Pick Of The Week: Recommended Reading
by Olly MacNamee
Three recommended titles we think you might like from this past week of new releases.
Sam and His Talking Gun #1 (Scout Comics)
Writer: Drew Ferguson
Artist: Lee Ferguson
Letterer: DC Hopkins
Laura Dern isn’t the only one going “pew, pew” every time she shoots a gun. In Sam and His Talking Gun, Sam’s gun says “Bang!” every time Sam pulls the trigger. To make sure there’s no confusion, other guns go “bang” when they’re shot, too, but Hopkins makes those “bangs” sound effects. Sam’s gun uses speech bubbles.
Such a simple convention, yet there’s something joyful about it, and at the same time it’s still a gun. Other than the talking part, there’s nothing “cute” about this first issue. Lee Ferguson has drawn a very violent, action-packed comic, but what does it mean when a gun can talk back? Drew Ferguson explores. Sam is in control of the gun. It can’t shoot itself, but does the gun feel remorse? In issue #1, we see the gun give Sam tips on where to aim. Does it ever give Sam bad advice? Sam’s gun’s psychology is a can of worms. Once opened, who knows what comes out. – Rachel Bellwoar
Once & Future #14 (BOOM! Studios)
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Dan Mora
Colour art by Tamra Bonvillain
Lettering by Ed Dukeshire
The Green Knight throws down a challenge and Rose steps up to accept. As legends of yore spill out into our reality, Bridgette, Rose and Duncan continue to defend the realm. But, how much can they take on? And, how long until there comes a reckoning?
Once and Future #14 is another one of the more gory issues in this series, but after the gore stops flowing there is the calm. Although watching a racist thing bleed out as Bridgette somewhat sympathetically talks him into a confession is a rather bloody calmness. But then you take your breathers wherever you can, as more and more stories seem to be spilling out into the real world.
Dan Mora dazzles again, even when illustrating the most dull and mundane of country pubs, which England has more than its fair share of, sadly. And, Kieron Gillen’s scripts continue to grip the reader while espousing the philosophy behind this series through his characters dialogue without it feeling forced. – Olly MacNamee
Read the full review here.
New Mutants #14 (Marvel)
Written by Vita Ayala
Art by Rod Reis
It’s a new dawn for the series and gives readers a lot of hope for what’s to come. This new path is charted by Vita Ayala, Rod Reis, Travis Lanham and Tom Muller.
The youth of Krakoa are not okay. It’s up to Dani Moonstar and the New Mutants to take them under their wing and lead them into a more productive path forward. Unfortunately, they might be too late as a familiar sinister presence has gotten to some of them first!
(Vita) Ayala is a breath of fresh air for this title. It frankly has felt aimless since the first arc, and now under their pen, it’s got not only a direction and purpose, but a foundation for future stories. Many fans have wanted a story that is rooted in Krakoan culture, and they seem determined to write it here. Their take on the villain, while brief, is also horrifying, and that made for a great read. The story may still have some growing pains in the character voices but I have no doubt that Ayala will build this into an incredibly strong run. – Tony Thornley
Read the full review here.
