Tag Archives: Jonathan Hickman

What’s I&N Store (1/15)

14 Tuesday Jan 2014

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And by “narrowing down,” I clearly mean this:

  • Skyman #1 (Dark Horse): It’s on my radar.  Don’t know the character; don’t know the creators–but I do know Dark Horse, our 2013 Publisher of the Year.
  • Astro City #8 (DC/Vertigo): #7 was no small Victory.  It was very, very good.  Bold statement of the week: Kurt Busiek’s the best storyteller in the DC stable.  Is anyone even close?
Astro City #8

Astro City #8

  • Suicide Squad #27 (DC): Kindt has revealed that nothing lasts Forever–including his time on Suicide Squad.  I appreciate what he’s done; but when he’s done, so am I.
  • Indestructible #2 (IDW): There was something interesting–though not nearly indestructible–about the first one.  Leaning toward passing on it.  I mean, look at this list, for goodness sake!  I can’t buy everything, folks!
  • A Voice in the Dark #3 (Image): From Larime Taylor’s mouth to our eyes.  Truly remarkable.  #2 was a compelling ask-questions-first-shoot-later follow-up to a dangerously drawn-out, extra-sized first issue.  Expectations have crept up a notch.
  • Alex + Ada #3 (Image): Most of all, I love the tone of the book.  There’s a sincere tension that’s undeniable–and beautiful.
Alex + Ada #3

Alex + Ada #3

  • Egos #1 (Image): Worth a shot, I suppose.
  • Rat Queens #4 (Image): Every page is infested with rattitude!  Wiebe and Upchurch gleefully give us a mischief of grrls, a swarm of snarky sword swingers doing their very best to make it in a man’s world!  It’s not much more than that, really; but it doesn’t need to be, does it?  Everyone needs a book like this in his or her bag.
  • Velvet #3 (Image): Bit of a slow build, sure, but Brubaker can take all the time he needs; I’ll be right here with him, Steve Epting, and their gorgeously cinematic and super smooth Velvet.
  • All-New X-Men #21 (Marvel): Well, it certainly seems like all of my complaining about the unevenness of Bendis’s writing has finally caught up to me.  OK.  No, it hasn’t.
  • Daredevil #35 (Marvel): Loved #34.  It’s a “best of,” if you think about it: everything that Waid’s done well over the course of the series is played up to some effect in the issue.  I know major changes are on the way; I just hope that Waid’s approach to handling Daredevil’s duality and crafting relationships–through lively dialogue, especially (something Bendis has struggled with on the X-titles)–is not one of them.
Daredevil #35

Daredevil #35

  • Miracleman #1 (Marvel): I have no idea what to expect with this.  I’ve never read any Miracleman–or Marvelman for that matter–but I’m certainly willing to give it a try.  Might take a miracle to keep me around, though.  Seriously: have you seen this list?!
  • Uncanny X-Men #16 (Marvel): As a whole, it’s been more engaging than All-New X-Men.  Yeah, that’s not saying much.
  • Archer & Armstrong #17 (Valiant): One of our Top Ten titles of 2013!  Can’t wait to see what Van Lente and co. have in store for us this year!  If it’s more of the same, all the better!
Archer & Armstrong #17

Archer & Armstrong #17

  • Harbinger #20 (Valiant):  Dysart’s doing with Harbinger what I wish Bendis was doing with his X-books: writing an effin’ solid team book.
  • Unity #3 (Valiant): If I’m being honest, I’m keeping on ’cause of Kindt.  I see more potential here than in any of his Marvel and DC work, which, as a whole, has been pretty blah even as he’s brought his unique narrative style into the mainstream mix.
  • Curse #1 (BOOM!): Another werewolf story?  I hope not.  I mean, Six-Gun Gorilla wasn’t just another gorilla story, was it?  No, not even close.  Time to go BOOM!
Curse #1

