The $40 Pull List – August 2007
If this is your first time reading the $40 Pull List, I invite you to see how it works by reading the first edition. Therin you will find all the rules governing the list, and the selection of titles. It isn’t too complicated, though, so just dive right in if you don’t feel like reading back issues! In addition, this column contains Spoilers, so if you are waiting for the trade, read at your own risk!
This was kind of a wacky month for the pull-list. Last month’s vote brought the new Star-Lord mini onto the list. Of course, a big reason behind that vote was to get a title into the last week – but late books combined with my own error of missing the double-ship of Superman last month made that kind of moot.
Lot’s to watch out for in July – did The Brave and The Bold shape up? Did Noble Causes ship? Just how would Sean McKeever say goodbye to Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane? Read and find out?
The Exterminators #19, $2.99, Vertigo/DC Comics. Due out 07/05/07. ON TIME
This is a little more the kind of thing I was expecting when I decided to add this book to the list. Crazy-weird bug stuff. The start of this new story arc was a definite step in the right direction. It still kind of had the feel of coming in at the middle of a story, but that is bound to happen whenever you pick up a series this late in the game. Now that the uber-intelligent cockroaches have been established, let’s see how they end up taking them on. This issue really helped stir some long term interest in this book. Definitely creepy in a gross sort of way. I like it.
Status: SAFE
Jonah Hex #21, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/05/07. ON TIME
It is a small nitpick, but I am starting to get the feeling that Palmiotti and Gray are trying too hard with story structure here. We have seen this format many times on this book – something is introduced (in this case, the caravan of women that is raped and killed), and then we move on to something completely different, only to have Hex show up and mop up the first plot that was introduced at the very end. There was really two stories here – and it almost seemed like they broke one up to make it more interesting. A minor qibble – I just think they are going to the well too often with that gimmick.
Even with the minor complaint, this is still a great title. This month, as almost always, was another single-issue story. Decent action, a nice twist… Everything you would expect from a solid western book.
Status: SAFE
Superman #664, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 07/11/07. ON TIME
This was an outstanding issue. The fact that bystanders in general have stopped being sheep in comics adds an interesting wrinkle. After the Max Lord killing, why wouldn’t people be suspect that Superman could be mentally controlled? Any responsible leader, while allowing Superman to continue to protect the people, would have just this sort of contingency in place show he fall under malevolent control. Superman’s simultaneous understanding and irritation completed the package. Very enjoyable read.
Status: SAFE
Superman #665, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 07/26/07. ON TIME
Yikes – this one wasn’t early, I just totally missed it when compiling my list. Mistakes can happen! Thankfully, with Noble Causes shipping late AGAIN, there was room in the budget to pick this one up. Though this might make things tight next month. This issue was the “Jimmy Olsen Countdown Dossier,” retelling the origin of Olsen. It does seem to contradict the origin presented in, specifically relating to Olsen’s first meeting with Superman. This can probably be explained as a change resulting from Infinite Crisis, though it may be jarring to some devoted fans of Superman and his supporting cast. Overall, a decent issue – a nice Countdown tie-in.
Status: SAFE
The Brave and the Bold #5, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/18/07. ON TIME
Welcome to the most bi-polar title in the DC line-up. After a couple duds, I was prepared to hate this issue, but it turned out to be a lot of fun. The interactions between Brainiac and Batman were absolutely fantastic. In any case – this arc is finally almost over, with but one issue left to go. Based on this issue and the prospect of a decent story in a Wonder Woman/Power Girl team-up in issue #7, this book may have gotten yet another stay of execution. We will see next month…
Status: (barely) SAFE
Hellblazer #234, $2.99, DC Comics/Vertigo. Due out 07/18/07. RELEASED 7/25/07
A decent quick read, but surprisingly mundane for a Constantine story. Was expecting at least a zombie or two. The ending kind of confused the heck out of me, until I read that the speech balloons got left out of the second-to-last page. For those as confused as I was, they can be found here. Helps a bit, but with 12 pages of this issue devoted to ads and the Un-Men preview, it really lacked oomph. A decent issue that could have been a lot better.
