Tag Archives: Paul Jenkins

What’s I&N Store (12/11)

09 Monday Dec 2013

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Oh, good: another small week.

  • Shaolin Cowboy #3 (Dark Horse): #2 was a wild ride, man, a dizzying display. I’ve never seen anything like it; in that, I really liked it. Geof Darrow’s attention to detail is ri-dic-u-lous. Wasn’t so thrilled with the end, however: seemed to run out of gas before the Cowboy did. I figured we were being set up for something–something more than a pin-up, you know what I mean? I guess we’ll find out what Darrow was hacking and slashing his way to here. Hold on to your head!
Shaolin Cowboy #3

Shaolin Cowboy #3

  • Astro City #7 (DC/Vertigo): One solid story after another from Kurt Busiek and Brent Eric Anderson. Now, it’s time for an extended arc.
  • Suicide Squad #26 (DC): After #24, I was this close from jumping off the bridge, but I decided to give it another issue; and with #25, the suicidally prolific Matt Kindt grabbed me by the collar and yanked me back into the safety of his storytelling.
  • Indestructible #1 (IDW): Sounds interesting enough. Premise has me thinking Thurber’s “The Greatest Man in the World.”
  • Alex + Ada #2 (Image): “Christmas, [girl] in a box. Chanukah, [girl] in a box. Kwanzaa, a [girl] in box. Every single holiday a [girl] in a box.”
Alex + Ada #2

Alex + Ada #2

  • Dead Body Road #1 (Image): I liked what Justin Jordan did on Shadowman. Doesn’t hurt that he’s working with Matteo Scalera, who’s done fine work on Indestructible Hulk and, more recently, Black Science. And, all together now: it’s an Image #1!
  • Lazarus #5 (Image): Love, love, love Lazarus! Can’t beat the creators of this one: Greg Rucka and Michael Lark flood every panel with intense action. So, if you’ve heard about the book but have held off because you missed the boat, now’s your time to jump on board because this issue kicks off a brand new arc. (See what I did there?)
  • Manifest Destiny #2 (Image): We thoroughly enjoyed the first leg of this re-imagined journey with Lewis, Clark, and friends. Picking up #2 is a no-brainer.
  • Satellite Sam #5 (Image): Matt Fraction and Howard Chaykin are bringing sexy back and are making black and white look as colorful as can be all while keeping the answers we want sequestered in the shadows. Teases. Speaking of:
Satellite Sam #5

Satellite Sam #5

  • Three #3 (Image): I think I’m being fair here: I’m giving this one from Kieron Gillen–who’s killing, well, just about everyone in the uber Uber–a third issue.
  • Inhumanity: Awakening #1 (Marvel): I picked up Inhumanity #1 by Fraction and Olivier Coipel. Despite its flaws–and you didn’t have to be Karnak to find them–it was a decent read. A drawn out, but decent read. Now it’s Kindt’s turn.
  • Uncanny X-Men #15 (Marvel): “Special issue”? Uh oh. Seeing “special issue” in a preview for a comic is a lot like seeing “delicious” on a package of gluten-free anything.
  • Archer & Armstrong #16 (Valiant): I’m still drunk on #15! I kinda hope Fred Van Lente writes this forever. Smart, funny, and beautiful… Hey! This book is the perfect woman!
Archer & Armstrong #16

Archer & Armstrong #16

  • Day Men #2 (BOOM!): Wow. Kinda got to thinking that the odds of vampires being real were better than the odds of #2 seeing the light of day. Gonna have to drag #1 out of the ol’ comic coffin and hammer out a new stake in the series.
  • Death Sentence #3 (Titan): I’ve been infected by MontyNero’s G+ premise and his A+ character development. That’s right: I’m invested in three characters–and a series–not long for this world. Damn it! I don’t want to be cured!
  • Deathmatch #12 (BOOM!): The finale to a darn good superhero saga from Paul Jenkins and Carlos Magno. Brilliantly ludicrous and delightfully derivative. If you missed it, make sure you grab a collected edition; it’s well worth your time.
Deathmatch #12

