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.

COMICS ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Round 2

Welcome to Round 2 of our COMICS ELIMINATION CHALLENGE! The current standings are:

1. Magento (5pts)
2. The Wake (4pts)
3. Hawkeye (4pts)
4. The Last Phantom (3pts)
5. Brass Sun (3 pts)
6. East is West (2pts)

 

Rules

Every round I read six single issues (starting with issue #1). At the end of every round, each book's points are added to their total. Any book scoring 2/5 or under in a given round is eliminated and replaced with a new book.

The scoring system is based on a simple question: do I want to keep reading this book? Anything above a 2/5 is a "yes" and anything below is a "no." The score sheet:

5/5: highly recommended.
4/5: strong overall but not as good as it could have been.
3/5: just good enough to read the next issue.
2/5: some limited potential.
1/5: objectively terrible.

So without further ado, here are the books in Round Two

Returning Books

Five books return from Round 1:

The Wake #2 (Snyder/Murphy: Vertigo, 2013)

I liked the first issue of Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy’s underwater science fiction series, but issue two really blows the roof off things. There’s the central mystery of the merman-like creature which connects (in still unclear ways) to human evolution on Earth and the theoretical “death” of Mars several million years ago. The characters are coming into focus, and Snyder does a good job setting up potential cracks and fissures as pressure on the team mounts. Genuinely creepy and genuine quality, with bonus echoes of seminal Detroit electro outfit Drexciya. 5/5: highly recommended. 

Magneto #2 (Bunn/Hernandez Walta: Marvel, 2014)

Bunn keeps the revenge noir thing going strong. The book reminds me of Richard Stark's Parker novels--the good second half of each one after the heist is done and Parker goes about getting his revenge on everyone who double-crossed him. We learn Magneto has lost much of his power, so rather than twist bridges and throw tanks he kills people with nails and their own bullets. The one downside is leaving Magneto's perspective for that of two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. I see why Bunn did it that way, but the result is a bit meh. Otherwise this is a great issue. 4/5: strong overall but could still be better.  

Hawkeye #2 (Fraction/Aja: Marvel, 2012) 

A tale of two Hawkeyes—Clint Barton and Kate Bishop—and their relationship to each other. Everything else is fairly unimportant, but helps tell that story and never gets in the way. So it’s good, and has a sleek noir feel reminiscent of work by other Marvel mainstays, like Ed Brubaker on his series Criminal and Brian Michael Bendis’ run on Moon Knight. Barton, however, could use a bit more depth beyond just “wiseass who cares.”  4/5: strong overall but could still be better. 

Brass Sun #2 (Edington/Culbard: 2000AD, 2014)

Things start ominously, with a multipage infodump that had me ready to kick this series to the curb. But then Edginton stops narrating and gives us story, with Wren and Conductor Seventeen on a journey to another world orbiting the eponymous Brass Sun. There they become enmeshed in a complex power play between two ageing (and very English) aristocrats. I wish Edginton just let the world build itself—after all, when the book stops throwing encyclopedia entries at us, it’s pretty good. 3/5: just good enough to keep going.

The Last Phantom #2 (Beatty/Ferigato: Dynamite, 2010)

The “white savior” thing still grates—I mean, why bother updating a series if you don’t challenge the problematic aspects of the source material? But otherwise the series is a taut and well-realized slice of revenge noir. Warning though: this one is ultra gritty. Nearly every character introduced in the first issue is dead by the end of the second. It’s borderline overkill, but I’ll reserve judgment until I see where Beatty is headed. 3/5: just good enough to keep going.

New!

Letter 44 #1 (Soule/Alburquerque: Oni, 2013)

Our new entry is another science fictional tale about a mission to the Asteroid Belt, where sensors have detected a non-human mining operation. The first issue is largely setup, and centers on the newly elected President of the USA, who inherits and is debriefed on the secret mission to make contact. We are then introduced to the crew of the Clarke, an unsubtle reference already used in the video game Dead Space, and their social dynamics. The art style takes risks, which I appreciate, but the not-proportional bodies are very distracting. 3/5: just good enough to keep going.

Results

The Wake #2 wins round two! No books eliminated, all return for round three--coming next month. Standings:

1. Magneto (9pts) [tie with]
2. The Wake (9pts)
3. Hawkeye (8pts)
4. Brass Sun (6pts) [tie with]
5. The Last Phantom (6pts)
6. Letter 44 (3pts)
7. East is West (2pts)

Microreviw [Comic] Seconds: by Bryan Lee O'Malley

O'Malley, Bryan Lee. Seconds [Oni Press, 2014]

This past week we have been given the gift of Seconds from Bryan Lee O'Malley.  O'Malley is the creator behind the beloved Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and has remained relatively quiet since its conclusion a couple of years back.  He was clearly hard at work at his next creative endeavor as Seconds debuted this past week.  In many ways Seconds feels like a fitting for a follow-up to the phenomenon that is Scott Pilgrim.

Seconds revolves around the life of chef Katie, who is the head chef of the successful restaurant Seconds, but is attempting to open up her own restaurant as she has already earned a reputation as a terrific chef.  Without reason, her world is brought to a sudden halt as her ex appears, her current relationship crumbles, and doubts about her new location begin to emerge.

Conflict lies at the center of this story.  The primary conflict is between Katie and the spirit of Seconds.  The spirit appears to be a girl of a similar age, and wants to protect Katie and Seconds.  When granted an opportunity to rewrite the past, via a notepad and special mushrooms, Katie attempts to fix the mistakes she made in her past relationship.

This undoubtably unleashes a string of multiple futures for Katie in which she must navigate and learn from.  As in life, Katie must understand that not all negative things should be reversed.  She grapples with relationship decisions, professional decisions, and more as she attempts to write the perfect future for herself.  She is meddling with a power that she doesn't fully grasp and when she accidentally brings in a rival spirit to Seconds, her futures begin to become more and more surreal.

O'Malley does a masterful job asking the big questions that we face on a daily basis.  What would I do if I had a second chance in this situation?  What would the ramifications be if they went the way I thought they should be?  Seconds is a beautiful read that informs us all that there is nothing wrong with making mistakes.  Nobody is perfect, but if we follow our heart and focus on what is important to us and the one's we love, despite some pain, things will work out in the end.

Seconds, in many ways, felt like a Hayao Miyazaki movie geared towards an older crowd.  Strong female character, goes through a tremendous personal growth, dueling spirits, and lots of heart.

The Math

Baseline Assessment: 9/10

Bonuses: +1 for its casual approach to tackling deep and life altering situations.

Penalties: -1 for being a one-shot graphic novel.  I would have happily read volumes in this series.

Nerd Co-efficient: 9/10 very high quality/standout in its category

Read about our scoring system here. And remember, we categorically reject grade inflation!

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

Thursday Morning Superhero

In less than a week I will be enjoying sunny San Diego and rubbing elbows with over 100,000 of my closest friends. As I prepare for my upcoming journey, I present to you good folk my top panel from each day.  I hope that I will be able to attend these panels, but plans are fluid.  It was hard to pick just one, but Batman, Horns, Saga, and a chance to impress my son with insider information is pretty good.

Thursday:
DC Comics: Batman 75: Legends of the Dark Knight
In his 75-year publishing history, Batman has grown into one of the most popular and influential icons of all time. Don't miss this historic panel with the legendary creators such as Neal Adams, Greg Capullo, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Frank Miller,Grant Morrison, Denny O'Neil, and Scott Snyder, who have shaped the Dark Knight into the hero he is today.

Friday:
RADiUS-TWC Previews Horns and Everly
First-time Comic-Con attendee and star of Horns Daniel Radcliffe joins co-star Juno Temple, director Alexandre Aja, and novelist Joe Hill to debut the world premiere of the Horns movie trailer, chat about the film, and hold an audience Q&A. In addition,Salma Hayek will be introducing new footage from her kick-ass film Everly. The panel will also reveal new scenes from upcoming RADiUS titles with some special surprises.

