'Tis that day of the week once more, boys and girls. Tuesday brings with it that ever exciting list of just how much in debt you'll be come Wednesday. While there are nowhere near as many titles hitting (slamming?) the shelves this week, there's still plenty of words and pictures for you to enjoy.
Let's take a quick look at some spotlight books, shall we?
G.I. Joe: America's Elite #36
As we in America celebrate our Independence Day, let's do it in style as we say good-bye to the Joe team under the Devil's Due banner. This is the final issue for the publisher and the end to World War III. It's been an excellent storyline so far and since the new publisher is starting fresh, anything can happen in this issue.
Joker's Asylum: The Joker
The Joker's Asylum series of one-shots serve a duel master in funneling into "Batman R.I.P." and drawing attention to the Dark Knight opening in theaters this month. They have an interesting premise of being written in the Joker's voice with the Clown Prince of Crime acting as narrator.
Astonishing X-men #25
After Whedon and Cassaday ended their run with Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1, Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi take over for a while with a new flagship run for our merry mutants. There haven't been too many details leaked yet about the run, but it promises to be a rollicking good time.
Squadron Supreme 2 #1
After JMS reinvented the Squadron as a MAX title and then as an alternate universe main line title, Howard CHakin and Marco Turini take a new look at the team after their throwdown with Redstone and the Ultimate Universe crossover. With Ultimate Nick Fury stuck in the Squadron's world, who knows what will happen?
Astounding Wolf-Man #7
Robert Kirkman. Need I say more? Just read the damn book already.
Patsy Walker: Hellcat #1 (of 5)
It's a book about a former teen queen turned superhero who's been appointed to the Alaskan team as part of the Initiative. This sounds like more than a joke than anything, but since it's written by Kathryn Immonen (with covers from her husband Stuart (Ultimate Spider-Man) Immonen) this is in the must-read pile for me.
What all is on your list? Will those of you in the U.S. be picking up any graphic novels or trades to catch up on over the holiday weekend? Are our international readers sick of my mentioning the 4th of July as a holiday yet?
I enjoy Wednesdays. Chase loves them. Chase is going to want to bend over and smile for Marvel this week as my credit card will likely melt.
In what can either be a calculated effort to literally push DC's books off of the shelves or one hell of a scheduling blunder, Marvel has a gluttonous thirty-three titles being released tomorrow. That's not counting reprints, trades, hardcovers or variants, either.
Final Crisis #2 While the first issue sparked a controversy on several levels, will the second issue bring the story more into focus and feature more of that nearly naked man? Only one way to find out!
Trinity #4 DC's weekly series featuring the Big Three continues on. For a review of the first three issues, check back with us later this afternoon.
Pilot Season: Alibi#1 The WIldstorm Pilto Season is a great way to try a whole bunch of new ideas and books and see what sticks. Have you gotten any? Which ones should stay and which ones deserve to end at #1?
Captain America #39 Aside from the fact that the awesome switch never dips below eleven, this issue sees two Captain Americas throw down. I'm thinking Bucky wins.
1985 #2 Mark Millar's look at the real world being invaded by Marvel supervillains continues. The first issue was better than I was expecting, but can the momentum be maintained?
Thunderbolts #121 Warren Ellis ends his run on this revamped book as the culmination of both Swordsman's and the Goblin's storylines are imminent.
Young Avengers Presents #6 In this limited series' last issue Hawkeye meets up with ... Hawkeye? This is bound to end well.
Secret Invasion Marvel's super spy crossover hits hard this week with both Avengers books (Mighty and New) coming out, not to mention the Initiative spin-off and satellite books like Black Panther and Ms. Marvel. Add in the Runaways/Young Avengers limited series debuting and you've got a lot of Skrull action.
These are just a few of the books that are being buzzed about here in the Gay Gamer Castle comic shop. Which ones have you waiting with bated breath? Which ones don't deserve to be wasting shelf space?
Your eyes do not deceive you. I've wrested control of this here column from the mighty hands of that Jono guy. He was just dragging us down. Don't worry, you don't have to say anything. I can see it in your eyes that you agree with me. Now all we have to do is take out that Oracle-something-or-other, that army brat and a good culling of the new people and we can be together. Forever.
Hmm? Comics? What the hell are they - oh, right! Comics. Here are some spotlight efforts you should check out.
Dark Horse
Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite TPB Okay, yes, it's written by that jerkoff from My Chemical Romance, but seriously, it's actually a good book!
DC
Catwoman #80 We're two issues away from the end, folks. Time to start tying up those loose ends. Batman and the Outsiders #8 As Dan Didio slowly implodes the DCU, let's take a look at the destruction! Trinity #3 Kurt Busiek's weekly series soldiers on to surprisingly good reviews for yet another Bat/Superman/Wonder Woman project. Y: The Last Man TPB Vol. 10 - Whys and Wherefores A seminal work of the 2000s comes to an end in this collection, be it a stud or a dud depends on you.
Marvel
Wolverine #66 Mark Millar returns to the book (with Steve McNiven) to jump ahead to the future and somehow tie in 1985 and Kick-Ass. Punisher #58 Like Catwoman, we're two issues away from the end. Okay, the book isn't ending, but Garth Ennis's run is and damn if it isn't the end of an era here. Incredible Hercules #118 & X-Factor #32 How many times need you be told - BUY THESE BOOKS! American Dream #4 (of 5) Okay, this one's here just to piss off Jono.
This week lacks in any major event comic books, which is nice as we get to explore our wild indie sides. But wow, check out Marvel's slew of infinite reprints.
On the DC side of things:
Booster Gold #10
Green Lantern Corp #25
Huntress Year One #3
Titans #3
Trinity #2
Wonder Woman #21
Over at Marvel:
Eternals #1
Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust? #1
Sky Doll #2
Skaar: Son of Hulk #1
Everyone Else:
Locke and Key #5
Contract #0
Lady Pendragon #1
Red Mass For Mars #1
Invincible #50
Chuck #1
One Pound Gospel Vol. 1
Negima Vol. 18
Wow. This week came and went so fast...I'll stop right there before this becomes an x-rated blog. This week, Secret Invasion #3 (EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!) Yes that was me squealing like a little girl. Yes I am that excited! We also see issue #1 of the much hyped, much anticipated Trinity! Also, triple score, we get issue #15 of Buffy!
Here are this week's picks!
Marvel
AVENGERS/INVADERS # 2
I'm not sure if anyone on our staff is picking this up...I personally don't really care for it, so I will NOT be picking this up. But it's supposed to be good...anyone read the first issue?
Cable #4
Goblin will probably be picking this one up!
Invincible Iron Man #2
After a very promising debut issue, I hope that this book continues to deliver.
Kick-Ass #3
And the Millarverse shall continue to unfold...will we see some 1985 in here? Maybe...
Nova #14
Another Goblin pick!
Secret Invasion #3
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
Ultimate Origins #1
Hey it's the Ultimate Universe's version of Final Crisis! Hopefully not as hard to follow though...
See our DC picks, what we're not reading, and the full release list after the jump!
This week we finally get the conclusion to Joss Whedon's excellent (though at-times patchy) run on Astonishing X-Men as Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1 hits the shelves. Today also sees the release of a title that I've been personally looking forward to: Mark Millar's 1985 #1. And finally, over at DC, we see the debut issue of their their biggest (and hopefully last) Crisis with Final Crisis #1.
Here is a rundown of what we'll be checking out:
Marvel
Angel Revelations #1
Giant Sized Astonishing X-Men #1
Immortal Iron Fist #15
King Size Hulk #1
Marvel 1985 #1
MS. Marvel #27
New Avengers #41
New Warriors #12
Thor #9
Uncanny X-Men #498
X-Force #4
X-Force Legacy of Vengeance One-Shot (Collects X-Force #1-3)
X-Men Legacy #212
Young Avengers Presents #5
DC
All Star Superman #11
Batman #677
Batman Gotham After Midnight #1
Final Crisis #1
Green Lantern #31
Huntress Year One #2
JSA Classified #38
Legion of Super- Heroes #42
This week, we introduce a new feature: What we aren't reading this week! Check out what makes this list at the end of our picks of the week.
As for our normal pick ups:
Marvel
Avengers: The Initiative #13
Wait what? I thought the last issue was the conclusion to the series....I'll have to check this out and report back!
Captain America #38
Not on my personal pull list, but I'm sure Goblin and Sgt. Sausagepants will give you folks the full report.
Fantastic Four #557
I'm not a big fan of Millar's arc, but we'll see where he goes in the conclusion to World's Greatest.
Incredible Hercules #117
I've only recently become a fan and Hercules is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite Marvel characters...plus this is a Secret Invasion tie-in!
Mighty Avengers #14
I've always been a fan of the underdogs, and Nick Fury has just put together the most unlikely bunch of them to take down the evil Skrulls. Exciting stuff!
DC
Robin #174
Godammit, who the hell is the new Spoiler?
Catwoman #79
I have no idea what's going on in this book...Oraclechele, appease the fans!
Birds of Prey #118
Ditto.
Everyone Else!
Angel: After the Fall #1 (Director's Cut) (IDW)
In case you missed the series the first time!
Perhapanauts #2 (Image Comics)
Loved the debut issue. Hope the second issue continues to deliver the goods!
Walking Dead Special Edition #1 (Image Comics)
Sweet Christmas! Why did no one tell me about this? In celebration of the 50th issue, issue #1 gets reprinted with a ton of bonus material...go grab a copy!
World of Warcraft #7 (Wildstorm)
The first trade is due out soon, so keep an eye out to catch up with issues #1-6.
Now for the good stuff!
What we aren't reading!
Amazing Spider Man #560
IGN, for some reason, has been giving this book surprisingly high reviews. Now I don't know what they've been smoking because I checked it out a while back and it wasn't anywhere near good. Gone was the epic feeling that the original book had. Gone was any semblance of maturity or even suspense. Instead we get flavorless and unsatisfying installments inspired from the Archie comics...at best. That's why we won't be reading Spider Man this week.
American Dream #2
Isn't this some A-Universe thing? I don't know. Quite honestly, we don't need another Cap running around, male or female.
Ultimate...Anything
Sorry folks, but until Ultimate Origins and Ultimatum revamp everything all over again, I'm staying away from these convoluted stories.
DC Special: Cyborg #1
Is this really necessary?
The Flash #240
There's a giant gorilla on the cover...
And that's it for this week's edition of New Comic Tuesday!
Another week, another fine selection of comics coming to you tomorrow. Who's here to help pick the cream of the crop? Why us, of course!
Here are our picks of the week!
Marvel
Avengers/Invaders #1
Classic Cap is transported into the future and confronts Iron Man! This is the beginning of a 12 issue maxi-series by the same creative team as Earth X (Alex Ross, Jim Krueger).
Invincible Iron Man #1
The debut of the second ongoing series of Marvel's current hottest superhero written by The Order's Matt Fraction. Hopefully you'll be able to pick your favorite cover out of the 6 being offered.
Iron Man: Viva Las Vegas #1
Flying under the radar is Iron Man movie director Jon Favreau's comic book debut. I can't vouch for quality, so check it out at your own risk.
Logan #3
The last issue of Brian K. Vaughan's Wolverine miniseries.
Mighty Avengers #13
SECRET INVASION ALERT! This issue features Nick Fury and the new Howling Commandos as they try to stop the aforementioned invasion.
Secret Invasion #2
Grab some popcorn because I'm sure this issue will be shocking and entertaining.
DC
DC Universe Special: Justice League of America
An 80 page comic that reprints classic JLA stories that will be relevant to Final Crisis.
Vertigo
House of Mystery #1
A classic comic re-imagined. Five characters are trapped in a supernatural bar and are trying to figure out how they got there.
Dark Horse
Buffy #14
The Wolves at the Gate storyline continues with the Scooby gang hitting up Tokyo!
IDW
Angel: After the Fall #7
It's a Whedon fest as Buffy and Angel come out this week.
Don't forget that this Saturday is Free Comic Book Day, so be sure to take your friends and expose them to some comic book goodness!
This week, Marvel serves up 2 Secret Invasion Tie-Ins (Avengers: The Initiative, New Avengers) while DC brings us the bargain-bin (literally, it's only $0.50 folks!) DC Universe: Zero.
We'll be checking out:
Marvel
Avengers: The Initiative #12
Immortal Iron Fist #14
New Avengers #40
New Warriors #11
X-Men Legacy #210
Messiah Complex HC Collection
DC
DC Universe: Zero
Green Lantern #30
Legion of Super-Heroes #41
Teen Titans #58
This week marks the end of the soul-sucking void known as Countdown to Final Crisis with issue #1 hitting the stands tomorrow. Sure I'll buy it to see how the events will lead to Final Crisis, but I'll be sure to take a long hot shower after to wash out the mucky feeling.
Is anyone else picking it up, even though it's a constant supply of unfulfilled dreams and promises and will most likely end up in next year's month's quarter bin?
Speaking of DC, here are this week's picks!
Batman #675
Yes, yes. Ra's al Ghul has been resurrected...now hurry up and get to issue #676 so we can get to the Batman R.I.P. storyline!
Countdown to Final Crisis #1
Arriving 50 issues too late...
Death of the New Gods #8
You know, it's really simple to know that the events from Countdown #2 directly continue in this issue...not.
Justice League of America #20
Wonder Woman slaps the Flash on the wrist for not answering his JLA signal. Meanwhile, the Queen Bee stops by to--oh forget this. Wasn't JLA supposed to be epic in scope after the events of Infinite Crisis?
Over at the Marvel camp, the Secret Invasion tie-ins continue to drain our wallets with Mighty Avengers and Ms. Marvel.
Our picks for Marvel:
Hulk #3
Red Hulk, meet the Abomination. No, we swear this has nothing to do with your upcoming film...
Mighty Avengers #12
Nick Fury. 'Nuff said. Ok fine, I can't say no to that puppy face. Here you go.
Ms. Marvel #26
I'm not sure what it is about this title that makes me reluctant to pick it up...oh yeah, it's the fact that it includes things such as "Lightning Strike Force". *shudder* Also, Skrull stuff happens.
New Exiles #5
Oh Chris, if only we could vocalize your thoughts! Then you'd realize how dumb it was in application. *I must refrain from writing more for I am Jonostarsmore of PK and-- hmm this new Mariah Cary album is pretty good. I wonder if Eli Stone's going to be back for season 2--oh yeah! Lost is back on Thursday-did I remember to do laundry?*
Thor #8
Really pretty art. Really bad setting...
Uncanny X-Men # 497
The X-Men are in San Francisco. And...um...oh hey look they're dressed as hippies!
X-Force #3
The Michael Bay version of X-Men blow @#%$ up. Also, claws.
Young Avengers Presents #4: Vision
This title's existence makes me hate Grey's Anatomy for robbing me of my Allan Heinberg. Here's how we can fix this Allan: kill of Meredith and have Derek remarry Addison. The End. Then you can get back to work on season two of Young Avengers!
That's all for this week. Check out the full release list after the jump!
Boy Meets Hero by Chayne Avery and Russell Garcia
