windiebird’s Weekly Winner: 老總夠意思

(Cover by J. G. Jones, DC Comics)

My winner of the week is Mister Terrific 5 by a wide, life-affirming margin! Mister Terrific is captured in the ninth dimension and only a combination of his heroic prowess and compassionate soul can save the day. In the character of Pylothia we are given a being that doesn’t fit in with the gender roles their society clings to and finds themself shipped off to alien slavers, viewed as the lowest of the low. Michael is able to share with Pylothia the lessons of our planet’s more terrible points in history and how we’ve grown from them. He inspires Pylothia to accept themself and ultimately to save the day and find a sense of self-worth. The comic is pure fun, action and heart the whole way through and is one of my favorite comics I can remember reading ever. With the series tragically concluding with issue 8, I strongly suggest everyone collect the individual issues and any trades that come out as well.

Weekly Anticipation: Light, Shadow and Three-Piece Suits

Jan9 by windiebird

(Cover by Jamal Igle, DC Comics)

The Ray 2 continues the new mini-series written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti which started off so refreshingly upbeat, humorous and light-hearted that I simply can’t wait to see what they pull off in issue two! Lucien Gates is the Ray of the DCnUniverse and he’s quite a unique voice in modern comics already. Mixed in to some classic super-heroism, Lucien’s world is full of real and diverse people and the drama reflects that fully. Every piece of dialogue either brought a smile to my face or taught me who the character was in issue 1. If you like superheros, you will like this comic.

(Cover by Tony Harris, DC Comics)

The Shade 4 is James Robinson’s first “Times Past” comics of this limited series and is illustrated by the should-be-amazing team of Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone! It’s WWII and Shade – in the midst of his rise to villainous stardom – is helping an industrialist on the side of the Allies survive an assassination attempt in what is slated as Shade’s new origin! Should be an excellent ride as the last three issues have been, for Starman fans or not.

(Cover by Nick Bradshaw, Marvel Comics)

Wolverine and the X-Men 4 sees the addition of two new students to the Jean Grey Institute as well as the news of a pregnant mutant in the school? I just fully got on board with this title last issue after not feeling the first two as much as I thought I would. Kid Krakoa got me on all the right levels and now I can’t wait to see how Jason Aaron continues to steer this strange, new (and old) ship going forward.

(My remaining comics this week are Batwoman 5, Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Season 9 5, Demon Knights 5, Green Lantern 5, Mister Terrific 5, Superboy 5 and Ultimate Comics X-Men 6)

-windiebird

Weekly Anticipation: Flightless Bird

Nov7 by windiebird

(Cover by Szymon Kudranski, DC Comics)

Penguin: Pain and Prejudice 2 is on track to be my favorite of the week if all the well-crafted, anguished character work remains from the first issue. That was the perfect example of why a novelist can absolutely shine in the sequential storytelling medium and I have the utmost hopes for this week. Pain, revenge, guns and The Batman!

(Cover by Guillem March, DC Comics)

Again with the DC miniseries! Huntress 2 is absolutely ~my jam~! Helena gets the spotlight all to herself, kicking ass and being a totally righteous defender of the innocent. With Marcus To and John Dell on visuals, she even does it all looking entirely fashionable and fierce. Loving Guillem March for these covers as well. Guess it’s hard to hyper-sexualize someone when they wear body armor but lord knows he’s trying. Anyways, the end result is a book you should read from issue one to six (the final chapter)!

(Cover by Kaare Andrews, Marvel Comics)

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man 4 marks not only what is sure to be another banner entry into the Ultimate Marvel universe with one of the most relatable characters in comics history but the first Kaare Andrews cover I really dig as well! Needless snark aside, we get more glimpses into how Miles’ powers work and more of his steps to becoming the new Spider-Man are revealed. It’s pricier than some books but this is an instance where you are absolutely paying for quality.

