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Top 5 Books of February

11 Saturday Apr 2015

Posted by ScottNerd in Top 5 Books of the Month

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Ant-Man, Brian Wood, Dan Slott, Dark Horse, David Lapham, Dean Motter, Edgar Allan Poe, Greg Smallwood, Howard Chaykin, Image, Jordan Boyd, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Mike Allred, Mister X: Eviction, Mister X: Razed, Moon Knight, Nick Spencer, O. Henry, Radiant City, Ramon Rosanas, Satellite Sam, Silver Surfer, Spanish Scott, Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses

For all of you keeping score, here it is: our Top 5 Books of February!

5. Satellite Sam #11 (Image): Waking life–and death!  Matt Fraction and Howard Chaykin are as masterful as ever as alarm bells go off, eyes open, and metaphors deliver their lines with ironic conviction.  This thickly-themed and perfectly-timed issue sees the largely unlikable ensemble cast dissembled and reassembled, self-serving agendas selflessly serving as the common thread that binds the lot together on this very, very good morning. (SC)

Satellite Sam #11

Satellite Sam #11

4. Ant-Man #2 (Marvel): How did this book, easily dismissed as a cynical corporate media tie-in, make it into our bag, much less our hallowed Top 5? Well, one could mention the appealing heart in a story about a down-on-his-luck divorced father who’s willing to do anything to be near his daughter. Or one could point to the clean, appealing art by Ramon Rosanas and Jordan Boyd. All true, but what separates this book from the congested, middle of the road superhero pack is that it is so. Damn. Funny. We mean it folks: not LOL funny, but quite literally Laugh-Out-Loud funny. People on the train giving me strange looks as I’m guffawing at a freaking comic book funny. Any comic, hell anything, that can engender such a visceral reaction is aces in my book. So let’s just come out and say it: Nick Spencer is the funniest writer working in funny books today. (DM)

Ant-Man #2

Ant-Man #2

3. Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #1 (Image): With a sly “Hi,” David Lapham welcomes us back to the next round of Bullets: a lone gunman–a coldly fetching Kretchmeyer–is hunted down by series vet, the brooding Spanish Scott, a calculating killer himself, who is, let’s be honest, more siesta than fiesta.  Scott’s lethargic inevitability–you know, like death itself–is integral to the development of the issue-spanning tension, especially as it mirrors the dangerously direct and determined Kretchmeyer’s own semisomnambulistic nature.  Lapham brings the two together, guns drawn, in an unforgettable–and emphatically phallic–panel that finds Beth, one seriously distressed damsel, an extremely interested party who quite literally doesn’t want to lose her head.  Yeah, it’s vintage Stray Bullets, folks: it’s fun; it’s violent, and it’s tight–it’s “another [effing] hole-in-one.” (SC)

Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #1

Stray Bullets: Sunshine and Roses #1

2. Silver Surfer #9 (Marvel): The little engine that could.  The ant with high apple-pie-in-the-sky hopes.  Buster Douglas.  Life.   Yeah, we’ve got a thing for the underdog; it’s hardwired; heck, it’s about survival–our own survival that we fight for vicariously through whatever odds-against scenario we’re privy to in the moment.  That’s what makes this issue of Silver Surfer so affective–so blisteringly painful.  Dan Slott and Mike Allred do more than just continue the brilliant course set in #8, our #2 book of January; they ride it to greater emotional heights, selling the Surfer’s inspirational effort of “surfing the moon,” only to–in the blast of an eye–reveal the tack’s ultimate value: none.  Yeah, seems Galactus is no Goliath, and the Surfer–stripped of the power cosmic–is the Surfer no more.  But his defeat doesn’t leave us feeling defeated.  Oh, no it doesn’t.  Despite the bleak ending–maybe because of the bleak ending–we’re built up even more; we’re even more defiant, more hopeful.  See: hope is our heroin, and thanks to the low note struck at the end, we are super high and primed for the return of our hero in a month’s time–primed for victory–because the little guy always wins–right? (SC)

Silver Surfer #9

Silver Surfer #9

1. Mister X: Razed #1 (Dark Horse): We honored Dean Motter’s previous installment Mister X: Eviction with the 2014 Innie Award for Best Limited Series. So expectations were high for his new collection. Well, we’re happy to report those expectations have been met and surpassed. In a book that already wears such stylish influences as Will Eisner and Fritz Lang, this issue boasts a gorgeous ensemble of O. Henry with just a dash of Edgar Allan Poe (in the undergarments) to weave a seamless, pulpy dream. You won’t find a better looking (or reading) book this season!

Seriously, Motter has spent years building up the fantastic, darkly surreal playground that is Radiant City. Now we get the supreme pleasure of just sitting back and watching the master play. (DM)

Mister X: Razed #1

Mister X: Razed #1

Biggest Dis(appointment): Moon Knight #12 (Marvel) – Brian Wood takes a fascinating, morally fraught premise – Khnoshu abandons Marc Spector and bestows the mantle of Moon Knight on someone who’s willing to murder a head of state for his past crimes against humanity – and ends it with a cop out. Spoiler alert! Turns out the new Moon Knight was just after his money! A weak ending that invalidates a riveting, timely premise. A true let-down. (DM)

Moon Knight #12

Moon Knight #12

Turning pages,

Scott & Derek

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What’s I&N Store (2/18)

18 Wednesday Feb 2015

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

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

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

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

Batman and Robin #39

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

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

Multiversity: Mastermen #1

  • Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #4 (Image): I can’t be the only one who’s noticed: the current arc of Astro City‘s been a bit blah; but this has been really, really good.  Coincidence?
  • Bitch Planet #3 (Image): I enjoyed #1 for all sorts of reasons (exploiting exploitation, lots of Tarantino, hints of Fraction, etc.).  Hey: borrowing works well when it works well.  Oh, but when it doesn’t…  #2 lost me from the get-go–especially as I was taken immediately to a low budget modern-day exploitation flick that I caught one night on one of the Showtime or HBO channels: Raze, starring Tarantino darling Zoë Bell.  Coincidence?
Raze (2013)

Raze (2013)

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

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

Lazarus #15

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

Moon Knight #12

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

Silver Surfer #9

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

Uncanny X-Men #31

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

The Valiant #3

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

The Twilight Zone #12

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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I&N’s Top Ten Books of 2014

15 Sunday Feb 2015

Posted by dmainhart in I&N's Top Ten

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

1984, Action Labs, Afterlife With Archie, Alan Moore, Ales Kot, Archie, BOOM!, Brian Wood, Dan Abnett, Dan Slott, Danger Zone, Dark Horse, Declan Shalvey, Dry Spell, Dynamite, Francesco Francavilla, Garry Brown, Greg Rucka, Greg Smallwood, Guiu Vilanova, I.N.J. Culbard, Image, J. Michael Straczynski, Jamie S. Rich, Jordie Bellaire, Ken Krekeler, Lazarus, Madame Frankenstein, Marvel, Marvelman, Matt Kindt, Megan Levens, Michael Lark, Mike Allred, Mind MGMT, Miracleman, Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, Roberto Aguirre Sacasa, Silver Surfer, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The Massive, The New Deadwardians, The Twilight Zone, The War of the Worlds, The Wind in the Willows, Warren Ellis, Warrior, Watchmen, Wild's End, zero

Welcome to the 34th edition of I&N’s Top Ten Comics of the Year! Why, it seems like just yesterday we were bestowing our top honor to a little known comic from across the pond titled Warrior #1 (1982), solely for its inclusion of the work of a budding, young upstart named Alan Moore (who subsequently sent us a scroll with a nigh-illegible incantation, which was either a note of thanks or a curse from the Necronomicon; we could never tell which). While we dug his nascent V for Vendetta, it was his writing on Marvelman that enthralled. Happily, after a long absence, the original stories are finally being reprinted by Marvel Comics of all places (now re-titled Miracleman, due to the book’s long and tortured publishing history in which Marvel itself played an ignominious part). Viewed through the lens of history, this groundbreaking work has often been seen as Moore’s warm-up to his seminal, ubiquitous Watchmen. Visiting these stories afresh, however, it quickly becomes apparent that Moore’s initial go at “realistic” superheroes is as poetic, disquieting and masterful as his better-known oeuvre. Indeed, it’s a good thing we already recognized Marvelman’s greatness. Otherwise, despite Marvel’s awkward presentation (half of each issue is filler? and polybagged for no discernible reason?) these brilliant, essential tales would likely top our list again.

Speaking of which!

10. The Twilight Zone (Dynamite):

This is the dimension of J. Michael Straczynski’s imagination.  It is an area which we call the #10 book of 2014.  Returning to a creative comfort zone, J.M.S. has penned a series of meticulously plotted arcs that could easily stand as episodes of the iconic television show, each issue filled with tight twists, palpable fear, and ethical dilemmas that try and crush the souls of men and women alike.  Complementing Straczynski’s script is the gorgeous work of artist Guiu Vilanova, who draws out the fateful schemes in a realistic manner, making the unreal scenarios that much more believable–that much more frightening.  So while Straczynski might be going through the motions with some of his other titles, here he’s most assuredly in the zone.  We, unlike his protagonists, are the luckier for it; and Rod Serling’s somewhere out there in the timeless fifth dimension smiling, smoking–and waiting for the next issue of The Twilight Zone to hit the shelves.  Sadly, Straczynski and Vilanova’s terrific turn on this moralistic monster of a comic has but one issue left!  Ah, yet another cruel twist…(SC)