Deathmatch #12

  • Harbinger #19 (Valiant): Every time I think it’s about time to give it up, Joshua Dysart plays some seriously fun mindgames and convinces me to stick around.
  • The Sixth Gun #36 (Oni): I recently finished Vol. 5, which ended up as my favorite of the bunch. It showcases the fantastic storytelling that Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt have exhibited over the course of the series–a series that stands as one of the best around. I can’t wait to get into the monthlies, which I’ve been hoarding for a while now. If you haven’t tried The Sixth Gun yet, do yourself a favor and score yourself a copy of Vol. 1. Need more of an incentive? The end isn’t too far off now; so it’s a good investment.
The Sixth Gun #36

The Sixth Gun #36

  • Uber #8 (Avatar): Didn’t love most of #7. Left me seeing the book, at this point, as more flawed than fabulous. The end was good, though; it screamed: Don’t give up quite yet! OK, I won’t. Not gonna lie, though: my faith in Gillen’s being tested.
  • Unity #2 (Valiant): More Kindt in my bag! More money out of my pocket!
  • Watson and Holmes #6 (New Paradigm): It’s no longer a surprise: Watson and Holmes has been really, really good. Karl Bollers–along with his partners Rick Leonardi (#1-#4) and Larry Stroman (#5)–has set a high bar for the new creative team Brandon M. Easton and Steven Harris; but the foundation–built upon two solid characters–is a strong one, so expectations are pretty high. The only mystery, really, is why you aren’t reading this yet! (Good news: Vol. 1 is out this week, too!)
Watson and Holmes #6

Watson and Holmes #6

Yup. That just happened.

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s I&N Store (10/9)

08 Tuesday Oct 2013

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

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

Astro City #5

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

Coffin Hill #1

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

Three #1

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

Rachel Rising #20

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

Afterlife With Archie #1

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (9/4)

03 Tuesday Sep 2013

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An odd week: I’ll be picking up more books from BOOM! and Avatar–two each–than I will be from DC–a lonely one.  If you’re keeping score: I’m avoiding the onslaught of villain books–because nothing good can come of that!

  • Trillium #2 (DC/Vertigo): Like a sweet bouquet bought and bestowed just because, #1 surprised and satisfied.  Felt like a labor of love and read that way, too.  Looking forward to this.
Trillium #2

Trillium #2

  • Satellite Sam #3 (Image): Easily one of my favorite new titles.  The team of Fraction and Chaykin is shakin’ and bakin’ a sinful delight in stunning black and white.  That’s the truth!
  • Sheltered #3 (Image): All the uneasiness of Lord of the Flies, Battle Royale, and similar adolescent survivalist fiction.  Sadly, smacks of reality, too.  How scary is that?  Seems Brisson’s making up for the disappointing collapse of Comeback.
  • All-New X-Men #16 (Marvel): Getting into the Battle of the Atom.  Gosh, I hope that’s good news.  In the Battle of the Bendis X-Books, however, this title’s taken a backseat–especially after the last issue of Uncanny X-Men.
  • Daredevil: Dark Nights #4 (Marvel): I liked Lee Weeks’ arc a lot, but this is going to be a Comic Day decision.
  • X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1 (Marvel): I really, really hope this is good.  Maybe if enough of us hope together we can make it so.  Of late, however, Marvel crossovers, unfortunately, have been impervious to hope.
X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1

X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1

  • Codename Action #1 (Dynamite): Why not?
  • Uber #5 (Avatar): I never expected to be this far in, mainly because I didn’t expect much from Gillen; God, I hated his Uncanny X-Men.  But it’s undeniable: Uber‘s been very good.  If you haven’t been following along, keep an eye out for the upcoming trade.
Uber #5

