What’s I&N Store (3/4)

03 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by ScottNerd in What's I&N Store?

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Action Labs, Alan Moore, All-New Hawkeye, Avatar, Blackcross, BOOM!, Brian Buccellato, Brian K. Vaughan, Chris Burnham, Crossed +100, Danger Zone, Dark Horse, DC Comics, Descender, Detective Comics, Dry Spell, Dustin Nguyen, Dynamite, Feathers, Fiona Staples, Francis Manapul, G.I. Joe, Grant Morrison, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., IDW, Image, Iron Fist: The Living Weapon, Jamie S. Rich, Jeff Lemire, Joelle Jones, John Arcudi, Kaare Andrews, Karen Traviss, Ken Krekeler, Kieron Gillen, Lady Killer, Larry Hama, Laura Allred, Mark Waid, Marvel, Mike Mignola, Miracleman, Nameless, Neverboy, Princess Leia, Ramon Perez, Robert Venditti, Saga, Shaun Simon, Terry Dodson, Tyler Jenkins, Uber, Valiant, Warren Ellis, X-O Manowar

(Sing along. Go on. You know how it goes.)

There’s a hole in my heart that can only be filled by comics.

No, really. I’ve got a hole in my heart. As of right now, however, my cardiologist is pretty firm in his opinion that comics are not the best option with which to fill it.

I’m in the market for a second opinion.

Hellboy & The B.P.R.D. #4 (Dark Horse): Hellish back-grenading, murderous monkey monsters, “insane Frankenstein crap,” and an ominous mound of bones–if that’s not enough to bring a reader back for more, I don’t know what is!
Lady Killer #3 (Dark Horse) I&N Demand #1 was one of our Top 5 books of January. It announced its arrival: “Killer comic calling!” and left quite an impression. #2 didn’t have the same effect–mostly because there was no surprise this time, and expectations were high going into it–but it certainly didn’t disappoint. Joëlle Jones’ artwork is the big draw here–it’s elegantly aggressive and sells Josie’s separate spheres very well. (Doesn’t hurt that it’s polished off to murderous–and motherly–perfection by Laura Allred’s color palette time machine.) Story-wise: despite Josie’s denial, there’s definitely trouble on the horizon–yeah, Jones and Jamie S. Rich aren’t kidding around with the dilemma that’s driving the plot into #3.

Lady Killer #3

Neverboy #1 (Dark Horse): Shaun Simon and Tyler Jenkins are blurring the lines “between the real and the imaginary.” That’s right up my alley, gents! (Consider how blown away I was–still am–by the lengths Matt Kindt went to tearing down the aforementioned lines in Mind MGMT #30, our favorite book of January. Now, that’s how you do it!) Oh, I’ll bite all right. Professional prognostication: I’m thinking that this particular pick’ll be positively Pan-ed!
Detective Comics #40 (DC): All of a sudden, my Bat-book of choice is Manapul and Buccellato’s Detective. How the heck did that happen? The world’s gone mad! It’s–it’s–Anarky!
G.I. Joe #6 (IDW): Through #4, I was all in. I was like, “Yo Joe!” I was 13 again–except for the fact that this wasn’t your grandHama‘s G.I. Joe; this was an elevated–and engrossing–approach from novelist Karen Traviss. Again, through #4. #5? A rather muddled mess. Damn thing’s literally all over the place! Suddenly, I’m left wondering how much more I can take.
Descender #1 (Image) Just I&N and I&N Demand Lemire’s Descender is only the second title to earn both designations! (The first: last week’s Mister X: Razed from master builder Dean Motter.) The blurb on previewsworld.com has me thinking Blade Runner meets Essex County. Yes, please. Is there any doubt that this’ll ascend to the top of our list for the month of March? Yeah. Didn’t think so.

