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 may or may not have gotten lost in the park but if you ask me I just got back from a survivalist vacation in the wild. That means last week “Five and Three” was handled by our very own Neverbot, Cassidy Ward. Please find him on Twitter and send him a big thank you on behalf of me and comic book fans everywhere. With that being said, let’s start the show!
First up this week is a really cool cover for “Father Robot” from writer Kristopher White and artist Sam Garland. With the Father’s Day holiday coming up I decided to pick this one. As a reminder, Dad wants something cool in addition to that tie. Get him some Scotch or, if you’re in Utah like me, some of his favorite ice cream. Oh, and remember that as much as Dad does want to spend time with the family, he also wants a few minutes to himself with his scotch (or ice cream) and a good comic book.
Next up is breakfast by Nathan Fox. Breakfast is brought to you by “FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics” issue eleven from Vertigo. If your dad doesn’t read the newspaper with breakfast in bed, consider getting him this great political sci-fi comic for Sunday.
I don’t usually pick covers to anthologies but I had to make an exception for “Liquid City Volume Three”. The book is a collection of graphical stories and sequential art from throughout Asia. The cover is outstanding.
Maybe your granddad is still around and he read the Invaders. Maybe you did and you’re not a granddad but you just like great stories. Well, you’ll enjoy “All-New Invaders” from Marvel comics and you’ll love the fact that this tie-in story to the “Original Sin” story-line is actually pretty good. The cover by Greg Land is pretty sweet too.
The next cover I have for everyone is by Charles Paul Wilson III for “The Wraith: Welcome to Christmasland” issue seven. The book is another terrific horror tale from the mind behind “Locke & Key” Joe Hill. I just happened to love the cover because of the pulpy paperback feel and the amazing color choices. Next up are the panels!
I am loving “Starlight” by Mark Millar and Goran Parlov. My buddy and fellow bot Androidika doesn’t want to give Millar the time of day but I swear I’ll be able to convince him this book is terrific if I just try harder. The book is so much fun because it’s like a story you know and love but you’re reading it for the first time. The protagonist in his twilight years Duke, who in his youth, was transported to a far-away galaxy where he saved the day over and over, is back for some action packed sci-fi adventure. I can’t get enough. In this cover especially, the art is nostalgic. There are hints at classic alien sci-fi, “Star Wars”, and “Battlestar Gallactica”. There’s probably more but I haven’t stopped wondering if the object in the upper left is a shield generator from the planet Hoth!
In “All-New X-Men” issue #28 we learn where the future “Brotherhood of Mutants” comes from and why they keep coming back!
The last panel for the week is from “New 52: Futures End” issue #6. The plots keep getting bigger, not smaller, in this in continuity DC book with Batman Beyond! In this issue though, a retired Red Robin AKA Tim Drake gets to kick some scuzzy bar douche butt and save the gal. Sure it’s a bit cliché but it’s also a bit of awesome too.
Wait, we’re not done yet?! OK, so I’ve snuck in one final cover for the week. My favorite comic (OK Manga), story of all-time is “Lone Wolf & Cub”. The fact that there is a sequel makes me excited but a bit worried because little Diagoro no longer has his father to help him along. Considering the book is out this week and I’m going to read it several times this weekend, “New Lone Wolf and Cub” is without a doubt my favorite thing in comics this week.
That’s it for the 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 Cassidy’s wonderful “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. Until next weekend, have a great Fathers Day and make sure to set aside some time to read your comic books!