Tag Archives: Canaan White

What’s I&N Store (6/11)

10 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Astro City #13 (DC/Vertigo): While #11 earned Top 5 honors for April, #12 left us wanting.  We’re still wanting–wanting #13 to make us want for nothing.  I’m betting on Busiek and Anderson and their single-issue, Astro City version of a season of 24.
Astro City #13

Astro City #13

  • Royals: Masters of War #5 (DC/Vertigo): Rob Williams had himself a helluva month of May.  Ordinary #1 was extraordinary, and Royals #4 was a crowning achievement!  A little inside info: you just may see Mr. Williams’ name on our next Top 5 list. For which book? You’ll just have to wait and see!  Until then, bombs away!
Royals: Masters of War #5

Royals: Masters of War #5

  • Starlight #4 (Image): A stellar first issue has fallen a bit to formula.  Typical of Millar, no?  Sell that concept!  Sell, sell, sell!  Worthy of praise: it’s been on time.  That’s something!  Aw, heck: of course I want to see how Flash–I mean, Duke–gets out of this scrape!
  • All-New X-Men #28 (Marvel): I’ve finally come ’round–or is it that Bendis has finally come ’round?  Hmm. Probably a bit of both.  Just like any good–or evil–mutant, it takes time for their powers to manifest; this mutant manifesto just so happened to reach puberty at #26.  Phew.  This has been–by far–the longest leash I’ve ever let out.
  • The United States of Murder #2 (Marvel): Speaking of Bendis: #1 wasn’t a game changer by any means, but I found the twist at the end enough of a lure to go at least one more.
  • Archer & Armstrong #21 (Valiant): Yo, man, #20 was a trippy return to form, man.  Blew my damn doors off, man! Lucky for us, my beautiful friend, this uniquely American dream of an arc has only just begun.
Archer & Armstrong #21

Archer & Armstrong #21

  • Armor Hunters #1 (Valiant): Of course I’m gonna try it!  Venditti has sold it well enough in X-O.
  • Dicks #1 (Avatar): Ennis, McCrea, and Avatar?  Seems like a menage a trois made in a seedy apartment.  Fast forward to next month, assuming the best, of course: Well, wouldn’t you know: turns out I do like Dicks!  I know at least one ex-girlfriend, who, short on context, would say, “Mm-hmm.”
  • The Empty Man #1 (BOOM!): Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, Magneto)–a fella who’s full of ideas–teams up with Vanesa Del Rey (Hit)–a striking stylist, who’s in need of a strong showing after a disappointing turn on Zero–to infect our bags with a viral mini.
The Empty Man #1

The Empty Man #1

  • The Sixth Gun #41 (Oni Press): Double your Bunn, double your fun!  Oh, yeah, this book Hurtts so good. This is their .44 Magnum opus.
  • Uber #14 (Avatar): #13 was a very different Uber story.  Sure, it was a big ol’ cliche; but that’s OK: Katyusha is a character that just tugs at your heartstrings–and rips your heart through your ribs and blows the rest of you to bits.  Gotta love her and what Gillen’s been doing with Uber.

Avery’s Pick of the Week:

  • Bee and Puppycat #2 (BOOM!): #1 was a winner–though Grammy was a bit concerned about Puppycat: “It’s just…unnatural!”  Get over it, Grandma!  Avery likes it!

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

Advertisement

What’s I&N Store (5/14)

13 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s the Alka-Seltzer of New Comic Book Days!