Saturday:
Saga
You know Saga. You love Saga. You can't get enough of Saga. Luckily, this year, series creators Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples are ready, rested, and eager to talk to you about Saga. What's coming up next on you-know-what? How could they do that thing to you-know-who? Whether you're coming in your finest cosplay or street clothes, you need to come to this panel..

Sunday:
LEGO: Ninjago
The LEGO: Ninjago team talks about the development of the TV show and toys.Tommy Andreasen (senior creative manager, LEGO), series writers Dan Hageman and Kevin Hageman, and Simon Lucas (product designer manager, LEGO) discuss the behind-the-scenes development of the LEGO Ninjago product line and TV series, with Brian Bowler (brand marketing director, LEGO) moderating the panel.

Enough about me, time for this week's reviews!

Pick of the Week:

The Auteur #5 - Rick Spears managed to give this comic the ending it deserved.  Nathan T. Rex may be a deranged individual who drugs women, bails out convicted serial killers, and has an extremely loose moral compass, but I ended up caring about him by the end of this series.  Rex taking his crew to Vegas for a wrap party was as insane and trippy as you would expect from this series.  Oni Press has confirmed that there will be more Auteur moving forward which makes me one happy camper.  There is nothing else like this in comics and I have nothing bad to say about the series.  Shocking, hilarious, disturbing, and fun. 

The Rest:

Stray Bullets #5 - In an odd, but highly entertaining story, David Lapham delivers a surreal fairy tale including the cast of characters he introduced in the first four issues.  While it still has the same feel as the other issues, it was difficult to read at times because the other issues feel so real.  It felt like I was watching a B-movie from 1971.  Definitely enjoyable, but quite the departure from the other issues.





The Wicked + Divine #2 - This stellar title from Image picks up steam this week as the Gods are recovering from the framing of Lucifer for the Judge's death.  Laura offers her assistance to Lucifer as we learn more about her rebirth, Laura's back story, and are introduced to a new formidable foe.  This series is hipster gold and is one of the most unique books I have laid eyes on.








POSTED BY MIKE N. -- 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

I am starting to worry that the bubble is bursting for comic fandom.  New York Comic Con sold out in record time and there are rumors that Marvel is exploring a $4.99 price point for comics.  They will deliver more pages and are technically a better deal (less money per page), but I worry for the little guy. There have been some great innovations in recent years (MonkeyBrain, Marvel Unlimited, ComiXology) that have definitely helped, but I still have my fears.  That being said, with the popularity this industry has seen, as a reader, I am enjoying more titles from some amazing individuals each week and couldn't be happier with the quality and variety that is brought to the table every single week.

Pick of the Week:
The Wicked + The Divine - The tagline for this title says it all. "But remember: just because you’re immortal, doesn’t mean you’re going to live forever."  12 Gods have have been reincarnated as pop stars with only two years to live.  They have started to cause a bit of a youth revolution, but have their detractors.  There is a tension that is present between the believers and the non-believers that feels real.  It brought back memories of my youth when the pastor at my church spoke out against bands like Def Leopard.  The divide between those in power and those who have the ability to speak to the disenfranchised is very real and I think a lot of people will relate to this title. Kieron Gillan does a masterful job developing meaningful characters and establishing the premise for this book in an effective way.  Well done.

The Rest:
The Auteur #4 - In a somewhat toned down issue, this work from Rick Spears continues to be one of my surprise hits of 2014.  Following the events from the last issue, Rex isn't comfortable putting what he filmed on the big screen.  Despite praise from executives, Rex has a plan to fix the movie and hopefully clear him of any legal troubles he may now face.   In a somewhat subdued issue (from a gore standpoint), Spears delivers a twist I did not see coming and some laugh out loud moments.  As I have said with each issue, if you have the stomach for this type of thing, you need to be reading this title.

Original Sin #4 - We were left with the Winter Soldier slicing off the head of Nick Fury and stealing the Watcher's eye.  It was a hell of an ending to my favorite Marvel event of recent and readers were due some sort of explanation.  Issue 4 delivered that explanation, but upped the ante with the reveal at the end.  There are still a lot of questions to be answered and while I am enjoying the whodunnit mystery, I am more excited about what the Watcher knew.  Really digging this event.





Axe Cop: The American Choppers #2 - As a huge fan of Axe Cop, I felt a little let down by the majority of this issue.  It was filled with some of the typical Axe Cop humor, but felt a little forced.  It was fun to see Axe Cop struggle as a leader and I definitely enjoyed where this book ended up at the end, but I wonder if it would have worked better in its traditional format on the web.  I will stick with this title as I am a dedicated fan and have faith it will improve, but would steer newcomers to the series to the webcomics.

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

Thursday Morning Superhero

It is hard to believe that a week has passed since the great basement incident of 2014.  I am proud to report that the basement is refinished, the comics are safe, and we have another great week of comics to look forward to.

Pick of the Week:
The Sixth Gun #41 - Cullen Bunn's masterpiece continues its path towards its epic conclusion.  This week we are treated to the backstory of Griselda the Grey.  I have to hand it to Bunn, but he made me feel sympathy for this vile creature.  Understanding her past was a riveting experience and would be enjoyable even if you haven't read this series (why haven't you?  It's great!).  The more I learn about the history of The Six, the more I hope Bunn has planned for this world (worlds depending on how many times things have been remade).  Understanding why Griselda uses others and how important she is in this whole thing was extremely satisfying.  I remain in awe of this issue and this series.

The Rest:
The Empty Man #1 - Cullen Bunn must be one of the hardest working gents in the business.  I am not sure how he has the time to do what he does, but he has managed to deliver another stellar horror title.  The Empty Man, might be a pandemic that is impacting people's sanity.  Vile acts are being committed, and based on the open, it may be connected to a religious cult.  While Bunn has another intriguing story at hand, Vanesa R. Del Rey delivers some truly horrifying art.  She establishes a dark tone that truly allows this story to shine.  Make sure you go back and pick this title up.



Angry Birds #1 - Before you rush to judgement on this title, it might be worth your time if you are a parent.  As the father of a six-year-old boy, I have endured a lot of Angry Birds, and Angry Birds related products in my life.  I wasn't sure I needed a comic, but I feel fine about it.  At least it encourages reading and manages to deliver a few laughs.  Definitely not for those who aren't Angry Birds fans, but not a bad book to introduce children into the wonderful world that is comics.

Deadpool #30 - Deadpool's Original Sin tie-in continues, but little has been revealed about his past.  He is currently busy fighting vampire's to help out his wife.  Disco era Dazzler and Deadpool taking down hordes of vampires set to the lyrics of disco music is worth the price of admission alone.  The not so subtle jabs at X-Men and time travel were thrown in for good measure.  Fun title that ended with a quasi-reveal of what the Watcher knew about Deadpool.

The Walking Dead #128 - The new arc continues, albeit slowly, establishing the new colony that Rick and crew has set up.  This slow pace has me nervous for the hammer that Kirkman is going to drop.  Negan is still alive, befriending Carl, and the newcomers are set to do some digging.  This definitely feels like the calm before the storm.

Wolverine #8 - With all of the hype around "3 Months to Die" I thought it would be a good time to revisit Logan and see what he has been up to.   Wolverine has lost his ability to heal and is currently seeking answers regarding his own death.  This has brought him into a confrontation with Sabertooth, who is currently holding his current romantic interest hostage.  While I don't fully appreciate the backstory, this seemed to be a good jumping on point to participate in the death of Wolverine.  Not bad.  Not great.

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

Thursday Morning Superhero

As I type away on my post this week I am both saddened that I have not seen Captain America 2 yet and happy that C2E2 is a little over one week away!  If all goes according to plan I will be in attendance at this fine event on both Saturday and Sunday.  It has been some time since my last Con appearance and I am looking forward to returning to the chaos.

Pick of the Week:
The Auteur #2 - Wow.  This is quickly becoming one of my favorite books, but it is very difficult to recommend to just anyone.  This book is absolutely bonkers and I love it.  If you find buckets of gore and crass jokes offensive, this is not the book you are looking for.  Beneath the blood and guts, The Auteur is a smart and refreshing comic unlike any I have read.  Issue #2 demonstrates to what lengths Nathan T. Rex will go to ensure his next film is a success.  Not satisfied with your run of the mill horror, Rex plans on using Darwin, a notorious serial killer, as the murder expert on his film.  Packed with genuinely funny humor and a shockingly original plot line, The Auteur may be for you.  The VHS playing scene in the court room was one of the funniest gags I have ever read in a comic book.  Well played Rick Spears and Oni.  Can't wait for issue #3.

The Rest:
Stray Bullets: Killers #2 - The Stray Bullets comics have a way of sucking you in and connecting you with seemingly normal characters at a rapid pace.  Each issue stands on its own, but the depth of the world that David Lapham creates is better appreciated if you soak it all in.  Stray Bullets reminds us all that we are not perfect and that everyone has skeletons in the closet, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.  Deep down, despite our flaws, there are good people who make poor choices.  Beautiful book that should make its way to your pull list.

Sinestro #1 - I will admit that I am not well versed in all that is Green Latern, but with Cullen Bunn penning the new Sinestro title I had to pick it up.  Sinestro is pulled from his self-inflicted isolation by Lyssa Drak who urges him to take control over the Sinestro Corps once again.  With my lack of knowledge in the lore, I would guess that there were many references that were over my head. I still found the story compelling and will return for issue #2.  I am guessing it might be wise to see if my library has some collected volumes of Geoff Johns.

Batman #30 - The final act of "Zero Year" begins with issue and it looks to be a doozy.  I never considered The Riddler to be much of a formidable foe for Batman, but with what Scott Snyder has come up with I have a new found respect for Mr. Nygma.  The Riddler has transformed Gotham into a apocalyptic hellscape with seemingly no escape.  Through sheer terror, he has broken the will of the residents and it is going to take some fancy gadgets and planning to save Gotham.  Something tells me Batman will be up for the task.

Batman Eternal #2 - It is a good thing this title is coming out weekly, because things are moving at a rapid pace in Gotham.  With an all-star crew behind this title, I hope it maintains this momentum moving forward.  The villain reveal at the end of this issue was glorious and I am very excited where this book seems to be headed.

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

Thursday Morning Superhero

Before moving into the world of comics I feel the need to bring your attention to the upcoming David Lynch art show, "In Dreams", that is going to be opening at the Spoke Art Gallery in San Francisco.   The opening reception is this Saturday and you can get more information by checking out the blog here.   Spoke Art hosts some fabulous shows and this one looks to be spectacular.  Too bad I am trapped in Indiana.  Well, at least I have my comics to keep me company!

Pick of the Week:

Magneto #1 - Cullen Bunn has demonstrated his mastery over horror so pairing him with Magneto is a match made in heaven.  Before I review this book, as someone who resides in the Midwest, it pains me to see this title open in Cape Girardean, Missouri.  I can only imagine that it was intended to be Cape Girardeau and was an honest mistake, but I want the good folk who live in Cape Girardeau to feel excited that Magneto had coffee there!  Despite this minor flaw, this title is simply compelling.  Bunn delves into the psyche of this notorious villain and reminds people of how simply vicious this mutant can be.  Magneto is currently investigating crimes against mutants and appears to be living in a world that is a cross between Memento and Bottle Rocket.  It is definitely interesting to see him in the role of detective and I am very excited about where Bunn is going to take this series.  Go buy this title right now!

The Rest:

The Auteur #1 - When I learned the good folks at Oni Press sent advance copies of this book to the Westboro Baptist Church I knew I was in for a treat.  The Twitter account of the "church" sent a reply to Oni Press and told them they could keep their pornography to themselves.  While The Auteur is far from pornography, it is easy to see how one could be offended from such a book.  While I would not recommend this book to all, I quite enjoyed the tale of a struggling Hollywood producer and found it to be like nothing on the market currently.  The gore is over the top and feels like a Garbage Pail Kids card, but it fits the trippy tale of one man's quest to reclaim his career.  Unique series that is worth your time if you are not easily offended.

Secret #6 - Jonathan Hickman's crime noir delivered an action packed sequence straight out of summer blockbuster that was over before I knew it.  Not wanting to spoil anything, things get a little messy as Steadman and company prove to be formidable foes.  We are left with a stressful situation that has me yearning for a quick turnaround on issue #7.  Not sure if I would suggest picking this up now, but would definitely recommend picking up the trade whenever it is released.  This is a phenomenal series.

Quantum and Woody: Goat #0 - The good people at Valiant tricked me into reading a goat's origin story and I am happy they did.  This is a funny, heart-felt tale about two partners and their goat.  As a newcomer to Quantum and Woody, I plan on checking out what the series has to offer after picking up this title.  The writing is fresh and witty, there are references to Dolly the Sheep, and the ending hook left me wanting more of this series.  Valiant is really establishing itself as a strong independent publisher.

Moon Knight #1 - The insane life of Moon Knight has always intrigued me since a friend introduced me to him a few years back.  Marc Spector, Moon Knight, appears to be suffering from multiple personalities and is absolutely bonkers.  Despite this, he is on the side of good and is assisting police in an investigation.  While nothing groundbreaking occurs in this issue, it appears that Moon Knight is in capable hands and that the great Warren Ellis has big plans for Mr. Spector.  I will continue reading this series and hope you do as well.

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

Thursday Morning Superhero

Welcome to another installment of Thursday Morning Superhero.  Well the good folks at Epic Registration and San Diego Comic Con debuted the preregistration lottery and it seemed to work out quite well.  As always there were horror stories about the system crashing, not getting the days you want, and so forth, but it didn't seem as bad as in years past.  The system crashed on me when I was about to check out, but a friend got in shortly after I did and secured my four day pass.  Sorry to those that weren't as lucky and best of luck with the general sale.  I always feel that the trip is worth it without a badge.  There is enough to do between the Nerd HQ and the Gaslamp that a good time should be had by all.  Oh yeah.  Some comics came out this week.

Pick of the Week:
Sixth Gun #38 - Cullen Bunn is putting together what looks to be one of the best endings I have ever read to a series.  Asher Cobb continues on his rampage as Griselda the Grey whispers false promises in his ear.  This doesn't bode well for Drake and his crew, who for the most part want to destroy the six.  Griselda's attack on Brimstone seems to be unstoppable and Drake and Becky appear to be facing their greatest challenge yet.  Jessup and Griselda's minions appear to be an unstoppable force, especially when you consider they have caused Asher to turn.  What I have loved about these past few issues is how they call back to the first arc of this story.  The six are being used in full force, the return to Brimstone, and the freaking return of Billjohn!   While it has been fun to revisit the past, this issue establishes just how dangerous the guns are.  Even those who don't possess the guns, but are near them, are at risk.  Bunn pulled some surprises that I didn't see coming and this was an emotional ride to say the least.  I don't know if I have enjoyed this series more over the past three years than I am right now, and that is saying a lot.  On a side note, the best quote in the issue goes to Kirby who said, "I hope they note that this was the day I finally grew weary of shooting snake-faced hombres."  Stunning issue in what appears to be an epic conclusion to one of the best modern comic series.

The Rest:
The Walking Dead #121 - Chapter 7 of "All out War" came out this week and established a somber tone early on.   If you recall from the last issue, Negan and his crew hit Rick and company with an all out assault that left many dead and houses burned to the ground.  Understandably this leaves Rick's camp divided and even has Rick questioning his plan.  A much slower paced read, but a good change of pace for what has been quite the event.  I am worried that someone I care about is going to die in the next couple of issues.  Curse you Kirkman for creating characters that I feel personally vested in.

Batman #28 - Scott Snyder delivers a curve ball with this issue and ventures away from Year One and teases us with the next chapter for the Dark Knight, Batman Eternal.  Set at some point in the not so distant future, Gotham has become a police state with mandatory 8pm curfews.  Batman, along with his new sidekick?, Blue Bird, infiltrate an underground nightclub to speak to the current kingpin of crime.  A fun book that does a nice job with the tease. I am actually quite curious to learn about what is going on in Gotham and why some things I don't want to spoil are taking place.  As long as Snyder is writing Batman I will continue to read it.

The Fuse #1 - Interesting debut from Antony Johnston.  The Fuse is a space station that appears to be an escape for people who want to leave their lives on Earth in the past.  This doesn't populate the Fuse with the best citizens, but for whatever reason (I am sure we will find out) Dietrich volunteered to work homicide in this god forsaken place.  The first homicide surrounds the murder of cablers, homeless individuals, and little is known as to why they are being targeting.  Not a bad debut, but nothing that is too noteworthy either.

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

After some relatively slow weeks, a great week of comics has landed upon us right in time for the holiday season!  This week features six, count 'em, six comics!  All out war continues for The Walking Dead, a new arc of The Sixth Gun is here, and Andy Diggle concludes Captain America: Living Legend.   2014 looks to have some fun for us as well as Dark Horse announced an official 20th Anniversary celebration for Hell Boy.  Mark your calendars for March 22 and plan for some fun events at your LCS.

Pick of the Week:
The Sixth Gun #36 - It appears that it may be the beginning of the end for the Sixth Gun.  Cullen Bunn delivers one of the most exciting comics I have read in recent memory.  It is bittersweet that it looks like the series will be wrapping soon, but I trust in Bunn's decision in how Drake (I hope) will remake the world once they are in possession of all six guns.  Drake and Becky are in possession of five of the six and are hellbent on claiming the final one from Missy Hume.  They return to Brimstone, where the series began, to learn as much as they can about Hume.  Meanwhile, Griselda has killed the widow Hume and is raising an army of the undead to take down Drake, Becky, and everyone else.  On top of that, Griselda enters Asher Cobb's vision and is attempting to turn him against Drake.  Also, I still don't like Kirby Hale one bit.  I don't trust that pretty boy.  This new arc started with a bang and has reinvigorated my interest in this series.  I look forward to revisiting this story from the beginning over the weekend.  I also want to give props to Brian Hurt for delivering on some chilling panels in this issue. Bunn and Hurt remind me of Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez.  Their work compliments each other so well it wouldn't feel right if they weren't working together.

The Rest:
The Wraith #2 - I've never met Joe Hill, but I have seen him on some panels at SDCC and he seems like a normal and nice man.  However, reading this comic makes me fearful of his little bearded self.  I am enjoying this title, but Charles Manx is an awful human being and Hill pulls no punches in establishing just how evil he is.  Not for the faint of heart, but if you are reading Hill's work then you have an idea of what you will be getting.  If you read NOS4A2 (you really should) then I would highly recommend this title.  I look forward to my first trip to Christmasland in issue #3.

The Walking Dead #118 - The war on the outposts wages on for Rick and his crew.  This issue, despite being chalk full of walkers and shoot-outs, felt much slower and less brutal.  I would guess this was intentional as Robert Kirkman delivered a more emotional issue that showed the sobering side of war.  One of my favorite moments was actually on the letters page.  It is clear that the folk at Skybound and Image have a good sense of humor and are on the pulse of their fans.  This was a good calm before the storm.

Star Wars #12 - While I am still conflicted about the information from Brian Wood's past that came to light recently, I must say I enjoy his writing a great deal.  One of my favorite things about this Star Wars series is the additional depth and context that is provided for many of the smaller characters.  Mon Mothma has been shining as of late as the Rebellion landed a fleet of TIE Interceptors.  Leia has located a planet, Arrochar, that sounds like it will be friendly to the Rebellion.  We will have to wait until issue #15 to see if her decision was a good one as the next few issues will focus on Vadar.

Captain America: Living Legend #4 - Andy Diggle wrapped up his mini-series quite nicely this week. The highlight was Captain America looking like Cthulhu as he was taken over by the dark energy that possessed Volkov.  I quite enjoyed learning why Volkov has it in for Cap (I won't spoil) and appreciate a short, to the point, story that is entertaining.  Not the deepest comic I have read this year by a long shot, but a great story that is worth your time.

