Tag Archives: Animal Man

What’s I&N Store (3/19)

18 Tuesday Mar 2014

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Can’t buy ’em all.  That’s why I narrow it down to a select many every week.

  • Dark Horse Presents #34 (Dark Horse): A pricey pick, that’s for sure; but a gotta grab because Dean Motter’s magnificent Mister X is making his much anticipated return to the DHU.  And we love us some Mister X: if you didn’t already know–and you’d be in rare company–Mister X: Eviction was our #1 book of 2013.
Dark Horse Presents #37

Dark Horse Presents #34

  • Skyman #3 (Dark Horse): Has been OK.  My interest level in this book increased exponentially after reading Joshua Hale Fialkov’s The Bunker.  Makes this a bit of a potential pick.  Thing is, as a four-issue mini, Skyman might not have the time to realize that potential.  On a positive note, I’m willing to go the distance because it’s a mini.  Wouldn’t have been so willing if it had been an ongoing.
  • White Suits #2 (Dark Horse): Toby Cypress’s art was certainly remarkable.  The story, not so much.  I’m leaning toward passing on it.
  • The Witcher #1 (Dark Horse): Capable horror scribe Paul Tobin (Colder) makes it a maybe.  The fact that it’s based on a video game makes it a maybe not.  May also pass on this one.
  • American Vampire: Second Cycle #1 (DC/Vertigo): I’ve been looking forward to this!  Oh, sure, I bashed Batman a time or two and have been mostly put to sleep by The Wake (that is until #6, which was, pretty much, in The Wake world, anyhow, the equivalent of a cold shower!).  But that doesn’t mean I’m a Snyder hater; in fact, I happen to love American Vampire.  Consumed ’em all in trade form and am ready for the next course!
  • Animal Man #29 (DC): Jumped off a while ago.  Wondering if it’s worth picking up seeing as it’s the last issue and all.  Love Lemire’s cover:
Animal Man #29

Animal Man #29

  • Batman and Aquaman #29 (DC): Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason continue to deliver the darkest of the Dark Knight books–and now, apparently, the wettest.
  • Suicide Squad #29 (DC): Hasn’t been as good as I had hoped it’d be with Kindt in command.  Riding out his run, anyway.
  • Wonder Woman #29 (DC): It’s no surprise that this is the only New 52 book I’ve stuck with–without missing an issue–from #1.  It’s no myth: Brian Azzarello has made a monthly living of being good.  Of drawing out the story, sure, but of being good, nevertheless.
  • A Voice in the Dark #5 (Image): Well, I certainly didn’t celebrate #4.  (Check out my review here.)  What I have celebrated, however, is the potential that Larime Taylor has shown–especially in a terrific #2.  Here, I’m hoping to see more than a return to form: I’m hoping to see improved pacing.  This book desperately needs to cut to the chase–and draw some blood in the process.
A Voice in the Dark #5

A Voice in the Dark #5

  • Fuse #2 (Image): #1 was an offer I could easily refuse–not re-Fuse, mind you.  Leaning toward leaving it on the shelf.
  • Lazarus #7 (Image): #6 was terrific–as always.  In it, Rucka and Lark build some serious tension, which neither slacks nor snaps.  It’s no wonder that Lazarus was our #7 book of 2013.
  • Sex Criminals #5 (Image): #4 was a bit of a rebound from a not-so-good #3, which was our Biggest Dis(appointment) of November 2013.  I’m going to go one more round and see what happens.  Let’s call this my having faith in Fraction.  Sure, he’s a mad god; he’s an effing oversexed overlord!  But when he’s good, he’s damn good.  If Fraction’s big three books were a menage a trois–ain’t they, though?–Sex Criminals would be on the bottom–and loving it, no doubt.
  • Zero #6 (image): With an arc in the books, er, trades, Zero—our #8 book of 2013–gets back to business with Vanesa Del Rey (artist on BOOM!’s quick Hit) bringing Ales Kot’s vision to life.  OK, not going to lie: still not too sure how I feel about how #5 ended.  I mean, aliens?  Really?  Going to have to trust my man Kot on this one.
Zero #6

Zero #6

  • All-New Ghost Rider #1 (Marvel): My only real exposure to Tradd Moore has been Zero #2, which is my favorite issue of the series thus far.  Honesty: I don’t give a boo about Ghost Rider; I’m grabbing this to get a little Moore.  We’ll see if the little’ll turn into a lot soon enough.
All-New Ghost Rider #1

