New No. 1's 10/12/16

 

What up fanboys.  Another huge week of new number ones. After last week and the twenty plus new books I tried to cut it down to books that have potential or called my name. Got it down to nine books. There is a lot of potential on this list. With Marvel Now in the midst of launching there are going to be a ton of new number ones coming from Marvel in the weeks ahead.  So let's get to it.

Reborn #1 - MARK MILLAR & GREG CAPULLO join forces to create the smash hit sci-fi / fantasy story of the year: REBORN. Where do you go when you die? Not heaven or hell; somewhere else. Somewhere you have to fight to survive. Somewhere the people from the past are waiting for you-the good and the bad.

This is the new book that I am most excited to read.  Mark Millar and Greg Capullo is all you have to say.  They could be doing Care Bears and I would probably be picking it up to read.  Mark Millar always has a good story to tell, pair that with Greg Capullo, this is going to be amazing.  The premise is interesting and has a fantasy feel to it, but really could be anything.

Clone Conspiracy #1 - Prepare yourself for THE Spidey story of 2016 as the writer who brought you Spider-Verse, Superior Spider-Man and Spider-Island brings you the next defining chapter in the wallcrawler’s life! The identity of the man in the red suit has been revealed. The Jackal has returned, more driven and determined than ever. He’s offered Spidey’s greatest rogues a chance to reunite with their loved ones in exchange for loyalty. But to what end? With the Rhino, the Lizard, Electro and even Doctor Octopus at his side, things are looking bleak. But who else from Spider-Man’s past has reappeared?! The mystery is just getting started. Can the Amazing Spider-Man stand against the Jackal and a who’s who of his greatest villains? Be there as this blockbuster Spider-Man event kicks off this October in the explosive first issue:THE CLONE CONSPIRACY #1!

Spiderman against a team up of his baddies, has a lot to offer.  I am hoping that this is an amazing story and not another cash grab.  Spiderman is one of my favorite properties and luckily he is staying out of the Inhumanverse for the most part. I am also hoping that this leads to another Scarlet Spider book.  This seems pretty straight up that any Spiderman fan has to get this. 

Hard Case Crime Peepland #1 - Times Square, 1986: the home of New York's red light district where strip clubs, porno theatres and petty crime prevails. When a chance encounter for Peepbooth worker Roxy Bell leads to the brutal murder of a public access pornographer, the erotic performer and her punk rock ex-partner Nick Zero soon find themselves under fire from criminals, cops, and the city elite, as they begin to untangle a complex web of corruption leading right to city hall. Like The Naked City, there are eight million stories in The Deuce. This is one of them.

These Hard Case Crime stories have been very intriguing.  I initially thought they were all going to be set in the 40s-50s like the game L.A. Noire, which I loved by the way. However, this one takes place in the 80s in New York, so very different from what I was expecting. Since Triggerman was so good, I am going to give this a chance.

Warlords of Appalachia #1 - Southern Bastards meets Dune in mid-21st century America. After the New Confederacy is crushed in a second Civil War, only Kentucky holds out, not recognizing U.S. sovereignty. This leads to a particularly brutal crackdown in a small mountain town called Red Rock, where a mechanic and reluctant folk hero named Kade Mercer rises up to become the first feudal warlord of Appalachia. Features 28 pages of story content

This one I had no idea was even coming.  However, their elevator pitch of Southern Bastards meets Dune, count me in. I have no idea if this is going to be any good or not, but seems worth taking a chance on.

Mosaic #1 - Mosaic centers on Morris Sackett, professional basketball player and celebrity. Loved by millions, hated by his teammates. Only Morris is secretly something else, something Inhuman. Coming into contact with the transformative Terrigen Mists has given Morris spectacular new abilities. Imbued with the ability to jump from person-to-person like a ghost, Morris can control the bodies and memories of those he inhabits. But these fantastic new abilities come at a grave cost. Recognized as an all-star athlete, Morris has worked his whole adult life to raise his body to peak physical form, but after his transformation, his living body is no more, and Morris must now rely on other bodies to survive

This is the beginning of the Marvel Now Relaunch and I usually don't comment on stuff like this, but come on Marvel, a black pro athlete? Just furthers the stereotype of black males that have money, either elite athlete or drug dealer. Anyways this seems like a meh, but may surprise me.

Solo #1 - The 'One Man War on Terror' will get the job done! That's right, James Bourne, A.K.A. Solo, is on his own, right where he belongs! Deadly alien weapons are making their way into the hands of ordinary thugs, and Solo is going undercover to locate the source. Things are heating up, and Solo might just wish he had some backup! Deadpool was just the beginning. You haven't seen anything till you've met Solo!

James Bourne, uh don't you mean Jason Bourne?  Are you guys completely out of ideas or what? This is one of the books leading Marvel Now?  That can't be good. This could be easily the solicit for The Punisher or James Bond, who both have good books out right now. DC proved that this idea doesn't work all that well with Grayson. Hence we have Nightwing back.  I think this will be a pass for me.

