COMIC FIRSTS • Deathbed + Lockjaw

[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]

It has been a while since I’ve done a Comic Firsts post. I haven’t actually picked up a new comic. I’ve been distracted by my beloved The Wicked + The Divine to focus on anything, but the time is now to branch out into new titles!

This time, I’ve finally read Deathbed #1 (which caught my eye since it came out in February) and Lockjaw #1 (who wouldn’t want to read about a good giant doggo?).

Deathbed #1
Joshua Williamson (writer) & Riley Rosso (artist)
February 21, 2018
Vertigo

I picked Deathbeds because of the art, I stayed because goddamn that art is gorgeous and holy shit that story!!

Valentine Richards wants to write the greatest story ever; when she was in fourth grade, she became bitten by the writing bug, and since then, she’s been searching for a story that will become her greatest achievement. She lives an uninspiring life, where she is ghostwriting for folks and that’s not what she had imagined herself doing. All that changes when she is called up to take a writing gig by Antonio Luna, a mysterious adventurer who has no information on the internet—not even a Wikipedia page. There, she meets a man on his deathbed, and he offers her to write his life and death’s story. She would be stupid not to take Antonio on his offer because it will change her life.

In Deathbeds, you get an unhappy ghostwriter, an eclectic adventurer-mad man who has the most unexpected life ever, discussions about one’s story, what legacy you leave when there’s nobody to corroborate your life’s adventure is indeed true, undead mummy assassins, gorgeous art that will have you staring, and much more. It’s exhilarating and unexpectedly funny.

Would I continue to read this graphic novel? Yes!

[note note_color=”#BFD1D1″ text_color=”#ffffff”]Deathbed #1 is 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, oror from these online retailers:  Comixology · Midtown Comics · TFAW.[/note]

Lockjaw #1
Daniel Kibblesmith (writer), Carlos Villa (penciller), Roberto Poggi (inker)
February 28, 2018

I have very little knowledge of Inhumans and Lockjaw, but I can’t stay away from a comic about this beloved bulldog. You cannot deny that royal face.

For those who don’t know, Lockjaw is a giant bulldog who has the power to teleport himself and anybody to different dimensions. He also serviced as a protector and companion of the Inhuman royal family. He’s a very good doggo.

People want to know what Lockjaw’s up to when he isn’t with his Inhuman family. Lockjaw #1 explores that. You find Lockjaw traversing through different dimensions for some unexplainable reason. If you didn’t read the synopsis (like I), you would not know that he’s traveling to different dimensions to save his brothers and sisters from harm. Also, in one dimension, we meet Dennis Dunphy, a former superhero named Demolition Man who fought alongside Captain America once upon a time. He’s trying to figure out the mess of his life (his lack of superhero legacy and his breakup with his boyfriend) when Lockjaw pops into his life.

This story is certainly weird and necessary. It’s boring too. But what can you really expect from a comic who’s titular character is a giant dimension hopping bulldog?

Would I continue to read this comic? No. Maybe. I don’t know. I certainly wouldn’t stay for the story. The dogs? Fersure.

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