QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-05-08
By John Judy
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #552 by Bob Gale and Phil Jimenez. The writer of “Back to the Future” takes on Spidey. “Great Scott!” No wait, that’s X-Men….
BOYS #16 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Involving an undead “hero” and a gerbil. Ennis pushes the envelope and then sticks it screaming into the shredder. Not for kids.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #12 by Drew Goddard and Georges Jeanty. A new story-arc “Wolves at the Gate” from the writer of “Alias”, “Lost”, and “Cloverfield.” Set in Tokyo.
CABLE #1 by Duane Swierczynski and Ariel Olivetti. Cable's in 2043 New Jersey which is even worse than 2008 New Jersey if such a thing is possible. And he's got the mutant killer Jesus baby from “Messiah Complex.” At least there's violence.
CLANDESTINE #2 of 5 written and drawn by Alan Davis. An immortal family dramedy reminiscent of a good "Buffy" but with a lot of back-story. And it's got Davis art so of course it looks great.
FABLES: 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL SC by Bill Willingham and Every Artist You Love, including Vess, Bolland, Kaluta, and many more! Something for everyone! Recommended!
GREEN LANTERN #28 by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone. More fun with the Alpha Lanterns, the Lost Lanterns, and the Pistachio Rocky-Road Lanterns!
JUSTICE LEAGUE: NEW FRONTIER SPECIAL written and drawn by Darwyn Cooke. Lotsa never before seen goodies celebrating the release of the popular DVD.
KIRBY: KING OF COMICS HC by Mark Evanier. Years in the making, this is Evanier’s tribute to his former boss and long-time friend, Jack Kirby, the guy who co-created the foundations of the Marvel Universe and a lot more. Already going back to press, this book is a must for all subjects of The King. Highly Recommended.
LOGAN #1 of 3 by Brian K. Vaughan and Eduardo Risso. Given the creative team this book shall surely take its place in the small but elite club of “Wolverine Comics That Don’t Suck.”
NORTHLANDERS #4 by Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice. Sven the Uber-Viking faces repercussions from his latest naughtiness. Great stuff from the author of DMZ.
OMEGA THE UNKNOWN #6 of 10 by Jonathan Lethem and Faryl Dalrymple. This issue has a nice but spare memorial page to the late Steve Gerber, creator of Omega the Unknown and Howard the Duck, who passed away recently from a smoking-related illness. Beyond that you're either into this series already or you're not.
SCALPED #15 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. Introducing Mr. Brass and his little black bag of pain. Okay, all of you have to start reading this now. Except for the kids. Highly recommended.
STREETS OF GLORY #4 of 6 by Garth Ennis and Mike Wolfer. The battle rages on against renegade Indians, blown shipping deadlines, and Avatar’s crummy website.
TERRY MOORE’S ECHO #1 written and drawn by Terry Moore. The creator of STRANGERS IN PARADISE wonders what it would be like to be the host of a symbiotic nuclear weapon and a dead woman who lives in your heart. Well, who hasn’t?!
THE TWELVE #3 of 12 J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston. A really strong issue focusing on how the twelve time-tossed heroes of the 40s are adjusting to the 21st century. Gorgeous art by Weston. Thus far the strongest of the three "golden-age revival" books on the stands this month. Highly recommended.
UNCANNY X-MEN #496 by Ed Brubaker and Mike Choi. Global Mutant Action in San Francisco and Russia! A good issue but one you shouldn't read until the current ASTONISHING X-MEN story wraps up. Major Spoiler Alert! Otherwise recommended.
YOUNG LIARS #1 written and drawn by David Lapham. The creator of STRAY BULLETS begins his first full-color monthly book featuring the adventures of a brain-damaged rich girl, a pathological liar, and their entourage of losers. Not for the young or faint of heart. Recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
Showing posts with label John Judy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Judy. Show all posts
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 02-27-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 02-27-08
By John Judy
ALL-STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN #9 by Frank Miller and Jim Lee. Brace yourselves….
BATMAN #674 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. Torture! Isolation! Bat-Mite! Three great tastes that go great together!
BLACK PANTHER ANNUAL #1 by Reginald Hudlin, Larry Stroman, and Ken Lashley. A peek into the future with magic frogs. Good stuff.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #35 by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice. In which we learn not to trust a Nazi analyst with a beard longer than all of Z.Z. Top put together.
CRIME BIBLE: THE FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOOD #5 of 5 by Greg Rucka, Manuuel Garcia, and Jimmy Palmiotti. Final issue with an awesome cover by John Van Fleet.
CRIMINAL 2 #1 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Just the best damn comic on the stands. Honest. Not for kids. Lots of extras and a great jumping-on point for all. Highly Recommended.
DAN DARE #4 by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine. It’s space-opera, Ennis-style!
DAREDEVIL #105 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. The big showdown with Mister Fear a.ka. “Larry.” It’s a great pay-off and a classic Brubaker twist of the knife. Recommended.
GRAVEL #1 by Warren Ellis, Mike Wolfer, and Raulo Caceres. Ellis’s “Combat Magician” is back! Brutal hi-jinks ensue! NOT for kids.
HELLBLAZER #241 by Andy Diggle and Leonardo Manco. An evil war-mage is after Constantine and none of his friends want to help. In other words, it’s Wednesday.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #13 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross, and Dale Eaglesham. Featuring a classic floating-heads cover by Alex Ross! With a story inside!
KICK ASS #1 by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. It would appear to contain fisticuffs.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ATLAS ERA HEROES, VOL. 2 HC by John Romita Sr., Bill Everett, and Other Underpaid Folks. If you like seeing Captain America, the Human Torch, and the Sub-Mariner fighting commies, this is the book for you!
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #5 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. Some will live! Some will die! Some will die again! Or will they….?
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #1 of 6 by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger, and Carlos Paul. The “golden-age heroes in the modern world” story NOT being written by Straczynski! Thank-you, expired copyrights!
RASL #1 written and drawn by Jeff Smith. In Smith’s own words: “”It’s pronounced ‘Razzle.’ It’s Blade Runner meets Jason Bourne. He’s an art thief who jumps dimensions. It’s a serialized graphic novel that’ll take about two years to finish.” In other words, this one’s the Event of the Week!
SHE-HULK #26 by Peter David and Shawn Moll. Bounty-huntin’, badoon smackin’, raise the dead action from the PAD-guy!
SHOWCASE PRESENTS SUPERMAN FAMILY VOL. 2 SC by Otto Binder, Curt Swan, Wayne Boring, and Others! Classic tales of Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane! Good for the whole family!
SPIDER-MAN: WITH GREAT POWER #2 of 5 by David Lapham and Tony Harris. Tales from after the bite but before Uncle Ben got killed by Generic Thug or Sandman or whoever.
THOR #6 by J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Copiel. Tales of Asgard by way of Oklahoma. Also a tough decision is reached.
WORLD WAR HULK AFTERSMASH: DAMAGE CONTROL #2 of 3 by Dwayne McDuffie and Salva Espin. If Halliburton existed in the Marvel Universe (and wasn’t completely evil) it would be Damage Control.
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS: HULKLING #2 of 6 by Brian Reed and Harvey Tolibao. A father-son reunion for Hulkling and Captain Mar-Vell. Nice stuff.
Plus PREVIEWS from Diamond and Marvel Comics.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
ALL-STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN #9 by Frank Miller and Jim Lee. Brace yourselves….
BATMAN #674 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. Torture! Isolation! Bat-Mite! Three great tastes that go great together!
BLACK PANTHER ANNUAL #1 by Reginald Hudlin, Larry Stroman, and Ken Lashley. A peek into the future with magic frogs. Good stuff.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #35 by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice. In which we learn not to trust a Nazi analyst with a beard longer than all of Z.Z. Top put together.
CRIME BIBLE: THE FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOOD #5 of 5 by Greg Rucka, Manuuel Garcia, and Jimmy Palmiotti. Final issue with an awesome cover by John Van Fleet.
CRIMINAL 2 #1 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Just the best damn comic on the stands. Honest. Not for kids. Lots of extras and a great jumping-on point for all. Highly Recommended.
DAN DARE #4 by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine. It’s space-opera, Ennis-style!
DAREDEVIL #105 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. The big showdown with Mister Fear a.ka. “Larry.” It’s a great pay-off and a classic Brubaker twist of the knife. Recommended.
GRAVEL #1 by Warren Ellis, Mike Wolfer, and Raulo Caceres. Ellis’s “Combat Magician” is back! Brutal hi-jinks ensue! NOT for kids.
HELLBLAZER #241 by Andy Diggle and Leonardo Manco. An evil war-mage is after Constantine and none of his friends want to help. In other words, it’s Wednesday.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #13 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross, and Dale Eaglesham. Featuring a classic floating-heads cover by Alex Ross! With a story inside!
KICK ASS #1 by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. It would appear to contain fisticuffs.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ATLAS ERA HEROES, VOL. 2 HC by John Romita Sr., Bill Everett, and Other Underpaid Folks. If you like seeing Captain America, the Human Torch, and the Sub-Mariner fighting commies, this is the book for you!
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #5 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. Some will live! Some will die! Some will die again! Or will they….?
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #1 of 6 by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger, and Carlos Paul. The “golden-age heroes in the modern world” story NOT being written by Straczynski! Thank-you, expired copyrights!
RASL #1 written and drawn by Jeff Smith. In Smith’s own words: “”It’s pronounced ‘Razzle.’ It’s Blade Runner meets Jason Bourne. He’s an art thief who jumps dimensions. It’s a serialized graphic novel that’ll take about two years to finish.” In other words, this one’s the Event of the Week!
SHE-HULK #26 by Peter David and Shawn Moll. Bounty-huntin’, badoon smackin’, raise the dead action from the PAD-guy!
SHOWCASE PRESENTS SUPERMAN FAMILY VOL. 2 SC by Otto Binder, Curt Swan, Wayne Boring, and Others! Classic tales of Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane! Good for the whole family!
SPIDER-MAN: WITH GREAT POWER #2 of 5 by David Lapham and Tony Harris. Tales from after the bite but before Uncle Ben got killed by Generic Thug or Sandman or whoever.
THOR #6 by J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Copiel. Tales of Asgard by way of Oklahoma. Also a tough decision is reached.
WORLD WAR HULK AFTERSMASH: DAMAGE CONTROL #2 of 3 by Dwayne McDuffie and Salva Espin. If Halliburton existed in the Marvel Universe (and wasn’t completely evil) it would be Damage Control.
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS: HULKLING #2 of 6 by Brian Reed and Harvey Tolibao. A father-son reunion for Hulkling and Captain Mar-Vell. Nice stuff.
Plus PREVIEWS from Diamond and Marvel Comics.
www.johnjudy.net
Monday, February 18, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 02-20-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 02-20-08
By John Judy
ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #4 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru. Believe it or not, there is yet another shock ending to come. T’would be so awesome to see on TV…
BOYS, VOL. 2: GET SOME SC by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Collecting issues #7-14 featuring the Tek-Knight and the Boys’ trip to Russia. NOT for kids, no way-no how, but still recommended.
BRAVE AND BOLD #10 by Mark Waid and George Perez. Untold tales from the Book of Destiny! Supes! Titans! Silver-Age fun galore! Recommended!
EX MACHINA #34 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. Sure, Y THE LAST MAN is over, but we can still get our B.K. Vaughan fix here! This issue we see how an urban vigilante would be received by a real big city police department.
HULK #2 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. Still no clue who the Red Hulk is but we do learn why Rick Jones can’t keep his shirt together.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST: ORSON RANDALL AND THE GREEN MIST OF DEATH 1-SHOT by Matt Fraction and Various Artists. Lots of great art and some very important context for what’s happening over in the regular title. Not absolutely essential to understanding the regular series but a huge help in getting past the more puzzling details.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #18 by Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes. JLA vs. Suicide Squad! So when you’re fighting a team called “Suicide Squad” is it appropriate to stand back and say “Okay, go ahead.”?
MAAKIES WITH WRINKLED KNEES HC by Tony Millionaire. Collecting two years worth of the cartoon adventures of Drinky Crow and Uncle Gabby, the hapless ape. Look, ya either get it or ya don’t.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #9 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. What happens when you invade a country that actually has WMDs? Doctor Doom elaborates on this subject.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ANT-MAN/GIANT-MAN VOL. 2 HC by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Carl Burgos, Don Heck, Steve Ditko, and Others. Collecting TALES TO ASTONISH #53-69 from the days before Hank Pym was a spouse-beating, depressive with multiple personality disorder. A must-have for all Human Top completists!
RUNAWAYS #29 by Joss Whedon and Michael Ryan. My admiration of the creative team notwithstanding this book was last seen in October of 2007 so it’s kind of hard to recall who’s doing what to whom. Fun stuff if you like “Back to the Future Meets Gangs of New York Meets X-Men.” And I kinda do…. Still, I’d like my own time machine so I could travel four months into the future to see how this all wraps up.
SPIRIT #14 by Sergio Aragones, Mark Evanier, and Mike Ploog. A new creative team on Eisner’s most famous creation! If anyone can follow Darwyn Cooke it’s these guys! Recommended.
ULTIMATE HUMAN #2 of 4 by Warren Ellis and Cary Nord. Ultimate Hulk fights Ultimate Iron Man. Yeah, that’s about it.
ULTIMATES 3 #3 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and Joe Madureira. The mystery of who killed Ultimate Scarlet Witch is overshadowed by the assertion that she and her brother were doing something that is illegal in most states. (Except maybe the Scarlet ones…) Even in the Spears Sisters Era we live in I would say this series is NOT for kids.
ZORRO #1 by Matt Wagner and Francesco Francavilla. The latest revival of the 1919 pulp character begins here! If you liked the Dynamite Entertainment take on the Lone Ranger you need to check this out. From the award-winning creator of GRENDEL.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #4 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru. Believe it or not, there is yet another shock ending to come. T’would be so awesome to see on TV…
BOYS, VOL. 2: GET SOME SC by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Collecting issues #7-14 featuring the Tek-Knight and the Boys’ trip to Russia. NOT for kids, no way-no how, but still recommended.
BRAVE AND BOLD #10 by Mark Waid and George Perez. Untold tales from the Book of Destiny! Supes! Titans! Silver-Age fun galore! Recommended!
EX MACHINA #34 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. Sure, Y THE LAST MAN is over, but we can still get our B.K. Vaughan fix here! This issue we see how an urban vigilante would be received by a real big city police department.
HULK #2 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. Still no clue who the Red Hulk is but we do learn why Rick Jones can’t keep his shirt together.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST: ORSON RANDALL AND THE GREEN MIST OF DEATH 1-SHOT by Matt Fraction and Various Artists. Lots of great art and some very important context for what’s happening over in the regular title. Not absolutely essential to understanding the regular series but a huge help in getting past the more puzzling details.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #18 by Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes. JLA vs. Suicide Squad! So when you’re fighting a team called “Suicide Squad” is it appropriate to stand back and say “Okay, go ahead.”?
MAAKIES WITH WRINKLED KNEES HC by Tony Millionaire. Collecting two years worth of the cartoon adventures of Drinky Crow and Uncle Gabby, the hapless ape. Look, ya either get it or ya don’t.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #9 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. What happens when you invade a country that actually has WMDs? Doctor Doom elaborates on this subject.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ANT-MAN/GIANT-MAN VOL. 2 HC by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Carl Burgos, Don Heck, Steve Ditko, and Others. Collecting TALES TO ASTONISH #53-69 from the days before Hank Pym was a spouse-beating, depressive with multiple personality disorder. A must-have for all Human Top completists!
RUNAWAYS #29 by Joss Whedon and Michael Ryan. My admiration of the creative team notwithstanding this book was last seen in October of 2007 so it’s kind of hard to recall who’s doing what to whom. Fun stuff if you like “Back to the Future Meets Gangs of New York Meets X-Men.” And I kinda do…. Still, I’d like my own time machine so I could travel four months into the future to see how this all wraps up.
SPIRIT #14 by Sergio Aragones, Mark Evanier, and Mike Ploog. A new creative team on Eisner’s most famous creation! If anyone can follow Darwyn Cooke it’s these guys! Recommended.
ULTIMATE HUMAN #2 of 4 by Warren Ellis and Cary Nord. Ultimate Hulk fights Ultimate Iron Man. Yeah, that’s about it.
ULTIMATES 3 #3 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and Joe Madureira. The mystery of who killed Ultimate Scarlet Witch is overshadowed by the assertion that she and her brother were doing something that is illegal in most states. (Except maybe the Scarlet ones…) Even in the Spears Sisters Era we live in I would say this series is NOT for kids.
ZORRO #1 by Matt Wagner and Francesco Francavilla. The latest revival of the 1919 pulp character begins here! If you liked the Dynamite Entertainment take on the Lone Ranger you need to check this out. From the award-winning creator of GRENDEL.
www.johnjudy.net
Sunday, February 10, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 02-13-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 02-13-08
By John Judy
Remember: Nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” like an armload of comics! Right, honey? Honey…?
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #550 by Marc Guggenheim and Salvador Larroca. Jackpot! Menace! And maybe some more new characters with so-so names. It’s no “Doctor Octopus” is all I’m saying.
ASTRO CITY: THE DARK AGE SPECIAL #2 BEAUTIE by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson. The secret origin of Astro City’s own living doll, Beautie! We’ve been waiting years for this and so has she! Recommended!
BAT LASH #3 of 6 by Peter Brandvold, Sergio Aragones and John Severin. Necktie Party! How’s ol’ Bat gonna git outta this one?! Owl-hoots beware!
BLACK PANTHER #34 by Reginald Hudlin and Cafu. Featuring Skrull gangsters and frogs.
BOOSTER GOLD #0 by Geoff Johns, Jeff Katz, and Dan Jurgens. It’s official: This is the latest-shipping title ever!!! Ladies and Gentlemen: the Booster Gold/Zero Hour cross-over! In your face, Kevin Smith! Eat it, Ultimate Hulk/Wolverine #3! Miracleman #25? 1963 Annual? All is forgiven. You can come out now… Please?
BPRD: 1946 #2 of 5 by Mike Mignola, Joshua Dysart, and Paul Azaceta. Professor Bruttenholm teams up with the Russkies to find out what’s up with Project Vampir Sturm. Creepy Horrific hi-jinks from the House of Hellboy!
CAPTAIN MARVEL #3 of 5 by Brian Reed and Lee Weeks. Paintings and Skrulls.
DMZ #28 by Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli. The secret origin of Soames, New York’s most infamous eco-warrior!
DOOM PATROL ARCHIVES VOL. 4 HC by Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani. Collecting issues #106-113 of “the strangest super-team of all.” No, the other one. Silver-Age, dinosaur-punching fun! Recommended.
FANTASTIC FOUR #554 by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. A new team and a new look for The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine! Very ultimate-y without feeling as wholly detached from the rich details of the mainstream Marvel Yoo. Recommended.
GHOST RIDER #20 by Jason Aaron and Roland Boschi. Okay, I know it’s Ghost Rider which is usually a title on par with its movie adaptation. However, this new arc is being written by the guy who writes SCALPED and SCALPED is completely awesome. That alone gets this issue a read. A very hopeful read….
GOON #21 written and illustrated by Eric Powell. The Priest’s unearthly kin would like a word with him.
NEW AVENGERS #38 by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos. Jessica Jones turns herself in to The Law to protect her baby. Very “Juno” if “Juno” was a noir super-hero story without all the chipper pseudo-Canadian accents and West Wing-y banter. Okay, it’s Bendis so the banter is there. No getting around the banter. Sorry.
NEXT ISSUE PROJECT #1: FANTASTIC COMICS #24 by Many Twisted People. Okay, Booster and Company are off the hook. This one is the Latest Comic Ever by about 66 years. The last issue of FANTASTIC COMICS was on the stands in November of 1941. A little thing called “copyright expiration” kicked in and now anyone who wants to can publish all the characters contained therein, no harm, no foul. So brace yourself for a golden-age sized delight containing the new adventures of Samson, Stardust, Flip Falcon, Sub Saunders, Yank Wilson, and more! Marvel’s got THE TWELVE. Dynamite’s got that Alex Ross thing. Now it’s Image’s turn at bat, Gotta look!
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: ENEMY ACE, VOL. 1 SC by Robert Kanigher, Joe Kubert, John Severin, Howard Chaykin, Neal Adams, and wow, how do you even follow that? A must for fans of great comics, “war” or otherwise.
SUPERMAN #673 by Kurt Busiek and Peter Vale. Superman fights Insect Queen on the moon! And he’s got a bug’s head on the cover! What more can one ask?
WALKING DEAD #46 by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. Oh man, I hope they didn’t really kill Michonne last issue…. Not for kids. Must have.
WILL EISNER’S SPIRIT ARCHIVES VOL.24 HC written and drawn by Will Eisner. The final volume of Eisner’s most famous creation, collecting the weekly Spirit adventures up through the early 1950s. The cover art alone is worth it. Recommended with awe.
WOLVERINE #62 by Jason Aaron and Ron Garney. Best Wolvie story in quite a while from the author of SCALPED. Featuring Mystique and a seriously ruthless Scott Summers. It’s like he grew up on a reservation or something… Recommended.
WONDER WOMAN #17 by Gail Simone and Terry & Rachel Dodson. WW vs. evil Amazons and Nazis. Classic stuff, beautifully drawn and on time!
X-FACTOR #28 by Peter David and Pablo Raimondi. Finally free from the last Big X-Over, we learn who Madrox knocked up and what’s happening around Mutant-Town. Helpful x-slang to learn: “PAN = Pass As Normal. REM = You still have your horns, tentacles, weird brow ridges, but no friggin’ powers.” It’ll be on the test.
X-FORCE #1 of 6 by Christopher Yost and Clayton Crain. Wolverine, Warpath, Wolfsbane, and the Wolverine Tranny-Clone X-23. Cyclops has assembled a mutant murder squad to kill anyone he doesn’t like. Because that’s what heroes do. Do protect Freedom or something. Comes without poly-bags, trading cards, or a bucket. But it does have those highly collectable variant covers!
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
Remember: Nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” like an armload of comics! Right, honey? Honey…?
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #550 by Marc Guggenheim and Salvador Larroca. Jackpot! Menace! And maybe some more new characters with so-so names. It’s no “Doctor Octopus” is all I’m saying.
ASTRO CITY: THE DARK AGE SPECIAL #2 BEAUTIE by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson. The secret origin of Astro City’s own living doll, Beautie! We’ve been waiting years for this and so has she! Recommended!
BAT LASH #3 of 6 by Peter Brandvold, Sergio Aragones and John Severin. Necktie Party! How’s ol’ Bat gonna git outta this one?! Owl-hoots beware!
BLACK PANTHER #34 by Reginald Hudlin and Cafu. Featuring Skrull gangsters and frogs.
BOOSTER GOLD #0 by Geoff Johns, Jeff Katz, and Dan Jurgens. It’s official: This is the latest-shipping title ever!!! Ladies and Gentlemen: the Booster Gold/Zero Hour cross-over! In your face, Kevin Smith! Eat it, Ultimate Hulk/Wolverine #3! Miracleman #25? 1963 Annual? All is forgiven. You can come out now… Please?
BPRD: 1946 #2 of 5 by Mike Mignola, Joshua Dysart, and Paul Azaceta. Professor Bruttenholm teams up with the Russkies to find out what’s up with Project Vampir Sturm. Creepy Horrific hi-jinks from the House of Hellboy!
CAPTAIN MARVEL #3 of 5 by Brian Reed and Lee Weeks. Paintings and Skrulls.
DMZ #28 by Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli. The secret origin of Soames, New York’s most infamous eco-warrior!
DOOM PATROL ARCHIVES VOL. 4 HC by Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani. Collecting issues #106-113 of “the strangest super-team of all.” No, the other one. Silver-Age, dinosaur-punching fun! Recommended.
FANTASTIC FOUR #554 by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. A new team and a new look for The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine! Very ultimate-y without feeling as wholly detached from the rich details of the mainstream Marvel Yoo. Recommended.
GHOST RIDER #20 by Jason Aaron and Roland Boschi. Okay, I know it’s Ghost Rider which is usually a title on par with its movie adaptation. However, this new arc is being written by the guy who writes SCALPED and SCALPED is completely awesome. That alone gets this issue a read. A very hopeful read….
GOON #21 written and illustrated by Eric Powell. The Priest’s unearthly kin would like a word with him.
NEW AVENGERS #38 by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos. Jessica Jones turns herself in to The Law to protect her baby. Very “Juno” if “Juno” was a noir super-hero story without all the chipper pseudo-Canadian accents and West Wing-y banter. Okay, it’s Bendis so the banter is there. No getting around the banter. Sorry.
NEXT ISSUE PROJECT #1: FANTASTIC COMICS #24 by Many Twisted People. Okay, Booster and Company are off the hook. This one is the Latest Comic Ever by about 66 years. The last issue of FANTASTIC COMICS was on the stands in November of 1941. A little thing called “copyright expiration” kicked in and now anyone who wants to can publish all the characters contained therein, no harm, no foul. So brace yourself for a golden-age sized delight containing the new adventures of Samson, Stardust, Flip Falcon, Sub Saunders, Yank Wilson, and more! Marvel’s got THE TWELVE. Dynamite’s got that Alex Ross thing. Now it’s Image’s turn at bat, Gotta look!
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: ENEMY ACE, VOL. 1 SC by Robert Kanigher, Joe Kubert, John Severin, Howard Chaykin, Neal Adams, and wow, how do you even follow that? A must for fans of great comics, “war” or otherwise.
SUPERMAN #673 by Kurt Busiek and Peter Vale. Superman fights Insect Queen on the moon! And he’s got a bug’s head on the cover! What more can one ask?
WALKING DEAD #46 by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. Oh man, I hope they didn’t really kill Michonne last issue…. Not for kids. Must have.
WILL EISNER’S SPIRIT ARCHIVES VOL.24 HC written and drawn by Will Eisner. The final volume of Eisner’s most famous creation, collecting the weekly Spirit adventures up through the early 1950s. The cover art alone is worth it. Recommended with awe.
WOLVERINE #62 by Jason Aaron and Ron Garney. Best Wolvie story in quite a while from the author of SCALPED. Featuring Mystique and a seriously ruthless Scott Summers. It’s like he grew up on a reservation or something… Recommended.
WONDER WOMAN #17 by Gail Simone and Terry & Rachel Dodson. WW vs. evil Amazons and Nazis. Classic stuff, beautifully drawn and on time!
X-FACTOR #28 by Peter David and Pablo Raimondi. Finally free from the last Big X-Over, we learn who Madrox knocked up and what’s happening around Mutant-Town. Helpful x-slang to learn: “PAN = Pass As Normal. REM = You still have your horns, tentacles, weird brow ridges, but no friggin’ powers.” It’ll be on the test.
X-FORCE #1 of 6 by Christopher Yost and Clayton Crain. Wolverine, Warpath, Wolfsbane, and the Wolverine Tranny-Clone X-23. Cyclops has assembled a mutant murder squad to kill anyone he doesn’t like. Because that’s what heroes do. Do protect Freedom or something. Comes without poly-bags, trading cards, or a bucket. But it does have those highly collectable variant covers!
www.johnjudy.net
Sunday, February 03, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 02-06-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 02-06-08
(Super-Wednesday!)
by John Judy
ABE SAPIEN: THE DROWNING #1 of 5 by Mike Mignola and Jason Shawn Alexander. The first solo adventure of Hellboy’s Pal: Abe Sapien! Looks beautiful.
THE BAKERS: BABIES AND KITTENS HC written and illustrated by Kyle Baker, the Greatest Cartoonist of All Time. Two cats are adopted into Kyle’s home against his wishes. Hijinks ensue. Beautifully drawn hijinks. Recommended.
BATMAN: FALSE FACES HC by Brian K. Vaughan and Many Talented Folks. Collecting the Bat-stories by the creator of Y THE LAST MAN and RUNAWAYS so you should probably knock down old people to get to this one. Or just do it for fun.
BIGGLES RECOUNTS THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN GN by Asso, Rideau, Chauvin, and Uderzo. A graphic recounting of some unpleasantness 68 years gone by the folks who brought you last year’s BIGGLES RECOUNTS THE FALKLAND ISLANDS WAR. Pip-pip!
BOYS #15 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Wee Hughie visits The Legend to learn more about his partners. And poor little Starlight learns more about hers. NOT for kids EVER, but recommended.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #15 by Joss Whedon and Georges Jeanty. A done-in-one issue about girls gone bad and things of this nature. Enjoy!
CLANDESTINE #1 of 5 written and drawn by Alan Davis. An ancient race of hidden super-humans faces exposure after one of the kids goes and starts fighting crime! Stupid kid… Alan Davis always draws purty.
DETECTIVE COMICS #841 by Paul Dini and Dustin Ngyuyen. Featuring an insane cover and a fight with the new Ventriloquist!
DOKTOR SLEEPLESS #5 by Warren Ellis and Ivan Rodriguez. Mysteries unfold, sub-cultures collide, and creepy ambiguities get creepier. Or as Warren Ellis calls it: “Wednesday.”
INCOGNEGRO HC by Mat Johnson and Warren Pleece. Part-Mystery, Part-History describes this story of a light-skinned Northern black man passing for white (“going incognegro”) to investigate his brother’s arrest in the virulently racist Mississippi of early 20th century America. This already sound like a movie. Gotta look!
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #12 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross, and Dale Eaglesham. The new heroes and the old continue to gather as the KINGDOM COME Superman meets the legacy heroes of the Golden Age. A trivia smorgasboard with Ross covers!
KRAZY & IGNATZ: 1941-1942 RAGOUT OF RASPBERRIES SC by George Herriman. Fantagraphics does it again! This is the third volume of their reprint series collecting all the KRAZY KAT Sunday strips in full color. Includes an essay by critic Jeet Heer. Recommended.
NORTHLANDERS #3 by Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice. Prince Sven the Viking gets busy with scheming, fighting, and all kinds of swordplay. This one’s becoming appointment reading. Highly recommended.
SCALPED #14 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. Just when Agent Dash Bad Horse figures life on the Rez can’t get any worse somebody kills and scalps his mom. This ain’t “Billy Jack”, kids. Highly recommended.
SCALPED VOL. 2: CASINO BOOGIE SC by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. Your second remedial textbook if you’re just discovering THE BEST DARN COMIC EVER!!! “In your face, Watchmen!”
SUPERMAN/BATMAN SERIES 5 ACTION FIGURES including The Joker/Mr. Mxyzptlk 2-Pack, Power Girl, Supergirl, and “Green Super-Batman!” Based on the designs of Ed McGuinness.
TEEN TITANS YEAR ONE #2 of 6 by Amy Wolfram and Karl Kerschl. Aqualad must face his fears as the mentor heroes go nuts. Why must they always do that?
THE TWELVE #2 of 12 by J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston. Okay, let’s make it “The Eleven.” This appears to be the series about Golden-Age heroes in the modern world that’s doing it right. Great characterization, great art, the works. Unlike certain other “Projects” out there…
UNCANNY X-MEN #495 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Choi. Normally the X-Men go to the Savage Land when they (and their writers) need a vacation. Brubaker, however, makes it work. And Choi draws a mean Whateversaurus. No Space Opera. No Time Travel. No Mutant Jesus Baby. Recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
(Super-Wednesday!)
by John Judy
ABE SAPIEN: THE DROWNING #1 of 5 by Mike Mignola and Jason Shawn Alexander. The first solo adventure of Hellboy’s Pal: Abe Sapien! Looks beautiful.
THE BAKERS: BABIES AND KITTENS HC written and illustrated by Kyle Baker, the Greatest Cartoonist of All Time. Two cats are adopted into Kyle’s home against his wishes. Hijinks ensue. Beautifully drawn hijinks. Recommended.
BATMAN: FALSE FACES HC by Brian K. Vaughan and Many Talented Folks. Collecting the Bat-stories by the creator of Y THE LAST MAN and RUNAWAYS so you should probably knock down old people to get to this one. Or just do it for fun.
BIGGLES RECOUNTS THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN GN by Asso, Rideau, Chauvin, and Uderzo. A graphic recounting of some unpleasantness 68 years gone by the folks who brought you last year’s BIGGLES RECOUNTS THE FALKLAND ISLANDS WAR. Pip-pip!
BOYS #15 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Wee Hughie visits The Legend to learn more about his partners. And poor little Starlight learns more about hers. NOT for kids EVER, but recommended.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #15 by Joss Whedon and Georges Jeanty. A done-in-one issue about girls gone bad and things of this nature. Enjoy!
CLANDESTINE #1 of 5 written and drawn by Alan Davis. An ancient race of hidden super-humans faces exposure after one of the kids goes and starts fighting crime! Stupid kid… Alan Davis always draws purty.
DETECTIVE COMICS #841 by Paul Dini and Dustin Ngyuyen. Featuring an insane cover and a fight with the new Ventriloquist!
DOKTOR SLEEPLESS #5 by Warren Ellis and Ivan Rodriguez. Mysteries unfold, sub-cultures collide, and creepy ambiguities get creepier. Or as Warren Ellis calls it: “Wednesday.”
INCOGNEGRO HC by Mat Johnson and Warren Pleece. Part-Mystery, Part-History describes this story of a light-skinned Northern black man passing for white (“going incognegro”) to investigate his brother’s arrest in the virulently racist Mississippi of early 20th century America. This already sound like a movie. Gotta look!
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #12 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross, and Dale Eaglesham. The new heroes and the old continue to gather as the KINGDOM COME Superman meets the legacy heroes of the Golden Age. A trivia smorgasboard with Ross covers!
KRAZY & IGNATZ: 1941-1942 RAGOUT OF RASPBERRIES SC by George Herriman. Fantagraphics does it again! This is the third volume of their reprint series collecting all the KRAZY KAT Sunday strips in full color. Includes an essay by critic Jeet Heer. Recommended.
NORTHLANDERS #3 by Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice. Prince Sven the Viking gets busy with scheming, fighting, and all kinds of swordplay. This one’s becoming appointment reading. Highly recommended.
SCALPED #14 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. Just when Agent Dash Bad Horse figures life on the Rez can’t get any worse somebody kills and scalps his mom. This ain’t “Billy Jack”, kids. Highly recommended.
SCALPED VOL. 2: CASINO BOOGIE SC by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. Your second remedial textbook if you’re just discovering THE BEST DARN COMIC EVER!!! “In your face, Watchmen!”
SUPERMAN/BATMAN SERIES 5 ACTION FIGURES including The Joker/Mr. Mxyzptlk 2-Pack, Power Girl, Supergirl, and “Green Super-Batman!” Based on the designs of Ed McGuinness.
TEEN TITANS YEAR ONE #2 of 6 by Amy Wolfram and Karl Kerschl. Aqualad must face his fears as the mentor heroes go nuts. Why must they always do that?
THE TWELVE #2 of 12 by J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston. Okay, let’s make it “The Eleven.” This appears to be the series about Golden-Age heroes in the modern world that’s doing it right. Great characterization, great art, the works. Unlike certain other “Projects” out there…
UNCANNY X-MEN #495 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Choi. Normally the X-Men go to the Savage Land when they (and their writers) need a vacation. Brubaker, however, makes it work. And Choi draws a mean Whateversaurus. No Space Opera. No Time Travel. No Mutant Jesus Baby. Recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
Monday, January 28, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 01-30-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 01-30-08
By John Judy
ACTION COMICS #861 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. Superman goes to the computer world of Colu and gets hacked by Brainiacs! Fortunately their ISP is Time-Warner Cable and Supes gets away during one of their daily outages.
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #9 by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. MVP was KIA and now it appears he’s PO’d. The body-count begins here. Recommended.
BATMAN #673 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. A flash-back issue in which we finally learn what happened during that purification ritual in the cave last year. Cool.
BATMAN: THE MAN WHO LAUGHS HC by Ed Brubaker and Associates. Batman’s first encounter with the Joker as told by my new favorite scribe Ed Brubaker. Also collects DETECTIVE COMICS #784-786, guest-starring the Golden-Age Green Lantern, Alan Scott. Recommended.
BLACK ADAM: THE DARK AGE #6 of 6 by Peter Tomasi and Doug Mahnke. The final fate of Isis. One gets the feeling it ain’t gonna be good. The end of a powerful series that is probably too violent for younger fans of Captain Marvel and the Fawcett heroes.
BLACK SUMMER #5 of 7 by Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp. More shootin’s and ‘splosions from the remaining Seven Guns in honor of the month issue #7 was supposed to ship, but didn’t. “Oh, Avatar….” Still recommended. Still not for kids.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #34 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. A great week for Brubaker fans as Bucky does his first night out as The New Captain America! Only Brubaker could make this sort of thing cool.
DAREDEVIL #104 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. More of the Bru-Meister as DD gets twisted tighter and tighter in his pursuit of Mister Fear. Guest-starring a significant Big Bad in the Marvel U.
FANTASTIC FOUR #553 by Dwayne McDuffie and Paul Pelletier. While I’m generally a fan of McDuffie’s writing this issue has two strikes against it: Time-travel and a lot of “Which one of us is lying?” dialogue. Still, in all a decent issue and a set-up for future story-lines.
GREEN LANTERN #27 by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone. “The Alpha Lanterns” continues as Johns explores how an unprecedented act of terror transforms an entity once renowned for its commitment to justice and higher ideals. Wonder what inspired him… Gutsy, imaginative stuff. Recommended.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #8 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. A Big Fight with Venomy symbiote things.
NARCOPOLIS #1 of 4 by Jamie Delano and Jeremy Rock. Guy in Utopia discovers that maybe all is not hunky-dory. From one of Vertigo’s Founding Fathers.
NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL by Brian Michael Bendis and Carlo Pagulayan. More Big Fights. Double-Sized!
PREVIEWS from Diamond Comics and Marvel. “The Future of Comics is in your hands!”
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #0 by Jim Kruger, Alex Ross, and Stephen Sadowski. Best line of the week comes from artist Chris Weston: “Wow. The return of a team of long lost, Nazi-smashing golden age heroes... Why can't I get to draw something like that? Uh… Waitaminnit!” Okay, the deal appears to be that a bunch of Golden-Age heroes have entered the public domain. That means anyone can legally use them. The team from EARTH X and PARADISE X said “Why not us?” There is a preview up on Dynamite Entertainment’s website and it appears a sincere effort is going into making this comic something special. I didn’t care for this team’s earlier joint efforts, but I’m hooked on Golden-Age characters so this one’s a “Gotta Look!”
SPIDER-MAN WITH GREAT POWER #1 of 5 by David Lapham and Tony Harris. An untold slice of early Spider-Mania from a couple of super-cool creators. If you like STRAY BULLETS or EX MACHINA you need to read this comic!
SPIRIT #13 by Lotsa People. Special “Femmes Fatales” issue! You want this! Recommended!
Y THE LAST MAN #60 of 60 by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. Final issue. End of story. Forty-eight pages. If you haven’t read this series go pick up the first trade collection and start. Thanks to Vaughan and his collaborators for one hell of a ride. Highly recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
ACTION COMICS #861 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. Superman goes to the computer world of Colu and gets hacked by Brainiacs! Fortunately their ISP is Time-Warner Cable and Supes gets away during one of their daily outages.
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #9 by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. MVP was KIA and now it appears he’s PO’d. The body-count begins here. Recommended.
BATMAN #673 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. A flash-back issue in which we finally learn what happened during that purification ritual in the cave last year. Cool.
BATMAN: THE MAN WHO LAUGHS HC by Ed Brubaker and Associates. Batman’s first encounter with the Joker as told by my new favorite scribe Ed Brubaker. Also collects DETECTIVE COMICS #784-786, guest-starring the Golden-Age Green Lantern, Alan Scott. Recommended.
BLACK ADAM: THE DARK AGE #6 of 6 by Peter Tomasi and Doug Mahnke. The final fate of Isis. One gets the feeling it ain’t gonna be good. The end of a powerful series that is probably too violent for younger fans of Captain Marvel and the Fawcett heroes.
BLACK SUMMER #5 of 7 by Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp. More shootin’s and ‘splosions from the remaining Seven Guns in honor of the month issue #7 was supposed to ship, but didn’t. “Oh, Avatar….” Still recommended. Still not for kids.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #34 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. A great week for Brubaker fans as Bucky does his first night out as The New Captain America! Only Brubaker could make this sort of thing cool.
DAREDEVIL #104 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. More of the Bru-Meister as DD gets twisted tighter and tighter in his pursuit of Mister Fear. Guest-starring a significant Big Bad in the Marvel U.
FANTASTIC FOUR #553 by Dwayne McDuffie and Paul Pelletier. While I’m generally a fan of McDuffie’s writing this issue has two strikes against it: Time-travel and a lot of “Which one of us is lying?” dialogue. Still, in all a decent issue and a set-up for future story-lines.
GREEN LANTERN #27 by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone. “The Alpha Lanterns” continues as Johns explores how an unprecedented act of terror transforms an entity once renowned for its commitment to justice and higher ideals. Wonder what inspired him… Gutsy, imaginative stuff. Recommended.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #8 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. A Big Fight with Venomy symbiote things.
NARCOPOLIS #1 of 4 by Jamie Delano and Jeremy Rock. Guy in Utopia discovers that maybe all is not hunky-dory. From one of Vertigo’s Founding Fathers.
NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL by Brian Michael Bendis and Carlo Pagulayan. More Big Fights. Double-Sized!
PREVIEWS from Diamond Comics and Marvel. “The Future of Comics is in your hands!”
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #0 by Jim Kruger, Alex Ross, and Stephen Sadowski. Best line of the week comes from artist Chris Weston: “Wow. The return of a team of long lost, Nazi-smashing golden age heroes... Why can't I get to draw something like that? Uh… Waitaminnit!” Okay, the deal appears to be that a bunch of Golden-Age heroes have entered the public domain. That means anyone can legally use them. The team from EARTH X and PARADISE X said “Why not us?” There is a preview up on Dynamite Entertainment’s website and it appears a sincere effort is going into making this comic something special. I didn’t care for this team’s earlier joint efforts, but I’m hooked on Golden-Age characters so this one’s a “Gotta Look!”
SPIDER-MAN WITH GREAT POWER #1 of 5 by David Lapham and Tony Harris. An untold slice of early Spider-Mania from a couple of super-cool creators. If you like STRAY BULLETS or EX MACHINA you need to read this comic!
SPIRIT #13 by Lotsa People. Special “Femmes Fatales” issue! You want this! Recommended!
Y THE LAST MAN #60 of 60 by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. Final issue. End of story. Forty-eight pages. If you haven’t read this series go pick up the first trade collection and start. Thanks to Vaughan and his collaborators for one hell of a ride. Highly recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
Sunday, January 20, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 01-23-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 01-23-08
By John Judy
(Support Striking Writers for Having More Stones Than the Directors!)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #548 by Dan Slott and Steve McNiven. Love it or hate it, it’s coming out three times a month! That’s almost as much as a GOP Congressman! The aftermath of the most controversial Marvel decision since the “death” of Captain America continues here!
ASTONISHING X-MEN #24 by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday. This is it! Will “Breakworld” finally live up to its name and break already? Rumors abound that someone won’t be coming back from this one. Hopefully they’re a Skrull.
COMPLETE TERRY AND THE PIRATES VOL. 2 HC written and illustrated by Milton Caniff. Volume two of IDW’s six-volume reprinting of the entire run of Caniff’s iconic strip. Dailies and Sunday color strips. Recommended.
CRIME BIBLE: FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD #4 of 5 by Greg Rucka and Diego Olmos. “Deceit?” Check. “Lust?” Check. “Greed?” Check. “Murder…?” The latest of the lessons gets taught in Hub City. Recommended. (Thank-you, Professor Rucka.)
DAN DARE #3 of 7 by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine. Space opera, zap-gun fights, a war comic in sci-fi clothing. All done up Ennis style. Dive in.
HELLBLAZER #240 by Andy Diggle and Leonardo Manco. Okay, if last issue didn’t get you anxious about Constantine’s latest foe, try this one. “The Laughing Magician” versus an African War Mage in the middle of London! NOT for kids.
HULK VISIONARIES: PETER DAVID VOL. 5 by PAD and Friends. Collecting INCREDIBLE #364-372 and ANNUAL #16 of a truly legendary run. Hopefully Marvel will end up collecting and publishing the whole magilla.
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #4 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. The Zombie Civil War continues with Colonel America back from the un-dead and a cover that could kill the Iron Man movie. Not for kids but great fun for the rest of us freaks.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN-AGE DARING MYSTERY, VOL.1 HC by Nobody Seems to Know. A collection of adventures from this forties anthology title featuring every Marvel/Timely character you’ve never heard of, at least until Straczynski revived them for THE TWELVE. This week’s “Gotta Have It” based on sheer weirdness alone.
PUNISHER #54 by Garth Ennis and Goran Parlov. Every issue of Punisher vs. Barracuda gets bloodier and more gut-wrenching than the last. Supposedly “This Is It!” but Ennis seems to really love The Cuda. Can he bring himself to finally pull the pin? Absolutely 100% not for kids under any circumstance, but highly recommended anyway.
SHE HULK #25 by Peter David and Shawn Moll. Double-sized anniversary ish in which we learn why Shulk left the lawyering biz, plus two back-up stories and an alien fight.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS AQUAMAN VOL. 2 SC by Jack Miller, Bob Haney, Ramona Fradon, Nick Cardy and Friends. Sixties Aqua-Fun, appropriate for all ages!
STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY GN by Harvey Pekar, Gary Dumm, and historian Paul Buhle. A non-fiction account of the rise and fall of one of the most ambitious and controversial activist groups of the 1960s. This week. Honest. Recommended.
ULTIMATE FF, IRON MAN II, VISION SC, and ULTIMATES 3 #2 by Lotsa People. It’s a big week for ULTIMATE titles, is all I’m saying. There’s fights. Big ones.
WONDER WOMAN #16 by Gail Simone and Terry & Rachel Dodson. This title is back to looking and reading great! Give it a whirl! Recommended.
X-MEN #207 by Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo. “Messiah Complex: the 13th and Final Chapter for the love of merciful, muppety Odin!” They promise! No mas! It’s done! At least until the phone-book sized Premiere hardcover with the lasers…
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #1 of 6 by Ed Brubaker and Paco Medina. Okay, watch this title carefully because every issue is going to have a new “top” creative team. This issue is Brubaker/Medina doing a Patriot/Winter Bucky team-up so we kind of need to look. Next issue….?
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
(Support Striking Writers for Having More Stones Than the Directors!)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #548 by Dan Slott and Steve McNiven. Love it or hate it, it’s coming out three times a month! That’s almost as much as a GOP Congressman! The aftermath of the most controversial Marvel decision since the “death” of Captain America continues here!
ASTONISHING X-MEN #24 by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday. This is it! Will “Breakworld” finally live up to its name and break already? Rumors abound that someone won’t be coming back from this one. Hopefully they’re a Skrull.
COMPLETE TERRY AND THE PIRATES VOL. 2 HC written and illustrated by Milton Caniff. Volume two of IDW’s six-volume reprinting of the entire run of Caniff’s iconic strip. Dailies and Sunday color strips. Recommended.
CRIME BIBLE: FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD #4 of 5 by Greg Rucka and Diego Olmos. “Deceit?” Check. “Lust?” Check. “Greed?” Check. “Murder…?” The latest of the lessons gets taught in Hub City. Recommended. (Thank-you, Professor Rucka.)
DAN DARE #3 of 7 by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine. Space opera, zap-gun fights, a war comic in sci-fi clothing. All done up Ennis style. Dive in.
HELLBLAZER #240 by Andy Diggle and Leonardo Manco. Okay, if last issue didn’t get you anxious about Constantine’s latest foe, try this one. “The Laughing Magician” versus an African War Mage in the middle of London! NOT for kids.
HULK VISIONARIES: PETER DAVID VOL. 5 by PAD and Friends. Collecting INCREDIBLE #364-372 and ANNUAL #16 of a truly legendary run. Hopefully Marvel will end up collecting and publishing the whole magilla.
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #4 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. The Zombie Civil War continues with Colonel America back from the un-dead and a cover that could kill the Iron Man movie. Not for kids but great fun for the rest of us freaks.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN-AGE DARING MYSTERY, VOL.1 HC by Nobody Seems to Know. A collection of adventures from this forties anthology title featuring every Marvel/Timely character you’ve never heard of, at least until Straczynski revived them for THE TWELVE. This week’s “Gotta Have It” based on sheer weirdness alone.
PUNISHER #54 by Garth Ennis and Goran Parlov. Every issue of Punisher vs. Barracuda gets bloodier and more gut-wrenching than the last. Supposedly “This Is It!” but Ennis seems to really love The Cuda. Can he bring himself to finally pull the pin? Absolutely 100% not for kids under any circumstance, but highly recommended anyway.
SHE HULK #25 by Peter David and Shawn Moll. Double-sized anniversary ish in which we learn why Shulk left the lawyering biz, plus two back-up stories and an alien fight.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS AQUAMAN VOL. 2 SC by Jack Miller, Bob Haney, Ramona Fradon, Nick Cardy and Friends. Sixties Aqua-Fun, appropriate for all ages!
STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY GN by Harvey Pekar, Gary Dumm, and historian Paul Buhle. A non-fiction account of the rise and fall of one of the most ambitious and controversial activist groups of the 1960s. This week. Honest. Recommended.
ULTIMATE FF, IRON MAN II, VISION SC, and ULTIMATES 3 #2 by Lotsa People. It’s a big week for ULTIMATE titles, is all I’m saying. There’s fights. Big ones.
WONDER WOMAN #16 by Gail Simone and Terry & Rachel Dodson. This title is back to looking and reading great! Give it a whirl! Recommended.
X-MEN #207 by Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo. “Messiah Complex: the 13th and Final Chapter for the love of merciful, muppety Odin!” They promise! No mas! It’s done! At least until the phone-book sized Premiere hardcover with the lasers…
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #1 of 6 by Ed Brubaker and Paco Medina. Okay, watch this title carefully because every issue is going to have a new “top” creative team. This issue is Brubaker/Medina doing a Patriot/Winter Bucky team-up so we kind of need to look. Next issue….?
www.johnjudy.net
Sunday, January 13, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 01-16-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 01-16-08
By John Judy
(Support Striking WGA Writers! Buy their comic books!)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #547 by Dan Slott and Steve McNiven. Nevermind the plot, I just want to see if they can really get this thing out three weeks a month. Betting pool? BTW, Dan Slott rocks and it looks like Spidey’s fighting ninjas or Yakuza or possibly those poor, metal-faced Persians from “300.”
ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #3 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru. Illyria’s back. Hijinks ensue. Recommended.
BONE COLOR EDITION VOL.7: GHOST CIRCLES HC & SC written and illustrated by Jeff Smith. The Bone Epic continues and (despite the name) is appropriate for all ages. Your bookshelf awaits.
BOOSTER GOLD #6 by Geoff Johns and Dan Jurgens. The one we’ve been waiting for. Can Booster save Blue Beetle? Fingers crossed.
DISNEY’S DUCKTAILS BY MARV WOLFMAN: SCROOGE’S QUEST SC by MW and Various Artists. Gemstone Publishing has brought this back into print for the first time since 1990. It’s Scrooge McDuck by the guy who re-invented the Teen Titans, among other things. Gotta look.
DMZ #27 by Brian Wood and Nathan Fox. So what do people do for night-time fun in post-apocalypse New York? Pretty much what they do now except with even more gunplay, if such a thing is possible. Not for kids, recommended.
DOOM PATROL VOL. 6: PLANET LOVE SC by Grant Morrison, Richard Case, and Friends. The final volume of Morrison’s legendary run on the junkyard dogs of DC’s super-teams. Collecting DP #58-63 and DOOM FORCE SPECIAL #1. Recommended.
EC ARCHIVES: CRIME SUSPENSTORIES, VOL. 1 HC by Feldstein, Wood, Craig, Ingels, Kurtzman, Kamen, David, and Roussos. The EC Gods of 1950-51 have willed us these 24 twisted masterpieces. The first six issues of this series are all here. You must have this book.
FELL #9 by Warren Ellis and Ben Templesmith. “Detective Richard Fell: Hostage Negotiator.” Do you really need to know more? Highly recommended.
GRENDEL: BEHOLD THE DEVIL #3 of 8 written and illustrated by Matt Wagner. The story is good but the art is A Gift from On High. The world is better for the presence of Matt Wagner and his drafting table. Recommended.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #12 by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja. Okay, it’s taken a year but now some of the intrigue is starting to clear up and it looks like a great fight is in the works. Putting the “Capital!” back in “Seven Capital Cities of Heaven!” Recommended.
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #113 by Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, and Khoi Pham. While the Red Hulk is off doing his thing, Herc’s keeping this series going with a little help from the Smart Asian Kid who IS NOT a surrogate for any comic writer we know of so put that idea right out of your mind, Mister-Man! This issue touches upon some of Herc’s classical Greek back-story so that’s kind of cool. Also, a family reunion with Ares occurs.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #17 by Several People. Two stories, no waiting! Big fight up front, mystery in the back. Something for everyone!
THUNDERBOLTS VOL. 1: FAITH IN MONSTERS SC by Warren Ellis, Mike Deodato, and Others. Collecting T-Bolts #110-115 and a couple of miscellaneous
Stories showing how Ellis transformed this team into The Dirty Dozen on crack. Recommended, but too violent for younger kids.
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #21 by Daniel Way and Steve Dillon. Deadpool guest-stars as this title explores what may be its proper place in the universe: As an “Itchy and Scratchy” cartoon.
ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS VS AMAZONS #2 of 3 by Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood. Exactly what it says, kids. Not for kids.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
(Support Striking WGA Writers! Buy their comic books!)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #547 by Dan Slott and Steve McNiven. Nevermind the plot, I just want to see if they can really get this thing out three weeks a month. Betting pool? BTW, Dan Slott rocks and it looks like Spidey’s fighting ninjas or Yakuza or possibly those poor, metal-faced Persians from “300.”
ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #3 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru. Illyria’s back. Hijinks ensue. Recommended.
BONE COLOR EDITION VOL.7: GHOST CIRCLES HC & SC written and illustrated by Jeff Smith. The Bone Epic continues and (despite the name) is appropriate for all ages. Your bookshelf awaits.
BOOSTER GOLD #6 by Geoff Johns and Dan Jurgens. The one we’ve been waiting for. Can Booster save Blue Beetle? Fingers crossed.
DISNEY’S DUCKTAILS BY MARV WOLFMAN: SCROOGE’S QUEST SC by MW and Various Artists. Gemstone Publishing has brought this back into print for the first time since 1990. It’s Scrooge McDuck by the guy who re-invented the Teen Titans, among other things. Gotta look.
DMZ #27 by Brian Wood and Nathan Fox. So what do people do for night-time fun in post-apocalypse New York? Pretty much what they do now except with even more gunplay, if such a thing is possible. Not for kids, recommended.
DOOM PATROL VOL. 6: PLANET LOVE SC by Grant Morrison, Richard Case, and Friends. The final volume of Morrison’s legendary run on the junkyard dogs of DC’s super-teams. Collecting DP #58-63 and DOOM FORCE SPECIAL #1. Recommended.
EC ARCHIVES: CRIME SUSPENSTORIES, VOL. 1 HC by Feldstein, Wood, Craig, Ingels, Kurtzman, Kamen, David, and Roussos. The EC Gods of 1950-51 have willed us these 24 twisted masterpieces. The first six issues of this series are all here. You must have this book.
FELL #9 by Warren Ellis and Ben Templesmith. “Detective Richard Fell: Hostage Negotiator.” Do you really need to know more? Highly recommended.
GRENDEL: BEHOLD THE DEVIL #3 of 8 written and illustrated by Matt Wagner. The story is good but the art is A Gift from On High. The world is better for the presence of Matt Wagner and his drafting table. Recommended.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #12 by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja. Okay, it’s taken a year but now some of the intrigue is starting to clear up and it looks like a great fight is in the works. Putting the “Capital!” back in “Seven Capital Cities of Heaven!” Recommended.
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #113 by Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, and Khoi Pham. While the Red Hulk is off doing his thing, Herc’s keeping this series going with a little help from the Smart Asian Kid who IS NOT a surrogate for any comic writer we know of so put that idea right out of your mind, Mister-Man! This issue touches upon some of Herc’s classical Greek back-story so that’s kind of cool. Also, a family reunion with Ares occurs.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #17 by Several People. Two stories, no waiting! Big fight up front, mystery in the back. Something for everyone!
THUNDERBOLTS VOL. 1: FAITH IN MONSTERS SC by Warren Ellis, Mike Deodato, and Others. Collecting T-Bolts #110-115 and a couple of miscellaneous
Stories showing how Ellis transformed this team into The Dirty Dozen on crack. Recommended, but too violent for younger kids.
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #21 by Daniel Way and Steve Dillon. Deadpool guest-stars as this title explores what may be its proper place in the universe: As an “Itchy and Scratchy” cartoon.
ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS VS AMAZONS #2 of 3 by Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood. Exactly what it says, kids. Not for kids.
www.johnjudy.net
Friday, January 11, 2008
2007 COMICS IN THE REAR-VIEW by John Judy
2007 COMICS IN THE REAR-VIEW
or “What Stood Out to One Guy in Santa Monica”
by John Judy, a.k.a. One Guy
For all the X-overs, weekly let-downs, and assorted temptations to kick this three-dollar a hit habit there was some amazingly good stuff out last year. I’m sure I’ll miss a few but here’s what I remember with gratitude and awe:
1. SCALPED by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. This was the Discovery of 2007 for me. A hard-boiled, crime-noir graphic novel set in the squalor of a fictional Indian reservation, SCALPED follows the story of Special Agent Dash Bad Horse as he returns to the home he’s spent his life trying to escape. Uncomfortable reunions ensue. The first trade collection, INDIAN COUNTRY, came out in August and the next one, CASINO BOOGIE, is in the pipe for February. Absolutely not for kids, but recommended reading for everyone else.
2. ALL-STAR SUPERMAN by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. A shamelessly out-of-continuity title that got the magic of Krypton’s last son and rendered it in style. The ALL-STAR titles both take forever to come out but this one was always worth the wait.
3. WARREN ELLIS, the guy whose words makes Comet Cleanser feel like aloe lotion. He was all over the map but managed to land spot-on with titles as diverse as NEWUNIVERSAL, BLACK GAS, WOLFSKIN, BLACK SUMMER, DOKTOR SLEEPLESS, THUNDERBOLTS, FELL, CRECY, and the much lamented NEXTWAVE: AGENTS OF H.A.T.E. Oh, and he wrote a little novel, too: “Crooked Little Vein.” He’s mentioned it once or twice on that internet thingy the kids keep talking about.
4. JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA by Geoff Johns and Dale Eaglesham. Ever since James Robinson revived Starman a few years back, DC Comics has done pretty well by their golden-age characters. Not as well as they could, but certainly a lot better than they’ve done for the guys who created these characters. But that’s another article.
5. GARTH ENNIS, who can still chill your blood and make you laugh in the same panel. Ennis turned out CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD, 303, PUNISHER, BARRACUDA MAX, DAN DARE, and, after some trouble with original publisher DC, the darker than dark BOYS series for Dynamite Entertainment.
6. WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY by Gail Simone and Neil Googe. Imagine a Mayberry or Bedford Falls full of super-heroes. Or maybe even Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” with capes. Clever, well-drawn stuff.
7. DARWYN COOKE, the brilliant writer-artist who gave us DC NEW FRONTIER also took up the reins of DC’s re-launch of THE SPIRIT. Sadly, he’s moving on from that title. Happily, it’s being taken over by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier.
8. CRIMINAL by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Lovers of noir haven’t had it this good at the candy store since the Fat Man was thin. With two story-arcs under their belts and the promise of more to come this one is appointment reading every issue.
9. JOSS WHEDON, who brought back BUFFY and ANGEL for extra seasons in comic book form. This on top of scripting ASTONISHING X-MEN and RUNAWAYS. He also does some kind of work involving pictures that move, but who cares about such lesser mediums?
10. REGINALD HUDLIN, who takes time from being President of Entertainment for BET to write some of the best Black Panther stories ever. He even got T’Challa married to the X-Men’s Storm. This is the Panther who belongs on the big screen.
11. IMMORTAL IRON FIST by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja. A martial arts comic that doesn’t suck and looks great! Truly we owe them our gratitude!
12. ASTRO CITY: THE DARK AGE by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson. Another one worth the long waits between issues, ASTRO CITY is a universe all its own, pretending to be a superhero comic while leaving us pondering its meaning long after we’ve turned the last colorful page. It’s not surprising that “Dark Age” is the arc coming out during the last years of the Bush regime.
13. DARK TOWER THE GUNSLINGER BORN by Peter David and Jae Lee. If you’d told me in 2006 that one of next year’s biggest sellers would be an adaptation of one Stephen King’s most intricate, long-running serial epics… Goes to show you how much I know. Sequel due in 08!
14. SHAZAM: MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL written and drawn by Jeff Smith. The creator of “Bone” knocked one out of the park in another out-of-continuity delight. My three-year old made me read at least one issue per night to him for most of 2007. I didn’t mind a bit.
15. THE EC ARCHIVES hardcover series including TALES FROM THE CRYPT, TWO-FISTED TALES, WEIRD SCIENCE, SHOCK SUSPENSTORIES, and VAULT OF HORROR. They’re up to two volumes on some of these and I search the sofa cushions with a renewed sense of Mission every time. Not cheap. Worth every penny.
16. Y THE LAST MAN by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. Coming to an end too soon! This must be a movie. Better yet, an HBO series. One more reason for the producers to settle the strike and pay up already!
17. THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD by Mark Waid and George Perez. Two great creators who love the Silver-Age heroes and know how to do them right.
18. DAN SLOTT the writer behind some of the smartest, funniest super-hero comics in a long time. Following Peter David’s lead of taking heroes who have fallen into Second-String Country, Slott took SHE-HULK to a creative pinnacle while simultaneously giving us new takes on the GREAT LAKES AVENGERS and the various members of the AVENGERS INITIATIVE. Slott is a writer whose name always warrants a look.
19. ACTION PHILOSOPHERS by Ryan Dunlavey and Fred Van Lente. A great series of strips that should have the makers of college Cliffs Notes looking over their shoulders. Sadly AP is no longer an on-going title, but it’s being replaced in 08 by ACTION PRESIDENTS! If you liked the Philosophy you’ll love the History!
20. Did I mention BRIAN K. VAUGHAN already? The creator of RUNAWAYS, EX MACHINA, PRIDE OF BAGHDAD, and Y THE LAST MAN continued out-doing himself with each of his titles being distinct from each other in focus and tone. Their unifying quality was excellence.
21. Writer/Artist KYLE BAKER for the historical drama NAT TURNER and the current dark satire SPECIAL FORCES.
22. FRANK MILLER for reminding us that nobody’s perfect.
23. BOOKS WITH PICTURES by a spunky young talent named Sina Grace. Okay, seriously, I know Sina and he’s written and drawn an admirable first effort set in an environment most of us know well: a comic book store full of quirky employees. It’s about more than that and if “BwP” is an indicator young Mr. Grace will have much more to say in his career to come.
24. ROBERT KIRKMAN, who writes the best zombie comics around. From the morbidly hilarious MARVEL ZOMBIES 1&2 to his own WALKING DEAD series, Kirkman takes characterization seriously and keeps the surprises coming. He’s also doing some fine non-zombie work on his latest creation THE ASTONISHING WOLF-MAN over at Image.
25. MATT WAGNER and his return to his signature character, the amoral crime-boss/novelist GRENDEL in the new mini BEHOLD THE DEVIL.
26. GEOFF JOHNS, who in addition to the latest JSA book is also turning in amazing work on a re-vitalized BOOSTER GOLD and GREEN LANTERN. GL is turning into a great space opera/police procedural mix and BOOSTER has redeemed the time-travel motif in comics. Who’d have thunk it?
27. Believe it or not, a couple of WOLVERINE stories proved it was still possible to write the character well. WOLVERINE #56 was a fill-in by Jason “Scalped” Aaron and Howard Chaykin and ANNUAL #1 was an ambitious setting of a Logan story to the tune of T.S. Eliot’s “Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” written by Greg Hurwitz and illustrated by Marcelo Frusin. Just goes to show you that occasionally there are diamonds hidden in the coal.
28. HARVEY CLASSICS, a couple of trade collections of the iconic Harvey characters CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST and RICHIE RICH. Great for all ages and very fun.
29. THE QUESTION by Dennis O’Neil and Denys Cowan being collected in trade. This thoughtful, noir, martial arts adventure series had almost nothing in common with Steve Ditko’s original concept but some names and the “power” of having a faceless mask, but it was great reading back in the eighties and still holds up today.
30. GREG RUCKA for writing, among other things, THE CRIME BIBLE: THE FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD, certainly one of the best names ever for a comic book. The fact that the book lives up to the title is just that much more pleasing on every level. It wouldn’t surprise me if a few crazies out there have already started worshiping Rucka as a Prophet of a Criminal God. You heard it here first.
31. ALAN MOORE for not compromising his madness in the latest “LEAGUE OF EXTRODINARY GENTLEMEN: THE BLACK DOSSIER.” Moore falls into the same category as his fellow eighties icon Frank Miller in that his genius requires you to examine even the work that you find lacking the power of his earlier milestones. (I still wish he’d get his dosages right, though.)