The Twilight Zone #4

The Twilight Zone #4

9. Wild’s End (BOOM!):

At this point, the mash-up is a long accepted (if not well-worn) artistic trope throughout all types of media. Indeed the initial collaboration between creators Dan Abnett and I.N.J. Culbard yielded The New Deadwardians, a ripping Victorian detective story simply teeming with zombies and vampires wot, wot! Wild’s End’s mix of The Wind in the Willows and The War of the Worlds may seem an unlikely entry into the burgeoning genre at first (and ill-advised besides, given Alan Moore’s own memorable War of the Worlds mash-up in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). But in the end, what matters, as it always has, is the telling. Abnett fully realizes the quaint comforts of his cozy anthropomorphized village, before threatening to tear it to shreds. Culbard’s rendering is uncluttered and timeless, effortlessly evoking both 19th century fairy tales and 1950’s sci-fi cinema. Most mash-ups hold their disparate elements in stark relief. The magic of this one is that it seems utterly seamless, as though these genres had been married from the start. The result is deceptively simple and completely enchanting. (DM)

Wild's End #3

Wild’s End #3

8. Moon Knight (Marvel):

It’s an I&N first!  That’s right: we’re celebrating a book that has had two different creative teams–over the course of the title’s first ten issues, no less!  Yeah, that’s usually a bad sign.  Not here, though: the launch team of Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey rocketed this latest incarnation of the second-string, schizophrenic servant of Khonshu into lunar orbit.  In a series of connected one-offs, Ellis finds his–and Marc Spector’s–voice while favoring frugality: displaying his mastery of the craft–and enough confidence to cast a long shadow over some of his long-winded contemporaries–he wisely withdraws his words from the massive moments, not because they are unnecessary, but to allow Shalvey to shine like the fullest of moons–and shine he does, showcasing loudly his silent storytelling through striking sequences issue after issue.  Now, the news that this team was only on board for a sixer didn’t come as a surprise, but it was disappointing, especially considering what the pair had accomplished in so short a time.  The disappointment wouldn’t last long, however: the new team–Brian Wood and Greg Smallwood–came in with a clear plan and executed it with a vengeance.  They were clearly not intimidated by the work before them, and their fearlessness helped them to hit the Marc–changing the titular character to suit this new phase–one that so far reads not unlike an episode–or an arc–of The Twilight Zone.  Man, I only wish they’d gibbous more than one more issue!  (See: sticking to the motif: it’s on to a newer phase–and on to creative team number three–with #13.)  What they–both teams–have given us, however, has been superior–and vital–superhero fare; what they’ve given us is a white knight to lead us out of the dark. (SC)

Moon Knight #1

Moon Knight #1

7. Zero (Image):

Certainly the most frustrating title on our list, Ales Kot’s nihilistic super-spy thriller could range from the poetically sublime one issue to incoherent violence the next. At different points this year we named it both Book of the Month and Biggest Dis(appointment) – one thing you could never call this book was ‘predictable’. But at its best, this title (drawn by an impressive roster of rotating artists) was at once lyrically beautiful and viscerally harrowing, loosely tethered, as it was, to real life arenas of violence. This was never more true than in issue #9, a tale (an origin story it turns out) set in the Bosnian War that encompassed deceit and innocence, hope and despair, and a tragic ultimatum that yielded new life in the face of brutal murder. Told in a spare 22 pages, it was possibly the best single comic we read all year. Holding up a mirror to the darkness of recent history, and shining a light upon it, however frail, not only to remember, but also to try to render something beautiful out of it, may well be a fruitless exercise. It may also be art. (DM)

Zero #10

Zero #10

6. Afterlife with Archie (Archie):

A no-brainer, really–well, only because said brains have been exuberantly consumed by the Jughead-led undead of Riverdale.  Maestro Roberto Aguirre Sacasa and the perfectly frightening Franceso Francavilla have continued their brazen exploration into the heart of nostalgia by wearing the mask of familiarity while delivering something wholly unexpected–something undeniably challenging and zombeautiful.  And, of course, there’s issue #4–our #2 book of March and one of the best single issues of the year–which, doggone it, made me cry.  Real tears.  See: as it turns, what happens to Vegas stays with you for a long, long time–like that heartbreaking song that’s so perfectly composed that you get lost in the shadow of every sorrowful note–and hope to never be found again.  Sure, this isn’t the afterlife that they pitched in Sunday school, but if I’m being honest–and maybe a little bit blasphemous–I like this one a hell of a lot more.  (SC)

Afterlife With Archie #4

Afterlife With Archie #4

5. The Massive (Dark Horse):

Environmental degradation and societal collapse have always been the subtext in Brian Wood’s magisterial, globe-trotting mystery. Well, in its unsparing final act, (with appropriately stark visuals by Garry Brown and Jordie Bellaire) subtext became text as the Ahab-like search for a missing vessel, which previously drove the narrative, was transformed into Judgement Day, with all the biblical proportion that implies. One always suspected that Wood would get around to driving his point home; that he did so with such force contrasted sharply with earlier issues, which were told with a subtlety that sometimes veered toward the opaque. The apocalyptic ending, with its uneasy mix of hope and misanthropy, served as a case study for a failed species: humanity. The series, in the end, is an impassioned, ecological cri de guerre, but one that is packed in a masterpiece of storytelling. (DM)

