The Pull List (6-3-09): To the Batmobile!

I know it probably seems as if I just squee and drop my pants in excitement every time Grant Morrison has a new book coming out, but I can't help but be really excited about Batman and Robin #1.

Pairing up again with artist Frank Quitely, the team is hopefully going to do for the Dynamic Duo what they did for the Man of Steel with All Star Superman — which was SUPERB. Morrison and Quitely's AS Superman was some of the best recent work from two talented creators, and I don't see any reason they wouldn't be able to carry that same momentum over into this new title.

On top of that (correct me if I'm wrong, Internets!), I think this is the first full appearance of Dick Grayson in the cowl with Damian as the Boy Wonder. Normally this transition would have me hoping for the best while expecting the worst, but I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing how Morrison handles it. And I know I say it whenever it comes up, but Quitely's art just gets better and better, and what I've seen of this title looks fantastic (you can see some preview pages right here).

I haven't bought a Batman title regularly in years; Batman and Robin #1 is changing that.


What else is on the list

Agents of Atlas #6

Atomic Robo and the Shadow From Beyond Time #2

Captain Britain and MI-13 Annual #1

The Muppet Show #3

Seaguy: The Slaves of Mickey Eye #3

Superman: World of New Krypton #4


And maybe ...

Captain Blood: Odyssey #1: Damn my weakness for pirate stories! Actually, I'm tempted by the idea that it's supposedly faithful to the original novel, and the interior art looks appropriately lush (though, what's up with that cover? Blech.).

Final Crisis Aftermath: Run #2: This might have to wait until trade, but I like that it's unapologetically meant to be a mini-series "full of trashy humor and unneccessary violence." A preview is available from the DC site, in case you're still trying to make up your mind, too.

Timestorm 2009-2099: Spider-Man: Ha ha ha!! Just kidding — I couldn't resist pointing out that incredibly lame-o name. Timestorm ... hee!


Waiting for the trade

Secret Six #10

Jersey Gods #5


Waiting for the library

Mighty #5

Chew #1


Recommended

Daredevil Omnibus Vol. 1 (Brubaker and Lark): I normally try to avoid recommending hard covers or collections that are just, y'know, FREAKIN' EXPENSIVE. But if you're a fan of well-written noir that just happens to be about a blind superhero — and you've got an extra $74.99 laying around — this collection by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark is well worth it (it's also available from Amazon for a very reasonable $47). The creative team just consistently put Daredevil through the wringer, and makes you care about Matt Murdock and the people around him every inch of the way. It's great storytelling, and will likely go down as a definitive time in the character's development. If you can, you should pick it up.

The resurrection and death of 'Captain Britain'

Sometimes it seems as if every comic I like is going to be canceled.

As you might've heard, Captain Britain and MI-13 will be ending with issue #15, meaning there are just two more issues and an annual left to go before one of the best team books on the stands gets the ax. I'm not sure exactly why the title is being canceled, but I'd guess that like the similarly well-regarded Manhunter and Blue Beetle, MI-13 just couldn't pull in the readership it needed in spite of being popular with critics.

There's a reason it has such a solid fanbase — it's just really, really good. Pulling off a team book is tough, especially when it's about a team of second- and third-string characters most people have to turn to Wikipedia to figure out. But thanks to writer Paul Cornell and artist Leonard Kirk, MI-13 turned out to be among the most interesting and just plain fun comics out there. Hell, it even made me care about Captain Britain.

There is some good news. According to Cornell's blog post announcing the cancelation, the current story arc was already written to end with issue #15; as a matter of fact, it was written with the idea that it might be the end of the series itself. Here's what Cornell had to say in his post:

"Lastly, and this is really important, while we didn’t know this would be the last arc until comparatively recently, I had it in mind that it was possible it would be from the time I started plotting it. Indeed, the end of this arc marks the end of what I had planned for the book when I started. One of the images right at the finish is what I always felt I was heading towards, and I’m very pleased I got there. So: you will get a real, thorough, proper, ending, not just of ‘Vampire State,’ but of the whole run. It hasn’t been rushed to fit the space, it hasn’t been compromised, it won’t just suddenly cut off: it’s what I intended. I think the Annual and the two remaining issues finish off one of my best stories in any media, and that story is actually the entirety of Captain Britain and MI-13. You’ll see what I mean a bit more next issue. This is a comic with a proper ending.

That surprisingly goes a long way toward making me feel better about losing such a great book, even though it still bites. Cornell and Kirk brought some great concepts and fantastic scenes to readers, not least of which include:

Doctor Doom and Dracula plotting ... on the moon!


And vampire missiles .... launched from the moon!


Between this and its apparent insistence on raising cover prices, Marvel is producing fewer and fewer books I want to pick up on a monthly basis. Still, gotta make room for the next X-book, right? Maybe Wolverine will be in it!!

Panel from Captain Britain and MI-13 #10
Paul Cornell, writer; Leonard Kirk, penciller; Jay Leisten, inker; Brian Reber, colorist