Shawn Says: Spotlight on New Releases March 16, 2011

In which Shawn looks at the New Releases and lets you know which books she is most excited about!

1) Avengers: The Children’s Crusade - Young Avengers #1

What a title! I won’t fault them for their slightly confusing title because this was actually an enjoyable read. I wasn’t sure if I was going to pick up this tie-in to Avengers: The Children’s Crusade until I saw that Allan Heinberg was writing it and Alan Davis was penciling it (along with the underrated Mark Farmer on inks). This delves deeper into the story of the Young Avengers, and Kang the Conqueror in particular, by showing them all grown up as Avengers. I don’t think this is going to be essential for the plot to Avengers: The Children’s Crusade but it is a really well-written and well-drawn story. I am very glad that I decided to pick it up!

2) The Guild: Tink One-Shot

All of The Guild comics have been really solid. I thoroughly enjoyed this issue that focused on the elusive Tink. You get some backstory on her real-life persona along with some fun dialogue between the characters. Felicia Day writes a very entertaining comic and I enjoyed the way she fleshed out Tink’s character. Plus, there is an awesome three-page backstory done by the wonderful Jeremy Bastian which alone is worth the admission price. I am a huge fan of his and am always willing to pick up anything he does! Also this issue was the first time I saw Dark Horse’s new kitty ad. That cat cracks me up every time I see it.

3) Xombie #1

David Kim’s life was saved using nanomachines but as a result he was turned into Xombi. Kim is basically immortal. The nanomachines have remarkable regenerative powers. This issue was my introduction to the character who was created by John Rozum and Denys Cowan back in 1994 for Milestone Comics. Rozum is once again writing Xombi for this relaunch. The main reason I picked this book up is because of Frazer Irving. I love his art. While the art is gorgeous and the concept is cool I thought this issue was a little muddled for me. Xombi’s nanotechnology seems to be able to do just about anything and I can see that as being a little deus ex machina at times. Plus the nuns were weird. I think I might be a little overly critical because I’m not familiar with Xombi and his world is so new and different to me. I am curious about the next issue though. Plus I am thrilled that Irving will be on a regular ongoing book.