It was a GREAT week for comics that I buy, and I am excited to tell you all about them FPNYC Faithful. Let me do so right now!
In terms of new releases for 2013, Sex Criminals (Images Comics $3.50) is definitely one of the books I was most hyped for. Oh wow, Chris is excited about a Matt Fraction book, I am surprised, said no one. All joking aside, I was sold on this title after I got a chance to read a few pages at Heroescon this year, and the final product definitely met, and exceeded, my expectations. It’s been awhile since I’ve gotten to enjoy a creator owned book by Fraction, and Sex Criminals shows of a side of the writer’s talents only hinted at in Hawkeye. It’s funny, with a hint of tragedy, and if you’re not following Fraction on Twitter, some of the adult content shown off in the book will suprise you. And speaking of Twitter, Chip Zdarsky‘s art is as good as his tweets are hilarious. His style is very unique, and he does some really impressive work with layouts, panels designs, and comedic delivery. And being a comedy book only makes it stand out on the shelves even more. I can’t recall reading a book this funny in awhile, outside of Superior Foes of Spider-Man, and it looks fantastic, thanks in-part to some wonderful coloring. Sex Criminals is definitely something different and something adult, but worth it if you’re not afraid to try something not involving spandex, and are a fan of Judd Apatow style comedies.
Once again another issue of Saga (Image Comics $2.99) hits the stands, and once again, I’m blown away. I’ve praised the book plenty time in the past, but there’s a 4 panel sequence towards the end of the book that’s so beautiful it’s hurts. Everything about this book is perfect, from the dialogue, the emotional timing, to the art. It’s a really difficult book to review when everything is done so right. With only 14 issue under their belts, Staples and BKV have introduced a fairly large cast, a very diverse one at that, and their designs and actions just show how powerful their creators imaginations is. Image has been THE publisher for the last 18 months or so, and books like Saga are the reason why.
If you remember last week (which you should, otherwise you may have some problems), I was not kind to the latest issue of Captain Marvel. This week, Avengers Assemble #1 (Marvel, $3.99) drops by the same writers, and it’s a much needed improvement. Kelly Sue Deconnick and Jen Van Meter use Infinity to delve into Spider-Woman psyche, and showing off a side of Black Widow we usually don’t see. It’s a fun read, and Barry Kitson delivers the type of visuals you’d expect from the veteran artists. Unfortunately, the art suffers from being inked by no less than 4 inkers, and it doesn’t stay as consistent as it does when Chris Bachalo does it. It’s still a good issue, and well wroth your time. And Avengers Assemble is only going to get bet, as November see Warren Ellis jump on board to lend a hand with the scripts.
Pretty cover is pretty, and super misleading. Don’t expect a mutant throw-down in Wolverine and the X-men 36 (Marvel, $3.99). What you should expect is one hell of a plot twist, and a great story told by Jason Aaron and Giuseppe Camuncoli. If you haven’t jumped on board with Battle for the Atom yet, there’s very little this issue will offer you, but if you’re like me, you will scream at several points in this book. It’s great, simple as that. we’re about halfway through Battle of the Atom and this event is delivering, not unlike Schism from a few years back. With any luck, this will continue into October, and we’ll have an X-event for the ages.
