Each week, Xavier Files staff offer their recommendations for what to read. New DC comics come out Tuesdays, everything else Wednesdays. CORI’S PICK (BUT REALLY EVERYONE’S, BUT MOSTLY CORI’S BECAUSE SHE’S REVIEWING IT THIS WEEK, BUT MAN, WE ARE ALL VERY EXCITED): X-Factor #1: After a tantric, monthslong wait, Leah Williams and David Baldeon’s series…
When comics fans now think about Marjorie Liu, we may think about her creator-owned book Monstress. When we think about who made the X-Men the X-Men, we may think first of Chris Claremont, Louise Simonson and collaborators in the 1970s and 1980s. And if we think of Liu’s work for Marvel, we might think of…
When A Series Relaunch Doesn’t Stick Its Landing Warning: The following contains spoilers for Champions (2018-2019), Doctor Strange (2018) The most important issue of a comic is its first. Not all comics get to see their intended last issue, but they all get to see their first. First impressions are key when introducing — or…
Leah Williams joins the boys to talk about X-Factor as we all forget how to do podcasts with good audio quality.
IDW went through a bit of a leadership shakeup last week, as President, Publisher and Chief Creative Officer Chris Ryall was announced to be stepping down to develop his own publishing venture. A day later, IDW said Jerry Bennington and Jud Meyers had been tapped for Ryall’s previous roles as president and publisher, respectively, while…
“I cannot forget Carcosa where black stars hang in the heavens; where the shadows of men’s thoughts lengthen in the afternoon, when the twin suns sink into the lake of Hali; and my mind will bear for ever the memory of the Pallid Mask.” Robert Chambers, The King In Yellow “When you are here and…
Rise and Fall of the Roamin’ Empyre Three years ago, I made a terrible decision. High on youthful exuberance, and unwilling to dip my toe back into the world of comics except in the most obsessively completist way imaginable, I decided to read every Marvel comic published since 1961. Not just the big ones: everything….
Dracula, as created by Bram Stoker, is one of the most written about and filmed literary characters. As with Sherlock Holmes, it feels like everyone has a Dracula story. Sometimes they’re comedies (Mel Brooks’ “Dracula: Dead and Loving It”), sometimes they’re rooted in history (Elizabeth Kostova’s novel “The Historian”) and sometimes they’re… odd choices (“Blade:…
Here comes the BOOM! … Studios. This week in our indie review roundup, Dan Grote cracks open Image’s Chu #1, Zachary Jenkins looks at Power Rangers: Ranger Slayer #1 and Robert Secundus continues his exploration of the BOOM!-fyverse (TM) with Angel & Spike #12. Chu #1 Writer/Letterer: John Layman, Artist: Dan Boultwood, Publisher: Image Tony…
Hello, friends and readers, Marvel Files becomes THE WAR REPORT as Empyre starts to take hold. We have big time battles and character portraits this week as Charlie Davis gives their take on Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling while Vishal Gullapalli analyzes Empyre: Avengers #1! Read and enjoy. Empyre: Emperor Hulkling #1 Sometimes there is…
The nightmare finally ends, but at what cost?? Maybe just Boom Boom’s patience. Story by Ed Brisson, art by Flaviano, colors by Carlos Lopez, letters by VC’s Travis Lanham, and cover by Mike Del Mundo. Liz Large: Before we even talk about the issue, I need to rave about Mike Del Mundo’s cover. They’ve all…
Woah! Is Daredevil really turning himself in? And here we thought everything came to a head in the last issue. Stellar creative team Chip Zdarsky, Marco Checchetto, Mattia Iacono, and VC’s Clayton Cowles bring us a whole new bombastic arc in their Matt Murdock saga. Vishal Gullapalli: Wait, what’s this? A new column? I’ve been…
Wolverine continues his war against The Flower Cartel with the international reputation of Krakoa at stake. As Benjamin Percy, Adam Kubert, and Frank Martin craft Wolverine #3. Tony Thornley: Hey Pierce! We absolutely jinxed ourselves last time we talked! I can’t believe we thought the wait between Wolverine #1 & #2 felt like forever. Pierce…
The Fantastic Four are all tied up in Empyre but before they get to that, they have to wrap up their wild adventures with the X-Men in X-Men/Fantastic Four #4 by Chip Zdarsky, Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson, Ranson Getty, and Laura Martin. With Doom’s hand revealed, Franklin makes his choice between Yancy Street and Krakoa….
We’re back! Hellions returns not a moment too soon for an issue by Zeb Wells, Stephen Segovia, David Curiel, and Cory Petit. As these reprobates enter the Star Home For Foundlings, they are forced to face their own trauma in Hellions #2. Austin Gorton: Well, after the longest trip from Krakoa to Nebraska ever, the…