War Journal Entry number 606 - Weekly Haul 1/7/09
MARVEL
Cable #10 - Duane Swierczynski + Ariel Olivetti. Gorgeous to look at, fun to read, and, finally, packed with some story. The main drawback that this series has suffered from has been a plot that moves a little to slowly for something released on a monthly schedule, but this issue turned that around.
Captain America #45 - Ed Brubaker + Luke Ross/Butch Guice. This issue actually came out the previous week and I missed it. Not a big deal since I was already planning on it being my last issue. Now that Bucky is beginning to settle into his role, and the Red Skull storyline that started in issue #1 has been resolved, my interest in this series has waned. It's still a good series with strong writing and art, and a series I would recommend for people looking to find an espionage thriller, but it's not my cup of tea.
Eternals #7 - Charles & Daniel Knauff + Eric Nguyen. Nguyen's art is more uneven here than I'm used to seeing it, some of the pages of this issue are downright crap. Still, the story is fun with more focus on action than plot. OK since it is the first part of a multi-part story.
Marvel Zombies 3 #4 of 4 - Fred Van Lente + Kev Walker. Lots of gross action and funny lines, the whole thing marred only by a lack of closure (it's to be continued in an upcoming Marvel Zombies 4 series).
Official Index to the Marvel Universe #1 of a lot - I'm not sure how many issues this is going to be, and I can't imagine it will sell horribly well as it is really only interesting to hardcore geeks like me. The series features issue by issue entries detailing the stories, characters, events, and tie-ins to the rest of the Marvel Universe for comics beginning in the early sixties. This issue focused on Iron Man, Spider-Man, and the Uncanny X-Men detailing Tales of Suspense #39-73, Amazing Fantasy #15, Amazing Spider-Man #1-52, and Uncanny X-Men #1-50.
Punisher #1 - Rick Remender + Jerome Opena. Frank realizes that having the ex-Green Goblin in charge of the nation's intelligence and defense is a very bad idea (look, Frank really IS the smartest man in the Marvel Universe) so he targets Norman Osborn for assassination. Unfortunately Normy is being guarded by the Sentry. The most unfair fight ever shown in comics thus ensues.
Secret Invasion: War of Kings - Dan Abnett/Andy Lanning + Paul Pelletier/Bong Dazo. (Yes, Bong Dazo is an awesome name. Now get over it.) This kick-off to the next cosmic cross-over is simply fucking awesome. I'm bouncing in my seat right now, and when I read it I was exclaiming out loud, multiple times, "Holy crap! That's awesome!"
War of Kings Saga - A free give-away that will bring you up-to-speed for what promises to be a good crossover (as opposed to Secret Invasion and Final Crisis). Of course, if you need to read this to catch up, then you've been missing out on some Marvel's best comics.
Wolverine: Swithback - Joseph Clark + Das Pastoras. Logan sets out to find out why so many passing tourists are disappearing in a small town, in the grisly but gorgeous story. The back-up by Gregg Hurwitz + Juan Doe is too short to have much substance, but still looks cool.
X-Men: Noir #2 of 4 - Fred Van Lente + Dennis Calero. It's a different sort of take on the X-Men, and mutants, but I'm waiting for how it pulls together before expressing myself about it.
DARK HORSE COMICS
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #21 - Jane Espenson + Georges Jeanty. Harmony gets her own reality show on MTV. Yup.
IMAGE COMICS
Walking Dead volume 9: Here We Remain - Robert Kirkman + Charlie Adlard. The latest collection of one of the best comic book series currently being produced. If you aren't reading The Walking Dead, then I feel bad for you.
ONI PRESS
Blue Monday: Thieves Like Us #1 of 5 - Chynna Clugston. Maybe it's because I've waited so long, but, damn, that issue flew right by. No, it is actually 23 pages but it felt like 10 and I want more! Wah!!!
WILDSTORM
Authority vol.5 #6 - Dan Abnett/Andy Lanning + Simon Coleby. Stormwatch shows up to actually help. Cooperation? Is this really a Wildstorm book? Yes, it is, it's a good one.
