Poyo’s Spec & Drek for June 23rd, 2021

Welcome to this weeks spec and drek. This is where we pick the winners each week we (or shall I say myself) think will be spec worthy, a great read or just cool looking art on the cover. I also dive into the pesky drek, the book you should probably avoid if you can or perhaps not invest so heavily into.

Marvel Picks

Gamma Flight #1 (of 5). Spinning out of Immortal Hulk comes Gamma Flight by Al Ewing. Let’s see if he can bring the same success he did to Immortal Hulk to this series. Worthy of a check out I say.

 

It’s Pride Month so celebrate by picking up Marvels Voices Pride #1.

Anything can happen in War of the Bounty Hunters so Star Wars Darth Vader #13 War of the Bounty Hunters is a must pickup. This new Vader volume has been fabulous despite the potential coming out of any or all the WOTBH tie-ins.

W.E.B. of Spider-Man #2 is already seeing love on the secondary market. Maybe most are anticipating some more firsts or something after the success of W.E.B. of Spider-Man #1 (which seems to be settling down currently on value for the regular cover).

Don’t forget to pre-order a copy of W.E.B. of Spider-Man #1 (of 5) (2nd Ptg Gurihiru Variant) if you missed out on the first printing.

DC Picks

Batman Reptilian #1 (of 6) is a book I’m hoping is a great read but then again, Garth Ennis rarely disappoints. This is a must for any Batman fan and Ennis fan. I really dig this regular cover as well.

Checkmate #1 (of 6) is a new book that is apparently introducing a new character, Daemon Rose. I’m not a big Bendis fan but still worthy of a pick up I think just for the potential. We can’t deny that Bendis certainly shares his fair share of some of the hottest new characters in the past decade which most could name off the top of their heads with Miles Morales and Naomi.

It also appears that this new character Daemon Rose gets a first cover in Checkmate #2 (of 6), which isn’t out yet obviously but available via pre-order.

Indie and Small Publisher Picks

Black Hammer Reborn #1 is a must for any Black Hammer fan. There’s a pretty cool homage variant B as well.

I read it. I liked it. It’s weird but in a good way. I really like these types of stories and plots. If you liked Plastic, you’ll like this one as well which is Vinyl #1 (of 6)

Bitter Root #14 Variant B celebrates Juneteenth which is actually today after they passed it as a new federal holiday (long overdue if you ask me). Already seeing pre-sales hitting the $15 mark. So probably not a bad pickup if you see them (if you hadn’t already pre-ordered a copy).

What seems like years in the making comes the 2nd print of Electric Black #1. I think it took them 2 years before doing this 2nd printing. Geez Scout, if you waited any longer I’d already be in retirement with grand children.

I have yet to see the covers for Great Gatsby #1 and TFAW has Cover C and the Great Gatsby #1 (Cover B – Blank Sketch Cover) available. Midtown only lists Cover A but sold out. For fans of the classic novel.

MFKZ #1 is finally out. Seems like forever ago I mentioned this one in my Previews Highlights. Definite checkout as some of the covers are just awesome.

MFKZ #1 (Cover B – Street Cred)
MFKZ #1 (Vinz Diesel Variant)

For all you SIKTC & Glow-in-the-Dark cover fans comes Something Is Killing the Children #17 (Cover B Glow in the Dark – Yildirim).

 

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Now on with the dreaded “drek” pick, every writer and artists worst nightmare when it comes to selling their hard work.

The book(s) to avoid or not fall victim to in buying at inflated prices, whether it’s false demand, pump and dump or out of FOMO.

Liefeld is just making this all too easy this month.. X-Men Legends #4 (Liefeld Deadpool 30th Variant). Seriously, what is up with Deadpools right arm and hand? That bicep looks awfully big (like that’s the shape if he was bending and flexing his arm, not stretching out) with that elbow. The hand looks geez, did the graphic artist accidentally use the smear tool to make it all stretched out or did Liefeld actually draw it like that?