Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The Colonel's Picks For May 22nd, 2013


Hello, Club faithful! This is a genuinely exciting week of comic book releases for your very own Colonel Reddenbacher. One soon-to-be legendary DC run comes to an end, while another begins. And in the distance, new titles from smaller publishers begin to stalk the old guard like young lions. It's that rare week when you can feel the face of comics changing.



Green Lantern #20 (DC)

It seems like only yesterday, Hal Jordon ditched his green robe for a green ring and returned not only to the land of the living, but to the forefront of the DC universe. Writer Geoff Johns tenure on the Green Lantern title will certainly go down in history as a prime example of the kind of worldbuilding and brand management that can occur within mainstream superhero comics. Not many writers are fortunate enough to have a good long run on a book like this, and it'll be a tough act to follow, to say the least. This issue wraps up the "Wrath of the First Lantern" arc and will be double-sized. It includes artwork from Doug Mahnke and Ethan Van Sciver, the latter of which bgan this whole affair with Johns in the Green Lantern: Rebirth series over seven years ago. This will be my last GL book for a while, and it will be a blast to sit down and re-read this entire run all over again.


Akaneiro #1 (Dark Horse)

Ever see a cover image in a solicitation that just grabs you? That is the only explanation I have for my recent interest in this three issue mini from Dark Horse. That beautifully rendered image of a warrior Red Riding Hood has been haunting my dreams and creeping into my imagination on a daily basis since this little series was first announced. Video game personality American McGee is credited with the concept, while the creator credits go to writer Justin Aclin and the art team of Vasilis Lolos and Shu Yan. I fondly remember American McGee's take on the Alice In Wonderland mythos, which made for a creepy-cool video game.


The Deep Sea (Dark Horse)

Originally appearing in the anthology title Dark Horse Presents, this one-shot is a compilation of the The Deep Sea chapters by writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, and art by Tony Akins and Paul Mounts. Palmiotti and Gray are a writing team to be reckoned with, churning out great stories in DC's All-Star Western on a monthly basis. Their stories always have a clear narrative and a script that actually works in tandem with the art. As for the art, Tony Akins's deatiled pencils combined with Paul mounts solid inks should produce nothing short of a beautiful comic book. Besides, it's a one-shot story for $2.99! No Commitment! What have you got to lose?


Half-Past Danger #1 (IDW)

DAMES. DINOSAURS. DANGER. Those are first three words of the solicitaion copy for this comic. I can't get enough of any of those ingredients actually. Half-Past Danger is a six-issue miniseries debuting from IDW this month combining WW2 action and intrigue with Jurassic Park shennanigans. It's the kind of cutesy genre mash-up we've seen a thousand times, but that won't stop me from buying it a thousand more. This is by Stephen Mooney, who's pulling a one-man-band on this project. Give it a looksie at your comic shop this week.


The Bounce #1 (Image)

It's a new #1 issue from Image with Joe Casey's name on the cover, so you know it's worth buying. I've always likened Casey to America's Grant Morrison, but I fear that comparison might offend him or undermine what he's trying to do in his comics work. David Messina is on the art chores for this book, by the way. The Bounce is a slacker hero for this generation on a feel-good ultimate mission. I got a little high just writing that. Anyhoo, when Image puts out a new #1 you buy it. Just pretend it says Marvel NOW! on the cover. That should aid in your transition.


Green Team #1 (DC)

Teen Trillionaires running rampant in the DCU? Pissing off Batman and the Justice League? This sounds like fun, if only they get a good creative team...Oh, Art Baltazar and Ig Guara? Okay, okay, but this will never sell on its own, it needs a cover that really stand out from the pack. Oh, I see there's a cover from Amanda Conner. Huh. Well, congrats DC! You have created the perfect comic book, in theory anyway. I guess I can put down my picket sign and stop lamenting the loss of Superman Family Adventures. Shit. I forgot what it feels like to be happy.

I'll be a happy boy when after I hit up my LCS today. But meanwhile, what are you reading? Hmm? Out there on the interwebs..?

Cheers.

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