I love to write ComicShocker columns that pose big questions. But sometimes I read a comic that’s so good, I feel compelled to promote it rather than let loose with a “Why does Galactus eat the whole planet when the core probably gives him heartburn?” type of query. The Many Adventures of Miranda Mercury #295 is that type of comic. That’s why it’s one of my Reads You Need.
I’ve followed writer Brandon Thomas’ online column, Ambidextrous, for years. Seeing his Miranda Mercury comic book on the racks at the comic shop today was an accomplishment that I envied in the most benevolent sense. Yet the entire conceptual package of this comic is so strong that I would love this book just as much if I’d only discovered the author for the first time. The intergalactic adventures of Miranda are mind-bending. And don’t be fooled by the #295 on the cover – this is the first issue of the series. The increased numeration is to enhance the reading experience.
Lee Ferguson’s pencils are future psychedelic with a strong sense of coherent storytelling. His work is a beautiful blend of the definite and the geometrically abstract. Marc Deering’s inks do a fantastic job capturing the range of textures that make this visual package so distinctive. The quality colors by Felix Serrano are integral to the success of this issue, as they elevate the art from smart to stunning. The letters by Matty Ryan look great and work very well, only slipping when they use an unclear font for certain alien language.
The creators of this comic book are lucky I just finished the first volume of Jack Kirby’s Black Panther. I can see King Kirby’s adventurous influence dripping off of the pages of this comic. And that’s a good thing because I was hungry for more of this sort of storytelling the moment that I completed my Black Panther TPB today.
Basically, go grab this issue. It’s a fun romp through a sci-fi superhero future that poses big questions (you know, the kind I like) while doling out both psychological and physical action. Check out MirandaMercury.com for more (but since the site takes way too long to load, just try going to the Miranda Mercury downloads page instead).
It's hardly breaking news anymore but it is official: The Writer's Strike is over. Production crews are returning to work and we will have some new episodes this year. That said, we are looking at maybe 4-5 new episodes for most shows, and March Madness is certain to mess with the program a bit.
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