What I'm Currently Collecting (And You Should, Too!)

I know I'm really awful about posting on this blog, okay? I know that you that read this blog for my politicking could (mostly) care less about what I have to say regarding video games or comic books. But it's the summer, mkay? This is my vacation time. I want to spend it vacationing. Not ranting to you all about how our government is continuing to screw up. Don't worry, I don't spend all of my time nerding out. I pay attention to the news very closely. For instance, the House today refusing to drop the NSA spying… Disappointing me a bit there, GOP.

Anyway, what I want to talk about today is a brief (very long) overview of the comics that I subscribe to (and am planning to in the future). I probably did this before, but all of these comics are incredibly awesome. You really should pick these up. So we'll start off alphabetically.

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Clik here to view.Heard of this series before? If you haven't, I'm surprised. Kurt Busiek is a comic book genius among geniuses. I might be a little biased because he expertly brought Iron Man back from the grave in Volume 3. But everything he writes seems to turn to gold. Astro City is no exception. So, basic premise. Superheroes are real. They live all over the world. But quite a few are centered around Astro City, named after one of the world's first superheroes. Great, another superhero comic… so why should you read it? Well, it literally turns the genre on its head. You see, Astro City has some superhero stories, sure. But most of the stories are told from the point-of-view of the average man on the street. And that's what makes this series special. Not only that, but in a world of superheroes, Busiek makes me want to know what John Q. Public has to say about the world he lives in. Even better for you, this series is almost "anthology-based." Each issue can mostly stand on its own. Sure, there are a few issues that follow a story arc every now and then, but overall, Astro City is one of the most accessible comics I have read in a long time. Besides the current volume, I've managed to collect the older Astro City: Local Heroes miniseries. Check out the current series and find the older ones in the back issue bins. And thanks for visiting Astro City. Come again soon.

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Clik here to view.Um… what? I know what you're thinking. "Christian, why would I ever want to collect a comic based off of that God-awful (incredible) campy, Batman show?"Well, my minions, glad you asked. Because this comic just came out, but let me tell you this: It. Is. Amazing. You probably think I say that about everything. Not necessarily true. I just have good taste, methinks. But I have never laughed harder at a comic or enjoyed one so much as I have with the first issue of Batman '66. Just like the old show, this comic has camp, great dialogue, and great POW!s. Cesar Romero's Joker even has his mustache. Frank Gorshin's Riddler is just as corny. Let me be honest with you. This is the first Batman comic I have ever collected. I know that might be a shock, but I've never been a fan of the Caped Crusader's comics over the years. This is one I could easily collect for years. Even better, if you want to follow the adventures of Bruce Wayne and his youthful ward, Dick Grayson, this comic is part of DC's excellent "Digital-First" initiative. Each week, you can buy a part of the comic for $1. Once the parts are complete, you can buy it in paper for $3.99. You save a buck reading it digitally, but if you're like me, why not spend the coin and keep the thing for life. Anticipating the Shark Repellent Bat-Spray, this comic is a must in my pull list. Holy Batman '66, old chum! This should be in your hands!

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Clik here to view.If you haven't heard of Doctor Who, do yourself a favor and watch "Blink," the episode everyone seems to refer to when grading the show. If you're still not a fan, shoot yourself in the foot. Just kidding, but seriously. Do it. The show is incredible, and no, I'm not a hipster Whovian. I've watched as many classic-era episodes as I could get my grubby Gallifreyan hands on (which is quite a lot). I own a Tenth Doctor cosplay, a sonic screwdriver, a mug, magnets, and my girlfriend even got me a TARDIS bathrobe. So there, now that I'm done establishing my Who cred, can I tell y'all about this comic miniseries? In case you haven't heard, this year is the 50th anniversary of the long-running sci-fi show. To celebrate, IDW is in the process of releasing a 12-issue miniseries chronicling the adventures of our wayward Time Lord, The Doctor. Each issue revolves around its respective Doctor. For instance, as you can see, issue #4 is centered on Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor. While I can't say that this series is phenomenal, I can tell you that it is a hoot. And even better, it's great to see some classic Doctors (so far) mix up with modern enemies (and vice-versa). While the plots early on were weak, they have definitely thickened to the point that I'm really looking forward to the inevitable battle royale amongst the Doctors. Though, I doubt they'll be as good as the 50th Anniversary Special, hmmm? Anyway, if you're a Whovian and comic reader, pick up this series. If you're not, ditch it. You probably won't enjoy it as much and there are truthfully better comics out there to read. BUT I LOVE IT! :D

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Clik here to view.You might've heard of this title recently? Have you? Maybe because Marvel is headlining a movie called Guardians of the Galaxy starring FBI AGENT BURT MACKLIN, AKA CHRIS PRATT, AS STAR LORD. Wooh. Glad I got that out. Anywho, this is currently my favorite Marvel series being released right now. And for good reason. It's a sci-fi space opera with just enough action to rock. Oh, and there's a talking raccoon. And a tree. And Star Lord just rocks. And Drax. And Gamora. Oh, and Iron Man's even an honorary member! Enough fangirling, sorry. This comic is up to issue #4 now, and issue #5 introduces Neil Gaiman's Angela to the Marvel Universe. Excited for that. But for real, if you want a comic series that is fun, quirky, and just a lot cosmic, Guardians of the Galaxy is where you'll find your thrills. Blam! Murdered you. 

