Since I am still waiting for some great lettering from Ed on Abigail’s War, I thought I would post this…
Happy Birthday Foley!
Everyone please give Andrew a cheer like The Thing and mini-Thing did in raising a candle!
(I am sure Andrew will now give a good kick in the junk at the next editors meeting! 
)
Posted by robert under News in General | 3 Comments »
I was going to mention this in my weekly blog of the Abigail’s War but thought this should be its own post…
Congrats to Zeros 2 Heroes & Rainmaker for winning a Pop Vox award for Best Digital Campaign for A ReBoot ReLaunch!
You can watch the PopVox Awards Webcast @ VIDFEST here:
http://2008.vidfest.com/2008/05/23/popvox-awards-live-webcast-vidfest-2/
(they win around the 9.30 min mark)
Great job to everyone!
Posted by robert under Abigail's War, News in General | 3 Comments »
Wait… wha? Is it Friday already? Oh man… wait, I have to follow Andrew Foley’s post? Oh man. He rocks, did you read that? I am still taking notes. Oh and that thumbnail he did — WOW, it puts my digitized boxes arrange pretty on a page we called “thumbnails” to bed!
Now what is better than knowing that in a few hours I will be seeing Iron Man the movie? Well, knowing that soon Sandrine will have more penciled pages of Abigail’s War done!
Yes, Abigail’s War is now in full production which is partially why I missed our Tuesday blog date. I know… I know… bad Robert but I have flowers. I do, see…
This is a teaser of the lovely pencils that Sandrine is doing for AW. The great Jennica and I are in discussion over the currently penciled pages while Sandrine continues her magic on more penciled pages. I am hoping that we can get some revisions done and then maybe move to either coloring or some penciled pages to tease you with for next week. Have a great weekend!
Also (as a complete shameless plug) only at Elfsar can you get a LIMITED edition cool Between the Staples bookmark on Free Comic Book Day! Come by, have fun and grab a few! I plan to be there between 11am to 12pm if you wish to come down and put “KICK ME” signs on my back! 
Wait… wha? Are you serious? YES. Between the Staples BEST BANG has its last issue… er.. post. Go & check out the Last of the Best Bang:
http://betweenthestaples.com/2008/04/28/last-of-the-best-bang/
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Even a broken foot could not stop me from doing Between the Staples Best Bang… wait a sec… lets change things up a bit for this week. No Best Bang, lets do the Least Bang for your Comic Buck for the week of April 16th! This week Countdown to Final Crisis continues its horror show and Salvation Run drops to one of the worst of the week. X-Men: Divided We Stand has only one saving grace while The Dresden Files shows that you need to reading the books to know what the hell is going on, not great for a first issue. So Jimmy Olsen won’t die yet Darkseid does so their heads are the ranking from worst to best this week!
Most of this weeks comics came from Elfsar Comics & Toys where I kept the guys from working with my comic chat then I filled in the blanks at Hourglass Comics out in Port Moody.
Salvation Run #6 of 7 (DC) From strong last month to week this month, this issue of SR was very disappointing from the dialog, the art (which seemed very rushed) and the overall rushed storyline. The big face-off between Joker and Luthor was almost a backup tale to the big climax of Darkseid’s parademons attacking all those on the SR planet, specifically the villains home base. Overall this was a very poor issue and I am kinda worried that this book will not deliver in the end of its run which is too bad.
Countdown to Final Crisis #2 (DC) Seriously. Godzilla Jimmy vs Darkseid. How could this be a good comic in any way? I just want this title to be done.
The Dresden Files #1 (Dabal Bros Publishing) The biggest issue with this book is that it felt as if it was further along the Dresden cannon storyline than a first issue would be in that we needed to know much more of the Dresden world than some (like myself) may know given I am slowly reading through the first few books. I also thought he used to have a hockey stick as his “staff” and not a rune etched staff but that could be the character of late. I guess this book is appealing to those who have read all the books and wanted more.
X-Men: Divided We Stand #1 of 2 (Marvel) Not a bad issue of the emo characters of the Marvel U. Best story was the Matt Fraction & Jamie McKelvie about Nightcrawler and the clone of Scalpehunter. The rest were too angsty for me and soured the rest of the book for me.
Captain Marvel #5 of 5 (Marvel) Well I picked up these Cap Marvel issues as I wanted to know how this character was going to be apart of the whole SI world in the Marvel U. It is a very interesting concept and will be neat to see where they go with this character given the big spoilers of the issue in comparison to SI.
DreamWar #1 of 6 (Wildstorm) Okay I am excited about the idea of the DC Universe mixing with the WildStorm Universe but wow, does anyone know what the hell is going on? This is a poor first issue because if you know NOTHING about any of these characters, this book will do NOTHING to have you interested in picking it up. How does this help market both the DCU books and WildStorm books when we as the readers have almost no idea as to what the hell is going on? That made no sense to me and I was really excited about this series. I am hoping that the next issue gives us readers something else I will be wondering about picking this up any more.
The Perhapanaunts #1 (Image) I always love a good paranormal investigators book in which Todd Dezago & Craig Rousseau do not fail to deliver. I enjoyed the very crisp and clean artwork and fun story. I think this series has a great chance to be one of the jems of 2008! My only issue was that the artwork looked so small in comparison to the pages, as if the were drawn too small and did not take advantage of the full page size of the comic book which looked strange to me. Good solid lettering on the book!
New Mutants Classic #3 TPB (Marvel) As I said before these issues of the New Mutants was some of the best issues of the series. Very strong stories and crazy wild fun. Add in the then extremely popular Bill Sienkeiwcz and you got some very classic history of the Marvel U.
Batman & The Outsiders #6 (DC) Good follow-up issue with Rex in space and the team being organized by Batman to get a rocket to go aid Rex up in space. Again Dixon delivers a solid story with great artwork to keep this new version of the Outsiders fun and enjoyable.
Showcase presents: Legion of Super-Heroes #2 (DC) Big Robots, protoy and lots of Superboy, how can this collection go wrong in any way? This is good ol clean fun of these pre-teen future heroic kids! Well worth the money if you are interested in such great fun issues.
Gotham Underground #7 of 9 (DC) How do you keep up the momentum of a good book? Well look at each issue of Gotham Underground, it builds upon itself to a very deep, rich and tasty world of the Gotham underground. Good surprise of The Riddler and Penguin standing tall. Only issue I had was the ending where it was typical super-hero wam blam of Batman / Vigilant face-off.
Captain America #37 (Marvel) The Red Skrull storyline continues to build steam and Bucky/Winter Solider as Captain America keeps up the heated pace with guest stars of Hawkeye and The Falcon. Very enjoyable and parts of this issue really made me smile which makes this one of the best books that Marvel and Ed Brubaker is putting out next to Criminal.
Avengers: The Initiative #11 (Marvel) Slott and Gage deliver a semi-solid issue which did seemed very rushed. I believe that bloody Secret Invasion creep killed what could have been a more extended version of the ending of the MVP storyline. The entire issue seemed like I was running along side of everyone to get to the end of this story ’cause the next issue is SI related to show more of the Skrull Yellowjacket. All that said, it still made me smile and I enjoyed many parts of the issue from Gyrich & Blitzchlag, Slapstick and Rage plus I did like seeing that Jim Rhodes is all messed up after what happened to him (I think) in an issue of Black Panther. A nice attention to detail on War Machine, kudos Slott & Gage plus I love Rage. I want to see more Rage. ATTENTION (yes like they read this - not!): Slott & Gage — WE NEED MORE RAGE!!
Annihilation: Conquest #6 of 6 (Marvel) This is how you end a strong series! With the heroes coming up large, coming in charge and with the answers to boot. What a great slam bam issue of fun, action and excitement with all those involved coming together for the big climactic ending but is the ending? No this series just spins out the new Guardians of the Galaxy book which will tie into the whole Secret Invasion wrap up to Annihilation which I am very much looking forward to. Marvel needs to put out more mini-series like Annihilation over the recent crap like Messiah Craplex and World War Bunk!
The Incredible Hercules #116 (Marvel) I really did not think I would enjoy this series and thought it was a poor idea that spun outta World War Bunk. All that said, I really am enjoying how Greg Pak is writing Herc and this issue brings in the Eternals for Secret Invasion in such a great way that it had me laughing aloud (The Eternals finding Herc taking a leak on a tree). Solid artwork by Rafa Sandoval & Roger Bonet makes this issue very enjoyable. Can’t wait for the next issue which is Nanananana… God Squad!
Nixon’s Pals OGN (Image) I don’t know how but Joe Casey had me feel like I was reading the movie Payback with Mel Gibson. The main character Nixon Cooper is a parole officer to various super-villains. A great crime drama with a nice pervert suit twist. Extremely enjoyable and worth the money!
Planet Hulk TPB (Marvel) I forgot to mention this last week but I picked up the Planet Hulk trade and WOW is Greg Pak and Aaron Lopresti great team on this series! I can understand where the hype for World War Bunk started as Planet Hulk is a very solid and strong story. I will reread this trade a number of times as I found the writing to be so enjoyable and well written! I just wish World War Bunk was as strong but I wonder how much of WWB was editorially directed?
The Un-Men: Get Your Freak On! TPB (Vertigo) Collecting issues 1 - 5 of the wonderful fun, bizzare and insane Un-Men series by John Whalen and Mike Hawthorne. If you are not reading The Un-Men yet and want to jump on this great series, pick this up and join in on the fun!
On Sale next week (Apr 23, 08): Batman #675, Birds Of Prey #117, Checkmate #25, Glamourpuss #1 (Fashion Ed), Justice League Of America #20, Mighty Avengers #12, Ms. Marvel #26, Number of the Beast #2 of 8, The Secret History Of The Authority: Jack Hawksmoor #2 of 6, Supernatural: Rising Son #1 of 6, Supernatural: Origins #0 (TP) to name a few.
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Between the Staples Best Bang comes crashing into yer view from a cloudy Greater Vancouver Area. This week Nova, The Un-Men, Echo, Criminal and the Green Lantern Corp top the books for April 9th comic book releases. I am mixing things up by ranking them alphabetical and with Warlock’s head for the best outta 5. Oh and no Skrulls this week as these books came to you from Hourglass Comics out here in Port Moody!
Countdown To Final Crisis #3 (DC) Um… lotsa crash, bang, boom. Jimmy didn’t die which pissed me off but rather he became a big lizard Godzilla to fight Darkseid on the streets of Metropolis for the next issue just in time for the release of Cloverfield on DVD. *yawn* seriously someone wake me when its done!
Criminal 2 #2 (Icon) How do you make a good non-pervert suit book? How do you write a great crime noir? Well check out Criminal and see how. Papa Lawless is back with a vengeance in this new story arc by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. As much as I love my perv suit comics I do love Vertigo and noir books as well, this book rarely fails to deliver! Top notch and reminds me of why I enjoy comic book again!
Echo #2 (Abstract Studio) Terry Moore just keeps this series on a high note and getting better and better with each issue. The scene with Julie in the ER trying to find out what this strange metal is that is all over her chest is hilarious. Judd Winick should take note! Another book I am enjoying a great deal and excited for the next issue!
Fantastic Four #556 (Marvel) Look! A word balloon on the cover! I don’t know if I have mentioned how I like Bryan Hitch doing his borderless panels on a white background yet. Well if not, I do, it is a fresh look and feel for the book atop his panel layout (often very ‘widescreen’ movie look & feel) but something of this issue did not work for me. Funny, I should be happy with what I am about to say and I am sure many Marvel Zombies will be but I hate the fact that the Fantastic Four run will not be apart of the Marvel U. I mean the entire Marvel U of heroes are wrapped up in this issue and I can better dollars to donuts that it will NEVER be mentioned in any other Marvel U comic. Ever. So if you want to enjoy more of these blood self contained world books, go right ahead, it is enough that I think I am done with Millar’s run. I will wait to see how comes on the book next and see if they wish to be apart of the rest of the Marvel Universe or be self contained. Okay well that does not explain the issue though so here we go… boring. I found the bits with Johnny long and tiring, the “get all the heroes to stop this robot” lame and the big ending with Reed racing back on his pod bike was on the only thing that woke me up from this coma of an issue. SO that added to the self contained world/book is likely why I plan to drop the book!
Green Lantern Corps #23 (DC) YES! Mongel doing some gardening aside, I am very happy to see Kyle and Guy back in action in this series! Love the cover and am very happy to see the GL Corps back to a team book again and not all Alpha Lanterns stuff. Give me Kyle and Guy as Honor Guards and leading these new Lanterns out there! Good stuff and worth they pretty pennies!
Green Arrow/Black Canary #7 (DC) I think I figured out my love/hate for Winick on this book. Cliff Chiang makes this book sing! The art at times looked like that of Mike Parobeck who I loved, especially the Green Lantern pages. As for the story, I did not mind being strung along as Olie and team track down who took Conner. Nice ending but alot of that has to do with the artwork. I wonder if Winick just needs that one artist to make his stories work? Thinking back to Winick’s run on Outsiders with Tom Raney — good issues which later went dry.
Justice Society Of America #14 (DC) The first issue since this Kingdom Come again run began that I enjoyed an issue of JSA. Good setup (although I am not fond of Sandy having Sandman’s old nightmares but okay) and I always enjoy when teams have group discussions broken up with the bad guys crashing in! The final page with Green Lantern in his Kingdom Come armor was interesting and a nice twist on this storyline. I can only hope the next issue keeps up this momentum.
Justice League Unlimited Volume 4: Ties That Bind TPB (DC) I miss the Justice League Unlimited cartoon so much I will buy whatever I can to keep that look & feel, those stories alive. I enjoyed all this issues as much as I enjoyed the cartoon series.
The Last Defenders #2 of 6 (Marvel) I really am glad Casey and Griffen are doing this book. It has such an enjoyable feel to it, like a touch from Justice League (The Giffen/DeMattis era) and a touch of WildC.A.T.S.(Casey era) in the Marvel U. Very refreshing and fun. I look forward to more of the old Defenders to come back to the fold! I hope enough of you who enjoy a good comic are not skipping out on this for more X-Farce issues!
Nova #12 (Marvel) Warlock and Nova fight against the mature, hungry Technarch on Kvch, the Technarchy homeworld. Great artwork by Paul Pelletier adds to the enjoyable story that Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning deliver as Nova finds the big solution to the fight against the Phalanx with the help of Warlock and his kid Tyro. Overall a great issue that leads directly to the end of Annihilation: Conquest!
Number of the Beast #1 of 6 (Wildstorm) This books is incredibly interesting enough that I need to see where all this Wildstorm stuff is going. The artwork is crisp and clean, the writing and dialog is nice and sharp. All things I enjoy in a comic book plus I love the teasers on the last page!
Serenity: Better Days #2 of 3 (Dark Horse) Anyone else find all the Flashback / fantasy storytelling kinda confusing and like “WHA?” through-out the issue like I did? I believe this issue would have been a better episode than it was done as a comic. Perhaps more thought could have gone into the artwork to give some of those pages their own feel and keep the current time line in order. I felt all over the place.
Simon Dark #7 (DC) I have mentioned how much I enjoy the creep in this book but if the new storyline is about Zombies, I may need to take a break until that story is done. I am not into reading about Zombies in any format, if it is not Zombies that I am sticking around. The artwork is amazing but the Zombie-eske feel left me out in the cold a bit on this issue. Why is when people are infected with demons or evil, they always turn into fricken Zombies? I mean its so overused, lame and boring. Next!
Supergirl and The Legion Of Super-Heroes: The Quest For Cosmic Boy TPB (DC) I enjoy this series as a trade but I do not think I could pick it up each week. I believe that this series works better as a trade as you get the contained stories which often can be a touch complex. I found myself flipping back often.
Titans #1 (DC) How can Judd Winick go from writing an enjoyable book like “Green Arrow/Black Canary” to something like this first issue? I do not want to think that Judd Winick is the most hated writer in comic book history as he wishes to be claimed but man, this book did him no favors. Each of the old school Titans get hit by demonic things which brings them all together to think that Trigon is coming back. Sounds simple but somehow the book is riddled with questions and parts that make you scratch your head and go “huh?!”. This is a sad comparison to The New Teen Titans by Marv Wolfman and George Perez. Please someone just put a bullet in this book before it continues. Now I do hope the DCU kills off Nightwing if he is to be used and abused as he was in this issue. He was apart of the Justice League, Red Arrow is apart of the Justice League, do they need to keep coming back to the Titans? Come on! OH and thanks for FINALLY coming back to what happened MONTHS ago in Teen Titans East all getting wiped out. Overall a very very poor issue!
The Un-Men #9 (Vertigo) To me the Un-Men is what the X-Men should be under a mature label — COOL! I love all the messed up concepts and current storyline of guys having sex with another freak and this gets the guys infected and pregnant. Again this book makes my top best books of the week due to its off the course fun and action. If you are not picking this up, give it a chance!
Young Liars #2 (Vertigo) This book has that balls to the wall when your a kid wanting to get laid, loving music and getting wasted feel to it. The entire mess of the main character seeing horrible things happening in flashes gave this book an uneasy appeal. Who were the men near the end of the book? How does this tie into issue #1? Man, I don’t care but I am sure enjoying where this is headed!
Missed: Suburban Glamour #4 of 4 (I hate missing this comic when it comes out! #%$^@!) & Invincible Universe Primer #1
NEXT WEEK: Annihilation: Conquest #6 of 6, Avengers: The Initiative #11, Batman and the Outsiders #6, Captain America #37, Captain Marvel #5 of 5, DC/Wildstorm: Dreamwar #1 of 6, Gotham Underground #7 of 9, Incredible Hercules #116, The Perhapanauts #1, Salvation Run #6 of 7, Star Wars: Legacy #23, The Un-Men Volume 1: Get Your Freak On
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Welcome to another Between the Staples Best Bang. This time not written by a Skrull hacker but by yours truly. I am pretty bummed out that the Vancouver Canucks could not get into the playoffs for this year. So yeah, here are my Best Bang for the week of April 2nd. Given that Xander “Call Me Nick Fury” becomes Dracula’s manservant again (in the latest issue of Buffy) is why I am using his head as ranking. As always from top to bottom.
This weeks books are from Port Moody’s own Hourglass Comics.
Secret Invasion #1 (Marvel) Okay this book did not make me s**t my pants like Patton Oswalt declared a while back but I did really enjoy the issue. All the twists, turns, reveals and big climax ending. I still hope this isn’t a typical Marvel series with a strong first issue and a poor ending. I believe that Bendis! can pull this one through!
Scalped #16 (Vertigo) This book just gets better and better with each issue. The down to earth grittiness reminds me of Deadwood. If you enjoy crime drama books this is right up your dark, bloody alley!
Buffy Season 8 #13 (Dark Horse Comics) Xander & Dracula hi-light this issue which keeps moving full steam after the artifact that Buffy had stolen (that wicked axe from the final season of the tv show) and sets up the big baddies with the kill of a slayer. Look forward to where this story by Drew Goddard (Cloverfield) goes!
Casanova #13 (Image) A very enjoyable issue which finally starts to bring everything together although I think it will read better as a trade because then you can flip back and go “OOOOH yeah” but what a great come together issue!
The Boys #17 (Dynamite) Garth Ennis had me laugh aloud at something I really shouldn’t have been laughing at. Not at all but f@#*k it was funny! Also more insight into Mothers Milk and behind the curtain of the Seven. Overall a very solid issue!
Stormwatch: Post Human Division Book Two TPB (Wildstorm) I loved this series so I needed to pick this trade up to support good and great storytelling. Christos Gage wrote a great series that ended too soon, I think.
Detective Comics #843 (DC) The artwork of Dustin Nguyen, Derek Fridolfs & John Kalisz is great and sets a great tone for this entire issue. I love the whole Penguin / New Scarface showdown but it does seem to differ with what is happening / happened in Gotham Underground but so much for keeping it all cannon. Still a very enjoyable read by Paul Dini!
The New Dynamix #2 (Wildstorm) What a refreshing new look at the WildStorm Universe with these former backup characters now trust into the media as Heroes. All the “pending” doom of Number of the Beast was well done and not overly imposing. I look forward to more great storytelling and artwork from Allen Warner and JJ Kirby!
The Twelve #4 (Marvel) Enter the character building issue where we get to see other sides of this team together, apart and dealing with their lives as a group in the world they are in. Well done and setting up what I think are great issues to come!
Angel: After the Fall #6 (IDW) Okay last month I was pretty hard on this upcoming mini-series within a mini-series. I am still not fond of the timing of the stories nor the Bryne pages but I don’t mind the filler stories. Look forward to this ending but I hope they tie into the current storyline / book.
Countdown to Final Isis… I mean Crisis #4 (DC) Okay so Jamal Igle’s artwork made this book more appealing to read but the downside is all the Mary Marvel going evil within like 3 to 4 pages. I cannot wait for this series to be over and no more Jimmy Olsen.
Young X-Men #1 (Marvel) I am big fan of Marc Guggenheim so I picked this issue up but I threw it down in disgust when Cyclops, the character I hate the most in the Marvel Universe (F#$%K I hope he dies in Secret Invasion!), SHOOTS the big rock guy through a window of a local Starbuck’s like cafe. WHY ON THE EARTH would the boy scout like Cyclops do that to make a point? Endanger everyone in that cafe? And people wonder why MUTANTS are hated in the Marvel U? Seriously, grab a brain.
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Okay.
Well sadly I have been hacked and my entire Best Bang has been re-written by… well, I think its a Skrull.
Don’t believe me? Well check it out here while I struggle to regain control of my hacked website…
http://betweenthestaples.com/2008/04/01/best-bang-skrull-edition-for-march-26th/
Lets kick start this week with Between the Staples Best Bang for March 19th Comics! Not a huge week and some surprises with the likes of The Incredible Hercules, Captain Marvel and Batman and The Outsiders. As Captain Marvel is one of the first few “Secret Invasion” tie in books, I am using his head this week for ranking. Best to worse, top to bottom, this week I got my addiction from Elfsar Comics & Toys plus a healthy second does from Hourglass Comics.
The Incredible Hercules #115 (Marvel) At first I thought to myself, this series is just a way to filler stories until the whole HULK situation would be resolved after World War Bunk or Red Bunk / Green Bunk but when I heard that Hercules is going to be leading a “God Squad” against the Skrulls in Secret Invasion, I was more interested in this issue - so I picked it up and what a surprise. Commonly I hate when Marvel makes punk ass kids who know too much more than the reader, are too smart for their own good and always come out on top. Sounds so unrealistic and boring in comparison to the nerd who got bitten by a radioactive spider and is trying to do his best. I hate Layla, not keen on the Richards kid and I had a real hard time with Amadeus Cho. This issue does a great job convincing me that maybe Marvel realized that these smart ass kids appeal is dying out. Add Ares, the God of War, into the mix and its all good fun!
Captain Marvel #4 of 5 (Marvel) I really enjoyed this issue and found that Brian Reed hit the mark with this title, enough that this issue during flip through got me to buy the back issues. I planned only to get this title in trade and even then it was a “kinda maybe” but now I am looking forward to seeing how these series, title and character all end up. Is he or isn’t he? It is a good tease to the upcoming SI.
Batman & The Outsiders #5 (DC) Chuck Dixon knows how to write a decent story. This was enjoyable, fun and great artwork that just made this issue a good deal of joy to flip through. One downside was the “appearance” of Ralph & Sue Dibny and how they just appeared at the end of the last issue and how they tied into this issue. It was kinda bittersweet but should have maybe had more of a visual cue and / or story cue rather than having the reader figure it out, given some readers like me are kinda stupid.
Captain America #36 (Marvel) Ed Brubaker just keeps this series feeling like your strung out and wanting more. Each issue is just enough of the wicked, messed up world fallen out from the death of Steve Rogers… or has he died? Was Steve ever really unfrozen or was that a Marvel urban myth? Is the Red Skull ready to start his deep plans which include Shannon and what seems like Steve Rogers under glass? Oh and yes, William S. reminded me that Red Skull still is prancing around in Steve’s body so the likely hood that Skully is the key behind the Skrulls is a definite possibility!
Death of the New Gods #7 of 8 (DC) The Killer is revealed and the end of the forth world has begun, now Grant Morrison, I mean DC Comics can usher in the new Fifth World with Batman as the new Highfather? Metron? Or hey, better yet — Darkseid! I finally understood why Superman of all the heroes would be the one to be apart of the storyline, the end of the forth World and coming of the fifth. Who else could… would… or should see this? Kudos to Jim Starlin for a great space story and gift wrapping for the coming Final Crisis.
Angel #5 (IDW) I enjoyed the coming together of the ‘Angel’ family from Conner, Spike, Gunn, Lorne, Fred/Illyria and Wesley, the “big fight” between Angel and the current Lords of Hell but what I did not like was how the entire issue ended with a tie into “First Night” a mini-series within a series and the current issue would not end until First Night is done. Blah. Dropped this down a notch out of the top 3 books ’cause I have to now wait through a mini-series within a series to see how this ends, I do not like that.
Justice League of America #19 (DC) The league confronts Waller and her “prison planet” where all the villains have been sent for Salvation Run mini series. Problem is that its not that simple to find where the villains went, throw in a Hawkman villain like Kanjar Ro with his bug eyes and its some good JLA fun! What I enjoyed is that at the end in which the JLA still did not know where the vilains and J’onn J’onzz are. This was a great way of leaving Salvation Run to run its own course!
DC Superfriends #1 (DC) Have no fear! The SUPER FRIENDS are here! Now as much as I am not a fan of the squished up action figure line, I do enjoy simple, fun kids books with heroes like The Super Friends / Justice League. I know this book is a mix of Mattel toys like Superman’s Flying Crane Ship and Batman’s Batwing but I did like seeing Professor Ivo and Amazo! Also the last page was nice to see to express what it takes to be a Super Friend. Be Kind! Show Respect! Help Out! Not as good as the old Super Friends comics (YES, I do have those) but its still fun and I think young kids would enjoy this title!
The Order #9 (Marvel) I picked up this title just to see how the series was going to go after The Namor issue (which I found very enjoyable after picking it up between weeks a while ago) but the story was not strong enough to show the weak indy art. As much as I want to hope that Javier Saltares would work out it is no comparison to Barry Kitson’s solid artwork. I enjoyed one thing which is the formula that Fraction used for all these issues - that was well done!
Countdown to Final Crisis #6 (DC) This book should be getting better with stories, artwork and climax but rather we are offered a side story by Cadmus lab rat, Buddy Blank, where the end of the DC world comes to earth and the rest of the universe via a new virus which is not told, mentioned or hinted at in ANY of the other books out this month (hopefully I will be mistaken) or this week. See I thought that was to be the difference with Countdown to 52, it would interact, react and be in a continuity with the rest of the DCU titles out. Nothing was farther from the truth this week which is one reason I have such a hard time with series.
Empowered Vol. 3 TPB (Dark Horse) I really like how Adam Warren does the bump & grind with this series, the characters are all messed up and the various bondage in this trade.
Spider-Woman: Origins TPB (Marvel) Hourglass Comics had a 30% off sale on trades so I picked this up. Brian Reed shows great writing and the Luma Brothers showed great storytelling but I also found The Luma Bros artwork to be great at times and others, I wondered if it was the right artwork for the book. Seems that some of the work went from great to very average looking. Very indy which I guess has its own charm, one I am not used to seeing until lately in Marvel and DC comics. Overall it was an decent series but did not tell me anything I already did not know about Spider-Woman. Now if she is a Skrull then would be very surprised and annoyed ’cause it would have perhaps meant that this series has been invalidated.
This Weds March 26th: All Star Superman #10, Green Lantern #29, Jack Kirbys Fourth World Omnibus vol 4 hc, Mighty Avengers #11, Ms Marvel #25 SI, New Avengers #39 SI (YES! FINALLY!), Secret History Authority Jack Hawksmoor #1 (of 6), Showcase presents Booster Gold vol 1 tp, and Teen Titans #57 to name a few.
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day! What else is great with green beer? Well… Between the Staples Best Bang of the week for comics that came out on March 12th! An All Marvel best picks this week with Mighty Avengers #10, Annihilation: Conquest #5, Avengers: The Initiative #10 and The Last Defenders #1. Of course today we will have four leaf clovers as ranking from top to bottom…
Annihilation: Conquest #5 of 6 (Marvel) Everything comes to a head while Ultron and The High Evolutionary come together to build the ultimate… Adam “Ultron” Warlock? Wait.. what? Ronan unleashes the Sentry Armada to wipe out all of Hela’s Phalanx infected much to the chagrins of Ravenous. Also Starlord and his crew hit the spire as a final F**k-you! Seriously why is this series not the best Marvel mini-series in decades? Oh wait.. it is!
Avengers: The Initiative #10 (Marvel) Best thing that came out of Civil Bore was this comic book and this issue did not fail. Everything, every page was so enjoyable. Yes someone dies but who stays dead in the Marvel U? The crazy Killed in Action continues its rampage while the various members from the original New Warriors band together. Great great issue and one I have reread numerous times since picking it up. Also nothing beats Taskmaster and the new Ant-Man!
Mighty Avengers #10 (Marvel) A throwback to the way Marvel used to be, the toning, the bright coloring, the smudged lettering and “Continue after next page” lettering at the bottom of the pages (amongst other notation) and if all that is not enough - Dr. Doom. Anything with Doom has to be one of the best books that come out! Overall this was a great fricken issue!
The Last Defenders #1 (Marvel) Okay this week, this book breaks the top 3 best books. I loved the writing by Casey, co-plot by Griffen and clean, crisp artwork by Jim Muniz & Cam Smith! This looks to be a very entertaining new mini-series which I hope spins out a regular Defenders series!
The Un-Men #8 (Vertigo) Oh this book is just a joy to pick-up each month and really I cannot get enough of these characters. The artwork is great, the story entertaining and the messed up concepts are wild. Stunning covers as well. This book is one reason Vertigo is so strong these days!
Avengers: The Initiative Volume 1: Basic Training TPB (Marvel) This series is so well written with great artwork, why would you not pick-up this book? Seriously?! It has RAGE in it! FRICKEN RAGE! That is just one of the great reasons to check out one of the best series of 2007!
Green Arrow & Black Canary #6 (DC) The search for Connor Hawke speeds forward at top speed and to all those Judd Winick haters (and I did fall of his bandwagon a while ago) I hate to say that this series just ROCKS! I do think that much of that has to do with the pleasurable artwork by Cliff Chiang!
DMZ: Friendly Fire tpb vol. 4 (Vertigo) I love this book and try to pick it up but I will miss an issue here and there so now I am collecting the trades to fill in the blanks for me. Brian Wood does a great job making you feel that you are right along with rookie photojournalist Matty Roth in this f**ked up future New York City. Well worth the money!
Salvation Run #5 7 (DC) Team Lex vs Team Joker with a mix of Catwoman and Martian Manhunter. Yes J’onn J’onzz is on the alien planet with all these villains. Everything from the mass battle to Vandal Savage and his bizarre way to survive, Salvation Run is a great book that I believe may be getting overlooked these days.
Gotham Underworld #6 of 9 (DC) Okay I am really enjoying this series from all the crossover and mix-up with mentioning that it may be some required reading for Salvation Run or Countdown. It is just straight out enjoyable. Go Penguin, take down The Whale… oh wait, who just shot Nightwing? Is this why Batman RIP is comnig out? Is this where Dick dies?
The Astounding Wolf-Man #5 (Image) Very enjoyable issue where Wolf-man seems to be more in control or is he? I do like how the artwork is colored, plays well on the various scenes in the book. As I mentioned, I am loving this book!
Nova #11 (Marvel) Yes. Yes. Nova finally comes to the Phalanx homeworld and ends up talking to Warlock? One of my favorite New Mutants is finally back in the Marvel U. Thank you. Very enjoyable series and I can’t wait for Nova to come blasting into Annihilation: Conquest!
Fantastic Four #555 (Marvel) Alright. I am swaying on thinking that maybe Reed Ricards is a Skrull but I still got a feeling for Sue Richards as a Skrull. The whole “new” Earth storyline is interesting but I agree with William S that the book is falling into the its the FF, so of course Reed and Sue must have issues that Ben needs to always bring up. It was an interesting issue but not fabulous.
The End League #2 (Dark Horse) William S filled me in on issue #1 and we both enjoyed issue #2 in a coffee shop so I think it gets a nod to more issues which is always good.
Simon Dark #6 (DC) More on the mysterious past of Simon Dark comes to light but then not really. Its a nice and creepy series that I love to read and reread.
Countdown to Final Crisis #7 (DC) Not a bad issue but nothing to write home about. I feel I am one of the few who want to read more of Jason Todd but not in Countdown.
Green Lantern #22 (DC) Okay, I don’t care for Boodikka / Alpha Lantern or her sisters. Glad this storyline is over. Next, more Red Lanterns please.
Next week: Angel: After the Fall #5, Batman and the Outsiders #5, Captain America #36, Checkmate #24, Death Of The New Gods #7 of 8 and Justice League Of America #19 to name a few.
