STAFF PICKS :: MOON KNIGHT #1 :: MARCH 5, 2014
SETH’S PICK :: MOON KNIGHT #1: Moon Knight has often been treated as a multiple-personality-laden Batman of sorts. While the jumbled nature of the guy under the mask is intriguing, I’ve always been partial to the character’s horror elements. With this new relaunch, the creative team of Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey, and Jordie Bellaire seem poised to integrate both elements of the odd character for new readers. Though you might not initially recognize the character’s new look (white business suit sans the cape), you’ll no doubt remember that Ellis does still occasionally write solid comics for Marvel. The fantastic Nextwave series jumps to mind. And it’s worth noting that Shalvey and Bellaire, though they’ve already made names for themselves in their respective areas of comic making, do seem to have an opportunity to take their storytelling to interesting new places with this character. I should also mention that this book has been building advanced buzz in recent weeks. Don’t be surprised if this one sells out quickly.
Bonus Pick: Muppets Omnibus: Over the years on this blog I’ve written at length about the genius of Roger Langridge. While his Fred the Clown will always be my favorite, his work on the Muppets is downright joyous. Aside from being genuinely funny throughout, Langridge’s art is impeccable. This summer he’ll be returning to HeroesCon, so do yourself a favor and stop by his table to bask in the awe of his original art pages. Like me, you’ll probably wind up spending your money on several of his incredible pages. 
RICO’S PICK :: MEGAGOGO VOLUME 1: This week’s Megagogo by Wook Jin Clark is the first in a series of original graphic novels set in a world populated by giant robots, aliens and ATLiens, super-powered martial artists and more. You’ll be asking yourself questions like, “Could Voltron defeat the KKK?” Hop on board with this OGN and find out!
HEATHER’S PICK :: WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN #42: When I first read that Wolverine and the X-Men was ending at issue #42, I had a moment of panic. Was Marvel really cancelling my favorite book (again*)? WATXM has been my gateway into the X-Men. Prior to, I had only read Joss Whedon’s run on Astonishing X-Men and quit reading when he quit writing. WATXM was originally in Seth’s stack of comics, but by the second issue in it was now firmly in my stack each month.
Have you seen all the Trailers for The Great Muppet Heist? It looks like it will be one of the funniest movies of the year. To celebrate this event– in the tradition of The Handbook of the Marvel Universe (but less dry and much more fun!), Disney/Muppets/Lucas/ESPN in association with every subsidiary that has slipped my mind, proudly presents The Muppets Character Encyclopedia. From the pages I’ve seen in preview, this book guarantees to be a reading riot and offers some fun backstory for many of the secondary (but still beloved) characters like the Swedish Chef and Gonzo’s girlfriend Camilla the Chicken. This is a must-have for any fans of the Muppets.
Jason’s Pick :: Superior Foes of Spider-Man TP Vol. 1: Getting the Band Back Together: Say hello to the best book you haven’t been reading. It’s easy to dismiss Superior Foes as a cash grab to capitalize on the popularity of Dan Slott’s Superior Spider-Man title, but this book really has nothing to do with its parent title outside of the name. Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber have taken a handful of Spider-Man’s C-list foes and crafted a dark comic look into the lives of those on the wrong side of the law. This is Marvel’s answer to the Flash’s Rogues – they’re not out to take over the world…they just want to get paid. Take the criminal’s insider narrative of “Goodfellas,” the capers and twists of the “Ocean’s 11” series, and the humor and visual storytelling of Matt Fraction and David Aja’s Hawkeye, mix them together, and you’ve gotSuperior Foes. This book really seems to be flying under the radar, so grab this first trade paperback and see what you’ve been missing.
SETH’S PICKS: This week I’m eschewing our regular Staff Pick formula of choosing a single book to spotlight in favor of picking three new books that should be on your radar. First up is the debut trade paperback of FBP. It features the interesting premise of science gone awry, which is brilliantly illustrated by Robbi Rodriguez and our own Rico Renzi. It’s also hard not to mention the work of Nathan Fox, who expertly matches the tone and style of the interior art with his always inventive covers. Even more than that, this first collection includes the title’s first seven issues for a mere $9.99!
JUSTIN’S PICK :: THE BOJEFFRIES SAGA GN: Alan Moore is a pretty divisive presence in the funnybook sphere nowadays; the only people more vociferous than his fans seem to be his detractors. So I – fish nor foul – often feel a little lonely, being a moderate fan of the guy (i.e. I love his work, could care less about his personality). This book collects some old Warrior strips with Steve Parkhouse (plus a new installment to bring the family’s exploits into the present day). The Bojeffries Saga is billed as a mash-up of the Addams Family and Coronation Street, creepy, quintessentially British, all at once. Anglophiles note.
