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Tag Archives: Juan Ferreyra

What’s I&N Store (2/25)

24 Tuesday Feb 2015

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

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Abigail and the Snowman, All-New X-Men, Archie Comics, Bodies, BOOM!, Brian Michael Bendis, Chris Samnee, Colder: The Bad Seed, comics, Daredevil, Dark Horse, Darth Vader, DC Comics, Dean Motter, Duane Swierczynski, Dynamite, Edu Menna, Eric Stephenson, Evil Empire, Greg Tocchini, IDW, Image, Jamie McKelvie, Jason Aaron, Jay Shaw, Juan Ferreyra, Kevin Eastman, Kieron Gillen, Lee Bermejo, Low, Mark Rahner, Mark Waid, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Max Bemis, Men of Wrath, Michael Gaydos, Mister X: Razed, NCBD, ODY-C, Paul Tobin, Quantum and Woody Must Die, Rasputin, Rick Remender, Riley Rossmo, Roger Langridge, Salvatore Larocca, Simon Gane, Spider-Gwen, Suiciders, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Black Hood, The Odyssey, The Twilight Zone, The Twilight Zone: Shadow & Substance, The Wicked & The Divine, They're Not Like Us, Thor, Tom Waltz, Valiant, Vertigo, Victor Santos

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

Wait.  What?

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

Ugh.

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

Mister X: Razed #1

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

They’re Not Like Us #3

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

The Wicked & The Divine #8

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

Daredevil #13

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

Evil Empire #11

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

 Avery’s Pick of the Week

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

Abigail and the Snowman #3

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s I&N Store (1/28)

27 Tuesday Jan 2015

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

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Tags

Ales Kot, Alex + Ada, Bitch Planet, Bodies, BOOM!, Brian Michael Bendis, Chris Bachalo, Colder, Colder: The Bad Seed, Dark Horse, Dynamite, Eric Stephenson, Evil Empire, Friendship Is Magic, IDW, Image, James Asmus, Jason Aaron, Jonathan Hickman, Jonathan Luna, Juan Ferreyra, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Matt Kindt, Max Bemis, Mind MGMT, My Little Pony, Paul Tobin, Quantum and Woody Must Die, Rasputin, Riley Rossmo, Robert Venditti, Sarah Vaughn, Si Spencer, Snow, The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood, The Dying & The Dead, They're Not Like Us, Thor, Uncanny X-Men, Valiant, Vertigo, Victor Santos, X-O Manowar, zero

Snow snow snow, snow snow snow snow snow.  Snow?  Snow!  Snow snow snow snow.  Snow snow snow snow; snow snow snow snow, snow snow snow snow.

  • Colder: The Bad Seed #4 (Dark Horse): I don’t want to go pointing fingers, but…
  • Mind MGMT #30 (Dark Horse): I&N Demand Admission: I’m an Eraserhead.  Looks like this Eraser-focused offering will leave my shoulders speckled with rubbery residue.
Mind MGMT #30

Mind MGMT #30

  • Bodies #7 (DC/Vertigo): An autopsy has revealed that there’s life yet in Bodies.  Oops.  Nothing more awkward than a premature postmortem.  Sorry, Mr. Spencer et al.   Didn’t mean to doubt.  I’m believing again–and just in time, too.
  • Alex + Ada #12 (Image): So beautifully human.  Sure, the dialogue reads like it’s right out of an episode of Girlmore Girls–you know, that bizarre, hypnotic monotone that’s so damn maddening.  Thing is, it’s not off-putting here; it’s actually strangely affecting.  But most of all, I love the subtle shifts in the art from one panel to the next.  Speaks so loudly without a single word.
  • Bitch Planet #2 (Image): Ouch!  Kelly Sue DeConnick went and bitch slapped me and my low expectations for her women in prison send up.  I’m man enough to admit: in #1, she exploits exploitation expertly, reminiscent of Tarantino at times–which is a pretty deadly compliment.  Here’s another: throughout, I heard–more so, I saw with a hawk’s eye, if only in fractions, her hubby’s voice.  Heck, yeah, I’m gonna grab #2.  Doesn’t mean I’m in for life.  We’ll call it probation–with higher expectations this time around.
  • The Dying & the Dead #1 (Image): Just I&N Jonathan Hickman’s Image work has been pretty great–particularly East of West, which has been nothing short of great of late.  No reason to expect anything less here.
The Dying & The Dead #1

The Dying & The Dead #1

  • Rasputin #4 (Image): I was mostly on board through two.  #3, however, felt a little light on substance.  I’ll thumb through this one and hope for heavier.  Wouldn’t be the worst thing if I decided to drop it, if I’m being honest.
  • They’re Not Like Us #2 (Image) I&N Demand OK, so, we’ve heard this one before, right?  Of course we have.  And we’ll keep hearing it, too–but maybe not quite like this.  See: all those other X-wannabes are not like They’re Not Like Us.  Ha!  I worked it out!  Anyway…  Sure, the book read well enough: the writing’s solid; the art works.  But I wasn’t completely sold until the end note.  Yeah, that’s a damn fine way to end a familiar tune.  Hoping that Stephenson and Gane keep separating themselves from the others with a strong sophomore effort.
They're Not Like Us #2

They’re Not Like Us #2

  • Zero #14 (Image): I&N Demand One of our favorite books of 2014.  (Just how favorite?  You’ll have to wait to find out.)  After a big time low point, Kot’s found his voice–which, at times, has been splendidly silent, allowing the artiste du mois to do the real talking.  Very much looking forward to what Kot’s got in store for us to kick off 2015.
Zero #14

Zero #14

  • Thor #4 (Marvel): Despite its heavy handedness–not related to Mjolnir, mind you–#1 was a promising start.  Since then, however, the book’s reminded of Superior Spider-Man–everything I hated about Superior Spider-Man.  I should probably pass.
  • Uncanny X-Men #30 (Marvel): Uncanny‘s been a ton better than All-New of late.  And that’s all I have to say about that.
  • The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood #4 (Dynamite): Everyone loves a good ethical dilemma.  No one does ’em better in comics than J. Michael Straczynski (The Twilight Zone).  He’s not writing this.  But it’s not bad.  Credit Christina Blanch and Chris Carr for the fact that TDoCW is engaging on that “What would you do in the same situation?” kind of level.  (For the record: I’d do whatever it takes to take care of my daughters; so I feel for Charlie–and am rooting for him.)  I think my interest is amplified by the fact that good ol’ Charlie Wormwood’s an English teacher, who most assuredly has learned a lesson or two about ethical dilemmas through the novels and stories he’s read and taught through the years.  He probably never thought he’d be the one sitting across the table from the devil…
  • Evil Empire #10 (BOOM!): I&N Demand I really like what Max Bemis has been doing in his crazy country worth of comicbook.  Evil Empire is smart, aware, fearless, and, above all, entertaining as &%$@.  Happy to see Victor Santos–owner of a very distinct style–on visuals.  And, as always, Jay Shaw on cover duty:
Evil Empire #10

Evil Empire #10

  • Quantum and Woody Must Die #1 (Valiant): Yeah, I love Quantum and Woody and what Asmus has done with them, but I’m leaning toward leaving this on the shelf.  I just don’t like the games Valiant’s playing with the all-of-a-sudden minis and one-shots.  Just give me a damn series to follow!  For example:
  • X-O Manowar #32 (Valiant): I can’t believe I’m thirty-two issues in!  Credit to Robert Venditti.  He’s so good at X’s and O’s that he could probably coach a basketball team.  Hell, he could take over the Knicks right now.  Couldn’t do any worse than Derek Fisher.  Right?

Avery’s Pick of the Week

  • My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #27 (IDW): My daughter loves her ponies–and not just in comics, either.  We’re an MLP blind bag family, thanks mostly to DCTC (Disney Cars Toy Club)–otherwise known as YouTube Crack for Kids.  We opened two blind bags tonight.  Got a new one–Lucky Swirl, who looks a lot like Twilight Sparkle–and a “same duplicate,” as my daughter calls it.  Yup: another Neon Lights.  Yay.
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #27

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #27

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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I&N Scott’s Bag (10/23)

28 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by ScottNerd in I&N Scott's Bag

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Aaron Ginsburg, Brian Michael Bendis, Chip Zdarsky, Chris Samnee, Clayton Henry, Clone, Daredevil, Dark Horse, David Marquez, David Schulner, Ed Brubaker, Emma Rios, Harbinger, Howard Chaykin, Image, Jordie Bellaire, Joshua Dysart, Juan Ferreyra, Juan Jose Ryp, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Kiss Me Satan, Kurtis J. Wiebe, Mark Waid, Matt Fraction, Matt Kindt, Mind MGMT, Pretty Deadly, Rat Queens, Satellite Sam, Sex Criminals, Steve Epting, Ultimate Spider-Man, Valiant, Velvet, Wade McIntyre

This is actually, kinda, sorta on time.

  • Mind MGMT #16 (Matt Kindt is the Thomas Edison of comics: he’s invented yet another way to make this book the most involved read on the rack.  As important as this story is to the world Kindt’s been building, it is a stand alone issue.  Do yourself a favor and pick it up, even if you’re not looking to add another title to your monthly haul; it’s a stunning example of what the medium can do.)
Mind MGMT #16

Mind MGMT #16

  • Velvet #1 (I like the bad-ass Miss Moneypenny angle from Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting.  The other angles–all of them right–come together to take the shape of an exceptionally executed exposition.)
  • Pretty Deadly #1 (Pretty underwhelming.  Not entirely Kelly Sue DeConnick’s fault, really.  Sure, I wasn’t particularly taken by the–perhaps purposely–juvenile poetry that frames the issue, and Emma Rios’s art was often tough to translate; but I think the main problem is with me–with my bag.  Not only am I already invested in wonderfully wild westerns–including BOOM!’s Six-Gun Gorilla, Image’s East of West, and Oni’s The Sixth Gun–I’m seeing similarities, which steal a bit from the experience.  Even if they’re complete coincidences, which I assume they are, they’re enough to affect my experience here.  To be fair, I’m going to meet #2 at high noon on or around Wednesday 11/27.  We’ll see who flinches first.)
  • Satellite Sam #4 (Had to spend extra time with it to suss out some of the dialogue.  Time well spent.  Who knew I’d be more interested in the early days of TV than I am in the recent exploits of Captain America and Superman?  It’s not what I came back to comics for, but it’s why I’ll be sticking around: an original voice affected effortlessly by Matt Fraction and ridiculously detailed black & white artwork from Howard Chaykin.)
Satellite Sam #4

