A comiXologist recommends…

REGGIE AND ME #1, by Tom DeFalco, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Sandy Jarrell, and Jack Morelli

Hey, have you heard about the coolest, most handsome, most beloved dude in all of Riverdale? That’s right, it’s Archie Andrews Reggie Mantle! I mean, why call it Archie Comics when you could call it REGGIE Comics, am I right?

Welcome to Reggie and Me, the brand new, modernized approach along the lines of the new Archie ongoing comics. The real question upon hearing the title was, who exactly is the “me” in this scenario. Is it Archie? Nah, not that loser. Betty? Veronica? Dilton?! No, no, and no. The “and me” of Reggie and Me, and narrator of this first issue, is Reggie’s DOG, Vader (that NAME!). No one else could live up to being Reggie’s best friend than man’s best friend, so I shouldn’t have been surprised. Vader is as salty as a cat but as loyal to Reggie as you would expect of any pup, and he throws just as much shade as his owner at those who dare rub Reggie the wrong way.

I knew I had a soft spot for Reggie ever since the story on page 821 of the Archie 1000 Page Comics Blowout (yes, we’re that serious about our Reggie hype). Even though it’s no Betty/Reggie à la page 821’s story, I appreciate insight into why Reggie of comics past would have been so intent on dating Midge despite Moose, usually literally, blocking his path. We already see hints of it in this issue, but I also really look forward to more humanizing away from the black and white persona of resident Riverdale villain and bad boy. That doesn’t mean they make excuses for Reggie’s antics; he is undoubtedly a bully and doesn’t earn much love from Riverdale High’s students except when he throws his dad’s money around, but there’s a lot to explore about Reggie, why he acts like he does, and what it will take to change that.

Go ahead and finally bask in the glory that is Reggie and Me. HE would say it’s the best comic to come out this week and probably ever. After all, Reggie said it and, “HE wouldn’t lie.”

Jen Keith works at comiXology and usually likes the good boy characters but wants Reggie Mantle to be happy, even if she’s not entirely sure he deserves it.

A comiXologist Recommends (a cat comic)

Junji Ito’s Cat Diary: Yon & Mu

Junji Ito, creator of famous horror title Uzumaki, pounces on his most mysterious and terrifying topic yet:

Cats.

Cat Diary is a slice of life manga celebrating how cats take over the minds, hearts, and houses of people, turning them into crazed cat fanatics that yearn for the attention and affection of their cat overlords. This particular take is an auto-bio comic from the life of Ito aka J-kun, his wife A-ko, and their two cats; Yon has a cursed face and skull pattern in his fur and Mu is the mostly sweet, wide-eyed Norwegian Forest cat..

The hyperbolic reactions of J-Kun and his delightful(ly creepy) wife make this book. J-kun’s extreme response to the cats and coveting their love made me laugh obnoxiously loud many times. I like to think this is how Ito sees his entire life, and that every story is 100% true. In fact, there are photos of Yon and Mu, proving that no matter how extreme, there must be a great deal of reality in these pages.

Cat Diary is the ideal book to pick up whether you’re a clueless cat newbie or a seasoned feline veteran. Perhaps you don’t have space in your small NYC apartment because where will you put that litter box and you close your bedroom door at night so how would it roam and your roommates are allergic so it’s a moot point anyway…ehem, but you crave knowing exactly the right way to shake flail with a feather wand to “tickle the cat’s soul.” In this book you’ll learn this and more from the perspective of a comedy and horror artist, from the joy of a cat nestled in your bed to touching a fresh hairball.

For more work from Ito, check out Gyo and Fragments of Horror. For more true stories about people who can’t help but love these little bean toed monsters, take a look at Henshin.

Go ahead and turn off of Neko Atsume and read Cat Diary for the true life of a cat owner.

Jen Keith is the Captain of the Digital Editors at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and has gotten every cat in Neko Atsume, including ones she renamed Butch Catsidy and Iron Chef Morimeowto because they are better puns.

