Hellboy in Hell #2
By: Mike Mignola, Dave Stewart
Publisher” Dark Horse
Price: $2.99
The Lowdown: The first issue of Hellboy in Hell was an amazing ride. With Mignola back on drawing duties for a character he created, he is not holding back at all. The visuals are so cool and Hellboy is just in total wheelhouse mode.
American Vampire #34
By: Scott Snyder, Francesco Francavilla, Rafael Albuquerque
Publisher: DC Comics/Vertigo Imprint
Price: $2.99
The Lowdown: I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t crazy about The Blacklist storyline. That said, Snyder never just does anything. It all seems to have purpose and long term consequences. Now, with the status quo shaking storyline over, we are seeing the first issue of a new day in American Vampire.
Fury Of Firestorm The Nuclear Men #15
By: Dan Jurgens
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
The Lowdown: I haven’t really followed Firestorm. 52 books is quite a few books to be keeping up with in the first place, and for money reasons, I just haven’t been reading this one. But I feel like I should give it some love. Call it guilt. It lasted this long, some readers must be seeing something in it. Captain Atom, who had his own now defunct title, makes a guest appearance in an issue that supposedly has some DC Universe level consequences. Plus, its a new year, try a new book.
Teen Titans #15
By: Scott Lobdell, Brett Booth
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
The Lowdown: Man, this must be my guiltiest pleasure comic. I mean, the chemistry between the main guys (Superboy, Red Robin, Kid Flash, and Wonder Girl) is a pale hollow comparison to what it once was. Nevertheless, I keep reading hoping something great will happen. I still like Tim even though the critics don’t seem to like him anymore, and if Tim is going up against the Joker, I am in. If Tim and his team are going up against the Joker along with Jason Todd and his team, then I am DEFINITELY in. Maybe Roy will finally confirm or deny that he and Nightwing had their own Titan squad since that seems pretty ambiguous.
Invincible #99
By: Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $2.99
The Lowdown: THE DEATH OF EVERYONE. Oh, Kirkman, you know how to leave people wanting more. And how to bring people in. And how to keep readers coming back. And I am pretty sure his method is simply Keep it Simple Stupid. Invincible surprises me every issue of how engaging and violent it can be while using what seems like basic superhero cliches.
Morbius Living Vampire #1
By: Joe Keatinge, Richard Elson, Gabriele Dell’Otto
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
The Lowdown: Last time we saw Morbius was in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man. He was working for the same lab as Peter Parker, and the Lizard (in Doc Connors’ human body) tempted Morbius’ bloodlust. He acted on that lust and eventually got locked up. I felt really bad for him. It is like when Banner gets blamed for the Hulk’s bullshit. I am interested to see what they do with him for an on-going series.
New Avengers #1
By: Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting, Jock
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
The Lowdown: Hickman is the new Bendis for the Avengers corner of the Marvel world. I couldn’t be happier. I think Hickman is a much better writer and works human stories into epic scopes much better. With New Avengers, instead of focusing on a second Avengers team in New York, he is looking at the Illumanti. This time Black Panther, who originally turned down the invitation, leading the team and Beast taking over for Pr. X. THE MUST-EST READ OF THE WEEK
Punisher Nightmare #1 (of 5)
By: Scott Gimple, Mark Texeira
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
The Lowdown: This is a 5-part story that is getting released weekly. It is about a soldier who’s family is gunned down in a park. The twist is the soldier isn’t Frank Castle, but it sparks an extra angry desire for punishment in The Punisher.
