JUSTIN’S PICKS: AVENGERS & X-MEN AXIS #1: I wasn’t a big Marvel reader in the Heroes Reborn days, and the subsequent emergence of the villain called Onslaught. But when promotional material started showing up for Marvel’s next big event – Axis – featured that iconic armor with the Red Skull’s head peeking out, I was intrigued. It’s been a while since the Red Skull was such a major threat, and Uncanny Avengers (the series that laid the foundation for Axis) has been one of Marvel’s more consistently entertaining titles. So this is an event I actually look forward to with some anticipation. With Rick Remender, one of my favorite writers, at the helm, I know I can count on a certain level of quality.

PUNKS THE COMIC #1: Speaking of Mr. Remender, my first exposure to the guy was an interview he did with Dog, a character from Punks, in a special that came out in the mid 2ks. The premise is simple: four roommates, Abe Lincoln, Dog, Skull, and Fist, share a domicile and engage in various shenanigans. It’s absurd and hilarious, and the art style Kody Chamberlain employs, an analogue collage approach, suits the subject matter perfectly. Now, Chamberlain and writer Joshua Hale Fialkov unleash new misadventures of this unlikely foursome via Image Comics, and I urge any fan of quality humor comics to give this one a go. Chuckles guaranteed.

SETH’S PICK :: BLACKSAD: AMARILLO: Blacksad is hard-boiled comics at their finest. The fact that they’re anthropomorphic detective stories only adds to the enjoyment. In this latest book, John Blacksad travels through Texas in a big yellow Cadillac, only to encounter brutish bikers, an evil circus and murder. If you haven’t yet read these wonderful stories from Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido, you’re in for a treat. Blacksad books are ones you’ll return to frequently, sometimes to reread and sometimes just to bask in the beauty of Guarnido’s art. 

Bonus Pick: Battling Boy: Rise of Aurora West: A prequel to last year’s excellent Paul Pope Battling Boy graphic novel, this book follows Aurora West as she sets off on her heroic ways.  Unlike Battling Boy, this volume is presented in a smaller black and white manga format. That said, it’s still full of monsters and action, just like its predecessor. More importantly, it’s a very forward thinking addition to an increasing number of great all ages comics. 

RICO’S PICK :: BATGIRL #35: Project Rooftop has known it for years, passion for old characters can be reignited with a great costume redesign. This is tricky though. The entire New 52 launch was redesigned across the board with varying levels of success. An almost universally loved costume redesign for an established character is almost unheard of. Babs Tarr and Cameron Stewart have accomplished this rare feat with their Batgirl revamp which starts next week. Brendan Fletcher (co-writer of the wonderful Gotham Academy) is co-writing Batgirl along with Cameron Stewart while Stewart does layouts for Tarr who does the finished black and white art. The team is rounded out by brilliant cartoonist and HeroesCon darling Maris Wicks on colors. I’m looking forward to seeing where this team takes Barbara Gordon!

RICO’S PICK :: SOUTHERN BASTARDS VOL 1: HERE WAS A MAN: If you haven’t been following Jason Latour and Jason Aaron’s incredible Image Comics series, here’s your chance to catch up.  “Welcome to Craw County, Alabama, home of Boss BBQ, the state champion Runnin’ Rebs football team…and more bastards than you’ve ever seen. When you’re an angry old man like Earl Tubb, the only way to survive a place like this…is to carry a really big stick. COLLECTS SOUTHERN BASTARDS #1-4”

HEATHER’S PICKS :: Gotham Academy #1: I’ll confess, I’m not much of a Batman reader.  The closest I come to anything based in Gotham are occasional mini-series and Harley Quinn.  In spite of that, Gotham Academy caught my attention from its very announcement.  Perhaps one reason for that is the series is being co-written by Becky Cloonan.  I adore Becky’s art and I have also enjoyed all of her mini-comics I’ve picked up.  I haven’t read anything by Brenden Fletcher as of yet, but October will be the month to change that as Batgirl #35 hits October 8.  Gotham Academy follows the students at a prep school that sounds both creepy and entertaining.  With new characters and a look at the city’s history and mythology, Gotham Academy could become my Wolverine and the X-Men gateway book into the Batverse.

Bonus Pick: Thor #1: Have you guys heard that Thor’s becoming a lady? Man, has it been fun watching heads explode over that one.  You have to appreciate Marvel taking the risk of dethroning one of its popular male characters and passing his mantle and hammer over to a mysterious woman.  I haven’t read a Thor series since Marvel broke my heart with the cancellation of one of my favorites, Thor the Mighty Avenger, but if a woman can pick up Mjölnir, then I am willing to pick up Thor #1 by Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman.

SETH’S PICK :: THE LONESOME GO: It was tough to narrow my picks down to a single book this week. I could easily write about Jason Aaron’s new crime series Men of Wrath, the second issue of Ryan Browne’s hilarious God Hates Astronauts, or Blackhand Comics from Deadly Class artist Wes Craig. I’ll be picking all of those up this week, but I’m most looking forward to The Lonesome Go from Tim Lane and Fantagraphics. That’s a name most of you probably aren’t too familiar with, but he released a fantastic critically acclaimed book called Abandoned Cars a few years ago that I reread once a year.

This new book is a continuation of the types of themes and characters Lane first explored there: drifters, hobos, Americana, automobilia, early rock and roll and more. The narratives pay homage to the Beats, Charles Bukowski and Tom Waits, among others. Visually, Lane seems to channel parts of Dan Clowes, Charles Burns and various American Splendor contributors. Lane’s stories are admittedly dark, but also keenly aware that there is something inherently nostalgic about traveling America, alone or with complete strangers. The result is a book that is, like a road trip, as freeing as it can be unsettling. Fantagraphics has several preview pages available on their site HERE. Don’t miss this excellent book in a week full of good comics choices.

Thanks for coming out for our Southern Bastards event with Jason Aaron and Jason Latour! It was a great day and a fun time was had by all! We’ve posted a bunch of photos to show you all the fun you missed if you were unable to attend. Follow us on social media and check back here for news and updates about all the events we organize!

Boss BBQ, Sugah Jug Shirts and more are in our webstore now!
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Photos my Matthew Knapik and Rico Renzi — at Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find.

Join us for our 3rd Annual Heroes Pop Swap, Saturday, October 25th 10AM-4PM at our store. Whether you have things to sell, are shopping for treasure, or you just want to give your Halloween costume a test run, the Pop Swap is sure to be a great place for it!

A 6′ table is only $20 and you can be sure your great collectibles will be going to a loving home.  This event is limited to local creators and comics and pop culture enthusiasts (no professional dealers) who have interesting items in their personal collections that they are willing to sell and self-produced comics and related products. People who are purchasing space are encouraged not only to bring comics but any items falling under the pop culture umbrella. That could be toys, games, music, movies and more. Space is limited and reservations are 1st come, 1st served.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR YOUR TABLE TODAY!