WCBR’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best of the past week: Witch Doctor: Malpractice #4 – This title has it all: a clever paranormal story, humor and awesome art.  If Brian K. Vaughn or Robert Kirkman was writing this, it would be selling a ton and getting a lot of buzz.  An honorable mention should go to The Unwritten #46, which has a spectacular story , but art that is too pedestrian to nab top honors.

Most anticipated this week: 1). Sex #1 – It’s written by Joe Casey and it’s called “Sex”.  It’s bound to be off-color and provocative.  Even if it isn’t great, it’s bound to be interesting.

2). Age of Ultron #1 – I’m surprised how much I’m looking forward to this given that (a) the pre-release reviews have been very pedestrian and (b) I’m somewhat checked out on the Marvel Universe.  I’m not a Marvel superfan anymore.  So, the question is whether I’ll be confused because I’m not reading everything OR will I enjoy the event more because I won’t worry about how events in Age of Ultron contradict what happened in some 3rd-tier title several months ago.

3). Lost Vegas #1 – Hmmm…. a new Image series about a Las Vegas-like place in space.  Sounds interesting and it’s written by Jim McCann who is usually solid.

4). Fashion Beast #7 – This series is difficult to pin down.  I’m not sure I “love” it, but it has Alan Moore fingerprints all over it, the art is attractive and last issue really turned the story on it’s ear.  I can’t wait to see what happens next.  At the very least, you have to respect the storytelling craft in Fashion Beast.

5). All New X-Men #8 – This series – which is amazing up to issue #8 already – has been a highlight of the Marvel NOW line-up.  Bendis has a pretty good handle on these characters and they’re pairing him with good artists.  For some reason, this reminds me a LOT more of the X-Men comics of my youth than almost anything else in the X-verse over the last few years.

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Hugo’s Top Picks

Pick of the week: Batman Incorporated #8 – I have followed the Batman story Grant Morrison has now written for years, loving close to every far-fetched concepts and character works he has done with the franchise. Now that several payoffs are being shown since we are close to the conclusion, I could not say how much this issue was worth reading. True, it talks about a child character being killed, but it is so well done and has an actual impact on the whole story. I could not, in good, conscience, not pick this as my pick of the week.

Most anticipated this week: 1) Hellboy in Hell #4 – The Shakespearian tone, the absolutely amazing art, the scope, the character, everything screams for me to read this comic. This is Mike Mignola at the top of his game and I’d be a fool not to read the continuing adventures of a character that has brought me nothing but joy.

2) Winter Soldier #16 – Last issue was truly great, as it showed us that Jason Latour and Nic Klein does have a plan for Bucky in the larger Marvel universe. If they can keep the same level of quality from the previous issue, this could give us some truly great comic.

3) A+X #5 – There’s a Kathryn Immonen story about Doop and Iron Fist in there. That plus a Kieron Gillen story featuring Mr. Sinister and Kid Loki. Awesome characters and awesome creators mixed together, this is what I’m talking about.

4) Transformers: More Than Meets The Eyes #14 – This is supposed to be the culminating point of the previous 13 issues, where everything comes to a head. With the return of Alex Milne as the regular artist, I am eager to see just where all of this was leading to.

5) Avengers #7 – The white event, the big cataclysmic event that granted superpower in Marvel New Universe line, a sadly defunct line of comics that had been resurrected by Warren Ellis for a short time years ago. Considering that Jonathan Hickman is picking this up for his long game on the Avengers franchise, I am curious to see where this will lead.

Avengers #7 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer), John Romita Jr. (pencils), Klaus Janson (inks), Dean White (colors), and Cory Petit (letters)

The Story: There’s somebody trying to collect infinity gems, and that can’t be good…

What’s Good: After all the time-traveling hijinks, the is actually a really comforting issue of the Avengers if only because it feels like the series is getting back to basics and, in doing so, it also continues to solidify its identity and tone.  Bendis has things much more under control and the result is an issue that is something of a relieving read.  This is a well-structured comic that hits the right notes.

As the first issue of a new arc, this book is all set-up and as such, functions as a perfect prelude.  There’s a mysterious new bad guy (maybe) who we know nothing about.  Despite this, his quest for the infinity gems and his use of their powers is enough to make him a foreboding figure and a real threat.  I like that Bendis didn’t reveal any of his cards this month, as it made me all the more intrigued to find out what happens next and to learn just who the hell this guy is.  I’m already far more interested in this plotline than I was the previous.  It’s all shrouded in secrecy, but the infinity gems alone are such a collective bogeyman that the issue is all the better for it.  The whole “pissed off Wonder Man” thread is also re-introduced, and it has me as interested as ever, as Simon continues to remind me of a grumpy forum-dweller.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Amazing Spider-Man #648 – I said in my review that this was the perfect Marvel comic book.  I want my Marvel superhero comics to be written by guys who love and read comic books, so Dan Slott is perfect.  This issue hit all the right beats.  Runner-up: American Vampire #8 – This would have won almost any other week.

Most Anticipated: Hulk #27 – Last month I said this title is the current owner the championship belt for “Best Current Ongoing Superhero Title”.  I still feel that way and can’t wait to see what new goodness Parker and Hardman have in store for us.

Other picks: Batman, Inc. #1, Haunt #11, Morning Glories #4, Whatever Happened to Baron von Shock #4, Spider-Girl #1, Chaos War: Chaos King #1 (it has Kaluta art!)

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: American Vampire #8 – A fairly solid week of releases, but American Vampire took it up a notch, continuing to make me care about a new character, bringing back an old one, introducing the inevitable vampire hunters without making the lame in the slightest, and finishing off the issue with what was probably the biggest cliffhanger/revelation of the month thus far.  A really good issue for a really good series.

Most Anticipated: The Flash #6 – It’s been a while since the last issue and it’s only made me more impatient.  I love this book.  It’s good old fashioned superhero fun with great art.  If you don’t mind spandex, it’s basically a book that’s impossible to hate and one of the best titles DC is currently putting out.  I can’t wait to see how this arc ends and the build-up to Flashpoint begins.

Other Picks:Morning Glories #4, Batman: the Return, Batman Incorporated #1, Avengers #7, Green Lantern #59, Brightest Day #14, Superman #705

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #6 – Although there were a few problems here and there, Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #6 gave me what I wanted. I needed real closure and satisfaction after having followed Gotham since Battle for the Cowl. Morrison closed his story with some pretty impressive ideas and imagery.

Most Anticipated: Batman Inc. #1 – OMG! OMG! So many things. Don’t know which I want most! I can’t wait for Warlord of Mars #2, and Batman #704 looks cool, but what’s up with Batman Incorporated? An international traveling Batman show? Well, Grant Morrison is an original thinker and Yanick Paquette is a great artist. This one is my top.

Other Picks: Warlord of Mars#2, Batman #704, Green Lantern #59, Green Lantern Corps #54, Legion of Superheroes #7