PULL THIS! *points to long box* -or- Bucky's picks for the week of 11/23/2011

Fantastic Four #600. Flashback to 2004... Pixar completely rips-off Marvel by making the best FF movie ever and calling it The Incredibles. It still amazes that Marvel hasn't done more movie-wise with their first superhero property. There were some things I really dug with the flicks (like the casting of the Human Torch and the Thing and their interaction), but at no point did it ever feel like they were a family.

Which brings me to the comic. Every now and then the perfect writer for a title lands on a book. This is currently happening with Hickman on the Fantastic Four. This is currently my favorite Marvel title on the shelf right now... and honestly if you aren't reading it you are not a comic fan and you probably love to punch nuns. I get the whole nun punching thing tho as I went to Catholic school. Seriously, you owe it to yourself to go back and start at the beginning of Hickman's run. It's like a reward for being a comic book reader for so many years as it has nothing to do with reboots or recreating the characters. He respects the history of this team and the history of the Marvel Universe while making it incredibly exciting and foreword thinking. Honestly, as a writer, Hickman intimidates me. He has an amazing amount of story lines running in this book and his grasp of science fiction big thinking that this book should have is amazing.

This team feels like a family that has been together their whole lives and I love it. He has added an incredible cast of characters with the Future Foundation and with the different clans that are fighting for power. Lots of space adventures, lots of science, lots of humor, and lots of love. I hope they keep this creative team on here for years to come.

And speaking of team, they have Epting doing the pencils and he is a perfect choice for this book. Prior to him, Eagleshaw handled the pencils and did an equally amazing job (altho I thought his Mr. Fantastic was a bit too hunky). I love when creative teams stay on books for extended amounts of times. I feel that it helps continuity.

This issue specifically was great per usual and it dealt with my biggest complaint of this current title... killing off main characters. It drives me nuts, but it was responsible for Spidey being on the team which has been... well... fantastic. I've really enjoyed his interaction with the Richard kids as they both lost Uncles (Ben and Johnny = Human Torch). Great emotional stuff to pull from. Really, read this book.

Secret Avengers #19. High octane avengers book with a great line-up. Surprised at how much I am digging this book. I mean where else can you read about Kung-Fu and Science wrapped up in a big action ball.

Captain America & Bucky #624. Currently covering the origin of Bucky/Winter Soldier. Still not sure why this series isn't called Bucky.

Kick Ass 2 #5. Shit just got dark... and exciting. This issue leads up ti the return of everyone's fav. 3 foot female psycho super heroine.

Invincible #85. Still one of the best books on the shelf.

See you next Comic Book Wednesday!

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mrbucky

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PULL THIS! *points to long box* -or- Bucky's Picks for Tom Turkey Week!

Wassup Mother Gobblers??!?!??  I am still trying to figure out this column and when to publish it. Do I shoot for Comic Book Wednesday and run home and read the books and write an entry immediately or do I read the books and let them percolate in me noggin and then drop some kah-nowledge on you? Not that it matters... no one reads this anyways. I might as well discuss the migration patterns of mallards.

Quick (or not-so) note on The New DC/52 or whatever. To me it's a incredibly involved Elseworlds Story and essentially is a bit gimmicky. Eventually they will all go back to the old DC Universe which means I have a hard time getting behind the books and getting emotionally attached to the stories/characters. What that means for you, is that I won't be pimpin' those books as much. (I do realize my pick of the week last week was from this new Universe but this is my column and I can lie or do whatever the hell I want). And speaking of the New 52, I thought Justice League was a disappointment and can't recommend it even tho it has the powerhouse team of Lee & Johns. The story is already dragging and Lee's pencils are just way too jumbled. Disappointing... So let's get into what I did like this week!

The Walking Dead #91. This is one of those rare titles that I read as soon as I get in the car before taking off for home. That says a lot about this book as it takes a long time to read... because it is one wordy-ass title. Which is actually one of the biggest complaints about the book and the TV show. I have no problem with books being wordy, I mean I still read everything Bendis writes and he is one wordy mofo. In fact, Bendis' Avengers title makes this book look like G.I. Joe issue number 21. Hey kids look at my obscure comic reference there!!

The fact that we are 91 issues in to this title that doesn't have one man in tights AND still has the original creative team of Kirkman and Adlard is quite astonishing. The book is beautiful and somehow manages to be both epic in scope and deeply personal at times. If you haven't read the title, just do yourself a solid and jump on the damn bandwagon already.

Specific to this issue. Is this a great issue? No. In fact, it feels like a bit of an in-between issue as there are a few story lines building up to a shitstorm which is the norm in pacing on this series. And I was irritated by Andrea talking to Dale's hat as this seemed a bit too reminiscent of Rick talking on the Dead-Phone. But this filler issue is what makes the book so great. It takes its time telling stories which I appreciate. Just like I appreciate you.. yes you. And mallards.

Quickies:

Mudman #1. I like the art style on this book and will give it a couple of issues to see if I will follow it. Wasn't blown away... yet.

Captain America #4. McNiven on pencils y'all!

See you next Comic Book Wednesday!

  

This post was written by:
mrbucky

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PULL THIS! *points to long box* -or- Bucky's Picks for the week of 11/09/11

Long time listener, first time caller... It's been a bit since you've heard from me and I thought I would re-introduce myself with a (hopefully) weekly column where I tell you what to read. And if you don't read what I tell you, you are indeed an idiot. I've cut my weekly pull way back and have focused on quality over quantity. In this column I'll focus mainly on my pick of the week and some quick entries on my other purchases. Let's begin...

Batwoman #3. There are filmmakers, like Wong Kar Wai, who makes movies that you could essentially pause the flick at any time and the frame you are looking at is worthy or hanging on your wall. I feel the same about JH Williams III's artwork. Hands down, he is the best working artist in any mainstream comic title. Period. Just gorgeous pencils and he is also handling the writing chores on this book. Greg Rucka started writing this book back in the good 'ole normal DC universe (meaning before all this new 52 nonsense) and really the character hasn't changed with the new universe of with the new writer.

They made a big deal about this character being a lesbian when she was re-introduced back into Batman Universe a few years ago which was just sensational gobbley-gook. It was good press though and I hope it brought in a bunch of readers cause I don't want this book going anywhere. Character wise, what sets her apart from the "Robins" in Gotham is that she was never a protege of Batman and has military/soldier upbringing instead. Essentially she works independently of Bats but he still makes the occasional appearance.

The big draw for me has always been and will always be William's art and should you want to meet the man in person he will be appearing at the always awesome Isotope Comic Lounge in San Francisco: http://isotopecomics.com/index.php/events/

Quickies:

-Punisher Max #19. Best Punisher book on the market. Aaron and Dillion are in the middle of a great creative run on this book.

-Avenging Spider-Man #1. I can't recommend this book as I haven't read it... yet. But it does have pencils by Madureira AND my comic shop was giving away Ultimate X-Men #1 with every purchase of this book. So there you go...

See you next Comic Book Wednesday!

This post was written by:
mrbucky

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