Writer's Pull List 02-23-10

Hey folks! We're running a couple hours late today. For those of you who are new here, this is our Pull List. It is our way to let you know what books we read and what we will be reviewing.

Arnab's Note: Hmm. Not much to say this week. There are a bunch of books that I'm excited for this week.

Matt's Note: I have a blog post started, I promise I'll actually finish it some day. Fuck my busy schedule.

Arnab's List:
DC
Detective Comics #874
Gotham City Sirens #20
Green Arrow #9
Teen Titans #92
Marvel
New Mutants #22
Uncanny X-Men #533
X-23 #6
X-Men #8
X-Men Legacy #245
Vertigo
American Vampire #12

Matt's List:
DC
Gotham City Sirens #20
Justice League: Generation Lost #20
Marvel
New Mutants #22
Uncanny X-Men #533
X-Men #8
X-Men Legacy #245
Invincible Iron Man #501
Secret Avengers #10
Vertigo
American Vampire #12

And I will be a dynamo to power the change

Generation Hope #4 ****
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Salva Espin and Scott Koblish
Cover Artist: Olivier Coipel
Publisher: Marvel

This was probably my favorite issue of the series (much like another issue I'm reviewing.) After their prolonged visit to Japan, and all the trouble that happened there, the new mutants finally make their way to Utopia. In the form of a test, we are finally given a definitive description of Earth's newest mutant's powers. Which, now that they've been laid out to us, their power sets look even more like previous mutants, that is, except for Kenji. Kenji, in his natural state, still feels a bit off, so it will be interesting how he will be able to integrate into life on Utopia. Hope, now back from her journeys, is beginning to settle in and has even begun a budding romance, which is great for the development of her character. Although there was very little action, I thought this issue feels like the actual beginning of this series, even though it's actually the end of the first arc. Hope and the lights are now back with the rest of the Mutants, and they're all in as natural a state as they can be, the rest has yet to come.

Writer's Pull List 02-16-11

Hello world. For those of you that are new this here is our pull list post. Basically it is a list of all the books Matt and I(Arnab) will be reading and reviewing.

Arnab's Note: I don't really have much to say this week. Go Batman!

Matt's Note:  I'm starting to notice the lack of Children's Crusade in my life.

Arnab's List:
DC
Batman #707
Brightest Day #20
Green Lantern #62
Green Lantern Corps #57
Marvel
Generation Hope #4
S.H.I.E.L.D. #6
Uncanny X-Force #5

Matt's List: 
DC
Batman #707
Brightest Day #20
Green Lantern #62
Green Lantern Corps #57
Wonder Woman #607
Young Justice #1
Marvel
Generation Hope #4
S.H.I.E.L.D. #6
Uncanny X-Force #5

Because I'm Layla Miller. And I don't know stuff.

The Walking Dead #81 ****1/2
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist(s): Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn
Cover Artist: Charlie Adlard
Publisher: Image

The consistently impressive aspect of this book is its ability to get you to care about these characters. We've been with a handful of these characters for years now and the longer they stay alive the more we want them to stay alive. Glen and Andrea, two of my favorites from the beginning, find themselves trapped outside of the camp and or the most part, that might make them the safest of the bunch. On the inside the gate is failing and trouble is one its way. I'm starting to worry about Carl, who's stuck in a house with the remnants of a shattered family, and that could prove to be problematic. The best part of this arc is that people are never more vulnerable than when they feel safe. In all of the camps the survivors had settled in before this arc, the survivors had been on edge and never quite felt safe. However for the most part, the inhabitants of Alexandria (the current base of operations) actually felt safe. Their naive sense of the world has made them ripe for the picking.

Gashapon Reviews: February 3, 2011

"Start small," Arnab told me, so that's what I'm going to attempt to do with my review column.  I do so love blogging and being a critic, but I haven't had time.  Or at least I tell myself I haven't had time so that I don't feel like such a lout.  But it has been over six months since my last review, and that's just blatantly unacceptable.  So we are starting with a light week and hopefully riding this momentum into a regular habit.

