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What’s I&N Store (8/13)

12 Tuesday Aug 2014

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

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Abel Garcia, Action Labs, Ales Kot, All-New X-Men, Archer & Armstrong, Armor Hunters, Astro City, BOOM!, Brent Eric Anderson, Brian Michael Bendis, Chip Zdarsky, Chris Miskiewicz, Corey Smith, Dan Abnett, Dark Ages, Dark Horse, DC Comics, DeWayne Feenstra, Doodle Jump, Dynamite, Fred Van Lente, Goran Parlov, I.N.J. Culbard, IDW, Image, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Kevin Eastman, Kurt Busiek, Littlest Pet Shop, Mark Millar, Marvel, Matt Fraction, Matt Triano, Michael Avon Oeming, Midnight Tiger, Ms. Marvel, ninja, Palle Schmidt, Pere Perez, Ray-Anthony Height, Robert Venditti, Sex Criminals, Southern Bastards, Southern Dog, Starlight, Stuart Immonen, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Devilers, The F1rst Hero, The United States of Murder Inc., Thomas Alsop, Tom Waltz, Vertigo, Wade Von Grawbadger, zero

This is not a drill: I will be buying no fewer than three Action Labs books this week.  To make room for them–and a sexy hardcover that I can’t possibly pass up–in the ol’ bag, I’m considering a couple of high-profile drops (Sex Criminals, Starlight).  Also looking forward to some reinvigorated interest (Zero) and an awkwardly-named under-the-radar book–the terrific Thomas Alsop–that’ll make your bag go BOOM!

  • Dark Ages #1 (Dark Horse): New series from prolific Brit writer Dan Abnett and artist I.N.J. Culbard.  They’re offering a take on the Dark Ages that’s a bit alien to us.  Dark Horse is offering a preview here.  I’m enjoying Culbard’s work on 2000 AD’s Brass Sun, so I figure I’ll give this one a try.
  • Astro City #14 (DC/Vertigo): With #13, Busiek and Anderson showed us a real good time: 24 hours’ worth of finely fractured Astro City action–a puzzle with the final piece placed oh so perfectly.
Astro City #14

Astro City #14

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #37 (IDW): Shredder and Krang?  How’s that going to work out?  This “stand alone” promises to provide the answer.  Standing in for Mateus Santolouco is Corey Smith, who’s been doing some solid work on Dynamite’s Magnus: Robot Fighter.
  • Sex Criminals #7 (Image): Congrats to Fraction, Zdarsky, and Image on the Eisner for Best New Series.  OK.  Enough of that.  I wasn’t overly–or underly–impressed with #6.  It felt like a conversation I could’ve had with my buddies, which is fine, you know, its playing nostalgic notes and all; but is that what I want out of a comic book?  Well, that’s pretty much what the series has been from the get-go, and, if I’m being honest, what caught my interest initially.  That interest, however, has waned, again, because, in the end, this isn’t a comic book as much as it’s, as the narrative knowingly reveals by disintegrating the fourth wall, an occasionally clever conversation that would be better suited as a blog or a podcast.  The “criminal” contrivance has been the comic book bait; but in the end, it’s the sex talk that sells, and I’m not buying it anymore.  Probably not.
  • Starlight #5 (Image): #4 was so far from the promise of #1 that I’m figuring Millar’ll never get back to it.  He’s fallen to formula, as usual, and, as a result, I’m leaning toward passing–as usual.  Sucks, too.  #1 was so damn good.
  • Zero #10 (Image): Speaking of living up to promise: Ales Kot’s back on track after delivering a very affecting #9, which worked its way to a Sophie’s Choice moment played out with a painfully pregnant page turn.  And now as I’m warming back up to Zero, it’s off to Iceland.
Zero #10

Zero #10

  • All-New X-Men #30 (Marvel): #29 was non-stop action rendered mostly in shades of Cyclops’s signature ruby red, which helped to sell a still suffering Scott Summers.  Happy to say, I’m still high on how Bendis is handling the X-ceptionally large cast of characters.  With all the time travel stuff going on, the most significant journey is the one I’m taking: Bendis and crew are reminding of what made the X-Men so good for so long–and what I, as a Claremont-reared X-reader loved about ’em.
  • The United States of Murder Inc. #4 (Marvel): A killer series all around.  I had my doubts after the first issue; but #2 and #3 have been a double tap to the head.
  • Archer & Armstrong #23 (Valiant): Fred Van Lente is doing it his way all the way to the end, my beautiful friend, the end–of “American Wasteland.”  I wrote about #21 here, and #22 was a mighty fine follow-up that is in the running for our Top 5 of July.  Can’t wait to see how the arc plays out.  I just know I’m gonna love it madly!
Archer & Armstrong #24

Archer & Armstrong #24

  • Armor Hunters #3 (Valiant): So far, so good.  Doesn’t claim to be anything more than what it is.
  • The F1rst Hero #1 (Action Labs): On the strength of the deific Dry Spell, I’m trying any and all Action Labs books that I can find.  I don’t know the creators, but when has that ever stopped me?
  • Midnight Tiger #1 (Action Labs): Ditto.  Brings to mind Danny Fingeroth and Mike Manley’s stab at an all-new teen hero back in the early ’90s: Darkhawk.  That book ran for fifty issues.  How many will DeWayne Feenstra and Ray-Anthony Height end up with?
  • Southern Dog #1 (Action Labs/Danger Zone): Double ditto.  Expected: immediately calls to mind Southern Bastards and, of all things, Ms. Marvel.  Comparisons are inevitable.  Most interesting of the three Action Labs titles–even if, in the end, it’s a werewolf book.  The last werebook I read–which just so happened to have Riley Rossmo on it–was the underwhelming Cursed (BOOM!).
Southern Dog #1