Descender #1

Nameless #2 (Image): If it weren’t Morrison, I’d be off after one. I mean, I’m totally occulted out at this point. If this issue isn’t particularly tight, I’m going to review it this way: Morrison’s occult/sci-fi mash up is Thomas Alsloppy.
Saga #26 (Image): Revolution calling!
All-New Hawkeye #1 (Marvel) I&N Demand Hoping that Lemire is fully invested–that he’s not going to be working at a fraction of his capabilities, especially now that he’s spreading himself as thin as a bowstring. Boy, does he have a huge quiver to fill! Also hoping that he doesn’t miss the mark as he did with Green Arrow.

All-New Hawkeye #1

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #10 (Marvel): I&N Demand #9 was another explosion of kinetic cartooning from Kaare Andrews. Great splashes, great layouts–the art as a whole elevates an already solid story, solid writing. Reads with an energy similar to Kindt’s Mind MGMT. “Ha-ha-hee!” That’s high praise around these parts!

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #10

Miracleman #16 (Marvel) I&N Demand Classic isn’t strong enough a word to describe #15. There are moments–impossible moments amplified by impossible choices–still gnawing at me. It’s angels hurling mountains at each other; it’s George pulling the trigger. It’s Alan Moore firing a canon at the superhero and building him anew.

Miracleman #16

Princess Leia #1 (Marvel): I don’t know. I don’t really need it. I don’t even want it. But it is Waid and the Dodsons. Ugh. I haven’t loved Star Wars. I’m even kinda cool on Darth Vader. But it’s Waid and the Dodsons. Damn it. Go ahead Mr. Comic Shop Owner Guy: please ring it up. Grumble, grumble. Rebel scum.
Blackcross #1 (Dynamite): This is an Ellis buy. Recent résumé: Moon Knight was one of our Top Ten Books of 2014. Trees, however, has been freakishly frustrating. (He’s got to know that–he’s got to! So there’s got to be a reason for his frustrating the hell out of us, right? Am I too trusting?) Even though I don’t have any experience with Project Superpowers, I’m going to give it a try.
Crossed +100 #3 (Avatar): I’m skulling Moore crossed with Burgess, which feels equal parts awkward and elevated. Pony me, malchicks?
Über #23 (Avatar): Gillen Hitlered a bunch of high notes in the most recent act of his Wagnerian war story. “Capitulation or immolation,” indeed!
X-O Manowar #34 (Valiant): Remains one of the most consistent monthlies. Never reaches rarefied air, but doesn’t need to to be effective. The book’s biggest strength remains Aric, who has remained true to himself–and to us–thanks to Venditti’s thoughtful approach to his plight and his power.

I&Ntelligent Pick

Dry Spell TP (Action Labs/Danger Zone): Ken Krekeler and his brilliantly broken down Black Baron demand your attention. Why? Read our write up: the #3 Book of 2014. Buy it, read it, and come back and thank us.

Dry Spell TP

Avery’s Pick of the Week

Feathers #3 (BOOM!): My daughter is definitely down with Feathers! Luckily, she’s not quite old enough to be down on puns.

Feathers #3

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (2/25)

24 Tuesday Feb 2015

Posted by ScottNerd in What's I&N Store?

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Abigail and the Snowman, All-New X-Men, Archie Comics, Bodies, BOOM!, Brian Michael Bendis, Chris Samnee, Colder: The Bad Seed, comics, Daredevil, Dark Horse, Darth Vader, DC Comics, Dean Motter, Duane Swierczynski, Dynamite, Edu Menna, Eric Stephenson, Evil Empire, Greg Tocchini, IDW, Image, Jamie McKelvie, Jason Aaron, Jay Shaw, Juan Ferreyra, Kevin Eastman, Kieron Gillen, Lee Bermejo, Low, Mark Rahner, Mark Waid, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Max Bemis, Men of Wrath, Michael Gaydos, Mister X: Razed, NCBD, ODY-C, Paul Tobin, Quantum and Woody Must Die, Rasputin, Rick Remender, Riley Rossmo, Roger Langridge, Salvatore Larocca, Simon Gane, Spider-Gwen, Suiciders, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Black Hood, The Odyssey, The Twilight Zone, The Twilight Zone: Shadow & Substance, The Wicked & The Divine, They're Not Like Us, Thor, Tom Waltz, Valiant, Vertigo, Victor Santos

This week offers up some big books–none bigger than Dean Motter’s Mister X: Razed.

Wait. What?

You did a double-take, didn’t you? You were expecting to read Spider-Gwen at the end of that superlative statement, weren’t you?

Ugh.

Colder: Bad Seed #5 (Dark Horse): Nimble Jack is back, baby! Maybe that’ll add a little oomph to an otherwise lethargic exercise. Tobin and Ferreyra cultivated a creepy tone early on but kind of got stuck in one place. Man, I’d give the finger to this series, but I’d be worried about getting it back.
Mister X: Razed #1 (Dark Horse) Just I&N and I&N Demand It’s the first time a book has earned both enviable distinctions! Oh, yeah, baby! Mister X is back, and we couldn’t be any more excited! One reason–and it’s a good one: back in 2013, Dean Motter delivered the brilliant Mr. X: Eviction, which earned the coveted #1 spot on our highly respected Top Ten list, beating out the likes of Mind MGMT, Six-Gun Gorilla, and Saga. Now that’s gotta tell you something. Can’t wait to see what Mr. Motter has to tell us this time around.

Mister X: Razed #1

Bodies #8 (DC/Vertigo): Gosh. #1 hit the shelves with such promise. Unfortunately, the damn thing collapsed under its own weight and, as a result, has been a four-pronged slog ever since. Glad it’s over.
Suiciders #1 (DC/Vertigo): Lee Bermejo’s doing his own thing. Would be silly not to try it.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #43 (IDW): Reptilicious fun! All sorts of backstabbing going on. Good thing our favorite turtles have shells–and madd ninja skills.
Low #6 (Image): I’m still pretty high on Low. Remender’s not ringing my bell anywhere else; but this diving bell of a book is tintinnabulous!
ODY-C #3 (Image): This gender-bending blitz on Homer’s epic is a damn siren’s song; it’s a party with the local lotophagi. Didn’t dig it so much after the first issue. Good thing I stuck around.
Rasputin #5 (Image): I’m riding it out ’til the end of the arc. There isn’t much here that’s keeping my interest.
They’re Not Like Us #3 (Image) I&N Demand Deadly Class only wishes it was this good. How would you act if you had superpowers? Eric Stephenson’s got the answer. Heck, it’s like a team full of feisty and rather petty Ozymandiases. What’s going to happen when the stakes get raised? Can’t wait to find out.

They’re Not Like Us #3

The Wicked & The Divine #8 (Image) I&N Demand The book’s got attitude. Yeah, this book’s a real bitch–a beautiful, effing bitch–one you’ve just desperate to have. But even when you have it, you don’t really have it; it has you.

The Wicked & The Divine #8

All-New X-Men #38 (Marvel): Chapter 4 of “The Black Vortex” crossover. Yeah, I’m out of that loop. Probably going to leave it on the shelf. Hindsight is 22/22: should’ve done the same with the Ultimate waste of an arc.
Daredevil #13 (Marvel): Despite some strong work from Chris Samnee, the Stunt-Master arc wasn’t particularly exciting. Reminds that Waid’s missed the mark some since making the move to the Left Coast. This issue kicks off the final chapter of Waid and Samnee’s run. I say perfect timing. Speaking of perfect: how about Samnee’s cover:

Daredevil #13

Darth Vader #2 (Marvel): #1 was fine. Was the Force with it? Not so sure about that. Got to give Gillen another go-round to see just how dark his helmet gets.
Men Of Wrath #5 (Marvel/Icon): I’ve enjoyed it enough. Father-son stories always hit me where it hurts. It’s like “Cat’s in the Cradle” but the cat’s been blown to furry bits by a blast of buckshot. “When you comin’ home son, I don’t know when, but I’ll fill you full of lead, dad, you know I’ll shoot you in the head…”
Spider-Gwen #1: Ha! Made you look!
Thor Annual #1 (Marvel): I’m leaning toward passing. Annuals rarely offer anything of worth–and are rarely worth the inflated price.
The Black Hood #1 (Archie): Duane Swierczynski and Michael Gaydos (who took a great turn on Zero) go all X-rated for Archie Comics? That’s right: the images, the synopsis–I’m thinking X, Swierczynski’s violent vigilante haunt over at Dark Horse. I mean, right?
Evil Empire #11 (BOOM!) I&N Demand I love Evil Empire! This month’s not-so-sheepish cover from Jay Shaw:

Evil Empire #11

Quantum & Woody Must Die #2 (Valiant): As much as I wanted to not want to want to play this game of life and death with the Valiant brain trust, #1 wasn’t bad.
The Twilight Zone: Shadow & Substance #2 (Dynamite): Mark Rahner and Edu Menna have huge shoes to fill, mostly because the recently–and brilliantly–wrapped-up The Twilight Zone‘s Straczynski and Vilanova have big-ass feet.

Avery’s Pick of the Week

Abigail and the Snowman #3 (BOOM!): My daughter’s kind of scared of the Snowman. She has to convince herself that it’s just a cartoon–the same way she talks herself down when Marshmallow shows up in Frozen. Still she’s made it her pick of the week.

Abigail and the Snowman #3

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (2/18)

18 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by ScottNerd in What's I&N Store?

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All-New Captain America, Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw, Batman and Robin, Ben Wolstenholme, Bitch Planet, BOOM!, BPRD, Brian Michael Bendis, Brian Wood, Burning Fields, Cap Stone, Chris Bachalo, Christina McCormack, Colin Lorimer, comics, Cullen Bunn, Dan Slott, Dark Horse, Dark Horse Presents, DC Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Greg Smallwood, Guiu Vilanova, Image, Iron Fist: The Living Weapon, J. Michael Straczynski, Jay Faerber, Jeff Lemire, Joe Rivera, John Arcudi, Kaare Andrews, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Kurt Busiek, Lazarus, Liam Sharp, Magneto, Marvel, Mastermen, Matt Kindt, Michael Lark, Michael Moreci, Mike Allred, Mike Mignola, Mono, Moon Knight, Paolo Rivera, Patrick Gleason, Peter J. Tomasi, Quentin Tarantino, Raze, Rick Remender, Secret Identities, Silver Surfer, Stuart Immonen, The Multiversity, The Twilight Zone, The Valiant, Tim Daniel, Titan, Uncanny X-Men, Valiant, Zoë Bell

Wednesday’s forecast for the weather outside of my local comic shop is pretty much the same as its been: as cold as can be. (I guess someone’s gone and ticked off Elsa again.) The forecast for inside, however, is hot hot hot! (That’s right: the way to thaw a frozen heart is with an act of true love–in this case, a perfectly pulled bag of comics!) Speaking of hot books: our Top Ten Books of 2014 is well represented this week. Take a peek:

BPRD: Hell on Earth #128 (Dark Horse): Has been good–not great. Definitely glad I jumped on board, though.
Dark Horse Presents #7 (Dark Horse): DHP has been great–especially at the new price point. This month’s edition offers up a little Matt Kindt–and Mignola, Van Lente, Aragonés, and more! Talk about bang for your buck!
Batman and Robin #39 (DC): The Action-packed cover’s very clever:

Batman and Robin #39

I know better, though: B&R‘s been a huge disappointment for months now. In fact, I finally got around to dropping it from my pull list last month. No longer under any obligation, I should leave it on the shelf and fill the void with something new. God knows there will be plenty of players for the spot. Image alone has a thousand new titles coming out in the next few months, so…

The Multiversity: Mastermen #1 (DC) Just I&N Morrison’s Multiversity has been a metafiction metahuman masterwork! And now, Mastermen–with every-panel’s-a-pinup Jim Lee on art duties.

