And man, did the ending of the latest “X-Factor” make it difficult for that book not to go higher. “Nova” was close to making the list, as was “Irredeemable Ant-Man,” “Annihilation Conquest: Starlord” and “Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four.”

Question, can Nova as a comic make it on its own merit without an Annihilation event to tie into? I think the first couple issues showed it could but we will see. Great so far.

I think Nova can go the distance. For one thing, Abnett/Lanning did great sci-fi cosmic action in their highly underrated (and criminally un-collected) Legion run at DC, and for another, those first couple Nova issues before The Initiative tie-in were really strong.

4. Elephantmen HC vol. 1: I always liked the idea of this book but it was so hard to find locally. This nice and very reasonably priced HC was a cool read.

Great art, interesting concept and a pulpy/noir feel that I really am digging. I picked up the oddly numbered edition of another Elephantmen book called “Hip Flask” which on the spine said “2″ but inside said “Vol 1″ and god only knows what comes before or after it because other than some of the same characters, the storyline doesn’t seem to continue at all in the Elephantmen book. Who cares, though. This was a great book and so there.

I’ve found that it’s best to think of Elephantmen more like a book of short stories than a standard ongoing narrative. I mean, there are definitely continuing tales and character building, but Starkings really seems to be aiming for a sort of “done in one” type of storytelling where building the atmosphere and the world is as important as telling a plot.

It is confusing how it all fits together. I had all the one shots, but recently bought the two Hip Flask hardcovers (Unnatural Selection and Concrete Jungle) and they are both gorgeous to look at and great reads as well. I’m not sure about both, but I know one of them is still something you can get your comic shop to order, because I ordered one for the shop fairly recently (last couple of months).

5. Bone #6 TPB “Old Man’s Cave”: Still reading this with my daughter, alternating parts as we read through it (I get all the rat creatures and Phoney Bone’s lines, she of course gets Rose and the rest).

This is just the coolest thing ever. I hope to do this with my daughter when she gets a little older and can read herself.

#7 will be a long wait

Suggestion: Pick up the Castle Waiting hardcover from Fantagraphics. I bet you guys will love it, it’s got a lot of similarities to Bone in terms of great cartooning, memorable characters, humor and fantasy/all-ages tone.

But Punisher War Journal was a real suprise for me.
I had tried and dropped the book because I couldnt get used to Olivetti’s visuals and because I disliked Fraction’s overly jokey scripts, but I’ve loved the last two issues. They’ve been very serious, and either Olivetti’s found his stride on the book or I’m used to his art, but either way what a great issue!

I’m waiting for the first volume to come out as trade instead of hardcover to give it another shot. I’m still not really thinking it’s for me, but Fraction has been so good on The Order and Iron Fist at Marvel, I want to give his other Marvel work a fair shake.

And Cory Walker (formerly of Invincible) coming on to do art is definitely something to look forward to.

Hey, guys, love the podcasts, as usual. This is way off topic, but in light of Mike Wieringo’s untimely and incredibly sad passing, I would love to have you guys create a podcast spotlighting his work and his impact on the industry. His fans are legion, and will be missed greatly. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

I like this idea a lot, but not right away… right now, like many, I’m just kind of too stunned and saddened to talk much about it. I mean, Wieringo was posting on his blog just a few days ago! I can’t believe he’s gone, it’s a huge loss to the industry, and by all accounts he was one of the nice guys of the industry as well.

Is it called “Concrete Jungle” by any chance? If so, you might want to seek out the original Hip Flask collection which is Vol.1 Unnatural Selection.

I hope this helps.

http://www.hipflask.com/timeline/index.html

This gives you a timeline of the story.

Best advise is that you try and grab that first collection. I think it was a limited run though…

2. Fables. I liked the Bigby family stories and this one continues with yet another winner. It just goes along with the ever changing tone, cast, setting and so on that makes Fables the most interesting read book to book.

3. Jack of Fables. Freakin’ fun. Great ending and its tie-in with the Fables continuity was cool (as mentioned above). I am half wondering if this series will be a “joke” played on Jack who will return to the Fables book, tail tucked between his legs. Hmmm… These weird tie-ins with the mother book make me think this, especially since it was to be a cut of sorts from that crew.

4. Elephantmen HC vol. 1: I always liked the idea of this book but it was so hard to find locally. This nice and very reasonably priced HC was a cool read. Great art, interesting concept and a pulpy/noir feel that I really am digging. I picked up the oddly numbered edition of another Elephantmen book called “Hip Flask” which on the spine said “2″ but inside said “Vol 1″ and god only knows what comes before or after it because other than some of the same characters, the storyline doesn’t seem to continue at all in the Elephantmen book. Who cares, though. This was a great book and so there.

5. Bone #6 TPB “Old Man’s Cave”: Still reading this with my daughter, alternating parts as we read through it (I get all the rat creatures and Phoney Bone’s lines, she of course gets Rose and the rest). Still a great read but as noted here it gets far more deeper and darker as it moves along but never completely loses its funny, quirky comic strip feel. Good stuff. #7 will be a long wait.

These last 2 weeks have been great for comics….. NOVA, Batman…. I could go on and on.

But Punisher War Journal was a real suprise for me.
I had tried and dropped the book because I couldnt get used to Olivetti’s visuals and because I disliked Fraction’s overly jokey scripts, but I’ve loved the last two issues. They’ve been very serious, and either Olivetti’s found his stride on the book or I’m used to his art, but either way what a great issue!

I think that while Sleeper had an ensemble cast, it still had a very identifiable single protagonist. What I should have asked is if anybody can think of a book that he excelled at that did not fit the single protagonist mold.

Can’t think of one myself. Though I still think he’s much better at gritty crime/spy stuff than more traditional super hero stuff.

(strange for me to be debating Brubaker’s faults as a writer; he’s one my favorites currently working in the biz)

All part of my master plan.

I think it’s not so much of a team issue, Sleeper had a bit of team vibe going, albeit a team of thugs, but more that Brubaker doesn’t do so well outside the crime/noir/spy genre. Such a vibe works for a book like Daredevil, at least in theory, and most folks seem to think it works for Captain America, though I personally remain unconvinced, but then I think I’m pretty much alone in that last assessment, so what do I know.

I think that while Sleeper had an ensemble cast, it still had a very identifiable single protagonist. What I should have asked is if anybody can think of a book that he excelled at that did not fit the single protagonist mold.

(strange for me to be debating Brubaker’s faults as a writer; he’s one my favorites currently working in the biz)

About Brubaker - I can’t deny that the guy has chops. His Daredevil and Cap stories regularly garner praise.

His first arc in Criminal was fantastic and it sounds like I may have to jump back on board.

But why can’t he get X-Men right?

My guess is that he has trouble with team books. Anybody out there know of a superhero team book that Brubaker has done especially well? He appears to do everything else so well, but team cape books may be his Kryptonite.

I think it’s not so much of a team issue, Sleeper had a bit of team vibe going, albeit a team of thugs, but more that Brubaker doesn’t do so well outside the crime/noir/spy genre. Such a vibe works for a book like Daredevil, at least in theory, and most folks seem to think it works for Captain America, though I personally remain unconvinced, but then I think I’m pretty much alone in that last assessment, so what do I know.

2. Batman - Traditional “killer loose in large house” set up but done with The League of Batmen? Genius. And great art by Williams. Can anyone tell me which artists he was channeling in his various depictions of the League? I got the McGuinness reference for the Knight & Squire and the Chaykin(?) one for Gaucho but not sure of the rest.

3. Criminal - Pure quality as always

4. Daredevil - I’m loathe to admit it, but right now I have no idea who the villain is. Having a total brain freeze and haven’t had a chance to read over my trades & issues yet. As with Criminal, quality as usual.

5. Green Arrow Year One - When I read this it made me realise how much I miss The Losers. Damn great book and this has all the same qualities. And I winced at the end

Oh, and I got grief for recommending ‘28 Weeks Later’ and yet Dan gets a pass for having ESSENTIAL DAZZLER in his top 5???

This site is an abomination.

A pass? The man deserves a medal! Or at least a disco ball pendent to wear with pride. The original Dazzler stories were gems of glittery roller rinking kitsch laden goodness.

About Brubaker - I can’t deny that the guy has chops. His Daredevil and Cap stories regularly garner praise.

His first arc in Criminal was fantastic and it sounds like I may have to jump back on board.

But why can’t he get X-Men right?

My guess is that he has trouble with team books. Anybody out there know of a superhero team book that Brubaker has done especially well? He appears to do everything else so well, but team cape books may be his Kryptonite.

This site is an abomination.