PREVIEWS: What’s new for Wednesday, November 16, 2011

By pghhead -

Lots of good books this week.  Here’s some of the highlights I consider worth your time  . . . .

BATMAN #3 (DC) - - - Loved the first two issues.  Time to pick up Issue #3 of my 3-issue trial.  I think this one is staying in my monthly rotation.

BLUE ESTATE #7 (IMAGE) - - - Quirky, pulp fiction set in urban Los Angeles with all the seedy, depraved, conflicted, manipulative and neurotic characters you could hope for in a single cast.  Great escapism. Mature readers only.

FEAR ITSELF #7.3 (MARVEL) - - - You’ve come this far.  Why not see it through to the after-conclusions?

HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN Trade Paperback  (BOOM!) - - - - An original graphic novel based on the beloved characters.  I’ve seen a preview of this in PEANUTS #0 and it’s faithful to the Schultz legacy.  And delightful. 

HAWKEN #1 of 6 (IDW) - - -  Can’t wait to see the latest dark Western saga from Tim Truman.  A collaboration with his son.

iZOMBIE #19 (DC) - - - - Lot of dark fun with the undead and assorted monsters courtesy of writer Chris Roberson and artist Mike Allred.  You can jump in anytime and pick up on the story.  If you do, you’ll come back for more.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #3 (DC) - - - This will be the capper issue that determines if I continue with this series. Issue #1 had great art but a disappointing script.  The story in Issue #2 was much better and the art took it to another level.

KEY OF Z  #2 of 4 (BOOM!) :  I turned out to be right about what effect Ewing’s little musical artifact would have on the zombies.  This issue turns into a “heard it before” tale of two rival gangs jockeying for territory, etc reminiscent of  THE WARRIORS and the ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK / ESCAPE FROM L.A. films.  However, the art by newcomer Carlos Magno is worth your attention. 

PLANET OF THE APES #8  (BOOM!) - - - Second story arc ends this issue, but the conflict is far from over. If you have been following this series you will go crazy for the art in the battle scenes this issue. It’s a damn shame that human leader Sullivan and apes leader Alaya have grown so far apart since their days as students together.  In order to avoid a blood bath, Sullivan negotiates and puts her trust in Alaya. Let’s hope she doesn’t regret it. 

SCALPED VOLUME 8:  YOU GOTTA SIN TO GET SAVED Trade Paperback  (DC) - - -  One of the best alternative (non-superhero) continuing stories you can buy for your hard-earned dollar.  I’m several volumes behind,  but I trust scripter Aaron has been maintaining the high level of quality on this title.

WONDER WOMAN #3  (DC) - - - One of the NEW 52 books I picked up on a whim.  I feel I’ll be picking this one up for months to come.  I like the way this is being handled, combining the mythic with the contemporary, and the darker themes under the surface.

See you at the local comic shop!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Robert Kirkman: Invincible, Walking Dead, Wolf-Man

By -
Image
I wasn't actually a huge fan of Robert Kirkman when I first started reading his books.  He was competent, sure, but I didn't see the appeal-- The Irredeemable Ant-Man was a boring side story in the middle of  Civil War and  The Initiative (although I've since changed my mind about this), and his  Ultimate X-Men run was, in many places, a mixed bag (although I did very much enjoy his "Phoenix?" storyline).  And  Marvel Zombies  just seemed like a ridiculous idea--not that I bothered to try it at the time. Now, though?  I've completely reevaluated my opinion on his work, and when his name is attached to a project, I'm far more likely to give it a look.  I don't know if I'd classify him as a master storyteller or a comics icon--but he's very skilled, he has an incredible knack for dialog, and he writes stories that, no matter how ridiculous, seem real .  In a medium where characters frequently violate the rules of physics, that's not alway
Read more

more random readings from May 2009

By pghhead -
Image
What else did I finish reading last month?  Here’s a cross-section of various titles . . . . . . . . . WITCHBLADE #126 “War Of The Witchblade Part 2” by Ron Marz and Stejepan Sejic  (Top Cow/Image) Preface:  Now here’s an interesting concept! = In order to attract new readers to its’ titles Top Cow is giving out free books each month as part of it’s Let Us Win You Over project.  ( www.topcow.com/freecomics )  Every month it’s a different title. And they work through different comics shops each month as well.  In April the title was Witchblade #126 and one of the participating dealers was Captain Blue Hen Comics in Newark, DE (my preferred supplier) so voila! - - - I find a copy in my hands. Since the last time I explored the Witchblade series the mythology has expanded to a battle between the forces of light and dark with each side choosing its agents on Earth, hence the Darkness vs. the Witchblade.  I’m still not overly interested in this type of fare on a regular basis, but
Read more

INDIE COMICS: Huffin’ & puffin’ B.B. Wolf’s got the blues

By pghhead -
Image
BB WOLF AND THE THREE LPs  (Top Shelf, May 2010 hardcover, black & white, 86 pages,   $12.95)  As told by JD Arnold with illustrations by Richard Koslowski What got my attention immediately was the pairing up of a classic fairy tale with musical motifs.  That’s a combination that pushes two of my “hot buttons” - -  so I made it a must-read.  I was not disappointed.  This is a very entertaining and cleverly designed work that rivals Bill Willingham’s  creativity on the long-running FABLES series from Vertigo. As if taking the classic tale of the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs and turning it upside down wasn’t enough to interest, BB WOLF AND THE THREE LPS  serves as an allegory for the oppression of  the black population in the deep South (Mississippi) in the 1920’s.  While they may be free (wolves),  the governing bodies (pigs) have the power to deny them their land, homes and possessions and even own the businesses and clubs they patronize as well as the shops they d
Read more