Satellite Sam #4

  • Harbinger #17 (Wouldn’t have been so terrible if it were terrible, but it wasn’t.  Peter and friends live to see another What’s I&N Store post.)
  • Kiss Me, Satan #2 (Other things me, too, Satan.  And make it fast because, despite Juan Ferreya’s art, I’m not sticking around for #3.)
  • Rat Queens #2 (The joke ran the risk of getting stale–like a chunk of cheese on a ill-placed trap–but then came the end.  “[Fudge] buckets,” indeed.  At its best, like during the final two-page sequence, Kurtis J. Wiebe’s world spins not unlike something you’d see in Saga.  At its worst, it reads like Fraction’s cutting-room floor.  Here’s hoping for more of the best.)
  • Clone #11 (I wasn’t sure where we were headed after #10.  Now I know–and I’m stoked!  All the way around, a terrific issue.  The twriters [that’s tri-writers, to reflect the combined efforts of David Schulner, Aaron Ginsburg, and Wade McIntyre–did I just coin that?] continue to celebrate the unique experience that is the comic book page turn in this fast-paced effort; and the art from Juan Jose Ryp, with colors from Andy Troy, is at its detailed best.  Really, really good.)
Clone #11

Clone #11

  • Sex Criminals #2 (Even filthier than the first, which makes sense since we get the guy’s side here.  It goes without saying that I found it hard to relate to.  I have a friend, though, who found it remarkably resonant–especially the bit about the–umm–treasure in the woods.)
  • Daredevil #32 (Quite a ride.  Went from hard to diJester to frighteningly flavorful in a single course!  Who would’ve thunk it: Mark Waid twists the political slog from #31 into something fiendishly fun and then, just as quickly, into something D-D-deadly.  Two fantastic splashes from Chris Samnee, the best being the ironic “They’re not monsters!” monsterpiece.  Hard to believe we’re that much closer to the end of this glorious run.)
Daredevil #32

Daredevil #32

  • Ultimate Spider-Man #28 (Sad to say, I’m happy that this one’s done.)

Missed a few–The Massive, Numbercruncher, and Death Sentence–for one reason or another; but I won’t be without them for very long.

What did you think of this bag’s worth?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s I&N Store (10/23)

22 Tuesday Oct 2013

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

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Brian Wood, Chip Zdarsky, Chris Samnee, Clone, Daredevil, Dark Horse, David Schulner, Death Sentence, Ed Brubaker, Emma Rios, Garry Brown, Harbinger, Howard Chaykin, Image, Jordie Bellaire, Joshua Dysart, Juan Ferreyra, Juan Jose Ryp, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Kiss Me Satan, Kurtis J. Wiebe, Mark Waid, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Matt Kindt, mike Dowling, Mind MGMT, Montynero, Numbercruncher, P.J. Holden, Pretty Deadly, Rat Queens, Satellite Sam, Sex Criminals, Silver Surfer, Simon Spurrier, Steve Epting, The Massive, Titan, Valiant, Velvet

A list notable for what’s not on it as much as for what is on it.

  • Kiss Me Satan #2 (Dark Horse): Highlight of #1: Juan Ferreyra’s gorgeous art.  Made me not care so much that I was reading a werewolf book.
  • The Massive #16 (Dark Horse): A new arc for Brian Wood’s understated masterpiece.  Now is as good a time as any to jump on board.
  • Mind MGMT #16 (Dark Horse): Met Matt Kindt at NYCC.  I didn’t bring much to my side of the conversation; I was too starstruck.  Acted pretty much the same way I did when I met Bret Easton Ellis.  Stupid me!  Not very different from the poetic voice from Lawrence’s “Snake”: “I missed my chance with one of the lords of [comics].”  I ain’t missing this, though: Mind MGMT is a top-of-the-pile book.  These self-contained issues have been really, really good.
Mind MGMT #16

Mind MGMT #16

  • Clone #11 (Image): All right, let’s get on with it!  A frivolous book, sure, but satisfying on the most basic of levels.
  • Pretty Deadly #1 (Image): Girls!  Girls!  Girls!  Love the punny title; but, come on: another western?  You’re killin’ me, ladies!  The others–including The Sixth Gun, Six-Gun Gorilla, East of West–are darned good; so there’s no reason to think that this one won’t be, as well–is there?
Pretty Deadly #1

