Tag Archives: Suicide Squad

What’s I&N Store (8/17)

17 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ugh.  I’m running out of vacation–and discretionary income.  Rebirth is partly to blame for both, thanks to bigger weekly bags and bills.  Also to blame: my love for the heroes of my childhood and my having the constitution of a totalitarian state.

DC and me!

Oh, there’s other stuff, too.

  • Black Hammer #2 (Dark Horse): I&N Demand Re: #1: Jeff Lemire nailed it: he delivered Essex County with superheroes. Finally.  A nice way to follow up Plutonia, which lived in that realm, for sure, but leaned more on the kids than on the capes.  Lemire lets loose here, trusting his instincts, as he fans the flames of familiarity, forging, with Dean Ormston and Dave Stewart’s beautiful balance between fantastic and rustic, something unflinchingly fresh.  I’ve been down on Lemire’s “doing what he does” to decidedly disappointing degrees (Descender/Sweet Tooth, Trillium/Hawkeye, Bloodshot: Reborn/Moon Knight); here, however, the antecedent doesn’t drown out the current–it enlivens it.

STK676026

  • Briggs Land #1 (Dark Horse): Just I&N Brian Wood’s as good as it gets.  His Black Road–also out this week—is a solid book: it has a Massive feel to it, and satisfies for that; but I’m hungry for more, you know, with the final course of the perfectly plated Starve having been served up far, far too soon.  Expectations are very high for this one.  Hey: This is a Briggs deal, I&Nmates!

STL013865

  • Batgirl and The Birds of Prey #1 (DC)
  • Batman #5 (DC): I&N Demand Re: #4: Fear has a new number: 27.  Through four issues, Tom King’s got Batman doing things by the numbers–in more ways than one; oh, add ’em up yourself–but this one’s let him down.  Aww, snap!  The personification of Gotham makes for many wrinkles that King’ll most assuredly irony out by arc’s end.  It might take a miracle, man, to put this kid down.  Does Batman have it in him?  I can’t wait to see how this rounds out!

STL014128-2

  • Nightwing #3 (DC)
  • Suicide Squad #3 (DC)
  • Superman #5 (DC)
  • Black Road #5 (Image)
  • The Wicked & The Divine #22 (Image): I&N Demand A monthly bright spot–not only because of Matthew Wilson’s way cray-cray colors.  OK, mostly because of Wilson’s way cray-cray colors.  Sure, Gillen’s greatness shines here, too; and McKelvie’s impeccable consistency is absolutely ambrosial.  Thing is, when I think WicDiv, I get most excited about the prospect of Wilson’s wielding his nonpareil palette in yet another innovative way.  (He’s also killing it over on Black Widow and hammering home The Mighty Thor, which are out this week, as well.  But if you’re a Wilson enthusiast, you already know that!)

STL014345

  • Black Widow #6 (Marvel)
  • The Mighty Thor #10 (Marvel)
  • Mockingbird #6 (Marvel): I&N Demand Re: #5: “There’s a gift store?”  Damn right, there is–and it’s well stocked with Mockingbird!  Thank you, Chelsea Cain for your quirky chaos, which is clearly a clever way to, at the same time, mask and amplify your obsessive control over the story you’re telling.  High praise: reminds of James Ausmus’s recent run on Quantum & Woody.  Concern: these big-event tie-ins more often than not murder momentum.  I’m gonna go into this one singing, “We will, we will Mock you!”  So good or bad, I’m covered!

STL013393

  • Backstagers #1 (BOOM!)
  • Red Team: Double Tap #2 (Dynamite)
  • The Joyners #3 (BOOM!)
  • Klaus #7 (BOOM!)

Avery’s Picks of the Week

  • My Little Pony: Friends Forever #31 (IDW)
  • Powerpuff Girls #2 (IDW)
  • Strawberry Shortcake #5 (IDW)

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (3/19)

18 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

What’s I&N Store (1/15)

14 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

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

Astro City #8

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

Alex + Ada #3

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

Daredevil #35

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

Archer & Armstrong #17

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

Curse #1

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

Department of Monsterology #4

What are you looking forward to this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s I&N Store (12/11)

09 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

What’s I&N Store (10/9)

08 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

I&N Scott’s Bag (8/14)

19 Monday Aug 2013

Posted by in I&N Scott's Bag

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

What’s Up?

09 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Have I lost all control? You be the judge.

  • Breath of Bones: Tales of the Golem # 2 (Dark Horse): Really excited to see where this is headed. It’s a three-issue mini, so I’m expecting something big here–definitely some Nazi-knockin’ Golem action!
Breath of Bones #2

Breath of Bones #2

  • X #3 (Dark Horse): Nothing like a little light vigilante fare. Duane Swierczynski hasn’t given me a reason not to–yet.
  • Astro City #2 (DC/Vertigo): #1 was a lot of fun! Hope the narrator found me interesting/interested enough to continue the conversation.
Astro City #2

Astro City #2

  • Batman #22 (DC): At this point, I’m on fanboy autopilot. I haven’t been interested in anything Snyder’s done here since before the finale of The Court of Owls, for goodness sake. Oh, I’m just a fool living in the land of “just in case.”
  • Suicide Squad #22: Thank God for Ales Kot, who, in two issues, has made this title relevant again.
Suicide Squad #22

Suicide Squad #22

  • Superman Unchained #2 (DC): #1 was terrible, but I’m going to give it another issue before I give up on it. I mean, I did give Jupiter’s Legacy a second issue, didn’t I?
  • East of West #4 (Image): Yep, still on board–even if I’m not totally sold on it. That’s my giving Hickman–the mind behind the brilliant The Manhattan Projects–the time he deserves.
  • Ghosted #1 (Image): It’s an Image #1. Do I need another reason?
  • Sheltered #1 (Image): Sure, Comeback ultimately fizzled out. So what? Brisson’s got an interesting idea here–and it’s another Image #1, so…
Sheltered #1

