There’s a new King in Black, the Hulk is back, someone is after Harley Quinn, and more major comic book moments from this last month.
Last month, we saw a bunch of important comic book moments that left a lasting impression – things that will affect individual universes in the near and far future.
Former Gotham Police Commissioner James Gordon was offered a job to find Joker and kill him, Nightwing inherited billions from Alfred Pennyworth (perfect timing since he was wondering about funding his missions) and, over on the Marvel end of things, Wilson Fisk had Daredevil poisoned.
This month didn’t disappoint in terms of exciting stories as there were a number of really memorable moments. With that in mind, here are the most important comic book moments of April 2021.
12. America Chavez goes back home
Comic book: America Chavez: Made In The USA No. 2 (of 5)
America Chavez’s powers were on the fritz in the first issue of this series as they randomly cut out at really inopportune times. Thankfully, she wasn’t hurt too bad when they failed her. In the second issue, however, we discover that this isn’t something biological. Someone is actually causing it to happen. America finds them, but is taken out. The last thing we see is the mysterious person saying, “Welcome back to the Utopian Parallel.”
Why is this important?
Whoever this was brought America back to her home dimension for a reason. There could be something really wrong with her home world. Was it invaded? Did their way of thinking change and she has to fix it? Are the people of the Utopian Parallel planning on forcing other universes to think the way they do? So many questions came from one comic book page. This series is going to be good.
11. Robin dies
Comic book: Robin No. 1
Damian Wayne has been going through a lot after seeing Alfred die. He may have talked to Alfred like he didn’t care, but he really loved him. Ever since then, Damian has been emotionally unavailable – even more so than normal. Now, he is looking for the League of Lazarus tournament. His mother, Talia al Ghul, and his father, Batman, have been keeping something from him and Damian wants to know what.
After getting there, Damian makes a bold declaration about how great he is (shocking). He cuts off the host (Mother Soul) and wants the tournament to start. Damian’s first opponent is Flatline – someone who’s learned to fight by absorbing their defeats and learning from them. In typical fashion, Damian gets arrogant. He thinks he’ll have an easy victory. That’s until Flatline rips his heart out of his chest.
Why is this important?
Damian Wayne isn’t dead. We know that. First, it’s his series. Second, he’s a member of the Bat-Family. None of them stay dead too long. For Damian, it was a rude awakening. He now knows that he isn’t the biggest dog in this yard. Seeing his heart is something he’ll never forget. How will he come back? Most likely a Lazarus Pit. Now, the other question is: Is he out of the tournament or was this just one of an X amount of losses each fighter is afforded?
10. Is someone after Harley?
Comic book: Batman No. 107
Harley Quinn has been calling herself Batman’s sidekick since she helped him in Joker War. She may not officially have that title, but she is a member of the Bat-Family. Harley has kept her aggressive and murderous impulses in check and continues to do what’s right. In Batman No. 107, she goes as far as making sure that a former Arkham Asylum patient gets help rather than being lost in the system. As she escapes (thanks to Ghostmaker), however, we see someone is tracking Harley. It appears that they aren’t an enemy either.
Why is this important?
Someone is always going to be after Harley Quinn. She’s rubbed a lot of people up the wrong way. For once though, someone looking for her could be a good thing. The woman who was looking for Harley told a mysterious person named Rex that Harley is back in Gotham. She then says that there’s still hope.
Could this be for something evil? Most likely. However, this writer chooses to look for something less obvious. The woman had a rose and two animals that looked like they were made of plants. Whoever this is may be looking for Harley to help Poison Ivy. Harley stated that she isn’t ready to make amends with Ivy yet (Harley Quinn No. 1), but she may have to confront her sooner than she wants to.
9. The Hulk is back!
Comic book: Immortal Hulk No. 45
The Devil Hulk was killed and Bruce Banner is trapped in Hell. On top of that, the child-like Hulk was puny barely strong enough to take a punch from Ben Grimm. Luckily for him, Joe Fixit is still around. He’s smart and crafty enough to keep them alive and out of trouble – at least for a little while.
The new head of Gamma Force, Henry Peter Gyrich sent the U-Foes to take out the Hulk. They succeeded… for a little while. Just when the U-Foes thought they had the Hulk beat, Joe turned their cosmic radiation to turn himself into a Hulk – a Red Hulk at that.
Why is this important?
Joe Fixit always finds a way to make things work. When he was a grey Hulk, he wasn’t as strong as the regular Hulk and he made up for it in street smarts. When Joe came back into the picture, he couldn’t transform. With him back to being a Hulk, the world should be scared.
Another thing to pay attention to is how another weakness of the Hulk was taken away. You can’t beat him physically, he can be out during the day, and now, cosmic rays don’t make him weaker either. The Hulk didn’t need to be stronger, but here we are. Let’s see if he stays green with red veins or if this is a phase.
