As I mentioned in an earlier post on comic collecting, I currently get my books through Discount Comic Book
Service (http://www.dcbservice.com). For anyone who might be interested in
obtaining their fix in like manner, here’s a little rundown of the process; it’s
really easy. From DCBS’s site you
download an excel spreadsheet of the complete monthly Previews order catalog. You mark it up with what you want, save it,
and then upload it back to the site. You
follow their checkout procedures: shipping address, billing info, shipping preferences
(I go with once a month for a flat $6.95), bag & board options (if you want
them), etc., and you’re done. Comics
shipped right to your front door. Simple! Most everything I order is 40-50% off cover
price. They also offer discounts on most
merch and collectible items such as apparel, toys, busts & statues, games,
etc. You really can’t beat the prices
and the customer service is great.
All right, enough with the
infomercial.
Depending on how busy my schedule
is, I might not get through my entire pile of books each month. Also, sometimes
I like to wait until I have several issues of a title, or, say, all parts of a
mini-series, etc. before sitting down to read them. Therefore, and because I’m getting some of my
books nearly a month after release date, my comments might not be the most timely. Oh well.
So without further ado, here’s what I got around to reading this last month:
Hunger #1-4
Ultimate Comics Cataclysm #0.1
Avengers #24.Now
New Avengers #13
Avengers A.I. #7
Guardians of the Galaxy #9-10
Nova #11
Indestructible Hulk #15
Indestructible Hulk Annual #1
Indestructible Hulk #16-17
Iron Man #19
Thor: God of Thunder #16
Thor: God of Thunder #16
Daredevil #33-34
The Superior Spider-Man #21-24
All-New X-Men #20
Uncanny X-Men #15
Wolverine & the X-Men #39
Cable and X-Force #17
Deadpool by Joe Kelley Omnibus*
Comments:
I haven’t
bothered much with Marvel’s Ultimate Universe over the years. I picked up the first couple story arcs of “Ultimate
Spider-Man” and “Ultimate X-Men”
when it launched, but quickly lost interest.
What really killed it for me were how awful and ill-conceived the “Ultimate Marvel Team-Up” title was, and the ridiculously long wait periods between
issues of “Ultimates.” I bailed, and eventually sold my issues off
(for a tidy profit =) and haven’t purchased a single book from the imprint
since. Until now. Earth-616’s Galactus being shunted into the
universe of Earth-1610 was one of the more promising developments to spin out
of the Bendis helmed “Age of Ultron”
event, and at first, I thought that just
maybe they were finally going to wrap
the line. It seemed plausible; I mean,
they’ve revamped the imprint several times in recent years, breathing new life
into it- but the sales and interest always inevitably drop off. This event, with its “Last Stand” pitch,
seemed like just the thing to close it down with honor and dignity. But no.
Recent solicitations reveal yet another revamp that I’m betting few will
care about in a year. It’s too bad; the
“Hunger” mini was actually pretty decent.
I’m still
really enjoying Hickman’s Avengers runs.
I thought “Infinity” was
entertaining, epic in scope and very ambitious.
The “Cosmic” fanboy in me was greatly pleased to see so many worlds,
species and characters from throughout the Marvel cosmos represented. Goodness knows it was more satisfying than
the dreck we’re being served over in “Guardians
of the Galaxy” and “Nova,” but
more on that in a minute. I like the
scale of “Avengers” and the dark,
desperate tone of “New Avengers.” As for the latter, I’m just happy to see Dr.
Strange getting some screen time. That
and I think I have a bit of a thing for Black Swan. #24.Now served as a nice little epilogue to “Infinity”
and did a nice job setting the stage for what comes next.
Oh, “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Nova,” why must you suck so bad right
now? Seriously, these are the two titles
I MOST want to love each month, and yet, I am continually disappointed by their
lackluster showing. I should preface my
criticism by acknowledging that I’ve been a hardcore fan of the cosmic titles
for decades, and that I judge current offerings by how well I feel they stand
up to and build upon past glories. Part
of the reason I delighted so much in Abnett & Lanning’s most recent stint
was their ability to respect and include past continuity while crafting a
modern cosmic landscape. I was upset
(putting it mildly) when their assorted titles abruptly ended, and was
desperately holding out hope that somehow they’d be back. A couple of years passed...nothing. Then, it was announced that “GotG” and “Nova” were being relaunched written by Bendis and Loeb (respectively). It’s a smart move by Marvel- coupling bigger
name talent with lesser known properties- especially since these characters are
virtually unknown to mainstream audiences and yet will soon feature in the
upcoming Marvel Phase II film. However,
these titles have failed to deliver at nearly every turn.
“Guardians” is a meandering mess.
