5 Comics To Watch
Batman #20 (D.C.) – 19 issues in, and Batman continues to be one of the most popular books on the shelves…selling on average 150,000 copies a month. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have crafted a dark, intricate, slightly twisted series that has Bruce facing demons and enemies (Court of Owls, The Joker) that are taking him to his limit. Now, with the upcoming ‘Zero Year’ on the horizon, Batman faces off with one of my all-time favourite villains, Clayface. I can’t wait to see how the shapeshifter tests The Dark Knight!
Batman # 20
Justice League of America #3 (D.C.) – Geoff Johns is known for taking D.C. characters nobody thinks can be cool (Green Lantern, Aquaman) and almost effortlessly turns them into fan favourites overnight. The fact that he’s now got his hands on an entire team of characters that nobody thinks can work together…I think you know where this is going. The first two issues were classic Johns…with Hawkman and Martian Manhunter really standing out. Don’t delay…get on this book ASAP!
JLA # 3
Thor: God of Thunder #8 (Marvel) – Probably my favourite Marvel NOW! series, Thor: God of Thunder is just plain awesome. The story of 3 Thor’s from different eras teaming up to stop a completely obsessed Gorr The God Butcher is not supposed to work…but it does! This latest arc, titled ‘Godbomb’ has Gorr building just that…a giant bomb which is set to destroy every single God in the entire Universe. Don’t think that’s possible? You haven’t been reading, have you? Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic bring the goods each and every issue!
Thor: God of Thunder # 8
Uncanny Avengers #8 (Marvel) – Another winner in a long line of winners for the Marvel NOW! line, Rick Remender has created a big, fun, colourful comic book staring a huge cast of the who’s who of Marvel’s two superteams…the X-Men and the Avengers! Throw in great villains and a totally out there premise (who’s brain is missing?!?!) and you’ve got one of the most popular books on the shelf!
Uncanny Avengers # 8
Walking Dead #110 (Image) – Speaking of popular. This series continues to gather momentum, with a hit TV show, and things continuing to look worse than bleak for our ‘survivors’ in the comic. Death, horror, tragedy, evil warlords…and plenty of flesh eating zombies…but the worst thing facing the cast of this series is often staring back at them in the mirror. Brilliant, brutal stuff month after month!
The Walking Dead # 110
Hidden Gems
Deadpool #9 (Marvel) – The Merc with a Mouth doesn’t get a ton of respect when it comes to hardened comic book fans…but the truth is, he’s one of the most popular characters in comics with all ages and types of fans…especially the younger generation and female fans. His current series is unlike pretty much anything on the shelves…with comedy galore, to go along with great action and Deadpool being Deadpool. He may never reach the level of a Wolverine of Spider-Man…but Wade Wilson’s days of being a character stuck in the corner look to be over!
Deadpool # 9
Star Wars #5 (Dark Horse) – Like a lot of books that make my Hidden Gem portion of TWNC!, Star Wars by Brian Wood is hardly an underdog at this point. It’s consistently sold in the top 100 comics, which is something for a Dark Horse book…and the fact that it stars the cast of the original Star Wars film and is being written as a direct sequel to that film makes it both exciting and familiar at the same time. Throw in X-Wing vs. Tie Fighter dog fights, Leia as a budding badass, and Han and Chewie getting themselves into trouble (of course!) and you’ve got one hot book!
Star Wars # 5
Also Out This Week
D.C. also has Batman and Red Hood #20, Deathstroke #20, Demon Knights #20, Green Lantern Corps #20, Katana #4, Suicide Squad #20, Superboy #20, Constantine #3, Team 7 #8, and Ravagers #12
Marvel has Avengers #11 NOW!, Avengers Arena #9 NOW!, Fearless Defenders #4 NOW!, Secret Avengers #4 NOW!, Wolverine #3 NOW!, Uncanny X-Force #4 NOW!, Avenging Spider-Man #20, Castle #5, and Ultimates #24.
There’s also Star Trek #20, Buffy Season 9 #21 and Chin Music #1.
Trade Watch
The standout this week is the Thief of Thieves Vol 2 TP, an Image series by Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead) about a highly successful thief who quits the business and begins a new life stealing from other thieves to attempt to make up for his past sins. Of course, this only causes more problems for him. There’s also Batman Inc. Vol 1 HC, Avengers Areana NOW! Vol 1 TP and Thunderbolts NOW! Vol 1 TP.