Thursday Morning Superhero

There is no better way to recover from Gen Con then sitting down with some good comics.  I found this week to be a little slow, but enjoyed the books I picked up.  On a side note, I learned from meeting Cullen Bunn at Gen Con this weekend that there is a planned end to the Sixth Gun.  It made me happy and sad at the same time.  I often feel comics go on too long and that titles with planned endings are much more enjoyable, but I am not ready to say goodbye to Drake or Becky just yet.

Pick of the Week:

Sixth Gun #33 - Becky's Ghost Dance continues as she joins General Hume in a world he created.  Drake is dead in this world, Hume remains in possession of his gun, and his mother explains how this is the reality that Hume would have created had he opened the seal. Meanwhile, Gord, Kirby, and Asher attempt to rescue Becky from the real world by stopping the widow Hume and her group of skinwalkers.  In an issue that features stunning magic and a issue ending twist that I want to spoil so bad.

The Rest:
Daredevil #30 - Silver Surfer pays Daredevil a visit in a fun issue that felt like a standalone until a last panel that spoke volumes.  Kirsten McDuffie is helping out in Foggy's absence and a Ru'ach seeks Murdock's help when Silver Surfer spoils the party.  We learn that the Ru'ach are unable of telling lies and use their power of persuasion to influence others.  The simple truth that it speaks to Murdock is worth the purchase alone.  Mark Waid's run on Daredevil is simply fantastic.

Fables #132 - I am on the fence with each new issue of Fables, but am happy I picked up this issue.  Rose is assembling her own Knights of the Roundtable in preparation of an upcoming battle and Prince Brandish, whose story I missed and I assume is not the nicest of individuals, has risen from the dead due to an operation in which he keeps his heart safe somewhere else.   An intriguing character is found in the cloud kingdom and recruited to join Red and she takes a break to visit Prince Brandish. Bill Willingham has my attention again.

X-Men #4 - In a nice standalone issue, Wolverine accompanies Jubilee and her newly adopted son, Shogu, in as she revisits her youth and prepares to take on her new role of a mother.  The X-Men are facing some internal tension as the majority don't agree with Storm's decision to consider killing Karima in order to end the threat that was Sublime.  While Karima was spared, it causes the other members to question her as she tries to assume the role of leader of the X-Men.  Good drama and tension in this enjoyable series.

What I Should have Read:
Thief of Thieves #16 - Andy Diggle is at the helm of this title and somehow that slipped by me.  I have enjoyed what I read of Thief of Thieves and enjoy almost everything from Diggle.  In a book that got great reviews and sets the stage for the Venice heist.

Thursday Morning Superhero

The buzz of Comic Con is finally winding down and now I can focus on the books.  My top comic related story from this week is the successful debut of Axe Cop on Fox this past weekend.  I was behind the curve in discovering Axe Cop, but as the father of a soon to be 6-year old it has a special place in my heart.  It never fails to entertain and I am so happy for the success of a series I have pushed on many unsuspecting friends.  The Harvey awards also just wrapped voting and I sure hope some of my favorites win.  I have high hopes for Cow Boy from Nate Cosby and Chris Eliopoulos and Locke and Key from Joe Hill.  Good luck!

Pick of the Week:
The Wake #3 - Scott Snyder really turned the tide in this series this week.  In what felt like a lot of build up in the first two issues, he really delivered a psychological thriller on issue #3 that doesn't let up from the first panel to the last.  We learn that this alien mermaid has neurotoxin and is able to target specific memories on its victims.  Sean Murphy's art really delivers on the sheer horror that this alien is and the terror that it inflicts on its victims.  The Wake really picked up this week and upped the ante in terms of what it will deliver throughout the rest of the series.  Time to get on board for this one.


The Rest:

Collider #1 - This new title from the creative team of Simon Oliver and Robbi Rodriguez has a very Fringe feel to it and has me intrigued.  Adam is an agent for the Federal Bureau of Physics and handles situations in which the laws of physics are in violation.  In the first issue he is sent to a school where the gravity surrounding the school broke down and students were floating away.  Some conspiracy is mixed with multiple dimensions in this series that provides an interesting enough backdrop for me to continue this series.

X-Men #3 - Brian Wood's first arc of the X-men wraps up nicely as the X-men seem to save Karima and eliminate Arkea.  The key hangs in the phrase "seem to".  This conclusion to the first arc leaves the door open to a return of Arkea, but what I enjoyed most about this issue is that the new team really came together, both in Budapest and back at the Jean Grey School.  You get the sense that these teams of mutants are learning how to work with one another and be the truly great teams they are capable of becoming.

Daredevil #29 - If they ever decide to bring back a Daredevil movie I sure hope they utilize one of Mark Waid's story lines.  The Serpent Society was bold enough to make a hit during a trial with the judge as the shooter.  Chaos ensues as the Serpents have over a dozen people inside the courthouse carrying out its plans.  Daredevil does his best to protect his client and now has a new problem on his hands.  The Serpent Society is taking over his city and Daredevil is none too happy about it.  Couple this development with the appearance of a certain surfer of the silver variety to appear in issue #30 and I wonder why you aren't reading this series.



What I Missed:
Batman Inc. #13 - Grant Morrison's run on this title has come to its conclusion.  An interesting idea, Batman franchises across the globe, this series always felt a little off to me.  While it may not have had the conclusion that fans were looking for, it sounds like it was still a fitting in to a series that will most likely not exist without the pen of Morrison behind it.

Amelia Cole and the Hidden War #9 part 3 - The third in the Hidden War arc, this issue sees Amelia caught in the thick of things as she attempts to learn more about the Magistrate.  A title that I checked out back when MonkeyBrain debuted, it may be time to revisit this series as it appears to have moved from a light hearted fun book to one with real depth and suspense.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Big news this week from the land of indie comics.  Boom! Studios acquired Archaia to become a indie superpower.  I am excited about the prospects of this development as I truly enjoy both publishers.  Read more about it here.  In San Diego Comic Con news X-Files announced a 25th anniversary panel, the Walking Dead has big plans up its sleeve for its tenth year, and more details are released each day!  About three weeks away from my annual trip to the mecca that is SDCC, and despite the complaints that it is no longer about the comics, I want to stay current with the funny books.

Pick of the Week:

Mind MGMT #12 - Matt Kindt concluded the second arc of his magnum opus is stunning fashion. I have high expectations for this book each month and it always exceeds those expectations.  Meru is finally able to unlock her past that has eluded her throughout this series and the reveal is worth the wait of 12 issues.  This issue is setting a clear path for the next chapter, although you can rest assured that Kindt will have plenty of sleeper agents, twists, and turns for us to experience.  I have been going over a comic summer reading list in my mind and rereading this series has just skyrocketed to the top of that list.

The Rest:

Batman/Superman #1 - Greg Pak delivers an interesting first issue into DC's bloated Superman and Batman lineup.  Akin to the old Joseph Loeb Batman/Superman comics, each character retains his classic voice and the tension and lack of trust of one another is palpable.  Jae Lee's art sets it apart with a darker tone and there is some supernatural thrown in for good measure.  I am on the fence with this one.

The Bounce #2 - Issue 2 was good enough to keep me on board for the first arc.  Joe Casey's characters are interesting and flawed and he does a good job blending humor and tension.  We learn that Jasper's (The Bounce's) big brother is assistant D.A. which can only up the level of drama in what seems to be an increasingly deep book.

X-Men #2 - Brian Wood delivers the action with issue 2 of his all female X-Men.  Arkea, a bacterial villain who has the power to control technology, has is in an all out battle with the X-Men, whom her twin brother Sublime was seeking help.  My favorite moment in a book chalk full of explosions was Jubilee laying with a baby and a stuffed Totoro.  I am becoming more and more of a Brian Wood fan the more of his books I read.

The Wake #2 - After issue one of this title from Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy I was not immediately hooked.  I gave issue 2 a try because I believe in this creative team and I was not disappointed.  We learn a little more about this team of scientists and why they were brought together to study this mermaid type beast.  With ties dating back to the dawn of man, it seems the mermaid is a primate that evolved during the last period of climate change.  Whatever this creature is, it has the ability to warp one's mind and has a message to deliver.  A terrifyingly haunting good issue.

Hawkeye #11 - Hawkeye continues to be one of, if not the, most original superhero book out there.  This week we are treated to life in the eyes of pizza dog.  The entire book is through his perspective and it is filled with heart, humor, and some good old fashion bro taking down.  Whether you have been reading this book or not you owe it to yourself to pick up this issue.  Pure gold.

Thursday Morning Superhero

In this installment of Thursday Morning Superhero I will be writing on the road in my old stomping grounds of Austin, TX.  Like most of my fellow comic bloggers, I am attending an academic conference on the study of sport this week.  Maybe it's just me.  Well on to the comics!

