Spider-Woman, Steven Universe, Rat Queens, Bob: Non-Union Psychic: This Week in Comics #9

Marvel Comics is gearing up for their next big tentpole event, Civil War 2 (just in time to take some of the focus and thunder away from next Friday’s release of Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice). In the first Civil War series of comics, Iron Man and Captain America square off against each other over a superhero’s right to privacy vs. the need for accountability. And while that’s a heavy topic for heroes in tights, Civil War 2 seems even more serious. Apparently, a new superpower to see into the future is discovered, and Captain America fights with Iron Man deciding whether they should change the future or keep it as it remains. Thus, the idea of “preventative justice” enters the Marvel Universe, and all the social implications it carries with it. Where will it lead? What conversations will it spark? Time will tell. For now, dig into the week’s best comics featuring Spider-Woman’s new baby, a group of foul-mouthed fantasy heroes, an unenthusiastic psychic, and a sweet kid with magical powers.

Written by Dennis Hopeless, pencilled by Javier Rodriguez, inked by Alvaro Lopez, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, lettered by VC’s Travis Lanham.

Spider-Woman #5 might be the best comic to come out in 2016. The series up to this issue has followed Spider-Woman, a.k.a., Jessica Drew, as a crime fighting, very pregnant mother-to-be. She had her baby last issue on a spaceship overrun by aliens, and this issue sees her… adapting to life as the mother of an infant son. This issue is deeply rooted in the psychology of new motherhood, and we see Jessica as a woman terrified of keeping her baby alive, obsessed with being a good mother, and wrestling with the urge to go back out and fight crime. Deeply moving and intricately illustrated, Spider-Woman #5 should appeal to comic fans, new parents, and anyone with a heart.

Written by Kurtis J. Wiebe, art by Tess Fowler, colors by Tamra Bonvillain, letters by Ed Brisson.

Rat Queens is, on the surface, a very standard fantasy/roleplaying game story. Four adventurers—an elven mage, a halfling thief, human cleric, and a dwarven warrior—all set off to have adventures together. But these four characters, all women (a sad rarity in the fantasy genre), are ass-kicking, foul-mouthed, wild creatures of destruction. The series, along with pushing four awesome female protagonists, also won a GLAAD Media Award last year for its depiction of LGBT characters. This week’s issue is all about one of the characters coming to terms with her true, demon-powered self… and the heartbreak that it causes her friends.

Created and written by Lance Lucero, art by Francisco Resendiz, scripted and edited by Adam Volle, letters by J. Chill.

Bob’s a hairdresser and the great-grandson of the world-famous psychic Henry Holbreck. Regardless of the fact that Bob just wants to keep to his simple life, great grandpa keeps pushing him to get out there, find some clients, and use his psychic powers to help people. He can read minds, see into the past, and shoot energy, to name a few, but he struggles with whether he really wants to get into this line of business. From small press Warehouse 9 Productions, this is one of the most fun indie comics of the week. Full of action, a bit of gore, and plenty of spirits, Bob: Non-Union Psychic is set to be a strong new series.

Created by Rebecca Sugar, written by Josceline Fenton, illustrated by Chrystin Garland, colors by Leigh Luna, letters by Jim Campbell.

Steven Universe is one of the best, most heartfelt cartoons currently in production. It follows the life of Steven Universe and his guardians, the Crystal Gems. He’s half-Crystal Gem, half-human, and all-around sweetheart. Together with the Gems, he helps protect his small beach town, learns about his history (his mother gave up her material form to give birth to him), and grows into his own unique powers. In this first comic issue, Steven and the Gems go camping and tell scary ghost stories. With Steven Universe and the Crystal Gems, the reader is treated to a work that perfectly mirrors the tone and artistic style of the TV show. Needless to say, this comic is extremely family friendly.

What were you reading this week? Let us know @CreatorsProject or in the comments below.

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