This is week one of the Secret Wars explosion. This week is actually light on, well, the explosion bit. Only the titular comic comes out, but next week we get him full force with the tie-ins. You hold the door, I’ll find something to keep it from getting in. God knows what Top of the Stack will do if it finds us.
Amazing Spider-Man #18 (Marvel)
Christos N. Gage (W) Humberto Ramos (A)
I’m interested in the fact that we have a new writer for this series mostly because I have felt this comic slipping quickly out of my interest zone, or my zone of habitable interest as I call it when I feel fancy. It just doesn’t have the levity I want, and while I realize this is a Spider-Man comic, I feel like the things that are at stake are miniscule. I mean he only just got his company off the ground and now the looming threat is the disintegration of his fledgling empire. Not that interesting.
Empire of the Dead: Act Three #2 of 5 (Marvel)
George A. Romero (W) Andrea Mutti (A)
I wish I could say that this last arc started off on a spectacular note, but honestly, it just kinda moved forward like the break never happened. Normally that isn’t bad, but if you are splitting this series into acts, you should make them clearly defined or else it’s pointless.
Return of the Living Deadpool #4 of 4 (Marvel)
Cullen Bunn (W) Nicole Virella (A)
This series is light, I mean the content is dark, but seeing as this exists in some far away alternate dimension it doesn’t have the importance that the same thing in 616 would. That being said, it’s a very fun series and continues with the zombie action that was left in Night of the Living Deadpool.
Ant-Man #5 (Marvel)
Nick Spencer (W) Ramon Rosanas (A)
So, Ant-Man totally got his ass kicked in the last issue. I assume that isn’t the end for our shrinking superhero, but it looks like Scott will be facing some pretty daunting odds going into the end of this first act. So far I really like this series, it’s funny, quick and just downright entertaining.
Spider-Gwen #4 (Marvel)
Jason Latour (W) Robbi Rodriguez (A)
I love that they have completely built a new universe around this fantastic character, bold move on Marvel’s part, but it definitely pays off. With the freedom that this new universe gives Latour, he can do literally anything he wants with the infastructure. It’s quite thrilling to see Daredevil be a bad guy.
Inhumans Annual #1 (Marvel)
Charles Soule (W) Ryan Stegman (A)
Damn them. Who sent them my memo. I told them I’d stop buying the annuals if they weren’t written by the person doing the ongoing, and it’s like they listened to me or something. I mean who does that? No one should ever listen to me. Except for you of course.
The Punisher #18 (Marvel)
Nathan Edmondson (W) Mitch Gerads (A)
After a pretty badass battle with Captain America last issue, it seems that Castle has finally come to the peak of his quest to the top of crime mountain. Spoilers: It turns out that senators can have hidden agendas and be generally pretty evil, who would have thought?
Afterlife With Archie #8 (Archie)
Roberto Aguirre Sacasa (W) Francesco Francavilla (A)
This series is awesome. I mean seriously, it sounds like a completely laughable concept. I know this from first hand experiences trying to get my friends to read it, but honestly, it is done with such care and depth that it rivals The Walking Dead for realism in a zombie comic, if we really want to tread that ground.
Jupiter’s Circle #2 (Image)
Mark Millar (W) Wilfredo Torres (A)
The first issue of this comic was phenomenal. It felt like The Fade Out meets superheroes. It was intense and painted a beautiful picture of fame in the 40’s. My only problem, WHERE THE HELL IS JUPITER’S LEGACY?!
Nailbiter #12 (Image)
Joshua Williamson (W) Mike Henderson (A)
This series is shaping up to become the next Chew. Don’t quote me on that, but seriously. I really love this comic and its no holds barred approach at this dark intimidating world. I think we are about to find out more about the secrets littering this town, but really who knows?
Zero #16 (Image)
Ales Kot (W) Jordie Bellaire (A)
This series went for a 90 degree switch up last issue. So much so that I am actually confused as to what in this series has been “real”. It was a curveball that Kot planned from the beginning, but that being said I am not sure my weak little brain can handle it. Despite that, I am very excited to learn more.
Descender #3 (Image)
Jeff Lemire (W) Dustin Nguyen (A)
This series is brilliant. I mean seriously, it is so realized. It’s everything that I love about Lemire’s work wrapped up in a clean little package and sealed with a kiss. If you are not reading this comic, I have to ask why not?
Secret Wars #1 of 8 (Marvel)
Jonathan Hickman (W) Esad Ribic (A)
Well, I bet you saw this one coming. I mean what else am I obligated to indiscriminately name my number one every week. My question is what do I name number one when Secret Wars is over. This series is shaping up to be one of the most intense sagas in all of Marvel history. A lot of people are intimidated by all the series that are coming out along side this series, but really, this is the bread and butter.
Do you feel it? Yeah, me neither. I’m sure when I actually read Secret Wars I’ll be gaga for it, but as for now I’m enjoying the quiet before the storm. Be ready for some intense reading. Until next time, try to stay smart. For me?