The Massive #24

The Massive #24

4. Silver Surfer (Marvel):

Of the so-called “Big Two” in 2014, Marvel seemed to have the more cohesive game plan. Certainly, they thrived on the expected, event-driven, media-tie-in franchise titles. But they balanced the relentless grinding of the hype machine with some surprisingly refreshing takes on some of their lesser known characters; those B and C – listers who exist at a remove from the shenanigans of the their bread-and-butter superstars. That remove and relative obscurity allowed for a certain amount of freedom. Marvel, to their credit, brought in some top-tier talent and gave them a free hand with these characters (see Moon Knight, above). Call them the Outliers, for their success seems to be in inverse proportion to their proximity to the main goings on of the Marvel U. (Even everyone’s darling, Ms. Marvel, began to flag once she was saddled with Wolverine guest-appearances and increasing ties to Marvel’s ongoing Inhumanity storyline). What better place then for Silver Surfer to be, than on the fringes of the known universe? Dan Slott’s inspired choice of setting not only wisely removed him from the chess board, so to speak, it gives wunderkind artist Mike Allred the largest possible canvas in which to unleash imagination. Aliens, other dimensions, planet casinos; Allred brings the F-U-N to any project he’s involved in. As I’ve said before, he seems to inspire his collaborators to elevate their game, and Slott has proven up to the challenge. Together they’ve concocted the kind of absurdly sublime cosmic romp one would be hard-pressed to find anywhere this side of Terry Pratchett. And in Dawn Greenwood, small-town girl from Anchor Bay, Mass., they created the most winning new Marvel character of the year (the aforementioned Ms. Marvel notwithstanding). Finally, in pairing the Man from Beyond the Stars with the Girl Next Door, they also have the makings of the most adorable budding romance in comics. Truly they’ve producing the best monthly super-hero book on the stands. Let’s hope it survives Marvel’s Next Big Thing. (DM)

Silver Surfer #7

Silver Surfer #7

3. Dry Spell (Action Labs/Danger Zone):

Ken Krekeler’s Dry Spell is a book that kicks off with a bold promise–one in the form an artfully chosen quotation from the incomparable Alan Moore.  In fact, I bought the book because I figured anyone ballsy enough to borrow so brazenly from the best must have something to say.  Turns out that Krekeler didn’t have something to say after all–he had something to shout!  Hey, Ken: I hear you.  Loud and clear.  OK, so, it took re-releasing your book (originally published through Krekeler’s own Kinetic Press in 2011) through a more established outfit like Action Labs to finally reach me; but thank goodness for that–for the person who knew this book needed to reach me and that it could only reach me this way; otherwise, I would’ve been deprived of this superb take on the superhero genre–a canvas filled with small voices and big moments, crazy twists and smart page-turns–in total, a “Howl” for the villain in us all.  Krekeler–a previously unknown quantity–delivers on his book’s bold promise by taking advantage of the medium, particularly with his inventive dialogue and his sympathetic color palette; and he serves up a finale–the definitive finale–a perfect final issue that hits massive notes–the biggest struck by the tsunami of splash pages, the last–reminiscent of Rocky and Apollo (coincidence?) throwing punches that never quite connect at the end of Rocky III–declaring the Black Baron’s personal dry spell officially over.  Good to know that this superior series–and best mini of 2014–isn’t over: the inside back cover of #4 makes another bold promise–one that Krekeler better keep, if he knows what’s good for him–and for us: Dry Spell 2 is coming soon.  Yeah, not soon enough. (SC)

Dry Spell #4

Dry Spell #4

2. Lazarus (Image):

What would you get if 1984 was directed by Francis Ford Coppola from a screenplay written by Noam Chomsky? The answer might look a lot like Lazarus. Alternating between a macro view of a near-future worldwide economic catastrophe and a microcosm of the inner-workings of one of the powerful Families who rose to power because of it, Lazarus, like most great socially-minded science fiction, feels at once expansive and suffocating. Creators Greg Rucka and Michael Lark have hit that sweet spot of dystopian dread, where the reader is exhilarated by the sheer breadth of this brave new world, even as its does its best to debase, dehumanize and stamp out any sign of resistance from its inhabitants. No mere escapism this; its true power comes from the realization that the seeds of the future nightmare it describes are currently being planted all around us, if only we would notice. Lazarus is a visionary sci-fi masterpiece for the early 21st century. (DM)

