• The Big Picture
  • Here’s ScottNerd…
  • Here’s DerekNerd…

Images and Nerds

~ We're turning pages–and writing about them!

Images and Nerds

Tag Archives: Avatar

I&N Store 8/1

01 Wednesday Aug 2018

Posted by ScottNerd in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Al Ewing, Ann Nocenti, Antonio Fuso, Avatar, Batman, Black Mask, Black Mask Studios, Brian K. Vaughan, Captain America, Cliff Chiang, Daniel Gete, David Aja, David Lapham, DC Comics, Garry Brown, Image, Image Comics, Jerome Opena, Kieron Gillen, Lee Weeks, Leviathan, Marvel, Mister Miracle, Mitch Gerads, Paper Girls, Patrick Kindlon, Rick Remender, Seven to Eternity, Stray Bullets, Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses, Survival Fetish, The Immortal Hulk, The Quantum Age, The Seeds, The Wilds, Tom King, Uber: Invasion

Since it’s summertime, I’m Superdad full time; so I’m lucky enough to have my two daughters with me when I go to my favorite LCS–the great Android’s Amazing Comics, of course.  The girls just love to browse the shop, to check out the comics–they really know how to handle them–and the blind bags–they certainly know how to handle them–and the–as my little one calls them–soft things: you know: a rainbow of My Little Ponies and blood-red My Murderous Deadpools–all the things kids love!  Oh, it’s such a joy, especially since they let me take my time–without any distractions at all!–at the big wall of new books.

I pray I find these:

  • Leviathan #1 (Image)
  • Paper Girls #23 (Image)
  • Seven to Eternity #10 (Image)
  • Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #37 (Image): I&N Demand I loved #36!  It’s easily one of my favorite single issues of the year.  David Lapham emptied his clip into that one: Spanish Scott and Monster–talk about toxic masculinity!  (Oooh, this issue’s a black and white Superfund site!)  “Monsters are comin’,” indeed!  Gotta love those bad dudes–but not as much as Love Yourself–err—himself.  I fell for that fucker right away, and it’s no surprise why: on the surface, he’s sunshine and roses; but on the inside, there’s some kinda complicated shit goin’ on.  The love, the pain, the humor in the bespectacled face of death–I rooted my ass off for Love.  And that final page, tho.  That‘s a stray bullet right through the motherfucking heart.  Color me kinda nervous going into this next one.  Fucking monsters.

stray

  • The Quantum Age #2 (Dark Horse)
  • The Seeds #1 (Dark Horse/Berger Books): I&N Demand In short:David Aja–just bee cause.  A maze sting!  (To quote Eisner-winner Tom King, who is very I&N Demand this week: “I’m sorry.”)

seed

  • Batman #52 (DC): I&N Demand Batman vs. Bruce Wayne!  OK, so Bruce was a little hot after being left at the ledge.  Does that mean he–as Bat–had to put the heat on Freeze?  Hell yeah it does!  But Bruce gets it: he knows he went too far; and now, to remedy the situation, he’s got to fight eleven fellow Gothamites–those very citizens he’s fought for all along while wearing the cape and cowl!  I can’t wait to see how this plays out.  Tom King–FYI: CIA BEF DC–takes his take on torture/enhanced interrogation techniques to the chilly jury room, and Lee Weeks kills it with his gritty realism.  All together, #51 is powerful issue that sets up one heck of a Battle–let the deliberations begin!

bat

  • Mister Miracle #10 (DC): I&N Demand I’ve never cared for the New Gods.  But now–now I care about the New Gods–because through nine issues, the New King has taken us through one emotional Boom Tube after another.  He–with the Eisner-winning help of Mitch Gerads–has got the gods grounded in the real and still they’re goddin’ it well enough to make it all so much more.  One thing Scott Free will never escape: Tom King–they’re chained together forevermore.

miracle

  • Captain America #2 (Marvel)
  • The Immortal Hulk #4 (Marvel): I&N Demand I really liked #1.  #2 was aight.  It had me kinda like Do I need this?  (Already droppin’ lots of green every Wednesday, so…)  I picked up #3 anyway and was totally Whoa!  Al Ewing won me over with the multiple-perspectives-as-offered-by-multiple-artists approach.  (Excited to see Garry Brown bangin’ out Big Green.)  Loved it!  It was incredible immortal!  Happy to see, too, a little Alpha Flight action there at the end.  As I told someone recently–if commenting on Instagram counts as telling: Alpha Flight is the bacon of comics: they make any book better! Two gamma-irradiated biceps way waaaaay up!  Hoping this one flexes its muscles, too.

hulk

  • Survival Fetish #3 (Black Mask): I&N Demand Through two, the all-ways moving Survival Fetish really gratifies: the premise is super sexy; Patrick Kindlon’s writing is sharp–the narration and the dialogue double-teaming to deliver an engaging read; but the star of the show is Antonio Fuso, whose black and white art scrupulously sells Saheer’s experience–his ever-evolving “movement”–and, ultimately, runs this fucking town.  In fact, I’m gonna sprint to the comic shop as soon as it opens to get my hands on this one–’cause there’ll probably only be one or two on the shelf and it’d suck to miss it–especially after the wait (it’s been a while) and after having re-read #2 to get my feet under me.  Damn that was good!

surv

  • Uber: Invasion #15 (Avatar)
  • The Wilds #4 (Black Mask)

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

What’s I&N Store (8/10)

10 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by ScottNerd in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Action Comics, Aftershock, Alan Moore, Ales Kot, All-Star Batman, Avatar, Black Eyed Kids, Black Monday Murders, Black Panther, Cirque American, comics, Cullen Bunn, Dark Horse, DC, Deathstroke, Detective Comics, Empress, Garth Ennis, Grabriel Hernandez Walta, Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps, Harrow County, horror, Image, James Robinson, Joelle Jones, Johnny Red, Jonathan Hickman, Marvel, NCBD, New Superman, Providence, Rebirth, Scarlet Witch, Superwoman, Symmetry, The Flash, The Vision, Titan Comics, Tom King, Tula Lotay, Tyler Crook, War Stories, Wonder Woman, zero

Lots of good stuff this week.  Pretty hero heavy thanks to Rebirth–and my complete rejection of the tenet of temperance.

  • Harrow County #15 (Dark Horse): I&N Demand Re: #14: Emmy’s mother’s heart everything-melting backstory frames a frightful “family” reunion, facilitated by an Old Scratchy Levi, whose serpentine smile has me thinking that at any moment his jaw’s gonna drop open and he’s going to swallow sweet little Emmy whole–and me with her!  Oh, maybe I’m just being paranoid.  No need to be; see: Cullen Bunn’s devilish dandy assures us safe passage–  Oh, come on!  Of course he does; that’s what smiling devilish dandies do!  Any reader knows there’s nothing safe about him.  Hell, there’s nothing safe about this issue or about this series.  Thanks to Tyler Crook’s ghostly gouache, every effing panel’s a gamble–like playing hopscotch in a field littered with landmines–and the bodies of hopscotchers come before.  That’s right, I&Nmates: welcome to Harrow effing County.

