Another week, another column. Let's dive right in.
This week I had two big Marvel projects announced. "Marvel Zombies" with Sean Philips and "Ultimate X-Men" with Tom Raney and Steve Dillon. I'm crazy excited about both the projects, and I'll probably be talking in more detail about them in the coming weeks... but for now, I'll just point you in the direction of two Newsarama articles where I talk about them here and here. I don't think Jonah will mind. Check them out if you've got time.
Nine weeks now I've been telling you guys to buy my books. I've been sharing cool jpegs and pleading and begging for the sales support. This week, I think I'm going to share the love. This week I'm going to spotlight a few books I truly believe are worth reading. Here goes.
THE PERHAPANAUTS
This is a four issue mini-series by Todd Dezago and Craig Rousseau that is coming out from Dark Horse Comics in November. I got my hands on an independently published one-shot these fellas did for conventions and I've gotta say, this book is just GREAT. Craig's art is great and Todd's work on the title is superb. Anyone who dug Todd's work with Mike Wieringo on Tellos will enjoy this book. Seek it out. It's a lot of fun. Issue one comes out in November.
THE INTIMATES
This book seems to be wrapping up with issue 12 and it's a real shame. Joe Casey and Giuseppe Camuncoli did a great job with this book. It's published by Wildstorm and really, is probably my favorite new book from last year. It's a great teen superhero book and it's got all kinds of twists and turns. Like I say, it's ending with 12, but find yourself some back-issues, you won't be disappointed.
BODY BAGS
About ten years ago (has it been that long) Jason Pearson introduced the world to "Body Bags," his ultra-violent action book centered around a crazy killer and his crazier long lost daughter. I totally dug it. Image Comics recently republished the original four-issue mini-series Dark Horse published as two 48-page one-shots. In November Image is publishing "Body Bags 3:The Hard Way," which will re-publish a few hard to find odds and ends stories Jason did for various anthologies and such along with an all new story. Then in January he's doing an all-new story called "Body Bags: One Shot." Jason is one of my favorite artists in the biz, and you could all do a lot worse than buying everything he's ever touched.
LONG HOT SUMMER
Eric Stephenson wrote all my favorite comics when I was in high school. Well--not all of them, but a lot of them. That's right folks, I was an Extreme Studios junky for a while there. "New-Men," "Team Youngblood," "Brigade" ... I dug them all. Now I've grown up, and so has Eric Stephenson. "Long Hot Summer" is a slice-of-life story about realistic characters doing realistic things and finding themselves dealing with realistic consequences. It features some great art by newcomer Jamie McKelvie and it recently got Best of the Week at www.thefourthrail.com. Two guys can't be wrong! Buy this book.
DEATH JR.
This is the best video-game spin-off comic you'll ever read. Really. It's cute, funny, spooky, entertaining, and gripping all at the same time. Written by Gary Whitta and drawn by Ted Naifeh (who also does some kick-ass books at Oni), it's really a solid package. You would never know it was a video game spin-off from reading it. It's just a solid, solid book. I can't rave about it enough. It's got a TPB coming out from Image Comics in November.
GIRLS
Most of you are already reading this book, but I have to mention it so Jonathan and Joshua Luna won't get pissed off and call me. It's a good book. I like it.
THE ATHIEST
Late, yes... but the first issue is one of the most compelling comics I've read recently. I was just enthralled with that issue. Damn Phil Hester for being such a good writer. I mean, really-- who'd that guy blow in a past life? And John McCrea does his usual bang-up job on art. This book is also published by Image.
FEAR AGENT
How can I not plug a book with art by Tony Moore and Cory Walker? I mean, really-- these guys are two of the best up-and-comers in the biz. Rick Remender ain't no slouch either in the writing department. The first issue ships in a week or two, so be sure you seek it out. I haven't read the first issue-- so I can't vouch for the content as much as I could if I had, but I trust these guys to bring the goods. You trust me, don't you?
EXPATRIATE
Written by B. Clay Moore and drawn by Jason Latour. This book has slipped a little in the schedule, I'll admit, but when it does start back up in November with issue #4, I think you guys are all going to be blown away. These boys have some big stuff planned, as shown in the cliffhanger ending at the end of issue #3. I for one can't wait to see how it all turns out.
