Ten Comics You Should be Reading, If You're Not Doing So

Hello People of the Internets! 

Johnny Worthless coming at you with some goodies, some old some new, but they're all tasty treats.  If you are already reading any of these books, way to go, if not give one or two a try, you won't be disappointed.  Unless you want lots of puppies and kittens, there isn't really anything for you here...


 Let's begin. 

First we have Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead.  I came to this book through the TV show (like many others) I'd known of it before, but hadn't ever read a full issue.  Two words... Zombie Apocalypse.  Check out this book, it's a No-Brainer!  (Ha! Zombie Jokes)  Also a heads up (Ha!), this one is not for kids. As in the book consists of a lot of violence, gore, and profanity.  I haven't ever heard or seen a "colored" version of this book.  It's black and white which adds to the 'outsider' feel of the series.  Recently Kirkman and crew reached 100 issues, this is the longest running series on the list but don't let that discourage you.  And although it shares many things with it's TV counterpart they definitely have there differences.  The volumes of past issues are put together very well and you can get your hands on these trades very easily.

 For Fans Of:  AMC's Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman, Zombies, Decapitations

Next we have from BOOM! Studios, Valen the Outcast (which was originally titled 'Outcast', but I'm guessing Big Boi and Andre 3000 weren't fans).  My main love for this book comes from my recent lack of roleplaying.  It completely reminds me of adventures my buddies would run back in the day.  (mainly Mikee D)  The premise here is a king gets turned into an 'Undead Abomanation' and he's now trying to get revenge and reclaim all he has lost.  Along for the ride are a drunk and a hot chic, what's there not to love?  Sometimes hokey, always fun, this is a solid book.  So, I just found out this book will be ending with issue 8.  That sucks, but you still can get the issues from your local, just ask for a special order.  From what I gather there might be another book coming out with the same characters or at least in the same world... We shall see. 

For Fans Of:  Sword and Sorcery, Conanary, Throw'n Dice in White-Shoes' Basement with Mikee D

 Marvel Comics makes it debut on the list with Scarlet Spider.  Just saying the name out loud makes him edgier then ole' Petey Parker.  I'm really busy, I wanted to add this to my comic pull way before it came out, it never happened.  Starring Kaine (if you don't know him look him up, short version is he's a clone) under the Spider-Specs.  As the tag line says..."All the Power, None of the Responsibility"  Everyone I asked about this book only had good things to say.  It takes place in Houston.  Christopher Yost is on writing duties so far, he's got chops.  At the shop the other day I was told referring to  Scarlet Spider, "he's a boss".  I thought that summed up this book nicely. 

For Fans Of:  Kaine, Alliteration, Boss-like Activities, Christopher Yost

DC's Aquaman has been great from the word go.  (More like the start of the new 52)  From 'The Trench' through 'The Others' Geoff Johns is killing it.  This is one of the New 52 books that has really brought the goods with each issue.  (overall)  Still think Aquaman is worthless?  Issue one will change your mind about that.  Ivan Reis has been doing a bang-up job on his art duties.  With #12 and it's #0 issues coming out soon now is a good time to board the HMS Aquaman.  Or Aquaman DSV?  Whichever you prefer. 

For Fans Of:  Fishsticks, Atlantis, Oceans, Geoff Johns, Tridents

From IDW, Star Trek (Ongoing)  This book has been a home run from the start.  Well, the art was a little "off" in the beginning.  Though it never impeded the story.  This book follows the exploits of the Enterprise crew from the J. J. Abrams film universe.  The premise is to take that crew and put them in situations that originally happened to the OG crew from the 60's TV show.  (pretty awesome if you ask me)  There are also there own stories being told, and at the moment the series is taking place between the first film and the sequel which is set to premiere May 17, 2013.  So if you want to see what the crew has been up to between the films here it is.  Top Notch. 

