This week will be another fast one on my part as I let the comics do the most of the talking. There were some great comics I didn’t get to but I hit everything I had at the top of my stack. The best books I read this week came from just about every publisher so there is a pretty good representation down below. I didn’t get to the indie books I usually do but I promise to give them a better look next week. I think first and foremost though, my number one favorite thing in comics this week was the release of “Captain America: Winter Soldier”. The movie is stellar and our Editor-In-Chief Bryan Young (AKA Swank-mo-tron) loved it. He has more to say in his review over here. Now, with that in mind, onto the comic books!
I think it’s a little funny that I love Captain America but I didn’t include his book this week. I love Remender but the covers and the interiors just didn’t punch me in the gut like these other books did. Speaking of a gut punch, take a look at the cover to “Judge Dredd: MegaCity Two” issue 3! The last issue was featured in this here article back when Androidika aka @MrMiah covered for me. This week gets the pick because of the very cool crab.
The covers continue to get better with an amazing pop art spectacle from Francis Manapul over in “Detective Comics” #30. The book has a fresh creative team, and while I’m sad to see Layman go, his story lines were getting outside my taste range.
The next cover is the terrific one comic book from BOOM! Studios called “Dead Letters”. The cover art by Chris Visions is phenomenal. It tells a story of a man who is dead, possibly rom suicide, and the cops are arriving on the crime scene. That’s just in the shadow of the man struggling with internal pain. The story inside is top notch so give BOOM! your indie dollars this week and pick up a new and incredibly interesting title.
Next up is the cover by Gordan Parlov on Mark Millar’s “Starlight” #2. I have to say, I’m loving Starlight. In my circle Millar can be a divisive creator. I’m usually the one on the pro side but with covers like this and a cool story about a retired pilot who lived another lifetime on the other side of a worm hole really plays in my favor. “Black Science” is the latest sci-fi masterpiece at Image but “Starlight” is creeping up fast on its heels.
The last cover is another one from the digital realm. Some may call this cheating but I think it’s totally fair given the number of digital readers who are 100% digital. Besides, who would deny that the cover to “Batman 66” this week isn’t the coolest cover currently out there?
The panels gave me a bit of grief this week. I loved Ultimate Spiderman though, and I miss Pete in that universe so when I saw Miles imagine how life might have been if he could have trained under Peter, I had to include it to show everyone.
“Turok” was a book I thought would be very dumb. I was handed the book from Miah and, admittedly, begrudgingly read it. I’m glad I did though, because the Native American, British Crusaders and Dinosaur mix has put “Turok” on the top of my fun comic books list.
The last panel I have for you is a shrunken down double page spread from “Pretty Deadly” #5. The book wraps up the current storyline with this issue and most of the questions are answered. The poetry is stunning and the fact that the storyline plays out like the poems is very touching. I reviewed issue 1 when it came out and I still have nothing but positive things to say about the book. I love the art, I love the writing and I love the book. If you want a good look at the beautiful double page spread, go pick up the book and give it a read. You’ll not only be stunned by the gorgeous artwork, you’ll be adding another Image title to your comic hold.
That’s all I have for this week from the comic book world. I’ll have some final words to say about last weekend’s SaltCON convention coming soon. Make sure to get out and play a game with some loved ones tomorrow because it’s International TableTop Game Day. Before then though, if you need some more comic book art and panels go check out last week’s issue of “Five and Three” right here. If you’d like to see me yammer on about art go checkout the deviantArtPodcast or hit me up on Twitter @MarkAvo. I love to shoot the breeze in 140 characters or less. Until next time, goodnight Josh!