The first pull list of the new year and it starts with gusto. Some of my favorite comics of last year are making an appearance this week. Open your wallets and give tribute to the Picture-book Gods. It’s time again for Top of the Stack!
Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier #3 (Marvel)
Ales Kot (W) Marco Rudy (A)
I am really sad to say that this comic is at the top of the pile this week. I really want to like this series, but it has yet to bring anything memorable to the series, besides the wonderful art. I expect more from theses series before the end of the arc, but for now, it stays here.
Hulk #10 (Marvel)
Gerry Duggan (W) Mark Bagley (A)
This series is very fun, and I love the idea of Doc Green, despite his character taking a while to meld with the rest of the Marvel universe’s comics. That being said, this arc feels a little like a tease. I mean we get to see gamma powered monsters fight, but I feel that the effects are going to be immediately redacted from continuity. Either way, very fun comic.
Spider-Man 2099 #7 (Marvel)
Peter David (W) Will Sliney (A)
This issue we get two of the coolest Spider-People out there, playing doctor as they try to literally take their enemy apart and see what makes them tick. Interested in the repercussions of this in Spider-verse.
Batman Eternal #40 (DC)
Ray Fawkes (W) Davide Furno & Pablo Armitano (A)
After the last issue, I take anything bad I said about Ray Fawkes back. I’m pretty sure I already did that but I double mean it this time. I am really excited to see how Batman faces the challenge that The Riddler has confronted him with.
Birthright #4 (Image)
Joshua Williamson (W) Andrei Bressan (A)
I am really intrigued by this comic. It has a ton of potential, but in the very first issue, it seems that all the cards are on the table. It’s no longer, what’s going to happen, but how is it going to happen. While this can still be a greatly effective storytelling device, I can’t help but feel that we don’t have the whole story.
Ant-Man #1 (Marvel)
Nick Spencer (W) Ramon Rosanas (A)
I love the character of Scott Lang, such a beat-up low-down superhero who wants nothing more than to curl up and fall asleep. Well, when he doesn’t feel like kicking ass and taking revenge. With the movie coming out, things are looking up for Scott. Also, something special happened recently that will change his life forever. So, the question is, how do you knock a man on top of the world down a few pegs?
Amazing Spider-Man #12 (Marvel)
Dan Slott (W) Giuseppe Camuncoli (A)
This is advertised as “THE FIRST HUGE BATTLE”, which means crazy things are about to go down in the world of the Spiders. With the death of their only safe haven, the multiverse is against them and their numbers are dwindling. Very excited about this one.
The Punisher #14 (Marvel)
Nathan Edmondson (W) Mitch Gerads (A)
It seems that the confrontation of The Howling Commandos and The Punisher is imminent and Frank Castle is one pissed-off mother shut your mouth. He isn’t letting them toy with him any longer and he is done hiding in the shadows. This is going to be pretty freaking awesome.
Hawkeye Vs. Deadpool #4 of 4 (Marvel)
Gerry Duggan (W) Matteo Lolli (A)
Really like this series. Fully realized and absolutely fantastically captured. Truly a merging of two comic worlds and done expertly. I can’t recommend this comic enough, seriously, pick this comic up. It’s worth your time, I’m sad to see it go.
Men of Wrath #4 of 5 (Icon)
Jason Aaron (W) Ron Garney (A)
This is a fantastic comic. I mean it still as the ending to wrap everything up, but all and all, this is going to be a solid series. I can feel it in my bones. It’s dark, gritty, and full of horrible people. Sounds like a community college I went to once. Take that as you will.
Miracleman #14 (Marvel)
Alan Moore (W) John Totleben (A)
This series is really just fantastic. The analysis of such a goodly character is really something to be applauded. It’s just a great analysis of the genre as a whole. My only concern is with the direction on the series once the Moore saga is over. What will become of All-New Miracleman? If the annual has anything to say, it will be very interesting.
Swamp Thing #38 (DC)
Charles Soule (W) Jesus Saiz (A)
Really, really sad that this is ending with issue 40. I mean come on, this is one of my favorite characters of all time. Why are you doing this to me DC? I’m not even reading a whole lot of your series’, let me have this one. Either way, read this while it’s still around.
Nailbiter #9 (Image)
Joshua Williamson (W) Mike Henderson (A)
This series is all around fun. With Brian Michael Bendis guest starring, to an ever growing cast of serial killers, all wrapped in a crazy murderer creating city. This one just keeps getting better. I can’t wait for the next issue.
The Fade Out #4 (Image)
Ed Brubaker (W) Sean Phillips (A)
I LOVE THIS SERIES. Absolutely brilliant story telling. But I expect nothing less from this team. I mean seriously if you haven’t picked this one up, you are wasting your pennies. Go get it, read it, then tell me I’m right as you fall madly in love with ink on paper.
Ody-C #2 (Image)
Matt Fraction (W) Christian Ward (A)
This is a fantastically told adaptation, at least, from what I’ve gathered from the first issue. I love the insane story of The Odyssey, and this manages to bring one of the most vibrant pallets of color, space aliens, warrior women, and general world building to this story. Matt Fraction has worked very hard on this and it is evident with every painstakingly gorgeous stroke of Ward’s pen.
The Woods #9 (Boom!)
James Tynion IV(W) Michael Dialynas (A)
This series is what happens if you gave John Hughes the script to Avatar and let him do whatever he wanted in rewrites. Okay, maybe that doesn’t give Hughes’ or the team at The Woods enough credit, but you get the idea. High schoolers combat the obstacles of corrupt gym teachers, burgeoning sexuality, and space bears. My kinda book.
Trees #8 (Image)
Warren Ellis (W) Jason Howard (A)
This is one of the best pieces of socio-political commentary I have ever read. It keeps getting better as we explore the world more and more and really learn what it is that these alien plants have done to our own ecosystem both in a worldy sense, and a political economical sense. Fantastic read for anyone looking for more to their weekly reading.
Deadly Class #10 (Image)
Rick Remender (W) Wesley Craig (A)
I can’t get enough of this comic. I really can’t. Not enough can be said about how fast paced, fun, and smart this comic is. This is one of the many reasons Remender is on of my favorites in the game right now. He brings together such a simple high-concept, and makes it his own, injecting it with bits of his own life and the pure unadulterated musical mayhem that was the late eighties. Very in touch with the era, this story is jaw dropping.
Well, there you go. A bunch of titles that I am more than enthusiastic about. Seriously, treat yourself to a late Christmas present this year and catch up on any of the titles in this series. You’ve earned it. Seriously, I saw what you did with that new guy at work. That was really kind of you, seriously. Go buy yourself something nice.