A comiXologist Recommends (something whimsical and energetic)

MIRROR #1 by Emma Rios and Hwei Lim

“…I look around at my fellow men and I am reminded of some likeness of the beast-people, and I feel as though the animal is surging up in them. And I know they are neither wholly animal nor holy man, but an unstable combination of both.” - The Island of Dr. Moreau, H.G. Wells

I wouldn’t say that Mirror is heading in Dr. Moreau’s direction, but I would say it made me wonder about the humanity of these animals-turned-people and the lack thereof for those who made them.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Mirror #1 introduces us to Ivan, a mage who knows what feels right and is trying to do the right thing even if it hurts; Sena, man’s best friend as a dog becoming man’s best friend as an almost-human revolutionary; and the humans and animals that make up the colony of Irzah. There’s also Kazbek, the morally gray mage who seems torn between duty, loyalty, and doing the wrong things for the right reasons…or perhaps it’s the other way around. Zun takes lab rat and lab assistant to the next level and often steals the scene with her sweetness and empathy.

Speaking of lab rats, Mirror maintains its magic with mages and talking animals but approaches it with science. None of that wand waving here. This is magic ingrained in the very foundations of life, where scientific experimentation merges with a world built on the bones of impossibility.

I’m excited to see where it goes as the first issue is very much a teaser for the fascinating world Pretty Deadly writer Emma Rios and artist Hwei Lim created. Lim’s art is whimsical and energetic in both style and layout. She brings the loose unpredictability of watercolor into her digital artwork resulting in bright pages full of color and negative space that keeps the eye moving. Her use of pattern and light make each page vibrant and exciting. In the second story, writer and artist switch places, but this team matches so well together that the issue remains cohesive.

Mirror #1 leaves me with a lot of questions that I need answered because I’m already attached to these characters. It leaves you with my encouragement to read the first issue because there’s a promise in these pages for a great adventure.

Jen Keith is the Captain of the Digital Editors at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and could write sonnets about the art in this book but will spare you.

A comiXologist recommends:
Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #47

Never has there been a more aptly named series than “More Than Meets the Eye.” The office book club that developed around this series (no, really, it’s great) jokes about it, but it’s true.

Let me preface this by saying I didn’t care about Transformers until this past summer.

What changed?

I binge read seven volumes worth of the most intelligent, witty, and gut-wrenchingly painful comics that gave me what I lovingly refer to as “robot feelings.”

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye delves into the aftermath of a four million year war, spanning across galaxies and peoples, organic and inorganic alike. The series follows the exploits of the Lost Light, a ship carrying the most marvelous cast of D-listers since Justice League International (https://www.comixology.com/Justice-League-of-America-1987-1996/comics-series/6906?ref=Y29taWMvdmlldy9kZXNrdG9wL2JyZWFkY3J1bWJz); captained by the incredible and incredibly incompetent Rodimus, they journey (in a decidedly roundabout way) on a Quest to find the fabled Knights of Cybertron.

It explores PTSD, mental illness, vengeance, and prejudice. Sounds bleak, right? Yes, but beyond that it celebrates friendship, personal growth, love, acceptance, and what there is to do in a future you never thought you’d have.

Not to mention this is one of the most LGBTQ inclusive series in mainstream comics right now. Surprised? I have two words for you: Robot. Marriage. The newest issue delves into how to “put a ring on it” and become “conjunx endura” (spouse) amidst the slow burn drama of a love triangle between three male identifying robots.

The overall approach telling this story is incredibly refreshing. One of the greatest strengths is the willingness to take time to explore and develop the uniqueness of the characters, both as individuals and through their interactions with the rest of the crew. But don’t despair, or perhaps do, because there’s also enough violence and soul-crushing sorrow to make even the most veteran of comics readers weep and/or scream.

Writer James Roberts crafts the most charming (yet also delightfully painful) series with grace, intelligence, and an abundance of humor. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will be ruined in the best of ways. Despite seeing so many comics, I gladly say that due to Roberts’ nuanced writing and ability to give his audience what they want while remaining true to his intent to tell a great story, More Than Meets the Eye is my current favorite ongoing series.

