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Tag Archives: Letter 44

What’s I&N Store (4/23)

22 Tuesday Apr 2014

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

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Alberto Alburquerque, Ales Kot, Avatar, Batman Eternal, Braden Lamb, Brian Wood, Canaan White, Charles Soule, Chris Samnee, Danijel Zezelj, Daredevil, Dark Horse, DC, Dead Boy Detectives, Ed Brisson, Elektra, Evil Empire, Gary Erskine, Greg Rucka, Harbinger, IDW, Image, Jeff Lemire, Joe Infunari, Johnnie Christmas, Jonathan Hickman, Joshua Dysart, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Justice League United, Kevin Eastman, Kieron Gillen, Lazarus, Letter 44, Mark Buckingham, Mark Waid, Marvel, Mateus Santolouco, Matt Kindt, Matt taylor, Max Bemis, Michael Lark, Mind MGMT, Nick Pitarra, Oni Press, Ransom Getty, Ryan North, Scott Snyder, Shelli Paroline, Sheltered, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Bunker, The Manhattan Projects, The Massive, The Midas Flesh, Toby Litt, Tom Waltz, Uber, Valiant, Vertigo, W. Haden Blackman, zero

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

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

The Massive #22

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

Mind MGMT #21

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

TMNT #33

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

Lazarus #8

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

Elektra #1

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

Evil Empire #2

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

Which books are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s I&N Store (3/19)

18 Tuesday Mar 2014

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

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A Voice in the Dark, Adrian Alphona, Alberto Alburquerque, Ales Kot, All-New Ghost Rider, American Vampire, American Vampire: Second Cycle, Animal Man, Avengers World, BOOM!, Brian Azzarello, Brian Hurtt, Brian Michael Bendis, Brian Wood, Charles Soule, Chip Zdarsky, Chris Bachalo, Chris Samnee, Cliff Chiang, Colin Lorimer, Cullen Bunn, Curse, Daredevil, Dark Horse, Dark Horse Presents, DC, Dean Motter, Diego Bernard, Frank Barbiere, Fuse, G. Willow Wilson, Greg Rucka, Harbinger, Image, Jeff Lemire, Jonathan Hickman, Joshua Dysart, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Khari Evans, Larime Taylor, Lazarus, Letter 44, Mark Waid, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Matt Kindt, Michael Lark, Michael Moreci, Mister X, Ms. Marvel, Nick Spencer, Oni Press, Paul Tobin, Rafael Albuquerque, Rick Remender, Riley Rossmo, Robert Venditti, Scott Snyder, Scribblenauts Unmasked, Sex Criminals, Skyman, Suicide Squad, The Sixth Gun, The Witcher, Tim Daniel, Toby Cypress, Top Cow, Tradd Moore, Travel Foreman, Uncanny X-Men, Valiant, Vanesa Del Rey, Vertigo, White Suits, Winter Soldier: The Bitter March, Wonder Woman, X-Men, X-O Manowar, zero

Can’t buy ’em all.  That’s why I narrow it down to a select many every week.

  • Dark Horse Presents #34 (Dark Horse): A pricey pick, that’s for sure; but a gotta grab because Dean Motter’s magnificent Mister X is making his much anticipated return to the DHU.  And we love us some Mister X: if you didn’t already know–and you’d be in rare company–Mister X: Eviction was our #1 book of 2013.
Dark Horse Presents #37

Dark Horse Presents #34

  • Skyman #3 (Dark Horse): Has been OK.  My interest level in this book increased exponentially after reading Joshua Hale Fialkov’s The Bunker.  Makes this a bit of a potential pick.  Thing is, as a four-issue mini, Skyman might not have the time to realize that potential.  On a positive note, I’m willing to go the distance because it’s a mini.  Wouldn’t have been so willing if it had been an ongoing.
  • White Suits #2 (Dark Horse): Toby Cypress’s art was certainly remarkable.  The story, not so much.  I’m leaning toward passing on it.
  • The Witcher #1 (Dark Horse): Capable horror scribe Paul Tobin (Colder) makes it a maybe.  The fact that it’s based on a video game makes it a maybe not.  May also pass on this one.
  • American Vampire: Second Cycle #1 (DC/Vertigo): I’ve been looking forward to this!  Oh, sure, I bashed Batman a time or two and have been mostly put to sleep by The Wake (that is until #6, which was, pretty much, in The Wake world, anyhow, the equivalent of a cold shower!).  But that doesn’t mean I’m a Snyder hater; in fact, I happen to love American Vampire.  Consumed ’em all in trade form and am ready for the next course!
  • Animal Man #29 (DC): Jumped off a while ago.  Wondering if it’s worth picking up seeing as it’s the last issue and all.  Love Lemire’s cover:
Animal Man #29

