truth” and picking up his highly-anticipated sequel to “The Nice House on the Lake.” Fans of the original will be delighted by the new book, which ties into TNHOTL much more than I expected. After a two-year hiatus, “The Department of Truth” is back (starting earlier this year with issue #23), and these issues continue to tackle one of the biggest conspiracy-sparking events in US history- JFK’s assassination. So far, it lives up to the hype.

  • The final book in this section is a blind buy that caught my eye because the publisher (IDW) described it as “for fans of ‘The Nice House on the Lake’.” Only one issue has been published so far (out of four), but it is off to a promising start.

• Helen of Wyndhorn #1-6 by Tom King and Bilquis Evely

• Jenny Sparks #1-3 by Tom King and Jeff Spokes

  • Over the last several years, King has seemingly become DC’s go-to writer to take undervalued or underappreciated characters and give them new life via the limited series format as part of their Black Label. Whether Mister Miracle, the Human Target, or now Jenny Sparks, a character that I knew nothing about before this six-issue story. Halfway through, it is another engrossing King story, as Jenny interacts with the more familiar members of the Justice League as they deal with Captain Atom. Fans won’t have to wait long for King’s next DC limited series either- next week, he’ll attempt to work his magic again with “Black Canary: Best of the Best.”

  • “Helen of Wyndhorn” is an original story from the all-star team of King and Evely, and if you enjoyed their work on “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” you will love this book too. Billed initially as a 6-issue limited series, King has teased in recent days that Helen’s adventures may continue.

• Public Domain #6-10 by Chip Zdarsky

• The Domain #1-5 by Chip Zdarsky and Rachael Stott

  • Zdarsky is yet another celebrated writer doing awesome work right now. Robby originally turned me onto “Public Domain” about a year ago. If you’ve ever wanted to know what *really* goes on behind the scenes trying to make a comic, this is the story for you. Zdarsky just completed the book’s second arc and even managed to publish five issues of the comic within the comic along the way. “The Domain” is not as much fun as the main book, but it is still a fun addition to the series.

• Iron Man (2024) #1 by Spencer Ackerman and Julius Ohta

• Kahhori: Reshaper of Worlds #1 by Ryan Little, Arihhonni David, Kelly Lynne D'Angelo, Todd Harris, Jim Terry, and David Cutler

• The Amazing Spider-Man #61 by Joe Kelly and Nico Henrichon

• Mystique #1 by Declan Shalvey

  • It's time to discuss some new Marvel #1’s that have just hit shelves. My favorite of this group is “Mystique” by Declan Shalvey, who hooks me instantly with a spy plot involving Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. “Iron Man” has a Pulitzer-prize-winning writer, and even with only one issue released so far, you can tell Spencer Ackerman is planning to tackle some heady topics with this book. “Kahhori” is a fun one-shot based on an original character from the MCU’s What If…? series that smartly teams her up with Daredevil and Echo. I hope it sells well enough to warrant a more substantial run.

  • You might notice that the other book listed here is not a #1, but it is the start of a new arc by Joe Kelly called “8 Deaths of Spider-Man.” The first issue was not as gripping as I had hoped, but I plan to continue for now. It appears to tie into the upcoming “One World Under Doom” over-arcing story.

• Uncle Scrooge and the Infinity Dime (2024) #1 by Jason Aaron and several artists

  • You may be asking yourself, “What is this?” Yes, I am recommending a Scrooge McDuck comic. Did you notice Jason Aaron wrote it? Yes- that Jason Aaron. Did you know that Scrooge has a rich comic history? Well, he does. Written by the legendary Don Rosa beginning in 1987, “The Complete Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck” chronicled Scrooge’s entire biography, and this special one-shot from Aaron ties into those original stories.

TRADE PAPERBACKS

• Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty Vol. 2: Revolution by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, and Carmen Carnero

• Captain America: Cold War by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, and Carlos Magno

• Captain America: Cold War Aftermath by Tochi Onyebuchi, Ze Carlos, Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Carmen Carnero, and Nolan Woodard

• Thunderbolts: Worldstrike by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Geraldo Borges, and Arthur Hesli

  • If you read the last edition of Backordered, you might remember me touching on the first few volumes of the most recent Captain America run, written by a host of talented people, including friends of the podcast Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing. I’ve kept that up through all of the trade paperbacks that have been released. It’s been a delightful, (mostly) grounded thriller telling the story of “The Outer Circle” and the secret history behind Captain America’s shield. You’ll come away from the story hoping to see Sam Wilson and Misty Knight team up someday in the MCU. I think it only loses its way when the action moves to Dimension Z and tries to shoehorn Steve Rogers’ son into the story. The final “Thunderbolts” TPB shifts the focus squarely to Bucky Barnes. It brings Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine in, possibly previewing some of the dynamics that could be at play in next summer’s Thunderbolts*.

• Fantastic Four Vol. 1 by Ryan North, Iban Coello, and Ivan Fiorelli

  • I have discussed many different comics so far, but this one may be the best-looking of them all. This was my introduction to Ryan North; thankfully, he crafted a story worthy of the art. I plan to continue reading his run on FF moving forward.

• Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees by Patrick Horvath and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

  • Inspired by Kandace and Robby’s recent podcast on “Ice Cream Man,” I purchased this twisted take on what resembles a familiar children’s story. Imagine the Berenstain Bears but with a serial killer living in their town. I don’t want to say much more about the plot, but I think “Ice Cream Man” fans will enjoy this story, too.

OMNIBUS

• Ironheart: The Saga of Riri Williams by Brian Michael Bendis, David Marquez, and Mike Deodato Jr. (LINK)

  • This collection of issues from “Invincible Iron Man” tells a really compelling story about Tony Stark and his ongoing battle with Madame Masque. There is just one problem- this book is billed as “the saga of Riri Williams,” and Riri barely appears in the entire book. It feels like intentionally false advertising by Marvel. So, if you are looking for the definitive take on Riri, this is not it. If you just want a fun Iron Man story, I would absolutely recommend it.

It turns out that I read a lot more over the last few months than I realized. Hopefully, everyone who takes the time to read or skim through here finds something they’ll want to check out. Please support your local comic stores! And join me on Discord and let me know what you think and offer your own recommendations.

Happy reading,

-Greg