So…
I realized that I haven't really explained what I read week-in and week-out to the one or two readers of this blog. If you're interested, these are the comics that I pick up at my local store. And here are a few reasons why you should check them out.
Age of Ultron
![]()
So this is a limited series, and let me be frank. It's not living up to its expectations. The art has been all over the place and Brian Michael Bendis has been doing his famous "slow-burn." The first four issues were incredibly plot-less. It picked up at five and has gone to plaid since. There are only three issues left until this limited series is finished. So here's what I say… If you're interested in a Marvel event that's supposed to "define" the shape of things to come, pick it up. If you're interested in seeing Joe Quesada back on the pencils (for #10), pick it up. If you like seeing loads of people die and inevitably come back to life by it's conclusion, pick Age of Ultron up. It started to get good halfway through, but truthfully, it's faltered again. Here's hoping the next issue blows my mind.
Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time
![]()
Okay, seriously, this limited series is freaking awesome. As usual, IDW continues to impress me and show me why they are one of the best comic book publishers around. They know how to appeal to their Doctor Who fans (and how to make money doing it), and therefore, they have released this series during the show's 50th anniversary year. What's cool about DW: PoT is that each issue features its respective Doctor fighting random Who baddies. For instance, the fourth issue features Tom Baker's Four fighting the Judoon from the modern Who. It's good fun and usually reads and looks wonderful. I'm hoping that the 12th issue will feature all of the Doctors together. Anywho, read this if you are a Whovian and enjoy the comics. And if you're a fan of the show but haven't seen any of the classics, this is the perfect place to start. I highly recommend this comic.
Guardians of the Galaxy
![]()
This is one of the best comics being released today. Brian Michael Bendis proves in this series just what he can do with a cast of characters and, believe you me, it's a grand ol' time. Basically, Guardians of the Galaxy is a space romp that places like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica all rolled into one. The cast of characters rocks and though it's only three issues in (including the #0.1), it has really gotten me excited. If this isn't on your pull list, you're crazy. What better time to fall for Cosmic Marvel than now (especially since there will be a movie coming soon)!
![]()
Iron Man
I mean, this was basically a given. If you read this blog, you know I'm a Shellhead. So let me be perfectly honest. The new Iron Man series hasn't really impressed me so far. The first arc was meh. The second arc was sort of interesting. Hopefully this new "The Secret Origin of Tony Stark" story arc will keep my attention (and so far it has). The problem with this series is NOT Kieron Gillen… it's Greg Land. His art isn't "bad," it's just not good enough to be in an Iron Man mag. The last issue though (#9), was drawn by a different person and it was absolutely stunning. I still recommend you pick up this series. It looks to be finally picking up. And it's Iron Man, forgoodnesssake.
![]()
Iron Man 258.1-.4
Huh? What the heck is this? Welp, ever read Iron Man's Armor Wars II storyline? The tag team of David Michelinie and Bob Layton are returning to Iron Man for this mini-series that tells an untold story between issues 258 and 259 of Vol. 1. If you prefer Tony's blue hair, the mullet, and technology from 1990, then this is the series for you. It's short (sad to say), but it has the Dynamic Duo of Iron Man putting it together. So pick it up!
New Avengers
![]()
You know, I picked this up one day because I saw that it was bringing the Illuminati (a Marvel "team") back. And it's turned into so much more. This series has beautiful artwork and dialogue. If you prefer a slower-paced story (with a big build-up, unlike Age of Ultron), then pull this series. New Avengers features an awesome cast of characters and is seriously one of the most interesting comic books I've ever read. It's gotten rave reviews with every issue released thus far. You're doing a disservice to yourself and to your eyeballs if you aren't reading this.
Nightwing
![]()
Yep… a DC Comics series. Don't stone me yet. I was always a big fan of Nightwing and Injustice: Gods Among Us managed to make me buy the comic. I got the whole series so far for a heck of a deal and I went through all 19 issues released in two days. This series is violent, smart, and relatable. Dick Grayson is a great character and his series is, too. The art is beautiful and the writing is sharp. The only problem with DC is that they like to do crossover comics. That's not necessarily a problem, but crossovers suck because you end up having to buy other series to fill in the gaps of the story. For instance, Nightwing has been a part of two crossover events already, Night of the Owls and Death of the Family. One of Nightwing's Death of the Family issues finished with "Continued in Batman…" I really hate that. Luckily, Marvel has pushed away from this since the 90s (they were AWFUL)… but DC seems to still love to do this. I don't love DC enough to start pulling Batman, too… but Nightwing is a must-read for any fans of this acrobatic superhero. Check it out.
I realized that I haven't really explained what I read week-in and week-out to the one or two readers of this blog. If you're interested, these are the comics that I pick up at my local store. And here are a few reasons why you should check them out.
Age of Ultron
Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time
Okay, seriously, this limited series is freaking awesome. As usual, IDW continues to impress me and show me why they are one of the best comic book publishers around. They know how to appeal to their Doctor Who fans (and how to make money doing it), and therefore, they have released this series during the show's 50th anniversary year. What's cool about DW: PoT is that each issue features its respective Doctor fighting random Who baddies. For instance, the fourth issue features Tom Baker's Four fighting the Judoon from the modern Who. It's good fun and usually reads and looks wonderful. I'm hoping that the 12th issue will feature all of the Doctors together. Anywho, read this if you are a Whovian and enjoy the comics. And if you're a fan of the show but haven't seen any of the classics, this is the perfect place to start. I highly recommend this comic.Guardians of the Galaxy
Iron Man
I mean, this was basically a given. If you read this blog, you know I'm a Shellhead. So let me be perfectly honest. The new Iron Man series hasn't really impressed me so far. The first arc was meh. The second arc was sort of interesting. Hopefully this new "The Secret Origin of Tony Stark" story arc will keep my attention (and so far it has). The problem with this series is NOT Kieron Gillen… it's Greg Land. His art isn't "bad," it's just not good enough to be in an Iron Man mag. The last issue though (#9), was drawn by a different person and it was absolutely stunning. I still recommend you pick up this series. It looks to be finally picking up. And it's Iron Man, forgoodnesssake.
Iron Man 258.1-.4Huh? What the heck is this? Welp, ever read Iron Man's Armor Wars II storyline? The tag team of David Michelinie and Bob Layton are returning to Iron Man for this mini-series that tells an untold story between issues 258 and 259 of Vol. 1. If you prefer Tony's blue hair, the mullet, and technology from 1990, then this is the series for you. It's short (sad to say), but it has the Dynamic Duo of Iron Man putting it together. So pick it up!
New Avengers
You know, I picked this up one day because I saw that it was bringing the Illuminati (a Marvel "team") back. And it's turned into so much more. This series has beautiful artwork and dialogue. If you prefer a slower-paced story (with a big build-up, unlike Age of Ultron), then pull this series. New Avengers features an awesome cast of characters and is seriously one of the most interesting comic books I've ever read. It's gotten rave reviews with every issue released thus far. You're doing a disservice to yourself and to your eyeballs if you aren't reading this.Nightwing
Yep… a DC Comics series. Don't stone me yet. I was always a big fan of Nightwing and Injustice: Gods Among Us managed to make me buy the comic. I got the whole series so far for a heck of a deal and I went through all 19 issues released in two days. This series is violent, smart, and relatable. Dick Grayson is a great character and his series is, too. The art is beautiful and the writing is sharp. The only problem with DC is that they like to do crossover comics. That's not necessarily a problem, but crossovers suck because you end up having to buy other series to fill in the gaps of the story. For instance, Nightwing has been a part of two crossover events already, Night of the Owls and Death of the Family. One of Nightwing's Death of the Family issues finished with "Continued in Batman…" I really hate that. Luckily, Marvel has pushed away from this since the 90s (they were AWFUL)… but DC seems to still love to do this. I don't love DC enough to start pulling Batman, too… but Nightwing is a must-read for any fans of this acrobatic superhero. Check it out.