Monthly Archives: January 2015

What’s I&N Store (1/28)

27 Tuesday Jan 2015

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Snow snow snow, snow snow snow snow snow.  Snow?  Snow!  Snow snow snow snow.  Snow snow snow snow; snow snow snow snow, snow snow snow snow.

  • Colder: The Bad Seed #4 (Dark Horse): I don’t want to go pointing fingers, but…
  • Mind MGMT #30 (Dark Horse): I&N Demand Admission: I’m an Eraserhead.  Looks like this Eraser-focused offering will leave my shoulders speckled with rubbery residue.
Mind MGMT #30

Mind MGMT #30

  • Bodies #7 (DC/Vertigo): An autopsy has revealed that there’s life yet in Bodies.  Oops.  Nothing more awkward than a premature postmortem.  Sorry, Mr. Spencer et al.   Didn’t mean to doubt.  I’m believing again–and just in time, too.
  • Alex + Ada #12 (Image): So beautifully human.  Sure, the dialogue reads like it’s right out of an episode of Girlmore Girls–you know, that bizarre, hypnotic monotone that’s so damn maddening.  Thing is, it’s not off-putting here; it’s actually strangely affecting.  But most of all, I love the subtle shifts in the art from one panel to the next.  Speaks so loudly without a single word.
  • Bitch Planet #2 (Image): Ouch!  Kelly Sue DeConnick went and bitch slapped me and my low expectations for her women in prison send up.  I’m man enough to admit: in #1, she exploits exploitation expertly, reminiscent of Tarantino at times–which is a pretty deadly compliment.  Here’s another: throughout, I heard–more so, I saw with a hawk’s eye, if only in fractions, her hubby’s voice.  Heck, yeah, I’m gonna grab #2.  Doesn’t mean I’m in for life.  We’ll call it probation–with higher expectations this time around.
  • The Dying & the Dead #1 (Image): Just I&N Jonathan Hickman’s Image work has been pretty great–particularly East of West, which has been nothing short of great of late.  No reason to expect anything less here.
The Dying & The Dead #1

The Dying & The Dead #1

  • Rasputin #4 (Image): I was mostly on board through two.  #3, however, felt a little light on substance.  I’ll thumb through this one and hope for heavier.  Wouldn’t be the worst thing if I decided to drop it, if I’m being honest.
  • They’re Not Like Us #2 (Image) I&N Demand OK, so, we’ve heard this one before, right?  Of course we have.  And we’ll keep hearing it, too–but maybe not quite like this.  See: all those other X-wannabes are not like They’re Not Like Us.  Ha!  I worked it out!  Anyway…  Sure, the book read well enough: the writing’s solid; the art works.  But I wasn’t completely sold until the end note.  Yeah, that’s a damn fine way to end a familiar tune.  Hoping that Stephenson and Gane keep separating themselves from the others with a strong sophomore effort.
They're Not Like Us #2

They’re Not Like Us #2

  • Zero #14 (Image): I&N Demand One of our favorite books of 2014.  (Just how favorite?  You’ll have to wait to find out.)  After a big time low point, Kot’s found his voice–which, at times, has been splendidly silent, allowing the artiste du mois to do the real talking.  Very much looking forward to what Kot’s got in store for us to kick off 2015.
Zero #14

