The $40 Pull List - April 2008
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 - 10/07 - 11/07 - 12/07 - 01/08 - 02/08 - 03/08
An overall decent month with no real shockers. Late titles seemed to be the story of the month, however, with both Young Avengers Presents and Fear Agent (the latter no shock at all) both seeing delays.
No sense in dawdling - here were March’s comics!
Jonah Hex #29, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/05/08 ON TIME
Normally as a comic reader, my focus is on the story. However, comics are a medium that really relies on two different artistic forms - writing, and the art itself. This issue highlights the importance of art to a story. Palmiotti and Gray once again tell a great story, and do so in a way that really allows the artist to not only tell the story, but provide visuals that add another dimension to it. Unfortunately, Rafa Gares was not up to the task. This issue ended up being weak at best, for reasons that can all be attributed to the art. It was messy, dark, and muddled. While the dark tone was appropriate for the story, Gares made it impossible to really tell what was going on most of the time. An over emphasis on detail combined with coloring that looked more like mud killed this issue.
Jonah Hex has featured rotating artists, and thankfully the next issue will have yet another art team. It might be time for DC to pick one and stick with them though - this title is in serious need of artistic stability.
Status: SAFE
The Twelve #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/05/08 ON TIME
Overall, this issue was a little better than the last, mostly because things are finally, if slowly, starting to happen. One of the drawbacks of Straczynski’s writing - he spends a lot of time building, but usually the payoff doesn’t even come close to justifying the extreme build. On the plus side, we have had a good look at most of the Twelve at this point, and understand a little more about them in the modern context.
DC Special: Raven #1 (of 5), $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/05/08 ON TIME
Problem #1 with this issue: The cover. Finally her own “Emo” series? What? Raven is Goth. I am still waiting for the day that the old-school Goth and Emo types finally rise up and take back their identities from this weird “Whiney Dark Emo” that has surfaced in recent times.
That gripe aside, the issue itself is a little tough to discuss. The story was okay - just okay - but the art was absolutely horrific. That same horribly style that was almost the death of Batgirl while Damian Scott was working on that title. His art really needs an outstanding story to make it passable, and Marv Wolfman just dropped the ball here. I have been a huge Raven fan for a long time, and was eager to see her get a series of her own - but this was not the story for her. Sadly, I can’t inflict this title on you fine folks any longer.
Status: DROPPED
Annihilation: Conquest #5, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 03/12/08 ON TIME
After what can best described as an off issue, Conquest #5 recovered quite nicely. The plot advanced, answers were free flowing, and there was solid action. Star-Lord’s crew shined brightly, and where the last Annihilation really highlighted the cosmically powerful, this series is showcasing the strengths of the average heroes in the face of such tremendous power. I don’t expect we will get as explosive of a conclusion next issue as we saw when Annihilation wrapped up (unless Quasar finally steps up) - but character-wise, it should be just as good.
Status: SAFE
Marvel Comics Presents #7, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/12/08 ON TIME
A pretty decent issue - probably the first time that I really enjoyed every story as much as I did. The Vanguard and the Guardian stories are both suddenly getting a lot more interesting, which is making it easier and easier to forget earlier shortcomings. I still believe both of these stories could and should have been a lot shorter, but at least we are finally starting to get to the meat of both of them.
The Namor story was short and sweet. Not a lot to it - Namor was his normal, brooding self, this time expressing some sorrow over Namorita’s death. It was totally appropriate though - Namor wouldn’t let that kind of thing pass without marking it somehow. Though I am surprised that no one has decided to use that as an excuse for him to once again become more militant towards the surface world - but he doesn’t really have the exposure that he once did. A decent but not spectacular short.
The Savage Land finale wasn’t the jewel it had been previously, but it was a well written and enjoyable finale. All-in-all, a solid issue all around.
Status: SAFE
Superman #674, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 03/12/08 ON TIME
A smart issue, and a great start to a new arc after last issue’s fantastic conclusion. Actually, this story is better in many ways - it draws on elements from previous stories, but the story foundation is much better from the outset than the Insect Queen story. I haven’t enjoyed Superman this much in, well, ever. If Busiek keeps up this level of quality, this title is going to be on the list for a long time.
Status: SAFE
Nova #11, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/12/08 ON TIME
Still on the run from Gamora and Drax, Nova finds himself in this issue on the homeworld of the technarchy, pleading with Warlock to help him cure the transmode virus once and for all. Abnett & Lanning seem to be in a tough spot right now, needing to tell a compelling story, but not wanting to tread on Annihilation: Conquest too much. The difficulty is showing - this issue, like #10, was decent, but not really close to the standard of greatness they set in the early issues of this series.
