Top Five Fridays 3/28/08
Some of you may have noticed on the sidebar, we have our “Top Five of the Moment” listed. These are the five books that are most clicking with each Pants writer. It may or may not represent the best books we’ve read all month, year, or just what we’re digging that week. We generally try to update it with books from that week, but there are no hard and fast rules. Inspired by an email from one of our readers, we’re going to post every Friday with the most recent Top Five from each member of the Panteon, and hope for your comments on our lists, or maybe even your own “Top Five of the Moment.”
Also, just as the Wednesday Number Ones feature is generally our spot for folks to talk about the comics of the week, we hope that Top Five Fridays is where you’ll come to talk about what’s going on in comics in general. News in the comics world, thoughts on comics you’ve recently read, talk about comic-related movies that release this weekend and more are welcome in the comments thread for Top Five Fridays.
This week, the Top Five Books of the Moment are:
Nick Budd’s Top Five Books of the Moment
- Blue Beetle
- Wolverine First Class
- Proof
- X-Men First Class
- X-Men Legacy
Dave Farabee’s Top Five Books of the Moment
- Teen Titans
- Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus V.4
- All-Star Superman
- X-Men First Class
- Silent Hill: Sinner’s Reward
Dan Grendell’s Top Five Books of the Moment
- Blue Beetle
- Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus V.4
- Damage Control
- Power Pack Day One
- Proof
Randy Lander’s Top Five Books of the Moment
- Wolverine First Class
- All Star Superman
- Usagi Yojimbo
- X-Men First Class
- Proof
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You know, I couldn’t even come up with five books I sort of liked this week. “X-Men: First Class” had toilet humor in it (ugh!), “Daredevil” hit depressing new lows, and the “New Frontier” Star Trek book had me completely confused. Maybe I’ll go back and re-read last week’s books … and “Damage Control” #3. That was easily the best thing I picked up this week!
28 Mar 2008 at 12:17 pm
QuoteAll-Star Superman.. I read it before bed.. so maybe I wasn’t quite as alert as I needed to be to follow timestamps. But it seemed awfully hard to follow for no good reason. Sometimes, bouncing through time leads to an interesting reveal.. something that recolors everything you’ve just read. But this issue didn’t strike me like that at all. I couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t just told in a linear fashion.
I hope #11 and #12 are on schedule. I don’t want Final Crisis to slow this book down any more. The timing has dimmed my love for the book.
28 Mar 2008 at 1:49 pm
QuoteI thought this was another good week. The bummers for me were that Ms Marvel and She-Hulk continue to flounder. Wolverine First Class was solid as expected and The Stranded is turning into a guilty pleasure of mine - although if they could provide some non-early Image knockoff art, I might not even feel guilty about it. I can see why Virgin/Sci-Fi has that property in development: the pitch of “BSG meets Heroes” must sell itself these days.
Oh yeah, a top 5…
5) Black Panther “Back to Africa” puts T’Challa in charge of his kingdom and sans wife; where he needs to be when anyone other than Priest or McDuffie is writing him, apparently. A welcome return to form.
4) X-Men Legacy I almost didn’t buy this, so consternated was I by the first go round and it’s auto-geek-otica fixation on 90s X-lore. But there’s some excellent X & Magnus character work here, and Carey manages to work in two nice action pieces. That’ll teach me to not give Mike C the benefit of the doubt.
3) All-Star Superman Been a long time, ASS. Feels like we’re wrapping up, and probably just in time. I love how Morrison makes me want to go back and read earlier stuff to see how it fits (in this case, Seven Soldiers and The Filth), instead of feeling forced to as we often are by event comics these days. Quitely’s work looks great, as usual, and I can’t wait to own an oversized edition of this…someday.
2) Damage Control For the freaking awesome recap page alone. But I also really like the art, especially how well-suited it is to the material. McDuffie doesn’t disappoint with a hilariously human plot and a clever reason behind the antagonist’s sudden animated personality. If we have to be subjected to Frontline before/during every event, can we at least get a Damage Control mini after each one, too?
