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I&N Store 10/17

17 Wednesday Oct 2018

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No time to waste!  Let’s go!

  • Cemetery Beach #2 (Image)
  • East of West #39 (Image)
  • Evolution #11 (Image)
  • Gideon Falls #7 (Image): I&N Demand Re: #6: Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino have opened the dark doorway to phantasmal madness!  The latter’s layouts are mind-bending, sending the narrative deep into the id of a fractured Father Fred, into the bowels of the still abstruse Black Barn.  I love the insistence at the very end: Norton insists, “The Black Barn…we’re going to build it.  And you’re going to help me…”  See: “we,” “you”–that’s me: a boy with a farming pedigree.  Let’s do it!  Let’s build it!  I’m ready.

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  • The New World #4 (Image): I&N Demand I’ve loved the way Aleš Kot has manipulated time ever since Zero #1; so you know I loved #3.  But there was plenty more love to go around–mostly for the Moores: the he’s Tradd-ass lines and layouts and the she’s face-melting colors; and kinda for the kitty–specifically the sneaky “SSSNNNIKT” and the cat-fu that follows.  It’s a new world, indeed–full of politics and impulsivity, violence and–wait.  OK, well, it’s a world.  It’s the world.  It’s our world.  It sure as fuck is.

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  • Skyward #7 (Image): I&N Demand Re: #6: See, now: it’s the look–that look: Willa’s face in the last panel of the second-to-last page.  Her face shows everything she’s learned, everything she knows to be true about herself and the Low-G world.  She’s not going to let a little girl–a lot like a little Willa–lose her dad; so, despite the big-ass bugs, she’s going out the train door, into a forest full of freakishly large dragonflies, like a goddamned superhero.  Cue page turn.  Beautiful work from Lee Garbett with striking colors from Antonio Fabela.  Well played, Mr. Henderson.  Well played.

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  • Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #39 (Image): I&N Demand Re: #38:  What a fucking trip!  It hit me so hard that I had to write a 22 I&N 22 like right away–and here it is: Stray, stray, gang’s all here–in sub-space! Ay mi! Mother of a race to the top, learning: to get ahead, let (e)go.  God, I soooo wanted to shout Love Yourself! to the fucking moon, but, ugh, I didn’t want to spoil it for all of my fellow Love Yourself fans; I wanted them–and they’re out there, man–to experience the euphoria I felt when that dredlocked son-of-a-bitch was there on the last page turn, standing next to hospital bed-bound Beth.  That’s a good dude right there; and I can’t wait to see him kill some more bad folks.

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  • Black Hammer: Age of Doom #6 (Dark Horse): I&N Demand Re: #5: Well, spit in my eye and call me Spit Eye Guy!  Everything is revealed and it all adds up to nothing.  Say what?  Oh, but never before has nothing been so Anti-Goddamned satisfying.  Isn’t that something?  Certainly expecting Rich Tommaso to do his thing–be it any, some, every, no?  Oh, yes: Jeff Lemire–I&N Double Demand this week–has detonated a nostalgia bomb, leaving our displaced heroes–wallowing in the weird fallout of fate–in some super-secret, heart-crushing crisis.  And I’m Spit Eye Guy!  Collaterally damaged–and loving it!

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  • Batman #57 (DC): I&N Demand Re: #56: Like most guys, I’m a sucker for father-son stories, particularly those that recount dysfunctional relationships that remind of my own effed-up relationship with my father–a really interesting fella who’s lived an enviable life, if I’m being fair–and a total shit as a dad. Yup: I’m a “Cat’s in the Cradle” kid, tears and all. But KGBeast and his dad? Why would I give a dump about that? Why did I? Why do I still? Characterization? Motivation? Juxtaposition? Sure, there’s that.  (C’mon: one father who’ll do anything (take on ninjas and the cooky Kanto, the craziest baddy I ever saw), go anywhere (Volgograd–go Dad!) vs. a father who sits–yeah: a total sit as a dad!) But it’s more: it’s how Tom King tells a story–any story, really.  But this one: It’s his honesty. His humanity. His fearlessness. His taking shots. A father and son taking shots. Shots to forget. Shots to remember. Add Tony S. Daniel’s best Bat-work to date, and ta da!–I&N Demand.

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  • Cover #2 (DC/Jinxworld): I&N Demand Cover 2–my favorite defense, particularly because my team’s got two solid safeties.  Throw in some top-notch corners and a hungry d-line and what’s it all mean? I’ll tell you what it means: don’t pass on Cover 2. No, really: the concept is terrific, the execution makes it matter.  Bendis! is at his clever best; and David Mack is back making magic.  A Con artist with a cover: artist?  Fun, fun!  In fact, when I met Mr. Mack at NYCC, I fancied myself in the comic as I handed him a blank sketch cover of Cover #1 and asked for a sketch to complete the cover and I got lost in the layers and loved every minute of it.  I tried to explain the fantasy to my wife–about my being a part of some secret spy scheme that’ll change the course of the world–and she was like, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”  Well played, honey.  Well played.