Lazarus #9

Lazarus #9

1. Mind MGMT (Dark Horse):

There was no denying Matt Kindt’s kinetic masterpiece this time around.  Its ascension to the top spot of our annual Top Ten was as inevitable as truth and death: #3 (2012), #2 (2013), and now #1, the spot it so richly deserves for its clever cover homages (re: Rousseau [#18] and Magritte [#22]) and its ebullient barrages of images and words, which create a reading-cum-sensory experience even more unique than unique to the comic book genre.  The year flew by in a fury of frantic page turns: from Meru’s failed recruitment of Ella the Animal Kid, an inventive and intense story inspired by Kindt’s own daughter and one of our favorite single issues of the year; to the illusory introduction of the Magician; to the frustratingly thoughtful silent issue, which actually earned the ignominious title of Biggest Dis(appointment) for the month of April; to Kindt’s pushing the petal-to-the-metal to reach the speed of heartbreak, the result of the death of a major character; to the father of clichéd revelations that manages to be fresh and affecting; and ultimately, to a showdown that’s all show up, leaving us to wait a little while longer for the final throw down between Meru and the Eraser.  Kindt drives the narrative as only he can with his unexpected layouts and whitewater watercolors.  His Field Guide/Voice of God–voice of Meru!–marginalia continue to draw more into the story, allowing us to draw more out–more out of the relative reality of the universe he’s created; more out of the fiction that empowers Meru in climactic moments; more out of the memories that are either reality or fiction–or both.  There’s unquestionably more here in Mind MGMT than in any book on the shelf, which makes this our easy pick for the #1 book of 2014. (SC)

Mind MGMT #24

Mind MGMT #24

Derek’s Honorable Mentions: 20. Multiversity (DC) 19. Archer and Armstrong (Valiant) 18. Cap’n Dinosaur (Image) 17. Satellite Sam (Image) 16. The Fade Out (Image) 15. Punks: The Comic (Image) 14. Copperhead (Image) 13. Ordinary (Titan) 12. Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland (IDW) 11. Adventure Time (kaboom! – so long Ryan North & co.!)

Scott’s Honorable Mentions: 20. BPRD (Dark Horse) 19. Saga (Image) 18. Evil Empire (BOOM!) 17. Satellite Sam (Image) 16. Iron Fist: The Living Weapon (Marvel) 15. Stray Bullets: Killers (Image) 14. Southern Bastards (Image) 13. Brass Sun (2000 AD) 12. East of West (Image) 11. The Wicked & The Divine (Image)

Publisher of the Year:
This was the year that Image Comics doubled-down on its core strategy: attracting top-tier talent from throughout the industry and parlaying their success to create a space where lesser-known creators can play as well. The result was an avalanche of diversity that exemplified the boundless range of the medium (just check out how many Image titles made our Honorable Mentions, not to mention the two on our Top Ten). Were they all winners? Of course not. But each title was allowed to be its own idiosyncratic, little thing. To wit: Madame Frankenstein. Perhaps not one of the year’s best, Jamie S. Rich’s odd melange of Shelly’s classic horror story, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s milieu, Pygmalion‘s mores (stretched to their logical conclusion) and even Kafka-esque fatalism at the end, was unlike anything else on the stands, possibly ever. Furthermore, Megan Levens tackled such complex, macabre subject matter with an art style that was a cartoony blend of Jeff Smith and Ted Naifeh; in other words something one is more accustomed to seeing in a YA book. As a visual approach, it stretched the overall reading experience almost to the point of incongruity. Was Madame Frankenstein a complete success? I’m still not sure. But it sure was fascinating watching the creators try. And for giving such singular titles like this one a place to exist, I’m grateful to Image Comics. (DM)

Turning pages,

Derek & Scott

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What’s I&N Store (8/6)

06 Wednesday Aug 2014

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

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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

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I&N Scott’s Bag (9/18)

29 Sunday Sep 2013

Posted by ScottNerd in I&N Scott's Bag

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Alberto Ponticelli, Ales Kot, Barry Kitson, Battle of the Atom, Bloodshot, Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps, BOOM!, Brian Michael Bendis, Buzzkill, China Mieville, Chris Bachalo, Chris Samnee, Christos Gage, comic books, comics, Daniel Quinn, Daredevil, Dark Horse, DC Comics, Donny Cates, Dream Thief, Emanuela Lupacchino, Frazer Irving, Geoff Shaw, Greg Smallwood, Harbinger, Image, Ishmael, Jai Nitz, James Thurber, Javier Rodriguez, Jeff Lemire, Jeff Stokely, Jim McCann, Jordie Bellaire, Joshua Dysart, Juan Ferreyra, Justice League, Justice League: Dial E, Kiss Me Satan, Lee Garbett, Mark Reznicek, Mark Waid, Marvel, Mateus Santolouco, Michael Walsh, Mind the Gap, Moose Baumann, Numbercruncher, P.J. Holden, Robert Venditti, Simon Spurrier, Six-Gun Gorilla, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Titan, Uncanny X-Men, Valiant, Victor Gischler, zero

  • Mind the Gap #14 (The penultimate issue of Act I follows the same formula as #13: it’s another harmonious dual narrative visualized to perfection by artists Rodin Esquejo and Dan McDaid. The flashback is particularly fantastic: McDaid’s art is beautiful and emotionally effective–especially the wordless nine-panel page, which transitions terrifically on the turn from three cross-marked graves in the past to three cups of coffee in the present. No matter the time period, Jim McCann’s in complete control of the complex storyline; in fact, he’s given birth to the equivalent of a classy lady, this gorgeous Mind the Gap: it’s sexy, sure, enough to lure you in; but it doesn’t give away all its secrets; it knows it’s the mystery that brings ’em back for more.)
Mind the Gap #14

