Zimm's 04/14 Pull List

Blackest Night is over, and Brightest Day is starting. Most likely, I won't be reading Brightest Day. Siege is almost over; however, I am interested in the aftermath that Marvel is going to leave us with after this one. Not much of a pull list, but here it is.

DC COMICS

• Brightest Day #0
• Flash #1 (Brightest Day)

MARVEL COMICS

• New Mutants #12 (X-Men Second Coming)
• Savage Axe of Ares #1
• Siege: Captain America #1
• Siege: Loki #1
• Siege: Young Avengers #1

Anyone have something that they could recommend? I'm running out of reading material.

Dark Reign

Zimm's Two Cents
Overall, I haven't been that thrilled with this series. I've been wanting more and been left waiting on something to happen. A number of stories show promise, but when I compare the overall story arc with that of Blackest Night, I simply do not find it as compelling.

With that said, Brian Bendis is one of my favorite writers, and he has no problem with taken his time in building up a story - which is one of the things that makes him great. While some writers will push to get to a particular point in the story, he allows it to build over time.

If you have kept up with the series, he has been developing two plots that I am keenly interested in, and as any good writer should, he knows when to finally throw out the tidbits or development of the story to give me what I have been waiting on. One is the confrontation between Phobia and his father, War, and the other is the battle of power between Osborn, Doom, and Loki.

While I have yet to read the stories, the simple pics and insights available at IGN are enough to keep me coming back for more. Check them out.....(click). The pics are posted below with links to each article.

My final thought:
While it is easy to read and accept that a hero has fallen into the status of a villain, it is sometimes harder for us to accept that a villain has actually grown into a hero. Brian's other stories have me waiting and wanting to see who has the strength to become a hero - a hero (I would hope) who always has to fight being a hero and not falling back into the easy life of being a villain.

Recommendation: Bendis has proven to tell some incredible stories - Pull.

Pulls and Drops

Adventure Comics #2
Superboy is back. Wonder Girl is having lunch with him. Lex Luthor is seen poking around in the shadows. This looks like it may turn into a good read. Pull

Action Comics #881
Not really enjoying this series. In fact, the only "Super" based story that I am slightly interested in is the "Suberboy" Adventure Comics. Drop.

Agents of Atlas #11
This this book still going on? I may need to research to see if it is up for cancellation yet. I dropped this book a while back and have seen no real reason to pick it back up. Stay Dropped

Blackest Night (#3 of 8)
By far, the best crossover this year. While I have peaked at the villain, the story still offers enough to keep me guessing on how everything is going to be resolved. Continue to Pull.

New Mutants #5
Okay, tad bit of favoritism here, which is why this one is on my Pull list; however, the first story-arc focused on Legion. Classic team with classic villain. Nice.

Outsiders #22
I picked up #21, and it left no interest in me reading #22. Good concept; however, I think the story is lacking a true 'overall' direction, which means it will stay dropped.

Red Robin #4
This has hinted at being a good book. My problem has been accepting Tim Drake as Red Robin. I enjoyed him as Robin, but now with him being Red Robin, everyone else is older. However, Ra's al Ghul is involved, which is always interesting when done right. This one is on the fence for me. I may pull 1 or 2 to see what I think.

Uncanny X-Men #515
I believe that this is the episode that Beast leaves the team to be part of another group. I haven't been that thrilled with the direction of the team for quite a while, so this stays on the Dropped list.

Robert Kirkman: Invincible

When this book was first suggested to me - oh so many years ago, I immediately dismissed it as a poor purchase that I would have to force myself through. Oh, how wrong I was. After reading the first few trade paperback, I thought that Robert Kirkman would run out of material or that he had reached the peak of the series. Again, I was wrong.

I have never picked up the actual comic book, but I have collected each of the trade paperbacks, and while other trade paperbacks were not a must read - each one of these has been. I guess if I was going to define the series, it would be Peter Parker's life with Superman's powers. (There is even a redhead girl who has the hots for him.) However, the story keeps getting better. Dysfunctional father villain/hero. Boss who is a friend / villain.

