Thought Bubble: iPad & Comics - A Review

By Matt T

The iPad has long been touted as the next stage in reading comics, allowing for massive amounts of storage, instant access to a huge back catalogue of issues and a high-res display to navigate them.

Those of us who own an iPhone will already be familiar with the majority of the programs - or apps - used to display issues from the likes of Marvel and DC but for the uninitiated I’ll start with a quick overview. Then we’ll get onto seeing if this groundbreaking bit of tech will actually revolutionize how we buy and read comics, or whether it’s just a lot of hyperbole.

Marvel and DC both use the Comixology app as a basis for their own branded versions, so the interface between both those and Comixology’s own app is the same. First you're presented with an iTunes-style opening page, with front covers, a star rating and short blurb describing what the issue is about. Comics can cost as little as 59p, and are downloaded through an iTunes account. There are also plenty of freebies to grab, from the likes of the first issue of Invaders up to a DC sampler of all their current titles.

Although the content is being constantly updated there isn’t quite the wealth of material that your average shop would have, especially as they’re not yet making new issues available on a Wednesday (or Thursday for us Brits). There are some more obscure titles, especially on the main Comixology app, so if you’ve missed out there’s every chance you’ll be able to download an issue. There are around 40 publishers accessible at the moment, so you’ve got plenty to choose from.

When reading a comic, the interface disappears and leaves the screen filled with the comic. There are then two methods of reading it; ‘guided’, in which the app zooms up on speech bubbles or action within the panel, and ‘standard’ which lets you zoom in and out yourself. The guided view isn’t as bad as it sounds, although often it’ll crop into a panel so much that it’s difficult to get a decent perspective on the action occurring. For example, a single exchange between two characters may be spaced around rather than focused in one area, with dialogue bubbles all over the place. The app would only focus on one area, then move to the next, but cutting off the action within the panel to get there. This did get a little annoying, but it makes the speech bubbles far easier to read. More recent issues seem to be in a high enough resolution to read without too much zooming in, giving a far better overall view.
The iPad itself is a stunning piece of kit, although the particular version I had suffered from numerous issues connecting to wireless networks. This showed how limited the device is offline, but for reading comics it's a superb method of getting your fix. Although the guided view is a touch flawed, higher res comics didn't suffer too much, and the Comixology interface is extremely straightforward to use. In spite of this, I won't be buying an iPad for my comics any time soon. The amount of content available in the UK is still a bit limited, and I wouldn't use it enough outside of a quick browse on the internet to justify the cost. However, I don't believe it will be too long before a) the cost of the iPad drops to a more acceptable level, and b) publishers start making all their content available simultaneously with the physical release. The cost of producing a comic on paper and creating a digital version is vastly different, so it won't be long before the economics start to rule the decision-making.

Incoming... 28/07/2010

New comics are released tomorrow (in the States at least; we have to wait until Thursday in the UK!). Here's a brief look at our expectations for the books we're picking up this week.


Stewart R: Egad, the potential quality doth approach from all sides this week! Where will my little eyes be drawn first?? I dare say the pair of them will head straight for Matt Fraction’s Uncanny X-Men #526 as the Five Lights saga gets underway in an incredibly mysterious time for the mutant-folk of planet Earth. After all that M-Day malarkey with the Scarlett Witch going a little ‘postal’ with her powers and decimating the mutant population to just a few hundred it seems that a new age now approaches and with it comes a multitude of story possibilities for the many X-writers out there. Fraction has done a tremendous job through Utopia and Siege and I have full faith that he is the writer to keep things interesting and exciting over the coming months with Hope, Cyclops and the ‘Lights’ that have burst into life.

It’s a similar amount of faith that, after only one issue, I have fully invested in Paul Cornell as his second chapter of ‘The Black Ring’ swoops down at us in Action Comics #891. It was a few of the other members of the Paradox Comic Group who bigged up the first instalment so enthusiastically that made me have a quick peak and then quickly pester Andy at Paradox for a copy. It was a terrific window into Lex Luthor’s life post-Blackest Night and his brush with power and avarice in their purest forms. Things took a turn for the weird last time out with the brief reveal of Mister Mind and it should be entertaining to see where Mr Cornell takes things next.

It is a shame to say but my interest in Brightest Day as an event is starting to wane ever so slightly having dropped the main title a couple of months back and I'm now eyeing two other associated titles with a slight amount of ambivalence. That’s not to say that the Sword of Damocles is hanging above either title but Green Lantern #56 and Green Lantern Corps #50 need to step things up a notch to recapture the love for them that I had from the beginning of Blackest Night. I’ve a feeling once Atrocitus’ plans are fully revealed things could kick into high gear and give the GL title something of a boost, though I’m not certain that will happen in this coming issue. I’m somewhat surprised that nothing special appears to have been planned for Green Lantern Corps reaching the fifty issue milestone but that could be down to several factors like the recent change in creative team or the fact that DC might feel that they’re already throwing too many $3.99 titles into the fray.

Thankfully only a handful of the titles I will be picking up this week are at the higher price point and a further bonus appears in the form of two issue #0s from Radical Publishing as they drop The Rising #0 and Ryder On The Storm #0 into the battle-zone that is today’s comics market. This publisher knows how to do sleek presentation so I’ll be expecting decent visuals regardless of plot and characterisation quality and at $1.00 a pop it’d be almost foolish to not pick these up and have a little experiment. Radical’s leaning towards darker, science-fiction based fiction does appeal to me and as long as they keep throwing these samplers and teasers into the marketplace I know I’ll keep looking.

It’s random experimentation that led me to two Image titles that form the regular backbone of my pull-list and both of them have further instalments heading our way in glorious paper format this week. Haunt #8 will continue to follow the bizarre symbiotic life and afterlife that the brothers Kilgore share together and the captivating cover imagery indicates that this hero pairing may be in far deeper trouble than either of them realised. Robert Kirkman has kept this title fresh since the very beginning and with Greg Capullo getting into full swing on artistic duties I’m predicting that things can only get better for this comic. The other bat-shit crazy title is Cowboy Ninja Viking #7 and following the rather cool surprise ending to last issue I’m chomping at the bit to discover what Duncan’s ‘change’ could mean for the rather unhinged and unpredictable team of Triplet Assassins.

The rest of the bundle will include American Vampire #5 which promises to be a watershed issue for Scott Snyder’s bloodsucking tale of revenge as Pearl Jones finally takes the fight to the mysterious Coven’s door and Stephen King’s Skinner Sweet story also reaches its conclusion. I’ve enjoyed the double story format of this book so far and I’m intrigued to see how these writers leave things at the final page of this issue. Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #4 will no doubt sit higher in the pull-list of some of my comic compadres but I’ve felt that the past two efforts from Morrison and his rotating pool of artists has lacked the quality and impact of that the first epic issue. I will be looking for Morrison and Cameron Stewart to raise their games and convince me that this series was the big Bat event that was worth sticking with.

Mini Reviews 25/07/2010

While we may not always have the time to review all the comics we get every week, we do try and provide a snapshot of the latest releases, mixing the good with the not so good.

This week also sees the next instalment of Matt C's Buscema Avengers Project.


NEONOMICON #1
Writer: Alan Moore
Art: Jacen Burrows
Avatar $3.99

James R: Alan Moore! Yes! Woooh! Well, that's me happy. Last year (or it may be 2008 - the years all meld into one now I'm an old geek) Alan Moore declared that he'd stopped writing comics forever, and was now concentrating on his excellent magazine Dodgem Logic along with other writing projects. Well rejoice, as it seems he may have been fibbing a bit! This week sees the release of the first issue of Neonomicon, the direct sequel to his Cthulu-flavoured miniseries The Courtyard. The story picks up the mysterious threads left dangling like so many elder tentacles, and with his trademark skill, Moore serves up a superb first chapter. There is a real sense of unease and menace that permeates throughout this book, and this is accentuated by Jacen Burrows trademark pencils which blend the very real and the unnatural to great effect. It's clear that this story is building to the unleashing of a Lovercraftian fiend, but watching Moore at work is always a joy. This reads like Hellboy without, er, Hellboy and the BPRD, but it had me hooked from the first three pages. Let's hope Moore holds off the retirement for a few more years yet. 8/10

Matt C: Avatar have been publishing some great work from Garth Ennis and Warren Ellis recently, so if they’ve managed to squeeze something new out of Alan Moore, AND coupled him with Avatar’s star artist, Jacen Burrows, surely it’s worth a look? This is a sequel to Moore’s The Courtyard but having not read that myself I thankfully didn’t feel lost or ill-equipped reading Neonomicon. The strangest thing about the book is it doesn’t particularly feel like an Alan Moore comic. You usually think of him as a writer who will toy with genre conventions and push the boundaries of reader expectations. Here though he seems to play things relatively straight. This is no bad thing, of course, and it’s only the first issue, so there’s still plenty of time to mess with our heads. I’m not overly partial to Lovecraftian themes but I’m intrigued enough to keep going (and I guess Burrows’ usual high standard of art plays into that quite a bit). In no way is this ever going to spoken of in the same breath as the likes of Watchmen, V For Vendetta or League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, but Moore is a complete master of the medium, so even a lesser work is guaranteed to provide something to get your teeth into. 7/10


THUNDERBOLTS #146
Writer: Jeff Parker
Art: Kev Walker
Marvel $2.99

Tom P: Its funny to think that of all the Marvel books linked into the Heroic Age Thunderbolts is the one that I'm enjoying the most. It's more entertaining, action-packed and engaging than any Avengers title that has come my way recently. Every issue since Parker and Walker have launched this new team has been an absolute blast from start to finish. We start where the last issue ended with Ghost being attacked by an axe-wielding Asgardian troll. Soon after the team are dispatched again to investigate the disappearance of a squad of S.H.I.E.L.D agents and a United Nations team that went missing looking for a vein of Terrigen Crystals. Crossbones is one of the highlights for me this issue, the banter between the team is terrific fun to read and Walker continues to produce some of the best artwork around. Its good to be bad! 9/10

Stewart R: By far the best thing I have read this week, Thunderbolts #146 is clear indication that Jeff Parker is on top of his game, shaping this team into a dynamic group, despite their many differences, and in the process he is making sure that this comic is Marvel’s most promising title on the shelves. Every single character sounds and reacts to situations differently which allows for some terrific banter and baiting and also gives Parker and artist Walker room to work with the group’s power-sets. Cage comes across as the weary parent constantly trying to keep the kids in line (and occasionally threatening to turn the car around and send everyone to bed without supper!) yet it’s his ability to lead by example that’s having the greatest influence on the rest of the team. The level of peril invested into this storyline so far is also a triumph as there is a constant feeling that anyone heading out on an away-mission could really be coming back in a body bag. If you’ve been left a little nonplussed by the Heroic Age so far this is hands down the best place to be looking for an alternative viewpoint. Spellbinding. 9/10


RED MASS FOR MARS #4
Writer: Jonthan Hickman
Art: Ryan Bodenheim
Image $3.50

Matt C: It’s difficult to give this a fair review, but since Image or the creators or whoever put me in the position where I’m reading the last instalment of a four-part miniseries 20 months (!) after #3 came out, I have to take that into consideration. Which is basically my way of justifying the low mark you see at the end of this review. It’s final confrontation time, but I struggled to remember what happened previously, which prevented me from becoming properly involved in the unfurling events. I’ve read a heck of a lot of comics in the last 20 months, and maybe I should have read the three preceding issues before cracking this open, but then maybe I shouldn’t have to wait so goddamn long for a piece of serialized fiction to arrive! The art’s really nice, and Hickman’s washed-out colouring is tremendously effective, but there was nothing there to pull me back in to the story and make me feel like no time has passed. I reckon it’ll read well in the collected format, but then that has me wondering why I bought the floppies in the first place. 5/10

James R: Red Mass For... Mars? Hmm... rings a bell. I kind of remember reading something like that in, well, it had to be 2008! Yes, now I remember! Written by Jonathan Hickman, Red Mass For Mars was part of a very cool trifecta of comics from Hickman at Image that included the excellent Transhuman and the mighty Pax Romana. Mars is a Superman avatar who has forsaken humanity, but is called back when Earth faces an extinction level event at the hands on an Alien invasion. The first three issues of this were superb, with Hickman showing his trademark depth of thought and philosophical reflection, and so I was hugely disappointed when the final chapter seemed vanish into the comics ether. Well, better late than never I guess! For what it's worth, the issue is missing the intellectual sophistication of the earlier issues, with Hickman & Bodeheim serving up the huge pan-galactic slugfest that you'd expect, and on it's own as an issue it's unsatisfying, but as a whole, this series has been excellent. Rather than buy this, I highly recommend you pick up the trade -as a collected package it'll read brilliantly. 7/10


AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #638
Writer: Joe Quesada
Art: Paolo Rivera, Joe Quesada, Danny Miki & Richard Isanove
Marvel $3.99

Stewart R: I’ve been something of a supporter of the 'Brand New Day' storyline, agreeing that the marriage of Peter and Mary Jane was limiting the ability of the writers to develop Peter as a lead character, but I’m not so sure we really need to go back and see what the deal with Mephisto led to on the couple’s Wedding Day. Quesada and Co take the original events of Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21, reprinted in part here, and then adjust the story to show just what prevented one of the happiest moments in comic history. Quesada’s work with Peter and MJ ‘now’ is well realised and adds a sense of regret to proceedings but when things get to the reprinted and reworked material it’s just not a great fit. The wedding was written in 1987 and trying to bend the story for the purposes of this event just seems really clunky. I’d have preferred that they had one artist recreate things according to the new timeline rather than try and use the reprinted material. Paolo Rivera’s classic art style shows that they certainly tried to make things work and feel natural but it unfortunately falls short... and costs us an extra dollar in the process. 5/10


G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #156
Writer: Larry Hama
Art: Augustin Padilla
IDW $3.99

Stewart R: Finally! After years of rather mediocre efforts from a handful of creators and publishers it really does feel like the G.I. Joe story could be back on track. Some of my favourite stories from Joe lore have been about this team of skilled heroes being up against incalculable odds and showing why they are the best at what they do and Hama has elected to explore this survival instinct in the biggest way possible. Yes, the US Government turning to COBRA for assistance in policing the population is something of a stretch but if we don’t analyse that point too much then this first issue of the new era is a solid series of action pieces as the various Joe members try to make it to a rendezvous so that they can regroup and take the fight to their slippery foes. The art of Padilla is a perfect match here and he takes things to a brutal level in a muted, measured way that the G.I. Joe series has been known for. A really neat cliffhanger ending has me definitely invested in issue #157. 8/10


DV8: GODS AND MONSTERS #4
Writer: Brian Wood
Art: Rebekah Isaacs
DC/Wildstorm $2.99

Matt C: I can’t imagine this book is selling like hot cakes (neither the characters or creators are exactly A-listers) and that’s a shame because it means a lot of folks are missing out one of the most fascinating and intelligent superhero books currently being published. Essentially it sees Wood apply themes from William Golding’s literary classic Lord Of The Flies to the superhero genre. A team of teenage heroes are deposited on a primitive planet and each of them cope with the situation in a different way as they adapt to their new environment. The key to it all is that there’s no moral authority to guide them, so while some attempt to establish some semblance of order others respond to their baser instincts with often devastating results. Wood is an expert in believable characterization and Isaacs renders his script in truly beautiful fashion. The deeper we get into this series, the more it looks like it’ll be one of the highlights of 2010. 8/10


AVENGERS #3
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: John Romita Jr & Klaus Janson
Marvel $3.99

Tom P: Its not a good sign when you go to pick up your comics and feel unsure about purchasing a certain title. I want to love this comic; I want to rave about it and for it to fill me with excitement about the upcoming Avengers movie. But The Ultimates this is not. Its just okay and as much as I love Romita Jr I’m fed up of reading about the constant parade of villains showing up to blow a hole in Avengers Tower and then disappearing again. I’m not Bendis-bashing as I enjoy many of his comics (especially Ultimate Spider-Man) but something just isn't clicking. I just have too many other things I want to read instead and its just not scratching that itch for me. I said I was going to give this six issues but when I’m this uncertain about a title it has to go now. I hope, like Thunderbolts, it can win me back, but for now I'm saying goodbye to Avengers. A shame. 4/10


BATMAN BEYOND #2
Writer: Adam Beechen
Art: Ryan Benjamin & John Stanisci
DC $2.99

Stewart R: A decent second issue here as Bruce Wayne and Terry McGinnis try to establish just who has escaped on a murderous rampage through the Batman rogues gallery. Beechen covers all of the bases making sure that for the uninitiated - myself included - a substantial amount of back story about Hush is mixed in with the unveiling of a new Catwoman and Bruce and Terry’s continuous bickering on the best way to handle things. The art team really do themselves proud with a flashback to Batman’s last encounter with the psychotic Hush before his supposed demise, flooding everything with darkened shadows and layer upon layer of atmospheric blues. I will admit that Benjamin occasionally seems to struggle with the wrinkled visage of the elderly Wayne, giving him a bizarre pucker in some panels, but aside from that his work continues to capture the feel of the animated series. Two issues in and our protagonists are still not clear just who it is they are really up against and hopefully Beechen is sat on some tasty reveals to really spice things up. 7/10


RESURRECTION #13
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Art: Justin Greenwood
Oni Press $3.99

Matt C: Didn’t I just review #12 last week? The surprise release of #13 this week kind of makes my decision of whether or not to drop this book or not a lot easier seeing as how it appears from Guggenheim’s text piece at the back that this is the last issue of Resurrection for the time being (Guggenheim & Greenwood are off to work on a co-owned series, Stringers). There are several surprises and shocks here, but they often feel like they’ve been too long in coming as the momentum of the narrative has slowed since the relaunch. I still love the premise but Guggenheim will have to pull something really special out of the hat to make me come back for Volume 3, whenever that sees the light of day. 6/10


AVENGERS #277
Writer: Roger Stern
Art: John Buscema & Tom Palmer
Marvel $0.75

Matt C: Another classic cover as we reach the finale of the Masters Of Evil arc and the Avengers set about doing what they do best: avenging! Some absolutely superb artwork from Messers Buscema and Palmer during the various battles (Thor vs Goliath, Cap vs the Wrecker, the climactic Cap vs Zemo) ensures the excitement levels are right off the scale the whole way through. Stern has a brilliant grasp of the dynamics of this team: the relationships between the characters feel truthful and real so when their lives are in jeopardy you’re drawn right into the fray. An all-round excellent example of the often-overlooked creative brilliance at the House of Ideas during the ‘80s. 9/10

From The Vaults: THE AMERICAN WAY #1-8

While we spend a great deal of time engrossed in the current crop of comic books, let us not forget those fantastic tales from the past that still sit in amongst our collections but are always worth revisiting...


THE AMERICAN WAY #1-8
Writer: John Ridley
Art: Georges Jeanty & Karl Story
DC/Wildstorm $2.99 each

By Matt T

*WARNING - CONTAINS SPOILERS*

Novelist, screenwriter and one-time Authority author John Ridley launched the miniseries The American Way with artist Georges Jeanty in tow back in 2006 with a simple theme: what if the greatest superheroes in the world were frauds? Or, more accurately, what if they were actors simply playing a role to dupe the country into thinking they were safe?

Through the eyes of a PR rep we get to see the lies that formed the foundation of early-Sixties superhero team the Civil Defence Corps, with villains also on the payroll and most battles little more than choreographed pantomime. Tasked with adding some new ideas to the façade, things quickly unravel as a new hero is unveiled that both the public, and the rest of the team, aren't ready to embrace.

Setting his book during the early‘60s allows Ridley to use both the Cuban missile crisis and the rising racial tensions as a backdrop, and the latter theme is especially effective when the newest edition to the CDC is revealed to be black in the third issue. The New American rubs the Southern members of the team the wrong way, prompting a split that forces the two sides to progress towards a huge punch up. What gives this miniseries a different spin is the concentration on the human side of the heroes, and the manner in which they’re feared as much as worshipped. The team’s 'handlers' are utterly unaware of how powerful Superman facsimile Pharos is, but are reliant on him to maintain the act. When a real threat is released by the government to reassure the public, the CDC fail miserably at being actual heroes, forcing them to become the icons they've always pretended to be.

There are a number of sub-plots running alongside the main story, including one that sees the New American torn between making a difference by saving lives and working for the people he sees as his oppressors. The reaction to his unwitting unveiling ranges from passive disbelief to outright aggression, but is well written enough not to seem overtly extreme or unbelievable.

The 'eyes of the reader' belong to PR man Wes Chatham who attempts to not only keep his job, but massage superheroic egos while continuing to lie convincingly to his wife. Things go horribly wrong quickly for Wes when the symbol of America's faith, Old Glory, is killed during a supposedly routine ass-whuppin' on his first day. This prompts Wes to bring in the space-themed New American, who unwittingly screws things up even further. To reassure the public the team is still on top of things after one of their own turns on them, a supervillain - supposedly under orders to commit a little mayhem then be captured - does his job a little too well, murdering a bus full of people including the New American's brother. Hellbent, the supervillain in question, then proceeds to tear the remainder of the team apart, and is then subsequently dealt with in terminal fashion by the rage-fuelled New American.

Needless to say, the Southern side of the CDC don't take this too well, and 'heroes' evolve into heroes, and others just plain evolve. Although the setting and themes of the book aren't as thoroughly explored as they could be, with the racial tension being used as little more than an excuse to progress the team to self destruct, Ridley keeps The American Way hurtling along at a fair old pace. On only a few occasions do the heroes seem like ripoffs of more recognisable characters, and most get at least a few panels to establish a personality. There are a few too many faces and names at times, with a couple appearing to be little more than a method to keeping the South and East Coast factions equally balanced, but anchoring the book around ad man Chatham is a masterstroke. Not being an overly moral or preachy character makes the mini a far stronger proposition allowing us to see the shades of grey that colour the faux-heroes. The concept probably wouldn’t work with an overly honest central figure so instead we see a man torn apart by the lie he's enforcing, especially when his superiors seem willing to cause murder and chaos just to keep the fantasy in place.

The American Way cracking series that keeps the twists and turns coming, and retains its freshness thanks to the lack of diluting sequels.

Incoming... 21/07/2010

New comics are released tomorrow (in the States at least; we have to wait until Thursday in the UK!). Here's a brief look at our expectations for the books we're picking up this week.


Stewart R: I think everyone probably looked at their pile of comics awaiting them at their local comic book shop last Wednesday and Thursday, felt the weight and then got on the phone to three strong and able-bodied friends to help them carry it all home. It wasn’t approaching ‘chore’ status to read through the ridiculous wedge of material because I didn’t read anything terrible thankfully, but I am certainly glad that this week is looking a touch on the skinny side in terms of bulk.

I’ll start with DC as I’m only picking up one, yes ONE thing from DC or sister house Vertigo this week and no I am not starting to pick up Brightest Day again! The one title that gets my full attention this week is Batman Beyond #2 which I have pretty high hopes for based on the strong first outing. The debut issue really captured the feel of the animated series and I really enjoyed revisiting a world that I felt should have received a longer exposure time from the Warner Bros studio. Adam Beechen’s story is also showing some real promise and I’m certainly intrigued to see if he involves any other villains from Terry’s rogues gallery as well as Bruce Wayne’s former foes.

The one other non-Marvel title I’ll be grabbing hold of this week comes surprisingly out of IDW’s doors as Larry Hama returns to the title that he worked tirelessly on for many a year as G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #156 gets a release over a decade on from where the story was left. Hama is turning things on its head for this arc with Cobra being hired by a desperate US Government to protect it from a spate of terrorist attacks and naturally Cobra Commander puts out warrants on all of the Joes’ heads. Apparently Snake Eyes doesn’t take too kindly to that type of behaviour so we may well have some pissed off ninja action from artist Augustin Padilla betwixt the pages. The big question is whether Hama can keep both a sense of nostalgia and a feeling of freshness in his writing and I’ve got my fingers crossed hoping that he can.


And so we saunter into Marvel territory once again... where we find that actually there isn’t a huge amount coming out of their doors this week either. I’m taking a guess that the time of the month and impending arrival of the hallowed San Diego Comic Convention may possibly have had an effect on the print schedule for most of the publishers. There are still however some titles that will garner my interest. The Grim Hunt ended in something of a toothless fashion and with some shake-ups in the works in how the premier Spider-Man title is going to be written and released there may be troubled times ahead. Amazing Spider-Man #638 is the beginning of One Moment In Time, an arc that will take us back to that pivotal moment at Peter and Mary Jane’s wedding where love did not conquer all and brought us down the divergent path of the Brand New Day.

I’ve read a few articles and news pieces here and there which have pretty much confirmed that Marvel aren’t going to backtrack on the separation scenario with Peter and MJ as it’s too hard and restrictive to write for Spider-Man when he’s married. It looks like the fans will just have to take their lumps and ride with whatever Quesada and Co come up for us in this flashback and go from there. The $3.99 price tag is still an annoyance on a book that comes out thrice monthly but if they capture the correct tone with this alternate take on comic history then it should take the sting out of the tail.

The recent announcement about the premature end of Jeff Parker and Gabriel Hardman’s Atlas series is something of a blow considering the wonderful work the pair of them had put into building up the mystery and magic of the World of Atlas over the past few years, producing some enthralling stories involving Jimmy Woo, Namora and The Uranian. Atlas #3 continues the story involving the 3D Man and his ability to see what is usually masked from everyone else and I really hope that these creators, who have really worked hard to give this team the great stories that they deserve, manage to wrap things up the way they want to with the last three instalments.

But of course where Mr Parker is writing endings to one series he’s just getting warmed up in another and I’m positive that Thunderbolts #146 is going to be yet another spellbinding read as the team of villains and misfits continue to learn to work together. The art from Kev Walker has been crisp and fresh and there’s now a real sense in this series that Parker has been able to build the team that he wants rather than being left to deal with the remnants of another writer’s efforts. The last issue ended on something of a cliffhanger and the blurb on the Marvel website about this issue seems to jump away from where we left off so we might be going into this week’s offering in something of a blind fashion. Exciting isn’t it?!

Mini Reviews 18/07/2010

While we may not always have the time to review all the comics we get every week, we do try and provide a snapshot of the latest releases, mixing the good with the not so good.

This week also sees the next instalment of Matt C's Buscema Avengers Project.


RICHARD STARK’S PARKER: THE MAN WITH THE GETAWAY FACE – A PRELUDE TO THE OUTFIT
Writer: Darwyn Cooke
Art: Darwyn Cooke
IDW $2.00

Matt C: Cooke’s plan from the beginning was to adapt four of Donald Westlake’s (aka Richard Stark’s) Parker books into the graphic novel format, but in his preface here he explains how he felt the second Parker book, The Man With The Getaway Face, wasn’t one he was particularly keen on tackling. It did, however, contain a key component that affected future Parker books, so rather than ignoring it completely he decided to compress it into a short story and use it as a preface for his next adaptation, The Outfit. So, while it’s due to appear in Cooke’s version of The Outfit, it works as standalone story and the folks at IDW agreed to release it as a taster for what’s to come. For only two dollars! When you pick it up you’ll realise that not only is it incredible value for money it’s also one of the best looking comic you’ll see all year (natch). Cooke once again nails the hardboiled, jazzy, late ‘50s/early ‘60s vibe just as he did with last year’s The Hunter (which was only pipped to the post by Asterios Polyp as the best piece of comics storytelling to hit the shelves during 2009). As it’s more compact it does lack the nuance of The Hunter, but since the idea’s to whet peoples’ appetites for the main event (The Outfit is released in October) it does the job and then some, confirming once again that Cooke is one of the most unique and vital talents working in the medium today. 9/10

Tom P: "It's our hope this oversized, underpriced bitch-slap will pull you into the violent world of Parker" explains Darwyn Cooke in his introduction to this beautiful 8"x12" comic. This is a prelude to Cooke's next Parker book The Outfit and is a full story that takes us from his first book in the series The Hunter and sets us up for the next book in October. He does points out this will be included in the next book but I strongly recommend you pick this up for two reasons. The first, if you haven't read The Hunter yet, this is the kind of thing you will have missed. The second, it’s just a gorgeous comic that makes a stunning display of his 1960s cigarette-brown artwork. His page layouts are both classic and inventive; he truly is a master of modern comic books. It’s like watching Mad Men, it just sucks you into the period. He even manages to make an advert for his book on the iPhone and Ipad look gorgeous! I’m buying another copy just to frame it, it’s that good looking! The writing is also wonderfully adapted and gripping; a few lines had me chuckling away to myself. This is $2.00 very well spent and I look forward to Parker’s return this October. 10/10


X-MEN: SECOND COMING #2
Writers: Zeb Wells, Mike Carey, Craig Kyle, Chris Yost & Matt Fraction
Art: Ibraim Roberson, Esad Ribic, Greg Land and Jay Leisten & Terry and Rachel Dodson
Marvel $3.99

Stewart R: All five writers should be very, very proud of their efforts on the Second Coming event as each and every one of them has managed to keep their individual styles prominent AND make sure that the story has remained cohesive and compelling. This finale provides four smaller chapters for each of the creative teams to handle and they sign off this event in both sombre and joyous moods. Wells’ piece focuses on the immediate fall-out on Utopia as the medical teams tend to the wounded, while Carey and Kyle & Yost’s stories all focus on the mental scars that have been left through Cyclops and Wolverine’s actions over the past couple of years. Fraction, current superb author of Uncanny, then drops in the intriguing bombshell that will lead us straight into the upcoming ‘Five Lights’ arc. The writing is poignant and measured as expected with only a few annoying hurdles - the introduction of the new X-Force roster is an unnecessary poster moment for Greg Land, and Scott and Emma’s relationship is once again brushed aside when perhaps it should fall a little more in focus - but they’re easily overlooked when all of the talent involved keep things this tight. 8/10


SUPERMAN #701
Writer: J. Michael Stracztnski
ArtL Eddy Barrows & J.P. Mayer
DC $2.99


Tom P: Must admit, I didn't pick up the Superman #700. In a month with quite a few $4.99 annuals and milestone issues I couldn't justify it and from the sounds of it I didn't miss much. So I also missed the prologue of incoming writer Straczynski’s forthcoming arc that Matt C felt was overly forced and sentimental. This certainly is a very sentimental comic and quite slushy and preachy too. That said I did enjoy reading it and it’s fun to see Superman use his powers in some different, mundane ways even if he breaks his no fly rule and has a few geographical blips. Its not perfect but it is fresh and different to any Superman comics that I've read before. It’s certainly isn't as good as Geoff Johns and Gary Frank's recent efforts but I’m going to give this a few issues to see what JMS can bring to this iconic character. The only thing I have left to say is Cassaday's cover makes me long for him to illustrate a few issues of something soon. 7/10

James R: I've always imagined that writing Superman must be somewhat of a poisoned chalice. On one hand - awesome! The original superhero, the standard by which all others are judged. An icon known the world over. But on the other hand, well, how many fantastic Superman stories can you actively recall? Until All-Star Superman, the character had been treading water. What is left to say after all? He's been deconstructed using various tropes by generations of writers (Alan Moore's Supreme and Mark Waid's Irredeemable spring immediately to mind) and so writing something different for the Man of Steel is going to be a challenge. Bearing that in mind, Straczynski deserves kudos for trying something new. With the ‘Grounded’ story arc, Superman is wandering coast-to-coast in order to reconnect with the people of Earth. How does the opening chapter read? All told, a brave first attempt. Some parts of the tale are fantastic - Superman talking to the girl considering suicide worked really well, and showed that Straczynski has a terrific grasp on his character. Other parts, such as Superman driving out the drug dealers, came across as a little naive. If the aim of his ramble is to reconnect with humanity, declaring "push the problem somewhere else, let them deal with it" doesn't come across as a humane solution. I was still compelled by this from the first page to the last, and in tandem with Action Comics it means that for the first time in ages, Superman's world is worth your time and money. 8/10

Stewart R: Here’s where I jump aboard the Superman boat as Straczynski takes the Man of Steel on a down-to-earth journey of discovery in ‘Grounded’. Straczynski was the man responsible for introducing me to Marvel’s Thor (well, along with James R) with his emotional writing style and character-driven plots, and I think we’re in for more of the same here. The great thing is that you don’t have to have read War Of The Supermen to pick this up and get stuck in; the premise is simply Superman crossing the US by foot and on the way trying to rediscover why it is that he is a superhero and just what the world needs him to do. That’s it in a nutshell. Yet it’s a nutshell crammed full of story as Supes deals with everything from automotive mechanical problems to drug dens, medical conditions to the deepest concerns of the heart and it’s all brilliant. Straczynski’s words are wonderfully supported by Barrows pencils which capture delightful little poses and nuances of a superhero questioning himself and encouraging others to do the same. A terrific comic book read. 9/10

Matt C: The prelude to Straczynski’s ‘Grounded’ arc in #700 didn’t inspire much confidence but thankfully the first chapter does, for the most part, avoiding the mawkish tendencies that seeped into the teaser. There is still the kind of sentiment you’d expect from Straczynski’s writing, but it doesn’t feel forced here and flows naturally from the situations Kal El encounters as he begins his walk across America. What this issue does so well is remind you that more than just the all-powerful strange visitor from another world that the rest of the superhero community look up to, the key to his enduring popularity is that he’s a figure that exists to inspire the common man to strive for a better world (insert your Christ allegory here). Folks may criticise Superman for being a clean-cut goody-two-shoes, but that’s exactly what he should be – the archetypal hero (and I’m talking Superman here, not Clark Kent). The key is finding the right balance, making sure there’s a certain level of believability, and on this evidence Straczynski seems to have the right take on the character. It helps that Barrows turns in some solid, emotive art that looks, well, grounded, and if the creators can keep on this track then the next year should be very interesting indeed. 8/10


STUFF OF LEGEND VOLUME II: THE JUNGLE, PART I
Writers: Mike Raicht & Brian Smith
Art: Charles Paul Wilson III
Th3rd World Studios $4.25

Matt C: The second volume of this wonderful series kicks off where the first left off, with the band of toys searching the Boogeyman’s realm for their kidnapped owner. The sepia-toned art is still a joy to behold, encapsulating the spirit of the writers’ dark fairy tale in each beautifully rendered panel. Although essentially an all-ages title, it retains an adult sensibility and doesn’t flinch from the mores disturbing aspects of the toys’ quest, and really that’s something of a feature of many of the classic children’s stories that remain popular to this day. I described it before as Tim Burton doing Toy Story, and while that only really scratches the surface, it’s a good indication of what’s in store. The Stuff Of Legend is a comic to treasure. 9/10


THANOS IMPERATIVE #2
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Art: Miguel Sepulveda
Marvel $3.99

Stewart R: Due to the current postponement of Nova and Guardians Of The Galaxy it seems an age since we were last bombing through the outer reaches of the cosmos with the Human Rocket and co. Thankfully a single, healthy fix of mind-boggling cosmic-spectacle has been delivered this week with the second chapter of The Thanos Imperative. You know that when Galactus and a gang of his fellow ‘cosmic abstracts’ turn up at a fight that things are hanging in the balance, and with four more instalments to come the likelihood is that things are going to get even bigger and bad-ass as the united forces of ‘our’ galaxy try to push back the hordes pouring forth from the Fault. Abnett and Lanning provide us with glimpses of the huge-scale conflict at the Fault itself and then zip us straight behind enemy lines where Star Lord and the Guardians are trying to deliver Death’s avatar, Thanos himself, to the heart of the Life universe and hopefully bringing an end to the invasion. The banter between Quill and Thanos is good fun but for the most part this issue is about action and Sepulveda - who really has gone up in my estimation - renders it lovingly. This corner of Marvel’s universe continues to prove it’s the best when it comes to consistent comic events. 8/10


SWEETS #1
Writer: Kody Chamberlain
Art: Kody Chamberlain
Image $2.99

Matt C: Kody Chamberlain’s been on the periphery of the industry for a while, waiting for that moment when the spotlight shines directly on him. Sweets is that moment. The artist shows his talents extend to writing as well in this atmospheric crime thriller set in a New Orleans about to be hit by Katrina. A possible serial killer on the loose and a cop wrapped in alcoholic grief following the death of his daughter, who needs to prove he’s still got the chops before he’s booted out the door. Classic elements, handled with aplomb, creating a teasing look at the underbelly of the famous city before we no doubt dive straight in over the course of the next four issues. Chamberlain’s scratchy art brings to mind the likes of Jock and Bill Sienkiewicz and his emphasis on browns, yellows and greens in his colour palate evokes a feeling that things are hotting up towards boiling point. There’s a pleasing amount of great crime books on the stands these days; Sweets is another to add to the list. 8/10


ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN & WOLVERINE #2
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Adam Kubert & Mark Morales
Marvel $3.99

Matt C: This is way better than it has any right to be. Aaron and Kubert have taken a title that initially screams “cash-in” and turned into something really rather special. They've utilized the rather hackneyed concept of time-displaced heroes and run with it, putting the emphasis on having a great deal of fun. Spidey has been the focal point so far, with Logan more of a secondary player, and that’s ensured there’s been a sense of irreverence present (Parker will always confront terrifying predicaments with his own particular brand of humour). Aaron’s script is clever and funny, and it’s blatantly apparent he understands both characters. Kubert’s art is something to shout about too, full of intricate detail and bursting with energy, impressively embellished by the venerable Morales. The price and bi-monthly schedule may put some off, but this is probably Aaron’s best superhero work since ‘Get Mystique’. 8/10


INCEPTION: THE COBOL JOB
Writer: Jordan Goldberg
Art: Long Vo, Joe Ng & Crystal Reid
Warner Bros Free

Stewart R: Christopher Nolan’s Inception hit cinemas this weekend if you didn’t know already (I’m sure you did considering the awesome advertising campaign!) and this webcomic spins the story that led up to the events portrayed in the film. The mysterious Cobol Job, alluded to by DiCaprio’s Cobb in the movie, is depicted here in all its glory. You can either read this before watching the film or afterwards, as it shouldn’t remove any of the spectacle from the viewing experience and does tie in many of the characters seen within the first 15 minutes. The artists do a sturdy job of capturing Leo and company’s look without being photorealistic and there’s a slick storyboard feel to the artwork. The comic itself works in a similar way to the iPad comic apps where it leads you from panel to panel and this helps with the cinematic feel. I saw the film first and then read this and it’s a neat - and free! - addition to the world of Inception. 7/10


AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #637
Writer: Joe Kelly & J.M. Dematteis
Art: Michael Lark, Marco Checchetto, Stefano Gaudiano, Matt Southworth & Max Fiumara
Marvel $3.99

Stewart R: Hmmmm, so after months of the ‘Gauntlet’ storyline through to the return of Kraven the Hunter, Joe Kelly finally brings the 'Grim Hunt' to an end... and I have to say I’m slightly disappointed. The Gauntlet was supposed to wear Peter Parker down to breaking point, with the return of Kraven then testing him in ways he’s never been tested before. Unfortunately Kelly seems far more interested in focusing on the internal turmoil of Kraven and his family of hunters than our actual protagonist. There’s loads of bickering between Sergei and Sasha which never seems to end and because Kelly opts to use Madame Web’s internal monologue instead of Peter’s the events involving the black-suited Spider-Man felt strangely detached. Riding along through the turmoil of this character’s life is what has made it a great read over countless decades and it seems that choosing a slightly different method of delivery has taken the bite out of a potentially good finale. The artwork is decent from a multitude of different artists but it’s not enough to prevent this from being mediocre I’m afraid. 6/10

Matt C: This sequel-of-sorts to the classic ‘Kraven’s Last Hunt’ started off promising great things – enough to get me picking up ASM again – but it ended up being merely an okay read rather than something that will linger long in the memory. It’s far from terrible – everyone involved turns in some fine work – but I guess if you reverse a suicide then the stakes don’t seem that high. Okay, it’s comics, and no one ever really stays dead (and Kraven’s a great character!) but, taking into account the past few months of stories have apparently lead up to this point (I haven’t read them, but I believe that’s the case), it felt like this arc should have been something far more monumental than the rather predictable rehash of J.M DeMatteis and Mike Zeck’s original story. It’s fine, but not enough to get me picking up the title on a regular basis again. 6/10


BATMAN #701
Writer: Grant Morrison
Art: Tony Daniel
DC $2.99

Tom P: This story fills us in on what happened after Bruce and Doctor Hurt went crashing into the sea at the end of Batman R.I.P and bridges the gap between that and Final Crisis, uncovering a few secrets as we head towards the return of our Dark Knight. "Surviving is easy" is the very first line we hear and that’s what Morrison's Bruce Wayne is: the ultimate survivor. That’s his greatest skill, to such a degree he thinks people like Superman forget he's just a man. The curse of Doctor Hurt is also a compelling hook as we start to scratch away at the man who claims to be Thomas Wayne and all in all it adds another gripping chapter to an epic story. 9/10

James R: Before I even picked his book up this week, I could tell that it would be a 'love it or hate it' read. Marvel editor Tom Breevort (always ready to put the boot into anything DC does) sneered "If you'd been told the story properly in the first place, you wouldn't have to write a missing chapter" and I'd seen a few previews complain that nothing much happens. (I'd point out that nothing much has happened in, say, Fantastic Four for the past 8 months, but that's for another review!) So, what is the deal with Batman this month? Well, Grant Morrison is telling a two-part tale that fills in exactly what happened to Bruce Wayne between the end of Batman: R.I.P and Final Crisis. To be fair, I can see the argument from those who claim there's a lack of story here. However, as a self-confessed lover of Grant Morrison's work, I'd be happy with an issue where Batman reads through a Chinese takeaway menu, (and broods on the eternal dilemma between Spring Rolls and Prawn Toast.) Morrison has a brilliant grasp on DC's 'Big Two' (excuse the pun) and this issue is a blast for Batman fans seeing just how he copes with the seemingly endless trauma he endures. To the casual comics reader, I'd say you can probably give this a miss, but if you're loving Morrison's other Bat-projects, this is a fun fill-in before the next step on Bruce Wayne's temporal journey home. 7/10


X-FORCE: SEX AND VIOLENCE #1
Writers: Craig Kyle and Chris Yost
Art: Gabriele Dell’Otto
Marvel $3.99

Stewart R: It really is a shame that these two writers are coming to the end of their X-Force run as it has been a wonder of brutal, brooding character development. They’re pretty much signing off with this Sex And Violence miniseries and once again they’re showing that they have a keen grasp on what makes these shadier good-guys tick. Domino and Logan are the two members of X-Force with the most complicated pasts, sharing common foes and experiences as well as a delicious slice of sexual tension. The writers decide to really spice things up by throwing them into a story involving both the Assassins Guild and The Hand, highlighting Domino’s cocky and occasionally naive personality along with Wolverine’s unswerving desire to help fix other team-mates problems when he can see they’re in over their heads. And when speaking of heads, a huge amount of praise has to go to artist Dell’Otto’s work on this comic as it is truly beautiful to look at with a style that seems to mix photo-realism with a painted wash and a muted palette of blacks, greys whites and reds. This is such a great X-read and I can only recommend picking it up. 9/10


DAYTRIPPER #8
Writers: Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba
Art: Gabriel Ba & Fabio Moon
Vertigo $2.99

James R: I've been holding off reviewing this excellent series since issue #1, as I was unsure where the fraternal team of Moon & Ba were heading with it. Every month, we've seen elements of Bras Domingos' life, and every issue has ended in the same way - with his life coming to an end. So why review it now? Well, after reading this issue, I'm finally starting to get a feeling for the book as a whole. The concept itself is a profound one; that within our lives, we face almost infinite possibilities and choices, and consequently, we face many deaths. How and when we die will provide a snapshot of who we were and what we achieved. Here, we see Bras' life beyond his initial death in the first issue, and it's a far more bittersweet experience, as he now leaves behind a loving wife and child, his words living on through his works. In short, it's an appeal to seize the day, but it's certainly far more than that. Each issue lingers with you long after you've read it, and it's fair to say that this is a unique title that showcases how comics can achieve something other mediums cannot: an incredible combination of emotion and reflection. 8/10

Stewart R: After the rather haunting end to last issue, the brothers decide to take a slightly different approach here and rather than leading us through another period of Bras' life directly they instead focus on his influence and effect on his closest and dearest from afar. This story shows that in this modern world great distances can be made to look much smaller thanks to the variety of communication methods available to people, and how, when those methods are rendered inoperable for the smallest amount of time, the feelings of isolation and the unknown can quickly flood in. The art really captures the changes in Ana and Miguel’s emotional states and once again enforces my belief that this is a comic series for everyone. If you’ve ever loved, lost and lived you should be reading this book. 8/10


RESURRECTION #12
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Art: Justin Greenwood
Oni Press $3.99

Matt C: At this point it seems clear that the second volume of this series has lacked the punch of the first. There have been fine moments but generally it feels like it’s dragging its feet, dwelling on situations that don’t appear to be that important in the grand scheme of things. While I like the idea of back-up stories showing the results of the alien departure elsewhere it does eat away at the page count, meaning there’s less pages left to focus on the main story. Blair Butler’s pull-quote on the cover suggests this “does for aliens what Walking Dead does for zombie”. I kind of agree with that, the potential’s certainly there, but it’s far from reaching it at present. And the further we go, the less convinced I am that Bill Clinton works as a supporting character. I’m giving it to the end the current ‘Book’ to see if it gets its act together; I really want to continue supporting this series, but I have to truly believe in it because otherwise my money can be better spent elsewhere. 5/10


AVENGERS #276
Writer: Roger Stern
Art: John Buscema & Tom Palmer
Marvel $0.75

Matt C: Check out that cover! Thor’s joined the fray and boy, does he look pissed off! The Avengers are back, baby….. or not quite. It’s the start of the team fighting back to retake the mansion but you won’t get the fireworks that cover suggests – not yet anyway. It has to be said that Thor’s reintroduction to the book is a bit muted considering he’s been out of it for a while but I guess he makes up for that when he takes down Mister Hyde with apparent ease. Really, what’s going on here is that Stern is manoeuvring all the pieces he’s playing with into position, ready for the final confrontation. There’s a certain twinge of frustration that this isn’t balls-to-the-wall vengeance all the way through, but that aside it’s another solid chapter in a rightly revered story arc. 8/10

Ten Forward: September 2010

Every month we spend an evening scouring the pages of the latest issue of Previews and pick the ten titles we are looking forward to the most. This month it's the July issue of Previews which includes comics scheduled to ship in September 2010.

WALKING DEAD COMPENDIUM VOL.1 TP
Writer: Robert Kirkma
Art: Charlie Adlard & Tony Moore
Image $59.99

Matt C: A bit of a cheat this. Not only is it a trade paperback collecting the first 48 issues of The Walking Dead, it's actually been released before, so it's no exactly a new book that we're bringing to your attention here. However, having just read thing in the last month I think now's as good a time as any to comment on it. Basically, I missed the boat on this one. I'm not a huge zombie fan, and when it initially debuted Kirkman was largely unfamiliar to me, so there wasn't much I could latch onto to make me feel it was worth my time. Obviously since then I couldn't help but notice the plaudits heaped on it, but I figured it was too late to catch up by that point. I guess news that Frank 'Shawshank Redemption' Darabont was adapting the comic for an AMC TV series (AMC being the home of the excellent Mad Men and Breaking Bad) was reason enough to make me think now was the time to read the thing - being a 'comic fan' I really should acquire an opinion about a book that's about to make a big splash in a different medium. I can't have regular people getting clued up on something comics-related at the same time as me! So anyway, I picked this up a while back and finally got around to starting it a few weeks back.... and finished it not long after. I can confirm - particularly in this format where you can dive into the next 'issue' straight away – that The Walking Dead is a thoroughly gripping page-turner. Kirkman's dialogue may be clunky and overly explanatory (especially early on), but the characterization is on the money and the situations he plunges his cast into keep you hooked. While essentially a zombie book, for long stretches of time the rambling undead barely register as the real horror manifests itself in the way the human survivors respond to the new world they're living in. There are plenty of examples of this throughout the book, but it does contain a handful of scenes that are as jaw-droppingly shocking as anything I've ever seen in comics. It lacks the streamlined intelligence of Garth Ennis' recent Crossed, but it's a riveting read and I predict the TV show will be a phenomenon. If, like me, you didn’t get onboard with it early on, this Compendium edition is a perfect place to catch up.