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  • Pearl #3 (DC/Jinxworld)
  • Daredevil #609 (Marvel)
  • Black Badge #3 (BOOM!): I&N Demand Re: #2: Matt Kindt, Tyler Jenkins, and Hilary Jenkins’ Black Badge is the perfect escape.  It’s engaging; it’s gorgeous.  It simmers and explodes, simmers and explodes–yeah, it’s quite a ride; you know, like being on a train with your fellow Black Badges and then Young Canadian Mounties show up and you’re not sure what’s going to happen and then the plans go KABOOMY! and then Bond-ing over snow mobiles and a tiger, some storytelling inside the story, and an end that’s a right riot, right?  That’s one Badge-ass comic, y’all.

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  • Captain Ginger #1 (Ahoy!)
  • Strangers in Paradise XXV #7 (Abstract Studio)
  • PATIENCE! CONVICTION! REVENGE! #2 (AfterShock)

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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I&N Store 9/12

13 Thursday Sep 2018

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Sorry if I don’t hit all of the notes you’ve come to expect.

Bachelor in Paradise–final two episodes of the season–

And I just can’t.

I mean, come on: Kendall and fucking Grocery Store Joe!  I was like Nooooooooooo

And Kevin and Astrid. Goddamn it, Kevin, ya big, dumb dope!  80% this plus 20% that equals 100% stupid.

Am I right?

  • Cemetery Beach #1 (Image): I&N Demand Warren Ellis and another out-of-this-world premise–a sci-fi twist on Papillon, perhaps?–that’s good enough for me.  Plus: any time I see a title that’s Fill-in-the-blank Beach, I’m taken back to Matthew Arnold’s “Dover Beach,” and I’m filled with a kind of curdled joy, which is burdensome, sure, but is satisfying, too.  The “generations of lunatics,” a phrase borrowed from the Cemetery Beach preview on PreviewsWorld.com reminds–loosely yet lovingly–of the “ignorant armies clash[ing] by night” in Arnold’s lovely yet melancholy lyric poem–an invitation, a commentary, a warning–from 1867.  So, yeah: looking forward to this one–even if “Warren Ellis” is, ultimately, the only legit reason for my forward looking.

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  • Mage: The Hero Denied #12 (Image): I&N Demand Well, look at that: I referenced in my write-up for Batman #54 the glorious green bubbles that caught my eye thirty or so years ago–that drew me to Mage: The Hero Discovered and the adventures of Kevin Matchstick–without having seen the cover to this issue.  Now that’s magic.

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  • The New World #3 (Image): I&N Demand #2 was fun, fun, fun!  Aleš Kot kicked the conflict into high gear; he pushed the peril to the metal: struck by something undefinable while in the midst of a televised takedown, Stella decides to take a risk, trading a seemingly cushy future for, well, a seemingly mushy fugitive.  Isn’t that how all great love stories begin?  Shifting: Now, I’m not an artist, still I find Tradd Moore’s art humbling.  (Heather Moore’s colors are there to rub it in, ain’t they though?  They force the eyes wider, and, along with the mister’s living, breathing lines, create an immersive experience that is absolutely exhilarating!)  See: each page turn is bigger than the next; and there I am, bearing the weight of the lines and the colors, which support gloriously Kot’s big ideas, and I’m just like Wow.  That’s some spinning-in-your-bed while spinning-some-Floyd-vinyl shit going on.  “Legendary,” indeed.  You know what I need?  I need to see this as a cartoon.  A big-screen motherfucking cartoon movie.  Please make this into a cartoon movie.  Thank you.  Next up: a little surgery.  Goin’ to the scalpel of love…

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  • Oblivion Song #7 (Image)
  • The Wicked + The Divine #39 (Image)
  • the seeds #2 (Dark Horse/Berger Books): I&N Demand Loyal readers might remember: I celebrated #1 with a 22 I&N 22; and looking back at the post–proud of that one, for sure!–and at the issue, I’m reminded of the perfection–as seen in the hive, in the perfect-every-time hexagon of the humble honeybee–of the initial offering.  Ann Nocenti’s writing is stinger sharp, piercing the part of us that reads and feels and thinks and looks to connect with another afflicted soul–one driven deeper into the comforting yet conflicting chasm of conspiracy, colored, unfailingly by David Aja, a loud khaki green. Fuck.  I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.

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  • She Could Fly #3 (Dark Horse/Berger Books): I&N Demand She Could Fly #2 moves– it flies at a pace that reflects well Luna’s undeterred descent into madness, her succumbing to the stressors that surround her, including family, mystery, and–ceiling the deal–gravity.  But she’s not the only one falling: oh no: see, everyone around her–and a significant one who was above her–has fallen or is falling in some way, be it morally, mentally, physically, interpersonally.  Yup: lots of falling.   Any surprise that the issue wraps up in a basement?  Christopher Cantwell’s driving home the point–and is driving it down, down, which will make the rise–there’ll be a rise eventually, right?–that much more satisfying, I’m sure.  Add to the mix the discomfort drawn into the narrative by Martin Morazzo’s hectic panel work, and the result is a trap that, even in the freedom of chaos, feels increasingly claustrophobic.  Bill and Luna might “need to talk,” but, damn it, I need to read.  Gimme #3!

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  • Catwoman #3 (DC)
  • Detective Comics #988 (DC)
  • Superman #3 (DC)
  • The Amazing Spider-Man #5 (Marvel)
  • Daredevil #608 (Marvel)
  • Fantastic Four #2 (Marvel)
  • Crossed +100: Mimic #5 (Avatar)
  • Hot Lunch Special #2 (AfterShock): I&N Demand Well, wasn’t Hot Lunch Special #1 just the biggest surprise?  Hell yeah, it was!  I ate that shit up and loved every crumb.  I was moved to write an inspired 22 I&N 22, and I hope pray expect that Eliot Rahal and Jorge Fornés will move me in much the same manner with this second helping of sandwiches and sumbitches, trucks and ho-lee fucks!

hls

  • Moth & Whisper #1 (AfterShock)
  • Volition #2 (AfterShock)

What are you looking forward to this week?

If you were looking forward to Kendall and Grocery Store Joe getting back together–and, why not, while you’re at it, to Astrid and Kevin getting back together–well, then, fellow citizen of Bachelor Nation, you got your wish.

Turning pages,

Scott

I&N Store 8/22

22 Wednesday Aug 2018

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My wife and I have gone to a few concerts over the past few months, including Vertical Horizon/Tonic/Gin Blossoms, the always brilliant Richard Thompson (with G. E. Smith), and The Pixies & Weezer.  If you’re reading this on Wednesday: tonight, we’re headed out to see Counting Crows & Live (honesty: looking forward to the latter); and on Labor Day weekend–right before I return to work (a sorta cross between a fist pump and a “foiled again”)–we’ve got Judas Priest & Deep Purple (it’s all about the former for me!).  And, (big secret: don’t tell) for our anniversary, I’ve scored another go-round with Richard Thompson in November!  (Quick math: that’ll be our eighth time with RT!  Yeah: we’re fans.)  Before we head out to the Live show (see what I did there: shooed away the Crows), hoping against the forecast that lightning, in fact, doesn’t crash, I’ve got to go pick up my comics.  Here’s the big list:

  • Cold Spots #1 (Image): I&N Demand Goddamned Bone Parish was dead-ass intoxicating.  Now, even before that hellishly hot piece of horror’s been bagged and boarded, here’s Cold Spots, which will, if history counts for anything, set the shelves alight.  See: when it comes to horror comics, Cullen Bunn’s kinda cornered the graveyard, hasn’t he?  Fuck yeah, he has.  So this one’s a no-brainer.  And a no-body-er.  You know, cuz of the ghosts.

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  • Days of Hate #7 (Image): I&N Demand Remembering #6: Man, when Aleš Kot gets all poetic and shit, he emerges all politic and shit, and the world spins a bit differently–it slows down to let the images take shape and, as they do, they reshape us.  Kot reshapes us.  He -isms all over us.  The son of a bitch owns us from front to back–even if our politics are polar enemies.  Yes: he’s that good–he’s more, wielding like a poet Danijel Žeželj’s beautifully brooding artwork (those blacks, tho) and Jordie Bellaire’s typically bold palette; and the layouts–the fucking layouts, like visual meth, moving, moving apace–particularly the oh-so-familiar nine-panel pages that are manipulated to such a colorful end, and, wouldn’t you know, encourage us willing voyeurs, cleverly, to watch women as Kot develops at once several crucial relationships (including the one between him and us), and does so organically, oh-so poetically.  Yeah, there’s so much to love about Days of Hate–because there’s so much love in Days of Hate.

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  • Die! Die! Die! #2 (Image)
  • Redneck #14 (Image): I&N Demand Redneck, Redneck, oh, how I offered my throat– twelve times, true!–only to be left wanting, even on the odd but teased to plump carotids; however, it took till thirteen, didn’t it, to break the skin–for Redneck to claim me as its very own, with a neck as red as a good ol’ vampire’s wet dream.  (I just slid said chapter from its bag,  to revisit, and, damn, got a rush–memories of the first time rhythmically kicking my carotids–boom, boom, boom…)  I loved that issue so much, that I celebrated it with a 22 I&N 22.  (Love how that one turned out!)  What I’m trying to say, if it isn’t clear, is that I’m very much looking forward to fourteen–and am hoping that Cates, Estherren, and Cunniffe kill it–and me–again.

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  • Royal City #14 (Image)
  • Black Hammer: Age of Doom #4 (Dark Horse): I&N Demand Jeff Lemire is on fire (pronounced fi-ear, obviously)–again; and this particular inferno–spread to other books I&N Store this week–has at its source the Eisner-award winning accelerant that is Black Hammer, now four issues into the Age of Doom, which has been just as beautiful (thanks to the passively moody pairing of Dean Ormston and Dave Stewart) and engaging–thanks to the gloriously nostalgic nods (many in the knowingly-named “Land of Nod,” for God’s sake!) to which I–like you, I’m sure–look forward.  #3 was a terrific trip with some subplots taking odd turns, throwing characters off, throwing us readers off–and Lemire puts words–“Wait. What?” or for the saltier of us an incredulous “What the fuck just happened […]?”–in the mouths of those bound to the pages and of those who hover just above them.  In the end, a weird “Uh oh” pretty well sets the stage for all hell to break Lucy–or for Lucy to take her fucking hammer and smash it all to embers.  Now, that’s hot.

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  • Action Comics #1002 (DC)
  • The Amazing Spider-Man #4 (Marvel): I&N Demand I can’t believe I typed it.  The Amazing Effing Spider-Man–I&N Demand.  I can’t believe I typed it again!  What can I say: it took til #3, but see: Nick Spencer’s caught me in his web of radioactively witty dialogue, which reminded me of being happily trapped by Ant-Man and The Astonishing Ant-Man; and Ryan Ottley’s style is well-spun fun that pops perfectly–thanks to Cliff Rathburn’s sharp inks and Laura Martin’s crisp colors.   I’m sure I’m not a clone in this: I’m buying  Spencer’s Split Spider angle–I sense a comPeteition coming on!–and the poisonous potential of mixing power and irresponsibility.  Come on: that is pretty amazing–and, doubtless, deserves the coveted I&N Demand designation.

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  • Daredevil #607 (Marvel)
  • The Sentry #3 (Marvel)
  • Venom #5 (Marvel)
  • Britannia: Lost Eagles of Rome #2 (Valiant)
  • Oblivi8n #1 (Scout)
  • Twelve Devils Dancing #2 (Action Lab/Danger Zone)

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

Listening: Live–“Secret Samadhi”

Drinking: Blue Point Prop Stopper Seaweed IPA

The 2015 Innies: The Winners!

14 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by in Innie Awards, Uncategorized

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And the winners are…

  • Best Colorist: Matthew Wilson, for The Wicked + The Divine (Image) and Daredevil (Marvel)
  • Best Artist: Matt Kindt, for Mind MGMT (Dark Horse)
  • Best Writer: Matt Kindt, for Mind MGMT (Dark Horse)
  • Best Limited Series: Dry Spell (Action Lab/Danger Zone) by Ken Krekeler
  • Best Ongoing Series: Mind MGMT (Dark Horse) by Matt Kindt

Congratulations! See you in 2016!

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The 2015 Innie Award Nominations!

07 Friday Aug 2015

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The Harvey Award nominations have been announced! The Eisners are in the books! And now we offer our annual corrective: THE INNIE AWARDS!

What does ‘Innies’ stand for? Well, other than an attempt at shameless self-branding, it stands for ‘independence’! Being ‘in’ the know! Part of the ‘in’ crowd! And possessing the non-freaky type of belly button.

Since we don’t have the big-time budget of the fancy-pants Eisners or Harveys, we’ve limited ourselves to five categories.  (Sorry Best Translation of Foreign Material for Tweens!)

Keep in mind that these are for comics that were published in 2014.

If the Eisners are the Oscars, and the Harveys are the Golden Globes, then the Innies are the Independent Spirits–or at least the People’s Choice Awards!

The Nominations:

Best Limited Series:

  • Brass Sun by Ian Edginton and I.N.J Culbard (2000AD)
  • Dry Spell by Ken Krekeler (Action Lab/Danger Zone)
  • Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland by Eric Shanower and Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)
  • The Twilight Zone by J. Michael Straczynski and Guiu Vilanova (Dynamite Entertainment)
  • Wild’s End by Dan Abnett and I.N.J Culbard (BOOM! Studios)

Best Ongoing Series:

  • Afterlife with Archie by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla (Archie Horror)
  • Lazarus by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark (Image)
  • The Massive by Brian Wood and various (Dark Horse)
  • Mind MGMT by Matt Kindt (Dark Horse)
  • Silver Surfer by Dan Slott and Mike Allred (Marvel)

Best Writer:

  • Matt Kindt, Mind MGMT (Dark Horse)
  • Ken Krekeler, Dry Spell (Action Lab/Danger Zone)
  • Greg Rucka, Lazarus (Image)
  • Dan Slott, Silver Surfer (Marvel)
  • Brian Wood, The Massive (Dark Horse), Moon Knight (Marvel)

Best Artist:

  • Mike Allred, Silver Surfer (Marvel)
  • I.N.J. Culbard, Wild’s End (BOOM! Studios), Brass Sun (2000AD)
  • Francesco Francavilla, Afterlife with Archie (Archie Horror)
  • Matt Kindt, Mind MGMT (Dark Horse)
  • Gabriel Rodriguez, Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland (IDW)

Best Colorist:

  • Laura Allred, Silver Surfer (Marvel)
  • Jordie Bellaire, The Massive (Dark Horse), Moon Knight (Marvel), Zero (Image)
  • Nelson Daniel, Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland (IDW), Wild Blue Yonder (IDW)
  • Dave Stewart B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth (Dark Horse), Hellboy & the B.P.R.D.: 1952 (Dark Horse)
  • Matthew Wilson The Wicked + The Divine (Image), Daredevil (Marvel)

Now it’s your turn. Did we miss anyone or anything?

Let the internet shouting begin!

Turning pages,

Derek & Scott

What’s I&N Store (3/25)

24 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

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Last week had me Wow-ing more per book than any week in the recent past.  Here’s the near future:

  • Mister X: Razed #2 (Dark Horse) I&N Demand No surprise here: we loved #1.  It easily fell into our Top 5 Books of February, the result of the tasty termites and the hungry peregrine pigeons, which, of course, is Christmas come a bit late, you know, in the perfectly-wrapped gift of Dean Motter’s icicle-sharp storytelling.  (Deep breath.)  It’s everything we loved about Mr. X: Eviction, which was just as easily our #1 Book of 2013.  Don’t remember why?  Remind yourself.
Mister X: Razed #2

Mister X: Razed #2

  • PastAways #1 (Dark Horse) Just I&N With his nonpareil Mind MGMT in its stretch run, main man Matt Kindt takes aim–along with artist Scott Kolins–at a fresh future with PastAways, the latest–and most assuredly not the last–entry in the suddenly supersaturated–and not-so-fresh–time-traveling-team market.  Yeah, but it doesn’t matter if it’s good, right?
PastAways #1

PastAways #1

  • The Multiversity: Ultra Comics #1 (DC): Re: Mastermen: Morrison and Lee bowled me over with their opening “splash” page–light a match, Adolph!  I mean, c’mon: Hitler on the can, reading Superman?  Hey, why Nazi?  They played it for a laugh–and got it!–and forged a connection between the Führer and me.  I was like, that’s what I look like when I’m reading during “Daddy Time,” you know, just without the mustache and the swastika.  Yeah, otherwise, pretty spot on.  After that, the rest of the book played out well–despite Lee’s pin-up-per-panel approach, which robs the story–artistically, anyway–of any momentum.  Not the best single Multiversity issue, but still plenty metafun.  This month, Morrison and Mahnke promise to make me “an integral part of the resistance.”  Can’t resist that!
  • Suiciders #2 (DC/Vertigo): Figured it’d be a one-and-done.  Clearly wasn’t–especially thanks to the end.
  • The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #5 (Image) I&N Demand Pretty great all around.  Sure, while Busiek’s been busy building this remarkably engaging world, Astro City‘s suffered a bit.  (The Quarrel arc is arguably the weakest multi-issue story since our return to the City.)  But that’s all right–especially now that the game is a(Good)foot.
The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #5

The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #5

  • They’re Not Like Us #4 (Image): They may not be like them, but concerns are rising: we’re three issues in and some of what’s going on is a lot like some of what’s already gone on.  Still love the design, though; love getting right to it!  And still hanging on the promise made at the end of #1.
  • The Wicked & The Divine #9 (Image) I&N Demand With #8, Gillen, McKelvie, and Wilson deliver a brand new Beat Generation of dance hall deities.  The rhythm–the rolling1-2-3-4, page after page–got me good, pulsing past simple gimmick right quick into pop magic, an hypnotizing rave that’s all about that base–YOLO, indeed!–no trouble.  OK.  Trouble.
The Wicked & The Divine #9

