Best Covers of the Week 8/24/16

Hola Nerdmigos, This is the segment where I point out all the covers that I think are awesome.  One Winner and some runner ups. Because there is so much talent in the game, I am going to post whatever covers that catch my eye.  For a point of reference some of my favorite art is Jim Lee's Hush arc, Francesco Francavilla on Afterlife with Archie and other retro art, David Aja on Hawkeye, some of those covers were perfect, Greg Capullo on Batman and Steve McNiven and Andrea Sorrentino on Old Man Logan.

Sometimes while at my local Comic Book Store, I will buy a book because it has an awesome cover.  Let me know what you think and if you think I missed any.  Enjoy.

This weeks Winner:

 

Tank Girl: Two Girls One Tank #4 Brett Parson

 

The Runners Up

 

Batgirl #2 Francis Manapul

 

Deathstroke #1 Shane Davis

 

Detective Comics #939 Eddy Barrows

 

Generation Zero #1 Stephen Mooney

 

Honor #5

 

International Iron Man #6 Chris Visions

 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

(This is a little bit of a cheat, but it's Han Freaking Solo")

 

 

Titans #2 Mike Choi

 

Ulysses #1 Francesco Francavilla

 

Venom Space Knight #11 Gerardo Sandoval

Last, but not least this awesome Venom cover 

 

Let me know your favorite covers in the comments section.



New Number 1's 8/24/16

Hola Brosephs. In this section I am going to point out all the number ones each week. Hopefully this will call some attention to new books that you never heard of, but might pique your interest. They have some interesting concepts coming out this week.  My pick of the week is Generation Zero. It seems like a very interesting concept and I love the cover art.  Deathstroke is a close second.  He is a great character that sometimes has a hard time finding his voice.  The rebirth issue was good and it looks to continue in this number 1. I was debating on whether including Ulysses since it is a Civil War off shoot, but it is a new character and Marvel seems to be pushing it hard so why not see where they are going?  So here it is the list of new books coming out this week.




Writer: Fred Van Lente Artist: Francis Portela

1. Generation Zero #1: "Because you demanded it! Exploding out of the pages of HARBINGER WARS comes AN ALL-NEW ONGOING SERIES starring GENERATION ZERO from New York Times best-selling writer Fred Van Lente (ARCHER & ARMSTRONG, IVAR, TIMEWALKER) and blockbuster artist Francis Portela (FAITH)! If you have a problem... If your parents won't help? And if your cause is worthy? Log onto network #ZERO? because Generation Zero is listening. Years ago, the children of the experimental strike team known as Generation Zero were taken from their families by Project Rising Spirit, a private weapons contractor, and raised to be psychic soldiers. After years of taking orders, they have fought for and won their freedom. Now, the world's most wanted teenagers have pledged to protect each other tooth and claw, while using their extraordinary abilities to right wrongs for a generation without a future? To fight for kids, just like them. One of those kids is Keisha Sherman, whose boyfriend just turned up dead after a suspicious car crash in Rook, Michigan - a newly booming tech town that sprang from rags to super-riches seemingly overnight. When Keisha makes a desperate plea into her webcam, the local high school suddenly finds itself with several unusual new students? But as word of Generation Zero's presence spreads rapidly through the halls, this volatile band of teenage upstarts is about to discover that they're far from the most extraordinary thing lurking behind Rook's stainless-steel facade.."



Writer: Brian Clevinger Artist: Scott Wegener

 2. Atomic Robo and the Temple of Od #1: "The year is 1938 and a viral weapon is being developed that will rival even Tesla's lightning weapon designs! Cue Atomic Robo, Jack Tarot, secret government agencies, moon men, magical arctic circle elves, jetlagged aliens, elderly rights activists, youngling laborers, and the manifestation of human hope to help save the day! ? Atomic Robo blows things up in a blast-from-the-past adventure! ? Part of IDW's five-week Creator Visions event! Five creator-driven books, launched in five straight weeks!"




Writer: Christopher Priest Artist: Carlo Pagulayan & Jason Paz

 3. Deathstroke #1: "'The Professional' part one! Deathstroke's latest contract takes him to a war-torn African country, where he finds himself caught in the middle of a disintegrating alliance between a ruthless dictator and a deadly super-villain. With an entire nation at stake, Slade Wilson must choose between fulfilling his contract and saving an old friend."

Writer: Simon Oliver Artist: Moritat

4. Hellblazer #1: "'The Poison Truth' part one! London may have recovered from Constantine's return, but he hasn't. Mercury hasn't forgiven him, but she won't leave him alone, and Swamp Thing is calling in a favor. And all the while, bigger things are brewing..."

Artist: Greg Pak Artist: Mirko Cloak

5. Kingsway West #1: "After thirteen years in prison, a Chinese gunslinger named Kingsway Law
just wants to find his wife. But in a fantastical American Old West crackling with magic, monsters, and racist vigilantes, trouble just won't leave him be. And in this case, trouble is a woman with a magic sword who needs his help."

Writer: Keith Giffen Artist: Scott Kolins

6. Blue Beetle #1: "Lost in the desert with no memory of the past few years, teenager Jaime Reyes must find his way home again-but when he reaches his town, he's shocked to find it abandoned and in the hands of government officials. Officials who are very interested in the Blue Beetle and the scarab that gives him his power! How can Jaime find his family and uncover the secret behind the town's seizure-and why Kord Industries is helping keep the world from learning the truth?"

Honorable Mention: Civil War II: Ulysses #1: "A CIVIL WAR II PREQUEL! How did Ulysses join the Inhumans? What difficult journey did he have to go through to master his powers?"


Hope you enjoyed the section.  Do you think I missed something or helped you jump on a new book?  Let me know in the comments section. Thanks for reading.

Five Must Buys 8/24/16

Books Coming out 8/24/16

Hi Guys,  Happy Monday.  Every Monday I will put out my 5 books that are a must pick up for this week.  We all know that it is impossible to pick up every book every week.  Their is too much great stuff out there and it is hard to determine what we should spend our hard earned dollars on.  If you are like me, you may miss out on some great stuff and either pick them up later or go back on read them in trade. My biggest miss lately was Vision.  Hopefully, I can help you pick up stuff that is not on your pull list, but has a great ongoing story that you will want to pick up.  Lately DC has been killing it with great new stories in Rebirth and with the new $2.99 price point(plus 20% off cover), which has been a nice on the wallet.

So let's get to it.

Writer: Dan Jurgens Artist: Stephen Segovi

1. Action Comics #962: "Path to Doom' part six! In the epic conclusion, the mystery of Black Zero deepens just as the Man of Steel makes a fateful decision that may stop Doomsday, but also risks the lives of those he loves most."

I have never been a Superman guy, except maybe the Animated Adventures of Superman, but this story is a Superman story that I can get behind. Lex Luthor as a selfish Superman.  A mysterious Clark Kent, who has no powers and who knows where he came from.  Lois Lane-Kent (I am not sure if that is right, they are married, but would she keep her own name?)and Jonathan Kent running from a Doomsday that is hunting them. Meanwhile at the Legion of Doom.... whoops that just happens, sorry.  Meanwhile, the REAL Superman and Wonder Woman fighting Doomsday. If you haven't been reading a Superman Comic this seems like a good time to jump on the wagon and enjoy the ride.

Writer: Jason Aaron Artist: Jorge Molina

2. Star Wars #22: "The Star Destroyer Harbinger, a massive weapon of Imperial war. Also the target of the rebels' new top-secret plan. Join Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Leia Organa for 'The Last Flight of the Harbinger'!"

I have loved this run so far.  It has been a fun Super Star Warsy feeling story. This is the second book of arc five.  It is pretty easy to jump on to these stories if you are a Star Wars fan and haven't been keeping up with the comic book.  This book is written as if it is a sequel to Star Wars: A New Hope.

Han and Leia in the Millennium Falcon being covered by Luke in an X-Wing.  What more do you want.  Jason Aaron does a great job of finding the voice of all the characters and the art is this book is amazing.  If you are a Star Wars fan this is a must buy.

Writer & Artist: Matt Kindt

3. Dept H. #5: "Under six miles of water, the pressure is rising. On her mission to rescue her brother, Mia encounters some of the ocean's most dangerous creatures. It seems that the more clues she uncovers about her father's murder, the more complicated the case becomes."

I have really enjoyed this book so far.  Essentially this is a locked room murder mystery with a Sci Fi/Horror element to it.  Almost like the book The Sphere mixed with a little bit of Alien. Matt Kindt creates an intriguing world where you cant wait to find out what happens. 

The book features a strong female lead character with an interesting family dynamic. Initially, I was not a fan of the artwork, but it has grown on me bit time. It is a unique look that is paired perfectly with this story.

Writer: Robert Kirkman Artist: Paul Azaceta

4. Outcast #20: "'A POWER EXPOSED' Allison is learning that there is in fact something very special about her daughter. But where is Kyle? The OUTCAST TV series premieres June 3rd on Cinemax!

This is one of the books that I missed out on. However, my cousin kept telling me that I need to pick up this book.  Boy was he right.  This has turned into one of my favorite books and a must read every week.  So good in fact, that Cinemax optioned this one pretty much right out of the gate. 

I am usually not a Horror/Possession Genre type, but this one is great. This is the second book in the fourth arc and would be hard to jump on here.  Usually Image has the first trade of a book for $9.99, which you can get around 20% off if you have a good local store.

Writer: Dan Abnett Artist: Brett Booth
& Norm Rapmund

5. Titans #2: "'Remember the Titans' part two! As the Titans prepare to do the unthinkable in order to defeat the intergalactic demon that stole time itself from the DC Universe, enter the Fearsome Five! But are the sinister quintet acting of their own accord - or are greater forces at work?"

The 5th spot was really a tough decision between this and Detective Comics.  However, with the REAL Wally West back and joining the team to find out what happened to the missing five years,  Titans won out. This seems like the most likely book to continue with the DC Rebirth issues. I wouldn't think that this is going to lead into a Dr. Manhattan reveal because they are on a 2 year plan with that, but it will be interesting to see where Wally has been for the past 5 years.




Honorable Mentions: Detective Comics #939, Flash #5, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #61, and Thief of Thieves #34.

Do you think these are a waste of money or that I missed a book that is a must buy? Let me know in the comments.

Introduction

Hola fellow nerds. I cannot introduce myself properly, so just call me your friendly neighborhood Batman.  I LOVE comics.  I never collected when I was a kid, but always wanted to.  They were a little too pricey for my family and no one in my family had the knowledge.  Every time I walked into a shop as a kid, everything was bagged and boarded and the clerks always gave me a dirty look. Thanks to the Young Justice renewing my interest, the interweb and DC's re launch of the New 52, I was able to jump into comics. However, it was not an easy hobby to pick up, especially with no one to talk to about it.

Growing up I loved both Marvel and DC.  X-Men and Spiderman the Animated Series on Fox as well as Batman and Superman the Animated series and Batman Beyond on the WB. So when I wanted to start reading comics, I was hoping to find something like that.  When I first walked in to a local comic book store around here and started asking questions, the guy looked at me like I was an idiot and was very condescending when answering my questions.  Thinking back on this guy, had he been nice to me and took some time to show me the ropes, he would have had a customer that spends a couple hundred a month in his store.

I moved along to another store and kept to myself. I thought I can figure this out myself.  However, this was the wrong strategy. When I picked up Spiderman and X-Men, I was completely lost. These were not the X-Men that I was used to and there were 3 or 4 ongoing titles, which I didn't know the difference between. Spiderman was a little easier to get into, but again there were 3 or 4 Spiderman ongoing titles. I did not know who Miles Morales, Miguel O'Hara and Kaine were. Luckily, Scarlet Spider had just started a new ongoing that I picked up and I loved it.

Over at DC pretty much everything was starting over at number 1.  So it was a lot easier for me to grab stuff that I wouldn't be lost with.  With DC's relaunch, I took a very different approach.  I grabbed any number one that grabbed my attention.  I started doing that with Marvel as well.  Within my first year I was regularly picking up Batman, Green Lantern, Matt Fraction's Hawkeye, Scarlet Spider, Swamp Thing and Justice League.  I also kept trying other things that turned out not to be for me, including AvX, Grifter, Red Lanterns, Iron Man, Before Watchman, Action Comics and anything that looked like a good potential X-Men book. 

At about year two, I felt like I had a good grasp on the big two, minus X-Men, and started looking at the independents.  My first independent was Fuse.  I like the concept and greatly enjoy the book. This opened the door for some of my favorite comics that I still collect or collected until conclusion including The Wake, Nailbiter, Bunker, Birthright, Descender, Thief of Thieves, Ghosted, Outcast and The Walking Dead.

During this time I turned my sister and my cousin into collectors. My cousin turned out to be a huge Flash fan and my sister loved the independents. Now I have an online pull list as well as a good local store. It took a long time to find both. Since I am lucky enough to live in San Diego, I have able to attend Comic Con and Wonder Con for the past 3 years.  However, very few people know that I attend these functions let alone that I am a closet, full blown Comic Book NERD or as my friend called it "Some Geek A** $**T." Therefore, I am starting my own blog to talk about comics.

My goal is going to be to post twice a day Monday through Friday, but am going to start with a post a day. I would like to think that I am not a Marvel, DC or Independent Fan Boy. I like all three and try to stay positive about comics.  People getting upset about Captain America and the whole Hail Hyrda issue and the writer getting death threats is crazy. Everyone please calm down. If you don't like it don't buy or read it.  If enough people agree, they will change it back or eventually retcon it. I know that this is talking out of both sides of my mouth, but I get it.  It is something that you love and they are ruining it.  Comic Book readers are for the most part die hard fans and it seems we all have a strong opinions about characters that we love and hate.  Hopefully this will be a place where we can all discuss them and have endless arguments on why your favorite character is better than anyone else's.

If you guys ever want me to write about or research something specific, feel free to shoot me an email.  Thanks for your time. Adios.