Matt Graham
- X-Men Grand Design – The one time I’m happy to pay Marvel’s 5.99 ask. This six part Cliff’s Notes of X-Men history written and illustrated by Ed Piskor will unfurl over three years. Issue 1 is this week, 2 in January, and then we wait a year for the next two. Piskor’s work is worth the wait, and if you are any fan of comics, you’ll find something to love in this or Hip Hop Family Tree.
- Tales of Suspense #100 – It’s a shame that in the wake of the excellent Widow solo series, Marvel’s premiere super spy was written out in a terrible way (excellent panel execution of it, though). I didn’t think she was gone, and the smattering of cover previews that have shown here stoked that belief. Now Matthew Rosenberg pens a five issue series about Bucky and Hawkeye tracking down ghosts of Widow’s past. She’s got to come back.
- Vampirella #9 – Looks like Vampy now ends at 11, so soon after the writer hand off. I’m not sure what’s up with Dynamite’s incessant restarts, but I hope 2018 continues the interesting approaches and exciting talent when the next volume starts.
- Bettie Page #6- Shocking, but not for me. My wife buys this comic about Page as a pulp super spy.
- Power Rangers #22
- Batwoman #10
- Spider-Gwen #27
- X-Men Gold #18
- Wonderful World of Tank Girl #2
Mike Maillaro: What is X-Men Grand Design? Never heard of it
Matt Graham: X-Men, 1963 to 1991, in one story by the man who did Hip Hop Family Tree.
John Babos: The art looks terrible, but idea sounds interesting
James Fulton
- Invincible #143 – No one seems to be talking about the fact that Invincible is almost over, and that it has been absolutely amazing lately. I think this is the second-to-last issue, and it involves Mark’s first meeting with someone who is going to be a significant part of his life (which we won’t get to see at all after the last issue). I imagine that Robert Kirkman’s going to be tugging on the heartstrings with this one.
- Justice League #35 – I liked Priest’s first issue on Justice League, but hope that the story gets more involved in this one.
- Marvel 2-in-One #1 – Unlike a lot of vocal internet comics fans who complain endlessly about Marvel not publishing any Fantastic Four comics, but then don’t buy it when it does come out, I couldn’t care less if the Four ever return, especially if they are going to be written like they were through much of their history (I only love John Byrne’s and Jonathan Hickman’s runs). That said, I’m cautiously looking forward to a Thing and Human Torch title written by Chip Zdarsky. This could be fun.
- Tales of Suspense #1 – I like Matthew Rosenberg’s writing. I like Hawkeye and Bucky Barnes. I really like the Black Widow. It seems like this could be good.
- X-Men: Grand Design #1 – It sounds like Ed Piskor’s designed this to tap into fan’s nostalgia for X-eras gone by. If it’s half as good as Hip-Hop Family Tree, I’m going to come away from it very happy.
Mike Maillaro: I love Invincible, but the “end” has been going on too long. And like you said, it is very unlikely these characters will be showing up again any time soon, so I’ve had a real hard time staying invested this whole last arc. The one issue Robot Wars just felt tacked on. Honestly, this just hasn’t been a graceful end to one of my favorite series.
Mike Maillaro
- QUANTUM AND WOODY #1 – QUANTUM AND WOODY has always been one of Valiant’s best titles, but it seems to constantly end up getting cancelled and relaunched. I really hope it can get some legs this time.
- BATMAN #37 – The last issue was one of the best comics that came out this year. Just a simple story about how Batman and Superman see each other. I really loved the last issue and can’t wait for part 2.
- BACKWAYS #1 – Aftershock’s new series BACKWAYS sort of sounds a bit like a Narnia story, which definitely appeals to me. “”There is a hidden nation. A nation of magic and madness, one that exists in all the forgotten spaces. Your basement, your attic, the haunted house down the street, anyone of those might be a part of the Backways. Anna Merrick lost someone in the Backways, and she’ll stop at NOTHING to get them back. Even if it means unleashing something unimaginable”
- MARVEL TWO IN ONE #1 – I love these kinds of Team-Up books, and I like The Thing so much I named my son after him. That said, I do have a little hesitation on this book because it’s written by Chip Zdarsky…he just hasn’t done much as a writer that I have enjoyed. It always feels like he has real fun ideas for comics, but the execution often leaves me flat.
- TALES OF SUSPENSE #100 – Hawkeye and Winter Soldier team up in a book written by Matt Rosenberg and drawn by Travel Foreman. Yeah, definitely count me in here!
- DOCTOR STRANGE #383 – Sentry is back! I am not totally sure that is a good thing, but it was definitely an unexpected twist in a series that has already had a lot of them in it’s short run. Real curious what is going on with Loki, Sentry, and Stephen Strange.
- GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #149 – I have seen several non-comic newsites talking about how shocking it is that GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY is coming to an end with issue 150. They seem to talk about it like it’s one of Marvel’s longest running, most popular series ever…which goes to show how much the movies skew the perception of non-comic fans. It’s even odder since this book hasn’t been cancelled, it just seems to be taking a break for the INFINITY COUNTDOWN event. I just want to know if it will relaunch with Legacy numbering or is Marvel going back to a new #1.
- CHAMPIONS #15 – Viv Vision has had a rough few days. Turned to human by the High Evolutionary. Sacrifices herself to save the world. And wakes up to find herself floating in a white limbo. CHAMPIONS hasn’t been as good as I hoped, but I do want to know what happens next with Viv, so this is one of the comics I am most curious about this week.
- CURSE WORDS HOLIDAY SPECIAL #1 – This has been a terrific series by Charles Soule. I think the Holiday Special takes us back to before the first issue, giving ys more of a look at what life was like for Wizord before he came to Earth.
- DARK NIGHTS METAL #4 – With DOOMSDAY CLOCK starting and so many books already taking place after DARK NIGHTS METAL, I’ve had a hard time really staying interested in what happens here. Hopefully DC can get these issues out a little faster and with more impact, because right now, it feels a bit like SECRET WARS a big event that just had no long term impact…so little impact that you can release comics set after the event and it is not an issue at all.
- STARDUST KID – Stardust Kid is a beautiful book by J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Ploog. I was very surprised to see this getting a new Hardcover edition. Now…can we ever get the rest of Abadazad??
- Dark Ark #4
- Unholy Grail #5
- Your Pal Archie #5
- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #22
- Batman Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #2 (Of 6)
- Future Quest Presents #5
- Green Lanterns #37
- Justice League #35
- Nightwing #35
- Super Sons #11
- Superman #37
- Wonder Woman Conan #4 (Of 6)
- Donald And Mickey Quarterly Treasure Archipelago #1
- Powerpuff Girls The Bureau Of Bad #2 (Of 3)
- Invincible #143
- America #10
- Defenders #8
- Generation X #85
- Incredible Hulk #711
- Luke Cage #168
- Mighty Thor #702
- Monsters Unleashed #9
- Ms. Marvel #25
- Old Man Logan #32
- Star Wars Doctor Aphra #15
- Star Wars Poe Dameron #22
- Uncanny Avengers #30
- Venom #159
- X-Men Gold #18
- Ninja-K #2
John Babos
8 books this week.
- Batman #37
- Dark Nights Metal #4
- Marvel Two-in-One #1
- Nightwing #35
- Ninja-K #2
- Super Sons #11
- Superman #37
- Trinity #16