Curse #1

  • Imagine Agents #4 (BOOM!): This rounds out the series–which I haven’t started reading yet.  Oops.
  • God Is Dead #5 (Avatar): Definitely on the dropping block.  My interest is mostly dead–especially as Hickman’s participation in the creative process comes to its inevitable end.
  • Rover Red Charlie #2 (Avatar): As I mentioned in a prompt post-read tweet concerning an apocalyptic #1: “some really ruff moments I [couldn’t] seem to shake.”  Poor doggies.  It’s a real man-beat-man world, innit?
  • The Sixth Gun #37 (Oni Press): One of the best monthlies around.  Writing and art of the highest caliber from Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt, respectively.
  • Department of Monsterology #4 (Renegade): A monstrous surprise!  I’ve really enjoyed this series so far.  Sad to see it come to a close.  Gosh, I hope Gordon Rennie and P.J. Holden have something else in store for us!
Department of Monsterology #4

Department of Monsterology #4

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (1/8)

06 Monday Jan 2014

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Back to normal, which means a big ol’ bag o’ books for me!

  • Shaolin Cowboy #4 (Dark Horse): Geof Darrow’s taken us for a ride, all right–an insanely detailed carousel ride.
  • Hinterkind #4 (DC/Vertigo): I was all set to drop it after #2.  Picked up #3 anyway, mostly because I forgot to pay my willpower bill.  Anyway, you know what: it was worth it.  The game has been changed–and so too has my mind.  It’s official: I’m Hinterkindhearted!
Hinterkind #4

Hinterkind #4

  • Fatale #19 (Image): #18 had one of my favorite moments of 2013–and I can still feel the beat!  Overall, however, Fatale‘s suffering a bit from Brubaker and Phillips’s having hit such ridiculously high notes with their series of perfectly constructed one-shots.  Don’t get me wrong: it still rocks!  It’s one of the best books around and a highlight of any week.
  • Manifest Destiny #3 (Image): Destined for greatness–especially if Dingess and Roberts can maintain the momentum and the mystery they’ve manifested thus far.  Their terrific little twistory is both epic and intimate and I’m loving every minute.
Manifest Destiny #3

Manifest Destiny #3

  • Sex Criminals #4 (Image): Last issue was our Dis(appointment) of the Month–and for good reason: Fraction’s let his ego get in the way once more–and not to a particularly positive effect.  (To be fair, though, plenty of folks are high on his hijinks.  Hey, what ever gets you off, right?)  I’m back for another, however, because I’ve never been good at break ups; I need to make sure that there’s really nothing left worth hanging on to.
  • Sheltered #6 (Image): I’m really enjoying this series from Ed Brisson and John Christmas.  It’s vital and violent and reads with a velocity that leaves my head spinning with a dizzy I totally dig.  Not kidding: if you’re a fan of Clone–particularly because of how it’s paced–you’ll definitely like this book, too.
Sheltered #6

Sheltered #6

  • Three #4 (Image): Perhaps planned: #3 was pretty perfect.  Turned Gillen’s latest twistory from a Must Try to a Must Buy.
  • All-New X-Factor #1 (Marvel): One all-important factor to consider: Peter David’s back with his funky X-bunch.  It’d be foolish not to give it a few issues.
  • Avengers World #1 (Marvel): Hickman’s an I&N Must Buy–well, his independent work is, anyway.  I haven’t been sold on any of his Marvel stuff; but I’m willing to give this one at least one because I need to fill need: I need a version of Captain America that I can buy into and buy on a regular basis.  Yup, I’m hoping Hickman and Spencer–who’s still got me buying Bedlam for some sick reason–can capture the Captain I’ve been craving since Brubaker’s transcendent turn.
Avengers World #1

Avengers World #1

  • Black Widow #1 (Marvel): Oh, why the hell not?  What’s the worst it could do?  Suck?  It’s got a tough web to climb considering what Brubaker–the bastard!–weaved for the Widow in Winder Soldier.  I hope Nathan Edmondson is up to the task.  I hope his Widow has bite!
  • Inhumanity Awakening #2 (Marvel): Kindt built some layers–a la his brilliant Mind MGMT–into the first issue.  The effect was lost on me, however, because no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t care about anything or anyone.  If I end up with #2 in my bag, it’ll be because of my loyalty to the incomparable Kindt.
  • Afterlife with Archie #3 (Archie): One of the most exciting releases of 2013!  Spot-on Archie goodness from Roberto Aguirre Sacasa and gorygeous art from the incomparable Francesco Francavilla  Can’t wait to see where this goes!
Afterlife with Archie #3

