The $40 Pull List - August 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 - 07/08 - 08/08
A bad month for late issues - which is going to make things even more complicated in terms of budgeting.
First and foremost - boy, that poll didn’t help at all! There was a three way tie for first, with Batgirl, Avengers: The Initiative, and Jonah Hex all pulling in 2 votes, and 7 other titles getting 1 vote a piece. I will take that as a good sign - the list must be a solid one if no title really stood out as a stinker. I did decide to “officially” drop Batgirl, though I did pick up the first issue anyway. It was ok - it read like a giant “excuse” for what happened to Batgirl before, and the exposition was painful to read. I will keep my eye on that book, however, and if it shapes up, you can bet it will pop up again on this list in the future.
Unfortunately, with Fear Agent and A Red Mass For Mars both no-showing this month, and The Twelve and Rex Libris returning in August, it is going to be a difficult month when it comes time to crunch the numbers. I am definitely going to have to make a hard cut or two this month, and I am not sure I can rely on a poll once again!
First off, on to last month’s reads.
Jonah Hex #33, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/02/08
This issue felt a lot like that old formula creeping back into the story - Jonah Hex nearly dies, only to somehow live and exact revenge on his would-be killers. It sometimes feels like a tired formula, and admittedly it felt like just that here. Sure, they tried to change it up by telling the story through the eyes of someone whom Hex has impacted, but even that has been done before. And the art - ugh, they really need to get a solid, regular artist on this book pronto. The shifting looks and overall substandard art is killing this book.
Still keeping it on for the time being - we don’t have a pattern of bad issues, just the occasional phoned-in one like #33. Hopefully things are back to excellent next month.
Status: SAFE
Nova #15, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/09/08
A nice twist, and a nice wrap-up to the Galactus/Silver Surfer story. At first, the loss of Worldmind seemed to be a turn for the worse, but seeing that they are about to cross this title into Secret Invasion, perhaps it would make more sense. Woldmind could probably detect Skrulls as well, and they likely had to deal with that problem before Nova entered the fray. Not such a good thing that they are crossing this book into that story - Nova doesn’t need to be there, and this title is better on its own, but with events these days, it had to be expected. Still - as good as this book has been since day one, I have no doubt that Abnett & Lanning will make the crossover a memorable one.
Status: SAFE
Teen Titans #61, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/30/08
Overall, this was a pretty fun issue. A fun standalone story, some decent character development for the now Red Devil, Blue Beetle’s official membership with the team, and even a mention of Ravager. I really feel like McKeever is setting up something big there. In any case, this title has been a pleasure to read since McKeever got through his mandated stories, and it does feel like we are at the beginning of a pretty memorable run. Hopefully other readers are seeing that as well - I would hate to have McKeever’s run cut short and miss out on some great stories.
Status: SAFE
Green Lantern Corps #26, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/16/08
OK weird - just plain weird. First we lose Bzzd, which is horrible in the extreme. He was a great character… why kill him? Seems like a bit of a pointless death. And only to give his ring to Mercy? Mercy, a Lantern? I have no idea where Tomasi is going with this one. Sure, it was a great read, but those two items at the end really had me scratching my head. Plenty of time to see that unravel though.
But man, Bzzd dead? He definitely went out the hero, but jeez!
Status: SAFE
Wonder Woman #22, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/09/08
As the plot progresses in this arc, a lot more seems clear. The jump to Diana’s altered reality was really jarring though - perhaps that was intentional, but it threw off the excellent pacing Simone had going from the beginning of her run. Things seem to be shaking out though, and while I am still eager for this arc to end, it isn’t nearly as painful to read as that first issue ended up being.
Continued improvement is a good sign. This title remains on the fence, but it is teetering towards being a keeper. The start of the next arc will be telling.
Status: SAFE
House of Mystery #3, $2.99, DC/Vertigo. Due Out 07/02/08
Looks like there was no Bill Willingham this month - kind of a shame, because the “story within the story” this issue was a bit bland, but there was a lot of development in the overall story, so it was easy to see why the side story couldn’t be a distraction. We do see that Fig is an important figure to the House now, and while she is exploring its boundaries, we discover that she is able to hear it “speaking” - and that this is a unique talent desired by some mysterious force.
This is a worthy Vertigo book, and a fantastic addition to the list.