Mind the Gap #14

  • Six-Gun Gorilla #4 (We’re almost to the point where words are no longer enough to describe this soon-to-be classic from Simon Spurrier and Jeff Stokely. These guys are putting on an absolute clinic! Consider: we’ve swung from Thurber’s “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” in #3 to Quinn’s Ishmael here in #4, all while wearing a classic Western motif with an “unconventional twist”–and it’s all done so damn effortlessly.)
  • Numbercruncher #3 (Suddenly, Simon Spurrier’s vaulted to the top of the Must Read list. As good as Six-Gun Gorilla has been for four issues, this is as good a single issue as you’re gonna find; and Bastard Zane is as unique a voice as you’ll ever hear. Wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. The artwork, too, is worth celebrating; it’s no accident: P.J. Holden and Jordie Bellaire amplify the conflict between the variables of life and the accounting for them in the after through the perfect balance of black & white and color. If you’ve missed this series, do yourself a favor: plan on picking up the trade.)
Numbercruncher #3

Numbercruncher #3

  • Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #14 (Better than I expected it to be.)
  • Harbinger #16 (Harbinger meets The Matrix. Dysart’s playing mind games with the Renegades–and with us!)
  • Kiss Me Satan #1 (I’m not a big werewolf guy, but I liked this. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and Colder‘s Juan Ferreyra elevates Victor Gischler’s story enough to warrant a second issue.)
  • Uncanny X-Men #12 (The best issue of Battle of the Atom thus far. I know: that’s not saying much. A lot of the credit has to go to Chris Bachalo, who’s done his best work on the series here.)
Uncanny X-Men #12

Uncanny X-Men #12

  • Buzzkill #1 (Biggest surprise of the week. The promise of the premise is fulfilled over twenty-two intoxicating pages. Expectations have been raised like an upside-down college kid over a keg.)
  • Justice League: Dial E #23.3 (A brilliant way to say goodbye to a brilliant book: China Mieville dances with the dial and some seriously talented artists–including Mateus Santolouco, Jeff Lemire, Frazer Irving, and Alberto Ponticelli–for the last time? If so, what a dance, indeed.)
Justice League #23.3

Justice League #23.3

  • Zero #1 (This is the Ales Kot who drew me to Change, the one I was counting on to make something of Suicide Squad. Well, that certainly didn’t happen. Here, however, Kot shows some courage while going Gaza over the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and he makes great use of time and space. All told–or story-wise, some told , anyway–this book is good therapy: took just this one issue of Zero to get me to stop thinking about Suicide.)
  • Daredevil #31 (Ripped straight from the headlines and brought straight down upon our heads. Makes me long for the days of the Omega Drive.)
  • Dream Thief #5 (The series started off really well.  It was innovative in its design and was full of energy.  And then it just got, well, stupid.  Thank goodness it’s over.)
  • The Sixth Gun #34 (To the pile with ye!)
  • X-O Manowar #17 (Solid, as always. Aric, one of my favorite current comic characters, channels his father as he does his all-important king thing. But despite his super-powered armor, which he wears arrogantly and aggressively, he may prove powerless against Volo, the uppity upstart, who wields the power of–get this–a super market.)
X_O Manowar #17

X-O Manowar #17

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s I&N Store (9/18)

18 Wednesday Sep 2013

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

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Ales Kot, Barry Kitson, Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps, BOOM!, Brian Hurtt, Brian Michael Bendis, Buzzkill, Chris Bachalo, Chris Samnee, Christos Gage, Cullen Bunn, Daredevil, Dark Horse, DC Comics, Donny Cates, Dream Thief, Emanuela Lupacchino, Geoff Shaw, Greg Smallwood, Harbinger, Image, Jai Nitz, Jeff Stokely, Jim McCann, Joshua Dysart, Justice League, Lee Garbett, Mark Reznicek, Mark Waid, Marvel, Mind the Gap, Numbercruncher, Oni Press, P.J. Holden, Robert Venditti, Simon Spurrier, Six-Gun Gorilla, The Sixth Gun, Titan, Uncanny X-Men, Valiant, X-O Manowar, zero

Here’s the game plan for this week:

  • Buzzkill #1 (Dark Horse): Looks like it could be a guilty pleasure: an booze-fueled hero looks to sober up–much to the delight of the local baddies.  Drink up!
Buzzkill #1

Buzzkill #1

  • Dream Thief #5 (Dark Horse): The series started off really well but fell apart pretty quickly.  Not really sad to see it go.
  • Justice League 23.3 (DC): Haven’t touched any of villain-oriented books, but this one’s special.  China Mieville and page after page of top-notch artists–including one of our favorites, Mateus Santolouco–turn back the dial, no, not to H, but to E.
Justice League #23.3

Justice League #23.3

  • Mind the Gap #14 (Image): Last issue was pretty great.  I gushed about it here.
  • Zero #1 (Image): I’m rooting for Ales Kot.  Big time. 
Zero #1

