Jumping On: New Story Arcs Kicking Off On November 24, 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 having 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, November 24, 2021

New Arcs:

Iron Man #14, Marvel

‘BEHOLD THE BIRTH OF COSMIC IRON MAN! Iron Man has tasted a higher power and is forever changed. Moments before, he was locked in mortal combat with his worst adversary in years – KORVAC – but now he finds his very existence altered beyond recognition. Indeed, fundamental concepts like space and time have taken on a new meaning. But what does this portend for Tony Stark, a man who even when stripped bare feels he knows best? What happens when his ego – often challenged, condemned and even derided by both foes and friends – is suddenly given a limitless avenue? It could certainly mean radical and drastic change for the entire universe…and reality itself.’ 

Redneck #31, Skybound Entertainment/Image Comics

‘TEXAS FOREVER, Part One

The last arc of REDNECK starts here! War is coming to the Bowmans, and with it comes death and destruction! Some will live, many will die!

This is the issue of REDNECK that no one saw coming!’

Notable #1s:

Hulk #1, Marvel

‘MAD SCIENTIST, PART 1 OF 6

IMMORTAL NO LONGER! A BRAND-NEW CREATIVE TEAM DELIVERS A NEW, COLOSSAL-SIZED ERA! 

The uncontrollable rage of the Hulk has reached an all-new level, and nobody—including the Avengers—is prepared to handle it. But is it really the Hulk that people should be afraid of, or is there something missing to this puzzle? Join the superstar creative team of Donny Cates and Ryan Ottley as they look to the stars for the next era of HULK!’

Black Panther #1, Marvel

‘THE LONG SHADOW, PART 1

NEW CREATIVE TEAM, NEW DIRECTION—“THE LONG SHADOW” STARTS HERE! Secrets from T’Challa’s past have come back to haunt him! Fresh from returning from his travels in space, Black Panther receives an unexpected and urgent message from a Wakandan secret agent! Now T’Challa must race the clock not only to save his agent, but also to keep his true agenda under wraps. Because if the truth comes out, it could cost T’Challa everything…

Academy Award-winning writer John Ridley and Stormbreaker artist Juann Cabal launch an all-new BLACK PANTHER series with an action-packed espionage story that will upend everything in T’Challa’s life and have ramifications for the entire Marvel Universe!

LEGACY #198’

Grrl Scouts: Stone Ghost #1, Image

‘Superstar artist and comics-makin’ weirdo JIM MAHFOOD returns to his creator-owned GRRL SCOUTS universe for a brand-new six-issue miniseries! Join DIO, TURTLENECK JONES, and GORDI as they face off against the sinister and unpredictable evil of THE TEETH! Hilarious, over-the-top, psychedelic adventure will ensue, you guys! Packed from cover to cover (no ads!) with completely unique and eye-poppin’ MAHFOOD art, including bonus comics and behind-the-scenes fun! Plus, an absolutely stunning variant cover from our good friend PEACH MOMOKO! Feel the Funk!’

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1957 – Forgotten Lives #1, Dark Horse

‘Hellboy and Professor Trevor Bruttenholm team up for some quality father-son time at a New York potter’s field where they try to unravel the mystery of a spectral being haunting the packed graveyard. Upon arrival, the two of them quickly realize there may be more things haunting the buried poor at the mass grave than meets the eye. . .

Celebrated writer Mike Mignola and longtime collaborator Chris Roberson bring you another exciting Hellboy one-shot, with exquisite art by Stephen Green and Dave Stewart!’

Power Rangers Universe #1, BOOM! Studios

‘What is the true origin of the Phantom Ranger? And what is his connection to the Morphin Grid?

From the moment he first appeared 24 years ago, fans have wondered about the origin of the mysterious Phantom Ranger. Questions which have never been answered, until now…

BOOM! Studios proudly presents a limited series event that will delve into the deepest origins of the Power Rangers Universe. Origins that have the Phantom Ranger at their heart.’

Star Wars: Life Day #1, Marvel

‘THE GALAXY’S FAVORITE HOLIDAY!

Happy LIFE DAY! Celebrate the galaxy’s favorite holiday with a collection of festive tales from all across the STAR WARS SAGA! Life Day is the last thing on HAN SOLO’S mind when he and CHEWBACCA find themselves outgunned and under fire. But Chewie won’t give up hope, remembering the lessons of Life Days past and present. As for Life Days yet to come… well, they’ll have to survive the night first!’

Hawkeye: Kate Bishop #1, Marvel

‘Kate’s heading home! Or at least, back to New York. And as much as she wants to go back to where her friends—her chosen family—are, she’s changed since she was last on the East Coast. So she’s picked up a pit stop case first. A confidence-booster, to prove to herself she’s making the right decision and not going to backslide into her past just by changing time zones. Besides, the case is perfect: Swanky resort? Check. Jewel heist? Check. Almost definitely 100% a trap? Check. Don’t miss this exciting new miniseries from New York Times bestselling writer Marieke Nijkamp and artist Enid Balám!’

Joy Operations #1, Dark Horse

‘Fifty-five years from now. Joy is an EN•VOI. A special agent of one of the JONANDO TRUST. Trusts are corporate-owned cities that are the centerpiece of modern society. She rights wrongs for the trust. She is excellent. Perfection. Hard on herself. Driven. Almost legendary in some parts. Until one day a voice pops in her head trying to get her to betray everything she has ever believed.