All-New Ghost Rider #1

  • Avengers World #4 (Marvel): The series has been mostly blah.  Started off well enough, but it seems to have fallen into its “bigger” trap, leaving me asking, “What in the world?”  Consider how much bigger my bag promises to be this week, this one might find itself displaced.
  • Daredevil #1 (Marvel): Speaking of being displaced: time to see what Waid and Samnee have in store for comidom’s newest San Franciscan.
  • Ms. Marvel #2 (Marvel): I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed #1.  Reminded me of my initial experience with Miles Morales and how well Brian Michael Bendis handled–and sold–the character in the face of controversy.  In this case, I’m hoping that Wilson and Alphona can keep Kamala out of the editorial web that ultimately ensnared Miles.
Ms. Marvel #2

Ms. Marvel #2

  • Uncanny X-Men #19 (Marvel): Don’t judge me.
  • Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #2 (Marvel): Probably not.  I didn’t really care for the first one.  And after Remender’s Deadly Class #2, I’ve pretty well given up hope that he can deliver something that interests me.
  • X-Men #12 (Marvel): OK.  Now you may judge me.  You know, the series started off on such a nostalgic note, and I bought right into it.  Felt like the X-book I had been waiting for since coming back to comics.  Then came the momentum busting Battle of the Atom.  Since then, the damn thing’s been a bit of a mess.  I’ll ride out this storyline and decide from there.
  • Curse #3 (BOOM!): My curse: being unable to quit on a mini if I’m at least two issues in–even if I really don’t care very much about it. That pretty well describes this series for me.
  • Harbinger #0.2014 (Valiant): Everything you’ve wanted to know about the Bleeding Monk but were afraid to ask.
Harbinger #0.2014

Harbinger #0.2014

  • Letter 44 #5 (Oni Press): Still loving President Blades, and right now that’s all that matters to me.
  • Shadowman #16 (Valiant): A monthly mystery: I don’t care a lick about any of the characters and I’m often vexed by all the voodoo; but I still like it.  A major selling point: Roberto De La Torre’s art.  It really suits Peter Milligan’s turn on the book.
  • The Sixth Gun #39 (Oni Press): I’m almost caught up!  I’ve got three more issues to rock out.  Know what?  There’s no reason why I shouldn’t read through them tonight.  There you go: I’m going to read them tonight; and I will read this one first.  How’s that?  Oh, and, umm, just in case you didn’t know already: it’s good.  Really good.  As I’ve mentioned in recent posts: the team of Bunn and Hurtt will go down as one of the greats of the modern era–maybe even of all time–because of the terrific work they’ve done on The Sixth Gun.
The Sixth Gun #39

The Sixth Gun #39

  • X-O Manowar #23 (Valiant): Has been a solid read from the get-go.  Aric’s another one of my favorite characters, and Venditti’s shown a great command of his character in and out of the armor.

Avery’s Pick of the Week

  • Scribblenauts Unmasked: Crisis of Imagination #3 (DC): My daughter has enjoyed the first two issues well enough.  By “enjoyed” I mean “not torn the covers off yet.”

That about does it I&Nmates!

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s I&N Store (10/16)

15 Tuesday Oct 2013

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Still riding a post-Comic Con high.  You know what that means: I’ll be looking to buy, buy, buy!

  • Brain Boy #2 (Dark Horse): Underwhelming initial effort on Fred Van Lente’s part.  Hard to live up to the standard he’s set for himself with the Grade A Archer & Armstrong and the hilarious The Mocking Dead.  R.B. Silva’s art, however, is stunning.
  • Buzzkill #2 (Dark Horse): Liked #1 more than I expected to.  Surprised me not unlike the way BOOM!’s Six-Gun Gorilla #1 did.  No, I’m not saying I expect it to be as good on as many levels as SGG; it’s clearly not that kind of book.  But expectations have been raised.  Let’s hope it doesn’t fizzle out like Dark Horse’s Colder and Dream Thief.
Buzzkill #2

Buzzkill #2

  • Animal Man #24 (DC): OK, now they’re getting serious: American Vampire‘s Rafael Albuquerque has taken over art duties.  Let’s see if this is the change Jeff Lemire needed to set this ship aright.
  • Batman and Two-Face #24 (DC): Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason deserve far more credit than they’ve received for the work they’ve been doing over here.  Anyone not under a spell should be able to tell: this is the best Batman book going.  Don’t take my word for it; pick it up and find out for yourself.  This issue kicks off a new arc, so jump on board now and find out what all of the buzz should be about.
Batman and Two-Face #24

Batman and Two-Face #24

  • Batman/Superman #4 (DC): So far, so good.  Greg Pak’s making sense despite treading in Morrison-like territory, and Jae Lee’s work is beautiful, as always.
  • Batwoman #24 (DC): Battle of the Bat-Sexes.  Sad to know we’re coming up on the end of what’s been a tremendous run with this character.
  • Wonder Woman #24 (DC): “Strange new era of Wonder Woman“?  OK.  Why not?
  • Nowhere Men #6 (Image): From out of nowhere comes the sixth issue of one of our favorite series.  I may have to break into the box and ground myself before taking off with this.
Nowhere Men #6

Nowhere Men #6

  • Sheltered #4 (Image): #3 showed some cracks.  I’m concerned that Brisson’s going to break down like he did during his Comeback.
  • Zero #2 (Image): Ales Kot proved he’s still got it with his opening salvo.  Easily wiped the terrible stain of his awkward run on Suicide Squad from my brain.
Zero #2

Zero #2

  • Hawkeye #13 (Marvel): Fraction’s back on his home turf.  He’s shown, however, that he’s comfortable just about anywhere nowadays, as evidenced by the sensational Satellite Sam and the arresting Sex Criminals.
  • Uncanny X-Men #13 (Marvel): Battle of the Atom will undoubtedly end with a considerable amount of collateral damage–including all of the X-books that have been tied to the debacle that has been Battle of the Atom.  Yes, this may very well be the push I need to get off of the X-[insert conveyance here].
  • Bloodshot #15 (Valiant): Definitely on the chopping block. See: I haven’t cared too much for Bloodshot since we said goodbye to Gamma.  I’ll give it this one to grab me good.  If it doesn’t, then it’s goodbye.
  • X-O Manowar #18 (Valiant): Not long ago, I almost quit on X-O.  Glad I didn’t.
  • Extinction Parade #3 (Avatar): My wife likes it more than I do.
  • Letter 44 #1 (Oni Press): If you haven’t read the ubiquitous raves for Charles Soule’s latest offering, then you haven’t…well…read the…ubiquitous…raves for Charles Soule’s latest offering.
Letter 44 #1

Letter 44 #1

  • The Sixth Gun #35 (Oni Press): As fun an ongoing as your bound to find.
  • Six-Gun Gorilla #5 (BOOM!): Ah, the best for last.  So far, we’re talking contender for Book of the Year.  Met Jeff Stokely at the NYCC, and–I don’t think he’d mind my saying–he promised that this one’s a wild ride.  I believe him.
Six-Gun Gorilla #5

Six-Gun Gorilla #5

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

Derekommendations: 8/21

29 Thursday Aug 2013

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Brief highlights from last week:

Wonder Woman #23 (DC): Brian Azzarello wraps up his two-year epic with a bang. And with style – Cliff Chiang handles the art from start to finish. By expanding Diana’s family ties beyond her strictly Amazonian origin, Azzarello and Co. have given her truly mythic proportions.

Animal Man #23 (DC): Jeff Lemire continues to slowly get his mojo back on this book (the anthropomorphic pirates riding a giant narwhal through a sea of blood was particularly fun). The balancing act between the personal, fanciful, and horrific, along with the impending arrival of Rafael Albuquerque on art, are threatening to make this title relevant again.

Numbercruncher #2 (Titan): Along with the superlative Six-Gun Gorilla, this title offers further proof that Si Spurrier is one of the most wildly inventive writers around. Turns out God is nothing but a miserly accountant, keeping track of every tick of the adding machine in the great equation that is the Universe. Against such a soul-numbing backdrop, what chance does true love have? If you’re a genius mathematician, the answer is: pretty good. P.J. Holden provides the appropriately loopy visuals. As unlikely entertaining a confection as you’re likely to find.

Daredevil #30 (Marvel): As an endless array of crossovers (ugh) spill out from the big two (and beyond), Mark Waid and Einser-Award-Winner Chris Samnee show us how it’s done. An unlikely team-up, a self-contained story that nevertheless manages to raise the stakes sky-high, and a nice twist at the end that actually affects the main character – what more could a super hero fan want? Ok, how ’bout this: Samnee drawing DD rocking a surfboard through the streets of  Manhattan?

Top Pick – Adventure Time #19 (kaboom!): I’ve come to expect formal innovation from this title (it deserves the accolades it’s been getting); and indeed we get that in Andy Hirsch’s clever back-up  story. But what we get in the lead feature (by Ryan North, with art by Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb) is unexpected depth and heartbreak, as the Ice King further assumes his role as the central, tragic figure of the whole Adventure Time franchise (sort of like what Darth Vader was supposed to be in Star Wars). And all the while, as is often the case with AT, all the silliness and jokes practically dare you to take any of it seriously.

Give it a Miss – X-Men #4 (Marvel): The definition of a filler issue. Some nice (if uncharacteristic) scenes between Jubillee and Wolverine aside, nothing really happens in this book; disappointing, considering Brian Wood’s strong start on this title. And with the Battle of the Atom crossover (again I say, ugh) looming, I may be giving this book a miss for the foreseeable future. Wake me when it’s over!

Yours in Comics,

Derek

I&N Scott’s Bag (8/21)

28 Wednesday Aug 2013

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Sorry so late: my third wedding anniversary kinda got in the way.

Say what?  Wife over comics?

Hey, what’s one week out of the year?

  • Batwoman #23 (Read it!  A lot of running in place, but it does so stylishly:  McCarthy has brought his A-game again; I mean, how terrific is the transition from dream-Maggie, who is bleeding out, to a tripping Kate, who’s still stuck in a fear toxin-induced stupor?  Stunning.)
  • Wonder Woman #23 (Read it! Wonder Woman‘s been frustratingly good–yeah, just good–for over a year now.  We’ve endured some missteps–some that thoughtlessly pushed it from my pull-list and then some that have brought me to the brink of dropping it entirely; and, remarkably, there have never really been any remarkable moments.  The series, up until now, has just been good.  And then came #23: “Goddown.”  Halle-friggin’-lujah!  So many fantastic page turns and subtle touches from Azzarello and Chiang.  Finally!  Finally, I can put good down–because this issue is great.)
Wonder Woman #23

Wonder Woman #23

  • Batman ’66 #2 (Read it!  Some fun moments, sure, but not enough to keep me around.)
  • Dream Thief #4 (Read it!  Stuck in mediocrity, which is a shame after such a strong first issue–and even more so because only one issue remains.  The end, however, is promising.  We’ll see what happens.)
  • Chin Music #2 (Read it!  Niles’ story isn’t doing anything for me yet, but Harris’s art is ridiculously good.  The layouts, the line work, the attention to detail, the coloring: it’s all pretty amazing.  It’s a rare book that I’ll pick up for the art alone; going forward, this may be one of those books.)
Chin Music #2

Chin Music #2

  • Revival #13 (Read it!  A lot going on, but still hasn’t gotten anywhere significant.  I do like how Seeley and Norton worked out Joe’s taking Dr. Weimar’s story, however.)
Revival #13

Revival #13

  • X-O Manowar #16 (Read it!  Solid back and forth between the admirably arrogant Aric and the immortally wise Gilad.)
  • Bloodshot #0 (Read it!  Kindt does a nice enough job building Bloodshot’s backstory, even if it is a bit convoluted at times.  Playing to his strength, he tells the story through a first-person narrator, which gives the book the feel of a Mind MGMT sideshow.)
  • Superman Unchained #3 (Read it!  For the most part, I like what Snyder’s developing here with the Wraith.  Unfortunately, Jim Lee’s sucking the life out of the story with his soulless, static renderings.)
Superman Unchained #3

Superman Unchained #3

  • Indestructible Hulk #12 (Read it!  Actually kind of fun!  Waid handles the troika of Kids really well, and the Hulk–with the help of Scalera’s art–does his best Six-Gun Gorilla impression while cleaning up the more-than-one dinosaur town.  And once again, I’m not hating the dinosaurs.  I’ve really evolved over the past year, no?)
  • X-Men #4 (Read it!  Four books in–ugh!–we’re left to suffer through a one-and-done filler issue that accomplishes very little basically because The Battle of the Atom’s up next.  Would it’ve made more sense to start the series alongside the mini or even after?)
  • Animal Man #23 (Read it!  The Brother Blood side of the story isn’t as terrible as I thought it’d be.  The Maxine side reads a lot like something out of John Ney Rieber’s Books of Magic monthly series from back in the day.  It all comes together well enough with some blood red betrayal–like totemly!)
  • Batman and Nightwing #23 (Read it!  A terrific extension of Morrison’s vision that culminates in a touching moment that we might not have expected but that we–and Alfred–definitely deserved.  I love how Tomasi compassionately promotes Alfred to Bruce’s peer-in-grief with a simple omission: “Oh God, Bruce…”  Cements itself as the best Batman book goin’.)
  • Daredevil #30 (Read it!  Great opening with Kirsten McDuffie.  She and Matt have great chemistry, don’t they?  The rest of the story plays out well enough–that is until Daredevil takes control of the Surfer’s board and Samnee and Rodriguez paint the town red and silver.  They absolutely soar with Waid’s wit at their backs–all the way to the bitter bookend.)

What did you get in your bag?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (8/21)

21 Wednesday Aug 2013

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  • Dream Thief #4 (Dark Horse): We celebrated #1.  Not so much the next two.  I’m just going to grin and pick this one and then ride out the series.
  • Animal Man #23 (DC): I can’t seem to find solid ground with this title.  Ideas in a single issue can run the gamut from clever to terrible; and the dialogue–ugh!–is generally a disaster.  As I am with Batman, I’m hanging on to Animal Man because I respect the writer; and, like Snyder, Lemire deserves the longest of leashes.  (I mean, come on: he’s a home run hitter: his story in Adventures of Superman #1 was so, so good–so very reminiscent of the superior Essex County.)  Thing is, with Trillium #1, I’m finally getting what I want from Lemire, and that makes Animal Man expendable.  We’ll see what bubbles up with Brother Blood.  Hope it’s not hepatitis.
Animal Man #23

Animal Man #23

  • Batman ’66 #2 (DC): The first one was fun enough, though not quite funny enough.  Here’s hoping that Jeff Parker ramps up the camp.
  • Batman and Nightwing #23 (DC): With Batman Incorporated gone the way of the most recent Robin, this stands as the best Batman title on the shelf.
  • Batwoman #23 (DC): And, wouldn’t you know, this one’s the best Batbook goin’.
Batwoman #23

Batwoman #23

  • Superman Unchained #3 (DC): #2 was a vast improvement over #1.  Still feels a little too Lobdellian for my taste, however.
  • Wonder Woman #23 (DC): Azzarello’s plugging along, and I’m still reading along.
  • Chin Music #2 (Image): Geez.  I’m gonna hafta find #1 in order to get reacquainted with the Ness Niles and Harris left behind.
  • Revival #13 (Image): Has had its moments, sure, but is starting to feel the slog of a large cast of characters.
  • Daredevil #30 (Marvel): Not a big fan of the Silver Surfer.  Never have been, really.  Even the team-up with DD doesn’t do anything for me.  Ah, but add Chris Samnee to the mix: this could be a good time.
Daredevil #30

Daredevil #30

  • Indestructible Hulk #12 (Marvel): This one’s going to test my new-found tolerance for dinosaurs.
Indestructible Hulk #12

Indestructible Hulk #12

  • X-Men #4 (Marvel): I had a bunch of problems with #3.  Still, even in its infancy, X-Men is the cream of the mutant crop.  Hey, check it out: the best Batbook stars a woman, and the best X-book is based on women.  Hmm.  Hermm.
  • Bloodshot #0 (Valiant): Matt Kindt’s takeover of the industry continues here.  Hoping with all my might that he doesn’t suffer the same fate as Snyder and Lemire, who have stumbled some outside of their creator-owned work.
Bloodshot #1

Bloodshot #1

  • X-O Manowar #16 (Valiant): Not unlike Wonder Woman, really: always good but never quite great.
  • Numbercruncher #2 (Titan): I enjoyed the first one a lot.
  • The Sixth Gun #33 (Oni Press): Got a pretty impressive pile of post-Vol. 4 The Sixth Gun taunting me from the shelf to my left.  Not to worry, though: Vol. 5 is almost here!

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

In Scott’s Bag (7/31)

03 Saturday Aug 2013

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Picked up most of my books at the heavenly Midtown Comics.

  • Batman Incorporated #13 (Read it!  And just like that, it’s over.  Morrison, you quirky bastard, you will be missed.)
  • Adventures of Superman #3 (Read it!  Matt Kindt brings a little Mind MGMT to Metropolis: he crafts a complex narrative–in this case, plagued by some uneven writing–and rides it toward a recognizable Superman story.)
  • Indestructible Hulk #11 (Read it!  Hulk and robot Banner–yup, robot Banner–are unstuck in time.  So it goes.)
  • Uncanny X-Men #9 (Read it!  Enjoyed the…  I liked the, umm…  Well, there was the time when…  OK, I’m going to have to go with the hair-coloring kerfuffle.  Cuckoo, indeed.)
  • FF #10 (Read it!  F—ing Fraction!  No, really: you’ve got to read it to believe it.)
FF #10

