The Ettatorial for the Week of 1-18-12
A terrific week of releases this week, highlighted by what I would say is one of the least likely titles ever to be picked for my favorite of the week. Believe me, this was a most interesting week, and you have to read on to find out just why.
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The Ettatorial for the Week of 1-11-12
A really good week of releases this week, but due to circumstances outside of comics, I’m leaving you with a visual list of books I purchased this week instead. Hopefully next week will be back to a regular scheduled Ettatorial.
I’ll see you back here next week, same time, same channel.
The Ettatorial for the Week of 1-4-12
The first week of the new year brought with it some great releases. And while there was one that was head and shoulders above the rest, I will give a nod to Punisher #7 (a Gotham Central reunion of sorts) this week as well, as it would have been my pick had it not been for my selection. So check it out as well, after my pick for the week.
My pick this week is Fatale #1. Those that regularly read the Ettatorial know of my love for any of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips collaborations, be it Criminal, Incognito, or Sleeper. So it should come as no surprise then, that the creative duo’s newest series, Fatale, would come with high expectations, and of course, surpass them. This is the first of a 12 issue maxi-series published through Image (and kudos to them as well for securing the series which easily could have been published through Icon-another feather in the cap for the publisher who has come on strong in the past year to really compete for my dollars and choice of publisher). The series is a mixture of horror and noir, which makes sense for the duo after their obvious successes in the noir genre. The combination really works here, and it’s the fact that the horror element isn’t so obvious, in-your face, or over-the-top that really helps make it so good. The story will focus on multiple time periods, judging by the prologue and opening chapter. While the first chapter places it’s focus on Nicolas Lash, it’s the femme fatale of the piece that not only gives the story it’s title, but also brings the horror elements that provide the title that something extra. It’s very easy to think of the series being sold to Hollywood tagged as a cross between Raymond Chandler and Hitchcock, but those who would pigeon hole the series using such easy cinematic and literary references would be missing both the point and the execution. Brubaker and Phillips collaborations are always both well-written and visually interesting, and the finished product is more than just a novel or movie. Comics are the only medium that can achieve the results that come from a team like this. That’s why this book is getting all the critical praise it’s getting, and that’s why I’m telling you as well, go buy this book.
There you have it folks, your pick for the week. I’ll see you back here next week, same time, same channel.
The Ettatorial for the Week of 12-28-11
The last week of releases for the 2011 calendar year, and all of them were pretty satisfying. And, seeing as it’s the New Year, and I’m a bit on the busy/lazy side, I’m going for something a bit quick. So instead of a pick of the week, I’m just going for some train of thought on each of the week’s purchases.
Though Marvel used the week to get 3 Captain America titles out the door, with two issues of Captain America and one of Captain America and Bucky, each was pretty good, and it’s nice to see Alan Davis on art chores for the Captain America title starting with issue 6.
Godland was a welcome return to the stands after a long hiatus, especially if you like the trippy 1970s stuff.
Avengers The Children’s Crusade was gorgeous to look at, with Jimmy Cheung’s artwork stealing the show. If only he was quicker, and could do more than 5 issues a year.
Ellis and Maleev on Secret Avengers had some interesting time travel elements, and I loved the 1930s newspaper strip bits.
Vengeance was a great finale for the series, though I feel there is quite a bit of untapped potential in so much of the material. Maybe a follow-up mini-series depending on sales?
There you go folks, some thoughts on this week’s purchases. I’ll see you back here next week, same time, same channel.
The Ettatorial for the Week of 12-21-11
A huge week of releases, but considering it’s the holidays, there’s no way I’m up to date on reading all of this week’s purchases. As of the time this gets posted, I’m probably playing with all the fun new toys my daughter got for Christmas. So, instead, here’s my haul for the week. Enjoy the holiday, whichever you celebrate, and take the time to bask in the happiness of the day.
I’ll see you back here next week, same time, same channel.
“He’s so ronery (and dead)”…Kim Jong Il dies at 69
South Korean leader Kim Jong Il died today at age 69. I don’t have much more than that, but I’ll always fondly remember him screaming “F___ you, Hans Brix!” and asking “why is everyone so f___ing stupid?” in Team America: World Police. B.I.H., Kim Jong Il.
The Ettatorial for the Week of 12-14-11
A good week of releases this week, with one book really striking my fancy to earn my pick of the week. Read on for more.
Batwoman #4 is my pick for the week. J.H. Williams III is cementing himself as a modern master of art, and those looking to see why just need to look at a couple pages of Batwoman to see why. Constant changes in his style to serve the story are something most artists would never attempt, yet here Williams does it effortlessly. His double-page spread on pages 16-17 utilizing the folds on Batwoman’s cape as panels is just one example of his creative layouts, and his ability to utilize a split narrative for the opening of the issue with just his art is simply gorgeous to behold. This is quite simply the best book DC is currently publishing bar none. And with all these accolades for his art, his status as co-writer (I’m very curious top know about how his process with co-writer W. Haden Blackman works) is making this book as enjoyable to read as it is to look at. Batwoman reads like a unique character, not just a stock vigilante, or generic female superhero. That actually goes for all the characters within, as Flamebird, Cameron Chase (I really love seeing her here) and even Maggie Sawyer all seem more fleshed out than most other books have ever allowed. Those looking for a more thought-out and slightly more mature look at DC’s stable of characters would be best served to check this book out post-haste. As a matter of fact, everyone should be checking this out, because right now it is one of the best series currently being published by anyone.
There we go folks, my pick for the week. I’ll see you back here next week, same time, same channel.
The Ettatorial for the Week of 12-7-11
A so-so week of releases this week (with one accidental purchase as well, but that’s another story) lead me to have a dilemma of what to choose. Action Comics disappointed (yet again), Deadpool was my mistaken purchase (it was not as good as an earlier issue I had bought) and Fear Itself the Fearless was blah as well. That left Amazing Spider-Man, Moon Knight and Punisher, and while they were good, nothing really stood out to me. So, I’m going to leave with a visual list of purchases this week and call it good. Hopefully next week I’ll be more motivated for better reviews.
I’ll see you next week, same time, same channel.
It’s a Magical World out there, Hobbes ol’ buddy…
I came across this on the internet this morning and I just had to share it. This guy is very creative and in my mind, wins the award for “coolest Christmas decorations” for 2011. Hopefully this takes you all back to your childhoods, if even for a second (I know it did me). Happy holidays, everyone.
The Ettatorial for the Week of 11-30-11
A small and very good week of releases this week. Without much ado, here we go.
Daredevil #6-Within recent memory, I cannot remember a series that gets this much positive word of mouth from readers and critics alike. This series may be the best one currently being published my Marvel. Mark Waid has reinvigorated the character, and along with his artistic collaborators Paolo Rivera and Marcos Martin (who does the art chores on this issue) make me look forward to reading the title every month. This issue sees Waid give Daredevil a new foe with an interesting set of powers, and sets up an interesting plot point that I foresee becoming a big deal down the line if Marvel and Waid were so inclined. The only downside to this issue is that it is Marcos Martin’s last (for the foreseeable future, as he is going on to a mystery project). I personally have become a very big admirer of his work, and will greatly miss seeing it on a title he seems very geared for. If you’re not already checking the series out, you owe it to yourself to see just what everyone is talking about.
Near Death #3-Another enjoyable issue of this new Image series. Like the issues before it, you get a nice done-in-one like reads like it could be an episode of a television series. While it was good, this one had a rather predictable follow-through that didn’t make the issue as enjoyable as the previous two. That’s not to say it was bad, just that as a television series has a few weaker episodes per season, so to must a series like this. Faerber also provides the second part of a text story from the last issue, and I really liked this as a feature. Hopefully it can be a reoccurring one, as I think Faerber has a real strength in this area. All and all, this was a good issue, and I would recommend it to everyone to check out.
Thunder Agents #1-Technically this is a continuation of what Nick Spencer started in the previous 10 issues of the series, but DC felt it had to renumber it along with everything else because of the “new 52″. All that aside, Thunder Agents has been an enjoyable series, one which is a nice blend of espionage and super heroics, and one that while a having a long history, isn’t hard for newcomers to latch onto. This relaunch sees the team dealing a little more directly with politics, as they’re sent to deal with protecting a Subterranean ruler, but also deals with the fallout from the first series Iron Maiden and Menthor bits with Colleen Franklin and Toby Henston. Good stuff, and the art by Wes Craig, while not as slick as Cafu’s, is adequate enough to make the story work.
Thunderbolts #166-Jeff Parker’s time-traveling arc continues, with the ‘bolts journeying to Jack the Ripper-era England. Parker continues to make the title one of Marvel’s top 5, and I encourage everyone to check out the series to see just how great it is. The series really utilizes the entirety of the Marvel Universe, and takes such a diverse group of characters into just about every corner of said shared universe that it really covers every base. Fans of every type of character have something to look forward to here, and even more, considering it’s a villain book, that’s something even more impressive. Seriously, check it out. Now.
There we have it folks, my thoughts on all this week’s purchases. I’ll see you back here next week, same time, same channel.