Nova is still one of the best books Marvel has right now, though reading it makes you feel like you and they are just waiting out Annihilation, so they can finally get to the good stuff.
Status: SAFE
Fear Agent: Hatchet Job #19 (#3), $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 01/30/08 RELEASED 03/19/08
Finally! This issue was this close to crossing the two-month late threshold - which would have been a travesty. Not only is there a real dearth of schi-fi in comics still, but hard-core, balls-to-the-wall sci-fi? Nonexistent, even beyond comic medium. Please start putting this book out on time, and regularly! The constant lateness of this book isn’t just annoying, it is a solid disservice to the medium!
In any case, an outstanding issue. Hopefully the next is a little more timely.
Status: SAFE
Ultimate Iron Man II #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/26/08 ON TIME
Man, I really thought this was a four issue mini for some reason. I suppose that is what I get for not paying attention. Regardless - this was a solid issue and an even better lead-up to a conclusion than the last one. It still fells as if there are some things left untold that might lead to a third mini - but that isn’t such a bad thing. This still isn’t quite the Tony Stark we have come to know in The Ultimates, but it is a compelling character story nonetheless.
Status: SAFE
Teen Titans #57, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/26/08 ON TIME
Once again, Teen Titans is proving to be one of the highlights of the month. Over the last few issues, McKeever has spent some time focusing on individual members of the team - highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, and showing how the others feel about them as well. This time, Ravager got the spotlight, and once again, McKeever is telling an outstanding story.
This is the best Teen Titans has been in some time. Hopefully he can keep this up!
Status: SAFE
Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash #6, $2.99, DC/Wildstorm. Due out 03/26/08 ON TIME
Well, the comic based on the movie that never was has finally come to an end, and honestly not a moment too soon. Not that it hasn’t been an OK read, but six issues was a mite too long, and it kind of got tedious as things approached the end. The verdict is the same as it has ever been - not a terrible comic, but this would have been a thousand times better on the big screen. Still - it was good to read what might have been.
Status: SERIES CONCLUDED
LATE AND UNRELEASED ISSUES
Young Avengers Presents #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/26/08 DELAYED UNTIL 04/02/08
Fear Agent: Hatchet Job #20 (#4), $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 03/26/08 DELAYED UNTIL 04/09/08
Green Lantern Corps #23, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/09/08
Rex Libris #11, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due Out 04/08
Not sure what was behind the late release of Young Avengers Presents #3, but I imagine that a rotating creative team will occasionally cause problems like this one. Fear Agent’s delay was expected, sadly, though with luck it will come out on its new date, and finally get back on a solid release track. Green Lantern Corps, of course, was furloughed until next month, so hopefully it will make a stronger showing in April with the regular team back on board.
TITLES CARRYING OVER
Jonah Hex #30, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/02/08
The Twelve #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/02/08
Annihilation: Conquest #6, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 04/16/08
Marvel Comics Presents #8, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/30/08
Superman #675, $3.99, DC Comics. Due out 04/16/08
Nova #12, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/09/08
Ultimate Iron Man II #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/21/08
Young Avengers Presents #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/26/08 DELAYED UNTIL 04/02/08
Young Avengers Presents #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/23/08
Teen Titans #58, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/30/08
Fear Agent: Hatchet Job #20 (#4), $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 03/26/08 DELAYED UNTIL 04/09/08
Fear Agent: Hatchet Job #21 (#5), $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 04/30/08
Green Lantern Corps #23, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/09/08
Rex Libris #11, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due Out 04/08
MARCH TOTAL: $41.83
Budget = $40.00 + $3.22 (Fear Agent #20) + $3.22 (Young Avengers Presents #3) + $.66 (Bank) = $47.10
$47.10 (Budget) - $41.83 (April issues) - $3.24 (tax) = $2.03 banked for April
As you can see, there are no new titles this month. I made this exception for a number of reasons. First - we had one deserved drop this month - there was no sense in forcing another unless we really needed to. Secondly - the list was bloated due to the inclusion of the new Rex Libris, and with the clock ticking on that title, I figured we should enjoy it while we can. Also, Annihilation: Conquest is ending in April, and Ultimate Iron Man II coming to an end in May, and Young Avengers Presents wraps up in June - it makes little sense to sacrifice good titles when we are about to have a whole ton of openings.
If you need a better justification - we kind of do have a new title this month in Green Lantern Corps #23. I consider #21 to be a false start. Hopefully that logic works for you all. The intent of the “rule” was to make certain that new titles are tried on a regular basis - and the spirit of that rule still stands here.
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!
