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My Latest Pull List – June 27th, 2012

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Weekly comic books are a big part of my life and below is a list of what I’ll be picking up this Wednesday along with cover artwork and previews courtesy of Comixology’s Pull List app.

Eight new books makes for a lot to read in a week, but at least this time around my list is showing some diversity in what I’m reading. Two from DC and an Image book is a nice break from weeks that are exclusively Marvel.

  • AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #688 – Just in time for the new Amazing Spider-Man movie (arriving in theaters July 3rd), the Lizard makes an appearance in the pages of Marvel’s comic series of the same name. Actually, he may have been showing up for a while now. I haven’t read this book in a long time. When was O.M.I.T. again?
  • AQUAMAN #10 – I fell behind on this title after the first arc wrapped up, but it’s nearing the top of my read pile. I’ll make a decision on whether to stick with it at issue #12, but Geoff Johns’ reputation for long form storytelling will probably keep me around.
  • JUSTICE LEAGUE #10 – Another book that lost my attention after the first arc (even though KevinMLD swears that issues #7 and #8 are the best of the series), but Jim Lee’s return has renewed my interest. 
  • MANHATTAN PROJECTS #4 – This book is just crazy fun. “The bomb” is least of this world’s problems. Jonathan Hickman’s alternate history series from Image Comics is a welcome treat each month.
  • SPIDER-MEN #2 – A collision between the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe has been a long time coming, but with Brian Bendis’ Death of Spider-Man and introduction of Miles Morales there’s really never been a better time. Things were off to a great start in issue #1 and Sara Pichelli’s artwork has been stellar inside and out.
  • WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN #12 – I do enjoy this title but I have admit I’m more excited by the Chris Bachalo drawn issues that those from Nick Bradshaw. This solicit for this issue lists Bachalo as the artist, but it features a Bradshaw cover. Either way, writer Jason Aaron has made good use of his AvX tie-in issues so far, and in this one Kid Gladiator takes on the Avengers single-handedly. 
  • X-MEN #31 – Brian Wood taking over this title is exactly what it needed, but in the throes of AvX it’s a bit difficult to get invested in the titles that aren’t affected in any clear way.
  • X-MEN: LEGACY #269 – This is exactly the type of issue that should be coming out of AvX. Rogue vs. Ms. Marvel makes this an automatic contender to be my top book of the week.

Check back every week to see what’s on My Latest Pull List and please share your thoughts on these titles and everything you’re reading this week in the comments.

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My Latest Pull List – June 20th, 2012

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Weekly comic books are a big part of my life and below is a list of what I’ll be picking up this Wednesday along with cover artwork and previews courtesy of Comixology’s Pull List app.

Eight or nine new books each week seems to be my average lately. With a lot of titles double shipping, it’s becoming tougher and tougher to keep up.

  • ASTONISHING X-MEN #51 – This book has been the subject of much mainstream discussion as the same sex marriage of Northstar is featured here. Wedding issues have never done much to impress me and I’m just hoping for a good story here from Marjorie Liu.
  • AVENGERS ACADEMY #32 – Another AvX tie-in for this series. I appreciate some attention for the X-Men youth, but seeing this every two weeks is overload.
  • AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #6 – Act one of AvX came to a close with an unexpected twist as the Phoenix took the “Phoenix Five” of Cyclops, Emma Frost, Colossus, Magik, and Namor as hosts rather than Hope Summers. It really took me by surprise and the art change to Olivier Coipel looks amazing. Check out the preview, it’s gorgeous.
  • NEW AVENGERS #27 – This particular tie-in to AvX has really impressed me. Mike Deodato’s artwork is some of his best and the connection Brian Bendis has created between the monks of K’un Lun and the Phoenix Force has really drawn me in. An appearance by Leonardo Da Vinci from Jonathan Hickman’s S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn’t hurt either.
  • NEW MUTANTS #44 – I’m trying to catch up on the Exiled crossover that ran weekly through this book and Journey Into Mystery. It seems like the series is moving in its own direction with an appearance by the Defenders and completely avoiding AvX.
  • SAGA #4 – Brian K. Vaughan’s science fantasy series is off to a decent start as he continues to build his new world. This issue focuses on a bounty hunter called “The Will” who looks like he may become a major part of the series.
  • SECRET AVENGERS #28 – I’m really enjoying what’s going on here with the return of Captain Marvel and his effect on Ms. Marvel, Noh Varr, and the Kree homeworld. I just don’t like how it’s seemingly a split story with Bendis’ Avengers series.
  • UNCANNY X-MEN #14 – I like the way Kieron Gillen is working his ongoing plots in Uncanny X-Men into the framework of AvX. The solicit for #13 was meant for this issue, and the promise of Mr. Sinister’s plans for the Phoenix is really intriguing to me.
  • X-FACTOR #238 – Peter David’s X-Factor is also double shipping right now, but it’s a case where I hardly mind. The Piet Mondrian inspired cover really caught my eye and I’m hoping everyone is wearing fingerless gloves.