The book maintains a great cast of supporting characters, which Kirkman is perfect at intermingling (just enough) to build on the story. There is a point to everything that happens, and once you realize that, you enjoy the down times as much as the battle scenes.

As for the pencils, Ryan Ottley is great. I actually have grown to appreciate his style and will have to follow-up with Robert on what other books he has worked on. (I don't keep up on that kind of stuff.)

If you haven't read one, pick it up. If you have read several, keep reading. This is what comic books are supposed to be about. Heroes, villains, and way too much drama.

Invincible Trade Paperbacks - Pull.

Pull Strange #1 of 4

Robert once said (something to the effect) that the reason Doctor Fate and Doctor Strange did not maintain such long series is the fact that they could do anything. I disagreed and feel that there are always some great stories around these characters, they just need a good writer.

And since Strange is one of my all time favorite characters, here is hoping that Mark Waid has a good story to tell. So, here are few of the upcoming pulls that I want to add to my list.

• Strange #1 - Released Date November 2009
• Unveiling R.E.B.E.L.S. Annual: Starro the Conqueror - Release October 2009
• Teen Titans #78 - Okay, I dropped this series already.....but it ties into Blackest Night. (I'm such a sucker.)
• Daredevil - Now that he is in charge of the Hand, I'm curious.

However, a definitive pass on the X-Babies.

Robert's Two Cents: I saw the Strange solicitation. It's going to be interesting at least to see Mark Waid take a crack at Dr. Strange. The problem is there is no peril to the character. Somehow magic can save the day.

That's an interesting take on Daredevil to say the least. We'll keep an eye on the situation.

Blackest Night: Nekron

Sometimes, the test of a good comic book is the ability to leverage previous characters, villains, and stories in a way that maintains the mythology of book and universe. While I haven't read the story, everything about choosing Nekron (see Wikipedia) as the main villain in Blackest Night fits perfectly. DC didn't create something new - they built upon what they had. This is going to be a fun ride.

A series worth reading, a trade worth keeping the in the library. This series keeps getting better and better.

Will Sinestro return as a Green Lantern? I don't have enough GL History knowledge to know, but in some ways, it would make sense - the way that this book is headed.

Fables TP - Volume 12

By far, one of my favorite non-superhero bases series to pick up. This is a definitive pull and addition to the graphic novel collection, and I can't wait to pick-it up. If you haven't read and/or heard of the series, give the book a chance. Its an enjoyable read.

I would, however, like to remind everyone that this is a book for mature readers. I didn't realize it at first, but after the second graphic novel, I learned my lesson.

Pulls and Drops

Okay, here are some of the things that I am looking at, considering, and tired of....

Pulls

• War of Kings - I am enjoing this entire War of Kings galactic battle. It is no where near as good as the Blackest Night, but it does prove that 'galactic battle's can be fun. Besides, Marvel has been carrying this intergalactic turmoil for several years now.
• Thunderbolts - I tend to read more 'team books', and this one screams dysfunctional team.
• Dark Reign Young Avengers - I missed this one, and the title alone sounds fun. Sometimes I am such a sucker. (Robert: Read it. It's written by Paul Cornell of Doctor Who and Captain Britain and MI-13 fame)
  

Drops

• Superman & Batman - Stories don't appear to be holding up. I love the concept of Superman and Batman teaming up, but you still need descent stories to carry the series.
• Deadpool - How long can someone read about a guy that can't be killed?
• Dark Reign Sinister Spider-Man - Venom doesn't interest me. Sorry.
• Teen Titans - No Robin or Nightwing....No Titans. I may still take some peeks, as some of the characters are interesting.

Ender's Game & Ender's Shadow

Marvel has put one of my top five books (of all times) - Ender's Game - into a comic book mini-series. These books will be accompanied with a mini-series of Ender's Shadow - which was an excellent supplemental to the original Ender's Game.

I was originally hesitant about picking up one of these, but I couldn't resist. I grabbed one and was incredibly pleased. The comic followed the book, and I was pleased with the artist depection of the the characters.

With that said, put this series on your PULL list. (OR at least wait for them to be consolidated into a graphic novel and ensure that it is part of your collection.)

