Dean’s Picks

Best From The Past Week: Batman #25 – I really, really love this story again.  Now that we’ve moved beyond the part of Zero Year that directly “conflicted” with 1987’s Year One, and older guy like me can just enjoy this as an outstanding Batman story.  I’m amazed that Scott Snyder is able to keep churning out these creepy Batman stories without it getting old.  Dr. Death!  Buy that guy some dental floss!  Greg Capullo and the rest of the art team are amazing.  They’re producing a monthly comic that is better than most of the guys who need a break every 3 months.

Most Anticipated:

1. The Wake #5 – We were left with a bit of a cliffhanger last time as it seemed like the monsters had brought a BIG friend.  Can’t wait to see if that final drawing was to scale or if it was just some sort of optical illusion.  The Snyder/Sean Murphy team-up is just so powerful.  Also, if you’re a big Sean Murphy fan, don’t miss his Kickstarter.

2. Avengers #23 – There are only a few issues left in the Infinity event.  Often events are starting to fall apart by this stage, but Infinity is staying strong.  I’m really rooting for it.

3. Rachel Rising #21 – The last few issues of RR have really given the story a jolt of forward momentum.  It has always been a good, thoughtful book.  Now I think I have a sense of the stakes involved and how all the players fit together.  If you haven’t been reading this in issues, be sure to pick it up digitally or in trade.

4. Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #23 – I honestly didn’t LOVE the first issue of the Dark Cybertron event, but that was a special issue that combined writers and artists.  I’m hopeful that a return to our favorite passengers of the Lost Light will bring the magic.

5. Sheltered #5 – Here’s an under-the-radar book.  I think Sheltered is really good.  It’s kinda a story of a post-apocalypse without having a superflu, zombies, etc.  It’s just kids on their own in the wilds.

 

Hugo’s Pick

Best From The Past Week: Superior Foes of Spider-Man #5 – This is the kind of comics that I love to read. It’s funny, it’s not scared to mock itself and to make its character act like jerks and losers without making the unlovable and the art is especially nice and even experimental at times. This is one of the gem published by Marvel right now and Nick Spencer, Steve Lieber and Rachelle Rosenberg should be proud of this fun series they are working on. With such an excellent issue, I know I am looking forward to the next one already.

Most anticipated this week:

1. Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #23 – The beginning of this crossover wasn’t the very best, but it did serve its purpose in setting up the story and characters. I believe that this issue can now make it progress, as John Barber and James Roberts can surely bring their originality and energy to make this memorable. I am very eager to see if they can prove me right.

2. Avengers #23 – The latest issue was kind of a bore, yet I am kind of naive and optimistic, as Jonathan Hickman supposedly shows the way the Avengers gets back on Earth with the help of the Galactic Council and their huge armada of spaceships. The cosmic enthusiast in me, along with the art of Leinil Francis Yu makes me hopeful for this one. I do hope they’ll prove me right as this is the very last issue before Infinity reaches its finale.

3. X-Men Legacy #20 – The latest issue was pretty great conceptually, with some neat moments being thrown in along with the unusual artistic approach. This issue is supposed to be the follow-up and the conclusion of how David is dealt with by S.W.O.R.D. and Aarkus. I don’t know if Simon Spurrier will be able to bring the same quality of the previous issue, but I sincerely hope so.

4. X-O Manowar #19 – This series is pretty great usually. While there have been some up and downs, the general approach to characters and concept is usually dealt with care, as Aric of Darcia is a surprisingly fun protagonist to follow. With this issue dealing with the events of Unity, I know I want to find out if this will end up being a high or low for this series.

5. Sex Criminals #3 – I rather like Matt Fraction. He can sometimes be way out of his depths when he write super hero comics, with his run on Uncanny X-Men and The Mighty Thor being pretty good example of him being put on something not suited for him, yet there are also a lot of instances where he just shines. Casanova, The Immortal Iron Fist, The Invincible Iron Man, those are great comics coming from him. I liked the two previous issues, but I’m still unsure where this series could end up. I guess I’ll have to find out this week as he and Chip Zdarsky shows us more of this crazy sex comedy.

 

Grade

Conclusion