Thursday Morning Superhero

I know that this is my comics post, but I wanted to remind everyone that this Saturday is International Tabletop Day.  International Tabletop Day is a glorious event that brings nerds of all types together.  I am going to be demoing some games at my LCS and can't wait to partake in a day of gaming.  Whether you play traditional games, card games, miniature games, role playing games, it doesn't matter.  Get out and game.  You can see what events are in your area by clicking here and check out some of the amazing promos that some stores will have by clicking here.  I hope to score the geek faction for Smash Up.   Cheers!

Pick of the Week:
Starlight #2 - Mark Millar has produced some wildly entertaining titles (Nemesis, Superior, Wanted, Kick-Ass, etc.) and Starlight is nothing short of fantastic.  Duke McQueen is a retired Airforce pilot who went mysteriously missing forty years ago.  Upon his return, he claimed to have traveled to another world.  McQueen was the savior to this world, killing the evil dictator and freeing a population of oppressed people.  Not too shockingly, nobody believed him and he had a stigma hanging over him his entire life.  Fortunately he had a strong partner in his wife, but tragically she recently passed.  Alone, with nothing else to lose, McQueen is faced with the a big decision.  Krish Moor, an alien from Tantalus, who has flown to earth to call on the mighty McQueen.  In addition to a gripping tale, Millar paces this series incredibly well as McQueen's actions seem intentional and methodical.  The panels with no dialog paint a picture of an incredibly thoughtful man who questions his own past.  Millar recently welcomed a new baby to his family (congrats!) so I hope we don't have to wait too long to continue on McQueen's journey.  I am really impressed with this title.

The Rest:
Bad Blood #4 - After reading this issue I don't want it to end with issue #5!  An action packed book, complete with training montage and stunning twist.  Trick and Lolly have not proved to be the most lethal combo when it comes to hunting down vampires.  Enter Jonas.  He has been hunting vampires for quite some time and schools the duo in the world of vampires.  Joe Espisito's "You're the Best Around" was stuck in my head as I witnessed Trick grow from sickly cancer patient to a force to be reckoned with.  His growth in this book was a welcomed sight and Jonathan Maberry sprinkled in some good tongue-in-cheek jokes about vampires that maintained the light feel to this otherwise dark tale.  Good stuff.

Secret #7 - I felt that I was finished reading this issue before I even started it.  That is meant as a compliment as the conversation that takes place on the Russian's yacht is both compelling and intriguing.  I felt as if I were watching the penultimate moment in a spy thriller only to have the movie reel bust (like what happened to me when I saw Willow in the theater).  The regularity with which issues are coming out now has finally brought me back into this thriller.

Inhuman #1 - Another Marvel event is upon us and the first issue was quite enjoyable.  Black Bolt has unleashed the Terrigen cloud to save the city, but it is dispersing across the globe triggering inhumans, unbeknownst to them, to reach their true potential.  While Medusa is on board with this, there are other factions that believe only a select few inhumans should undergo the Terrigen process.  Marvel, you have my attention with this one.

POSTED BY MIKE N. -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Looks like the first week of February is going to be a memorable one.  The polar vortex continues and I am ever thankful that ComiXology can pull through when it isn't safe to drive to the LCS.  My preregistration code has been secured and I will join the mass hysteria this Saturday to see if my random spot in line will be good enough to secure my pass for the four day nerd nirvana that is San Diego Comic Con.  In the mean time I will turn to some comics to calm me down before the storm.

Pick of the Week:
Ms. Marvel #1 - Kudos to Marvel for launching a powerful, female, Muslim, superhero.  Ms. Marvel, aka Kamala Khan, is a teenager who is trying to fit in.  Hailing from New Jersey and the daughter of immigrant parents, Kamala seeks approval from her peers.  She writes Avengers fanfic and secretly wants to join the super team and fight for the cause of justice.  She is granted that wish and it appears as if she may have bit off more than she can chew.  This book was refreshing, respectful, and seemed very honest to me.  I think there are probably many individuals who will identify with Kamala right from the get go.  For whatever reason people are treated differently, religion, gender, sexuality, etc., Kamala seems to be someone they can all look to.  I feel this book has a lot of pressure on it and I hope it can live up to its potential.