Pretty Deadly #1

  • Rat Queens #2 (Image): I was pleasantly surprised by #1.  What does that mean for #2?  Expectations.
  • Satellite Sam #4 (Image): Fraction and Chaykin are hella heavenly over here.  If I’m being nit-picky, in #3, the former climbed the latter a little too high at times.  There’s power in implication, fellas!  Even still, I’m high on this.
  • Sex Criminals #2 (Image): More Fraction!  He promised quite a bit in the first issue, including a certain literary lineage.  Question: How Lo can he go?
  • Velvet #1 (Image): Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting are back in one of the industry’s most highly anticipated new titles.  I know I’m excited about it!  Interesting note: I’m going to have a book in mind before jumping in, but it’s not Brubaker’s own Fatale; it’s not even this team’s work on Captain America; it’s Rucka and Lark’s Lazarus.
Velvet #1

Velvet #1

  • Daredevil #32 (Marvel): #31 was a serious wipeout–especially after a gnarly #30.  Went from ripping in the green room with the Silver Surfer to getting caught in a political rip current.  Gosh, I hope I don’t get accused of a hate crime.
  • Death Sentence #2 (Titan): Montynero’s got a snarky, rock ‘n roll style that reminds of Californication.  Like Mike Dowling’s art a lot, too.
  • Numbercruncher #4 (Titan): Doesn’t matter what kind of math you use: this mini’s been a monster!  Loving every aspect of it.  In fact, we loved #3 so much that it made our Top 5 for September!  Sad to see it go–and not just because the series has been so good.  We’re losing part of our monthly communion with Simon Spurrier.  Oh my!  What are we going to do after Six-Gun Gorilla fires its last shot?
Numbercruncher #4

Numbercruncher #4

  • Harbinger #17 (Valiant): The last one ended well enough.  I suppose I’m looking forward to seeing how things turn out.

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

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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In Scott’s Bag (3/6)

07 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by ScottNerd in I&N Scott's Bag

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Alberto Ponticelli, Alex Maleev, All-New X-Men, Andrea Sorrentino, Andy Diggle, Animal Man, Bedlam, Bill Sienkiewicz, BOOM!, Brian Michael Bendis, China Mieville, Colder, Daredevil: End of Days, Dark Horse, David Mack, David Marquez, DC Comics, Dial H, Fairy Quest, Green Arrow, Humberto Ramos, Image, Janet Lee, Jason Latour, Jeff Lemire, Jim McCann, Jock, Joe Casey, Juan Ferreyra, Justin Jordan, Klaus Janson, Lost Vegas, Nic Klein, Nick Spencer, Patrick Zircher, Paul Jenkins, Paul Tobin, Piotr Kowalski, Riley Rossmo, Scott Snyder, Sex, Shadowman, Snapshot, Steve Pugh, Swamp Thing, Winter Soldier, Yanick Paquette

A formidable fascicle, indeed.  As yanked:

  • Fairy Quest #2 (I want Humberto Ramos tested for PEDs.  A simple flip through is all the evidence I need: this dude’s on fairy dust!  Pretty, pretty.)
  • Snapshot #2 (Cool cover and sweet b/w interior work by Jock.)
  • Lost Vegas #1 (Recommended by the shop guy.  Pass up an Image #1?  Never!)
Lost Vegas #1

Lost Vegas #1

  • All-New X-Men #8 (Ugh.  This may be the last nail I was hoping for.)
  • Green Arrow #18 (I see what’s happening here: Daredevil and Bullseye.  Works for me.)
  • Sex #1 (If you were expecting something else, you didn’t get it.  A more honest title you’re not likely to find.)
  • Swamp Thing #18 (Going in with an open mind–opened further by Paquette’s capable hands.)
  • Winter Soldier #16 (Love the cover.  That aside: this is the make-or-break issue.  Actually hoping for make.)
  • Daredevil: End of Days #6 (Will be one of the best books of the week.  At this point, it can’t help it.)
  • Shadowman #5 (It’s not every day that a comic makes the mainstream news.  No, wait.)
  • Bedlam #5 (I described it to my wife as “an ultra-violent book about the psychology of a serial killer.”  She seemed OK with it.  Full disclosure: she was pretty well locked into the final Wheel puzzle, so…)
  • Animal Man #18 (Well, speaking of expectations: this one comes with–right on the cover!  That, or a tragic how-to: how to effectively undermine a an otherwise suburb Jae Lee cover.)
Animal Man #18--Before

Animal Man #18 (Expectation-Free Edition!)

  • Colder #5 (This is it!)
  • Dial H #10 (I’m totally ready.)

Does my list look like your list?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s Up?