32. NORTHLANDERS by Brian Wood and Davis Gianfelice. The epic of Prince Sven, the prodigal Viking returned to claim his inheritance in the 10th century. This is shaping up to be the next great Vertigo series from the creator of DMZ.
33. FANTAGRAPHICS for their high-quality hardcover reprints of classic strips like PEANUTS and POPEYE as well as their collections of IVAN BRUNETTI, JACK COLE, ROBERT CRUMB, and many others.
34. JAMES STURM for his spare but moving stories set in America’s ever-present past. 2007 saw the publication of JAMES STURM’S AMERICA: GOD, GOLD, AND GOLEMS and SATCHEL PAIGE: STRIKING OUT JIM CROW.
2008 has a tough act to follow.
www.johnjudy.net
or “What Stood Out to One Guy in Santa Monica”
by John Judy, a.k.a. One Guy
For all the X-overs, weekly let-downs, and assorted temptations to kick this three-dollar a hit habit there was some amazingly good stuff out last year. I’m sure I’ll miss a few but here’s what I remember with gratitude and awe:
1. SCALPED by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. This was the Discovery of 2007 for me. A hard-boiled, crime-noir graphic novel set in the squalor of a fictional Indian reservation, SCALPED follows the story of Special Agent Dash Bad Horse as he returns to the home he’s spent his life trying to escape. Uncomfortable reunions ensue. The first trade collection, INDIAN COUNTRY, came out in August and the next one, CASINO BOOGIE, is in the pipe for February. Absolutely not for kids, but recommended reading for everyone else.
2. ALL-STAR SUPERMAN by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. A shamelessly out-of-continuity title that got the magic of Krypton’s last son and rendered it in style. The ALL-STAR titles both take forever to come out but this one was always worth the wait.
3. WARREN ELLIS, the guy whose words makes Comet Cleanser feel like aloe lotion. He was all over the map but managed to land spot-on with titles as diverse as NEWUNIVERSAL, BLACK GAS, WOLFSKIN, BLACK SUMMER, DOKTOR SLEEPLESS, THUNDERBOLTS, FELL, CRECY, and the much lamented NEXTWAVE: AGENTS OF H.A.T.E. Oh, and he wrote a little novel, too: “Crooked Little Vein.” He’s mentioned it once or twice on that internet thingy the kids keep talking about.
4. JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA by Geoff Johns and Dale Eaglesham. Ever since James Robinson revived Starman a few years back, DC Comics has done pretty well by their golden-age characters. Not as well as they could, but certainly a lot better than they’ve done for the guys who created these characters. But that’s another article.
5. GARTH ENNIS, who can still chill your blood and make you laugh in the same panel. Ennis turned out CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD, 303, PUNISHER, BARRACUDA MAX, DAN DARE, and, after some trouble with original publisher DC, the darker than dark BOYS series for Dynamite Entertainment.
6. WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY by Gail Simone and Neil Googe. Imagine a Mayberry or Bedford Falls full of super-heroes. Or maybe even Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” with capes. Clever, well-drawn stuff.
7. DARWYN COOKE, the brilliant writer-artist who gave us DC NEW FRONTIER also took up the reins of DC’s re-launch of THE SPIRIT. Sadly, he’s moving on from that title. Happily, it’s being taken over by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier.
8. CRIMINAL by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Lovers of noir haven’t had it this good at the candy store since the Fat Man was thin. With two story-arcs under their belts and the promise of more to come this one is appointment reading every issue.
9. JOSS WHEDON, who brought back BUFFY and ANGEL for extra seasons in comic book form. This on top of scripting ASTONISHING X-MEN and RUNAWAYS. He also does some kind of work involving pictures that move, but who cares about such lesser mediums?
10. REGINALD HUDLIN, who takes time from being President of Entertainment for BET to write some of the best Black Panther stories ever. He even got T’Challa married to the X-Men’s Storm. This is the Panther who belongs on the big screen.
11. IMMORTAL IRON FIST by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja. A martial arts comic that doesn’t suck and looks great! Truly we owe them our gratitude!
12. ASTRO CITY: THE DARK AGE by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson. Another one worth the long waits between issues, ASTRO CITY is a universe all its own, pretending to be a superhero comic while leaving us pondering its meaning long after we’ve turned the last colorful page. It’s not surprising that “Dark Age” is the arc coming out during the last years of the Bush regime.
13. DARK TOWER THE GUNSLINGER BORN by Peter David and Jae Lee. If you’d told me in 2006 that one of next year’s biggest sellers would be an adaptation of one Stephen King’s most intricate, long-running serial epics… Goes to show you how much I know. Sequel due in 08!
14. SHAZAM: MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL written and drawn by Jeff Smith. The creator of “Bone” knocked one out of the park in another out-of-continuity delight. My three-year old made me read at least one issue per night to him for most of 2007. I didn’t mind a bit.
15. THE EC ARCHIVES hardcover series including TALES FROM THE CRYPT, TWO-FISTED TALES, WEIRD SCIENCE, SHOCK SUSPENSTORIES, and VAULT OF HORROR. They’re up to two volumes on some of these and I search the sofa cushions with a renewed sense of Mission every time. Not cheap. Worth every penny.
16. Y THE LAST MAN by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. Coming to an end too soon! This must be a movie. Better yet, an HBO series. One more reason for the producers to settle the strike and pay up already!
17. THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD by Mark Waid and George Perez. Two great creators who love the Silver-Age heroes and know how to do them right.
18. DAN SLOTT the writer behind some of the smartest, funniest super-hero comics in a long time. Following Peter David’s lead of taking heroes who have fallen into Second-String Country, Slott took SHE-HULK to a creative pinnacle while simultaneously giving us new takes on the GREAT LAKES AVENGERS and the various members of the AVENGERS INITIATIVE. Slott is a writer whose name always warrants a look.
19. ACTION PHILOSOPHERS by Ryan Dunlavey and Fred Van Lente. A great series of strips that should have the makers of college Cliffs Notes looking over their shoulders. Sadly AP is no longer an on-going title, but it’s being replaced in 08 by ACTION PRESIDENTS! If you liked the Philosophy you’ll love the History!
20. Did I mention BRIAN K. VAUGHAN already? The creator of RUNAWAYS, EX MACHINA, PRIDE OF BAGHDAD, and Y THE LAST MAN continued out-doing himself with each of his titles being distinct from each other in focus and tone. Their unifying quality was excellence.
21. Writer/Artist KYLE BAKER for the historical drama NAT TURNER and the current dark satire SPECIAL FORCES.
22. FRANK MILLER for reminding us that nobody’s perfect.
23. BOOKS WITH PICTURES by a spunky young talent named Sina Grace. Okay, seriously, I know Sina and he’s written and drawn an admirable first effort set in an environment most of us know well: a comic book store full of quirky employees. It’s about more than that and if “BwP” is an indicator young Mr. Grace will have much more to say in his career to come.
24. ROBERT KIRKMAN, who writes the best zombie comics around. From the morbidly hilarious MARVEL ZOMBIES 1&2 to his own WALKING DEAD series, Kirkman takes characterization seriously and keeps the surprises coming. He’s also doing some fine non-zombie work on his latest creation THE ASTONISHING WOLF-MAN over at Image.
25. MATT WAGNER and his return to his signature character, the amoral crime-boss/novelist GRENDEL in the new mini BEHOLD THE DEVIL.
26. GEOFF JOHNS, who in addition to the latest JSA book is also turning in amazing work on a re-vitalized BOOSTER GOLD and GREEN LANTERN. GL is turning into a great space opera/police procedural mix and BOOSTER has redeemed the time-travel motif in comics. Who’d have thunk it?
27. Believe it or not, a couple of WOLVERINE stories proved it was still possible to write the character well. WOLVERINE #56 was a fill-in by Jason “Scalped” Aaron and Howard Chaykin and ANNUAL #1 was an ambitious setting of a Logan story to the tune of T.S. Eliot’s “Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” written by Greg Hurwitz and illustrated by Marcelo Frusin. Just goes to show you that occasionally there are diamonds hidden in the coal.
28. HARVEY CLASSICS, a couple of trade collections of the iconic Harvey characters CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST and RICHIE RICH. Great for all ages and very fun.
29. THE QUESTION by Dennis O’Neil and Denys Cowan being collected in trade. This thoughtful, noir, martial arts adventure series had almost nothing in common with Steve Ditko’s original concept but some names and the “power” of having a faceless mask, but it was great reading back in the eighties and still holds up today.
30. GREG RUCKA for writing, among other things, THE CRIME BIBLE: THE FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD, certainly one of the best names ever for a comic book. The fact that the book lives up to the title is just that much more pleasing on every level. It wouldn’t surprise me if a few crazies out there have already started worshiping Rucka as a Prophet of a Criminal God. You heard it here first.
31. ALAN MOORE for not compromising his madness in the latest “LEAGUE OF EXTRODINARY GENTLEMEN: THE BLACK DOSSIER.” Moore falls into the same category as his fellow eighties icon Frank Miller in that his genius requires you to examine even the work that you find lacking the power of his earlier milestones. (I still wish he’d get his dosages right, though.)
32. NORTHLANDERS by Brian Wood and Davis Gianfelice. The epic of Prince Sven, the prodigal Viking returned to claim his inheritance in the 10th century. This is shaping up to be the next great Vertigo series from the creator of DMZ.
33. FANTAGRAPHICS for their high-quality hardcover reprints of classic strips like PEANUTS and POPEYE as well as their collections of IVAN BRUNETTI, JACK COLE, ROBERT CRUMB, and many others.
34. JAMES STURM for his spare but moving stories set in America’s ever-present past. 2007 saw the publication of JAMES STURM’S AMERICA: GOD, GOLD, AND GOLEMS and SATCHEL PAIGE: STRIKING OUT JIM CROW.
2008 has a tough act to follow.
www.johnjudy.net
Monday, January 07, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 01-09-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 01-09-08
By John Judy
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #546 by Dan Slott and Steve McNiven. Okay, Spider-Fans, I know a lot of you are out there licking your wounds (gross!) after Mephisto Quesada brought back Harry Osborn and un-did yet another decade or so of continuity. So buy SCALPED already! It’ll put hair on ya! (Ahem.) Beyond that, I offer these words of comfort: “Dan Slott.” Dan Slott can write anything in any circumstance and find real character-based humor and drama even in the most forsaken realms. He made SHE-HULK work. Think what he can do with Spidey. And he’ll be doing it three times a month. This week’s “Gotta-Look.” Recommended.
BAT LASH #2 of 6 by Peter Brandvold, Sergio Aragones, and John Severin. There’s bears! Bears drawn by the great John Severin! Recommended!
BOYS #14 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. C’mon, you know you have to look. The crazy Russian hero “Love Sausage” is back in costume. His tight, tight costume… Recommended, but Not for Kids or those who already teeter on the brink of madness.
BPRD: 1946 #1 of 5 by Mike Mignola, Joshua Dysart, and Paul Azaceta. Okay, this one sounds like a lot of fun! The early days of the BPRD, when they were still mopping up after the ratzis and the mysterious “Project Vampir Sturm.” A must for Hellboy/Mignola fans!
BPRD VOL. 7 GARDEN OF SOULS SC by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, and Guy Davis. Collecting the whole series featuring Abe Sapien, steampunk cyborgs, and a mummy!
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER OMNIBUS VOL. 3 SC by Various Creators. Collecting BUFFY #1-8 (original series), “Play with Fire”, and “Spike and Dru.”
CONAN: THE BLOOD-STAINED CROWN AND OTHER STORIES SC by Kurt Busiek, Fabian Nicieza, Bruce Timm, John Severin, Tim Truman, and Others. Collecting a series of “done-in-one” stories by some of the heaviest-hitting talent in the comics biz. Worth a look even if you don’t usually read CONAN.
ESSENTIAL CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 4 SC by Lotsa People including Steve Gerber, Tony Isabella, Herb Trimpe, and Frank Robbins. Collecting issues #157-186. Werewolves, Nomad, Yellow Claw, Secret Empire, X-Men, Namor, Dr. Faustus, and the Falcon, of course. Enjoy!
GOON #20 written and drawn by Eric Powell. The Goon and Franky fight tartish harpies! “Mmmm, tartish harpies…”
HULK #1 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness. Hulk’s red. Darkstar and Red Guardian aren’t dead. Doc Samson is short-tempered and appears to be having trouble pounding the Red Guardian into paste, which says to me at least one of them is a Skrull. Plus, the return of an old friend who was not dead last time I looked.
JLA CLASSIFIED #50 by Roger Stern and John Byrne. A couple of veteran creators team up again, this time for a JLA story that’s half-fight, half-mystery.
JSA PRESENTS STARS AND STRIPES VOL. 2 SC by Geoff Johns and Lee Moder. Collecting issues #9-14 of the series that launched Johns’ career. Neat stuff.
JUDGE DREDD COMPLETE CASE FILES VOL. 9 SC by John Grant, Alan Wagner, and Various Artists of Note. The latest volume for fans with reinforced bookshelves.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #7 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. The entire population of New York has been transformed into murderous, flesh-eating Venom creatures. “How could they tell?” – Dorothy Parker.
NEXTWAVE AGENTS OF H.A.T.E. VOL. 2: I KICK YOUR FACE SC by Warren Ellis and Stuart Immonen. Collecting issues #7-12. You know you want it. Recommended.
SALVATION RUN #3 of 7 by Bill Willingham and Sean Chen. Also known as “Planet Luthor!” Featuring the world’s naughtiest talking monkey! And it ain’t George Bush! (Okay, technically it is.)
SCALPED #13 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. The casino’s been open less than 24 hours and Agent Dash Bad Horse’s mom has been murdered. This is the week you put that stupid WOLVERINE comic that hasn’t been good since Rucka left back on the rack and start reading SCALPED. Not for kids. Consistently, highly recommended. Find out why.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER VOL. 1 SC by Lotsa People, including Gardner Fox Neal Adams, Gil Kane, and Everyone Else. It’s a whole lotta Robin, folks.
SPIRIT #12 written and drawn by Darwyn Cooke. It’s Cooke’s last issue before a fill-in and then the new team of Mark Evanier, Sergio Aragones, and Mike Ploog take over! This one features the return of Sand Sarif. Recommended and already missed.
STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY GN by Harvey Pekar, Gary Dumm, and historian Paul Buhle. A non-fiction account of the rise and fall of one of the most ambitious and controversial activist groups of the 1960s. For grown-ups and interested parties. Very well-timed publication. Recommended.
SUPERMAN #672 by Kurt Busiek and Peter Vale. Insect Queen is on the Moon and on the move! It’s Insect Queen! Recommended!
TEEN TITANS: THE LOST ANNUAL by Bob Haney, Jay Stephens, and Mike Allred. The original Teen Titans: Robin, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Speedy, and Aqualad go on a mission in space to rescue President John F. Kennedy! Featuring a cover by the great Nick Cardy! (I kind of love this comic…) Highly recommended.
THE TWELVE #1 of 12 by J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston. You remember all those great 1940s Timely heroes who weren’t in the Invaders of the Liberty Legion? Yeah, me neither. But Straczynski does and Chris Weston’s drawing them! A great read that embraces the weirdness of the Golden Age. Recommended.
WOLVERINE #61 by Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin. Howard Chaykin created AMERICAN FLAGG and is a terrific artist.
X-FACTOR #27 by Peter David and Scot Eaton. Part Eleven of “Messiah Complex” which means it’s almost over.
YOUNGBLOOD #1 by Joe Casey and Derec Donovan. It is, of course, wrong to shoplift comics for the express purpose of setting them on fire in a ditch… But this one has a character saying “Yo! Wassup!” in 2008!!! And its sales would enrich Rob Liefeld!!! No, it’s still wrong. Always wrong, no matter what. Don’t shoplift.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #546 by Dan Slott and Steve McNiven. Okay, Spider-Fans, I know a lot of you are out there licking your wounds (gross!) after Mephisto Quesada brought back Harry Osborn and un-did yet another decade or so of continuity. So buy SCALPED already! It’ll put hair on ya! (Ahem.) Beyond that, I offer these words of comfort: “Dan Slott.” Dan Slott can write anything in any circumstance and find real character-based humor and drama even in the most forsaken realms. He made SHE-HULK work. Think what he can do with Spidey. And he’ll be doing it three times a month. This week’s “Gotta-Look.” Recommended.
BAT LASH #2 of 6 by Peter Brandvold, Sergio Aragones, and John Severin. There’s bears! Bears drawn by the great John Severin! Recommended!
BOYS #14 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. C’mon, you know you have to look. The crazy Russian hero “Love Sausage” is back in costume. His tight, tight costume… Recommended, but Not for Kids or those who already teeter on the brink of madness.
BPRD: 1946 #1 of 5 by Mike Mignola, Joshua Dysart, and Paul Azaceta. Okay, this one sounds like a lot of fun! The early days of the BPRD, when they were still mopping up after the ratzis and the mysterious “Project Vampir Sturm.” A must for Hellboy/Mignola fans!
BPRD VOL. 7 GARDEN OF SOULS SC by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, and Guy Davis. Collecting the whole series featuring Abe Sapien, steampunk cyborgs, and a mummy!
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER OMNIBUS VOL. 3 SC by Various Creators. Collecting BUFFY #1-8 (original series), “Play with Fire”, and “Spike and Dru.”
CONAN: THE BLOOD-STAINED CROWN AND OTHER STORIES SC by Kurt Busiek, Fabian Nicieza, Bruce Timm, John Severin, Tim Truman, and Others. Collecting a series of “done-in-one” stories by some of the heaviest-hitting talent in the comics biz. Worth a look even if you don’t usually read CONAN.
ESSENTIAL CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 4 SC by Lotsa People including Steve Gerber, Tony Isabella, Herb Trimpe, and Frank Robbins. Collecting issues #157-186. Werewolves, Nomad, Yellow Claw, Secret Empire, X-Men, Namor, Dr. Faustus, and the Falcon, of course. Enjoy!
GOON #20 written and drawn by Eric Powell. The Goon and Franky fight tartish harpies! “Mmmm, tartish harpies…”
HULK #1 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness. Hulk’s red. Darkstar and Red Guardian aren’t dead. Doc Samson is short-tempered and appears to be having trouble pounding the Red Guardian into paste, which says to me at least one of them is a Skrull. Plus, the return of an old friend who was not dead last time I looked.
JLA CLASSIFIED #50 by Roger Stern and John Byrne. A couple of veteran creators team up again, this time for a JLA story that’s half-fight, half-mystery.
JSA PRESENTS STARS AND STRIPES VOL. 2 SC by Geoff Johns and Lee Moder. Collecting issues #9-14 of the series that launched Johns’ career. Neat stuff.
JUDGE DREDD COMPLETE CASE FILES VOL. 9 SC by John Grant, Alan Wagner, and Various Artists of Note. The latest volume for fans with reinforced bookshelves.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #7 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. The entire population of New York has been transformed into murderous, flesh-eating Venom creatures. “How could they tell?” – Dorothy Parker.
NEXTWAVE AGENTS OF H.A.T.E. VOL. 2: I KICK YOUR FACE SC by Warren Ellis and Stuart Immonen. Collecting issues #7-12. You know you want it. Recommended.
SALVATION RUN #3 of 7 by Bill Willingham and Sean Chen. Also known as “Planet Luthor!” Featuring the world’s naughtiest talking monkey! And it ain’t George Bush! (Okay, technically it is.)
SCALPED #13 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. The casino’s been open less than 24 hours and Agent Dash Bad Horse’s mom has been murdered. This is the week you put that stupid WOLVERINE comic that hasn’t been good since Rucka left back on the rack and start reading SCALPED. Not for kids. Consistently, highly recommended. Find out why.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER VOL. 1 SC by Lotsa People, including Gardner Fox Neal Adams, Gil Kane, and Everyone Else. It’s a whole lotta Robin, folks.
SPIRIT #12 written and drawn by Darwyn Cooke. It’s Cooke’s last issue before a fill-in and then the new team of Mark Evanier, Sergio Aragones, and Mike Ploog take over! This one features the return of Sand Sarif. Recommended and already missed.
STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY GN by Harvey Pekar, Gary Dumm, and historian Paul Buhle. A non-fiction account of the rise and fall of one of the most ambitious and controversial activist groups of the 1960s. For grown-ups and interested parties. Very well-timed publication. Recommended.
SUPERMAN #672 by Kurt Busiek and Peter Vale. Insect Queen is on the Moon and on the move! It’s Insect Queen! Recommended!
TEEN TITANS: THE LOST ANNUAL by Bob Haney, Jay Stephens, and Mike Allred. The original Teen Titans: Robin, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Speedy, and Aqualad go on a mission in space to rescue President John F. Kennedy! Featuring a cover by the great Nick Cardy! (I kind of love this comic…) Highly recommended.
THE TWELVE #1 of 12 by J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston. You remember all those great 1940s Timely heroes who weren’t in the Invaders of the Liberty Legion? Yeah, me neither. But Straczynski does and Chris Weston’s drawing them! A great read that embraces the weirdness of the Golden Age. Recommended.
WOLVERINE #61 by Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin. Howard Chaykin created AMERICAN FLAGG and is a terrific artist.
X-FACTOR #27 by Peter David and Scot Eaton. Part Eleven of “Messiah Complex” which means it’s almost over.
YOUNGBLOOD #1 by Joe Casey and Derec Donovan. It is, of course, wrong to shoplift comics for the express purpose of setting them on fire in a ditch… But this one has a character saying “Yo! Wassup!” in 2008!!! And its sales would enrich Rob Liefeld!!! No, it’s still wrong. Always wrong, no matter what. Don’t shoplift.
www.johnjudy.net
Sunday, December 30, 2007
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE FRIDAY 01-04-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE FRIDAY 01-04-08
By John Judy
(NOTE: Comics are once again delayed two days because of the holidays. Happy New Year!)