Afterlife with Archie #3

  • Letter 44 #3 (Oni Press): So far, President Blades has been the highlight of the series.  He’s an admirable character–one I took to immediately.  This issue promises to shed some more light on the astronauts and on the aliens.  Sounds good.  Gosh, I wish I could say that this book reads like Clone or Saga.  I don’t know; maybe it will at some point.  My fear, however, is that it’s going to turn out like the infuriatingly slow Revival.  We’ll see, won’t we?  I mean, it’s why we buy the books, isn’t it?
  • Quantum and Woody #7 (Valiant): James Asmus is out of control–and we’re damn lucky for it.  So very funny.
Quantum and Woody #7

Quantum and Woody #7

  • Shadowman #14 (Valiant): Milligan’s first issue showed a lot of promise–thanks, in part, to De La Torre’s art, which suits Shadowman so very well.  No doubt about it: I’m sticking around to see where this goes–and the darker, the better.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (12/31)

30 Monday Dec 2013

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Gonna ring in the New Year with this rowdy bunch:

  • The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #6 (Dark Horse): Polishes off the weirdly sedate series from Gerard Way and Becky Cloonan.
  • Dead Boy Detectives #1 (DC/Vertigo): “From the pages of The Sandman” is enough for me.
  • Clone #13 (Image): Plenty of creators–even some on critically acclaimed books–should do themselves a favor and clone the pacing and page turns of this exciting series.
Clone #13

Clone #13

  • The Manhattan Projects #17 (Image): Still Hickman’s best.
  • Rocket Girl #3 (Image): #2 was pretty good, but I’m not too sure I need stick with it.  I’ll give it another go before I say no, though.
  • Sin Boldly (Image): Joe Linsner disappointed with his most recent effort and didn’t help matters with his issue-ending, ill-advised rant.  Surprised it didn’t dawn on him: the only characters who should be assassinated in a comic book are comic book characters.
  • Death Sentence #4 (Titan): Irresistibly irreverent, indecent, incorrigible–it’s rock ‘n roll, baby; you know: live fast, die young, and leave a good looking corpse, and all that.  Oh, and it’s also very, very good.
Death Sentence #4

Death Sentence #4

  • Rachel Rising #22 (Abstract Studio): Easily one of our favorite titles of 2013.  Can’t wait to see how Jet/James takes to her/his latest predicament–and how Terry Moore delivers it.

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (12/18)

18 Wednesday Dec 2013

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Haven’t had back-to-back weeks like this.  Yowza.

  • Buzzkill #4 (Dark Horse): One of the best minis of the year comes to a close.  No need to crack open a cold one to enjoy what Donny Cates and the crew have brewed up–but it certainly can’t hurt.  In fact, let’s drink to what they’ve accomplished thus far and to the promise of a perfectly choreographed booze-fueled father-son throwdown.
Buzzkill #4

Buzzkill #4

  • Dark Horse Presents #31 (Dark Horse): A hefty price to pay for a sliver of of the sublime Mind MGMT.  Oh, I’ll be paying it, all right!  Just like I paid…for…this…
Mind MGMT #17 pp. 22-23

Mind MGMT #17 pp. 22-23

  • The Massive #18 (Dark Horse): Over the life of The Massive, Brian Wood has put on a clinic in understatement and tension–no single issue more successful than the revealing #17, which put Callum Israel’s hatred for Bors Bergsen in context.  Brilliant.
  • Batman and Two-Face #26 (DC): I’ve said it before; I’ll say it again: despite what you’ve been led to believe, this is the best Batman book going.  Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason deserve far more credit for what they’ve been doing with Batman, particularly post-Robin.
  • Wonder Woman #26 (DC): Still worth my $2.99.  One of the few DC books worth my time.
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #29 (IDW): I don’t know, maybe.  I really enjoyed “City Fall”–and not only because of Mateus Santolouco’s artwork, surprisingly enough; so, I’m actually leaning toward yes.  At least a flip-through, right?
TMNT #29