Multiversity: Mastermen #1

Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #4 (Image): I can’t be the only one who’s noticed: the current arc of Astro City‘s been a bit blah; but this has been really, really good. Coincidence?
Bitch Planet #3 (Image): I enjoyed #1 for all sorts of reasons (exploiting exploitation, lots of Tarantino, hints of Fraction, etc.). Hey: borrowing works well when it works well. Oh, but when it doesn’t… #2 lost me from the get-go–especially as I was taken immediately to a low budget modern-day exploitation flick that I caught one night on one of the Showtime or HBO channels: Raze, starring Tarantino darling Zoë Bell. Coincidence?

Raze (2013)

I’ll try this one and see where it takes me.

Lazarus #15 (Image) I&N Demand Our #2 book of 2014! It’s what we’ve been waiting for for like, well, forever: Forever in a Trial by Combat against another Lazarus!

Lazarus #15

Secret Identities #1 (Image): Jay Faerber’s earned Must Try status with Copperhead.
All-New Captain America #4 (Marvel): I know, I know. But it hasn’t been terrible. And this time out, Remender’s dusting off the Armadillo! Gotta wonder, though, what effect Secret Wars is going to have on this little experiment–and if it’s worth following a dead title shelf-sitting.
Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #9 (Marvel): I love what Kaare Andrews is doing with Danny Rand. In fact, Iron Fist was my #16 book of 2014–and my third-favorite superhero monthly after Silver Surfer and Moon Knight. High praise, indeed!
Magneto #15 (Marvel): Bunn’s done a nice job of telling stories from issue to issue. He’s delivered some nice twists along the way, too. #14 ended with Magneto’s giving himself up to S.H.I.E.L.D. Wonder what his endgame is…
Moon Knight #12 (Marvel) I&N Demand Our #8 book of 2014! #11 ended on a bit of a down note–you know, with Marc Spector falling out of a flying detention facility and all. (Wood and Smallwood must’ve watched–and liked–Stallone’s waterlogged–yet undeniably watchable–prison break bingo, Escape Plan, as they delivered quite an homage with Spector in Stallone’s role and Khonshu in Schwarzenegger’s.) Not looking forward to saying goodbye to Wood and Smallwood, but I am looking forward to seeing how they end their arc–and how they leave things for Cullen Bunn and Ron Ackins. Maybe they’ll reach back to Bullet to the Head. Or Avenging Angelo…

Moon Knight #12

Silver Surfer #9 (Marvel) I&N Demand Our #4 book of 2014! Well orchestrated fun from Dan Slott and Michael Allred! The biggest–and best–superhero monthly around–and this issue promises to be HUGE!

Silver Surfer #9

Uncanny X-Men #31 (Marvel): Bendis is on his way out. That promises some real havoc in the X-Universe. No, really–look:

Uncanny X-Men #31

Burning Fields #2 (BOOM!): Kinda like a cross between The Killing and Homeland. Not a bad thing.
Cap Stone #3 (Titan): Some real high points: the conversation between Charlie and her mom; the wild shifts in Sharp’s artwork. Some low points, too: the conversation between Charlie and her mom; the wild shifts in Sharp’s artwork. I loved #1. #2, however, exposed a serious flaw: inconsistency. Still intriguing enough, though.
Mono #3 (Titan): Another book from Liam Sharp that took a step back after a very promising premier. What spoiled the sophomore offering: the conversation–coincidence?–between Heinrich and Isabella, which acts as a dragline on the storyline. Also seems waaaaaay too serious for a book about an ape-man secret agent and assassin for the Queen, doesn’t it? It’s so goddamned dour! I do like the layered approach that Sharp’s taking to create the Mono myth, however.
The Valiant #3 (Valiant) I&N Demand I liked #1 enough–but I absolutely loved #2! I was particularly struck by the artistic collaboration between Lemire and Kindt on the storybook section. Sure, many of the notes that are struck remind of Lemire’s run on Animal Man; but what the hell–they work well here, so all the better!

The Valiant #3

The Twilight Zone #12 (Dynamite) I&N Demand Our #10 book of 2014! This issue ends an extremely powerful arc and Straczynski and Vilanova’s superior run. So sad to see this go. Hmm. Maybe–just maybe–I could travel back in time and kill another series–Dream Police, for instance–in its place…

The Twilight Zone #12

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (2/11)

10 Tuesday Feb 2015

Posted by ScottNerd in What's I&N Store?