Animal Man #29

  • Batman and Aquaman #29 (DC): Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason continue to deliver the darkest of the Dark Knight books–and now, apparently, the wettest.
  • Suicide Squad #29 (DC): Hasn’t been as good as I had hoped it’d be with Kindt in command.  Riding out his run, anyway.
  • Wonder Woman #29 (DC): It’s no surprise that this is the only New 52 book I’ve stuck with–without missing an issue–from #1.  It’s no myth: Brian Azzarello has made a monthly living of being good.  Of drawing out the story, sure, but of being good, nevertheless.
  • A Voice in the Dark #5 (Image): Well, I certainly didn’t celebrate #4.  (Check out my review here.)  What I have celebrated, however, is the potential that Larime Taylor has shown–especially in a terrific #2.  Here, I’m hoping to see more than a return to form: I’m hoping to see improved pacing.  This book desperately needs to cut to the chase–and draw some blood in the process.
A Voice in the Dark #5

A Voice in the Dark #5

  • Fuse #2 (Image): #1 was an offer I could easily refuse–not re-Fuse, mind you.  Leaning toward leaving it on the shelf.
  • Lazarus #7 (Image): #6 was terrific–as always.  In it, Rucka and Lark build some serious tension, which neither slacks nor snaps.  It’s no wonder that Lazarus was our #7 book of 2013.
  • Sex Criminals #5 (Image): #4 was a bit of a rebound from a not-so-good #3, which was our Biggest Dis(appointment) of November 2013.  I’m going to go one more round and see what happens.  Let’s call this my having faith in Fraction.  Sure, he’s a mad god; he’s an effing oversexed overlord!  But when he’s good, he’s damn good.  If Fraction’s big three books were a menage a trois–ain’t they, though?–Sex Criminals would be on the bottom–and loving it, no doubt.
  • Zero #6 (image): With an arc in the books, er, trades, Zero—our #8 book of 2013–gets back to business with Vanesa Del Rey (artist on BOOM!’s quick Hit) bringing Ales Kot’s vision to life.  OK, not going to lie: still not too sure how I feel about how #5 ended.  I mean, aliens?  Really?  Going to have to trust my man Kot on this one.
Zero #6

Zero #6

  • All-New Ghost Rider #1 (Marvel): My only real exposure to Tradd Moore has been Zero #2, which is my favorite issue of the series thus far.  Honesty: I don’t give a boo about Ghost Rider; I’m grabbing this to get a little Moore.  We’ll see if the little’ll turn into a lot soon enough.
All-New Ghost Rider #1

All-New Ghost Rider #1

  • Avengers World #4 (Marvel): The series has been mostly blah.  Started off well enough, but it seems to have fallen into its “bigger” trap, leaving me asking, “What in the world?”  Consider how much bigger my bag promises to be this week, this one might find itself displaced.
  • Daredevil #1 (Marvel): Speaking of being displaced: time to see what Waid and Samnee have in store for comidom’s newest San Franciscan.
  • Ms. Marvel #2 (Marvel): I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed #1.  Reminded me of my initial experience with Miles Morales and how well Brian Michael Bendis handled–and sold–the character in the face of controversy.  In this case, I’m hoping that Wilson and Alphona can keep Kamala out of the editorial web that ultimately ensnared Miles.
Ms. Marvel #2

