Thursday Morning Superhero

I think I am in the denial phase right now.  I don't want to confront the fact that a lot of books that I care about either just ended (Ghosted) or are racing to its conclusion faster than I wound prefer (Mind MGMT, Sixth Gun, Fables).  As I reflect on these series and Locke and Key, possibly my favorite series of all time, I wonder how much value is there having a defined beginning, middle, and end to a series.  I think having a finite number of books in which to tell a story forces the creators to be more mindful with their decisions and efficient in their storytelling.  While it is going to be hard to say goodbye to some friends this summer, at least we'll always have the memories.  Hopefully some deluxe trades as well.

Pick of the Week:

Ghosted #20 - It is with mixed feelings that Ghosted came to an end this week.  It felt right, made me feel happy for Jackson, and inspired me to revisit this series from its first issue.  It also concluded with a heartfelt letter from creator Joshua Williamson.  It is easy to assume that writers we look up to have an easy life and a dream job.  Who doesn't want to write comics for a living?  Williamson pulled back the curtain on his own life and we learned that Ghosted was a reflection of some demons he was dealing with in his own life.  I don't know if he had this conclusion figured out when he originally pitched the story, but it seems fitting given the direction Williamson appears to be headed in this industry.  Close the door on a story with a rough start, and begin a new journey with endless possibilities.  May Jackson Winters resist the temptation to abuse the power of his new role and may Joshua Williamson continue to write amazing stories for his new and larger audience.  Congratulations on an amazing run with Ghosted.   

The Rest:
Mind MGMT #33 -  Meru has her team assembled and just got the advice of a master strategist trained in the Mind MGMT ways.  The final assault is here and it looks like Meru has a fighting chance.  It was thrilling to read the squad break down different lines of defense, but the highlight was Meru seeing her foster parents one last time.  Curse you Matt Kindt for putting something like this in a book that reads like a summer blockbuster.  Speaking of which, when is the Mind MGMT coming out?  I would watch it.  It is both sad and thrilling to see this epic story work its way to the grand finale.  I am worried Henry won't survive.  I have good feelings about Meru.


Daredevil #15.1 - After discussing two amazing books that are ending soon, we move to a new leaping on point for Daredevil.  Waid shares his storytelling role in this one-shot that includes a few stories from Daredevil's past.  If you have been wanting to hop on the Daredevil bandwagon this would be a nice start.  It provides a good retrospective of the man with no fear.

Star Wars #5 - When I first heard that Boba Fett was going to get his own movie I had mixed feelings.  He is without a doubt one of the most iconic characters in Star Wars, but he is such an unknown.  After reading this issue, assuming the movie can be as good, I am all about a Boba Fett flick.  After being hired by Darth Vader, Fett has tracked Luke to Tatooine and isn't pulling any, and I mean any, punches in finding out the information he needs.  Just when things really pick up we are left to wait until the next issue for the confrontation.  Well done Marvel.  Well done.




Skylanders #9 - The first major arc of this series reached it conclusion in a satisfactory manner.  I am a big fan of redemption, particularly in books my son reads, and the notion that characters make mistakes and can be forgiven for past transgressions.  That was the theme in this issue and I appreciate characters that have depth and serve as good talking points to kids.  Not my favorite all-ages book, but one I highly recommend if your child plays Skylanders.  If you are an adult who enjoys the game (I'm talking to you!) then you will enjoy this series as well.




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

Thursday Morning Superhero

This has been one of the best weeks of comics in 2015 to date.  Between two debuts from Cullen Bunn and Matt Kindt and a phenomenal issue of The Walking Dead (really digging what the spotlight on Carl), it was a book that made me feel like a kid taking home Pick of the Week.  The other exciting thing that took place over the week is that Powers had a quiet debut on the Playstation Network.  The pilot is available to all here, but if you want to continue with you need to be subscribed to PSN on your PS3 or PS4.  While I am happy to see Powers appear on the small screen, I am a bit underwhelmed.  To be fair, most pilots are underwhelming so I am not giving up.  It is definitely worth watching, but I had a hard time getting past the casting of Detective Walker.  Thankfully the actor cast as Detective Pilgrim is phenomenal.  I am still on the fence, but optimistic for episode two.  As a fan of the series I am having a hard time separating the two instead of enjoying them both as separate entities (which they are).