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Astro City, Avatar, BOOM!, Brides of Helheim, Cullen Bunn, Dan Abnett, Dark Horse, Darth Vader, Divinity, Fred Van Lente, Garth Ennis, Howard Chaykin, I.N.J. Culbard, Image, Jason Aaron, Jason Latour, Joelle Jones, Kieron Gillen, Kurt Busiek, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Matt Kindt, Oni, Rachel Rising, Resurrectionists, Satellite Sam, Southern Bastards, Terry Moore, Thor, Trevor Hairsine, Uber, Valiant, War Stories, Wild's End

Snow what? I’m definitely digging the blizzard of comics–whether good or bad–in the forecast for my area.

Resurrectionists #4 (Dark Horse)
Astro City #20 (DC/Vertigo)
Satellite Sam #11 (Image): I&N Demand Sam‘s been gone for a while. Can’t wait to get back into the sordid swing of things. Hope my guy has it in stocking–I mean, stock. Gosh. This cover’s got me Chaykin in my heels.

Satellite Sam #11

Southern Bastards #6 (Image): I&N Demand The shift in the focus of the narrative was surprising, sure. It’s also been pretty boss. A punishing tale of persistence that is its own reward.

Southern Bastards #6

All-New X-Men #36 (Marvel)
Darth Vader #1 (Marvel)
Thor #5 (Marvel)
Brides of Helheim #4 (Oni)
Divinity #1 (Valiant): Just I&N Matt Kindt’s next Valiant venture. Sure, I didn’t like Rai very much; I even lost interest in Unity pretty quickly. But I’m enjoying The Valiant and am curious to see Kindt’s take on Ninjak. This, however, is the one I’m looking forward to the most. I certainly wouldn’t mind if Kindt manages to give me another book to love–you know, to eventually fill the massive void that’ll be created as Mind MGMT reaches its inevitable end.

Divinity #1

Magnus: Robot Fighter #11 (Dynamite)
Q2: The Return of Quantum and Woody #5 (Valiant)
Rachel Rising #31 (Abstract Studio)
The Sixth Gun #46 (Oni)
Über #22 (Avatar)
War Stories #5 (Avatar)
Wild’s End #6 (BOOM!): I&N Demand Wild’s End ends here. How much does that suck!? The first five issues have been anthropomorphically delicious! We have been in love with this series–from Dan Abnett and I.N.J. Culbard–since the deceptively simple and surprisingly affective first issue. (Between you, me, and the scary-ass lamppost: we loved it so much that we named it one of our favorite books of 2014. No, you haven’t missed anything: we haven’t gotten around to publishing the list yet; but it’s coming soon–I promise.) If you’ve pretty much missed the train on this one, do yourself a favor and put the trade on your list. You will not be disappointed.

Wild’s End #6

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (2/4)

04 Wednesday Feb 2015

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Angela: Asgard's Assassin, Annihilator, Antonio Campo, Birthright, BOOM!, Brian K. Vaughan, Brian Michael Bendis, Chris Burnham, Cullen Bunn, Dark Horse, David Lapham, DC Comics, Detective Comics, East of West, Ed Brubaker, Feathers, Fiona Staples, Frazer Irving, G.I. Joe, Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Hawkeye, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., IDW, Image, Imperium, James RIch, Jason Aaron, Joelle Jones, John Cassaday, John Romita Jr., Jonathan Hickman, Joshua Dysart, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Joshua Williamson, Kieron Gillen, Lady Killer, Marguerite Bennett, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Michael Avon Oeming, Miracleman, Nameless, Nick Dragotta, Robert Venditti, Saga, Sheltered, Star Wars, Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses, Superman, The Bunker, The Sixth Gun: Days of the Dead, The United States of Murder Inc., Valiant, Velvet, X-O Manowar

Nothing beats a deep freeze like a bag of sizzling hot comics! Right?

Right?

