This week is pretty small in comparison to some of the recent weeks we’ve been having. Not that that means anything to most people, being that this is still a big week. Either way, hunker down and get ready to ingest the volatile concoction that is Top of the Stack.
Spider-Woman #4 (Marvel)
Dennis Hopeless (W) Greg Land (A)
One of the two series currently on my chopping block. It has done something that I typically don’t enjoy and that is starting a series tied into an event. The first few issues are where a writer figures out exactly how the comic is going to function, when held back by events, it is very hard to solidify your character and their role in the universe. That being said, this issue marks the last in the Spider-Verse saga.
Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier #5 (Marvel)
Ales Kot (W) Marco Rudy (A)
The second series on my chopping block. While this one doesn’t suffer from the ailment that the last one does, I still have yet to become interested in this story. In fact the last issue may have been it’s saving grace so far. It has a very strong story about a Bucky from the future that really made it worth reading.
Batman Eternal #45 (DC)
Ray Fawkes (W) Javi Fernandez (A)
The last issue ended on a bit of a whimper for this story. I am not a huge fan of the arcane aspects of this comic, they seem really devout on bringing them into play. Primarily when Ray Fawkes writes it. He had some solid issues when it stepped away from the magic and sorts, but now it’s back and it feels stilted again. Meh.
Divinity #1 of 4 (Valiant)
Matt Kindt (W) Trevor Hairsine (A)
Very interesting concept and with Valiant’s recent track record, I am willing to put time and effort into almost any new series from them. What is beyond all known existence? Well, a cosmonaut is about to teach us just that.
Rai #7 (Valiant)
Matt Kindt (W) Clayton Crain (A)
Really solid world building in this series and I cannot wait for this next arc. It’s been a beautiful, intense, and Orwellian journey so far and I can only imagine things getting more heated as we journey further down the rabbit hole.
Five Ghosts #15 (Image)
Frank J. Barbiere (W) Chris Mooneyham (A)
This series took a two month hiatus at the worst possible time. I mean come on, right in the middle of an arc? That wasn’t a great decision, but despite that, I am really excited for this next issue. Our titular character has just made a deal with a personal devil. Don’t look too much into that statement.
Justice League United #9 (DC)
Jeff Lemire (W) Neil Edwards (A)
Now before I say anything, let me state that I enjoy this series a lot. I mean it’s fast, funny, futuristic, and funtastic (okay I was reaching for a final f-word). That being said, for a Lemire story, it feels a bit dry. The characters, besides Green Arrow and Animal Man, all seem pretty bland in their characterization at times. With all the energy going into explaining this incredible event, I feel Lemire’s quality characterization is being lost in the fray. That makes me a sad panda.
Amazing Spider-Man #14 (Marvel)
Dan Slott (W) Olivier Coipel (A)
The finale to the Spider-Verse saga, and can I say I’m really sad to see it go? I mean I was digging the series, but it was starting to lose that pretty sheen coming off of Superior Spider-Man and this series brought that excitement back. I hope this series doesn’t teeter off again.
Astro City #20 (Vertigo)
Kurt Busiek (W) Brent Eric Anderson (A)
I’m really excited that this series has been getting back to the kinds of stories that I loved from the first series. This next issue continues the story of Quarrel, the archtype of a hero who picked up the mantle of a villain and used it for good. Her relationship to Crackerjack, who is a cocky superhero who everyone hates, is brilliant and makes this arc really stand out to me.
Wild’s End #6 of 6 (BOOM!)
Dan Abnett (W) I.N.J. Culbard (A)
It is ending and I am sad. My wallet is happy, but I weep. Brilliant story that I can almost guarantee will leave me wanting more. Every issue is beautiful and built with beautifully molded characters. This is definitely a trade worth picking up when it comes out for all those who missed it.
Thor #5 (Marvel)
Jason Aaron (W) Jorge Molina (A)
Odinson approved. After the last issue we understand why this series is called Thor, why our female lead is Thor and not Lady Thor, or Thorita, or Thoress. She is Thor. With the arc coming to a close, I am truly excited to see where this series goes. Brilliant.
Guardians of the Galaxy #24 (Marvel)
Brian Michael Bendis (W) Valerio Schiti (A)
That last issue was awesome. It cleared up a lot of unknown info about the symboites and also left our Agent Venom with a brand new, badass costume/armor. I am interested to see what this new relationship with the alien race, once thought to be evil, will bring for our ragtag group of space bandits. Also I am skipping Black Vortex, because it isn’t fair to us as consumers to have to pick up eight extra issues to really understand what is going on in the series. Not fair, Marvel.
Southern Bastards #7 (Image)
Jason Aaron (W) Jason Latour (A)
I love this series. It is dark, gritty, and no holds barred. Focusing now on the antagonist from the first arc, I can’t wait to see into what makes Boss tick. This series looks gorgeous while painting a phenomenal picture of southern noir. Definitely a must read for anyone trying to get into comics, loves the south, hates the south, or just wants to get into Jason Aaron.
