You’ve seen the list of new comics that are arriving in stores this week, but what should you pick up? Take the jump as the Major Spoilers Staff picks the books they are most looking forward to this week.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #682
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Stefano Caselli
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION:
• Part One Of “Ends Of The Earth”, The Next Big Spider-Man Event!
• The Doc Ock Story You’ve Waited 50 Years For! Doctor Otto Octavius Holds The Entire Earth Hostage With His Dying Breath. What Price Will Spider-Man Have To Pay To Buy The Whole World One More Day?
• Special Appearance By The Avengers!
GEORGE: This is the start of the next big Spider-Man arc. I swore I’d never read Spider-Man after editorial decided it made more sense for Peter Parker to make a deal with the devil rather than get a divorce, but Dan Slott’s writing has made this series impossible to ignore. “Ends Of The Earth” pits Spider-Man against a never-been-scarier Doctor Octopus at the head of a reformed Sinister Six, and I’m excited to see where it goes. Dan Slott has made Amazing Spider-Man into one of the most consistently entertaining titles on the superhero market, and if you’ve been waiting to pick it up, now’s a good time to start.
ROB: If you haven’t been reading Spidey for the last year or so you’ve been missing out on Marvel’s best book. Now with a newly amped Doc Ock and the Sinister Six poised to take of the world, this issue starts the next big Spider story and looks to be great. Seriously, pick this up, you won’t be disappointed.
STEPHEN: I skipped on Space Adventure, an Adventures in Space, but now that the Sinister Six are back and ready to kill Spider-Man before the movie arrives in theaters, I’m ready to read me some Spider-Man.
ZACH: Coming off a space rescue mission with Johnny Storm to save John Jameson, Spider-Man is about to step into the ring with the Sinister Six, even if he isn’t fully aware of it. This Ends of the Earth arc looks to bring up good fighty-fighty sequences, but knowing Dan Slott there will be an equally as good story to go along.
BATMAN #7
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Batman may have survived the Court of Owls’ first strike (barely), but even as he recuperates, the Court is preparing to launch its most deadly and sweeping attack yet. Plus: The secrets revealed in this issue will change Batman’s world forever! You won’t want to miss the issue everyone will be talking about!
STEPHEN: I almost gave up on this series, but Scott Snyder reassured me that the story is has planned is going to be huge and have repercussions in the New 52 for years to come. This is by far the best Batman book that DC is putting out right now.
BATMAN BEYOND UNLIMITED #2
Writer: Adam Beechen
Artist: Norm Breyfogle
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: The excitement continues in this oversized title chronicling the adventures in the Beyond Universe and making their print debut here!One of Batman’s most explosive villains is back! In an effort to regain his status in the criminal underworld, however, he loses the one thing he loves best…and now all of Gotham may pay the price!The new Justice League Beyond adventure continues, as the League goes in search of AWOL member Micron – who may or may not have gone native while investigating Kobra! A larger, darker secret is about to be revealed…and it could spell doom for Earth!
ROB: Issue one surprised me when it came out and to top it off it was good. The Beyond universe is a good, unique crossing between what the TV series was and what the normal comics could be and this title should keep more of that coming. If you enjoyed any of the DCAU, then do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
GHOSTBUSTERS #7
Writer: Erik Burnham
Artist: Dan Schoening
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: It’s a nasty case of possession by a greed-driven ghost, and one of the Ghostbusters is its new vessel! It’s a battle of wills on the mental plane in this latest issue of the hit ongoing Ghostbusters series!
ZACH: A Ghostbuster has become possessed in the midst of clearing out all things paranormal from a theme park. Seven issues into this ongoing series and it is still just as entertaining as issue one. Eric Burnham has a grasp for what makes the Ghostbusters franchise what it is and continues build upon it while taking it new places. I’m looking for the upcoming Ghostbusters’ road trip across the country.