TMNT #29

  • A Voice in the Dark #2 (Image): #1 was mostly tedious, but Taylor has twisted my arm with a pretty terrific plot twist.  I want to–I have to!–see it play out.  Man, it’s the same problem I have when it comes to watching any cop show: if I watch the first two minutes, I’m stuck for the full sixty–even if I’ve never seen an episode of that particular show before.  Such a sucker!
  • Black Science #2 (Image): Surprise!  Remender’s playing with dimensions.  Oh, sorry: Yay!  If I end up buying it, it’ll be definitive proof that I have no self control.
  • East of West #8 (Image): Hickman’s been east of efficient in his storytelling.  That’s not a fault; in fact, I appreciate his frugality–especially considering how much reading I have to do!
  • Mind the Gap #16 (Image): One of my favorites is back with Act II.  I can’t wait to see how McCann and crew outdo themselves.  It’ll be tough, though, especially after the brilliant dueling-artist dual-narrative that closed out Act I.  Highest of expectations.
Mind the Gap #16

Mind the Gap #16

  • Saga #17 (Image): Guaranteed goodness.
  • Ten Grand #6 (Image): Dragged down–waaaaaaay down–by Templesmith’s departure.  More than likely, I’ll pass on it.  Sad, too, because I had finally gotten into it.
  • Zero #4 (Image): An amazing three-issue run to kick off the series.  Yeah, there’s a 0% chance of my missing this one; in fact, I’d give up my left arm for a copy!  Can’t wait to drink up another 24 pages of Ales Kot’s creative juices.
  • All-New X-Men #20 (Marvel): Hey, it is what it is.
  • Daredevil #34 (Marvel): I’m looking forward to the end of the run–just not sure if it’s for the right reasons.
  • X-Men #8 (Marvel): Bringing on the Dodsons was as genius a move as can be.  They’re perfect for this book.  It’s keeping me around, that’s for sure.
X-Men #8

X-Men #8

  • Department of Monsterology #3 (Renegade Arts): I loved #2.  Looking forward to seeing what they’ve got in store for us this time around.
Department of Monsterology #3

Department of Monsterology #3

  • Eternal Warrior #4 (Valiant): So far, so good.
  • The Extinction Parade #4 (Avatar): I’ve been picking it up for my wife.  Yeah, well, she hasn’t read #2 yet.  I’m caught up, though.  Nothing special.
  • Hit #4 (BOOM!): The solid hard-boiled crime drama from Bryce Carlson and Vanesa Del Rey comes to a close.
Hit #4

Hit #4

  • The Midas Flesh #1 (BOOM!): Time for another adventure from Ryan North!  Sounds fun!  I mean, everything he’s touched so far has turned to gold, right?
  • X-O Manowar #20 (Valiant): I was really surprised by–and really liked–Cary Nord’s artwork on #19.  Hoping to get more of the same here.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (12/4)

02 Monday Dec 2013

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A light week highlighted by a highly anticipated lights-out finale.

  • Trillium # 5 (DC/Vertigo): No doubt about it: Jeff Lemire is at his best when he’s in charge of it all.  So far, this series has lived up to–or, in terms of inventiveness in the first two issues, exceeded defied–expectations.   In #4, he weaves worlds together, creating a flower-like fragility, only to seemingly wipe the slate–more specifically, the final panel on the final page–clean.  Looking forward to another issue of haunting, wide-eyed gazes, which, in every instance, fill me to my eyeballs with well-deserved pity.  I swear, Lemire’s characters can see into my soul.  Come to think of it, perhaps what I see in their stares is pity–for me.
Trillium #5

Trillium #5

  • Velvet #2 (Image): If you like Brubaker’s storytelling style, why wouldn’t you like this?  His is a strong voice–one I happen to love–and it’s all over Velvet, which is a celebration of l’ esprit d’espionnage.  Throw in Epting’s photo-realistic artwork and, as a final note, toss a tricky Templeton out a window, and you’ve got a cinematic experience worth every Moneypenny.  Every bad-ass Moneypenny.
  • Inhumanity #1 (Marvel): I’ve always enjoyed the Inhumans, so I’ll give it a whirl.  Doesn’t hurt that Fraction’s in charge.  He’s been inhuman, himself, on Hawkeye and Satellite Sam.  He’s fallen from “must buy” to “must try,” however, because of a questionable–though unquestionably self-gratifying–turn on Sex Criminals.
Inhumanity #1

