As always, “Five & Three” brings you my favorite things in comics this week. Every week I pick my five favorite covers and three favorite panels to create “Five & Three”. I like to talk about why I picked the covers and panels and welcome hecklers and trend setters alike.
I just got done picking out my favorite picks for the week because we had a loaded week full of greatness. I’m sorry to say that some of the good stuff got cut down for the following list but hopefully you’ll agree I kept the best of the best to share with you.
We start off the week in covers with a great cover by Nick Pitarra for the new book “The Life After” from Oni Press. The first issue got special treatment by the “Manhattan Projects” artist because the cover is divine. The content isn’t short of awesome either though with talents like writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Gabo.
I haven’t included a Valiant cover in a while despite “Quantum and Woody” being one of my favorite books released in the last year. Here is a cool one by Clayton Crain for “Rai” issue #3. What can I say, I love samurai.
How about a cool one from Andrew Maclean and Mike Spicer? What if it had another sword? “Head Lopper” is one the amazingly talented and always spot on Brandi picked out. She’ll be helping me with a Cosplay contest this Saturday at the Nerd Store in West Valley, Ut. The event is sponsored by the Salt Lake City Comic-Con so come by around 1PM for the festivities and some mall food!
Speaking of cosplay, how about this cool one from Dash Shaw for “Cosplayers 2”? Fantagraphics isn’t featured often in “Five and Three” but when it is it’s always something cool. The simplicity of this piece is great. It pops right off of the digital shelf and presents itself to the eye.
Image: ComiXology.com
Last one I picked for the week was “Detective Comics” #33. I’m a sucker for Francis Manapul and his covers never cease to delight. This one in particular is a wonderful juxtaposition between light and dark, positive and negative space. It sets the tone for the book ahead, just like Manapuls art always does. It’s as regular as amazing can be and it’s my favorite cover of the week.
“Grayson” issue one was a surprise to me. I didn’t think it would be any good but it was exciting and worthy of inclusion. This panel here lets you know what Dick Grayson is up to with Spiral but if you’re not a Batman fan you’re probably wondering who Malone is. If that’s the case, scroll past the bottom of the article for a wonderful Jock variant cover to “Grayson” #1 that I just had to include.
Speaking of not quite moving onto the panels in full, how many of you dear readers are in love with “The Superior Foes of Spider-Man”? How many of you are excited it hasn’t been cancelled yet? Count me among the faithful as well so enjoy this laugh riot set of panels and scroll past the Jock cover for the meta-filled cover to “The Superior Foes of Spider-Man” #13.
Last panel of the week goes to ”Spider-Man 2099” #1 by Peter David and Will Sliney. The book is fantastic and it’s one everyone I know has talked about for years. It’s been on everyone’s minds since before Peter Parker was possessed by Doc Ock and Spider-Man became Spock AKA The Superior Spider-Man. It’s also been a book people have wanted back and those fans are getting their wish fulfilled. Peter David is back in the seat he created and the book is fantastic. Yes I already said that but it needs to be said at least twice, because it deserves the praise.
That’s all for this week. If you disagree with a pick, let me know in the comments or on Twitter @MarkAvo or on Instagram @TheMarkAvo. If you think I should’ve picked something else or if you have a pick in mind for next week, give me a shout out and let me know. If you’d like to check out more “Five and Three” comic book moments start with “Five and Three” from last week. If you’d like more of me yammering on about art you can check me out on video with my buddies from the Salt City Strangers doing the deviantArt Podcast right here. See you next week True Believers!
Image: newsarama.com