Pick of the Week:
Star Wars #3 - Vader's wrath is real and it is terrifying, but the Rebels seem to have an unnatural ability of escaping situations despite the odds.  My guess it is due to the large volumes of inept Stormtroopers that Vader surrounds himself with.  While my opinion of Vader has changed since the beginning of this book, the Stormtroopers seem as useless and weak as I remember.  For lack of a better way to describe it, I find my pulse racing as I read each issue.  The creative crew behind this series have done a masterful job capturing the feel of the original trilogy.  It really feels like I am a child again revisiting this fantastical world once again.

The Rest:
Hellbreak #1 - Leave it to Cullen Bunn to come up with the insane idea of a special ops team that specializes in retrieving souls from Hell.  Thankfully the good folk at Oni Press enjoy his work (as we all do) and we were treated to the first issue for only $1.  Great debut that really sets the scene and teases some interesting character backstories.  I always enjoy how Bunn includes a brief overview of the mythology that inspires his titles.  I expect big things from this series.  I challenge you to find a better use of $1 this week.






Ninjak #1 - We learned from Rai that Matt Kindt can write a compelling Ninja and we knew from Super Spy and Mind MGMT that his spy chops are not to be doubted.  In Ninjak, we are given a fusion of the two in an entertaining comic that reminds me of the anime I watched as a kid.  Interesting villains with specialized powers, a seemingly normal protagonist that is more than meets the eye, and Ninja Scroll-esque fight sequences.  Very excited about the prospect of this title and the other characters that Kindt will introduce us to in future issues.

Ghosted #18 - What could go wrong when you lead a group of people into a ghost town that is seeking its revenge towards one of your members?  Not what I expected, but woah.  What started as a fun adventure with the supernatural, which we expect with Ghosted, turned south very quick.  Ghosted is a title that I would use to introduce a new reader into the world of comic books and this issue would be a great leaping on point.








The Walking Dead #138 - I must say that it has been nice seeing Rick take a back seat and allowing other characters to share the spotlight.  The teen romance between Carl and Lydia has been both interesting and disturbing.  The tension this arc continues to climb each issue and doesn't quite break.  There are moments, like the end of this issue and when Maggie was poisoned that feel big, but the big moment is still out there taunting us.  This arc may have started slow, but it is quickly becoming one of my favorites.  I am really enjoying the air of mystery with the Lydia's crew.

Howard the Duck #1 - I understand that this comic is tongue in cheek and is supposed to be silly, but I didn't find it particularly funny.  It's not that it was bad, but there was nothing that caused me to laugh out loud or bring me back for issue number 2.  I feel this is going to be a book that is either right up your alley or something you would rather avoid.  I am the latter.









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

Thursday Morning Superhero

It is hard to believe that San Diego Comic Con is a mere two weeks away.  New panels are announced multiple times a day and I find myself dizzy trying to keep up with the news.  My convention plans this year include a return to Gen Con so my head is spinning twice as fast!  What is interesting is the news that excites me seems to always relate to how I can impress my kids after returning home from the Con.  This week's big news is that Gravity Falls officially announced its panel for Friday. One of my favorite shows to watch with my kids, I hope to attend the panel and bring my kids the inside scoop!

Pick of the Week:
The Life After #1 - Oni Press is quite the innovative publisher and isn't afraid to push the comics envelope.  Once again the company is pushing forward with an exciting title that examines life in purgatory.  I had to read this comic a second time to truly appreciate some of the nuances in the book. The main character paces through a mundane existence until he challenges his routine.  This leads to a series of events and he ultimately learns that he is in purgatory.  It seems that his role is going to be to help a variety of people find peace and escape purgatory.  Beautiful art breathes life into this moving title and I hope people give it a try.  If you are looking for something different and beautiful, you should check this title out.

The Rest:
Ghosted #11 - Featuring the best cover of the week (although I hear this week's Avengers featured Angel on a motorcycle), Joshua Williams brings us a new Ghosted arc that shines some light on Anderson.  It was highly entertaining to learn about her existence prior to becoming a ghost.  One of the things that I have truly enjoyed about this series is a fresh take on things like heists and weapons running.  The first arc included an attempted heist of a ghost and Anderson's back story features the smuggling of occult weapons.  If you are looking for a fresh series that breaks the mold of conventional comics then I urge you to hop on with this issue.


The Walking Dead #129 - This is the issue I have been waiting for in the current arc.  While I have enjoyed the time jump and the new characters, it was lacking edge.  Sure Negan and Carl were becoming friends, but I wanted some excitement.  This week, Kirkman and company delivered.  Carl finally ships up to the Hilltop and we learn more about the community that Rick has created.  The newcomers find themselves in a similar position that Rick and his crew experienced as with other groups.  Even though the reader knows that they should trust Rick, they have reason to doubt Rick and his intentions.  It is ripe for drama and the big question is when, and it is when, will Negan be set free?  I am curious if there will be a new villain in this arc, but even if there isn't I am once again excited about this series.

Spider-man 2099 #1 - This was recommended by the manager at my LCS and I thought I would check it out.  Miguel O'Hara is the Spider-man of the future and is stuck in 2014 trying to prevent the death of some key family members.  Meanwhile, a T.O.T.E.M (temporal oversight team eliminating mistakes) has traveled back in time to kill Miguel.  This first issue is a good leaping on point to a series that I knew very little about.  It was an enjoyable read and I will have to thank Monti for the suggestion. 

Daredevil #5 - Like my buddy Jeff, I have not been enjoying Daredevil as much since his move to the West Coast.  I will most likely remain loyal to the series as long as Mark Waid is penning it and this issue was a nice one-shot that was quite fun.  We learn how Matt Murdock faked the death of his best friend and former partner, Foggy Nelson.  Waid continues to inject some heart and emotion into Murdock's and Nelson's relationship and sprinkles in some humor for good measure.

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

Thursday Morning Superhero

Another stellar week of comics that is filled with a plethora of quality horror books and I am happy that there has been an uptick in the genre as of late.  The big news in the world of comics came as Top Shelf announced that it would be launching a series of DRM free graphic novels.  Simply purchase a book, pay a small additional fee, and you have yourself a digital comic that is truly yours.  It is a good time to be a fan of independent publishers who are being innovative and put the reader first.   Viva la comics!

Pick of the Week:
Ghosted #7 - The second arc of Ghosted looks like it might exceed the first.  I never thought the heist and horror genre could pair up so nicely.  In this issue Jackson, Trick and the rest have made their way down to Mexico to save Nina from sex traffickers.  We quickly learn that this particular group has quite a lot of power and has a fetish for girls who are possessed by demons.  Jackson is still looking for a way to die and find peace, but Anderson (who is quickly becoming my favorite character), isn't sure his time has come.  Having already pulled successful heists that have included large amounts of cash and a ghost, he is just the man to plan a heist to steal a girl who is possessed.  Joshua Williamson gives us a new spin on a haunted house and continues to write a smart, humorous series that is phenomenal.  Mix in the art of Davide Gianfelice and I think we have an Eisner worthy series.  I love Gianfelice's ability to transition from a seemingly normal panel to one filled with terror.  His style matches the wit and humor of Williamson's writing.  I was worried with Locke and Key over and done with and the Sixth Gun on its way that I wouldn't have a quality horror comic to fill the void.  Something tells me I will be ok.

The Rest:
Fables #138 - Leave it to good old Bill Willingham to bring a series that is 138 issues deep full circle.  Whether he has been planning this all along or not, a tip of the hat to you kind sir.  As Fables draws to an end we are treated with the return of Geppetto in an issue that was simply mesmerizing.  It ended faster than expected because I was entranced with what the old carpenter had been up to since his capture way back when.  I had mixed feelings when I heard Willingham was going to end his magnum opus, but given the direction it seems to be headed I feel the conclusion will be nothing short of epic.

Daredevil #36 - Mark Waid's run with Daredevil has been nothing short of glorious.  This week we get the pleasure of Matt Murdock reaping all sorts of legal havoc by, under oath, admitting that he is Daredevil. It is a bold move to take down the Sons of the Serpent in an action packed, fun issue.  Waid has taken Daredevil to new heights and, without spoiling anything, I am very curious to see how this upcoming move is going to pan out.  The one thing I know for sure is that I will be picking up the next issue to see what happens next.

Curse #2 - Having read and enjoyed some Hoax Hunters, I was excited to delve into another horror title from Michael Moreci.  Laney Griffen is a former football great, who is currently unemployed and struggling to pay for the medical bills amassing from his son's sickness.  He lost his wife at some point in the past, and his sister-in-law (the town's sheriff) is threatening to take his son away because she can provide better care.  In a final attempt to secure enough money to pay for his son Jaren's medical bills, Laney attempts to secure the bounty on a mysterious killer that has been on a rampage.  He has an encounter with the beast (Anton the werewolf) and currently has him locked up in his basement.  Moreci and Tim Daniel have crafted an interesting story thus far and I look forward to its conclusion over the next two issues.  Riley Rossmo and Colin Lorimer deliver some truly haunting panels with splashes of blood all over the place.  The sum total of this work is a solid mini-series that is well worth your time.

Undertow #1 - Set in a dystopian future, Undertow explores a world in which humans live primarily underwater and those who exist on land are more beast than man.  Atlantis is the primary hub underwater, but explorers have begun to break away and seek refuge on land.  Redum Anshargal is a man that shouldn't exist.  He has lived above water and with his fellow refugees hunts the water dwellers from above.  The protagonist in this story, is taken under the wing of Redum and begins to learn the lay of the land.  Steve Orlando delivers a solid first issue, but the art is where this book truly shines.  Artyom Trkhanov delivers some of the most stunning panels of the year and his character design of the water dwellers, the surface dwellers, and Redum is diverse and effective.  I suggest you pick this one up.

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

Thursday Morning Superhero

There were so many great books out this week and I am bummed that I couldn't get them all.  The current arc of The Sixth Gun is one of my favorite thus far in the series and the second arc of Ghosted is off to a hauntingly good start.  If you are a fan of horror and the supernatural it is a great time to be reading some funny books.

Pick of the Week:
The Sixth Gun #37 - Curse you Cullen Bunn!  I don't want to have to wait until the next issue to see what happens.  The beginning of the end is upon us and there is no limit to what ends people will go to in order to claim the six.  Sinclair and company have brought the devil to Brimstone and he isn't leaving without the six. Jesup, who was given Missy Hume's gun from Griselda the Grey, launches an all out assault in order to claim the six and isn't beyond burning down the entire town in order to get his hands on the guns.  I loved seeing the guns in action again and tore through this book at a feverish pace.  Bunn is the master of the suspenseful ending and once again he has me plagued by the final frame.  While I don't want to see this series end, it appears that Bunn is sending this series off with a bang.

The Rest:
Ghosted #6 - The second arc of Ghosted is already off to a smashing start.  Quickly becoming one of my favorite comics, Joshua Williamson and Davide Gianfelice put together a simply stunning book. Protagonist Jackson Winters, a former thief, cannot escape his past and his reputation of someone who can steal the supernatural.  After successfully stealing a ghost from the Trask Mansion, Winters appears to want to live the easy life.  With the large number of individuals he has wronged, Winters is not likely to find peace anytime soon.  Gianfelice does a masterful job establishing a dark and creepy mood for this title. The scenes in the Trask Mansion are glorious and I look forward to uncovering more about this mysterious house.  I have a feeling that Williamson has a lot of surprises up his sleeve for both the Trask Mansion and Winters himself.  If you are a fan of the Sixth Gun or Locke and Key you should do yourself a favor and pick up this title.