All this and also an exclusive look behind-the-scenes and a look forward to other Jinxworld projects coming exclusively to Dark Horse.’

Fathom: The Core #1, Aspen Comics

‘Aspen Comics’ largest and most ambitious release of 2021 is now available in two action-packed chapters!

Aspen Matthews was born of two worlds-The OCEAN and LAND. Now, deeper within the confines of The Earth-a new threat has risen, one that will reclaim the eco-system for those of much more powerful descent.

The human world has tenuously learned to co-exist with the underwater species known as The Blue. The powerful Elite Blue Aspen Matthews has returned to her life’s work-that of a marine biologist. Yet, not all creatures from below are seeking peace, and when an unimaginable force from the deep confines of The Earth’s core makes their presence felt in a catastrophic way, Aspen and the entire Fathom Universe must unite in order to not only save themselves-but the entire planet!

Featuring covers by Alex Konat, Donny Tran and Michael Turner, this is THE biggest Fathom direct market launch of 2021!’

Captain America / Iron Man #1, Marvel

A government agent turned Hydra provocateur stages a daring breakout on her way to prison, attracting the attention of both Iron Man and Captain America. When Steve and Tony realize they both have a connection to the slippery fugitive, they team up to track her down—only to discover she’s not the only player on the board with big plans and sinister motives…

Tales From The Dead Astronaut #1, Source Point Press

‘Space Monks on living on a tree in space! A shapeshifting Rockstar conducting the most explosive press conference you’ve seen yet! A megalomaniac man of steel who leaves horror in his wake! It’s amazing the things you’ll see in space when you’re a slowly decaying astronaut with nothing tethering you to the earth.’

Tom Holland’s Fright Night #1, American Mythology

‘Welcome to Fright Night…for REAL! Tom Holland’s classic Vampire tale returns with a series that picks up right after the events of the 1985 movie! Based on Holland’s novel which introduces Charlie Brewster, Amy Peterson, Evil Ed, Peter Vincent, and of course, the undead monster, Jerry Dandridge to horror fans! Written by James Kuhoric (Freddy vs Jason vs Ash) with interior art by Neil Vokes (Fright Night) & Cyrus Mesarcia (Carson of Venus), this story is fully authorized by Tom Holland himself! It’s been a year since Jerry Dandridge died (again) and life is still crazy for the impromptu vampire killers. But something ancient and evil has clawed from the ground and found them. And they are going to discover that once you look into the undead abyss…the monsters hiding there look back. They are about to relive the worst night of their lives. Fright Night #1 Dead By Dawn comes with four covers – Main Cover by Roy Allan Martinez (Zorro Swords of Hell), Cross Variant by the horror team of Buz Hasson & Ken Haeser (The Living Corpse), Classic Variant by interior artist Neil Vokes (Hatchet), and a special rare B&W Virgin Cover also by Martinez that is limited to just 350 copies!’

World War 3: Battle of Hokkaido #1, Antarctic Press

‘War manga master Makoto Kobayashi’s (Cat Shit One) hit alternate history manga continues in this what-if war tale of a Soviet invasion of Japan! In the 1990s, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces must battle a Soviet armored division intent on occupying Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, in conjunction with the USSR’s invasion of Europe!’

West #1, Uncivilized Books

‘Mo and Sal live and work on a farm selling their harvest at city farmers’ markets, practicing magic, and smoking herbs with their cat, Jynx. As society becomes over-reliant on technology, magic is quickly dying out, and industry pushes smaller farms out of the picture. Sal and Mo struggle to keep the land they’ve worked so hard to cultivate. To make ends meet, they concoct a heist on the most prominent tech corporation in the West, Solomon Corps. Their plans are thrown in disarray when a shocking discovery in the depths of Solomon’s factories leads them on a quest to uncover a conspiracy that reaches far and wide. The boys must scramble to find people sympathetic to their cause. Metallic silver ink cover.’

Super Sleepy #1, Binge Books

‘Nagged by nightmares? Bothered by blanket hogs? Troubled by telemarketers? Have no fear – Super Sleepy is here! Super Sleepy is the pint-sized protector of sleepyheads everywhere! With her wisecracking sidekick Schleepy, Super Sleepy won’t rest until you sleep which means every giggle-filled story is a bedtime story! Created by TV’s Ursula Burton (The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm) with classic cartooning by Jeff Shultz (Peanuts), Super Sleepy also introduces Gargirl, Adventure Russ, Cosmic Ray, Lynn Ventor, Senor Uva’s Frutopia and Jillian Heir the Bajillionare!’

Good Boy #1, Source Point Press

‘Set in a world where humans and dogs are equals, Good Boy is a thrill-packed treat for anyone who loves action, dogs, and good stories.

Flint Sparks and his human Jon, both former mercenaries, have settled down in quiet retirement from an industry where the job is supposed to be forever. But, unlike anyone before, they found a way out. However, this new life, filled with peace and joy, is not to be. In the dead of night, some of their former “colleagues”, who disagree with their decision to retire, break into their home and murder Jon, leaving Flint alive in the bloody aftermath.

That was their FIRST mistake.

%d bloggers like this: