Tag Archives: JSA

Weekly Anticipation: Wonder Canny Ultimates

by windiebird

(Cover by Kaare Andrews, Marvel Comics)

Ultimate Comics Ultimates 1 – and the rest of the new Ultimate Comics titles – are all covered by my arch-art-nemesis…but that doesn’t change my jubilant, crazy-fan elation this week in the slightest! Jonathan Hickman writes with a goal in mind and always with character first and Esad Ribic’s preview art is stunning. This looks like a strong start to a new Ultimate Universe, be sure to pick it up on Wednesday!

(Cover by Joshua Middleton, DC Comics)

Wonder Woman 614 concludes what has slowly and surely become a favorite title of mine. A simple but fitting metaphor to end it all (until next month); Diana literally battling the worst parts of herself in order to define and discover who she really is. Phil Hester, thanks for introducing me to how cool Wonder Woman can be. JMS, even though I give you nothing but flak, thanks to you too for coming up with a pretty neat idea…for Phil to finish, sorry! Really though, thanks for making this happen, DC, I’m now a true fan of Diana thanks to this mini-reboot of hers.

(Cover by Esad Ribic, Marvel Comics)

Uncanny X-Force 13 makes the list simply for its enduring quality in art and scribing! The Age of Apocalypse may be giving up a few of its weary inhabitants to the main 616 before long (Nightcrawler for sure and possibly Jean?) so this is one to watch for fans of just this series and the larger Marvel Mutant continuity as well. Darkness! Blood! ~ANGST~! But done so well, it accomplishes these overdone tropes perfectly with honest and engaging character development on top of it.

(American Vampire 18, Gates of Gotham 5, Batman Incorporated 8, Brightest Day Aftermath: The Search for Swamp Thing 3, Kid Flash Lost 3, Lois Lane & The Resistance 3, Project: Superman 3, Green Arrow 15, Emerald Warriors 13 and Justice Society of America 54, Xombi 6)

-windiebird

Weekly Anticipation: Wonder Xschism

by windiebird

(Cover by Joshua Middleton, DC Comics)

Wonder Woman 613 is my most anticipated pick of the week because Phil Hester is finally bringing us the two-part conclusion to The Odyssey! Diana vs. The Morrigan in a show-stopping finale…that won’t matter in two months! The thing about that though is that I’ve found this to be a legitimately captivating story arc to me. Phil Hester’s words (on top of JMS’ plot) made me care about Wonder Woman; where she’s been and where she’s going. It’s going to be one long metaphor with a strong sprinkling of ass-kicking. I am all kinds of signed up!

 

(Cover by Frank Cho, Marvel Comics)

X-Men Schism 2 makes the list since I loved the first issue! The only slight concern I have is that it almost felt too much like a “aww yeah, X-Men!” beginning, in that I don’t see the conflict coming to a head between Wolverine & Cyclops thus far. That’s a very minor quibble and doesn’t affect my desire to find out how this terrorist/Sentinel-response situation plays out for the beleaguered Utopians just that for an event about a rift between the mutants, we’re getting the more usual Homo sapiens vs. homo superior plot points. All masterfully done by the creative team, of course, just that my interest is genuinely piqued about how we get from point A to point Schism.

(Cover by Frazer Irving, DC Comics)

Xombi 5 is the penultimate issue of this magnificent but short-lived reboot. The team is on board the Ninth Stronghold and it’s up to David Kim to steal back the city-ship and save the day. Seriously, with only 4 other issues to pick up to be caught up, definitely seek them out! It’s strange, it’s funny it’s haunting and beautiful. This is art on top of art and well worth the time and money.

(American Vampire 17, Search for Swamp Thing 2, DC Retroactive: JLA The 70s, Kid Flash Lost 2, Lois Lane and the Resistance 2, Project Superman 2, Green Arrow 14, Green Lantern Corps 62, Emerald Warriors 12, JSA 53, Teen Titans 98, Ultimate Comics Fallout 3, Uncanny X-Force 12)

-windiebird

Weekly Anticipation: Won’t Someone Think of the Children?

by windiebird

(Cover by Jim Cheung, Marvel Comics)

Children’s Crusade 6 returns like Gandalf from the great beyond to bring us joy and some pure, transcendent comics. Allen Heinberg and Jim Cheung are pure magic when they’re together. Sure, the turnaround is achingly slow on these but they are more than worth every minute spent looking forlornly out of your window, waiting for the next issue to come home. The Scarlet Witch has her memories and her powers returned. This is not going to be a happy woman. Hopefully her spirit-sons can save the day along with their team! Young Avengers assemble!

(Cover by Art Adams, Marvel Comics)

Speaking of comics that seem to never make publication but are so, so lovely, Ultimate Comics X 5 finally arrives in stores Wednesday! I know the delays turned most fans off of the series but having just blazed through the first four issues a few weeks ago (and being absolutely floored at Art Adams style, see issue 2 if you want your mind blown out across the universe by the beauty of his work) I find myself not affected by the months-long delays and filled only with a happy anticipation for this series’ wrap-up! In my opinion, this series is a must for any Ultimate Marvel fans and actually sets the tone for the new Ultimate X-Men series coming up later this year, if interviews are to be believed.

(Cover by Viktor Kalvachev, DC Comics)

Green Arrow Industries is, of course, the Flashpoint one-shot I have been most looking forward to and in all honesty, the previews posted only serve to confirm that! Pornsak Pichetshote has worked in editorial for Vertigo but this seems to be his first writing gig and it looks like he’ll be making a splash! The tone of the preview makes it seem like exactly the kind of event/twisted-reality story I want to read. The best stories to come out of these kinds of things use the tropes of the usual continuity to heighten the emotional impact of the new story. It doesn’t automatically mean blood and guts and ~darknessssss~ everywhere. The arrows are now missiles.

(American Vampire 16, Batman, Inc. 7, Project Superman 1, The Canterbury Cricket, Emerald Warriors 11, JSA 80-Page Giant 2011, JSA 52, Kung Fu Panda 2, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents 8, Walking Dead 86, Wonder Woman 612, X-Men: Prelude to Schism 4, Xombi 4)

-windiebird

Weekly Anticipation: Arrows Are Greener

by windiebird

(Cover by Joe Prado, DC Comics)

Green Arrow 12 is (of course) my most anticipated title of the week! And not just because I always love to read about my favorite character but because this is going to be JT Krul’s first legitimately self-inspired take on the title. Well, mostly, he has to deal with the aftermath of Brightest Day (Galahad, the Demon and the Star City Forest) but where we head now in the series is largely up to him and his editor, not the Brightest Day event team. Here’s to an inspired future for the Emerald Archer, long live the Queen!

 

(Cover by Rafael Albuquerque, Vertigo Comics)

American Vampire 15 is sure to be another excellent entry in the WWII-era arc of this always top-notch series. We get more of the creepy new vamps attacking Henry’s troop, Skinner being a grade-A ass and Pearl determined to help her human mans out. It can never be said enough that if you even kind of enjoy the stories people can tell with vampires, you will love this series. It’s a fresh take on the well-worn vampiric mythos and I can’t recall a dull issue from the outset. Rafael Albuquerque and Scott Snyder OTP!

(Cover by Victor Ibañez, DC Comics)

JSA 51 is the Marc Guggenheim issue I’ve been waiting for since he took over the title. Not that I haven’t been feeling the Monument Point storyline more and more as the arc progresses but this little side adventure into the mystical realms with Doctor Fate and Lightning is the kind of comic I’m all about! I dug much of the old Doctor Fate series and he has always been my favorite JSA character. The mixture of the human and the arcane always flips mah switches and with Lightning’s very soul on the line, things are sure to be tense!

(My remaining pull list this week is: Green Lantern 66, Green Lantern Corps 60, Emerald Warriors 10, Venom 3, Uncanny X-Men 537, The Walking Dead 85, X-Men Legacy 249 & Xombi 3)

-windiebird

While My Wallet Gently Weeps

by windiebird

(Cover by David Finch, DC Comics)

Action Comics 900 has a huge order to fill, wrapping up Reign of Doomsday & the Luthor storyline in one 96-page mega-issue while paying homage to the Man of Steel and the villain…people-named-Lex.

(Cover by Simone Bianchi, Marvel Comics)

Age of X: Universe 2 is almost a What If? with the reveal from the previous chapters of Age of X but that doesn’t mean the story here can’t wrap up to be an interesting (if super-gritty) tale of a world gone mad!

(Cover by Rafael Albuquerque, Vertigo Comics)

American Vampire 14 continues the WWII-era arc from the chilling close of Skinner’s appearance last issue. Henry’s in trouble over there and Pearl’s got her hands full on the home front, a pretty excellent beginning so far to another year of American Vampire!

(Cover by David Finch, DC Comics)

Brightest Day 24 is Swamp Thing/one-pissed-off-planet vs. humanity/Alec Holland (or his body at least?)! Is it bad that I’m kind of rooting for Swamp Thing?

(Cover by Francis Manapul, DC Comics)

The Flash 11 has one fiiiine cover there! Flashpoint is coming and it’s bringing red spandex! Looks like all the speedsters are getting involved in the mixup and I’m hoping Liberty Belle (Jesse Quick, geez, let’s just ignore all that beautiful JSA characterization you wrote yourself, Geoff Johns!) shows up in this second-to-last issue.

(Cover by Tyler Kirkham & BATT, DC Comics)

Green Arrow 11 takes place before the finale in BD 24 so it looks like Oliver, Galahad and the forest are bringing this party to a fiery end! Final answers about the forest’s place in the White Lantern’s plan are promised and hopefully there’s some closure to this interesting and sometimes bumpy reboot to Green Arrow. Onwards and upwards to the next story arc!

(Cover by Felipe Massafera, DC Comics)

Issue 8 left us with Mogo blasting the newly-minted earth-born Lanterns haaaaaaard and Emerald Warriors 9 continues right where we left off! Is the yellow weakness restored with the impurity in the Green Lantern Battery? Hopefully so, since the learning curve on the new rings has been steep.

(Cover by Dustin Nguyen, DC Comics)

Generation Lost 24 – JLI vs. Maxwell Lord IV! The end is here and the OMACs are angry. I hope the ending is epic and the momentum continues into a new series for these one-of-a-kind heroes!

(Cover by Felipe Massafera, DC Comics)

JSA 50 is another anniversary issue this week and it’s going to be full even for an extra-sized issue! The Society joins with the Challengers of the Unknown to uncover the dark mysteries below Monument Point and more of Senator Eagin’s past is explored as well. Felipe Massaferra’s cover is (as always) worth the price alone.

(Cover by Mico Suayan, Marvel Comics)

New Mutants 24 is the end of the line for Age of X! All secrets revealed, all Moira entities defeated and all realities restored (we hope)!

(Cover by Terry Dodson, Marvel Comics)

Uncanny X-Men 536 begins the real story line about the asylum-seeking Breakworlders and it’s going to put Colossus through the wringer! Are they as innocuous as they appeared last issue or hiding more complex motivations? We’ll see starting today and what a curveball to start off with!

(Cover by Tony Moore, Marvel Comics)

Venom 2 is Flash Thompson’s second issue as Venom and I’m seriously digging the vibe so far. Military order and dedication meets the chaos of the symbiotes, now that’s a recipe for drama and action! Kraven fights Flash in the Savage Lands over some weaponized vibranium WMDs, hoo ah!

(Cover by Don Kramer & Jay Leisten, DC Comics)

Wonder Woman 610 couldn’t possibly give me any more (awesome) chills than last issue but if anyone could make it happen, Phil Hester could. You’re making a real Wondy fan out of me, P.H., and I couldn’t be happier about it!

(Cover by Terry Dodson, Marvel Comics)

X-Men 10 concludes “To Serve and Protect” with Emma Frost and Peter Parker the last hope of the X-Men as they fight the Lizardfolk of the NY sewage system! I’m back on board Marvel, so there!

(Cover by Frazer Irving, DC Comics)

Xombi 2 is sure to continue the sheer joy and insanity of the first issue of this re-boot. Nuns with guns, immortal caucAsians & psychic school girls; I’m so happy to be on this crazy train!

-windiebird

Wonderful Age of Vampire Justice

by windiebird

(Cover by Simone Bianchi, Marvel Comics)

Age of X: Universe 1 means Bizarro Avengers! What a violent alternate reality these mutants face but I must say, I’m really enjoying the story. Maybe it has something to do with the beautiful art but I’d read anything Age of X at this point.

(Cover by Rafael Albuquerque, Vertigo Comics)

American Vampire 13 sees our Vampires At War! I’m anti-violence but I am pro-reading-about-drama and wartime is a surefire place to find it. It’s going to be great, simple as that. The creative team can do no wrong. At its “worst” the series is just enjoyable and at its best it is one of the best comics I have had the pleasure to read.

(Cover by Rodolfo Migliari, DC Comics)

Brightest Day is drawing to a close and Green Arrow 10 will hopefully bring happier tidings to the Star Forest than, you know, being blown up and demonically infected. Ollie has a special role to play when earth’s new protector emerges and I’ve very much enjoyed Krul’s take on the character so far. Definitely a Brightest Day book right now but it’s clear Krul can take Ollie to some excellent places once that banner is off the title.

(Cover by Felipe Massafera, DC Comics)

JLA/The 99 6 brings this gem to a close and I couldn’t recommend this mini-series more. It’s pure super-heroics with a simple, clear message. Something for everyone in this series and you NEED the trade if you haven’t been getting the single issues.

(Cover by Scott Kolins, DC Comics)

JSA 49 puts Alan Scott in one strange looking Alpha Lantern/Kingdom Come hybrid costume as the newly expanded (helllllll yes, by the way!) team takes on Scythe…again. This time should be the big one though and I’m entirely curious to see what Marc Guggenheim has planned for this Monument Point/Society plotline once the dust settles.

(Cover by Nicola Scott & Doug Hazlewood, DC Comics)

Teen Titans 93 introduces Solstice to the Teen Titans proper as Cassie’s mom runs into interference on an archaeological dig. South Asia in the hooooooouse (I’m pretty excited we get another positive woman of color in the DC repertoire, if you couldn’t tell)!

(Cover by Don Kramer & Jay Leisten, DC Comics)

Dr. Psycho brings the crazy in Wonder Woman 609 this week but I haven’t the foggiest whether he’ll end up helping Diana or ultimately deluding her further. We know from Generation Lost where she ends up but not why or how. It’s been a real trip so far and I’m more and more satisfied with this story.

(Cover by Adam Hughes, DC Comics)

Zatanna 11 spells  the end of Pupaphobia for Zee and what a predicament she’s in! She’s a regular Missus Miracle with this kind of magickal trap and her assured escape. Of  course, Zatanna’s life never stays quiet for long and a newly recuperated Brother Night is more than happy to be the one making a ruckus…

-windiebird

Age of Lost Arrows

by windiebird

(Cover by Rafael Albuquerque, Vertigo Comics)

American Vampire 12 has Rafael Albuquerque taking a break on art duties for a one-shot detailing Skinner Sweet’s head on collision with the 20th century. Old enemies and faces are solicited to appear when Skinner finds himself at an Old West show…

(Cover by Rodolfo Migliari, DC Comics)

More forest, more Demon and more of the best archer of all time in Green Arrow 9 as friend and foe assault the Star City Forest. This series is a little too Brightest-Day-centric for some GA fans but there’s enough arrow-y goodness for my tastes. J.T. Krul is still bringing green pastures as far as I’m concerned.

(Cover by Dustin Nguyen, DC Comics)

Generation Lost 20 promises to be the big reveal issue we’ve all been waiting for! Max’s pieces are all in position for his endgame to begin and we’ll be learning just what does make Maxwell Lord tick and why he’s so into domination/submission. This is the book of the event, easily.

(Cover by Felipe Massafera, DC Comics)

JLA/The 99 5 is sure to bring more of the same over-the-top superheroics that have made this miniseries such a joy to read so far! The City of Tomorrow has gotten legs and Starro is doing hir conquering thing! Not necessarily a deep comic but pure fun the whole way through and a much needed spotlight on The 99!

(Cover by Scott Kolins, DC Comics)

JSA 48 reveals more of Scythe’s cohorts as Monument Point can’t seem to catch a break. Terrorism, heroes at the end of their ropes and a mystical journey with Doctor Fate should make this another interesting issue in Marc Guggenheim’s JSA re-tooling.

(Cover by Mico Suayan, Marte Gracia, Clay Mann, Jay Leisten , Brian Reber, Marvel Comics)

New Mutants 22 is part two of the Age of X and, boy, do I love getting two chapters of this at once! With the mutants of the world huddled together in the violent dark, could there be a conspiracy from within their ranks to betray them? Slick designs, survivalist themes and superpowers are the flavors here and they’re cooked perfectly.

(Cover by Georges Jeanty & Rob Hunter, DC Comics)

Teen Titans 92 continues the crossover from Red Robin with the Teen Titans back together and a plethora of Calculator-bots ready to blow! One Robin remains after the dust settles but the TT creative team can do no wrong, as far as I’m concerned.

(Cover by Greg Land, Marvel Comics)

Uncanny X-Men 533 is part 4 of 5 in the Sublime Corporation storyline and the chemical that turns regular folks into mutants is hitting the public markets! Most of the mutant population is sick on Utopia but the totally excellent beta team on the mainland is kicking it into high gear to save the day!

(Cover by Leinil Yu, Marvel Comics)

X-Men Legacy 245 officially kicks off the Age of X with the Alpha issue being a prelude to the main event presented here. It’s another gritty elseworld where the mutants of the world are violently targeted and forced to band together before they find themselves snuffed out completely. The grimdark modern sensibility of many violent comics can be too much for me but there was a tremendous amount of depth to the Alpha stories. I’m in for the whole event and it’s a decision I’m totally sure about already.

-windiebird

Arrows for the Wonder Teens!

by windiebird

(Cover by Mauro Cascioli, DC Comics)

One-ish sentence preview excitement, goooooo! Green Arrow 8 gives us my favorite of the simple DC covers, the Demon, a new villain named Black Arrow (Merlyn doesn’t count, I guess) and some well-fletched fun!

(Cover by Felipe Massafera, DC Comics)

JLA/The 99 4 means more of my favorite team-up title in recent memory, microscopic Starro karate-chop action and the JLA and The 99 collectively kicking ass and taking those names!

(Cover by Aaron Lopresti, DC Comics)

Generation Lost 18 is part two of Power Girl’s beat down on the JLI, Max Lord waterboarding Beetle, Batman taking a hint and butterfly kisses for Rocket Red?

(Cover by Shane Davis & Sandra Hope, DC Comics)

In JSA 47, Dr. Chaos comes to Monument Point with a score to settle against the JSA while more and more heroes continue to join the Society’s society (Manhunter and Blue Devil this issue!).

(Cover by Cliff Chiang, DC Comics)

The Shazam! one-shot is sure to be my favorite part of Titans and has Blaze offering the Batsons power once again; somehow Freddy and Osiris play into the deal as well and you know I’m always up for a Shazam family read!

(Cover by Nicola Scott & Doug Hazlewood, DC Comics)

Teen Titans 91 is full on friendship once again as Robin and Ravager take on the Feral Boys alone while Raven gets in Headcase’s…head. Rrrrrrrrrrr.

(Cover by Don Kramer & Jay Leisten, DC Comics)

Wonder Woman 606 has our Princess tracking down the Morrigan and running into a murderous Huntsman god! Phillipus is the badass protector of Diana in this time warp but might be seeing the end of her line if Ms. Prince can’t step up and save her from the centaur deity…

(Cover by Stephane Roux, DC Comics)

Zatanna 9 unlocks a repressed memory from our heroine’s childhood and puts her in the precarious position of placing her would-be killer free from his puppet-y curse! Gold stars all the way through for this series.

(Cover by Rafael Albuquerque, Vertigo Comics)

It’s booze, bootleggers and Skinner Sweet for Pearl and Henry in American Vampire 11 and this two-parter is sure to be another pleasing arc in the series!

(Cover by Greg Land, Marvel Comics)

Uncanny X-Men 532 reveals the price of a cure for the Utopia mutants, just what an enraged and uncaged Sebastian Shaw will do and hopefully much, much more of this new X-Team formed in San Francisco during this time of crisis. *cough cough*

-windiebird

Justice for the Green 99

by windiebird

(Cover by Scott Kolins, DC Comics)

The Flash 8 serves as the prelude to Flashpoint and (re-)tells the origin story of the Reverse Flash! Thawne is one twisted mamma jamma but I’m sure this issue will be playing a huge role in Barry Allen’s first big event now that he’s back.

