Welcome back True Believers! You know coffee and comics are two of our favorite things—and they go together so well! Thus, each week in this space we offer the top five comics we are enjoying with a cup of our coffee. We also love our community and want to know what you are reading and what Coffee 'n' Capes coffee you are drinking. Share your reading and drinking choices with us at supers@coffeencapes.com.
And. here. we. go:
FEATURED COFFEE:
This week's featured coffee is Merv Pumpkin Spice. Fall is here, that time when our dreaming is full of leaves on the ground, a chill to the air, and pumpkin spice coffee. Merv Pumpkin Spice is the perfect blend of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg to bring your morning, or afternoon, cup of coffee that touch of fall we love.
This limited time only roast is best enjoyed on crisp fall mornings, day dreaming while sipping and reading your favorite comic books, or walking through the park. Merv Pumpkin Spice—a hauntingly good medium roast. You might even say it’s dreamy.
On to the comics!
5. Marvel Voices: Indigenous Voices #1 (2020)
As I’m sure you know, today, October 10th, is Indigenous People’s Day. As a tiny way to honor the people who were on the land that would eventually be called North America for over 20,000 years before Columbus ever set sail, today’s top 5 comics are all books that center Indigenous characters. As we often say here at Coffee 'n' Capes, geek culture, at its best, reminds us that everyone belongs. There is a place for everyone here. Sadly, that has too often not been the case for Indigenous characters or creators. So as much as possible this week’s books are also by Indigenous creators, starting with Marvel Voices: Indigenous Voices #1. (That “#1” can be a bit of a misnomer as this is a one-shot rather than the beginning of a series, unfortunately.)
This anthology includes stories from a variety of Native writers and artists: Jeffrey Veregge (Coastal Salish), Weshoyat Alvitere (Tongva), Rebecca Roanhorse (Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) and Darcie Little Badger (Lipan Apache). Enjoy tales staring heroes Echo, Dani Moonstar, Silver Fox, and Trigo. As we might expect, these tales are tinged with an earned sadness. Here's hoping that won't always have to be the case.
4. Red Wolf #1 (2015)
Written by Nathan Edmondson with art from Dalibor Talajic, Jose Marzan, Jr., and Miroslav Mrva. Jeffery Veregge served as consultant and cover artist. (Seriously, look at that gorgeous cover!) Red Wolf is Cheyenne who finds adventure caring for his people, with some timely help from his mother. This story is set in the 19th century but it doesn’t stay there! Red Wolf acts justly in trying to find a hidden killer, but that might not be enough. This book doesn’t shy away from depicting the insidious racism of the White settlers in Red Wolf’s territory. And just who is this strange snake-handler… Pick up Red Wolf and find out!
3. Spirit of Vengeance: Spirit Rider One Shot and
2. Ghost Rider: Kushala #1 (2021)
Written by Taboo (from Black Eyed Peas!) and B. Earl, with art from Paul Davidson, and Jeffery Veregge. Who is Kushala? Through narration, she tells us she was called Little Bear by her mother, Dr. Strange calls her Sorcerer Supreme, and she has been known as the Demon Rider. Read this tale to see how she saves Johnny Blaze, faces multiple demons, and emerges as the Spirit Rider.
Kushala’s story spans generations and it continues in Ghost Rider: Kushala, also written by Taboo and B. Earl, this time with art from Guillermo Sanna. Want to know more about who Kushala is? This is the book for you.
1. Moonshot: The Indigenous Comics Collection, Vol. 1 (2020)
The number one comic to enjoy with some coffee on this Indigenous Peoples Day has to be Moonshot. Moonshot is an anthology published by an Inuit-owned company, Avani, an imprint of Inhabit Education Books, Inc. The striking and stunning images grab you with the cover (again, just look at that amazing cover!) and don’t let go, ever. The first story features the now-familiar Echo, Maya Lopez, the Indigenous and Latina superhero from Marvel who can mimic any movement she sees. A dozen stories follow, each with its own author and artist, including Buffy Sainte-Marie, Jeffery Veregge, Fred Pashe, Elizabeth LsPensee, Arigon Starr, Todd Houseman, Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley, Nicholas Burns, Haiwei Hou, Micah Farritor, and more. The Indigenous characters in Moonshot are complex and well-rounded— a far cry from the stereotypes so often encountered in comics and on screen.
Hope you enjoy these great comics--and maybe even discover some inspiring new characters along the way!