Uber #5

  • Hit #1 (BOOM!): It just so happens I am a fan of Criminal.  So, if the pitch is to be believed, “Hit is the series for [me]!”  Hmm.  Seems like it may also be a Left Coast version of Red Team.
  • Quantum and Woody #3 (Valiant): If this one doesn’t do it for me, I’m off.  All the other Valiant books were must-buys after two issues; this one hasn’t followed suit.
  • Shadowman #10 (Valiant): One of those Valiant must-buys.
  • Deathmatch #9 (BOOM!): Jenkins is killing it–and plenty of heroes–on a monthly basis.  Another one of those books that you should be reading if you aren’t already.
  • God Is Dead #1 (Avatar): The name at the top–above God, even–is all the reason I need.
God Is Dead #1

God Is Dead #1

  • American Vampire Vol. 4 TPB (DC/Vertigo): Finally!!!!!!!!!!

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

I&N Scott’s Bag (8/14)

19 Monday Aug 2013

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Buying comics shouldn’t be so darned complicated!  Or maybe it should be.  Maybe therein lies the worth.

  • Saga #13 (Read it!  This thirteenth impression’s a pretty damn good one, proving that, yes, even after a few months off, this baby–despite its modesty, this “sacred text”–has still got legs.)
  • Suicide Squad #23 (Read it!  Really, really not good.  Ales Kot–scribe of the magnificent mindf___ Change–clearly wasn’t suited for the book.  But that’s OK: he’s got a couple of promising books in the Image pipeline; and Matt Kindt, who’s got even more irons in the fire, is the new god of the Squad.  Can’t wait to see how that pans out.)
  • East of West #5 (Read it!  Hickman’s hitting the “Wow!” button and making it look easy!  Some writers out there should be taking notes.)
East of West #5

East of West #5

  • Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem #3 (Read it!  It was OK; I mean, it certainly is what I was hoping for from the get-go: the golem finally kicks some serious Nazi hintern.  But, in the end, I was left a bit flat–kind of like my own hintern–perhaps because the grandfather, who was the source of most of the emotional punch, is replaced by the brutish golem, whose punch is of a more physical sort.  Wait a sec.  Hmm.  Suddenly I ain’t feelin’ so flat anymore.  Clever, Mr. Niles.  Very clever.)
  • Batman #23 (Read it!  Starts off well enough–very well, in concept, anyway.  Execution-wise, it’s a bit clunky.  This is supposed to be the moment in Bruce’s life; instead, it feels like a moment–one that’s not nearly the same caliber as Red Hood’s gun.  As the story crawls its way toward Bruce’s Batpiphany, Snyder struggles with drawing out the psychological side of the journey.  In fact, he would’ve been better off letting Capullo carry it through to the end without the weight of his burdensome words.  That would’ve been something.)
Batman #23

Batman #23

  • Uncanny X-Men #10 (Read it!  Gonna be honest: I liked it.  Oh, how I’ve longed to say it!  I want to say it again: I liked it!  I especially enjoyed Frazer Irving’s work this time around; it’s the first time he’s left me feeling like he owns the characters.)
Uncanny X-Men #10

Uncanny X-Men #10

  • Deathmatch #8 (Read it!  Two monster matches!  Each fight hits the right notes, reaching the height of harmony between the physical and the psychological.  Plenty brutal, sure; but emotionally engaging, as well.)
Deathmatch #8

Deathmatch #8

  • Lost Vegas #4 (Read it!  A satisfying conclusion.)
  • Ghosted #2 (Read it!  Not bad.  Feels a lot like Revival.  I’ll try another.)
  • Mind the Gap #12 (Read it!  A really good read.  Like the issues come before, this one peels back another layer and brings, however briefly, a feeling of satisfaction–of “almost there.”  Thing is, it’s all a tease: we’re dealing with a “one step forward, two steps back” narrative; and wouldn’t you know, as frustrating as it is, the experience is all the better for the strategy.  Kudos to Mr. McCann–for effing with our minds and making it feel oh so good!)
  • Harbinger #15 (Read it!  Sneaky, sneaky.  Dysart sets a trap early on with the title–“Perfect Day”–and a general feeling of frivolousness, and then he springs it with a crazy ending.  My only wish: that the final page followed a page turn.  That would’ve delivered a bigger punch.  And as it turns, Kitson’s art isn’t much of a drag here as it was on Bloodshot.  See, folks: I can be fair, after all.)
Harbinger #15