Zero #14

  • Thor #4 (Marvel): Despite its heavy handedness–not related to Mjolnir, mind you–#1 was a promising start.  Since then, however, the book’s reminded of Superior Spider-Man–everything I hated about Superior Spider-Man.  I should probably pass.
  • Uncanny X-Men #30 (Marvel): Uncanny‘s been a ton better than All-New of late.  And that’s all I have to say about that.
  • The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood #4 (Dynamite): Everyone loves a good ethical dilemma.  No one does ’em better in comics than J. Michael Straczynski (The Twilight Zone).  He’s not writing this.  But it’s not bad.  Credit Christina Blanch and Chris Carr for the fact that TDoCW is engaging on that “What would you do in the same situation?” kind of level.  (For the record: I’d do whatever it takes to take care of my daughters; so I feel for Charlie–and am rooting for him.)  I think my interest is amplified by the fact that good ol’ Charlie Wormwood’s an English teacher, who most assuredly has learned a lesson or two about ethical dilemmas through the novels and stories he’s read and taught through the years.  He probably never thought he’d be the one sitting across the table from the devil…
  • Evil Empire #10 (BOOM!): I&N Demand I really like what Max Bemis has been doing in his crazy country worth of comicbook.  Evil Empire is smart, aware, fearless, and, above all, entertaining as &%$@.  Happy to see Victor Santos–owner of a very distinct style–on visuals.  And, as always, Jay Shaw on cover duty:
Evil Empire #10

Evil Empire #10

  • Quantum and Woody Must Die #1 (Valiant): Yeah, I love Quantum and Woody and what Asmus has done with them, but I’m leaning toward leaving this on the shelf.  I just don’t like the games Valiant’s playing with the all-of-a-sudden minis and one-shots.  Just give me a damn series to follow!  For example:
  • X-O Manowar #32 (Valiant): I can’t believe I’m thirty-two issues in!  Credit to Robert Venditti.  He’s so good at X’s and O’s that he could probably coach a basketball team.  Hell, he could take over the Knicks right now.  Couldn’t do any worse than Derek Fisher.  Right?

Avery’s Pick of the Week

  • My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #27 (IDW): My daughter loves her ponies–and not just in comics, either.  We’re an MLP blind bag family, thanks mostly to DCTC (Disney Cars Toy Club)–otherwise known as YouTube Crack for Kids.  We opened two blind bags tonight.  Got a new one–Lucky Swirl, who looks a lot like Twilight Sparkle–and a “same duplicate,” as my daughter calls it.  Yup: another Neon Lights.  Yay.
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #27

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #27

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s I&N Store (1/21)

21 Wednesday Jan 2015

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Lots of exciting stuff coming out this week, including two Titan-ic follow-ups to two sharp–and unmistakingly Moore-ish–first issues; a finale that finally flies our way after what feels like forever; and one of my favorite TV shows brought back to life–as a comic!

  • BPRD: Hell on Earth #127 (Dark Horse): I’m a believer!  Better late than never, no?
  • Dark Horse Presents #6 (Dark Horse): A prologue of Kindt’s PastAways keeps me on DHP for at least one more month.
  • Batman and Robin #38 (DC): New pull list will be New 52 free as of this week.  Dropping this…
  • Wonder Woman #38 (DC) ..and this.
  • Millennium #1 (IDW) Just I&N Three seasons just wasn’t enough!  Now that Frank Black’s back–after sixteen years!–I can focus all of my wish energies toward a comic book continuation of My So-Called Life.  Not kidding.
Millennium #1

Millennium #1

  • The October Faction #4 (IDW): Has been generally underwhelming.  Too far in to quit now.
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #42 (IDW): If Old Hob’s goofy mutant crew couldn’t turn me off–guess I’m in for the long haul!
  • Wild Blue Yonder #6 (IDW) I&N Demand Check out our exclusive advance review here.
Wild Blue Yonder #6

Wild Blue Yonder #6

  • Autumnlands: Tooth and Claw #3 (Image): Busiek’s building something pretty powerful over here–so powerful it needed a longer title to express just how powerful it is!  Worth jumping on–or, better, catching up with–if you haven’t done so already.
  • The Wicked & The Divine #7 (Image) I&N Demand Gillen and McKelvie are delivering the gods.  One of my favorite books.
The Wicked & The Divine #7