  • Justice League United #1 (DC): #0 didn’t grab me in any way, but I’m going to give it another shot anyway. Jeff Lemire’s earned that–though not so much with his hero books. While Animal Man started off well enough–and we said as much by making it one of our top books of 2012–it kind of lost its way during and after the “Rotworld” crossover with Swamp Thing and never lived up to its promise. His run on Justice League Dark wasn’t spectacular; and I couldn’t get past the second issue of his current–and surprisingly well-regarded–run on Green Arrow. Trillium was mostly a success, highlighted by some terrific visual storytelling. The story itself–well, not so much: I really wanted to connect to the characters and their plight but, alas, found that I could not.  Come to think of it, we did celebrate his Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.–and rightfully so; it was pretty terrific. We’ll see what happens here. Expectations aren’t very high.
  • Royals: Masters of War #4 (DC/Vertigo): Has been OK.  #3 was definitely better than an impatiently paced #2, that’s for sure. Feels like the overly coddled child of Montynero and Michael Dowling’s Death Sentence and Kieron Gillen and Canaan White’s Uber. Doesn’t quite live up to either.
  • Shutter #2 (Image): Leaning toward passing mainly because there wasn’t much about #1 that I liked. In fact, I hated the ending.  I’ll flip through this one just to be fair.
  • Starlight #3 (Image): The series has been very good.  #1 was great.  #2 was a decent follow-up.  The most remarkable quality of the series thus far?  It’s been on time!  Hey, is this really a Mark Millar book? Love, love, love Goran Parlov’s art, which transports me back–not too far back, mind you–to the fabulous Fury: My War Gone By, which was one of our top books of 2013 and has been nominated for the 2014 Innie for Best Limited Series. So, perhaps I’m predisposed to liking this series for that reason. Could also be that I’m predisposed to liking well-written stories that deliver sentimentality with a tender hand. Millar has certainly done that with Starlight–so far, anyway.
Starlight #3

Starlight #3

  • Stray Bullets: Killers #3 (Image): A transcendent #1 was followed by a mediocre #2.  Here’s hoping that this one returns to form–the form we’ve come to expect from David Lapham.
Stray Bullets: Killers #3

Stray Bullets: Killers #3

  • All-New X-Men #27 (Marvel): The scene that brought together Jean and present-day Cyclops was an effective one–one of the best of the series.  It’s those little flashes of Bendis brilliance that keep me coming back for more.
  • Secret Avengers #3 (Marvel): Quirky stuff from Ales Kot and Michael Walsh that owes a lot to Fraction and Aja’s Hawkeye.  Just quirky enough to keep me around.
  • Afterlife With Archie #5 (Archie): We celebrated #4 as one of our favorite books of March.  Definitely looking forward to this one from undisputed undead master Roberto Aguirre Sacasa and Innie-nominated artist Franceso Francavilla.
Afterlife With Archie #5

Afterlife With Archie #5

  • Quantum and Woody #10 (Valiant): Continues to be a lot of fun.  How’s this for a comparison: it’s the Rat Queens of the Valiant Universe, just, you know, done up a tad more tastefully–if that’s even possible.
  • Uber #13 (Avatar): Finally read #11.  (A pull list problem, if you must know.)  It was the best single issue of the series and has reignited my excitement in what Gillen’s doing with his twist on WWII.
Uber #13

Uber #13

 

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

 

 

What’s I&N Store (4/23)

22 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here’s what I’ll be stuffing in my bag this week:

  • The Massive #22 (Dark Horse): Brian Wood and Danijel Zezelj follow up the very strong “Bloc” arc–which earned Wood and Garry Brown I&N top book status for February and March–with “Sahara,” which promises to slake our thirst for more Mary.
The Massive #22

The Massive #22

  • Mind MGMT #21 (Dark Horse): Those of you who have been following our little blog for a while may have been surprised to see that #20 didn’t crack our Top 5 Books of March.  Believe me: after hashing out the list, we were pretty surprised, too!  Matt Kindt certainly didn’t disappoint: he drew out an issue highlighting a giant of Mind MGMT past, and did so using tall panels to accentuate, well, the agent’s giantness.  Super clever–and, more important, super effective!  Kindt’s artistic approach often results in impossibly long-limbed figures; #20 acts, then, as an ectomorphic celebration!  This new offering promises to be a silent issue, which, in Kindt’s capable hands, promises to say plenty, as his art often tells most of the story anyway.  On a nostalgic note: when I think “silent issue,” like you, I go right to G.I Joe #21.  I also think of Martin Wagner’s Hepcats because, if memory serves, there was a stunning silent issue that focused on child abuse.  Does anyone remember that?
Mind MGMT #21

Mind MGMT #21

  • Batman Eternal #3 (DC): So, I gave #2 a shot despite my not being excited about #1.  Wasn’t much of an improvement.  Some storytelling yips persist–including the agonizing, issue-long reveal of the antagonist; and the dialogue’s nothing to talk about.   And that said, I’ll probably pick this up.
  • Dead Boy Detectives #5 (DC/Vertigo): Still like the vibe and the possibilities.
  • Justice League United #0 (DC): Lemire on a hero book doesn’t excite, but I’m going to try it nevertheless.
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #33 (IDW): Here’s something that does excite: Mateus Santolouco is back!  Not kidding, folks: the Turtles aren’t a novelty anymore; they’re not simply a guilty pleasure; they’re a mainstay, I’m proud to say!
TMNT #33