8. New God of Lies
Comic book: Thor No. 14
Donald Black and Thor switched places in Thor No. 9. Normally, this is an easy transition. This time though, Blake went crazy while he was in his void. When he returned to Earth, he went after Asgard and anyone who was ever Thor. In the end, Blake was defeated with the combined might of Beta Ray Bill, Doctor Strange, and Thor.
Odin was going to kill Blake until Loki and Thor stepped in. Thor reminded Odin that it wasn’t his place to decide Blake’s fate. Odin isn’t king anymore; Thor is. Undecided on what to do, Thor asked Loki. Loki told his brother he would take care of it. Just don’t ask him what. Loki dubbed Donald Blake the new God of Lies.
Why is this important?
It may not be anytime soon, but Donald Blake will be back. He’s too powerful to remain locked in that prison forever, even with a serpent dripping venom in his eyes. Blake still seems to have the power of a god and he’s crafty. Give it a year and we’ll see Donald Blake trick his way out of being tortured.
If he doesn’t escape, Thor may need him. The Odinson isn’t against getting help from unsavory people. This could be Blake’s redemption or the beginning of another run as one of Thor’s enemies.
7. Batgirl’s days are numbered
Comic book: The Joker No. 2
In Batman: The Killing Joke, The Joker shot Barbara Gordon, resulting in a traumatic injury that left her paralyzed and in a wheelchair for years. Not being able to be Batgirl anymore was hard for Barbara. It was a part of her life that may have been the most important to her because she was saving lives and doing it her own way – even when Batman tried to tell her otherwise.
During Joker War, Barbara Gordon reprises her role as Oracle on a more permanent basis. We all assumed that this wasn’t going to last too long. In The Joker No. 2 we find out that her days in the field may be over for good. The implant in her spine can’t take much more.
Why is this important?
There’s a possibility that Barbara Gordon will end up retiring from crime-fighting once again. That is, if the implant doesn’t fail and she must return to being in a wheelchair. What happens next is up in the air. More than likely, she’ll go back to being Oracle on a regular basis.
Barbara Gordon went through hell after what The Joker did to her. Whatever happens next, we must remember that Barbara is tough. She would look at this as just another challenge to overcome.
6. Naomi and the Justice League
Comic book: Justice League No. 60
Black Adam approaches Naomi in the hopes of getting information on the man who invaded Kahndaq . Their conversation is interrupted by Superman. They both know that Naomi has a connection to the place Brutus came from. Instead of fighting, Superman brings them both to the Hall of Justice to see if there’s any way she can help them going forward.
She may not know who Brutus is, but she’s been to his home world. Flash creates a version of the Cosmic Treadmill to bring the Justice League over to Brutus’ world. Naomi closes her eyes as they slide there. When she opens them, the Justice League is nowhere to be found.
Why is this important?
This is Naomi’s first real mission in the big leagues. She may have fought off a powerful villain, but now she’s alone in their world with no way of getting back. On top of that, the Justice League is gone. Who knows what happened to them. They could be caught in between dimensions or still be on Earth Prime.
The most important part here is Naomi. We’re going to see what she can really do. She’s still new to DC Comics and being a superhero. This writer fully expects writer Brian Michael Bendis to make this Naomi’s coming out party.
5. The vampires want their own nation
Comic book: Wolverine No: 11, Avengers No. 45
For the last couple of years, the vampires in Marvel Comics have been making a play. Dracula came back, organized them, and recently helped Earth during the war with the King in Black. After helping save the day, Dracula made a request. He wants what the mutants of Krakoa have: To be recognized by the United Nations as a people. They got what they wanted with one caveat – Blade is the sheriff of Vampire Town.
But wait, there’s more! Omega Red is working for Dracula. He’s ordered to help capture Wolverine. They want to use his blood to make them daywalkers. Obviously, Wolverine wants nothing to do with this. No good that can come from his blood being experimented on.
Why is this important?
Unlike the mutants on Krakoa, the vampires aren’t going to settle with just being left alone. One of them said that having blood delivered to them takes the fun out of getting it. Dracula may want what’s best for his people, but what about everyone else?
Some of the more violent vampires are going to feel as if they’re fangs have been clipped. This could lead to an uprising against Dracula. Guaranteed, there’s a war with Vampires coming within the next few years. Will this end with Blade finally killing Dracula or will Blade be the one who dies?
4. Eddie Brock: King in Black
Comic book: King in Black No. 5 of 5
Knull arrived and put a giant symbiote cloak over the Earth which prevented any sunlight from getting through. The X-Men, Fantastic Four, and other heroes tried to defend Earth but were defeated by Knull and his forces. Some of Earth’s heroes like Wolverine, Storm, and Ben Grimm were all turned into minions of Knull. Thankfully, Eddie Brock came back to life and saved the day.