Batman #26 - Zero Year continues and we gain more insight into the past life of Bruce Wayne when he was first Batman.  While I have enjoyed Zero Year, there is something off putting about a young Bruce Wayne that causes it to lose its Batman feel.  I can't explain why, but this current arc is enjoyable, but not memorable.  At least this one is the origin story of Commissioner Gordon's trench coat.  If you are a Batman fan you will enjoy it, but it lacks the punch of the previous arcs.

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 quite distracted this week.  My son will be celebrating his sixth birthday on Friday, I will be attending Gen Con for the first time next week, and I have been prepping for my day job as students will be returning to campus soon.  What I needed was a solid collection of books this week to give me an escape from everything that is happening here.  I must say that the comic gods delivered.

Pick of the Week:

Trillium #1 - Jeff Lemire's science fiction epic Trillium debuted this week with high expectations.  Lemire has never disappointed me in the past and his work continues to be simply stunning.  What he does with his comics isn't fair to other creators.  What moves me most with the work of Lemire is his ability to create intrigue and mystery through a simple facial expression, and how past relationships define who a character was and who they become.  The premise of the book is that Nika, a scientist set to secure trillium flowers from an alien race, has had her timeline drastically reduced to complete her work for the good of humanity.  At the center of the Atabithian village is a mysterious temple.  William, a archaeologist who is suffering from war flashbacks, is from the past and is seeking an Incan temple of great power.  Their two paths intersect in a way that is not only satisfying from a story standpoint, but from the process of reading the physical comic as well.  Mild spoiler, but Lemire designed this comic as a flip book with a separate story for each character.  Their point of meeting is at the middle of the book with reversed panels upside down from one another.  Simply stunning.  I had high hopes for Trillium, given how much I have enjoyed The Underwater Welder, Sweet Tooth, and Essex County, and it looks like Lemire is delivering another classic full on mystery and parental relationships.  Well played sir.

The Rest:

Burn to Lose: Burn the Orphanage - This title may be the polar opposite of Trillium.  You can throw depth, mystery, and character development out the window for some good mindless fun.  In this tale we learn that Rock, a cross between Ryu, Ken, and Johnny from the Karate Kid, was in an orphanage that was burned down when he was a kid.  He was the only survivor and he is going to punch his way on the streets, in a bar, and against stripper ninjas to exact his revenge.  Yep.  That's about it.

Robocop #1 -  I guess they can't all be enjoyable.  When I saw that Boom! Studios was releasing a new My brain saw Frank Miller + comic + Robocop = Gold!  I should have listened to my friend who said he was excited initially, until he remember that Miller wrote Robocop 2.  Based on a Miller script for Robocop 3, you may want to pass on this one.  A clunky story paired together with subpar art and you have my $4 regret of the week.

Helheim #6 - Cullen Bunn wraps up the first arc of his nordic tale in stunning fashion.  The witches

feud comes to its dramatic conclusion with twists that I did not see coming.  Bunn really hits the nail on the head with his balance between horror and drama.  Rikard's father plays a significant role and I fear for him in upcoming arcs.  I don't want to spoil anything, but if you have missed this book so far you will want to pick up the trade.

Artful Daggers #6 - This Mokeybrain title from Sean Williams and Adam Knave really picked things up this week.  The Tricksters are finally becoming what the corporations feared what they would become.  An uprising is in the works, but the amount of deception and lack of trust amongst members will ensure that nothing is easy.  One of the best bargains on the comic market today at only $.99 an issue.  You could pick up the current arc on ComiXology for less than $6!

Ten Grand #4 - Following an emotionally charged issue, Joe is presented with a new challenge that shakes him to the core.  For the first time since he struck his bargain, he is unable to reach his angel on the other side.  Enlisting the help of a trapped soul, Joe learns that not only is his angel missing, but Sarah's soul is missing as well.  Really enjoying this series.

What I Should Have Read:
Manhattan Projects #13 - I really want to return to this series at some point, and it sounds like I missed a great issue.  Fictional versions of Einstein and other World War II era scientists are featured in this flashback issue.

Satellite Sam #2 - Mike is not only dealing with the loss of his father, but with the pressure to fill in as his replacement.  He turns to the bottle and the story switches focus to the owner of the station, adding another wrinkle in this ever complicated period piece.