Weekly Comics for 1407.30

Weekly Comics for 1407.30

Eventually, one of these needs to be short, right?

I am limiting myself to just one of the comic books for this week in terms of a sort of mini-review and the top five covers. I am writing this on the last day of December in 2014. I have to start to post these at a greater rate of speed or I will never catch up.

Though last week's comics (speaking of July 23 here) were wonderful, a great week for comics, this week's comics were not very memorable or very notable.

Though a DC comic did not take top spot last week, I had more DC's highly ranked last week than comics from any other company. And so, it occurred to me that I had never counted which publisher published the comic from the top spot every week.

I started this weekly comics listing and ranking over on the T-shirt blog in June of 2013. I have completed 53 weeks of comic book listing and ranking since. I have many more unfinished blog entries as I am writing about July comics in December of 2014 (soon to be 2015). I suspect I may have miscounted and may have missed some weeks. But going with these numbers, since the start in June of 2013, I have ranked a Marvel comic as number one 26 times. Sixteen of my one rankings have been an Image or an Archie comic, and eleven have been from DC, mostly Aquaman and Green Arrow.

There's a glimpse at statistics. Now on to comics.

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS 

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS 
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS 
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
RE: SPOILERS: I don't have to explain that you read at your own risk, right?
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+

CBR for JULY 30, 2014

IGN FOR JULY 30, 2014

Above you will find the round ups I have been using as source material lately. As I wrote previously, this was an unremarkable week, even though there are several good comics. I was sad to see Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze have a short run, and since I am a big Doc Savage fan, I have more to share on this subject in the future. As you can see, both weekly comics, Batman Eternal #17 and Futures End: The New 52 #13 languish at the bottom of the stack, but both have improved since this week in July.

Without as many choices, I have ranked both Avengers books highly, even though neither are inspiring me lately as Hickman drags out his multiverse saga far too long and with far too many plot elements in the air. And as much as I love Aquaman, I have to agree with the reviews I have seen that Aquaman Annual #2 was a waste of money.

Though I soured on Guardians of the Galaxy, this book picked up at just the right time. Outcastis very good and deserves more attention later.

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+

Justice League #32

This issue of Justice League ranged from a 10/10 from the Comic Booked site to a 6/10. Recently, issue of the Justice League hit near the top of my stack due to an appearance of the Metal Men, whom I love. Back in 2011, when Justice League debuted as part of the New 52, I was excited and the first issue hit the top of my stack (even though I was not doing these blogs yet). In part, this book rocketed to the top of my stack because Jim Lee had tackled art duties.

I have always liked the Justice League quite a lot, possibly even more than the Avengers or the X-Men. I have many fond memories of the Justice League, which were rekindled in recent years with the DC archive editions, of which I own a complete set for DC's premier super team.

Though some of my favorite Justice League characters -- Hawkman, the Atom, Martian Manhunter -- were not part of this Justice League, the title ranked high in my stack each month, at least as long as Jim Lee helmed the art duties.

I enjoyed the David Finch issue, but eventually the book started to droop in my stack each month. For instance Justice League #28 ranked tenth out of eighteen comics on comics for August 28, 2013 in my post on EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL on my T-shirt blog.

Almost three years after the release of the Justice Leagueas the flagship title of DC's New 52, issue #32 of Justice League delivers a brilliant twist that has revitalized my interest in the title and provides its ranking at number one for the week: Lex Luthor as a member of the Justice League.

In a follow up to Forever Evil, Lex Luthor has joined the Justice League. This issue serves to re-introduce the Doom Patrol, with new idea about old characters. Many fans cried foul at the depiction of Chief Caulder is angry and spiteful, but all in all reviews were positive for this issue.

Some fans disliked the darker colors on the Mahnke art work. Though I am not a huge Mahnke fan, I do not dislike his art and think the colors are appropriate for the moody story (see below).

I agree with the IGN reviewer that Mahnke's art provides a creepy feel with Elastigirl's perpetual smile and with the sinister foreshadowing as Superwoman sings to her unborn child from where she is held captive.

But bringing Luthor into the Justice League is just the right move to shake up this book and give it life, a plot device that's still paying dividends as I write this in December.

