What I’m Getting Wednesday April 15

Due to demand from the multitude of fans (okay based on a suggestion from Thomm and Lee) we are altering the format a little. We will start out with Breast(s) Cover of the Week, which is shameless catering to the fact that comics are still targeting a certain demographic. I’m also waiting to see if there is a week where I cannot find a cover to feature. It is a throwback to Lee’s Embarred to be a Fanboy award he would give covers.

Then my weekly commentary or rant depending on how you see it, and than the comics.

BREAST(S) Cover of the Week Award:
Well there were a couple of contenders this week, but thanks to an overview shot and an open blouse Oracle wins!

Oracle #2 (OF 3) - Written by Kevin VanHook; Art by Don Kramer and Jay Leisten; Cover by Guillem March. The Calculator will go to any lengths to save the life of his daughter Wendy – even if it means using remnants of the Anti-Life Equation to do so! But when Oracle intervenes, she soon finds out that the Calculator has been killing Internet hackers from across the globe to get his hands on the Equation, and the final name on his list is hers!

Not so much a rant this week as just a quick remark that I really hope that I’m wrong about what is going on with our economy and our government, but I don’t think that I am. There are plenty of signs that say the way our world was structured is over and we are seeing the death of that era and the birth of a new era. I continue to hope tomorrow will be a brighter day, but I think we need a real revolution to make things better. By Friday this week I will not be worrying about anything as I’m leaving to go on a vacation and celebrate my Five Year Anniversary with my wife by returning to where we got married. I leave you with Lee, Gwen and Thomm. I may throw a random post up before I leave or may not but this Thursday the 16th will be my last post until the 28th.

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

Action Comics #876 – This book surprised me as I was very leery of it going in. After reading it Nightwing and Flamebird were quickly established as interesting characters, the Chris Kent mysterious aging is good and Greg Rucka made it work. The company line “Written by Greg Rucka; Art by Eddy Barrows and Ruy Jose; Cover by Andrew Robinson. Enter: Ursa!”

Farscape Strange Detractors #1 (of 4) – I’m so happy to see more Farscape material immediately after the first mini-series is over. I’m just flat out a fan of the series and the first mini-series was so well done it was like the show was back on the air. What’s inside “(W) Rockne S. O'Bannon, Keith R.A. DeCandido (A) Will Sliney Television's science fiction masterpiece Farscape continues! After the events on Hyneria, the crew of Moya find themselves in the midst of a new, mysterious menace. But the crew will learn that their greatest enemies might just be themselves! With covers by Joe Corroney and Dennis Calero.”

Incognito #3 – I have enjoyed this series and it is fun to see another way of looking at super-heroes as Brubaker has established another universe of heroes to play in. It is an extension of the Sleeper series in some ways, but very enjoyable. The word “THE BEST-SELLING AND AWARD-WINNING TEAM OF BRUBAKER AND PHILLIPS SHOW YOU WHY IT'S GOOD TO BE BAD! Her name is Ava Destruction, and she's the most "live fast, die young, leave a good-looking corpse" kind of girl you've ever met. Ava, one of the Black Death's top enforcers, and a woman who's perpetually 16 on the outside, is sent into Witness Protection after our hero and while she may be pretty... what she leaves in her wake is anything but.”

Punisher #4 – Obviously I’m not the only one loving this new series as Marvel has signed Rick Remender to an exclusive and regardless of what Kirkman challenge was to everyone, Remender earned his stripes doing tons of great creator owned work and this is a steady paycheck that he has earned. It is a damn shame that DC did not wrap this guy up as he is a great writer. The hype ““LIVING IN DARKNESS,” PART 4 Frank Castle is being hunted. Lured into a trap, and torn to pieces by a team of unassailable foes, the Punisher retreats into the dark underground of New York in hopes of discovering the identity of his relentless pursuer. Someone who knows his modus operandi. Someone who anticipates his every move. Someone who has a personal investment in seeing Frank dead. The most astonishing reveal in years!"

Rebels #3 – Talking about new series that have absolutely rocked, Rebels is a great new entry from DC. Tony Bedard has Vril Dox as his overbearing arrogant self and while he is the good guy, you would not want him as your friend. Andy Clarke should be a big name after people see his work for a few months in this book. The solicitation text “Written by Tony Bedard; Art and Cover by Andy Clarke. Vril Dox – the universe's most benevolent jerk – recruits more team members to help him reclaim his intergalactic L.E.G.I.O.N. police force. But you'll be as shocked as he is when he learns who stole it in the first place. Believe us when we say this secret will rattle the entire DCU cosmos! Guest-starring the Omega Men.”

X-Factor #42 – The rise and fall of this book in my listing has been nothing short of outrageous. I loved this book, was okay with this book and then dropped it. It takes a lot for me to pick a series up again, but a few friends said it was good again and now it is a series I look forward to again. Please Marvel editorial, LEAVE THIS BOOK ALONE! The pitch from Marvel “After the shocking events of the past few issues, MADROX has learned that in X-FACTOR, anything can happen. And in this issue—everything does! Separated from his teammates and involved in a war he never expected to see, he can only look back on the days when the team stood together. Now—the rebellion has begun!”

The rest of the list:

American McGees Grimm #1 - Game designer American McGee's Grimm, available at GameTap, introduces the lovably macabre Grimm into famous fairy tales, transforming them into hellish nightmares. Now Grimm unleashes his dark magic on many comic book archetypes, twisting superhero tales, romance comics, westerns and more to his own purposes. Up first, 'Crisis On Earth 57, where Grimm launches a secret invasion crisis into a domain where villains are doomed to fail...until he gets involved!

Beyond Wonderland #6 (of 6) - by Raven Gregory, Dan Leister & Sarah Ruffino The final confrontation that has been building for months - Calie versus her brother Johnny, the newly crowned sadistic Mad Hatter! New York City is the battleground for their final battle and when the smoke clears only one of them will be left among the living. Will Johnny's evil triumph over Calie and lead to the destruction of our world? The final issue to the smash hit series is here and it is not to be missed!

Captain America #49 - The most important issue of Captain America since issue 25 is finally here! Sharon Carter's dreams are forcing her to relive the death of Steve Rogers -- and her time under the control of Dr. Faustus. But will these dreams also reveal hidden secrets about what she saw and did the day Steve died? By Ed Brubaker and Luke Ross. So when the hype says the most important issue since #25, does that mean I wasted my money for the last 23 issues?

Fables #83 - Written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges; Art by Mark Buckingham and Andrew Pepoy ; Cover by Joao Ruas. Part 1 of "The Great Fables Crossover"! Thrill! To the adventures of your favorite Fables as they fight for their very existence in the greatest Fables epic yet! Shudder! To the danger as all of existence is about to be wiped out with the stroke of a pen! 3 months @ 3 books per month! = 9 amazing issues! Featuring Brazilian newcomer Joao Ruas, who brings his exquisite style and elegance as our new cover artist!

Green Arrow Black Canary #19 - Written by Andrew Kreisberg; Art by Mike Norton and Josef Rubinstein; Cover by Ladrönn. Black Canary confronts the new vigilante known as Cupid over her sick obsession with Green Arrow and the trail of dead bodies Cupid has left at his feet. But don't expect Cupid to go down without a fight!

Green Lantern Corps #35- Written by Peter J. Tomasi; Art and Cover by Patrick Gleason and Rebecca Buchman. Prelude to BLACKEST NIGHT! "Emerald Eclipse" continues as a Red Lantern escapes out of its sciencell and ignites a riot on Oa, forcing Guy, Kyle, Kilowog and Voz to try and prevent the ultimate jailbreak. Meanwhile, Sodam Yat and Arisia arrive on Daxam to stop Mongul and the Sinestro Corps. But how can they hope to stop an entire Corps? Plus: Sinestro arrives on Korugan in search of his daughter!

Moon Knight #29 - “DOWN SOUTH,” PART 3 Let’s get rrrrrrrreaaaaaaaaady to rrrrrruuuuuummmmmmblllllle!!! Playing protector to a young woman who’s in the crosshairs of the meanest, craziest, most indefatigable bounty hunters south -- or North -- of the Rio Grande. Meet Los Bros Zapata, a tag-team Mexican wrestler duo who moonlight as assassins, and who’ll do anything -- anything -- to take down their mark. Moon Knight’s gonna have his hands full, but luckily, he’s got someone in his corner: The Punisher.

Sub-Mariner Comics 70th Anniversary Special - The second of a series of celebratory specials commemorating Marvel’s 70th Anniversary and its rich history and characters! It’s the year 1940, and thanks to policewoman Betty Dean, the young Namor the Sub-Mariner has momentarily halted his jihad against the surface world. But now, an envoy from the Axis powers attempts to sway the undersea prince to the Nazi cause! Can the less worldly Sub-Mariner be tempted? Plus, a second never-before-seen Namor story by Mark Schultz and Al Williamson, and a reprint of Namor’s first appearance from 1939!

Superman Batman #58 - Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning and Mike Johnson; Art and Cover by Whilce Portacio and Richard Friend. Part 2 and 3 of "Nanopolis"! Guest writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning join Mike Johnson and superstar artist Whilce Portacio (WETWORKS, BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL) to take you to a place The World's Finest heroes have never been before! In issue #58, Batman risks everything to save The Man of Steel, but can even his newest Bat-technology help against an unprecedented threat? And in issue #59, it's an out-of-control Superman vs. The Dark Knight, with the lives of both men hanging in the balance! Look out for two issues in one month to conclude "Nanopolis"!

Trinity #46 - Written by Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza; Art by Mark Bagley and Art Thibert, Mike Norton and Ande Parks, Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens and Tom Derenick and Wayne Faucher; Covers by Shane Davis and John Dell and Jesus Merino. Earth – and all of reality – is under assault from space, magic forces, other dimensions and more! But if Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman changed forever, does it mean salvation for everybody else – or disaster? The Trinity leads DC's heroes and some surprising allies in a sprawling battle to save reality! Featuring Krona, Morgaine Le Fey, the Crime Syndicate, Despero, Enigma, the JLA and loads of other DC heroes and villains!

Uncanny X-Men #508 - The X-Men get up to the delicate art of living as the Sisterhood plan their imminent demise. The Science Team gets to work, trying very hard not to kill one another first. Simon Trask gains traction in the California state legislature, muscling PROPOSITION X to an emergency ballot vote. If it passes, mutants past and present, powered and otherwise, won't be allowed to breed... all this and a friend returns as a foe and ready for murder. Oh, things are getting ugly.

Vigilante #5 - Written by Marv Wolfman; Art by Rick Leonardi and John Stanisci; Cover by Andrew Robinson. "Deathtrap" part 2 of 5! After attempting to kill Cyborg, Vigilante has been locked up by the Titans. But Vigilante knows that there is a traitor in their midst, and he will use any means necessary to bring Jericho to justice – Even if that means killing all of the Titans to do it.

Walking Dead #60 - Surrounded on all sides! There are only two options...fight or die! Be there to see who chooses the latter!

Wolverine Noir #1 (of 4) - The Bowery, 1937. Jim Logan, the fiercest knife expert in New York, runs a seedy detective agency called "LOGAN & LOGAN"...along with his useless, halfwit brother, Dog. They're the best they are at what they do. But when a swanky dame named Mariko Yashida struts into the office, she opens up a world of hurt for Logan, forcing him to revisit his painful, bloody past. The latest in the Marvel Noir series, WOLVERINE NOIR reunites the acclaimed WOLVERINE team of Stuart Moore (Iron Man) and C.P. Smith (The Programme).

The five week month’s can really create some odd lists. Not only is this a relatively small list with just a few books (I even added on the Sub Mariner book just for the heck of it) it also has no trades or hard covers that I had been expecting this month. Of course that means some big weeks coming up. Also last week had a lot of strong books and was an excellent week in general, this week has some good stuff, but is a weak sister in comparison. Maybe I shouldn’t pre-judge, but on the surface it certainly appears that way.