The new X-Men era got off to a very strong start last week with Wolverine and the X-Men #1, which was good enough to win Rusty’s nod for Best Book of the Week. (It also currently leads the poll!) So this week we’re definitely excited about the other side of that same coin: Uncanny X-Men #1! It’s the start of a brand new era for the Children of the Atom!
As you know, the events of "Schism" have resulted in the the X-Men being split into two squads — Wolverine and his team setting up shop back in Westchester, and Cyclops and his team hanging back in Utopia. Marvel is calling this status quo "Regenesis," and there’s never been a better time to get on board.
UNCANNY X-MEN #1
Written by Kieron Gillen
Illustrated by Carlos Pacheco
After the Schism, Uncanny X-Men starts over at #1. What is to become of Cyclops and the mutants who side with him after the big split? And what does it have to do with the resurrected Mister Sinister? The hottest new writer in the business, Kieron Gillen (Thor) and superstar Carlos Pacheco (X-Men: Schism, Ultimate Avengers) bring you the biggest and baddest X-Men you’ve ever seen.
Marvel Comics’ Uncanny X-Men #1 comes out this Wednesday!
This week sees the release of the first Hellboy original graphic novel, called Hellboy: House of the Living Dead! This hardcovers re-teams Hellboy creator Mike Mignola with artist Richard Corben, who have worked together most notably on the Hellboy mini-series The Crooked Man. The story takes Hellboy back to his time in Mexico… Viva Hellboy!
Or, as Mike Mignola said recently, "In some places, it’s really funny; in other places, it’s really disturbing. In a lot of places, it’s really spooky, so it does what Richard and I do really well together, which is, stuff where you go ‘I can’t tell if this is supposed to be funny or not.’" Boy is that Hellboy in a nutshell.
HELLBOY HOUSE OF THE LIVING DEAD HC
Written by Mike Mignola
Art by Richard Corben
Devastated over the loss of his luchador comrade to vampires, Hellboy lingers in Mexican bars until he’s invited to participate in the ultimate wrestling match with a vicious Frankenstein monster!
Dark Horse Comics’ Hellboy: House of the Living Dead comes out on Wednesday!
In honor of Halloween, we’ve got some spoooooky highlights for you today, beginning with Dark Shadows #1 from Dynamite Entertainment! It’s a trip back to the daytime television show of the 1970s, picking up directly where those episodes of Dark Shadows left off!
Collinwood, an ancestral mansion on the remote Maine coastline, is home to the Collins family, a dynasty haunted by secrets and a supernatural curse spanning two centuries. Barnabas Collins is facing an uncertain future and new threats. Cursed in 1795 by the witch Angelique, Barnabas has lived as a vampire for almost two centuries. Out of his own time and now a self-appointed protector for the Collins family, accompanied by his loyal confidante Dr. Julia Hoffman, Barnabas lives in fear that Angelique might return as he seeks a cure from his vampiric affliction.
Fear! Desire! Passion! Melodrama! It’s all in the pages of Dark Shadows!
DARK SHADOWS #1
Written by Stuart Manning
Art by Aaron Campbell
Television’s original reluctant vampire is back! Barnabas Collins is re-adjusting to life under his vampiric curse. Haunted by terrifying dreams of his age-old lover and nemesis, Angelique, and fighting his bloodlust, Barnabas fears that danger lies ahead for all who live at Collinwood. Meanwhile, Barnabas’ ally and trusted friend Dr. Julia Hoffman is harboring secrets of her own…
Dynamite’s Dark Shadows #1 comes out on Wednesday!
As we did last week, this week’s Whiz Bang is something of a walk down Memory Lane. Or, in this case, some well-articulated posturing down Memory Lane! Ha!
Yes, this week we’re bringing back all the action figures we Whiz Banged throughout the year and giving you one more chance to get them at at a great price. What is that price exactly, you ask? A salient question. The answer: $10.00!! Every single action figure we’ve Whiz Banged will be available this week for just $10.00. So, in the interest of formality:
For this entire week — from Wednesday, November 2, to Tuesday, November 8 — all previously Whiz Banged action figures are on sale for JUST $10.00!
Here they all are. And, as I said last week, not every one will be available, as we’ve probably sold out of a couple, but most of them are here and will be on the front table!