Losty Boys #1 - The stakes are raised in this nostalgic and unstoppable sequel to the '80s cult classic vampire film, The Lost Boys. Veteran horror writers Tim Seeley (GRAYSON, NIGHTWING, Hack/Slash), and Scott Godlewski (THE DARK & BLOODY, Copperhead) deliver a gruesome and stylish return to the bloody boardwalks and big hair of 1987! Santa Carla, California is on edge. The eccentric coastal town and haven for the undead was finally returning to 'normal' after its last supernatural scuffle left the local coven's head vampire dead and gave newcomers Michael and Sam Emerson a housewarming both violent and bizarre. Now the brothers must once again team up with militant vampire hunters Edgar and Allan Frog when a new gang of ruthless, stunning, life-sucking nightcrawlers known as the Blood Belles emerges from the aftermath to collect Michael's love interest and their lost sister, Star

This is a movie that scared me to death as a little kid.  I will be picking this up for sure to see what happens. I am going to have to rewatch this movie and see how it aged.  Most likely terribly just like every other scary movie that scared me as a kid.  Hopefully this will give us a creepy good vampire story. This goes back to the normal vampire lore before twilight, where the vampires must be invited in, hurt by sunlight old school vampires.

Electric Sublime #1 - Art is anything you can get away with... destroy it all.' Welcome to THE ELECTRIC SUBLIME, where art history, madness, and expression meet in a Pollock-splatter of thrilling crime adventure! When a mysterious change in the composition of a famous painting begins poisoning the minds of its spectators, Margot Breslin - director of the Bureau of Artistic Integrity - must pull famed 'art detective' Arthur Brut out of a mental institution and back into the insanity that sent him there in the first place. Featuring a treasure trove of classical works, under-the-radar art, and a seven-foot talking mannequin, this is comics, imitating art, imitating life.

The premise on this one sounds pretty good.  I initially thought whoopdeedoo, a story about art, but art that kills. I'm listening. I don't know why but I think of House solving art murders instead of medical mysteries. Either way this seems like it could have potential.   

Five Must Buys 10/12/16

Hola amigos.  There are so many new books coming out this week.  Quality books. It was incredibly hard for me to get it down to five.  I had to leave off a couple of my favorite books in Old Man Logan and Moon Knight as well as all of DC's Rebirth. However, this is a incredibly strong week for independents that can not be ignored. So let's get to it.

Book of the Week

W: Ed Brubaker A: Sean Phillips

Kill Or Be Killed #3 - As our hero is drawn deeper into the shadows, his secret vigilante life begins to put everything he cares about in danger. Brubaker and Phillips biggest hit yet continues, and every issue includes fantastic back page extras and articles!

This book is so good.  Dark and twisted and incredibly entertaining. Half the time I am rooting for the main character to man up and take control, the other half, I want them to kill him off. The characters feel real and flawed and stupid just like in real life. This will be the first book I read when I pick up my books. This is a series that everyone should be reading.

W: Brian Wood A: Mack Chater

Brigg's Land #3 - On a quiet highway in the predawn light, Grace encounters a true test of her empathy and her strength when she comes face to face with the worst aspects of the community she's struggling to take back.

Briggs Land is another book that is incredible and would have been book of the week any other week. The anti-government community aspect is always fascinating to me.  I am slightly concerned about big brother and everyone basically carrying tracking devices with them, in cell phones and having the most private conversations out there in digital space.  I do realize that I have nothing to hide, but I still like my privacy. Besides you can get around it if it bothers you that much with burner phones and email addresses. Sorry got a little sidetracked.  So, the aspect of a women and stepping up to run this organization is a great concept, especially with what seems like a very machismo feel to the community before she took power. 

W: Nick Spencer A: Steve Lieber - Ryan Hill

The Fix #6 - Roy investigates a high-profile murder.

The Fix is hilarious.  This is the funniest comic book that I have ever read.  This would be like training day made into a comedy and still being incredible.  The banter is smart and witty. The art is perfectly paired with the story.  This is a book that you have to catch up on. 

W: Jim Zub A:Djibril Morissette-Phan - K. Michael Russel

Glitterbomb #2 - Death, denial, and the darkness within. What's got into Farrah?

This was a book that I almost didn't pick up.  It looked like a book that was not for me.  However, I am glad that I gave it a chance.  This book was awesome. I can't wait to see where they take this book, but it seems like a lot of evil people in high places are going to get what is coming to them. It does portray those people in high places as seeing people as livestock that are there to make them money and once they have served their purpose, they are thrown away like sour milk.

W: Kieron Gillen A: Salvador Larroca

Darth Vadar #25 - FINAL ISSUE! It has all built up to this! Vader's trials against Cylo's creations! His machinations against the Emperor! His covert missions with Doctor Aphra and her murderous droids! All comes to fruition in an oversized 40-page issue by the stellar team of Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca! You won't want to miss this ending!

I can't believe that this book is ending.  It almost brings a tear to my eye.  This has been the best Star Wars book that has been coming out and was part of one of the best crossovers that I have read. I know there have been interviews that basically say that Guillen had a story to tell and it is over, but it was so good and there is still so much to play with, that you have to keep it going.  From what I hear the top secret Star Wars book coming out is going to be a Dr. Aphra book, which does make me happy, but Darth Vadar is the star. Vadar was so menacing and integral that without him will the story work? I hope so because I did love the two death bots and Dr. Aphra.

