Last Week's Comics Today - 10/18/2016

I wasn't sure what was going to get Pick of the Week this go 'round.  Books seemed close and I thought it might be another multiple winner week...

until I read Black Monday Murders on lunch Monday.  I haven't stopped thinking about it since.  A fantastic combination of words and art with enough story to really sink your eat into.

Pick of the Week

Black Monday Murders #3 - This is an oversized book.  Also, it's dense, but not in the Alan Moore, impenetrable kind of way.  There's a lot going on here and a lot to digest.  This issue takes place almost entirely within an interrogation room.  It's basically a series of conversations, with brief punctuations of violence.  It's a hard book to broadly recommend because it's going to turn certain people off.  But it's good.

 

Honorable Mention

Moon Knight #7 - Stokoe draws combat with space wolves, Francavilla draws a confused cab driver.  What do these things have to do with Moon Knight?  You've perhaps heard he suffers from some psychological issues?  This series is really good and you should be reading it.

Kill Or Be Killed #3 - I've talked before about how real this book feels, but I don't think I properly explained that at the time.  So much of the book happens in the main character's head, narrating his own thought processes.  And it's like Brubaker can hear my thoughts.  Not about killing people to stay alive, but the way he thinks.  A few months back I learned the word "catastrophizing" and I've been thinking it or using it ever since.  It perfectly describes the way I think most of the time and it's how Dylan thinks too.  It's refreshing to see.  The story is good, so's the art, and I recommend it.

Briggs Land #3 - This marks the end of the first arc.  I'm not real clear on what constitutes the arc here, as everything still seems pretty up in the air or in progress, but if pressed, I'd guess it's Grace's position becoming solidified... even if still under threat.  It's good and should make for excellent television.  Or, if you don't want to wait, just start reading the book now.  I hope this gets a 60+ issue run.  

Everything else

The Fix #6 - I'm starting to think this is a book like Sex Criminals, where it's really more about a cast of characters than any particular plot.  There was a plot, in the early issues, and what seemed like a high pressure time frame in which to complete a given task.  But that hasn't been touched on in a few issues and the book has moved to a new plot.  The book remains good, and certainly entertaining, though not as tight as it once was. 

 

Jupiter's Legacy 2 #4 - "The best laid plans of mice and men..."  Things go wrong this issue (though I guess that depends on your perspective).  And things wrap up next issue.

Sheriff Of Babylon #11 - I didn't talk about Jupiter's Legacy, and now I'm not talking about this.  Series conclusion next issue.  This continues to be good, though I've said that about every issue.

Unfollow #12 - Some major moves are made this issue by three cast members.  Which is all I'm going to say.  This book continues to prove Vertigo's worth.

Wonder Woman #8 - Cheetah vs Dr. Barbara Ann Minerva.  That doesn't actually happen, since they're the same person, but it's something I've been thinking about these past few issues.  Cheetah in the present is radically different from the Dr. Minerva we've seen.  It's fascinating and I really want to know more about how she went from one to the other.  I want to see that transition.  And now, I want to see if she can transition back from Cheetah to Dr. Minerva given the end of the previous issue.  Note: I thoroughly enjoy the art of Everly and think she's the perfect person to take over when Scott leaves the title.  Couldn't have made a better choice.

Gotham Academy Second Semester #2 - New mystery!  Not so friendly friends!  Olive's a bit distracted with her new roommate while the rest of the gang are looking for mysteries... when one naturally pops up.  Kids in peril, kids trying to save other kids, adults not believing kids about said peril... might sound like a formula, but this series is fantastic.  It's so full of life with believable characters, plenty of ancillary Bat-cast members, and great art.  It continues to be a highlight and delight.  

All Star Batman #3 - There's a really good line in this about the cure Batman is seeking for Two-Face.  What if it really eliminates Harvey and leaves only Two-Face?  In that same conversation, Two-Face mentions some retconning done earlier in the issue with Bruce and Harvey in their youth.  I'm generally against retconning because the thing being added is almost never as good as the writer thinks it is.  I find that to be the case here.  Bonus: There's an appearance by the Royal Flush Gang that's as amazing as it is hilarious.  Also brief.

Lumberjanes Gotham Academy #5 - Lumberjanes vol. 4 recently came out.  I didn't write anything about it at the time and I don't think I've written anything about Lumberjanes in general (hint: I like it a lot!).  But with Gotham Academy starting up again and a new Lumberjanes trade to refresh my memory, it made me realize these series are better apart than together.  I haven't even read this issue yet, it's just something I've wanted to say for a while.  Things happen, I'm sure.  It wraps up next issue and I won't be getting the trade.  That's all I'm saying.

