Image Comics has a new series debuting this New Comic Book Day (not to be confused with every other New Comic Book Day) that threatens to blow sky high. I’m of course referring to Gasolina #1 from Sean Mackiewicz and Niko Walter. A story about fugitives, or in some circles rebels and in all cultures newlyweds, who threaten to ignite a war with a new cartel who uses inhuman tactics. Amalia and Randy will have to survive their honeymoon phase, as everything burns and love is measured in blood.
Several publishers are releasing titles that seem to tackle a variety of different social and political topics. This isn’t anything new in comics but there’s a trend happening. Calexit and Briggs Land are two that come to mind right off the bat. One of those two being from Image, the other from the small but spunky Black Mask. While Calexit got a lot of good press that helped with sell in and sell thru, Briggs Land has been quality storytelling but softer sales. It seems these days that awareness is all.
Genius Cartel #2 came out last week. There’s another title dealing with Mexican drug cartels and the violence that ensues. Although we’ll see how much similarity there’s going to be between that and Gasolina, as the worlds seem to be different enough that there could be a place for both series in your pull box. Plus, Coyotes #1 will be hitting the shelves in November, to add more titles tackling border issues, albeit with a supernatural lens. Comics is like ever other industry: defined by trends and elevated by trendsetters. Will Gasolina #1 rise above the tide of these other titles competing for customers’ dollars?
No matter how many series have some kind of thematic overlap or similar elements of their plots one thing will always be true: Quality helps! We’ll find out this week if Gasolina #1 will burn bright and reach higher than its contemporaries. Pick it up and let’s find out together.
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