Status: SAFE
Spider-man Loves Mary Jane #20, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/11/07 ON TIME
Ah, Sean McKeever‘s final issue. And while decent, it really did feel like he pushed the giant reset button. Everyone is single, Mary Jane and Peter Parker are once again “really close friends,” and everyone has been dumped with a minimum of hurt feelings. Feel-good, but the quick ending really took the oomph out of the angst that would normally come with a relationship explosion of this magnitude.
Some great lines though – Peter’s comment that “reading is fun” was priceless.
McKeever will be missed, and it is a long wait until Moore comes aboard. Since we really don’t know for certain (as there hasn’t been a solicit) whether he will start with a new #1 or not, it is tough to know what to do with this one. For now it will remain safe – pending an announcement of a future issue.
Status: SAFE
Nova #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/11/07. ON TIME
Once more into the breach. Normally it would be a bit annoying that this title has done nothing but crossover since its very first issue. Thankfully, it really hasn’t been all that bad. Everything to this point has technically been a crossover, but it was all something that probably would have happened whether or not the crossover label was on the front cover. The same is true here – though it is serving as one of the 4 Conquest lead-ins, it is still very much a Nova story leading into what really is a Nova event. It was a pretty strong story with a real cliff-hanger ending. That wasn’t at all how I thought a new Nova would join the Corps.
Fantastic issue – can’t wait until next month!
Status: SAFE
World War Hulk #2, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/18/07. ON TIME
Not really much predictable here – The Hulk ran through everything and everyone that came against him. The real weaknesses in this issue were Reed’s utterly lame plan to deal with the Hulk, and well – the art continued to be a real drawback. Still, if you could call something a “popcorn comic,” this was it. Action packed, and not very mentally challenging.
Status: SAFE
Fear Agent #2, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 07/18/07. RELEASED 7/25/07
A tiny bit late, but well worth it. This issue took our “heroes” from victims at the mercy of alien invaders to something that resembles what the Fear Agents were supposed to be. Less cowering and hiding, more offense. Great pace, excellent art, and a captivating story is making this a joy to read. Can’t wait for the next issue.
Status: SAFE
Deadpool/GLI – Summer Fun #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/11/07 ON TIME
This issue was everything it promised to be. From the hilarity of Deadpool crashing the GLI’s headquarters, to Squirrel Girl’s perfect reaction to Robbie Baldwin’s idiocy – this issue really couldn’t have been done any better. It is a shame it was only a one-shot. Can’t wait for the next Great Lakes issue from Slott – he is batting a thousand!
Status: ONE SHOT
The Order #1, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/18/07. ON TIME
This one was decent, but problematic. They spent so much time introducing the team at first, time that ended up being a total waste once they fired half the team. Then we had to go through another lengthy introduction session, only to have the cliffhanger “verge of a battle” ending. Some interesting concepts are on display here, but the actual story flow was a a bit mismanaged.
Still – it wasn’t a total loss, and provided we aren’t treated to another team re-boot next issue, things should shape up a bit next issue.
Status: SAFE
Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord #1 (of 4), $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/25/07. ON TIME
The winner of last month’s vote – and all-in-all another solid issue. This month’s Nova shed a lot of light on what the Phalanx are, and what kind of threat they pose. While this issue was enjoyable on its own, the juxtaposition of the two made both just a little richer. Some of the characters chosen to be a part of Star-Lord’s team are unique to say the least – it will be a treat to see them interact with one another once their mission starts.
Lots of great sci-fi this month!
Status: SAFE
LATE OR UNRELEASED PULL LIST ISSUES
Noble Causes #31, $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 06/13/07. NOT YET RELEASED
STILL not out – Diamond has this one set to ship on August 8th. The month off will help catch things up, but the big axe looms on the horizon. If this issue doesn’t ship by August 8th, Noble Causes will fall victim to the 2 month late rule. Hopefully it will not come to that.
Rex Libris #9, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due out 08/07.
Wyrms #6, $2.99, Marvel/Dabel Brothers. Due out 08/15/07.
