Why I Love Comics

Horror, Teenage Drama and Event Books!

Why I Love Comics rundown for books coming out August 6th, 2008

Hey there readers! Welcome to yet another great week of comics filled with everything from horror to teenage drama to a very big event book. So lets jump right in...

Spiderman Loves Mary Jane #1 is the continuation of Sean McKeever's series so technically it's a season 2 if you will. Written by Terry Moore, the book comes out of the gate with a very strong showing as it plays the main cast as both likeable and real. From Peter's other life to Mary Jane's social situation everything is explored. This issue serves as a great jumping on point and definitely scores as a cute read. Especially that start... one of the weirder takes on Spider-Man I've ever read. But it works!

Verdict: Definite buy and great as an all ages read. I can't wait to see what else Terry has planned.

Final Crisis: Directors Cut does what Secret Invasion failed to do in my eyes, give you the bang you deserve for your buck. We get JG's original uninked pencils, Grant's script and even a directors commentary. All of this would have been nice in the competitions' outing. The commentary is great as you can see both men love what they're doing and believe in the story completely. It's also nice to have a few things elaborated on within the explanation (looking at you Vandal Savage). It's great to get some insight into the master plan and, in my opinion, it's well worth the $5 dollars you'll spend on it.

Verdict: A definite buy and a proper Directors Cut.

Nightwing #147 has Dick meeting up with a very familiar character from the rogues galley. He needs a favor and it seems only Dick can help him out this time. From the cover alone it should be a surprise to no one who this man is... Harvey Dent aka Two-Face and his appearance leaves Dick to wonder which side of this rogue really has control. It's a fun set up and the favor Dick accepts introduces a new character who I feel is a great addition to the bat mythos. We'll see where things head, but I'm looking forward to it.

Verdict: Its a buy, I've officially added Nightwing to my pull list thanks to Peter Tomasi.

Army of Darkness #11 is two issues away from Ash's very unlucky number. For those who don't know, the first series only lasted 13 issues then Ash was shunted into the Marvel Zombie universe. They are already hinting at something big here and the series is throwing a lot of different elements into its latest volume. Ash is still wimpified but with "the book" finally back in play, it seems like this will be reversed as soon as the next issue. We also get more from Sheila and Sugarbaby who is apparently alive and well. I love that this book finally has a true supporting cast that seems to play off Ash perfectly. Here's hoping everyone sticks around.

Verdict: Might want to pick up the earlier trades of the series first and see if you dig it. The book isn't for everyone but it is a big love note to Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell's Evil Dead trilogy.

Secret Invasion: Front Line #2 (of 5) continues to look at our alien invasion from very human eyes. What makes this story come off so beautifully is the sense of madness and terror that gives the reader the feeling that a real natural disaster has hit. Brian Reed executes this amazingly well. Sadly, it looks as if we've already lost one of our handful of main characters for the series. We didn't really see the cab driver at all this issue. All in all, I'm digging this series a lot consider it the sleeper hit of the tie-ins.

Verdict: I'd give it a buy if your looking for a very human read during the chaos surrounding Secret Invasion.

Avengers/Invaders #4 (of 12) gives us a very big fight aboard S.H.I.E.L.D.'s main hellicarrier. Cap and Bucky still read a little off, but it's good to see more of the modern Marvel Universe being added in. The modern day Bucky finally comes into play and the New Avengers decide to step up and free the Invaders from S.H.E.I.L.D. There are some great lines and the plot is actually advanced. I'm having a hard time with Cap and past Bucky but I'm hoping that problem is reversed by the end of this series.

Verdict: A buy, even if we have to wait until October for Part 5. Which... What? Why is this? You guys got through Justice without having to take breaks...

Spike: After the Fall #2 continues Spike's story about what happened to him after the big battle. This issue has him return to Wolfram and Heart to try and solve mystery of a being that's gaining power. He has a fun monologue in his head about how he would fight the dragon which is followed by him fighting the mysterious cult of women who have attacked his current home. The big cliffhanger is solid though I really wish this book would have come out before Angel: After the Fall so we didn't know who made it out. Spike is spot on character and things are set up for the final two issues which I definitely can't wait to read.

Verdict: A buy if you love the Whedonverse. Definitely fills that void for those who miss the show (Season 5 being the best).

Cable #6 was one of the books that came close to being my book of the week... real close. The plot follows Nathan's father Scott aka Cyclops who is struggling with the decisions he's made with his son's life and that of the child. He puts a series of moves into play hoping that Cable will be safe in the long run and that they'll see him again. We don't get a single word from Cable this issue, but we do see him a lot. This time out, most of the dialogue comes from the father. I think that's a brilliant move and I love that the book has finally gained its footing. This may be the best book to come out of Messiah Complex.

Verdict: Buy, especially if you love the Summers family. You will not be disappointed.

Terry Moore's Echo #5 not only hits the mark by increasing the plot but does it in a fun and entertaining way. It makes you care for the characters. Also, the mystery of the thing that has become attached to our main character deepens even more. I really love this book and Terry's artwork is engrossing. This was my favorite book of the week. So you know what that means? Book of the Week! It's mixing science fiction with human drama into a perfect mix. Each issue leaves you wanting more! Terry is a great storyteller and should be applauded for taking such a huge chance publishing the book himself once again. Can't wait to see where it goes next.

Verdict: Do I need to tell you this is a buy? I think the answer is in the fact that it's Book of the Week. The first trade will be out soon as well so do yourselves a favor and give the book a chance.

Patsy Walker: Hellcat #2 continues the fun ride that the first issue executed so well. This story leaves me wondering if an audience that's used to heavy, more adult tones in comics will be ready for a fun book like this one. The story reveals who Patsy will be helping and exactly what she needs to do. It's executed in an interesting way that's connected to last issue's cliffhanger. Patsy gets into some fun via an argument coming from a weird source. This issue is left on, yet another, cliffhanger which makes you want to see the next issue immediately.

Verdict: A definite buy. Fun when there isn't enough fun in comics.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #17 continues the story of Fray and Buffy's first meeting. Mind you, they have a big fight to start off the issue, but the Slayers soon find themselves working together. I really loved Buffy's culture shock heading into Fray's century actually not understanding anything people were saying. The other thing in the book was the near constant flashes to Fray's brother talking to a big bad whose identity really shouldn't surprise anyone. That reveal, in the end, is pretty lame and I wish they had ramped it up by doing something out of left field that wouldn't have been so easy to guess.

Verdict: The arc's shaping up nicely and I'd give it a buy but that villain reveal was already done in the 6th Season. It shouldn't have happened again.

Hack/Slash #14 is a nice done-in-one story before the big Re-Animator arc. The main premise of the issue has a slasher arrive on the movie set of the remake of the Wizard of Oz. Any fan of the original is going to be horrified by this story. That said, the book's humor really shines through in these scenes. An old friend of Cassie and Vlad's decides to try her luck at slasher killing. This leaves Cassie very angry. It's a decent issue but not my favorite. I like the scenes which set up next month's crossover and I'm anxious to read that next story.

Verdict: Buy it if you love the series, but you can wait till the next issue when things heat up.

Final Crisis #3 has the proverbial crap hit the fan. Best issue of the series so far as things finally hit a head and elevate the story. The DCU is once again Grant's playground as we get the heavy hitters getting taken out of the game. Batman's missing, Superman has been tasked with an important mission and Wonder Woman comes face to face with a brain washed Mary Marvel. Also, Hal Jordan is about to face the Guardians on Oa for a crime he didn't commit and Alan Scott has tasked the rest of the heroes to rise up and fight to protect the earth. So much stuff is happening but it's all happening organically for the purposes of this story.

The Super Young Team really stole the issue for me though saving Mister Miracle and his new friend from immediate dangers. Libra also has an interesting moment with the Human Flame that made me grin, a lot. Seriously, this book was amazing. I really don't want to spoil anything but that last page? Barry and Wally are about to face the beating of their lives. Run boys run!

Verdict: A buy and there's time to catch up as we skip a month for a breather.

What an amazing week with a bunch of great books! Next week it's Secret Invasion, Secret Invasion and a whole bunch of Secret Invasion! We'll see what else manages to get my eye, hopefully a few surprises... See you next week!

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.