This week “Five and Three” is well rounded with appearances by DC, Marvel, Image, Boom and Vertigo. The covers and panels feel very even in a week that feels small because of the massive weeks we’ve had since the beginning of the year. The big weeks have been due to new Marvel NOW! number ones, a slew of new creator owned content from Image, and “Forever Evil” tie in books from DC. Every other comic company seems to be on a roll too and that means that the comic book industry feels very healthy from the outside looking in. As fans of the comic book medium, all we can do is hope, read, and help to spread the word by sharing great stories and art. With that in mind, let’s kick off this week with some frozen X-Men.
The cover to “Amazing X-Men” issue 4 is a wonderful use of white and light colors by Ed McGuinness. If Salt Lake was getting the same kind of snow that the Eastern US was I’d be outside making a Snikity the Snowgan.
Another cover with an extraordinary use of simple colors is Boom! Studios “Curse” by Riley Rossmo. I’ve been enjoying enjoying MTV’s “Teen Wolf” so much I’ll probably be adding another book to ye olde comic holde.
I’ve chosen a few “Fables” covers in weeks past because covers for the book are usually top notch. This one is no exception to the norm. The magical tree behind the biggest baddie you’d never expect is painted with the same exceptional skill Gapetto has in Willingham’s universe.
My brother from another mother @Savtastik picked cover 4 with “Harley Quinn” issue 3. I have to agree with him that it’s a perfect combination between sexy, scary, bloody and sweet. DC gave us a Valentine from Amanda Conner & Paul Mounts a week too late.
My favorite cover of the week was saved for last. Boom! Studios makes another appearance thanks to the Punk Rock art by Jerry Gaylord. A quick search on the Internet tells me I’m in for a treat because Gaylord has several more covers just like this one on the way. My question is, where can I buy a print?!
Panels are my favorite thing to choose each week. I do my best to pick something funny or touching. I want “Five and Three” readers to remember the emotion they had when they read a panel or see something that makes it obvious to the reader they’re missing out. These three books are ones you should be reading if you’re not already. The first one, “Quantum and Woody”, I gushed about last year over here. The book is both funny and chocolate flavored. Here’s a little taste.
I’m getting impatient with Nathan Edmondson and Mitch Gerads. The Activity is a book I’ve bought digitally and in trade. The two creators know military and military storytelling. I’m happy to keep waiting as long as the two are working on “The Punisher” though, because the character is the perfect choice for their unique brand of comic booking. The two are also fans of the medium and I picked this moment to influence you to pick up their book and to look for the little things in books that’ll make you smile. Yes, Punisher is wearing a Fraction/Aja/Hollingsworth “Hawkeye” T.
The last moment this week brought huge smile to my face and a bit of a sparkle to my eye. This happy moment from “Amazing X-Men” 4 was the best thing in comics this week bar none.
That’s all I have for this week. If you’d like to check out past issues of “Five and Three” you can visit the virtual spinner rack here. I’m always looking forward to seeing what you’ve got to say about my picks. Leave me a comment if you hated them and send me a Tweet @MarkAvo if you loved them. Remember to come back next week because, “Something, something Dark Side.”