Pick Of My Pile for the weeks of 2-18 and 2-25

Hello Chums,

How about a few picks?

My purchases for the week of 2-18 (there's not many of them):

Marvel:

Uncanny X-Men #506. The Beast and Angel are on a mission in Japan, meanwhile Colossus is up against someone from his past.

Wildstorm:

The X-Files #4. The conclusion to a two part clone story.

DDP:

The Zombies That Ate The World #1 (of 8). This is a reprint of the Guy Davis story that originally appeared in Metal Hurlant.

The Pick Of My Pile this week is The Zombies That Ate The World #1. This limited series is off to a very good start.

Week of 2-25:

Marvel:

Marvels Eye Of The Camera #4 (of 6). Phil Sheldon continues his last (? cancer) trek through the beginning of the Marvel universe.

The New Avengers #50. The New and improved Avengers battle The Hood's crew.

The Incredible Hercules #126. This double sized issue features the (Marvel) origin of Hercules.

Stephan King - The Dark Tower - Treachery #6 (of 6). The conclusion of the Treachery arc.

Fantastic Four #564. The most fun I've had with the F.F. in years.

The Mighty Avengers #22. This book might be dropped next issue.

Captain America #47. Where is this story going? It may be time to bring back Steve.

DC / Vertigo:

Jack of Fables #31. The battle is over. Will the story pick up now?

Image:

Elephantmen #16. Still one of the best books out there. The art in this issue is very hit and miss though.

IDW:

Star Trek Countdown #2. Continuing the prequel to the new movie.

Archaia:

Mouse Guard - Winter 1152 #5 (of 6). I wish this book would come out on time.

The Pick Of My Pile this week is Marvels Eye of the Camera #4. This is by far the best issue of the series yet.

K.R.C.

D.L.

Pick Of My Pile for the weeks of 2-4 & 2-11

Hello Chums,

Here's a couple weeks of comics to check out.

Week of 2-4:

Marvel:

Punisher #2. The Punisher gets some new help for his war.

The Immortal Iron Fist #22. Danny and his six counterparts are trapped in the Eighth City. Can they battle they're way out?

Franklin Richards Son Of A Genius - Dark Reigning Cats and Dogs (one-shot). More Franklin and Herbie hi-jinx. This issue is better than the last couple.

The Age of The Sentry #5 (of 6). Continuing on in the Ret-coning of The Sentry into The Marvel Universe. Good stuff with nice old school type art.

Agents of Atlas #1. A nice start to the new series. I wish I would have read my Agents of Atlas hardcover first though as I was a little clueless on what was going on.

Young Guns Sketchbook '09. (free). A spotlight of six artists that Marvel comics thinks you should keep an eye on.

Image:

Elephantmen #15. This book has been a solid read for me, however all these delays over the last year has sort of killed it for me. I REALLY like the book when I get it though.

DDP:

I Am Legion #1 (of 6). Nice John Cassaday art with Laura Martin coloring. I thought they were both Marvel exclusives.

The Pick Of My Pile this week is The Age of The Sentry #5. I like the old feel to these new stories.

Week of 2-11:

Marvel:

Patsy Walker Hellcat #5 (of 5). The conclusion of Hellcat's trip to Alaska.

X-Infernus #3 (of 4). The best part of this mini-series is the David Finch covers. It is surely not C.B. Cebulski's writing. He should stick with his book Wonderlost.

Thor #600. This book at $4.99 is a very good value with it's 100 or so pages. It features a new beginning of sorts for Thor. But also has a new Thor story by Stan Lee drawn by David Aja. This book also contain reprints from 5 classic Thor stories and a cover gallery of all 600 Thor covers.

Avengers / Invaders #8 (of 12). Now that Secret Invasion is over with this book doesn't make any sense with the inclusion of Doctor Strange. I always felt that this book would have worked better out of continuity.

