New comics

An LCS that I go to occasionally (usually whenever they stock an issue my usual shop doesn't have) has a perpetual "Buy 2 TPBs get 1 free" sale.  This time around, they had enough for me to splurge: The first four trades of the Tom Taylor All-New Wolverine and the two Terry Moore Motor Girl collections.  I picked up the last two Wolverine trades used online.  (How are they already out of print?) 

All-New Wolverine 1-35

I've actually already read these online, so I knew they were good enough to pick up on sale.  Particularly the delightful issue 31, where Honey Badger and Deadpool take out an animal testing facility.  Zombie sloth!  Taylor is on point with this run, combining humor and heart with his usual skill.  Very happy to add this to my collection.

Motor Girl 1-10

At this point, I'm buying Terry Moore trades more out of habit than anything else.  The craft is always top notch, but the stories are rarely more than fine.  But he's worth supporting, so I don't really mind.

Catwoman 70

In a completely predictable move, I'm dropping this after two issues.  I was bored reading this, and there wasn't enough of the awesome new costume.  

Wonder Woman 15

When Tom King is on, he's on.  Even when he uses a gimmicky device like this issue's "Princesses jumping on the bed," he makes it arresting and a completely satisfying read.  I continue to worship Daniel Sampere's art.  The "Elysium" backup story is equally obvious with its repetitive nature, but again, it totally plays.  

Batman and Robin: Year One 2

Good enough to pick up for a second month, but not enough for me to put on my sub.  We'll see how much longer I go with this.  

Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter 5

Great main story, but the backup Aquaman story may have eclipsed it at this point.  Love the "Aquaman raised by the Kents" take.

Jupiter's Legacy: Finale 2

I'm only in this because I'm pot committed.  And maybe it'll read better in one go.  I've never been a Tommy Lee Edwards fan.  

Venom War: It's Jeff 1

It's always a delight to see Gurihiru in action, and nothing's cuter than Jeff.  But even Jeff can't make Venom interesting.  My daughter still loved it, though.

Ultimate Spider-Man 11

Still fun.  Still in.

Asgardians: Thor

I'm not sure if Greek myths are just better than the Norse ones, or if George O'Connor is just more inspired by the former.  I'll keep getting these because I believe O'Connor is worth supporting, but they're just not as good as the Olympian series.  I am looking forward to his interpretation of Ragnarok. 

New comics

New comics!

Plastic Man No More! 2-3

I thought this was going to be a redemptive story, Plastic Man pulling himself back together both literally and figuratively.  Instead, it’s about Eel O’Brian’s continuing downward trajectory as things just get worse and worse.  He’s constantly making bad choices, excusing them in the name of a greater purpose.  He’s lost his way, and while it makes for an interesting character study, it’s not that fun to read.  Great execution by Christopher Cantwell and Alex Lins, though.

Birds of Prey 12-15

Yes, yes, I dropped this because the story arc was crap.  Still true, but iFanboy gave the new arc a good review (starting w/ issue 14), and there was a sale at my LGS.  Man, I really hate the Worlds Without End arc.  But this new one is admittedly a lot better, so I might stick around for it, on a month-by-month basis.  

Absolute Superman 1

It’s funny-not-funny that the Absolute title I was most interested in (the only one I preordered) is the weakest one.  It doesn’t resonate the way the Wonder Woman and Batman comics do, but I trust Jason Aaron.  Though on second thought, his last Superman work was pretty horrible.  (Hate Bizarro!)  Going to give it at least another month.

Batman: Long Halloween: Last Halloween 2

Klaus Janson may be a legend, but his art does less than nothing for me.  I do not enjoy looking at it.  I’m inches away from cutting this.  The story is completely forgettable.  (Jeph Loeb has fallen so far in my estimation.)

DC vs Vampires: World War V 4

Another chapter in an entertaining story, but not much more to say.

Absolute Batman 2

This is so fun.  Nick Dragotta is channeling Dave Mazzucchelli, and Scott Snyder is at the top of his game.

Helen of Wyndhorn 6

Tom King and Bilquis Evely wrap up another super successful team up.  Beautifully drawn and written.  Only the framing story w/ the cassette tapes is an utter fail, and the ending is completely anticlimactic and disappointing.  

Batman: Dark Age 6

I think I read this more out of morbid fascination than anything else.  Mike Allred’s art is so compelling in its ugliness.  And the story by Mark Russell doesn’t suck.

Big Burn 2

Not as good as the first issue, but still entertaining.  And the final page reveal is obvious but effective at moving things along.

Aliens vs Avengers 1-2

This future dystopia is stunningly generic, and it’s Jonathan Hickman at his cold, emotionless worst.  Esad Ribic does what he can, and the Alien IP is strong, so I’m still in.

Rainbow Rowell She-Hulk

She-Hulk 1-15

Sensational She-Hulk 1-10

I picked up these five trades at my LCS’s annual Halloween sale.  Not sure why I didn’t pick up this Rainbow Rowell run while it was coming out, but I’m sure happy to have the opportunity to read it now.  This is delightful in every way, with a wonderful rotation of artists, each perfectly suited to capture She-Hulk’s power and sexiness.  

New comics

New comics!

Detective Comics 1090

So this is where Tom Taylor went after finishing off Nightwing.  And with Mikel Janin, most recently seen by me doing a drive-by on Wonder Woman.  Hopefully he stays longer than the one? two? issues he lasted that time.

Taylor kicks things off w/ a massive retcon; Thomas Wayne once saved Joe Chill’s life on the operation table.  Dun dun DUN!  Doesn’t feel necessary, but there’s no question of me sticking around.

Babs 3

A lot more fun than the previous issue, where I had dropped the title from my pull list.  (Too late to keep this from making it into my box.)  Not enough for me to bring it back, I think.

Zatanna: Bring Down the House 5

The plot’s been a bore for the entire story, but the character moments and art have sparkled throughout.  It averages out to an above average effort from Mariko Tamaki and Javier Rodriguez.

Absolute Wonder Woman 1

I’ve never heard of artist Hayden Sherman, but this is stunning work.  Kelly Thompson has me intrigued with this take on Diana, and the unanticipated Absolute line at DC is now two for two.  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3

Cliff Chiang is the next top shelf artist to draw this title.  It’s Leonardo’s turn for Jason Aaron’s treatment.  This is super fun.

Plastic Man No More! 1

Christopher Cantwell puts a human face on the happy go lucky hero, forcing him to deal with his mortality in a world where no one takes him seriously.  I don’t read all of Cantwell’s work, but I’m always impressed when I do.

Jenny Sparks 1-3

Not Tom King’s best work.  I’m not digging the “Captain Atom-as-immature-Doctor-Manhattan” hostage situation, and Jenny Sparks isn’t much more than an attitude right now.  At least this is a shorter series.