Hello, comic friends! I am here to discuss comics that will be released this Wednesday, October 2nd, 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! For a complete list of releases you can visit comiclist.com.
THIS WEEK’S PICKS:
God Is Dead #2 (of 6)
“JONATHAN HICKMAN brings the wrath of the gods to comics with his new series, God is Dead! Modern man turns all his technology and destruction to bear against the deities of old. But what good are guns, tanks, and even nuclear missiles against the power of the divine? In their hubris, humans have ruled for too long. Now the gods of legend rule and to disobey them is death. But something is brewing just below the surface of the newly returned powers… A war of the gods themselves!”
I bought the first issue of this mini-series solely on the title and the controversy it brings. The addition of the writer, Jonathan Hickman, helped me drop the $3.99 down on something I knew nothing about. I recently talked about the first issue in Ant On Episode 1, a new podcast that I host in which I will talk about comic book reviews weekly, as well as adding other original content related to geek culture.
The opening of this series shows the destruction of several parts of the world with explosions, floods, sandstorms, and other harsh weather conditions which leads to killing thousands of people as we see Zeus return, demanding to be worshiped and obeyed. This book has beautiful art by Di Amorim, as he shows extremely violent and graphic panels with sacrifices, head-shots and also nudity. This book is extremely for adult readers.
I was definitely intrigued enough to pick up the next issue to see if I will see this through for the entire six issue mini-series order. I wasn’t blown away by the debut issue, but it was enough to stick around for at least one more issue. Jonathan Hickman’s writing seems to be very complex, very large, and I think I will benefit from a reread prior to picking up the second issue.
The Star Wars #2 (of 8)
“The Empire is poised for an attack on the peaceful world of Aquilae, and only Jedi General Luke Skywalker seems concerned. When King Kayos is killed, Jedi in training Annikin Starkiller is ordered to find Princess Leia, while Skywalker sends his only squadron against the Empire’s powerful new battle station!”
I was immediately drawn to the this special limited series because it is the official adaptation of George Lucas’s original rough-draft screenplay for Star Wars. I don’t normally read Star Wars comic books because I enjoy the movies more, but knowing this was the only way we would ever get to see what his original vision was, there was no question on me purchasing the first issue.
The hardest thing about reading this is that, if you are a fan of Star Wars, you might be confused by all of the differences. After reading it, you start to get a feel for how George began to condense his script down and how these characters became the ones we came to love in the movies.
The art by Mike Mayhew really gives a familiar, realistic approach to drawing this story. You look at this book, and you immediately think: “Star Wars.” The Stormtroopers are drawn as a combination of the clone troopers from the prequels and the Stormtroopers from the original trilogy. It’s a nice nod to both. Darth Vader has the outfit from the movies minus the helmet, but the character name of Annikin (spelled correctly for this version but was changed to Anakin in the films) is used for another character completely. If anything, it was extremely fun to see how Star Wars was originally conceived. I am a fan of everything Star Wars, including the prequels, so this series is an instant buy for me even after the first issue. Without even seeing how this plays out, I can already guarantee a hardcover purchase when it’s collected after its initial issue release every month. This is a piece of Star Wars history that already has a reserved spot on my shrine to everything Star Wars.
Mocking Dead #2 (of 4)
“The side-splitting and artery-spurting epic continues as the battle for Pittsburgh is underway as hordes of the Mocking Dead descend — and Aaron Bunch’s pop-culture-inspired battle plan is put to the test! Will the Internet nerds of DIA’s Tinseltown Division save the city — or accidentally lead it to the edge of the abyss of total zombie apocalypse?”
I picked up the debut issue because of the title, assuming it was going to be a parody of sorts of The Walking Dead. Hence, the mocking. Though this book still has a few comedic elements, it still has a serious approach as they defend the city from the zombies. Much like The Walking Dead, this comic is also presented in black and white with great art by Max Dunbar. I always love giving every comic book a chance with the first issue, and the second issue will have to really sell me if I am to continue picking this book up for the entire four issue run. This isn’t at the top of my reading list when I pick up all of my new books, but it’s still on the list.
Lazarus #4
“‘FAMILY,’ Part Four. The conclusion of the first arc. Forever moves to defend her Family with blood and steel as the Twins’ plot against their father is revealed.”
With being a debut issue of a new Image Comics series, I picked it up. On the first cover we see the main character, Forever, a girl selected by the Carlyle family, enhanced with skills, training, and technology, to protect and represent the family as their Lazarus.
The opening pages of this series shows Forever being brutally murdered and then immediately waking up to murder her killers, one of the craziest openings for a comic book series that really sets the tone for this book and immediately got my attention. This is an on-going series written by Greg Rucka and drawn by Michael Lark. At the back of the first issue, we have a six page article by the writer explaining how this series came to be. After reading the first two issues, I knew that I was on board for the long run so I didn’t even read the third issue yet, because I am stock-piling it up (much like a DVR) to read as a whole when arcs are completed. This week’s release is advertised as the end of the first arc so I plan to read all four in a row. The cover art for each of these issues is already worth the price, and I feel the story inside is an added bonus. That is one of the biggest compliments you can give a comic book series. I definitely judge a book by it’s cover, in this case.
All New X-Men #17 (Battle of the Atom Chapter 6)
“Magik and Young Beast have a special mission! The X-Men and Future X-Men have Jean Grey and Cyclops and are going to send them back in time with the rest of the Original X-Men. But who is opposing them and why?”
Since the beginning of my work here at Nerdy Minds Magazine, I have been talking about this amazing series. A ten part story, released in ten consecutive weeks throughout the X-Men titles (All New X-Men, X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, and Wolverine and the X-Men) is instantly becoming one of my all-time favorite comic book events, and we are just over the halfway mark this week! Brilliantly written and drawn by all of the respective writers of these current books, it is such a complex story involving the past, present, and future X-Men, yet is so well scripted that you do not need to have any prior knowledge from these series. If you love the X-Men, I’d be very surprised if you are unimpressed with this event.
All New X-Men Special #1
“PART ONE OF “THE ARMS OF THE OCTOPUS!” The All-New X-Men cross over with the Indestructible Hulk and Superior Spider-Man! What does Doctor Octopus want with the All-New X-Men and HOW IS HE ALIVE?! This gets the immediate attention of Superior Spider-Man, but what does it have to do with the Hulk?”
I would love to set up this special issue for you, but I have never heard of this prior to checking the list of new comic books for the week. This is a $4.99 cover price, and what a cover it is! The description says this is a cross over with The Hulk and Superior Spider-Man. I collect every issue of Superior Spider-Man, but have not picked up a single issue of The Hulk series, so I am curious to find out what is going on and why the X-Men are involved.
Marvel definitely knows how to market new comic books to a Marvel fan like myself. I am suspicious that this book only exists to get my money. Since it’s advertised as part one, I should have a better idea how long this will run when I review it on the podcast at the end of this week.
Captain America Living Legend #1 (of 5)
“When a top-secret orbital research station is dragged from the sky by an unknown alien force, army-of-one, Steve Rogers finds himself caught between two global superpowers on the brink of war! But how does it involve Volkov–a decorated Russian officer he last crossed paths with during the closing days of World War II, who disappeared on an ill-fated lunar mission over forty years ago? Andy Diggle and Adi Granov send living legend Captain America on a one-man mission into the heart of darkness–in search of another!”
If there is one thing that is severely missing from my entire comic book collection, it’s Captain America. Yes, there is a current series being released monthly, but I also have limitations and a set budget that can only handle so many comic books to commit to. I am more drawn to a mini series knowing it has a beginning, middle and an end without fear of a title being canceled.
From the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the first Captain America movie is a huge favorite of mine, and I am even more excited for the upcoming sequel in April 2014. Knowing that this movie is approaching, I had planned to start collecting the most popular stories for Captain America and binge read them to get myself hyped up for the new film. Of course, we have Thor: The Dark World coming up next in the film universe, and I had planned the same by picking up some more Thor stories to expand my knowledge as well as my collection.
The promise of a five issue series attracts me. If the first issue is a win, then there is a great chance I will be sticking around. Do you have any favorite Captain America stories that you suggest? Let me know in the comments or in the links below for my social media and podcasts.
Marvel Knights Spider-Man #1 (of 5)
“From the haunted heights of a mysterious castle to the dizzying depths of the deep seas, the Amazing Spider-Man has to take on not one, not six, not twelve – but ninety-nine of the Marvel Universe’s deadliest villains to save the lives of countless innocents! Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT) and Marco Rudy (Swamp Thing) bring you a defining hour in the life of the webbed wonder in a race against time and a battle against evil.”
This is another limited series that I am left without any previous knowledge of, but it’s Spider-Man, and the cover looks amazing. I’ll give it a shot.
Conclusion:
In what always seems like a light shopping week, I get to the Marvel section of the releases, and then all of the books start adding up. There are three titles here that I didn’t even know about prior but immediately put on my list because that is the kind of appeal Marvel has to me.
Last week, I released my first ever solo podcast, Ant On. Some friends call me Anthony, Ant, Ant-Man, Anton… but the Ant On title seemed perfect. Each episode will be advertised as “Ant On” followed by the episode number. Each specific release will be subtitled with the topic of discussion in geek culture. The first episode is “Ant On Comics” for the releases of September 25th. I gave my spoiler-free reviews. I explain the set ups for each of the books which lead us to the current issue, which I reveal just enough about to help sell the book, rather than giving everything away.
An upcoming episode of Ant On will be “Ant On Wizard World Ohio” in which I sit down with three of my friends who attended the convention with me the weekend of September 20th. We are scheduled to record Tuesday, October 1st, and it will be released when it’s ready.
I am planning to release my week-in-review for comic books on Thursdays or Fridays. It all depends on how big my weeks are, so I may have to save the recording for the weekends. So, thank you for reading my previews, and I hope you will join me for my review podcast. I am working on finding special guests in the form of my friends to join me on some of the episodes. I encourage listeners to send in questions, comments, and suggestions that I can address on the podcast.
Since this is a large week for reading, I have piled up the previous issues of some of these titles to refresh my memory so I am ready for Wednesday!
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! 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.
This is the Ant-Man signing off… I’ll see you between the panels!
My film-making website: http://www.bartonheights.4t.com
My podcast websites: http://www.abconversation.net & http://www.antonpodcast.podomatic.com
My Twitter: @anthonylaatsch
Like it? Share it! (See share options below)
***The views expressed above are that of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Nerdy Minds (Magazine) as a whole. But they might.***
So that we are able to better understand our viewers and give you more of what you want and less of what you don’t, please rate this post and leave a comment (positive or negative). Care to offer another perspective on something?
Facebook us!
Nerdy Minds Magazine 
Comments? Questions?