Incognito #2. (Icon). More on the story of Zach Overkill. This issue includes a nice Doc Savage essay.

Dark Horse:

Hellboy The Wild Hunt #3 (of 8). Continuing on with the best Hellboy story in quite some time.

B.P.R.D. The Black Goddess #2. The Guy Davis art really shines in this book.

Image:

Jersey Gods #1. The story is so- so for the first issue, but the art has a Darwyn Cook, Mike Allred, Paul Pope feel to it. Let's see if the story can keep up. If not I will surely drop it.

DC:

Batman #686. Whatever Happened To The Caped Crusader? Not a very original name although the story has an original idea. I'm going to go on the record saying this should have been an Elseworlds tale.

Adventure Comics #0. This issue features a reprint of Adventure Comics #247 and a new Lex Luthor story.

The Pick Of My Pile this week is Thor 600. Too good of an issue to pass on. Pick it up.

Keep Reading Comics.

D.L.

Pick Of My Pile for the week of 1-28-09

Hello Chums,



Let's get right to it with my picks.



Marvel:



Scourge Of The Gods #1 (of 4?) Marvel /Soleil. This first issue sets up a story of the Roman empire of the future. It's okay, but at the usual hefty price of $5.99 I don't think I'm coming back. So far Universal War One and Samurai have been the best of the Soleil titles.



Marvels Eye Of The Camera #3 (of 6). Continuing on with Phil Sheldon's street level view of the Marvel universe.



Captain America #46. Old friends and Enemies p. 1 of 3. Bucky (as Cap) and Namor are off to save the original Human Torch.



Fantastic Four #563. The Thing gets engaged.



The New Avengers #49. Luke Cage makes a deal to get his baby back. Norman watch out for that crowbar.



Stephen King The Stand - Captain Trips #5 (of 5). The entrance to the story of the Walking Dude.



Stephen King The Dark Tower - Treachery #5 (of 6). More Jae Lee art with no backgrounds.



Punisher War Zone #6 (of 6). In this story's finale the Punisher is hold up in a house trying to shoot his way out against the mob and a SWAT team. Luckily he has N.Y.P.D. Lieutenant Molly von Richthofen at his side.



DC:



Batman The Brave And The Bold #1. This first issue is spun out of the new cartoon. Unfortunately of all the animated or cartoon style Batman books they've done over the years, this appears to be by far the weakest. I may not be back for more. (And I thought The Batman was weak).



Jack of Fables #30. DC / Vertigo. I really liked the first 20 or so issues of this book. Those stories featured Jack and his side kicks doing Jack adventures. These last few arcs with the battle of the Golden Boughs have been so loooong. I might drop this book if it doesn't change soon.



The Pick Of My Pile this week is Punisher War Zone #6. I hope Ennis and Dillon continue to do more Punisher stories sooner than later.



K.R.C.



D.L.

Pick Of My Pile for the weeks of 1-2, 1-7, 1-14, and 1-21

Hello Chums,



I've got a few weeks worth of reading to get caught up on, so lets go.



Week of 1-2:



Marvel:



Stephen King The Stand Captain Trips #4 (of 5). This book continues to be really good.



Punisher War Journal #26. This is a nice Christmas stand alone story.



Marvels Eye of the Camera #2 (of 6). Phil Sheldon continues his street level view of the Marvel universe.




Kick Ass #5 (ICON). This book is great. I just wish it would come out monthly.



Fantastic Four #562. The Funeral of The Invisible Woman. The Invisible Woman from the future that is.



Captain America #45. More Bucky Barnes as Captain America. Good Stuff.



Avengers - Invaders #7 (of 12). What's taking sooo looong on this book? It can't be the artwork.




Incognito #1 (ICON). Another Brubaker - Phillips book off to a great start.



Image:



Back to Brooklyn #2 (of 5). This guy knows how to use a shotgun. Punisher style.



DC / Vertigo:




Jack of Fables #29. Bookburner vs. The Golden Boughs p.2.





The Pick Of My Pile this week is Incognito #1. This story is off to a great start.





Week of 1-7:




Marvel:



Punisher War Zone #4 (of 6). Continuing The Resurrection of Ma Gnucci.



The Immortal Iron Fist #21. Another stand alone story of a different (future) Iron Fist.




Secret Invasion War of Kings. (one-shot). This story sets up The Inhumans and Kree alliance to battle Vulcan and The Shi'Ar Imperium.






War of Kings Saga (free). Does DC do any free books? Yeah I know this is just an ad to get readers into books, but it's a nice recap for free.




Hellboy The Wild Hunt #2 (of 8). Probably the best Hellboy story (so far) in years.






The Pick Of My Pile this week is Hellboy. Great story and art.





Week of 1-14:



Marvel:



The Amazing Spider-Man #583. Spidey meets the President issue.



Wolverine #70 (Old Man Logan). More Logan and Hawkeye in the future.



Marvel Zombies 3 #4 (of 4). Finale of Machine Man and Jocasta's trek with the Marvel Zombies.



Punisher #1. Another Punisher book!!?? Does this make four titles in one month? Punisher War Zone, Punisher War Journal, Punisher Max, and this new Punisher. That's Four! Isn't that more than Spider-Man? Let's hear it for Marvel's new flagship character - The Punisher!



Punisher War Zone #5 (of 6). Ennis, Dillon and The Resurrection of Ma Gnucci. Nuff Said!



X-Infernus #2 (of 4). More of the return of Illyana Rasputin.



IDW:


Star Trek The Next Generation The Last Generation #3 (of 5). Betrayal by Wesley Crusher.



Image:




I Kill Giants #7 (of 7). The conclusion of Barbara's story.



Dark Horse:



B.P.R.D. The Black Goddess #1. A new story with art by Guy Davis featuring Lobster Johnson!!


Archaia Studios Press:



Mouse Guard Winter: 1152. Tough little mice battling bats and an owl.





The Pick Of My Pile this week is B.P.R.D. This new arc is off to a great start.






Week of 1-21:



Marvel:



The Mighty Avengers #21. An all new line up featuring: The Vision, Jocasta, The Scarlet Witch, Hercules, The Wasp, U.S. Agent, Stature and The Hulk!




Captain America - Theater of War - America The Beautiful (one-shot). A nice W.W.2 story by Paul Jenkins.



Dark Avengers #1. A team of Bad Guys posing as the Good Guys.



Astonishing X-Men #28. The X-Men fight monsters in China. With a mutual friend named Forge.




Uncanny X-Men Annual #2. The White Queen, Sebastain Shaw, The Hellfire Club and Namor? Nuff Said!



DC / Wildstorm:


The X- Files #3. A nice start to a multi-issue story.


Image:



Back to Brooklyn #3 (of 5). The violence continues Garth Ennis style.



IDW:



Star Trek Countdown #1. The prequel to the movie begins.




The Pick Of My Pile this week is Uncanny X- Men Annual #2. I love Hellfire Club stories and this story did not disappoint.


K.R.C.



D.L.

Best Of 2008!

Hey Chums,


Everybody out there does a best of list for the years end. Since they pretty much miss the mark, can I do any worse? Here is my best of list for 2008. Enjoy!



Best issue: Criminal: A Wolf Among Wolves. Marvel (Icon).



Best limited series: Universal War One. Marvel (Soliel).



Best continuing series: Captain America. Marvel.


Best (NEW) continuing series: X- Files. DC (Wildstorm).


Best continuing series in trade format: Fables (1-10). DC (Vertigo).



Best trade packaging: Local. ONI.





Best Graphic novel (read this year): Goon Chinatown. Dark Horse.




Best book by a foreign creator: Mesmo Delivery (by R. Grandpa). Ad House.




Best independent comic: Sulk (1-2). Top Shelf.


Best Black and White comic: Sulk (1-2). Top Shelf.



Best Cover: The Immortal Iron Fist #17. Marvel.





Best zero issue: Captain America White #0. Marvel.



Best licensed comic property: Star Trek. IDW.



Best character in a continuing series, limited series or one-shot: The Punisher. Marvel.




Best character surprise resurrection: Mockingbird. Marvel.


Comic book company of the year: Marvel.



Best Writer: Ed Brubaker. Marvel/Icon.




Best Artist: Sean Phillips. Marvel/Icon.




Best book related to comics: Watching the Watchmen. Titan Books.



Best book on an artist (that I had to buy again): Tim Sale Black and White Revised and Expanded. Image.


Best comic book related podcast: Fanboy Radio.



Best comic book con: San Diego Comic-con.


Best piece of published fan art: Doc Savage The Man Of Bronze. San Diego Comic-con art book (by D.L. Nelson).





Best (Superhero) movie: Iron Man. Marvel.




Best movie period: Speed Racer.




K.R.C.

D.L.

Pick Of My Pile for the weeks of 12-17 and 12-24

Hello Chums,

Two weeks this time around for the end of the year.

12-17:

Marvel:

Thor God -Size (one-shot). The story of Skurge The Executioner. By Fraction with Brereton and Allred.

Uncanny X-Men #505. More Matt Fraction doing the X-Men with art by the Dodsons.

The Immortal Iron Fist #20. Danny Rand vs. the killer of Iron Fists conclusion.

Dark Reign New Nation (one-shot). Five short stories featuring: Secret Warriors, Agents of Atlas, War Machine, Skrull Kill Krew and New Avengers.

The Age Of The Sentry #4. More sixties style action with The Sentry.

The Mighty Avengers #20 Secret Invasion Epilogue. Wasp funeral issue. Not that it's not good but, they'll make an issue about anything these days.

Punisher War Zone #2 (of 6). The Resurrection of Ma Gnucci continues.

Samurai #4 (of 4) (Soleil). The conclusion of a very well drawn and colored story.

DC:

Air#5 (Vertigo). The first arc of this series concludes. It's time for me to drop this book.

The X-Files #2 (Wildstorm). A pretty decent story with nice character likeness' by Brian Denham.

DC Universe Holiday Special (one-shot). Multiple stories by multiple creative teams but the best part is the Frank Quitely cover.

Image:

Elephantmen #14. Unfortunately no Moritat art.

IDW:

Star Trek The Next Generation The Last Generation #2 (of 5). More Star Trek multiple crew stories.

The Pick Of My Pile this week is Thor God Size.

12-24:

Marvel:

Thor#12. This Loki betrayal story line is almost done .... It concludes in issue 600.

Captain America - Theater Of War - America First! (one-shot). Howard Chaykin does Captain America Commie Smasher with a different Cap set in the fifties.

Secret Invasion Requiem (one-shot). This is a nice issue that re-presents the first appearance of the Wasp (with her origin) and the trial of Yellow Jacket after he beat her.

Ultimatum #2 (of 5). Ultimate universe chaos after Magneto's flood hits New York City.

Stephen Kings The Dark Tower Treachery #4 (of 6). More Jae Lee art with Peter David script.

Hulk #9. The third and final part of the Loeb, Adams and Cho run.

Patsy Walker Hellcat #4 (of 5). It's taken what seems like forever, but this story is just about finished.

The New Avengers #48 (Dark Reign tie in). Welcome back Mockingbird, Spider-Woman and Captain America, but good bye Iron Fist.

Punisher War Zone #3 (of6). The resurrection of Ma Gnucci continues with Frank fragin bad guys.

Dark Horse:

Mister X #1 (of 4). Who knows what going on here, but there is very old school looking art.

ONI:

Resurrection #6 (end of vol. 1). The conclusion of the first story arc.