TMNT #33

  • Lazarus #8 (Image): Like The Massive, Lazarus has been one of our top books for February and March.  Can’t help but think of Ginsberg’s “Howl” because that’s what I think of when I think of Denver: “who journeyed to Denver, who died in Denver, who came back to Denver & waited in vain, who watched over Denver & brooded & loned in Denver and finally went away to find out the Time, & now Denver is lonesome for her heroes.”  Well, that and Dave Loggins’ “Please, Come to Boston.”
Lazarus #8

Lazarus #8

  • The Manhattan Projects #20 (Image): #19 was a tad frivolous–I mean, did we really need to see the Oppenheimer civil war?  The end presented an interesting twist, however.  Oh, I’m definitely down with dueling Einsteins.
  • Sheltered #8 (Image): Has become a bit “is what it is,” hasn’t it?
  • Zero #7 (Image): We liked #1-#4 enough to celebrate Kot’s baby as a top title of 2013.  #5 was OK, although the idea of aliens being thrust into the mix wasn’t all that thrilling.  #6 wasn’t very good at all–writing-wise or art-wise.  Yeah, unfortunately, we weren’t blown away by Vanesa Del Rey’s work, which was tough to follow at times.  Expectations have fallen to just about, well, zero.
  • Daredevil #2 (Marvel): The reboot/relaunch/rewhatever was underwhelming.  I kinda dig the whole devil out of water device; but outside of that, #1 wasn’t much of anything, really.
  • Elektra#1 (Marvel): I’ve been an Elektra junkie forever.  I’m interested in seeing how half of the former Batwoman writing duo–W. Haden Blackman–handles the deadly sairen.
Elektra #1

Elektra #1

  • The Bunker #3 (Oni Press): Has been very good.  Fialkov’s handling the time-travel aspect as if it isn’t an obstacle to the storytelling process, when, in fact, it’s like skipping through a minefield.  Impressive, indeed!
  • Evil Empire #2 (BOOM!): #1 ended on a sharp note, that’s for sure.  We’ll see if Bemis and Getty can keep the momentum going.
Evil Empire #2

Evil Empire #2

  • Harbinger #22 (Valiant): Recently read that Harbinger‘s ending as of #25.  A bit of a bummer, sure, but it does lighten the load without my having to be the one to make the dreaded decision.
  • Letter 44 #6 (Oni Press): I was planning on dropping it, but with this being the arc ender and all…
  • The Midas Flesh #5 (BOOM!): About as much fun as you’re bound to have with a finger.  #4 suffered a bit from some strained development; but overall the series has been really good.
  • Uber #11 (Avatar): Hoping for some fireworks, that’s for sure.

Which books are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (3/26)

25 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This week, quantity marries quality.  The bridal bed: my bag.

  • The Massive #21 (Dark Horse): #20 was one of our Top Five Books of February–and deservedly so.  Brian Wood and Garry Brown have hit all the right notes leading up to this arc ender–a real “Bloc” buster!
  • Mind MGMT #20 (Dark Horse): It might seem as if we’re getting paid to say so, but, no, it’s just true: #19 was our #1 book of February. That’s back-to-back top spots! And let’s not forget that #17 was our top single issue of 2013!  Innovation has been at the heart of our celebration; in that, we can’t wait to see what Matt Kindt has come up with this time around.
Mind MGMT #20

Mind MGMT #20

  • Pariah #2 (Dark Horse): It’s Sheltered in outer space. I like Sheltered enough, so I’ll try another.
  • Dead Boy Detectives #4 (DC/Vertigo): So very Vertigo, isn’t it? Has hooked me much in the same way John Ney Rieber hooked me with The Books of Magic ongoing back in the day. I love how the three narrative voices come together–kind of like the comic book version of Peter, Paul, and Mary.
Dead Boy Detectives #4

