John Babos
Due to Marvel’s stealth cancellations of books I read and no Valiant being solicited, I have 9 DC’s this week.
- Action Comics #975
- Deathstroke #14
- Detective Comics #952
- Earth 2 Society #22
- JLA #2
- Red Hood & Outlaws #8
- SS #13
- Superwoman #8
- Titans #9
James Fulton
- Copperhead #11 – I love Jay Faerber’s sci-fi Western series, and am very pleased to see it return from a very long hiatus, with a new artist (which is a shame, because the last one was great). This book captures the feel of the Firefly TV series, while still being its own thing. I imagine this will be a good jumping on point, and hope some new readers check it out.
- Deathstroke #14 – This is DC’s best comic. I am always excited about a new issue of it.
- Grass Kings #1 – A new Boom! miniseries written by Matt Kindt? I’m down. I’m not even sure what this is about, but I love the promo art by Tyler Jenkins.
- Low #16 – Rick Remender’s excellent undersea series also returns from hiatus this week, although after the last few issues, I’m not even sure that any of the main characters are alive to star in it. This is a very good title, with mind-blowing art by Greg Tocchini.
Mike Maillaro
- CHARMED #1 – CHARMED is my biggest guilty pleasure. I really enjoyed what Zenescope did with their follow up seasons. As far as I know, Dynamite is wiping those seasons from continuity and starting “fresh” with stories set during the TV series. Either way, I am glad to get more adventures of the Halliwell family.
- NANCY DREW AND THE HARDY BOYS: THE BIG LIE #1 – I was a huge fan of The Hardy Boys Casefiles boys when I was growing up. As a result, whenever I see something new with the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew, I pick them up hoping to recapture some of that magic to share with my kids. So far, that hasn’t quite worked out, but maybe Dynamite can change that. They always seem to do a real good job with their licenses.
- MAN-THING #1 – Speaking of reliving my childhood, how can I possibly pass up RL Stine writing Man-Thing? This is must read for me!
- INHUMANS VS X-MEN #6 – I have to say that this has been one of the better Marvel events, especially when it comes to the X-Men. The characters and their actions, for the most part, have made sense and been nuanced. I also like that we’ve gotten a lot of people on both sides switching sides. I am looking forward to the X-Men relaunch coming from Inhumans Vs X-Men. And if they can just kill off Emma for good, it would be perfect.
- ASTRO CITY #42 – Nice to get two issues of ASTRO CITY this week. Pretty much my all-time favorite comic series just behind STARMAN. Looks like we finally get to see The Gentleman in focus this year. About time!
- SUICIDE SQUAD #13 – Continuing the “Who Killer Amanda Waller?” arc. Suicide Squad has been really good for the last year or so. That said, I hate that they are spending way too much time to convince the reader that she’s actually dead. I don’t believe that it will stick all that long, and it takes away from everything else going on.
- SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #11 – Last issue was basically one long dream sequence where we see what would happen if Velma conquered the world. Pretty disturbing issue of a series that is full of disturbing moments. DC’s Hanna-Barbera relaunch continues to produce amazing comics. Can’t wait for more!
- ACTION COMICS #975 – The ending of last week’s SUPERMAN would have been a lot more impactful if they didn’t just launch SUPER SONS. Has Jon Kent been erased from reality? Probably not…though now I have this great idea that Super Sons #2 just stars Damian with no mention there was any one else in the first issue… Ignoring that, the SUPERMAN line is as good as it’s ever been, so definitely check this one out.
- BACK TO THE FUTURE: BIFF TO THE FUTURE #2 – Wasn’t really sure what to expect from the first issue of this one, but I liked it far more than I expected too. Nice to see more of a focus on Biff and seeing him as more than just a total jerk.
- REGGIE AND ME #3 – To be honest, I’ve enjoyed the focus on Reggie in JUGHEAD’s last few issues more than this mini-series. REGGIE AND ME drifts a little too far away from being fun to read. The character doesn’t want sympathy, but the book seems to force the reader to feel that way. This issue is supposed to give us some insight into Moose, so I am curious about that at least.
- Josie And The Pussycats #5
- Batgirl And The Birds Of Prey #8
- Detective Comics #952
- Flash #18
- Hal Jordan And The Green Lantern Corps #16
- Justice League Of America #2
- Justice League Power Rangers #3 (Of 6)
- New Super-Man #9
- Red Hood And The Outlaws #8
- Supergirl #7
- Titans #9
- Wonder Woman #18
- D4VEocracy #2
- Micronauts #10
- Rom #7
- Star Trek Waypoint #4 (Of 6)
- Disney Darkwing Duck #8
- All-New Wolverine #18
- Captain America Steve Rogers #13
- Doctor Strange And The Sorcerers Supreme #6
- Guardians Of The Galaxy #1.MU
- Jessica Jones #6
- Old Man Logan #19
- Power Man And Iron Fist #14
- Silver Surfer #9
- Star Wars Doctor Aphra #5
- Unbelievable Gwenpool #13
Matt Graham
- Josie and the Pussycats #5 – The band plays a county fair. Worth it for Audrey Mok’s art alone, but Marguerite Bennett shows in every book she writes, Animosity to Bombshells to Insexts to last year’s Red Sonja, that she understands the comics medium and how to entertain with it. For me, this book lives or dies by this creative team.
- Lady Killer #4 (of 5) – The last issue of this hit November 16th, and that one was also delayed. Joelle Jones writes and illustrates her title while putting in artistic duty on projects like DC’s Supergirl: Being Super, so I’m not complaining. This blood soaked slice of Americana is always worth the wait. Lady Killer 2 has superceded the original’s presentation of a professional killer balancing motherhood and 1950’s housekeeping expectations in every way so far, with Joelle pushing herself on the writing front to flesh out her cast amidst a more engaging narrative.
- Mother Panic #4 – The Young Animal titles have been slow and wander off the path a little, but for me it’s part of their charm. The whole line has a very independent, ashcan feel to it, even as it toys with some of DC’s most cherished treasures. Mother Panic prides itself on being the first Gotham City book for Mature Readers, the sex, violence, and language ensure it earns the warning. Jody Houser’s narrative has been mixed for me. On one hand I am engrossed with the characters and world, but the title feels a little too loose and disconnected even during it’s relevatory moments. Four issues in and the solicitations make it look like Tommy Lee Edwards is already missing an issue, too. I’m still in for this title, but I know it’s not for everyone.
- Low #16 – Rick Remender’s undersea sci-fi epic kicks off a new arc.
- All-New Wolverine #18 – Another Marvel sequel concludes, as Enemy Of the State II wraps up. Laura faces off against her old handler, Kamura. While not the big screen event that Mark Millar made of the original Enemy of the State, Tom Taylor’s sequel is a more focused, character driven study of X-23’s journey since she debuted on the page in 2004. I think this is the best X-Men book going at the moment, and I expect this to continue into the line’s relaunch.
- Unbelievable Gwenpool #13 – Arcade throws Gwenpool into fantasy roleplaying. This book was my dark horse favourite from last year. It consistently makes me laugh, Christopher Hastings puts a spin on the meta existence that takes me back to Joe Kelly’s Deadpool while being fresh, Gurihiri and Danillo Beyruth give the book a unique and colourful look stands out, and editor Heather Antos always seems to be a guiding hand on Marvel’s stand out titles the past few years.
