The Forty Dollar Pull List – July 2010
July 2010
by: Craig Reade and Brandon Schatz
Craig Reade:Welcome to the first edition of the $40 Pull List on the brand new comixtreme.com! By way of reintroduction, I am the Administrator of comixtreme, and my partner is our esteemed Comics Editor, Brandon Schatz .
Brandon Schatz : Please, dont call me esteemed. It makes me sound respectable. And considering the fact that I was very close to making an esteemed vegetable joke, we should not be trying to make me sound respectable.
Reade: Ahem.
And my partner is our sauteed Comics Editor, Brandon Schatz .
Schatz: Delicious. What say we start this, yeah?
Reade: Outstanding. Decidedly not-live from Nanuktuk, and all that jazz. off we go.
JUNE ISSUES Demo #5 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 06/02/10 ON TIME
Written by Brian Wood, Art by Becky Cloonan
Elizabeth isnt a happy person. While the life shes built for herself is flush with success, her nights are spent alone mostly, emotional damage from her childhood leaking into her later years, poisoning her ability to let someone anyone in. One day, after erasing a night of passion from existence, she decides to fix this by using her ability to go through time to talk to herself from years past. Every piece of sci fi bullshit tells her that this will end horribly, that time-space will collapse in upon itself, sending shards of the future off into startling and terrifying directions but whatever, shes going to be careful.
First, she meets Evey the one girl who was always there for her. It soon becomes apparent to Elizabeth what she must tell her younger self, and how. Sitting herself down, she attempts to steer a teenage mind away from what it naturally wants to do cling to the experiences as theyre happening, believing that nothing will be more important than whats happening right now. She knows that if she does this, it will ruin her in the future and nobody really wants to be miserable.
In short order, she returns to the present, to find her father waiting for her. She got her ability to travel through time from him, it seems, and hes here to make sure that. She takes out her frustrations with her fathers actions in her past on him in the present. It does not end well for him, but it ends in the sweetest way possible for her.
Reade: The best way that I can sum up this issue is “a confusing story that ends up good.” Occasionally Wood lapses into this unneeded dreamy, disconnected narrative voice that I think hurts his work, but is expected to maintain his “indie cred.”
Overall the issue is solid, has a good half-twist, and has a good purpose. If something could have been done to clear the fog we got in the first half, it would have been much better.
Schatz: I honestly have no idea why you were confused during that first half. Elizabeth bangs some poor girl, regrets the decision to let her stay the night, and goes back in time to correct that mistake.
Reade: I didn’t say I was confused, I said the presentation was confusing. The presentation of what was going on was not very clear – there was all this extra flourish and deliberately forced “artsyness” that I felt hurt an otherwise decent story.
Schatz: The best way you could sum the story up was “a confusing story that ends up good”. But I get the shape of your idea. Demo was and is built for story telling that’s just a little more avant-garde, which in this case, doesn’t not mean “douchily pretentious”… like it normally does.
Reade: Actually, that’s exactly how I would define it, but I was trying to be a little kinder by referring to his “Indie Cred.” Avant-garde used to refer to art that was forward thinking and innovative. Now its just a word that artists who do crappy work used to try and make you look stupid for not liking their stuff.
Wood is better than that. What we got in the beginning of this issue struck me as an example of “Old habits die hard.” We see a lot of this kind of thing in Independent comics because most of the writers aren’t very skilled, and hide their inexperience crafting strong comic strips with artsy-looking fluff.
Anyway – I know how you feel about Wood, and I am really not trying to bash him, but I have to be honest – I am not sure he knew quite how to start this issue. It is plain that the resolution was well defined in his mind when he sat down to write this, I just think he could have done a better job getting there.
Schatz: Well, clearly you’re wrong.
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The Thanos Imperative #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/02/10 ON TIME
Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Art by Miguel Sepulveda, Color by Jay David Ramos
We start with a flashback – two years ago, during the Annihilation War. Nova and Star-Lord have a little heart to heart about the nature of Galactic War, and what happens when “Abstracts” get involved. Back in the present, Thanos has escaped, and is about to beat Star-Lord to a pulp when an armored Rocket Raccoon arrives and manages to talk Thanos down.
Thanos safely reconfined, the team turns its attention back to the Fault. They get a communication from the Imperial Kree Fleet, informing them that the Universal Church has opened the Fault, and that they are under attack by the creatures from the other side. The battle is a disaster, but one noticed from afar by the Silver Surfer.
Meanwhile, back in the Cancerverse, Lord Mar-Vell talks with Vaugh, or the Cancerverse Quasar, and orders him to assemble the Revengers to hunt down the Avatar of Death in this universe. The Guardians discuss their options back on Knowhere, and decide that they need to unleash Thanos into the fight. Back on the Resolute Duty, Nova, Quasar, Robbie Rider and Namorita fight for their lives at the mouth of the Fault, when the Revengers arrive from the other side. Meanwhile, the Guardians of the Galaxy deploy with Thanos, and run into trouble of their own.
Schatz: I’m trying to remember if that conversation really happened in the pages of Annihilation, or just in between. If they happened on the page, that’s pretty damn snazzy – but even if they didn’t, its a nice scene.
Reade: I am pretty sure it didn’t – there weren’t too many quiet moments in Annihilation, and whenever they had a scene like that, Richard was usually crawling out of a tent with Gamora or something.
Speaking of Gamora, I am really looking forward to the eventual encounter with Namorita.
Schatz: Yeah, I have a feeling that Gamora isn’t going to take Namorita well for some reason. Though with the pace of this series, there might not be time for too much of that.
Reade: For some reason, I picture Gamora just ignoring her, actually having no problem that Richard had a “diversion,” it isn’t like she didn’t while they were apart. I think the tension will come from Namorita not wanting to be considered a non-issue.
Alas, you are probably right. Just one more reason I am not thrilled Nova was canned. Dammit.
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iZombie #2, $2.99, DC Comics/Vertigo. Due Out 06/09/10 ON TIME
Written by Chris Robertson, Art by Michael Allred, Color by Laura Allred
The book starts with a quick look at the were-terriers real job (tech support, no wonder he cant get a date, pow!) and then we return to look in on Gwen, who is dealing with the memories of her most recently consumed brain. Turns out the guy was murdered, and he really wants to find out who did it. The only clues she has are painted which sets her off on the trail of a bandaged man (who makes his first appearance in this series here, but was featured heavily in the prologue to this tale in last years House of Mystery Halloween Special). Meanwhile, a few vampire vixens talk about the ins and outs of properly baiting and consuming foolish young men , and some crazy looking detectives start detecting. And junk.
Reade: This might come as a surprise to you, but I actually liked this issue. Sadly, it re-enforced my opinion that last issue was drivel, only because we finally got to the story. I believe that Robertson tried to get way too cutesy with the introduction, and as a result, a lot of the last issue was completely wasted. If they would have added a page to this issue with a cast of characters (This chicks a ghost, etc), they could have forgotten the last issue all together. This made a way stronger introduction, and actually had a hook worth caring about.
Schatz: I’m very shocked. Personally, I liked this issue a little less than the first. Either way, I have a tough time thinking that first issue was useless. It entertained me, and it was a buck. But hey, whatever, I’m not going to look a horse in its teeth on any other Tuesday if you’re happy enough to keep this book around.
Reade: There was definite plot advancement in this issue, and it made that random encounter with the vampire chicks in issue one actually make sense. I guess I am just not the kind of reader that needs an overblown, contrived character introduction… I honestly learned more about each of the characters from this issue than I did the last.
You do bring up a good point though – the $1 issue. Maybe I was expecting too much out of this issue – it seemed more like an issue #0 preview than a full blown issue #1. Strange how a number can change so much.
Schatz: I hate zero issues. Seriously, try explaining their existence to anyone not hip deep into comics. Ridiculous.
Reade: It’s quite simple. An issue #0 is a series preview. Which seems like the effort put into iZombie #1.
Kinda moot really – this issue was much better, taking it from “humoring Brandon” to “I’m kinda interested myself.” So positive step!
Schatz: In theory a zero issue is a preview. Or with DC, it ties in with an old event. Or with Avatar, it’s either a preview of the first five pages of the first issue with extras, or its sixteen pages of an actual story, which will leave people completely lost by issue #1. And then there’s Boom, which launched all their Pixar ongoings with zero issues – that weren’t prologues but full fledged outings. And, and, and…
Zero issues are a headache – I’d rather a first issue at a cheep price point than a zero issue with a cheep price point any day.
Reade: I can appreciate that, but if they are going to number it #1, they should make sure it is a good starting issue. iZombie #1 had nothing to make you want to read on, and nothing that couldn’t be explained on a character introduction page was needed to follow what happened in this issue.
I don’t disagree with you. I like cheap issue #1s, and I wouldn’t miss #0s if they vanished.
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Booster Gold #33, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/09/10 ON TIME
Written by Keith Giffen & J.M. Dematteis, Pencils by Chris Batista, Colors by Hi-Fi, Inks by rich Perrotta & Prentis Rollins
Rip Hunter plays babysitter for Rani while Booster looks for Max Lord, but gets a Scottish behemoth named Brigadoom instead. After a quick victory, Booster heads to a coffee shop and runs into Cyborg, who lectures him about the property damage he caused, and chastises him for not waiting for the Justice League. Booster Gold snaps, and lays into Cyborg, finally leaving in disgust. But why doesn’t Cyborg know who Maxwell Lord is? Booster comes up with a plan to prove Max Lord existed, and decides to go back in time and get that evidence from his time in the JLI itself.
Unfortunately, Booster lasts about 3 seconds, as the Martian Manhunter instantly sees that this Booster is not the Booster Gold of his time. Booster manages to worm his way out of trouble, and after a few close encounters with old Leaguers, he finds the proof he thinks he needs. Unfortunately, it doesn’t survive the trip.
Schatz: There are weird holes in my Booster Gold collection. When Geoff Johns left the book, I grabbed Dan Jurgens’ first two issues as a writer, but it didn’t grab me. So I quit – until the Blue Beetle back-ups started up… and then those stopped (and were skipped over during the Blackest Night tie-ins) and I dropped the book again. And now…
I don’t think I’ve ever said this in the $40 Pull List setting, but I love, love, love me some JLI – so clearly, I loved this issue. Plus, man, do you get a bang for your buck with all this reading material.
Reade: JLI is something I like occasionally. I mean, if they were ever to bring the title back, it would likely be terrible within a year. But occasions like this where old members feel forced to defend their honor – it works very well.
Schatz: Oh, JLI is definitely a time-and-place thing, and works today in just short bursts… but man, do I miss the days where superheroes were having fun. Reading those, you never felt like anyone hated their “job” – and serious stuff still happened and hit hard.
Reade: You will get no argument from me. There is far too much angst and stress in comics today – it seems like the creators all think that this means realism. I think a healthy dose of escapism is in order.
Schatz: Exactly why I’m enjoying the crap out of this book right now.
Reade: For real. I mean, there is dark, angsty stuff here, but the levity overwhelms it. Booster’s appearance in Power Girl being the exact opposite of what we are seeing here.
I’m willing to give this team a chance for a while.
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Birds of Prey #2, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/16/10 ON TIME
Written by Gail Simone, Pencils by Ed Benes and Adriana Melo, Colors by Nei Ruffino, Ink by Ed Benes and Marian Benes.
Black Canary and Huntress square off against the White Canary (who I guess they believe not to be Shiva after all… here I thought it pretty clearly was), and fight her pretty well to a standstill, despite help.
Black Canary realizes that whoever this White Canary is, she isn’t Shiva, and she hates Dinah with a passion. Oracle realizes that the fight was a set-up, and that the Black Canary is going to be framed for murder.After the police arrive to make the arrest, the team decides to fight – and things begin to unravel. Oracle realizes just how precisely they’ve been played – their public image is quickly and completely destroyed, and a call from Creote confirms the worst… the White Canary is making good on her pledge to kill, and Savant is her first victim.
Creote becomes her second when he takes his own life. Black Canary is destroyed publicly when her identity is revealed, and the world is told how she “abandoned” Sin. Could this be a clue to the White Canary’s identity? Oracle resolves to put an end to the manipulation, and gets to work.
Schatz: Part of me wants to say that it’s Sin – which chronologically wouldn’t quite make sense – but frick, this is comics, and Ed Benes is a, uh… interesting artist, so who knows.
Reade: Yeah, I definitely get the impression that it is Sin at this point. And she was prepubescent when we last saw her, and we all know that in comics, girls instantly become these voluptuous sex-pots the moment they turn 15. That, or there is some weird time travel thing going on.
Simone really mishandled the introduction of the White Canary I think. She used an identity associated with Shiva, had the protagonists do the “It can’t be her, if it is her, she’s gotten so much better!” What villain doesn’t come back bigger and badder? It’s a nitpick, but the last issue basically screamed “Shiva is back!” But this issue, we are told right off the bat that isn’t the case. It’s like that old Batman serial in the 40s where Batman’s plane crashes, and at the beginning of the next episode he just stands up out of the wreckage, dusts himself off, and walks away with no explanation. Great in cheesy serials, not so good in a comic that is supposed to be a little more sophisticated.
Anyway, a minor complaint. This issue was far stronger than the last one.
Schatz: As far as I know, you were the only person who thought it was Shiva. Though to be fair, I only asked one other guy in the shop. He also said you’re gay.
Reade: That’s because he didn’t see what I did to his Mom. ZING!
I also have to compliment the art in this issue – it was very well done. Even if you are bothered by Benes’ usual presentation of the heroines, the look of this issue was something I am not sure I have seen in comics before. Though I should probably credit Ruffino for that – the colors were outstanding.
Schatz: That, and the other artist that filled in for a large chunk of the issue. Way to hit those deadlines, Benes.
Reade: For real. My philosophy on comic art remains the same. If a guy can’t hit deadlines, hire one of the next hungry, high-skilled guys dying for the job. Melo’s work was fantastic. I’d love to see him work on this book again.
Schatz: Me too. Unfortunately, he’s not going to float the sales as much as Benes will – and trust me, he’s sold quite a few. It boggles my mind, because I’m not really a fan of his, but whatever.
Reade: Benes is a decent artist… he’s obviously well-liked for a single reason. But he isn’t that good an artist, especially when you consider his back-up blew him off the page.
This is why I dislike comic fans so much… it’s all brand over quality. It’s like the AT&T store the day a new iPhone is launched.
Schatz: The new what? And what’s an AT&T. You mean like a Telus, or a Rogers?
Reade: A place that sells shiny boxes because they are pretty. People line up for shiny boxes that don’t really do much, but look good. And even though they are sold out, the people won’t buy the shiny boxes that actually do something. They want the iBox.
Schatz: The time Drunk Scott took my phone, I had to phone and get a replacement one – and the lady on the other end was going on and on about these phones that did things, and I kept going, “Does it phone out?” All I want is a phone that does phone stuff. Kids these days.
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Batman Beyond #1 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/16/10 ON TIME
Written by Adam Beechen, Pencils by Ryan Benjamin, Color by David Baron, Ink by John Stanisci
At Cadmus Labs, one of their high-profile residents has escaped, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. Amanda Waller quickly goes into damage control mode, looking to protect Cadmus from the backlash of having that particular resident running loose.
Meanwhile, Batman is having a hard week, tangling with a Jokerz convention, a couple of nights of Inque, hes running out of steam dealing with Spellbinder. But that old slave-driver Bruce Wayne isnt having any of his whining. After wrapping up Spellbinder, Bruce sends him on to deal with an arson. Terrys interrupted by Micron, who once again offers Terry a position in the Justice League, an offer once again declined.
The fugitive kills again this time the victim is an old Bat-foe named Signalman – to leave Batman a message, and Terry is sent out to investigate. He decides to check on the Mad Hatter, but after finding that its not Jervis Tetch in the cell, they quickly realize what old Bat-villain is on the loose.
Schatz: Is it an old Bat villain? I’m not just saying that because the introduced villain is a fairly recent addition to Batman’s rouges… I’m just saying I don’t think it’s the same guy.
Reade: Yeah, I am pretty sure it is Hush, which is a real disappointment. So far, things are fitting his MO, and I cant see Amanda Waller caring about someone she didnt see as a serious threat that way. Plus, they print the title on the very last page, the kind of thing they do when there is a Spoiler in the title. Though they really didnt need to I guessed about who it was pretty much right away.
Just about any other Bat-villain would have been a better pick to me I thought Hush was a lot of hype, and not much more. Hell, from the way they built him up being drug resistant, I thought at first we might be dealing with Bane. Hush was an enormous let-down.
Schatz: I should be more specific – I don’t think it’s the Hush. It’s clear that the story is going to feature the villain, but there’s going to be a twist.
Reade: That is entirely possible, but I am not sure which is worse, the actual Hush, or someone emulating Hush.
Schatz: As long as the motivation is similar, then it should all work out. I’m not sure if it completely fits properly with the MO, but I thought it would be neat if this Hush turned out to be Derek Powers.
Reade: What was Hush’s motivation again? I am not even sure I remember what it is.
Derek Powers would be a solid antagonist here. They’d have to drop the Hugh gimmick pretty quick though…. I’d much prefer his comic introduction to be something a little more solid than “irradiated Hush wannabe.”
Actually, strike that. I hope it isn’t him at all. That would be depressing.
Schatz: Well, it all depends on how they play it. Hush was supposed to be some kind on yang to Batman’s yin – in that Hush hated his parents as a child, and orchestrated their deaths – which didn’t come to pass because Thomas Wayne saved his mom. Basically, I was old Bruce would be like, “Hush hates Batman, because of something retarded that happened in the past”, which would mesh with Powers. But it would really all come down to execution.
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DC Universe Legacies #2 (of 10), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/16/10 ON TIME
Written by Len Wein, Art by Scott Kolins, Andy Kubert, Joe Kubert, J.H. Williams III, and Dave Stewart.
We begin again with the elderly Paulie, reminiscing about the Justice Society and the groups like the Seven Soldiers that followed them. He goes back again to this youth, beginning after his encounter with Sandman and The Atom, where he is working as a paper boy, while his delinquent friend Jimmy is living far more comfortably, looking to unsuccessfully recruit him again. Some hooligans try and force Paulie to give them a cut of his earnings, and when he refuses they work him over a bit, when some of the Guardians Newsboy Legion arrive to save the day.
The Justice Society is attacked by the newly formed Injustice Gang, but they ultimately prevail. Jimmys boss, Vandal Savage is busted, and Jimmy barely escapes. He goes looking for Paulie for some money to help him get to Gotham, where Ras al Ghul is apparently looking for henchmen. His sister comes looking for him, and begs him to go straight but he reacts angrily. Paulie then makes an enemy of his former friend when he stops him from beating his own sister.
Later, the Justice Society is grilled by a Congressional Committee, who is insisting that they remove their masks.
The second story starts with the Seven Soldiers of Victory being challenged by The Black Star, who even goes so far as to tell them where he will be striking. The team goes out to stop him, but it all turns out to be an elaborate ruse woven by The Dummy, who just wanted to distract them while he robbed the Museum of History. Somehow, the Seven Soldiers arrive to stop him.
Schatz: This book has been a pleasant surprise for me. The stories are solid and feature some fantastic art – these issues are done by the Kuberts’, the next will be done by Jose Garcia-Lopez and then there’s some George Perez – hitting the different influences from different eras. I love it.
Reade: The art is really helping to make this series as good as it is – if they tried to portray these guys with more modern styles, it wouldn’t come off nearly as well.
I always loved the Guardian, and I am glad to see that he got a little page-time here. He is one character that I would always love to see again. The Manhattan Guardian series was decent, but something about the modern era really doesn’t suit the Guardian. A Newsboy Legion would have to be a Blogger Brigade or something like that. Not the same flavor at all.
Schatz: I actually really enjoyed the Manhattan Guardian stuff, with the subway pirates, and his job as the exclusive Superhero of the paper – goosing sales. To me, that’s how a paper might try and survive in the world of comics.
Reade: Oh, I am not saying that series wasn’t good – I don’t think it would have lasted long. Then again, it is kind of a mistake to think that a character isn’t worth having around unless they can carry an ongoing. I think comics are worse for the lack of quality back-ups. I understand that you need someone who can sell an issue, but there is no reason you can’t have random characters spotlighted in back-up stories. We are seeing a little more of that now, but it isn’t anywhere near enough.
Heck, this Legacies concept would make a great occasional back-up feature. Old-school heroes with old-school-feeling art. I like it.
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Zatanna #2, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/23/10 ON TIME
Written by Paul Dini, Pencils by Stephane Roux, Color by John Kalisz, Inks by Karl Story and Stephane Roux
Zatanna is tapped by the JLA to stop a mass of were-hyenas from attacking New Orleans, with the help of Vixen and Black Canary. The hyenas are quickly dispatched, and Zatanna goes home to pass out. While she sleeps, the Lord of Nightmares (Fuseli!) searches for a way to penetrate her mansion, but decides to pass the time by twisting the dreams of a few nearby people. Zatanna finally asleep, he probes into her mind and strikes battling Zatanna at the request of Brother Night.
Brother Night reveals himself to Dale Colton, and tells of his plans to take over all the crime in San Francisco. He also bears a gift the deaths of three of the cities criminals, and a promise for more if the is allowed to operate.
Schatz: Well, damn. I was all set to hate this, but… this story was pretty good. I mean, very good – and despite there being a small child trapped in a world of nightmares, there was nary a threat of Rape! Which is odd for DC Comics lately.
Reade: Heh – the story wasn’t terrible, if a bit uncreative. Demons haunting your dreams is hardly a new concept.
I have to say, after two issues, I completely hate how Dini portrays Zatanna. Hate it. He is more concerned with putting her in situations where she might be mostly naked than he is having her solve problems. Zatanna is a character with so much potential, and he is wasting her. Bugs the hell out of me.
Schatz: Ha! Irony. I was just happy that there wasn’t a whole lot of rapey subtext to this issue, and so I counted it as an improvement. Truthfully, Paul Dini writing a story about his wife… oh no wait, sorry, Zatanna always makes me feel like he’s writing creepy fan-fic (especially ones in which her and Batman hook up), so I wouldn’t be adverse to sending this one out to pasture.
Reade: I think you pretty well nailed it. Zatanna is more interested in going to bed than she is performing, or fighting to protect the innocent. This Zatanna doesn’t study, doesn’t expand her mind to understand the mysteries of reality – she gets naked a lot.
Don’t share your overall negative opinion of Dini, but he should be damned ashamed of himself for this.
Schatz: Well, here’s my problem with Paul Dini’s DC comics work – he’s got some great ideas sometimes, but most of the work comes across as being way too self indulgent, as if there’s no one at the company telling him “no”, because he’s Paul Dini. I won’t argue with the fact that he’s written some of the best Batman stories ever, both in film and in comic book form – but seriously, the guy needs to keep his fetishes in check.
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Power Girl #13, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 06/23/10 ON TIME
Written by Judd Winick, Art by Sami Basri, Colors by Sunny Gho
Karen Starr is briefly seen at the office, then she is summoned by Superman, who is rounding up every hero he can to try and track down the resurfaced Maxwell Lord. After a little background on who Max Lord is, some of the Justice Society members check out the Justice League International Embassy in Moscow, in which are some mercenaries having a stand-off with local police. They develop a workable plan, but they are interrupted by Booster Gold, who has plans of his own.
Back at Starrware Industries, Karen learns that their bank is sending some executives for a visit, and that her Head of Finance has been missing for three days.
Back to the present, a frustrated Power Girl heads to Northern China to check out a lead, and finds a factory filled with OMACs. The fight goes poorly for her, until they mysteriously stop and Max Lord finds a way to make the entire world forget he exists.
We see a quick recap of Power Girls most current origin story, and then learn that all of Starrwares assets have vanished.
Schatz: Well, that’s quite a tone shift. I mean, Winick totally gets points for referencing The Wire, and for telling a pretty coherent story without much cringe-worthy dialogue, but I’m not sure if I’m in the mood for keeping on.
Reade: The tone was totally different. Starrware was presented as a relatively small company in the last dozen issues, here it is more of a corporation, and she the CEO with half a dozen lackeys following her around. I’m not totally impressed with this either – a fun, unique title has become somewhat dry and overdone.
Schatz: A title to get back to when we reach the end, me thinks.
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Secret Avengers #2, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/30/10 ON TIME
Written by Ed Brubaker, Art by Mike Deodato and Will Conrad, Color by Rain Beredo
Sharon Carter tries to figure out who breached their security. Meanwhile, Captain America and his team arrive on Mars to try and find out what happened to Nova. After they are attacked by an ineffectual squad of soldiers, they split up to follow a few leads on the planet. Each group runs into a unique problem, including three who finally find Nova, wearing the third Serpent Crown, and wielding a strange power.
Schatz: I’ve really enjoyed this story so far. Clearly something screwy is going on, and it looks like Brubaker has a plan for Nova to fight all these people out in space – which should be nifty, should he not go out like a punk. I have a feeling this next issue will be make-or-break for you Craig.
Reade: You might be right. Nothing happened in this issue! It took me like 4 minutes to read it!
The padding is just ridiculous. I love seeing Nova in an Avengers book, and I’ve always kind of liked Moon Knight, but I have no reason to care about any of these other characters, and Brubaker sure isn’t giving me any reason to start.
I should be clear – it’s not terrible – it’s nothing. We’ve gotten about a half an issue’s worth of story over the last two months. That is far too much padding for my taste…
Schatz:This has been my general reasoning for just reading the Avengers titles and a bunch of other books in the store for product knowledge. Clearly, they’re hitting some people’s sweet spots, as they sell like crazy, but I’d rather give my money to books that need it than books that ride comfortably on being “important”.
That said, I’m still enjoying this book.
Reade: I still think that some readers are into the story, and the “universe,” and aren’t really savvy enough to notice the story’s quality. This is the same phenomenon that gives up All Star Batman selling at #1 for a month, and is similar to comic readers who will follow a title into a ditch because they are afraid of missing an issue and breaking their run.
It doesn’t hurt that this isn’t horrible, but jeez – you think they would show a little restraint. Read as a single issue, #1 and #2 together are actually quite passable.
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The Chopping Block
The List So Far:
Demo #6 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 07/08/10
iZombie #3, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/08/10
The Thanos Imperative #2, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/14/10
Booster Gold #34, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/14/10
Birds of Prey #3, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/14/10
Power Girl #14, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 07/14/10
Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #2, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/08/10 DELAYED UNTIL 07/14/10
Batman Beyond #2 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/21/10
DC Universe Legacies #3 (of 10), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/21/10
Zatanna #3, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/21/10
Secret Avengers #3, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/28/10
Trade Bank Value – $5.25
Amulet 3: The Cloud Searchers, $10.99, Graphix. Due Out 09/1/10
Reade: Cutting to the chase, I am open to dumping Power Girl and Zatanna at this point.
Schatz: Yeah, both aren’t really grabbing me at all. Should probably send them off to pasture.
DROPPED: Power Girl #14, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 07/14/10
DROPPED: Zatanna #3, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/21/10
Reade: I am reasonably satisfied with the rest. Shall we move on?
Schatz: Infinitesimally.
New Books
Reade: Well, I’ve actually got 2 in mind this month – we are very light on Marvel, so I was thinking that Casanova #1 and Hit-Monkey #1 deserve a look. What say you?
Schatz: Casanova! Good lord, Craig, why did you even ask me that question? Matt Fraction, Gabrial Ba and Fabio Moon, all in one hyper-concentrated book. You’re either going to really like it, or absolutely despise it.
ADD: Casanova #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/08/10
Reade: I take it you are not too hit on Hit-Monkey then?
Schatz: Well, the basic concept is sound, but the last batch of Hit-Monkey stuff left me a little cold. Though to be fair, if you’re up for it, I can be too. See how it goes.
Reade: I am certainly open to discussion. Do you see anything else coming out next month that looks remotely appealing?
I know you are all excited to pick up X-Women…
Schatz: Right? A little digging let me find out that X-Women is drawn by a European artist known for his erotica artwork. Buh.
You know, a glance at that month’s titles says we should probably go with Hit-Monkey. There’s a few others, but I don’t think they’re going to land right for one of us or the other.
ADD: Hit-Monkey #1, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/08/10
Reade: Well, we are pretty filled to the brim right now. As it stands, we are only going to have 91 cents to put in the bank for Amulet. I say we do this – September 1st is on a Wednesday, so we have two more months to accumulate funds to put in the bank and cover it. And with Demo off the list in August, and Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine once again on hiatus in August, I think it is likely that we will be able to add a little extra in next month.
ADD: $.91 to Trade Bank for Amulet 3: The Cloud Searchers, $10.00, Graphix. Due Out 09/01/10
July List
Demo #6 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 07/08/10
iZombie #3, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/08/10
Casanova#1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/08/10
Hit-Monkey #1, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/08/10
The Thanos Imperative #2, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/14/10
Booster Gold #34, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/14/10
Birds of Prey #3, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/14/10
Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #2, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/08/10 DELAYED UNTIL 07/14/10
Batman Beyond #2 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/21/10
DC Universe Legacies #3 (of 10), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 07/21/10
Secret Avengers #3, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/28/10
Trade Bank Value – $6.16
Amulet 3: The Cloud Searchers, $10.99, Graphix. Due Out 09/1/10
The Math
$1.74 (Bank from June) + $40 (July Budget) = $41.74
$41.74 – $37.89 (July issues) – $2.94 – $.91 (Trade Bank Deposit) = $0.00 Banked for August
Reade: I’ve been reasonably pleased with the lack of late issues, though Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine looks like its been pushed back a week, and it also hasn’t been solicited for August. I am not sure if it was meant to be semi-monthly, but there doesn’t seem to be much urgency to put that title out. I don’t think this bodes well.
Schatz: It’s shipping bi-monthly, like a few other titles Marvel has been putting out. Ultimate Comics X, Ultimate Comics New Ultimate, SHIELD, Avengers: Children’s Crusade…
Reade: That certainly puts the time between issues in a different perspective. I do wish they would actually say that in the issue though. You shouldn’t have to read the “comic dirt sheets” to know when the next issue is coming out…
Schatz: I was going to come back at you saying that it did, but even the tiny text in the back – wherein comics usually state their frequency – says “monthly”. Oh well. That’s why I’m here, I suppose.
Reade: Indeed. Though, unlike Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine, we actually are monthly. So unless you have anything further, we may as well wrap this up until next month!
Schatz: I don’t really have much else to say. Except for this whole month? I’ve had Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” stuck in my head. And I didn’t mind that one bit. Mostly because I’m always noddin’ my head like yeah, and moving my hips like yeah.
Reade: Well, it’s the 5th now, so the Party in the USA is done and over. Back to self-loathing, apologizing for being awesome, and shooting ourselves in the foot. Miley, it is your fault, dammit.
Schatz: See you later guys (Wavin’ his hand like yeah).
See you again on August 2nd!
The Rules: $40 budget, 7.75% tax on books, at least one new title each month. Any book more than 2 months late is automatically dropped.
Post your comments in the Forum!
May 31, 2010
The Forty Dollar Pull List – June 2010
June, 2010
By Craig Reade and Brandon Schatz
June already? This month flew by…
That may because you’re getting older, Craig. I hear that happens the closer you get to the grave.
And on that note, welcome to the $40 Pull List! My name is Brandon Schatz , and this young buck is Craig, the Crackerton J. Reade!
True fact – ‘Cracker’ is a Scottish term that refers to a person who talks, or boasts. In fact, the word “craic” still means a chat.
What this has to do with comics, I have no loving idea.
In Ireland, a “craic” is a funny story. Or something. I should ask my sister how that went again. Buuuuut anyway…
May Issues
Demo #4 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/05/10 ON TIME
Written Brian Wood, Art by Becky Cloonan
The book opens with Colin, sweating his junk off in a car. He gets all too uncomfortable about being stuck in traffic, and so gets out of his car, grabs some supplies, and plunges into the murky deep. Immediately, the book flashes back to when Colin was young, and being chased by some punk kids. Stuff goes down, and Colin is left to die in a river. Only Colin has discovered that he can breathe under water. Sort of. See, the thing is, it doesn’t work all the time – just under certain conditions. Eventually, the guy learns to love it underwater. Which brings us to now – living up in the air is for the birds, he decides, and he’s heading off into the water to live his life.
A decent issue – if a little bizarre. But then, I get the feeling Demo’s usually supposed to be like that.
Most of it, yeah. Basically, its a touch of reality, but reality that’s… over there.
Well, this one wasn’t quite as good as the last issue, but way better than the first two. So I still think we’ve had some progress. The series might have been worth reading after all.
iZombie #1, $1.00, DC Comics. Due Out 05/05/10 ON TIME
Written Chris Roberson, Art by Michael Allred, Colors by Todd Klein
The story starts at a funeral – the mourning family burying their dead, and in the distance – a quartet of apparent gravediggers waiting in the wings. The one girl in the crew, named Gwen, seems to get along well with her coworkers, but after declining to go out drinking with the boys, she sneaks back to the graveyard, and into a crypt where she finds her friend Elle, who has been dead for 4 decades and apparently a ghost.
Meanwhile, a pair of friends are playing paintball in the woods (at night), and run into a beautiful but hungry vampire.
Ellie and Gwen head to a diner to meet their friend “Spot,” a were-terrier or something like that.
After some random character encounters, Gwen goes home for the night, but not without stopping for a snack at the office. Mainly – some brains. Because she’s a zombie. Totally didn’t see that coming. (totally, for real).
Anyway, after she eats the guy’s brains, some of his memories leak, and as it turns out, he was murdered, and his soul is screaming for vengeance. To quiet his voice. Gwen decides to help him out. To be continued.
Craig, I’m getting the distinct feeling that you did not like this book. If that is the case, you and I can no longer be friends. While I don’t think they treated the ending properly – building the reveal of her zombie-ness as a twist, and not a mention – didn’t quite sit right with me, but the rest of it was a joy. The characters all have distinct voices, the main thrust of the plot is brought to the forefront, and we’re given some background happenings to take us through future issues. Plus, Mike Allred art. I mean seriously dude.
I don’t know if I disliked it as much as I was thoroughly underwhelmed by it. The story was boring, the “twist” about her being a zombie was plastered on the cover, the characters were different – sure – but they were shallow…
And the art. Well, it wasn’t horrible, but I wasn’t wowed by it. The “storytelling” aspect of his art was certainly lacking…
Clearly, you’re wrong about a lot of things here. And by a lot, I mean the art. The characters were shallow, but I still managed to care about them… or at the very least, I found them interesting enough to continue with.
If you say so. The characters seemed very generic to me, but meh – you like weird stuff sometimes. I don’t always have to bring up the Gilmore Girls, do I?
Psh. Only if you want to prove the point that you have no taste…
Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/05/10 ON TIME
Written Jason Aaron, Pencils by Adam Kubert, Colors by Justin Ponsor, Inks by Mark Morales and Dexter Vines
The scene begins with an a castaway Peter Parker, staring into the sky with a telescope he borrowed from the Professor from Gilligan’s Island (a joke that was way more clever before I read Parker make the same comparison a page later). He sees something that makes him realize he will be dead within the day.
Outside the cave he calls home, Parker has been carving a woman’s face – a face he’s seen in his dreams repeatedly, but one he doesn’t know the identity of.
Parker runs, into The Valley of Fire, to tell Wolverine what he has seen. Logan is busy repelling an invasion from some large primitive known as the “Kill Folk,” – it appears that Wolverine and Logan have travelled back in time, to right before the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs hit. And it’s on its way. Both Peter and Logan spend a few pages moaning to themselves about who they got stuck in the past with, and then we fast-forward to the present, to see how they went back in time.
An aside? Normally I bash the non-linear gimmicks, complaining about their overuse in comics. But as I have always said – there is a time and a place for the tactic. This, folks, is an appropriate use of the literary device. Consider yourself commended Mr. Aaron.
Anyway, back in the present (past), Spider-Man and Wolverine bump into each other as The Orb is stealing some diamonds from a bank. The diamonds are dropped, and their glow is a hint that they are out of the ordinary. With a flash, the pair end up millions of years in the past.
The pair deal with their impending death in their own way – Peter by desperately trying to solve the problem, and Logan raging. The asteroid hits – but the pair do not die. Instead, they are sent into the future, where it appears that they managed to somehow change history.
Craig, I think you’re skipping over the most important part here: right at the very end, there is a robot Devil Dinosaur, and that’s just amazing. Who knew changing the past could be so awesome?
We don’t have giant, robot devil dinosaurs?
Well, not actual Devil Dinosaurs, created by Jack Kirby. Anyway, I loved the ever loving crap out of this book. Lots of fun, and it even included the All New Orb! Who I loved in Aaron’s Ghost Rider run.
Hrm, I could have sworn…
Anyway, the issue was on the plus side of decent. Normally I complain about issues with padding – this one could have done with a little more. I wanted more of Logan/Peter in prehistory. I like how it started, and how it developed, but there was a lot more story there. Seems like it was rushed.
Solid start. I’m curious to see where it goes next.
Spectacular Spider-Girl #1 (of 4), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/05/10 ON TIME
Written Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz, Art by Sal Buscema
In the future MC2 Universe, we find Frank Castle in South America in a self imposed retirement. He gets news of the return of Silverback, an enemy he left only crippled, and decides he needs to go back and finish the job.
Meanwhile, one of Silverback’s men, Wild Card, has come up with a device that turns Mayday’s spider-sense against her, and has used it to defeat her. Silverback’s plan is to supplant the current Kingpin of Crime, the Black Tarantula. Mayday calls in a few favors to get some dirt on Wild Card, and her clone/cousin, April, decides that it’s time to make an impact of her own.
A fire breaks out, and Spider-Girl arrives to help rescue some people, and in the aftermath learns that the gang war Silverback is waging has attracted the attention of the Punisher.
I tried for the life of me to get this comic to keep my attention, but nothing was happening. I mean, I caught it all? But Tom DeFalco’s magic on this book died shortly after issue #50 for me.
I really wish I could disagree. This is such a great character and a great concept, but its time for her to grow – DeFalco’s run out of ideas. The American Dream back-up wasn’t bad, but that character is slightly fresher.
And yeah, I enjoyed the American Dream back-up. THe original intent with this series was to put in a back-up featuring another MC2 character in each issue, which had me excited, but the fact that they’re only letting this run for four issues means we get the Buzz in the next issue, and then nothing else, really. Boourns.
Boo-urns indeed. The Buzz is lame. What about J2? A little Bluestreak? Hell, Darkdevil would be good too.
I love MC2, I really do. But Marvel and DeFalco need to give someone else a swing at it.
Okay first off, shut up, the Buzz is awesome, and I love him. And second, yeah, I agree, but what can you do, other than get really famous and pitch them a story?
Whine and complain a lot.
This is a truth fact.
Birds of Prey #1, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/12/10 ON TIME
Written Gail Simone, Art by Ed Benes, Colors by Nei Ruffino
The scene opens with Black Canary deep in frozen Iceland, on her way to rescue a young girl named Katy who is being held hostage. With a little help from Zinda, Black Canary manages to turn the tables on the kidnapper and rescue Katy.
In the aftermath, Canary and Zinda catch up on old times, when a surprising call from Oracle comes in, with an offer to “get the band back together.” It seems that some unknown individual has compiled detailed files on several superhumans, including each of the Birds, the Riddler, and Power Girl, and has threatened to kill one of them an hour until they are stopped.
The big reveal happens quickly, as the killer strikes The Penguin – Shiva has returned, more dangerous than ever.
Dude, that was Shiva? I thought they thought it wasn’t her. Either way, I like the idea of the villain.
Well, it seems clear that they were trying to make the point that she got better – last time she and Canary tangled, she got beat. She looks like she vanished for a while to improve her game. A nice twist on her character – she really embraced the White Canary thing since she got beat
Hurm. I got the sense that they were talking about someone else, as they were saying that Shiva never fought like that. But, that makes a lot of sense. Either way, a pretty good start, and Gail Simone didn’t seem to do so bad rolling with what I’m going to go ahead and assume are some corporately mandated character inclusions.
I am on the fence. While this was a far cry from the pits of Wonder Woman suckage, and definitely keeping in mind that sometimes Simone took an issue or two to get going last time she was on this book, a couple of the scenes seemed a little rocky. The reunion being one of them. Clearly there was supposed to be all of this emotion bubbling under the surface, but it seemed like she stumbled on that a bit. To be fair – Benes could share some of the blame for that as well.
So, a rocky, but passable start. I think its excusable. Now that the annoying “how did they get back together” part is over, we can go back and pretend Simone never left.
Neither Simone or Benes really bothered me in this issue. Which is odd, because I don’t really care for Benes. But it hit what I want for these characters, and thought the reunion was handled quite well – I mean, I felt the emotion there, even if it wasn’t quite “shown” properly. But, that could just be because I’m more in touch with my feminine side.
Which is just a way of saying you are girly.
Damn rights. I see no shame in that. Vaginas are awesome.
Only when they are attached to someone else.
Says you.
Ooookay then….
Booster Gold #32, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/12/10 ON TIME
Written Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis, Pencils by Chris Batista, Colors by Hi-Fi, Inks by Rich Perrotta
The scene starts with Booster Gold, smack in the middle of a future cosmic war, sent by Rip Hunter to retrieve some kind of artifact. Daxam’s been invaded by Darkseid, and he’s turning the population into slaves. Booster leads a group of aliens to safety, to ride out the attack and plan for what to do next. He leads them into a prison, where they think they will be safe, but one inmate didn’t escape during the attack named Emerald Empress, who kills one of the aliens and realizes she finds Booster attractive, and her flirtations seem to have calmed her killing rage.
That all changes when Rani, a young girl in the party, interrupts the Empress, and lights her killing rage once again. Booster defends her, and leads her Eye on a chase. Destroying it, and thinking the Empress now helpless, he returns to find that she has still killed all of the aliens, save for Rani. Booster and Rani return from the future with the artifact in tow – the Helmet of Fate, which Booster successfully retrieved before Darkseid could claim it.
In the end, a revelation – Maxwell Lord lives.
(Also – that has to be the cleverest “credits” I’ve seen in a comic in some time. )
Man, I really liked this book. There was some harsh things that happened, but Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis are great at balancing the serious stuff with alla their talky jokes and whatnot. Plus, seriously? This book was a wall of text, and I absolutely loved it. I love it when it actually takes me some time to read a comic book.
Describing it as a wall of text might be a disservice. There was a ton to read – I noticed that too – but it wasn’t intimidating. It took a decent amount of time to read this issue, and the art didn’t suffer as a result.
I also have to concur on the balance – but these two have always been good about mixing humor and despair. This issue hit in every way that counts.
Also – oddly enough – it was the second issue this month that featured “creepy eye villains.” Part of me wondered if it had anything to do with it being the sixth anniversary of Mickey Eye (Seaguy #1 first released May 19th, 2004), but I figured that was likely a stretch. I hope it’s a stretch anyway – the fact that anything reminds me of that abortion of a series is a bad sign…
Why’d you have to go and bring Seaguy into this, and remind me how wrong you can be about things? I love Seaguy, and can’t wait for it to conclude with the next mini. Oh, but as for this book? It’s off to a great re-start.
Ha – I wouldn’t even use copies of Seaguy to line my litter box. Thankfully, the level of extortion he had to go through to get the second volume printed means that the third waste of ink likely won’t ever see the stands.
But this book? Awesome so far. Looking forward to #33.
Galacta: Daughter of Galactus #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/17/10 ON TIME
Written Adam Warren, Art by Hector Sevilla Lujan
Okay, so seriously, this book? Is crazy. So. There’s this daughter of Galactus, and she’s got this twitter account where she goes on and on about stuff, like how she’s always hungry and junk? But instead of eating people like they’re tasty, she limits herself to alien lifeforms and diseases that are attacking humans. It doesn’t really feed her, because she’s got a cosmic tapeworm in her stomach which is all kinds of lamesauce, and her dad is all, “I’m a cosmic entity, I got no time for your business.” The jerk. But yeah, so she’s going around, and she sees Wolverine, and she’s going “heck yeah, Canadians are hot!” and then imagines how simple life would be if Wolverine mixed his junk up with Ego, but that doesn’t work out. So then she also talks a bunch and then talks with the FF and then her dad comes and says she’s preggers, what whaaaaaat???
I really liked this book. Like a ton. At first, I was just expecting some random teeny bopper chick as “Galactus’s Daughter.” I honestly didn’t expect her to be just like Daddy- her justifications for doing good were so unique, and the Twitter thing was well integrated. I liked how her Followers spiked after she hinted about who her Dad was.
And the art was awesome in so many ways. Especially the jaw-dropping scenes.
The first bit of this appeared in a weird two issue Marvel Assistant Editor’s Special put out some time last year, so I knew what I was getting into – and I knew you were either going to really, really love it, or absolutely hate it. I’m really glad that you like it though. All of Adam Warren’s stuff is like this – just absolutely insane and stuff with neat ideas… and NOBODY READS HIS BOOKS.
This is a concept we need to see again. Well, they can forget about the pregnancy thing for a while – but hell, you can easily fit this into the canon, what with Galactus having spent time as a normal human. Even if you totally ignore how she came to be, the concept is too brilliant to let die.
Come on Marvel. Make this happen.
Put Adam Warren on a book – any Marvel book – and I guarantee we’ll see her again eventually. But other than that, I’ll be surprised…
DC Universe Legacies #1 , $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/17/10 ON TIME
Written by Len Wein, Art by Scot Kolins, Andy Kubert, and Joe Kubert, Colors by Mike Atiyeh and Brad Anderson
This issue treats you to a pair of short stories.
The first is told from the perspective of an old man, reflecting on his youth in the “Golden Age,” when crime was rampant, and he (Paulie) with his friend Jimmy found themselves involved with various gangs. Chance encounters with the Crimson Avengers, The Atom, and The Sandman turned Paulie on the straight and narrow, and gave him a fascination with ‘masks’ for the rest of his life.
The second follows a reporter named Scott “Scoop” Scanlon, who is sent with his photographer Rusty James to investigate Seaview Manor for a story. It would seem an encounter between Doctor Fate and a demon had captured the imagination of the few who heard the story, but most believed the tales of magic to be incredible exaggerations. A few more tales of amazing encounters were summarized involving Zatara and The Spectre, and Scoop’s opinion that the heroes use parlor tricks to convince the world of their incredible powers.
I came into this not knowing what to expect – but with the knowledge that when DC has gone back to the well with some of these older writers, that things never quite jived properly in my head (Jim Shooter’s Legion, Len Wien’s fill-ins on Justice League, Mark Waid’s return to Flash). That said, this book was pretty dang entertaining – and I like the fact that they look to be hitting the different eras with artists that helped define those times. Joe Kubert with some earlier stuff, Jose Garcia Lopez and Dave Gibbons for a stretch coming up, and who knows in the future. A nice touch.
I really enjoyed it. I think they should have spent a little less time name-dropping, and more time showing these Golden Age heroes, but that is a small quibble. I think the issue had a fantastic classic feel – real good atmosphere. A pleasure to read.
Zatanna #1 , $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/17/10 ON TIME
Written by Paul Dini, Pencils by Stephane Roux, Colors by John Kalisz, Inks by Karl Story
After a performance, Zatana is approached by Detective Dale Colton, who wants her input on an unusual crime scene. Zatanna uses magic to replay the memories of a single survivor of the attack, and learns that Brother Night and a team of allies stormed the party and attacked. She goes to his den to confront Brother Night, and learns that he is expanding his reach to the human underworld. Zatanna slaps him and his crew around for a bit, and leaves – he then goes to enlist the aid of an ally for revenge.
This issue features a very splashy return appearance by Rape! I mean seriously, that first page? Is one of the most rapetastic things I’ve ever seen.
But it was stage Rape – kind of like a Thanos dupe or a Doombot. Dangerous, but not nearly as bad as the real thing.
The real Rape would have held off until the end, where the totally “unnecessarily naked” Zatanna scene was. God I hate comics sometimes.
Does it make you more or less mad to know that Paul Dini is married to a magician that looks exactly like Zatanna in real life? And no, I’m not even joking about that. not even a little. Anyway, normally I’m pretty easy going on these books, but I’m going to come down on this book. Because I did not like it. First off, that bit of stage rape to start? Yeah, Zatanna is totally going to have guys dress up as Dr. Light, who is a known rapist (and who licked the salty remains of Firestorm’s girlfriend in a Blackest Night book) and the Joker, who is known for tons of grizzly murders tie her up in a stage show for fun. I mean, WHAT?
And yeah, that’s even before we get to the gratuitous stuff.
Her selections certainly weren’t the best choices. And there was a lot to be irritated about in this book – Dini should know better. I liked the way she was presented in Seven Soldiers much better. I really don’t know where I am with this title…
I’m not in a good place, that’s for sure. Not sure if I’d be up for any more to be sure…
The Thanos Imperative: Ignition #1 , $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/26/10 ON TIME
Written Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Pencils by Brad Walker, Colors by Wil Quintana, Inks by Andrew Hennessy
Thanos recaps his fate at the end of the Annihilation War, his death at the hands of Drax the Destroyer, how the insane Adam Warlock found his body and preserved it, and how the Universal Church of Truth found his cocoon and mistook it for Adam Warlock regeneration, how he returned and destroyed their world in the process. Thanos laments his life, mourns his again-lost love Death, bringing us to the present where Thanos is in chains, imprisoned in Knowhere by the Guardians of the Galaxy, where Mantis, Moondragon, and Cosmo attempt to figure out why he is back, and telepathically keep his rage in check. Elsewhere, the rest of the Guardians debate whether or not they should kill him.
Across the galaxy, Nova is hot on the tail of the fake-Quasar (recall the last issue of Nova), who is heading back to the Fault. Nova communicates with the real Quasar and Gladiator who are at the mouth of the Fault, preparing for invasion. Quasar departs to assist Nova with his quarry, and Nova drops into real space only to find a fleet of Universal Church ships waiting at the mouth of the Fault. An Inhuman/Kree fleet arrives with Blastaar, and engage the Universal Church. Nova catches up with Fake Quasar, and the two come to blows. An ally arrives, tipping the scales against Nova- Adam Magus. Quasar arrives to help even the odds, but the Universal Church brings another piece on the board – entire planets, filled with true believers, adding power to their already dangerous fleet. They detonate the planets, causing a massive telepathic ripple that is felt all the way to Knowhere, which enrages Thanos, allowing him to break free. The leader of the “Cancerverse” arrives – Lord Mar-vell, who wants to destroy Death and her avatar, Thanos.
Do you get it? Because he died from CANCER. Oh, the irony is delicious. And that reveal was pretty damn awesome. Would’ve been a bit better had that nonsense of Mar-vell returning, but not returning during Civil War…
For a moment when you first saw Mar-Vell, from behind, talking yellow, I was just imagining how awesome a Cancerverse Deadpool would be, what with the cancer and the maybe hating Death in that universe. This is so much less cool.
I think that’s because you might be the only person who has gotten their fill-and-a-half of Deadpool in different books right now. Seriously, I may have tossed the book across the room if that happened.
Well, the difference between me and everyone else is, if the book a favorite character of mine is in a bad book, I stop reading it. So while others are sick of him, I am still eagerly anticipating a good run.
Anyway – outside the minor let-down over the identity of the big-bad, this issue was a good start for the event. All the right players were there, and the action was explosive from the beginning. I am interested in checking out the main event.
Ditto, but at this point, that’s pretty much par for the course for DnA.
Secret Avengers #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/26/10 ON TIME
Written Ed Brubaker, Art by Amanda Conner, Colors by Paul Mounts
In Dubai, an arrogant American exec cosies up to a pair of beautiful women, who are actually Valkyrie and Black Widow in disguise, on an op. With a little help from Steve Rogers, they defeat the executive’s security and retrieve their target, a box containing an artifact they believe to be the Serpent Crown. Beast analyses the crown and finds it isn’t quite what they thought it to be, and Steve takes a few minutes to make out with Sharon Carter. Later, Moon Knight and Ant-Man break into Roxxon headquarters to try and steal a little data on the crown, and they discover something strange about a supposedly abandoned mine on Mars. Nova is sent to Mars to recon, but encounters more than expected. Diving into a mountain to get a break from combat, Nova discovers another Serpent Crown, which he goes to put on against Worldmind’s advice. Part of the team goes to investigate, but back at headquarters, the Shadow Council attacks, seeking to reclaim the crown.
This? I’m okay with. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the team that Brubay… umm… Captain America put together, but seeing it in action, I’m perfectly fine with it. And I liked the scene where everyone is going, “How do we get to Mars?” and Cap just smiles and says, “Don’t worry, I know a guy.
Yeah, the introduction to Nova was decent – but I am a little worried he is going to be dumbed down for this series. I’m sorry – but after being at the heart of three cosmic wars, no writer has the right to have the same character get excited about joining the Avengers because he is finally “in the big leagues.” Nova outgrew that a long time ago.
I read that line as Rich sarcastically recounting what Steve had told him to get him to lend a hand every now and then, but we’ve been differing on our reads this week quite a bit. I have no problem with it, mostly because your perception saw Nova going up to the big leagues with his book, but my perception saw a low selling book that nobody saw. This is the big leagues, Craig.
Annihilation was hardly a “low selling book that nobody saw.” And neither was his ongoing, really – for the first half of its run it was near the top of Marvel’s line.
I’m keeping an open mind on it, but we will have to see…
Power Girl #12, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/26/10 ON TIME
Written Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, Art by Amanda Conner, Colors by Paul Mounts
We open this issue with Terra taking Power Girl to meet her family, and they go into this pool where they have to wear these weird, almost-nothing looking bathing suits. Terra soon explains that the pool “isn’t just about the visuals” and we’re treated to some flashbacks. Then the girls put their bits away and have some hug time, before Power Girl goes home and names her kitty, deals with the aftermath of a blackmailing comic reading kid who got a pretty girlfriend out of knowing Power Girl, and then, it’s the return of Vartox, chesty man of action (and sex times). There’s a bit of a fight, and then PG goes to work to find out that someone who has been very important to her for the past 12 issues is leaving the book due to other commitments, and the stress of full time work (wink wink). There’s a little bit more chatting, and then there is a party and the book comes to an end!
This was an outstanding final issue for this creative team – but the fact that they managed to tie every single loose end up just shows how tragically short this run was. But for whatever reason, it was a solid 12 issues. This team will definitely be missed.
Well, they ended up jumping off the book much like the text of the issue implied: Amanda Conner can do a monthly book, but at the expense of a lot of other things, and the guys writing didn’t want to continue without her. I’m just glad we got twelve issues out of Conner… she’s not one of those artists known for hitting a monthly schedule, and usually does a book here and there over the course of a year.
If that is indeed the reason – you really have to hand it to Connor. There are a ton of artists who can’t handle a monthly book, yet say they can and cause delay after delay. She was on time with her work, only to back out when she realized she wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Great self-awareness and work ethic there. It is to be commended.
THE CHOPPING BLOCK
The List So Far
Demo #5 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 06/02/10
iZombie #2, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/02/10
Spectacular Spider-Girl #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/02/10
Birds of Prey #2, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/16/10
Booster Gold #33, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/09/10
DC Universe Legacies #2 (of 10), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/16/10
Zatanna #2, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/23/10
The Thanos Imperative #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/03/10
Secret Avengers #2, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/30/10
Power Girl #13, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 06/23/10
Trade Bank Value – $2.25
Amulet 3: The Cloud Searchers, $10.99, Graphix. Due Out 09/10
Future Issues
Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #2, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/08/10
Well, with a virtually new list, it is probably expected that there will be more than a couple drops this month (though I think you will instantly reject my idea to drop iZombie)… anything jump out as particularly sucky for you this month?
I don’t think I can deal with Zatanna again. My brain might implode, to be sure. And I surely do disregard your call to drop iZombie.
Heh – well, my brain might creak to a halt out of formulaic boredom if we have to sit through another issue of iZombie!
What about Spider-Girl? Back to the rack for that one?
Yeah, sadly, off it needs to go.
DROPPED: Spectacular Spider-Girl #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/02/10
Now I think we need to come back to Power Girl. We gave the title one more issue – sparing it from the pillaging we saw last month. Well, my bloodlust is somewhat sated… the question is, does this title get a stay?
I wouldn’t be adverse to seeing what the new creative team has in store. And hey, with Judd Winick involved, we could very well see Terra gets AIDS, which is always fun.
Ah, AIDS. Giving cheap emotional depth to bad scripts since 2004.
Well, while I thought Zatanna could have been better, I don’t think it was so bad that we need to cast it away in disgust. Unless there are any other titles that stand out as bad for you, it looks like we might be set to move on.
New Books
Well, with the books dropped this week, it looks like we have plenty of room for our new stuff. But first, I think we need to set aside another $3 for our Trade Bank. Agreed?
I am amicable to this sundry action. Those are words, right?
ADD:, $3 to Trade Bank for Amulet 3: The Cloud Searchers, $10.99, Graphix. Due Out 09/10
They are words, yes. Used correctly? That’s debatable.
Well, as the list stands now (Particularly with Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine off in June), we have just enough room for one new book.
Of course, the new Batman Beyond series caught my eye, but for a change we are really DC-heavy right now. Luckily, I may have just the thing – the Jeff Parker penned Namora #1. Anything else jump out at you?
Not really. I was leaning more towards that Batman Beyond mini myself, though. And seriously, soon enough, we’ll probably be dropping a DC book or two…
That settles it for me then.
ADD: Batman Beyond #1 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/16/10
June List
Demo #5 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 06/02/10
The Thanos Imperative #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/02/10
iZombie #2, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/02/10
Booster Gold #33, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/09/10
Birds of Prey #2, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/16/10
Batman Beyond #1 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/16/10
DC Universe Legacies #2 (of 10), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/16/10
Zatanna #2, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/23/10
Power Girl #13, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 06/23/10
Secret Avengers #2, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/30/10
Trade Bank Value – $5.25
Amulet 3: The Cloud Searchers, $10.99, Graphix. Due Out 09/10
Future Issues
Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #2, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 07/08/10
The Math
$.19 (Bank from May) + $40 (May Budget) = $40.19
$40.19 – $32.90 (May issues) – $2.55 (tax) – $3 (Trade Bank Deposit) = $1.74 Banked for June
Looks like we are well on track for Amulet 3, and there was a lot less slashing this month than I was expecting. I guess we will have to wait another 30 days for things to break down.
Well, that looks like its it for this month! And I don’t know about you, Craig, but I plan on getting absolutely blitzed right now. This business is tough work and junk.
In lieu of witty repartee, I will just end with an “Agreed” while it is still Monday. See you in a month!
Post your comments in the Forum!
May 5, 2010
The $40 Pull List – May 2010
May, 2010
By Craig Reade and Brandon Schatz
Happy May! As usual, I am Craig “Cracker” Reade and this is the indomitable Brandon “Bricks Without Straw” Schatz. Say hello, maggot, and then back to work!
That’s right everyone, I’m black by popular demand! Now let’s pimp slap up some deep fried $40 Pull List goodness.
April Issues
S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/07/10 ON TIME
Written and Illustrated by Jonathan Hickman and Dustin Weaver, Colors by Christina Strain
In 1953 New York, a young man named Leonid is taken by a pair of men in suits who claim to know who he really is. He is taken to The Immortal City – located deep beneath Rome, touted as the home of the Immortals and the “High Council of Shield.”
Leonid is told of Imhotep, the first of the Immortals, and explain that they exist to honor and emulate individuals like Imhotep who act as a shield between humanity and the unknown. Leonid is shown many notable members of the Shield over history, and some of the conflicts they faced. He agrees to join.
3 years later, his father (The Night Machine) appears from “beyond the veil,” explaining that he intends to tear the Shield down. He produces a key that opens a door to “Iter,” presumed lost for centuries. They open the door, and Leonid is sent inside and up the stairs, while his father holds off Agents “Stark and Richards.” At the top, Leonid encounters Leonardo DaVinci.
I think my thoughts about this book can almost be summerized thusly:
AHHHHHH!! AHHH!!! AHH!! AHH!! AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!
Seriously, I was freaking out when I read this comic, whether it was from the story, which I absolutely loved, or the art, which was pretty amazing. Seriously, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen something with this kind of big crazy scope in comics, and I’m really glad it’s happening.
And for the record, yeah, those were totally Tony and Reed’s parentals. Awesome.
It was a decent start. Granted, I wasn’t nearly as excited about this as you were, and I definitely think the pace was a little slow. But there is some potential here – at the very least, I am interested in seeing what comes next.
Jonah Hex #54, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/07/10 ON TIME
Written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti, Art by Jordi Bernet
A gang of bank robbers clumbsily interrupts Hex’s whiskey time, and one of their number stumbles into his clutches (while the others beat a retreat). Hex drags the prisoner into town to collect the bounty, but someone steals his horse while he is in the bar. He borrows a donkey and goes of in pursuit, when the *** throws him and knocks him cold. The horse thief covers him with a blanket and steals the donkey as well.
Hex is awakened by the remaining two bank robbers (who he promptly kills), who were being chased by Star Man (see Jonah Hex #27 for that one), who arrives on Hex’s horse. Without thinking, Hex heads back to town on his horse, and is promptly arrested for allegedly killing Sherrif Kane.
Of course, it was Starman who committed the crime, only it appears he didn’t intend Hex to take the fall. He and Chula work together to slip Hex a pistol in prison, which he uses to effect an escape. Hex is finally cleared of all charges, and both gunslingers ride off into the night.
You know, it was a very interesting move, having Ted Knight appear in, uh… wait, what? This issue was about what? Oh, I must not have remembered properly because it was sort of mega boring. There was a misunderstanding, right? And in the end, Jonah is a bit battered, but he rides away, right?
Yeah, this issue was a real let-down. They could have done so much more with this story set-up… instead we just got a “Oh, look, I know those characters!” issue, instead of a good story involving those characters. Maybe this issue is just a filler before the movie?
Who knows. Here’s hoping for something awesome next month… I’m starting to lose my patience…
Demo #3 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 04/07/10 ON TIME
Written by Brian Wood, art by Becky Cloonan
Marlo is a girl with some problems. Her obsessive compulsive disorder has caused her to live her life out through a series of post-it notes that she leaves around her house and carries with her around town, to make sure that her day goes on without much consequence. Obviously, she talks about this quite a bit with her therapist. Anyway, things take an interesting turn when someone starts leaving messages for her, much in the same way she’s been doing for herself. But is this sinister? Sweet? Or a larger delusion?
Ah, finally a good issue! Naturally, the comments pages at the end of the issue revealed this script was actually written for the first series – which doesn’t really help assure me that the next three issues will be good. Still – this is the kind of story I can get behind for this series. An excellent example of a single issue story.
This is pretty much right where I like a Demo to be, in terms of execution – though I will still argue that the previous issue was just as good. Basically, the only thing you can be assured of with this series is that every issue is going to be quite different from the last, all glimpsing briefly before moving onwards. But yeah, man, what an issue. I’m really pulling for the last half coming up here.
As am I, truth be told. Now that we have gotten a really strong issue, I am much more comfortable. I know that with single issue stories you aren’t going to get a five star book every time. It’s nice to see one going into a book, however. At this point, I think this book’s safe on the list for the rest of its run.
Wolverine: Weapon X #12, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/07/10 ON TIME
Written by Jason Aaron, Pencils by Ron Garney, Colors by Jason Keith
25 years in the future, we glimps a cell of rebels working against “Roxxon,” presumably a corperate entity that rules the country. We can divine rather quickly that Roxxon is going back in time targeting specific heroes – and so far, they are having success. They get ready to jump back and try to stop the Deathloks, and this time – a much older and much more wounded Logan wants to join them.
In the present, we realize that the young waitress Logan meets, who warns him of the future is the very same Miranda we see in the future, leading the fight against the Deathloks and Roxxon. Roxxon is looking for “The Savior,” a super-powered operative from the time just after Steve Rogers returns. Their next target is Captain America…. Bucky. The Deathloks track Bucky, but he holds them off long enough for Logan to arrive and even the odds. Meanwhile future Logan and Miranda make it to the machine that will allow them to jump into the past. Future Logan is killed in the attempt to make it to the machine.
You guys, I totally wonder if Wolvie can find a way out of this one. Because seriously, Marvel could totally kill him off and stuff.
Man, I’m a bit punchy this month. But seriously, I’m still really enjoying this book – and Jason Aaron, at the very least, is trying to tell some different stories with Wolverine, starting with his revenge flick Get Mystique riff, and going onto the Kung Fu/Chinatown spectacular and on from there. At least he’s switching things up a bit.
I don’t hate this arc, but I am a little let down by its stunning lack of creativity. This issue’s structure was particularly bad – I know time travel can be a difficult concept to present in a logical fashion, but Aaron seemed to be pulling the cutsey non-linear storytelling style that is all the rage. Combined with time travel, that just made this issue a mess.
Not horrible, but a huge step down from the last arc.
Hellcyon #1 (of 4), $3.50, Dark Horse Comics. Due Out 04/14/10 ON TIME
By Lucas Marrangon
Basically this series will center on a squad of rebels (Suicide Division), fighting the army sent from Earth to break an independence movement on the colony world of Halcyon. After a brief introduction, with the Earth military getting ready to disembark on the planet, we see members of them deploying around a Halcyon High School. The new president of the world asks the rebels to back down – explaining that they can’t stand up to the army, and while they will lose in the short term, their struggle will eventually bear fruit. Many students involved in the movement are outraged, and are ready to fight on their own. The military attacks… for some reason… the rebels run, and argue, and they eventually galvanize the will to fight in the end. I think.
Ummmm… yeah. What Craig said. Also… what??
Yeah, I think we’ll be talking about this one later.
Deadpool Team-Up #894, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 04/14/10 ON TIME
Written by Ivan Brandon, Art by Stanford Greene, Inks by Nathan Massengill, Color by John Rauch
Deadpool is hired by the widow of an “innocent bystander” killed by the Punisher in one of his raids. Remembering that Frank is supposed to be dead, Wade set’s out to find some proof of it to present to the grieving widow. While searching, Wade encounters a strange creature that seems to have the ability to call up uncomfortable memories from Wade’s childhood. The creature turns out to be called Maurice, and he leads him to a “city” called Monstertown, filled will all kinds of freaks.
In Monstertown, Wade discovers Frank Castle is indeed alive – but he has been rebuilt as a Frankenstein monster. (Frankencastle!). After the traditional hero brawl, Deadpool realizes he has been duped by the “widow,” and the two go to confront her. But she has found a new guardian in the meantime…
Is it odd that I want to complain about how jarringly lucid Deadpool was in this issue? It was like watching me talk, in a fancy get-up. Like, the insanity is there, but there’s just too much logic behind it, or something.
Oh, but hey, there’s Frankencastle, and you seriously can’t go wrong with Frankencastle.
Actually – it is odd that you want to complain about Deadpool’s lucidity. He’s not wacky-crazy all the time, and in my mind, that is the problem with the way he is usually portrayed lately. He’s normally logical… he just has a screw loose. And OCCASIONALLY he goes off the deep end. The way he is treated lately, he jumped off the deep end and never came back. That’s too insane for Wade – he wasn’t even this nuts during Kelly’s run, which is probably the silliest he has been credibly written.
But he’s more popular now – which just confirms to me that people in general have zero taste, and prefer garbage to quality. Now get off my lawn.
I think that’s just it – it’s been a loooooooong time since I read any old Deadpool – and what I read, I have nearly forgotten completely. (Maybe I should crack open those Deadpool Classic TPBs I got kicking around the ol’ homestead?) But I always liked Deadpool as a character who would enter a situation, identify the two logical ways to solve a problem, and then go for option C, because it seemed like the more awesome thing to do. That said, I’m not as big of a Deadpool afficianado, such as yourself, so whuddoo I know.
See, there is always a little of that. That is why things like the Sheep-cannon are so awesome. But the randomness really looses its flavor when it happens all the time, which is what we are getting now. It’s way cooler when the weird junk comes out of nowhere. Now you know to expect it in every situation.
Nova #36, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/21/10 ON TIME
Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Art by Andrea DiVito, Colors by Brung Hang
Nova returns to Earth, to check on Project: PEGASUS, that is on lock down after the incident with the Fault for purely precautionary reasons. Nova banters with Quasar a bit, and finally reveals that he knows this “Quasar” is not who he claims to be. The two come to blows, and Nova does his best to distract Fake Quasar while Darkhawk investigates a strange energy distubance detected by Worldmind. Darkhawk discovers some kind of portal from another universe, with some kind of alien coming through it. It turns out that Fake Quasar was behind it all – and he has taken over the minds of the entire staff at PEGASUS to aid him.
Annoying flashback to 6 hours earlier – Nova on the Resolute Duty, talking with Namorita about their “plan.”
Back in the present, Nova manages to free Doctor Necker’s mind, and then goes to confront the Fake Quasar with Darkhawk, who reveals some of his plan. Darkhawk is wounded in the fight – but something happened when he tried to change back to human form. The armor disappeared, but his amulet remained fused to his chest. Nova defeats the alien making his way into their universe, and then goes of in pursuit of the fleeing Fake QUasar.
And the series ends! In a way. Seems like an odd way to come back to the plot point brought up in the Realm of Kings one shot, but whatever. I trust that Abnett and Lanning know what they are doing in this realm… though this appears to be it for this book forever, as Nova will soon be moved to the terra-based Marvel U to be a member of Ed Brubaker’s Secret Avengers.
Seriously – I am so annoyed at this title ending, I don’t even want to acknowledge it. Secret Avengers… really? I guess Nova had a good run, but it looks like Marvel’s well on its way to tossing Nova back in the refuse pile DnA pulled him out of. Really – with that awesome a set-up to a New Warriors reunion, they aren’t going to do it?
Out of the blue, this is canceled, Avengers: The Initiative is canceled, what the heck? I hate Marvel sometimes….
Well, looking at this objectively, Nova has actually been hovering around the cancellation level since around issue #18 – and appearing in an Avengers book written by Brubaker isn’t what I’d call “returning to the refuse pile”. Heck, this play could give Nova a high enough profile to sustain an ongoing for a longer period of time!
As for a New Warriors reuinon, it looks like we’re going to be dang close to it with most of the Avengers Academy staff being comprised of old New Warriors members… including SPEEDBALL. What. Up.
Power Girl #11, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 04/21/10 ON TIME
Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, Pencils by Amanda Conner, Colors by Paul Mounts
Heh – “War on Terra…” cute!
As you may recall, way back at the beginning of this series, the Ultra Humanite attempted to transfer his brain into Power Girl’s body. Failing that, he appears to have succeeded in taking over Terra’s body. This issue opens with the two locked in combat, with the Ultra Humanite using Terra’s powers to their most destructive potential. Power Girl surrenders – and offers her body in exchange for Terras – and the offer is declined. The Ultra Humanite presses the attack, and reveals that Power Girl has been severely injured by Satanna’s Sonic Hammer. Power Girl goes down, but gets her second wind, and takes the Ultra Humanite into orbit to knock him out.
Power Girl tracks down the monster Terra’s brain has been transplanted into, and takes her and her unconcious body into Strata to see Aurla, their Chief Physician. She transfers Terra’s brain back into her body, and clones a new body for the Ultra Humanite from the DNA in his brain – that’s right, the Ultra Humanite has his old body back. He seems to be willing to accept his fate, but we quickly learn that vengeance is still on his mind. Same goes fot Satanna – who lost an arm this issue to Power Girl. She has a brand new one, and is looking to get her own bit of revenge.
What an awesome and fun series this has been. I say “has” been, because the next issue is the last for this creative team, and I have almost no doubt that when Judd Winick comes on board… well, let’s just say I have some issues with the way his stories go. I bet Power Girl gets AIDs or something.
Actually, if history is any indication, it will be Terra that gets AIDS. This is not good news at all. I suppose we should just enjoy this book while we still can….
If there’s one thing I know about AIDs, its that if you write a song about true love, and sing it to someone as they are dying from it, they will get better. That’s actual science. But yeah, we got one more issue of this awesomeness. I hear even Vartox is coming back for one more go. So yay!
Well, if there is one character that would make an AIDS story work its Vartox. The two seem to go together very well…
Green Lantern Corps #47, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/28/10 ON TIME
Written by Peter J. Tomasi, Pencils by Patrick Gleason, Inks by Rebecca Buchman, Tom Nguyen, Keith Champagne & Mark Irwin, Colors by Randy Mayor
In the beginning, we see all five lions combine to form Voltron! Thundercats ho!
Or something like that. We start off with the usual “We just finished a major storyline, and here is your team posing with their power-source sparking. Really silly, but its standard, so we will go with it. In the aftermath of Blackest Night, the Corps charges their central Power Battery, Guy and Kyle chitchat about the end of the battle (for those who didn’t read the series), the Lanterns have a funeral for their dead, the bearerless Rings are sent out to find new owners, Kilowag steps down as the Drill Instructor and a replacement is assigned, Isamot donates his legs to Vath, which infuriates him (Rannians hating Thanagarians and all), and a few Lanterns go and give the Guardians a piece of their mind. As a result, the Third Law is repealed.
Man, Craig, I think you would’ve liked the Care Bear Stare that ended Blackest Night. Or some kind of reference to Rainbow Bright. Or something.
Seemed odd that this issue had such a crazy info dump in it, but whatever. I was sated by the fact that it ended up like this past week’s episode of Glee did, minus some singing. Seriously, you guys, I want all my comics to include songs and dancing.
Heh – maybe true, but since we dropped Blackest Night, little point in talking about it, you know?
The info dump wasn’t terrible – it seemed like a “jumping on” issue, and it was a good time for one. Though the less I see of Glee the better – I’ve seen it… I just don’t get the appeal. But then, that isn’t a comic (thank God…)
Maybe it’s because you don’t have the courage to believe in yourself, Craig. To be a shining star. No matter who you are.
Riiight. I do have the courage to accept that I am not faaabulous, I don’t have any desire to groom any more than I do, I don’t want to wear hot-pants, and I definitely have never felt the urge to sing and dance to “Single Ladies.”
And if its rainin’ men, I am not putting on a “raincoat” – I’m staying the heck inside!
And I am comfortable with that!
Craig, I am disappointed by your out-of-date and pejorative use of the word “fabulous”. If you’re going to use it nowadays, you have to dress it up, as in “lady fabulous” or “ghetto fabulous” or “prison rape fabulous”. You would know these things if you watched Glee.
Wait, what were we talking about??
True story – I invented the description “ghetto fabulous” in the early 90’s. And who said anything about pejorative? And I am not sure I want any part of Prison Rape Fabulous. Speaking of Rape… he hasn’t been seen in the DCU in a while…
Actually, I am not sure how we got this side-tracked. I guess it’s time to move on.
Invincible Iron Man #25, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/28/10 ON TIME
Written by Matt Fraction, Art by Salvador Larroca, Colors by FrankD’Armata
A new Armor Suit is introduced by Hammer called “Detroit Steel,” piloted by an Air Force Lieutenant named Doug Johnson. Tony starts dreaming of a new suit, and puts Pepper in charge of rebuilding his company. Potts goes to the military, but Stark intervenes, declaring that he won’t go the way of his father, and he won’t build Stark on War. The Hammers start buying up old HAMMER gear (and scraping the dots off), and Thor pops by to have a chat with Tony, and offers him a ton of cash, which he turns down. Instead, he opens a licensing market to his repulsor technology.
Right, so its no secret that I love the crap out of this book – and I think this issue is a prime example of why. Awesome ideas, great interactions, and just solid creation all around. Thank goodness we clinged to this book past the last arc (which I still enjoyed, but whatever).
Ha ha, yes, yes. Thank goodness we sat through two pretty cruddy, overly long arcs for more than a year, so that we could get to this one semi-decent issue! I am gratified that I am not looking to curb-check this issue right out of the gate, but its still on probation for me. We are off to a good start though – so I will give it credit for that much.
Late and Unreleased Titles
Choker #3, $3.99, Image Comics. Due out 04/21/10 Delayed until 05/26/10
This really isn’t any surprise to me. I thought that issue #2 would be late – and last month, I owned up to being wrong there. But this time, issue #3 has been delayed – not because of a printing error – but because they were so busy at conventions that they just didn’t have time!
Only in comics is it acceptable to sacrifice producing your product in order to promote it. Perhaps I am being too touchy, but I have never read an Image title that wasn’t late most of the time. Yeah – I am way more forgiving of late books from Marvel, DC, and Dark Horse. That’s because most of their titles actually come out as scheduled each and every single month, regardless of what conventions or side projects or World of Warcraft or special brownies happen to pop up that keep the artists from getting the work done on time. If they can’t do it, then they shouldn’t schedule it until the book is done…
There’s actually a good story about Mark Bagley to tell here. When DC was about to announce him as the principle artist on Trinity, he asked Dan Didio if it was cool if he only made the one appearance at a con to announce the move, because he wanted to focus on getting the book out. Didio, as the story goes, nearly squeed with delight and clapped his hands.
But yeah, whenever a book is late and I see a bunch of con appearances scheduled, I scratch my head. I know a lot of these are confirmed and planned and (most times) paid for by organizers months upon months in advance, but yeah. If you’re going to solicit a book, you obviously need to take a good hard look at your schedule and see if you’re going to hit those deadlines.
For the most part, I don’t fault guys doing their first Image series, and suddenly realizing that there’s a whole lot of extra stuff involved in getting a comic out that you didn’t quite account for (balloon placement edits, tweaking script for art that doesn’t quite meld together, print lead time, blah blah blah). That happens, and you learn. In that sense, I can’t really fault Ben McCool, but Mr. Templesmith? For shame. You’re making me look bad in front of the Craig, and I don’t like it.
Although seriously, your comment about Dark Horse books shipping on time made me laugh a little – especially when every book we’ve put on this list from them got axed for being late.
Now that’s not entirely accurate – Usagi Yojimbo was dropped from this list before just to make room for something new. The reason I point out Dark Horse is that while they have their share of late comics, as a company they take a much harder line on scheduling. Their main books are all on time. At Image, 4 Pilot Season books are still late. Witchblade has 4 issues that have passed their solicitation date. Spawn has 7 issues. Invincible? 3 issues late. Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box? 4 issues late. Bomb Queen IV? Heck, that’s so late they are getting ready to resolicit it. If you look at the Dark Horse list, its pretty well just a few trades – maybe an issue or two here and there. Image makes late books a policy – why do you think it was so fitting that their 10th Anniversary book came out what, 13 years after they started?
The reason Image can get away with it is that comic fans always just shrug their shoulders and accept it, buying whatever excuse is offered and waiting patiently for the artist to finish their raid and get the book done.
Personally I find that attitude to be one of the most destructive things to comics in general. Which is why I have zero tolerance for it from Image, who have beat the concept to death and then done unspeakable things to the corpse.
Well, at Image, there’s no editorial staff driving deadlines – it’s just the creative teams chugging on their own juices. If I were going to put the blame on someone, it would be creative teams for biting off a little more than they can Chew, and never friggen learning from it. Get a book done, solicit it. Is that really so hard?
That said, I’m much more forgiving of terrible schedules when the creative team is making nothing off their book. Not the case for Invincible and such, but a good chunk of Image books sell maybe enough to pay an artist a living wage… maybe. If they want to take some time earning cash elsewhere to eat, I’m pretty okay with that.
That’s just the thing – it’s not just the little guys struggling to get by. It’s all of Image’s main books. And 9 times out of 10, they aren’t late because they are busy with their day job. Come on B – you’ve been exposed to as many people in the industry as I have. They’re playing WOW or taking bong hits, or just slacking off. It’s pretty well a running joke in the industry. And even if they do have a day job that is preventing them from doing the work – they shouldn’t be committing to a monthly schedule they can’t keep! Do the work in advance, and then solicit it. I am not saying that the reasons you give for being forgiving aren’t good ones. The trouble is, they hardly ever apply.
That’s why I am so hard on Image. I get the initial motive – having creators own their work. But editors have a place in the industry. By not having that editorial pressure, or even finding a way to replace it, those idealistic Image creators are guaranteeing that they have 100% share of about nothing.
The List So Far
Jonah Hex #55, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/05/10
Demo #4 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 05/05/10
Deadpool Team-Up #893, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 05/05/10
Avengers: The Initiative #35, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/12/10
Hellcyon #2 (of 4), $3.50, Dark Horse Comics. Due Out 05/12/10
Invincible Iron Man #26, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/19/10
Wolverine: Weapon X #13, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/26/10
Choker #3, $3.99, Image Comics. Due out 04/21/10 DELAYED UNTIL 05/26/10
Power Girl #12, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 05/26/10
Green Lantern Corps #48, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/26/10
Future issues:
S.H.I.E.L.D. #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/03/10
Choker #4, $3.99, Image Comics. Due out 05/19/10 DEALAYED UNTIL ?
The Chopping Block
It seems like we have reached one of those moments with the list (they come every now and again) where things come together and the list is virtually reworked. As I am in a bad mood over Nova, Avengers: The Initiative, and Power Girl I feel less forgiving than usual. Maybe multiple drops?
Since I don’t think you will accept my suggestion to cancel everything on the list and start all over, I will begin with the obvious. Is it safe to say that Hellcyon is gone?
I say thee “yay”. And seriously, I won’t accept your call to drop the whole list. But you know something, if we kept… say Demo and that last issue of Power Girl, I’d be down with whatever.
DROPPED: Hellcyon #2 (of 4), $3.50, Dark Horse Comics. Due Out 05/12/10
Hrm… an interesting offer you just made there. Of course, that would mean the end of Jonah Hex’s storied run as the last remaining title from the original $40 Pull List.
Hrm.
Well, let’s be honest here. The title might be decent for the next couple months with the movie, but in all honesty, by July it will be back to the usual roller coaster. I can miss it. Deal.
DROPPED: Jonah Hex #55, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/05/10
DROPPED: Deadpool Team-Up #893, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 05/05/10
DROPPED: Avengers: The Initiative #35, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/12/10
DROPPED: Invincible Iron Man #26, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/19/10
DROPPED: Wolverine: Weapon X #13, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/26/10
DROPPED: Choker #3, $3.99, Image Comics. Due out 04/21/10 DELAYED UNTIL 05/26/10
DROPPED: Green Lantern Corps #48, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/26/10
DROPPED: S.H.I.E.L.D. #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/03/10
And that returns $4.30 to the pool as well – with the loss of the already-paid-for Choker, which means the next section is going to be a doozy.
New Books
I think it might be time for a quick look at where we stand now:
The List So Far:
The List So Far
Demo #4 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 05/05/10
Power Girl #12, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 05/26/10
The Math:
$1.12 (Bank from April) + $40 (May Budget) + $4.30 (Choker #3) = $45.42
$45.42 – $5.98 (May issues) – $0.46 (tax) = $38.98 Banked for June
Well, we have a whole mess-a books to pick up this month. To be a little more specific – we have room for about 12 $2.99 books.
Well, May is definitely a good month for Marvel – and there is a ton that stand out there. There is Jason Aaron’s Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1, Spectacular Spider-Girl #1 (there’s a strange return for you), Rescue #1 (the further adventures of Iron-potts), Brubaker’s Secret Avengers #1, or Bendis’ Avengers #1, or there are a pair of ok looking one-shots, Dazzler #1, and even weirder – Galacta: Daughter of Galactus #1. Over at DC, there is the return of Gail Simone to Birds of Prey, DC Universe Legacies #1 looks kind of interesting, and there is the new Zatana ongoing by Paul Dini. Anything else look good to you? Any stand-outs?
Considering it’s the continuation of the storylines from Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy, I say we grab the Thanos Imperitive kick off one shot for sure. And I’d also suggest another crack at the new Vertigo dollar book: iZombie, with art by Mike Allred. But I’m open to negotiations…
I am good with both of those. I do think that Secret Avengers and Birds of Prey are absolute musts … so I am going to add those four to the list right now.
ADD:iZombie #1, $1.00, DC Comics. Due Out 05/05/10
ADD:Birds of Prey #1, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/12/10
ADD:The Thanos Imperative: Ignition #1, $3.99, Comics. Due Out 05/26/10
ADD:Secret Avengers #1, $3.99, Comics. Due Out 05/26/10
Obviously, we have room for more….
I’m seriously (SERIOUSLY!) going to toss Galacta, Daughter of Galactus at you. It’s written by Adam Warren, he of Livewires (at Marvel) and Empowered (at Dark Horse). He is crazy and I love him, and it’s a one shot. And I know for a fact that you’re either going to absolutely love the book, or despise it beyond all capable reason – which is going to be fun to see.
I’m also going to toss out Booster Gold #32 at you for two reasons: Keith Giffen and J. M. Dematteis. What say you to that
Well, Galacta was on my initial list at the beginning of this section, so I am down with that. Actually, both suggestions sound good there, so consider them on.
ADD:Booster Gold #32, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/12/10
ADD:Galacta: Daughter of Galactus, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/19/10
Instead of suggesting another pair of comics, I am going to propose something a little different. One thing I always wanted to incorperate into the list (but never did) was a trade bank. Basically we would set aside a variable amount each month to save for a future graphic novel or collection that looks interesting. For the comic reader on a budget, how else are they going to afford those books with a cover price of $5 and up?
I propose that we institute the Trade Bank with a $2.25 deposit for the September release of Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet: Book Three.
I agree with this choice. Kazu Kibuishi makes some great comics, and this book should be super awesome. But still we’re a little short. I think I’m going to recommend we try Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine… and the DC Legacies book. Both have the all the Kuberts working on them, which should be nifty.
Seriously one of the most underused creators in comics. No idea if this is by choice or not, but we will do our share here.
ADD:, $2.25 to Trade Bank for Amulet 3: The Cloud Searchers, $10.99, Graphix. Due Out 09/10
And agreed on those two titles as well.
ADD:Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1, $3.99, Comics. Due Out 05/05/10
ADD:DC Universe Legacies #1, $3.99, Comics. Due Out 05/19/10
Well, with room for 2 more books, how about we go with Zatanna #1 and heck, how about some nostalgia? Spectacular Spider-Girl #1?
These are things that I agree with. Though I almost expect to hate Zatanna with a firey passion. In that I sort of don’t like Paul Dini’s comics. But I’ve subjected you to enough of my things.
ADD:Zatanna #1, $2.99, Comics. Due Out 05/19/10
ADD:Spectacular Spider-Girl #1, $3.99, Comics. Due Out 05/05/10
May List
Demo #4 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 05/05/10
iZombie #1, $1.00, DC Comics. Due Out 05/05/10
Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/05/10
Spectacular Spider-Girl #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/05/10
Birds of Prey #1, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/12/10
Booster Gold #32, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/12/10
Galacta: Daughter of Galactus, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/19/10
DC Universe Legacies #1, $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/19/10
Zatanna #1, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/19/10
The Thanos Imperative: Ignition #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/26/10
Secret Avengers #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/26/10
Power Girl #12, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 05/26/10
Trade Bank Value – $3
Amulet 3: The Cloud Searchers, $10.99, Graphix. Due Out 09/10
The Math
$1.12 (Bank from April) + $40 (May Budget) + $4.30 (Choker #3 return) = $45.42
$45.42 – $39.89 (May issues) – $3.09 (tax) – $2.25 (Trade Bank Deposit) = $0.19 Banked for June
Well then – this was an unexpected column. May looks a heck of a lot different than I was expecting.
Dude, it’s going to be crazy balls awesome. I’m looking forward to all this newness.
Well, the massive cull has resulted in this column being late enough. Let’s dive right into the newness! See you next month.
Post your comments in the Forum!
April 14, 2010
The $40 Pull List – April 2010
April, 2010
By Craig Reade and Brandon Schatz
A little late (apologies!) but welcome to a new month. So once again, decidedly not live, I am Craig Reade, and my floppy-headed partner is the incomparable Brandon Schatz.
Greetings from Nanuktuk! I know all of you are wondering why this is so late… so I’m going to tell it to you straight. John Cusack has twitter. And Facebook. I make no apologies.
Nor should you good sir. It is quite easy to get caught up in his impossibly deep eyes and boyish looks.
All is quite forgiven.
I just get lost in his eyes. You know… his metaphorical eyes. Since he doesn’t often post pictures of his eyes.
We should probably get this show on the road, eh?
March Issues
Jonah Hex #53, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/03/10 ON TIME
Written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti, Art by Billy Tucci, Colors by Paul Mounts
Movie prep time? Maybe. The cover features a woman dressed really similarly to those shots of Meagan Fox from filming.
In any case, the story starts in a dance hall, where Hex hires a dancer named Lana to help him work on a bounty… saying he needed some “acting” done.
Fast forward to our bandits, the Hager Brothers, who successfully rob the train. Checking the cars, they stumble on a woman and a casket. Believing her to be a wealthy easterner who has hidden riches in the coffin, they demand to see what is inside. Of course, the woman is none other than Lana, and the stiff is Jonah Hex, who leaps into action and quickly dismantles Hager’s gang.
Hex’s employer arrives with the money, but the man turns out to be Jethro Hager, who set the whole thing up to get his brothers out of the way. And with a swift hit to the back of a head with a shovel, Lana reveals she was in on it the whole time. But Hex quickly recovers, and kills Jethro, and shoots Lana in the back.
You want to know what really would’ve made this issue of Jonah Hex read better? If there wasn’t a twist at the end. I don’t know about you, but when Jonah places his trust in someone, you can see their sudden yet inevitable betrayal coming a mile away.
Yeah, not having a twist would be quite a twist, wouldn’t it? Yeah, this issue was pretty lackluster to say the least.
Invincible Iron Man #24, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/03/10 ON TIME
Written by Matt Fraction, Art by Salvador Larroca, Colors by FrankD’Armata
Tony and Strange walk for a while, until Strange finally stirs something in Stark to make his mind act. Strange is drawn out of Tony’s mind right before Ghost pulls the trigger. Strange protects Tony, but Ghost quickly regains the upper hand. Hill and Potts intervene once again as Ghost gets close to killing Tony – giving him just enough time to come to and defeat Ghost.
In the end, we find out that Tony remembers nothing of Civil War, or any of the events that followed.
Which, unfortunately means he doesn’t remember the time he defeated John Stamos in the John Stamos look-alike competition from that Civil War Aftermath Special: This Man, This Stamos.
But that’s neither here nor there. I thought this issue ended pretty well, and was filled with quite a bit of development. That said, was it worth a whole five issues? Eh. Probably not. But I wasn’t bored, and I’m totally on board for the next story arc.
I think that about sums up my problem with the arc – it wasn’t worth five issues. In fact – this issue was mostly empty. We’d have been far better served by tacking the end of this issue onto the last. The last two arcs have been extremely padded – hopefully this doesn’t continue.
We are in an interesting place now – finally. I’d like to see things step up a bit.
Deadpool Team-Up #895, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 03/03/10 ON TIME
Written by Stuart Moore, Art by Dalibor Talajic, Color by Tomislav Tikulin
Deadpool is hired by the niece of It! The Living Colossus, who 5 years ago was defeated by Dr. Doom. His body has been in a coma ever since, and Deadpool has been hired to pilot a sub to take the comatose O’Bryan and his niece to It, in hopes that his mind can be rediscovered.
The sub is attacked by a pair of sea creatures – and Deadpool is able to fight them off by manipulating O’Bryan’s body, causing It to mimick his actions. The sub ruptures, and just as the cabin is filling with water, O’Bryan awakes, and melds with The Living Colossus. He defeats the sea creatures, and takes the damaged sub to the surface.
Oddly enough, of all the Deadpool books out there right now, I’ve been enjoying this one the most. That should seem odd, because I really do like it when there’s a common, uniting thread, but right now, I just can’t get enough of these wacky, obscure team-ups he’s been dropped into. I mean, which other character would this exactly work with?
I remember the end of that Cable Deadpool run, when Deadpool was just being hooked up with random people. The consensus then seemed to be that a Deadpool Team-Up idea would be grand, but I never thought it would actually happen. It isn’t 100% perfect (I still don’t like the inner dialogue), but I totally agree about this title being the best of all the Deadpool books out right now. Without question.
Yeah, the inner monologue thing they do… is not cool. I long for the days of the simple, somewhat understated Gail Simione yellow texty boxes and nothing more. But whatever.
Demo #2 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 03/03/10 ON TIME
Written by Brian Wood, art by Becky Cloonan
Right, so there’s this dude who fancy’s this other girl? And it’s pretty innocent and whatnot… fairly light-hearted… but see, he’s got a problem. He knows that eventually, he’s going to want to share a little bit more of his life with her. He’s going to want to take her home and tell her more about himself, and… well, the whole cannibal thing is probably going to freak her out a little. And so, like a man in love, he tries his best to change and eat other foods, but its hard, and his stomach can’t really taste it, so he tries to ween himself off by eating chunks of his own flesh. In the end, he realizes that there’s no sense in going changing yourself for love – and that if things are meant to be, she’ll understand.
Kind of reminds me of the time when I first met Craig, and he said… what was it, that you were going to dress up as a clown, and then eat me, or dress me up as a clown before eating me?
Well, unless I am mistaken, aren’t you still in my freezer?
See… there was something wrong with this issue. And after reading it twice, I still can’t figure it out. You know they never established that he actually ate other people? We only see that he eats his own flesh.
Which doesn’t make sense, because living on your own flesh would be pretty much impossible if you think about it.
Him being a cannibal and trying to eat himself to wean him off would make sense – and actually might make a kick *** story, but Wood doesn’t even really imply it. That’s actually a clever angle, and you would think it would be the driving force behind the story, and you can hardly figure out that is what is going on.
Just confused… so confused.
See, I didn’t get that bit of confusion. I thought the idea of his cannibalism was fairly well convayed by his reaction to “those kinds of people” and pretty much any other kind of food. Stories in Demo are often left vague on the actual points of fantasy, and lets the reader pretty much fill in the colors however they like.
Regardless of whether it is usually done or not, that bit of unclarity really isn’t an example of strong writing. This isn’t a color that needs filled it, it is a core plot element that makes or breaks the story. But I’ll go easy on Wood this time around for your sake… I know that he’s in the elite McKeever/Cusak man-love club. Last month’s issue was better though, and that being a less-than-stellar effort makes me fear for the long-term quality of this book.
Wolverine: Weapon X #11, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/03/10 ON TIME
Written by Jason Aaron, Pencils by Ron Garney, Colors by Jason Keith
Some dude named Slag monologues for a bit, until he is interrupted by a cyborg, who kills him.
The scene shifts to Logan and Steve Rogers – the former taking the latter on a bit of a tour to celebrate his return.
The cyborg finds his next targets – a couple on their first date. After confirming that they will eventually marry and have a child together (who turns out to be a superhero called vigilante, he kills the pair, presumably altering history.
Logan and Steve have a bit of a heart-to-heart, and Logan starts a fight. The cyborg continues his killing spree, this time attacking a pair of twins still in the maternity ward.
Finally, a young girl with prophetic dreams tells Logan about the cyborgs, called “Deathloks” – and their next target it Captain America.
I love the idea of their beer run – thanks to their respective inner cocktails, both of them have a tough time getting drunk, so they totally decide to get hammered by flying around the world in a Quinjet, closing out bars across the world. Meanwhile, there’s IMPENDING DEATH FROM THE FUTURE!
I mean, I know neither of them are actually going to die, but I really like the idea of Deathlok playing some kind of twisted Terminator. And I say that as a man who has seen zero Terminator movies.
And yet, that didn’t stop you from picking up the one aspect of this issue that was a complete and total rip off. I am eager to see where this goes – not that it was a terrible start by any means, but if the sum total of this arc is going to be some Terminator parallel… well, it won’t be worth the extra buck an issue.
Um… I agree? You know, I’m staring to sense a theme with these columns – in that I haven’t seen or read a lot of these old school culture-y hoosits. Anyway, because of that, I wasn’t bothered by the parallel at all…
In this case, I don’t think I was bothered by it, so much as I found it kind of sad. A far cry from the utter creativity we got in the last arc.
Green Lantern Corps #46, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/10/10 ON TIME
Written by Peter J. Tomasi, Pencils by Patrick Gleason, Inks by Rebecca Buchman, Tom Nguyen, and Keith Champagne, Colors by Randy Mayor
A united spectrum of Lanterns press the fight against the Black Lanterns… Basically we get a big old brawl, and we learn that Ice has been killed, and is now a Black Lantern (we all knew she would die at some point). The battle finally turns to the Anti-Monitor, who is acting as a power source for the Black Lantern battery.
What an awesome fight – and what an awesome issue. Surprisingly light on the casualties, but frick, I’ll take it, as I really didn’t want to see any of these characters go. I think the only thing that could’ve made this better was a definite ending, and not just a prelude to all the lanterns going off to Care Bear Stare the bad guys…
Well, we knew this would be coming, what with that stinker the main event series is… eventually the action would go there for the ultimate climax. But we got some payoff here, so thanks to the writers for that.
I am ready for a little not-so-craziness on this book for a while, truth be told.
True. And we might be getting it in a few issues, as Tony Bedard takes the book over with a tweaked status quo. Should be interesting.
Nova #35, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/17/10 ON TIME
Written by San Abnett & Andy Lanning, Pencils by Mahmud A. Asrar, Inks by Scott Hanna, Colors by Brung Hang
Sphinx wields both Ka Stones, and the champions (for both) decide to ally to take him down. Young Sphinx, not quite dead, looks to be a potential savior, but the victorious Sphinx picks him up and swallows him whole. Reed Richards contemplates exactly how their situation is possible, and with Nova devises a plan to stop him. Nova opens a stargate, presumably piercing the reality bubble that was allowing Sphinx to hold 2 Ka stones until he was powerful enough to force the regular universe to accept that reality. The Sphinx is defeated – his reality dissolved, and the champions are returned to their rightful times. Except for one – Namorita, who Nova somehow managed to take with him.
Yeah! You know, DnA seem to operate on this system, that for every character they take away, one gets to come back – unlike many creators who just spend their time mowing down B and C listers for funsies.
I really think that has been what made this title so great – the respect for characters. I think you could put these two on any book at all, and they would find a way to make it awesome.
Even NFL Superpro. My faith is strong.
Marvel, make this happen.
Choker #2, $3.99, Image Comics. Due out 03/17/10 ON TIME
Written by Justin Ben McCool, Art by Ben Templesmith
In this issue, our hard-living gum-shoe-turned-cop-again deals with the ramifications of his deal in the previous issue – mainly hunting down some dude that’s so gross, people feel uncomfortable about him or some such. Anyhow, there’s a whole lot of neat bits to this thing – tropes of noir mixed in with a heaping helping of the supernatural… if we can’t have Fell, at least this sucker is coming out.
And as noted above, this issue came out on time, so yeah. Goooooood times.
Credit where it is due – the book was on time. Color me shocked.
The rest of it? Meh. The story is pretty bare-bones and formulaic. Not a lot happens. This book is all about the art (though, not the artistic storytelling). Templesmith has an interesting, gory style here that I get the feeling you are just supposed to look at the pictures, nod, and remark on how interesting it looks. Without paying much attention to how it helps tell the story (if at all).
Though, you were patient with Sgt. Rock, so I will try to keep my whining to a minimum here!
Awesome! Finally, that Sgt. Rock experience is good for something. (Zing!!!)
Power Girl #10, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 03/24/10 ON TIME
Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, Pencils by Amanda Conner, Colors by Paul Mounts
Right, so we kick this issue off where the last one ended. Power Girl has a gravity well on her chest that’s going to crush her, and that’s bad. Terra ends up saving the day by being hardcore, and the pair end up going home – only to be black mailed by a kid who wants them to go to a comic store and do some other stuff. Anyway, they do that, and it’s cute and junk, but what’s this? It turns out Terra’s erratic behaviour in this issue… can be explained! By something sinister! And it has something to do with a giant ape man who is evil! Oh snap!
Continuity is indeed awesome in this case. The Ultra-Humanite has been around in some form since the very beginning, and how he managed to get his brain in Terra’s body should be an interesting story. As with the geek with the pictures of PG… I look forward to seeing how Kara plans to deal with his bullies.
I guess that is what makes a fun Superhero story to me – the normal and mundane problems mixed with the extraordinary. Awesome.
That’s pretty much why I liked Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane so much. A different tone, for sure, but still, it had that nice balance, which made both halves all the more better.
Avengers: The Initiative #34, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/24/10 ON TIME
Written by Christos Gage, Pencils by Jorge Molina, Inks by Andrew Hennessy, Color by Edgar Delgado
Night Thrasher makes a decision, and he joins Tigra to take on the Hood. Penance (memories seemingly intact) breaks free, and takes some members of the Shadow Initiative with him to join the Avengers Resistance in the fight. The Hood, Mandrill, and Griffin depart, presumably to aid Osborne in Asgard, leaving the scraps to fall at the hands of the Resistance. Meanwhile, the Avengers fight off HAMMER – and we find that the President himself ordered the Hood and his team to take out HAMMER. It seems Osborne has gone too far.
Ka-pow! Is anyone else getting the sense that everything going on right now is going to lead to some kind of reformation of the original New Warriors? Coupled with the events in Nova, this issue’s turn for Penance pretty much sets the stage for all the originals to be in the right place to do it. You know, minus the dead Night Trasher, but still.
Inded – Nova’s on his way back to Earth with Darkhawk and a time-displaced Namorita in tow, Penance is about done being emo-kid, Justice is in the thick of the fight, Night Thrasher is active as well (I consider Donyell legit anyway), and Firestar is going to be a part of your boyfriend’s Young Allies one shot in June, and the Firestar one shot this month. I guess you could count Marvel Divas on that list as well, but I’d rather not.
In any case – every single original New Warrior (or a valid successor) is active now, and very well developed character-wise, and highly prominent in the Marvel Universe. If Marvel was going to pull the trigger on a New Warriors reunion, the time is coming very quickly.
Kind of back on topic – I am loving the Constrictor arc. I also loved Cap pretending he couldn’t remember Tasky, just to get under his skin. A lot of good moments in this issue.
Heck yeah.
Cloak and Dagger #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/31/10 ON TIME
Written by Stuart Moore, Pencils by Mark Brooks, Inks by Walden Wong, Colors by Emily Warren
We start with a training session in the Danger Room, Storm overseeing a workout session with potential X-Recruit Dagger working out with some of the Young X-Men. Dr. Nemesis arrives with some test results – Dagger is not a mutant. Tandy tries to call Tyrone for some sympathy, but he is decidedly busy.
Flashback – to shortly after the pair got their powers, then quick back to the present. Cloak arrives, and the two talk briefly about Norman Osborne, and what happened. Cloak retreats back to Southie, where an old friend leads him into a trap.
Dagger goes to the X-Men for help, but they seem completely uninterested in lending their support. She goes after her partner solo – with the X-Men finally helping in the end when they have nothing better to do. Cloak is saved, and the pair decide to leave Utopia and strike out on their own once again.
I don’t really know what to think of this comic. I know that I hate people who complain about comics that “don’t count”, but this one-shot didn’t really seem to do much, other than revert the characters to an old status quo, despite the new one being quite interesting and 100% more marketable.
I don’t know if the old status quo was any more interesting or marketable – but I will agree that this issue really didn’t count for much of anything, and that was quite annoying. The only good thing I can think of was the portrayal of the X-Men – I kind of miss the days when mutants were somewhat isolationist, and despite fighting for acceptance, if you weren’t a mutant, they didn’t really give a crud about you. If Marvel is getting back to something like that, I count myself a fan.
But yeah – the issue was a let down. Needed something more to be worth it.
Well, by old status quo, I was talking about them being a part of the X-Men. Which really, is infinitely more marketable than just Cloak and Dagger. The “interesting” thing is a little more subjective, I suppose.
Indeed. Or at least more interesting. Cloak and Dagger was always a great concept – but as effective as Marvel’s marketing is, it can be a little lazy. Far easier to lump them in with the muties than it is to develop their own niche.
But they certainly had their day – way back. Here’s another one for DnA to do something with…
The List So Far
Jonah Hex #54, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/07/10
Invincible Iron Man #25, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/28/10
Deadpool Team-Up #894, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 04/14/10
Demo #3 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 04/07/10
Wolverine: Weapon X #12, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/07/10
Green Lantern Corps #47, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/28/10
Nova #36, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/21/10
Choker #3, $3.99, Image Comics. Due out 04/21/10
Power Girl #11, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 04/21/10
Avengers: The Initiative #34, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/12/10
Well, we are looking good this month in terms of drops. Avengers: The Initiative is off for the month, and Cloak and Dagger was just a one-shot. So unless there is something horrible, we don’t really need to drop anything to pick up a new book. Anything you would like to axe?
No sir. Some may have been a bit shaky for my tastes, but I don’t think any of them have been outright terrible.
I think you nailed it pretty well. It wasn’t a great month – but nothing was so horrible that they needed to be slashed. So on to the new books.
New Books
On to new books then. I pretty well had my pick last time around… is there anything that looks interesting to you in April?
I really, really, really want us to read S.H.I.E.L.D #1. Seriously? Galileo, Leonardo da Vinci, and a bunch of other dudes through TIME solving large cosmic problems before the Superheroes came along. How can that not be awesome?
It looks totally ridiculous. Let’s get it.
ADD: S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/07/10
Of course, that leaves us with about $4.50 (before tax)… more than enough for another book. In an effort to add a little randomness to the Pull, how about Dark Horse’s Hellcyon #1?
You know, the previews of it looked decent – this should be an interesting pick.
ADD: Halcyon #1, $3.50, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/14/10
April List
S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/07/10
Jonah Hex #54, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/07/10
Demo #3 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 04/07/10
Wolverine: Weapon X #12, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/07/10
Halcyon #1, $3.50, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/14/10
Deadpool Team-Up #894, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 04/14/10
Nova #36, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/21/10
Choker #3, $3.99, Image Comics. Due out 04/21/10
Power Girl #11, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 04/21/10
Green Lantern Corps #47, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/28/10
Invincible Iron Man #25, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/28/10
Future issues:
Avengers: The Initiative #34, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/12/10
The Math
$1.42 (Bank from March) + $40 (April Budget) = $41.42
$41.42 – $37.40 (April issues) – $2.90 (tax) = $1.12 Banked for May
Once again, sincere apologies for the tardiness of this column… back on track for May!
If I don’t drown in the handsome internet eyes of Cusack, for sure.
2007 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12
2008 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12
2009 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 4.1 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12
2010 – 1 – 2 – 3
Post your comments in the Forum!
March 2, 2010
The $40 Pull List – March 2010
March, 2010
By Craig Reade and Brandon Schatz
Welcome to March!
This cracker is drunk! Try and guess which parts I wrote on the sauce, and which I wrote while sober! Oh. This is the $40 Pull List! I am Brandon Schatz and this dude right here is Craig The Crackerton J. Reade.
Have you been hitting the wine coolers again? Shame on you.
Caesars, my friend. Clamato, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, Tobasco, and horseradish. And I’m now eating the eggs as well! Because that’s just how ah rolllll.
Ugh, damned Canadians can’t even make a Bloody Mary right. Anyway, I will apologize for the slight delay in posting this column… totally my bad. But then, we are wasting time. On to last month’s issues!
February Issues
Jonah Hex #52, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/03/10 ON TIME
Written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti, Art be Jordi Bernet, Colors by Rob Schwager
Hex arrives at a secluded cabin after being shot, looking for shelter and food. Inside is a lone woman with a small child – named Misty Rae (of course, the woman is the blonde-bombshell type who is all alone, and letting strange men into her house). We get a little background on the woman and then -
Oh, a flashback. Joy.
Hex falls into a trap set by a young boy who tried to rob him. Hex is harder to put down than that, though, and his attempt ends up costing him his life. The boy’s family finds the body, and though they realize that the kid probably got what he had coming, they decide they still have to find Hex and get a little vengeance. Hex slips their attempts to track him, and we end up back at the cabin, where the woman now fears Hex has put her baby’s life in danger by having come to her. The hunters find their prey, but all end up losing their lives after a bit of a struggle. Of course, the big reveal at the end is how the woman is related to the robbers – but that was telegraphed pretty early on.
I actually liked this issue quite a bit – this, after being quite down about the last issue. I seem to have quite a love-hate relationship with this book… but to be fair, the only reason why I was a bit warmer to this one was the art by Jordi Bernet. I love him. If any of you have some extra funds kicking around, grab a collection of Torpedo – it’s some old school European crime stuff with a bit of art by Alex Toth and a ton from Bernet. Wait, what am I talking about?
Oh right. Jonah Hex.
Well, to be fair, I think my thoughts on this book can be best explained in the form of a completely necessary flashback to a conversation I had with a co-worker about this book a few weeks ago.
(Shimmery scene transition to comic shop.)
Me: "Ain’t never seen a bombshell with a kid before, have you?"
Them: "Brandon, women are people with vaginas, just like the rest of us."
Me (nodding absently): "Truth."
I can honestly say that none of that made any sense at all. So I will just go with the default by echoing Hex’s own sentiments in this book – despite the hot blonde, Rape did not make an appearance.
And the art has certainly been worse on this title. Bernet seemed to avoid the scarred side of Hex’s face whenever possible I noticed, but he did a fair job on it when he showed it, so I am not sure what was behind that…
Invincible Iron Man #23, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/03/10 ON TIME
Written by Matt Fraction, Art by Salvador Larroca, Colors by Frank D’Armata
We get a little back and forth between Tony and Strange in Tony’s "dream-state" about what is happening to him, and how everything around him isn’t exactly real. Pepper and Maria both reveal that Tony slept with them when he was on the run, and the Ghost finds where the group is hiding. That’s about it…
I get the feeling that you’re cooling on this book, Craigerton J. I mean, I can see why, in some ways. Myself, I’m consistently entertained by Fraction’s people and ideas, and so even in slower issue’s like this, I find reason to continue. That said, someone brought up something pretty interesting a weird about this book, and Captain America: Reborn. Now, I know this discussion really has no place on this list because we weren’t reading Reborn – but at the very end of it, Steve Rogers relates his journey through time, and lets slip the fact that he saw the future… one dystopian looking thing that had the very same Cthulhu looking robots Stark has running around in his head, destroying things and such. Me thinks something is afoot…
You are quite possibly correct. That doesn’t make this arc any less boring, however. In fact, the fact that they are looking to tie this into something bigger is perhaps the reason I seem to not be enjoying this book anymore. When it first started, it was outstanding – and it stood alone. I donÕt know what it is with Marvel and DC these days, but the second they try to hammer a book into the big picture they ruin it. I can honestly say that while they havenÕt been terrible, this book has been boring for some time now.
I agree with you in-so-much as the story is slow. You probably would’ve felt differently, had this somewhat necessary aftermath happened over the course of two or three issues rather than five, but it’s all a matter of business winning the battle over art… at least for now. I feel quite confident that after this arc is done, we’re going to move back into a higher gear. You know, if this book manages to survive on the list that long.
Well, one of the stated purposes of this column is not to succumb to marketing over quality. Should we be rewarding this much padded storytelling? I thought the story was going to kick into high gear after the last painfully slow arc. It still hasn’t. If I am honest, I don’t think this title has too many chances left.
DeadpoolTeam-Up #896, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/03/10 ON TIME
Written by Stuart Moore, Art by Shawn Crystal, Color by John Rauch
We open with U.S.Ace and Big Dee Pee (Deadpool), both driving big-rigs, presumably delivering something for a client Deadpool runs over a raccoon. The death of their compatriot causes the remaining raccoons to arm up for revenge. Why? Why not.
We get a completely obnoxious flashback (another poster-child of bad non-linear storytelling), where U.S. Ace comes to his brother, The Highwayman, looking for work. His brother gives him a job – 1 million for a coast-to-coast drive, no questions asked. Deadpool literally falls through the ceiling (I assume the aftermath of last month’s issue?) and is tapped to drive the second truck.
The Killer Raccoons catch up with the pair, and after a struggle, Deadpool wrecks his rig. U.S. Ace takes that opportunity to get a look at their cargo – dozens of Hyperspace Combustion Manifolds, technology that would allow him to get back into space. Unfortunately, the Manifolds are destroyed, and we learn that the Highwayman set the entire gig up to collect on the insurance on the shipment, using Raccoons created much the same way that Rocket Raccoon was to get the job done.
Let’s read that again, very carefully. This was a comic that featured not just one, but two super-powered truckers. Also, there were super-powered raccoons and insurance fraud. If the sound of this comic does not appeal to you, then we can no longer be friends. Do you hear me world? Friendship over.
I am quickly starting to like this title, and I am forced to recall how much I enjoyed the last time we had Deadpool Team-up, back at the end of Cable/Deadpool. It was a solid idea then, and it is a great one now. Deadpool has always been awesome when paired up with the most obscure comic figures (early on, the Vamp? The Whizzer? Batric ze Leaper?) Why not U.S. Ace and a bunch of Killer Raccoons? Plus, I really enjoyed the lack of split personality in Deadpool’s inner dialogue. I don’t get where that came from in the ongoing, and I am really happy not to see it here. This book was just plain fun. Even with the totally inappropriate flashback.
Demo Vol. 2 #1, $2.99, DC/Vertigo. Due Out 02/03/10 ON TIME
Written by Brian Wood, art by Becky Cloonan
Demo returns with a… something. The opening story for this series’ return is about a girl who keeps having these vivid dreams about a suicide – though the location and person its affecting is a mystery. Through a random chain of events, she winds up discovering just who and what these visions are about, and finally gets some sleep. Well, the art was pretty. I dunno – there wasn’t much to this story. I guess the ending was supposed to be kind of a surprise, but I saw it coming pretty much from the beginning of the book. Truthfully, though the art was the strongest part of this issue, it might have made a better short story than a comic. I dunno. Okay, so here’s the thing. I really, really, really love Demo, and the first volume was some of the best comics that I’ve ever read. But this issue? I dunno what I think of it. Like Craig, I pretty much called the resolution from the get-go, which really harmed the book’s impact. At the same time, I’m intrigued by the whole "self-fulfilling precognition" thing that happened. But the joy and the pain of Demo is that there are issues that cut you to the quick, and others that are decent, but just don’t hit you in the core – and I think this one is one of the latter.
I would normally agree with you on that point, but it is also safe to say that most people would pick something spectacular to lead a series off with. If Wood thinks this is the best story to lead off with, what are we going to get down the line? I’m willing to keep at it for another month though… it wasn’t terrible, just something of a let-down.
Wolverine: Weapon X #10, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/03/10 ON TIME
Written by Jason Aaron, Art by C.P. Smith
Logan wakes up after spending an evening with his new girlfriend, and discusses with her their sexual history. He then visit a bunch of women he was close with, who all ask if she is ready to die, taunt him about having a new girlfriend, and then Logan holds a baby. Then Emma laughs at his girlfriend, and she doesn’t like him. Melita goes to take some martial arts classes, and proves that she can take care of herself if one of Logan’s many enemies come for her by kicking Wolverine in the face a whole bunch of times.
I really had no opinion of this book issue one way or the other… except for I assume Wolverine has a magic ***** that makes women fall for him quite fast. Though, to be fair, he’s fallen for her quite fast too. Anyway, the moral of this story, is she’s totally going to die by the time Aaron is done telling his Wolvie stories. I think.
That, or she is going to somehow turn evil, and he eventually has to kill her. Either way, it is going to be something like that. Overall, I think this issue was much stronger than the start of the last arc. I enjoyed the read, and I even enjoyed the art. Granted, this style would not work on the majority of Wolverine stories I don’t think, so as long as Smith on this book isnÕt a permanent change, I am ok with it here.
He’s on for just this issue – the next arc sees the return of original series artist Ron Garney. Should be neat.
Nova #34, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/03/10 ON TIME
Written by San Abnett & Andy lanning, Pencils by Mahmud A. Asrar, Inks by Scott Hanna, Colors by Brung Hang
Old Sphinx and Young Sphinx pair off their champions one at a time, to try and gain the upper hand. First Moonstone is paired off with Nova – I am sorry, The Man Called Nova (I love how DnA remembers all the old stuff). The pair are transported to Harry S. Truman High School (Rich’s old school) to duke it out. Namorita is paired off with Man-Wolf (on Arisen Tyrk in the Other Realm), Reed Richard’s with Bloodstone on Vanaheim, and Basilisk is matched with Black Bolt on Attilan. Black Bolt is stunned to discover his future tombstone in the ruins, and that distraction is enough for Basilisk to turn him to stone, and shatter him. Finally Raptor Gyre and Darkhawk pair off on the Tree of Shadows, and Darkhawk quickly dispatches his enemy. Namorita, Nova, and Reed all achieve victory for Old Sphinx as well. Sphinx learns that he can control Darkhawk, and has hip rip the second Ka Stone from Young Sphinx, and give it to him – making his power limitless.
Oooooooh snap you guys! King Tut is ready to take everyone down! You know, if I’m not careful, I’m just going to degrade into another love-fest for this book, so instead, I‘d like to say something about the whole “Realm of Kings” thing. You guys made a mistake. A huge, and terrible mistake. While an expanded title base is good occasionally, doing it so soon after an event has caused quite a bit of damage to this line of books. Without breathers, we had a lot of people and up falling off all the cosmic books – and each title suffered a little from people culling their pull lists – quantity overpowering their perceived ‘quality.’ Needless to say, I’m a little afraid of the impending Thanos event that the cosmic books will be thrust into soon. Will there be just as many books? Or on the other hand, is this what others have been hinting at: the end of Abnett and Lanning’s run on these cosmic books? I suppose we’ll have to wait and see, either way. (And just in case you were wondering, I still think this book is phenomenal.)
Well, that about sums up my feelings in general about events these days. Agreed on the title – totally loving it. DnA’s been pretty good about protecting Nova from crossover madness to this point – the event might appear on the cover, but the stories are largely self-contained. Hopefully the readers don’t miss that.
Choker #1, $3.99, Image Comics. Due out 02/10/10 RELEASED 02/24/10
Written by Justin Ben McCool, Art by Ben Templesmith
Look at that: an Image book gets added back onto the list, and it is already late first issue out the gate. Big surprise! After a quick page introduction to a young girl named Tabitha being held prisoner in a cage in someone’s basement, we are introduced to the presumed protagonist of this particular series – an angry version of the typical noir PI Johnny Jackson, and his nervous assistant Seaton. After ignoring an important phone call, Johnny makes his way to a local bar, where he gets another call from one Milton Ellis, called Chief, who offers Johnny his old job back. This old job turns out to be a member of the police force. In exchange for his badge, Jackson must track the escaped Hunt Cassidy, an offer he accepts wholeheartedly.
A note about the issue’s lateness from your friendly neighborhood retailer: the first run of the comic had to be pulped when it was discovered that the printer used the wrong mix of water in the printing process, making the pages wavy as crap. Now, Diamond ended up sending a few of these copies out on the intended day of release (a well oiled machine, that company is) and so I did manage to see what kind of damage we were dealing with right off the bat… and it looked absolutely terrible. Kudos to the spiffy reprint, and turning it over in just a short two week period. That out of the way, to the comic! I enjoyed this quite a bit. Appropriately dark with all the hallmarks of the crazy Ben Templesmith always seems to hitch his wagon to, it felt quite nice to read about this world and this character – and I was left wanting more. So there’s that.
Funny how there is always an excuse for these late issues, isn’t it? Sorry B, that doesn’t excuse it. With Image, there is always something. Why are they using a printer with such a terrible QC process? Why are you giving props for taking – 2 weeks longer to print something properly when any printer worth their salt could turn around much faster.
Not to harp on it, but I do look forward to seeing what next month’s excuse is.
The comic itself wasn’t terrible. The character and plot were totally cliched, but I will give McCool credit for his atmosphere. Many writers feel the need to do a massive exposition dump at the beginning of a fantasy story to explain the rules of the universe. McCool did it differently here – and using a method I always enjoy. He just described the world as it was to the characters in it. The differences between that world and this one didn’t mean a thing to the characters – and as such, they didn’t warrant any special mention. You encounter them as the characters do – and I enjoy that. You didn’t get a huge explanation of all the different kinds of mutants and freaks in the world. So yeah, annoyed at the tardiness, underwhelmed by the concept, but impressed with the execution.
The things that get stuck in your craw perplex me sometimes, Craig. Or at least, how you chose to focus your blame radar. In the comic industry, standard wait for a re-print is three weeks. And that’s not just due to the printers – it’s due to the system the comic industry is hitched to. Image gets their comics the same day Diamond does. They tell Diamond to not send out the crappy comics (which they do anyway – got my crappy copy right here) and tell the printer that this will not stand. The printer then re-prints the issue and sends them to Diamond – but Diamond takes their sweet, sweet time to get them to the printer. Yes, it’s an issue that ends up being Image’s fault, but calling them out on a turn around time that Marvel and DC don’t even match is shenanigans.
See, there is an enormous difference between a title selling out and going back to press, and a printer hosing a job and having to do it over. The standard wait for a re-print applies to the publisher ordering more, and not the printer jacking up the job and having to run it again. No one is saying that Image should be able to instantly turn around an order, but speaking as someone with a great deal of exposure to the production end of things, there is no way that a printer is going to screw up that badly, and stick it to a major customer like Image (they may not be big two, but in the spectrum of comic publishers, they are major) by making them wait several more weeks to fix their mistake. It just doesn’t work that way.
I am sorry, I find it impossible to believe that Image is the only one that has these mysterious printing problems where the printer not only fails to QC their product during production (a standard practice in the publishing industry, but also fails to even look at the product prior to shipping it to the customer. Sorry, with Image’s extensive track record (and use of this excuse), I am more apt to believe that they had some cruddy review copies made up at the last minute and sent them out to sate the ire of the consumer.
Yeah, I have a short fuse with Image, but they have more than earned it. When you watch your neighbors dog crap on your lawn every morning for 3 years, you aren’t going to believe him when he claims this time it was your other neighbor’s dog even if he is telling the truth.
Anyway, we will see. And Ill bet you a crisp greenback to a loony that issue #2 is late as well.
Done, sir. To be fair, I’m pretty sure we’re both right about parts, but are also feeling around in the dark just a little bit. I know that Image usually puts a lot of the printing and scheduling on their creator’s back, so this could all just be something tied to their policies. Either way, things happened, and stuff didn’t ship proper. But sir, I will take your bet.
Spider-Man & The Secret Wars #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 02/10/10 ON TIME
Written by Paul Tobin, Pencils by Patrick Scherberger, Inks by Terry Pallot, Colors by Brad Anderson
In this issue, we get a little slice of the assault on Galactus that occurred in Secret Wars #5, but from Spider-ManÕs perspective. A recap is a little difficult, as the entire issue depicts GalactusÕ reality warping defense to the combined attack of the heroes and villains. Again, not something really seen in Secret Wars itself – in fact, Spider-Man hardly appears in that issue at all.
You know, I like the way this series rolls, but I just can’t wrap my mind around the why. I mean, I get why Marvel put out an all ages Black Widow mini series, and I get why they put out an all ages Armor Wars series. But this really seems to be coming out of left field. Heck, you know what I found out when I was looking for an affordable way to read Secret Wars? The trade paperback is out of print. The only available copy of it to order is the mega big $100 Omnibus. Which I’m not doing.
Not that the impending Secret Wars review runaround isn’t going to happen – I work in a comic shop and have access to single issues – but you’d think at the very least, Marvel would have a collection or something or anything…
Green Lantern Corps #45, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/17/10 ON TIME
Written by Peter J. Tomasi, Pencils by Patrick Gleason, Inks by Rebecca Buckman, Tom Nguyen, and Keith Champagne, Colors by Randy Mayor
The Green Lanterns confront a conflicted Guy Gardner on Mogo, his rings struggling for dominance. Finally, the Red Ring wins out and he attacks the gathered Lanterns. They struggle to contain his rampage, until Kyle calls on Mogo for help. Mogo brings to life the conflicting sides of his past (represented with red and green constructs). Together they manage to restrain Guy, but find that the only way to get rid of the Red Ring is to either kill Guy, or find a Blue Lantern to cleanse his soul. Mogo finds a way to do the same, and filters his blood of Reds grip, sending the Red Ring off to find a new host. Summoned back to Oa, several Indigo Lanterns are assembled, prepared to transport as many Lanterns as possible to Earth to have the final confrontation with Nekron.
From all indications, it appears as though this was a wise choice – following just this book, rather than the monstrosity that is the 17-part-plus-extras that is Geoff Johns’s version of this very tale. While the story has taken a few weird detours to fill nine whole months, most of these detours have been very, very entertaining. Add to that the feeling of genuine danger, and you have yourself a winner. I mean seriously, do we believe for one moment that Hal, Barry, Superman, Green Arrow, or Wonder Woman are going to be all that affected by this in the long run? Not entirely. But here? Here the potential for change is palpable.
Without question – that’s another reason I found Blackest Night’s focus on the other JLAers so distasteful. Who cares about them with this story? This began a Green Lantern story, and it is certainly going to end one. The thing that made Rebirth and Sinestro Corps War so entertaining was its focus – and Johns completely spoiled that when he branched this story out beyond the intimate Green Lantern mythos. Of course there are those that defend this event, those that think Johns can do no wrong at DC. There is no denying that he is a great comic writer. But every now and again, he lets his own hype get in the way of a good story. This is one of those cases. Thank goodness Tomasi was available to pick up the ball here, to salvage something positive out of this train wreck of an event.
Power Girl #9, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 02/17/10 ON TIME
Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, Pencils by Amanda Conner, Colors by Paul Mounts
Power Girl’s shower is interrupted by the arrival of her blackmailer sliding an envelope under the door. She races after him (forgetting her clothes, of course – soon remedied), and discovers that he was just a delivery boy and knew nothing about who put him up for the job, other than a vague description sounding almost like the Joker. Back at the office, Karen Starr is summoned to the bank to deal with a payroll issue, only to find it being held up by laser-wielding pachyderm. Power Girl arrives on the scene, only to find that the attack was only to draw her out. Manhawks arrive on the scene to supplement the attack, all presumably organized by Satanna, a former flame of the Ultra-Humanite. Power Girl and Satanna trade blows, and as Satanna places something on Power Girl’s chest that promises to basically crush her body much like a mini-black hole, Terra arrives to save the day. We are left with Terra victorious, but Power Girl still down for the count, the machine still working to destroy her.
We’ve said a lot about how much we enjoy this book (although I sometimes waffle between love and like somewhat arbitrarily), so let’s hit something a bit different. I like how this book is structured. Each storyline is given two issues to play out, and plays out in both huge, earth shattering ways, and more quiet, stoic ways. Meanwhile, the overall story continues apace, without missing a beat. Honestly, this is how comics should be made.
I definitely can’t argue. I ‘d be really easy to become too focused on the cheese ball that you find in every issue (naked Power Girl here being the example), but even if they are always gratuitous, they always have a point. And they are always backed by what turns out to be a pretty solid story. P&G (PG? I dunno, they need a cutesy moniker like DnA) are demonstrating a very strong mastery of the ongoing serial story – there is the long-term elements that span much shorter, self-contained stories. Each issue gives you something for your money, has more story packed in than any issue by one of the masters of the “decompressed story,” and gives you a reason to want to pick up the next issue. This series is nothing like I hoped it would be, but it is every bit as good all the same.
Of course, the last time I felt this way about a title was Kyle Baker on Plastic Man, and that run was tragically short, and ended with me losing all respect for him as a creator. Hopefully that isn’t a sign of things to come.
Captain America #603, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/17/10 ON TIME
Written by Ed Brubaker & Sean McKeever, Pencils by Luke Ross & David Baldeon, Inks by Butch Guice & N. Bowling, Colors by Dean White & Chris Sotomayor
Things kick off with Crewcut Cap talking about how his America is different than the America today, and then the Wolfpack group that he’s hanging out with tells him all about how Bucky is trying to downplay his prowess and junk at doing stuff. Meanwhile, the Falcon cups Bucky’s breasts as they sour through the air, their souls souring just a high as their bodies. Unfortunately, this quickly degrades into a fight that the boys win quite handily. Eventually though, things get hinky when evil Cap’s plan starts to take form, and Falcon and Bucky find themselves at the mercy of their enemies. Elsewhere, in the Reason We Picked Up This Book, Nomad and Arana attempt to deal with the crazy robots what they were attacked with in the last issue – and they end up failing in their main goal of getting some info out of Maddog. All this leads to a general sense of ennui, what with Rickki Barnes being homeless, foodless and directionless, but hey! Things start looking up when Arana shows back up bearing some information! Or does she?
I didn’t really dig this issue. It certainly wasn’t as offensive in the lead story as it was last month, but it also didn’t really stand out in any positive ways either. The back-up story? Hate to say it, but it’s a bore. It has none of the great things from the Nomad series that made it great. And McKeever can’t seem to write Arana – she isn’t supposed to be a naive and peppy young hero trying to do her best! This was a pretty poor story to start the run with, I have to say.
I almost agree with you. Almost. Both stories were a little vanilla, but I found that both had redeeming qualities. For the Cap story, it was a fairly arbitrary thing that I enjoyed: and that was Bucky-Cap finding joy in his role as he was dropped down to attack them boys what are causing all that trouble. I like it when superheroes actually enjoy their job. And with the Nomad back-up, I really enjoyed the quiet moment in the middle where Ricki considered her place (or lack thereof) in this world. The Arana thing, I can’t speak to, because I was generally against the character, what with Marvel’s plan to supplant the Spider-Girl title with the character (back when I still enjoyed Spider-Girl), so I’ve never really read anything with her in it. But, I actually have my sneaking suspicions as to where this story is going to go (obviously, the day is going to be won, and I really doubt McKeever would completely throw Arana under the bus in the end) and suspect that we’ll soon be seeing Nomad elsewhere in some Marvel books coming up soon.
Well, that would be good news indeed.
Avnegers: The Initiative #33, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/25/10 ON TIME
Written by Christos Gage, Art by Jorge Molina and Victor Olazaba Color by Edgar Delgado
Continuing his quest for importance, Skeletor is verbally slapped by Osborn. It stings a bit, and so he returns to Castle Greyskull where he entrenches himself once more, and realizes that his part in this grand scheme is keeping Osborn focused on not making this whole war into a giant quagmire. Which… let’s face it, will not happen. Meanwhile, Snake-fists and the lady what banged Captain America continue their lover’s quarrel, which will totally end with them both realizing they were made to be (you and me) right before the other dies. So that will be fun. And yeah, Penance looks like he might be rad soon enough, and Nighttrasher needs to decide if killing Tigra is worth getting his brother back.
See, in this case, I am really not sold on a death here… I actually do think Constrictor and Diamondback are going to make it through this in one piece. I do keep thinking that Taskmaster is trending full-blown evil (big leagues), but things just aren’t going quite right for that angle to feel right. Anyway – there is a ton going on in this book, and it is still awesome. So I’m just going to stop guessing and instead enjoy the ride.
The List So Far
Jonah Hex #53, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/03/10
Invincible Iron Man #24, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/03/10
Deadpool Team-Up #895, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 03/03/10
Demo #2 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 03/03/10
Wolverine: Weapon X #11, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/03/10
Green Lantern Corps #46, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/10/10
Nova #35, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/17/10
Choker #2, $3.99, Image Comics. Due out 03/17/10
Spider-Man & The Secret Wars #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 03/17/10
Power Girl #10, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 03/24/10
Captain America #604, $3.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 03/24/10
Avengers: The Initiative #34, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/24/10
Well, here is where the fun begins. In order to meet our budget and pick up a new title, we need to slash two books. Any thoughts?
Hurm. Well, I’m pretty much loving all of these books right now. If I was going to protect one for the next month, it would be Demo. And if I had to suggest a book to get things to get rid of, I get the feeling you’re not vibing Invincible Iron Man…
While this is true, in thinking about it, I realize that the next arc should be somewhat better, since the movie is coming out and all, and its focus is going to be a little more broad. This title first came out when the first Iron Man movie had hit, and it did the impossible by making me interested in Tony Stark. I am honestly inclined to give it another chance.
There are a few ways we can go about this. On the one hand, Spider-Man and the Secret Wars only has one issue left, and to this point, it really isn’t too exciting. I’d much rather have you just read Secret Wars, and give this stuff a pass.
DROPPED
Spider-Man & The Secret Wars #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 03/17/10
Beyond that, it’s a toss up to me between Invincible Iron Man, Choker, and Captain America. What do you think?
To be sure, I’d probably be up for cutting…
(choke) Captain America.
Of the three. Do you see what you made me do Craig. DO YOU SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO??!
DROPPED
Captain America #604, $3.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 03/24/10
The taste of your pain is delicious, my friend. Yeah, its a shame to lose this one, but if the Nomad back-up was as outstanding as the last mini, I’d be fighting tooth and nail to save it. Kinda telling…
New Titles
This is one of those books that I get really excited about when I first hear about it – then I force myself to wait until I know who the creative team is before I get excited all over again. Thankfully, its passing all the tests so far. How do you feel about
Cloak and Dagger #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/31/10
I feel neither here nor there. But really, there’s nothing else that’s really grabbing me this month. Sooo…
March List
Jonah Hex #53, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/03/10
Invincible Iron Man #24, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/03/10
Deadpool Team-Up #895, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 03/03/10
Demo #2 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 03/03/10
Wolverine: Weapon X #11, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/03/10
Green Lantern Corps #46, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/10/10
Nova #35, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/17/10
Choker #2, $3.99, Image Comics. Due out 03/17/10
Power Girl #10, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 03/24/10
Avengers: The Initiative #34, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/24/10
Cloak and Dagger #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/31/10
The Math
$.09 (Bank from February) + $40 (March Budget) = $40.09
$40.09 – $35.89 (March issues) – $2.78 (tax) = $1.42 Banked for April
That’s all folks – see you next month!
2007 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12
2008 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12
2009 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 4.1 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12
2010 – 1 – 2
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