Major Spoilers Staff Picks for July 10, 2013

IT’S NEW COMIC BOOK DAY!

Are you prepared? No? Then Major Spoilers has you covered with a rundown of comics we are looking forward to this week.

ASTRO CITY #2
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Brent Anderson
Publisher: DC Comics/Vertigo
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: When the Honor Guard charges into battle, they’re not alone. They’re backed by a crack support staff, from researchers to threat assessment teams to hotline switchboard clerks. And when one young woman gets the job offer of a lifetime, it opens the way to a world of wonder, of possibilities-and possibly, the greatest mistake of her life. The return of the acclaimed series continues, with a closeup look at the humans behind the super humans.

MATTHEW: Better get used to seeing this one for a while. It’s a real treat to once again get Astro City stories set in the present, as the last decade or so have all been retro adventures. This book is good, shut up and go buy it, the end.

BATGIRL #22
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Fernando Pasarin, Jonathan Glapion
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: “Following the recent massive trauma she’s suffered, Barbara Gordon tries to move on with her life—without Batgirl!”

WAYNE: I’m glad I didn’t have to go too long without Ms. Simone’s writing on Batgirl. She understands the character and those around her like few others have, in my opinion. Can Barbara live without her cape and cowl? I don’t think so, otherwise they’ll have to change the name of this book to “Barbara Gordon!” Can’t wait to see what twists and turns are in store for us!

BATMAN #22
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, Rafael Albuquerque
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “The second chapter of “Zero Year” delves into Bruce Wayne’s past with the Red Hood Gang and his run-ins with aspiring District Attorney Harvey Dent! And in the backup story, a secret moment from Bruce’s training abroad is revealed for the first time!”

STEPHEN: This is most certainly one of the books I’m looking forward to this week.

WAYNE: I’ve often wondered by DC hadn’t explored the histories of Batman/Bruce Wayne and Gotham City. Well, Mrs. Snyder and Capullo (with others) are doing a great job of filling in some of the gaps in the history of both entities. This is the book of the week for me!

CHEW #35
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Rob Guillory
Publisher: Image Publishing
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION:
Dietary restrictions.

ROB: More Chew is always a good thing and with this ending the arc it should be extra entertaining as we take yet another step closer to the big conclusion.

ZACH: To be quite honest, I’m a few issues behind on Chew, which I feel ashamed about. Will have to read the previous three issues before I jump into 35. Layman and Guillory have taken the series to a notch that I never expected it to and is truly a wonderful reading experience.

DAREDEVIL #28
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Javier Rodriguez
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: There was one man young Daredevil feared and now Matt Murdock is representing him in court.The minor demons of Matt Murdock’s past lead to some Daredevil sized present problems.

ZACH: Mark Waid’s Daredevil work has been simply astonishing since he picked up the series two years ago. This issue seems like it will be a great place to jump on if you are wanting to read some Daredevil, but I do highly recommended going back and the last 27 issues eventually.

EAST OF WEST #4
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50
SOLICITATION: “THE PROMISE”
Flashback to the fallout of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Learn what shocking event tore them apart and the secret that has been hidden ever since.

GEORGE: I’m going to keep banging the drum for East of West. It’s got Hickman’s usual blend of big ideas with good storytelling, and Nick Dragotta’s art is a feast for the eyes. Plus, it’s got post-apocalyptic Western weirdness, allowing some dandy world-building. This is worth reading.

HAWKEYE #12
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Francesco Francavilla
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: The sleeper hit of 2012 is now the can’t miss book of 2013 (and probably the overhyped book you’re sick of people talking about in 2014!) Reeling from the events of the last issue, even Hawkeye wants to know what his new status quo is. Who’s with him? Who’s against him? Who’s trying to kill him and why? So many dang questions! And just when Clint’s rock bottom couldn’t arrive fast enough… “Then Came Barney”

MATTHEW: Last issue not only knocked my socks off in terms of storytelling chops, it left Clint Barton at his lowest point yet, with one friend dead, another gone and his dog gone with her. What now? It may make me a terrible person, but I’m psyched to find out…

ROB: It’s right there in the solicit, the “can’t miss book of 2013” and you know what, it’s earned that. Fraction’s Hawkeye is one of the best comics coming out and has pushed Clint into a character that I completely enjoy.

