John Babos
6 books this week.
- Action Comics #52 – This will likely be the second full appearance of the New Super-Man and, perhaps, the first appearance of a super-powered New 52 Lois Lane as Superwoman.
- A&A The Adventures of Archer and Armstrong #3 – Fun and action by a gregarious immortal and his zen partner.
- Batman #52 – No Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo? Not sure then.
- Earth 2 Society #12 – Earth 2’s Justice Society’s adventures continue. What is in store for them with alleged Prime Earth’s legacy JSA returning in DC Universe: Rebirth #1?
- Green Lantern Corps: Edge of Oblivion #5 – Loving this mini-series and am excited for it leading to DC Comics Rebirth’s Green Lanterns featuring Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz. I’m not so jazzed about Rebirth’s Hal Jordan and Green Lantern Corps series, although the EVS art may make it difficult for me not to try it.
- Ninjak #15 – Valiant’s techno super-spy is a romp! Recommended.
Matt Graham
- MMPR #3 – The new movie photo may have dampened my movie buzz, but this comic is still all I want from a MMPR comic.
- Harley Quinn and her Gang of Harleys #2 – This mini focusing on Harley’s supporting cast is adorable.
- All-New X-Men #9 – It’s AN X-Men. My second favourite X-Men title.
- Black Panther #2 – I’ve heard the last issue was dense and a tough drop in point. I kept up, but I hope the story brings others not as versed in Panther lore back into the fold.
- Gwenpool #2 – I expected nothing from this book and had one of the most fun books I’ve read in a while. Christopher Hastings presents an off the wall 4th wall approach and it sticks. Gurihiru’s slick art sells every joke and action sequence it’s like watching a cartoon. I expected to ignore this book and it became the book I’m most interested in this year.
Mike Maillaro
- HOUSE OF PENANCE #2 – I hadn’t even heard of this series until a friend suggested it. It’s a terrific horror comic by Peter Tomasi. Tomasi has quickly become one of my favorite superhero writers, but House of Penance shows that he has a lot of range. Definitely worth a look.
- GWENPOOL #2 – Another book I was expecting to have no interest in. Picked this up on a whim, and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The first issue was funny, but with a lot of great characterization and a pretty strong shock ending. Gwenpool could be everything that Spider-Gwen was not for me…
- BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #6 – This crossover was pretty much everything I was hoping for. They have done a terrific job fleshing out the characters and making Shredder into a convincing threat. Seeing the inhabitants of Arkham turned into mutants was crazy, but in a fun way!
- BACK TO THE FUTURE: CITIZEN BROWN #1 – While I have enjoyed IDW’s Back to the Future series, I was surpised to see them trying to do a second series. I didn’t really think there was a need for it, but hey if the market can sustain it, who am I to judge…
- THE FIX #2 – I love Nick Spencer, and the first issue was brilliant. This series is very much in the spirit of Superior Foes of Spider-Man, and I can’t ask for more than that.
- VISION #7 – This series is what nightmares are made up. Kind of bummed that Tom King went DC exclusive so his run will be ending with issue 12. But to the fair, I am not sure this series could go on all that much longer. Brilliant book, but epicly disturbing.
- ACTION COMICS #52 and BATMAN #52 – More DC books reach the “finish” line before DC Rebirth. Super-League has been a great Superman arc; though it looks like Batman will be ending it’s run on a whimper. Scott Synder didn’t even write this issue.
- BLACK PANTHER #2 – I was really looking forward to the first issue of this series, but I will admit that I didn’t love it. Hopefully this series will right itself quickly. For some reason, it feels like most of Marvel’s “BIG NEWS” series are just kind of okay while their less shiny books are much better.
Matt Graham: “Gwenpool could be everything that Spider-Gwen was not for me…”
An unexpected truth.
James Fulton
So happy to see a small week this week, for two reasons. The last few have been massive, to the point where getting through my stack has started to feel like a second job. The other reason is because this coming weekend is TCAF – the Toronto Comics Art Festival, and I urge anyone within an easy driving distance of Toronto to come out for the best comics show I’ve ever been to. I don’t even know how much money I should be bringing to this one…
- American Monster #3 – It’s been a while since the last issue, but I’m due for my next dose of Juan Doe artwork. This has been the only Aftershock book I’ve been buying.
- Black Panther #2 – It seems that not everyone writing for this site loved the first issue, but I did, and have been looking forward to more of this smart, dense comic. I think Coates has the first interesting take on this character since Christopher Priest stopped writing him (although, given more time, I think Hickman could have done some cool things). I’m interested in seeing more of Wakanda, and the two renegade Dora Milaje, as much as I am T’Challa.
- The Fix #2 – The first issue of this new series about crooked cops by Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber was perhaps even more fun than their Superior Foes of Spider-Man. I love it.
- Island #7 – I’m not even sure what’s in this issue of the best anthology series being published, but I know it’s going to be good, because it always is. It’s cool that this is coming out the same week as Prophet: Earth War – a double hit of Brandon Graham comics!
- Vision #7 – This series just blows me away with its consistent quality. Now it looks like Tom King is bringing in the rest of the Avengers, and not to give Vision a hand.
Phil Allen
Only a few for me to talk about this week as I’m a couple weeks behind in reading.
