Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Weekly Previews for August 3, 2011

In this week's Previews: the penultimate issue of Batman: Gates of Gotham, a few beginnings, a new issue of S.H.I.E.L.D., Wolfsbane's pregnancy comes another step closer to its climax, and Hercules finally gets to the end of his Fear. What's all of that mean? Read on to find out.

Batman: Gates of Gotham #4

  • Written by Scott Snyder & Kyle Higgins
  • Art & Cover by Trevor McCarthy

Batman, Red Robin, Robin and Black Bat are all thrown into a race against time as The Architect's true plan is revealed! But what does that mean for Oswald Cobblepot and Tommy Elliot? And just how does the first Super Villain of Gotham City factor into The Architect's plot to destroy the city's first families? Be here for the exciting penultimate issue!

I enjoyed the first two issues of this mini. I've heard the third installment isn't as good, but I haven't gotten it yet, so I'm sticking with my impression of the first two: interesting story, good art (minus a couple details I can overlook).

Status: Buying It.

Herc #6

  • Written by Fred Van Lente & Greg Pak
  • Pencils by Neil Edwards
  • Cover by Greg Horn

FEAR ITSELF TIE-IN!

Depowered, abandoned by those closest to him and cast away in a twisted, nightmarish version of his new home of Brooklyn, Hercules prepares for to make his stand against Kyknos, son of his immortal enemy Ares, and Hecate, the villainous goddess of witchcraft. Will strength and heart alone be enough to overcome his seemingly insurmountable obstacles, or will this be the final, fatal trial of Hercules? Star writers Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente team up with ace artist Neil Edwards to bring the closing chapter to Hercules versus FEAR ITSELF.

Another one where I'm missing the previous issue. I've been enjoying this so far, though. This hasn't been bogged down by its tie-in status by any means, but I'm glad this is the final Fear Itself issue. It'll be nice to let the series be itself … in a couple of months. Well, we do get a Point One issue that should be all about Herc-as-Herc, but then it's two Spider-Island issues (which, granted, should be fun) before finally getting into the series proper. I think.

That sounds really negative, doesn't it? I'll say it again, to clarify: the tie-in status has not hurt this book. I'd just like to see more of what it will be itself. (Though, Incredible Hercules was largely tie-ins for a while, too, and that was very good.)

Status: Buying It.

Mystic #1

  • Written by G. Willow Wilson
  • Pencils by David López
  • Cover by Amanda Conner

A Crossgen title reimagined as only Marvel could! Eisner Award-nominated G. WILLOW WILSON (Air, Superman, Cairo) and superstar DAVID LOPEZ (HAWKEYE/MOCKINGBIRD, Catwoman) join forces to bring you the story of two seemingly ordinary orphan girls who find their lives turned upside down by magic…one of them will find herself responsible for saving the world and the other as her mortal enemy! The magic begins this August!

I've never read a Crossgen book, so I'm not nostalgic or anything. This seems interesting, though. It always helps that it's only four issues. Still, probably getting overlooked by yours truly. Too much else on the plate in the coming months. (A one-shot, I could probably swing.)

Status: Of Interest.

The Punisher #1

  • Written by Greg Rucka
  • Pencils by Marco Checchetto
  • Cover by Bryan Hitch

TIME TO GET BACK TO WORK.

For Frank Castle death comes easy...life is where things gets complicated. Fully loaded with the Eisner winning writer Greg Rucka (Batwoman, Queen and Country, WOLVERINE) and neo-superstar artist Marco Checchetto (Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil), the BIGGEST GUN of all returns with blood on his hands and vengeance in his eyes. As New York City's body counts continue to rise, the city's streets are teeming with more methodical criminals than ever and a police force doing it's best to keep its head above water. The Punisher has returned to serve his own brand of justice with everything's he's got... but can he survive the darkness stored in his own arsenal? Plus bonus pages exploring some of the new personalities in Frank's life...and how closely intertwined living is with dying.