Dead Boy Detectives #4

  • The Sandman: Overture #2 (DC/Vertigo): I’m already over its being overdue.  I’m not much of a Gaimanite.  It’s all about J.H. Williams for me.  His art is always welcome in my bag.
  • The Wake #7 (DC/Vertigo): Can’t say that I understand the celebratory waves left in the wake of the first five issues. But what I can say with certainty is that I liked #6 quite a bit–despite some expository dialogue that smacks of a Sci-Fi original movie. The clever cliffhanger–one of several selling points of #6–calls quickly–too quickly?–to mind what’s come before, making this month’s offering as crucial as can be.  The danger: doling out too much or too little here in #7.  Snyder’s got to play this one just right.
  • Alex + Ada #5 (Image): Sure, the forum discussion gets a tad technical, but it is easily chalked up as a necessary evil–one rehabilitated almost immediately by Jonathan Luna’s patient visual storytelling, which, along with complementing well Sarah Vaughn’s more economical approach to the dialogue, accentuates the suspense born of Alex’s choice to reboot Ada.  Love the way the issue ends: I’m pretty sure my eyes widened–like Ada’s–in anticipation of that final page turn, which revealed, to my dismay, a suffering Ada.  Kudos to Luna and Vaughn for making me suffer along with Ada in the moment and along with Alex for the last month or so.  I’m desperate to discover how this pans out for the two of them three of us.
Alex + Ada #5

Alex + Ada #5

  • Fatale #21 (Image): This siren song of a series hit a high note with #20–our #2 book of February. Yet another insistent miracle from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.  Not yet willing to accept that Josephine’s story is coming to an end.
Fatale #21

Fatale #21

  • The Manhattan Projects #19 (Image): Can you guess which part of #18 I appreciated the most?  If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you know exactly which sequence left me squealing with joy–a hole lot of joy!  (Hint: it’s not the one in Oppenheimer’s head.)
  • Satellite Sam #7 (Image): With #6, it’s back to business and, as a result, a return to form.  Matt Fraction’s writing is crisp, the dialogue an intricate dance; Howard Chaykin’s artwork is–as always–out of this world.
  • Captain America: Homecoming #1 (Marvel): It’s Fred Van Lente’s turn to wield the shield!  Oh, I’m definitely down with FVL.  I’m hoping he’s going to deliver the Super Soldier I’ve been longing for since Brubaker bailed–and Remender, subsequently, failed.
Captain America: Homecoming #1

Captain America: Homecoming #1

  • Iron Patriot #1 (Marvel): Ales Kot (Zero) and Garry Brown (The Massive): a Marvel Team-Up worth picking up!
  • Hawkeye #18 (Marvel): Has been a wild ride number-wise, and, as a result, storyline-wise.  #17 was kind of fun in a frivolous and furry way.  Speaking of: it’s time for another Kate Bishop singleton!  Starting to wonder if I’m buying this for Fraction or for his Hawkeye.  I’m leaning toward the latter.  That’s right: I’m the Leaning Reader of Hawkeye–who may pass on Clint-less copy.
  • Miracleman #4 (Marvel): The real Miracleman: Alan Moore.  Hard to believe this stuff is thirty-plus years old.
  • The Bunker #2 (Oni Press): An interesting premise, naturally complicated by the time-travel aspect, delivered with relative ease by Joshua Hale Fialkov and Joe Infurnari.  Looking forward to this one.
The Bunker #2

The Bunker #2

  • Doc Savage #4 (Dynamite): Still haven’t read the first three.
  • The Midas Flesh #4 (BOOM!): #2 was one of our top books of January.  #3 didn’t crack our list for February, but it was solid follow-up that gleefully gave us all the finger–Midas’s finger.  That’s some serious WMD: Weaponized Midas Digit.  Talk about the spoils of war!  The blood is the treasure!
  • Uber Special #1 (Avatar): I’m still diggin’ Uber.  Not too sure how much we need a “special,” though.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (3/12)

11 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

My work here is done.  Time to get to work.

  • Astro City #10 (DC/Vertigo): Busiek’s Winged Victory tour has been a revelation!  Hope it soars right to the end.
  • Royals: Masters of War #2 (DC/Vertigo): #1 was a jolly good show!  Rob Williams’ characters were instantly engaging; and Simon Coleby’s art was terrific, like Jae Lee with more detail and without the reliance on silhouettes.  Together, they’ve delivered a well-rounded opening salvo filled with “awe,” “exhilaration,” “excitement,” and “fear.”  Has a depth that separates it from the very similar Uber, which just so happens to be on tap this week, as well.
  • Monster & Madman #1 (IDW): Frankenstein’s monster and Jack the Ripper together in the same book?  Oh, and Steve Niles as the facilitator?  Yes, please!
Monster & Madman #1

