By Best From The Past Week: Batman #29 – It’s amazing how much I love this story now given that I didn’t really love the beginning (mostly because it just contrasted poorly with Year One). But, I’ll be darned if Scott Snyder & Co. aren’t crafting another all-time classic Batman story. Everything Snyder has done with Batman since the Old 52 has been of the quality that you could give it to a friend who says, “I want to read a Batman story while chilling and playing some sports betting and casino games at https://www.ogdenvalleysports.com/. What’s a good one?” You could had them any of Snyder’s work and Zero Year is going to be no exception. Well written, interesting story, complex-yet-accessible, glorious art…..
Most Anticipated:
The top of the list is really stacked. I feel like a dog that is trying to get three tennis balls in my mouth at once.
1. American Vampire: Second Cycle #1 – I am beyond tickled that AV is back. It has been way too long since this title went on hiatus. As I get older and the number of comics I’ve consumed starts getting embarrassingly high, I find I only get really excited about comics that have potential to be sublime. AV is one of those. I love Scott Snyder’s writing style. I love how AV is an allegory for the history of the United States. I love the horror. I LOVE Rafael Albuquerque. Seriously one of my prize possessions is a framed splash page of Albuquerque’s that stares at me all day in the office. This should be tremendous. Can’t wait to learn about the Gray Trader and what-not.
2. The Unwritten: Apocalypse #3 – Speaking of great titles that took a little hiatus, The Unwritten has been seriously strong in the first two issues of it’s final run. This is a title where I judge people who say they don’t like it. It’s like a litmus test of whether you are smart and a deep thinker. The questions/story that Mike Carey and Peter Gross are presenting is deeply philosophical and gets to the root of how we are all a separate reality based on a story and how we control our perception of that narrative. Don’t miss this.
3. Lazarus #7 – I’m amazed that Lazarus checks in at #3 on the list because this is probably my favorite new series of the last couple years. I like it even better than Saga. I love visions of the near-future and what plausibly could happen. Our protagonist, Forever, has been growing suspicious of her family’s actions and I get the feeling that the other shoe will drop before too long.
4. Sovereign #1 – Supposedly this is a Game of Thrones-type story. New #1 from Image. Probably worth a look if that’s your sort of thing.
Hugo’s Pick
Best From The Past Week: Stray Bullets: Killers #1 – I love a comic that tries to do something different with its narrative. With this opening issue to this newest volume of David Lapham’s magnum opus, I was really pleased by the visceral and uncompromising tale delivered here. Violence, flawed characters and a certain mix between innocence and ugliness made this a memorable book that made me crave for more.
Most anticipated this week:
1. Zero #6 – I loved the first five issues of this series. They were experimental in all the ways that count and delivered a high amount of quality, making the adventures of Edward Zero and the exploration of who he is a genuinely fascinating tale. With Ales Kot now collaborating with Tom Mullet this time around as well as with Jordie Bellaire, I know this tale will most probably deliver more weird, yet interesting art.
2. Superior Foes of Spider-Man #10 – I don’t know what kind of deity or supernatural being I must be thankful to for seeing another issue so quickly, but I am rather pumped to see more villainous absurdity, especially considering how the previous issue ended. Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber have something special here, making me anxious to read each new issues and this one should be no different.
3. Lazarus #7 – I really like this series. While it may be a bit more conservative and obvious at times with its symbolism, there is no doubt that the characters and the world they interact with is a fascinating one. With Greg Rucka and Michael Lark being very comfortable with this series, it’s hard not to find something enjoyable in each issues of this series.
4. Sex Criminals #5 – I like the humor and the way this series represents a starting relationship between two people. While it may go overboard at times, there is something inherently funny and charming about the recklessness and abandon that drive the two characters and their misadventures with their powers. This little gem of a series by Fraction and Zdarsky is simply fun, which is sometimes all I ask for in a comic.
5. Thor: God of Thunder #20 – I’m eager to read this because of two things: Old King Thor versus Galactus and more superb art by Esad Ribic. While I’m not entirely sure Jason Aaron can recapture the genius of his first arc on this title, I’m quite sure he can bring some great moments despite it all. With a good thematic approach and a decidedly solid artistic team backing him up, it’s easy to get excited for any issues of this series when the trio of Aaron, Ribic and Svorcina
