I feel like I say this every week, but we have a big, big week ahead of us. I guess despite how much I may complain about certain things in the industry, it’s a good time to be a fan of comics. Don’t tell anyone I said that. Follow the cut for this week’s lists!
FF #2 ($2.99) – Two issue streak! Jonathan Hickman is a mad genius. His work on Fantastic Four and Secret Warriors has proven that he knows how to take characters that reside in a long-running superhero setting and tell stories with them that don’t adhere to the standard conventions of that setting while still remaining true to the characters. The first issue of his latest “act” was a great start with an exciting last page. Let’s see what’s in store for us with #2.
Morning Glories #9 ($2.99) – Three issue streak! I think we’ve established this already: Nick Spencer is awesome. Joe Eisma is awesome. Morning Glories is very awesome. If you are not reading Morning Glories, then you are silly. Very silly indeed.
Batman Incorporated #5 ($2.99) – Three issue streak! On the other hand, Grant Morrison embraces the superheroic nature of Batman – though he’s anything but conventional. As much as I enjoy Morrison’s work in general, and as much of a proponent as I was of the first part of his Batman run, I was a bit skeptical of Batman Inc. when it was first announced. My reservation dwindled with the release of first three issues, and absolutely vanished after reading issue #4. It’s a good time to be a fan of both Morrison and Batman.
Detective Comics #876 (#2.99) – Three issue streak! If Morrison isn’t your cup of tea, that’s fine too. Scott Snyder has been busy making Batman stories that are – in my opinion – the very definition of what Batman stories should be in his run on Detective Comics. This issue begins a new story arc – at least, I believe it does; it can be hard to tell since DC doesn’t update their solicits when things get bumped around a bit – and I’m very interested to see how it plays out. Plus, Jock is back on the artistic duties! I’m more of a fan of Francavilla, but I certainly won’t complain about seeing more work from the talented Jock.
Amazing Spider-Man #659 ($3.99) – Dan Slott’s run on Spider-Man has been pure gold for those who love a classic approach to Spidey. While I’m always sad when Marcos Martin is off the artist rotation, Stefano Caselli is another favorite of mine, and one whom I’d love to see drawing the members of the Future Foundation. I don’t know much about it yet, but my interest is quite piqued for this upcoming “Spider-Island” story arc. The ball is in your field, Mr. Slott.
Venom #2 ($2.99) – Two issue streak! It’s been a bit since the first issue of this series, but that’s alright. As I said before, I didn’t want to pick this book up. It just ended up… well, happening. I really don’t have room on my pull (or in my wallet) for another ongoing, but Remender convinced me otherwise. I’m not even a Venom fan in the slightest, the first issue was just damn good.
Total: $18.94
There were also so many comics that I was considering that I think I have to at least mention them. The only reason that American Vampire didn’t make the list is because I have been busy with class and such, and so the previous issue just slipped through the cracks and has remained unread. Normally, I would just put it on the list with a “I haven’t read the last issue yet, but I’m sure it will be good,” but with so many contenders for the list this week, I decided against it. Likewise with Walking Dead: I usually save a spot for it, even though I read it in trade, but I just couldn’t this week. The 900th issue of Action Comics could have made the list, but with a partial tie-in to “The Reign of Doomsday” and a whopping $5.99 price tag, I decided to cut it (even though I’ll read it anyways). Other contenders were The Flash, Mighty Thor (so what if Fraction’s first arc was mediocre at best?), Secret Avengers and Uncanny X-Men.
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Matt’s Picks:
Morning Glories #9 ($2.99) – This is one of my favorite series currently being published. With every issue I end up loving the title even more. Having read issue #9 already, I can assure you it’s worth your $2.99 (provided you’ve been keeping up with the series, of course).
FF #2 ($2.99) – It’s Jonathan Hickman. What other explanation do you need?
Batman Inc #5 ($2.99) – It’s Grant Morrison. What other explanation do you need?
Brightest Day #24 ($2.99) – Yes, I have been absolutely deriding this book in every review I make. And you know what? I’m totally reviewing the finale as well. If you’ve stuck with the book as long as I have, as much as you may or may not like it, just grab the finale.
Justice League: Generation Lost #24 ($2.99) – No, I have not been absolutely deriding this book in every review I make. And you know what? I’m totally reviewing the finale as well. If you’ve stuck with the book as long as I have, as much as you may or may not like it, just grab the finale.
Venom #2 ($2.99) – Venom as a character holds an incredibly special place in my heart. The first series I ever bought as a kid was Venom’s ongoing (which, really, was just a set of mini’s that came out in a particular order). Add in Rick Remender and Tony Moore, and we have a winner.