Southern Dog #1

  • The Devilers #2 (Dynamite): #1 wasn’t bad.  I’m willing to go another round.
  • Thomas Alsop #3 (BOOM!): Thomas Alsop.  The name doesn’t really ring, but don’t let that fool you: this book is friggin’ great.  In fact, we’re calling #2 one of our Top 5 Books of July.  One of these days, we’ll get around to the write up.  Until then, be sure to pick this up–if only to see how well Chris Miskiewicz and Palle Schmidt balance the present and the past.
Thomas Alsop #3

Thomas Alsop #3

  • The Heart of the Beast HC (Dynamite): The team of Judith Dupré (author of Skyscrapers, an award-winning book about, well, skyscrapers, don’t ya know!), Dean Motter (creator of the Innie Award-winning Mister X: Eviction), and Sean Phillips (artist of Brubaker-ian proportions; see: Fatale, Criminal, Incognito, and the soon-to-be-released The Fade Out.) make this book–celebrating its 20th Anniversary–a Must Buy.

Avery’s Picks of the Week:

  • Littlest Pet Shop #4 (IDW): The littlest pets are big on fun!
  • Doodle Jump #3 (Dynamite): My daughter’s been known to drop everything only to exclaim, “I’m a ninja!”  She’s also kind of obsessed with American Ninja Warrior.  She creates her own obstacles and attacks them, only to jump off into the “water,” which, of course, is a win.  I love my little ninja!
Doodle Jump #3

Doodle Jump #3

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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Top 5(ish) Books of June

02 Saturday Aug 2014

Posted by ScottNerd in 5 Comics You Should Be Reading, Top 5 Books of the Month

≈ 4 Comments

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Andre Sirangelo, Archaia, Archer & Armstrong, Brian Wood, D'Israeli, Dan Slott, Danijel Zezelj, Dark Horse, Fred Van Lente, Gabriel Iumazark, Jordie Bellaire, Laura Allred, Marvel, Matt Kindt, Mike Allred, Mind MGMT, Ordinary, Pere Perez, Rob Williams, Silver Surfer, The Last Broadcast, The Massive, Titan, Valiant

Here’s a little secret: we, the mighty gate-keepers here at I&N, don’t always agree on who makes the cut on our monthly purview of comics excellence. But, through a complex process of behind-the-scenes negotiation, diplomacy, arm-twisting and, if need be, feats of manliness, we have always been able to whittle down the monthly title wave to our hallowed Top 5. That is, until now. And so, recklessly abandoning all sense of tradition and decorum, we present for the first time: our Top 6 Books of the Month.

#5 (tie). Mind MGMT #23 (Dark Horse): Matt Kindt–winner of the 2014 Innie for Best Artist–delivers a real punch to the gut with this well composed hit-single issue, which sees the Dusty-deadicated side notes harmonizing heroically with the cacophony of the nihilistic narrative–with the darkness Dusty so deeply despised and hoped to one day change with his music.  With the in memoriam to Dusty as the lead vocal of the book, Kindt further develops the memory motif by making the Eraser play “memory games” with an incredulous Meru, using blacked out panels to indicate the missing moments; and by putting petal to the metal in a series of flowering flashbacks featuring Bill and Meru that fan out to form a stunning centerpiece for this death-marred installment and ultimately fall from the stem, foreshadowing poor Bill’s demise and Meru’s heartbreak.  In the end, Kindt cleverly ties the margin matter to the story proper by having Meru’s falling tears look just like the music rising from the headphones that are taken from Dusty’s dead body.  That alone would’ve been enough to tattoo this issue on our Top 5!   But as a final note–or a last grain of hourglass sand–Kindt calls upon the aforementioned memory motif one last time and offers up an intimate Mad Magazine fold-in that’ll rattle around in your skull well after reading. (SC)

Mind MGMT #23

#5 (tie). The Massive #24 (Dark Horse): As Brian Wood’s near-future socioeconomic/environmental dystopia comes to a head, the enigmatic Mary stands revealed as the lynchpin. Some kind of goddess-figure, Mary’s been witness to centuries of manmade degradation of every kind: against nature, against each other, against our own history (part of the brilliance of Wood’s argument is that, throughout the series, he’s presented these as one and the same). Well now she sits in judgement, speaking in biblical terms that portend even greater disaster (or, perhaps, wrath). Even more damning, she stares out directly at the reader as she does so (indelibly rendered, as is the entire arc, by Danijel Zezelj and Jordie Bellaire). If this seems a bit heavy-handed, this particular sequence, all of two pages, stands in stark relief to twenty-three previous issues of breathtaking, world-spanning incident remarkable for the sheer depth of knowledge displayed, as well as their understated, plot-driven delivery. It also thrusts us headlong into the mysteries to be revealed in the final arc, and adds one more: could Mary have played a role in The Crash, the event that laid the world low to begin with? And, having found mankind wanting, is the worst yet to come? (DM)

The Massive #24

The Massive #24

#4. The Last Broadcast #2 (Archaia): Great magicians never reveal their secrets; and those secrets, for the compulsively curious, inevitably become the seeds of great mysteries.  Writer André Sirangelo and artist Gabriel Iumazark plant plenty of seductive seeds here in the second installment of The Last Broadcast, which puts our main man Ivan–himself a magician–on a crooked path of discovery.  His frantic search for his pal Dmitri is an off-kilter crusade–one amplified by Iumazark’s irregular panel pattern that keeps us likewise off balance as we move from page to page–that finds him courting odd characters, including an enigmatic bookshop owner and an eye-biting barfly who pleasingly smack of Polanski stock, and that leads him to a couple of urban explorers–the Backbone of the story–who themselves are missing a mate.  (I, too, am compulsively curious, and I wonder: Could Dmitri and Damon be one in the same?)  Making the story–and the story to come–even more exciting is the prospect of a very-much-alive Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s having a hand in scripting the outcome.  Believe your eyes, folks: this magic–The Last Broadcast–is for real. (SC)

