My Monthly Anticipation | May 2023

Posted on by Lashaan Balasingam @ Roars and Echoes

Hello everyone,

Who doesn’t love the anticipation of new releases and things that they plan on doing? Every month there seems to be something new and exciting ready to hit the market for our consumption.

Being ready to embrace them with open arms is all we can really do.

To showcase this, I’ll be sharing my top 3 (or up to 3) for each category of things that I look forward to this month right here, right now!

BOOK RELEASES.

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence.
Publication date: May 11th, 2023.
A boy has lived his whole life trapped within a vast library, older than empires and larger than cities.
A girl has spent hers in a tiny settlement out on the Dust where nightmares stalk and no one goes.
The world has never even noticed them. That’s about to change.
Their stories spiral around each other, across worlds and time. This is a tale of truth and lies and hearts, and the blurring of one into another. A journey on which knowledge erodes certainty, and on which, though the pen may be mightier than the sword, blood will be spilled and cities burned.

My thoughts: It has been a while since I have picked up a Mark Lawrence story, mostly because he was working through a YA trilogy not too long ago, but this new book sounds pretty good to me to want to get back to his dark stuff! 😀

The Endless Vessel by Charles Soule.
Publication date: May 23rd, 2023.
Combining the wonder of The Midnight Library , the inventiveness of Ready Player One, and the artistry of Cloud Atlas, this novel by the bestselling author of The Oracle Year and Anyone explores the way we’re all connected—and what can happen when we lose our capacity for joy.
A few years from now, in a world similar to ours, there exists a sort of “depression plague” that people refer to simply as “The Grey.” No one can predict whom it will afflict, or how, but once infected, there’s no coming back.
A young Hong Kong based scientist, Lily Barnes, is trying to maintain her inner light in an increasingly dark world. The human race is dwindling, and people fighting to push forward are increasingly rare. One day, Lily comes across something that seems to be addressing her directly, calling to her, asking her to follow a path to whatever lies at its end. Is this the Endless Vessel to happiness? She leaves her life behind and sets out through time and space to find out.
From its opening heart-stopping scene in the present day at the Louvre in Paris, through the earthly meetings between Lily and her loved ones past and present, to a shocking and satisfying conclusion in a truly enchanted forest, Charles Soule has channeled history, science and drama to create a story for the ages—a story of hope and love and possibility. This is a novel you will not soon forget.

My thoughts: Oh my, Charles Soules really going out all out for a story bigger than anything he’s written before! He’s got my curiosity now. 🙂

Witch King by Martha Wells.
Publication date: May 30th, 2023.
After being murdered, his consciousness dormant and unaware of the passing of time while confined in an elaborate water trap, Kai wakes to find a lesser mage attempting to harness Kai’s magic to his own advantage. That was never going to go well.
But why was Kai imprisoned in the first place? What has changed in the world since his assassination? And why does the Rising World Coalition appear to be growing in influence?
Kai will need to pull his allies close and draw on all his pain magic if he is to answer even the least of these questions.
He’s not going to like the answers.

My thoughts: I mean, if her time in the fantasy genre is as good as all of her Murderbot stories, I can’t wait for this new series! 😀

COMIC BOOK RELEASES.

Issue #1 will be released by DC Comics on May 2nd, 2023.
The World’s Finest creators present the World’s Mightiest Mortal in a dazzling solo series! Dinosaurs from space! The Clubhouse of Eternity! Homicidal worms and talking tigers! Atomic robots, alien worlds, mad scientists, sinister curses, and villains from throughout the DC Universe—welcome to the wild adventures of Billy Batson, whose big red alter ego defends the Earth from its weirdest and wildest threats! Want to stop Lex Luthor and The Joker? Call Superman and Batman! International crises? Page Wonder Woman! But when Garguax, Emperor of the Moon, sets his sights on Gorilla City, that’s when you shout “Shazam!” The fan-favorite team of Mark Waid and Dan Mora (Batman/Superman: World’s Finest) brings the magic!

My thoughts: Mark Waid and Dan Mora working together on this really got me intrigued! I wouldn’t quickly pick up a SHAZAM! story just like that but this duo makes this totally worth looking into.