Batman and Robin 2

Classic logo with a classic picture of Robin in trouble and Batman trying to get to him. I would recommend that everyone give this series a chance. This series, within one issue, has jumped to the top of my pull list.

Robert: I think Batman & Robin may be the best new series of 2009. That will partially depend on whether Frank Quitely can complete arcs on the art. Different artists working on a single arc was one of my biggest issues with their run on New X-Men. So far in one issue, I love it! I can't wait to get my hands on #2.

Pulls and Drops for 04/22/09

Legend

• Pulls = Bolded in Green
• Drops = Bolded in Red
• Should I start reading? = Blue

DC COMICS
AZRAEL DEATHS DARK KNIGHT #2 (OF 3)
BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL ARKHAM #1
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD#4
DETECTIVE COMICS #853
EX MACHINA #41 (MR)
HELLBLAZER #254 (MR)
JACK OF FABLES #33 (MR)
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #32
OUTSIDERS #17
SCALPED #28 (MR)
SGT ROCK THE LOST BATTALION #5 (OF 6)
SUPERGIRL #40
TRINITY #47
WAR THAT TIME FORGOT #12 (OF 12)
WILDCATS #10

MARVEL COMICS
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #592
ASTONISHING X-MEN #29
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #23
DAREDEVIL #118
DARK REIGN ELEKTRA #2 (OF 5)
FANTASTIC FORCE #1 (OF 5) = What is this????
GHOST RIDER #34
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #13 = Still debating this one.
HULK #11
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #25
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #128
MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #47
MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #1 (OF 4)
MARVELS EYE OF CAMERA #5 (OF 6)
MIGHTY AVENGERS #24
NEW AVENGERS #52
SKRULL KILL KREW #1 (OF 5)
THOR #601 = Something needs to happen
WOLVERINE ANNIVERSARY
WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #14
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #35
X-FORCE #14
X-MEN TIMES AND LIFE OF LUCASBISHOP #3 (OF 3)

Pull List

OK, I do have one recent addition to my pull list:

Warlord - This is a revival of the Warlord Series by Mike Grell from the 70s/80s.

While not a direct continuation of the original series, Mike Grell isn't throwing out any of the continuity of the original series. At the same time, he's not tying himself down with any of it either. This will pick up several years later and allow the uninitiated to catch up with the long time fans of the book.

I've read part of the original series and love Mike's artwork on the 70s Legion of Super Heroes. He also wrote/drew the Green Arrow series in the 80s.

Mike Grell's other creation Jon Sable had a short lived TV series with one claim to fame, it introduced Rene Russo to the world as an actress. (Actually it has two. Gene Simmons appears as Sable in the intro to the series. You can't quite make him out, but he's there. Apparently Gene was a huge fan and wanted to be in the series, but ABC asked him to step out of the role.).

Issue 1 will be in stores in April and issue 2 will be available in May.

If you enjoy Warlord, you may also enjoy these books by Mike Grell:





Also, there is the Sable novel written by Mike Grell which retells/updates his origin:


Oh, yeah before I forget, he's also drawing a web comic over on Comic Mix called the Pilgrim. I haven't read it yet, but I'm betting it's pretty good. You can read more about it here.

Robert's Commentary on Zimm's Pull/Drop List

I started off adding this to Zimm's list and then when I started my rant, I decided this was probably a separate post.

Robert's Two Cents:
I've already cleaned up my pull list, so I don't really have a list, so I'm going to comment on Zimm's.
PULLS

• Green Lantern & Green Lantern Corps - I gave Geoff Johns and friends a chance. I followed as long as I could stand it and had to give it up. I tried to follow in trade, but they were coming out so erratically, that didn't really work.
  
• Dark Reign - Sorry! Already suffering crossoveritis. I've already dropped the vast majority of my Marvel comics and I've bought over $100 worth of Marvel per month for years.
• Justice Society - Who's writing JSA these days? I'm not that big of a fan of Geoff Johns work. He's talented as hell. I've just lost interest in super hero action books. I need something more. Like Umbrella Academy. I liked the first half of the previous run titled JSA.
  

