#Alex Paknadel

[evilhorse]

You must have known he was a moron when you vouched for him.

(Detective Comics #1086)

[ufonaut]

"My heart stopped, but my will... it just wouldn't quit. Pretty sure that's why the League posted me up here. Who'd want this moldering old kisser plastered all over kids' lunch boxes, hmm?"

"Hal, I'm so sorry."

"Ah, don't be. Carol always said I could never let anything go."

Hal Jordan in Knight Terrors: The Flash (2023) #1

(Alex Paknadel, Daniel Bayliss)

[judgeanon]

So about that DETECTIVE COMICS #1084...

As a big Shiva fan, I really, really liked that. Maybe my favorite issue with her since Hill's Outsiders run. I made a thread in another site about it but I liked that issue so much that I'm gonna take a sec to repost it here too, so hit that jump if you wanna read an in-depth analysis of 'Tec #1084... or at least, its backup feature!

I'm kinda kidding, I actually enjoyed the main story too. I liked seeing Bruce and Talia reunited in a very touching moment of romance that gives way to grim tension as the unfortunate complications of the strange and violent world they live being to slowly rip them apart once more... and then Shiva happens. For one panel and in a flashback but it was really fun to see Talia call her a friend for a bunch of reasons.

The most serious one is that I genuinely think that, given enough room to work with, Talia and Shiva could be a very compelling pair. Shiva is known to be interested in people who are in a state of flux, who find themselves in crossroads trying to figure out where their true path really lies. And Talia, for better or worse, has been there for, like... years now. I've always thought that Talia, endlessly torn between her love for Bruce, her love for her father, and her love for the world, might even find something tempting about Shiva's absolute detachment, about her comparative freedom from all connections. Which would be fun to explore.

The other reason comes from the issue's backup story by Alex Paknadel and Robbi Rodriguez, which I didn't expect at all but ended up being a huge treat for me, since it aligned so much with a lot of what I consider the most interesting elements and perspectives in Shiva and Cass' relationship.

Right from the start, we have Shiva being able to read Cass and figure out what's wrong with her just from a couple of fighting moves, which I absolutely adore. What looks like a fight is really just them having a conversation, at least for Shiva, who is very quickly able to get at the deeper emotions troubling Cass and holding her back.

(Also, that one panel of Snake Style ThodThodThod's really made me smile. I love the idea of Shiva using stranger, more exotic martial arts than anyone else, especially in Gotham)

On my first read I wasn't really onboard with Shiva's words about not killing Cass, like there was something about them that didn't quite click, but after mulling them over for a while I feel like they can be read as Shiva intentionally picking at Cass' perfectionist nature and competitive spirit. It's less "I spared you and now you owe me" and more "You trying to be Batman makes you suck, here's why, now be better." But I might be reaching a bit there.

Still, it does work, which I really enjoy. I like Shiva being able to prod Cass into reaching deep within her, figuring out what's wrong and improving herself. And we get a lot of that in the next couple of pages, where Cass grapples with the Azmer while also grappling with her own nature. Cass' training with David is an extremely defining element of her character. It's her instincts, her mother tongue, her main method of expression, but it's also something that causes her a ton of inner turmoil, due to the intentions of that training.

Cass is presented in this story as someone inwardly ashamed by her nature, worried of the assassin skills that are weaved into her very nature and what that may say about her. Of course, this is something that Cass has been through before and has developed quite a bit, maybe even outgrown but with Batman dead and gone, it probably makes sense for her to lapse a bit back into self-loathing without that symbol to guide her and with her failure at trying to emulate it. Which I think is a very human thing to happen. Your worst traits are never really gone, and tend to slip back into you when you're at a low point.

Which is why I really like the last few panels of this story.

Although first, Shiva calling Talia an "associate" makes me giggle a bit. C'mon Shivs, don't be so tsun-tsun... anyway.

On the most basic level, we have Shiva offering Cass some solid advice that ties the whole story in a neat bow. But it takes on an even stronger quality when you remember this is Lady Shiva talking here. Shiva, who we know wants Cass to be more than just a Bat. Shiva, who understands the strength that comes from finding your own path and following it. Shiva, who maybe more than anyone knows exactly how strong Cass can be once she embraces all aspects of her own nature and finds harmony in herself.

