5 Comics To Watch

 

Batman #23 (D.C.) – Part 3 of Zero Year hits the shelves this week and Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo continue to raise the bar month after month. It’s getting to the point where there’s just no way that they’ll be able to raise it any higher, and the inevitable ‘it’s not as good as it used to be’ talk will start. This book is and has been so fantastic since issue #1, so Snyder and Capullo are more than allowed to have a so-so arc at some point…if that’s even possible for this duo. It won’t be on Zero Year though.

 

 

 

East of West #5 (Image) – My favourite new series, and my favourite series written by my favourite writer. What more can a comic fan ask for on any given week? Issue #4 literally made me grin ear to ear in satisfaction as Hickman’s epic Western Sci-Fi tale delivered its first big battle scene. This fallout issue no doubt will be full of clues and more loose ends to be tied together in the distant or not too distant future. At this point I don’t care…I am in love with this series.

 

 

 

Infinity #1 (Marvel) – Speaking of Jonathan Hickman…his Infinity ‘Event’ is ready to begin after 5 great prelude issues to go along with all the setup in Avengers and New Avengers. I am 100% on board with this event, and can’t wait to see what happens. If anyone can deliver the goods in an event, it’s Hickman. If you’re a Marvel fan, do not miss this!

 

 

 

Saga #13 (Image) – The Eisner Award winning series finally returns after a 4 month layoff with the continuing adventures of Alana, Marko, Baby Hazel, The Will and Lying Cat, Slave Girl, Prince Robot IV, Marko’s mom, Izabel and all the rest. If you haven’t heard about this series (next to impossible) and aren’t reading (what are you waiting for?) then pick up the Vol 1 and Vol 2 trades and this issue and prepare to be transported to a truly amazing place. Sharp dialogue, incredible art (by Canadian artist Fiona Staples) and rocket ship trees.

 

 

 

Thor: God of Thunder #11 (Marvel) – Thor vs. Gorr ends here. The Godbomb is about to ignight, and the Past, Present and Future Thor’s must stop Gorr The God Butcher from destroying every God in the Universe. Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic have crafted an epic story befitting a God, and as much as I’m looking forward to this issue, I almost don’t want it to end. But it will…one way or another.

 

 

 

Hidden Gems

 

Nightwing #23 (D.C.) – Ever since Kyle Higgins and Brett Booth took Dick Grayson out of Gotham and moved him to Chicago, this book has really taken off. It’s got a bit of a ‘Mark Waid’s Daredevil’ feel to it, but it’s still a Batbook…only Nightwing isn’t living under the shadow of Bruce anymore. One of the more popular series going right now, and only gaining steam.

 

 

 

Star Wars #8 (Dark Horse) – With so many different Star Wars books and comics on the shelves, as a fan it’s hard to know which one is worth your time. Let me just say that Star Wars, from Brian Wood, is the best of the bunch. It takes place right after ‘A New Hope’ and re-imagines the classic cast (if only slightly) as they continue their adventures. The art is fantastic, and it’s got a ‘what would Empire Strikes Back be like if it was made today’ feel.

 

 

 

Also Out This Week

 

 

 

D.C. has Batgirl #23, Batman Lil Gotham #5, Constantine #6, Green Lantern Corps #23, Justice League of America #7, Nightwing #23, Suicide Squad #23, Superboy #23 and World’s Finest #15.

 

Marvel has Deadpool #14 NOW!, Wolverine #8 NOW!, Avengers Arena #13 NOW!, Uncanny X-Men #10!, Uncanny X-Force #10 NOW!, Fantastic Four #11 NOW!, Fearless Defenders #8 NOW!, Scarlet Spider #20, Ultimate Spider-Man #17, Superior Spider-Man Team-Up #2, Ultimate X-Men #30 and Wolverine and the X-Men #34.

 

There’s also Walking Dead #113, Peter Panzerfaust #13, Spawn #234, Buffy Season 9 #24, Astro City #3, Great Pacific #9, Star Trek #24, Doctor Who #12, X-Files Season 10 #3 and True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #3.

 

 

 

Trade Watch

 

There’s the great The Flash Vol 2 HC and Vol 1 TP, Smallville Season 11 Vol 2 TP, Wolverine NOW! Vol 1 TP, Avengers Assemble Vol 1 TP, Fearless Defenders NOW! Vol 1 TP, GI Joe Vol 1 TP, and Frank Cho’s Women Drawings and Illustrations Vol 2 HC.

 

– S-1

 

5 Comics To Watch

 

All New X-Men #15 (Marvel) – It’s the beginning of the love triangle we all knew was coming. Young Cyclops, Old Cyclops and Jean Gray. Someone’s eye beam is going to get all bent out of shape when this is all said and done!

 

Further Hysterics →

Better late than never, right?  – NB

5 Comics To Watch

Batman Annual #2 (D.C.) – Last year’s Annual was a great extra-sized one-shot detailing Mr. Freeze’s new origin. This year’s looks to be a Zero Year tie-in book that may or may not be essential reading. However at this point, anything by Scott Snyder is essential reading. And if that’s not enough…you’ve got a Jock cover to boot!

 

Further Hysterics →

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!

Further Hysterics →