Comic Book Resources

Essential Defenders volume two. And happy birthday!

Sword and sorcery? CONAN # 40
Super-hero? ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN # 109
Horror/Sci-fi? CLIVE BARKER's GREAT and SECRET SHOW # 12 (final issue)

Horror/suspense? SE7EN: PRIDE # 5

Take your pick.

I'm going to suggest the X-Men First Class special. Written by the awesome Jeff Parker and drawn by folks such as Kevin Nowlan, Paul Smith, and Nick Dragotta and Mike Allred... So you know it'll be gorgeous.

As for an Essential or Showcase, I love my copy of Showcase Elongated Man, though your mileage may vary. I also have my eye on Superman Family (as it's 97% Jimmy Olsen), Brave and the Bold (Haney Haney Haney!), War That Time Forgot (WWII + Dinosaurs), Challengers of the Unknown (Kirby and monsters!) and a couple of others, but those are the biggies.

The only Essentials I'm interested in are the Thors, and maybe, at some point, the FF volume. Thor vol. 1 is kinda lame, though. The book didn't build to awesomeness until some point in vol. 2, so I'd start there if'n you went for that. Or you could go for Essential Defenders vol. 2, because I think Elf with a Gun appears in this one.

It's really your choice, though. I'd hate to inflict a lousy birthday present on you.

Hmmm. I'm a big fan of the old JLA-JSA team-ups, so I'm naturally interested in the new one currently unfolding. It's been fun so far: As you've surely heard, it even involves old-school Legion (from the '70s & '80s — the Silver Age version with the characters in their Cockrum/Grell outfits!). (Remember last time all three teams got together? To fight Mordru and the Demons Three back in the '70s?) So that'd be fun, to see what you have to say about that.

Also, I hear Flash is making a huge turn-around. Would you like to be the guinea pig who can confirm that report for me? (Just kidding. Mostly.)

Probably the most interesting thing this week (though I'm glad you've already plumped for Mouse Guard) is the first Minx-imprint foray, The Plain Janes. WHy don't you pick that up?

And happy birthweek! But I'd have to give a lot more thought than I have time for now before making any sort of birthday recommendation.

Our lists match up pretty close this week, so I'll suggest Ultimate Spider-man #109. Best Spidey book on the market.

As for Showcase/Essential, I suggest either starting with Essential Avengers Vol 1, just to start from the begining and because it's got some groovy dialog, or skip to Vol 4 and read the Kree/Skrull war. Any of the Avengers volumes are good.

Happy Birthday.
My pick for the regular week is Aquaman #52. I can't remember if you took a look at it yet with the new writer, but I have really been enjoying it. Fun, mixes in all sorts of Aquaman history without ever feeling above the casual reader.

Other than that, have a Happy Birthday.

Either X-Men First Class or Cable/Deadpool 40 which is a tie-in with X-Men and, in any case, one of the most amusing super-books around at the moment especially now it has Bob: Agent of Hydra.

I'd say either X-Men: First Class Special or Aquaman. Aquaman is a fresh take on the character, with some nice sword-and-sorcery themes to it. The new writer is obviously green to comics, so it tends to be heavy on exposition, but the art is solid and it has a fun, epic feel to it. X-Men: First Class has been amazing from start to finish, with Jeff Parker bringing his usual charm to every page.

As far as your birthday present goes, I'd recommend Showcase Teen Titans, if for nothing else than simply because it is the most unintentionally hilarious book I have read in years. The entire book is very much a product of its time, but its still an enjoyable read. It is one book I own that never fails to brighten up an otherwise dreary day.

Showcase - House of Mystery - Volumes 1 or 2
Metamorpho
Jonah Hex
Shazam

All great 60's & 70's era reads!

Is Essential Howard the Duck still in print? Past the Essential Conan, which isn't, that's likely the best you can do. Essential Killraven is fun but not necessary by any means. You already have the Spider-Man ones. The Marvel Team Up ones are fun too, btw. Actually, the second Dr. Strange one is a great choice. The first one is full of those unfulfilling 1/2 issues.

Hey, I am going to pimp Cable/Deadpool.

Not only does it have one of the best story arcs of the 00s for Marvel earlier in its run (The Burnt Offering), and a pretty great single issue or two (25 being one), but it's been consistantly fun, with a great mix of irreverence and thought-provoking issues as only Fabian can do it.

Cable is probably the single most interesting character Marvel has right now, proof that a good writer can make an interesting character out of anyone.

And you read X-Men and this is going to tie in, I think.

It's fun. We're talking Blue Beetle level fun here, even if it's a bit more metatextual and goofy. It's the little fun comic that could.