Total: $17.94
Josh’s Picks:
Action Comics #900 ($5.99) – On a normal day, I would be more skeptical of a six dollar comic book than a skeptic and a skepticism convention. However, a fifty page lead story from the knock-out creative team of the book for the last 10 months plus fifty MORE pages of content from the likes of David Goyer and Damon Lindelof make this one a must buy.
Morning Glories #9 ($2.99) – While Image has been knocking it out of the park in terms of new properties and exciting books lately, Morning Glories takes the cake in terms of books leaving me completely on the edge of my seat month in and month out. After the last two grand slam issues, I can’t wait to see what Spencer and Eisma have in store for this spotlight on Jun and his brother.
American Vampire #14 ($2.99) – While initially skeptical of the concept behind the book, this comic has been at the top of my must read pile for months now. Don’t be fooled by the title; this history spanning epic is not only a love letter to the classic pulp rags of old, but an incredible literate, history laced epic that also happens to feature some legitimately compelling and decently scary vampires (an unfortunate rarity within the genre today.)
FF #2 ($2.99) – Over the last year and a half, Jonathan Hickman’s status as a writer in my mind has gone from unknown to amusing to “partial reason I read/want to write comics”. His style perfectly suits my vaguely intellectual slants and every time I feel that I want something MORE from my comics, he delivers it to me, and this book is absolutely his flagship. Whether he’s tackling the importance and troubling nature of the family unit or contemplating the role and boundaries of science in the universe, or just writing amusing banter for 9 year-old anarchists, this book delivers on all fronts and I can’t wait to see where it goes next.
Uncanny X-Men #536 ($3.99) – I buy everything Kieron Gillen writes anyway; the fact that he happens to currently be killing it on the title that got me into comics and is the singular reason I remain as avid a reader of the medium as I am is just cake. Plus, the fact that he decided to focus his first arc on two of my all time favorite characters in all of literature doesn’t hurt either.
Continued belowTotal: $18.95
Gil’s Picks:
Justice League: Generation Lost #24 ($4.99) — The best title to spin out of Brightest Day reaches its conclusion in this double sized issue! What is the ultimate fate of Max Lord? Will the reformed JLI stop him in time? Well, it’s all here, so you shouldn’t miss out!
Action Comics #900 ($5.99) — The first, and in my view, still the best, superhero reaches a milestone that no one has reached (legitimately). Clocking in at 100 pages, concluding Paul Cornell’s fantastic Black Ring saga, as well as continuing the Reign of Doomsday arc that’s been unifying the Superman-related titles (even including the JLA title) the book is a deal at $10, let alone $6! If you’re a Superman fan, or even a fan of COMICS, you should be picking up this title.
Uncanny X-Men #536 ($3.99) — Ever since Kieron Gillen took over the title from Matt Fraction, the book has taken an upswing. Not to say Fraction’s run was bad, but with a cohesive team, and direction that brings back Multiversity Favorite S.W.O.R.D., I can’t help but be more excited about this title.
Amazing Spider-Man #659 ($3.99) — Dan Slott REALLY wants to write for Doctor Who. Even if I hadn’t asked him on Twitter, I just knew it was true. With mind-bending sci-fi and time travel (along with a building that can only exist in theory) , you can’t help but notice. And after the amount of fun that it’s
been, I think Stephen Moffat should let him!
Total: $18.96
Brandon’s Picks:
Uncanny X-Men #536 ($3.99) — Last issue was the most enjoyable this title has been in a long time. The clear line up for this arc and the fact that they are stepping out of the shadow of Utopia is a great change of pace. While I have been rather vocal with my disinterest to say the least in the title over the course of the last couple years hope seems to spring eternal at this point in time. Will it pan out long term we’ll just have to wait and see.
Justice League: Generation Lost #24 ($4.99) — I can’t wait to see how this book ends! It has the JLI, Max Lord and Omacs! I love this book and I am truly sad to see it end. I just hope that DC is smart and gives Judd Winnick a JLI ongoing. Hell, I’m sure there are plenty of people who would be fine with the JLI replacing the current JLA! BWAHAHAHA!
Captain America #617 ($3.99) — Love Brubaker’s run on Captain America. As of this issue Bucky Cap and Stever Rogers begin to share the book leading to the launch of the new directions in July that aim to capitalize on the movie. Should be an interesting ride to get to that point and I’m excited to tag along for it.
Detective Comics #876 ($2.99) — Snyder and Jock are money on Dick Bat. What? It’s like Bucky Cap! Anyway, this is a great book month in and month out under Snyder and with Jock on art this book more than exceeds expectations. Buy it sucka fools!
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #9 ($2.99) — Guy Gardner. Buy.
Total: $18.95
