What Are You Reading? | In ‘Miracleman,’ ‘the character work alone would be worth the read’

See what the Smash Pages crew has been reading lately, including Dark Web, Doctor Strange, Aquaman and more.

Welcome to What Are You Reading?, our look at what the Smash Pages crew has been checking off their “to read” list lately. Today’s reviews include recent issues of Miracleman and Mary Jane & Black Cat, some classic Doctor Strange and Aquaman, and some new/classic Bishop stories.

Let us know what you’ve been reading lately in the comments below or by tagging us on social media.

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Comixology Originals announces ‘Trick Pony’ by Greg Lockard + Anna David

The new graphic novel will arrive on the platform on Feb. 28.

While we ponder the fate of Comixology amidst all the layoffs and what that means for all those digital comics we’ve “acquired” from them, I guess there’s some solace in the fact that there are still new releases and announcements coming from their original comics line, Comixology Originals. That has to be a good sign, he says, as he realizes contracts were likely signed months in advance and maybe they just haven’t had time to sunset that program yet. Hey, don’t ruin my Sunday, okay?

Until Amazon is willing to share more (or not; their PR email seems to be a black hole) let’s focus on what we do know — that GLAAD award-nominated writer Greg Lockard has teamed up with artist Anna David and letterer Lucas Gattoni for a brand new western graphic novel, Trick Pony, which will arrive on the site on Feb. 28. It’s about a gay rodeo star named Jimmy.

“Trick Pony is a project that has been germinating in my head and heart for over a decade,” Lockard said. “It’s a love letter to all my favorite Western stories but through a distinctly modern lens. Jimmy’s adventure is about self-fulfillment on the path to making your dreams come true… and accepting that some shadows are going to follow you for life.”

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Oni Press will publish Bunn + Susini’s ‘Lamentation’ beginning in May

The gothic horror story involves a disturbing play that begins to bleed into our reality.

Horror master Cullen Bunn will once again work with Oni Press on a new horror title — Lamentation, a “horror/gothic/giallo” story featuring artwork by Arjuna Sushini.

According to Bunn in his newsletter, “Lamentation reveals the story of the cast and crew of a theatrical production of ‘Razide’s Lament.’ This strange play seems to be bleeding into our reality… and no one can leave the theater until it has been performed for a group of mysterious critics. Madness and murder ensue.”

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Bendis + Oeming’s ‘United States of Murder, Inc.’ returns with a new title

‘Murder, Inc.: Jagger Rose’ will debut in May.

Dark Horse has announced the next project coming from Brian Michael Bendis’ imprint, Jinxworld — Murder, Inc.: Jagger Rose, a title that may sound familiar to longtime Bendis fans.

Bendis announced last year that the United States of Murder Inc., his series with Powers co-creator Michael Avon Oeming, would return, but with a shortened title. (United States of Murder, Inc. was a mouthful). Taki Soma and Carlos Mangual round out the art team.

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‘Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’ gets a comic book prequel

John Layman and Jesús Hervás bring to life ‘Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum.’

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is the upcoming video game that, like the title suggests lets you play as the Suicide Squad as you take on a mind-controlled Justice League.

The chaos begins on May 26 and will soon be followed by Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum, a prequel comic book set in the game’s continuity. It’s by John Layman (Chew) and Jesús Hervás (Are You Afraid of Darkseid?, Cyberpunk 2077), and will feature Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, King Shark and of course Amanda Waller, who just took control of Arkham Asylum as part of her latest recruitment drive.

Dc will offer codes for a free in-game cosmetic item in print copies as well as to Annual and Ultra paying subscribers of their DC Universe Infinite service. But purchasers of digital copies get nothing, which kind of sucks given that they charge just as much for digital comics as they do for print.

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Three decades later, Bill Watterson returns with a fable for grown-ups

The creator of ‘Calvin and Hobbes’ teams with caricaturist John Kascht for a new book that’s due out in October.

If there was one thing that united the internet this week, it had to be the big reveal that Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson has a new book coming out. The Mysteries by Watterson and caricaturist John Kascht is set to be published by Andrews McMeel Publishing this fall.

It’s been almost 30 years since Watterson ended Calvin and Hobbes, one of the most creative and beloved comic strips of all time. Since then, Watterson hasn’t been seen or heard from much, except for the rare interview or a guest comic strip or to turn down a trip to France after winning the Grand Prix d’Angoulême. So this was a welcome surprise.

If you’re expecting it to be something like Calvin & Hobbes, though, think again. Here’s a preview:

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Silk returns in a new miniseries in May

Emily Kim and Ig Guara send Silk into the Spider-Verse this spring.

Silk, aka Cindy Moon, the character who was bitten by a radioactive spider on the same day as Peter Parker but whose life took a completely different turn, will return in another miniseries in May.

Writer Emily Kim and artist Ig Guara will send the character off on a new adventure within the Spider-Verse — which is appropriate, given the big role she’s played in the most recent issue of Spider-Man during the “End of Spider-Verse” storyline.

“I’m thrilled to be able to continue writing for Cindy. It felt like I spent the first run getting to know her and now that I do, I can use the second run to explore how she’d change when thrown into wildly different worlds,” Kim told Marvel.com. “But the true fun will be to see the ways in which she stays the same Cindy we’ve known and loved for many years even when in brand new environments.”