The Last Broadcast #2

The Last Broadcast #2

#3. Ordinary #2 (Titan): A determined father intrepidly braves a gauntlet of nefarious characters and death-defying situations with only one thought on his mind: to find his son! This may sound like the latest Liam Neeson revenge flick, until you realize that a) the determined father is Michael, a balding, bespectacled schlub with a dead-end job; b) the nefarious characters are everyone else on the planet, who have suddenly and inexplicably been granted ridiculous super powers; and c) the death-defying situations include show-stopping Broadway musical numbers (especially frightening that). Rob Williams and D’Israeli serve up thrill-ride absurdity that at once takes the gas out of the sort of adolescent power fantasies that so many comics fans (many of whom bear more than a passing resemblance to Michael) still faithfully devour, while also slyly celebrating them. After all, if the biggest loser in the world can overcome odds like this, there’s hope for everyone. (DM)

Ordinary #2

Ordinary #2

#2. Archer & Armstrong #21 (Valiant): Our fascination with celebrities in many ways defines us as a culture.  Funny enough, our fascination with dead celebrities even more so.  Fred Van Lente knows that, and he’s clearly having a blast bringing back some long–and some freshly–dead famous folks for his satirical tour de farce “American Wasteland.”  Artist Pere Pérez brings the late lot to life around Archer and Armstrong, kicking off a game of “How many dead celebs can you name?”; and it’s a game where we’re all winners for playing along.  I was slayed by the inclusion of Jeff Hanneman and then was all “Already?” upon seeing Philip Seymour Hoffman.  The next three page turns may very well be as unforgettable as the featured figures themselves: first, it’s a father and child reunion as Bruce and Brandon Lee attack our heroes in a sole-touching moment!  (Do they win?  Of course they Jeet Kune Don’t–thanks to Archer’s, umm, stun ram.)  And, after meeting a distraught Jackie Kennedy, who isn’t long for even this world (I was like, “No he di’int!”), A & A come across more Oswalds than you can shake a Zapruder film at!  Throw in some East and West disorderly action with phat boys Biggie and Tupac, and you’ve got yourself a book where a clever contrivance becomes more the thing than the story itself–well, initially, anyway.  Because after the excitement of recognition and the well-earned laughter fall to necessary contemplation, there’s Van Lente himself laughing, “Gotcha.” (SC)

Archer & Armstrong #21

Archer & Armstrong #21

#1. Silver Surfer #3 (Marvel): There was a recent internet controversy which involved, among other things, the notion that certain aspects of super heroes were just too “goofy” and needed to be jettisoned in order for today’s audiences to take the characters seriously. The thinking behind this seems to be that the colorful, larger-than-life paragons of heroism that have populated comics since their inception need to be brought back down to earth, their vibrancy toned down to reflect our own muddled reality. One could make the case  that this view, in its cynicism, utterly misses the point of what super heroes are supposed to be. But why do that when you could just read Silver Surfer by Dan Slott and Michael and Laura Allred instead? It makes the case better than any argument ever could.

The current issue is particularly apt, as it deals with a cosmic struggle not so much of good versus evil, but of reality versus possibility. In it, a double-talking alien named the Incredulous Zed seeks to strike down an entity known as the Never Queen to ensure that the future will only ever have one possible outcome. Standing against him are the Silver Surfer and his new partner Dawn Greenwood, an especially winning creation, who runs a nice bed-and-breakfast in Anchor Bay, Mass. Slott’s wild, expansive approach to story is matched by Allred’s art, which, as always, is teeming with fantastic weirdness. There are monkey toys and stolen hearts. Space freaks and childhood memories. True love and The Three Stooges. And in Slott’s and Allred’s vision these live comfortably side-by-side. They suggest, in the sheer vitality of their storytelling, that one need not discard absurdity in the pursuit of profundity. Rather, whatever it is that is profound in these types of stories, whatever is truly wonderful, is inextricably tied to the fact that they’re so damn much FUN. (DM)

Silver Surfer #3

Silver Surfer #3

The Biggest Dis(appointment): Trees #2 (Image) – It has been a storytelling trope the last twenty years or so to juggle multiple, seemingly disparate narratives within an overall framework, and then slowly draw the separate strands together so that they all collide by the end, revealing a larger picture. It is perhaps perfectly legitimate in today’s hyper-connected world to seek meaning in the seemingly infinite byways that cyberspace allows, especially as it has simultaneously caused the world to get ever smaller. This narrative approach, depending on how it’s handled, can be insightful and profound or obtuse and annoying (Terence Malick’s The Tree of Life [no relation] for example, falls into either one or the other categories depending on your point of view). But it works best when the individual stories are compelling (as in say, Pulp Fiction). Unfortunately Trees manages to be both obtuse and uninteresting. Warren Ellis’ story, involving a bunch of giant alien trees that suddenly appear on earth (nicely rendered by Jason Howard), apparently indifferent to human activity, unwittingly provides an apt metaphor for the experience of reading it. When the various narratives are as soporific as those presented, one can’t blame the title characters for ignoring them. The back inside cover, presumably reinforcing the trees ambivalence, ends the issue with the sentence  “It doesn’t care.

