Comic Book Reviews (Week August 26, 2020): X-Men Issue 11, Wynd Issue 3, and More!

Welcome! In this week’s comic book review round-up (August 26, 2020), I will be covering X-Men Issue 11, Suicide Squad Issue 8, Wynd Issue 3, and more!

Let’s get the DC Comics stuff out of the way first. I will begin by talking about Suicide Squad Issue 8. While I’m disappointed that this comic book series will be concluding with issue 11, I guess I should be happy that writer Tom Taylor will continue to offer amazing installments until the end. His run’s the first Suicide Squad story I have kept up with. I usually never picked up an issue of SS or stopped reading by the second offering. 

Suicide Squad Issue 8 gave us the origin story for the queer couple Aerie and Wink. It also told us about Ted Kord’s plan. With what the final panel showed, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more to Kord than meets the eye. Taylor also added climate change into the mix and why it’s important to prevent greedy individuals from continuing to destroy the planet without some kind of supervision.

If you aren’t reading the current Suicide Squad run, I say you should at least pick up this issue to support the queer romance being told.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP! 

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Batman: Three Jokers Issue 1

From writer Geoff Johns, I can see the appeal this three-issue mini-series has for certain readers. The debut gave us a recap of the trauma Bruce, Barbara, and Jason got to experience due to the Joker. With three versions of the Joker working together, it will be interesting to see how the BatFamily will handle such a predicament. 

Recommendation: Meh!

Does it have obvious queer characters? No

Hellions Issue 3

I’m not sure why I’m reading Hellions. I think Issue 3 will be the final installment I will be picking up for the foreseeable future. It’s just not for me. Yes, there’s action and magic involved, but I’m not really a fan of Psylocke’s new team.

Recommendation: Meh!

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

X-Factor Issue 2

I enjoyed the debut issue of X-Factor with writer Leah Williams introducing us to a new X-Men team tasked with making sure mutants are dead before they can be resurrected. The second issue gave the team another case. It involved the death of a mutant in Mojoverse. Now, I’m not a fan of Mojoverse. However, the banter between the team members made the current issue fun for me. Daken is everything! Here’s to hoping this series sticks around for more than 12 issues.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

X-Men Issue 11

Written by Jonathan Hickman, X-Men Issue 11 served as an Empyre tie-in as well as an installment for the upcoming X of Swords event. One of the things being made clear to fans is that Hickman’s focusing on developing a unique mutant-centric culture on the island of Krakoa. The current issue had Exodus fanboying about how Magneto saved everyone when the Cotati invaded. We know the kids living in Krakoa don’t like Wanda because she’s a pretender. And, apparently, they’re in love with Magneto’s heroism. You can call it brainwashing if you want. But, oh well. You just know Magneto’s loving all of the attention.

The data pages showed that the X-Men would like more mutants to gain combative training. The team also talking about increasing their defenses. An interesting tidbit dealt with how different powers could be combined for varying effects. X-Men Issue 11 showed Storm and Iceman working together. Could Storm do everything she did without Bobby’s help? Of course. But teamwork does make it easier to deal with threats.

I liked how Magneto teamed up with Magma and Iceman to extinguish the alien invasion. Magma summoned liquid iron, Bobby froze it, and Magneto then used the broken metal to take down the Cotati. I loved how Leinil Yu drew everything. We also got some fanservice with a naked Magento. Ha!     

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Billionaire Island Issue 5

I was provided with a free copy of Billionaire Island Issue 5 for review. The opinions I have shared are my own.

Issue 5 of Billionaire Island was just wow. Everything happened so quickly and yet writer Mark Russell was still able to share a lot of information about why the rich made an island and why it went wrong. Shelly and Trent finally met. However, we had to say goodbye to the man who built the island. It’s time for the island to crash and burn, and you know what? I’m here for it.

In a single issue, Russell highlighted a lot of problems associated with billionaires and how they continue to exploit the same workforce they use to build their empires without any fear of backlash. Personally, I don’t think I can ever understand the type of people adamant about defending billionaires on Twitter and other social media platforms. And I refuse to believe you can become a billionaire (and continue being one) without exploiting others.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Wynd Issue 3

The danger continued to increase in Wynd Issue 3 by writer James Tynion IV. And while a lot of people died in this issue, I don’t know how to feel about the Bandaged Man going on a murdering rampage. Does killing everyone in sight make him a one-dimensional villain? Let’s see what happens next.

We got to learn about the history of the fictional world featured in Wynd and what led to the magic of the forest tainting humans. Is the story true? I don’t know. There could be something more going on in there. However, we do know that our young hero’s blood is special. And with our main players finally meeting each other, I’m looking forward to seeing the team’s dynamic.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Issue 53

From Ryan Parrott, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Issue 53 was very action-packed as our Rangers tried to hold their own against the Dark Rangers. The fake Rita’s really held her own against the White Ranger. With our heroes continuing to face one big problem after another, the suggestion Grace gave Billy might just be their last option. Will they give the depowered Dragon Coin to a crazy Drakkon? Let’s see.

Also, did this issue give us a VR Troopers easter egg or am I looking too deep into it?

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Bad Karma Issue 2

I decided to pick up Bad Karma Issue 2 from Panel Syndicate. An amazing thing about the stories on Panel Syndicate is that you can pay whatever you can to read them. From Alex de Campi (True War Stories), Ryan Howe, and Dee Cunniffe, Bad Karma is an interesting tale about two Army veterans (and close friends) Sully and Ethan. The first issue had the pair going on a Christmas road trip to free an innocent man blamed for someone Sully and Ethan killed during a mercenary job. Of course, there’s a mystery involving a group that doesn’t want the truth to come out. And yes, said mystery had placed Sully and Ethan’s lives in danger.

The second issue helped us understand more about what the two leads were going through. Sully’s lost a leg. Ethan’s experienced a brain injury. Both continued to handle life as best as possible, but it’s definitely an uphill battle. I’m looking forward to reading what will happen next.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

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Which comic book titles did you pick up this week? Did you read Suicide Squad Issue 8? What did you think of Magneto?

Let us know.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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