Ms. Marvel #2

  • Uncanny X-Men #19 (Marvel): Don’t judge me.
  • Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #2 (Marvel): Probably not.  I didn’t really care for the first one.  And after Remender’s Deadly Class #2, I’ve pretty well given up hope that he can deliver something that interests me.
  • X-Men #12 (Marvel): OK.  Now you may judge me.  You know, the series started off on such a nostalgic note, and I bought right into it.  Felt like the X-book I had been waiting for since coming back to comics.  Then came the momentum busting Battle of the Atom.  Since then, the damn thing’s been a bit of a mess.  I’ll ride out this storyline and decide from there.
  • Curse #3 (BOOM!): My curse: being unable to quit on a mini if I’m at least two issues in–even if I really don’t care very much about it. That pretty well describes this series for me.
  • Harbinger #0.2014 (Valiant): Everything you’ve wanted to know about the Bleeding Monk but were afraid to ask.
Harbinger #0.2014

Harbinger #0.2014

  • Letter 44 #5 (Oni Press): Still loving President Blades, and right now that’s all that matters to me.
  • Shadowman #16 (Valiant): A monthly mystery: I don’t care a lick about any of the characters and I’m often vexed by all the voodoo; but I still like it.  A major selling point: Roberto De La Torre’s art.  It really suits Peter Milligan’s turn on the book.
  • The Sixth Gun #39 (Oni Press): I’m almost caught up!  I’ve got three more issues to rock out.  Know what?  There’s no reason why I shouldn’t read through them tonight.  There you go: I’m going to read them tonight; and I will read this one first.  How’s that?  Oh, and, umm, just in case you didn’t know already: it’s good.  Really good.  As I’ve mentioned in recent posts: the team of Bunn and Hurtt will go down as one of the greats of the modern era–maybe even of all time–because of the terrific work they’ve done on The Sixth Gun.
The Sixth Gun #39

The Sixth Gun #39

  • X-O Manowar #23 (Valiant): Has been a solid read from the get-go.  Aric’s another one of my favorite characters, and Venditti’s shown a great command of his character in and out of the armor.

Avery’s Pick of the Week

  • Scribblenauts Unmasked: Crisis of Imagination #3 (DC): My daughter has enjoyed the first two issues well enough.  By “enjoyed” I mean “not torn the covers off yet.”

That about does it I&Nmates!

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s I&N Store (1/8)

06 Monday Jan 2014

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

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Alberto Alburquerque, All-New X-Factor, Avengers World, Black Widow, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Charles Soule, Chip Zdarsky, Chris Dingess, Dark Horse, Death Sentence, Ed Brisson, Ed Brubaker, Fatale, Francesco Trifogli, Geof Darrow, Hinterkind, Ian Edginton, Image, Inhumanity: Awakening, James Asmus, John Christmas, Jonathan Hickman, Kieron Gillen, Letter 44, Manifest Destiny, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Matt Kindt, Matthew Roberts, Ming Doyle, Montynero, Nathan Edmondson, Nick Spencer, Oni Press, Paul Davidson, Peter David, Peter Milligan, Phil Noto, Quantum and Woody, Roberto De La Torre, Sean Phillips, Sex Criminals, Shadowman, Shaolin Cowboy, Sheltered, Stefano Caselli, Three, Titan, Valiant, Vertigo

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

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What’s I&N Store (11/27)

26 Tuesday Nov 2013

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

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Alberto Alburquerque, All-New X-Men, Bedlam, Brian K. Vaughan, Brian Michael Bendis, Brian Wood, Charles Soule, Dark Horse, David Aja, Emma Rios, Fiona Staples, Garry Brown, Hawkeye, IDW, Image, J. Michael Straczynski, Joe's Comics, Jordie Bellaire, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Kevin Eastman, Kurtis J. Wiebe, Letter 44, Marvel, Mateus Santolouco, Matt Fraction, Matt Hollingsworth, Matt Kindt, Mind MGMT, Nick Spencer, Oni Press, Pretty Deadly, Rat Queens, Roc Upchurch, Ryan Browne, Saga, Sidekick, Stuart Immonen, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Massive, Tom Mandrake