STL013660

  • Action Comics #961 (DC)
  • All-Star Batman #1 (DC)
  • Deathstroke: Rebirth #1 (DC)
  • Detective Comics #938 (DC)
  • The Flash #4 (DC)
  • Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #3 (DC)
  • New Superman #2 (DC)
  • Superwoman #1 (DC)
  • Wonder Woman #4 (DC)
  • Black Monday Murders #1 (Image): Just I&N Class warfare à la Jonathan Hickman.  It’s arrived just in time!  Here’s a promise: a big world that reads small thanks to writing that’s tighter than a fat cat’s money belt.

STL014236

  • Symmetry #6 (Image)
  • Black Panther #5 (Marvel)
  • Empress #5 (Marvel)
  • Scarlet Witch #9 (Marvel): I&N Demand I’m happy to report that James Robinson’s tucked his junk away for his intriguing turn on Scarlet Witch.  This book’s been monthly magic!  OK, so we celebrated Robinson’s The Shade (DC)–feels like forever ago–and celehated just about everything else since then save for his full-of-hot Airboy, which was a balls-out blast to the past that sold me on Robinson’s page-bound prickish self, particularly as he hit some notes that recalled David Duchovny’s cock(un)sure Hank Moody in the hilariously depressing Californication.  What a Wanda-full world he’s created here–with the help a different artist for each effort in order to create an interconnected series of singular experiences, which reminds of Ales Kot’s groundbreaking-and-then-standing-over-the-broken-pieces-and-gloating Zero (Image).  Issue #8 found artist Tula Lotay delivering an appropriately hypnotic performance–one that helped to sell the all-important intimacy and to deliver the Ringmasterful twist.  This month: Joëlle Jones assumes art duties.  Something tells me the lady’s gonna kill it.

STL013398

  • The Vision #10 (Marvel): I&N Demand Later, this very reader, on this very blog, would write a review of The Vision and its creators that no one has written before–and it’d go viral, leaving dancing grooms and blustery moguls dancing and blustering in the datadust.  A blurb would be bounced about the Twitterverse enough to convince some eager editor to snatch it and put it in print somewhere Marvelous.  Then and only then would the world come to realize how integral Tom King’s vision and his voice have been to the evolution of the medium during this Vibranium Age for comics.  For now: on the strength of #9, and King and Walta’s playing us like a Wakandian piano, before diving into #10, don’t forget your flak jacket, your helmet, and, for obvious reasons, your safety glasses.  This could get ugly very quickly.

STL013431

  • Black Eyed Kids #5 (Aftershock)
  • Cirque American: Girl Over Paris #2 (Jet City Comics)
  • Johnny Red #8 (Titan)
  • Providence #10 (Avatar): I&N Demand Word wizard Alan Moore’s painstakingly finger-banging my brain.  I offer it up to him again.  There’s nothing like it on the shelf.  There can’t be anything like it on the shelf.

STL013038

  • War Stories #19 (Marvel): I&N Demand More war from Garth Ennis!  Goody, goody bomb drops!

STL007288

Avery’s Pick of the Week

  • Disney Princesses #5 (Joe Books)

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Best Books of the Spring

05 Wednesday Aug 2015

Posted by ScottNerd in Top 5 Books of the Month

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

A Christmas Carol, Alan Moore, Ales Kot, Allen Ginsberg, Ant-Man, Archie, Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw, Avatar, Benjamin Dewey, Black Mask, BOOM!, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Chris Peterson, Crash, Curt Pires, Dan Slott, Downton Abbey, Eddie Campbell, Erica Henderson, From Hell, Garth, Giant Days, God Hates Astronauts, H.P. Lovecraft, Howard Chaykin, Ian Betram, Image, Jacen Burrows, Jeff Lemire, John Allison, Jordie Bellaire, Juan Rodriguex, Kaptara, Kurt Busiek, Lissa Treiman, Marvel, Material, Matt Fraction, Mayday, Mike Allred, Nick Spencer, Ommegang Abbey Ale, Penn State, Pete Toms, Providence, Robert Hack, Ryan North, Satellite Sam, Silver Surfer, Stathis Tsemberlidis, The Crucible, The Shining, the unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Tomas Aira, War Stories, Watchmen, Will Tempest, William S. Burroughs, zero

Summer is in full swing! As you lather up the sunscreen, fill the cooler with your beverage of choice (Ommegang Abbey Ale for me, thanks) and break out your thongs (sandals or otherwise, hey, we don’t judge) we present a list of recent comics that are well worth tracking down for your seaside, margarita-sipping, swimsuit-watching summer reading. Enjoy!

Top 5 Books of March

5. Giant Days #1 (BOOM!): OK, so, about 25 years or so ago, I made my way to The Pennsylvania State University, University Park campus; got settled in on the 4th floor of Pinchot Hall, a 10-storey sausage factory; cycled through a few roommates–smokers, snorers, and  psychopaths–during my two years on campus; fell in with a group of dorks who’d be my best buds for four blurry years; and all together, as fun as I think it was–as I remember it was–it was nothing like John Allison and Lissa Treiman’s irrepressibly jocular Giant Days #1.  Maybe that’s why I loved it so much.  Co-ed Musketeers–Daisy, Esther, and Susan–are the hyperbolically dramatic center of this university; and hilarity revolves around them in effortless ellipses, much to our benefit.  So good that I can confidently quote McGraw, the mustachioed hate interest, as I consider what the future holds for Giant Days and, fearing a sophomore slump, threaten the creators of this tasty treat: “Nothing you can do can spoil gravy for me.” (SC)

Giant Days #1

Giant Days #1

4. Autumnlands #5 (Image): Fantasy books are all about world-building. No comic in recent memory has presented a realm so fully realized as Autumnlands. Credit goes equally to writer Kurt Busiek (no stranger to this kind of thing – see Astro City) and artist Benjamin Dewey, whose lush style seems to belong to another era (it doesn’t hurt, of course, that it’s being colored by the omnipresent Jordie Bellaire, who I’m convinced at this point must be some sort of collective of robot artists). Floating cities, magical lore, calcified social strata, layer upon layer intertwine into a cohesive whole. Impressively, one doesn’t hear the awkard, behind-the-scenes clanging of this universe’s construction; rather, it’s as if it has always been there. It is merely our happy fortune to discover it, and get lost in it. Higher praise for a fantasy tale I can scarcely think of. (DM)

The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #5

The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #5

3. Ant-Man #3 (Marvel): I can’t even with this book. It is just too funny. I literally (and I mean that in the literal sense) have to keep putting it down because I’m laughing so hard. Literally! Nick Spencer is a comic (and I mean that in the comic sense) genius. Here’s your blurb: “The hero may be small, but the laughs are BIG!” (DM)

Ant-Man #3

Ant-Man #3

2. Silver Surfer #10 (Marvel): Dan Slott and Mike Allred are producing the definitive run of this classic character. They spent most of the first year bringing the fun, with story after story teeming with imagination and wit. But with the Silver Surfer, the piper must always be payed. They tackle the central pathos of the character head on: how can a being who played a role in the deaths of untold millions ever be redeemed? The story they come up with is so simple, so perfectly elegant, that I almost can’t believe no one’s thought of it before. Everyone knows that superhero stories from the Big Two are ‘never-ending’. That’s a shame, because this issue would serve as the perfect coda not just for this series, but for the journey that Norrin Radd has been on since Fantastic Four #48, all those decades ago. Beautiful. (DM)