Issue #1 will be released by DC Comics on May 9th, 2023.
Youth in revolt!
Spinning out of the runaway hit Batman: Beyond the White Knight comes an unforgettable coming-of-age super villain tale starring the children of Harley Quinn and The Joker!
When the rebellious twins run away in a stolen Batmobile, only Joker Jack Napier’s quickly fading hologram has any hope of getting them home safely and keeping them out of the family business. But a life of crime isn’t the only temptation young Bryce and Jackie are facing: the kids uncover a dark secret that could bring their dad back to life for good! With a wild array of Batman’s former enemies and allies on their tails, will the kids succeed in reviving the Dark Knight’s greatest foe? Find out as Jackie and Bryce take center stage in the White Knight Universe!
Sean Murphy reunites with co-writers Katana Collins (Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn) and Clay McCormack (Batman: White Knight Presents: Red Hood) to bring fans the latest chapter of the White Knight story with the help of rising-star artist Mirka Andolfo (Sweet Paprika, Superman vs. Lobo).

My thoughts: Hey, yo, more stories in the Murphyverse? I could never say no! 😀

Issue #1 will be released by DC Comics on May 16th, 2023.
Coming off the spectacular success of Batman – One Bad Day: The Riddler, the Eisner Award-winning team of Tom King and Mitch Gerads reunite for a horrifying four-part retelling of the first bloody clash between The Joker and the Batman. A tale of loathing, lies, and laughter, this may be the most frightening Joker story in a generation.
Superstar artist Dan Mora (Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, Detective Comics) makes his writing debut kicking off a new series of Batman Black & White short stories. In a Gotham City overrun by the cybernetic henchmen of The Joker, the only person who can save us is the mysterious motorcycle-riding, bat-costumed hero of urban legend…
The Justice League may be gone, but its enemies aren’t. Who’ll protect the world from the worst of the worst? Ed Brisson (Batman Incorporated) and Jeff Spokes (Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special) pick up the story started in the Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special as Director Bones and his new covert StormWatch team travel the globe on black-ops missions to take super-powered weapons of mass destruction off the board. But this is StormWatch, and as always, not all is as it seems. “Down with the Kings” starts here!
In “The Order of the Black Lamp—Part I,” from writer Christopher Cantwell (Co-creator, Halt and Catch Fire, Briar, Marvel’s Iron Man) and artist Javier Rodríguez (Marvel’s Daredevil, The Defenders), Superman finds a decoder ring with a secret message—“Save Me”—which sends him on a quest to solve a mystery with ties to the Man of Steel’s past.

My thoughts: This project sounds super cool, on top of the retellings, it has some really great writers and artists for these stories. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for these.

Issue #1 will be released by Marvel Comics on May 17th, 2023.
ASSEMBLE! JED MACKAY AND STORMBREAKER C.F. VILLA TAKE THE REINS OF EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES! The Star. The Icon. The Witch. The Construct. The God. The Engineer. The King. The world is ever in peril, and a new team of Avengers mobilizes to meet any dangers that dare threaten the planet. But when TERMINUS attacks, a new and insidious danger rears its head: one that the Avengers know all too well, and one that comes to them in the most dangerous of guises—that of a friend.

My thoughts: It’s time for a new Avengers run! Let’s see if Jed Mackay has it in him for this one! 😀

TV SHOW RELEASES.

Premieres on May 4th, 2023.

My thoughts: I didn’t try season 1 but this second season looks quite decent from the small snippets of each episode we get here. I’ll keep it on my radar for the time being.

Premieres on May 14th, 2023.

My thoughts: It’s finally time for the final season! I honestly don’t know how this spin-off lasted so long but here we are. I’m not even up to date but I’m glad that they’re finally wrapping things up here.

MOVIE RELEASES.

Premieres on May 19th, 2023.

My thoughts: I’m not excited at all for this. I wanted to mention it because 1) as a huge basket-ball fan and 2) as a huge fan of the original White Men Can’t Jump with Woody and Wesley, it is so disappointing to see them try and reboot this.

Premieres on May 5th, 2023.

My thoughts: The latest MCU movie is the grand finale James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. I can’t wait to see how things go here and what it’ll lead up to next.

Premieres on May 19th, 2023.

My thoughts: Like every other Fast and Furious movies that came out, I’m just tagging along in this all-about-the-family adventure with the latest installment. 😉

VIDEO GAME RELEASES.

Out on May 2nd, 2023.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed Arkane’s last game, Deathloop, and will definitely give this one a shot.

Out on May 16th, 2023.

My thoughts: This really looks pretty good but I’m more likely to wait to wait and see how fans will react to it upon release.

Out on May 25th, 2023.

My thoughts: I won’t lie, when they first announced this, it looked awful. They went through multiple delays and it is a significant improvement on what they first showed us but I can’t see this sell well…

PERSONAL LIFE.

With the June and July trips incoming, I realize how crucial May is going to be in indulging my usual routine and trying to prepare myself for summer adventures. So far into the year, things have gone pretty smoothly and I look forward to maintaining that ever-desired equilibrium in all the things I do in my life. For the time being, I don’t have any major events to look forward to in May and I’m quite glad that it’s like that, kicking it off calmly and allowing me to look forward to what’s to come.

