Thursday Morning Superhero

The other day the wife and I decided to check out Stumptown.  The show appeared to have some solid buzz, had a decent splash at SDCC, and was based on a book by Greg Rucka that is also supposed to be quite good. We haven't watched the second episode yet, but enjoyed the first one to the point that I would recommend giving it a shot. I was impressed with the cast of characters and after watching the first episode I might have to pick up the Oni Press book as well.

Pick of the Week:
Dark Ark: After the Flood #1 - This book is built on the premise that there were actually two ark that were built in preparation of the great flood. There is the Noah's ark that most people are familiar with that held two of every animal, but there was another one that carried a much more sinister cargo. This ark belonged to the powerful sorcerer Shrae and has an origin associated with the destruction of a city and its residents. Cullen Bunn is one of my favorite creators and does an amazing job drawing the reader in as we learn about the origin of Shrae's daughter, Kahlee, and a bit about the world following the flood.  It is quite a bit different from the story I was told as a child and I am very excited to learn more about Kahlee and the how and why she survived.

The Rest:
No One Left to Fight #4 - After briefly squaring off with the Hierophant, Vale and company make their way to Arboreal Sanctum. Despite seeking refuge, Kaya is not too keen on opening the door to Vale and the drama that tends to follow him. The Arboreal Sanctum was created as an escape from the rest of the world and trouble seems to follow Vale as he attempts to understand what is happening with him. This is a bizarre, but wonderful series that features some of the best colors in the business via Fico Ossio and Raciel Avila. I have enjoyed the story and the art, but it really is the colors that have completely drawn me to this book.  That and the fact that there is a promise of an issue-length brawl in the next issue as it turns out there actually is one person left to fight.

Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader's Castle #1 - While I didn't enjoy this spooky tale as much as the others in this series, it felt like a Tales from the Crypt episode featuring Darth Maul as the beast that haunts a labyrinth. On paper that sounds amazing and might have worked better as a multi-issue story, but the one shot made it feel a bit shallow despite the nice twist as to what brought the ship to Lotho Minor, the planet with the labyrinth, in the first place. Despite not enjoying this story as much I plan on picking up the next issue as most of the horror stories in this line have been a lot of fun.

Daredevil #12 - This was a shocking issue that saw both Murdock and Fist get back to their roots. Daredevil is finally starting to gain some of his confidence back and has his first go at taking down a group of bad guys ensuring that nobody gets killed. Meanwhile, Mayor Fist is attempting to rub elbows with some of the elite members of society and has a hard time running away from his criminal past. Electra makes another appearance and the final scene involving Fisk is really going to create some drama moving forward. I am super stoked for issue #13.





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

Thursday Morning Superhero

Now that we are officially in the Halloween season it is the perfect opportunity to stock up on some spooky comics. There is an amazing horror anthology that just popped up on Kickstarter that I backed and you should check out. Cullen Bunn Presents: A Passage in Black features 11 tales of terror from an amazing group of creators. It is a throwback to the old horror comics Bunn read as a kid and if you are familiar with his work you know that this is right in his wheelhouse.  Onto this week's books! 

Pick of the Week:
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #37 - It appears that Squirrel Girl is dead after helping save New York from a giant krakken. All of the superheros are attending her funeral dressed in their finest black costumes. Packed with the usual witty banter, we learn that Squirrel Girl is in attendance of her own funeral incognito. She needs to understand why everyone thinks she died and who is behind it. Upon reviewing the footage of her death at her funeral (who doesn't want to share the video of their death at their funeral), she determines that the only group behind such a stunt is a certain alien race known for their shape shifting ability.  Hmmmmmmmmm.  I should also add that you can buy a Squirrel Girl costume at Target!!

The Rest:
Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle #2 - Just in time for Halloween, this Star Wars series reads like an old horror comic complete with giant spiders, mynocks, and an infected crew member who turns into a monster. Count Dooku is the host on the planet Mustafar to a Rebel crew who crash landed on it during a secret mission. Definitely not as all-ages friendly as its counterpart, but still a lot of fun and an entertaining read.