Neither do I. (DM)

Trees #2

Trees #2

 

Turning pages,

Derek & Scott

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What’s I&N Store (7/23)

22 Tuesday Jul 2014

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

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Afterlife With Archie, Archer & Armstrong, Archie, Austin Harrison, Batman and Robin, Brian Azzarello, Brian K. Vaughan, Chris Samnee, Cliff Chiang, Daredevil, DC Comics, Dead Boy Detectives, Dynamite Entertainment, Fiona Staples, Francesco Francavilla, Fred Van Lente, Geoff Johns, Guiu Vilanova, IDW, Image, J. Michael Straczynski, John Romita Jr., Life With Archie, Mark Buckingham, Mark Waid, Marvel, Mike Raicht, Nelson Daniel, Ordinary, Patrick Gleason, Paul Kupperberg, Pere Perez, Peter J. Tomasi, Rob Williams, Roberto Aguirre Sacasa, Ryan North, Saga, Superman, Supreme: Blue Rose, The Midas Flesh, The Twilight Zone, Through the Looking Glass, Titan, Toby Litt, Trees, Valiant, Vertigo, Warren Ellis, Wild Blue Yonder, Wonder Woman, Zach Howard

Another big week of big books, highlighted by four titles from our Top Ten of 2013 (Wild Blue Yonder, Saga, Zero, and Archer & Armstrong) and an Archie two-fer!

  • Batman and Robin #33 (DC): Robin Rises: Omega #1–a nonsensical, never-ending fight scene–was a huge disappointment.  You know what?  I’m going to pretend it never happened.  Will be tough, though: I’m not too excited about the inevitable change of scenery; Lord Darkseid knows I’ve never been a fan of Apokolips.
  • Dead Boy Detectives #7 (DC/Vertigo): DBD has been very good–especially the previous Through the Looking Glass-inspired two-parter.  New story starts here.
  • Superman #33 (DC): Re: #32: The new Men of Today: Geoff Johns and John Romita, Jr. have started their reign well with Men of Tomorrow.  Liked how the former twisted Supes’ origin and came up with the well-named Ulysses.  The latter proved that his style suits Superman just fine.
  • Wonder Woman #33 (DC): Azzarello and Chiang are on their way out.  It’s been a helluva run–and gods know I will loyally follow them to the finish line.

 

Wonder Woman #33

Wonder Woman #33

  • Wild Blue Yonder #5 (IDW): Prepare to be jealous: I’ve already read it.  Liked it a lot.  (Shouldn’t come as much of a surprise: we’ve celebrated this series from the guys at Noble Transmission since take off.)  It lives up to the standard set by issues before: it’s summer-blockbuster big with some massive art moments from Zach Howard and Nelson Daniel.  (Nobody does double-page spreads like these guys.)  I particularly like how in a relativist sense the Judge is pretty much a good guy, as he is trying to do right by his people.  Just so happens other folks–those who call The Dawn home–would have to suffer in order for his people to survive.  If I’m finding myself rooting for the Judge, it’s because Mike Raicht is selling him well–kind of like how Patricia Highsmith convinces you root for the immoral Thomas Ripley; that’s high praise, indeed!  Also sold well is the big “final” moment, which is drawn out just long enough to sell one character’s sacrifice and another’s loss.  Can’t wait to see how everything plays out.  If you can’t wait to find out more about this issue, check out Derek’s review here.
Wild Blue Yonder #5

Wild Blue Yonder #5

 

  • Saga #21 (Image): This arc hasn’t really lived up to the Saga standard.  That being said, it’s still better than most.  #20 ended on a robot strong note–even if it were a bit too robotic, too thick with politic.
  • Trees #3 (Image): Hasn’t grown on me.  In fact, Derek and I agree: there’s been too much junk in the trunk; and, as a result, Trees #2 is our Biggest Dis(appointment) of June.  May have to chop this one down.  Might have trouble seeing the forest for the cover, though.
Tress #3

Tress #3

  • Velvet #6 (Image): New arc time.  The first one rubbed me the right way.  Something very modest about it.
  • Zero #9 (Image): The series started with so much promise.  That promise, however, has been broken.  Into pieces.  Tiny, tiny pieces.  We denounced #8 as our Biggest Dis(appointment) of May.  It’ll take an act of God or my typical lack of willpower to get this one into my bag,
  • Supreme: Blue Rose #1 (Image): Ellis is lighting it up on Moon Knight yet is growing Trees at an pine’s pace.  Wonder what we’ll get here.
Supreme: Blue Rose #1

Supreme: Blue Rose #1

  • Daredevil #6 (Marvel): #5 offered up my favorite line of the year: “Kudos to cancer.”  Man, I laughed; and then I was like “Ugh”; and then I laughed some more.  It’s quite clear: Mark ain’t afraid to Waid into some daring dialogue–especially if it’s meant to develop Matt further as the very best of friends and as the perfect Daredevil.
  • Afterlife With Archie #6 (Archie): Roberto Aguirre Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla’s first arc was as close to perfect as can be.  Expectations are very high for the next.
  • Archer & Armstrong #22 (Valiant): “American Wasteland” has been a blast!  Re: #21: I mean, ho-Lee crap: Fred Van Lente is fearless–he’s the Lone Funman!  It was so much fun, in fact, that we’ll be celebrating it as one of our Top 5 Books of June.  You know, when we get around to it.
Archer & Armstrong #22

Archer & Armstrong #22

  • Life With Archie #37 (Archie): Honesty: #36 was my first issue of LWA.  (I know I’m not alone in that one.)  It won’t be my last.  It was really, really good.  Love the choices Paul Kupperberg–who wrote one of my far- from-Archie faves: Vigilante–made while walking his way through Archie’s life.  Just took one issue to make me care a whole lot about the aftermath.
  • The Midas Flesh #8 (BOOM!): Mercifully comes the end.  After a strong #2, the series quickly went south and has unfortunately stayed that course–not plot-wise, per se; it’s been an execution issue, including too much in the way of leaden redundancies.  Maybe–just maybe–the end’ll be the true North we’ve been searching for.
  • Ordinary #3 (Titan): Mercilessly comes to an end.  An end?  Already?  Noooooooooooooooo!  Damn, man, the first two issues have been so very good.  We celebrated #1 as one of our Top 5 Books of May, and #2 will be recognized as one of our Top Books of June, you know, eventually.  Have every expectation that this’ll be just as good–if not better!  A strong finale will bump Rob Williams from a laudable Must Try to a rare Must Buy.
Ordinary #3

Ordinary #3

  • The Twilight Zone #7 (Dynamite): This second arc hasn’t been as nearly as compelling as the first.  That being said, #6 was definitely a step up from #5.  I’ll probably ride this one out, return to my home dimension and leave the key to imagination under the mat for the next guy.

