IT’S NEW COMIC BOOK DAY!
Major Spoilers runs down the comics we are looking forward to, and recommending, this week.
ASTRO CITY #4
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Brent Anderson
Publisher: Vertigo/DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Mattie Sullivan isn’t a super hero or a villain—she uses her telekinetic powers to do special effects for movies and television. But when she’s forcibly “recruited” by a new criminal mastermind, Mattie faces a choice: Will she fight, or will she continue to stay on the sidelines? A look into the lives of super humans who’ve taken different paths, and how they manage.
GEORGE: The mini arc in the past two issues cemented the fact that Kurt Busiek’s Astro City has not lost a step during its absence. If you’re suffering from villain fatigue during Villain’s Month and hungering for some light in the darkness, you could do worse than check out Astro City.
MATTHEW: There may come a day where I’m not super-excited at the prospect of another issue of Astro City.
This ain’t that day, Faithful Spoilerites.
BRAIN BOY #1
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: R.B. Silva, Rob Lean
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: When the United States Secret Service needs to stop an assassination before the killer’s even decided to buy a gun, they call the world’s most powerful telepath: Matt Price, a.k.a. Brain Boy. But when the secret agent that can read anyone’s mind finds that a powerful psychic network has been hidden from him, Brain Boy begins to wonder whether he knows everything or nothing at all!
MATTHEW: You may not have heard of Matt Price, Brain Boy, but his adventures are some of the most literate and unusual of the Silver Age of Comics. Though that rotten Zach already reviewed this for the podcast, I’m looking forward to seeing his return…
DEADPOOL #16
Writer: Gerry Duggan & Brian Posehn
Artist: Declan Shalvey
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY part 2!
• In the heart of the enemy’s clutches, Deadpool meets some uncanny friends…
• Captain America & Wolverine get sucked into the mystery of Deadpool’s past.
GEORGE: I’ve been digging the Duggan & Posehn Deadpool since its inception, but at times it trended too much towards the goofy side. I like my Deadpool with a hint of a soul and sadness underneath all the chimichanga jokes and Bea Arthur references. In the latest arc, it looks like D&P are beginning to explore that side of this misunderstood character – and are totally nailing it. Having the superb Declan Shalvey on art is just the cherry on top.
FIVE WEAPONS MAKING THE GRADE TP
Writer: Jimmie Robinson
Artist: Jimmie Robinson
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $15.99
SOLICITATION:
13-year-old Tyler has a problem.
He’s a pacifist enrolled in a school for young assassins. His father is a legendary hitman but, worst of all, he has a secret that can get him killed. Tyler is optimistic because he has a unique weapon that nobody can beat-his razor sharp mind. An adventure that’ll keep you guessing to the very end!
MATTHEW: Though he lost me with the depravity of Bomb Queen, Jimmie Robinson draws and writes one hell of a story. I accidentally read one issue of this, and I’m really intrigued. Trying to talk Stephen into making it an MSP Trade Paperback review…
LOCKE & KEY ALPHA #1
Writer: Joe Hill
Artist: Gabriel Rodriguez
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $7.99
SOLICITATION: “Omega and Alpha,” part 1: In the second-to-the-last issue of Locke & Key, the damned and the saved alike will make their final stand in the Drowning Cave, in a clash of blood and fire. The shadows have never been darker and the end has never been closer. Turn the key and open the last door; it’s time to say goodbye.
ROB: We’re coming so close to the end of the series! The run has been phenomenal and I’ll be disappointed when it’s gone, but the last two issues should be amazing.
STEPHEN: I AM SO SAD THAT THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END! Still, this has been the best comic book run in recent memory, and there is no way I am missing out on this issue.
RED SONJA #3
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Walter Geovanni
Publisher: Dynamite
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Completely isolated and near the brink of death, Red Sonja reflects on her lifetime of blood and pain, where she questions even her right to survive. But even in these last moments of life, enemies from her past return to make sure her death is not a peaceful one!
ROB: I’m sad that this is the first chance I’ve had to get Red Sonja, but with my really light week I’m going to try and pick up the entire run. You can never go wrong with Gail Simone.
TMNT VILLAIN MICROSERIES #6 HUN
Writer: Mike Costa, Ben Epstein
Artist: Mike Henderson
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: As the new leader of the Purple Dragons, the villainous Hun joins the war in City Fall! He’s already making friends in high places and imposing his will on anyone who stands in his way! Hun’s past will devastate the Turtles’ future!
ROB: Turtles, yay! Still pulling in new characters to flesh out the rogue’s gallery, Hun is a fun choice. Since he’s only been shown on panel once, this issue should give us some significant insight as to what he’ll be in this format. Besides, we’re now one issue closer to Bebop and Rocksteady.
X-MEN #5
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: David Lopez
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION:
• BATTLE OF THE ATOM PART 3!
• The X-Men and Future X-Men pursue young Scott and Jean.
• Not all the X-Men agree that the All-New X-Men should be sent back.
• The cracks in the new all-female X-Men cast start to show.
GEORGE: Last week’s “Battle of the Atom” double salvo was the best crossover opening I’ve read in some time. This week we get to read the first non-Bendis entry in “Battle of the Atom,” but since Brian Wood has been handling X-Men capably, there should be no cause for concern.
