If this is your first time reading the $40 Pull List, I invite you to see how it works by checking out some of the previous month’s editions (listed below). Those will give you a good idea of how the column works, and what you can expect month after month. If you are interested in the “rules” for the Pull-List, check out the very first column, the 01/07 edition. 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!

01/07 – 02/07 – 03/07 – 04/07 – 05/07 – 06/07 – 07/07 – 08/07

August was another one of those long five-Wednesday months. Is it just me, or are we getting more of them this year than normal? They always seem to screw things up, especially in terms of scheduling. A few titles shipped late this month, and a few more didn’t ship at all. As always, we will start with last month’s run-down.

AUGUST’S PICKS

Superman #666, $3.99, DC Comics. Due out 08/08/07. RELEASED 08/22/07

Oh dear, it is #666, therefore it must be EVIL! Nevermind the fact that the actual number of the beast is 616 (yes, Marvel fans, be afraid), and the 666 number comes from a translation error (assuming Nero should be Hebrew and not Greek) – but that is beside the point. So to celebrate (?) this numbering coincidence, it seems like we get a dose of evil Superman this issue. Or so it would seem.

Honestly, the entire issue was contrived to the point of ridiculousness. Right down to the end – come on, a “shell” that Superman “allowed” to be corrupted, leaving the “real” Superman pure and innocent? This issue itself wasn’t that horrid, but it wasn’t exactly a showcase of why this title is worth reading. Not so impressive, especially for a $4 issue. Hopefully this is just a single-issue lull.

The Exterminators #20, $2.99, Vertigo/DC Comics. Due out 08/01/07. ON TIME

A pretty solid issue – this series really is getting a little better as we move forward into this story. It does look like we picked a pretty good time to get onboard this series – the Mayan Hisser arc seems like one of those major title-defining stories. It is still a little tough to read, because even after a few issues, we still don’t have a real clear idea about all of the characters, but that is just one of the perils of jumping in on a comic more than a dozen issues into it. Thankfully, more and more falls into place each and every issue. And this issue was still extremely creepy once again – which is all I ever really wanted from this title in the first place.

Status: SAFE

Hellblazer #235, $2.99, DC Comics/Vertigo. Due out 08/15/07. ON TIME

This issue was a real huge step in the right direction. Last issue was somewhat weak, but as it turns out, it was just to set up this issue. Generally, set-up issues are distasteful, but they seem to be unavoidable these days. Thankfully, Diggle had the sense not to do an issue like #234 for his very first issue.

This issue picked the slack right up and ran with it – which is a good thing. I don’t think I could have taken two off issues in a row so close to the start of this run. The last panel suggests that next issue will be really intense – should be a great read.

Status: SAFE

Jonah Hex #22, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/01/07. ON TIME

Sadly, this was the first issue of Jonah Hex that I was really disappointed with. The art was solid, and the story was well-told, but the latter was just plain too generic. Knowing that we were about to see a Jonah Hex appearance in Booster Gold made all the talk about the future seem somewhat important, but I have a feeling that was all just reaching on my part.

The whole “historical figure” gimmick was just too much. Sure, having some fanciful war between Edison and Tesla might make for a decent comic story, but did it make for a good Jonah Hex story? Hex isn’t the kind of character than needs to lean on actual historical figures from his setting to be entertaining. Hex is cool all on his own, and having him stumble upon notable figures of the time period just seems desperate.

Hex had a good thing going, but if the formula is so tired that we are getting this – perhaps it is time to shake things up a bit. Perhaps this is harsh – but after 21 issues of near-solid praise from me, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out when it faltered. Hopefully this issue was just a momentary slip. In any case, it has definitely earned an off issue at this point.

Status: SAFE

Nova #5, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/08/07. ON TIME

Boy, I didn’t see that coming. And seriously – I can’t wait to see what happens next month.