For Fans Of:  New Star Trek Film, Old Fashioned Fun Science Fiction, Zoe Saldana

This book is so good you should be buying two copies at a time, Saga from Image.  Brought to you by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples.  Definitely not for kids.  I'm a huge fan of the look of this book.  Great panel work.  The art isn't always perfect (it's hits and misses) although this adds to the allure of it all.  This  series has a lot of heart and is quite charming at times.  I completely teared up in a room full of people at the end of issue 1.  (I have kids)  If you have never heard about this book, think Whacked-Out Star Wars.  (Kinda, I don't want to put this one in a box...)  It reminds me of so many things, but it is wholly it's own beast.  BKV (as he's known on the streets) writes an awesome "letter column" at the end of each issue.  I lost track of how many times I laughed out loud while reading.  ( I read issues one through four back to back)  To tell you the truth, if I had to pick one of these there ten books to read I'd be pick'n this'n.  (pardner)  Fiona Staples covers are all painted and wicked sweet, I had to put up two because I could decide between them.  Highest recommendation for this book.  I just want to know where I can sign up for the Saga Fan Club. 

For Fans Of:  Robot Sex?, Lying Cats, Space Operas

Also from Image, written by Ed "Everything Marvel" Brubaker and art by Sean Phillips, Fatale.  First off this book is not for kids, Second it's great.  This book reads like an old paperback you can't put down.  Hard Boiled, a bit convoluted (at the beginning) and many layered (but layered well).  Brubaker's writing is stellar so far on this book.  Dave Stewart's colors are great.  Talk about setting moods.  He is a modern day master.  Fantastic read, I want more.  See the FFO below to see if this one's for you.  I've said too much already. 

For Fans Of:  The Occult, Detective Novels, NOIR, Dames

Haunt, named for it's title character, was brought to my attention due to Greg Capullo's work on it.   I hadn't known of him until he started on Batman (I later realized I had seen his work on some Spawn-like titles back-in -the-day)  Yet another Image comic on the list, this series has been ongoing since '09.  Originally created by Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman (from issue 19 on it is the new team of Joe Casey and Nathan Fox).  The premise here is two brothers that were at odds with each other "come together" to solve a murder.  ( I'm being vague on purpose)  This book is sometimes a little over the top, but has constantly been a good read.  It's a roller coaster ride. 

For Fans Of:  Monsters, Spawn, ACTION!

Everyone keeps telling me to read this next book, Chew.  The problem was no one would tell me what it was about.  If you don't want to know, stop reading now.  I'm going to tell you.  Chew is written by John Layman (who will be writing Detective starting next month) I know him from Thundercats: Enemy's Pride and Dogs of War.  Both of which I thoroughly enjoyed.  I don't really know Rob Guillory except from his work on this book.  Tony Chu is the main character he is a Cibopathic, which means that when he eats something, live or dead, he gets a psychic impression, WOW.  ( It's magical )  Everyone I know that is reading this book adores it.  My favorite thing I've heard was, "The best thing ever with a killer cyborg chicken!"  I still haven't read an entire issue, but I promise I will one of these days. 


For Fans Of:  Jokes, Weirdness, Chicken

The final book on the list Thief of Thieves.  This is the third book here from fan fave Robert Kirkman.  I was asked a couple of months ago about this one, I told my friend I'd heard good things and I'd look into it for him.  The interior art is better then the covers, not that the covers are bad, the interiors are just way better.  This book completely reads like a TV show or a Hollywood Blockbuster.  The whole package is very 'slick'.  Kirkman's got another winner here, he has 'story' credits, think of him as a Producer on this book.  It reminds me of shows like Prisonbreak, but more intelligent.  Definitely worth checking out.  Well Papoose, there you have it. 

For Fans Of:  Theft, Cop-Dramas, Heist Films, Things that look cool

Sidebar:  'Face Off' on the SyFy channel is an awesome show, check it out. 

Anyways, give a chance to something new... you can be the first of your friends to read one of these books, enjoy. 

Thanks for Reading and Thanks for Stopping by...

Comic Reviews - July 18th & 25th

Welcome to another installment of my reviews. Lets Go!

Also don't forget to buy your books here!