The calm before the store…

  • The Massive #17 (Dark Horse): Continues to be one of my favorites.  In #11, Callum Israel, the unyielding–and anachronistic–idealist, stares down an agent of the new reality: whaler, Bors Borgsen.  “Tomorrow [they] do go to war,” and I can’t wait.
  • Mind MGMT #17 (Dark Horse): How much did I love #16?  Let me count the ways: it was our #3 book of October.
Mind MGMT #17

Mind MGMT #17

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #28 (IDW): “City Fall” comes to an end–and so too, sadly, does Mateus Santolouco’s run as the artist.  Admission: I’ve enjoyed the arc a lot, more so than I expected to.  Not much of a Turtles fan, I jumped on board because of Santolouco’s art; thing is, I just may stick around even after this one.  Never would’ve guessed that in a million years.
TMNT #28

TMNT #28

  • Bedlam #10 (Image): I’ve gone a long while with this one without feeling a connection to a single character.  I should just drop the damn thing and be done with it once and for all.  (Instead, I kinda feel like I’m the one being dropped–not unlike the fella falling to the pavement on the cover of #9.)   Big words from someone who’s not standing in a comic shop filled with shiny new books–books that seem to know that I have the constitution of an secondhand accordion.
  • Black Science #1 (Image): I’m not too sure if I’m going to bother with this.  I know, I know: it’s an Image #1, and that usually means it’s gonna end up in my bag.  But I’m carrying a pretty significant grudge: I’m not going to mince words: I hate what Rick Remender did with Captain America in the NOW!  I couldn’t read past #3.  I came back, mind you, once Remender pulled Cap out of Dimension Z.  Still, everything was wrong–so terribly wrong.  Traitorously wrong.  The only reason I might even try this one is because sometimes writers I haven’t liked very much on established characters shine while developing their own.  Yeah, that’s my science.
  • Pretty Deadly #2 (Image):  Expectations are pretty darned low after a muddled and all-too-familiar first issue.  I’m going to be fair, though, and give it a flip through.  Sometimes a series needs that second or third issue to take off and find its own space.  I usually extend that courtesy to creators I like or characters I like; that’s not the case here, however.  Maybe it’s because I’ve developed a weak spot for westerns of late.  We’ll see.
  • Rat Queens #3 (Image): The book’s got a bit of a Saga vibe, doesn’t it?  Didn’t notice it so much in #1; but in #2, it’s pretty obvious–especially in the strong final note. “Buckets” of fun!  I mean, it’s not nearly as refined, as deliberate; it’s exuberant prose, where Saga‘s poetry.  Here we go: it’s as if Wiebe’s throwing all at the wall and is keeping everything that sticks and–aw, why the hell not?–everything that doesn’t.  Despite its checkered execution, there’s plenty to like.  Queen me!
Rat Queens #3

Rat Queens #3

  • Saga #16 (Image): “Perfect, gumdrop.”  And that’s all ye need to know.
Saga #16

Saga #16

  • Sidekick #4 (Image): All that work–and for what?  Talk about the St. Louis blues!  Flyboy’s gotta be sidekicking himself!  Heh.  Mostly a solid issue.  Certainly worth another shot.
  • All-New X-Men #19 (Marvel): #18 was better than I expected it to be.  Could do without the new unis, though.  Brought me back–appropriately, I suspect–to my initial reaction to the awful uniforms donned by the very same bunch upon their “dramatic return” in X-Factor #1 (1986).
  • Hawkeye #14 (Marvel): I loved #13.  In fact, it was this close to making our Top 5 for October.  It’s Matt Fraction at his heroic best.  Doesn’t hurt that he’s got David Aja and Matt Hollingsworth affirming it all with their artistic version of the truth.  Fraction may be hitting the haystack with Sex Criminals; here, however, he’s center bull.
  • Letter 44 #2 (Oni Press): I said my peace–fighting words for some–about #1 over on our Top 5 for October.  Thing is, it wasn’t a part of the Top 5–it was our Biggest Dis.  Despite the dis–a pretty friendly one, if I’m being honest–I’m hoping that something significant happens here.  If Soule drags out the reveal of the aliens, I’m off–unless President Blades shines again.  Then I may stick around for another.  Accordion, indeed.
Letter 44 #2

