Monday, February 09, 2009

What I’m Getting Wednesday

Okay I have to do another political rant. WHAT THE FRELL IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY. How in god’s name can anyone think that spending more money is a way to get us out of the hole of spending too much money. If Obama had gotten more of a true infrastructure and tax cut bill, maybe I would say okay, but this is the same type of crap that has been passed before and is laden with more pork and crap then ever. This process did not work in the prior depression (because I’m calling what we are in a depression and soon you will all agree), it did not work in Japan the 350 billion we gave away last year did nothing. Yes, it has to crash and burn and yes it will be painful, but the recovery will be quicker. We need to make real things again in this country. The government is not the answer, it is the problem. Rise up and revolt with me brothers and sisters, it is time to take back our government. Okay, over the top, but you get the point.

The books I’m looking forward to most this week are:

Batman #686 – Are you kidding me, Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert doing “The Last Batman Story” type deal. Part 1 of a 2 part story that could be great. The company line “Written by Neil Gaiman; Art by Andy Kubert and Scott Williams; Covers by Andy Kubert and Alex Ross; Variant sketch cover by Andy Kubert. "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" part 1 of 2! Best-selling author Neil Gaiman (THE SANDMAN) and superstar artist Andy Kubert (BATMAN, Marvel 1602) join forces for a special 2-part BATMAN event! "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader" is a captivating and mysterious tale the likes of which Batman and friends have never experienced before. Delving into the realms of life, death and the afterlife, Gaiman leaves no stone unturned as he explores every facet and era of Bruce Wayne's life.”

Batman and the Outsiders Special #1 – The Outsiders have died horribly under editorial mandates or whatever back office crap hurt the book, but Peter Tomasi is on the job and he has been my fastest rising star as a comic book writer and every book he has done has been at the very least a good book. The hype “Written by Peter J. Tomasi; Art and cover by Adam Kubert and John Dell; Variant Covers by Adam Kubert. Spinning out of "Batman R.I.P." and DC UNIVERSE: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, this special features the birth of a new era for the Outsiders and is a perfect entry point for past and present readers alike. FINAL CRISIS has changed the universe forever and though Batman may be gone, his legacy must endure. Forces are set in motion that give rise to a new team ready to combat the secret evil that the Outsiders were truly formed for all those years ago. Is Geo-Force the best leader? Or will Black Lightning prove to be a challenger? Plus, the introduction of a never-before-seen character important to the Batman mythos!”

BPRD Black Goddess #2 (of 5) – Hey this is not about Obama’s wife, but it is about BPRD and the search for Liz continues. It feels like everything is about to hit the fan soon. The word “With the help of the Lobster's last surviving ally, the B.P.R.D. has tracked Memnan Saa to the mountain refuge where he is holding Liz. But even the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense is unprepared for the apocalyptic battle ahead. Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, and drawn by Guy Davis, B.P.R.D.: The Black Goddess is the second of three major arcs pulling together threads from throughout the series -- and leaving the B.P.R.D. and the world forever changed.”

Comic Book Comics #3 – Theses guys are so great at producing books that educate and entertain. I hope that Action Philosophers gets published in a upscale format one day. Love this stuff. What’s inside “The incredible true story of the comics industry continues! Enter, if you dare, the inner circle of Comic Book Hell! Roasting forever in its foul depths are the most fiendish foes of funnybooks: Dr. Fredric Wertham and his anti-comics crusade! The Comics Code Authority! Plagarizing pop artists! But from the ashes of a fallen medium, a new age shall rise - a Silver Age of Comics, spearheaded by brilliant editor Julie Schwartz! Plus, enter R. Crumb!”

Fables #81 – Willingham is pure genius with this series and after 80 issues he has made this a top series again. It was always good, now it is back to being as good as it has even been. The company line “Written by Bill Willingham; Art by Mark Buckingham and Andrew Pepoy; Cover by James Jean. In our fifth and final chapter of this first big post-war saga, you're going to find out why this story was called "The Dark Ages." Yes, this is a dark story, and we're afraid you're not going to like it one bit – unless, of course, you think not nearly enough terrible and tragic things have happened to our stalwart heroes of Fabletown. We now suspect that, if the Fables had truly had any idea of the full consequences, they'd never have gone to war at all.”

Incognito #2 – I think this may turn out to be a better series then Criminal. The first issue was very well done. The hype “By Ed Brubaker (Captain America) and Sean Phillips(Marvel Zombies) The team that's won every MAJOR AWARD in comics continues the most twisted super-villain story ever told! Meet the Black Death. Five years ago someone ratted-out this super-powered crime lord and he's been doing hard time ever since. So, what will he do when he finds out an old henchman who's supposed to be DEAD has been living in Witness Protection all this time? Hint - He's going to kill a lot of people.”