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

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

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Tags

Alberto Ponticelli, All-New X-Men, Andrea Sorrentino, Andy Diggle, Animal Man, Bedlam, BOOM!, Brian Michael Bendis, Brian Wood, China Mieville, Colder, Cullen Bunn, Daredevil: End of Days, Dark Horse, David Mack, David Marquez, DC Comics, Dial H, Fairy Quest, Green Arrow, Helheim, Humberto Ramos, Image, Jason Latour, Jeff Lemire, Jock, Joe Casey, Juan Ferreyra, Justin Jordan, Mara, Marvel, Ming Doyle, Nick Spencer, Oni Press, Patrick Zircher, Paul Jenkins, Paul Tobin, Riley Rossmo, Scott Snyder, Sex, Shadowman, Snapshot, Steve Pugh, Swamp Thing, Winter Soldier, Yanick Paquette

I like big bags and I cannot lie.

Feeling Pullish

  • Colder #5 (Dark Horse): Glad this little Ice Age is over.
  • Animal Man #18 (DC): Almost there.  Almost over the Rot.  Looks like with #19, Lemire’s headed back to what made the book a must-read in the first place.  Just have to survive this one.
  • Dial H #10 (DC): #9 was a return to form.  Looks like a ruff ride this time around.  See for yourself.
    Dial H #10

    Dial H #10

    • Swamp Thing #18 (DC): Another Snyder superhero finale.  Expectations set to nada.
    • Bedlam #5 (Image): Last issue yanked me from the brink.
    Bedlam #5

    Bedlam #5

    • Daredevil: End of Days #6 (Marvel): This has been really good.  Probably the best Bendis going right now–and there’s a lot of Bendis going right now.
    • Shadowman #5 (Valiant): Another comic in the news?  Wouldn’t have expected Shadowman.  Lot of things I didn’t expect from Shadowman–including that I’d still be reading it through #5.

     

Feeling Plucky

  • Mara #3 (Image): Not my favorite, but I’m sticking with it–especially since it’s a mini.
  • Sex #1 (Image): Joe Casey’s new one’s had its share of hype–so much, in fact,  it’s practically been buzzed bald.  Considering, that might not be such a bad thing.
  • Snapshot #2 (Image): Might as well.
  • Green Arrow #18 (DC): Can’t bow out after one issue.  Lemire deserves at least two, maybe even a few.
  • Winter Soldier #16 (Marvel): Jason LaTour’s first issue certainly didn’t make me forget Ed Brubaker.  Surprisingly, it didn’t make me want to forget Winter Soldier.  Not yet, anyway.
Winter Soldier #16

Winter Soldier #16

  • Helheim #1 (Oni): I’m a little late to the Sixth Gun party.  Not gonna let this one slip by without a shot.
Helheim #1

Helheim #1

  • Fairy Quest #2 (BOOM!): There was something about #1 that I kinda dug.
  • All-New X-Men #8 (Marvel): Ugh.

This one’s got Bunns, hun.  So, I guess I want some.

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s Up?

05 Tuesday Feb 2013

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Action Comics, Alberto Ponticelli, All-New X-Men, Andy Diggle, Animal Man, Bill Sienkiewicz, BOOM!, Brian Michael Bendis, China Mieville, Colder, Craig Cermak, Daredevil: End of Days, Dark Horse, David Mack, David Marquez, DC Comics, Dia De Los Muertos, Dial H, Dynamite, Fairy Quest, Garth Ennis, Grant Morrison, Green Arrow, Harbinger, Humberto Ramos, Image, Jason Latour, Jeff Lemire, Jock, Joshua Dysart, Juan Ferreyra, Justin Jordan, Klaus Janson, Marvel, Mico Suayan, Nic Klein, Patrick Zircher, Paul Jenkins, Paul Tobin, Rags Morales, Red Team, Riley Rossmo, Sara Pichelli, Scott Snyder, Shadowman, Snapshot, Steve Pugh, Swamp Thing, Ultimate Spider-Man, Valiant, Winter Soldier, Yanick Paquette

“What’s up?” you ask?  Yeah.  It’s more like what isn’t up.  Keeeeey-riced!  Check it:

Crisis of Definite Comics

  • Action Comics #17 (DC): Promises to be epic.  Either way, Morrison’s last will be mine as well.
  • Animal Man #17 (DC): Wondering where this is going to go after Rotworld.
  • Dial H #9 (DC): Didn’t kick off 2013 the way it stomped through 2012.  Expectations are still dialed up pretty high–and maybe that’s the problem.
  • Green Arrow #17 (DC): Lemire’s run begins.  Will it be a bull’s eye or another quivering misfire?
  • Swamp Thing #17 (DC): Not caring where this is going to go after Rotworld.  As with Morrison’s Action, Snyder’s last will be mine as well.
  • Daredevil: End of Days #5 (Marvel): #4 was really good.  In fact, halfway through, this mini has been surprisingly effective.
  • Ultimate Spider-Man #20 (Marvel): Venom?  Gag–unless he’s going to be used in an unexpected manner, which is totally possible.  Bendis has earned a long leash– even with a poisonous character like the toxic tongue wagger himself.
  • Harbinger #0 (Valiant): Great stuff.  So great, in fact, that I’m not worried about a zero diversion.  Not in the least.
  • Shadowman #4 (Valiant): Didn’t expect to get this far with it.
  • Snapshot #1 (Image): Looks interesting enough.  Don’t have much experience with Diggle.  I’m jumping on because of Jock, who has been doing some transcendent work on the Batman back-ups, or extensions, or whatever they are.
Snapshot #1

Snapshot #1

  • Garth Ennis’ Red Team #1 (Dynamite): Ennis is so hot right now he’s impossible to pass up.
Garth Ennis Red Team #1

Garth Ennis Red Team #1

  • Colder #4 (Dark Horse): Started off so well.  Unfortunately, has fallen faster than Declan’s body temperature.
  • Fairy Quest #1 (BOOM!): Jenkins and Ramos?  Come on: definitely worth a shot.
Fairy Quest #1

Fairy Quest #1

Is This a Comic Which I See Before Me?

