Mike Maillaro
- STRAYER #3 – The last few weeks, I have had a lot of kind words for After Shock Comics. In a lot of ways, they remind me of Crossgen (though After Shock’s books all seem to be stand alone). They are taking on a wide variety of genres and using some of the top names in comics. Strayer is basically a fantasy quest comic, and it’s been a long time since I’ve read a good one of those. For that alone, it would grab onto a place on my pull list. And then you have a great writer like Justin Jordan on this book. Definitely worth a look.
- BATMAN AND ROBIN ETERNAL #26 – This terrific weekly series finally comes to an end. I’ve really enjoyed the mysteries around Mother, and I am glad that for a change we didn’t really get a “deep dark hidden chapter” that makes Batman look like a jerk. Batman’s actions in the past were all around stopping Mother, and when he found out what Mother did to Harper’s family, he did everything possible to try and protect her. It’s a terrific story where Batman looks like a hero all the way through, and the Robins all work together to save the day. Can’t beat that!
- STREET FIGHTER X GIJOE #2 – To be honest, I thought the first issue was kind of crappy, mostly because the characters they used were some of the least interesting Street Fighter and GI Joe characters. This second issue promises to be a little better in terms of characters, but I still don’t have a lot of faith in having a book that respects everything I love about either franchise.
- DAREDEVIL #5 – I was really looking forward to Charles Soule’s take on Daredevil. Ten Fingers has made for a real unique threat, and I even like Blindspot as Daredevil’s “sidekick.” To be honest, this is a really strong run, though I will admit that it sort of pales in comparison to the terrific work that Mark Waid was doing the last few years. I think that is the problem with Daredevil, there are so many great runs for the character, it’s real hard for writers to stake out new claims. But Soule is still going solid work here.
- CAPTAIN AMERICA SAM WILSON #7 – This is a big anniversary issue. Also a part of Avengers Standoff, though the inflated price tag is a bit of a turnoff for me. $6 for a bunch of backup stories I probably won’t care that much about? Wow, I sound so horribly cynical this week.
- MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR #5 – Last week, I had mentioned that Totally Awesome Hulk was an underrated book. Moon Girl also belongs on that list! This has been a real fun book, and sadly after it’s initial announcement, I’ve never really seen any more press on it.
James Fulton
- Captain America: Sam Wilson #7 – I wish Marvel would just leave things alone. I really like what Nick Spencer has been doing with this book, bringing back 80s and 90s story elements like the Serpent Society, Cap-Wolf, and D-Man, but giving everything a modern, politically-oriented viewpoint. Now, just seven issues into this run (which is one more than Sam’s first run as Cap got), we get a $6 tie-in to a bad crossover event (Standoff) and a bunch of back-ups that celebrate Cap’s history (i.e., when Steve Rogers wore the uniform). I want more Sam-Cap, on his own, and not just as a home to various events. I know sales aren’t great on this book, but it’s really good, and people should be checking it out. I just don’t think this is the issue to start with.
- Echoes Vol. 1 TP – I’m not buying this, because I read it when it was first published, but wanted to take a moment to direct people towards this excellent comic, written by Joshua Hale Fialkov and drawn by Rahsan Ekedal. The main character of this comic is managing his schizophrenia, which he inherited from his father, but after his father dies, he learns the man was a successful serial killer who was never caught. This book seriously creeped me out when I read it a few years ago, and I cannot recommend it enough.
- Omega Men #10 – I’m going to miss this title. Kyle Rayner fans might want to check this issue out, because as of last issue, he has his ring back, and is ready to start putting things to rights in the Vega System.
- Pastaways #9 – Matt Kindt’s ideas for this series were great, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all wraps up in this issue. This time travel book worked very well, and is probably my favourite thing that Scott Kolins has ever done – I’m not usually a fan of his work, but I liked it here.
- Power Lines #1 – Jimmie Robinson is a cartoonist who does not get anywhere near the attention he deserves. His books, like The Empty and Five Weapons, are pretty delightful, but it sounds like his new series, Power Lines, is going to be addressing some more serious issues. The book is about a black character who lives in a rough neighbourhood, but who gains powers that only work when he is in a more upscale, white, part of his city. I’m looking forward to seeing where Robinson is going to take this interesting set-up.
Matt Graham
- Paper Girls TPB – I own the single issues but list this here to push it. I’ll pick this up for the bookshelf. This nets you the first five issues of an 80s (but maybe not?) sci fi romp starring four paper girls against an army of genre spanning weird. Anything I can say would ruin the story for you. Go in blind. Just read it and be ready for #6 in June.
- All-New X-Men #7– My 2nd favourite X-Men title at the moment. I hope the simple and well paced approach survives the Apocalypse Wars.
- Daredevil #5 – This book suffered a bit with a status quo reset, but Charles Soules and Ron Garney found their groove and have begun a solid run.
- X-Men ’92 #1 – This is the lineup and world that defined the X-Men for the 90s and roped my friends and family into comics. Maybe it’s a nostalgia grab, but sometimes you want comfort comics with Oreos at any age.
Mike: X men 92 was awful as part of Secret Wars. More parody than nostalgia.
Matt: I haven’t scoped it. I gotta give it at least one issue. How did it hold up to the Pizza Hut promo comics?
Mike: Lol. I remember those. And the Toys R Us ones. Honestly, it was kind of worse…at least those were free…
Matt: And no Night of the Sentinels VHS to console you…
Paul Miranda
Surprisingly super-short list. Only one DC title.
- QUEEN of VAMPIRES #3 (of 7)
- X’ED #2
- BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL #26 (of 26)
- BACK to the FUTURE #6
- JEM and the HOLOGRAMS #13
- ALL-NEW ALL-DIFFERENT MARVEL UNIVERSE
- CAPTAIN AMERICA: SAM WILSON #7
- DAREDEVIL #5
- DARTH VADER #18
- SPOOK #4 (of 4)
- FAITH #3 (of 4)
John Babos
Only 3 books this last week of March; all DC Comics. However, April sees me with DC, Valiant, Aftershock and Marvel pulls. A fun week and month ahead.
- Aquaman #50 – The march to #50 ends with 2 more issues to go before Rebirth. Aquaman has been a surprise for me. Didn’t think I’d read it post-Geoff Johns, but the various teams have been solid. Things only appear to get better with Rebirth.
- Batman and Robin Eternal #26 -. I believe this the end. It also looks like this series leads into Rebirth’s Detective Comics #934. An intriguing 6-month weekly maxi-series celebrating Batman’s first Robin’s 75th anniversary.
- Omega Men #10 – Rebirth appears to be missing wild, unorthodox space adventures beyond what I presume will be in Green Lanterns featuring Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz. Likes Kyle Rayner’s post Omega Men fate will have him, Guy Gardner and John Stewart team with Hall Jordan in his book Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps either as regulars or rotating guest stars. Omega Men has been a great read and I hope it’s spirit lives in on somehow and somewhere in Rebirth. I just don’t see it yet.
