Monday 25 July 2011

What to Read on Wednesday - 27/07/2011

Solicitations for the ten comics to check out this week. (Plus this week - a special bonus)

Amazing Spider-Man #666 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Dan Slott
Art by Stefano Caselli
Cover by Mike Del Mundo
'Spider-Island Prelude.' New York has been infested and the web grows as it gets ready to explode into Spider-Island Normal people are getting Spider-Powers! But not all of them realize that with great power must also come ....you know the rest. Okay, sure we often say Peter Parker's life will never be the same. But listen, pal, we've never been more serious. Heroes and villains are crawling all over Manahttan and no one knows why. This will change everything for Pete, for Spidey.




Captain America and Bucky #620 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Ed Brubaker & Mark Andreyko
Art by Chris Samnee
Cover by Ed McGuinness
Think you know the story of Cap and Bucky's origins? Well, think again! The secret story of the early days of Captain America, told from Bucky Barnes's point of view. 












Criminal: The Last of the Innocent #2 (of 5) (Marvel Comics)
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art & Cover by Sean Phillips
Things are going from bad to worse... One-time All-American Boy, Riley Richards is caught in a brutal murder and double-cross that may be his only way out of the trap his life has become!









Detective Comics #880 (DC Comics)
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Jock & Francesco Francavilla
Cover by Jock
It all comes down to this! The Joker is on the loose in the catacombs beneath Gotham City, more vicious and frightening than ever. But even as Batman closes in on The Clown Prince of Crime, he begins to suspect that the city may be the target of an even deadlier threat – one that could shake Gotham City to its core.








Flashpoint: Project Superman #2 (of 3) (DC Comics)
Written by Scott Snyder & Lowell Francis
Art & Cover by Gene Ha
FLASH QUESTION: Who is behind Project Superman?














Joe Hill's The Cape #1 (of 4) (IDW Publishing)
Written by Joe Hill & Jason Ciaramella
Art & Cover by Zach Howard & Nelson Daniel
A line has been crossed. After years of failure, Eric has finally found something he's good at, and is determined to let the world know. The follow-up to December's critically acclaimed, quickly sold-out one-shot, this new miniseries is again written by Jason Ciaramella and Joe Hill, with art by Zach Howard and Nelson Daniel. Explore your dark side.








Secret Warriors #28 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Alessandro Vitti
Cover by Paul Renaud
Over two years in the making, see how everything ends after last month's shocking conclusion. What will happen to Nick Fury? Who lives? Who dies? What is the stunning new direction for the remnants of S.H.I.E.L.D. in the Marvel Universe?! Find out in Secret Warriors #28 -- it's 'Wheels within Wheels'








Ultimate Comics Fallout #3 (of 6) (Marvel Comics)
Written by Jonathan Hickman & Nick Spencer
Art by Steve Kurth, Eric Nguyen & Carlo Pagulayan
Cover by Adam Kubert
Spider-Man No More.
The End before The Beginning.










Venom #5 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Tony Moore & Tom Fowler
Cover by Tony Moore
Can the new Venom and Peter Parker (The Amazing Spider-Man) put aside their differences to help save a man from himself? Plus Betty Brant, crusading blogger and gal pal to Flash Thompson may be onto the secrets behind the infestation kicking off this summer's Spider-Blockbuster!






X-Men: Schism #2 (of 5) (Marvel Comics)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art & Cover by Frank Cho
The X-Men event of the decade starts here!!  It's never been a more dangerous time to be a mutant. Even with their numbers at a record low, the world refuses to trust mutantkind...and after a mutant-triggered international incident, anti-mutant hatred hits new heights. Of course it's at this moment, when the mutant race needs most to stand together, that a split begins that will tear apart the very foundation of the X-Men. From superstar writer and Marvel Architect Jason Aaron and a full roster of comics' top artists, this is an X-tale that will reverberate for years to come! Come October, the X-Men landscape will be irreparably changed.




And the aforementioned special bonus...


The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - Century: 1969 (OGN) (Top Shelf Productions/Knockabout)
Written by Alan Moore
Art & Cover by Kevin O'Neill
CHAPTER TWO takes place almost sixty years later in the psychedelic daze of Swinging London during 1969, a place where Tadukic Acid Diethylamide 26 is the drug of choice, and where different underworlds are starting to overlap dangerously to an accompaniment of sit-ins and sitars. The vicious gangster bosses of London's East End find themselves brought into contact with a counter-culture underground of mystical and medicated flower-children, or amoral pop-stars on the edge of psychological disintegration and developing a taste for Satanism. Alerted to a threat concerning the same magic order that she and her colleagues were investigating during 1910, a thoroughly modern Mina Murray and her dwindling league of comrades attempt to navigate the perilous rapids of London's hippy and criminal subculture, as well as the twilight world of its occultists. Starting to buckle from the pressures of the twentieth century and the weight of their own endless lives, Mina and her companions must nevertheless prevent the making of a Moonchild that might well turn out to be the antichrist.

