Brave New Worlds

First, there was a lot of good stuff out this week. And in order to stay sane and not write something about everything, I decided to choose three books that I “really” liked this week. Jump for my picks.

Batman #700

Grant Morrison (w), Various (a)

Man Love I know, I know, this marks the third-straight Morrison release I am gushing about, but it is truly worth it. I am going to start wearing my I heart Grant Morrison t-shirt for now on.

Laws of Physics I love a good time-travel story. And while this one is not the classic in the sense that the main character travels through time, the story definitely does, and Morrison’s quirkiness pays huge dividends with this anniversary issue.

Epic Storytelling This anniversary tale was all about Batman’s legacy, and what better way than to show the story through several different Batman eyes – Bruce, Dick, Damian and even Terry and beyond.

Pictures Say a Thousand Words Loved the combined efforts of all the artists. Frank Quietly, Andy Kubert, David Finch and even that Tony Daniel all put in huge efforts. There is usually a disconnect with so many artists on an anniversary book, but each took their part and drew to perfection.

Final Thought Golden Age Riddle and Catwoman. ‘Nuff said

Avengers Academy #1

Christos Gage (w), Mike McKone (a)

Fool Me Twice For the second-straight week I picked up a book that I believed had no business being good, and was pleasantly surprised with what I read. This Heroic Age does not equal a revert to old-time storytelling.

New Characters Generally when a new book launches with new characters we are usually thrust right into introductions that generally show the characters super powers and dysfunction. I guess this is supposed to make us care. Does not always work. Gage however takes a slightly different approach, a human one and it hits a home run (that’s baseball for those of us not into the sports).

All Messed Up This new Heroic Age is showing the human side of our characters, warts and all. Yes, the heroes are back in charge, but there is an aftermath from Norman’s reign and the stories are telling the tales of that clean up. It’s awesome.

Best New Character For me, it was Veil, who incidentally the store begins through her eyes. Love her ability of turning into a gas, and can not wait to see what else she can do. There have been other characters with similar abilities (New X-Men’s Dust), but Veil might be more fleshed (no pun intended) out in the end.

Deadpool Wade Wilson’s War #1

Duane Swierczynski (w), Jason Pearson (a)

Man Crush Part 2 I am a little bias when it comes to Swierczynski’s stuff, not just because he is a nice guy, but because he has the writing chops. That being said, I so do not enjoy reading Deadpool, but Duane made me care once again about character I could care less about.

Supporting Cast Bullseye, Silver Sable and Domino. And just what the heck is going on with Domino – can’t wait to find out.

Boot Imprint Not sure if kudos should go to Pearson or Duane, but there is this one scene where Deadpool is testifying at a Senate hearing with his feet up on the table – and on the bottom of his boots where the manufacturer logo would go, there is a fat ol’ FU. Sweet touch.

Honorable Mention This Week Daredevil was awesome, tying up the latest story arc as it heads into Shadowland. Uncanny X-Men is the latest chapter in Second Coming as events unfold at a frenetic pace with a nice reveal about Hope and some great cameos. Also X-Men Hellbound gets into the meat of the story in the search for Magic. Not sure if she or these other characters will become players again in this battle, but it is a fun ride.

Comics come out tomorrow. Let’s look two books I am pretty darn sure I will end up reading…Hit the jump

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Starting June 7th, all booster packs of Russian or Spanish Magic: the Gathering cards are now priced to sell at $2.99 each!  These are normally priced at $4.99 per booster, so stop in and check out our selection.  Current sets include Morningtide, Shadowmoor, Time Spiral, Dissension, Planar Chaos, 9th edition, and 10th edition.

Highly-anticipated issues and some new young blood litter the new release wall this Wednesday in the Spotlight. Jump for all the details.

Avengers Academy #1

Christos Gage (w), Mike McKone (p)

Think Professor Xavier’s Institute, except run by Hank Pym and for the next generation of Avengers.

Batman #700

Grant Morrison (w), Various (a)

Continuing to tie into the Return of Bruce Wayne, Morrison returns to the bat’s self-titled book with stories from different eras of Batmen.

Deadpool Wade Wilson’s War #1 (of 4)

Duane Swierczynski (w), Jason Pearson (a)

Our buddy Duane Swierczynski is back spinning yarns at Marvel – this one is about everyone’s favorite merc with a mouth and promises answers, answers and more answers.