Monster & Madman #1

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #32 (IDW): Ross Campbell’s surprisingly strong run on the post-“City Fall” arc comes to an end.  Good news, though: one of our favorites, the terrific Mateus Santolouco, is back with #33!
  • East of West #10 (Image): A compelling read that has really started to take off.  It’s a solid showcase for Hickman’s serious side, which is a nice counterpoint to his maniacal The Manhattan Projects.
  • Manifest Destiny #5 (Image): I’m just about done.  It’s a shame, really: #1 promised so much–maybe too much.
  • Stray Bullets: Killers #1 (Image): Gonna have to stick this on the ol’ Catch Up pile because…
  • Stray Bullets Uber Alles Edition (Image): I recently read the first four issues of Stray Bullets on Dave Lapham’s website.  Have been waiting for this bad boy ever since.  Thanks to my man Derek for pointing me in this direction.
Stray Bullets

Stray Bullets

  • All-New X-Men #24 (Marvel): I’m a sucker for the Shi’ar Imperial guard, so…
  • Fantastic Four #2 (Marvel): I’m a fair fella. I put The All-New Invaders out of my mind–only after a bit of a purple purge–and jumped into James Robinson’s reboot of The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine with the optimism of an innocent.  As it turned out, it wasn’t bad.  It wasn’t fantastic, but it wasn’t bad.  Robinson–one of our favorite writers of 2012–set the terms of his take on the cosmic quartet–with fine art from Leonard Kirk–and did so well enough for me to follow along.  4 Now! anyway.
  • Hawkeye #17 (Marvel): Sure, we’re bee-bopping around a bit, but it doesn’t matter much: wherever Fraction fires his arrows on Hawkeye, they hit the mark emphatically.  This departure from the deafening events of #15 promises to be “a raucously adorable and hilarious animated adventure.”  Sock it to me!
  • Secret Avengers #1 (Marvel): The secret’s out: Ales Kot and Michael Walsh are teaming up again (see Zero #1 or the recently released Zero TP) for an Avengers title that I’m really looking forward to.  No, really.
Secret Avengers #1

Secret Avengers #1

  • X-Force #2 (Marvel): I didn’t really love #1.  Heck, I barely liked it.  But I’m going to give it another issue because Si Spurrier has earned my not-so-easily-earned loyalty.  (Yes, I’m still riding the high of the meticulously meta Six-Gun Gorilla, one of our favorite books of 2013.)
  • Death Sentence #6 (Titan): No hyperbole here: this is one issue away from cementing itself as the mini to beat for 2014.  Writer Montynero’s made himself a must-read–the result of his brilliant storytelling, his unforgettable characters and his insightful back matter.  Mike Dowling’s art–which calls to mind the fabulous Sean Phillips–is the perfect complement to Montynero’s wild, wild words.  If you foolishly missed out on this rocking good time, fret not: there’s always the trade.
Death Sentence #6

Death Sentence #6

  • Red Team #7 (Dynamite): Wow.  Forgot this was a thing.
  • Magnus: Robot Fighter #1 (Dynamite): Fred Van Lente’s bringing Magnus back, and, I’m like a groupie, so, yeah, I’m going to pick this up.  Don’t have any experience with the character, so, yeah: groupie.  Oh, c’mon: you know you’re down with FVL.
  • Uber #10 (Avatar): Still solid.  Wondering how long Gillen’s going to go with it.  Wonder how long he can go on with it.  Fair or not: I’m going to be holding it to Royals: Masters of War.  It’s the nature of the business, ain’t it?  Yeah, comics are hell.
  • Unity #5 (Valiant): Looking forward to the new arc, which has not been billed as Kindt, CAFU, and you.  Man, it should’ve been.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (12/11)

09 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oh, good: another small week.

