In the world of comics, this week was all about television and, well, comics.
Marvel dropped the first official trailer for Jessica Jones, set to premiere on Nov. 20. It's terrifyingly dark, gritty and absolutely wonderful.
On DC's side, David Goyer confirmed that the new SyFy show Krypton would be a prequel to Man of Steel. So, Supergirl isn't in the same universe, but this new show is? Interesting.
And in comics, Marvel cracked the vault open wide and announced new series featuring The Punisher, Nighthawk and Hyperion, with a an additional Iron Man and X-Men comics all set to debut early next year.
No matter which side you're on, let's take a look at this week's offerings:
Marvel Comics
Uncanny Inhumans #1
Marvel's burying of the X-Men continues as the Inhumans take over one of their main series. Just kidding, of course, but the similarities are uncanny. (Sorry).
This team, which features Inhumans like Black Bolt, Reader and Gorgon, is just warming up, but it looks like they've already got a time spanning villain in place with Kang the Conqueror. Somehow, Black Bolt screwed him over and now Kang has his son. Scandalous.
Astonishing Ant-Man #1
In the follow-up to a personal favorite pre-Secret Wars series, Scott Lang is back at the security game and it attempting to woo a new client into hiring him. The problem? Someone invented an Uber app for super villains and is trying to kill him.
But the best thing about Ant-Man and writer Nick Spencer's understanding of the character is the emotional backbone to it all. We continue to learn about Scott's estranged relationship with his daughter, and it looks like he'll be bringing back some ghosts from the past. No spoilers.
Karnak #1
Wow. If there was any Inhuman to make a series about, one would thing Karnak would be the last. His power is to see the flaw in all things, and instead of making it a rather boring tale of mindreading, it's just ten different types of awesome.
In working with SHIELD, Karnak is working to find an abducted Inhuman boy who has yet to discover his powers. Karnak can break doors he finds pressure points in and he's a hell of an interrogator. This series is gonna be big.
Invincible Iron Man #2
Now, this issue happens to (sort of) spoil the end of Secret Wars, so proceed with caution.
After the reveal of none other than Doctor Doom in #1, Tony Is dumbfounded and unable to accept Doom's acts of kindness toward him. Doom needs Tony's help, and this sets off a whole bunch of red flags. Interestingly enough, it looks like he's telling the truth.
Other releases to look out for: Amazing Spider-Man #2, Agents of Atlas #1, Darth Vader #11
DC Comics
Batman & Robin Eternal #3
This series continues to absolutely blow me away. On the surface, it's a Bat Family book, with all of the Robins and Harper and Spoiler and more just going on missions together to uncover a mystery. Under the surface, it's a relationship piece.
The relationship in question is Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson, and Grayson's fear of never truly being good enough to be Bruce's sidekick and friend. We can only hope this weekly series continues to hit its stride.
Superman Wonder Woman #22
Well, this is a bit heartbreaking. In this issue, Clark tells Wonder Woman that he doesn't love her anymore, but that they can still be teammates. I guess this is the Justice League version of the friend zone?
Either way, the duo break villain Parasite out of captivity and attempt to beat some information out of him. Looks like him and Supes will be going toe to toe next issue, but there isn't much power Parasite can drain from him, now is there?
Bizarro #5
Our favorite one-shot series Bizarro comes to an end this week and Jimmy and Bizarro's road trip comes to an end, or beginning? DC would be smart to continue this series under new circumstance.
Bizarro has killer character, Jimmy is hilarious and their sidekicks make the book just a joy to read. Sure, it has no serious repercussions in the DC Universe, but it's cute, and part of a continued cue taken from Marvel. Smaller stories have larger appeal, mostly.
Titans Hunt #1
Though this first issue didn't reveal too much, it looks like someone is trying to prevent the abduction of the original Teen Titans, who, in the main DC universe, aren't even the Teen Titans.
It's odd, sure, but it's got all of the right characters in place. So far? Aqualad, Dick Grayson and Roy Harper. We'll just have to see where this one goes next.
Other releases to look out for: Doctor Fate #5, Martian Manhunter #5, Black Canary #5
Winner - Marvel Comics
It was another close week in the showdown, but with stellar first issues of Ant-Man and Karnak, Marvel took home the grand prize. Sure, the emotional qualities of Ant-Man may match something like Batman & Robin Eternal, we have to hold a certain standard to first issues.
As these series continue it will only get harder to pick a winner. But hey, that's what ties are for, right?
Indie Spotlight
Each week we'll put up one independently published comic we think you should read. This week it's...
Clean Room #1
Under DC's independent imprint, Vertigo, Clean Room tells the story of a book that drives people to the brink of insanity, and sometimes past it.
The story follows a journalist who lost her fiancé to the book, and is now on a quest to expose its author, Astrid Mueller. Based on the scene from the beginning of the issue, it seems like Mueller may only be a pawn in a much larger game.