The Wicked & The Divine #7

  • All-New X-Men #35 (Marvel): I’m preparing for ultimate disappointment.
  • Loki: Agent of Asgard #10 (Marvel): Leaning toward not picking it up.  All of the crossover crap has killed it for me.  Inevitable, I suppose.
  • Magneto #14 (Marvel): Hasn’t suffered as much as Loki has from the crossover crap, but has suffered nevertheless.  Isn’t hitting the same high notes that were hit early on.
  • Moon Knight #11 (Marvel) I&N Demand So, so good.
Moon Knight #11

Moon Knight #11

  • Burning Fields #1 (BOOM!): I haven’t loved what I’ve read from Michael Moreci.  I’m going to give him another go, though.  I mean, I didn’t quit on Williamson; and that’s paid off with Birthright.  Even better–and more unlikely–evidence: I kept trying Remender–despite hating everything with his name on it and knowing full well I’d hate the next thing with his name on it–and got lucky with Low.  So maybe, just maybe, this’ll work out.
  • Cap Stone #2 (Titan) I&N Demand I liked #1 a lot.  Hit similar notes to Krekeler’s Dry Spell, which we loved.  In that, hearing whispers of Moore.
Cap Stone #2

Cap Stone #2

  • Crossed +100 #2 (Avatar): Speaking of Moore.  Yes, please.
  • Epocholypse #3 (Legendary): Has the potential to be really great–or to collapse under its own weight.  Guess I’m investing in the former.  We’ll see.
  • Mono #2 (Titan) I&N Demand Liked this one a lot, too.  Love the meta effect, which will, without a doubt, keep me a regular reader.  This is one Mono that you should do your best to catch.
Mono #2

Mono #2

  • The Twilight Zone: Shadow & Substance #1 (Dynamite): All signs point to passing, what with J.M.S.’s superior run just about over.  Something–a voice…coming from…my water bottle?–is telling me I should give it a try.  Freaky!
  • The Valiant #2 (Valiant): Not willing to commit to it–despite Kindt’s hand in it.  Yeah, didn’t love the first one.  Unity didn’t work all that well; can’t imagine this one will either.  Got to wonder about some of Valiant’s choices of late.
  • Über #21 (Avatar): Still very good.  As thin as Gillen’s stretching himself across the industry, his work is still pretty damn substantial no matter the genre or the universe–whether his own or one he’s got to work within.  Dude’s a stud.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

Marguerite Bennett @ Android’s Amazing Comics (1/14/15)

19 Monday Jan 2015

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As if I needed another reason to head down to my LCS on NCBD…

Android’s Amazing Comics, my HQ for all things comics, upped the usual Wednesday ante by hosting the very talented–and, as a result, very busy–Marguerite Bennett, currently killing it as a co-writer–along with the incomparable Kieron Gillen–on Marvel’s Angela: Asgard’s Assassin, for their first big signing event.

photo-55

And big it was!

My daughter–she a knowledgeable comic book fan of three–and I hit the shop in hopes of scoring a three-inch pinch of books, including Marvel’s big Star Wars relaunch and the final issue of Fraggle Rock: Journey to the Everspring (Archaia/BOOM!).  I arrived armed with previously purchased copies of the aforementioned Angela in the off chance I’d be able to get a minute with Ms. Bennett.  Android’s was buzzing like I had never seen it buzz before; but, despite the hubbub about Ms. Bennett, it appeared that the off chance I had been banking on was definitely on.  I snagged my bag of pull books, strafed the shelves for picks–the whole time surprised by how well-behaved my daughter was–and then got on line to meet the Woman of the Four Hours.

As my curious kiddo checked out the toys on the wall–surprising me again by revealing that she knows quite a bit about Minecraft–I waited behind a well-prepared Bennett fan, who asked for and graciously received autographs on a bunch of books, which once adorned with the writer’s signature–and after a quick photo taken by someone milling around to the right of the table–were swung over to the big island of back issues in the middle of the store and immediately bagged and boarded for safe keeping.

