Comic Books… I Read Them – Week of July 15th
Hi! I’m Nelson, co-host of EPIC PIEcast! It’s a monthly podcast here on Nerdy Show where I get together with my pals Schaffer the Darklord and Charles Stunning to talk about nerd stuff. I love comics, so it’s only right that I could re-cap my noteworthy reads of the week. Right? Right. Let’s do this.
Dark Horse
Brain Boy: The Men from G.E.S.T.A.L.T. #3 :: What can I say? This book overall kinda has everything. Super powered hijinks, over-the-top adventure, goof-ball humor and just enough ridiculous super-science to keep you guessing. Fred Van Lente has a great story to tell and it’s only getting better with each issue. This issue however, feels like a filler story. No real resolutions, or any new information per se, but there’s stuff going on here that I get will pay off very soon. This is only issue three of volume two, go back and read them all. BUY IT!
DC
Batman Eternal #15 :: They should re-name this title, Batman and the Case of a Thousand Sub-Plots. I am becoming increasingly worried that the writers have no idea where this story is heading, nor do they know how it’s going to end. Magic, nano bots, mob war, framed commissioner, one-panel villains, the entire Bat-Family… is it possible for a comic book to “jump the shark”? There’s an over-arching narrative here – you just have to dig for it a bit. BORROW IT! (Or pre-order the first collected volume here)
New 52 Futures End #11 :: Another weekly book from DC that has about as many sub-plots as it’s had weekly books. A convoluted story with – and I’m not even sure how this is possible – too much exposition and not enough, all at the exact same time. Look, DC… for some reason you really, really want the character of Frankenstein to work. Let it go. Please. LEAVE IT!
Robin Rises: Omega #1 :: This is the action packed culmination of the year without Robin story line and it is fantastic. So much good stuff is jammed into this issue. A simple and direct story that has deep ramifications. It kicks off a story that, what I can only imagine will be the appearance of the new Robin that DC has been hinting at all year and I for one am very excited. BUY IT!
Teen Titans #1 :: This is a solid first issue and I couldn’t be happier. The team dynamic is well thought out and with almost no exposition you get, right away, who these people are and their role the group. The story is paced perfectly with the action and there is a clear history here that will hopefully get teased out in the run. There’s even some well placed social commentary. BUY IT!
IDW
Squidder #1 :: This is good. In fact, very good. I’ve heard it said that the Cthulhu mythos is overdone… and they’d be right. But this is a new take and a fresh perspective on this tired trope. This is an exciting read and it sets up a lot of world building and character history and it delivers it in an edge-of-your-seat kind of way. Ok Mr. Templesmith you have my attention – let’s see what you can do, because I’m looking forward to it. BUY IT!
Image
Rat Queens #7 :: If you are not reading Rat Queens you are missing out on one of the funniest, most intelligently written books to come along in a long time. This second chapter looks to be the start of a dark and spooky horror story line and yet it goes from funny, to serious, to tragic, to empowering and back again. These characters are infinitely relatable, and ridiculous, and and can’t wait to read more! BUY IT!
Marvel
Ms. Marvel #6 :: This book continues to be wonderful. Smart, funny, heartwarming, and it even manages to be packed with suspenseful action. The clever dialog is laugh-out-loud for me. More than just being progressive this book is a much needed breath of fresh air in the well worn “cape & tights” genre. In this issue we meet her arch-nemesis AND her mentor. All good stuff. BUY IT!
She-Hulk #6 :: This issue feels like filler and not in a good way. It’s not bad it just doesn’t resolve anything nor does it move anything forward. Also, the plot line that started in the last issue is just abandoned. Ron Wimberly’s art is… distracting. It’s not bad, but I don’t think he draws the same people, in the same way, twice in this issue… it’s distracting. I love the new She-Hulk but this issue just seems off to me. BORROW IT! (Or pre-order the first volume here)
