Monday, December 8, 2008

This week is almost not worth mentioning

Yeah, this list is sparse.

New comics this week (Wednesday, 12/10/08):

100 Bullets #98

Getting closer to the end!  Must...resist...reading any spoilers!

Astonishing X-Men Ghost Boxes #2

I read the first issue of this miniseries (or whatever it is), and it was interesting, kind of a series of alternate-universe versions of Warren Ellis's current storyline.  One of them was a steampunk thing that was pretty cool.  Dunno what's going on in this issue, but one story is illustrated by Kaare Andrews (neat!) and one by Clayton Crain (ugh!).

Challenger Deep #4

The final issue of Boom!'s underwater thing.  I really need to read these, so I can tell whether I should write something about it.

Crossed #2

More Ennis nastiness.  Maybe I'll check this series out when it's collected, if my stomach is feeling strong.

DMZ #37

New storyline.  Let's hope that means another collection will appear soon.

House of Mystery #8

I wish I didn't have to stop getting this series; I enjoyed it.  Uh, I guess this continues a story about exploring the house's basement, and the backup this issue is illustrated by Henry Flint.

Marvels Eye of the Camera #1 black & white

Yeah, this is necessary.  Oy.

Punisher War Zone #1

Hey, an actual interesting release!  This is the weekly miniseries by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon that supposedly ties into the movie of the same name, but is really just an excuse for them to do more of the "humorous" style of Punisher stories, continuing the motif of the Marvel Knights version of the character.  Features the return of Ma Gnucci, a villain that was pretty obviously killed in the climax of the "Welcome Back, Frank" storyline.  I'm sure she'll be fodder for more disfigurement.  I should have a review of this up at Comics Bulletin on Tuesday, so find out exactly what I think then.

Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Season 2 #5

It's the finale of this miniseries version of the series.  I haven't really been a fan, but I guess that doesn't matter, since it's over anyway.  I'm still holding out for a "season 3" by Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover.  That would be awesome.

Time Management for Anarchists #1

This comic is apparently based on a seminar by Jim Munroe (a sci-fi author and writer of the excellent graphic novel Therefore Repent!).  It stars Emma Goldman and Mikhail Bakunin in some sort of steampunk world, giving "productivity tips for creative malcontents".  Weird.  The comic is also available as a free download at Munroe's site.  Sorry, moneymakers!

Wonderful Wizard of Oz #1

This is one of Marvel's line of comics adaptations of public domain works, which wouldn't normally be notable, except this is written by Eric Shanower, with very nice-looking art by Skottie Young.  I wouldn't mind taking a look, even if I'm really not that interested in reading it.

Watchmen #1 New Printing

I'm sure this is also needed, right?  That trade paperback is flying off the shelves, so people will surely want to buy a reprint of the first chapter.  Yeah, I imagine they'll jump right on that.

X-Men Noir #1

I guess this is the Marvel version of an Elseworlds, with the characters taking part in a sort of Raymond Chandler mystery.  It's written by Fred Van Lente, with art by Dennis Calero.  This first issue isn't bad, I guess, but it seems kind of weird; I'm not sure what the point is, other than trying to recognize who each character is and how they fit into the criminal underworld of the book.  I dunno.  There's a Spider-Man version coming out soon too; I wouldn't expect that to be much better.

Asterix Omnibus Vol 2 Books 4 5 & 6 HC

I really should read these sometime.  They're classics.

Camelot 3000 Deluxe Edition HC

Hey, it's the other big DC maxiseries of the 80s.  I've never read it, but it certainly doesn't have the reputation of Watchmen.  In fact, I think the only thing notable about it is the art by Brian Bolland.  But now you can pay extra for that in this "deluxe" edition!

Courtney Crumrin And The Prince Of Nowhere

It's another short book by Ted Naifeh, along the lines of the recent Courtney Crumrin and the Fire Thief's Tale.  I still have yet to read any of this series, but I really like Ted Naifeh's art, so I will get to them one day.  I swear it!

Daredevil Man Without Fear Prem HC

Man, everything gets a deluxe hardcover these days, doesn't it?  I've never read this miniseries by Frank Miller and John Romita, Jr., but I don't think it's considered Miller's best work on the character.  I suppose I could check it out if I got the chance, but I'm not interested in paying a bunch to own a fancy version.  Of course, that applies to a lot of comics...

Complete Green Lama Featuring Art of Mac Raboy HC

Golden age comics.  Might be an interesting read.  I don't know if I would bother pointing this out regularly, but as I said, it's a slow week.

Jack of Fables Vol 4 Americana TPB

I think I stopped getting this book soon after this arc, so I might need to try to get the next one.  I remember being a bit disappointed by this one; it started good, but I didn't really get the ending.  Still, it's a fun series, taking a more humorous approach to its stories than its parent series, Fables.  I generally dig it.

Nicolas GN

From Drawn and Quarterly, this short book by Quebecois artist Pascal Girard is an autobiographical series of stories about the death of his brother at a young age.  Interesting, if a bit pricey (64  5x8 pages for $10).

Nick Cardy Behind The Art HC

I just wanted to mention this so as to bring it to Noah Berlatsky's attention.

PX Book 2 In The Service Of The Queen GN

Whoa, I had no idea this was coming out.  I really liked the first volume of Eric A. Anderson and Manny Trembley's web-to-print comic about a girl with a robotic panda bodyguard, so I'm all over this one.  Don't let me down, fellas!

Reading Comics TP

Douglas Wolk's book gets a paperback version.  Unless it had one already and this is just a new printing or something.  I should probably check it out sometime.

Sulk Vol 2 Deadly Awesome GN

Jeffrey Brown's new collection of stories.  I don't usually go for his stuff, but this could be interesting.  For instance, there's apparently an 80-page mixed martial arts fight scene (you can see a nine-page preview here).  That's pretty cool.

Blade Of The Immortal Vol 20 Demons Lair TP

Wow, this is still coming out.  I've read a couple volumes of this series, and it's pretty enjoyable, with lots of blood and vengeance and whatnot.  Maybe I'll try to read more of it someday.

Black Lagoon Vol 3 TP

I wasn't too keen on the first volume of this series, but maybe it gets better.  I do have the next two on my review pile, so I'll probably get to them sometime soon.  We'll see!

Gimmick Vol 4 GN

Speaking of manga that I didn't think was great, here's another one (my review is here), and another volume that I might review.  Just to keep you in suspense.

One-Pound Gospel Vol 4 TP

This series is up to volume four already?  Damn.  I dug the first volume, and it's one I definitely want to read more of.  Once again, I'll get to it someday.

Sgt Frog Vol 16 GN

Here's another series that's apparently still coming out.  I quit reading after volume 12, I think, but I could try to catch up at some point, since it's still enjoyable.  I don't feel the loss too intensely though.
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Looks like that's everything.  Until I saw PX!, I thought there would be nothing for me this week.  Ah well, there's always money to spend.

4 comments:

  1. Xmen Noir was very entertaining. What's supposed to be the point beyond that? Put your claws away, kitty kat.

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  2. Damn, I'm gonna have to sharpen my claws. I wasn't even trying to be mean! Yeah, maybe I was being harsh though; I probably only mentioned it because I read a preview PDF, but I didn't have much to say about it either way. Maybe I was trying to say that I hadn't really read anything about the intent or plans of this "Noir" series of comics from Marvel. I dunno; I wouldn't call anyone names for liking it or anything.

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  3. Lol. Well said. I will also say the DD man without fear doesn't have to be millers best work to be worth reading, which it is. Is it worth HC if you don't already have it? Depends on how you feel about JR JR, but I would...

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