Marvel leads the way this week with several big titles, most notably Uncanny X-Men #1! It’s the other side of the spectrum from last week’s Wolverine and the X-Men #1 and finds Cyclops, Magneto, Emma Frost and the rest of his team in Utopia. We’re also looking at Fear Itself #7.1, the first of a three-part follow-up to the big event of the year, and Fear Itself Fearless #2 (of 12)! Also, Moon Knight #7, Hulk #44, Amazing Spider-Man #673 and more!
From DC, the third month of the New 52 begins and we’re set to see Action Comics #3, Animal Man #3, Swamp Thing #3, Detective Comics #3, Stormwatch #2, Red Lanterns #3 and more! Plus, on the Vertigo side, Sweet Tooth #27 and American Vampire #20!
Over at Image Comics, look for the long awaited third issue of Nick Spencer’s Infinite Vacation! Plus, Invincible #84, Witch Doctor #4 and Spawn #213! Elsewhere, look for The Goon #36 from Dark Horse, Dark Shadows #1 from Dynamite and Peanuts #0, the first issue of a new monthly series from BOOM! Studios.
Happy Halloween, one and all! We’ve got a verrrry spooky Top Twenty for you today… okay not really. It’s a Top Twenty just like any other Top Twenty; that is to say it’s chock full of our opinions on the best comics out there! We saw the end of Fear Itself, the end of the X-Men, all the #2′s DC could throw at us and of course plenty of other good stuff.
In case this is your first time, the Top Twenty is an ongoing monthly look at two ordered lists comprising A) The top twenty single issues of the month and B) the top twenty current series in comics. How did we come up with the lists? Well, the Cosmic Comix Top Twenty Committee took several things into consideration: Best Book nominees, poll winners and poll votes, sales numbers and general buzz levels surrounding each book. Yes, your input is not only appreciated but also counts toward the rankings. So let us hear it!
Top Twenty Comics of October 2011 The Best Single Issues
JUSTICE LEAGUE #2 – The only book this month to win both the poll and Best Book of the Week! Lots of curiosity going in, lots of speculation. It stood up to everything and turned would could merely have been a big fight into a big and awesome fight.
CHEW #21 – The first part of a Chew story arc, always a momentous occasion. And this was a particularly great part one. Chew rules!
WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #1 – It’s Wolverine setting up shop at the new school in Westchester. One of the most readable and enjoyable comics of the month.
FEAR ITSELF #7 (OF 7) – A very good ending to a pretty phenomenal event. Huge in every sense of the word and the battle in this one lived up to all expectations.
PUNISHERMAX #18 – It was the clear favorite in relatively slow week and took its own already high standard of violence to delightful new heights. Goodbye, Bullseye!
SWAMP THING #2 – A dark horse from the New 52 comes up big this month with a huge poll victory!
BATMAN #2 – A very solid showing in the polls propels Scott Snyder’s Batman to the #5 spot. It just reads like a Batman comic should read.
SUPERIOR #5 & 6 (OF 6) – We’ll count these as one book, because we can do things like that. Plus they were both good! And we still have issue #7 of this six-issue mini-series to look forward to!
SCALPED #53 – Simply Scalped! The rez is turning inside out!
SHADE #1 (OF 12) – Its victory in the poll was a little suspect, but nevertheless it was a great start to what will surely be a very interesting year-long series.
AVENGERS #18 – Tons of stuff going on and a great transition make this one our favorite Avengers title of the month!
UNCANNY X-MEN #544 – This one was just cool. The final issue of the series! Was it all a dream? Was it all just Mr. Sinister’s vision? Who knows!
WALKING DEAD #90 – Not much else you can say about this one except that it was about as Walking Dead-esque a comic as you could hope for. Nothing happened… but so much happened!
JOE HILL THE CAPE #2 (OF 4) – Things are not looking good over at The Cape. Young guy gets superpowers, does bad things with them. Now, he’s doing REALLY bad things with them. This is one of those gotta-see-what-happens-next books.
GREEN LANTERN #2 – Sinestro schools Hal Jordan for his lack of Green Lantern-ness.
SECRET AVENGERS #18 – The third of Warren Ellis’ six one-shots. Look out for Shang-Chi, master of kung fu! Also look out for Sharon Carter and the Satan Claw!
JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #629 – If you were reading Fear Itself, this issue took you much deeper into the story. Turns out Thor had some help in taking down the Serpent!
