I never knew that running a blog devoted to Hobbies would involve so many payoffs, so many encounters in underground parking lots with cigarette-smoking gamers, and the occasional run from Johnny Law in the pursuit to bring you as much content as possible as often as I can!  However that is the cloak & dagger life I now lead, and one of the rare treats we are now able to offer begins today, right here and now!  My Insider informant, the mysterious and brilliant S-1, has agreed to read the week’s comic offerings and give us a run down on what is coming out and offering a bit of insider info on each of the titles.  If you aren’t already reading what he suggests, be sure to get caught up before you get left behind! – NB

 

My name is S-1 and this is my rundown of the New Releases of note in the wild and wonderful world of weekly comic books.  From time to time, there may be a title or two that I don’t cover, but for the most part, I’ll do my best to cast as wide a net as possible.  My choices for ‘5 Comics To Watch’ and ‘Hidden Gems’ are books I am either reading myself, books I feel are currently white-hot, or criminally under-appreciated and worthy of your attention and hard earned money.  Feel free to let us at Hobby Hysteria know what books you are reading in the comments section below, and if you agree or disagree with my choices.

 

5 Comics To Watch

Age of Ultron #7 (Marvel) – This series has turned into the Spring Event book that Marvel was hoping for when it launched. People are just eating this one up! Not a fan of Marvel’s shipping schedule in general, but on this book it works. New artist Brandon Peterson take over for the 2nd half, and if the cover is any indication, this series is about to get even better! The stakes are high…if you’re a fan of the Marvel Universe, this is a must-read title!

 

All-New X-Men #11 (Marvel) – One of the most popular, and important titles to come out of the Marvel NOW! initiative, All-New X-Men is the jumpstart the X-Men universe has been looking for for years! Brian Michael Bendis seems to have been creatively re-invigorated on this title…and his character development and dialogue really shine. Plus, it’s a great looking book! Newly announced X-Men: Battle of the Atom event will tie in all X-Men books come September, so jump on now and get ready!

 

Earth 2 #12 (D.C.) – One of my sleeper D.C. books that continues to get better and better as it adds more characters to this ever growing Alternate Universe. Dr. Fate has staked his claim as one of the more powerful heroes in this reality, and the fate is about to hit the fan in a big way with this issue. Great art, and a ‘no idea where it’s headed’ story make this series a fun read every month!

 

Hawkeye #10 (Marvel) – Matt Fraction and David Aja’s Eisner Nominated series continues to stand apart when it comes to hero books with a pop twist. Part Mark Waid’s Daredevil, part ‘day in the life of a hero on his down time’, Hawkeye has shown that it’s not always about kicking bad-guy butt, but the human element of our heroes that makes them so interesting and, ultimately, loveable. Totally deserving of the Eisner for series, writing and art…if you haven’t been reading, I highly recommend picking up the Vol 1 TP and seeing for yourself what all the hype is about.

 

Ten Grand #1 (Image) – Mob enforcer meets girl, falls in love, has one more job, crosses demonology practitioner, girl dies, enforcer mortally wounded, meets angel, makes deal. Sounds interesting doesn’t it?

 

 

Hidden Gems

Green Arrow #20 (D.C.) – This series has been top notch since Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino took it over on issue #17. The fourth issue since the switch has Oliver Queen retreating after facing off with an enemy who’s every bit as good with a bow and arrow as he is…if not better! Lemire is laying the groundwork for a great ongoing story, and the art is worth the cover price alone! Still not too late to jump on this soon-to-be hot series!

 

Snapshot #4 (Image) – The final issue of Andy Diggle and Jock’s cool ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ mini-series hits the shelves, and I for one have no idea how it’ll end. This book has read like a movie, with believable characters put in an unbelievable situation…but done in such a way that there’s just enough action and suspense to keep you turning the pages…to go along with Jock’s awesome black and white art.

 

Also Out This Week

D.C. has Aquaman #19, Action Comics #20, Detective Comics #20, Animal Man #20, Swamp Thing #20, Worlds Finest #12, Ame Comi Girls #3, Legends of the Dark Knight #8, Phantom Stranger #8, Dial H #12 and The Movement #1.

Marvel has Indestructible Hulk #7 NOW!, Iron Man #9 NOW!, Thanos Rising #2 NOW!, X-Men Legacy #10 NOW!, Red She-Hulk #65 NOW!, Superior Spider-Man #9, Winter Soldier #18, X-Factor #255 and Ultimate X-Men #26.

There’s also Spawn #231 and, Fairest #15.

 

Trade Watch

There’s lots on offer this week with Action Comics Vol 2 HC, Superman: Earth One Vol 1 TP, Cable and X-Force Vol 1 TP, Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Vol 2 HC, Transformers Regeneration One Vol 2 TP and Kick Ass Vol 1 HC.

– S-1

 

So that’s the low-down from the inside for this week, stay tuned each and every week as S-1 sneaks a peak at what the industry has for us to read on newsstands and Comic Shops this Wednesday.  Be kind and leave our insider your thoughts, comments, heck even recommendations below and let’s have a conversation about what’s good to read in comics. – NB