Books That Look Good (or not) And Other Cool Stuff

You all may have noticed my suspicious lack of presence in The Stop (and maybe moreso online), The Stop's lack of Friday will be status quo until Bug's schedule settles in and everything smooths back out again here, but never fear, I'm back up and running online as of this morning after a really nice impromptu vacation at Whidbey Island. Bossman has apparently rapidly replaced me with another assistant, who may or may not be me in disguise (ignore how she is far too petite and how there's now way I can Slaveen myself into her skin). You all should be very nice to her, because she's awesome.

But if you love her too much, I'll have to hunt each and every one of you down and make you suffer. Just a note.

Moving on!

Angel: After The Fall #12: Well. Gunn certainly is in it, isn't he? This book marks the year-ish anniversary of this book and sometimes I've found myself sliding into the "Why can't I quit you" cliche. The plot's been really slow going--there was a lot of explanation and ground to be made up thanks to us starting with Angel and the Scattered Crew straight in LA. The art's been difficult to maneuver. The character voices are on, though, and they've been on throughout the whole thing.

I think Brian Lynch has to spend a lot of time condensing and slimming the plot a bit and direct the focus of the book a bit better from issue to issue to make just a little more actually happen in each book. After twelve issues, I really don't feel like anything huge has happened except the reveal that Gunn is a vampire, Angel is human (both of which were really early on in the series) and them finally meeting up in the last issue. I know there was that big Lord of the District battle (Waaaaaarriors, come out to plaaaaaaay) but I really didn't give a damn about what the outcome was, other than us finding out about Angel.

Another problem I'm having, and possibly the biggest reason this story is having a hard time sticking in my memory, is that the art is just that off-putting for me. Blast.

Recommendation: All that said, I'm still grabbing it. I love my Dark, Broody Forehead Man. And I'm still saving up for that Puppet. Don't think I've forgotten.


Buffy #18: Fray! Fraaaay. Fray. Fray. Fray. Hey, it's Fray guys. Fray and all her awesome awesomeness! Fray whose hair is completely wicked. Fray. I wish the title was Fray the Vampire Slayer. Even just temporarily for this storyline.

Oh, and that blonde chick what's-her-face. Oh, and that horse girl thing with the completely-obvious-but-still-funny-neigh-neigh-jokes.

Fraaaaaaaay. (Fray).

I'm really pleased Joss is involving Fray, for more than just how wicked much I love Fray. He's addressing the, 'uh, I thought Buffy empowered all potential slayers everywhere and solved the Final Evil Crisis, what the shit is this Fray comic saying about that?' issue. Can I get a yay?

What's that? 'Fray'?

Recommendation: Fray.


Detective Comics #848: This cover is really slick. Totally not a R.I.P. tie-in, but it's Dini, man, so who cares? The story steams up as Hush's master plan leads Batman to save a child from Scarecrow.

I'm really enjoying this--it's Hush, who is fantastic, and it's story development about Hush, which is also fantastic.

Go Team Detective Comics!

Recommendation: On it! Go!









Secret Six #1: Oh, happy goddamn day, it's almost here! I shouldn't even have to pimp this, what the hell people, you're unconvinced? Villains being awesome? Nicola Scott! Gail Simone! Original Simone Character! WHEE. That 'whee' is not sardonic at all, as are almost all my other ones. If you're unconvinced, check out the preview that Newsarama has up. Be convinced and snag it.

DC's solit reads: Because you demanded it! The Secret Six are back in an all-new ongoing series that promises to deliver some of the darkest, most twisted action-adventure the DC Universe has seen since...well, the last time the Secret Six got together! Writer extraordinaire Gail Simone (BIRDS OF PREY) is reunited with BIRDS penciller Nicola Scott to chronicle the adventures of the Six, and you will not believe what they have in store. Join Catman, Scandal, Deadshot, Ragdoll, and ?? as they prepare for an adventure that will take them through a gauntlet across the seediest parts of the DC Universe, and will ultimately pit them against a foe more monstrous and murderous than any they've had to face!

Recommendation: Snaaaaag it, dammit, how is this not totally fantastic? Well, it IS.




Also up this week, but doesn't get a semi-paragraph due to School Starting and House Invasion:

Green Lantern #34: Woot. Seriously, woot. I think I could claw myself out of my skin in anticipation of actually getting to the Great Big Storyline We All Want.

Dynamo 5 #16: My favorite teenaged super-team, hands down. Suck it, McKeever, and thanks for ruining the Teen Titans! /bitter.

