The Monthly Ty-in: January 2024

Welcome back to another issue of the Monthly Ty-in where we explore five of my favorite comic books from my pullbox in January.

JUNIOR BAKER THE RIGHTEOUS FAKER #5

"There's more to life than wallowing in your particular brand of narcissism."

Mark Twain once said, "All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure." No character has embodied this attitude better than Blitzfeed's very own Gonzo journalist Dizzy Baker who has been on a psychedelic vision quest to find out what really happened to all the superheroes. With nothing but a toy gun and a bottle of liquid courage in hand, nothing will stand in the way of his search for answers - nothing except maybe himself. I didn't always know what was happening or where this esoteric story was headed, but there is no denying the genius at work in this book, no matter how hard it is to make sense of the bigger picture - and I think that's entirely the point. Readers are invited into Dizzy's confused stream of consciousness, which is blurred by anxious thoughts, frenetic investigations, willful ignorance, and best of all, mysterious intoxication.

The concluding issue of this mind-bending adventure pays homage to Blade Runner 2049 both in theme and style, making this issue a must-read for any sci-fi fan. Ryan Quackenbush, a relatively new artist in comic books, makes an outstanding first impression. Quackenbush combines multiple mediums like paint as well as pen and ink linework to create a unique, patchwork style reminiscent of industry titan, Bill Sienkiewicz. Joe Casey writes honest inner monologues that speak to the human quest for meaning and belonging in a broken world. While technically a sequel, Junior Baker the Righteous Faker stands on its own as an underrated masterpiece that's sure to keep you scratching your head even after that last page is turned.

COBRA COMMANDER #1

"These intruders may not see us as threats because we are scientists, but many things can be used as a weapon. And science is one of them."

In this new, 5-part miniseries, writer Joshua Williamson proves that the only thing better than a noble superhero is a genius supervillain. Cobra Commander is the fourth title to be released in Skybound Entertainment's new "Energon Universe" along with Void Rivals, Transformers, and Duke. One of the joys of reading these titles has been exploring new worlds like the Sacred Ring and old worlds like Cybertron. Cobra Commander #1 is no different as readers are invited into the biological wonder that is Cobra-La, the underground base of Cobra Commander's people. Artist Andrea Milana and colorist Annalisa Leoni treat readers to a feast of grandiose landscapes and alien-like technology in a loose, organic style that reminds me of HBO's Scavengers Reign. Williamson avoids cluttering the page with backstory and explanation, letting the art speak for itself so readers can instead guess and wonder at the strange new environments they find themselves in.

Williamson focuses on Cobra Commander's dramatic origins, his scientific exploits, and his rise to power within the hierarchy of Cobra-La. Readers are dropped right into the middle of a political drama that's still shrouded with intrigue. Cobra Commander is as much an adventurer as he is a scientist, and he's not afraid to take science where others will not, for better or worse. I didn't grow up watching GI Joe or playing with the action figures. But the inclusion of Cobra Commander on this list is a testament to how accessible this book is for new readers as well as old.

VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #1

"Marc Spector is Moon Knight. And Moon Knight is a Fist of Khonshu. And the fists of Khonshu don't die."

Marc Spector is dead, but that doesn't mean much in comic books does it? Jed MacKay, Allessandro Cappuccio, and Rachelle Rosenberg do everything they do best in this reintroduction of the Midnight Mission in issue #1 of Vengeance of the Moon Knight. Each character that readers have come to love over the past two years has an equal chance to shine in the spotlight. MacKay writes his usual therapy-session dialogue that gets to the heart of our characters' state of mind and motivations while steering the direction of the plot. As Reese, Tigra, Hunter's Moon, Soldier, and 8-Ball mourn the loss of their friend, someone posing as Moon Knight lays claim to Marc's previous territory in New York. The Midnight Mission will have to act fast against this new Fist of Khonshu before he threatens to undo everything Marc built.

