Brand New Feature: Halo: Initiation #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

By Brian Reed & Mario Castiello

The Halo franchise is nothing short of astonishing. What started as a singular video game title has become its own brand, and soon-to-be television program, as well. Halo: Initiation is not the first comic Halo comic title, but it is meant to be the precursor for Halo: Spartan Assault. The book focuses on Sarah Palmer as well as the rebuilding of the Spartan unit. The status quo at the start of this story is that the year is 2553 and the previous Spartan army, along with Master Chief, are all missing. One man has decided to stop waiting and enact his own plan B.

Brand New Feature: Collider #1 (Vertigo Comics)

by Simon Oliver, Robbi Rodriguez and Rico Renzi

The promise that anything is possible is usually one that comes with a sense of pure optimism, meant to inspire. Though little is said, the context of the line delivered in the opening panels of Collider #1 has a much more foreboding sense. A man sits in a van, staring in a camera and records a message to be left for his son. He seems rushed, and whatever it is he is about to do, readers feel the finality of this action. It's a short sequence and not all that complicated, yet it's subtlety and weight are greatly effective. This book has high stakes, and readers will want to settle in.

Brand New Feature: Red Sonja #1 (Dynamite)

by Gail Simone, Walter Geovani

Red Sonja is a property that has existed for a good bit of time now, but not one that I have been familiar with. The scantily clad heroine has existed in comics since the 70s, and has changed publishers a few times. Originally, Sonja was part of the same universe as Conan the Barbarian, all under Marvel Comics. The two properties now exist within separate publishers, and though their universes still have much in common, they do not exist within the same world. Much like the most recent incarnation of Conan the Barbarian under Brian Wood, this new chapter of Red Sonja seems to require no previous knowledge, introducing the character and the world and it makes for a great introduction for unfamiliar readers.

Brand New Feature: Satellite Sam #1 (Image Comics)

by Matt Fraction and Howard Chaykin

It is 1951, and this is the television business. LeMONDE is a television network that produces live programs. The story opens in the middle of a commercial break of a live science fiction program, Satellite Sam. Readers are thrust into the middle of the broadcast as the issue opens in the control room. The story does not necessarily move from page to page quickly, but the way in which the story and dialogue are presented, this is a fast paced tale. It seems as though one of the actors have not shown up and his scene is coming up. In the world of live tv, can the crew pull together to make it work in time?

Brand New Feature: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

by Gerard Way, Shaun Simon, Becky Cloonan

No longer needing to hide from his claim to fame, Gerard Way has combined his music career and his love of comics into this new story, The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, from Dark Horse Comics. Originally doing his best to separate the two so as to let his first work, The Umbrella Academy, rest on its own merits, Way is now presenting a story that is also the basis for My Chemical Romance's final album, Danger Days. The story is dense, and like Brian K. Vaughan's Saga, it drops readers in this new world, filled with a lot of unfamiliar elements and language. Ultimately, this first issue is pretty well handled and the art is incredibly lively.

Brand New Feature: X-Men #1 (Marvel Comics)

by Brian Wood, Olivier Coipel, Mark Morales, Laura Martin

A new X-Men number one issue. Written by Brian Wood. All female team. There were several new books out this week all in incredibly capable hands, but this new series from Wood and Coipel was not to be pushed aside for any other. Should the title be something else as there are no actual "men" on the team? Do we need another X-title? There are as many detractions from this book as there are highlights and maybe that's what makes it so exciting to open up.

Brian Wood has a very cold, factual writing style. It seems similar to Jonathan Hickman's plot-first writing style. The book opens with two separate events transpiring in overlaying panels. At the same time, Wood scripts a narration that describes an event that is both on a genetically microscopic level as well as a cosmic level at the same time. It is an excellent opening that sets the tone for a grand story. We are then slowly introduced to the main cast of characters through a strange situation unfolding.