Inhumanity #1

  • God Is Dead #4 (Avatar): Not required reading–not by any stretch.  Yeah, there’s no need “to prepare for either ascension or damnation” with this Hickman side project; see, it is what it is: Deathmatch with supernaturals.  Who’ll come out on top?  God only knows.  But…he’s…dead…  Uh oh.
  • The Mocking Dead #4 (Dynamite): After the mid-season finale of The Walking Dead, we all could use a little lighthearted zombie action.  Trust Fred Van Lente to aim for the head as he kills off his biting satire.  That’s right: a cure is just an issue away.
  • Quantum and Woody #6 (Valiant): Each hilarious issue serves to send your BAC (Blood Asmus Content) well past the legal limit!  Have another!
  • Rover Red Charlie #1 (Avatar): Garth Ennis, the end of days, and three dogs.  What’s not to love?  Speaking of love: anyone looking at this and thinking Morrison and Quitely’s We3?
Rover Red Charlie #1

Rover Red Charlie #1

  • Shadowman #13 (Valiant): Peter Milligan brings a new direction to Shadowman, which was pretty good in the first place.  Looks like it’s gonna be a bit darker, which is perfectly fine with me.
  • Six-Gun Gorilla #6 (BOOM!): One issue away from immortality!  Oh, yeah: we’ve loved this series from its blistering get-go—so much so that I don’t want it to end!  OK, sure, I know it has to; every story has to.  Unfortunately, not every story does so well.  Simon Spurrier–who proves in #5 that he understands that “[a]ll good things must come to an end” and the “[o]nly thing a story needs […] is an end”–certainly hasn’t let me down yet; though, if I’m being fair, I did find the foray into Blue’s fictional reality a bit frantic–during a head-spinning first read, anyway.  Subsequent reads–yes, plural–spoke to me more clearly, and I’m damn glad they did; otherwise, I would’ve been riddled with doubt and undoubtedly inconsolable.  Ah, but with #6, I get to escape one final time into Spurrier and Jeff Stokely’s brilliant assault on escapism; and, you know what, I’m going to bet that they’re going to deliver the finale that this book deserves.  In fact, “I’m all-in!”
Six_gun Gorilla #6

Six-Gun Gorilla #6

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

I&N Scott’s Bag (9/25)

14 Monday Oct 2013

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You may step off of both the pins and the needles.  Unless, of course, you’re into that sort of thing.  Speaking of…

  • Sex Criminals #1 (Matt Fraction’s put himself on the Must Buy list with fantastically felonious performances on Hawkeye, FF, and Satellite Sam.  As a result, expectations were high here.  Didn’t expect a few things, however.  I found Suzie’s sexual awakening tough to turn through at times; and her voice is a little too over the top in spots–even for Fraction.  In the end, the nod to Nabokov–to Lolita–made it all work for me.  [That’s right: Suzie’s playing with her lit.  Oh, look at the cover and get over it.]  Even still, Fraction’s got some work to do to prove that this book is “not really about sex.”  I’m definitely sticking around to find out.)
Sex Criminals #1

Sex Criminals #1

  • Saga #14 (Another standout issue.  Something tells me it’s bound for our Top 5 list for the month.  Not lying.)
  • Ultimate Spider-Man #27 (I don’t care enough to blame anyone for the mess this has become.  Will I buy #28?  Of course.  Will I follow the next chapter of the Miles Morales story?  Nope.)
  • Revival #14 (Uninspired.  Tired, even.  It’s been a long time coming, but the day has finally come: I’m off.)
  • Fatale #17 (Very good–especially the end.  Not “gonna forget this” ending.  Not the way Phillips ramps up the intensity during the assault; not the way Brubaker has Josephine take care of Skip–the piece of $#!%.)
Fatale #17