The Rest:
Secret #5 - This is a very difficult book to review.  It is very well written, features great art, and is has been very enjoyable to read.  The issue, like Infinite Vacation, is that there is such a huge delay between books.  Issue 1 came out almost two years ago and the web that Hickman has weaved is one that is easier navigated if the content is fresh.  With each title I feel I need to go back and reread the series.  It is an enjoyable reread, but I wish these were coming out with more regularity.  Issue #5 is a great success and Grant is seeking revenge on the Kodiak group.  We are teased with how the plan will unfold and I hope it is not a long wait before we see how things turn out.  If you haven't picked this book up yet I highly encourage checking out the entire five issue run to this point.

Bad Blood #2 - I must say that issue #2 was both unexpected and enjoyable.  I was surprised by the lack of action, but Trick's journey through the "vampire" underworld felt realistic and helped ground this title.  The fact that, even with the help of Lolly, a stripper and purveyor of "vampire" themed bars and bondage clubs, Trick can't seem to find any hint of actual vampires.  This slow pace served this book well and really made it easier to suspend my disbelief over the existence of vampires and fully engage with the characters on a personal level.  Very interesting series that is worth your time.

Archer and Armstrong: Archer #0 - If you are looking for a fun new title to pick up then the good folk at Valiant have given you a chance to hop on the critically acclaimed Archer and Armstrong series.  I have read a few Archer and Armstrong comics and have enjoyed them, but this book really impressed me.  It demonstrated just what Obadiah Armstrong might be capable of and was much darker then I had envisioned.  It also begins the connection that Archer and Armstrong have and definitely lays the foundation for a good origin story.  Throw in some fantastic art and I am an immediate fan.  Definitely worth your time and money this week.

Apocalypse Al #1 - Allison Carter, Al, is a private investigator that specializes in stopping demons that want to devour the world.  This responsibility has remained in her family for generations, but Al is the first female to carry the torch.  Issue 1 does a solid job introducing the colorful cast of characters and establishing a premise that warrants some attention.  Humorous tone that has good potential.  Another bonus is included for having Al jump in a toilet to escape from a dream in which she is trapped as a legal temp.

POSTED BY: Mike N.-- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Happy New Year fellow nerds.  2013 was an amazing year of comics that brought us the conclusion of Locke and Key, Matt Fraction's Hawkeye, Saga, and the sci-fi epic Trillium.  2014 has some big shoes to fill and it will hopefully get off to a good start.  This week's issues technically dropped on December 31, so we will see what 2014 next week.  Here is to the last week of 2013 comics!

Pick of the Week:

Bad Blood #1 - Jonathan Maberry and Tyler Cook bring us a stunning debut in Bad Blood from Dark Horse.  What I liked about this comic is that it gave a new twist to the vampire genre.  It didn't feel like a cash grab on a hot genre.  Bad Blood is the tale of Trick, a senior in High School and former football star who has been sidelined with cancer.  He is very pale and sickly and wants nothing more than to have a normal senior year.  Due to his sickness, he unknowingly poisons a vampire that bites him and unleashes a series of attacks on his friends.  Given that this comic is set in Anytown, USA, the cops react like most would if a witness described a vampire.  Trick is understandably frustrated as he has nobody to confide his unbelievable story in.  I foresee issues associated with both his sickness and his vampire bite in future issues.  Great art from Crook paired with the witty writing of Maberry make this a must read title.

The Rest:

The Superior Foes of Spider-Man #7 - I caved to peer pressure this week and returned to Nick Spencer's humorous look at some of Spidey's villains.  Superior Foes has had positive buzz since it launched and I read a couple of issues that I enjoyed, but was not hooked.  I am pleased to report that this issue was fantastic and I look forward to picking up the back issues.  This reads great as a stand alone issue and is essentially the origin of the Beetle, a female foe who has fought Captain America and Black Widow.  Janice, the Beetle, started her life of crime at a young age, stealing birthday presents from a friend.  This book is peppered with genuinely funny moments as we learn about Janice's growth into the Beetle.  Great issue from Spencer and company this month.

Fables #136 - I decided to return to an old favorite this week as Bill Willingham has announced that Fables will be concluding in the near future.  While I wasn't current with the Camelot arc, it was surprisingly easy to pick up what was happening and it was enjoyable to see how much Rose has grown.  The art continues to shine and I don't think any comic delivers as frequently with beautiful covers.  While I am going to miss this series, I feel it is time to move on and this issue captivated this mundy's interest for one more trip with this rag tag crew.