Below you’ll find the solicitations information and cover artwork for all of BOOM! Studios comic book titles that were released last week on June 1, 2016.

The Legend of Luther Strode #2
Written by Justin Jordan
Art by Tradd Moore
Colors by Felipe Sobreiro
Image Comics
Release Date: January 9, 2013
Cover Price: $3.50

This is my first time reading any Luther Strode at all, so you’ll have to pardon any ignorance I have when it comes to this book. The Legend of Luther Strode #2 takes place 5 years after the first series, and honestly, after reading this issue, I could wait another 5 years to read another issue of this book.

Writer Justin Jordan turns out a book that’s not quite sure where it’s going. The character of Luther Strode is basically the Punisher Max with some sort of super powers. Strode is putting his fist right THROUGH people, pulling theirs heads literally off their bodies, and other such violence. Now, I am the LAST person that has a problem with graphic language, violence, or anything like that, but it just doesn’t work here. Jordan tries too hard to make everyone say the F word or any other colorful language that he can come up with. Also, Jordan takes a cue from a bunch of action movies, and has a young girl try and be the voice of reason for Strode. Again, it just doesn’t work for me.

The Legend of Luther Strode #1
Written by Justin Jordan
Art by Tradd Moore
Colors by Felipe Sobreiro
Image Comics
Release Date: December 5, 2012
Cover Price: $3.50

Oh boy, I’ve been waiting for the arrival of this book for a long time. From the moment I turned the last page of The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, I’ve been hungry for more blood, guts, and general mayhem. Well boys and girls, it is finally here. Fresh off of the Image presses, dripping with blood, The Legend of Luther Strode #1 is finally here. Now, the obvious next question is: was it worth the wait?

Before we dig up an answer to this loaded question, let’s consider the past and present of the Luther Strode comic book franchise. At the time of its release, The Strange Talent of Luther Strode was a highly acclaimed book, which revitalized the dog-tired superhero origin story genre. Writer Justin Jordan and artist Tradd Moore created a new superhero story that rejuvenated the public’s interest in the typical high school student turned super person story. Think of it like Peter Parker baptized in the collective blood of every drug deal and arsonist who ever raised a hand to the innocent. Needless to say, The Legend of Luther Strode had a lot to live up to.

Freelancers #1
Written by Ian Brill & Matt Gagnon
Art by Joshua Covey & Felipe Smith
Colors by Justin Stewart, Vladimir Popov & Zack Sterling
Letters by Pat Brosseau
Covers by Ibraim Roberson, Felipe Smith, Khary Randolf & Ron Riley, Fan Yang, Phil Noto, Stephane Roux, Reilly Brown & Felipe Sobreiro
Boom! Studios
Release Date: November 7, 2012
Cover Price: $1.00

Freelancers #1 is a lot of fun. It’s not going to change your life or win an Eisner, but you will definitely have a good time with this comic. You’ve got the perfect formula-hot girls, guns, cars, kung-fu, and dogs. What more could any red-blooded American male want?

Ian Brill takes parts of existing pop culture icons and combines them into an action packed comic, that’s a TON of fun to read. Part Charlie’s Angels, part Codename: Knockout, this comic is action from start to finish. You’ve got the two main characters that work for an agent that may or may not be 100% on their side. Brill sets up a good mystery that leaves you wondering if their agent is trying to get them jobs or trying to get them killed. I can’t emphasise enough how much pure fun this book is! It’s a great spy/bounty hunter tale that never takes itself seriously at all. It knows what it is, and never tries to be anything different. Really good for a first issue.