So, I just got back from the CBS and in my stack-- an unbelievable amount of IMAGE books!

MORNING GLORIES 18

SAGA 2-3

AMERICA'S GOT POWERS 1 (I haven't read it yet but I am SO going to try to talk Dean Lee into us doing our own version of an American Idol-type superhero thingie)

DANGER CLUB 2

HELL YEAH 3

THE WALKING DEAD 97

SEVEN Image comics-- which TIED my DC amount purchased. Poor Marvel was left in the dust with only ONE comic bought (MARVEL ZOMBIES DESTROY! # 1)

The blue-eyed, chisel-jawed cutiepie I've had a crush on since the 90s that works there said, "Look at all these Independents... I like that!" which almost caused an entirely different type of explosion...

Image has emerged as—by far—the single best comic book company going these days. Not only do they have a business model I find morally better, but they also have the best comic book series on the market.

• Walking Dead – there’s a reason for its popularity!
• Chew – funniest comic on the market! With great characters and a complex storyline too!
• Morning Glories – fantastic! (Wait til you read the latest Lash!)
• Danger Club – best opening issue of a series I’ve read in…forever?
• Hell Yeah – surprise delight and really awesome new series!
• Saga – quite possibly the best new comic book series going, destined to be among the greatest ever in the medium!
• America’s Got Powers – another strong debut issue!
• Glory – brave and bold creators taking chances and also providing an amazing story!
• Prophet – science-fiction on a level few have ever reached, like Ridley Scott’s first alien film or Moebius’ European comics
• Fatale – the best crime / noir duo EVER in comics now bring the perhaps the best pulp / horror / noir series EVER to comics!
• Peter Panzerfaust – I haven’t smiled as widely and as warmly as I did the last three times when I read an issue of this series! An adventure series so good that along with Atomic Robo and Chew, it made Eryk Davis Ester believe in the medium again!
• Manhattan Projects & Secret – two new series by Jonathan Hickman that are already causing my brain to leak out my ears! Manhattan Projects was particularly awesome!
• Skullkickers – I came late to the party, but as my motto states, I’m just glad I came! ( ) I’m already blown away by how utterly terrific this series is and I’m currently hunting down back issues.
• Bulletproof Coffin – the single most creative thing in history besides perhaps the guy who first combined peanut butter and jelly!

Meanwhile…Thief of Thieves has finally kicked into high gear and is showing potential to be yet ANOTHER triumph by Kirkman & compatriots…Supreme has me definitely interesting on where its going, after Eric Larsen calmed me down in an interview…Mind the Gap #1 had a pretty awesome twist at the end of the first issue that made me sit up and take notice…and I’ve been eying that Strange Talent of Luthor Strode TPB for awhile. Plus, maybe its finally time to get back into Invincible? Double plus, I kind of like the Darkness by David Hine and am considering continuing after a ‘tryout’ issue.

So yeah, Image is rocking these days. I can’t believe I’m collecting all of these Image series. But each month a new one joins the pack—and its just as good as everything else! It gives me great pleasure to drop the crappy DC and Marvel books that have let me down and drained my pockets so that I can buy comics that actually make me enthusiastic for the hobby again!

On my radar: Dancer, Grim Leaper, Debris, Bedlam, Happy! and Jupiter's Children! All look like they're going to be fantastic!

But don't think I'm just some dude who likes a comic because a company publishes it! I've dropped Haunt and Super Dinosaur recently and said no to Bloodstryke, Epic Kill and others after trying them out. Each series must prove itself. Image is the only company that has series that actually do that on a consistent basis.

So how are these IMAGE titles stacking up for me? I am going to decide their fates in this very thread! Will they stay or will they GET THE BOOT??

Well, I just read MORNING GLORIES 13-18 in one sitting and YEAH. It works best like that. Keeping me fascinated and utterly surprised every issue, ESPCIALLY the huge surprise in 18!

So Morning Glories stays on the pull!

THE WALKING DEAD is safe, of course. It remains a top draw for me, despite a feeling like the book itself may be going in circles and there's not NEARLY enough time spent on character development of secondary castmembers. I have even forgotten many characters' names that have been around for 40 issues...

SAGA earns a spot on the pull after the terrific issues 2-3!

SUPREME 64 confirmed EVERY SINGLE ONE of my fears for a post-Moore version of this title. It is on the "1 more issue" bubble and if 65 follows the path 64 started, it will be the final issue I buy.

HELL YEAH 3... was good. My main complaint is the "alternate Ben heroes" massacre... man, a LOT of image books feature massacres it seems... but something interesting IS going on and I wanna see how it develops. I'm onboard for # 4.


DANGER CLUB 2... was a bit of a letdown. Mainly the opening pages bode very ill for my taste and what I wanna see in my comics. The rest was a mix of character building for Kid Vigilante and a slugfest between Transformer robot type heroes, which doesn't really float my boat.

I thought this book MIGHT be the next Brat Pack or Welcome to Tranquility but I'm pretty sure that won't be the case. I am giving it one more issue, so that puts it on the "1 issue bubble" list. # 3 will determine its fate!

I had the same exact reaction when I read the latest Supreme. I was so angry, in fact, I started hunting online for interviews with Larsen and reviews. One interview calmed me down a *little*. Larsen confirmed the other Supremes will remain a part of the cast and that not many characters actually died other than walk-on Supremes and Daxes. His words were "I'm giving Alan Moore's Supreme his biggest challenge yet: Rob Liefield's Supreme." So it looks like psycho Supreme isn't the star but the villain.

So...I feel a little better. (At least not fuming with anger). But all that does is make me want to continue to give it a chance. I'm still very much on the fence.

"America's Got Powers" was a strong first issue, though I kept wishing Todd Nauck would just bring back "Wild Guard."

Another great Image read is "Reed Gunther," an all-ages book with plenty of action and humor for adults. It has a great "Brisco County Jr." vibe to it.

I also hope to see "Marineman" return soon.

I think I need to check for a WILD GUARD trade.

AMERICA'S GOT POWERS 1... ummmm... here's another massacre scene. WHAT is it with IMAGE and massacre scenes? That's, like, crazy man.

Anyway, the massacre doesn't get TOO terribly deadly before it is ended-- and HOW it is ended is enough to make me wanna continue with issue 2! I'm kinda hoping the new player discovered here puts a complete and total end to massacres by issue 6...

AMERICA'S GOT POWERS 2 ...still keeping my interest.

HELL YEAH 4 ...I wanna meet the lesbian chick version of me from an alternate dimension! HELL YEAH is really starting to click.

SUPREME 65 ...Larsen surprised me. This issue gave me hope and earned my return next month.


DANGER CLUB 3 ...Yeah, I think the potential here is massive but the execution is just NOT working for me at ALL. My last issue of this.

After reading comments here about SAGA 4, I decided not to go forward with it.

Looking forward to MORNING GLORIES and TWD though!

awww I am waiting for the trade of Danger Club since my store only had issue 3.

America's Got Powers has me intrigued too.

I recently burned through Morning Glories Trade #3. So good. I even told the clerk at the CBS how good it was.

Peebs, I can send you DANGER CLUB issues 1-3 if you like, the execution may work better for you than for me

that would be sweet ass sweet!

Then send me your address either here or on FB

^ hm, nice move to get Peebz address!

I'm really enjoying Danger Club in a big way but it definitely isn't for everyone. Hopefully you like it more than Lash, Peebz!

I was so glad to read your comment on Supreme, Lash! I think Larsen is being more clever than we thought at first. My biggest fear was the "Liefield Supreme" would be the new protagonist. But what I think Larsen is doing is making him the series arch-villain--and *that* could get interesting.

Also, I recommend you try REVIVAL given your love of the zombie genre. I just did a mini-review in the Random Comics thread. A really solid debut issue that sets the series apart as unique and high quality.

Ps - also LOVING Hell Yeah!

Was REVIVAL the one that a sneak preview that had the old lady, the cat and all those teeth? Because it really looked kinda cool and creepy and made me think about trying it.

That's the one! That teeth scene was crazy-creepy.

I hesitated on buying this one but at the last minute grabbed it...and am really glad I did. I was delightfully surprised at how much it exceeded my expectations.

Shitsnacks, it's out already??? I just went to the CBS Weds... maybe I will have enough $$$ to go again next week!

And yes, Larsen is TOTES being more clever than I was willing to give him credit for... I readily admit, "My bad". SUPREME 65 was VERY intriguing!!

Although Suprememouse was really getting on my nerves. He should have died. I was THRILLED to see Sister Supreme survived!

And this month's Glory revealed that she may have acquired her very own Donna Troy...

MORNING GLORIES has fizzled out for me; # 21 will be my last issue of that. I also have decided not to proceed with AMERICA'S GOT POWERS past # 3.

That said, REVIVAL and IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS are threatening to enter-- my personal current TOP 5 COMICS!

I read Howard Chaykin's Black Kiss 2 #1 a coupla days ago, and.....well, let's preface this by saying this one was not for everyone. And probably not for most anyone else, either!

I didn't come into this blind at all. I read the original Black Kiss from the '80s two or three years ago. It's hard to describe, but I'd call it kind of a psycho-sexual/noirish/crime/mystery story that's a commentary of sorts on Hollywood. And, only at the end, we find out that there is a supernatural element to it that informs a lot of what we saw. For its time, it was one of the more graphically sexual books on the market.

Flashforward over twenty years later and we have here an apparent prequel, though there is no obvious connection to the original apparent in the first issue. And the degree of sexuality within is taken WAAAAAY up a notch from the original.

This issue has a pair of stories seemingly only connected through their similar themes of horror thru supernatural sexual violation.

The first story takes place in one of the earliest movie theatres and shows a crowd entranced by the new silent medium. Emphasis is placed on their near-worship of the new form of entertainment. As they watch, a creature emerges from the screen and violates them in a manner that has to be seen to believe.

The second story takes place about five years later aboard the Titanic on its fateful maiden voyage. A virgin male is about to have his first experience with a prostitute when the ship hits the iceberg. As the man flees for his life, a shape-shifting demon grabs him and takes his virginity horrifically by force. Later, the man is pulled from the ocean into one of the lifeboats and has apparently been cursed.

Like I said, this book is really, really graphically sexual. Male and female genitals are on display and violent nonconsensual intercourse is shown. You could easily call this porn, and I'd have a hard time disproving you.

To me, it was kind of like an old EC horror comic but with, well, graphic sex. I'd say there was some storytelling value. They were both cautionary tales of a sort with some definite subtext beyond just being gross or titillating. Plus, I think this will all relate to the original Black Kiss and is probably setting up to tell the history that lead up to that story.

It's black and white (as the original was) and is ably illustrated by Chaykin in his inimitable style. More than likely, he's trying to outdo the original's reputation for a more desensitized modern readership.

It's twisted, dark, gross and highly sexual, so most people won't like it. I'm not entirely sure I like it, but I'll be back for issue 2.

I read Harvest #1 the same night. This one was a really edgy story about the blackmarket for human organs. Specifically, it focuses on a disgraced surgeon who loses his medical license and is approached by an organization selling organs to remove the organs for them. We get to see the nuts and bolts of how he lost everything.

This was very well written and illustrated. Definite R-rated material, though, with strong language, gore and some sexuality. Nothing supernatural going on here. Kind of a neat idea for a movie or TV series, really. I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to and am curious to see if the story plays out in some unexpected ways.

I'm loving Danger Club.

I saw a 6 page preview for BLACK KISS 2 # 1 and it was so over the top I instantly decided to pass. There's other places I can see that stuff in real life, for free. I did enjoy the 80s BLACK KISS when it was coming out, although I recall I had guessed the secret before the actual big revelation near the end.

One of my favorites

Hell Yeah is another.

Lardy, I'm also following Black Kiss 2. You said it best:
"Not sure I like it but I'll be coming back". It's as brutal as any comic I've read yet there is a definite purpose to each graphically sexual sequence.

#2 is even more sexually graphic but is at least consensual for the most part. It also clearly crosses into the territory of 'hardcore porn with a pretty good noir storyline.' As much as we joke about stuff like this, I've never bought anything like it before. It's a monthly "decide on the spot" purchase.

What I really like is the noirish depiction of sleepy Hollywood. Considering the real life players of that era, so much of it rings true.

Ps - also recommend Debris, which Lardy, myself and Ms. Anita Cocktail are loving and discussing in the Random Review thread.

And can't rave enough about Peter Panzerfaust!

And Planetoid is mind blowingly awesome sci-fi!

Have you ever read the original BK? It's definitely worth a look and the reason I picked up BK2.

Honestly, one thing I like about BK2 is that it's fearless in what it's doing. And it's unlike anything else I'm reading, so that's a plus. As with other media, comics tend to be afraid to show graphic sex but have no problem showing all the blood, guts and gore.

Also, CK....did you pick up Harvest? And what about Punk Rock Jesus over at Vertigo?

I haven't tried either of those yet, and was hoping you (and others) would review! You have me curious about both, especially PRJ, so I'll sample them.

Man, there's just so much to choose from these days--and SOOO many great comics if you're savvy--that its hard to keep track of them all.

Harvest is pretty good, but PRJ? That one's the shit! Hope you read my review on the Vertigo thread!

For the record, I'm totally expecting one of you to buy and review Great Pacific, which looks kind of interesting.

I plan on it. Both it and Storm Dogs looks fantastic! More sci-fi goodness (and two very different types of sci-fi).

I'll be grabbing Bedlam as well.

A few days ago my monthly shipment arrived.
One of the titles was "Debris", a 4 issue mini series...this was the final issue.

It was an excellent little story, nice ending.
I am definitely keeping an eye out for more titles from this Image imprint

Debris was spectacular! Highly recommended!

Both writer Wiebe and artist Rossmo should be on everyone's radar as this is like the 4th or 5th great thing there EACH done.

I agree.
I actually picked it up because Gieni was working on it and I have to say it not disappoint
From what I've read of my shipment for this month, Debris is the best title by far

I'm waiting for the TPB.

... and then you bet your nass there will be REVIEWS!

I just realized that no one here is talking about Mind the Gap. Anyone getting this one? I'm getting it and really like it so far! Deep mystery + paranormal phenomena = a neat, entertaining book! The art is by Rodin Esquejo, who does those great covers for Morning Glories. The scripts are by Jim McCann, who's done a lot of work for Marvel the past few years, including the great, short-lived Hawkeye and Mockingbird series.

Other than the fact that I SUCK at mysteries (which makes it even harder for me with month-long gaps between installments), this has been a pleasant surprise for me. It won't kick your ass with its innovations or anything, but it's a solid, engrossing read.

I also love the text pages in the back where McCann points out some things you might have missed or should pay more attention to. It helps guys slow on the uptake like myself and just bubbles over with the writer's enthusiasm! Nice lettercol as well!

