Those stories are great. They introduce John Stewart the Green Lantern in one of them.

The Scott Pilgrim stuff.
I seriously don't know what the fuck to make of these, but I'm half way through the second and not about to stop.
Something about it, I like.
Writer must be stoned like, all the time.

Been reading some of the Avengers/Invaders stuff. Classy art with a nice storyline.

I like these a lot. I'm really psyched for the movie, though I'm not sure Michael Cera can do spaz.

Just finished SHOWCASE PRESENTS STRANGE ADVENTURES VOLUME ONE. Over 500 pages of "shiny jet pack future" sf tales from the mid-fifties. Not too many Hugo winners but if you never grew up like me still enjoyable with some fantastic art.

Just read an Amazing Spiderman comic from '85 that my mother grabbed at a yardsale - hilarious stuff. Toad decides he wants to be Spidey's "sidekick".

The whole issue is utterly ridiculous, but so very entertaining.

Just read the last (or latest) Scott Pilgrim...it was alright but I didn't really like it as much as the others.

Hey, has anyone ever read a flash series or storyline called "terminal velocity"? I remember seeing it quite some time ago and it looked quite alright...so...can anyone tell me if it's worth following up on?

Grant Morrison's "Batman and Robin" #1

This was pretty awesome, actually. Damian is badass, Dick didn't have enough to do though. The new villains popping up are looking to be very interesting, especially Mr. Pyg. Not too sure if I like the new Batmobile or Batcave yet. I greatly anticipate the remainder of this arc.

the Sinestro Corp Wars. I too am looking forward to the rest of Batman & Robin.

Just about to get stuck into this one.

I liked Batman and robin, quite a different feel to it.
I don't really like how sudden an inclusion Damian was since his "appearance" but hey...not a bad read, it's interesting.

Red Robin #1 just now - I actually liked this one better, surprisingly enough. Very good title...looks set to be a darker nightwing. I'd like to see Todd make a return and maybe redeem himself or at least pull a deadpool type change in direction.
I think JSA's Doctor Midnight or Drake will be changing their costume pretty soon.

Batman 687 - solid as usual...bit sad this one was, and Alfred...wow...
Scarecrow looks really badass in this issue too, one of the best interpretations I've seen.

No way I can list just one! Yikes.

Well, there are my staples: The Boys, Crossed, Mercy Sparx, Hack/Slash, Deadpool, Skaar: Son of Hulk (I can only stand any Hulk comic when Greg Pak is on it), Scalped, Northladers... then the odd mini or new series here or there.

I'm a huge Garth Ennis fan (can't wait for the Preacher HC!), Warren Ellis is great too... unfortunately Avatar can get a little pricey for me each week so I had to limit my number of books I buy from them, so now I just usually read No Hero where I can instead of buying it.

Just go to dcpp and stop being ripped off by the ever rising prices...even if you still buy half of the stuff you are and download the rest you're supporting the industry more'n they deserve.

I usually download back issues when I start getting into a new series then buy new issues from then on, but now that I'm opening my own store I'll just keep mine on the side on Wednesdays. :D

I haven't really noticed a lot of indie stuff going up in price, mostly just Marvel/DC. Now that they both have this stupid 1,000th issue competition going on, what little of their stuff was still worth reading is going to become even slimmer.

I just don't get why Marvel feels the need to drive down the market every twenty years (though this is when indie stuff really starts to shine).

Picked up and read:

Red Robin #1
Really good, I'm looking forward to the rest of it. Glad to see Tim still has something to do, the whole "Tim Wayne" part gave me chills.

Batman #687
That was incredibly sad, especially Alfred. Great issue, made Battle for the Cowl seem completely pointless. I agree with Cheebs about Scarecrow as well. I think this is supposed to be darker than the main title and focus on Grayson's solo stories.

Flash: Rebirth #3
The ending of the issue was disappointing, a cool twist, but I thought that the story would end up wrapped up in some way. The rest was pretty great and beautifully drawn.

Grabbed a TPB collection called Deadpool: Classic, Vol. 1...reprints of a bunch of his best comics, supposedly.

Always been a fan, but never actually read too much of his shit. Looking forward to this.

Just got Watchmen. Borrowing it from a friend, and thought I'd better read it before I see the film.

Dylan Dog. It's Italian but should become a bit more visible in the States later this year as a film based on it starring Brandon Routh will be released. The comic has had well over 270 regular issues, 20+ special issues and a bunch of others since it first started coming out in 1986. If you're in the States, however, you'll only be able to find the six classic issues released by Dark Horse comics.

Going to start on Watchmen today. Can't wait!

Best so far this week:

Batman and Robin #2.
The art is AWESOME...best I've seen in a long while...and yeah, having a "different" batman is not immediately what I like about it, but seeing Graysons journey and turmoil with it all is great. The kids a nutjob but I'm growing to like him.

Justice League - Cry for Justice #1.
So good. So damn good. Just go to your store, read the first 2 pages, buy it like you know you should then go enjoy the rest.
Superman more or gets told to fuck off, ha.
FUCK YEAH.

Secret Six - I knew little about most of these characters...something kept me reading, but the last 2 issues were just excellent. Read if you like stories about the "good" bad guys.

DC's doing very well lately IMO now that they've fucked off the big events for the moment.

Over at Marvel, I'm really enjoying Secret Warriors...the best title in the "dark reign" bit so far IMO, it's great to see Nick Fury back, and it' just a badass title.
Also, Avengers - the Initiative. Has been solid from the start and continues as such.

Just finished off the TBP collection of Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle.

Great stuff. The plot d compelling, and Tony's descent into alcoholism is incredibly well done. The resolution might come a little quick...but hey, he's a superhero. I guess that explains it to an extent.

I'd really like to see some elements of this make it in to the new Iron Man flick...I mean, I doubt they'd go down the whole alcoholism route, but the main body of the story had some really cool elements too: Iron Man framed for murder, malfunctioning equipment, awesome set pieces and tons of crazy villains.

Considering Justin Hammer + Whiplash have already been announced as the main villains, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they take some inspiration from this. Fingers crossed.

DC Showcase Jonah Hex. Pretty cool Western series.

Batman and Robin #1. Pretty solid. DC's improved a lot. Looking forward to grabbing #2.

Check out Batman: Streets of Gotham too, I just got done reading issue #2.
It's a cool, fun comic - while keeping it dark as it ought to be. Maybe not quite so much as "red robin" but damn near.

&
this one, which I feel deserved it's own thread
http://horror.com/forum/showthread.p...822#post819822

Just finished reading the first collected volume of Preacher. Pretty damn good, though a little cheesy at the end. I'm psyched to see where the next 8 volumes go (now if only I have $$ to purchase them... :()

Been meaning to pick it up. Really enjoying the Blackest Night series too.

Just finished going through Cap America #454.

Freddy VS Jason VS Ash (series 2) - The Nightmare Warriors #2.
I didn't think all that much of the first FVJVA series, or even too much of the first issue of this one...though all that has changed with this latest issue, they're finally doing it right.
Not to overly spoil anything, but Freddy is in hell again, as is Jason by the time this second series starts. Now how Jason gets out is just, whatever...how Freddy gets out is quite interesting.
In this series we have a "survivors group" of both Jason and Freddy, an organisation running it that has an ulterior motive, we have Ash as always getting bought into any problems related to the necronomicon, meanwhile we have another group scientifically analysing the book for research about how to harvest the power of the undead into a weapon/army.
You get to see Freddy unlike you've EVER seen him before, trust me, it's worth it.
Oh, and there's a character from one of the movie series that looks to play a pretty major part that I think some fans will be happy to see.

Check it out, for once, the F/J/A thing is actually pretty good right now - they could totally relaunch the movies with an idea like this one.

Also - Chew #2
God, I just love this comic!
This issue "Eat a decomposing finger for the greater good", and a fucking GREAT fight scene.
Ha, the "flashback" type scenes are pretty good, kind've like something out of Six Feet Under, only more fucked up.
I've said it before, I'll say it again - Get this comic.
If you're after something not so run-of-the-mill, it's not to be missed.
Can't wait to get some feedback on this one.

Amazing Spider-Man #600.
Even though I hate the BND thing, this was a damn good issue. Check it out if any copies are still around.

Dark X-Men The Beginning #1.

On a side note, what's with all this sudden interest in motion comics at Comic-Con? There was Wolfenstein and Spider-Woman, X-Men, Watchmen, Batman, etc. I just don't see the appeal of a comic if it is not bound within pages of script and ink. I hope better sense prevails and this dies down pretty quickly, or else goodbye hardbound graphic novels and collector editions of comicbooks.

21st Century Boys, Vol. 1, by Naoki Urasawa, another great first volume of which looks to be an interesting mystery comic from Japan. Strong overtones of King's "IT" here, with the casual shifting between the adulthood and childhood of the characters and the return of a forgotten thing from childhood plaguing the present. Good stuff so far.

I'll start on Vol. 2 later today.

Sam

Finished reading The Walking Dead latest collection. Not bad. I still think the series is too damn soap-opera-y.

DC's Blackest Night series. Everyone should check it out. Also a bit of Iron Man and Tintin.

On a side note, my friend got me the whole 26-book-set of Tintin. I am so pumped to start them soon.

Absolute Sandman, vol. 1

Sam

Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?

Fantastic...best Batman story I've read in a long while. Gaiman put a really cool spin on this - it was offbeat, but it worked amazingly well. Check this one of if you haven't already - one of the coolest, strangest and most powerful Batman stories out there, and it takes a place with my absolute favourites.

And Two-Face had a badass car! :D

Definitely agree. I've been disappointed by Gaiman for the past few years (I feel his whimsy level has gotten dangerously high and infected Clive Barker) but this kind of redeems him.

i thought i was the only person who felt this way ..


there are a group of men who seem to be caught up in 'fairy tales'
(gaiman, Barker .. as well as gilliam and del toro on the film side)


the visual style and approach to story telling among these 4 men is becoming too samey for my tastes..and it does feel like they are directly influencing each other

I think the dark fairy tale still has a lot of narrative potential (I'm shopping around a book inspired by Rob Zombie and Russian fairy tales myself right now), but the whimsy hurts it. A dark fairy tale should feel like something your Irish great grandmother told you that keeps you from sleeping for weeks not like a watered down In the Company of Wolves. As much as I dislike saying it, these four are reminding me why Angela Carter was such a great asset.

Finished all 3 of Warren Ellis' Planetary earlier today. The world needs more comics like this. Little tie ins with pop culture and other comic books were great. Really loved Snow, and the progression with his character.

Batman & Robin #3.
Probably my new favourite Bat-title.
Still kinda hate the damian kid but he comes out with some unusual stuff, I could be bought around.

Creepy Archives, vol. 1 – This hardcover is a little pricey, and the stories are iffy, but the art – from EC masters and the great horror and fantasy illustrators from the middle part of the 20th century – makes it all worth it.

Sam