I survived New York Comic Con 2013 and all I got was….a butt ton of stuff actually. Roughly $180 worth or stuff. No regrets, YOLO and such, because if I review it, I can write it off come tax time, at least I think I can. I now hope my accountant does not read my articles.
And yes, I’ve decided to use a photo of my wife as part of my convention recap once again, because I like her Spider-Woman costume and she looks SUPER CUTE next to her most favoritest writer Kelly Sue Deconnick, who’s comics I’ve praised often round these parts. NYCC ’13 was rad overall, as I got to enjoy 2 FXX related panels, heard of the return of Stephanie Brown, watched as Marvel announced a TON of new books with awesome female leads, did some cosplay things (Check me out in the NYCC edition of Time Out New York and the Business Insider) and like I said above, bought stuff. A good time was had by all, especially Visa, so let’s get with the talking of comics.
X-men #6 (Marvel)
Brian Wood/ David Lopez
$3.99, 20 pages
REJOICE, AS CAPTAIN MARVEL VOLUME 2 RELAUNCHES IN MARCH 2014 WITH DAVID LOPEZ JOINING THE CREATIVE TEAM! BUT ALSO BE SLIGHTLY UPSET, BECAUSE THAT MEANS HE’S NOT DRAWING THE X-MEN AGAIN ANYTIME SOON.
X-Men #6 is proof of why the later sucks, because David is REALLY good at drawing mutants, even when there is a numerous amount of them. At this point in his career, it’s scary to think that he may only get better, because he’s pretty damn good right now. I’m not sure how much of this comic was fully scripted vs. Marvel style, but Lopez’s panels are dynamic, and they deliver the proper drama needed because there are 2 ZOMG! level twists in this book. Also a hilarious scene where a baby floats away in a hamster ball (sorta) and Rachel Grey and Psylocke both being badass. That isn’t to say Brian Wood is a slouch, because chapter 7’s script is a HUGE step up from Chapter 6’s , which is a fine issue, but the stakes are definitely raised in this issue, as secrets are revealed and the plot takes yet another interesting turn. With 3 issues to go, Battle of the Atom continues to deliver thanks to A+ creators like Lopez and Wood, and I’m excited to see how this all wraps up.
Afterlife with Archie (Archie Comics)
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa/ Francesco Francavilla
$2.99, 20 pages
We now live in a world where the Riverdale Gang must survive the zombie apocalypse. Truly this is the best of times.
I couldn’t tell you what the last time I bought an comic published by Archie was, even though I’ve heard a number of their books in the last few years have been both extremely progressive and good. But then they go release a zombie comic drawn by Francesco Francavilla, and BLAM, bought on day 1. It could be the fact that I love zombies, but it’s probably more of the fact that I love Francavilla’s art, which is the pretty legit, and very much gives off that ol’ EC Horror Comics vibe. It’s great stuff, as Aguirre-Sacasa’s handling of the cast is definitely in-tune with their “canon” voices, but obviously this not the Archie you give to your kids, as this issue ends SPOILER with Zombie Jughead SPOILER. Also it is violent and spooky as hell, a little sexy. Well I think Sabrina is cute and man, now I feel extra creepy for typing that. Perfect for the season. Halloween that is, although the Walking Dead hype at NYCC is also fitting in a way.
Short week is short, but don’t worry, I’ll be back real soon to scream about the return of Hawkeye.