Sheltered #1

  • Daredevil #28 (Marvel): Now that Waid’s worked his way through Bullseye, it looks like he and Samnee are going to play around a bit with a one-off that has “classic” written all over it.
Daredevil #28

Daredevil #28

  • Hawkeye #12 (Marvel): It’s going to rest right on top of #11 as I’m still waiting for Vol. 2.
  • Indestructible Hulk #10 (Marvel): #9 was a vast improvement over the unnecessary Thor arc. Let’s see where it goes.
  • Uncanny X-Men #8 (Marvel): Limbo’s in the rear-view mirror. Thank goodness! If I’m being fair, however, Bendis resolved the Majikal storyline well enough.
Uncanny X-Men #8

Uncanny X-Men #8

  • Ballistic #1 (Black Mask): If I see it, I’ll probably pick it up. Seeing Darick Robertson’s name attached to it doesn’t hurt.
Ballistic #1

Ballistic #1

  • Helheim #5 (Oni Press): It’s picking up–not that it needs to: I’m a fool for Cullen Bunn thanks to The Sixth Gun.
  • Quantum and Woody #1 (Valiant): Valiant has given me every reason to try everything it publishes–including this buddy book.
  • X-O Manowar #15 (Valiant): Planet Death resolved itself well. Now, it’s time to push the Eternal Warrior. That’s OK with me.
  • Rachel Rising #18 (Abstract Studios): We’ve celebrated Terry Moore’s horror masterpiece on a monthly basis. If you’re not reading this, you’re an idiot.
Rachel Rising #18

Rachel Rising #18

  • Six-Gun Gorilla #2 (BOOM!): #1 was GREAT. As a result, expectations are ridiculously high–especially considering the promise of the last page: “Howdy,” indeed!
Six-Gun Gorilla #2

Six-Gun Gorilla #2

That’s one serious list.

The irony? I came back to comics because I needed to reconnect with my favorite heroes–specifically Batman and Superman. Guess which books I’m least excited about.

Sad, innit?

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Turning pages,

Scott

In Scott’s Bag (6/12)

15 Saturday Jun 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Even though I’ve read a bunch already, I’m sticking with a simple rundown–with an insinuation or two tossed in for your own good.  Can’t fool around: gotta get to the latest Back & Forth, after all.

  • Helheim #4
  • Harbinger Wars #3
Harbinger Wars #3

Harbinger Wars #3

  • Six-Gun Gorilla #1 (If you didn’t already: BUY THIS BOOK!  You will NOT be disappointed.)
  • X #3
  • Thumbprint #1 (Also very good.  Don’t miss it.)
Thumbprint #1

Thumbprint #1

  • Suicide Squad #21
  • American Vampire: The Long Road to Hell
  • Half Past Danger #2
Half Past Danger #2

Half Past Danger #2

  • Superman Unchained #1
  • Batman #21
  • Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem #1
  • The Manhattan Projects #12
The Manhattan Projects #12

The Manhattan Projects #12

 

What did you get in your bag this week?

Turning pages,

Scott

What’s Up?

12 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by in What's I&N Store?

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Last week set a high bar: a lot of stand-out books–some confidently staking their claims as Top 5 material.  I don’t see this week topping it, but, no doubt, there’ll be plenty to talk about.

  • Breath of Bones #1 (Dark Horse): Steve Niles?  Yes, please.
Breath of Bones #1

Breath of Bones #1

  • X #2 (Dark Horse): I like a bad-ass vigilante as much as the next guy.  I want to love this, I really do.  I’m gonna give X–and hotshot scribe Duane Swierczynski– another shot at my heart.
  • American Vampire: The Long Road to Hell (DC): Well, well, hell.  The beginning of a big week for Scott Snyder–this one, with a big price tag, by the way.  I’ve really enjoyed American Vampire–which I’ve read in trades through Vol. 4–and am pretty sure I’ll enjoy this all the same.  I know I’ve been somewhat tough on Mr. Snyder of late–specifically for the late Death of the Family–but on AV, Snyder has been epically horrifying.
American Vampire:

American Vampire: The Long Road to Hell

  • Batman #21 (DC): Unless you’ve been under a rock–or in a cave–you know all about this one: Snyder and Greg Capullo’s next big storyline: Zero Year.
Batman #21

Batman #21

  • Superman Unchained #1 (DC): Hype very well could be Snyder’s kryptonite.
  • Suicide Squad #21 (DC): Ales Kot talked the Squad off the ledge and then drove ’em right the heck back up there–necessarily–with self-immolation on the brain.
  • The Manhattan Projects #12 (Image): M.I.A. in M.A.Y.  Glad it’s back: it’s easily one of the best books around.
  • Harbinger Wars #3 (Valiant): It’s been OK.  Not as strong as I thought it’d be; but that’s their own fault, really.  Valiant’s been pretty awesome overall.
  • Helheim #4 (Oni): Not quite there yet.  Still willing to wait on it because of my love for The Sixth Gun.
  • Six-Gun Gorilla #1 (BOOM!): A gorilla with a gun.  ‘Nuff said.
Sixth-Gun Gorilla #1

Six-Gun Gorilla #1

  • Half Past Danger #2 (IDW): I liked #1 enough–especially toward the end–to give it another go-round.
  • Thumbprint #1 (IDW): Will probably thumb through it.  Fitting, I know.

Did I miss anything?

Turning pages,

Scott