(My remaining pull list this week is Batwoman 3, Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Season 9 3, Demon Knights 3, Dollhouse: Epitaphs 5, Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. 3, Green Lantern 3, Mister Terrific 3, Superboy 3 and Uncanny X-Force 17)

Weekly Anticipation: Batwomyn Unite!

Oct10 by windiebird

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

Batwoman 2, if anything like the first issue (and the Detective run of the character before), will simply be must-read material. It’s been perfectly new-reader friendly from what I gather and – seriously – this art must be seen to be believed. J. H. Williams III, Amy Reeder & William H. Blackman seem to have an excellent formula for making this a title that should be on every fan’s list. Get in before it’s too late! The fun bus waits for no one!

(Cover by Chris Bachalo, Marvel Comics)

X-Men: Regenesis bridges the Schism event with the official Regenesis-branded relaunch of the X-books and I’m very excited about it, if slightly unsure about what this one-shot will provide us with. Clearly, it’s the issue where the line drawn in the meteorite by Wolverine & Cyclops (with their dicks, of course) will be spelled out for each of the mutants on Utopia and we’ll see who is on who’s side but will we see the status quo of each of the books set up? Will there be big bads introduced? Much mystery surrounds it but I have a feeling this will be more for fans who have follows so far and not necessarily for new fans looking to jump on to a title after the event hits.

(Cover by Kaare Andrews, Marvel Comics)

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man 3 is going to be one hell of a comic! I say this with full confidence in a lead duo that have yet to fail us and I don’t see how they ever could. Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli are pure talent and pure creators. They’re telling Miles’ story with such empathy, humor and intrigue that I don’t see how this wasn’t number one in September! I say this every time about books I like but trust that this is well worth the price point. If you’ve ever been a teenager, you can connect with this young man struggling with a new experience and a dangerous world.

(The rest of my titles this week are American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest 5, Batgirl 2, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 2, Demon Knights 2, Dollhouse: Epitaphs 4, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E., Generation Hope 12, Green Lantern 2, Mister Terrific 2, Shade 1, Suicide Squad 2, Superboy 2, Ultimate Comics X-Men 2 & Uncanny X-Force 16)

-windiebird

Weekly Anticipation: Will.I.Ams (III) Let the Beat Drop!

Sep12 by windiebird

(Cover by JH Williams III, DC Comics)

Batwoman 1 is the title everyone should read from the DCnU, no excuses. Amy Reeder and J. H. Williams III are absolutely genius. We can only hope W. Haden Blackman and J. H. Williams III have Kate down but with so much preparation time and so much fan feedback, I don’t see how they could miss the important steps (not to mention Williams’ original run with Greg Rucka). Bring on the Hydrology!

(Cover by Steve Morris, Dark Horse Comics)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer – Season 9: Freefall 1 is our introduction to a world without Slayers (as well as Season 9). Buffy is a waitress once more trying to find her way in a world that she has largely disrupted in an attempt to make it better. Friends have died and some still hate her. She has no purpose but what she makes. Honestly, this season 6/dark/desperate vibe is one I really connect with. Joss Whedon even took out time from The Avengers to make this top-notch so this must be worth it! Love that Steve Morris cover, as well.

(Cover by Kaare Andrews, Marvel Comics)

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man 1 marks Miles Morales’ first solo title as the new Spider-Man and I couldn’t be happier to see it arrive! The little we’ve seen of him in Death of Spider-Man assured me that Brian Michael Bendis could make it work. The Ultimate world is tense right now and Miles has to deal with the past of Peter Parker while still attempting to be a hero. A perfect recipe for a comic! Old fans and interested newbies should feel confident in picking this up.

(My remaining pull for this week is Batman and Robin 1, Demon Knights 1, Frankentstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. 1, Green Lantern 1, Mister Terrific 1, Red Lanterns 1, Resurrection Man 1, Suicide Squad 1, Superboy 1, Dollhouse: Epitaphs 3, IZombie 17, and Uncanny X-Force 15)