5 Comics To Watch
Aquaman #22 (D.C.) – It’s amazing to see how far Aquaman has come in the time since the NEW 52 reboot. Once the punchline to many non-comic book fan’s (and some comic book fans) jokes about lame superheroes, Aquaman under the direction of Geoff Johns has rocketed up the charts and become a critical and commercial darling thanks to amazing writing, vibrant, colourful art, and one of the most badass heroes in comics. From The Trench, to The Others, to the awesome Thrones of Atlantis storyline, Aquaman has been great month after month and doesn’t look like it’ll be slowing down anytime soon. Anyone making jokes about Aquaman now clearly isn’t reading…cause the King of Atlantis is a joke no more!
Aquaman #22
Batman/Superman #2 (D.C.) – With the movie announcement made over the weekend at SDCC, no doubt more people will want to jump on this beautifully crafted and slightly haunting take on the Superman/Batman relationship. Fans may say otherwise, but these two heroes are the most popular and recognizable globally, and a book with both of them in it is an automatic pull. Issue #1 sold out everywhere, so look for #2 to do the same. The art in this series by Jae Lee is unlike anything else you’ve seen in a Superman or Batman book.
Batman/Superman #2
Justice League Dark #22 (D.C.) – Trinity War has started off with a bang, with Justice League #22 and Justice League of America #6 both delivering exciting chapters. Now it’s time for the Justice League Dark to weigh in on the proceedings in Part 3 of Trinity War. JLD has been a severely underrated series since it began, but that’s no surprise with a cast of relative unknown characters and so many other great books in the NEW 52. Now is it’s time to shine…and shine I think it will, with Jeff Lemire (Animal Man, Green Arrow) and Guy Fawkes (Batgirl) at the helm.
Justice League Dark #22
Lazarus #2 (Image) – I really enjoyed issue #1 of this next hot Image series by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark. Forever is one badass chick. The introduction to this poverty stricken except for the very few was intriguing as well as thought provoking. Family and Crime, Wealth and Poverty, Blood and Sweat…look for Lazarus to continue to charm readers and critics alike in the coming months. And last months end-of-issue letter from Rucka detailing how the book came together was a fascinating read for those who are curious how the creative process behind comics works. Looking forward to more ‘insider’ stuff in future issues, along with a ‘Letters’ page.
Lazarus #2
New Avengers #8 (Marvel) – What did I tell you? Try and find a recent back issue of New Avengers now? Jonathan Hickman’s pre-event work in Avengers and New Avengers is finally starting to click with readers. It’s about time! Prelude to Infinity has been nothing short of awesome so far…and re-reading those New Avengers and Avengers books now reveals even more ‘aha’ moments than before. Infinity is going to be really, really good, and I’m sure this issue of New Avengers will only add to the building hype!
New Avengers #8
Hidden Gems
Flash #22 (D.C.) – Speaking of great art, Francis Manapul has been consistently killing it on this series since it debuted. The painterly quality of the art, to go along with the soft colour pallet creates a vibrant book to look at…to go along with interesting panel layouts and awesome splash pages. And then there’s the story and characterization. With The Reverse Flash arc in full swing, and a robust rogues gallery already well defined, The Flash is well on its way to being a staple in the D.C. Universe…and one of its top books going forward.
The Flash #22
Also Out This Week
D.C. has All Star Western #22, Catwoman #22, Red Hood and the Outlaws #22, Superman #22, Teen Titans #22, Constantine #5, Talon #10 , Green Team #3, Larfleeze #2 and Arrow #9.
Marvel has Captain America #9 NOW!, Superior Spider-Man #14 NOW!, Superior Spider-Man Team Up #1 NOW!, Uncanny Avengers #10 NOW!, Wolverine #7 NOW!, Young Avengers #8 NOW!, What If AVX #3, Wolverine and the X-Men #33, Scarlet Spider #19, Gambit #15, Hunger #1 and Hawkeye Annual #1.
There’s also Star Trek #22, Wild Blue Yonder #2, Doctor Who #11, Ghostbusters #6, GI Joe Cobra Files #4, Massive #14, Mind MGMT #13 and Star Wars Legacy II #5.
Trade Watch
Another light week on the trade front as there’s really only Fairest Vol 2 TP and Nightwing Vol 2 TP to take note of.
– S-1
Moar Inhumans is always a good thing, in my book. I’ve been addicted to them since the Jae Lee series several years ago.
I tried a few issues of Justice League Dark via graphic novel, I’m not sure I’m convinced; I like the concept of a JL team designated to handle the spooky side of things, just not sure if it was really my cup of tea in the execution in the end.
I regret not getting on the New Avengers book early as it seems to be gaining some steam and popularity now. I’ll look to get it in trade format, because yes, more Black Bolt and the Inhumans is a good thing.
Not a fan of the JLD stuff to be honest, the roster alone just irritates me but I know why it was done, and I think we’re about to get some payoff from that book now in this event.