Silver Surfer #10

Silver Surfer #10

1. Zero #15 (Image): The Jeff Lemire variant queries innocently enough, “What is Zero?” Answers inspired by fourteen issues of Ales Kot’s crazy, crazy calculus: Soldier.  Spy.  Hero.  Killer.  Storyteller.  Everything.  Nothing.  Open up the book, open mind, as always, as necessary with this schizophrenic series, ask again: Who is Zero?  Answer inspired by page one, panel one: I have no effing idea! <–I borrowed an exclamation point; don’t think it’ll be missed.  Kot unexpectedly offers up a figure who’s furiously fingering a typewriter and, in doing so, adds a literary layer, making the book more than Zero.  He’s gone meta, forging unforeseen relationships, crafting, out of the story thus far, a psych-session confession and a catharsis-in-progress.  This stunning thing with its wild spirit sees Kot exploiting his poetic proclivities: his words build images that build upon artist Ian Bertram’s images and affecting layouts: it’s a conscious stream of Ginsberg and guns, fathers and sons, drugs and drugs–all of it burrowing into the brain like a drunk bullet.  Stories don’t get more tragic than William S. Burroughs’, and Kot’s made magic by borrowing it–as if you couldn’t tell.

Zero #15

Zero #15

The Biggest Dis(appointment): Descender  #1 (Image)

Descender is the perfect title for this highly anticipated offering from the frustratingly inconsistent Jeff Lemire: the book, which starts off well enough, descends quickly–and dizzyingly so–to robotic schmaltz, lowlighted by the insultingly saccharine introduction of Tim-21, which bored a hole nerve-deep in my otherwise pretty resilient sweet tooth.  Anyone know a good dentist?  (SC)

Descender #1

Descender #1

 

Top 5 Books of April

5. the unbeatable Squirrel Girl #4 (Marvel): There’s a long-overdue resurgence taking place in monthly comics that are putting the ‘funny’ back in ‘funny books’. We’ve been trumpeting the aforementioned Ant-Man for a while now; add to that the likes of God Hates Astronauts, Kaptara, and East of West (ok, maybe not that last one). Enter: Squirrel Girl. Ryan North (fresh of his excellent, award-winning run on Adventure Time) and artist Erica Henderson have already established a quirky charmer through three issues. Well the fourth installment is, simply put, the funniest single comic I’ve read all year. Most books are lucky to get a chuckle; this one had me laughing out loud five times before I was even that many number of pages in (I’m laughing now, just remembering them). Or maybe I should just put it this way: Squirrel Girl Vs. Galactus. Nuts Said. (DM)

the unbeatable Squirrel Girl #4

the unbeatable Squirrel Girl #4

4. Mayday #1 (Black Mask): Curt Pires pops for real with this frenetic filet o’ film–one that drops some noms de cinéma (Kaufman, Lynch, and Bay) and goes to effing guerre with them.  Oh, yeah, man: it’s a wild ride that reads like a regiment of lines on a mirror meant to be snorted with the eyes and sorted out with a muddied mind.  Re: minds: Pires, paired with the more than competent Chris Peterson, sells a story that, in terms of comics, is “sort of like” Matt Fraction channeled through Ales Kot with Tyler Jenkins and Michael Walsh trying to one-up one another from one panel to the next.  Mayday #1 will leave you questioning your life choices–especially if most of them have sucked.  But you will not question your choice to pick it up–even if it is “just one big blur”; nor will you question whether or not you should pick up #2.  I mean, Kleio and Terrence have “just murdered two dudes.”  You totally don’t want them to come after you. (SC)

Mayday #1

Mayday #1

3. War Stories #8 (Avatar): Sounds like a given: Part 2 of “The Last German Winter” hits the mark with this icy mid-arc march through moral relativism; but let’s be honest: there’s nothing easy–nothing safe–about it.  I mean, who can take a Nazi, humanize his ass, then make you wonder all along when hell will come to pass?  Only Garth Ennis can.  Only Garth Ennis can.  (No, you’re not imagining things: go back and hum the tune as you read–heck, sing it out loud, you Sammy wannabe!)  He crafts a German hero–Gerhard the Gallant–who, considering the situation, is easy to root for; but we know better, don’t we?  Don’t we?  Just in case, Ennis reminds us, elbows us to make sure we’re paying attention; oh, but then he nudges us–so vulnerable to his charms–right back to where he wants us–seeing the man, not seeing the monster–thanks mostly to his narrative voice, the vulnerable Rachel Kohler, and to the portrayal of the even more monstrous Russians, their evil punctuated by an horrific splash from Tomas Aira.  The execution is near Nabokovian!  (No, you’re not imagining things: go back and Hum.)  Now that, dear reader, is a war story! (SC)

War Stories #8

War Stories #8

2. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #2 (Archie Horror): Was a long time coming–so long that Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa offered up an apology to kick off the letter page!–but this second issue of Sabrina, which introduces with verve the vengeful and irredeemably evil Madam Satan, was well worth the wait.  The aforementioned writer–who not only sets a scene, he sets it on fire with his precise imagery–and artist Robert Hack, whose retro style is equal parts pillowy soft and boldly bloody, own the tone of this witches’ brew, which is bubbling over with literary allusions.  It’s campy; it’s creepy; it’s killer, kids! (SC)

 

Sabrina #2

Sabrina #2

1. Silver Surfer #11 (Marvel): Dan Slott and Mike Allred follow up the powerhouse of issue 10 with a comic that is as formalistically daring as it is emotionally satisfying. Surfer and Co. are trapped in a time loop and the question becomes not only whether they’ll escape, but whether they’ll even realize it at all. A graphic illustration of Free Will versus Determinism, a metaphor for the repetitive cycle of our everyday experience, a tale of love, forgiveness and redemption; this issue delivers all three in a thrilling marriage of form and content. I maintain that issue 10 would have provided an excellent ending to this wonderful series. But I’m glad it didn’t. (DM)

Silver Surfer #11

Silver Surfer #11

 

Top 5 Books of May

5. Zero #16 (Image): Collective unconscious, the inevitability of change, the destiny of DNA, the life sentence that is guilt–Zero‘s certainly much more than its title insists.  It’s a proving ground, of sorts; it’s Ales Kot’s firing range of ideas: it’s rhyme-free reason; it’s a game of William Tell: Kot himself is the tortured William S. Burroughs, and we’re the trusting Joan Burroughs, with an apple of expectations balanced precariously on our head.  Too.  Tempting.  BANG!  Somehow this experimental spy story became an experiment in layers deep meta-fiction; and, despite the jarring shift, the result is nothing short of spore-born brilliance.  Wherever this crazy thing ends up, rest assured, Ales Kot will not fail us–but he’ll sure as hell phallus, as evidenced by Tom Muller and Stathis Tsemberlidis’s cocky cover, which, in turn, is further proof of an air of youthful arrogance in Kot’s work, especially here in Zero.  I’m more than happy to breathe it in for as long as it lasts.  (SC)

