Pull List Roundtable 3/22/2017 – X-O Manowar #1, Underwinter #1, Iron Fist #1, Rebels: These Free And Independent States #1 & More

X-O MANOWAR #1 – Have had this issue for a few weeks now and it’s a huge departure from the earlier series. But it’s still a great first issue. Definitely worth checking out.

FUTURE QUEST #11 – This massive Hanna Barbera crossover has been really heating up over the last few issues. I had been enjoying this series all along, but it continues to get more exciting. I think we only have one or two more issues, sadly. Hopefully we will be getting more adventures of these characters soon. Jeff Parker did promise that there would be, so hopefully we will get an announcement real soon.

UNCANNY INHUMANS #20 – INHUMANS VS X-MEN was a pretty good crossover, though I thought the ending was a little far-fetched. I usually don’t care that much about the Inhumans, but this arc with Maximus looking to find a way to build Terrigen crystals has actually interested me far more than I expected.

UNWORTHY THOR #5 – I have been enjoying UNWORTHY THOR, but if we don’t get an answer for “What made Thor unworthy?” in this issue, I’m just going to have to assume that Marvel has no idea and pulled that whole thing from their ass.

BLOODSHOT REBORN #0 – Poor Bloodshot just can’t seem to get a break. This bridges the gap from BLOODSHOT USA to BLOODSHOT SALVATION. He is a terrific character, and I’m always interested in the next chapter in his adventures.

SAVAGE DRAGON #222 – Some huge changes to SAVAGE DRAGON in the last few months including Dragon being out of jail and Mr Glum being released from prison. It’s also been hinted that Dragon’s long dead wife may still be alive (or maybe it was an alternate reality version…it’s been forever since I read those issues, so I can’t quite remember which version of Jennifer and Angel this is). Eric Larsen manages to continue to make this fresh after 20 years and 222 issues. I always look forward to each issue of SAVAGE DRAGON.

WONDER WOMAN #19 – This is the first time I’ve really bought WONDER WOMAN for any extended period of time. I still think the book would have been better served as two separate series (WONDER WOMAN and WONDER WOMAN: YEAR ONE) as opposed to alternating issues, but I have really enjoyed Rucka’s work here. Last issue watching the manipulations of Cheetah by the gods was actually a bit heart-breaking.

10 books this week.

Black Hammer #7 – I’m glad to see this series returning from its hiatus; Black Hammer is an exceptionally well-written and drawn series that has often surprised me with its humour.

Iron Fist #1 – I’m a big fan of Ed Brisson’s work over the last few years. Sheltered, Crime Book, The Violent, and Cluster are all excellent comics. I am actively swearing off staring new Marvel series, but seeing that Brisson is working on this book with Mike Perkins has me excited and intrigued. I hope it doesn’t fall into the usual K’un Lun trap, because that can get pretty boring.

Letter 44 #31 – I think this might be the best comic being published right now. Period.

Rebels: These Free and Independent States #1 – I was disappointed when Brian Wood’s ensemble series about the Civil War ended, so I’m glad to see it returning for a new miniseries starring its original lead character, Seth Abbott. I’m sure that Wood owes something to Lin-Manuel Miranda for this book’s continued existence…

X-O Manowar #1 – I’ll admit that as much as I enjoyed the last run of X-O, I haven’t actually missed the book. Still, Matt Kindt has done some great work at Valiant, so I’ll be checking this out for at least the first arc.

No Marvel this week. That’s a feat.

Not a whole lot for me this week!

Batman Beyond #6 – I’ve said before that I was skeptical in the first couple issues of this series, but it turned around pretty fast. Now heading into a new arc and bringing back one of Beyond’s deadliest enemies, this should be a solid continuation.

Darth Maul #2 – The first issue was pretty great, I especially liked the Force Awakens connections with the Rathtars. I’m wondering if the rest of the series will have other, more direct ties to the rest of the continuity.

Rebels: These Free and Independent States #1 – The first Rebels series was pretty good, and this continuation looks to be just a s promising.

The Spirit: The Corpse-Masters #2 – The first issue was very good, seeing Francavilla’s full page artwork makes me miss Afterlife with Archie, and his writing makes me miss Black Beetle! I’m a pretty big Francavilla fan.