06/01/05
I got the new previews guide today. Here's a rundown of what appeals to me from the front half of the catalog.
New Series and mini-series:
The Winter Men #1 (of 8) - Former soviet super-heroes working for the Russian Mafia? Sounds neat to me. I also like the look of the promotional artwork.
Top 10: Beyond the Farthest Precinct # 1 (of 5) - I haven't read the previous Top 10 mini-series. Jerry Ordway's name and the eclectic mix of characters in the preview art are what caught my eye.
Ferro City # 1 - Looks like a mix of science fiction and hard boiled detective fiction. That enough to catch my interest and the artwork really catches my eye. Not exactly smooth around the edges but it looks like a good match for the sort of story being told.
Revelations # 1 (of 6) - I like the cartoonish look of the artwork. Its about a detective at the Vatican investigating the death of a pope. I was going to pass on it, but then I noticed that my retailer has it on sale for 75% off the cover price. I think I'll give it a try.
Trades:
Identity Crisis - Actually this is the hard cover. I've been waiting a while for this. I've read reviews and spoilers. I know how things turn out in the end. Still, I'm curious. I'll probably end up waiting for the trade paperback collection.
Adam Strange: Planet Heist - This one interests me more than Identity Crisis. I've enjoyed Andy Diggle's writing on a completely different series, Losers. I loved the trade paperback collection of the Adam Strange mini-series from a decade ago, Adam Strange: Man of Two Worlds. I don't know if this one will measure up to its predecessor, but I've heard good things and am willing to give it a try.
Justice League Elite Vol. 1 - Think I will pass on this one, but only because I've got the individual issues. Worth buying? Yes, if you haven't read the story already, although Joe Kelly's method of exposition takes some getting used to. I just love the artwork by Doug Mahnke and Tom Nguyen. Basically its the second coming of the Suicide Squad (or if you watch Justice League Unlimited that would be the Task Force X) except that they don't work for the United States Government.
Maxx Book 5 - I have yet to read Book 4, but I'll be getting this collection one of these days. It's the final collection in the series. Sam Kieth's art work is truly inspired. I love how his characters change appearance with the mood of the story. It isn't always easy to follow the plot but I find something strangely compelling about this series.
The Expatriate Vol. 1 - Looks interesting, in a cold war espionage sort of way. I liked Hawaiian Dick, which was also written by B. Clay Moore so I'm tempted to buy this one.
Avengers: Vision and Scarlet Witch TP - Collects a (IMHO) classic series from the early 1980's. Its an odd sort of mini-series for Marvel to reprint. Not that I didn't like it, I loved it, but not exactly the sort of thing that I thought fans were clamoring for or is going to make the company a ton of cash.
06/14/05
Hard Time Vol. 1: 50 to Life - Excellent story about a teenager who gets sentenced to life in prison for taking part in Columbine-type prank. He doesn't actually kill or injure anyone, but his friend (who is killed in the first issue) does and he suffers the penalty. Starting wiht the second issue the story is about his life in jail, how he fits in, and the mysterious power that he has but is unaware of. In every chapter it manifests itself. It always seems to come out when he is in danger.
Unfortunately this volume collects just the first six issues of the series. It got cancelled after # 12. They have yet to release or announce plans to release a second collection. I have heard rumors that the series might be brought back later this year, but so far nothing concrete.
Exiles - I am so geeked about the fact that Paul Pelletier is going to be joining Tony Bedard on this series. I loved their work together on Negation. Can't wait to see them working together again, although I will probably wait for the trade.