Zero #16

Zero #16

4. Afterlife with Archie #8 (Archie Horror): Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla continue to add to their modern horror mash-up by seamlessly incorporating elements that you didn’t even know you wanted; everything from The Shining to The Crucible, even A Christmas Carol. The result is rich tapestry that continues to add texture to the story, a mix that acknowledges the high-points in the history of horror through the unlikeliest of lenses. (DM)

Afterlife With Archie #8

Afterlife With Archie #8

3. Mind MGMT #33 (Image): The ultimate showdown’s coming, but there’s no sign of a slowdown–even as Matt Kindt slows things down to foster a touching family reunion, one that frames Team Meru’s Soldiers of Fortune Cookies and their receiving and executing–with stunning efficiency–their munching–er, marching orders.  The decidedly deliberate issue ends with a Dalicious splash that promises a wild time.  With the end of the series so near, I’m excited, I’m anxious; but, no, Pipe Kid, I’m not ready–and I’m as not ready as I’m ever going to be.  (SC)

Mind MGMT #33

Mind MGMT #33

2. Providence #1 (Avatar): Avatar’s publicity department has been describing this new series by Alan Moore as “The Watchmen of horror”. But the story from Moore’s oeuvre that it more readily calls to mind is From Hell (an even more impressive achievement to this reviewer’s mind). FH brilliantly examined the underlying brutality of patriarchal hegemony through the lens of Victorian England, using the Whitechapel murders as a vehicle. Providence promises to delve into the repressed corners of American society of the past century using the fiction of H.P. Lovecraft (a passion of Moore’s for some time now) as a framework. Moore explores the Jungian implications of Lovecraft’s mythos (underlying realities masked by our limited human perception) by using them as a metaphor for aspects of the American experience that needed to remain hidden, given the times (in this case, “the love that dare not speak its name”). Yes, there is much to unpack here. Yet for all that,  this first issue is a master’s class in restrained, subtle storytelling. The deliberate pacing, the seemingly minor details that gain importance as the issue progresses, the symmetry of the opening and closing segments; Moore’s assured control of the material, when he’s on, has never been matched by another comic book writer. To say nothing of the insane amount of research that is woven throughout. Which brings us to the art. Here another comparison to FH is apt: Eddie Campbell’s nonpareil art in that tome had a scratchy looseness, a sketchy immediacy that pulled the modern reader with its irrepressible energy, despite the period setting. Here, Jacen Burrows takes the opposite approach: meticulously rendered, exhaustive research evident in every carefully placed line. The effect is polished, subdued and certainly visually impressive, but with a formal stiffness akin to watching an episode of Downton Abbey. And yet this is reflective of Moore’s otherworldly precision. Ultimately, the hyperbole of comparing this new series to the well-known Watchmen is needless. This first issue promises an epic Alan Moore tale to match or exceed, in scope, ambition and execution, anything he’s previously produced. That alone should suffice. (DM)

Providence #1

Providence #1

1. Material #1 (Image): With Material, Ales Kot’s has found his forum, the perfect space for him to keep pace with the injustices of the world.  No matter how desperate or disparate, they have a home here; and God knows he’ll never want for material as long as he never casts off the lenses–the perspective-altering critical approaches to analyzing, well, everything so relied upon by campus comrades, the arrogant academicians and their lecture-hall spawn–that help him to see the Ugly Spirit* in, well, everything.  Despite the pessimism that pervades the four narratives, which may or may not Crash into each other at some point, what Kot’s come up with–in tandem with the ironically-named Will Tempest–is beautiful.  He asserts that there’s hope in moments, in connections, and what better way to convey that point than with a comic book!  Holding its pages open is like holding hands with Kot himself as he leads the march toward enlightenment–toward Utopia.  And even if that march is born of naÏveté, it’s fueled by honesty, by brashness; and in the context of this comic, it’s something I want to follow.

*See Zero to see Burroughs to see that Kot’s got the Spirit–yes he does! (SC)

 

Material #1

Material #1

Biggest Dis(appointment)(April/May): Convergence/Secret Wars (DC/Marvel) – A bunch of heroes and villains from various alternate universes battle it out on a patchwork planet in a Secret Crisis of Ultimate Infinite blahblahblah. Yes, I’ve just described the plot of both summer blockbuster crossovers from the Big Two. In the cynical cycle of endless Events, this has to be a new low. I don’t know who’s guiltier: the company that seemingly pilfered the other’s concept, or the company that came up with such an awful idea to begin with. (DM)

Convergeance #1

Convergeance #1

Secret Wars #1

Secret Wars #1

Turning pages,

Derek & Scott

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

What’s I&N Store (4/15)

15 Wednesday Apr 2015

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Alan Moore, Archie Horror, Archie vs. Predator, Avatar, Bloodshot: Reborn, BOOM!, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Crossed, Cullen Bunn, David Lapham, Ed Brubaker, Giant Days, Image, Jason Aaron, Magneto, Millennium, My Little Pony: Fiendship Is Magic, Robert Hack, Roberto Aguirre Sacasa, Sabrina, Sean Phillips, Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses, The Fade Out, The Sixth Gun, Thor, Uncanny X-Men, Valiant

Gosh!  I’m so late with this that I’ve already read three of ’em.

I wanna read another; so…

  • Archie vs. Predator #1 (Dark Horse) Just I&N OK, so, like, well, everyone else, I pretty much discovered the Archie-verse with Afterlife and regretted not having visited Riverdale more often after reading–along with everyone else–Life With Archie #36.  (Heck of a time to jump on board, eh?)  Despite my last-second, Scotty-come-lately Archievement, I was pretty settled on passing on this one.  I mean, it sounds silly–sure, like Afterlife didn’t–and I didn’t know from Alex De Campi–until I read No Mercy (Image), which was really, really good.  So, yeah, I’ve gone from I don’t care to Just I&N–just like that!
Archie vs. Predator #1

Archie vs. Predator #1

  • BPRD: Hell on Earth #130 (Dark Horse): As solid a read as your gonna find.
  • Millennium #4 (IDW): It’s not just Jordan, folks: it’s adult Jordan!  That move’s a slam dunk in my book!   After three issues, there’s no doubt: this is for hardcore Millennium fans only.  Good thing I make a point of watching all three seasons on DVD every summer.  Heh.  Who knew that old practice would come in handy some day?  Oh, but it has: it’s kept me so very ready for the further adventures of Frank Black.
  • The Fade Out #5 (Image): Honesty: I remember liking #4, but I can’t remember what the hell happened.  Rrrrrrrrrrrr <—-That’s my avoiding using an obvious pun.
  • Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #3 (Image) I&N Demand #1 was our #3 book of February.  #2 didn’t quite reach that level, but it still scratched that itch.
Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #3

Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #3

  • Magneto #17 (Marvel): Erik’s past has come back to haunt him.  No, not that past.  Not that one, either.  It’s his past-past, his waaaay past–his WWII past: a Nazi tormentor has come to Genosha; he’s murdering mutants and promising to murder more.  There’s no way Erik can abide that.  Something tells me revenge is in the offing–after he cleans off his bathroom mirror with some disinfectant spray, of course.
  • Thor #7 (Marvel): We’re getting closer to the big reveal.  Series-wise: Aaron has delivered some strong moments–some naturally powerful moments; but they’ve been routinely undermined–destroyed, even!–by awfully obvious moments–made-up girl-power moments that would make Margaret Atwood cringe.
  • Uncanny X-Men #33 (Marvel): The X-Verse has been falling apart for some time now.  Took me long enough, but I’ve finally given up on All-New.  I should’ve given up on this one, too.  So, so terrible.  #31 had Cyclops berated by some nobody student in a moment that felt as unauthentic as Harper Row’s inexplicably lighting into Batman back in Batman #whocares; #32 saw him knocked out by Gold Balls.  No, really: he was hit in the head with Gold Balls’ gold balls.  This one looks like it’s going to be another patented X-filler issue.  It’s Unnecessary X-Men #33!  Yeah, I think it’s time.
  • Bloodshot: Reborn #1 (Valiant): I’m off Descender and All-New Hawkeye after trying two of each.  Believe me: I want to love something that Jeff Lemire’s writing; I really do.  That’s why I keep trying.  And here I am, trying again.
  • Crossed +100 #4 (Avatar) I&N Demand Alan Moore’s brought a touch of Burgess to his narration and dialogue, making his take on Ennis’s mad, mad, mad, mad world read like A Crossedwork Red.  No joke: #3 was not an easy read; but there’s still something terribly compelling about it, mainly because Moore’s clearly building–and patiently so–toward something–something big, maybe something not so big at all, who knows?  Maybe he’s forging headlong into the heart of darkness, which he’s done before, and which would mean we’re in for a Conradian adventure–one that’s an exercise in superhuman patience.  Because, let’s be honest, we all know that anything worth having is worth the work–and the wait.  That’s what I skull, anyway.
  • Giant Days #2 (BOOM!) I&N Demand I had no idea what to expect from Giant Days.  Maybe that’s why I ended up loving it as much as I did.  Could also be because it’s just that good.  Damn thing’s hilarious.  Keep an eye out: I’m going to fight to include #1 in our Top 5 for March.
  • Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #2 (Archie) I&N Demand Man, I’ve been waiting for this.  #1 was one of my favorite single issues of 2014.  It was so good–so much better than that other, over-hyped wytch-themed book that overshadowed it; you know, the one that cast a spell with its creators’ names but ended up delivering a real wooden piece of “CHHIT.”  No, Sabrina does everything right: it’s a masterclass in storytelling–in juxtaposition, in pacing, and most important, in horror–from Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa–the genius behind Afterlife With Archie–and the panel-perfect Robert Hack.  What a mind-eff, no?  Seems the comic book home of true terror is Archie Horror!
  • The Sixth Gun: Dust to Dust #3 (Oni): Yay!  I get to add another issue to my Sixth Gun pile.

Avery’s Pick of the Week

  • My Little Pony: Fiendship Is Magic #3 (IDW): Avery’s Grammy saw #2, read the title through Fiendship, and stopped short with an “Oh.”  I assured her that it’s a series about some of the Pony villains.  Turns out that my definition of assured isn’t the same as hers.
My Little Pony: Fiendship Is Magic #3

My Little Pony: Fiendship Is Magic #3

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

What’s I&N Store (4/1)

01 Wednesday Apr 2015

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Alex De Campi, Alex Maleev, Avatar, Blackcross, BOOM!, Carla Speed McNeil, Colin Lorimer, Colton Worley, Convergence, Dan Jurgens, Dark Horse, DC Comics, Diego Bernard, Dynamite Entertainment, Feathers, G.I. Joe, Garth Ennis, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., IDW, Image, Iron Fist: The Living Weapon, Jamie S. Rich, Jason Aaron, Jason Latour, Joe Harris, Joelle Jones, John Arcudi, Jonathan Hickman, Kaare Andrews, Lady Killer, Marvel, Mike Mignola, Millennium, My Little Pony: Fiendship Is Magic, Neverboy, No Mercy, Robert Venditti, Shaun Simon, Southern Bastards, The Dying & The Dead, Tyler Jenkins, Valiant, War Stories, Warren Ellis, X-O Manowar

& now 4 the abbr ver o’ ur fav wkly rundown:

  • Hellboy and The B.P.R.D. #5 (Dark Horse)
  • Lady Killer #4 (Dark Horse) I&N Demand Has been so very good.  How good?  #1 was our #4 Book of January.  #3 will probably end up in our Top 5 for March, what with that stair-raising page turn and all.  (I love how serpentine Josie looks as she’s about to slither up the stairs.)  With this month’s offering and one more to go, Jones and Rich’s Lady Killer sure is “going somewhere”–straight toward our Top Ten for 2015!  High heels down, it’s been the year’s best mini.
Lady Killer #4

Lady Killer #4

  • Neverboy #2 (Dark Horse) I&N Demand I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the first one.  At first I found it kind of annoying; I was really ready to race through it just to get it over with.  When I got to that moment–if you read it, you know the moment–I was like “Wow!” and, wouldn’t you know, not put off by the –ugh!–police force, which reminded–and not in a good way–of the Sex Police from Sex Criminals; and as I ultimately finished–not in a manner that reminded of Sex Criminals, mind you–I felt compelled to give it another go.  That’s right: I read it again, right then and there, displaying a rather impressive rereading refractory period, if I do say so myself.  Yeah, that doesn’t happen often.
Neverboy #2

Neverboy #2

  • Convergence #0 (DC)
  • G.I. Joe #7 (IDW)
  • Millennium #3 (IDW)
  • The Dying & the Dead #2 (Image) I&N Demand Really liked #1.  It had the potential of collapsing under its own weight–and weighty it was in more ways than one; but it held up well, delivering those heavy Hickman notes that, when they’re right, are as good as it gets.
The Dying and The Dead #2

The Dying & The Dead #2

  • Southern Bastards #8 (Image) I&N Demand Aaron and Latour deserve a championship ring for almost every issue of Southern Bastards--but particularly for Coach Boss’s backstory, which has been executed like the perfect game plan.
Southern Bastards #8

Southern Bastards #8

  • No Mercy #1 (Image)
  • Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #11 (Marvel) I&N Demand So, whatever Daddy Rand has brought to NYC is clearly the mother of all mistakes.  But what Kaare Andrews has brought Iron Fist–hey. and to comics, in general–is a the most kinetic visual narrative this side of Kindt’s perpetually energetic Mind MGMT.  I mean, come on: in #10, Andrews destroys the staple-bound rules of space and time by having Danny punch his way across six pages–three double-page spreads of strike and follow-through that come together as a bone-and-nut-and-bolt crushing six-page spread–in a striking scene that leaves Danny, despite his best shot, at the mercy of his maniacal–and mechanical–father.  Sure, Iron Fist may be The Living Weapon, but Iron Fist: The Living Weapon is about as close to a living, breathing comic book as you’re gonna get.
Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #11

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #11

  • Blackcross #2 (Dynamite)
  • War Stories #7 (Avatar)
  • X-O Manowar #35 (Valiant)

Avery’s Picks of the Week

  • My Little Pony: Fiendship Is Magic #1 (IDW)
  • Feathers #4 (BOOM!): Avery loves following the adventures of Poe and Bianca!  Aw, heck: so do I!
Feathers #4

Feathers #4

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

What’s I&N Store (3/11)

11 Wednesday Mar 2015

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Abstract Studio, Ales Kot, Ant-Man, Astro City, Avatar, Cullen Bunn, Dan Slott, Dynamite, East of West, Ed Brisson, Fred Van Lente, Garth Ennis, Hellbreak, Image, J. Michael Straczynski, Jason Aaron, John Cassaday, Johnnie Christmas, Jonathan Hickman, Kurt Busiek, Magnus: Robot Fighter, Marvel, Matt Kindt, Mike Allred, Nick Dragotta, Nick Spencer, Ninjak, Oni, Rachel Rising, Sheltered, Sidekick, Silver Surfer, Star Wars, Terry Moore, The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood, The Sixth Gun: Dust to Dust, The Surface, Thor, Vertigo, War Stories

A real conversation I overheard in my head:

What are you looking forward to most this week?