HOW TO DRAW SCIFI POCKET MANGA
Publisher: Antarctic Press
Cover Price: $14.95
SOLICITATION: Do you dream of building a new future on the farthest-spanning reaches of your imagination, but feel like your art skills are somewhere in a black hole? Accept this 128-page mission to the final frontier of sci-fi art! Our intrepid captains of comicdom guide you through the furthest reaches of the possible, from spaceships and ray guns to alien life, other planets, strange stars, and galaxies! And with the latest in super-tech, we’ve miniaturized it to leave you more room and credits to get that new warp coil!
RODRIGO: I really didn’t understand the story with the individual issues. Maybe reading the trade will make things clearer.
INFESTATION 2 TMNT #2
Writer: Tristan Jones
Artist: Mark Torres
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: One of the Turtles have been taken by the things in the dark depths of the sewers, and it’s up to the other brothers to save him. To do so, they will have to navigate the labyrinthine passage ways of the lost sewers and do battle with mind-bending monstrosities. If they fail, not only will their brother be lost, but the entire world as well!
GEORGE: Last year’s IDW Infestation zombie mega-crossover left me underwhelmed, leading me to avoid Infestation 2. But I’ve been digging TMNT so much lately that when my local comic book guy snuck the first issue of the TMNT into my pull pile I did not complain. The result? A rewarding, fun book about the Ninja Turtles fighting Lovecraftian monsters from beyond. What’s not to like? My enjoyment of the first issue wasn’t dependent on any awareness of the outside crossover, and I’m straight digging this sojourn into eldritch horror territory. Pretty art, too.
ROB: The first issue was rather good and the whole C’thulian invasion is just a fun concept for these guys to face. I am certainly going to enjoy watching the Turtles kick some Elder God butt.
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #514
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Salvador Larroca
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION:
• Tony Stark Is Called Out For His Actions During Fear Itself!
• The Mandarin On American Soil!
• Has Bethany Cabe Found The Mole Or Has The Mole Found Bethany Cabe?
MATTHEW: Last issue impressed me on two fronts, as War Machine stepped in on behalf of the military to take Iron Man into custody, while Stane & Mandarin assembled an army of updated Iron Man villains (a deadly dozen including Firepower, Crimson Dynamo, Titanium Man, and the new versions of Firebrand and the Melter) to really mess with Tony Stark’s head. There’s a momentum in the book again after the enervating endless crossover that was Fear Itself, and Iron Man is once again one of my favorite monthly books.
JUSTICE LEAGUE #7
Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencillers: Gary Frank and Gene Ha
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Now that the team’s origin story is complete, starting with this issue we shift to the present-day Justice League! What has changed? Who has joined the team since? Featuring artwork by Gene Ha, the story also reintroduces the team’s greatest champion: Steve Trevor!Also starting in this issue: “The Curse of Shazam!” featuring a story by Geoff Johns and art by Gary Frank! Discover Billy Batson’s place in DC Comics – The New 52 as we reveal his all-new origin story!
JIMMY: With the series of reveals in the last issue, I’m quite curious to see where this title’s going. I haven’t read the solicits, but my impression from relaunch news was that after the first story arc we’d be seeing the heroes in the present day, so I am wondering if that will be the case or not. If you haven’t been reading Justice League, I’m sure this will be a good jumping on point.
STEPHEN: Wait, the defeated Darkseid in just one issue? See what happens when I don’t read comics on New Comic Book Day? Though I’m going to have go back and read an issue (or two), I still look forward to this issue when it lands on my digital doorstep.
KICK-ASS 2 #7
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: John Romita
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION:
• The brutal extra-sized finale of the best comic ever!
• Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl square off against the Motherf*cker and Mother Russia!
• Can they put a stop to the rampaging Toxic Mega C*nts?
MATTHEW: More Hit-Girl is never a bad thing, and even though some have issues with JR Jr’s art, I happen to enjoy the heck out of it. My only caveat? If Red Mist survives this issue, I’m NOT coming back for the (inevitable) Kick-Ass 3…
RAGEMOOR #1
Writer: Jan Strnad
Artist: Richard Corben
Cover Artist: Richard Corben
Price: $3.50
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
SOLICITATION: Ragemoor! A living castle, nurtured on pagan blood, harborer to deadly monsters! A fortress possessed of its own will and ability to change itself, with the power to add and destroy rooms and to grow without the help of any human hand. Its owner is mad with jealously, its servants aren’t human, and its secret’s horrific!