Noble Causes #36: I'm also still kind of bitter over the self-cancellation of Noble Causes. I love that Jay Faerber knows when what he's writing doesn't have the same heart it used to, but dammit, I wish it had the same heart it used to. I'm going to miss these guys when they're gone, like woah.

Fringe #1: I heard that the premiere episode wasn't that great, and I'm pretty iffy about non-Whedon comic books that tie into television shows, but that Chuck one wasn't too terrible. I'll give this a decent flip-through and see.

Manhunter #34: It's Manhunter. 'Nuff said.

Nightwing #148: How did this not warrant a full picture? Well, it's a 'R.I.P.' tie-in, and while the issue was good, I was annoyed by the lack of actual tie-in. Isn't Nightwing in an asylum somewheres? Lord. Tomasi, though, yay.

Tank Girl Visions of Booga #4: Tank Girl is so bad ass. I loves me some Tank Girl.

Titans #4: This is clearly an 'or not'. I've restrained mentioning it for like, an issue, so let me take this time again to remind you all what utter crap it is. Someone, tweet when the hell zone for all things Titans is over.



Things That Warrant a Geeked Special Mention:

I Kill Giants #2 is out today, of which you should most definitely be grabbing for yourselves. You'll all be sorry if you don't. 'Nuff said.

Grok Issue #2: Secret Origins from my friends over at Alert Nerd hit the virtual shelves today as well. This is a really well put together geek webzine that's still in its infancy. Not that you can actually tell it's in its infancy, thanks to a few overachievers who do what they love to do and do it damned well. With articles such as I Was a Teenage Letterhack and The Facebook Newsfeed for Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, as well as others exploring the whys and hows of their geeky origins, finding the extraordinary in the everyday and a tale that involves Star Power and Issues 10-14, you won't find a miss.

Issue 1 can be found here. Give both a read and then head over to to give these guys some props. (the kids still give those, yes? Shut it, Webster, they do NOW.)



Also:

Yeah. That's right. Suck it, haters.

You may all look forward to a Very Special Geeked 90210 Post.

Starting . . . now.

Books That Look Good (or not) and Other Cool Stuff

This week feels like it should be bigger than it is. Maybe it'll feel that way by the end of the post.

In Very Important News, my Nightmare Before Christmas Deadly Nightshade jar is now my Angel The Puppet savings fund (meaning: it's where I'll put all my spare change until December). Also, it'll serve as my Angel The Puppet Spare Clothes fund, because while out on my awesome Geek Date on Sunday, I realized I could dress him up in other outfits.

My one regret: not having my camera on to capture husband's expression of horror as I exclaimed this beautiful, beautiful revelation. I think only Babs appreciated it (and that's FINE, two is the great beginning of an army).

How spectacular. Merry Holiday to me.

Onto the previews, but feel free to loiter and marvel at Angel The Puppet for as long as you like.

Hey, remember that "Sightings" banner that was supposed to go across the top of comics that tied into . . . something or other? Final Crisis, or was it pre-FC stuff? Whatever: I only recall seeing it the once, in that one book. JSA? JLA? I think it was JSA.

Anyway.

Nightwing #147: This is a RIP tie-in--supposedly--but it's also Tomasi, and if you've been paying attention you know I've really been enjoying his run. I have my suspicions that it'll end up like Detective Comics with me wishing they'd just rip the RIP Tie-In blurb off the top of it and it'd be just fine.

Two Face is in NY? And he's cranky about the corrupt? And he's wanting Dick to save an ex-girlfriend or he'll kill everyone? Aww, that's our Two-Face, extreme as ever.

We'll see. Considering Dick's supposed to be in Arkham, I'm not certain how this is a RIP tie-in at all, but man-oh-man, check that sexeh drool.

Mmmm.

PS: Looking at all the Nightwing blurbs for the coming months, this looks like what I think it is.








Okay, so I probably won't get the Hawkman Special, but I'm using the cover here anyways because this looks like a huge, cross-dressing Raven. And she's got the whoooole world in her hands . . .

Detective Comics #847: Still not a RIP tie-in! But still great, thanks Dini. Hush! His motivations! Catwoman! Here only because her monthly got canceled! Suckers! And that guy--Batman! And history items revealed! !!!

(Still not a tie-in. Just saying.)




Robin #176: You know, I'm feeling really awesome about this comic. Especially after that great, great--onemoretime--great Newsarama interview with Fabien Nicieza. Poor guy has to run a lot of damage control, put out some awesome last minute issues and deal with R.I.P. tie-ins, but I think he is the best guy to do the job. I really like the way he talks about Tim, about who he is and the way he's approaching this series. Very confidence inspiring, so at the very least he knows what should be said.

