The Pull-list: 6-6-07

It looks as if it's going to be a fairly small week here at the Post, with an unprecedented shut-out for the Big Two. That's right - this week's pull-list is 100 percent spandex-free. In place of unflattering bodysocks, we'll be freeing ourselves of the wedgie of superhero fare with the gently prying fingers of indie comics.

Well, mostly indie, anyway. Let's take a walk around, see it how it feels, shall we?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #4: I really, really had no intention of getting this. I watched the show, but was never able to catch it regularly and so never became one of the true believers. But then someone lent me numbers 1-3, and now I'm hooked. Everything I like about Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men and all the things that turned me into a Browncoat are here in a fun little package that does indeed both "rule" and "kick-ass." Knowing something about the characters definitely helps, and it's not something I'd recommend going into cold, but if you know enough to recognize the names Willow or Xander, you'll be set.

Death and the Man Who Would Not Die #1: This would make it to the list almost based on the name alone. C'mon, how awesome is that title? If it had been the name of a movie in the early 80s I probably would have watched it a kajillion times. Luckily, the concept - someone stole something from Death and Death wants it back, all in the Old West - sounds like fun. The art makes me think of a less stilted version of what's happening over in the Dark Tower series, with an obvious Sienkiewicz influence mixed in, so there's another plus. Hopefully the follow-through will match the potential. And hey, look - there's a preview.

Strange Embrace #1: While it may put my comic-cred at risk, I have to admit that I'd never heard of this title before recently. But, after reading some reviews and checking out the decidedly creepy Web site, this first of an eight-issue mini-series suddenly became this week's gotta-have. What's it about? I've read three descriptions of this re-release (originally published in 1993) and I'm still not completely sure, but it seems to be a modern, Gothic horror story about alienation, obsession and a malicious clairvoyant. I'm sure I'm not doing it justice, but I will say it's what I'm most looking forward to reading this week. Not to mention it's 32 pages for $2.99, which is a nice chunk of comics for your money.


Maybe ...

MPD-Psycho Vol. 1: But maybe not - a description that includes "unflinchingly grotesque glory" and "inventive torture scenes" leaves me a little cold.


Recommended ...

Human Diastrophism and The Girl From H.O.P.P.E.R.S.: It's Love & Rockets stories in a new series of trade paperbacks - that's all that needs to be said.

Oh, and some of the work in H.O.P.P.E.R.S. wasn't in the hardcover Locas collection. Just so you know.