Recent Comics

I wanted to do a post that emphasized the best of new books. I've really liked some new series. Some of the highlights:

1. Jason Aaron on Punisher -- I've already got an entire post about how cool this book is. Just a reminder. The new issue about Bullseye is on the top of my stack and I'm anxiously awaiting some time to read it.

2. Hickman on S.H.I.E.L.D. -- Also already repped here. Get em while they're hot.

3. Daytripper -- Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon are top talents. While Casanova made no sense, I always got the sense that literally everyone on that book was destined for bigger things. Fraction was ahead of the curve, obvi, landing big critically acclaimed work on Iron Fist, Iron Man, and Uncanny X-Men. Ba was involved in one of the bigger projects of the last couple of year with Umbrella Academy. But this book seems to be a labor of love book that showcases what these two really have to offer: personal stories, told elegantly and passionately. There are no heroes. There's no real intrigue. It's just great writing and art with heart-warming content. I can't wait to see where these guys go next.

4. Chew -- Incredibly original story. Cartoony but functional art. Great dialogue. And a plot with twists and turns but a central controversy. It's really good. I remember panning it when it was plugged in previews only to intensely regret passing it up. I'm probably going to feel the pain of not ordering a number one for a very long time when this book continues to produce. I think it has legs. It's an easy read and would be enjoyed by most anyone.

5. Sandman: The Dream Hunters -- P. Craig Russell + Neil Gaiman = magic. It's so formulaic that it's probably not worth adding to this list because anyone that knows anything should have already read this unless they just missed it. It's one of the top 5 Sandman stories, imho. But, like I said, this book probably doesn't need my rec to move product.

6. Flash -- Oh man. I read the first issue of the new Geoff Johns series last night and had a literal nerdgasm. The Rogues are there. Barry's back and getting grief from the CSI. There's allusion to a grand, time traveling conspiracy. I hope it involves killing all them Flash babies of Wally's. They suck. This book is setting us up for a grand Flash x-over for 2011. Thank god. It's good to have a legit Flash book back. Long live Johns on the Flash.

7. Upcoming GN's -- Captain Long Ears & Red Tide -- These books are as close to opposites as you can get, but I'm anxiously awaiting both of them. Captain Long Ears concerns some heady material (facing up to the consequences of one's actions and reality in general) but with traditional indy "who gives a damn" art direction. It reminds me of Kochalka but trying a little harder. Looks good. Red Tide is serious Philip Marlowe noir done by one of the absolute best comic creators of all time -- Jim Steranko. His work on Nick Fury is priceless (http://forum.valinor.com.br/attachment.php?attachmentid=17796&stc=1&d=1210696579); his impact on future avante garde art in comics is MORE valuable. This piece of original work should blow all of our minds.

Stay away from:

Greek Street -- This book is aimless crap. It's an attempt at doing True Blood with Greek myth, but it just ends up as drivel and gore with no real impact (much like the aforementioned crap TV show -- I have no idea how anyone likes that show). I love myth, but this book is not getting the job done at all. I was simultaneously bored and annoyed.

Crossed -- I don't get why this book is being made into a movie. I mean, I guess horror movies do well even when they're junk, but why that is remains a mystery to me as well. Anyway, don't be seduced by Garth Ennis's name appearing on the title. It's trash. Try American Vampire or the upcoming iZombie instead. Or just re-read your Walking Dead trades. Or just look st Suidam pics on the web.