Starbrand and Nightmask #2 fits the niche of being a slice-of-life comic with superhero undertones to great effect. Lowering two of the strongest Marvel Heroes to such a relatable level is an achievement, and let’s hope the good times can continue for Kevin and Adam.
Being at a college is a stepping stone for Kevin, and while his power isn’t downplayed by any means because of the more grounded threat it’s nice to see both himself and Adam combat each new situation differently. (Fun fact: They’re in dorms that are co-ed!) We see the supporting cast begin to take shape and it definitely holds to the statement you’ll meet all types of people in college. You can feel the type of stories the entire team can tell with both cosmic and realistic threats. Starbrand and Nightmask can hold its own as its own thing, but even with the guest stars you can feel the strings of connections to the wider Marvel Universe. It’ll be interesting going forward to see how the two heroes can combat both classes and villains all over campus in this new series.
Coming out this week from Image is a book from the minds of Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Bechko, the title in question is Invisible Republic. It’s the distant space-faring future, again, where humankind has fallen into poverty with the collapse of the Malory Regime. A has been novelist by the name of Croger Babb is in search of a story on the Regime but has failed to grasp the right audience. However, a chance encounter lands him with what could be the story of a life time: the journal of Maia Reveron, the untold cousin of former dictator Arthur McBride and with her the untold story of the Malory Regime.
Peggy Carter’s mission into the heart of the USSR isn’t off to a roaring start. Already her old friend Howard Stark has incurred the wrath of an enigmatic alien force, and that’s not including the shady girl, Tania, posing as Carter’s contact. With the assistance of a mercenary by the name of Woodrow McCord, they make their way into the Russian motherland to uncover the source of an alien beacon. Naturally, they’re in for more than they asked for.