BRUCE: The trope of the house-as-living-thing is one we haven’t seen much recently, so this is an old idea ready for a fresh new take. A castle born of the blood of pagan sacrifice can only lead to horror for its inhabitants and I think Ragemoor looks like a creepy and fun journey into madness. The black and white art on this book reminds me a bit of the old 70s Creepy and Eerie books from Warren, and that’s a good thing.
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #7
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artist: Kenneth Rocafort
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Red Hood is convinced that the super assassin Essence set him up in his battle against the Untitled…and Arsenal and Starfire are prepared to help him get some payback! Plus: The trio learn that the super-villain known as Crux might be a kindred spirit after all! And the murderous Suzie Shu waits in the wings for her revenge!
JIMMY: Of all the books of the relaunch, this was probably the most vilified initially, and in my mind the one to best prove the general public wrong. I have greatly enjoyed this title–of the many books Scott Lobdell’s writing, it’s definitely my favorite, and I love Rocafort’s artwork.
ROCKETEER ADVENTURES Volume 2 #1
Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: The second volume of Dave Stevens’ Rocketeer blasts off with an all-new selection of great stories by some of the best in the biz! This issue starts off with a bang as Cliff finds himself in a dogfight, followed by a screening of everyone’s favorite cartoon character, and ending on a high-note with a lovely and somewhat familiar story—plus a gorgeous pin-up by Arthur Adams! That’s 25—count ’em, TWO FIVE—pages of topnotch comics!
RODRIGO: This is where that part of my brain goes “You know? the more Rocketeer stuff they put out, the more likely they are to screw up the franchise” But then there’s that other part of my brain that’s like “Hey Look! More Rocketeer!”
STEPHEN: This is where that part of my brain goes “You…” dammit, Rodrigo!
SUPERCROOKS #1
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Leinill Francis Yu
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: When The Market Is Flooded With Competition And The Authorities Are Always On Your Tail, What’s An All-American Supervillain To Do? Go To Spain, Of Course! From The Writer Who Brought You Kick-Ass And The Artist Of Secret Invasion Comes A New Series About A Team Of Superpowered Ne’er-Do-Wells Looking To Pull Off One Last Heist In The Land Of Bullfighting And Delicious Churros.
MATTHEW: The writing of Mark Millar often annoys me. Leinil Yu’s pencils nearly had me giving up New Avengers, which was one of my favorite titles at the time. Why am I looking forward to this book? I don’t know, but the previews I’ve seen are inriguing, and the group shot that serves as the cover to issue #1 is really striking. Maybe it’s lightning in a bottle, maybe I’m just a sucker for advertising, but this one looks like fun. (I sincerely hope it’s not just warmed-over ‘Wanted.’)
TINY TITANS #50
Writer: Franco
Artist: Art Baltazar
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: In this awesome 50th issue, questions are answered! Mysteries are solved! The Tiny Titans may be one step closer to becoming Super Heroes! This issue may change your life! Plus, it’s highly recommended by Franco’s mom!
JIMMY: One of my favorite comics comes to an end with Tiny Titans #50, and while it doesn’t quite have the same charm it did on day one, it’s still the best all-ages comic book on my market in my mind. If you are looking for an all-ages title for you and/or your kids, definitely go grab some trade paperbacks of Tiny Titans. They’re very reasonably priced on Amazon and I’m sure also at your local comic book shop.
WITCHBLADE #154
Writer: Tim Seeley
Artist: Diego Bernard and Fred Benes
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: “UNBALANCED PIECES”, Part Four
Sara Pezzini only wants to repay Cain Jorgonson by rescuing him, but the cult of the mysterious Fleshblade stands firmly in her way. The new creative team of TIM SEELEY (HACK/SLASH) and DIEGO BERNARD (The Man With No Name) continue their genre bending run on WITCHBLADE!
RODRIGO: This is where that part of my brain goes “You know? The more Witchblade stuff they put out, the more likely they are to screw up the franchise” But then there’s that other part of my brain that’s like “Dude, it’s Witchblade, what are they going to mess up?”
