Posts Tagged ‘stark disassembled’
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS @ THIRD EYE FOR WEDNESDAY 2/3/10
February 1st, 2010 | 
Author:
These look great! Great, old-style DCU characters rendered in the style of ED MCGUINNESS’S artwork! We’ll have all four available this Wednesday here at Third Eye!
PLANET HULK DVD AVAILABLE THIS TUESDAY 2/2 AT THIRD EYE!
I’m a huge fan of the storyline that this is being based off of, so I’m stoked to check this one out. We’ll have plenty of the DVD available Tuesday 2/2 here at Third Eye!
Sounds: CBGB Radio – Just discovered this… great playlists.. bounces around from Bad Brains to the Talking Heads to Public Enemy, and everything in between. Really digging it!
Sights: CAPCOM vs. Tatsunoko Ultimate All-Stars – Giant Robots rule!
Tastes: Too much coffee, man
Marvel has really kicked off things strong so far with SIEGE. Serving as the end point for nearly a decade’s worth of Marvel storytelling, SIEGE has delivered a quality first month with both a killer (albeit quickly-paced) first issue, as well as a handful of excellent tie-in issues (hey, it got me excited about a character like Daken, and that’s tough to do!). Each spin-off issue has felt very organic, and actually relevant to the overall story going on, and that’s a good thing.
Of course, the big deal this week is the arrival of SIEGE #2, which after having read an advance of, I can say is going to completely drop many of your jaws. I don’t want to say anything to spoil it, but trusts me.. it’s a good issue. You can be sure to see some definite lines crossed, and some big changes in the dynamic of how many characters in the Marvel Universe have been operating. Bendis, and Coipel deliver big-time, and each page feels exactly like what it is: an epic battle in the sky. You can almost hear the thunder, gunfire, and clash of Asgardian metal against high-tech military grade hardware. AWESOME.
What is SIEGE? At the beginning of the early 2000s, Marvel made a big shift in the overall direction of their core universe, which began with AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED, reached it’s high point in CIVIL WAR, and resulted in storylines like SECRET INVASION (available at Third Eye in softcover) andDARK AVENGERS. Basically, the Marvel Universe evolved into a very dark place, where it’s iconic heroes were split into different factions, and it’s most vile villains were being portrayed as heroes to the eyes of the public. Of course, along with this shift, we also saw the real highlight of modern 21st century storytelling in the Marvel Universe. Writers like Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, and Mark Millar took the trail that individuals like Warren Ellis, and Grant Morrison were creating in the late ’90s, and turned it into a superhighway. So, the question is… “Steve, what does all this nonsense have to do with SIEGE?” Well, SIEGE is the endpoint of all of these things, as well as the beginning of a new era of storytelling for the Marvel Universe.
SIEGE is the downfall of Norman Osborn, at it’s core. It’s a story about a man with too much power being manipulated by the Trickster, Loki, into invading the realm of Asgard. As such, we’re going to be seeing a lot of plot-threads Marvel’s laid out over the last few years coming together. Steve Rogers who just recently returned in Captain America Reborn (read Cap Reborn #6 from this week, it was AWESOME!), Thor, and Iron Man, it looks like they’ll be reuniting as the Big 3 of the Marvel Universe again, after nearly a decade apart. And, this is what ushers us into Marvel’s self-proclaimed HEROIC AGE.
In an interview with USA TODAY, Joe Quesada (Marvel EIC) talks about how the direction of many Marvel books will be returning to a more swashbuckling, larger than life feel, but still maintaining the edginess, and 21st Century style comic book storytelling that has made many of Marvel’s titles hits. What we personally take from this here at Third Eye, is we’re going to see titles that take a direction more similar to the approach of books like Matt Fraction’s incredible run on INVINCIBLE IRON MAN, the current run of THOR, and of course, the overall vibe that surrounds SIEGE. And, honestly, this couldn’t be better news. I think we’re all a little bit burnt out on the DARK REIGN concept, so it’s nice to see it reaching a logical endpoint, and setting up a brand new direction for the company.
Why are we stoked on SIEGE? Well, simply put, this is a BIG deal. It’s literally the end of an era, and the beginning of a new era. But, there’s also the fact that SIEGE is literally something that’s able to provide the goods for both new readers, and longtime fans. So, whether you’ve been following the events of Marvel, and looking for the grand finale of what’s been going on since the days of CIVIL WAR, or if you’re either brand new to the Marvel Universe, or an old fan getting back into things, and looking for a good starting point to jump on board, SIEGE provides both.
Also, it’s the friggin’ Marvel Universe vs. Asgard, pretty much. How cool is that? Well, not the whole Marvel Universe, but pretty much anyone who’s worked for Osborn, or has ties with him, is going head to head with the immortals of Asgard. This means we’re going to be seeing some over-the-top superhero fights where the characters don’t have to hold back. I mean, just from what I’ve read so far, personally, I’ve been surprised by both SIEGE AND it’s tie-ins.
And, that’s another thing, SIEGE is answering questions so far. A lot of characters, and ideas that’ve become fixtures in the Marvel Universe in the last 8-10 years, are not just being answered, but being made to feel like they are finally a substantial part of Marvel continuity. For example, I have always HATED the Sentry. I always thought he was just a plain bland character, and there was never anything about him that really grabbed me. But, after having read the DARK AVENGERS #13 from a couple of weeks ago, I’m completely sold on him. He could be one of the best bad guys in the Marvel Universe, after seeing his real origin and place in the Marvel universe revealed. Another example is my opinion on Daken, Dark Wolverine. Just never really clicked with the character, but those last two pages of DARK WOLVERINE #82.. again, I’m sold on the character. Just plain awesome.
Anyways, if you’re looking to get into SIEGE, we currently have all of the books in stock. You don’t NEED the tie-ins to enjoy the main story, but what we do suggest picking up is:
SIEGE: THE CABAL one-shot *SIEGE PROLOGUE*
SIEGE #1
As far, as what’s been really good so far:
DARK AVENGERS #13 *SIEGE*
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #32 *SIEGE*
DARK WOLVERINE #82 *SIEGE*
NEW AVENGERS #61 *SIEGE*
All four of these have been rock solid reads, and are highly recommended if you need more of a SIEGE fix than just the core series.
Click here for the SIEGE checklist
Click here for a preview of SIEGE #2
SIEGE: THE EMBEDDED #2 – BEHIND THE FRONT LINES OF THE WAR IN THE SKY!
Embedded serves as that same kind of street-level, average guy view of these events going down between characters that are bigger than life. It’s actually pretty cool, because it gives the reader a genuine sense of what it’d be like to be stuck in the midst of all this craziness. The first issue of this series begins with a blowhard T.V pundit by the name of Todd Keller, and his pro-Osborn propoganda.
We see Ben Urich on his way to ground zero in an effort to get the real story on what happened, and he lucks out: he runs into Volstagg, now on his way back to Asgard to stand trial for his crimes. Volstagg agrees to bring Urich, and his camera-man buddy along with him, and from there we get to see them chronicling these events from the Asgardian perspective.
Why it’s cool? The Frontline books are always a neat little look at what it’d be like to really be stuck in the middle of the superhero event craziness, while also acting as a nice in-between issues book for fleshing out what’s going on in the event. However, the FRONTLINE concept hasn’t shined this well since CIVIL WAR, because the fact that we’re seeing this through a normal guy’s eyes as he stands amidst the Gods of Asgard, makes things seem even bigger than life.
We still have issue #1 in stock, if you wanna check out SIEGE THE EMBEDDED. We’re really looking forward to seeing where things go this week in issue #2, as a certain missing God of Asgard shows his face in regards to Osborn’s SIEGE.
Clickherefor a preview of SIEGE: THE EMBEDDED #2
DEMO VOLUME 1 TPB – 15% OFF COVER PRICE THIS WEEK!
In 2003, Brian Wood dished out one of the best series of the year alongside Becky Cloonan, with DEMO. Before I start talking about how great the new DEMO is going to be, and why you gotta read it, let me talk about the original incarnation of DEMO, and why it ruled. That’ll probably help explain why we’re so stoked on this new rendition.
DEMO was a 12-issue limited series, where each issue was a stand-alone, one-shot story, but all of which carried a theme focusing on the lives of young people, with supernatural powers. In the beginning, it was strictly about focusing on average teenagers, and twenty-somethings who develop extra-ordinary abilities, but as the series progressed, the focus shifted more onto the relationships developed between people, the whirlwind of emotions when you’re coming of age, and of course, the alienation of growing up in a rapidly-changing world. The focus on supernatural powers often took a backseat to character development, which made them very believable. The entire series of DEMO one-shots has a very punk rock kind of energy to it, and one of the things that made the series so great was how each individual issue could stand on it’s own. Other personal touches that made it cool, were things like Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan providing Demo tape playlists for each issue. The overall feel of DEMO would definitely appeal to those of you who really dig BRIAN K VAUGHN’S RUNAWAYS series, as it has a little bit of that feel, but with a more adult edge.
For those of you who may have missed it in it’s original incarnation, we highly recommend picking up the trade paperback of DEMO, available here at Third Eye. We’re also offering the first DEMO trade paperback this week at 15% off cover price, as an added incentive to check it out.
Fear not though, if you’d rather not start out reading the earlier stuff, and begin fresh, you can hop aboard with the first issue of the new six-issue run of DEMO this Wednesday. That’s one of the beautiful things about the DEMO concept is that each issue serves as a done-in-one, one-shot story. So, this means you can hop on with any issue, or drop off with any issue, because of how each story is it’s own stand-alone thing. It’s just the theme that is the same.
The first issue of DEMO that arrives this week, from what we’ve heard from Brian Wood, and seen in previews, is about a woman haunted by a recurring premonition of a person falling from a great height. The more this premonition happens, the more she slowly loses her mind, until she’s so sleep-deprived, and disjointed, that she takes off travelling around the world in hopes of finding this person before their accident occurs.
Folks, if you’re a fan of Vertigo stuff, or just plain ol’ good comics, then please give this one a shot. I loved the first round of DEMO one-shots, and I am so excited to see the series return. Brian Wood, and Becky Cloonan provide a perfect fusion of a creative team, and deliver some extremely high quality work. I can’t sing the praises of Brian Wood enough. His work on books like DMZ, Local, and of course, DEMO, has really made me a big fan, and you can definitely tell that DEMO is one of his true labors of love.
Click here for a preview of DEMO v.2 #1
BLACKEST NIGHT WONDER WOMAN CONCLUDES WITH BLACKEST NIGHT WONDER WOMAN #3, AND VIC SAGE, THE ORIGINAL QUESTION RETURNS FROM THE DEAD, IN THE QUESTION #37!
Blackest Night continues to deliver the goods week after week, and I’m still enjoying nearly everything that’s been carrying the Blackest Night banner. Maybe it’s because this is Geoff Johns’s baby, and he’s keeping editorial from screwing things up too bad, or milking things too bad, but man, everything has been very much on point.
And, this is why I’m so excited this week about the Question #37 “Back from the Dead” one-shot. First off, I, like a lot of you, am a huge fan of Vic Sage, the Question. And, Denny O’Neil’s classic run on the character made me a fan, and hell, those stories still stand up today. If you’ve never familiarized yourself with the old QUESTION stuff, hustle on down here to Third Eye, and snag some of the classic trade paperbacks, like The Question: Zen and Violence, and find out why it’s so good. Anyhow, I digress, this one’s being written by GREG RUCKA, the man who’s been making DETECTIVE COMICS a must-read month after month, and has the original QUESTION art team of Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz, handling the art chores. And, in this final issue, which is also the final in the DC “Back from the Dead” one-shots that ran through January for Blackest Night, we see the Black Lantern Vic Sage targeting his former protege, and current Question, Renee Montoya. And, somehow, someway, Lady Shiva’s gonna get involved too. This one, the Starman, and the Atom and Hawkman special from last week are probably going to end up being my favorites out of the whole “Back from the Dead” thing.
Click here to read more about QUESTION #37
BLACKEST NIGHT WONDER WOMAN #3
Okay, so DC is being extremely guarded on releasing early shots of the covers for a handful of key Blackest Night issues shipping in February. And, basically, this means that unfortunately, all I got to show tonight is this little TOP SECRET image cover. Now, while it sucks to not know what’s going on, I have to admit.. in this day and age of information hitting the net right away, it’s kind of nice to be kept in the dark, and anticipate the surprise. And, trust me, folks, from what I’m guessing, and where the story has been going in regards to Wonder Woman during BLACKEST NIGHT, I think we’re going to be seeing some big surprises.
So far, in issues #1, and #2, Greg Rucka has proved that he’s one of the better guys to handle the writing chores on Wonder Woman. The first issue had an incredible moment, with her coming down with a battle-axe, and lopping off Black Lantern Maxwell Lord’s head. How cool is that? And after the events of BLACKEST NIGHT #6, where we saw Wonder Woman as a Star Sapphire, and then the events of Blackest Night Wonder Woman #2, where we saw HOW she turned into a Star Sapphire… well, we’re stoked to see what’s next. It was actually kind of cool the hook they used when making her transition into Star Sapphire, lets just say it involves Batman.
If you guys have been skipping the Wonder Woman mini, you’re missing out. This is actually one of the best of the 3-issue minis for Blackest Night, just judging from the first two issues. Great writing, great storyline progression, and the artwork is actually really top notch. We currently have both issues #1, and issue #2 in stock, so definitely give ‘em a look next time you’re in.
For those of you who’ve been reading Blackest Night WW already, then you know what I’m talking about, and you’re probably just as stoked about issue #2 as I am.
Click here to read more about BLACKEST NIGHT WONDER WOMAN #3
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #23 *STARK DISASSEMBLED PT 4* CONTINUES THE BEST STORY ARC IN MATT FRACTION AND SALVADOR LAROCCA’S INCREDIBLE IRON MAN RUN YET!
