The $40 Pull List - July 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 - 06/08
In a word - incredible. I can’t remember a month this good since the Pull List began. Every title was on time. Every issue was outstanding. Have we just reached perfection here, or was it a lucky month? Unfortunately, all good things must end - since every book was quality this month, and we have to cut one to make room for our new title this month: well, we have a tough decision on our hands. You all see the poll - more on that later!
Manhunter #31, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/04/08 ON TIME
Well, it is officially on time, but this issue is about a year late if you ask me. Better late than never I suppose.
The issue started off well - we had a nice 2-page recap of the entire series (for those of you who haven’t been reading from the beginning), and then it was right into the action. Andreyko started this off perfectly - a nice, single-issue threat to bring you in, then some seeds of an ongoing story to hold you over until the next issue. The Blue Beetle team-up seems natural, considering the subject matter … should be a decent arc.
The only thing that was really bothersome was the injection of politics. OK - it is natural that “immigration” is going to come up when thinking of the setting, but is it possible for a writer out there to discuss it without the clichéd “Racist white people harassing the hard working Mexican people” scene? Because really - the issue is way more complicated than that, and using that scene does little more than show a vast ignorance of the issue (meaning he has no real business talking about it). Wanting a secure border does not make one an ignorant racist - there are better ways to address a sensitive issue in a comic than resorting to baseless name-calling.
That problem aside, the issue picked right up where the series last left off. A great read, and definitely safe for a while.
Status: SAFE
Jonah Hex #32, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/04/08 ON TIME
Great issue, but terrible art! I have no idea what to say about it, other than Jordi Bernet has done way, way better. It seemed like he was going for a specific look, but whenever the action on the panel got too complicated, the whole layout fell apart. I don’t know if Bernet is to blame, or Rob Schwager, who was doing the colors - I know that sometimes bad ink work can ruin otherwise passable art. I really think it was a mix here - because everything seemed really muddied and scribbled, and perhaps a little restraint in the ink and color could have saved this art. It is worth mentioning, only because bad art has plagued this title for some time. The story is unbelievably good, so that usually will carry an issue, but this title could grow by leaps and bounds with a solid ongoing artist.
Like always - story makes up for quite a bit, and another great story makes another above average issue on its own merits.
Status: SAFE
Invincible Iron Man #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/04/08 ON TIME
Much like last month, this issue was surprisingly good. It shouldn’t be such a shock - issue #1 was far better than I could have possibly hoped it to be, but there was still part of me that expected it to have been a fluke. Not so.
Being the cynic I am, the first thing I always do when reading a comic book is to try and find something wrong with it. Really - here, nothing comes out. Fraction covers all the bases in the story - using characters familiar to new readers coming in from the movie, yet not talking down to the long time comic readers - tells a story that isn’t dependent upon the rest of the Marvel Universe for context, while at the same time embracing “history” and the Marvel Universe as a whole with his Iron Man/Thor interaction. Add to that some great art and a nice dose of serial storytelling (resolve last issue’s cliffhanger, develop characters, finish with a cliffhanger) makes this an all around great issue. I have a feeling this book will be on the list as long as Matt Fraction is at the helm.
Status: SAFE
House of Mystery #2, $2.99, DC/Vertigo. Due Out 06/04/08 ON TIME
You almost get the feeling reading this issue that part of the genesis of this title’s resurrection was Bill Willingham’s desire to write some new Fables all his own. Not that he doesn’t do a fantastic job - in fact, I can’t think of anyone more qualified to write those interludes, but there is a definite sense that he is trying to flex his muscles within the genre. It is well done thus far in any case - both have been extremely enjoyable with the right amount of fantasy to make it special.
This is the fourth issue this month on the list, and the fourth outstanding read. Hopefully this trend keeps up!