Harbinger #15

  • Archer & Armstrong #12 (Read it!  As solid as always.  Fred Van Lente’s got it down to a science, and Pere Perez’s art is the perfect complement.)
  • The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #3 (Read it!  An odd experience.  Feels scattered and tidy all at the same time.  Not sure how much value there is in this story or in the storytelling, but I’m going to ride it out, nevertheless; it’s only a six issue series, for goodness sake.)
  • Six-Gun Gorilla #3 (Read it!  So good.  Spurrier adds another dimension as he builds upon Blue’s background as a librarian: in doing so, he joins Saga‘s Vaughan by plowing into the power of fiction.  Monkey bar raised yet again!)

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (8/14)

14 Wednesday Aug 2013

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Back to reality: no NYC this week.  One primo pro, though: no train tickets equals more cash for comics.

  • Breath of Bones #3 (Dark Horse): The end?  Already?  Sigh.  A tender first two issues–each burning ever so slowly–have led to this: Golem Time!
Breath of Bones #3

Breath of Bones #3

  • The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #3 (Dark Horse): Liked the last one more than I expected to.
  • Astro City #3 (DC): Here’s a city I will be returning to for a third time.  I love the fact that Busiek’s delivered two different yet equally as engaging narratives to kick off the relaunch.  As a new reader, I’m left to wonder what I’ve missed.  (Regret.)  More important, however, I’m wondering what’s next.  (Excitement!)
Astro City #3

Astro City #3

  • Batman #23 (DC): If you read my recent Scottlight On: Batman #22, you know how I’m feeling going into this one.  If you didn’t, you can read it here.
  • Suicide Squad #23 (DC): I had high hopes for Ales Kot–even after learning of his unexpected exit.  The last issue, though?  Wow.  It was a disaster.  May have also answered a pressing question.  Well, it is what it is–and what it will be soon: Matt Kindt’s book.
  • East of West #5 (Image): I’ll tell you how the East of West was won: with a couple of westerly wows in #4, that’s how.
  • Ghosted #2 (Image): Thought that #1 was fun enough to warrant a second look.  I actually liked the way the team was put together more than I liked the same in The Wake #1.
  • Lost Vegas #4 (Image): Another finale!  Sad, too, as I was just getting into it.
Lost Vegas #4

Lost Vegas #4

  • Mind the Gap #12 (Image): At least we get the marvelous Jim McCann on a monthly basis on this terrific title.
  • Saga #13 (Image): Yeah, I’m gonna read this one first.
Saga #13

Saga #13

  • Uncanny X-Men #10 (Marvel): I guess I’m all-in through the Battle of the Atom.  If the Bendis side of the X-Verse doesn’t explode its way through at that point, then I’m out of this one and All-New.  That’s right, Derek: O.U.T.
  • Archer & Armstrong #12 (Valiant): Maybe I don’t really hate dinosaurs as much as I thought I did.
Archer & Armstrong #12

Archer & Armstrong #12

  • Deathmatch #8 (BOOM!): Things are heating up!  No one is safe–and that includes us!
  • Harbinger #15 (Valiant): Out from under the Harbinger Wars only to be shackled by the underwhelming Barry Kitson, who didn’t do Bloodshot any favors.
  • Red Sonja #2 (Dynamite): Why not?
  • Six-Gun Gorilla #3 (BOOM!): Mega!  Monkey!  Wednesday!  A surprise no longer: Spurrier and Stokely are putting together something special here.  Check out our takes on bullets #1 and #2.  Heck, I’m already writing up my Book of the Month entry for #3–and I haven’t even read it yet!
Six-Gun Gorilla #3

Six-Gun Gorilla #3

Sure, Midtown Comics is as good as it gets; but there’s something charming about the haphazardly plunked down piles of new books at my local comic shop.  Hope they didn’t miss me–and my money–too much.