There was one thing that nagged on me this issue – the new Nova, Ko-Rel, a Kree Medic. One of the biggest criticisms of the Nova Corps has been that they are an out-and-out rip-off of the Green Lantern Corps. How does it help to make the Nova Corps stand on their own to select a Kree Medic as the first new Nova of the New Corps? Especially when one of the most popular of the new Lanterns is Soranik Natu, the neurosurgeon? Come on, “hot” woman with a medical trade… a little too close if you ask me.

Be that as it may, the issue surely delivered. A ton of action, an outstanding appearance from Gamora, real movement in the Phalanx plot, and a nice twist at the end that throws everything for a loop. Can’t wait to read more.

Status: SAFE

World War Hulk #3, $3.99, Marvel Comics. 08/01/07.ON TIME

This issue had the best part of the entire World War Hulk saga if you as me, and it wasn’t the confrontation with Strange. Call me old school, but there is nothing like the Hulk going up against General Ross with the army at his back. It seems telegraphed at this point that Sentry will be the one to take the Hulk down, but a far better story in my book would have been to have the heroes fail, and have the army with Ross at the head prevail in the end. But, this seems to be the way Marvel has decided to finally put Sentry over once and for all, so Ross has just proved to be a stepping stone. At least he was a major one.

This issue was pretty well the same as the last – outstanding action hampered only a bit by some sub-par art. But it was on time, so that counts for something. Another enjoyable “popcorn” read.

Status: SAFE

Annihilation: Conquest – Star-Lord #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/22/07.ON TIME

Boy – I can honestly say that I did not expect so many to fall so quickly in this issue. Kind of a shame too – Groot and Deathcry kind of went too quickly for my taste. There was some great tension there that seems to have been lost far too soon. Deathcry seems pretty well done, but Groot may have possibly survived. Hopefully he has – the remaining group will get along far too well for my taste.

Giffen is doing an outstanding job with this story so far. I am not sure why he felt the need to kill off two characters so soon – hopefully this doesn’t mean that most of the team won’t make it to the end. Groot is bad enough!

Status: SAFE

The Order #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/22/07. ON TIME

I am still not sure what to make of this issue. It was a real step in the right direction – we finally have some solid character development for a character that is going to be around more than half an issue. How much more is a question, though. The whole “Paris Hilton sex-tape” plot device for Becky Ryan could go any number of directions, with both really interesting and really sour results. The ideal way to play it through issue three would be to play up the PR nightmare that causes – the fact that she saved LA by swallowing the nuke combined with the fact that her “indiscretions” took place before she joined the Order balanced against the Order’s need to maintain a squeaky-clean image, especially in the wake of their last disciplinary action. That seems like the way they are going with this, but something smells bad there. Marvel has stepped up their game in the last year, but old habits do die hard, and this wouldn’t be the first time they will have slipped up. Hopefully I am just being paranoid. Solid issue – looking forward to next month.

Status: SAFE

Bomb Queen IV #1 (of 4), $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 08/15/07.RELEASED 08/29/07

OK, a nipple slip on the very first page? Oh boy, what have I gotten us into?

Outrageous is the best word to describe this series. I could pick at little things here and there, but there is really no need. The entire issue was horribly offensive, and that is exactly how it was supposed to be. Coming into the story four chapters into it, we are bound to have missed something, but doesn’t seem to be to difficult to get into the flow of things. The plot makes sense, the characters are easy to grasp, and everything seems pretty black and white. The only real downside to the issue was the tired political jabs – those were old when they were first used in comics, now they just seem desperate. Hopefully Robinson grows out of them as the series progresses.

This issue was just a tiny bit late, but considering the last issue of the previous mini also came out this month, it isn’t too bad, is it? Certainly a fun read – I still don’t know what to make of it, but it is interesting enough to pick up issue #2.

Status: SAFE

Wyrms #6, $2.99, Marvel/Dabel Brothers. Due out 08/15/07. DELAYED UNTIL 09/26/07
Fear Agent #3, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 08/22/07. DELAYED UNTIL 09/05/07
Rex Libris #9, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due out 08/07. DELAYED UNTIL 11/07

A few delays this month – nothing terribly out of the ordinary. The final issue of Wyrms looks like it has been delayed for another month. This probably had something to do with Dabel and Marvel’s parting of ways, which is understandable. It makes little sense to drop a title this soon when you are already on the final issue – the delay is irksome, but not overwhelming.