STEPHEN: The other book I’m looking forward to this week.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #22
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: TRINITY WAR, the action-mystery event of the summer, begins with a full-length epic adventure! The death of a hero ignites a violent war among the Justice Leagues! It’s League vs. League vs. League as an impending darkness approaches the DC Universe. But the truth behind it all will lead to an evil that threatens every hero on the planet. And what does the Secret Society of Super-Villains have to with this? Everything.

GEORGE: I actually love getting suckered into terrible, big-event crossovers.

KEVIN: Trinity War will be the first crossover series for DC Comics since Flashpoint. As much as I hate crossover events, I am glad DC Comics waited a long time before releasing a new one. The seeds for Trinity War have been spread throughout every comic for over a year, so this is a highly-anticipated event. I look forward to the mysteries revealed within this saga.

ROB: Trinity War is the big event DC has been teasing for more than a year, and surprisingly it looks pretty good. On top of this, after the Shazam issue (finally) bringing that story to a close, I’m curious as to what the new backup will be.

SHELTERED #1
Writer: Ed Brinson
Artist: Johnnie Christmas
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: A PRE-APOCALYPTIC TALE OF SURVIVAL AT ANY COST.The men and women of Safe Haven have been preparing for any-and-all end of world scenarios for years. However, their bunkers, weapons and training can’t save them from the one threat they never could have expected: Their own children.

ZACH: There have been a multitude of apocalyptic comics released in the last couple of years, but Sheltered is touted as a pre-apocalyptic tale. Which makes me think, “Aren’t all non-apocalyptic tales actually pre-apocalyptic?” I’ll consider that while reading this #1 on Wednesday.

SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #2
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Jim Lee, Scott Williams
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “The technological terrorists called Ascension are growing bolder with every attack, creating problems only can solve—and that’s with help from the world’s greatest detective, Batman! But the mystery that’s really got them both worried is the unknown figure that’s been shadowing Superman! And in this issue’s backup tale, Jimmy Olsen takes center stage as Metropolis reacts to an event that’s shaken the city to its core!”

WAYNE: I figured out how to open that fold-out in the first issue, and I enjoyed the story tremendously as well! Seeing the team of Snyder and Lee on the Man of Steel is pure pleasure for me, so I can’t wait for this next issue. Just who was that other “Superman,” anyway? I gotta know!

QUANTUM AND WOODY #1
Writer: James Asmus
Artist: Tom Fowler
Publisher: Valiant Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Once upon a time, Eric and Woody Henderson were inseparable. Adopted brothers. Best friends. Brilliant minds. Years later, they are estranged siblings, petty rivals, and washed-up failures. But when their father’s murder leads them into the throes of a life-altering scientific accident, Eric and Woody will find themselves with a whole new purpose – and a perfectly legitimate reason to wear costumes and fight crime. Go big or go home, folks! Quantum and Woody are coming! And the action-packed, zeitgeist-shredding exploitation stunt comic you demanded is here at last.

MATTHEW: Valiant has been pretty good about reviving their old properties with interesting new spins, but this is the first “VH-2” era book to get the old CPR. I’m cautiously optimistic about this one, but at the very least, train-wrecks can be fun.

YOUNG AVENGERS #7
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Jamie McKelvie
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: • Three months have passed for the Young Avengers. What have they been up to? Fun stuff, I’ll bet. The sort of “stuff” that makes an excellent super hero comic. THIS IS TRUTH WITH A CAPITAL EVERYTHING.
• A very important breakfast. A new Young Avenger. A selection of emotions.
• Oh – I bet you thought we forgot about those Skrulls from issue 1. We haven’t.

GEORGE: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single issue of Young Avengers. Gillen and McKelvie are doing something interesting with comics, and if you miss out on Young Avengers, you’re missing out on one of the most vital books on the stands.

ROBOT OVERLORD: YOU NOW HAVE A LIST OF BOOKS TO BUY THIS WEEK! CONSUME!