Hello! Welcome to the end of January!
It feels like forever since my last roundup, but that’s probably because this has felt like the longest month of any year, ever. Something about the snow, the state of politics, and the lack of good new TV shows really slowed down time these last few weeks. Also slow? My progress toward my comic book goals. But here’s what I’ve read!
One thing I struggled with this time around is my nonexistent foundational knowledge of comic books. While Batgirl vol. 1 and Ms. Marvel vol. 1 were blessedly easy to follow for the uninitiated, Black Panther was almost unreadable and America vol. 1 was a challenge. In general, I find anything related to the Young Avengers really difficult to understand, with the notable exception of Kelly Thompson’s Hawkeye, which we all know I adore. I have no idea why that is except that they’re perhaps intended for folks more familiar with the Marvel universe. I am glad that this run of Black Panther exists and I’m so sad that they cancelled it, I don’t think I’ll be reading more. America I might give another shot, simply because I think America Chavez is such an awesome character and I think Gabby Rivera does a great job with her, regardless of the confusion of the plot. While some say that America and Ms. Marvel are both good for newcomers, I have to say the latter is a MUCH better choice. Ms. Marvel was always intended for those of us who haven’t read too many comics before. It’s an absolutely wonderful story with awesome illustrators, and I can’t wait to read more of it.
Now, for Batgirl. I read this one because I am a huge Hope Larson fan, and I wanted to read the earlier issues of Batgirl in order to have some background knowledge for Larson’s run. I enjoyed it, but I read some reviews afterward that mocked the ditzy, teen-soapiness of it all. I think that’s a crotchety and borderline-sexist assessment, but there were certainly kitschy parts to this one. I didn’t mind it and I intend to read the whole thing, but be forewarned that this is a common opinion among readers.
Now, for February: I’ve definitely gone overboard on my purchases and hold requests lately, so I want to work through the backlog of things I’ve accumulated in my office and my house. Here’s what I have on deck:
Boom! Studios: Slam! vol. 1, Lumberjanes: To The Max! vol. 2, Mech Cadet Yu #1, Heavy Vinyl #1-5, Goldie Vance vol. 2
Marvel: Runaways vol. 5, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl vols. 1 & 2, Spider-Gwen #1, Hawkeye (Matt Fraction) vol. 1, Hawkeye (Kelly Thompson) vol. 2
DC: The Flintstones vol. 1, Batgirl vols. 2 & 3,
Archie Comics: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1, Afterlife With Archie vol. 1, Archie vol. 2
Dark Horse: Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 8 vol. 1
Image: The Wicked + The Divine vol. 1,
Other: Spinning, Garbage Night, Strong Female Protagonist
That feels like a long list, but it’s probably about as much as I read this month! I’m also working on the Read Harder Challenge this year, so an update about that will be forthcoming! Stay warm, y’all.
