FAVORITE COMICS - 2009

I should re-name this blog "Top Ten Comics of the Year Blog" and leave it at that, since that's basically all my lazy ass posts over the last few years. I do love looking back at the year though, so until I'm bored by it, or I post more, this will probably continue. Who knows.

As I've said in prior posts, I collect a lot of comics in their weekly floppy form, and although I read a lot of OGN's in a given year (i.e. Asterios Polyp, Cooke's The Hunter) that isn't what this post is really about. I've threatened with a separate post about that for a couple of years now because the books deserve it, but because of the high number of weekly comics I read, I'm always painfully behind on my OGNs (unless it's a new Jason comic) so i can't really "recap the year" fairly. So yeah, this is about mainstream comics in their weekly form.

I've changed my own rules a couple of times, but basically I'm staying the same as last year. I want at least a couple of issues of a comic to be out in a calendar year, because 1-issue is often just not enough weigh to get it on the list.

Last note: Jason Aaron's Scalped has "won" this for me 2 years in a row now. Will the streak continue? Backwards from ten then for minimal excitement:

FAVORITE COMICS OF 2009

#10 - BATTLEFIELDS

(w. Garth Ennis, a. Peter Snejbjerg, Carlos Ezquerra)

A book (thanks Edmiston) that I completely forgot about last year, was not easy to forget as 2009 started. To be honest though, it was a tough add this year because as much as I loved the "Dear Billy" arc, I hated the "Tankies" story and the first issue of "Happy Valley" snuck in before the end of the year, and that is pretty good. So on the back of "Dear Billy," one of Ennis' finest stories in recent years and one of the finest stories of the year, it sneaks on.

#9 - MOUSE GUARD: WINTER 1152

(w/a. David Peterson)

Up a couple of spots from last year, as even though all we got here were the final two issues of the Winter 1152 arc, I can't get enough of the world that Peterson is creating. However, the art on the book alone is worth recommending it. I look forward to the coming prequels and sequels.

#8 - CHEW

(w. John Layman, a. Rob Guillory)

You'll find this on a lot of people's lists this year, and I think it deserves it. A legitimate indie hit which is nice, but more importantly for being a pretty damn great comic book. Tony Chu works for the FDA (now law enforcement), he's a Cibopath (basically a psychic that gets info from the food he eats) in a world where chicken has been outlawed because of a bird-flu pandemic. Silly, yes, but this doesn't even touch the surface of the book. It has been nothing but surprises and funny turns, with plenty of wacky action all drawn perfectly by Rob Guillory.

#7 - BEASTS OF BURDEN

(w. Evan Dorkin, a. Jill Thompson)

The biggest surprise of the year for me. I didn't even want to read this book, until my girlfriend bugged me to get it coupled with some good reviews on the day of release made me cave. I'm so glad I did. A book about a group of dogs acting as occult investigators in a small town sounded iffy (idiot me, I know), but with the gorgeous art and how straight Dorkin plays it, it works perfectly. Issue #2, "Lost" was one of my single favorite issues of the year. A book that once it is collected, I will be passing around quite a bit.

#6 - ECHO

(w/a. Terry Moore)

This book was really close to making my list last year, but no debate this year. Terry Moore's little sci-fi story, although not terribly original (experimental tech, hero on the run, bosses want it back) is elevated by the care in which Moore reveals his story. I care for these characters. It helps that it is one of the best looking books on the stands, despite its black & white interior. Terry Moore is bar none one of the best cartoonists working in comics.

#5 - DMZ

(w. Brian Wood, a. Riccardo Burchielli & Others)

A book that has been high on my list before, just missed last year and is back with a vengeance. After the election of Parco Delgado in 2008, the title spent the early part of 2009 highlighting his early days in office, before taking a breather with the excellent "No Future" arc and then refocusing again with Matty, stuck between shit and a nuclear missile scandal. How far Matty has come in this title is pretty amazing. (Note: I wrote this before reading the game-changing issue #49. Wow. 2010 should be fun.)

#4 - FOUR EYES

(w. Joe Kelly, a. Max Fiumara)

My favorite book in the industry that no one talks about, mainly because it is only on its third issue with only two of those being published in 2009. Still, despite the slow publishing schedule, this depression era story about a young boy following in his dead father's footsteps in the underground DRAGON FIGHTS is easily one of my favorite comic books of the past year. To be honest, it might be higher if there were just more issues published. Highlight of these two issues, was definitely #3 where the kids are taken on a dragon hunt. Great, great stuff. Can't wait for more.

