Double Stuf Pull List: September 25 and October 2, 2013

Lots of comics to get through from a couple weeks ago, so only the best (and the best at being the worst) will get a lot of attention.

Marvel

-Guardians of the Galaxy #6 (Brian Michael Bendis, Sara Pichelli, Olivier Coipel)

This isn't a good issue.  It's not a particularly bad one either, but it's just not good.

Some notes I made while reading the latest GotG:

• Thought Gamora's redesign was to lower sexploitation, but she's fighting Angela; so that's a dumb idea.
• They gave the previous Star-Lord helmet to Tony Stark?  Really?
• Drax's speech pattern, his lack of knowledge of the blue area of the Moon, and not realizing Thanos is close by is all sorts of wrong. 

Okay, I lied this is a bad issue, at least from a story and continuity standpoint.

Gamora is the one that is fully clothed.  Angela is the one fighting scantily clad on the Moon.

-Uncanny Avengers #12 (Rick Remender, Salvador Larroca)

Larroca taking over art duties is not what I would call ideal.  A weaker entry in a story that overall I enjoy.

-Deadpool #17 (Brian Posehn, Gerry Duggan, Declan Shalvey)

North Korean prison camp hijinks continue to be illustrated marvelously in this issue.  One of Jake's big complaints about Marvel comics is that whenever Captain America shows up he's an asshole.  We're treated to a counterpoint within these pages as Cap's memories of WWII motivate him to act in a truly heroic fashion resulting in the line, "This can't be a an Avengers mission, but it must be a job for Captain America."

-A+X #12 (Christos Gage, David Williams, Justin Jordan, Angel Unzueta)

Part 1 is a nostalgia trip of Beast and Wonder Man's friendship, and part 2 is Captain America and Jubilee fighting a sunken U-boat full of Nazi vampires.  Rekindled bromance and good old fashioned vampire slaying/Nazi punching fusion.  These concepts either resonate with you or they don't.

-Avengers #20 (Jonathan Hickman, Leinil Francis Yu)

Space Operatic elements manage to keep me enthralled even as the plot and general direction of the story lose steam and direction.

-Nova #8 (Zeb Wells, Paco Medina)

A rebirth for the New Warriors might be on the horizon if Nova can manage to not get killed by a super creepy chick that sleeps in the guts of weird space cows.  It seems Nova has moved firmly into rad superhero stories territory.  Ok, I might be riding on a high brought on by the mention of the original Nova (a favorite character of mine), still the trajectory of this series into downright fun superheroics.

-Iron Man #16 (Kieron Gillen, Carlo Pagulayan)

A big ol meh if you ask me

DC

-Justice League #23.4: Secret Society #1 (Geoff Johns, Sterling Gates, Szymon Kudranski)

Someone probably thought this was a clever story that needed to be told.  I am not that person.

-Action Comics #23.4: Metallo #1 (Sholly Fisch, Steve Pugh)

While not as bad as the Cyborg Superman entry, Metallo's story is still boring and incredibly forgettable.

-Aquaman #23.2: Ocean Master #1 (Geoff Johns, Tony Bedard, Geraldo Borges)

Any subtlety or nuance in Ocean Master's character that was present in the Justice League/Aquaman crossover "Throne of Atlantis" has been thrown out the window.  Nothing else is of note as this issue continues the disappointing, but not wholly unanticipated trend, of being another sub-par entry in the gimmick that was Villains' Month. 

-Action Comics #24 (Scott Lobdell, Tyler Kirkham)

The Psycho Pirate is back.  That's cool.  This is part 2 of a crossover that started in Superman?  That is significantly less cool, in fact that might be the exact opposite of cool.  There's a month of one-shot sidestories without Superman, and then when it's time for a "real" issue it's part 2 of a story taking place in a different comic book?  Nah, I'm cool.

Image

-Saga #14 (Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples)

Flying space sharks get hunted with a telescoping lance, and Lying Cat shares a scene with Sophie (formerly Slave Girl) that could warm even the coldest of hearts.  Stuff is kept relatively mundane, but even so Fiona Staples manages to flex her artistic might; it's just channeled into emotions and facial reactions as opposed to fantastical settings.

-East of West #6 (Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin)

A Judge Dredd/Punisher/Texas Rangers mashup?  Oh hell yeah.  The issue seems like an aside that isn't all that important, however the awesome western elements more than make up for that.  Have I mentioned how amazing the artistic design of East of West is?  Because from a design standpoint it continues to be a nearly flawless comic.

IDW

-G.I. Joe #8 (Fred Van Lente, Steve Kurth) 

Shipwreck shoots boats full of androids trying to suicide bomb the statue of liberty with a bazooka.  blah blah blah... Destro is full on crazy supervillain and has androids (of the same design as the combat ones shot by Shipwreck) dressed in maid and butler outfits as he uses failed underlings as clay discs for his routine skeet shooting.  Can someone explain to me why there isn't a G.I. Joe cartoon on my television right now?

Vertical

-Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin volume 3 (Yoshikazu Yasuhiko)

Like the two previous volumes, there is some stiff translation and different interpretations of certain iconic(memetic) lines that hold this release back somewhat.  The rest of the book more than makes up for this slight misstep, and really, Yas is such a skilled visual storyteller that the book could get by without a hint of dialog (note: I still like the words because they add a depth and insight into the characters).  Volume 3 takes its subtitle from Ramba Ral, a veteran enemy officer sent to Earth to destroy the ship and its inexperienced crew that make up the main cast.  I don't want to go into the gritty details because you either have an understanding of what great twists and turns the story takes at this point, or you don't know and I'm not going to be the asshole to spoil a 34 year old cartoon for you.  Most Gundam aficionados count Ramba Ral as a fan favorite though, and I'm no different.  There's a buttload of deep thematic elements tied to Ramba Ral that I could discuss at length, however there's also the old takeaway that war is hell.  It's worth noting again that Yas makes this hellish war look oh so good.

Please excuse my bad scanner marring otherwise beautiful art (also as a heads up only a handful of pages have full color)

The Pull List: September 4, 2013

I read too many comics.  It's a habit that so far has only benefited my local comic shop.  That changes now as you can learn from the mistakes of my purchases, and perhaps even be intrigued to check out some of the cool picture books of the week.  There's always the option to make fun of my tastes, too.

Marvel

-Iron Man #15 (Kierron Gillen, Carlo Pagulayan)

Look, I was ready to make a crack about how this comic is currently poop, but being spared additional Greg Land interior work mellowed me out some.  This issue looks nicer than the previous couple, not that this is a hard thing to accomplish, however I very much appreciate looking at Pagulayan's power armors. It's still not a good comic as it seems this storyline has been going on forever.  Pacing and bizarre retcon choices have plagued Iron Man for a while now so I've come to just grudgingly accept them.  Introducing a giant robot and then doing absolutely nothing with it is a sin that cannot be ignored though.

-Superior Spider-Man #17 (Dan Slott, Ryan Stegman)

The Goblin subplot simmers in the background as Spider-Man 2099 decides to stop by and engage in some time shenanigans.  There's not much to say.  It's an inter-temporal crossover.  That's a concept you like or you don't, and I like.  I'm looking forward to seeing Stegman draw the inevitable fight between the two Spideys next issue.

The Pull List: July 3, 2013

I read too many comics.  It's a habit that so far has only benefited my local comic shop.  That changes now as you can learn from the mistakes of my purchases, and perhaps even be intrigued to check out some of the cool picture books of the week.  There's always the option to make fun of my tastes, too.

Marvel

-Iron Man #12 (Kieron Gillen, Dale Eaglesham)

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.  This "secret origin" stuff is a mess in Iron Man and legitimately a very infurriating addition to the characters back story.  That said, Howard Stark going all XCOM is something I've enjoyed in the past and will enjoy in the future.  An alien also makes reference to the Fresh Prince when he spots a fake(?) UFO.  The crux of my pulled-back-inness hinges on the closing reveal.  Tony stark is going to pilot a 25,000 foot giant robot named Godkiller.  I don't think I need to explain why that has piqued my interest.  Stupid retcons can't ruin this.  There is one man who could, though, so please Dale Eaglesham draw the next couple of issues.

-Avengers A.I. #1 (Sam Humphries, André Lima Araújo)

Hank Pym is cool, and if you don't agree may I direct you to a comic from last week that might change your mind.  Naturally I'm going to buy a comic book where he leads a team of robotic heroes in an attempt to usher in a new age of human-cyborg relations while averting the rise of a hostile artificial intelligence.  The debut issue is well paced and has some nice characterization going on for it so far.  The art is crisp and has a quality about it that is perfect for the mechanical subject matter.  The colors help make it pop too.  Magnificent sound effects warrant a special mention for Clayton Cowles' lettering.

-Avengers #15 (Jonathan Hickman, Nick Spencer, Stefano Caselli)

In case the last issue of Avengers wasn't vague enough for your tastes, Hickman and Spencer are right back to obfuscating things.  That's okay, since Caselli gets to draw the Avengers fighting a bunch of giant bugs and the obligatory triumphant group pose.  There's definitely a splash page of concentric circles.  I don't care if it's supposed to be two separate pages or not, there are rippling concentric circles on consecutive pages.  That's got to be one of the most Hickman things ever. 

DC

-Stormwatch #22 (Jim Starling, Yvel Guichet)

For the past three months I have struggled to understand what is going on in Stormwatch.  Little has changed except that this journey has taken a turn (not an unexpected one mind you) into madness.  The previous 3 issues have merely looked longingly towards that path, and as if compelled by the voice of "a monster of vaguely anthropoid outline, but with an octopus-like head whose face was a mass of feelers, a scaly,rubbery-looking body, prodigious claws on hind and fore feet, and long, narrow wings behind" Starlin has taken the comic straight off the rails.  Make of that what you will.  

-Action Comics #22 (Scott Lobdell, Tyler Kirkham, Frank Hannah, Tom Derenick)

Action Comics remains caught in a talespin of worsening comics since Grant Morrison's departure after issue #18.  The Superman and Clark Kent presented on these pages isn't the least heroic Superman of the summer, but beating out Man of Steel is not worth bragging about.  Surely this isn't the kind of stuff that Lobdell has been bringing to the plain Superman comic, because if it is, yeesh, that is not something I'd spend money on.  I have to assume that the mediocre art turned in by Kirkham is a symptom of the bizarre creative shift and poor story.  There's some stupid Kryptonian backstory in the back-up too.

The Pull List: June 5th, 2013

I read too many comics.  It's a habit that so far has only benefited my local comic shop.  That changes now as you can learn from the mistakes of my purchases, and perhaps even be intrigued to check out some of the cool picture books of the week.  There's always the option to make fun of my tastes, too.

Marvel

-Age of Ultron #9 (Brian Michael Bendis, Brandon Peterson, Carlos Pacheco)

Something actually happens this issue.  Not only that but it's probably one of the better issues of the series.  That bar might've been incredibly low, but it's the small victories that you remember in life.  What actually transpires in the plot isn't necessarily the best.  Many times it is even contradictory.  Such is to be expected when you have a confused Hank Pym talking to two Wolverines about the consequences of them murdering him.

-Thanos Rising #3 (Jason Aaron, Simone Bianchi)

At this point this comic is approaching comical levels of being bad.  I'll avoid using the "R" word.  It'd be fair to use it, but there are so many things this comic does terribly that nitpicking the continuity isn't even worth it. Not that you'd need to nitpick, as the errors on that front are glaring.  Bianchi dropped the ball too.  Previously the art was unbearable which is sadly better than what got published in this issue.  Ultimatum's un-venerable status is in jeopardy.

-Iron Man #11 (Kieron Gillen, Dale Eaglesham)

I sincerely hope that all of this "secret origin" stuff turns out to be a ruse, that it's all a fake out our false info, because otherwise this is very very wrong.  The individual issues that make up the total story arc will either live or die based on the conclusion.

-Avengers #13 (Jonathan Hickman, Nick Spencer, Mike Deodato)

Last issue saw a villain capture a group of strange children that the Avengers were protecting in the Savage Land.  Now it's time for a group of Avengers to find the evildoer.  They not only avenge the wrongdoings, but they heroically save the children.  Some have criticized Hickman's Avengers for not being heroic enough.  These past two issues prove a definitive counterpoint to such thoughts.  Thor's interactions with Hyperion delved into what it means to be a hero.  Whatever it means Hyperion is surely that, which makes it one of the better Superman comics I've read.

-Superior Spider-Man #11 (Dan Slott, Christos Gage, Giuseppe Camuncoli)

Spidey/Doc Ock is called on to witness the execution of a supervillian in case something goes wrong, which it will invariably do since this is a comic.  Supervillians on death row, why isn't that seen in comics more?  For every instance of Spider-Man now being superior there are equal instances of him just being a straight douchebag.  Seeing Doc Ock foil a villain's escape plans makes for a very entertaining comic. 

-Avengers Arena #10 (Dennis Hopeless, Riccardo Burchielli)

If dead goth gothic lolitas with protruding bones and missing limbs are your thing, then man do I have a comic for you.  If not then congratulations you aren't completely weird or creepy.  I really wish a number of characters I'm fond of weren't in this series, for a number of reasons.  Mainly so that my soul isn't being sold off in twice monthly payments of $2.99.  At this point outright piracy is probably the best course of action for fans of any of the remaining sacrificial lambs.

DC

-Action Comics #21 (Andy Diggle, Tony S. Danile; Frank Hannah, Philip Tan)

Part 3 of the Hybrid storyline closes out the arc in confusing and grand fashion.  Chronologically this issue is a bit more confusing than Grant Morrison's 18 issues, an impressive feat.  Confusing or not, Superman got to do battle with power-armored Lex Luthor.  It's drawn and coreographed/plotted well, though it does seem a bit rushed and out of nowhere.

There's a back-up story that fleshes out the backstory of Superman's Kryptonian parents.  It's not bad, but I'm just not interested in it.

-Stormwatch #21 (Jim Starlin, Yvel Guichet)

What is going on in this comic?  3 issues in and I'm still confused as hell.  Sure I can piece things together enough to guess at what is really going on, but that doesn't change that it still feels like I know nothing.  Which might be part of the mystique.  That seems doubtful though.  Starlin is a storyteller I have much faith in, and I'm banking on that to really pay off in the next issue.   

Valiant

-Archer & Armstrong #10 (Fred Van Lente, Pere Pérez)

Last week I mentioned that Fred Van Lente's (and Greg Pak's) Incredible Hercules was amazing.  It gets mentioned again this week because Archer & Armstrong channels that comic a lot more than G.I. Joe.  The titular duo are comprised of an immortal adventurer and a naive assasin, and their latest quest has them infiltrating Area 51. There they come across a program led by one General Redacted, which might be the greatest name for a general since Sheep in the Big City.  The buddy action comedy genre is a narrative pinnacle.  A pinnacle that this comic finds itself at the pinnacle of.

Image

-East of West #3 (Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin)

A few more details come to light this week as Death fights through Maoist forces in New Shanghai (San Francisco) to rescue his wife and the three other horsemen are hot on Death's trail.  Despite learning much about the setting and the narrative at hand, key info is still cloaked in mystery making the world of East of West still alien and full of intrigue.  Combining the setting and the narrative results in a story that commands attention.  The art more than keeps up as it gives familiar yet bizarre life to the ideas being put forth.  It's colored beautifully too I might add.    

Boom!

-Hypernaturals #12 (Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Tom Derenick, Andres Guinaldo)

I wish there were more issues of this comic coming.  That should be indicative enough of what I thought of this particular issue and comic as a whole.  The story resolves itself in a grand fashion, and that's all I'll say for fear of spoiling the story for the one other person that might give it a try.  Saying it was too good for this world might be hyperbole, but that's part of what Hypernaturals is about.  Hopefully Abnett and Lanning have another "superheroes in SPACE" story lined up, because the world needs them now more than ever.

The Pull List: May 14, 2013

I read too many comics.  It's a habit that so far has only benefited my local comic shop.  That changes now as you can learn from the mistakes of my purchases, and perhaps even be intrigued to check out some of the cool picture books of the week.  There's always the option to make fun of my tastes, too.

Marvel

-Age of Ultron #8 (Brian Michael Bendis, Brandon Peterson)

A couple things happened this issue, so that's a nice switch from Age of Ultron's generally terrible pace.  Hank Pym (Ant-man, Giant-Man, Goliath, Yellowjacket, etc.) isn't treated like the biggest piece of trash for once, which is a welcome change.  AoU is still a pretty weak alternate reality story though.  The spectacle of the big mid air battle at the end would be a lot more spectacular if it didn't look like it was drawn and colored with the comic version of bad CG.  Only two issues remain.  Please heed my warning and just read the eventual Wikipedia synopsis if you're interested.

-Iron Man #10 (Kieron Gillen, Dale Eaglesham)
It seems my fears of "The Secret Origin of Tony Stark" are being confirmed.  The meat of the story is about the Tony Stark's father and culminates with  X-COM meets Ocean's Eleven.  Howard Stark leading a group of some of Marvel's foremost old operatives and secret agents on a heist of a Gray run casino in Las Vegas is a winning concept that honors and plays upon continuity.  Too bad this comic seems to be a cog in a retcon machine.

-Nova #4 (Jeph Loeb, Ed McGuinness)

Once again we get a wasted page in a cosmic Marvel book.  What a great way to start a comic that annoys me on so many levels.  Before chronicling the rest of the bad let me at least say that the makings of a fun space adventure are here, but they unfortunately don't coalesce, except for the cyborg space tiger.  The pacing of the plot is non-nonsensical and it doesn't help that the comic is completely incompetent at suggesting passage of time.  Structurally the comic is a no bueno, and to top it off, the inclusion of the Chitauri is maddening.  They're the alien race that were Skrull analogues in Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch's Ultimates, and more recently they were the bad guys in Avengers, the movie.  To explain why this is the least bit frustrating would take too long and result in responses that would come across as "but muh Nova".  

And now for time for something completely unrelated

To make up for the slow week and my overwhelming negativity, please to enjoy Snake Eyes being badical beyond belief

The Arashikage Mind-Set doesn't just turn Snake into a killing machine, but a dancing machine as well

Cobra might have Croc Master, but the Joes have the Shark Master

A ninja commando on a jetski is super badass, and the narration only ups the ante

The Pull List: May 1, 2013

I read too many comics.  It's a habit that so far has only benefited my local comic shop.  That changes now as you can learn from the mistakes of my purchases, and perhaps even be intrigued to check out some of the cool picture books of the week.  There's always the option to make fun of my tastes, too.

Marvel

-Superior Spider-Man #9 (Dan Slott, Ryan Stegman)

Goddamn!  This is one intense issue.  One of the most important storytelling elements in superhero comics is putting the hero up against a credible threat.  The creators need to make the reader believe that the villain might triumph.  That has been a strong point of the Superior Spider-Man, but this issue takes it to an entirely different level.  Peter Parker and Doc Ock revealing their inner Spider-Men makes for a great visual.  The premise of Superior Spider-Man is still off-putting, but there is an interesting story to tell here.  

-Age of Ultron #7 (Brian Michael Bendis, Brandon Peterson, Carlos Pacheco)

Once again I find myself asking the question, "Why am I buying this comic?"  At this point I might as well see the story through to the end, even if the plot is barely paper thin.  Not even the art can save this book as it is nothing special and the lackluster set-ups don't even result in remotely interesting fights.  Overall this issue is just another mediocre entry in this horribly decompressed event.

-Thanos Rising #2 (Jason Aaron, Simone Bianchi)

After a rather disappointing first issue, I was trying to give this one a fair shake.  That's not going to happen when the first 2 pages of a 22 page comic that costs $4 is completely wasted.  The story told in those remaining 20 pages is an unnecessary mess.  There is no need to revisit and muck up Thanos' origin.  I've never been a fan of Bianchi's art.  This comic is pretty damn bad and Marvel would've been better off just reprinting old stories if they really wanted to push Thanos for movie appearances.


-Iron Man #9 (Kieron Gillen, Dale Eaglesham)

By the grace of some god Greg Land doesn't have art duties for this issue, so that's a plus.  However there is the banner of "The Secret Origin of Tony Stark" as well, which fills me with a sense if dread.  For the most part the comic plays to its strengths, no Land, and my tastes: robot space bounty hunters.  Eaglesham's art isn't anything groundbreaking. He draws a pretty great Death's Head though, and the panel bordering is neat.  This issue is an entirely serviceable story that tickles my fancy.  Until the end that is, when that whole "Secret Origin" bit rears its ugly head.  Hopefully my faith in Gillen is well placed and  this will all turn out to be a clever ruse.

DC

-Animal Man #20 (Jeff Lemire, John Paul Leon, Timothy Green II)

A story within a story is the premise of this one, and it all got very meta very quickly.  Lemire explores Animal Man's loss by examining his drive to be a hero while critiquing the fame for fame's sake reality television stars that dominate real-world entertainment.  The heavily inked art of the "fictional story" was well done and differed from the series' stylistic tone enough to stand out, yet not too much to be jarring.  There are stronger Animal Man issues out there, but one small road bump isn't too bad in the grand scheme of things as long as the entire story pulls together.

-Aquaman #19 (Geoff Johns, Paul Pelletier)

There are a lot of moving pieces and most of them are still being set up.  As "villainous" Ocean Master's actions were during the Throne of Atlantis crossover, his point about perspective and his actions merely being retaliatory are poignant.  It rings especially true because the majority of the time people are just straight up dicks to Aquaman.  The selling point of the book is the art.  Every underwater panel is a sight to behold as it captures the scope and subtleties of the ocean.  Also, Atlantean organ theft.

-Stormwatch #20 (Jim Starlin, Yvel Guichet)

Full disclosure: this is only the second issue of Stormwatch I've ever read (the first being #19).  Jim Starlin taking over writing duties is what drew me in.  The story is a bit confusing, but that is probably a symptom of my neophyte Stormwatcher status.  Proving that I am an equal opportunity hater of retooled origins, Lobo's new backstory is wack.  Sorry Starlin, just because Aaron messed up Thanos' origins doesn't mean you can screw with one of the greatest DC characters of all time.  As you can see below, one alien gets its head kicked clean off while on the opposite page one gets punched straight through its chest.  Stormwatch #21 is a confirmed purchase.

Stormwatch

-Action Comics #20 (Andy Diggle, Tony S. Daniel)

It's hard to live up to Grant Morrison's recently finished run on Action Comics (it concluded with #18).  Unsurprisingly, this issue fails to meet that lofty standard.  That's not to say this is a bad comic.  Coupled with the tumultuous situation with the creative team due to Diggle's premature departure means that this issue isn't as good as this series can and should be, at least from a writing standpoint.  Thankfully the book is still visually appealing.

Boom!

-Hypernaturals #11 (Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Tom Derenick, Andres Guinaldo)

This comic is at the bottom of my reading list because it never disappoints.  Hypernaturals continues to be a rock solid engaging tale of heroes protecting all of known space.  The current plot threads all seem to be coming to a climax and that invariably means things get crazy.  High concept deicide levels of crazy.  Though the art sometimes falls a bit flat during more mundane scenes it is consistent and performs beautifully once the action starts.  If big heroes fighting big threats is your thing, do yourself a favor and catch up on this book.