Jane
Written by Aline Brosh McKenna
Art by Ramon K. Perez
Archaia Entertainment
Boom! Studios
Release Date: September 13, 2017
Cover Price: $24.99

I’m a bit late to this party, friends. But I can tell you that it was worth waiting for, without any reservations. Jane is inspired by the classic Jane Eyre but this graphic novel is a work of art unto itself. I have no idea why I waited so long to pick it up but I would literally kick myself if I could, no pun intended.

Koshchei The Deathless #1
Written by Mike Mignola
Art by Ben Stenbeck
Colors by Dave Stewart
Cover by Mike Mignola
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: January 3, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

In a time where the entire world’s information is available at our fingertips, it’s comforting to know that Hellboy will sit around with his enemies and chat. Origin stories can be difficult to incorporate, especially when it’s a character that is not as prevalent as others might be. Thanks to creators Mike Mignola and Ben Stenbeck, we get a deep dive into the life and times of an immortal killer in Koshchei The Deathless #1.

John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction: Vortex #3
Written by Mike Sizemore
Pencils and Inks by Dave Kennedy
Colors by Pete Kennedy
Lettering by Janice Chiang
Edited by Sandy King
Cover Art by Tim Bradstreet
Storm King Comics
Release date: January 3, 2018
Price: $3.99

Vortex is the second story from Storm King Comics’ new monthly anthology series, John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction, developed by the Horror Master himself with his wife and collaborator Sandy King Carpenter. Vortex is an 8-issue story harkening back to genre classics like Aliens, dealing with a mining station in space in which the crew disappears forcing Captain Jake Dixon and crew to lead the rescue mission. As is the tradition now, writer Mike Sizemore gives our introduction highlighted by a classical poet, this time William Blake: “In the universe there are things that are known and things that are unknown, and in between, there are doors.”

Klaus and the Crisis in Xmasville #1
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Dan Mora
Letters by Ed Dukeshire
Cover by Dan Mora, John Cassady and Laura Martin, Frank Quitely
Boom! Studios
Release Date: December 6, 2017
Cover Price: $7.99

Now here is a comic that breathes all new life into the lyrical line “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” In Klaus and the Crisis in Xmasville #1, our hero is determined to right wrongs by kicking the most ass possible. If you have read the previous comic then you know he is a stubborn immortal with a penchant for getting what he wants.

Klaus has no vested interest in the mortal world, for the most part. But when one of his favors is called in, he is forced to see that a century old enmity has been revived and that which he thought was finished, is in actuality not. But this is a can of worms that he is not quite initially prepared for, though that changes quickly.

John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction: Vortex #2
Written by Mike Sizemore
Pencils and Inks by Dave Kennedy
Colors by Pete Kennedy
Lettering by Janice Chiang
Edited by Sandy King
Cover Art by Tim Bradstreet
Storm King Comics
Release date: October 25, 2017
Price: $3.99

Vortex is the second story in Tales of Science Fiction, Storm King Comics’ new monthly anthology series developed by the Horror Master himself, John Carpenter, and his wife and collaborator Sandy King Carpenter. Vortex began last month bookended by quotes from Milton’s Paradise Lost, so obviously it’s a cheery story filled with pure happiness”¦ okay, no. Borrowing from a classic sci-fi premise, Vortex tells of a mining station in space in which the crew disappears forcing Captain Jake Dixon and crew to lead the rescue mission through a rift in space. Vortex is an 8-part story, so writer Mike Sizemore took his time to give our main characters proper introductions and motivations. It’s time to re-enter the Vortex, with issue #2.