Top Ten Characters That Are Being Underutilized

What up muchachos. Another week and another top ten.  Earlier this week I was watching the X-Men Animated Series while cleaning and doing so chores and was wondering why isn't Morph or Gambit used more/better. They are two of my favorite characters and I have never read a Morph story.  As for Gambit, until this Deadpool v. Gambit there hasn't been anything worth reading with his as a main character. This got me thinking on what other characters are being misused or underutilized. Surprisingly I am ok with how Wolverine is being handled right now, they have Old Man Logan along with the New Wolverine and both are pretty good. I was tempted to put the whole X-Men team on here, but I think that may be better addressed in one of my conspiracy theory articles about how Marvel is killing off the X-Men universe and replacing it with Inhumans because they don't own the movie rights.

 

 

#10 The Question - According to Wikipedia The Question first appeared in Charlton Comics Blue Beetle #1 (June 1967). The character was acquired by DC Comics in the early 1980s and incorporated into the DC Universe. Following the events of the 2006–2007 miniseries 52, his protégé Renee Montoya took up his mantle and became his successor. Following the DC relaunch The New 52, Vic Sage is reintroduced as a government agent.

So I was excited for them to do something with this character when Convergence came out.  They gave The Question her own book, as it was Renee Montoya at the time, and I was hoping that something was going to spin out of there.  Unfortunately, they wasted it and The Question has not been seen in continuity since. This is a popular character that DC is letting waste away in storage. If DC continues to ignore him, people are going to think that The Question is a rip off of Rorschach. The series that got me interested in this character was the 2005 Mini series that came out by Rick Veitch and Tommy Lee Edwards.  It is defiantly a series worth reading with great art.

#9 Aqualad/Kaldur - It is a travesty that DC is not using this version of Aqualad.  In Young Justice, according to Wikipedia, Aqualad was first seen as the protege of Aquaman. He was later unanimously elected by the team to be their leader after their first mission together, as he was perceived as having good leadership skills. In the second season of the series he uncovered he was in fact the son of Black Manta. 

Kaldur being the son of Black Manta is a great twist to this character that is so intriguing and has so much potential that it blows my mind that DC is not using it. The fact that he works with Black Manta and sees that there are good, even great qualities in his father, would make the struggle to fight his father that more interesting.  He is a great leader and on even ground with Robin/Nightwing. He has enhanced strength and thick skin that grants him some protection as well as some magical fighting techniques. Anyone that has watched Young Justice will agree with me and if you have not Watched it, WHAT are you waiting for.  It is on Netflix, get watching.

#8. Dick Tracy - I actually loved this movie as a kid.  Yes I realize that it was terrible, but I still enjoyed it.  I loved the Tommy guns and the weird bad guys and the whole mob aspect.  This would be so easy to reboot and make a dark and gritty comic book.  Something like the Image book Fade-Out was.  This is a highly recognizable property and it is sitting collecting dust.  Tommy guns, the cool cars, the mob mixed in with a good mystery or investigation and you have a great book.  Imagine Ed Brubaker on this book. EPIC.

# 7 Hawk Girl - I love Hawk Girl especially the Bombshell version. Regardless, this is always a tough as nail character that flies around with a freaking Mace. Yeah I know she uses other weapons, but a Mace and a Warhammer are pretty awesome weapons.  In the New 52 they stranded her off in the Earth 2, but she should be part of the Justice League or at least make an appearance once every couple of arcs.  A lot of people love her, but she is not being used to her full potential right now.

#6 Morph - Wolverine pull back! Morph is awesome and hasn't appeared since 2009 in a comic book. I always enjoyed him in the X-Men cartoon series. This is a character that should get a comedic mini series.  Morph is not that powerful, but can change into any character that he wants and does in the show while making fun of them.  Pair this with Nick Spencer where he goes around and punks Cyclops, Bishop, Colossus and Deadpool and you would have a book that everyone is picking up.  A book in the same vein as the Superior Foes Of Spiderman

 
#5 Gambit - What can I say about Gambit that you guys already don't know.  Aside from the fact that they can not get him his own ongoing that is written well and compelling. This is a immensely popular character that Marvel, or Fox for that matter, cannot seem to get right.  Marvel did team him up with Deadpool in a fun book, but a darker ongoing is what we want from him.  I mean exploring the thief and assassin guilds would be a great start of an ongoing Gambit book. As for the movies the X-Men Wolverine Origins version was terrible, but they messed up Deadpool.  So here is hoping the rebooted version of Gambit will do as well as the Deadpool.