  • All-New X-Men #7 (Marvel): Mainly because of Marquez.  Also because I’m an idiot.
  • Winter Soldier #15 (Marvel): Brubaker’s take is THE take, no doubt.  But why not try someone else’s take for at least an issue or two?  Can’t be worse than Remender’s Captain America for goodness sake.
  • Dia De Los Muertos #1 (Image): I’ll give it a quick flip.  Rossmo’s certainly worth a maybe.

I wonder if I’ll be able to buy some time, too; I’m gonna need it.  Yow-to-the-za!

What are you looking forward to?  Anything else I should keep an eye out for?

Turning pages,

Scott

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Back and Forth: Vs.

10 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by dmainhart in Back and Forth, Microviews

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Adventure Time, Adventure Time with Fionna & Cake, Albus Dumbledore, AvX, Bravest Warriors, Brian Michael Bendis, Cartoon Hangover, Colder, Courtney Crumrin, Dark Horse, Dark Shadows, Dave Stewart, Drago, Dynamite Entertainment, Ed Brubaker, Edgar Winter, Fatale, Francesco Francavilla, Fury: My War Gone By, Garth Ennis, Goran Parlov, Guiu Vilanova, IDW, Image, Joey Comeau, Jonathan Frid, Juan Ferreyra, Justin Ponsor, kaboom!, Mars Attacks Popeye, Martin Powell, Marvel, Marvel Max, Mike Holmes, Mike Raight, Natasha Allegri, Oni Press, Paul Tobin, Ray Dillon, Rocky, Sara Pichelli, Sean Phillips, Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali, Ted Naifeh, Terry Beatty, Ultimate Spider-Man, Warren Wucinich

Who doesn’t love a good fight? David Vs. Goliath! Rocky Vs. Drago! Lindsay Lohan Vs. Dignity! Comic books are replete with these classic donnybrooks, from the sublime (Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali) to the atrocious (Avengers Vs. X-Men). In that spirit, we present this weeks selections in a manner befitting the tenor of our times: steel-cage death-match! (Because, as we all know, art IS a competition!)

The Helter-Skelter Weight Bout: Dark Shadows #11 Vs. Fatale #11

Dark Shadows #11 (Dynamite): A relative unknown and the clear underdog in this match, going up against our #5 pick for the Top Books of 2012. But don’t underestimate this book – it’s got plenty of (ahem) bite! Both books involve occult forces, demonic possession and children in grave peril. But only this one has a werewolf in a cheap suit! Writer Mike Raight packs in plot twists aplenty, befitting the series’ soap operatic origins. But he wisely keeps the camp to a minimum, instead delivering genuine chills and moments of pathos. Guiu Vilanova’s art is properly moody and atmospheric. And how could you resist Francesco Francavilla’s classic cover, rendered in a style I like to call 1970s Gothic (and dedicated to Jonathan Frid, no less)? To all of this add not one, but TWO cliffhangers, and you’ve got one helluva horror book. (DM)

Fatale #11 (Image): I’ll tell you: I couldn’t be more thrilled by the fact that Ed Brubaker “started having ideas for more stories within this world” of Fatale because he hooked me hard–or maybe it was Josephine after all–and a limited series would’ve left me standing on the tracks like poor Officer Nelson.  Poor Officer Nelson, indeed: I love how he’s left stepping toward the tracks as the narrative shifts to Jo’s meeting with “the writer,” Alfred Ravenscoft.  His satanic tale of of innocence obliterated leaves Jo with more questions than answers, which leads her to push Alfred toward an audience with his mysterious, and ultimately monstrous, mother–and the book’s audience toward another Alfred and his mother: Hitchcock’s murderous matriarch from the classic thriller Psycho.  Jo gets her meeting, but it doesn’t go as she had planned.  Her escape lays the track for a terrific transition: as she speeds past a railroad crossing in search of an end to the madness, we come to find Officer Nelson, who’s looking to catch the next train in order to find an end of his own.  Unfortunately for him, he’s “saved” by a few fellas who are in hot pursuit of Jo–including a couple bespectacled brutes with whom we’re far too familiar.  At the end of the story, we’re left hanging with Alfred–only we’re still able to beg for more.  All told, Fatale #11 is a  perfectly constructed one-shot; in fact, it’s more than just a one-shot: it’s a damned deadly derringer.  And with it, looks like the aforementioned Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Dave Stewart are aiming to have their ticket to next year’s top ten punched plenty early.  As one of the conductors of this little blog, I’m almost inclined to do it!  Or maybe–just maybe–it’s Josephine, after all… (SC)

