Reynolds Rap: New Releases December 09, 2009

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

1) Daytripper #1

There is already some positive buzz surrounding this book. You may have heard Matt Knapik talking about it because it is by two of his favorites, brothers Gariel Bá and Fábio Moon. It is about an obituary writer who hates his job and is going through an existential crisis, of sorts. Rumor has it that there is a big twist in the issue and that could lead to the mystery of life. Sounds intriguing.

2) Muppet Show #0

I have waxed poetic about the Muppet Show comic more times than you can say “mahna mahna” so I feel as though it is my duty to point out the beginning of the Muppet Show ongoing series. There are also several more kids comics out from Boom! Studios this week: Toy Story #0, Cars Radiator Springs #4 and Mickey Mouse and Friends #298. Any of the Boom! kids books would make great stocking stuffers!

3) New Avengers Annual #3        

Clint Barton (aka Hawkeye, Ronin, etc) has been kidnapped by the Dark Avengers and it is up to the ladies of the New Avengers to save him. I’ve always enjoyed how Brian Michael Bendis writes Jessica Drew, Ms Marvel and Spider-Woman and the other women of the Avengers. Mike Mayhew’s art in this issue looks faboo. It has a realistic, painterly feel to it that I dig.

 

 4) Wolverine Under the Boardwalk One Shot

Set in Atlantic City, Stuart Moore spins a tale about murder and mystery. And I bet that Wolverine will be beating some people up. Who doesn’t like a good Wolverine-kicks-butt comic? Plus the art is amazing. I became an instant fan of Tomm Coker’s art after reading Daredevil Noir and I am excited to see more work from him.

5) Ghostbusters Past Present Future One Shot

A “Scrooge” hires the Ghostbusters to rid him of three ghosts who pester him every Christmas Eve. This reminds me of the episode of the Real Ghostbusters cartoon show where the guys dress up as the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future in an attempt to soften the heart of a grumpy old man. That was one of my favorite episodes! Granted I am a sucker for a Christmas Carol and have viewed just about every incarnation from Mr Magoo to the Flintstones to Ebby. I am going to sit down with a mug of hot chocolate and enjoy this comic tonight!

Reynolds Rap: New Releases December 03, 2009

* For those of you who don’t regularly visit the Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find blog, Dollar Bin contributer Shawn Reynolds writes up her spotlight picks of the week every release day.  We’ll be double dipping the write ups here as a Dollar Bin Quick Hit every week as well, so check back on release day for your weekly heads up. - Always Alerting Adam

1) Jonah Hex #50

Darwyn Cooke and Jonah Hex together again. And it feels so right.

2) Marvels Project #4

Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting make quite the team! I am amazed at how well-written and well-drawn this book is. The story is interesting and fresh, despite the fact that it is a retelling of the origin of superheroes in the Marvel Universe. You don’t need to know everything (or anything) about Marvel to enjoy this book. It is a great WWII/crime/espionage story, not just a story about superhuman people doing superhuman things.

3) Glamourpuss #10

This book is part cultural criticism and part history of cartooning. Dave Sim learns the techniques of the greats by recreating their art. He then uses what he has learned to illustrates fashion models. I am still trying to figure out the deeper meaning hidden underneath this book. He can be insightful and thought-provoking when he isn’t making you slightly uncomfortable. But I still don’t know what he is trying to say about women. I do know that I learned way more about Margaret Mitchell than I cared to know. And what more do you want from a comic than that?

4) Siege: Cabal

The Dark Reign is winding down with Marvel’s latest crossover: Siege. Norman Osborn attempts to overtake Asgard and mayhem ensues.

5) House of Mystery #20

House of Mystery is a horror comic with a dash of horror anthology thrown in for fun. There is a larger story that acts as a framing device of sorts and within this larger story one of the characters tells a story. Typically the short stories have been illustrated by a guest artist. This issue the guest artist is Michael Wm. Kaluta. Matthew Sturges has been does a phenomenal job weaving the stories and plots together. All the short stories have been great and the main story keeps getting better and better. And as a Sandman fan I am delighted that Vertigo is revisiting some of my favorite characters. For instance, Merv Pumpkinhead made a guest appearance in the Halloween Annual.