I’ve said it many times, and I’ll say it again: Invincible Iron Man by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larocca has been one of the best ongoing Marvel series for nearly two years now, since issue #1. In fact, we did a feature on how much we’ve enjoyed the entire run, and you can click here to read our spotlight on Fraction’s INVINCIBLE IRON MAN.
It’s the current story arc, STARK DISASSEMBLED, that has really been the high point so far though. While the entire run has been incredible, you really feel that everything Fraction’s laid out has built to this, and everything is coming together. The sense of excitement around each issue of STARK DISASSEMBLED thus far grows for me, and I cannot wait to read this week’s newest issue. If you haven’t yet hopped aboard, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #20 provides a perfect jumping on point, and that is chapter 1 of STARK DISASSEMBLED. We currently have issues #20, #21, and #22 all well-stocked here at Third Eye, so definitely check out this great arc, if you haven’t yet. In addition to the fact that it’s just been a plain great read so far, it also runs paralell to a lot of what’s going on with SIEGE, and the eventual reuniting of IRON MAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA, and THOR as Marvel’s big 3.
What is STARK DISASSEMBLED? Beginning in INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #20, Stark Disassembled, we see Tony Stark a vegetable now, after he’s literally lobotomized himself so Norman Osborn could not pry information from his brain. Pepper Potts, who’s been spotting the Iron Woman armor for a while now, displays a holographic message from Stark that was pre-recorded before all of this, where he explains HOW to bring him back… but then asks the question, after all we’ve been through with CIVIL WAR, and the registration act… Do You Want To Bring Me Back? He pretty much comes out and says he’s been a bit of an ass for the last few years, and really wishes things hadn’t gotten to where they are. He then goes on about how Osborn will eventually lose his cool, and explains how if they bring him back, it’s going to take Thor, Iron Man, and more to help solve this problem. There’s a really touching moment where Stark goes onto talk about how he’s never believed in a higher power before, but if he did, the closest thing to it would be Cap, and Thor. Meanwhile, we see Stark, trapped in his subconcious, digging through his memories, and constantly being reset as machines attack to prevent him from doing so. Thor’s hammer is tried as a method to reboot Stark’s brain, but when that fails, Dr. Strange gets called in.
Basically, this is the rebirth of Tony Stark. He’s been redeeming himself for the last couple of years now since CIVIL WAR, and while he’s become a much better character, under Fraction’s writing, this is the arc where we see Stark truly shine as the hero he really is again.
The entire run of Iron Man has had a very distinct, very cool futurist approach to the story, the character, and the technology, while at the same time not getting too bogged down explaining how the technology works. What makes Fraction’s run so good is that it focuses on the MAN in IRON MAN, and doesn’t lose itself over-explaining the technology.The fact that he’s reintroduced old classic villains, like Madame Masque, MODOK, and more, has also made the run really great. Couple that with Larocca’s incredible pencils, which get better issue after issue, and you’ve got yourself a great book.
Want to catch up on STARK DISASSEMBLED? We’ve currently got all the chapters in stock now here at Third Eye, so you’d need:
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #20 *STARK DISASSEMBLED PT 1*
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #21 *STARK DISASSEMBLED PT 2*
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #22 *STARK DISASSEMBLED PT 3*
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #23 *STARK DISASSEMBLED PT 4*
Click here to read a preview of INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #23 *STARK DISASSEMBLED PT 4*
ALADDIN: LEGACY OF THE LOST #1 FROM RADICAL COMICS (publishers of FVZA, City of Dust, and Last Days of American Crime) DELIVERS A DARK TWIST, AND LARGER-THAN-LIFE APPROACH TO THE CLASSIC STORY! THIRD EYE CERTIFIED COOL!
Radical Comics has really made a name for itself around Third Eye over the course of the last couple of years. They started out, quietly coming onto the scene, with some overlooked, but excellent series like CALIBER, and their take on HERCULES. It wasn’t until Steve Nile’s KILLER City of Dust miniseries that they really broke out big here, and I think you guys were just as excited as us to see a new publisher, offering fresh, new ideas with high quality production values. This year, they’ve wowed us with FVZA and LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME.
And, this week, they’ve got not just one but two brand new series coming out that we’re extremely excited about. The first one we’re going to be talking about is ALADDIN: THE LEGACY OF THE LOST, which from how Radical’s described (and how the preview pages have read) seems like a dark, mature twist on the classic story of Aladdin, and the Genie. Kind of like a Pirates of the Carribean meets Aladdin feel, but you know.. with a darker edge to it.
What You Need To Know: First off, this isn’t just a simple re-telling of the classic Aladdin storyline. Writer, Ian Edgington (currently handling the killer sleeper hit Victorian Undead for Wildstorm), says that he’s taken the core story from original Middle-Eastern folklore, and then expanded from there. So, you see the story of Aladdin, the magic lamp, the evil sorcerer, all that get covered in the first couple of issues. From there, it takes off into a whole world of high adventure, and new concepts. He actually calls the approach he’s taking to writing it a cross between dark fantasy, and pulp fiction. He plays up the fact that while Aladdin can be a good man, he’s still a rogue, and a cheat, a cynical con-man, and a master manipulator. His life on the streets has been no picnic, and he’s grown up learning to do whatever it takes to survive. He considers himself to be just as much of a predator as any of the other con-men and thieves working in the streets, but he soon finds out that he’s nowhere near the master rogue he thought he was.
What To Expect: Gorgeous artwork, slick production values, and a killer story that takes classic myths we do know, and ones we don’t, and weaves them into a pulpy, dark fantasy adventure that is sure to rock.
Click here to read some preview pages of ALADDIN: LEGACY OF THE LOST #1
ULTIMATE COMICS X #1 DEBUTS FROM JEPH LOEB AND ART ADAMS! THIRD EYE APPROVED AWESOMENESS! GORGEOUS ART, AND AN INTERESTING NEW TAKE ON THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSE! IN THE AFTERMATH OF LAST YEAR’S ULTIMATUM, COMES A BOLD NEW GENERATION OF ULTIMATES!
Okay, I’m usually kind of hit or miss on stuff that Jeph Loeb writes. Sometimes, he’s incredible, and has done some of the biggest modern classics, and other times, he’s not. I guess that’s any writer though. I will say this though, we read an advance copy of Ultimate X #1 last week, and it does indeed rock. The story, and the art fuse together to make an exciting new venture into the Ultimate Universe, and I gotta say.. I’m hooked. I’m waiting for the next issue. It was really cool.
First off, the artwork is incredible. Art Adams rarely does interior art anymore. He’s one of those powerhouse artists who’s graduated to just you know, doing really sick covers. Seeing him doing the interiors of a book is a rare thing, and he’s definitely stepped up his game a lot since the last time we saw him. This guy is one of my personal favorite artists, so that plays a huge part into why I’m stoked about the series. Heck, don’t believe me? Just look at the preview pages of his art. It’s gorgeous.
Secondly, the story is actually surprisingly solid. I don’t want to drop any spoilers, because half of the fun of this new book is the mystery surrounding the line-up that’s been pictured in a lot of Marvel’s promotional materials for the series. I will say this, the reveal on who’s who, and what the deal is… is pretty damn cool. It does spin out of the events of Ultimatum, and pick up from some of the plot threads developed there. One thing that’s pretty cool about it is how Marvel is sticking to their guns with the impact of the events of Ultimatum. You’ll know what I mean when you read this one.
The surprises, and the hooks on this one are good, real good, so there’s really not a lot I can say about what actually happens in the first issue, other than that I really enjoyed it. I can say that the Ultimate X title does show that this could very well be the new X-Men in the Ultimate U.. but, not in the way that you would think. There’s also some stuff touching on the Weapon X program as well.
How accessible is it? Well, this is a fresh start, with a brand new team, and most of these characters are seeing their first introduction. I feel that this is a solid jumping on point, and heck, if you end up liking it enough, then maybe go back and read the Ultimatum series from last year (still available in single issues here at Third Eye, and also available in trade paperback).
If you’re a fan of the Ultimate Universe, or heck, even the X-Men, I’d recommend giving this one a shot. Great art, and some really great storytelling, definitely a good read, and a good start.
Click here for a preview of ULTIMATE X #1
FABLES VOLUME 13: THE GREAT FABLES CROSSOVER TRADE PAPERBACK ARRIVES THIS WEDNESDAY! YAY! A NEW FABLES TRADE!
It’s always a great time to take notice when a brand new FABLES trade hits, and this Wednesday, for many of you who’ve been hooked on following this incredible Vertigo series in trade, the 13th trade paperback will be arriving. This one collects last summer’s “Great Fables Crossover”, which spanned FABLES 83-85, JACK OF FABLES 33-35, and THE LITERALS 1-3, all collected in the proper reading order, so nothing is out of whack. So, not only is it like getting new FABLES tpb, but also a new JACK of FABLES tpb!
If you’re already reading FABLES, then there’s not much else that need be said about how great the series is, or what’s in store with this next volume. In fact, part of the fun of FABLES is the ride, and the surprises, so I’ll refrain from spoiling anything for you. This one comes right after the events of FABLES v.12, and shows Jack learning of the existence of the Literals, and their leader. Since I have zero patience, I follow Fables and it’s companion titles in single issues, but I do re-read each arc when it hits trade. I can say that the whole Great Fables Crossover storyline was a definitely a high point for me, and I really dig The Literals. I think all of you will enjoy this one a lot.
Click here to read more about FABLES v.13: THE GREAT FABLES CROSSOVER
Now, for those of you who aren’t yet reading FABLES, let me give you a brief rundown on why this is one Vertigo series you should most definitely be reading.
What is FABLES? Fables is an ongoing VERTIGO series where all the fairy-tale and folklore characters you know, and love (and some that you’re not going to have any clue about, I know I’ve been puzzled about the origins of a few) are portrayed in realistic ways. They’ve been driven out of their homelands, by a force of evil known as the Adversary (who, when revealed, is one of the best surprises in comics, I think). They exist in a clandestine community in New York City known as Fabletown, and blend in with every day society. The Fables who are unable to blend in with society (monsters, animals, ect, ones who can’t pass as normal humans), live at “the Farm” in Upstate New York. The series is a saga about the Fables, their lives, and their ongoing war with the Adversary and his forces.
What makes FABLES so damn cool? Well, the writing is always top notch, as Willingham has built an entire world for us readers, where the character development hooks you in, and keeps you interested. One of the things that really makes the series so enjoyable is how Willingham reinterprets many of the characters, and expands on their past, “real” fairy-tale histories. The divorce between Princ Charming and Snow White due to his infidelity. The portrayal of the Big Bad Wolf, aka Bigby, as a reformed villain, who serves as Fabletown’s “sherrif.” Bigby can shapeshift at will from human to wolf, but his characterization is of a chain-smoking, tough around the edges kind of guy with good intentions. Of course, all of his past histories with characters like Little Red Riding Hood, the Big Bad Wolf, and more are all expanded upon in the series. Snow White serves as the deputy Mayor. Beauty and the Beast, when they have domestic disputes, Beast begins to turn back into a monster because his human appearance is dependant upon Beauty’s love for him. And of course, there’s Jack, who we find has lived many adventures, from his time as Jack Frost to the Giant-Killer.
The fact that each arc has a different “genre” feel to it, sometimes a mystery, sometimes a conspiracy thriller, and sometimes a heist story, also serves to keep things interesting. It’s the overall story though of the Fables vs. the Adversary that really keeps me hooked, and coming back for more though.
Overall, I cannot recommend FABLES enough, and encourage anyone who enjoys just plain good comics to check it out.
We currently have plenty of FABLES v.1 in stock, and it’s only $9.99 for the first issue, so definitely check it out.
You can click here to read more about FABLES: LEGENDS IN EXILE, and there’s even a link there to read a sample of the first issue.
CRIMINAL: THE SINNERS #4 – THE BLEAK, SAGA OF TRACY LAWLESS CONTINUES IN THE BEST CRIME COMIC BEING PUBLISHED!
This series is one of my personal TOP 5s. I’ve been hooked on this series since the very first issue, heck, I was even hooked before Brubaker and Phillips did CRIMINAL, and started with SLEEPER. This is the comic book that ED BRUBAKER was born to write. It’s pulpy, it’s hardboiled, and it’s so well-written that it really grabs a hold of you and pulls you in. Criminal’s the kind of book where everything just comes together perfectly. The artwork, the storytelling, the colors. And, it’s also one of the few books that I strongly suggest picking up in the single issues, because they pack extra content into the back of each issue, where you see famous crime novelist, and other figures (like comedian Patton Oswalt), talk about their favorite crime films, books, and more. It’s just a great overall package. Ontop of all that, you get a full comic, no ads, extra content, for only $3.50. What’s not to love?
The world of CRIMINAL is told in story arcs, and they can be read in any order, to be honest. The characters and settings do link up as you read, but you could jump on in the middle of any storyline, and not be lost. Some stories are set in the present, and some are set in the past. What’s really cool is that bartender you never noticed, or the comic strip that so subtly exists as what might appear to be nothing meaningful, all of these characters get their stories told in Criminal. Heck, it makes you want to pay attention to every supporting character that appears, because you never know when they’ll have their story told.
This current run, THE SINNERS, is focusing on TRACY LAWLESS, who originally appeared in CRIMINAL v.2: LAWLESS (now available in trade paperback here at Third Eye). Lawless, is now working for the mobster he’s despised, after the events of the Lawless story arc. And, many of the city’s untouchable big shot crooks are getting killed in grisly ways, and it’s not happening from a competing criminal, but someone unknown to the underworld. Lawless is tasked with finding out who it is, because they can’t exactly go to the cops on this one, you know? And, from there, you’re taken on a very cool journey into the depths of the underworld, and all the different corners of it.
If you haven’t tried CRIMINAL, pick up issue #1 of CRIMINAL: SINNERS, and give it a shot. I really think you’ll enjoy it. It’s one of the highest quality books on the stands, and it’ll grab you by your collar, and plunge you headfirst into a booze-drenched, cigarette smoke halo of the grittiest crime fiction you’ll ever read.
