COMIC FIRSTS | Archie, Spider-Gwen, & An Outcast

[quote]Comic Firsts, a feature where I talk about the first issues of comics that I’ve bought, received, or borrowed. It’s all about first impressions, what I like or didn’t like about the issue, and whether I would keep reading it beyond the first issue.[/quote]

Archie #1
Mark Waid (writer) & Fiona Staples (artist)
July 8, 2015
Archie Comics Publications

My knowledge of Archie: It’s an iconic comic series. It’s set in Riverdale. There’s a red-headed teenager named Archie. He has a best friend named Jughead. Betty and Veronica, best friends and frenemies, both like Archie. These teenagers get into shenanigans.

I decided to read the new Archie because of two reasons 1. I had always been curious about this classic comic and 2. I adore Fiona Staples’s art.

Written by Mark Waid and illustrated by Fiona Staples (Saga), this new Archie is an engaging and gorgeously illustrated modern take of the classic comic. In this first issue, longtime childhood couple—Archie and Betty—have broken up, and they’re the talk of their high school. Everybody wants to know why they broke up, but the ex-couple refuse to talk about it. Their friends scheme to get them back together by using Homecoming as their setting for—what they hope to be—their reconciliation.

When I read it, I was a bit startled because Archie talks directly to the readers—I haven’t read a comic where the main character breaks the fourth wall. I could feel the charm of Archie. It’s like we’re watching him vlogging, but on the pages. I can’t wait to see what Waid and Staples give us.

Not a surprise because Fiona is very talented (you’ve seen her work in Saga, right?).

If you’ve never read the Archie comics, it’s about time you start.

Would I continue to read the series? Yes, the art and Jughead are so worth it.

[note note_color=”#BFD1D1″ text_color=”#ffffff”]Archie • Vol. 1: The New Riverdale is already out, so if you want to get add it to your TBR on Goodreads or get yourself a copy, go for it from your local comic book store, or these online retailers: Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology. Or borrow it from your library. [/note]

Spider-Gwen #1
Jason Latour (writer) & Robbi Rodriguez (artist)
February 25, 2015
Marvel Comics

Guess who got bitten by a radioactive spider this time? Gwen Stacy.

On a different Earth, we get a world where it was Gwen who was bitten by that rogue radioactive Spider, not Peter Parker.

I haven’t exactly followed her story previous to her comic (nothing of Spider-Verse which precedes the events of Spider-Gwen), but I know what happens prior to that—[spoiler]In her Earth, she turns into Spider-Woman, and Peter Parker becomes this universe’s Lizard, but dies due to the chemical he used. His death is blamed on Spider-Woman, and she is on the run after being branded a criminal.[/spoiler]

Written by Jason Latour (Southern Bastards) and illustrated by Robbi Rodriguez, this first issue is okay. With everybody on the look-out for Spider-Woman, a villain called The Eagle is pissed that he’s not the center of attention. He feels entitled, so he harbors a grudge against Spider-Woman and is intent to get rid of her. I wonder why he feels entitled because what has he done that’s worthy of attention? (And just being villain is not a good enough answer.) The first issue doesn’t exactly go into it, so that was a bit disappointing.

The things I really like about the issue are the art and colors, surprising characters like Foggy Nelson showing up, and The Mary Janes (a band led by Mary Jane Watson that Gwen used to be apart of). I wanted to see more of The Mary Janes!

Would I continue to read the series? Uhhh, maybe. I’m honestly tired of Spider-stories, so it’s really up in the air.

Outcast #1 
Robert Kirkman (writer) & Paul Azaceta (artist)
June 25, 2014
Image Comics

Who would’ve thought I would pick up a comic that’s a supernatural horror? I never thought I would, but I find the colors of the book so gorgeous, so I felt compelled to pick the first issue of Outcast up.

Written by Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and illustrated by Paul Azaceta, this supernatural horror follows Kyle Barnes, a man whose loved ones have been plagued by demonic possessions all his life. You think you’ve seen demonic possessions, but damn, it doesn’t get anymore thrilling than what you see in the first issue.

The things I like about this issue:

• the colors (it’s dull, giving the comic a great creepy atmosphere) and the art,
• the relationship between Kyle and the Reverend (these two characters have known each other since Kyle was 15, and I’d love to see how they learn to depend to each other as they try to figure out what the hell is going on),
• the mysterious name of “Outcast” (Kyle was called this by a boy who was possessed),
• and seeing that these demonic creatures keep following Kyle (why?!).

Would I continue to read the series? I would. It made me curious about Kyle—specifically about what he could do against these demonic creatures and what happened in his past. I want to learn more.

[note note_color=”#BFD1D1″ text_color=”#ffffff”]Outcast • Vol. 1: A Darkness Surrounds You is already out, so if you want to get add it to your TBR on Goodreads or get yourself a copy, go for it from your local comic book store, or these online retailers: Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology. Or borrow it from your library.[/note]

Have you read any of these comics? Do these intrigue you?