John Babos
- Deathstroke Annual #1 – I love the ongoing series so I’ll pick up the annual. This is a must read series.
- Flash Annual #4 – I’m curious about this new Zoom. Wonder what we’ll learn?
- Lobo Annual #1 – Writer Cullen Bunn brings his other series’ protagonist Sinestro to tangle with Lobo. We know from future solicits that this kicks off the Lobo series’ next arc. Curious how these 3 DC anti-hero / villains-to-some characters will interact. I don’t read Lobo (while I do read Bunn’s other DC series) so am also curious how accessible the Annual will be.
- Ninjak #5 – Valiant’s cyber ninja remains a strong read. Valiant continues to punch it’s publisher weight class.
- Sandman Overture Special Edition #5 – While I’m a fan of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series and this prequel, it ships at a slow pace. As such, I’m not clear if this is the latest issue or a different version of an issue that has shipped. Will have to check my longbox before deciding to pull this.
James Fulton
- Casanova: Acedia #3 – There are a few very late books coming out this week that I’ve been looking forward to, chief among them being this one. Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá are two of the artists I respect most in comics, so anything that features there work is notable, and Matt Fraction’s scripts for this series are always pretty nuts.
- Lazarus #18 – Since war broke out between the families that run North America a couple of issues back, this title has been more exciting than ever.
- Manhattan Projects: Sun Beyond the Stars #2 – It’s been way too long since we’ve checked in on Yuri Gagarin and Laika, who were finally reunited in the last issue many months ago. I guess it’s a good sign that Jonathan Hickman’s Image books are beginning to ship again. The thing I find most exciting about the end of Secret Wars is that Hickman’s other titles will be getting his attention.
- Sex Criminals #11 – A new issue of Sex Criminals is always to be celebrated, but this one, which comes polybagged, has random variants with dirty pictures drawn by Chip Zdarsky and Matt Fraction on them. I remain hopeful…
- Star Wars #7 – Star Wars has been great, and while I’m really going to miss John Cassaday’s art, I’m curious to see this Simone Bianchi-drawn issue featuring Ben Kenobi.
Mike Maillaro
- The fifth comic release week of any month is usually a pretty light week for me, and this month is no exception.
- T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL – I love the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. Ever since my brother gave me the Nick Spencer T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents series that DC put out a few years ago, I can’t get enough of them. T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents is a team of government agents with superpowers that are slowly killing them. The characters and stories are real compelling, and I am kind of bummed that no one has been able to make a successful modern version of the series. DC and IDW have both given it a real solid try, but the audience just isn’t there. But I keep banging the drum hoping it brings in more new readers.
- SABRINA #4 – Archie’s demented re-imagining of SABRINA has been awful about getting out regularly, but I am always real happy to see it listed on the ship list. It is a great horror story, and I actually like this series even better than AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE, which is also excellent.
- SONIC BOOM #10 – In last week’s WORLD UNITE issue, characters from other Sega and Capcom series started to show up in large numbers. Unfortunately, there are only 3 issues left. I would have loved to have a little more time with all these characters, which was a big selling point of WORLDS UNITE for me. I’ve still enjoyed this series quite a bit, I just would have liked for the early part of the story to have been a little quicker to get to the massive team-ups sooner.
- S.H.I.E.L.D. #8 – Mockingbird teams up with Agent May! I’ve been enjoying Waid’s work on this series, which brings in a bunch of the characters from the AGENTS OF SHIELD TV series. Most of the stories are stand alone and show off some unique corners of the
Marvel universe. Definitely worth checking out. - POWERS #4 – I do think the current POWERS series has been a little slow, especially in terms of release dates, but I still do enjoy the series for the most part. I do think that it’s a shame with the Playstation series that they isn’t a POWERS series on the shelves regularly to capitalize, but I guess there are enough trades of the earlier series to sell.
- SECRET WARS – Not a huge SECRET WARS week either. No new series and the only tie-ins I am really looking forward to is THORS and MODOK ASSASSIN.
- GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #8 – GUARDIANS TEAM-UP has been a fun series. I am not sure that there is any real reason for this book to exist, but I still find it entertaining. This issue is supposed to be a silent one featuring Silver Surfer and Groot. Sounds a bit odd, but it’s always nice to see something a little different.
- STAR WARS #7 – This is a one-off issue featuring a flashback story starring Ben Kenobi. I’ve really enjoyed Marvel’s Star Wars comics, and Obi-Wan is a character that really never got much time to tell his story. I am really looking forward to this one.
- FLASH ANNUAL #4 and GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT ANNUAL #1 – Annuals are always hit or miss, but these are two of my favorite DC series, so I will definitely pick them both up. No idea if they will be any good. Annuals typically are not. I actually look forward to the day when Marvel and DC stop doing them for good.
- SUPERMAN #42 – I still think TRUTH is moving way too slowly, but at the same time, it is a very compelling Superman story, and I really want them to get to the meat of it. It has been a long time since I’ve cared this much about Superman comics.
- TITHE #4 – Image puts out a lot of clever series, and TITHE has been one of my favorites. It’s a story about a group of criminals who target Mega Churches. Part heist story, part detective story. Lots of unexpected twists and turns. This was supposed to be a four issue mini-series, but it looks like there is more to come with a second arc announced.
- DAREDEVIL #17 – Only two more issues of Waid’s DAREDEVIL to go. Last issue, Daredevil cut a deal with the Kingpin, and I’m really curious to see how this will all play out. DAREDEVIL has been fortunate over the years to have a lot of terrific writing, and Waid’s run stands with the best of them.
Paul Miranda
- Relatively small week for me, all things considered. Pleasant surprise, I suppose. Here I go!!
- BATGIRL #42
This title has already received its shot in the arm and been galvanized. BG doesn’t need an electrical-based villainess to crush her high. How can she take out Livewire without the new Batman’s interference?? - BATGIRL ANNUAL #3
Guest-stars galore: Batwoman! Gotham Academy! Grayson! Spoiler! (the character, not the term) The youth of the Bat-universe mix it up in two separate tales. *squeal* Oh, there are six artists on board as well. Guests aplenty!! - DEATHSTROKE ANNUAL #1
A story worthy enough of Greek epics!! So big that it continues in this annual. Slade had his butt handed to him by WW but she is warrior-bound and will stand by his side as he tries to slay Lapetus. Oh, Superman guest-stars for extra good measure! - FLASH ANNUAL #4
I took a peek at the preview pages. Thanks, CBR!! I’m really floored by the direction. There’s a new Professor Zoom but a familiar name appears in a FLASHback tale [see what I did there?] Rogues Gallery 3.0/4.0 gather!! - GOTHAM by MIDNIGHT ANNUAL #1
The Midnight Shift come across a classic Gotham villain – the Gentleman Ghost! What horrific plans is he ready to carry out? - JUSTICE LEAGUE: GODS & MONSTERS – SUPERMAN
For those of you who didn’t see this movie in advance (like me), think of this as an Elseworlds universe. The Man of Steel’s origin is extremely left-turn. I won’t spoil more but his ethnic upbringing is unexpected but more realistic and diversifying. - ROBIN: SON of BATMAN #2
The Demon’s Grandson has a year’s worth of intense rituals ahead. Little does he know that Mommy Dearest has been resurrected. Blood will flow! - SUPERMAN #42
Lois, with her relentless pursuit of truth, finally has her eyes blasted open when her friendly rival turns out to be the greatest hero on the planet! - 1602: WITCH HUNTER ANGELA #2
- AGE of ULTRON vs. MARVEL ZOMBIES #2
- BLACK WIDOW #20
- DEADPOOL’S SECRET SECRET WARS #3 (of 4)
- M.O.D.O.K. ASSASSIN #3 (of 5)
- THORS #2
- X-MEN ’92 #2
I’m somewhat relieved that this week’s books aren’t as numerous. Natasha says dasvidanya once more but not without a fight. - DAREDEVIL #17
What happens when the Devil has to make a deal with someone more evil than him? Nothing good, that’s for sure!! Why, Matt, why?? Things have become so unbearable that Matt has no choice but to broker a deal with the Kingpin. - STAR WARS #7
Who’s dying to know more about Han Solo’s spouse?? I sure am! Are they still married? Separated? What went wrong?? I’m sure the answers will be provided.
Mike Maillaro: I’M AFRAID I’VE GOT SOME…BAD NEWS! Star Wars 7 is a Obi Wan flashback story, No answers on Mrs Solo.