#4 Omega Red - I know there are a lot of X-Men related things on this list, but I am such a big X-Men fan and Marvel is doing such a bad job with them that it drives me nuts. Omega Red is super boss and hasn't really been used sine the Wolverine Anime back in 2009. Yes, I am not counting the X-Men 92 that recently came back and left a very poor taste in my mouth. Loved the art but the story was womp womp.  This is a powerful villain that they aren't using. Have him fight someone please.

#3 Bane - Bane is the most underrated villain in the DC Universe. He outsmarted the smartest hero that most people argue could beat anyone with enough planning and preparing.  Batman is the best DC tactician and lost in a war to Bane.  Bane beat him in everyway and is reduced to the muscle for Poison Ivy.  GRRR that really angers me.  Since Bane has defeated Batman there has not been a great Bane and Batman story. I think Detective Comics is going to tackle Bane next and I hope that it is amazing. However, based on the last Bane story I read in Detective Comics, I am not getting my hopes up.

#2 Fantastic Four - This is a little bit of a cheat, but the fact that they do not have their own book is baffling. Arguably they are the biggest team behind The Avengers and the Justice League.  For them not to have their own book, but there be 10 different team up books with different Marvel characters is so odd.  This falls into the conspiracy of since they don't own the movie rights, this is not a property they want to push.  This is one of their oldest and most well known properties and for them to languish in never never land is crazy.  This property is so well known that even non comic fans know who they are, yeah probably due to the kind of goofy and campy Fox movies and the terrible dark reboot that was completely botched.

#1 Martian Manhunter - The fact that Martian Manhunter was kicked off the Justice League for Cyborg really drives me nuts.  Martian Manhuter is way better than Cyborg and I have seen it argued that he may be the most powerful Justice League member.  He can shape shift, go invisible, and go through walls.  He also has super strength and has went punch for punch with Superman.  With all that he also can read minds and is highly intelligent.  Instead he was relegated to Justice League United and the likes.  He did have his own ongoing that was ok, but he seems to work best with the Justice League.  He is a fan favorite of what seems like a vast majority of Justice League fans, so the fact that he isn't on the team or was replaced by Cyborg is a little strange. 

Covers of the Week 09/28/16

Happy New Comic book day. Best day of the week except for Sunday where I watch football and read the books I get. This week there are a ton of beautiful covers. I am going to try and whittle it down to ten or so.  The cover of the week was a tough battle this time.  Frostbite and Surgeon X were fighting it out. Both Deadpool covers were great as well as both Kingpin covers, but I had to make some cuts.  Also, the Dr. Strange covers were great too. Another funny thing is that Marvel is continuing with their Cosplay Variants.  Most have been terrible, but there have been two or three that have been ok.  So here they are.  The covers of the week.

Covers of the Week

Frostbite #1 By: Jason Shawn Alexander

 

Runner Ups

Surgeon X #1 By John Watkiss

Bloodshot Reborn #17 Cover C By Timothy Green II



Teen Titans Rebirth #1 By: Jonboy Meyers

Thunderbolts #5 By John Malin

 

Star Wars #23 Cover C By: Jorge Molina

Street Fighter Unlimited #10 Cover C By Jeffrey Chamba Cruz



Civil War II Kingpin #3 By Aaron Kuder

Deadly Class #22 By Wesley Craig



Deathstroke #3 Cover B By Shane Davis

Descender #15 By Dustin Nguyen

Think I missed something or something doesn't belong.  Let me know.

New No. 1's 09/28/16

Greeting fellow travelers of the interweb. As you know every week we go over the new books starting out this week. I have been very excited for Batman Beyond and it almost made the book of the week.  However, were that to happen it would be because of my bias toward Batman and all things Batman. Since Rebirth is still being rolled out, this is DC heavy. Hopefully this will help you find a new interesting book to read.   

Two side notes. 1. Double Take is coming out with all their Trades this week.  I read the first issues of each and thought they were a good read. You may want to check one out if you are a Zombie genre fan. 2. Marvel NOW 2016 Previews is coming out this week.  I am curious if this will show all the new books they plan to launch as part of Marvel NOW. It is free, pick it up and take a look at it.

Book of the Week

W: Joshua Williamsion A: Jason Shawn Alexander

Frostbite #1 - Long after Earth has entered its second ice age, humanity has learned to cope with the frozen elements. In this cold and bleak future, heat is power, and brutal gangs roam the icy wasteland looking for it. If that wasn't enough, a terrible disease nicknamed 'frostbite' is literally freezing people from the inside out. Once you catch it, the effect is instantaneous. There is no immunity, there is no cure. Until now. Doctor Henry Bonham and his daughter Victoria have found the key to ending frostbite. If they can get from Mexico City to a secret government outpost in Alcatraz, they could stabilize life across the globe. But to do that they'll need to stay alive. That's where Keaton comes in. She and her crew have faced worse journeys before, but never with the potential consequences this one poses if they fail.

This is a book I have been looking forward to since I saw it listed in the previews.  First thing I thought was this sounds like the Book Of Eli mixed with I Am Legend, both movies I thoroughly enjoyed. Williamson is a great writer and killed it on Ghosted, Birthright, Nailbiter and currently on Flash.  I have very high hopes for this book and think that it will deliver.

W: Sara Kenney A: John Watkiss

Surgeon X #1 - 'CUTTING LOOSE,' Part One. What do you get if you cross a far-right British government with an antibiotic apocalypse and a gruesome murder? The birth of Surgeon X and her renegade practice. Extreme times call for extreme medicine. SARA KENNEY, acclaimed documentary, factual drama and animation filmmaker (Angels and Ghosts) and master artist JOHN WATKISS (Sandman, Conan, Deadman) join forces with KAREN BERGER, award-winning and Vertigo-founding editor to produce this unique, darkly comic medical thriller, which will horrify and delight in equal measure.

This is another book that I have been excited for and almost took book of the week.  It is an oversized first issue and has a freaking cool title and premise.  It is hard to write much more since I don't really know more than the vague premise, but I have a good feeling about this one.

W: Dan Jurgens A: Ryan Sook

Batman Beyond Rebirth #1 - Six months have passed since the events of BATMAN BEYOND #16. While areas of destruction remain in the outside world, Gotham City has made great strides toward reclaiming its bright future. But new threats arise and old adversaries may be coming back. And the question still remains: whatever happened to Bruce Wayne?

This is a book that I have been very excited for.  I am hoping that this is the beginning of bring old man Bruce Wayne back into the picture.  This was one of my favorite cartoons growing up and I love how they continued him in comic book form.  The last run was ok, but not my favorite.  Hopefully, this is as good as most the other Rebirths have been.

W: Ben Percy A: Jonboy Meyers

Teen Titans Rebirth #1- The Teen Titans are farther apart than ever before, until Damian Wayne recruits Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy and the new Kid Flash to join him in a fight against his own grandfather, Ra's al Ghul! But true leadership is more than just calling the shots; is Robin really up to the task? Or will the Teen Titans dismiss this diminutive dictator?

This cover is amazing and one of the reasons I have been excited for this book. The premise really calls my name. I love the dynamic between Damian and Ra's, the struggle with the familial bond and doing the right thing. With Damian recruiting and leading a new team, this book should be one of the better books since there is so much to build off.  

W: Tim Seeley A: Fernando Dagnino

Tarzan On The Planet Of The Apes #1 - Raised as brothers but separated by slave traders, Tarzan and his ape brother Caesar reunite when the war between man and ape takes them from the jungles of Africa to the center of the earth.

This is a crossover that seems a little bizarre, but could be fun.  Planet of the Apes is a great concept and a classic for a reason. Tarzan has never really called my attention personally, but there has to be something there for Hollywood to keep remaking it.  The premise seems intriguing and might be worth checking out.

W: Keith Giffen A: Scott Kolins

Blue Beetle #1 - Jaime Reyes is back home, but just when he thought he had a grasp on this alter-ego, the Blue Beetle, he discovers everything he believed about his scarab is a lie according to the mysterious Doctor Fate. With dire warnings about the symbiote that is fused to Reyes' spine, Kent Nelson, the original wielder of Doctor Fate's power, seemingly on verge of insanity, has he come to save Jaime as he claims, or will he try to eliminate the Blue Beetle, no matter the cost?

With Doctor Fate being part of this arc, this is a book that I will give a chance.  Blue Beetle by himself has never really been for me. Although I did really enjoy him on Young Justice, but a lot of it was interaction with Impulse. I wish they would have added him onto the Teen Titans. Hopefully, I will be proven wrong and he will show that he deserves his own book.

Let me know what you guys think or if I am off my rocker.

5 Must Buys 09/28/16

Happy Monday. I am really pumped for this week.  There are a ton of new books coming out as well as a lot of new series that I am super pumped for. However, you all know that it is impossible to scoop them all up.  So I am trying to whittle it down to 5 books.  Unfortunately or fortunately, Civil War II has not been very good. This eliminates a lot of Marvel books for me. Side Note: I say this is unfortunate because the industry is at its best when Marvel, DC and the Independents are all going strong.  Don't get me wrong Marvel has some great books with Vision, Moon Knight, Dr. Strange, Black Panther, Old Man Logan and the Star Wars books. However, Civil War II is coming off more as a money grab and possibly Marvel trying to push the Inhumans down our throat. I do have a conspiracy theory that I will be writing about sometimes soon.  Anyways, here they are the top five books of the week.

Book of the week

W: Fred Van Lente A: Francis Portella

Generation Zero #2 - They've infiltrated, assassinated, and overthrown. Now this reformed covert strike team of teenage walking warheads have set their sights on a dangerous new mission: high school! In the secretive tech oasis of Rook, Michigan, who can a teenager trust? Not the police… Not the teachers… And definitely not the parents. So when high schooler Keisha Sherman's boyfriend turns up dead in an accident gone awry, she makes a desperate plea, and Generation Zero have heeded her call! But, with precision-honed military training and a taste for subverting authority, can this squad of high-powered, teenage superhumans infiltrate Rook undetected? Or is their very presence about to draw another of the town's billion-dollar secrets into the light of day?

This is a book that has the potential to be great, in fact it has the potential to be the best story that Valiant is putting out. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, but the first issue was a great setup with a great hook. I can't wait to see what happens.  This is one of those books that you read and you are suspicious of almost every character.  Whether they have ulterior motives or not, you are still suspicious and reluctant to trust them.

W: Joshua Williamson A: Carmine Di Giandomenico

Flash #7 - 'LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE' part 7! Still reeling from Godspeed's devastating attack, the beleaguered Flash realizes that to defeat this menacing new foe he must take away the Speed Force power from Central City's new citizen speedsters. There's only one problem: they don't want to give it back.

This is a book that I am glad is coming out on a bi-monthly schedule. The last book left us on a cliff hanger and I can't wait to see what happens next. Williamson has been doing an incredible job crafting this new Flash story with twists and turns that you did not see coming.  This has consistently been one of the best Rebirth titles. This is one that if you haven't yet go back and catch up. 

Writer: Robert Kirkman A: Paul Azaceta & Elizabeth Breitweiser

Outcast #21 - 'Blood is Spilled' Kyle is in danger, and Anderson will risk it all to help him. But is it a sacrifice he can't recover from?

This is a book that is hard to talk about without completely spoiling it.  It is also one of those books that you can't just jump into. You have to go back and start at the beginning, which I strongly recommend at least getting the first trade.  If you are not hooked by the time you finish, this is not the book for you. This is a dark and twisted story that you have to read.  My cousin argues with me that this is best read in trade form.  However, the story is too good and I am too impatient. 

W: Jason Aaron A: Jorge Molina

Star Wars #23 - The rebels have pulled off the impossible; they've stolen a Star Destroyer. But why? To what end? Can they hold her together? And who's in charge of this madness, anyway - Han or Leia?

As you guys know, I am a total Star Wars fanboy.  This book has been so much fun and feels like it is a continuation of the movies. Aaron has found the voice of the characters and tone of the universe.  This book is well written and compelling. I mean they stole a freakin' Star Destroyer. RAMMING SPEED. What else do you want?

W: Dan Abnett W: Brett Booth & Norm Rapmund

Titans #3 - 'The Return of Wally West' part 3. The Titans receive word that Karen Beecher - Duncan-a.k.a. Bumblebee - has been kidnapped! Is there a connection between a shadowy new foe and the intergalactic demon that stole their memories?

This is another book that I can't wait to see what they do. I have a ton of questions about this book. How they are going to reincorporate Wally into the universe and team?  Who else is going to be added to the team?  Is this the book that is going to explain rebirth and the possible Watchman connection? If they drag this on too long they may ruin this series, but if they handle it right this book can be amazing.

