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.

Friday Night Fights: Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil!

Spacebooger has declared Friday Night Fights will be musical number this time around, and I can't think of a better way to kick it off than with one of the most brutal fight scenes ever committed to a comics page, featuring Elektra and Bullseye —and accompanied by the equally brutal Lemmy Kilmister.

Crank it up!

Pushing up the ante, I know you've got to see me

Read 'em and weep, the dead man's hand again

I see it in your eyes, take one look and die

The only thing you see, you know it's gonna be,
The Ace Of Spades!
The Ace Of Spades!

And things just get worse for Elektra ... but at least Bullseye never actually sings.

Pages from Daredevil #181
Frank Miller, writer and artist; Klaus Janson, finished art and colors

Lyrics from "Ace of Spades," by Motorhead

The Pull List (9-24-08): Good dog!

There are a bunch of good comics coming out this week, making it hard to choose which one I'm looking forward to most, but Superman #680 was the top pick for one very simple reason:

Krypto the Goddamn Super-dog!

Writer James Robinson has been carving little love notes out of my suddenly tender heart with his characterization of Superman and Krypto's relationship, to the point that I go gooey every time I read the words, "good dog." And while we've seen the loyal, smart and happy-go-lucky Krypto in previous issues, this one promises a loyal, smart and completely junkyard dog-nuts Krypto going right for Atlas' throat (seriously; check out the preview).

I haven't read Superman for a long time but decided to give it a try when Robinson took over, and I'm glad I did. Characters, setting, even the bad guy — everything fits the way you would hope to give the reader an honest-to-Rao Superman story. Some things, like the bubblegum-like look of the flesh tones and story pacing that might be a little too slow, can be distracting but not to the point of throwing the book off the rails.

If anything, with the sure-handed way an inherently goofy and beloved concept like Krypto is being handled, I'd say Superman is right on track.


Also getting ...

Blue Beetle #31: Getting Jaime mixed up with the Border Patrol is an interesting idea, and I hope the angst between the agency and Hispanics (of whom many make up the Patrol's ranks) is at least touched on. Also, that hat is adorable.

Captain America #42: The conclusion to the "Death of Captain America" storyline, the best espionage/superhero story on the stands.

Cthulhu Tales #5: Boom! seems to have nearly cornered the market on Cthulhu, and that's all right by me. Like any anthology, this series sometimes lets loose a clunker, but it (along with the publisher's other ongoing Mythos-based series) has given me the creeps more than once. Good, Lovecrafty horror.

Daredevil #111: A new storyline starts with this issue, making a good jumping-on point if you've been waiting to give DD a chance. The sound of something like "Lady Bullseye" is usually the sort of thing that makes my eyes roll back so far I can see my own ass, but I trust Ed Brubaker as a writer so I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. I'll just have to check out my ass on my own time, I guess.

Hellboy: The Crooked Man #3 (of 3): Hands down one of the best Hellboy short stories ever, surprising considering the title character hasn't been given a lot to do so far. In fact, most of the story is being pulled along by Tom Ferrell, cursed, remoreseful and acting as a sort of Appalachian Constantine. Now hear this, Dark Horse: More stories of the backwoods magician! I would totally buy books about the further adventures of Tom Ferrell, especially if they're done by the Crooked Man team of Mike Mignola and Richard Corben. (Preview)


Maybe ...

Back to Brooklyn #1

The Girl Who Could Run Through Time Vol. 1 (of 2)

The Immortal Iron Fist Orson Randall and The Death Queen of California #1

M-Theory #1

Solomon Kane #1 (of 5) (Preview)


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

100 Bullets Vol. 12: Dirty (trade paperback)

Ambush Bug: Year None #3 (of 6): Dropped from the regular pull list! Too many insider jokes and not enough funny, it's like listening to people talk about a co-worker you don't know. Hopefully it'll come together once it's done.

Fables #76

Fall of Cthulhu: Godwar #2: This series tends to read better in trade, giving the story a chance to build suspense without losing momentum between issues. What's with the new artist, though? Maybe I've just gotten used to Mateus Santolouco's work, but the stuff by Mark Dos Santos seems like an odd choice. The work is solid, but the style just doesn't fit the tone of the book.

Wasteland #20


Recommended ...

Wonder Woman: The Circle (hardcover): Gail Simone made me fall in love with Wonder Woman all over again, and this storyline is a big part of the reason why. I don't know if I'm so smitten (smitten, I tell you!) that I won't wait for the trade paperback, but any fan of the Amazon princess should consider picking this up.

The Pull List (8-27-08): Plugging into the Family Dynamic

Let's pretend I said something here, and then let's pretend I said ... to the list!

(Oh, wait ...)

Family Dynamic #1: I had no intention of buying Family Dynamic #1.

For one thing, I think comics geared specifically toward younger readers is a great idea, but I'm not a regular visitor to the Marvel Adventures or Johnny DC side of the street myself. I enjoy them when I come across 'em, but I don't make a point of seeking them out.

Plus, I'd never even heard of it. That's probably my fault, but I don't think you can say DC has really been pushing Family Dynamic very hard, either. And once I did try to find out a little more, the cover art hit me as flat and really video gamey (not a pun! OK ... a little bit of a pun). I had pretty much decided I was going to pass on this one.

Sometimes I'm a dumb-ass.

After poking around a little more I found this preview on writer J. Torres' blog and, well ... I kinda dug it. The inside art is much different than the cover art, less stylized and more detailed, with a fluidity that lends itself well to bursts of action. Torres' writing, especially the dialogue, also trots along at a nice pace and does a good job of introducing what seem to be interesting, likeable characters. Not bad when you consider that preview's just four pages long.

It's too early to tell yet, but the concept seems to give off the vibe of a family-friendly Noble Causes or Dynamo 5, not to mention the super-powered fun of Blue Beetle. And I love me some Blue Beetle. Unfortunately, the title was supposed to be a six-issue mini series but was cut down to a measly three thanks to low pre-orders. That's too bad, because Family Dynamic looks like a title that deserves at least a decent shot at finding an audience — give it a try and see what you think.


The rest ...

Ambush Bug: Year None #2 (of 6)

Blue Beetle #30

Daredevil #110


Maybe ...

Guerillas #1 (of 9): Between Army @ Love and Special Forces, I've got all the war comics I need; I don't have a burning desire for another story set in the Vietnam War (unless it features crazy-ass R. Lee Ermey). But dammit — monkeys!

Immortal Iron Fist #18: I'm still on the fence about Iron Fist. The writing has been getting fair reviews, but I'm still spoiled by Fraction's work on this title. Also, the artwork in the last issue left me drowsy and slightly irritated for some reason. If I'm just being cranky and am missing out, let me know in the comments.

Reign in Hell #2: Trying to drum up enthusiasm for this so-far lackluster spook-story and it's slightly ridiculous Sam-Spade-as-a-sorcerer back-up story? Now that's hell! (Thank you, I'll be here all week.)


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

The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2: The Book of Destiny (hard cover): Fun stuff in the classic B&B style, though forking out the dough for a hard cover should depend on how much you're a fan of either writer Mark Waid or legendary artist George Perez.

Foundation Vol. 1 (trade paperback): An interesting take on the Nostradamus/Illuminati-style conspiracy angle, with solid action sequences and a plot that gets you there without making you feel like you've just been on the blunt end of a movie pitch.

Haunt of Horror: Lovecraft #3 (of 3): Adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft drawn by Richard Corben is one of those things that should be considered natural and right, like breathing and monster truck shows. I'm tempted every time I see it on the shelf but I'm trying to hold out for a collected edition.


Recommended ...

All Star Superman Vol. 1: The best Superman stories I've read in years, all being tied together in that quirky Grant Morrison way and supported by self-assured art from Frank Quitely. Get it.

