Really eclectic selection this week, featuring Jeff Lemire, Princess Leia, Hawkeye and Spock! PLUS: Tim Finn has a bone to pick with Marvel …
Scott Tipton, Co-Owner, Blastoff Comics, North Hollywood, Calif.
Lady Killer #3, Image. This stylish noir crime series is red hot, with both the first and second issues going to a second print.
Star Trek/Planet of the Ape: The Primate Directive #3, IDW. Yeah, so it’s my own book. Don’t you judge me! Seriously, though, things really come to a boil in this issue with the fight to end all fights, the clash of clashes, Captain Kirk vs. Colonel Taylor! Our artist Rachael Stott just gets better every issue. Wait till you see it.
Princess Leia #1, Marvel. Marvel’s new line of Star Wars comics have been delivering like crazy, both creatively and at the cash register. This one, with an A-list creative team like Mark Waid and Terry Dodson, should be no exception.
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Aimee LoSecco, JHU Comic Books, Manhattan
Neverboy #1, Dark Horse. When I was a kid, I would have loved to have my imaginary friend be real. Granted my imaginary friend was Roy Rogers and he was around 8 inches tall, but hey, look at Night at the Museum, right? In Neverboy, it actually happens. The imaginary friend finds a way to become real, and in doing so, has to find a way to stay in the real world or be dragged back to the imaginary depths from whence he came. Muahahahaha!
All-New Hawkeye #1, Marvel. OK, I know that the last issue hasn’t come out yet, but I just can’t resist a book written by Jeff Lemire and drawn by Ramon K. Perez. I fully expect everyone to pick up Essex County and A Tale of Sand along with this issue. Why? Because these dudes are awesome and you need to bone up on their greatest hits. You already own them? Good, goooood… *rubbing hands*….
Stray #2, Action Lab Entertainment. Hot on the heels of #1 is the second installment of this super-noir story. Fans of Teen Titans, Green Hornet and Wildcat will appreciate this coming-of-age tale. I’m not plugging this book because it’s written by JHU alum Vito Delsante — it’s really freaking good! And his wife twisted my arm. Seriously though, artist Sean Izaakse channels Lee Elias (circa 1950s Green Arrow/Aquaman) in this book. Pick it up, you won’t be sorry!
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Tim Finn, Hub Comics, Somerville, Mass.
Descender #1, Image Comics. Dustin Nguyen is mega-talented. His rushed work, like Batman Eternal, misses the mark, but I know he won’t rush this intriguing creator-owned book.
Spider-Woman #5, Marvel Comics. Javier Rodriguez is a great colorist. Look at the last two years of Daredevil. Turns out he’s also a great penciller — look at those five or so Daredevil fill-ins he drew (and colored). So I’m pleased he’s getting a monthly assignment (and Daredevil got a great replacement colorist in Matt Wilson.) The Spider-Verse tie-in issues of Spider-Woman didn’t do much for us, so I wish this new start was a new #1, but we’ll push it like a new #1.
Loser of the Week: Guardians Team-Up #1, Marvel Comics. I love Arthur Adams‘ work. A comic drawn by him is a big deal. A story arc, even a small one — two issues — is a big deal. And I love Stephane Roux‘s art. Guardians Team-Up #1 and #2 were announced as drawn by Adams, and we ordered big because of it. And we ordered big on #2. But a week ago, it was announced that Adams was only drawing issue #1. Roux will draw #2, so it will look great, but it’s much harder to sell a two-part story drawn by two different artists. I wish Marvel had delayed this instead. But issue #3 is part of a crossover, so that has to ship on-time. So the demands of monthly comics make it a challenge to sell monthly comics.
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Christy Blanch, Aw Yeah Comics!, Muncie, Ind.
Princess Leia #1, Marvel. This is the Star Wars book that I am most excited about. I mean, it’s Princess Leia – the only princess I ever even considered wanting to be. I think this miniseries is going to be one of the best series of the year. (And it’s written by Christy’s Aw Yeah partner Mark Waid! — Dan)
Descender #1, Image. It’s Jeff Lemire. It’s science fiction. It’s pretty much a no-brainer. This book is amazing.
All-New Hawkeye #1, Marvel. I could start this out with “it’s Jeff Lemire again” but that would be repetitive. However, coming off the Matt Fraction run I was concerned about who would take over. Then, they announced Lemire. I’m OK with that. Read this book and be happy!!!
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Dimitrios Fragiskatos, manager, Midtown Comics’ Grand Central location, Manhattan
Altered States Vampirella one-shot, Dynamite. Allow me to reiterate the opening line of my OK Cupid profile: I am a feminist. But first and foremost I am a comics fan. Yes, that sometimes means skipping your then-girlfriend’s Vagina Monologues in favor of waiting in line for Peter David‘s autograph, but I supported her right to be angry with me.
My feminist leanings have always prevented me from picking up the oft-scantily clad, Vampirella, but knowing her background, I was intrigued by Nancy A. Collins and Francesco Manna revisiting her roots in Altered States. A group of astronauts crash lands on Drakulon — her birthplace in one of her earlier origins. We get an interesting Richard Matheson homage as these astronauts have to survive as the only humans on a planet full of vampires. Sounds cool to me.