Let me know if you disagree or think I left something out.  

Top Ten Ongoing Series That Should Be On Your Pull List 9/21/16

Welcome to the top ten where each week we find something about comics that we may know and love and rate them in a list.  This week we are talking about the top ten books that should be on every comic bookers pull list.  I am omitting books that either are limited series like Vision and Lady Killer 2 or books that were on the one of the top ten underrated independent lists. The ground rules for this list was that they had to have at least five issues out, which eliminated a lot of the DC books and the book had to be an ongoing series.

My goal is to do this list twice a year in order to help you guys trim your pull lists.  Before I started my blog, I liked to have about 20 books on my pull list, which was about $100 a month.  However, with limited series like The Wake, erratically produced books like Afterlife With Archie, weekly books like Future's End or event books like Secret Wars, it was usually closer to 30 books or about $150 a month.  If I did not trim twice a year then my list would balloon up to 40 or 50 books.

Trimming your list can create some hard choices, especially on books that you have been getting forever, but when you are reading a book and it feels like a chore or you can't even follow the story any more, it is time to drop the book.  This has happened to me a couple times with characters that I really liked. Sometimes I would jump off for an arc and it would be better other times I dropped the book completely. A couple of good examples would be X-Men. I love the X-men, but Uncanny X-Men has been really hard to follow.  I had high hopes for the All New X-Men, where they brought the original X-Men from the past to present and I was disappointed, but I continue to get excited for and try every X book that I can, Magneto, Storm, Cyclops, etc. Another example was during the Green Lantern crossover with the New Gods. I dropped that book, but continued with other related books like Sinestro or Green Lantern: The Lost Army until Rebirth started.

There are people who buy a book regardless of who is writing or drawing it just because it contains their favorite character. I do understand that impulse, but sometimes they change the character so much for an arc or multiple arcs where you are no longer enjoying the story and are just picking it up because you have to have a full run.  Same thing happens with writers and artists.  Listen, the writers at the big two and any of the independents have talent, but occasionally get stuck in a bad path, by their own fault or with an editor trying to shoehorn a story that doesn't belong in the book. A perfect example would be Robert Vendetti. The last couple arcs of the New 52 Green Lantern book were not very good, but the Rebirth and Hal Jordan And the Green Lanterns have been great. Sorry this turned into a mini rant, but bottom line is that we as the consumer need to vote with our wallet. If you think cross over events are a way for the big two to take your money instead of tell an interesting story, don't give into FOMO and don't buy them.  Same can be said about variant covers and tie in books.  Eventually they would stop putting annual events just to put them out, Convergence and Axis that means you and would put out events because they have a good story to tell that are actually good stories like Civil War and Flash Point.

Rant over.  Back to the top ten ongoing series that should be on your pull list.

W: Jeff Lemire A: Greg Smallwood

10. Moon Knight - "THE BOOK YOU'D BE INSANE TO MISS! Marc Spector (a.k.a. Moon Knight/Jake Lockley/Steven Grant) has been fighting criminals and keeping New York City safe for years… or has he? When he wakes up in an insane asylum with no powers and a lifetime's worth of medical records, his whole identity (indentities) are called into question. Something is wrong, but is that something Marc Spector himself? Jeff Lemire (EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN) and rising star Greg Smallwood are calling everything you know about Moon Knight into question."

This book is so intriguing that it deserves a read through.  Moon Knight has had a couple good runs lately, but this may be better.  This is a book that as soon as you think you know what is going on, they flip the script and you never saw it coming. Even when picking this up at number one, you may be a little lost, but that is by design, but is well worth a read.



W: Tom Taylor A: Jheremy Raapack

9. Injustice Gods Among Us - From the makers of Mortal Kombat comes the critically acclaimed prequel comic to the smash-hit fighting game Injustice: Gods Among Us! In this new hardcover collecting issues #1-6 of the hit series, things in the DC Universe have changed after Superman is tricked into destroying the one thing he loves most. Now unwilling to let crime go unpunished, the heroes of our world must choose if they are with Superman or against him. But not every country will submit to his new world order-and neither will Batman!

MINOR SPOILER. In the first book Superman tells Batman that Lois is pregnant and everyone is as happy as can be. Next thing you know Joker and Harley show up infect Superman with Joker gad mixed with scarecrow fear toxin and the fun begins. The results of Joker's fun are that Batman and Superman are now on opposite sides and the super hero community has to take sides. This book mixes in great humor with some darker scenes. There is some banter between Harley and Green Arrow that is hilarious as shown above.  This book is so well written, fun and different from anything else you will read that it is a must get for any fan of DC books.

W: Benjamin Percy A: Otto Schmidt

8. Green Arrow - THE DEATH AND LIFE OF OLIVER QUEEN' chapter one As Oliver struggles with how he can fight 'the man' when his huge fortune makes him the man, he and Black Canary uncover a deadly new threat to Seattle that cuts the Archer to the bone. THEY SAID IT: 'My touchstones are [former GA writers] Dennis O'Neil and Mike Grell, while trying to make the series my own,' says writer Benjamin Percy. 'Green Arrow will be a politically and culturally relevant series. Expect stories that aim a broadhead into the zeitgeist, that are ripped from the headlines.'

This has been one of the bigger surprises of Rebirth.  Green Arrow's complicated family issues are well written and compelling, which is a great part of this story. Black Canary is back as well as Diggle, Shadow and Emiko as his sister and sidekick. Another plus about this book is that the B covers are done by Neal Adams, who has always drawn Green Arrow incredibly.

W: Jeff Lermire A: Andrea Sorrentino

7. Old Man Logan - Fifty years from now, Logan - the man who no longer calls himself Wolverine - will have endured many atrocities: The Marvel Universe's villains will have banded together and rid the world of its heroes. Logan's closest friend, Hawkeye, will have been murdered in cold blood right before his eyes. And driven mad by the same radiation that gave him his superhuman strength, Bruce Banner will have fathered a family of hillbilly Hulks... that eventually went on to slaughter Logan's wife and two children. But now, in the present, Old Man Logan wakes up to discover himself in a world before these atrocities, before the Wasteland. And he's going to seize this opportunity and change history to ensure that his future never comes to pass...

This book is by far the best book Marvel is putting out right now.  The art is amazing and perfectly paired with the dark tale that is being told.  It further elaborates on the back story from the original Old Man Logan and then continues to build.  This isn't one of those books that is out just to cash in on the name or nostalgia of the original. This is the type of story that will make you love Wolverine and long for the days of great X-Men stories.

W: Josh Williamson A: Carmine Di Giandomenico

6. Flash - LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE' chapter one A new storm brews over Central City and disproves the old adage about lightning never, well…you know. Just as Barry begins to feel overwhelmed fighting crime, a new speedster debuts-but just where did this amazing new friend come from? FLASH FACT: '2016 is the 60th anniversary of Barry Allen becoming The Flash and it's a privilege to be a part of it,' says writer Joshua Williamson. ''The Return of Barry Allen' in FLASH #79 [1993] is one of my favorite comics of all time. It's where I became a Flash fan for life.'

This book has a lot going on in it, but Williamson is handling it deftly. There are problems hanging around from The New 52 to he is addressing as well as the chaos with speedsters being created and the relationship with his partner. Williamson does a great job of keeping it light and fun and mixing in the perfect amount of darkness and intrigue.

W: Robert Kirkman A: Paul Azaceta

5. Outcast - NEW HORROR SERIES FROM THE WALKING DEAD CREATOR ROBERT KIRKMAN! Kyle Barnes has been plagued by demonic possession all his life and now he needs answers. Unfortunately, what he uncovers along the way could bring about the end of life on Earth as we know it.

This book takes a dark and twisted path that you can't wait to see what happens. The first issue was so good in fact that it was pretty much immediately optioned for a show on Cinemax. Sure it is no HBO, but from what I saw of the show, it was fantastic. As always, the book is better. Kirkman does a great job of making a multi layered and faulted character with a tragic background. Even if you are not a fan of horror, this is a book you should be reading.

W: Tom Waltz & Kevin Eastman A: Dave Wachter

4. TMNT - They're BACK! This summer, the original heroes in a half-shell make a triumphant return to comics! Leonardo, Donatello, Michaelangelo, and Raphael reunite to bring their ninja aptitude and teenage attitude to IDW Publishing in this all-new, action-packed series. Featuring a cast of familiar characters-Master Splinter, April O'Neill, Casey Jones, and more-and true to the spirit of the original comics created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES are bigger and badder than ever, and ready to rock old and new fans

This book is not the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that you grew up with.  This is a more adult take on them. Kevin Eastman is involved and has really done something different.The family dynamic is well written and the shredder is compelling.  If you liked any form of Ninja Turtles  you should be reading this. One of the best things about this book is that the B cover is done by Kevin Eastman as seen above.

W: Kieron Gillen A: Salvador Larroca

3. Darth Vadar - One of the greatest antagonists in all of fiction stars in his first volume of villainy! Fresh from a stinging defeat at the hands of the Rebel Alliance, Darth Vader must rise again to reassert the Empire's iron grip on the galaxy. But will his personal desire for vengeance against the young Jedi who destroyed the Death Star distract from Vader's duty to the Emperor? As a fateful quest begins, the Dark Lord of the Sith will face a fresh threat to his power. And as other villains old and new play their parts - from Boba Fett and Jabba the Hutt to diabolical debutant Aphra, as well as the killer droids Triple Zero and BeeTee - how long until Vader's dangerous alliances blow up in his face? Join Darth Vader and feel the power of the dark side!

Yes I know this is a little bit of a cheat since this is ending and can be replace with Star Wars.  However, this is the best Star Wars related material that I have ever read and gives new depth to the movie and the character.  This series has added in a couple new driods and a really strong side character.  Additionally, the Vadar Down cross over event was one of the best I have read in recent memory. If you are a Star Wars fan and have not read this you are doing yourself a great disservice.

W: James Tynion IV A: Eddy Barrows & Eber Ferreira

2. Batman Detective Comics -RISE OF THE BATMEN' chapter one An unknown predator begins outdoing Batman, taking down dangerous threats with military precision. It's up to the Dark Knight and series costar Batwoman to rally and train the young heroes of Gotham City to end this mysterious threat! WHAT NOW: Batman and Batwoman begin training Spoiler, Red Robin and Cassandra Cain, but is the villainous Clayface ready for redemption?

This has been the best bat book of DC's Rebirth, in fact this is the best book that is DC is currently putting out. The team that was built for this book has endless potential especially with Clayface included. This book is complex and well written with a real sense of danger written in it where you may feel that nobody is safe. As you may or may not have read there was a big twist at the end of the first arc.  If you only are getting one DC book, this is the book that you should be getting.

Robert Kirkman A: Charlie Adlard

1. Walking Dead - Rick Grimes is not prepared for this. A couple months ago he was a small town cop who had never shot anyone and only ever saw one dead body. Separated from his family he must now sort through the death and confusion to try and find his wife and son. All the while fighting for his survival. How did this happen? How did things get so bad so fast? How will things ever return to normal after everything he's seen? THE CONCEPT: How many hours are in a day when you don't spend half of them watching television? When is that last time any of us REALLY worked to get something that we wanted? How long has it been since any of us really NEEDED something that we WANTED? The world we knew is gone. The world of commerce and frivolous necessity has been replaced by a world of survival and responsibility. An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months society has crumbled, no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally start to live.

If you haven't heard of this book, you must be living under a rock.  I know a lot of people are like, meh I will just watch the show or I am too far behind and I don't want to catch up.  Well you know what, get the compendiums and catch up! Again, the book is way better than the show and makes you think what you would do if the world came to an end.  The characters are flawed and you hate some of them, but the story is so compelling that you have to keep reading.  The villains are deep and well written and could be the jerk you work with.  This is one of the few books that you feel like none of the characters are ever safe and can be killed at any moment.

Think I missed series or included something that I should have.  Feel free to give me a piece of your mind in the comments section.

Covers of the Week 9/21/16

Sup Muchachos. Here it is, the best day of the week.  New Comic book day.  As always, with all the talented people working on these books, there are a lot of great covers.  It was a tough week to decide who the winner would be, but nostalgia got the best of me and Casey Jones cover is the winner. The Punisher and Trinity were in a the mix.  Here are the best of the best.

 COVER OF THE WEEK

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #62 Cover A By Dave Wachter

 

Trinity #1 Cover A By Francis Manapul

Punisher #5 Cover B Variant Defenders Cover By

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. #9

Doctor Fate #16

Extraordinary X-Men Annual #1 Variant By Skottie Young

Green Lanterns #7 Cover B By Emanuela Lupscchino

Revolution #1 Cover E Variant By Adam Riches

Think I missed any or picked the wrong winner?  Let me know in the comments section.