Now buy it already.

Here's another series that hasn't been released yet. Mostly. Besides the Free Comic Book Day preview, Marvel's event of the year (Age of Ultron DOESN'T count), Infinity, is sure to bring a lot of thrills. This Marvel crossover event is going to be cosmic in nature, and revolve around Thanos, the Guardians, the Avengers, and the Inhumans (who are sure to play a big part). I can tell you next to nothing about this event, as Marvel is holding most of their cards close to their chests. But if you want a preview, pick up the FCBD issue (probs have to pay for it now), or collect Avengers and New Avengers, as the current issues are preludes to Infinity. In fact, New Avengers #8, released today, basically saw the arrival of Thanos' peeps on Earth. Cannot wait for this miniseries. Here's hoping it's on par with Operation Galactic Storm. It was a good miniseries, okay?!?! Sheesh.

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Clik here to view.This series isn't out either. And if you can't tell by the name, it's a miniseries tie in to the Infinity miniseries. So why am I reading a heist book by Marvel comics? Welp, because it stars Iron Man's rogues gallery. More specifically, Spymaster, my favorite Marvel villain. Oh yeah, Blizzard, Whiplash, Titanium Man, and UNICORN, among others, will be present, too. Yes, UNICORN. Last we saw of him, he was walking into the ocean. So seriously, I'm glad there's a miniseries taking place during Infinity starring my favorite hero's rogues gallery. He's sure to be present, too. He's defending Earth during the Infinity event, whilst the rest of the Avengers are off galavanting around the galaxy. So yeah. Infinity Heist. Pick it up if you want to see more Spymaster. 

And Unicorn.

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Clik here to view.Who didn't see this one coming? Of course I'm still collecting Iron Man's Marvel NOW! series. But let me be honest with you… it's kinda sorta subpar at the moment. Why, you ask? Well, Kieron Gillen is great, don't get me wrong. But Greg Land is SCREWING UP THIS SERIES. It's just not the way Iron Man is supposed to be drawn. It's wooden and bland. I loved when Dale Eaglesham took over for a few issues during the The Secret Origin of Tony Stark storyline (which is still going on), but crap, as of the issue released last week, Land is back. And it's a bummer. I'm not sure I like the direction they're taking Tony, my favorite Marvel hero. But if they screw it up, he's always a retcon away to being back to normal. Here's hoping they don't screw it up. Anyway, pick up Iron Man for the action and storytelling. The issues involving his father, Howard, are especially good. It's not a bad series, per say. It's just not the best… which it should be. Because he's Iron Man.

Drokk you, creep. You should be reading this comic if you aren't. And you probably aren't, because it's getting bad sales. But overall, it's a good comic series. Actually, it's great. If you haven't seen last year's Dredd, I recommend watching that movie, because Karl Urban is incredible in it. Then, pick up this comic series by IDW. It's violent, gritty, and has the greatest dark humor. It's also one of the few comic book series out there with a backup story each issue that relates to the main storyline. Issue #8's backup story ends up involving a character that later appears in issue #9, something I wasn't expecting, as he just seemed to be a random guy. Seriously, though. This is what I would call a mature series. Not too much language, besides "drokk." But it's very violent and gritty. And the main character is a fascist, so there's that. But get Judge Dredd while it's hot. It hasn't gone to second printing and probably won't. So find it and buy it. It's worth a read just to check out this future wasteland known as Mega City-One and its Cursed Earth. AND WATCH THE MOVIE ALREADY.

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Clik here to view.Not much to say here. Recently released so I'm sure you'll be able to find a copy, Judge Dredd Classics is a new series reprinting the old black-and-white Dredd comic strips found in 2000AD in color. Yes, I know that sentence was very oxymoronic in nature. But I'm a sucker for old comic strips and the Judge Dredd ones are golden. Collecting the beginning of the Apocalpyse Wars storyline, this is the perfect jumping-on-point for classic Dredd. If you want to see what these comics are like, pick up the Free Comic Book Day one by IDW (if you can find it) involving the first appearance of Judge Death. What a great series. And for $3.99, you can't beat the price. Check it.

