Summer 2020 comic roundup of Marvel and Dark Horse

Some parts of life are slowly returning to normal. I say slowly because in the US it does look like there will be a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic this summer. Luckily we will always have comic books to entertain us. After the spring drought there is a lot to looks forward to. Star Wars is still one of the biggest franchise in comic book land, but others such as Blade Runner, Stranger Things and Cyberpunk 2077 are making a splash. So below is a Summer 2020 comic roundup of all those I am looking forward to into September. The release dates however should be taken with a grain of salt.

Stranger Things: Into the Fire

I haven’t followed the Stranger Things comic series much. But with season 3 delayed I feel an itch to see the gang of Hawkins diligent youths back together. That said, Into the Fire deals two sisters that escaped from the Hawkins laboratory. The story is written by Jody Houser and issue # 4 is set for July 8th.

Blade Runner (2019-)

The Blade Runner comic series has been a favorite of mine since last year (review of issue # 1). It acts a prequel to Denis Villeneuve’s film Blade Runner 2049. Just as with the other comic series release of its latest issue, number 8, was delayed. Now we will know how the story of detective Ash continues on July 15th. Once gain we can drool over the covers and panels of artist Andres Guinaldo and writers Michael Green and Mike Johnson.

Doctor Aphra (2020-)

Doctor Aphra has been revamped by Marvel Comics into a new series written by Alyssa Wong and as artist Marika Cresta. The cover artist is Velentina Remenar. Despite the Aprils stop to comic releases the first issue did see its release on May 4th. You can find my review here. The second issue is scheduled for July 22nd and I fully intend on making Doctor Aphra a regular feature. Its a fun Indiana Jones style adventure set in the Star Wars Universe. Oddly enough I cannot find a cover for issue # 2 while the subsequent issues do have one.

Darth Vader (2020-)

The new Darth Vader comic series had only just begun when the pandemic set in. While I had my doubts about the first issue I did like the story enough to continue following it. Issue # 3 is now set for July 31st. In it we will learn more about the surprise team-up of Vader and former Queen Amidala’s handmaiden. The story is by Greg Pak and the artist is Raffaele Lenco.

Star Wars (2020-)

The new Star Wars series is set immediately after the events of The Empire Strikes Back. Thus filling in an important timeframe if which we know very little, but have deduced a few facts. Writer Charles Soule has managed to deftly fill in the details with a series that has so far wowed because of its genuine Star Wars feel. You can read my review of issue # 1 here. The series is set to continue on August 5th with issue # 5. The premise is hopeful, ever since his encounter on Cloud City with Darth Vader Luke has felt depressed (and who wouldn’t be). But now Luke is on a mission to a lost planet for the future of the Jedi Order.

Alien: The Original Screenplay

This is an comic book adaptation of the original screenplay from 1976, before it was changed to become the movie directed by Ridley Scott. This screenplay was written by Dan O’Bannon who also worked on Total Recall. This comic adaptation is written by Christiano Seixas. “The intercepted voice transmission has been interpreted-a dire warning . . . but is it too late? As the crew continues to survey the massive pyramid structure, they find an entrance. Who goes in, won’t come out alone . . .”. Well, I can’t wait. It is not clear how many entries there will be in this series, but it will be at least two. This adaptation is set for release on August 5th. I have recently started enjoying the Alien franchise a lot. It think this screenplay could well be the highpoint of the Summer 2020 comic roundup.

Bounty Hunters (2020-)

Star Wars Bounty Hunters was last week the first comic series to return. the series follows a wide variety of bounty hunters found in Star Wars lore such as Bossk and Boba Fett. Valence is also one of them and he is after his former mentor Nakano Lash as she betrayed him. Issue # 4 will see Valance and the others close is in one Lash. It is written by Ethan Sacks and is set for a August 19th release.

The Orville: Launch Day

The third season of The Orville is one I am very much looking forward to. The series that borrows so much from Star Trek just works. However, the new season won’t air until 2021 so we must rely on the comic book series to tie us over. The Orville Launch Day is a two-part miniseries billed has The Orville season 2.5. When seemingly hostile Krill ships cross into Union space, the Orville intercepts. Captain Mercer learns they are en route to a planet that left the Union decades ago under mysterious circumstances. Scans have discovered a moon-sized construct above the planet, and the Krill intend a preemptive strike against the presumed weapon. But is it? Part 1 is set for release on September 2nd and is written by David A. Goodman.

Cyberpunk 2077: Trauma Team

To tie us over to the November 19th, the new release date for Cyberpunk 2077, we will get a comic book story from Dark Horse Comic. The rather suggestive title Trauma Team indicates plenty of violence and gore. The dust jacket confirms that: Nadia, an assistant EMT for a privately-owned business known as Trauma Team International, is the sole survivor of a failed rescue mission turned shootout. After she agrees to continue work for an upcoming extraction mission, Nadia and her new team find themselves in an even more dangerous and life-threatening situation. The first of four issues is set for September 9th. The writer is Cullen Bunn. I consider this to be another highpoint of the Summer 2020 comic roundup.

Stranger Things: Science Camp

On September 30th Dark Horse Comics will start with a new series, Science Camp, in which we will see Dustin. The writer is yet again Jody Houser, with the artist being Edgar Salazar. “Dustin arrives at Camp Know Where to navigate the new social hierarchy without the support of his Hawkins adventuring party. While also faced with nerdy bullies, a new menace haunts the young scientists and camp counselors. A mysterious figure with sinister intent arrives to disrupt the serene woodland scene. The solution won’t take rocket science, but Dustin will have to get on the same wavelength as the other campers before tensions reach a boiling point.” The premise will borrow a lot from 80s slasher movies.

That was it for Summer 2020 comic roundup

So that was it for the Summer 2020 comic roundup. I think there is a lot to look forward to. That said, I also intend to broadening my horizon a bit. it never hurts to browse on Comixology.