For those of you who’d like to start at the very beginning of the series, check out CRIMINAL v.1: COWARD trade paperback, which we have available here at Third Eye. Trust us, you’ll dig it.
Click here to read a preview of CRIMINAL: THE SINNERS #1 for a taste of what CRIMINAL is all about.
LEGENDS ENCHANTED #0 *THIRD EYE MUST BUY* DEBUTS THIS WEEK FROM RADICAL AT ONLY $1.00 – A STEAMPUNK FAIRYTALE!
This one’s a sleeper that I feel is going to turn into one of the biggest books of 2010. All the nice things I said about RADICAL up above? Great quality books, fresh ideas, good production values… all of these things are demonstrated big time in LEGENDS: ENCHANTED. This #0 is just a prelude for what’s to come this year.
What’s the scoop on this one? Well, in a nutshell, Legends is a steampunk, gothic fairy tale casting a dark shadow on all the characters of folklore, and fiction that you know and love. While the idea, and comparisons to FABLES could be drawn, Legends is a completely different beast. This is a straight-forward, dark fantasy with a steampunk element. The characters are much more scary than traditional fairy tales, and have many layers to them. I love FABLES, so it’s good to see that Legends is taking a different path, because nothing sucks more than one someone tries to rip off one of your favorite books.
The artwork in this looks INCREDIBLE, and that is definitely a big selling point. The writing, from what we’ve seen is sharp, and clever, and hits a very strong point for good characterization. Just a taste of what comes in the #0 issue is Jack the Giant-Killer, Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, and a murdered Pinocchio (a construct of wood, and bionic parts).
The Enchanted are the fairy-tale characters in question, and are feared and loathed by many. They spend most of their existence as outlaws, vigilantes, and bounty hunters. They’re very hard to kill, which is due in part to their charm of being “The Enchanted.” The book has a tough-as-nails, urban sci-fi/fantasy feel to it, and is fresh. While we’ve seen these concepts tackled before, no one has ever mixed in the sci-fi element, and I think that’s what really makes the story sing. Imagine Humpty Dumpty as a crimelord, Hansel and Gretel as paranormal exterminators, Jack rides around on a motorcycle fueled by giant’s blood, and Red Hood, the monster hunter. All of these characters exist in a world of turmoil, and corruption, and an underlying storyline involving a beastly creature named the Hag is at it’s root.
Doesn’t this sound awesome?! I’m so stoked to see the book in person this Wednesday. Best of all, this first one’s only $1.00
Click here to check out a wordless preview of LEGENDS: ENCHANTED #0!
DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #896 - DEADPOOL TEAMS UP WITH MARVEL’S TRUCK-DRIVING SUPERHERO.. U.S ACE (formerly known as US-1). NO, WE’RE NOT MAKING THIS UP. HE’S A TRUCKER, WITH A METAL PLATE IN HIS HEAD, AND USES IT TO MENTALLY CONTROL HIS TRUCK.
You know, I think I’m starting to get this whole DEADPOOL Team-Up thing. Yes, it’s an excuse to give everyone more DEADPOOL, which is always a good thing, because there’s no such thing as too much DEADPOOL. But, it’s also serving as a place to put the most absurd, most obscure, and most ridiculous Marvel characters of the last thirty to forty years back into play. And, I like that, because c’mon, U.S Ace? The guy was Marvel’s answer to the truck-driving craze of the ’70s. He had a metal plate in his head that gave him mental control over his big rig. I mean, how ridiculously awesome is that?
And, to top it all off… they’re fighting killer, uzi-wielding raccoons. This is truly some of the most fun you can have with a Deadpool book. Weird, quirky one-shots pairing Deadpool up with some of the most ridiculous characters in the Marvel Universe.
Click here for a preview of DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #896!
MASS EFFECT REDEMPTION #2 – THE KILLER DARK HORSE LIMITED SERIES BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN MASS EFFECT AND MASS EFFECT 2 VIDEO GAMES!
So, now MASS EFFECT 2 is out, and I’m sure many of you are hooked into the pure video game awesomeness that is Mass Effect 2. Trust me, I’d be right there with you, but I know the power of Mass Effect, and I can’t commit to it yet. But, I will, oh you can bet on that. Anyways, Dark Horse, who is known for taking some really stellar licensed properties and turning them into killer comics, has done something very cool by taking the Mass Effect Redemption limited series and using it to bridge the gap between the stories of Mass Effect, and Mass Effect 2.
In other words, if you’re a fan of the Mass Effect video games, and you’re stoked on the release of Mass Effect 2, then you should really give this limited series a read, as it just adds a lot to the already compelling Mass Effect story.
If you missed MASS EFFECT REDEMPTION #1, don’t worry, we’ve still got plenty in stock for you to hop aboard with.
Click here to check out a preview of MASS EFFECT REDEMPTION #2
BRAD MELTZER (IDENTITY CRISIS) & JOSS WHEDON WRITE BUFFY, WITH BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #32 – AND THERE’S A HUGE SURPRISE FOR LONGTIME FANS AWAITING!
Now, you know, it’s funny. I never really watched Buffy when it was airing. In fact, I’d never watched it at all until Joss Whedon launched Season 8 a few years back as a comic book. There was such a huge fuss around the book, that I decided to read it, to try it. And, you know, I was already a Whedon fan from Astonishing X-Men, and Firefly.. so, you know, why not? And, that was that, I was hooked.
Now, the series has off and on kept my interest, but for the most part, the world Whedon’s laid out lends itself to comics very well, and the story is actually pretty compelling. His characterization is sharp, and this book is just as good as many other titles out there now. It’s just that it has it’s slow points at times, like any series.
Now, for those of you longtime Buffy fans who have either fallen off of the series, or never tried it out.. you’re gonna want to check out the first issue of the new story arc beginning in this week’s BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #32. While I don’t want to drop the spoiler on the big reveal, lets just say that the identity of Buffy’s big nemesis… is a huge deal. HUGE DEAL. A character you’re going to know right away, but that we haven’t seen appear yet.
And, with Brad Meltzer coming on to handle the writing chores alongside Whedon, you can be sure that this one is going to be a heck of a story. Meltzer is the man responsible for quite possibly one of the best DC stories of the 2000s, with IDENTITY CRISIS.
Click here to read more about BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #32
WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #10… ARE YOU READING THE BEST WOLVERINE BOOK ON THE RACKS? TRY THIS WEEK’S #10, THE PERFECT JUMPING ON POINT FOR JASON AARON’S (writer of SCALPED) KILLER WOLVERINE ONGOING!
I’ve sung the praises of this run before, but seriously, folks, Weapon X is probably the best damn Wolverine book on the racks, and has been for 10 solid issues. Jason Aaron, the man behind SCALPED and PUNISHERMAX, delivers a solid, well-written, self-contained, and most importantly, violent Wolvie book that gives you everything you could want out of your favorite claw-slashing mutant. Seriously, just give this one a shot, and you’ll be sold. Aaron manages to conjure up the feelings you’d get reading the old school Claremont/Miller Wolvie stuff, but also incorporates a modern twist to it.
This week’s issue #10 serves as a perfect jumping on point, as a new story arc begins, and we see ol’ Logan, who’s never had the best luck with women, having a new one come walking into his life. Plus, we get a brand new artist with C.P Smith, who’s art is STELLAR, and has to be seen.
Want just a good, solid Wolvie title that doesn’t cross into a thousand different books? Want to see the best characterization of the character in a long time (excluding OLD MAN LOGAN, which ruled)? Want to see classic Wolvie supporting cast and villains? Then definitely check out Wolverine: Weapon X.
Click here for a preview of WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #10
Staff Picks
Steve – GREEN LANTERN #50 – This should’ve been called BLACKEST NIGHT 6.5. This issue picks up DIRECTLY after the events of BLACKEST NIGHT #6, and we get to see that oh-so-cool corps of unlikely Lanterns kicking butt. And, the cover’s no joke… it’s telling of what to expect.
Torma – CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #6 – Great, great conclusion. Over-the-top action, a must for any Marvel fan. I mean, heck you even get a giant Red Skull at the end. TOTAL MAYHEM!
Trish – KICK-ASS #8 – There’s definitely room for a sequel! This is a great ending, and was def. worth the wait
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THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS @ THIRD EYE COMICS FOR WEDNESDAY 1/13/10
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #617 *THE GAUNTLET* – RHINO RETURNS CHAPTER 1! JOE KELLY RE-INVENTS THE RHINO IN A VICIOUS NEW WAY!
Ever since the debut of a deadly, re-energized Electro a couple of months back in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #612, we have been hooked month after month on the title. For a very long time, Amazing Spider-man, as a title, suffered. It didn’t have a consistent story, or creative team, and the creative teams that did rotate on and off, were so up and down in their consistency. There were glimmers of hope in storylines like NEW WAYS TO DIE, and AMERICAN SON, but the book felt directionless. And, while we feel the book really hit it’s stride and return to quality with AMAZING SPIDERMAN #612 *GAUNTLET PT 1* (still in stock here at Third Eye), it was AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #600 where it looked like things were turning in the right direction.
Now, almost 18 issues later, and we can say that Amazing Spider-man is a must-read title once again. The Gauntlet storyline has been GREAT, and the idea of having “mini-arcs” that help develop and shape some of Spidey’s most wicked rogues is great. The thing that’s cool about this whole Gauntlet deal is that it’s taking the time to build up each of the characters, and prepare them for what the Gauntlet is ultimately leading to: the Return of the Sinister Six.
What is the Gauntlet? The Gauntlet is an over-arching storyline running through Amazing Spider-man this year that began in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #512. So far, it’s been two and three issue story arcs reintroducing classic Spidey rogues, who were all members of the Sinister Six. Basically, it’s Spider-man being forced to run the Gauntlet of these villains, being worn down one by one by these guys, in preparation for when the new Sinister Six (which we’ve seen referenced a few times so far in the Gauntlet) returns. So far, it has been a great trip through one of the things that makes Spidey so great: his classic Rogues Gallery.
What’s up with this week’s Amazing Spider-man #617 “The Rhino is Coming”? The next mini-arc features the return of the classic Spidey villain, the Rhino, and with Joe Kelly (the man who defined Deadpool in the late ’90s, and has given us a few killer Spidey arcs already) heading it up, it looks to be a great new twist on the character. From the looks of it, the Rhino is being given a much more animalistic, feral approach. There’s also the fact that Marvel is making a big fuss about this story arc, a much bigger fuss than they did about the previous two arcs (Sandman, and Electro), which both rocked. This is pure speculation on my part as to where the story is going, but I think that we’re going to see the Rhino play a major role in doing some damage to the wallcrawler. Man, I am such a geek for Spidey. :) Probably one of my favorite Marvel characters, which is why I’m so stoked to see the stories getting better in the book.
Want To Catch Up On The Gauntlet? Here’s a quick rundown of the books you’d need to get caught up on the Gauntlet. We currently have all of these in stock here at Third Eye, so jumping on is pretty easy.
Clickhere for a preview of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #617 *THE RHINO IS COMING PT 1*
ALAN MOORE RETURNS TO COMIC WRITING WITH NEW HORROR SERIES, NEONOMICON, THIS WEDNESDAY!
Alan Moore returns to comic storytelling with a brand new horror series pairing him up with CROSSED artist JACEN BURROWS. It’s been a while since Moore has done any comic work outside of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and even longer since he’s done straight-to-the-throat horror stuff. Neonomicon looks like we’ll be seeing Alan Moore channelling his inner HP Lovecraft, and telling some tales of madness, despair, and Elder Gods.
From what we’ve read of this, it sounds like we’ll be seeing some of the darkest, most disturbing work Moore has done in ages. And if anyone is capable of applying an interesting re-invention of the Lovecraft mythos, it’s Moore.
This Wednesday, a very special #0 issue “Hornbook” features a short prelude to Neonomicon, and other material to get us primed for Moore’s exciting new book, and hey, it’s only $1.99!
BLACKEST NIGHT: BACK FROM THE DEAD ONE-SHOTS CONTINUE THIS WEEK WITHCATWOMAN #83, AND POWER OF SHAZAM #48. PLUS, SECRET SIX #17 PICKS UP FROM LAST WEEK’S SUICIDE SQUAD #67
The idea of DC’s “Back from the Dead” one-shots is pretty damn cool. I read both the Weird Western Tales, and the Suicide Squad last week, and they were both pretty awesome. I REALLY dug the Weird Western Tales, and the Suicide Squad, of course, was cool, but then again, I’m a big Secret Six fan. In case you missed it last week, “Back from the Dead” is a line of one-shots DC is doing in January to continue the story of Blackest Night. They’ve hand-picked fan-favorite series that were killed off in their prime, and brought them back for one final issue. Each issue serves as a special one-shot which furthers the story of BLACKEST NIGHT in the DCU.
This week, the “Back from the Dead” theme continues with POWER OF SHAZAM #48, and CATWOMAN #83, as well as the continuation of the SUICIDE SQUAD #67 from last week in SECRET SIX #17. Lets take a quick look at each, as all three look pretty cool.
First off, POWER OF SHAZAM #48is sure to be cool because it’s bringing the Blackest Night spotlight onto the Black Adam family. We’ve all gotten hooked on Black Adam in the pages of stuff like 52 (ripping bad guys in half!), and the more recent Black Adam and Isis storyline in Justice Society. In this one-shot, we see Osiris re-animated as Black Lantern, and wreaking havoc on the Billy and Mary Marvel, who’re both now powerless. The Power of Shazam series was a cult favorite in the ’90s, with it’s well done retro storytelling by Jerry Ordway, so it’s cool to see it back.
