Hey Kids! Comics!! 01-05-07

It was a fairly big week for me. I got back to my regular comic shop after 10 blessed days of vacation in a row. The worst thing about vacation is that it ends. :(

Astonishing X-Men #19

I never thought I'd say this, but an X-Men comic is the best super-hero book currently being produced. Joss "Buffy" Whedon and John "Planetary" Cassaday, two of the best talents in the business are, as usual, in top form every month. Each issue is fun to read and gorgeous to look at. Pick it up! Or save some cash and wait for the inevitable collected edition. There should be a new one ouuuut..... now.

The Boys #6

The most cynical comic in history just gets more nasty in this, the book that makes Marshall Law look like The Care Bears. Everyone's an asshole, heroes and anti-heroes alike. Jared doesn't like a book filled with nothing but "SOB's" but I appreciate the constant, pervading gloom that seems to hang over every page. It's very apt for these DubyaBushian times. In this issue, Huey acquires a new hamster. How this comes to pass is worth the $2.99 cover price. Fuggin' funny.

Criminal Macabre: Two Red Eyes #1

Writer/creator Steve Niles clearly enjoys writing about this character, a private dick/drug addict/supernatural investigator/fuck-up named Cal MacDonald, who's best buddy is an undead ghoul. This is a continuation of the great, defunct series Last Train To Deadsville, also starring Cal MacDonald, and drawn by the excellent, Wrightson-loving Kelly Jones. New artist Kyle Hotz does a great Jones imitation and, like Niles, seems to be enjoying himself. There's humor, horror, gore and an pervasive sense of fun. This is my favorite book of the week. Even if you're not a horror fan, it's worth picking up!

Fantastic Four: The End #4 (of 6)

More super-hero goodness from Alan Davis, who, I'm convinced, is incapable of putting out crap even if he wanted to. This is way better than any of the regular, monthly FF books. Pick it up now or wait for the collected. Either way, you'll do fine.

Fear Agent #10

It seems the Fear Agent has an ex-wife. I thought he was the last surviving human in the universe. Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps not. Time travel stories can be so confusing.

Guy Gardner: Collateral Damage #2 (of 2)

In this issue, Guy Gardner kicks some more alien ass and makes more "witty" comments. I'm not sure what's going on here nor do I care all that much. Too late to figure it out since the series is now over. Chaykin has done better.

Jonah Hex #15

The revival of this classic badass western character continues with part 3 (of 3) of his violent (what else did you expect) origin. Jonah Hex is consistently one of the best monthly comics out there. If you're not reading it, you're clearly an idiot and I don't want to know you.

Red Prophet #5

This is an overly wordy book. Apparently, it's been adapted by Orson Scott Card from one of his novels. He really needs an editor. Comics shouldn't be work to read. The rather complicated plot takes place in an alternate historical reality and revolves around an alcoholic Indian (of the Native American variety) who suddenly gains psychic powers and starts to get the best of whitey. Power to the people!! It's worth checking out if you start from the beginning and have time to kill. Don't bother jumping in in the middle of the story because you'll just be lost.

Fables Trade Paperback #2: Animal Farm

In keeping with my promise to buy all the Fables trades, this is book 2 in a series of 8. In this volume, writer Bill Willingham gives us his version of Orwell. Snow White and Rose Red take a trip to the Upstate New York annex of the non-human looking fables, only to discover that the bestiality-loving Goldilocks, along with the three pigs, have taken over in a bloody coup. Viva La Revolution!! Seems Goldi's power-mad and everyone else wants to invade the Fables homelands because they're homesick and not all that bright. Willingham takes the usual swipes at communists, dictators, the madness of crowds and dickery in general. Whatever. It's a wonderful read and it has a much happier ending than Orwell's original downer of the same name so pick it up! It's a load of fun!