Fatale #17

  • Red Team #5 (The weakest issue yet.  Predictable, and at times indecipherable.  One panel, however, may very well go down in comic book history: it gives new meaning to getting blown away.)
  • Jupiter’s Legacy #3 (Yeah, I know: I don’t know what got into me.  Thing is, it wasn’t terrible.  Damn you, Mark Millar!)
  • Mind MGMT #15 (For the fifteenth–and certainly not the last time: Matt Kindt’s a magician; he does things on the page that no one else can do.  Love how he guides us through Meru’s Lyme-cycle and how he punishes Lyme, who’s resigned to the fact that he deserves everything coming his way.  Both brutal and beautiful–it’s brutiful!)
Mind MGMT #15

Mind MGMT #15

  • Rat Queens #1 (A lot more fun–and funnier–than I expected it to be.  I mean, come on: “Blood loss…hampering wit”?  Yeah, right!  Without a doubt, I’ll be picking up #2.)
  • East of West #6 (Best issue yet.  Fantastic flashback and return.  Hickman’s finally brought this book to the level he’s always at with The Manhattan Projects.)
East of West #6

East of West #6

  • Wonder Woman: First Born #23.2 (The only villain book I bothered with.  It is what it is.)
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #26 (Another solid issue.  And wouldn’t you know: “this is only the beginning.”  Looks like a coups brewin’.  Just so happens I like coups.  [That reads right, but sounds dirty.])

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (10/9)

08 Tuesday Oct 2013

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Looks like I’m going to go hungry this week.  Yowza!

  • Astro City #5 (DC/Vertigo): A city I would visit over and over again.  On faith–on belief in Busiek: I know, on each trip, I’ll see something fresh and ultimately fulfilling.
Astro City #5

Astro City #5

  • Batman #24 (DC): $6.99?  Really?  Oh, I’m gonna buy it all right.  Doesn’t mean I have to like it: the experience of buying the book–or the book itself.  OK, you got me: you know I’m going to bring it to Comic Con and I’m going to ask Scott Snyder to sign it.  See that, Mr. Snyder?  Keep an eye out for me–the guy in the I&N t-shirt!
  • Coffin Hill #1(DC/Vertigo): I’m gonna Vertigo for it!  Might prove to be a bit too teenybopper for me in the end, but I won’t know unless I try it, right?  Looks pretty enough.
Coffin Hill #1

Coffin Hill #1

  • Suicide Squad #24 (DC): Let’s hope that Matt Kindt’s not committing career suicide by spreading himself too thin.  While Kot flopped hard here, I do not expect the same fate for the latest Suicide scribe.  Can’t wait to see how his signature narrative style fits this motley crew.
  • Ghosted #4 (Image): I’ve got to start cleaving away some titles.  This one’s on the cleaving block.  If I’m not genuinely jolted by Ghosted this go-round, I’m gone.
  • The Manhattan Projects #15 (Image): A crazed Oppenheimer makes me Oppenhappy!
  • Sidekick #3 (Image): #2 offered up some nice development of Flashbackboy–I mean, Flyboy.  I’m hoping to see this thing take off.  Honestly.
  • Three #1 (Image): Only need one reason to pick this up: Kieron Gillen, who’s doing an Axisellent job over on Uber.
Three #1

Three #1

  • Captain America #12 (Marvel): Gonna nuke it if it ain’t any good.  Remender doesn’t deserve a leash of any length–especially after the all-too-recent Captain America disZola.
  • X-Men #6 (Marvel): Battle of the Atom may never end.  Sure, there’s a checklist, which promises an end to the awful, awful nonsense; but I’m willing to bet it’s a lie.  Feels that way, anyway.  Ugh.
  • Archer & Armstrong #14 (Valiant): Mind the Gap has its Fifth.  Archer & Armstrong is our Sixth.  Every friggin’ month, this terrific title falls one slot out of our Top Five.  It’s almost unexplainable!
  • Eternal Warrior #2 (Valiant): A solid first issue from Greg Pak and Trevor Hairsine made this an easy choice.
  • Rachel Rising #20 (Abstract Studios): Gov. Christie-inspired plainspeak: If you’re not reading Terry Moore’s Rachel Rising, you’re an idiot.
Rachel Rising #20