30 DAYS OF NIGHT, VOL. 8: RED SNOW written and drawn by Ben Templesmith. Y’know, at first I was going to snark about how the vampires’ current prey seems to be dead horses, but then I noticed this was by the guy who drew the first “30 Days” series. This one’s set in Russia circa 1941 and looks very much worth a read. Recommended.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #10 by Joss Whedon and Georges Jeanty. Willow and the Buffster meet a demon while Dawn confides to Xander how she “filled out” and then some. Recommended.
DOCTOR SOLAR MAN OF THE ATOM VOL. 4 HC by Various Creators. This volume collects issues #23-32 of the original series, plus a guest-shot in “Occult Files of Dr. Spektor #14”, thus completing the entire Silver-Age run of this early Gold Key/Wilson hero.
DOKTOR SLEEPLESS #4 by Warren Ellis and Ivan Rodriguez. It was solicited for October of last year and sucks a lot less than the Avatar Press website which sucks quite a bit. Featuring a variant wrap-around cover and a 1-in-15 variant cover, which is the sure sign of a great (and highly collectable!) comic.
END LEAGUE #1 by Rick Remender and Mat Broome. From the creator of “Fear Agent” comes this new series about the last superheroes on earth and their quest for the hammer of Thor. Good thing mythological figures are public domain, eh? This one has a preview up on YouTube. Worth a look.
ESSENTIAL POWER MAN AND IRON FIST VOL. 1 SC by Lotsa People including Chris Claremont and John Byrne. “It’s so dark… I can barely make it out… is it…the Bottom of the Barrel?! What’s it doing up there?”
GRAVEL #0 by Warren Ellis & Mike Wolfer and Raulo Caceres. Okay, it’s “co-written” by Ellis which historically means the soggy cocktail napkin was handed to the interns to decipher and a room full of lemurs to type up. That said, it has a rave from Garth Ennis in which he says “It’s like someone made a comic just for me.” That and the art by “Crecy” co-creator Raulo Caceres elevate this to a must-read for the week. Recommended.
NORTHLANDERS #2 by Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice. Prince Sven the Viking is back home and looking to square accounts with the uncle who’s taken all his stuff. It’s like “Hamlet” if Hamlet had less depression, more A.D.D., and no mommy issues. Recommended, but not for kids.
OMEGA THE UNKNOWN #4 of 10 by Jonathan Lethem and Farel Dalrymple. An interesting series featuring a new take on the classic Steve Gerber cult hero. Possibly it will read more smoothly in trade but for now it’s a good read for those who like a slow build.
PATH OF THE ASSASSIN VOL. 8: SHINOBI WITH EXTENDING FISTS SC by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima. From the guys who gave us “Lone Wolf and Cub”, it’s more stuff like that! For ages 18 and over!
POWERS VOL. 11: SECRET IDENTITY SC by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Avon Oeming. Collecting issues #19-24 featuring the adventures of two homicide cops in a world of super-heroes and trademark Bendis patter.
PRIDE OF BAGHDAD SC by Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon. Finally in soft-cover for all us cheapskates out here in Comicsville! From the gifted creator of “Ex Machina”, “Y the Last Man”, and “Runaways” this is the story of four lions who escape from the Baghdad Zoo after a 2003 bombing raid. Highly recommended unless you live in San Francisco. (Too soon?)
TEEN TITANS: YEAR ONE #1 of 6 by Amy Wolfram and Karl Kerschl. Pretty much what it says, notable for the vaguely manga look to the art and the scripting being done by the writer of the animated Titans series. Worth a look.
THUNDERBOLTS #118 by Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato. Dark Speedball beats up his shrink. Super-heroes are about the wish-fulfillment, kids…
ULTIMATE HUMAN #1 of 4 by Warren Ellis and Cary Nord. Finally a comic book about Chuck Norris! From now on there are no comic shops. There are only Chuck Norris shops! (Actually it’s about Iron Man fighting the Hulk. Don’t tell Chuck.)
UNCANNY X-MEN #494 by Ed Brubaker and Billy Tan. Hockey goalies dream of being padded like this latest X-crossover. Just remember: It’s this comic that helps make “Criminal” possible. (C’mon, you bought all the others….)
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
(NOTE: Comics are once again delayed two days because of the holidays. Happy New Year!)
30 DAYS OF NIGHT, VOL. 8: RED SNOW written and drawn by Ben Templesmith. Y’know, at first I was going to snark about how the vampires’ current prey seems to be dead horses, but then I noticed this was by the guy who drew the first “30 Days” series. This one’s set in Russia circa 1941 and looks very much worth a read. Recommended.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #10 by Joss Whedon and Georges Jeanty. Willow and the Buffster meet a demon while Dawn confides to Xander how she “filled out” and then some. Recommended.
DOCTOR SOLAR MAN OF THE ATOM VOL. 4 HC by Various Creators. This volume collects issues #23-32 of the original series, plus a guest-shot in “Occult Files of Dr. Spektor #14”, thus completing the entire Silver-Age run of this early Gold Key/Wilson hero.
DOKTOR SLEEPLESS #4 by Warren Ellis and Ivan Rodriguez. It was solicited for October of last year and sucks a lot less than the Avatar Press website which sucks quite a bit. Featuring a variant wrap-around cover and a 1-in-15 variant cover, which is the sure sign of a great (and highly collectable!) comic.
END LEAGUE #1 by Rick Remender and Mat Broome. From the creator of “Fear Agent” comes this new series about the last superheroes on earth and their quest for the hammer of Thor. Good thing mythological figures are public domain, eh? This one has a preview up on YouTube. Worth a look.
ESSENTIAL POWER MAN AND IRON FIST VOL. 1 SC by Lotsa People including Chris Claremont and John Byrne. “It’s so dark… I can barely make it out… is it…the Bottom of the Barrel?! What’s it doing up there?”
GRAVEL #0 by Warren Ellis & Mike Wolfer and Raulo Caceres. Okay, it’s “co-written” by Ellis which historically means the soggy cocktail napkin was handed to the interns to decipher and a room full of lemurs to type up. That said, it has a rave from Garth Ennis in which he says “It’s like someone made a comic just for me.” That and the art by “Crecy” co-creator Raulo Caceres elevate this to a must-read for the week. Recommended.
NORTHLANDERS #2 by Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice. Prince Sven the Viking is back home and looking to square accounts with the uncle who’s taken all his stuff. It’s like “Hamlet” if Hamlet had less depression, more A.D.D., and no mommy issues. Recommended, but not for kids.
OMEGA THE UNKNOWN #4 of 10 by Jonathan Lethem and Farel Dalrymple. An interesting series featuring a new take on the classic Steve Gerber cult hero. Possibly it will read more smoothly in trade but for now it’s a good read for those who like a slow build.
PATH OF THE ASSASSIN VOL. 8: SHINOBI WITH EXTENDING FISTS SC by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima. From the guys who gave us “Lone Wolf and Cub”, it’s more stuff like that! For ages 18 and over!
POWERS VOL. 11: SECRET IDENTITY SC by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Avon Oeming. Collecting issues #19-24 featuring the adventures of two homicide cops in a world of super-heroes and trademark Bendis patter.
PRIDE OF BAGHDAD SC by Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon. Finally in soft-cover for all us cheapskates out here in Comicsville! From the gifted creator of “Ex Machina”, “Y the Last Man”, and “Runaways” this is the story of four lions who escape from the Baghdad Zoo after a 2003 bombing raid. Highly recommended unless you live in San Francisco. (Too soon?)
TEEN TITANS: YEAR ONE #1 of 6 by Amy Wolfram and Karl Kerschl. Pretty much what it says, notable for the vaguely manga look to the art and the scripting being done by the writer of the animated Titans series. Worth a look.
THUNDERBOLTS #118 by Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato. Dark Speedball beats up his shrink. Super-heroes are about the wish-fulfillment, kids…
ULTIMATE HUMAN #1 of 4 by Warren Ellis and Cary Nord. Finally a comic book about Chuck Norris! From now on there are no comic shops. There are only Chuck Norris shops! (Actually it’s about Iron Man fighting the Hulk. Don’t tell Chuck.)
UNCANNY X-MEN #494 by Ed Brubaker and Billy Tan. Hockey goalies dream of being padded like this latest X-crossover. Just remember: It’s this comic that helps make “Criminal” possible. (C’mon, you bought all the others….)
www.johnjudy.net
Friday, December 21, 2007
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE FRIDAY 12-28-07
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE FRIDAY 12-28-07
By John Judy
(NOTE: Friday, not Wednesday, this week for comics. L)
ACTION COMICS #860 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. There’s mad doings in the future with the Legion of Super-Heroes! Recommended for anyone who needs more time-travel continuity to keep up with! From the powerhouse scribe of the JSA!
AL WILLIAMSON READER VOL. 1 SC by Al Williamson. A great collection of stories and art from a comics and fantasy illustration legend. Recommended.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #545 by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada. It’s the final chapter in which Spidey must sell his marriage to the Devil. Note to younger fans: If you see anyone laughing in the comics stores this week it means they are, or have been, married.
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #8 by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. The first batch of recruits are about to graduate even as a new bunch is coming in. Humor and adventure mix perfectly in what is probably the best series to come out of Marvel’s “Civil War.” Recommended.
BATMAN #672 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. There’s a Third Batman out there killing cops! Hmmm, maybe he’s tight with the Third Kryptonian over in the Super-books? Nah, not going there. And who’s the second Batman in all this? Gotta look.
BLACK PANTHER #33 by Reginald Hudlin and Francis Portella. Lotsa great fights on the Skrull Gangsta World in which it becomes apparent that Skrulls have almost no imagination. It’s like a world of Rob Liefelds who can shape-shift…
BRAVE AND BOLD #9 by Mark Waid and George Perez. The Book of Destiny has been opened! Looks like someone’s not waiting for the movie! Recommended for everyone who loves the Silver-Age as much as Waid. Try it, whipper-snappers! It’s good for ya! (Cough, wheeze, hack…)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #33 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. Winter Bucky versus Iron Man! With a final panel we all knew had to come. Good stuff!
CAPTAIN MARVEL #2 of 5 by Brian Reed and Lee Weeks. Okay, I’ll admit it: I am completely stumped at what Marv sees in the old painting. Guest-starring Ms. Marvel and an old painting.
CRIME BIBLE: FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD #3 of 5 by Greg Rucka and Matthew Clark. “The Lesson of Greed” guest-starring Vice-President Cheney and the Haliburton Gang! Buy every copy, because no one else deserves this comic but you! Recommended.
DAN DARE #2 of 7 by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskin. The pilot of the future is back on the job, Ennis-style! Imagine “War Story” set in space. Recommended.
DAREDEVIL #103 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. DD actually stands for “Down and Dirty” as Matt Murdock fights his way to Mr. Fear and the cure to his wife’s madness. Recommended.
DAREDEVIL BY FRANK MILLER OMNIBUS COMPANION HC by Frank and Friends. If Miller breathed on it before it hit the newsstands it’s probably in here. From the glory days before Miller went Hollywood/Nuts, back he still recognized the word “No.” Recommended.
GIANT SIZE AVENGERS SPECIAL #1 by Lotsa People. It’s 55 pages, plus re-prints!
GREEN LANTERN #26 by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone. The GL Corps gets a shake-up with the arrival of the Alpha Lanterns. Intriguing….
HELLBLAZER #239 by Andy Diggle and Leonardo Manco. Refugees from Sudan are bearing a package for one known only as “The Laughing Magician.” Wonder who that could be? Leads into a three-parter marking the 20th anniversary of this flagship Vertigo title. Recommended.
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #37 by Jim Shooter, Francis Manapul, and John Livesay. Wow, nevermind the story in the book. The real “gotta-look” is Jim Shooter returning to the title he first wrote back in the mid 1960s when he was thirteen years old. Wow.
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #3 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. It takes a slugger like Kirkman to make good zombies scare you more than bad zombies. Not for kids but otherwise recommended.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN-AGE HUMAN TORCH VOL. 2 HC by Bill Everett, Carl Burgos, Basil Wolverton, and Mickey-friggin-Spillane! Golden-Age epics from 1941-42, collecting HT #5-8. Torch versus Sub-Mariner versus Hitler and…GAH!! Just read it while your brain pops and sizzles to the classic excellence contained herein! Highly recommended!
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL.5 HC by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. Collecting Spidey #41-50, plus Annual #3. This one has the first appearance of future Mrs. Spidey, Mary-Jane Watson. “Face it, Tiger…”
PUNISHER #53 by Garth Ennis and Goran Parlov. Okay, after the last page of the previous issue you know this one’s gonna be savage, out of control mayhem, right? Not for kids, highly recommended.
SATCHEL PAIGE: STRIKING OUT JIM CROW HC and SC by James Sturm and Rich Tommaso. A fictionalized account of the legendary ball-player’s life, from his early days to the peak of his career in the Negro Leagues. Highly recommended, as are all of Mr. Sturm’s other works. A preview is available online at www.cartoonstudies.org
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: THE BRAVE & THE BOLD: BATMAN TEAM-UPS VOL. 2 SC by Dennis O’Neil, Bob Haney, Neil Adams, Nick Cardy, Jim Aparo, and more. Collecting B&B #88-109. Crack cocaine for Silver-Agers. Fun stuff for all ages. Recommended.
STEVE RUDE: ARTIST IN MOTION HC by Steve Rude and John Fleskes. Limited to 1000 copies this book explores the work and philosophy of a master illustrator who still considers himself an “art student.” If you haven’t treated yourself to anything wonderful lately, now is the time. Highly recommended.
THOR #5 by J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Coipel. The return of a character who’s been through some changes. If I were Thor I would be having some serious oogies after this issue. Pretty art.
ULTIMATE POWER #9 of 9 by Jeph Loeb and Greg Land. They promise it’s ending this week, hopefully with a big ol’ fight!
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #117 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. This is the final battle between Ultimate Spidey and Ultimate Gobby! For now! Honest! I wonder who wins?
X-MEN #206 by Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo. Okay, so now we know the Mutant Killer Jesus Baby is cute and has the super-power to make Cable mute. Also there’s a mutant-eating dog loose who really needs someone to go Old Yelller on him. And could anyone on the X-teams who isn’t a traitor, please raise your hand? Are they only taking the stupid telepaths now?
Plus, PREVIEWS by Diamond and Marvel. The future is now!
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
(NOTE: Friday, not Wednesday, this week for comics. L)
ACTION COMICS #860 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. There’s mad doings in the future with the Legion of Super-Heroes! Recommended for anyone who needs more time-travel continuity to keep up with! From the powerhouse scribe of the JSA!
AL WILLIAMSON READER VOL. 1 SC by Al Williamson. A great collection of stories and art from a comics and fantasy illustration legend. Recommended.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #545 by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada. It’s the final chapter in which Spidey must sell his marriage to the Devil. Note to younger fans: If you see anyone laughing in the comics stores this week it means they are, or have been, married.
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #8 by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. The first batch of recruits are about to graduate even as a new bunch is coming in. Humor and adventure mix perfectly in what is probably the best series to come out of Marvel’s “Civil War.” Recommended.
BATMAN #672 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. There’s a Third Batman out there killing cops! Hmmm, maybe he’s tight with the Third Kryptonian over in the Super-books? Nah, not going there. And who’s the second Batman in all this? Gotta look.
BLACK PANTHER #33 by Reginald Hudlin and Francis Portella. Lotsa great fights on the Skrull Gangsta World in which it becomes apparent that Skrulls have almost no imagination. It’s like a world of Rob Liefelds who can shape-shift…
BRAVE AND BOLD #9 by Mark Waid and George Perez. The Book of Destiny has been opened! Looks like someone’s not waiting for the movie! Recommended for everyone who loves the Silver-Age as much as Waid. Try it, whipper-snappers! It’s good for ya! (Cough, wheeze, hack…)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #33 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. Winter Bucky versus Iron Man! With a final panel we all knew had to come. Good stuff!
CAPTAIN MARVEL #2 of 5 by Brian Reed and Lee Weeks. Okay, I’ll admit it: I am completely stumped at what Marv sees in the old painting. Guest-starring Ms. Marvel and an old painting.
CRIME BIBLE: FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD #3 of 5 by Greg Rucka and Matthew Clark. “The Lesson of Greed” guest-starring Vice-President Cheney and the Haliburton Gang! Buy every copy, because no one else deserves this comic but you! Recommended.
DAN DARE #2 of 7 by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskin. The pilot of the future is back on the job, Ennis-style! Imagine “War Story” set in space. Recommended.
DAREDEVIL #103 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. DD actually stands for “Down and Dirty” as Matt Murdock fights his way to Mr. Fear and the cure to his wife’s madness. Recommended.
DAREDEVIL BY FRANK MILLER OMNIBUS COMPANION HC by Frank and Friends. If Miller breathed on it before it hit the newsstands it’s probably in here. From the glory days before Miller went Hollywood/Nuts, back he still recognized the word “No.” Recommended.
GIANT SIZE AVENGERS SPECIAL #1 by Lotsa People. It’s 55 pages, plus re-prints!
GREEN LANTERN #26 by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone. The GL Corps gets a shake-up with the arrival of the Alpha Lanterns. Intriguing….
HELLBLAZER #239 by Andy Diggle and Leonardo Manco. Refugees from Sudan are bearing a package for one known only as “The Laughing Magician.” Wonder who that could be? Leads into a three-parter marking the 20th anniversary of this flagship Vertigo title. Recommended.
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #37 by Jim Shooter, Francis Manapul, and John Livesay. Wow, nevermind the story in the book. The real “gotta-look” is Jim Shooter returning to the title he first wrote back in the mid 1960s when he was thirteen years old. Wow.
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #3 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. It takes a slugger like Kirkman to make good zombies scare you more than bad zombies. Not for kids but otherwise recommended.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN-AGE HUMAN TORCH VOL. 2 HC by Bill Everett, Carl Burgos, Basil Wolverton, and Mickey-friggin-Spillane! Golden-Age epics from 1941-42, collecting HT #5-8. Torch versus Sub-Mariner versus Hitler and…GAH!! Just read it while your brain pops and sizzles to the classic excellence contained herein! Highly recommended!
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL.5 HC by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. Collecting Spidey #41-50, plus Annual #3. This one has the first appearance of future Mrs. Spidey, Mary-Jane Watson. “Face it, Tiger…”
PUNISHER #53 by Garth Ennis and Goran Parlov. Okay, after the last page of the previous issue you know this one’s gonna be savage, out of control mayhem, right? Not for kids, highly recommended.
SATCHEL PAIGE: STRIKING OUT JIM CROW HC and SC by James Sturm and Rich Tommaso. A fictionalized account of the legendary ball-player’s life, from his early days to the peak of his career in the Negro Leagues. Highly recommended, as are all of Mr. Sturm’s other works. A preview is available online at www.cartoonstudies.org
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: THE BRAVE & THE BOLD: BATMAN TEAM-UPS VOL. 2 SC by Dennis O’Neil, Bob Haney, Neil Adams, Nick Cardy, Jim Aparo, and more. Collecting B&B #88-109. Crack cocaine for Silver-Agers. Fun stuff for all ages. Recommended.
STEVE RUDE: ARTIST IN MOTION HC by Steve Rude and John Fleskes. Limited to 1000 copies this book explores the work and philosophy of a master illustrator who still considers himself an “art student.” If you haven’t treated yourself to anything wonderful lately, now is the time. Highly recommended.
THOR #5 by J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Coipel. The return of a character who’s been through some changes. If I were Thor I would be having some serious oogies after this issue. Pretty art.
ULTIMATE POWER #9 of 9 by Jeph Loeb and Greg Land. They promise it’s ending this week, hopefully with a big ol’ fight!
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #117 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. This is the final battle between Ultimate Spidey and Ultimate Gobby! For now! Honest! I wonder who wins?
X-MEN #206 by Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo. Okay, so now we know the Mutant Killer Jesus Baby is cute and has the super-power to make Cable mute. Also there’s a mutant-eating dog loose who really needs someone to go Old Yelller on him. And could anyone on the X-teams who isn’t a traitor, please raise your hand? Are they only taking the stupid telepaths now?
Plus, PREVIEWS by Diamond and Marvel. The future is now!
www.johnjudy.net
Monday, December 17, 2007
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 12-19-07
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 12-19-07
By John “Support the WGA!” Judy
Wishing you and yours a Super Saturnalia and a Fine Festivus!
ACTION PHILOSOPHERS VOL.3 GIANT-SIZED THING SC by Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlevey. The final trade (for now!) of this great series collecting issues 7-9 for a well-deserved spot on your bookshelf. Funny, informative, and highly recommended.
ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #2 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru. Okay, Urru’s art isn’t terribly appealing to me but it’s great to see these characters again and the first issue laid the groundwork for an amazing “New Season” of adventures. Recommended for all Whedon addicts and fans of the “Angel” ensemble.
DETECTIVE COMICS # 839 by Paul Dini and Don Kramer. Wrapping up the whole Ras al Ghul resurrection thing. Honest.
EX MACHINA #33 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. Mayor Hundred finally meets the Pope and learns how volatile a mix religion and politics can be! (Don’t tell Huckabee, Romney, and the kids. They’re fun to watch.) Always recommended.
GRENDEL: BEHOLD THE DEVIL #2 of 8 written and drawn by Matt Wagner. A bloody return for Wagner’s signature character, an amoral super-human crime-boss/novelist who pretty much can kill anyone who gets in his way. And he does! Thus, the mystery is: “Who is stalking the most dangerous man in the city?” Recommended.
HELLBLAZER: BLOODLINES SC by Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon, and Friends. Collecting a number of devilishly good tales from issues 49, 52-55, and 59-61 in which JC gives the First of the Fallen what fer! Among the best runs this series has ever had. Recommended.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #11 by Ed Brubaker , Matt Fraction, and David Aja. There are intrigues a-plenty as “Capital Cities of Heaven” keeps the action coming on every level. Very enjoyable, great art, no doubt to be one heck of a trade edition. Read it now anyway. Recommended.