Check back every week to see what’s on My Latest Pull List and please share your thoughts on these titles and everything you’re reading this week in the comments.

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REVIEW: Batman #10 or Digital Comics are Just Too Expensive

Posted by under *dislike, Comics, Technology | Join The Discussion |

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, let me tell you a true story. It’s slightly earlier today and comic book news Web Sites are beginning to post articles suggesting something big happens in Batman #10 – the latest chapter of Scott Snyder’s Night of the Owls crossover. Seeing as how I haven’t taken my lunch break yet and that we live in an amazing era of technologically, I decide that I might as well just download and read the comic before some idiot online spoils in a headline whatever it is that happens in this issue that I’m sure will change Batman forever or at least until Tony Daniel gets the opportunity to taint it. I’m sorry. That was off topic, unnecessary and just mean.

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I Don’t Even Like Marvel vol. 4 – A Guide to the New Marvel Fish Tank Ornaments

Posted by under *like, Comics, Pets | Join The Discussion |

So my latest distraction without any doubt is Betta Fish. And just this weekend while I was setting up a new tank I was thinking how stupid it was that no one had produced some sort of Aquaman line of fish tank ornaments. I’m convinced it would be like printing money. If I knew anything about how to do it, I ABSOLUTELY would be making Aquaman brand fish supplies and planning for my early retirement. Having said all of that, you can imagine my surprise when just four days later I stumbled over a new line of Marvel brand fish tank ornaments. As you read through this article keep in mind the photos were taken with a camera phone in a pet store and that I’m no photographer though I have to pretend to be one to write this column.

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My Latest Pull List – June 6th, 2012

Posted by under *like, Comics | Leave a Comment |

Weekly comic books are a big part of my life and below is a list of what I’ll be picking up this Wednesday along with cover artwork and previews courtesy of Comixology’s Pull List app.

Six new books for me this week with lots of AvX on the list. I’m still debating Dark Avengers (formerly Thunderbolts#175 much like I went back and forth with last week’s Batman Annual #1. Scott Snyder’s Mr.Freeze story turned out to be a great read even if it didn’t have much to do with the Night of the Owls event and I’m glad I didn’t skip it. I haven’t been reading Jeff Parker’s *Thunderbolts* as I have Snyder’s *Batman*, so it’s less of a sure thing.

  • AGE OF APOCALYPSE #4 – The reappearance of the AoA Hulk could be a lot of fun. It will be interesting to see if the character has been changed much since the original X-Universe series. I don’t remember him being a very nice guy at all.
  • AVENGERS ACADEMY #31 – An AvX tie-in that has been one of the stories I’m less interested in from the event. Admittedly, Sebastian Shaw’s escape was pretty fantastic and the last page homage to Uncanny X-Men #132 was more than enough to bring me back.
  • AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #5 – Act one of AvX comes to a close. I was honestly surprised to see John Romita Jr. listed as the artist for a fifth consecutive issue, but if this issue wraps up the first arc of the story I suppose it makes sense. Can’t wait to see what comes next with Hope Summers, the X-Men, and the Phoenix returning to the moon.
  • DARK AVENGERS #175 – I’m still not sure if I’m picking this up today, but I did enjoy Warren Ellis’ Thunderbolts and Dark Avengers quite a bit. I’m less familiar with Jeff Parker’s work with the title though.
  • UNCANNY X-MEN #13 – Kieron Gillen continues to work his ongoing plots into the framework of AvX and I’m really enjoying it. Last issue left some things to be desired, but the promise of Mr. Sinister could change all that.
  • X-FACTOR #237 – Peter David’s X-Factor is always an enjoyable book and a road trip issue featuring Banshee, Wolfsbane, and Polaris sounds like a premise he could turn into something memorable. It will be nice for Polaris to see some expanded panel time regardless.

Check back every week to see what’s on My Latest Pull List and please share your thoughts on these titles and everything you’re reading this week in the comments.