IT’S NEW COMIC BOOK DAY!
But what to read?
Fortunately, the Major Spoilers Staff have comic book recommendations for you!
AMERICAN VAMPIRE SECOND CYCLE #7
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: The Cold War is heating up! It’s red buttons, nuclear silos and a race against destruction. Meanwhile, it’s launch time for Skinner and Calvin as these American Vampires venture to the deadliest of frontiers: space! The most epic arc of AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SECOND CYCLE continues!
GEORGE: Vampire space monkeys. The heart trembles.
ARCHIE VS PREDATOR #1
Writer: Alex De Campi
Artist: Fernando Ruiz, Rich Koslowski
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: America’s favorite teen meets the galaxy’s fiercest hunter! Archie and friends hit Costa Rica for Spring Break, where party games and beach games are soon replaced by the Most Dangerous Game! What mysterious attraction does the gang hold for the trophy-collecting Predator, and will the kids even realize they’re in danger before it claims them all?
CHRIS: Book of the week! I’ve read this thing three times and it is fun, hilarious and disturbingly violent and a joy every time. I never for a million years thought I’d be reading Archie books, but with Afterlife with Archie, Sabrina and this, I’m a fan. Highly suggested for those who love Archie and those that hate him. I’m the latter and still liked it.
GEORGE: Archie Meets the Punisher is one of my most favorite comics, so Archie Vs. Predator has some big shoes to fill. Personally, I’m hoping to see the Predator get defeated by a Jughead slathered in ground burger meat and ketchup.
MATTHEW: I’m just here to see Reggie Mantle get eviscerated…
STEPHEN: This was a fun book to read and review, and is certainly worth picking up if you want to see Archie once again subvert its own properties.
CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #2
Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Artist: Robert Hack
Publisher: Archie Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: On the eve of Sabrina’s sixteenth birthday, as she faces a choice that will determine her destiny as a half-witch/half-mortal, an unspeakable terror arrives in Greendale, and her name is… Madam Satan! At long last, the secret history of the Queen of Hell is revealed, as she sets her vengeful gaze upon the Spellman family. No one, especially those close to Sabrina, is safe, and very, very soon, the quiet streets of Greendale run red with blood…
CHRIS: Recommending not one but two Archie books! What is the world coming to? Just like Afterlife with Archie, Sabrina is a seriously creepy tale and a mature take on the character. Roberto Aguirre Sacasa is proving he can write an Archie book that will appeal to readers that would usually avoid these characters. I’m quite excited for this, especially after the long delay.
MATTHEW: The first issue of this series was good enough that even the long wait for #2 hasn’t killed my desire to read more…
CONVERGENCE BATMAN SHADOW OF THE BAT #1
Writer: Larry Hama
Artist: Philip Tan, Jason Paz
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: STARRING HEROES FROM ZERO HOUR! Fresh out of recovery from a broken back, Bruce Wayne infiltrates the organized crime underworld, but the outlaw sent to test his mettle is none other than Azrael!
CHRIS: “Who cares about Azrael Batman anymore?” is a question I recently heard. This guy, that’s who! Especially when he’s written by the man who created G.I. Joe. Sure, Azrael was a product of the nineties but crazy-armor Batman always has a place in my heart. Looking forward to this one.
CONVERGENCE JUSTICE LEAGUE INTL #1
Writer: Ron Marz
Artist: Mike Manley
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: STARRING HEROES FROM ZERO HOUR! Ted Kord, Martian Manhunter, Fire and Ice star as the levity of the JLI team collides with the severity of the world of Kingdom Come!
ROB: Convergence has been interesting so far and I’m in for the entire experience at this point, but this book seems the most likely to really grab my attention this week.
D4VE #3
Writer: Ryan Ferrier
Artist: Valentin Ramon.
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: The aliens initiate Phase 2 as D4VE’s life unravels from a performance review. Desperate to save 34RTH, D4VE tries to assemble his old crew.
CHRIS: Are you married, stuck in a rut, finding yourself bored and dealing with the same exact thing every day? Try all that while being a robot who has saved the world and used to be a badass. D4VE is hilarious in satirizing everyday life while including awesome alien fights. Great art, great story, great fun.