FF #10

  • X-Men #3 (Read it!  Seemed to resolve itself far too easily.  But, hey: they “pulled together,” so…  A solid shrug.)
  • Batman Annual #2 (Read it!  Should’ve learned my lesson regarding these darned annuals a long time ago.  But seeing as I bought it and read it: I guess I liked the premise that Batman “ruined” Arkham by filling it with villainous scum.  What I didn’t care for was the stretching out of the story–which was unnecessary in the context of the story itself, clearly, but necessary in the context of filling all those extra pages.  Darned annuals.)
  • Uber #4 (Read it!  Now that’s how it’s done!  Kudos to Kieron Gillen and Caanan White for serving up a solid issue from front to back.  And to think I almost abandoned the war effort after #2!)
  • Bedlam #8 (Read it!  Fully expected it to be a pull-list casualty at this point; but, darn it, throughout the series Spencer’s shown a knack for escalating the plot over the course of an issue, and this issue is a prime example of that knack and its power.  And just like that, I’m down for more.)
Bedlam #8

Bedlam #8

  • Daredevil #29 (Read it!  On its own, a pretty good show.  Unfortunately, it’s not on its own; it both follows and is a follow-up to the near flawless #28.)
  • The Wake #3 (Read it!  OK, now you’ve got my attention, Mr. Snyder!  This is the issue I was waiting for-not just it terms of the series, but in terms of the series’ scribe, as well.  What sucks about it: now I’ve got to wait some more–for #4.)
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #24 (Read it!  That’s right: I’m three issue into the TMNT ongoing series.  A more unlikely scenario I can’t imagine!  Thing is, it’s really good.  So, there: I have a good excuse.)
TMNT #24

TMNT #24

  • Animal Man Annual #2 (Read it!  Love the family stuff.  The hero stuff is on the walking side of run-of-the-mill.  That seems to be the flaw in Lemire’s game.  Well, there’s always Trillium, which is due 8/7.  Good to see travel Foreman, by the way.)
  • Collider #1 (Gonna get right to it after I post this darn thing.)
Collider #1

Collider #1

I’m happy to report that I also picked up Hawkeye Vol. 2, so it won’t be long before I’m all caught up!

What did you get in your bag this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s Up?

29 Monday Jul 2013

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Big on the big boys–and, as a result, a pretty big list reads rather small.

  • Adventures of Superman #3 (DC): Kindt on Supes?  Cool.
  • Animal Man Annual #2 (DC): Any time Lemire gets real, things get good.  A focus on the Baker family sounds pretty real–even if “massive, slavering spiders” are involved.
Animal Man Annual #2

Animal Man Annual #2

  • Batman Annual #2 (DC): Oh, yay!  A Zero Year tie-in.
  • Batman Incorporated #13 (DC): So, this is it, eh?  Can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Batman Incorporated #13

Batman Incorporated #13

  • Collider #1 (DC/Vertigo): Sounds interesting enough.  By “interesting enough,” I obviously mean that it’s a Vertigo #1.
  • The Wake #3 (DC/Vertigo): Is this where the series finally wakes up?  I sure hope so.  As you know, I’m never in favor of dropping out in the middle of a mini.
The Wake #3

The Wake #3

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #24 (IDW): I fully expected to be off after #23.  Would’ve been, too, except for the fact that I got sucked into the whole Leonardo reprogramming thing.
  • Bedlam #8 (DC): Officially on the chopping block.
  • Daredevil #29 (Marvel): #28 was just grand–dare I say a new classic.  Looks like we’re not done with Matt’s past.  Sweet.
Daredevil #29

Daredevil #29

  • FF #10 (Marvel): Recently tweeted that FF’s my third favorite Marvel book.  No, I wasn’t drinking at the time.  My glass was totally on the desk.  Fresh fact: Matt Fraction is at the top of his game and should be on everyone’s pull list–be it in the form of FF, Hawkeye, or our Book of the Week (7/3) Satellite Sam.
  • Indestructible Hulk #11 (Marvel): Pains me to say it: also on the chopping block.  Unfortunately, the House connection hasn’t played out as I had hoped.
  • Uncanny X-Men #9 (Marvel): I wonder if this issue will go somewhere.
  • X-Men #3 (Marvel): Brian Wood’s brought some X-Men back to the X-Men.
X-Men #3

X-Men #3

  • 3 Guns #1 (BOOM!): Haven’t read 2 Guns.  Wonder if that will make a difference.  Guess I’ll find out soon enough.
  • Uber #4 (Avatar): As I mentioned last month: I’m glad I didn’t give up on it.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

In Scott’s Bag (7/17)

20 Saturday Jul 2013

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As far as bags go, this one feels a lot like punching.