Cable #10 - Duane Swierczynski + Ariel Olivetti. Gorgeous to look at, fun to read, and, finally, packed with some story. The main drawback that this series has suffered from has been a plot that moves a little to slowly for something released on a monthly schedule, but this issue turned that around.
Captain America #45 - Ed Brubaker + Luke Ross/Butch Guice. This issue actually came out the previous week and I missed it. Not a big deal since I was already planning on it being my last issue. Now that Bucky is beginning to settle into his role, and the Red Skull storyline that started in issue #1 has been resolved, my interest in this series has waned. It's still a good series with strong writing and art, and a series I would recommend for people looking to find an espionage thriller, but it's not my cup of tea.
Eternals #7 - Charles & Daniel Knauff + Eric Nguyen. Nguyen's art is more uneven here than I'm used to seeing it, some of the pages of this issue are downright crap. Still, the story is fun with more focus on action than plot. OK since it is the first part of a multi-part story.
Marvel Zombies 3 #4 of 4 - Fred Van Lente + Kev Walker. Lots of gross action and funny lines, the whole thing marred only by a lack of closure (it's to be continued in an upcoming Marvel Zombies 4 series).
Official Index to the Marvel Universe #1 of a lot - I'm not sure how many issues this is going to be, and I can't imagine it will sell horribly well as it is really only interesting to hardcore geeks like me. The series features issue by issue entries detailing the stories, characters, events, and tie-ins to the rest of the Marvel Universe for comics beginning in the early sixties. This issue focused on Iron Man, Spider-Man, and the Uncanny X-Men detailing Tales of Suspense #39-73, Amazing Fantasy #15, Amazing Spider-Man #1-52, and Uncanny X-Men #1-50.
Punisher #1 - Rick Remender + Jerome Opena. Frank realizes that having the ex-Green Goblin in charge of the nation's intelligence and defense is a very bad idea (look, Frank really IS the smartest man in the Marvel Universe) so he targets Norman Osborn for assassination. Unfortunately Normy is being guarded by the Sentry. The most unfair fight ever shown in comics thus ensues.
Secret Invasion: War of Kings - Dan Abnett/Andy Lanning + Paul Pelletier/Bong Dazo. (Yes, Bong Dazo is an awesome name. Now get over it.) This kick-off to the next cosmic cross-over is simply fucking awesome. I'm bouncing in my seat right now, and when I read it I was exclaiming out loud, multiple times, "Holy crap! That's awesome!"
War of Kings Saga - A free give-away that will bring you up-to-speed for what promises to be a good crossover (as opposed to Secret Invasion and Final Crisis). Of course, if you need to read this to catch up, then you've been missing out on some Marvel's best comics.
Wolverine: Swithback - Joseph Clark + Das Pastoras. Logan sets out to find out why so many passing tourists are disappearing in a small town, in the grisly but gorgeous story. The back-up by Gregg Hurwitz + Juan Doe is too short to have much substance, but still looks cool.
X-Men: Noir #2 of 4 - Fred Van Lente + Dennis Calero. It's a different sort of take on the X-Men, and mutants, but I'm waiting for how it pulls together before expressing myself about it.
DARK HORSE COMICS
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #21 - Jane Espenson + Georges Jeanty. Harmony gets her own reality show on MTV. Yup.
IMAGE COMICS
Walking Dead volume 9: Here We Remain - Robert Kirkman + Charlie Adlard. The latest collection of one of the best comic book series currently being produced. If you aren't reading The Walking Dead, then I feel bad for you.
ONI PRESS
Blue Monday: Thieves Like Us #1 of 5 - Chynna Clugston. Maybe it's because I've waited so long, but, damn, that issue flew right by. No, it is actually 23 pages but it felt like 10 and I want more! Wah!!!
WILDSTORM
Authority vol.5 #6 - Dan Abnett/Andy Lanning + Simon Coleby. Stormwatch shows up to actually help. Cooperation? Is this really a Wildstorm book? Yes, it is, it's a good one.