Reborn #1 - Have you ever been watching a movie, and the thing is written as if trailers don't exist?  As if marketing in general doesn't exist?  Writing "surprises" into the first half hour or hour that were revealed six months ago?  That's how this is written.  THE NAME OF THE BOOK IS 'REBORN'!  Why spend the first half of issue one talking about all the main character's friends and family that have died and how how she doesn't believe in an afterlife?  It's all wasted until we get to the actual start of the book.  The art is nice, I guess.  I'd say I'll get the second issue and see where things go, but I've said that a few times recently and haven't actually done it.  So, we'll see.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #63 - Splinter is keeping secrets from the brothers - much like Leo kept attacking the Technodrome secret from him some issues back.  It's a very "Oh, snap!" moment when that's pointed out.  At least one other secret is revealed on the last page, though I have to wonder how many others are left to be revealed.  The secrets seem to be driving a wedge between Splinter and the brothers, leading to my wild prediction of them breaking away from Splinter while he continues to lead the Foot.  I don't know!  This book always surprises me and I love it.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #2 - I missed this last week.  Or, two weeks ago at this point.  There's a kind of 80s movie, Die Hard feel here as our cast fight within a building while a police presence grows outside just waiting to take everyone down by force.  If you like the main title, you should probably be getting this.  If you haven't read the main title but want to try IDW Turtles without starting in the mid-60s, grab the first issue.  Or grab this one - the story hasn't advanced so far you you'll be lost.

Last Week's Comics Today - 10/11/2016

Green Valley and Moonshine were both great, I couldn't pick just one.  Other than that, a lot of confusion this week trying to remember what happened in comics past.

Pick of the Week

Green Valley #1 - Gorgeous art, good story, all-around great start for the series.  The focus is squarely on the characters here, establishing primarily two of the knights, but showing enough of all four to get a sense of their personalities.  But there's a good amount of action as well, and a final page to teases plenty more to come.  Recommended.

Moonshine #1 - I love this team and would likely read any book they do together.  You might think that means my opinion can't be trusted, as I'm someone that read all of Spaceman, but I can admit that was weird and not their greatest collaboration.  This, is a reminder of the heyday of 100 Bullets.  Bad men doing bad things with some of the best dialogue in the business.  All with art, heavy in shadow, telling just as much of the story through gesture and facial expression.  These two remain at the top of their game.  Recommended.

Honorable Mention

Paper Girls #10 - The titular paper girls - both young and old - get on the same page with one another and take some serious action this issue.  The craziness is as high as ever, and it caused me to let out a single "ha!" when I got to the last page.  There's a lot of books trying to out-do each other with great last pages, and I think that makes us all winners.  Recommended.

Superman #8 - This was kind of spoiled by some articles before I'd read the issue.  If you haven't been spoiled, it should be a nice surprise.  If you have, it's a pretty long setup when you already know the payoff.  Regardless, it's still a good issue.  Clark and Jon are great together.  I don't know if Lois is being given much time in Action, but she's barely in this series.  She's great whenever she shows up, and that's coming from a guy with a life-long hatred for Lois.  Anyway, between this and Trinity, I have to wonder who's messing with Superman.  Same person/being or different in each book?  Something is definitely going on.

Everything else

Archangel #3 - There was an announcement for a collected version of this series at NYCC this past weekend.  Which is good, because I suspect a lot people are going to need it.  I remember the first issue better than the second, and the recap page didn't help much.  I have a rough memory of what's happening, but there's so many characters here with different agendas, the series either needs to ship more quickly or do a better job within the series itself.  Things happen, but the best I could figure is "the good guys got away from the bad guys."

Autumnlands Tooth & Claw #13 - I think I'd like this series better if I read it in trades.  It's a great series, but without a recap page and what seems like (I haven't verified) a less-than-once-per-month shipping schedule, it's hard to remember where things left off.  Context is king, and the story caught me up well enough once I started reading.  I'm somewhat purposely avoiding writing about anything that happens this issue since, like a handful of other series, you'd be completely lost if I were to explain anything.  If you like Birthright, check this out.  If you like fantasy in general, check it out.  If you like a Paper Girls-style mystery and trying to figure out what's really going on... you should check the series out.

DC Comics Bombshells #18 - Mera vs Siren for the fate of Atlantis!  Where did the cast teleport to last issue?!    Hint: There's still Nazis.  This issues appears to wrap another arc, but by the last page, there's a hint of what's to come.  I'm constantly amazed by the number of characters getting added to this series, and wonder how long it can go on.  It's good, though I don't know anyone else reading it... makes me wonder if the sales are good enough to sustain.  Certainly appears that way, and I wish it the best.  It's positivity is always refreshing, the stories entertaining, and the art almost always wonderful.

Future Quest #5 - Two stories this issue - minor advancement of the main storyline that ends in a great last page, and a disconnected story involving The Impossibles.  I'll be dropping this.  As much as I like the main story, it's exactly stuff like The Impossibles I couldn't care less about.  And with good new books coming out all the time, it's time to make room by clearing books I'm not as interested in.  I'm too young for most (all?) of these characters, and they're getting introduced faster than I can keep up.  I'm not invested in any enough to continue.

Ghostbusters International #9 - Issue 11 seems to be the last for this series, which is unfortunate, as I'd been really enjoying it.  So, with only a couple issues to go, things are starting to wind toward the inevitable conclusion.  The team have split in order to achieve multiple objectives, but what I wasn't expecting was a different artist for each team.  I'm going through the book and suddenly think, "Kylie's face doesn't look right..." look closer, check the cover and credits page, and sure enough - two artists.  It's a little weird this late in the game, but it's still a good series and will make for a nice collection once concluded.  

Justice League #6 - This arc looks to be the polar opposite of the first.  Where the first arc focused on huge action and the team working together, this issue opens with them quickly ending (or did they?) a fear-based assault with the rest of the issue focused on their civilian lives.  It's a nice contrast that breathes life into characters I'm not reading elsewhere (except Superman).  If DC have their ducks in a row, it won't clash with their solo books like Johns' run did.  The art and writing remain strong.  

Ragnarok #10 - Thor has done some impressive things in this series, but here we're shown even he has limits.  And unless he does something about it quickly, he's not going to make it.  So I think we're due for a side quest soon to get his strength back.  The book continues to be well written, with art I can't help but stare at in awe.  I know the publishing schedule is slow, but this is one book that's always worth the wait.

Shade, The Changing Girl #1 - I sometimes write these immediately after reading a comic.  Other times, I need to figure out what I want to say, so the write-ups come a few days later.  This is one I've sat on, and I'm still not sure what I want to say.  It's weird, that's for sure.  Marley's a friend, and I think she was a fantastic choice.  This issue the surreal and very alien alongside the very real and human.  And she does a great job with all of it.  The story?  ...It's... all those things from two sentences ago.  I never read Shade before.  Maybe if I had, I'd like this more.  As it is, I'll check it out for a few more issues, but... I don't know... it's weird.

Shipwreck #1 - What the hell did I just read?  I don't know if there were preview pages for this book or not - either way, I didn't read them.  I saw the names "Warren Ellis" and "Phil Hester" and I was sold.  Phil Hester did The Wretch (among other things), and for that I'll take a life-long interest in any comic he does.  At a minimum, it deserves a look.  Warren Ellis, is of course, Warren Ellis.  Some hits, some misses, but when he hits, it's outta the park.  I can't even describe to you what happens in this issue.  If either of the creative names behind it interest you, you should pick it up.  I'll be getting issue two and see where that takes me.

Transformers #57 - I'd written a review of this, but for reasons unknown, that was lost to the electronic ether.  Rather than try to re-write it, I'll get straight to the point: this is a bad ending to a mostly bad series.  It was briefly good following Dark Cybertron, but the plotlines I cared about moved over to Til All Are One.  I'll miss Soundwave and Thundercracker, but that's about it.  The writing is horrible as characters possessing multiple names try to explain overly complicated schemes I could not care less about.  The art is incomprehensible in places.  This issue was a chore to get through and exactly the justification I needed to drop it when it's rebooted into the Optimus Prime title in a few months.

Last Week's Comics Today - 10/04/2016

Pick of the Week, Pick of the Month, Pick of Whatever-since-the-last-Deadly-Class came out should go to Velvet vol. 3, but it came out a couple weeks back.  Instead, I'm giving it to Frostbite.  There were several great books this week, but only one was a new #1 and first issues need all the help they can get.

Pick of the Week

Frostbite #1 - Great first issue.  Lots of world-building and great character work.  Basically, a new ice age has set in and everyone is struggling for heat.  On top of that, a new disease called Frostbite has emerged that's both fast-acting and fatal, further devastating a population fraught with hardship.  It's well written with art that perfectly suits its bleakness.  Recommended.  