  • Animal Man #22 (Read it!  I enjoyed it–maybe more than I should have.  I like the idea of the Splinterfolk, even if Lemire’s dialogue during their page time tends toward clunky/goofy.)
Animal Man #22

Animal Man #22

  • Revival #12 (Read it!  No surprise here: another solid issue.  Love the way the kid’s cartoon was integrated into the story.)
Revival #12

Revival #12

  • Batwoman #22 (Read it!  Liked it a lot.  Maybe Menachem from Escape Pod Comics was right: it’s all good: even though J.H. Williams III isn’t drawing, he is writing.  And Trevor McCarthy is pretty bad ass in his own right.  Really dug the Batvillain rundown.)
  • Dream Thief #3 (Not quite there yet.)
  • Numbercruncher #1 (Looking forward to it.  If it’s got a Six-Gun Gorilla vibe, I’ll be very happy.)
  • Day Men #1 (I’ll get to it.)
Day Men #1

Day Men #1

  • Red Sonja #1 (Yeah,  grabbed the Staples cover.  Makes me miss Saga even more.  Will probably be the final read for the week.)
  • Half Past Danger #3 (Read it!  It’s like this: a tire that’s leaking air slowly.  Agonizingly so.  I’m considering dropping it–and not just because of the dinosaurs.)
  • The Strain: The Fall #1 (Read it!  I’ll not be picking up #2.)
  • Archer & Armstrong #11 (Read it!  As consistent as they come: great fun and filet knife sharp!  General Redacted is the —-!  And I wasn’t so turned off by the dinosaurs!)
Archer & Armstrong #11

Archer & Armstrong #11

  • Ultimate Spider-Man #25 (Read it!  It’s no secret: I like Miles more than I like Spider-Man Miles; but I’m not gonna lie: I really liked the final splash.  That’s right, true believers: I was happy–in fact, relieved–to see Miles in his costume.  What the heck is going on this week?)
  • FF #9 (Read it!  No Allred, but still plenty of fun.  Fraction’s in the zone, man.  I think I can safely say I’ve grown fond of him, what with Hawkeye and Satellite Sam and all.)
  • Batman and Catwoman #22 (Read it!  Good stuff all around.  Has cemented itself as my favorite New 52 Batman title.)
Batman and Catwoman #22

Batman and Catwoman #22

  • All-New X-Men #14 (Read it!  Kind of like last week’s Uncanny X-Men: didn’t really go anywhere or accomplish anything–other than, in the case of All-New, reveal a fiery side to Jean Gray.  No.  Really?  Burned!)
  • Wonder Woman #22 (Read it!  A decent read–as always.  And, you know: I didn’t hate New Genesis and the New Gods as I usually do.  Wait a minute.  Something’s definitely up.  First, I’m OK with dinosaurs in A&A.  Then, I’m down with Spider-Man Miles.  And, now I’m not turned off by the New Gods?  There’s only one explanation: my mutant power has finally manifested itself: I’m–I’m–tolerant.)
  • Harbinger Wars #4 (Read it!  Trying to remember…  The series was not as epic as I had hoped.  I really wanted Valiant–through this mini–to show the bigs how to do a crossover up right.  Oh well.  At least it’s over.)
  • Batman ’66 #1 (Read it!  Really captures the spirit of the TV show.  A Bat blast!)

I’m all punched out.

What did you get in your bag this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

In Scott’s Bag (6/19)

22 Saturday Jun 2013

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It’s not a bag of comics as much as it’s a bag of evidence–evidence that I have a problem.

Exhibits A-Q

  • Batwoman #21 (Looks pretty.  Francavilla’s really a perfect choice here: he brings immediate credibility to this otherwise irrelevant Killer Croc interlude.)
Batwoman #21

Batwoman #21

  • Wonder Woman #21 (Chiang brings something to the page that Akins et al cannot.  So, I’m already looking forward to it.  My expectations remain tempered, however, because of the continued presence of the New Gods–even, if for the most part, it’s just Orion.  I’ve never cared for the New Gods.)
  • Mara #5 (I’ve come to appreciate Brian Wood’s style a bit more now that I’m caught up with The Massive.  I wonder if I should go back to the beginning with this one.)
Mara #5

Mara #5

  • Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (As I mentioned: I’ve always liked Cloak and Dagger.  Looks like this one focuses on the polar-opposite pair.  Wonder what that’s all about.)
  • Indestructible Hulk #9 (I’m kinda figuring that anything–N.E. thing–would be better than the ill-timed Thor diversion.  And this isn’t just anything: it’s a
  • Animal Man #21 (An unfortunate combination of something I want more of–Buddy the reluctant celebrity–and something I want less of: Maxine in the Red–with Shepherd, for crying out loud!  Ugh.)
Animal Man #21