(Cover by Mauro Cascioli, DC Comics)

Green Arrow 7 introduces another character emerging from the Star City Forest, the Lady of the (Night) Forest! I mean, good stuff so far, no doubt about it…but the cast of new characters is growing mighty quick and there are some grumblings from the Arrow Family fans about the lack of Connor and Mia. It’s really only 7 issues in, so I’m not worries about anything. Lovely visuals and a very solid characterization of Mr. Queen, which is all I need from a Green Arrow comic.

(Cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy, DC Comics)

It’s Spectre v. Butcher v. Hal Jordan in Green Lantern 61! Entities are dropping like flies but will the Big Red one even survive to be captured by Krona? Probably going to be a bit of a filler issue but a FUN one and there’s nothing wrong with that!

(Cover by Felipe Massafe, DC Comics)

JLA/The 99 3 continues this totally rockin’ crossover series that I implore everyone to catch up on ASAP if you’ve missed it! Pure joy up to this point and no sign of that stopping. The 99 are a fascinating group and easily stand next to the JLA and this mini-series has been the perfect introduction for them to the wider DC market (which included me, of course).

(Cover by Shane Davis & Sandra Hope, DC Comics)

As the JSA is rebuilding Monument Point in JSA 46 new heroes and villains are taking advantage of the ensuing chaos. It’s been an interesting regime-change for the team and it’s clear the Marc Guggenheim is still warming up his personal take on the characters. Still the world’s finest supergroup.

(Cover by Tim Bradstreet, Marvel Comics)

I’m a little worried about Anya, you guys. Spider-Girl 2 pits her against the Red Hulk and while I have no idea who he or she is…I know the once-Arana is in serious trouble. The first issue was wholly enjoyable and piqued my interest for a few issues yet to come. Don’t forget to follow her on twitter too!

-windiebird

Society of Lost Green Women

by windiebird

(Cover by J.H. Williams III, DC Comics)

Batwoman 0. Today. Like it is in your comic shop RIGHT NOW. If J.H. Williams III doesn’t make you want to rub comics against your eyeballs to get closer to the beauty he creates then you clearly haven’t been introduced to his work! Let the art draw you in to the deep and rich world of Kate Kane and please give this dynamic and relatively-new character support. Not to mention one of the best lesbian characters to hit the mainstream in years (Renee Montoya being the other that comes to mind)!

(Cover by Mauro Cascioli, DC Comics)

Green Arrow 6 pits Queen against Queen as Ollie invades the company he once controlled! Is the creepy gas mask nun his mom or just another person hellbent on messing with my favorite archer? Another title that I’m pleased to see on the shelves, not to be missed!

(Cover by Dustin Nguyen, DC Comics)

Justice League: Generation Lost 14 is all about the fallout from issue 13. Magog has been slain and the world think Captain Atom did it! The JLI is on the run…even more so than before? Maxwell Lord has Checkmate under his command but with Power Girl, Batman and more super-powered persons learning the truth, how long can he maintain the charade?

(Cover by Shane Davis & Sandra Hope, DC Comics)

The new creative direction continues in JSA 45 and all signs point to another successful run on the title. A terrorist strike has put the Society in a very bad position but they’re doing all they can to make it up to the people of Washington, D.C.

(Cover by Felipe Massafera, DC/Teshkeel Comics)

Hopefully JLA/The 99 2 maintains the fantastic start we had in issue one! An unknown force is causing people to lose their minds and lash out in abandon! When it starts affecting Superman…you know you’re in trouble! The 99 steps in to help save the day in this pretty fantastic gem.

(Cover by Greg Land, Marvel Comics)

Uncanny X-Men 530 solicits the return of the Sublime entity, probably infecting the mutants of Utopia in an effort to rid the world of them. Seriously, I guess it’s Tuesday on Utopia. While I never read any comics featuring this particular villain this line from the Marvel preview has me interested in picking up this first issue of the new story-arc, at least:  where does Dazzler get all her awesome outfits? Where, indeed.

-windiebird