March 2011
by Craig Reade and B. Schatz

Craig Reade: Another month, another dollar. Which is more than I get paid for this column.

Brandon Schatz: What, suddenly my love isn’t enough for you? I’m a offended Craig. My feelings are crying now. I HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY.

Reade: Brandon, your love is cheap. You love everything and anything. Look at the dirty things you are doing to that keyboard right now…

Schatz: Shh, shh, shh. Don’t listen to him, baby. He doesn’t know you like I do.

Reade: Speaking of dirty thing… comics!

FEBRUARY ISSUES

Generation Hope #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/02/11 DELAYED – RELEASED 02/16/2011
Written by Kieron Gillen, Art by Salvador Espin with Scott Koblish, Colors by Frank Martin
Hope and the Lights – all of them – make the trip to Utopia, where they are given the lay of the land. Wolverine and Teon fight things out, and that ends in fish. Meanwhile, Kenji has a good long think about what he’s done, and Dr. Nemesis is a dick to everyone!

Reade: Dr. Nemesis was great, to be sure.

This issue was obviously a transition – geared towards character development. And I have to say that there was finally some meat in this issue. Without harping on the first three too much, I learned more about each one of the Lights in this issue than I did the previous three combined – including the first issue, where we had an artful but generally void introduction to the first four.

Anyway – sticking to the positive, I think this issue was a big step in the right direction.

Schatz: Dammit Craig you don’t understand the–

Whoa, wait, what? I’m sorry, I think I have accidentally ingested internet peyote, I am reading your word right, yeah?

Reade: If you mean “you have something good to say about this issue?” then yes – you got me. In fact, if people haven’t been reading this series yet, I think it’s a great issue to start on. I’ve beat up the first three issues enough – this is the kind of thing I was expecting, so as long as it keeps up like this, I will be happy.

Schatz: Awesome. I’m glad that something in this issue clicked for you – because it would be a shame, in my opinion, to see this book disappear from our list so soon. For my money, while it still has the same bones as an X-book, it seems to be accomplishing the same goals in different ways. Like, even when the teasers were coming out, Marvel wanted people to remember Generation X, which was huge at the time it was released, and maintained quite a bit of staying power over the years. I only got to read just a little bit of that book when it was still shipping (I’ve been told to remedy this), but I get the feeling that this is acting a little more different than even that – which was a bit off center.

Anyway, I enjoy this book. I enjoy the characters, I enjoy the creators… and hey! Next issue, we get a nice one-and-done issue that reunites Kieron Gillen with Jamie McKelvie! Team Phonogram! I’m so very excited.

Reade: Done-in-Ones make me happy. Should be sweet!

Schatz: As you should be. I’ve been hearing a lot of comic creators, in interviews, talking about how the art of the single issue comic is almost lost these days – and how writing one is a fun exercise in economic story telling. They seem to enjoy it, but the industry usually ends up telling them that’s not what it wants, for whatever reason.

Reade: Oh, I’ve been on that bandwagon for years. That’s one of the reasons Jonah Hex was on this list for so long – it’s general “done-in-one” policy. I do think that with Digital Comics being on the rise, we might be ready for a shift in the “print for the trade” philosophy that the industry is currently stuck on.

Schatz: Man, that digital revolution is going to be one sticky wicket. I know they’re already having troubles with some double page spreads, which should cause some extra thought as to how many of those we get anymore. Also, uh… my job relies on print comics! Though, I’ve gone on record many times saying that I’m not really worried – there will always be room for print, so long as you run your business well, and roll with changes (less singles, more trades, really).

Reade: Oh, Local Comic Shops have every reason to be concerned – however, all of the concern in the world will not stop it from happening. The smart LCSs are going to recognize now that they need to change their focus, and find a way to keep people coming back to the store in spite of the availability of digital books.

Truthfully, I think this will be great for the industry. I think part of the problem with the current LCS system is its dependence on those print books, and the collector mentality of comic readers, combined with the stranglehold Diamond has on the industry. LCSs will survive if they maintain the positive atmosphere that they provide now, while at the same time finding other income streams.

And anything that breaks the back of Diamond, allowing more books to become available to a wider audience… well, I favor that.

Schatz: That’s exactly why I’m not worried. Things have already changed, and we’re rolling with it. You can’t stop change from happening – so don’t. The entire comics industry was down approximately 5.6% last year (in print) and my store was up – and this January and February were our best in years. BECAUSE I’M AWESOME.

But that’s neither here nor there. My biggest hope, is that the big comic book publishers have a back-up plan for when Diamond goes down. We’ve looked into alternatives, but none exist right now, for distribution to Canada. That’s the only scary thing for me.

Reade: I think that’s part of the precarious situation the industry is in now. You know Marvel and DC see the writing on the wall, and have already made plans to cope with it. But if either one of them implemented those plans – Diamond would be destroyed. It seems to me that they won’t do a thing until they absolutely have to.

Schatz: They won’t make a move until cutting Diamond loose seems like a feasible plan. Right now, the direct market is still Marvel and DC’s primary source of comic book income. Now, what will probably happen someday – in which case, comics and trades will be distributed in another fashion. And I would love for that to happen, if only because Diamond is doing the industry no favours. It’s pretty much actively hurting it.

—

Weird Worlds #2 (of 6), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/02/11 ON TIME
Written by Kevin Vanhook, Aaron Lopresti, and Kevin Maguire; Art by Jerry Ordway, Aaron Lopresti, Matt Ryan, Kevin Maguire, Jared K. Fletcher, Dave McCaig, and Rosemary Cheetham.

We rejoin Lobo as he is trying to take down his target, S’Glayne, so he can return him to the sleepy planet of Xanaxx. But the shape-shifter claims to be something of a freedom fighter – an excuse that doesn’t get any traction with the Main Man, who teaches him that monologuing exposition doesn’t pay.

We next rejoin Garbage Man, who exploring the limits of his new powers. Only he’s attracted some Dark Knight attention. Garbage Man makes his way to Dr. Clive to demand that he change him back to his human form, only Clive’s guards follow orders too well.

Finally, Tanga stumbles on an interplanetary traffic jam, and is overjoyed at the prospect of finally having someone to talk to. She finds a bar and orders herself a Bruk, and has a conversation with Eeeeelehrgahognatvispertillia Bent – before accidentally blowing up the bar.

Schatz: You know, around the internet, and a little bit in the store, I always heard people complaining about Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’ run on Hulk. But as we’ve discussed before, complaints and/or perceived quality don’t usually correspond with sales. If that were the case, books like (and I’m just looking over the racks right now) Morning Glories and Scalped and the new Power Man and Iron Fist would be rocking the charts. But I digress.

Hulk sold – both in terms of overall industry units, and in the store. It sold because it delivered what a lot of Hulk fans wanted from the Hulk. Big action, where big things and people are punched. And it delivered without fail.

Now, I’m not a big fan of Lobo. I’ve been of the opinion that he’s one of those characters who do those things. Or: a less funny Space Deadpool (despite the fact that Deadpool has been in space inside one of his books for quite some time now). And if there’s two things I just don’t dig without another hook, it’s space stories, and stories about mercenaries who cannot die. That said, the Lobo story is delivering on every single point it needs to. It’s a fun space story, and Lobo is doing Lobo things. The story is well told, well crafted, and so far, has been segmented nicely, to fit inside the serialized format. Basically, it’s not a 60 page story that just stops every 10 pages or so. It’s good: but it’s not for me. But hey, this is an anthology, and there’s a lot more in this book that just the decent Lobo stuff.

The Garbage Man stuff intrigues me. It’s definitely more of a straight laced, new super-person origin (I’m thinking hero, but really, we don’t know) and it’s got a bit of silver age mixed in. The whole science experiment gone wrong angle… while it’s still around today, was a big part of stories back then, because it played off of a lot of fears at the time. Like, nuclear bombs, radiation, all that jazz. Anymore, if you’re getting an origin, more often than not, you’ll see maybe a bit of science, but from more of a terrorism angle. It’s just the times! Anyway, this origin, combined with Lopresti’s penchant for having the characters really talk instead of just showing really feels a bit older to me. The only thing it’s really missing to give it that last bit of jazz is exclamation points! At the end of sentences! Like Archie Comics still do! That said… there’s just enough modern storytelling in the story, that the exclamation marks wouldn’t quite work – so really, in the end, it’s just an interesting brew of the two flavours. And it’s good.

And then there’s Tanga. Oh man, Tanga. This story? Is my jam. It’s funny, it’s strange, it pulls up some more traditional sci-fi/superhero comic book tropes, and then twists them quite nicely. And Kevin Maguire really knows how to work his pages. The joke of having the big guy walking in wouldn’t have worked as well if he hadn’t set up the, uh… “confrontation” with that big, impressive splash. Plus, man, not only does the guy have a grasp of expression, but the aliens! They all looked great. Fantastic, strange, and hilarious. The best in this book, in my opinion.

Reade: I have to admit that I am more than a little shocked by how much you have to say on this one!

I absolutely have to agree. As an anthology, this is hitting all the right notes. You are particularly spot on with your observation that it isn’t just a few 60 page stories that occasionally stop. I am shocked at how well each of these are hitting the serial storytelling marks, particularly the Lobo and Tanga stories. Each part has a point, a purpose, a beginning, middle, and end – and they have been distinct enough that you could even enjoy one part without having to have read the previous installment (though that does help). Garbage Man had a good outing – far better than what we saw last month, but I’m still not sold on it long term. Taking by itself though, this part was solid. The Lobo story was fun and, as you said, hit all of the notes it was supposed to. And Tanga… I’m still not sure where they are going with her, but it’s fantastic.

You know what does suck about this? The cover. HORRIBLE! Not only do the characters look bad, there is absolutely nothing that makes you want to buy this book. They really should take a cue from some old sci-fi pulp anthologies and put a little more effort into those covers. The only thing (outside the boobs) that would make someone want to buy that book is Lobo – and the art is so distorted that you wouldn’t know it was supposed to be Lobo at a glance.

Schatz: What can I say? My life is pretty much consumed by comics, and so most of my being is geared towards just talking about them. Practice, practice, practice.

This book was part of a mysterious trend at my store, where the second issue outstrips the sales of the first. It doesn’t happen with all books, but it seems to happen with the smaller books. If I had to guess why, I’d say it’s because there are a lot of shops in this city, and while every shop tries to breed loyalty, some folks just don’t like the idea of having a set list. Which is fine. But what I suspect is happening, is like most stores, these shops are dropping their sales on issue two, before the first issue even hits – and when there’s interest, they don’t correct this – and so, our sales go up, quite noticeably, for two issues, before settling somewhere in between. Anyway, this all came up in my brain, because you were talking about the second cover, and I got to thinking about cover treatments in general, and how more interesting ones lead to sales. (And sales got me off track).

Which brings me to my actual point: how great would this book look if they tossed a few coins in Chip Kidd’s direction and had him pulp the shit out of some space covers.

Reade: That’s exactly what I am talking about. The inside of this book is strong. Is it so hard to come up with a cover that reflects the content on the inside? Is quality cover work really a dead art in the comic industry today?

Schatz: There seems to be a bit of an aversion to the atypical, when it comes to cover design. I mean, a while back, Marvel experimented with changing the cover design of Invincible Iron Man, and you could see that book from across the room, in a sea of others. It was striking, fit the contents, and sold so well, because it succeeded in being something eye-catching and different.

But, they went back to doing what they always do. Because of brand recognition maybe? Whatever. Fact of the matter is, the best covers can tell you what the book is from across the room – or at the very least, can catch your eye from there. It really does translate into sales, if you give people a bit of a nudge when they pick the issue up from the stands.

—

Batgirl #18, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 02/09/11 ON TIME
Written by Brian Q. Miller, Pencils by Dustin Nguyen, Color by Guy Major, Ink by Derek Fridolfs

It’s Valentine’s Day! Which means all of a girl’s attention turns to the love of a Witchboy’s cat companion that is terrorizing the city, looking for his mate. To stop this, a cat needs to be picked from a tree, and Cass needs to not die. Things work out. OR DO THEY?

Reade: This series is quickly making me a fan of Miller. He just “gets” these characters. There are few people that can tell a good Klarion story that make you not only appreciate the character, but enjoy him as well. I was nervous about this team-up, but my fears were totally unfounded. This was a great issue.

Schatz: Like a lot of characters and ideas that Grant Morrison has left his stamp on, people have a hard time really hitting the right notes, to make them work. Because seriously, there are a lot of talented guys out there, but you absolutely can’t tackle a lot of Grant’s concepts from the traditional angles. Here, Miller is coming at it all sideways. Basically, instead of creating a more traditional superhero story and dropping Klarion in, he goes the route of a super powered Odd Couple, in which the pair gets to play off each other, rather than hitting tonal loggerheads. It’s pretty much all about taking the characters, finding the chemistry between them, and letting them go – and not only did Miller do this, but he made it happen without feeling the need to strike up a romance. Because ew.

Reade: Yeah, Morrison didn’t really get Klarion either… kind of spoiled him for a new generation of readers. But then, that Seven Soldiers mess is better left unspoken.

Yeah, a romance would have been horrible. But this was pretty well classic Klarion – as annoying as he is, he has a strange ability to get people to go along with him. This was a great Klarion story – the typical stranger in a strange land – extremely powerful with a child-like temperament, sucking Stephanie in for the ride as you watch his skate on the edge of blowing up and crossing a dangerous line at any moment. Fantastic stuff.

Schatz: Klarion wasn’t really ruined for me – but I would say it’s because I had never heard of him before. And man, Seven Soldiers is just one of those books. People either really love it, or really hate it. I applaud what Morrison attempted (and I say attempted, because some people say he accomplished his goals, and others, not so much) – because those minis, you could read just on their own. But when you read them together – and this is made more apparent in the collections, where they are collected as they came out chronologically, bits of the separate stories end up affecting the others in strange and wonderful ways.

But I’m getting a little off topic. Where has Klarion appeared before, Craigers J.? You’ve intrigued me.

Reade: I wouldn’t say that Grant Morrison ruined Klarion… and Seven Soldiers started off decent enough. Trouble is – Morrison’s lost the ability to close a story, and we saw that in Seven Soldiers. The early minis were strong, but as the story progressed… not so much. His Klarion was basically good, but it missed a little of the spirit, I think.

As much as I loathe to recommend a Peter David book, Young Justice: Sins of Youth from 2000 is a decent Klarion story. He’s also got a few appearances in Demon Volume 3 (his origin is in Demon Volume 1).

Schatz: These are things I’ll try and check out for the next list. And hey, remember way back when, when I said I would read Secret Wars and get back to you? I should probably do that too.

Hrm.

Reade: I’m tempted to hold my breath, but I think I’ll just smile and nod.

—

Heroes for Hire #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/09/11 ON TIME
Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Pencils by Brad Walker, Color by Jay David Ramos and Guru eFX, Ink by Andrew Hennessy

Paladin is assigned by Misty to take break up a human sex trafficking ring – with the help of Moon Knight. Paladin’s got a side job first – surveillance on some of the original Heroes for Hire – the details of which he is hiding from Misty Knight. Moon Knight discovers that the slaves are women from the Savage Land – but further investigation reveals that isn’t the only thing in Bedrock imported from that protected area. Paladin continues his surveilance, only Iron Fist spots him – and a fight ensues.

Schatz: SEX FIGHT!

Ah, no wait, different Iron Fist comic. Also: I should not respond to these things when I’m feeling sleepy. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.

Fun fact: I am still enjoying the crap out of this comic. I love the conceit, love the execution, love the mystery… and I really enjoyed watching Paladin attempt to put together the overarching mystery while another one continued to play out. Of course, it will all hitch on the impending reveals, but DnA have earned my faith on about a billion different projects.

Reade: You know, I think some things finally started clicking in this issue. Moon Knight was one of them. I absolutely loved that the “heroes” started responding to that lame-ass “Are you for hire?” line a little more in character. I think someone actually acting like a Hero for a change instead of a mercenary did wonders for the tone of this book.

Schatz: And see, this book was always clicking with me, so I’m not quite sure what you’re getting at. I do like the pace they are taking with this mystery, and I’m very interested to see how all of this will work out after that comes to a head.

Reade: Well, you know what I am getting at – when talking about the pace of the mystery… well, until this issue, the pace was “STOP.”

Obviously, we are going to disagree on some things – and I am pretty firm in my opinion that the first two issues were largely fluff. But then, we’ve had this fight, so it’s probably better to focus on the fact that I did enjoy this issue, not that I wasn’t so hot on the last two!

Schatz: I’m willing to do that. But before we move on, I just want to say, I love how DnA can take characters that I could normally not care about, and make them work for me. Which would be pretty much every person in this series so far, but Iron Fist. I love that guy.

But really, Moon Knight? I can do without that guy. But in the span of the issue’s he’s appeared in (issues 1 and 3, I think), I get the sense of what the guy is like, what his motivations are, and more importantly, I care. And that’s pretty rad.

Reade: Oh, Moon Knight, properly written, is an outstanding character. That last ongoing was absolutely horrible – which did a lot of damage to his character. I’m glad to see him back in a role that makes more sense.

Schatz: Moon Knight didn’t really hit my radar until that Charlie Huston ongoing. But to be fair, that was because he really hasn’t been hanging around since I got into comics. Or at least, in the period where I had money enough to buy more than 4 comics a month. Did you know that comics used to run upwards to $4.75 a pop in Canada, for a $2.99 book? And I think $3.75 for a 2.25 book. Ridiculous.

But that’s neither here nor there. I have two thoughts, coming through to the other side of your comment. The first: we should definitely keep getting this. And two: I pretty much need to see your reaction to Bendis and Maleev’s Moon Knight ongoing, that starts in May… because depending on style of Bendis that comes to play, you’re either going to love it, or hate it.

A discussion for another month, definitely.

—

Birds of Prey #9, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/09/11 ON TIME
Written by Gail Simone, Art by Inaki Miranda, Color by Nei Ruffino

Black Canary has some disturbing visions as a result of Mortis’s touch, and is completely catatonic. Batman tries to get her to safety. The rest of the Birds, meanwhile, are en route to the Calculator as hostages. Batman gets back with Dinah, and Mortis makes a rookie mistake, and Dinah is able to break her hold. Oracle comes to the rescue… but will it be her last?

Schatz: Oh, the ol’ exploding body trick. It’s a classic for a reason.

I’m still really enjoying this series, probably a little more than the original, because this expanded cast? Just works so, so nicely together. I love the part where Mortis attempts to play the “your friends don’t like you” card, and that’s what turns the tide.

Reade: Oh, you knew the second they said she would never come out of it – she would come out of it.

This run has been a great deal of fun so far. It’s often frantic – as it should be, and Simone just clicks with these characters. I really, really wish that we’d get that regular artist already – but I have to admit I liked the Golden Age style we got on those panels with the original Black Canary….

Schatz: I thought Inaki Miranda did a fantastic job with this issue – and I think that if Jesus Saiz can’t quite make a go of a monthly, I’d love to see him drop in every now and then to help out. Clean lines, with just a small touch of kinetic manga-esque expression. Just a touch. I like it.

And yeah, like you said, it looks as though he’s capable of a few styles, which is always a bonus.

Reade: I would be more than happy if Inaki Miranda stuck around on a regular basis, but we aren’t even getting that. The art has been quality – and I suppose I should be happy with that (since I’ve read so many books with regular, poor art), but I think this book deserves a quality regular artist, whoever that may be.

Schatz: It seems odd that regular artistry is harder and harder to come by – but listening to interviews, a lot of times, it seems to come down to a couple of things: nailing yourself to the drawing board. I know I’ve heard both Mark Bagley and Stuart Immonen say that they don’t really draw faster than any other artists… they just sit down, and do the work until it’s done.

In the case of Birds, I know Ed Benes has always been a little slower on his deadlines, but the other bits come from the every regular DC artist shuffle. For a time, Jamal Igle was slated to take over this book, probably right after those two Alvin Lee issues, but he was moved onto other things, and this last arc, I think, is just keeping pace with artists until Siaz takes over. To be fair, I would not want to have to be any kind of comics editor. Those hours are terrible, and a certain amount of your deadline skills rely on the shoulders of other people. No fun.

Reade: This doesn’t really surprise me – on more than one occasion I’ve lamented the fact that nine times out of ten, a book is late because the artist didn’t bother meeting the deadline. With so many hungry artists, I wish the industry would send the ones that refuse to work packing. Come back when you can meet a deadline – there are other people, just as good, who want to work. What’s going to happen? Said artist goes to Image to do their own stuff, and they still can’t come out on time, and the book sells a tenth as much?

If you aren’t cut out for the monthly serial game, don’t do it. This is the only industry where deadlines seem to mean absolutely nothing. Save for government work.

Schatz: A lot of it is put up with because – quite frankly, comics is a horrible career path for an artist. The money just isn’t there, in comparison to what you can make doing storyboards, or character design or whatever. This is generally why deadlines tend to be a bit looser – it’s mostly about passion, rather than eating food.

Reade: Well, despite the fact that it is a bad job to have overall, there are still talented people lining up who want it.

Schatz: Yup, true story: which is what I love about the medium. For all the internet’s bluster about how comic creators and editors are “only in it for the money” and “don’t actually care about comics”, it definitely is all about passion. There really is no other reason the industry still runs – it should be floundering like most print. And yet.

Reade: Well, to be fair, there isn’t a collector or a cultural element to most print media, and there still isn’t a viable online alternative, yet…

Man, we are excellent at going off-topic today.

Schatz: That’s because we don’t ever talk like this anymore, Craigers J., you lovable scamp.

And the digital thing might not really find a good collectible angle. It’s not built into its DNA. Print media has scarcity built into it – once things are gone, they’re gone. Digital will make a great way to keep products available indefinitely, but print objects will always find a home. This is exactly why vinyl has seen a resurgence lately.

Reade: Freeing comics from the collectible angle is what is going to make it grow. I’ve done it myself, but the reason comics don’t gain more popular appeal is because of the reputation the physical comic books have. You can like Spider-Man, but actually read a comic? That’s not even a kid thing anymore, to some it’s a “loser” thing. Part of that reputation comes from the way the current consumers treat the product. Digital changes that – and changes it for the better if you ask me.

Schatz: Well, there’s just a stigma attached to comics. And really, it all comes down to comic shops. No seriously, some fans can be a bit… well, you know, but it’s the presentation and atmosphere of comic book shops that give the product a stigma. And the whole digital comics thing is really going to help do away with the ones that cater too narrowly, leaving the stronger ones behind. Really, it’s just going to strengthen the whole industry, once everything shakes out.

—

Hack/Slash #1, $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 02/9/2011 ON TIME
Written by Tim Seely, Art by Daniel Leister, Color by Mark Englert

The story opens with slashy murder! Which, considering this is a book about such things, is perfectly okay. We then retreat and find out where all of our favourite characters are. Cass and Vlad are out, kicking ass and taking names. Cat Curio has just awoken and is on the search for her killer. And her killer is… well, doing something. We’re not sure what yet. First, we have to get into the crux of the current mystery, which involves a make-out point and acid. There’s a reveal. It’s a little chilling and involves boobs.

Reade: A character guide! What a shocking addition for a brand new #1 at a new publisher!

This was a great first issue. There was a ton of exposition, but Seely made sure you knew who everyone was and what they were doing. Good thing too – I stopped reading this a while ago because of my issues with Devil’s Due, and I had no idea who most of these characters were. But the additions are great – Nancy Drew all grown up after being in a coma, and out for revenge? And alien dog talking about his penis-knowledge? Seely’s really rounded out his cast here, and I like it.

Schatz: I’ve been following the series off and on through the years, recently just picking up trades, until the Image move. I always find this series to be just… so odd, in terms of what I usually collect – because the concept screams cheesecake, and the contents deliver it, and that sort of thing just never appealed to me. I mean… yay boobs and everything, but hording boats of boob art always just seemed a little sad to me.

But the thing is… this is a book that plays off of those tropes. It takes the idea of slasher movies, and creates a world around it, and the fact is, if you created a slasher world, this is probably a pretty accurate depiction of what you’d get. It’s told in a very smart fashion, even when it aims for low humor, and has done some surprising things, over the course of the past several years, resulting in the cast that you’re seeing now.

And for the record? This is one of the very, very few books at our store that has a higher female readership than it does a male readership. Which is equal parts strange and fitting.

Reade: That’s really not a surprise. When you look at all of the other female protagonists in comics – there is always a “male love interest” that she pines for or needs rescued by, some emotional weakness that dents her authority. Gail Simone’s Wonder Woman even had that for crying out loud. Cassie Hack is the exact opposite of that. She’s tough, in charge (firmly in charge) and on a mission – probably one of the best examples of female protagonists in comics today.

Sure, there is a little salaciousness… but you have to have it. As you pointed out, Boobs have always been slasher-bait. That partial nudity is a hallmark of the genre.

Schatz: I always feel weird about it all though. I mean, in my head, it all makes sense, because of all the reasons we’ve said, but there’s still a part of my brain that says, “You’re just making excuses for boobs, and you should feel bad about that.”

Fact is, as well as this book works, it definitely is what it is. And it’s the kind of book that a random girl will pick up at your house, hold up and go, “This? Really? This is what comics are?” And then its explanation time – and no matter how you phrase that argument, you’re going to lose that battle, unless you have something like New York Five close at hand, to help show the variety, instead of attempting to explain with a lack of actual evidence.

These could just be my own personal issues, though.

Reade: Brandon, there is nothing wrong with boobs, per se. Boobs are just fine. As long as that isn’t the only thing representing women in the book. That’s the issue I take sometimes when people get a little up-in-arms over the presentation of women in comics. It’s ok to draw pictures of attractive women. It is even ok for straight men and some women to like looking at pictures of attractive women. The issue arises when the only purpose the woman serves in the book is to be something for a guy to drool over.

Cassie Hack stands head and shoulders above most comic heroines in her competence and self-reliance. There is no one who could make a serious case that she is a victim in this book. I think they’ve earned the right to have fun with a little partial nudity.

As far as explaining it – there is a simple answer to that. Tell her to read it. If she isn’t willing to do that, it’s her failing, not yours. And if you don’t care what she thinks, and are just looking for something more base – well that’s your own stupid fault for leaving a comic book out for her to find

Schatz: I usually reserve fare like this for when I’m moving a person from the weed, to the coke. Which I should probably explain.

I treat my job as a comic shop guy, and my private life as a fan as though I am a drug dealer. You always want to start off with the least offensive thing you have, but you still want to open up the person’s mind to the larger world. An old employee used to try recommending Crisis to people getting into comics, because it was a classic, but if you do that, you’re probably just going to end up giving someone a bad trip. I agree that this comic is good, but the art would probably need a bit of easing, if I were to try and sell this to someone cold. Or, you know, no easing at all, if this is what the person is into, but that doesn’t really fit with my point.

What I’m saying is, the art, such as it is, would bring about a pretty visceral reaction, I think, and I’d probably start someone elsewhere, before bringing them to this. But I like the shape of your idea. This book does work, because Cassie is pretty much never the victim – and when she is, it’s only to make the impending skull crush all the more sweet.

—

Booster Gold #41, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/16/11 ON TIME
Written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, Art by Chris Batista & Rich Perrotta, Color by Hi-Fi

Rip and Booster have it out over his “arrest,” but are interrupted by Doctor Nishtikeit’s attack. There is a battle, and once it is complete, Rip takes Booster to the future to stand trial.

Schatz: If this book feels like it’s building to something – that’s because it is. Giffen and DeMatteis are off the book in two more issues, and Dan Jurgens is taking it back over. Which… man, I hope means this team is shifting over to some kind of JLI type ongoing. Because please, DC? Haven’t we been good? And aren’t we acting cool, even though you just shot the Jamie Blue Beetle in the head too? (I think he’s going to get better, but still. Seriously.) Do this for me.

Oh, and uh… this series is still good. They sort of did a slow build with the little girl Booster saved from the future, and while that makes me worried for her, it also made me a touch misty, when they had their scenes together.

Reade: How typical of DC. You have an awesome thing going, so what do you do? Shake-up the creative teams!

Stupid DC. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I don’t want any kind of JLI ongoing if it means losing what we have on this book. Dan Jurgens is ok – but I lost interest in this book during Jurgens’s run. A creative shift is the worst possible news right now.

—

Magus #2, $3.99, 12 Gauge Comics. Due out 01/12/11 DELAYED – RELEASED 02/09/11
Written by Jon Price, Art by Rebekah Isaacs, Color by Charlie Kirchoff

After a short dream sequence/fantasy, Andrew Johnson tries to grapple with the implications of magic returning to the world. The President fears the world to come, but all the while he doesn’t suspect that his own wife has magical gifts of her own. Meanwhile, Denae, Father Swain, Darius, and Ben go off in search of Lena Cullen, and Denae explains to the boys a little something about the history of magic, and the origin and role of the Guardians, of which Denae is one. Lena is tracked by some agents of the sanitarium she escaped from – but before they can capture her, Darius’s dream begins to come true… to a certain point. Only in reality it doesn’t quite work out as it did in the dream. They still manage to protect Lena, with the help of a reformed Inquisitor named Samuel.

Schatz: I definitely liked this issue a whole lot more than the last. There’s definitely a lot less of the whole… damsel in distress thing that happened in the first one, and a lot more plot. A lot more plot. It made me happy.

Reade: There is an absolute ton going on here. Almost too much – I have no idea what kind of writing experience Jon Price has, but this story could be a little tighter. A small complaint really – I’ll gladly take a little too much stuff with a strong story than a slow, plodding, “deliberately paced” pad-fest. But it’s unique – there is a lot going on here, a lot of pieces in play, and it is a concept that could last for some time. I’m definitely interested in seeing what happens next month.

I’m thinking that this isn’t the last of the damsel in distress stuff – but it might be a little more balanced here on out. Whichever guy is the one they are looking for is going to be a bumbling idiot for a while I think.

Schatz: I believe this is Price’s first published comic book work. Apparently, he and Isaacs met after Isaacs left her Devil’s Due work (because they stopped paying their freelancers properly) and pitched some things out together. And also, started dating. But I don’t really think that’s neither here nor there. They pitched the book, and it got accepted, and here it is. Not bad for a writer’s first gig, I think.

And yeah, I think we’re on the same page as terms of plot? But I got high hopes, just like that song, Tik Tok, by Ke$ha.

Reade: Well, that’s one way to go about it. It is hard enough for an aspiring writer to get a reliable artist to collaborate with them – if you ask me, Jon Price has the right idea!

You are absolutely right. This is incredibly strong, even for a new writer’s first effort. Plot is solid – actually, I think this is a fantastic example of what a deliberate pace is supposed to be. The overall flow of the story is carefully creeping forward, but there is still stuff going on – pieces moving, slowly building… what this book has is what is missing from all of those other so-called “deliberately paced” books I complain about are missing. This isn’t a story that is stretched out – the overall plot is carefully advancing, while the mini-plots are streaming along quickly enough to keep your interest. 12 Gauge definitely has something to be proud of here.

Schatz: What I think a lot of 12 issue story arcs need? Not so much a shortening, but they need to build things like some of the better TV shows build their seasons. Tell your story, but build other ones inside, that pay off and build as you go. John Rogers (a TV writer) did this the best on Blue Beetle – pretty much every issue was a one-and-done, but it built to an amazing finale. I definitely get that feeling here.

Schatz: Not so much in the “mini-stories” kind of way, but just in the general, overall technique.

—

Uncanny X-Force #5, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/16/11 ON TIME
Written by Rick Remender, Pencils by Esao Ribic, Color by Matt Wilson, Ink by John Lucas

We get a brief into to Weapon Infinity through the eyes of Fantomex, and an even briefer look at The World. Wolverine bitches about being in too many books, Deadpool is feeling guilty about Apokolips getting whacked, and wants a group therapy session. After an argument, we learn that Deadpool’s motivations aren’t as mercenary as everyone else thought. Fantomex goes home and has a chitchat with his Mom, but is attacked by Deathlok’s Avengers, who are after The World.

Schatz: This issue is another good use of some Morrison ideas – one that I loved (Fantomex) and one that, uh… I don’t quite think worked, the first time around (The World). I always thought the shape of that idea was nice, but the story arc he wrote in New X-Men didn’t quite latch. Here, I think it does. And man, that’s a pretty awesome hiding place.

Fun fact: this story is actually a sequel, in a way, to Jason Aaron’s Deathlok story in Wolverine Weapon X (which we dumped). Thus far? Interesting.

Reade: Well, the story is a bit interesting, though I really thought the introduction killed the mood of this book. A stumble – one they recovered from, but I was quickly losing interest. I still despise the art on this book (more specifically the color – yes Matt Wilson, IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT), and I think the story tries to be a little smarter than it needs to be sometimes. But – I’m willing to keep reading it.

Until we have to make a choice, anyway…

Schatz: Do’hhhhhhh Craig, always with the specter of doom. Yeah, this month is riddled with some good comics, things might get tough in a little bit when we have to do some cutting, or adding or whatever.

The intro was a little slow, I’ll admit that. Very much a “just in case you don’t know” thing, mixed with the team unpacking some metaphorical baggage from the previous arc. And hey, all of this has the hallmark of the classic, “just when everyone appears to be screwed, Deadpool has a change of heart and returns to save the day with violence” thing, and I want to read that.

The colouring, I can’t get behind you on. The colours appeal to me, and fit this book, and there’s nary a place where I find it distracting me from the more immediate concerns of the book. Normally I’m with you more on the issue of Marvel’s colourists loving a darker palette, but here… I’m not seeing it.

Reade: I don’t know what to say – the parts about this book that aren’t working are the ones where they seem to be trying to be darker and “edgier” than they really need to be. I realize it is totally subjective, but there it is.

On the plus side, It’s nice to be able to enjoy Deadpool again. He’s been pretty seriously mishandled for a while now. Oddly enough, he’s more popular than ever. I’ll never figure it out.

Schatz: I think Marvel has listened a bit to the murmur of Deadpool folk… which is why he’s trickling down to his regular title, and the MAX title (which is just FANTASTICALLY offensive) in terms of books he headlines. But yeah, I have to agree, the way he’s written here is pretty tops.

—

Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #11, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/23/11 ON TIME
Written by Paul Tobin, Art by Matteo Lolli and Terry Pallot, Color by Chris Sotomayor

While in Florida, Spider-Man and his girlfriend Chat stumble across the Lizard! Turns out, Curt Conners was working down south with the help of Chat’s cousin, in order to cure himself. There’s swamp fighting, and it’s grand.

Reade: Swamp fights, chicken armies, red neck posses, and editors pointing speech balloons at the wrong characters! It’s mass hysteria!

Schatz: I didn’t catch that last one anywhere. Normally, that really, really bothers me. This line of books is in a bit of transition between Nate Cosby and Steve Wacker, in terms of editorial, but still. That’s no fun.

Hey, so remember that time I told you that these stories were rad? Paul Tobin has absolutely been killing it on this book – and the companion Superheroes book. And the best thing ever? Last week, Chat appeared in the regular Marvel U Spider-Girl book. And I freaked out, because of how awesome she is here.

Reade: Check the first panel of the very last page of the story, where Chat tells Peter how amazed she was when he summoned all of those animals…

Schatz: Bother. It is right there, isn’t it.

It’s unfortunate when things like that happen – and normally, they pull my concentration out of the comic. That said, despite the small little snafu, this comic really fires on all cylinders. While it didn’t contain it’s over-arcing story (the feud with the Torrinos) it’s always nice to have little break issues. Now, this book doesn’t actually need things like that, because of the way its constructed, but all in all, it was a fun distraction. And man, do I love seeing Aunt May give Pete a hard time about his giiiiiiiiirl friend.

Reade: Oh yeah, plain as day.

I know it was a complete mistake, but something so blatant I kind of have to point out. Remember how we talk about artists lining up to do the work that slow artists won’t do? I’d love to be a Marvel editor… and when I see really blatant things like that, I just cringe.

Anyway, it was a fun issue regardless… though I’m kind of on the side of the fence where it isn’t really “all ages” or “kid friendly” for a parent/guardian to allow a teenage boy to go on vacation with his girlfriend, especially with non-direct parental supervision. That one kind of skirt the line.

And here I am bitching again. That’s the thing about the Marvel Adventures books – they are fun, basic stories. But they can also be generic… which brings out problems much more clearly.

Schatz: Well, here’s the thing about “kids” and “all ages” books – kids don’t really want to read them. Fun fact: prose books about teens are made with the pre-teen market in mind. Books about college people are made with teens in mind. Comics should just be made, not so much with kids or adults in mind – they should just work in general. I mean, obviously, a Vertigo book should remain a Vertigo book, but you get what I mean.

—

LATE AND UNRELEASED ISSUES

Reade: Not unexpectedly, Magus is still late. Issue 2 came out, which is great – but the eventual release of issue #3 is still pending. 12 Gauge posted on their Facebook Page that the issue was going to the printer about a month ago – not sure what that means for an eventual release date.

In other weird news, the solicitation for issue #4 did not have Rebekah Isaacs listed as the artist – but this appears to have been a mistake as well (since confirmed a mistake by Jon Price).

I love Independent books, but this kind of thing seems to be more the rule than the exception. Knowing I will be overly critical about the situation with this title – what’s your take on these bumps?

Schatz: Comics tend to go off to the printer about three-and-a-half weeks in advance, so that they can ship to the printer, to the distributor/publisher, and then to the comic shops. Each place, they got to be processed and sent to the right people. It’s a thing. Anyway, they probably weren’t lying about the printer thing. It looks like it will be at the printer next week – just a month after the last.

And don’t even get me started about Diamond and solicitations. The amount of things we have to change, every week, is stupid.

That said, I’m actually still cool with Magus. While I’d be loathe to get rid of anything else, either, I have to say, I wouldn’t get rid of it for lateness, when it’s shipping a month from its last date.

Reade: Oh no, I’m not prepared to drop it for being late – and since it appears to be a mini, I don’t think it will have time to run afoul of the 2 month late-limit. So I’m good with it.

Schatz: Awesome.

—

THE LIST SO FAR:

Magus #3 (of 5), $3.99, 12 Gauge Comics. Due out 02/16/11 DELAYED – DUE OUT 03/??/11
Heroes for Hire #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/02/11
Weird Worlds #3 (of 6), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/09/11
Batgirl #19, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 03/09/11
Birds of Prey #10, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/09/11
Hack/Slash #2, $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 03/09/2011
Booster Gold #42, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/09/11
Generation Hope #5, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/16/11
Uncanny X-Force #6, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/23/11
Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #12, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/23/11
Magus #4 (of 5), $3.99, 12 Gauge Comics. Due out 03/23/11
Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #5, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/23/11

TRADE BANK – $3.00
Current February Budget: $46.48
Value of uncut February List: $44.60

Reade: Once again, we find ourselves in a particularly sticky situation. With just $1.88 left in the budget for next month, we do not have enough room to add any new titles. We also still haven’t added anything to the Trade Bank, and I’d at least like to add $2-3 this month.

Compounding the problem, at least for me – this month Marvel’s starting the CrossGen reimagining, with both Sigil and Ruse, and I’d like to be able to add at least one, if not both of those titles to the list this month.

So how to you propose we resolve this one?

Schatz: I’m excited about the CrossGen books – but I have to admit, the only CrossGen I read, before their fall, was an issue of Meridian, and all the Abadazad’s that shipped. Anyway, I say we do the tough thing, and get rid of a couple of books to add both of these books to the docket.

If I were to pick the bottom four of this pack – which I like all of, it would be Birds of Prey, Booster Gold, Hack/Slash, and… jeeze… uhhhh… Astonishing Spider-Man and Wolverine.

Bother. That hurt.

Reade: I’m with you on Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine… I’d rather have two consistent monthlies than an inconsistent bi-monthly any day.

DROPPED: Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #5, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/23/11

Reade: This means we can accomplish our objective by dropping one more title. And outside Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine… your bottom four are weird man! If I had to pick 3 among the remaining list, it would be Uncanny X-Force, Heroes for Hire, and Marvel Adventures Spider-Man – the latter only because it is always a title you can walk away from for a while and come back later.

However, if I had to settle for one of your remaining 3 – I’d pick Booster Gold. Painful.

Schatz: I love Uncanny and I definitely think we owe it to ourselves to keep holding onto Heroes until the end. But! I have a proposal for you. How about we knock another one or two off the list and see if we have room for Annihilators. It’s the new DnA cosmic series – this time only four issues, running at $4.99 a pop. Which seems steep, but it’s got DnA’s team of cosmic Avengers and the Rocket Raccoon and Groot feature that was announced last year. That’s two full length books for the price of two – and we’re pretty much guaranteed to both enjoy the series.

And to do this, I’m willing to… buh… willing to drop Uncanny and Heroes, if need be.

Reade: I’ll admit I am excited about that series as well, and quite honestly if we are going to have a DnA book on the list, I would much rather it be that one.

This is how it is shaping up – we need to free up roughly $8.15 on the list to get all three titles – and this is after Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine. So I don’t think there is much choice in the matter – the price for all three is dropping Booster Gold, Uncanny X-Force, and Heroes for Hire. There is no other really acceptable way to work it.

Schatz: I’ll agree to that, as much as it all sort’ve smarts. But the new stuff should be keen.

Reade: OK then – here’s the massive shift!

DROPPED: Heroes for Hire #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/02/11
DROPPED: Booster Gold #42, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/09/11
DROPPED: Uncanny X-Force #6, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/23/11

ADDED: Annihilators #1, $4.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/02/11
ADDED: Sigil #1, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/09/11
ADDED: Ruse #1, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/16/11

DEPOSIT: To the Trade Bank – $2.50

THE MATH

Magus #3 (of 5), $3.99, 12 Gauge Comics. Due out 02/16/11 DELAYED – DUE OUT 03/??/11
Annihilators #1, $4.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/02/11
Weird Worlds #3 (of 6), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/09/11
Sigil #1, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/09/11
Batgirl #19, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 03/09/11
Birds of Prey #10, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/09/11
Hack/Slash #2, $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 03/09/2011
Ruse #1, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/16/11
Generation Hope #5, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/16/11
Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #12, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/23/11
Magus #4 (of 5), $3.99, 12 Gauge Comics. Due out 03/23/11

Trade Bank Value: $5.50

$2.18 (Bank from February) + $40.00 (March Budget) + $4.30 (Magus #3) = $46.48
$46.48 – $2.50 (Trade Bank Deposit) – $38.40 (March Issues) – $2.97 (tax) = $2.61 Banked for March

Reade: Well now, that ought to freshen things up a bit.

Schatz: And man, looking at that list, it’s going to be hard to come up with a cutting plan for next month. Gosh dang.

Reade: Well, the only thing in our favor is that I expect by that time, we will know for sure that Magus #5 will not be out at all in April, giving us one hole. Otherwise, you are right. Unless CrossMarvel sucks, we are going to have a strong month.

Schatz: With Mark Waid writing up some Ruse without Alessi throwing the weird CrossGen bible at him, that should be good. And Mike Carey is usually impressive when left to his own creative devices. I’m really excited.

Reade: As am I. I never actually thought this would happen – and here it is. Next Marvel is going to launch an Abnett & Lanning/ChrisCross Slingers ongoing on me. I might die.

Schatz: DO NOT FREAK ME OUT, CRAIG. I would straight up murder some folks for that book to happen.

Reade: You know what is sad? That book is 12 years old. There are comic readers now who were not alive when Slingers came out.

I guess that goes to show that I am serious about my love of those characters – but it also means I am old.

Schatz: If it helps, a lot of people who were around don’t remember that book either.

Tear.

Reade: Man, way to end the column on a downer.

Schatz: Craig, no one cares about the status of your penis.

Support cxPulp.com and order Koni Waves: The Perfect Wave on Amazon.com!

FEBRUARY 2011
by Craig Reade and B. Schatz

Craig Reade: January has come and gone – it’s time for another $40 Pull List!

Brandon Schatz: And as always, it’s sex crimes ahoy! As always, I am Brandon Schatz, and my cohort here is the incomparable Craigerton J. Reade, scourge of the seven Steves and creator of this list. Who is ready for some football?

Reade: Steve Richards of New Jersey, you are next!

FEBRUARY ISSUES

Cashing in the Trade Bank:
The Sixth Gun: Volume 1, $19.99, Oni Press. Due out 01/12/11 RELEASED 01/25/11
Collects The Sixth Gun #1-6
Written by Cullen Bunn, Art by Brian Hurt

Support cxPulp and buy The Sixth Gun: Volume 1 on Amazon.com!

Drake Sinclair visits the Gallows Tree, and asks the spirits imprisoned there where to find “The General’s Fortune.” But he isn’t the first to arrive. The Pinkerton National Detective Agency get there first (hired by the mysterious Widow Hume), and manage to kill the Gun’s owner – but can’t retrieve it before it imprints itself on his daughter, making her the only one who could touch it. Since they needed the gun’s owner alive anyway, they take the girl with them.

Meanwhile, the Widow Hume has dispatched a group of invincible killers to retrieve the body of the General himself – Oliander Bedfor Hume, the undead former owner of The Sixth Gun – and he wants it back. Before the General can come for the gun, Drake Sinclair and Billjohn O’Henry rescue the preacher’s daughter (Becky Montcrief), and the three together face off against the General and the owners of the five remaining guns and search for the Generals Treasure.

Schatz: Supernatural western! Man, only in comics. I mean, movies try these things occasionally, but the budget on this would’ve been insane. And I loved every bit of this book. From the art, to the pacing, to the characters and their characterizations… and the final fight… everything went really, really well.

Reade: The two genres sure seem to mesh well in comics, no doubt about it. And I enjoyed the absolute hell out of this book. Made me go out and pick up the last two issues to boot, which can only mean the book was a success.

This is a fantastic story. You hear me complain about pacing all the time – you simply can’t do that here, it’s perfectly done. The story progresses along at an ideal pace, not to fast, and definitely not too slow. There is just enough mystery to keep you interested, but not so much that it seems contrived. And Bunn has created a group of people here who shouldn’t get along – as opposed to an ideal team of people who end up together and all become best buds in the end.

Something else I liked? The fact that there was absolutely zero sexual tension between Drake and Becky. None. It’s almost universal in stories like this – you have the damsel in distress and the hero, and the two get together one way or another. Here, he broke the formula. The damsel isn’t really in distress after all (not as much as expected), and the hero isn’t really all that heroic. And there wasn’t even a hint of attraction – the two just didn’t like each other. And not in that “I hate you, and I want to show it by slapping you around while we fornicate” dislike – they just flat out weren’t compatible. I pray that as the series continues, this doesn’t change. It was refreshing.

Schatz: Right? Man, this is what I was talking about last month when I said I wanted to see you lose your shit about a comic. Running out and buying further issues is exactly that.

And yeah, it’s pretty much an amazing book. Cullen Bunn recently said that he finished plotting the book to its conclusion (though did no specify when that ending would be) – which is good to know. It sucks that it has to end, but it’s great that it has an ending. And it ships monthly, like clockwork.

Reade: Well, when something is as well crafted as this, I will “lose my shit” over it. I appreciate skill!

And I am extremely happy there is an ending planned. I found myself wondering how this book could possibly be an ongoing as I was reading it… and part way through the second arc, I am still wondering how the rest will live up to the opening six issues.

Still, nothing says a futuristic sci-fi sequel couldn’t happen, considering the premise…

Schatz: True, though it would seem a shame for them to return to the well so quickly. After this is done, I’d love to see them return to The Damn – the Oni series they did shortly before this, in the black and white. It was supposed to be a series of mini series but… you know, a person’s gotta’ eat…

Hopefully the attention this book is getting might allow them a bit more leeway in continuing that.

And I must say, when you put the quotation marks around the “lose my shit” remark, I kept picturing a teacher, from a sitcom, looking over his glasses, exasperated at the charming turn of phrase his young pupil has brought forth. Like Mr. Feeney in Boy Meets World.

Reade: And that was exactly the image it was supposed to invoke, so huzzah!

Normally (well, the first couple times) we’ve picked a book that was due out in the future… but with a trade, do we really need to do that? What if we pick something that is already out, and just pick it up as soon as the Trade Bank is big enough? I kind of had my eye on Koni Waves: The Perfect Wave. It’s got a former cop/stripper PI, Tiki Monsters and vampires that surf, zombies and aliens. Really, what more could you want?

Schatz: Sounds awesome!

ADDED: Koni Waves: The Perfect Wave, $19.95, Arcana Studio

Reade: And we might as well start the bank off with a $3.00 deposit.

—

Generation Hope #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/05/11 ON TIME
Written by Kieron Gillen, Art by Salvador Espin and Scott Koblish, Color by Jim Charalampidis

The final fight for the future is on! Hope is awakened by the Phoenix Force (?) and attempts to bring down the monster she sorta’, kinda’ had a hand in making, and she lays down some crazy mind-mojo fighting style to bring the events in Tokyo to a close.

Reade: Yeah, that Phoenix Force thing was a little weird, but I kind of got the feeling it didn’t mean anything.

I’ve said it for the past two months – this arc was padded. The three issues put together would have made a nice extra-size issue. If you took the few character introduction pages and stuck them on the beginning of this issue, it wold have been a complete story, and a perfectly paced one at that. I know this doesn’t matter to you, but on a budget, value really matters. Taken as a whole, the first arc was good. But from a frugality standpoint, we just paid ten bucks for four dollars worth of content.

I can’t argue that there isn’t quality here – because there is. And I’m even willing to give this one another arc and see what happens. But while I will agree with you that you should defend the things you love about comics, you have a responsibility not to support the things you despise. And overpadded books just to milk the comic reader is one of those things to me.

Schatz: Well, I still stand by my supposition that this story was not padded, and that I was given value for my dollar. Gillen attempted the whole “the story starts NOW” tactic in SWORD and he got shat on for that by readers right before he ended up getting canceled by issue 5. Things are clearly working out a bit better here.

Reade: I can suppose the sky isn’t blue, but that doesn’t mean it’s actually red. This book’s padded, no other way around it.

As far as your comparison to SWORD goes – this is an entirely different animal. For one, SWORD doesn’t have an X in the title. Second – when you are using the presence of story as a gimmick, you’ve already failed.

“He already tried telling a story correctly, and look where that got him?” Man, who’d have ever thought that the necessity of a properly paced story would be actually debatable.

Schatz: You are absolutely the only person I’ve heard complaining about any perceived padding in Generation Hope – which I will now point out, does not have an X in the title. Both SWORD, staring Beast and Agent Brand, spinning off from Astonishing X-Men, and collected as X-Men: Sword, has about the same amount of X-connection. If you’re going to use semantics to argue, attempt to get the right, please.

I may be getting a bit cranky right about now, but now you’re just straight up using false information against me and pre-supposing my personal opinions on storytelling. That book rocked my balls off, but featured a different storytelling technique to pull it off. It was not taken well by readers, and was canceled.

Reade: Technically, you are absolutely correct. It may not techincally have an X in the title, but it sure has the sylized X logo in the word “Hope.” S.W.O.R.D. featured no such logo. So no, it isn’t at all false to suggest that this title had a solid, obvious, and graphic connection to the X-Men franchise, when S.W.O.R.D. did not. Putting yourself in the shoes of a buyer, which cover would you look at think has an X-Men connection? Marvel’s too good at marketing not to make that connection on the cover of Generation Hope.

And we are also coming out of a time when most comic readers thought that padding was a good thing. Remember the marketing term they used to describe that – “Deliberately Paced?” You can call it “a different storytelling style” or “deliberately paced,” but like calling “Spending” an “Investment,” it is just a fancy way of saying “padding” to make it seem like an ok thing.

Marvel has a documented history of padding stories to fill a trade. I know you like the book, and I agree with you that it is decent – but that doesn’t make me wrong to point out that Marvel quite obviously continued their long standing practice of reducing story content to get as little story per issue as will sell. The job of an editor is to address pacing problems, to cut the fat and make the pacing flow properly for the reader. The editor in me screams at what was allowed here, particularly in the first two issues. But since Marvel as a company makes padding a policy to get you to pay more for a single story, obviously the editors in this case aren’t as concerned with pacing as they are length.

As far as me being the only person you’ve heard make that criticism – well, that isn’t much a surprise. Most comic readers don’t look at that stuff. The majority made All Star Batman a consistent #1 seller. It doesn’t make them right, or mean it was good. When you can cut out an entire issue and a half from a three issue arc and get the exact same story (only better), then there is padding. That’s what it is.

Schatz: Right, right, shame on me for describing different ways of telling a story as a different story telling technique. Clearly that’s some trickery I’m using on you to explain why I enjoyed reading a book.

And I have to say, I know you love bringing up All Star Batman and Robin as your exhibit A on the tastes of the comic book populous, but god damn that comic is funny. I know you stopped buying that book quite early on, and I don’t really blame you: as a book marketed as Frank Miller and Jim Lee’s Batman, it did not match a certain expected story type. But when I got my job at the comic store during the books run, and as I read it to keep up with the “big releases”, it quickly became apparent that Frank Miller is absolutely having a laugh. It’s absolutely no coincidence that three or four issues after the God-damn Batman line, he had Batman utter this gem of a line:

“I’ve taken enough grief about calling my goddamn car the goddamn Batmobile. I’m the goddamn Batman and I can call my goddamn car whatever the hell I want to.”

Now that’s just funny. And he knows it. Hell, he turned down the All Star job, until DC backed up the brinks truck. And then he said “okay” only to see just what he could put into a comic, and still get paid a shit ton of money. I get so much glee out of that book. It’s just a matter of perception, you see?

Reade: It isn’t that there isn’t different ways of telling a story. But having nothing happen at all – no character development, no plot advancement – no even witty dialogue isn’t a “way to tell a story.” It is padding.

And I frequently read pieces of All Star Batman – but your analysis proves my point. People weren’t buying that book because it was funny, or because it was slightly satirical. They bought it because they took it seriously – because they actually thought that bad-ass Batman was cool. They actually took what he wrote in that book seriously. In other words – the masses are never a valid measure of what is correct – they are only a gauge of what is popular.

I frequently invoke that book because it is a relevant example – my point is, “you are the only one who says that” or “most people don’t think that” carries exactly zero weight in a discussion. I don’t care if no one else noticed that there were 40 pages of fluff in the first three issues of this book or not. It doesn’t change the fact that it was there.

And just because the damned book is padded all to hell doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. It just means there was a lot that could be cut, but Marvel didn’t because they knew people would buy it, and it gave them more bang for their buck. Hell, even I said I enjoyed the book as a whole – just because I make an observation about an issue that is negative doesn’t mean that no one is allowed to enjoy the book. And enjoying the book doesn’t mean you have to put on blinders about the problems it has.

Schatz: Again, I personally would beg to differ as to your stance on their being no character development, or plot progression – but whenever I say this, you tell me that I’m wrong, and site other books as to reasons why everyone is wrong and you are not. My argument is that you perceive this book as having padding, whereas I do not. You’re ascribing right and wrong to opinions, which baffles me. Either every opinion is valid, or none of them are.

Reade: You are the one being defensive about it – I will point out that you are the one who first said I was wrong for suggesting that there was padding. Just saying!

And yes – opinions can be very subjective, as can observations. Yes, I think I am absolutely good at editing, and spotting things that need to be edited. Because it is what I do, part of my job is to notice these things. I absolutely could be wrong, but professionally? This arc was padded all to hell. You are free to disagree with it if you like, but that isn’t going to change my observation of it.

Schatz: Which is our very long winded way of saying we agree to disagree.

—

Heroes for Hire #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/05/11 DELAYED: RELEASED 01/12/11
Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Pencils by Brad Walker, Color by Jay David Ramos, Ink by Andrew Hennessy

Misty engages Silver Sable to bring down Derin Vitali, a gun runner she believes is responsible for a supplying the weapons from several shootings. Despite Misty’s insistence that she has everything under control, Paladin brings his suspicions to Satana, who finds that the weapons involved in the shootings are cursed. Misty learns of the nature of the weapons too late to warn Silver Sable, who has already picked up one of the gang weapons and can’t drop it. Vitali, his men, and Sable are teleported to Miami, where we learn that Baron Brimstone is behind the weapons. Sable makes a run for it, when the cavalry arrives in the form of Johnny Blaze, the Ghost Rider.

Schatz: Ah, what a creative set up. I know you’re probably still on your “it’s just like Birds of Prey” kick, but I really enjoy how this book is set up. It can accommodate pretty much any sort of cast it wants – and the uber-mystery happening behind the scenes of the opening case is pretty rad. I’m excited to see where this goes.

And also, can I just say? Kudos to Marvel for offering the contents of the entire first issue for free in the back of next month’s issue of Avengers. That really shows how much faith you have in the book, and it’s a great way to bring some fresh eyes to the project. It also helps that you have a second print of this second issue coming out on the same day. Fantastic marketing work.

Reade: Yeah, I kind of am on that kick, but now I’m on the “If I read ‘Hero, are you for hire tonight?’” one more time, I’m liable to stab my eyes out.

The thing is, it’s like Birds of Prey, but it isn’t. Several little things are bugging me. Considering a lot of this appears to be in Misty’s head, Is any of this even real? Why are all of these people just walking around with headsets on? And if they have already agreed to participate in the “program” why does it always seem like such a fight to get them on board?

As much as I rip on the whole Birds of Prey rip-off thing, they should have just embraced it. Nova’s still awesome, despite the fact he is a huge rip-off. I think the little additions to try and show it isn’t the same is actually hurting this book.

I’m not totally put off by the title, but I am eagerly awaiting things to smooth out.

Schatz: I’m under the supposition that everyone gets those manila envelopes that Falcon got, before being hired. Like your thing with the “Hero, are you for hire?” line, I really only need to see that happen once. I see the “Are you for hire” line to necessitate the connection as to the how, why and when they got hooked into this network. As for the current mystery, I’m willing to wait and see it play out for making any judgments on how its being handled. We’re missing a few crucial pieces of information that we really can’t form an opinion on without, I think.

Reade: Which may be true – but that then becomes a fundamental flaw in this title.

This is a serial comic, something that expects its readers to put down money month after month to buy. You simply can’t leave fundamental pieces of information out, only to be discovered several issues down the line. Not only is that bad storytelling, it is the mark of a poorly crafted serialization. Maybe it’s a novel idea these days, but what is wrong with making your readers understand what the hell is going on at the beginning, and then craft a good story to keep them interested? Stringing out a needless mystery just to get hapless readers to buy an entire arc before deciding if they like a book may be good marketing, but it is poor storytelling.

Schatz: Or the sign of any mystery, really.

Reade: I am not sure making a fundamental building block of a comic’s structure a mystery is a very good idea, especially when they haven’t done a single thing to explore that mystery in the first two issues.

Schatz: Not much headway was made in this issue, in that regard, sure – but I think that was a necessity. The op needed to play out without trouble, as Paladin made his play towards discovering what the shit was going on.

—

Weird Worlds #1 (of 6), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 01/05/11 ON TIME
Written by Kevin Vanhook, Aaron Lopresti, and Kevin Maguire; Art by Jerry Ordway, Aaron Lopresti, Kevin Maguire, Jared K. Fletcher, Dave McCaig, and Rosemary Cheetham.

In our first story, Lobo’s brains are blown out in a bar in the Antares system by another tracker who wanted to steal a job he was on. At least, that is the story he tells. We see the truth of the accidental shooting as he tells his tale – all the while, Lobo is quietly healing up, to the point where he finishes the fight himself, and confronts the “mark” he was sent to track.

The second story features the origin of a character named Garbage Man , which is remarkably similar to Captain America’s. Except that, or course, instead of the charismatic Super Soldier, we get a man who can reconstitute his body from any of the junk around him.

The final story introduces us to a character named Tanga, who is lost in space trying desperately to find someone to talk to. After searching 215 planets for signs of life, she finally finds a spaceship that promptly attacks her.

Schatz: Well, this was an interesting little book. It continues DC’s new policy – of allowing a lot of their artists to handle the writing of their books, which often garners some mixed results. Here, there are a lot of different ideas and talents on display, and while the actual stories and dialogue definitely have that silver age kind of self-narration thing going on (which has fallen out of favour in current storytelling), I really enjoyed the art I was seeing in this book. Especially Kevin Maguire – who, if his Tanga story was any indication – really wants to push out against just being that guy who draws faces super well. It was nice seeing a lot of his art getting a bit more space to breathe.

Reade: Artists telling stories scare me. Almost none of them are Kibuishis – writing really is a completely different skill than drawing.

But this book had a lot going for it. I dug the silver-ageish narration and concise character stories. I wasn’t overly fond of Garbage Man, but I found I liked Tanga far more than I expected. If every issue of this anthology is at least this good, I think it will be a success.

Schatz: Yeah, it’s definitely a weird book to take a chance on – an anthology with… well, with established creators, but in different roles (plus, the more traditional Lobo story). Glad we did, though.

Reade: Hey, I’m always willing to give a mainstream anthology book a shot. The short comic story is such a lost art in this age of over-padding and writing for the trade… with so few writers who can properly write serial fiction, there seem to be even fewer who can tell a short story. I was all over the last attempt at Marvel Comics Presents, and was sadly disappointed. Based on this issue alone I am extremely happy with this attempt – all three stories were exactly what this format needs.

The second they try to break up a regular story arc into a 12-part series will herald the end of this book though. Hopefully that doesn’t happen for some time.

Schatz: It won’t – if only for the sake of this being a six issue mini constructed for these three stories – but your point is well taken. I’m pretty sure that’s the reason why that last iteration of Marvel Comics Presents fell apart.

Reade: Since I am the one that put (of 6) in the header, you would think I would know this is just a 6 issue series, but then that would be too easy!

Schatz: Man, there are a lot of comics out there. Things slip, no worries.

Reade: Anyway, this book helps fill the fun quota, so I am satisfied.

—

Batgirl #17, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 01/12/11 ON TIME
Written by Brian Q. Miller, Pencils by Pere Pérez, Color by Guy Major

When she’s given a specific job from Bruce to complete, Stephanie runs into Damien, who has deduced the trouble using his own means. As the story progresses, Steph attempts to teach Damien how to be a kid, and there is a bouncy castle.

Reade: This is the first time in the history of the character that I found Damien Wayne to be at all interesting. Kudos, Miller… kudos.

Schatz: Damian’s characterization only seems to hit in certain places – and he’s done a lot of character growth in Batman and Robin. But yeah, this issue was something fantastic, and I loved the CRAP out of it. Too many comics forget to have a little fun.

Reade: And after my complaining last month, I think our protagonist was characterized correctly this time around. THIS is Stephanie Brown, exactly how I expect and want her to be.

Regarding Damien – there has certainly been some development on that front in Batman & Robin, but I’m really down on the Batman books these days, mostly because I think they’ve fallen back in the habit of being too dark and dreary just because it’s Batman. This field trip scenario would have never happened in Batman & Robin, and that is one of the problems with that book. Damien has never been portrayed anything like this, but it fits perfectly with his character and showed he could be more than a dumb gimmick character. This issue was even more fun than the Supergirl team-up, and that is saying a lot.

Schatz: I’ll agree to your point that this story wouldn’t happen in Batman and Robin, but I find your supposition that Damien never being portrayed like this a bit confusing. Partly because I’m not sure what you’re referring to specifically. If you’re talking, “in a moon bounce” then no. But if you’re talking the whole semi-sad douche-mask used as a crutch to prop up a broken childhood, man, has there been some awesome Damien moments.

Reade: Well, I think to explain it all would take more time than we have here. I think it’s enough to say that Miller handled this issue awesomely, and made me like a character I haven’t before. That’s a feat.

—

Booster Gold #40, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 01/12/11 ON TIME
Written by Keith Giffen & JM DeMatteis, Art by Pat Olliffe and Rich Perrotta, Color by Hi-Fi

We start with Booster’s origin being retold by the issue’s Nazi nemesis – which is good because Booster’s past… or, uh… future… is returning to haunt him! And it sucks. He can’t even go to Sundollar to get a coffee without fighting robot people. And in the end, it all leads to quite a surprising ending, setting up the future issues of this book quite nicely.

Reade: Which would wake you up faster? A cup of coffee at Sundollar, or righting a giant robot?

This was a pretty well put together episode. Retelling the origin is fantastic for new readers, and telling it from a villain’s perspective makes it fresh for the rest of us. And a story that isn’t revisiting the JLI once again? Fantastic. This should be a good arc.

Schatz: I agree wholeheartedly. I loved the JLI revisit (because COME ON! It’s the JLI!), but I’m glad we’re onto the next thing, which promises to be rad.

Reade: Absolutely. I like Booster as a character, but the fact that he basically stole his way into being a hero was something that has never been addressed. Why couldn’t they find him? It isn’t like they didn’t have the technology. I am curious as to why Rip’s involved though – I found that kind of odd. Time will tell, I guess.

Schatz: TIME will tell indeed, eh Craig? Eh? Oooohhhh puns. I can’t quit you. Though I would hazard a guess that Rip is involved, because he is time police.

Reade: It sure took him a long, long time to decide to make that bust…

Schatz: Eh. I’m willing to roll with the idea that DeMatteis and Giffen have a pretty damn good explanation – we just gotta wait a touch to find out what’s up.

Reade: No doubt. But a question isn’t a criticism… and it definitely was something worth asking.

—

Birds of Prey #8, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 01/12/11 ON TIME
Written by Gail Simone, Art by Guillem March, Color by Nei Ruffino

Calculator makes a move against Oracle, catching her a little off-guard with his speed. While the rest of the Birds confont his goons, Oracle looks on, with Bruce Wayne at her side. Hawk goes AWOL, and decides to pay a visit to the Penguin, so Batman decides to play back-up, even though the plan requires him to take a dive. Despite the fact that the Birds were supposed to pretend to be in trouble, somehow Canary gets touched by Mortis, who traps her inside her own mind, facing her deepest regrets.

Schatz: Man, this book is kinda’ delightful. I know a bit of this is probably coming in as a bit of a corporate mandated change, via the Batman Incorporated stuff, but Simone has clearly been given the leeway to give those changes her own flavour, and have them occur at her own pace. And man, a lot happens in this issue.

Reade: Simone has a history of dealing with editorial mandates quite well – so that really isn’t a surprise to me.

This was an outstanding issue. I really loved the appreciation some of the characters demonstrated for the site of Canary and Batman fighting together… you would think that as skilled as the two of them are, together they would look a lot more like art in a simple brawl. Huntress’s reaction was outstanding.

Only one minor nit-pick (because I gotta), I’d have loved to see just a little bit about Mortis and her companions in the previously page. I think she needed to be explained a little more upfront – as a new character, you kind of needed to know what to expect as a reader.

Schatz: I thought her powers were explained in the previous issue. I seem to remember seeing them work, which was why I got the “oh shit” feeling when she was turned towards the Birds.

Reade: Briefly mentioned I believe, but on panel, in the middle of the shit going down. Like I said – minor, but then I think recap pages are tragically underused these days. This doesn’t take away from the quality of the issue, which was outstanding to say the least.

So art wise – what is going on with this book? I see Pere Perez is going to do an issue in April, but in the meantime we are going to be treated to constantly shifting art teams…

Schatz: It looks like they’re locking down Jesus Siaz, former Manhunter artist, to follow Pere’s fill-in issue, with the intention that he sticks around in an ongoing capacity.

Reade: That will be a good pull – I loved Manhunter. And heck, maybe we’ll see her pop up again in the future now that he’s on board. Heaven know this book could use a regular artist.

—

Uncanny X-Force #4, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/26/11 ON TIME
Written by Rick Remender, Art by Jerome Opeña, Color by Dean White

Wolverine and Fantomex come to, and stop the ship from getting away with Psylocke, while Deadpool keeps Angel alive using… creative means. The four finally come together and make a push for Apocalypse, who is being guarded by Psylocke, which leads to a tight confrontation about whether or not they should kill the young, would-be mass murderer.

Schatz: Man. That issue. Okay. I’ve never really been a fan of hyper-violence… but then again, I never thought someone would draw a scene where some dude feeds another dude bits of his flesh, and think it was fun. Somehow. What a messed up bit o science that was.

Reade: That was a very Deadpool scene, but I was more struck by the end of this issue. I don’t think I’ve seen a better representation of stunned silence in comics ever before.

Schatz: Right? Opeña is a damn mad scientist and Remender let that scene breathe like it should. Really well done, and just a stunning conclusion to the arc.

Reade: Absolutely. I still hate the color on this book for the record. But that last scene earned another arc. Fantomex just blowing the kid’s head off – while Psylocke was fighting Archangel for trying to kill the kid (when she trained to kill him if he defended Apocalypse)? Everything about that scene was rad.

And while I bashed one aspect of the art, I have to say I was feeling Wolverine in this issue. “Opeña is a damn mad scientist” is an apt description of his work in this issue. This book would have been impressive with raw pencils.

—

Proof: Endangered #2, $3.99. Image Comics. Due Out 01/26/11 ON TIME
Written by Alex Grecian, Art by Riley Rossmo, Color by Frank Zigarelli

Proof and Elivs fight some weird lady and her Mongolian Death Worms in New Tokyo… she was sent by the Yeti Mi-Chen-Po (Gilgamesh) to take out Proof while he kills everyone Proof cares about. Meanwhile, the Lodge continues to be taken over, and someone has eaten all the fairies.

Schatz: I know I really enjoyed the reveal of who was eating the fairies? But that bit did require some previous series knowledge. That guy is such a dick, and that’s really all you need to know.

That said, this series has been on a bit of a faster clip since their return. Hiatus treated them well.

Reade: I think that pretty much sums up my thoughts about the issue. And it’s the same problem I had with the series last time we tried. “Requires previous knowledge.” I have to ask man – did everything worth knowing about this series happen in the first issue?

Kidding aside, I don’t think it was bad. I just don’t find myself caring, mostly because I am not being given a reason to. Everything seems based on things that came before. And it doesn’t help that I am not particularly enjoying the art either. Not saying it’s bad, but you should know me well enough to know by now that it isn’t my taste.

I won’t say this book is bad, but sometimes tastes clash I guess. I see a really awesome concept here, but it isn’t executed in any way that I would really enjoy.

Schatz: Yeah, the art is definitely more in my wheelhouse than yours, I’m sure. I love Riley’s work, though I’m pretty sure it won’t get him hired at Marvel or DC, unless its for a more eclectic book…

And the serialized storytelling thing is a hard thing to pull off sometimes – introducing concepts and characters to new people without boring old readers with each new issue. I love this book, but it doesn’t accomplish that trick well.

Reade: Oh, I realize you can’t reintroduce each character every issue, but it seems like there is nothing for a new reader in this one. The art style makes it that much harder… things aren’t always as clear as they could be, and a newer reader doesn’t really want to take the time to figure out who is who and what they are doing when knowing that doesn’t really tell you much.

But hey – there is nothing wrong with a book that requires you to have read from the beginning. Lucifer was a book like that, and it was very successful. You just can’t expect getting new readers to be very easy, is all.

—

Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #10, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/26/11 ON TIME
Written by Paul Tobin, Pencils by Matteo Lolli, Colors by Chris Sotomayor, Ink by Terry Pallot, “Lynx Pages” by Colleen Coover

Spider-Man meets The Lynx, who wants to hire him to take her from being a model to being a superhero herself. After a debate about how a hero should travel around the city, the duo come across a fire, and spring into action. Spider-Man eventually learns that the only reason The Lynx wants to be a superhero is for the publicity, and that a magazine is publishing their “adventures,” painting Spider-Man as the hapless side-kick in their duo. Spider-Man finally engages the culprit behind the fire, the Scorpion, and Lynx finally has a change of heart over the whole superhero thing.

Schatz: Ah, I love this book. Here, we got a complete story – and while it had some nods to super old Marvel continuity (Chili Storm, anyone?), the story didn’t hinge on prior knowledge of the character. The main story was told in full, with a beginning, middle and end, and the series’ overall plot continued apace. Hot damn, I love this book.

Reade: What, disappointed Spidey didn’t team up with Millie the Model at the end to put old Lynx in her place?

But yes, I do have to say that this was an excellent issue. I am a big fan of the marvel Adventures line – because there are no frills. Just basic, quality stories without any padding, cover price, or overhypled artist issues. Plus this issue had some fun Colleen Coover art, and I am still a fan of her style.

Schatz: She’s the best. I wish that she had the speed of a monthly artist, so that we could see work from her a bit more often. But appearing here and there ain’t so bad.

Reade: Oh, this frequency is just fine. She’s the type that needs to put out more graphic novels … she shouldn’t even try to work a monthly book. Still, I love to see her pop up from time to time.

Pure, unadulterated, superhero fun here, without gimmick, angst, “serious” issues, or ridiculous oversexualized pin-up art. Welcome back to the list, Marvel Adventures.

LATE AND UNRELEASED ISSUES

Reade: Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine looks like it is still set for March 23rd… though if it was going to be late, I don’t think we’d see a change this soon in the game. Sadly, but seomewhat expected, Magus #2 has been pushed back until sometime in February. That’s a chronic problem with Small Press books though.

Schatz: On the positive side, 12 Gauge is usually pretty good at course correction, when it comes to late books – though with all of the issues for their series solicited, that might be a little hard to do. We’ll see…

Reade: We will see what happens. They are chalking the delays up to the normal Diamond and printer issues, but I noticed a post on Facebook from Rebekah Issacs citing weather of all things. Maybe some or all of those are true, but I’ve heard all of those excuses so many times that they have no impact on me anymore… we will see if they start coming out on time in a few months. No amount of speculation is going to change anything. Hopefully they right the ship here.

Schatz: Agreed.

THE CHOPPING BLOCK

The List So Far:

Magus #2, $3.99, 12 Gauge Comics. Due out 01/12/11 DELAYED – DUE OUT 02/??/11
Generation Hope #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/02/11
Weird Worlds #1 (of 6), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/02/11
Batgirl #18, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 02/09/11
Heroes for Hire #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/09/11
Birds of Prey #9, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/09/11
Booster Gold #41, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/16/11
Magus #3, $3.99, 12 Gauge Comics. Due out 02/16/11
Uncanny X-Force #5, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/16/11
Proof: Endangered #2, $3.99. Image Comics. Due Out 02/16/11
Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #11, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/23/11

Future Issues:
Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #5, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/23/11

TRADE BANK – $3.00
Current February Budget: $45.48
Value of uncut February List: $43.83

Reade: Well, it’s time for an uncomfortable decision – leaving Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine out of the equation (since we don’t need to deal with that until next month), we have to drop a title in order to add a new book and make our budget. A shame too – overall, this was a pretty decent month. Since there is no easy way to do this – I figure both of us can pick three, and then we can talk about the ones we have in common. If I had to pick, it would either be Proof, Heroes for Hire, or Magus.

What about you?

Schatz: Gah, Jesus, Craig, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME.

Sigh. Well, pushed to kill one of my babies, I would have to say I would drop either Magus, Weird Worlds and… forced to pick… Proof? Magus, because I’m not attached, Weird Worlds, because while I liked it, nothing dug its hooks too deep, and Proof because… of the rest, it’s probably the one that would linger unread for a bit, you know?

Reade: Well, that pretty well narrows it down to Magus and Proof. Of the two, I would have to pick Proof. I’m just not into it – and this is my second try at it. Beyond that, this list has been sorely lacking in true independent titles for a while, and I’d hate to give up on this one just to make room after just one issue.

Schatz: Drat. Whelp, if it must be, then it must be.

Reade: At least Proof has the distinction of falling off the list twice, and neither time for sucking…

Schatz: Why, you might say that might be Proof of something.

Pa-zow!

Reade: We need a rim-shot sound effect…

DROPPED: Proof: Endangered #2, $3.99. Image Comics. Due Out 02/16/11

NEW TITLES

Reade: That unpleasant business taken care of, we need to add a new book this month. I see that there is a new Hack/Slash ongoing starting up this month… or we could just go with the Hack/Slash/Bomb Queen Valentines Day special? Anything else jumping out at you?

Schatz: While I do love me some Bomb Queen, I’ll have to go with the Hack/Slash ongoing. First, the series has been great, and second, Tim Seeley deserves some money. When Devil’s Due gave him a bit of a raw deal, he took out a PERSONAL LOAN and paid off all of the artists that Devil’s Due were supposed to pay for the series – and that kind of selflessness needs to be supported.

Reade: Makes sense to me. Part of the reason I quit reading it was because I made a conscious decision to stop reading Devil’s Due. This seems like a good chance to give a great series another go.

ADDED: Hack/Slash #1, $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 02/9/2011

THE MATH

Magus #2, $3.99, 12 Gauge Comics. Due out 01/12/11 DELAYED – DUE OUT 02/??/11
Generation Hope #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/02/11
Weird Worlds #2 (of 6), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/02/11
Batgirl #18, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 02/09/11
Heroes for Hire #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/09/11
Birds of Prey #9, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/09/11
Hack/Slash #1, $3.50, Image Comics. Due Out 02/9/2011
Booster Gold #41, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/16/11
Magus #3, $3.99, 12 Gauge Comics. Due out 02/16/11
Uncanny X-Force #5, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/16/11
Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #11, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/23/11

Future Issues:
Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine #5, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/23/11

$1.18 (Bank from January) + $40.00 (February Budget) + $4.30 (Magus #2) = $45.48
$45.48 – $3.00 (Trade Bank Deposit) – $37.40 (February Issues) – $2.90 (tax) = $2.18 Banked for March

Reade: Wrapping things up this month, I did want to take a moment to mention something. Last month we spent a lot of time talking about comic fans being negative about the thing they love. While I think you and I are in agreement that fans should take the time to point out the good parts about the thing they love, I seem to want more constructive criticism of the two of us.

Take a look back at the books we both loved this month, like Booster Gold and Batgirl. The back and forth is sparse. But on the books where there is something we disagree on, like Generation Hope? The discussion is long, passionate, and intense. The thing is – it is so easy to talk about the things you don’t like, but it takes effort to talk about the things you do.

Way back in 2007, part of the original goals of this list was to provide a new way of looking at how we buy comics. $40 is next to nothing for most comic fans – we just add books to our pull every month, and many don’t blink at $100-200 lists. But when we aren’t happy with a book, we keep buying – because the collector in us doesn’t want to break up that run. We love a character – and stick with them, no matter how bad the book gets just to make sure we don’t miss a thing. This list was supposed to change that – with such a limited budget, and requirement that you try a new title every month, you had to drop bad books.

Now you coming aboard has changed that dynamic a little bit, since there are titles we will disagree on (makes for a more interesting column, I think). But while the column’s lost the “I’m not liking this, it is gone” mechanic, it has gained in other ways. Both of us are sampling books we might not otherwise read, and the readers of this column get to see honest evaluations of all sorts of books from a variety of perspectives.

This column has changed the way I buy comics. Dirty little secret? I don’t even buy bags and boards anymore. I buy raw comics, an throw them away. I stuff them in bags, I even roll them up sometimes (not that I need to, it’s just fun to watch people wince), and when I am done I either throw them away, or hand them off to someone I think will like them.I’m a much happier comic reader this way, and I haven’t missed out on a big score on a valuable book. I sold off my entire collection and made a pittance – I spent more money on the books themselves, keeping, storing, and transporting them when I moved than I made back.

Breaking the collector mentality is they key to having comic fans stop buying books when they don’t like what the creative team is doing with a character. I applaud your push to focus on the positive – I just think it is important to recognize the negative when you see it and stop putting your money towards it. That way, it will stop.

And we all need to spend some extra effort pointing out the good things in the comics we love – whether or not we talk about the negatives at all.

Schatz: Agreed. I know I’ve stated that, in general, I like to talk about comics that I like and the things I like about them, rather than dwelling on those that I don’t. The format of this column, however, does not lend itself to that, which is why when I actually don’t care for a book, I’ve let my stance be known. More often than not, when I’m stymied by you here, it’s because I genuinely enjoy the book you seem to hate, and it brings out that other conversation, as to why I absolutely hate it when people do nothing but talk about how terrible comics are. And last month, that really exploded out of me, because it felt like you didn’t enjoy any book on this list. Which sucked. I hate it when people don’t enjoy comics. It’s pretty much the reason why I encourage people to dump books at the store, when they’re not enjoying them. Not all of the customers listen to me, but most do, anymore. And, of course, I’m always right there with something else that I think they would enjoy. It doesn’t do anyone good if people are not enjoying comics – that’s how you lose readers. Simple as that.

Reade: And, thus ends our journey this month. See you in March?

Schatz: Indeed, Crackerton J. Indeed.

Support cxPulp.com and order Koni Waves: The Perfect Wave on Amazon.com!

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!

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.

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

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?"

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!

THE ARCHIVES

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

]]> http://www.stillontheshelf.com/2010/03/02/the-40-pull-list-march-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.stillontheshelf.com/2010/01/31/the-40-pull-list-february-2010/ http://www.stillontheshelf.com/2010/01/31/the-40-pull-list-february-2010/#comments Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:55:12 +0000 Craig Reade http://www.stillontheshelf.com/?p=980
February, 2010
By Craig Reade and Brandon Schatz

Happy February! Hopefully, all of you are looking forward to some VD!

Yes once again, we’re coming at you like a crotch-full of the HIVvy from beautiful downtown Nanuktuk, California. My name is Brandon Schatz, and I am joining the creator of the list, Mr. Craigerton "ST(u)D" Reade for another round of hot! Comics! Action!

*CLAP*

Ug, I feel dirty now.

In any case – welcome. I have to say that the response to last month’s move to this "undead" (as opposed to Live!) format worked out quite well… so I am happy to continue with it.

This month had some ups and downs – I can honestly say that we have seen better months than January 2010. However, things have been going so well for so long – something like this was bound to happen.

Anyway – on to last month’s books!

January Issues

Jonah Hex #51, $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 01/06/10 ON TIME
Written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti, Art by Dick Giordano, Colors by Rob Schwager

Our story begins at a funeral for a Brett Singleton, designer of the town of Singleton. It seems he was killed by a bunch of claim jumpers. During the sermon, the preacher reveals that he has summoned Jonah Hex to avenge Singleton’s murder. The first thing Hex does is accost the newly widowed Mrs. Singleton – pointing out how much younger she is than her late husband, and wonders if she was in league with his killers. She naturally reacts violently, denying her involvement. So Hex is off to a good start.

We see the murderers digging, and learn that they believed Singleton possessed a divining rod that found precious metals, and killed him for it. At this point, they have had no luck with the stick.

Hex argues with the preacher, who tries to defend the widow, and keep her uninvolved, but Hex will have none of it. The Preacher reluctantly agrees to fetch her, but finds she is being kidnapped by the claim jumpers. The Preacher returns, and Hex forces a confession out of him. He orchestrated the killing, and wanted Hex to deal with the claim jumpers so he could be with the widow in peace, give her a shoulder to cry on, and hope that she falls for him when he is lending a sympathetic ear, and after hiring Hex to get vengeance for her husband. The widow, after a bit of a beating, laughingly reveals that the stick was a joke, and that her husband planted the precious metals he "found," in the hopes of building the town’s population through a gold rush. The swindling (but innocent of her husbands murder) widow kills the preacher with the divining rod. Hex decides about everyone is guilty, and kills the claim jumpers for the bounty, and lets the widow know she is only alive because there is no bounty on her, and lets her go.

I am back to being bored by this book.

See, here’s the thing. In every issue of Jonah Hex, we know pretty much exactly what’s going to happen. Jonah is going to start going up against someone. For a moment or two, they might have him on the back foot, but by the end, he’ll shoot them in the face. Because that’s what he does. And that’s all he does. The character as I see him, suffers from being the old timey Punisher. And I don’t mean that in the way that he’s a pale comparison, I mean that in the way that he’s exactly like the Punisher. Both character function best when they are the single note – the force of nature that feels very little, if nothing at all. And you can only tell so many stories using that "style" until things. Get. Boring.

Plus, there was no Rape in this book. I mean, sure, there was potential for future Rape, but that’s not good enough. You see what this book has done? It has made me sad that there was too little rape in a comic. Gah.

Here is where I am going to have to disagree with you, and then agree with you again.

The "one-note" thing doesn’t bother me in the slightest. The formula you are describing can be found in some variation in almost every super-hero comic on the market today. There isn’t a character out there that we couldn’t make a good guess about how he is going to react in certain situations.

However – this particular issue was pretty weak. It was confusing, and lacked any real punch. I appreciate the single-issue story goal, but if you can’t tell a good single-issue story, you shouldn’t do it (and frankly, if you are a comic writer and can’t manage that, you should be ashamed of yourself).

Nothing against Palmiotti and Gray, but I would love to see Stan Sakai write this book for a year. This book needs a little Usagi Yojimbo influence I think. I still enjoy Jonah Hex, but there is so much potential for more here.

I retract a bit about what I said – specifically regarding the "one-note" thing. While I still believe that Hex is that type of character, I’m not bored of the character, but rather Gray and Palmiotti’s bag of tricks with that character. Fifty issues in, and over forty stories later, I think we’ve seen them all twice over – and that’s what I’m tired of.

On that note, I honestly can’t disagree. The last 9 months or so has been a nice break from the norm. Hopefully we aren’t in for another long run of the status quo.

Still – this has me thinking of a Stan Sakai penned Jonah Hex with art by Darwyn Cooke. Damn that’d be awesome.

Invincible Iron Man #22, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/13/10 ON TIME
Written by Matt Fraction, Art by Salvador Larroca, Colors by Frank D’Armata

The restoration of Tony Stark apparantly failed. While those assembled to save him try and figure out what went wrong, Tony’s nightmare continues. Captain America brings in Doctor Strange to try and help figure out what went wrong with Tony’s procedure, and enters Tony’s dream to bring him out.

You know, as much as I enjoy this book, it usually suffers from the Act Two Blues. Meaning whenever it hits its second act, it starts to be more concerned about moving the chess pieces around than being entertaining. Not that I still wasn’t entertained (this book is still awesome), its just its not up to par with what it usually is.

It’s like it’s good – but it’s meh. This book is fast becoming a pale shadow of itself. Not that it isn’t good, but it is way too padded, and to be honest, I don’t care about what is happening. It seemed like this entire issue was little more than padding wrapped around a surprise guest appearance. Which is exactly what we got last month.

Fraction really needs to tighten it up a bit. Issue after issue after issue of nothing happening really doesn’t make for a great comic. At least during the last way-too-long arc there was some kind of antagonist to make things a tiny bit interesting. Here, we don’t even really have that.

I’ve really enjoyed this arc. Oddly enough, I think the best part has to be when Tony is explaining the plan – managing to apologize for being such a dick while simultaneously being a dick. Unfortunately, like many things, I think that this was a good two issue story that needed to be five to fit with the way Marvel’s publishing schedule shook out. Not ideal, but whatever. I still enjoy this immensely.

Spider-Man & The Secret Wars #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 01/13/10 ON TIME
Written by Paul Tobin, Pencils by Patrick Scherberger, Inks by Terry Pallot, Colors by Brad Anderson

We are taken to Denver, where a depowered Thing and Spider-Man are checking to see if Reed’s holo-projectors are functioning correctly. As you may remember, Denver was transported to Battleworld during Secret Wars. Ben and Spider-Man get invited (ordered) to dinner by a civilian named Janet, where they learn about the Spindles – an alien race that is about to attack the city. They also discover Lockheed, and learn that Doom is in Denver as well. After watching Doom for a time, Doom tells them that he has discovered a machine that could grant incredible powers to ordinary people. The Spindles attack, and Doom joins forces with Spider-Man, Ben Grimm, and the people of Denver. In the aftermath of the attack, Doom takes Marsha Rosenberg and Mary MacPherran with him to the Beyonder’s machine (these two became Volcana and Titania respectively).

Man, I don’t know what exactly was going on with this whole Secret Wars thing back in the day, but if it’s anything like this (which I hear that it is and then some), it must’ve been straight up crazy. There’s a lot of ground covered here (Marvel and their writers then to make a concentrated effort to make a lot of their more all-ages fare done-in-one affairs that you can pick up any issue of) and its all done in a very concise manner. Oddly enough, though, as crazy as this is, I find myself being dissuaded from reading the main series – mostly because it seems like more of a bad kind of crazy than a good kind of crazy.

See now, this issue is just plain weird. Pretty much none of this happens in the actual Secret Wars event. You never really know where Volcana and Titania come from (if I recall correctly, it was kind of an assumption that they were from Denver), they just appear in Doom’s machine. Lockheed’s around in the first few issues, Doom created the two in issue 3 (I believe), and then the mere mention of Denver doesn’t really happen until Spider-Woman appears in issue 7.

In a way, this issue was kind of a disappointment. You have a suburb of a major city transported across the galaxy, and in Secret Wars proper, we see almost nothing of it. Here we finally get that chance – and everything seems normal? I found it odd that no one was panicked, and no one had issues transitioning from every day Joe-six-pack life to fighting against an alien invasion light years from home. This was an incredible missed opportunity. Yeah – the way Secret Wars panned out, there is a ton of room for a lot more story. You would think that Marvel would do a better job coming up with ideas.

You know, it occurs to me that we have quite a nice thing going in reviewing this book. I have absolutely no idea what happened in Secret Wars, and you do. So we’re coming at it from both angles. And from the angle of someone who hasn’t read the book, I’m definitely not lost. just weirded out by the way things seem to arbitrarily happen. I mean, Denver? Why, I ask you. Shenangians!

Well, that’s a familiar feeling. They never really did explain the whole “Denver” thing in Secret Wars in the first place. That another thing they could have addressed here, but ignored. Not only did they not explain why the Beyonder chose some random Denver Suburb, but they made the whole thing worse by making everyone who lived there generally calm and accepting of it. I didn’t think it could get any worse…

You are correct though… two different perspectives makes this series an interesting one to discuss. I suppose I shouldn’t taint you by forcing you to read Secret Wars until we are done with this…

How about this. For the May edition of the list, I’ll offer up a $40 bonus, much like we did with my viewing of the Star Wars movies. Sound good?

It might well be interesting to look at Secret Wars once again in retrospect, once this series finishes up. Something to look forward to!

Green Lantern Corps #44, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 01/20/10 ON TIME
Written by Peter J. Tomasi, Pencils by Patrick Gleason, Inks by Rebecca Buckman, Tom Nguyen, and Patrick Gleason, Colors by Randy Mayor

Mogo arrives at Oa and the Black Lanterns continue their fight for the Central Power Battery. Kyle wants to get the Red Ring off Guy, despite how effective he is with it – but Guy fights back, believing that Kyle really is dead, and its a trick. Salaak contacts Mogo, and learns he has received a directive to Purge Oa of all combatants to protect the battery – Green Lanterns included. Mogo absorbs the Black Lanterns while protecting the rest. Guy Gardner appears again – and prepares to attack all of the assembled Lanterns himself.

Boy howdy is this book full of all sorts of action. As someone who has to read all the Blackest Night crossover stuff, I really have to say that the book that has the most interesting stuff happening inside of it has to be this one. While the main series (and the Green Lantern book) tends to dribble out action in dribs and drabs (as opposed to handing out long, drawn out sequences where loved ones are turned into salt or where characters have to have long chats about how much they hate each other before banding together for the good of the galaxy) this book is delivering in spades. I know that he can move more product, but really, the next time they have a big event like this, the powers that be at DC should really think about having Tomasi at the helm – because I might actually enjoy his take on something big like this.

Oh, and specifically? This was a book where a giant planet "saved the day" by increasing its gravitational pull to suck all of the Black Lanterns down to its molten core where they will continually die again and again and again.

I think that was one of the most striking moments of the book. We know Mogo’s big – we know it’s powerful, but the dumbfounded look on all the Lanterns’ faces when it showed up at Oa was priceless. How does one fight alongside a planet – especially when you have no idea what the planet is going to do?

I can’t agree with you more about the rest of what you said. I honestly don’t think you even need to read the main Blackest Night event to enjoy the story. This title carries it well enough on its own.

Power Girl #8, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 01/20/10 ON TIME
Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, Pencils by Amanda Conner, Colors by Paul Mounts

Vartox and Power Girl fight off the Ix Negaspikes, and eventually find a way to subdue them. Power Girl agrees to share a meal with the aggressive Vartox. A little alcohol later, and Power Girl is at least open to discussing his problem, but quickly learns that Valerons don’t even have sex to reproduce, and she can help them by simply touching a machine.

In the end… Dr. Sivana???

Will Power Girl touch Vartox’s machine? Yeah, that still sounds dirty, but I assure you, there’s very little hanky panky in this comic. But would you believe that by the issue’s end, the potency of Power Girl and Vartox’s mating impregnates an entire planet – women and men. Because that’s how this comic rolls.

Yeah, this issue was straight-up weird. And anyone who takes issue with Power Girl’s over-sexed image should take a look at this issue and Vartox’s "evening wear." It is safe to say that this title is an equal opportunity offender.

There is no denying this title is total fluff – but it’s fun fluff. Everyone needs a book like this in their pull-box.

Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #7, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/20/10 ON TIME
Written by Victor Gishler, Art by Bong Cazo, Jose Pimentel, Matt Milla, Kyle Baker, Rob Liefeld, and Das Pastoras

Deadpool and Zombie Deadpool’s head step through the portal, and first appear in a universe where "Major Wilson, Codename: Deadpool" is an Agent of SHIELD working for the United States of North America. Deadpool realizes he is in the wrong universe, so he turns to re-enter the portal, only to be captured by Major Wilson. Deadpool eventually escapes with the Zombie (after a little one-on-one fight). The next universe they encounter is one where a female Deadpool is a part of a rebellion against a fascist American government, represented by Captain America. After beating Cap, Deadpool discovers that it is weird to make out with an alternate female version of yourself. They then travel to an Old West reality where Deadpool is mistaken for the Deadpool Kid, and has a run-in with "Sheriff Fury" and a bounty hunter really similar to Wolverine. The real Deadpool Kid shows up, and Deadpool diffuses shooting his double in the head, a solution that satisfies Fury and Logan. One last trip through the portal, and Deadpool and Head return to Deadpool’s home reality, and are greeted by Brother VooDoo.

In this issue, nothing happened. No, seriously nothing happened. You literally cut out the part in both this issue and the last where Deadpool steps through the portal, and have Brother Voodoo show up, and the story would be no different. I say boo-urns to that, chums. Boo-urns to that indeed.

Seriously – a buck extra to see a few unimaginative alternate versions of Deadpool? This was absolutely horrible, and a waste of money to boot. It’s almost like Gishler is intentionally trying to make you hate this book. I think we need to talk a little more about this book a little farther down.

Wolverine: Weapon X #9, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/20/10 ON TIME
Written by Jason Aaron, Pencils by Yanick Paquette, Inks by Michael Lacombe, Color by Nathan Fairbairn

Melita Garner, sensing Logan’s call for help, puts a call in to a number Wolverine gave her a while ago, and Psylocke and Nightcrawler arrive to help. The pair teleport into the middle of Dr. Rot’s psychic bomb, which is nudging the violent tendancies of the asylum inmates. Psylocke diffuses the bomb, and Logan goes after Dr. Rot, who proves to be more resilient than he appears. Dr. Rot jury-rigs another brain-bomb, and makes his escape. Logan escapes – but Dr. Rot decides to contact him one last time, to check on something he discovered in his brain. It turns out buried in his mind is a kill-word, and Rot takes full advantage of it before finally disappearing.

There was quite a build to this issue, but holy crap, did things happen here. As an example, when Nightcrawler and Psyocke come to help Logan, Nightcrawler utters the line, "A giant crazy bomb made of human brains. What in God’s name have you gotten yourself into this time, Logan." And that’s just to start.

As good as this issue was, it really served to highlight some of the problems with the last few. We didn’t need this many issues to get here – some people might point to a "slow build" but I really don’t think we needed more than a single issue to set up Dr. Rot to make this issue and the story itself any better. It was well-written padding, but it was padding all the same. Heck, I am not even sure we really needed to read any of the first issues of this arc- I don’t think anyone would have a problem following what happened if they had only read this issue. The entire story was in this issue alone!

More or less, I agree. I think I would’ve been happy had the previous three been just two issues, actually. An issue to stumble around and introduce Dr. Rot – another to show how we got here and amp the conflict, and then this conclusion. But seriously, this is the book that has brought me brain bombs and bullets with 37 different kinds of cancer, so I’m willing to be a bit more forgiving. And hey, the next issue is a done-in-one, so we should be safe.

Nova #33, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/20/10 ON TIME
Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Art by Andrea DiVito, Colors by Bruno Hang

Namorita, very much alive, awakens and pounces on Nova (at her point in the timestream, they are an item). After some discussion, the group of temporal refugees (Black Bolt, Reed Richards, Darkhawk, Namorita, and Nova) notice a younger version of the Sphinx attacking with a swarm of flying insect-like aliens.

The refugees gain a temporary victory, and hide in a pyramid to regroup. Something about the symbols inside the pyramid interact with Darkhawk’s amulet, and open a door opens, and the refugees are all entwined in some sort of energy web, where they picture how reality would be different if they made but one different choice. Everyone except for Darkhawk, who is free for some reason.

Darkhawks snaps the group out of the vision, frees them, and they find an agins Sphinx, bound to a machine. He reveals that he tried to warn his younger self in order to prevent being trapped in time for 6 millinea. His younger self indeed makes another choice, decides to turn on his older self and claim his Ka Stone, and become twice as powerful. The older Sphinx brought the temporal refugees to him to help defeat the young Sphinx, and avoid allowing him to tear reality apart with so much power.

The young Sphinx decides to bring his own champions to battle Nova and company – and the issue ends with the appearance of Bloodstone (Ulysses), Talon, Man-Wolf (John Jameson), Basilisk, and Moonstone.

I have to say, I’m excited about the villains that popped up at the end of this issue. I didn’t know who about half of them were, which means I’m going to enjoy the next issue quite a bit, as I can make some fake names for them. Like Teen Wolf and Snake Face and junk. Otherwise, this issue was solid, as always.

Well, "Teen Wolf" was around near the end of Slott’s She-Hulk run, so you should at least recognize him. I do agree – a solid issue as usual, and certainly a random assortment of characters to be pulled from nowhere. I have to wonder, if Sphinx could just draw anyone he wanted from time, couldn’t he do better?

I think that stupid, obscure characters are part of some kind of guild, Craig. Or, you know, when the Sphinx went around to Doom and all of them, they probably looked at him and went, "Who?"

Not a bad theory, except the old-man Sphinx managed to get Black Bolt and Reed Richards. I guess heroes are just suckers for old people.

Captain America #602, $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 01/20/10 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

In this issue, it’s the triumphant return of Captain America! The comic, not the character. Bucky remains as the good Captain, and is now on the trail of the 50′s Cap, who is stirring up junk elsewhere. To go after him, he wrangles his black friend to go down south where people don’t take to kindly to his type, and junk goes down! Also: politics, which was sad to see, even if it was for a few seconds.

Meanwhile, this issue features the Reason Why We Picked Up Captain America: Nomad! Of course, it sounds danged odd saying that we grabbed an issue of the celebrated Brubaker run of Cap for a back-up featuring the female Bucky that Jeph Loeb and Rob Liefeld created back in the day, but there it is. In this issue, our hero continues to track down leads on the mysterious organization that was testing out some mind control stuff on her school. With some "help" from Arana, the two track down Mad Dog in the sewers and attempt to get some answers from the dog face lookin’ sonnovagun, but then: things happen! Oh no!

Let me get this straight. The only way Bucky can infiltrate a group of conservative protesters is to pretend to be a racist?

Sigh – seriously, why do liberals love protesters, until they disagree with them? And why is it that every liberal comic writer portrays everyone right of Clinton as racist, backwater hicks?

There is a time and a place for politics in comics. And even if you are trying to convey a certain political message in a story, how about doing it, instead of just taking a disgusting and ignorant shot at the people who disagree with you? You know, it actually is possible to make a case for something by actually discussing an idea, instead of taking an ignorant and offensive shot at the people who disagree with you. Want to have racist neo-nazi villains? Great, it’s Captain America. That’s the kind of thing he is supposed to be fighting. But how about NOT equating those people with 50% of the nation’s population? Especially in Captain America – you know, the title with the character that is supposed to transcend political ideology, and represent the ideal the country was founded on, not just one political group?

You should be damned ashamed of yourself for this trash, Brubaker.

Sigh – but again, you are right. We aren’t buying this title for Captain America, we are buying it for Nomad. And that aspect wasn’t half bad. It could have been better – and I think I could have done without Arana all together, but it was a decent start.

Brubaker actually falls into that trap quite frequently, equating more conservative views with shenangianism. Sometimes he does it with a touch of subtly, but not so much this time. It’s an ugly thing to see writers go for, and I don’t really like it in my comics… though I do see where he’s coming from.

Now, before I get yelled at for that, let me note that I do not agree with what Brubaker did. But I can draw a straight line from the BS on news punditry to this bit of writing. Unfortuantely, the nature of twenty-four hour news cycles means that only the most sensationally bombastic jerkwads are getting attention – and are focusing bad attention on those who have similar beliefs.

That’s something I have to disagree with you on. The thing is – the biggest “jerkwads” aren’t the ones getting the attention, at least on the Conservative side of the fence. The problem is in presentation. The default media presentation of anyone on the “right” in America is that they are somehow racist, or hold some other unspeakably vile ideology. One look at the last two elections will tell you anything you need to know. John McCain was (and is again) the media darling – heralded as a “maverick” who would reach across the aisle and go against his own party.

Until he was the presidential candidate, and then he was the personification of Satan himself. Suddenly, “maverick” was a word you laughed at.

I am afraid I can’t see where Brubaker is coming from at all. A belief in limited government doesn’t have a thing to do with race, and the fact that Ed Brubaker actually seems to think that it does simply demonstrates his own ignorance.

I could go on this rant for pages – but in pure comic terms, I think this kind of thing is highly disrespectful to this character. Captain America is supposed to be above politics. The fact that Brubaker seems to have no trouble polluting this book with uninformed, hateful rhetoric is really sad.

Craig, I wish to argue with you on the "jerkwad" point – but I’m pretty sure it would end with me vomiting my own blood. There’s not a single person on the 24 hour networks that I don’t want to punch in the face several times over for being stupid – and that’s all I’m saying.

But yeah, I agree that Brubaker went a bit too far with his plot on this one. I think this arc might be a write off, unfortunately.

Thank God we are just buying this one for the back-up.

Joe the Barbarian #1 (of 8), $1.00, DC Comics Due Out 01/20/10 ON TIME
Written by Grant Morrison, Pencils by Sean Murphy, Colors by Dave Stewart

Okay, so Joe is this kid who has the diabetes, and is made fun of at school (except for that one girl, who seems to like him despite what others think). So anyway, one day he goes home, and Optimus Prime and… oh, let’s say Snake Eyes tell him that he needs to save Toyland, or something. Also, there’s Batman.

You know what the best part of this issue was? That it only cost me a dollar to see how utterly horrible it was. There was nothing about this story that made sense at all – outside the clichéd "loser kid that the cute girl seems to like for some reason, despite it all." I said last month that I hoped this book would be more WE3 than Seaguy – instead we got the worst possible scenario: a story that made Seaguy and WE3 seem not so different in comparison. Bad, bad, bad. Pretty though – poor Sean Murphy, who’d he **** off to get saddled with a story like this?

I actually didn’t think this book was bad so much as unexplained. No reason has been given for Joe’s trip down the rabbit hole – at least not one you could build a solid case for, yet. But if you’re looking for a reason Sean Murphy was given a shorter shift, I would say it would be because this is pretty much his first assignment for the big two that wasn’t a fill-in. Stunning work by him, though.

The good news is, I think it’s a pretty safe bet that we will be seeing Sean Murphy around again in the future.

As to why I find this story so bad – its pretty simple. You said it yourself – no reason was given for Joe’s trip down the "rabbit hole." All we got in this story were elements we have seen in other stories time and time again. Living toys – loser dudes – "the rabbit hole." Overused elements that have, at one time or another, already been done as well as they possibly could.

Even if this weren’t a comic (and my philosophy about proper serial storytelling has been beaten to death), you can’t borrow well-worn story elements this brazenly without doing something right off the bat to make the story unique. Morrison just crammed a bunch of weird stuff together, and counted on comic fans to simply drool "oooh, look how imaginative this is."

Even laying these criticisms aside, Morrison’s strength (at least, the Morrison of today) lies in his beginnings. The best modern Morrison stories tend to start strong, and then limp across the finish line.

If this story is this poor at the outset, it pretty well has no hope of being worth letting it build.

I think I can see where you’re coming from – even if I don’t quite agree with it being "bad". Unimaginative, maybe – but not "bad". And I agree with your "serialized fiction" thing. If you intend to serialize your story, there better be something compelling in each part of the story. In this case, they have failed you. (But I like it.)

Avengers: The Initiative #32, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out Due Out 01/27/10 ON TIME
Written by Christos N. Gage, Pencils by Mahmud Asrar, Inks by Rebecca Buchman, Colors by Jay David Ramos.

It’s Taskmaster vs. Thor! Wait, really? Yeah, turns out that Tasky has taken a good long look at his current situation and the road he’s taken to get there, and he’s decided that now that he’s been forced into the big leagues, he might as well step up as much as he can in order to survive and be awesome. Meanwhile, Snake-Hands and Diamond Boobs have a lover’s quarrel, and one of them is totally going to die by the end of this. Just sayin’.

A decent follow-up to last month’s Taskmaster issue. I get the strange feeling that Taskmaster is going to be dead at the end of this, and not Constrictor or Diamondback. I think Gage has longer plans in mind here – it wasn’t too long ago that we got a similar Constrictor story to the Taskmaster one we have here – but there he was actually discovering that being a hero wasn’t so bad. I get the sense that Diamondback is going to be exposed before long (or put in danger), and Constrictor is going to have to decisively declare for the good guys before long. Which will make the Constrictor/Taskmaster angle all the better, because they have pretty obviously become friends.

That’s always the best thing about this book – long-term character development. Gage is awesome.

I agree. As I said before, I was almost ready to write this book off after the Secret Invasion stuff went down, as the initial Dark Reign arc was… well, it was what it was: a wrap-up to Dan Slott’s leftover strings, and a way to a fresh start for Gage. But man, has Gage stepped up and made this book relevant. Good stuff.

Late and Unreleased Titles

Ghost Riders: Heavens on Fire #6 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 12/09/09 DELAYED – 02/03/10

The List So Far

Jonah Hex #52, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/03/10
Invincible Iron Man #23, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/03/10
Spider-Man & The Secret Wars #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 02/10/10
Green Lantern Corps #45, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/17/10
Power Girl #9, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 02/17/10
Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #8, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/17/10
Wolverine: Weapon X #10, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/03/10
Nova #34, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/03/10
Captain America #603, $3.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 02/17/10
Joe the Barbarian #2 (of 8), $2.99, DC Comics Due Out 02/17/10
Avengers: The Initiative #33, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/24/10

As it stands right now, things are strong on the money side. Ghost Riders is essentially over, just delayed another week – and that issue was already paid for out of last month’s budget. As it stands, we have more than enough money to pick up the required new book, without dropping any.

This doesn’t mean I don’t think we should drop any – in fact, there are two I feel deserve the boot.

The first is Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth. It pains me as a Deadpool fanboy to say this, but the book just isn’t doing it. Issue #7 was just insult to injury. An extra-sized issue for a dollar more, for no reason at all? And for a bad issue to boot? This is one I am happy to let go, and I think it is time we moved on from it.

I was done with this, I think, by issue three or four, so you’re not going to get any arguments out of me here.

Consider it done.

DROPPED

Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #8, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/17/10

The second is Joe the Barbarian.I am not even remotely interested in seeing where this one goes…

That’s because you are swine, Craig. I really liked the way this began – but if I’m being honest, it’s purely due to the art. Morrison’s writing didn’t really offer anything new. Yet. But I’m not married to keeping this book if your bile is overwhelming.

Despite the fact that comics are a visual medium, I strongly believe that great art can’t carry a horrible story. A mediocre story? Sure? A boring one? Yeah, kinda. But a flat-out bad one, no way in the world. This issue might have been so poorly written that the whole of human artistic achievement was lessened as a result. Yeah, it’s an exaggeration, but that’s how bad this was. Of course, I really shouldn’t be surprised…

Feh. In any case, I believe we can consider this book dropped.

DROPPED

Joe the Barbarian #2 (of 8), $2.99, DC Comics Due Out 02/17/10

New Titles

Well, as it stands now, we have room for a few new books this month – more than we have had in quite some time.

To start with, I would like to suggest a little something you have your girly pants in a bunch over:

Demo #1 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 02/03/10

The last time I catered to your strange loves, we ended up with something pretty decent – so I figure it would be worth trying it again.

This list could’ve done with a bit more hot Wood. Yayyy!

You are a frightening man sometimes B… and sometimes I can’t blame the Maple Syrup in your blood, which makes it all the more frightening…

Anywa… dropping Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth, I thought that maybe it would be a good time to try another Deadpool book. They are having that wacky Deadpool Variant month in February, so it seems like a good time. How about:

Deadpool Team-Up #896, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 02/03/10

Sounds good to me. An upcoming solicit for this book has them showing a team-up with Frankencastle, so this should be awesome!

Outstanding! Anything else come to mind?

Well, our list tends to lean quite heavily toward the Marvel side of things, so let’s indie this up a bit with some Choker from Image. Ben "This Can’t Be My Real Name" McCool and Ben Templesmith making something that looks like its got some jagged edges, and could poke an eye out.

Well, our track record with Image is poor – there something about that publisher and deadlines not meshing well. But I think it’s worth a shot.

Choker #1, $3.99, Image Comics. Due out 02/10/10

February List

Ghost Riders: Heavens on Fire #6 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 01/27/10 DELAYED – 02/03/10

Jonah Hex #52, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/03/10
Invincible Iron Man #23, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/03/10
Deadpool Team-Up #896, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 02/03/10
Demo #1 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 02/03/10
Wolverine: Weapon X #10, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/03/10
Nova #34, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/03/10
Choker #1, $3.99, Image Comics. Due out 02/10/10
Spider-Man & The Secret Wars #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 02/10/10
Green Lantern Corps #45, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/17/10
Power Girl #9, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 02/17/10
Captain America #603, $3.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 02/17/10
Avengers: The Initiative #33, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/24/10

The Math
$1.91 (Bank from January) + $40 (January Budget) = $41.91
$41.91 – $38.88 (February issues) – $3.01 (tax) = $.09 Banked for March

Wow – that’s about the closest we have come to our budget cap in some time. Looks like we will be virtually guaranteed a drop next month. Which can only make things interesting.

Next month: Chlamydia!

No B, that’s this month. Next month’s little people wearing green.

Double chlamydia it is then. Hell, triple if I’m feeling sexy.

Yeah… I think I am just going to leave it at that. See you all again in 28.

THE ARCHIVES
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

]]> http://www.stillontheshelf.com/2010/01/31/the-40-pull-list-february-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.stillontheshelf.com/2010/01/04/the-40-pull-list-january-2010/ http://www.stillontheshelf.com/2010/01/04/the-40-pull-list-january-2010/#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:36:43 +0000 Craig Reade http://www.stillontheshelf.com/?p=978

January, 2010

Welcome once again to another installment of the $40 Pull List Live!

Yes, yes, hello to all our rabid fans! Shout-out to our home fries down in The OC and junk. My name is Brandon Schatz, and with me in the Spam Corporate Annex in the beautiful industrial district of Nanuktuk California is the man behind this madness, the one, the (thankfully) only, Craigerton J. Reade!

Are you trying to get me stoned when I go back home? Oiy!

Anyway, welcome once again to this humble column. This is our the third anniversary of this all-important list, and the first anniversary of Brandon’s triumphant arrival to the column. There are but five titles remaining from the list just a year ago (Jonah Hex, Invincible Iron Man, Green Lantern Corps, Nova, and Avengers), with Jonah Hex being the sole title that has been with us from the beginning. Quite a run that title has had.

Which means we can look forward to it getting cancelled by the end of the year, right? I mean, there’s a movie out in everything!

Also, peace to my chili dogs too. Who are also from The OC.

Why don’t you take your”the” and shove it up your…

Moving on!

JANUARY ISSUES

Jonah Hex #50, $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 12/02/09 ON TIME
Written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti, Art by Darwyn Cooke, Colors by Rob Schwager

Tallulah Black and Jonah Hex begin taking jobs together, and after "celebrating" a successful payday overnight in a bar, Tallulah vanishes in the morning and rides off towards the west. Horace Green approaches Hex on behalf of oil tycoon Arlan Miston with a book of 50 bounties. After some protest, Hex starts working his way down the list.
Meanwhile, Tallulah Black arrives in a town looking for a dress shop, claiming she has left behind her work. She meets with a sheriff who eyes her with suspicion, but eventually welcomes her to the town.

Eventually, the rest of Hex’s targets meet in secret, trying to find a way to end Jonah and save their own skin. They decided that they would be safer in a group – and they set the wheels in motion for trapping and eliminating Hex.

Forward several months, and we see Tallulah Black, remade into a happy woman with child, still being helped by the same sheriff. She buys a plot of land, and with the help of the sheriff builds herself a home on it. By the first snowfall, the house is complete.

Their preparations complete, the bounties spring their trap by sending Eddie Runford to tell Jonah that he overheard that the men were holed up in Silver Springs – the very same town Tallulah now lives, and where she is about to give birth. The "bounties" raid the town, killing the sheriff, and taking it over, as Tallulah is attacked by the whacky fundamentalist dressmaker who wants to cut the child of sin out of her. She succeeds – basically performing a violent c-section, and kidnapped the baby, leaving Tallulah to die on the floor. Hex finds and saves her, and promises to rescue his son. He finally tracks the kidnapper, who has been locked up for murdering the baby. The sheriff tries to protect his prisoner, but eventually decides that Hex should be allowed his vengeance. Hex kills his daughter’s murderer, then goes to complete the list of 50 bounties, before returning his child’s body in a coffin to her mother – departing, as he promised, ending his relationship with Tallulah for her actions.

This issue of Jonah Hex totally reminds me of the episode of Glee, where Shu finds out that his wife was entirely faking her pregnancy – except instead of singing, there’s frontier justice. Come to think of it, Jonah Hex would be much more awesome if the characters occasionally broke out into song. In fact, I want a scene where Jonah wistfully looks off into the distance, as he recites the final stanza of 99 Luft Balloons.

Officially, from here on out, you are not allowed to be reminded of Glee by this title.

This issue was a piece of perfection. It totally broke the usual Hex formula we usually come to expect (and which it would be so easy to slip back into after the Six-Gun War), had some real character development, and was chock full of real story. And the art was fantastic – I want Cooke on this title permanently.

In no way would a musical number make this issue much more awesome.

Or Shipoopi. I want to see Jonah Hex going balls-out Buddy Hackett on alla’ everyone, clicking his heels, singing about love. It would’ve been perfect for this issue.

“Now a woman who’ll kiss on a very 1st date, Is usually a hussy….”

I don’t really think Hex is going to be so tame as to all any deserving woman a mere hussy.

You, sir, do not properly respect the power of Shipoopi.

I certainly do not.

Nova #32, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 12/03/09 ON TIME
Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Art by Andrea DiVito, Colors by Bruno Hang

Nova and Darkhawk, very much alive, fall in the desert before a statue of a sphinx (with a skeleton head). They quickly learn that their lives have been spared by an unlikely hero – The Sphinx, who has saved Richard to serve a specific purpose.

Briefly, for those of you who aren’t familiar with him, The Sphinx was Ramses’ chief wizard – exiled by the Pharaoh after he was defeated by Moses in their "wizards duel." He eventually found the Ka Stone, which granted him nearly god-like powers. After several millennia, he grew bored of his existence and searched for a way to get rid of the Ka Stone, and finally encountered Richard Rider, who he believed held the knowledge that would free him (thanks to his exposure to Worldmind). After a battle with Galactus, a few run-ins with the Fantastic Four (Thing in particular) and the New Warriors, and some time-travel shenanigans, the Sphinx was finally killed by the Puppet Master. At least – so we thought.

The Sphinx alludes to a role he is expected to play in some forthcoming battle – warns that some djinns will come, and on cue they attack under the cover of a sandstorm. The Sphinx is disappointed at their prowess in battle, abandoning them to the sand, but Nova eventually disperses the djinn. The duo finally encounter Reed Richards at a dig near the battle-site and they figure out that The Sphinx has also drawn Reed back in time – this being the Reed Richards from just a month after Nova and the Fantastic Four first met and fought The Sphinx.

The djinn’s attack once more – this time separating Nova and Darkhawk, to battle Darkhawk alone. A version of Black Bolt arrives – and Darkhawk finally returns from his battle, to report that they aren’t on Earth at all, but rather a magical construct of some kind. Black Bolt’s "mummified" companion is unwrapped – revealing an unconscious Narmorita (the original version – not the blue one).

I recognized almost every person in this book – which actually made this fairly boring for me. Normally, when I read space books, I have the internal monologue of fake names I’ve crafted for all the characters in my head. But this pretty much concerned Reed Richards, Darkhawk, Nova, and King Tut. Blah!

That’s not to say that is was bad in any kind of way. It was actually pretty rockin’ and junk. But when you’re used to dudes with ponytails jacking giant planets in the face, it all sort of pales in comparison.

Yeah – as an issue of Nova goes, I have to admit that this one was pretty tame – at least when it came to the cosmic stuff. There is an element of it there, which I have no doubt will be expanded upon this month. For my part – I just love the fact that Abnett and Lanning are going back to the old well of Nova villains to give them a little polish. Maybe we’ll get to see some Condor – or Psionex … something like that, a few months down the road.

It’s also nice to see Reed Richards in this as well. Nova was always closely tied to the Fantastic Four, especially in the early days. Given the right circumstances, that old alliance could make for some decent stories.

Abnett and Lanning used Condor in Guardians of the Galaxy in two of the earlier issues. And fun fact about Psionex, kids: much like old Nova comics, they’re terrible.

Well, since you are totally wrong about old Nova comics, does this make you wrong about Psionex as well?

That’s the thing – Sphinx was pretty horrible too, but here he has a shot. I am still waiting for an upgraded Diamondhead to come back with a vengeance and get a little payback for Nova #2. That would be 40 shades of awesome.

I don’t want Diamondhead to come back, mostly because this site’s content filters would totally black out the fake name I gave him in my head. A silly reason, but we are talking about me here.

My, the mind that came up with *****head is a strange one indeed.

Ghost Riders: Heavens on Fire #5 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 12/09/09 ON TIME
Written by Jason Aaron, Pencils by Roland Boschi, Colors by Dan Brown

We open with this dude, who is totally metal standing over the wreckage of heaven, where there’s dead angels and junk littering the streets. Quite obviously, there will soon be a reckoning. But first! It’s zombie bikers (and the All New Orb!) vs. a crap ton o’ nuns with guns and the Ghost Riders! Meanwhile, Purple Hat and Wicker Man get all smacked by the Emo Skank and Pitchfork McGee and the Antichrist opens up the gate to heaven! It was entirely like one of those after school specials, where the answer was inside you all along, only in this case there’s the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Aaaanyhoo, a bunch of people die, and the brothers Ghost Rider all make it up to heaven for the big final battle. Will they win? WILL THEY? We’ll have to tune in next time…

Ah, after two issues of tease – the Gun Nuns were very much worth waiting for. That’s classic funny right there.

Dude, you should’ve been hanging around this book at the beginning, when the machine gun nurses were after Johnny. It all blew up in this big confrontation with a cannibal, a possessed highway, and lots and lots of shooting. Seriously, I don’t know where I’m going to find something this fun once this wraps itself up. Le sigh.

Well, I’d say maybe there is hope for another mini, but knowing Marvel, that isn’t likely. The sales are pretty low… but then, it is a mini, so who knows. It is true that this title is pure fun, and it is safe to say that it is completely unlike anything else on the market right now. Sadly, originality and quality seem to be things that the average comic reader just doesn’t enjoy these days, which means next issue is likely the last. Oh well – the ride was good while it lasted.

Invincible Iron Man #21, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 12/09/09 ON TIME
Written by Matt Fraction, Art by Salvador Larroca, Colors by Frank D’Armata

We return once again to Tony’s nightmare – only this time, he manages to get it to progress a little farther. Meanwhile Madame Masque has a conversation with Ghost – who she is attempting to hire to kill Tony Stark once and for all. Pepper grapples with her feelings when the newly returned Steve Rogers arrives and spurs everyone to action. Tony undergoes the surgery to bring him back "online," and we see the process by which Pepper and Maria were used to reach this end from the very beginning – and why Captain America and Thor were needed to finish the job.

Fraction has crafted quite the story here. While Tony Stark makes his demands from beyond the grave, he sounds so arrogant – yet at the very same time, he seems to be apologizing to each of them for the mistakes he’s made in the past. All the while, the story moves at that pace, just a few seconds removed into the future, with all its super-heroic tech talk. You know that what’s being said is completely fake, but spoken with such conviction that you’re convinced that such a confluence of events will in fact bring old Tony back to the land of the living. I enjoy the crap out of this book – and hey, would you look at that? It’s not even going to be part of the impending Siege crossover. You really have to give it to Marvel for not forcing these things.

Thank goodness for that. The last thing this book needs is to be shoehorned into another crossover. So many Marvel titles (DC titles too, but that’s another discussion) are badly broken from being crammed into event after event. It’s nice to see that is shaking out, if only a little bit. This title can only benefit from being left out of this next event – it will give it at least 2 arcs to develop and grow on its own. I am looking forward to seeing that.

This arc has been far better than the last one – short, sweet – to the point, and meaningful. Let’s hope Fraction sticks to this formula for the next couple stories.

Spider-Man & The Secret Wars #1, $2.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 12/09/09 ON TIME
Written by Paul Tobin, Pencils by Patrick Scherberger, Inks by Terry Pallot, Colors by Brad Anderson

We start with a famous scene from Secret Wars – the Hulk lifting the mountain to protect the heroes trapped beneath. We flash back near the beginning of the story, when the newly arrived Spider-Man, Hulk, and Captain America try to make sense out of the Beyonder’s reasoning. They come upon Enchantress, who attacks them, but Hulk quickly puts a stop to the assault. Captain Marvel returns from her scouting mission to report the imminent arrival of the Wrecking Crew. Cap and Spidey have a argument about the Hulk, we flash through a few disastrous encounters with various villains, and we finally see the resolution of Hulk’s battle with the mountain.

You know, I haven’t read Secret Wars? Or Crisis on Infinite Earths, or pretty much anything older than when I got into comics. I have most of these things, but time… she’s a harsh mistress when you’re trying to keep up with the current product hitting the store. Needless to say, I’m coming at this pretty fresh, and I have to say… this is pretty decent. Obviously, there’s a certain challenge involved in taking a twelve issue mini and condensing it to a four issue series – but right off the bat, Paul Tobin squeezed in what has to be at least a quarter of the original mini, without feeling too rushed. Solid work.

Not to be too argumentative, but you got it exactly wrong there. There is no way in the world that any comic produced by today’s standards could condense the 12 issue Secret Wars into a mere 4 issues. In fact, what we saw in this issue didn’t really cover an entire issue’s worth of plot from the original event. Instead of recapping the entire story, it seems like this series is taking bits and pieces of the original, expanding on them somewhat, and telling it from a slightly different perspective. It’s well done – don’t get me wrong, but it barely scratches the surface of the goings on in Secret Wars.

Comics these days are mostly padding and fluff. If they stuffed as much story in today’s comics as they did when Secret Wars was made, they could raise the cost to $5 an issue, and it would be worth it.

Yeah, that would be my big ol’ lack of “old comics” knowledge bleeding through. If it happened before Sensational Spider-Man #0, I really don’t know what I’m talking about. Not that I don’t have these things, it’s just… there’s not enough time in the day, it seems.

Well – this is hardly the worst classic you haven’t seen that might call your geek-cred into question. But this is hardly new – I imagine there are a ton of comic readers out there who haven’t read this series either. One reason I am kind of surprised this title wasn’t released at the same time a shiny new Secret Wars hardcover was released.

Green Lantern Corps #43, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 12/16/09 ON TIME Written by Peter J. Tomasi, Pencils by Patrick Gleason, Inks by Rebecca Buckman, Tom Nguyen, and Patrick Gleason, Colors by Randy Mayor

Right, so Kyle totally dies, and Guy is all “No! My best friend and easy lover!” Because of this, he becomes a Red Lantern. Meanwhile, all these black rings are coming for Kyle, which his girlfriend doesn’t like. But instead of crawling into a fridge, she fights for her man, and ends up bringing him back with the power of love alone, just like the end of Rent, when Roger cured Mimi’s rampant AIDS through the power of his rock voice.

Yes, it’s going to be that kind of Pull List.

And Kyle Rayner yet lives. Man – who needs the Blackest Night event itself when you have this title? I was so amped by the idea of Blackest Night for so long – the disappointment over how horrible that event has been so far would have been neigh unbearable had this title not delivered the awesome. This book also proves that you really don’t need to buy every crossover issue to enjoy an event. This book alone will give you all of the Blackest Night enjoyment you could possibly need.

Also? A Red/Green Lantern Guy Gardner is friggin’ awesome.

This change of fortune for Kyle has me renewing my stance on Guy Gardner’s fate during this mini: dude is entirely going to die. I don’t want him to, but if he goes out like any of the other Lanterns have on this book, he’ll be going out big.

I am actually feeling a bit of the opposite. Not only do I think there will be no deaths at all in this event that will stick, I actually think it is going to undo a few we have seen. We’ve gone from one extreme to another – for a time, both Marvel and DC were making an honest effort to maintain “dead means dead.” Now it seems like they are in a race to see which can make death the most meaningless of states in comics. With Blackest Night, I get the feeling they are going to take things to a new low.

As cool as this issue was, and as much of a relief it is that Kyle isn’t dead – a part of me is kind of ticked he is back already. He died – and he went out like a champ. Over the last 30 days, I made peace with that. Only… it was a lie. And it wasn’t even one of those cliffhanger bait-and switches where you see an explosion and not the body – he was dead and gone, and his ring was even moving on. Poor taste really- you kill a character the right way, only to say “Psyche!!” a month later.

The only way you could make this death worse is to have Elektra kill him off panel in the next issue.

Craig, has the Princess Bride taught you nothing? That dude was only mostly dead, and there was true love waiting for him on the other side. In space. Or something.

Obviously the Star Sapphires have perfected Miracle Max’s miracle pill…

Good thing the dude wasn’t looking to blayve.

Nomad: The Girl Without A World #4, $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 12/16/09 ON TIME
Written by Sean McKeever, Pencils by David Baldeon, Colors by Chris Sotomayor

Nomad breaks free and attacks an unsuspecting Mad Dog and Professor Power, who are scrambling with damage control after the students unexpectedly riot. Some of Nomad’s school friends come together with a plan to help diffuse the riot, and just before the Police move in to contain the violence, Nomad and the cavalry (in the form of the Young Avengers) arrive to lend a hand.

Professor Power and Mad Dog turn on the Secret Empire, in anger over their insistence that the two return to "answer for their failure," and the Young Avengers manage to diffuse the riot with the help of Desmond Daniels. In the end, all is not well – as John Barnes is gunned down by Matt Surman in the aftermath of the riot – convinced that violence then was the way to have their voices heard. In the end, Rikki is consoled by Bucky (as Captain America) at the grave of John as Black Widow looks on from the distance.

To be continued in Captain America #602, huh?

And thank goodness for that. If someone told me a few scant months ago that I would be wishing to see more of the female Bucky created by Jeph Loeb and Rob Liefeld, I would’ve probably made more references to musicals at them. But it seems like Sean McKeever, when left to his own devices, can tell pretty awesome stories with almost any character. As I’ve said before, looking at this book, and a book like Teen Titans really shows you just how different Marvel and DC handle their talent.

True enough. Marvel’s editorial only makes an effort to ruin great titles when they are selling well. DC doesn’t look at sales figures when they decide what to meddle with…

I’ve got to hand it to you – Nomad was awesome, and it has me wanting to read Captain America again. So there is that…

Power Girl #7, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 12/16/09 ON TIME
Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, Pencils by David Baldeon, Colors by Chris Sotomayor

Vartox, the Hyperman of Valeron, engages an army of Kashkavon’s (Yeti Pirates?), and believes himself to be victorious, until he learns that the attack is a mere distraction. The Kashkavon detonate a "Contraceptive Bomb" in the heart of Crystal City, sterilizing the populace, and ensuring the death of their civilization. To avert the disaster, the Cosmosis Crystalis reveals a list of suitable women to Vartox (who escaped the Contraceptive Bomb), and he selects Power Girl as the woman who will bear the beginnings of a new Valerian race.

On Earth, Power Girl and Doctor Mid-Nite are in pursuit of the Blue Snowman, whom they easily subdue. At that moment, Vartox arrives to lay claim to Kara. He shoots at her with the Seduction Musk Rifle, which hits Doctor Mid-Nite, which knocks him out and may have stricken him with blindness (ha!). The Blue Snowman comes to, having breathed in a dose of the Musk, reveals herself as a woman, and offers herself to Vartox.

Vartox is impressed with Power Girl’s ability to resist the musk, and arranges for a demonstration to prove his manly worth to her. He produces an Ix Negaspike, an enormous fearsome creature capable of devouring entire planets, and plans to subdue the creature on his own. The Blue Snowman leaps into action to defend her new love, and she is subsequently eaten in seconds. Vartox’s plan goes awry when the transport leash is destroyed, and the creature is set free, unrestrained. Power Girl attacks the creature, and in a grave miscalculation, freezes it and shatters it to pieces. But, as the Ix Negaspike is indestructible and reproduces asexually, in reality, she only manages to facilitate the creature’s reproduction.

It appears as though Gray and Palmiotti are concocting a sly crossover with Jonah Hex here – as Rape seems to be hanging around the edges of this comic. Sure, its a more modern take on Rape, but you would expect him to change a bit between Hex and here.

Well, Rape did have the month off over at Jonah Hex, though there was a disgusting amount of Consensual Sex happening over there. It was almost invoking Rape’s return.

Speaking of crossovers, I have to say that this book had a real similar feel to Ghost Riders this month. Sure, there wasn’t the Hellfire and Brimstone, but there was a good deal of total ridiculousness. A Contraceptive Bomb? Yeti Pirates? An alien superstud on the prowl for a worthy mate to help him repopulate a species? That head ship? The Seduction Musk Rifle? This was camp through and through, and plain awesome to boot. I know when I first saw this title I was hoping for a more serious take on Power Girl – but I am more than happy with this kind of silliness.

Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #6, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 12/16/09 ON TIME
Written by Victor Gishler, Pencils by Bong Dazo, Colors by Matt Milla, Inks by Jos Pimentel

Deadpool and company crash in a marsh, in search of a dimentional portal – through which he intends to send the head of Zombie Deadpool to his home reality. Their quest isn’t an easy one – on their way, they are attacked by Man-Thing and Lord Falcon. Deadpool and company escape unscathed – and Deadpool takes his Zombie Head and enters the portal alone.

I think I enjoyed this issue. I say I think, because I really don’t remember much about this story. I remember laughing a couple of times, and watching everyone move through the motions, but what can I say. This Deadpool title just isn’t grabbing me like I’d like it to.

I really can’t disagree with you. This book is a ton of fluff – but stacking it up to Power Girl shows it isn’t even pulling out the fluff particularly well. I dunno – I think I am game to try out the first issue of the next arc, but if we don’t see improvement, I may well be willing to send this book packing.

Agreed.

Wolverine: Weapon X #8, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 12/23/0 ON TIME
Written by Jason Aaron, Pencils by Yanick Paquette, Inks by Michael Lacombe, Color by Nathan Fairbairn

Enter the "hot sexy nurse," strolling down the hall, unwittingly stumbling upon a gruesome scene of blood and death. Because that’s always the way it goes. Wolverine – the perpetrator, cuts the lights, and comes upon the frightened nurse, who begs for her life. Logan pauses… and the nurse inexplicably berates him for sparing her life.

Ah… an illusion.

Logan breaks free, but is put down by a dose of gas, courtesy of Dr. Rot.

Cut to a flashback, and we finally see how Logan got himself imprisoned in Rot’s sanatorium. After a brief recap of those events, Logan finds himself strapped to the table, as Dr. Rot tries to get at his brain. Somehow, Logan manages to call for help – and the sanatorium is about to receive a few different visitors.

Why, it’s Craig’s favourite narration trick! Flashback storytelling! Yayyyy!

Right, so we’re nearing the end of this particular story, and I have to say… I’ve been enjoying it, but it doesn’t have the same spark as the first arc did (which was not on the list). I mean… in that one, Wolverine was being hunted down by people with claws made of out lifesavers, who had guns that shot bullets filled with over thirty kinds of cancer – so anything following that is going to be faced with some stiff comparison.

But we are talking Wolverine here, so the fact that it’s not boring me to tears is a pretty good sign. Did you know that guy is the best he is at what he does? Someone should spread that around.

Honestly, the flashback didn’t bother me in this issue – mostly because it was done correctly. We weren’t bouncing around all over the place in some sad attempt at artsy non-linear storytelling. The time was right to reveal that information, especially since other characters were finally coming into the picture. The flashback served a purpose – and for that reason it was totally acceptable.

I have to admit that I am not in love with this arc. It’s well written – but I do like a different sort of Wolverine story – even a different type of cerebral Wolverine story. But it works – and it hasn’t even occurred to me to consider dropping this one.

Avengers: The Initiative #31, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 12/23/09 ON TIME
Written by Christos N. Gage, Pencils by Rafa Sandoval, Inks by Roger Bonet, Colors by Edgar Delgado.

Taskmaster’s party is interrupted by a call from Norman Osborn, who intends to visit Camp HAMMER in the morning. Taskmaster rushes into action, and tours the Camp to make sure everything is ready. Meanwhile, Osborn and The Hood talk about Taskmaster’s merits, and how it all ties into a project of Osborn’s called "The Cabal."

The Avengers Resistance gets settled into their new hideout, Taskmaster and Constrictor have a little heart-to-heart, and Osborn arrives to inspect the troops. Taskmaster finally receives the offer of a promotion he was expecting – and after first enjoying the new level of power he gained, one bad encounter with Doom makes him have second thoughts about what is to come.

I had a lot of file customers at the store complain about how ridiculous it was that Taskmaster was invited to the same table as Doom – which, to be fair, they are right about… there is something ridiculous about a dude what wears a Skeletor looking mask (and just so happens to have a photographic memory of every kind of fighting style ever) sitting at the same table as a dude that had his face blown off so hard that he essentially became evil and the ruler of his own country. Also ridiculous? There’s a freaking God of Mischief there too. It’s freaking comics people.

But anyway, this issue should sate those people’s thirst for downfall, as Tasky is shown to be quite out of his element at the “big boy” table. After all, he’s just in it to get paid and laid… not necessarily to be evil, per say.

Funny thing about those gripes is – that was the whole point of the story. How else does one move up in the ranks than by establishing himself as a good and intelligent leader? I would say it is equally ridiculous that Osborne has a place there… Doom could easily have done to Norman what he did to Tasky. They aren’t there because of their power-levels, they are there because of what they can do in the grant scheme of things. And it isn’t a shock that Norman would want someone else there he thinks he could control.

The point of the story is that he was somewhat out of place there. How that impacts the future story will be interesting to see.

That’s it for last month’s books – time to look forward to next month!

The List So Far
Jonah Hex #51, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 01/06/10
Invincible Iron Man #22, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/13/10
Spider-Man & The Secret Wars #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 01/13/10
Green Lantern Corps #44, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 01/20/10
Power Girl #8, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 01/20/10
Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #7, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/20/10
Wolverine: Weapon X #9, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/20/10
Nova #33, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/20/10
Ghost Riders: Heavens on Fire #6 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 01/27/10
Avengers: The Initiative #32, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/27/10
Batman and Robin #7, $2.99, DC Comics Due Out 01/27/10

We have a few differences this month – Deadpool‘s cover price jumped up a dollar, Jonah Hex‘s has gone back down, Nomad has come to an end, and Batman and Robin returns from its brief hiatus this month. As it stands now, we should have just enough for one more issue, if we don’t cut anything. Is there anything you are just plain sick of? Do we give Batman and Robin another chance?

Well, there’s not a whole lot that I’d want to cut from the list. The Deadpool book hasn’t really been grabbing me, but the novelty of seeing the different reality versions of Deadpool intrigues me. Batman and Robin, I’ve been enjoying, but it did just wrap up an arc, and in February, it’s going to ship twice… which might cause problems for it. Other than that, I really don’t feel all that strongly about booting anything.
In truth, that makes me want to drop Batman and Robin. If they were planning on shipping twice in February, why bother taking the month off? And as it stands now, we have enough room for a single $2.99 book, but with so many titles weighing in at $3.99 these days, I am inclined to drop it in order to make room.

Right then. Dropped!

I can’t say I will miss it! Onward!

New Titles

That leaves us with $6.74 (before tax) to pick up a new book. I have to say that I really enjoyed Nomad, so much so that I am perfectly willing to pick up Captain America, just to get the back-up stories. Your thoughts?

I wish to impregnate Sean McKeever with my love.

Aaaannnd I’ll take that as a yes.

ADDED
Captain America #602, $3.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 01/20/10

That leaves us with a mere $2.99, or $2.77 before the dread tax and board fee. Unless you can think of something cheaper than that…
There’s Joe the Barbarian coming out from Vertigo. It’s supposed to be one of those fantasies, like Narnia – only written by Grant Morrison. First issue is a buck.

Sounds like a steal to me. We have the room – and who knows, the title may rock. The Grant Morrison thing doesn’t exactly sell it – but who knows… a diamond in the rough? Hopefully it is more WE3 than Seaguy.

ADDED
Joe the Barbarian #1 (of 8), $1.00, DC Comics Due Out 01/20/10

JANUARY LIST
Jonah Hex #51, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 01/06/10
Invincible Iron Man #22, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/13/10
Spider-Man & The Secret Wars #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 01/13/10
Green Lantern Corps #44, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 01/20/10
Power Girl #8, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 01/20/10
Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #7, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/20/10
Wolverine: Weapon X #9, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/20/10
Nova #33, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/20/10
Captain America #602, $3.99, Marvel Comics Due Out 01/20/10
Joe the Barbarian #1 (of 8), $1.00, DC Comics Due Out 01/20/10
Ghost Riders: Heavens on Fire #6 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 01/27/10
Avengers: The Initiative #32, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 01/27/10

The Math
$2.74 (Bank from December) + $40 (January Budget) = $42.74 $42.74 – $37.89 (January issues) – $2.94 (tax) = $1.91 Banked for February

And with that, we come to the end of our little journey this month! Thanks again to all of you who have stuck with the List since the very beginning. It’s been a blast so far, and hopefully we will see you all again in January 2011.

The OC 4 life, honkies!

THE ARCHIVES
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