Next up is theCATWOMAN #83 one-shot, where we see Selina Kyle dealing with the blackoutt in Gotham City, and, hey, the resurrection of the original Black Mask as Black Lantern. You know, the guy she killed a while ago? Black Mask has always been a cool villain, and it’s going to be pretty damn cool seeing him as a crazy heart-eating Black Lantern. We know this series had a legion of loyal die-hard fans, so I’m sure many of you are excited to see one final issue of Ms. Kyle.
Finally, the Suicide Squad #67 from last week continues into the pages of the regular Secret Six series with SECRET SIX #17. Now, if you’re remotely into DC Comics at all, you gotta be reading Secret Six. This series isn’t just good, it’s DAMN good. Gail Simone has managed to carve out her own little niche of the DCU, and tell some pretty cool stories there featuring a mixed batch of heavy-hitter supervillains, and the more obscure lightweights. The Suicide Squad’s pulled Deadshot back into the mix, and, there’s some Black Lanterns out there causing havoc.
Also, this week we will have the next batch of Blackest Night checklists available completely free!
BATMAN: WIDENING GYRE #4 CONTINUES FILM-MAKER KEVIN SMITH’S EPIC BATMAN LIMITED SERIES!
Kevin Smith’s got a pretty good track record of dishing out some great comic yarns… when they come out on time. And, I think that’s what’s kept us all hooked here on the Widening Gyre. While there was a bit of a delay between issue 3, and 4, he has managed to keep a good schedule of getting the book out on time. Which is awesome, because Widening Gyre rocks.
What is BATMAN WIDENING GYRE About? Since the series is in by four issues so far, I figured I should give you a quick rundown on just what it’s all about… It’s basically, a self-contained story where Bruce Wayne is still Batman, Dick Grayson is still Nightwing, and Robin is still Tim Drake. It features a new character, a vigilante in a goat mask, who keeps swooping in and throwing an assist to Batman. And, basically the concept is what is it like for The Dark Knight to have an actual partner, and not just a sidekick. Of course, Smith sprinkles a liberal dose of classic Batman rogues, and supporting cast to make this a fun read for any long-time Bat-fan.
The combination of Smith’s sharp storytelling, and Flanagan’s trippy artwork make for a great read, and we think that this limited series is going to stand the test of time as one of those classic Bat-stories you read and hear about all the time.
If you’re a Batman fan, we definitely recommend giving this one a shot. The first issue alone has a very cool Etrigan (the Demon) / Poison Ivy moment.
Click here to read more about BATMAN WIDENING GYRE #4
DAYTRIPPER #2 FOLLOWS UP ON THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE TRIPPY NEW VERTIGO SERIES! MISSED #1? WE’VE GOT IT IN STOCK FOR YOU TO CATCH UP WITH!
Vertigo has been knocking it out of the park lately with a lot of great new series, and the new book DAYTRIPPER from the talented duo of Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba is no exception. It’s a very dreamy, yet subtle book that appears to be carving out it’s own unique niche in the line of Vertigo books. It takes a very personal look at a human being who is trying to make his way in life as a writer that’s trying to get out of his father’s shadow. Of course, he’s become quickly disillusioned with his day job (writing obituaries), and the fact that his own life is ticking away day by day. In other words, he’s not getting any younger, and he’s yet to make a mark on the world like his father. The main character is very easy to identify with, and I think that’s part of what really helped drew us in to the first issue. The artwork is also kind of low-key like the script, and sets a very dream-like tone that lures you into a false sense of safety… which gets abruptly shattered at the ending, which I don’t want to ruin for you because it’s a good surprise that sets up the entire series.
Anyways, the second issue of DAYTRIPPER arrives this week, and we’re pretty excited about it. Great artwork, great story, in the first issue, so we’re eager to see where things go this week in #2.
Click here to see a long preview of DAYTRIPPER #1
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #22 *STARK DISASSEMBLED PT 3* CONTINUES THE BIGGEST STORY ARC YET IN MATT FRACTION’S INCREDIBLE IRON MAN RUN!
STARK DISASSEMBLED has really been turning out to be one of the best arcs yet in Matt Fraction’s incredible INVINCIBLE IRON MAN run. And, folks, I know I’ve been preaching it for a while, but, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN is one of the best monthly books Marvel has been putting out for the last couple of years. It truly is a shining example of what a strong, consistent creative team can do for a book. And, you’re talking to a guy who’s never been a diehard Iron Man fan. But, Matt Fraction and Salvador Larocca manage to capture the essence of what makes Iron Man COOL. They capture that Robert Downy Jr-esque approach where you can feel the character’s smugness, an cockiness, but not to the point where it’s overbearing or arrogant. And, they also manage to capture the bigger than life wonder and awe of the technology without letting the book become bogged down and focused on JUST the technology. Not to mention it’s got classic Iron Man baddies galore, from Madame Masque to MODOK. All in all, if you’re reading Stark Disassembled, and dig it, we highly recommend going back and snagging INVINCIBLE IRON MAN v.1 THE FIVE NIGHTMARES and INVINCIBLE IRON MAN v.2 WORLDS MOST WANTED, both available in trade paperback here at Third Eye.
Now, lets not forget about what’s happening in what’s turning out to be the best story arc yet of Fraction and Larocca’s run, and that’s STARK DISASSEMBLED. The story starts with Tony Stark comatose, after having lobotomized himself to prevent Norman Osborn from getting into his head. There’s this great sequence where you see a pre-recorded holomessage from Tony explaining there is a way to “reboot” him and bring him back, but the question he asks is after everything they’ve been through… the Civil War, the Initiative, ect..ect… Do they want to bring him back? There’s a really cool part where Tony kind of sidetracks himself, and gets into how the closest thing to a higher power he’s believed in was Thor and Captain America, and how everything getting all screwed up destroyed him.
The story so far has bounced back and forth between Tony Stark, comatose, existing in a dream-like state and being taught something by the familiar names of a Howard and a Maria. In the real world, you’ve got Pepper Potts dealing with the love/hate relationship she has with her boss, and she prepares to give up her repulsortech to aid in bringing Tony back to life.
Of course, there needs to be some bloodshed, and that’s where Madame Masque, and Ghost come in, see Masque has sent Ghost to execute the comatose Stark.
All in all, the STARK DISASSEMBLED arc has been one of the best reads we’ve seen, and just proves why this book is such a strong read month in and month out. You can hop on with issue #20, which is still in stock, and we also have issue #21 in stock as well.
Click here for a preview of INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #22 *STARK DISASSEMBLED PT 3*
ALIENS VS. PREDATORS: THREE WORLDS WAR #1 – THE BLOODIEST, MOST BRUTAL AVP CONFLICT YET HAS ARRIVED!
One of our big guilty pleasures here at Third Eye are the Aliens and Predator comics that Dark Horse has brought back. I think a lot of it goes back to the huge popularity of the original ALIENS comics back when I was a kid. I remember stumbling across some of the most grisly, gory comics featuring all sorts of whacked out premises in these books. This was back when there were still mom-and-pop video stores, and you’d often see spinner racks full of horror movie magazines, and comics like these. Hitting up the comic shop, and then the video store was a weekly ritual for me as a kid, and I think getting that double dose of ALIENS on the racks was what got me hooked.
Dark Horse resurrected the franchises last year in two super-fun limited series that were very true to the original spirit of the comics and films. And, now, they’re bringing back the fan-favorite idea of ALIENS VS PREDATOR. Now, don’t let the recent AVP films change your opinion on these, because the comics have always been full of blood, guts, and you know, space dust. But, seriously, we’re pumped to see the return of AVP, and you know, it might be a guilty pleasure, but we think that there’s enough of you guys out there who grew up on these books to warrant giving it a shout out in this week’s newsletter.
Click here for a preview of ALIENS VS PREDATOR: THREE WORLDS WAR #1
WARREN ELLIS’S NO HERO TRADE PAPERBACK OUT THIS WEDNESDAY.. “WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO BE SUPERHUMAN?”
It’s always a reason for rejoice when another of Ellis’s Avatar series hits trade, and this week, we’re seeing the arrival of last year’s high-octane, superpowers-as-drug-addiction epic collected into trade paperback. No Hero is an EXCELLENT read, and features the artwork of JUAN JOSE RYP, which is very Geoff Darrow-influenced, and looks fantastic. If you dug Ellis’s BLACK SUMMER, then you’ll definitely be into NO HERO.
What’s NO HERO about? No Hero is a story by the master of the widescreen comic (among other things), Warren Ellis. From his amazing take on the AUTHORITY to the Mad Science Fiction he’s known for in stories like IGNITION CITY and TRANSMETROPOLITAN. NO HERO is set in a world where superhumans have existed since the 1960s, and came about as a reaction to the violent police reactions towards the counter-culture movements of the ’60s. While the intentions of the original group, the Levellers, is noble, their mastermind and leader is a cross between Lex Luthor and Timothy Leary, and you quickly learn that the pills that give these characters their powers are his very own drug-like way of keeping them under control. You get a quick glimpse of the world of superhumans under his control through the 60s, 70s, and then in the ’80s, you start seeing former superheroes who’ve now been ravaged by the drug, and resemble far-gone drug addicts. Fast forward to the year 2011, and we see a young man who’s taken the notice of Masterson (the above mentioned Luthor/Leary hybrid), and seeks to induct him into his team after the ranks have thinned considerably. From there, we see just how the series asks “How Bad Do You Want To Be A Superhero?”
This was one of our favorite limited series of 2009, and we highly recommend giving it a look to anyone who’s into Transmetropolitan, Irredeemable, The Boys, Doktor Sleepless, or the Authority. It takes a very unique way at the world of superheroes, and from a very fresh perspective.
JASON AARON’S (writer of SCALPED)PUNISHERMAX #3 CONTINUES THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED WRITER’S UNRELENTING APPROACH TO THE WORLD OF THE PUNISHER!
Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon have done an incredible thing with their new run on PUNISHER MAX. This is the best the series has been since Garth Ennis’s character-defining run, and we’d even go as far to say it’s just as brutal as Ennis’s epic run. We know only good things will be coming from what Aaron has said will be a very long run on PUNISHER.
The first story arc in the run is focusing on the introduction of the KINGPIN to the world of PUNISHER MAX. For those of you unaware of what the world of PUNISHER MAX is, it’s a self-contained story where the Punisher exists, and only fights real crime, ranging from the Mafia and Russian Slavers to corrupt military officials and ENRON-like white collar criminals. There are no superpowered characters, and everything is played very straight-forward, very brutal, and very graphic. And, in doing so, we get to see certain Marvel characters that fit into this world introduced in a whole new way. The story of Wilson Fisk is one of a Mafia enforcer who’s hatched a plot to take out the Punisher, so it seems. His boss passes it off as his own idea (just like Fisk wants him to), and basically it’s the positioning of Wilson Fisk as a mythical Boss of Bosses figure… a Godfather. This way the Punisher is gunning strictly for Fisk, and none of the other Mafia bosses, and it allows for the Mafia to weed him out and gun him down. However, Fisk has his own agenda, using this as a way to eliminate the Mafia bosses, and position himself as a true power player in the world of organized crime.
Folks, this series is a chilling read. The first two issues alone have definitely proven that Aaron is keeping things true to the dark, unrelenting spirit of Ennis’s original work. Steve Dillon’s pencils look the best they have since PREACHER, and fit very well with Aaron’s writing. You can tell that Aaron is a fan of Ennis’s work, but you can also tell he is doing his own thing with it too.
The characterization of the KINGPIN is especially brutal, and without saying too much, Aaron sets him up as an instant classic villain.
We still have the first couple issues of this series in stock, so for those of you who have yet to jump on, definitely check it out. For those of you who’ve already hopped aboard, then we know after last month’s grisly issue, you’re going to be stoked to read this one.
Click here for a preview of PUNISHERMAX #3
THE SURPRISE HIT DARK X-MEN SERIES CONTINUES THIS WEEK WITH DARK X-MEN #3
One of the big surprises for us this winter has been the DARK X-MEN limited series which picks up some of the plot points that were originally set up in the DARK X-MEN / UTOPIA saga, and carries them forward. The reason why I say it was a big surprise is because it’s turned out to be very good. In fact, this series could almost stand on it’s own without the whole Dark X-Men banner, as kind of a Marvel version of the SECRET SIX. It really is a cool, quirky read.
Why we like it so much? The story is a very fun, darkly humored look at some of the second-stringers of the X-Men world. The inclusion of characters like Nate Grey (X-Man from AGE OF APOCALYPSE), and Mystique give us some cult fan-favorites, and the team dynamic of the Dark X-Men that’s explored through characters like Dark Beast is great. The Dark X-Men consists of the mutants that Osborn rounded up that ended up sticking around. No heavyweights like Namor, or Emma Frost, in fact, the biggest character on the team is probably Mystique, who fills the reluctant leadership role very well. The story is focused on Osborn’s X-Men, and how half of them don’t even know why the hell they’re here, and how the other half is trying to figure out how to squeeze their own agendas into things.
This is a series that’s definitely much better than you would have expected it to be, and we highly recommend any X-Men fan gives the first issue a shot if you haven’t already. We think you’ll really dig it. And, don’t worry, we still have plenty of issue #1, and issue #2 for you to get caught up with.
Click herefor a preview of DARK X-MEN #3
MARVELS PROJECT #5 – THE FIRST MISSION OF CAPTAIN AMERICA REVEALED!
The sleeper favorite from Marvel this year has definitely been Ed Brubaker’s THE MARVELS PROJECT. This series which explores the official origins of superpowers in the Marvel Universe has provided some of the most well-written, well-paced, and gorgeously illustrated Marvel storytelling in a long time. Don’t be scared off by thinking this is a hokey, or dated Golden Age re-tread. This series has teeth, folks, and manages to explore what Marvel was like before the days of Spider-man, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men.
