PULL LIST!!! 2/8/12

PULL LIST

Batwoman #6 – New artist Amy Reeder is good, but unfortunately is not JH Williams, the best thing about this book. I’m not happy, but will give this a chance. No doubt the story will be as good as before, but I’m going to miss literally the most beautiful comic possibly ever made.

Green Lantern #6 – This has in reality become Sinestro’s comic, and I’m not complaining. Sinestro is one of the best, most complex characters in comics right now. He’s on the path to redemption, but you know that at any moment, he could drop back into his past transgressions. You’re not even sure he wants redemption, but he’s constantly displaying humanity. Johns is building a great story that not to be missed.

Demon Knights #6 – Paul Cornell’s fun medieval Justice League story is a great ride, and he’s building some good characters. Sad to see the betrayal in the last issue, but I guess I shoulda seen it coming.

Resurrection Man #6 – Good, dynamic comic all-around. Not one issue has been slow on action or development. I’d easily recommend this to someone who wants to try something different in the superhero genre.

Suicide Squad #6 – The quality surprises me every month. That means I’m dumb because by now I should’ve realized Adam Glass writes a good comic. Cool to see Harley Quinn get some main continuity love with this origin story.

Penguin:  Pain and Prejudice #5 (of 5) – I can’t say enough good things about this comic.  It is definitely the best comic DC has published since the Nu52, and it’s not even a Nu52 title.  It is beautiful and heartbreaking.  It’s one of the best Batman stories ever written, and it ranks up there with Killing Joke and Long Halloween.  Do yourself a favor and get this in trade.

Battle Scars #4 (of 6) – Loving this series.  I have a feeling not too many people are giving this much of a chance, but you really should.  Great story, and Marvel is making their best effort to actually introduce a new main character into the Marvel Universe, something they actually do rarely.

MAYBE

Wolverine and the X-Men #5 – Still gotta catch up.  Didn’t read #4 yet (let alone 1-3), but I’m happy to see an artist other than Bachalo.

Secret Avengers #22 – Ellis’ run is done.  Curious to see how Remender will handle this.

Thief of Thieves #1 – Kirkman and Nick Spencer’s new book.  I’ve never been much of a Kirkman reader, only because there’s so much to read to catch up.  This may be a good enough excuse to jump on the Kirkman bandwagon.  Also, I buy #1′s.

Captain America #8 – Not really digging this arc that much, but I’m likely sticking with it because it is Brubaker.

Scarlet Spider #2 – #1 wasn’t bad.  Good enough to glance at #2 in the shop and make a call there.

Deadpool #50 – The “Dead” premise of Deadpool finding a way to finally kill himself but needs to do a big heist involving lots of interesting characters sounds cool enough.

Black Panther:  The Most Dangerous Man Alive! #529 – Last issue in the run.  I may pick it up to see how it leaves off.

Fantastic Four:  Season One Premium Hardcover – $25 is expensive for what sounds like another Ultimate Fantastic Four.

PULL LIST!!! 2/1/12

 

Elite Week!  Some of my favorite comics out this week, and apparently…  THE TWELVE IS BACK!!!!!!!  I will be buying the print version of this to finish off my collection, but I am chomping at the bit to read it.  All this excitement notwithstanding, I can’t really remember what it’s about since it took Straczynski FOUR FRIGGIN YEARS TO MAKE A NEW ISSUE!!!!!  *sigh*  Just happy it’s here.

 

PULL LIST:

Animal Man #6 – Still probably the best comic on shelves today.

Swamp Thing #6 – Although this is my #1 favorite comic.  I think they’re starting the Animal Man crossover soon if not here.

Action Comics #6 – Good stuff so far here in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Super-Man.

Winter Soldier #1 – Brubaker!  Good ol’ Bucky gets his own title again.  As you should know by now, never discount Brubaker.

Fatale #2 – See above re: Brubaker.

The Amazing Spider-Man #679 – This time travel story is done so masterfully, I don’t even mind that Ramos is doing the art.  In fact, he does a damned good job.

