This week brings us three books that make me wish I could go to the comic shop more than once a month: Red Robin, Ultimate Comics: Thor, and The Unwritten. Also, we've got the end of Return of Bruce Wayne and a fistful of worthy and potentially worthy books. Read on and see for yourself.
Amazing Spider-Man #648
- Written by Dan Slott
- Pencils by Humberto Ramos
- Cover by Humberto Ramos
BIG TIME BEGINS! Big changes are happening for the Amazing Spider-Man: Bigger threats, bigger guest-stars, and a big opportunity that could turn Peter Parker's life around! Which cast members are staying and who's saying goodbye? Find out as we're introduced to new characters and reintroduced to a number of Spidey villains as they make the triumphant return to the book! Plus: New developments for Mayor J. Jonah Jameson, the staff at Front Line, and The Sinister Six! The next chapter in Spider-Man history starts here! Guest starring THE AVENGERS and THE FANTASTIC FOUR in a giant-sized, 39 page lead feature! PLUS! An All-New Adventure featuring the All-New SPIDER-GIRL! PAUL TOBIN & CLAYTON HENRY bring a tale of action & intrigue, and make a strong argument for why you can sometimes send a Spider-GIRL to do a Spider-MAN's job…
I'm still not sure if I can afford to pick up a twice-monthly book with all the other comics I'd like to read, but the preview I saw of this looked good. The biggest draw? Doctor Octopus. The story about him in #600 (he was basically diagnosed with terminal brain trauma from getting knocked around by Spider-Man so many times over the years, and he was intent on leaving a legacy) had me really excited to see more, and he seems to be the main threat (as far as the preview went, anyway). If that's really the focus here, I may have to pick up at least an issue or so of this.
Angel: Illyria #1
- Written by Scott Tipton & Mariah Huehner
- Art by Elena Casagrande
- Cover by Jenny Frison
Re-born out of tragedy, older than time, Illyria has been one of the most mysterious and alien members of Team Angel since her resurrection. Infected with the memories of those who loved Fred, Illyria now struggles with the burden of her guilt. Seeking out help from Angel and Spike, Illyria begins a quest that will take her back into her past, and face the consequences of being made whole again in a world she does not belong in.
There are way too many Angel miniseries coming out for my tastes — it always feels like a cash grab — but Illyria is one of my favorite — and one of the most interesting — characters from Angel, so I'll have to take a look.
Batgirl #15
- Written by Bryan Q. Miller
- Art by Dustin Nguyen & Derek Fridolfs
- Cover by Dustin Nguyen
It's a new year and a new look for Batgirl as superstar artist Dustin Nguyen (DETECTIVE COMICS) joins the creative team! The unsinkable Stephanie Brown's second semester at Gotham U. starts like any other – new classes, new allies, a vigilante stalker – everything a gal could want! But what Gotham City's Batgirl isn't prepared for is the arrival of the mysterious "Order of the Scythe." Who are they, and why have they set their sights on her? "The Lesson" begins here!
This is one of the books I'd be picking up if I had a bigger comics budget. I've only read two issues of this (the Red Robin tie-in and the previous, stand-alone issue), but they've both been really good reads, and I love Stephanie Brown. Sort of a new beginning here, so it looks like a good jump-on point, but can I fit another ongoing into my budget?
Batman: Return of Bruce Wayne #6
- Written by Grant Morrison
- Art by Lee Garbett & Walden Wong
- Cover by Andy Kubert
Grant Morrison and BATGIRL artist Lee Garbett deliver the final chapter of this time-spanning epic! With Bruce Wayne just steps away from returning to present day Gotham City, the timestream might have a few more surprises in store for The Dark Knight! Do not miss this issue, as it paves the way for the shocking future era of Batman!
This is the final issue of Return of Bruce Wayne. This series had so much potential, a really awesome first issue, and mediocrity splashed with goodness from then on (though it seems to have been less and less of the goodness in each subsequent issue). I just got #5 last week and haven't had time to read it, yet, so maybe the last third of this series will go on the upswing, but so far I've been a bit disappointed with the execution of an awesome concept.
Chaos War: Thor #1
- Written by J. M. Dematteis
- Pencils by Brian Y. Ching
- Cover by Tommy Lee Edwards
CHAOS WAR tie-in! In the midst of the epic battle raging through CHAOS WAR, Thor squares off against a foe who may be the most powerful he's ever faced—the alien god known only as Glory! This powerhouse has his sites set on helping Chaos King destroy all of reality—so what hope does a simple Thunder God have of stopping him? Comic book master J. M. DeMatteis (Amazing Spider-Man, “Kraven's Last Hunt”) takes the reigns of a journey bringing Thor deep into the Chaos War—and beyond his breaking point.
I don't know how many of these Chaos War tie-ins I'll pick up, but I'll be highlighting them all as they come out. I'm not sure how interested I am in a Thor story — I'm getting a little Thor-ed out, lately — and it's not one of my top-tier creative teams, so this is sitting in the “probably not” pile right now.