1) Blue Beetle Man, Rogers leaving this title is up there with The Order’s cancellation in the “why do I allow myself to get attached?” sweepstakes. On the other hand, what a way to wrap up a great 25 issue run. Albuquerque’s art really grew on me and feels note perfect for the series. So many good bits here, but “That’s right, baby girl. I’m the crazy one” and “I am going to hit you with this stick until you get the ___ off of my planet” will be dueling it out for my auto-sig for a long time to come.
An aside/honorable mention - Gunplay This preview issue from Platinum Studios came out of nowhere for me, but color me impressed and intrigued. If you can find it, it’s worth the $.99, IMHO. I’ll be buying the graphic novel it’s teasing. Oh yeah, there’s some nifty prose work by the aforementioned Priest in here, in case that excites anybody else as much as it does me.
28 Mar 2008 at 1:50 pm
Quoteall star superman was the best i read this weke. but only got three books.
28 Mar 2008 at 2:05 pm
Quote1. All-Star Superman
2. Transhuman
3. Fourth World Omnibus
4. Apocolypse Nerd
5. Freak Angels
28 Mar 2008 at 2:07 pm
Quote1) All Star Superman- Good stuff. with interesting speed towards this arc’s eventual conclusion. Cool.
2) Jack of Fables- Come on, no love for a fun Shakespeare redux? For shame. Comments from the peanut gallery, especially the “There’s a play within a play? Can they do that?” and the argument about the “To be or not to be” speech by two wee fairies. Priceless. I am a Shakespeare geek, so sue me.
3) Wolverine First Class- Helped out that Claremont/Byrne itch. Really a return to form for Bronze era X-Men. Looking forward to ongoing stories like this.
4) Hawksmoore- The issue is essentially the exact thing I wanted…the King of Cities rampaging around a city and solving problems…as and with the city. Cool. I like this characterization of him more than the Millar/Ellis version, too.
5) Bone Book 7 (color edition)- Freaking great. Can’t wait for the last two books. Daughter loving them too. Again props to the Panteon who recommended this in the first place.
28 Mar 2008 at 4:08 pm
Quoteoh my god All Star Superman was great this week. It was definitive without feeling like it was treading old ground. I don’t know what you’re talking about with the “jumping around” stuff. It read almost completely linear for me.
Blue Beetle was also excellent this week, so it’s good to see those that didn’t dig All-Star at least dug BB.
28 Mar 2008 at 7:14 pm
QuoteSo is Daredevil depressing in a compelling way or depressing in a depressing way? As a tradewaiter who’s barely hanging by a thread to Bru’s run, do Matt Murdock and I just need a break for a little while?
28 Mar 2008 at 10:02 pm
QuoteAs someone who found Sleeper and Gotham Central and Scene of the Crime depressing in compelling ways, I regret to inform that Daredevil is indeed depressing in a depressing way.
28 Mar 2008 at 10:52 pm
QuoteI’m trade-waiting on Daredevil now as well. I was reading it monthly, and it was good, but it seemed like the same thing happened every issue and, yes, the destruction of Matt Murdock’s life that started with, oh, I don’t know, “Born Again” is just relentless and starting to get a bit silly.
I hate to say this, because I love Brubaker, but I’m afraid he doesn’t really know what to do with the character. His initial arc was fantastic, better than the last few years of Bendis, in fact, but after that it seems like it’s treading water and there doesn’t seem to be much of a plan in place (unlike, say, Captain America and Criminal).
That has seemed to be the case with Brubaker’s Uncanny X-Men, as well, which is why I’m excited about Matt Fraction joining him. That writing team has proven that they can mine gold. Anyone else excited for their upcoming run?
I hope Greg Rucka stepping in as co-writer for an arc brings Daredevil back up to speed. Hell, I hope it works out so well for them that they decide to make it perrmanent. Gotham Central proved that they work very well together.
Brubaker seems to be a good collaborator with other writers, particulary writers who can overcome some of his shortcomings (relentlessly dour and depressing stories, not too great with humor, etc.)