EI8HT #3 OF 5
Writer: Rafael Albuquerque & Mike Johnson
Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50
SOLICITATION: As Dr. Hamm and the black-ops soldier Collins try to survive in the prehistoric past, the fierce warrior Nila and the chrononaut Joshua attempt to convince the rebel council to take up arms against the Tyrant before he releases a dangerous scourge and wipes them all from the face of the Meld!
WAYNE: I’m enjoying this fascinating time-travel story that has twists and turns that keep me guessing. If you like creative sci-fi, don’t miss this title!
HEXED #9
Writer: Michael Alan Nelson
Artist: Dan Mora
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: New story arc! Forever at odds with the Harlot, Lucifer has always resisted being her heir. Now everything is changing, and Lucifer’s fate can only be altered by the most unlikely team-Raina and Bob.
WAYNE: This title is one of the most interesting on the stands today, and I love that it features two powerful women characters in conflict. This is the perfect time to start reading if you haven’t been into it so far!
LETTER 44 #15
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Alberto Alburquerque
Publisher: Oni Press
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: World War Three. Nine months have passed since US President Stephen Blades revealed to the world the existence of an alien presence in the asteroid belt. The planet has erupted into chaos, with sweeping social, economic and military upheaval touching every corner of the globe.
Nine months have passed since the crew of the Clarke was abducted by the alien visitors and brought aboard their moon-sized space station, the Chandelier. They have been living there ever since, not allowed to leave or communicate with Earth – but enough is enough. The time has come for answers.
GEORGE: Letter 44 is still good, but a few flashback issues, and a bit of narrative slack (possibly caused by Charles Soule’s insane work load) have sapped some of its early energy. This one promises answers, which will hopefully kick the plot back into gear.
SUPERIOR IRON MAN #7
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Laura Braga
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: While Stark’s wealth and influence is increasing across the globe, it could all still be undone by the ultimate betrayal. One of Tony’s closest friends is working against him. She can see what he is becoming and is determined to prevent him from slipping even further. The Superior Iron Man could end at the hands of… Pepper Potts!
ROB: Super-dick Tony Stark is the best Tony Stark. This book has been entertaining, Tony’s Face-Heel turn is great and seeing the title character as the villain has been fun.
THOR #7
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Russell Dauterman
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: THE BATTLE FOR THE HAMMER RAGES ON! BEHOLD, THE ALL-NEW THOR VS. THE UNSTOPPABLE MACHINE OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION THAT IS… THE DESTROYER. MOST VERILY, ‘TIS ‘NUFF SAID.
ROB: Aaron and Dauterman have been doing a great job. I like the look, I like the story, and most importantly, I really like the new Thor.
TOP 10 TP
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Zander Cannon, Gene Ha
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $24.99
SOLICITATION: In Neopolis’s Precinct 10, where every citizen has super powers, they are the law: A talking, armored dog. A genetically engineered “perfect woman.” A high-tech cowboy. A rookie with a toy box full of “helpers.” These are the cops of the Eisner Award-winning TOP 10. This new title collects the original 12-issue series in trade paperback for the first time.
MATTHEW: America’s Best Comics is sadly forgotten these days, but this series is probably the best balance of supers vs. cops ever done in comic-book form, and features the greatest character in many years, Joe Pi. Check it out, if only to see how they handle the JLA-analogues when it comes time to make arrests…
ZENITH: PHASE THREE
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Steve Yeowell
Publisher: Rebellion/2000AD
Cover Price: $25.00
SOLICITATION: The Lloigor have returned and once again threaten to destroy all reality. In order to stop them, Maximan of alternative Earth 23 has assembled an army of superheroes, including Zenith and ex-members of Cloud 9. They are tasked with travelling to “occupied” Earths and destroying them, in the hope of stopping others from falling. Despite the danger Zenith decides to tag along. After all, with his musical career and popularity on the wane, he really has nothing better to do.
WAYNE: It’s so great that this excellent series is being reprinted. Zenith is my favorite anti-hero, and he is quite a change compared to the heroes around him. Don’t miss it!