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‘Arcade Kings’ ascends to the throne at Skybound in May

Dylan Burnett writes and draws a new series about ‘video game infused fighting’ that kicks off in May.

Dylan Burnett‘s new project promises to introduce a world of “fists, family, and video game infused fighting that will leave you speechless.” Skybound will publish Arcade Kings, which is written and drawn by Burnett beginning in May.

Burnett will be joined by colorists Walter Baiamonte and Sara Antonellini on the series.

“Get ready to rumble! I cannot wait for readers to get their hands on Arcade Kings,” said Amanda LaFranco, editor at Skybound. “Along with some incredible action and unique characters, Dylan has been able to weave a compelling story about family, brotherhood, and going all-in for the people you love. But really, it’s just flat-out fun! Both Walter and Sara’s colors are elevating each page with a vibrancy and emotion that’s inspired by our favorite classic arcade games, but for any fan of epic fights and general awesomeness.”

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Daredevil & Echo reunite in a new miniseries by Taboo, Earl + Noto

Echo is back to her old self as she teams with Daredevil to fight an ancient evil beneath New York.

Fresh off of Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Black Eyed Peas member Taboo and co-writer B. Earl will continue their tour of the dark side of the Marvel universe in Daredevil & Echo, which will feature the return of the Demogoblin and an ancient evil that lives underneath New York City.

Echo, who has been rockin’ the Phoenix Force over in Avengers, is back to her normal self in this four-issue miniseries that’ll feature artwork by the incomparable Phil Noto.

“First off, Benny and I are blessed and thankful to be continuing our journey as Marvel writers,” Taboo said. “It’s an honor to be rocking this new Daredevil project along with the amazing mighty matriarch Echo. We are about to have a blast bringing the heat to Hell’s Kitchen! Can’t wait for the world check out this crazy ride! One love!”

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Marvel returns to the ‘Edge of Spider-Verse’

Zander Cannon, Karla Pacheco, Pere Pérez and more present new stories starring Spider-Rex, Spinstress and more.

If you thought the Spider-Verse was ending — and why wouldn’t you? It was right there in the title, “End of Spider-Verse” — think again. Marvel has announced another Edge of Spider-Verse anthology miniseries that will feature more Spider-themed stories and characters.

The first issue will include a cover by Patrick Brown as well as:

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Jesse Lonergan joins Mike Mignola on ‘Miss Truesdale and the Fall of Hyperborea’

The new Mignolaverse title will launch from Dark Horse Comics in May.

Hellboy creator Mike Mignola has recruited the artistic talents of Jesse Lonergan (Hedra, Planet Paradise) for a new miniseries set in the Mignolaverse — Miss Truesdale and the Fall of Hyperborea. They’re joined by longtime Mignolaverse letterer Clem Robbins.

If you aren’t familiar with Lonergan, he turned a lot of heads with his unqiue approach to comics in Hedra and Planet Paradise, both of which are the type of comic that reminds you of what’s possible in the medium.

“I fell in love with Jesse’s stuff the moment I stumbled across it, but it took a long time for me to wrap my head around a way we could work together,” said Mignola. “His storytelling is so great but amazingly unique and I’m such a control freak when it comes to how to pace a story—I didn’t want to tie his hands with the way I structure things. But he is just so good… Eventually I came up with the idea for Miss Truesdale (an odd one, even for me) and just couldn’t think of anyone better to draw it. We met, we talked, and I think we settled on a way to collaborate. It meant writing a plot that was tight in some places and very, very loose in others. I had to trust Jesse to work his magic—and for me it’s hard to really trust an artist I’ve never worked with, even one as good as Jesse—but I did it and he did what he does and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I think this ends up being one of the most unique extensions of the Hellboy Universe, and after almost 30 years (and some very odd stories) that’s saying something.”

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‘Spirit World,’ ‘The Vigil’ and ‘City Boy’ spin out of ‘Lazarus Planet’ in May

DC will launch three new series featuring Asian heroes and creators during Asian American Pacific Islander Month.

The Dawn of DC will continue in May with three six-issue miniseries featuring characters introduced during the Lazarus Planet event.

DC has announced City Boy, Spirit World and The Vigil, which not only fall under the “Dawn of DC” umbrella but also have their own sub-branding, “We Are Legends.” All three projects were spearheaded by DC Editor Jessica Chen, who shared more about them on Twitter, and feature the talents of Ram V, Alyssa Wong, Haining, Greg Pak, Lalit Kumar Sharma, Minkyu Jung, Sunny Gho and more.

“We Are Legends is a passion project I’ve been dreaming of and working on for a while now (inspired by Milestone 1993 but for the AAPI community & within the DCU)—& I’m lucky to have the support from DC Comics, Jim Lee [and] Marie Javins of making this come true. Representation matters!” Chen said, “…and it matters to me for that Asian kid to realize through these books in We Are Legends that not only are our stories worth being told (and by us), but our stories are also worth being told on mainstream media like DC Comics.”

Here are more details on the three miniseries, courtesy of DC:

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