January 2020's Notable Reads

These are the reads I gave 4 stars or more:

• Critical Role: Vox Machina: Origins II #4 - writ. Jody Houser; art. Olivia Samson
  I am pretty sure that this based on a video game, or something. It's a very enjoyable series, video game origin or not, and I've found that very little pre-existing knowledge of the world is required. Mad D&D vibes and written by Jody Houser who is just excellent. I highly recommend her run on Faith published by Valiant.
• Dr Strange: Surgeon Supreme #1 - writ. Mark Waid; art. Kev Walker
  I don't really remember what happened in this #1, but it seems like I liked it enough to want to keep reading it... (I only continue reading comic series whose #1 issues I've rated 4 stars. Why? Because arbitrary rules are required to make sense of this maddening world of infinite content.)
• Folklords #2 - writ. Matt Kindt; art. Matt Smith
  How many Matts does it take to make a comic? I've liked some of Matt Kindt's work in the past, notably Dept H. This one drew me in thanks to its "fantasy quest with a twist" classic plotline, and the bright colours. Man, I'm such a sucker for bright colours.
• Tales from Harrow County: Death's Choir #1 - writ. Cullen Bunn; art. Naomi Franquiz
  I've not read Harrow County but this issue was a delight. Creepy ghost vibes! African American female lead (who's dating a white lady in the 1940s, uh oh)! Pretty art! Oh, my!
• Vampironica: New Blood #1 - writ. Frank Tieri, Michael Moreci; art. Audrey Mok
  Archie is such a memorable part of my childhood, in no small part because I read my older cousin's collection at my nani's house on an infrequent trip to New Delhi. Archie is huge in India, and it's one of those uncommon pop culture things that falls in the Venn diagram of "pop culture from my parents' childhoods" and "Western pop culture". I haven't read much of the Archie Horror imprint, and what I have read hasn't inspired me to read more - including the prequel series to this one. This is the first Archie Horror series to which I've committed.
• 20XX #1 - writ. Laura Keely; art. Jonathan Luna
  I don't remember the finer aspects of the plot of this series, but it's a futuristic sci-fi thing with the central problem pertaining to an infectious disease, with a little race and class thrown in (when aren't these things relevant?). I'm in two minds if this is something I actually want to read these days. Heavy themes contained within!
• Read Only Memories #1 - writ. Sina Grace, Mary Kenny; art. Stefano Simeone, Christina-Antoinette Neofotistou
  I'm trying to remember anything about this comics series and all that comes to mind is "cute dog", "sassy kickass female lead", and "colourful art".
• Wonder Woman: Dead Earth #1 - writ. & art. Daniel Warren Johnson
  I've read another post-apocalyptic-type series created by Daniel Warren Johnson (whose name and publisher escape me right now. Maybe Image?) and it was weirdly enjoyable? I'm not the biggest fan of the dystopian genre because I'm a fluff buff, but man. His art. It sucks you in. This Wonder Woman series has similar post-apocalyptic vibes with fantastic art. Can't wait to see how Diana handles this grim-dark future and brings her trademark hope to it.
• Love Lettering - auth. Kate Clayborn
  This is a romance novel and just. Sigh. Right in the feels, in the best possible way. Not only a love story between two people, but also a love letter to New York City (which I've never visited but didn't find the "secondary love story" annoying). Clayborn is a new-to-me author, and I'm excited to read her other books, especially if they bring the charm, warmth, and heart like this one.
• Diana: Princess of the Amazons - writ. Shannon Hale, Dean Hale; art. Victoria Ying
  A v cute middle grade graphic novel by DC's middle grade imprint DC Zoom. Would recommend if you're in the mood for some heart-warming middle grade Diana content with cute-as-a-button art.
• Thor #1 - writ. Donny Cates; art. Nic Klein
  Jane Foster is no longer Thor . But Thor is Galactus' herald maybe?!
• Far Sector #1 - writ. NK Jemisin; art. Jamal Campbell
  I've not read NK Jemisin's novels but when I saw her name on this comic I was like I'M ALL IN. A queer, African American, Green Lantern doing police detective-y things on an alien planetary system? I'm so there, in blackest day and in darkest night!
• The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire, Part Two - writ. Michael Dante DiMartino; art. Michelle Wong
  This is a far better series than Turf Wars, its predecessor. Kuvira’s back, the Earth Kingdom is transitioning towards democracy, and the Beifongs are here!
• Justice League #11 - writ. Scott Snyder; art. Francis Manapul
  I don’t remember what happens in this issue (are you seeing a theme, here?) but it’s Scott Snyder whose stories are one of the reasons I became a comics reader, and Francis Manapul, whose art is just love.
• Red Agent: Island of Dr Moreau #1 - writ. Brian Studler; art. Jason Muhr
  It has been a looong time since I wanted to continue a Zenescope series, but here we are. It’s fun, and there’s not much else to say for it.
• The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Beats up the Marvel Universe - writ. Ryan North; art. Erica Henderson
  The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is one of my favourite comics series of all time. Full of humour, heart, and computer science, it’s the kind of series I’d recommend to readers of all ages, be they young or young-at-heart. If you’ve not read Squirrel Girl before, I’d highly recommend this original graphic novel as a fantastic place to start.