INCREDIBLE HULK #112 by Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, and Khoi Pham. So while they’re figuring out how the new Red Hulk thing is gonna work we get to watch Hercules and the smart Asian kid dance with SHIELD. Has a nice Steranko tribute cover by Arthur Adams.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16 by Dwayne McDuffie and Joe Benitez. Okay, ya remember that girl-Flash from the Tangent Universe of the nineties? Well, I do, not that I’m proud of it or anything. Anyway, she’s here and it looks like some of the other Tangent kids are along for the ride. Could be worse. Could be those “Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating…” characters. Thanks, Multi-verse!
MIGHTY AVENGERS #6 by Brian Michael Bendis and Frank Cho. Lots of wacky, Ultron-smashing action and the Sentry discovers an ominous new power. Plus, The “Bendis-Thought Balloon” romance continues!
MARVEL MASTERWORKS RAWHIDE KID, VOL. 2 HC by Stan Lee, jack Kirby, and quite a few other impressive folks. Collecting RAWHIDE # 26-35 from the days before the Kid was out of the closet! Fun for all ages!
NEW X-MEN #45 by Christopher Yost, Craig Kyle, and Humberto Ramos. Okay, I’ll be honest, I never read this book and have no idea if it’s great or typical X-fare. I mention it only because supposedly we can learn what happened in last week’s X-FACTOR here. And that, Virginia, is why everyone loves big cross-overs! Do as you see fit.
SHE-HULK #24 by Peter David and Shawn Moll. She-Hulk is living in a trailer park with a Skrull. So that’s one accounted for…
SPECIAL FORCES #2 of 6 written and drawn by Kyle Baker. The beautifully drawn second chapter in Baker’s dark satire of our military’s darker policy of recruiting the mentally and emotionally unfit for duty. If Baker had made this up it might be offensive. Sadly, the truth behind the fiction can only leave us grateful that some in the comics community are addressing it. Highly, highly recommended.
SUPERMAN #671 by Kurt Busiek and Peter Vale. Insect Queen is back! What? You want more? It’s Insect Queen!
WALKING DEAD VOL.3 HC by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. The deluxe edition collecting issues 25-36. NOT for kids. Kirkman continues some of the most interesting Universe creation that doesn’t involve super-heroes. Recommended for those who like their horror dark and thoughtful.
WOLVERINE FIREBREAK ONE-SHOT by Mike Carey and Scott Kolins with a back-up story by Macon Blair and Vasilis Lolos. Two done–in-one Wolvie shorts, both of which are a lot better than what’s being done in his two regular titles lately. Good reads.
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #20 by Daniel Way and Steve Dillon. To all the kids out there who worry that having no discernable talent whatsoever may be an impediment to writing comics professionally, Daniel Way provides hope.
www.johnjudy.net
By John “Support the WGA!” Judy
Wishing you and yours a Super Saturnalia and a Fine Festivus!
ACTION PHILOSOPHERS VOL.3 GIANT-SIZED THING SC by Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlevey. The final trade (for now!) of this great series collecting issues 7-9 for a well-deserved spot on your bookshelf. Funny, informative, and highly recommended.
ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #2 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru. Okay, Urru’s art isn’t terribly appealing to me but it’s great to see these characters again and the first issue laid the groundwork for an amazing “New Season” of adventures. Recommended for all Whedon addicts and fans of the “Angel” ensemble.
DETECTIVE COMICS # 839 by Paul Dini and Don Kramer. Wrapping up the whole Ras al Ghul resurrection thing. Honest.
EX MACHINA #33 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. Mayor Hundred finally meets the Pope and learns how volatile a mix religion and politics can be! (Don’t tell Huckabee, Romney, and the kids. They’re fun to watch.) Always recommended.
GRENDEL: BEHOLD THE DEVIL #2 of 8 written and drawn by Matt Wagner. A bloody return for Wagner’s signature character, an amoral super-human crime-boss/novelist who pretty much can kill anyone who gets in his way. And he does! Thus, the mystery is: “Who is stalking the most dangerous man in the city?” Recommended.
HELLBLAZER: BLOODLINES SC by Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon, and Friends. Collecting a number of devilishly good tales from issues 49, 52-55, and 59-61 in which JC gives the First of the Fallen what fer! Among the best runs this series has ever had. Recommended.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #11 by Ed Brubaker , Matt Fraction, and David Aja. There are intrigues a-plenty as “Capital Cities of Heaven” keeps the action coming on every level. Very enjoyable, great art, no doubt to be one heck of a trade edition. Read it now anyway. Recommended.
INCREDIBLE HULK #112 by Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, and Khoi Pham. So while they’re figuring out how the new Red Hulk thing is gonna work we get to watch Hercules and the smart Asian kid dance with SHIELD. Has a nice Steranko tribute cover by Arthur Adams.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16 by Dwayne McDuffie and Joe Benitez. Okay, ya remember that girl-Flash from the Tangent Universe of the nineties? Well, I do, not that I’m proud of it or anything. Anyway, she’s here and it looks like some of the other Tangent kids are along for the ride. Could be worse. Could be those “Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating…” characters. Thanks, Multi-verse!
MIGHTY AVENGERS #6 by Brian Michael Bendis and Frank Cho. Lots of wacky, Ultron-smashing action and the Sentry discovers an ominous new power. Plus, The “Bendis-Thought Balloon” romance continues!
MARVEL MASTERWORKS RAWHIDE KID, VOL. 2 HC by Stan Lee, jack Kirby, and quite a few other impressive folks. Collecting RAWHIDE # 26-35 from the days before the Kid was out of the closet! Fun for all ages!
NEW X-MEN #45 by Christopher Yost, Craig Kyle, and Humberto Ramos. Okay, I’ll be honest, I never read this book and have no idea if it’s great or typical X-fare. I mention it only because supposedly we can learn what happened in last week’s X-FACTOR here. And that, Virginia, is why everyone loves big cross-overs! Do as you see fit.
SHE-HULK #24 by Peter David and Shawn Moll. She-Hulk is living in a trailer park with a Skrull. So that’s one accounted for…
SPECIAL FORCES #2 of 6 written and drawn by Kyle Baker. The beautifully drawn second chapter in Baker’s dark satire of our military’s darker policy of recruiting the mentally and emotionally unfit for duty. If Baker had made this up it might be offensive. Sadly, the truth behind the fiction can only leave us grateful that some in the comics community are addressing it. Highly, highly recommended.
SUPERMAN #671 by Kurt Busiek and Peter Vale. Insect Queen is back! What? You want more? It’s Insect Queen!
WALKING DEAD VOL.3 HC by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. The deluxe edition collecting issues 25-36. NOT for kids. Kirkman continues some of the most interesting Universe creation that doesn’t involve super-heroes. Recommended for those who like their horror dark and thoughtful.
WOLVERINE FIREBREAK ONE-SHOT by Mike Carey and Scott Kolins with a back-up story by Macon Blair and Vasilis Lolos. Two done–in-one Wolvie shorts, both of which are a lot better than what’s being done in his two regular titles lately. Good reads.
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #20 by Daniel Way and Steve Dillon. To all the kids out there who worry that having no discernable talent whatsoever may be an impediment to writing comics professionally, Daniel Way provides hope.
www.johnjudy.net
Sunday, December 09, 2007
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 12-12-07
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 12-12-07
By John Judy
ART OF P. CRAIG RUSSELL HC by Himself. A sweet hardcover exploring Russell’s career from the beginning through today, including the artist’s personal favorites. Makes a great gift! For yourself!
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #4 by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard Tough week for the reluctant murderer/hero with fur. Recommended.
BAT LASH #1 of 6 by Peter Brandvold, Sergio Aragones, and John Severin. A fresh look at a classic DC Western hero by A-List creators. Gorgeous art by Severin. Recommended even if you’re not into Westerns.
BLACK ADAM THE DARK AGE #5 of 8 by Peter Tomasi and Doug Mahnke. This gore-soaked epic continues as we see how far an obsessed super-man can go and still consider himself a hero. Not for kids.
BOOSTER GOLD #5 by Geoff Johns and Dan Jurgens. The time-travel series that doesn’t suck asks “Can Booster go back and prevent the Joker from shooting Batgirl?” So far this has been a great bunch of comics. Give it a look. Recommended.
BOYS #13 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. When super-heroes explode, who ya gonna call? Always highly recommended. NEVER for kids.
BPRD: KILLING GROUND #5 of 5 by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, and Guy Davis. Wrapping things up on this latest Mignola Monster Mystery.
CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD: THE LAST ENEMY GN by Garth Ennis and Rob Steen. Aussie Pope Jacko dispatches his killer eunuch to whack Danny the anti-Christ. How are you possibly not gonna look? NOT for kids, highly recommended.
COUNTDOWN & STUFF by Everyone Who Was Available. #20 plus ARENA, plus RAY PALMER/RED SON, plus THE ATOM. DC sez “Gimme all yer money, punk!”
CRIMINAL VOL. 2: LAWLESS SC by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. If you’re a noir addict this is the week for you as we welcome this second collection of hard-hitting underworld tales from Brubaker/Phillips, as well as the criminally under-read SCALPED #12. (See below.) Highly recommended.
DC NEW FRONTIER ACTION FIGURES SERIES 2 including BATMAN, DR. FATE, MARTIAN MANHUNTER, and THE FLASH. Based on the Darwyn Cooke designs. Nice!
ELEPHANTMEN: WAR TOYS #1 of 3 by Richard Starkings and Moritat. Africa and China are at war, fighting in Europe. Because what goes around comes around. It’s even better when it comes around with huge, genetically-mutated animal soldiers. Gotta look!
FANTASTIC FOUR #552 by Dwayne McDuffie and Paul Pelletier. Big fights with Doc Doom, droids, and maybe a Skrull…? They’re out there you know.
GREEN LANTERN #25 by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, and Ethan Van Sciver. A double-sized issue wrapping up the Sinestro Corps War in style!
HATE ANNUAL #7 written and drawn by Peter Bagge. The latest on Buddy Bradley, plus the first re-printing of Bagge’s “Bat-Boy” strips from the late Weekly World News. There may be more but Fantagraphics’ website sucks almost as much as Avatar’s so I really don’t know.
MODERN MASTERS VOL. 14: FRANK CHO by Eric Nolen-Weathington. A book about a humble guy from Maryland who loves to draw monkeys, dinosaurs, and Lynda Carter. Read it and learn more!
NEW AVENGERS #37 by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu. The Hood gets spanked. That didn’t take long. Skrulls?
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #14 Matt Fraction and Cory Walker. Kraven the Hunter’s kid can punch out the Rhino. If it happens in comics it must be true.
SALVATION RUN #2 of 7 by Bill Willingham and Sean Chen. Imagine the world’s worst super-villains all in one place. Now imagine it’s not the Republican National Convention. Fun stuff from the writer of “Fables.”
SCALPED #12 by Jason Aaron and John Paul Leon. The best comic you’re not reading concludes its first story-arc. So read it already! Highly recommended. Not for kids.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA VOL. 3 SC by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, Carmine Infantino, and Others. Collecting the original series #37-60. Classic Silver-Age Fun! Great for all ages! Recommended!
STREETS OF GLORY #3 of 6 by Garth Ennis and Mike Wolfer. Colonel Dunn takes a posse of mercenaries on a hunt for Red Crow, the Apache terrorist/evil-doer who doesn’t appreciate all the freedom the white man wants to bring him. Not for kids. Recommended.
ULTIMATE IRON MAN II #1 by Orson Scott Card and Pasqual Ferry. Orson Scott Card comics trivia: If three people read this book that’ll be three times more than are reading “Red Prophet.” (Not counting the editor.)
ULTIMATES 2 HC by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. It’s got the whole second year, plus extra stuff. Basically crack in comics form. Lots of violence, some adult situations, not for younger kids.
WALKING DEAD #45 by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. Who’s gonna die this issue? Flip a coin. Highly recommended, NEVER for kids.
WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY VOL.1 SC by Gail Simon and Neil Googe. Collecting the first six issues of this clever and under-appreciated series about a town where super-heroes go to retire. Or at least try to… Recommended, especially if you like strong female leads.
WOLVERINE #60 by Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin. The art’s kind of pretty.
WONDER WOMAN #15 by Gail Simone and Terry & Rachel Dodson. WW goes Old-School as she thumps Nazis like they oughta be thumped! Plus there’s dire doings on Paradise Island! Recommended!
X-FACTOR #26 by Peter David and Scot Eaton. Still hunting that mutant-killer Jesus-baby. Also, time travel happens. Big X-book cross-overs are the best. Always have been, going back decades especially at high altitudes in a tent full of smoke.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
ART OF P. CRAIG RUSSELL HC by Himself. A sweet hardcover exploring Russell’s career from the beginning through today, including the artist’s personal favorites. Makes a great gift! For yourself!
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #4 by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard Tough week for the reluctant murderer/hero with fur. Recommended.
BAT LASH #1 of 6 by Peter Brandvold, Sergio Aragones, and John Severin. A fresh look at a classic DC Western hero by A-List creators. Gorgeous art by Severin. Recommended even if you’re not into Westerns.
BLACK ADAM THE DARK AGE #5 of 8 by Peter Tomasi and Doug Mahnke. This gore-soaked epic continues as we see how far an obsessed super-man can go and still consider himself a hero. Not for kids.
BOOSTER GOLD #5 by Geoff Johns and Dan Jurgens. The time-travel series that doesn’t suck asks “Can Booster go back and prevent the Joker from shooting Batgirl?” So far this has been a great bunch of comics. Give it a look. Recommended.
BOYS #13 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. When super-heroes explode, who ya gonna call? Always highly recommended. NEVER for kids.
BPRD: KILLING GROUND #5 of 5 by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, and Guy Davis. Wrapping things up on this latest Mignola Monster Mystery.
CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD: THE LAST ENEMY GN by Garth Ennis and Rob Steen. Aussie Pope Jacko dispatches his killer eunuch to whack Danny the anti-Christ. How are you possibly not gonna look? NOT for kids, highly recommended.
COUNTDOWN & STUFF by Everyone Who Was Available. #20 plus ARENA, plus RAY PALMER/RED SON, plus THE ATOM. DC sez “Gimme all yer money, punk!”
CRIMINAL VOL. 2: LAWLESS SC by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. If you’re a noir addict this is the week for you as we welcome this second collection of hard-hitting underworld tales from Brubaker/Phillips, as well as the criminally under-read SCALPED #12. (See below.) Highly recommended.
DC NEW FRONTIER ACTION FIGURES SERIES 2 including BATMAN, DR. FATE, MARTIAN MANHUNTER, and THE FLASH. Based on the Darwyn Cooke designs. Nice!
ELEPHANTMEN: WAR TOYS #1 of 3 by Richard Starkings and Moritat. Africa and China are at war, fighting in Europe. Because what goes around comes around. It’s even better when it comes around with huge, genetically-mutated animal soldiers. Gotta look!
FANTASTIC FOUR #552 by Dwayne McDuffie and Paul Pelletier. Big fights with Doc Doom, droids, and maybe a Skrull…? They’re out there you know.
GREEN LANTERN #25 by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, and Ethan Van Sciver. A double-sized issue wrapping up the Sinestro Corps War in style!
HATE ANNUAL #7 written and drawn by Peter Bagge. The latest on Buddy Bradley, plus the first re-printing of Bagge’s “Bat-Boy” strips from the late Weekly World News. There may be more but Fantagraphics’ website sucks almost as much as Avatar’s so I really don’t know.
MODERN MASTERS VOL. 14: FRANK CHO by Eric Nolen-Weathington. A book about a humble guy from Maryland who loves to draw monkeys, dinosaurs, and Lynda Carter. Read it and learn more!
NEW AVENGERS #37 by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu. The Hood gets spanked. That didn’t take long. Skrulls?
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #14 Matt Fraction and Cory Walker. Kraven the Hunter’s kid can punch out the Rhino. If it happens in comics it must be true.
SALVATION RUN #2 of 7 by Bill Willingham and Sean Chen. Imagine the world’s worst super-villains all in one place. Now imagine it’s not the Republican National Convention. Fun stuff from the writer of “Fables.”
SCALPED #12 by Jason Aaron and John Paul Leon. The best comic you’re not reading concludes its first story-arc. So read it already! Highly recommended. Not for kids.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA VOL. 3 SC by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, Carmine Infantino, and Others. Collecting the original series #37-60. Classic Silver-Age Fun! Great for all ages! Recommended!
STREETS OF GLORY #3 of 6 by Garth Ennis and Mike Wolfer. Colonel Dunn takes a posse of mercenaries on a hunt for Red Crow, the Apache terrorist/evil-doer who doesn’t appreciate all the freedom the white man wants to bring him. Not for kids. Recommended.
ULTIMATE IRON MAN II #1 by Orson Scott Card and Pasqual Ferry. Orson Scott Card comics trivia: If three people read this book that’ll be three times more than are reading “Red Prophet.” (Not counting the editor.)
ULTIMATES 2 HC by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. It’s got the whole second year, plus extra stuff. Basically crack in comics form. Lots of violence, some adult situations, not for younger kids.
WALKING DEAD #45 by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. Who’s gonna die this issue? Flip a coin. Highly recommended, NEVER for kids.
WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY VOL.1 SC by Gail Simon and Neil Googe. Collecting the first six issues of this clever and under-appreciated series about a town where super-heroes go to retire. Or at least try to… Recommended, especially if you like strong female leads.
WOLVERINE #60 by Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin. The art’s kind of pretty.
WONDER WOMAN #15 by Gail Simone and Terry & Rachel Dodson. WW goes Old-School as she thumps Nazis like they oughta be thumped! Plus there’s dire doings on Paradise Island! Recommended!
X-FACTOR #26 by Peter David and Scot Eaton. Still hunting that mutant-killer Jesus-baby. Also, time travel happens. Big X-book cross-overs are the best. Always have been, going back decades especially at high altitudes in a tent full of smoke.
www.johnjudy.net
Saturday, December 01, 2007
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 12-05-07
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 12-05-07
(Happy Hanukkah!)
By John Judy
(Support striking WGA members! Bring ‘em dreidels!)
AVENGERS INITIATIVE ANNUAL #1 by Dan Slott and Chris Weston. Secrets revealed and the new Liberty Legion makes its first (and last?) appearance. Dan Slott: Always Recommended.
BATMAN/SUPERMAN:SAGA OF THE SUPER-SONS SC by Bob Haney, Murphy Anderson, Dick Dillon, and Others. For fans of a certain age this complete collection of the adventures of Clark and Bruce Juniors is a Must-Have. Check it out, whipper-snappers!
BLACK SUMMER #4 of 7 by Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp. Last issue Tom Noir got shot by a tank. In the aftermath of a presidential assassination, who’s next?
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #9 by Brian K. Vaughan and Georges Jeanty. Wrapping up the “Faith” story-arc with appropriate fisticuffs. Highly recommended.
COUNTDOWN: ARENA #1 of 4 by Keith Champagne and Scott McDaniel. Big Bad Monarch has the heroes of 52 universes fighting each other. I’m guessing at some point they figure out “Hey, there’s 52 universes of us and one of him.” Too easy?
THE ESCAPISTS HC by Brian K. Vaughan and Various Artists. The story of how three guys end up with the publishing rights to The Escapist and what ensues. From the universe of Michael Chabon’s “Kavalier and Clay.” Crack cocaine for geeks.
HOUSE OF M: AVENGERS #2 of 5 by Christos Gage and Mike Perkins. A fun little diversion into an alternate universe that kinda got wiped out over a year ago.
INFINITE HORIZON #1 of 6 by Gerry Dugan and Phil Noto. It’s the Odyssey set in the Middle East today, the story of a soldier trying to get back home. Gutsy stuff.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #15 by Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes. Last round of the JLA versus the Injustice League. And isn’t “Injustice League” right up there with “Brotherhood of Evil Mutants” and “Masters of Evil” in terms of true self-knowledge and acceptance? Royal Flush Gang, call your office.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #11 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross, and Dale Eaglesham. It’s the “Kingdom Come” Supes and the cosmic treadmill. It’s like the KC sequel never even happened! Recommended for that alone.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 9 HC by Stan Lee, John Romita, John Buscema, and Jim Mooney. Collecting the original AMAZING issues #78-87. “Thwip!”
MS. MARVEL #22 by Brian Reed and Aaron Lopresti. Carol Danvers’ old costumes on parade! Also she fights the Brood, which I guess every hero is required to do if they finish their assignment early.
NORTHLANDERS #1 by Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice. In which a callow Viking learns how hard it can be to go home again, circa 1000 A.D. This one’s getting a lot of good buzz, but is NOT for the young ‘uns. Certainly worth a read for the elders.
OMEGA THE UNKNOWN #3 of 10 by Jonathan Lethem and Farel Dalrymple. A David Lynch-y take on Steve Gerber’s cult hero from the seventies. Not for everyone but worth a look if you like your heroes a little different.
OVERMAN #1 of 5 by Scott Reed and Shane White. Hard sci-fi noir set in the art-deco Pittsburgh of 2135. Gotta be a step up, right?
POPEYE VOL. 2 WELL BLOW ME DOWN HC by E.C. Segar. The early stuff from 1930-32, including the first appearance of J. Wellington Wimpy, collected here by the good folks at Fantagraphics who are really quite wonderful at this. Recommended.
SIGNAL TO NOISE 2nd EDITION HC by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean. The classic graphic novel re-issued for you lucky punks who missed the early nineties. Lots of extras in this one, worth it even if you already have a copy. Recommended.
THE TWELVE #0 by J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston. A seriously fun revival of some long-forgotten Golden-Age heroes from the days when Marvel was Timely and Stan Lee was still an office gopher. Chris Weston has a real talent for stuff like this, as he demonstrated a few years back on the JSA/ALL-STAR mini-series over at DC. Looks like this could be a real winner. Also contains three stories which I’m betting haven’t been reprinted anywhere until now. Recommended.
ULTIMATES 3 #1 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and Joe Madureira. Season Three begins with a murder at Avengers..I mean, “Ultimates” Mansion. How ‘bout dem apples, mister?
UNCANNY X-MEN #493 by Ed Brubaker and Billy Tan. “Baby, baby, who’s got the Mutant-Killer-Jesus-Baby???” Part Whatever of Whatever.
WHAT IF? CLASSIC VOL.4 SC by Everyone. Original series #21-26. In-sane….
WONDER WOMAN SERIES 1 ACTION FIGURES including Agent Diana Prince, Circe, Donna Troy as Wonder Woman, and WW herself. Designed by Terry Dodson.
WORLD WAR HULK: AFTER-SMASH #1 by Greg Pak and Rafa Sandoval. Cute title. For the WWH completists out there. Also features the first appearance of the new Goliath. So there’s that….
www.johnjudy.net
(Happy Hanukkah!)
By John Judy
(Support striking WGA members! Bring ‘em dreidels!)
AVENGERS INITIATIVE ANNUAL #1 by Dan Slott and Chris Weston. Secrets revealed and the new Liberty Legion makes its first (and last?) appearance. Dan Slott: Always Recommended.
BATMAN/SUPERMAN:SAGA OF THE SUPER-SONS SC by Bob Haney, Murphy Anderson, Dick Dillon, and Others. For fans of a certain age this complete collection of the adventures of Clark and Bruce Juniors is a Must-Have. Check it out, whipper-snappers!
BLACK SUMMER #4 of 7 by Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp. Last issue Tom Noir got shot by a tank. In the aftermath of a presidential assassination, who’s next?
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #9 by Brian K. Vaughan and Georges Jeanty. Wrapping up the “Faith” story-arc with appropriate fisticuffs. Highly recommended.
COUNTDOWN: ARENA #1 of 4 by Keith Champagne and Scott McDaniel. Big Bad Monarch has the heroes of 52 universes fighting each other. I’m guessing at some point they figure out “Hey, there’s 52 universes of us and one of him.” Too easy?
THE ESCAPISTS HC by Brian K. Vaughan and Various Artists. The story of how three guys end up with the publishing rights to The Escapist and what ensues. From the universe of Michael Chabon’s “Kavalier and Clay.” Crack cocaine for geeks.
HOUSE OF M: AVENGERS #2 of 5 by Christos Gage and Mike Perkins. A fun little diversion into an alternate universe that kinda got wiped out over a year ago.
INFINITE HORIZON #1 of 6 by Gerry Dugan and Phil Noto. It’s the Odyssey set in the Middle East today, the story of a soldier trying to get back home. Gutsy stuff.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #15 by Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes. Last round of the JLA versus the Injustice League. And isn’t “Injustice League” right up there with “Brotherhood of Evil Mutants” and “Masters of Evil” in terms of true self-knowledge and acceptance? Royal Flush Gang, call your office.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #11 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross, and Dale Eaglesham. It’s the “Kingdom Come” Supes and the cosmic treadmill. It’s like the KC sequel never even happened! Recommended for that alone.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 9 HC by Stan Lee, John Romita, John Buscema, and Jim Mooney. Collecting the original AMAZING issues #78-87. “Thwip!”
MS. MARVEL #22 by Brian Reed and Aaron Lopresti. Carol Danvers’ old costumes on parade! Also she fights the Brood, which I guess every hero is required to do if they finish their assignment early.
NORTHLANDERS #1 by Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice. In which a callow Viking learns how hard it can be to go home again, circa 1000 A.D. This one’s getting a lot of good buzz, but is NOT for the young ‘uns. Certainly worth a read for the elders.
OMEGA THE UNKNOWN #3 of 10 by Jonathan Lethem and Farel Dalrymple. A David Lynch-y take on Steve Gerber’s cult hero from the seventies. Not for everyone but worth a look if you like your heroes a little different.
OVERMAN #1 of 5 by Scott Reed and Shane White. Hard sci-fi noir set in the art-deco Pittsburgh of 2135. Gotta be a step up, right?
POPEYE VOL. 2 WELL BLOW ME DOWN HC by E.C. Segar. The early stuff from 1930-32, including the first appearance of J. Wellington Wimpy, collected here by the good folks at Fantagraphics who are really quite wonderful at this. Recommended.
SIGNAL TO NOISE 2nd EDITION HC by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean. The classic graphic novel re-issued for you lucky punks who missed the early nineties. Lots of extras in this one, worth it even if you already have a copy. Recommended.
THE TWELVE #0 by J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston. A seriously fun revival of some long-forgotten Golden-Age heroes from the days when Marvel was Timely and Stan Lee was still an office gopher. Chris Weston has a real talent for stuff like this, as he demonstrated a few years back on the JSA/ALL-STAR mini-series over at DC. Looks like this could be a real winner. Also contains three stories which I’m betting haven’t been reprinted anywhere until now. Recommended.
ULTIMATES 3 #1 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and Joe Madureira. Season Three begins with a murder at Avengers..I mean, “Ultimates” Mansion. How ‘bout dem apples, mister?
UNCANNY X-MEN #493 by Ed Brubaker and Billy Tan. “Baby, baby, who’s got the Mutant-Killer-Jesus-Baby???” Part Whatever of Whatever.
WHAT IF? CLASSIC VOL.4 SC by Everyone. Original series #21-26. In-sane….
WONDER WOMAN SERIES 1 ACTION FIGURES including Agent Diana Prince, Circe, Donna Troy as Wonder Woman, and WW herself. Designed by Terry Dodson.
WORLD WAR HULK: AFTER-SMASH #1 by Greg Pak and Rafa Sandoval. Cute title. For the WWH completists out there. Also features the first appearance of the new Goliath. So there’s that….
www.johnjudy.net
Monday, November 26, 2007
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-29-07
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-29-07
By John Judy, WGA-Wanabee
(NOTE: This week comics are shipping one day later than usual due to that thing with the turkeys and the people who buckled their hats. Look for ‘em Thursday, not Wednesday.)
ALL-STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN THE BOY WONDER #8 by Frank Miller and Jim Lee. Which iconic DC heroine will be rendered as an unstable slut this issue? The latest milestone in Frank Miller’s ongoing mental collapse! Ho-ho-ho!
AVENGERS INITIATIVE: BASIC TRAINING VOL. 1 PREMIERE HC by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. Collecting the first six issues of this smart, funny adventure series. Recommended.
BATMAN #671 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. Bats versus Sensei versus Ras al Ghul. Could be a short resurrection for The Ras.
BLACK PANTHER #32 by Reginald Hudlin and Francis Portela. Fun and games on the Skrull Gangsta Planet. Also featuring a nefarious frog. Oddly recommended.
CRIME BIBLE: THE FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD #2 of 5 by Greg Rucka and Jose Saiz. Featuring “The Lesson of Lust.” This Religion of Crime is sounding better and better…
DAN DARE #1 of 7 by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine. A classic British science-hero as written by Garth Ennis. To be read with tongs and blast goggles. Thank-you, Virgin Comics.
DAREDEVIL #102 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. Mister Fear is having way too much fun making DD’s life difficult. It’s good to be Mister Fear. Recommended.
ESSENTIAL X-MEN VOL.8 SC by Chris Claremont, Marc Silvestri, and Rick Leonardi. Collecting a buncha stuff from Claremont’s 100-year run on the Uncanny X-books. Issues #229-243, plus Annual #12 and some X-FACTOR to boot.
IT ATE BILLY ON CHRISTMAS HC by Roman Dirge and Steven Daily. From the creator of LENORE, a little seasonal fun in the vein of “Little Shop of Horrors meets all those Rankin-Bass Christmas specials of days gone by.” Gotta look!
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #2 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. Forty years after the zombie plague turned Earth’s mightiest heroes into glowing-eyed ghouls with no lips, strange alliances are forming. Recommended. Absolutely not for kids.
SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #41 by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada. “One More Day” part 3 of 4, in which Aunt May takes her shot at the Lingering World’s Record. What is it with Aunt May? She’s had more heart attacks than Cheney, been shot by a sniper and pumped full of radioactive Spidey-blood, but she still won’t die! What is she, some kind of passive-aggressive Wolverine? Does her healing power only get her well enough to be a 1000-pound guilt-anchor on her nephew? Die or get off the pot, Aunt May! And get me some wheat cakes!
SHAZAM ACTION FIGURES featuring Cap, Billy, Junior, Mary, Sivana, Mr. Mind, and Hoppy the Marvel Bunny! You want these. Don’t pretend you don’t.
SUB-MARINER #6 of 6 by Matt Cherniss, Peter Johnson, and Phil Briones. Namor makes some cold, hard decisions and renews an old business relationship. Not bad.
SUPERMAN ANNUAL #13 by Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco. The long-awaited conclusion to “Camelot Falls” in which Supes and Arion duke it out. Recommended.
WARREN ELLIS BLACK GAS SC by Internet Jesus and Max Fiumara. If the holidays make you want to eat people until civilization falls to ruin this is the book for you.
WORLD WAR HULK FRONT LINE #6 of 6 by Paul Jenkins and Ramon Bachs. Answering the musical question “After the Hulk and the Sentry turn New York into New Orleans what’s a drunk reporter to do?” Better than it sounds.
X-MEN #205 by Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo. “Mutant Killer Jesus-Baby” Part 5 of 13. Big fights.
X-MEN FIRST CLASS #6 by Jeff Parker and Roger Cruz. A story that appears to be about the early X-Men losing their powers because of something from space. The preview copy looked like a lot of pages were printed out of order. Maybe the X-books are all mangas now?
Plus, PREVIEWS from Diamond and Marvel!
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy, WGA-Wanabee
(NOTE: This week comics are shipping one day later than usual due to that thing with the turkeys and the people who buckled their hats. Look for ‘em Thursday, not Wednesday.)
ALL-STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN THE BOY WONDER #8 by Frank Miller and Jim Lee. Which iconic DC heroine will be rendered as an unstable slut this issue? The latest milestone in Frank Miller’s ongoing mental collapse! Ho-ho-ho!
AVENGERS INITIATIVE: BASIC TRAINING VOL. 1 PREMIERE HC by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. Collecting the first six issues of this smart, funny adventure series. Recommended.
BATMAN #671 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. Bats versus Sensei versus Ras al Ghul. Could be a short resurrection for The Ras.
BLACK PANTHER #32 by Reginald Hudlin and Francis Portela. Fun and games on the Skrull Gangsta Planet. Also featuring a nefarious frog. Oddly recommended.
CRIME BIBLE: THE FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD #2 of 5 by Greg Rucka and Jose Saiz. Featuring “The Lesson of Lust.” This Religion of Crime is sounding better and better…
DAN DARE #1 of 7 by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine. A classic British science-hero as written by Garth Ennis. To be read with tongs and blast goggles. Thank-you, Virgin Comics.
DAREDEVIL #102 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. Mister Fear is having way too much fun making DD’s life difficult. It’s good to be Mister Fear. Recommended.
ESSENTIAL X-MEN VOL.8 SC by Chris Claremont, Marc Silvestri, and Rick Leonardi. Collecting a buncha stuff from Claremont’s 100-year run on the Uncanny X-books. Issues #229-243, plus Annual #12 and some X-FACTOR to boot.
IT ATE BILLY ON CHRISTMAS HC by Roman Dirge and Steven Daily. From the creator of LENORE, a little seasonal fun in the vein of “Little Shop of Horrors meets all those Rankin-Bass Christmas specials of days gone by.” Gotta look!
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #2 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. Forty years after the zombie plague turned Earth’s mightiest heroes into glowing-eyed ghouls with no lips, strange alliances are forming. Recommended. Absolutely not for kids.
SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #41 by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada. “One More Day” part 3 of 4, in which Aunt May takes her shot at the Lingering World’s Record. What is it with Aunt May? She’s had more heart attacks than Cheney, been shot by a sniper and pumped full of radioactive Spidey-blood, but she still won’t die! What is she, some kind of passive-aggressive Wolverine? Does her healing power only get her well enough to be a 1000-pound guilt-anchor on her nephew? Die or get off the pot, Aunt May! And get me some wheat cakes!
SHAZAM ACTION FIGURES featuring Cap, Billy, Junior, Mary, Sivana, Mr. Mind, and Hoppy the Marvel Bunny! You want these. Don’t pretend you don’t.
SUB-MARINER #6 of 6 by Matt Cherniss, Peter Johnson, and Phil Briones. Namor makes some cold, hard decisions and renews an old business relationship. Not bad.
SUPERMAN ANNUAL #13 by Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco. The long-awaited conclusion to “Camelot Falls” in which Supes and Arion duke it out. Recommended.
WARREN ELLIS BLACK GAS SC by Internet Jesus and Max Fiumara. If the holidays make you want to eat people until civilization falls to ruin this is the book for you.
WORLD WAR HULK FRONT LINE #6 of 6 by Paul Jenkins and Ramon Bachs. Answering the musical question “After the Hulk and the Sentry turn New York into New Orleans what’s a drunk reporter to do?” Better than it sounds.
X-MEN #205 by Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo. “Mutant Killer Jesus-Baby” Part 5 of 13. Big fights.
X-MEN FIRST CLASS #6 by Jeff Parker and Roger Cruz. A story that appears to be about the early X-Men losing their powers because of something from space. The preview copy looked like a lot of pages were printed out of order. Maybe the X-books are all mangas now?
Plus, PREVIEWS from Diamond and Marvel!
www.johnjudy.net
Saturday, November 17, 2007
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-21-07
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-21-07
By John Judy
(Support striking writers! Buy ‘em turkey AND comics, especially “Scalped” from Vertigo!)
52 VOL. 4 SC by Johns, Morrison, Rucka, Waid, and Friends. Concluding the epic weekly series in trade format. If you’ve forgotten how impressive this was try reading COUNTDOWN. On second thought, don’t.
ANGEL AFTER THE FALL #1 by Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru. Angel Season Six anyone? Ya gotta look! Whedon-approved and recommended!
ACTION COMICS #859 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. Supes and the Legion in a time-twisting adventure that promises lots of non-suckiness!
BOYS #12 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Something about sending The Boys into the mob-ruled kleptocracy of modern Russia just feels… right. Recommended. Absolutely NOT for kids.
BRAVE AND BOLD #8 by Mark Waid and George Perez. The Doom Patrol and the Flash. Between this and the creative team, who could ask for more?
CAPTAIN AMERICA #32 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. Picking up where there are so many hangers one can hardly see the cliff. Recommended.
CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 1 DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA PREMIERE HC by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. Collecting issues 25-30 of the story so well told it’s hard to remember it’s the cheapest ploy in the super-hero comics bag-o-tricks. “Death.” Feh…
DETECTIVE COMICS #838 by Paul Dini and Ryan Benjamin. Batman and…. I-Ching. He’s a guy named… “I-Ching”… Look it’s a long story, it goes back to the 70s when everyone was doing a lot of… Hey, it’s part of the Ras al-Ghul story, okay?!
EX MACHINA #32 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. The super-hero Mayor of New York meets the Pope. No rabbis, dogs, or bars involved. And they don’t go golfing. Honest.
GOON: CHINATOWN AND THE MYSTERY OF MR. WICKER HC written and drawn by Eric Powell. Powell’s first original graphic novel providing 128 uninterrupted pages of the Goon’s formative years. A must-have for all fans.
GRENDEL: BEHOLD THE DEVIL #1 of 8 written and drawn by Matt Wagner. An untold tale of novelist/assassin Hunter Rose in his prime. You need this.
HELLBLAZER #238 by Andy Diggle and Danijel Zezelj. Imagine a London where every urban legend is real and (GASP!) smoking is outlawed in pubs!!! It cannot be emphasized enough how much this title doesn’t suck anymore. Highly recommended.
JACK KIRBY’S FOURTH WORLD OMNIBUS VOL.3 HC by “The King.” Third of four volumes, kids! Featuring more re-drawn faces than Carmine Infantino ever thought we’d notice.
MAD ARCHIVES VOL.2 HC by Harvey Kurtzman and Artists Whose Names I Am Unworthy to Type. Collecting issues #7-12. You must own this or be forever diminished as a human being. Highly recommended.
SHE-HULK #23 by Peter David and Shawn Moll. Shulkie takes on Titania (the Marvel one) and the Absorbing Man, despite being at least partly…dead?
SPIRIT #11 written and drawn by Darwyn Cooke. Featuring Denny Colt’s continuing battle with “El Morte!” Awesome cover by Cooke. Highly recommended.
UMBRELLA ACADEMY APOCALYPSE SUITE #3 of 6 by Gerard Way Gabriel Ba. Featuring robot crime-sprees, dead musicians, and the apocalypse! Big fun from that guy in My Chemical Romance!
WALKING DEAD #44 by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. The Governor is just gonna kill all kinds of people now. The most suspenseful title on the market today. Never for kids. Always recommended.
PS – Buy SCALPED by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera every month or you’ll go blind and sterile. It’s noir on an Indian reservation and that’s just for starters. Not for kids or the delicate of spleen. It even comes with this money-back guarantee from the creators:
Guéra and I really want you to read SCALPED. We want you to have no excuse for not trying SCALPED. To that end, we're now offering a money-back guarantee on the first trade paperback collection, "Indian Country." If you buy a copy and don't like it, just mail it back to us and we'll refund the price, plus the cost of your shipping. It's as easy as that. Here are the details:
http://www.scalped.info/
Tell your friends.
Listen to Garth Ennis: The best new series in years. Spread the word. Tell your friends. Talk about it. Blog about it.
Listen to Ed Brubaker: Read SCALPED and love it, or your money back! Jason Aaron is going a different route to try to get more readers for his excellent Vertigo book - SCALPED. This is one of my very favorite comics right now, and I highly recommend you all take him up on his offer. Please give a great book a chance. Drop some superhero book (not one of mine, of course) that you've been buying out of habit and not enjoying and try something new.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
(Support striking writers! Buy ‘em turkey AND comics, especially “Scalped” from Vertigo!)
52 VOL. 4 SC by Johns, Morrison, Rucka, Waid, and Friends. Concluding the epic weekly series in trade format. If you’ve forgotten how impressive this was try reading COUNTDOWN. On second thought, don’t.
ANGEL AFTER THE FALL #1 by Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru. Angel Season Six anyone? Ya gotta look! Whedon-approved and recommended!
ACTION COMICS #859 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. Supes and the Legion in a time-twisting adventure that promises lots of non-suckiness!
BOYS #12 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Something about sending The Boys into the mob-ruled kleptocracy of modern Russia just feels… right. Recommended. Absolutely NOT for kids.
BRAVE AND BOLD #8 by Mark Waid and George Perez. The Doom Patrol and the Flash. Between this and the creative team, who could ask for more?
CAPTAIN AMERICA #32 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. Picking up where there are so many hangers one can hardly see the cliff. Recommended.
CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 1 DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA PREMIERE HC by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. Collecting issues 25-30 of the story so well told it’s hard to remember it’s the cheapest ploy in the super-hero comics bag-o-tricks. “Death.” Feh…
DETECTIVE COMICS #838 by Paul Dini and Ryan Benjamin. Batman and…. I-Ching. He’s a guy named… “I-Ching”… Look it’s a long story, it goes back to the 70s when everyone was doing a lot of… Hey, it’s part of the Ras al-Ghul story, okay?!
EX MACHINA #32 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. The super-hero Mayor of New York meets the Pope. No rabbis, dogs, or bars involved. And they don’t go golfing. Honest.
GOON: CHINATOWN AND THE MYSTERY OF MR. WICKER HC written and drawn by Eric Powell. Powell’s first original graphic novel providing 128 uninterrupted pages of the Goon’s formative years. A must-have for all fans.
GRENDEL: BEHOLD THE DEVIL #1 of 8 written and drawn by Matt Wagner. An untold tale of novelist/assassin Hunter Rose in his prime. You need this.
HELLBLAZER #238 by Andy Diggle and Danijel Zezelj. Imagine a London where every urban legend is real and (GASP!) smoking is outlawed in pubs!!! It cannot be emphasized enough how much this title doesn’t suck anymore. Highly recommended.
JACK KIRBY’S FOURTH WORLD OMNIBUS VOL.3 HC by “The King.” Third of four volumes, kids! Featuring more re-drawn faces than Carmine Infantino ever thought we’d notice.
MAD ARCHIVES VOL.2 HC by Harvey Kurtzman and Artists Whose Names I Am Unworthy to Type. Collecting issues #7-12. You must own this or be forever diminished as a human being. Highly recommended.
SHE-HULK #23 by Peter David and Shawn Moll. Shulkie takes on Titania (the Marvel one) and the Absorbing Man, despite being at least partly…dead?
SPIRIT #11 written and drawn by Darwyn Cooke. Featuring Denny Colt’s continuing battle with “El Morte!” Awesome cover by Cooke. Highly recommended.
UMBRELLA ACADEMY APOCALYPSE SUITE #3 of 6 by Gerard Way Gabriel Ba. Featuring robot crime-sprees, dead musicians, and the apocalypse! Big fun from that guy in My Chemical Romance!
WALKING DEAD #44 by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. The Governor is just gonna kill all kinds of people now. The most suspenseful title on the market today. Never for kids. Always recommended.
PS – Buy SCALPED by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera every month or you’ll go blind and sterile. It’s noir on an Indian reservation and that’s just for starters. Not for kids or the delicate of spleen. It even comes with this money-back guarantee from the creators:
Guéra and I really want you to read SCALPED. We want you to have no excuse for not trying SCALPED. To that end, we're now offering a money-back guarantee on the first trade paperback collection, "Indian Country." If you buy a copy and don't like it, just mail it back to us and we'll refund the price, plus the cost of your shipping. It's as easy as that. Here are the details:
http://www.scalped.info/
Tell your friends.
Listen to Garth Ennis: The best new series in years. Spread the word. Tell your friends. Talk about it. Blog about it.
Listen to Ed Brubaker: Read SCALPED and love it, or your money back! Jason Aaron is going a different route to try to get more readers for his excellent Vertigo book - SCALPED. This is one of my very favorite comics right now, and I highly recommend you all take him up on his offer. Please give a great book a chance. Drop some superhero book (not one of mine, of course) that you've been buying out of habit and not enjoying and try something new.
www.johnjudy.net
Saturday, November 10, 2007
QUICK REVIEWS OF COMICS DUE 11-14-07
QUICK REVIEWS OF COMICS DUE 11-14-07
Support striking Writers Guild members! Buy them comics!
By John Judy
ALL-STAR SUPERMAN #9 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. It’s the DC “All-Star” series where they HAVEN’T turned Black Canary into an Irish whore! Recommended!
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #7 by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. It’s Scarlet Spiders versus Vulturians but it’s written by Dan Slott, the man who can take even the lamest characters and make you love them. Highly recommended.
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #1 by Chuck Dixon and Julian Lopez. The dark-night detective teams up with a S.E. Hinton’s loveable band of scamps and…. Ah, heck, it’s time to refresh the trademark, guys. You know how it is.
BLACK ADAM THE DARK AGE #4 of 8 by Peter J. Tomasi and Doug Mahnke. This amazingly grim series is still holding up quite well in spite of being way too dark for the traditional Captain Marvel/Shazam audience. Half-way home. Not too late to jump on, readers.
BOOSTER GOLD #4 by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz. It’s time-travel stories that not only don’t suck, but actually entertain and surprise! It’s a holiday miracle! Plus it has Flashes! Barry Allen even! Check it out!
CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 of 5 by Brian Reed and Lee Weeks. The blonde, disco-era Protector of the Universe is back from the dead, checking out paintings and punching robots! A decent start even if you think Marv shoulda stayed dead.
EX MACHINA VOL. 6: POWER DOWN SC by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. Collecting what Vaughan has called his favorite run on the book so far, issues #26-29, exploring what a power outage means to a guy who talks to machines. Recommended.
HOUSE OF M: AVENGERS #1 of 5 by Christos Gage and Mike Perkins. A well-drawn romp through a universe that sorta doesn’t exist anymore. Maybe it’s one of DC’s 52?
KIMMIE66 GN written and drawn by Aaron Alexovich. So what are awkward teen girls doing on the internet 200 years from now? Same as today only more so and with vampires. Take a gander.
LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN: THE BLACK DOSSIER HC by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill. Okay, Moore has gone seriously nuts over the years, but whether a guy believes in ”magick” or not, if that same guy authored “Watchmen”, “Miracleman”, and the other “LoEG” books, you still have to sit up and take notice. This one has a lot of extras and will still be fascinating even if you end up hating it. (Yeah, I read “Lost Girls” and all the Lovecraft craziness. It’s like Frank Miller. You have to look to see if he’s recovering yet.) And Kevin O’Neill always rocks.
NEW AVENGERS #36 by Brian Michael Bendis and Lieinil Francis Yu. New York City’s been “Venom-ized” and The Hood is basking in his victory over Tigra the Were-Woman. Yeah, he hasn’t figured out that Tigra isn’t exactly A-list. Did I mention Wolverine is on the cover? Some people think he’s a Skrull because it’s the only way to account for him being in every single comic Marvel puts out each month, including the Classics Illustrated things they’re doing. I love this theory because it explains how Wolverine killed Moby Dick.
PUNISHER #52 by Garth Ennis and Goran Parlov Frank has to save the little girl and kill the Barracuda. One of the most intense Punisher stories in years. And then there’s…
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #13 by Matt Fraction and Cory Walker. Kraven the Hunter Junior, I swear to …. For the Punisher completists out there.
SALVATION RUN #1 of 7 by Bill Willingham and Sean Chen. The villains of the DC Universe finally get exiled to a whole ‘nother planet for their crimes! It’s like Australia only with super-powers and no beer!
SCOTT PILGRIM VOL.4 SCOTT PILGRIM GETS IT TOGETHER GN by Bryan Lee O’Malley. Scott plays in a band, dates a girl, and fights her evil ex-boyfriends. How is this not a TV series yet? A new one for all you Oni Press manga-maniacs.
THOR #4 by J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Copiel. Thor’s looking up old friends. You see this one coming a mile away but it looks like they’re getting past that soon and anyway, it looks nice.
WOLVERINE #59 by Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin. Featuring every version of Wolvie you’ve ever heard of. I smell action figure assortment…
WONDER WOMAN #14 by Gail Simone and Terry & Rachel Dodson. Honest! This time I mean it! Gail’s totally writing this! And WW’s fighting abominable snowmen on the cover! How great is that?!
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #1 by Walt Simonson and Ludo Lullabi. Yes, this is based on the popular on-line game and it is drawn by a guy named “Lullabi.” Lots of swords, armor, and fighting! Best of all, a comic book can’t crash right when you’re really enjoying it!
WORLD WAR HULK #5 of 5 by Greg Pak and John Romita Jr. Smash-smash-smashity-smash-smash!!!! Guest-starring the Sentry.
X-FACTOR #25 by Peter David and Scot Eaton. Rictor goes to church looking for the killer mutant-Jesus. Hijinks ensue.
www.johnjudy.net
Support striking Writers Guild members! Buy them comics!
By John Judy
ALL-STAR SUPERMAN #9 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. It’s the DC “All-Star” series where they HAVEN’T turned Black Canary into an Irish whore! Recommended!
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #7 by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. It’s Scarlet Spiders versus Vulturians but it’s written by Dan Slott, the man who can take even the lamest characters and make you love them. Highly recommended.
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #1 by Chuck Dixon and Julian Lopez. The dark-night detective teams up with a S.E. Hinton’s loveable band of scamps and…. Ah, heck, it’s time to refresh the trademark, guys. You know how it is.
BLACK ADAM THE DARK AGE #4 of 8 by Peter J. Tomasi and Doug Mahnke. This amazingly grim series is still holding up quite well in spite of being way too dark for the traditional Captain Marvel/Shazam audience. Half-way home. Not too late to jump on, readers.
BOOSTER GOLD #4 by Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz. It’s time-travel stories that not only don’t suck, but actually entertain and surprise! It’s a holiday miracle! Plus it has Flashes! Barry Allen even! Check it out!
CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 of 5 by Brian Reed and Lee Weeks. The blonde, disco-era Protector of the Universe is back from the dead, checking out paintings and punching robots! A decent start even if you think Marv shoulda stayed dead.
EX MACHINA VOL. 6: POWER DOWN SC by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. Collecting what Vaughan has called his favorite run on the book so far, issues #26-29, exploring what a power outage means to a guy who talks to machines. Recommended.
HOUSE OF M: AVENGERS #1 of 5 by Christos Gage and Mike Perkins. A well-drawn romp through a universe that sorta doesn’t exist anymore. Maybe it’s one of DC’s 52?
KIMMIE66 GN written and drawn by Aaron Alexovich. So what are awkward teen girls doing on the internet 200 years from now? Same as today only more so and with vampires. Take a gander.
LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN: THE BLACK DOSSIER HC by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill. Okay, Moore has gone seriously nuts over the years, but whether a guy believes in ”magick” or not, if that same guy authored “Watchmen”, “Miracleman”, and the other “LoEG” books, you still have to sit up and take notice. This one has a lot of extras and will still be fascinating even if you end up hating it. (Yeah, I read “Lost Girls” and all the Lovecraft craziness. It’s like Frank Miller. You have to look to see if he’s recovering yet.) And Kevin O’Neill always rocks.
NEW AVENGERS #36 by Brian Michael Bendis and Lieinil Francis Yu. New York City’s been “Venom-ized” and The Hood is basking in his victory over Tigra the Were-Woman. Yeah, he hasn’t figured out that Tigra isn’t exactly A-list. Did I mention Wolverine is on the cover? Some people think he’s a Skrull because it’s the only way to account for him being in every single comic Marvel puts out each month, including the Classics Illustrated things they’re doing. I love this theory because it explains how Wolverine killed Moby Dick.
PUNISHER #52 by Garth Ennis and Goran Parlov Frank has to save the little girl and kill the Barracuda. One of the most intense Punisher stories in years. And then there’s…
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #13 by Matt Fraction and Cory Walker. Kraven the Hunter Junior, I swear to …. For the Punisher completists out there.
SALVATION RUN #1 of 7 by Bill Willingham and Sean Chen. The villains of the DC Universe finally get exiled to a whole ‘nother planet for their crimes! It’s like Australia only with super-powers and no beer!
SCOTT PILGRIM VOL.4 SCOTT PILGRIM GETS IT TOGETHER GN by Bryan Lee O’Malley. Scott plays in a band, dates a girl, and fights her evil ex-boyfriends. How is this not a TV series yet? A new one for all you Oni Press manga-maniacs.
THOR #4 by J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Copiel. Thor’s looking up old friends. You see this one coming a mile away but it looks like they’re getting past that soon and anyway, it looks nice.
WOLVERINE #59 by Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin. Featuring every version of Wolvie you’ve ever heard of. I smell action figure assortment…
WONDER WOMAN #14 by Gail Simone and Terry & Rachel Dodson. Honest! This time I mean it! Gail’s totally writing this! And WW’s fighting abominable snowmen on the cover! How great is that?!
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #1 by Walt Simonson and Ludo Lullabi. Yes, this is based on the popular on-line game and it is drawn by a guy named “Lullabi.” Lots of swords, armor, and fighting! Best of all, a comic book can’t crash right when you’re really enjoying it!
WORLD WAR HULK #5 of 5 by Greg Pak and John Romita Jr. Smash-smash-smashity-smash-smash!!!! Guest-starring the Sentry.
X-FACTOR #25 by Peter David and Scot Eaton. Rictor goes to church looking for the killer mutant-Jesus. Hijinks ensue.
www.johnjudy.net
Monday, November 05, 2007
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-07-07
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-07-07
(Support striking Writers Guild members! Bring ‘em comics!)
By John Judy
ASTONISHING X-MEN #23 by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday. Maybe this book can go monthly now that Joss has all that extra time….
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #8 by Brian K. Vaughan and Georges Jeanty. Buffy versus Faith. The cover looks like Faith’s water-boarding The Buffster. Maybe she wants to be our new Attorney-General?
CAIRO HC by G. Willow Wilson and M.K. Perker. An original slam-bang action thriller set in Egypt’s largest city. Contains magic!
COUNTDOWN AND FRIENDS by Whoever Drew the Short Straw. Remember when weekly comics making their ship-dates was a good thing?
CRIMINAL #10 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. A big finale in this awesome noir that keeps Daddy from getting a life. Highly recommended.
DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER BORN PREMIERE HC by Peter David and Jae Lee. Marvel heard a rumor that some of you still had money.
FANTASTIC FOUR #551 by Dwayne Mac Duffie and Paul Pelletier. Okay, it’s a time-travel story but it has an awesome last page. Enjoy!
GROO: HELL ON EARTH #1 of 4 by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. The Wanderer battles the ultimate global warning in a humorous, fantastical way. From the guys who brought you MAD Magazine and “Welcome Back Kotter” among other things.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #10 by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja. Like reading a really good kung-fu flick. Recommended.
NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI #5 of 5 by Brian Michael Bendis and Jim Cheung. In which we finally learn which one of Our Heroes is not who he appears. “Skrull! Cough! Cough!”
SCALPED #11 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. This noir Western set on an Indian reservation has all the right people raving. Check it out and see why. NOT for kids.
SUPERMAN #670 by Kurt Busiek and Rick Leonardi. It’s the end of “The Third Kryptonian!” Because there’s only FIVE OF THEM on the cover, not including The Character Formerly Known as Superboy-Prime! Sigh…
UNCANNY X-MEN #492 by Ed Brubaker and Billy Tan. Everyone’s looking for the Killer Jesus-Mutant! What a caper! Can a week ever have too much Brubaker? Not in my house, bub!
Y THE LAST MAN #59 by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. It’s the next to last issue of this amazing series. If you haven’t read it before now is the time to start plowing through the trades. On a par with Neil Gaiman’s “Sandman” for depth and imagination. Highly recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
(Support striking Writers Guild members! Bring ‘em comics!)
By John Judy
ASTONISHING X-MEN #23 by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday. Maybe this book can go monthly now that Joss has all that extra time….
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #8 by Brian K. Vaughan and Georges Jeanty. Buffy versus Faith. The cover looks like Faith’s water-boarding The Buffster. Maybe she wants to be our new Attorney-General?
CAIRO HC by G. Willow Wilson and M.K. Perker. An original slam-bang action thriller set in Egypt’s largest city. Contains magic!
COUNTDOWN AND FRIENDS by Whoever Drew the Short Straw. Remember when weekly comics making their ship-dates was a good thing?
CRIMINAL #10 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. A big finale in this awesome noir that keeps Daddy from getting a life. Highly recommended.
DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER BORN PREMIERE HC by Peter David and Jae Lee. Marvel heard a rumor that some of you still had money.
FANTASTIC FOUR #551 by Dwayne Mac Duffie and Paul Pelletier. Okay, it’s a time-travel story but it has an awesome last page. Enjoy!
GROO: HELL ON EARTH #1 of 4 by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones. The Wanderer battles the ultimate global warning in a humorous, fantastical way. From the guys who brought you MAD Magazine and “Welcome Back Kotter” among other things.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #10 by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja. Like reading a really good kung-fu flick. Recommended.
NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI #5 of 5 by Brian Michael Bendis and Jim Cheung. In which we finally learn which one of Our Heroes is not who he appears. “Skrull! Cough! Cough!”
SCALPED #11 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. This noir Western set on an Indian reservation has all the right people raving. Check it out and see why. NOT for kids.
SUPERMAN #670 by Kurt Busiek and Rick Leonardi. It’s the end of “The Third Kryptonian!” Because there’s only FIVE OF THEM on the cover, not including The Character Formerly Known as Superboy-Prime! Sigh…
UNCANNY X-MEN #492 by Ed Brubaker and Billy Tan. Everyone’s looking for the Killer Jesus-Mutant! What a caper! Can a week ever have too much Brubaker? Not in my house, bub!
Y THE LAST MAN #59 by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. It’s the next to last issue of this amazing series. If you haven’t read it before now is the time to start plowing through the trades. On a par with Neil Gaiman’s “Sandman” for depth and imagination. Highly recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
Sunday, October 28, 2007
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-31-07
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-31-07
(Happy Halloween!)
by John Judy
ACTION COMICS #858 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. It’s Frank’s first issue as we begin the epic “Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes!” For legal reasons a certain “Boy of Steel” can no longer be officially acknowledged. Don’t ask. No really, don’t. They’re listening….
APOCALYPSE NERD # 6 of 6 written and drawn by Peter Bagge. A darkly comic mini from the creator of HATE. Disturbing fun. Why wait for the trade?
BATMAN #670 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. “The Resurrection of Ras al Ghul” begins here! Guaranteed to be gross and kinky, Morrison-style!
BIFF BAM POW #1 by Evan Dorkin and Sarah Dyer. A too-infrequent comics release from the Dorkin-Dyer team, filled with humor, action, and old school comics madness! These guys are always worth a few shekels! Recommended!
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER LONG WAY HOME SC by Joss Whedon and Georges Jeanty. The first collection of “Season Eight” from the giant hand at the swirling birth of the Buffy-verse himself! Recommended!
COUNTDOWN #26 by Everyone Who Was Available. Plus a bunch of COUNTDOWN cross-overs. If you’re anticipating a long wait for the Great Pumpkin you may want to collect them all. Or not.
CRIME BIBLE: THE FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD #1 of 5 by Greg Rucka and Tom Mandrake. Who cares what this book is about? It’s called “THE CRIME BIBLE!” And it’s by Greg Rucka! Starring the new Question! This week’s Must-Have!
DAREDEVIL ANNUAL #1 by Ed Brubaker and Roy Allan Martinez. The return of the Black Tarantula (who’s actually Latino, but why split hairs?), plus DD gets the flu! If you’ve enjoyed DAREDEVIL these past few years this one will not disappoint! Recommended.
DC INFINITE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL #1 by Lotsa People. Thirteen tales of terror as told by the inmates of Arkham Asylum! Ya gotta look, right? Right? BOO!
ESSENTIAL WEREWOLF BY NIGHT, VOL.2 SC by Various Creators. Yeah, sure, why not?
IMMORTAL IRON FIST VOL.1 SC by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja. Collecting issues #1-6! Best Iron Fist ever! A sure-fire hit for all fans of quality martial arts epics. Recommended!
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #10 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross, and Dale Eaglesham. The team keeps growing, but the big “What If?” is wrapped up in last issue’s arrival of the future Superman from “Kingdom Come.” Very cool. Geek nirvana.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ATLAS ERA STRANGE TALES VOL.1 HC by Various Legends. Presenting horror comics as they were meant to be: 1951, Pre-Code, and fresh from the grave! Recommended for Halloween and all year round!
PERRY BIBLE FELLOWSHIP: TRIAL OF COLONEL SWEETO HC written and drawn by Nicholas Gurewitch. Award-winning cartoons from a guy being favorably compared to Rod Serling and Bill Watterson. Gotta look!
SHOWCASE PRESENTS TEEN TITANS VOL.2 SC by Bob Haney, Nick Cardy, Neal Adams and Others. Classic Silver-Age stories, fun for all ages, hilarious for those who were there back then. Recommended.
SPECIAL FORCES #1 of 6 written and drawn by Kyle Baker. The words “Kyle Baker” are all you need to hear to know that this one’s a mandatory purchase, but to sweeten the pot: It’s an Image mini about a group of differently-abled recruits for the Iraq war. Pulled straight from true headlines about our government recruiting the autistic and the criminal in time of war, this one goes where few but Mr. Baker dare to tread. Highly recommended!
X-MEN MESSIAH COMPLEX ONE-SHOT by Ed Brubaker and Marc Silvestri. The beginning of the latest fall-out from “House of M.” There’s a new mutant in the house and everybody wants to find it. Good premise. Let’s see the follow-up.
www.johnjudy.net
(Happy Halloween!)
by John Judy
ACTION COMICS #858 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. It’s Frank’s first issue as we begin the epic “Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes!” For legal reasons a certain “Boy of Steel” can no longer be officially acknowledged. Don’t ask. No really, don’t. They’re listening….
APOCALYPSE NERD # 6 of 6 written and drawn by Peter Bagge. A darkly comic mini from the creator of HATE. Disturbing fun. Why wait for the trade?
BATMAN #670 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. “The Resurrection of Ras al Ghul” begins here! Guaranteed to be gross and kinky, Morrison-style!
BIFF BAM POW #1 by Evan Dorkin and Sarah Dyer. A too-infrequent comics release from the Dorkin-Dyer team, filled with humor, action, and old school comics madness! These guys are always worth a few shekels! Recommended!
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER LONG WAY HOME SC by Joss Whedon and Georges Jeanty. The first collection of “Season Eight” from the giant hand at the swirling birth of the Buffy-verse himself! Recommended!
COUNTDOWN #26 by Everyone Who Was Available. Plus a bunch of COUNTDOWN cross-overs. If you’re anticipating a long wait for the Great Pumpkin you may want to collect them all. Or not.
CRIME BIBLE: THE FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD #1 of 5 by Greg Rucka and Tom Mandrake. Who cares what this book is about? It’s called “THE CRIME BIBLE!” And it’s by Greg Rucka! Starring the new Question! This week’s Must-Have!
DAREDEVIL ANNUAL #1 by Ed Brubaker and Roy Allan Martinez. The return of the Black Tarantula (who’s actually Latino, but why split hairs?), plus DD gets the flu! If you’ve enjoyed DAREDEVIL these past few years this one will not disappoint! Recommended.
DC INFINITE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL #1 by Lotsa People. Thirteen tales of terror as told by the inmates of Arkham Asylum! Ya gotta look, right? Right? BOO!
ESSENTIAL WEREWOLF BY NIGHT, VOL.2 SC by Various Creators. Yeah, sure, why not?
IMMORTAL IRON FIST VOL.1 SC by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja. Collecting issues #1-6! Best Iron Fist ever! A sure-fire hit for all fans of quality martial arts epics. Recommended!
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #10 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross, and Dale Eaglesham. The team keeps growing, but the big “What If?” is wrapped up in last issue’s arrival of the future Superman from “Kingdom Come.” Very cool. Geek nirvana.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ATLAS ERA STRANGE TALES VOL.1 HC by Various Legends. Presenting horror comics as they were meant to be: 1951, Pre-Code, and fresh from the grave! Recommended for Halloween and all year round!
PERRY BIBLE FELLOWSHIP: TRIAL OF COLONEL SWEETO HC written and drawn by Nicholas Gurewitch. Award-winning cartoons from a guy being favorably compared to Rod Serling and Bill Watterson. Gotta look!
SHOWCASE PRESENTS TEEN TITANS VOL.2 SC by Bob Haney, Nick Cardy, Neal Adams and Others. Classic Silver-Age stories, fun for all ages, hilarious for those who were there back then. Recommended.
SPECIAL FORCES #1 of 6 written and drawn by Kyle Baker. The words “Kyle Baker” are all you need to hear to know that this one’s a mandatory purchase, but to sweeten the pot: It’s an Image mini about a group of differently-abled recruits for the Iraq war. Pulled straight from true headlines about our government recruiting the autistic and the criminal in time of war, this one goes where few but Mr. Baker dare to tread. Highly recommended!
X-MEN MESSIAH COMPLEX ONE-SHOT by Ed Brubaker and Marc Silvestri. The beginning of the latest fall-out from “House of M.” There’s a new mutant in the house and everybody wants to find it. Good premise. Let’s see the follow-up.
www.johnjudy.net
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