Hello comic friends! I am here to discuss comics that will be released this Wednesday, September 11th, 2013.
Now if I had the wallet of guys like Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark… I would honestly buy one copy of every comic book that comes out. But, alas, I’m not a jewel thief like Catwoman and can’t phase through the floor of my local comic book store like Kitty Pryde to grab every comic book created. So instead I look through the list every week and pull the ones that interest me the most.
All book premises are in quotes and brought to you by TFAW.com. The rest is all me, friends!
My previews are as spoiler free as I can be to help sell you on what I love to read. I still don’t like to spoil things that happened years ago, so you should feel safe here. Also, I’m not the smartest guy, so if I have any facts wrong, I encourage you to comment. My memory is as good as my pot roast (which isn’t very good). I also use my own punctuation style, so if it’s not up to code with what is being taught in schools, I apologize.
THIS WEEK’S PICKS:
X-Men #5
“BATTLE OF THE ATOM PART 3! The X-Men and Future X-Men pursue young Scott and Jean. Not all the X-Men agree that the All-New X-Men should be sent back. The cracks in the new all-female X-Men cast start to show.”
This is a series that caught my attention at the beginning of the year because it focused on a female team for the X-Men, though the title didn’t reflect their choice in gender. I collected the first arc (issues 1 thru 3) but overall wasn’t so attached, so I decided not to continue with the series. With the current Battle of the Atom X-Men event, though, we get another part of that story in the form of this issue.
This is where it gets confusing.
All New X-Men is a current series about the original X-Men going to the present time to see their future selves. In the events of Avengers vs X-Men, Cyclops turned out to be… a not-so-kind guy, forming his new team, The Uncanny Avengers, and separating himself from the X-Men.
So current timeline Beast brought the original X-Men to show young Cyclops what he turns out to be in the future… hopefully to talk sense into him. These original X-Men decided to stay longer than they should, risking changing the events of everyone’s timeline by existing in someone else’s. Confused? Well, the X-Men Battle of the Atom event kicked off last week and is a very good jumping on point to witness what I think is a perfect example of how a comic book should be created.
Battle of the Atom is a ten-part series. It shows the X-Men of the even further future coming back to the present to warn the present-time X-Men and the Past X-Men that they need to go back and return to their own timelines. So three sets of different X-Men from three different periods of time. You get the checklist in the back of the book to help you follow along. Part 2 was released last week as well, which brings me to X-Men #5 (which is confusingly Battle of the Atom Part 3).
Now I said I stopped buying this series, but now that it ties into the AMAZING event, I’m going to go back and get issue 4, as well as issue 5, so I can be all caught up in this event that kicked off with a bang!
Again, Battle of the Atom is a great jump on point for a new reader to an established series. With all of the tie-ins with other X-Men titles, Marvel knows how to market and sell comic books while giving us amazing storytelling and art. This checklist is in the back of these books so you don’t miss anything!
Still confused? Oops. The writers of Marvel do a much better job.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 9 #25
It’s season finale… er um… season. When Buffy made the transition from a television show with seven seasons and decided to continue the show in comic book form with Season 8, I couldn’t have been more excited.
I’m that Buffy fan who loves every single episode. Seriously, try me. With the series being executively produced by newcomer to writing, Joss Whedon, we all knew that this comic continuation with Season 8 would be in good hands. This spun into a Season 9, as well as a new series Angel & Faith: Season 9.
Angel & Faith has already wrapped up, and now it’s Buffy‘s turn. All season long these series worked hand in hand much like it did with the Buffy and Angel television shows.
“Buffy can’t ever just be a vampire Slayer, can she? Always, the world seems to want more, and as the lives of her loved ones are threatened, Buffy shows why she is the Chosen One. Whatever is thrust upon her, she can handle it! Er . . . sometimes with a little help from her friends.”
Now, unlike the Battle of the Atom‘s jump on point, I like to enjoy this series from beginning to end like a tv show. So if you haven’t started reading Buffy comics, the best decision you could make is to pick it up in trade format.
For new comic readers, issues are commonly released monthly for most series. If it’s a super popular Marvel title like Spider-Man, you’ll get two issues a month. If it’s a creator-owned indie series… the shipping can sometimes be every couple of months depending on if they fall behind. But the good part is the trade releases. Generally, months after a story arc or series ends, they will collect several issues into one paperback or hardcover to attract those newcomers who are jumping into something like The Walking Dead that is currently over 100 issues in. Trades are the affordable way to catch up and collect.
So that’s all I really want to say about this Buffy finale. After reading it, I’ll be excited to reread the entire series again as a whole even though I do keep up with it monthly. It’s like binge watching a DVD set… Except you know… it’s paper.
We will get a break before they start rolling out a tenth season. These comics are so entertaining, and for the fans to get their favorite show to live on with this medium… I am one satisfied fanboy. Thank you, Dark Horse. I want you as the Best Dark Horse at my wedding someday.
Detective Comics #23.2- Harley Quinn
Now you’re wondering why there is a number and a point…. and another number. Unless you are an avid reader, let me explain to you why this is.
It’s Villains Month over at DC. This means that 52 of the most famous villains in this universe are taking over the books with special one-shot issues. An added bonus (with an extra dollar out of your wallet) is that there are 3D covers that don’t need special 3D glasses! That’s right, kids… You’ll feel like a superhero just by looking at these flashy pieces of work!
Now I’m not a normal DC loyalist. I mostly enjoy Marvel more, but there are a few things I like to pick up from time to time, and this promotion grabbed my attention. I browsed the 3D covers of the titles I don’t normally buy, and if it attracts me… I’m buying it. If I was a DC loyalist… I’m sure I would buy every cover.
