WCBR’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best of the past week: Fashion Beast #8 – Reading this comic after going through the rest of my pull list was like watching the season premiere of Mad Men after watching a lot of The Walking Dead.  Much like Mad Men is TV storytelling at a different level, so is Fashion Beast comic storytelling at a different level.  It’s amazing that even a failed, 30 year old screenplay from Alan Moore is still a better comic book story than most of the comics being sold right now.  If you haven’t been reading this in issues, make sure to get the collected edition when it comes out.

Most anticipated this week: I don’t know whether to LOVE or HATE that several of my favorite series keep cycling together.  On one hand, it makes for a fun week of comics.  On the other, it leave the rest of the month a little barren.

1). The Walking Dead #109 – Even though TWD has tossed a few “meh” issues recently, it’s hard to not get excited about an issue the revisits Maggie and the Hilltop settlement.  We haven’t seen Maggie in quite awhile, so it’ll be nice to see what she is up to and how she’s dealing with the loss of ________.  I’m also curious to see how Hilltop – this community of quasi-collaborators – are feeling about Rick’s plan to revolt against the tyranny of Negan!

2). Saga #12 – In the annoying news department, Apple has decided to ban this issue of Saga from the various iOS apps (i.e. Comixology) because it features a few scenes of man-on-man action.  According to writer Brian K. Vaughn, the offending panels are “postage stamp sized”.  I don’t know about you, but about the only way to get more excited about Saga would be to start banning it for having objectionable content.  I LOVE objectionable content.  So, buy a paper copy or buy it directly off the Comixology website and see those filthy panels that were too hot for Apple!

3). Batman #19 – Last month was a rare misfire for Batman as we were forced to watch Batman emotionally react to the death of Damian when (a) the death happened in another title and (b) Damian has barely been mentioned in Batman-proper.  It’s almost like DC felt the need to interrupt the non-stop run of greatness from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo and remind us that they publish other Bat-titles that are not as good.  Anyway, it’ll be pretty fresh to start another story arc with the Snyder/Capullo monster.  Everything they’ve done has been awesome so far and there’s no reason to think this will be different.

4). The Secret Service #6 – Mark Millar gets a lot of stick from people because he is a bit of a hype-machine, but he does write some entertaining comics and tends to have A-list artistic collaborators (because he has good ideas that move lots of copies because he does promotion).  Secret Service isn’t my favorite work by Millar, but it’s pretty snappy.

5). GI Joe: Cobra Files #1 – The next title in the GI Joe universe to restart is the one that probably needed a different direction the least.  For the last several years, the Cobra titles in the Joe-family have been so much better than the titles featuring the good guys.  For one thing, the bad guys have about 500% more charisma than Duke and his gang.  For another, Antonio Fuso has been very good – and consistently present – on the art compared to the rotating squad of mediocrity that the other Joe books receive.  Make sure to check this out if you like watching bad guys plotting against each other.

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Hugo’s Top Picks

Pick of the week: Deadpool #7 – I was quite surprised by this little one-shot story featuring an actually good story and some funny jokes. The fact that it was an effective parody and homage to a lesser-talked about era of comics helps a lot too.

Most anticipated this week: 1) Thor: God of Thunder #7 – Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic have been killing it on this book, telling us a great mythological story with absurdly great art. With this being the start of the second arc, I cannot wait to see where they will take Thor next.

2) Saga #12 – This sci-fi/fantasy/family story told by Brian K. Vaughan has never been a disappointment and I strongly believe that this issue shall be no different. I absolutely love this comic and the whole creativity put behind this universe and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

3) Uncanny Avengers #6 – It`s no secret that I really like Rick Remender as a writer and that I do believe that this series has a lot of potential. With the latest issue being a great offering (even with the more controversial bit), I think we`ll see this title become something much better than the first arc.

4) Harbinger #11 – The Valiant titles have been pretty good so far and this title has been quite consistent in that sentiment. The adventures of Peter Stanchek and his fellow renegades are quite enjoyable and with the beginning of their adventures tied to Harbinger Wars, I am curious to see how they will show the tie-ins aspects in this title.

5) Avengers #9 – While this run has been a slow burn so far, I cannot deny the fact that a lot of the cosmic aspects and the whole New Universe thing has grabbed my interest. Considering the fact that the latest issue ended with Ex Nihilo seeing the new Starbrand, I am quite eager to see how Jonathan Hickman will build up this character that had been at the epicenter of his very first arc on the title.

Avengers #9 – Review

by Brian Michael Bendis (writer) & John Romita Jr. (artist)

The Story: The Illuminati are caught in the act and the Hood comes back more dangerous than ever.

What’s Good: Already, I’m enjoying this second arc quite a bit more than its predecessor.  The title feels less hamstrung in its storytelling thanks to the lack of all that time-travel nonsense.  If anything, this feels more like a true Avengers tale: a big, important story, a team of good guys that feel like a dysfunctional family, a cackling villain, and a heavy touch of the cosmic.

All that aside, I want to start with John Romita Jr.’s artwork this month.  While this was a more dialogue heavy issue without any pyrotechnics or major fight scenes, I actually feel that this may quietly be the best issue he’s put out for this series thus far.  His work feels a lot more polished and not at all rushed.  It just seems like more time and love was put into this issue.  Granted, some of that may be due to the new colorist(s), but either way, I liked the art quite a lot.

On Bendis’ side, I always respect when a writer can cram two completely different narratives with two different tones and locales into one 22 page issue without making the issue lose cohesion, and that’s what Bendis does this month.  More than that, both sides are equally interesting.

You’ve got Rogers and the gang discovering the Illuminati’s continued existence.  Bendis did a fantastic job illustrating the boiling over of tension between Iron Man and Steve Rogers.  It didn’t feel at all forced and came across genuinely and logically.  More than that, Bendis highlighted the awkwardness of it all; that it’s basically a persona conflict/agreement escalated into and taking place in the public sphere.  I also quite enjoyed how Bendis used the other Avengers to good effect here, making them feel like awkward bystanders.

The other half of the issue sees the Hood’s meeting an Inhuman in prison.  Again, the fact that Bendis was able to balance the above story with a prison drama was fairly impressive.  The Hood’s machinations are as fun to read as ever, while the character he meets is creepy, likable, and certainly intriguing.  The final two pages of the issue are also the sort of high-drama/big event stuff that’ll have you wanting the next issue ASAP.

With so much dialogue this month, I also have to say that I was pleasantly surprised to see the Bendis-speak (when Bendis uses repetition in a weird attempt to emulate conversation) nearly absent.  When it does crop up, it highlights moments of tension or rapport, meaning that it never dominates the writing.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Scarlet #4 – Even in spite of the awful shootings in AZ, this book is really speaking to the Libertarian in me.  I’m most happy to see that Bendis hasn’t lost his “fastball” for telling an edgy story after years of writing mass-produced superhero stuff for Marvel.  And, oddly….I love Alex Maleev’s art.  I almost wish his art wasn’t so enticing because I don’t think anyone else pulls off this photo-reference style very well.  Runner-up: Memoir #1

Most Anticipated: Detective Comics #873 – I can’t wait to see how Dick Grayson gets away from the room full of gas-mask wearing freaks.  Why are gas masks so freaky?  I am loving Scott Snyder, Jock and Francesco Francavilla’s opening arc on Detective.  This is a grounded Batman and the Dick Grayson story that I really wanted as soon as he took over for Bruce about 2 years ago.  Must read!

Other picks: American Vampire #11, New York Five #1, Scalped #45, Echoes #2, Fantastic Four #587

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Scarlet #4 – Finally, everything really clicked for me.  It’s now clear what kind of book Scarlet is going to be, and it’s clearly one I’m going to love.  Just a great comic all around, with the only thing bad about it being that I’m going to have to wait two months for the next installment.

Most Anticipated: Fantastic Four #587 – There are a lot of books this week, especially from Marvel, but for me, one stands out.  It’s no surprise really, given that this is the “death issue.”  One member of the FF dies this Wednesday and Jonathan Hickman has built it up to the point where it could truly be any one.  Curiosity and my love of the Fantastic Four would have this as my pick anyway, but it doesn’t hurt that Hickman’s FF may very well be my favourite book from Marvel right now.

Other Picks: Detective Comics #873, Action Comics #897, Avengers #9, Secret Avengers #9, New Avengers #8, Wonder Woman #606, American Vampire #11, Fables #101, Scalped #45, Captain America #614, Thunderbolts #152