This week is the week that defines where Marvel’s Axis event is going. I am really excited about this event and where it’s going to be heading. That being said, Image has an extremely strong release this week, along with some other smaller presses. This is the dawning of a creator owned renaissance and I couldn’t be happier.
Batman Eternal #29 (DC)
Ray Fawkes (W) Simon Coleby (A)
This series is the king of on and off for me. I want to love it, I really do, but I think that the weekly format really limits it’s potential. With all the writers involved in this story, it’s really hard to make heads or tails of some issues. This issue involves one of my least favorite parts of the story, the happenings underneath Arkham Asylum with the Spectre. Being that these issues jump around so much, it really sucks for pacing.
All New X-Factor #15 (Marvel)
Peter David (W) Carmine Giandomenico (A)
I am actually only getting this for the Tie-In for Axis, that being said, I’ve heard fantastic things about this series. X-Factor, much like previously released iterations, is about a team of superheroes brought together by money, er, corporations. Fantastic concept, not really sure why I passed on this when it came out, probably, ironically, because of not having money.
Axis: Hobgoblin #1 of 3 (Marvel)
Kevin Shinick (W) Javier Rodriguez (A)
Really looking forward to this run. Apparently the original Hobgoblin gets turned into a self help guru, from what I hear. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy then I don’t know what will. It’s written by one of the writers of Robot Chicken and illustrated by the amazing Javier Rodriguez. Very ready for this inversion.
Amazing Spider-Man #8 (Marvel)
Dan Slott (W) Giuseppe Camuncoli (A)
This series has been pretty mediocre recently, but this Edge of Spider-Man is really making the story pick up double-time. The recent team-up with Ms. Marvel, and overall tone with the recent additions of Silk and Marconi, has been very light and positive. I feel with what’s about to come, it will be a great juxtaposition. We are promised MC2’s Spider-Girl Vs. Morlun in this issue, it isn’t looking good for May Parker.
The X-Files: Season 10 #17 (IDW)
Joe Harris (W) Colin Lorimer (A)
Normally I am not a huge fan of comic books that act as the next season of a television show. I broke my own rule to pick up this comic and I’m really glad I did. (Breaking rules is fun, I break my own constantly. Try it in moderation) It captures the feeling of the show perfectly and it makes me go back and watch the show for nostalgia reasons. This is the second issue in a two part arc about a devilish possession. Spooky.
Butterfly #2 (BOOM!)
Arash Amel (W) Antonio Fuso (A)
I originally picked this up because Phil Noto’s cover looked beautiful, as does most of his stuff. I am continuing to read it because it’s a really well done story of conspiracy and espionage. Excited to see where this series goes after a very intense first issue
Dream Merchant #5 of 6 (Image)
Nathan Edmondson (W) Konstantin Novosadov (A)
A crazy cool story that has taken way too long to finish. After a couple months off (after an issue that took nearly 6 months to come out), we finally have the penultimate issue of the sage. Our hero Winslow must fight to save the world from the nightmare creatures as they make their way into our minds. Really cool story, expertly handled pacing. Just wish it would have come out sooner.
Colder: Bad Seed #1 (Dark Horse)
Paul Tobin (W) Juan Ferreyra (A)
This was one of my favorite limited runs from last year and it’s back with a new installment. Following a man named Declan with mysterious powers of the insane, he fights off against Jack Nimble, a man who controlled insanity himself. This time a new villain named Swivel looks to take over where Nimble left off.
Lazarus #12 (Image)
Greg Rucka (W) Michael Lark (A)
An absolutely fantastic piece of social commentary. What happens when not to 1% but the .001% rule the world. A group of five families rule the entirety of the world. In this issue the leaders of every family get together to discuss the imprisonment of the Carlyle families son. Sparks are bound to fly, excellent read, check it out for yourself. If you like strong female leads, this is as strong as they get.
Five Ghosts #13 (Image)
Frank J. Barbiere (W) Chris Mooneyham (A)
I love this series. This issue marks the first in a new arc of this extremely pulpy story about a man with magic crystals called Dream Stone embedded in his body that give him the powers of literary ghosts. The power of a Detective, an Archer, a Samurai, a Vampire and a Wizard give him the skills he needs to search for his lost sister. A fantastically fast paced story that continues to get better. Recently Syfy got the rights to produce a show based on this comic, prepare to see it in yet another medium soon enough.
Memetic #1 of 3 (BOOM!)
James Tynion IV (W) Eryk Donovan (A)
Very high concept here, what if a MEME could change the world. In fact, what if a meme could destroy the world. A three part series that explores the apocalypse by internet picture. It definitely has my curiosity piqued. Also it’s being written by James Tynion IV who has done nothing short of amaze me recently. Definitely my suggested #1 of the week.