The Punisher #8 – Along with Amazing Spider-Man, Avenging Spider-Man, and Daredevil, they’re now calling this a “Marvel New York” title.  Marketing drek notwithstanding, this is a great example of a fantastic low-profile Marvel comic.  I never thought I’d say that about a Punisher comic after living through the 90′s.

Stormwatch #6 – So they’re dropping Cornell soon.  I’m sad to see that, but honestly, he never really got this going as well as I would’ve like to have seen.  And I thought he really should have considering his great work on Capt. Britain.

Avengers Academy #25 – I’m not jazzed with the current arc, but I’m gonna let this play out.  Gage often surprises me.

Batwing #6 – One of the most underrated comics out there.  Loving the slow build of David Zavimbe’s character, and how Winick really highlights the struggle to try to be heroic in a complete dystopia.

The Twelve #9 (of 12…  Duh) – I seriously can’t believe he’s actually going to finish this.  I seriously thought this would be the Watchmen of our generation, but I honestly can’t remember why.  I’ve gotta dig out #’s 1-8 now.

Men of War #6 – Sad to keep getting this title knowing it got the axe.  It’s a consistently good comic in the main story with a very inconsistent backup feature.  I guess that’s a bit too much to ask people to pay $5 for.

Irredeemable #34 – The Incorruptible crossover brought me back to this Waid title.  Hopefully its abject gloom and nihilism doesn’t throw me back off.  It can get downright depressing!

 

MAYBE:

Uncanny X-Men #6 – Not sure whether to stick with this one or not…  Lots of other comics today.

Magic: The Gathering #1 – I dunno, why not?

 

MEH:

Detective Comics #6 – First arc ended very well.  First issue of the new arc was completely underwhelming again…  Just like in the first arc.  If it gets better I’ll catch up.

Avengers X-Sanction #3 – NO!

 

PULL LIST!!! 1/25/12

PULL LIST:

Justice League #5 – Consistently fun and well-made comic that everyone’s probably buying already anyway.

The Flash #5 – Pretty good comic that’s good enough to buy every week.  Finishing up the first arc.

Aquaman #5 – New story arc.  Johns and Reis are not to be trifled with.  Great stuff!

Fantastic Four #602 – This is one of the best cosmic stories I’ve ever read, and is far better than any event/crossover in the last 5 years or longer.

FF #14 – Same as above.  Not a huge fan of the art, but it works.  Hickman’s writing is incredible, and the magnitude of it is amazing.

Secret Avengers #21.1  - Yeah, OK, so I’m buying this despite Ellis’s uncharacteristic portrayal of Capt. America.  Context is important in this comic.  You may disagree, but I ended up fine with it.  Strong run by Ellis ends here.

Justice League Dark #5 – One of my favorites in the Nu52.  Milligan is slowly breathing life into these characters one at a time.  Constantine walks away from this as one of my favorite parts of the DC Universe.

All-Star Western #5 – Just a good comic.  The art is extremely dynamic and immediately throws you into the story.

Captain America and Bucky #626 – Good stuff, even without Brubaker.

Ultimate Comics The Ultimates #6 – Probably my favorite comic on shelves right now.  AND YOU’RE NOT READING IT!!!!!

Superman #5 – Still amazed I’m this into a Superman comic.  I may like this better than Morrison’s.

I, Vampire #5 – Still strong, and they’re bringing Batman into the story.  Very cool.

Incorruptable #26 – I just got back into this.  I like what I’m reading in this Irredeemable crossover.

MAYBE:

Green Lantern: New Guardians #5 – Good comic.  Just not sure it’s going anywhere.  Not much on the character-building.

Batman: The Dark Knight #5 – New arc.  I like the concept of a David Finch Batman book…  I liked the first run, but hated the first Nu52 arc.  They may get me back with a strong showing.  Love the cover art!

Voodoo #5 – I am a huge fan of character-building, but I’m starting to get impatient with this comic.  I’m getting that Lost wheel-spinning feeling.

Alpha Flight #8 – It’s the last comic in what was supposedly a great run.  I may check it out to see what the excitement was about.  Otherwise, I’ll get it in trade or digital some day.

PULL LIST!!! 1/18/12

SOPA blackout probably means you can’t read this.  Either of you.

