WCBR’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best of the past week: Saga #10 – It was not close as none of the other comics last week put up much of a fight.  They’re all just kinda whimpering in the corner after being thrashed by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples’ monster of a comic.  Not only do I love the family drama projected onto a space opera, but I love the quality of the writing.  A lot of comics these days are nothing more than high-quality fan fiction, but in just about every issue, BKV works in a line or two that makes think, “Wow.  I could never write something that clever.”  [Note: This issue it was the “Oh no…..it’s a timesuck!” line.]

Most anticipated this week: 1). The Unwritten #46 – We’ve been toying with this idea that stories are dying in the world of The Unwritten for a year or so now, but it never made complete sense what that actually meant.  Last issue of the series took a moment to really explain it and that makes me think that the concept is important and they want to ensure that everyone is on-board before they move forward.  It is a very interesting concept and I can’t avoid the thought that it is a bit of a meta-commentary on the current state of the comic industry where we get a lot of recycled tales and miniseries, but very little longer form storytelling.  As I always say, you DO need to start this series from the beginning…..but it’s worth the effort.  This is probably the most ambitious series from a storytelling standpoint that is currently being published.

2). FF #4 – I caught up on FF last month after everyone flipped for FF #3.  Even though I LOVE the art team of Michael/Laura Allred, I had avoided FF because it’s been a loooooong time since Matt Fraction wrote a story I enjoyed.  But….I loved this series.  If you’re like me and are kinda burned out on Big 2 superheroes, this might be a series to check out because (a) it’s so different (b) it probably won’t ever be pulled into a crossover with X-Force or the Avengers and (c) since the Allreds have proven their ability to do monthly books in the past, we probably won’t get too many guest artists.

3). Witch Doctor: Malpractice #4 – This is a series more people should be talking about.  For one thing, the art is stellar.  Seriously, this is Eisner-quality art.  The draftsmanship reminds me a lot of old-school horror magazines.  And the writing is punchy and funny.  It’s tough to make me laugh while reading a comic and this Witch Doctor is usually able to do just that.

4). Five Weapons #1 – This is a new series from Jimmie Robinson, the creator of Bomb Queen.  I’ve read all 20+ the Bomb Queen that were ever published and while I love the antics and off-color humor of the Queen, I think Robinson has already wrung all the story out of that concept.  So I’m curious to see something new from him.  Is he a one-trick pony?  Or can he tell us a different type of story?  This is supposedly about a school where assassins send their children to learn the deadly arts.

5). The Massive #9 – I don’t “love” this series yet, but it is beginning to find it’s footing.  The problem was that the first 5-6 issues told a bunch of one-shot type stories that seemed really disjointed, even if they did – kinda – establish a peri-crash world.  Now that Brian Wood has laid out his story of a world on the ecological ropes, he is starting to tell us actual stories that have coherence across several issues.  In this current arc, he’s telling the story of how our protagonists come into conflict with a newly sovereign “country” that consists of a bunch of oil-rigs lashed together on the high seas.  I’m still not sure where the story is going long-term, but it is interesting to see what happens and Brian Wood typically has a plan.

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Alex’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week:  Saga #10 – Oh, Brian K. Vaughan, you evil man.  This was a great issue with great characters, dialogue that continually made me laugh, and a real shocking and gut-wrenching final page that will haunt you.  It’s basically everything you could ask of a comic.  Some of Staples’ art and designs here, particularly with the planet-sized monster, was really just stunning in scale and beauty.  Meanwhile, the cast continues to gel.  Also, Izabel is back and she’s just as lovable and funny as ever.

Saga is really one of the rare cases where I have to remind myself that this was actually $2.99, not $3.99.  With a comic that feels so slick and top-shelf in its production value, colors, art, and sheer quality plus an extended and genuinely amusing letters section, Saga really does feel like a steal for $2.99.

Most Anticipated: Batman Incorporated #8 – I’ll be honest, while it’s been head and shoulders above his run on Action Comics, this latest volume of Grant Morrison’s Batman Inc. has been hit or miss for me.  That said, DC released this news, and the cover, this week that Damian would most likely be meeting his end in this issue.  What can I say?  Curiosity has gotten the better of me.

Hawkeye #8 – For starters, LOOK at that cover.  Hawkeye is my favourite Big Two title and as such, it’ll always merit a spot on this list.  That said, this issue gets particularly special mention given that it heralds the return of David Aja on art duties.  I loved Javier Pulido’s work on the book, but more Aja is always going to be something to celebrate.

FF #4 – This book has been steadily improving since it’s first issue, which didn’t blow me away.  As of last issue, however, everything felt like it finally “clicked.”  Now, the sky is the limit for this book and I look forward to seeing Matt Fraction and Mike Allred capitalize on that potential.  I really can’t say enough how much I loved FF #3 so I anxiously await this latest installment.  Also, that cover is hilarious: it’s a Valentine’s Day issue and you have the moloids staring at She-Hulk lecherously.  That’s so great.

Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1 – I’ll be honest, I never read the DnA stuff and know little to nothing about the cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe.  What I do know, however, is that Brian Bendis has been completely revitalized by this relaunch, springing to life thanks to finally leaving his rut of Avengers titles.  Even more than the X-Men titles, Guardians gives Bendis a drastically different playground and given how well Bendis has been doing these days when given new toys to play with, I think he’ll acquit himself well.  Also, Steve McNiven.

Uncanny X-Men #2 – Even more Bendis!  I really do feel that Uncanny delivered in its first issue.  It wasn’t quite at All-New‘s level, but if there’s one thing that All-New showed us, it’s that Uncanny will probably get better and better with each issue.  I enjoy it’s distinctive, darker voice and after that last page reveal of the traitor in Cyclops’ midst, I’m all in for Bendis’ mutant revolution.