Harbinger #20 - I decided to check out this Valiant title after hearing some good rumbles about it and it being dubbed a good leaping on point.  I am glad I checked it out, but felt a little lost at times.  Toyo Harada, a man with immense psionic powers who leads the Foundation, has taken control of the world through his invisible control of the corporations.  Two groups, the Renegades and Project Rising Spirit (comprised of individuals with psionic abilities) oppose the Foundation and recently escaped the artificial reality that Harada had imprisoned them.  Harada seems to be in full control, but the Renegades begin to emerge and an uprising may be imminent.  I enjoyed how Harada took control via terrorism, but with his unique ability was able to gain legitimate global control and support.  Fun, action packed series that captured my interest.  I will check out another issue or two to see what goes down.

Skyman #1 - A new superhero comic from Dark Horse, Skyman has an interesting premise that I hope pays off. Project Skyman is a secret government program that has been keeping the U.S. safe for quite some time.  The methods aren't really on the up and up and a couple of incidents has president in hot water.  In an attempt to save the program, sergeant Eric Reid has been recruited as the new Skyman.  Tensions are high as Reid's introduction to the program is a PR stunt that has offended some of the members currently in the system.  Throw in some racial tension and the fact that Reid is disabled without the suit and you have an idea that may just work.  Not fully sold, but will check out issue #2.

Li'l Battlestar Galactica One Shot - Art Baltazar has returned with another all ages title for Dynamite.  This time the Battlestar Galactica (the original) world has been turned into a Saturday morning cartoon by Mr. Baltazar and the results are pleasing.  His style translates well to the Galactica and readers will be treated to a fun book that will be equally enjoyed by the little comic reader in your life.  Fun book.

Thursday Morning Superhero

The Walking Dead and Skybound have created Movember team entitled Abraham's Army.  It not only celebrates the mustachioed man, it is raising money for men's health and I would encourage all of you to check it out here.   I joined the team and am currently sporting a dirty lip for a good cause.   You can also purchase Abraham shirts with 20% of the proceeds going towards Movember here.  Enough about facial hair, let's move on to the three great books I picked up this week.

Pick of the Week:

Trillium #4 - Jeff Lemire continues to impress with his sci-fi drama that connects an earth in the past with the planet Atabithi.  Nika and some of the Atabithians have been trapped on earth and venture to a native tribe with Billy.  Meanwhile, Clayton is captured by the humans who are planning a raid on Atabithi to secure the Trillium.  The tension and uncertainty that exists in both times is palpable and the unexplained energy source that is coming from the temple that connected the two times simply compounds things.  Lemire's artwork continues to amaze me in its ability to connect the reader with the character.  Some of the most powerful panels show the struggle these various groups have communicating with one another and the frustration and terror these individuals have.  There are some hints as to what is connecting the two times, but there still remains a lot of intrigue around the Atabithian, the Trillium, and the humans from different times.

The Rest:

Ghosted #5 - This new title from Joshua Williamson has been a pure joy to read thus far and the first arc was brought to an enjoyable conclusion.  When we left Jackson and his crew last time Trick, the only member of the team capable of performing an exorcism, had just been possessed by an evil spirit.  Night has fallen on Trask Mansion and things do not look good for Jackson and company.  Throw in some back-stabbing, bribing, and the real reason for the Trask Mansion invasion and you are provided with an entertaining book that provides great closure to the first arc. Williamson has clearly put a lot of thought into the characters and it remains wide open just how far he can take this series.  Definitely worth your time and money to pick this supernatural title up.

Ten Grand #5 - It has been quite some time since we were able to visit J. Michael Straczynski's Ten Grand and I am happy to be back.  C.P. Smith is the new artist on board and the timing seemed very appropriate.  As a refresher, Joe is cursed and can only spend time with his deceased wife if he dies in a righteous cause.  He is then granted five minutes with her before returning to life.  In the last issue we learned that his wife is not in Heaven or Hell.  Smith's first task was drawing the purgatory in which Joe finds himself as he searches in wife.  The dramatic change from Ben Templesmith's style is welcome and worked with the dramatic shift in the story.  A lot of questions remain, but Straczynski's ability to create meaningful characters and intrigue will bring me back.  An unexpected issue that was pleasantly surprising.