Comic Book Resources

I’m only getting two comics this week, and one of them you’re already getting, so that leaves the other. Fortunately, it’s the one I would have pointed you to anyway: Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #31. Tony Bedard and Dennis Calero take over the creative duties in this issue, so it’s a good time to jump aboard and see just what they’re going to do with the boys and girls. I’m quite optimistic; I liked what Waid and Kitson did but I’m not sure Waid got everything he could have out of the characters, so maybe a fresh approach is a good idea.

I’ll just say X-Men First Class (vol 2) #1 because it’s a number one of a new series. I’d normally recommend Walking Dead, but they are in the middle of an arc, as are Thunderbolts. Teen Titans is a close second because its Adam Beechum’s first (I think) issue, but then again, the book has been sub par lately.

The first trade of Mike Carey’s Crossing Midnight comes out, as does the latest issue. It’s very good: Somewhere around Hayao Miyazaki and Haruki Murakami. Definitely worth a read, and Vertigo’s first volumes are quite reasonably priced: Just $9.99 for five isues worth of good comics.

You could probably sample the latest issue, too - Carey writes a pretty accessible single issue.

I’m going to second the recommendation for Crossing Midnight, trade or single issue, preferably both. It’s a bit slow starting out, but it begins to pick up after a few issues, and Carey’s doing a great job of creating a storyline that gets you more absorbed the more you read of it.

Are you seriously not reading Iron Fist, or was that an accidental ommission?

Whoops, I forgot about Iron Fist. I have ordered the trade of the first six issues because I haven’t been able to find the early ones. So I will jump on the issues with #7, because it’s a good comic. I meant to mention that in the post and forgot.

I’d suggest Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes #31. Forget about the Legion appearance in JLA. This is a million times better. Even though there are a lot of characters, they’ve done a good job of showing who’s important in the story, who they are and what they do. Plus this is the start of Tony Bedard’s run, and he’s been working with Waid on the last arc, so the changover should be decent. It’s a fun super-hero team book, and probably the best most consistent portrayal of Supergirl, if you care about that sort of thing.

That is, unless you’ve got a bunch of cash burning a whole in your pocket. If that’s the case you should seek out the Art of Bone HC. I’m sweating the choice between that and the third Annihilation HC, because I can’t justify picking up both at the same time, but I want to read them both right away. The Art of Bone doesn’t have any new story in it, as far as I know, but should provide a great look at a modern classic, and from what I hear, the other books in Dark Horse’s Art of series have been great.

Or you could go with the new Shonen Jump. 5 bucks for 200+ pages of manga. Again, if you’re into that sort of thing.

I’m also going to recommend S&LosH 31. Bedard and Calero are both reliable talents, and Waid and Kitson left them with a great jump-on point, with fallout from the just-concluded Dominator War, the results of a Legion election (Vote Theena!), and leader Cosmic Boy abruptly leaving the team and Earth.

This is such a light week for me that I’m either going to skip my trip to the store completely, or check out a couple of manga titles I’ve had my eye on for a while. Picked up the first volume of Planetes recently and would recommend that if you’re in a sampling mood. Intriguing characters and solid artwork combine make for a compelling intro that left me wanting more.

Didn’t we prostrate ourselves enough over the Flash recommend? After all, we didn’t know how it was going to end. Oh, the shame! I suppose I should flagellate myself before the shrine of Gwen Stacy. (She’s one of the only comics characters who’s still dead, right? I suppose technically there’s Barry Allen, but I’d bet a lot of money that he’ll back sometime before the dreaded Countdown is over.)

Anyway … at the risk of embarrassing myself further, I will admit that the comic I’m most looking forward to this week is the Sinestro Corps special. I do really enjoy Van Sciver’s art, for one thing. But mostly, Sinestro was always one of my favorite villains and more than I ever wanted Hal back (because I honestly didn’t care; Kyle and John are fine with me) I ALWAYS wanted Sinestro back. Killing him seemed like such a waste. And now we’ve got him back and badder than ever. That works for me! Plus, I think Mogo and Kilowog are part of the storyline. Kilogwog and f’in MOGO, man!