The Wicked & The Divine #9

  • Daredevil #14 (Marvel): Ooh, ooh!  A Shroud of secrecy!  Yeah, that pretty much made it all worth it.  As Waid and Samnee are making their way to the end of their run, I can’t help but think about Matt’s exes and wonder: what’s gonna happen to Kirsten?  I’m leaning toward this one breaking the mold.
  • Uncanny X-Men #32 (Marvel): Eva’s conversation with Scott left me feeling like I did after Snyder’s Harper Row lit into Batman (in the regrettable Batman #18).  That’s not a good thing.  Oh, and so, as it all works out, it’s like nothing ever happened, which is always gratifying.  Love that.  Oh, oh, and maybe the once and future leader of the X-Men isn’t so far from his grand return.  Ugh!  I hate all the secrets and the wars that rage as a result of them!
  • The Black Hood #2 (Archie): I was surprised by how much I liked the first one. What sold it: the last page.  As cheesy as it was, it felt authentic, heroic.  I needed that.  Great stuff from Gaydos.
  • The Bunker #10 (Oni): I’m feeling somewhat disconnected from The Bunker at this point.  If it were released on a more regular basis…
  • Hit: 1957 #1 (BOOM!): I was surprised that Hit earned a Harvey nomination because it wasn’t great.  Sure, it hit the right notes at the start–and at its soul was something to celebrate; but it didn’t come together well, as evidenced by the unremarkable end.  I’ll thumb through to see if Del Rey’s art is enough of a draw to warrant a try.  Otherwise, I’m going to pass.
  • Mono #4 (Titan): Through three now, I’m kinda feeling like I did after the summer after I graduated from high school–you know, after saying hi and goodbye to four different girls before leaving for college, and after learning that I had a case of mono, one bad enough to keep me home for what would’ve been my first semester at Penn State.  Just like that, actually.
  • Quantum and Woody Must Die #3 (Valiant): Funny, funny, funny!
  • The Sixth Gun #47 (Oni): The stack grows.
  • The Valiant #4 (Valiant): #3 didn’t hit me like #2 did.  Resulted in a bit of a letdown, especially as the entirety of the Valiant Universe gets further mired in Lemire’s return to Rotworld.
  • The Twilight Zone: Shadow and Substance #3 (Dynamite): The first two-issue arc didn’t live up to Straczynski’s standard–but how could it?  I’m probably going to pass.
  • We Can Never Go Home #1 (Black Mask): I haven’t like much of what I’ve tried from Black Mask.  This one sounds interesting enough.  I’ll thumb through to be fair.

Avery’s Picks of the Week

  • My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #29 (IDW): My wife just came home from Stop & Shop with eight more Pony blind bags.  Thanks a lot DCTC!  We’re drowning in Ponies over here–new ones and duplicates!  I think we have three Pursey Pinks, for crying out loud!
  • Abigail and The Snowman #4 (BOOM!): My daughter’s dug it plenty–even if the Snowman is more Bumble than Olaf.
Abigail and The Snowman #4

Abigail and The Snowman #4

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (2/25)

24 Tuesday Feb 2015

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

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

Wait.  What?

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

Ugh.

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

Mister X: Razed #1

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

They’re Not Like Us #3

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

The Wicked & The Divine #8

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

Daredevil #13

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

Evil Empire #11

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

 Avery’s Pick of the Week

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

Abigail and the Snowman #3

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (1/14)

14 Wednesday Jan 2015

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

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

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

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

Lazarus #14

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

Silver Surfer #8

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

Star Wars #1

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

Twilight Zone #11

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

Wild’s End #5

Avery’s Pick of the Week

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

Fraggle Rock: Journey to the Everspring #4

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

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (8/20)

20 Wednesday Aug 2014

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Looking forward to a few HUGE number ones: DC’s Multiversity, Image’s The Fade Out, and Valiant’s The Delinquents.  Also have my eye on the repriced DHP.  Plenty of other good stuff, too–including an against-the-odds purchase that might bring down the walls of my LCS!

  • Dark Horse Presents 2014 #1 (Dark Horse): I would buy Geoff Darrow and Frank Miller’s anything.  I even would’ve paid $7.99!  But the fellas at Dark Horse have decided to knock down the price of DHP with the “reboot.”  So we’re talking $4.99 for Darrow and Miller and, among other anthological amuse-bouches, David Mack’s Kabuki!  Yes, please!
Dark Horse Presents 2014 #1

Dark Horse Presents 2014 #1

  • Batman and Robin #34 (DC): Robin is still rising.  I hope he does a better job of it this time around–especially considering how awful the awfully disappointing Robin Rises: Omega was.  That’s right: sad to say, my favorite Batman book earned the ignominious distinction of being the Biggest Dis(appointment) of July.
  • The Multiversity #1 (DC): Grant Morrison is back–finally.  He’s been missed–by us and, most assuredly, by the DC powers that be.  (Marvel’s been cleaning their clocks for a while now; so it’s about time.)  His name is synonymous with quality–even if it is an awkwardly incomprehensible quality.
The Multiversity #1

The Multiversity #1

  • Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland #1 (IDW): I don’t have any experience with Little Nemo, but this looks too good to pass up.
  • The Fade Out #1 (Image): Hot on the high heels of the Fatale finale comes this new series from Brubaker and Phillips.  The description reminds of Fraction and Chaykin’s Satellite Sam–which is not a bad thing.
The Fade Out #1