Resurrection Annual #1 (2008). The story of Spock and his escape.

Image:

I Kill Giants #1-5 (of 7). The story of Barbara a fifth grader who might just kill giants or is as crazy as her class mates think she is.

The Pick Of My Pile this week is Secret Invasion Requiem. The re-colored Jack Kirby art from Tales to Astonish #44 was very nice to look at. It's too bad they don't go back and re-color/reprint more old classics.



How many one-shots are there these days? It used to be easy to start picking up a limited series because you knew that there was going to be an ending. But now there are too many limited series' so you have to pick and choose what you would get started on. Now there are ALMOST too many one-shots also.

K.R.C.

D.L.

Pick Of My Pile for the weeks of 11-26,12-4 and 12-10

Hello Chums,

I'm back with a few more picks. Check them out.

11/26:


Marvel:

Hulk #8. Jeph Loeb, Arthur Adams and Frank Cho bring us the 2nd part of this 3 part story. The art in these issues is soooo good, I wish this team would continue on forever (or at least 12 issues).


Thor: Reign of Blood #1 and Man of War #1. These books are actually p.1 and p.2 of a two part story. Matt Fraction has written a pretty good story which features Thor battling Odin.


Secret Invasion Inhumans #4 (of 4). The conclusion of Medusa's search for Black Bolt.


True Believers #5 (of 5). The conclusion to the entry of the True Believers into the Marvel
universe.


Captain America #44. A Cap story that ties into a Winter Soldier mission from 1968.

Vertigo:


Jack of Fables #28. Jack becomes the Commander-In- Chief.






The Pick Of My Pile for this week is Secret Invasion Inhumans #4. We get to see Black Bolt whisper a word!


12/4:


Marvel:


Secret Invasion #8 (of 8). The conclusion to the Secret Invasion story line, however it goes directly into Dark Reign.


The New Avengers #47 (Secret Invasion). Where's Luke Cage and Jessica Jones baby?



Secret Invasion Front Line #5 (of 5). The conclusion of writer Ben Urich's street level view of the Secret Invasion.



Marvel Zombies 3 #3 (of 4). Machine Man and Jocasta's mission continues against the Marvel Zombies!


Marvels Eye Of The Camera #1 (of 6). Another street level story. This time featuring Phil Sheldon from the original Marvels.



X-Infernus #1 (0f 4). Peter wants his "little" sister back. Maybe leaving her in hell is a better idea.



Iron Man-The Incredible Hulk-Nick Fury #1 (one-shot?). This Iron Man story ties directly into the Iron Man movie.


The Punisher X-MAS #1 (one-shot). Frank kicking ass in the spirit of Christmas.


ICON:



Criminal Bad Night #4 (of 4). This conclusion is not what I expected. Maybe a little bit of a let down.





Hellboy The Wild Hunt #1 (of 8). It starts off on a mission to kill giants... Who knows where this is going?




The PICK OF MY PILE this week is The Punisher X-MAS. Great story and art in the Christmas spirit.



12/10:


Marvel:



Punisher War Zone #1 (of 6) (Marvel Knights). Garth Ennis. Steve Dillion. Frank Castle. Nuff Said!




Secret Invasion Dark Reign #1 (one shot). Norman Osborn is now in control. Step one: Assemble a new team. Namor, Emma Frost, Dr. Doom, The Hood and Loki. This team can't be built for good.




Astonishing X-Men Ghost Boxes #2 (of 2). Two more parallel earth X-Men stories.



Ythaq The Forsaken World #1 (Soleil). Sixty page sci-fi / fantasy story.




Dark Horse:



B.P.R.D. War on Frogs #2. A team of B.P.R.D. agents search an abandoned boat. Could Frogs be there? This story is one shot like in it's execution.






The Pick Of MY PILE this week is easy. Punisher War Zone #1 sets up for a very entertaining six issue run. And It's weekly! I can't wait.













K.R.C.

D.L.