The Pull List (11-04-08): Robert E. Howard keeps taking my money

I am mightily distracted today, so this week's pull list is going to be short and sweet. "Yeah, yeah," you say. "So what's new?"

Er ... look, comics!


Kull #1: The folks at Dark Horse seem determined to sack and pillage my wallet by reviving almost everything Robert E. Howard ever wrote. It's a strategy I can't find fault with, honestly, and I salute their shrewdness. I'm looking forward to reading a comic based on the exile from Atlantis and self-made king, and it doesn't hurt that it's written by Arvid Nelson — the person behind Rex Mundi. It's even got artwork that seems to fit with what I can't help but think of as Dark Horse's "Conan-style." I haven't decided whether that feeling of sameness (even though this, Conan and Solomon Kane are all done by different artists) bugs me or not, but I guess it helps pull all the Howard-based books together visually. Either way, the preview hooked me, and the title character isn't even featured; that's a good sign, so check it out for yourself and see what you think.


Also getting ...

Army @ Love: The Art of War #4

El Diablo #3


Maybe ...

Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel #1: This could be interesting, or it could be more of what we first got with the Sentry. And nobody wants that.

Adventure Comics Special Featuring Guardian #1: I'm going to get suckered into all of these "New Krypton" books, aren't I? Dammit.

Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion #1 (of 6): I'm a sucker for the sarge, and this one manages to be based on actual events and features both Johnny Cloud and the Haunted Tank. And there's no denying writer and artist Billy Tucci is a talented creator — I just don't know if I can wrap my mind around a good-lookin' Sgt. Rock. I'm sure I'll get over it, though — Joe Kubert can't draw the character all the time, right?


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

Booster Gold Vol. 2: Blue and Gold (hardcover): Worth getting if you're a hardcore Booster or Ted Kord/Blue Beetle fan, especially since this has been good ol' fashioned superhero fun — but don't feel bad if you want to wait for the softcover.


Recommended ...

E.C. Segar's Popeye Vol. 3: Let's You and Him Fight (hardcover): This is the third in a series of six, and I dream of having the complete set on my bookshelf someday. Beautifully designed over-sized books give you page after page of daily and Sunday Popeye newspaper strips from when it was still Thimble Theater, and it's great stuff. If you think you know Popeye from the cartoons, you deserve to get these books; if you consider yourself a fan of the brawling sailor-man, you need to get these books. As a bonus, this volume also has two weeks worth of extra-large strips from Popeye and Wimpy's 1933 trip to the Chicago World's Fair. Funny, odd and somehow timeless, these collections are a rediscovery of an iconic character. To get a better look at the book itself, check out the preview video.

The Pull List (9-4-08): Aiiee! El Diablo!!

Aaaaaaaaand ... to the list!

El Diablo #1: This is probably a ridiculous, fanciful dream, but I'd like to see a return of DC heroes to that mythical place called "The West." Not necessarily the Old West (that Bat Lash mini? Blech.), but just the West as a concept, as the idea of a place of wild lawlessness but with an urban update. We've already got Blue Beetle patrolling the El Paso/Juarez borderland, and it would be nice to see other characters keeping an eye on something other than the Eastern Seaboard.

I don't know exactly where El Diablo #1 is set, but it sure doesn't look like Metropolis. I'm looking forward to this new version of the Haunted Horseman, particularly since the new Diablo is Hispanic; is joined by the original character acting as a mentor (I'm a sucker for the ol' Ancient Advisor bit); and it's written by Jai Nitz, who wrote that all-Spanish issue of Blue Beetle (I smell team-up!), with art by Phil Hester and Ande Parks.

I wouldn't mind if DC came up with some new characters instead of just new versions of old characters once in a while, but if they're going to do it they might as well make it fun — and this looks as if it has what it takes to hit the mark like a gunslinger at High Noon.


The rest ...

Army @ Love: The Art of War #2

Manhunter #34


Maybe ...

Fringe #1 (of 6): Investigators of the paranormal is usually the sort of thing that's right up my alley, but I just can't shake the feeling that this tie-in to an upcoming TV show of the same name isn't going to be much more than six issues of paper-thin advertising. And even though one of the writers is Dr. Horrible co-creator Zack Whedon (and seriously, this title takes three writers?), I don't think there's enough here to tempt me into buying it. Huh, what do you know — I just talked myself out of it.

Mixed Vegetables Vol. 1: I have a confession to make — I have a soft spot for silly manga about star-crossed lovers, and this one about a wannabe sushi chef and a wannabe pastry chef looks like fun. STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT.

Spooks Omega Team #1: I was about to disregard this as just another "elite, special-ops task force kicking ass" sorta thing until I realized it was an elite, special-ops task force kicking ass sorta thing written by Larry Hama. The guy who wrote all that G.I. Joe. I even like the art work. Well played, Devil's Due.

Sub-Mariner: Depths #1: The art looks OK, but I'm probably going to wait and see if the story goes beyond Namor shouting "Imperious Rex" and acting like a douchebag. Don't get me wrong, I love that, but I don't know if it can carry an entire mini-series. I'm assuming it's a mini — the solicitation doesn't say. If it's a regular series, consider me even more doubtful. (Also, a helpful hint to the guys and gals at Marvel online: If you're going to post a preview, make sure the first three pages are actually legible. Thanks!)


Recommended ...

Immortal Iron Fist Vol. 2: The Seven Capital Cities of Heaven: As close to a perfect kung-fu comic mixing modern sensibilities with 70s-style wah-taaah! as you can get.

Krazy & Ignatz 1925-1926: A Happy Lend Fur Away (trade paperback; new printing): George Herriman's Krazy Kat is considered one of the most important, groundbreaking comic strips in the history of the medium, and rightly so. Beautiful in its starkness, surreal in story and heartbreaking in its ever-present undercurrent of unrequited — and unconditional — love, the strip is also consistently funny and strangely real. Like a brick to the head, Krazy Kat hits you hard and leaves a lasting impression: Get it.

The Pull List (12-19-07): Don't forget your Umbrella

This Wednesday's list looks as if it will start out small but could end up growing like Santa's bowl-full-of-jelly once I'm actually at the shop. It may not be as flashy as the Perfect Storm of November '07, but it's a solid week for comics. Satire, action and philosophy are all out for the picking, so if there's someone you know who's been wondering why you're still into this "kids' stuff," this would be a good time to take something from the rack, roll it up real tight and smack 'em in the melon with it. Then when you're done, let them read some of the smarter and more imaginative titles on the market right now.

Got your thinking caps on? Then on to the list!

Umbrella Academy #4: A lot has been made about Umbrella writer Gerard Way being the lead singer for My Chemical Romance, a band I've got to admit I'd heard of but didn't know much about. And you know what? It doesn't matter. Whether Way's band is your cup of tea or not, he's a hell of a comic book writer and Umbrella Academy is easily one of my favorite current titles. A rich, dark history of the dysfunctional "family" gathered together for study is caught in glimpses, while those same characters slug it out in action-packed battles with homicidal magicians and Zombie-Robot Gustav Eiffel. As if that wasn't enough, it's all illustrated by Gabriel Ba, one of the best comic book artists working today and who brings a genuine sense of moody tension and heartbreak to the book. Pick up Umbrella Academy — it's easily one of the best superhero team books out there, if not one of the best comic books, period. There's a preview of the first issue available, as well as previews for #2 and #3, so give it a look.


The rest...

Army @ Love #10

Immortal Iron Fist #11

Special Forces #2


Maybe ...

Conan #47: OK, so is this coming out or what? Dark Horse says it is, but every shipping list has a Frost Giant's Daughter one-shot scheduled for release. If it's the one-shot, consider it a good way to sample the series without having to commit to a whole story arc; if it's the regular title, I'll probably be picking it up (though this title has been edging toward the "wait-for-trade" list).

Incredible Hulk #112: Marvel's lunkheaded version of Hercules taking over for the Hulk? Pretty tempting, especially after reading the preview.

Long Count #1: An interesting mash-up of the cyberpunk and Latino magical-realism genres, with what looks like a strong female protagonist and art that blends gritty, photo-realistic backgrounds with character designs that make me think of Heavy Metal — yeah, I think I've pretty much talked myself into this one. Read the preview and see what you think.


Recommended ...

Action Philosopher's Giant-Size Thing Vol. 3: True story — I once started dozing in a philosophy class and did that falling-asleep-sudden-jerk thing and shot all my books right down the aisle; I have the exact opposite reaction when I read Action Philosophers, so give this smart and funny comic a try.

The Pull-list: 7-18-07

Whoops! I let my schedule get away from me, so this is going to have to be kind of a quick-hit version of the pull-list for this week (which is abnormally chunky). There are a lot of titles I was happy to see on the list this week, but the one I'm probably looking forward to reading most is:

Strange Embrace #2: Only one issue into it and this book is equal parts creepy, dread-filled and somehow melancholy. And nothing's happened yet. Well, that's not really fair, but let's just say that the things that have happened feel like a set-up for something that feels like it's going to be pretty awful. I love it. Plus, the writing is as tight as a twanging nerve, with art that's perfectly suited to the story. Check the preview out for yourself at the title's site (you'll have to do some navigating: click on the front door, then the door on the left called "Story Preview." Now click on the chest of drawers - ha! Made you look! No, seriously, click on the notebook on the table and that'll bring up the preview. Whew!).


The Usual ...

Army @Love #5

The Brave and The Bold #5

Captain America #28

Conan #42

Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil #4

The Spirit #8

World War Hulk #2


Maybe ...

Programme #1

Super-Villain Team-up: MODOK's 11 #1


Recommended ...

Madman Gargantua (hardcover): Assuming you've got between $125 and $150; if you do, lend me your copy when you're done.

Screw Heaven, When I Die I'm Going to Mars: A collection of some of Shannon Wheeler's best work. If you liked Too Much Coffee Man, you'll dig it.


And Now, A Question:

I've been tinkering with the format of this particular feature, and I'm wondering which is more helpful to you, the reader; a pull-list that features what I plan to get and why, or a list that features what I did get and my thoughts on them (basically, reviews)?

I've always leaned toward the "upcoming" format just because I thought it'd be more helpful in terms of providing a heads-up before people buy their comics, but I'd like your input on whether that's true. Of course, if I go with the "upcoming" type of list I'll make more of an effort to get it out early in the week (probably Tuesdays).

The Pull-list: 4-18-07

No time for love, Doctor Magnus! Who knew this whole "work" and "day-job" thing would be so demanding? Since I owe my soul to the company store, this weeks' pull-list is going to be charmingly simple - no fancy frills this time around.

Er ... yeah ... it's just a list. Sorry 'bout that. Keep your fingers crossed that work stops squatting on my head and giving me wet-willies before next week; now, on to the list!

52 #50: Almost there!

Army @ Love #2: I liked the first issue of this satire more each time I read it; looking forward to #2.

The Brave and The Bold #3: Pure awesome, now with more Blue Beetle.

Manhunter #30: Gets better and better; what hasn't killed it has made it stronger.

The Spirit #5: Great art, great writing and just a really great book.

Conan #39: Conan wants you to buy every book with his name on it, and I obey.


And maybe ...

World War III Parts 1-4: What the hell? Was I the only one who didn't know these four separate issues were coming out? And all at the same time? I feel a little manipulated here.

Death Dealer #1: Blame heavy metal album covers seeping into my head during my youth.


And if I could ...

The Professor's Daughter (graphic novel): First Second Books has been putting out some of the best original graphic novels for the past year or so, and this seems to be its latest addition to that list. A fun writer (though he did go on a bit in Vampire Loves) and gorgeous watercolor images puts this on my short list of trades and graphic novels.