Status: SAFE
Nova #14, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/04/08 ON TIME
In some ways, this issue was almost a letdown. Oh, not that it wasn’t good - it really was. Nova at his best. The thing was - we saw his absolute best as he tangled with the Silver Surfer. Perhaps silly, but a lot of Nova fans kind of expected his power level to be a little above “desperately giving it your all just to hang with the Silver Surfer.” Still, not too shabby for a former New Warrior.
There isn’t really much more I can say about this issue outside what has been said already. Abnett & Lanning are doing an outstanding job with Nova - this issue was thrilling, wall-to-wall action. They are really establishing Richard Rider as the kind of hero who doesn’t say no to anything, no matter how impossible the task might seem. Nova hasn’t ever gotten this much respect. It is a welcome change!
Status: SAFE
The Twelve #6, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/11/08 ON TIME
Well, we finally find out a bit about Rockman. A little bit of a let-down to be honest… but JMS seems to be going more realistic with these characters, so I can’t say it was totally unexpected. He does still seem to be focusing more on the character development than the actual plot, which is usual for him. Also, like usual, it is to the detriment of the story. I am not sure we will come out of this series with a complete classic, but it could serve as a launchpad to bring these characters into the Marvel fold, for other writers to take them up without being hampered by their old-fashioned nature.
A decent issue - at least average, on the whole.
Status: SAFE
A Red Mass For Mars #1 (of 4), $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 06/11/08 ON TIME
In this issue, mankind was devastated by a global pandemic, a nuclear terrorist strike, technology running amok, turning against mankind, an ethnocentric superhuman bent on establishing English as a global language, and an alien invasion of a strength impossible to repel. I think I got it all… talk about your post-apocalyptic superhero story! I don’t know if I like it yet - but I will say I am curious to see what happens next. Going to have to keep this one around at least another month…
Status: SAFE
Green Lantern Corps #25, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/11/08 ON TIME
Action packed - as expected - and leading to an even more explosive battle as the wounded Green Lanterns have to fight Mongul and his mutated Black Mercies in the next issue. While the Hal Jordan Green Lantern book has taken a step back and seems to be slowly introducing a few concepts that will add some depth to Darkest Night, this book has kept the action level high, and is simply chronicling the emergence of the other Power Colors. Not a bad way to handle things. Still - it keeps this title an exciting read, which is certainly what it is on the list for. Next issue’s arc climax should be a good one.
Status: SAFE
Wonder Woman #21, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/11/08 ON TIME
Last issue seemed to be a bit of a hiccup - and while Wonder Woman still isn’t totally back on stride, it has definitely taken a big step back in the right direction. I just get the sense that Simone rushed into this story a bit too quickly- there is a lot going on around this story, and the modern-era stuff mixed with the Beowolf realm do clash a bit. But that is just the critic in me. The characterizations is where Simone has always excelled, and even last issue, which I thought was a bit underwhelming, she is really molding the clay of Diana’s character, something many people thought long dried. It is easy to forgive a little confusion when you realize that in this story, Simone is taking everything “safe” away from Wonder Woman - her goddess and family, her diplomacy, her truth (the lasso not working), and if her “mutation” continues, her beauty. There is no better way to make a character grow than to take them completely out of their element, and a monstrous, killer Wonder Woman without the light of truth behind her is definitely that.
So the story is average, but the build I have come to love from Simone is there. I have a feeling the epic story is yet to come - once Diana is in the place as a character that Simone wants her to be. Looking forward to the journey.