Arsenic Lullaby: Pulp Edition: I cannot, in good conscience, give a general recommendation for this book. It's often disgusting, morally repugnant, and an assault on what most people would consider basic good taste. It also makes me laugh my ass off like nothing else. So if that sounds like your sort of thing, you definitely need to get this. But ... y'know ... don't blame me.

The Pull List (6-25-08): I really should be working right now

So real life — or more specifically, the Real Job — has been keeping me busy lately, so this pull list is going to have be even more basic than usual. I mean, ba-sic. But if you think I'm missing something I should absolutely be picking up (or you can't believe I'm getting that comic, because, seriously, what?), let me know in the comments.

But for now — to the list!


Getting ...

Captain America #39

Conan the Cimmerian #0

Daredevil #108

Final Crisis #2

Immortal Iron Fist #16

The Nearly Infamous Zango #3




Maybe ...

Gantz Vol. 1

Madame Xanadu #1


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

Green Lantern #32

Jack of Fables #23

Jack of Fables Vol. 3: The Bad Prince

Wasteland #18


Recommended ...

Demo (trade paperback)

Umbrella Academy Vol. 1: Apocalypse Suite

The Pull List (5-29-08): That's a whole lotta Morrison

Holy crap! Three different books by Grant Morrison coming out in the same week, along with some of my favorite ongoing titles?! Let's just say that if my weekly comic budget was a diet, I'd be stuffing my face with cupcakes and spare ribs ... delicious, delicious spare ribs.

Who else is hungry? To the list!

It's no secret Grant Morrison is one of my favorite writers, so when he's the source of three fairly significant titles coming out at the same time, it's kind of a big deal. Big enough that the only way I can wrap my mind around it is to squeeze All Star Superman #11, Batman #677 and Final Crisis #1 into one big lump of weirdo goodness.

All Star Superman has been a consistently strong title, re-energizing Superman with plenty of Morrison's hyper-modern, out-there concepts while fondly touching on iconic characters, locations and scenarios. There is nothing about AS Superman that doesn't feel as if it's solidly two minutes in the future, but at the same time it is nicely familiar and exceptionally inviting. A lot of the credit for that goes to the characterization of Superman himself, who is portrayed as the ideal hero who, essentially, is just trying to be the best person he can be. I have no idea if Morrison will revisit his version of Superman once this storyline ends with the next issue, but if not, at least I'll be able to reread and enjoy what will be considered a landmark Superman story.

As if that weren't enough, Morrison is also the writer for Batman #677 (part of the Batman R.I.P. story) and Final Crisis #1. Morrison writes an interesting Batman, and more importantly an interesting Bruce Wayne, so I'm curious to see where he takes things. Final Crisis is supposed to be the definitive wrap-up to the whole Infinite Crisis-52-Countdown thing, but really sounds more like it ties into his excellent (and mind-bending) Seven Soldiers "mega-series." Personally, that sounds A-OK to me and makes me care more about a story I might have chosen to ignore instead.


The rest ...

Giant-size Astonishing X-Men #1: The finale to Joss Whedon's big ol' X-Men in Space story.

Blue Beetle #27: Another issue written by pinch-hitters while the title transitions to a new, permanent creative team in July. Also — more Traci Thirteen.

Daredevil #107: Great crime-noir driven stuff every month about Marvel's mopiest superhero. It's the start of a new storyline, so try jumping on if you haven't already.

Immortal Iron Fist #15: Not only has the regular storyline been a fantastic blend of mystic kung-fu, superhero scenery chewing and sinister political machinations (not to mention a super-sumo named Fat Cobra), but the occasional looks at the Iron Fists of the past have been a highlight of this series. It's a clever way at deepening the legend of the Iron Fist and helps give Danny Rand an honest-to-God legacy; it also gives us titles like, "The Story of the Iron Fist Bei Bang-Wen — The Perfect Strategy Mind and his Miraculous Travels to the Dark Continent, and What Mysteries of the World and of the Self that He Learned There (1827-1860)."


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

Fables #73

Green Lantern #31

Thor #9


Maybe ...