Iron Man: The Rapture #1
- Written by Alexander Irvine
- Pencils by Lan Medina
- Cover by Tim Bradstreet
4-issue Marvel Knights limited series! A pulse-pounding cyberpunk thriller by Alexander Irvine (The Narrows) and Lan Medina (Deathlok: The Demolisher). The future belongs to Tony Stark. So when a violent heart attack pushes the billionaire playboy and visionary inventor to the brink of death, he's not about to go down quietly. Enter Stark 2.0 — a fusion of man and machine unlike anything the world has seen before, an entity that will push its host past the brink of sanity as it attempts to recreate the world in its own image. With Stark Industries in lockdown, it's up to Starks's associates Pepper Potts and Jim Rhodes to stem a technological virus that might well contaminate the entire world. But to save the day, they'll need Tony's help — if, indeed, there is anything left of him.
This is a good concept that I'd like to see done well. It's interesting to see the lengths people will go to survive — or have some semblance of survival, anyway — and it raises interesting questions of what it means to be alive and human. I'm not sure if that'll be addressed here, but if it is, I'll be taking a look.
Knight & Squire #2
- Written by Paul Cornell
- Art by Jimmy Broxton
- Cover by Yanick Paquette & Michael Lacombe
In this second issue, our trusty heroes venture into rural England – or as they know it, home. But when someone starts using dangerous dark magic, they spring into action only to face a surprising and unassuming enemy. Can they take down a powerful magical enemy and still make it home for supper?
I just got #1 last week, and I haven't had the time to read it, but this still looks like a really fun book. I like the mixture of Batman and magic — it would be out-of-place for Batman himself, but it's an interesting concept to look at with these English versions of the Dark Knight and his Boy Wonder.
Red Robin #17
- Written by Fabian Nicieza
- Art & Cover by Marcus To & Ray McCarthy
How does the return of Bruce Wayne and the beginning of Batman, Inc. work into Red Robin's plan to initiate an international stranglehold on crime? If Batman approves of everything Red Robin has set in motion, what will he do when his protégé decides to release the gang-leader-and-maybe-undercover-cop Lynx from prison? And guess which surprise guest star you'll see when Red Robin takes a quick trip to Hong Kong!
It's hard to think of things to say when you've loved every issue of a comic. Looking for more of the same? I guess that'll do.
Spike #2
- Written by Brian Lynch
- Art & Cover by Franco Urru
Spike takes in all Las Vegas has to offer—the gambling, the women, and a hit new show called Cirque de No Slay. Yes, somebody's made a show about Spike's life, but they're rewriting history. Who's responsible? The answer to that isn't half as shocking as how Spike handles it. Get ready for the ultimate battle of Spike vs. Evil!
I got to briefly look at #1 when I went to the shop last week. I couldn't fit it into my budget, but it looked pretty good. Still, I'm not sure I want to pick this up unless it means something for the overall Angel/Buffy stories.
Tiny Titans/Little Archie #2
- Written by Art Baltazar & Franco
- Art & Cover by Art Baltazar
Aw yeah! The first rule of Pet Club is…we don't talk about Pet Club! That's right! Josie and the Pussycats get an invitation to join the Pets! Will Archie's favorite band survive the experience? Find out what happens when the Dance Party at the Tiny Titans Tree House turns into a costume party! It's Batusi time!
One of my kids got the first issue of this. It's what you expect from Tiny Titans: cute and funny. (And much more so if you have a good knowledge of the characters. That's my only complaint with Tiny Titans; it doesn't go beyond chuckle-material unless you know some history of the characters.) Issue #1 had the Titans wearing sweater sets, so that's more or less reason to pick that one up. This one promises Josie and the Pussycats joining Pet Club as pets, so I'm thinking that'll be reason enough to get it, too.
Ultimate Comics: Thor #2
- Written by Jonathan Hickman
- Pencils & Cover by Carlos Pacheco
As Asgard celebrates victory, rumblings of Ragnorok near. What shocking revelation will the All-Father unveil to his chosen son? And what does Baron Zemo have in store for the gods? Jonathan Hickman (SHIELD) and Carlos Pacheco (Ultimate Avengers) rock out another thrilling tale of Thor's thunderous debut!
I really enjoyed the first issue and have high hopes for this one, as well. Jonathan Hickman one again showed why he's one of my favorite writers, and I only wish that this had come out last week so I wouldn't have to wait until my next monthly trip to the LCS to get it.
The Unwritten #19
- Written by Mike Carey
- Art by Peter Gross
- Cover by Yuko Shimizu
New storyline! After the shocking return of Wilson Taylor, the Cabal audition a new assassin and Tom seeks out "the source." The source of what? He's not really sure, but it looks like a whale, and it's apparently to be found in the Nantucket farmhouse where Moby-Dick was written…
Again, I got the last issue last week and haven't had time to read it. But, this has been one of my favorite comics from the beginning, and every issue has been a big win, so I'm expecting no less.
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