The Fade Out #1

  • Stray Bullets: Killers #6 (Image): The first new Amy Racecar issue brought a little horsepower back to Lapham’s Bullets, which has been grinding its gears a bit since a high-octane first issue–which Derek gushed over here.
  • Supreme: Blue Rose #2 (Image): Re: #1: I felt kinda lost.  Figure I’ll give it another issue, you know, ’cause it’s Ellis.
  • Trees #4 (Image): #2 earned our Biggest Dis(appointment) of June.  #3 didn’t necessarily wash the taste of #2 from our mouths, but, for the quality of the conversation, it certainly changed the flavor a bit.  Just when I thought I’d be free of Trees, Ellis sucks me right back in.
  • The Wicked & The Divine #3 (Image): I thought #2 was OK–certainly better than the first one.  It didn’t make me want to call it quits, nor did it leave me inconsolable over the fact that I’d have to wait a month for #3.  Damn thing reeks of arrogance–which suits the godly gang well.  I still think the premise is kinda cool, and I’ve come to have more faith in Gillen thanks to Über; so I’m sticking around.  We’ll see what happens.  (Side note: anyone else seeing similarities between this and Azzarello’s Wonder Woman?  A quick flip through just gave me that vibe.)
The Wicked & The Divine #3

The Wicked & The Divine #3

  • Daredevil #7 (Marvel): The Original Sin tie-in was actually pretty good and included one of the best DD double-page spreads I’ve ever heard.  On to another, more about Matt’s mother–and off to Wakanda.
  • Magneto #8 (Marvel): Re: #7: not my favorite issue.  More a carried note than a new one.  Translation: the pattern that Bunn’s been following stood out more than the story itself.  Hope that doesn’t carry forward.
  • Ms. Marvel #7 (Marvel): I can’t believe I’m saying this: I didn’t care very much for #6.  My secret crush–the marvelous Kamala Khan–was insufferable!  Ugh!  How did endearingly awkward twist to annoyingly annoying so darned quickly?  And my concerns about the change in artist–well, they were well founded.  Wyatt’s work may as well have been lined with metal, too.  I’m not ready to quit Kamala, but I am, quite suddenly, anxious about our next meeting.
  • Armor Hunters: Harbinger #2 (Valiant): The first one didn’t do much for me.  Probably going to ride it out anyway.
  • Black Market #2 (BOOM!): I’ve pretty much hated everything I’ve read from Frank Barbiere–until Black Market #1.  Everything about it worked–especially the end.  Definitely looking forward to my experience with #2–maybe more so than #2 itself.  Is it possible that I’ll like another issue of a Barbiere book?
  • The Delinquents #1 (Valiant): This has the potential of being the best thing ever, you know, with Van Lente and Asmus clinking their heads together like IPA-filled pint glasses.  I couldn’t be hoppier–er, happier about this collaboration.  Add to the toast the oft-amazing Kano, who blew us away with his work on Quantum and Woody #10, and, well, I’m willing to “Wow!” before I even read it!
The Delinquents #1

The Delinquents #1

  • The Last Broadcast #4 (BOOM!/Archaia): We’ve loved the series thus far–and we’ve broadcasted it to all who’d listen.  We made #2 one of our Top 5 Books of June and #3 just missed despite its being maybe even better than #2.  (Yeah, July was a pretty stacked month.  Top 5 to come.)  Very much looking forward to this.
The Last Broadcast #4

The Last Broadcast #4

  • The Life After #2 (Oni Press): Suicide certainly is a touchy subject–made even more so with the recent loss of Robin Williams.  For some, the wound might be too fresh.  For me, however, that wound calloused over a long time ago.  A high school classmate of mine took her life during our junior year; it’s something I’ve never gotten over but have learned to live with.  Fialkov is healing with the help of some famous figures.  I’m willing to follow along.

Avery’s Pick of the Week

  • Scribblenauts Unmasked: A Crisis of Imagination #8 (DC): Avery’s embrace of #7 went viral.  OK, so it wasn’t Ebola; but it certainly infected writer Josh Elder.  Odds are good she’s gonna hug this one, too!

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (7/23)

22 Tuesday Jul 2014

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Another big week of big books, highlighted by four titles from our Top Ten of 2013 (Wild Blue Yonder, Saga, Zero, and Archer & Armstrong) and an Archie two-fer!

  • Batman and Robin #33 (DC): Robin Rises: Omega #1–a nonsensical, never-ending fight scene–was a huge disappointment.  You know what?  I’m going to pretend it never happened.  Will be tough, though: I’m not too excited about the inevitable change of scenery; Lord Darkseid knows I’ve never been a fan of Apokolips.
  • Dead Boy Detectives #7 (DC/Vertigo): DBD has been very good–especially the previous Through the Looking Glass-inspired two-parter.  New story starts here.
  • Superman #33 (DC): Re: #32: The new Men of Today: Geoff Johns and John Romita, Jr. have started their reign well with Men of Tomorrow.  Liked how the former twisted Supes’ origin and came up with the well-named Ulysses.  The latter proved that his style suits Superman just fine.
  • Wonder Woman #33 (DC): Azzarello and Chiang are on their way out.  It’s been a helluva run–and gods know I will loyally follow them to the finish line.