Nemesis #2 (of 4)

Mark Millar (w), Steve McNiven (a)

Issue two of the brand-new mini-series from the mind that brought you Kick Ass, Ultimates and Wanted. Nemesis continues to enjoy the sights of our nation’s capitol as the chief of police has some ideas on how to stop him – interesting.

Shield #2

Jonathan Hickman (w), Dustin Weaver (a)

Hickman’s revelations of the birth of the Marvel Universe continue. Find out just what Leonardo DaVinci, Galileo and Isaac Newton did to save us all, and how many times they did so.

Young Allies #1

Sean McKeever (w), David Baldeon (p)

Finding a home for some of Marvel’s wayward heroes, they battle the Bastards of Evil is issue one – EPIC!

Hellboy TP Volume 10 Crooked Man and Others

Various (w), Various (a)

Collects Mike Mignola’s Eisner-Award winning Crooked Man. Also includes rare “They Who Go Down to the Sea in Ships” by Mignola and Joshua Dysart, “In the Chapel of Moloch” and 2008 Free Comic Book Day tale “The Mole.”  Also includes artist sketchbook.

Irredeemable TP Volume 3

Mark Waid (w), Peter Krause (a)

Collects issues #9-12. The hunt may be over, but ultimate chaos is still at hand – bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Neil Young’s Greendale HC

Joshua Dysart (w), Cliff Chiang (a)

One of Neil Young’s (Yes, that Neil Young) most personal albums is brought to Vertigo in a graphic novel that explores a new dimension to the former Album of the Year award-winner.

Spider-Man Return of the Black Cat TP

Various (w), Various (a)

Latest chapter in Spidey’s Brand New Day, Black Cat returns as Mary Jane attempts to mend a broken relationship. Collects Amazing Spider-Man #606-611 and material from Web of Spider-Man #1.

Less than a week later there are new comics again! Gotta love more comics in less time!!! Hit the jump to see what’s out this week!…

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My internet-ing has been a little slack this week. I blame the whole shipping schedule changing the work schedule effect causing these changes. Hit the jump to see how I get back on track with A Character To Learn More About…

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Hawkeye & Mockingbird #1

Jim McCann (w), David Lopez, Alvaro Lopez (a)

The Cold Open Page one opens with a chase and in the bottom panel just sneaking in is the arm of Hawkeye, bow cocked, ready for action. And action is what we get as the book opens with Hawkeye and Mockingbird in pursuit of some evil doers. It’s a nice way to start a book.

New WCA Like a fool, I of course thought the new WCA was short for West Coast Avengers. I was wrong. W.C.A. is actually the World Counterterrorism Agency (D’oh) which Mockingbird is running with some old S.H.I.E.L.D. agents (but of course). It seems ol’Mockie has some issues with being an Avenger.

Everything Old is New Again While giving the duo a fresh start, McCann still manages to play in the mind that is Bobbi Morse and the damage the character has suffered over the years. Case in point, bring back Crossfire to cause some issues and then throw in a sibling of Slade and watch the hilarity ensue.

Going Mental Seeing Jaime Slade brings back memories Mockingbird is only too eager to bury. That’s not going to end well. However, to get a glimpse into her broken world, flip to page 14 and check out what the Lopez brothers drew. Probably my favorite panel of the week.

Dominic Fortune To all those who wondered if Howard Chaykin ruined this character’s reputation (kidding), he resurfaces as a part of Morse’s new squad. And he seems like a dirt bag. I like him.

Adventure Comics #12

Paul Levitz (w), Kevin Sharpe, Marlo Alquiza, Marc Deering (a)

Kicking it Old School If Levitz name on the cover as author was not enough of a giveaway, then “Superboy and the Legion of Super-heroes” written on the bottom should have revealed all as this title has now turned into tales of yesterday.

It’s Unique With two monthly Legion titles now and with Levitz penning both of them, it’s nice to see two different books running in Adventure and Legion. Legion appears to be happening in the now while Adventure takes advantage of the book’s roots and goes back to Superboy’s early days in the Legion.

Lost Episode of Smallville This issue did feel like a lost episode of the long-running television show, the earlier seasons not the current run. Levitz does a nice job revisiting the characters and Sharpe’s pencils tell a nice story.

Legion of Sluts! Kidding. But it is funny to see how many of the Legion’s ladies are swooning all over Clark in that funny suit of his.

Red Robin #13

Fabian Nicieza (w), Marcus To, Ray McCarthy (a)

New Mission This book so did not feel like a bat-title when I opened to the first page. Everyone was smiling and happy, and in uniform. If Bruce was really dead he would be turning in his grave. But it was definitely a nice change for the character.

New Gotham Order With Dick and Damian on one mission, Tim goes on another to take down Lynx and her attempts to lift her Golden Dragons to prominence and fill the void from the gang truce that Drake has forged in previous issues.

To Elope or Not To Elope? Remember a couple of issues back when Vicki Vale conned Lucius Fox’s daughter, Tam, about her relationship with Tim. Well some of consequences of her reveal are dealt with in this issue.

Not Who We Think She Is? Of course it would be too easy for life to go smoothly in Tim’s new world. Lynx has a reveal, but even more interesting is his response to what she has to say. And what is the deal with that last panel? Hopefully issue #14 has some answers.

Superman/Batman Annual #4

Paul Levitz (w), Renato Guedes, Jose Wilson (a)

Is It Just Me? Or has Levitz become the new go-to guy at DC writing every other title? Whatever is going on, this week he had his mojo because both titles he wrote hit this list. Maybe he is drinking some of Brian Michael Bendis’ kool-aid?

No Expectations Seriously, I had none coming into this issue. But every time I read a panel with Terry McGinnis dialogue I could not help hearing Will Friedle in my head. Call it nostalgia, but this issue really worked well for me.

The Future’s So Bright – NOT! Wow, I so did not see Metropolis falling apart this way. It was an interesting decision and mix to get future Supes into the book, and I liked all the twists.

Last Thought Yes, this issue got me and is now part of my collection. Damn you Levitz!

Joker’s Asylum II The Riddler

Peter Calloway (w), Andres Guinaldo, Paul Fernandez (a)

Arkham Revisited The latest Joker’s Asylum has seemed to recapture the same verve as the first series, with a witty Joker narrating a tale of one his pals. For a one-shot, Calloway does a terrific job of writing an interesting story that builds a mystery that one would expect from the Riddler, but not in the way we are used to.

Why Did It Have to be Snakes? Sorry, had an Indiana Jones moment there. Replace snakes with women and now you understand Ed Nigma’s pain in the issue, to the utter delight of Mr. J – ‘natch.

Riddle Me This Reader Yes, there is a riddle for the readers in this one that I did not figure out. Granted I am motoring through the read pile so the answer was not that obvious to me and will warrant a second read-through. The real question is, who was that mysterious player that gave the Riddler what he wanted, therefore getting what they wanted? Confused, read the issue.

Due to another pesky holiday on Monday comics will be out tomorrow (thursday). Let’s take a look at a few of these books, shall we…

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Will you sway the tide of battle?

Imperial Worlds in the Galactic South are caught in the crossfire between Saim Hann Elder and the Orks of Octavius.  The forces of the Imperium unite to defend the embattled planets from the aliens.

This is where you come in.

Come out to Brave New Worlds Willow Grove on Saturday, July 10 for a special Warhammer 40K tournament all-day long (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.).  Open gaming and painting will be available, with additional entertainment and contests.  Prizes available for all participants and spectators!  All are welcome! Only 1 Spot Remaining, Contact Dave Immediately to Register.

There is a participant fee $15.

What You Will Need Registration Fee ($15), Your Army (2-Color Minimal Painted), Six- Copies of Army Roster, Dice and Most Recent Army Codex.

You May Also Want Tape Measure, Templates, Objective Markers and Additional Figures.

Spectators will be welcome to participate in a “speed painting” competition for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place prizes.

Participants will wage war in short campaign based tournament which will last for Three Sessions.

Sessions broken up into three (3) 850-point battles and three (3) 200-point kill team battles.  Each 850-point battle will last one (1) hour, each kill team battle 30 minutes.  Battles not concluded at expiration of time limit will end immediately and victory points counted.

Scoring cards also provided.

E-Mail Dave with questions.