The story began with Marvels Project #1, where we see a dying Kid Colt talking of futures where men shoot lasers from their eyes, and green giants roam the earth. He passes off his legendary six-guns to a young reporter named the Angel, who becomes a vigilante in his own right. The story is mostly seen through the Angel’s perspective, and in the first issue we see how the invention of superhumans is mostly due in part to an arms race between Allied Forces and Nazi Germany. One of the stand-out scenes is a Nazi boat netting Atlanteans, and then the Submariner dishing out his vengeance on them. The shot of Submariner riding the waves, and snapping the Nazi’s necks with the water is pretty intense.
In the last issue, we get a better look at the origins of Steve Rogers. We get to see what his motivation was for volunteering to test the supersoldier serum. Plus, another obscure Golden Age character is broken out of obscurity, and I gotta say, folks.. it’s pretty awesome to see Brubaker mining Marvel’s rich history and digging out these forgotten classics.
All in all, the MARVELS PROJECT is a well-paced, maturely written story on the origins of the Marvel Universe as a whole, and it manages to accomplish what it’s doing very well. In this week’s issue, it’s Steve Rogers as Captain America, assigned his first task. We’re stoked to see how it turns out.
Clickhere for a preview of MARVELS PROJECT #5
ULTIMATUM TRADE PAPERBACK AVAILABLE THIS WEDNESDAY! WANT TO KNOW HOW THINGS GOT TO WHERE THEY ARE IN ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS & ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN?
A lot of you guys, like us here at Third Eye, have been really digging the whole new approach to the ULTIMATE universe that was launched in books like ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #1, and ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #1. However, a lot of you are also wondering just how we got to this point, and why half of the friggin’ Marvel Universe is dead or missing. Well, wait no longer, because this Wednesday, the collected edition of ULTIMATUM arrives in softcover.
The best way to describe ULTIMATUM is a Marvel blockbuster story in the truest sense. It’s not really hung up on going into great detail about certain things, but instead is just page after awesome page of crazy death, and disaster. The real shining stand-out about ULTIMATUM was the artwork from David Finch, who manages to capture the scale, and make you believe that Magneto really did drown NY in tidal waves.
What’s the plot of ULTIMATUM? Well, in the wake of ULTIMATES 3, Magneto loses his cool, completely, and snags up Thor’s hammer. Using Thor’s hammer, and his own mutant powers, he decides he’s going to flood the earth in a very biblical way, and pretty much wipe out humanity.
Of course, along the way, we get to see some crazy cool moments, and while I don’t want to drop the spoilers….. LOTS of characters die in pretty intense ways. Heads being blasted off by optic blasts, people being eaten, ect ect.
So if you’re looking to get caught up on what happened prior to the new Ultimate series you’re following, Ultimatum is the perfect place to start.
Trish – Walking Dead Volume 11 – Now I can go back and re-read it again without the torture of waiting for the next issue!
Torma – SIEGE #1 - TOTAL MAYHEM! If you’ve been waiting for something to happen in the Marvel Universe, this is definitely it. The first issue just teases what looks like a huge payoff for everything that’s happened in the last two years.
Steve – SIEGE #1 – We try not to pick the same things, but I couldn’t choose SIEGE. The art by Coipel is great, Bendis’s brought his A game with the writing, and c’mon, there is nothing cooler than seeing Asgard being stormed by the combined forces of H.A.M.M.E.R and the Dark Avengers. If you haven’t tried this yet, check it out!
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Tags: alan moore, alan moore's neonomicon, amazing spider-man 617 the gauntlet, annapolis comic shop, blackest night, catwoman 83, comic book store annapolis, comic shop annapolis, comic shop maryland, comic shop md, comic store annapolis, comic store maryland, daytripper, invincible iron man, marvels project, neonomicon, no hero, no hero trade paperback, power of shazam 48, secret six 17, stark disassembled, third eye comics, third eye comics annapolis |
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THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS @ THIRD EYE FOR WEDNESDAY 12/9/09
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #614 *THE GAUNTLET PT 3* CONTINUES THE BEST SPIDER-MAN STORY WE’VE SEEN IN YEARS!
This week, the third part of the GAUNTLET arrives, and we gotta tell you guys… two issues in, and this storyline is already shaping up to be one of the best Spidey arcs we’ve seen. Before I get into talking about what’s to come, let me give everyone the scoop on what the Gauntlet is all about.
Everything You Need To Know About The Gauntlet: The Gauntlet is a big storyline running through the pages of Amazing Spider-man which is essentially being told to re-introduce Spider-man’s most iconic villains, as the new Sinister Six. Each mini-chapter of the Gauntlet is 2-3 issues long, and focuses on not only bringing back and re-vamping the classic villains in Spidey’s Rogues Gallery, but also shows him getting put through the ringer by them. And, since this is happening for the entirety of the storyline, villain after villain, hence the name… The Gauntlet.
The Gauntlet began in Amazing Spider-man #612, which serves as the perfect entry point to jump on with. In other words, if it’s been years since you’ve read Spidey (and I know there’s quite a few of you who have because of all the wackiness of One More Day), then Amazing Spider-man #612 is a great spot to come in.
This first story arc has been focusing on Electro, who we really haven’t seen much of since the early days of the New Avengers. Electro, who is now older, and is seeing his powers become very erratic, has kind of given himself a new meaning in life. First off, it’s been mentioned that his powers are now haywire due to his age and metabolism changing, and becauuse of that, Electro has become a downtrodden shadow of his former self. Secondly, he’s broke, due to losing most of his (ill-gotten) funds in the economic meltdown of 2008. And, now, his anger is being vented at the execs and bankers that were taken care of in the bailout. So, you have this very interesting approach to Electro as a folk hero, a man of the people, being taken. But, he’s still blowing people up with electricity, and of course, Spidey has to stop him. And, that’s what’s made this so interesting because it casts Spidey once again in the role of outsider. The people who see Electro as a sort of working class hero despise Spidey for his interference, and you once again see Spidey in that role of well-intentioned outcast hero that fits him so well.
The third chapter of the Gauntlet ships this week, and then I believe the next villain on the agenda is going to be the Rhino, or Sandman, I can’t recall. Either way, this storyline has been awesome, and has tons of potential to continue to do so.
It’s early enough to still catch up, so if you haven’t already hopped aboard the Gauntlet, we recommend grabbing a copy of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #612, and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #613 to hop aboard.
Click here for a preview of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #614
A BLACKEST NIGHT ENCORE THIS WEEK AT THIRD EYE WITH FOUR BLACKEST NIGHT TIE-IN ISSUES! ADVENTURE COMICS #5BOOSTER GOLD #27, REBELS #11, AND DOOM PATROL #5
Blackest Night has been delivering some high caliber storytelling in the form of the various tie-in issues that carry the Blackest Night banner. And, last month, we saw some killer storylines spark up from the Blackest Night in the pages of books like Booster Gold and REBELS.
Now, before I go any further, let me say that I was totally blown away by how much I enjoyed REBELS. I really wasn’t expecting anything special from it, and had my sights set on Booster as being the coolest of these tie-in issues, but man, REBELS is a good book. I liked the tie-in so much I went back and read the previous issues to the series, and this is an overlooked gem. I’m not even that big of a Legion fan, and I really dig it. C’mon, Brainiac as a Sinestro Corps Member? How cool is that? The story continues this week in the pages of REBELS #11
Another favorite was the recent issue of ADVENTURE COMICS, with the return of SUPERBOY PRIME. Who doesn’t love SUPERBOY PRIME? He’s such an obnoxious bastard, that you can’t help but enjoy seeing him involved in things. Of course, it’s been satisfying seeing Prime getting his butt handed to him by the Black Lanterns, but it’s going to be even more exciting to see how he lashes back at the Black Lanterns. And of course, the fact that Adventure Comics has been kick-ass since issue #1 helps us get exciteda bout this.. I’m sure the fact that Geoff Johns is writing it doesn’t hurt either. Everything continues this week in ADVENTURE COMICS #5
Next up on the agenda isBOOSTER GOLD #27, which picks up the storyline of the Blackest Night tie-in I had most anticipated. The Return of Ted Kord (the original Blue Beetle) as a Black Lantern. Not only do we get to see the ol’ Blue Beetle chomping hearts, but we get some decent character development for the new Blue Beetle. So, we’re eager to see how things get followed up this week in the next part of the Booster Gold Blackest Night tie-in.
And, then finally, the Blackest Night’s effects on Doom Patrol are explored in the pages of this week’s DOOM PATROL #5. Now, to be honest, this and Outsiders were probably my least favorite of the Blackest Night “ring” tie-in books, but I will say that the Kevin Macguire Metal Men back-up story has kept me coming back each month to Doom Patrol. Should be interesting though to see where things go with this next issue of Doom Patrol.
PUNISHERMAX #2 FROM SCALPED WRITER JASON AARON & PREACHER ARTIST STEVE DILLON CONTINUES THE BEST PUNISHER WE’VE SEEN SINCE GARTH ENNIS! HAVEN’T CHECKED IT OUT YET? WE STILL HAVE ISSUE #1 IN STOCK TO HOP ABOARD!
The new PUNISHER MAX series from Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon kicked off with an incredible first issue. Flat out, just from one issue, I can tell that this is the BEST Punisher run I’ve seen since Garth Ennis’s classic 60-issue MAX series. And, I think the fact that Jason Aaron is writing it, has a lot to do with that. Jason Aaron is the man behind what I think is the best Vertigo series hitting the shelves: SCALPED. He brings his hardboiled, gritty true crime sensibilities to the world of the Punisher, and you literally feel as if this story has picked up right where Ennis’s epic Punisher run left off.
Okay, so, lets get to the meat of things, and talk about what PUNISHER MAX is, and what the new PUNISHERMAX series is about. First off…
What’s the difference between PUNISHER MAX and THE PUNISHER?Punisher MAX is a self-contained world, set outside of normal Marvel continuity where the character is treated much differently. The world of Punisher MAX does not have superpowered individuals, and in fact, it’s very rare that Marvel characters show up in this world. When they do show up, it’s always characters that are easily grounded in reality. In other words, you’ll see a Cold War warhorse like Nick Fury, smoking a cigar and drinking scotch. The world of PUNISHER MAX is very much rooted in reality, and the thing that makes it so damn unique is it’s approach to the character of the PUNISHER. A lot of this is due in part to Garth Ennis’s development of the character. In Punisher MAX, the Punisher is portrayed like a hybrid mix of the classic remorseless stranger (ala MAN WITH NO NAME from the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, ect) and borderline sociopaths on a mission like Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver. He’s written as a man who served in Vietnam, and it shows that he’s in his 50s. He’s a bulky, scarred up, ugly man who says very little, and kills without a second thought. And, in the world of PUNISHER MAX, it’s the silent killer persona that’s helped bring the Punisher back from the lameness of ’90s Punisher (you know, when he was running around with rocket launchers, jetpacks, and demon-killing shotguns).
In the world of Punisher MAX, there’s no supervillains, just real-life bad guys. So, it means that you see Castle going up against everything from the Mafia (whether it’s the classic Italian Mob, the Irish Mob, or the Russian Mob) to corrupt CIA officials to ENRON.
So, what’s the story then on this new PUNISHER MAX series? Well, the first issue provides one of the best jumping on points for a new series that I’ve seen in a while. Whether you fell off of Punisher MAX with the end of Ennis’s run, have never read a Punisher story in your life, or have been following the book between the end of Ennis’s run and now, Aaron’s first issue was a well-written entry point. The basic plot, other than the back to basics approach of returning to the spirit of Ennis’s stuff, is the introduction of The Kingpin (Wilson Fisk) to the MAX world.
In the first issue, we see the remnants of the Mafia gathering to figure out what to do as their empire slowly crumbles, and the Punisher is one of the biggest contributing factors. It turns out that a low-level enforcer, that’s not a “made” guy, has come up with the plan of having a figurehead, a kingpin, put into place to give the Punisher something to gun for. You know, taking the whole old school mafia myth about a boss of bosses to an extreme. And of course, that figurehead, would be this young enforcer. I think you can see where this is going.
Stand-out moments from the first issue? The Kingpin popping a guy’s eyes out of his head. Said guy shoving his eyes back into his head, and then getting his head blown off right as he says “I can almost see..”. And, of course, that killer last shot of the Kingpin passing up the perfect opportunity to take out the Punisher, which clues us into his true motives.
This week, the second issue comes out, and it continues the storyline, and as you guys can tell, I’m excited about this one. If you haven’t checked it out already, I’d highly recommend giving it a read.
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #21 *STARK DISASSEMBLED CHAPTER 2* CONTINUES THE MUST-READ IRON MAN STORY OF THE DECADE! NEED TO CATCH UP? WE STILL HAVE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #20 *STARK DISASSEMBLED CHAPTER 1* IN STOCK!
It’s been no secret that ever since Fraction and Larocca relaunched the Armored Avenger in Invincible Iron Man, I’ve been a fan. This entire run has been a solid as hell, and I’m telling you guys… if you haven’t been reading Iron Man, then now is the time to start. Invincible Iron Man #20 served as the perfect jumping on point for new readers, and judging from how a lot of you who picked it up (without having read prior issues), I’d say that it was a pretty big hit with you guys. And, I’m glad, because some books are so damn good, they deserve to be read. But, the new arc that began two weeks ago in Invincible Iron Man #20 is something that anyone with even the slightest interest in ol’ Shellhead should be reading.
Lets recap real quick, and get you those of you who haven’t started reading the book yet up to speed… Tony Stark, a fugitive under Norman Osborn’s reign, finally gives in, and pretty much turns himself into a vegetable to keep Osborn from getting what’s in his brain. And, now, it’s up to his friends and associates (ranging from Pepper Potts to Bucky Captain America) to bring him back…. IF they want to. See, that’s where the first chapter of this was so interesting. Tony Stark, has pre-recorded a hologram message and left it inside the Iron Woman armor, and in it, he talks about the last half a decade of Marvel history, more or less. He talks about the Civil War, the Secret Invasion, and he says… this is how you can bring me back, but after everything, DO YOU WANT TO? And, then comes three of the most heartfelt funnybook pages I’ve read, Third Eye Faithful. Tony Stark comparing Thor and Captain America to a higher power, and then breaking into a defiant speech of how to topple the reign of Osborn… it’s not often that sequences are written so well that they move you, but, man, that was a moving moment. Of course, aside from the standout moment of “the speech”, there’s a very interesting subplot with Madame Masque making plans to have Stark’s comatose body exterminated. And, all of this, serves as a very nice prelude to the events of SIEGE (which is said to have one major goal of reuniting the Marvel Trinity of Cap, Thor, and Iron Man).