PULL LIST
Batman #5 – By far, the best Batman book out right now.  Incredible story being built.
Wonder Woman #5 – Going strong.
Daredevil #8 – Part 2 of a story that started in Amazing Spider-Man.
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #6 – Fantastic characterization.  Looks like it’s finally picking up action-wise.
The Amazing Spider-Man #678 – New arc looks promising.
The Avengers #21 – Still good enough.  Curious to see Storm on the Avengers, although it looks short-lived with X-Men vs. Avengers coming right up.
Moon Knight #9 – Good Bendis.
Chew #23 – The funniest and most fun comic in comics!
Green Lantern Corps #5 – Such a great dynamic comic.  See, this is how you do it right Legion comics.  Tons of characters, but I can jump right in not really having to know that much about them.
DC Universe Presents: Deadman #5 – Last month’s issue may have been my favorite comic in the whole Nu52.  Really pushed this title up a category.

MAYBE
Uncanny X-Men #5 – New arc time.  Last one was pretty good.
Catwoman #5 – Another new arc possible cut.  I don’t think I like this enough to keep buying it week after week.
Supergirl #5 – And yet another potential new arc casualty.  I liked the last one well enough, but I can’t buy everything.

PULL LIST!!! 1/11/12 (Late!)

Sad to see several of the Nu52 bite the dust, including Men of War, and OMAC.  I read Men of War each month, but OMAC just didn’t make the cut because I just read too many comics every week.  Looking back, I’ll probably end up buying them as a trade, or when the digital prices go down

PULL LIST

Batwoman #5 – End of the first arc.  The most beautiful comic in comics.
Green Lantern #5 – Also ending a great arc.
The Amazing Spider-Man #677 – Glad to see the only Ramos is in the cover.
Demon Knights #5 – Starting to lose me, but it’s also starting to build the characters a little better one at a time.  Still makes the cut.
Captain America #7 – Brubaker’s losing me.  Definitely feels like late 80′s/early 90′s Cap, which shouldn’t be a bad thing, but the story just isn’t as captivating.  Not ready to underestimate Brubaker yet though.
The New Avengers #20 – It’s been good enough.  I’ll probably ride this arc out.
Scarlet Spider #1 – It’s a #1.  I buy #1′s, especially Spidey titled #1′s.
Ultimate Comics X-Men #6 – Still pretty good, but declining a little.
Suicide Squad #5 – This surprises me every week.  Loving the super-fast pace and appealing characters.
Battle Scars #3 (of 6) – Still the best comic you probably haven’t even considered reading.  If you haven’t, you’re making a mistake.

MAYBE
Wolverine #300 – It’s #300.  Why not?
Secret Avengers #21 – I do NOT like Cap’s actions in this issue from what I saw leaked.  At.  All.  I want context though.  While he’s made it clear on Twitter that he doesn’t care about comics anymore, I’m disappointed he’s throwing in the towel on a surprisingly good series.
Brilliant #2 – I dunno.  #1 wasn’t all that great, but it’s Bendis and Bagley, so it’s worth considering.  It’s still a good concept, even if it looks exactly like that movie Chronicle.

PULL LIST!!! 1/4/12

The first PULL LIST of the new year (if you don’t count my lazy-ass attempt to make up for missing the last two over the holidays yesterday).  It’s a great week too!  Many elite comics in the Nu52 along with the phenomenal Penguin mini-series, The Punisher, a new indie title by one of the best, Ed Brubaker, and out of nowhere, the Avengers annual (Part 2 of the Revengers story that I’ve been waiting for for what feels like a year).

PULL LIST:

Animal Man #5 – Pretty much one of the best comics in the world.  Scary stuff and lots of action going on right now.

Action Comics #5 – Morrison’s doing a great job here.  The best of the Super-team titles.

Swamp Thing #5 – My favorite Nu52 comic.  Just gets scarier and freakier.  Feels like the big climax is getting close.

Fatale #1 – This is a new crime/horror book by Brubaker.  Never underestimate Brubaker.  You need this.  Someone will be telling you about it this year eventually.  You wanna be able to tell them how you were there at the beginning.

Uncanny X-Men #4 – Good comic.  Loving that I’m loving X-Men again.

