Wednesday Comments – 1, 2 Y’all

Columns, Top Story

Every week I hit up my local comic shop and pick up a bunch of comics. Probably a few too many comics. But last week something nutty happened; due to a confluence of events I ended up with four debut issues and three second issues*.

I honestly can’t think of the last time I picked up that many titles that were just beginning. If I’m being 100% honest I was pretty excited to dig into those comics. I mean even more so than I am on a regular basis.

So, the first of these seven books that I read was Lazarus #1. Anyone who didn’t love Rucka & Lark (and Brubaker) on Gotham Central doesn’t deserve to call themselves a comic fan. Naturally I’ve been looking forward to this book for quite some time.

I’ve got to say that I’m hooked on Lazarus. I love the set up and the world creating that Rucka does in that debut issue. And Lark does his part of creating the world as well. That sequence in the looters is haunting and epic. Plus we get the added bonus of Rucka providing background for the series for six glorious pages. It would be hard to find a more impressive debut in recent memory.

My second new book for the week was Batman/Superman #1. Right off the bat Jae Lee’s art is stunning. I really loved his work on Before Watchmen: Ozymandias, it was on of the highlights of that series of miniseries. And his art continues to impress, atmospheric doesn’t even begin to describe it.

And honestly it’s main reason why I picked up the book. I’m not so much curious about the early adventures of Batman and Superman, as I am interested in Pak’s take on the icons. The story so far is a bit intriguing and enough to get me to come back for a second issue. Plus I liked the in story transition to Ben Oliver’s art.

Up next is Jupiter’s Legacy #2. I’m always pretty curious to read what Millar puts out. I remember being excited when reading Wanted and Red Son, though nothing I’ve read from him since has measured up. He always seems to be trying so hard.

The main selling point on the book for me is Quitely’s art. The thought of Millar doing the deconstructing thing with superheroes from the golden age sounded alluring, but thus far it’s been pretty predictable. Still, Quitely’s art is worth the price admission.

From there I moved onto Uncanny #1. I mainly tried this out because of Andy Diggle; I wanted to get a Diggle fix and Action Comics wasn’t filling it. I can’t front; I think I’m hooked.

I dig skuzzy characters and Weaver fits the bill. He’s a dirtbag, but the story convinces me to invest in the guy. It actually makes me care about a guy and there’s no indication he’s got any redeeming characteristics whatsoever. We’ll see where it goes from the debut issue, but it looks like I’ll be going along for the ride.

Then we hit a bump with Larfleeze #1. I’m a huge Green Lantern fan, but even I’ve go to say that perhaps the franchise has stretched itself to it’s breaking point. I’ve got no idea how the line will support the upcoming Sinestro Corps title.

Larfleeze should work for me. I enjoy Giffen and DeMatteis as a team. I like Kolins’ art. I even dig Larfleeze as a character. But the debut issue does every little for me. It just doesn’t hook me. But given that it’s Giffen and DeMatteis, I’ll be giving the book another shot, but I won’t wait for long for things to gel.

I tried to cleanse my palette with The Green Team #2. While I’m still not completely sold on the concept of the book, thus far I’m enjoying things enough to keep returning.

I’m loving the details that Guara is putting into the art. Seeing the Brother Power easter egg was a treat. And I dug the choice to switch the narrative focus of the issue to Cecelia. That aspect alone has me looking forward to future issues, though hopefully the story will get more alluring as well.

Finally I picked up The Bounce #2. I really wasn’t going to come back for a second helping; the first issue felt disjointed and left me with the wrong kind of questions. But I’m an optimist so I picked up #2.

The second issue was both better and worse. I’m very interested in finding out what makes Jasper so special and I want to know more about Fog. But I also feel that Casey is trying way too hard with his conspiratorial angle on the story. I’m just not sold on that part.

All in all, it was a pretty solid week for these young books. For the most part, I enjoyed the reads, some more than others, but at the very least they provided entertainment and distraction.

So with that, I’m calling it a week. It’s Wednesday, go and pick up some fresh new books and cherish them!

* I would have had a four #2 issues, but I forgot to pick up The Wake. Womp womp.