With Volume 8 having recently released and Nick Roche’s new stand alone Sins of the Wreckers starting today, it’s a great time to be a fan of Transformers and quality comics.

Don’t let this franchise comic in disguise fool you – give it a read, transform your comics-reading life, and roll out!

Read Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #47 on comiXology

Jen Keith is the Captain of the Digital Editors at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and it only took a few months for her desk to be completely overrun by Transformers toys.

A comiXologist recommends:
Star Trek/Green Lantern #2

by: Jen Keith

Star Trek/Green Lantern: the comic frontier. These are the pages of the crossover event between DC and IDW. Its six-issue mission: to explore the meeting of two franchises, to seek out new story lines and new cameos, to boldly go where no crossover has gone before.

He flies through the vast reaches of the unknown, handling galaxy spanning conflicts between a menagerie of alien species with bravery and style. But wait, are we talking about James Kirk or Hal Jordan? For being infinitely immense, space seems a little smaller as these two powerful personalities collide in a singularity of action and cosmic adventure.

Kirk and crew discover the abandoned Lantern rings on a desolate planet, and as usual, can never leave well enough alone. Luckily some worthy ring-bearers are in the vicinity; the rings pass to members of the Enterprise’s crew and alien antagonists that will be delightfully familiar to fans of the Star Trek mythos. With yellow, red, and orange rings in the mix, it’s not all smooth sailing out here in the black. My favorite part is seeing how each character handles their newly acquired ring, and as a Bones fan, I haven’t stopped grinning about the potential hilarity. (Not sure if writer Mike Johnson will provide a “I’m a doctor, not a flying space cop!” line, but fingers crossed.)

Styled after the cast of the new Star Trek films, Angel Hernandez’s art finds a middle ground between actor-based realism and the stylization of a Green Lantern series. Alejandro Sanchez’s coloring stays true to the atmosphere of the movies and makes JJ Abrams proud as what better opportunity for bright, energetic colors and lens flares than Lantern rings?

Star Trek/Green Lantern promises to be an entertaining romp through two beloved series, and I’m glad to see DC and IDW taking advantage of such a perfect crossover opportunity. To fans of either space-faring franchise I say:  live long, prosper, and give this comic a read!

[Read Star Trek/Green Lantern #2 on comiXology]

Jen Keith is a Digital Editor at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and loves Star Trek in brightest day and blackest night.

A comiXologist recommends:
ElfQuest

by: Jen Keith

Long ago, the High Ones came to a world sparsely populated by tribes of superstitious humans. Descended from these otherworldly creatures – these aliens – were the Wolfriders: a group of hunter-gatherer elves who found friends and mounts in the wolves that howled at the two moons in the sky. Cutter, with the blood of ten chiefs flowing through his veins, protects his pack against all threats, human and troll alike, while seeking the kin he longs to connect with.

ElfQuest has it all. Fantasy and science fiction alongside romance and action. At once you have space travel and magic mingling with trolls and fairies. There are soulmates found through the Elven phenomenon of “Recognition” and battles raged for life and home. The elves face a changing world of politics and cruelty yet it only strengthens their bonds as friends and family.

ElfQuest is a groundbreaking, indie series co-created by a woman in the 70s featuring women not only healing and loving but fighting, leading, and standing as equals in positions of power. The men and women of ElfQuest are beautiful, smart, strong, and fierce with relationships and emotions that run deep.

It may have come out decades ago, but it is still relevant to today and today’s readers. The elves face fear from humans who, unlike the Wolfriders, find difficulty in living harmoniously with nature. When meeting their own kind, they find both open-armed acceptance and fierce scorn for their differences. Like I said: it has it all.

I owe a lot to the creators, Wendy and Richard Pini, as it was among the first comic series I ever picked up. It’s the kind of series that, no matter how many ways I own it, I want to buy every version I see, and these gorgeously rendered black and white omnibuses are no exception. As a creator, I know these books influenced me more than I may ever know; as a fan, I still get the same warm/fuzzy feeling as when I first read about the Wolfriders and their adventures.

