Pull List Roundtable 2/10/2016 – Batman #49, Shaft: Imitation of Life #1 & More (Spoilers)

Features, Roundtables, Top Story

John Babos:

  • Batman #49 – The march to #50 continues with Bruce-as-Batman again soon upon us. Curious what will happen with the ‘Commish who is currently Batman.
  • Batman and Robin Eternal #19 – We’re close to the end game. Curious how or if that ending to Robin War #2 will play into the conclusion of this series.
  • Batman / Superman #29 – Writer Tom Taylor. That alone is worth the price of admission. Plus this is a retro tale set in the past when Bruce Wayne was Batman and Superman was, you know, super. Robson Rocha on art is a win too.
  • Earth 2 Society #9 – Parallel Earth hijinks ensue.
  • Flash #48 – Did I miss this one earlier or is this late? The march to #50 continues. I’m in through to that milestone, but I may be weaning off this book soon. No time travel tales or Brett Booth on art has me leaning towards an imminent good-bye.
  • Green Lantern Corps: Edge of Oblivion #2 – All-star creative team of writer Tom Taylor and artist Ethan Van Sciver continue to their take of the Lost GLC in the dying universe before ours. Loved the preceding Lost Army creative team of writer Cullen Bunn and artist Jesus Saiz, but am glad their story continues in this new mini-series.
  • New Suicide Sqaud #17 – Villains working for the government for selfish reasons. What’s not to like? Plus the SS movie is set to hit the silver screen soon. Should be a big year for this team.
  • Ninjak #12 – More Shadowman in the current fish-out-of-water arc for Ninjak! Fun.
  • Telos #5 – I must be the only reading this post-Convergence mini-series, but I imagine a few new readers will pop by for this mini-series’ penultimate issue with the arrival of Parallax! The Zero Hour era version who exists here-and-now as a result of Convergence; two Hal Jordans in the DCU now. The omnipotent one closes out the Telos mini-series.

Mike Maillaro

  • SHAFT IMITATION OF LIFE #1 – David F. Walker is one of my favorite comic writers and Shaft was one of my favorite books that came out last year. This is definitely the book I am most looking for to this week.
  • BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #3 – This book has lived up to my expectations, which is really all I can ask for. A very fun story which gives both sides a real opportunity to show what makes them so unique. Will the Turtles get home before they turn back into normal turtles?
  • BATMAN/SUPERMAN #29 – I like the change in direction for this series, which now serves to tell stories from Batman and Superman’s shared past. I would like it better if they used it to fill in some of the gaps in New-52 continuity, but I still think the last few issues have told a pretty good story. Worth checking out.
  • JUGHEAD #4 – 4 issues in, and I still have no idea what I think about this series. Sometimes it’s brilliant, some times it drags on (especially with the fantasy sequences). It’s nowhere near as good as the main relaunched Archie series, but I still enjoy JUGHEAD the most part. Though it is not Chip Zdarsky’s best work. Though to be honest, Howard the Duck has kind of been slipping lately too. Maybe he’s just spread too thin.
  • OLD MAN LOGAN #2 – The first issue was a pretty powerful comic. Old Man Logan finds himself back in what he believes to be his first. So what’s he do? Decides to go in a killing spree to ensure that his future never happens. This issue he is looking for Bruce Banner, but instead, he finds himself confronting the Totally Awesome Hulk, Amadeus Cho. At this point, I am not sure Old Man Logan is sane enough to recognize the difference…
  • ULTIMATES #4 – Ultimates is telling some really big stories with a terrific team of characters that need more exposure. My only real problem is that so far, the Ultimates haven’t really had any major challenges. They set out with a goal, and achieve that goal. I want to see them hitting up against (and prevailing over) some real adversity. We got hints of that last issue when Gladiator threw a temper tantrum that Earthlings defeated Galactus once and for all, but I want to see that have a little more impact on the characters.
  • LETTER 44 #23 – This series is awesome, but doesn’t get much press attention. It is about the United States finding out that an alien invasion is impending and the actions they would take to try and protect themselves. Each issue has a lot of twists and turns, and Charles Soule seems to have a strong idea where this story is going. One of my favorite comics every month.
  • ILLUMINATI #4 – This series has some really cool ideas, with The Hood manipulating a group of villains for his own purposes. I enjoy every issue when I read it, but unfortunately, as soon as I finish reading it, I basically forget about this series until the next issue comes out. I don’t know what it is about this series, it just doesn’t stick with me at all.
  • G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #225 – Hard to believe that we’ve gotten 70 “extra” issues picking up where Larry Hama left off when the Marvel GI JOE series ended way back in 1994. I am a huge fan of GI Joe comics, and while this series sometimes drags on, I think more often than not Hama is recapturing that magic he had back in the day.
  • ALL-NEW ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS #5 – Speaking of slow burn series. ALL-NEW ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS was the book I was most excited about from All-New All-Different Marvel. I don’t want to call this book disappointing, but it still hasn’t quite lived up to my expectations. Marvel is putting out a lot of real good books, and this book, which should be their flagship title, just seems to be lagging far behind.
  • AUTUMNLANDS #9 –Autumnlands (which started life as Tooth and Claw) is another great series by Kurt Busiek. The story is about a world of magic where anthromorphic animals rule the world. A human “savior” has returned to them and is trying to help restore the world’s slowly fading magic. But this savior is not at all what they expect. It’s a good story, and I love the gorgeous art on this series.

Matt Graham

  • Harley’s Little Black Book #2 – I thought the first was a oneshot, but I enjoyed it so will continue to pull.
  • Black Canary #8 – I feel like this title won’t survive whatever is happening with DC in the near future, but I’m always down for comics about musicians and will support it wherever it goes.
  • Legend of Wonder Woman #2 – Renae De Liz is one of the best creative forces to be caught up in. Based on her reactions to the criticisms and commentary that the first issue brought up, this book is a thoughtful reinvention of Wonder Woman created with the utmost care and attention to detail of the characters wide (and sometimes not universally shared for why) appeal.
  • Descender #10 – This book is a delightful robotic revolution romp.
  • Dr. Mirage Second Lives #3 – Shame it’s just four issues, but I’ll take what I can.
  • All-New Wolverine #5 – I like the dynamic between Laura and Warren in this book. This is shaping up to be a worthy successor to Marjorie Liu’s run with Laura.
  • All-New X-Men #4 – I also like the dynamic between Laura and the original X-Men. Scott’s identity crisis is also an interesting path to explore.

James Fulton

  • Darth Vader #16 – It’s time to see what the aftereffects of Vader Down are going to be. I continue to enjoy this title way more than I ever expected to, mostly thanks to Kieron Gillen.
  • Last Contract #2 – The first issue of Ed Brisson’s new series at Boom! was excellent, so I’m looking forward to this. It’s about an aged, retired hit man who has to get back into the game because someone is after him. Brisson is so good at this type of thing.
  • Low #11 – It took me a long time to get into this series by Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini, but it is now routinely excellent. Glad to see it coming back from a hiatus.
  • Manhattan Projects: Sun Beyond the Stars #4 – This title has really been hurt by delays, but with Secret Wars over, and Jonathan Hickman no longer working for Marvel, I hope to see this, East of West, and The Dying & The Dead back on more regular schedules, because they are all excellent comics.
  • New Suicide Squad #17 – I love the Suicide Squad, but have not been happy with any of the New 52 stuff that’s featured this concept, with the exception of Ales Kot’s excellent, truncated run. Now the book is being given to Tim Seeley and Juan Ferreyra, two excellent creators. I had high hopes, but of course, whatever Rebirth is, it’s probably going to wreck this for me. Thanks, DC.

Paul Miranda

  • The HOUSE of MONTRESOR
    Another EAP tale: the sequel to “The Cask of Amontillado”! The author seems to be the genuine article, re-telling this terrific tale from the grave!!
  • SECOND SIGHT #1
    Aftershock keeps the pulses going!! David Hine is gonna shine! Psychics have either been relied upon or scoffed by the police. Ever think that maybe they’re a sham or were always in on the crimes??
  • ROMAN RITUAL TP
    I hesitated at buying the single issues of this mini-series. At least I can redeem myself with this trade. Go go, Amigo!!
  • BATMAN #49
  • BATMAN ’66 meets the MAN from U.N.C.L.E. #3 (of 6)
  • BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL #19 (of 26)
  • BATMAN/TMNT #3 (of 6)
  • BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT – BATGIRL/HARLEY QUINN SPECIAL
    Video games just aren’t my thing. Even I know the hype/importance/value in obtaining this one-shot. I’d be a fool to pass up on this.
  • BLACK CANARY #8
  • GOTHAM ACADEMY #15
  • LEGEND of WONDER WOMAN #2 (of 9)
    Females are the superior sex!! Beauty, brains, and brawn! These titles have them all.
  • SHAFT: IMITATION of LIFE #1 (of 4)
    Blaxploitation never felt better!! David F. Walker has cemented his contributions in the comic world. This sequel explores John Shaft’s inner demons.
  • ZAGOR: the RED SAND
    I’m 100% for supporting and exposing small-press/indie publishers. Epicenter Comics has new content with the King of Darkwood facing a moral dilemma.
  • HIP HOP FAMILY TREE #7
  • REINCARNATION MAN #1 (of 4)
    Graphic India releases yet another original, innovative series. One young man who is not even remotely aware of super-heroics is thrust into action once he resurrects and realizes he can channel different important figures of the past. All for the affordable price of two dollars minus a penny!
  • INTERCEPTOR #2
  • APAMA, the UNDISCOVERED ANIMAL
    Hero Tomorrow releases this trade for all to discover, myself included wink emoticon Ted Sikora’s original creation was made into a motion pic. The tagline says it best: “What the heck is an apama?”
  • JEM and the HOLOGRAMS VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL
    Rock music, Rio, romance, and running riot!! The love-fest has a twist to it.
  • ALL-NEW ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS #5
  • DEADPOOL #7
    What was meant to be an intentional spoof of an established character from the Distinguished Competition has had unprecedented success!! The last quarter century has showcased an amusing ascension for the manic motormouth. The typical 90’s bad-ass led to the comedic, goofy, annoyingly insane man that fans embrace!! This is a big one!! 96 pages of anniversary acknowledgement. DP’s legacy stretches to the future, all the way to 2099!!
  • OLD MAN LOGAN #2
  • SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #2
  • DARTH VADER #16
  • TINKER #1 (of 4)
    Overground lives it up to its name. Why act like an ostrich with the head buried deep? Super-heroes can be real. Amy Park is determined to be one herself despite her underage legal status.
  • SEVEN PERCENT #5 (of 6)
    I have yet to read the other issues but I have a vested interest in this series since it’s from Canadian publisher Red 5 Comics.
  • DEATH-DEFYING DR. MIRAGE: SECOND LIVES #3 (of 4)
  • DC ENTERTAINMENT GN ESSENTIALS & CHRONOLOGY
  • MARVEL NEW STORIES START NOW PREVIEWS
    Free stuff is never a bad thing smile Check the catalog for your fave DC series or have a peek into the ANADM universe!! Remember: these might be worth more than you realize??
  • TMNT #1 IDW’s GREATEST HITS
    The current incarnation of the Heroes in a Half-Shell receive the affordable reprinting treatment. One buck ain’t gonna kill you. Plus, it may prove to be a real savvy investment.

Phil Allen

I’m a still a few weeks behind and I’m not sure what’s currently going on in many of these titles, so no synopses/explanation for me this week, but I should be caught up very soon!

  • Batman #49
  • Batman: Arkham Knight – Batgirl and Harley Quinn #1
  • Batman and Robin Eternal #19
  • Black Canary #8
  • Darth Vader #16
  • Descender #10
  • Fables: The Wolf Among Us #14
  • Gotham Academy #15
  • Jughead #4
  • Injustice: Gods Among Us, Year Five #3
  • Low #11: Shore of the Dying Light, Part 1
  • Ms. Marvel #4
  • Spider-Man / Deadpool #2
  • The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw #9
  • The October Faction #13
  • They’re Not Like Us #11
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.