Letter 44 #2

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

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Top 5 Books of October

24 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by ScottNerd in 5 Comics You Should Be Reading, Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

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Afterlife With Archie, Al Hirschfeld, Alberto Alburquerque, Ales Kot, Archie Comics, Armageddon, Austin Harrison, Charles Soule, Dark Horse, Dave McKean, David Mazzucchelli, DC Comics, Deep Impact, Francesco Francavilla, IDW, Image, Independence Day, J.H. Williams III, Letter 44, Matt Kindt, Mike Raicht, Mind MGMT, Neil Gaiman, Nelson Daniel, Oni Press, Roberto Aguirre Sacasa, The Sandman: Overture, Tradd Moore, Vertigo, Wild Blue Yonder, Zach Howard, zero

Extreme Makeover Edition! This month’s list features five new titles. That’s right: not one of the books from last month’s list is making a repeat appearance. For those scoring at home, that’s the first time that’s happened. Two ways to look at this: last month’s titles par excellence took the inevitable step back (alas, this is partially true – I’m looking at you, Saga!) Or, you may arrive at the conclusion that we have after making these lists every month: there’s a ton of great new comics being produced right now. Really, just the 5 below titles alone represent a cross-section of material that either you, or at the very least someone you know, would get a tremendous kick out of.

5. The Sandman: Overture #1 (DC/Vertigo): This one comes as no surprise. Neil Gaiman, one of the most celebrated writers of our time, makes the long-awaited return to his signature creation, The Sandman. What is surprising is how easily Gaiman re-envelops you in his world. That would be the world of Dream, the name of both the title character and the realm he is lord of; the Endless, his immortal brothers and sisters, each representing a facet of existence that starts with the letter “D” (like Gaiman’s winning goth-punk-cute take on Death); and the host of mythological beings, endearing and terrifying, that were introduced during Sandman’s original, legendary run. This could easily have been a greatest hits tour; give some page space to old fan-favorite characters, indulge your readership’s sense of nostalgia, and call it a day. Gaiman does indeed deliver on both these counts. But what quickly becomes evident is that what is missed most is not the characters, nor even their fantastical world; it is Gaiman’s voice. Alternately warm and wise, mysterious and remote, it has more magic in it than all of the wings and wands and arcane trappings that pass for so much of fantasy these days. And I haven’t even mentioned J.H. Williams art yet. Exquisite draftsmanship, a painterly palette that ranges from monochromatic to kaleidoscopic depending on the scene, eye-popping design that includes double and quadruple-page spreads (you’ll have to see for yourself); suffice it to say that, other than his longtime partnership with Dave McKean, this may be Gaiman’s most fortuitous artistic pairing yet. And that is saying something. A most welcome return. (DM)

The Sandman: Overture #1

4. Wild Blue Yonder #3 (IDW): After a brief hiatus, Wild Blue Yonder soars back onto the scene without having missed a beat.  That’s right: it’s another action-packed issue from the terrific team of Mike Raicht, Zach Howard, Nelson Daniel, and Austin Harrison, who are well on their way toward cementing this series as one of the year’s best.  Every note is played perfectly, as one might expect after two smartly developed  and beautifully rendered issues.  Chapter Three takes off with a testosterone-fueled test–one that leaves Tug, the clever new gun, with a sore jaw, a result of the unimpressed Scram’s heavy-handed assessment–and lands with a low-fuel rescue and a highly-anticipated kiss.  (Looks like Tug’s jaw was all right, after all.)  The care taken to craft such a superb story arc is reflected–more, it’s amplified–by Howard’s art and Daniel’s colors, which together capture both the chaotic and the tender moments with remarkable ease–with no better example of the delicate balance struck issue-wide than the absolutely stunning double-page spread that rests at the heart of this fabulously fun book.  Despite that romantic scene and the kiss that closes the chapter, we’re still left with the knowledge that Tug’s loyalties lie elsewhere–with the Judge.  Hey: he may be coming around to the cause; or maybe he’s simply playing Cola for the free-spirited fool that she is.  Who’s going to win this war of Tug?  Please, please, please don’t make me have to wait another three months to find out! (SC)