#2 choice would be Flash 12. Guggenheim's going to be one of the biggest comic writers in the world in a year or two. I don't know if I'd call him the next Dan Slott, but there are similarities and differences too. What I will say is that there might be no one in the world writing a comic harder than he's writing Flash right now(Maybe Bru on Criminal). He WANTS Bart to succeed no matter what and it's showing in the effort he's pouring into the issues.

He's also been pulling a cliffhanger at the end of every issue and trying to up the ante each time. It's worth at least a flip.

I will also recommend the X-Men: First Class Special. That's just one heck of a creative pedigree.

As for the B&W, you HAVE to get the Jonah Hex Showcase.

Im getting: Countdown, BPRD, Action, Batman, ASB&R (I dont believe it), After the cape, Uncanny Xmen, X factor, and Hero squared.

Wow it's a big week.

I suggest ASB&R just because when's the next time you're ever going to see it? Also because I like inflicting torture on people at their birthday.

And now questionibly I will suggest a real birthday present. Essential X-Men vol 1 or vol 2. (Together all of the Claremont Byrne run) It doens't get much better than this X-men wise.

Even though it started off really poor, the preview I've read of Countdown seemed good, and the cover is rather awesome.

Showcase The Flash for your special gift to yourself.

Also, I do not recommend ice cream cake. never have. Never will.

I'll just throw another pimpin' out for Cable/Deadpool, for all the reasons already mentioned.

For this week's comics, I'd go with either Satan's ***** Baby from Eric Powell and Dark Horse, just to see HOW offensive it's supposed to be, or the Hellblazer: Devil You Know trade, which collects some more (FINALLY!) of Jamie Delano's really underappreciated run on the book.

As for Essential and Showcase editions, I like the Showcase editions for House Of Mystery myself. Great old-school horror tales done by people like Neal Adams, Alex Toth, Bernie Wrightson, Marv Wolfman, Robert Kanigher, Otto Binder, Sergio Aragones, and Frank Springer amongst others. Showcase Jonah Hex and Showcase Phantom Stranger are also both well worth your time.

Either Marvel Adventures Avengers or X-Men: First Class special.

As for the showcases/essentials: Essential Tomb of DRacula or Showcase presents the Enlogated Man.

Essential Dr Stange is pretty cool, as is Showcase: Green Lantern 1.

Slim pickings this week for me, but if you skipped it the first time around from Image, I highly recommend the Fear Agent TPB. Great, pulpy sci-fi action.

For your birthday -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! -- I recommend the House of Mystery Showcase, chock full of wacky stories illustrated by some of the masters. I don't recall if the originals were in color, but unlike some of the other collections, the art is perfect in black-and-white.

Marvel Adventures Avengers. This has become a must-read for me ever since I picked up the MODOK issue.

And I recommend this week's Showcase Presents the Flash.
Or else Haunted Tank, 'cause that stuff is nuts.

I'll second a cry for Essential Howard the Duck.
It's, well, Essential!

I'll throw another vote behind Plain Janes for this week, and since you have the first to Essential FF's, I'll suggest volume 3. It has the Galactus story, "This Man, This Monster!", and the first appearances of the Inhumans and the Black Panther! Awesome stuff.

Yes, Plain Janes is a must. I picked up a copy at a bookstore this weekend and rather enjoyed it. Plus, Jim Rugg is wonder-tastic.

As for your birthday present? Metamorpho, man. Metamorpho.

Happy Birthday! My own recommendation for a present would be the book "Comics Gone Ape" from TwoMorrows that was released last week. It appears to be very thorough and up to date (it even has an interview with Jeff Parker on the Agents of Atlas series which featured Gorilla Man).

And the cover is a homage to Avengers #4 by Arthur Adams.

Also, I do not recommend ice cream cake. never have. Never will.

That's how I know you're wrong. Eternally.

Cable Deadpool #40. I would recommend this but for the fact that I haven't been reading X-Men lately (I just can't stand the art), and this issue is a crossover. However, in all likelihood, it will be treated with the same amount of disrespect that C&D grants to all events in the Marvel U, plus it'll probably have a good recap page.

Hero Squared!!! Funny! I love me some funnies!

Justice League of America #9 - I actually enjoyed the JSA portion of this arc. However, I wouldn't recommend picking this up if you didn't read the last issues of either title.

Mighty Avengers #3 - The title has actually been OKAY. Even if you haven't read either of the first two issues, I'd still recommend picking this title up.

Ultimate Spidey truly is the best Spider title in print. What does that say for the quality of Marvel editorial? Nothing good. However, it's still a consistently good title. Very much what a Spider title should be.

After the Cape #3? Really? You must not have read the first two issues then, because it's truly AWFUL.

I support your war on Millar.

I got Satan's Sodomy Baby last week, and it's an immensely entertaining read. It's not the most offensive thing ever like the solicitations would lead you to believe, but if you're an Eric Powell fan at all, you need to pick this up, if only because it will supposedly never be reprinted.