Captain America #15 - $3.99 - Digital Copy - T

A great story written by Ed Brubaker who has Captain America protecting New York from an attack.  We find out it is an elaborate plan by the Hydra Queen to turn the public against Captain America when they clone a TV news talking head and have him twist everything that Cap has done. There is also a power struggle among the supervillians, which I hope leads to a plot device in a later issue. At the end of the issue Cap faces fighting the Discordians. This issue deals much more then a physical attack on Cap but a psychological one by attacking him publicly to turn the people he fights for, against him.  The art by Scot Eaton is solid. It is good at telling the story and good at illustrating the action. I just would like to see a little more flare/personal touch in the art.


Story - 4/5
Art - 3/5

Amazing Spider-Man #690 - $3.99 -  Digital Copy - T

"No Turning Back" continues...into nothing. This issue was meh at best. Morbius was caught by Spidey.  Connors makes everyone into Lizards and isn't sure he wants to be turned back.  The best part about this story by Dan Slott was when Connors has to keep cutting off his arm because the serum finally worked and he had to keep up his crippled appearance. This issue can be skipped, unless you were a fan of the art before.


Story - 2/5
Art - 3/5

AVX #8 - $3.99 - Digital Copy - T+

Round 8: This has been booooring. Seriously all that happens is the Avengers get Hope to K'un Lun.  They defeat Namor with a joint effort and Scarlet Witch.  Namor losses his powers after he "falls" (lame) and they get transferred to the Phoenix four.  Scott won't listen to Professor X. End.  My theory is Scott or Emma get all the power and it goes straight to their head. The story was written by Bendis and the art was by Adam Kubert, but this is one of the worst outings I have seen by him.  The style isn't consistent the mechanics just aren't all there.  In one panel you can see the out line of Captain America that looks like it was forgotten to be erased then inked.  This is one big let down.


Story - 2/5
Art - 2/5

Deadpool #58 - $2.99 - Parental Advisory

The most entertaining book this week, not because it avant guarde but because it knows what it is, and thats where I take it from. It is a slap stick tongue in cheek book. The writer Daniel Way, doesn't try to make any high concepts from it. Deadpool doesn't have powers, so villains are trying to kill him.  Its a quick read but it has great art work by Salva Espin that matches with the wackiness perfectly. The best part of the story involves an explosive toilet and an anti-ballistic shower curtain. If you wan't some great immature fun, read this.


Story - 4/5
Art - 4/5 

Saga #5 - $2.99 - Not Rated

If you aren't reading this, why aren't you? The story written by Brian K Vaughan. Right at the start Robot IV finds out he will be a father.  Mean while Marko saves Alana and Hazel from IV's men where he breaks his rule not to hurt anyone. The Will saves the 6 year old from Sextillion but gets taken back. While there a contact calls The Will and explains she is on the trail of Marko and Alana. His contact, Stealth, is then shot by Robot IV in a haunting final page. This is a great twist to the beginning of this series. The art by Fiona Staples is good for the story it has it's own style and never deviates from it. The splash pages are great and can illustrate some good action. I can't wait to see the repercussions of the final page.


Story - 4/5
Art - 3/5

Green Lantern #11 - $2.99 - T

This series I enjoyed before the reboot, and this issue is more of the same from Geoff Johns.  This issue was a stepping stone into revealing the New 52 Green Lantern mythos.  Indigos made a strong construct ring for Hal Jordan, so he can use it on Sinestro. Foreshadowing?  While they were preoccupied, Black hand escaped and resurrects his family and in a great scene of him sitting around a table with zombies.  While retrieving the Book of the Black, they open it reveling some characters and are transported to the Black Hand and his family. TBC! The art was done by Doug Mahnke who has always had great art style that demonstrates a consistent art style through most of DC. It's great but just lacks a definitive uniqueness that other artists have today.


Story - 4/5
Art - 3/5

Ramblings:

One thing that i noticed about the DC New 52, is that it was suppose to be a place for the casual fan/new fan to pick up and understand whats going on. We are almost a year on and I feel like I am going to look up characters and have to refer to previous issues or Wikipedia.