Eddie Brock was brought back by the Enigma Force. With it, he combined the Power Cosmic and Thor’s Hammer Mjolnir into a weapon. Brock easily defeated Knull and put things back to normal. With Knull dead, a new King in Black was needed. That king is Eddie Brock.
Why is this important?
Eddie Brock is in a position that he’s never been in before. He’s not just Venom. He has beings to look over. He’s a god of sorts now. With that comes new responsibilities – and not just to the Klyntar. Eddie has stepped into a new food chain. He’ll be tested by things he never knew existed.
Beings with the power of gods and actual gods will be coming after him. They’re going to want what he has. We’ll get to see what Eddie Brock is really made of. And, if we’re being honest, he’s easily the best Venom ever. This is a role he’s been destined to play.
3. Dr. Doom enters the space race
Comic book: Guardians of the Galaxy No. 13
With the Kree and Skrulls working together under Hulkling (check out Empyre for that story), there’s a new age for the universe. An age that involves the Guardians of the Galaxy. The group of intergalactic travelers have agreed to work with Hulkling and his council, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
In this issue, we see the Guardians working on two fronts. One team is protecting a planet from giant scientists who are destroying it and changing the beings on it, the other is dealing with a group of fanatics called the Forgotten Flame. Before group one could help their other team, they’re attacked by Doctor Doom. Not only are they defeated, Doom takes Hulking’s sword.
Why is this important?
Doctor Doom is always looking for ways to gain power. Getting Hulking’s sword (Excelsior) is a game-changer. It has big-time cosmic power – something that Doctor Doom doesn’t need, but constantly craves. If he can hold on to it, he could take over the world and more.
This is going to affect everyone in space. This may only start in the pages of Guardians of the Galaxy, but don’t be shocked when it leads into S.W.O.R.D. The mutants of Krakoa are already getting involved in political dealings in space – something that will be discussed below.
2. Murder in the defense of Krakoa
Comic book: S.W.O.R.D. No. 5
Krakoa’s way of thinking and existing continues to evolve as time goes on. One of the first things that was created were the three laws. They were to respect this sacred land (Krakoa), make more mutants, and murder no man. The “Murder no man” law is specifically geared towards humans. Since mutants have defeated death, they’re not allowed to kill humans since they can’t be resurrected.
In S.W.O.R.D. issue No. 5, a backdoor deal was made. Amelia Vought of Krakoa and Khora of the Burning heart from Arakko killed one of the Zn’rx. The question now is if the “Murder no man” law applies to other species.
Why is this important?
What Krakoa is doing is a slippery slope. It’s nothing that other nations of the world aren’t doing. The difference is that Krakoa is supposed to be above these things, setting the example for the right way to do things.
Later, Magento and Abigail Brand discussed if what they did has broken their law. Brand justified it by saying they saved tons of lives. However, what happens when an alien race or the humans come for Krakoa the same way? What happens when someone pays to have Xavier taken out because of how he leads? Xavier’s been killed once. It could happen again.
1. Legion is back
Comic book: Way of X No. 1
The kids in Krakoa have been seeing something called the Patchwork Man. Before that, Xavier was having visions of this Patchwork man. In the dream, he was calling Xavier a betrayer. Whoever was in his mind, Xavier couldn’t track them. As a result, he contacts Nightcrawler to find out who it is. He then has an idea who it is. If he’s right, it’s not someone that anyone can apprehend or even approach. Xavier wants him to go because Nightcrawler understands people in a way can’t.
Later, Nightcrawler has a dream of the Patchwork man. Soon after, he leaves Krakoa to visit Blindfold’s grave. While there, Nightcrawler is attacked in a weird way. His body starts to disintegrate. On the last page, we see who’s behind this. It’s Xavier’s son Legion – one of the most dangerous beings in any comic.
Why is this important?
There are a lot of scary characters in comic books. Legion is one of the top five. It’s not just his power (even though it rivals almost anyone’s). Legion isn’t always aware of what he’s doing. Sometimes he’s looking to help. When he’s helping, sometimes it ends up hurting the people he’s trying to save.
Legion also discovered that Krakoa isn’t bringing back mutants that can see the future – a rule the Moira, Xavier, and Magento haven’t told anyone (Powers of X 6 of 6). If Legion lets the cat out the bag, Mystique is going to burn Krakoa down like Destiny asked. Or, maybe Nightcrawler and Legion are on their way to creating something brave and bold for the mutants of Krakoa.
What do you think? Were there other April comic book moments that should have been mentioned on this list? Let us know in the comments below!