Honorable Mention

Saga #38 - This feels like the Saga of old.  A character dies and agendas are revealed to be at cross-purposes.  It makes me remember that the last few issues have seen the cast working together, which is probably why they felt weird at the time, but I couldn't figure out why.  Surprise appearance by The Will, which is always nice.  And another, brief, time jump.  I thoroughly enjoyed this and can't wait to see what happens next.

Transformers More Than Meets the Eye #57 - The letters page may have been the best part of this stellar ending.  The Sentinel plotline seems (?) to have wrapped up quickly, though I know we haven't seen the end of one element of his plan, and wouldn't be surprised with another returns down the line as well.  All-in-all, it's a nice end, even as it acknowledges there's still a lot left unresolved that will carry over to the new Lost Light title.  I can't wait!  Ordinarily, opening with "the letters page is the best part" would be an insult, but it's not meant to be here.  It's just a really good letter from the writer to the readers about endings and beginnings and things left undone.

Paybacks #3 - Best cover of the week.  I get the feeling the series is ending next issue, but can't find confirmation of that anywhere, just an old comment by the creators about wanting to do the series as a series of mini series, like Hellboy.  Anyway, events came to multiple heads this issue, so things should be rather explosive for the conclusion... aaand I'm hoping that comment about a series of mini series still stands because I'm not ready to let this go yet.  The art is amazing and writing phenomenal.  I really can't even vaguely reference events of the issue as everything would be a) a spoiler, or b) you wouldn't understand it anyway unless you're already reading.  Let me just say this issue felt a bit like Invincible.  If you like Invincible, check this out.

Velvet vol. 3 - "Brilliant" is really the only word I can use to describe this.  Due to both story twists and the amount of time it took this volume to be released, I want to go back and re-read the series from the beginning.  The writing is exceptional and Epting makes everything look fantastic.  Velvet has been a favorite of mine (both the series and the character), but this is starting to top Queen & Country, which is one of my all-time favorites and a title I frequently recommend to everyone.  The way everything unfolded and wrapped up here cements this among my shortlist of favorites.  Seriously looking forward to more.

Everything else

Aliens Defiance #5 - Tristan Jones is back on art, but if it hadn't been pointed out to me, I wouldn't have even noticed.  Burchielli was a good match for Jones, but there was something missing from those issues that's definitely back here.  Mostly it's the sense of creeping dread.  Horror can be hard to do in comics, but Wood and Jones pull it off.  This book is an Aliens movie on taking place on paper.

Atomic Robo vol. 9 - Atomic Robo in the Old West!  Which is a spoiler for the end of the previous arc, but the kind of spoiler that entices non-readers to learn more.  Plus this volume's been out for over a year, and the previous one for even longer.  My point is: Atomic Robo in the Old West!  All the usual action and humor, completely new setting.  It's great, and I'm suffering a minor panic attack because I want more but vol. 10 isn't out yet.

Lake Of Fire #2 - This is like Aliens, only set during the crusades.  And with far more emphasis put on the religious crusade angle than the aliens.  At least so far.  The preview pages in Image+ with a giant spaceship crashing into the countryside is what sold me on this book.  I'm still waiting for that book to emerge.  It's not bad, it's just not the book I thought I'd be getting based on those pages. 

Descender #15 - A very nice flashback issue going over Effie and Andy's history.  There's a lot of good material here about why they were together and why that's no longer the case.  As always, the book is well written and beautifully drawn, and you should be reading it if you're not already.

Lady Mechanika: La Dama De La Muerte #1 - Lady Mechanika tries to take a vacation, and things naturally go awry.  What's interesting is this issue is more a cultural lesson than the usual steampunk mystery.  As the title suggests, this has to do with a grieving Lady Mechanika taking a trip down south and inadvertently running into a small town celebration for Dia de los Muertos.  A conflict gets setup, but hasn't begun by the end of the issue, so things will have to move quickly in the remainder of this shorter-than-usual series.

Ultimates #11 - I'm just waiting for this to end.  The art is a clash of styles, likely stemming from Rocafort getting tapped for the IVX 0 issue.  He draws a seemingly random assortment of pages while Morissette draws the remainder.  The clash reflects the story as well, as Anti-Man, Thanos, and the Ultimates fight amongst themselves.  This title is no longer the tight, well done book it once was, and I won't be continuing once it renumbers.

Wonder Woman #7 - This ended better than I expected.  Which isn't to say expectations were low, but that this pulled out some good surprises.  I'm pumped to see where this goes next.  Also: Doomsday Swamp Thing.  Not really, but that's totally what it looked like.