Comics Crux

    

We love comics. We eat, drink, breathe, and to the absolute utmost, we live comics. So what did the Comics Crux Crew pick up today and why? Lets find out!

Jess (@MadamComicBook)- At the top of mine and everyone I know’s buy pile today is Batwoman #12. I know that most people are super pumped about the return of J.H Williams III, his art lends itself very well to the purely supernatural setting that Batwoman has become. I was a big fan of Amy Reeder’s work on the series, but since this is all “werewolves and ghost-ladies” now I think that Williams style is necessary. Most importantly though, it’s Batwoman and Wonder Woman on the same page. It could have been drawn by my neighbor’s 8-year-old kid and I would still buy it based on that fact alone. Wonder Woman #12 is next up (obviously), Zola is finally getting the bun out of her oven and Wonder Woman is kissing Apollo on the cover. Cliff Chiang should do the art for absolutely everything. His ridiculous talent continues to amaze me. I’m also snagging New Mutants #47 from Marvel. I love this team, which has become my favorite mutant-based series since Generation Hope ended it’s (too short) run. Abnett and Lanning are doing a great job and I’m actually looking forward to The Hellions showing back up. 

Jessica (@LadyGeeksUnite)- Though I’m loads more excited to read Valiant’s Harbinger #3, I’m also giving Bloodshot #2 a try. The first issue, introducing the perfect super soldier was interesting, but didn’t thrill me as much as I had hoped. Maybe it’s a shade too commonplace for me—an above-average human trying to figure out his real past—but we’ll see in the second issue. The other comic I’m really looking forward to is Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1. Sadly, the only Before Watchmen series to impress me so far has been Ozymandias’s story. I had high expectations for Nite Owl or Silk Spectre but ultimately got let down. In Alan Moore’s Watchmen, Rorschach is my second favorite narrator after Dr. Manhattan. I think his own story will be exciting told completely from his point of view. And from what I’ve seen of the artwork, it won’t be disappointing. 

Nick (@nnniicckk)- The box at my LCS is going to be pretty full this week, but the one title I’m extremely excited to get to is Batwoman #12.  If you’ve been following along with the new 52 Batwoman, then you’ve probably circled today as the day that J.H. Williams III returns to do the art for the series.  While I definitely did enjoy Trevor McCarthy and Amy Reeder’s work over the last 6 issues, Williams’ style is unique and is so closely connected to what I now identify with Batwoman, that the stories without his touch have felt lacking.  It’s a brand new arc and this issue follows Kate and Abbot into an abandoned hall of mirrors to try and track down Bloody Mary. I loved this series’ obsession with the occult and cannot wait to dig into this issue already!   Not to be forgotten is issue #101 of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead.  Leading into issue 98, things had been pretty tame by TWD standards, but everything sort of went wrong last time out and I’ve been patiently waiting where Rick and his friends go from here.  Everything has changed again and the dynamic of this group is going to be challenged and strained as we continue to move forward.  With Saga #6 and Daredevil # 17 already engrained deeply into my reading, Revival #2 and Captain Marvel #2 are both books that feel like they have a lot of potential, but had some short comings in the first issues.  Captain Marvel, for me had a unique art style that did a great job conveying motion and movement in the action scenes, but the story suffered during some of the slower moments.  Conversely, Revival’s art was good, but I didn’t know if this was a book that was worth sticking to.  It has an interesting premise, but I’ll be implementing my rule of three, before deciding whether or not it will continue to be on my pull-list.  Regardless, it’s going to be another great Wednesday!

Tali (@TaliAdina)- On this weekly holiday known as Comic Book Wednesday, I’ll be picking up Saga #6. I’m loving this creative tale of love, war, magic, and everything in between! Next on my list is Wonder Woman #12! Last issue Zola was kidnapped and brought before Hera. Our favorite Amazon and the messenger god are on the case! Me thinks there’s gonna be a whole bunch of butt kicking on in this issue! Finally, I’ll end this holiday by reading Birds of Prey #12. Poison Ivy has blackmailed her fellow birds into doing her atrocious bidding .  How will they  get out of it and stop Ivy?

Tatiana (@parisianfeline)- This week I picked up both Batwoman: Elegy by Greg Rucka and Echo by Terry Moore. I finished Elegy and LOVED IT. I’ve never read a DC comic before (barring my recent purchase of Catwoman), and this is a great introduction to both the publisher and Batwoman herself - who is pretty awesome, and has an interesting back story. I had been interested in Batwoman since finding out she was an open lesbian, but never got around to checking it out. Now, I’m glad I did - the art is beautiful, the dialogue flows really well and I just love everyone so far. I’m excited to purchase Hydrology and follow the rest of her story as it unfolds. Echo (volume one) is sitting in my TBR (to be read) pile, and from what I’ve read thus far (haven’t finished it yet!), it’s pretty exciting. This is the first black and white comic I’ve chosen (and I normally shy away from that because I love color) but it’s just really wonderful. I’m looking forward to getting the rest of the series (which is the biggest perk about picking up an already finished series). 

Wesley (@geekwholanded)- Now in further news to make Wesley happy, Butcher Baker The Righteous Maker #8 is released! Yes, a thousand times yes! Joe Casey’s creation has been a favorite of mine since day one and I can’t wait to see where this issue goes. If you aren’t reading Butcher Baker yet, you should be. Perfect time to hop on board and see how it goes because by golly, it will be fun. Fatale #7, is Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips doing what they do best. I can’t help but get more hooked into this world as this series continues onward. Ever since Sleeper they’re a team that cannot be missed. Another series that needs to be seen to be believed and I cannot wait to read the latest issue. Michael Avon Oeming’s The Victories #1 should be interesting. I’ve been intrigued by this title for awhile now. The way this is being promoted could definitely go either way, but I’m curious. I like Oeming’s work and I will be wanting to see where he takes these creations. Pathfinder #1 a surprising addition to my pile this week, I’ve never played the game this comic is based on. Then again, the writer Jim Zub is behind the ridiculously fun Skullkickers and that makes me want to see where this comic will go. Considering I’m a fan of the Dungeons and Dragons comics by John Rogers by IDW, this should be a good fit for me.