Brand New Feature: The Bounce #1 (Image Comics)

by Joe Casey and David Messina

Sometimes all it takes is a creative team, a great cover and you have eager readers excited for your first issue. The Bounce comes from a pretty strong creative team and what is apparent in the first issue is that they have big plans for this story. The world set up and the different elements teased in the opening issue all point to great potential. The Bounce #1, however, may have more ideas than it can handle, resulting in a strange opening chapter.

Brand New Feature: Dream Thief #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

by Jai Nitz, Greg Smallwood

Sometimes the best stories are the ones readers have to work for. There is a fine line, though, where asking too much of your reader can be more damaging than asking nothing of them. Jai Nitz and Greg Smallwood present Dream Thief, a miniseries from Dark Horse. Here, readers are introduced to a fascinatingly unique story that balances several genres and influences for a final product that will surely draw them in for more.

As it opens, readers are quick to infer that the lead character is a bit of a deadbeat. Johnny wakes up, seemingly hungover with little knowledge of how he came to be in this room with last night's pretty face. Already, Nitz employs an interesting tactic with dual narration from the same character. Johnny is writing a letter to his son, and he is also narrating a bit, each employing different colored text boxes, and each serving separate purposes, though appearing within the same panels. Readers learn was once married, has kids and now a girlfriend but seems to have spent the night with none of those people.

Brand New Feature: Free Comic Book Day (Action Lab)

In lieu of the regular column here featuring a spotlight on a new series, I wanted to take the time to talk about a few books that will be released this weekend for the national Free Comic Book Day event. While most people plan to pick up the more recognizable books from DC or Marvel or even the television tie-ins for Spongebob, it is a great opportunity to check out some things you might be unfamiliar with. Free Comic Book Day is a chance to look into a series that might otherwise remain under the radar and see if it's worth following. 

Action Lab Studios, a publishing company not as commonly mentioned as Image Comics or IDW has generated a great library of all-ages comics. This year, they have two releases, with each issue split into two features. The titles include ongoing series NFL Rush Zone, Princeless, and Skyward. They have also released a teaser for an upcoming series, Molly Danger. Each issue tells a quick story that gives readers a pretty good sense of the writing and direction of the respective titles.

Brand New Feature: Bodie Troll #1 (Red 5 Comics)

by Jay Fosgitt

Think fairy tale inspired characters in a world that looks and feels very familiar to the colored version of Jeff Smith's Bone and you have a pretty good picture of the universe presented in the first issue of Bodie Troll from Red 5 Comics. Written, drawn and colored by Jay Fosgitt, this mini series follows a troll who is too cute to be any real threat despite the species he is and what he is meant to do. Bodie is adorable, a down and out type character who has a real child-like charm. Issue one is mostly focused on character and world more so than an ongoing story.

Brand New Feature: G. I. Joe: The Cobra Files #1 (IDW)

By Mike Costa, Antonio Fuso

There are many reasons why a book gets renumbered to feature a shiny “1” on the cover. Outside of the sales boost it will likely generate, a title may renumber to signify a new direction, a complete reboot, or simply to reflect a rebranding within the company. Similar to how many Marvel titles have kept previous continuity despite featuring that new numbering, Cobra Files is not really a fresh start.

Possibly signified by retaining the same creative team with the title, G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files is a continuation of Mike Costa’s previous Cobra story. For fans of that series, the title is a must buy and it delivers on what they have come to expect. For readers who are new to the Joe universe, jumping on with the Fred Van Lente led relaunch, this will be difficult to follow.

Brand New Feature: Polarity #1 (BOOM! Studios)

by Max Bemis and Jorge Coelho, Felipe Sobreiro, Steve Wands

Max Bemis is the frontman for genre band, Say Anything. Polarity is Bemis' first public foray into comics. This excursion is not new for the modern musician with Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, Tom Morello and now even Corey Taylor all with works of their own. However, this does not make Polarity any less worthy or any less original. Instead, Polarity is a true work of creativity with autobiographical roots and a real strength for character.