What books are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

In Scott’s Bag (7/3)

05 Friday Jul 2013

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Stuck to the script: showed love to the list and said ciao to Green Arrow and Suicide Risk.

I’m getting better at good buys.

  • Deathmatch #7 (Read it!  As I mentioned: it’s no longer a guilty pleasure: it’s a solid book that borrows often–and well–to its own end.  Without being obnoxious about it, Jenkins reveals what he needs to and teases what he wants to.  Sounds easy, but it’s not.)
  • Dial H #14 (The end is closer and, as a result, much more real–especially now that we’re an issue away from hanging up on Mieville, Ponicelli, and Green for good.)
Dial H #14

Dial H #14

  • Shadowman#8 (Read it!  Pretty much an issue’s worth of set up.  Roberto De La Torre’s work–his deathly dark Deadside–is the highlight here.)
  • Ten Grand #3 (Hoping that this one’ll win me over.)
  • Satellite Sam #1 (Looks like a book that I should like, mostly because of Howard Chaykin’s terrific black and white work.  We’ll see.)
  • Emily and the Strangers #3 (Striking the final chord.)
Emily and the Strangers #3

Emily and the Strangers #3

  • Mister X: Eviction #3 (Quick flip: yeah, I think we have our book of the year.)
  • Batman Incorporated #12 (Read it!  No one can rush his way to the end like Grant Morrison.  He’s so damn good.)
  • Daredevil: Dark Nights #2 (Read it!  Much better than I expected it to be.  Lee Weeks and Lee Loughridge push Daredevil to his limits and bring an certain elegance to his exertion–even on page 6, a snow-blind splash where DD is but a red speck on a bluish-white background.)
Daredevil: Dark Nights #2

Daredevil: Dark Nights #2

  • Uber #3 (Read it!  Glad I gave Gillen another chance.  For one, his Hitler is effing crazy!  I’m definitely sticking around for more.)

What did you get in your bag?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s Up?

02 Tuesday Jul 2013

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A welcome break from the heatwave.

  • Emily and the Strangers #3 (Dark Horse): Finally, the finale!
  • Mister X: Eviction #3 (Dark Horse): I’m pretty confident that this series will make our Top Ten List for 2013.  Oh, and another stunning cover:
Mister X: Eviction #3

Mister X: Eviction #3

  • Batman Incorporated #12 (DC): #11 was a flipping disaster.  Good news: looks like we’re back to the all-important business of Bat vengeance.
Batman Incorporated #12

Batman Incorporated #12

  • Dial H #14 (DC): It pains me to say this: it’s the penultimate issue.
  • Satellite Sam #1 (Image): May as well give it a shot.  I’ve enjoyed FF and Hawkeye enough.  Oh, and, by the way, Howard Chaykin.  Hope it doesn’t prove as unfulfilling as Casey’s Sex.
Satellite Sam #1

Satellite Sam #1

  • Ten Grand #3 (Image): Yeah, sure: on the strength–a stronger word than I wanted to use, really–of #2, it’s earned another.  Why not, right?
  • Daredevil: Dark Nights #2 (Marvel): #1 delivered some interesting moments with extra cheese.  I’m not entirely sold on it; but I’m willing to lease.
  • Deathmatch #7 (BOOM!): I dunno, man.  I still dig it.
Deathmatch #7

Deathmatch #7

  • Shadowman #8 (Valiant): Behind the first batch of Valiant books, sure; but, by golly, its darned good.  Strange: at the end of each issue, I’m still surprised by how much I like what I’ve read.
  • Uber #3 (Avatar): I figure, since I’m killing off Suicide Risk, I can suffer another one of these.

