When I was a kid my mom would usually assign me a summer reading list. While I enjoyed reading, having assigned reading during the three months I was free from school and homework completely sucked. In fact those summer assignments are probably part of the reason why I don’t really read books anymore.
But the past couple of years, I’ve been buying more comics and trades than I’ve been able to read. As a result I’ve gotten quite a backlog in terms of reading. My stack of actual comics to read is pretty manageable. I’ve got maybe a few dozen stray issues about that need to be read and I could blow through them in a couple of days if I tried.
But my stacks of trades is much more daunting.
That’s why I decided to compile a list of books that want to have read by the time summer ends or at least by the time the Baltimore Comic Con rolls around, so that I can buy more trades and comics guilt free.
So here’s a list of trades I want to read before the summer is over. And in no particular order, in case you were wondering.
The Kents – I remember when this trade was coming out as individual issues. I always wanted to read it, but I never had the funds or the time. But when I saw the trade not that long ago I snatched it up. I’m looking forward to reading it, despite the fact that it may not be continuity by the time the summer ends.
Spider-Man’s Tangled Web – I liked how this series got characters who weren’t known as Marvel creators or even superhero creators to work on this title. I loved the perspective of the first trade and I’m very interested in seeing if the rest of the trades stay true to form.
Superman & Batman: Generations II – Again, this is something I recall seeing on the newsstands at the grocery store and I’d always wanted to pick up. The only reason I’m not 100% invested in this is because Generations III was never collected in trade and I don’t have all of the issues.
Batman/Houdini: The Devil’s Workshop – I’m a sucker for Elsewords stories. I’m also a huge fan of Chiarello’s artwork. Plus it’s Chaykin & Moore writing. I literally can’t wait to read this.
Promethea – I’ve recently blown through Top Ten’s first two trades and the graphic novel and now I’m ready for Promethea. And actually I’ve read the first two trades and I love pretty much everything about the book. I mean, it’s Alan Moore, J.H. Williams III and Mick Gray.
Justice Inc – I’ve got both of the prestige issues by Andy Helfer & Kyle Baker. It’s the same team that also tackled The Shadow, which got tons of acclaim. Plus Justice Inc really intrigued me with the recent First Wave books.
Batman: Haunted Knight – I’ve read The Long Halloween and Dark Victory, so I figured I’d see how the collaborations in Gotham began.
Catwoman: When In Rome – Pretty much a ditto.
Suicide Squad: Trial by Fire – I picked this up for a couple of reasons. First, I’ve heard tons of great things about this series and I wanted to read it for myself. Secondly, I wanted to support one of John Babos’ favorite books. I also had extra money that week.
Revolver – Again this is a book that I’d heard a lot about. Plus it’s a Vertigo, so it really can’t be that bad right? Also it shares a similar premise with one of the few fall TV shows that I’m actually interested in watching, so maybe it’ll be a like a preview.
Luna Park – This Vertigo graphic novel has been sitting around for years. I need to finally get off my but and read it. It’s Danijel Zezelj on art and I’m really a pretty big fan of his stuff.
Supreme: The Return – Obviously I’ve been reading a lot more of Alan Moore’s stuff and Supreme is as close as we’re ever going to get to him working on Superman. I read the first trade and…I guess I’m waiting until I read the second trade before I make my mind up on things.
Boom. There you have it. That’s my summer reading list. And that’s in addition to what I buy on a weekly basis.