ACTION COMICS #2 – Superman at the mercy of Lex Luthor… but not for long!
Top Twenty Titles of October 2011 The Best Current Series
CHEW – Choo-choo! It’s Rusty’s calling card for whenever the subject of Chew comes up. Which is almost always. Because it’s so good. (TPBs)
SCALPED – Scalped winds toward its conclusion and just gets better and better. (TPBs)
PUNISHERMAX – Still the grittiest Punisher… possibly ever.
WALKING DEAD – Things aren’t going well for Rick and the gang. But the Walking Dead as a franchise is doing just fine! Tune in on AMC! (TPBs)
FEAR ITSELF – Overall, an outstanding and totally successful event. So good we had to give it some respect in the Top 20!
BATMAN – The best Batman book on the shelves right now.
AMERICAN VAMPIRE – A fine wrap-up of the excellent mini-series has us stoked for all things American Vampire!
SECRET AVENGERS – Our main man Warren Ellis is three for three! Keep it up!
GI JOE: COBRA – Keeps delivering the spy vs. spy international intrigue! (TPBs)
JUSTICE LEAGUE – Definitely one of the most intriguing titles in the New 52 and a guaranteed opinion-maker.
SUPERIOR – Disappeared from the rankings for a while but it’s back, baby!
BUFFY / ANGEL & FAITH – No need to know anything about the Buffy TV show. These comics totally stand up on their own. And they’re excellent!
JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY – Seems to deliver a quality read every time! Always something different, always something interesting.
MIGHTY THOR – The fact that Thor died may have an affect on this title.
DAREDEVIL – You’ve seen it on our sidebar since issue #1 and we’re still saying you should read it.
INVINCIBLE – No Invincible this month, but it does come out on Wednesday! (TPBs)
GODZILLA: GANGSTERS AND GOLIATHS – Wrapped up beautifully. John Layman (Chew) needs to write more stuff.
X-MEN LEGACY – Doesn’t have a whole lot to do with the main X-Men drama (Schism, etc.) but so, so good nonetheless.
DETECTIVE COMICS – The first issue surprised a lot of people and the second issue kept it up nicely. Definitely an adult vibe on this one.
Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ Criminal comic series is being adapted to film. Brubaker will take the first pass at the script with David Slade (30 Days of Night, Twilight Saga: Eclipse) slated to direct. (Slade is also supposed to be working on a new Daredevil film, but perhaps that has been nixed.) The story will be an adaptation of “Coward,” the first story-arc from the series.
In 2012 Mars Attacks will celebrate its 50th Anniversary and has set up shop at IDW. There will be a new ongoing comic book series, as well as, reprints of older material. Will aliens be the new zombies? You never know.
The shift continues on the DC52 books. Ivan Brandon is leaving Men of War after issue #6. No word on who might be replacing him. I liked Brandon, but just could not get into Men of War. I hope that he snatches up a new writing assignment soon.
Marvel’s All Winners Squad: Band of Heroes was supposed to be an eight issue mini-series. I understand that Marvel has canceled it with issue five instead of letting the mini finish out. This is a shame because I really liked it. The worst part? The fifth issue ended with a cliffhanger. That’s right, Marvel canceled a mini-series early with no story resolution. The editor on the book was one Marvel recently laid off. I can see stopping a regular series for sales, but why cancel a mini early? Bad form Marvel. Very bad form indeed.
Just fair warning for the readers this week: There are some spoilers in my reviews. Normally I try to be a bit vague, but this week I definitely include some specific plot points. It is just the way it goes sometimes. There were lots of great books. My favorite was I, Vampire #2, though after picking it as my favorite the week the first issue came out, I wanted to change up the reviews this time around. Enjoy!
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #672
Written by Dan Slott
Pencils by Humberto Ramos
Inks by Victor Olazaba & Karl Kesel
I have a confession to make. I have not really liked Spider-Island. In fact, I have downright loathed it. In my mind it is the exact opposite of what makes Spider-Man work as a character. Events, gimmicks, and the hero teaming with a small nation of heroes does not make for great Spidey stories. What makes Spider-Man stories great are the personal touches and the deep connection between the character and the reader. It is watching Peter Parker have the worst luck, being painted into a corner and rising to the occasion anyway. Spider-Man fights the good fight even though sometimes he is going to lose.