Me?  Without a doubt: Thaw.

Oh, wow, OK.  I was expecting you to say something else.  You know, with Kindt and Kot and Slott and whatnot.

Hmm?  I said thaw.  Right?  Thaw.  Especially after all of the ice and snow.

Yeah, no, I know.  Frost giants are bad-ass.  But whoever the hell it is under that helmet is all business.  Girl power, baby!

Thaw.  Not Thor.  Thaw.

That is the question, isn’t it?

No, it isn’t.  You’re just not getting it, are you?

Are you kidding me?  Of course, I am!  I mean, Aaron’s hammering home a relevant point about gender, about identity–it’s almost Shakespearean if you think about it!

Just did.  And, no, it isn’t.

I’m so confused right now.  Doesn’t really sound like you’re really all that interested in Thor.  I mean–I don’t know.

Third base.

 

  • Astro City #21 (DC/Vertigo): This Quarrel-centric arc’s been a drag.  Wondering if Astro City‘s suffering from Busiek’s attention to his excellent–and anthropomorphically-fresh–The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw.
  • East of West #18 (Image) I&N Demand I always look forward to getting lost in Hickman’s fatal vision, particularly now with the increasingly-intriguing boy with the A.I. balloon.  Alas, Babylon: I wish you well on your journey!
East of West #18

East of West #18

  • Sheltered #15 (Image): Wait a sec.  This is the end?  Oh, well.  I guess the volcano’s gonna blow after all.  Kinda glad it’s over.
  • Sidekick #10 (Image): I’ve liked Sidekick a lot.  Hard to imagine I almost quit after the first one!  Oh, and then there was the time I accused J.M.S. of plagiarizing–his own material, for goodness sake!  (In an odd twist, Straczynski employed a plot device in The Twilight Zone [our #10 book of 2014, by the way] that just so happened to be an integral part of fellow shelf-sitter Sidekick.)  All blood under the bridge.  Can’t wait to see how this wraps up.
  • The Surface #1 (Image) Just I&N Ales Kot–love him (Change, Zero) or hate him (Suicide Squad, Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier)–demands attention with his off-beat, oft-rhythmic writing style.  He definitely does “mind-bending” well, so I’m definitely down with discovering what lies beneath The Surface.
The Surface #1

The Surface #1

  • Ant-Man #3 (Marvel) I&N Demand Never in my life–or at least in the last couple of months–did I expect to find myself excited about Ant-Man.  Ant-Man for God’s sake!  It’s mostly promotional material, isn’t it?  And what about Secret Wars?  I mean, is this series gonna get stepped on after #5?  But Spencer’s having a good time and it shows!  (See Darth Vader and Princess Leia for very much the opposite feeling.)  And, then, of course, there’s the promise of the Taskmaster, one of my all-time faves.
Ant-Man #3

Ant-Man #3

  • Silver Surfer #10 (Marvel) I&N Demand Any regular reader–or occasional clicker–worth his power cosmic knows that we love Slott and Allred’s Silver Surfer, our #4 book of 2014.  What you don’t know–no matter your status–is that #8 was a Top 5 Pick of January and #9 was a Top Five Pick of February.  (Yeah, no links.  Sorry: we’re kind of behind.  It happens.  A lot.)  It’s been the perfect balance of humor and huge moments–none huger than the coming of Galactus.
Silver Surfer #10

Silver Surfer #10

  • Star Wars #3 (Marvel): Of the three newly relaunched Star Wars books, this one’s the only one that seems to care.  How much do I care?  Not as much as I had hoped.  We’ll see if this one helps.
  • Thor #6 (Marvel): OK, so I’m intrigued.  Sure, there have been some terrible moments (#5, for example: What is that nonsense between Thor and Titiana?  Is it The Sisterhood of the Traveling Spandex?); but they’ve been generally tempered by the well-developed mystery and the emergence of the Odinson as a superior supporting character.
  • The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood #5 (Dynamite): A decent Twilight Zone-ish story with some literary notes comes to close.
  • Magnus: Robot Fighter #12 (Dynamite): Yet another series comes to a close–a merciful, merciful close.
  • Ninjak #1 (Valiant) I&N Demand Matt Kindt’s proving that Valiant picked the right guy to power up their universe–especially with his latest wave of books (The Valiant, Divinity)  Ninjak promises to be further proof.
Ninjak #1

Ninjak #1

  • Rachel Rising #32 (Abstract Studio): I had this book written off for dead after #29.  #30 found Terry Moore resurrecting everything that made Rachel rise above the rest–and into our Top Ten Books of 2013.  Pretty glad I kept it on my pull list.  Thing is, I know that Moore can slip to less–and that knowledge is going to linger, maybe even spoil.  Rats.
  • The Sixth Gun: Dust to Dust #1 (Oni):  If it’s The Sixth Gun, it’s going to find its way into my bag.
  • War Stories #6 (Avatar): Garth Ennis and Tomas Aria are telling the harrowing story of the Children of Israel, and I’m on the edge of my seat to find out how it ends.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

What’s I&N Store (3/4)

03 Tuesday Mar 2015

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feathers #3

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

What’s I&N Store (2/11)

10 Tuesday Feb 2015

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

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

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

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

Wild’s End #6

 

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

What’s I&N Store (8/6)

06 Wednesday Aug 2014

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Aaron Ginsburg, Abstract Studio, Al Ewing, Alan Moore, Alex + Ada, Avatar, Ben Templesmith, Brian Hurtt, Brian Wood, Clone, Cullen Bunn, Daniel Gete, Declan Shalvey, Dry Spell, God Is Dead: The Book of Acts, Greg Rucka, Greg Smallwood, Harbinger: Omegas, IDW, Image, Iron Fist: The Living Weapon, Joe Infunari, Jonathan Luna, Joshua Dysart, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Juan Jose Ryp, Kaare Andrews, Ken Krekeler, Kieron Gillen, Lazarus, Loki, Marvel, Max Brooks, Michael Avon Oeming, Mike Costa, Mike Norton, Miracleman, Moon Knight, Oni Press, Original Sin, Peter Milligan, Piotr Kowalski, Raulo Caceres, Rocket Raccoon, Sarah Vaughn, Si Spurrier, SIP Kids, Skottie Young, Stangers in Paradise, Terminal Hero, Terry Moore, The Bunker, The Extinction Parade, The Sixth Gun, The Sixth Gun: Days of the Dead, The Squidder, Uber, Valiant, Warren Ellis

Lots to look forward to this week.

