Another week of comic book goodness is upon us, and if you are looking for suggestions on what you should be reading this week, take the jump as the Major Spoilers Staff picks their favorites for the week!
A-BABIES VS X-BABIES
Writer: Skottie Young
Artist: Gurihiru
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: It’s the tie-in to end all tie-ins coming at you from the creative team of writer Skottie Young and Gurihiru. The Phoenix is coming…and bringing the babies with it in an all-out war! Find out whom amongst the teams will live, who will die, and who will succumb to diaper rash.
GEORGE: I’m a sucker for the X-Babies ever since I somehow stumbled onto a copy of Uncanny X-Men Annual #12. They tend to be ridiculous, stupid fun, and I love goofy one-shots like Shame Itself and Wha… Huh? that poke fun at the overblown nature of superhero comics. The Avengers vs. X-Men story has plenty of satirical potential for Skottie Young to skewer.
BATWOMAN #13
Writer: J.H. Williams III
Artist: J.H. Williams III
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Batwoman and Wonder Woman team up to fight Medusa! Batwoman and Wonder Woman team up to fight Medusa! (We’re so excited we had to say it twice!)
JIMMY: When Batwoman is being drawn by J.H. Williams III it always makes it to the top of my list. The last few months we’ve been treated to his insane talent for storytelling through art, and this month promises to continue that trend. If you missed Batwoman #12, please go pick it up and then get this issue–you won’t regret it.
BEFORE WATCHMEN MINUTEMEN #4
Writer: Darwyn Cooke
Artist: Darwyn Cooke
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “You tell them, Hollis. Tell them all what they did to us!” And don’t miss the latest sensational chapter of the CRIMSON CORSAIR, from writer and artist JOHN HIGGINS.
ROB: To say I’ve been surprised at how good the Before Watchmen series has been is an understatement. The entire run has been something of a far greater appeal and success than I imagined possible. And this, the Minutemen book, has been my favorite of the series. Cooke understands how to make a comic and pay homage, and since he is the creative team, that comes out even greater here.
BPRD 1948 #1
Writer: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi
Artist: Max Fiumara
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50
SOLICITATION: The Nazi occult bureau threatened to destroy the peace that followed the end of World War II. One year after the war, Professor Bruttenholm, guardian of the child Hellboy, enlisted a special task force to connect the dots between a series of massacres and a mad vampire nobleman. Now the B.P.R.D. launches an investigation of an atomic-fueled space-travel experiment that’s apparently unleashed horrific monsters in the Utah desert.
GEORGE: I do love me some B.P.R.D. The solicits for this look creepy as all get out. Arcudi hasn’t failed me yet, and Fiumara’s art looks great. With B.P.R.D. being so pulp-influenced, it always tickles me when its creators actually go back to that era to tell stories. This one promises to bring a bit of the Atomic Age to the usual Lovecraftian ongoings, which should add a little additional flavor.
RODRIGO: After years of being sorely disappointed I’ve finally trained myself to not just go out and buy a book because it has an awesome cover. Truly it is today that the greatest test of my mettle arrives.
CHEW #29
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Rob Guillory
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: “SPACE CAKES,” Part Four
On the trail of the vampire!
ROB: All these crazy food based powers, how is anyone still not reading this? Seriously, Layman and Guillory are both amazing at their jobs and this showcases that to an exceedingly well degree. Anytime you want to jump into this series is a good idea.
ZACH: It’s another issue of Chew and another $2.99 that I will happily pay.
CYBER FORCE #1
Writers: Marc Silvestri & Matt Hawkins
Artists: Khoi Pham & Sunny Gho
Publisher: Top Cow
Cover Price: FREE
SOLICITATION: TOP COW’S TOP-SELLING SERIES RETURNS IN A GROUND-BREAKING WAY!
Top Cow celebrates its 20th anniversary with the return of the series that started it all: CYBER FORCE! Top Cow founder MARC SILVESTRI (THE DARKNESS, INCREDIBLE HULK) returns to his first Image series as co-writer, art director and cover artist! Co-writer MATT HAWKINS (THINK TANK, LADY PENDRAGON) and artist KHOI PHAM (MIGHTY AVENGERS, DAREDEVIL) join SILVESTRI to bring you a contemporary re-imagining rooted in cutting edge, real world technology.
Carin Taylor, codenamed Velocity, has escaped from the CDI-controlled Millennium City and is desperately trying to find the one man she believes can help her prevent the end of the world. When she runs a group of other CDI escapees, will they help her… or turn their backs?
Not content in pushing the envelope just in terms of story and art, Top Cow will be the first major US comic publisher to launch one of their biggest properties with top tier creators concurrently for both the traditional print market and exploding worldwide digital market for FREE. That’s right: Thanks to the support of fans through Kickstarter and participating comic shops, you can get the first FIVE issues of CYBER FORCE at no cost.
STEPHEN: I backed this project on Kickstarter, so I’m interested in seeing how this turns out. I hope I don’t end up slapping my forehead and exlaiming, “I helped Kickstart this!?”
RODRIGO: After all the hullabaloo it’s going to be hard to pass this one up. Now, I’m not saying it’s going to be disappointing… but if it is I want to be there when I hear the collective forehead slap of the fans saying “We Kickstarted THIS!?” I’m sure it’ll be fine though.
ZACH: So apparently Cyber Force was around sometime in the 90’s, which obviously means it was awesome on an epic level, and now it’s back thanks to Kickstarter. But it’s not only back it’s free! That little word will make me read any comic.
FINDING GOSSAMYR #2
Writer: David Rodriguez
Artist: Sarah Ellerton
Publisher: Th3rd World Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Lost in the wondrous land of Gossamyr, Jenna and her brother Denny quickly realize that their presence has not gone unnoticed.
