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 – 09/07

September was a really good month. With a few exceptions, just about every issue on the pull-list this month was outstanding. Nine months into this experiment, we seem to have achieved a good balance of books. In fact, for the second month in a row, no titles were dropped based on quality – the only real issue we are having is a couple books that just won’t come out. More on that later. On to this month’s reads!

SEPTEMBER’S PICKS

Superman #667, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 09/12/07. ON TIME

This issue was a real step up from the previous one, but there was still some things to find fault in. For starters – Zatanna. Just what was that costume? And since when did she become a DD juggernaut? Zatanna always dressed sexy, but not like a ****. It was a fine distinction that seems to be lost these days.

In the end – it was a passable, average Superman story. Usual moral choices – us or them, with the answer being that he really is one of us after all, and the choice is plain. Wasn’t blown away, but outside the horrid portrayal of Zatanna once again, it was a passable issue. Next issue’s climax should be worth reading.

Status: SAFE

The Exterminators #21, $2.99, Vertigo/DC Comics. Due out 09/05/07. ON TIME

The more I read this issue, the more enjoyable it is. Which is good – but we are several issues into it, and there are times when I still have no idea what is going on. That isn’t a good thing. Vertigo titles often tend to be difficult to get into, but it is still hard to remember which characters are who. That isn’t going to be good if it takes much longer to really get to know the main characters. Checking out the trades is a way to get familiar, but the reader on a budget doesn’t have that luxury.

It is still easy to enjoy this book on a basic level though. The “camps” are pretty well established, and you can gloss over the characters and still get a lot out of the story. That fact is really the title’s saving grace at this point.

Status: SAFE

Hellblazer #236, $2.99, DC Comics/Vertigo. Due out 09/19/07. ON TIME

Oiy – much much better. If you ask me, Diggle really has a handle on what Constantine is about. I was worried after this arc got off to a slow start, but it turned out to be a lot of needed set-up. The plot progressed, questions were answered, and there is a promise of more to come. This title really has become one I look forward to month after month. Can’t wait to see where this story goes next month.

Status: SAFE

Jonah Hex #23, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/05/07. ON TIME

After what amounted to a pretty serious stumble last month, this title came bouncing right back with another outstanding issue. Just when the formula was starting to get tired, Palmiotti and Gray changed things up, and told the story from a different perspective all together. Hex was Hex, we didn’t see the usual bounty with an unexpected twist at the end, and gone were the tired plot devices like flashbacks and out-of-order storytelling. A marked improvement.

I suppose every title has to have an off issue. Looks like #22 was it for this book. Everything is back to normal. In other words, outstanding.

Status: SAFE

Nova #6, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/12/07. ON TIME

In the first of our Annihilation: Conquest tie-ins, we find the “Selected” Nova and Gamora having to throw down with the Nova Corps’ newest deputy, Ko-Rel, or Nova 0001.

This was a really fast read, as most action-oriented issues tend to be. We get a glimpse of Nova and Gamora hunting down Drax the Destroyer before Ko-Rel comes in to make her play. In the end – is she dead? Just severely hurt? Impossible to say. It does feel like a lot of what we are reading now isn’t going to be resolved until the Annihilation: Conquest mini hits, which is perfectly fine in this case. This series has been exciting from the beginning, and as good as Annihilation as an event has been, I am perfectly fine waiting for that tie-in to run its course before getting into more Nova-specific stuff.

Status: SAFE

World War Hulk #4, $3.99, Marvel Comics. 09/19/07. ON TIME

The luster of this event is really starting to wear off.

The art is terrible, there is no other way to put it. It seems obvious that Pak is putting a lot of trust in Romita Jr. to carry this story, and he just isn’t up for the job. Battle sequences are muddy and confusing. Characters – who would normally already be a scribbled mess under Romita’s pen, are even more-so when powered up or in the midst of battle. There is a decent, if predictable story going on here, but one that really needs artistic oomph to push it from passable to outstanding. And Romita’s work pushes it in the opposite direction.

If there weren’t just one issue left in this, I would give serious thought to dropping it. There was a chance to do something great with this event, but instead of building on “The Hulk comes back and starts smashing,” it starts and ends there. Really disappointing.

Status: SAFE

Fear Agent #3, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 08/22/07. RELEASED 09/12/07

Hrm. Looks like the switch from Image to Dark Horse didn’t do a whole lot to fix this title’s shipping problems. Hopefully this was just a one-time hiccup. Monthly means monthly!

That aside – awesome read. This is really turning out to be a good month on the whole. The Last Goodbye really has the feel of an old war comic, which is only adding to its appeal. Most prequels pad a barely passable story with little tidbits of origin knowledge to keep you exited. This story sneaks in the origin bits, because they really aren’t needed to maintain interest. Once again this is a solid read – hopefully the next issue comes out on time!

Status: SAFE

Annihilation: Conquest – Star-Lord #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/26/07. ON TIME

Yes – I knew Groot would make it! Even if in such a miniscule state.

This has been a thrilling read. While the big-guns are at play in the other Annihilation minis, Star-Lord’s rag-tag group is providing excitement all its own in this issue. While the story does seem to be following a fairly predictable pattern, the ride is still exciting.