Birthright #32 - An interesting issue moves us on to the next chapter in this saga that allows us to see more of what Mikey experienced when he was kidnapped as a child.  I will admit that I need to give this series a re-read to fully understand all of the story lines, but this was a powerful issue to see what Mikey has been through throughout this entire ordeal. His wife had to sacrifice her wings to fully save him from the Nevermind and now they need to focus on saving his younger brother, Brennan. The thing about younger brothers is that they tend to make mistakes and often make things worse. This issue did a good job setting up a new arc that will show us the dangers of playing with magic.



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

Thursday Morning Superhero

Pick of the Week:
Cold Spots #2 - The latest issue in this horror offering from Cullen Bunn and Mark Torres gave me chills.  Sorry about that, but what started as a creepy story with people frozen and ghosts quickly developed into an interesting story about a man, Dan Kerr, and his attempt to find his daughter who he has never met. It has been years since her birth, but her mother and her ended up living with a mysterious family who lives on a solitary island.  The Quarrels, who live on the island, have death looming all around them and have to deal with people making offerings to long lost loved ones outside of their house. The icy weather that impacts the surrounding area seems to originate from the Quarrels or perhaps from Kerr's daughter. Bunn does a masterful job developing his characters quickly in this second issue and the ambiance set by Torres makes you feel chilly as you read this book and see the looming ghosts all around. Very excited about where this is headed and always thrilled to have a new spooky story to read around Halloween.

The Rest:
Stranger Things #1 - I was a bit worried that this would simply be a retelling of season one of the Emmy Award winning series on Netflix, but was pleasantly surprised to see this issue gave us the change to experience the upside down through Will's perspective. It works well for the first issue as Will takes a bit of time to understand what is really happening around him. While I wasn't blown away by this issue, I am a fan of Stranger Things and am looking forward to see where this series takes the reader. At a minimum it is good filler until season three.



Star Wars Adventures #14 - This book continues to remain one of my favorite all-ages books. Chewbacca gets a rare day off in part one of this book and enjoys some time at a resort. I will add that there is something odd about seeing Chewbacca without his bandolier that makes him look naked and it was a bit uncomfortable watching him throughout this story without it.  Due to Han's sketchy past, the resort ended up being a setup that saw Chewie caught up between competing factions trying to kill him. An entertaining one-shot that sets up the first part of "Flight of the Falcon", a short story centered around a mysterious woman who has reached out to IG-88 in order to track the Falcon. Interesting set-up that has me intrigued for the next issue.

Doctor Aphra #24 - Doctor Aphra just took a sharp turn in the right direction. The past few issues had me close to taking it off of my pull list, but this issue redeems itself and charts a course in the right direction. When we left Aphra, she was stuck on a prison that was minutes away from a deadly collision. Her love, Tolva, messes up her plans when she decides to leave the escape pod and stay with Aphra. Through a series of entertaining attempts at escape, which take place over the time period of five minutes, Tolva makes a last ditch attempt that shakes Aphra to her core. She realizes that she hurts all of those who surround her and is faced with a difficult decision. Even when this series wasn't as entertaining as I would prefer, the relationship between Aphra and Tolva has proven to be central to character development and shines a light on some of the foolhardy decisions that Aphra makes. I also want to add that Triple-0 needs his own series or his own Netflix series. His brief appearance in this issue is terrifying and unforgettable.

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

Thursday Morning Superhero

Pull list was longer than usual so we are diving right into the books this week!

Pick of the Week:
Royal City #14 - While I am sad to see one of my favorite current books come to an end, I am happy that I was able to experience the life of Royal City and highly recommend this series to everyone. Learning about how everyone in this messed up family is coming to peace with the changes in their small town, a death in the family, and the other issues they are dealing with really gives me hope. Hope that people are able to roll with the bad times and persist. The quote that sums this series up for me is from Pat's inner monologue. "That's the thing about the past. It's gone. Just because it forms us, it doesn't mean you have to let it define you forever." Wise words that have a profound meaning given the turbulent times in which we all exist.

The Rest:
Cold Spots #1 - A spooky tale from Cullen Bunn and Mark Torres debuted this week and it leaves me with more questions than answers. There are some sort of presence in the form of ghosts that seem to be gathering in a central location. This has drawn the attention of the town folk and has brought with it unseasonable cold weather. Add in a missing woman and child and we have a very intriguing mystery forming. This book had me at Bunn and horror, but Torres does a phenomenal job with the overall atmosphere and tone for this story. One to keep an eye one.



Daredevil #607 - For the first time since he took the helm I am a bit concerned with where Charles Soule is taking this series. After surprising us with Matt Murdock meeting his twin brother Mike, we learn that Mike was accidentally created by Reader after going over case files Matt sent over to help bring down the Kingpin. While I appreciate the issues that may arise having a Matt Murdock twin interfering with things, I am not quite sold on the idea. It is novel and I will check out the next issue to see what grand plans Soule has for this development.

Darth Vader #20 - After not being sure about the direction Soule is going with Daredevil, it is crystal clear which way he is headed with Darth Vader. I sounds like a broken record talking about this series, but the sheer power and force of Vader in the comics is something to behold. Vader takes swift revenge on a pair of inquisitors he has concerns with and then openly defies the Emperor in order to make a very interesting demand. I won't spoil what Vader wants, but it is clear he wants some space to himself after his slaughter of the Jedi.




Doctor Aphra #23 - To set the scene where this book is headed, Aphra is currently trapped in a floating jail that is dealing with a toxic spore issue and is on a crash course with a neighboring inhabited planet. She and other prisoners have been abandoned and she is currently hatching an escape plan.  I will admit that this arc left a bit to be desired, but it is setting up an epic clash involving Aphra's knowledge that Vader wants to supplant the Emperor. It seems an encoded message has reached Vader and it will be interesting to see how it pans out and the impact it has on the Empire.  After all, public knowledge of such a plot would provide a lot of fuel for the Rebellion.

Redneck #14 - We are finally seeing the bigger universe in which the Texan vampires in Donny Cates' series exist and I am very curious to see what this next arc will bring. We are introduced to the Parliament of Elders who apparently own all of Austin. The Bowman family has houses on the land, but that land is property of this powerful group. These individuals have grand plans for Texas and I have a feeling that this series is going to take a very interesting turn.





Hit-Girl #7 - In part 3 of this mini-series from Jeff Lemire, Hit-Girl remains in Canada and is currently trying to escape from Billy Baker and his gang of thugs. It has been an odd journey with Lemire penning such a violent series, but his subtle touches that hearken back to his ability to connect characters with meaningful relationships add an interesting element as people get their heads lopped off. I will finish this mini-series, but will probably take a break from the upcoming Kevin Smith arc in which Hit-Girl is in Hollywood surrounding the making of an upcoming Hit-Girl movie.




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

Thursday Morning Superhero

Some of the San Diego Comic Con exclusives have been announced and once again Funko is bringing the heat.  A much demanded Pop!, Princess Leia is getting the holographic treatment in a stunning two-pack.  Really hoping to make it to the booth in time to pick up this amazing set.  Enough toy talk, huuuuuge week of comics!

Pick of the Week:
Baby Teeth #1 - I was introduced to Donny Cates' work with Redneck, which is amazing, so I was excited when I heard he had a new titles coming out about the birth of the Antichrist.  The story opens with a scared mother, Sadie, recording a video to her child.  It tells the story of his birth, which included earthquakes, a near death experience for Sadie, and that this devil incarnate is named after a superhero. This comic, while the story of how the Antichrist was brought to this planet, still remained as a beautiful story of new life.  I am looking forward to learning more about how Sadie ended up where she is and the life of the young devil.

The Rest:
The Unsound #1 - Cullen Bunn treats us with a creepy new title set in some sort of haunted psychiatric ward.  At least it appears to be haunted through the eyes of Ashli, the new nurse who has a horrifying first day in the ward.  In what felt like the pre-credits scene to a psychological thriller, the first issue leaves you begging for more.  I am quite intrigued by this new title and anything that is scary and has Bunn's name attached to it is likely to be quite good.  Mix in the unique artistic approach from Jack T. Cole and you are introduced to a world that is beautiful from one angle and paralyzing from the other.


Paper Girls #15 - The girls learn the hard way not to mess with the time space continuum when they are compelled to help their new friend save her child.  We learn a bit more about the foldings, or time holes, that brought the girls into the past.  This was one of the more exciting issues as of late that resulted in overhearing something called "The Beta" that sounds very exciting (some sort of time fixer) and the girls are dropped into a surprising future.  I will avoid spoilers, but it gave me flashbacks and was terribly exciting.

All-new Guardians of the Galaxy #3 - It isn't surprising that I am really enjoying this series penned by Gerry Duggan.  In this issue we learn more about the secret that Gamora is holding back from the rest of the crew.  Still no word on why Drax gave up destroying, but the wrinkle that is Gamora's secret is a very interesting development.  This issue didn't have the trademark Duggan humor, but it was a stellar issue that has me fully invested in where this series is headed.  I can't recommend this one enough to anyone who enjoyed the films.  Being that this is issue #3, it would be easy to get caught up and pick up the other two issues as well.



Daredevil #21 -  Now that we know how Daredevil was able to make the entire world forget his secret identity, it is back to the usual crime fighting in Hell's Kitchen.  The start of a new arc, this issue felt like a throw back to Silver Age comics and is extremely effective for the man with no fear.   We even get a Toucan Sam reference thrown in for good measure!  The art and color from Goran Sudzuka and Matt Milla is phenomenal and has a retro feel that feels like a fresh start for Daredevil.  In addition to the classic crime stopping that takes place, Charles Soule gives us a tease as to why Daredevil wanted to put the cat back in the bag and I am a bit nervous about his plan.

Batman #24 - This issue is the straw that broke the camel's back for me.  Tom King has had his ups and downs, in my opinion, writing this series and this issue reached the point where I am comfortable dropping this series.  He had big shoes to fill, but even Scott Snyder had a couple of lackluster arcs in his amazing run.  I weathered it as long as I could and I am sure a lot of readers are enjoying his take, but it isn't for me.  If you have any suggestions as to what Batman series you recommend please drop me a note in the comments.  I won't spoil the moment that solidified it for me, but a quick Google on this issue should let you know if you don't care about spoilers.



The Walking Dead #168 - As we close the book on one chapter we open the door to what is next.  I am not sure what that will be in this series, but Robert Kirkman really delivered a touching issue that somehow brought up Negan's foot fetish.  The fine line between what Negan spews and the rest of what Rick and company are dealing with after the loss of Andrea works really well in this issue.  Negan has almost reached the point where you feel that you can trust him and that he is an asset for Rick and his crew.  It is a shocking development that will likely lead to the rug being pulled out from beneath my feet and I am looking forward to it.  The final panel was extremely powerful and moving and a somber reminder that this series is still a human drama at its heart, not a zombie book.



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

Thursday Morning Superhero

While July still might be a long ways off, San Diego Comic Con plans are starting to come together and I couldn't be more excited.  My group survived the Hotelpocalypse, ended up with a room not too far, and have already began to line up the off-site fun.  Looking forward to seeing my fellow nerds in San Diego and providing coverage of the con for those who can't attend.

Pick of the Week:
Old Man Logan #23 - After waiting a couple of issues, we finally return to Logan's body where Asmodeus is attempting to auction off its remains to the highest bidder. With Logan lost in the time stream, his vacant body could fetch quite the price.  Meanwhile Logan continues to travel through his own past in attempt to return to his body when something changes at the end of this issue.  It saddens me that Jeff Lemire is wrapping up his run with this series when he finishes this arc in issue #24, but it has been one hell of a ride.  I really questioned how this series would work as an ongoing, but Lemire had no issue writing a compelling story about the human element of Logan and the suffering he has had to endure.

The Rest:
X-Men Blue #3 - I have to admit that it feels good to be reading an X-Men series again.  It has been too long and Cullen Bunn is doing a great job dropping in little Easter Eggs for the fans, while creating something that feels new and fresh.  The original X-Men (Marvel Girl, Cyclops, Angel, Beast, and Iceman) have been displaced in the time continuum and find themselves in a future where their very existence is threatened.  Not sure who to trust, the team is working with Magneto, but it appears that he is hiding his true motives.  The latest twist in this series has the X-Men dealing with a group of Sentinels that refer to themselves as "fellow mutants".  I won't spoil why the Sentinels seem friendly, but rest assured that Bunn has a firm grip on what fans want and is a master of keeping the reader guessing.  Really enjoying this series.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Mother Entropy #2 - After riding the high of watching Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 I decided that it was time for me to revisit the comic book world of this dysfunctional team.  I enjoyed the Free Comic Book Day issue and decided to give this odd book a go.  The Mother Stone, a sacred relic of great power, transported the Guardians and Pip the Troll to another dimension in which they must pass a series of tests to determine who dimension's Mother Entropy.  It is a bizarre issue that has the Guardians reliving their past, facing their deepest fears, and switching bodies.  Despite how odd this book was, it was fun and does a good job highlighting the quirks of the heroes and what sets them apart from your standard superhero.

Star Wars: Screaming Citadel #1 - After enjoying the Doctor Aphra spin-off I am happy to report that she is teaming up with Luke Skywalker for this miniseries.  If you recall, Aphra has a valuable artifact from the Jedi Temple that she needs help unlocking.  Luke desires to train in the ways of the Force and together they might be able to work something out.  Aphra continues to be a much more complex character then when we first met her working with Vader.  Luke's trip with Aphra has caught the attention of his friends and the person they are dealing with to help them with the artifact is highly suspect.  There is going to be a lot of drama in the next few issues and I can't wait!



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

Thursday Morning Superhero

If you are in the same boat as I am then you probably felt that yesterday's San Diego Comic Con Hotelpocalypse went off without a hitch.  This year the hotel sale mimicked that of the badge sale in that individuals waited in a virtual waiting room and were then sorted at a random order to the "sale" page.  Instead of racing to fill out the form as fast as possible, forms will be accepted based on the time stamp from when the person had access to the form.  It was low stress and seemed to be a much better system.  Now we wait.

Pick of the Week:
Old Man Logan #22 - Jeff Lemire is one cruel dude.  In case you forgot, Logan is lost in the time stream per Asmodeus' trap.  This forces Wolverine to relive his past in his attempt to locate the amulet at each stop in an insane attempt to return to the present time.  Er, uh, present time after the initial shift that took him away from the wastelands that he had partnered up with Asmodeus in an attempt to return to save Baby Hulk.  Anyhoo, the first stop for Logan is his first encounter with Hulk, which isn't too bad and pretty entertaining, but that is when Lemire decides to turn on Wolverine and write this book to force Logan to witness Jean Grey's death yet again.  Ouch.  Lemire does reward Wolverine in the last stop in this book, but I won't spoil what happens.  This is must read material for any Wolverine fan and has been a lot of fun.

The Rest:
Darth Maul #3 - I have really enjoyed Cullen Bunn's take on Darth Maul, and this issue sets the stage for what should be a brutal issue #4.  This series has been a nice balance of Maul attempting to assert himself, but it is clear he has much to learn and respects the power that Darth Sidious possesses. Maul, despite being ordered to remain low by Darth Sidious, is planning on seizing a Padawan who is up for auction.  His goal is to satiate his desire to kill by having a duel with the Padawan.  Lacking the funds to outright purchase the Padawan and wanting to keep a low profile, he enlists the help of Cad Bane and Aurra Sing.  What could possibly go wrong?


X-Men Blue #2 - It is a good week when I get to read multiple titles penned by Mr. Bunn and X-Men Blue continues to be a lot of fun.  After getting sent forward in time, the original X-Men pair up Magneto, which is a surprising ally for this group.  In order to gain their trust, Magneto allows Jean Grey to read his mind to ensure that he is honest when he says he wants to help them pursue Professor X's dream of man and mutant living in peace. Things seem to be off to a good start, but as the X-Men are on a mission against Sentinels in Spain, it seems that Magneto might be up to something a bit shady.  This would be enough of a story to keep my interest, but when the Sentinels are confronted they refer to the X-men as fellow mutants.  Fellow?  Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.  I don't want to wait for the next issue to find out what this means.  Well played Mr. Bunn.

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

Thursday Morning Superhero

In non-comic related news, there is amazing Kickstarter in its final days that is worth your time and attention.  Pandasaurus Games is running a campaign for Dinosaur Island, a game that has you creating your own Dinosaur theme park.  Featuring a color scheme and graphics straight out of the 90's, this is a game that pulls on all sorts of nostalgic heart strings.  Check out the campaign here.  In addition to being excited about building my own dino theme park, this week's books were phenomenal!

Pick of the Week:
Darth Maul #2 - When you combine Darth Maul and Cullen Bunn you know you are going to get a series that is going to be a lot of fun.  This issue brings that together, and mixes in a little but of Cad Bane for good measure.  As Maul attempts to find an appropriate outlet for his rage, Darth Sidious seeks to take him farther down the path of the dark side.  Maul is instructed to lay low, but the desire to seek revenge on the Jedi is too great.  While I really enjoyed watching Maul fight without overtly demonstrating his use of the Force and his light saber, this book really shines in the scenes where Sidious is manipulating Maul in order to fuel his hatred.  One thing that the comics have done an amazing job with is making the Sith a true force to be reckoned with.  Hearing Maul talk about his fear of Sidious and what would happen if his secret plans are discovered casts Sidious into an all new light.  In the movies he appears more fragile, yet in the comic book the fear is palpable.  There is a reason why Sidious was able to work under the noses of the Jedi and manipulate formidable Sith Lords like Vader.   I hope Bunn continues to explore the relationship between Sidious and Maul in future issues.

The Rest:
Dept H. #12 - The plot gets thicker as we learn that the crew has been exposed to a new strain of the H-virus and are quarantined on the base, which is currently hanging on by a thread.  While Jerome may have found the cure for the original H-virus, it appears that the research process may have exposed everyone to something else.  This underwater whodunit gets more and more complex with each issue, and the potential motives for the various crew members seem to grow with each issue.  I a not sure who I suspect, but I do know that Mia and her father may be the only decent humans that have set foot on the base.  I don't want to spoil what happens at the end of this issue, but it left me absolutely speechless and really shifted my thoughts on who may have killed Mia's father and what their motive might be.  This is a truly mesmerizing series and the art from Matt Kindt and the colors from Sharlene Kindt provide a surreal setting that is appropriate for a mystery of this magnitude.

Birthright #23 - We learn a little bit more about why Lore was allowed to attach the Nevermind to Mikey.  It seems that Lore has struck a deal with Mikey and may have more in mind then simply destroying the mages who are on earth.  In addition, his daughter seeks him out and it isn't clear whether she opposes him or wants to join him.  All this time Rya, who is pregnant with Mikey's child, is dealing with the struggle of stopping Lore and saving Mikey.  I am not sure how many issues this series is slated for, but it feels like we are racing towards some sort of finish line and I am on pins and needles wondering how this is all going to work out.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #68 - When we last left the turtles it looked like Slash, under government control, captured the mutanimals and possibly killed Seymour and Mutagen Man.  Old Hob managed to escape to warn the turtles, but it might be too late as it looks like the captured mutanimals may be the next victims of governmental brainwashing. In addition to the peril that the mutanimals find themselves, the government soldiers have tracked down the turtles' new lair and are preparing an all-out assault.  I sure hope that Splinter and the foot clan, who he is currently leading, can intervene and provide some much needed support.  Between the tension that the turtles have with Splinter and the mutanimals, and the fact that they will need to unite in order to take down the government operatives, this series is getting quite intense.

Valiant High #2 - Valiant's ComiXology exclusive high school take on its universe continued this week and this series is an absolute blast.  I have dipped my toe in some Valiant books and have enjoyed them, but feel motivated to take a closer look after reading this book.  There seems to be a mysterious dynamic between Principle Haruda and Gilad, who has been a sophomore as long as anyone can recall.  This book opened up with a no holds barred version of dodge ball, featured a mysterious janitor, and included references to both Buffy and Veronica Mars.  This is a nice light and entertaining series that everyone should give a chance.



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

Thursday Morning Superhero

With the potential end of the world happening in the very near future I urge everyone to go read as many good comic books as you possibly can! There are so many good options out there for readers of all tastes.  Just this week I read about Kaiju (some may argue that point), Star Wars archaeologists, and torrid affair between a cat and bat.

Pick of the Week:
Monsters Unleashed #1 - If you need more of a reason to pick this title up beyond Cullen Bunn and giant monsters, I can't really help you.  Some unknown force has unleaded seemingly hundreds of giant monsters across the globe.  It is not clear why this is happening, but superheros in New York, London, and elsewhere are scrambling to save their homelands and fell these giant beasts.  Elsa Bloodstone, an archaeologist whose family has specialized in stopping threats like this for generations is frustrated because she knew this day was approaching, and fears that her expertise on this subject may not be enough.  This title is an absolute blast and highlights Bunn's ability to mix in his vast knowledge of all things monster related and his uncanny knack for sprinkling in humor where appropriate.  Really looking forward to where this series is heading.

The Rest:
Doctor Aphra #3 - Sticking with the theme of archaeology, Doctor Aphra finds herself properly finishing her dissertation with the help of her father.  She is not too happy about having to complete her research, which involves dealing with her father and trying to locate a hidden temple on Yavin.  With a nice distraction from Krrsantian, a psychotic Wookiee, and the assistance of my two favorite droids of all time, Triple-Zero and Beetee, Aphra and her father are able to infiltrate the former Rebel base and pull some Indiana Jones trickery to locate the temple.  While the story is entertaining, the side characters steal the show from Aphra.  From Krrsantian ripping off the blaster from an AT-ST and using it as his personal blaster, or Triple-Zero referring to Beetee as a very needy psychopath, the cast in this series always has a surprise up their sleeve that puts a big smile on my face.

Batman #15 - In the only disappointing book of the week, Batman explores his relationship with Selina Kyle in what was a mildly entertaining story.  I enjoyed the premise of Catwoman protecting a former friend of hers from the orphanage, but it is undone by the attempt at romance and the near nudity that feels very out of place.  I am not anti-nudity in some comics, but I will admit that the old man inside of me was upset thinking about the kids that will pick up a Batman title because it is Batman.  While I feel that this series is stumbling out of the gates with its new creators, it looks like we will get a new arc featuring Bane in issue #16 and hopefully things will pick up.



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

Thursday Morning Superhero

Even though my pull list only contained four comics this week, the comic book world that is 2017 appears to be off to a good start.  Some titles from my favorite creators returned this week, and the last panel in this week's Daredevil has be shaking in anticipation of the next arc. 

Pick of the Week:
Grave Lilies #1 - Somehow this book from Z2 Comics flew right under my radar.  It wasn't until I saw a tweet from Cullen Bunn that I realized he has a new story out with some stunning art from George Kambadais.  Grave Lilies is a story about five mysterious young women who appear to be the result of genetic experimentation.  The story opens with an explosion that frees them from the facility where they were being captive.  The young women have no idea if their memories are real and quickly learn that each one has some sort of supernatural ability.   The 80's anime style art paired with Bunn's storytelling is a combination that really makes me happy and has me salivating to see what we will uncover in the second issue.

The Rest:

Daredevil #15 - The new arc of Daredevil opened with a bang this week.  Wanting to take out his frustration on what happened to his former partner Blindspot (his eyes were gauged out by Muse), Daredevil puts a bounty on himself creating a constant flow of d-list baddies to beat up.  This fun break between storylines has an unexpected ending that is disturbing on multiple levels.  On one hand a father takes his turn at claiming the bounty despite his personal reservations about hurting a good guy, on the other hand you will have to witness the glory that is the last panel as I will not be spoiling it.  So good.  So very, very good.



Southern Bastards #16 - Your favorite comic book about high school football in the south is back and Coach Boss is none too pleased about his current two game slide.  Looks like Coach Boss has started a war with the rival town of Locust Fork.  In an attempt to secure victory for his Running Rebs, Coach Boss and his cronies beat up a star receiver from the opposing team and his parents.  Somehow Theron Goode is able to play through the pain of a leg fracture in an attempt to spoil the Rebs' attempt at breaking their losing streak.  In a viciously violent issue in this series (which is saying something), it looks like all hell has broken loose.

Birthright #21 - It has been awhile, but Joshua Williamson gifted us another stellar issue of Birthdright.  For the first time in this series, we are given a real glimpse into the life that Mikey led on Terranos when he was first transported to the other world.  Told from the perspective of Rya, it is an important look at his journey from an innocent child to the chosen one.  I am going to have to refresh myself on a few key points as it has been some time since the last issue and what Williamson revealed in this issue has rekindled my interest in how we got to this point in the story.




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

Thursday Morning Superhero: Sixth Gun Edition

One of my all-time favorite series reached its epic finale this week.  Cullen Bunn, Brian Hurt, and Bill Crabtree gave us all a triple-sized final issue that was extremely satisfying.  As Drake and Becky journey in the land of the dead with Billjohn leading the way, it becomes clear that the team is going to have to make it through one final battle if they wish to succeed.  The depth of characters that Bunn created is nothing short of magical and the journey that they embark on is one for the ages.  I loved learning about Drakes sordid past and watching the tremendous growth that Becky had throughout this series.  I hope that one day my daughter can aspire to be as strong and fearless as the great Becky Montcrief.  The conclusion of this story was fitting, surprising, and emotional.