Monday 18 July 2011

What to Read on Wednesday - 20/07/2011

Solicitations for the ten comics to check out this week.

Batman: Gates of Gotham #3 (of 5) (DC Comics)
Written by Scott Snyder & Kyle Higgins
Art & Cover by Trevor McCarthy
It's Batman and Red Robin vs. The Architect as the villain tears through Gotham City's first families! 
Plus, who is Nicholas Anders? The team continues to investigate the mysterious man from turn-of-the twentieth-century Gotham, but what they find may change everything they know about the city itself!







Daredevil #1 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Paolo Rivera & Marcos Martin
Cover by Paolo Rivera
THIS SUMMER, THE DEVIL IS REBORN. RENEWED. RESURRECTED.
With new enemies, new friends...and that same old "grinnin' in the face of hell" attitude, The Man Without Fear is back in a double-sized first issue and leading with his face! 
Mark Waid (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, Irredeemable, RUSE) joins neo-legendary artists Paolo Rivera and Marcos Martin for a new spin on Daredevil that will leave you gasping for air. Having turned his world upside over the past several years, Matt Murdock realizes that justice may not be blind to his past and villains may not be the only ones looking for answers. Bring it on. If Matt Murdock could see what he was doing...he'd be terrified.





DC Retroactive: Batman - The '70s #1 (DC Comics)
Written by Len Wein
Art & Cover by Tom Mandrake
The 1970s was a pivotal decade for Batman, one in which he transitioned from TV's campy Caped Crusader into today's Dark Knight Detective!
Now, legendary scribe Len Wein (DC UNIVERSE: LEGACIES) tells a never-before-revealed tale from this era in a brand-new story!
Plus: Following the 26-page lead story is a classic tale originally published in the '70s, also written by Len Wein!





DC Retroactive: The Flash - The '70s #1 (DC Comics)
Written by Cary Bates
Art & Cover by Benito Gallego
In a new tale from classic 1970s writer Cary Bates, Gorilla Grodd unleashes his most ruthless attack yet against his nemesis, The Flash - a plan for revenge so warped and diabolical, it dooms The Scarlet Speedster to a slow and agonizing fate that will end his heroic career and cause an unspeakable rift between Barry and his wife, Iris!
Plus: Following the 26-page lead story is a classic tale originally published in the '70s, also written by Cary Bates!





DC Retroactive: Wonder Woman - The '70s #1 (DC Comics)
Written by Dennis O'Neil
Art & Cover by J. Bone
From legendary scribe Dennis O'Neil comes an untold adventure starring DC's Amazon Princess in her "white costume" phase! When Paradise Island is in danger, Wonder Woman must complete three tasks to save her homeland from destruction. But are these tasks too difficult even for her?
Plus: Following the 26-page lead story is a classic tale originally published in the '70s, also written by Dennis O'Neil!





Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #2 (of 3) (DC Comics)
Written by J. T. Krul
Art by Alejandro Giraldo
Cover by Cliff Chiang
FLASH QUESTION: Trapped behind enemy lines, will the Grayson family be able to help the Resistance, or is this their final performance?






Power Girl #26 (DC Comics)
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Hendry Prasetya
Cover by Sami Basri
Power Girl is in the big leagues now - and the First Annual "Power Girl Convention" has asked her to attend! But is she ready to meet her #1 fan? How about when that fan decides to keep P.G. around as her best friend and personal bodyguard - forever?






Rocketeer Adventures #3 (of 4) (IDW Publishing)
Written by Joe R. Lansdale, Jonathan Ross & Ryan Sook
Art by Tommy Lee Edwards, Ryan Sook & Bruce Timm
Cover by Alex Ross & Dave Stevens
The third rollicking issue of Rocketeer Adventures goes from high-spirited pulp adventures from a decidedly unexpected source, to the too-cool junior Rocketeer brigade - plus another rollicking tale, and a couple of beautiful pin-ups - it just doesn't get any better than this!







Ultimate Comics Fallout #2 (of 6) (Marvel Comics)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman & Nick Spencer
Art by Gabriel Hardman, Bryan Hitch & Lee Garbett
Cover by Bryan Hitch
Spider-Man No More.
The End before The Beginning.