INCOGNITO: BAD INFLUENCES #1
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Art: Sean Phillips
Marvel/Icon $3.50

James R: Oh yes. It's back. If you put Brubaker and Phillips together, you get comics gold. It's a simple equation, and it's one that's bound to work out again, as they return to the neo-pulp world of Zac Overkill. Details are sketchy. This time, Overkill is "on a hunt into darkest corners of the super-criminal underworld where he was raised." But what does that matter? Brubaker. Phillips. Crime. Win!


G.I. JOE: ORIGINS #19
Writer: Larry Hama
Art: Joe Benitez
IDW $3.99

Stewart R: I’ve mentioned a few G.I. Joe titles in Ten Forward over the past couple of years and admittedly they’ve been somewhat hit and miss but with Larry Hama at the helm you know that you’re getting the original and best. ‘The Silent Interlude’ is possibly one of the most talked about Joe stories of all time (I’m sadly still to read it in full) and ‘Hush Job’ was the second successful wordless chapter which still lingers in my memory some 18 years after first reading it. Well, Hama is back at it again and the Joe’s ultimate stealth weapon, Snake Eyes, dives straight in to another silent special. IDW have enlisted the awesomely talented Joe Benitez to handle the visual storytelling and I think they’ve chosen the right guy to make an issue like this work effectively.


MOUSE GUARD: THE BLACK AXE #1
Writer: David Petersen
Art: David Petersen
Archaia $3.50

Rob N: More mouse comics. Despite not being able to tell the characters apart (even if a couple of them do have different coloured fur) Petersen’s series won me over from the very first issue with its exceptional art and decent story telling. The current mini, Legends of the Guard, has proved to be fun, but no matter how good it can never compete with Petersen’s own work. Although my sympathies really lie with cats and weasels, it’s hard not to like these plucky mice as they struggle against adversity. Mouse Guard is a rare example of a comic that has the potential to engage the interest of adults and children alike.


WEIRD WAR TALES #1
Wrter: Darwyn Cooke, Ivan Brandon & Jan Strnad
Art: Darwyn Cooke, Nic Klein & Gabriel Hardman
DC $3.99

Matt C: I'm not entirely sure why DC have designated September 'War' month (perhaps they know something we don't?) but I couldn't help noticing a certain creator's name on one of the books and that immediately placed it on my 'to buy' list. If you've followed this site for a while you'll know that I'll pick up just about anything that Darwyn Cooke puts his name to. The man's a modern master of the medium and while he may not be as prolific as others, when he does release something it's generally peerless. That's all I can really say, but that should be enough. War comics aren't really in vogue at the moment, but that doesn't mean there isn't the potential for some great stories, and with Cooke involved? It's an easy sell.


KODIAK ONE-SHOT
Writers: Joe Hill & Jason Ciaramella
Art: Nat Jones
IDW $3.99

Andy H: Not much is given away as to the plot but being the trusting kind of guy I am, I'm willing to give this a shot. Aw, who am I kidding? With Joe Hill's name attached of course I'm going to pick this up! Joe is joined by co-writer Jason Ciaramella for this one-shot. We're promised 'flame, fur and ferocity' in this tale set in renaissance Italy. A battle of man versus beast and in the images I've seen that means a great big bear! Nat Jones will hopefully bring his usual dark style to full effect for this one.


HEROIC AGE: ONE MONTH TO LIVE #1-5
Writers: Various
Art: Various
Marvel $2.99

James R: This has caught my eye for a couple of reasons - firstly, I like a story that encompasses large parts of a comics universe without being some ultra-crossover-mega-event. Secondly, I also think that this kind of tale is one that Marvel does well. Dennis Sykes, a banker, finds out that he has gained powers, but at a price. They're killing him. He has a month to live, so what should he do? The pitch for this reminds me of the classic Tangled Web issue 'Severance Package' and also Byrne's FF tale of a dangerously powered everyman. There's going to be an issue a week in September, written & drawn by different creative teams, so it's almost a 'realtime' comic. Definitely one to watch in a month short on new releases!


KICK-ASS 2: BALLS TO THE WALL #1
Writer: Mark Millar
Art: John Romita Jr
Marvel/Icon $3.99

Tom P: I’m a huge Mark Millar fan and I'm sure you will all agree that when he gets it right his writing is a true joy. For me Kick-Ass is up there with The Ultimates and Superman: Red Son. Its pure comic book enjoyment and reading it reminded me of watching Kill Bill for the first time: a fun, bloody, genre-bursting homage with all the energy you expect from Romita Jr's chunky iconic artwork. It was great and the movie was just as entertaining. The film may have its differences to the comic but they both got to the same point with style. So obviously I’m keen to see what lies ahead for Dave Lizewski and the scene stealing Hit Girl. I cant wait to see if the second arc lives up to the trademark Millar hype and hope it won't take quite as long and be as late as its predecessor was. Millar's current Icon book Nemesis has yet to impress me so here’s hoping the Kick-Ass team can find that magic again this August (rather than September like just about everything else in this months' Previews!).


THOR #615
Writer: Matt Fraction
Art: Pasqual Ferry
Marvel $3.99

Rob N: These days I don’t have much in the way of character loyalty when it comes to the established Marvel and DC superhero universes. I’m unlikely to stick with a title out of dogged determination to maintain a set of issues when it goes through a bad patch. Consequently my collection tends to leap frog various runs if I don’t like what the writer/artist is doing. Case in point: Thor. I enjoyed the JMS reboot, but didn’t take kindly to Marvel editorial dictating a change of direction to the writer. JMS didn’t like it either and promptly quit, which left me in no mood to stick with the title. But Matt Fraction is one of the few superhero writers around that I trust to pick up a character and deliver a series that simultaneously respects the established history while taking an innovative approach to what comes next. His work on Immortal Iron Fist and Invincible Iron Man speaks for itself. Thor was the first superhero I remember liking as a child, but at times the character has had a rough ride with creative teams who produced second-rate work. With Fraction aboard for a (hopefully) long run, I have high hopes for the character once more.


TASKMASTER #1
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Art: Jefte Paolo
Marvel $3.99

Stewart R: Anyone who’s read this site over the past couple of years is sure to have seen my ongoing love for the work done in the sadly missed Avengers: Initiative series, and one of the biggest successes of the tail end of that book was developing Taskmaster as a villain questioning his place in the world. This autumn sees Fred Van Lente give the skull-masked sword-for-hire a miniseries of his own, and what a premise it is. The man with the photographic reflexes has suffered a side-effect to his powers: so many fighting styles and superhero reflexes have been stored in his brain that he’s been overwriting the memories of his own past and upbringing. Not only that but following Siege someone in the criminal underground thinks that he’s done a deal with Steve Rogers and put a hefty price on Taskmaster’s head. Cue death-squads, soldiers of opportunity and bags of Hydra, AIM and Sons of the Serpent agents out to collect. Sounds like one heck of ride and I’ll certainly be buying a ticket for it!