I'm curious because this is written by Greg Rucka, but I still don't think I have enough interest in a Punisher book to get it monthly. Sounds interesting, but probably as something to read in trade from the library or if it's cheap.

Status: Of Interest.

Roger Langridge's Snarked #0

  • Writing & Art by Roger Langridge

Special $1 introduction to the eagerly awaited new hit series starting this October! You were amazed by his Harvey Award-winning run on THE MUPPET SHOW. You thrilled to his run on THOR: THE MIGHTY AVENGER. Now the next great Roger Langridge comic begins as he brings Lewis Carroll's imaginative world to new heights in a side-splitting adventure that can only be explained as... SNARKED! Presenting a fresh and incredibly modern "Langridge" spin on an already-warped classic, the SNARKED epic adventure starts here with a self-contained 8 page story featuring The Walrus and The Carpenter from Through the Looking Glass -- that's right, the same Walrus that inspired the Beatles song "I Am the Walrus" is now in Roger Langridge's merry, mad hands for new All-Ages adventures at KABOOM! This $1 special includes a full issue's worth of back matter that dives deep into the world of SNARKED with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the new series. Don't miss this comic book industry event! Buy the $1 issue now, pick up the series in October!

This looks like it'll be fun. This #0 issue is only $1 — for a backup-length story and an issue-length set of backups. It's still a good deal and probably worth it, if nothing else, to see if the series will be worthwhile. I think it will. The preview I read (almost half the main story) makes me think this'll be good for kids and adults. So, it's worth checking out.

Status: In Consideration.

Severed #1

  • Written by Scott Snyder & Scott Tuft
  • Art & Cover by Attila Futaki

“NOTHING WASTED,” Part One

1916. A man haunts the roads; a man with sharp teeth and a hunger for flesh. When 12-year-old Jack Garron runs away from home, he’ll see how quickly the American Dream becomes a nightmare. Be there at the beginning of the series that everyone will be talking about!

From Eisner-nominated writer SCOTT SNYDER (American Vampire, Detective Comics), SCOTT TUFT and ATTILA FUTAKI (NYT Best-Selling-Artist: Percy Jackson) comes the most terrifying horror series of 2011--SEVERED.

I'm not a big horror fan. I like suspense, and I like horror to a degree, but I'm not into gore. Which is why I dropped American Vampire. Will this be more on the suspenseful side of horror? If so, I may want to pick it up — what I've read on it sounds interesting, and it's only seven issues. If it's on the gore side, I'll pass.

Status: In Consideration.

S.H.I.E.L.D. #2

  • Written by Jonathan Hickman

Penciled by Dustin Weaver

  • Cover by Gerald Parel
  • Historical Variant by Dustin Weaver

    The battle between Leonardo Da Vinci and Issac Newton for the Immortal City comes to a climactic conclusion! Leonid makes his choice between his two fathers, Michelangelo and Tesla kick their plan into high gear and Howard Stark lays the foundation for the organization you know as S.H.I.E.L.D.

    Wow, it seems like forever since the first issue came out. I'll have to reread it, but I don't mind. Every issue of this book (both volumes) has been wonderful.

    Status: Buying It.

    X-Factor #223

    • Written by Peter David
    • Pencils by Emanuela Lupacchino
    • Cover by David Yardin

    About to give birth and on the run from mutants, demons and gods alike, Wolfsbane turns to the only ones she feels she can trust: her own kind. But even with the help of THE PACK, will Wolfsbane and her baby survive the ordeal? And considering some believe the baby to be the harbinger of the end of the world, do we even want them to?

    This is the third book this week that I haven't been able to get the previous issue because of my monthly trips to the comic shop. The last issue I read (#221) was a little slow. For once, it feels like things are being dragged out. Not sure why, though. With the double shippings the next two months, they could've just compressed it a little and been better off. Hopefully this picks up in this and the previous issue, heading into the conclusion and then the Point One issue up next.

    Status: Buying It.

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