I just realized all this makes it sound like I don’t like Brubaker, when nothing could be further from the truth. He is, in fact, one of my favorite comics writers. I guess I’m just a little afraid of him spreading himself too thin and pulling a Bendis.
I also just realized how long I’ve been blabbing on. Jesus, I need to shut up now.
29 Mar 2008 at 8:42 am
QuoteSluggo, it scares me how much we’re of “like mind” on “Daredevil.” If the art wasn’t so terrific, and if Greg Rucka wasn’t co-writing that upcoming arc, I’d probably drop the book altogether.
And no, you’re not the only one excited for the Brubaker-Fraction team on “Uncanny X-Men.” Their “Immortal Iron Fist” is by far my favorite monthly title. When it comes out, I have a goofy grin on my faced that can’t be removed. I’m shocked that more people aren’t buying and loving that book!
29 Mar 2008 at 3:57 pm
QuoteThe difference between Immortal Iron Fist and their upcoming Uncanny X-Men run is that Fraction and Brubaker won’t be co-writing X-Men like they are on Iron Fist, they will be rotating storyarcs. Still looking forward to it though, even with Greg Land as one of the artists.
My top five of the week, in no particular order since nothing leapt out at me as better than the rest of the bunch:
-All Star Superman
-Usagi Yojimbo
-Ultimate Spider-Man
-Proof
-New Avengers (strictly for David Mack’s gorgeous artwork)
29 Mar 2008 at 4:52 pm
QuoteGiven that Morrison and J.G. Jones are working on “Final Crisis,” I’d be hugely surprised if that book doesn’t suffer from huge delays. In fact, hasn’t Rich Johnston already alluded to the fact that the scripts are already late?
30 Mar 2008 at 11:46 am
QuoteBut isn’t Terry Dodson the other artist on “Uncanny?” That will be good. Maybe he’ll do Fraction’s story lines.
And a quick clarification on the “Immortal Iron Fist” writing: Having talked to both Brubaker and Fraction, it sounds like most of Ed’s work is in plotting. Fraction writes most of the dialogue and contributes to the plotting as well.
30 Mar 2008 at 11:49 am
QuoteDecent haul this week:
1. Blue Beetle - Pure awesome put into comic book form. A great ending as well, at least for Rogers’ run. Also, I’ll agree with s1rude that the line, “That’s right, baby girl. I’m the crazy one.” Is one of the best one-liners from the week.
2. Wolverine First Class - I still have some love for Wolverine and I like the timelessness of the First Class books.
3. Proof - With each issue, this gruesome but funny story gets better and better. Love Rossmo’s art as well and the cliffhanger ending.
4. X-Men First Class - Same reasons I liked Wolverine First Class. Just some great writing by Parker and a cool story focusing on Cyclops.
5. X-Men Legacy - Apparently, this book is my guilty pleasure. I really have liked what Carey has done so far, mainly because I find what’s happening with Xavier to be fairly interesting. Also, Scott Eaton’s artwork is damn good too.
6. Teen Titans - McKeever has finally found his footing, I think. The Terror Titans story is entertaining and the structure that he’s using for each issue, kind of one-off story that focuses on just one of the team members, is a nice change too.
7. Wormwood: Gentlemen Corpse Vol. 2: It Only Hurts When I Pee - Came out last week (or maybe the week before) but I finally was able to scrounge up enough money to pick it up. An absolute treat of a read, and the sardonic wit that Templesmith puts into it cracks me up.
8. All Star Superman - Another home run of an issue.
9. Power Pack: Day One - Covered this in Wednesday # 1’s already, but this was just a solid retelling of the Power Pack’s origin with some snazzy art.
10. New Avengers - Read it because I always read New Avengers, mainly to keep up with the Marvel Universe and just to see what horrendous thing Bendis has inflicted upon the masses, but this issue was readable and Mack’s art was top-notch. I’m actually, for some undefinable reason, really interested in Secret Invasion.
30 Mar 2008 at 12:32 pm
QuoteNothing really sprang out this week:
1. Transhuman
2. Proof
3. Spirit
4. Daredevil
5. Green Lantern
I still enjoy Daredevil, even if it is relentlessly bleak. I do think Brubaker should cut Murdock a break every once in a while though.
