JUSTIN’S PICK :: BATMAN BLACK & WHITE #1: In the wake of DC’s massive roll-out of Forever Evil and Villains Month, it might be easy to overlook a black and white anthology, even if it does feature one of the greatest comic book icons of all-time. Batman as a character tends to attract comics’ top talent, and in that interest, DC has revived the Black & White series. Boasting a stunning cover by Marc Silvestri, this issue is a cornucopia of amazing art and writing, from Chip Kidd and Michael Cho‘s wonderful team-up tale to a Harley Quinn/Poison Ivy yarn by dream team Maris Wicks and Joe Quinones. Bat-luminary  Neal Adams flies solo, John Arcudi pairs nicely with Sean Murphy, and Howard Mackie and Chris Samnee round out this outstanding issue with a truly grisly character study of one of the Caped Crusader’s most intriguing villains. In the sound and fury of all these .1 issues, take a little quiet time with this gem, and revel in the art form we all love and appreciate.

SETH’S PICK :: ROCKETEER: CARGO OF DOOM HC: Didn’t I just write about Rocketeer last week?  Indeed I did, and while there are several other books I’m excited about this week (Winter Soldier #16, Hellboy in Hell #4, Lost Vegas #1), it’s inevitable that I’ll re-read the new Rocketeer collection first thing Wednesday night.  There’s an innocence to Mark Waid and Chris Samnee’s take on Dave Stevens’ classic character, but also a love for the traditions of pulp and adventure stories.  Anyone could wax poetic about the genius of the Rocketeer, but it still boils down to entertainment value, and this collection has plenty of that.  Oh, and there are dinosaurs.  A guy with a rocket pack fighting dinosaurs in 1930’s California.  That’s enough for me.

SETH’S PICK :: THOR THE MIGHTY AVENGER COMPLETE COLLECTION: This series remains one that I wholeheartedly love.  Though Marvel ended it far too early, and though their attempt to pigeonhole it as an all-ages book may have limited its audience, the book may well be one of the purest examples of super hero comics from the past decade.  You’ve got Roger Langridge writing a charming tale, Chris Samnee doing work that probably helped land him his current Daredevil gig, and perfectly fitting colors by Matt Wilson.  There are obligatory appearances from the likes of Captain America, Ant Man/Giant Man, Wasp, Sub-Mariner and Iron Man, but more than that, there’s a wonderful energy in these books.  These are stories that unabashedly celebrate what made so many of us love super hero comics from our first encounters with them.  The fact that these are innocent tales you can read to your children is really just the icing on the cake. 

JUSTIN’S PICK :: DAREDEVIL #22 : Mark Waid continues his seminal run on Marvel’s Man Without Fear, ably abetted by the inimitable art of Chris Samnee. This issue finds ol’ Hornhead face-to-face with the Marvel U’s newest contender, the Superior Spider-Man. Matt Murdock is sure to sense something amiss with his old cohort, but the reappearance of a souped-up Stilt-Man might put those suspicions on the back burner. Tightly plotted and wonderfully drawn, Daredevil remains one of Marvel’s most premium offerings.

SETH’S PICK :: ROCKETEER: CARGO OF DOOM #1: The best Rocketeer stories will always be ones by his creator, Dave Stevens.  I am, however, really pleased with not only both volumes of Rocketeer Adventures, but also this new four issue mini series from IDW.  Mark Waid is tasked with the writing duties, and he’s made a career out writing characters with a clear and respectful understanding of their place in comics history.  On Thor: The Mighty Avenger and Captain America and Bucky, artist Chris Samnee showed he could tackle innocent adventure stories and period pieces.  More than anything, IDW’s new Rocketeer stories remind us that even if we’ll never be able to see any new art from the late, great Dave Stevens, we can continue to celebrate his legacy with books like this.