If you are here reading this column, you are obviously the sort of person that enjoys reading comics. I know that I personally can't get enough of them, and likely spend far too much time with my nose poked into the middle of one. I also spend a copious amount of time doing comic related activities as I hope to keep the whole thing alive. It is no secret that the comic industry isn't exactly breaking records these days. I'm curious how many of you out there are doing your part.
I try to go to every local comic show and convention if for no other reason than to talk to people about comics. There's no better place to meet up with other people who love them, and the internet doesn't count. I'm talking about real face-to-face encounters, not just typing anonymously into a PC. I also realize that many of you might live in places where there aren't any comic shows or cons, but that does not mean you cannot travel to one once in a while. If you really love comics, stand up and say so. Be proud, and join your fellow geeks at a con somewhere. I promise you won't regret it.
I'll get off one soapbox and get on another now, and pester you with a large batch of reviews...
3/7/07
DC COMICS
52 Week #44 – Great cover and even better story inside, but the interior artwork didn’t grab me completely. - 4 of 5
Justice League Of America #6 – I shed a tear for Red Tornado. Want to know why? Buy it and read it. - 5 of 5
Shazam: The Monster Society Of Evil #2 (Of 4) – If you didn’t buy this and read it already you better get your order in to the closest comic shop while you have a chance. - 5 of 5
Superman Batman #32 - Average: Nothing really special here this month. If this is the level of stuff that they plan on putting in this series from now on, they will have a hard time keeping me on board. - 3 of 5
DEVILS DUE PUBLISHING
Sheena Preview – I enjoyed this issue, short though it was. I suppose that’s to be expected of a preview. Anyhow, you can’t go wrong for $.99. - 4 of 5
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Red Sonja #20 – Entertaining story and beautifully rendered artwork. – 4 of 5
MARVEL COMICS
Captain America #25 CW – ARRRRRRGH! Where do I even start on this one? This whole damned thing just pisses me off to no end. It’s an obvious marketing ploy that can’t last. Cap will be back, it is only a matter of time. I know some of you may not believe that so easily, but I ask you: Is Superman still pushing up daisies? - 1 of 5
Civil War Initiative – There’s $5 spent that I’ll never get back. – 2 of 5
Dark Tower Gunslinger Born #2 (Of 7) – You should be reading this series. It is truly not to be missed. If by chance you are on of the few that isn’t though (the #1 issue was the second best selling issue for February 2007), be ready to buy the TPB when it comes out in a few months. You won’t be sorry. - 5 of 5
Incredible Hulk #104 – The Planet Hulk series is over, and the big green guy is on his way back to Earth. I for one am sorry to see this storyline end. It has been thoroughly entertaining, and has provided a welcome distraction from incessant overload of Civil War crossovers. - 4 of 5
Mighty Avengers #1 – As always, I love Cho’s artwork, but I don’t think there is enough here to maintain a second core monthly Avengers title. - 2 of 5
Punisher #45 – No complaints here. Buy it and read it. – 5 of 5
Squadron Supreme Hyperion Vs Nighthawk #3 (Of 4) – Not much to say here that I didn't say last month. Still good stuff though, and worth a look. - 4 of 5
Ultimate Spider-Man #106 - Bagley's last storyline for this series. It is definitely too bad as I identify all the characters with his style. After over 100 consecutive issues, how could you not? - 4 of 5
Ultimate Vision #3 (Of 5) - This series is providing all the information we didn't get in the Ultimate Extinction mini. I was pretty pissed off when the UltEx series ended as so much was left hanging. This makes me feel a little better. - 4 of 5
Uncanny X-Men #484 - Three points here just for not having anything to do with the Civil War or the Initiative or anything even remotely related to either one of them. - 3 of 5
3/14/07
DC COMICS
52 Week #45 - Not too much further to go... - 4 of 5
Superman #660 – I’m handing out four points here just for a done-in-one story. We don’t see enough of those these days. The last point is because it was a good one to boot. Buy it and read it. - 5 of 5
Teen Titans #44 - Titans versus Titans? Go read it for yourself and find out. - 4 of 5
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Lone Ranger #5 – Dynamite stuff, and not just because of who is publishing it. Buy it and read it! - 5 of 5
MARVEL COMICS
Moon Knight #8 CW – Whoops! Cap’s dead, but here he is in a late shipped MK book. This book would have been better a couple of weeks earlier. - 3 of 5
New Avengers #28 – This issue made me want to read the next one, so I suppose that’s a job done well enough. - 4 of 5
New X-Men #36 – X-Men editors take note: This series is how it should be done. Buy it and read it. – 5 of 5
Punisher War Journal #5 – This is easily the best issue so far in this series. Buy it and read it. - 5 of 5
Thunderbolts #112 – I wanted to hate the new direction they took with this series, but I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong. I’ve liked every one of the new issues so far. I do however think that they won’t be able to maintain this pace for long. Fallout from the Civil War can’t go on forever. - 4 of 5
Thunderbolts Presents: Zemo Born Better #2 (Of 4) - Interesting enough to be readable, but not something that every collector has to have. I think that it won't really have any effect on what's going on in the regular T-bolts series. - 3 of 5
Wolverine Origins #12 – This series is still strong for both art and story. I’m very curious to see where they are going with this current storyline. - 4 of 5
3/21/07
AVATAR PRESS INC
Escape of the Living Dead Annual #1 - I'm still a sucker for zombies. - 4 of 5
DARK HORSE COMICS
Conan #38 – Truman, Nord, Isanove, Starkings. That’s all you need to know. Just buy it and read it, - 5 of 5
DC COMICS
52 Week #46 – I’m sad this series is coming to and end. I hope they find something to do with Black Adam that at least half as good as this has been. – 4 of 5
Brave And The Bold #2 - I complained about the inking on Perez's art last month. I'm a little happier this time as it seems to be cleaned up a fair amount. It still isn't the quality that I'm used to seeing with Perez's pages, though. - 4 of 5
MARVEL COMICS
Amazing Spider-Man #539 – The first ‘Back in Black’ issue. Please excuse me while I yawn… - 3 of 5
Punisher Presents Barracuda Max #2 (Of 5) – I’m sure this series isn’t for everyone, but I love it. - 5 of 5
Ultimate Power #4 (Of 9) - Does Greg Land’s artwork ever not completely rock? Nothing is different here. Buy it and read it. - 5 of 5
X-23 Target X #4 (Of 6) – See the review for New X-Men #36 above: The same thing applies here, except that it is for solo X-books. Buy it and read it. - 5 of 5
X-Factor #17 – Here is the other monthly X-book that you should be reading. You don’t really need to be following any other X-books for it to make sense. It’s enjoyable as a stand alone. I bet you can count the number of times that’s happened in the last seventeen years on one hand. Buy it and read it - 5 of 5
X-Men #197 - I hope they have something good in store for the 200th issue. - 2 of 5
3/28/07
DC COMICS
52 Week #47 - 4 of 5
Action Comics #847 – Another Superman done-in-one! This story though does seem to be a fill-in to cover for what must be a very late next chapter in the storyline that is otherwise currently going on in this series. - 4 of 5
Firestorm The Nuclear Man #34 - Nothing spectacular here, so I'm going halfway with the points. - 3 of 5
Green Lantern #18 – I enjoyed the issue, but found to backup story (Tales of the Sinestro Corps) to be more interesting than the main story in the issue. - 3 of 5
MARVEL COMICS
Daredevil #95 – It has been so long since we’ve had a run of back-to-basics DD in this series that it almost feels foreign. I’m not complaining though. It’s a welcome feeling nonetheless. - 4 of 5
Ultimate Fantastic Four #40 - Not bad, but this storyline doesn't seem to have the momentum of the the last few. They are apparent;y losing a little steam. - 3 of 5
Ultimate Spider-Man #107 - I’m not terribly excited about this storyline. That’s certainly subject to change though, and Bendis has been known to do that to me. - 3 of 5
Ultimate X-Men #80 – I knew it! I knew the Prof wasn’t dead, but I did think they’d have waited a little longer to let us in on that. - 4 of 5
Wolverine #52 – There is some absolutely gorgeous artwork in this issue. The Black Panther looked especially realistic. They need to get Bianchi to sign contracts now to do some of the art chores on BP’s solo book when he’s done here. - 4 of 5
FINAL THOUGHTS
I had the opportunity recently to show off my Gem Mint 10.0 at the local comic show. I was running a table selling back issues, and my wife stopped by to bring me some lunch. I went out to the car, and snatched the baby up so I could bring her in to meet all the comic geeks. Here's a picture of Natalie's first visit to the comic show:
Thanks to Mike P. for taking the pic for me!
I'm accepting any and all comic related submissions for review! Please e-mail me HERE for my policies and snail mail address. THANKS!
Thanks to Mike P. for taking the pic for me!