  • Shaolin Cowboy #3 (Dark Horse): #2 was a wild ride, man, a dizzying display. I’ve never seen anything like it; in that, I really liked it. Geof Darrow’s attention to detail is ri-dic-u-lous. Wasn’t so thrilled with the end, however: seemed to run out of gas before the Cowboy did. I figured we were being set up for something–something more than a pin-up, you know what I mean? I guess we’ll find out what Darrow was hacking and slashing his way to here. Hold on to your head!
Shaolin Cowboy #3

Shaolin Cowboy #3

  • Astro City #7 (DC/Vertigo): One solid story after another from Kurt Busiek and Brent Eric Anderson. Now, it’s time for an extended arc.
  • Suicide Squad #26 (DC): After #24, I was this close from jumping off the bridge, but I decided to give it another issue; and with #25, the suicidally prolific Matt Kindt grabbed me by the collar and yanked me back into the safety of his storytelling.
  • Indestructible #1 (IDW): Sounds interesting enough. Premise has me thinking Thurber’s “The Greatest Man in the World.”
  • Alex + Ada #2 (Image): “Christmas, [girl] in a box. Chanukah, [girl] in a box. Kwanzaa, a [girl] in box. Every single holiday a [girl] in a box.”
Alex + Ada #2

Alex + Ada #2

  • Dead Body Road #1 (Image): I liked what Justin Jordan did on Shadowman. Doesn’t hurt that he’s working with Matteo Scalera, who’s done fine work on Indestructible Hulk and, more recently, Black Science. And, all together now: it’s an Image #1!
  • Lazarus #5 (Image): Love, love, love Lazarus! Can’t beat the creators of this one: Greg Rucka and Michael Lark flood every panel with intense action. So, if you’ve heard about the book but have held off because you missed the boat, now’s your time to jump on board because this issue kicks off a brand new arc. (See what I did there?)
  • Manifest Destiny #2 (Image): We thoroughly enjoyed the first leg of this re-imagined journey with Lewis, Clark, and friends. Picking up #2 is a no-brainer.
  • Satellite Sam #5 (Image): Matt Fraction and Howard Chaykin are bringing sexy back and are making black and white look as colorful as can be all while keeping the answers we want sequestered in the shadows. Teases. Speaking of:
Satellite Sam #5

Satellite Sam #5

  • Three #3 (Image): I think I’m being fair here: I’m giving this one from Kieron Gillen–who’s killing, well, just about everyone in the uber Uber–a third issue.
  • Inhumanity: Awakening #1 (Marvel): I picked up Inhumanity #1 by Fraction and Olivier Coipel. Despite its flaws–and you didn’t have to be Karnak to find them–it was a decent read. A drawn out, but decent read. Now it’s Kindt’s turn.
  • Uncanny X-Men #15 (Marvel): “Special issue”? Uh oh. Seeing “special issue” in a preview for a comic is a lot like seeing “delicious” on a package of gluten-free anything.
  • Archer & Armstrong #16 (Valiant): I’m still drunk on #15! I kinda hope Fred Van Lente writes this forever. Smart, funny, and beautiful… Hey! This book is the perfect woman!
Archer & Armstrong #16

Archer & Armstrong #16

  • Day Men #2 (BOOM!): Wow. Kinda got to thinking that the odds of vampires being real were better than the odds of #2 seeing the light of day. Gonna have to drag #1 out of the ol’ comic coffin and hammer out a new stake in the series.
  • Death Sentence #3 (Titan): I’ve been infected by MontyNero’s G+ premise and his A+ character development. That’s right: I’m invested in three characters–and a series–not long for this world. Damn it! I don’t want to be cured!
  • Deathmatch #12 (BOOM!): The finale to a darn good superhero saga from Paul Jenkins and Carlos Magno. Brilliantly ludicrous and delightfully derivative. If you missed it, make sure you grab a collected edition; it’s well worth your time.
Deathmatch #12

Deathmatch #12

  • Harbinger #19 (Valiant): Every time I think it’s about time to give it up, Joshua Dysart plays some seriously fun mindgames and convinces me to stick around.
  • The Sixth Gun #36 (Oni): I recently finished Vol. 5, which ended up as my favorite of the bunch. It showcases the fantastic storytelling that Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt have exhibited over the course of the series–a series that stands as one of the best around. I can’t wait to get into the monthlies, which I’ve been hoarding for a while now. If you haven’t tried The Sixth Gun yet, do yourself a favor and score yourself a copy of Vol. 1. Need more of an incentive? The end isn’t too far off now; so it’s a good investment.
The Sixth Gun #36