Wild Blue Yonder #3

3. Mind MGMT #16 (Dark Horse): At sixteen-issues old, Matt Kindt’s magnum opus is clearly the most mature book on our list, but don’t let its age fool you: it’s still contagiously kinetic and impossibly unpredictable–especially here in this expectation-erasing one-shot, which showcases Kindt’s incomparable ability to marry his watercolors and his words.  Once again, he “escape[s] into books” and plays both sides of the unique relationship between reader and writer, tapping into the fascination, obsession, and madness of this novel form of unrequited love.  Kindt takes a risk as he builds this complex character study on a character who’s important to the overarching storyline, sure, but in whom we’ve yet to make a significant investment.  The risk pays off: he fills up the blank spaces in the Eraser: he sets up and sells Julianne’s psychosis, her rapid divorce from reality, by literally drawing what’s going on in her mind and, as a result, figuratively drawing us into it.  We follow her, observe her, as she follows and observes; and her anxiety, which builds with each panel, parallels ours–not surprisingly thanks to Kindt’s attention to detail as he creates a memory game of sorts throughout the issue: one in which he challenges us to see patterns, subtle parallels between one panel, one page and another, even as Julianne’s own memory seemingly fails her–particularly in terms of her husband, the author of her obsession, Philip K. Verve.  Whether it’s a crescendo of phantom “taps,” a persistent mask of pipe smoke, or a face left unfinished, Kindt cleverly details her descent all the way toward the penultimate page of the story proper: a stunning splash, which, ironically, after an ascent–of stairs, anyway–brings the fictitious relationship to its inevitable, bloody end.  From the beginning, Mind MGMT has been a comic book experience unlike any other.  This issue may very well be the best of the bunch: it engages us as fully as the medium can; and, as Kindt writes through his art (see below), he manages to get us to think not only while we’re lost in the story, but long after we’ve finished reading it, as well. (SC)

Mind MGMT #16 p. 15

Mind MGMT #16 p. 15

2. Afterlife with Archie #1 (Archie): This was, perhaps, inevitable. We live in a mash-up world after all. Bluegrass techno music. Superheroes on Broadway. Bacon and everything. Add the seemingly undying craze for zombies, and it’s actually surprising it took this long. Now, at their worst, these types of amalgamations are self-indulgent exercises in pointlessness. And yet, there’s something about this... Just reading the title gives rise to an involuntary smile. The prospect of throwing those beloved, unaging teen icons and their whitewashed Norman Rockwell existence into a flesh-rending, post-apocalyptic fervor holds the excitement of both a dare and a promise. Indeed the difficulty may be in staying true to the Archie half of the equation. For this to work, there has to be a genuine understanding of these characters and their world; otherwise it could easily descend to a Mad magazine parody. Luckily, writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa seems up to the task. (His work salvaging the aforementioned superhero musical may have provided good training ground in the mash-up dept.) These characters act the way they’re supposed to; the corny jokes, the anachronistic cat-fighting of Betty and Veronica. But then there is the palpable mood of creeping horror, thanks largely to the stunning art of modern pulp-master Francesco Francavilla (which is, by itself, worth the price of admission – honestly I would’ve bought a regular issue of Archie Digest if Francavilla was drawing it. Note to self: Digest Archie would’ve been a great alternative title for this book.) Aguirre-Sarcasa promises much darker times ahead. The thrill of this book will be seeing how far he can go while still having it be recognizable as an Archie comic. It’s quite the task he’s set for himself. And if he goes too far? Well, that could be fun too… (DM)