Rebels #1 – I was shocked to see DC bring this series back and to do it as an ongoing series. Tony Bedard is a solid writer and this is his first gig from DC in recent years that he has had from the jump. Hope this succeeds as the concept has potential. The word “Written by Tony Bedard; Art and Cover by Andy Clarke; Variant cover by Andy Clarke. The future is now in this all-new monthly series! Brainiac 2 is a hunted man. His cosmic police force safeguarded over 80 worlds until a mysterious adversary suddenly seized control. Now Vril Dox must recruit a new team to win back his command and free countless billions. But this time, he's basing his new group on the greatest heroes and villains of the 31st Century!”

Saga of the Swamp Thing HC Book 1 – This material has demanded a hard cover treatment forever and should be in a deluxe format, but better this then trades. Alan Moore changed comics forever and this was where it all began. This volume contains “Written by Alan Moore; Art by Stephen Bissette, Dan Day and John Totleben; Cover by Stephen Bissett and John Totleben. Writer Alan Moore's seminal horror series is now published in hardcover for the very first time — including the never-before-reprinted SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #20, in which Moore wraps up the previous storyline and sets the stage for the groundbreaking tales that were to come. Collecting SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #20-27, this first volume features the stories that put Moore on the comics map in the 1980s thanks to his unique narrative style and deconstructive storytelling. Created by a freak accident, Swamp Thing believed he was once scientist Alec Holland — but when he discovers his true nature, it shatters his universe and sends him on a path of discovery and adventure”

Scalped #25One of the best series on the stands and it keeps getting better. I have gotten Gwen into this series, I know Lee reads it and I hope Thomm does. Hard hitting, gut wrenching, emotional, raw, gritty, nasty, tough, and characters that you would not want to meet, but have depth and meat to their bones. The word “Written by Jason Aaron ; Art by R.M. Guera; Cover by Jock. In this first part of an all-new arc that sets up major events on the Prairie Rose reservation, we see the landscape through the eyes of a newcomer – a card shark and con man – whose presence could spell doom for one of our main characters. The countdown to chaos begins here with part 1 of "High Lonesome."

Thor #600 – This series has been getting into being “Snore” again, but I still enjoy it and think it is one of Marvel’s best books. Funny thing is the new Stan Lee story fills me with trepidation as he is no longer much of a writer. The company line “Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, STAN LEE & CHRIS GIARRUSSO Penciled by OLIVIER COIPEL, CHRIS GIARRUSSO & TBA Wraparound Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL Variant Wraparound Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC Variant Cover by MARC SILVESTRI The mighty God of Thunder hits a major milestone! THOR goes back to its classic numbering for this issue 600 mega-event, and even Stan 'The Man' Lee joins the party with an all-new story! J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Coipel bring their widely acclaimed run to a major culmination! And Chris Giarrusso lays down an epic Mini Marvels Thor adventure! PLUS jaw- dropping wraparound covers by Olivier Coipel and Marko Djurdjevic! Miss this issue?! We say thee NAY!”


The rest of the list:

Action Comics #874Written by James Robinson; Art by Pablo Raimondi; Cover by Aaron Lopresti. An "Origins and Omens" issue! Mon-El has been trapped in the Phantom Zone since Superman was a teenager, and now he might finally be able to return to Earth! But how will he overcome the fatal lead poisoning that kept him away for so long? And with all the changes the blockbuster "New Krypton" storyline wrought, would he even recognize the planet he left behind? Meanwhile, life continues to be difficult for Superman thanks to Earth's growing anti-Kryptonian sentiment. "New Krypton" may be over, but its fallout has only begun! To be continued in SUPERMAN #685

Batman Confidential #26 - Written by Christina Weir and Nunzio DeFilippis; Art and Cover by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Kevin Nowlan. From the late '60s Batman TV show comes King Tut making his first comic-book appearance in Gotham City ever in part 1 of a 3-part arc! A trail of murders involving museum executives and the mysterious riddles left behind lead Batman to suspect an old foe is back at work. But the Riddler is safely locked up – and not too happy that someone has stolen his M.O.!


Beyond Wonderland #5 (of 6) - by Raven Gregory, Dan Leister & Sarah Ruffino The can't-miss sequel to Return to Wonderland continues! The ultimate game of chess begins as Johnny and Calie face off for the first time since their sister sacrificed her kin into the realm of madness and terror. But Johnny is hellbent on wreaking more havoc before he confronts his dear sis and decides that a murder spree is just what the doctor ordered!

Booster Gold #17 - Written by Dan Jurgens; Art and Cover by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund. Featuring an "Origins and Omens" backup story! Part 3 of the 4-part "Reality Lost" arc finds Booster Gold transported back to a seminal day in the history of The Flash! Here's a hint: it has to do with a bolt of lightning and a chemical bath!

Brit #12 – LAST ISSUE - story BRUCE BROWN art NATE BELLEGARDE & ANDY KUHN cover RYAN OTTLEY & KELSEY SHANNON edited by ROBERT KIRKMAN Brit's son has been missing, replaced by a drone.Brit's brother is involved.Brit will do anything to get his son back... but is it already too late?A dramatic turning point in Brit's life has been reached.

Green Arrow Black Canary #17 - Written by Andrew Kreisberg; Art by Mike Norton and Joe Rubinstein; Cover by Ladrönn. Featuring an "Origins and Omens" backup story! Merlyn's been apprehended, but who's broken him out of custody? And what have they done to him? It all seems to be a horrific love letter to Green Arrow, which does not sit well with Black Canary!

Hellboy Wild Hunt #3 (of 8) - Hellboy sets out across the bleak hills of Ireland to find out what the recent omens he's experienced have been referring to -- while the newly resurrected Queen of Blood rises to take control of the witches of England, torturing the ones who betrayed her, and preparing the rest for an even more bloody campaign against the race of man.

Nightwing #153 – LAST ISSUE - Written by Peter J. Tomasi; Art and Cover by Don Kramer and Jay Leisten. It's the fateful, final "Batman" Last Rites" issue featuring an "Origins and Omens" backup! As Robin, Dick Grayson fought alongside Batman as part of the dynamic duo, the greatest crime-fighting team in history. As Nightwing, he teamed up with his peers to combat injustice in the Titans and the Outsiders. Now, Dick Grayson faces the most important battle of his life. Batman is dead. The Mantle of the Bat must be passed, but it will require all of Dick's training and skills to carry out the last wishes of Bruce Wayne and protect Gotham City. Will it be enough to protect himself from the dangers that await him? Or is this the last the world will see of Nightwing?

Showcase Presents Aquaman Vol 3 – I know I swore these off, but they are addicting. - Written by Bob Haney and Leo Dorfman; Art by Nick Cardy, Sal Trapani and Pete Costanza; Cover by Nick Cardy. In this new SHOWCASE PRESENTS volume, Aquaman defends his undersea home from villains including Ocean Master, Black Manta and the Scavenger. Collects AQUAMAN #24-39, THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #73 and a story from SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #115.

Simon Dark #17 - Written by Steve Niles; Art and Cover by Scott Hampton. Tragedy tears apart Simon Dark's patchwork life! There aren't many people who've gotten close to Simon Dark, but the events of this issue will leave them all hurt...or worse! Can Simon's fragile world ever be stitched back together?

Titans #10 - Written by Judd Winick; Art and Cover by Howard Porter. Featuring an "Origins and Omens" backup story! It's Titans vs. the JLA! In the aftermath of DCU: DECISIONS #4, the JLA wants Jericho, but the Titans don't give up on one of their own. In the end, though, it looks like they'll lose another member!

Trinity #37 - Written by Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza; Art by Mark Bagley and Art Thibert,
Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens, Tom Derenick and Wayne Faucher and Mike Norton and Ande Parks; Covers by Andy Kubert and Jesse Delperdang. The war to save all of reality rages on and is waged in the memory of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. But the legendary Trinity battle to end the conflict themselves by becoming more than just a memory!

Vixen Return of the Lion # 5 (of 5) - Written by G. Willow Wilson; Art by Cafu; Cover by Joshua Middleton. The stunning conclusion! Vixen becomes the one hero who can pull her Justice League of America comrades back from the brink of doom in her homeland of Zambesi — and Zambesi itself from becoming an engine of apocalypse!

Walking Dead #58 - story ROBERT KIRKMAN art & cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN The unthinkable.

X-Infernus #3 (of 4) - Written by C. B. CEBULSKI Penciled by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI Cover by DAVID FINCH The battle for Illyana Rasputin's soul continues! Colossus leads the X-Men into Limbo, but does Illyana want them there? They'll find out that her soul isn't the only one on the line. And who is the mysterious woman who is changing the landscape of reality?


Green Lantern Corps #33 - I almost forget this one and had to add it after I had completed the post. - Written by Peter J. Tomasi; Art and Cover by Patrick Gleason and Rebecca Buchman. Featuring an "Origins and Omens" backup story! It's the prelude to "The Blackest Night" as the "War of Light" continues to intensify! Mongul attempts to establish his hold on the Sinestro Corps by enslaving the planet Daxam and making it the home world of his Corps. What does Sinestro's right hand man, Arkillo, think of all this? And will Sodam Yat, the Green Lantern known as Ion, fight to save his homeworld, which he's vowed to never return to?

My list was almost split this week, but it is an honest assessment of stuff that I am really looking forward to this week and nothing is tied to an “event”. Heck I could have moved Walking Dead up there as I’m looking forward to Abraham’s story.

That’s my list what is your favorite book coming out next week?


2 comments:

  1. Been reading Scalped from the beginning, thank you very much.

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  2. Amazing Spider-Girl #29, of course! You know the storyline where Peter ages and has kids (re your earlier post). Comic Book Comics will probably be the best book though.

    I started getting Saga of the Swamp Thing from issue 1, those first 19 issues are pretty good. It's funny that this is the first time issue 20 is being reprinted. That's the problem with collected editions some times, they skip some of the material.

    I was so frustrated by this stimulus bill that I e-mailed our two Maryland Senators and the three turn-coat "Republican" Senators (the two from Maine and Specter from PA). It likely won't make a difference, but at least I tried.

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