Fat Pants is a monthly Comic Pants feature in which we mull over the last month’s trades and graphic novels in order to let you know which ones we feel are most worth your attention. It is far from a comprehensive list of all the good reads to published in the past month, so please feel free let us know in the comments which trades and graphic novels came out in the last month that you, the reader, feel are most worth our attention. So, without further adieu, here are the books we think really stood out this month.

All-Star Superman Vol. 1 HC
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Frank Quitely
Company: DC Comics

D3 (aka David Martindale): Our first pick from April is the first volume from DC’s new All-Star brand. The book brings us back to the roots of what superhero books are about: remarkable heroism, fantastic scenarios, and a hint of the strange. Morrison and Quitely pull it all off without giving the book an air of hokeyness or out-dated sensibilities.

Nick: I’ll definitely agree with everything you just said…But I might actually go further and say that Morrison and Quitely have literally crafted the best Superman title that there’s been for I don’t know how long. The Silver Age presence, that sense of the bizarre, is the thing that I’ve missed most in Superman comics and the distinct blend of the heroism and the fantastic has me chomping at the bit for more.

D3: Well, I guess “a hint of the strange” was understating it a bit. Bizarre probably is a better word for it. As far as the title being one of the best in years for the character, that’s absolutely accurate. Funny thing, I was just looking over All-Star Superman #6 a minute ago, and I think it may be one of the top superman stories I have ever read, seen on TV, or seen in a movie. I really don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say All-Star Superman is THE Superman book of the post-90’s comic era.

Nick: You’re not exaggerating, trust me. Also, what makes it such a good book, as we’re saying, is that there’s something, be it an idea, an event or even just a line of dialogue in every single issue that really just draws the reader in. And don’t get me started on the jaw-dropping material that artist Frank Quitely and colorist Jamie Grant manage to accomplish. Absolutely stunning stuff.

D3: Each issue does have a focussed hook, and that focus also comes out in the covers extremely well. I really can’t say enough about this book, but we need to cover more than one book today. Suffice to say All-Star Superman is one of those rare instances when concept, character, plot, and art all harmonize perfectly.

Nick: BUY THIS BOOK, THE PANTEON COMMANDS IT!

Daredevil: The Devil, Inside and Out Vol. 2
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Michael Lark
Company: Marvel Comics

Nick: First and foremost, this book has Daredevil beating the bejeezus out of French people. Can it actually get any better than that?

D3: It might be hard to believe, but yes, Nick it does actually get better. There’s also a ninjas, a bullfighting villain, and a Tombstone appearance. If that wasn’t enough the arc has a great mystery too. We’re all used to seeing Daredevil pound on street-level thugs to get the answers he needs, and that formula still works, but seeing him do it in France, where the thugs aren’t used to it, brings an added twist that makes it even more satisfying. Actually, I bet he could have beat up any kind of foreigner, and it would have been just as fun. Why stop with the French?

Nick: True that. Actually, all kidding aside this volume is damn good, for all the reasons we’ve already mentioned and the art that Michael Lark and Stefano Guaudiano provide. Lark’s action, for me at least, is easily some of the best in the business as it has a real sense of motion to it. When you’re reading a page that has Daredevil jumping across rooftops, they aren’t static pictures lined in a row, it’s as if you’re watching a movie play out in your head.

D3: That brings me to one of my favorite moments of the arc. Daredevil fights Matador, the bullfighter, in a bullfighting arena. Not only can you follow the action, but it feels exciting. Lark’s work fits both the gritty noir feel that Brubaker’s writing usually carries, but it also does a great job with the acrobatic action that is requisite in any Daredevil book. You don’t just see Daredevil kicking and punching; you see him flipping, twisting, and diving with both power and grace.

Nick: Let’s not forget about the writing of the book. Lark is fantastic but so is Ed Brubaker. The noir-ish mystery story that he composes is top notch; it grips you like a freakin’ vice and makes you keep turning the page to find out the ending.

D3: Actually, that’s one of the things that this volume does very well. The mystery is well setup, and the conclusion is strong too. Brubaker really knows how to close an arc.

Wasteland Volume 1: Cities in Dust
Writer: Antony Johnston
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Company: Oni Press

D3: Wasteland is one the most competently executed post-apocalyptic books in years. The book does a very good job achieving one of the most important things that make fantasy, sci-fi, or the post-apocalyptic attain its other-worldly feel. Johnston creates a rich universe that is both alien and believable at the same time.

Nick: Yeah, the world-building of Wasteland stands out as one of the best things about the title. Post-apocalyptic books are ones that we as a society seem really drawn to, for whatever reason, and I think this one really does the genre justice. All that said, what really drew me to the title was knowing that Antony Johnston and Christopher Mitten were working on it together. Their stuff on Queen and Country Declassified really grabbed my attention and it continues to do so here.

D3: The book has more than just good universe building. There’s also quite a bit of solid action, intrigue, and mystery too. The book isn’t without its flaws though. It takes a bit longer than necessary for the intrigue and action to start really kicking in, but once it does, the book becomes quite compelling. Besides the pacing issues early on, there are some storytelling issues with the art as well. Overall, it’s a flawed, but solid, book.

Nick: For me it’s a bit more than that. I agree that there are some problems here and there, but overall the story wins out and acts as the biggest hook. There’s a complexity to it, to the handful of characters that we’ve been introduced to and the world that surrounds them, that have grabbed my interest and stayed with me long after finishing the book. If that keeps up, this will be a series to really watch out for.

D3: The title does continue to improve. The first half of the volume is solid, but the second half is quite good. It may be that it just took an issue or two for the book to get its footing. The quality level of the last two-thirds of the volume certainly has me excited and anticipating volume two.

Agents of Atlas HC
Writer: Jeff Parker
Artist: Leonard Kirk
Company: Marvel Comics

Nick: Oh my stars and garters, it’s the freakin’ Criterion Collection of Agents of Atlas. It’s all here; Fancy director’s commentary by Jeff Parker, sweet character creation sketches by Leonard Kirk and for every core character that appeared in this gloriously fun book, the corresponding comic book where they first appeared. Can you stand the awesomeness of that? This is what every Hardcover put out by any company should strive to be!

D3: This really was about the perfect format for a trade. Snazzy hardcover with nearly a third of the pages consisting of extras including a few additional full issues! I was originally a bit so-so on the title, but after reading it in trade, I’m convinced. It’s a action packed little mystery book with a great resolution. A lot of books manage to build the suspense and tease the mystery but fail to deliver when the it comes time for an explanation. Agents of Atlas delivers.

Nick: My only real gripe about the entire thing is that the book wasn’t released in an oversized edition, but despite that rather small nit-pick, I can’t say a single bad thing about the book. Jeff Parker proves time and time again that he’s one of those writers that unequivocally understands the concept of what makes a comic book a FUN comic book.

D3: Not just fun, but a tightly knit plot and great characterization. Let’s not forget Leonard Kirk; he put in some fantastic work here. The art is expressive, emotive, and kinetic. Each major player has their own distinct body language, and all the action sequences are easily followed and exciting. Michelle Madsen (on colors) does a great job too. Vivid, exciting colors without being jarring.

Nick: Leonard Kirk’s work here is amazing. The overall character designs are eye appealing in their simplicity. M-11, looking like he walked right out of the movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still, ranks as my favorite character of the series and he never says a single word. That’s how good Kirk is, people, he gives a tin-can with no real face to speak of a distinct personality.

D3: This is top-notch stuff; it’s time Parker and/or Kirk were given high-profile ongoing books.

Nick: I completely agree. I will also say this: Go buy this book. It’s got espionage, brilliant action, Dum Dum Dugan, talking gorillas and a whole slew of extras that further the experience of the story. Comic book gold.

D3: …and a topless love goddess.

Batman and the Mad Monk
Writer: Matt Wagner
Artist: Matt Wagner
Company: DC Comics

D3: The second title in Wagner’s Dark Moon Rising series, Batman and the Mad Monk continues to excel in the same way as Batman and the Monster Men. Bruce Wayne is just getting his footing as the Dark Knight and is facing his most formidable foe to date with each outing. It’s a very exciting book.

Nick: Exciting and addicting. I was sold on the single idea of Batman fighting vampires. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy seeing Batman take on the Joker and the Riddler or any one of his rouges, but the idea of him fighting something supernatural is insanely appealing. Then you put that idea with a creator the likes of Matt Wagner and really, you can’t go wrong.

D3: Wagner really does seem to have a great grasp on how DC characters should be written when they are presented in an old-school fashion. This really is back to basics Batman. It almost feels as though it could be the logical sequel to Miller’s Year One. It doesn’t hurt that Wagner is an amazing artist either. With the exception of the Gandmaster-Colorist, Dave Stewart, and Rob Leigh on letters, Wagner does everything on the book. Writer-artists that excel in both fields occupy a rare and special place in today’s comic world.

Nick: Big thing for me, besides this being a semi-sequel to Year One and that Batman is still not uber, kick your ass and never screw up Batman, you have to love the covers, which are thankfully included in the trade. The one that has Batman’s hand rising up out of a pool of blood is phenomenal. The use of white space paired off against the crimson of the blood is so eye catching that to this day, it remains one of my favorite covers.

D3: The covers are really good. Especially the cover to issue two that Nick mentioned. Another great moment in the book is the first time Jim Gordon shows up in the story. First thing we see Gordon do is kick some corrupt cop ass. Wagner does a great job showing the Gordon/Batman partnership in its early days. It’s a great Batman action book, probably even the best Batman book published in years.

For A Few Dollars More…

D3: Larry Hama returned to GI Joe with GI Joe Declassified, an early days Joe tale that intersperses the current covert-op with flashbacks of certain characters’ origins. We don’t just get a fun military action romp with nice art; we also get to know each of the characters and why they made the decision to fight and why they have the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice. The book has an unexpected but very satisfying conclusion. Not to mention the original GI Joe file cards for each core character of the story, written by Hama himself back in the 80’s.

Nick: Anyone who’s ever been interested or tantalized by William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Nights Dream, should take notice of Vertigo’s new original graphic novel, God Save the Queen. Well, in truth that might be a bit of an overstatement as Mike Carey weaves a trippy, wildly abstract, very Vertigo-ish tale that uses many of Shakespeare’s characters as jumping off points to tell the tale of the usurpation of Titania, Queen of the Fairies, and her quest to regain her throne through the usage of a young girl with otherworldly powers. Gorgeously drawn by John Bolton, who’s swanky photo realistic work can be found in Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall, this is a book that most certainly deserves a gander when the proper mood strikes.

D3: The Annihilation Book 2 Oversized Hardcover really was good enough to get its own full feature earlier in this article. We only chose to displace it because we covered the first volume in Fat Pants previously. This volume featured three of the four-issue miniseries that led into the main event (Super-Skrull, Silver Surfer, and Ronan). More epic cosmic action and more great art make this volume good for all the same reasons the first volume was so good. Good writing and good art combine to create a great story in a spectacular universe. Marvel has a rich, intriguing cosmic scene, and Annihilation uses it to great effect.

Nick: Dark, human, and downright creepy in more ways than I thought was possible, Sandman Mystery Theatre Vol. 5: Dr. Death, is one of the best books that you can choose if you’re in the mood for a period piece/drama/crime noir with a splash of super-heroics just for kicks. That might seem a mouthful but Matt Wagner is a gem of a writer and the two stories here, both featuring Wesley Dodds as the Sandman, speak volumes to his level of skill. One story latches onto a serial killer that believes himself to be a doctor while the other features the exploits of savage murderer. Both are flawless and exude a kind of nail-biting suspense that is rarely seen in comics. Throw in probably one of the best artist around, Guy Davis (B.P.R.D.), and this is a book that you need to check out.

D3: Runaways Vol 7: Live Fast is Vaughan’s last offering on the title. What made this title great in its early days are the characters, and character continues to be the foundation for the series in the closing arc of the creator’s run. Vaughan doesn’t take it easy at the end of his run; the book actually felt like it got turned up a notch in this arc. Alphona’s art ain’t bad either. If you have to have the story now, go pick it up, but if you can wait for the third oversized hardcover, its likely to be great if the first two are any indicator.