SHAMELESS PLUG! Got an email from the fine folks at New York Comic Con last week, confirming a panel I submitted has been approved. The exact details are coming shortly, but know that once again, I am HYPED.
In addition to good NYCC news, I had an excellent week in buying comics. Burn the Orphanage (Image Comic, $3.99, 38 pages) debuted this week, and I was sold on by the concept alone. As a child of the 90s, beat ’em up video games ( i.e. Final Fight and Streets of Rage) were a big part of childhood, and this book is definitely a giant love to them. Creators Sina Grace and Daniel Freedman don’t exactly craft the deepest narrative, but I didn’t expect that coming into this book. I wanted a fun, violent action comic and man, they delivered, creating a great blockbuster comic chock full of Easter eggs and reference to some of my favorite video games of all time. My only complaint is that the art is a little too sketchy at some points, and the inking could have been better during those times. But that aside it’s a great done and one comic, even though it’s the first part of the “Born to Lose” trilogy. I dug the hell out of it, even with not knowing much about the creators going into it and am eager for the 2nd installment in November.
Speaking of pleasant surprises, the 2nd issue of The Superior Foes of Spider-Man (Marvel Comics, $2.99, 20 pages) definitely confirmed this title of the 2013 answer to Hawkeye. This without a doubt is the best book to come from Nick Spencer’s time at Marvel, as he crafts a tale with 3 or four cool twists, some great humor and some really great character work with some terrible people (theey are bad guys after all). And the ending gave me a “HOLY CRAP” moment, giving a nice shout-out to the Jeff Parker-era Thunderbolts/Dark Avengers run. Steve Liebler art is also fantastic. It’s very much cleaner and finished than his Hawkeye stuff, which if you’re familiar with his Image book “Underground”, it comes as no surprise. His cast looks surprisingly human at all the right times, despite being dressed in ridiculous costumes, and it helps sell Spencer’s script. Editor Stephen Wacker has done some wonder with his street level books, but I never though a Spider-Man spin-off would be better book than the already strong Superior Spider-Man. Do not pass over this book.
Wrapping up my pulls this week is All New X-men 15 (Marvel Comics, $3.99, 20 pages). While Uncanny has been hit or miss for me, All New has been FANTASTIC. This issue, drawn by guest artist David Lafuente, was another great issue, even with being extremely light on the action. Lafuente’s facial expressions help sell simple jokes, express anger, and ensure that Young X-men from the past look like teenagers. It’s a sweet issue, although certain events from this issue, not to mention things that have gone done do not bold well for the X-men’s future. Which is why we’re due for a crossover next month. Bendis was no slouch in the word department either, but Lafunete shines in this issue. Obviously the clam before the storm, All New X-men delivers, and I hope this book stays as good as it’s been come crossover time!
That’s all for this week (Fatale volume 3 review soon, I promise). Next time SAGA’S BACK, SAGA’S BACK, EVERYTHING IS GREAT BECAUSE SAGA IS BACK!