Think I missed something or am crazy for recommending a book, holler at your boy and let me know in the comments.

Rants & Raves CROSSOVERS 10/6/16

Tuesday I said that I would touch on Marvel and Marvel NOW today.  Recently I have been dropping more and more Marvel books, as it now seems like they are pouring all their energy into launching Marvel NOW or crossing over with Civil War II. It seems that their marketing research is showing that they should be doing more crossovers, variant covers, number ones and replacing staples with diverse characters.  Sometimes this works sometimes it doesn't, seems like it is not, but let's see how Marvel NOW pans out. I have seen other sites call it DOA, but I think that is way to premature. As a customer, lately Marvel has been too much to keep up with. X-Men is in shambles, Civil War II has taken almost every book over and has created its own one shots and mini series. Additionally, it has been delayed and seems to be losing steam and readers by the truck load. Add all of that on to the fact that most of the books are $4.99 and $5.99 and Marvel is losing market share to DC with the quickness over the last two months.  I am hoping that Marvel NOW will be to Marvel what Rebirth was to DC.

I won't say that DC didn't have similar problems.  During the New 52 there were times when I was all Marvel and was only picking up Batman and maybe 1 or 2 other books. Both companies are trying to and are making money. However, as a customer, I know that I am getting number one fatigue as well as variant and crossover fatigue.  I hear it all the time at my local comic book store, but then I see them buying up the variant/crossover/new number one, heck I am guilty of this sometimes.  Let's see how much it would have cost to collect them all.  Gotta catch them all.

CROSSOVERS
I think I have dropped 3 of the last 4 crossover events from both Marvel and DC. Monster Men will be the first crossover that I have completed in a while. However, five of the six issues have come out on time and does not span a whole summer. I think more people would buy them and less customers would be pissed that they bought a book that has one page related to a crossover.  Side note that if you are not getting at least a 15% discount with a pull list, you might want to find a new store.  Some stores do better than that, some want you to buy discount card. Bottom line is that you should be getting some kind of discount on your book.

So the hardest part about crossovers is that it continues to have an effect after the crossover is done. If you miss it, you are a little lost in you favorite book when you do jump back on. 

MARVEL
Civil War II
Civil War II has a 155 books related to the Civil War II Event. Yes you read that right, 155, if I counted correctly on Marvels website.  I am not going to price all 155, but lets say some are $3,99, $4.99 and $5.99. So let's average the cost of the book to $4.99 at 155 books is $773.45 and let's say your store gives you a 15% discount.  You will still pay $657.43 for the complete Civil War II event. I don't know about you, but that seems ridiculous.  The fact that people try and defend both Marvel and DC saying that these crossovers aren't cash grabs, have not looked at these numbers.  You are telling me that you couldn't tell this story in a more manageable 25 books?

The Secret Wars
Depending on where I looked, there was a mind boggling 241 titles, assuming I counted correctly, associated with this crossover according to http://www.comicbookherald.com/the-complete-marvel-reading-order-guide/secret-wars-reading-order/battleworld-warzone-last-days-checklists/.  However, According to Marvel's website they have a 138 titles. Let's run both numbers for fun. Assuming that the 241 titles are correct and we average the price to $4.99 that is $1,202.59 or if you get the 15% discount $1,022.20. And that is why this is a secret habit.  If anyone knew that I have spend over $1,000 on comics, which I have many times over, they would call me an idiot wasting money. Assuming that Marvel's 138 titles is accurate you would have spent $688.62 for one crossover or $585.32 if you get a 15% discount.  That is still a lot of money. This one gets a little bit of a pass because it was easier to skip portions of this crossover without being completely lost and relaunched one of my favorite books in Old Man Logan and revisited a lot of good story lines.

Original Sin
This crossover had a more manageable 58 titles.  I did not finish this one and thought that they could have condensed this into less than 20 titles pretty easily.  I think you can find most of these issues in the dollar bin now except maybe the first appearance of Silk and the Del Otto Variant. This one we will average to $4.49 because most issues were $3.99-$4.99. $260.42 to buy this crossover or 221.36 if you got a 15% discount. That is a lot of money for a good idea that lacked execution.

Axis
Axis was the smallest major crossover that I included coming in at 49 books. This is another that I did not finish.  I thought the premise was a good idea, but I lost interest pretty fast. At an average of $4.99 price fans would have to plop down $244.51 to buy this crossover or $207.83 if you got a discount. When you have other books that you are trying to get from Image, DC, IDW and the rest of the Independents getting all of these is nearly impossible unless you are independently wealthy. 

DC
When I think of major crossovers and DC my mind goes straight to Convergence and Forever Evil.  It was a little hard to find recent major crossovers.  They keep the crossover to particular properties.  Doomed just stayed with all Superman books, Death in the Family stayed within the Bat books, even though they could have cut a lot of those tie ins out. That was a cash grab.

Monster Men
Since this is the first crossover from Rebirth I am including this even though it is just a Bat family crossover and not a full crossover. The Monster Men crossover will have taken a month to come out and would have been easy to skip if that was your inclination.  The whole crossover would have cost $17.94 full price or $15.25 depending on whether your store gives you a discount.  This is a crossover that I can get behind.

Convergence

Convergence was an interesting crossover, similar to Secret Wars (yes I know Convergence came first) it brought a lot of old properties back into the spotlight. This was another crossover where if you missed some of the tie ins you wouldn't be completely lost. I dropped most of the tie ins after the first issue. Also, this didn't have an effect on most of the books that I was reading. Convergence had 89 books and some of them were $4.99 and some $3.99, so I am going to use $4.49 as the average price.  It would have cost $399.61 to collect the whole crossover or $339.66 if you got a discount.

 

Forever Evil

I really enjoyed the premise Forever Evil, the execution itself was meh.  I had high hopes for this one sine Geoff Johns was running it. This one was 48 issues and most were $3.99. So to get this whole event you would of had to spend $191.52 or with a discount $162.79.  However if you include villains month, which was the relaunch of the awesome 3D covers and included 53 additional titles totaling  101 issues at $3.99 $402.99 or $342.54 if you get a discount.  This is on the bigger side for DC. However, the 3d covers related to villain month were awesome and totally worth it.

 

Futures End
Futures end is a little odd to include because it was its own series.  However, once they did the second batch of 3D covers that took over every book for October it entered crossover territory.  I loved the premise of this one, but the execution was poor.  The tie-ins were hit and miss as are most, but the again this is one as long as you know they are 10 years in the future you don't have to read anything else. The 3D covers were hit and miss as well.  Some were awesome, Batgirl as Bane, some were not. This one had the original 53 plus the 43 3D covers.  The event was $2.99 and the 3D covers were $3.99, so lets average it out to $3.49.  96 books at $3.49 would be $335.04 to get this whole event and with discount 284.78.  The key  to this one though is that you could have skipped the whole thing and it would have no effect on your reading, except Batman Beyond.

This just furthers my point that crossovers are expensive and usually not worth the money.  Bottom line is that Marvel and DC do anger fans with these types of crossovers. I think this is partly what ruined the X-Men franchise is crossover after crossover. The Godhead crossover was the first time since I started collecting that I dropped the Green Lantern book.  The point of a crossover should be a great story to tell succinctly as possible.

What do you guys think?  Do you love the crossovers and think I am crazy?  Hit me up in the comments.

Covers of the Week 10/05/16

Hi Guys.  Happy Wednesday. Best day of the week. A day where our imagination gets to run wild. There was a ton of great art this week. I have to include Wu-Tang Hip Hop cover.  Marvel has some great covers out this week and I almost included Frank Miller's Variant of Moonshine, but the original is too good to leave off. Think I missed something lemme know if the comments.

Cover of the Week

Death Of X #1 Cover B Connecting Varian



All-New Wolverine #13 Cover B Variant

Champions #1 By Arthur Adams

Champions #1 Hip Hop Variant

Deadman Dark Mansion Of Forbidden Love #1

He-Man Thundercats #1 Adult Coloring Book Variant



Moonshine #1 By Eduardo Risso

Hard Case Crime Triggerman #1 By Francisco Paronzini

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe #2 By Kevin Eastman

New No. 1's 10/4/16

Happy Tuesday. Ok so this is a jam packed week with over 20 new books coming out this week.   Some of them look incredible, some look interesting, some look meh and some look terrible. With DC relaunching its Young Animal line and Marvel launching Marvel NOW, this is a huge week with a ton of stuff that you have to get. I am doing something a little different this week.  I am going to rank the new title with one of four rankings, 1. Buy now before they sell out, 2. Buy now and hope this is the start of something great 3. Meh, this might be ok and 4. Skip unless...

Yesterday I said that I would touch on Marvel and Marvel NOW today, but it has turned into a whole rant that I will run on Thursday or Friday, talking about DC, crossovers, variants and new number 1's. 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

W:Brian Azzarello A:Eduardo Risso

Moonshine #1 - Set during Prohibition, and deep in the backwoods of Appalachia, MOONSHINE #1 tells the story of Lou Pirlo, a city-slick 'torpedo' sent from New York City to negotiate a deal with the best moonshiner in West Virginia, one Hiram Holt. What Lou doesn't figure on is that Holt is just as cunning and ruthless as any NYC crime boss. Because not only will Holt do anything to protect his illicit booze operation, he'll stop at nothing to protect a much darker family secret, a bloody, supernatural secret that must never see the light of day, or better still, the light of the full moon. MOONSHINE #1 marks the first time AZZARELLO and RISSO have worked together for Image Comics and reunites the Eisner Award winning creative team that defined modern crime comics with 100 Bullets, and now puts a horror-twist on a classic gangster tale. Issue #1 features a variant cover by legendary comics creator, Frank Miller!

 Buy now before they sell out - This is the book that I was looking forward to most. Azzarello on a new book in the prohibition era, IN. The premise grabs you by the throat and makes you pay attention.  Tommy guns and what you can only assume are werewolves, country boys versus the mob. This has a lot of angles and is going to be a fun book.  

W:Sarah Vaugh A:Lan Medina

Deadman Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love #1 - Trapped inside an old gothic mansion, Deadman must battle the forces of darkness alongside Berenice, a young woman with a complicated love life who is gifted - or cursed - with the ability to communicate with the dead. Romance, mystery, and evil await in the new, bimonthly miniseries DEADMAN: DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE, by Sarah Vaughn (Alex + Ada) and Lan Medina (FABLES)!

Buy now and hope this is the start of something great - I don't really know a lot about Deadman other than the time that Nightwing became Deadman. Ever since I read that book I have been interested in learning more about Deadman.  This looks like a great opportunity and there seems to be a lot of potential here.

W:Marc Andreyko A:Aaron Lopresti

Death of Hawkman #1 - After a career of galaxy-spanning adventures, Adam Strange finds himself trying to live a "normal" life when he's pulled back into interplanetary calamity and chaos once again! When a seemingly normal Zeta beam transmission returns him to the planet Rann, he finds the capital city of Ranagar in ruins, and his once peaceful beloved Alanna crying out for the blood of Rann's oldest enemy, Thanagar. The evil Despero has brainwashed Rann's citizens into thinking that Thanagar is responsible for the attack. As Rann gears up to counter-attack, the Hawkmen get word of the impending attack and plan a preemptive strike of their own. As both civilizations march toward war, both Strange and Katar Hol have now become fugitives from Rann and Thanagar. With certain death hanging over both their heads, the clock is ticking, and both heroes must race to find out Despero's ultimate goal and prevent the destruction of two worlds!

Meh, this might be ok - I do like Hawkman, but I am not a fan of Adam Strange or the whole Rann and Thanagar aspect.  However, the story seems pretty intriguing and might be worth checking out.   

W:Rob David-Lloyd Goldfine A:Freddie Williams II

He-Man Thundercats #1 - He-Man and the Masters of the Universe team up with the ThunderCats, the epic crossover event you've waited thirty years to see! In his ever-living desire to destroy the mighty ThunderCats, Mumm-Ra quests for a weapon that can rival the legendary Sword of Omens: He-Man's Sword of Power! But his dimension-spanning scheme kick starts a cataclysmic crisis that will embroil heroes and villains - Masters, Mutants and ThunderCats - in a mind-blowing six-part saga!

Buy now and hope this is the start of something great - I have loved both these franchises since I was a wee lil baby. I don't even need a premise and I am getting this book. However, Mumm-Ra trying to steal He-Mans sword sounds awesome. The art looks amazing and this scores a ten based on nostalgia factor alone.

W:Steve Orlando A:Fernando Blanco

Midnighter And Apollo #1 - You wanted it? You got it-six more issues of Midnighter madness! Together again after too long apart, Midnighter and Apollo take on subway pirates in Los Angeles and demons in Opal City, but their reunion is about to take a shocking turn and send them both on an epic journey beyond all belief!

Skip unless you are a fan of Midnighter. A lot of people seemed to like Midnighter paired up with Grayson.  I was not one of those people.  Midnighter just doesn't call my attention. I am sure Steve Orlando will do a great job with this book, but think that you may have to be a Midnighter fan to enjoy it.

W:Cecil Castellucci A:Marley Zarcone

Shade The Changing Girl #1 - There's no such thing as a little bit of madness. Far away on the planet Meta, Loma's going nowhere fast. She's dropped out of school, dumped her boyfriend, and is bored out of her mind. She longs to feel things. That's where her idol, the lunatic poet Rac Shade, and his infamous madness coat come it. Loma steals the garment and makes a break across galaxies to take up residence in a new body: Earth girl Megan Boyer. Surely everything will be better on this passionate primitive planet with a dash of madness on her side and this human girl's easy life. Only now that she's here, Loma discovers being a teenaged Earth girl comes with its own challenges and Earth may not be everything she thought it'd be. Megan Boyer was a bully whom everyone was glad was almost dead, and now Loma has to survive High School and navigate the consequences of the life she didn't live with the ever-growing and uncontrollable madness at her side. Not to mention that there are people back on her homeworld who might just want Shade's coat back. Written by Cecil Castellucci (THE PLAIN JANES, Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure), drawn by Marley Zarcone (EFFIGY) and overseen by Gerard Way, SHADE, THE CHANGING GIRL starts a whole new chapter in the story of one of comics' most unique series.

Skip unless you are a fan of Shade and or Doom Patrol. This is another book that holds no interest for me.  I have given the whole Young Animal line a try and it is a little too out there for my tastes.

W:Scott Lobdell A:Elliot Fernandez

Army Of Darkness Xena Forever And A Day #1 - You're Xena the Warrior Princess and your thousand strong army has fallen to an implacable and ancient evil. What do you do? You suck it up and summon the only ally who stands any hope at all of helping you prevent the end of the world. Unfortunately, that lone man is the wise ass, ass kicking, time traveling, woman kissing, boom sticker known as Ash!

Skip unless you are a fan of Ash or Xena.  Neither really are for me.  These seem like cult classics that I just don't get. A ton of my friends love Ash and the Army of Darkness, but meh.