Afterlife with Archie #1

1. Zero #2 (Image): Issue one was pretty good: Ales Kot presented a espionage/black-ops story involving a superhuman arms race. Not the most original concept, but placing it in the context of the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict gave it a certain edge, aptly rendered by Michael Walsh’s choppy, early-Mazzucchelli realism. Issue two is a different beast entirely. The mysterious operative, Zero, is still the main character. We are again witness to a political assassination. And yet the tone couldn’t be more different. Whereas the first issue was all brutality and military jargon, the second issue balances the awful goings-on with a poignant tale of innocence lost. Or more accurately, torn away. In this issue, we flashback to Zero’s childhood. The sweet, unaffected cadence of his young view of the world is set side-by-side with the harsh nihilism of his education in sanctioned murder. This duality heightens the mood of each, a quality that extends to the art, which also couldn’t be more different from the first issue. Tradd Moore’s work exudes the literally wide-eyed, childlike perspective, without skimping out on any of the violence, by employing linework that has more of a late-Mazzucchelli grace; a clean, exuberant style suggestive of animation, or dare I suggest, even a touch of Al Hirschfeld (I’ve never before encountered an image of a brain-splattered assassination in which I wanted to count the ‘Nina’s‘.) In presenting two initial issues that attack his basic premise from wildly different angles (and artists), Kot has proven himself quite the chameleon, and hopefully set up that rare book in which, month to month, you truly don’t know what to expect. Book of the Month. (DM)

Zero #2

The Biggest Dis(appointment): Letter 44 #1 (Oni Press)

Letter 44 #1

Letter 44 #1

Welcome to the dis, Mr. Soule.  So you know, the next few lines are going to be rough.  A bunch of over-the-top positive reviews and a TV deal in the works don’t really prepare you for being The Biggest Dis(appointment) of the month–but you’ll get through it.  They all do.

Sorry.  Seemed fitting.

If I’m being honest, your being here isn’t really your fault.  Your book’s actually pretty good.  In fact, the first page is “something else,” and the introduction to 44 is expertly done; we know exactly what kind of man he is in four pages flat.  Your dialogue is sharp and naturalistic; and Alburquerque’s art does its job.  But my perspective changed after the abrupt insinuation of the, umm, extraterrestrial problem.  And you knew it would, didn’t you? I mean, you had the President-elect express–perhaps even more accurately–exactly what I was thinking a couple of panels later.  Clever, sir!

Now don’t get me wrong: I can suspend disbelief with the best of ’em.  Problem is, my disbelief immediately got suspended alongside several former disbeliefs that got strung up as a result of my having endured rockbusters like Armageddon and Deep Impact, and the soulless Independence Day.  It’s an inglorious gallows, indeed.  So, expectations?  Exploded.  A big budget’s worth of bust for only a buck!

As the issue wears on–and it does–it wears the White House well; the crew of the Clarke, well, not so much.  But, hey, it happens.  In this case, it is your fault for having created such a strong character in President Blades.  Any time he’s not on the page, however, the story suffers–but not as much as it suffered from its not living up to the previews and reviews that held it up to the heavens.

I think you’d agree: it’s not quite there yet.  I mean, at this stage, the core of Letter 44 is nothing more than a mostly familiar concept.  But will I give your book another issue?  Sure I will.  Will your book eventually meet the hyperbolic expectations heaped upon it–if not in #2, sometime soon?  Will it play more like an artsy independent film and less like a brain-dead blockbuster?  I have no idea.  Heck, I’d be happy if it meets the humble expectations I’ve now tied to it.  But as it stands, I expected more from this, which is why your initial offering has earned a dis. (SC)

Turning pages,

Scott and Derek

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What’s I&N Store (10/16)

15 Tuesday Oct 2013

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

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Alberto Alburquerque, Ales Kot, Animal Man, Avatar, Batman and Two-Face, Batman/Superman, Batwoman, Bloodshot, BOOM!, Brain Boy, Brian Azzarello, Brian Hurtt, Brian Michael Bendis, Buzzkill, Charles Dickens, Chris Bachalo, Christos Gage, Cullen Bunn, Dark Horse, David Aja, DC Comics, Dynamite, Ed Brisson, Eric Stephenson, Extinction Parade, Fred Van Lente, Greg Pak, Hawkeye, Image, J.H. Williams III, Jae Lee, Jeff Lemire, Jeff Stokely, Johnnie Christmas, Joshua Dysart, Letter 44, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Max Brooks, Nate Bellegarde, Nowhere Men, Oni Press, Patrick Gleason, Peter J. Tomasi, R.B. Silva, Rafael Albuquerque, Robert Venditti, Sheltered, Simon Spurrier, Six-Gun Gorilla, The Sixth Gun, Trevor McCarthy, Uncanny X-Men, Valiant, W. Haden Blackman, Wonder Woman, X-O Manowar, zero

Still riding a post-Comic Con high.  You know what that means: I’ll be looking to buy, buy, buy!