This, actually, looks like it could be a relevant tie-in and from everything Fabien said in the interview, it is! Wow! Amazement! Shock! Awe! So on!



Final Crisis #3: This is me not criticizing the cover. Except, what the HELL is on her head? Seriously. Is that the Super Ugly Mask Of Warthog Doom? Excerpt taken straight from DC, because they have just as many exclamation points as I would've: "Batman missing in action! Superman immobilized! Green Lantern on trial for his life! A shadow is falling across Earth's super heroes — and now it's Wonder Woman's turn to face the Evil Gods! What bizarre warning from beyond awaits Frankenstein, The Question and the agents of S.H.A.D.E. in the shadows of the Dark Side Club? What grim fate lies in store for The Human Flame? What happens when the Anti-Life Equation hits the internet? Can the Fastest Men Alive outrun The Black Racer — Death himself? And who are the Justifiers?"

First of all: I want a t-shirt that says "The Justifiers" on it. Alright? And I knew the internet was bad for all of us. KNEW IT. And maybe I want an "Agent of S.H.A.D.E." shirt too. Alright? A four-page preview is up here at Newsarama and I'm very, very excited for this issue.

. . . okay, I also want an "The Internet Has Anti-Life Equation" t-shirt, LOLZ style. Give me suggestion for phrase and whose image. If you say Supergirl, I'm going to fucking Prime punch you in the nads (and probably accidentally bring someone back to life). I'm looking at you, smart-ass.

I'll also be grabbing Final Crisis #1: Director's Cut Special because yeah, I'm their target demographic: SUPER-NERD.

And last for DC, but totally not least: Manhunter #33. Awwwwesome. A link between immigrants and big businesses? Clearly this is completely made-up. And Kate might go to court and we get to hear some awesome Lawyer Speak. I'm pleased.

Hyperkinetic #2: Robot fights! More great Howard Shum story with Matteo Scalera and Oscar Celestini art! And? And? Robot Fights! Also, some mechanical what's-its and doodads, as well as jungle wandering.

Good times to be had at all and if you need anymore convincing than that and what I said about #1, check a few pages preview here, at CBR.


Also, for those of you who budget or may need to make sure one is ordered for you, here's your two week warning about the Astounding Wolf-Man Vol. 1 release. Don't miss it!







And while I'm at it, I might as well poke you about getting your retailer (or Us!) to order The Roberts that'll be coming out in two weeks as well. It's just a two-issue run, so no big new investment for you. Story by Wayne Chinsang with art and covers by Erik Rose, this looks promisingly creepy (with a potential for wrongly funny, but I'm not sure). Synopsis courtesy Image site that finally let my browser load it after five tries:

"The Boston Strangler and the Zodiac Killer are alive and well, living amongst the old and dying of The Shady Lane Retirement Center. Surrounded by bingo tournaments and tea times, these two notorious serial killers quietly trade "war stories" about their golden years, two seemingly parallel pasts filled with violence and victims."

Neat, right? I know.





NYX #1: Snagged from Marvel site:

"The Story: There’s no place like home—just ask young mutant KIDEN NIXON. She’s survived the hard streets of Manhattan, and she’s built a home—and a family—for herself, with her friends TATIANA, BOBBY SOUL and his LI’L BRO. But with fewer than 200 mutants left on the planet, Kiden’s become a target—and when somebody strikes at one of her friends, Kiden’s going to find out just how much farther she can fall! Don’t miss the breathtaking return of this beloved series, by NEW YORK TIMES best-selling writer MARJORIE LIU (the DIRK & STEELE SERIES) with stunning art by KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY!
Plus—a special behind-the-scenes gallery!"

Also not to be missed is Secret Invasion: Front Line #2, and yep, there goes my two Marvel titles of the week. Have fun Iron Man and Spider-Man fans.

Buffy #17: More of the awesome, awesome Fray. Fray who will steal and keep the show, because blondes may have more fun but purple. . . ettes kick more ass.

Take that.

And? Look who is on the cover with them? Faaaaantastic. I'm very excited about this Fray storyline.

Clearly.

Spike: AtF #2 is up from IDW too, which just gets Fray and Spike meetings all aflutter in my head. How epic and awesome would that be?





Hm, I guess that was a little bit bigger than I thought. Go DC, though.

Books That Look Good (or not)

Oh look, I'm getting this done on a Monday. How effective of me. Okay, it's Monday night, but still.

Quick note: There were definitely two books that should've been on the Please To Do Not Miss list last week. So check and see if they're still in your store: Charlatan Ball #2 and Sky Doll #3.

Onto this week!