War of the Green Lanterns: Aftermath #1 (of 2) (DC Comics)
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Miguel Sepulveda
Cover by Dave Johnson
The shocking consequences of the blockbuster "War of the Green Lantern" event have shattered the lives of Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart and Kyle Rayner in ways no one will see coming.

Monday 11 July 2011

What to Read on Wednesday - 13/07/2011

Solicitations for the ten comics to check out this week.

American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #2 (of 5) (DC Comics)
Written by Scott Snyder
Art & Cover by Sean Murphy
Vampire hunters Cash McCogan and Felicia Book get shot down over the mountains of Romania and find themselves trapped between Nazi patrols - and vampires.










Captain America #1 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art & Cover by Steve McNiven
Bestselling Cap writer Ed Brubaker and superstar artist Steve McNiven bring you the next huge chapter in Steve Rogers life, and it's a perfect jumping-on point for fans of the Cap movie. 
A funeral for a fallen friend turns into a race against time as the original Captain America makes his explosive return!







Detective Comics #879 (DC Comics)
Written by Scott Snyder
Art & Cover by Francesco Francavilla
For years, Jim Gordon has been tormented by the possibility that his son, James Jr., might be a killer. Tonight, he'll get the answers he's been after. But is the truth about James even darker than the Commissioner, or even Batman, could have guessed?










FF #6 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Greg Tocchini
Cover by Mark Bagley
The Return of the King. 
Black Bolt is back and is determined to reclaim his throne.











Flashpoint: Frankenstein & The Creatures of the Unknown #2 (of 3) (DC Comics)
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Ibraim Roberson
Cover by Doug Mahnke
FLASH QUESTION: Can our heroes find the cure to their afflictions, or will the monster hunter Miranda Shrieve kill them before they get the chance?








Punisher MAX #15 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Steve Dillon
Cover by Dave Johnson
The Punisher is locked in a high-security prison, with every inmate in the place out for his blood. When the convicts begin banding together to stage a full-scale prison riot, how will the Punisher survive when all the hate, rage and violence contained within these walls comes bearing down on him alone?






Red Wing #1 (of 6) (Image Comics)
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art & Cover by Nick Pitarra & Rachelle Rosenberg
To stay alive in the future, the best fighter pilots in the world not only have to perfect their skills and master their aircraft, they also have to know how to travel through time.
Brought to you by award winning writer Jonathan Hickman and possibly the best new talent of the year, Nick Pitarra, the Red Wing is the story of the greatest battle in the history of the history of three worlds.





Ultimate Avengers vs. New Ultimates #6 (of 6) (Marvel Comics)
Written by Mark Millar
Art & Cover by Leinil Yu
THE LAST CHAPTER!
The explosive battle between the Ultimate Universe's most powerful super hero groups comes to a close... but who will be left standing?











Ultimate Comics Fallout #1 (of 6) (Marvel Comics)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art & Cover by Mark Bagley
The End before The Beginning.














X-Men: Schism #1 (of 5) (Marvel Comics)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art & Cover by Carlos Pacheco
The X-Men event of the decade starts here! 
It's never been a more dangerous time to be a mutant. Even with their numbers at a record low, the world refuses to trust mutantkind...and after a mutant-triggered international incident, anti-mutant hatred hits new heights. Of course it's at this moment, when the mutant race needs most to stand together, that a split begins that will tear apart the very foundation of the X-Men. 
From superstar writer and Marvel Architect Jason Aaron and a full roster of comics' top artists, this is an X-tale that will reverberate for years to come! Come October, the X-Men landscape will be irreparably changed.

Tuesday 5 July 2011

The Best Comics of 2011 - The First 6 Months

26. Ultimate Comics Captain America #3 (of 4) (Marvel Comics)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art & Cover by Ron Garney
An Ultimate Comics groundbreaking miniseries!Captain America has seen things no soldier should ever see, been to places that no man should be able to return, and beaten foes that no other hero could put down. Now, in the jungles of Cambodia, one man will push Captain America to, and past his limits. And Cap may not come back! The superstar team of Jason Aaron and Ron Garney bring you a brutal story you will NOT want to miss!




25. Batgirl #22 (DC Comics)
Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Art by Pere Perez
Cover by Dustin Nguyen
When Stephanie Brown arrives in London for a top-secret Batman Incorporated assignment, jet lag, lost luggage and those terribly difficult accents are the least of Batgirl's problems - the actual Greenwich Mean has been stolen, and as all of London literally grinds to a halt, it's up to Batgirl and Squire to save the United Kingdom! Tally-ho!




