Top 5 Comics Moments of the Week: Heroes and villains step into new roles and leave behind their old lives
Spoilers for comics released the week of June 28 to July 5
It's that 5th New Comic Book Day of the month, meaning that there are a lot fewer comics coming out than usual, though after the pandemic's break, it's still great to just have new weekly comics at all. This week, it's all about taking on new identities and leaving old lives behind for something new, and not all of it is good news. We take a look at our favorite moments from the past week in comics, and the new roles people have been taking on.
5. Azrael's appearance in the DCAU
Fans of 'Batman: The Animated Series' have been receiving a weekly treat in 'Batman: The Adventures Continue,' a series that picks up where the animated series left off. The comic has been introducing new villains and concepts to the DC Animated Universe, giving fans a glimpse of what things might have been like if they'd appeared on the DCAU. Azrael makes his first appearance in this issue, and he is intimidating as ever. Despite the cartoonish nature of the art style, the shadows cast a familiar Bat-like shadow that still inspires the kinds of chills that the animated series' title cards inspired.
4. The Emergence of JANUS
With its fifth issue, the horror series 'Ravencroft' comes to a close, and it ends on a doozy. Marvel has recently made a push to center Ravencroft and its supernatural ties into its larger mythology, especially with its connections to Knull, the God of Symbiotes. This series ends with the reveal of several notable names from across the Marvel Universe and their new organization. The motivations of JANUS are, as of now, a mystery, but considering that Janus represents gateways, new beginnings, and chaos, it's an organization that's worth keeping an eye out for as is any Marvel organization with an ominous acronym.
3. A new Batman at the end of the world
In the apocalyptic, alternate universe of DCeased, Batman was one of the first to fall when the Anti-Life virus hit. He named his son, Damian Wayne as his successor, even passing on a custom-fitted Batsuit to his child. Damian has been reluctant to take on the mantle, as wearing it would make his father's death that much more real. However, after a conversation with Superman and his son Jon, Damian is finally ready to step up and be the Batman that the world needs him to be.
2. Red, the color of innocence lost
DC's new Digital First series is an anthology of Harley Quinn stories entirely illustrated in black, white, and red. Its first issue dives deep into that theme, as a Harley Quinn in a black and white world describes the memories of her time as Harley Quinn in vivid red. In the issue's most memorable moment, a flashback to the past divides her face into the one in the present and the one in the past, which is a clear dividing line between the horror of remembering the moment, and the horror of actually living it for the first time.
1. Why Hawkeye beats Bullseye, every time
Things have grown increasingly chaotic in the world of Clint Barton. Secretly taking on the Ronin identity to clean up crime, having that costume stolen by Ronin to discredit Hawkeye, and leaving Clint with no choice but to don Bullseye's costume, the two battle in 'Hawkeye: Freefall' #6, marksman to marksman. The two have always had a rivalry and a history of swapping identities going as far back as 'Dark Reign,' but after Bullseye nearly killed one of Hawkeye's allies just to taunt him, Hawkeye has had enough. Using an explosive arrow, he shows Bullseye just why Hawkeye might not be the better marksman, but is most definitively the more dangerous one in a fight.
What were your favorite comics moments of the week? Let us know in the comments!