Zero #1

  • Daredevil #31 (Marvel): Waid and Samnee made me like the Silver Surfer, if only for an issue.  Now, it’s Jester time.  Yeah, there’s a court joke in there somewhere.
  • Uncanny X-Men #12 (Marvel): #11 was an unexpected treat!  Irving’s art was stunning and Bendis finally hit the right notes with Cyclops.  Unfortunately, it’s Battle of the Atom time.
  • Bloodshot and H.A.R.D. Corps #14 (Valiant): Two new teams for Bloodshot!  H.A.R.D. Corps, sure; but there’s also a new writing team: Christos Gage and Joshua Dysart.  Are you ready for this?
  • Harbinger #16 (Valiant): How are they going top that killer ending?
  • Numbercruncher #3 (Titan): Crunch this!
Numbercruncher #3

Numbercruncher #3

  • X-O Manowar #17 (Valiant): Good enough to forge ahead.
  • Six-Gun Gorilla #4 (BOOM!): Through three, this may be the second best mini of the year, behind only the brilliant Mr. X: Eviction. Boy, I really hope Spurrier’s got three more in him.  The countdown to classic begins here.
Six-Gun Gorilla #4

Six-Gun Gorilla #4

  • The Sixth Gun #34 (Oni Press): Yet another issue to place atop The Sixth Stack.  That’s right: I’m still waiting on Vol. 5, which, apparently is available.  Gotta get on that.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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I&N Scott’s Bag (8/21)

28 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by ScottNerd in I&N Scott's Bag

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Animal Man, Batman '66, Batman and Nightwing, Batwoman, Bloodshot, Brian Azzarello, Brian Wood, Cam Smith, Chin Music, Chris Samnee, ChrissCross, Cliff Chiang, Cris Peter, Daredevil, Dark Horse, David Lopez, DC Comics, Dream Thief, Francis Portela, Greg Smallwood, Image, Indestructible Hulk, J.H. Williams III, Javier Rodriguez, Jay Nitz, Jeff Lemire, Jeff Parker, Jim Lee, Jonathan Case, Lee Garbett, Mark Irwin, Mark Waid, Marvel, Matt Kindt, Matteo Scalera, Mick Gray, Mike Norton, Moose Baumann, Norman Lee, Patrick Gleason, Peter Tomasi, Revival, Robert Venditti, Scott Snyder, Scott Williams, Steve Niles, Steve Pugh, Superman Unchained, Tim Seeley, Tony Harris, Trevor McCarthy, Ty Templeton, Val Staples, Valiant, W. Haden Blackman, Wonder Woman, X-Men, X-O Manowar

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

Say what?  Wife over comics?

Hey, what’s one week out of the year?

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

Wonder Woman #23

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

Chin Music #2

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

Revival #13

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

Superman Unchained #3

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

What did you get in your bag?

Turning pages,

Scott

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In Scott’s Bag (6/19)

22 Saturday Jun 2013

Posted by ScottNerd in I&N Scott's Bag

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Animal Man, Austin Harrison, Barry Kitson, Batman and Batgirl, Batman Incorporated, Batwoman, Bloodshot, Brian Azzarello, Brian Michael Bendis, Brian Wood, Cliff Chiang, Cliff Richards, Cloak and Dagger, Daredevil, David Marquez, DC Comics, Dream Thief, Duane Swierczynski, Francesco Francavilla, Grant Morrison, Greg Smallwood, Harbinger, Harbinger Wars, IDW, Indestructible Hulk, J.H. Williams III, Jai Nitz, Jeff Smith, Jim McCann, Jordie Bellaire, Joshua Dysart, Justin Ponsor, Khari Evans, Killer Croc, Mara, Mark Waid, Matteo Scalera, Mike Norton, Mike Raicht, Mind the Gap, Ming Doyle, Nelson Daniel, Peter J. Tomasi, Revival, Sami Basri, Scott Snyder, Steve Pugh, Tim Seeley, Ultimate Spider-Man, W. Haden Blackman, Wild Blue Yonder, Wonder Woman, Zack Howard

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

Exhibits A-Q

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

Batwoman #21

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

Mara #5

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

Animal Man #21

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

Revival #11

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

Wild Blue Yonder #1

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

Sons of the Gun #4

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

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

What did you get in your bag this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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Top 5 Books of May: Cities, Dreams & Red Underwear

09 Sunday Jun 2013

Posted by ScottNerd in 5 Comics You Should Be Reading

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Adventure Time with Fionna & Cake, Adventures of Superman, Battlefields, Battlefields: The Fall and Rise of Anna Kharkova, Brian Wood, Chris Samnee, Dark Horse, DC Comics, Dean Motter, Dream Thief, Dynamite Entertainment, Fatale, Garth Ennis, Greg Smallwood, Image, Jai Nitz, Jeff Lemire, Jeff Parker, Justin Jordan, kaboom!, Man of Steel, Matt Kindt, Mind MGMT, Mister X: Eviction, Natasha Allegri, New 52, Nowhere Men, Riley Rossmo, Russ Braun, Saga, The Bounce, The Manhattan Projects, The Massive

This was the toughest Top 5 list we’ve had to put together yet: ol’ reliables like Saga and Manhattan Projects didn’t put out an issue in May. And other stalwarts like Fatale and Nowhere Men, while solid, weren’t quite their usual, exemplary selves (hmm, looking at the above titles it seems we’re really putting the Image in images and Nerds). All these open spots generated much discussion from your intrepid reviewers about who should fill them. Change, of course, can be a good thing. Shake things up! Diversify! In the end, we’re pleased by the inclusion of three brand new #1’s on the list below, with all the promise they imply, even as we bid a fond adieu to one excellent title that seems to be ending its run.

