'76 #1 (Image)- Picked up. This is a fun series that consists of 2 stories per issue, both set in 1976. "Jackie Karma" is a kung-fu-fighting, (bleep)-kicking action flick. "Cool" is a story about bounty hunters, the mob & a stripper on the run. All good fun in a "period" setting.
Anna Mercury #1 (Avatar)- Picked up.
This was an excellent setup issue, a good introduction to the characters, their world, and the point of conflict. All this combined with good pacing, lots of action, clean/clear art, and a tremendous hook at the end that will have you coming back for #2. This book is recommended for any fans of action/sci-fi in the vein of the Matrix movies (well, the Matrix movies that didn’t suck, anyway).
Bat Lash #1 (DC)- Picked up. I was skeptical about how Sergio Aragones would be on writing a non-humor western, my fears were baseless, this is a great re-telling of Bat Lash's early days and the events that would shape the character he would later become. Solid western action.
Cable #1 (Marvel)- On the fence. I normally love Ariel Olivetti's art, but there were some ridiculous inconsistencies in art from page-to-page. The baby kept changing in size, and it's hair went from "full head of" to "wispy bits of" depending on where in the book we were. Olivetti seriously needs to post some model sheets on the characters near his drawing space. Story was so-so. I'll give this a few more issues before making a thumbs-up or down decision.
The Darkness #1 (Top Cow)- Picked up. I've never previously been a Darkness fan, but the #1 issue here did an excellent job in setting up this new series (1st part of #1 was reprinted from the Preview/#0 issue). Art is very nice and the story is intriguing, I'm very interested in seeing what happens next.
Dead of Night #1 (Marvel MAX)- Picked up. Interesting retelling/reinterpretation of the Man-Thing storyline. Art suits the story and I'll be back for the rest of the mini-series.
Doktor Sleepless #1 (Avatar)- This one originally failed for me, I didn't pick it up after the 1st issue, but Damian (Lord Shaper) re-raised this one and issued me a "2nd issue challenge". I re-visited #2, and it was significantly different in tone/content, and the book ended up being added to my list. This is certainly a "dense" series and if you're not reading that many books and like sci-fi/mystery, you'll certainly get your money's worth out of this one, as it's backed up with additional content on Blogs & web-sites.
Dreamwar #1 (DC/Wildstorm)- Picked up.
First the bad: The art is reminiscent of “classic Image” and not in a good way. There was an almost Rob-Liefeld-esque aversion to drawing feet throughout the issue. That being said, I noticed this only upon closer examination, on my first read-though the art was OK, not distracting.
The good: The story is intriguing. I was unfamiliar with some of the Wildstorm characters and nothing in this specific issue would have me out wanting to find out more about them, but, I was very happy to see the classic JLA (from what looks like the teens or 20s of the 1st run), the Wolfman/Perez era Teen Titans, and what appeared to maybe be the Giffen era Legion of Superheroes. I’ll be interested to see where they go with this series, it could get a LOT better, but it could go off the rails. Looking at this as a 1st issue only, there was enough good stuff to tip me over into the "continue to buy" column. Not the greatest thing I've ever read, but better than a lot of stuff out there, especially cool because of the blending of a variety of different classic teams.
Foundation #1 (Boom!)- Picked up. What if Nostradamus used all the money he made to set up a Foundation whose sole purpose was to go around and prevent the really "world ending" prophecies from coming to pass? And what if that Foundation existed to this day? That's the basis for this series, set in present day.
Gotham Underground #1 (DC)- Picked up. Interesting storyline concentrating on "secondary" characters (heroes & villains) in the Batman corner of the DCU. If you're really into Batman & his mythos, this should be a good series to check out.
Gravel #0 (Avatar)- Picked up. I love this book. Only complaint is that the #0 issue should be #1, it is ABSOLUTELY NOT a throwaway, and I think you will be lost in #1 if you do not read #0 1st. I think of Gravel as "John Constantine is he was a total (bleep)-kicker".
The Hulk #1 (Marvel) - Do not continue. After months of hype about the "red Hulk", including multiple variant covers of #1 each featuring a red Hulk, I thought it was a really poor decision to have zero presence of the red Hulk in the #1 issue. Really weak set up for a monthly comic, and I was left with "I don't care" at the end instead of "I must read #2". This series seems to be selling like hotcakes, though. I'm sure I will one day get these comics, but there will be plenty of these in 50-cent bins in future, that's where I'll pick them up, as opposed to paying full price as they come out.