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Hugo’s Top Picks

Pick of the week: Thor: God of Thunder #5 – Sorry Saga, as awesome as you were this week, my favourite thing was Jason Aaron mythic and creatively awesome tale of our favourite Viking god. He has been killing it with his story and Esad Ribic has been wonderful on the art side as well and this week was no different.

Most anticipated this week: 1) FF #4 – This book is full of Kirby goodness, especially in Michael Allred’s beautiful art. The story of these replacement Fantastic Four is actually very compelling though, especially considering what their mission statement is now.

2) Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1 – Brian Michael Bendis has been on a roll these last few months with his X-Men and his Daredevil limited series, but this title will determine for me if I can still have faith in him. This sounds rough, yet he is handling one of my favourite team right here, as I had absolutely loved DnA’s lattest volume. I believe this is an origin story about Star-Lord here and it is by no mean a proper number one, but I do hope it will stick to the spirit of the latest run featuring Star Lord.

3) Journey Into Mystery #649 – The latest issues of this title have been terrific, as Kathryn Immonen has turned Sif into an unbelievably badass character and is doing some very nice work with the Asgardian mythology. As an added bonus, there is a team-up with Spider-Ock here.

4) Batman Incorporated #8 – Although I could not avoid the spoilers that are currently circulating on the comic sites, I am still very eager to see where Morrison is going with his Batman story. I have been a fan of this run for quite some time and seeing him place the elements for his grand finale, it makes me wonder just how he could close it all.

5) Uncanny Avengers #4 – The finale of the first arc being here, I am curious to see how Remender will close this. This has not been the strongest of title so far, but I have faith that with a new regular artist and some strong characterization, Remender could turn this title around.

FF #4 – Review

by Jonathan Hickman (writer), Barry Kitson (artist), Paul Mounts (colorist), and Clayton Cowles (letterer)

The Story: The Doom conference on Reeds continues as Sue, Alex Power, and Spider-Man raise to stop a civil war erupting in Old Atlantis.

The Review:  A single good concept can go a long way in carry a comic.  In this case, the continuing conference of FF bad guys led by Victor von Doom continues to be a very, very good concept.

There’s something so naturally awesome about the idea of a group of bad guys having a meeting in the Baxter Building about how to beat Reed and Hickman does a fantastic job of portraying the various personalities on display here.  Each villain is a different sort of bad guy and it’s so much fun watching them bounce off one another.  From Doom’s arrogance, to Diablo’s sly villainy, to the Wizard’s evil, this is great stuff.  Hickman also does an uproarious job in writing the Mad Thinker, who is everything his name suggests he is.  Throw in Reed, Val, and Nathaniel and this is merely an opportunity for Hickman to have strong personalities clash.

Furthermore, as grave and serious as the subject matter of this meeting is, there’s a constant undertone of humor, as you may expect given the cast involved.  From Reed’s telling Doom of what the his fellow Reeds do to the Dooms they find, to Reed’s muttering “this is a disaster,” this is just so much fun to read.

Also fun is the art provided by Barry Kitson.  I really like Steve Epting as an artist, but while his darker style suited the tone of the “Three” arc and the death of Johnny, he was quite the right fit for the FF moving forward.  Kitson brings a brighter more upbeat style that serves the series much better.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Rocketeer Adventures #1 – And…I’m not even a Rocketeer fan.  But, I do love seeing three anthology stories with art by John Cassaday, Mike Allred and Michael Kaluta.  That’s some hot art, right there.  The stories are fine, but with art like this the stories really don’t matter.  Dave Stevens, the creator of the Rocketeer has been dead for ~3 years and it’s nice to see that top-notch creators still have a passion for his character.  I’m not in favor of seeing Rocketeer be launched as an ongoing series with some C-list talent, but if IDW can keep bringing this level of creator to the table, they can publish Rocketeer stories for as long as they want.  Runner-up: Li’l Depressed Boy #4

Most Anticipated: Strange Adventures #1 – I’m a complete sucker for anthology series because you always have the possibility of catching lightning in a bottle.  Featuring work by Scott Snyder, Brian Azzarello, Eduardo Risso, Jeff Lemire and others this should be pretty hot.  It is also really nice to see Vertigo launching something new as they haven’t put out a new piece of intellectual property since I Zombie last summer.

Other Picks: American Vampire #15, Detective Comics #877, Butcher Baker the Righteous Maker #3, The Walking Dead #85, Hack/Slash #4

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: DMZ #65 – It was a bit of a breather last week as far as the number of books went, but that doesn’t mean there was a lack in quality.  DMZ #65 took it this week, for me, showcasing everything that has made the series such a success for Vertigo. Everything you’ve ever liked about Wood’s DMZ was right here.  Good stuff.

Most Anticipated: Strange Adventures – I don’t think I can remember the last time I had such a huge stack with one book so clearly ahead of the rest of the pack as my most anticipated.  The concept for Strange Adventures excites me so much.  A big anthology of retro sci-fi, with creators like Paul Cornell, Jeff Lemire, and Peter Milligan?  The first chapter of the new comic by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso?  The first comics work of science fiction author, Lauren Beukes (whose two novels, Zoo City and Moxyland, you should really check out)?   There’s even a cool Paul Pope cover.  What more could you ask for?If there was ever a comic I really want to succeed, it’s this one.  $7.99 is a high price, but a bargain for an unbelievable package like this.

Other Picks: Action Comics #901, Detective Comics #877, Green Lantern Corps #60, Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #10, Green Lantern #66, American Vampire #15, Amazing Spider-Man #662, Captain America #618, FF #4, Iron Man 2.0 #5, Mighty Thor #2, Secret Avengers #13, Secret Warriors #27, Venom #3, Wolverine #9