Detective Comics #5 – They almost lost me for some gratuitous shock value stuff, but the won me back with an intriguing story and characters, including the new villain The Dollmaker.

Stormwatch #5 – Last issue was the best issue so far, but that unfortunately doesn’t say too much.  It’s been good, but not as good as Cornell and Stormwatch should be.  But it definitely feels like it’s hitting its stride.

The Avengers Annual #1 – IT’S ABOUT TIME!!!!!

The Punisher #7 – Rucka continues to deliver one of the top 3 best books in the main Marvel continuity.

Batwing #5 – I want to say the pacing is slow, but it’s hard to do so when there’s so much action and brutality.  It’s not the egregious Millar/Ennis gore though.  Just painful reality.

Penguin: Pain and Prejudice #4 (of 5) – The best character study/psychological comic on shelves.  I want more of this.

Men of War #5 – It’s not as strong as when it started, but still good enough to read regularly.

MAYBE:

Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha and Omega #1 (of 5) – I will get grief if I don’t read it.  Also it’s a #1, and I read #1′s.

The Defenders #2 – #1 was pretty good.  My biggest criticism is the art doesn’t match the tone.

Avengers Academy #24 – Not sold on this new team.  But I’ve been overly skeptical for no reason every issue.

Irredeemable #33 – At some point, I’ll be jumping on for this Irredeemable/Incorruptible crossover storyline.  Maybe this week?  Maybe when the trade comes out?

MEH:

Avengers: X-Sanction #2 (of 4) – Not a fan of Cable or McGuinness, or Loeb, or issue #1.

Villains for Hire #2 – Issue #1 was a big disappointment.  No characterization.  Team books, and especially villain team books live or die on characterization.  Shame too, I like Abnett and Lanning.  Love the cover artwork though.  Bummer.

X-Club #2 – Just didn’t grab me.

BONUS RECOMMENDATION:

DC Comics Presents: The New 52 – The Dark #1 – Here is your chance for $7.99 to get four of the 6 best comics of the Nu52:  Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Justice League Dark, and I Vampire.  All just fantastic books everyone should read.  This is the closest thing they have to Vertigo now, and it’s in-continuity, and because of that, in some ways it’s better.  If you don’t have the originals already, you need these issues.  They are 5 months old, but you will NOT be disappointed in them, and you should be reading them already!  I only wish they included DC Comics Presents Deadman too.

PULL LIST!!! HOLIDAY BACKLOG!!!

Happy holidays!  Yeah, I didn’t keep up over the holidays.  But I did buy them!  Here’s what you should’ve gotten.

PULL LIST:

12/21/11

Batman #4 – The best of the Batman books.  The story is building a nice amount of suspense and dread as well as masterfully creating a new world built on top of the old world.

Justice League #4 – Darkseid is finally here!  I’m really enjoying the Nu52 flagship title.  It’s not the best comic, but it’s plenty fun, and Jim Lee looks to just be getting started.

Wonder Woman #4 – I still like Azzarello’s take on Wonder Woman.  I wasn’t as shocked by the big reveal as others seem to have been, but this issue is big.  Really big.

Daredevil #7 – Next to Chew, the most fun I’m having with any comics period.  This is one of the three non-Ultimate Marvel you should be reading, but if you’re not already, I will likely have a very hard time convincing you to (Your loss).  This is arguably the best comic Marvel is putting out right now.  The other two are Moon Knight and The Punisher.

Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes #1 – One-shot.  Glad to see Morrison is still writing.  Took him long enough!

Fantastic Four #601 – #600 was probably the best comic of 2011.  Of course I’m still on-board!

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #5 – I’m loving what Bendis is doing with this comic.  Some of the best characterization in comics is going on here.  Buy it.  If you make this go away, I will never forgive you.

Avengers #20 – This is on the cusp of being on the cusp.  They’re not winning me over, but they’re not losing me.  I like the potential of this story, but am skeptical of anything group-related by Bendis.

Catwoman #4 – Surprisingly, I’m still reading this book.  I’m still not sure if Winick is just going for shock value, or if he’s writing well.

Supergirl #4 – Decent little book.