Of course not. The deep freeze doesn’t give a sleet how hot the books are.

Still worth the risk, though, of jumping into the ol’ snowmobile and maybe–quite possibly–most assuredly–running off the road, ramming into another road warrior, and/or crashing right through the façade of your favorite comic shop.

Right?

Right.

Whoa, wait: I may have something here: a drive thru comic shop…

Somebody get on that.

Hellboy & The B.P.R.D. #3 (Dark Horse)
Lady Killer #2 (Dark Horse) I&N Demand I tweeted this out about a perfectly executed #1 because I had to:

@jarrodjones_ @Joelle_Jones @DarkHorseComics @jamieESrich Lady Killer #1 was pretty great. Familiar notes with a fresh face: “Avon calling!”

Very much looking forward to this one.

Lady Killer #2

Detective Comics #39 (DC)
Superman #38 (DC) I&N Demand New costume? Thank God. New power? Say what? It’s as bright as day: Johns and JRJ have been like twin yellow suns re-energizing the Last Son of Krypton; so I’m down with whatever it is they want to do.

Superman #38

G.I. Joe #5 (IDW)
Birthright #5 (Image)
East of West #17 (Image) I&N Demand Everything about East of West has been great. Hickman went bigger with this world of his, and he’s owned it–like a mad god suffering from significant stretches of lucidity.

East of West #17

Nameless #1 (Image) Just I&N Grant Morrison. Chris Burnham. See: not so nameless after all.

Nameless #1

Saga #25 (Image)
Sheltered #14 (Image)
Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #1 (Image) I&N Demand The follow-up to the killer Killers arc. Didn’t read Killers? Haven’t been hit by any Stray Bullets at all? Consider this a jumping on point–one that’ll inspire you to jump backward into the satisfyingly-uncomfortable line of fire; into a shotgun blast of expertly-wielded ambiguity. Pull the trigger, you son of a gun! Give Sunshine and Roses a shot!

Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #1

Velvet #9 (Image)
Angela: Asgard’s Assassin #3 (Marvel)
Hawkeye #21 (Marvel)
Miracleman #15 (Marvel)
Star Wars #2 (Marvel)
The United States of Murder #6 (Marvel/Icon)
Annihilator #5 (Legendary) I&N Demand Lots of lovely layers here. Meta magic courtesy of Mr. Morrison. Looks great, too, thanks to the digitally dreamy artwork of Frazer Irving.

Annihilator #5

The Bunker #9 (Oni)
Feathers #2 (BOOM!)
Imperium #1 (Valiant)
The Sixth Gun: Days of the Dead #5 (Oni)
X-O Manowar #33 (Valiant)

What? No Wytches? Risking stitches: didn’t care for it. Tried. Couldn’t. I blame the tone problems rooted in #1. Can’t unsee needless tirades, right?

Right?

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (1/28)

27 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by ScottNerd in What's I&N Store?

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Ales Kot, Alex + Ada, Bitch Planet, Bodies, BOOM!, Brian Michael Bendis, Chris Bachalo, Colder, Colder: The Bad Seed, Dark Horse, Dynamite, Eric Stephenson, Evil Empire, Friendship Is Magic, IDW, Image, James Asmus, Jason Aaron, Jonathan Hickman, Jonathan Luna, Juan Ferreyra, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Matt Kindt, Max Bemis, Mind MGMT, My Little Pony, Paul Tobin, Quantum and Woody Must Die, Rasputin, Riley Rossmo, Robert Venditti, Sarah Vaughn, Si Spencer, Snow, The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood, The Dying & The Dead, They're Not Like Us, Thor, Uncanny X-Men, Valiant, Vertigo, Victor Santos, X-O Manowar, zero

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (1/21)

21 Wednesday Jan 2015

Posted by ScottNerd in What's I&N Store?

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted by ScottNerd in I&Nsight

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Tags

Android's Amazing Comics, Angela: Asgard's Assassin, Batman: Joker's Daughter, comics, LCS, Marguerite Bennett, Marvel, NCBD, Pez, Thor

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.

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.

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