Justice Society of America #12 (DC) - In this issue Jakeem Thunder returns and the JSA “reaches out to the next wave of legacy heroes: the new Mr. America, Judomaster, Amazing Man and more!” I think I would like this series much more if the roster didn’t change every three issues and relationships are weren’t manufactured and forced, rather than earned. But in team books like JSA, I seldom look for relationships and more at the juxtaposition of various characters. JSA works because of who the team members are, not necessarily what they do. Kingdom Come Superman just has to be in the book for me to want to read it, and if he doesn’t develop as a character, there are a dozen other people on the team I can turn to. Read the rest of this entry »

Jack of Fables #19 (Vertigo/DC) - Jack is still in Americana and it looks like the crew is going to the Fable version of Chicago, or at least, I assume Chicago. The issue’s description said, “Do you like mobsters? Do you like shootouts? Do you like frogs in top hats? What about Canadians? Do you like them? If so, then this is the story you’ve been waiting for your entire life.” I don’t know how I feel about a Canadian Fableland, but the tour of America’s subconscious has been fun so far, and after the zombies of last issue, I’m convinced this series can do no wrong.

New Avengers Annual #2 (Marvel) - The Hood is pissed after the last issue of New Avengers the where the Avengers and an army of illusions dismantled his super crime headquarters, but now this new Kingpin is ready to rumble and he’s bringing his super villain army with him. The result: a big fight and Spider-man and Hawkeye making a bunch of jokes! According to Marvel, “This double-sized issue ties into or wraps up threads from Civil War, World War Hulk, both Avengers titles and the upcoming Secret Invasion!!”

Mighty Avengers #8 (Marvel) - Dr. Doom has released a Venom virus onto Manhattan, turning everyday citizens into alien killing machines. We’ve already seen this fight in New Avengers, but now we get to see this battle in the book it was meant for. I like that while these are two separate teams, Brian Michael Bendis keeps the stories together so it’s almost like one massive series.

Captain America #34 (Marvel) - I’ve talked about this issue twice, once in October about the new Captain America costume, and then again about Cap’s new identity. This is the issue where we find out who is taking Captain America’s place after the original Cap was gunned down. I want to say that this will be Bucky, but then again, that’s what Marvel wants you to think, so maybe they’ll throw you a curve ball and not choose Bucky. Then again, maybe Marvel expects that you’ll think that they think you’ll think it’s Bucky and not pick a curveball, but Bucky. Hmmmmm. Of course, Bucky is probably a Skrull, so that may cause issues down the road.

Avengers: The Initiative #9 (Marvel) - The Initiative will be rocked to the core as the sins of the past resurface. I don’t care about that. I’m more excited to see how Eric O’Grady will react to it!

Images courtesy DC and Marvel

From Rags To Riches, From Riches To Rags

One of the exciting things about the comic book industry boom of late is the ability publishers are having to tread new waters. Ideas and concepts that wouldn’t have been marketable in the medium years ago are now given the shot to reach a wide audience.

Comic books are not just for comic book nerds anymore.

I am not a listener of Rap or Hip-Hop. Given the choice I’d rather listen to suburban white kids screaming in the background of complaints about how their parents aren’t “fair” - but that’s just me. When I came across Sentences: The Life of M.F. Grimm I was skeptical. How could I enjoy a book about a subculture I knew nothing about? Read the rest of this entry »

I forgot to mention last week that new comic book day is not Wednesday, rather the third business day of that week. While this usually falls on Wednesday, on weeks where Monday has stores closed, or like this or last week where Monday and Tuesday stores are closed, new comic book day is on Thursday and Friday respectively. So this Friday, check out some of the New Year’s newest comics. Read the rest of this entry »

Jack of the Tales is in Americana, the American Fable land stationed somewhere in the Homelands.

He is with the Pathetic Fallacy, Humpty Dumpty and begrudgingly one of his former captors, Hillary Page, Paul Bunyan, Babe the Tiny Blue Ox, and Raven of Native American mythology. While Page has another mission, Jack is (of course) searching for gold.

Credit: DC

The group meets Tom Sawyer and Jim on their way to Steamboat, the Mississippi River region of Americana and travel to Idyll, a 50s town populated by Zombies. Read the rest of this entry »

The comic publishers send their product descriptions to Diamond Comic Distributors, the comic book supplier to most comic book stores for North America three months in advance.

This March there are dozens of great titles to preorder. Read the rest of this entry »

Jack Spratt Could Take No Crap

A spin-off of Bill Willingham’s astounding Fables comics, Jack of Fables is able to meet the expectations the other series created. Read the rest of this entry »