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 - 09/08 - 10/08

In all, October was a pretty good month - at least in terms of timelines. Every issue that was supposed to be released this month was, which hasn’t really been the case in some time. On a sad note, the final issue of Rex Libris was released in October - it never had a firm release date announced, so it wasn’t made a part of this month’s list. Still - it ended up being a de facto drop since #13 was the last issue.

Enough preamble, on to last month’s issues!

OCTOBER’S PICKS

Supergirl #34, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/01/08 ON TIME

Not a bad start. We are, of course, going to see this title jump right into the New Krypton crossover, but as a beginning of a new direction, it isn’t half bad. The way they are handling the change to Supergirl really is clever - just about anything negative any fan has said about the latest version of Supergirl has manifested itself as the critiques she has to face in the story, everything from her conceited behavior to her “slutty” costume was brought up and thrown in her face. Of course, as far as the story goes, she isn’t really like that at all, she has just made some mistakes and needs to grow and mature. That is exactly what needed to be done with her character, and it is a great motivation to make a needed change without having to come up with a ridiculous reason. Just chalk it all up to youth and inexperience, and wash your hands of it. Nicely done! Now to build a real foundation for the character… step two should be a little harder.

Next month lands us smack dab in the middle of the New Krypton crossover. Tough to say how much missing parts of a crossover will affect the story, but that is the price you pay when reading comics on a budget. We shall see next month!

Status: SAFE

Jonah Hex #36, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/01/08 ON TIME

I really had problems with this issue. It does make sense to want to examine why Hex wears a Confederate uniform, but the motivations were totally off. It was almost as if Palmiotti and Grey didn’t bother to actually research the time period before finally writing this story. The story was supposed to be an illustration of why Hex wore the grey. First, he is nearly lynched by a mob of former slaves, who see him fishing a black woman out of the water. Assuming he meant her harm (because of his uniform), they try to kill him. He is later saved by a group of men who believe him to be one of them - also because of his uniform. These men happen to be contemplating the formation of the KKK.

See, this is the point where the story unravels. There is an ignorant little tidbit that seems to have made its way through history that the Union was filled with pure abolitionists who didn’t have a drop of racism in their body. The South, on the other hand, was racist to the bone, and everyone who wore the Confederate Uniform was fighting to keep black men in bondage. Palmiotti and Gray’s explanation of Hex’s motivations plays off of this myth.

There were racists on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. And while slavery was certainly a major issue, the real reason the Civil War was even fought was an issue of state’s rights. The issue of slavery and abolition was a major one at the time - and a hotly contested debate. And no matter what any southerner thought about the fundamental rights of blacks, their economy was built on slave labor. To suddenly end that would cause economic ruin.

Of course, through the looking glass of history, we can all say “so what? It was wrong and they should have ended it, no matter the cost.” But that is hindsight. When the election of a certain President (in the face of every later-Confederate State voting against him in a block) convinced them that they had no real national voice, even when voting in lock-step, secession became the only opportunity. Sure, there were racists in the south, but even the southerners that opposed slavery would be faced with having the northern states impose abolition on them, without taking any steps to cushion the inevitable economic crisis that would follow. They literally had no say, in a free nation. Add that to the cruel manner in which the South was treated after the Civil War ended, you understand that there were many, many, many in the south who would think highly of that grey uniform for reasons which had nothing to do with race.

History has perverted their meaning, but then and now, flying the “Stars and Bars” or wearing a Confederate uniform doesn’t make you a racist. For some, that is completely true, but not universally so. Palmiotti and Gray explain in this issue that Hex wears that uniform so that the good will look at him with disgust, which he deserves, and those that look kindly upon him because of that uniform must by logic be evil. This is a simplistic theory, and frankly an ignorant one. It is a fact that the South wanted to continue slavery. But this evil motivation does not make their belief that they should be equally represented in a free republic wrong. And those at the time who looked at it from that perspective were not “evil and cowardly racists who deserved to die at Jonah Hex’s hands.” The Confederate Uniform was and is not a Nazi uniform. This logical fallacy and inattention to detail killed what could have been a memorable issue.

Status: SAFE

Manhunter #35, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/01/08 ON TIME

Sadly, it looks like this title is coming to an end again. This isn’t a tremendous surprise - this latest run has been enjoyable, but it isn’t nearly as good as it was before. The art has been something of a downer of late, as has been the small amount of political soapboxing we got in previous issues. This issue was enjoyable, there is a lot of good stuff going on, but any title selling only twelve thousand issues a month just isn’t going to last from Marvel or DC. Yeah, maybe they could have done a little more to market it, but in a market where comic readers will make any issue of All-Star Batman and Robin the #1 seller in any given month- well, suffice to say that comic readers on the whole don’t really care about quality or critical acclaim. A shame really.

We will stick with this one as long as possible, but knowing there are only three issues left does mean that we may have to drop this book if another opportunity presents itself.