#3 - LOCKE & KEY

(w. Joe Hill, a. Gabriel Rodriguez)

We got the end of one mini-series ("Head Games") at the start of another ("Crown of Shadows") in 2009 and this book just keeps humming along as one of the best books on the stands. The journey of the Locke family (and supporting characters) continues to excite and surprise with each key reveal. Art wise, the unique and highly talented Rodriguez is what keeps it rolling. Nothing to complain about with this series, one of the best on the stands.

#2 - NORTHLANDERS

(w. Brian Wood, a. Ryan Kelly, Leandro Fernandez and others)

This book JUUUUUUUUUUST missed getting the top nod from me. This book was so good this year: Ryan Kelly's surprising, yet masterful jump to Viking comics, the two part "Shield Maidens," the one-shot checking-in with Sven and his family from the title's first arc, and the amazing start to the new long arc, "The Plague Widow." But what will stand out, is the brilliant issue #17, "The Viking Art of Single Combat" drawn by Vasilis Lolos. Easily one of, if not the best single issue I've read this year.

Man, just writing that has me almost wanting to re-think my #1. Almost.

#1 - SCALPED

(w. Jason Aaron, a. R.M. Guera and others)

In my initial rough draft of my ten, I actually had Northlanders #1, but when push came to shove I couldn't do it. This book still had more "Book of the Weeks" for me than any other title. The last half of the year has escalated the stakes so much, (especially with the "Gnawing" arc), and paid off so many of the character threads since #1 and done it all SO seamless and well that I could not remove this book from my favorite of the year. It's a gritty crime comic, and Aaron shows us that he will continue to surprise even as the series is only at the half way mark.

HONORABLE MENTIONS aka OTHER BOOKS I REALLY LIKED

100 BULLETS - This was just edged out by Battlefields, because I liked "Dear Billy" so much. Only two issues came out, #99 and the final #100, and although I liked the bloody issues enough to get Book of the Week when they came out, by themselves they didn't stand out enough. As a whole on the series, I wait to re-read the entire series to take them in their proper context. But without a doubt, this is one of my favorite series of the Decade if I were doing such a thing. I miss Risso's art. Where is he?

WALKING DEAD - This book still manages to be right below my elite, but above everything else. Leaving the prison and cutting half the cast is still the best decision Kirkman has done in years. And back on the road and meeting new characters (and villains) made 2009 a good time. Loved the horde stuff, not so much the cannibal stuff.

PLANETARY - What? The final issue came out? Some years after the last one? Yes, #27 did indeed come out. As a final issue it was a good tag for the series, and it reminded me how much I loved the series as a whole (another book, easily one of my favorite of the decade) and Cassaday's art.

CRIMINAL

WASTELAND - Two books that I love that were on my Top 10 last year, but spent most of 2009 on hiatus for one reason or another. Still, WASTELAND was great when it did come out (2 issues?) and CRIMINAL had just started the latest arc as the year was ending and so far the quality is what one would expect.

MYSTERIOUS: THE UNFATHOMABLE - A little Wildstorm creator owned book that could, from Jeff Parker and Tom Fowler. The story of a mischievous mystic (read: a pot-bellied Dr. Strange) taking advantage of those that don't know better, was a wonderful 6-issue mini in the Spring. We have been promised more in 2010.

SWEET TOOTH - Jeff Lemire did such great work with his "Essex County" OGN books, that Vertigo was smart to grab him for an ongoing. Early on, this title is treading some familiar ground as a post-apocalyptic story with some heavy feel from the novel/movie The Road. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. There is the odd twist of a boy with antlers, and Lemire's art is unique and interesting enough that the book has moved up the read pile. One to watch in 2010. Speaking of...

STUMPTOWN

DAYTRIPPER - Two books that although they only had one issue each, both were great, and both are definitely must watch for 2010. STUMPTOWN is Rucka's crime comic with a female protagonist, and if you know Rucka, you know he does that well. Has a CRIMINAL feel to it, but how long he and Brubaker riffed on Gotham Central, that's not a surprise (or a complaint). And DAYTRIPPER, Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba's look at the life of Bras, an aspiring novelist in Brazil, was amazing. Each issue of the 10-issue series plans to be told out of order. The first, we see his death. Issue #2 takes us to his 20's, and the solicits of #3 have us at his childhood. Each one is stand alone, and with art by Ba and Moon (of Umbrella Academy and Casanova fame) it looks gorgeous.

WEDNESDAY COMICS - Just a note on a book that was my only other comic post of 2009. Honorable mention for the format alone and the excitement it brought. The excitement definitely started to tail off as the series went along and the good strips seemed to be outweighed by the bad strips. But I still think it was a great success. My favorites ended up being: Pope's Strange Adventures, Conner's art on Supergirl, Azzarello & Risso on Batman and probably Flash and Kamandi. Kamandi which was not one of my favorites when it started, but grew on my with it's Prince Valiant style. Debating on whether or not I want the collection because it was half good-half bad. Hmm.

FABLES - This almost didn't get an honorable mention. The crossover at the beginning of the year with "Jack of Fables" and the "Literals" was a waste of a few months for this reader. Jack and his odd villains sorta worked in his own book, but as a crossover, it didn't mesh for me. (I actually dropped Jack of Fables when the crossover ended.) Still, the main FABLES title has picked it up since then, returning to the kind of adventures I enjoy on THIS title with the new "Boogeyman" villain.

***

Oh shit! I forgot about super hero books! I always seem to "hate" on them when it comes time for my end of year list, but I do love reading the madcap adventures of my favorite men in tights. It's often frustrating, but has it's moments. So, Super Hero books that stood taller than the others:

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN - The epic 12-parter "World's Most Wanted" that took up most of the year will be read in TPB's for years to come. Awesome super hero comics.

DAREDEVIL - Still going strong even after Bendis left, and then Brubaker left; but Diggle continues to run with the baton.

THOR - Stracyznski's run was spectacular. Only sad to see it end WHEN it did. You can tell he had more in him.

POWER GIRL - Probably the funnest book on the stands, embracing the "comic book" name in all it's glory. Amanda Conner kills on art.

BATMAN & ROBIN - Barely. Grant Morrison has been a little up-and-down with this book, but when Quitely is on art, it is a big win.

SECRET SIX - A late converter, but Simone squeezes some great character moments out of these unabashed villains.

X-FACTOR - A long time X-fan I am, and this book continues to be the most consistent X-Book as far as characters actually squeaking through, while the main titles have problems with PLOT PLOT PLOT getting in the way. Peter David rocks.

MARVELS PROJECT - While Brubaker starts to squeeze the last bit of juice from the orange on the main Captain America title, he is doing awesome work here. This pre-World World 2 espionage story about the early Marvel Universe has been surprisingly engaging. Another must when it is in trade.

IRREDEEMABLE - The only non-Marvel on this short list, but Mark Waid's story about "Superman" becoming the world's biggest threat has been good. Mainly because of the supporting characters, his "Justice League" and how their lives have been impacted.

***

On to 2010. Where this Reader tries to cut back on his weekly comics (read: cut the super hero fat) and read more OGN's as he has a pile "To Read" embarrassingly long on his bookshelf.

BEST COMIC BOOKS OF 2008

So this post comes in just about a month ahead of last year's "Best of" and also has the distinction of being the first post SINCE the 2007 list. Um, whaaaat? I liked reading comics and ranting about what I think, but the time for these blog things are just not there in a way that I would like. Kudos to all those that are timely with these things for years on end. Still, here I am talking about 2008, and who knows maybe I will post more in the upcoming year.

The geeky rules:

#1. Last year I had a strict at least four issues must come out of an ongoing series for it to make my list. Nothing of the sort this year, because that left really good books like Hine's STRANGE EMBRACE and Way's UMBRELLA ACADEMY off of the list. This year, its TWO ISSUES! Seriously, as long as you have a couple of books come out (ongoing, mini or maxi) you will be considered.

#2. This is for weekly floppies only. I read a gang load of OGN's this year, but in MY head, those belong on a different list.

#3. As always, these are my FAVORITE books. Yeah, I said "Best" up there, but it always rings false to me to make a list of the "best" of anything when who am I to make that kind of declaration. These are my favorites, and hopefully some of them are good.

***

MY FAVORITE COMICS OF 2008
(in reverse order this year)

#10 MOUSE GUARD: WINTER 1152
(w/a. David Peterson)

You know what's bullshit about this series? Is that unless my calculations are wrong, we only got two issues of this wonderful series in 2008. Mr. Peterson's fantasy series about mice, is not just a great story and not just great art, its a fucking clinic on good comic booking. There is no doubt in my mind that it will move up the accepted canon as time goes by. (I hope that ASP being bought out doesn't delay the last two issues of this mini too much longer.)

#9 LOCAL
(w. Brian Wood, a. Ryan Kelly)

This book has been slowly trickling out over the last few years,releasing the final two issues in 2008 as well as the beautiful hardback collection of the entire series. The hardback got a lot of attention when it came out, and rightfully so: the series is pretty damn good. It follows our heroine Megan from ages 18-30 with each issue being a different year of her life in a different American city. This year's #11 was one of my favorites of the series, with Megan meeting a stand-in for her younger self, and we get to see how much this girl has grown over the course of the series.

#8 WASTELAND
(w. Antony Johnston, a. Christopher Mitten)

This book just keeps getting better and better. I fear that the floppies might be losing folks, but if that's the case, I hope its because they are reading it in (the far more friendlier form) TPBs. The fantasy series gets more complex with its religion and social structure with each arc, and the cast of characters that I care about only grows. The way the art shows flashbacks can be confusing at times, but Mitten is turning into a brilliant artist.

#7 100 BULLETS
(w. Brian Azzarello, a. Eduardo Risso)

You are either still on board with this book and loving it, or you long ago tossed it aside as too confusing to read in floppies. And both reactions would probably be right. I love this series, it was made for me. Azzarello is slowly bringing this series to a close and with only two more issues in 2009 (I've read one of em!) I am going to be extremely sad that this book isn't coming out anymore. Eduardo Risso is one of my favorite artists in comics.

#6 FABLES
(w. Bill Willingham, a. Mark Buckingham and a couple of others)

2008 saw the end of the best story of the series in "Good Prince" and then the series went and had the climactic battle between good and evil with "War and Pieces" and now we are in the aftermath. Its an odd place to be because the first 75 issues built to that climax, but Fables has proved that the cast of characters is too good, and the source material too great for it to lose any luster. The book is as good as its been with no real signs of letting up. (Now if only I could say the same about JACK OF FABLES.)

#5 CRIMINAL
(w. Ed Brubaker, a. Sean Phillips)

Or technically, CRIMINAL VOLUME 2. This series is as steady as they come right now in comics. When you open an issue, its just going to be good. This volume increased the page count, giving Brubaker and Phillips more room to do their craft and I'm not complaining. From the first three stand alone issues to the 4-issue "Bad Night" centered on a cartoonist, we got the best most compelling crime comic on the stands. And I fucking love the back matter, leading me to great Noir in book, film and television.

#4 NORTHLANDERS
(w. Brian Wood, a. Davide Gianfelice, Dean Orstron and Ryan Kelly)

This book has catapulted up my favorite books, because like 100 Bullets this is another book that was just made for me. First "Sven: The Returned" wrapped up, with a surprising yet well crafted final issue, then Wood hits us with a little two-parter before rocking me with the first issue of my favorite arc to date, "The Cross + The Hammer." All these arcs star different characters and are in different time periods. Yeah, an anthology book basically, which so far so great. Wood's LOCAL co-hort Kelly comes on board and shocks the hell out of me with a gritty in your face style, which you can obviously make as the same artist that did LOCAL; but who the fuck knew that his art would be so perfect for THIS series!

#3 ALL-STAR SUPERMAN
(w. Grant Morrison, a. frank Quitely)

The genius series closes out its run with the last three issues in 2008. #10 was argueably the best single issue of the series, and in fact of 2008, period. Simple enough, these two guys made a classic. Far better brains than mine will go into the details of how-where-why, but things I do know: it will go down as one of the best Superman stories ever, and yeah, one of the best Super Hero stories of all-time. Quitely is a master comic book artist at the top of his game, and although Morrison's other super hero work this year was muddled and confusing (BATMAN, FINAL CRISIS) this series was near perfect. I miss it, and I want more.

#2 LOCKE AND KEY
(w. Joe Hill, a. Gabriel Rodriguez)

How is it that more people are not talking about this book? Seriously. Joe Hill (son of some guy) and Gabriel Rodriguez are doing a pretty fucking awesome comic. In fact, its the only book that got my "Book of the Week" every single week that it came out. The plot of this thriller, with the spooky house and the keys is great, but Hill gets this right by making the characters so damn good. You hear it every once in a while about a guy that comes in from another medium, but Joe Hill gets comics. His use of panels, the turn-of-the-page and cliffhangers is like a seasoned comics pro.* Gabriel Rodriguez's art is the shit. His people have a distinctive style and his choice of camera angles is always dynamic and fitting. Something must also be said about the presentation of the book itself, because the covers are all brilliant, and the quality of paper is top. So it's not just the story, the entire package is great. The new series has already started in 2009 and it's already taking names too.

*At ComicCon he talked crap about his only other comic work, an 8-page Spider-Man story he did for Marvel. I tracked it down and read it; he is way to harsh on himself. The story was fun and perfect for Spider-Man as well as perfect for the late, GREAT Seth Fisher.

#1 SCALPED
(w. Jason Aaron, a. R.M. Guera & others)

Another year, another #1 from me for Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera's SCALPED. This is only the third year I've ever done a Top 10 list, but my guess is this would be the first time a series has gotten #1 on back-to-back years since the TRANSMETROPOLITAN or PREACHER days. Who the fuck knows. What I do know, is Jason Aaron conitnues to kick all sorts of ass on this book. He got the Marvel bug this past year working on GHOST RIDER, WOLVERINE and a short run on BLACK PANTHER,* but that didn't affect this book any, accept I hope, the sales from some of the Marvel zombies taking a glance. As for the art, its funny to think that at the start of this series the one thing I wasn't sure about was the art, and now 20-some odd issues in, when its not R.M. I'm really bummed. He's critical for the book. Anything else I say here would be repeating what I said last year, but the powerful stories make this my favorite book of the year.

*Just thought this should be noted on a year with SECRET INVASION and FINAL CRISIS dominating everything, but Black Panther #39-41 witten by Jason Aaron was the coolest thing to come out of SECRET INVASION by far. No contest. Awesome superhero story.

BOOKS FROM LAST YEAR'S TOP 10 THAT MISSED:

#3 Y: THE LAST MAN - This book only had one issue come out in 2008, and that was the fantastic final issue. One issue, even as good as this one was, doesn't have enough weight for me to let it on.

DMZ - No judgment on this series that was so high last year, but off this year (it barely missed). I just had other favorites (including two other Wood books).

IMMORTAL IRON FIST - This book made me sad this year. So damn good under Brubaker/Fraction. Their last storyline fizzled a bit, but was still good. The final issue was one of my favorites of the series, but then the creative team change gutted the book. Shitty. I tried to stick with the new team, but just this week I finally stopped getting the series. The magic was just gone.

POWERS - The series that barely comes out, just misses the ten despite closing out its big storyline in style. Really good stuff, and broken record time: this is still my favorite Bendis and/or Oeming production (MICE TEMPLAR got unbearable, and was dropped.)

USAGI YOJIMBO - The long-eared ronin is still one of my favorite books of all time, but slipped a little this year for me. Though the December issue centered on Gen was classic Sakai. Awesome, and didn't even have the bunny in it.

OTHER BOOKS THAT MISSED, THAT I REALLY LIKED:

WALKING DEAD - And man, did it JUST miss. For the frst 20 issues of this series, it was easily one of my favorite books. The middle part of the series dragged, and Kirkman's clunky on-the-nose expository dialogue stood out a bit more. The climatic showdown at the prison in issue #48 was much needed, and breathed new life into a series that was fumbling . The cast has been sliced in half (thank you!) and the post prison-era is responsible for possibly my favorite issue in the series: Issue #51 with Rick and the surprising phone call. It was one of my favorite single issues of the year in any comic.

FOUR EYES
I KILL GIANTS - Two indie books done by a sorta of "renaissanced" Joe Kelly. I KILL GIANTS was a touching story of a kid, dealing with her mother's sickness. But for me, FOUR EYES, the story of a depression era kid getting a job at the underground dragon fights was the biggest surprise of the year for me. Excellent comic. Too bad there was only one or it might be above.

OMEGA: THE UNKNOWN - Written by novelist Jonathan Lethem, this was almost on the Top 10 as well. I think some of it went over my head, but what didn't go over my head is that it was BAR NONE the most original and interesting thing that Marvel has published in as long as I can remember. Too bad it didn't sell very well in floppies, but Marvel was committed to the book and the collected edition should get more notice in book stores. In fact, I've already given it as a gift!

THE TWELVE - I really love the pace and style J. Michael Straczinski is handling this series with. Just coming out too slow. Curious to see how these characters are treated in the Marvel Universe post this series. And there is no doubt that this series will get a lot more love once it is eventually collected.

ECHO - This is moving up my pile with each issue. Terry Moore is a master storyteller. Great art. Fun story.

PAX ROMANA
TRANSHUMAN
RED MASS FOR MARS - All three books by Jonathan Hickman deserve to be mentioned. They were all well written, drawn and most importantly original comic works. TRANSHUMAN was one of my girlfriend's favorites of the year while PAX was probably the one closest to the Top 10 for me. Hickman is a unique comic talent and one to watch, especially with some Marvel work coming his way.

YOUNG LIARS - I don't know what is going on most of the time, and I really don't care. It moves up my read pile, just because its engaging me. Dave Lapham's Vertigo series was a surprise just because it is so odd.

And oh yeah, don't Marvel and DC publish Super Hero comics?

ACTION COMICS - My favorite in-continuity DC super hero book. Johns did a great job with the studly Gary Frank drawing the best Superman out there. The highlight of the year was the Braniac story.

THOR - My favorite in-continuity Marvel super hero book. The pace is slow, but I'm loving Straczynski's take on the character. And the art has been great. I fear what happens to this title when J.M. leaves, but I do know that Matt Fraction (based on the one-shots) kind of HAS TO BE the new writer.

***

For my comic-reading friends, girlfriend and 2 guys unlucky enough to have googled their way here some how, thanks for reading.

catching up on some comics

So I'm finally caught up on my reading. But that means there is something like 60+ comic books to talk about over a three week period. Unfortunately, it isn't gonna happen in any detail or I'll be writing all week. So I'm going with the abbreviated takes like I did when I let 60+ books build up on me around Comic-Con.

Here we go.

Week 1, OCTOBER 24TH

book of the week
STREETS OF GLORY #2
(w. Garth Ennis, a. Mike Wolfer)
After a really average preview issue, and more of the same first issue, this book takes a big leap up. Garth Ennis expertly settles us and the main characters into the town and world we are going to be living in. More characters are introduced, including old war buddies and railroad barons, and the history that everyone has. The most surprising, being Joe Dunn's ex-wife and the daughter he has never met. There are some Western cliches happening here, but it doesn't matter because now there are a whole lot of real, detailed characters demanding some panel time. I almost feel like the book needs more than six issues to let all of them have space and a comfortable conclusion. The dark gory ending is classic Ennis (and classic Avatar) and it catapults the series even farther along.

runner up
VELOCITY PILOT SEASON #1 - This was real close. Like Ripclaw, for at least one issue, this was a superb comic experience. And Kevin Maguire is fucking brilliant.

other real good comics
THE KILLER #5/6 - We fly past the midway point and the delay in printing is really the only thing wrong with the book. (Which makes very little sense considering it's a reprint of a French book that finished publishing in 2003.)
POTTER'S FIELD #2 - Great concept. I kind of want this as a TV show.
GREEN ARROW: YEAR ONE #6 - This little jam by Diggle and Jock closes out as one of the better minis of the year.
LONE RANGER #9 - Pretty fast paced issue for this title. Lone Ranger shot and dying on the cliffhanger.
DAREDEVIL #101 - Brubaker + Lark + Daredevil = Still one of the best super hero comics on the stands.

three-star comics
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #115 - Another good issue in the re-energized Immonen era.
THUNDERBOLTS #117 - Pretty good issue. I really liked the scenes with Doc Sampson and Speedball.
X-MEN #204 - These quieter X-Men issues were always some of my favorites. I like that Carey is giving me that old feeling to be honest.
WALKING DEAD #43 - Good, but lets get to the WAR already!!
SHE-HULK 2 #22 - Solid start to Peter David's run with a lot of questions to be answered. Can't wait.
CASANOVA #10 - Some dirty sex scenes! Awesome.
FEAR AGENT: THE LAST GOODBYE #4 - So um, Heath has committed GENOCIDE? Shit. Wasn't expecting that.
DOKTOR SLEEPLESS #3 - Not great, but I'm still interested enough in Warren's crazy mind to stick with this.
WETWORKS #14 - Lots of vampires and monsters yapping about thrones and plans and double crossing, but I thought it was better than that sounds.
TRANSFORMERS: DEVASTATION #2 - Still no Six Shot whoopin' ass, but a solid issue.
ACTION COMICS #857 - This was probably my favorite issue of the Eric Powell/Bizzaro arc, but I'm kind of glad its over.

comics with problems
LOVELESS #20 - I'm sad that this book is here. Marcelo Frusin went MIA, Wes Cutter was killed and the book meandered through its teens, and now I'm just not sure what I think of the ghostly visions here. I will eventually give Azzarello the benefit of the doubt and read these again, together. It's no longer working for me as a monthly comic however.
SUPERMAN #669 - This was better than the first part, but I still feel its a bit dumb of DC to keep adding Kryptonians.
AUTHORITY: PRIME #1 - This wasn't really bad exactly, just not all that engaging. That's why its here.
CABLE/DEADPOOL #46 - This was probably my least favorite issue of the recent run. Was it the T'Challa/Storm Fantastic Four? I wonder. Hmm...
GEN 13 #13 - Gail Simone's up-and-down run with the Gen 13 kids concludes. Unfortunately, it was probably my least favorite issue in the run. I mean, they killed Kid Apollo! Seriously, I'm more curious to see what Simon "Exterminators" Oliver brings because they (read: Wildstorm) need a shot in the arm as they desperately try to find a good book.

bad
MEGATRON: ORIGIN #4 - This mini STARTED good, but by the end of the fourth issue I was just bored with it all, but more importantly, the hard to read, frustrating art has me desperate to reach the last page. Ugh.

***

Week 2, HALLOWEEN

book of the week
MOUSE GUARD: WINTER 1152 #2
(w/a. David Peterson)
The sequel to the break-out Mouse Guard chugs along into one of its better single issues. The cast of characters is pretty large now, and after being separated into two groups, the various mice have some nice character moments, especially the pairing of youngster Lieam and the aging Black Axe (my favorite). The plot slowed, but definitely hasn't stopped, as one set of mice make a big discovery. David Peterson's art continues to be amazing, as the look and feel of this book is gorgeous. Well done.

other real good comics
DAREDEVIL ANNUAL #1 - One of the better Annuals of the year for sure, and as good as the main title has been, one of the better Daredevil stories period. The plot isn't crazy original, with a criminal trying to go straight, but it was extremely well written and the art by Leandro Fernandez was awesome. Even at the end when there isn't much that separates the Black Tarantula from the Punisher, I thought it worked. I really hope the character makes a return appearance in the regular title.
CROSSING MIDNIGHT #12 - Bedtime Stories comes to its conclusion, and it ends up being my favorite arc of the series. By far.
WASTELAND #13 - Johnston and Mitten rolling on all cylinders as the second major arc comes to a close.

three-star comics
X-MEN MESSIAH COMPLEX #1 - Part 1 of 13. Aside from the Marc Silvestri art, which feels dated, this was actually a pretty good start to the crossover.
NEW X-MEN #43 - Nice issue. I'm really going to miss Skottie Young on this title, as I he was making the characters his own.
JACK OF FABLES #16 - I'm starting to like this title, maybe even enough to come off of my "We don't need this book, Jack should be in Fables" stance.
BATMAN #670 - Ra's al Gul, A Prelude. Harmless enough, and I even don't mind Tony Daniel. But following the epic three-parter with J.H., this return to normal super heroics just feels like a step down, even though its competent.
ACTION COMICS #858 - As anyone knows that reads this blog, I don't know much about DC and the history of their universe, so this Legion means little to me as far as incarnations go. Jimmy seems to be a reset of sorts, but whatever, it was a fun issue with some nice debut art by Gary Frank.

comics with problems
IRON MAN #23 - So-so issue with Iron Man starting to go insane. The art was rough here.
MIDNIGHTER: ARMAGEDDON #1 - On its own, it was a been-there-done-that Days of Future Authority issue. Problem is, this is the start of an entire storyline. Maybe it gets better (see TRANQUILITY below).
ULTIMATE POWER #8 - So part 8 of 9 and we are suddenly starting the MARCH ON ULTIMATUM. This story long lost any energy it might have had, so based on the last page, lets hope that at least the last installment has a very cool fight and the outcome actually matters (as was promised).
SAVAGE DRAGON #133 - It has been 15 issues (2+ years) that I've picked up a Savage Dragon comic. A big fan for a long time (I have the first 118 in a box), it isn't because the comic got bad that I stopped, it was just because I missed a few when I was broke and I've been waiting for a chance to catch up. Since that hasn't happened, I thought I'd check in. What did I find? A comic that has gotten even more retro, with two "8-pagers" instead of one story and lots and lots of word balloons jammed full of exposition that really didn't help me. Um, the fun wasn't there that I used to have, but I'll get it again in case it was due to the gap.

bad
STORM SHADOW #5 - This wasn't very good. A silly storyline that REALLY missed the dynamic art that Mark Robinson brought to the first arc.

***

Week 3, NOVEMBER 7TH

book of the week
Y: THE LAST MAN #59
(w. Brian Vaughan, a. Pia Guerra)
After the end of the last issue and the sudden death of one of our main characters, I didn't know what to expect in the penultimate issue of the series. Turns out, even MORE good stuff as most of the remaining plot threads come to a head in good and surprising ways. By the last page I'm taking a big breath with Yorick. One more issue.

runner up
SCALPED #11 - This was awesome. Y got the tie-breaker since it is ending, but this was a great comic. Gina Bad Horse takes center stage and of course, I'm now bummed that she's dead because she would have been an interesting POV to have.

other real good comics
ASTONISHING X-MEN #23 - The long wait was worth it, as Whedon and Cassaday are spot on. The telepathic conversation reveal was cool, but nowhere near as cool as Cyclops kicking ass. Loved the last page splash with the glowing red eyes.
CRIMINAL #10 - Excellent end to "Lawless" the second arc. And at this point, I liked "Coward" more, but its close. Great series.
STRANGE EMBRACE #5 - The creepy cover leads to even more of the creepy flashbacks. What's in store for our young hero listening to the past? Can't wait.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #10 - No Danny Rand, but that's not enough to hurt this title. The Tourney continues in another great installment.

three-star comics
NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI #5 - SPOILER: I had a lot of fun with this. The reveal of Blackbolt being a Skrull wasn't too much of a surprise, as he was the likeliest candidate. I hope the actual crossover is as fun.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #8 - Season 8 continues, and issues between Buffy and Faith rear their ugly head again.
THE ORDER #4 - The best issue in this series so far. Its Fraction's wacky Casanova ideas filtered through mainstream super hero Marvel editorial. So far its working.
UNCANNY X-MEN #492 - Messiah Complex Part 2. We're still in the setting up phase, but with a 13-part storyline, we are only 15 minutes in to the movie, so that's okay with me. Cyclops smacking Xavier around was awesome. I love that he is getting some love. I'm having fun so far, which is good.
EXTERMINATORS #23 - Lots of crazy fun, with the roach vs. human battle reaching a climax.
MS. MARVEL #21 - A) Agent Sum is turning into a really cool character. B) Aaron Lopresti has cemented himself as a really solid comic book artist. C) Machine Man is still funny. With a female Life Model Decoy body that he got as a signing bonus? Even funnier.
OMEGA: THE UNKNOWN #2 - This comic is getting even weirder, but I'm still with it.
FANTASTIC FOUR #551 - The best issue in the McDuffie/Pelletier run, bar none. It had some moments that made me cringe, but for the most part it was a fun comic book adventure, with a neat twist on Reed's 100 fix-the-world things. Turns out he is a villain in the future, and super heroes (including Doom) have to come back in time to stop him. The cliffhanger, where Reed blows Namor's head off was genuinely cool, too. What more can you ask for?
FALLEN ANGEL #21 - This series spends another issue with Jude as the main character, which is fine. As he accepts his role as Magistrate, he and the book are getting better.
ROBIN #168 - Not bad, but just not all that good. It seemed like we stretched a beat out into an entire issue so that they can stretch the crossover.

comics with problems
SUPERMAN #670 - A so-so end to a so-so plot. The worst part was that I spent the whole issue just waiting for it to end the way it did with the "old lady" Kryponian returning to save the day because she DOES have a conscious. Ugh. Best part of this Kryptonian arc? Batman. Nuff said.
MIDNIGHTER #13 - This was a bit of a mess, story and art wise. The start of this storyline showed more promise, but at this point its stretching out a little long.
TRANSFORMERS SPOTLIGHT: RAMJET - They tried to make Ramjet interesting, but he came across as an idiot. This wasn't necessary at all.
SILVER SURFER: IN THY NAME #1 - I was really excited for this title. Tan Eng Huat's art, one of the main reasons I bought the book was just too much to handle and ruined the story for me. I don't even know if he was the primary culprit, as it is the colors that made it hard to decipher. I think I'm done with the mini, and that's too bad.

bad
TRANQUILITY: ARMAGEDDON #1 - So ARMAGEDDON doesn't get better. It gets worse. Besides the switch to an inferior artist in the middle, this just didn't work for me at all. Poor Wildstorm.

monday night art: david peterson

YES, I'm still ridiculously behind on my comics. Work has been a pain with long hours, leaving my free time with me in a vegetative state in front of the TV. But I'm digging deep, getting some good comics read and having fun when I do. Soon I'll do some yapping, I'm sure.

THIS WEEK!

DAVID PETERSON DOES CTHULHU MOUSE !!


I forgot where I first saw this picture (Newsarama?), but what I do know is, that it was linked to from David Peterson's blog.

Yeah, pretty fucking cool. David Peterson's art is glorious. His book Mouse Guard is even better. Buy it.