This Week's Haul: Too many awesome comics aaaaahhh I'm gonna explode!
/A perfect storm of comic books.
Before I even begin, let's look at the all-star line-up of writers we had serving up the good stuff this week: Not one, not two, but three books by Grant Morrison, two by Geoff Johns, two by Ed Brubaker, plus books by Joss Whedon, Jeff Parker, Sean McKeever, Will Pfeifer, and Matt Fraction. Truly an awesome week.
Final Crisis #1
I hear people saying things like "Yeah, I don't know about Final Crisis...I guess I'll just see how the reviews are." To those people I say: guys, seriously. This is a sure thing. It's Grant Morrison and it's J.G. Jones. This is as safe as betting that I will never, ever see the Sex in the City movie.
The first issue was great. Really great. It was exciting, original, insane and laugh-out-loud funny at times.
And the art was beautiful. And most of the tie-ins are going to be written by Geoff Johns! What more do you want?!
Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1
The most eagerly anticipated book finally hit the shelves this week. This exceeded my high expectations, I don't know about you guys. Just an awesome read. And long! With no ads! I enjoyed having Joss Whedon writing some of the extended Marvel universe characters who show up in this book, including Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Dr Strange, and Iron Man.
I also enjoyed John Cassaday drawing them.
I don't care if that facial expression is physically impossible. I LOVE IT!
What if they teamed up for a 3-issue arc on Amazing Spider-Man?! Oh man!
Anyway, this was a very good comic. Worth the ridiculously long wait.
All-Star Superman #11
I can't believe this is almost over. I actually can't stand the thought of a world without new issues of this series. It's heartbreaking. Almost as heartbreaking as this issue was. Man, it was so good.
This series features my very favourite Lex Luthor ever. He's just perfectly written. So arrogant and so brilliant and so funny.
Really, every character is perfect. So as much as I can't wait for the next issue, it's going to be a sad day when it comes.
Batman #677
I don't know how into this event I am as a storyline with tie-ins, but I will reserve judgement. I am really liking the two issues of Batman so far in this story, though. As much as I don't care about Jet Jezebel as a character (her biggest flaw: she's not Catwoman), I did enjoy her sensible opinions about Bruce's probable insanity in this issue.
Seriously, Bruce. She has a point.
I especially loved that she mentioned witnessing the brutal murder of her own father, and how she didn't respond to it by becoming a vigilante in a bat costume.
Overall, this storyline is just really damn interesting, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Action Comics #865
Geoff Johns sets some things right in the world of Superman in this issue. Most importantly, he cleans up this whole Toyman mess that has been happening for decades. He brings Toyman back to being one guy, with one look. No more crazy interpretations. It's well done. And I appreciate it because, yeesh, that shit was getting confusing.
He also is bringing Cat Grant back to Metropolis! Yay!
This really was an awesome issue. I know it's going to get buried under all the other awesome this week, but you'd do well to pick it up.
Green Lantern #31
Geoff Johns again! I've been enjoying this Secret Origins arc because, as I've said before, I'll never get tired of reading Hal Jordan's origin story. And Johns' sense of humour really makes for a great re-telling.
Plus, y'know, gorgeous art. I can't wait until this is collected into a trade and I can sell it to people who want to be introduced to Green Lantern. Although, New Frontier is pretty much unbeatable for that too. But this brings in Sinestro, and these days that's all that new Lantern fans care about.
I loved this panel too:
Oh, Hal, honey. We know.
Daredevil #107
Dakota totally rules. She's just saying what we're all thinking.
Uncanny X-Men #498
Hey, look what I'm reading now!
I think it was the cover with Cyclops and Emma in the sixties get-up from last month that got me interested. Or maybe I was just bothered by the fact that there was a Brubaker title on the shelves that I wasn't reading. Or maybe I just needed a fix while waiting for Giant Size Astonishing. Whatever the reason, I added this title to my pull list and have been enjoying this story arc immensely so far. I also immensely enjoyed the extreme beefcake bondage cover this week. Oh Wolverine. Always getting tied up with your shirt off.
I read an unprecedented number of X-Men books this week, I think. And they were all really good. Besides the ones I'm writing about here, I also enjoyed Wolverine First Class and, as always X-Men First Class (complete with yet another adorable Colleen Coover back-up!).
Blue Beetle #27
Will Pfeifer steps in to guest write this issue and does a great job. It's a fun, wacky story that perfectly suits the title. Plus, there's lots of Traci Thirteen, which I am pleased about. Will Pfeifer rules.
And the cover, by Rafael Albuquerque, is really beautiful too.
Man, how is next week going to live up to this week?! It's just not possible!
