PICKS OF THE WEEK - Jan. 22, 2020

• ONCE AND FUTURE #6: Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora’s first arc in its amendment to Arthurian legend comes to an epic, action packed conclusion for our Heroes Duncan and Gran. This issue rockets forward with style and grace as they approach the big bad in his dark and dank castle. With many secrets coming to the surface in the last issue and a few more sprinkled in here, Gillen gives the goods with a catastrophic climax that only Dan Mora can turn such bedlam into such beauty. But the real super star of this issue is colorist Tamra Bonvillain. Who uses such colors and contrast so well that it makes the whole battle sequence feel…with no other way to describe it…otherworldly. This is a must buy for any fans of wither Gillen or Mora and by the looks of it, you’ll be quite happy to see where it goes by the last page. Don’t miss this awesome conclusion to Once and Future.

• WONDER WOMAN #750: Though Wonder Woman isn’t turning 80 this year, DC put out another oversized book with the landmark issue #750 which holds some serious cred for any publication. As with the others that have come before it, this issue is a collection of comics from some of Wonder Woman’s best creators over the past few decades. The issue runs the gamut and our warrior princess of peace lighting up these tiny tales sprinkled throughout her continuity, with appearances from friends and rogues alike. This is a great sampling for anyone wanting to get into why Wonder Woman has stood the test of time and what makes her so unique among the pantheon of heroes she helped usher in. Some spectacular art and a preview of the title’s next creative team make this comic one to tie up with a magic lasso.

• GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1: This new #1 from Marvel spans the stars and hits new heights as Al Ewing takes on everyone’s favorite star-studded scavengers. The Guardians ate finally able to rest up and have some family time after their last rousing adventure but their respite is short lived as they are visited by Nova and are told that some old, rogue Gods from earth are reborn and wreaking havoc throughout the cosmos. This leads to a bit of fracturing in the team and a new alliance to stop the carnage. Al Ewing’s Writing is stellar and he nails the voices of the whole cosmic cast of this series adding humor and heart as our heroes plunge themselves into peril; while Juann Cabal’s art matches the ridiculous heights that Ewing has set, and all this is contained in just one issue. They have big plans coming and for fans of the team or the cosmic side of marvel should pick this up immediately, especially with a last page reveal at the end you won’t want to miss.