Here we are again, my brethren, floating on a sea of painted dreams; enjoying the vastness and beauty of this passion turned obsession. It is truly a good time to be a comic fan boy, let me tell you. I still have chills from the awe inspiring brilliance that was the San Diego Comic-Con. Slip on your astral goggles and wait to be phased inter-dimensionally into Top of the Stack.
Secret Wars Battleworld #3 of 4 (Marvel)
Ivan Brandon/Ryan Ferrier (W) Aaron Conley/Logan Faerber/Paul Pope (A)
While normally I would say that this comic is not particularly my cup of tea, what with it not having many interesting stories, I was surprised by the last issue of Journal. Also Paul freaking Pope. Seriously.
Dead Drop #3 of 4 (Valiant)
Ales Kot (W) Adam Gorham (A)
This story has been brilliant so far, and surprisingly devoid of any Kot abstractism, or realism, really, it’s up to you. Either way, this is a great little saga in the midst of the chaos that is the Valiant universe. Seriously, they should make a movie or two sometime around 2017. Google it.
Inhumans: Attilan Rising #3 (Marvel)
Charles Soule (W) John Timms (A)
This serious has been great so far. It really does help if you were reading Inhumans before the Secret Wars, because there have been a couple “reveals” that only make an impact if you were reading that story, namely a certain character being alive again. That being said, if you are getting into Secret Wars or Inhumans, this is a great story.
Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps #2 (Marvel)
Kelly Sue DeConnick (W) David Lopez (A)
This comic came out of the gate with a fury. I am already hooked. The characters they introduce are so damn interesting that I am genuinely dreading Secret Wars ending and leaving these strong characters as merely pictures left on a page. They deserve their own ongoing. Time to put our voices to the test. Everyone click on this internet petition I made. (There is no actual petition, I just think that these character should stay)
Ant-Man Annual #1 (Marvel)
Nick Spencer (W) Ramon Rosanas (A)
Hey, weird that this comes out two days before the Ant-Man movie right? Not really. That’s a stupid thing for you to say. Go back to your hole.
Moon Knight #17 (Marvel)
Cullen Bunn (W) Ron Ackins (A)
To my knowledge, and I have been known to be wrong, this is one of the series that has been missing from solicitations after Secret Wars end. This is really sad because despite the changes in teams, this comic has stayed solid for its entire run. Hopefully the success of this series will tip Marvel off and we’ll see a Daredevil-eske show soon. I mean they own the rights, why not?
Where Monsters Dwell #3 of 5 (Marvel)
Garth Ennis (W) Russell Braun (A)
This series is just goofy. I mean it’s very tongue in cheek and knows how damn cheeky it is, but that works. Seriously, in the slew of serious, melodramatic series that tie in with this event, it’s nice to get a couple that are just funny. This is a character that I hope stays in the continuity when this is all said and done.
Planet Hulk #3 (Marvel)
Sam Humphries (W) Marc Laming (A)
I originally discounted this series because I just didn’t thing that it would be all that interesting, and boy was I wrong. So far this has been my favorite Secret Wars Tie-in (again, so far) and if you are going to read anything, read this one. Definitely worth a try, or a buy, or both.
Hail Hydra #1 (Marvel)
Rick Remender (W) Roland Boschi (A)
Let me take some time to cry while I write this. If you haven’t heard, dear readers, Rick Remender is leaving Marvel. The writer who has penned some amazing runs on multiple fantastic comics is going to be gone. This is, in-part, his swan song. That being the case, I was excited for this comic before I ever knew he was leaving. It follows Nomad (Cap’s son) as he journeys through a Hydra ruled domain. Sounds like a good ole Nazi-hating America-loving time to me.
Trees #11 (Image)
Warren Ellis (W) Jason Howard (A)
I said before that this comic feels as if it has started fresh, and I’ll say it again. While the first two arcs had some amazing issues, I can’t help but feel that Ellis has restructured his story and is building everything again. It’s very very clean and it’s a joy to read.
Astro City #25 (Vertigo)
Kurt Busiek (W) Jesus Merino (A)
This comic has been one of my favorite series for years. Way beyond the twenty-five issue that have been published since the new 52 reboot. It takes everything magical and insane about comics and lays it out in such a structured and realized way, that you almost forget that the comic isn’t about normal people living normal lives, but superheroes (and villains) living extraordinary lives. All the complexities of modern superhero comics are embraced and loved and nurtured by Busiek and this truly makes this series standout. Please read it, but read from the very beginning, it’s worth it.
There you go, a pretty small week, generally. Big week for Marvel, but isn’t every pull list of mine big for Marvel? It’s a problem. No, seriously, why isn’t DC publishing more stuff I love? Step up your game guys. I mean I am like 100% of your audience, obviously, and you should cater to my needs. For shame. They should really stay smart, but I’m sure you all know that.
