Yea! Gladstone's is coming!

Gladstone's Series 2 is happening! Gladstone's School for World Conquerors was one of my favorite comics. It wrapped up its first arc and then disappeared. It's been in the works, and now the second arc is getting Kickstarted into a digital existence, for now. Hardcovers are to come later, but — even though I generally don't like digital versions of print-intended comics — for now I think this is deserving of support to get done. I can't wait for Series 3, either!

Swamp Thing #17

I know I'm way behind in my reading, but Swamp Thing #17 was horrible! The whole thing felt very phoned-in, from the stiff, clichéd writing to the mediocre art that's horribly mismatched with the story and makes the issue look like a low-rent kids’ comic. I expect better from you, Scott Snyder (and Jeff Lemire if I'm to accept the credits as-is). And, even though I don't expect better from you, DC, if you couldn't manage Yanick Paquette for the interiors, couldn't you get someone who'd match the feel of the book? This is not what the conclusion of, more-or-less, a 34-issue story should be. (Even though it feels like the real conclusions are in issues #18 of the two books.)

Very disappointed, guys. Very disappointed.

Peter Parker's death and inevitable rebirth

I only read Amazing Spider-Man every once in a while (largely because it's bimonthly) — though I do keep up with its goings-on — so I can't speak very well to how the writing's been lately, or even to how the story's been lately. I was interested in the Doc Ock-on-a-deathbed story idea, but in the end, I didn't buy any of the issues.

Anyway, Peter Parker is dead, Dock Ock is going to be the new, better Superior Spider-Man, and well, does anyone really think this will last? Of course it won't. And that's okay. I knew when Johnny Storm died that he'd be back, and probably in issue #600. The return was done exceptionally well, so it was validated for me. Death and rebirth is a ubiquitous part of Big Two comics and it can be okay.

So, the question isn't will Peter Parker return? The only questions are: when will Peter be back? And how? Well, I don't know quite when (probably a bit before Amazing Spider-Man 2 comes out in theaters), but I'm calling how here: Doc Ock will somehow sacrifice himself to bring Peter back. Like, switching bodies back (posthumously) or something similar.

There we go. I'm calling it, that's how Peter comes back.

Well wishes for Peter David and his family

(Haven't posted in a long time, but I'm starting to get back in the swing of things, so here's to more posts soon…)

I just read that Peter David, writer of my beloved X-Factor suffered a stroke last week. I am very sorry to hear this, and I'll send all the positive energy & well wishes I can to him and his family. His wife is posting updates on his condition and recovery on his blog, including ways you can help.

Again, my deepest sympathies to PAD and his whole family (especially his young children, for whom this must be very difficult). I hope for the best possible recovery for Peter.

Weekly Previews for January 11, 2012

This is my huge week (in number of comics), and one day (probably just before it's not my huge week anymore, as these things go) I'll switch to getting my comics on the second week of the month instead of the first. Then maybe I'll be up-to-date with all of the books coming out. But, for now, I'll just mention the slew of regulars that're released this week and comment only on the ones about which I have something to say.

(Also, I missed last week's Previews, but there was really very little to speak of. Only three books I was looking at, only one was iffy, and I was very tired. So, no Previews. Last week, that is. This week, plenty.)

Weekly Previews for December 28, 2011

Getting back into the swing of things after Christmas, here's the last Previews of 2011! There are no endings here, but there are a couple of penultimate issues, one of a series and one of a writer's run. We're also going back to the beginnings — or closer to them, anyway — with the second point five issue of The Unwritten. For those and the rest, read on.

Weekly Previews for December 20, 2011

As I'm sure this'll be my last post before Christmas, Merry Christmas to everyone for whom that means something. For the rest of you, all I have are comics and some good ones at that. We've got two versions of Batman (kind of), Mike Mignola, Nathan Edmondson's new creator-owned series, and more. How much more? Keep reading and find out.