No joke: in a smooth move that I didn’t anticipate, the picture taker sidled into the space vacated by the fella who was already furiously bagging and boarding his Bennett bounty.  He had a copy of Batman: Joker’s Daughter ready to slide under Bennett’s pen and a flurry of questions that reminded of the speed round from the ’80s game show $ale of the Century.  Ms. Bennett handled the barrage as if she were the returning champ, offering up patient answers, even as the line behind me grew and grew–almost all the way to the door!

My daughter, unfortunately, hasn’t quite mastered the art of patience; you know, her being three and all.  After having named all the hero and villain statues on shelves just above the new releases–and mistakingly identifying The Flash as Green Lantern (I know, right?)–she became a bit hard to handle.  I was determined, however, to meet Ms. Bennett; so I asserted myself in a fatherly manner until the incontinent quizzer squeezed out his final query, which, like many before it, was prefaced by a desperate question-catching “Umm…”

I approached the table, semi-sure that the gentleman was finally out of questionition.  Ms. Bennett greeted me warmly and, over the course of our brief Angela-centered conversation, proved to be incredibly down to earth, especially as she responded to my question about her working with one of my favorite writers, Kieron Gillen.  She had nothing but great things to say about the experience, admitting along the way that Gillen is pretty darned meticulous–that he’s got a pretty specific vision for each and every panel.  As my daughter pointed out Scooby-Doo and Doodle Jump, I complimented Ms. Bennett, who suffered my child’s off-topic curiosity well, on her ability to keep up with the superstar scribe through the first two issues of Angela; I celebrated the fact that her substory blends seamlessly with the overarching narrative–and that the overall tone of the book is pitch perfect, which is difficult enough for one writer to achieve while living in the Thor-niverse.  She received the accolades well, endearing her to this new fan even further.

Mindful of the length of the line now behind me, I cut my questioning short and asked her to sign my copy of Angela: Asgard’s Assassin #1, which she did gladly.  She countered by offering my daughter and me cookies.  My daughter took her up on the offer so quickly that she didn’t bother taking note of the fact that there were different kinds of cookies on the plate.  Sure, they all looked like chocolate chip cookies; but there were some oatmeal raisins on the pile, too–and wouldn’t you know that’s what she ended up with.

OK, so what if after a few bites she mistakingly identified the raisins as blueberries.

After a volley of courteous thank yous, I scooped up my daughter and let the next piece of Pez–a bespectacled fella who was clearly anxious to have his book signed–claim his spot at the table.  Couldn’t leave, however, without a picture.

photo-55

We headed to the front of the store, where Anthony, the owner of the shop and architect of the evening, rang us up.  I cast some well-deserved kudos his way while he scanned by books.  My daughter begged me to also cast a few My Little Pony blind bags–strategically placed next to the register–his way, while giving me “Please, Daddy” looks.  How could I not?  As I always tell her: Good girls get good things.  And she was pretty darned good.

As we made our way out, the shop was still buzzing, and the line to meet Ms. Bennett still stretched almost all the way to the door!  Not bad for Android’s first time–Android’s first of many, I’m sure.

Looking forward to more exciting events at my LCS–and to checking out more from the angelic Marguerite Bennett on NCBDs to come.

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (1/14)

14 Wednesday Jan 2015

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No hyperbole here: never has the I&N Demand designation been used in such a meiotic manner.

Oh, and, umm, by the way: Star Wars.