  • The Squidder #2 (IDW): Squids are in the air, and I’d definitely like to draw another breath of ’em as drawn by Ben Templesmith.  The story is familiar, sure, but it’s delivered well enough.
  • Alex + Ada #8 (Image): The series has been a solid read with clean images and fluid artistic transitions that speak as loudly as the words.  It’s an against the odds love story with a dark cloud hanging over it.  Waiting on the storm and worrying about Alex and Ada all along.
Alex + Ada #7

Alex + Ada #7

  • Clone #19 (Image): Continues to be one of the most kinetic comics on the shelf.  Yeah, this book cooks!  #18 offered a couple of Chubby twists that promise a checkered future for all involved.  (Sorry about that.)
  • Lazarus #10 (Image): Re: #15: Circumstances conspire and both Michael and Casey end up in the employ of the Carlyles.  Was there ever any other end?  Nah.  But Innie Award nominee (Best Writer) Greg Rucka and Michael Lark get there so well.  Yet another exercise in excellent storytelling.  Our #7 book of 2013 is well on its way to claiming a spot in the Top Ten of 2014.
Lazarus #10

Lazarus #10

  • Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #5 (Marvel): Re: #5: Some of the best bedroom action I’ve seen in some time.  Talk about getting laid…out.  Yeah, Kaare Andrews pricks up the pace with some passionate paneling–and one of my favorite splash pages, like, ever!  Never has a bottom lip been bitten so beautifully–in a comic book, anyway.  Go Brenda!  Love her line, “Show me some Kung-Fu.”  Throw in an iron fist-full of father-son issues and you’ve got yourself one hell of a book.  If you’re not reading this yet, you should punch yourself in the face.
  • Miracleman #9 (Marvel): Been stockpiling my Miracleman.  Gonna hafta get on that soon–or it might take a miracle to catch up.
  • Moon Knight #6 (Marvel): Warren Ellis may have earned our Biggest Dis(appointment) of June, but it certainly wasn’t for Moon Knight.  He and Declan Shalvey have been producing some excellent vignettes with the multifaceted Marc Spector.  This, sadly, is their last go ’round before giving up creative control to the talented team of Brian Wood (The Massive) and Greg Smallwood (Dream Thief).
Moon Knight #6

Moon Knight #6

  • Original Sin #5.3 (Marvel): Ack!  I missed #5.2.  Forgot I was buying an Original Sin book, you know, because of Loki.  I mean, why else would I be buying an Original Sin book?
  • Rocket Raccoon #2 (Marvel): Ain’t gonna lie: #1 was fun.  Will probably pass, though, despite what Skottie Young is bringing to the prickly procyonid–unless, of course, I don’t pass, which is far more likely.  Ugh!  I have no self control!
  • The Bunker #5 (Oni Press): I liked #4 a lot.  Thought the dialogue and the emotions were very real.  Overall, Fialkov and Infurnari are telling a terrific story with perfect timing.
The Bunker #5

The Bunker #5

  • Dry Spell #2 (Action Labs): It’s been a Dry Spell dry spell since #1 came out in May.  Oh, and, by the way, we loved, loved, loved #1–enough to make it our top book of May.
Dry Spell #2

Dry Spell #2

  • The Extinction Parade: War #2 (Avatar): I’ve enjoyed The Extinction Parade saga a lot more than I thought I would.  (It’s true: I originally started picking it up for my wife–who hasn’t touched it.)  Yes, it’s been “bottomless slaughter,” but it hasn’t been mindless slaughter.  Max Brooks is offering an elevated apocalyptic experience, amplified by undeadly detailed artwork from Raulo Caceres.
  • God Is Dead: The Book of Acts Alpha (Avatar): Si Spurrier–the 2014 Innie Award Winner for Best Writer (Six-Gun Gorilla, Numbercruncher)–brings a little life to God Is Dead with the immortal Alan Moore.  You read that right: Spurrier and Moore.  Safe to say it’s a must buy.
God Is Dead: The Book of Acts Alpha

God Is Dead: The Book of Acts Alpha

  • Harbinger: Omegas #1 (Valiant): Not too sure why this couldn’t have just been Harbinger #26.  Is it rebootalism?  Guess it really doesn’t matter.  Dysart’s been telling a good story with these characters.  They certainly deserve to live on–whatever the title.
  • SIP (Strangers in Paradise) Kids #1 (Abstract Studio): Oh, why not?  Yeah, Rachel Rising has lost a lot of its shine.  But here’s Terry Moore having fun with the characters for whom he’s best known–by turning them into six-year-olds.
  • The Sixth Gun: Days of the Dead #1 (Oni Press): Anything The Sixth Gun is going to find its way into my bag.
  • Terminal Hero #1 (Dynamite): Peter Milligan had a nice run on Valiant’s Shadowman.  I’ll try him out here, where he’s teamed up with Sex‘s Piotr Kowalski.
  • Über #16 (Avatar): Über‘s riding quite a high.  Heck, I was close to dropping it around the time the Special came out.  Since then, however, it’s been terrific.  I’d go as far to say it’s Gillen’s best current work–including the wildly hyped The Wicked & The Divine.
Über #16

Über #16

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

What’s I&N Store (7/30)

29 Tuesday Jul 2014

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

2000 AD, Armor Hunters: Harbinger, Avatar, Bodies, BOOM!, Brass Sun, Brian Michael Bendis, Brian Stelfreeze, Brian Wood, Caliban, Chris Bachalo, Chris Roberson, Dark Horse, David Aja, Day Men, DC, Dean Ormston, Doc Savage, Dynamite Entertainment, East of West, Ed Brubaker, Evil Empire, Facundo Percio, Fatale, Garry Brown, Garth Ennis, Greg Rucka, Hawkeye, Ian Edginton, Image, J.H. Williams III, Jonathan Hickman, Low, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Matt Gagnon, Matt Kindt, Max Bemis, Meghan Hetrick, Mind MGMT, Neil Gaiman, Nick Dragotta, Nick Pitarra, Outcast, Phil Winslade, Rick Remender, Robert Kirkman, Robert Venditti, Sandman: Overture, Scott Snyder, Sean Murphy, Sean Phillips, Si Spencer, Snowpiercer, Star Wars: Rebel Heist, The Manhattan Projects, The Massive, The Wake, Titan, Toni Fejzula, Tula Lotay, Uncanny X-Men, Valiant, Veil, Vertigo, X-O Manowar

A big week, top-heavy with top books.

Also, lots of lasts.  Some creeping ever closer.

