OK, so, my wife finally cracked and asked me how much I spend on comics every week.  The ever-growing stack of unbagged books in the computer cabinet kinda sparked her curiosity.  I swallowed down a few bucks before breezily offering, “Oh, you know, like between $50 and $60.”  She asked me if I were being honest, her eyes falling on the stacks, which seemed to impossibly rise along with my blood pressure.  I swallowed down another dollar or ten and–got to work on this modest little list, which in no way–no way–will cost me more than $60.  See, baby!  Just like I told ya!

• Astro City #16 (DC/Vertigo): Nothing robotic about Busiek’s storytelling; the dude’s a master.  Heck, he needed only two issues to make me love a little old lady–one I’ll probably never see again!  Now for another new hero: Starbright.  I’m sure I’m not the only one singing a little Madonna right about now.
• Batgirl #35 (DC): I don’t normally get sucked into reboots–especially of books I don’t read or of characters I couldn’t care less about.  But Batgirl’s reboots are made for reading, and that’s just what I’ll do; and one of these days her reboots are gonna keep me around for more than an issue or two.  Yeah, that got a bit wonky; but point still made: this looks good.

• The October Faction #1 (IDW): Another horror show–and I mean that in the best way possible–from monster Steve Niles and madman Damien Worm.
• Copperhead #2 (Image): I liked Copperhead #1 a lot.  The story’s a familiar one, but Jay Faerber and Scott Godlewski have done a terrific job telling it–so far, anyway.  I’m not ready to call it my new favorite comic–as Brain K. Vaughan has so ebulliently blurbed–but I’m open to the possibility.  Sheriff Bronson’s one to watch.  I took to her as I did to President Blades from Letter 44.  (Note: My love for Blades clouded my better judgment for 5 or so issues.  As it turned, that was a letter better left unopened.  But you know what they say: better to have loved and lost $20 than to have never loved at all.)  So the bar’s been set.

• The Manhattan Projects #24 (Image): Beat these bookends: #23 opened with a crazy Kennedy and wrapped up with a tasty Cuban sandwich.
• Punks: The Comic #1 (Image): You down with JHF?  Yeah, you know mef.  That’s right: the mind behind The Bunker is an out of the closet punker!
• Wytches #1 (Image): Scott Snyder horrified us in a good way with Severed and in a not-so-good way with Batman and The Wake.  With Wytches, he’s supposedly returning to his horror roots, and I’m supposedly excited about it.  Wondering: how much of Severed‘s success can be attributed to Snyder’s collaboration with Scott Tuft?  I’m thinking we’ll find out here.

• Miracleman #12 (Marvel): No doubt: this will be the best comic in my bag.
• Annihilator #2 (Legendary): Liked most of #1.  It’s pretty much Morrison being Morrison, which is always refreshing, sometimes frustrating.  RE: the twist at the end: it ain’t unlike Happy!; in this case, however, it’s damn dour.  One thing for sure: the book’s beautiful.  Frazer Irving is a digital demigod!

• Black Market #4 (BOOM!): The first issue was pretty good.  Unfortunately, the succeeding second and third fell flat.  This one finishes it off–and probably ends for good my attempt at building a relationship with Frank Barbiere.  As it turns out, I should’ve listened to the familiar dissonance of the disappointing track record that Barbiere has himself pressed, including Five Ghosts and White Suits.
• Caliban #7 (Avatar): During #6, I was like “No, he di’int,” but then I was like “Of course he friggin’ did.”  Carry on, Garth.
• The Death-Defying Dr. Mirage #2 (Valiant): More like The Expectation-Defying Dr. Mirage.  I liked #1 a lot more than I thought I would.  Expectations reset.  Defy away Ms. Van Meter!
• Dry Spell #3 (Action Labs/Danger Zone): This book has no business being under anyone’s radar.  It’s that good, folks.  #1 was our favorite book of May; and #2 will be showcased in our Top 5 of August, you know, when we finally get around to it.  Major kudos to Ken Krekeler, who’s supin’ up something special with his story of the rebirth of The Black Baron.

• The Extinction Parade: War #4 (Avatar): The evolution of warfare continues as the vampires bring out the big guns.  From the very first issue of this second parade, Max Brooks has been kicking ass–well, heads, but, whatever–and, umm, chopping ass, and, umm, now will be shooting ass.  Better watch yours!
• Thomas Alsop #5 (BOOM!): Still enjoying this fantastic series from the boys at Trip City.  It’s got a spirit that just can’t be denied.

• War Stories #1 (Avatar): Garth Ennis is back where he belongs: telling war stories.  Yes, please!

• X-O Manowar #0 (Valiant): You know what they say: nothing’s for certain but death, taxes, and zero issues.  In terms of X-O, I see #0 and it makes me think of throwing on the brakes, especially following the high-octane Armor Hunters crossover.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott