What I’m Getting Wednesday

Back to doing this one on Monday, I can't decide which way is best so I'll stick with the original way for this week.

I know I have been complaining a lot about DC comics lately and it is only because I have been such a big fan of DC that it has been painful to see there many failures. What has kept me around and staying with DC has been the many successes that they have had also and most of it surrounds Geoff Johns. This year I have pretty well decided that he will be my writer of the year and when you consider he is responsible for the revitalization of Green Lantern, Superman and making JSA so good and add in to that the work he is doing with reviving the original Legion of Super Heroes and next year he tackles Barry Allen, all I can say is Johns right now is the most important writer at DC.

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

Batman #681 – So after that introduction I start with a Batman book, but this is one of those rare books that I will want to run home and read right away. I just hope that Grant will be back on Batman after the “Battle for the Cowl” is over. Finally we get to see the last part of RIP and if DC is smart they will do a nice oversized volume collecting Grant’s run on Batman (in 12 issues chunks) as Grant’s stuff is better as a whole. The word “This is it – "Batman R.I.P." concludes here! The final, heartrending confrontation between Bruce Wayne and Jezebel Jet. The final fate of The Dark Knight. And the horrifying and shocking truth behind the Black Glove. With The Joker, the Club of Villains, Robin, Damian, plus an ending you'll never see coming – this one has it all!”

Creepy Archives Volume #2 – I rarely get around to reading all of the great hard covers in my collection, but I have read some of the first volume of Creepy #1 and Dark Horse has done a wonderful job reproducing what is some terrific work by a lot of top names. This volume contains “This vein-chilling second volume showcases work by some of the best artists to ever work in the comics medium, including Alex Toth, Gray Morrow, Reed Crandall, John Severin, and others. Each archive volume of Creepy is packed with stories (usually up to eight short stories were featured in every issue!) running the gamut of gruesome subject matter, from reimagined horror classics such as The Cask of Amontillado, to spectacularly mind-twisting shorts such as The Thing in the Pit, or the macabre maritime yarn Drink Deep. This volume collects Creepy #6-10.”

Daredevil #113 – As much as I love Geoff Johns work in Marvel, Ed Brubaker (except for Uncanny X-Men) has been great for Marvel books. Ed also did great work for DC, but found his voice a little more at Marvel. The Lady Bullseye story line has been a good one and I’m always looking forward to Daredevil again. The company line “Matt comes face to face with one of the deadliest and most alarming new characters he’s ever encountered--Lady Bullseye! Plus…who is the mysterious old man at the center of the in-fighting within the Hand…and how is he linked to Matt Murdock's past? It’s Part 3 of “Lady Bullseye,” by the award-winning creative team of Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark!!”

Garth Ennis Battlefields Night Witches #2 (of 3) – Ennis on War stories, does two things. Number one it tells us a great story about a point in time and a place during WWII (usually). He takes the war down from a mass event and makes it about people and shows us what the war was like for them. Second it always gives us some history and usually about events I never have read about before. The hype “The task of the Women's Night Bomber Regiment becomes positively lethal, as Anna and Zoya try new tactics- but help is at hand from an unexpected source. Meanwhile, Kurt and his comrades come face to face with the full horror of war on the Russian Front.”

JSA Kingdom Come Special the Kingdom – The third of three JSA specials which have been a great opportunity to open up the story enough so we can get background on a few characters and advance what has been a long story line. The JSA has so much going on in their book, that giving this story room is a huge help in bringing it to a conclusion. What’s inside “Gog rewards those he deems fit. Starman has regained his sanity, Sandman his sleep, Dr. Mid-Nite his sight, Damage his pride and Citizen Steel…? What "wish" will the indestructible hero be granted? And more importantly, what drawbacks do these wishes come with? Plus, Starman's true mission is revealed!”

Madame Xanadu #6 – I look at the sales numbers on this book and worry it will not have a long life, but I also hope DC just supports this book and gives it time to find an audience. One of the best new series out there and it has a great story and stunning art. If you are not buying this you are making a huge mistake. The word “Featuring fan-favorite Death from THE SANDMAN! Madame Xanadu wagers her immortality in a game of chance against the Endless. What will be in the cards? Find out in this extraordinary chapter of Wagner's and Hadley's Vertigo smash-hit.”


The rest of the list:

Batman Gotham After Midnight #7 (of 12) – Not only do we get Steve Nile and Kelly Jones, but this book has been coming out on time. Often that seems to be a little thing in today’s market, but it is much appreciated by this fan. What’s inside “Batman has tracked down the maniacal Midnight to a gruesome grotto deep beneath the streets of Gotham. But a creature lurks in the waters of this underground lair, and it has a taste for human blood! Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne gets closer to Detective April Clarkson. Could Bruce be falling for her?”

Birds of Prey #124 – Another causality of Batman RIP as this series comes to a close soon and I hear that an Oracle mini-series is already planned. Now in my world Dick becomes Batman and Oracle moves into the cave to help Dick in fighting crime in Gotham. The company line “The Joker and Barbara Gordon face off in the ultimate confrontation. After she was crippled by the Clown Prince of Crime, Barbara became Oracle – but what will become of The Joker now that she has the upper hand?”

Blue Beetle #33 – I was so bummed out to hear this book was cancelled. Still I think Jamie will have a long career as a hero in the DCU and I happy that he will at least be in Teen Titans. The hype “The Teen Titans guest-star to help Blue Beetle keep El Paso safe during the "Day Without Immigrants" demonstration. But Intergang and Doctor Polaris plan to rain on everybody's parade!”

Brit #10 – Wow three series in a row that are soon to be cancelled, most be a bad time to be a “B” book. I can understand why Kirkman pulled the plug on this book, but for me the series was just starting to come together and show up timely. The word “It’s the BRAWL TO END THEM ALL! BRIT! INVINCIBLE! DONALD! WOLF-MAN! TECH JACKET! Locked in battle with The Emperor! The fate of Other-Earth rests in the balance. But if that world falls, could our universe be next?”

Captain America #44 – I wonder if we will ever stop thinking of him as Bucky Cap. I still wonder if Steve is coming back in issue #50, but over in Thor they implied Steve was deader then a doornail. This arc has been good as we are seeing Bucky come into his own with being Captain America. The company line “Part two of this smashing three-parter pits Bucky Barnes, the new Captain America, against his own past as the Winter Soldier, and one of Steve Rogers deadliest foes... as the remnants of the Cold War creep into the states, searching for a secret weapon that only Cap can stop them from getting their hands on. But is that really what's happening, or is it all a trap? Find out here - by Brubaker and Luke Ross!”

Chronicles of Dr Herbert West #2 (of 6) – Not sure why I continued on with this series, but the first issue just gave us a brief introduction to Dr West as the re-animator and I wanted to see what else they can do with this character, I guess. What’s inside “Herbert West's failed experiments have not cured his obsession with reversing death. If anything, he is even more driven than before to perfect his reanimating serum and bring the dead back to life! Continuing his experiments in secret while completing his residency at a local hospital, West is again challenged by his college rival, Justin Stein. But as Stein soon finds out, West has no intention of letting the living stand in his way of bringing back the dead!”

End League #6 – The new artist is still growing on me and I still forget what happens from issue to issue, but the story line is clearing up and a faster schedule is also a big help. The company Line “There are men and women who would do wrong by us to further their own personal agendas. There are unknown wars fought on our behalf in wretched places-blood sacrifices laid down for masses of strangers who will never know what was given for them. With all of his friends now gone, the man known only as Black would stand tall to hold these villains back. But he is already too late.”

Ferryman #3 (of 5) – The funky art an the pseudo dark comical story line about the people who bring the souls to the devil has been gruesome, odd and fun. Not a story for the ages, but something different and offbeat. The word “As Gideon Thorne tracks his mysterious prey known only as the "Outcast," little does he know that he, too, is being hunted – by the infamous serial killer the Bleeder! Why is the sinister Mr. Webster playing his Ferrymen against one another? What is Gideon willing to do to pay his debt to Webster? And what is the secret history of the Ferrymen? It's more insane action.”