  • Astro City #19 (DC/Vertigo)
  • A Voice in the Dark: Get Your Gun #2 (Image):
  • Copperhead #5 (Image)
  • Lazarus #14 (Image) I&N Demand
Lazarus #11

Lazarus #14

  • All-New Captain America #3 (Marvel)
  • Daredevil #12 (Marvel)
  • Silver Surfer #8 (Marvel) I&N Demand
Silver Surfer #8

Silver Surfer #8

  • Star Wars #1 (Marvel) Just I&N
Star Wars #1

Star Wars #1

  • 13 Coins #1 (Titan)
  • Q2: The Return of Quantum and Woody #4 (Valiant)
  • Stumptown Vol. 3 #5 (Oni)
  • Thomas Alsop #8 (BOOM!)
  • The Twilight Zone #11 (Dynamite) I&N Demand
Twilight Zone #11

Twilight Zone #11

  • Wild’s End #5 (BOOM!) I&N Demand
Wild's End #5

Wild’s End #5

Avery’s Pick of the Week

  • Fraggle Rock: Journey to the Everspring #4 (BOOM!/Archaia)
Fraggle Rock: Journey to the Everspring #4

Fraggle Rock: Journey to the Everspring #4

What are you looking forward to this week–you know, besides Star Wars?

Turning pages,

Scott

Image

Superhero Friday!

09 Friday Jan 2015

More like Superhero F-F-F-F-Friday. It’s f-f-f-freezing!

Enduring below hero temperatures!

Enduring below hero temperatures!

Someone f-f-f-find F-F-F-Firestar–f-f-f-fast!

Wow. That was fast.

Wow. That was fast.

Who are you wearing under all those layers today?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s I&N Store (1/7)

06 Tuesday Jan 2015

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Vacation’s over.  Back to work–and comics.

Now if only work were comics…

  • Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. #2 (Dark Horse) I&N Demand Would you believe: this series is my first go-round with Hellboy?  (Your eyebrows just went up, didn’t they?)  If #1’s any indication: 1) What the hell have I been waiting for? And 2) Damn glad I tried this.  What convinced me? Alex Maleev’s artwork (lovelovelove) and my newfound fascination with B.P.R.D.  (I’m hoping your brows have come back down by now.  If they haven’t, and they happen to stay up for more than four hours, please seek medical attention.)
Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. #2

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. #2

  • Lady Killer #1 (Dark Horse) Just I&N Hmm.  I wonder why I’m so drawn to this.
Lady Killer #1

Lady Killer #1

Could it be that Jones’s cover reminds of Matt Kindt’s covers from his Mind MGMT “The Home Maker” arc:

Mind MGMT #13

Mind MGMT #13

Mind MGMT #16

Mind MGMT #16

Premise isn’t so bad, either.  But, yeah, it’s probably the subtle–and probably coincidental–suggestion that, in itself, is so darned Mind MGMT-y.

  • Detective Comics #38 (DC)
  • Birthright #4 (Image)
  • The Fade Out #4 (Image)
  • ODY-C #2 (Image)
  • Trees #8 (Image)
  • Angela: Asgard’s Assassin #2 (Marvel) I&N Demand My faith in Kieron Gillen was not misplaced.  That’s right:against all Asgardian odds, I liked #1!  (With the eyebrows again?)  No, really: I liked #1.                                                                                               
Angela: Asgard's Assassin #2

Angela: Asgard’s Assassin #2

If you’re waiting for a punchline, forget it!  I liked the damn thing–and am hoping that the energy and the synergy (two writers & two artists) of the first one carries over here.

  • Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #8 (Marvel) I&N Demand Kaare Andrews is on fire!
Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #8

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #8

He’s broken Danny Rand down and is building him back up again.  Oh, it’s a new Iron Age, folks!  Absolutely chirrific!  Yeah, that just happened.

  • Men of Wrath #4 (Marvel/ICON)
  • Miracleman #14 (Marvel) I&N Demand No doubt: this’ll be the best book of the week.  (Brows?  Trust me: they wouldn’t be bouncing if you’ve been reading all along or if you were lucky enough to have read this the first time around.)  Not bad for a book that’s nearly thirty years old.  A true miracle, man.
Miracleman #14

Miracleman #14

  • Epochalypse #2 (Legendary)
  • Feathers #1 (BOOM!)
  • Magnus: Robot Fighter #10 (Dynamite)
  • SIP Kids #2 (Abstract Studio)
  • The Sixth Gun: Days of the Dead #4 (Oni)
  • War Stories #4 (Avatar)

Avery’s Pick of the Week

  • My Little Pony: Friends Forever #13 (IDW)
My Little Pony: Friends Forever #13

My Little Pony: Friends Forever #13

How’s yer brow now?

