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Ms. Marvel, Lobster Johnson, Savage Dragon, Sword of the Unicorn: This Week in Comics #28

From lobster detectives to dragon cops, shape-shifting high schoolers, and unicorn fighters, these are the best comics of the week.
Panel from Ms. Marvel #9. Written by G. Willow Wilson, Illustrated by Takeshi Miyazawa and Adrian Alphona, Colors by Ian Herring. Screencap via the author.

San Diego Comic-Con has come and gone, and with it, plenty of new announcements to get excited about. From stellar first trailers for Wonder Woman and Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (currently unreleased to the public), to a corny-but-nostalgic trailer for the Legends of the Hidden Temple film, it was a busy week for comic/fandom/nerd-culture geeks. But Comic-Con or not, quality comic books hit shelves this week, and these are some of the best of the best. Included is the 215th issue of cult classic Savage Dragon, a wonderfully dense issue of Ms. Marvel, and a goofy comic about a sword-wielding unicorn, plus more.

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Lobster Johnson: Metal Monsters of Midtown #3

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Cover for Lobster Johnson: Metal Monsters of Midtown #3. Cover Illustrated by Tonci Zonjic. Photo courtesy of Dark Horse Comics.

In the final issue of this mini-run of Lobster Johnson comics, Hellboy creator Mike Mignola’s 1930s masked detective The Lobster faces a giant threat to NYC. Hulking metal monsters, controlled by people from faraway antennae that get addicted to the use of the robots, are attacking the city. The Lobster has to do what he wants to do least: hook his brain up into one of the robots and control one himself. Risking addiction and madness, he dukes it out with other robots in a steampunk-esque showdown.

Savage Dragon #215

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Cover for Savage Dragon #215. Illustrated by Erik Larsen. Photo courtesy of Image Comics.

Erik Larsen’s been making the comic Savage Dragon for so long that the series now stars Savage Dragon’s son, Malcolm Dragon. Malcolm’s infant dragon-babies have been kidnapped, and the kidnapper, Dart, has the “god sword,” which can cut people in half. So he’s got to go in, save his children, and capture Dart. Like most issues of Savage Dragon, it isn’t just about the action. We see Malcolm and his loved ones following procedure, fretting over circumstances beyond their control, and being thoroughly capable and confident. Readers looking for a classic-feeling action comic that asks bigger questions (there’s even a dig on “hopes and prayers” in this issue), could do no better than Savage Dragon.

Ms. Marvel #9

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Cover for Ms. Marvel #9. Cover Illustrated by Cameron Stewart. Photo courtesy of Marvel Comics.

Ms. Marvel stars in a tie-in to all the Civil War II storylines (a refresher course on Civil War II: heroes can look into the future and tell when crimes are going to happen before they happen, and the hero community is split on the ethics of stopping would-be future criminals before they get started). In this issue, Ms. Marvel’s locked up a friend of hers who would have burnt down his school, and she begins to question everything she believes in. This is a comic that has to be read—it can’t quite be explained entirely. Questions of faith, right vs. wrong, acceptance, and dealing with rejection are handled carefully, and with more grace than most of the Civil War II tie-ins. A must-read this week.

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Sword of the Unicorn #1

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Cover for Sword of the Unicorn #1. Illustrated by Tyler Stafford. Courtesy of S. Tyler Stafford Comics.

How does one resist a comic called Sword of the Unicorn? It’s impossible, right? Full of images and devoid of any narration, dialogue, or writing of any kind, it tells the story of a young boy being chased by mutants. As he flees, he stumbles upon an ancient cave where he finds a magical sword that turns him into an upright-standing, sword-swinging, badass unicorn fighter. Part-psychedelic trip-out, part-action movie, part internet, Sword of the Unicorn is a great little indie title released through Comixology’s “Submit” program, and it’s certainly worth a read.

What were your favorite comics of the week? Let us know in the comments or tweet @CreatorsProject.

Related:

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This Week in Comics #26

This Week in Comics #25