W:Roger Langridge A:Gisele Lagace

Betty Boop #1 - The most famous female cartoon star of all is back, and Dynamite has her! All-new adventures of Betty Boop (with her pals Koko the Clown and Bimbo, natch!) by award-winning writer Roger Langridge and Gisele Lagace. Join Betty as she works at the Oop-A-Doop Club, dreams of hitting the big-time, looks after her old Grampy... oh yeah, and FIGHTS GHOSTS! (Betty was always ahead of her time!)

Skip unless you are a Betty Boop fan.  This is another one that I will be skipping.

W:David Gonzalez/Elliot Serrano A:Andrew Huerta

Homies #1 - It's time to go back to the barrio with the HOMIES! The surprise hit of the 90's is back in a brand-new comic book series co-plotted by original HOMIES creator David Gonzalez and 'Adventures of Grumpy Cat' writer Elliott Serrano, featuring all-new stories and never-before-seen characters. With art and covers by Andrew Huerta, HOMIES #1 features the long-awaited wedding of Hollywood and Gata. It's been a day that she has imagined for her entire life, but now Gata has to deal with everyone trying to ruin it! What will she do when she hears the whispers about Hollywood and his womanizing ways? Will the wedding still take place when everything that can go wrong actually does? Is Hollywood destined to be a bachelor for life, or will Gata finally get him to settle down? It's a day that will be full of love, laughs and heartbreak. But for who?

Skip period. I don't know how this got green lit into a new comic book, but who is going to read this?

W:Brian Buccellto/Jennifer Young A:Matias Bergara

Cannibal #1 - A BRAND NEW SERIES! From "New York Times" bestselling writer BRIAN BUCCELLATO & JENNIFER YOUNG, CANNIBAL is about the denizens of a small Everglades town desperately trying to hold onto their everyday lives at the dawn of a cannibal pandemic. With no cure in sight, the region has become split over what to do with the victims, though for Cash and Grady Hansen the answer is simple: Kill them. But all of that changes when the virus begins to infect people they love.

Buy now before they sell out - This seems like a new twist on the Zombie apocalypse. Brian Buccellto is a talented writer and this could be gold.

W:Max Landis A:Giuseppe Camuncoli

Green Valley #1 - The knights of Kelodia are the finest in the land, but they've never faced a power like the one that resides in the Green Valley. MAX LANDIS (Chronicle, American Ultra, Superman: American Alien) and GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI (Amazing Spider-Man) welcome you to the world of Green Valley, where nothing is ever what it seems.

Buy now and hope this is the start of something great - What attracted me to this book was the writer.  Superman American Alien was awesome.  With Landis at the helm of his own vision this will be interesting.

W&A: Genndy Tartakovsky

Cage #1 - From the Award-Winning creator of Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack and Hotel Transylvania! On the mean streets of Harlem, shoes are big, shirts are large, bottoms are belled and crime is rampant! But in the heart of the city, the world's hardest-working, smack-talking, chain-wearing super hero is on the street and on the case! And his rates are reasonable! He's CAGE! and he'll save your behind. Dig it!

Skip Unless you liked the cheesey and possibly kid orientated comic books.  I read the preview of this book and have no interest in reading any further.

W:Mark Waid A:Humberto Ramos

Champions #1 - The Marvel Universe is fractured. Heroes, who once stood together, now position themselves in opposition to one another. Idols of the Marvel Universe who once endured in the light are now shrouded within shades of gray, and the heroes of tomorrow are fed up! It’s time for a change. It’s time for a brighter tomorrow. Enter... the CHAMPIONS! They’re coming to you in Marvel’s CHAMPIONS #1, a brand-new ongoing series launching this October as the flagship title of Marvel NOW! It doesn’t take a Tony Stark or a Captain America to make a difference. All it takes is six young heroes and you can change the world — and they’re only the beginning!

Buy now and hope this is the start of something great - Marvel is pushing this book hard.  They are saying that the print run is 400,000 plus. That seems crazy. However, with Marvel pushing so hard this is going to be good, right?

W:Cullen Bunn A:Salva Espin

Deadpool Back In Black #1 - During 1984's SECRET WARS, Deadpool was introduced to an alien symbiote who went on to become Spider-Man's black costume and, eventually, Venom. Okay, okay, maybe that really happened in DEADPOOL'S SECRET SECRET WARS. Point is, did you know that after Spider-Man rejected the costume, it went slinking back to Deadpool on the rebound? And they went on adventures together? You didn't? Well, you will, now, thanks to this series by Cullen Bunn (The DEADPOOL KILLOGY) & Salva Espin (DEADPOOL & THE MERCS FOR MONEY)!

Buy now before they sell out - Deadpool paired with one of my favorite characters/symbiotes. I think this book has potential to be great. The art looks great and the story has endless possibilities.  This book is going to be awesome.  

W:Jeff Lemire/Charles Soule A:Aaron Kuder

Death Of X #1 - The X-Men and the Inhumans are on a collision course. Cyclops is missing and presumed dead. But the question on everyone’s lips is "why"? That question and more will be answered in DEATH OF X #1, a new 4-issue series launching this fall! Superstar creators Jeff Lemire (Extraordinary X-Men) and Charles Soule (Uncanny Inhumans) are joined by fan-favorite artist Aaron Kuder (Action Comics) for an incendiary tale that will change the course of Mutantkind and Inhumanity alike! As the Terrigen Mists roll across the Earth, it’s transformative properties are birthing new Inhumans across the Marvel Universe. But while the mists bring life to the Inhumans, they spell only doom for the X-Men, leaving dead or sickly mutants in their wake. As the Inhumans travel to Japan where the Terrigen Cloud has created a shocking new Inhuman, the X-Men travel to Muir Island where the cloud has caused something truly terrible. For the sake of his people, Cyclops must take action or face extinction. But how?

Buy now and hope this is the start of something great - Jeff Lemire is a great writer and I am hoping he is bringing the X-Men out of the ashes and back into the spotlight.  Hopefully this will be the beginning of the X-Men being returned to greatness.

W:Jon Adams A:Horacio Domingues

Disney Kingdoms Enchanted Tiki Room #1 - Welcome to the Enchanted Tiki Room, a place of legend… of fantasy… and mystery! Here, on an isolated and mysterious island, almost anything can happen. And often does! Inside the island’s Enchanted Tiki Room, an astonishing cast of birds, plants and ancient Tiki gods spring to life. As the next boat arrives carrying new visitors, what stories will unfold, what mysteries will be revealed and how are they all connected?

Skip Unless you are a fan of anything Disney. The Haunted Mansion book was good, but I doubt that they can continue it here.

W:Brian Michael Bendis A:Michael Gaydos

Jessica Jones #1 - After a decade, Jessica Jones is back in an all-new solo series! This fall, one of the most complex characters of the Marvel Universe returns for an all-new mystery from the original creative team — Brian Michael Bendis (Civil War II, Invincible Iron Man, Spider-Man, Alias) Michael Gaydos (Alias, Avengers), and David Mack (Alias, Daredevil).
A lot has changed in the Marvel Universe over the past ten years and there are still many secrets hiding in the shadows. Secrets only a special woman like Jessica Jones can hope to uncover. So what haunting secrets from Jessica’s past come back to cause havoc? Speaking with IGN, series writer, Brian Michael Bendis said, "You're going to find out about it in the first issue. We're going to open up a book where Jessica's world has blown up in her face. She's at a place you'll least expect her. You're going to find all of her relationships have altered. And we're slowly going to find out why."
A lot has happened to Jessica Jones since her debut, but the biggest difference that will be a factor in this new series is the baby girl, Danielle, she had with husband, and former Avenger, Luke Cage.

Buy now and hope this is the start of something great - The Netflix show was great and this seems to be cashing in off that success.  I have never read a solo Jessica Jones book, but this is one that I will definitely pick up and hope for the best on.

W: Warren Ellis A: Phil Hester

Shipwreck #1 - Dr Jonathan Shipwright, sole survivor of a very unusual and very secret shipwreck, doesn't know where he is. Seemingly trapped on an endless road, in pursuit of a saboteur who holds the key to his salvation... or doom. Industry legend WARREN ELLIS joins AfterShock comics with this mysterious and captivating tale full of shock, secrets and surprises.

Buy now before they sell out - This is another book that really grabs my attention and with Warren Ellis writing it, this book seems to be destined for greatness.

W: Kwanza Osajyefo A: Jamal Igle

Black #1 - IT'S HERE! The comic that blazed through Kickstarter during Black History Month 2016. In a world that already hates and fears them, what if only Black people had superpowers? After miraculously surviving being gunned down by police, a young man learns that he is part of the biggest lie in history. Now he must decide whether it's safer to keep it a secret or if the truth will set him free.

Buy now before they sell out - Black Mask has a track record of putting out fantastic number ones out.  If only they could keep a regular schedule they could be pushing their way up the independent market share. Instead they put out a great book like Young Terrorists and 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank and then silence. Hopefully the whole first arc for Black is complete and it will blow our minds. The premise is incredibly relevant especially after the shooting that just took place in El Cajon about 5 miles from where I grew up.  

W: Walter Hill A: Matz

Triggerman #1 - Locked up for a life of murder, Roy Nash never thought he'd walk the mean streets of Chicago again, let alone rescue his beloved, Lena. But when the city's Mafia elite spring the notorious gun-for-hire to handle one last assignment, Roy once again finds himself thrown headfirst into a life of bloodshed and bullets as he sprints a breathless race to save the girl he left behind. From legendary screenwriter and director Walter Hill (The Warriors, Red Heat, Last Man Standing) and French comics Matz, comes this hardboiled crime thriller set in the bullet-ridden streets of 1930s Chicago.

Buy now before they sell out - This is another book that looks great. Dark noir style that has always called my name. The art looks great paired with a good premise. 

W: Greg Pak A: Daniel Bayliss

Big Trouble Little China Escape New York #1 - It's the mother of all crossovers as Jack Burton and Snake Plissken meet for the first time ever anywhere! 'Done with director John Carpenter's complete blessing, witness this melee of the mullets as two cult classic characters made famous by actor Kurt Russell crossover in an improbable adventure. As lightning cascades around Jack and his good ol' Pork-Chop Express, he finds himself transported and driving through the horrors of what seems to be the dystopian future of... Escape from New York! Snake Plissken catches wind of Jack and goes on the hunt to find who is trying to steal his identity. Prepare for the road trip of a lifetime, with Jack and Snake rumblin' down the streets of a dystopian future to find what craziness caused Jack to jump through worlds. Written by Greg Pak (Totally Awesome Hulk, Action Comics) and illustrated by Russ Manning Award nominee Daniel Bayliss (Kennel Block Blues, Translucid).

Skip unless you are a Kurt Russell fan.  Neither of these property really call out to me and all I picture is Kurt Russell with big hair and bad puns.

Do you think I missed something or was unfair to a book.  Let me know in the comments.

5 Must Buys 10/05/16

What up nerdmigos. It is the first week of October and a lot of new books are coming out.  This is the biggest week since the launch of DC's Rebirth.  I can't wait for some of these books and some look like a lot of and no substance.  This is going to be an expensive week for Comic Bookers. Hopefully, this will help you separate the wheat from the chaff. For DC, if you are a avid reader of this column, I am a huge fan of DC's Rebirth.  They have been killing it and it has shown in the sales numbers.  It has been really hard for me to nail this down to 2 books, so this week I cheated. I will touch on Marvel Tomorrow and the launch of Marvel NOW.

Book of the Week

W:Zachary Kaplan A: Giovanni Timpano

Eclipse #2 - In a world where sunlight kills, solar engineer David 'Bax' Baxter and police detective James Everly hunt for a mysterious butcher who doesn't burn, but their investigation into the post-apocalyptic wasteland raises more questions than answers.

This book hooked me with the preview alone and the first issue did not disappoint. This will be the first book that I read this week. Post-apocalyptic story mixed with a murder mystery, that is well written and coupled perfectly with its art style. If you haven't read the first book, you are missing out.  Strangely enough this kind of reminds me a Vampire story without the vampires.  

W: Tom Taylor W:Nicole Virella

All New Wolverine #13 - ENEMY OF THE STATE II STARTS NOW! WOLVERINE: MURDERER!!! Laura has fought so hard to be something other than what she was created to be, but the fight is over. Wolverine has blood on her hands. In the wake of an unspeakable tragedy, dark forces have Laura's life under their control. Will Laura be able to defeat demons on the outside and from within? Or will she be forced to give up the hero's life she's built for herself?

This has been 1 of the 2, X-Men related books that I keep buying and reading. They have made such a mess of the X-Men, that when this book came out, I thought it was another mistake. However, I was sorely mistaken.  Taylor has done a great job with this book and has provided something that I didn't even know I wanted.

W:Robert Kirkman A:Charlie Adlard

Walking Dead #159 - 'THE WHISPERER WAR,' Part Three, The war rages on.

What can I say about The Walking Dead that has not been said before. This is a great book that lets your imagination run wild. What would you do in this scenario? Would you live? Where would you go? Who would go with you? Who would you protect? Would you join a bigger group, even if they were evil to survive? This is one of the books that I get why people read in trades, but I am way to impatient. I can't wait to see what happens.

W: Dan Abnett A: Scot Eaton

Aquaman #8 - 'UNSTOPPABLE' part one! Arthur's investigation into the mysterious Atlantean terrorist attacks on the surface is cut short when Black Manta taps his newfound weapons cache and unleashes an unstoppable weapon upon the undersea kingdom: a relentless behemoth from the deep that lays waste to anything in its path.

This has been my favorite take on Aquaman to date and that includes Geoff John's run.  So far he has broken out of prison, destroyed a bunch of tanks and went punch for punch with superman.  Add in the fact that they are setting Black Manta up as the big bad, I'm in.  If you were like me and thought that Aquaman sucks, give this book a chance.  They even make poke fun of his status in the Justice League.



W: Tom King/Steve Orlando A: Riley Rossmo

W: Tim Seeley/Steve Orlando A: Roge Antonia



Batman #8/Nightwing #6 - 'NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN' part four! The giant monsters might be bad, but Gotham's heroes encounter a whole new threat level when two of their own start terrorizing the city! Batman must face the horrifying possibility of losing two of his closest allies to Hugo Strange's vicious attack./ 'NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN' part five! The hunt for Hugo Strange rages onward as the Manipulator rises and uses the citizens of Gotham City to shield itself from the Bat-Family. All while the monstrous version of Nightwing looms over Gotham City.

 

This is Rebirth's first Crossover and thank goodness it is relatively short or it would put me in the poor house. Thankfully DC has kept its $2.99 pricing.  It has been good this far and I really like the fact that they reference Zero Year in this book. They have most of the Bat family involved in this story, which makes it a stronger book. Steve Orlando has been working with each writer, so this crossover seems to flow better than most. I am sure most people are picking this up, but if you are not, you are missing out.

 

Let me know if I am wrong or crazy, or tell me if you think you would survive the Zombie Apocalypse and how you would be a better Rick than Rick.