Rachel Rising #20

  • Death Sentence #1 (Titan): Looks interesting enough.  I’m sold mostly by the fact that Titan has delivered one of our favorites: the mathematically impossible Numbercruncher.
  • Deathmatch #10 (BOOM!): #9 was yet another high point for Paul Jenkins and Carlos Magno.  Wondering where this is going to go–if it’s going to go–once the final battler is fought.
  • Watson and Holmes #4 (New Paradigm): A Derekommendation worth running with!
  • Afterlife With Archie #1 (Archie): Got some press and my attention–mostly because of the artist attached to it: Francesco Francavilla.
Afterlife With Archie #1

Afterlife With Archie #1

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (10/2)

01 Tuesday Oct 2013

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Kickin’ off Comictober commodiously:

  • Occultist #1 (Dark Horse): Even though I’m off Revival as of #14, I don’t see why I shouldn’t give Seeley and Norton another shot.
  • Hinterland #1 (DC/Vertigo): Now this has the hook and the look of a Vertigo book.
Hinterland #1

Hinterland #1

  • Trillium #3 (DC/Vertigo): Lemire set a high bar for himself with a remarkable #1; and wouldn’t you know it took the slacker a whole month to clear it!  That’s right: I thought #2 was even better than the now-famous flip book!  So, if I’m doing the math correctly, this one’s going to blow my mind!  And earn a bunch more exclamation points, too!
  • Bedlam #9 (Image): Unless this one leaves me feeling the way I feel after reading a top-tier book, I’m done.  No sense in hanging on anymore.
  • Lazarus #4 (Image): #3 was our #1 book for August, so you know I’m looking forward to this.  As engaging a series as you’re going to find.
Lazarus #4

Lazarus #4

  • Mara #6 (Image): Been waiting for this one for what feels like forever.  Here’s what I thought of the brilliant #5.
  • Mind the Gap #15 (Image): For the last two issues, McCann, Esquejo, and McDaid have been the comic book equivalent of Crosby, Stills, and Nash.  Masterfully layered with a twist of sublime.
  • All-New X-Men #17 (Marvel): The real battle is between my OCD and my better judgment.
  • Captain America: Living Legend #1 (Marvel): Andy Diggle hasn’t impressed me very much, but I’m going to buy this darned thing anyway.  Aaaaargh!  I’m absolutely desperate for a good Cap story.  Give it to me, man!
Captain America: Living Legend #1

Captain America: Living Legend #1

  • Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #1 (Marvel): Yet another panel of the counterpane Matt Kindt has tossed over top the industry.  Maybe–just maybe–we’ll get a good Spidey story out of the deal.
  • Codename Action #2 (Dynamite): Oh, why not?  Guess that makes me Codename Sucker.
  • The Mocking Dead #2 (Dynamite): Flesh-eating fun!  Look out, folks: no one is safe from Fred Van Lente and his biting writing!  He’s more dangerous than the undead!
The Mocking Dead #2

The Mocking Dead #2

  • Quantum and Woody #4 (Valiant): Just when I thought I was going to drop my first Valiant title, Jason Asmus and Tom Fowler hit a high note with the E.R.A.  That’s right: stupid just got clever–and just in time!  It’s got my vote!
  • Shadowman #11 (Valiant): I’m always a bit wary of a holiday special–especially a Halloween special; screams “filler issue,” dunniit?  Now that‘s scary!
  • God Is Dead #2 (Avatar): Certainly can’t say this one’s on par with The Manhattan Projects or East of West–not after one issue, anyway; that wouldn’t be fair, would it?  Well, if I can’t say it after #2, then this book, I swear to God, is dead to me.
  • Uber #6 (Avatar): Kieron Gillen is killin’ it–and everything else!  Hey, it’s OK: it’s an Avatar book.  Seriously, though: this has been very good–much better than I expected it to be.
Uber #6

Uber #6

  • Hit #2 (BOOM!): Expected baseball analogy: after one at-bat, Bryce Carlson and crew are batting 1.000.  Recalling the end of #1: this time around, let’s see how they handle the curve ball.

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (9/25)

25 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

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What a way to end the month!