The Sixth Gun #36

  • Uber #8 (Avatar): Didn’t love most of #7. Left me seeing the book, at this point, as more flawed than fabulous. The end was good, though; it screamed: Don’t give up quite yet! OK, I won’t. Not gonna lie, though: my faith in Gillen’s being tested.
  • Unity #2 (Valiant): More Kindt in my bag! More money out of my pocket!
  • Watson and Holmes #6 (New Paradigm): It’s no longer a surprise: Watson and Holmes has been really, really good. Karl Bollers–along with his partners Rick Leonardi (#1-#4) and Larry Stroman (#5)–has set a high bar for the new creative team Brandon M. Easton and Steven Harris; but the foundation–built upon two solid characters–is a strong one, so expectations are pretty high. The only mystery, really, is why you aren’t reading this yet! (Good news: Vol. 1 is out this week, too!)
Watson and Holmes #6

Watson and Holmes #6

Yup. That just happened.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

In Scott’s Bag (7/3)

05 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by in I&N Scott's Bag

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Stuck to the script: showed love to the list and said ciao to Green Arrow and Suicide Risk.

I’m getting better at good buys.

  • Deathmatch #7 (Read it!  As I mentioned: it’s no longer a guilty pleasure: it’s a solid book that borrows often–and well–to its own end.  Without being obnoxious about it, Jenkins reveals what he needs to and teases what he wants to.  Sounds easy, but it’s not.)
  • Dial H #14 (The end is closer and, as a result, much more real–especially now that we’re an issue away from hanging up on Mieville, Ponicelli, and Green for good.)
Dial H #14

Dial H #14

  • Shadowman#8 (Read it!  Pretty much an issue’s worth of set up.  Roberto De La Torre’s work–his deathly dark Deadside–is the highlight here.)
  • Ten Grand #3 (Hoping that this one’ll win me over.)
  • Satellite Sam #1 (Looks like a book that I should like, mostly because of Howard Chaykin’s terrific black and white work.  We’ll see.)
  • Emily and the Strangers #3 (Striking the final chord.)
Emily and the Strangers #3

Emily and the Strangers #3

  • Mister X: Eviction #3 (Quick flip: yeah, I think we have our book of the year.)
  • Batman Incorporated #12 (Read it!  No one can rush his way to the end like Grant Morrison.  He’s so damn good.)
  • Daredevil: Dark Nights #2 (Read it!  Much better than I expected it to be.  Lee Weeks and Lee Loughridge push Daredevil to his limits and bring an certain elegance to his exertion–even on page 6, a snow-blind splash where DD is but a red speck on a bluish-white background.)
Daredevil: Dark Nights #2

Daredevil: Dark Nights #2

  • Uber #3 (Read it!  Glad I gave Gillen another chance.  For one, his Hitler is effing crazy!  I’m definitely sticking around for more.)

What did you get in your bag?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s Up?

02 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A welcome break from the heatwave.

  • Emily and the Strangers #3 (Dark Horse): Finally, the finale!
  • Mister X: Eviction #3 (Dark Horse): I’m pretty confident that this series will make our Top Ten List for 2013.  Oh, and another stunning cover:
Mister X: Eviction #3

Mister X: Eviction #3

  • Batman Incorporated #12 (DC): #11 was a flipping disaster.  Good news: looks like we’re back to the all-important business of Bat vengeance.
Batman Incorporated #12

Batman Incorporated #12

  • Dial H #14 (DC): It pains me to say this: it’s the penultimate issue.
  • Satellite Sam #1 (Image): May as well give it a shot.  I’ve enjoyed FF and Hawkeye enough.  Oh, and, by the way, Howard Chaykin.  Hope it doesn’t prove as unfulfilling as Casey’s Sex.
Satellite Sam #1

Satellite Sam #1

  • Ten Grand #3 (Image): Yeah, sure: on the strength–a stronger word than I wanted to use, really–of #2, it’s earned another.  Why not, right?
  • Daredevil: Dark Nights #2 (Marvel): #1 delivered some interesting moments with extra cheese.  I’m not entirely sold on it; but I’m willing to lease.
  • Deathmatch #7 (BOOM!): I dunno, man.  I still dig it.
Deathmatch #7

Deathmatch #7

  • Shadowman #8 (Valiant): Behind the first batch of Valiant books, sure; but, by golly, its darned good.  Strange: at the end of each issue, I’m still surprised by how much I like what I’ve read.
  • Uber #3 (Avatar): I figure, since I’m killing off Suicide Risk, I can suffer another one of these.

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott