Not a single repeat pick among the HOT PICKS Crew. That’s what they call eclectic, kids.
Ted Alexander, manager, Midtown Comics’ Downtown location, Manhattan
All-New Hawkeye #2, Marvel. Even though the last issue of Matt Fraction’s issue hasn’t come out, I don’t feel lost at all reading the next series. I enjoyed the first issue so much and actually felt more connected to Clint than I have before. The art by Ramon K. Perez is so good that the art becomes part of the story. Issue #2 will be on the top of my pile for sure.
Darth Vader #4, Marvel. There is a part in Issue #3 that was so well done, that it immediately became my favorite comic of 2015 so far. When Aphra mentions they need to go to Geonosis, there is a panel that even though Vader’s mask shows no emotion, you can tell exactly what he is feeling. So in this issue we are going to get to see his return to a planet that he has so much history with.
Teen Dog #8, Boom! I’m pretty bummed to see the last issue of a book about the coolest comic dog since Snoopy. I’m going to miss this pizza-eating, sunglasses-wearing, kick-flipping dog. Hopefully there’s more of him down the line.
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Aimee LoSecco, JHU Comic Books, Manhattan
It’s all-out war! And Mark Millar!
Rebels #1, Dark Horse. Am I a Revolutionary War buff? Nope. But Brian Wood just makes it so darn engaging. Add Andrea Mutti‘s artwork and you’ve got me reading a war comic that’s not about killing Nazis, which is a pretty big feat in and of itself! It’s 1775 and the war has everyone divided, state to state, family to family. Ain’t no made-for-TV-movie business happening in this book!
Sam Glanzman: A Sailor’s Story, Dover Publications. Sam Glanzman, one of the best illustrators and storytellers you’ve never heard of, finally has his Sailor’s Story reprinted. Not by Marvel, but by Dover. Yes, Dover! They’re expanding into graphic novels and are kicking it off with the granddaddy of WWII books. And in true Dover tradition, the price point is nice and low, only $19.99 for allll that. Sam recalls his time serving on a destroyer. He respectfully eschews the glories and horrors of war while portraying the realities of everyday life aboard ship. Sure, there’s combat, with both wins and losses, but Sam brings you there, from his first moments boarding the gangplank to his steps on American soil on leave and after the war.
Jupiter’s Circle, Image. Why? Because Mark Millar. And he’s a Palkyrie. And it’s a prequel! Everybody likes a prequel. Even you. Is that a song? I’m making that a song.
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Tim Finn, Hub Comics, Somerville, Mass.
Kaijumax #1, Oni Press. Monster prison! Zander Cannon!
Deathstroke The Terminator Vol. 1, DC Comics. My favorite era of DC Comics is 1987 to 2002 or so, so chronological, numbered collections of solid series from then are always welcome, even if this character wasn’t in TV shows and movies right now.
Howard the Duck #2, Marvel Comics. Issue #1 was good, not great, but I know this killer creative team will make magic, and I’m willing to give them more than one issue to warm up to it. Oh man, look at that cover. We often laud comic art for being well drawn, but less frequently these days do covers tell compelling stories, and almost never do they tell jokes. The cover to Issue #1 was pitch perfect, and this is no less so.
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Scott Tipton, Co-Owner, Blastoff Comics, North Hollywood, California
Star Trek/Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive #5, IDW Publishing. We wrap things up in a big spectacular finish here, in classic Planet of the Apes style. You’ll get what I mean when you read it.
All-New Hawkeye #2, Marvel. After that knockout first issue, I expect word of mouth to really keep this new book front and center in readers’ minds. Good stuff.
Convergence: Harley Quinn #1, DC Comics. I really don’t know what to expect from this, but it’s got Captain Carrot, so it’s got my attention.
Orion by Walter Simonson Omnibus, DC Comics. This was a great series by Simonson, maybe some of the more underrated work in his career. So good to have it all under one cover.