Paige’s Pick of the Week

  • Popeye #24 (IDW): Big Sister’s still working on her pile from last week, so Baby Sister gets her second book in three weeks–of life!  I’ve keyed in on Popeye for her because she looks like the spinach-chompin’ sailor man when she eats.  And the cover’s an appropriate hoot, too, ’cause toot toot, my baby girl is goshdarn gassy!
Popeye #24

Popeye #24

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

 

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What’s I&N Store (6/11)

10 Tuesday Jun 2014

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

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All-New X-Men, Archer & Armstrong, Armor Hunters, Astro City, Avatar, Bee and Puppycat, BOOM!, Brent Eric Anderson, Brian Hurtt, Brian Michael Bendis, Canaan White, Cullen Bunn, DC Comics, Dicks, Fred Van Lente, Garth Ennis, Goran Parlov, Image, John McCrea, Kieron Gillen, Kurt Busiek, Mark Millar, Marvel, Michael Avon Oeming, Natasha Allegri, Pere Perez, Rob Williams, Robert Venditti, Royals: Masters of War, Simon Coleby, Starlight, Stuart Immonen, The Empty Man, The Sixth Gun, The United States of Murder, Uber, Valiant, Vanesa Del Rey, Vertigo

  • Astro City #13 (DC/Vertigo): While #11 earned Top 5 honors for April, #12 left us wanting.  We’re still wanting–wanting #13 to make us want for nothing.  I’m betting on Busiek and Anderson and their single-issue, Astro City version of a season of 24.
Astro City #13

Astro City #13

  • Royals: Masters of War #5 (DC/Vertigo): Rob Williams had himself a helluva month of May.  Ordinary #1 was extraordinary, and Royals #4 was a crowning achievement!  A little inside info: you just may see Mr. Williams’ name on our next Top 5 list. For which book? You’ll just have to wait and see!  Until then, bombs away!
Royals: Masters of War #5

Royals: Masters of War #5

  • Starlight #4 (Image): A stellar first issue has fallen a bit to formula.  Typical of Millar, no?  Sell that concept!  Sell, sell, sell!  Worthy of praise: it’s been on time.  That’s something!  Aw, heck: of course I want to see how Flash–I mean, Duke–gets out of this scrape!
  • All-New X-Men #28 (Marvel): I’ve finally come ’round–or is it that Bendis has finally come ’round?  Hmm. Probably a bit of both.  Just like any good–or evil–mutant, it takes time for their powers to manifest; this mutant manifesto just so happened to reach puberty at #26.  Phew.  This has been–by far–the longest leash I’ve ever let out.
  • The United States of Murder #2 (Marvel): Speaking of Bendis: #1 wasn’t a game changer by any means, but I found the twist at the end enough of a lure to go at least one more.
  • Archer & Armstrong #21 (Valiant): Yo, man, #20 was a trippy return to form, man.  Blew my damn doors off, man! Lucky for us, my beautiful friend, this uniquely American dream of an arc has only just begun.
Archer & Armstrong #21

Archer & Armstrong #21

  • Armor Hunters #1 (Valiant): Of course I’m gonna try it!  Venditti has sold it well enough in X-O.
  • Dicks #1 (Avatar): Ennis, McCrea, and Avatar?  Seems like a menage a trois made in a seedy apartment.  Fast forward to next month, assuming the best, of course: Well, wouldn’t you know: turns out I do like Dicks!  I know at least one ex-girlfriend, who, short on context, would say, “Mm-hmm.”
  • The Empty Man #1 (BOOM!): Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, Magneto)–a fella who’s full of ideas–teams up with Vanesa Del Rey (Hit)–a striking stylist, who’s in need of a strong showing after a disappointing turn on Zero–to infect our bags with a viral mini.
The Empty Man #1

The Empty Man #1

  • The Sixth Gun #41 (Oni Press): Double your Bunn, double your fun!  Oh, yeah, this book Hurtts so good. This is their .44 Magnum opus.
  • Uber #14 (Avatar): #13 was a very different Uber story.  Sure, it was a big ol’ cliche; but that’s OK: Katyusha is a character that just tugs at your heartstrings–and rips your heart through your ribs and blows the rest of you to bits.  Gotta love her and what Gillen’s been doing with Uber.

Avery’s Pick of the Week:

  • Bee and Puppycat #2 (BOOM!): #1 was a winner–though Grammy was a bit concerned about Puppycat: “It’s just…unnatural!”  Get over it, Grandma!  Avery likes it!

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s I&N Store (2/5)

04 Tuesday Feb 2014

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

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All-New Invaders, Archer & Armstrong, Avatar, Brian Wood, Fred Van Lente, Garth Ennis, Greg Rucka, Image, J. Michael Straczynski, James Robinson, Jeff Lemire, Lazarus, Marvel, Michael DiPascale, Michael Lark, Pere Perez, Peter Milligan, Roberto De La Torre, Rover Red Charlie, Shadowman, Sidekick, Trillium, Twilight Zone, Valiant, Vertigo, X-Men

My clever introduction has been postponed indefinitely due to snow.