Having the first and second omnibuses and Final Quest Vol. 1 at my digital beck and call was one of my personal highlights of having Dark Horse on comiXology. I’m pleased to invite you to join the pack and pick up ElfQuest today.

[Read ElfQuest on comiXology]

Jen Keith is a Digital Editor at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and has not stopped howling about ElfQuest since Dark Horse was announced.

A comiXologist recommends:
From Sweet Tea to BD: An Angoulême Excursion

by: Jen Keith

Once upon a time, I was a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). During my senior year I had the distinct pleasure of spending two months in France, gorging myself on French comics (bandes dessinées or “BD” for short) and falling head over heels for the beautiful books I brought back with me. I even attended the comics festival in Angoulême which this anthology focuses on, and I still consider it one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

This study abroad opportunity continues on, providing students an experience unique to their class yet achingly familiar for a graduate looking fondly back on their own trip. As I read this book, I was reminded of so many places and sights: the statue of Herge’s head, Hugo Pratt’s Corto Maltese standing watch over the water, murals by comic artists turning the entire city into a work of art, and how it seems inevitable that there will always be at least one day that it pours.

From Sweet Tea to BD: an Angoulême Excursion is a delightful collection of (mostly) one page travelogue comics by the 25 students and one professor that went on the Lacoste, France trip this year. Each comic highlights moments that stood out in each student’s adventure, be it a shared moment with friends or their overall feelings about seeing the city and meeting the artists whose work they treasure. There’s a sense of getting to know these up-and-coming comic artists through what is important and worthy of sharing. From the adorable title to bonus photos from the trip in the back, it’s a solid collection capturing the humorous and heartfelt experiences many find upon entering the event.

If you’ve attended the festival, as a student or not, and seen the beautiful city of Angoulême, then brace yourself for some intense nostalgia. At worst, you’ll laugh at the antics of these rambunctious SCADlings; at best, you’ll see yourself in these pages and be reminded of how comics, no matter the language, affect every fan, student or casual reader alike.

[Read From Sweet Tea to BD: An Angoulême Excursionon comiXology]

Jen Keith is a Digital Editor at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and misses France, French comic shops, and French food on a daily basis.

A comiXologist recommends:
Wytches #6

by: Jen Keith

Have you ever turned the lights off as you go upstairs? You’re at safe at home, but that doesn’t stop you from sprinting up those stairs. Maybe you look over your shoulder just to be sure nothing is waiting at the bottom. Of course you’re not afraid of the dark, you tell yourself.

It’s what could be IN the dark that you’re not sure of.

Wytches is Scott Snyder’s answer to what’s lurking there.

It follows the story of the Rooks family, forced by hard times into a new home that was meant to be their relief. It’s not. Creatures are in the woods, and they can give you your heart’s desire if you’re willing to pledge someone to get it. Beyond the monsters (human and creature alike), it’s about the love a father has for his daughter, Sailor, despite her anxiety and his fear. It’s horror with a lot of heart.

Wytches doesn’t just try to scare you. Snyder refers to it as a very personal project, filled with concepts close to his own life – things like the question of what wouldn’t a parent do for their child. At the end of every issue is an essay from Snyder; sometimes it’s a story, personal musings, or fan letters. I didn’t make it a habit of reading back matter until I started reading Wytches, but the book is made so much better by Synder’s insight and motivations.

Jock’s art brings the nightmare to life, able to swing the mood from sweet family scene to bloodcurdlingly terrifying. Shout out to colorist Matt Hollingsworth who perfectly matches the thick ink work. There’s this great effect laid over the pages that reminds me of when you rub your eyes really hard and you see all of those colored spots floating around in the darkness. It fits the atmosphere so well.

If you like horror and Scott Snyder writing it, I recommend The Wake. Snyder’s ability to take what could just be a good monster story and inject it with meaning shines in both of these series.

Issue #6 is the finale of this arc, the culmination of Charlie Rooks’ attempts to save his daughter, but there is more yet to come. Until then, I pledge you to start reading Wytches if you haven’t already. Pledged is pledged.

[Check out Wytches #6 on comiXology]

Jen Keith is a Digital Editor at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and thinks that ‘chit chit’ might be the scariest sound effect ever now because of this series.