From almost any other character, that last phrase would just be a nice little canned moral. From Shiva's lips, it carries the weight of decades of character work for both Cass and Shiva. It's a solid ending that's elevated by the history between its characters. It hits SO many of the notes I want to see, the things that I think make Shiva's relationship with Cass genuinely compelling. Shiva being able to "read" Cass through a fight, her wanting Cass to be herself more than anything else, and all of it unhindered by any kind of easy moral judgment from Cass or the story itself.

Shiva is not presented as a monstrous villainess who Cass must reject, but as her own character with her own story that happpens to cross with Cass' for a moment. And from Shiva, there's no berating Cass for being a hero or choosing not to kill. There is berating, sure, but it works because it speaks to something a lot more personal for both characters than generic notions of good or evil. It speaks about Cass' need to find and be herself and stick with it no matter what.

(Which this arc also touched upon a couple months ago in 'Tec #1082, which very elegantly made it clear that Cass had the heart of a hero before she even knew what a Batman was -- an incredibly powerful statement made in just two captions)

So this is a story that hits pretty much all the right notes for me. I wish it would hit them a bit longer, or in a few different ways that didn't involve Batman, but it's just a perfect example of most of the elements that I think make this relationship worth exploring. Even the fact that this makes it the sixth major appearance of Lady Shiva in a row that is ultimately dedicated to her relationship with Cass doesn't bother me because this is precisely how I want this relationship to be written. If they were all this good, I wouldn't even mind.

And on top of all that, this issue is also a good example of something I'm always thinking about: tempting as it is, you don't need to make every Shiva appearance be huge and bombastic and lead to some massive story arc. It can be something small but meaningful, a quick appearance with some very choice words, Shiva walking into an ongoing story to, in her own way, help others get through an inflection point.

If I had to say something I disliked about it, I do think it's a little blunt in its themes and execution. Paknadel has Shiva quite literally spell out the problem for Cass, which I guess is fine given how short the story is, but it does lose a bit of elegance because of it. Still, it was a great little treat and while I know Ram's 'Tec run is coming to its end, I do hope he'll find a place for one last bit of Shiva in it.

And I also hope he gets to write her for more than just one wordless balloon because Ram V's Lady Shiva is a dream book in my book.

[mysteryonearth52]

Absolute Power Task Force VII #5 (2024) by Alex Paknadel & Pete Woods

Cover: Taurin Clarke (variant)

[smashpages]

Alex Paknadel and Diógenes Neves’ X-Men Infinity Comic will arrive in print in January. X-Men: Xavier’s Secret bridges the Krakoa era and the From the Ashes era with a story that shows us why Jean Grey went into space, the full extent of Professor X’s crimes and more. The one-shot arrives Jan. 22 with a cover by Martin Coccolo.

Read more

[geekcavepodcast]

"Cult of the Lamb" Comic Hopes for a Cult Following

Oni Press and Devolver Digital have partnered on a comic book series inspired by the video game Cult of the Lamb. Writer Alex Paknadel and artist Troy Little's adaptation will expand on the game's story.

"In a land pervaded by cruelty and evil, the most innocent among us—young Lamb, the last of their kind—was selected to become a final dark sacrifice. Their death would forever seal the darkest of the Old Gods from our realm and usher in a new age ruled by the four eldritch Bishops of the Old Faith. So Lamb died . . . then forged a deal of their own. At the crossroads of eternity, Lamb was met by the imprisoned deity known as the One Who Waits, who revealed the lies and distortions of the false prophets who rule the world above. And so, Lamb was bequeathed the power and responsibilities of the Red Crown and returned to the land of living with unholy powers to exact vengeance and deliver a new cult unto the earth." (Oni Press)

Cult of the Lamb #1 goes on sale on June 5, 2024. The issue sports covers from Carles Dalmau, Troy Little, Tony Fleecs, Juni Ba, Abigail Starling, and Stan Sakai and Julie Sakai.