DC

Brightest Day #19 **1/2

One Christmas when I was younger I got the Macy's Toy Catalog, and in there was this picture of Aquaman with a beard and a hook for a hand, and I thought "Wow, that's so cool!"  Here we are a decade later and I think "I really do not enjoy Brightest Day."  (No, that anecdote doesn't really matter, but I so seldom have anecdotes).  It's possible that I'm still getting over the end of Brightest Day #18, which I distinctly did not like, but that's mainly because the Hawks were the characters I really liked in this story.  I appreciate that things are ramping up as we approach issue #26, and I hope this momentum continues as we figure out what the hell is up with the White Lantern (who, by the way, is a dick).

Writer's Pull List 2/9/11

How's it going folks? Another week, another batch of comics. Last week was a tad light, but this week we're back to having a bunch of books to read and review.


Arnab's Note: Not surprisingly I've got a large amount of DC books in comparison to the rest of the publishers.

Matt's Note:  Who caught the Thor and Captain America spots during the Super Bowl?

Arnab's List:
DC
Batman and Robin #20
Birds of Prey #9
Flash #9
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #7
Red Robin #20
Thunder Agents #4
Image
The Walking Dead #81
Marvel
X-Factor #215

Matt's List:
DC
Batman and Robin #20
Birds of Prey #9
Flash #9
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #7
Justice League Generation Lost #19
Red Robin #20
Superman #708
Marvel
X-Factor #215

Baby, I'm taking this funeral party to Rumekistan!

Well, since I missed last week and since I only had one for this week I just figured I would combine the two, so here it is.

Age of X: Alpha #1 ****
Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Mirco Pierfedrici, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Carlo Barberi, and Paco Diaz
Cover Artist: Chris Bachalo and Olivier Coipel
Publisher: Marvel

For weeks now the Age of X has been looming in the distant the future, that future is here. From the very beginning of this issue, Mike Carey paints us a very grim picture of a universe without the X-Men. Instead of spending issue after issue setting up the event, this issue starts of in the middle of a war between humans and mutants. Split into four stories, the issue gives us a look into the past while also moving the story forward. The first story, focusing on Scott Summers' past, was arguably the best part of the issue. Having been forced to be the ultimate mutant executioner, Scott has grown to become nothing like the leader we know him to be. The second and third story did not make as big an impact, though I'm sure they will play a bigger role in the future. The final story sets up the basis for the resistance's inception as well as Magneto's role in this war. Overall, I thought that this was a fantastic beginning. There was just enough back story, action, and progress to keep things interesting.

Writer's Pull List 02-02-11

Hello readers. This is our pull list, which is everything that we will be reading this week.

Arnab's Note: We're a tad late this week, my bad. Yay for Deadpool and Cable!
Matt's Note: Let's see if we can't get a bit of conformity here.


Arnab's list:
DC
Brightest Day #19
Gotham City Sirens #19
Superboy #4
Time Masters Vanishing Point #6
Marvel
Deadpool and Cable #26


Matt's list:
DC
Batman Beyond #2
Brightest Day #19
Gotham City Sirens #19
Superboy #4
Marvel
Invincible Iron Man #500.1

Writer's Pull List: 01-26-11

Here it is folks, what we're reading this week.  We're always open to recommendations!

Matt's Note:  Yay Age of X!  In unexpected news, I'm really digging Generation Lost more than Brightest Day.
Arnab's Note: I'm all kinds of excited for Age of X as well. Actually, it looks like a good load of books in general.

Matt's List
American Vampire #11
Justice League Generation Lost #18
Wonder Woman #606
Age of X Alpha #1
Avengers #9
New Mutants #21
Secret Avengers #9
Uncanny X-Force #4
Uncanny X-Men #532
X-Men #7
Chew #17 (Is this even coming out? My comic store's emails are hard to read)


Arnab's List

DC

Detective Comics #873

Green Arrow #8

Teen TItans #91

Marvel

Age of X Alpha #1

Uncanny X-Force #4

Uncanny X-Men #532

X-Men #7

Vertigo

American Vampire #11

Top Cow

Artifacts #5

Maybe I've evolved into just a head…like on "Futurama".

X-Factor ***1/2
Writer: Peter David
Artist(s): Valentine De Landro and Pat Davidson
Cover Artist(s): David Yardin and Sonia Oback
Publisher: Marvel

If it was X-Factor you wanted, you didn't really get much of that this issue. However, what you did get was a pretty great issue focused on Darwin, the Immortal (or at least that's what his name should be.) After leaving team X-Factor, Darwin goes wandering in the desert trying to find himself. Instead he finds the set of an old western were an aged Rahne's son warns him of an impending Apocalypse. This issue was really good for a couple of reasons. The first being, that David was able to make a book solely about Darwin interesting. And I know that sounds like a strange comment, but let's be honest, Darwin has been pretty boring for a while. However, after his battle with Hela he's proved to be one of the most powerful mutants alive.

