Mike Maillaro
Fifth Wednesday of the month, so another light week for me. Kind of glad. Two light weeks in a row have really allowed me to catch up financially.
- VAMPIRELLA ANNUAL 2015 – When you get five weeks of comics in a month, you tend to get a lot of annuals. Personally, I am not a fan of annuals. They are usually overpriced, padded with unnecessary backup stories, and often have no impact on the main series. In fact, pretty much the only reason I am excited for this book is that it is one of Nancy Collins’s last stories for Vampirella. She has done a terrific job on her run. This is basically her last Vampirella story, though she will also contribute a short story for the upcoming Vampirella: 1969 special. She was the first women to write Vampirella, and she will be sorely missed.
- SECRET WARS – Secret Wars continues to wind down. Only six books this week. But I have to admit, they are basically all series I really like. E IS FOR EXTINCTION, GHOST RACERS, HAIL HYDRA, INFERNO, and MODOK ASSASSIN.
- CAPTAIN AMERICA WHITE #2 – I know this comic was long delayed, but I really enjoyed the first issue which came out earlier this month. With all the events in recent years, Cap has lost a bit of his iconic status. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale seem determined to restore that here, and I think they did an excellent job. Really looking forward to the rest of this series.
- SAVAGE DRAGON #207 and SPAWN #256 – Two very long lasting books, both in very different places.
- SAVAGE DRAGON – Eric Larson still writes and draws every issue of Savage Dragon. The book continues to basically unfold in close to real time, having huge shifts to the status quo at all times. The current story arc with Malcolm (the original Dragon’s son) trying to find his way, and ending up impregnating several women at once, has been a little after-school special at times, but still a very fresh direction for the book.
- SPAWN – Spawn has gone through several writers and artists over the years. From 185 to 250, the original Spawn had basically been “dead” and a new Spawn had taken his place. For me, that had produced some of the best issues of the series. In 250, Al Simmons came back as Spawn, and since then, I’ve found the series to be spinning it’s wheels some. Granted, after 250 issues, it’s hard for any series to feel fresh, but this stuff with Al Simmons trying to help save Wanda from hell has just been among the weakest of the series for me.
- ARCHIE #3 – The Archie relaunch continues. Loved the first 2 issues, and looking forward to seeing the new Jughead series, especially with Chip Zdarsky at the helm. I can’t believe I am this excited to read Archie without any crossovers or horror gimmick added to the mix. Huge success for Archie comics!
James Fulton
I love these small weeks lately. Thank you Marvel, for giving my wallet such an extended break during your Secret Wars!
- Book of Death: The Fall of Harbinger #1 – I usually hate ‘The End’ style stories set in the future, but so far, Valiant’s done well with these books, and it’s been a while since we’ve seen Peter Stanchek. Plus, I trust Josh Dysart more than I do most writers working in comics.
- Crossed Plus One Hundred #9 – I continue to be pleased with what writer Simon Spurrier has done with Alan Moore’s approach to the future of the Crossed world. This is a favourite title right now.
- From Under Mountains #1 – This is a new series written by Marian Churchland and drawn by Sloane Leong. That was all that I needed to know to preorder it. I think it’s set in the same world as 8House, the new series by Churchland, with Brandon Graham and others, but I’m not even sure. All I know is that this promises to be very pretty.
- Grayson Annual #2 – Grayson is one of the few DC titles that interest me these days, and while I’m wary of the fact that this sounds very continuity driven (he meets up with Superman, whose going through some issues apparently), Tom King and Tim Seeley have yet to disappoint. It’s nice to get a second dose of this title so soon after last week’s issue.
- Sex #24 – I’ve said this many times, but Sex continues to be my favourite Batman comic. The fact that Batman isn’t in it shouldn’t discourage interested readers; he’s not in his own comic either!
John Babos
6 books this week.
- Aquaman #44 – Cullen Bunn and Trevor McCarthy are on my Top 10 list of best writers and artists respectively working today. This feels like an all-new all-different take on one of comicdom’s iconic heroes.
- Bloodshot Reborn #4 – Surreal and bloody adventurous. A must read by writer Jeff Lemire.
- Batman Annual #4 – Picking this up as I’m still reading core Batman series as it marches to Batman #50.
- Justice League #44 – Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok are also on my Top 10 list of favorite comic writers and artists respectively. Darkseid War continues here.
- New Suicide Squad Annual #1 – Love the concept and execution of the ongoing serious. Curious what this annual will bring.
- Sandman Overture #6 – Neil Gaiman’s Sandman prequel concludes!
Paul Miranda
- STAN LEE’S CHAKRA the INVINICBLE #3
Graphic India gets my vote each and every time!
- GREEN LANTERN ANNUAL #4
I dropped this title and its family members once the creative teams were replaced. I resumed reading due to DC You. Hal Jordan is cooler and more rough around the edges than ever!! I look forward to this introspective look on such a complex but endearing character.
- BATMAN ANNUAL #4
James Tynion IV has been on board for two years now. He explores the lack of co-existence between Bruce Wayne and his former alter ego
- AQUAMAN #44
- JUSTICE LEAGUE #44
- SUPERMAN #44
Mera is reunited with her ex. “Darkseid War” is off the chart!! What are you waiting for?? Save the staff of the Daily Planet!!
- GRAYSON ANNUAL #2 Dick is red-hot now, picking up major steam!! Many might think his mentor is Batman. Nope! It’s Superman!! A lot has changed for each of them and what will re-strengthen their bond is Bruce’s disappearance.
- WONDER WOMAN ’77 SPECIAL #2
I clapped furiously. I squealed in delight. I twirled all about!! The hotly anticipated sequel is here!! Three more tales based on Lynda Carter’s hit series. The first story has the premiere of the Cheetah; the second deals with a hot and cold villainess; the third implies zombies. You’ll always be a wonder, Wonder Woman!!
- JEM and the HOLOGRAMS OUTRAGEOUS ANNUAL #1
‘Nuff said! Movie night turns to fright night.
- CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHITE #2 (of 5)
- CAVALRY: S.H.I.E.L.D. 50th ANNIVERSARY
- X-MEN ’92 #4
The end is quickly approaching. Five more close up shop. Well, X-MEN ’92 is now confirmed as an on-going in 2016. Anything can happen! - M.O.D.O.K. ASSASSIN #5 (of 5)
- INFERNO #5
- HAIL HYDRA #3
- GHOST RACERS #4
- E is for EXTINCTION #4
- TRUE BELIEVERS: SPIDER-WOMAN #1
- TRUE BELIEVERS: UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #1
Affordability offering the very best in Marvel’s beautiful, strong, and adorable women!!
- BOOK of DEATH: FALL of HARBINGER
The last of the one-shots. Don’t be fooled by the present. These events will come to pass. Valiant promises that there are game changers at the end of the main mini. Sold-outs all over and the most successful crossover of the summer. Take that, SW!