(Image via Oni Press - Carles Dalmau's Cover of Cult of the Lamb #1)

[nfcomics]

DETECTIVE COMICS no.1084 • cover art • Sebastian Fiumara [Apr 2024]

The city glitters on the horizon. His city. His responsibility to defend and protect. But home has changed. Corrupted by the power of the Orghams' hypnotic suggestions. Mutated into something he does not recognize. This isn't the city Batman remembers. But the city doesn't remember Batman, either.

(W) Ram V, Alex Paknadel (A) Javier Fernandez (CA) Sebastian Fiumara

Comic • $5.99 US

[panzerdrako]

Cult of the Lamb

N°1

[rei-ismyname]

X-Men FROM THE ASHES Infinity Comic #19

Very mild spoilers

It's part 1/X so we really only get into the character (Lifeguard) and their post-Krakoa situation (plus the excellent environmental storytelling and lore drops), but it's remarkable how well the Australian working class voice - specifically Gold Coast (ugh) is done. Cars drive on the left! I am not used to seeing this in US media.

I've had nothing but good things to say about infinity comics, in fact it's been my favourite 'run' this era. Alex Paknadel gets a lot of work done with so little space and I'm glad they're helming Sentinels, even if I'm dreading fucking Onslaught. Still, they already proved they can do something special with Omega Red in Infinity #6-8, so I'm aboard! It's also a new storytelling space which is really all I want. Larry Trask, monsters, mutant sentinels caught up in advanced capitalist military/prison industrial complex hell. Of course, we know it takes place at Graymalkin which is being raided soon, too. As long as they're allowed to cook it'll be good IMO

[theaudientvoid]

[evilhorse]

And look at me now.

(Detective Comics #1086)

[ufonaut]

But he didn't get mad. He just gave me this look... either sad for me or for himself, I couldn't tell. "Barry," he said, "I hope this is something you'll never have to understand, but trust me on this... love is the opposite of choice."

Highlights of Hal Jordan in Knight Terrors: The Flash (2023) #2

(Alex Paknadel, Daniel Bayliss)

[graphicpolicy]

Behold the madness that awaits in Summer of Symbiotes

Behold the madness that awaits in Summer of Symbiotes #comics #comicbooks #venom #carnage #milesmorales

Starting in May, the symbiote characters you know and love as well as exciting new symbiote stars will have their day in the sun! Dubbed the “Summer of Symbiotes,” this celebration of Venom’s 35th anniversary will include a host of ongoing series, limited series, and crossovers spotlighting Venom, Carnage, Red Goblin, and many more! Today, fans can vibe to the chaotic energy of this symbiote…

[mysteryonearth52]

Absolute Power Task Force VII #5 (2024) by Alex Paknadel & Pete Woods

Cover: Pete Woods

[smashpages]

Out this week: Cult of the Lamb #1 (Oni Press, $4.99): 

Alex Paknadel and Troy Little bring the popular roguelike/social simulation game that lets you run your own cult to the comics page. They tell the story of young Lamb, the final sacrifice to the dark gods who gets a second chance at vengeance.

See what other comics and graphic novels will arrive in comic shops this week.

[geekcavepodcast]

"X-Men: Xavier's Secret" One-Shot Collects 6 Issues of "X-Men: From the Ashes" Infinity Comic

Marvel Comics has announced a print release of the first six issues of Alex Paknadel and Diógenes Neves' X-Men: From the Ashes Infinity Comic. The issues will be collected into a one-shot titled X-Men: Xavier's Secret #1.

"In the wake of the fall of Krakoa, the X-Men are forever changed. As Jean Grey prepares to take her place among the stars, she and Cyclops share a last night together, only to discover a hidden mystery that threatens to pull them apart.

Meanwhile, what was supposed to be a mundane article about Charles Xavier’s monstrous acts during the war turns into something far stranger for journalist Sally Floyd. Can the X-Men survive the shadows lurking in their pasts, or will their new era begin in tragedy?" (Marvel Comics)

X-Men: Xavier's Secret #1, featuring a cover by Martín Cóccolo, goes on sale on January 22, 2024.

(Image via Marvel Comics - Martín Cóccolo's Cover of X-Men: Xavier's Secret #1)