We’re a dozen issues in and all the team has done is navel-gaze as they wander
aimlessly through space, reacting to myriad events originating outside of their
own title: Star-Lord picks a fight with his dad, Iron Man wriggles his way on
to the team in an embarrassingly obvious marketing ploy to raise the title’s profile,
they acquire the multiversally displaced Angela- because apparently one deadly,
sword-wielding female teammate just isn’t enough, they show up for “Infinity”
in what are undoubtedly the WORST and most pointless tie-in issues ever written,
and now they are supposedly off to tangle with the All-New X-Men. I swear something of import had better happen
in this crossover… Thankfully, there is a
small sliver of hope in this otherwise depressing quagmire: Abnett &
Lanning have a couple of backup stories in the upcoming “100th (really
101, I guess?) anniversary” issue #14. Not
only that, but they are also writing the 2 issue “Prelude” to the upcoming
film. I’m betting that these stories
will be more interesting and entertaining than anything we’ve yet seen in the
current volume. Can’t wait!
As for “Nova,” what a crock! In the
comic, Sam Alexander is a mopey, pubescent moron only slightly less contemptible
than his obnoxious television incarnation.
His adventures thus far have been bombastic and juvenile and are tonally
more in line with the all-ages “Marvel
Adventures” line of books. The brat acquires his helmet/powers through one
of the sloppiest and most insulting retcons in all Marveldom, then stumbles
around stupidly, barely avoiding calamity after catastrophe by sheer, dumb
luck. Making it worse, he’s being
crammed down our throats through repeated unwarranted and undeserved appearances
in crossover events (“Avengers Vs. X-Men,”
“Infinity”) and other titles (upcoming
“New Warriors” relaunch). Please. Stop. You are killing us real Nova fans. Return Rich Rider already. If Star-Lord and Thanos could come back from
the Cancervers, why not Rich?
I’m a longtime fan and reader of Thor. I despised Fraction’s recent run- thank goodness
for Gillen’s brilliant “Journey into
Mystery,” and while Aaron’s current volume has yet to knock my socks off, I
liked the “God Butcher/God Bomb” arcs well enough. The art is beautiful, if nothing else. In any case, I find myself quite taken with the
current storyline “The Accursed,” mainly because it is fun to see more of the nine
realms and their assorted denizens depicted.
Also, there is something about the idea of a League of Realms that appeals
to me. Hopefully it lasts beyond this
arc.
I came to
Waid’s “Daredevil” late. I haven’t
always cared much for DD’s solo adventures, so when this volume launched I passed
despite Waid’s involvement. Still, I
kept hearing good things and seeing all the positive press so I started picking
it up about a year ago. I’m glad I did! What I like most about the book is its unconventional
tone and direction; you never know from one issue to the next where you might
end up. Case in point, issue #33: DD is
hot on the heels of the Sons of the Serpent (a racist extremist group) and next
thing we know he’s run smack into the Legion of Monsters- whom I love! Hopefully Waid can keep the momentum going as
this volume wraps and relaunches in the next couple of months.
*I didn’t
actually read the ENTIRE “Deadpool by
Joe Kelley Omnibus” this month; I just riffled through it and reminisced... What a fun series that was!
BEST of the month
Avengers #24.Now
Thor: God of Thunder #16
Daredevil #33
WORST of the month
Guardians of the Galaxy #9-10
Nova #11
What I’m looking forward to next month
All-New X-Factor
Loki: Agent of Asgard
All-New Invaders
Well, that’s
all for January. I meant to get this up
sooner; I’ll try and do better for February’s stash. The next few months should be pretty exciting
with so many “All-New Marvel NOW” titles hitting shelves. Hope they live up to the hype.
I've been enjoying Hickman's run on Avengers and New Avengers as well. The stories have been great and I like the F4/FF format he's applying on this run. Infinity for me was a good event. I wish all event books were like this. Superior Spider-man has been entertaining as well. For me, I feel like Dan is a great Spidey scribe because he knows how to write fun stories and also because his knowledge of Marvel history is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the Ultimate line since Ultimate Avengers Vol. 3. The Ultimate line was great in the beginning, but it feels like it's time to call it.
Not sure if you heard, but unfortunately the backup GotG stories will be the last collaborative efforts of DnA. Hopefully one of the two will come back and write for Marvel's cosmic universe again.
Keep it up man. I look forward to the next entry.
Yeah, I am also really loving "Superior Spider-Man." I am actually really sad to see it end, though I'm sure they've got plans for Otto. I like Slott and am looking forward to "Silver Surfer" as well as the new "Amazing." Had not heard that about DnA =(
DeleteI hope to hit a Canadian comic book shop this Wednesday! But only buying Alpha Flight. LOL!
ReplyDeletelol! I think the new "Puck MAX" mini-series comes out this week.
Delete