STAFF PICKS :: THE MERCENARY SEA #1 :: FEBRUARY 12, 2014

February 10, 2014 By: Seth Peagler Category: DISCUSS, Staff Picks

staff_picks

seth_staff_picksSETH’S PICK :: THE MERCENARY SEA #1: The past few years have been a new golden age of sorts if you happen to be a fan of classic adventure and pulp comics.  We’ve seen the return of The Rocketeer alongside quality new series like Half Past Danger and Black Beetle.  Image gets in on the fun this week with a new adventure series of their own called The Mercenary Sea.  Set in the late ’30s, the series focuses on a ragtag group of mercenaries working odd jobs around the South Seas in a U-boat stolen by their captain.  Against the backdrop of impending war, the series promises everything from spies and pirates, to old fashioned war elements.  Though I’m not all that familiar with the previous works of creators Kel Symons and Matthew Reynolds, the previews I’ve seen of this new book suggest it’s a book well worth your investment this week.

Bonus Pick of the Week:  Lobster Johnson: Satan Smells a Rat TPB.  This latest collection starring Mike Mignola’s pulp wonder features art contributions from the likes of Kevin Nowlan, Wilfredo Torres, and Tonci Zonjic.  Aside from being yet another reliably good story of pulpy goodness that we’ve come to expect from these creators, this is a rare book where the title alone (“Satan Smells a Rat”) is enough to warrant a look. TheMercenarySea_01-1

Share

STAFF PICKS :: SLEDGEHAMMER 44 #1 :: MARCH 13, 2013

March 11, 2013 By: Seth Peagler Category: DISCUSS, Staff Picks

SETH’S PICK :: SLEDGEHAMMER 44 #1: I had a long, detailed paragraph prepared as to why I think you should spend your hard earned money on this comic. . .and then it disappeared from my computer.  Instead, I’ll just keep it short and simple.  1) There aren’t many war stories set in the Mignola-verse.  2) This one features an Iron Man archetype fighting Nazis, but is just as much about the normal soldiers on the ground as it is the armor.  3)  Though it was written (by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi) for genius John Severin to draw, when he passed away it was given to Jason Latour, who excels at the kind of detail-oriented research this story requires, and understands the importance of balancing that research with a focus on the characters themselves.  4)  In a week where I could easily write about the Hawkeye vol. 1 TPB, Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror #2, or Ben Katchor’s Hand Drying in America, this is the book I’m most excited about seeing and reading. 

Share

STAFF PICKS ROUND UP :: AUGUST 22, 2012

August 22, 2012 By: Rico Renzi Category: DISCUSS, Spotlight on New Releases, Staff Picks

ANDY’S PICK :: CAPTAIN EASY HC VOL 03 SOLDIER OF FORTUNE: This is the third of a projected 4 Volume Set that collects all the Classic Captain Easy. Sunday pages from the 30s and 40s; written and drawn by Roy Crane–one of the true masters and innovators of the comic form.  Few artists had the artistic and storytelling chops to take maximum advantage of the full size Sunday comic page and even fewer artists could successfully combine realistic backgrounds with big foot cartoony figures to make some of the most exciting adventure comics of all time. The stories leap off every page, the chases last for weeks on end, the punches lift the fighters right off the floor, and the reader never wants the action to end and it never does because every week is a cliff hanger.  Sure, there are a lot of classic reprints available, but the Captain Easy Sundays is in the small handful of required reading.  No collection of Comic Art (with a capital ‘A’) is complete without it.

DOUG’S PICK ::  Mind MGMT #4: is not your typical comic book- it’s so good even the paper stock is amazing. Shadowy groups, ambiguous allies and even a flight 815 draw many comparisons to TV’s Lost. This sci-fi mystery is moving at breakneck speed with each issue demanding multiple readings.  The main story is of a writer who is investigating a flight where everyone, save one, lost their memories. Writer /artist Matt Kindt uses everything available to immerse you in the story, including the inside covers and margins which give background to the title organization.

HEATHER’S PICK :: JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #12: I was super disappointed when Zatanna’s solo book was absorbed by the New 52 and only grudgingly picked up JL Dark.  I didn’t want a team book, I wanted a female centered superhero book.  Color me surprised when I enjoyed this new team-up and was happy to be introduced to new-to-me characters.  I’ve particularly enjoyed Jeff Lemire’s turn at the storytelling helm as he tackles the House of Mystery and the Books of Magic.  If you enjoy your superheroes with a supernatural twist, don’t miss this one.

RICO’S PICK :: LOBSTER JOHNSON: PRAYER OF NEFERU ONE SHOT: Wilfredo Torres provides art on this self contained Lobster Johnson story. Torres’ talents are well displayed depicting Egyptian motifs, bloated fat cats, and the brilliantly designed neo-pulp protagonist, Lobster Johnson. Arcudi and Mignola always deliver a great ride and Dave Stewart drenches the entire Mignolaverse in pitch-perfect color.

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.

BRENT’S PICK :: UNWRITTEN #40: Unwritten has been my favorite series on the racks since it debuted. Easy to pigeonhole as a “Harry Potter” spoof, this thoughtful book left that (admittedly great) jumping off point 30 issues ago. Carey and Gross are crafting a compelling and thoughtful work examining concepts of reality, fiction, history, zeitgeist, and belief. This issue concludes an arc that has seen much of the status quo change for our protagonists. Anything could happen next….!

IZZY’S PICK :: ADVENTURE TIME #7: The reason I chose this book is because I love it!  I like Jake because he is super super funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finn is really cool! Finn’s hat is awesome!!! This book is full of challenges and excitement and adventure!!!! I hope you like this book as much as I will!!!!!!

>BONUS PICKS :: BEFORE WATCHMEN: DR. MANHATTAN #1 (ADAM HUGHES!) & SCALPED #60 (The final issue of Jason Aaron & R.M. Guéra’s fantastic crime comic!)

 

Share

STAFF PICKS :: LOBSTER JOHNSON: PRAYER OF NEFERU ONE SHOT :: AUGUST 22, 2012

August 21, 2012 By: Rico Renzi Category: DISCUSS, Staff Picks

RICO’S PICK :: LOBSTER JOHNSON: PRAYER OF NEFERU ONE SHOT:  Wilfredo Torres provides art on this self contained Lobster Johnson story. Torres’ talents are well displayed depicting Egyptian motifs, bloated fat cats, and the brilliantly designed neo-pulp protagonist, Lobster Johnson. Arcudi and Mignola always deliver a great ride and Dave Stewart drenches the entire Mignolaverse in pitch-perfect color. Oh yeah, and how about that sweet cover by Tonci Zonjic!

 

 

 

Share



  • heroes on facebook heroes on twitter heroes on flicker




    Click Here To Help Support The Creators That Make Comics Possible!



  • www.flickr.com