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

In Scott’s Bag (5/29)

02 Sunday Jun 2013

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As I had hoped: things are working themselves out.  Well, first, they worked themselves in–to my bag; and then I had to pull them out–you know, to read them and whatnot.  Now, after having read the lot of ’em, I’ve gained a bit of clarity, thanks, of course, to the creators themselves, who have helped me make my decisions–both for the better and for the worse.

Hey Mr. Shop Guy put comics in my bag/I want to read till I’m unconscious

  • Justice League of America #4 (Read it!  Brett Booth?  Already?  Yup: I judged this one by a name on the cover.  And through just about the entire book, I was content–no, ecstatic in knowing that I’d be casting it off with all of the other Geoff Johns titles I didn’t care for.  [That’s, umm, all the other Geoff Johns titles, by the way.]  Then came the end, which, for all intents and purposes, should have been the end of my JLA experiment; but it didn’t play out that way.  Not that it blew my mind.  Well, it blew somebody’s mind.  Ain’t willing to say whose ’cause that’d be a spoiler, now wouldn’t it?  As it stands, however, looks like I’m on for #5.  Cats!  No: Bats!  Ack!  I mean: Rats!  Aw, heck, whom am I fooling?  I mean all of ’em.)
JLA #4

JLA #4

  • Lost Vegas #3 (Read it!  As of this issue, Lost Vegas is officially off probation.  The story has finally caught up with the art.  I’m doubling down going forward–especially since I’m loving McCann’s Mind the Gap after having knocked out the first trade.)
  • Adventures of Superman #1 (Read it!  Loved it.)
  • The Shadow: Year One #3 (Read it!  Got to the end, asked myself: “Do I really care?”  The answer?  If the Shadow didn’t know before, he knows now: I’m done with this one.  It’s a rarity, you know: usually, if I make it past the second issue of a mini, I’m down with the entire series.  Not this time.)
  • Clone #7 (Read it!  A bit of a backslide, sure, but it’s still engaging enough.)
Clone #7

Clone #7

  • Fury: My War Gone By #12 (Read it!  Some seriously powerful moments.)
  • The Westwood Witches #1 (Read it!  The premise is really smart; the execution, not so much.  Not too sure if there was enough to warrant another issue.)
  • X-Men #1 (Read it!  A better first issue than any of the other X-Now! books.  And I’m not just saying that because I’m hooked on The Massive.  OK, maybe I am.)
X-Men #1

X-Men #1

  • The Wake #1 (Read it!  Speaking of The Massive.)
  • TMNT #22 (Read it!  Not bad.  Santolouco’s art is terrific.  Gorgeous cover.  Not sure if I was grabbed enough by the story to try another.)
TMNT #22

TMNT #22

  • Indestructible Hulk #8 (Read it!  Thank goodness we’re done with the Thor bore.  Plus, it’s worth noting that Mark Waid seems to have an all-of-a-sudden not-so-subtle addiction to fatal afflictions.  If I weren’t aware before, I’m certainly aware now!)
  • Deathmatch #6 (Read it!  Familiarity hasn’t bred contempt till now.  The Anti-Meridian?  Uh oh.)

What did you get in your bag this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

In Scott’s Bag (4/24)

28 Sunday Apr 2013

Posted by in I&N Scott's Bag

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Planned on picking up a ton of books.  Ended up with a ton minus one.  Left me with blood pressure rising.

Big Ol’ Bags Under My Eyes

  • Helheim #2 (Score!)
Helheim #2

Helheim #2

  • Deathmatch #5 (As much as I’d like to let this one fall by the wayside, I can’t.  I just can’t!  It’s all Paul Jenkins, who is doing a fine job of combining familiar flavors with fresh ingredients.)
  • Mind MGMT #10 (My prediction: back to form.  Looks beautiful.  Kindt’s artwork has such an amazing flow to it: it’s uncannily kinetic.)
Mind MGMT #10

Mind MGMT #10

  • Lost Vegas #2 (Read it.  Once again, the art’s the star here.  Lee’s work, amplified by Sotomayor’s stunning colors, still trumps McCann’s story, which, if I’m being fair, has laid more cards–better cards–on the table.)
Lost Vegas #2