Thank you all for checking out my monthly anticipation post!

Now tell me what you’re looking forward to this month! Any new releases? Anything exciting you plan on doing?

Yours truly,

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Published by Lashaan Balasingam @ Roars and Echoes

Reader. Reviewer. Researcher. Criminology Ph.D. Candidate. Montreal, Quebec (Canada). Want to know more? Connect with him!

39 thoughts on “My Monthly Anticipation | May 2023”

  1. GG3 and Antman 3 are the only mcu movies I am looking forward to and plan on watching. After that, I’m done, for good.

    Enjoy your quiet time and make the most of it indeed 😀

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  4. Thanks for the reminder about Fear The Walking Dead, I’m sure I’m a season behind on that already so will possibly try to catch up before this final season.
    Guardians of the Galaxy is a lot of fun so looking forward to another instalment of that too.
    Have a great month 😀

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  8. Lashaan, I’m excited for both Guardians Vol. 3 and Fast X. Big fan of both of those film franchises and eager to see what comes next in both. I also have taken note of those Mark Lawrence and Charles Soule novels coming out, The synopsis for both of them have me considering giving one or both a read. Enjoy May, Lashaan!

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  9. There are so many good books in May! Mark Lawrence’s book is high on my list. For video games in May, the game I am most looking forward to along with everyone and their mother I’m sure is Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom!

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      1. I appreciate the way you worded that. I had not looked at it from that angle before. A lot of science did go into conceiving that edition of her dystopian novel. 🙂 Thank you so much! I will definitely be happy reading and watching.

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  12. I tried one of Mark Lawrence’s early works, but the protagonist was horrible so I haven’t gone near him since. But this one looks really intriguing:)). And Martha Wells has a new series!!! Yay:))). Glad everything is reasonably calm with you – I’m wishing fervently for a more boring life when normality resumes and I’m just keeping things ticking over. So glad you’re there right now, Lashaan. May normality continue for as long as you wish:)

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    1. Ohhh, you must be talking about Prince of Thorns! It’s on my TBR and I’m actually quite curious about that protagonist and how horrible he is hahaha My intro to his books was actually Red Sister and that trilogy, which I’d still highly recommend to anyone! I can’t wait for Martha Wells new book but I must say I’m more excited for her upcoming new installment in the Murderbot series. 😀 I hope you have a fantastic and calm month of May, Sarah! Take care! 😀

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  13. Vision is leaving me puzzled to be honest because of the mixed genre of art! I can’t decide which it is Lashaan. very odd!

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  14. I am on the fence about both the new Mark Lawrence and Martha Wells book. I was so-so on the last Lawrence trilogy, but I love Murderbot so much that I’ve been wary of trying her fantasies. But, I’ll likely read them anyway. 🙂

    Oh my, a remake of White Men Can’t Jump. The Batman new generation looks fun…

    Hope the rest of May treats you well, Lashaan!

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  16. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn intrigues me. I’ve yet to try the author. I’m absolutely onboard with Witch King, though I think I should maybe go back and try some of her older fantasy she’s written. I’ve collected most of it in ebook form, just haven’t tried it. And Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is one I’d try. Very glad to hear May has kicked off calmly for you. It’s been anything but for me, but that happens sometimes. I love that you have those trips to look forward to, very cool. Stay well, Lashaan!

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    1. Personally, his Book of the Ancestors trilogy (starting with Red Sister) remains my favourite so far. I haven’t made time to check out his older stuff, some he’s known way more for. I’ve been curious about her older fantasy stories too but never got around to trying them, always forgetting about them for other things. I saw GOTG Vol.3 on premiere night and had a blast with it! A wonderful swan song to the trilogy. Ah snap, I hope May gets calmer and better for you quickly, Todd. Take care, my good friend!

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  17. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn = I just got a copy and am looking forward to reading it, which I keep saying of everything but not reading fast enough, lol
    White Men Can’t Jump = Your thoughts on that are my thoughts exactly. Everything does not need a remake. Some great movies, I think, should be just one and done.
    Fast X = Lol! Same here on that. I don’t even know what the story is anymore. I just go for fast cars and lots of action on the big screen, and just continuing my participation in this fandom.

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    1. Hahaha I hope you enjoy The Book That Wouldn’t Born! I’ve only heard great things about it so far! 😀
      Oh man, I get so annoyed by remakes of classics that don’t need such a treatment today.
      I saw Fast X yesterday and I was hella disappointed by what we got hahahah Lots of explosions and nonsense, more than I ever before hahahah

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