Aside from that, I'm picking up Moon Knight, Batman, ASB&R and Death Jr. this week. I anticipate I'll probably end up enjoying MK and ASB&R the most. I don't know if you buy into ASB&R, and it's hard to recommend Death Jr. when it's the final issue of a 3 issue miniseries, so I'll stick with SSB for my recommendation.

THe flash has improved over time. I would recommend getting that book.

For your birthday, I vote showcase and from one ofthe following:

Elongated Man - so far the only one I read without puttung down for a break
Flash (coming out this week)
Hawkman
Phantom Stranger
Challengers of the Unknown
Metamorpho
Legion of Superheroes
Brave and Bold
Justice League of America
Agauman
Green Lantern
Superman Family

Essential Thor 1 and 2 are really great if you're in a Kirby mood. My definite favorite Showcase is House of Mystery. The art in there is PHENOMENAL.

Hmm. I thought you didn't like old comics. (Which could get you a job writing for Wizard someday.)

Ummm.... Jonah Hex. Trust me. Jonah Hex.

(I'm probably buying either Marvel Horror or the War that Time Forgot this week, since it's a super light week for me.)

You really need to own ESSENTIAL AVENGERS Vol. 3 and Vol. 4. Just buy em both. You deserve it.

Happy birthday, Greg!

Essential Tomb of Dracula & Howard the Duck collect 2 of the best comics series ever published, both drawn by Gene Colan at his peak. Check them out.

Another vote for Cable/Deadpool, guest staring Bob:Agent of Hydra.

This is pretty much an all-Cable issue.

Showcase Jonah Hex! Miles ahead of the other Showcases that I've seen, but probably because of my bias, and the fact that it reprints excellent comics from the 70s, rather than the 50s.

We need a Bob: Agent of Hydra spinoff title right the hell now...who's with me?!

SATAN'S SODOMY BABY. They come with a free bag! And a hilarious disclaimer!

Right, here's my third attempt in nine hours to post this. I'll try without the HTML tags this time.

Periodicals:
Try MARVEL ADVENTURES THE AVENGERS or X-MEN FIRST CLASS. Jeff Parker's writing always brings a smile to my face. After Mark Waid's strictures, dare I say that these comics tend to be a lot of fun?

Showcase:
Either one of the HOUSE OF MYSTERY volumes for the Toth/Adams/Wrightson etc art, or TEEN TITANS for Bob Haney's off-the-wall take on 1960s pop culture. Nick Cardy's art can be sumptuous too, when he makes the effort (as on "Swingin' Christmas Carol").

Other big B/W reprints of vintage comics:
THE COMPLETE NEMESIS THE WARLOCK, Vol 1, Pat Mills' mad satire on religious and racial bigotry from 2000AD, with probably the most striking art Kevin O'Neill has ever produced (and some good stuff from Bryan Talbot too).

Happy Birthday.

For the weekly recommendation, I suggest you to discover the awesomeness that is Jeff Parker by buying the X-MEN FIRST CLASS SPECIAL.

For the Essential/Showcase, I would say the Essential Iron Fist book (classic martial arts action with lots of great Claremont/Byrne vintage material) or the Showcase Jonah Hex (THE very best western comic series created on the US).

Best,
Hunter (Pedro Bouça)

CABLE/DEADPOOL is seven different kinds of awesome. I always recommend it.

However, I think you should get ASB&R this week... it's so rare that it comes out and it's such a joy when it does.

Why do I love ASB&R? Because it's absolutely the worst comic ever produced, and it's so much fun to read MST3K-style. If you are able to take it lightly and enjoy it's pure shittiness, it's the funniest comic you'll read this month.

Whenever it comes out, I can't turn away. It's like Roger Corman or Ed Wood got ahold of the DC Universe.

You're finally asking for recommendations on an Essential/Showcase. My heart sings...

If you're looking for fun, light-hearted adventure, I'd go 'Metamorpho'...it walks that ultra-thin line between action and satire, and it walks it wonderfully. The group dynamic is insane, the characters are all great, the stories are a blast...really great stuff in a sort of 'Austin Powers' superhero vein.

For something a little more character-driven and less satirical, you can't go wrong with 'Elongated Man'. Ralph and Sue are such a great team, there's tons of chemistry, and the mysteries are great (although not fair-play mysteries, just to warn you.) Probably the best superhero stuff in the Showcase line.

If you wanna go dark, I'll recommend what a lot of other people did, Jonah Hex. Twisted, grim, but oh-so-very-cool Western.

I could actually recommend a whole lot more of these (the whole House of Mystery set, the Unknown Soldier, all three Superman volumes and the Superman Family book, the first five X-Men volumes, Iron Fist, Power Man, all four volumes of Tomb of Dracula)...but I'm guessing you don't want to buy a whole library on your birthday.