5. Dream Thief #1 (Dark Horse): An undeserving lowlife is possessed by a mystical power that places him in hairy situations, seemingly in the name of justice. Jai Nitz’s tightly-structured occult noir hums like clockwork thanks in large part to Greg Smallwood’s beautifully designed graphic fireworks. After one issue, both of these gentlemen feel like creators to watch. And Dark Horse, with titles like this, Brian Wood’s The Massive, and Matt Kindt’s Mind MGMT (not to mention our #1 title below) is positioning itself to give Image a run for its money as the most exciting publisher around. (DM)

4. Battlefields: The Fall and Rise of Anna Kharkova #6 (Dynamite): It’s a bird!  In a plane!  It’s Anna Kharkova!  Garth Ennis and Russ Braun set the irrepressible Night Witch free with a Yeatsian final stanza that celebrates the unconquerable human spirit. (SC)

3. Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake #5 (kaboom!): The only regular on this month’s list, Natasha Allegri’s gender-switching fairy tale pulls off the neat trick of subtly subverting story-time expectations while also thrillingly living up to them. Truly a comic for “all-ages”. (DM)

2. Adventures of Superman #1 (DC): So what if this trio of short stories first appeared digitally? We first read them the old fashioned way – holding them in our grubby little hands as an actual comic book! Whatever the format, this is the best Superman title we’ve read in a while. Jeff Parker pens a classic story about an early Luthor encounter, made even more so by Chris Samnee’s utterly gorgeous art. We’re convinced: Samnee should draw Superman regularly. And every other superhero title. Justin Jordan and Riley Rossmo close the book with a fun Bizarro tale. But the star here is Jeff Lemire. Set in the vast expanses of rural Kansas, Lemire’s story and art are given the room to breathe that has been sorely lacking in some of his other superhero books. That may seem an odd comment for a story that’s all of ten pages, but Lemire fills them with the sense of imagination and wonder that are the essence of Superman. In the process, Lemire also reminds us what we love about him. This wonderful book has the cumulative, perhaps unintended, effect of making us long for the pre-New 52 Man of Steel. Long live the Red Trunks! (DM)

1. Mister X: Eviction #1 (Dark Horse): Amongst the standout books for the month, Dean Motter’s urbane banquet of urban anxiety stands out the most; in fact, it towers above the rest!  Mr. Motter is in complete control of the pagescape: he wields images and words with an imaginative precision that makes a penthouse reality out of street-level dreams.  All hyperbole aside, this, folks, is why we make our weekly pilgrimage to the comic shop. (SC)

The Biggest Dis(appointment): The Bounce #1 (Image):  If Joe Casey’s Sex is a tired, syphilitic muse, then his latest, The Bounce, is an adopted crack baby.  From the opening toke–a decision more desperate than daring–Casey wields his great power irresponsibly: he lazily and preposterously offers up a seemingly incorrigible pothead, one agonizingly alliterative Jasper Jenkins–an obvious Peter Parker analog–and then oddly recalls an irrelevant hero, Speedball–no, really, Speedball!–who himself was misguidedly modeled after Spider-Man, for goodness sake, all the while sticking too closely to the all-too-familiar amazing spiderweb, you know, because why futz around with a tried and true formula that’s caught villains and readers alike for fifty-plus years.  Speaking of villains: in the grandiloquent antagonist The Darling, Casey conjures his inner Mark Millar yet again (see Sex for more evidence of Casey’s indisputable infatuation with the obnoxious Scotsman); and in the Grand Design, he shows that he’s embarrassingly “behind the curve”–certainly behind Jonathan Hickman, whose The Manhattan Projects sports a curiously similar device.  Yeah: surprise.  If I’m being fair, The Fog, injected into the end of the book, does bring a tablespoon of originality to the flame; but whatever taste I’ve gotten is a bizarre, almost indescribable feeling that smacks of questionable calls–including having The Crush inexplicably use “tenacious” to describe the “pigs” that he assumes one sentence later will be “pissed” once they find out what he’s done–and tone deaf pseudo-intellectualism.  Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?  Really?  So, while I did say yes to the first issue, going forward, I’m going to listen to the small voice in my head, that of the former first lady who famously said that, when facing a choice such as this, I should just say no. (SC)

Turning pages,

Derek & Scott

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