What I liked best about the last 30 issues of Moon Knight was MacKay's knack for breathing new life into unheard-of and underutilized characters like Zodiac, The House of Shadows, Waxman, and Sidney Sarnak (Not to mention the popularity of characters he created for this series such as Reese and Hunter's Moon). Issue #1 of Vengeance of the Moon Knight continues this same trend as two Doctor Strange villains, Mr. Smile and Mr. Sulk, make their second-ever appearance. Readers also get to see a rare, more feral side to Tigra, potentially making this series bloodier than ever before. And if you aren't already saying your prayers to Khonshu and need more convincing, Cappuccio and Rosenberg are a dynamic duo that you do not want to miss. Cappuccio sets the tone with his foreboding, shadowy pencil work, while Rosenberg accents the pages with choice colors that seem to radiate off the paper like the moon herself. This is Moon Knight at his peak, and the story's just getting started.

THE SACRIFICERS #6

"Me? Help you? You've had people help your entire life. There's only one way to help you, by leaving you to fend for yourself."

The Sacrificers is a balanced blend of childhood fantasy and dystopia, with a hefty sprinkling of existential dread thrown in for free. Max Fuimara's art is intricate and whimsical, while Dave McCaig's colors add a glint of magic to the panels. But be warned, this is not any ordinary fairy tale. In the world of Harlos, if you want to survive, you have to make sacrifices (duh), even if it means losing your heart. This may seem like one of those stereotypical purge movies where a utopian society releases all its anger on a few scapegoats. But Rick Remender spins more sinister plots that leave me wondering what even I would be capable of if forced into similarly dire circumstances. If you're looking for complex world-building and deep character exploration, then The Sacrificers might be your next best pull.

In issue #6, Remender explores what happens when power is taken from those born with it and given to those who've never had it. It's the haves vs the have-nots, and in the end, the bloody face of revenge always rears its head. One wonders if the cycle of violence can ever be broken. The Sacrificers #6 is a commentary on the classic superhero maxim "With great power comes great responsibility." What happens when someone with "great power" destroys the ones you love? What would you do with great power to those who hurt them? Would you show them mercy when none was shown to you? There are no wrong answers here in the world of The Sacrificers, back on shelves with issue #7 coming this April to a comic shop near you.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK #8

"That night as they celebrated their victory, the bloodlust of Jinni Dagaal roiled in their minds, a torturous flame that would torment them until their deaths. The hunters had become warriors: hunters of men."

Issue after issue, writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson proves that his version of the Jade Giant is nothing but a smashing success. PKJ sets his Incredible Hulk run in the American South, sending Bruce Banner and his child companion Charlie through the sticky swamps of Florida to the dry hills of Texas to confront the many grotesque monsters who dare challenge them. Reading PKJ's body-horror series reminds me of those hot summer days as a kid when I first discovered Stephen King horror stories like Children of the Corn and Cujo. In this issue, Hulk teams up with an old Ghost Rider to stop a monster known as the War Devil from hurting a community of migrant workers. But what happens when the Hulk loses control of his own body? Can the Ghost Rider save Hulk in time, or will Bruce be consumed by a whole new level of rage?

PKJ lets artist Nic Klein and colorist Matt Wilson take the reigns and drive this story home with stunning visuals of putrefied corpses and grisly fight scenes. At times, panels of action seemed to blur together, making it difficult to decipher what exactly was happening on the page. However, this in no way diminishes the grandeur of the story being told here. I've begun to look forward to the final issue of each story arc to read PKJ's chilling prose in "The Remembrances of Eldest" where he explains the mythology behind each creature the Hulk battles. It's a little extra cherry on top of an otherwise loaded comic book sundae. Issue #8 raised the stakes, foreshadowing tougher times ahead for Hulk but also for Charlie who may be more important to this story than we all originally thought.

That's all for this month. Check back soon to see if these highly anticipated new releases make it into next month's highlights.

Most Anticipated New Releases in February

Blue Book: 1947 #1

"This ambitious comic book experience depicts true stories of UFO abductions with an eye to capturing the strange essence of those encounters."

The Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1

"Groot has been on a journey for the past year, and all the growth and loss and heartache have been for this moment. Can the Guardians confront their pasts to ensure their family has a future? Grootfall comes to its triumphant conclusion!"

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return #1

"Written by actress, screenwriter, and director Amy Jo Johnson, the original Pink Ranger herself, along with rising star co-writer Matt Hotson and renowned artist Nico Leon, fans can experience something unlike anything they ever have before in the Power Rangers universe, in TV or comics!"