Guardians of the Galaxy #7 – The main story has been slowed down by the Secret Invasion and is soon to be involved in the War on Kings. I hate this stuff as I was enjoying this series on its own merits. The hype “A new story-arc! A new line-up! And Star-Lord…missing! The shocking revelations made at the end of their Secret Invasion adventure have ripped the team apart! Is there anyone left to continue the task of guarding the galaxy? Who are the new additions to the team? Is this issue going to be packed full of shocks and surprises?”

Jack of Fables #28 – This should have been the final showdown with book burner but looks to be another arc. I’m still wavering on this book. At times I love it, at times I don’t. The company line “"Jack's Big Book of War" part 1 of 5. Jack has returned to the Golden Boughs not as a prisoner, but as its Commander in Chief! It's the beginning of an all-new storyline in which lives will be lost, pigs will appear magically and other things will happen that are so unbelievable, your head would quite literally explode if you were to read about them in condensed blurb form.”

Legion of Super Heroes #48 – This is yet another series on my list this week that is scheduled for death with issue #50. At least we got to see Jim Shooter on a Legion book again and I for one have enjoyed his story line. The hype “Legion membership tryouts! Meet Night Girl, Gazelle, Sizzle and Turtle! They're four candidates with awesome abilities who attempt to prove their mettle and join the greatest super-team of the 31st century. Meanwhile, alien spies gather intelligence about United Planets defenses and assassinate a United Planets government leader!”

Northlanders #12 – Brian Wood was really smart to make Northlanders a series of stories about different people. It allows us to see more of the world and the time period when Vikings were a force in Europe. The word “"The Cross and The Hammer" Part 2 of 6. Aware of Magnus' presence, Ragnar sends a band of soldiers to try and figure out exactly what his enemy is up to. Magnus wastes no time in killing them, but one escapes and reports of a child accompanying Magnus, which Ragnar looks to take advantage of...by any means necessary!”

Nova #19 – This book is already on issue #19 and I have to say the Abnett and Lanning have continued to craft a strong series even with the slow down from Annihilation Conquest and the Secret Invasion. The company line “Could it be…the return of the Nova Corps? After last issue’s jaw-dropping cliff-hanger, will things ever be the same for Richard Rider? What is the Worldmind up to, and what will it mean for the future of the Human Rocket and the Nova Corps itself?!”

Proof #14 – This book just rules and has to be one of my top ten series for the year. I’m anxious to have Ginger and Proof back working together as this story line apart seems to be taking a long time. The hype “Mi-Chen-Po has been manipulating Proof for 150 years. Who is he and what does he want? Plus, the origin of the golem is finally revealed and he's not what you think he is!”

Reign in Hell #5 (of 8) – Last issue Lobo shows up. That seems so totally against the idea that this series was redefining magic in the DCU and made no sense whatsoever. The company line “The battle has just begun! The most furious fray ever beheld takes places as heroes from the DC Universe are caught up – and their loyalties are challenged – in a fierce, no-holds-barred struggle for the control of Hell's kingdom.”

Savage #2 (of 4) – The first issue was an interesting start and was a gruesome start as well. I’m curious to see what this seeming mad dog killer has in store for the young man he came to town to meet. What’s inside “Peter is a shoe salesman who feels belittled by his family and lost in a dead-end world when his life takes a turn for the worse. That’s when Sam, a crazy old monster-hunter kidnaps Peter, drags him into the middle of the woods and shows him that his neighbors are actually werewolves. But Sam has an even bigger secret...”

Sheena Dark Rising #2 - This mini-series better get better this issue or I will be dropping this book. Sheena is a guilty pleasure as it is a light easy read, but having Nazi in the South American jungles is such an overused cliché that is seems like the writer had no idea what to do for a second story. The word “Sheena continues to investigate strange rumors of a Nazi base hidden in the Jungle. Meanwhile, Laura Jeffries begins her campaign to eliminate SHEENA's alter ego Rachel Cardwell, not realizing that Rachel and SHEENA are one and the same! With Nazi atomic bombs pointed at Val Verde city, the clock is ticking for the Queen of the Jungle!”

Straw Men #3 (of 12) – This is a very interesting series and I’m not sure exactly who the Straw Men are yet, but they do not bode well for anyone who is involved with them. It feels like a cult of murderers or something. Anyway so far this has been Zenoscope’s best series right now. The hype “Convinced that his parents' death wasn't an accident, ex-CIA Agent Ward Hopkins is obsessed with finding those responsible for their murder. But his investigation only uncovers more questions about his own mysterious past and his connection to the elusive Straw Men. Meanwhile, the notorious serial killer known as the Upright Man continues to terrorize his latest victim, Sarah Becker. Will Ward be able to put all the pieces together in time to uncover the secret of the Straw Men and save Sarah from her fate at the hands of their deadliest member, the Upright Man? The clock is ticking and Sarah's time is about to run out!”

Superman #682 – Superman is in a zone right now in my opinion. The New Krypton story line has been a great one and tying in all the books into a tighter continuity is a welcome thing and rare in the DCU. The word “Following closely on the stirring events of SUPERGIRL #35, "New Krypton" part 6 sees the unrest between the Kryptonians and humankind rapidly spin out of control. Superman knows it's only a matter of time before widespread violence breaks out between the two cultures. But deep in the heart of the U.S. military, a deadly new Squad K is being organized. Its mission: clean up the "Kryptonian problem" before it gets out of hand!”

Superman Batman vs Vampires and Werewolves #4 (of 6) – Another book that should have been marked more of a Batman book as he is fighting against the supernatural with a little help from many of his friends. This is a good entertaining story and strong art. The company line “The evil Dr. Combs has reanimated the dead and turned innocent victims into monsters from beyond! Artificially created vampires and werewolves now prowl the streets of Gotham, and only the combined might of The Man of Steel and The Dark Knight can hope to stop them. But when a rogue vampire named Dimeter and a feral werewolf called Janko decide to join their side against Combs and his legion of the undead, Superman and Batman will have to save themselves – and all of Gotham – from the creatures of the night! Good thing they've called in Green Arrow and his wooden and silver-tipped arrows for help!”

Teen Titans #65 – The story of Wonder Girl and her fight against her brother has been a good one. This series has still not found its footing 100% as the book constantly changes focus, but it is getting better slowly. The word “After creating a deadly threat to keep the rest of the Teen Titans busy, Wonder Girl's new enemy challenges her in open combat. Alone and weakening by the moment, Wonder Girl must fight for incredibly high stakes – lose, and her powers are forfeit!”

Transhuman #4 (of 4) – This is the conclusion of another Jonathan Hickman series. Not only do we get Hickman, but we get JM Ringuet on art whose work I enjoy a lot. The hype “ChimeraCorp wins the marketing war on the back of superior branding, aggressive pricing and consumer apathy. Then, 10 years later when all the players get back together to reminisce about old times, old wounds resurface. Plus, the return of experimental monkeys”

Trinity #26 – The halfway point for the series that I have decided I like, but think DC made a major mistake in the way they marketed it the book. While it is about why the big three at DC are important to the DCU, it stars all of the heroes of the DCU and should have been marketed it that way. The company line “The heroic Trinity is long gone and their legacy fades by the minute. But where exactly are Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman – and will they ever return? Don't miss the halfway point in this action-fueled, weekly series exploring the three greatest heroes of all time!”

Ultimate Spider-Man #128 – My Spider-Man book and this should be the wrap up of the symbiote sage and I’m wondering if they are going to sort of give us Gwen Stacy back in the cast. The hype “An unwelcome caller pays a visit to the Parker household in the form of Eddie Brock, the former host to the sinister Venom symbiote! Blaming Peter for his loss of the symbiote, Eddie will stop at nothing to regain it. As the situation comes unglued with the untimely arrival of Gwen Stacy, it’s Ultimate Venom versus Ultimate Carnage as War of the Symbiotes comes to its crashing conclusion! Plus: More on the mysterious Beetle and his mission for the “master”!”

Umbrella Academy Dallas #1 – The critically acclaimed series returns for its second mini-series. I should pick up a trade of the first series and re-read it because I have forgotten some of the cast members. The first mini-series was a nice kind of Grant Morrisonish take on a super-hero group, half X-Men, Power Pack grown up and Doom Patrol. The company line “Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá return with a story as American as semiautomatic weapons.The Umbrella Academy has saved the world, but the house they were raised in is destroyed. One member is bedridden, the side of her head held together with tape; and another has lost her voice, the source of her power. Now that they’ve fulfilled their destiny, does the Umbrella Academy have any future at all? The Umbrella Academy returns for a second six-issue series--Dallas, where we put the term -- hero -- to the test.”

Unknown Soldier #2 – This first story is about the horror of what happen in Uganda back a few years ago, but the start last issue left me wondering if this series has the legs to be an unlimited series. What’s inside “The mystery surrounding the new Unknown Soldier deepens as Moses awakes with his face covered in bandages and his mind filled with military tactics and knowledge. But how does rogue CIA agent Jack Lee Howl tie in to the mission of this new Unknown Soldier?”

Walking Dead #55 – I love how regular this book has gotten, it makes the book feel like it has a better pace to it. I hope we get to Washington fairly quickly, but I have a feeling it will not be an easy trip. The hype “On the road.” Kirkman’s books always have the shortest hype.

Welcome to Hoxford #4 – The end of the first story line and I believe the end of this series for a while. Ben Templesmith seems to be doing different series but not ending them, just going on hiatus while he does other work and then comes back to them. The word “The politics of the Pack are becoming a problem as the Werewolves continue to pick off what's left of the surviving inmates. Ray and Doctor Ainley are giving as good as they get in a desperate bid to retrieve the master keys to Hoxford. Meanwhile, the Warden makes his move and sides must be taken. Ultimately, the question remains: whose side is Ray on?”

Wildcats #5 – Okay we have firmly put this series in a post apocalyptic world and have had a few beginnings, but now we have to see what they are going to do to try and make the world better again. The company line “Artist extraordinaire Pete Woods (AMAZONS ATTACK, CYBERNARY) joins writer Christos Gage (STORMWATCH PHD, WILDSTORM: REVELATIONS) for a unique look at Spartan and how post-apocalyptic Earth has affected the resolute android. He's been many things during his long existence on Earth – warrior, bodyguard, CEO – but what challenges does this astounding new world order hold for him”

Wolverine Origins #30 – The end of my foray back into this series and the last chapter of “Original Sin” which had little to do with what the title implied and is more about Wolverine and his boring son. The word “Continued from X-MEN: LEGACY #218! Searching for his kidnapped son, Wolverine will let nothing stand in his way—not even The Hellfire Club! Meanwhile, what dark secrets will Professor X unearth inside the scorched battlefield that is Wolverine’s mind? And what will it tell him about his own past deeds? Find out here in the mind-shattering—literally mind-shattering—conclusion to ORIGINAL SIN! Part 5 (of 5)”

Wonder Woman #26 – Beginning what is advertised as a major story line for Wonder Woman. Gail has been struggling with this book as has DC in trying to find a direction. Gail has gotten it right more often then not and I’m looking forward to this story line. The hype “"Rise of the Olympian" begins! Penciller Aaron Lopresti returns to the series just in time for Wonder Woman's world to change radically! For months, speculation over a new, male Wonder Woman and his fellow Manazons has run rampant, and now the gossip can end! What horrific new threat is Special Agent Diana Prince unknowingly leading her team of agents up against? And, at long last, the fate of the Amazons is finally revealed.”

A hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. This is the second year in a row that my wife and I are doing Thanksgiving at our house. The only regret I have is my two daughters will not be here as they both live out of state and will not be able to be home. I love and miss my daughters always, but the holidays make it even worse. I remember my mother always wanting me to stay young and never grow up and I hated that, but now I have felt the same way about my girls. As they have grown into young woman and started their lives I still miss the days when they were showing up at my comic store after they finished school and miss having ever holiday with them.