What I'm Getting Wednesday

In an effort to get more independent books into my listing I have started to try and cut more books from the big two. Marvel is easiest for me, so after threatening for awhile I cut Moon Knight off my list. This week I’m trying After the Cape and Hero by Night.

52 Week #46 – This book is racing to its end. Last week Black Adam declared war against a neighboring nation that had harbored his enemies. The total devastation that he wrought will force the world to respond.

Aquaman #50 – The new creative team begins. Tad Williams as writer and Shawn McManus as artist. Looking forward to seeing if these guys can keep up Kurt Busiek’s fine job of making Aquaman a compelling series.

Army @ Love #1 – Rick Veitch as writer and pencils with Gary Erskine on inks. Rick is one of the last true counter culture type guys out there. This book is his vision of what the army will have to do to continue to recruit new people into unending Middle East wars.

Batman Confidential #4 – Continuing the younger Bruce Wayne versus Lex Luthor storyline that also serves as platform to introduce how Batman picked up some of his gadgets. This book found its niche last week and hopefully will continue to get better this week.

Birds of Prey #104 – Spy Smasher is taking over the Birds and the Secret Six shows up. Looks to be a great issue in a wonderful series. Gail Simone really made her mark as a writer with this book and continues to make it an entertaining read.

Brave and Bold #2 – Green Lantern continues the investigation of the mystery from last issue and picks up Supergirl as his partner. Loved the first issue, but with Mark Waid and George Perez it is hard to go wrong.

Checkmate #12 – Picking up from last issue where the personal issues of the mission squad are overwhelming the objectives of the mission. Should be another really good issue as Judo Master’s son (a Checkmate Knight) squares off against Bane (who killed Judo Master).

Deadman #8 – This series is really an interesting read, but trying to explain a particular issue is difficult as it is not an easy book to get into. I recommend trying the first trade that is out this week to see if you like this book.

Deathblow #4 – The mystery surrounding Michael Cray’s family heats up this issue. Are these his kids or spies for the government?

Detective #830 – Part 2 (of 2) of Stuart Moore and Andy Clark spin on Detective comics. Essentially a fill in story as Paul Dini is the main writer, but part 1 was really good and I’m looking forward to part 2.

Exterminators #15 – More bug catching madness as Henry’s prison past is catching up to him and not in a good way.

Flash #10 – New writer Marc Guggenheim continues his turn on Bart Allen and he is bringing in Zoom. Zoom has become the main Flash villain of all time, so looking forward to Bart squaring off with him.

Hellblazer #230 – The start of Andy Diggle’s run on John Constantine. This is a 2 parter entitled "The Deep End” and continues to have Leonard Manco provide his great art on this series. Looking forward to Diggle’s take on Hellblazer.

Ion #12 (of 12) – The finale that hopefully will shed some light on who is behind the attacks on Kyle, what are the Monitors doing and who is out to kill the Guardians. Should be a good issue.

Justice Society of America #4 – “The Next Age” storyline continues as the legacy killer is still on the loose. Absolutely love this book and as good as Johns was on this book before he is even better since the re-launch.

Omega Men #6 (of 6) – The conclusion of this wild adventure that promises to end with Lady Styx, who is a major interstellar villain in the DCU.

Shadowpact #11 – Blue Devil has gathered a new Shadowpact to invade hell and to conclude his trials with the Demon Etrigan.

Spirit #4 – Darwyn Cooke continues his excellent run on the Spirit. Every issue has been a gem and with the introduction of Silk Satin I’m expecting another great issue.

Supergirl #15 – Supergirl and Power Boy story continues with promised revelations on who is Power Boy. This book suffers issue to issue and I love and hate this book.

Testament #16 – The “Babel” storyline concludes. This book has been a tough read as a monthly as it has an intricate plot that cuts back and forth from biblical to a present (that is set in the near future). I may switch over to trades on this book.

Amazing Spider-Man - #539 – Spider-Man is back in black. I have to assume that Aunt May getting shot has driven Spider-Man to go to a stealthier costume as he is now a fugitive from the law.

Anita Blake Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures #5 (of 12 ) – The murder mystery continues as I try to remember all of the characters that have been introduced.

Ultimate Power #4 (of 9) – JMS takes over as writer of thsi series. The Squadron Supreme versus the heroes of the Ultimate Universe. The story has been okay, but so far nothing really special. The actual Squadron Supreme comic has fallen totally off the radar. Is this thing cancelled or just MIA?

Wisdom #4 (of 6) – A decent little series. Peter Wisdom is up against all the various versions of the Jack the Ripper this issue.

X-Factor #17 – The best x-book on the market. This issue we see a group of mutants who believe the government is behind “M-day” and the vast destruction of almost all mutants.

X-Men #197 – Wow we are getting close to issue #200 and this is part 1 of a 3 part story, so I guess #200 is going to be a blow out story of some type. Rogue is dying and the X-Men(?) are trying to save her.

X-Men First Class #7 (of 8) – Good news I hear that this series is being started up in June as an ongoing. As long as Jeff Parker is writing I will sign up for this book. The modernized tales of Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, Angel and the Beast have been pure and unadulterated fun.

After The Cape #1 (of 3) – The tale of a hero who has fallen from grace and now is considering becoming a criminal due to an addiction. Will a hero remain a hero? Sounds like a good premise.

Blood Nation #2 (of 4) – This is a story of a vampire nation that is trying to take over the world and the extremes that other governments are taking to try and stop them. The first issue was entertaining, looking forward to issue #2.

Hero by Night #1 (of 4) – The official hype “When Jack King finds the lair of a vanished superhero in his apartment building, he decides to auction off some of the hero's memorabilia. But Jack's efforts to cash in attract the attention of the hero's archenemy--a villain even the Hero By Night couldn't destroy.”. Certainly worth a look at issue #1.

Conan #38 – Continuing Truman’s run as writer and getting into the Rogues in the House story line.

30 Days of Night: Spreading the Disease #4 (of 5) – I love the 30 Days of Night world, but last issue of the series lost me a little, I’m hoping we are back on track for issue #4.