GODLAND
Joe Casey, Tom Scioli and yes, even Bill Crabtree bring the goods. Richard Starkings himself does the lettering and design on this book and it's one swell looking package. Add to that more twists and turns than you can shake a stick at and you'll end up with one great comic. BATTLE POPE
Five years ago a couple young punks named Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore threw caution to the wind and decided to fight the power by dipping their toes into the field of independent comics. Now Kirkman is a total sell-out and has decided to dig up every scribble on toilet paper he ever did in an effort to drum up some cash for his seventh boat. He brought along good pal and superstar colorist Val Staples to color up the thing and make it look all professional like. There's 14 issues worth of material being reprinted here folks, and who knows, after they run out of old stuff Kirkman may be washed up enough to have to go back to writing this thing. Oh wait-- this is one of mine... I'm supposed to be selling you on other people's books. Crap.
NOBLE CAUSES
We're all girls, admit it. We all want soap operas, without it being soap operas. I see you bitches talking about "Gilmore Girls" and "The OC" on message boards. Well, the soap opera stuff is way more hidden behind kick ass super-heroics and neat plot twists than your average episode of "Lost" or an issue of "The Walking Dead." You guys should all totally be into this book. Jay Faerber and Fran Bueno do a bang up job month in and month out on this title. And there are like five trade paperbacks available to catch you up in short order. If you like Invincible (and I know you do, right-- right-- sigh) you'll totally dig this book. Would I lie to you?
PVP
I'm friends with Scott Kurtz, but that doesn't make this book any less good.
Dan Slott is my idol. Really. He and Juan Bobillo (with Paul Pelletier on a few issues) did a great job on She-Hulk volume whatever last year and now the book is back, with a new number one so all you cats will start buying it. And really, this time, you should. It's way better than you think it will be. It's funny, yes, but don't hold that against it. There's some great things going on in this book. You're really missing out... especially if you're a big continuity geek like me. Slott loves the Marvel U. If I ever leave "Marvel Team-Up," I demand he take over whether he wants to or not.
RUNAWAYS
It's as good as everyone says it is. No really, that one guy on Newsarama is full of shit.
NEW AVENGERS
Why aren't you reading this book? Really, what is wrong with you. Brian Bendis has a child to feed. David Finch and Steve McNiven are drawing it... hell, Frank Cho is going to be doing some upcoming issues. If you hate the writing can't you at least throw these guys a bone and by it for the art. I really don't want to see this book cancelled.
MARVEL TEAM-UP
Oh, right... mine again.
FIVE FISTS OF SCIENCE
Back in the day, when I was running Funk-O-Tron, Matt Fraction did a book called "Rex Mantooth" with artist Andy Kuhn. It was one of the funniest things put on paper. Now, Matt has written a few things, I won't bore you with details, (read THE BASEMENT TAPES for more info) all of them are good, and his newest, this Science thing, looks just as great. It's got art by Steven Sanders and it'll also be out in November. I'm really looking forward to it and I think you should be, too.
I've dug Sean Murphy's art for as long as I've known about it. Now I get to see how good his writing is. The preview pages Oni released look cool. I look forward to it's release.
SCOTT PILGRIM
Two OGNs released so far. Brian O'Malley is a goddamn genius. If you've read this book and not loved it, your should really see a doctor. Because something is wrong. I'm a huge fan of this book. The third OGN comes out in December... get caught up now and don't miss this one.
DOC FRANKENSTIEN
Written by the Wachowski's and drawn by Steve Skroce. It really is entertaining as all get out. They should have made this movie instead of the Matrix sequels... really.
SHAOLIN COWBOY
Geoff Darrow draws this. Honestly, I shouldn't need to say more.
Okay, I could probably do this all day-- I read a lot of comics, I just love this stuff. Now, I don't expect you to buy every one of the above mentioned titles, but next time you're at the store and it's looking like a light week, take a look around. If any of this stuff catches your eye, remember, it's got my seal of approval. For whatever that's worth.
Next week, I'm probably just going to be showing you some jpegs since I've got a pile building up here. That is, unless something tickles my fancy or rubs me the wrong way. So if you're in search of more of my sweet, entertaining words next week, you're just going to have to BUY MY BOOKS.