24. Amazing Spider-Man #656 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Dan Slott
Art & Cover by Marcos Martin
The debut of the NEW SPIDER-ARMOR!
If Spider-Man hopes to find a way to defeat his new nemesis MASSACRE, he'll need the help of his all new, all-power costume! But will protecting the people of New York mean that Spider-Man finally takes the last measure-- killing a bloodthirsty madman when there are no other options? (by the way, your first answer is wrong!)





23. Brightest Day #19 (DC Comics)
Written by Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, Ardian Syaf, Scott Clark & Joe Prado
Cover by David Finch
The BRIGHTEST DAYS are numbered as this best-selling series heads toward its shocking conclusion, and fans won't want to miss a single page of the action! 
"Aquawar" breaks out with Aquaman, Mera, Aqualad and a surprise guest star facing off against the terrorist forces of Black Manta and Siren to keep the vast waters of the world from sinking the United States!





22. Wolverine #8 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Daniel Acuna
Cover by Jae Lee
In the final showdown with the X-Men, Wolverine will fight a battle on two fronts. Inside his own head, Logan makes his last desperate stand against the demon hordes looking to burn his psyche to the ground. While outside, it's demon-Wolverine in a fierce battle with Cyclops! Can Logan survive both engagements? And if he does, will he ever be the same? Find out here!




21. Scalped #46 (DC Comics)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by R. M. Guera
Cover by Jock
Officer Falls Down endures a bizarre captivity at the hands of the mysterious Catcher while inmate Lawrence Belcourt finally gets a face-to-face meeting with Chief Red Crow.








20. Punisher MAX #10 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Steve Dillon
Cover by Dave Johnson
"BULLSEYE" PART 5
Marking the return of Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon's acclaimed PUNISHER MAX this issue finds the Punisher gunning for the Kingpin with the entire NYPD breathing down his neck. The Kingpin is counting on Bullseye to get the Punisher before the Punisher gets him but the assassin has been slowly driving himself crazy trying to figure out the riddle of Frank Castle.





19. Moon Knight #1 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art & Cover by Alex Maleev
The wait is over! Moon Knight is here...like you've never seen him before! And we mean NEVER! 
The Eisner award-winning team of Bendis and Maleev tear into the mythos of Moon Knight with the same verve and derring-do they brought to Daredevil. A MARVELOUS reinterpretation of one of the most enigmatic characters in Marvel history starts right here!





18. Sweet Tooth #17 (DC Comics)
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art & Cover by Jeff Lemire
The war between the cult army and the militia erupts as Jepperd finally encounters Abbot in his insane attempt to rescue Gus. Not everyone's making it out of this one, and those that do survive will never be the same. The next stage of the SWEET TOOTH saga begins here!








17. Brightest Day #23 (DC Comics)
Written by Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, Ardian Syaf, Scott Clark & Joe Prado
Cover by Gary Frank
It's the beginning of the end as we head toward the epic conclusion to BRIGHTEST DAY! The mystery of the heroes' return and the secrets of the white forest are revealed! 
Plus, Captain Boomerang draws closer to completing his mission! 
And at last, it's Firestorm vs. Deadman!




16. Scalped #45 (DC Comics)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by R. M. Guera
Cover by Jock
Beginning an all-new arc that counts down toward the landmark 50th issue and sees Red Crow facing a new challenger for tribal leadership, Dash pursuing his mother's murderer and Officer Falls Down facing a most unusual captivity...








15. Secret Six #34 (DC Comics)
Written by Gail Simone
Art by J. Calafiore
Cover by Daniel Luvisi
He's been a man of honor seeking his righteous path. But now, Bane has looked into the abyss and seen only the futility of his quest. His one lifeline has been Scandal Savage, but will she be enough to stop his descent - or has the obsession taken over Bane again?






14. Scalped #48 (DC Comics)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by R. M. Guera
Cover by Jock
Dash finally gets a chance to uncover the truth about who killed his mother - but the offer comes from an unlikely source. 
"You Gotta Sin to Get Saved" continues!









13. Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #158 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art & Cover by Mark Bagley
Death of Spider-Man!
The Sinister Six are determined to bury Spider-Man for good, and if Spider-Man can't find Aunt May or Mary Jane, they could be going with him. "Death of Spider-Man" rages on, and the real question is, will anyone survive?









12. Hellblazer #275 (DC Comics)
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli & Stefano Landini
Cover by Simon Bisley
Many things have conspired to stop John Constantine from getting married, not least of which is John Constantine himself. But this time it's different - this time it's the young, beautiful alchemist Epiphany Greaves. Even as the church fills and the blushing bridegroom slips a carnation into his buttonhole, things can go horribly wrong. Uninvited guests from Heaven and Hell threaten to ruin the wedding of the year. In this issue, confetti and brimstone and the smell of blood fill the air for an extra-sized nuptials issue.