  • Trillium #6 (DC/Vertigo): #5 was flippin’ fantastic.  The balance between the two realities was rendered in a ridiculously meticulous manner.  In many ways, even more impressive than #1 in execution.  Can’t wait to get into this one.
Trillium #6

Trillium #6

  • Lazarus #6 (Image): #5 ended on a naturally disastrous note, one that echoes still, boding a symphony of construction–of resurrection.  Lucky for us, reigning master builders Rucka and Lark are a pair of heavies who always deliver as promised.
  • Sidekick #5 (Image): Engaging enough, though not J. Michael Straczynski’s best monthly.  That distinction goes to…
  • Twilight Zone #2 (Dynamite): #1 was a bit of a revelation, wasn’t it?  Terrific tone–totally Twilight Zone!
Twilight Zone #2

Twilight Zone #2

  • All-New Invaders #2 (Marvel): I’m sure that you’re a lot like me in thinking that it’s got to get better–that James Robinson is a lot better than his cliched riddled initial offering.  Sure, I’m going to try this one; but I’m not going to suffer through growing pains just because I know in my heart it should be good; so, if it doesn’t do it for me here, I’m out.
  • X-Men #10.NOW (Marvel): Another one I’m down on.  The series started off really well.  Brian Wood affected a strong, recognizable voice; in fact, it actually sounded like an X-book, with hints of Claremont, especially in the high notes.  Unfortunately, the “Battle of the Atom” smashed the title’s early momentum, leaving us with scattered neutrons, electrons, and promises.
  • Archer & Armstrong #0.2014 (Valiant): I’m guessing the story of Wee Obie Archer is going to buck the trend of zero-issues having zero value–if only because I expect nothing less from Fred Van Lente and Pere Perez.  Yeah: no throwaway here.
Archer & Armstrong #0.2014

Archer & Armstrong #0.2014

  • Rover Red Charlie #3 (Avatar): #2–like #1–had some really affective moments and some really awful moments.  Not expecting anything different; it’s the nature of the beast, innit?
  • Shadowman #15 (Valiant): Of all the books I get on a monthly basis, this one confounds me the most.  I don’t care a lick about the characters, but for some reason I really like the series.  Doesn’t hurt that Milligan and De La Torre have come together like peanut butter and chocolate.  Dark, dark chocolate.

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s I&N Store (10/9)

08 Tuesday Oct 2013

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

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Abstract Studios, Afterlife With Archie, Alex Maleev, Archer & Armstrong, Archie, Astro City, Batman, Battle of the Atom, BOOM!, Brent Eric Anderson, Brian Wood, Captain America, Carlos Magno, Carlos Pacheco, Coffin Hill, comic books, comics, David Lopez, DC Comics, Death Sentence, Deathmatch, Eternal Warrior, Francesco Francavilla, Ghosted, Greg Capullo, Greg Pak, Image, J. Michael Straczynski, Jonathan Hickman, Jordie Bellaire, Joshua Williamson, Karl Bollers, Kieron Gillen, Klaus Janson, Kurt Busiek, Matt Kindt, Michael Dowling, monty Nero, New Paradigm, Nick Pitarra, Patrick Zircher, Paul Jenkins, Pere Perez, Rachel Rising, RIck Leonardi, Rick Remender, Roberto Aguirre Sacasa, Scott Snyder, Sidekick, Suicide Squad, Terry Moore, The Manhattan Projects, Three, Titan, Tom Mandrake, Trevor Hairsine, Valiant, Vertigo, Watson and Holmes, X-Men

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

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I&N Scott’s Bag (9/11)

24 Tuesday Sep 2013

Posted by ScottNerd in I&N Scott's Bag

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Aaron Ginsburg, Abstract Studio, Archer & Armstrong, Astro City, Becky Cloonan, Brain Boy, Brent Eric Anderson, Brian Wood, Captain America, Carlos Pacheco, Clone, Dark Horse, David Lopez, David Schulner, DC Comics, Eternal Warrior, FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics, Fred Van Lente, Gerard Way, Ghosted, Goran Sudzuka, Greg Pak, Image, Indestructible Hulk, J. Michael Straczynski, Jonathan Hickman, Jordie Bellaire, Joshua Williamson, Juan Jose Ryp, Kurt Busiek, Mark Waid, Matteo Scalera, Miroslav Mrva, Nick Pitarra, Pere Perez, R.B. Silva, Rachel Rising, Rick Remender, Robbi Rodriguez, Shaun Simon, Sidekick, Simon Oliver, Terry Moore, The Manhattan Projects, Tom Mandrake, Trevor Hairsine, Valiant, Vertigo, Wade McIntyre, X-Men

So far behind, but certainly not out of mind…

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

Sidekicks #2

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

Eternal Warrior #1

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

Rachel Rising #19

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

The Manhattan Projects #14

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

Ghosted #3

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

Turning pages,

Scott

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What’s I&N Store (9/11)

10 Tuesday Sep 2013

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

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Archer & Armstrong, Astro City, Battle of the Atom, Becky Cloonan, Brian Wood, Captain America, Carlos Pacheco, Clone, Dark Horse, David Lopez, David Schulner, DC Comics, Eternal Warrior, FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics, Fred Van Lente, Gerard Way, Ghosted, Goran Sudzuka, Greg Pak, Image, Indestructible Hulk, J. Michael Straczynski, Jonathan Hickman, Joshua Williamson, Juan Jose Ryp, Kurt Busiek, Mark Waid, Marvel, Matteo Scalera, Nick Pitarra, Pere Perez, Rachel Rising, Rick Remender, Robbi Rodriguez, Sidekicks, Simon Oliver, Terry Moore, The Manhattan Projects, The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, Tom Mandrake, Trevor Hairsine, Valiant, Vertigo, X-Men

Vacation’s history.  Good thing I’ve got an escape plan:

  • Brain Boy #1 (Dark Horse): Anything with Fred Van Lente at the helm is a no-brainer.
Brain Boy #1

Brain Boy #1

  • The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #4 (Dark Horse): So far, the series hasn’t read like a particularly engaging book; yet, strangely enough, it is–and quite.
  • Astro City #4 (DC/Vertigo): Busiek is in complete control of his universe, and we’re all the better for it.
Astro City #4