Status: SAFE
Fear Agent #21, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 04/30/08 RELEASED 06/11/08
Fear Agent #22, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 06/25/08 ON TIME
Impossible! OK, so #21 was another week late, but it came out - and #22 on time? An issue of Fear Agent actually on time? This is starting to get a little scary - never has a month gone this well since the beginning of the Pull List. Now I am truly scared… what is to come is going to have to be really, really bad to balance what a good month this has been so far…
Both issues were solid reads. #21 was the end of the Hatchet Job arc, and #22 the beginning of I Against I. If there is one thing I have come to realize about Fear Agent, its that Heath never, ever, ever catches a break. Well, beyond managing to somehow stay alive through all the crap that is tossed his way. Remender is almost cruel - he takes the hope of something good finally catching up with Heath and uses it to bludgeon him even more. Be it Mara, or Charlotte, or Eden, or simply somehow finding peace… it just never comes. That is part of what makes the title so enjoyable, but it is almost a relief to read some of these Tales of the Fear Agent back-up stories, because then at the very least Heath isn’t clinging on to his life by a thread. It is stressful to read sometimes!
Congratulations are in order for finally catching up- let’s hope that the rest of I Against I is equally prompt!
Status: SAFE
Avengers: The Initiative #14, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/25/08 ON TIME
What have I been saying since before Secret Invasion even started? 3D Man! Seriously, and Tony Stark is supposed to be some kind of prep god, and this didn’t even occur to him? Though, I very much like the situation they put him in… this has been the best installment of Secret Invasion I have read thus far, continuing Marvel’s tradition of saving the real quality for the event tie-ins, rather than the event itself. Shame Prodigy was only a one-time deal, but the issue was nonetheless good.
Status: SAFE
Ultimate Spider-Man #123, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/25/08 ON TIME
I kind of dug the twist on Forrest Gump there - it didn’t take too long to figure out that Venom was eating the people sitting on the bench next to him, but hey - the gag was a good one. Not much Spider-Man in this issue until close to the very end - but it merited giving most of the issue to Venom to re-establish him and give a little back story to those who missed earlier symbiote stories. I have a feeling this is going to be a very solid addition to the Pull List.
Status: SAFE
Teen Titans #60, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/25/08 ON TIME
A nice conclusion, though it is kind of a shame that Ravager has left. I wasn’t totally a fan of the Kid Devil/Ravager dynamic - well, as long as his crush remained unrequited it was ok, but that kind of thing never persists for long. Still - a solid arc for McKeever, and hopefully Ravager will be back once the Terror Titans mini runs its course. McKeever is helming that one as well, so the temptation is there to add that book to the list too. Sadly, considering what an amazing month this was, I doubt we are going to have the space.
Status: SAFE
LATE AND UNRELEASED ISSUES
Rex Libris #12, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due Out 08/08
TITLES CARRYING OVER
Jonah Hex #33, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/02/08
The Twelve #7, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/06/08
Nova #15, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/09/08
Teen Titans #61, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/30/08
Green Lantern Corps #26, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/16/08
Wonder Woman #22, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/09/08
House of Mystery #3, $2.99, DC/Vertigo. Due Out 07/02/08
Invincible Iron Man #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/09/08
Fear Agent #23, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 07/30/08
Manhunter #32, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/02/08
Avengers: The Initiative #15, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/23/08
Ultimate Spider-Man #124, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/30/08
A Red Mass For Mars #2 (of 4), $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 07/09/08
NEW TITLES
Batgirl #1, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/16/08
This ongoing never should have ended in the first place - and restoring Batgirl to almost her pre One Year Later status quo is one of the best moves DC has made of late. Hopefully this series will, on its own merits, restore Batgirl to her former greatness.
JULY TOTAL: $39.38
Budget = $40.00 + $0.93 (Bank) = $40.93
$40.93 (Budget) - $39.38 (July issues) - $3.05 (tax) = [solor-red]$1.50 short for August[/color]
Well, as you can see, we are over our limit for the month, which means one title must go. And I can’t decide - so I need your help. You all see the poll at the top of this column - I ask you, which title should be cut? The Twelve, as you can see, is safe, since there isn’t an issue coming out this month. All the other titles are fail game.
The poll will close on midnight on Tuesday, and whichever title receives the most votes will get the axe. Choose wisely, please! And do feel free to let us know which title you selected, and why. The more votes I get, the easier the final cut will be.
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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