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Clik here to view.Okay, I promise this is the last Dredd series I'm going to blog about today. I guess IDW is on a roll trying to sell their Dredd products and I don't blame them. If you manage to find Dredd in stores, it's worth the purchase. Whilst this series isn't out yet (it gets released in October), it's going to be a hoot. That's for sure. Mars Attacks is a comics property based off the classic trading cards set. Basically, Martians decide to do humanity in. There was a great movie out involving these aliens done by Tim Burton aptly titled Mars Attacks! and they have been in a couple IDW series over the past year. Mostly involving other random comics such as Mars Attacks Popeye, Mars Attacks KISS, and even Mars Attacks: Classic Obliterated. I guess Huckleberry Finn never knew Martians were out to get him. Anyway, enough talking. I'll be picking up this miniseries in October. Can't wait for the laughs. 

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Clik here to view.This is probably the hardest-to-read comic series that I currently pull. Written by Jonathan Hickman, New Avengers is the Sherlock to Avengers'Watson. It's very expository in nature, and you have to read each issue over a couple of times to understand them fully. But it's amazing what this series has managed to accomplish in just 8 issues so far. Each issue tells a grand tale, and each issue has dire consequences for the rest of the Marvel Universe. Heck, in just this last issue, Thanos' men invaded and the Atlanteans and Wakandans started a war. And the freaking Living Tribunal SHOWS UP DEAD AND THERE'S NOT EVEN A WORD AS TO WHY. WHATHOWOHMYGOSH?  Not what you' expect to see in a typical comic mag. Anyway. Buy this series if you want your mind blown. Don't buy it if you want to work for your money. But the payoff is worth it. Don't ask Captain America that, though.

He won't remember (SERIES SPOILER).

Wow, believe it or not, I started collecting Nightwing after buying Injustice: Gods Among Us. I've always been a Dick Grayson fan. In fact, he's my favorite DC character. I've just never collected DC comics before. Boy, has that changed. I'm looking at you, Vertigo… So anyway, I went back and picked up all of the New 52 Nightwing issues and I'm up to the current series. And I'll tell ya, Kyle Higgins is rocking this series. I'm proud to say, and this is the truth… Dick Grayson is the ONLY member of the Bat family that can hold his own series that doesn't relate around Batman. Let me explain. Dick Grayson is now in Chicago and Nightwing is better than ever. Dick has always been better away from Gotham. Of course, I'm referring to his stint Bludhaven. But seriously, if you're looking for one DC series to collect, don't immediately jump toward Action Comics or Detective Comics or Justice League. Those are money-snatchers. Pick up Nightwing and you'll see what I'm talking about. This is one of the only comics I will read 3 to 4 times before putting it away. 

Alright, let me warn you. I said Judge Dredd was mature, earlier. This is far beyond that. Don't pick up this comic if you are under 18 years of age. And maybe not even then. This comic has a heck of a lot of a language. It's gratuitous to the point of feeling a little awkward. But there's no nudity (yet). And the artist, Howard Chaykin, has apparently drawn some bad stuff in his time. Don't ask me, I'm too much of a good boy to look. The reason I picked up this comic was two-fold. Firstly, Matt Fraction. One of the greatest modern writers. Secondly, its time period. This comic revolves around the pulpy television period of the 50s. In fact, it's based around a character from a B-grade sci-fi show that shares the name of this comic series, Satellite Sam. But the story is wonderful. Even better, the visuals. I'm not normally a fan of black-and-white artwork, but it works for this story perfectly. Heck, most of us younger viewers view the 50s through a black-and-white lens. What an even better way to experience this period piece. Anyway, if you want a mature comic written by one of the greatest writers out there currently (Iron Man, Fantastic Four, Hawkguy anyone?), pick up Satellite Sam.

Remember earlier when I said that DC is now stealing my money? Well it's the truth. Along with their regular imprint, they have me collecting two comics from Vertigo, Astro City and The Wake. Whilst Vertigo is the "graphic" imprint of DC Comics, Astro City is incredibly kid-friendly. The Wake, on the other hand, shows me why it belongs here. This limited series revolves around horror, sci-fi, and the ocean depths. Oh, and possibly mermen. Creepy mermen. Written by Scott Snyder, this series is up to issue #2 right now, with #3 being released next week. It's incredibly suspenseful and leaves you wanting more. Sometimes I wish they would release these whole things at once… but then my wallet would hate me. Anyway, it's sort of a bender to read, too, consider that "The Present" takes place a LONG time from now. "The Past," when the story takes place, takes place during modern times, and it jumps from a couple hundred years back to millions of years back throughout the story. Read it a couple times to understand. But do read it. This series is a joy.

Phewwww. Okay, I know that list was long. But it took me a long time. So do these creative teams a favor and buy their comics. And you might be doing yourself one, too.

Anyway, enjoy!

-Christian :)