Anyways, that brings us up to speed on Stark: Disassembled, and now we can talk about what we think might be going down in this week’s issue. See, Tony’s closest friends, allies, and loved ones have all banded together to bring the man back… but, now the question is, does he want to come back? All of this, AND, a hit squad sent to execute the nearly-gone body of Tony Stark, means that this should be one hell of an action-packed issue.
So, folks, if you’re Marvel fans, and aren’t already reading the Invincible Iron Man, we really recommend giving picking up INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #20, which serves as an excellent jumping on point to the series and this new story arc. Find out why month in, and month out, this is one of the most consistently high quality ongoing series Marvel has going. Same writer, same artist, for nearly two years… that’s gotta tell you something!
And, for those of you that picked up Invincible Iron Man #20 a couple weeks ago and loved it, be sure to check out:
Invincible Iron Man Volume 1: The Five Nightmares Trade Paperback (in stock now at Third Eye)
Invincible Iron Man Volume 2: World’s Most Wanted (in stock now at Third Eye)
And, we have all the single issues that pick up after the second trade too, for those of you who can’t get enough of Fraction’s incredible take on the Armored Avenger.
Clickhere for a preview of INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #21 *STARK DISASSEMBLED PT 2*
NATION X #1 DELIVERS EVERY FRIGGIN X-MAN YOU COULD THINK OF AND THEN SOME!
Whether it’s heavy-hitters like Wolverine and Colossus or fan-favorites like Magik and Nightcrawler, it looks like everyone’s crawling out of the woodwork for this four issue limited series that’s going to explore the brand new mutant nation that’s been created on UTOPIA.
The preview pages on this one look sharp, and while I have a love/hate relationship with the X-Books, I gotta admit the X-Fan in me is excited to check this one out. Sometimes you just want to see all your favorites from back in the day crammed into one slab of awesomeness, and judging from the cover alone, we’re definitely going to get that.
NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #3 – HAWKEYE GETS RESCUED FROM OSBORN BY THE LADIES OF THE NEW AVENGERS!
This one-shot Annual issue of the New Avengers is awesome for two reasons: A) it picks up where DARK REIGN THE LIST AVENGERS one-shot left off, with Hawkeye being locked down and on the list of execution by Norman Osborn, and B) it’s got the rarely seen interior artwork of the incredibly talented artist Mike Mayhew.
Seriously though, I think we’ve all been waiting to see how ol’ Clint Barton was going to end up after the events of DARK REIGN THE LIST AVENGERS, and it’s nice to see some closure to that story in this issue.
The plot? Basically, since most of the Avengers are all left with their handsfull, the ladies of the Avengers have banded together to break into Osborn’s fortress, and break Hawkeye (Clint Barton) free.
And of course, it’s written by Bendis, so you know it’s going to be up to that same level of quality that we get every month with the New Avengers.
Click here for a preview of NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #3! Just take a look at how awesome the interior art looks too!
X-NECROSHA: THE GATHERING ONE-SHOT EXPLORES THE ORIGINS OF THE BLACK QUEEN’S HIT SQUAD… AND ANSWERS THE QUESTION: HOW IS BLINK ALIVE?
The stuff that Kyle and Yost have been doing with X-Force for the last few years has been incredible. They’ve really carved out a corner of the Marvel Universe where good stand alone X-stories are told, and still give you the doses you want out of your favorite characters.
It’s kind of unfortunate that their event, Necrosha, bears some resemblances to the biggest storyline happening right now, because it really has been a good read. We know, both stories feature characters returning from the dead as vengeful messengers of death, but that’s where the similarities end. Necrosha is much more of an X-Men story, which brings us mutants and characters we have not seen in over a decade.
Dropping this week, we’ll be seeing the Necrosha: Gathering one-shot which delves into the origins of the Black Queen’s death squad, and of course, reveals just what Blink (the fan favorite from Exiles and Age of Apocalypse) is doing a live.
If you were a fan of the X-Books in the ’90s, do youreslf a favor and try Necrosha, it’s the perfect storyline to come aboard the X-Force book with.
Clickherefor a preview of NECROSHA: THE GATHERING
DEADPOOL #18 *DEADPOOL JOINS THE X-MEN PT 3!* – NATION X TIE-IN
Everyone’s favorite wise-cracking mass-murdering mercenary continues his trials and tribulations of finding a place where he belongs. Seriously though, the whole Deadpool joins the X-Men story arc that’s been going down the last couple of issues has been one of the best arcs in the series since he threw down with Bullseye. The fact that Paco Medina has returned to the art chores on this arc is probably a big contributing factor to why it’s been so good.
Of course, Deadpool’s ongoing series is always strong stuff, and lets be real: it’s hard to say no to more Deadpool. He’s the fourth-wall breaking, schizo-madman that we’ve all come to know and love.
So anyways, Cyclops has let ol’ Deadpool play ball, but instead of giving him the keys to the kingdom, he’s had Domino monitoring him in San Francisco. Of course, Deadpool’s been up to no good all along, or has he? Either way, it looks like some serious bad mojo is going down, and he’ll be at the center of it.
If you missed out on Deadpool 16, or 17, worry not, cause we still have ‘em in stock for you to catch up!
DARK X-MEN #2 “THE RETURN OF NATE GREY!”- A SURPRISE HIT! THE FIRST ISSUE OF THIS LIMITED SURPRISED US BIG TIME, AND NOW WE’RE STOKED TO SEE THE SECOND!
Anyone remember X-MAN? If you’re like me, and grew up in the ’90s devouring every X-Men comic that came your way, then the adventures of Nate Grey were a prominent fixture in your life. It seems like with a lot of us when we’re young, we’re brought into comics by prominent comic events. For me, it was Age of Apocalypse, and when that ended… all I had was X-Man to give me my AoA fix, but hell, I dug it. And, I’m pretty damn stoked to see the return of Nate Grey.
It doesn’t hurt that the first issue of Dark X-Men really knocked it out of the park. I think this one flew under the radar for a lot of you, probably due to the overload of Dark Reign stuff, but trust me, it’s actually a really good read.
Dark X-Men #1 did a good job of moving things forward in the whole idea of a team of mutants working under Osborn’s employ. But, the book focuses less on the whole Dark Reign aspect of things, and Osborn, and more on the actual idea of a team composed of rogue mutants, and some very memorable faces that we haven’t seen in quite some time. Don’t get me wrong, the idea of a book like Dark X-Men could be easily exploited as a cheap one-trick pony, but the talented creative team of Cornell and Kirk pulled it off in a very refreshing way.
Anyways, the team is composed of Mimic, Mystique, and Weapon Omega, oh, and of course, Dark Beast (another Age of Apocalypse favorite). Cornell manages to put a fun, fresh spin on each of the characters, and gives what could be a very lame line-up (I mean, c’mon, when Mystique is your big name, that’s not exactly an all-star supersquad), an awesome approach. Their’s a great sense of humor at the core of the book, and it’s the genuine ineptitude of the characters and their difficulty functioning as a team that makes the book such a refreshing read. Leonard Kirk’s expressive artwork really does add a lot, and I think if the book had been done by anyone other than this duo, it could’ve been “just another Dark Reign” book.
Oh, and, of course… this issue, we get to see them going up against Nate Grey, the X-Man. As I said above, I have a soft spot for this character, and I’m really glad to see such a cool character getting tossed back into the spotlight.
Great team dynamics, bigger than life craziness. Give Dark X-Men a shot, if you’re an X-Fan at all, or if you just enjoy a fun, quirky trip into the Marvel Universe. We still have plenty of #1 in stock, so try it out.
Click here for a preview of DARK X-MEN #2
GOD COMPLEX #1 DELIVERS AN INTERESTING TAKE ON THE GREEK GODS OF MYTH LIIVING AMONG US IN MODERN TIMES! FROM “POWERS” CO-CREATOR MICHAEL AVON OEMING
Here’s one that sports a truly neat concept: What happens when you’re the son of Zeus, and Zeus wants you dead? You go into hiding amongst the world of mortal man. This is the story of Apollo, you know, the Greek God, and how he’s sought out refuge in the world of man.
Of course, Apollo’s pops, Zeus, and the other Greek Gods are looking to bring some serious death down on him, so this could make things problematic.
I haven’t gotten a whole lot of information on this one, other than the core concept, but the preview pages look cool, and the fact that Michael Avon Oeming is involved is a big plus (Powers is one of my personal favorites.)
It looks like this little take on the world of Greek gods, and monsters could be a fresh, new Image book worth checking out.
Click herefor a peek at a preview ofGOD COMPLEX #1
BRAND NEW VERTIGO SERIES, DAYTRIPPER, BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY FROM UMBRELLA ACADEMY ARTIST GABRIEL BA
Daytripper looks pretty damn cool. Kinda trippy, and definitely one of those Vertigo books that it’s hard for me to distill into a few words. But, the fact that we’re getting Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon (two up and coming creators who deliver the goods on everything from the cult favorite CASANOVA to the mega-hit UMBRELLA ACADEMY) heading up this brand new original limited series, it tells us this one could be a really good read.
This is the story of Bras De Oliva Domingos, an obituary writer with a famous father, a career he hates, and tons of questions about life. How does he reach his goal of becoming a successful writer? How does he get out of his father’s shadow? But these questions are nothing to the giant surprise twist in his life that he sees at the end of the first issue. Something that us, or him, will never see coming.
Sounds pretty cool? Check out the preview ofDAYTRIPPER #1 by clickinghere.
STAFF PICKS
Trish – The Sword #20 – STILL my favorite book! They might be slow in coming out, but each issue is better than the last!
Torma – Fall of the Hulks Alpha - Total mayhem! A great look at all the different “scientist”-type characters of the Marvel Universe. From the obvious (Dr. Doom) to the obscure (Egghead). Awesome start to this mini-event.
Steve – SIEGE: THE CABAL #1 – I know its the biggest one of last week, but the set-up in this issue for SIEGE has me stoked. I am a big time Avengers fan, and every page, and every panel of this one has me stoked.
Posted in Featured Books, New Releases |
Tags: amazing spider-man 614, blackest night, comic book store annapolis, comic book store maryland, comic books annapolis, comic books maryland, comic shop maryland, comic store maryland, comics annapolis, comics maryland, dark x-men, daytripper, deadpool, deadpool 18, god complex, invincible iron man, jason aaron, nation x, necrosha, punishermax, stark disassembled, the gauntlet |
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THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS @ THIRD EYE COMICS FOR WEDNESDAY 11/25/09
It’s a big week for Blackest Night, folks, with two of the most anticipated titles attached to rings arriving this Wednesday. The first of which, of course, being BLACKEST NIGHT #5, and that comes with the free GREEN LANTERN ring. There’s really not a whole lot more we can say about Blackest Night that hasn’t been said. In fact, if you’re not yet reading BLACKEST NIGHT, then we highly recommend checking out the Blackest Night wikipedia entry by clicking here to read about how awesome it’s been. As for the new issue hitting this week.. all we can say is that Nekron, Lord of the Undead, is revealed, and his motives, and control over the Black Lanterns is explored.. and according to the solicits, this is supposed to be a huge turning point in the event!
For a quick Blackest Night in a nutshell description… basically, at the end of the SINESTRO CORPS WAR (a great storyline from BLACKEST NIGHT writer Geoff Johns which really kicked all of this off), it was realized that there are several different Lantern Corps, and each one represents a different color of the spectrum. Each color, of course, represents a different emotion. Red equals Rage, Indigo equals Compassion, ect. The big reveal though was that a prophecy was coming into realization, and that was the Blackest Night. The Black Lanterns. They represent DEATH, and basically, it’s brought us to here where black rings have resurrected nearly every dead DC Universe character you can think of as a vengeful, undead Black Lantern. Everyone from the Martian Manhunter to Dick Grayson’s parents, the Flying Graysons are back, and they’re out for blood. The Black Lanterns also have a knack for eating people’s hearts. :) If you’re interested in catching up on BLACKEST NIGHT, we currently have EVERYTHING well-stocked here at Third Eye, and we would recommend starting with GREEN LANTERN #43 *BLACKEST NIGHT PROLOGUE* and then jumping into BLACKEST NIGHT #1. Of course, if you want the back story, you can always go back and check out the Sinestro Corps War, and other following volumes now available in trade paperback. Click here to see a checklist for BLACKEST NIGHT.
Now, lets talk about JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #39, this is going to be a big tie-in issue, and we’re excited about it. First off, the new direction of JUSTICE LEAGUE, which began inJUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #38last month (still available here at Third Eye), kicked off with a bang! Great story from James Robinson (of Starman fame) and great art from Mark Bagley (Ultimate Spider-man, for like a billion years!). It’s actually been a very long time since I really got excited about the core Justice League ongoing series, and between the first issue of the new direction and then Robinson’s Cry for Justice, they’re getting me pumped for the JLA again. The new line-up is different, yet fresh, and the big reveal at the end of #38 with Black Lantern Dr. Light (you know, one of the most vile DCU villains thanks to Identity Crisis), was a great way to start things off. And, that brings us to this week with Justice League #39. This is the official BLACKEST NIGHT tie-in issue, and it features a very angry Black Lantern Dr. Light. Lets be honest, after what Meltzer did with the character in Identity Crisis, he’d already climbed the villain ladder, big time. Now, that he’s back as a Black Lantern, we can only imagine the villainy he has in store for the JLA. Ontop of all this, Justice League #39 comes with the Red Lantern Rage Corps ring.
But, wait, before we move ahead, we can’t neglect to mention the other big Blackest Night books this week, just because they’re not coming with rings. That would be plain unfair. First off, we’ve gotGREEN LANTERN #48, and with this series being penned by GEOFF JOHNS, the mastermind behind the Blackest Night, it’s almost as essential reading as the core Blackest Night book. In fact, if you read each issue of Green Lantern in between the issue of Blackest Night that proceeds and follows it, it fills in several gaps with the event. Basically, if you’re reading BLACKEST NIGHT, then you really should be reading GREEN LANTERN too, even if that’s the only other tie-in you’re following. In last month’s GL #47, we saw the emergence of the BLACK LANTERN elders, and they had a really cool, creepy Hellraiser-esque kind of thing going on. We also saw some unusual alliances between the different corps form, and now, in this month’s #48, it’s time to see this ticking timebomb explode.
Also, arriving this week is TEEN TITANS #77, a big Blackest Night tie-in itself. Whyat’s the big deal? Well, I’m not even the biggest old school Titans fan, but I can tell you right now that there’s A WHOLE LOTTA DEAD TITANS out there. And, now, a legion of undead Teen Titans have returned as Black Lanterns to totally decimate (and probably eat the hearts) of Teen Titan, old and new alike.
So far, the tie-ins for Blackest Night have all been fiercely on point, and the latest example of that was the Superman/Batman last week. What could’ve been just a fill-in issue, was actually pretty damn good. I was surprised!
After the fallout of the Blackest Night Titans limited series, we’re pretty excited to see what’s in store in this issue of Teen Titans.
CHEW TRADE PAPERBACK (collecting issues 1-5) AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY FOR ONLY $9.99 *THIRD EYE MUST BUY* & CHEW #6 ALSO ARRIVES AS WELL! THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO JUMP ONTO ONE OF THE BEST NEW SERIES OF 2009! CANNIBAL COPS! POULTRY PROHIBITION!
What is Chew? Chew’s story is set in a world where all poultry has been made illegal, similar to the Prohibition era for Alcohol. The reason why? Bird Flu. Serious, deadly, bird flu. So, in this world, there’s speakeasies dedicated to serving turkey, chicken and so forth. In this world, resteraunts smuggle in real chicken instead of the substitute product that’s been forced on society. And, in this world, exists the series main character, Tony Chu. Tony Chu is cibopathic. It’s a rare condition where he receives psychic impressions from whatever he eats. He eats a hamburger, he sees the cow being killed. He eats an apple, he can see the pesticides being sprayed on it. In fact, the only thing that Tony can eat without any bother, are beets. He doesn’t know why, but beets are the one thing he gets no reaction from. Well, the series kicks off with Tony dining with his partner (Tony’s a homicide detective) at a speak-easy serving chicken. He has the soup. And, then, he sees a lot of girls being killed and put into that soup. Tony senses the killer in the kitchen, chases him out, and the killer ends up taking his own life. To get the names of the victims, Tony gnaws on the killer. And, if you haven’t already seen where this is going… the series has kicked off, with Tony being recruited into the FDA (now as big a deal as the ATF is today), and being used for his unique talents. In other words, he’s gotta eat the remains of murder victims.
Sound cool? You bet it is. And, this Wednesday, the first trade collecting issues 1-5 arrives here at Third Eye, and guess what.. it’s only $10. So, if you’re looking for something to kill time in between Walking Dead trades, or maybe just something a little quirkier than usual. Give Chew a shot. It’s well-written, gorgeously illustrated and a great read.
And, lets not forget, Chew #6 *International Flavor pt 1* is also arriving this week. After the surprising last issue (which I don’t want to drop spoilers on, with the trade and all hitting this week), it looks like we got some cool stuff to look forward to in the new arc of Chew that begins this week. All we know is we’re going to see Tony Chu on the case, and he’s trying his damndest to solve this case old school before his boss decides to make him eat some of the most disgusting stuff imaginable to figure out just what is going on.
Click here to read a preview of CHEW!
IMAGE UNITED #1 - THE ORIGINAL ’90s DREAM TEAM RETURNS IN THIS VERY SPECIAL LIMITED SERIES WRITTEN BY ROBERT KIRKMAN (WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE, HAUNT) & ILLUSTRATED BY TODD MCFARLANE, ERIK LARSEN, ROB LIEFELD, MARC SILVESTRI & MORE!
For those of you who followed comics heavily in the ’90s, like myself. Heck, that’s when I grew up reading comics! You have to admit the sheer nostalgia of this event is overwhelming. And, with the coverage it’s been getting in the mainstream press (USA TODAY, MTV, ect), you know that the Image guys have got some big plans for this thing. Honestly, there were a lot of good things, and a lot of bad things about Image Comics in the ’90s. I, personally, feel that the way the comic has reinvented itself since then in the 21st century has been top notch. However, I can’t deny that characters like Spawn, Wildcats, and yes, even the Savage Dragon, were big parts of my youth. And, with the modern day master, Robert Kirkman (you know, the guy responsible for things like WALKING DEAD and INVINCIBLE, as well as his latest hit HAUNT) writing this, I really feel it’s going to be something special.
What is Image United? Image United is a long in the works reunion of the Image Comics founders. These were the guys that redefined what comics could be in the ’90s, and were the first real pioneers (along with Dark Horse) of showing that there could be more than just two major comics publishers. It’s been a very long time since a lot of these guys worked on their original characters, and heck, even a long time since they’ve done new work, so it’s exciting to see them all coming back for this. This limited series is a, excuse me for being blunt, big ass story where all of the original Image founders are going to be illustrating their characters and their parts in the series. The story itself is being written by Robert Kirkman, and lets be honest, the Image guys could draw really good, but it’s exciting now to see their characters backed by a guy who can actually write pretty dang well. This is one of the first times I can think of where a series has had a roster of superstars each contributing to the artwork, in such a unique way. Now, the actual plot of the series? Well, Image is being cryptic, but it’s basically: the entire cast of the Image universe is combining forces to throw down with a gigantic threat that could wipe everything out. Now, normally, I’d say, this doesn’t really sound like much of a plot to back things up… BUT… this is Robert Kirkman we’re alking about, folks, and if one thing is for sure… the man can take a standard concept and turn it on it’s head. And, with a series this big, you can bet he’s going to be delivering the goods.
Click here to check out a preview of IMAGE UNITED #1
Click here to read an article written by Robert Kirkman on Image United, and just why this is such a big deal.
THE BOYS VOLUME 5 ARRIVES THIS WEDNESDAY!
Since we opened our doors here at Third Eye, we’ve been preaching the awesomeness of THE BOYS by Preacher writer GARTH ENNIS. And, every time there’s a new volume of this series available in trade, we feel it’s cause for celebration. We know a lot of you guys read this already in the singles, but, there’s just as many of you who patiently (and agonizingly) await the next trade paperback to hit. And, folks, we wait too, because our OCD kicks in, and we really need to get the next volume of this series up on our shelf at home to keep the rest company.
This week, THE BOYS v.5: HEROGASM arrives, and gives you your next long-awaited slab of depraved superhero madness. This installment features THE BOYS thrown into the midst of their equivalent of big superhero crossover events. And, basically, they find out that these epic, cosmic battles are really just an excuse for the capes to disappear elsewhere and party hard. But, in the midst of all their decadent fun, the capes have darker motives, and with THE BOYS staking them out.. you know all hell is breaking loose. The dark secrets of the great American tragedy that happened because of the Seven and the Vought-American are fully revealed here.
What is the Boys? Imagine this, a world where superheroes were the next step of national defense. Independent contractors working for a private company known as the Vought-American corporation. Think of them as supercharged private mercenaries for hire. And, they’re all the archetypes you know so fondly… the Homelander is Superman.. A-Train’s the Flash, ect, ect. And, they’re all EXTREMELY corrupt. The absolute power of being a superhuman has turned them into the ultimate despicable beings. And, The Boys, they’re the government’s answer to this. A group of individuals who’s lives have been shattered by the Capes and Vought. A group of individuals motivated by their sheer hatred of the Capes. And, they work for the CIA, policing the Capes, making sure they don’t become too big for the U.S Government to control. The Boys is an INCREDIBLE series, and if you haven’t yet tried it, we highly recommend picking up the first trade paperback this week.
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #20 STARK DISASSEMBLED PT 1 – HUGE NEW STORY ARC BEGINS HERE! A PERFECT JUMPING ON POINT, AND A LITTLE TASTE OF WHAT’S TO COME IN MARVEL’S “SIEGE” EVENT!
Matt Fraction’s Invincible Iron Man has been, by far, one of the best and most consistent ongoing Marvel series around. I mean, first off, it’s had the same creative team since issue #1 with Fraction and Larocca on board. This means that the storylines are tight, they’re consistent, and the quality never dips, never falters. No fill-in artists, no filler issues, just one hell of a run. Secondly, this is the best take on Iron Man that I’ve seen in decades. The only thing I think that’s come close recently was the Extremis storyline from a few years ago that Warren Ellis did… and I think that this is STILL better than that.
And, all of this Iron Man love is coming from a guy who had never really been a huge Iron Man fan before. See, I grew up reading comics in the ’90s. Yeah, when Iron Man was like.. a kid that time-travelled to the future because he went evil, or some crap like that. It was awful. And, then they revamped it with Kurt Busiek and Patrick Zircher (or was it Sean Chen, I can’t remember), and it was pretty awesome, but you know, it never was my must-read. When the Iron Man movie came out, Marvel launched Invincible Iron Man, and I gotta say, I wasn’t expecting the series to be as good as it has been. I mean, I loved the movie, but I was still hesitant about Iron Man. He was hard for me to get into. Hard for me to follow. Well, all that vanished after finishing Matt Fraction’s first Invincible Iron Man arc (the Five Nightmares, available in trade paperback now). He manages to take and capture everything that is cool about Tony Stark. He does what the movie did. He plays up the technology without the book being a technology lovefest. He plays up the suave cool of Tony Stark without making him into an unlikeable jerk. And, best of all, he has charged this book with so much action, you’re left wondering when you’re going to get your breath. The artwork from Larocca just helps to increase the awesomeness of the series, and it meshes perfectly with Fraction’s story.
In fact, Invincible Iron Man is the best Iron Man stuff I’ve ever read, only surpassed by maybe the classic Micheline and Layton stories.
And, now, the perfect jumping on point is here with the newest issue, Invincible Iron Man #20. This is a great entry point to come aboard the series, as the last arc has ended, and things are really beginning to heat up. See, Iron Man plays a HUGE role in the upcoming Marvel event SIEGE (which is going to be incredible), and there’s all kinds of crazy rumors going around about a seriously deadly fate awaiting Tony Stark. However, we don’t think he’s going to get killed off. In fact, we know that.. but, whatever is going to go down, we know it’ll be something big, and it’s going to happen in Invincible Iron Man #25. So, now is the perfect opportunity to come aboard. The road to STARK: DISASSEMBLED begins here!
Clickhere for a preview of INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #20 *STARK DISASSEMBLED PT 1*
INCOGNITO TRADE PAPERBACK *THIRD EYE MUST BUY* AVAILABLE THIS WEDNESDAY AT THIRD EYE! ONE OF OUR FAVORITE SERIES LAST YEAR! APOCALYPTIC PULP NOIR COURTESY OF CRIMINAL CREATIVE TEAM ED BRUBAKER & SEAN PHILLIPS
One of the best freaking comics I read last year was the original series, INCOGNITO, from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. I’d already been a fan of this pair due to their incredible crime noir series CRIMINAL, and their work on hidden gems like SLEEPER. When I heard they were going to be applying their unique blend of noir storytelling to the world of superheroes, I flipped out. And, then, when the series began, it was everything I hoped it would be. This, my friends, is one of the best stand alone graphic novels you can buy this year. Whether you want a hardboiled crime noir story, or a mature slant on the world of supervillains, this is it.
What is Incognito? Incognito is set in a world where larger than life pulp heroes and villains existed. Heroes and villains dating back to the ’30s, with names like Professor Zeppelin (who reminds you of Doc Savage), and Lazarus (think the Shadow), and then villains such as The Black Death. See, powers in this world, were all the result of a meteor that landed in the 1800s and turned an escaped convict ino the Black Death. In the years following World War II though, most of these villains, and heroes faded away, and were soon forgotten as urban legends and fiction.
Fast forward to the modern day, and we have former villain Zach Overkill, a henchman of the Black Death who now lives his life in Witness Protection. He’s miserable. He’s bored. He hates life as a normal person. He punches in every day, works his 9 to 5, and goes home. As time goes on, he falls into a spiral of self-destructive behavior, including drug use, and this cancels out the drugs that’re keeping his powers suppressed. Before he knows it, he’s out on the streets, and for the sheer thrill of it, he’s in costume, but this time acting as a vigilante… because he’s bored with life as a whole. It’s soon revealed that this rat is a live, and the Black Death and his henchmen are on his trail, in a very violent, brutal fashion.
And, I’ll stop there before I spoil the story. Incognito is a pulpy, noir story that takes a fascinating look at the world of adventurers, superheroes, and super villains. It’s a must read, I think, for anyone who just plain enjoys good comics. Whether you like more indie-oriented stuff, or if you like the more superhero-centric stuff… Incognito delivers on both fronts.
CRIMINAL THE SINNERS #2 - SPEAKING OF INCOGNITO, BRUBAKER & PHILLIPS’S NEXT ISSUE OF CRIMINAL ARRIVES THIS WEDNESDAY, AND WE CAN’T WAIT!
As you can already tell from my write-up on Incognito, I am a huge fan of the creative team Brubaker & Phillips. These guys can do absolutely no wrong in my eyes. And, if you enjoyed Incognito, and haven’t yet read CRIMINAL, I can’t recommend it enough. This is THE best crime comic coming out now. In fact, I would put this right up there with classics like SIN CITY, STRAY BULLETS, and 100 BULLETS. In fact, I’d even go as far as to say that this series is BETTER than those. I know, I know, I love Sin City, and I love 100 Bullets, and I love Stray Bullets, but Criminal has proven to be the most consistent, and most enthralling crime comic I’ve ever read. It’s pure modern day noir at it’s finest, from the moody art of Sean Phillips, to the plotting and characterization of Ed Brubaker.
The current CRIMINAL (each story is a self-contained round of 3-6 issues, so the order in which you read the CRIMINAL arcs does not really matter) is the story of Tracy Lawless. A man who came to destroy a crime mob, and has ended up working as one of their best enforcers. Made men are turning up all over the city murdered, and since the crooks can’t go to the cops, they need to bring in their own special brand of justice. Tracy Lawless has been made the sherrif of the underworld, and it’s up to him to finish this out. The fascinating thing of this story is Tracy Lawless himself. He’s the perfect example of noir storytelling, and represents the kind of character that CRIMINAL is known for. A flawed, tragic individual who’s nobles intentions have led him into a life of despair, and self-loathing.
If you haven’t yet picked up CRIMINAL, then grab CRIMINAL: THE SINNERS #1 this Wednesday at Third Eye, and try it out. For those of you who’ve already read the first issue, then you’re already getting stoked to see what happens next this week.
Clickherefor a preview of CRIMINAL: THE SINNERS #2
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #613 *THE GAUNTLET PT 2* – THE GAUNTLET KICKED OFF WITH A BANG LAST WEEK, AND CONTINUES THIS WEDNESDAY! FIND OUT WHY THIS IS A SPIDEY BOOK YOU HAVE GOTTA READ!
Dude, the Gauntlet kicked off with a bang last week. I was very impressed. Before I go into detail, let me go over what THE GAUNTLET is to those of you who might not know. Basically, Marvel is bringing back all of Spidey’s classic Rogue’s Gallery, and they’re amping them up, big time. A deadlier Rhino, a deadlier Sandman, a deadlier Electro. And then, they’re going to be throwing each one of these guys against him, and really putting the webcrawler through some serious abuse until we get to the big unveiling of the brand new Sinister Six.
Now, last week in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #612 *THE GAUNTLET PT 1*, we saw the return of Electro. A classic Spidey villain who never really got his due respect. In fact, the last time we saw Electro, if I remember right, was back during the beginning of New Avengers. Since then, Electro’s gone through some ups and downs. He’s had all of the money he’s secured from years of being, well, a plain ol’ bad dude, completely disappear in the economic meltdown of last year. And, now, Electro, who’s older, and who’s powers have become more erratic and harder to control, has found his calling. He’s directing his rage at the fat cat bankers who got the federal bailout. And, in doing so, he’s developed a bit of a following as kind of a anti-establishment, working man’s folk hero.
Of course, in Spidey’s eyes, Electro is still a bad guy, and I mean, hey, if he’s out there running thousands of watts of electricity through someone’s body until they’re a charred husk… I guess he still is. Anyways, when Spidey gets involved, we really start to see just how deadly the new Electro is going to be.
And, that brings us to this week’s issue, the second installment of THE GAUNTLET. In this issue, all we know is that Electro is turning to a highly unexpected ally to cure his condition and regain control of his powers. And, of course, we’ve got the little cliffhanger of last week’s issue where Spidey was…. well, I can’t spoil it for those of you who’ve yet to read the book.
Anyways, long story short.. Amazing Spider-man has quickly become a must-read again with only one chapter of the Gauntlet in. We’re excited to see where this whole thing will be heading.
DEADPOOL CLASSIC VOLUME 3 HITS THIS WEEK, DELIVERING MORE OF WHAT WE CALL THE BEST DEADPOOL RUN… EVER!
Another slab of Deadpool awesomeness arrives this week in the pages of DEADPOOL CLASSIC volume 3. The Deadpool Classics have been some of the best reprints of old Marvel material that I’ve seen. Now, granted, Deadpool Classic v.1 really doesn’t pick up until the end (which gives you the first issue of Joe Kelly’s run), but Deadpool Classic volume 2… all gold, man. See, Deadpool Classic is reprinting the incredible character-defining Joe Kelly & Ed McGuiness Deadpool run. Now, not only are these back issues impossible to find (trust me, one of the things I had to sell when selling my collection to raise money to open the shop was this run, and it makes me sick to see it worth a small fortune now), but these are also the issues that really defined Deadpool as the hilarious, over-the-top madman that you all know and love today. This is where the character really got his voice, and this entire run still stands the test of time today (kudos to Joe Kelly for that, it just goes to show how well the man can write).
Anyways, this Wednesday the third volume of Deadpool Classic will be hitting, and in it you can expect another giant slab of Deadpool awesomeness!
SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN #3 BRINGS US THE THIRD ISSUE IN THIS INCREDIBLE 21ST CENTURY RE-TELLING OF SUPERMAN’S ORIGIN FROM BLACKEST NIGHT WRITER GEOFF JOHNS!
Gotta tell you guys, ten years ago if you told me that one of my most anticipated books each month would feature the Big S, I’d have said you were full of it. Honestly, outside of stories like Superman Red Son, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, and the John Byrne revamp of the ’80s… Superman just never did it for me. And, then, Geoff Johns did his killer Action Comics run, and got me hooked. And then he left, and I was left with a void. Nothing could match what Johns had done on the book, and I was finding myself looking for more good Superman books. Well, thankfully, Superman Secret Origin came along.
This is a book that ANY self-respecting comics fan should be reading. This is a book that captures the essence of Superman, and re-tells everything about the character with a modern 21st century spin. In other words, this book is outstanding. See, a lot of people say they can’t get into Superman. He’s too powerful, and he’s too hard to relate to. And, I agree, when he’s not written right, he’s impossible to get into. But, Johns captures the thing that makes Superman work as a character. Superman’s biggest weakness is that he IS the most powerful being on Earth, yet he will never know what it’s like to fully be human, because of this. He knows that 100 years from now, he’ll be alive, and most of his friends, and loved ones won’t. And, he carries that burden. Just like being the last of his people.
Nowhere is this clearer than in Geoff Johns’s SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN. And, the series does a great job of retelling the Man of Steel’s story for a new generation. Modern twists are put on classic concepts. And, like you’d expect from a good Superman story, Johns pulls at your heart-strings big time at some points. Plus, Gary Frank’s artwork is so good that you almost don’t even notice it. What I’m saying is he tells the story so well that you almost forget you’re reading a book, you’re pulled in, and you can almost see Christopher Reeves there acting these stories out.
The third issue of SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN arrives this Wednesday, and if you haven’t yet hopped on, we still have issue #1 and issue #2 in stock.
Click here to read more aboutSUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN #3
POWERS RETURNS THIS WEDNESDAY WITH POWERS #1! A PERFECT JUMPING ON POINT TO THIS FANTASTIC CREATOR OWNED SERIES BY BENDIS & OEMING! READ ON TO FIND OUT WHY WE’RE SO BIG ON THIS SERIES!
POWERS IS BACK! MONTHLY! Now, for those of you who’ve read POWERS, then you already are well aware of what a great series this was (and is). Honestly, the only thing that derailed it was writer and creator Brian Michael Bendis got so busy being the 21st Century Stan Lee and pretty much heading up the Marvel Universe that he had to put Powers on hold. Which is a shame, because POWERS is probably one of our favorites of his.
Powers is basically a police drama with superpowers, long story short. The world of Powers is a dark, and violent one. The thing that makes the series such a great read though is it serves as the perfect platform for Bendis to do what he does best: write strong characters with great dialogue.
The series follows two detectives, Christian Walker and Deanna Pilgrim, who operate in a department that specializes in homicides involving superpowers. In the world of POWERS, superpowers are common, but not mundane. The real dynamic is that Walker himself was formerly a superhero before lost his abilities and joined the police force. This adds a whole nother interesting level of story and development to things. In this world, superpowers are odd, some cases, they’re even seen as a contagious disease that can be caught by interaction with the “infected.”
The best way I could describe Powers is: crime fiction/police drama meets VH1 Behind the Music for Superheroes. The series is just plain good, and definitely warrants checking out.
Clickhere to read a preview of POWERS #1
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #4 - MARK MILLAR (OLD MAN LOGAN, WANTED, KICK-ASS) & CARLOS PACHECO CONTINUE TO GIVE US THE BEST ULTIMATES STORY IN A LONG TIME!
Mark Millar and Carlos Pacheco’s revival of the Ultimates with ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS has been insanely good. I mean, you have to understand… ULTIMATES and ULTIMATES 2 remain some of my favorite Marvel comics of all time. And, in my opinion, Millar redefined who and what the Avengers were in the Marvel universe. So much so in fact that it’s the Ultimates world where we see the movies taking influence from. And, I know, Ultimates 3 was… a little lacking, to say the least. But, it’s all good now, because Millar’s back, and with four issues in already on the new Ultimates run… we can safely say that he’s kicking all kinds of ass.
What’s Up With Ultimate Comics Avengers? Okay, for me to explain the whole concept of the Ultimate universe is going to be a bit long-winded, but just picture it as a more streamlined, self-contained Marvel Universe. You can click here to read the wikipedia entry on it. Now, Ultimate Avengers.. is the Ultimate Universe equivalent of the Avengers. But in this world, the Avengers are more of a government-funded black ops team than they are a superteam, and they answer as much to Nick Fury as they do Captain America. Hawkeye is a hardened, professional killer. Tony Stark is the drunken playboy to the extreme. The Hulk is an uncontrollable monstrosity that eats people. And, Captain America, is one hell of a hardass. Now, in this current incarnation of the Ultimates, the story is revolving around the reveal that Captain America had an illegitimate son before going off to war, and that son grew up to be the Red Skull. And, now the Red Skull is back, and he’s out to make his father’s life a living hell. Imagine if your son grew up to be one of the most genocidal terrorists this nation’s ever seen, and well, that’s the Red Skull. And, in this world, he’s literally the Red Skull, as he carved his own face off with a kitchen knife.
Want to catch up on ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS? We currently have issues 1,2,3 all well stocked here at Third Eye, so if you’re intrigued, feel free to jump aboard. It’s still relatively early enough to get caught up, and trust us, we can’t begin to do this series justice. It’s non-stop, action-packed, high octane fun in the true Marvel vein.
Clickhere for a preview of ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #4
THOR GIANT-SIZE FINALE CONCLUDES J.MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI’S INCREDIBLE RUN THIS WEDNESDAY AND SETS UP THINGS FOR “SIEGE” IN 2010
Thor is another one of those characters like Iron Man, that I think I had missed out on a lot of the great runs with. I mean, I grew up during Thunderstrike, you know? But, even before JMS did his take on Thor, I remember really first getting into the character with the late ’90s relaunch that John Romita JR did the art for. In fact, that run was so freaking cool, I’d recommend it to anyone. I still think that John Romita JR is one of the BEST Thor artists around. You can snag the Romita stuff nowadays in the THOR VISIONARIES: JOHN ROMITA JR tpb.
Anyways, I’m getting sidetracked… JMS has really done an incredible job of capturing the wonder and magic of Thor, and bringing it down to earth, so it’s grounded. There’s this awesome sense of balance, where the reader doesn’t feel disconnected from these characters (which is easy to do, because they’re Gods), but at the same time, experiences a real true sense of wonder when they come across things like the first sight of new Asgard.
Anyways, JMS’s modern classic of a run has come to it’s end, and this week we see the huge finale in the pages of THOR GIANT SIZE FINALE. Much like the OLD MAN LOGAN GIANT-SIZE SPECIAL, this will conclude the run, and leave things fresh and open for the next creative team to pick up the reigns on.
There’s lots of plot threads to be tied up here, and lots of questions to be answered. What does Dr. Doom have in store for the Asgardians? How will Loki’s plans play out? And, who will be the King of Asgard? And, along with Invincible Iron Man 20, this book is supposed to lay some serious seeds for the events of the upcoming SIEGE event… could that shot of Asgard crashing on the promo posters be related?
We don’t know, but we’re stoked to find out this week!
UNCANNY X-MEN #517 *NATION X PT 2* THE RETURN OF MAGNETO CONTINUES IN THIS WEEK’S UNCANNY X-MEN!
Nation X got off to a strong start in the pages of UNCANNY X-MEN #516, with a surprising (yet probably a trap) attitude towards the X-MEN. Now, judging just from the first issue of Nation X (UXM 516), here’s my prediction… Cyclops is gonna go fully bad guy in this story arc. For real. For the better part of this decade, Marvel has developed Cyclops in a very dark direction. He’s taken the reigns of the X-Men, he’s authorized the X-Force (a team of mutants that are authorized to KILL), and much more. His actions in UXM 516 totally look like we might see Cyclops becoming Magneto’s next right hand man. But, we’ll see, you know?
Anyways, in this week’s issue, we get to see the X-Men dealing with the return of Magneto, and trying to figure out what his place in the grand scheme of things is. Not to mention, the aftermath of Utopia, and a herd of Predator Xs… we think it’s gonna rock.
If you missed UNCANNY X-MEN 516, don’t worry, we still have plenty in stock for you get caught up with.
Click here for a preview of UNCANNY X-MEN #517 *NATION X PT 2*
Posted in Featured Books, New Releases |
Tags: amazing spider-man 613, blackest night, blackest night #5, chew, chew tasters choice, criminal, criminal the sinners, deadpool classic 3, ed brubaker, green lantern 48, green lantern ring, incognito, invincible iron man 20, justice league 39, justice league of america #39, red lantern ring, stark disassembled, superman secret origin, teen titans 77, the boys 5, the boys herogasm, the boys volume 5, the gauntlet, thor giant size finale, ultimate avengers 4 |
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