Infinity, Inc. #1 (DC) - Do not continue. I felt this was too dark a storyline (and art) for a core DCU title. This is following out of my least favorite "52" storyline and while I like Peter Milligan when he's writing stuff like Tank Girl or Animal Man, I just can't get into his style on more "super-heroey" characters, but that's just a personal bias for me.
Justice for Hire #1 (Creative Impulse)- Picked up. Very fun series set in the near future where people can hire private "security firms" to enforce justice when they feel the police are unwilling or unable. Packaged with a DVD containing some very cool martial arts action, this package is well worth the price in sheer entertainment value delivered.
Locke & Key #1 (IDW)- Picked up. Very eerie story, in a horror/supernatural vein. I really would like to see where this series is going after the setup this issue. Kind of bloody/violent in parts, so be warned (John) is that is not to your likoing, you may want to steer clear.
The Long Count #1 (Archaia Studio Press) - Do not continue. Art was very good as static "art" images, but storytelling was not that good. Panel-to-panel & page-to-page art was unclear. May end up getting this as a GN once it is done. ASP does tend to put these series together in nice HC editions, story may read much better that way, did not seem to come out good as monthly.
Loveless TP v1 (Vertigo) - Do not continue. This was a Vertigo series that I tried out in TP with the 1st volume. While I love Azzarello's 100 Bullets, and lots of other westerns, this one really missed the mark for me. It seemed dark (physically in the art) and I had a hard time telling some of the characters apart from one another. Not something I'll be picking up as more volumes come out.
The Many Adventures of Miranda Mercury #295 (Archaia Studio Press)- Picked up. This is the 1st issue published, though the premise is that there have been 294 previous Miranda Mercury comics we have not seen. I got kind of a "Tom Strong" vibe from the story, kind of good clean innocent fun. I'd call this an all-ages adventure book (book is recommended 10+, and that is good guidance. I think kids younger than 10 would not be able to follow the story that easily). Recommended.
The Megas #1 (Virgin)- Picked up. Very cool concept that when Washington/Jefferson/etc. started up America, they set themselves up as royalty (paralleling the British system) instead of creating a democracy. This series is set in the present day USA, but with a King, Dukes, etc. as the ruling class, and then the common folk. This initial story is essentially a murder mystery, set against this backdrop, and I found it very interesting.
Misadventures of Clark & Jefferson #1 (APE)- Do not continue. Western crossed with Sci-Fi. Aliens visit the old west, but the old west in this story is rife with bathroom humor and western dialog that (to me) did not "ring true".
New Dynamix #1 (DC/Wildstorm)- Picked up. I'm not that crazy about the art, but I really liked the story in the 1st issue. Given that it's a 5 issue series, I'll ride it out to the end, I want to see what happens. Art was kind on anime/cartoony, not my favorite for super-hero stories, but not so distracting that it would cause me to give the series a thumbs-down.
New Exiles #1 (Marvel) - Do not continue. Did not really seem like a 1st issue, and was very steeped in Chris Claremont "X-Lore". I thought that while this book was not right for me, it would be a good one for folks who were really into the X-Universe books.
Noble Causes #32 (Image)- Picked up.
Almost like a 1st issue. This issue is a “5 years later” story and advertised as a good jumping on point for new readers. It worked for me, Faerber did a good job of introducing the characters, situations, and conflicts. I got just enough info from the inside front cover to get me going, and there was additional “up to speed” info as I read the story. The story concluded with a great “hook” that will definitely have me coming back for #33. The “set up” was somewhat less effective for folks who had been reading the book all along, as it seemed a slow down to have all the intros again for John, but he also looks forward to the resolution of this issues last page revelation.
North Wind #1 (Boom!)- Picked up. Excellent post-apocalyptic story. In this case, the apocalypse is another ice age hitting earth and survivors struggle for existence in a world where Los Angeles is buried under ice.
Number of the Beast #1 (DC/Wildstorm)- Picked up.
They did an excellent job of introducing characters I had never seen before, integrated storytelling points so I not only knew the name of each character, but also a bit about their powers and backstory, and in the end, I found myself caring about them and wanting to read more. Definite thumbs up for this series.
Omega One #1&2 (Big City Comics)- Picked up. Journeyman art, but a fun concept, blending together lots of characters from different Indy books in one place. I was able to follow/enjoy the storyline from the material presented, but the author dropped the ball by not putting in some "data sheets" on who the different characters are and where they come from so I'd know where to look to get more stories featuring people like Charlie Echo. Hopefully they will fix this point in an upcoming issue.
