The $40 Pull List - June 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 - 04/08 - 05/08
Overall, a pretty decent month. Though Ultimate Iron Man II #5 plain vanished, strong issues really buoyed this month’s selections. There were a couple disappointments, but very few surprises. Final Crisis #1 hit with a sickening thud (much like a decrepit horse finally falling to its death), and Marvel Comics Presents’ lag continues. The Hulk one shot was fantastic, as was the beginning of both Invincible Iron Man and House of Mystery.
So on to the details!
Jonah Hex #31, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/07/08 ON TIME
You’d think the ne’er-do-wells of the old west would learn that it isn’t so easy to pull the wool over Jonah Hex’s eyes. It is clear that there is very much a formula to these issues, but more often than not, Palmiotti and Gray pull it off in such a way to make the issue compelling. The twist at the end - if it could really be called that, really separates Hex from your usual hero. How many other “heroes” would kill a criminal in cold blood, just because the villain himself convinced him that justice would not come from the law? Jonah Hex continues to be a great book - usually in single-issue format, almost always a great read, and a story strong enough to overcome occasional mediocre art. There is a reason that this title has been on the list since the beginning.
Status: SAFE
The Twelve #5, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/07/08 RELEASED 5/14/08
This title continues to be shockingly average. It seems to be falling victim to the usual weakness in Straczynski’s storytelling style - too much focus on the character. While strong, character-driven stories are desirable, you still need to spend some effort on that other key component of any good story - a plot. As usual with JMS, the plot withers as each issue progresses, and the Twelve is very much at risk of falling victim to the same apathy that ruined the end of Rising Stars. Namely, while you care about the characters at the end, you don’t particularly care what is happening to them. We are starting to get the same sense here - while the “refugees” are becoming very deep and complicated individuals, as a reader, I find I don’t really care about what is happening around them. If this doesn’t change soon, it will prove to be the death of this series.
Not ready to give up on it yet though. Keeping my fingers crossed that The Twelve breaks JMS’s usual pattern.
Status: SAFE
Marvel Comics Presents #9, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/28/08 ON TIME
Wow. This is a tough one to handle. As an unequivocal supporter of the anthology format, it is so painful to see this anthology done so poorly. The title is still saddled with the Vanguard and Weapon Omega stories, which have proven to be a massive liability to the book. The X-51 story is equally bad, and the Hulk(?) one shot was confusing and barely readable.
This title has hung on by a thread based on the occasional decent story and my own bias about anthologies, but it has come time to face facts - this title is a failure. Not because of a weakness in the anthology format, but rather the editors at Marvel’s complete lack of understanding about what makes a good one. It is painful, but it is time to say goodbye to this one.
Status: DROPPED
Nova #13, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/07/08 ON TIME
After a brief official run-in with Annihilation: Conquest, this title sinks right back into its own story. And once again, this issue was outstanding. They teased more of a conflict with the Silver Surfer than we actually got, but Nova’s dealings with the rulers of a planet about to be devoured by Galactus (and his “interaction” with the big guy himself) were all well told and excellently written.
Nova remains on the top of the Marvel heap. Looking forward to a long run with this book on the Pull-List.
Status: SAFE
Teen Titans #59, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/28/08 ON TIME
This one suddenly has a really close tie to Final Crisis - and doesn’t really suffer for it. It is kind of hard to heap even more praise on this book - suffice to say that this issue was enjoyable, and the promise of what is to come makes the title even more compelling on the whole. In this issue we saw things seemingly at their worst for the team, which can only mean that we are just about at that moment where the action begins and we have our climactic conclusion. Formulaic? Sure, a little. But still fun.
Status: SAFE
Green Lantern Corps #24, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/14/08 ON TIME
This story is progressing right along. I can’t say it is brilliant - it certainly isn’t as exciting as the story we got during the Sinestro Corps War, but we are in a renewed “build-up” to Blackest Night, and between that and Final Crisis, we really can’t expect too much out of most ongoing DC continuity titles. Still, and enjoyable read - I am eager to see what happens next month.
Status: SAFE
Rex Libris #11, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due Out 04/08 RELEASED 05/07/08
This title is in a class all its own. Really - how many titles do you read where this much happens? And that isn’t even counting the excessive dialogue that is packed on every page, thanks to an incredibly verbose cast? For the cover price, this is easily one of the most economical books on the market today. Most comics I pick up and read through casually - when I arrive at Rex Libris in my pile, I literally have to stop everything I am doing, set aside a few extra minutes, and focus my complete attention on it. This comic is intelligent and funny, and it is going to be a real shame to see it go.
Status: SAFE
Wonder Woman #20, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/14/08 ON TIME
Honestly? This issue was a little bit of a let-down to me. Compared to previous Wonder Woman issues under Simone’s pen, this issue was a bit confusing. And not in that “things will be explained later” way - I got the sense that you were supposed to understand what was happening, especially after the “reveal,” but it fell a little flat. Not horrible mind you, but less than excellent. Hopefully the storyline smoothes a bit next month.
