Let's cut to the chase this week. I went a couple of dollars over budget this week, but only due to taxation. Two books were put back that I was sorely looking forward to (Weird Secret Origins: any book with Congorilla and Animal Man is ok in my world, but not at $6; and We3: this one bummed me out. I just couldn't squeeze it into the budget. Morrison and Quitely? There's a must buy for you, but too many of my regular pulls came out this week. Maybe next week. Looked quite nice, too...) but this week is full of quality. Onto the pull list for August 25th:
- Conan #7 (current series) $2.99- My very first post in this blog was about this fine series. This issue is a wrap-up to the Hyperborea storyline. Not much happens, other than Conan gearing up for his next adventure. Exellent work all around, as usual. If you haven't read this series, the next issue looks to be a good jumping-on point. Then, go back and get #0-7. Maybe this fine establishment has them back issued. Ask nicely and see what they can do.
- Bart Simpson #19 $2.99- This is the companion book to Simpsons Comics. Funny, shorter stories about Bart and the other kids of Springfield. Best part of this book: this issue's cover, with Bart as The Seven Deadly Harveys' Lord and Master a.k.a. Hot Stuff. Good stuff, if not for everyone. And, just like last week, I couldn't find a Bongo Comics weblink. What?
- Promethea #31 $2.95- Ooooh man. This is one of my absolute, drop everything and read instantaneously, books. Alan Moore is a big hero of mine and this book lets him say whatever he wants. Not so much a comic as it is an in-depth exploration into Mr. Moore's views on magick and history. A beautiful book from issue one, page one. Even with everything he has done, including Watchmen and V For Vendetta, this is my second favorite book Mr. Moore has written, with From Hell just barely in front. Again, definitely not for everyone, especially this issue, since the series is over next issue. Go pick up the first collection. You will not be disappointed. J. H. Williams III is a fantastic artist who, I feel, does not get the credit he justly deserves. His art style is so different than anything else out there. Honestly, I feel this series should be studied alongside Watchmen and From Hell, just for the sheer amount of research that seems to be involved with writing this. Hell, it made me go do research on my own, in real books, just out of curiosity. I think that was Mr. Moore's point in publishing this. Top recommendation.
- Astonishing X-men #4 $2.99- Ah yes. The X-men book I actually like. Initially, John Cassaday's art was the main reason I bought this book, and I am glad I did. Planetary is probably the best (sorta) superhero book out there today, and his art is one of the main reasons. The writing, by Joss Whedon of Buffy The Vampire Slayer fame, is a lot better than I expected, except I am unsure on his handling of Wolverine, as he has hardly done anything with him. The story is interesting and has a new villain that, four issues in, I still have questions about. Since that is the point of comics (make you wonder what is going to happen next so you will buy the next issue), he is doing a good job. The ending of this issue made my fiancee and I both sit up and go "huh?", but I am not unhappy about it. We are just a little bit confused, is all. Yep. Gonna get the next issue. Oh, and if you like John Cassaday's art in Astonishing X-men, go get Planetary. In issue 2 of that book, you get to see him draw a dead, eviscerated Godzilla-like creature!
- The Flash #213 (current series) $2.25- Ok I agree with Mike on this one. The Turtle, one of the goofier rogues all three of the Flashes have faced, is now creepier than I ever expected. The Slowest Man Alive now seems to have a thing for balloons and... something more sinister. Good story with a strange twisty-style ending. And the Next Issue tag: "The Secret Of Barry Allen!" Oooooh. Let's hope it's not his secret tryst with Ma Hunkel.
- The Witching #3 $2.95- Unless the pace picks up a little bit on this book, I may downgrade this book to "One The Girl Reads". The story is ok, but the set-up for the story is taking a little longer than I like. Let's see where it is at in a couple of issues. This issue has a little more character development, but not much else.
- Hellblazer #199 $2.75- One more until #200! This issue wraps up the "Stations Of The Cross" story line quite nicely. An old foe returns, and it's a doozy! Still Vertigo's premier title. The (future) wife just started reading Original Sins, the first collection, and she is enjoying it. I can't wait to hear her reaction to the later, more brutal, stuff. This week, I decided that DC really needs to capitalize on the upcoming movie with chronologically-ordered collections of the series. There are already collections, but it skips around some. Of course, this is also a purely selfish request, as I would love to have all of Hellblazer in book format on my shelf. Listen to my demands, DC!
A few days ago, I had a little extra cash and decided to splurge on a couple of collections. I went with the first two Fables collections. Am I ever glad I did! Strong art and an interesting plot device, where all of the characters from fairy tales are living hidden in modern New York. Fantastic. It was so good, I tried to scrape together the cash to get the third collection the next day, to no avail. This comic proves to me that there will always be fertile ground in the classics for modern stories. As soon as I catch up on the back issues, it goes on the pull list. Highly recommended. Also, I found out a nice little tibit of information from the Mighty Ralph, owner of my third favorite place on Earth. He told me that Fables is a anomoly at his store. Most comics have people fall off of looking for back issues as it runs its course. Not so with Fables. He says that as it continues to be published, more people come in every month looking for back issues and that interest is growing. That, my friends, is how you become a legendary title. Look for this comic to be around a while. Just don't expect to find back issues soon.
See ya next time!
0 comments:
Post a Comment