Weekly Previews for December 14, 2011

Christmas preparations have put me a bit behind this week. It also doesn't help that the second week of the month is my largest in terms of pull-list books. With a trio of Bat-books, a couple of Dark books, and the newest issue of The Unwritten, DC's taking the lion's share this week. Buffy, Jim Henson, and a coloring book (!) round of the rest of the PrePostviews this week, so read on and check it out.

Weekly Previews for December 7, 2011

It's the start of a new month, so I'll be heading to the comic shop this week. Among others, I have the new Animal Man and Swamp Thing issues waiting for me. I'm eager for those (right now) loosly connected books to come together. It should be interesting. I'll also be checking out a new mini on Marvel's side of things. Keep reading the Previews to see what I'm talking about.

Weekly Previews for November 30, 2011

It's another small week for the Previews. The most notable thing this week is the start of the All Hope Lies in Doom arc in FF. This beats out the fact that this is my 100^th post on this blog by a slim margin.

Weekly Previews for November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving to all the American readers. This is a somewhat small but important week with the return of Fantastic Four and its 600^th issue. Also, if you missed Scott Snyder's run on Detective Comics — or if you loved it, and especially the art — check out its hardcover release this week. Definitely worth your time and money.

Weekly Previews for November 16, 2011

Very small week, with only four books making the Previews. The excellent Wonder Woman and Batman books deliver their third issues this week, and X-Factor has a showdown with major consequences.

Weekly Previews for November 9, 2011

We didn't get to make our monthly trip to the comic shop last week, and there are no non-pull list books this week, so it's a pretty boring day for the Previews. We've got a bunch of #3s I have yet to see the #2s of, and the start of the new parallel stories (kinda) in The Unwritten. (They're releasing the regular issue and a “point five” issue a couple weeks later that are stand-alone and give some insights into the history of the cabal.) So, being that I can't say anything about them, here's a completely comment-less installment of the Previews!

Weekly Previews for November 2, 2011

Keepin' the commentary short this week. Too much on my plate. I will say that if you haven't been picking up the Smurfs books as they've been releasing them, now's the perfect time to catch up. Papercutz is releasing a box set of their first three Smurfs trades, The Purple Smurfs, The Smurfs and the Magic Flute, and The Smurf King. This is not a compilation but a slipcased set of these books, all of which are the original Smurfs comics by Peyo and all of which are excellent.

Okay, now for the main show!

Weekly Previews for October 26, 2011

Doing things a little differently this week. Seeing as I'm already quite late with this, I'm only writing up comments on a couple of new books. My regulars (and the ones I don't have much to say about) are just listed below them.

Weekly Previews for October 19, 2011

Previews are on time this week! It helps that it's a smaller list (the second week of the month is a killer for me), but it's a meaty one. Two of my favorite books from DC's relaunch, the always-welcome Dark Horse Presents and X-Factor, among others. So, waste no more time, read on!

Weekly Previews for October 12, 2011

Illness and outside obligations have made this week's Previews so late as to be almost useless. But, not entirely (as far as I'm concerned, anyway), so here they are. Just pretend it's Tuesday.

Weekly Previews for October 5, 2011

Where are you, Marvel? No books from the House of Ideas this week, as DC's relaunch takes center stage with the majority of the books in the Previews. Image and Boom round out the rest, but what will come home with me? Get an idea after the jump.

A Pair of Reviews: Herc #6.1 and X-Factor #224.1

Here're a couple of mini reviews, contrasting the different levels of success of two of Marvel's Point One issues: Herc 6.1 and X-Factor 224.1. Yes, they're a little old by now (the subsequent issue(s) are already out), but they're probably still at your shop. Now you can find which one is a great jumping on point for a great book and which one is a big disappointment (i.e., you'd do better reading the issue following the Point One if you're still interested in the book).

Weekly Previews for September 28, 2011

I'm a little late with the Previews this week, but at least it's still Wednesday. This is the weakest week for DC's New 52, with only one book even worth a look, as far as I'm concerned. But, Marvel's making up for it with several books, including the second issue of Warren Ellis's run on Secret Avengers. See that and more after the jump.