Dangerous creatures are on the hunt and the stranded siblings will have to count on new friends if they hope to survive in this new world.
JIMMY: I reviewed the first issue of this title for the Major Spoilers Podcast, and I was enthralled with the gorgeous artwork and intriguing story. The book looks like a Pixar movie, which is high praise. After issue 1 I added it to my pull list, and I strongly recommend you order a copy at your LCS!
GODZILLA HALF CENTURY WAR #3
Writer/Artist: James Stokoe
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Welcome to Ghana, 1975. The criminal underworld has found a way to summon monsters and they’ve chosen the African country as a trial run for the first ever monster mash-up! A horde of kaiju are on the way and different military teams, each specifically trained to thwart each monster’s capabilities, enter the fray. During the chaos, Lieutenant Ota stumbles upon the source of the chaos!
RODRIGO: I don’t think people understand how difficult it is to write a compelling book involving Godzilla. This is worth the price of admission just to watch them try.
HAWKEYE #3
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: David Aja
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION:
What is the Vagabond Code?
Barton and Bishop mean Double the Hawkeye…and Double the trouble.
Fraction and Aja are back with a chase that will blow not only your mind, but several your ancestors’ minds as well.
MATTHEW: Fraction and Aja are doing a really awesome job with Hawkeye’s solo series, setting him apart from the Marvel Universe while centering him in it, and also never forgetting that many people only really know him from the Avengers movie. It’s a nice change of pace from the usual endless “AIIIIIIIIEEEE!” that is the Marvel Universe, and using Teen Hawkeye as a foil for Clint’s madness has me impressed. I’m in for the long haul, something I hope this book has.
ROB: Hawkeye has been a surprisingly good read, but with Fraction at the helm I don’t know why I’m so surprised. Now with twice the title character we are in for a great series that I plan on picking up for quite some time. Besides, who doesn’t want more of Aja’s work?
LOOKOUTS #2
Writer: Ben McCool
Artist: Robb Mommaerts
Publisher: Cryptozoic
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: What men must know, a boy must learn. Based on a property by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, the creative minds behind the wildly popular Penny Arcade webcomic. This fantastic tale introduces the world of the Lookouts. Follow these young adventurers as they learn to master the perilous and enchanted Eyrewood forest, where wonder and danger exist in equal measure.
ZACH: Lookouts was first created by the minds over at Penny Arcade, but Cryptozoic is the company dishing out the comic now and they are handling it marvelously. The story follows a group of Boy Scout type boys as they work to earn their merit badges in a mystical forest. It is a fun time with art that fits perfectly. Worth your money.
PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #2
Writer: Steve Darnall, Alex Ross
Artist: Jonathan Lau
Publisher Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: In “The Grand Illusion,” Peter Cannon heads to Japan on business, reflecting on how his act of rage unleashed a dragon upon the world and led this very private hero to become a very public celebrity. When he arrives in Tokyo, his more immediate concerns include fighting off a mysterious band of assailants—and coming face-to-fact with the mysterious, murderous Master Tiger!
MATTHEW: Thunderbolt #1 was interesting, and there is a lot of untapped potential in Pete Morisi’s most enduring creation, at least in my mind. I think many people only know him as “that guy who appeared with Blue Beetle in the Crisis trade paperback”, but the mysteries surrounding Peter Cannon may have legs. Given that Dynamite is prone to reviving properties with creators who love the material as much as we do, I have some hopes for the adventures of the Thunderbolt.
STAR WARS: AGENT OF THE EMPIRE – HARD TARGETS #1
Writer: John Ostrander
Artist: Davide Fabbri, Christian Dalla Vecchia, Wes Dzioba
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Jahan Cross returns to his homeworld of Alderaan for a celebration hosted by Bail Organa in honor of the current Count Dooku. But the situation turns deadly when an assassin kills the Count, and Cross finds himself working both sides of the intrigue!
Thus begins a new assignment for Cross—one that will tear at his loyalties, strain his friendships, and bring him into close contact with his own estranged father. All in a day’s work for Jahan Cross, Agent of the Empire!
• Guest-starring Princess Leia and Boba Fett!
• From Alderaan with love.
GEORGE: The first Agent of the Empire miniseries was plenty entertaining, so there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be too. Star Wars + James Bond is a pretty apt descriptor of what this whole series is about, so if you hate fun, stay away. And I know I will just loving seeing Count Dooku’s name repeatedly in print. One of George Lucas’s finest. Try saying it. Dooku. Dooku. Almost as fun as Boba Fett.
SWORD OF SORCERY #1
Writer: Christy Marx
Artist: Aaron Lopresti
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION:
• AMETHYST returns as this amazing new series begins!
• The good news: Amy Winston can transform into Princess Amaya, protector of Gemworld!
• The bad news: It seems her family wants to kill her!
• Plus: A backup story featuring the brutality of Beowulf!
MATTHEW: I was pleasantly surprised to find a sword-and-sorcery series in the works, and Amethyst is a character that I remember from my youth. While never my fave-rave, I think of her kind of the same way I think of Richie Rich: Clever at times, worth checking out, and best when drawn by Ernie Colon. I’m hoping this doesn’t tank like the recent war comics have, as it’s nice to have the option to read a Big Two book that isn’t all superheroics.
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #16
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Pepe Larraz
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: UNITED WE STAND CONCLUSION!
Will Miles become a member of the Ultimates?!
JIMMY: This is the moment UCSM has been building up to for a while now–do or die time with Miles Morales and the Ultimates! Will Spidey go corporate? How will this tie in to United We Stand and the fact that Captain America (who has been known to turn a cold shoulder to Miles) is President of the United States now? I don’t know, but I’m eager to find out!