Not really sure what happened with Fear Agent. It is only seeing a two-week delay, which isn’t terribly bad. Hopefully this isn’t the start of a pattern.

Finally there is Rex Libris, which is on hold for another 2-3 months. It looks like there was a snafu in the solicitation, and Diamond didn’t have the book listed. November being the earliest that Diamond could put it out – well, what can you do? Normally this would call for an automatic cancellation, as it will be over two months late, but I really think this case calls for an exception. This is a quarterly book anyway, and from a small publishing house. Since it seems like the delay is more the fault of Diamond’s, and not Slave Labor itself, it makes sense to be forgiving this time. Rex Libris is too good a book to miss. If this becomes a habit – we may have to rethink the exception, but for now giving the “little guy” a break makes the most sense.

-=SEPTEMBER PULL LIST=-
Titles Carrying Over
Superman #667, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 09/12/07.
The Exterminators #21, $2.99, Vertigo/DC Comics. Due out 09/05/07.
Wyrms #6, $2.99, Marvel/Dabel Brothers. Due out 08/15/07. DELAYED UNTIL 09/26/07
Hellblazer #236, $2.99, DC Comics/Vertigo. Due out 09/19/07.
Jonah Hex #23, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/05/07.
Nova #6, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/12/07.
World War Hulk #4, $3.99, Marvel Comics. 09/19/07.
Fear Agent #3, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 08/22/07. DELAYED UNTIL 09/05/07
Annihilation: Conquest – Star-Lord #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/26/07.
The Order #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/19/07.
Rex Libris #9, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due out 08/07. DELAYED UNTIL 11/07
Bomb Queen IV #2 (of 4), $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 09/26/07.

New Titles

We are kind of in an interesting spot this month, and almost exactly opposite where we were last month. Instead of having a bloated budget and having to axe titles to make room and to try a new book, we are now faced with a really high surplus, thanks to late issues. Wyrms only has one issue left, so we don’t need to worry about that double-shipping, Fear Agent was late, but Dark Horse pushed its whole schedule back (which means we won’t see 2 of those this month), and Rex Libris is off the radar for the next few months. Add the extra buck from Superman returning to regular price, and we are left with a pretty hefty buffer this month.

Rather than blow it all on new ongoing books, leaving us with really difficult choices next month, it seems to make more sense to take things slow. We have a couple minis coming to an end, so it makes sense to try out a couple new books, and maybe try out a one-shot, so we have a little breathing room next month with titles coming to an end on their own.

The Green Arrow/Black Canary Wedding Special, $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/19/07.

It makes sense with a surplus this large to try out a one-shot, and this seems to be the ideal choice. DC has built this wedding perfectly, and everything points to something major happening here, outside the usual comic wedding ruckus. The list is a little light on DC Superhero books, so this will help balance things out.

Teen Titans #51, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/26/07.

Sean McKeever has a tough job on his hands, righting this sinking ship, but if anyone can do it, he can. Issue #50 wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, but there were some glimmers of hope there. McKeever has a lot to tie up in terms of dangling plot threads, but I don’t think it is too soon to give him a chance on this title. It might be rough going for another arc or two, but it is always nice to jump aboard at the start of something special. Sure, there is some risk here, but there always has to be to make something worth it. Don’t let us down, Sean!

Marvel Comics Presents #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/19/07.

Come on now – the first real anthology book from a major publisher in how long, and you didn’t think it was going to be a part of the Pull List? How long have you been reading me, anyway? This is the most exciting new comic in a long time. Sure hope it delivers!

TOTAL: $45.37

Budget = $40.00 + $9.62 (LATE August issues) + $.40 (Bank) = 50.02

$50.02 (Budget) – $45.37 (September issues) – $3.52 (tax) = $1.13 banked for October

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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