Episode number two of the Comic Pants podcast is now live. You may have noticed the Top Five Books of the Moment lists on the sidebar, and in this episode the Comic Pants guys, Dave Farabee, David Martindale, Nick Budd, and Randy Lander, discuss the concept of the Top Five Books of the Moment. There is a bit of explanation at the start of the episode dealing with how each team member goes about making their individual lists, and then the team jumps into talking about each of the books that were on their lists. The books discussed in this episode, in no Continue Reading »

Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: John Cassaday
Company: Marvel Comics

Let me start out by saying that in Astonishing X-Men’s first “season”, I was quite entertained. Even in the latter arcs, where the book’s abilities seemed to wain, I still found some redeemable quality to take away from it. And with the shocker of a finale, with the not so subtle return of the Hellfire Club, the prospect of the book’s return was greatly anticipated. However, here we are, five issues in, and I have to say that so far, it has been an underwhelming experience.

But how exactly is that possible? Especially, with cult writer/director Joss Continue Reading »

Writers: Patton Oswalt, Thomas Sniegoski, Bill Morrison & Steve Niles
Artists: Mike Ploog, Eric Powell, Bill Morrison & Ryan Sook
Company: Dark Horse

Anyone who is familiar with Dwight T. Albatross’s letter column exchanges with Eric Powell probably knows what to expect from this book. It’ll be like The Goon, but with more sexy women, gratuitous violence and dark humor that would get you stoned to death in some countries. Wait… that just describes the regular Goon book. Ah, but it’s black and white, and features some stellar guest creators alongside Eric Powell, including comedian Patton Oswalt and Simpsons writer/Bongo Comics honcho Bill Morrison! That’s the difference, and here’s the good news: If you love The Goon, you’re going to love Continue Reading »

Wednesday Number Ones is a weekly feature here at Comic Pants. We take the books that are premiering a first issue from that week and give a quick opinion on them. From time to time we may also include more than issue number ones in this feature. If a noteworthy one-shot or the first issue of a new story arc is released, we may talk about it in this feature.

This week we will cover Escape of the Living Dead: Airborne #1, X-Men: First Class #1 of 8, G.I. Joe: Special Missions Tokyo, Union Jack #1 of 4, Wetworks#1, Blade #1, Night of the Living Dead: Back From the Grave, Se7en: Gluttony, Dwight T. Albatross’s The Goon Noir #1 of 3, and Krypto The Superdog #1

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Online comics critic Don MacPherson, half of the team that created TheFourthRail.com, is launching a new website focusing on comics commentary.

EyeonComics.com is MacPherson’s first solo venture in the realm of comics-focused websites. In addition to The Fourth Rail, he has been a major contributor to such past ventures as Psycomic.com in 1999-2000 and Fandom.com’s Comics Newsarama in 2000-2001.

The Fourth Rail ran from 2001 to 2006 Continue Reading »

Writer: Larry Hama
Artists: Pat Quinn & Valentine De Landro
Company: Devils Due Publishing

Growing up in the 80’s, G.I. Joe was just about the best thing there was (a tie with Transformers in my mind). Whether it was the action blitz of the comic book or the cheesy, no one ever gets hurt, antics of the cartoon, I was there. Why? Because it was cool. I even love that hellish G.I. Joe movie with all of its Cobra-La-ing and Don Johnson as the voice of Lt. Falcon. Over the years though, after the initial 155 issue Marvel run, I was less on board the Dark Horse and Devil’s Due runs. There were a few arcs that stood out and were eye-catching, but as a whole, they were weaker and less of a Continue Reading »

Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Steve Epting
Company: Marvel Comics

When the Winter Soldier storyline started up, I held some very serious reservations about where Brubaker was taking the book and whether he should be writing superhero books at all. I felt that the idea of bringing Bucky back to life and eliminating his decisive white-hat status was a monstrous mistake and a prime example of gross mischaracterization on the writer’s part. Captain America #21 completely sold me on Brubaker’s decision to bring Bucky back. In fact, I’m genuinely excited that he’s back in action and might be trying that white-hat back on for size. I can’t wait to see more of him, and it looks Continue Reading »

Writer: Dwayne McDuffie
Artist: Scott Kolins
Company: Marvel Comics

I’ve always had a soft spot for the 80s miniseries Secret Wars. Sure, it had some silly moments from writer Jim Shooter, but any sillier than Shooter’s other Marvel work? Not appreciably. And yeah, the premise might’ve been cribbed from that Star Trek where the aliens want to see if good is stronger than evil by making Kirk and Abe Lincoln fight Genghis Khan and a Klingon, but…well…the cool moments were worth it! Hulk hefting a mountain range! Ben Grimm playing pattycake with the Lizard! Wolverine casually lopping off the Absorbing Man’s arm! And I’ll even vouch Continue Reading »

Writer/Artist: Alex Sheikman
Company: Archaia Studios Press

Archaia Studios, known for such immersive fantasy worlds as the ones in Artesia and Mouse Guard, offer up an equally immersive world of science-fiction in Robotika. Equally influenced by the genres of the wandering samurai and the cyberpunk future, Alex Sheikman and colorist Joel Chua turn in an action-packed, if occasionally slightly inscrutable, vision of a far-flung future and an honorable ronin trying to make his way in it.

The first thing readers will notice about Robotika is the art, and make no mistake, this is a book that is driven more by the art Continue Reading »

What is a Bell Bottom Pick? At Comic Pants, we love the new, but sometimes we get nostalgic to talk up an older book or series and remember some greatness from “back in the day.” That “day” could be the extreme 90’s, the socially relevant 70’s, or the guys-wore-hats 50’s. Who knows? All we can tell you is that a Bell Bottom Pick is worth rifling though back issue bins for or even braving the wilds of Ebay. Our first “Bell Bottom Pick” is Suicide Squad #3 (1987).
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