Writer's Pull List 01-19-11

Welcome everyone, to this week's pull list. Our opportunity to let you know what the two of us will be reading and reviewing.

Arnab's Note: If you noticed, I had no non-DC books last week. I'm back with reviews this week though.
Matt's Note:  Italics aren't priorities, so it depends on my mood and bank account.


Arnab's List: 
DC
Batman #706
Batman: Streets of Gotham #19
Brightest Day #18
Green Lantern Corps #56 
Marvel
X-Factor #214
X-Men Legacy #244

Matt's List:
Batman #706
Brightest Day #18
Green Lantern Corps #56
Young Justice #0
Invincible Iron Man #500
Scarlet #4
X-Factor #214
X-Men Legacy #244
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #40

Writer's Pull List 01-12-11

Well folks, here's our first pull list of the year. Basically, it is our chance to let you know what we will be reading and reviewing this week.

Arnab's Note: Interestingly, I only have DC books this week.
Matt's Note: A nice quite week.

Arnab's List: 
DC
Batman and Robin #19
Birds of Prey #8
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #6
Red Robin #19
Thunder Agents #3

Matt's List: 
Batman and Robin #19
Birds of Prey #8
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #6
Red Robin #19
Justice League: Generation Lost #17

I'm back, Billy. And I'm here to protect you

Avengers: Children's Crusade #4 ****1/2
Writer: Allan Heinberg
Artist(s): Jim Cheung and Mark Morales
Cover Artist(s): Jim Cheung, Justin Ponsor, and Art Adams
Publisher: Marvel

Another absolutely fantastic issue by this great creative team. In the last issue Wiccan found himself in the deadly grasp of the powerful Doom. After a brief battle, Doom overpowers Wiccan and relieves him of his powers. Meanwhile, the rest of the Young Avengers and team Maximoff rush to the aide of the young Warlock. Before they reach Doom's kingdom, the Avengers arrive just in time to screw things up. Wanda rescues Wiccan from his prison and the two of them leave the castle just in time to witness a war going on. I thought that this issue was just great and the reveal at the end was all kinds of exciting. The interaction between Wiccan and his surroundings was done well. In fact, I think Heinberg is doing a great job capturing the personalities of all the characters. The art in the issue is spectacular, to say the least. And other than the minor glitches in Marvel continuity I think this series has been fantastic.

Phoenix Lantern Corps' Best and Worst of 2010

As evidenced by my horrible posting schedule, there was not enough time this year, which might explain how it's now the end of December.  There's Hannukah and Christmas and New Years, each with their own parties and gifts and plans.  But if my blog roll is any indication, it's also time to start looking back at the last year and judge reflect all of the developments that have come.  Being nothing if not followers, we will be doing the same list, at least to the best of our abilities.  Note that this stuff is from what we read, not from all comics ever.  Let us know how we were wrong!

BEST...

New Series
Matt: Avengers: Children's Crusade, without a doubt.  Even when I'm too busy to eat, this series will get me into the comic store.  Birds of Prey is a runners up, as is S.H.I.E.L.D.
Arnab: There have been a lot of great new series' this year, but my vote definitely goes to American Vampire. The creative team have been putting out consistent, quality, exciting work since the first issue.

Avengers Children's Crusade

I'm a new vampire, though

Welcome to the New Year folks! I've got one last batch of comics from 2010 for you all. I've got a great set of books from a variety of publishers. 

Chew #16 ****
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Rob Guillory
Cover Artist: Rob Guillory
Publisher: Image

The writing that has appeared in the sky has put everyone on edge and for a change chicken is no longer a priority. Tony is in the process of tracking down a missing F.D.A. agent, Daniel Migdalo, who just happens to be voresophic. Month after month this continues to be a great book to read. Not only does it keep you on your toes and guessing, it also does an excellent job of maintaining interest and intrigue by creating depth to the characters, both old and new.

Writer's Pull List 12-22-10

Hey folks! This is our pull list for the week. Our chance to let you know what we will be reading and reviewing.  Merry Christmas everybody!

Arnab's Note: This week is a nice and diverse week for me, with regards to publishers.

Matt's Note: All I want for Christmas is a a gift card to the comics store. Italics are what I'll read but not buy. 


Arnab's List:
DC 
Batman Annual #28
Batman Incorporated #2
Batman Streets of Gotham #18
Green Lantern Corps #55
Image 
Chew #16
Marvel 
Uncanny X-Men #531
X-Men #6
X-Men Legacy #243
Top Cow 
Artifacts #4
Vertigo
 American Vampire #10 

Matt's List: 
American Vampire #10
Batman Incorporated #2
Batman Annual #28
Green Lantern Corps #55
Wonder Woman #605
Justice League Generation Lost #16
Uncanny X-Men #531
X-Men #6
X-Men Legacy #243
Invincible Iron Man #33
Secret Avengers #8

Writer's Pull List 12-15-10

So, we missed out on our pull list last week, but we're back now. For those of you not in the know, the pull list is our way of letting you all know what we will be reading and reviewing this week.

Arnab's Note: Two weeks of a low count pull list and I'm back at 10 issues this week.

Matt's Note: This is late completely because of me. New Years Resolution: Better blogging.

Arnab's List: 
DC
Batman #705
Batman and Robin #18
Batman Orphans #2
Birds of Prey #7
Brightest Day #16
Green Lantern #60
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #5
Time Masters Vanishing Point #5
Marvel
Uncanny X-Force #3
X-Factor #212

Matt's List:
Batman and Robin #18
Batman #705
Birds of Prey #7
Brightest Day #16
Green Lantern #60
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #5
Superman #706
Uncanny X-Force #3
X-Factor #212

Head to the moon and you'll find the cheese

So this week we've got Marvel's two best X-titles.

Uncanny X-Force #3 ****
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Jerome Opena
Cover Artist: Esad Ribic
Publisher: Marvel

First up is the relatively new series, Uncanny X-Force. From the get go the creative team has done an excellent job with this series. This issue starts off with the X-Force continuing to get beat down by the new Horsemen. While Wolverine is nearly killed, Fantomex and Betsy are able to use their telepathy to confuse and distract the horsemen long enough to keep everyone alive. Meanwhile, Angel is on the verge of death himself and without a nifty healing mutation he is left with Deadpool taking care of him. The writing in this series is just great. The characters are depicted in a manner that is true to their history as well as with just a bit of an edge, that would one would expect from a covert team. We also get a nice dose of humor, from the likes of Deadpool and Fantomex especially, in an otherwise dark series. The art continues to please with its unique and beautiful style.

I was held back once. First grade. Terrible Trauma.

So I missed out on two weeks of reviews, but since I had no reviews for the blog last week, I figured today would be a great day to catch up.

American Vampire #9 *****
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Rafael Albuquerque and Mateus Santolouco
Cover Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
Publisher: Vertigo

The end of the second arc comes to a fantastic end in this issue. The vampire killers, the vampires, and Skinner Sweet all make their move and in the end it is Cashel who is left to pick up the pieces. By this point it is clear that Snyder is able to create a vampire story that is not only fresh, but exciting from issue to issue. The league of vampires going around killing off other vampire cults is a nice juxtaposition to the vampire killers who are going around killing all vampires. Skinner Sweet reveals himself to be the ultimate badass in this issue, breaking his deal with the vampire league, then double crossing Cashel's father, and finally reaping his revenge on Cashel's unborn child. This story is consistently intelligent, fresh, and exciting. The art continues to be outstanding on Rafael Albuquerque's part as well as newcomer Mateus Santolouco. Essentially, this is a must read book.  

Writer's Pull List: 12-1-10

Hey folks, this is our pull list. It's a sneak preview of the books that we will be reading this week.

Arnab's Note: This is the smallest pull I've had in weeks, which is great because of the sheer amount of work I have right now. 

Matt's Note: I don't really have a note right now, short of Happy Holidays!

Arnab's List:
DC
Batman 80 Page Giant 2010
Batman Orphans #1
Brightest Day #15
Marvel
Generation #2
Vertigo
American Vampire #9

Matt's List:
American Vampire #9
Batman 80-page Giant 2010
Brightest Day #15
Generation Hope #2
Buffy #39