Animal Man #21

  • Dream Thief #2 (Carries with it some high expectations.  Always a tough position to be in.)
  • Mind the Gap Vol. 2 TP (Looking to build a little more quality into your weekly haul?  I’ll tell you one way to do it: drop the crap and Mind the Gap!)
  • Mind the Gap #11 (Soooo excited that, once through this, I’ll be all caught up!  Mr. McCann, here I come!)
  • Revival #11 (Ended well–really well, in fact.  Checked out the first page of this one.  Love the way it ends and how it sets up the page turn.  Should be good!)
Revival #11

Revival #11

  • Batman and Batgirl #21 (As I mentioned: I’ve been finding Tomasi’s Batman considerably more interesting–and authentic, considering the trail blazed by Morrison on Batman Incorporated–than Snyder’s.  Please tell me I’m not the only one.)
  • Wild Blue Yonder #1 (Worth a shot, right?)
Wild Blue Yonder #1

Wild Blue Yonder #1

  • Bloodshot #12 (So far, the Harbinger Wars have left Bloodshot a little red faced.)
  • Harbinger #13 (Plenty to like about what Dysart’s been doing.)
  • The Sixth Gun #32 (Has me looking forward to September.  Sacrilege, I know; but I need to get through Vol. 5 first!
  • The Sixth Gun: Sons of the Gun #4 (Has helped ease the pain.)
Sons of the Gun #4

Sons of the Gun #4

  • Extinction Parade #1 (Have never been much of a vampire/zombie guy.  We’ll see.)

Now that I’ve got nothing but time–till September, of course–the pile doesn’t look so big.  Man, I’m my own enabler.

What did you get in your bag this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

In Scott’s Bag (5/1)

04 Saturday May 2013

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Ended up with 15 books.  Go figure.

  • The Movement #1 (Can’t imagine I’m going to like this.  Yet here it is.  In my bag.)
  • Winter Soldier #18 (That’s right: it survived the purge–at least for another month.  Thumb through cinched it.  Nic Klein’s artwork–especially his colors–was the draw here.)
Winter Soldier #17

Winter Soldier #18

  • Dial H #12 (Hope it comes back down to earth–not that the cover suggests it will.)
    Dial H #12

    Dial H #12

    • Snapshot #4 (Had forgotten all about this one.  Good thing I remembered while I was in the shop!  Best thing about it: it’s #4 of 4–which means it’s done and, going forward, I’m left with a lighter list.  Whoot!)
    • Cyborg 009 Preview (For a buck, why not?)
    • Mister X: Eviction #1 (Gorgeous cover.  Inside’s pretty damn gorgeous, too.)
    Mister X: Eviction #1

    Mister X: Eviction #1

    • Shadowman #0 (Quick flip: lots of chefs, but the broth is still refreshingly aromatic.  Can’t wait to taste it.)
    • Harbinger Wars #2 (Headed into it with realistic expectations.)
    • Indestructible Hulk #7 (Read it.  Better than #6, sure; but I’m still left thinking, “What difference does any of this make?” and “Why do I care?”)
    • Sesame Street #1 (No way I could pass this up.  My daughter loves Cookie Monster and Elmo.  Can’t wait to read it to her.  Really can’t wait until she’s able to read it on her own!)
    • All-New X-Men #11 (Read it.  A bit stuck in the mud–in more ways than one.  Overall, however, not bad.)
    • Ten Grand #1 (Read it.  Have you heard the one about the hitman with a heart who sells his soul to the devil in order to be with his lost love just one more time?  Of course you have.  Will probably give it another issue.)
    • Green Arrow #20 (Read it.  Perhaps one of the worst books I’ve read since I’ve been back in the game.  I just don’t get it.  Why can’t this character catch a friggin’ break?  I’ll tell you what this is further proof of: looks like Lemire is not suited for superhero books.  [See our recent reviews of Rotworld-related Animal Man to see what I’m talking about.])
    • Animal Man #20 (Read it.  Finally free of the Rot and the Red; finally we’re back in Buddy’s head.  That’s the Lemire we know and love!  A bit nervous about the promise for the next issue: the Red and Totems, too?  Just what am I going to do?)
    Animal Man #20

    Animal Man #20

    • Suicide Risk #1 (Read it.  Not terribly exciting.  Not terrible, either.  A little too familiar throughout.)

What did you end up with in your bag?

Turning pages,

Scott