  • Brain Boy #2 (Dark Horse): Underwhelming initial effort on Fred Van Lente’s part.  Hard to live up to the standard he’s set for himself with the Grade A Archer & Armstrong and the hilarious The Mocking Dead.  R.B. Silva’s art, however, is stunning.
  • Buzzkill #2 (Dark Horse): Liked #1 more than I expected to.  Surprised me not unlike the way BOOM!’s Six-Gun Gorilla #1 did.  No, I’m not saying I expect it to be as good on as many levels as SGG; it’s clearly not that kind of book.  But expectations have been raised.  Let’s hope it doesn’t fizzle out like Dark Horse’s Colder and Dream Thief.
Buzzkill #2

Buzzkill #2

  • Animal Man #24 (DC): OK, now they’re getting serious: American Vampire‘s Rafael Albuquerque has taken over art duties.  Let’s see if this is the change Jeff Lemire needed to set this ship aright.
  • Batman and Two-Face #24 (DC): Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason deserve far more credit than they’ve received for the work they’ve been doing over here.  Anyone not under a spell should be able to tell: this is the best Batman book going.  Don’t take my word for it; pick it up and find out for yourself.  This issue kicks off a new arc, so jump on board now and find out what all of the buzz should be about.
Batman and Two-Face #24

Batman and Two-Face #24

  • Batman/Superman #4 (DC): So far, so good.  Greg Pak’s making sense despite treading in Morrison-like territory, and Jae Lee’s work is beautiful, as always.
  • Batwoman #24 (DC): Battle of the Bat-Sexes.  Sad to know we’re coming up on the end of what’s been a tremendous run with this character.
  • Wonder Woman #24 (DC): “Strange new era of Wonder Woman“?  OK.  Why not?
  • Nowhere Men #6 (Image): From out of nowhere comes the sixth issue of one of our favorite series.  I may have to break into the box and ground myself before taking off with this.
Nowhere Men #6

Nowhere Men #6

  • Sheltered #4 (Image): #3 showed some cracks.  I’m concerned that Brisson’s going to break down like he did during his Comeback.
  • Zero #2 (Image): Ales Kot proved he’s still got it with his opening salvo.  Easily wiped the terrible stain of his awkward run on Suicide Squad from my brain.
Zero #2

Zero #2

  • Hawkeye #13 (Marvel): Fraction’s back on his home turf.  He’s shown, however, that he’s comfortable just about anywhere nowadays, as evidenced by the sensational Satellite Sam and the arresting Sex Criminals.
  • Uncanny X-Men #13 (Marvel): Battle of the Atom will undoubtedly end with a considerable amount of collateral damage–including all of the X-books that have been tied to the debacle that has been Battle of the Atom.  Yes, this may very well be the push I need to get off of the X-[insert conveyance here].
  • Bloodshot #15 (Valiant): Definitely on the chopping block. See: I haven’t cared too much for Bloodshot since we said goodbye to Gamma.  I’ll give it this one to grab me good.  If it doesn’t, then it’s goodbye.
  • X-O Manowar #18 (Valiant): Not long ago, I almost quit on X-O.  Glad I didn’t.
  • Extinction Parade #3 (Avatar): My wife likes it more than I do.
  • Letter 44 #1 (Oni Press): If you haven’t read the ubiquitous raves for Charles Soule’s latest offering, then you haven’t…well…read the…ubiquitous…raves for Charles Soule’s latest offering.
Letter 44 #1

Letter 44 #1

  • The Sixth Gun #35 (Oni Press): As fun an ongoing as your bound to find.
  • Six-Gun Gorilla #5 (BOOM!): Ah, the best for last.  So far, we’re talking contender for Book of the Year.  Met Jeff Stokely at the NYCC, and–I don’t think he’d mind my saying–he promised that this one’s a wild ride.  I believe him.
Six-Gun Gorilla #5

Six-Gun Gorilla #5

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

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