Holy potato skins on a delicious restaurant chain appetizer platter, Batman! It’s been a year of this shit. No, seriously, I’ve been writing these for a year now. That’s longer than most people’s real-life relationships. Not only is that last piece of info sad, but it’s true. Well, maybe it isn’t true. That doesn’t matter now. What matters now, is that I expect you to propose very soon. I mean I don’t think it’s too soon to talk about it right. I just think we have a really strong conn… where are you going? Wait! I know what you are thinking. “But Clay, there are only fifty TOTS entries.” I know that, shut up. I’m allowed to have two weeks off. Jesus, so judgmental.
Colder: Toss the Bones #1 of 5 (Dark Horse)
Paul Tobin (W) Juan Ferreyra (A)
Hey! Our favorite insanity driven love story/ thriller is back with the third story in the series. I’m always excited for some more Colder. This is one of the few Dark Horse comics that I pick up every time I see it coming out with a new addition. I’m very excited for the return of Nimble Jack. Finger-man, or whatever he goes by, from the last arc wasn’t as interesting as Jack. No one is.
S.H.I.E.L.D. #10 (Marvel)
Mark Waid (W) Javier Pulido (A)
Okay, I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I am far from the biggest fan of Pulido’s work. In fact, that is one of the only reasons I was contemplating dropping the most recent She-Hulk series. I hate do be negative about a creator, but man, it’s just not my cup of tea. On the positive side, we get a nice new story about Howard the Duck!
Hail Hydra #3 (Marvel)
Rick Remender (W) Roland Boschi (A)
I am really loving this series. I mean honestly, it manages to be one of the only series that ties into pre-Secret Wars. The way they did that is fantastic by the way, but you’ll just have to read it. I am sad Remender is leaving Marvel, but if this is his final work, it’s a good swan song.
They’re Not Like Us #8 (Image)
Eric Stephenson (W) Simon Gane (A)
This series is evolving fast. I am standing on razors edge waiting to see what happens next after the last pages of issue seven. This series is full of angst, but not in that annoying, “We get it you’re a teenager” way. It’s a full bodied angst, vintaged to perfection.
Captain America: White #2 (Marvel)
Jeph Loeb (W) Tim Sale (A)
This series is amazing. I mean, I am just saying that after one issue, but really it was two issues. Either way, this is a pure, true to bone Captain America story. If you want to get a nice little picture of the character, and don’t want to dig through volumes and volumes of stories, get your fix here. But really, you should want to dig through volumes and volumes of stories too.
Batman Annual #4 (DC)
James Tynion IV (W) Roge Antonio (A)
This team brought us one of my favorite stand alone Batman stories last year in the third annual, and dammit, I think they are going to do it again. Buy this issue, you shant regret it.
Rasputin #9 (Image)
Alex Grecian (W) Riley Rossmo (A)
I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS SERIES. IT HAPPENED FINALLY, well not finally. I mean love is something that develops over time. It must be nurtured. But yes, my love for this series is profound. Read this book for me please, thank you.
Archie #3 (Archie Comics)
Mark Waid (W) Fiona Staples (A)
Okay, so did anyone even question that a team like this could make something so god damned amazing? If you did, then you are a foolish fool-person. Seriously, this comic is already up there with some of my all time favorites and the first arc isn’t even wrapped up. What the fuck? Stop it. If you like Archie, you are already reading this. If you aren’t reading this because you say words in sequence such as “I’m not an Archie person” or “I’ve never been into Archie”, please, hear my plea. Read this comic, allow yourself to be converted.
Well there you go folks. A short list to cap off a great year with you guys. If you’ve been reading from the beginning, thank you! If you haven’t, why not? Seriously, was it something I said? I can change. I swear. Anyway, you guys know how it goes. Stay Smart.