Image

Invincible #51: Kicking off the next fifty issues-there's a new sidekick, new slamming costume and an excellent hopping on point for readers that have been wanting to read this series. Pick up the trades, definitely, but hop on the train at this stop.

Image Monster Pile-Up #1, which are mini-primers for various monster series' they have out right now--Astounding Wolf-Man, Firebreather, Proof and Perhapanauts. For $1.99, I think this is a must-grab to check out some books you'll probably end up adding to your pick up lists.







Comic Book Tattoo is . . . something like an anthology built around Tori Amos, where a bunch of the awesome people in the business each write stories inspired by a song of hers, in such a huge variety of genres that it's impossible not to find a story you'll love. Or fifty stories. $50.00 for the hardcover is no joke (the softcover version is $29.99 as well as a limited edition, signed and numbered for $149.99--anyone feel like going broke for an early birthday present for me?), but this'll be well worth it--if you work it out, it's less than a buck a story! Rationalizing for the win. The contributor list is super too, CBR did a great story on this here, where you can get some sneak peeks at a few pages and read more about how much work and crazy talent went into it. Grab it!


Nocturnals: Carnival Of Beasts is out too and I love the Nocturnals. Love. Love. Love. Love so hard and this is going to be 64 pages of awesome. The art here is phenomenal--very easily one of my top ten favorites and the characters are fascinating and fun and the writing is always just great. I can't say enough good things about this--pick this up. So good! A one shot (unfortunately for me), with three stories--"Beasts" that follows Doc Horror (who is my imaginary comic book boyfriend, just so you know), "The Scrimshaw Crown" featuring Starfish, the amphibian girl and "Candy Butchers" with Halloween Girl, Gunwitch (I want a Gunwitch doll. I want a Gunwitch doll SO BAD) and Polychrome.

Listen, if you ever find yourselves with forty bucks to spare, you very desperately need to pick up the hardcover that collects all of Nocturnals. You won't be disappointed.

DC

Ambush Bug: Year None #1 is one book you shouldn't, by any means or for any reason, miss out on. I'm really looking forward to it--DC has a preview you can download in PDF, so you may assure yourself of the awesomeness before dropping cash on it.

Ambush Bug! The answer to my woes.

Batman: Gotham After Midnight #3 is out, which means it probably isn't too late to grab the first two issues of this series--which has been awesome.

Green Lantern Corps #26 concluding the 'Ring Quest' arc in a fight with Mongul and Mother (May I) Mercy.

The Joker's Asylum: Scarecrow: has been, over all, really fucking great. The peak for me was definitely the Penguin story, which I actually can't stop muscling people into reading, and the latest Poison Ivy one was decent. Man, that Penguin one is a hard one to follow, though. Yum.

Robin #175 is out too and the first issue for a R.I.P. tie-in that may or may not actually be a tie-in. I'm going to assume that it's a real one, and not a faux to snag your wallet, what with how Robin is totally on the run from crazies in Batman R.I.P. But who knows! Aside from us, on Wednesday.

Marvel

Angel: Revelations #3: Last month I joked, but this week I'm sincere in my belief I'm the only person I know reading this. Clearly appreciation for snotty rich boys isn't high in my neck of the woods.

Avengers: The Initiative #15: This has easily been one of my favorite Marvel titles. Goodness all over the place. And awesome goggles.

Skrulls #1: . . . look at that cover! I couldn't resist slapping it up here. Awesomeness. I am completely tempted to print this out and tape it up to the mirrors in my bathrooms, just to scare the fuck out of my roomie and husband sometime this week. Wouldn't that be hilarious? For me?

Again my curiosity calls for this and am hoping it isn't just a restatement of everything we already know--the synopsis said 'original material' dammit, I want a good amount and not just one page while the rest is filled with old Skrull crap. This could be a really spectacular tie-in. Or it could just be annoying. We'll see.

Uncanny X-Men #500: Duh. Brubaker and Fraction? Awesome. How could I not? How can anyone not? Even if I don't pick up any other Uncanny's after this, I'll grab this to check out the hype. And hey, all those variants. Marvel never does that . . .

Any you think I missed?


Also: new icon is courtesy of my roommate, who decided I should at least have a color one. And yes, that tends to be my default expression.

Books That Look Good (or not) and Other Cool Stuff

So does anyone else's browser occasionally crash when they attempt to load Image's website? Three out of five times, goddammit. Christ, let me look at your books!

There's a lot of random stuff this week--and a myriad of collected links regarding cool stuff I've stumbled across in my internet adventures. Enjoy! Or not.

Image

Dynamo 5 #14: So much fun. That is all.

Noble Causes #35: I'm enjoying the time jump immensely--how about you guys? I enjoyed the alternate dimension reset too, frankly. I think it's quite easy to get bogged down in cliches, but the way Jay Faerber cheerfully employs them keeps them fresh and fun and reminds me why they became a cliche in the first place. It isn't always a terrible thing. Take a note, writers: It is possible to use a cliche without ever letting it become an ugly, uninspired mess of a thing.

His entry into the Top Cow Pilot Season 2008, Urban Myths looks great, as does Fran Bueno's pages for Undying Love, a series still in the birth process. I'm going to entertain the fantasy that the only thing Jay Faerber ever does is hide away with his computer and write awesome comics--because if I ever hear he has free time for an actual life, I may just implode.

So basically, this morning while we were brushing our teeth and groggily searching around for coffee, Jay F. was knocking off the third script of the day and had gotten up a half hour after we did. And he was magically wooing fantastic artists.


Hyperkinetic #1: Written by Howard Shum, art by Matteo Scalera and colors done by Oscar Celestini. This is a sci-fi action comedy about four intergalactic bounty hunters (and their robot) who end up going through a wormhole and crash-landing on an alien planet.

You can peek at some page previews right here at Shum's website.

I really like the art--it looks really dynamic and fun and the preview of the story peaked my interest as well, so I'm definitely gonna give this four-issue run a shot.

And on an awesome note: There was not a single gratuitous thong shot in any of the preview pages, I am so pleased.




The Astounding Wolf-Man #7: Oh, what's that? You haven't been reading this? Shame on you, now you can't find any and will have to pick up the trade.




The Sword TPB #1: And for all of you that've either missed the boat or just waited for the trade on all Luna goodness, here it is.

An awesome modern fantasy book about a woman who finds a sword after her family is murdered, brought to you by the Luna Brothers.

Also recommended (highly): Ultra Girl. Because getting laid can be a bitch.










Oh, hey--have you asked your local store to make sure I Kill Giants lands into your hands/subscription boxes? The first issue is coming out next week--make sure you don't miss it.

It's a story about a smart ass fifth-grader, Barbara Thorson, who carries around a war hammer in her bag and kills giants. Well, in her imagination she does. Or maybe not just in her imagination.

Joe Kelly and J.M. Ken Niimura are going to rock you out with a poignant story about a girl and the giants in her worlds. I predict heavy awesomeness.

IDW

Angel: After The Fall #10
Doctor Who #5
And don't you dare miss Ghost Whisperer #4. What a gem!

Seriously IDW, what is that title doing in your company?

And hum, hum, hum: Ben Templesmith signs an exclusive and has a book coming out in August, Welcome to Hoxford. Good and the promo pic to the left needs to be a poster on my wall.

Hmm, wait . . . can I have him?

Dark Horse

Buffy #16: The long-awaited introduction of the Fray storyline and Joss is back in the writer's seat, kicking off a new 'episode' for the series.

Hellboy: The Crooked Man #1: Hellboy meets Tom, a man who sold his soul to a demon known as the Crooked Man. They travel to the Appalachian mountains in an attempt to save Tom's soul.

There's no such thing as too much Hellboy.

DC

The All-New Atom #25

Batman #678

Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! #1: You're picking this up, right? Right? Look at the adorable.

Blue Beetle #28

The Joker's Asylum: Joker: I sincerely hope that this isn't Joker-as-a-funny-haha-clown villain and is Scary As Hell Joker. Fingers crossed.

Manhunter #32

Nightwing #146

I sat here attempting to think of informative things to say about this week's DC releases or some sort of preview or whatnot and eventually came up with . . . pretty much nothing. I'm looking forward to seeing all these hit the shelves, really looking forward to reading them and . . . that's it. There'll be fun in the reviews, dammit.

Perhaps I need more caffeine. Or lunch.

Marvel

Astonishing X-Men #25: I really, really like the new costumes. Lots. Simone Bianchi is extraordinarily talented. And that Ellis guy isn't bad either. (whoreswhoresfuckwhores)

Secret Invasion: Front Line #1: I love the Front Line concept and am really looking forward to this from Brian Reed.

All Other Shenanigans

So, you've all probably seen this post by Paul Pope regarding Battling Boy, right? Oh well, I'm showing you again because I am so pleased by it. His description of the book leaves me very hopeful we can see it in the stores sooner rather than later.

"Battling Boy is the son of a god or a super hero—it is left unspecified—who comes down from the top of a mountain (or rather, from inside a cloud/UFO contraption/contrivance from above a mountain top) at this father's behest, in order to rid a giant city from it's plague of monsters. Hercules had his labors, Batman has his Gotham, Battling Boy has his Monstropolis."

Quite nice.

Also, his clothing line via DKNY is due out soon--August, right?

One day I'll get to meet him, dammit. Eventually. Maybe.

And look, Gerard Way can read my mind. The moment I got done with Umbrella Academy, I thought, "Well, that was fucking fantastic, but I really wish I could've seen some shenanigans from their teenaged years. Also, I want figurines." One out of two, so far, because on July 2nd there's going to be a short story on Dark Horse's MySpace Presents page from Way and Ba. Also, there's a comic tie-in to Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog from Joss Whedon. Also, a Tara McPherson story, "How To Heal A Broken Heart".

This will definitely soothe the wounds caused by visiting a MySpace page.

Batman vs Batman vs Batman, especially for Oracle Batgirl, who I got to meet today and is awesome.

This is exceedingly clever. And funny.

The Awesomed By Comics podcast remains to be awesome and is actually increasing in its Awesome and hilarity. Click that link and go check it out. I need to remember to email them, actually, and inform Aaron how misled he is regarding Countdown and Grant Morrison's involvement in it. Oh look, problem solved (perhaps?) Aaron: You're misled. Gravely, gravely misled. Morrison didn't want them to touch the New Gods at all. From what I understand, he wanted the very first mention of them to be that first scene where Orion is discovered dead.

Also: Daaaaaaaamn.

Edit: Aha! I remember now. Go check out Bananaglass, which is odd and hilarious and quite clever. And don't forget to comment and inform him of such.

Speaking of damn, I need to start making bookmarks proper, I keep losing neat sites. Anyhow, that's mostly it--enjoy the rest of the day and comment if you think I might've forgotten something.

I just realized I didn't bitch about anything this week. Odd.

Snag (or not) Pile for June 25, 2008

This week is looking rather small. Unless you count the EIGHTY GABILLION MARVEL TITLES.

Sweet Jesus on a pogo stick.

DC Titles

Monthlies

Batman: Gotham After Midnight #2: This title snuck up on me this week--pathetic, considering how much I've been looking forward to it, but oh well. I was so pleased with Niles' #1--sly and funny and quite clever--and this week the story is going to delve more into what's going on. Obviously.

DC's preview blurb: "The Batman has been ambushed by a gang of thugs who want only one thing: the death of the Dark Knight Detective. But there is more to this nefarious plan than it seems. For at the stroke of midnight, the mysterious monster behind this gang wants to strike fear into the hearts of all the citizens of Gotham City!"

I'm very much on board with this and really hoping to see some excellent creepy sliding throughout the story. I really prefer it when Batman titles stick to the shadows of the DCU, so to speak, and demonstrate how well he blends into the nighttime atmosphere of a battered Gotham.

Also, if Niles would thumb his nose at the whiners and toss a Bat!jet pack in, I'd be more than supremely golden. I liked the jet pack, dammit.

Final Crisis #2

Oh terrific, another week of bitching from people about Final Crisis, Morrison, J.G. Jones and editors. Super! Here's what I like about Final Crisis and Morrison's writing: You don't actually have to be a genius or crazy WAY-outside-of-the-box to get something out of it. Sure, sure, there are easter eggs, obscure references and really terrific symbolism scattered throughout everything he does. And okay, it can feel alienating when you know it's there and can't figure it out for yourself without some clever blogger or an interview with Morrison laying it out for you.

But Morrison does a very good job on making it accessible to the everyman. You don't need to know who Kamandi is to enjoy it. You don't need to know who the hell anyone is to get the gist of it. Sure, sure, knowing adds flavor--gives you the illusion of an inside track, but I don't honestly believe Final Crisis is excluding comic book fans. If a fan is that upset, all they really need to do is reacquaint themselves with Jack Kirby and maybe get a little high while contemplating the symbolism. Morrison's reach may not be as widely encompassing as Geoff Johns', for example, but it isn't exclusive to those who enjoy heavy craziness.

I'm recommending again, that everyone reread Final Crisis after the last one comes out and can guarantee it'll all make a gorgeous amount of sense straight-through. This isn't to say it doesn't make sense now--but this is one of the dangers of running a Big Event monthly. Secret Invasion is suffering the same problems for me that is solely based on my patience levels.

