5 Comics To Watch

Avengers #12 (Marvel) – Avengers in the Savage Land.  What else do you need to know?  Jonathan Hickman’s alt Avengers book seems to finally be catching on with readers after a lot of moaning about the cast of characters populating this book.  Last issues casino trip issue, along with the coming on the Infinity Event seems to have finally swayed people into giving this book the credit its due.  It’s the same old story when it comes to Hickman.  They want instant gratification, or want to be able to figure out where the story is going, and that’s just not how he writes…but the payoff in the end with a Hickman book is always well worth the wait…and Avengers looks like no exception.

 

Batman Inc. #11 (D.C.) – Speaking of payoff…we’re getting close to the end of the line for Grant Morrison’s Batman epic, with Talia looking to put the finishing touches on her grand plan to destroy Gotham, and Bruce in the process.  The story has really taken off since that untimely death in issue #8, and I have no doubt that the payoff will be seriously great come issue #13. Just a wild, wild ride!

 

Deadpool #10 (Marvel) – One of the hottest books and characters in comics right now is the Merc with a Mouth, and despite some initial skepticism on my part, I’ve been turned into a believer after reading most of the ‘Dead Presidents’ run, as well as the one-shot issues that followed.  The writing and art have both been top notch…this really feels like a Deadpool book…and I catch myself laughing out loud a couple of times each issue.  The most impressive thing of all, however, is just how many demographics this book hits with.  Teens, girls, boys, collectors, older fans…they all are digging this series.

 

Green Lantern #20 (D.C.) – This is the end. Geoff Johns epic Green Lantern run, along with his Wrath of the First Lantern crossover event comes to an end in this issue.  For fans of Green Lantern, this is a hands down must-own issue.  Hal, Sinestro, The Green Lantern Corps, and everyone this Universe touches will be affected in some way by this issue…and it will lay the foundation by which all Lantern books will be built in the coming months.  HUGE issue!

 

Justice League #20 (D.C.) – The build-up to Trinity War continues…and with Geoff Johns at the helm, you know this one’s going to be good.  The D.C. Event this Summer looks like it’ll be a doozy….and the mysterious Pandora looks like she’ll be right in the middle of things.  I’ve got a real good feeling about this one folks.

 

 

Hidden Gems

Aquaman #20 (D.C.) – Aquaman has been great since issue #1, but the highlight of the series so far has been the stories revolving around his former team The Others.  The team is back in this issue, as Aquaman enlists their help once again, this time to help Arthur find an Atlantean relic before it falls into the wrong hands.  What was once a huge underdog series, is fast becoming one of D.C.’s finest books.  Seriously, Aquaman is all kinds of badass right now!

 

All-Star Western #20 (D.C.) – One of my personal favourite series since the NEW 52 launch, All-Star Western may not be long for this world…so I’m making one last effort to shine a light on one of D.C.’s more unique, and entertaining series.  The continuing adventures of Jonah Hex in the 19^th Century, as well as great back-up stories staring a varied cast of characters, makes this book a joy to read every month.  With the arrival of Booster Gold to the Wild West last month, the fun factor has been turned up another notch…and I hope it’s enough to save this small selling series.  With D.C. canceling a number of underachievers recently, I’m crossing my fingers that All-Star Western continues to hang on, as it’s an important book as it shines a light on the pulpy roots of D.C.’s past.

 

 

Daredevil #26 (Marvel) – It may not be as big or as bold at some of the Marvel NOW! books, but Mark Waid and Chris Samnee continue to pump out great issue after great issue on this series.  Daredevil is literally on the run, and the man with no fear is finally sweating it in a big way with a new rival that looks to be two steps ahead of him at every turn.  Last issue was a fantastic 180 degree turn, and seeing Matt Murdock completely out of his element should make for a great climax to this story.

 

 

 

Also Out This Week

 

D.C. has Batman Dark Knight #20, Arrow #7, Batman Lil Gotham #2, The Flash #20, Justice League Dark #20, Red Lanterns #20, Superman #20, Talon #8 and Teen Titans #20.

 

Marvel has Uncanny X-Men #6 NOW!, A+X #8 NOW!, Fantastic Four #8 NOW!, Scarlet Spider #17, Superior Spider-Man #10 NOW!, X-Men Legacy #11 NOW!, Young Avengers #5 NOW!, Fearless Defenders #4AU NOW!, Uncanny Avengers #8AU NOW!, Journey Into Mystery #652 NOW!, Powers Bureau #4, Ultimate Wolverine #4 and Iron Man #258.3.

There’s also TMNT Villain Micro Series #2, Unwritten #49, Sex #3, Doctor Who #9, Ghostbusters #4, Star Wars Legacy #3, Star Wars Dawn of the Jedi: Prisoner of Bogan #5, Mind Mgmt #11, Massive #12, Nowhere Men #5, Revival #10 and Activity #13.

 

Trade Watch

The standout book this week is Godzilla Half Century War TP.  For fans of Godzilla, or those of you who can’t wait for Pacific Rim this summer, this beautiful TP with incredibly detailed art by James Stokoe is a sight to see, and one of the best Godzilla stories to his comics in a long time.  There’s also the fun team-up series A+X Vol 1 TP, Secret Avengers Vol 2TP, the video game inspired Borderlands Origins TP, Demon Knights Vol 2 TP and Grifter Vol 2 TP.

 – S-1