Astro City #4

  • FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics #3 (DC/Vertigo): I didn’t care for most of #2, and then came the end–an end that very well may have staved off the end of this brief affair.
  • Clone #10 (Image): #8 waned.  #9 waxed.  Wonder if I’ll be whining about waning again this time around.  Or maybe I’ll be woohoo-ing about waxing.  Either way, I’ve got to know: what’s the splatter with these guys?
Clone #10

Clone #10

  • Ghosted #3 (Image): May be the last go-round for Ghosted and this guy.
  • The Manhattan Projects #14 (Image): Always a potential Book of the Month.
  • Sidekicks #2 (Image): The real villain of #1 was a tragically transparent twist.   I’m going to pick this one up, though; after all, it took JMS more than two issues to sell me on Ten Grand.
  • Captain America #11 (Marvel): Could this be the Captain America I’ve been waiting for?  After the complete diZola that was Remender’s NOW! reboot, I sure hope so.  Hey, maybe he’s seen the light.  Color me red, white, and cautiously optimistic.
Captain America #11

Captain America #11

  • Indestructible Hulk #13 (Marvel): This trip through time hasn’t been as terrible as I thought it’d be.  Waid captured the Kids of the Wild West pretty well; now it’s on to Camelot.
  • X-Men #5 (Marvel): So far, Battle of the Atom been an underwhelming exercise in making this time-travel mess count for something.  Suppose this one’s going to fall in line.
  • Archer & Armstrong #13 (Valiant): Wow!  A year in already?  Hard to believe.  But what a year it’s been, no?  Without question, A&A‘s a Top Ten monthly.  Why should this month be any different?  Aliens?  Dinosaurs?  Bring ’em on!
Archer & Armstrong #13

Archer & Armstrong #13

  • Eternal Warrior #13 (Valiant): Worth a try.  The Eternal Warrior’s gotten a lot of good exposure across the Valiant Universe, and he looks like a compelling enough character.  Plus, Greg Pak’s doing some heady work over on Batman/Superman.  Wonder what he’s going to do here; I mean, this doesn’t seem like a forum for heady fare–or does it?
  • Rachel Rising #19 (Abstract Studio): Re: #18: Now that’s how you craft a cliffhanger.  This’ll be my first read.
Rachel Rising #19

Rachel Rising #19

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

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I&N Scott’s Bag (8/14)

19 Monday Aug 2013

Posted by ScottNerd in I&N Scott's Bag

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Ales Kot, Archer & Armstrong, Barry Kitson, Batman, Becky Cloonan, BOOM!, Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem, Brian K. Vaughan, Brian Michael Bendis, Carlos Magno, Dark Horse, Dave Wachter, DC Comics, Deathmatch, Fiona Staples, Fonografiks, Frazer Irving, Fred Van Lente, Gerard Way, Ghosted, Goran Sudzuka, Greg Capullo, Harbinger, IDW, Image, Janet Lee, Jeff Stokely, Jim McCann, Joshua Dysart, Joshua Williamson, Lost Vegas, Marvel, Mind the Gap, Miroslav Mrva, Paul Jenkins, Pere Perez, RIck Leonardi, Saga, Sami Basri, Scott Snyder, Simon Spurrier, Six-Gun Gorilla, Steve Niles, Suicide Squad, The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, Uncanny X-Men, Valiant

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

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Back & Forth: Vacation, all I ever wanted!

21 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by dmainhart in Back and Forth

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Abstract Studio, Akira, Archer & Armstrong, Area 51, Astro City, Brent Anderson, Craig Cermak, Dark Horse, David Mamet, DC, Dean Motter, Dynamite Entertainment, Fleischer Brothers, Fred Van Lente, Fritz Lang, Garth Ennis, Howard Chaykin, Jimmy Olson, Kirby: Gensis, Kurt Busiek, Little Orphan Annie, Lois Lane, Mister X: Eviction, Pere Perez, Peter Pan, Rachel Rising, Red Team, Richard Connel, Sesame Street, Strangers in Paradise, Terry Moore, The Monster at The End of This Book, The Most Dangerous Game, The Zaucer of Zilk, Valiant, Vertigo

Derek Mainhart: Ah, summer; so close you can practically taste the sunscreen! Naturally your thoughts may be turning toward planning a much-needed getaway. What to do, what to do? Road trip? Um, have you seen the price of gas? Well then, maybe you can fly somewhere…Oh sure! So the folks at the NSA can laugh at your body scan? A cruise perhaps? I’m sorry, have you been watching the news? Well then, you say, why bother leaving the house? That’s the spirit! But fret not, our delicate, sensible reader! Grab your margarita mix, break out your thong and relax while Images and Nerds plans the most fantastic voyage you can have without ever leaving the comfort of your own butt-molded couch cushion.

Astro City #1

Astro City #1

First stop, sunny, scenic Astro City! (DC/Vertigo) After a three-year hiatus, Kurt Busiek’s own private metropolis is back and open for business with a new #1! If this is a return trip to the award-winning series (about a city populated by all manner of super-folk), you won’t be disappointed; illustrated by series co-creator Brent Anderson, it’s as lovely as ever. If, however, this is your first excursion (like it was for your beloved guide), don’t worry; Busiek expertly leads you through the story, giving you just enough information to hint at the wonder and scope of your surroundings, without ever being in danger of getting lost. Busiek has indeed proven a master at synthesizing large swaths of characters and story, both in the previous AC runs as well as the more recent Kirby: Genesis (an impressive homage to the master that is truly worth a second look). Like Kirby, the plot revolves around the sudden, mysterious arrival of a gigantic, god-like, celestial being who delivers a portentous proclamation to the good people of earth. Unlike Kirby, which very much wore its heart on its sleeve, the tone of the new Astro City has a wry, ironic tone. Whether or not this was true of the earlier series, I can’t say. But this sense of remove, heightened by the charming and trippy narrator’s breaking of the fourth wall, reminded this reviewer of last year’s standout, The Zaucer of Zilk. Then there’s that second-to-last page, with its playful exhortations to the reader, putting me in the mind of nothing so much as that Sesame Street classic, The Monster at the End of This Book. Which is to say, this promises to be fun.

