(S-1 emerges from the hazy, darkened doorway, smoking gun in hand, and exhales slowly as he hands me a brown manila envelope. He glances briefly over his shoulder, nods at me silently, and then backs away, all but disappearing into the shadowy world he inhabits.)
5 Comics to Watch
Age of Ultron #9 (Marvel) – We’re getting close to the grand finale of this Marvel Event, as time travelling heroes and the chaos that they’ve created all looks ripe to come to a head. We’ve been told the events of AoU will have a lasting effect on the Marvel Universe…and my gut tells me for one they aren’t lying. While maybe not the blockbuster it was looking like it might be early on, this event has been very solid throughout, and could still end up near the top of ‘best event’ lists when it’s all said and done.
Age of Ultron #9
All New X-Men #12 (Marvel) – One of the hottest of the Marvel NOW! books, Brian Michael Bendis’ All New X-Men continues to reshape the X-Men, and thus the Marvel Universe. The original X-Men are finally settling into their new existences in the present…with team seemingly coming apart at the seams as each member is pulled in a different direction. Great writing, with awesome art to boot!
All-New X-Men #12
Astro City #1 (Vertigo) – One week after Scott Snyder’s The Wake, Vertigo hits us with another new series, this time in the form of the returning classic Astro City. From the original creative team of Kurt Busiek and Brent Eric Anderson, The Ambassador comes to Earth and triggers a conflict that will turn the Universe on its head. Part Watchmen, part Guardians of the Galaxy, part Authority, part Top Ten…this series looks like it could be another hit from Vertigo as they look to rebuild the brand to compete with the likes of Image. Looks like they’re off to a great start if you ask me!
Astro City #1
Avengers #13 (Marvel) – You’ll probably get tired of me talking about how many people have been hesitant to embrace Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers/New Avengers books since the NOW! launch, but now that we’re really rolling, there’s no doubt in my mind people will be talking about this run in the months and years to come. Hickman is a master at setting up the story, as well as creating well defined characters, as well as conflicts for those characters…and the past couple of issues in particular of Avengers has shown examples of that in spades. I don’t think I’ve ever liked the Avengers series more than I do right now.
Avengers #13
East of West #3 (Image) – My favourite new series…and now just my favourite series overall, Jonathan Hickman’s post-apocalyptic Four Horseman sci-fi western is about as perfect a book for my tastes, outside of the Batman books, as you can get. Well…that and Manhattan Projects. I’m going to spend time trying to sell you on this book because I know full well that there are those that are Hickman fans, and those who aren’t…so if you didn’t jump with both feet with the #1 there’s really no point in trying to sway you. Just know that is every bit as good, or way better, than you’ve heard, depending on what kind of Hickman fan you’ve been talking to. Awesome series!
East of West #3
Green Lantern #21 (D.C.) – How do you follow up one of the great runs in comics history? Well, we’re about to find out! Robert Venditti has enormous shoes to fill taking over from Geoff Johns, but issue #20 laid the foundation about as well as any new writer could hope for, and now it’s time to see where Hal and the rest of the Green Lanterns go from here. At the very least, it should be very interesting for fans of the characters!
Green Lantern #21
Hidden Gems
Earth 2 #13 (D.C.) – I’m not totally sure what it is about this series that I like so much…but I just really dig Earth 2. From seeing alternate takes on D.C. characters, to surprise reveals and incredible art, this book has it all! It may not be as big as books like Batman or Justice League, but those who like it, like it a lot…and with good reason!
Earth 2 #13
Green Arrow #21 (D.C.) – I can’t say enough good things about what Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino have done to this series. In the span of 4 issues, they’ve breathed new life into a dud of a book, and made Green Arrow one of my favourite and most anticipated series each month. The story, the characters and the art…oh MAN the art…I implore you, pick up issue #17 if you can still find it…or start with #21, and feast your eyes on one of the coolest, most bad-ass looking books in comics! Will you just look at that cover?!?
Green Arrow #21
Ten Grand #2 (Image) – Another new Image series, another hit! At this point, you can pretty much guarantee that if its new and has the Image logo on it, it’s going to be good…and Ten Grand is that and then some. Cults, angels, demons, private eyes, hitmen…and a love that rises above all that. Plus the writer/artist team of J. Michael Straczynski and Ben Templesmith. Image just keeps getting better and better and their roster of books deeper and deeper with each passing month…with more on the way (Lazarus).
Ten Grand #2
Also Out This Week
D.C. has Action Comics #21, Detective Comics #21, Legend of the Dark Knight #9, Batwing #21, Am3 Comi Girls #4, The Movement #2, Swamp Thing #21, Trinity of Sin The Phantom Stranger #9, and Dial H #13.
Marvel has Superior Spider-Man #11 NOW!, Avengers Arena #12 NOW!, Cable and X-Force #9 NOW!, Iron Man #11 NOW!, Fearless Defenders #5 NOW!, Thunderbolts #10 NOW!, Daredevil End of Days #8, Daredevil Dark Nights #1, Thanos Rising #3, Winter Solider #19, Ultimates #25 and X-Factor #257.
There’s also Kick Ass 3 #1, Fairest #16, Bedlam #7, Spawn #232, Invincible Universe #3 and Star Wars Dark Times Fire Carrier #5.
Trade Watch
Light week for trades as the only standout is the latest volume of The Walking Dead Vol 18 TP.
S-1