This one’s closer than you might think, but the winner (and Book of the Week): Fatale

The Featherweight  Bout: Courtney Crumrin #8 Vs. Ultimate Spider-Man #19

Courtney Crumrin #8 (Oni): A couple of youngsters from our Junior Division, but what these two lack in experience, they make up for in chutzpah! Both series center around their teenage protagonists coming of age. Both feature fathers (or in this case father figures) who are not what their children thought they were. And both balance personal drama against a backdrop of conspiracy. Here, Courtney is on the run from her beloved Uncle Aloysius who just happens to be the most powerful wizard in her supernatural world. Creator Ted Naifeh nicely portrays Courtney’s world turned on its head as this once cocksure waif realizes how much she’d depended on her uncle and how his seeming betrayal has left her utterly lost. Her confusion and alienation mesh well with the larger story of adult compromise and corruption. Courtney’s world is getting more complicated and dangerous. Like the subtle color palette (employed by Warren Wucinich over Naifeh’s darkly expressive art) there are a lot of shades of grey. Naifeh’s compelling story depicts Courtney experiencing that common tragedy we all go through: becoming an adult. (DM)

Ultimate Spider-Man #19 (Marvel): OK.  You know how when your wife invites your mother-in-law over for a a couple of days and you’re not super thrilled about it, and you put up with it because, technically, you love your wife enough to deal with the–supposedly–short stay?  Yeah, that’s pretty much it–only it’s Venom who’s invading USM for Bendis knows how long.  Sure, Miles and Ganke are always good together, like Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer; and the intrigue surrounding Miles’ dad is, well, intriguing.  I even enjoyed J. Jonah Jameson’s defense of our post-Parker Spidey.  But the insinuation of Venom just doesn’t do it for me.  Sara Pichelli and Justin Ponsor’s splash on page 11, a startling disappointment considering their combined talents, pretty well sums the issue up for me: lackluster.  No, it’s not awful, like most of the United We Stand nightmare; it’s just, well, what it is.  Next please. (SC)

Courtney Crumrin has Aloysius, a cross between Albus Dumbledore and Edgar Winter. Ultimate Spider-Man has Venom. The winner: Courtney Crumrin 

The Maim Event: Bravest Warriors #3 Vs. Colder #3

Bravest Warriors #3 (kaboom!): What are these two doing in the same match? Well, for one thing, in a coincidence of Jungian proportions, BOTH feature a demonic presence  bursting violently out of someone’s body! See for yourself:

bw-pg11

Scenes like this do raise the question of why Bravest Warriors, as part of the kaboom! line of books, is being marketed to children. Not that there’s anything truly objectionable, but the animated series is being touted more for adults. There is a vibe (and occasional risque joke) in both versions that suggests “Not for Kids”. I get that it’s part of the Adventure Time brand, but it IS odd seeing the “Cartoon Hangover” masthead on the cover of what is ostensibly a childrens’ comic. Griping aside, this comic has Adventure Time’s patented tone of adrenalized slackerdom down pat; if anything, Bravest Warriors takes itself even less seriously. Writer Joey Comeau keeps the action and jokes coming at a furious pace. Mike Holmes’ art is the perfect compliment, staying within the Adventure Time “house style” while composing dynamic panels (see above) that highlight the bizarre story. Speaking of which, with this issue’s unrelenting sad-zombie-clowns, and last issue featuring Danny vomiting live spiders(!!!) this story line is like my 5-year-old nightmare from Hell. Add in the genuine laughs and this book can only be described as: hysterrifying. (DM)

Colder #3 (Dark Horse): Unlike Fatale, this series is probably better off that it’s limited to five issues.  The first issue was ice–with Paul Tobin’s inspired insanity and Juan Ferreyra’s stunning artwork–until Declan declares that “it’s time [he and Reece] had a talk.”  That worried me a bit; it seemed like a sure misstep into sanity.  The second issue had some bone-rattling moments, for sure–especially thanks to the perpetually frozen Ferreyra.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t so taken by Declan’s declarations–and there were many of them.  So, #3–well, at least we’re over the hump!  The creative team kicks things off well enough with a certifiably crazy contest of hide and seek, punctuated by Nimble Jack’s aforementioned shedding of someone else’s skin in an effort to win the game.  Inspired!  After that, however, the book babbles along, albeit beautifully, at a glacial pace.  Yup: Declan’s a drag.  But a bunch of arms dragging Reece through the roof of a taxi?  Now, that’s what I call ceiling the deal!  The odds of my missing #4?  Absolute zero. (SC)

One of these books is a horrific descent into madness. The other is Colder. The winner: Bravest Warriors

 Battle of the Sexes!: Fury: My War Gone By #8 Vs. Adventure Time with Fionna & Cake #1