Status: SAFE
Final Crisis #1 (of 7), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/28/08 ON TIME
No bones about it - this issue was a total flop. Of course, dyed-in-the-wool DC fans might disagree, but for months Final Crisis has promised to be a manufactured event, DC’s final plunge to recover from their post Infinite Crisis falter, a hodgepodge event thrown together in such a way that Civil War would look thoughtful and well orchestrated in comparison. One issue in, and Final Crisis is delivering on that promise in spades.
If you are deep initiate of DC’s intricate Universe, you fill find a little in this story that the casual reader would not. But that is its only saving grace. It was nearly impossible to care one bit what was happening, despite the fact that as a Crisis, this was supposed to be something to rock the foundations of the DC Universe. Contrasted to Blue Beetle’s noble and heroic death in Countdown to Infinite Crisis, The Martian Manhunter’s “death” left a lot to be desired. There was no story there - it just happened, and we were all supposed to care about it. One more bad mark against an already weak issue.
I should have gone with my original instincts about this series. They were right.
Status: DROPPED
House of Mystery #1, $2.99, DC/Vertigo. Due Out 05/07/08 ON TIME
I thought this book looked like a lot of fun, and that is exactly what it turned out to be. Fun. There are many layers to this issue - the ongoing story of the House itself, and its inhabitants, the short “stories” they have to tell as a form of currency, and the story of the newest inhabitant of the House - who stumbles in on the last page. Sturges teams with Bill Willingham once again, who tells the mini story of the girl who marries a fly (and gives birth to its children!) - grotesque and horrible, to say the least.
This is going to be a great book, one that should have a long run at Vertigo. I am glad to have gotten in on the ground floor.
Status: SAFE
Invincible Iron Man #1, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/07/08ON TIME
I could have done without the tiny bit of anti-smoking propaganda (seriously… that was way out of place), but overall it was a decent read. A good look at Tony’s character, a tangible threat, and decent superhero action. You really couldn’t expect more from this book - should be a decent story arc.
Status: SAFE
Giant-Size Incredible Hulk #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/14/08 ON TIME
This issue was fun - exactly as it promised to be. It was almost a re-introduction to the classic Hulk, without a trace of the Hulk that we saw in World War Hulk, and the Planet Hulk saga it followed. Refreshing really - it was great to go back to the Hulk’s roots, and look at him once again as the simple, divided man - one that is basically good, even with the uncontrollable rage. Uncle Rog hit a homerun with this issue - a great read.
Status: ONE SHOT
LATE AND UNRELEASED ISSUES
Ultimate Iron Man II #5, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/21/08 DUE OUT 07/09/08
No idea what happened here - this issue was pushed back a month, seemingly to closer coincide with the release of Iron Man in theaters, but here we see it has been pushed back again two more months. Sad to say - it is well past the Two Month rule at this point, unfortunately we have no choice but to axe this issue.
Status: DROPPED
Fear Agent: Hatchet Job #21 (#5), $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 04/30/08 DELAYED UNTIL 06/04/08
Oiy - one more delay! I suppose we can wait one more week. This title is having artistic labor problems, which has been openly acknowledged, and it is apparent that the team is working to correct them - that is good enough to get it a stay of execution.
TITLES CARRYING OVER
Jonah Hex #32, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/04/08
The Twelve #6, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/11/08
Nova #14, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/04/08
Teen Titans #60, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/25/08
Green Lantern Corps #25, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/11/08
Rex Libris #12, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due Out 08/08
Wonder Woman #21, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/11/08
House of Mystery #2, $2.99, DC/Vertigo. Due Out 06/04/08
Invincible Iron Man #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/04/08
Fear Agent #21, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 04/30/08 DELAYED UNTIL 06/04/08
Fear Agent #22, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 06/25/08
NEW TITLES
Manhunter #31, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/04/08
Seriously - was there anyone out there who saw this title’s return that didn’t think it would find a home on this List? I didn’t think so!
Avengers: The Initiative #14, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/25/08
I had a chance to read the last issue of this series, and I found it surprisingly good. Figured it was worth giving it a try here. Hopefully this issue lives up to the last!
Ultimate Spider-Man #123, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/25/08
Seems like good timing - we have a lot of open slots to fill, and this book is consistently good. And since it is impossible to get any other Spider-Man title on this budget (since Amazing is weekly), it is a logical choice for a Spider-fix.
A Red Mass For Mars #1 (of 4), $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 06/14/08
OK, so the list seems a little sci-fi heavy - but those are the good comics these days! And since we have something sci-fish from the other three major publishers, we might as well try out an Image effort.
JUNE TOTAL: $42.37
Budget = $40.00 + $3.22 (Fear Agent #21) + $3.22 (Ultimate Iron Man II #5) + $0.14 (Bank) = $46.58
$46.58 (Budget) - $42.37 (June issues) - $3.28 (tax) = $.93 banked for July
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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