  • The Massive #25 (Dark Horse): Since February, The Massive has been an I&N monthly Top 5 Book.  That’s a record five months in a row!  On the strength of that, I think it’s safe to say that Brian Wood’s book is headed for the Top Ten of 2014.  For the most part, “Sahara” delivered its powerful feminist message in the understated manner–Women! Water!  Life!–we’ve come to expect from Wood.  (If I’m being fair, Part Three felt a bit preachy at times, but not to the detriment of the issue or of the arc.)  The final arc–with its promise of Massive answers–begins here.
The Massive #25

The Massive #25

  • Mind MGMT #24 (Dark Horse): The 2014 Innie Award-winning Mind MGMT has also had quite a run through the first half of the year and has probably reserved its spot in our Top Ten of 2014.  (Proof: Mind MGMT has already been a Top 5 Book four times and, in April, earned a Biggest Dis(appointment) for Kindt’s being too clever for his own good.)  Here, we get a look at “The Life and Times of Henry Lyme”–with a twist!  Sounds juicy.  And there’s also this cover:
Mind MGMT #24

Mind MGMT #24

  • Star Wars: Rebel Heist #4 (Dark Horse): The series has been fun and feels plenty authentic.  Now, it’s Luke’s turn!
  • Veil #4 (Dark Horse): Has been somewhat disappointing–the last issue, in particular.  I’m not caring too much about the femme ratale.  There’s something all too familiar about her.  Fejzula’s art’s been good, though.  I’m riding it out because it’s a fiver.
  • Bodies #1 (DC/Vertigo): Seems super ambitious: Writer Si Spencer employs four artists (Dean Ormston, Phil Winslade, Meghan Hetrick, and Tula Lotay) as he ties together four time-spanning storylines–in each issue!  I’m definitely going to try it out.
  • Sandman: Overture #3 (DC/Vertigo): Going to have to pull #2 to get reacclimated.  (I bet you’re going to do the same.)  Have missed me some J.H. Williams.
Sandman: Overture #3

Sandman: Overture #3

  • The Wake #10 (DC/Vertigo): Inexplicably, The Wake was nominated for and, yes, won the 2014 Eisner Award for Best Limited Series.  (Check out the 2014 Innie noms for Best Limited Series and the big winner to see where we’re coming from.)  It ends here.
  • East of West #14 (Image): Has been North of Excellent.  Hickman and Dragotta certainly took their time building a big world–which is Hickman’s bag, ain’t it?; oh, but they’ve been hitting big–no, really big notes of late.  (#12, in particular, was ridiculously good.)  A dark robot horse for my personal pick for the Top Ten of 2014.
  • Fatale #24 (Image): Lots of love for the poetic penultimate issue.  I thought it was spectacular, really–visually (different for Phillips on Fatale that’s for sure) and in terms of revelations.  Brubaker went Big Bang, man.  As I’m remembering, I’m still kinda affected by the whole thing with Josephine’s son.  Creepy as hell, but, in the end, necessary, no?  Speaking of the end: this is the femme finale–and I have no doubt: “It’s going to hurt.”  Yeah, it’s going to be tough to say goodbye to one of our favorite books.
Fatale #24

Fatale #24

  • Low #1 (Image): I couldn’t be any lower on a creator than I am on Remender.  Why would I do this to myself??
  • The Manhattan Projects #22 (Image): Re: #21: Space Dog ain’t no Pizza Dog–the Eisner-winning Pizza Dog, mind you; but Laika’s adventure nevertheless exceeded expectations.  Doggonit!  I always look forward to TMP.
  • Outcast #2 (Image): “Demons are the new zombies,” eh?  The first issue was a decent set up.  It’s no Thomas Alsop, that’s for sure; but I’ll give it a few, you know, to see where it goes.  (If you’re not reading Thomas Alsop from BOOM! yet, get on that.  You won’t be disappointed.)
  • Hawkeye #19 (Marvel): Listen up!  Apparently, it’s taken Aja a long time to master the art of sign language for this issue.  That’s right: try to remember–or I’ll remind: Clint’s gone deaf.  So…
Hawkeye #19

Hawkeye #19

  • Uncanny X-Men #24 (Marvel): I missed the last issue.  As a result, I have no idea what secrets Xavier’s will revealed.  Now that’s a sin!
  • Armor Hunters: Harbinger #1 (Valiant): Harbinger is dead.  Short live Armor Hunters: Harbinger!  Don’t you just love crossovers?
  • Brass Sun #3 (2000 AD): I have the first two.  Haven’t read ’em yet.
  • Caliban #5 (Avatar): Ennis is delivering dread at a measured pace that’s perfectly sci-fine.  Never before has an apology been so terrifying.
Caliban #5

Caliban #5

  • Day Men #4 (BOOM!): Hmm.  I’m pretty sure I told myself that #3 wasn’t worth the wait and that I should just let it go.  But that was so long ago.  Maybe I’m misremembering.  We’ll see.
  • Doc Savage #8 (Dynamite): Another final issue.  Kinda glad, if I’m being honest.
  • Evil Empire #3 (BOOM!): Another book that’s been a long time coming.  I vaguely remember that I liked #2 enough to continue.  No doubt about this, however: another great cover from Jay Shaw:
Evil Empire #3

Evil Empire #3

  • X-O Manowar #27 (Valiant): More with the Armor Hunters.  I’m diggin’ ’em, so that’s good news.
  • Snowpiercer GN (Titan): Watched the movie two weeks back.  Good stuff.  If I see it, I’ll definitely flip through it.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

The Nerds

  • dmaxwell
  • ScottNerd

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,150 other followers

An Amazing Comic Shop

Wiggle Room

It's just the beginning...

Tag Salad!

Ales Kot All-New X-Men Animal Man Archer & Armstrong Avatar Batman Batwoman Bloodshot BOOM! Brian Azzarello Brian K. Vaughan Brian Michael Bendis Brian Wood China Mieville Chris Bachalo Chris Samnee Clone comics Cullen Bunn Daredevil Dark Horse DC DC Comics Dial H Dynamite Dynamite Entertainment Ed Brubaker Fatale Fiona Staples Fred Van Lente Garth Ennis Goran Parlov Grant Morrison Greg Rucka Harbinger IDW Image Image Comics J.H. Williams III J. Michael Straczynski Jason Aaron Jeff Lemire Jonathan Hickman Jordie Bellaire Joshua Dysart Kevin Eastman Kieron Gillen Kurt Busiek Lazarus Mark Waid Marvel Matt Fraction Matt Kindt Mike Allred Mind MGMT Nick Spencer Oni Press Rachel Rising Robert Venditti Saga Scott Snyder Sean Phillips Swamp Thing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Terry Moore The Massive Titan Uber Ultimate Spider-Man Uncanny X-Men Valiant Vertigo Wonder Woman X-O Manowar zero

Archives

  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • August 2017
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012

Features

  • 22 I&N 22
  • 5 Comics You Should Be Reading
  • Back and Forth
  • Derekommendations
  • I&N Print
  • I&N Review
  • I&N Scott's Bag
  • I&N Store
  • I&N the Gutter…
  • I&N's Top Ten
  • I&Nsight
  • I&Nterview
  • Innie Awards
  • Microviews
  • Scottlight on…
  • Superhero Friday!
  • Top 5 Books of the Month
  • Uncategorized
  • What's I&N Store?

Recent Posts

  • I&N Store 11/7
  • I&N Store 10/31
  • I&N Store 10/24
  • I&N Store 10/17
  • I&N Store 10/10

Real Nerdy Stuff

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Twitter Updates

  • RT @thevervepipe: Still some tickets left for tomorrow night. Friday and Saturday are SOLD OUT. @listeningroomgr https://t.co/KFQFtqPQ34 1 week ago
Follow @imagesandnerds

Top 3 Posts & Pages

  • I&N Store 11/7

Finders Keepers

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
%d bloggers like this: