I am enjoying Transformers: Movie Prequel, though IDW’s colorist really screwed things up.

Seeley: PLEASE tell me Escalation is better than Infiltration, because that last mini was a tragic snoozefest. I never thought I’d live in a world where I was more jazzed about Simon Furman doing Ronan than I was about him doing Optimus Prime, but to my eternal horror…

I think you’re in the minority on this one, Dan. I only read the first few issues of Infiltration (I’ve got little Transformers love), but I dug what I read, and I’m pretty sure Dave F. and Nick and some our other Transformers fans dug that one and Escalation too.

Seems to me like IDW (and Furman) have done a pretty good job giving the Transformers franchise a reboot.

But then, I thought Ronan #1 was dull as hell… so we may just be on different wavelengths.

Seriously, though, Ronan was a good book. Good, I tell you! GOOD!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/shopCatalogFeatured.php

As usual with D&Q pdfs don’t really do it justice as it’s such a beautifully packaged book on high-quality paper stock, but it should give you a sense of what to expect.

1-Brave and the Bold #2: Man, this is what I read superheo comics for.

Yep, that’s exactly how I feel too.

5-Chronicles of Wormwood #1- Missed it the first time aorund. What a nice lil’ book.

Been hearing some good buzz on this… I think I might have to check out the trade.

Chris Jones said:

3. Annihilation: Actually I know this series is over, but it’s just so good I had to mention it. I actually haven’t even read the acutal “annihilation” series yet, just all the silver surfer and super skrull prologue stuff. This series is way better than all that civil war nastiness that was going on, and I hope that Annihilation:Conquest is just as good. Also, for Randy, if they make an Annihilation:Conquest:Deathkill series I will prob read that too.

Oh, I’ll read Annihilation: Conquest: Deathkill too. Of course, I still haven’t gotten around to reading the first Annihilation. Missed out on the issues, and now I’m waiting for the third hardcover. But I dug what I read previously.

Bob said:

4. Aya- This biographical Drawn & Quarterly book set in the Ivory Coast started slow and won me over by the end, thanks mainly to its beautiful color pallette and vibrant art.

Don’t remember hearing about this one, but I’m intrigued… got any links to preview art online or anything?

Folks have already talked up everything on my Top Five this week, except for DMZ (this last arc was really good, although it’s best read all at once and I can’t wait to re-read it in trade) and Usagi Yojimbo (not a great issue, but a good one with some dire omens for Usagi’s future). And I am a proud member of the Cult of McDuffie. In fact, as the member of the group who owns all the Milestone stuff, all of Deathlok, his short run on X-O Manowar and even once hired the man as a columnist for a website, I think I might claim credit as cult leader.

Does this mean I’m going to need to get a giant boa constrictor to wear around, or a gold Rolls Royce maybe?

Glen Newman Said:
Coincidently, what books do other readers here give to their friends when they want to take a look at comics?

Garth Ennis’ works have really struck a chord with some of my friends, starting with Punisher and moving on to Preacher. His dark humor is a big hit with them. One of them also really enjoyed his Ghost Rider mini, even with that ugly Crain artwork (which he really loved).

300 and Sin City, in my mind, their actual quality aside, have been some of the most successful comic movies ever, because they got my friends very interested in the comics. But then…I gave them Dark Knight Returns, and they didn’t care for it too much (and neither do I, for that matter).

One of my friends is a fan of Neil Gaiman’s novels, so I let him borrow 1602 and Sandman, both of which he really enjoyed.

My brother, having been a big Iron Man fan back in the early nineties, really enjoyed Ellis’ Extremis and the first Ultimates HC. Not really one for superheroes anymore, Millar’s take was definitely something he liked.

5. Amazing Spider-Man - Was talking to a non comic reading friend of mine about Spider-Man 3 and I mentioned that the black costume was returning to the comics. Now, my friend is a fan of the previous 2 movies so he asked me to pick up a copy of the issue in which the costume returns. He loved and has asked me to get him more, so that reason alone it makes it in this week. Personally, I thought it was ok.

Dave Farabee replied:

That’s a pretty cool rationale. Out of curiosity, was there a particular element that won your friend over? Just the drama of the changes going on or something else?

It was was the whole package really but he enjoyed the art especially. He was a bit confused about certain elements, such as why Peter’s identity is known to the world but I filled him in on the details. He loved the black costume too and thought that the movie should’ve used it’s design. My God, he’s a fanboy already!

Normally, when friends of mine are curious about comics I give them the 1st Runaways digest (Hooked two other friends this way) but I think this friend will be a super hero guy to be begin with. When I told him about Civil War, his response was: “I HAVE to read that!!!”. Guess we all have to start somewhere I suppose!

Coincidently, what books do other readers here give to their friends when they want to take a look at comics?

1. The Brave and the Bold- Never been a big fan of DC heroes, but this is the way I like them: iconic, out of continuity, bursting with big ideas, colorful art, and whip-smart adventure writing.

2. The Spirit- This is, more or less, the way monthly comics should be done.

3. The Essential Hulk #1- I’ve never read these original Lee & Ditko/Kirby/Romita issues before, and I’m quite enjoying them. They’re not nearly as primitive as say, the old X-Men or Avengers issues read. It’s basically a great serial.

4. Aya- This biographical Drawn & Quarterly book set in the Ivory Coast started slow and won me over by the end, thanks mainly to its beautiful color pallette and vibrant art.

5. Hellblazer- Diggle’s first issue is a textbook example on how to hook a reader with just one issue. He may have stolen the crown from BKV at being the best in the biz at this.

1: GØDLAND - You can’t beat a Kirbyesque book where people call each other dicks.

Damn, I need to catch back up on this book, like, yesterday.

5. Amazing Spider-Man - Was talking to a non comic reading friend of mine about Spider-Man 3 and I mentioned that the black costume was returning to the comics. Now, my friend is a fan of the previous 2 movies so he asked me to pick up a copy of the issue in which the costume returns. He loved and has asked me to get him more, so that reason alone it makes it in this week. Personally, I thought it was ok.

That’s a pretty cool rationale. Out of curiosity, was there a particular element that won your friend over? Just the drama of the changes going on or something else?

1. Star Wars: Legacy: Hellhound obviously has good taste. This series continues to impress me even when the story in the last issue mainly delt with secondary characters. I look foward to the next issue eagerly.

2. Irredemable Ant Man: I hope I spelled that right. GO BUY THIS BOOK!!! Even the synopsis and letter pages are worth reading. If you enjoy anything else by Kirkman you will love this. If you haven’t read anything Kirkman start with Invincible then read this.

3. Annihilation: Actually I know this series is over, but it’s just so good I had to mention it. I actually haven’t even read the acutal “annihilation” series yet, just all the silver surfer and super skrull prologue stuff. This series is way better than all that civil war nastiness that was going on, and I hope that Annihilation:Conquest is just as good. Also, for Randy, if they make an Annihilation:Conquest:Deathkill series I will prob read that too.

4. Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness: One word, groovy. Actually that’s three but you get my drift. As good as this series is it makes me kind of sad that the best Avengers storyline is in this book (unlike say, “The Avengers” book). Still, zombie goodness meets boomstick makes me all warm and fuzzy.

5.Shazaam:MSoE: Alligator men in trenchcoats. Nuff said!!!

Thats enough comic love for now.

1: GØDLAND - You can’t beat a Kirbyesque book where people call each other dicks.

2: Fables - I can’t say I had a burning desire to get the answers to most of the questions in this issue, but some of them were fun nonetheless.

3: Star Wars: Legacy - Currently fulfilling my need for a Star Wars fix.

4: PS238 - A light, fun all ages book.

5: Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service - I’m a little late to the game on this one. I’m not normally a huge manga guy, but this title really caught my interest.

1-Brave and the Bold #2: Man, this is what I read superheo comics for.
2-Transformers:Escalation #5- Prime and Megatron whooping on each other. ON a a very base level, you can’t beat that. This kinda thing is why I squeall to write the Joe/TF crossovers.
3-Shazam:MSoE-I’m not sure what I think of the story yet, but the art makes me swoon.
4-Godland #17- Fun. Weird. Kirbyish.
5-Chronicles of Wormwood #1- Missed it the first time aorund. What a nice lil’ book.

TIM SEELEY!
http://www.timseeley.com

Oh, and Dan - how is the Batman: Snow story? Saw it at the shop, had a cool cover, but I’ve never heard of it. Good stuff, eh?

I dug the story in Batman: Snow, a re-telling of Mr. Freeze’s origin that has all the classic bits in it and that also introduces Batman’s first failed attempt at helpers in a group of specialists he gathers from all walks of life, but what really drew me to the story and sold me on it was Seth Fisher. I’m a fan of his art, and his cool but wacky sensibilities. It’s a shame he died so young last year, but it’s cool of DC to make sure most of what he was able to produce is available in trade. For what I think are his best works, track down the Marvel trade Fantastic Four/Iron Man: Big in Japan and the uncollected Vertigo series Vertigo Pop: Tokyo. Other bits of coolness include Green Lantern: Willworld and Flash: Time Flies.

Guy was a genius artist in the making, and I’m sorry I’ll never get to see him develop further.

2. King City - got my monthly shipping for March yesterday, and this book is awesome. More, more!

3. Desolation Jones TBP - yep, another ’so last week’ book. Having not bought many new comics the past 2 weeks or so, I picked this up and it’s some of the strongest Ellis stuff I’ve read, not to mention Williams’ artwork is always a delight.

4. Watchmen TBP - what’s this? another oldie? from over 20 years ago?! Yeah, I’ve been calling myself a comic reader for about 7 years and I’m just now getting around to Alan Moore. Only read the first two issues/chapters, which is why it’s number 4. Really liking it so far.

5. Powers vol 1 - Just because Bendis is a hack these days (just read Might Avengers 1…wow, worse than I thought. Much worse) doesn’t mean I can’t revisit his good stuff. And Image Powers really rocks. Also funny to note, in the acknowledgements, he mentions Don and Randy. I find that humorous, seeing that Randy supposedly can’t bring himself to finish an issue of Bendis’ current work.

Also got Spider-man Loves Mary Jane HC in the mail, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Expect to see it next Friday on this list.

Oh, and Dan - how is the Batman: Snow story? Saw it at the shop, had a cool cover, but I’ve never heard of it. Good stuff, eh?