Why I Love Comics

Hello there new readers!

This week we see the new start to Astonishing X-Men, a huge turning point for the Astounding Wolfman, the continuing awesomeness that is The Weird in Rann-Thanagar Holy War and much, much more.

I put the books I read in a certain order so if you see me jumping from company to company, that's why. The reading order itself has nothing to do with quality though I torture myself by putting the stuff I want to read the most in the back of the pull.

I guess I'll start with the freebie The Stand Sketchbook which I actually have a huge problem with right off the bat. The character of Flagg is one of the cooler characters in the Stephen King books. To me, he's always had this very handsome look to him that makes him appealing to listen to in the first place. You never really got that Flagg was evil until he did something to make you realize it. He looked perfectly normal and not a hint of evil in his face. Mike Perkins artwork here for Flagg represents a very dark and evil being who you can tell is that right away. No build up. I honestly think this destroys what made the character unique and fun in the first place. I really hope by the time September rolls around I'll be proven wrong, but for now I'm officially worried.

To get back on the point though, trashcanman, Stu, Frannie, Nick and Larry look right on point and it gives me hope that it will be a decently accurate depiction of the novel. It's a freebie though and shows you what you can look forward to at the start of the series so I guess I'd recommend picking it up to see if The Stand will interest you.

Next up is the Kurt Busiek, Mark Bagley and Fabien Nicieza powerhouse that is called Trinity. The newest weekly series from DC comics. A full 5 weeks in and we are definitely picking up steam. The creature Konvikt was truly a fun powerhouse to throw against the Justice League to see just how the fight would go having the trinity come up with something in the end to put him down... for a while at least.

It's interesting to see just how the background is slowly leading up with the main story as we meet an apparently "old" hero Gangbuster. I've honestly never heard of the guy, so I really don't know if he's new or old. All I know is he's a weird addition to the current backstory. Rita the fortune teller is still kind of one note as we keep seeing her having the trinity show up in her cards. Obviously, she has some sort of connection to them but it's moving too slow to really care about.

Mark's artwork shines as always and we get a couple fun moments between Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman as the boys debate telling her she needs medical attention. I'd suggest that if you haven't already tried the series, this isn't a very good starting point. You might want to wait for the next issue or possibly wait on the trade.

Oh, seeing as how it's in most of the DC Nations this month, I'd suggest not skipping over the back-up this week. We get to find out the real identity of Dan Didio aka Ambush Bug! Its a fun four panel run on joke that had me smiling during the whole thing. You will definitely enjoy it on viewing and it looks like DC is fully behind the new Keith Giffen mini which is good to see.

IDW continues to show that they are becoming a publisher to watch out for with the very fun Doctor Who miniseries, currently on issue 5 this week. Taking place sometime before Martha leaves the Doctor, they are sent head first into what appears to be the 1950's where something is very wrong. Martha and the Doctor are tasked with finding something for someone so they can get back to the Tardis. They arrive at a hospital to find something is very amiss.

The art has continued to improve by a lot which I am very happy to see. Mirco Peirfedirici's gotten a lot stronger as the series continued and the characters definitely look like the actors that played them. Gary Rusells writing continues to be just as strong as it was at the beginning with no signs of faltering and the reveals make sense adding very nice levels of complexity to the plot. I look forward to seeing just how this ends.

Sadly, my next purchase this week was disappointing and should have maybe been a dollar less. I am talking, of course, about the Secret Invasion Directors Cut. Unlike several directors cuts in movie form, this doesn't really offer that much more. I will give credit where credit is due as we finally see the Dum Dum Dugan prelude to the event in print. (Previously, it had only been available on Marvel's website promoting the event which was coming out a few days after the prelude was released.)

Bendis really has been showing his strongest work here and I guess what's really fun is to see some of his descriptions and notes to Yu. We are also given some sketches/variant covers that... well, some of it we'd actually seen before. I honestly cannot recommend purchasing this book at $4.99. I can see the reasoning somewhat but when you're already charging the fanbase $3.99 for the main book.... why yet another extra dollar for cardstock covers?

Speaking of Secret Invasion, this week saw the release of the tie-in book Front Line written by Brian Reed who is really becoming a strong powerhouse at Marvel. The series brings the event back down to a human level as the only person we know turns out to be Phil Urich who now owns his own newspaper.