Last week I picked up Poison Ivy, which was a simple origin story with gorgeous art. This week I am interested in Harley Quinn.
“If Dr. Harleen Quinzel wasn’t crazy when she fell for The Joker at Arkham Asylum, she sure was messed up afterwards! Find out more from Harley’s time with her beloved Mr. J., and see what got her into so much trouble that she was “recruited” for the Suicide Squad!”
Now, you may see the trend that I am picking up the female 3D covers. Just for your information, I am excited to pick up the Manbat issue later this month too, and by the name… you’ll notice it doesn’t say “Womanbat” (though I’d buy that too).
Red Sonja #3
“Completely isolated and near the brink of death, Red Sonja reflects on her lifetime of blood and pain, where she questions even her right to survive. But even in these last moments of life, enemies from her past return to make sure her death is not a peaceful one!”
Red Sonja is a character I just started to pick up because writer Gail Simone is… well… amazing. She relaunched Batgirl for the New 52 (Two years ago DC relaunched the continuity with their books to start fresh and help new readers jump in).
So with this new series, I figured I would give it a shot. I know next to nothing about her except that she’s an ass-kicking female, and really… This is why I live.
After reading issue 1, I was sold for issue 2, as I am with that 3rd tomorrow. This series is still new to me, so if you have any fun insight or good recommendations of past work, I’m happy to hear it.
My Little Pony: Micro-Series #8- Celestia
This is a series of comics that received so much praise that I just had to see what the buzz was about. I’m the proud owner of the current ten issues of the Friendship Is Magic series, and now with issue 8 of the micro-series that spotlights individual characters every issue.
“Training the next generation of Canterlot’s protectors is no easy feat! When an aging Unicorn teacher begins to lose the respect of her students, Princess Celestia must step in to inspire everypony through her gentle guidance. ”
Call me a Brony if you want because it’s not an insult. It’s only an insult to yourself if you judge anyone on what they watch or read for entertainment (unless it is generally illegal or hurts someone). These Pony books are beyond hilarious and are beautifully drawn. I had the pleasure to meet three of the creators (including Amy Mebberson who draws this particular release), and I got to thank them for their amazing work.
While not every issue is as funny as the last, this is still one of the most solid series I have ever had the pleasure to spend my hard-earned oats on.
Sidekick #2
Imagine the 1960s Batman & Robin, but if one of them died and the happy cheery series took a quick dark turn. This is that book!
Issue 1 really hit me in all of the right ways. Witness what happens to a superhero when his crime fighting partner dies. That’s the concept of the book… not a spoiler. But if you read the set-up for issue 2, then we will dive deeper into why this superhero series isn’t as cheery as the rest on the shelves.
“The Moonglow Twins were two of the Red Cowl and Flyboy’s greatest enemies. Now that the Red Cowl is dead, one of them has returned with a vengeance. But whose vengeance, and why, and what is the reason for her sudden interest in Flyboy? Is Flyboy about to find a reason to live and repair his life, or is he about to hurtle down into even greater depths of madness and depravity? It’s a monthly book, what the heck do you think is going to happen? The fun is in seeing just how far he spirals downward and what’s waiting for him when he hits bottom….”
Kick-Ass 3- #3
A good chunk of Kick-Ass fans might have originated with these comics, or were introduced with the movies… Or maybe both!
I fall into the “both” category. I love every issue, and I love every movie. If you only watch the movies, I still like to keep my previews as spoiler-free as possible. If you like adult language and violent action… this series is for you. To catch yourself up you can get Kick-Ass book 1, Hit Girl and Kick-Ass book 2 in trade formats. The Hit Girl book is a five issue series that bridges book 1 and 2, and now the current Kick-Ass 3 series continues on. If you haven’t seen the second movie yet or read the comics… This preview ends here. If you follow the series regularly, then read the set-up that follows.
“What’s a tween girl assassin to do once she’s locked up? Start running all the gangs in the joint, of course! After the surviving the [sic] brutal pecking order of middle school, Hit-Girl finds jail just might be a little more up her alley. Meanwhile, Kick-Ass starts learning there’s more to life than just superhero work.”
Conclusion:
Now that concludes individual issues that come out that I love. I have subscriptions for 25 total titles, but it doesn’t end there. I am excited to purchase the first hardcover collection of The Superior Spider-Man that is also being released this week. This Spidey book is blowing my mind, and even though I have all current 17 issues, I will definitely buy this collection to get the pretty hardcover even though I am repurchasing the content I’ve owned since January. That’s love.
I always like to support my local comic book shop. Pre-orders are key. If you purchase the monthly Previews guide located at your store, you can browse upcoming titles and set up an order and/or a pull-list with your store so they order the items that you are interested in.
There are several online sites to shop from too. Things From Another World and Midtown Comics are two that I like to frequent.
If you are into digital comics, then simply go to Comixology or the individual websites and apps for the publishers you purchase from.
Are there any titles that you are excited for that I didn’t talk about? Contact me and share your non-spoiler suggestions! I told you that I already subscribe to 25 series (and counting) but I’m always open to discuss what else is out there that I might be missing out on! If you don’t agree with what I have to say, I apologize and hope you are enjoying the comics you read, because I am definitely loving mine.
Hear me talk about some of these books after I have read them on a podcast I do every Sunday morning! I also stay as spoiler-free as possible in my reviews, just like my previews.
This is the Ant-Man signing off… I’ll see you between the panels!
My film-making website: htt://www.bartonheights.4t.com
My podcast website: http://www.abconversation.net
My Twitter: @anthonylaatsch
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Nerdy Minds Magazine 
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