September 2006
Here are a few books for each week in September 2006 that I think will be worth OUR time and money (I want to emphasize that I will be purchasing everything I recommend with my own money. It keeps me objective and wary of possible comic crap-o-la):
September 6th:
American Splendor #1
(Vertigo Comics, $2.99)I'll admit that I had never heard of Harvey Pekar until the American Splendor movie came out, but I've been on the Pekar bandwagon ever since. I snatched up all of the American Splendor collections after seeing the film, and was surprised at what I found. Pekar is not a comedian, in fact most of his stories are sad, angry, tense, or just mundane. Sure, there's the occasional crackup story about his buddy who is obsessed with Revenge of the Nerds and White Castle, but for the most part American Splendor is just a glimpse into an ordinary guy's life. Some readers may be bored, but I find it fascinating. There are no forced "story-arcs" or any of those typical comic book devices. This is real life, all true stories that unfold as they actually occurred, not as the author or reader might want them too. Pekar's honesty is refreshing in an industry dominated by men in tights. Expect minimalist black and white art in this four issue mini-series. Also, get ready to break out your ID, it has a MATURE READERS warning.
Cross Bronx #1
(image Comics, $2.99)Michael Avon Oeming (Powers) and Ivan Brandon (NYC Mech) team up for this tale of the darker side of New York City. The story starts with detectives investigating a typical gangland murder case, but then things get weird as a sexy ghost named Santaria gets involved. The big questions are: Does Santaria practice Santeria? Does she have a crystal ball? If she had a million dollars, would she spend it all? If these questions mean nothing to you, your Long Beach citizenship is hereby revoked. Check out this great website promoting the series: http://www.hollowpalm.com/CB/
Wildcats: Worldstorm #1
(Wildstorm Comics, $2.99)As the summer winds down, Jim Lee (All Star Batman) is finally giving his baby, Wildstorm Comics, some much needed attention. The last great series to come from the Wildstorm Universe was Ed Brubaker's Sleeper, but that was almost a year ago now. Lee teams up with Grant Morrison (All Star Superman) to re-launch the company's flagship team book. I've never read previous incarnations of Wildcats, but with this creative team on board, I have to check it out. The only thing that scares me is the word "bimonthly." That usually means the first issue will be on time, the second issue will be two weeks late, the third issue will be six weeks late, etc. Please prove me wrong Wildstorm! All gripes aside, Morrison and Lee are living legends in the comic book biz so this book should be amazing.
September 13th:
Casanova #4
(Image Comics, $1.99)This book was a great surprise for me (kind of like Image's Emissary from last month). The premise looked intriguing so I thought, two bucks, what the heck, put it on my pull list. Casanova is an enjoyably trippy read. Imagine James Bond with a heavy dose of sci-fi. Oh, and the writer (Matt Fraction) and artist (Gabriel Ba) are doing 'shrooms the whole time (allegedly). What starts as a psychedelic hodgepodge, comes together in the end as a well crafted, beautifully drawn tale. I'll be sticking with this one for the long haul. Sorry kids, there's a MATURE READERS warning on this one too.
The Escapists #3
(Dark Horse Comics, $2.99)I am determined to figure out what this book is about before it comes out. Andy Serwin at Wizard magazine tries to sum it up in one sentence:
"This story finds wanna-be comic publisher Max trying to get his Escapist comic off the ground, but meanwhile, there's the 'actual' new and classic Escapist adventures that Max and his collaborator craft!"
Got it? I read that sentence ten times and still have no clue. I'm going on blind faith that Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man) will not let us down. Escapists #1 hits the stands soon at an introductory price of one buck.
Punisher War Journal #1
(Marvel Comics, $2.99)I was determined to avoid this book. I'm perfectly happy reading my Punisher trade paperbacks by Garth Ennis a couple times a year. I've always thought that the Punisher doesn't belong with the spandex crowd and works best when he's free to cuss and maim at will. Then I read Matt Fraction's Casanova #1, solid work. Then I saw Ariel Olivetti's (Last Avengers Story) teaser art in Marvel Previews, fantastic work. Olivetti draws a younger, prettier Punisher than Marvel's MAX version. Imagine Superman with a receding hairline. I'm interested in seeing Matt Fraction's (hopefully) twisted take on the Punisher's interaction with the regular Marvel Universe. One problem, isn't the Punisher in jail with Matt Murdock?
Thanks for the spoiler Marvel!
September 20th:
All Star Superman #6
(DC Comics, $2.99)After enjoying the heck out of the summer blockbuster Superman Returns, I feel compelled to include at least one Supes book this month. This is the best Superman comic on the shelves, maybe even the best comic period. Writer Grant Morrison (JLA) and artist Frank Quitely (New X-Men) continue to turn out brilliant stories. Every issue so far has a one-shot feel, so new readers can jump on at any point. Issue #6 will bring Clark Kent back to his earthly hometown, Smallville. If your comic book budget for September is only three bucks, buy this book.
Checkmate #6
(DC Comics, $2.99)Greg Rucka (The OMAC Project) was born to write spy books like Checkmate. If real world espionage is your bag, then you would love Rucka's work on Queen & Country. It's more complex than your average comic book, a bit like reading a Tom Clancy novel, but with pictures for people like us with short attention spans. Checkmate is Queen & Country with a few capes in the mix. Before this series started Rucka stated on Newsarama that it wouldn't be just like Q & C. But it is, and that's a good thing. Since Gotham Central ended, I'm pleased that DC is giving Rucka a creative outlet in the "real, but still a comic book" genre. The artwork by Jesus Saiz (The OMAC Project) is understated, perfect for the tone of Rucka's writing. Issue #6 would be a great jumping on point because it's the beginning of a new two-part story (featuring the Suicide Squad).
Civil War #5
(Marvel Comics, $2.99) You might be thinking, "That's just a big corporate crossover!" Yes, it is. I was skeptical about this event, but the core series is clicking for me. It looks like the Marvel Universe is in for some permanent changes (I'm using the term "permanent" loosely here). Some fans are freaking out about Spidey unmasking, Cap going underground, etc. I love all this stuff. Writer Mark Millar (The Ultimates) and artist Steven McNiven (New Avengers) are turning out a summer mini-series where things actually happen. Civil War is more than the usual event book that is jammed with nothing but Wolverine's "SNIKT!" and Spidey's "THWIP!" The Superhero Registration Act (otherwise known as the Patriot Act in the real world) is a fascinating topic and both sides are being given equal time, so far anyway. Joe Quesada (Marvel's EIC) promised there will be a clear winning side and a clear losing side. He wouldn't lie to us would he? Ok, maybe he would. It's still a terrific book.September 27th:
Captain America #22
(Marvel Comics, $2.99)A new arc for Cap! But it's a Civil War tie-in? Fear not, writer Ed Brubaker (Uncanny X-Men) knows what he's doing. His House of M crossover from last summer was the only one that worked. In the current series, Cap is in Europe battling Super-Nazis, so the book has been totally out of sync with Civil War. In September we'll finally get Brubaker's take on the whole Registration Act mess. For those of you who won't pick of this book because of the Bucky resurrection, here are a few names: Superman, Elektra, and Phoenix (all deader than doornails at some point). Pick up this issue and find out why Wizard Magazine called Captain America the best series of 2005.
Ultimate Iron Man, Vol. 1 TPB
(Marvel Comics, $14.99)To be honest, I'm not buying this book because I already own the "floppies." I know, I'm breaking my "I buy everything I recommend" rule, so feel free to send me a nasty e-mail. Acclaimed fantasy writer Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game) takes a break from writing novels to tell us about the formative years of a young, "ultimate" version of Tony Stark. I love how Card takes his time with the story, showing Tony's complex relationship with his parents and his boyhood friend, Jim Rhodes. We don't even see the full armor getup until the final issue. Andy Kubert (Ultimate X-Men) does a bang up job on pencils (even though Mark Bagley helps him finish issue #5). On the last page of the series Marvel promises a second volume from Card in 2006. I'm not holding my breath, but I will be rereading this brilliant mini-series this summer.
Ultimate Spider-Man #100
(Marvel Comics, $3.99) The first Ultimate book to reach #100! It happened so fast! Well, they do put out two books a month. I don't buy this book on a regular basis, but I will be checking in to see what Brian Michael Bendis (Alias) and Mark Bagley (The Pulse) have up their sleeves for their younger, goofier version of web-head. I like how the book makes no apologies for being lighthearted and fun. But four bucks?!? At 64 pages it's actually a pretty good deal.
Odds & Ends:
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier HC
(Wildstorm Comics, $29.99)We'll have to wait until October 25th for this advance-solicited title. If you saw the League's movie, you'll understand why writer Alan Moore (Watchmen) wants nothing to do with Hollywood. I can't stress enough that these books are NOTHING LIKE that steaming pile of a film. Black Dossier is the third installment in the series, so be sure to check out volumes one and two between now and October. The League series is classic Moore: witty, creepy, and innovative. The author takes literary characters from the past century and teams them up to thwart all sorts of evil plans. Kevin O'Neill's (Marshal Law) artwork has a vintage look that is a wonderful match for this period piece. This hardcover edition is loaded with bells and whistles, including a 3-D section complete with special glasses! This 208 pager will be well worth the thirty bucks.
Correction:
Apologies are due for calling DC's Creeper a villain. He is, in fact, a good guy, but in that vague way, like Vigilante, the Punisher, or Dick Cheney.Back in thirty!
Cory Johnsoncmjmusic@yahoo.com <TOP>