A comiXologist recommends:
Henshin

by: Jen Keith

Henshin is a book I might have overlooked if I didn’t have the job that I do. It’s not a book I’d tend to be attracted to, and if I were to walk by it, odds are I might not have picked it up.

This would have been a catastrophe.

‘Henshin’ means transformation and that is the theme of the book; it’s a collection of short vignettes interspersed with snapshots about the creator, his search for originality, and the ongoing hope of adopting the mysterious cat that leaves “gifts” in his flower pots. The transformations in each story highlight changes, from the inconsequential to the world-shaking. It is a combination of honest insight into life, personal reflections, and the impact a day, hour, or even a moment can have, be it thrust upon us or through our choices and actions.

Really, the cats would be enough to endear me to the book, but there’s a lot more to it. It’s the kind of book that’s able to make me smile on a morning commute in a crowded train, which surely earns it some kind of award. There is a balance of humor and heartfelt, character driven plots, even as the writing takes twists I’d never expect. Other stories include a businessman taking a step out of his routine, the bonds of family, baseball, friendship, bathroom habits, living in foreign countries, and more.

Ken Niimura’s art style, which you may recognize from I Kill Giants, is energetic, almost scratchy ink work that uses shape and negative space well without looking unfinished. It evokes emotion, atmosphere, and warmth of character in lines and texture that are all packed with purpose. It’s a surprisingly fast read for being over 200 pages; it’s the kind of book I could read on a sunny day at the park so I could pause every so often to people-watch. That is, if I could put it down.

It’s books like this that help me step out of my own routine and broaden my comic-reading horizons, which is why I eagerly thrust this at my friends with declarations about cats and twist endings. So when reading Henshin, remember: come for the cats, but stay for the poignant shorts and unpredictable humor.

[Check out Kenshin on comiXology]

Jen Keith is a Digital Editor at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and habitual feeder of the whiny stray cat that visits her apartment.

A comiXologist recommends:
Thrilling Adventure Hour Presents Beyond Belief #1

by: Jen Keith

It’s time to send the little ones to dream land and set your radio’s dial to ‘spooky.’ Bolt the doors, lock your windows, and steel yourself for mysterious suspense in this Wednesday’s feature…Thrilling Adventure Hour Presents Beyond Belief #1.

Coming to you from the beloved podcast and live show are Frank and Sadie Doyle, high societal functional alcoholics that love drinking almost as much as they love each other. This first issue of the four part series features the married mediums venturing out to their friend Donna’s new house, or rather, her new HAUNTED house. It really defeats the point of a house warming when there are so many cold spots around, right? At least the creepy dolls seem…welcoming.

Acker and Blacker, creators of the Thrilling Adventure Hour, are writing the series, so you know it’s authentic to the show’s aesthetic. They write in the back-matter that they chose artist Phil Hester for his ability to draw period pieces and monsters, and oh, they are not wrong. Hester pencils a charming Frank and Sadie that are very reminiscent of actors Paget Brewster and Paul F. Tompkins who play the characters. I’m particularly fond of the use of silhouettes that create dramatic contrast and give the Doyle’s a mystical presence of their own. Inkers Eric Gapstur with Ande Parks and colorist Mauricio Wallace compliment Hester’s work splendidly, and the atmosphere of timeless romance and class are lovingly rendered on every page.

Beyond Belief #1 provides plenty of spirited spirits (both the bump in the night and in-a-martini-glass kinds), and with a special bonus of Beyond Belief #0 in the back featuring the first meeting of Frank and Sadie, it’s not to be missed. If you’re more of the space western type or looking for more thrilling adventures, you can also try the new Sparks Nevada comic, or check out Archaia’s Thrilling Adventure Hour collection that includes more of the Doyles’ intoxicating and intoxicated exploits.

Join us in tonight’s dark episode, and find out if Frank and Sadie’s love and livers can conquer all.

*CLINK!*

[Read Beyond Belief #1 on comiXology]

Jen Keith is a Digital Editor at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and exists for the purpose of making puns.