With all that in mind, despite all of the weaknesses of Spider-Island, Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos delivered perhaps some of my favorite Spider-Man moments in years with this issue. And as a lapsed Spider-Man fan I read this issue to see how Spider-Island ended and by the end I was running through the streets like a madman screaming, “Yes! Yes! This is how to write Spider-Man! Joe Quesada take notes!”
Ahem. The best moments in this issue revolve around two characters: Peter and Mary Jane. When Mary Jane shows up sporting Spidey powers even The Thing says, “Now that’s what I call a Spider-Woman!” (Too bad Spider-Woman was standing right there and called Ben Grimm out on it.) She’s there to help and as Peter Parker makes a big push to save all of the people that have been turned into huge mutated Spider-people (yes, this was the plot) Mary Jane saves his skin, noting that she probably owes him one or two anyway. Peter uses his science skills to save a million people in New York and he is extremely happy in the knowledge that he did something perfectly right. While watching Peter save the day MJ tells him she loves him and when he asks her what she said she lies and says “nothing.” There were just lots of fantastic moments like these peppered throughout the issue.
Last week, I read The Armed Garden, which was an example of myths and fables in sequential form. This week I wasn’t sure what to read so I went with a book that everyone says you are supposed to read: HICKSVILLE, written and illustrated by Dylan Horrocks, published by Drawn and Quarterly.
Have you ever wondered what comic book artists did in their free time? Did you ever imagine that they all went away to some south seas island where they could focus on creating the comic books they wanted to create? Or maybe you just wished that your local library stocked a copy of Action Comics #1 that you could actually sign out? Well, that’s the setting of Hicksville.
Leonard Batts is a writer for a magazine dedicated to comic books. He is writing a story about the Dick Burger, the man who 20 years earlier had revitalized the comic book industry. He travels to Hicksville, a tiny New Zealand town, to research Burger’s early life and discovers that everyone there hates him. And so he starts to unravel the mystery about how a town that celebrates everything comics can hate the man who has done the most for the medium.
Hicksville is what I call a pedigreed book. It was named a Book of the Year by The Comics Journal and received nominations for two Ignatz’s and a Harvey Award. It’s one of those books that all the critics loved and makes the casual run away screaming. But, unlike some of the art books that critics always say you should read, this one is good. In fact, it’s great! Because, above everything else, Hicksville is a love letter to comic books.
First off, full disclosure: I am an X-Men fan. From way back. And as a long time X-Men fan it might surprise you, especially if you’re also an X-Men fan, to find out that I am totally fine with Schism, the reboot and even the way the characters (most notably Wolverine) are currently being portrayed. But I am.
And I totally appreciate it when the writer, Jason Aaron in this case, acknowledges something that the comic book reading public (and me in particular) has been thinking. Not only did the issue begin with a conversation between Wolverine and Professor X about how it is unimaginable that Logan would be the one to reopen a school for teenage mutants, but the new Black King of the Hellfire Club, Kade Kilgore, said, “The very idea of a Wolverine school for gifted youngsters is utterly absurd. Nevertheless here we are.” Couldn’t agree more. The idea is utterly absurd! Makes me laugh every time I think about it. And yet I am going with the flow ’cause WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #1 was great.
I’ve read so many comics that had an interesting idea… a nice twist… a tantalizing hook… and failed. Why? Because execution always tops idea, and good execution can save even the most absurd of ideas!
WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #1 was funny. It was nicely paced, well written and well drawn. It touched on a multitude of characters and a multitude of plots. It set the stage for what is to come, told an entertaining story and just had a real nice flow to it.
Kitty was great. The New York State Department of Education flunkies were great. Husk. Idie. Quentin Quire. Beast. Toad. Kid Gladiator. Doop. Even the ending. Loved it all. Just a great start.
And even if you’re not an X-Men fan. If you don’t read X-Men comics at all. You are welcome to enroll in the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning featuring headmaster Wolverine. Don’t worry about what’s happened in the past. Don’t worry about what’s going on in the other X-books. WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #1 was self-contained, self-explained and just a very enjoyable read. Think you’ll like it. Read it up!
