The Pull List (3-12-08): If you ain't got the Guts ...

Dooby dooby-dooo ... ya-ta-ta-tyaaaaa taa, mmm-mm, dooby doo — whoops!

Er ... on to the list!

Gutsville #3: I'm not sure what it is about this comic, but damn if it isn't a title that makes me squeal in delight whenever it actually comes out. (Yes, squeal. Shut up.) The art is unique, but also perfectly suited to the story it helps tell, a neat trick considering it's a story about a group of people who have lived for generations in the belly of some sort of sea monster. The art style and coloring give a combined sense of bioluminescence and a slightly unsettling mushroom trip, lending a feeling of the kind of claustrophobia you'd expect from living in a giant fish. The story itself seems well-thought out, and you can tell there's a lot of unrevealed back-story to build on. The dialogue, a blend of 19th century English and digestive tract slang, is also a highlight and the kind of detail that immerses you in the increasingly weird plot.

My only problem with Gutsville is how long it takes to get from issue to issue. This mini-series began in 2007 (May, I think) and is barely getting out issue #3? Annoying. Still, while I usually can't stand books that are this far off from anything that looks like a regular schedule, Gutsville is one of those books that seems to always be worth waiting for. Check out the (also infrequently updated) Gutsville site, where you can see some preview pages, too.


The rest ...

Atomic Robo #6

Booster Gold #7

Wonder Woman #18


Trading up ...
(Titles I either am, or will be, picking up in trade)

Annihilation Conquest #5

Conan Vol. 5: Rogues in the House and Other Stories

Wormwood, Gentleman Corpse Vol. 2: It Only Hurts When I Pee


Maybe ...

Arab in America (trade paperback): This could be an interesting look at the kind of bigotry that's still alive and well in the U.S., especially given the current political climate.

Metro Survive Vol. 1: Manga that combines a subtle sense of Japanese horror with the "What would I do?" kind of question by putting a spineless man in charge of a group's survival after an earthquake strands them in the underground metro tunnels.

Serenity: Better Days #1: Aw crap. I love Firefly, but hated the last Serenity mini-series. Unless the writing gets better, this looks to continue the less-than-impressive history of Serenity comic books; check out the preview and judge for yourself.

Recommended ...

Comic Book Comics #1: Funny stuff by the guys who brought us Action Philosophers; if you consider yourself a comic book fan, pick it up. And look — a preview!

FLCL Vol. 1: I have an unhealthy love for the anime based on this manga, and the book might be even stranger than the nearly nonsensical cartoon that mashes together a coming-of-age story with an underlying sexual tension and giant robots. I'm not entirely sure this is a reprint of the original story, but if it is I'd say it's worth picking up. Wear a helmet, though, because your mind will be blown.

The Pull List: (2-13-08): Seriously, Barry?!

Whoops! Where does the time go? A busy day means a quick-and dirty pull list this week, but if you see anything you'd like to talk about, why not drop me a line in the comments? There is some fun stuff coming out today, and manga makes a particularly strong showing, as well as a certain German World War I fighter pilot.

And to make up for the leaner list, please enjoy the double entendre stylings of Ted Kord:


To the list!


This week ...

Atomic Robo #5

Booster Gold #0 (preview!)

Jack Staff #14

Wonder Woman #17


Maybe ...

Beowulf Vol. 1 (another preview!)

Dark Metro Vol. 1 (even more preview!)


Trading Up ...
(Titles I either am, or will be, picking up in trade)

100 Bullets #88

B.P.R.D.: 1946 #2


Recommended ...

Crossing Midnight Vol. 2: A Map of Midnight

Showcase Presents: Enemy Ace Vol. 1

Uzumaki Vol. 3

The Pull List (12-5-07): Whoops

A couple of busy days at work (and Becket on TCM last night — holy crap, what a great movie) means a bare-bones version of the Pull List this week. If you have questions, think I overlooked something that shouldn't be missed or just want to throw something out for discussion, hit me in the comments. For now — to the list!

This week ...

Atomic Robo #3 (of 6)

Justice Society of America #11

Lobster Johnson: Iron Prometheus #4 (of 5)

Vinyl Underground #3


Maybe ...

Infinite Horizon #1: This modern-day retelling of The Odyssey looks as if it could work, and I particularly like the characterization of the Odysseus character (The Captain) as a pragmatic soldier who decides he's no longer fighting an honorable war. And the art is fantastic, making a surprising choice in color palette work. If the preview is any indication, I think this is one I'm going to enjoy.

The Overman #1: I don't know much about it except it has something to do with the end of the world (I think), the art's not bad and it's been getting decent reviews; go to the title's site and download the preview. All in all, it could be interesting.


Recommended ...

The Brave and The Bold Vol. 1: Lords of Luck (hardcover): A pitch-perfect series so far, and the art of George Perez alone makes this worth the hardcover treatment.

The Escapists (hardcover): This was a mini-series I liked even more than I thought I would, with each issue moving organically — and seemingly inevitably — to its conclusion. Who knew a comic book about people trying to create a comic book would be as engaging as this? Genuine surprises, real emotion and even actual suspense surrounding characters you care about makes this a keeper.

The Pull List: 11-14-07

Wow, what a week for comics! There is so much good stuff coming out this Wednesday that I'll probably squeal like a little girl when I hit the shop later this afternoon. Enough preamble — to the list!

World War Hulk #5: With this fifth and final issue, the entertainingly over-the-top "Hulk-beats-on-everyone" storyline wraps up, and I can only assume it will be as wonderfully ridiculous as the rest of the mini-series.

I haven't been reading the various tie-ins but I don't feel as if I've missed anything, so this has been a fairly satisfying little collection. And why wouldn't it be? The concept is hard to screw up (gladiator-Hulk comes back to Earth with his alien-warrior posse to vent his rage on the heroes he believes killed his new family and destroyed his adopted planet), especially if you keep to the tight storytelling demanded by the limited series. Add to that the raw, muscular power that comes across in what is some of John Romita, Jr.'s best work in years and you've got a comic that remembers what made us all love the Hulk in the first place — sheer, widespread destruction.

Also, I hope he beats the living CRAP out of the Sentry. I hate that guy.


The rest ...

All-Star Superman #9

Atomic Robo #2

Booster Gold #4
(Is this actually coming out this week? Every list I've looked at says "yes," the DC site says "not until Nov. 28.")

BPRD: Killing Ground #4

Thor #4


Maybe ...

The Atheist #4: I really liked this series when it first started — A BILLION YEARS AGO! Frankly, I don't know if I can work up the interest anymore.

Batman and The Outsiders #1: I just realized I don't have any Batman titles on my regular pull, which seems strange and wrong. The original Outsiders used to be a favorite, but I can't decide whether or not I can get into the new team. On the plus side: No Geo-Force.

Captain Marvel #1: Let's take a look at the solicitation copy ... "From the pages of 'Civil War ...'" Yeah, probably not, then.

Project DOA Vol. 1: A manga that sounds like a combination of pulp super-science and Indiana Jones-style globetrotting? It's just a good thing no one has figured out how to inject this stuff directly into the bloodstream. This looks like a lot of fun, and probably worth picking up.

Wonder Woman #14: So here's my dilemma. I'm a fan of Wonder Woman as a character, but I haven't been very interested in reading her solo adventures. No one seems to write her well and her characterization has been all over the place for years, making it hard to feel invested in the Amazon-princess-ambassador-superhero-spy. On the other hand — Gail Simone takes over with this issue.

Crap. I'm going to end up buying this, aren't I?


Recommended ...

If you've got the cash and anything resembling a human soul, you must pick up all of these books ... all of them.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier (hardcover)

Scott Pilgrim Vol. 4: Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together

Showcase Presents: Sgt. Rock Vol. 1

Friday Night Fights: Ding-dong!

Hey, Atomic Robo! I think I heard someone knocking — would you mind getting the ...

Panel from Atomic Robo #1

Thanks, buddy! I keep telling those nazis we don't want any of their damn candy.


And that's why you never hear Bahlactus coming!

Following a link? Read more of the Post here.

The Pull List: 10-10-07

After some fairly heavy weeks, it looks as if things have slowed down with only four, count 'em FOUR, titles on the pull list. Granted, it's all good stuff but after weeks of having to trim the list down to something realistic (I'm on a budget, people!) it's a little weird — like going from a buffet to bistro dining. These sandwiches are so small!

Yikes. Before I get any more esoteric — to the list!

Atomic Robo #1 (of 6): When I first went through the solicits for the week, this one went into the "maybe" column. But then I read a little more about it and realized it's about a smart-alecky robot fighting Nazis! Plus, it has nice, clean art that's both cartoony and perfectly suited to the tone of the writing. Then I saw the preview and read this little exchange between Robo (I don't know if that's actually his name), some Nazi soldiers, and a gang of even more Nazis who are trying to dog-pile Robo into submission:

Nazi: Move and we shoot!

Robo: I'm comfortable with that.

(Nazis clinging to Robo commence to freaking out)

If I wasn't already almost guaranteed to pick up this book, that kind of dialogue pushed me right over. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, I like the style of art being used - it reminds me of Robert Kirkman's stuff in Invincible, as well as some of Evan Dorkin's work. In other words, it looks like fun stuff and I'm looking forward to reading it.


The rest ...

Booster Gold #3

BPRD: Killing Ground #3

Green Lantern #24


Maybe ...

Simon Dark #1: I don't know - I'm just not convinced. It looks pretty, but I can't see the story being maintained over time. Maybe if it was under the Vertigo imprint I'd have more faith, but for now the "creepy, neighborhood boogey-man who's also a superhero" vibe isn't clicking. And it's set in Gotham, which means there's going to be the inevitable Batman cameo; I'll come right out and put my money on issue five.

Deadlander #1: I really, really want to have more enthusiasm for this one, but I'm also really, really tired of undead/zombie titles. Still, I'm torn between my ambivalence for zombie books and my love for westerns, even if the concept for the hero reminds me of both Preacher's Saint of Killers and Gunwitch from Nocturnals. And the art looks great, so this one will come down right to the minute I take it off the rack. Take a look at the preview and let me know what you think.


Recommended ...

Gyo Vol. 1 (2nd ed.): I don't know what happened to the Japanese (OK, I have an idea), but they've got to have the most imaginative and seriously screwed-up collective subconscious ever. How else do you explain something like Gyo, a horror tale that centers around ... hell, I don't even know where to begin. Let's just say it starts with bloated fish sporting mechanical legs skittering out of the ocean, carrying with them a bacteria that begins to spread very quickly. And then it gets worse. Sooo much worse. Just thinking about what goes on in Gyo gives me the creeps and honestly makes me slightly queasy, so of course it's one of my favorites. Want to get into the Halloween mood and then not sleep until Christmas? Read Gyo.


(No, it won't ...)