I'm also enjoying Mind the Gap quite a bit! For all the reasons you mention, especially for the heavy character driven element of the mystery. The latest issue I've read (#4) really took things to another level, showing a complexity to the mystery that makes me totally anxious to get more!

McCann is the author behind the universally praised "Return of the Dapper Men" which basically everyone who has read it agrees is the best thing ever (not me yet). He brings a unique style that shows his voice is pretty different from everyone else. And as you (Lardy) say, his enthusiasm in the back pages is infectious!

The artwork is pretty phenomenal too. The MG covers have always been gorgeous and here the interiors really shine with beautiful characters in a solid mystery setting.

High recommendation!

Nowhere Men #1 begins a fascinating story. Four scientists, who have been promoted as rock star personalities, are facing some serious problems. Their company is cracking under the strain of personal animosities, experiments are going seriously wrong and one of the geniuses just wants to keep plowing ahead, consequences be damned.

There's a lab with a lot of sick people - most of them are ambulatory, but each one has a different manifestation of some virus. (There's even a Vi-Ayla look-alike couple.) They've just gotten word that they're going to be quarantined indefinitely and wonder if they're being abandoned. And there's a wonderful cliff-hanger/surprise final page which made me jump a bit.

The artwork is really detailed - I love that in a book. Lots of bits and pieces to look at.

I've read some pretty negative reviews of the book, but I think it's a keeper.

Great Pacific #1: Chas Worthington is heir to a big oil fortune - and his family's company. However, he'd rather be adventuring around the globe than sitting in board meetings. Chas does have a serious side, though: he does the philanthropy thing, and he's personally working on a project to clean up oil spills and break down polluting plastics.

The Board is not amused with this playboy do-gooder and they are not too upset when word of his death at the hands of a home invader reaches them. Of course, he's not really dead, or there wouldn't be a story.

I was skeptical of this comic before I read it, since the previews showed Chas walking on an island of plastic garbage in the Pacific, which is an inaccurate portrayal of the real life plastic mess in the ocean - but Image has been on a great run, so I gave it a try and was not disappointed.

It's a bit of a Green Arrow story - rich business heir not buying into Dad's corporation, wanting to do good and hated by the company's directors. I don't know if the resemblance will end there (without the arrows, no doubt). It should be interesting to see where the story goes from this first issue: will Chas succeed? Return to his father's business? Be killed off by enemies? Or settle down happily on a mountain of garbage?

Just downloaded a whole bunch of free Image #1s from Comixology!

Read the first three!

ALPHA GIRL #1

Bratty, annoying teenage girl and something like a zombie apocalypse? Didn't do anything for me

I give it 1 collapsing pillar!



AMERICA'S GOT POWERS #1

This looks to have a lot of potential, but I didn't exactly love it. The story is a bit cliched/predictable, but fairly well-done nonetheless.

3 collapsing pillars.

DANCER #1

Now this one really intrigued me! A really nice set-up for a fun spy/assassin on the run story. Nice reveal at the end of the issue as well!

Some thoughts:

DANCER was absolutely fantastic! It remained great from beginning to end. A very exciting / artistic "spy versus spy with sci-fi twist" that shines in how the narrative comes through with art and atmosphere.

ALPHA GIRL, I skipped.

AMERICA'S GOT POWERS - I felt exactly the same. Stopped after #2.

I have a whole slew of new series to read & review coming up: Nowhere Men, Storm Dogs, Bedlam, etc.

EPIC KILL #1

Honestly I wasn't expecting much from this one, but I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. Another assassin thriller book, though without the moody-coolness of Dancer. Still, an intriguing set up that I wouldn't mind checking out more of in the future!

I think I'll give it 4 collapsing pillars!

FATALE #1

I liked this quite a bit as well, though I suspect it would probably read better in trade than by the single issue. The switch between two time periods was a bit jarring, but interesting.

Another 4 collapsing pillars!

Jeepers H Christmas!

Fatale is brilliant! Like top 5 in all of comics brilliant! My highest recommendation and I'd add it only gets better as it goes. I read them monthly and love it that way.

GLORY #23

Meh. This was okay, but definitely not my kind of thing.



HELL YEAH #1

This started out kind of blah, but got more interesting as it went along. Definitely has potential.

HOAX HUNTERS #1

So, apparently this is actually the second issue, since there's an #0? Anyway, it was pretty groovy. A reality TV show debunking various cryptids/weird stuff being used as a cover for a team whose mission it is to cover them up. Definitely cool.

Wow, sounds like I should have given Hoax Hunters a shot. I picked up the #0 issue and thought it was okay but I've heard it's not really representative of the series.

Hell Yeah is pretty freaking awesome. It's gotten continually more so as its gone on, and has introduced a few characters I think you'd like (you = Eryk). It has a very viceral, strait forward was to the story telling where it doesn't hide the fact that its appealing to action lovers too; that's not a bad thing and in fact I like it. But the overall focus is on character and sci-fi elements with a quasi-superhero bent.

I read it monthly but I think it would be much better as a trade ... I liked the first story arc better than the second and was a bit surprised that they did a second story arc. I think the 2nd story needs to go somewhere big soon. The first story arc did up the ante as it went along, It intends to be a bit of a mystery for the readers.

GRIM LEAPER #1

Given that it's written by Kurt Weibe, the brains behind the groovy Peter Panzerfaust, I had high expectations for this one, and it pretty much met them! Love the dark romantic comedy genre, and this is a solid example! Bonus points for the solid "Love Stories to Die for!" back-up feature!

I would probably really give it four and half collapsing pillars, but the pillars don't do halves!

THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #1

This had a lot going for it, with some fun alt-history, wacky science stuff, but somehow it just didn't quite work for me. It's like Atomic Robo, minus all the stuff that makes AR fun, charming, and exciting.

Thanks Edes ... I was wondering about Manhattan Projects ... they've got some great covers but ... I never submitted to actually buying one.


Did anyone follow Secret? I was curious about it but/because the 1st issue was a torture scene ... wondered if it ever went anywhere in the subsequent issues?

Secret #1 is in my queue.

I think the real problem for MPs may be the lack of a real POV character, at least in the first issue.

I've actually enjoyed this one quite a bit, and moreso as the series has gone on. (Though I did enjoy #1 more than you did I think). The later issues are pretty awesome with Werner Von Braun (not in a way you've ever seen before) and then a huge revelation about Einstein.

You do get a "kind of" POV character as the series goes on, or at least one fictional character who is a bit of an everyman. Or at least as much as a super-genius could be an everyman.

For me, it gets a definite huge recommendation.

I'll await your thoughts on this. I thought it was very good though I did not like it as much as MP. There have only been 2 issues to date as I think the artist has caused a bit of a delay which is too bad.

It definitely has the Jonathan Hickman "this is about to get batshit crazy" sense to it though so I'm curious as to when that will happen.

On a related note ... I am all about Bedlam!

I forgot to put it in my top five favorite comic books. Well it is not really one of my favorites but as far as being well done ... it is one of the best.



It is a really interesting book, I have no idea which way it is going to go ... I think it's hard to do something so bizarre.

This review mirrors my sentiment except what they call the "bad" is the best part of the book.

It dosn't give anything away, it dosn't even give away much of the premise. The story is a lot more complicated with hints at conspiracies.

http://www.comicvine.com/bedlam-/37-364098/staff-review/

I loved I Love Trouble #1! Felicia is a small-time crook and con-artist who discovers she has a superpower when a plane she's in crashes - and she thinks herself out of it.

She quickly gets used to her new power and uses it to steal stuff, of course. When she goes to pay back some loan shark, with interest, he decides she should work for him - and holds her honey to ensure cooperation.

A great read, lots of action, beautiful look to the art. Felicia is like the best of Catwoman without Batman - devious, smart, funny and tough.

^ Def glad you reviewed that one, FC! I would have probably passed on it.

Meanwhile, I thought Storm Dogs #1 was a solid debut, introducing a world of characters and concepts while maintaining a strong mystery / suspense vibe. My one complaint is there wasn't a lot of "pop" in the opening, though that may be due to some of the artistic choices. The art overall is quite beautiful, specifically the landscapes, but the character designs are very "soft" which doesn't make any one character jump out at me automatically.

That being said, its definitely a tightly written comic that lays the ground work for some major things to come. Writer David Hine is superb--especially these last 3-4 years--so I have faith this is going to get better.

Solid sci-fi series that I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.

Since the board was down, I actually caught up on a few series:

Great Pacific was actually really fantastic! FC recommended it and I second that recommendation. It has a *very* strong intro to the lead character and the world he lives in. I admit I was worried it would be a little boring but it actually was quite the opposite--chalk full of tension! It also is not spoon-feeding the reader any 'save the world' stuff which is another thing that was worrisome; instead its focusing on a strong story first and foremost.

Blackacre was another one I tried that I really liked! Yet another in a string of terrific sci-fi series by Image continuing this Golden Age of indy sci-fi comics. (PS: check out Prophet, Hypernaturals and Planetoid if you like sci-fi). The opening page caught me off guard and then hooked me right in. I won't spoil it other than saying I was like "what the hell is this?" and then three pages later I thought "hey, this is pretty brillaint!".

I added both to my pull list.

I just started reading Planetoid via Comixology. Great series! Guy crashes on planetoid run by evil bots who enslave sentients, guy survives, with help, and teaches sentients to work together for survival.

Blackacre is on my list to check out.

I read the first two issues of Change, which really sounded promising, but I have no idea what's going on. And not in a good way, in a this is boring and confusing way. I'm wondering if it was just my state of mind at the time. Anyone else reading this?

One book I've heard about which is also a WTF? sort of story is Wild Children - but that one sounds more interesting, or at least more trippy.

Wild Children and Change are by the same up and coming writer, Ales Kot. I picked up Wild Children on a whim last summer and enjoyed of it. It was really abstract and trippy but in a way that built tension and felt fresh and interesting. It was definitely very Morrison Doom Patrol-ish / League of Extraodinary Gentleman-ish when things start going off the rails. With an over-sized oneshot, it worked for me. It also had fantastic Riley Rossmo art (who did Green Wake, Debris, Bedlam).

With Change, I’ve only read the first issue and I can see its picked up on the off-the-wall style of story-telling. I’m not sure if that will work for four strait issues though. By your post, it sounds like #2 only heightened this sensibility rather than providing a little clarity to the narrative. I’m all for loose structure (as I know you are, FC) but I at least need to know what’s going on.

I’m curious as to what I’ll think of #2. With Wild Children there was a definite “event” happening, with armed teenagers bursting into a school to kick things off. With Change, I still had no clue what was happening by the end of #1. That needs to change quickly.

I'm really enjoying Nowhere Men, which has proven to be a very smart and character driven mini. Great, right writing with some beautiful art that includes strong design work.

Also, love those issue end extra narrative pages (a la TMK Legion).

^ Cobie, I recently saw on FB via my newsfeed that you told your CBS to drop Storm Dogs. After seeing your positive review for issue one, I was a little surprised. Any particular reason you dropped it?

It was one I thought about a lot. Like you, I've become a lot stricter on the "if I'm not loving it, why would I buy it?" mentality. While I liked the first issue, and I'm a huge fan of David Hine, I had some problems with the first issue; it felt like that was heightened with the second. I guess it was an overriding slow / boring feel to it that I couldn't shake. A lot of that is the art / colors, which were very soft and "calm"; other than that I can put my finger on it.

But long story short, by the end of #2 I found myself not really paying attention anymore and that's always an immediate concern with continuing. There are too many other series to spend my $$ on so cut it.

I am a big fan of Hine though, particularly Bulletproof Coffin and his Batman as Spirit work in recent years. I'll probably always sample whatever he's doing.

Yeah. I'm kinda getting that feeling with Great Pacific as well. Nothing's really clicked with me, there. I've read the first two and have the third. I'll probably keep the fourth in my hold until after I've read three.

Storm Dogs, I like a little better, but I'm on the fence about it. The neat idea of hookers who rent out their body to other minds introduced in issue two may have bought that one some more time.

I'm also a little tentative on Great Pacific. I started really great but has gotten a little off the wall for me with the giant squid. Mainly because I was expecting the same social commentary / smart dialogue from #1 in the next two issuss and instead got a ton of action. That might not be so bad but with the setting relatively bland, I need that smart thinking man's approach to keep me engaged.

For me, GP stays for now but it needs to pick up #4. I believe it's a 5 issue mini? If so, I'll probably finish it. If it was an ongoing of probably cut it.

I do love the large selection of sci fi Image is providing. I'm loving Planetoid and Blackacre.

Thanks guys, I was contemplating trying Great Pacific as a new read but it didn't seem my style ... unless it was amazingly good ... so I grabbed Glory instead which I am already a fan of.

From my flipping GP seemed a bit of a dither.

That sounds like a great premise!

Iwish I hadn't given up Glory when I heard it went up to $3.99. That last $2.99 issue was the best yet! Maybe I'll do the trade(s) for the series' conclusion.

I'm loving Glory each and every month! I think def worth $3.99, and you should def try to keep reading, Lardy in some way.

Manwhile, I think the best of the recent fall 2012 launch of new Image series books were Where Is Jake Ellis? and the aforementioned (in its own thread) Happy!. WIJK was a sensational debut that seemingly proves my assessment that the Jake Ellis stories may read better in monthly doses than as a trade! that first issue was a terrific read and didn't feel at all like just a retread of the first mini.

Clone felt like a Paul Verhoeven film (like Robocop or the original Total Recall) in its kind of visceral, ultra-violent quality. After one issue, I'm not toally sure whether that's good or bad. I hope to see a little more story over action in subsequent issues.

Comeback has a very intriguing premise: paying time-travellers to rescue a loved one before he/she dies. The first issue showed an unexpectedly botched attempt that was pretty original. It seems, though, that even if they are successful, it becomes necessary for them to maintain the facade that the person died in the eyes of the world. That reason hasn't been explained yet. I'm hoping for the reasoning to be explained at some point.

Where Is Jake Ellis? is a worthy sequel to the original and I highly recommend both. I think you're correct Lardy (though I've only ever read it
monthly). The same is probably true for the excellent Edmondson mini Dancer.

Also agree that Happy! has been terrific, with issue #3's revelation bringing it all to a head that I can't wait for #4 to deliver on.

I skipped Clone and am glad I did based on the compared to Robocop, a movie I've always thought was utter shit.

Comeback I missed out on by not pre-ordering and have been regretting it ever since. I will probably hit up the trade on. The covers alone are great designs. I'm curious about your continued thoughts as it comes out.

Are any of you reading Luther Strode?

I agree with you re: Great Pacific, strong start, issue #3 was pretty dull.

I'm buying Luther Strode but need to get the first TPB before I read. I've only heard great things!

In a workshop today, I found my mind wandering about Saga, how great it is and how the characters are so well developed.

and how the Stalk needs to come back ... and/or have some brothers/sisters show up. You know she has some. and I hate Gwedolyn even though ... even though Marko clearly wronged her ... he's still my boy.

loyalty over justice ... what kind of person AM I???? well i know there is way more to the story than that and Gwendolyn is evil incarnate. It just hasn't been shown on panel yet.

I was alos thinking about how the story of two sides having a baby together isn't the most original but ... I trust vaughn ... because Y the Last Man made a really original story out of a well trod apocalypse story.

Anyone reading "Todd, the Ugliest Kid on Earth"? I'm curious about this one, but I can't recall seeing any reviews of it, here or elsewhere.

I just figured it's about McFarlane's childhood...

I've kinda been waiting for review of "Todd..." myself before I buy. I missed #1, and decided to sit on the sidelines.

One comic I'm really enjoying lately is Blackacre. Really great science fiction that is very appealing to the historian in me as it gets right into the heart of how a city-state might operate in a post-Apocalyptic world. Yet another great sci-fi series out right now.

Lost Vegas #1 of 4 by Jim McCann & Janet Lee

Every country on Earth loves gambling and it looks like every race in the galaxy does too. Lost Vegas is a space-ship casino and Roland is your typical gambler-movie gambler: in debt, cheating Mr. Big ... and getting arrested. For his debts, he becomes slave labour in the casino, along with many other debtors. There's a good twist on the slaves: they wear appearance devices that make them all look alike. Roland plans his escape - and a heist - with the help of a tech nerd, a creature described as sentient ink and, possibly, a mysterious woman. Alien creatures and space-age setting, but, essentially, a classic heist story. Fine with me, since I love heist stories. Maybe not the most original story, but should be good for four issues.

I read a TERRIFIC Image book the other night: The End Times of Bram and Ben #1! The basic premise of this 4-issue mini is that the biblical rapture happens, and we explore what the world is like for those, well, 'left behind'. As an added wrinkle, one of our title characters was raptured and then un-raptured/sent back due to a "clerical error", and as this fact becomes known, complications ensue for him from sources both earthly and supernatural.

As one may infer from the clerical reference, this is not a dark and gloomy book at all! In fact it reads and looks like a book very much in the vein of the excellent Chew comic (also published by Image), whose virtues I've been shouting about from the rooftops of Legion World ever since I discovered it. The story by James Asmus (who's also scripting the excellent second arc of Robert Kirkman's Thief of Thieves) and Jim Festante is irreverent and comical, and Rem Broo's pencils are similarly cartoony (complete with a few sight gags in the backgrounds!) as Chew's Rob Guillory's work. Basically, the art and the story compliment each other very well.

The issue opens with a page painting roommates Bram and Ben's relationship in broad strokes as not being unlike the classic Odd Couple dynamic. On the second page...well, the raptures start immediately, and we then get a few pages showing this happening (and NOT happening in one cheeky panel) on a broader scale. And then, we see the crucial un-rapturing, and the pair begin to explore what's happened and its immediate impact on their lives.

What's really immediately amusing is how the cause of what's happened is debated among their acqaintances and the world at large, when it would seem the cause is obvious. It was funny, but it rang true as every little thing is a conspiracy in our culture. It also shows how generally secular and skeptical our culture is. But we're shown enough behind the scenes to know that this is indeed the Rapture (or some permutation of it, possibly even a mistake?).

Yes, those readers of a more religious inclination could find some things offensive here, but as the backmatter asserts, this book's overriding purpose doesn't appear to be to skewer religion so much as to satirize some of the affectations that the public itself brings to the subject matter. Still, if you're overly sensitive about Christianity, this probably isn't the book for you.

And for $2.99, you get a full 32 pages of story, plus an inside back cover with an amusing note from the author and a hilarious back cover 'ad'! This was a pleasant surprise, and I look forward to the remaining issues. (Actually, I'm pretty bummed it's a mini! The platform presented here could easily sustain an ongoing for a few years.)

All in all, I'd give this issue...



...out of five Lardies!

^ Am I the only one who's read this? Cobalt?

Meanwhile, in June we get Rucka and Lark back together for Lazarus! This will definitely be on my pull!

Yeah, I've been pumped about Lazarus since it was announced! Absolutely on my pull.

I've had my eye out for Bram and Ben but didn't see it yet. When did it come out? Shit, I didn't preorder this one so I hope I didn't miss it. Your great review definitely has me interested, especially the comparison to Guillory's Chew background gags!

The background gags aren't as widespread as Guillory's, but there a few in there, such as the school Ben teaches at being "sponsored by McDonald's". I'd say the overall tone and art style is the most direct comparison to Chew.

Bram and Ben started in January and just released its third issue this past Wednesday. One more issue to go.

Okay. I'll search for single issues but if not I'll snag the trade, usually the 4 issue minis are a nice price point.

I hope they collect it. Image never did collect what I feel was the criminally-overlooked book of 2011: Drums. (I just checked, and mycomicsshop.com still has all four issues of Drums in stock for just over $1 each!) I hope Bram and Ben doesn't fall into such obscurity!

And just because remembering how overlooked Drums was pisses me off, some reviews and posts from random Review Corner:





Never forget!

I never realized Drums wasn't collected. I keep a list of trades to buy, and its near the top. It definitely is something I intend to read per your review!

To think the "Image Explosions" for me began the day you DEMANDED I read Chew.

I must say that Clone has definitely shown some improvement over issues 2 and 3. Issue 1 is overwhelmed to a degree by blood and violence over story, but 2 and 3 do deepen the plot a good bit and build the mystery behind it. It's still primarily an action/adventure story more than anything, but the comparison to "Robocop" and "Total Recall" I made originally is unfair in hindsight. The lead character's desperate search for his wife and an intriguing subplot about a politician's very personal dilemma over whether or not to ban stem cell research give the story an extra layer.

The art by Juan Jose Ryp (who's been a mainstay at Avatar on such projects as the initial Crossed mini, as well as the adaptation of Frank Miller's original "Robocop 2" script) is clean, highly detailed and not entirely unlike a George Perez style. It's attractive and is a good fit for this type of script.

Now that I'm caught up to all the issues I'd already bought, I anticipate buying the issues released since. I don't know if that's exactly a recommendation, but I'm more hopeful about the series than I was.

Image continues to be the leader of great sci-fi comics in the industry, covering a diverse array of subgenres. Two newer ones I'm loving:

Nowhere Men is a very smart, exciting series that is chalk full of interesting characters and high tension. The art is clean and beautiful and each issue is loaded with story. It begins as a "hard science fiction" type series and has continually delved further and further into the improbable in a very exciting (and scary) way. The cast is immense, which I also like.

Blackacre is a fantastic series in a post-Apocalyptic world with very subtle yet strong commentary on politics, money and humanity in such a world. It's done an amazing job establishing a very different world, and having the lead character thrown into it. The writer is very smart and well-read--there are some real nice nods to Greek and Roman history in this world without ever saying so, and I suspect other things I've missed.

Both are at the top of my pile every month.

East of West by Jonathan Hickman, art by Nick Dragotta

Alternate history in America, strange, strange. The year 2068: a mix of space age and wild west. Three of the four horsemen of the apocalypse - Death, Famine, War - have risen again and go on a strange hunt. Death seeks someone in the White Tower; Famine and War look for others on a mysterious list. No shortage of dead bodies, but this is the onset of the apocalypse.

A beautifully crafted, dangerous future. I don't really know what's going on yet, but it promises to be a good story.

hhmmm I was curious about this today at the store.

I'm not a fan of Hickman's, I think his super hero stuff is pretty slow. But thought a change of genre and publisher might make some chemistry. Still I passed. It looked beautiful though.

Hickman's Marvel work is quite different from his independent work. He's very heavy into alternate history. I'd say it's also slow, but slow as in contemplative. It does probably read much better as a collection and I'll probably wither wait for the trade on this one or end up rereading the individual issues in one sitting.

Trade waiting for Hickmans indie stuff is always a good idea as, Manhattan Projects aside so far, they are not always the most timely.

However I agree East of West was a fine first issue.

<--- loves Manhattan Projects ... so is a big fan of at least one of Hickman's books. (although it is much better now that it is rolling along. It started out good but now it is fantastic.) I think Hickman needs a book he can work on for years.

I'm a big fan of Hickman's actually, including his Marvel stuff which I think is brilliant. I also agree Manhattan Projects may be his very best thing yet so far!

They're all crazy and high concept, and scary in their own way. Yet I like most of them--even Oppenheimer--and find myself laughing and smiling at their humor. The General cracks me up.

SEX #1 - Has a unique and interesting enough feel to bring me back for the next issue. Maybe a bit of Batman: Year One or Watchmen vibe? We'll see if it pans out. The plot device - a super-hero who retired as a promise to a dying friend - has potential. The sexual content, while explicit, is used sparingly enough that it doesn't derail the story.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS issues #1 and #2 - This book has an artsy feel, an oversized format, and heavy stock paper. It feels good and smells awesome. The concept of short stories - typically of a horror nature - that occur on Dia de los Muertos is strong enough. The stories themselves could be a bit stronger, though. The packaging is beautiful enough to keep my interest for a few more issues.

Correction: It looks like Dia de los Muertos is a three issue mini. So I guess I'll be sticking around for one more issue.

RE: Sex #2 - I like the moody artwork and colors. The story is moving slowly, but that seems to be okay. Lots of slow teases, which seems appropriate for a magazine with this title. Snappy dialogue between Cooke and Annabelle Lagranvense - the madame and former super villain. This relationship promises some fireworks.

Ben & Bram #2 was a pretty darn hilarious follow-up to the outrageous first issue. Bram's campaigning to be the official anti-christ of the apocalypse as cliff-hangered last issue. And the movement spreads exactly as it would in our modern times--via internet memes! "I Can Haz Apokuhlips?"

Some of this issue is slightly more "been there, done that" than the previous issue, but it's still frsh and fun. Another highlight was Ben getting a fair ride-style tour of Hell in a hilarious double-page spread!

The fourth issue was released last week. I look forward to the last two issues!

I give this issue...



...out of five Lardies!

Picked up the final issue of Dia de los Muertos this weekend. I'm glad I stuck around. The series kind of classes up my comic book collection. Kudos to artist, Riley Russo for his vision.


Three issues in, and I'm still enjoying SEX. The cast is still being developed and is shaping up nicely. As with TWD, the letters pages are half the fun. This issue, Casey treats us to an interesting discussion on fusion comics, and kind of defends the big two while arguing that writing corporate comic books can make your dick go soft. Keep on rockin', Joe.

I just wanted to state (again) that Mind the Gap is just flat-out excellent! As good as it started out being, I think it's gotten SO much better! So much so, that it has a great chance of actually creeping into my Top Five, whenever I decide to post one again. If it doesn't make it, MtG will definitely get an honorable mention.

The story begins with Elle Petersson having been mysteriously attacked on a subway platform and left near death. There's this complex mystery that evolves as to the whodunnit and the why. All the while, Elle herself is trapped between life and death and meets other people in the same situation. Over time, she even learns to possess other patients who lie as vegetables in the same hospital, causing more chaos as the conspiracy behind her attack roils around her.

I know that mystery stories like Lost and Morning Glories can drive people crazy, but here, I think McCann strikes the perfect balance, so the plot never gets out of hand. And the character work is some of the very best being done in comics right now! If a comic wants to hook me, that's the place to start.

This book never gets the attention it deserves on the big sites, so I'll use what little pull I have here to make sure you guys get the word! Do yourself a favor and pick up the first trade and see what you've been missing! I think it's a great monthly read, plus the recap and character pages every issue help quite a bit, but I can see how reading a trade might feel more rewarding.

CHECK IT OUT!!!

I also can't recommend this excellent series enough and agree its just getting better and better. It also benefits from McCann making sure every issue answers a few small questions--sometimes opening up new ones--so that you definitely feel the mystery is heading towards a resolution.

And the art is to die for. Striking figure work, and some great moodiness to it.

Totally under-praised among comic book websites. Like Lardy, a contender for my top 5.

can one just jump into Mind the Gap and/or Mind MGMT ?

Mmmm. No, I don't think so. Especially Mind the Gap. It's such an intricate mystery that it would be difficult to just jump in. However, they do have recap pages every issue, so I suppose it's possible. I couldn't imagine never reading the earlier issues, though.

Mind MGMT.....Hmmm. (This is Dark Horse, not Image, btw.) On an arc by arc basis, I suppose you COULD jump on and still enjoy it. The second arc seems imminently accessible with it filling in anything you might need to know.

So I guess both are possible, but particularly with MtG, you'd really be missing all the nuance, character work and build-up that makes it so satisfying.

So far, I've only seen Mind MGMT collected in hardcover... I don't know that I liked DH's recent #1-for-$1 issue to commit to it in the HC format.

I'll wait for the trades then ... thanks!

I'd also recommend reading them in order for maximum effect. Both are fantastic series that get better and better, but that feeling comes from the continued build up from earlier issues as Lardy says.

re: Mind the Gap
Definitely read in order. It's also one of the most "need to pay attention to the art detail" books out there. From facial expressions to the clocks in the background (as hinted by the creators in the 1st issue), there are clues all over, although a lot are caught only in hindsight upon rereading for me.

I think the two biggest things to remember are stated in every issue...
1) "Everyone is a suspect. No one is innocent!"
Probably the most important.

2) The elapsed time
Although it's been 11 issues for us, it's been just under 3 days in the comic.

Very much so a recommended book!

Another great first Image issue I read the other day? Five Ghosts: The Haunting of Fabian Gray! Excellent story of a man who has somehow acquired the abilities/powers of "five literary ghosts": an archer, a samurai, a sorceror, a detective and a vampire.

If it sounds like a delightful, pulpy throwback conept, you're exactly right! In many ways this book is a throwback that harkens back to the days of comics like "Tomb of Dracula" and the Hammer horror films. It's set in the '30s or '40s, though, so we even get a brief scene featuring...random Nazis!

Fabian is a treaure hunter who is somewhat in the Indiana Jones mold but with the supernatural twist to his abilities. We open in a terrific sequence that ably demonstrates Fabian using all of his gifts in a heist with the aforementioned Nazis as antagonists. We move from there and learn more about him and what motvates him beyond fortune. We don't get a complete origin, but we see enough to get a general idea. We also see that Fabian's control is far from absolute and the likelihood that those issues will literally come back to haunt him. We get some idea of a larger antagonist waiting in the wings before closing out with---a cliffhanger! All in all, a great introductory script by Frank J. Barbiere, a writer whose work I'm otherwise unfamiliar with.

The story is perfectly complemented by the stylings of Chris Mooneyham, another talent previously unknown to me. His art is a throwback to previous generations notables like Gene Colan and Tom Mandrake. I also detect hints of Mike Grell, Brent Anderson, Joe Kubert and Neal Adams in there. This is not to say that Mooneyham apes those styles, but they are stylistic cousins to what he's doing. And I LOVED every panel of it! It's moody without being too abstract, and it absolutely conveys the pulpy feel in a way that few modern era products seem to be able to.

And lest I forget, I got 32 pages of story and art for my $3.50!

I can't wait to read the subsequent issues when I get to them. Issue four was released today, and Bleeding Cool reports that this 5-issue mini is likely announced to be upgraded to an ongoing very soon. AWESOME!

I'm also loving the hell out of Five Ghosts! Awesome new debut and I'm thrilled its now an ongoing. Like you (Lardy) say, it's an awesome pulpy book with a fresh and unique feel.

I actually bought this one for the artwork, and its certainly worth the purchase for that alone. Mooneybeam is an immense talent! I can't remember an artist with art this exciting coming out of nowhere in forever. The action is edgy and riveting while the moodiness is so juicy and intense. I totally get the Grell and Adams comparisons, and there's also pieces of the Kuberts, early Frank Miller and jeez, so many others. Yet, its so completely his own. Where did this guy come from?!

Of course, the story is excellent too so far: crisp dialogue and a fascinating plot that is epic in the fun sense of Indiana Jones.

Really strong debut, and highly recommended.

Sometimes I feel like going to my CBS and saying, Give me every Image title you've got.

That Five Ghosts is definitely on my TPB list.

Last week, I read vol. 1-4 of Morning Glories. Very engrossing. I don't think I would have been able to follow this complicated story as well on a month-by-month basis, although some of the repetition in the trade version seemed like wasted pages. Now the worst part is waiting for the next trade.

^ Yeah, I just read MG #25 and couldn't help but get confused multiple times. A good third of it was used to kind of tie the timelines of various plot elements together and show how they fit together. A lot of this was half-remembered unfortunately as the "new kids" plot element has always been harder for me to understand. Despite this, I still enjoyed the issue somehow.
Methinks, a series reread at some point in the nearish future will be a good thing for me.

I doubt I'll ever quit getting MG or even switch to trades, despite some of these problems. The character development is always top-notch, and the page count for your money is always exceptional.

I'm with you on that. I enjoy it monthly but do get confused at times. I major reread will be in order eventually for me too.

Probably the hardest thing with MG is how nonlinear it is. A cliffhanger in one issue may not be followed up on for a good while. Instead, it'll pick up from a cliffhanger a while ago that you half-remember. To me, that's harder than trying to figure out all the mysteries.

Plus, as i said, the new kids kinda burst on the scene with little-to-no "get to know me" build than the regulars had. I'm kinda hoping these kids don't become quite as prominent in the long run, at least not all of them. (Heck, a couple may be dead already, plus maybe? one of the regulars.)

Despite all of this criticism, I still LOVE the book, and it's a top read any week it comes out. It's also coming out more regularly lately, so that should help with confusion.

Amy Reeder just announced on FB that her and Brandon Montclaire's Rocket Girl (my first Kickstarter participation, YAY!) is going to be published by Image.

Have you guys seen all the Image announcements?!!

New series by Brubaker & Epting, Aaron, Remender, Doran, and a whole host of others! Including the aforementioned Rocket Girl that is a must buy for this former fan of the much missed Madame Xanadu series. It's like all the best Vertigo and Marvel guys who haven't gone to Image yet are doing so now.

Definitely checking out Bru & Epting's VELVET. I'll check the actual solicits for the other announcements. Be interesting to see Image cut into the market share held by Big 2, especially the foundering DCNu.

OK, based on the reviews I picked up the first two trades and issue #11 of Mind the Gap. Let's see how it goes.

I don't think you'll be disappointed, Dave.....unless you like stuff that sucks!

Another terrific recent Image series is Five Weapons! This surprising series with an almost all-ages vibe has as its premise a kind of Hogwarts school for wannabe assassins. Maybe that doesn't sound all-ages, but thru the first three issues, the violence is limited to some cuts, bruises and abrasions, and the language is appropriate for the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon.

So the school in question is basically an exclusive private boarding high school where kids get an appropriate education but are required to choose membership in one of five weapon-centric clubs: archery, guns, blades, blunt instruments or exotic weapons (the latter being a catch-all for anything from garottes to snakes and so forth!). The overall plan for the students is that they will some day go on to be proficient assassins. Many or most of these are themselves children of assassins.

The series begins with new student Tyler Shainline serving as our guide to discovering this most unusual school. Tyler comes with very high expectations as his father is an exceptionally legendary assassin. But mysteriously, Tyler refuses to choose a club. In the process he infuriates the faculty and feels the wrath of his fellow students. Tyler shows incredible cunning immediately as he challenges members of the various clubs and ingeniously manages to come out on top without ever using a weapon.

As the series progresses we learn more about Tyler, who is not what he appears to be. We also meet several other students, some of whom befriend Tyler. Lots of interesting characters presented in a context that you would feel absolutely comfortable sharing with tweens at the very least.

Jimmy Robinson is the multi-threat creator of this comic. (His previous work includes the Bomb Queen series, of which I'm unfamiliar.) He's credited with the writing, art and lettering. His style is very clean and straightforward but with a certain flare that's subtle and difficult to describe. It's kind of like Joe Eisma's work on Morning Glories but with the slightest manga touch. The coloring by Paul Little has a light borderline-watercolor touch that is muted but quite lovely--a perfect complement to Jimmy Robinson's lines.

I'm enjoying it a lot so far, having read three of five issues (all have been released). I'd say it's easily one of Image's strongest recent releases from a company which constantly surprises with the excellence of its offerings. I seem to recall reading that this book has been/will be upgraded to ongoing status. I dearly hope that this is the case! Five Weapons proves that a creator-owned book doesn't have to have "mature content" to absolutely kick ASS!

I just picked up Mind the Gap TPB two.


awww yeahhhhh!

Hope you enjoy it, Peebz! (You, too, Dave!) Please share what you guys thought!

Anyone else (say...Cobie?) tried Five Weapons?

I passed on Five Weapons and yours is the first review I've seen actually. I'm surprised you're enjoying it so much! Makes me regret not giving it a shot, but I might still be able to play catch up.

I'm excited about Satellite Sam which comes out soon, or may be out now for all I know. Fraction seems on fire lately and Chaykin also seems to be in midst of a big surge of creativity.

First issue came out 2 or 3 weeks ago. It's very hot, so you may have to get a 2nd print if your CBS didn't hold it for you.

I had it on my pull--I've gotten a lot better about that. So it best be there!

There's so many new Image releases that I'm continually forgetting to add most to my pull. My CBS guy's usually good about ordering lots, though.

Wow! I finally just read Ten Grand #1 by JMS and Ben Templesmith and thought it was terrific!

The high concept isn't going to wow you with it's originality. It's basically the story of a hitman who chooses to come back from the dead, rather than rot in Hell, so that he can earn the chance to spend five minutes in Heaven with his wife each time he dies. He's still doing hits, but ones that serve Heaven's interests. It's not explained in the first issue, but the jobs appear to come from actual people who pay him the titular amount.

But as with most concepts, as there are few-to no original ones, the difference lies in the execution, which was really nice...exciting even! Some gorgeous, moody artwork from Templesmith, who is best known for the 30 Days of Night series with Steve Niles. And JMS turns in the best script I've seen from him since the excellent Midnight Nation. IMO, most of what he put out for DC and Marvel was basically dreck, with very few exceptions. His first-person narration and storytelling choices are top-notch.

But I'd say Templesmith is the shining star, here. Not many could do what he does in this book. He does full art and colors here for full, haunting effect. I particularly love his amber-yellow tones he uses in much of the story. And the scene where a stripper is possessed by an angel is stunning in how the after-image of the angel overlays t form of the stripper. So many artists would have fumbled this script or delivered less imaginative execution, but Templesmith fuckin' NAILS it!

I very much look forward to reading the rest of this series based on the excellent first issue. It's nice to see that JMS still has the talent to overcome his recent sell-out image. And templesmith's artwork is just jaw-droppingly awesome!

I've gotta say, I stopped having any faith in JMS at to produce decent art. Not only was the quality of his corporate work poor, his interviews about Before Watchmen painted him (to me) as a sellout pansy.

I'd be interested in your continued reviews of his comics, Lardy. I'm not ready to put money in his pocket (unless he admits "I'm a corporate sellout whore bag" for his BW comments), but I can always be convinced to buy good art.

I think in the entirety of my life I've only ever been exposed to two works by JMS:

1. The Brave & the Bold which was one of, if not the BEST comics produced during the Dan Didio era; and
2. Superman which was one of, if not the WORST comics produced during the Dan Didio era.

So I'm a little unsure of what to make of this guy.

I found JMS' work on Midnight Nation to be amazing.

Rising Stars was also very good, but mired in writing delays, because he was doing other stuff (reading it all at once later would probably be much better than waiting four months for the next issue was at the time).

And then there was The Twelve, which meandered around and I don't even know if it ever got finished. I don't even care if it did, it wasn't compelling enough to seek out, and I'm usually pretty obsessive about finishing stories / shows / etc. that I've started.

I haven't read any of his mainstream DC / Marvel stuff, and have heard both high praise and angry criticism directed towards his Spider-Man run.

Pre comics, his Babylon 5 TV series started slow and kind of inconsistent, but by the third and fourth seasons was balls to the wall awesome.

Believe me, I was hesitant at first. But knowing how great Midnight Nation (and to a lesser extent Rising Stars) was, I suspected JMS would put his best foot forward with new creator-owned projects. So far it looks like I was right!

I think most people, including Cobie, would agree that his run on B&B was pretty much outstanding.....and lamented since there were solicited issues that never saw print. To be fair, also, his run on Thor was very good. What I've read of Supreme Power was really good as well. Lots of people really seemed to like The Twelve, despite Blacula's opinion.

His first arc on Amazing Spider-man featuring Morlun (plus the 9-11 issue) was really good as well. Initially, that was all JMS was supposed to do, but Joe Q saw dollar signs and convinced him to stick around for the long haul. Turns out, that arc was the only good Spidey story JMS had in him, imo.

And I remember everyone being super-excited about his Superman and Wonder Woman arcs he launched concurrently. I remember the quality was there initially, but the wheels fell off as soon as he announced his departure from those arcs. Superman: Earth One Vol. 1 was not really a bad story at all (though not really my cup of tea), and the enduring popularity of it has to speak for something.

Everyone shouts his failures from the rooftop, and we all know what they were. But to dismiss his stuff for the Big Two completely as dreck is unfair and clearly a fallacy.

^ Just a correction: that was Set's opinion about The Twelve. I haven't read it.

I will disagree about the initial quality of Superman though. I found the opening chapter and 'inciting incident' of that whole run to be monumentally stupid and wrong-headed, and then the rest of the story just got worse from there.

I sometimes can't believe that that story was written by the same man who gave us those awesome B&B stories. I still cry for those announced team-ups we never got - Lois Lane and Adam Strange, Two-Face and Swamp Thing...

I definitely agree that JMS’s Brave & Bold was a high point for DC Comics in the last 10 years, and was a fantastic series that was cancelled too soon (or more accurately, JMS simply found better things to do, as he tends to do with monthly comics). That makes it all the more frustrating that his other comics tend to be such crap.

I agree on the assessment Lardy made of his Spidey run. He had a great initial story and that was all he ever had. He subsequently was involved in what I consider the worst single thing blunder Marvel has ever made with Spider-Man. For a time, I didn’t really think he was too blame, but now I’m not so sure considering what a “company man” he’s revealed himself to be.

Supreme Power started off good but never went anywhere. That had a hard cancellation from me eventually after I bought way too many issues I didn’t enjoy. Again, he starts off full of steam and it slowly dies out.

His Superman was as atrocious as Blacula says. His Wonder Woman wasn’t much better—it started okay but he clearly wasn’t all that into it.

The real problem with him for me is that he came off as such an asshole in the Before Watchman interviews. Besides the fact that he was clearly wrong, and from what I’ve heard, his two minis were terrible anyway, he just became DC’s apologist and corporate lapdog, which angered me to no end, especially considering how seriously he takes his creative role in Babylon 5.

He’s emerged as one of those writers who I avoid at all costs, like JT Krul or Chuck Austen. Because almost always, I end up highly disappointed. All that being said, if the reviews of his recent material continue to be good, I’m open to try it. His late 90’s stuff with Top Cow seems to have been great, though I’ve only ever read the first trade of Midnight Nation.

^ In writing the above, I realize that I don't really like JMS all that much.

Oh well.

I call revisionist foul on you there, Cobie! I could be wrong, but I recall you praising that first issue or two...

All I remember is the issue where Superman battles a wife-beater in middle America, which has to be one of the single worst issues I've read in 10 years. That's honestly the only thing that sticks out in my mind, other than Chris Roberson having to step in and write his stories and only get 50% of what he deserved since JMS was credited as "co-plotter".

I actually just found my initial reviews of JMS's run. It appears I did like the first few issues, so I can admit when you're right Lardy (which is another way of not admitting I'm wrong ;)).

It seems like 4 or so issues in, the whole thing started to go off the rails for me, which I compared to "an after TV punky Brewster trapped in a refridgerator / Judd Winnick very special story" every issue. It was as preachy as one could imagine, apparently.

I guess that fits with his standard M.O. though. Start off full of steam, peter out, and lose interest, leaving readers in a lurch.

I was never a huge fan, and when I saw him at SDCC in 2010, he just seemed like an arrogant jerk. I liked some of the B & B stuff, but really didn't dig Earth One. The Before Watchmen stuff just really sealed the deal.

What was funny though, were Mark Waid's twitter snipes against him at the time.

Defending Gail Simone: "Dear big-name comics egomaniac: just ONCE can you talk about your genius in an interview without crapping on the work of your predecessors?"

Angered over JMS attacks on AMS sales :"Half an hour later, still fuming at JMS’s shitty passive-aggressiveness. I should probably go walk it off. Maybe with a long walk. A long, dull, pointless, boring walk. Across America.
…
That I won’t finish."

The weird thing about JMS' runs on Midnight Nation and Supreme Power for me is that they introduced me to Gary Frank's art, which I kind of liked for those series, as it seemed fresh at the time, kind of pseudo-realistic and yet sexy, too.

And then he started drawing Superman and Legionnaires and various other established characters, and I suddenly loathed his art (particularly the painful rictus-like grins), being the fickle, fickle person that I am...

Take note, comic book artists, I will turn on you like that!

Yeah, there's a major difference between Hulk-era Gary Frank, with his smooth, energetic line work, and Action Comics-era Gary Frank, where so many characters look like they've been using heroine for years.

I stopped by Frank's Booth to see about a head shot sketch, but his rates were pretty much unobtainable. Which is a little sad when you consider someone as legendary as Ramona Fradon was doing the same thing for a fraction of the price.

I don't even think he's ever been "all that", TBH...

Awwwww! I was gonna look 'em up and post 'em here for all to see!!!

In any case, I'm not trying to be a JMS apologist. In the hierarchy of great comic writers, he isn't even in the back of the picture. What I AM saying is that he has written some good things, and Ten Grand REALLY impressed me with its first issue! Okay? Okay!

(Damn, this is almost as bad as when I dared to sing John Byrne's praises a while back! )

I knew you were gonna! Thus, I had to beat you to the punch. We know each other too well my friend.

But your point is well taken. A great series can come from unexpected places, and I'm always interested to learn of one. I'll definitely keep an eye on your continued reviews.

Still waiting for specific comments from you guys on MtG! (At least from Peebz's comment, it sounds like he liked it?)

Meanwhile I just read MtG #10! Mind = BLOWN!

We learn who Hoodie is and get some broad strokes of the bigger conspiracy--and the counter-conspiracy!

I'm gonna have to re-read this issue again. So much GOODNESS!

I picked up Sidekicks 1. Another JMS book out now. A 12 issue series, with Mandrake art. The art is great as always. The twist to the series feels a little used, as in it reminds me of a movie. Not a direct rip, but there is a similarity.

Gonna give it another issue to really grab me.

So I got Mornign Glories Volume Five (TPB) Which I was hoping would clear up all the drama from the last TPB (where we only got a whole new crew to read about) ... and I am confused ... the dialogue and character's are written well but the plot is a shambles ... this TPB was like the series finale of Lost ... people screaming to loud background music ... solely a montage of different circumstances copied and pasted together.

Maybe I missed something and it all makes sense, I doubt it, but at any rate I am not willing to invest the time to go back and try to sort through it ... I don't think there are any pots of gold at the end of that rainbow.

if it continues, I am not even sure if this was an ending or not, I don't know if I will continue with it. Maybe for old times sake but I can't imagine it could recover.

It was just so weird.



I feel like I missed a TPB actually.

Mind the Gap is the new and much more satisfying Morning Glories.

I really am into it, if it keeps it up.

Following up on the prior page's discussion on JMS, the recent news about his firing of Ben Templesmith and how he made it all public just makes me feel like he's more of an asshole than ever. It only reaffirms that he might write the next War and Peace drawn by the ghost of Lou Fine but I'm not buying it.

*looks it up*

To be fair to JMS (I know, I know...), can you imagine the speculation if he'd put out a bare "Ben Templesmith will be replaced by C.P. Smith on future issues of Ten Grand. We wish him well in his future endeavours" statement? Between JMS' own reputation and the fact that that his artist has apparently pulled a Milx on him, there's far too much to work with there.

A little more to that story...not that it makes whatever JMS did "alright" (have not seen the above mentioned statement.)

Apparently Ben dropped off the face of the planet for a short time. Like it or not, JMS is out to make money, and not being able to get in touch with your artist...or having Image unable to get in touch with him either, tends to mean you mnay want to go with someone else. Will have to see how he actually handled it...but I can "get" the reasoning behind it.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/09/05/bens-okay-folks/

It's linked in the "Related Reading" box on that Bleeding Cool link:

Oh, considering the sellout move of becoming the spokesmen for Before Watchmen, I know JMS only is out for money.

Not gonna argue that.

Thanks...feeling sick as a dog, so I missed the link.

Over a month is fair warning. Not responding in over a month is not good form...I doubt that he was away from any forms of communication in that time frame.

So "A Distant Soil" recently moved to Image, and it's something I've always been curious to read. I believe it's in the 40s now. How difficult would it be to pick up the story from the current point without backtracking through issues and collections?

Re: Ten Grand....I'm very upset that Templesmith's off the title. I doubt any other artist could bring what he brought to the title. For me, this was the project that made me stand up and take notice of his incredible talent. I'm suddenly a lot less enthusiastic about the book because his art was so excellent.

But as for JMS, I'm not sure that his announcing Templesmith's departure was an asshole move. As Reboot pointed out, this was a no-win situation. If he's said less, the internet would be torn in half assuming JMS made a Didio-like random firing. Choosing "full" disclosure instead, people still assume the worst.

In any case Templesmith contacted Bleeding Cool and basically confirmed that JMS wasn't making it all up.

In any case I'm just sick that he won't be finishing the series. Such sublime work he was doing....

Image continues to dominate the industry in terms of quality comics books.

Lazarus by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark is a must-read hard science-fiction series. It's already shaping up to be Rucka's seminal work, showcasing all the talents he has that made people step up and take notice. It also teams him with his old Gotham Central partner, Michael Lark, who can really do no wrong. He just gets better and better and you can see that he, like Rucka, is reveling in the world-building they're doing in the series.

It's pretty awesome that both Rucka and Brubaker are entering a golden age for their work right now at Image. I'm super-pumped for the awesome Steve Epting to be joining Bru to launch Velvet next month.

Another writer that's part of their crowd is Matt Fraction, who is writing better than ever these days, and foremost among that statement is Satellite Sam, which has had a fantastic start. Teamed with Howard Chaykin, who is always a good time, it offers a pretty unique setting and tone in the industry, spotlighting a lot of things both creators love, such as 1950's TV, noir themes, and the seedier side of life.

As am I, Cobie, as am I.

It sounds like it's gonna be kind of like Alias (the Jennifer Garner TV show, not the Jessica Jones comic), which I loved the first four seasons of.

Hate to say this, but Mara is a title I have to qualify as a definite and fairly rare "miss" on the part of both Image's and writer Brian Wood's otherwise good track records. This tale of a sports celebrity in the near future inexplicably developing super powers is just so bland, emotionless and by-the-numbers, I have to wonder why Wood bothered with it. And issue five has her just suddenly turning away from and apparently against the human race in a way that lacks any of the subtlety or reasoning that the story of, say, Dr. Manhattan had in Watchmen.

Plus, the art by Ming Doyle adds little or nothing to the script. I think she (?) is talented, but this sort of story is not the best use of her skills.

I remember being really excited about this project when it was announced. Now, I'm faced with the question of whether I should even bother to pick up the final issue just to complete the miniseries. I'm leaning heavily toward "no".

Anyone interested in trying out a Brian Wood series should definitely consider avoiding this one and, instead, looking into great books he did/is doing like DMZ, The Massive or his Star Wars ongoing series.

^ I dropped it after #3. I love Wood and Image is batting .950 these days but as you say, it was a rare miss. It just didnt have the complexity and zing that I'm looking for.

Ugh. I probably would have jumped off sooner, were it not for my being perpetually 2-3 months behind in reading! I probably read #1 after I'd already bought thru issues 3 or 4. And after that, I assumed it would get better. Nope...worse!

On the other hand, Mind the Gap just KEEPS ON getting better and better!!!! I read issue 11 the other day, and the twist where Elle is simultaneously possessing ALL of the hopelessly comatose patients in the hospital is just so jaw-droppingly awesome! I've never seen a possession scenario like this before! When I finally decide on my Top Five for the first time in well over a year, MtG seems a cinch to make the list this time! Can't recommend this title enough!

Ah, I see you're still a few issues behind me. The next 3 or so will BYEM (blow your effing mind--new LW thing?). Some questions are answered and motivations clarified, which enhances several characters in a big way.

MTG remains a top tier best-of-the-best book right now.

Yeah, MtG was promising from the start as an interesting mystery, but it's just grown and GROWN to the point where it just BYEMs (good one! ) on a every-issue basis! Love this book so much!!!

I just got trades 1 and 2 for both Morning Glories and Mind the Gap... I like MG and -LOVE- MtG!

I love that you LOVE MtG, Pov! I wish you'd share some thoughts about it...

I picked up East West 06. It was good, it made a jump from one storyline to the next pretty fluidly. (It could have been awkward or harsh cut) I am excited about the new character introduced and what is next.


Manhattan projects picks up the speed in Issue 14, a welcome pick up from 13, Manhattan Projects is like a boiling pot that goes down to simmer some time and then boils over at other times.

Saga 14 was very good. The ending had a sweet moment (well it had several) but the one I am thinking of involves the salve girl and lying cat and a topic not addressed in comics. Without a splash of blood or a sign of a boob, Saga has lifted the comics media like an adult.

and Fi Fi Staples ... says more in one panel than most artists at DC say in 20 pages. The body language of the characters is fantastic!

Another great new series by Image!

Sex Criminals was utterly fantastic, as Matt Fraction continues to be on a roll. After years of being a writer I found hot & cold, his touch these days seems to produce pure gold. A sex comedy series, it stands out different from everything else on the market, and its enhanced by the fact that its tight writing, great leads, and phenomenal art & color.

Also, I did get Rocket Girl #1 and enjoyed it quite a bit. The writing is a little disjointed but the artwork by Amy Reeder is to die for. It's going to stay on my pull list on artwork alone with the hope that the writing tightens up. It's certainly a great premise: a girl cop from the future travels back in time to solve a mystery; only "back in time" is 1986 and "the future" is now, 2013, but as we imagined it would be in 1986.

And just to show I'm not going to follow anything Image puts out, I wasn't really enamored with Rat Queens #1 and probably won't continue. Kurtis Wiebe is my boy, but the tone, characters and general point of the series aren't doing it for me. I'm already picking up Skullkickers, which covers the fantasy-humor genre quite well.

I bought the first issue of Brubaker & Epting's "Velvet." Review to come tomorrow evening.

Though I wouldn't call myself a major fan of Ed Brubaker (too much dodgy mainstream work from the past few years for that), one thing I've always appreciated about his writing is that he plays it straight. I can read a Brubaker story and not have to grind my teeth at the excessive self-consciousness that passes for irony these days. Of course, the other side of the coin is that he can often fall into the trap of well-crafted writing without any real conviction, as in the aforementioned mainstream work of recent years.

Which brings us to Velvet, Brubaker's first project since taking an indefinite hiatus from the mainstream, and one which reunites him with Steve Epting, one of my favorite artists as well as the artist who drew most of those outstanding early issues of Brubaker's Captain America (He also drew Brubaker's Marvels Project, about which the less said the better. You can't win them all.)

Here, the creative team takes on the spy genre. The story begins in 1973, although it seems like we're going to be leaping all over the place chronologically. The protagonist, Velvet Templeton, is secretary to the director of ARC-7, one of those shady secret agencies beloved of this genre. Velvet is revealed to be full of secrets and surprises, a few of which we learn in this first issue. Brubaker adopts a tone of moral ambiguity where everyone, including Velvet, is guilty until proven innocent. With a literally shattering cliffhanger, this issue ends on a high note and leaves me wanting more. Epting has always been among the most fluid of draftsmen and unobstrusive of storytellers, and his work here is generally up to the high standards he set long ago -- my only complaint would be that, except for the agency's director, most of the male characters look too much alike, though I think the muted-to-the-point-of-murkiness coloring is as much to blame for that as the art. Velvet herself looks great -- Epting has always excelled at drawing women who look like real women, and the understatedly sexy, mature (I'm guessing 40ish), and elegant Velvet is no exception.

Based on the first issue, I would definitely recommend this series to fans of the spy genre, to loyal Brubaker fans, and to the not-so-loyal casual Brubaker fans like myself. Velvet is a reminder that when Brubaker is really cooking, no other modern comics writer can touch him.

Excellent review Fanfie, and by my comments in the "Any Recommendations?" thread you saw my agreement in the high level of quality here. Your comment "Velvet is a reminder that when Brubaker is really cooking, no other modern comics writer can touch him" is dead on, and when he's paired up with a high caliber artist like Steve Epting who he clearly has a connection with, its just magic.

Debuting on the same day was Pretty Deadly which was definitely an interesting read. I would say its very good, and totally "out there" but in a way that I like; however, I caution readers to be aware that its not the easiest comic to understand what's going on. In fact, based on #1 alone, its pretty hard to figure out where this is all going and what this all means. Yet, it's interesting enough in terms of some high concept, interesting characters and fantastic art to get me to try a few more out and see what we've got here.

Thanks, Cobie, for the kind words about my review. I haven't been as excited about a new comic book series in years as I am about "Velvet." Glad you like it, too.

Regarding "Pretty Deadly", I haven't read it (I found the promotional art off-putting and I wasn't impressed by the previous work of either creator), but I am aware that it's getting strong reactions, many of them negative. That almost makes me morbidly curious about it...almost, but not quite.

For what it's worth, I liked it. Hard to describe, but I certainly didn't see anything to provoke the reactions you speak of... especially not that of the jerk store owner who tore a copy in half. I've preordered it through the first arc at least.

Velvet was awesome. It's what I liked about Bru and Epting's Cap run without the capes. Definite keeper.

Did anyone check out the first issue of DRUMHELLAR (originally Strangeways)? Art and story by Riley Rossmo(GREEN WAKE artist), script by Alex Link (never heard of)... Very offbeat. Drum Hellar is a "psychedelic detective", one of his exes is dating a werewolf (ANOTHER ex )... The splash page is of Drum in a bathrobe holding a golf club aloft during a thunderstorm. I don't know if I can recommend this, but it's definitely different/trippy/OUT THERE... I'll check out the rest of the arc in the first trade.

Just read Drumhellar last night. Out there, as Pov says, but not so much as to be a self-indulgent drug trip. Lots of paranormal goodness and mesmerizing colours when Drum's spirit leaves his body. The first comic I've read with a aggrieved naturopath ex-girlfriend, a bisexual werewolf and a spirit sidekick that looks like a stuffed teddy bear. It appears that the golf club is a constant companion as well - magic wand, walking stick, defensive weapon, channel to other worlds? Many compelling mysteries to be revealed in future issues.

Velvet - superb! Possibly another first - a mature woman, not old, like Roxie in Mieville's Dial H, but well past the Charlie's Angels babe stage - who re-enters the special agent field after years in the office. And what a spy she must be to have fooled all those men for all those years.... Looks like yet another Brubaker hit.

Drumhellar must have fallen below my radar. I'm a big fan of Rossmo though, especially after the phenomenal Debris and aforementioned Green Wake, and he's talented enough to get me to sample anything.

Yay! More Velvet love, from Pov and FC. And to paraphrase what FC said, Velvet Templeton is a rarity in comics: a mature female protagonist.

I may or may not check out Drumhellar. Werewolves -- with the exceptions of Rahne Sinclair, Fangface, and the one from Drak Pack whose name escapes me right now -- tend to creep me out.

Peter Panzerfaust #1; or...Dev is late to the party again.

Just found a dollar copy of the first issue (as well as a few other series that I'll get to soon (Mind the Gap and Thief of Thieves).

Well, Peter Pan in WWII. Interesting set up for the lost boys and their meeting with Peter. Like the twists on the characters and nods to things we all know and love about the original story...at least the Disney version anyway.

Sets up what you need to know and it intrigues me enough to check into the first trade...not bad for a dollar.

Velvet #2 is a real sizzler, with a lot more action than the first issue, and yet another climactic plot twist that makes the reader gasp. Epting, of course, is up to the challenge, having always been equally good at both characterization and action. And there's even an apology and an explanation from the creators regarding the issue's lateness.

^ total agreement on the level of sizzle and thrill of Velvet #2. It just doesn't get any better when it comes to action meets intrigue meets character meets mood. I predict by #6 this is a firm contender for best series.

I hope your prediction is right, Cobie.

I think if it makes it past 12 issues, Velvet should then graduate to its own thread.

A coupla reviews of recent Image books with "sex" in the title.....

1) Sex. So this Joe Casey-written book is described as what happens in a hero's life after he hangs up his cowl. The premise is that Simon Cooke, who was a very Batman-like crusader called the Armored Saint, was so driven in his mission that he basically had no social life. Like Bruce Wayne, the true mask was the billionaire socialite persona. The turning point happens when someone close to him and crucial to his crusade dies and makes him promise to basically get a life.

So the book's title and its premise seems to point to Simon finally discovering an aspect of life he previously had no time for. Of course, even seven issues in, he still hasn't really given in and is finding it difficult to give up his vigilante instincts and just relax, especially as the city's criminal element begins to fill in the void that the Armored Saint's disappearance has left.

And, really, the book seems more about this void and how various characters are adjusting to life without the Saint. As Casey says in his lettercol, the story evolved into something else as he wrote it.

After seven issues, I'm on the fence about it. The big problem is that the book has a very deliberate pace. So many characters are bouncing around with their own agendas that it's hard to keep track of them all, plus each is advanced minimally, if hardly at all, each issue. Often you just don't know if things are going anywhere and what the point of it all might be.

Of course, each issue generally has one or two explicit sex scenes. This shouldn't surprise anyone picking a book with this title up. But many of the scenes serve little purpose other than to titillate...or even disgust (There's an elderly crime lord who gets his rocks off in several scenes. ). Full disclosure, I'm not exactly against scenes like these in books at all, but when you have a glacierly pace such as this book's, it would seem some of these scenes could have been used to move the story along a little further.

I'm also not a fan of the lettering style used here. The letterer highlights several words for emphasis in each and every
word balloon. I've never been a fan of that kind of thing and alternating pink, yellow, blue and green highlights gets really old. It's so distracting, I'm tempted to not recommend this book based solely on that element.

On the plus side, the art by Piotr Kowalski is very clean and appealing. He's really talented with a style that recalls Sean Phillips and Michael Lark in a similar vein.

I dunno. I might be done with this book after I get to issue 8. Reading my comments, it sure seems like I have a lot more negative to say about it than positive. But there's certainly potential in the tapestry Casey lays out here that makes me leave the window open. I'd say that if the characters were a little less ambiguous and more relatable, it would be more of a slam dunk, even with that pace. As is, it's difficult to recommend, even for fans looking for little more than some T&A.

2) Sex Criminals. Now, THIS is more like it! Matt Fraction brings the indie sensibility that so many fans have dug in his run on Hawkeye to a book that he can really let loose on! I read the first issue just the other day and was completely blown away by probably the best debut since Saga.

We have here an unusual premise: Suzie discovers that she can literally stop time when she has an orgasm! When she meets and falls for John, who has the same ability, the two use their skill to rob banks!

Yeah, it sounds juvenile, and certainly, it is to an extent. But what really struck me about the excellent debut issue was how Suzie discovering this about herself really echoes and rings true to the awkwardness everyone has growing up and discovering their sexuality. How many of us look back and snicker at our own misadventures going thru puberty? What Fraction captures so well in his script is that awkwardness and underlying truth as Suzie narrates how she discovered this ability, and we find much to recognize among all the familiar relationships and scenarios on some level along the way.

It's basically, like Hawkeye is on some level, a humor book. It's funny but also completely endearing along the way. Suzie and her experiences are so relatable and realistic that the "out-there" part of the premise is pretty easily acceptable. If a character feels real to me in a comic book, you've pretty much won me over as a reader, and Fraction wins very well on that level.

As awesome as the script is, Chip Zdarsky on art really is just spot-on perfect. He has an expressive, cartoony style that brings Fraction's script to life better than I could possibly imagine any "known" artist doing. Just like Guillory on Chew and Staples on Saga, I can't imagine any other artist drawing this, even though, as in the former two cases, I'd never seen or heard of their work previously. And the colors (which Zarsky participates in) are so vibrant and alive, that it just compliments the art to a tee. It's absolutely perfect in my opinion.

So I haven't read my copies of issues 2 and 3 yet, so I can't speak to how well the quality of the debut is carried through, but I very much look forward to reading them. If they're even half as good as issue one, I'll be one satisfied reader!


So, as often with real life, one "sex"-ual experience was disappointing and another completely satisfying!

Sex Criminals has gotten better and better with each issue, and is another series quickly rising to best of the best levels. Fraction has really delivered two fully realized , likeable, realistic leads here and has me captivated. I can't wait to see how this awesomely real relationship grows.

Meanwhile, I sampled " Sex" for two issues but didn't come back. It felt a bit flat for me. I find most of Joe Casey's work hard to get into.

Wow, it gets even BETTER?!?! Sha-ZAM!!!

Image are going to be releasing more Stray Bullets from David Lapham. I'll need to dig out the back issues, but I bought it faithfully enough at the time. There are four issues free digitally, if you want to test the water.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/12...ch-first-four-issues-free-digitally-now/

Stray Bullets #4 remains the most unnerving comic I've ever read.

ooooh tease. Now I'll have to read it this weekend. It's been too long since I've read it for me to remember.:)

Picked up my Stray Bullets... along with DC's Outcasts. Anyone remember them?

Don't remember the Outcasts other than the covers. But can't wait for the Stray Bullets reviews!

The first panel of seeing a younger Joey got to me the most out of the first 7 issues. While #4 was certainly icky, I have the hope that somewhere along the way, a certain character will get what's coming to them. Seeing Joey...well...you know that's not going to happen.

I dunno if it got better, per se, but issue # 2 was definitely just as great as issue 1! Whereas in issue 1 we got the female perspective on female sexual awakening, we got the male perspective in #2. The differences are funny and feel as true as can be, as exemplified by the different names both have for the time-stopped state that their special power brings them into when activated. In a way this series is just as much therapy/alleghory for our attitudes about our sexuality as much as it is wildly entertaining romantic-comedy-sci-fi!

LOVE this series! Probably the best new thing to debut in 2013, imo!

Meanwhile, I recently read Pretty Deadly #1. I liked it a lot and didn't feel even the slightest desire to rip it up! I thought it was a lot more coherent than some say it is and quite an unusual and entertaining experience, too. Definitely looking forward to reading more!

Issue 2 is even better. They almost read like poetry... and the art is fantastic.

Re: SEX, I got the first trade containing 1-8 for half off... and I'm not sure it was a deal...? Doubt I'll continue with them. So, SEX CRIMINALS is next!

so, to summarise. Despite getting a 50% discount you are now off Sex?

Correct, yes.

well, I chuckled.

Walked into THAT one... like Cobie into a paternity suit...

Velvet #1 and #2.

Beautiful to look at. #1 was about as well paced and compressed as a comic could be. Art was mostly for atmosphere, not so much for plot but it does atmosphere really, really, well.

I was really hyped by #1 but nearly as unimpressed by #2. The story quickly, what is the term, "jumped the shark?" I guess that might be the wrong term. The writers quickly introduced deux ex machina, which was really bizarre because they'd created a terrific character that most certainly didn't seem to need it. Then there's the age thing. They went about 20 years too far for me to take it credibly and would seem to severely limit the shelf life of the hero. Either that or we have a faustian thing going on instead of a "real" human, which would be even more the opposite direction I was hoping they were going. The dialogue started getting shakey, pacing fell and other complaints..

It's certainly worth a check in on #3.


Jupiter's Legacy #3

This one also took a turn that has me reconsidering and it occurred not in the story but in the editor's comments. From those comments, it would seem the editor has in mind a "world" occupied by this and Kick Ass and ..., exactly the reason I got away from main stream DC. Maybe I'm reading into some of his comments something that's not really there.


Ghost #4

Continues to hold the pace of the earlier issues. I think I'll like this one further.

Lardy, are you current with PD??? I got #3 with my DCBS shipment Saturday and WOW! A lot of the pieces of the narrative are clicking into place, and this book is tied with ROCKET GIRL for my favorite Image monthly...

Nah, I've only read issue 1 so far. Always behind by choice and a little more now with the X-Men re-read. But it's great to know that PD is still good and getting better.

RG# 1 didn't knock my socks off, but I bought issue #2. Not bad, but no real *UMPH* in that first issue. How were the others?

I'm loving it, but then I'm biased/somewhat personally invested... I was a Kickstarter supporter .

#3 really sealed the deal for me. This is really fantastic, epic stuff. The back of the issue shows Kelly Sue explaining how she first imagined this as a spaghetti western but its taken a life of its own. I really like how that's happened. It feels a lot like Sandman or Swamp Thing in that it combines so much wonder with so much realistic, human emotion.

A WHOLE lot of new stuff in the Pipe at the Image Expo. They certainly are pulling in DC's writer's stable, aren't they?

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=50171

I was getting updates in real time like I was 15 years old or something, constantly refreshing! The Snyder / Jock Wytches book sounds awesome!

In fact, most of the stuff sounds pretty great!

Lots for me to at least look at which is far more than I can say for either of the big two.

^Yes. This.

With the latest issue, Velvet continues to build to what promises to be something amazing (solicitations have the climax set to occur in issue 5.)

Love the roguish character of Burke and his banter with Velvet, hope we'll see a lot of him in future issue.

Can't wait to find out what dirty secrets Marina has to reveal about X-14.

Is it me or did a bunch of Image titles miss their solicits for APR shipping titles??? I placed my FEB-for-APR DCBS order, there's nothing listed for Rocket Girl, Sex Criminals, or Saga, and Pretty Deadly and Velvet only have listings for their first TPBs...

Saga's in its traditional 2-monthish hiatus after every six issues and will return in May. But, yeah, Sex Criminals seems to have fallen into production delays. Same for Mind the Gap apparently and presumably Rocket Girl.

Thanks Lardy... I guess the Saga schedule would explain Deadly and Velvet as well, taking a planned break with trades filling the gap.

Yeah, the "Saga schedule" has been adopted by a number of Image series now. So it's basically 6 months monthly, 1-2 month break, then the series returns for 6 months and the previous issues launch as a trade at the same time. Timing the trades to launch on the same day new arcs launch has worked well for Saga, so don't be surprised to see Pretty Deadly, Velvet, Sex Criminals, etc. following suit.

Brubaker's Fatale and Hickman's Manhattan Projects have the same schedule as well.

^ Personally, I like it. It means about 10 issues per year which is easier on the Walnut, and allows the creative teams to recharge between arcs.

So here's some Image Comics that I'm just really enjoying the hell out of that don’t have their own threads:

Satellite Sam is a contender for my favorite comic on the marketplace these days. Matt Fraction, who only a few years ago was someone I’d basically written off, is proving to be one of the best comic book writers in the industry, and his super-smart, funny and damn interesting scripts here are worth the price of admission alone. Add in Howard Chaykin, who is having a renaissance in his career right now, and suddenly it’s chalk full of atmosphere, satire and beautiful looking scenario and people. It’s sexy in all the best ways—at times dirty and at times funny, and always with a little bit of charm.

Pretty Deadly is another series that is really just fall on the floor brilliant. It’s incredibly difficult to define but I’ll try by saying that is combines the mood, tone and sensibilities of spaghetti westerns, colorful fantasy and an almost Gaiman Sandman-type quality to produce some of the most interesting characters and mythology to hit the comics market in a long while. Everyone talks about gender in comics (or so it seems, especially the bleeding hearts who dominate Bleeding Cool), but here we have a grade-A female writer with grade-A female artists writing some of the best new female characters in years. All those people better buck up and put their money where their mouth is, because this is just damn good comics.

Manifest Destiny was a comic I knew I would love and I wasn’t wrong. It’s basically history meets science-fiction / horror, with a heavy dosage of fun and adventure each and every issue. It’s the kind of series the Silver Age Tomahawk might have been if there was no comics code and the writers had their tongues firmly in cheek. “What if Louis & Clark encountered monsters, zombies, killer plants, crazy oddball people and the trail they blazed was more akin to Indiana Jones and Star Wars?” is basically the premise, and it works. The writing / art / coloring fits together nice and tight creating a fun experience you don’t usually get in comics these days.

Five Ghosts may just have the best artwork out of every comic in the market right now. I don’t know where Chris Mooneyham came from, but I will hereafter buy probably every comic he ever draws, because his art is just that exciting. It also helps that the writing is tight and dynamic, and the premise itself is totally awesome.

Sex Criminals is just the best. I’m not sure what else to say about that. Best humor comic ever? Probably. Best romance comic ever? Definitely. Best honest exploration of sexuality in comics ever? You bet it is, and that’s a huge part of the charm. Matt Fraction, man. Who knew? The guy is brilliant.

These five comics, along with those that have their own threads which are also excellent such as Mind the Gap, Velvet, Fatale, Morning Glories, Chew, Walking Dead, Thief of Thieves, Lazarus, Peter Panzerfaust, Saga, East of West and the Manhattan Projects are simply the best thing going on in comics these days. To me it doesn’t make sense to complain about modern comics when all of these brilliant comics are running right now; now is perhaps the greatest era of them all for comics books.

Actually, Velvet doesn't have its own thread yet. And even though I loved the three issues that I read, I grew frustrated with the constant delays and decided to wait for the first trade, which is due in early summer.

I figured the "All Ed Brubaker Thread" would be the catch all for both Velvet and Fatale.

I've been all over the map in my personal life the last few months so my reading schedule has been a mess. In other words, I haven't really noticed because of that. But when I do read an issue: I love it!

Hopefully the trade will give you a more rewarding reading experience. (There are certain comics I much prefer in trades myself).

Ps - did you ever try Pretty Deadly?

I dropped this one because I couldn't keep the characters straight from issue to issue. Even constantly flipping to the character bio page while reading the story wasn't helping. I was like, "was this the guy who did ____ that one time?" However, the last issue I bought (issue 5 maybe?) was the best issue by far. I read it long after I'd made the choice to stop buying. I may go back and catch up at some point because of that and the fact I think it reads better trade-style and not so much monthly.

I will say, however, that the sex, though not usually overly graphic like Black Kiss, feels gratuitous. I can't help but feel Fraction and Chaykin are just filling a sexual depravity quota each month. As you said yourself elsewhere, it's rare to read something by Chaykin which doesn't have a blowjob depiction.



This gets better each issue as what's going on becomes clearer and clearer. In addition to everything else you mention, there's a mythology to it that I enjoy a lot.



I read the first issue and was greatly impressed! I'm more behind on this one than usual because my CBS had serious supply issues with number 2. I've almost gotten to the point where I'll get to that issue in my pile. I have a feeling this one's a keeper based on that first issue, though.



This one provides the perfect pulpy flavor to my pull list. I compare it favorably to the last volume of Iron Fist which launched with the Brubaker/Fraction/Aja team and carried the quality thru a creative change with Duane Swierczynski and Travel Foreman. Mooneyham is a real find with a vibe that reminds me of Tom Mandrake and Paul Gulacy's love child.



Easily, a contender for best overall comic series, right now! It's the freshest thing I've seen since Chew, I'd say. Awesome, funny, and just so relatable at its core. I LOVE Sex Criminals!!!

Does this surprise anyone here?

I haven't read Pretty Deadly yet, but thanks to you guys, I'm getting intrigued. Maybe I'll check out the first trade.

I finally read the first Velvet trade, collecting the first arc. I'll try to spoil as little as possible by saying that while the big reveal is a jaw-dropper, my favorite sequences were actually the ones dealing with Velvet's mentor, Lady Pauline, and her heartbreaking fall from grace. Great writing from Brubaker, and great art from Epting, the latter especially shining on the costumed ball scenes. I'm strictly waiting-on-the-trade for all the comics I buy these days, so I'll make my next Velvet-related post after the second trade comes out.

I also loved it from start to finish. Epting and Bru are at the top of their games and it shows every step of the way.

I also loved Velvet's training sequences and the intro of Pauline. I feel--hope, really--there is a lot to mine there, so they can show further scenes as needed as the story progresses.

Velvet Templeton is one of the best new protagonists in comics!

Agreed 100%, Cobie, especially on your last point.

I was extremely disappointed this week to hear of the cancellation of one of the best under-the-radar Image books going: Five Weapons. Here's my enthusiastic review of the earliest issues:



During its run, Five Weapons always earned a space at or near the top of my read pile for that week. Image and comics in general really needed a book like this that was both all-ages appropriate and just chock-full of creativity, imagination and world-building. As great as Image is, I'd say that the majority of their books aren't even half as good as this book was. I hope some of you take my advice and check out the trades. I guarantee you won't be disappointed--except for the fact that there won't be more of it to read beyond the second trade.

So who's reading BITCH PLANET? I searched for it, to make sure it wasn't being talked about elsewhere. Think Futuristic "Chained Heat". Kelly Sue DeConnick's indie books are becoming must-buy sight unseen. I haven't seen any news on PRETTY DEADLY... I hope the first story arc wasn't *IT*...

It's not. They announced another one as part of the wave of Image's 12 new books.

"Futuristic Chained Heat"? I may give it a try. Thanks, Pov.

So I did read the first two issues of Bitch Planet, and...um...I don't quite know what to make of it.

I also wonder if I'm the only one who found the Tasha Fierce essay in the back of issue 2 more enjoyable than the actual comic?

Yeah. I can see how some might see this as empowering and powerful stuff. But #1 didn't do it for me from a story telling perspective, and my own personal sense of inspiration. More power to those that are loving it, but I just don't think it'll include me.

Thanks, Cobie.

To Kelly's and Tasha's credit, the essay was very educational and gave me hope that future generations of feminists won't be as myopic as the last few generations.

Yeah, I'm a big fan of Kelly Sue, and she's one of the few comic book writers I follow on twitter. She's actually responded to me a few times, and favorited and retweeted my tweets. So I *want* to support anything she does...but at the end of the day, will only support the things I'm truly into. Still, I hope Bitch Planet succeeds like crazy, just like I hope Captain Marvel (featuring Carol Danvers) does as well, even though I'm not collecting that either.

I feel more or less the same about Kelly Sue that I do about Gail. They both seem like good people, but their writing just doesn't click with me most of the time.

Descender #1 by Lemire and Nguyen had a fantastic opening issue. I'm glad I picked this one up as on the surface it all seems like a lot of stuff we've seen before in terms of AI driven science fiction. But the artwork is lush, the writing is tight, and I was drawn into the mystery of the series, as well as the main characters. Very good stuff.

Image really screwed up this time.

James Robinson and Greg Hinckle have been doing an Airboy series in a vein similar to Grant Morrison's last issue on Animal Man. The story is literally about Image Comics asking Robinson and Hinckle to due a new take on Airboy, and end up meeting the character.

This is a VERY adult book, and I mean that in the sense that we're shown a lot of NSFW stuff. Robinson on the toilet is the very first page, he gets in a three way with Hinckle and a random woman, and there's a lot of frontal male nudity. The book is supposed to be "semi-autobiographical" in its attempt to look at Robinson's recent stagnation in his writing (specifically his DC stuff) and his alcoholism.

Then came the second issue, which included a lot of dehumanizing transmisogynistic jokes under the Family Guy defense: Robinson apologized for the issue saying him and Hinckle are supposed to be complete assholes. Which included jokes about Airboy receiving oral sex from a trans woman in a public bathroom, and then getting mad when he finds out "That lady had a penis."

You guys all know I hate Robinson with every fiber of my being, but even if I didn't I have to say this: Do not buy this book.

So, Robinson has had to apologise for his writing in a book that's based around the poor quality of his writing. A little irony there.

I was only interested because I thought it was actually going to be an Airboy comic, and I've never really read aviator based comics. Robinson's name alone was enough to stop me looking at it further.

Rumble by John Arcudi, James Herron, Dave Stewart: Just finished the first arc (5 issues); the collected TPB has just been published.

My CBS put this into my order as a recommendation; the first issue was a bit confusing - an ancient warrior god walks into a bar, and all sorts of weird sh*t follows. I'd recommend this as a TPB since it wasn't until issue #3 that the story made sense. Then it became a great read.

Bobby (one of the humans) is a regular nice guy, tends bar and moans about the loss of his girlfriend. His life is disrupted when Rathraq enters his bar, looking for vengeance for an ancient wrong and dropping his sword in the ensuing melée. Bobby picks it up and the trouble really starts, as he gets sucked into helping Rathraq's quest. There's a beautiful chick who can read ancient Phoenician dialects, Bobby's good-hearted, thick-headed pal who's ready for any challenge and, on the other side, lots of monstrous Maurice Sendak style beasties.

It's a horror story that's quite funny at times, but also a hero's quest, a story of honour and of seeking wholeness.

I didn't really read it that way, Airboy freaked out but he's a jerk from an alternate dimension from the past ... I think the whole scene was developed to show Airboy to be scary.

The Robinson character explained it wasn't a big deal to him.

I don't remember many jokes either, it was just the final scene where they go to a bar that happens to have a lot of trans people and people in drag.

I think it was even an awkward teaching moment about trans people.

I suspect this is foreshadowing to Airboy turning into an Irredeemable type psycho character.

Very cool FC! I struggled on getting this one since Arcudi is usually always a great choice and is vastly under appreciated.

Like Thoth, I would love to check out an actual Airboy book, but Robinson's name was enough for a hard pass on this (and anything else he does).

Can't really blame Image though as they aren't like other publishers. They give creators all the freedom they want, and then its on those creators when shit blows up in their faces.

If anybody wants to read Airboy done right, check out the first volume of the Airboy Archives, collecting the earliest and best stories from the 1980s.

"We Stand of Guard" was a fun first issue. Not sure how all you Yanks will react, but I thought it was a blast (even if BKV did go overboard on a few of the Canadian stereotypes).

I'm willing to give it a chance (bought it earlier this week), but it better not be to pro-Canucklehead.

Eh?

Cobie, I'm juggling a few possibilities for my next In-Stock Trades order. Should I order the Descender Vol. 1 trade? Like you, I bought, read and liked issue number one, but I fell behind. Does the quality remain pretty steady for those first six issues?

^YES, order it!! Beautiful art and awesome universe building... one of my favorites!

edit to add- The trade is coming out in the 7 month "gap month" to give Dustin Nguyen a jump on the next arc.

I also say yes, and I feel reading it in trades will be better experience (which is what I've switched over to doing after the end of the first arc).

The art is amazing and the writing is great too--lots of great characters so far!

Okay, OKAY! I'll GET it!!!!

Driller is my favorite so far. Something else else about him appeals to the little kid in me.

Did anyone get Chrononaughts? A definite plus is that it has Sean Murphy art. The question is what kind of script did Millar give him.

The art is phenomenal, and the script lets Murphy showcase a variety of awesome eras and settings: high Middle Ages, roaring 20's, dinosaurs, WWII, etc.

But the writing is okay at best, pushing more towards outright weak. There's a lot of "bro" escapist fantasy that is so overboard that it's annoying. And the plot itself is so thin that even coming from Millar its a shock.

So a very mixed bag. Love Sean Murphy but this is the least effective thing he's ever done because of Millar's writing.

Ugh. Too bad. I'll pass.

I meant to reply to this weeks ago but kept forgetting. I'm collecting it and so far, I'm optimistically curious even if I haven't been totally wowed yet in the same way I was with Saga or Y: the Last Man.

Like most Americans, if I feel there is too much anti-USA sentiment going on, I'll angrily vote for Donald Trump and declare war on the rest of the world. (:P) But so far, Vaughn is showing his usual smart writing without doing what one might expect on a book about the USA invading Canada.

My favorite part of #1 was the Joe Simon monologue which ends with something along the lines of "Superman is fucking Canadian". I was literally smiling from ear to ear. Just brilliant.

BKV is a favorite of mine. So I'm going to at least give him until #6 but I fully expect by that time I'll be committed to reading this on the reg.

Tokyo Ghost #1-3 by Rick Remender and Sean Murphy.

It's total dystopian L.A. in 2089. Everyone is living a life of on-line entertainment distraction, ruled over by Flak Corp. One exception navigates this hell-hole: Debbie Decay, untouched by the tech consuming everyone else, since her detective father raised her to appreciate nature. Now she's a detective working for Flak Corp and trying to get her partner/boyfriend Teddy, much abused by the system and totally tech-addicted, out of the L.A. and into the last remaining natural refuge, Tokyo.

It's grim, hard-hitting, lots of action; it's Mad Max, Hunger Games, environmental disaster story and social commentary, wrapped up in a quest for Utopia.

By the third issue, Debbie and Teddy have gotten to the Garden of Tokyo, settled down and detoxed Teddy. Of course, it won't end as simply as that; there's a villain lurking in the weeds, seeking revenge.

The artwork is very detailed, which I always enjoy; it gives an in-depth and complex picture of life in this world, supporting the rather heavy-hitting message of what could happen if we let ourselves become lost in on-line, corporate-generated amusement.

With that, I should follow the book's advice, log out of LW and go walk the dog.

That Plutona series by Jeff Lemire and Emi Lennox is pretty good. I'm curious as to where it's all heading and how the super community will react to the titular character's disappearance.

Black Magick's another good book Image has right now. It's basically a police mystery drama involving witchcraft, and so far they've avoided the stereotypes of making the main character an outcast in her job and with her coven because of her responsibilities to both.

Lately, as I find more and more joy reading books than comics, it's felt like a chore to collect so many independents. Which is a shame. But something is missing from the joy I usually experience from comics, and I think it goes back to what Lardy has said again and again about how the story-telling structures and devices of yesteryear are just not used as much any more--and this new style of writing leaves me a little cold.

So I've scaled back my Image pull list to:

Walking Dead
Thief of Thieves
Saga
Morning Glories
Stray Bullets
Velvet
*whatever the next Brubaker / Phillips thing is
The Goddamned
Manifest Destiny

And two of them right on the bubble are:
Sex Criminals - I know, I know, it's been great. But why am I not loving it still? I don't know.
Nowhere Men

I also plan on getting Brian Wood's Black Road when it comes out because I'm loving his Rebels published by Dark Horse.

It may be that I can only handle so many independent comics at one time. Sometimes I think by collecting too much, it becomes harder to keep track of what I'm reading and enjoy it. By scaling it down, I'll be able to be more attentive to what I am collecting and enjoy it for what it is. I don't quite have that problem with superhero comics because I know the histories of the characters backwards and forwards.

Interesting....I thought you were getting Descender, too. Did you drop that one? I've got the first trade but haven't read it yet.

Looks like the Image books I get that you are not are Invincible (as long-established), Autumnlands and Paper Girls. I haven't yet read the first PG but trust in the BKV. I dropped Velvet and ToT a year ago and have never read the Goddamned. Is that a Millar or Morrison book?

Interesting that the returns of Nowhere Men and Sex Criminals have fallen flat for you. I'll admit SC isn't as fresh as it was, but it's still pretty easily in my Top Five. I mean the lettercol alone...!

I know Nowhere Men was a fave for you when it first came out. I've yet to read any of it, but it's not encouraging that it's fallen so hard with you.

I take it you saw my latest Pull List update from a couple of weeks ago?

The trade of Descender was much better than I expected. I picked it up since Cobie had recommended it a while ago. It's very reminiscent of the movie AI (little robot kid, people who hunt robots) but with a bigger, galaxy-spanning plot and more skulduggery.

The first issue of the new Nowhere Men arc was pretty flat, focus on the daughter of one of the scientists and not too much progress in the plot. I'll keep it on the list, though.

Another Image trade is Invisible Republic. It's a mystery/political story set in the future of our solar system, when planets and asteroids have been colonized. A fallen-from-grace reporter stumbles on the diary of a cousin of a fallen dictator, which reveals the dirty secrets behind his rise to power (are there ever any good secrets?). Different factions are after him now. It's a compelling story, switching between the cousin's life years ago and the reporter's present day tribulations.

I made the decision to continue Descender in trades, because I felt like I wasn't keeping track of it in my head enough month to month. I think that was a precursor of this recent decision--it was just too many "new" series to keep track of. But I liked it a lot and actually think it'll read better in trades.

I should have prequalified my post by saying that's just my monthly pull. I plan to continue with Descender and Lil Depressed Boy in TPB format. Can't remember if there was another?

I like Nowhere Men a lot but the wait was just so long. So I'm left questioning if I real love it.

The same goes for Sex Criminals. I was super enthusiastic at first. But lately, I just don't even feel like reading the latest issue and it's one of the last things I get to, almost like a chore. I'm not sure why, but I'm just not loving it.

Paper Girls had a lot to like but I ultimately dropped it. No real complaints, other than I'm currently going through some kind of comic book reading crisis where I'm having trouble finding joy in so much of the hobby. I dropped others too: Pretty Deadly is one that I liked quite a bit but when it came back I just couldn't muster up the energy to read it.

I actually have decided not to sample any more Millar or Morrison series. I will let other readers by the beta testers and if all appears good, I'll try a trade.

I never actually tried Autumnlands. Was that the Kurt Busiek one? I can't remember if it was too close to Fables so I passed. I didn't try Invisible Republic either but I recall I like one of the creators a lot (Gabriel Hardman?). FC's description sounds pretty great though!

I think the problem is I started to double down and even triple down on Image after I pulled way back on DC and Marvel, and it all became a bit too unwieldy. Coupled with the way comic book culture is incredibly annoying on social media, and how the Big 2 are horrendous, and it's hard to stay up hear about comics in general. So I'm hoping this retrenchment helps.

Oh, and I forgot to mention: The Goddamned is the new comic by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guerra, your beloved creative team from Scalped! So far, so awesome! Since you were the infamous poster who introduced Scalped into my life, I feel like you must already be getting this or certainly will be once you confirm it indeed exists and isn't something I hallucinated in a drunken stupor!

But seriously---FUCK!!!

Sometimes between a series being first announced at, say, Image Expo to it being solicited to it actually hitting the stands, I lose track of it or even forget about it! That ever happen to you?

I'll have to see if my comic book guy has copies available!

Good to know it wasn't lacking in quality, at least.



Have you tried the new issues at all?



I will say that in expanding the focus to include other sexual powers, conspiracies and stuff that maybe it's losing its more personal focus on the main characters which was always the series' super-power. Still, I feel that even with some fallback in quality, it is still a unique book that has much to offer.



Again I haven't read the first issue yet, but BKV's a "buy on sight" kinda writer. Plus, flipping thru the pages, it's absolutely gorgeous with the Cliff Chiang art.

Pretty Deadly was always a challenging read as far as keeping up from issue to issue with delays. Sounds like one to get in trades if at all.



Yeah, it would take a praise avalanche for me to sample either writer's work.



Yeah, it's Kurt. It's not the greatest thing ever, but I'm enjoying it well enough. the art is gorgeous, and Kurt is doing some of that world-building we love him to do. Check out the first trade some time.



I hear ya, pal. My latest pull list reflects pretty dramatically where I am with monthly books at this point compared to what was.

I do that all the time, and it feels more than ever lately! I think you'll definitely enjoy it so hopefully you can find a copy of #1. If not, let me know and I'll do some digging myself.

Until recently, Image had been overwhelming me with awesome-cool-sounding launches. I looked at my pull list one day and couldn't believe how many Image titles were on the list, and so... a culling (nothing to do with that horrible Harvest storyline from the beginning of the new 52 and the Legionnaires Lost).

My three favorites Image series right now are:
- Saga: addictive space saga with stunning visuals
- East of West: addictive political/apocalypse saga with stunning visuals
- Low: this one is my personal favorite, it speaks to me on many levels, the difficulty of staying optimistic when the world falls apart around you, the importance of never giving up hope... Remender can be so cruel to his characters, but it moves me deeply almost every issue, and sometimes I cry real tears. Also, it's beautiful to look at

So I have to say I thought Velvet ended kind of abruptly! Maybe I missed some communication but I was under the impression it was supposed to go a little longer. While it was still great, this kind of took the impact of the ending away from me a bit.

In the back Ed explains that the delays have been his fault, and not Epting or Bettie's. He explains his tv work is to blame. Now, I don't want to read too much into it, but after collecting Bru's comics for over 15 years, I feel I can infer a few things, and I don't like the idea of his writing suffering from tv stuff. I've seen that happen too with Matt Fraction in recent years and it's always been an issue that's haunted comic book indie creators, especially writers. I hope Ed gets it together.

We were promised more Velvet and I hope we see it sooner rather than later. I'll be getting whatever either Ed or Epting does in the future regardless.

Velvet's over???

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!

Well, I'll give at least a fair chance to whatever Epting does next. Brubaker, I'm not so sure about now.

There's no real clear admittance that the series ended earlier than expected, but I can't help but infer that's the case. I'm glad your surprise equals mine! (Well, not glad, since we both agree it sucks, but I was wondering if I had somehow missed something).

The story is still terrific. Epting's art with Bettie's colors are really spectacular and I hope to see them continue to team up.

Brubaker is one of my favorite authors, but I have to also add that his latest with Phillips, Kill or Be Killed, probably has the weakest opening issue of any of his series I've ever read. Maybe its just not to my tastes...but c'mon, y'know?

Writers, even the best ones, tend to have peaks and valleys in their careers.

I wouldn't be surprised, Cobie, if the first example that came to your mind was the same one that came to my mind: Peter Allen David.

So, if the above analogy holds, and Brubaker is going through a "Genis Mar-Vell/Post-Pantheon Hulk" phase, then he'll most likely bounce back with a "Young Justice" phase.

(Though I must admit the thought of Bru writing an all-ages book is quite bizarre.)

"Young Punisher & His Amazing Friends"

Cobie, LOL

"Follow the adventures of plucky Franklin Castle, whimsical Wade Wilson, and that fun-sized feral ball of fluff, Li'l Logan!"

Kinda funny IMO that we're talking about PAD in an Image thread, given his feuding with most of the Image founders. That said, I recently started re-reading PAD's 1994 book collecting the early years of his CBG column, and I re-read his very first essay in which he critiqued Image. Objectively, I found his arguments reasonable and sound. Methinks the Image founders were even more thin-skinned than our pal PAD, and didst protest overmuch.

To keep the digression going, I've read numerous times that Erik Larsen has regretted his involvement, saying that in his younger days, he definitely had thin skin and was quick to fire first and ask questions later. Still, all these years later, he still seems to be a bit like that.

One Founder who PAD always said was a voice of reason among the Image Founders was Jim Valentino, which is no real surprise since he was an industry veteran and an indie guy. Alan Moore always said he was "the honorable one" among the Image people he dealt with too.

I used to read But I Digress in those years when it came out. I started reading CBG when I was 11 and always read PAD's column on the last page. When I started reading it, it was right during this time. At the time, I was totally Team-PAD and anti-Image, mainly because my Dad really disliked the Image style. (Though I did convince him to let me keep Shadowhawk and Spawn as part of our pull list). My favorite PAD column during this time is when things became so heated, PAD asked Walt Simonson to pitch in, and for one week rather than a column, it was a splash page of the Hulk punching Spawn through a brick wall. It was the then equivalent of a 'mic drop'.

(Walt, still fuming from comments about Weezie by Liefeld and Larsen, was only too happy to oblige).

Velvet's over?! Getting my comics this week, thanks for the warning.

Probably better to end it, though, with the possibility of a new storyline later, than to have some other team take it over, which the big two would probably have done if they'd been publishing/owning the book.

Good point well taken, FC.

And Brubaker said pretty much the same thing as you when asked recently whether he'd consider ever working for the Big Two again.

This book's gone into Archie Horrorverse-late territory... The newest issue I have in my preorders was #5, and that was solicited in the January PREVIEWS...

FINALLY received and read #5... only to find an announcement on the inside back cover:



?!?!?!

Yeah, I ended up dropping it and have opted to collect it in trades. The problem with these delays is I just can't remember wtf is going on, and I don't feel like working that hard.

So I'll probably pick up reading this in like 2020 or 2023 or something.

Hey did you guys hear about how Liefeld is bringing back Youngblood and Brigade and all those other guys back... again... again?

How many of those rumours were false starts? I seem to have heard about relaunches so often.


I finally read the first Saga TPB from the library. I jumped on the title a bit later, and then let it slip. But it's worth reading in enjoyable TPB sized chunks.

As counter-intuitive as it sounds, I just don't consider Liefeld stuff to be "Image" anymore. Image to me is Saga, Walking Dead, Morning Glories, Stray Bullets, etc, etc.

When it's Liefeld's characters by Warren Ellis and Tola Lotay, then sure, that sounds like Image. When its him actually writing or drawing it? Ew. Not Image and a hard pass.

PS - Thoth, glad you're back on Saga. It just continues to get better and better IMO. It's been such a strong series for a few years now and I find myself just relishing the reading experience whenever it comes out.

I wish he'd take his Deadpool $$$$ and disappear...

The Old Guard #1 by Greg Rucka, art by Leandro Fernandez, Daniela Miwa on colours

Greg Rucka has a story: it's about a tough woman soldier. Most of what I've read by him, going back to Queen & Country, features this same iconic character. It's a type I enjoy, so I keep reading.

In The Old Guard, we meet a woman named Andy who, it appears, has either reincarnated many times, always dying in battle, or is immortal and taking on a new persona after each apparent death. She's sick of life at this point, killing time with casual sex, but is still involved in the soldier game (perhaps she has no choice?) as head of a small group of specialized mercenaries who are also death-proof.

In this first issue, after meeting the team, we follow them on a mission to rescue girl hostages in North Africa. It doesn't go well. In fact, somebody set them up to record their mission and their near-instant recovery from fatal injury.

A second story tells the tale of Sargeant Nile Freeman, a young female Marine in Afghanistan, searching with her team for a terrorist. That doesn't go well either - and Nile is killed. Or is she? No spoilers!

Although there's no shortage of male combatants, the story focuses on the two women, Andy and Nile. The feminine is accented by the vibrant colour scheme: pinks, peach, purple, definitely not your usual war story palette.

Andy is no Forever Carlyle, Rucka's lead character in the Lazarus series. She's been around a lot longer, she's much wiser to the ways of other people and she has no apparent allegiance to anyone other than herself. I suspect that Andy is short for Andromache, from the Trojan War, or some other legendary female, but that remains to be revealed.

It's a compelling story for the immortality/reincarnation aspect as well as what I expect will be a hunt by unknown interests (government? private?) to trap the team into revealing their secret. The Nile and Andy stories will surely converge at some point as well.

My Image pull list is waaaaaay down as there are just so many new series that feel repetitive and like creators trying to speak in the same voice. But the really brilliant Image series continues to be the best stuff in comic books like Saga and Walking Dead. Also among them is the ridiculously amazing Stray Bullets, which is utterly fantastic each and every month. When Stray Bullets started back up, I was super pumped and I totally loved it, but I was too afraid to imagine that two years later it would still be going strong and I would love it more than ever.

Hands down one of the best series ever. It's hard to classify it as a crime comic, though that's clearly the most appropriate genre, since its so chalk full of humor and sheer insanity. I recommend it to anyone who just loves great art.

My Image list is still pretty large, although it's static instead of growing as I pass on more and more new books. I remember liking the Stray Bullets self-published run, although it often left me in an uncomfortable headspace. It's a book that I keep telling myself to pick back up, but haven't yet. Lately the books that have been making it through my filter have been fun books like Rock Candy Mountain and Shirtless Bear Fighter. I think I've overdosed on slow, serious dark books, although I'm still following the really good ones I have been. I'm just not adding to the pile at the moment.

Did anyone hear about what happened with that Howard Chaykin Image book?

Yeah. I'm pretty over Chaykin at this point. He basically has one lead character. They all even LOOK like American Flagg. And he's been playing the tired trans panic thing since at least Black Kiss. And the straight CIA white male author telling minorities to cowboy up has been the theme of pretty much everything he's ever done. I'm less outraged than tired at this point.

So I just completed a backlog read of floppies that spanned from October 2016 to March 2017. Obviously, there were some Image books among them:

Chew: The read pretty much began with the last 2 issues of this long-running series. Overall, a satisfying conclusion. 59 was the proper ending and 60 an epilogue. 59 brought a lot of tragedy to Tony Chu's life and to the earth in general as he had to follow thru with a loved one's sacrifice and make a larger one that would also cost him someone dear. Flashforward many years later for the epilogue, which explains the unanswered questions at the series' heart without dumping exposition. You get toward the end and kinda go, "oh...riiight." It has kind of a sudden, oddball ending that is in line with those of some crazy cult films many of us treasure. Pretty much perfect for a wild book like this one.

Overall, Chew is a pretty satisfying book, though it suffers somewhat from significant padding at times to get to that issue count. If one were to do a "director's cut", the book would benefit from cutting some of the "weird food powers" issues and storylines that get a little repetitive. The main course is awesome and unique but sometimes gets buried by all of the finger food.


Autumnlands: I thought this Kurt Busiek series about a world of magic and anthropomorphic animals really found itself in this latest arc that focused on a quest and the main characters. I'm a fool for a good quest story, this one brought in living semi-nude female statues! Beautiful art from Ben Dewey and a welcome non-Astro City fully-realized world from Busiek make for a great under-the-radar book. I sure hope a third arc is imminent before long, though. Haven't seen anything solicited since that arc.


Invincible: This long-running Robert Kirkman superhero books is entering its endgame, and it shows, as a major character falls and the Viltumite storyline that has been the spine of the book from the beginning enters its final phase. I've enjoyed this book ever since I discovered it, and I'm both savoring and dreading its last days.


Manifest Destiny: Another awesome under-the-radar series that has awesome detailed artwork and a great horror take on the Lewis & Clark expedition. After probably the best arc of the series, "Sasquatch", I'm two issues-deep in the next arc. The threat appears to be a mystical fog that manifests the fears of the crew as they camp out for the winter. Or all the threats they've faced to this point appear to be coming back for revenge. I think it's the fog, but it's too early to tell. But seriously, Manifest destiny is just CRAZY good and deserves everyone's rapt attention!


Paper Girls This Brian K. Vaughn series that is not Saga returns for a third arc. The girls are seemingly in a pre-historic era this time, but I'm betting it's likely post-apocolyptic instead. The first 2 issues have been pretty slow, unfortunately. If the rest of the arc doesn't bring it home, it may be back in cancellation territory for me. I mean, the cliffhanger in 12 is one of the girls getting her first period?


Saga has what may be its most uneventful arc from 37-42. It seems heavily about moving characters around and developing them, even as it begins with possibly the most shocking death (for more than one reason) in the series. It ends with what I feel is an over-dramatic cliffhanger emphasized with a series of black pages to end the arc. It's still Saga, so it's still better than almost every comic out there--but it's not the dynamic arc that others have been.


Sex Criminals returned with a new arc that I was only able to read the first part of before my self-imposed reading cut-off. I LOVED this issue, though, as it featured a welcome return of Jon and Suzie as the focus of an entire issue. They reconnect as they try to come up with some goals for their lives and go about it quite sexily! An excellent return that reminds me why I fell in love with this series in the first place.


Stray Bullets: Sunshine & Roses really heats up the arc about the gang laying low at Beth's mom's place really comes to a head. So gripping and thoroughly entertaining in its storytelling! The only time this story comes to a dead halt is in the (thankfully) infrequent Amy Racecar one-offs. These are fantasy stories that tangentially inform the main story, but essentially tell barely different versions of the same fantasy again and again. I'm almost tempted to not buy those issues when I can figure out which they are because they are so extraneous and repetitive. I don't know if I could bring myself to do that, though. The main story is ALWAYS a page-turner, though, and one of the very best things going.

Just looking at the last post makes me realise just how many top books they put out. I'm reading Sex Criminals and Stray Bullets. Read Chew. I've picked up a lot of Invincible and have dipped into Saga. It looks as though I'll be giving Manifest Destiny a shot too, based on the above.

You guys should give Moonstruck a look it's pretty great.

Cher's not in it, is she?

You say that like it would be a bad thing.

She STILL hasn't retired? :shock:

Just kidding, just kidding.

I like her, and so does my mother, who has long straight dark hair, dark eyes, and somewhat exotic features, and was in her late teens when Cher first emerged. My mother was one of millions of such girls across the U.S.A. who found Cher a godsend at that time.

My favorite phase of hers was when she leaped onto the hair-metal/arena-rock bandwagon in the late 80s.