Adventure Time with Fionna and Cake #1 (kaboom!): What do these books have in common? Absolutely nothing! They couldn’t be more polar opposites! Let’s pit the grizzled, one-eyed war veteran against the little girl with the magic puppy and see what happens! Like Bravest Warriors, this book is an extension of kaboom!’s successful Adventure Time franchise. Inspired by the fan-favorite gender-switching episode, this series puts a girl’s spin on what is ostensibly a boy’s enterprise. And, like that episode, it pulls it off with panache. Written and illustrated by Natasha Allegri (who also works on the show), the story doesn’t take the easy route of having its female characters appear strong simply by acting like boys. Instead, the characters are imbued with recognizably feminine personalities (especially the irrepressible Cake) without sacrificing one whit of action or humor. Indeed, Allegri begins the book with a story-within-a-story that, in a few brief pages, achieves the grandeur of myth. She then abruptly shifts tone toward the everyday low-brow (de rigueur for Adventure Time). She never loses sight of the fairy-tale wonder of her story, however, and her expansive lay-outs imbue the proceedings with a larger-than-life quality to match. The result? Out of all the books in Adventure Time‘s growing family of titles, this one feels the most EPIC. (DM)

Fury: My War Gone By #8 (Marvel): Fionna and Cake vs. Fury and Castle? That seems fair.  As I mentioned in my In Scott’s Bag post, I l-o-v-e the first page.  Goran Parlov’s splash carries quite a message: war ain’t black and white, brother; it’s shades–maybe fifty of ’em, but who’s counting–of gray shrapnel shredding men to pieces.  The narration casts a darker shadow, indeed, as the book’s–and Fury’s–antagonist explains–while Parlov shows–how Fury and Castle fell foolishly into his Viet Cong clutches.  And that’s just the first two pages!  As the story unfolds, General Ennis orders up an assault of ethical dilemmas and uncomfortable truths, all conveyed through perfectly calibrated conversations and culminating uncompromisingly in a multi-layered and minacious cliffhanger.  Will Fury do Giap’s bidding in order to end the war?  Will Castle do whatever it takes to keep the war from ending?  Will the Americans blow them all to hell?  Will Ms. Defabio blow them all to…?  Well, speaking of cliffs: the most memorable moment: Castle tosses a wounded enemy soldier off a cliff to test a potential escape route.  Fury concedes, “Not much of a splash.”  Castle replies, “No.  Only one way this can go now.”  And what a way it is. (SC)

The winner: Fury. Boys always win! HA! (except for Courtney Crumrin I guess. oh, and Fatale…)

Finally, given our premise, I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention the following:

(written by Martin Powell with art by Terry Beatty)

Is it Shakespeare? No, it’s Popeye beating up Martians. If the concept alone (or the cover by Ray Dillon) isn’t enough to make you giddy with excitement then we is emenies and I challenges you to steel-cage fiskicuffs.

(Don’t worry. You’ll win.)

Turning pages,

Scott and Derek

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In Scott’s Bag (1/2)

02 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by ScottNerd in I&N Scott's Bag

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bill Sienkiewicz, Brian Michael Bendis, Bullseye, Colder, comics, Daredevil: End of Days, Dark Horse, Dave Stewart, David Mack, DC, Ed Brubaker, Fatale, Fury: My War Gone By, Garth Ennis, Goran Parlov, Image, Jeff Lemire, Juan Ferreyra, Justice League Dark, Klaus Janson, Marvel, Mikel Janin, Miles Morales, Paul Tobin, Ray Fawkes, Sara Pichelli, Sean Phillips, Ultimate Spider-Man, Venom, Wednesday, Zatanna

It’s a classic story: Boy gets bag.  Boy looks into bag.  Boy finds all the books he was hoping to find.  Boy closes bag.  Boy opens wallet.

B to the A to the G

  • Colder #3 (Another gorgeous cover from Juan Ferreyra.  And just underneath, a little hide and seek with Nimble Jack.  I’ve been starving for this one, so it’ll be my primo for the evening.  I mean, why wait?)
  • Fatale #11 (Gosh, I don’t think I’ve given enough credit to the colorist, Dave Stewart.  Friggin’ brilliant.  He’s just as much a part of setting the tone for this Top Ten book as the superstars whose names adorn the cover.)
  • Fury: My War Gone By #8 (Kicks off with a killer splash and a deadly hook: “You should have killed the little boy.”  Best first page of the year–so far, anyway.)
  • Justice League Dark #15 (Janin’s back and, thoughtful as always, brought a lot of Zatanna with him.   And, umm, Lemire’s got a co-writer: one Ray Fawkes.  I hope that doesn’t Fawke up the flow.)
  • Ultimate Spider-Man #19 (I just don’t care about Venom.  Thumbed through.  Still don’t care about Venom.  Potential saving grace: more Miles than Spidey-Miles.)
  • Daredevil: End of Days #4 (The promise of Bullseye is enough for me.)
Daredevil: End of Days #4 Cover

Daredevil: End of Days #4 Cover

Not a bad batch.  Might as well get to it.

What did you get in your bag today?

Turning pages,

Scott

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