Status: SAFE
Invincible Iron Man #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/09/08
Definite strong movie ties in this issue - it is obvious that this title was totally crafted to appeal to anyone who liked the film. Not a bad move - I still feel that Iron Man’s profile has been manufactured by Marvel - while he is a storied character, I never put him in the top tier, but suddenly over the last couple years Marvel has placed him there. The fans have responded to that, which really shows the power of Marvel’s marketing. Nonetheless - this title is a great read, and it is impossible to deny the amazing success Marvel has had with Tony Stark as a character. This issue was extremely enjoyable.
Status: SAFE
Manhunter #32, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/02/08
Seriously - I can do without all of the constant stereotyping. This is a great title, but come on - not every person with a pro-border security stance is a racist. Almost none are, in fact. The disgusting portrayal of the “protestors” really dragged this issue into the gutter, and was extremely disappointing. Borderline offensive. Andreyko should be ashamed of himself for writing it, and DC’s editorial should be equally so for allowing it. Border security is not a racial issue - it is a legal one, and bringing race into it like that is insulting on many levels.
The story outside that is good, as expected, so while it is hard to overlook one black moment, it isn’t impossible. This book still deserves to be on the list - though hopefully Andreyko leaves that issue far, far behind.
Status: SAFE
Avengers: The Initiative #15, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/23/08
Another great issue. I am glad to see that the “tweak” to 3D Man’s glasses didn’t seem to be permenant. Heck, this is the most interesting bit of Secret Invasion I have read all event. Kudos. Plus, a Prodigy sighting is always welcome, though I wish they would take him out of those ridiculous pants. I never understood why they were there in the first place, and they just look silly.
This is the best Avengers book on the market, bar none, and one of Marvel’s best.
Status: SAFE
Ultimate Spider-Man #124, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/30/08
This issue was a little confusing, mostly due to all of the time shifts. Bounding back to “six weeks ago” for a flashback that did nothing for the action in this issue was a bit of a mistake - I know Bendis has the long-term story in mind, but that doesn’t always work well when you have to wait a month between story installments. The “doctor” angle will be remembered, as well as the conflict with the Beetle, but everything having to do with Eddie will fade quickly from the memory.
A weak issue, but the overall story was strong. Should be interesting to see what comes next.
Status: SAFE
LATE AND UNRELEASED ISSUES
Rex Libris #12, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due Out 08/27/08
The Twelve #7, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/06/08
Fear Agent #23, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 07/30/08 DELAYED UNTIL 08/13/08
A Red Mass For Mars #2 (of 4), $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 07/09/08
Looking at the list for next month, it is clear that we aren’t going to have enough room for all these books and a new title. So I am going to go ahead and DROP A Red Mass For Mars. The first issue was great, but since issue 2 hasn’t come out and there is no word on when it will actually be released, it is better to cut our losses there. Shame - but it seems like Image just isn’t a publisher we can safely have on this list, they are generally too unreliable.
TITLES CARRYING OVER
Jonah Hex #34, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/06/08
Nova #16, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/27/08
Teen Titans #62, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/27/08
Green Lantern Corps #27, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/13/08
Wonder Woman #23, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/13/08
House of Mystery #4, $2.99, DC/Vertigo. Due Out 08/06/08
Invincible Iron Man #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/06/08
Fear Agent #23, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 07/30/08 DELAYED UNTIL 08/13/08
Fear Agent #24, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 08/27/08
Manhunter #33, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/06/08
Avengers: The Initiative #16, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/27/08
Ultimate Spider-Man #125, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/27/08
Rex Libris #12, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due Out 08/27/08
The Twelve #7, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/06/08
NEW TITLES
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #1, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/06/08
Boy - it has been a long time. So long, in fact, that I am counting this as a new title! We had this title on the list once before, prior to McKeever’s departure, and his departure for DC put this title in doubt. However, if anyone can fill his shoes on a book like this, it is definitely Terry Moore. Been waiting for this one for too long.
AUGUST TOTAL: $39.38
Budget = $40.00 + $1.72 (Bank) + $3.77 (A Red Mass For Mars #2) + $3.22 (Fear Agent #24) = $48.71
$48.71 (Budget) - $44.81 (July issues) - $3.47 (tax) = $.43 banked for September
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