Status: SAFE

Green Lantern Corps #29, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/08/08 ON TIME

The rise of the Star Sapphires - or the Violet Lanterns. That was an interesting side-story, but the more interesting story seems to be the relationship of Ice and Guy Gardner - it would seem that we have seen the last of that little plot aspect, and I have little doubt that it is somehow going to play a role in the coming Blackest Night conflict. Perhaps one of the other “power-colors” will be enlisting Ice to their cause?

I do enjoy the slow build we are seeing here. We all know what is coming, but the care with which everything is being established is making the journey a fun one. We aren’t just going to get five more Corps slapped together and thrown together in a meaningless struggle - each of the five new colors will have an individual identity, with some established members to make the conflict interesting. The journey has been an entertaining one, no reason to believe that this will not continue.

Status: SAFE

The Twelve #8, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/08/08 ON TIME

I am really back and forth on this title - but there are some huge weaknesses. The character development is interesting, but like most Straczynski stories, the overall plot is virtually absent. Things happen - that’s for sure, but we are given the sense that there is supposed to be an overall focus that just hasn’t manifested itself. We saw earlier the death of the Blue Blade - I suppose there are hints about what will transpire littered throughout this series, but they are so obscure that they might as well not even be there. 8 issues into this title, I am beginning to question whether or not there will be any reason to care about the eventual resolution. Seems more and more like Rising Stars every day.

I’m really torn about whether to drop this one or not. However, since #9 won’t be out until December, I can afford to put that off. We will see what the budget for December looks like when that time comes.

Status: SAFE

Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/08/08 ON TIME

Again, it is such a shame that this is a mini. Is Terry Moore doing a better job with the title than McKeever did? Honestly, at this point, I have to say yes. McKeever did a fantastic job translating teen angst to comic form, but Terry Moore is taking it a step farther and making it believable. The characters are all suddenly so real - he has effectively taken the high drama of high school relationships and made it something that anyone can read and really get into. It is going to be really sad when this title finally comes to an end.

Status: SAFE

Wonder Woman #25, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/08/08 ON TIME

Of course there had to be more to this story than a simple Wonder Woman movie gone wrong - and I have to say that I enjoyed the Queen of Fables’s return here. This arc was a short one, but in some respects that is a good thing. The last arc was kind of a disaster, and a more simple story was exactly what was needed to get things back on track. The next issue is the start of something a little more major, so this simple diversion was a great way to cleanse the literary palate before “Rise of the Olympian” gets its start.

Honestly, I am still not sold on the greatness of Simone’s work here. Expectations were very high for her, and she really hasn’t lived up to them. This is still highly readable, and I still believe with time her run could end up being legendary. Haven’t seen that yet though - but there is more than enough here to continue giving it a chance.

Status: SAFE

Invincible Iron Man #6, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/08/08 ON TIME

The end of the first story - of course Tony isn’t really dead! Who even thought that was possible, even after the cliffhanger we got last issue?

Well, six issues down, and I can safely say that it is going to take a lot for me to drop this book. Fraction has done the impossible (well, to me) and made Iron Man an interesting character again. The similarities to his presentation and the very best parts of the movie may well have been an accident, but it was a fortuitous one.

Well, next issue is going to be a team-up with Spider-Man - really not sure what we are going to get there, with their past animosity being retconned out of existence in the wake of Brand New Day. After that, we are set to have some Secret Invasion fall-out. Should be a decent couple of months, but honestly I am really anxious for Fraction to finally do a story with The Mandarin. That would be ten different flavors of awesome.

Status: SAFE

Fear Agent #24, $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 08/27/08 RELEASED 10/22/08

Fear Agent. Frustration is the only way I can describe this. Sometimes I just don’t get Rick Remender. Fear Agent is pulp sci-fi at its very finest. As a concept, it lends itself to an unending string of exciting stories. This title has been plagued by tardiness since its Image days, something the move to Dark Horse was supposed to fix. How many Fear Agent fans were excited about the prospect of a Fear Agent issue coming out each and every month? I know I was. But even after the move to Dark Horse, each and every issue has been late. Even when Dark Horse would skip months in order to catch the title up, it would still be later and later. Even when Rick Remender would “admit” the title had problems coming out on time, and swear that they were doing everything possible to fix this problem, the title continued to be later and later. Care to place bets that issue #25 will not be coming out on the 19th next month, as planned?

Now we are hearing that he wants to end it? Possibly as early as issue #32? Of course, the way he framed it, it makes sense. Which is better - a good story that has a satisfying conclusion, or to have a story continue way past the point you “intended” to end it, only to suffer as time goes on?

The problem is, Fear Agent never lived up to what it was supposed to be. This isn’t an example of a great concept that has run its natural course, it is a great concept that never even started down that road. Instead of what was advertised, we have gotten 24 of 32 issues of a broken promise. I don’t buy the excuse, or the cover.

Boo Mr. Remender, boo. Where do I apply to get the money and time back that I invested in this title’s “promise?” Do I get interest for the months of frustration and promotion?

Status: DROPPED

Ultimate Spider-Man #127, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/22/08 ON TIME

Ugh, well, it looks like we are seeing the hints of “Mary Jane and Peter HAVE SEX!” being planted here. Oiy. This title is so good, that kind of thing isn’t at all what was needed. Plenty of time to rant about that if it actually comes to pass though.

This issue reintroduces us to Eddy Brock, as well as features the return of Gwen Stacy/Carnage. On the whole, this arc has been pretty choppy - it’s possible that Ultimatum has something to do with that. We are probably going to see some kind of status quo change for this book, and perhaps Bendis has decided to toss a whole bunch of ideas together in one story just to get them out of the way while he still can.

Still, it hasn’t been horrible, just a little more jumbled than we have been used to. I’m kind of willing to wait this one out.

Status: SAFE

Teen Titans #64, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/29/08 ON TIME

The seeds of another member’s fall? Quite possibly - Wonder Girl’s powers are slowly being sapped by Lord Lycus, thanks to the lasso given to her by Ares severing her link with Zeus. Still, issue #66 hints that there are only four members left, so it would seem that she is probably destined to survive this conflict. Doesn’t mean it isn’t worth reading. #64 was another stellar issue - as always, Sean McKeever is doing an outstanding job on this book. Teen Titans will be safe on The List for a while.

Status: SAFE

Avengers: The Initiative #18, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/29/08 ON TIME

Seriously - who needs Secret Invasion? This arc is everything you are getting in Secret Invasion, only it is good. There are rumors that this title will be cancelled once Secret Invasion comes to an end, since its original purpose will be rendered obsolete. This makes sense, but hopefully it is allowed to continue under a new title in some form. This title has been far too entertaining to just cancel - there has to be a way to fit it into the future Marvel Universe.

As long as Christos Gage is writing this title, I will buy it.

Status: SAFE

Nova #18, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/29/08 ON TIME

The arrival of the new Nova Corps - geez, didn’t Worldmind put them together quickly? In a way, Secret Invasion provided an excuse to finally pull the trigger on separating Nova and the Worldmind - this story is quite clearly on the edge of the Secret Invasion event, but it does seem like “Skrulls” were substituted for any random alien menace here. I could imagine this story being rewritten with Snarks attacking Project Pegasus, and it wouldn’t change the story one bit. But heck - if the tie-in attracts a few more new readers, who am I to complain?

There are a lot of good new nuggets here, a potential new Nova Corps headquarters (with the new members), the return of Worldmind, the strange new Quasar, and the bit of something “old” with Darkhawk and Nova. Wasn’t that just a great moment when Nova said that he had grown up? As an old New Warriors fan, I had to smile.

REX LIBRIS

Well, it looked like the final issue of Rex Libris was sprung on us last month. Sadly, I didn’t allow for it, and with no late books this month, the funds weren’t there to pick it up. Seemed like a bad idea to cause problems in November over one issue.

However, the issue was good (I bought it anyway) - a sad but fitting send-off. I know I will miss this book!

TITLES CARRYING OVER

Jonah Hex #37, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 11/05/08
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 11/05/08
Invincible Iron Man #7, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 11/05/08
Manhunter #36, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 11/12/08
Green Lantern Corps #30, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 11/12/08
Supergirl #35, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 11/19/08
Wonder Woman #26, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 11/26/08
Ultimate Spider-Man #128, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 11/26/08
Teen Titans #65, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 11/26/08
Avengers: The Initiative #19, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 11/26/08
Nova #18, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 11/26/08
The Twelve #9, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 12/10/08

NEW TITLES

Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battaliion #1 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 11/05/08

I’ve been intrigued by this project since the first time Billy Tucci first mentioned it. Plus it is Sgt. Rock.

X-Men/Spider-Man #1, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 11/05/08

Looking for a little more of Christos Gage’s Midas Touch here. Honestly, if he wasn’t writing this, I probably wouldn’t give it a second look. In most writer’s hands, this kind of series is little more than a sales gimmick. For others, it is the foundation of a great story. I believe Gage falls in the latter camp here.

NOVEMBER TOTAL: $38.87

Budget = $40.00 + $2.03 (Bank) = $42.03

$42.03 (Budget) - $38.87 (November issues) - $3.01 (tax) = $0.15 banked for December

I am enjoying using the Facebook Comic Book application as a supplement to this list, so I am going to stick with that this month, and work on expanding it there. It will give you updates on release dates for all the titles you might be interested in. The $40 Pull List is logged there - I haven’t updated all the old titles that were once on the list as of yet, but it is current for this month’s issues. Check it out, add the application, and you can keep an eye on these titles for shipping changes and other information!

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