I’ve been organizing my comics recently, and I came to a conclusion. I read tons of stuff that I probably will never set eyes on again. I cleared out ever issue that I wanted to sell and ended up with two long boxes. That’s a lot of comics. In other news I’ll be selling a lot of comics to anyone who is interested. Remember, I only take payment via unauthorized credit cards which you can ship to my PO box along with a copy of your ID and social security card. Time to dive into some identity theft, time for Top of the Stack!
The Woods #15 (BOOM!)
James Tynion IV (W) Michael Dialynas (A)
This is a very sad time. If you look back at the course of this year. This comic has gone from the bottom of my stack (it’s a good thing) to here at the very top. Unless this arc ends with something that will draw me in to the next one, this may be the last issue of The Woods that I pick up. Very saddening
Ufology #4 of 5 (BOOM!)
James Tynion IV (W) Matt Fox (A)
What’s going on Tynion? I’ve really been digging your work for the last year, but here we are, two releases in the top spots this week. Don’t get me wrong, I am still enjoying this series, it just doesn’t have the punch that a lot of his series do. This issue will most likely redeem itself though. I find that the second to last issues really kick ass in limited series. Weird, right?
Civil War #2 (Marvel)
Charles Soule (W) Leinil Francis Yu (A)
The first issue of this comic was the center of a lot of worry. I mean, at least in my small circle of “people who read comics” group. That being the case, it held up surprisingly well against those high expectations. Solid comic with a really interesting set up. Interested to see where this goes.
Broken World #3 of 4 (BOOM!)
Frank J. Barbiere (W) Christopher Peterson (A)
Not always does an idea need an ongoing. I feel like this is something that seems alluring to writers, this idea that you can build a whole world piece by piece over the course of years, but often times it isn’t necessary. This is a series that I could see becoming an ongoing, but these guys are keeping it short and to the point. For that, I thank you.
Ms. Marvel #17 (Marvel)
G. Willow Wilson (W) Adrian Alphona (A)
This is the last arc of the first chapter of Kamala Khan. Knowing the popularity of this comic and the character that they’ve introduced, I 100% expect a new series after Secret Wars. This issue will feature a team-up that the readers, and Kamala, have been waiting for since issue one. Kamala meets Carol. ‘Nuff said.
Red Skull #2 of 3 (Marvel)
Joshua Williamson (W) Luca Pizzari (A)
You remember that time you met that Nazi and he seemed like a stand up guy. Yeah, me neither, that’s why this comic is so interesting. I’m curious to see how they make us like Red Skull. All I know is I hope to see these guys making more Marvel stuff in the years to come.
Bloodshot Reborn #5 (Valiant)
Jeff Lemire (W) Raul Allen (A)
The finale to the first arc of this brilliant comic. Man, they Lemire knows how to aim for the heart strings, and he does it yet again. That beside Allen’s amazing work makes this a comic that I hope will have Valiant vaulting forward even more than they have been this past year. Good on you guys. PS. Bloodsquirt rules this issue, what’s not to love.
8house: Arclight #2 (Image)
Brandon Graham (W) Marian Churchland (A)
Bet you didn’t know that I was a huge Graham fan. Well, I am, and if you haven’t read King City, then I don’t want to talk to you. Okay, that’s not true. I talk to everyone that will listen. Either way, this is another of Graham’s brilliantly curious stories. With Churchland doing the talented part of comic making, this is a gorgeous story as well. Do yourself a favor and look into this one.
We Stand On Guard #2 (Image)
Briank K. Vaughan (W) Steve Skroce (A)
BKV’s new series started off at a different pace than his other stories. The first issue wasn’t my favorite first issue of all of his series, that being said, it is still absolutely phenomenal. Root for the hosiers for a change.
Jupiter’s Circle #5 (Image)
Mark Millar (W) Davide Gianfelice (A)
Hey, Millar. I know you have ADD, but making a prequel doesn’t make it okay to forget about the original series. That being said, I love this series, so you won’t get punished this time. Next time though, I won’t be so nice. Probably.
Nailbiter #15 (Image)
Joshua Williamson (W) Mike Henderson (A)
A seriously weird cult-like conspiracy is unraveling in this comic and dammit if it isn’t the most compelling murder mystery since the Zodiac Killer. Maybe it has something to do with the Zodiac Killer. Who knows? Probably only Mike and Josh.
Airboy #3 of 4 (Image)
James Robinson (W) Greg Hinkle (A)
Holy shit, this comic is intense. Not in an “action-packed thrill ride of the summer” kind of way, but in a “holy shit, did they really just admit to cheating on their wives in an autobiographical comic?”. If there is something that I’ve learned to love as I’ve grown older, it’s unadulterated honesty, to the point of being aggressively eye opening. This comic shears your eyelids off in that regard, or something like that.
Outcast #11 (Image)
Robert Kirkman (W) Paul Azaceta (A)
This series has done nothing but get better over the course of the last two arcs. As Kirkman really realizes the world and the powers behind the evil forces, it just gets stronger and stronger. While Kirkman puts words down, Azaceta sculpts one of the darkest most unsafe feeling worlds I’ve ever seen. Nothing is sacred, literally.
Deadly Class #15 (Image)
Rick Remender (W) Wesley Craig (A)
Let me say that over the course of this comic, I’ve fallen head over heels for Craig’s style. It’s so fucking grimy when it needs to be, but then can smoothly spin 180 into a calm and almost tranquil painting. Seriously, with every crazy ass thing that happens inside these pages, Craig handles it like a master of the art. I wonder how it feels being able to write anything and have it come to life perfectly?
There you go. I wonder which of these will be part of the next mass exodus of comic books? Hopefully none, maybe I’ve narrowed it down to the best. Maybe not. Only Time can tell, and Time has some tight lips when it comes to my wallet. I’m thankful for that. Stay Smart everyone.