I'll cut myself off there before this turns into a rant. Here's the blurb:
"Meet Japan's number one pop culture heroes, the Super Young Team and their languid leader, Most Excellent Superbat! Join legendary wrestler Sonny Sumo and super escape artist Mister Miracle as they team to face the offspring of the Anti-Life Equation! See Earth's superheroes mourn one of their oldest allies! Witness costumed criminals sinking to new depths of cowardice and depravity as Libra takes things too far! Uncover the doomsday secrets of the poisoned city of Blüdhaven! Learn the shocking identity of the prime suspect in the murder of a god! And read on if you dare as Batman becomes the first of Earth's champions to face the Fallen of Apokolips. All this and a spectacular return from the dead..."
There's been some definite negative reaction from some fans regarding the nature of the Japanese pop culture heroes, but I don't care. (Oh, hey, there's my headache talking). I'm super-curious and very, very excited to see everything in this issue. DUDE, the Anti-Life Equation is going to ENSLAVE everyone! How is that not awesome?

Green Lantern #32

More Sinestro! Which I find extraordinarily pleasing, even if his mustache never fails to draw up the heroine tied to the train tracks scene. Aaaand if someone could draw Sinestro Old West Style for me, you'd get a thousand social credits. Which are useful . . . nowhere.

Moving on! It's Sinestro and all of his awesomeness and more of the Hal Jordan background that we all know and love and while some have grown tired of (or perhaps just impatient for the next storyline) the rehash, I'm still enjoying it.

"SECRET ORIGIN PART 4! Sinestro has been sent to Earth on a sacred mission, one that this new rookie Hal Jordan is getting in the way with. Plus, one of Hal Jordan's first enemies is born as a bizarre experiment backfires and another is unknowingly stalked for his connection to the Blackest Night! "

Huntress: Year One #4

I think I may want to cry when this mini is over. This has been some consistent awesomeness in my Read Pile as well as a surprise hit for me. God damn, I adore Helena and getting to see her roots again, being explored and revamped (I actually don't mind some of the things that were changed) has just been kick-ass and she definitely remains on my list of Chicks That Could Beat Your Ass (And Probably Should). Hmm, I smell future blog topic there. Noted.

This week, she heads back to Gotham and meets Bruce Wayne for this first time--an encounter which, at the very least, will be funny. My question is this: I totally forget where Dick was around this time. Will we be seeing Dick meeting Helena with Bruce? Because that'd be rock.

Teen Titans #60

I'd like to discuss the cover here, actually. It's really . . . strange. Completely different from the other covers on this book and I'm trying to figure out if that's on purpose or not. The answer to that is probably found inside, if it is a purposeful . . . flatness? Is that the right art description here? The thing with the stuff.

Anyway, the answer'll be inside and . . . I really, really can't bring myself to grab it. I'm breaking my super-awesome collected run of Teen Titans because I can't take McKeever anymore.

So someone stronger than I am, please comment at some point and fill me in on the cover.

Trinity #4

This makes it onto my list only by the grace of this being a small reading week for me--no, I will not be grabbing the eighty Secret Invasion titles. Even then, I think I'll be flipping through it in the store first. At some point, I know that Busiek will be hitting his stride with this and that stride will be filled with awesomeness. That stride hasn't happened yet and this title is quickly falling down to the bottom of the list for a lot of people and not because it's terrible, just because it's another weekly. Really, DC, please move this to a biweekly and save it and Busiek's sanity. On another note--this cover is the first of the next Big Picture and I think I'm probably going to end up day-dreaming about the Trinity covers being released as a collection of small posters. Please?

Trades

All Star Batman and Robin, The Boy Wonder Vol. 1

Yes! The terrific crack-fest has arrived! Next to Final Crisis and Huntress, this is what I've been looking forward to. This is an epic series. So completely epic. So very, very awesome that I can't actually believe it can be bound without imploding.

Collecting issues #1-9, Frank Miller and Jim Lee are retelling Dick Grayson's origin in the best possible way imaginable and if you haven't been reading this, now is the absolute perfect time to do yourself a huge favor and start. I think I'm going to kick my husband out of bed tonight and snuggle with this trade instead. The probability that it will hog the covers and kick me in the back? Nil.

Green Lantern: Tales of the Sinestro Corps

Collecting Green Lantern #18-20 (plus backup stories), Green Lantern Sinestro Corps Special #1 (plus backup stories), Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Ion, Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Parallax, Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Cyborg Superman, Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Anti-Monitor, and Green Lantern Sinestro Corps Secret Files.

Oh, what's this? Something that explores the villains in the Sinestro Corps storyline? How excellent for me. Here's a must to put on your bookshelf if you're collecting the Sinestro Corps War in trade (you DID grab Vol 2 last week, didn't you?).

Marvel

Monthlies

Angel: Revelations #2

. . . I'm not the only one reading this, right?

The first one was so great and I continue to be utterly owned and impressed by the art as previewed by CBR here. The story too, though, I've been loving as well. Warren's such a shit, I love it. Reading the genesis of his mutant abilities is interesting too and I'm getting heavily reminded why I like this character so much.