Good news to people who have become negative to Sally Floyd... She is nowhere near this series. We are introduced to a business man who works at Stark Tower, a nurse who is a friend of Phil's, a cab driver who had a run-in with Spider-Man and the businessman's daughter. All these characters are very likable and you can easily see eye to eye with them. This is exactly what Brian wants us to do as the horror of what's about to happen sets in. Without going into spoiler territory the event hits, the skrulls are here and each character will soon be forced to deal with this very real and terrifying alien invasion.

The art on the series brings a very humane level as the pencils show the horror that surrounds these people. Marco Castiello draws a very beautiful New York and very believable faces to follow reactions. All in all, I'd say this a good start to a tie-in mini-series and I look forward to more. Definitely worth picking up for anyone reading Secret Invasion or anyone that enjoys a touch of realism in their comic book.

Tom Defalco is way too under looked in this business. I say this leading into my next review. Tom is known of course for his cult favorite Marvel book Spider-Girl where he gets to write the occasional mini with characters from her universe. (Code named MC-2 for those not in the know.) It takes place in the distant future of the Marvel Universe. The current mini which just ended this week was American Dream. Issue 5 hit the stands and I'd say it knocked everything that was set up out of the park. I honestly praise Tom's work as you can tell he puts his full heart and soul into each of his comics.

American dream was about Shannon Carter, the daughter of Sharon (who we all knew was very much in love with Steve Rogers). Shannon eventually trains with Clint Barton and takes up Cap's mantel and leads the future Avengers.

Todd Nuack's pencils here are as strong as always and he brings that fun element that helps the book be as strong as it is. I honestly would love to one day meet Tom and tell him thank you because when I was touch and go with comics as a little kid, I'd always check in with Spider-Girl as it was one of the worlds where you could really get into and here it's no different. I'm definitely recommending you pick up the whole series.

Next up is yet another offshoot of a popular series with a very popular sidekick. That's right blokes, John Constantine's cab driving buddy Chas gets his own mini series which to no surprise has a very strong first issue. Hellblazer Presents: Chas - The Knowledge see's our cab driving hero interacting with John who, towards the beginning of the issue, leaves to fight a very powerful demon (which i'm sure we'll be seeing more of in the background of the series). Sadly, Chas is left behind where a mystery is brewing and something is attacking people in a certain area of town which the cabbies of the city have the strongest knowledge of. Excuse the pun if you will.

It's a good start and I can't see where it heads.

The week of the mini-series continues as Patsy Walker: Hellcat #1 came out this week. This issue was a blast and played around with a small bit of continuity and a few lines about her Defenders past. Kathryn Immonen shows how strong and playful her writing can be and that her husband's not the only talented person in the family. Patsy is easily lovable here and there are plenty of fun moments as the story is slowly revealed and characters are introduced.

David Lafuente's art shines here and is half of the reason Patsy is so lovable. There are nods to the very beginning of her career and she looks like a fashion model... even during the fight scenes. The Iron Man cameo is really fun as Tony's armor is drawn in an interesting and rather unique way.

We now go to the opposite spectrum of the comic field with Cable #5. Our man Cable is now stuck in a post apocalyptic future (because obviously when you carry around big guns, that's the only type of future you can go to). One thing I actually really loved about this issue is the cover actually shows something that takes place in the issue. Considering how far Bishop's come during this whole thing so far, I don't see any redeeming qualities. He's become obsessed with his goal and killed someone who was a trusted ally at one point. Though speaking of that trusted ally, he looked nothing like himself last issue. But, I'm getting completely off point here. Nathan arms himself up and has another climactic battle with Bishop which, honestly, leads to the same issue we had during the last two battles. I like the series, I really do. For me, it's too slow. The build up is really to nothing (though apparently the baby is exacty who most fanboys thought it was if you look at the eyes).

Matt Fraction And Rick Remenders Punisher War Journal enters part four of the Jigsaw story in #21. My only real complaint continues to be Howard Chaykin's art. I know it's an acquired taste and that he's a legend. It's just his art isn't right for a title like this. The story itself is really strong here and we get cameo's from a few mainstays of the more grey area of the Marvel U with characters like Domino. I just wish that we had a different artist on the book so I could enjoy it more. It was a decent issue and it's the middle of a very strong arc. Here's hoping that cliffhanger isn't escaped right after the issue opens.

Going to a more positive note, let me show why I officially love cosmic stories in any universe... Rann - Thanagar Holy War #3. Last issue introduced us to who I assume is a brand new character known as The Weird. The Weird is apparently a hero who can turn invisible and blow the head of a t-rex. He's dressed as a ninja in red and black garb and is already in my mind the character of 2008. Here more of the team is formed, the plot thickens and apparently the new Captain Comet and The Weird know each other.

Just like Keith Giffen made people care about Cosmic Marvel with Annihilation, Jim Starlin makes people care about Cosmic DC and really just adds fun moments to such a unique story. I can't recommend it enough. Just for all the stuff that The Weird is responsible for. I swear I can't talk about this guy enough.

Next on the pull, we have X-Men snarkfest 2008 aka Astonishing X-Men #25 which was a fun read for the most part. Sadly, no references to stuff that happened in the Whedon run but so far Warren Ellis has a fun little take here. I have a few issues though... First, Hisako looking for a new name. It just doesn't sound in character to me. I thought she loved Armor and Wolverine stopped harassing her about it. Next, the way Simone Bianchi drew both Storm and Wolverine both look a little off. Logan looks a bit too feral and almost apelike until he gets into costume and Storm just looks completely wrong.

With that said though, Bianchi's artwork is highly improved from his Wolverine story and some of his fun little costume changes work here. I especially love the way he draws Hank. I'd say, give the new start a try but I really wish he had picked up on Whedon's work and ran with it.

And now for my BOOK OF THE WEEK the first official honor goes to a Robert Kirkman book know by The Astounding Wolfman #7. This is the huge turning point for the series. This is what everything has been building to... The breaking point finally snaps and dominoes fall for every main character we've followed so far. The twists that happen are all organic and are richly drawn by Jason Howard.

The tragic nature of everything that happens brings a major rift to everyone in Wolfman's family and it doesn't look like things can be repaired anytime soon. I honestly had my jaw dropped the whole time as I reached the big shocker and bad things are coming down the line. I can't wait to see what happens next.

The next book I have to talk about is the Amory Wars Volume 2 #2 which and I'll admit this very candidly, I have no idea what the hell is going on anymore. What I can say is that the characters are all fun (I really apparently have to reread the first volume to catch up) and the artwork is extremely pretty. I honestly wish I could give a better review, but I really am confused by the series. It's some sort of guilty pleasure as Claudio Sanchez is a good writer and I'm sure that everything will make sense soon.

Next Ryan Choi finally comes face to face with his hero Ray Palmer for the very first time in The All New Atom #25. Sadly one of DC's most underrated books comes to an end here. We lose one of the biggest members of the supporting cast and Ryan makes the most important decision of his life. Everything ties together nicely as Ryan and the other characters shine and the book ends in a very good way. I'm just bummed that we had to lose it so soon. Why couldn't this have been saved just like Blue Beetle? I'd definitely recommend hunting down the series as the core of it was mostly Gail Simone.

Amazing Spider-Man # 564 features the same story told from three different parts. I'd just like to say starting off that I hate Peter's new roommate. The guy adds the typical "I hate spiderman for no reason" character to the fold. It's just annoying. Was a character like this really necessary?

Moving on (even though that's impossible as the guy was a major factor in the issue) we are once again introduced to Overdrive who is a fun villain in my opinion. His power seems to be making vehicles better than they were originally. Peter has some good lines while in costume but sadly once again suffers bad responsibility/luck out of costume. I for once don't understand some of the decisions in BND like this one. I feel in love with Spider-Man again right before Civil War and honestly thought things were in a good direction. I've liked some of the stuff in BND but I'm tired of getting hit in the head metaphorically with some of the stuff that's been going on.

The issue itself I would recommend skipping. BND as a whole has been okay and I highly recommend the Slott issues more than the other material.

Batman #678 has the storyline of RIP continue as Bruce really hits rock bottom and gets help from an unexpected source. I was on the Bendis boards early last week and heard rumors about how bad this issue was and a series of rumored events... none of which actually turned out to be true.

What we actually get here is Grant's story finally fleshing out fully and raising the stakes even more than what had already happened. The mystery of who exactly the Black Hand is deepens and things get worse before they get better. I'd say this will end up as one of the key Batman stories years from now and next issue we apparently get the Joker!

Terry Moore knows hot to write a good drama and what's fun is that he adds in little sci fi twists to that drama. Echo #4 feels a little light story-telling-wise but gives us a little more insight into the people that we have been following since issue #1. As this book continues, I see myself dragged into the characters more and more and I honestly think this is one of Terry's stronger abilities. He makes you care just using the smallest bits of characterization.

Continuing on, we are given a more in depth look at the history of The Boys in #19. Here Hughie gets told more of the facts. We also continue in the scene between the seven's leader and our boys leader to which we find out just exactly why he fights against the powered so much. It honestly shocked me a little, but it was a solid scene that added a bit more dimension to exactly why he's the prick that he's become.

My favorite miniseries of 2008 continues as Dummies Guide to Danger: Lost at Sea #3 hit stands by the very talented Jason M Burns and the beautiful pencils of fellow up-and-coming artist Joe Eisma. They work together on a lot of projects and you can see why. They tend to flow very well together and in the book itself the plot continues to unfold as the question of whether or not Bloomberg is alive or not continues. It's never directly addressed as our valiant hero Alan gets thrown into an even bigger mess as more bodies turn up.

The cliff hanger on this issue also shows us exactly why this series shouldn't be overlooked and makes you dread waiting for a whole month. The original series can be found for 10 dollars in trade form and with this series only being three issues in, I'm sure it can be found at cover price at comic stores near you. This series is always at the top of my pile as Jason's stuff is really strong.

Next up are two books connected to Joss Whedon Angel: After the Fall #9 and Buffy Season 8 #16 the return of Fray. Both are solid reads. Angel is a tiny bit clunky as the plot continues to move at an extremely slow pace. The good news being that the gang is now all back together but the bad being that everyone knows the truth about poor Angel. Brian Lynch is honestly knocking it out of the park though. You can tell just how much he loves the characters and the series itself. I cannot wait for the solo Spike series especially after the first 2 pages of this issue. Fun little nod to the silver age.

Buffy has the return of its lead man to writing duties which is appropriate seeing as how it's marketed as the big return of Fray (who in all respects doesn't actually appear until the last page of the issue). Joining him in this series, of course, would be the man who did the Fray series with Joss, Karl Moline. Karl's pencils have never been stronger. This issue has the bad guys make a huge play against the heroes. Buffy and Willow visit an old friend in New York and Dawn goes through a very startling change. Here, a good amount of stuff is moved forward and Season 8 grows stronger. I'm loving the fact that they can get away with so much more than they would have on TV. Seeing Warren's crazed skinless character is always fun as well as even more mystery from our big baddie "Twilight".

Blue Beetle #28 has Will Pfeifer apparently bringing back an old enemy of the first Blue Beetle, Dan Garret. What's cool about this is that we get fun little flashbacks featuring Dan. The future seems to echo the past and it's a fun done-in-one issue that captures what has made this series so lovable in the first place. Jamie and his full supporting cast shine here except for his parents, little sister and Brenda's aunt who are not in the issue. The ending was also a very quiet and peaceful one which I liked. Here, an old man who payed for one mistake his whole life gets to continue to live it peacefully.

Finally, at the bottom of this week's pull is the latest issue of Army of Darkness #10... of the latest series. (Mind you if we included all the crossovers/ the last series and the first two mini's I think we'd almost be up to the late 40's). Ash continues to not act like the lovable Ash we all know and love, which is obviously connected to a certain book. He gains help from his closest friends who are about to seek out the book with him. (Those friends of course being quite dead in the first series, but hey the book likes to mess with our hero.) This time out, we also see the return of a once thought dead character. I really love this book and reading it each month. Hopefully this arc picks up the pace and gives us back the Ash that we've come to love.

Well I guess thats it for my first week, I'll see you next week as I limit the books reviewed to only the most memorable of the week. But for now, I'm going to watch the Middleman which I strongly recommend to any comic book fans out there. (The trade of the first series is out this month actually).

Eric Ratcliffe is a young writer/pop culture journalist/interviewer currently working on pitching a project named the Hunter chronicles. When not reading his weekly stack Eric can be found watching dvd's, playing on his 360 (gamertag: Zack Hunter) or just surfing online trying to find a scoop or two. Brand new to the Comic Related family, Eric is a fun new voice.