  • Mind MGMT #15 (Dark Horse): Kindt’s got his fingers in my brain!  He’s got his fingers in my brain!
Mind MGMT #15

Mind MGMT #15

  • The Wake #4 (DC/Vertigo): #3 was signature Snyder; so, yeah, I’m looking forward to this one.
  • Wonder Woman 23.2 (DC): I’ve avoided all of the villain nonsense–until now.  Hey, there’s a first–First Born, in this case–for everything.
Wonder Woman 23.2

Wonder Woman #23.2

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #26 (IDW): “City Fall” has been one shell of a surprise!  Didn’t really expect it to be anything more than just a monthly Mateus Santolouco fix.  But it’s been more–a lot more.
  • East of West #6 (Image): Forging ahead…
  • Fatale #17 (Image): Last issue was very, very good.  No one does noirror--did I just coin that?—like Brubaker and Phillips.
Fatale #17

Fatale #17

  • Rat Queens #1(Image): I missed the Peter Panzerfaust bandwagon.  I’m not going to miss this one–Kurtis Wiebe’s latest–because that’d be stupid.
Rat Queens #1

Rat Queens #1

  • Revival #14 (Image): Hoping we get somewhere soon; otherwise, I’m off.
  • Saga #14 (Image): Everybody’s still going gaga over Saga–and for good reason.
  • Sex Criminals #1 (Image): Fraction is making some serious love over on Satellite Sam.  The orgy continues here…
Sex Criminals #1

Sex Criminals #1

  • Ultimate Spider-Man #27 (Marvel): Headed toward its ultimate end.  The way it’s been going, probably not such a terrible thing.
  • Red Team #5 (Dynamite): A strong #4 proves Ennis is in it to kill it–kinda like this:
Red Team #5

Red Team #5

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

I&N Scott’s Bag (9/11)

24 Tuesday Sep 2013

Posted by in I&N Scott's Bag

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So far behind, but certainly not out of mind…

  • Sidekick #2 (An improvement over #1 built primarily on Flyboy’s backstory. Still burdened by a few “too far” moments, but certainly good enough to warrant another issue.)
Sidekicks #2

Sidekicks #2

  • Eternal Warrior #1 (Pak and Hairsine’s opening salvo is savagely smart and beautifully brutal. A welcome addition to an already outstanding Valiant lineup.)
Eternal Warrior #1

Eternal Warrior #1

  • FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics #3 (“The collapse has begun,” indeed. I’m out.)
  • Clone #10 (Goshdarn it! I really thought we were going to escape the issue with a happy ending!)
  • Indestructible Hulk #13 (If I could go back in time, I’d pass not only on this issue but on the entire series. I can’t, so I’ll just jump off now. Unfortunately, the House I was promised never quite opened its doors to the exciting interpersonal possibilities.)
  • Rachel Rising #19 (The best issue yet? You bet! And that’s saying a lot.)
Rachel Rising #19

Rachel Rising #19

  • Captain America #11 (I figured I’d try it now that Cap’s back in the real world and all. Didn’t really care for it. Too many “See what I just did?” moments from Remender. But I’ll cut it a break for what it is: a transition. What it’ll transition to…? Well, that’s the question, isn’t it? If the next one doesn’t answer the question, though, I’m out until a new writer comes on.)
  • Brain Boy #1 (Wildly uneven effort from the architect of Archer & Armstrong. The art from R.B. Silva, Rob Lean, and Ego is terrific, however. All together, I’ll probably see this three-issue arc through ’til the end.)
  • Astro City #4 (Another terrific story from Kurt Busiek.)
  • The Manhattan Projects #14 (Hickman and Pitarra don’t disappoint. They don’t know how to disappoint. Love the final splash, which sells a crazy-eyed, wrench-wielding Oppenheimer much in the same way #12 sold a chainsaw-of-relativity-sporting Einstein.)
The Manhattan Projects #14

The Manhattan Projects #14

  • The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #4 (Just as crazy as we’ve come to expect! Hey, it’s the Gerard Way.)
  • X-Men #4 (Certainly met expectations–my low, low expectations. Thanks Battle of the Atom!)
  • Ghosted #3 (Still keeping my interest. Reads not unlike Revival, really. Further, seems to do some things that Dream Thief should’ve done. Sticking around.)
Ghosted #3

Ghosted #3

  • Archer & Armstrong #13 (This is why I’ll buy anything Fred Van Lente. Just keeps getting better and better. Something tells me we’ll be writing more about this when we wrap up the month.)

Turning pages,

Scott