Digiversity: Digital Spotlight (Week of 8/26/11)

Article originally written by Ryan Closs

It’s time for your weekly look at the cream of the crop of digital releases. I’m writing this on the train to Fanexpo so I’m glad it seems to be a pretty light week. Next week we have the first of DC’s relaunch books so I’m going to enjoy this calm before the storm. First up, here’s the list of stuff that came out the same-day as print: we’ve got the last of the DC Retroactives, this time the 90s (DC), Ultimate Comics Ultimates #1 (Marvel), Kevin Smith’s Bionic Man #1 (Dynamite), Spontaneous #3 (Oni), Superman Beyond #0 (DC), Young Justice #7 (DC), Captain Action: King Size Special (Moonstone). Some big names out this week, and as usual all those books are out on Comixology, now let’s see what made the cut this week.

Ultimate Comics Ultimates #1 ($2.99/Marvel, Comixology): Jonathan Hickman has always been good but he’s on one hell of a roll these days between FF, SHIELD and Secret Warriors he’s built up more new Marvel concepts than anyone else has in years and now they’ve given him the keys to the Ultimate Universe writing the first book of the second Ultimate relaunch in as many years. I’m not a huge Ribic fan but I’m apparently in the minority on that, so there’s really no reason not to check this out. It should be noted that all Ultimate Comics books are going to be same day digital from now on.

The Pound #5 ($1.99/IDW, iVerse): This issue wrapped up the first Pound miniseries, and IDWs first digital only release. It tells the story of a pest control firm in Cleveland that ends up biting off more than they can chew when they capture a werewolf. The mini-series then begins to build Cleveland up as a hub for monsters of all sorts. It’s a lot of fun both from the writing and art side of things. This issue wrapped up the initial werewolf story and has laid seeds for more stories down the road. You can read the first issue for free in the IDW/iVerse apps as well as here http://www.frozenbeachstudios.com/pound/

Killing Pickman #1 (Free/Archaia, Graphicly & Comixology): This book shows a LOT of influences from books that Ben Templesmith has worked on, it’s a police story with a supernatural twist and the art is very Templesmith-esque. I really enjoyed the first issue it sets up Pickman as an extremely creepy antagonist and there’s a few twists towards the end that I really enjoyed. Archaia have been putting out some really interesting books lately, I’m not loving them all but I have to applaud them for not just sitting on their laurels and pumping out more of the same old comics.

Homeland Directive ($8.99 & free preview/Top Shelf, Comixology): First off, I’m really excited to see more and more Top Shelf books going digital. There are a bunch on the iVerse app and this week Homeland Directive and League Century 1910 came out on Comixology. I checked out the free preview of Homeland Directive mostly because it’s free, but also because Mike Huddleston is the artist on this book and I’m really liking what he’s doing on Butcher Baker (Image). The preview doesn’t give you a lot but from what I can tell it seems to be a political thriller set in the Bush (or a Bush like) administration. The art is fantastic as expected and the story hooked me enough to buy the $9 full edition.

Hellboy: The Fury ($4.99 Bundle/Dark Horse): This is the story that has had the internet all abuzz. I’m not going to spoil anything for you but it’s a pretty critical story for Hellboy fans and sets up the new ongoing that is going to bring Mike Mignola back from just writing the books to drawing them as well. This is an absolute must read and if you haven’t read any Hellboy yet, SHAME ON YOU. Go back and read everything available on the Dark Horse app. It’s great.