DROPS

• Most of the X-Men Titles - Sadly, I've already dropped these, except Warren Ellis' Astonishing X-Men. I've been buying the X-Men since I was 14 (somewhere in the 220's) and had read them long before that. I have the complete run going back to the first Dave Cockrum run on the book up through some time last year. T00 bad! I really used to love the X-Men.
  
• JLA - Not really reading it, but I think it's still being written by Dwayne McDuffie. McDuffie's one of the greats who made the Justice League cartoon as wonderful as it was. I think the cartoon only got better when they took the focus away from the big three and would expect the same of his comics work. The only reason I'm not buying it is because I quit caring about the DC Universe somewhere in one of the recent Crisis crossovers. Which ever one led into 52. (Update: OK, I stand corrected, Zimm doesn't like it because it doesn't have Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.)
  
• Iron Man and War Machine - Been dropped since before Civil War. I wasn't feeling the whole Warren Ellis/Extremis thing. Plus the book was coming out so irregularly. Iron Man, as a comic, barely keeps my attention most of the time, so I was lost until I found all the issues after Extremis and read the whole story.
  
• Batman/Superman - Well, personally, in it's original form, while in continuity, I personally treated it kinda like All Star Superman. It was kinda its own thing. It was fun. Personally I dropped it shortly after Jeph Loeb left the book. Which is interesting in its own right. What most of the ongoing Superman titles are missing 90% of the time is fun.
  
• Moon Knight - Don't go pinning that on me. You noticed something was wrong. I just pointed out the writer change. Too bad too! And according to this article, it's all Bernie Mac's fault (God rest his soul!). Texeira art on a Moon Knight book is a good thing.
  

Additional Commentary: Geoff Johns is a talented writer and does straight forward super hero action books like no one else. This is a good thing, but I feel I've already read the best he can do and if his name's on a book, I'll pass it by. I appreciate him getting the classic Legion of Super Heroes back into existence and will be checking out the Adventure Comics series.

My reasons for not being interested in Geoff Johns' books are exactly the reasons Zimm likes them. They're straight forward super hero action. It's kinda like the conversation we were having about the Watchmen the other day. Zimm doesn't really like it and I do. I'm not a raving crazy fanatic about it, but I like it. There's a lot to it. Zimm wants a story he can relax, read, and just go with the flow. I think he's more of a the "cigar is a cigar" reader and I'm typically looking for the meaning behind the cigar. I get it and he's right about that. I also [originally] suspect this is part of the reason he doesn't like the current JLA run, Dwayne McDuffie doesn't just write straight forward stuff. His stuff is much deeper.

So, now I'm a bit surprised in retrospect that he enjoyed Y the Last Man (or he was lying to not hurt my feelings, which I appreciate). BKV (or Brian K. Vaughnn) is anything but a straight forward writer. Which reminds me, Zimm, are you watching Lost? (Zimm is watching Lost and enjoying it.)

Part of the reason I will follow Geoff Johns' Legion work is his love of Silver Age comics is obvious. The classic LSH book from the 60s/70s was the first super hero stuff I bought on a regular basis. They were being rereleased in digest form in the early 80s and I was able to pick one up a month at the local grocery store. So I know he will treat the characters with respect just as he does with the JSA, GL, and Superman. Actually I think a world where Geoff Johns isn't writing at least one Superman book a month is a sad world to live in. Superman is one of the characters with whom (did I use whom correctly?) a Geoff Johns style writer should always be involved.

The next comic series I bought on a regular basis was GI Joe, written by Larry Hama. Larry Hama GI Joe in the 80s was one of the best written ongoing series around. One fo the things I think is wrong with the X-Men now is Marvel realized it was their meal ticket and they should be paying attention to what is being done with the book. This is also one of the reasons, almost everything we've seen out of the X-Office has been a retread of the 80s and early 90s, including Grant Morrison and Joss Whedon's runs. It's why I'm surprised Warren Ellis' run is happening. He's the last guy you'd expect Marvel Corporate to want writing an X-Men book.

Additional thought: I guess I can see where Y might be read as a straight cigar is a cigar story. Whereas something like Watchmen or Promethea, really probably can't.

BTW, Zimm, the "Little Witch" says Hi and thank you and Jamie for Winker (the cat you guys sent for her birthday).