31 Mar 2008 at 4:56 am
QuoteJayfarer, I haven’t looked at the book again, but the time stamps in on the pages, they gave me the impression that we were jumping back and forth. Since I couldn’t really follow the jumping, I did pretty much consume it as a linear tale. But when I was finished I was thinking, what were the time stamps for? What did I miss?
JeffVice, I am not worried about the schedule of “Final Crisis”. I won’t be reading that. I am just saddened by the All-Star Superman schedule. I think #11 is solicited for May, I just don’t want to see it delayed until June and #12 coming in September or something like that.
I read The Spirit #15 last night. I really didn’t like it. It’s the second one from the new team.. and gee.. I remember thinking the first AragonesEvanier (#14) wasn’t as good as CookeBone.. but I don’t remember disliking it. I didn’t like the art, the story, the script. Ah well.
31 Mar 2008 at 7:53 am
QuoteI got behind on Jack of Fables, so behind that I basically decided waiting for the trade was the best way to catch up. But I do enjoy it, and I’m looking forward to reading the new trade fresh.
Might have been me. What the hell, I’ll take credit.
Btw, Amulet and Jellaby are also great books that “feel” like Scholastic even if one of them (Jellaby) is a different publisher.
Afraid I have to back up Dave here. And Sluggo, for that matter, who nailed it right down to the “it’s gonna sound like I hate Brubaker but actually I think he’s an amazing writer” thing. I dug Gotham Central, loved Sleeper and Scene of the Crime, but it’s clear that me and Brubaker have parted company on the “How depressing should Marvel’s superhero books be” front.
Although his co-writing on Immortal Iron Fist with Fraction continues to impress, and I’m hoping for a similar vibe when the two team (or alternate arcs, whatever) on Uncanny. Brubaker’s a stellar writer, but his books could generally use some kind of infusion of fun or manic energy, and Fraction is not at all short on that score.
Rucka, however, will probably bring even more realism and depressing elements to Daredevil. Prediction: It will be realistic, it will be gritty, it will be well-crafted, it will make me want to blow my own brains out after every issue. If I decide to go back and start reading again, which seems unlikely.
Btw, I finally caught up on Blue Beetle (read the third trade, and then all the issues that followed, up through #25) and man… that book was indeed awesome, and #25 was indeed the best read of the week, or at least in contention with All Star Superman. (Although I hadn’t read it when I made my Top 5, so I won’t change that.) Highly recommend picking up what is likely to wind up an awesome four-trade run by John Rogers, along with a few co-writers and guest writer fill-ins. Can’t wait to see what he does next.
All-Star Superman this week was quite possibly my favorite issue of that series thus far. In fact, while the overlong Bizarro arc kind of killed my interest, such that I was reconsidering buying it in Absolute edition (or trades, if they don’t ever do an Absolute), now I’m pretty much sure I’ll buy it.
Wolverine First Class was also great, although in retrospect, I’d drop it to #3 behind All Star and Blue Beetle.
Then there’s Proof, which kicked off a promising new arc (and served as a jumping-on point too) this week, X-Men First Class (sorry, Jeff, I kinda thought the toilet humor was hilarious given the context and the way it was handled) and Usagi Yojimbo, which featured a great one-off story that captured so much of what I like about Gen the bounty hunter and his friendship with Usagi.
Bit of a light week for me, but some good books in there.
01 Apr 2008 at 1:10 am
Quote1.Green Lantern
2.Wolverine First Class
3.All Superman
4.Daredevil
5.Jack of Fables
01 Apr 2008 at 2:21 pm
Quotestar trek new frountersw was very very bad
01 Apr 2008 at 7:20 pm
QuoteWhy did you (anyone) like All-Star Superman so much? I already explained how I was confused by the timestamps, but I also didn’t feel enough character in the stort. Did you (anyone) just dig the fun plot ideas? Or is it just Superman’s smile?
02 Apr 2008 at 7:18 am
Quote