11. G. I. Joe Cobra II #13 (IDW Publishing)
Written by Mike Costa & Christos N. Gage
Art & Cover by Antonio Fuso
After the shocking events of last issue, all bets are off for the last chapter of Chuckles' undercover saga. He'll have to face enemies, friends... and, finally, himself. Costa, Gage, and Fuso finally bring one of the most shocking GI Joe stories of all time to a close, and not everyone is getting out alive.








10. Batgirl #17 (DC Comics)
Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Art by Pere Perez
Cover by Dustin Nguyen
Batgirl has been given her first sanctioned Batman Incorporated assignment solving a series of high-profile kidnappings, and she's thrilled! Well, she was - until Damian Wayne decided to ride shotgun. Can the Dysfunctional Duo stop fighting long enough to save the children of Gotham City's elite?






9. Detective Comics #877 (DC Comics)
Written by Scott Snyder
Art & Cover by Jock
"Hungry City," part 2 of 3! 
When the carcass of a killer whale is discovered in the middle of Gotham City's financial sector, Batman is thrown into a mystery the likes of which he's never experienced - a mystery which soon brings the Dark Knight face-to-face with the terrifying new symbol of organized crime in Gotham!







8. FF #1 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art & Cover by Steve Epting
It's the FANTASTIC first issue of FF! 
A bold new direction for Marvel's First Family featuring new members, old friends, older enemies and uneasy alliances that will send shockwaves through the Marvel Universe. 
With stunning art work by Steve Epting and Paul Mounts, please join writer, Jonathan Hickman, on the second massive arc in the bold new direction for the "World's Greatest Comic"





7. Scalped #49 (DC Comics)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by R. M. Guera
Cover by Jock
The mysterious Catcher has always walked his own path, but for him, time is running out. As another searing story comes to an end, will Catcher finally run out of places to hide?








6. Detective Comics #875 (DC Comics)
Written by Scott Snyder
Art & Cover by Francesco Francavilla
"There are some cases that come screaming back at you...like phone calls in the night..."
For years, Jim Gordon has been haunted by the unsolved case of Gotham's notorious "Peter Pan Killer." Now, armed with new evidence, Gordon is determined to put the case to rest.
But as he digs deeper, he'll unearth a shocking discovery about his own past - a revelation that will shake him to the core. Skeletons will be exposed and secrets revealed in this special issue featuring art by Francesco Francavilla!





5. Punisher MAX #12 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Steve Dillon
Cover by Dave Johnson
FRANK, PART ONE
Last issue's final confrontation with Bullseye left Frank Castle wounded and reeling in more ways than one. Now confined to a prison hospital bed, Frank must begin the long painful process of healing, not just for his broken body, but his horribly-scarred soul as well. To do that, he'll have to face the darkest secret of his past, one he'd hoped would stay buried forever.





4. Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #160 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art & Cover by Mark Bagley
Death of Spider-Man!
The culimination of DEATH OF SPIDER-MAN is here.












3. Scalped #50 (DC Comics)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by R. M. Guera, Dean Haspiel, Denys Cowan, Igor Kordey, Jill Thompson, Timothy Truman & Others
Cover by Jock
This landmark fiftieth issue features two special stories, one detailing the long bloody history of scalping and scalphunters, and the other spotlighting the founding of the Prairie Rose rez as seen through the eyes of Dash Bad Horse's ancestor, His Many Bad Horses. 
Don't miss this all-star celebration of all things SCALPED!





2. Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #155 (Marvel Comics)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Chris Samnee
Cover by Sarah Pichelli
THE END STARTS HERE! 
The Death of Spider-Man prologue!! THE most talked about story of the year begins!! Peter Parker has gathered his most eclectic group of friends and family in the world. In this very special issue we will discover some shocking secrets that will either pull them closer together or push them apart forever. Welcome to Spider-Man stories you have never read before. Welcome to the beginning of the end of what you know to be Ultimate Spider-Man. And welcome fan-favorite Chris Samnee as he makes his Ultimate Universe debut!



1. Batman Incorporated #6 (DC Comics)
Written by Grant Morrison
Art & Cover by Chris Burnham
The threat of Leviathan is growing! The true reason behind the formation of Batman Incorporated comes to light as we're introduced to the newest members of Bruce Wayne's private army. But when all is said and done, can Batman and his allies even hope to defeat the monstrous threats that await them?