Thursday Morning Superhero

For the first time in a while it was a relatively slow week for comics.   While there were some great books out this week, my pull list was limited to two titles.  I am happy to report that both of them were great.  It felt good to return to Matt Fraction's Hawkeye and Letter 44 poured on the mystery and intrigue and cost a buck!

Pick of the Week:
Letter 44 - President Blades is about to begin his first term as the POTUS.  He is following up a 2-term president who wasn't the most popular president to date.  Constituents were not happy with the amount of money are resources he spent on unnecessary wars.  I am guessing it is no mistake that this is similar to Obama following Bush into the White House.  What should be a joyous occasion turns into one of uncertainty as he learns that seven years ago a mining operation was detected in the far reaches of space.  A team of nine astronauts have been sent out to investigate and are about to lay eyes on the alien presence after three years of travel.  Charles Soule's writing has a certain ease to it that makes everything seem plausible.  I am curious to see how Blades handles things going forward and am anxious to learn more about the crew of astronauts that sacrificed everything for this mission.  Definitely worth your time and it is only $1!

The Rest:
Hawkeye #14 - It does the soul well to have another Hawkeye issue penned by Matt Fraction.  In a somber issue that includes Grills' funeral, we are treated to a very insightful issue and a personal glimpse into the psyche of Clint Barton.  Fraction has a knack of humanizing Hawkeye and portraying him to be someone with a huge heart that genuinely cares for the loved ones surrounding him.  It just feels authentic and I want to be Barton's friend.  Reading this issue has me wanting to go back and reread this entire series.

Thursday Morning Superhero

I must admit that I am ready for villains month from DC to come to an end so I can resume reading Batman and others.  I enjoyed the Court of Owls, but have not been moved to pick up any of the other titles.  I may be missing out on some gems, but I feel there are too many cooks in the kitchen.  Fortunately, this week gives us a new Saga that has cemented Lying Cat as my favorite character ever.

Pick of the Week:

Saga #14 - This series has so much good going for it that it is impossible to cover in my simple blurb.  Fiona Staples delivers some of the most beautiful pages ever fit to print.  From the fishing shark out of the sky scene, to the seal and walrus buddy on Quietus, I have never seen such a diverse range of characters, colors, and landscapes in a single book.  This has been a series that I would enjoy even if I didn't read the text.  Fortunately, the story that Brian K. Vaughan is utterly compelling.  While a lot has happened in this series from the strange, to the violent, and to the profane.  The compassion that I feel for these characters is real.  The Will is struggling with how to deal with the slave girl, Sophia, he rescued.  He wants a simple life, but so much of her innocence has been robbed from her.  She has some social issues to say the least.  She is sent to Lying Cat and one of the most moving pages I have ever read occurred.  Enjoy.  Now go buy this series.

The Rest:

Mind MGMT #15 - Matt Kindt's brilliant work on this series continues.  This issue was very revealing to the past of Henry Lyme and Meru.  It was poetic, simple, and wonderful.  We learn that Lyme is the master of all of the Mind MGMT techniques and could easily kill the immortals.  Haunted by his past, he doesn't see the point.  Can't say enough about this series and the love that Kindt pours into it.

The Powerpuff Girls #1 - This fun title from IDW was a pure joy to read.  It harkens back to the hey day of the Powerpuff Girls with witty one-liners and over-the-top action.  This issue pokes fun at the recycled schemes that Mojo Jojo attempts without success and the psychological toll it must take on the monkey.  Good fun and a nice twist to distinguish it from reading like an episode of the show.  I will be on board for issue 2.

Sex Criminals #1 - Matt Fraction is one of the most unique authors in the business who can't be criticized for his creativity.  Suzie is a girl with no one to turn to when it comes to questions about sex.  Her orgasms appear to freeze time in a glorious display of lights and glowing colors.  Unable to figure out if this is normal or not, she seeks answers in the wrong places.  She ultimately meets her match in Jon.  Jon also has this ability and it appears that the two of them are going to use their time stopping "powers" to aid in burglaries, etc.  Nice mix of humor, sex, and intrigue.  

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

The big news in the world of comics this week brought a smile to my face.  Mind MGMT by Matt Kindt has been picked up by Fox with Ridley Scott set to produce.  Add this to the fact that NBC ordered a Sixth Gun pilot and the rumblings of the Locke and Key movie trilogy has some momentum and I couldn't be happier.  Oh yeah, Matt Fraction is also donating his royalties from this week's heart-felt Hawkeye to Hurricane Sandy Relief.

Pick of the Week:

Sixth Gun #28 - Cullen Bunn knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat.  The scenes in this book between Becky, the Wendigo, and Drake are some of the most suspenseful pages I have read in recent memory.  Taking advantage of the medium, when I desperately wanted a page turn to bring some sort of resolution, I was whisked away to Gord and the rest of his rag tag group on their quest to find Beck and Drake.  The Sword of Abraham is in pursuit, but the strength of Asher Cobb and the magic that Gord possess keep them one step ahead.  Asher Cobb, who I initially didn't think much of, has really grown to be one of my favorite characters.  Bunn must be credited for the amount of empathy and compassion I feel for an undead mummy and his lost love.  I can't bring myself to rate them, but Sixth Gun, Locke and Key, and Mind MGMT are the three best comics on the market today.

Runner-up:

Hawkeye #7 - Matt Fraction delivers an emotion issue that touches on the impact that Hurricane Sandy had on many individuals in New York and New Jersey.  The book opens with Clint helping out one of his tenants travel to Far Rockaway to save his father and some belongings.  The issue wraps up in Jersey as Kate is in a wedding that is disrupted.  When her gear is stolen from a drug store, the people of New Jersey come together and show the resilience of the northeast.  To top it off, Matt Fraction is donating his royalties to Hurricane Sandy relief.  Go buy this!!

The Rest:
Batman: The Dark Knight #16 -  It has been a while since I visited the Dark Knight, having focused on Detective Comics and Batman, but I am quite pleased with this issue.  The Mad Hatter is kidnapping dozens of people for an unknown reason and Batman is trying to get to the bottom of it.  Mix in that Bruce's current love interest may know his secret.  Nothing spectacular or wildly inventive, but Gregg Hurwitz spins a nice set-up for what looks like an enjoyable arc.

Superior Spider-Man #2 - I am still not sure how I feel about the whole Doc Oc inside Peter's body thing, but it has been an interesting journey.  In issue #2 we are treated to the plight of Doc trying to get together with Mary Jane.  We see Doc's strengths enhance how Spider-Man patrols the city, we see his attitude alter how Spider-Man is perceived in the city, and we ultimately see how Peter, as a memory, is really having a hard time seeing his life invaded by his greatest foe.  Still an intriguing concept, but still not sure how long I will keep reading.  I have enjoyed it thus far and it is definitely thinking outside the box which I appreciate.

The Masters of the Universe: The Origin of He-Man #1 - When I saw this book released this month I figured it was time for a trip down memory lane.  I was a He-Man fan as a youth and minus the live action movie, remember it fondly and even have a few toys that my son plays with.  This book, however, did not provide the nostalgic feel I hoped for.  It took too serious of a tone.  The art, akin to the style of Boris Vallejo, doesn't allow for the tongue-in-cheek humor that this series used to provide. This book left me disappointed.  Time to go play with my son's Mechaneck toy to cheer me up.

This comic felt nothing like the series from my youth

Thursday Morning Superhero

Thursday is here and it is time for another installment of Thursday Morning Superhero.  Another solid week of comics as we are nearing the end of 2012.  You know you are in for a fun week of reading when Deadpool and Hawkeye drop in the same week.  Two extremely different comics intended for two very different audiences that put a smile on my face while I turn the pages.  Oh yeah, and John Layman got into the "Death in the Family" event with Batman Detective Comics.  Good, good week.

The Best:
Hawkeye #5 - Matt Fraction's take on Hawkeye is quickly becoming one of my favorite reads.  The mini-story, "The Tape", concluded this week and it is just a pleasure to read this book.  Clint Barton's inner monologue is one of my favorite things in comics today.  My favorite was his "quote" from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  It went like this: "Hey, Sundance, don't jump out of windows tied up to chairs when ninjas are chasing you because you fall alone."  Fraction's unique humor that has been present throughout really carries this title.  Throw that in with the light feel that it has and Hawkeye is just plain fun.  This is quickly climbing my charts as one of the best of 2012.

Runner-up:

Deadpool #3 - Deadpool continues his quest to kill the remaining undead presidents with the help of Ben Franklin's ghost.  You read that correctly.  It is one of the reason's that I am so pleased that Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn are the current Deadpool scribes.  The duo maintains a good pace of violence, cheesy one-timers and presidential humor.  Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon gets his in this issue which also featured an Arrested Development reference, "an illusionist Michael", and a request to Google a comedians name that provided no results for me.  Dan Travalena.  Maybe you will fare better.  Well, if you haven't already picked this book up what are you waiting for?  Didn't you hear that it involves Ben Franklin's ghost helping Deadpool kill undead presidents?

The Not So Good:
Avengers #1 - The Jonathan Hickan era of the Avengers began this week and I can't say I was too impressed.  It wasn't bad per se, but didn't really wow me.  The Avengers go to Mars to take on Ex Nihilo only to be defeated handily.  Captain America is captured and returned to earth to form a new Avengers.  That is about it for this one.

The Rest:

Batman Detective Comics #15 - John Layman and his current run with Detective Comics has its intro into the "Death in the Family" event with a bang.  The issue opens with Poison Ivy, fresh from her eco-terrorism against Penguin's empire, being buried alive.  Clayface has been duped by Ivy into thinking the two of them are in love.  The method that Ivy employs to gain control of Clayface is genius.  Batman intervenes and straighten things out, but Clayface is not a happy camper and Joker is taking Penguin to Arkham.  The end story alone is worth the purchase of this book and it looks like it might be the best title in the "Death of the Family" event.

Stumptown #4 - After reading the praise of this Oni Press title I decided to give it a go.  I must say that this felt like a good issue to jump in on as it was basically one giant car chase.  I am ok with this.  The action starts fast and heavy and is carried through till the conclusion.  The little things really add to the comic experience.  Stumptown utilizes forcing the reader to turn the page sideways and back based on the action on the page.  A gimmick that I feel works and brings me more into the story.  I am guessing there is more to the guitar they refer to as "Baby".  For the above mentioned reasons, I am in for issue #5.