MY WEEKS IN COMICS - - - August 16, 2026

MY WEEKS IN COMICS  - - -  for the three weeks ending  AUGUST 16, 2026  

297+ =  DEAD ACRE: BLACK BADGE #1 story by creators Rhett C. Bruno & Jaime Castle with script by Cullen Bunn and art by Riley Brown (Vault Comics, July 2026) Who doesn’t welcome a good western comic with supernatural themes?  - - Always a favorite of mine. The visuals in this debut issue are well-thought out and very expressive. 

   In a flashback sequence, a gunslinger (James Crowley) with a big heart/conscience lets that get the better of him and dies in a six-versus-one shootout. Now, he’s alive once more and wandering the Western desert, mission/purpose unknown. He arrives at the small town of Dead Acre. 

    At the local saloon he learns that Rosa/Mrs. Massey’s husband hasn’t come home in a couple of days and offers to help her find him. Other bar patrons don’t appreciate his interference and a brawl breaks out, ending when the bartender pulls out his rifle and fires a warning shot. 

  Crowley’s thought captions after he secures a room for the night: “I found myself thinking about all the dirty saloons I’d called home for a night . . . The way some troubles plague every town - - big or small. . . . The way memories blur together ever since the White Throne brought me back . . .”

  There’s the supernatural connection, and the issue ends when the ghostly image of Shargrafein, an angel of the first order, appears in the full-size mirror in his rented room as the issue ends.

  An interesting beginning. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.

#298 =  THE RING: THE MAN WHO BEAT THE MAN #1 by Gail Simone and Elisa Romboli (Dark Horse Comics, June 2016) The promotional pitch . . . . . . 

“Influential writer Gail Simone (Uncanny X-Men) launches a new series that mixes boxing lore and strategy with a fictional, merciless landscape where everyone wants to beat—and be—The Champ! 

The Ring: The Man Who Beat the Man is an exciting action series that takes a look at both the rich history of boxing and the mindsets of those who step in the ring! Produced with the editorial leadership at the historic boxing magazine The Ring—Dark Horse pairs Simone with the creative team of artist Elisa Romboli (You Never Heard of Me) and colorist/letterer Iolanda Zanfardino (The Least We Can Do) to deliver a boxing tale like no other!”

This was much better than I anticipated. The storyline feels authentic and the characterizations are very good. In addition to a couple boxers with heart and determination there is an interesting side story about a veteran journalist paired up with a social media upstart who does a bit of upsetting traditions. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.

#299 =  DISPATCHED #1 by B. Clay Moore and Daniel Gete (Ignition Press, June 2026)  One of the pleasures of visiting your local comic shop every week is the fun of discovery. Impulse buyers know what I’m talking about: the cover art, the title, or just the fact that it’s a debut issue makes you pick it up, scan the pages (mostly for the art), then decide if you buy it.

  Sometimes that’s enough to determine what the story is about and if it appeals to you - -  sometimes it’s not enough. What I really appreciate about Ignition Press is that they include a short synopsis on the back cover of all their titles. For example, here’s the back cover text of DISPATCHED #1:

“Ex-black ops agent Morgan Powers is living under a government-issues alias, working as a delivery driver for a major global courier company. It’s a 180 from his action-packed classified work abroad, until a routine shift puts him in the crosshairs of a domestic terrorist takedown.

    Trapped in a besieged corporate office park, Powers must go back to basics with nothing but his survival skills and a van full of unopened packages - - and endless possibilities - - to fight his way from floor to floor and free the hostages.

     Some boxes hold more trash than treasure, and Powers will also have to contend with his intensifying PTSD as the situation escalates and time runs out.”

That is what persuaded me to pick this up, and then order the remaining issues.

   The story by Moore delivers on that promise and the dynamic art by Gete manages to mirror the story moods from group counseling to quiet reflection to violent action. The art style will remind you (as other reviews have mentioned) of both Frank Quitely and Geoff Darrow. The story reminded me a little of the first DIE HARD movie. Good stuff. FOUR STARS.

#300 =  THE ACCESSORIES #1 of 4 by David Dastmalchian & Leah Kilpatrick with art by Patrick Piazzalunga (Rocketship Entertainment / PanicK Entertainment, August 2026)

If you’re a fan of those old classic monster movies (Frankenstein, Dracula, etc) then you’lll want to check this out. It’s a homage not to the monsters, or their creators, but to the sidekicks of the creators and monsters. Plus, the art evokes those classic film settings and reminds me of Eric Powell’s best stuff. 

   Synopsis from the credits page:  “After lifetimes in the background, three of history’s greatest horror sidekicks finally say what they’ve never dared to before: Enough is ENOUGH!”

     The main focus this issue is on Igor, Victor Frankenstein’s assistant, who was promised a cerebral transplant for decades. Victor continues to make excuses so Igor decides to walk out, trashes the place, and plays a cruel prank on Dr. Frankenstein’s grand experiment. He seeks out the mortician who has a side gig supplying the Doctor and others with bodies/supplies.

    There he meets Renfield, also a disgruntled sidekick of Dracula and they begin to bond immediately. Future issues promise to include other sidekicks, including Mrs. Hyde. Fun. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.