Of course, the issue's cover delivers the biggest reveal of all as we see that Lex Luthor has learned Batman's secret identity (yes, it's true), which is a story that has yet to fully pay out but promises to be quite satisfying.

IGN REVIEW

COMICOSITY REVIEW

GOOD KIND OF GEEK REVIEW

ADVENTURES IN POOR TASTE REVIEW

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+

WEEKLY COMICS LIST

Justice League #32

Original Sin: Hulk vs. Iron Man #3

New Avengers #021

Avengers (Original Sin) #33

Aquaman Annual #2

Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze #8

Hawkeye #019

Guardians of the Galaxy #017

Outcast #2

Uncanny X-Men (Original Sin) #24

Secret Avengers #006

Futures End: The New 52 #13

Batman Eternal #17

Red Sonja #0

BACK LOG

Uncanny Avengers #022

COVER GALLERY

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1412.31 - 14:47

Weekly Comics for 1406.25

Weekly Comics for 1406.25

I told myself that I wasn't going to buy Robert Kirkman's Outcast. Not that I have anything against Kirkman. I love The Walking Dead, but I am trying to cut down on my monthly comic purchases, not add to them. Also, I did not know ANYTHING about it. I avoided the previews. I didn't read up on the imminent release of this new Kirkman book.

But then, I don't know what happened, as I did buy it and read it. Look at that list below, hardly a "light" week. Often I am more inclined to pick up a book that I didn't order on a light week. And I have told myself I am saving some books for the trade editions, such as The Fade Out, East of West, and Fatale, so I had it in my mind to "maybe" read Outcast in trade.

But then, I bought Outcast anyway. I will tell you what I think farther down the page. (And yes, it's distance, so it's FARther not FURther. FURTHER is not for DISTANCES of any kind.) (Yes, I am a grammar serial killer. Don't make these mistakes because I will find you, and it will not be pretty.)

Okay, so it's November not June or even close to June. I am trying to catch up on these blogs and it's bloody November. Actually, it's snowy November, like 16 inches of snow and drifting. This is more intense than last January, and it's not even officially WINTER yet. This is unofficially "Global Warming at its finest" as we used to say around the Neahtawanta. Thank you Bob Russell. I still hear you. (For what I mean by that comment, see this HERE.)

So, I am still catching up, and it's snowy out there, so that means curling up with some comic books, and we have some doozies here.

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS 

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS 
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS 
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
RE: SPOILERS: I don't have to explain that you read at your own risk, right?
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+

It was supposed to be Superman #32 that was the most anticipated comic for this week. And it was, though in hindsight, it's not the best of the week. Superman #32 takes the top spot as I was eagerly awaiting the coming of John Romita Jr. to DC and the Superman title, after months, arguably years of Superman floundering as one of the least interesting books I buy (along with Action Comics) falling out of my top reads and finding its place among multiple other issues in the back log. Then, when I do get around to reading them, I read a bunch while watching football, pouring through an issue every few minutes. And then I think, why did I spend $3.99 for the opportunity to flip through that book in no more than five minutes and possibly much fewer? (Yes, FEWER, this is like the FARTHER AND FURTHER thing in the text above. Really. I will find you. Don't make me stop this car.)

So, it was not going to be Outcast that broke away from the pack. As you can see, originally, I ranked Outcast at thirteenth out of twenty-three comics, two of which fell immediately into the back log (and where Avengers Undercover still is and recent issues of Batman Eternal is).

So back to Supes in a minute, first, let me tell you about Outcast.

OUTCAST #1

It's not the best Image book on the market. Doesn't have to be. It's Kirkman, It will sell.

It's about exorcism, sort of. That's good. So now zombies, exactly.

There's no apocalypse. Wouldn't Kirkman love to know how he's pigeon-holed here? Right.

Great art by Paul Azaceta. Moody and creepy.

I was really surprised. But don't believe me. Believe these people.

PODCAST REVIEW - OUTCAST

IS IT GOOD? REVIEW OUTCAST

IGN REVIEW OUTCAST #1

PASTE MAGAZINE REVIEW OUTCAST #1

COMICOSITY REVIEW OUTCAST #1

Do I really need to say much more? Can I say anything of relevance that these people at those links did not write? Hardly. This book has remained consistently good (and on schedule) since June.

Superman #32

So after all the anticipation, though good, Superman #32 was not great. Sadly. Because I wanted it to be great. But it's only good. I love John Romita, Jr. He's embracing some Kirby roots both in his art and in his jump to DC (something Kirby did as well, though for different reasons, I presume).

There's little WOW factor here.

The art is great (though the NERDIST accuses Romita of drawing the same face on all his characters), and the story is decent, helmed by a very good writer (Geoff Johns), but ultimately, not great, and since June, it doesn't live up to the DC marketing hype and has not received much hype since.

NERDIST REVIEW


SUPERMAN #32 - COMICS NEXUS PREVIEW

WEEKLY COMICS LIST

Comics for 1406.25

Superman #32
Fantastic Four (Original Sin) #6
Aquaman #32
Savage Hulk #001
New Avengers #020
Batman: Zero Year: Final Act #32
Hulk vs. Iron Man Original Sin #1
Amazing Spider-Man #003
Justice League #31
The New 52: Futures End #8
Deadly Class - 1987 - #6
Stray Bullets: Killers #4
Outcast #1 ("Darkness Surrounds Him")
Saga #20
Ms. Marvel #005
Guardians of the Galaxy #016
Flash #32
Trees #2
New Avengers Annual #001
New Warriors #006
Uncanny Avengers #021

BACK LOG

Batman Eternal #12
Avengers Undercover #006

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MORE COMMENTS

Changing it up a little by putting comments after.

So Outcast #1 ("Darkness Surrounds Him") emerges as the top comic from this week, and so I cheat and put it at the top of the cover gallery to follow. Maybe it seems the best of the lot because it was a new title, a first issue, or maybe it really is the best story and material of this week from June.

I cheat with my Fantastic Four cover in the gallery below, sharing a double comic for the sake of resolution, which provides a preview of Fantastic Four #7. I am LOVING Robinson and Kirk's run on my beloved Fantastic Four. The team is falling apart, which is always an interesting tale with this group that has not been told quite in this way before.

Of course, Aquaman. I have spoken of my love for Aquaman quite a bit before. Likewise, I have gone on at length about the Batman comic in previous blogs, so much so that Batman earned his own category (see SIDEBAR MENU). The wrap up of the Zero Year Riddler story was very excellent as has most of the Batman work from the venerable DC lately.

Stray Bullets is ripe for a future review. I loved the run of this comic back back in the '90s. This new run continues the excellence. The earlier Stray Bullets volumes would make nice Christmas (or Hanukkah) gifts for the discerning reader.

Also, as I have already mentioned, Saga is due for a full review somewhere in my bloggy world. It's part of that Image dominant excellence I was nattering on about in the previous blog post.

And Trees. You all know I love Warren Ellis. Warren (whom I think of as a friend of sorts since he's kind enough to include us all in his life) has introduced me to many amazing things, and he inspires me to want to do something more amazing and satisfying than this blog, which is just like exercise for the main event. But Trees #1 bamboozled me. Thus, I dropped Trees #2 to nearly last place only because I did not know how to think about it or what it was. Later, when Trees #3 comes out, I have to re-read the previous two issues, which I did twice before the whole thing congealed. Now, Trees ranks much higher as you will see when I get closer to the present with these blog posts.

Warren's recent weirdnesses live at the following.

The link to share is http://www.orbitaloperations.com.

++ writing most mornings at http://morning.computer + logging at http://endless.systems

Lastly, to justify my "science fiction" category, I want to share that I am reading Ray Kurzweil's The Sungularity is Near (finally). This also relates to the previous comment about Bob Russell and the post HERE. Anyway, I am also a fan of Cory Doctorow, and in Kurzweil's book he mentions a Doctorow book I did not know about, and I thought I either had read them all or knew the ones I had yet to read. The book is called usr/bin/god, which is a title reference I know "get" due to my work in Unix/Linux. However, the book never happened and Kurzweil was referencing it before it was published. All that exists is an EXCERPT, there at that link.

'Nuff said.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

COVER GALLERY

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1411.21 - 8:44