Pull List Roundtable 8/12/2015 – Secret Wars, Velvet #11, Batman #43 & More (Spoilers)

Columns, Features, Roundtables, Top Story

James Fulton

  • Crossed Plus 100 #7 – I loved Alan Moore’s arc on this title, and am very curious to see what his successor, Simon Spurrier, does with the title. I know he’s working from Moore’s notes, so I have high hopes that he will continue to explore language and society, as well as give us a chillingly good story.

  • Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #1 – Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie have been tearing up anything they’ve worked on together, but the book I’m always going to think of first when I think of them is Phonogram. I’m very excited to see them return to this property, which explores the magic inherent in music.

  • Secret Wars #5 – You know, I kind of miss the Marvel Universe. I’m happy to take a break from it for a while, but this is the tentpole book of the summer, and I admit to getting excited for it, especially since things have all gotten delayed.

  • Velvet #11 – It’s been a while since we’ve last seen Velvet Templeton, so a new issue is a cause for celebration. This is a very good 70s espionage story.

  • The Walking Dead #145 – The last issue of TWD had a huge and significant body count to it. I’m looking forward to seeing the fallout, especially since Rick and Carl are directly responsible for everything that happened. I love this comic.

John Babos

  • Batman #43 – Not too keen on Jarhead Gordon as Iron-Batman, but love the creative team. Am sticking with title mostly to see what the team has in store for Batman #50.

  • Bloodshot Reborn #5 – Fun, quirky and action packed. A different yet familiar feeling take on Bloodshot.

  • Earth 2 Society #3 – Am enjoying this new take on Earth 2’s JSA. New world, new challenges. The lingering New Gods elements are a plus for me, particular Doctor Impossible.

  • Green Arrow #43 – Loving the new team on Arrow. The book seems to be evoking the social justice era from the 1960s/70s Green Lantern / Green Arrow. Fun and action-packed.

  • New Suicide Squad #11 – My favourite team concept since the 1980s. The current run evokes the 1980s sensibilities in the modern political context.

  • Star Trek / Green Lantern #2 – Very curious how this develops. I’m a… #SuckerForSciFi!

  • Secret Wars #5 – The book finally arrives. Curious about the march to #8 and the non-reboot reboot All-New All-Different Marvel.

  • Unity #21 – Valiant’s Justice League. A great book.

Mike Maillaro

I have an obscenely long list of comics coming out next week. I really need to start trimming down my pull list some, but it is pretty much all stuff I enjoy reading…

  • INJECTION #4 – Ellis and Declan Shalvey are creating a very intricate and entertaining story here. What always impresses me about Ellis is how different all of his stories are. I love so much of his work…off the top of my head, TRANSMETROPOLITAN, PLANETARY, STORMWATCH/AUTHORITY, GLOBAL FREQUENCY, MOON KNIGHT, and there is so little overlap in any of them. INJECTION is another brilliant series and definitely deserves attention.

  • SECRET WARS – Issue 4 ended with Doom killing the only other man who knows what’s going on with Battleworld. Issue 5 comes out this week. Hickman needs to move the story forward some. It’s been real slow and exposition heavy…pretty much Hickman’s specialty. This is another big week of SECRET WARS tie-ins. My picks are: MASTER OF KUNG FU, A-FORCE, STAR-LORD AND KITTY PRYDE, and MRS DEADPOOL AND THE HOWLING COMMANDOS.

  • AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #20.1 – This story is the perfect example of “you can’t go home again.” I really liked Gerry Conway’s work on AMAZING SPIDER-MAN back in the day. He wrote some of the most important Spider-Man stories of all time, including DEATH OF GWEN STACY…and to a lesser extent “Aunt May inherits a nuclear plant!” But Spiral hasn’t been particularly memorable. I do think Conway has done a nice job tying in more modern characters like Wraith and Mister Negative, but it’s still not enough to get me all that excited about buying extra issues of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN with no ties to the main series.

  • STAR WARS LANDO #2 – Issue 1 was great. Lando is gathering a team together to pull one hell of a job….steal the Emperor’s favorite shuttle! I can’t say this enough. Marvel has done a terrific job with their STAR WARS comics. In just about a year, they have put out more great STAR WARS comics than Dark Horse did in the close to 25 years they had the license. I know that sounds mean, but I have tried to get into Dark Horse’s STAR WARS comics many time, and often found them lacking, especially in the art department. Marvel has put out great STAR WARS stories with beautiful art month after month.

  • JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #12 – To be honest, I don’t think the “SECRET DEFENDERS” approach to Justice League is all that great an idea, but I have enjoyed this series so far. Hopefully it can find the right balance to make this series stand out. There are basically four JUSTICE LEAGUE books out right now, and JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED is probably the least important one.
  • BATMAN #43 – I have really enjoyed seeing Jim Gordan take over the Batman mantle. Last issue, it was clear that Bruce Wayne is still alive, but it’s not clear if he even remembers that he was Batman. Hopefully, they will keep this change in the status quo for a few more issues at least. It’s really helped get me back into BATMAN, which I haven’t cared about in a real long time.

  • VAMPIRELLA/ARMY OF DARKNESS #2 – The first issue of this series was great. I’ve really become a VAMPIRELLA fan in recent years, and she definitely can hold her own against Ash, in fighting prowess and wit. I’m glad I picked this one up. Dynamite does a great job with licensed works, and this was no exception.

  • STAR TREK/GREEN LANTERN #2 – I did kind of think the first issue of this crossover had to strain credulity a little to work, especially in fitting a different lantern ring to a different Star Trek character….and just conveniently, all the “bad rings” ended up with “bad guys.” But it was still a good issue, and I will definitely check out the rest of this one. IDW has done a real good job with these kinds of crossovers over the last few years, like STAR TREK/LEGION and STAR TREK/DOCTOR WHO.

  • VELVET #11 – This has been an excellent take on spy stories, but the constantly delayed releases means I forget what happens by the next issue comes back. That is difficult in a story like this with so many moving parts. I am almost ready to put this on the wait for trade list, and I really hate that because I enjoy VELVET so much.

  • HOWARD THE DUCK #5 – I never thought I would use this sentence: HOWARD THE DUCK is one of the best comics Marvel puts out. I actually find myself real invested in this ridiculous parody of THE INFINITY GAUNTLET. Each issue has basically been stand alone, but they seem to all have been building up towards something bigger. Waid’s SHIELD is very similar, though the tone is very different. I am real glad that HOWARD THE DUCK will be continuing after SECRET WARS. Comic shelves would be a much less interesting place without this book.

  • SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #275 – I can’t believe that WORLDS UNITE is almost over already. It feels like it was just getting started. Even sadder is that not long after this, MEGA MAN and SONIC BOOM will be coming to an end. SONIC BOOM is actually my kids’ favorite comic. They are not happy that they lost the series for three months for this crossover, only to lose it for good.

  • SWORDS OF SORROW #4 – Still my favorite crossover of the summer! Very underrated. Simone has done a great job bringing together a wide variety of female heroes here! If you picked up SECRET WARS or CONVERGENCE without picking up SWORDS OF SORROW, you are doing yourself a huge disservice.

  • X-O MANOWAR #39 – One of the most consistent comics month after month. Valiant relaunched with X-O MANOWAR, and it is basically the only series in the relaunch that is still going without getting a drastic overhaul. I am glad that Valiant has kept on course with X-O MANOWAR…I really hope they can get back on track with HARBINGER. IMPERIUM has done nothing for me

Paul Miranda

  • IT WILL ALL HURT #3
    I’m really digging alternative comics. I never imagined myself to look past the Big Two. The kids do battle against the evilest of wizards.


  • ADAM.3 #1 (of 5)
    I’ve been biting my nails in anticipation of this release for weeks now! I had the distinct honour and pleasure of interviewing Scott Kolins at Montreal Comic Con. I’m 100% on-board and 1000% supportive of his Herculean effort. Plus, he was especially appreciative of my analytical understanding of the premise.

  • ACTION COMICS #43
    I read the 5-page preview a few days ago. Not all seems bleak for the former of Man of Steel. Hooray!! Time to take back Kentville!

  • ALL-STAR SECTION EIGHT #3 (of 6)
    Non-stop laughs as the super-losers try to recruit an eight member. Next potential candidate: J’onn J’onzz the Martian Manhunter! The cover implies he has strong B.O. Bwah hah hah!!

  • BATMAN #43
    I was privy to another 5-page preview. I won’t spoil it but Bruce is living an idyllic existence devoid of Dark Knights and Clown Princes of Crime. Jim Gordon runs on empty with his help especially with the (b)looming threat of Mr. Bloom!!

  • BATMAN/SUPERMAN #23
    Can’t you two just get along and play nice? NOPE!! Truth is one thing. Trust is another matter entirely.

  • DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #1
    Team Marguerite join forces for the first three issues. *squeal* First, the baseball sensation turned super-heroine: The Batwoman! Ms. Bennett and Ms. Sauvage collaborating is a sweet treat.

  • GOTHAM ACADEMY #9
    What tragedy has befallen Olive? I don’t think Maps’ ebullience will be enough to turn that frown upside down.

  • GREEN ARROW #43
    The Hood takes back Seattle! Those pesky Panopticon bots got nothing on Emiko!

  • JUSTICE LEAGUE: GODS and MONSTERS #1 (of 3)
    More secrets unfold as Bruce Timm’s refreshingly dark take on the Justice League continues in a three-part mini-series serving as a prequel to the animated movie! The trio take on the villainous Forever People.

  • JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #12
    The concept is not novel but I’m relishing this rotating line-up. The heroes and villains are only recruited on an “as-needed” basis. How will Etrigan, Mera, Poison Ivy, and Swamp Thing fare against the crimson clad cads? Even with the regular team in tow, their efforts may be insufficient!

  • 18 DAYS #2
  • SADHU: REBIRTH of the WARRIOR #2 (of 6)
    I’ve become a recent fan and outspoken proponent of Graphic India. At the risk of stirring the pot, two Caucasian writers seem to have their Indian mythological knowledge down pat for these series. In case you are wondering, I’m referring to Grant Morrison for the former and Chuck Dixon for the latter.

  • STAR TREK/GREEN LANTERN #2 (of 6)
    Hal Jordan. The crew of the USS Enterprise. That’s good. Sinestro. Klingons. That’s bad. Sci-fi proper clashes with sci-fi fantasy in this surprisingly clever crossover. Rings from each colour spectrum have chosen a bearer. Is this a new spin on The War of Light or a pre-cursor to centuries of distrust between Klingons and the Federation??

  • SECRET WARS #5 (of 8)
    The Big Kahuna. This issue can only go higher in expectations. Death at the hands of Doom means he rules all. His trusted aid Molecule Man has already come to pass. More about that is revealed in this book. Quite frankly, I want the heroes to start brawling! Doom must descend!!

  • A-FORCE #3
  • GHOST RACERS #3 (of 4)
  • INHUMANS: ATILLAN RISING #4
  • KORVAC SAGA #3
  • MASTER of KUNG-FU #4 (of 4)
  • MRS. DEADPOOL and the HOWLING COMMANDOS #3
  • PLANET HULK #4
  • SECRET WARS 2099 #4 (of 5)
  • SECRET WARS BATTLEWORLD #4 (of 4)
  • STAR-LORD & KITTY PRYDE #2
  • YEARS of FUTURE PAST #4
    Eleven more tie-ins come your way. Two minis conclude. Two other minis reach the penultimate point.

  • AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #20.1
  • HOWARD the DUCK #5
  • UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #8
    Three main titles reach their respective ends. We all know what comes in three months’ time: ALL-NEW ALL-DIFFERENT MARVEL!! This is temporarily goodbye before they spring up again in the fall.


Phil Allen

  • DC Comics Bombshells #1 – I loved when DC’s Bombshells variants came out last year and must admit had thought it would make a great Elseworld series. Well here it is! In addition to this, we’re graced with another month of variant covers. I liked the original variants better than these, but I’m glad we’re getting a new series.

  • JLA: Gods And Monsters #1 – I haven’t seen the movie yet but I’ve liked all the comics so far. Glad to see Bruce Timm is back in the DC offices, and I hope this leads to more from him, either comics or movies.

  • Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl #1 – Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, and Matt Wilson have been killing it (sorry, too soon) over on The Wicked + The Divine, but long before that they worked on Phonogram. Now they’re back for volume three, and it’s a perfect jumping on point for new readers.

  • Star Trek / Green Lantern #2 – This is a very cool crossover idea, and I really enjoyed issue #1. It felt a little rushed, but that may be because it’s such a big idea limited to only six issues. The rest of the series should be solid, and may lead the way for more DC crossovers coming later.

  • Mercury Heat #2 – I liked issue #1, so I’m looking forward to this issue. Not my favorite of Gillen’s work, but still solid.

  • Star Wars: Lando #2 – Not my favorite of the new Star Wars books, but still very good.

  • Shutter #14 – This series continues to amaze me, including the numerous backup stories (I’m not sure if these are included in collected editions, so you may want to find original issues). I hope you’ve been reading this. If not, please start now.

  • The Fuse #13 – This has become one of my favorite series from Image. The third arc starts here, and it looks like a good spot for new readers to get in, but why not go back and read the rest?

    Also looking forward to:
  • Batman #43
  • Batman / Superman #23
  • Catwoman #43
  • Constantine: The Hellblazer #3
  • Descender #6
  • Fables: The Wolf Among Us #8
  • Howard the Duck #5
  • ODY-C #6
  • Sleepy Hollow: Providence #1
  • The Fade Out #8
  • The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #8
Mike Maillaro is a lifelong Jersey Boy and geek. Mike has been a comic fan for about 30 years from when his mom used to buy him Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Adventures at our local newsstand. Thanks, Mom!! Mike's goal is to bring more positivity to the discussion of comics and pop culture.