A comiXologist Recommends:
Jen Keith recommends

Convergence: Superboy #1

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…don’t EVER call him Superboy. The Metropolis Kid dons the leather jacket and fade haircut once more, bringing the full force of his ‘90s flare with him in this first of two Convergence: Superboy issues.

I have been waiting for this book since Convergence was announced: for the Superboy that believes he’s (let me break out some proper '90s lingo here) all that and a bag of chips just because he’s the clone of Superman who was da bomb until he bounced (AKA was killed by Doomsday). This is a Superboy before he ever meets Superman – a Superboy with the desire to prove himself a worthy successor without knowing what that responsibility truly entails.
Here is where we get the great premise made possible through Convergence’s colliding universes. This inexperienced teen meets a Superman unlike any other: the Superman from Kingdom Come. A Superman who, in his universe, is disturbed by a new generation of heroes throwing their powers around first and not asking or caring about morality later. This is a Superman in the middle of a war between metahumans when he has all but forsaken his humanity. This is a Superman meeting the young, reckless embodiment of that idea wearing his ’S’ shield and holding the balance of his universe in his hands.

Fabian Nicieza, no stranger to DC’s teen heroes, writes a vulnerable yet eager to please Kon-El. The narration by Dubbilex, the Kid’s telepathic Cadmus chaperone, is an endearing touch, and there are more special guests from the Kingdom Come universe to keep the audience on their toes. Penciler Karl Moline and inker Jose Marzan Jr provide a realistic and energetic appeal that reminds me of the older Superboy comics without punching the reader in the face with a 90s aesthetic. All of this is wrapped up in a gorgeous cover by Babs Tarr of which I desperately need a poster. Needless to say, I am chomping at the bit for the second issue to this storyline.

If you’ve had enough of Pogs and Go-gurt and are looking for a different Superboy, I highly recommend the Superboy: Boy of Steel story arc. If you’re like me and keep a '90s Superboy action figure on your desk, then don’t mess with the S and don’t miss this two-parter!

[Read Convergence: Superboy #1 on comiXology]

Jen Keith is a Digital Editor at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and would like to point out that Superboy’s fashion sense is, amazingly enough, in vogue again.

A comiXologist Recommends:
Jen Keith recommends

Jem & The Holograms #1

Get your hairspray and eyeshadow ready because a true gem of a comic is hitting the stands today. If one were to describe it, one might say it’s excitement. It’s adventure. It’s glamour and glitter, fashion and fame. It’s the new Jem and the Holograms comic, and yes, it’s truly outrageous.

Out of the ‘80s and into today, the fierce ladies of Jem and the Holograms are here with a fresh start that’ll get prior fans bobbing their heads and new fans tapping their toes. Meet Jerrica, Aja, Shana, and Kimber: four young women with dreams bigger than their rockin’ hairdos and the talent to make them a reality…if only they can put a case of debilitating lack of self-confidence and sisterly squabbling aside.

The amalgamation of the '80s cartoon and much desired character design diversity is deftly handled by writer Kelly Thompson (1979semifinalist) and artist Sophie Campbell (mooncalfe). That attention to varying body types and unique, recognizable character designs is perhaps the most striking aspect when first picking up this issue. As wonderfully unique as each character is, I found something relatable in all of them, and the bios at the end were an added bonus to quickly endear me to each girl. Colorist M. Victoria Robado ties this whole collaboration together; move over, Barbie, because pink has never looked so good. I’m not sure we could have asked for a better creative team to do justice on this series.

If you already can’t get the sweet sounds of keytar out of your head, you might want to check out another lady-led band series like Josie and the Pussycats. I was also reminded of She-Hulk who, like Jerrica, found comfort and strength in letting her appearance reflect her inner-fierceness and light.

Tune in for Jem and the Holograms because it’s sure to be outrageous. Truly, truly, truly, outrageous.

[Read Jem & The Holograms #1 on comiXology]

Jen Keith is a Digital Editor at comiXology, comic artist, music addict, and was once delighted to find that her name was mispelled as “Jem” on a Starbucks cup.