Two powerhouses from DC’s New 52 fought it out for the top spot in last week’s poll, with Batman #2 eventually coming out ahead over Justice League #2. While Fear Itself #7, the final issue of Marvel’s big event, wasn’t far behind! All in all, a respectable race and many kudos go to the competitors. Wouldn’t be surprised if we saw all three of them in this Monday’s Top Twenty!
This week saw the last of the #2 issues from the New 52, the beginning of Wolverine and the X-Men and a couple of our favorite series, including Scalped and Cobra! Now, you tell us…
What was the best book of the week?
Wolverine and X-Men #1 (5 Votes)
Aquaman #2 (4 Votes)
Superman #2 (3 Votes)
Cobra Ongoing #6 (3 Votes)
I Vampire #2 (3 Votes)
Journey into Mystery #630 (3 Votes)
Spaceman #1 (2 Votes)
Many a fine comic, good sir. But nary a one I'd choose! My favorite is... (2 Votes)
Secret Avengers #18 (1 Votes)
Walking Dead #90 (1 Votes)
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #3 (1 Votes)
Teen Titans #2 (1 Votes)
Batman The Dark Knight #2 (1 Votes)
Stitched #1 (0 Votes)
Star Wars: Crimson Empire III – Empire Lost #1 (0 Votes)
I would like to touch on two big new #1 releases this week before we get to the nominees. SPACEMAN #1 by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso takes place in a dystopian future with the world split between have’s and have not’s. Pure Azzarello, pure Risso. Just about what you’d expect from them. And INCREDIBLE HULK #1. Hulk and Banner have been split into two distinct beings. Hulk now lives underground with the moloids and is chanelling a Planet Hulk persona. Meanwhile, Banner seems to be visiting the Island of Dr. Moreau.
And while I won’t be nominating them this week, although I’m sure Andy will be including them in the poll and you are welcome to vote for either of them, I do think they are both worth checking out. Both had lots of set up in the first issue. Think both have a chance to be even better as we move on to the second issues and beyond.
Nominees. And a ton of my favorites came out this week.
COBRA ONGOING #6 – You know I love this one. So much is happening as we get ever closer to finding out who the new Cobra Commander will be. And the funny thing is who the new Cobra Commander will be is almost the side plot at this point. Cobra! Read it up!
JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #630 FEAR – Little Loki was barely even in the book. Which is one of the things I love about this title. You never know what you will find. Volstagg takes center stage this time and another unseen element in the defeat of the Serpent is revealed. I have criticized the portrayal of Volstagg as a buffoon on many occasion. This was Volstagg done right. Death to Nazis!
SCALPED #53 – You know I love this one. And once again so much is happening as we get ever closer to the finale of Scalped. Red Crow lives! Scalped! Read it up!
SECRET AVENGERS #18 – I was giddy. Warren Ellis is the man! David Aja is the artist. Risso and Aja in the same week? Awesome! Two of my all time favorite artists. Shang-Chi was kung fu fighting. And Sharon Carter even threw a move. Satan Claw!
STITCHED #1 – Garth Ennis is back with another mature readers Avatar jaunt. Army men stranded in the wilds of Afghanistan come up against some undead monsters who want to obviously kill them. Guts galore and not for the feint of heart.
ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #3 – The scale of this book is incredible! Nick Fury assembles an armada of helicarriers to take on the Children of Tomorrow. They get slaughtered. Four helicarriers destroyed. Over 9000 men and women killed. Gonna be interesting to see how it all wraps up. The genie is out of the bottle. The Children of Tomorrow seem to have conquered Europe and Southeast Asia. Asgard has been destroyed. Putting that genie back in the bottle at this point is gonna be tough. And I hope they don’t even try.
WALKING DEAD #90 – You know I love this one. And once again so much is happening as we get… wait a minute… wait a minute… it’s the Walking dead… I forgot… it’s the Walking Dead… and once again nothing happened! Now just hold on a gol-durn minute. The moron was disarmed and chastised. Carl got out of bed. Glen and Maggie talked. And Rick kissed Andrea. And you said nothing happened! Walking Dead! Read it up!
As for the DC books this week. No surprises. I liked what I liked last time. AQUAMAN #2, I VAMPIRE #2, SUPERMAN #2, TEEN TITANS #2 and VOODOO #2. All five titles have been quickly added to my favorites list and I think I will like all five titles for some time to come. All just gonna get even better. Read ‘em up!