Pick of the Week:
X-Men #1 - Brian Wood has established himself as a force to be reckoned with.  From the success of the Massive (which is great) to his ability to appease finicky fans (ie, Star Wars fans), this is a creator that you can trust.  I had my doubts that this book, featuring an all female cast, would read like a gimmick.  I am pleased to report that this title breathes new life into a franchise that, in my opinion, has been spread a little thin in recent memory.  Jubilee returns to earth with a mysterious infant.  When the two are brought into custody, there are major concerns as there is no record of the infant. There is concern that this is some sort of trap that the X-Men have willingly allowed into their custody.  Fast paced, well written, and great potential.  Very nice debut issue.

The Rest:
The Wake #1 - When I saw that Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy were working on a title together I could hardly contain myself.  A creative duo like this working on a new project is reason to be excited.  While I wasn't completely hooked with issue one, the intrigue built in the world they have created will keep me on board.  Whatever creature is being secured underwater in this post apocalyptic future gives me the heebie geebies!

Chew #34 - This feels like classic Chew.  We are introduced to a series of characters with special food related skills, Savoy asserts himself again akin to the early arcs, and Tony Chu makes a bold move hell bent on revenge.  For a series that I was still enjoying, but without the same passion as the early issues, this one served as a springboard to bring me back in.

Morning Glories #27 - Nick Spencer and crew really know how to provide the most bang-for-buck in comics.  The bridge between season one and season two was only $1, and the first issue in season 2 is a double-sized issue that explains a lot, and creates more questions.  The tone is set that we will finally understand some of the secrets of Morning Glories Academy, but I find myself confused with the overlapping timelines, etc.  

Con Impressions: C2E2

On Saturday I had the privilege of attending day 2 of the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) and must admit that I had a great time.  In recent years I have started hitting the convention scene up a decent amount, from the nerd mecha that is San Diego Comic Con to the photo-op, autograph heavy Wizard World Conventions that travel from city to city.  PAX and Toy Fair are on my bucket list, but thanks to a long day of driving I was able to cross C2E2 off the list, which despite being in its 3rd year, has already developed a reputation as a great con.  Click here for some great pics courtesy of the Chicago Tribune.

My journey began with a 4:30am wake-up call in southern Indiana, a large cup of coffee, and a five hour drive to McCormick Place.  Check in was quick and the friendly staff had me all set up to join the que to hit the show floor!

Similar to other cons, C2E2 featured an assortment of comic publishers (Marvel, Archaia, Top Shelf, Dark Horse), merchandise (We Love Fine Tees, Threadless, The Yetee), local comic book store booths, and artisan wares.  One thing that really impressed me was C2E2's inclusion of "The Block".  The Block was a central hub where you could purchase hand made action figures, screen-printed t-shirts, art prints, and other homemade items.  It really allowed artists who are not nationally known to showcase their goods and there were a lot of great items.

C2E2 also offered up a "Power Up" scavenger hunt which had con
goers, including myself, deciphering clues to the location of 16 QR codes placed around the convention.  Upon scanning all 16 you were rewarded with the secret phrase which you whispered to the nice folks at the information for a swag bag.

I love that Jeffrey Brown included a sketch!

Visiting the various booth resulted in a decent showing of swag (not to the level of SDCC) and the ability to interact with creators in a more intimate setting than SDCC.  At Marvel I was able to see Rick Remender and Brian Posehn, and utilized Twitter to interact with Sean Williams and pick up my Artful Daggers art card!  With no line I was able to get an autographed The Massive poster from Brian Wood and got Vadar's Little Princess and Darth Vadar and Son autographed by Jeffrey Brown at the Top Shelf booth.

My biggest disappointment for the day was missing Patton Oswalt, but had an absolute blast.  I also wish I was able to spend some time at Artist Alley as there were numerous creators I would have love to meet, but it was quite busy and my wallet was quite empty.

The top panel I attended was the Age of Ultron.  I have really enjoyed this series and it was fun to get insight from the creative team at Marvel at how the various parties involved worked through certain issues.  I was able to get into all of the panels I attempted without any extensive waiting, and the fans asked intelligent questions and the creators seemed very happy to be there.

Some swag that made my kids quite happy

My overall impression of C2E2 is that if you are a fan of comics then you will have a good time.  I never felt overwhelmed with the crowds ala SDCC and the creators seemed to be more accessible and looked like they were actually having a good time signing autographs, posing for pictures, and interacting with fans.  As much as I love SDCC, it seems that some individuals (often myself) are just exhausted from the busy schedule.  C2E2 managed to feel relaxed and like you were part of something big at the same time.  I will definitely make a trip to the Windy City in 2014, hopefully stay for the full weekend, and bring a stack of books to get signed as I wish I did this year.  Thanks C2E2 and see you next year!

I survived my encounter with a wampa!