Jumping On- New Story Arcs Kicking Off On May 12, 2021
by Brendan M. Allen
One of the hardest and most frustrating things about finding new comics to read and enjoy is finding a good jumping on point. It can be confusing and disheartening to pick up a single issue from the middle of an arc without the context of the previous chapters.
With that in mind, here are some titles kicking off new story arcs and a few interesting #1’s premiering this upcoming New Comic Book Day, Wednesday, May 12, 2021.
New Arcs:
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #281, IDW Publishing
‘Murder by Assassination” Part 1! A brand new arc… and a brand new character! In the aftermath of the chaotic events of “Snake Hunt” (issues #266-275), the JOEs are in a tough spot with the brass in Washington, D.C. Called to testify before a confidential sub-committee intent on investigating the off-the-books mission, a small group of JOEs find themselves embroiled in an entirely different kind of investigation… the murder/mystery kind! Help our heroes search for clues, alongside Living Legend Larry Hama, superstar artist Andrew Griffith, as well as a brand-new JOE, whose origin is seen here for the first time ever-codename: SHERLOCK!’
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #25, BOOM! Studios
‘The biggest Buffy story of the century starts here. The truth about Buffy, the Scooby Gang and their very existence is revealed in this jaw dropping anniversary issue. But what is their connection to <SPOILER> and how does it connect to <SPOILER>? Every answer only leads to more questions…and straight to the Big(gest) Bad you never saw coming.’
Notable #1’s also dropping this week:
X-Corp #1, Marvel Comics
‘Krakoa is for closers! The deals have been made. Mutantkind is safe on Krakoa. As the Reign of X continues, what are the wants of the mutants who have everything? Leading the charge is X-CORPORATION, headed by CXOs Monet St. Croix and Warren Worthington, a duo as cutthroat and ruthless in the boardroom as they are on a battlefield. But X-Corp needs more than just its figureheads. As Monet sets out to staff their team with some of the brightest and most deviant minds in mutantkind, Warren finds himself in a tense confrontation with one of Krakoa’s first allies who wants to know the truth: on Angel’s wings, will X-Corp crash or soar?’
Future State: Gotham #1, DC Comics
‘Hunt the next Batman, Part One. The event that was DC Future State continues in its own ongoing title starring the Bat-Family, beginning with the epic story “Hunt the Batman.” Disaster strikes Gotham City, and all evidence points to the Next Batman! Red Hood must choose justice over his family and allies when the corrupt Magistrate enlists him to bring in the new Batman dead or alive! Featuring the entire cast from the popular Future State Batman titles, this new series kicks off the next chapter in this forbidding world of tomorrow, and does so in brilliant, monochromatic storytelling! This black-and-white series will showcase the brutal world that’s around the corner in Future State Gotham!’
Time Before Time #1, Image Comics
‘The year is 2140, and to escape a world with no future, many turn to the Syndicate, a criminal organization who, for the right price, will smuggle you back in time to a better life. After working for the Syndicate for years, Tatsuo and Oscar decide to steal one of their boss’s time machines-but soon find that the one thing you can’t run from is your past.’
The House Of Lost Horizons #1, Dark Horse Comics
‘A locked-room murder mystery puzzles paranormal detective Sarah Jewell and her associate Marie Therése when a weekend trip on a private island off the coast of Washington goes astray. Trapped by a storm and surrounded by myriad suspects who have gathered for an auction of occult items, the intrepid duo must unravel the supernatural mysteries surrounding the guests in hopes of uncovering the murderer! But all the while, bodies keep piling up, and at any moment Sarah or Marie Therése could be next!
Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson return to the world of Hellboy, accompanied by artist Leila del Duca and colorist Michelle Madsen.
Investigator Sarah Jewell gets her own series in this murder mystery with an occult twist.’
Silver City #1, AfterShock Comics
‘When a young roughneck lands in Silver City, the gritty, purgatorial metropolis of the afterlife, she must adapt to her new existence, while attempting to uncov-er how and why she died. Her mission is derailed, however, when she rescues a newly dead girl from a mysterious kidnapping attempt, and discovers powerful, kinetic abilities.
Welcome to Silver City, where the sun never rises and nothing ever changes…until now.’