---
I put in my order for comic books tonight. Here's what I decided to order:
Comic Books
Breach # 8
Top 10: Beyond the Farthest Precinct #1 (of 5)
Wintermen # 1 (of 8)
Deal with the Devil # 5 (of 5)
Revelations #1 (of 6)
Black Heart Irregulars # 1
Rocketo # 1
Trade Paperbacks
Adam Strange: Planet Heist
Maxx Book 4
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Trade paperbacks and manga:
Currently Reading
Enemy Ace Vol. 1 (DC Archive Edition)
Losers Vol. 2: Double Down
Buddha Vol. 1: Kapilavastu
On my shelf waiting to be read
Battle Royale Vol. 1, 2, 3
Hanazakari no Kimitachi he Vol. 2
Marmalade Boy Vol. 6
Stray Bullets Vol. 1
Hawkman Vol. 3: Wings of Fury
Ministry of Space
Human Target
Ordered
Hysteria Vol. 2
She-Hulk Vol. 1: Single Green Female
Madrox: Multiple Choice
Y: The Last Man Vol. 3: One Small Step
Adam Strange: Planet Heist
Maxx Book 4
Showing posts with label Exiles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exiles. Show all posts
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Comic Book Notes (LJ) May 2005
05/03/05
Today, I received the 3 volumes of Battle Royale that I bought from another LJ user. The package was severely beaten up but the contents were for the most part in decent shape.
05/08/05
While looking for a place to eat in Wheaton I noticed Barbarian Comics (formerly known as Barbarian Bookstore). I thought they had gone out of business. So I went in after lunch, browsed for twenty minutes and ended up picking up the TokyoPop Free Comic Book Day sampler and a back issue of Alter Ego. I found out that the store has been around for 38 years, since 1968. I first went there in 1979. It has changed quite a bit over the years. They are in their 3rd location, all in the same little shopping area. Now it is just a comic book store, although they do have a nice little selection of manga.
05/12/05
Blood of the Demon # 1 - I liked this issue more than I thought I would. I ordered it in part because Jason Blood and the Demon are unusual characters. Having lived for centuries Blood has an interesting collection of weapons and he uses a sampling of them in this issue. Very cool. Reminded me of Hawkman in that way. I also bought the book because is written and drawn by John Byrne. He's had his misfires in the comic book world and from what I've read also on comic book related message boards. I started collecting comic books when he (and Chris Claremont) were hitting it big during his original run on X-Men, which I loved. I have been a fan (of one stripe or another) ever since. That said, I liked the issue. Will I like the series? I dunno and I haven't ordered or bought any more issues.
Justice League Elite # 9 - Hard to believe this series is winding down. For the most part, I've really enjoyed it. I did think the previous issue was a little flat, but this one more than made up for it. I'll admit it's not the easiest book in the world to read. That's probably due in large part to the manner in which Joe Kelly has plotted the series. The focus is constantly shifting. Its rare to see one character featured for more than a page or two. I also like how the alliances (and romantic entanglements) seem to be constantly shifting as the members of the team try to figure out which of them killed the President of Chang-sa.
Exiles Book 8 - This trade paperback collects the first six issues written by Tony Bedard. It's a crazy sort of series in which castaways from the X-Men jump from one universe to another at the behest of some powerful alien. It reminds me of both Negation, the book that Bedard wrote for the now defunct CrossGen, and the sci-fi TV series Sliders. In the first three issues the mutant team dukes out with the Fantastic Four and the Sub-Mariner. I'm not wild about the artwork but I like the writing, especially the humor. If I enjoy the rest of the book as much as I enjoyed the first three issues I'll probably end up getting the next collection, which is already out.
I've spent a little bit of time at work in the file room, the last couple days. The smell of paper reminds me of a comic book store. Mmmmmmm....
05/26/05
If your looking for something humorous to read I recommend trying either GLA or Action Philosophers. Both have me cracking up. GLA, which stands for Great Lakes Avengers, is created by the same team that did the last few issues of She-Hulk. Great stuff. Action Philosophers (published by Evil Twin Comics) retells the life story of three philosophers, Plato (Wresling Superstar of Ancient Greece), Bodhidharma (Master of Kung-Fu), and Nietzsche (the Übermensch) in very funny ways. Its supposed to be all true, but I've got my doubts.
05/26/05
I just got an e-mail this morning that there is going to be another comic convention here in DC. Its this Sunday. Not much notice, but I don't have any big plans, so I'm going. Rich Buckler, the original penciler for All-Star Squadron is going to be there. Maybe I'll try and get a piece of original art work from him. I always liked the way he drew the Golden Age superheroes, especially Hawkman. I don't know how much he charges. Unfortuntely there won't be much there other than dealers and a few artists. There isn't a whole lot that I'm interested in getting, but last time I was there I got a bunch of back issues at really cheap prices. Its always fun to browse.
05/29/05
I went to the DC Comicon today. It was much busier than the last one, in January. I only spent $2 on comic books. There just wasn't much that looked appealing. I prefer not to spend just to spend. I did find a copy of a graphic novel that I've been looking for a while now. It was half off cover price, but it was also kind of beat up. I decided not to get it.
Today, I received the 3 volumes of Battle Royale that I bought from another LJ user. The package was severely beaten up but the contents were for the most part in decent shape.
05/08/05
While looking for a place to eat in Wheaton I noticed Barbarian Comics (formerly known as Barbarian Bookstore). I thought they had gone out of business. So I went in after lunch, browsed for twenty minutes and ended up picking up the TokyoPop Free Comic Book Day sampler and a back issue of Alter Ego. I found out that the store has been around for 38 years, since 1968. I first went there in 1979. It has changed quite a bit over the years. They are in their 3rd location, all in the same little shopping area. Now it is just a comic book store, although they do have a nice little selection of manga.
05/12/05
Blood of the Demon # 1 - I liked this issue more than I thought I would. I ordered it in part because Jason Blood and the Demon are unusual characters. Having lived for centuries Blood has an interesting collection of weapons and he uses a sampling of them in this issue. Very cool. Reminded me of Hawkman in that way. I also bought the book because is written and drawn by John Byrne. He's had his misfires in the comic book world and from what I've read also on comic book related message boards. I started collecting comic books when he (and Chris Claremont) were hitting it big during his original run on X-Men, which I loved. I have been a fan (of one stripe or another) ever since. That said, I liked the issue. Will I like the series? I dunno and I haven't ordered or bought any more issues.
Justice League Elite # 9 - Hard to believe this series is winding down. For the most part, I've really enjoyed it. I did think the previous issue was a little flat, but this one more than made up for it. I'll admit it's not the easiest book in the world to read. That's probably due in large part to the manner in which Joe Kelly has plotted the series. The focus is constantly shifting. Its rare to see one character featured for more than a page or two. I also like how the alliances (and romantic entanglements) seem to be constantly shifting as the members of the team try to figure out which of them killed the President of Chang-sa.
Exiles Book 8 - This trade paperback collects the first six issues written by Tony Bedard. It's a crazy sort of series in which castaways from the X-Men jump from one universe to another at the behest of some powerful alien. It reminds me of both Negation, the book that Bedard wrote for the now defunct CrossGen, and the sci-fi TV series Sliders. In the first three issues the mutant team dukes out with the Fantastic Four and the Sub-Mariner. I'm not wild about the artwork but I like the writing, especially the humor. If I enjoy the rest of the book as much as I enjoyed the first three issues I'll probably end up getting the next collection, which is already out.
I've spent a little bit of time at work in the file room, the last couple days. The smell of paper reminds me of a comic book store. Mmmmmmm....
05/26/05
If your looking for something humorous to read I recommend trying either GLA or Action Philosophers. Both have me cracking up. GLA, which stands for Great Lakes Avengers, is created by the same team that did the last few issues of She-Hulk. Great stuff. Action Philosophers (published by Evil Twin Comics) retells the life story of three philosophers, Plato (Wresling Superstar of Ancient Greece), Bodhidharma (Master of Kung-Fu), and Nietzsche (the Übermensch) in very funny ways. Its supposed to be all true, but I've got my doubts.
05/26/05
I just got an e-mail this morning that there is going to be another comic convention here in DC. Its this Sunday. Not much notice, but I don't have any big plans, so I'm going. Rich Buckler, the original penciler for All-Star Squadron is going to be there. Maybe I'll try and get a piece of original art work from him. I always liked the way he drew the Golden Age superheroes, especially Hawkman. I don't know how much he charges. Unfortuntely there won't be much there other than dealers and a few artists. There isn't a whole lot that I'm interested in getting, but last time I was there I got a bunch of back issues at really cheap prices. Its always fun to browse.
05/29/05
I went to the DC Comicon today. It was much busier than the last one, in January. I only spent $2 on comic books. There just wasn't much that looked appealing. I prefer not to spend just to spend. I did find a copy of a graphic novel that I've been looking for a while now. It was half off cover price, but it was also kind of beat up. I decided not to get it.
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