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Comic List Highlights (3/30/2013)

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Mar 302013

Polarity may tell you that car accidents can cause superpowers, but, please, don’t believe it.

Do, however, enjoy the fictional psychedelically tale that Say Anything frontman, Max Bemis, weaves in his Boom Studios miniseries. Rule one of writing is to “write what you know”, and Bemis has taken that to heart in Polarity by focusing the story around a bipolar rocker who gets in a car wreck and finds his disorder is actually a special ability. And if you’ve found you have superpowers and a rocker, you’re probably going to play your guitar with you mind and punch bad guys in their mugs. You might also choose to include a special downloadable song with each issue.

This next year brings with it a number of amazing looking video games, primary among them is The Last of Us. Serving up some gorgeous post-apocalyptic New York landscapery, this game stars a teenage girl and a grizzled older man surviving against the elements and hordes of roving marauders. Dark Horse‘s The Last of Us: American Dreams tells the tale of how the girl, Ellie, made it through the initial years of the apocalypse before she met her guardian. Written by one of the creators behind the video game, this miniseries is an essential read before playing the game.

Sean Murphy produced the artwork for the surreal toyland adventure series Joe the Barbarian, showing the comic world how expressive, expansive comic storytelling is done. Last year Murphy brought his scratchy style to Vertigo and the series Punk Rock Jesus. Now, all six issues are out in a handy trade paperback presentation. Religion and television are crammed together in the series as a cloned version of Jesus, named J2, becomes the star of a hit reality show. How J2 affects those closest to him as well as the entire country, is what the series becomes interested in discussing. Profanity, lewdness, vulgarity, and sacrilegious debauchery are the order of the day in Punk Rock Jesus, so pick it up if you dare.

Let’s be honest, everyone who saw The Avengers last summer loved it. However, only about a third of those people understood who the purple-chinned dude was in the after credits scene. No matter which person you are, you’re going to want to pick up Marvel‘s Thanos Rising miniseries. Jason Aaron brings a hefty dose of the legendary epicness he’s been serving up in Thor God of Thunder to this soon-to-be-classic series detailing Thanos’ rise to power. Brought to life not only by Aaron’s stellar words, but also Simone Bianchi’s tapestry-esque paneling; a painterly equivalent to Esad Ribic’s art on Thor. Plus, this series will lead into the upcoming arcs of both Guardians of the Galaxy and Nova, two of the hottest Marvel NOW books on the shelves.

Comic List Highlights (3/13/2013)

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Mar 092013

Next Wednesday is made for those who’s diet is Wolverine deficient.

Whether your Wolverine is regular or Ultimate universe, Marvel has a Wolverine for you.

To begin, Paul Cornell (Doctor Who, Captain Britain & MI13, Knight & Squire, Demon Knights) and veteran artist Alan Davis merge their talents together to form one giant glob of SNIKTY SNIKTY awesomeness. Wolverine #1 does manage to add a new angle to the Canuck that has been rare previously: mystery. Beginning with some ancient history where Wolverine made a decision that cost a kid his life. And as every decision leads back to the present day for Logan, he won’t be able to escape or slice away the mistakes of the past. Being the best there is at what you do isn’t always everything.

And if that isn’t enough adamantium for you, Ultimate Comics Wolverine #1 has two Wolverines for the price of one.

Primarily starring Jimmy Hudson, Logan’s son and current Wolverine, this new miniseries by Cullen Bunn (Sixth Gun, Helheim, Fearless Defenders), who’s got a load of good work coming out recently, follows Jimmy has he tries to uncover the origins of his birth. The arrival of Jimmy into the Ultimate universe was crazy enough to begin with, now find out who and why he is what he is.

Okay, that’s enough Wolvy for one post.

Not to keep ragging on the snowmabunga from a couple weeks back, but it did cost us the shipment of a new Alan Moore League of Extraordinary Gentlemen story. Until now.

Arriving slightly late, but nonetheless an important read, Nemo: Heart of Ice is the most recent addition to the LoEG universe. This graphic novel edition features a full 52 page story starring Captain Nemo’s daughter, Janni (introduced in LoEG Century), out on a mission to surpass her father’s legacy. Venturing as far South as she can go, Janni is headed to Antarctica in search of valuables beyond belief. But if one things sure it’s that valuables beyond belief will always lure more than one adventurer. In the tradition of Moore’s previous League stories, expect literary references aplenty, always jam-packed in the back of every panel. And if I was a betting man, I’d wager a story set in Antarctica might reference the infamous Lovecraft a time or two.

The word “Best” gets thrown around frequently in the world of comics (commonly by us), but there is one unequivocal “Best” comic being published at Marvel right now, and that is Hawkeye.

Or Hawkguy, if you know him well.

The Seinfeld of comic books, Hawkeye is all about what the emerald archer does on his days off from The Avengers. Like installing cable, holding BBQs, fighting Russian mobsters, and rescuing dogs. Dogs, by the way, who subsequently get named Pizza Dog. Matt Fraction is doing the writing of his career on the series, making each issue a stand-alone story full of action, humor, and plenty of witty repartee. Throw in the female Hawkeye (from Young Avengers), in a constant state of flirtation (did I mention she’s underage?), and you’ve got a duo that rivals and references the likes of Bogart and Bacall. And if none of that sells you, just take a look at the impeccable art by David Aja. Every issue is the best 70s crime movie you’ve never seen thanks to his gritty, minimalist style.

Bro, it’s first six issues in trade, bro. Buy, bro. C’mon.

Comic List Highlights (3/6/2013)

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Mar 022013

Welcome to the bad old days.

The world is a pit of despair, Ultron is in charge, and there’s no hope for survival…except for a rag-tag bunch of heroes with a plan. Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Emma Frost, Wolverine, Invisible Woman, Taskmaster, Beast, She-Hulk, and Moon Knight are the last ditch effort for the Marvel Universe to continue existing, but something tell’s me they may have a chance. This dystopian future tale is THE EVENT for the Marvel Universe this year, with three issues coming out a month for the next three months. And don’t worry about crossovers with other series, because they’ve been kept to a minimum and left as non-essential; read’em if you want, don’t if not. With the mad puppeteer of Marvel, Brian Michael Bendis (All-New X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, Scarlet), having worked on establishing the implications of this tale over the last four years, Age of Ultron is going to leave its mark. And for a series that epic in scope you need an artist that can match the tone. Luckily, Bryan Hitch (The Ultimates, America’s Got Powers) was able to lend his deft talent at cinematic realism to the book! Don’t get left behind like so many did with Avengers vs. X-Men, pick up issue one of Age of Ultron, or one of its many variants, this Wednesday!

Cullen Bunn has managed to blend sci-fi, horror, and western genres in the long lived Sixth Gun series with ease. Now Bunn is applying the same strategy to a tale of viking carnage! Helheim begins with a brutal siege on a tiny, seaside village by forces of evil. But standing between them and the meaty townsfolk is Rikard and his horde of viking warriors. Though you might think you know where this story goes from there, you’d be surprised. This is only the beginning. Bunn just rocked Marvel NOW! with his first issue of Fearless Defenders (you know we’ve been talking it up at the store!), an issue which also featured some viking fisticuffs, and aims to do the same to Oni Press with the start of this new ongoing series. When you blend gothic horror, witchcraft, and zombies, you get Helheim!

Searching for images of Joe Casey’s Sex #1 resulted in some awkward moments at the store. Yeah….

One of this month’s Image Comics releases, advertises itself as “a good reason to come into the comic store – to buy SEX!” Though it may be crass, it’s true. Joe Casey has written everyone from Wolverine to Batman to The Avengers to Spider-Man, but he’s never written anything as chock full of debauchery. A former superhero is forced to give up his vigilante lifestyle only to take to the streets for some much needed R&R. However in a town like Saturn City, R&R can get rather S&M. Follow Simon Cooke on his dark, dirty journey through the recesses of a town gone wrong in a post-modern superhero tale unlike any other in comics today.

And finally tonight, another twist on a classic tale.

No Place Like Home was one of my favorite miniseries from Image Comics last year thanks to its intelligent, inventive reworking of the classic L. Frank Baum fable, The Wizard of Oz. Dee is a rocker from the city, but a rural kid at heart who must return home to Kansas after the grisly murder of her parents during a tornado. After getting home and rekindling friendships with old acquaintances, Dee stumbles into a decades old mystery that ties together her parents, the two sheriff, a local drunk, and…a flying monkey? Comic newcomers Angelo Tirotto and Richard Jordan dropkick Judy Garland and replace her with a twisted slasher film sprinkle with famous imagery and characters from the classic tale. Oh, Tirotto claims this is only the beginning of an epic arc that’ll take Dee all the way over the rainbow.

Comic List Highlights (11/14/2012)

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Nov 102012

You all better get used to hearing about Marvel Comics over the next couple of months, because Marvel NOW! is in effect. Tonight we’ll highlight three of the five new Marvel NOW! series that start up this coming Wednesday, all of which are perfect jumping-on points for each of the book’s characters.

Since they’re the first family of the Marvel Universe, let’s start off with Fantastic Four #1. Combining classic with current, Mark Bagley (Ultimate Spider-Man), a veteran of both Marvel and DC comics, lends his artistic talents to wordsmith Matt Fraction (Defenders, Fear Itself, Hawkeye, Immortal Iron Fist) for a fresh take on Marvel‘s oldest series. Wanting to get away from the constant battles with Doctor Doom and Galactus, Reed and Sue Richards decide to take their family on a universe-spanning field trip. The series will take a stand-alone approach to its issues, as the Fantastic Four land on a new planet or time period in each issue, getting into trouble each time as they try to teach Valeria and Franklin about the ins-and-outs of the galaxy. And if you’re less of a reader and more of a collector, Fantastic Four #1 has variant covers in spades. That’s a Scottie Young Baby variant, a Mark Bagley mural variant, a blank variant, and a couple more for good measure.

Brian Michael Bendis carved himself out a fairly comfortable niche in The Avengers corner of the Marvel Universe over the last ten years, so now it’s time for him to do the same with the X-Men. All-New X-Men #1, his first X-Book, tells a story no other X-Men book has dared to tell before. With the fallout of Avengers vs. X-Men, Cyclops and many of the original X-Men members are in drastically different positions from where they started, thus Beast decides to travel back in time, collect the original X-Men members, and bring them to the future to knock some sense into their present-day selves. With art by the incomparable Stuart Immonen (Nextwave, Ultimate X-Men), All-New X-Men will look great and read crisply.

If you pick up only one of the Marvel NOW! series starting this month, pick-up Thor, God of Thunder. Jason Aaron (Wolverine and the X-Men, Scalped, Ghost Rider), local writer, dares to tell a Thor epic to rival the classic tales of Walt Simonson. A three-pronged narrative focuses on Thor of the past, Thor of the present, and King Thor of the future as all three versions contend with a threat the Asgardian has never faced before: A serial killer of gods. Along with Aaron’s time-spanning story, Esad Ribic’s (Silver Surfer: Requiem) painterly artwork turns the comic page into a mural, turning a simple comic book into a piece of mythology. And since of book of this quality deserves it, variant covers abound, featuring artwork from Ribic himself, Scottie Young, and Daniel Arcuna. Make yourself worthy of Mjölnir a pick up a copy.

Just as a reminder that there are other comic book publishers out there other than Marvel, let’s finish the night with a look at a new series from Image Comics. Riding a wave of successful series like Manhattan Projects, Saga, Happy, and Revival, Image releases Great Pacific, a grand adventure in an unusual location. Texas-born Chas Worthington is a trust-fund baby and a grade-A rich boy, inheriting the money of his oil baron father, but that doesn’t mean he has no principles. Setting out to tackle a task unheard of in his social circle, Chas decides to eliminate the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating mass of trash that continues to build in the North Pacific Ocean (it’s a real thing). Martin Morazzo’s extremely detailed artwork renders every bit of debris and filth that Joe Harris’ scripts describe, making this another Image book to admire.

Comic List Highlights (10/24/2012)

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Oct 202012

I just want to quote the Image Comics description for the first book we’ll talk about tonight as a way of helping you understand what it’s like.

“Sexica and her Werewolf boyfriend Nikoli travel across a sci-fi, fantasy Russia smoking singing cigarettes. Meanwhile the organ hunter Nura is sent out with a severed head and instructions to find its body.”

Yup. That’s Brandon Graham for you, folks. If you’ve read Prophet (the craziest, most brilliant comic out there!) or King City (the only comic with a cat telescope), then you’re well aware of Graham’s ingenious perspective on, well, everything. Graham’s comics build fully realized, utterly unique worlds for you to explore visually (as he does the art himself) and conceptually. For those reasons, I can promise you Multiple Warheads: Alphabet to Infinity will be one of the most interesting books you’ll ever read.

Jason Starr, renowned crime novelist and comic author, takes a crack at Wolverine‘s past this Wednesday, but not in a way you’ve ever seen before. Wolverine MAX is a five issue miniseries that takes Logan back to Japan for an origin story of violent proportions. If you’ve never read any of Marvel’s MAX line of books, they’re a no holds barred, adult version of famous Marvel characters. So, in short, Wolverine like you’ve never seen him before. Expect blood. Expect guts. Expect cursing. Expect SNIKT-ing!

And if we’re talking blood and guts, we might as well mention the new Punisher War Zone miniseries hitting shelves this Wednesday. Picking up where Greg Rucka’s recent Punisher ongoing series (both volumes, of which, are available now) left off at, Frank is on the run from the law in a way he’s never been before after taking the fall for shooting a cop. Even though he didn’t do the deed, Frank is taking the blame to protect the woman who did (if you want to know more, you got to pick up the TPBs). But Frank’s going to need his own form of protection as The Avengers decide to assist the NYPD in capturing him. It’s Punisher vs. The Avengers, written by Greg Rucka, taking place in real Marvel continuity!

Followers of The Walking Dead television show on AMC have just been introduced to Phillip Blake aka The Governor with the beginning of season three, but there’s so much more to find out. In conjunction with the hit television series, Robert Kirkman (the creator of the show and comic) began a trilogy of Walking Dead novels last year with The Rise of the Governor, which detailed Blake’s life during the initial zombie outbreak. Now, its sequel, The Road to Woodbury, picks up where the last book left off at, following Blake as he climbs to power in the walled-off city of Woodbury. Find out the origins of one of the most terrifying villains in comic history by picking up The Road to Woodbury this Wednesday!

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Comic List Highlights (3/30/2013)

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