Let me know what you guys think of the titles I reviewed!

Previews August 2012

Hello everyone, 


Just was flipping through the latest copy of Previews that is available at 1up Collectibles this past Wednesday.


For those of the unaware of what Previews is, it is a monthly Magazine oh what is going to be available in the near future.  It is usually a look at 3 months into the future, so don't expect to see any of the products in the store right away.(common misconception)  Anything that is in the magazine is available for pre-order through the order form located in the book. You must then take the form to 1up where they will place the order for you and then you are guaranteed the item unless it is canceled. In that case any money deposited towards it can be transferred or refunded.


So now that the long drawn out explanation is out of the way lets get to the goods.

Marvel

A+X # 1 - $3.99 - Digital Copy Included - T

So this is part of the Marvel Now series and it looks like will include some pretty writers Like Jeff Loeb and Warren Ellis.  The series is going to entail two stories per issue, with team-ups featuring members of the X-Men and Avengers. This looks like it might be another way for writers to tell funny one-off stories.  The thing that caught me eye about the art work was DOOP! I am hoping for a Doop / Spider-Man team up. So this should just be a fun guilty pleasure for most.

Thanos: Son of Titan # 1 (of 5) - $2.99 - T+

This looks like it will be giving more history to Thanos, everyones favorite cameo from the Avengers. From the bullet points it sounds like it will tie into the Marvel Movie universe or maybe it will more likely be able to wet peoples appetite while answering, who is Thanos? Series is going to be written by Joe Keatinge of Glory and Hell Yeah comics, so if you like those stories check out his first work for Marvel.

According to IGN this series was canceled

Punisher: War Zone #1 (of 5)

This is a series written by current Punisher writer Greg Rucka, who is writing a pretty well consistently.  It looks like it will be everyones favorite Anti-Hero vs the Avengers. And no it has nothing to do with the last movie. I wonder if this has t do with the End of an Era (see below) story arch.

Dexter #1 (of 5)

This is a limited series based on forensic scientist, Dexter Morgan, who is also a vigilante serieal killer. Written by the New York Times Best Selling author Jeff Lindsay (Dexter book series.) This looks like all new material of Dexter at his High School Reunion. Sounds like it should be fun if your a fan of the series or the macabre.

FINAL ISSUE WARNING!!!

These issues are listed as their last issues under the heading of End of An Era. There are special Variants being offered for all final issues except for New Mutants, if that's you kind of thing. Curious to see why this is happening.

Incredible Hulk #15
Uncanny X-Men #20X-Men Legacy #275
Captain America #19
Mighty Thor #22
Invincible Iron Man #527
Fantastic Four #611
FF #23
New Mutants #50
You have been warned.

Quick Shots!

Marvel Universe Vs. The Avengers #1 (of 4)

Minimum Carnage: Alpha #1 

Red She-Hulk #58

Daredevil: End of Days #1 (of 8)

SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE VARIENT COVERS

While flipping through Marvel Previews, I saw this pink page which made me stop to read it. Marvel Entrainment is going Pink this October in a month long campaign to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This is during breast cancer awareness month and select titles will come with variant Pink covers to purches. Each cover will have special redesigned costumes and all issues this month will feature special 1 page inserts to inform readers about breast cancer. For more info please visit Komen.org

DC

DC Universe Presents #13 - $2.99 - T

This is the first New 52 introduction of Black Lightning and Blue Devil and they are teaming up.  Written by Marc Andreyko (Manhunter) this should be an interesting story arch just because its two C maybe even D list characters for DC and with the reboot there should be nothing held back.

Action Comics #13 - $3.99 - T

Grant Morrison is bringing Krypto back, but not without a major change to Action Comics. I can't wait to see what happens, but hopefully nothing to the Kryptonian pooch.  The art is going to be by Travel Foreman (Animal Man.)

Batman #13 - $3.99 - T

The Joker is back in a story arch entitled "Death of the Family."  Written by perennial home run hitter Scott Snyder, this is the first time since before the reboot that the Snyder has gotten to use such a demented character, so this should be brutal and delightful. Come for the Joker, stay for the anarchy!