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

I&N Review: Wild Blue Yonder #6

01 Thursday Jan 2015

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This is it, folks: the explosive finale of the soaring spectacle that has been Wild Blue Yonder:

Wild Blue Yonder #6

Wild Blue Yonder #6

And by explosive, I’m not simply talking about all things coming to a head after all the tension that has been built up over five issues is released in a singular climactic burst.  I mean, literally: there are a lot of explosions.  A lot.  It’s clear–well, as clear as it can be for all the smoke and debris: the creative team–the Wild Blue myth masters–comprised of Mike Raicht (story/writer), Zach Howard (story/artist), Austin Harrison (story) and Nelson Daniel (colors) decided to go out with a FaDoom!

Told you so.

 

Despite the fact that there’s enough fiery fallout to warrant a a titular turn of the color wheel–from Wild Blue Yonder to Wild Orange Yonder–the biggest blast isn’t the result of offensive or defensive ordinance; instead, it comes from Raicht’s using the structure of the issue to further blow up archetypal conventions by turning the Judge–the story’s antagonist–into an antihero who’s worth rooting for, certainly as we recall his confident assertion in the previous issue: “we will rise above those flames for good” (good to be taken as “forevermore” and, relatively speaking, as “moral righteousness”); and thanks to a bloody flashback, which gives him even more power in the eyes of his people–and, more important, power over us.

Don’t be surprised, then, if you find yourself sympathizing with the Executioner before the axe comes down.  See: even though the world’s propped up on black (the Judge!) and white (Cola!) stanchions, the atmosphere of moral relativism takes on a shade of, well, blue.  It doesn’t take long, however, for our concern to turn back toward Cola and Co.  As the focus of the story switches to the defenders of the Dawn, we’re reminded that they’re the ones who deserve to carry on; they’re the ones who are meant to see a better day.

They are the ones–right?

But a better tomorrow doesn’t come easily.  Howard and Daniel–the former delivering a career-defining achievement and the latter wielding colors of mass destruction–make it look pretty easy, though, with their other-worldly attention to detail, which is showcased during the inevitable issue-spanning, sky-scarring dogfight that drives the narrative to its ultimate conclusion.  Oh, sure, it’s a familiar scene powered, in part, by cinematic urgency: heck, it comes preloaded with the energy of X-Wings vs. Tie Fighters and the desperation of Colonial Vipers vs. Cylon Raiders.  We see in this re-imagining a rag-tag air force–comprised of planes from a bygone era–led by Cola and supplemented by gutsy guns (including the high-caliber–and scene-stealing–Scram) vs. a swarm of Wraiths, this time spearheaded by the Judge, who knows that this is his last opportunity to provide a future for his people.  Undoubtedly–and unapologetically–the myth masters are sticking to a tried and true script; they’re pinning their hopes–and ours–on our familiarity–more, our sacred relationship–with genre tropes.  And it all works; it still feels fresh–thanks to special moments like the gorgeous final double-page splash, which hearkens back to a double-page splash from the past and which leaves us to do some Sol-searching of our own.

The clever fellas at Noble Transmission have left a few questions unanswered–questions that’ll tug at you long after you’ve bagged and boarded the book.  That’s got me thinking, expecting–and hoping–sequel.  Ah, now that will be a beautiful day.

I can’t wait to see what else they’ve got in store for us.

For now, though, you’ve got to wait for this:

Wild Blue Yonder #6 (IDW) is slated to hit the shelf of your favorite comic shop on 1/21.  I’ll be picking up my copy at Android’s Amazing Comics.

Turning pages,

Scott