Green Lantern Corps #4 – I don’t hear enough good things about this comic.  The storytelling is just phenomenal in both the writing and the art.

Amazing Spider-Man #676 – Ramos is back.  >:-(  I am disappointed in myself that I haven’t boycotted this book until they take him off for good.  I had hope after his little break.

 

MAYBE 12/21/11

Captain Atom #4 – I like Dr. Manhattan Jr. pretty well, but I’m not 100% on-board.  I’ve got a feeling this may be the next casualty.

Wolverine and the X-Men #3 – I promised a friend I would give this first 3-issue arc a look.  I just don’t think I’m gonna get to it this week.  Yeah, I know, everyone loves it, but it’s really hard for me to get past Bachalo’s art, and Wolverine involved in that much silliness.  I actually prefer Bendis’ comedy over this.  In the immortal words of Graham Chapman, “Much too silly!”

 

PULL LIST

12/28/11

The Flash #4 – Not an overly compelling book, and I’m not at all a Manapul fan (Although I love this particular cover), but at least once an issue, something very cool happens.  That’s good enough to keep me on.

Aquaman #4 – I like this.  I like the art a lot, I like Geoff Johns’ writing a lot, and I like Aquaman being used well.

Uncanny X-Men #3 – This is a pretty cool comic.  I’m happy that I’m finally enjoying X-Men for the first time in maybe a decade.

Justice League Dark #4 – One of my favorite comics.  Taking a look back at the story so far, it might actually be the slowest-moving story of the Nu52, but there’s so much detail, I hardly notice.  I’ve never been into most of these characters, but each issue makes me want to read more of every one of them.

FF #13 – Curious to see how this offshoot of the Fantastic Four goes without the Fantastic Four.  I trust Hickman.

All-Star Western #4 – Pleasantly surprising every issue.

Captain America #5 – Probably my least favorite Brubaker comic, but it’s better than most comics.  All the Cap books are now digital as of this week.  This is bittersweet, as they were some of the last non-digital books.  I believe I’m down to Avengers titles and the Big Shot books (Daredevil, Moon Knight, and The Punisher)

Captain America #6 – Two issues in a week!

Captain America & Bucky #625 – THREE Cap issues in a week!  The period piece Cap book has been great.  This issue goes in a new direction with some characters that haven’t been seen in a long time.

Secret Avengers #20 – Ellis is doing a damned good job on this espionage book.  It gets zero press, but it deserves a ton.

Ultimate Comics The Ultimates #5 – One of the best comics being made by any publisher.  If you’re not reading this, you have a cold, cynical heart.

Superman #4 – I never would’ve thought I’d be really enjoying a Perez Superman comic.

Ultimate Comics X-Men #5 – Yet another X-Men and Ultimate title worth reading.  I was worried it was going down a very predictable and very lame path, but it’s swerving around quite nicely.  Great dystopia they’re building.

I, Vampire #4 – Pure awesomeness.  Pure awesomeness meets John Constantine in this issue.

Witch Doctor: The Resuscitation (One Shot) – Thanks to my buddy Joe for letting me know about Witch Doctor.  This is crazy good fun.

 

MAYBE:

Spaceman #3 – I’m liking it so far…  Not loving it, but liking it.  I trust Azzarello pretty well.

Kick-Ass 2 #6 (of 7) – I’m actually embarrassed I’m still reading this.  I don’t know if I’m encouraging Millar, or keeping him away from Marvel. I like to think it’s the latter.  That’s my excuse.  You shouldn’t read this.  Somebody needs to take a stand or else you’ll get more of this.  Er…  It just isn’t me this time.  I’m riding this out for some reason.

Green Lantern: New Guardians #4 – Not bad.  Not great, but I’m interested in seeing what happens here, especially since we still haven’t learned what “New Guardians” means, although we can guess.

Voodoo #4 – I’ve liked this up until she met the Green Lantern.  They have to win me back in #4.  And by the way, I see what they’re doing here…  They’re injecting a little bit of crossover around issues #3-5 of most of the Nu52 books.  Not sure I like this strategy.  Most have held together just fine without the help.

Incorruptible #25 – I want to get back in this comic for the Irredeemable crossover!