Detective Comics #13 - $3.99 - T

This is something I have been looking forward to, the issue where John Layman takes over!  Layman is best known for his creation Chew, if you haven't heard of it go pick up the first trade for $10. Why are you still here? Go! ... Okay now that your back this new story has Emperor Penguin and guest stars Nightwing.

Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating The DC Universe Omnibus HC - $75.00

The series is back in print! I know this maybe a lot of money for some people but if you enjoyed it the first time around but didn't have all of them here is your chance to buy them all in one shot.  Its a set of stories from 2001 that what if Stan Lee made the DC characters. So Batman may resemble Man Bat and Green Lantern would look more like Dr. Manhattan. Its in interesting concept written and illustrated by some of DC's top talent.

Quick Shots!

Green Lantern #13

Flash #13

Animal Man #13

Joe Kubert Presents #1

INDY's (Independents)

IDW

Gil Kane's Amazing Spider-Man Artist's Edition - TBD

This is an artist's edition, that means these are the comic art pages from the comics with no color. It's inks and texts. It is as close to the original art as possible. The book is the size of the art panels 12" x 17" so its a nice piece for an art aficionado.  This encompasses art from issues 96 - 102 & 121, which includes the non Comics Code approved issue and the six armed Spidey. Others were around the $125 price range so look for this to be no exception.

IMAGE

Bedlam #1 - $3.50 - Mature

This is by Nick Spencer (Morning Glories) about a homicidal maniac who used to terrorize the town of Bedlam, but now is better. Now this is what happens next. My assumption is either its going to be a reason to show chaos and carnage or its going to be a decent psychologic character study. 

The Walking Dead #103

Another issue into the tale of the survivors and Rick Grimes. The description was a little lack lust and made it sound like its just trudging along. Hopefully its because they don;t want to ruin the story.

The Walking Dead: Michonne Special

If you have been watching the TV show and wondered who the lady is with the two zombies on chains well this is her and her story. This features a reprint of issue #19 and whats was originally published in Playboy about her backstory. So if you like me and don't buy smut or download comics illegally then pick this up. This should be out around the time of the show so buy it to show all your friends, who watch the show and don't read comics, where she came from.

Saga Vol. 1 TPB

If you haven't read Saga yet or couldn't find the issues because you were late to the party then pick this up. The story of saga has been described as Lord of the Rings meets Star Wars. It is written by Brian K Vaughan( Lost, Y the Last Man, Ex Machina) and drawn by Fiona Staples whose artwork is pretty phenomenal.

Quick Shots

The Walking Dead Compendium Vol. 2 TP - IMAGE (Finally!!!)

Happy #2(of 4) - IMAGE (Grant Morrison)

Ex Sanguine #1 - Dark Horse (Tim Seeley)
Ghost #1

Action Figures

Justice League New 52 7-Pack - DC Direct - $99.99

This box set is going to include Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Cyborg, and Flash. 10% of the every set bought goes to Save the Children International to help feed kids in need all around the world.

Statues

Batman Black and White: Batman Beyond - DC Direct - $79.99

This is one I know fans have been waiting for so its good to see it finally being made. It will be about 8" x 4.5" x 4.5" and designed byDustin Nguyen.

Deadpool Mini-Bust - Gentle Giant - $89.00

This statue features the Merc with a Mouth with gun drawn. The bust is 1/6th scale so it should be about 6 - 8" tall.

Hawkeye Mini-Bust - Gentle Giant - $89.00

This bust feature Clint Barton with arrow at the ready. This bust is also 1/6th scale as well so it should be around 6-8" tall.

Batman: Arkham City - Batarang Full Size Replica - TriForce - TBD

This is a full size scale replica of Batman's forearm and hand holding a batarang. This is from one of the best selling comic video games of all time.  It will be 22" in height and 20 pounds heavy with full working LEDs on the base. The batarang itself is fully detachable. only 750 are going to be produced. This could very well fetch a $300-400 $750 price tag. Shipping December 2012.