Runaways #30

First: Look at the cover. Guh. Completely gorgeous and I think I'd sell someone's soul for a poster of this.

Moving on: Yawn. Finally. I have no idea what the hell is going on, because I haven't read this in . . . oh, half a year? Longer? But I'm sure it'll be a perfect ending to a perfectly disastrous run on a book that I think is so insanely rife with potential.

Here's lookin' at you, Terry Moore. See you in August!

There is a whole slew of Marvel titles out, most of which I'll only flip through, but over at the Weekly Crisis, Kirk Warren did previews for them. So I'll direct you over there if you're curious about what not-Angel not-Runaways Marvel titles are hitting the street, because he handles Marvel titles really well (as well as accidentally doing a solid job on giving me a refresher course on what the hell is going on over there).

I think that's it--I really feel like I've missed a title in here somewhere though. Stupid Monday.

Books That Look Good (or not)

Oh look, it's that time again! Books I'm either into or will be checking out this week:

DC, Wildstorm, Vertigo

Action Comics #866 -I'm curious, that's all. I really want to see where this is headed and I think I'll give it one issue to let me know.
Booster Gold #10
Gotham Underground #9 -Only because it's the last one. And I was stupid and read all the others. And maybe there'll be a pay-off. Or maybe I'll just learn my lesson that Penguin is never awesome. Either or.
Green Lantern Corps #25
The Huntress: Year One #3
The Lost Boys: Reign of Frogs #2
Salvation Run #7 -Same situation as Gotham Underground, only I believe this book has been better. Or I'm just biased for Lex and Joker. At any rate, this book is a solid example of why DC rushed itself into Final Crisis and why they really, really needed to stop making so many tie-ins a year ago. More on this later.
Simon Dark #9 -I've been very, very strongly enjoying this series.
Tiny Titans #5 -The Book That Adorable Built.
Trinity #2 -If it doesn't slam it out this week, it's going to get a flip through next week.
Young Liars #4

Marvel

Captain Britain and MI: 13 2 #2
Eternals #1 -I've been looking forward to this, so here's to hoping.
Genext #2 -Really liked #1, so definitely snagging this again. Interesting read and a fun concept in the midst of all the other stuff going on. It's a good side title.
Mighty Avengers #13
New Avengers #40
New Exiles #7
NewUniversal: Shockfront #2
Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust #2
Skaar: Son Of Hulk #1
Sky Doll #2 -The series built of awesome. Awesome awesomeness abounds. Really.

Image

Charlatan Ball #1 -I have been looking forward to this series too, the previews of it look excellent. I encourage an intent flip-through at your LCS.
Invincible #50

Dark Horse (gets no cool pic)

BPRD: War On Frogs #1

Trades of Interest

Absolute Sandman Vol 3
Vinyl Underground #1
Marvel Zombies 2
Silver Surfer: In Thy Name
Ultimate X-Men #8
Wolverine: Enemy of the State Ultimate Collection
The Joker: Greatest Stories Ever Told
The Question: The Five Books Of Blood
Will Eisner's The Spirit Archives Vol 24
Crawl Space XXXombies Vol 1
The Amazing Joy Buzzards Vol 1: Here Come The Spiders








Aaaand (you knew it was coming) Here's what I'm avoiding:

Titans #3 -Oh, hey, it's the cover that Crap built. Why does Nightwing look like he's regurgitating food to Baby Bird!Starfire? And why does Cyborg look so. freaking. ridiculous? And why are they still putting this book out? With a blurb like this:

Random hook-ups, internal fighting, envy…
what's going on with Nightwing, Starfire,
Flash, Beast Boy, Raven, Donna and Red Arrow?
Can this team get their act together
before their mysterious
foes reveal themselves?

I'm pretty sure that I don't even need to point out how ridiculously childish this series is, but I could if you really, really wanted me to.



Green Arrow/Black Canary -This keeps making my brain hurt in not very delicious ways. While there are some amusing moments, over all the story is just bad and the small gems scattered throughout aren't worth the agony for me. Avoiding like the plague and biding my time until they're all cool again.




Note: Birthday parties for children? Exhausting. But it was chock full of awesomeness--and totally sunny for the duration of the party. I was shocked and certain that I was going to have to entertain twenty plus people in my house and am now supremely pleased that I got to throw them into my backyard. Excellent. Even if it was all Spider-Man, all the time. Seriously, the kid got ten Spider-Man presents. Everyone I know took this opportunity as a moment for revenge.

Fine, at least he likes comic books.