 

Wonder Woman #33

Wonder Woman #33

  • Wild Blue Yonder #5 (IDW): Prepare to be jealous: I’ve already read it.  Liked it a lot.  (Shouldn’t come as much of a surprise: we’ve celebrated this series from the guys at Noble Transmission since take off.)  It lives up to the standard set by issues before: it’s summer-blockbuster big with some massive art moments from Zach Howard and Nelson Daniel.  (Nobody does double-page spreads like these guys.)  I particularly like how in a relativist sense the Judge is pretty much a good guy, as he is trying to do right by his people.  Just so happens other folks–those who call The Dawn home–would have to suffer in order for his people to survive.  If I’m finding myself rooting for the Judge, it’s because Mike Raicht is selling him well–kind of like how Patricia Highsmith convinces you root for the immoral Thomas Ripley; that’s high praise, indeed!  Also sold well is the big “final” moment, which is drawn out just long enough to sell one character’s sacrifice and another’s loss.  Can’t wait to see how everything plays out.  If you can’t wait to find out more about this issue, check out Derek’s review here.
Wild Blue Yonder #5

Wild Blue Yonder #5

 

  • Saga #21 (Image): This arc hasn’t really lived up to the Saga standard.  That being said, it’s still better than most.  #20 ended on a robot strong note–even if it were a bit too robotic, too thick with politic.
  • Trees #3 (Image): Hasn’t grown on me.  In fact, Derek and I agree: there’s been too much junk in the trunk; and, as a result, Trees #2 is our Biggest Dis(appointment) of June.  May have to chop this one down.  Might have trouble seeing the forest for the cover, though.
Tress #3

Tress #3

  • Velvet #6 (Image): New arc time.  The first one rubbed me the right way.  Something very modest about it.
  • Zero #9 (Image): The series started with so much promise.  That promise, however, has been broken.  Into pieces.  Tiny, tiny pieces.  We denounced #8 as our Biggest Dis(appointment) of May.  It’ll take an act of God or my typical lack of willpower to get this one into my bag,
  • Supreme: Blue Rose #1 (Image): Ellis is lighting it up on Moon Knight yet is growing Trees at an pine’s pace.  Wonder what we’ll get here.
Supreme: Blue Rose #1

Supreme: Blue Rose #1

  • Daredevil #6 (Marvel): #5 offered up my favorite line of the year: “Kudos to cancer.”  Man, I laughed; and then I was like “Ugh”; and then I laughed some more.  It’s quite clear: Mark ain’t afraid to Waid into some daring dialogue–especially if it’s meant to develop Matt further as the very best of friends and as the perfect Daredevil.
  • Afterlife With Archie #6 (Archie): Roberto Aguirre Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla’s first arc was as close to perfect as can be.  Expectations are very high for the next.
  • Archer & Armstrong #22 (Valiant): “American Wasteland” has been a blast!  Re: #21: I mean, ho-Lee crap: Fred Van Lente is fearless–he’s the Lone Funman!  It was so much fun, in fact, that we’ll be celebrating it as one of our Top 5 Books of June.  You know, when we get around to it.
Archer & Armstrong #22

Archer & Armstrong #22

  • Life With Archie #37 (Archie): Honesty: #36 was my first issue of LWA.  (I know I’m not alone in that one.)  It won’t be my last.  It was really, really good.  Love the choices Paul Kupperberg–who wrote one of my far- from-Archie faves: Vigilante–made while walking his way through Archie’s life.  Just took one issue to make me care a whole lot about the aftermath.
  • The Midas Flesh #8 (BOOM!): Mercifully comes the end.  After a strong #2, the series quickly went south and has unfortunately stayed that course–not plot-wise, per se; it’s been an execution issue, including too much in the way of leaden redundancies.  Maybe–just maybe–the end’ll be the true North we’ve been searching for.
  • Ordinary #3 (Titan): Mercilessly comes to an end.  An end?  Already?  Noooooooooooooooo!  Damn, man, the first two issues have been so very good.  We celebrated #1 as one of our Top 5 Books of May, and #2 will be recognized as one of our Top Books of June, you know, eventually.  Have every expectation that this’ll be just as good–if not better!  A strong finale will bump Rob Williams from a laudable Must Try to a rare Must Buy.
Ordinary #3

Ordinary #3

  • The Twilight Zone #7 (Dynamite): This second arc hasn’t been as nearly as compelling as the first.  That being said, #6 was definitely a step up from #5.  I’ll probably ride this one out, return to my home dimension and leave the key to imagination under the mat for the next guy.

Paige’s Pick of the Week

  • Popeye #24 (IDW): Big Sister’s still working on her pile from last week, so Baby Sister gets her second book in three weeks–of life!  I’ve keyed in on Popeye for her because she looks like the spinach-chompin’ sailor man when she eats.  And the cover’s an appropriate hoot, too, ’cause toot toot, my baby girl is goshdarn gassy!
Popeye #24

Popeye #24

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott