This Week In Comics: 06/29/2005

[Clayface]

Welcome to This Week in Comics for June 29th, 2005 - July 5th, 2005!

This is the place to discuss the comics you've bought this week, whether it be a brand new title or old back-issues. We also welcome and encourage talk about comics in general - news you've read on comic news sites, the state of the industry in general, upcoming issues you're excited about, etc. All we ask is that you please use spoiler brackets in the event that your comments get too detailed concerning a particular storyline. This way the book won't be ruined for anyone who hasn't read it yet.

For a list of the new items shipping this week, please consult Diamond Comics' Shipping List (http://www.diamondcomics.com/shipping/shipping_062905.txt).

To find a comic book store near you, check out the Comic Shop Locator Service (http://csls.diamondcomics.com/).

Comic store too far away from where you live? Want to support Toon Zone? We've teamed up with Things From Another World (http://www.tfaw.com/) to provide an avenue for you to buy comics. Click here (http://www.qksrv.net/click-1001569-5533438?url=http://www3.tfaw.com/comics/newreleases.html?cart=3183189286606656?qt=cjtoonzone) to see a listing of this week's comics being offered by TFAW.


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Highlights of the Week!




Clayface's Pick:


http://www.dccomics.com/media/covers/3667_180x270.jpg (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=3667)

Solo #5




Ace the Bathound's Picks:



http://www.dccomics.com/media/covers/3667_180x270.jpg (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=3667).............http://www.gemstonepub.com/disney/product_images/5/27831/001_small.jpg (http://www.gemstonepub.com/disney/issue.asp?ItemNo=27831)

........................Solo #5.........................The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck




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[Clayface]

For anyone interested, DC's site now has up sneak peeks of the interior art for Shazam/Superman: First Thunder #1 (of 4) (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=4221), Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #1 (of 4) (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=4179), Harvey Pekar's The Quitter HC (http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=4199), and Green Lantern Corps: Recharge #1 (of 5) (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=4153).

As far as what I'm picking up this week, my list includes:
ALBION #1 (OF 6)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #521
FANTASTIC FOUR #528
G.I. JOE: AMERICAS ELITE #1
GREEN LANTERN #2
HELLBLAZER #209
LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN: THE ABSOLUTE ED VOL 2 OVERSIZED HC
OMAC PROJECT #3 (OF 6)
SHAUN OF THE DEAD #1 (OF 4)
SOLO #5
WONDER WOMAN #217
YOUNG AVENGERS #5

I read the latest issue of Batman in the store today. Ugh. The "dialogue" that occurs between Batman and the Red Hood is taken right out of an interview Winnick gave a while back. A bunch of lame handwaving arguments to explain why the reader shouldn't care about how JT came back from the dead, and how we should all agree that his being back doesn't change anything about the past. Sorry, JW, but I don't buy it. You're gonna have to do better than that.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

Steven Grant's "Permanent Damage" column this week (http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=pd&article=2178) looks at Gerard Jones' Men of Tomorrow book, which finds solid historical evidence behind the theory that the early magazine and comic book industry owes its start to Prohibition-era organized crime. Grant digs a bit deeper, suggesting that even the Kefauver hearings conducted in the Senate in the 1950's were also connected to Sen. Kefauver's crusade against the mob. For those unfamiliar with the history, those hearings were where one Dr. Fred Wertham's theories about comics as a social ill came to prominence, and resulted in the creation of the Comics Code Authority. Interesting stuff.

ComicBookResources.com also has previews and feature articles about two indie all-ages comic books: Genie by Jim Keplinger and Kevin Volo (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=5490) from FC9 comics, and a bunch of comics from Scott Christian Sava (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=5474), creator of The Lab and Spider-Man: Quality of Life.

Last up is Ian Brill's look back at Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' Sleeper (http://comicbookgalaxy.com/consideringsleeper.html), from DC/Wildstorm. No spoilers, but some sharp analysis about a comic that never seemed to find the audience it deserved.

-- Ed/Ace

[PaQ]

Second straight week I pick up 10 comics: 4 DC, 3 Image, 2 Marvel & 1 Speakeasy.

Batman #641 - Red Hood and Batman finally face off and all of Batman's suspicions come to the fore front as Red Hood's identity is revealed. There's a new vigilante in Gotham and he doesn't cross the line because there is no line for him. I am usually reserved about Winick but he's done a great job introducing the Red Hood. ****

Green Lantern #2 - The cover looks great, the way the art of the book is, reminds me of Invincible with the colors and brightness. Without the graying hair, I must admit it's definitely a new look for Hal and it'll take time to get used to that aspect of the character. ****

OMAC Project #3 - I think they've done a great job of putting a twist in the third issue to really raise questions going into the latter half of the mini-series. Just what hold does Checkmate and the Black King have over the Man of Steel? And just how does the Sacrifice crossover deal with the OMAC Project. And if Batman didn't make the OMACs why do they call him Creator? *****

Outsiders #25 - Very emotional issue. Begging your loved one to kill you to prevent Braniac 8 from killing everyone. Also Superboy using love to break free from Luthor's grip. I still don't understand Nightwing, he doesn't seem to understand that of course things like this would be personal.. ***

Pact #3 - Honestly, I've started to lose interest with this mini-series. Looking back it was an interesting idea, but is really anything going to come out of it? The story with Quantam girl was unique, but I don't know. ***

Spawn #147 - I really am struggling to keep focus with Spawn. The last few issues have proceedingly gotten stranger and stranger with no real similar theme. ***

Witchblade #86 - I had no idea I even had ordered this book till I picked up my pull. I really just glanced through it, I've lost interest in the story. **

Runaways #5 - Ok, so Doom was a swerve. And the real guy, Ultron? I swear I've never been so confused. ****

Young Avengers #5 - I really like this book. The Vision waking up from the armor, Young Kang piercing Old Kang. I wonder how this book entangles with House of M. *****

Grimoire #4 - This might've been the best issue of Grimoire yet. The reason why is because the story is starting to get explained. This might've had the most writing of any issue, and I almost regret pulling this off my list. *****

[screw on head]

Hellboy: The Island #1 (of 2) - Great issue. This is easily the most interesting color job in a HB issue since Box Full of Evil. Yellow is used very skillfully throughout the book, playing a key role on each page, I really liked that. Mike's as innovative and sharp as he's ever been... he uses a lot of his usual tricks to depict certain things but it doesn't come off as stale. Storywise, we don't learn a lot like it's been hyped to, but we do get that great dose of folklore and right on the money HB dialogue. Can't wait for the next issue, not a lot of avatar friendly imagery in here though :crying:...

Solo #5 - I wasn't knocked out with any of the stories in here, but it's still worth the buy. Darwyn pulls some pretty interesting styles in here, many of them allowing for a fast finish... it's not messy or rushed necessarily, but it isn't the usual clean, slick inking job he usually does. It's nice to see the 'Deja Vu' Batman story seeing print. I wonder how many pages were already finished years ago, and how many, if any, he had to make up to complete it. I really liked the funny pages stuff, funny to see him go through the trouble to make a maze for the inside of Chemo's body. The vacuum cleaner story was just plain bizarre though...

Spidey Torch #5 - Great great great finish. It's nice to find a superhero comic that's genuinely funny when it aims to be. The "hair club for men!" joke, the clones, the absolutely hilarious stuff when Peter was trying to get Johnny's attention via hand motions, great stuff. The story was good as always, as was the art, though Ty seemed a little uncomfortable in his pencils of the present day Thing :p. Sad to see this come to an end, what a great run it was! Way to go Dan and Ty! :)

[rggkjg1]

BATMAN #641 - it ends. of course there is no explanation why bruce thought jason is back. compared to the last arc, this was a let down. i find it some what appropriate that we are going to be left in "suspence" for a while since a new team will be doing the next arc, but i want this jason todd stuff to end real soon.

GREEN LANTERN #2 - more action here than i was expecting. not nearly as good as the last issue, but things are coming together nicely i think.

OMAC PROJECT #3 - gets better and better.

DAY OF VENGEANCE #3 - had a feeling this would get better with this issue.

FANTASTIC FOUR #528 - so far, so good. i'm really enjoying how each member of the team is getting their own "story" through out the issue.

SPIDER-MAN HOUSE OF M #1 - an alright tie in.

JLA CLASSIFIED #9
ROBIN #139
WOLVERINE #29
SHAUN OF THE DEAD #1

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

You know how sometimes people ask questions that aren't really questions? The easiest one is, "Are you gonna eat that?" which usually isn't concerned with your future gastronomic habits as much as it is a veiled way to ask, "Can I eat that?"

Well, someone asked Kurt Busiek on his message board "What do you think of Ex Machina? (http://www.comicworldnews.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=7;t=24;st=440)" except it wasn't really a question as much as it was fishing for a pro to say it was inappropriate crap (look for "honestiago"s post). And Busiek answers with class and style and mostly doesn't slam the guy for his point of view, while simultaneously undermining a lot of the implicit assumptions that it is founded on.

When I grow up, I wanna be Smart like Kurt Busiek. Even if he spells Brian K. Vaughan's name wrong.

(Ob BPoL BKV plug: BKV also writes Runaways, which might be more honestiago's speed. Buy Runaways or the Killer Armadillo Posse will hide out in your pants to ambush you in the morning someday soooooon....)

Anyway, here's two accounts of the Fantastic Four movie cast signing at Jim Hanley's Universe in New York City. The first is from a fan (http://www.comicworldnews.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=14;t=447), and the second is from an employee (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=37029) (no less than Vito Delsante, who hangs around here every now and then, too).

ComicBookResources.com previews 6 pages of Living in Infamy (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=5494), which has the killer high-concept pitch of "Witness Protection Program for Super-villains."

Tom Batiuk's Funky Winkerbean strip had a story involving comic book censorship a while ago, which seems to have vanished off the radar. I'd get upset about that, except that the arc starting Monday involves sending 2 cast members to Afghanistan to clear land mines (http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000970554).

Finally, May 2005 month-to-month sales numbers and analysis for Marvel (http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/pulse.cgi?http%3A//www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi%3Fubb%3Dget_topic%26f%3D36%26t%3D003943) and DC/Everyone Else (http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/pulse.cgi?http%3A//www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi%3Fubb%3Dget_topic%26f%3D36%26t%3D003944), courtesy of Comicon.com's PULSE News. Notable because it's the first time DC dominates the top 100 in both dollar amount and unit sales for the first time in a long time.

-- Ed/Ace

[King_of_doom]

Back issues:

-Rann-thanagar war #1

-Metal gear solid #8

This week:

-Amazing spider-man #521

-Green lantern #2

-Batman #641

-Young avengers #5

-Spawn #147

-Shaun of the dead #1

-Zombie tales

[Condiment King]

Flash 223 – I'm really digging this arc, especially Zoom's role in this. I'm glad he's really driving home his motive to make The Flash a better hero. Really interesting twist. Nice to see Bart show up, he hasn't been in this comic in awhile. Great entertaining action. ****

Green Lantern 2 – So much for the potential of settling into a boring plotline in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps parts of this comic aren't as climatic as they came off to me, but they sure seemed that way. The unfolding of this part was much better than the first issue. I still, however, can't shake the feeling that John Stewart is just there. *****

Runaways 5 – Intriguing story that I had no idea where it was going. All kinds of possibilities. Par for the course. ****

Spider-Man/Human Torch 5 – If you missed out on the individual issues, I cannot implore you enough to pick up the digest when it comes out. Such a good deal too at $7.95. Man, what a great mini. Out of all the great Marvel minis so far this year, I have to tip my cap to Spidey/Torch as being the best one thus far. Dan Slott continues to outdo himself. Really nice and comfortable ending issue, even though it didn't pack as much of a punch as the earlier issues. ****

[wonderfly]

Still way behind, (busy week and all) so no guarentee when I'll get around to completing all my reviews.

Anyway, this week I got:

Amazing Spiderman #521: The storyline of "Spiderman joins the Avengers" continues. JMS is hitting all of the right notes with this storyline now, as the focus is kept on Spiderman's relationship with his fellow Avengers. Mary Jane also gets some time to shine here as well, and the last page opens up a fun subplot which is a logical conclusion of what would happen if Peter and MJ start hanging around with high profile heroes like Cap. America and Iron Man. And Hydra is almost, (ALMOST) starting to come across as a true threat here, (interesting to compare the Hydra on display here vs. the Hydra seen in the pages of Wolverine. Over in that book, they're a bit more cartoony, yet strangely more menacing). Grade: A-

Arana: Heart of the Spider #5: Wow, the level of bad writing on this title is just unbelievable. Every single aspect of the plot feels forced and contrived. It almost feels like the writer is going through the motions of putting words on paper, yet never truly writing. You'd have to read it to see what I mean, (but it's not worth reading). There is a few cute moments, but if 'cute' is all your book can hope to achieve, then it's time to give up. Grade: D+

Fantastic Four #528: Another great issue. I'm now confident that JMS's run on Fantastic Four will be every bit as good as Mark Waid's recent run on the book. JMS is using the tactic he used when he started on Amazing Spiderman a few years back: he's dwelving into the origins of our heroes, exploring just what truly happened at that moment when our heroes were given powers. It's a reexamination of what makes our characters tick, and not just with Mr. Fantastic! While he goes back over the events from their famous space flight, Sue gets to explore what it means to be a mother, and the Thing gets to contemplate life beyond simply being a monster. Good stuff all around. Grade: A+

Flash #223 Okay, this storyline is now spinning out of control. Maybe it's because I'm not as familiar with the Flash's Rogue Gallery, (all of these characters, with all of their different plots and motivations)...but this really wasn't the best storyline for me to jump on board reading the Flash, was it? Don't get me wrong, all of these villians are cool, but they're a lot like Spiderman's Rogues Gallery: they all have such different motivations that they don't really work well together in the same story. Grade: C-

New Xmen: Hellions #2: I think I don't give too much away when I reveal that this miniseries' theme has turned out to be the whole "Be careful what you wish for" scenario. It's a standard enough story device, but what really sets it apart from the usual is just how the Hellion's "Genie" goes about granting their wishes. It's not truly magical, yet there is a magical feel to the events that unfold here. Naturally, the stage has been set at the end of the issue for the Hellions to regret their choices, but this story is once again clever: I could be wrong, but it appears you can't really "unwish" these wishes... Grade: A-

Runaways #5: Now this is a book that's really hitting it's stride. I can't say too much without giving away the plot twist near the end, but it's a plot twist of genius. This book needed a villian of this magnitude in it, and it has succeeded in stunning me. Since I can't say too much more, I'll just say I do plan on picking up the Runaways vol. 1 tradepaperback that's coming out in August. This is indeed the most original title to come out of Marvel in some time. Grade: A+

Shining Knight #3: The best issue yet. Things are coming along smoothly now, as we are given more hints into the overall plot which carries through all of the Seven Soldiers titles. This time around, the plot tries to go about explaining the Arthurian Legends, (explaining that these type of tales occur in cycles throughout history). It's a fun enough way to explain some of the wackiness on display here. On the other hand, the artwork, (while beautiful overall) is a bit murky in some respects...and it really seems to enjoy the excessive gore. Grade: B

Spiderman/Human Torch #5: A beautiful and poignant ending to a great miniseries! Up till this point, this miniseries had been content to just focus on hi-jinks and humor, all the while showing us highlights of Spidey and the Torch's relationship throughout the years. This final issue brings us back up to the present day, showing us where both of them are now in their lives. The two friendly rivals team up against a new threat, and when the smoke clears, we see our two heroes have finally come to understand one another. Another masterpiece by writer Dan Slott, (geez, do we really have to wait till October for his She-Hulk comic to return?) Grade: A+

Xmen #172: Another "plot twist stunner" book. What is it about this week and plot twists? For my review of last issue, you may recall I complained that it had a bit too much Soap Opera dynamics in the story. With the plot twist here, things start to make a little bit more sense. I have to admit, I feel Gambit's frustration, and admire his choices, (though the ending leaves us in question about where things go from here). Minor complaints: How can Iceman gripe about biting his lip when he's made out of ice? Wouldn't he not feel that sensation, (or at least, I don't think it would've hurt)? And how can Iceman and Polaris be enjoying kissing: he's made completely out of ice?!? He and Polaris should probably be experiencing as much relationship problems as Gambit and Rogue are currently. But all complaints aside, this issue does make up for the last couple of bad ones... Grade: B

Young Avengers #5: Though still a fun book, this storyline feels a bit padded out. The last two issues have been almost nonstop battle, as we slowly make our way towards the big finale next issue. In many ways, this book is better than New Avengers, (it's very much a tribute to the old Avengers, while paving the way for it's own line of "NEW" Avengers). And yet it can't seem to help but do small things that annoy me: the ackwardly slow pace, and the bizaare use of time travel. Most annoying is the letters page for this book, which is very much an exercise in self-indulgance for Allan Heinberg, (other writers have done the same with their titles, but to say that this letters page has been hijacked would be an understatement). Grade: B

Reviews to follow as I read them.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

Mark Evanier shows us an envelope of what you got when Marvel sent you a No-Prize (http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2005_06_30.html#010037). They don't give 'em out any longer, and people who read Brian K. Vaughan's forum saw the one he got, but Evanier gives some nice background info on the No-Prize's genesis.

Those wacky guys at Alter Ego Comics are back at Newsarama.com giving a six-month progress report (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=37162). Interesting stuff if you've ever wonder what it was like to be on the other side of the cash register.

Newsarama.com also gives a six-page preview of (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=37178)Loveless (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=37178) by Brian Azzarello and Marcello Fruisin. It's Bonnie & Clyde on horseback in the post Civil War American West, done down and dirty.

Tim O'Neil gets all philosophical on us (http://whenwillthehurtingstop.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_whenwillthehurtingstop_archive.html#112023337422598986), starting with literal vs. metaphorical reading of stories and ending with how continuity killed the superhero comic-book cat, but not in the way you'd think:


The difference is that at a certain point the relationship between creators and the texts which preceded them - the "ur" texts, the 60s runs of books like Fantastic Four and Spider-Man - became less one of innovator and more one of archivist. The kernel of genius behind 60s Marvel - the artistic presences who actually created the books and developed their distinctly communicative styles and concepts - was forgotten, or at least ignored, as fidelity to the characters and concepts became the prime denominator.
I've heard that Jack Kirby would tell people not to imitate him, but to outdo him. I think it's the same idea is what drives O'Neil's essay.

Joe Sacco, who has neatly carved a niche for himself with his comic-book journalism, gets interviewed by Mother Jones (http://www.motherjones.com/arts/qa/2005/07/joe_sacco.html). The article itself focuses squarely and non-partisan-ly on Sacco and his (excellent) work, but those of you who lean right-of-center politically may want to make an effort to ignore the ads that will come up on the page. They'll either make you laugh or make you really, really mad.

Finally, the Pearls Before Swine comic strip makes fun of Osama bin Laden and The Family Circus at the same time, and apparently got FC creator Bill Keane's approval to do it (http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=43936). Those curious to see the strips can read them at comics.com starting here (http://www.comics.com/comics/pearls/archive/pearls-20050627.html). IMO, the first strip has the funniest punch line so far. I'm mostly puzzled how a guy with Keane's sense of humor can manage to create such an incredibly humor-free comic, but that's just me.

-- Ed/Ace

[wonderfly]

Tim O'Neil gets all philosophical on us (http://whenwillthehurtingstop.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_whenwillthehurtingstop_archive.html#112023337422598986), starting with literal vs. metaphorical reading of stories and ending with how continuity killed the superhero comic-book cat, but not in the way you'd think:
Gadzooks...that was positively fascinating. His comments on Marvel's 70's comics, (before Uncanny Xmen came along) was of interest to me. The early 70's was a strange period for comics, wasn't it?

But he hits the nail on the head: it's innovation of new ideas, new characters, that DC and Marvel needs. I agree whole heartedly.

EDIT: The more I think about it, the more I think Tim O'Neil isn't really against continuity. He's against the same old same old. Which ties neatly in with my own thesis: You can't keep telling the same old stories with your heroes. The superheroes of Marvel and DC need to grow older, to evolve, to change. Otherwise, your just going to continue to strip mine the past that was set up in the 1960's by Stan and Jack and Steve, (in Marvel's case, anyway).

[wonderfly]

Did anybody else here think the latest revelation in Runaways #5 was super cool? I thought so.

Besides, Ultron is a much cooler choice than Dr. Doom anyway. I mean, really, who saw that one coming?!? If you think about it, Vaughan hinted that the supervillian was a major Marvel Universe villian, but I kept thinking: Magneto, Dr. Doom, Kingpin, Kang, Dr. Octopus, Red Skull, are all good choices, but all have been overused in the last few years, and Vaughan wouldn't want to get too bogged down in other writer's storylines. So who does that leave? Ultron! Who we haven't seen since Busiek's time on Avengers. On top of that, Alphona draws a pretty cool Ultron. :cool:

[randomguy]

Did anybody else here think the latest revelation in Runaways #5 was super cool? I thought so. I'll get to reviews later, but I just had to say... yes, I thought the Runaways #5 revelation was freaking awesome. That was really unexpected and really smart, in a variety of ways. Very neat.

[DarkHawk]

Whew huge week!!!


Wizard #166 Very good issue, I loved the directors cut of GL:Rebirth. If only they could make the ongoing series as good :shrug: I can't wait for GL Corps:Recharge however!

Spidey : House of M #1 I picked this up even though I was let-down so far on all of the house of m stuff but I'll admit this was interesting. Wasn't expecting the goblin to show up

Omac Project #3 Hell yes!! Guy is back and wanting to get the band back together!! It was awesome to see him put Wonder Women in her place. This is what I hoped for after Ted got killed....the old school Jl'ers getting revenge:evil:

Green Lantern #2 My god.....can Hal get any more boring? Give me Kyle or Guy asap in this book or its going to be dropped fast!!

Batman #641 Well, finally the two talk and while yes it was lackluster, but I forsee big things in the future of JT. I think he will have a huge part to play later in the year once Crisis starts up.

Young Avengers #5 Dam, this book is miles better then New Avengers right now. It brings me back memories of the new warriors book back in the day. A bunch of young heroes trying to work well as a team. The last panel is totally badass btw ;)

Flash #223 Hmmm, Zoom is a pretty nifty character but thats about all I liked from this issue. After the next issue, that will be it for this book as well :(

Wonder Women # 217 Mega confusing....not like the Donna Troy book, but almost as bad. This is a issue I will have to read again to fully understand what the hell went on. I like the fact that she can finally see again.

Outsiders #25 Whoa, I didn't know starfire was that powerful. Great ending to the arc but whats going to happen with both teams now? Again I bet this is going to tie-in to Crisis somehow.

Batgirl #65 Wow, I didn't think Cassie was that brutal to beat her daddy like that lol. It shows a cool side to her that I wish the writers would keep. She needs to be more vicious then Robin and Nightwing. I wonder who her mother is going to be. It better not be Shiva......

Runaways #5 Wtf, they lost me on this one....without spoiling it for anyone....how can """""" have a son? And bring Darkhawk back asap :mad:

Batman Scarecrow Year one

Jsa Black Reign TPB Wow, I loved Hawkman here.......is this what his own comic is like? Black Adam was great also and now I understand the current arc a lot better now.

Outsiders TPB vol1 Its weird reading this, after reading the last current issue but a great story arc to start this book.

Outsiders TPB vol2 Not as good as the first volume, but still very good. I love the darker tone of this book....Marvel Knights books should be like this imo

Sin City: Dame to kill for Great read, can't wait for the second movie!


Omac is the book of the week for me! Guy is back!! JSA Black Reign was a surprise to me, right now JSA is better then JLA imo!

[Pyro]

I got a couple of comics. I so wish I could have afforded more, but prices keep going up. Just two issues ago, X-Men was $2.25, now it's $2.50.

Ultimates 2 #4, 5, & 6 - So I've just gotten into this series (finally) and gotten all 6 issues. I was hesitant to pick up this title, but I got the Marvel Must Haves 1-3 and really enjoyed it. I just finished them all and I really liked it. This title lacks in traditional superheroics, but excels in characterization and in grounding it deeply in reality. I feel it pushes things a little too far, making the characters somewhat unfavorable, but for the most part I find it interesting. Plus, Bryan Hitch is a pretty good artist. Again, for the most part his art's amazing, but I can still point out a few flaws. I really enjoyed it though. I'm going to look into the first series and keep following it.

Runaways #5 - I agree, the revelation was quite satisfying. I knew BKV was too smart to not have a trick up his sleeve. I knew Doom wasn't his father because 1. it would have been way too predictable, and 2. He's currently dead. It was such a great twist to use Ultron because I didn't expect him at all. However, I'm considering dropping this title because these individual issues haven't been very satisfying. They seem too short and not much seems to happen.

X-Men #172 - I really liked this issue. I'm glad I stuck with this series, because it's not so bad. I like Sal's art. I liked (but predicted) the twist. I like the characterization. A few flaws, but this is perhaps the best arc so far.

Ultimate X-Men #60 - Really cool. Love Immonen's art and the story is quite interesting. Though I do think Wolverine's hair looks really weird. I really like what BKV and Immonen have been doing with this title.

Spider-Man/Human Torch #5 - I haven't read it yet, but I'm looking forward to it. This was a great series.

JLA #115 - Haven't read this yet either. I picked it up because I've really been into JLU lately, and wanted to read some DC. I also was interested in how it ties into Identity Crisis, another series I finished only recently.

[DarkHawk]

JLA #115 - Haven't read this yet either. I picked it up because I've really been into JLU lately, and wanted to read some DC. I also was interested in how it ties into Identity Crisis, another series I finished only recently.
JLU has been awesome as of late. The book has gotten good also once all that evil twin crap was gone.

[randomguy]

This was quite a week for high-quality comics. :cool: Here's everything I picked up from the last couple of weeks:

Solo #5: You really have to give DC props for doing this series at all. It's not setting the sales charts on fire, but it's doing a great job of showcasing the talents of some of the best artists in comics. And not just the Wizard Top 10, either... real artist's artists. This month is no exception, with the truly wonderful and stylish Darwyn Cooke taking the reins. I was hugely looking forward to this issue, and I wasn't disappointed. This is some of Cooke's finest work, and easily the best issue in the series thus far. Slam Bradley (Slam Bradley! Yes!) hits up a small bar in an unfamilar corner of the DCU, where he recounts some interesting stories to anybody willing to listen. With this loose (and endearing) framing device, Cooke tells a variety of great little stories, ranging from the darkly comedic, to the political, to the nostalgic, and also there's Batman. The writing is endearing in Cooke's trademark 1950's-cool kind of way, and he really hits upon a variety of emotions. A two-page hodgepodge of small gags and cartoon strips is particularly amusing.

And there's the art, which is, as expected, fantastic. The use of different coloring and inking styles is brilliant. While the stories remain artistically cohesive, each still has its own unique visual. Cooke does a particularly nice job on the Batman story, and as usual draws a mighty appealing Catwoman. Overall, great, great stuff, and well worth the higher price tag. Grade: A

Green Lantern #2: Hal Jordan examines the mysterious alien technology powering test vehicles at Edwards Air Force Base, while an old threat to the Green Lanterns resurfaces. This series is kooky in the sense that most people seem to be having a lukewarm reaction to it, but I have to say... I am absolutely loving everything about it. The art is gorgeous, open, and unapolegetically bright, the action scenes are good, and it's just simple, old-school superheroics. I can see where people might be bored by it, but in this Infinite Crisis-focused DCU, Green Lantern seems to me like the perfect antidote for the grim and gritty blues. It's a blast. Your mileage will vary, but I've been quite happy with this relaunch. Grade: A

XIII #1: The first English issue of the long-running French comics sensation, which some of you might remember from a videogame adaptation a couple of years back. An elderly couple finds a mysterious man washed up on the coast, sporting serious injuries and no memory, with only one clue to his past: the tatoo 'XIII'. The premise is intriguing, and while the book is generally good, it doesn't quite live up to the ingenious mystery it sets up. The characters are generally dull, and there's a surprising lack of intrigue or suspense. The art is very, very good, although fashions and hairstyles make it quite clear that XIII was originally released in the eighties. I was looking forward to this, and while I'm modestly underwhelmed, it's still an interesting idea and fairly well-written, so I'll stick with it for now. Grade: B

Spider-Man/Human Torch #5: The miniseries moves into the modern day, as Pete and Johnny deal with a threat during a school assembly. This has been a very fun, and very funny, mini, and Dan and Ty close it up with a great little tale that plays to the strengths of the Spidey/Torch relationship. The requisite laughs are here, but there are lots of endearingly sweet moments, too. I can all but guarantee you'll put this down and have a smile on your face. Top-notch. Grade: A

Runaways #5: Wherein Brian K. Vaughan makes you go "holy crap!", in what is certainly one of the second volume's best issues so far. I won't delve into the plot at all, because I don't want to spoil anybody, but there are some seriously major and unexpected developments. It's very, very well-done, and most cool. Spoiler-free review is: the book is fun and surprising and you should read it. Spoiler review is:

Seriously, don't read this if you haven't read the issue:

ULTRON!!! Freaking Ultron! How cool is that? It's a genius choice on any number of fronts. It doesn't complicate other peoples' books, it's unexpected (I mean, who would've gambled on the robot as being the father?), and it's a logical enough choice for "the greatest evil", as future Gert called him... it... whatever. Neat stuff.

I'll admit that the book's pacing is a bit of a problem (not enough does happen in the single issues), but this is a book I'll gladly support if it can keep defying my expectations. Grade: A

New Avengers #6: The newly-assembled Avengers fight some guys with guns. Wolverine is also there. It's okay, but there's few surprises here (other than the neat use of Black Widow #2, a Rucka creation), and the addition of Wolverine to the team comes across as gratuitous and forced. It's not really justified in a terribly logical manner. Still, the art's good, there's comedy aplenty, and most of the characters sound right. As blockbuster action yarns go, this is okay stuff, but the book's usage of Wolverine still feels like a dumb sales idea that holds the whole thing back. Grade: B

Dream Police #1: Two cops help keep the dreamscape, where we spend our time during REM sleep, in order. If I had to describe this one-shot, it'd be "cute". The gags are good, the overdone Dragnet-style narraration is funny, and the high concept is pretty amusing stuff. I'm glad it's a one-shot, though, because the concept is fairly one-note and starts to wear thin by the time you reach the end. As it is, Dream Police is just the right length, and thank goodness for that. Deadato's art is good but woefully unsuited for the book. The script really demands a less photorealistic or my stylish artists, and Deadato seems to grim for the material. Still, it's a fun little one-shot that's a safe buy for you JMS fans. Grade: B

House of M #2: Bendis sets up his alternate universe in a number of small vignettes. The whole issue is an exercise in world-building, so nothing really happens, but it's not bad, really. The Magneto-created reality is a reasonably interesting place, and noteworthy not for being a dystopian place like so many alternate realities, but actually a fairly decent world where the only real problem is some rampant racism. It also gets straight to the heart of some core X-Men concepts, and that's always a good thing. Coipel's art is amazing, of course, and damned if I don't like the conversation between the two Hanks. Grade: B

Captain America #7: Noteable for not actually having Captain America in it, Brubaker decides to focus one issue on the downfall of Nomad, AKA Jack Monroe. Despite not featuring the title character, it's a darned fine read, excellenty illustrating one man's slow descent into madness and despair. It's a sad, tragic read that really makes you feel for its protagonist, and darned if it's not affecting. Not essential to the title or its ongoing storylines, but still worth your time, and surprisingly accessible. Grade: A

[jlaking]

Yesterday I picked up some back issues:


Wolverine (Vol. 1) #16 and 23
Transformers (Marvel) #9
Batman #474
Starman ('94) #3 [now have the complete run]
Green Arrow ('90) #100
Detecive Comics #647
Flash ('88) #217
Tales of the Teen Titans #43


All were a dollar each at a flea market.


EDIT: 100th post

[Bruce Kent]

Captain America #7: Noteable for not actually having Captain America in it, Brubaker decides to focus one issue on the downfall of Nomad, AKA Jack Monroe. Despite not featuring the title character, it's a darned fine read, excellenty illustrating one man's slow descent into madness and despair. It's a sad, tragic read that really makes you feel for its protagonist, and darned if it's not affecting. Not essential to the title or its ongoing storylines, but still worth your time, and surprisingly accessible. Grade: A
See I felt the same way. I think this is probably one of the best issues of any comic I have read this year. It was really brilliant in its set up and then in the way it played out. I hope to see it tie-in, though, at some point, to the title.

[Clayface]

I just want to remind everyone that, due to the July 4th holiday, comics won't be out in stores until Thursday, July 7th this week.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

Larry Young of AiT/PlanetLar gets interviewed by the Comic Reporter's Tom Spurgeon (http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/resources/interviews/2256/) about being this generation's Stan Lee. Features preview covers for a bunch of stuff and Larry being Larry.

Speaking of Larry and AiT/PlanetLar, Becky Cloonan of (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=37370)Demo (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=37370) is doing an Original English Language manga for TokyoPop, as is Keith Giffen (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=37194).

Hey Kids! Free Comics! Read the entirety of The Ride #1 (http://www.newsarama.com/Image/The_Ride/Issue01/TheRide01.htm?bcsi_scan_08B40C3FE94D1912=0&bcsi_scan_filename=TheRide01.htm), courtesy of Newsarama.com, in anticipation of the upcoming trade paperback release on Thursday.

If you dig ABC's Lost, you may want to check out The Middleman (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=37367), written by that show's Javier Grillo-Marxauch. Preview pages and the amusing, "Completely Inaccurate Variant Cover Edition" image is at the link.

Finally, Salon.com's new comics column covers Alan Moore's (http://www.salon.com/books/review/2005/07/01/promethea/)Promethea (http://www.salon.com/books/review/2005/07/01/promethea/) and generally does a better job than I could to explain why you should care about it.

-- Ed

[Clayface]

DC has up several sneak peeks and previews for upcoming releases. For Wildstorm fans, there are four page previews of Robbie Morrison's Wildcats: Nemesis miniseries (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=4112), and Joe Benitez's Wraithborn (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=4135), both in stores in September.

And in the Vertigo department, you can find a whopping 17 page preview (http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=3795) (!!!) of Jill Thompson's Sandman spin-off manga volume, The Dead Boy Detectives Digest, which is in stores this week.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

3 different writers for Luke Cage, a.k.a. Power Man, get a suite of questions at Comicon.com's PULSE News (http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/pulse.cgi?http%3A//www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi%3Fubb%3Dget_topic%26f%3D36%26t%3D003952). Len Wein seems to be the one having the most fun with the questions, although Steve Englehart and Tony Isabella get some occasional choice bits in there, too.

Also at the Pulse is this preview of Todd Nauck's WildGuard: Fool's Gold (http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/pulse.cgi?http%3A//www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi%3Fubb%3Dget_topic%26f%3D36%26t%3D003955), which combines superheroes, supermodels, and reality TV into one mini-series.

Dave Sim gets interviewed at Coville's Clubhouse (http://www.collectortimes.com/Clubhouse.html), digging into the origins of Cerebus and giving slightly different answers to the same questions he's been asked before. If nothing else, he reveals plans for repackaged trades for Christmas, 2006.

Kyle Baker gets interviewed by Buzzscope.com (http://www.collectortimes.com/Clubhouse.html) about Nat Turner #1, and a bunch of other stuff. Also at the 'Scope is the latest Comics Remix (http://www.buzzscope.com/features.php?id=1029), which targets the Batman Begins movie adaptation.

Finally, an amusing item for the Comic Book Science file: Bomb-Proof Jello (http://www.newscientist.com/channel/mech-tech/dn7634) (read the second entry).

-- Ed/Ace

[wonderfly]

Better late than never, all of my reviews for this week are up. It was a really tough call for my Pick of the Week, with three "knocking the ball out of the ballpark" issues from Fantastic Four, Spiderman/Human Torch #5, and Runaways #5. Fantastic Four is at the start of it's storyline still, and Runaways is moving smoothly along towards a great climax, while Spidey/Human Torch ends with this issue. Thus, since we won't hear from it again, (and it was a fantastic finish) my Pick of the Week goes to Spiderman/ Human Torch #5!