Brave New Worlds

Brave these  blizzard like conditions tonight and help support some local comic artists and illustrators down in Old City. Also Jason Aaron (writer of Scalped and Wolverine) quit Alan Moore.

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Avengers Children’s Crusade #4

Allan Heinberg (w) Jim Cheung, Mark Morales (a)

I have said this before (in this very column) and will say it again, Avengers Children’s Crusade is hands down the very best title Marvel is producing right now. I loved this past issue, with Heinberg’s nod to Marvel’s old school stories in the beginning. Not even at the halfway point of it’s nine-issue run, each issue leaves you clamoring for more and is chock full of super-hero goodness. Don’t want to give anything away, nut we do learn a little bit about whether or not Doom’s bride to be is actually who we think (and hope) is it. And Heinberg is also writing Doom with such a zeal that I wish that is all he wrote, all Doom all the time (and I am sure that character would agree as well).

Steel #1 Reign of Doomsday

Steve Lyons (w) Ed Benes (a)

Doomsday back, and dude I don’t think anyone is going to be able to stop him. But at least we have characters who will try as in the title-character of this issue. I headed in not wanting to like this, but found myself compelled by Lyons’ story and Irons monologue that ran throughout the entire issue. I think the Reign of Doomsday which continues in Outsiders next week looks to be a promising winter tale.

Ultimate Comics Captain America #1

Jason Aaron (w) Ron Garney (a)

In Jason Aaron I Trust. This is another title I did not have high expectations for this week, and once again was pleasantly surprised. Aaron is writing Steve Rogers a little harsh in this book, but the book’s premise is an interesting one, having Rogers face the Captain America of the Vietnam War, and just wait to see who that is.

Generation Hope #3

Kieron Gillen (w) Salvador Espin (a)

There’s a moment in this issue, which really closes the door on the opening arc of the title, that Hope tells Cyclops to let her be the Messiah. I thought this was a really interesting moment for her character, Cyclops and the book. While our one-eyed friend has been touting her savior-like qualities, Hope has never really accepted this role. It was an interesting turn of events and really sparked the story for me.

2011’s First Friday Season gets kicked off with South Philly’s own South Fellini Studio’s first group show here at Brave New Worlds Old City! Come check out the art and meet the artists this friday night. Hit the jump for more details…

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Batman The Dark Knight #1

David Finch (w/a) Scott Williams (a)

When a comic artist decides they want to write, a lot of times it comes off like an actor that wants to sing. More often than not you get Eddie Murphy’s Party All the Time. However, that is SO NOT THE CASE with Finch’s first effort as an author as I found Batman The Dark Knight #1 very entertaining. The art is Finch’s usual awesomeness and enough of a reason to pick up the inaugural issue of this new Batman title. But the story is sweet as well, as Finch interweaves a couple of different story points/mysteries that had me wanting more at the end, i.e. I did not want this issue to end.

Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #4

Jason Aaron (w) Adam Kubert, Mark Roslan (a)

We are at the halfway point with this six-issue mini-series and wait until you see the last page. The reveal of the mechanic who has been pulling all the strings since issue number one is none other than … (well of course I am not going to tell you, but I can let you know that I did not see this one coming). Along the way its the usual fun with the time-traveling comedy team of Spider-Man and Wolverine. Plus, besides our big bad we also get a look at some literal crusaders and a new dynamic duo. All this for four bucks is a STEAL!

Daken Dark Wolverine #4

Daniel Way, Marjorie Liu (w) Giuseppe Camuncoli, Onofrio Catacchio (a)

Last issue saw the return of the Fantastic Four just in time to watch Daken die. Of course he’s not dead, first this is comic books we are talking about and second, he is the main character of this title. That being said, there is a little bit of a mystery surrounding an infiltrator in the Baxter Building. You probably know who this mystery man is, but it’s the aftermath that is the fun. Way and Liu seem to be having such a large time writing this title which is so seductive and manipulative. I can’t stop myself from loving this book.

Ultimate Thor #3

Jonathan Hickman (w) Carlos Pacheco, Dexter Vines (a)

I love a good time travel story. Check. Anytime you couple Nazi’s and mystical artifacts, a good time should be had. Check and check again. Add those fun items to the fact that it is Hickman writing the tale and Ultimate Thor is the bomb (as in boom goes the dynamite!). Dad (who looks an awful lot like Sir Anthony Hopkins (fava beans anyone?) gets to kick some butt and take out one of his offspring in the process (I wonder which one?). After years of questions about who Ultimate Thor really is, answers are coming in  bunchs, as in apples from the tree of Asgard.

What If #200

What If’s are usually hit or miss for me, and probably all of you as well. Generally Marvel releases them like celebrity deaths – in bunches with number 200 being the third in three weeks. Since it’s a milestone, we get three different tales. The first a What If? Siege story by Marc Guggenheim is a pretty interesting take on an alternate ending of the battle of Asgard. As is the case too often with these stories now, it moves and ends too quickly. As an added bonus, Stan Lee returns with an all-new What If the Watcher Killed Galactus? revisiting his classic first Silver Surfer-Galactus tale from Fantastic Four #48-50. But wait there’s more (you get these great steak knives; kidding) as What If #35, what if Elektra Had Lived is also reprinted in this issue – with Frank Miller revisiting his classic tale as well. A bargain at $5!

Batman Beyond #1

Adam Beechen (w) Ryan Benjamin, John Stanisci (a)

Turns out you loved the six-issue mini-series that just ended so the Powers That Be at DC said you know what, we are going to give you more. And more as in a regular ongoing series. So, because you demanded it, Batman Beyond #1, now on-sale monthly.

Ultimate Comics Captain America #1 (of 4)

Jason Aaron (w) Ron Garney (a)

It’s another Ultimate origin book from the folks at Marvel, just in time for the next film to come out. Captain America meets his nemesis, and it turns out its a Captain America from the Vietnam War. Who knew? Well since it’s Aaron at the helm, this should be a good read.

Invincible Iron Man TP Volume 4 Stark Disassembled

Matt Fraction (w) Salvador Larroca (a)

Tony Stark is dead (sort of). Long live Tony Stark. Fraction’s Eisner Award-winning arc comes to an end as Iron Man gets by with a little help from his friends. Collecting Invincible Iron Man #20-24.

DC Universe Online Statue Batman

This Jim Lee inspired statue is part of a brand-new statue series from DC in anticipation of the release of the DC Universe Online game. Also out this week is Catwoman. These are limited edition collectibles.

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First New Comics of the new year. Check ’em out! Read the rest of this entry »