Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artists: Pia Guerra & Jose Marzan Jr.

Excuse the frequent use of the word “I” in this review, because while every review I give is in the end a personal piece, Y: The Last Man is one of my favorite works, and what you’re getting here is very much the emotional response that I had to the final issue of a series I’ve been reading and enjoying for five years. I’ll save the suspense, though… despite some concern with the last couple of story arcs, the penultimate issue and even the big reveal of what killed all the men, I thought Y: The Last Man #60 was terrific, maybe not as phenomenal as the first issue that launched the whole thing, but damned close at least. Continue Reading »

I love DMZ and Local, and in many ways, they’re an evolution of what Brian Wood has done previously. Young, principled journalist in an urban environment ruled by corporate and governmental corruption? The foundation was laid down in Channel Zero, Wood’s first comics work. Slice of life styles with a touch of angst, some of the best characterization in the business and an artistic collaborator to die for? Not for nothing is Local an “unofficial sequel” to Demo. But a viking warrior seeking his place in a violent culture and a dangerous world? That’s relatively new territory. And how does Wood fare outside of his usual comfort zone? Pretty well, Continue Reading »

What is a “Hot Pants” pick? Quite simply, it’s a book that all four reviewers on this site believe is worthy of your time. It may or may not be one of our favorite books, but it’s that rare breed of comic that struck all four of us, with our different tastes, as a good read. Y the Last Man is our latest “Hot Pants” pick.

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Writer: Steven T. Seagle
Artists: Becky Cloonan & Jim Rugg
Company: Vertigo

Some of the best stories, whether in comics, TV, film, books or some other medium, are damned hard to describe. American Virgin is like that. It’s the story of a teenage celebrity at the head of a national virginity movement and what happens when everything he’s believed in is thrown into chaos. But it’s about much more than an act of violence robbing Adam Chamberlain of his perceived destiny. Seagle’s story covers themes of faith, family, violence, cultural differences, anger, vengeance and of course sex. The artwork by Becky Cloonan (with inks by Jim Rugg on some issues) has a look that is both 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 latest “Bell Bottom Pick” is Scene of the Crime: A Little Piece of Goodnight TPB (2000).
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Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Cameron Stewart
Company: Vertigo

The Vietnam War was 40 years ago, the boom of movies, novels and comics exploring Vietnam was 20 years ago, but the war is still relevant, still a source of pain and angst and insight into politics and the human condition. The Other Side explores the War from two viewpoints, that of a newly drafted American soldier and a newly recruited soldier for Vietnam. In so doing, writer Jason Aaron explores the similarities of soldiering, the differences of philosophy between the two forces and the human reaction to being taken from your life and dropped into a messy state of war. There are elements of Continue Reading »

What is a “Hot Pants” pick? Quite simply, it’s a book that all four reviewers on this site believe is worthy of your time. It might not be one of our favorite books, but it’s that rare breed of comic that struck all four of us, with our different tastes, as a good read. Losers is our latest “Hot Pants” pick.

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Writers: Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges
Pencils: Tony Akins
Company: Vertigo

I’m a huge fan of Fables, and it is easily my favorite monthly title. I also really enjoyed reading issues #1, #2 and #3 of the spin-off book, Jack of Fables, but unfortunately, my enthusiasm for the new title is beginning to ease off. It is still a very solid book and one that I will continue to look forward to reading for the foreseeable future, but the problem is that I have gotten so accustomed to the stellar quality level of the main Fables title, that a very solid Fables related book is still quite a disappointment in comparison. Check this article out to learn more about the main Fables title and its shared universe Continue Reading »

Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Kristian Donaldson
Company: Vertigo

A blaring opening salvo for the world of DMZ, this “tale done in one” is a dark and depressing, yet very compelling look at the creation of the DMZ in the cramped confines of New York City. Its main star is one that we’ve been introduced to before: Zee, a medical student whose only want in life is to help people. But in a world where war is brewing and people can turn on you in an instant, is helping people enough to make a person stay and continue to face death each and every day?

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What is a “Hot Pants” pick? Quite simply, it’s a book that all four reviewers on this site believe is worthy of your time. It may or may not be one of our favorite books, but it’s that rare breed of comic that struck all four of us, with our different tastes, as a good read. Fables is our latest “Hot Pants” pick.

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