With World War Hulk starting to wane, pretty well everything Aniihilation-related has secured a spot at the top of the quality heap at Marvel. A great read.

Status: SAFE

The Order #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/19/07. RELEASED 9/26/07.

One step forward – two steps back. Where the heck is Matt Fraction taking this? Instead of picking up where things left off (character-wise) in issue #2, we go back to issue #1 and revisit those characters, and have some totally random infighting. What about the Becky Ryan story? They started something major with that last month, and this month it is completely forgotten – not even one mention of it.

This title is in some dire need of focus. Fraction is trying to do too much at the same time, and it is making me lose interest. This title is going to be put on watch – if next month doesn’t really deliver, it is getting the axe.

Status: SAFE

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

Did I call it, or did I call it? Well, I know I called Green Arrow’s apparent death, but I had no idea it would be at Dinah’s hands! Of course, something is afoot, and this issue left us by saying we would have to check out next month’s Green Arrow/Black Canary #1 to find out what. Have to say, they made a really good pitch. It does feel like this death isn’t a permanent one – that was either not Ollie, or he will somehow make it in the end. But once again – have to check out the other series to see what happens.

This was a wedding issue done right. Frivolity, the usual fight scene we see at every comic wedding handled with great humor, and a twist at the end to mark the occasion. I am glad I picked this one up.

Status: ONE SHOT

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

Getting better. Issue #50 was something of a let-down, but this one bounced back a bit. It still isn’t as explosive as a reunion with the Titans Tomorrow could be, but it really feels like McKeever is starting to tie-up some lose ends before moving on to some more interesting things. A few innocent tidbits about what might come were scattered in this issue – we will see in future months whether I am as observant as I think I am, or if I was just imagining things.

Status: SAFE

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

Man – I have been waiting for this issue for years now. The anthology has been the one major thing missing from both the major comic publishers for years now, it is so nice to finally see a real one return. It remains to be seen if Marvel will keep to the formula, or botch things up by trying something new.

This issue treated us to five stories – some better than others, of course. The Hellcat one was just plain – weird. Vanguard was interesting, but as a short part one, it is tough to tell whether I will like it or not until the next issue. The Guardian story got off to an interesting start, and Ben Grimm story was just sweet. The Spider-Man story was silly, which is fine, but in an Anthology, it is really important that the marquee story be somewhat huge. Big names telling memorable stories. In the first issue, this could probably pass, but in future, the Wolverine or FF or Hulk stories need to be heavily promoted and prominently featured. The marquee story sells the book – and keeps people interested in the less-marketable offerings you are giving them. The solid storytelling keeps people interested, but the big-names draw the readers. Anthologies are hard to maintain, but there is a winning formula here, if Marvel will stick to it.

A decent first issue – definitely looking forward to more.

Status: SAFE

LATE AND UNRELEASED ISSUES

Wyrms #6, $2.99, Marvel/Dabel Brothers. Due out 08/15/07. DELAYED UNTIL 11/28/07
Bomb Queen IV #2 (of 4), $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 11/28/07. DELAYED UNTIL 10/03/07
Rex Libris #9, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due out 08/07. DELAYED UNTIL 11/07

Bomb Queen #2 looks like it is going to be released on October 3rd – so not too-too late, especially for an Image book. Wyrms #6 is another matter entirely though. It has been pushed back another months, which puts it well beyond the 2 month cancellation point. Normally this would mean automatic cancellation, and for now it will be dropped from the list. A shame, seeing as that was the final issue. And though that cancellation was likely the fault of the schism between Dabel and Marvel, those are the breaks. At least, unless you say otherwise. The poll attached to this column will determine whether Wyrms #6 will make its way back to the list in November. So whether or not that final issue gets an exception is entirely up to you. So please vote!

-=OCTOBER PULL LIST=-

Titles Carrying Over

Superman #668, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 10/10/07.
Superman #669, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 10/24/07.
The Exterminators #22, $2.99, Vertigo/DC Comics. Due out 10/10/07.
Hellblazer #237, $2.99, DC Comics/Vertigo. Due out 10/24/07.
Jonah Hex #24, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/03/07.
Nova #7, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/10/07.
World War Hulk #5, $3.99, Marvel Comics. 10/31/07.
Fear Agent #4, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 10/17/07.
Annihilation: Conquest – Star-Lord #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 11/07/07.
The Order #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/17/07.
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 10/03/07.
Teen Titans #52, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/24/07.
Marvel Comics Presents #2, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/17/07.

New Titles

Green Arrow/Black Canary #1, $3.50, DC Comics. Due Out 10/10/07.

Really very little choice here. The way the wedding special ended, seeing how this one continues is a must. Winick’s run on the Green Arrow title was nothing short of stellar – I have no doubt he will continue to deliver on this new book.

TOTAL: $41.89

Budget = $40.00 + $6.99 (LATE August issues) + $1.13 (Bank) = 48.12

$48.12 (Budget) – $41.89 (September issues) – $3.25 (tax) = $2.98 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.

Post your comments in the Forum!