I’ve just realized that the past few months have been very kind to comic books, insofar as popular culture is concerned. Not only did DC relaunch all of its titles (maybe you’ve already heard that, I myself only just learned about it yesterday), but also Peter Parker died in the Ultimate Universe AND one of the highest rated shows on television is based on a zombie comic book! High times indeed.
But, what the public SHOULD be thinking about is none of those things. What they should be thinking about is, "I wonder what covers Andy B. will pick for his Best Covers column this week?" It’s a much more pressing issue, and if people knew what was good for them they’d understand how much more enjoyment they’d get out of life by reading this column each week. It’s just another step toward flourishing as a human being, what Aristotle called Eudaimonia. (Though some of the more cynical readers out there might refer to it as just another brick in the wall. But they’re jerks so we ignore ‘em.)
WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN #1
Variant Cover by Nick Bradshaw
This probably isn’t the cover you’ve seen for this comic. Nope, it’s the variant by Mr. Nick Bradshaw, whose style you might recognize from any number of places, but I’m reminded of the "Escape from the Negative Zone" story arc that ran through several Marvel annuals. Full disclosure: I wasn’t the biggest fan of the artwork. I found the highly stylized faces very distracting! But with this cover I may be coming around.
Mainly, I love how short Wolverine looks. I know that in the comics he’s not exactly Manute Bol or anything, but in this rendering he’s bordering on Oompa Loompa status… and I love it.
Jason Aaron is having a pretty good week! You probably just saw our post about Wolverine and the X-Men #1, and here he’s joining forces with artist Marc Silvestri to redefine the Hulk in an all new ongoing series!
After the events of Fear Itself, The Hulk has gone into hiding, seemingly safe from a world that hates and fears him. But when government agents come knocking at his door, The Hulk has no choice but to return to war against the one man whose existence threatens the safety of every living creature on the Earth. The one man whose existence could doom the Hulk himself. And that man is Bruce Banner. Check out the trailer!
INCREDIBLE HULK #1
Written by Jason Aaron
Pencilled by Marc Silvestri
This October, Incredible Hulk #1 smashes into stores courtesy of Marvel Architect Jason Aaron and legendary artist Marc Silvestri! Prepare for an Earth-shaking brawl for the ages that no fan of the Marvel Universe can miss—Banner vs Hulk!
Marvel Comics’ Incredible Hulk #1 comes out on Wednesday!
The X-Men have fought countless foes, from the sewers of New York City to the outer reaches of space, but the challenge that ultimately divided them… came from within. After the events of X-Men: Schism, mutantkind is striking out in a new path, beginning in this week’s Wolverine and the X-Men #1!
“Wolverine and the X-Men will have everything I love about the X-Men,” explains series writer Jason Aaron, who will be joined by artist Chris Bachalo. “Big crazy plots, intense character drama, love, sex, anti-mutant hysteria, man-eating aliens, all-new characters, old favorite characters, bizarre space tech, strange transformations, property damage, telepathic shenanigans, Wolverine drinking whiskey, mutants playing baseball. Except perhaps for that last part.”
WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #1
Written by Jason Aaron
Pencils by Chris Bachalo
Spinning directly out of X-Men: Schism, the X-Men are split in two. In the oversized debut issue of the new ongoing flagship X-series, Wolverine takes one half of the X-Men back to Westchester to start over again. But the new Hellfire Club outlast its first day ? Join Marvel Architect Jason Aaron (X-Men: Schism, Wolverine) and legendary X-Artist Chris Bachalo (Amazing Spider-Man, Generation X) for a brand new action-packed take on the X-Men that will set a new standard for the Children of the Atom.
Marvel Comics’ Wolverine and the X-Men #1 comes out on Wednesday!
We now enter the fourth and final week in the monthly comic book cycle, which means that this week we’ll see the remaining #2 issues in DC’s New 52. The 13 issues are led by none other than Flash #2 by Francis Manapul. The first issue got somewhat mixed reviews around here, but most people seemed to agree that we need to read the second issue to see exactly how this is gonna shape up, if for no other reason than the important role that Flash played in bringing about the New 52 in the first place!
Other #2 issues we’re looking forward to are: Batman: The Dark Knight #2, Aquaman #2, Superman #2, Teen Titans #2 and (we gotta mention) Voodoo #2! Plus of course many more!
FLASH #2
Written by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato
Art by Francis Manapul
The Fastest Man Alive learns he can make his brain function even faster than before – but as much as it helps him, it also comes with a steep price. Plus: The mystery behind Barry Allen’s friend Manuel Lago deepens as Barry investigates his kidnapping at the hands of Mob Rule!
Because it’s time for a little something different in the Cosmic Comix highlight reel, today we showcase one of the most ambitious comics we’ve ever seen! It’s War of the Independents #1 from Red Anvil Comics, a crossover of outrageous proportions (as you can see by the cover)! Much credit to series creator Dave Ryan, who worked for over five years to raise funds for the project and is deservedly proud of the final product. He has called himself the "Donald Rumsfeld" of this particular war and it looks like it’ll be a good one.
WAR OF THE INDEPENDENTS #1
Written and illustrated by Dave Ryan and others
Five years in the making! Dave Ryan’s magnum opus is finally here! For the first time ever in a single comic series, The War of the Independents brings together over 200 independent and creator-owned comic characters for the largest, most ambitious, inter-company crossover ever! When villains attempt create an inter-dimensional doorway for world conquest they wind up confronting a plethora of heroes from across the muiltiverse to stop them. Indie characters include Madman, Faust, Captain Canuck, Tick, Gumby, E-Man, Zen, Badger, Too Much Coffee Man, Scud, and many, many more!
Red Anvil Comics’ War of the Independents #1 comes out on Wednesday!
You probably know this already, but Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso’s DC Comics/Vertigo series 100 Bullets is one of our all-time favorites here at Cosmic Comix. So we were double-plus happy to see that creative team back together again for a new nine-issue series (also under the Vertigo banner) called Spaceman! In a way, it sounds kind of Warren Ellis-y… but possibly with more angst? Anyway, it sounds awesome and the first issue is only $1.00! Well worth a try.
SPACEMAN #1 (OF 9)
Written by Brian Azzarello
Art by Eduardo Risso
The Eisner Award-winning creators of 100 Bullets return to Vertigo with a new nine-issue miniseries, kicking off with a debut issue priced at just $1.00!
Set in a post-apocalyptic near future, Spaceman tells the story of Orson – a hulking, lonely loser who spends his days collecting scrap metal and dreaming of the startrekking life he was promised. That is, until he finds himself at the center of a celebrity child kidnapping case. Seeing his chance to be a hero, Orson takes matters into his own hands… but will his actions only cause more heartbreak?
Star Wars fans know the importance of this one. Crimson Empire is a classic coming back after a long time — 10 years! — and Dark Horse is bringing out the big guns: the original creative team of Mike Richardson and Paul Gulacy. Even if you only rarely pick up a Star Wars comic, this probably is one you want.
STAR WARS CRIMSON EMPIRE III
EMPIRE LOST #1 (OF 6)
Written by Mike Richardson
Art by Paul Gulacy
Star Wars: Crimson Empire, the story of the last Imperial Guardsman, returns after over a decade of anticipation!
The reach of the New Republic is expanding, but the days of fighting for the galaxy have not ended. A threat against Princess Leia and Han Solo’s family disrupts usual business on Coruscant-and Luke Skywalker’s Jedi training on Yavin 4!
In another part of the galaxy, a former Imperial Guardsman turned bounty hunter, Kir Kanos, is ready to settle an old score after three years in hiding-if a new adversary doesn’t kill him first!
Dark Horse Comics’ Star War Crimson Empire III – Empire Lost #1 comes out on Wednesday!
Over the course of 2011, we’ve Whiz Banged many different items, from comics to action figures and everything in between. One of our favorite Whiz Bangs from the year has been for Marvel Premiere Hardcovers, which we’ve often made available for just $10.00. So, because the year is winding down and we’re feeling a bit sentimental, we’re taking a stroll down Marvel Memory Lane for this week’s Whiz Bang. Here’s the deal:
For this entire week — from Wednesday, October 26, to Tuesday, November 2 — all previously Whiz Banged Marvel Premiere Hardcovers are on sale for JUST $10.00!
That’s right! I said ALL of ‘em! That’s every single Marvel hardcover we’ve had on sale throughout the year! You can get each one for just a sawbuck!
And in case you can’t remember every single Marvel hardcover we’ve Whiz Banged (shame on you), here they all are, with links to their respective Whiz Bangs.
That’s 17 Marvel Premiere Hardcovers in all, at just $10.00 apiece! And as you know, normally these hardcovers go for $20.00 or $25.00 apiece, which makes this Whiz Bang worth OVER 50% OFF! Supplies are limited at this point — we might not even have some of them left! — but if we do, they’ll be on the table at the front of the store!
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The new X-Men era got off to a very strong start last week with Wolverine and the X-Men #1, which was good enough to win Rusty’s nod for Best Book of the Week. (It also currently leads the poll!) So this week we’re definitely excited about the other side of that same coin: Uncanny X-Men #1! It’s the start of a brand new era for the Children of the Atom!
This week sees the release of the first Hellboy original graphic novel, called Hellboy: House of the Living Dead! This hardcovers re-teams Hellboy creator Mike Mignola with artist Richard Corben, who have worked together most notably on the Hellboy mini-series The Crooked Man. The story takes Hellboy back to his time in Mexico… Viva Hellboy!
In honor of Halloween, we’ve got some spoooooky highlights for you today, beginning with Dark Shadows #1 from Dynamite Entertainment! It’s a trip back to the daytime television show of the 1970s, picking up directly where those episodes of Dark Shadows left off!
As we did last week, this week’s Whiz Bang is something of a walk down Memory Lane. Or, in this case, some well-articulated posturing down Memory Lane! Ha!
Marvel leads the way this week with several big titles, most notably Uncanny X-Men #1! It’s the other side of the spectrum from last week’s Wolverine and the X-Men #1 and finds Cyclops, Magneto, Emma Frost and the rest of his team in Utopia. We’re also looking at Fear Itself #7.1, the first of a three-part follow-up to the big event of the year, and Fear Itself Fearless #2 (of 12)! Also, Moon Knight #7, Hulk #44, Amazing Spider-Man #673 and more!
CHEW – Choo-choo! It’s Rusty’s calling card for whenever the subject of Chew comes up. Which is almost always. Because it’s so good. (
Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ Criminal comic series is being adapted to film. Brubaker will take the first pass at the script with David Slade (30 Days of Night, Twilight Saga: Eclipse) slated to direct. (Slade is also supposed to be working on a new Daredevil film, but perhaps that has been nixed.) The story will be an adaptation of “Coward,” the first story-arc from the series.
Just fair warning for the readers this week: There are some spoilers in my reviews. Normally I try to be a bit vague, but this week I definitely include some specific plot points. It is just the way it goes sometimes. There were lots of great books. My favorite was I, Vampire #2, though after picking it as my favorite the week the first issue came out, I wanted to change up the reviews this time around. Enjoy!
Last week, I read 
First off, full disclosure: I am an X-Men fan. From way back. And as a long time X-Men fan it might surprise you, especially if you’re also an X-Men fan, to find out that I am totally fine with Schism, the reboot and even the way the characters (most notably Wolverine) are currently being portrayed. But I am.
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I would like to touch on two big new #1 releases this week before we get to the nominees. 
Jason Aaron is having a pretty good week! You probably just saw our post about 
We now enter the fourth and final week in the monthly comic book cycle, which means that this week we’ll see the remaining #2 issues in DC’s New 52. The 13 issues are led by none other than Flash #2 by Francis Manapul. The first issue got somewhat mixed reviews around here, but most people seemed to agree that we need to read the second issue to see exactly how this is gonna shape up, if for no other reason than the important role that Flash played in bringing about the New 52 in the first place!
Because it’s time for a little something different in the Cosmic Comix highlight reel, today we showcase one of the most ambitious comics we’ve ever seen! It’s War of the Independents #1 from Red Anvil Comics, a crossover of outrageous proportions (as you can see by the cover)! Much credit to series creator Dave Ryan, who worked for over five years to raise funds for the project and is deservedly proud of the final product. He has called himself the "Donald Rumsfeld" of this particular war and it looks like it’ll be a good one.
You probably know this already, but Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso’s DC Comics/Vertigo series 
Star Wars fans know the importance of this one. Crimson Empire is a classic coming back after a long time — 10 years! — and Dark Horse is bringing out the big guns: the original creative team of Mike Richardson and Paul Gulacy. Even if you only rarely pick up a Star Wars comic, this probably is one you want.