Prefer a more secluded spot? How about Area 51? If so, you could hardly do better than Archer and Armstrong #10 (Valiant). Fred Van Lente’s roller coaster of a comic is so jam-packed with demi-gods, evil ghost-parents and of course, aliens, that you may not notice how whip-smart the writing is; the sequence with the pregnant spy alone is worth the price of admission, as is the hostage who is hysterical in more ways than one (poor guy). It then closes with the flat-out funniest Next Issue box I’ve ever seen. And with Pere Perez handling the art, this book’s never looked better. Believe it: the best blockbuster of the summer is a comic book.

Archer & Armstrong #10

Scott Carney: No, no.  You don’t believe in aliens or time travel, do you?  You’re someone who likes to keep it real, right? Yeah, you’re straight up street, son. Check it: why not trip your kicks over to Garth Ennis and Craig Cermak’s Red Team #3 (Dynamite), where the hearts are cold and the gun barrel’s still hot to the touch.  Your itinerary: holy vengeance. We’re talkin’ old school–no, Old Testament vengeance, ya Sodomites; that’s right, happy heathens, you better believe it: the Son of God is sinfully subordinate to the Gun of God, as blasphemously billed by Howard Chaykin’s irreverently rendered cover:

Red Team #3

Oh, yeah, he nailed it! And that gun ironically speaks the loudest–not in tongues but through a tongue: Father McEwan’s newly pierced tongue, to be exact–in an issue otherwise dominated by Ennis’s celebrated signature: damn good dialogue.

DM: I’m glad you mentioned that. One of the criticisms I’ve been hearing about this book is that it’s too “wordy”. This is, of course, patently ridiculous. You don’t hear this sort of charge being leveled in other visual media, like film or television, especially when dealing with a writer with chops like Ennis’.

SC: Speaking of: three issues in, it’s clear that Ennis is bent on bringing his ethically challenged NYPD to Broadway for a sustained run because this book–surprisingly light on action–reads like a David Mamet play: the Irish scribe relies on carefully composed conversation–at times so naturalistic that a second or third glance is necessary–to develop his God–no, not Mod, but God–Squad. So, if you haven’t yet been to the Great White Way–and you’d like to put a little culture in your Petri dish–here’s your ticket!

DM: One place you probably shouldn’t visit is the normally picturesque town of Manson. Long ago the site of some Salem-type witch trials, the the current townspeople have recently been plagued by a spate of mysterious deaths, rat-filled plumbing, and at least one case of vomiting a live snake. Ah well, at least the snow is beautiful. Locals whisper of a recently deceased young lady, Rachel, who has returned to solve the mystery of her own murder. With her best friend Jet (also recently deceased) in tow, they delve into a story that grows ever more mythic, even as it becomes more disturbing. Read all about it in Terry Moore’s latest tourist’s pamphlet: Rachel Rising #17 (Abstract Studio). Marvel at the art, including a nice callback to Moore’s previous series, Strangers in Paradise…

SC: Man, that was weird.  At first, I thought it was an ad for an SIP trade or something.  I really liked it, though, especially how Moore shamelessly–and cleverly– worked in the readily recognizable portrait.

DM: …and gasp at the loveliest paean you’re likely to hear about being eaten alive.

SC: Yeah, what I’m hearing is a siren song: the promise of comic book perfection and the ultimate execution–of stereotypical masculinity.  The fairly phallic cover is a beautiful warning of the dangers that lie ahead for men.

Rachel Rising #17

Rachel Rising #17

This town, Manson–get it: man and son–is not very accommodating to men at all; it’s certainly not a place les hommes can comfortably call home; so proceed with caution, my brothers.  I mean, think about it: hunters–who often employ domesticated dogs to point out or fetch their quarry, just not in this case–are generally considered the epitome of manliness, you know, with their killing stuff with lead-launching extensions of their manhood and whatnot; but here, in a little slice of Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game,” the hunters–not so surprisingly, considering the fiercely feminine tone of the book–become the hunted: the witches wield their power here, unleashing a pair of wild wolves, which they so wickedly command, and showing the misogynist dunderheads who’s boss.  This, friends, is a real No Man’s Land.

Ah, but could there be a more welcoming city–a finer final destination–than Radiant City, the seemingly sentient setting of Dean Motter’s Mister X: Eviction #2 (Dark Horse)?  Once there, hit the local bars, get caught in traffic, get yourself kidnapped–heck, leap from rooftop to rooftop!  Why not?  It’s all up to you!  But if you’re looking for a truly arresting time, have they got the club for you.  It’s called Purgatorium, and it’s got everything: blind guys and no I’s, mugshots and robots, heartbreaking and head shaving, and a lady who looks a hell of a lot like Mister X.

DM: It’s also got a backup story, again by Motter, that loosely ties into the lead; that’s right, you get two trips for the price of one! Talk about economical! Befitting its retro-futurist style, this featurette showcases an intrepid reporter with a knack for getting into trouble getting rescued by a gang of classic, 1930’s-style orphans. The plot, involving the orphan’s home being threatened with destruction by “pilotless drones” (in the form of giant, mechanized robots, natch!), offers subtle, wry commentary on current American military tactics. But the real draw here is the way Motter is able to touch upon so many nostalgia-laden pop-culture motifs in such a small space: Little Orphan Annie, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olson, Peter Pan, even a little Akira. The effect is like a Fleischer cartoon as directed by Fritz Lang. The title of this piece? Rosetta Stone, Girl Reporter in Little Urchin Andy. What comics fan wouldn’t love that? Book of the Week.

Mister X: Eviction #2

Bon Voyage,

Scott and Derek

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