This week we have the latest in Marvel’s summer event, the latest ongoing by two massive names in the industry, a few great creator-owned series, a few over-sized (and thus pricey) issues, and a few other goodies. What made the cut on our personal lists? What didn’t? Follow the jump to find out!
Moon Knight #1 ($3.99) – Bendis. Maleev. Street level super-heroics. Yes. Please. Even though he has penned some of my favorite comics, I would be lying if I said that Bendis has never let me down. I will also freely admit that the concept behind this new Moon Knight title seems strange, to say the least. Still, this is a team that I have come to trust, and I am excited to see where Bendis takes Marvel’s favorite schizophrenic.
Axe Cop: Bad Guy Earth #3 ($3.50) – The finale for this delightfully silly miniseries is here! We here at Multiversity Comics love Axe Cop, and if you don’t love Axe Cop as well, then I am sorry to say that we may not be friends. My apologies, but I don’t make the rules. To be honest, there’s nothing to say about this series that hasn’t already been said, but I’ll repeat myself by saying if you don’t like Axe Cop, then you don’t like fun.
Green Wake #2 ($3.50) – The first issue of this dark thriller was a hell of a read, and quickly sold out. Not only that, but Image extended the once mini to an ongoing series. If that isn’t a testament to the comic’s quality, I don’t know what is. If you like creepy, mysterious creator owned comics, you’ll want this.
Fear Itself #2 ($3.99) – Two issue streak! I was hesitant to pick up Fear Itself when it was first announced, as both event comics and Matt Fraction had burned me in the past (despite Fraction being one of my favorite writers). The first issue wasn’t outstanding, but it certainly was promising, and my reservation has dwindled enough that I can definitely say I will be reading the second issue. And, as I said the week of #1’s release, if the writing sucks, there will at least be beautiful Stuart Immonen art.
Herc #2 ($2.99) – This is another one of those “if you don’t like _____, then you don’t like fun” sort of comics. The successor to Fred Van Lente and Greg Pak’s awesome Incredible Hercules run, Herc has a very interesting concept behind it, and one that I cant wait to see develop further. This is going to be worth the buy, even if it doesn’t have fun sound effects.
Total: $17.97
Matt’s Picks:
Fear Itself #2 ($3.99) – I quite enjoyed the over-sized first entry into Marvel’s summer event. I thought it was a great kickstart to what will hopefully be a good event in that familiar Marvel style. With two of my favorite creators at the helm, I couldn’t say no if I tried.
Uncanny X-Force #9 ($3.99) – Our favorite X-Force crosses paths with Magneto, and with Remender at the helm I’m ready for all Hell to break loose.
Moon Knight #1 ($3.99) – Another case of “I couldn’t say no if I tried.” Alex Maleev + Brian Bendis + one of my favorite characters finally getting a honest shot at an ongoing? Sign me up.
Avengers Academy Giant-Size #1 ($7.99) – To cap off this Marvel heavy week, Paul Tobin’s mini-series-turned-quadruple-sized-one-shot is probably going to be the first time the Academy students get a chance to stand as heroes outside of their main story. I’m looking forward to seeing what the others think of these rabble rousers.
Total: $19.96
Brandon’s Picks:
Avengers Academy #13 ($2.99) — I love this book. It is currently my favorite Avengers book easily. There was a time when I was certain that New Avengers was the best of the bunch but that hasn’t been the case for almost thirteen months. Oh and teenage superhero prom! It’s been mentioned before but it’s worth mentioning again. I love teen hero proms!
Superboy #7 ($2.99) — A dystopian future/alternate reality, starring Superboy, and written by Jeff Lemire? Ummm… yes please! Plus, guest stars galore with the New Titans, Lex Luthor and Tim Drake. Buy it!
Uncanny X-Force #9 ($3.99) — All these months of operating in secrecy from the majority of mutant-kind, especially from the top dogs such as Xavier, Cyclops and Magneto, and it all ends here. It looks like the gents of Uncanny X-Force will have a visit paid to them by the Master of Magnetism. The fourth page of the preview art is fantastic.
Sweet Tooth #21 ($2.99) — Last issue ended with Gus getting chased by a bear. We all can be certain that the bear won’t eat him but with this creative and unique title there’s probably something much cooler in store for us readers anyway. This continues to be one of those books where if you aren’t picking it up you should be kicking yourselves in the bungholes.
The Intrepids #3 ($2.99) — This book has gotten better each issue. The art I feel has gotten especially better as the book has gone on. I don’t mean this as a knock either. The art was already great; it’s just gotten better. This is a book that’s worth your cash or credit fanpeeps.
Irredeemable #25 ($3.99) — One of the more underrated superhero books on the market. In an industry flooded by similar books this title continues to be a rather unique find. The recent arc with the main man all locked up in space by aliens has taken the book in an unexpected direction that has blown some fresh air into a book that hadn’t even gotten close to going stale.
Total: $19.94
Josh’s Picks:
Sweet Tooth #21($2.99) – The kinds of things I have historically heard people say about books like Y the Last Man and Preacher in terms of sheer epic epicness line up pretty well with the feelings I have toward this book. Month in and month out, Jeff Lemire expands on his tale of humanity on its last legs with the nuance and sheer personability of any of the masterpieces Vertigo has produced before now.
Intrepids #3 ($2.99) – I was bummed beyond belief when I found out this charming, throwback teen title was a six issue mini as opposed to a proper ongoing. The book looks and reads like a spitting image of a golden age comic and I just can’t get enough.
Avengers Academy #13 ($2.99) – When this book was announced, I jumped on the bandwagon immediately as you’ll be hard pressed to find a bigger fan of teen super hero books than me. However, the first five or so issues dragged to the point that I came very close to dropping the book several times. However, since issue 9, the legs on this one really extended and it found its rhythm like nothing else. Gage is well on his way to crafting the next Young Avengers or the next Runaways here, and I’m glad I’m on board to see it play out.
Herc #2 ($2.99) – Pak + Van Lente + Hercules + Alcohol = must buy.
Moon Knight #1 ($3.99) – Bendis and Maleev working on a street level Marvel hero with deep seeded psychological problems. We’ve seen this before and it worked swimmingly then, so I have no reason to expect anything but success this time around.
Uncanny X-Force #9 ($3.99) – Rick Remender has, in very short order, become a must read writer for me and just like Jonathan Hickman with Fantastic Four and Nick Spencer with Morning Glories, this book is his flagship. The crown jewel of his warped, bleeding edge storytelling armada and it has just been firing on all cylinders since it launched last year. Also: Deadpool tell funny joke. Me like.
Total: $19.94