Letter 44 #11 (Oni Press)
Charles Soule (W) Alberto Alburquerque (A)
An incredible story that was also picked up my Syfy. There are aliens, our government just found them and have been waging the War of Terrorism to make sure we had an army ready to fight them. Out in space a team of men and women have given their lives to study this alien ship, but they discover that they are building something. That something looks a lot like a giant gun pointing right at earth. A great political thriller as a president weighs the pros and cons of letting his people know the truth, or preparing for a secret war. Love this book!
She-Hulk #9 (Marvel)
Charles Soule (W) Javier Pulido (A)
What’s better than a comic about She-Hulk? What’s better than a comic about She-Hulk defending Captain America in court? What’s better than a comic about She-Hulk defending Captain America in court against Daredevil? A COMIC ABOUT SHE-HULK DEFENDING CAPTAIN AMERICA IN COURT AGAINST DAREDEVIL AS WRITTEN BY AN ACTUAL REAL LIFE LAWYER GUY. Seriously, how Charles Soule manages all these comics and maintain his day job as a lawyer is beyond me. He is a real life super-hero, double-life and all. He is an inspiration to everyone. Read the book, just do it, seriously.
Multiversity: The Just #1 (DC)
Grant Morrison (W) Ben Oliver (A)
Really enjoying this series right now, although I’m not a huge Morrison fan (blasphemy, I know). This series explores the multiverse of the DC universe and I’m a sucker for multidimensional story-telling. In this universe we see the children of our favorite super heroes have become super celebrities with dark an sinister secrets. Sounds awesome, gotta love some celebri-drama, especially of the super-human variety
Secret Avengers #9 (Marvel)
Ales Kot (W) Michael Walsh (A)
I really, really like this comic and I feel like I may be in the minority. I’ve heard rumors that it is in it’s death throws, and it may be canceled soon. Please buy this comic. Don’t make me beg. Awesome cast of characters; Hawkeye, Spider-woman, Black Widow, Maria Hill, Agent Coulson, Nick Fury and MODOK. Yeah, I know that last one is a curveball. We recently found out that MODOK has fallen in love with Hill for her quick and clever mind. A wacky story, with a really dark nougaty center. A real treat! Did I mention the sentient black hole bomb that had a major self discovery at the hands of Spider-woman and gelatto after suffering from a suicidal depression? Yeah, might have left that out.
Avengers #37 (Marvel)
Jonathan Hickman (W) Stefano Caselli (A)
With the Multiverse collapsing, things are looking dire for the universe. Thor and Hyperion have left the universe, unable to return. The hunt for the Illuminati wages on. The pieces are falling together for the end of the world. It’s a good time to get some popcorn and watch the show. It looks like we’ll get a look into the new Shield improved Captain Marvel, really excited for this.
Axis #3 of 9 (Marvel)
Rick Remender (W) Leinil Francis Yu (A)
This event is shaping up to be a real game-changer. I had to actually break my rule of “most anticipated at the bottom” last week because of this series. It’s awesome, funny, and dark. This is the last issue of Act 1, next comes inversion, which brings some serious changes to the Marvel universe. This is what creates the upcoming Superior Iron-Man and the Carnage and Hobgoblin limited series. The world gets turned on it’s head and no one is the same.
Zero #11 (Image)
Ales Kot (W) Ricardo Lopez Ortiz (A)
I LOVE THIS SERIES. It is absolutely brilliant. Every once in a while a series comes on where you beg to get more pieces. Imagine you are in a stark white room with two fluorescent light bulbs pinned to the ceiling, every day at noon (or what you imagine is noon as there are no windows or clocks) someone slides you a piece of a puzzle. At first you aren’t sure what the picture is so you just collect the pieces hoping to get some answers. Then one day you manage to put a couple together and make out a familiar picture, but you don’t know why it is so familiar. Every day you get another piece, but it becomes an obsession, you need to figure this puzzle out. Maybe it holds the key to the reason you are trapped in this increasingly cramped room, maybe it’s just someone toying with you, but you can’t know until the puzzle is finished. That’s what this comic does to you. Excellent pace, crazy awesome action sequences and a question that hangs over it all like a dead body, heavy, ominous, and revolting. TO answer your question, it’s about a super-spy, everything else is classified. A must read.
There ya go, you’ll begin to see a trend as Hickman, Remender, and almost anything Image dominate the bottom of my list. Let me know what you think. Tell me how wrong I am about Morrison, please I want to hear your reasoning. Anyway, happy reading and I’ll catch you guys next week.
