Peanuts: Friends Forever 2016 Special #1
Created by Charles Schulz
Written by Charles Schulz and Jason Cooper
Art by Vicki Scott, Donna Almendrala
Colors by Nomi Kane, Denis St. John, Katharine Efird, Justin Thompson
Letters by Katherine Efird, Denis St. John, Donna Almendrala
KaBOOM!
Release Date: July 6, 2016
Cover Price: $7.99

Color me sad. When I read the blurb for Peanuts: Friends Forever 2016 Special #1, I felt the need to review it. For you see, this appears to be the end of this run of Peanuts comics. It seems that Charles Schulz‘s creations have been a part of my life since birth. And in a way, they have.

My mother’s best friend gave me a crocheted blanket and matching pillows when I was born and to this day, forty-six years later, they reside with me in my home. I’ve included a photo of the pillows below. It was a heartbreaking day when Schultz passed away in 2000, but this also stings a little. Having to say goodbye sucks.

Neil Gaiman’s How To Talk To Girls At Parties
Story by Neil Gaiman
Adaptation, Art, and Lettering by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 22, 2016
Cover Price: $17.99

I swear Neil Gaiman is like King Midas in some ways. It seems that everything he touches turns to gold. This comic book adaptation of his short story How To Talk To Girls At Parties, is just another example of one of Gaiman’s works being transmogrified in the best of ways. To paraphrase an old idiom: There’s more than one way to re-envision a Neil Gaiman story. I liked the story when I first read it but being the comic nerd I am, I absolutely love this graphic novel in ways I can only barely express.

But allow me to try. Check it out below.

Batman ’66 Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel #1
Writer: Ian Edginton
Artist: Matthew Dow Smith
Main cover artist: Mike Allred
Variant cover artist: Cat Staggs
Publisher: DC Comics, in partnership with BOOM! Studios
Boom! Studios
DC Comics
Release Date: June 8, 2016
Cover Price: $0.99 (digital)

Looks like my birthday came a little early! Nothing makes me happier than seeing a little throwback to my youth, especially when it’s a crossover of two of my favorite shows. Batman ’66 Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel #1 brings my favorite DC hero face to face with my favorite British television characters (my apologies to The Doctor, but it’s true). I still stop and watch any Avengers episodes whenever I find them on television. And of course, Batman is probably more popular in my house than I am.

But enough about me, on to the review!

Penny Dreadful #1
Story by Krysty Wilson-Cairns, Andrew Hinderaker, and Chris King
Written by Krysty Wilson-Cairns
Art by Louie De Martinis
Letters by Simon Bowland
Cover A: Guillem March
Cover B: Ben Templesmith
Cover C: Louie De Martinis
Cover D: “‹Photo cover by “‹Martin Stiff
Cover E: “‹Photo cover “‹by Cat Connery
Titan Comics
Release Date: May 11, 2016
Cover Price: $3.99

I’ve never seen the Showtime series of the same name, but if it’s anything like Penny Dreadful #1 then I’m going to have to track the first episodes down and subscribe to it immediately. Truth be told, I never knew it had anything to do with the gothic novels of yesteryear; that alone is enough to get me interested. Additionally, after having read this wicked little piece of sequential art, I am fully prepared to indulge myself with this franchise. Why, you ask? Keep reading and I’ll tell you.

House Of Penance #1
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Ian Bertram
Colors by Dave Stewart
Cover by Ian Bertram, Dave Stewart
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: April 13, 2016
Cover Price: $3.99

Well, hello there. Welcome to what I think is perhaps the best Dark Horse comic I have ever read. House of Penance #1 grabs you by the throat like a Bengal tiger, not allowing for any escape. Captivating from the start and twisting its way through the first issue, the story is part fact and part fiction but always riveting. Read on to learn more!