Best Book Nominees for Wednesday, July 25

Have not seen the Dark Knight Rises yet. Been hearing good things. Shawn loved it. As did Andy. I’m sure I will watch at some point. Bettin’ Ken’s already seen it three times! And I’m sure we will talk about it on the podcast this Sunday. Along with the Spider-Man movie. And of course comics! And speaking of comics, movies and last month’s podcast… did you read ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #13 this week? Putting the band back together. Captain America, aka Chris Evans. Thor, aka Chris Hemsworth. And Iron Man, aka Robert Downey Jr. Who I could swear was actually talking to me when I was reading the book! Swwweeerrrrvvvvee ………….. CRASH!

Tons of good books this week. WINTER SOLDIER #8, CAPTAIN AMERICA #15 and even FF #20 were all enjoyable. But don’t make the list today as a few surprise DC books sneak in. Neither does ANGEL & FAITH #12 which is being done so well and is well worth reading. Or MANHATTAN PROJECTS #5 which continues to be a flat out trip and is well worth reading. Or even RESIDENT ALIEN #3 which concluded its first mini-series very nicely and when the trade gets released we will be sure to let you know! 

Nominees! 

AMERICAN VAMPIRE #29 – Drone. Drone. Drone. Hey! I go in alphabetical order. When American Vampire comes out. It’s awesome. It gets nominated. And it goes first because it’s American Vampire! Got our Skinner Sweet explanation. At least the short version. Still willing to hear the long version. Just a great book. Drone. Drone. Drone.

BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #11 – Surprise! Gregg Hurwitz, whose name I recognized from some Punishermax books, and who also (cause I googled) wrote the Penguin: Pain and Prejudice mini-series, which was awesome, trade comes out in September, is the new writer. Second issue for him. Features the Scarecrow. Titled "In Search of Commissioner Gordon." David Finch can absolutely draw. Scarecrow double barrel fear blasting Batman was awesome! As was the ending. And I will happily add another quality Bat-Book to the pile.

BEFORE WATCHMEN COMEDIAN #2 (OF 6) – Far better than issue #1. The Comedian does go to Vietnam. Liked everything about it. Andy pointed out to me last week, in Silk Spectre #2, that what I assumed to be an amalgamated gangster, was really a Frank Sinatra play. Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston show up in Comedian #2. Marilyn Monroe was last issue. Along of course with the Kennedy’s. No opinion either way on it. Just find it interesting. See who else shows up. Also find it interesting that as we get into issue #2’s there is no doubt that you don’t have to read every series to tie-it-all-together. Each series totally has a separate story to tell. Which I appreciate. Although I’ve liked them all pretty much so far.

GOON #40 – Da’ Goon. Great cover. Great book. Still shaking my head. In a good way. A good ole’ guitar playing country boy opened with a two page monologue rant about the state of America. Prohibition comes to town. Goon and a rival gang have at it. There was a drag race. There was a Dukes of Hazard sing along page. It’s the Goon and it’s a trip! 

GREEN LANTERN #11 – Been awhile since I’ve nominated Mr. Lantern. Been enjoying, just not nominating. Think it deserves it today. Revenge of the Black Hand Part 1. Really liked two things about this issue. 1) Hal is back to having a real ring. 2) Black Hand. He’s great! 

HIT-GIRL #2 (OF 5) – Was also far better than issue #1. Hit-Girl training Kick-Ass to be a superhero was great. The jumping through the window sequence was fantastic. And I love Hit-Girl “adopting” a secret identity. That just makes total sense. And last but not least, sorry, I thought that was a tranquilizer. 

I VAMPIRE #11 – To all you I Vampire haters out there. You know who you are. It was once again the Best Book I read this week. And yes the entire comic took place in a 30 minute span. I ain’t got no time for character development. I got Zombie Vampire Vampire Hunters on the loose! No! That is not a typo! There really are Zombie Vampire Vampire Hunters! And a Herd. Reinforcements!

NATIONAL COMICS ETERNITY #1 – The first in a series of monthly one shots. Looker next month. Rose and Thorn the next. Not a new character. Kid Eternity’s been around awhile. Is a New 52 new character. Very well done. Enjoyed it a lot. Hope they are all this good.

SUPERMAN #11 – Also been awhile. George Perez and now Dan Jurgens. No offense. I’m an old man. But they are old school. Can’t even believe I like Superman at all. But I have enjoyed the series and this issue was great. Clark on a double date. A trip to Russia. A very formidable foe. Very well done.

WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #14 AVX – Kitty’s Hot Date! Everyone’s on a date this week. Clark’s date went way better. Kitty had to intangible a crazed Colossus two miles underground! I’m just saying, but it looks like having the Phoenix power might just cause you to go nuts. Who woulda thunk it!? Put your hand down, Steve!

Which makes 10. And as I already trimmed my list once today I feel it necessary to include X-TREME X-MEN #1 in my nominations. And seeing how it’s alphabetically last and fits right here. Why not? It is what it is. X-Men jumping dimensions. Or worlds. Or universes. Doesn’t matter what they’re jumping. It set up the premise. Set up the direction. And was a really good first issue. Got my fingers crossed for the series. But well worth trying the first issue. Plus who doesn’t love Dazzler! 

Best Book? Best Book? I’m almost perfect this month. My pick of Rachel Rising #9 also won the poll last week. Thank you for voting! My pick of Chew Secret Agent Poyo also won the poll two weeks ago. Thank you for voting! Both in very close races. Thank you for voting! The first week of the month I went with Before Watchmen Ozymandias #1 which came in second to the juggernaut that is Earth 2! Do think the poll is wide open this week. I am going with I Vampire #11. See what wins. Conversation on Sunday! Talk at you then.

See ya!

Rusty