OK, geek-out now over. I will also be grabbing the Crossing Midnight trade, as it’s very reasonably priced and I think the premise is intriguing. But that’s not really a recommendation from me, as I haven’t even read a single page of the monthly.

Finally, Greg, I’m kinda surprised you’re not buying Amazons Attack — considering Will (Catwoman) Pfiefer is writing it. Did you even get the first issue? It was pretty good. Though, sadly, I will admit the second issue made it clear that it’s closely tied into Wonder Woman, which I won’t be buying till Gail Simone takes over. BUT I suppose it’s only fair that a mini-series called Amazons Attack is tied into the monthly of the DCU’s headliner Amazon. Now, if I’m suddenly expected to be reading Countdown too, then I’ll be really pissed. Anyway, Pete Woods’ art is awesome.

I’m sooo bored by the very idea of any book starring the original X-Men or Supergirl, no matter how well written it might turn out to be.

Huh! Nobody has bothered to mention the
Zombie soap opera Walking Dead # 38
or
The raunchiest issue of THE BOYS # 8 (gotta have your Ennis fix).

and for those who’s into trades, there’s vol. 4 of CONAN ala Dark Horse.

Since you are going to get Iron Fist in a trade and you’ve already tried out Criminal, I’m going to recommend the Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps special. The art is by Van Sciver and Gibbons, which, in my book, means it will be good. Johns has been setting this book up for 2+ years, so I’m expecting a strong issue here.

If that’s not your flavor, I’d recommend Cable/Deadpool #42. This issue is the full-issue mainstream debut of Jon Malin, who has a ton of potential and could easily be a superstar in the industry. I’ve never chcked out the title before, but I’ve seen some rough pencils and a few preview pages, which was enough for me to decide to pick it up.

Get “The Phantom” #17. You not only support your “non-Big 2″ cred, but you also get a pretty cool adventure story starring one of the oldest and most venerable 4 color characters of all time.

Both of the things I would recommend probably aren’t what you are going to buy.

1. The Stardust HC. I’m assuming you have already read Stardust. (If not…get this!)

2. World War Hulk: Front Line. I assume if you were at all interested in WWH that you would already be getting it.

So, I’m stumped.

2000AD #1540 has a smashing Jock cover to accompany the (hilarious) Judge Dredd strip he draws inside. Meanwhile, two new stories start. Medieval zombie epic Defoe is shaping up to be a bit special with beautifully nasty monochrome art from Leigh Gallagher, while Greysuit is a hackneyed superspy caper enlivened by some entertainingly OTT ultraviolence.

You wont have the foggiest notion what’s going on in Nikolai Dante, so if I was seriously going to recommend you get a hold of anything, it’d be the first TPB of that (which isn’t out this week.)

My choices:

Blue Beetle which I am pleased to see you trying again

Iron Fist - but you are getting the trade

Sinestro Corps special - already mentioned, but yet another vote. Those backups in GL corp have whetted my appetite. I hope this is as good or better than the tales from the book of fear (is that the right title for the backups?)

Legion of Superheroes - the only good Supergirl related book (not counting Fallen Angel ) ANd again a good time to try out the book as a new team is taking it forward.

I’m excited about the Hulk/X-men book myself. Gage has yet to fail me and I love the idea of the Hulk hunting down Professor X and fighting the X-men, basically just because they’re in the way. Obviously your mileage may vary, but thats my recommendation.

I’m getting Thunderbolts this week, but that’s not a good jump-on spot.

Marvel Adventures Avengers is consistently one of the company’s best comics, thanks to Jeff Parker. And this issue has Leonard Kirk art, I believe.

There’s always the 20 dollar deluxe edition of Tarot, of course.

I’m getting Jack of Fables, Nightly News, Criminal, Daredevil, Iron Fist, X-Factor, X-Men, and…Countdown. (Sorry)

Get Jack of Fables

I suggest The Boys #8 as you’re either buying everything else I buy or what I’m buying is the end of a storyarc (which COULD make for a fun review, though).

I’m going recommend the only comic I’m getting this week, HAUNTED MANSION #6.

Its a fun and interesting book from Slave Labor Graphics, based on the fun Disney ride. How can you not love about comic about floating heads in crystal balls,hitchhicking ghost, and grim grinning ghouls that come out to socialize?

I’d recommend either The Sinestro Corps one-shot or Supergirl & the LoSH. The Sinestro Corps is shaping up to be a very cool event if you’re a GL fan. SLoSH has been a really enjoyable book, but I’m reluctant to recommend it as it’s the debut of the new creative staff, and that’s always iffy.

If you want to drop some serious $$ i would go with The Art of Bone from Dark Horse. My other (non-big $$) would be Castle Waiting #7. It has a lot of the same flavor as Bone, and is infinitely entertaining.

The Goon Noir trade has some pretty fun stories.

If that’s not your cuppa, then maybe the Ant-Man digest?

Even though you dropped it before and I already suggested Crossing Midnight, I’m going to throw in for Boys #8 as well. It’s been even better since the relaunch at Dynamite, and the first page of the preview for this issue was absolutely priceless.

Ant-Man digest, in an ill-fated attempt to reverse the book’s impending cancellation. Followed closely by The Sinestro Corps. one-shot and SG&LoSH.

YOU BUY NOW!

Great week for X-Fanatics. You might consider getting

X-Men First Class Vol 2 #1 - the mini series was pretty good and Jeff Parker is a great writer.

World War Hulk X-Men #1 - Yes, it’s going to be pointless and superfluous but a) it’s written by Christos Gage, b) penciled by Andrea De Vito and c) who doesn’t want to see a good X-Men vs Hulk brawl???

Red Sonja - Good book, if you have a weak spot for Sword and Sorcery.

No trade recommendations so I won’t recommend the 3rd Annihilation Trade.

You should have went with the Uncle Scrooge book I (and a few other smart fellas) suggested, pal…

Anyway, there is still time to make up for it. Try and get the DUNGEON VOL 1 TP. This is not a fantasy comic, this is a wild satire of fantasy cliches done in a cartoony, anthropomorphic style by one of THE greatest european cartoonists of this generation! Funniest comic you will read all year (unless you go with my Uncle Scrooge suggestion next time, of course).

Now, if you’ll still ignore my wise counsel and go for a Marvel/DC book, you should try a Jeff Parker comic like MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS or X-MEN FIRST CLASS. They are fun. Not as fun as Dungeon, but fun nonetheless.

Best,
Hunter (Pedro Bouça)

The problem, Pedro, is finding the books some people recommend. I certainly wouldn’t mind picking some of them up, but often I can’t find them here in the backwaters of Arizona. The Uncle Scrooge, for instance, was nowhere to be found!

Look at it this way, I live in Lisbon (Portugal) and have to preorder online ALL my US comics! At least you can see what you are buying…

Best,
Hunter (Pedro Bouça)

I do like how you assume I’m an ignorant American and don’t know where Lisbon is, Pedro!

To be fair, it’s not really a world famous city. When I lived in Rio de Janeiro I didn’t do that, but Lisbon? That’s probably the lesser known european capital! Not really famous outside Europe and the portuguese-language countries…

Best,
Hunter (Pedro Bouça)

I know I’m late, but if you haven’t visited your LCS yet, here are my thoughts on this week’s books:

I can’t believe that nobody has mentioned Silver Surfer Requiem to you. #1 was incredible. My bet is this issue will be, too.

Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with this first issue of Bedard’s Supergirl and the LOSH.

How can you not be buying Sinestro Corps?

And the first issue of the new run of X-Men First Class?

And then there’s always Cable Deadpool #42! It looks to be getting back to basics on this title, if last issue was any indication. Good stuff.

Yeah, and

If I were to really, really, think about it, Help me buy my comics this week! is a great way to frame your point, especially when The Five Love Language Man Edition is taken into account.