WHAT IS THE BUY PILE?

Every week Hannibal Tabu (winner of the 2012 Top Cow Talent Hunt/blogger/novelist/poet/jackass on Twitter/head honcho of Komplicated) takes on an uneven baker's dozen reviews (or so) to share his opinions with you. Thursday afternoons you'll be able to get those thoughts (and they're just the opinions of one guy, so calm down, and here's some common definitions used in the column) about all of that ... which goes something like this ...

THE BUY PILE FOR MARCH 14, 2018

... and now for something completely different ...

The Buy Pile started at Comic Book Resources in March of 2006 and for more than a decade, 40-70 comics per week got read for reviews. That's exhausting. It's time for a change. Now you'll get between seven to thirteen comics reviewed per week, rated for your convenience. Like it? Hate it? Hit those Facebook comments on the side of the article and this week, we'll actually read them! Let's get started, shall we?

Star Wars: Thrawn #2 (Marvel Comics)

Jump from the Read Pile. While Stan Lee might balk at the per-balloon word count, this playful issue revels in the laser like focus of its fan favorite title character, who shows all of the enthusiasm of a toll booth operator at 3AM as he outplans and outthinks almost everyone around him with seeming effortlessness. His laissez faire attitude towards the behaviors of others -- think Pepe Le Pew chasing his #metoo minded would be victims -- is a huge part of this issue's charm as he makes a set of Xanatos Gambit moves that are elegant and engaging. Jody Houser's script is tighter than the seams between pyramid stones and the art from Luke Ross, Nolan Woodard and Clayton Cowles seals the deal. RATING: BUY.

Transformers Lost Light #16 (IDW Publishing)

You aren't ready for this comic book. You're not. The very underpinnings of the Transformers universe are up for grabs, and it gets weird. If this is your first time reading this book, apologies are in order because it does not remotely care. If, however, you followed this storyline through More Than Meets The Eye, this issue is like hitting the lottery. An attempt to save the life of a beloved medic leads the challenged crew of mechanoids led by Rodimus into ... it's as hard to say as it is for the characters to accept, but the quotes come fast and furious and a reunion is like an earthquake ... if you've been along for the ride. As insular as this title is becoming, it's doing remarkable character work and not slowing down an iota. Respect due for James Roberts, Jack Lawrence, Joana LaFuente and Tom B. Long for this literary, nuanced, challenging and beautiful work. RATING: BUY.

Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #30 (Marvel Comics)

Wow. There's enough good stuff here for two issues, but wow. First of all, Squirrel Girl has seventy plus alien races wielding a slice of the Power Cosmic and determined to kill her, the Silver Surfer and her wildly well adjusted roommate. That's a story all by itself, and its resolution is freaking crazy. Once you get past that, there's another engrossing story about the difference between justice and revenge. To fit both of these stories in one book is a masterwork and writer Ryan North is remarkable for making it happen, but Erica Henderson, Rico Renzi and Travis Lanham make every panel (especially a bit with Nancy Whitehead near the end) shine. This Squirrel Girl reign just won't let up. RATING: BUY.

Postal: Laura #1 (Top Cow/Image Comics)

Jump from the Read Pile. A wonderful, self-contained coda to all the madness this series has created, the pivotal character Mark leans in with vigor and the new sheriff Maggie shows strength of character at a point where many couldn't, all under the looming metaphorical presence of the title character. Writer Bryan Edward Hill balances threat and promise with equal measures and the visual presentation from Isaac Goodhart, K. Michael Russell and Troy Peteri is equal parts potboiler and high quality cable drama. Effective, gripping storytelling is on display here. RATING: BUY.

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Peter Parker The Spectacular Spider-Man #301 has lots of fun moments as Peter, J. Jonah Jameson and Peter's maybe spy sister travel back in time to save ... ah, it doesn't matter, they don't have to worry about breaking anything. Not bad, but it was most gags and not much of a plot. RATING: HONORABLE MENTION.

Catalyst Prime Astonisher #5 was as thrilling as heck with an action packed conclusion straight out of a big screen blockbuster. The way the panels and the focus was drawn was brilliant. Alas, the characters were not as well developed as the pugilism, with dumps of exposition all this had time to get done between plot points. Not bad, but not quite there. RATING: HONORABLE MENTION.

Sea Of Thieves #1 did a good job introducing a fairly big cast of characters and keeping them straight in a fast paces plot of buccaneers and brigands. Unfortunately, it's too many characters at a time and despite the clear charm and craft here, this falls just short of the mark. Let's see if it picks up next month. RATING: HONORABLE MENTION.

Secret Weapons Owen's Story #0 is pretty subtle. Its titular character has a ridiculous power -- the ability to conjure fairly regular items out of thin air without being able to control what or when. The story weaves these random items into a narrative with a fairly clever framing device, but the lethargic pacing makes this a little too Wes Anderson for its own good. It's either a misunderstood work of genius or wholly forgettable, but it's really hard to know which. RATING: HONORABLE MENTION.

Set three years after the end of Revenge of the Sith, Darth Vader #13 has one of the best appearances from an original trilogy favorite but the book's lead was a lot more Anakin and a lot less Sith Lord in a way that's uninspiring. This wonderfully depicted series never goes far from greatness, but seems to have an issue actually reaching it. RATING: MEH.

The multiverse is back and it's a big road trip for Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm in Marvel Two-In-One #4. Are you ready for trips into worlds somewhat like the one you know for adventures with throwaway versions of heroes you love? No? That's a good call. RATING: MEH.

Mister Miracle #7 cast a very normal thing -- the birth of a child -- in the light next to things fantastic. Ruthlessly utilizing nine panel grids, it does a good job capturing the challenges and tedium of the process. Is that entertaining? Not really. Actual parents make it through it because they know the wonder of a new life, synthesized from themselves. All you get is this somewhat weird comic book. RATING: NO. JUST ... NO.

It's disappointing that Barry Allen is so startlingly stupid, but Flash #42 once again shows his foolishness in a big way. The plot here is very similar to the climax of the Netflix series The Defenders, but instead of doing what any of the cool characters did, Barry goes full Television Danny Rand, and you don't want that. At all. Even with super experienced people, nobody here seems to know what they're doing and it's ... it's pretty bad. RATING: NO. JUST ... NO.

As a prelude for a big anniversary issue, Action Comics #999 would more adequately be called "inaction comics" as its sole fight scene was contrived and its dramatic grist played like a cover of an old pop song you never really cared for. Beautifully drawn, decently executed, tediously conceived. RATING: NO. JUST ... NO.

WHAT'S THE PROGNOSIS?

There's much more good than bad so let's say this batch of reviews is a winner.

THE BUSINESS

The writer of this column writes a weekly web superhero comic -- Project Wildfire: Street Justice -- free every week. Can't beat "free."

The writer of this column isn't just a jerk who spews his opinions -- he writes stuff too. A lot. Like what? You can get Scoundrel (historical fiction set in 1981 east Los Angeles), Irrational Numbers: Addition (a supernatural historical fiction saga with vampires), Project Wildfire: Enter Project Torrent (a collected superhero web comic), The Crown: Ascension and Faraway, five bucks a piece, or spend a few more dollars and get New Money #1 from Canon Comics, the rambunctious tale of four multimillionaires running wild in Los Angeles, a story in Watson and Holmes Volume 2 co-plotted by 2 Guns creator Steven Grant, two books from Stranger Comics -- Waso: Will To Power and the sequel Waso: Gathering Wind (the tale of a young man who had leadership thrust upon him after a tragedy), or Fathom Sourcebook #1, Soulfire Sourcebook #1, Executive Assistant Iris Sourcebook #1 and Aspen Universe Sourcebook, the official guides to those Aspen Comics franchises. Love these reviews? It'd be great if you picked up a copy. Hate these reviews? Find out what this guy thinks is so freakin' great. There's free sample chapters too, and all proceeds to towards the care and maintenance of his kids ... oh, and to buy comic books, of course. There’s also a bunch of great stuff -- fantasy, superhero stuff, magical realism and more -- available from this writer on Amazon. What are you waiting for? Go buy a freakin' book already!

Got a comic you think should be reviewed in The Buy Pile? If we get a PDF of a fairly normal length comic (i.e. "less than 64 pages") by no later than 24 hours before the actual issue arrives in stores (and sorry, we can only review comics people can go to stores and buy), we guarantee the work will get reviewed, if remembered. Physical comics? Geddouttahere. Too much drama to store with diminishing resources. If you send it in more than two days before comics come out, the possibility of it being forgotten increases exponentially. Oh, you should use the contact form as the CBR email address hasn't been regularly checked since George W. Bush was in office. Sorry!