-=JULY PULL LIST=-
Titles carrying over:
Superman #666, $3.99, DC Comics. Due out 08/08/07.
The Exterminators #20, $2.99, Vertigo/DC Comics. Due out 08/01/07.
The Brave and the Bold #6, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/15/07.
Wyrms #6, $2.99, Marvel/Dabel Brothers. Due out 08/15/07.
Hellblazer #235, $2.99, DC Comics/Vertigo. Due out 08/15/07.
Jonah Hex #22, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/01/07.
Nova #5, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/08/07.
World War Hulk #3, $3.99, Marvel Comics. 08/01/07.
Fear Agent #3, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 08/22/07.
Annihilation: Conquest – Star-Lord #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/22/07.
The Order #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/22/07.
Noble Causes #31, $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 06/13/07. Rex Libris #9, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due out 08/07.
TOTAL: $41.34
Budget = $40.00 + $1.17 (Banked) + $3.77 (LATE books) – $3.22 (Superman #665) = $41.72
$41.72 (Budget) – $41.34 (August issues) – $3.20 (tax) = -$2.80
Yikes! Looks like we have a problem. Not only are we over budget this month, but we also have to keep in mind that according to the rules, one brand new title must be tried each and every month. Which means we have some hard choices at hand here. First – we need to cut one title to get within budget. Second – another title has to be dropped to make room for this month’s new book.
The first choice is a sad one, but an obvious one. Noble Causes has to go. Seems like this title is late each and every month. It’s new release date is scheduled for the last possible week before it had to be dropped anyway, and there is no guarantee it would even meet that date. After that, Image has delayed solicitation to allow the title to catch up, so we could be without the title for a few more months at that rate. Even then, there is still no guarantee that the title would ship monthly and on time once that occurs. The recent art change has been a real boon for the title, but its continued unreliability and its future inconsistency make it a poor choice to continue on.
Noble Causes #31, $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 06/13/07.
Status: DROPPED
Which brings us to our second title. Though it did redeem itself somewhat this past issue, 3 bad issues put next to 2 fairly decent issues does not instill much confidence in this title’s future. The Brave and the Bold is the one title on this list that seems to be hanging by a thread, and the one that does not inspire excitement to see it in the pull-box week after week. As such, it has to be put on the chopping block at a time like this.
The Brave and the Bold #6, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/15/07.
Status: DROPPED
So now the question remains – what new title should be selected this month? Since Noble Causes was the last Image title on the list, it seems appropriate that another should take its place.
New Titles:
Bomb Queen IV #1 (of 4), $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 08/15/07.
Maybe we will have better luck with an Image mini. It seems that through the years, they have always had a real problem shipping ongoings in a timely manner. Which, of course, gives us the perfect opportunity to sample Jimmy Robinson’s 4th Bomb Queen volume. Heard good things about it – so why not give it a try?
With that selection, let’s take a look at the updated list.
-=JULY PULL LIST=-
Superman #666, $3.99, DC Comics. Due out 08/08/07.
The Exterminators #20, $2.99, Vertigo/DC Comics. Due out 08/01/07.
Wyrms #6, $2.99, Marvel/Dabel Brothers. Due out 08/15/07.
Hellblazer #235, $2.99, DC Comics/Vertigo. Due out 08/15/07.
Jonah Hex #22, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/01/07.
Nova #5, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/08/07.
World War Hulk #3, $3.99, Marvel Comics. 08/01/07.
Fear Agent #3, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 08/22/07.
Annihilation: Conquest – Star-Lord #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/22/07.
The Order #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/22/07.
Rex Libris #9, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due out 08/07.
Bomb Queen IV #1 (of 4), $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 08/15/07.
TOTAL: $41.34
$41.72 (Budget) – $38.35 (August issues) – $2.97 (tax) = $.40 banked for September
Much better. Making a cut like that was hard, though quite honestly it was a lot easier than I suspected it might eventually be when this column was first conceived. It is a surprise that it took six months to happen, however.
Here is this month’s Pull-List to print out and bring with you to the store: Here you go! Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the file, as always.If you don’t have it, you can download the latest version for free at Adobe.com.
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