I want to take this time to thank Mr. Bunn for sharing his gift and this story with us all.  It ranks in my top 5 series of all-time and I am glad to see him end it on his own terms.  I hope that we revisit this world as we have in some of the spin-offs, but I am content for now.  Instead of our usual recap of comics, in honor of The Sixth Gun, I thought I would share my top 5 moments from the series in no particular order.



[Spoilers Below]

 The Story of Griselda and the Wyrms - Issue #41 - Bunn does a masterful job actually humanizing someone as vile as Griselda.  In this issue we learn that she was once a human child and the events that changed her to Griselda the Grey are quite troubling.  Griselda was tossed into a pit as a child to appease an ancient darkness.  She was sacrificed for the good of her people, but when she arrived at the bottom of the pit she could understand the terror that dwelled below.  The Great Wyrms saw her as a sister, taught her about the six, and used her in attempt to return to their full glory.  This was a chilling issue, and one that set up an epic moment in the finale that just barely missed this list.


Billjohn "hides" the guns - Issue #10 - It became apparent early on that the guns weren't safe no matter where you hid them.  In order to protect the guns, you had to be cunning.  This series opened with a bang (sorry) and Drake found himself in possession of four of the guns right off the bat.  He knew he needed to hide the guns and that he could only trust them with Billjohn, his best friend.  The only problem with that plan is that Billjohn was dead.  Fortunately he was killed by one of the six.  The one that allowed you to be called back by the person who shot you dead.  You were some sort of clay golem, but one that proved quite useful throughout this series.  Billjohn played an amazing role throughout this series, but his role in hiding the guns was my favorite.

The issue without dialog or sound effects - Issue #21 - I am a sucker for a good action movie and as I poured through the pages of this issue, watching Becky rescue Drake from the Knights of Solomon, it felt like I was at the movies enjoying an amazing sequence from a summer blockbuster.  Through the immense creative talent of Bunn, Hurt, and Crabtree, this issue remains one of my all-time favorite issues of any series despite the fact that not one word is uttered.  Hurt was really able to flex his artistic chops as I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.  I wish more comics took risks like this.




The heartbreaking story of Asher Cobb - Issue #14 - When we first meet Asher Cobb, he is a giant mummy hell bent on killing Mr. Sinclair.  It seemed he was going to be another bad guy standing in the way of destroying the six, but as the series unfolded we learn that Cobb is a very complicated character and one who is easily manipulated by toying with his emotions.  His origin story is one that really grounded him and cast him in an entirely new light.  Asher had a troubled childhood on account of his rapid growth and his troubling visions of the future.  He had only one friend in the world, a young girl named Ruth who treated him with kindness the moment she met him.  As Asher grew up he ended up serving the Union in the Civil War.  This made him quick enemies of General Bedford Hume and sensing his life was in danger, he ran and hid.  Through his visions he learned of his own death, but more troubling the death of Ruth because he was not there to protect her. (sniff)  This proved to be a great motivator in his attempt to befriend whoever wielded the six.

Becky wakes up from her Ghost Dance - Issue #35 - In an effort to save her own life, Becky embarks on a Ghost Dance in the world of the spirits.  She sees different versions of the six throughout time and different versions of Drake.  Not only was it fascinating to learn more about the history of the six, in the conclusion of this thrilling arc, she sees a world that resembles how she might remake it.  Her father is alive, she is a married to Kirby Hale and the mother to their children.  Confronted by the version of her in this world, she learns that she cannot use the six for her own desires.  This finally brings her back from her Ghost Dance and this is another defining moment of the growth of Becky as a strong character.  The epilogue in which Griselda kills Missy Hume is equally as stunning and is the icing on the cake for this arc.

There are many other moments that just missed the list and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the sale on ComiXology to purchase every issues in this series.  Thanks again to Cullen Bunn for sharing his creative genius with the world.  I am a bit saddened to see this series come to an end, but look forward to what else you have in store for us.


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