Lost Vegas #2

  • East of West #2 (Read it.  Big plans and baby steps: Hickman’s M.O.  I’m willing to stick around, though I suspect that this might read better as a trade.)
  • FF #6 (Read it already: not Allred-y at all, now is it?  Joe Quinones?  Say it ain’t so!  It is so–and isn’t even a fraction as effective.  So, no.)
  • Uncanny X-Men #5 (Two minuses from the get-go: no Bachalo and a trip to Limbo.  Just when I was getting caught up in…)
  • Fury: My War Gone By #11 (Read it.  So, so good.  The spectre of the looming finale has me feeling melancholic.)
  • Clone #6 (Read it.  Not going to complain about it anymore.  Whatever the title’s weaknesses–and there are some glaring weaknesses–Clone has earned its place as a guilty pleasure.  Gotta see what’s next!)
Clone #6

Clone #6

  • Ultimate Spider-Man #22 (Quick flip through: Oops, probably shouldn’t have flipped through.  Some gorgeous work from Pichelli.)
  • Jupiter’s Legacy #1 (Promise officially broken.  We’ll see if it’s “Shame on me” soon enough.)
  • The Massive #11 (Saving.  Gotta catch up.)
  • The Manhattan Projects #11 (Saving this one, too, for the same reason.)
  • The Answer #4 (Read it.  Now I know the question: WTF?  No, really.  Would’ve fit right in with DC’s offerings for the month.)
  • Batman Incorporated #10 (Read it.  Really good.  The source of the gravity in the Batverse.  Speaking of gravity: how ’bout a little lead rain?  Kudos Mr. Burnham.)

Missed out on Rachel Rising #16.  Yeah, can’t let that happen again.

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s Up?

26 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

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Another sizable stack–with one remarkable difference.  Let’s see if you can pick up on it.

To All the Books I’ve Bought Before

  • The Answer #3 (Dark Horse): Unquestionably a good time.
  • Clone #5 (Image): The end of the first arc may be the perfect time to bid this underperformer adieu.
  • Fatale #13 (Image): Consistently terrific.  Impossibly defies expectations with each new offering.
Fatale #13

Fatale #13

  • FF# 5 (Marvel): Fraction and Allred are paired so well on this otherwise inconsequential title.  Off beat?  Right on!
  • Fury: My War Gone By #10 (Marvel): “The final arc begins.”  Don’t think I can express to you how those words make me feel.  OK, I’ll give it a shot: Ain’t good.  How’s that?
Fury: My War Gone By #10

Fury: My War Gone By #10

  • Deathmatch #4 (BOOM!): Frivolous?  Sure.  Worth reading?  You bet!
  • Battlefields #5: The Fall and Rise of Anna Kharkova Part 2 (Dynamite): Ennis at his very best.
  • Red Team #2 (Dynamite): Wow!  Three Ennis books in one week?  Happy Easter, indeed!
Red Team #2

Red Team #2

  • Rachel Rising #15 (Abstract Studio): I’m all caught up and wanting Moore!  No self-respecting comic nerd should be without this title on his or her list.
  • The Sixth Gun: Sons of the Gun #2 (Oni): I’m through the first two trades of The Sixth Gun, waiting on the next two.  (Go Amazon!)

You Always Remember Your First

  • East of West #1 (Image): Miss an Image #1?  Not a chance!  Seriously, though, while I missed out on Hickman’s The Manhattan Projects (I did order Volume 1 recently and am awaiting its arrival, however), I’ll not make the same mistake here.  Definitely worth a shot.
East of West #1

East of West #1

  • Green Hornet #1 (Dynamite): Mark Waid.  ‘Nuff said.
Green Hornet #1

Green Hornet #1

Did you pick up on it?  Of course you did.  It’s yet another first: no DC books this week.  That’s kinda huge.  A little light on the ol’ Marvel, too, now that I think of it.

Something’s afoot, friends.

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott