Pull List Roundtable 3/2/2016 – Black Widow #1, Vampirella #1, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1, Green Lantern #50 & More (Spoilers)

Columns, Features, Roundtables, Top Story

John Babos

Wow. Only 4 DC books this week. No Valiant or Marvel. That’s a surprise.

  • Batman and Robin Eternal #22 – The end is nigh. Wow. This 1/2 year weekly series has gone by quickly.
  • Batman Beyond #10 – I’m enjoying this older Tim Drake grafted onto the BB mythology. Great creative team.
  • Green Lantern #50 – How does Parallax play into the fallout from this issue?
  • Omega Men #9 – Really enjoying this little sci-fi super-her book.

Mike Maillaro

Pretty small week as comics are spread over 5 weeks in March. Definitely a lot easier on the wallet when that happens.

  • BLACK WIDOW #1 – They basically just took the creative team from the last two volumes of Daredevil and put them on this book. I usually don’t have a lot of interest in Black Widow, but I loved what Waid, Samnee and company did on Daredevil, so I pretty much have to buy this book.
  • VAMPIRELLA #1 – Vampirella by Nancy Collins was one of my favorite comics over the last two years. I was pretty bummed to see her go, but the new direction of Vampirella by Kate Leth definitely interests me enough to give it a shot. I just hope she doesn’t abandon all the lore that Collins added. Vampirella became a real well rounded character during her last run, and I don’t want to lose that.
  • THE DISCIPLINE #1 – I honestly don’t remember exactly why I added this to my pull list, besides the fact it’s written by Peter Milligan (which is actually a good reason to buy most comics). It’s supposed to be some kind of erotic thriller. Image continues to put out a wide variety of unique comics and that grabs my attention as a reader.
  • MIGHTY MORPHY POWER RANGERS #1 – The 0 issue that came out two months ago was a nice revitalization of the series. And it seems to have been a real hit as Boom has already announced they are doing a spin-off mini-series starring the Pink Ranger. Between this comics, the upcoming movie, and the terrific TV series Dino Charge (now Dino Super Charge), Power Rangers seems to be in a great place right now.
  • AVENGERS STANDOFF ASSAULT ON PLEASANT HILL ALPHA #1 – Man, that title is a real mouthful. Avengers Standoff was off to a great start in Avengers Standoff: Welcome to Pleasant Hill #1 (yeah, that is not too confusing) with the return of the Thunderbolts. I have no idea if this crossover will live up to that terrific first issue, but I’m more excited that I was when they first announced this series.
  • BATMAN AND ROBIN ETERNAL #22 – The last five issues of this terrific mini-series have arrived. There have been some huge changes to the Batman history in this series, and I hope they are reflected in the main series moving forward. Batman Eternal seemed to have mostly gotten forgotten after Endgame, which is a real shame.
  • SPIDER-MAN #2 – I love seeing Miles Morales getting more of a spotlight, but I will admit that this first issue didn’t get me all that excited. Bendis seems stretched real thin, and I don’t see that changing. I’m worried that this book will kind of get lost in the shuffle. It might be time to hand the character over to a fresh set of eyes.

James Fulton

  • Black Widow #1 – Waid and Samnee did an amazing job on Daredevil, and I’m looking forward to seeing them work with Natasha, who is an interesting character rarely handled in an interesting way. I’m hoping that instead of spending all of their issues having her work to remove credits in her moral ledger, or flashing back to her training days (these two things are all anyone ever does with her), they will take the character in new directions. No matter what Waid does with the story, it will look great with Samnee drawing.
  • Pitiful Human-Lizard #6 – I’ve been looking forward to new issues of this title for a while now. All of the earlier issues of this series were originally self-published, so it’s been a bit of a wait for new material in Jason Loo’s excellent Toronto-based superhero comic. Should be great!
  • Sheriff of Babylon #4 – This is a criminally under-discussed crime story set in Baghdad’s Green Zone, written by the excellent Tom King, who has become one of my favourite comics writers. Everyone who talks about liking Grayson, Omega Men, or Vision should be reading this too.
  • Stumptown #9 – Stumptown has fallen really far behind, which is not a surprise seeing as Greg Rucka is writing a bunch of stuff all the time, and artist Jason Greenwood is also drawing The Fuse, which is also coming out this week. I love this very Portland based PI series. This arc is about very expensive coffee.
  • The Violent #3 – I can’t say enough good things about this title written by Ed Brisson and drawn by Adam Gorham. This is a dark story set in Vancouver, featuring an ex-convict trying to get his act together, who has now lost his wife (to heroin, perhaps?) and his daughter (to Children’s Aid), and is perhaps losing his grip. Great work here.

Phil Allen

I’m still just a little behind (but I’m getting so close!) and only a few things for me this week…

  • Black Widow #1 – The previous series was one the first Marvel titles I picked up on a regularly basis and continued through to the end. And while I enjoyed Edmonson/Noto, I’m really looking forward to Waid/Samnee. Waid has been great on Archie now and Kingdom Come in the past, and I enjoyed Samnee’s work of Serenity: A Shepherd’s Tale. With this and Daredevil under their belts, seems like a golden team in the making.
  • The Discipline #1 – I’m almost always up for a new Image series and seems like an interesting one.
  • The Fuse #18 – The conclusion of the third arc, Perihelion! Another solid and consistent series from Image and Johnston/Greenwood.
  • Batman Beyond #10 – While this isn’t anywhere near a favorite series of mine, I am trying to enjoy it for what it is. But it is hard to get over being in the “Beyond” universe without McGinnis. Maybe he’ll be back after “Rebirth”…
  • Deadly Class #19 – After reading issue #1, I thought “I can’t wait to see where this series goes.” Through every bad acid-trip, gang fight, and broken relationship, I still have no idea where this series is heading. And I love every panel of it.
  • Joe Golem, Occult Detective #5 – I’ve only read the first couple of issues so far but I’m quite enjoying it. After I finish this series I’ll have to find the illustrated novel, Joe Golem and The Drowning City.
  • Other issues I’m looking forward to:
  • Batman ’66 Meets The Man from U.N.C.L.E. #4
  • Batman and Robin Eternal #22
  • Bob’s Burgers #9
  • Darth Vader #17
  • DC Comics Bombshells #10
  • Deadpool #8
  • Injustice: Gods Among Us, Year Five #5
  • Mercury Heat #8
  • Swamp Thing #3

Paul Miranda

  • HOUSE of MONTRESOR #2 (of 4)
    Didn’t realize this was a mini since it wasn’t solicited as such. Despite my silliness about the first issue, the actual writer is listed. I’m a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe.
  • JUST ANOTHER SHEEP #5 (of 5)
  • MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #1
    The magic has been rekindled. The zero issues flew off shelves and are going for gauging prices. Will the same occur with this brand spanking new first issue? Nine covers is no laughing matter.
  • ALL-NEW CLASSIC CAPTAIN CANUCK #0
  • PITIFUL HUMAN-LIZARD #6
  • PITIFUL HUMAN-LIZARD vol. 1: FAR from LEGENDARY

Double dose of Canadian content from Chapterhouse!! For the former, I love the concise writing delivered by Ed Brisson and the clean art from Marcus To. The zero issue compiles the four-page stories of the current CAPTAIN CANUCK series into one perfect bundle.

Jason Loo returns with the on-going saga of Toronto’s loveable loser!! The first five books were re-issued via Chapterhouse and now convienently in one trade out this week. I missed the official signing of #6 last week. I’m looking forward to more misadventures of Lucas Barrett’s alter ego!

  • CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED: the ILLUSTRATED STORY of the FIRST WORLD WAR
  • CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED: the ILLUSTRATED STORY of the SECOND WORLD WAR
    History is one of my many interests. It doesn’t hurt to examine in detail the main events from both tragically global events.
  • BATGIRL #49
  • BATMAN MEETS the MAN from U.N.C.L.E. #4 (of 6)
  • BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL #22 (of 26)
  • MIDNIGHTER #10
  • SCOOBY-DOO TEAM-UP #15
  • 18 DAYS #9
  • The VIOLENT #3
    I recently met Adam Gorham, local artist for this title. Finally!! He is so friendly and approachable. The continuation of the downward spiral…
  • AVENGERS STANDOFF: ASSAULT on PLEASANT HILL – ALPHA
    I was a bit doubtful about the previous one-shot’s impact. I decided to browse through. I was pleasantly surprised at the reveal and grinned that I was suckered by the red herring. Nick Spencer is definitely on his A-game.
  • BLACK WIDOW #1
    Natasha is an enemy of S.H.I.E.L.D. Say what?!? The same outstanding team from the previous volume of DD work their synchronous mojo on Marvel’s lethal redhead.
  • DEADPOOL #8
    Ryan Reynold’s portrayal really pulled me back to Wade Wilson. I’m enamored by DP!! This latest storyline is gonna get ugly especially with Sabretooth on the hit list.
  • INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #7
    Mary Jane is the new Pepper Potts!! WHOA!! Guest-appearance by Spidey makes my day.
  • OLD MAN LOGAN #3
  • SPIDER-MAN #2
  • NIOBE: SHE is LIFE #2
    I wasn’t as wowed by the first issue. That’s no dig against the entire creative team. Hopefully, the sophomore offering will be better.

Matt Graham

  • Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #1 – Too many variants. Sanford Green? Paul Pope? Rebekah Isaacs? Dustin Nguyen? I only followed the show from the first season to Zeo, so a modern ongoing title with the original crew is perfect for me. Kyle Higgins and Steve Orlanda at the helm? Yes. Green Ranger: Year One? Yes. Kimberly? Yes. (Until Kat comes along).

Also: MMPR has the greatest concept pitch of all time, even over the old “And there came a day, a day unlike any other” routine. “Alpha, Rita’s escaped! Recruit a team of teenagers with attitude.” Yes. Seems only bald mentors know how to assemble the best teams, right Professor?

  • Vampirella #1 – I’m a longtime fan of Vampirella, having first learned of the character in Wizard. As a high schooler I scored an Amanda Conner print off of Amanda at a con and it was the greatest day of my life. I’ve been a critical admirer of Kate Leth’s work on Patsy Walker aka Hellcat and the trust she won over in me earns Vampirella some space in comic funds. As I’ve always been a fan of Vampirella for the horror and camp rather than the costume (my comic crushes are Rogue and 80s Psylocke, so that’s the polar opposite), I’m interested in her proposed changes and exploration of the character. Sad to see Nancy Collins go, though.
  • Sheriff of Babylon # 4 – The best thing I’ve found to fill the hole Queen & Country left in me. It helps Tom King was an actual CIA operative and lends an authoritative voice while being a good writer who knows how to balance that against telling an entertaining story.
  • Deadly Class #19 – It feels like it has been months. I need it. I’m losing my favourite characters and gaining new ones by the issue. What could have been Harry Potter & The School for Assassins shed that skin the first arc and launched into something so seductive and dangerous that it precisely emulates the 80s books (that it emulates) that first gave me the feeling comics could be about much more than superheroes.
  • Black Widow #1 (Tula Lotay cover, c’mon!) – I’ve waited on this for quite some time. Black Widow has been one of my favourite characters since I first picked up a Marvel comic. Mark Waid and Chris Samnee did a stellar job with Daredevil, a character who, it can be argued, really doesn’t have much left to say about at this point. They found it, though. Now putting that energy into Natasha should yield good things.

Her last few outings have been disappointing, as it seems that creators get stuck with her dwelling on or resolving dirty secrets from her past or how she pulled off those dirty secrets. I’d like to see a bit more Modesty Blaise, Jason Bourne, and television’s Agent Carter injected into Widow’s tank. And for God’s sake,stop looking back and take her forward.

How Marvel can take the world of super spies and Bond-esque cryptic organizations within organizations with creepy acronyms and make it boring and tedious is beyond me. Maybe get Tom King for Widow or SHIELD soon.

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.