Firebreather #1

Zombie Tales #1

Beyond #1


Recommended ...

Immortal Iron Fist Vol. 2: The Seven Capital Cities of Heaven (hardcover)

Jack Kirby's OMAC: One Man Army Corps (hardcover)

The Nearly Complete Essential Hembeck Archives Omnibus (trade paperback)

Reviews! Blue Beetle soars, The Spirit slips

I flaked on doing a pull list again, so let's take a look at some of the books I read this week:

Blue Beetle #25: Hands down, the best comic I read this week. John Rogers does an outstanding job of wrapping up this hero-defining story arc, and hits all the right buttons with every single character to make an appearance. And brother, that’s a lot of characters. Just about anybody who’s made an appearance in this title shows up, and many of them make an active contribution to the plot or dialogue. Normally you’d expect that to end up being clunky, or to at least feel a little forced here and there, but the story is smooth, quick-moving and practically sparks with energy. Rafael Albuquerque’s art is top-notch, and in the same way that I picture Curt Swan’s version when I think of Superman, Albuquerque’s Blue Beetle will always be my Blue Beetle.

I’m sorry that Rogers is leaving the title (hopefully just temporarily), because between the two of them Rogers and Albuquerque have created what is damn near the perfect superhero comic.

All Star Superman #10: Speaking of the Big Red S, Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely continue to pull off the impressive balancing act of bringing everything people love about Superman front and center while presenting it all in completely novel and imaginative ways. And when I say “imaginative ways” I mean, “freakin’ Morrison — how does he come up with this stuff?!” Combined with what’s turning out to be some of Quitely’s best work, the title is thoroughly modern without giving in to the lazy cynicism that might lead other writers to churn out more “grim-‘n’-gritty.” Morrison seems to be on track toward creating another milestone run, and for the first time in a long time, I care about what happens to Superman. Freakin’ Morrison.

Daredevil #106: Sometimes a fill-in issue really feels like a fill-in, and that’s the case with this issue of Daredevil. I know Ed Brubaker never seems to write anything that isn’t part of a bigger picture, but after the intensity of the last story arc this wound up feeling flabby and slow. The art by Paul Azaceta didn’t help, often distracting with a look that came off as unfinished and, in a few panels, flat and amateurish. Believe it or not, I don’t hate it — I just don’t think it’s a good fit for this book.

One more thing: I love the Ben Urich character and I think he’s an important part of the Daredevil family, but he and the rest of the supporting cast just came across as ineffectual and added to the sense that this issue didn’t really go anywhere. Honestly, I thought things were moving toward Matt Murdock’s friends staging some sort of intervention, and I was strangely disappointed when it didn’t happen. I don’t know if that says something about the story or me, but I ended this issue with a shrug.

Green Lantern #29: I’ve liked what writer Geoff Johns has done with Green Lantern (the book and the character), and Ivan Reis is the perfect artist for this title. But I really don’t need to read about Green Lantern’s origin. Again. I know it helps newer readers (I’m all for that) and it also helps cement the latest status quo in terms of continuity, but I almost felt like I was flipping through the book more than reading it. I’m not sure how many issues it’s going to take to rehash the origin story, but I hope it’s wrapped up lickety-split.

DROPPED! The Spirit #15: The idea was to give this title one more shot after the new team’s disappointing debut last issue, but while flipping through it in the shop I decided it was over. The art by Mike Ploog was solid enough, but not very distinctive and close enough to Will Eisner’s style that it comes across as unoriginal. The killer, though, was thumbing through the title to see if the same problems with characterization popped up again and finding Dolan smoking a bubble pipe. Which I could’ve lived with (I know how much writers Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones love their little sight gags), but then there was a whole scene where the usually stoic police commissioner is pompously giving a press conference before breaking down into vaudevillian-style bluster because The Spirit is getting the credit for a bust. That’s not Dolan, who has always treated Denny Colt as a partner and even a surrogate son, and this kind of mischaracterization is more frustrating than fun.

The Pull List (12-28-07): A holiday update

The holidays are still wreaking havoc on the schedule here at Great Caesar's Post, but just to let you know comics haven't been lost in the shuffle, here are the books I picked up this week:

Blue Beetle #22

The Brave and The Bold #9

Captain America #33: This issue has one of the greatest, funniest and most outright awesome fight scenes I've seen in a long time. Calling it unarmed combat seems to be both an incredibly accurate statement and an irresistible pun.

Los 4 Fantasticos: Isla de la Muerte (one-shot): Was it a pretty clever idea for Marvel to release the Spanish-language version of this issue, and did I manage to snag the last copy at my comic shop? Si, buey! (Also, Juan Doe's retro-animated art style is gorgeous to look at, and nicely complements the all-ages story — read the six-page preview and see for yourself.)

Daredevil #103

Green Lantern #26


A couple of titles were bumped to "wait-for-the-trade" status (man, there's got to be an easier way to say that), including Conan and Uncle Sam and The Freedom Fighters. Conan has been consistently excellent, but with a relaunch planned for April 2008 and a steady stream of overlapping limited series, it's just become a little too unwieldy. I'm replacing the individual issues with the trades anyway, so consider this a case of cutting out the middle man.

And Uncle Sam? This limited series has some keen-o concepts, but somehow it's just not providing enough oomph to keep me interested. If it turns out that the book pulls it all together in the end, I might pick it up in trade. As it stands, though, it's time to drop it.

Finally, if you've got a few spare bucks be sure to grab yourself copies of the Queen and Country Definitive Edition Vol. 1 and Wasteland Book 2: Shades of God. Queen and Country should be considered essential reading, especially if you have any love of the spy genre, Brits or strong female characters. This is one of my favorite series ever, and I can't recommend it enough.

Wasteland is well-written, drawn in a style that is both sketchy and richly rendered, and hints at a back-story that's been obviously well thought-out. It takes the tired idea of a post-apocalyptic world and somehow makes it fresh all over again — you won't go wrong picking it up.

Have a happy New Year, everyone!

The Pull List (11-29-07): Back from the dead

So, how does a holiday last week mean late books this week? Who cares? Forget Black Friday, it's New Comics Wednesday (sorta) — to the list!

Doc Frankenstein #6: Dammit. I had already all but given up on Doc Frankenstein, in spite of it being a comic I enjoyed based on its sheer audacity and amazing bullet count. Check this out — that was a throw-away panel, for God's sake! And so far, the main story has been something to do with Frankenstein (he took his "dad's" name, so don't give me crap) fighting the surprisingly heavily armed Church and a redneck family of werewolves, which is at least five kinds of awesome.

But then, it just disappeared; no new issues, nothing new from Burlyman in general, nada. And after that, there was more nothing. Was it unreasonable to consign Doc Frankenstein to the list of "comics that just sorta stopped coming out?" I didn't think so. But now here it is, chagrined and puppy-eyed, with a cover that asks, "You want to know what happens ... right?"

Dammit!


The rest ...

Blue Beetle #21

Daredevil #102

Uncle Sam and The Freedom Fighters #3


Maybe ...

Dan Dare #1: I've gotten a little burned-out on Garth Ennis' s over-the-topiness, but I still consider myself a fan. If Ennis can keep it reined in, I think this could be pretty great.

Marvel Atlas #1: My common sense says "no," but my love of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe says, "Oh God, yes!"

Pumpkin Scissors Vol. 1: Ignoring the ridiculous name (I would have sworn it was a swoony romance manga set in a hair salon), a story about a special forces team fighting renegades in the post-war days of a shaky empire sounds kind of cool. But seriously ... Pumpkin Scissors?!?


Recommended ...

Captain America by Ed Brubaker Omnibus Vol. 1 (hardcover): I can't say enough good things about Brubaker's run on Captain America, a comic that he's turned into a neat little espionage story with tights. Smartly written and beautifully drawn, it's hard to imagine this wouldn't be worth the steep cover price.

What's on your list? Let me know in the comments!

WTF Wednesday: Next time, just take the ferry

Seriously, in the Silver and Bronze ages this sort of thing used to happen ALL THE TIME. After getting the upper hand earlier in #141, Bullseye (who else?) first saves Daredevil from drowning in the Hudson River only to then launch him toward New Jersey.

New Jersey. Man, Bullseye really is a jerk.

Panel from Daredevil #142
Marv Wolfman, writer; Bob Brown, pencils

The Pull List: 9-26-07

I'm schizophrenic when it comes to Wednesdays. On one hand, it's the day of my weekly department meeting at work. On the other, it's also the day new comics come out. I'm no math guy, but I'm pretty sure it works out like this:

meeting = no fun

comics = big fun

Therefore, comics are mathematically superior to meetings. Hmm. I'm not sure we needed science to figure that one out, actually. Still, this week looks like it's packed with especially fun titles, so - to the list!

Uncle Sam and The Freedom Fighters #1 (of 8): This is the second mini-series starring the revamped Freedom Fighters, and I think it's the perfect way to keep this current version going. Tight, self-contained story-arcs which, hopefully, aren't too reliant on new readers having deep knowledge of what's gone before will help maintain interest better than an ongoing series featuring what many consider fringe characters. And believe me, it kills me to say that, but I actually had someone outright mock my love of the original Freedom Fighters (I never forget, Lisa - never). Maybe someone in the DC offices had the same problem, because these Fighters - with the exception of grandfatherly ass-kicker Uncle Sam - are definitely more grim-and-gritty than the originals. Returning writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti do a good job of giving the angst well-weighted context, though, as well as infusing each character with a distinct personality and motivation. The work of new artist Renato Arlem looks as if it will be a good fit, and look at that cover by Dave Johnson! The first mini-series certainly had some clunky spots, but all in all I'm looking forward to this.


The rest ...

Annihilation Conquest: Star-Lord #3

Blue Beetle #19

Crossing Midnight #11

Immortal Iron Fist #9

Immortal Iron Fist Annual #1

The Spirit #10


Maybe ...

I Killed Adolf Hitler (trade paperback): Contract killers, time-travel and waiting decades to catch up with a wiley Adolf Hitler puts this slim trade (48 pages) on the short-list. Also, it's supposed to be funny, so I'll be giving it a close look.

Justice League of America #13: The recent Wedding Special was OK, and I hear there are high-hopes that the JLA will be worth reading about again - we'll see. Can anyone give me a solid recommendation for this? Speaking of which ...


Recommended ...

Daredevil: Hell to Pay Vol. 1: It's Ed Brubaker, it's some of the best Daredevil writing in a long time, and if you haven't been reading it monthly you really should be getting this trade.

Madman Vol. 1 (Image edition): A caveat! If you've been reading the latest Madman series, or have read it in the past, and been amused, interested or intrigued - pick this up. If it only frustrated you with what can honestly be described as superhero navel-gazing and sometimes meandering plotting, then take a pass.

Showcase Presents: Metal Men Vol. 1: With another caveat that you must have a high-tolerance for comics that are so packed with awesome that there's no room left for logic. Bob Kanigher, who brought us The War That Time Forgot, was on a roll when he came up with these stories.

The Pull List: 9-12-07

There are a lot of interesting titles out this week, so let's get to it!

Cthulhu Tales: Tainted (one-shot): I should say right up front that Kevin Church, one of the contributing writers featured in Cthulhu Tales: Tainted (as well as this week's Cover Girl), is one of my favorite comics bloggers. Because of that, it's not a surprise that I tend to enjoy his scripts as well, which is one of the reasons I'm looking forward to this third installment in the Mythos-based anthology series from Boom Studios. While the second volume (Cthulhu Tales: The Rising) wasn't as strong as the first, it was still a solid offering with a couple of stand-outs, one of which was Church's "The Art of Noises." Church is back for Tainted, along with a bunch of writers I believe are new to the anthology, so I'm looking forward to another well-written, moodily drawn creepfest that gives the Great Old Ones some much deserved love. Pick this up and support Church's booze and Pet Shop Boys habit and get some quality horror stories as a bonus.


The rest ...

Booster Gold #2

BPRD: Killing Ground #2

Daredevil #100

Green Lantern #23

Justice Society of America #9


Maybe ...

Drafted #1: Aliens draft all of mankind into a battle against other aliens or they'll destroy Earth? Someone's been reading my wish-book.

Parade (With Fireworks): Once again, Image surprises me with what looks like a well-done, non-spandex title. I'm a sucker for post-World War I era settings and the art looks great, so this is almost a sure thing.

Poison Candy: It's a manga, but if you thought this was an emo-heavy romance story, you'd better think again since this is more along the lines of a worldwide pandemic giving teens telekinetic powers and then killing them sort of thing.

Thor #3: This is real close to getting cut off completely. First, there's so much decompression I'm getting the bends. Then I read the preview pages that featured full-on Katrina exploitation and another scenery-chewing portrayal of Iron Man, and it managed to suck my interest almost completely dry. I really didn't mean for that last part to sound as dirty as it did.


Recommended ...

Action Philosophers #9: The Lightning Round: If you've been curious what all the fuss has been about, this is your last chance to pick up an issue of Action Philosophers before it closes up shop. OK, there'll still be the trades (which you should also be grabbing), but if you want to satisfy your craving for knowledge and smart-assery in a floppy format, you'd better do it now.

Groo 25th Anniversary Special: I'm not even going to explain why. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO explain why.

The Pull List: 8-8-07

This seems to be one of those times when it can either be a small week for the pull list, or it can be a little more respectably sized if I decide to give in to temptation. Yeah, I think we all know how this is going to end up - to the list!

BPRD : Killing Ground #1: This latest BPRD series picks up where the last mini, Garden of Souls, left off, which is fairly exciting since Garden was pretty kick-ass. Creator and writer Mike Mignola can seemingly do no wrong - especially when it comes to his Hellboy universe - and I'm looking forward to seeing where he and co-writer John Arcudi go with the snappy momentum they built up with the last storyline. The potential for new directions has been mapped out, new characters have been introduced, and the artwork by Guy Davis lends a nicely organic feel to the whole thing. If for some insane reason you haven't been reading BPRD, now would be a good time to get on board with what is consistently one of the best titles out there.


The Rest ...

Daredevil #99

Green Lantern #22


Maybe ...

Avengers Classic #3: This wasn't originally on the list, but a retelling of the Hulk's first fight with the Avengers? I'm not even sure it should be a "maybe."

Black Adam: The Dark Age #1 (of 8): Honestly, I'm a little burned out on Black Adam. The idea of a depowered Teth-Adam trying to resurrect his murdered wife Isis is interesting (even if it was already done with Ralph and Sue in 52), but I'm worried it's a concept that will be dropped early in this eight-part mini series. I'm willing to bet Adam will get powered up pretty quick, and nobody needs a repeat of World War III. Check out a preview and see what you think.

Black Metal Vol. 1: I've been hearing good things about it, and the preview is awesome. It looks like it will deliver on all those promises made by the heavy metal album covers I grew up with, and I'm fairly sure it will lead to me throwing the goat with obnoxious frequency. Everybody wins!

Un-Men #1: Looks cool, but I'll probably wait. It's a concept that could either come off great, or really, really blow.


On The Block ...

Criminal #8: I know this is widely regarded as one of the better titles on the shelves right now (and it is very solid on all counts), but I'm wondering if this might work better in trade. Would that be the way to go, or should I be patient and stick with the monthly?

The Pull-list: 6-27-07

There aren't really any surprises in this week's pull-list, so this will feel shorter than usual. But I think you'll still be able to feel the love, and isn't that what's important? So let's see what's on this week's pull-list ... together.

Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1: The regular Green Lantern monthly has been a consistently fun read (even if I'm not completely sold on the recent change in art style), and I really like the way the GL backstory has been expanding and gaining depth. The concept of a Green Lantern Corps particularly feels more like what it's supposed to be - an universe-wide law enforcement and rescue organization, rather than a gang of cowboys run by a bunch of floating Smurfs. So set up the ultra-evil Sinestro and his own army of scary sumbitches as the opposite numbers to the GL Corps and I'm sold. Not to mention I get a kick out of the fact Sinestro looks like an evil butler. Specifically, an evil Alfred with a power ring, which is a concept that blows my mind.

Marvel Adventures Avengers #14: I've heard a lot of good things about the Marvel Adventures line, mostly along the lines of the titles being where all the fun is hiding. And while I've been interested, I was content to wait for the collections instead of picking up any monthly titles. Jeff Parker swatted that idea away with two things; 1. He's Jeff Parker, and, 2. he wrote an Avengers story featuring the Agents of Atlas! Agents of Atlas was one of the best mini-series of the past 12 months (if you haven't already, go get it), and since then Parker has been shoe-horning the team into any title he can. This is a good thing. I don't know if I'll be picking this up on a monthly basis, but I will absolutely pick it up this month.

EDIT: So, I pick up this title, and guess what? No Agents of Atlas. Instead, judging from a quick flip through the comic, it looks to be a story set in medieval times (no, not the restaurant, though I'd buy that in a second). Apparently Marvel lies, which I suppose shouldn't be a shocker. Still, it's Jeff Parker so I'll forgive ... this time.

The Usual ...

Blue Beetle #16

Criminal #7

Crossing Midnight #8

Daredevil #98


Maybe ...

Subculture #1: Meta-humor!


Recommended ...

Conan Vol. 4: Hall of The Dead & Other Stories

Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess' Stardust (hardcover)

The Pull-list: 5-31-07

This week's comics are a day late thanks to the federal holiday seemingly set aside for department store sales and low, low prices, so I'm a day late, too. OK, I'm two days late, but meh! Let's go shopping!

Blue Beetle #15: I'm just going to go ahead and say it: Pound for pound, this is my favorite superhero comic. The writing has been top-notch since the beginning, and gets noticeably better with almost every issue (particularly the diaglogue). The art is unique and always solid, and helps give Blue Beetle its own vibe while putting it smack-dab in the middle of the DC universe. And that leads to one of the things I like most about this title: Through Jaime Reyes, a new character thrown into an entirely new environment, readers get to experience everything as if it's new to us, too. It's fun, it's smart and it should be on your list.

Crossing Midnight #7: Vertigo has been winning back my interest with some of its new titles lately, and Crossing Midnight has had a lot to do with it. It features interesting characters, a familiar-but-different culture as a background, and a plot that makes me wonder what's going to happen next; in other words, some of the things a good comic is supposed to have. And that stuff that happened with the mom? Creepy.

Justice Society of America #6: Soooooo much better than JSA Classified! Seriously, it reminds me of what made me dig the JSA books in the first place. The ongoing story of a powerful, yet entirely human, team that ultimately functions as an extended family touches me in just the right spot (y'know ... the cockles), and this title manages it without being shmaltzy. The team producing it could stand to ease off on the whole "setting an example to the next generation" bit, but I've got to admit I like the way they handle the interaction between the older and younger heroes. And the way "guest stars" like Superman, Batman and that jerk Geo-Force have been used has been perfect.


The Usual ...

Green Lantern #20

Daredevil #97


Maybe ...

Ray Harryhausen Presents Wrath of the Titans #1: I loved the movie. I still love the movie. Shut up. (I just hope I don't hear that stupid owl in my head.)


Recommended ...

Fun Home (trade paperback): This memoir about growing up in the family funeral home, questions of sexuality and the complicated relationship between child and parent has been earning glowing reviews, and now it's been released in a softcover format selling for less than 15 bucks. Seriously, what are you waiting for?