- Batman #52 – The end of the New 52 is upon us. While I get team changes throughout a series, I’m still confused as to why Snyder and Capullo are not on this final issue of the hugely popular run. I’m a big fan of Tynion and Albuqueque, so I’m still excited for this one.
- Penny Dreadful #1 – A prequel for the hit Showtime show!
- Southern Bastards #14 – The big game is over, and the heat is about to turn up with the return of Roberta Tubb!
- Other issues I’m looking forward to:
- Archie #8
- Catwoman #52
- Constantine: The Hellblazer #12
- DC Comics Bombshells #12
- Darth Vader #20
- Gotham Academy #18
- Island #7
- Jupiter’s Circle #6
- Shutter #21
- Swamp Thing #5
Paul Miranda
- HOUSE of MONTRESOR #4 (of 4)
The sequel to “Amontillado” reaches its end. Edgar Allan Poe is the master of the macabre!
- AMERICAN MONSTER #3
- JACKPOT #2
I truly don’t know where my head’s at. I haven’t acknowledged all of AfterShock’s titles for months but I am reading them all. Azzarello kicks azz [natch!] on AM. Ray Fawkes is one sly fox [double natch!]
- STARGATE: ATLANTIS – BACK to PEGASUS #1
I never saw any episodes of the original series nor of the spin-off. Truth be told, I’m simply purchasing this since American Mythology is one of the newer publishers on the scene.
- ALAN DRACON #1 (of 6)
- UNLEASH #1 (of 4)
¡¡Hola, Amigo!! ¿Cómo estás? It’s been a few months since the Spain-based publisher has released anything. I will continue to support this small press with frustratingly limited print runs.
- FORGIVE ME FATHER #1 (of 4)
This will be my first foray into Creature Entertainment. Religious can be a bit of a turn-off for me but I like the premise behind this since it connects to urban crime. It reminds me of BOONDOCK SAINTS. Ish.
- ACTION COMICS #52
We were all misled into thinking this was part of the ‘Super League’ storyline. Instead, it’s ‘The Final Days of Superman’. I already confessed to ignoring this when originally advertised as leading to ‘Rebirth’. The first four parts have gone to second printings and last week’s BATMAN/SUPERMAN #32 was an instant sell-out. Part 6 of 8 delivers two Men of Steel from two distinct realities being aware of each other’s existence!!
- BATMAN #52
The final issue of the New 52 series gives us a re-telling of the Dark Knight’s origin. James Tynion IV is quite adept at dabbling in the eerie and disturbingly weird.
- BATMAN/TMNT #6 (of 6)
This can’t be the end!! I feel like the mini was just getting its momentum!! There hasn’t been enough character interaction nor choreographed battles. No April No Batgirl I want more Casey Jones!! What about Krang? How will eight individuals against the numerous inmates from Arkham Asylum??
- GOTHAM ACADEMY #18
The ‘Yearbook’ has been completed and ready for publication!! The culmination of the first season is compiled by Maps. Fret not. There’s the LUMBERJANES team-up mini and the NEXT SEMESTER appropriately starting in the Fall.
- REINCARNATION MAN #4 (of 4)
- GRIZZLY SHARK #2
Pair the JAWS music (you know what tune!) with DEER HUNTER. Shivers down your spine and goosebumps should result. Which grisly fate [HAH!] do you prefer: chewed to bits or mauled??
- SABER RIDER and the STAR SHERIFFS #3
- ALL-NEW ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS #9
She fluttered her wings in last week’s CIVIL WAR FCBD ED. The enigmatic Nadia doesn’t seem too friendly taking down The Vision. She has an enormous amount of determination to enter the ranks of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
- SILK #8
- VISION #7
- DARTH VADER #20
- GUARDIANS of the LOUVRE
- THOREAU: a SUBLIME LIFE
There’s a speciality comic, more book, store that will most likely receive these two GNs from NBM. The first is a continuation in the series spotlighting the most visited museum on the globe. Each chapter is a standalone. The second examines in-depth philosopher’s Henry David Thoreau’s musings. If unfamiliar with this man, he was behind the concept of civil disobedience.
- ARCTIC COMICS
A compilation of stories from Inuit creators as well as other Northern Canadians. I’m confident a particular specialty shop will carry this since I’m a Canuck not far from my province’s capital.
- REM 8 #1
Rothic is a publisher unbeknownst to me. Again, I’m buying the first issue of whatever strikes my eye to satisfy my curiosity and acknowledge the littler guys.
- AGATHA: the REAL LIFE of AGATHA CHRISTIE
In my early teens, I devoured many a novel by the Madame of Mystery!! It was an intense phase in my literary life. I always struck out at guessing the culprit(s) but was so enrapt in the intricate intrigue. Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple are household names and two of my fave fictional detectives. Apparently, Dame Christie’s real life had just as much if not more mystique than her body of work.
- PENNY DREADFUL #1 (of 5)
When will I ever get around to watching this program?? It’s already Season 3. Victorian super-fiction at its best à la LEAGUE of EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN.
- 4001 A.D. X-O MANOWAR
Just like last year’s mega-selling crossover BOOK of DEATH, several one-shots offer another view into the main event. War is brewing among the armor-clad aliens and Earth is their battleground!!
- A&A #3
- NINJAK #15
Valiant should be re-named Quality Comics because that’s exactly what they’ve been producing consistently these last four years.