Proof #1 (Image)- Picked up. One of my favorite new series of the last 6 months, this cross between X-Files & Harry & The Hendersons focuses on an FBI agent (who also happens to be a Bigfoot) and his human partner as they track down "cryptids" like El Chupacabra. 1st trade is solicited in the March Previews and is worth picking up if you missed this series.
RASL #1 (Cartoon Books)- Picked up. Jeff Smith's new "post-Bone" series that follows a dimension-hopping art thief. Seemed very interesting and I was intrigued enough by the story to come back for #2. I'm not sure how Jeff Smith's "innocent/cartoony" style is going to work for me on this series in the long run, since it seems like the story is kind of gritty/noir, and the art is not a good match.
Scalped TP v1 (Vertigo) - Picked up. This was a Vertigo series that I tried out in TP with the 1st volume. Very interesting story involving FBI agents and an indian tribe starting up a casino on their reservation. Hard boiled crime & lots of intrigue/action, I'm continuing on with this one (have already picked up v2 of the TP).
Simon Dark #1 (DC)- Picked up. Solid storytelling & art set in a "darker" (if that can be believed) corner of Gotham City. I would have liked this a bit more if there were some recognizable police officers from GCPD, but it's a solid story and it has me interested in seeing what's going to happen next.
The Sisterhood #1 (Archaia Studio Press)- Picked up. I liked the story. Very clear story-telling, with all the elements needed to follow/enjoy the premise/story blended into the narrative. I liked the art, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. Everything I look for in a 1st issue.
Star Trek: The New Frontier #1 (IDW)- On the fence. I love Star Trek (and if you don't already love Star Trek, steer well clear of this). Even so, there was a lot of stuff in here that went right over my head, as I only read the first 3-4 New Frontier novels, and those 7 or 8 years ago. For dedicated fans of Peter David's New Frontier, this should be great. For "regular" Star Trek fans, it was a good read, and I'm going to see if it grows on me.
Suburban Glamour #1 (Image)- Picked up. Very interesting story, and I really like the Jamie McKelvie art. If you missed this so far, the TP will be something to pick up (solicited in March previews).
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Terror, Inc. #1 (Marvel MAX)- Picked up. I never read Terror in his previous incarnation, but this series brought me on board and up to speed very easily in the #1 issue. Plus it left me with a "I must know what happens next!" feeling. Just what a #1 should do. Terror is kind of a sentient zombie who kicks (bleep) and takes names. He is effectively immortal, but his body parts decay continually and he must get new "parts" from people he kills. A violent series, Punisher meets the supernatural. Definitely worth picking up the trade if you missed this one.
Tiny Titans #1 (Johnny DC) - Do not continue. A fun title, but not very much "meat". I think this is a great book for the target audience of kids, but this one missed the mark with me. That doesn't make it a bad book, just not something that is right for me. My 16-year-old son gave a similar assessment & a "pass" on this one also.
Ultimates 3 #1 (Marvel Ultimate)- Picked up. I didn't order this series out of the gate because I've not been that thrilled with a lot of what Jeff Loeb has been writing for the last year or so (see my assessment of Hulk #1 above). However, that being said, I was pleasantly surprised with this #1. Started off with solid action, good build up, good "chunk of story" and the climax really left me wanting to come back for the 2nd issue. This was what a #1 issue should be like.
Vinyl Underground #1 (Vertigo)- Picked up. Excellent occult/mystery series. Kind of a cross between Hellblazer & Image's Phonogram.
Wolverine: First Class #1 (Marvel)- Picked up. This was a very charming story. Nice easy read, done-in-one. Set when Kitty Pryde 1st comes to the Xavier school & Prof X sends her out on a mission w/Wolverine. This story would be very suitable for kids and I enjoyed it as an adult. Only negative comment is the series should maybe be called Wolverine & Kitty, but maybe that is not commercial enough. Anyway, I really enjoyed this.
X-Force #1 (Marvel)- Picked up. This follows a team of mutants (led by Wolverine) who do the dirty work that "needs doing" (e.g., they kill, pretty unrepentantly). I'm not so sure about the story, but I like the Clayton Crain art quite a lot, so I'll be picking this up as long as he's doing the art chores.
Young X-Men #1 (Marvel)- On the Fence.
This is a great book for people who are deeply into Marvel’s X-Universe. However, I found myself deeply confused about who many of these characters were, what their powers were, and why I should care. This is not a good thing for a #1 issue. In my opinion, a #1 should be very accessible and be striving to bring new readers into the fold. This came off as heavily incestuous, appealing primarily to people who buy all the X-books anyway. I cannot see this bringing new readers to the franchise. That being said, if you LOVE the X-books, this will probably be right up your alley. I did like the “hook” they ended the issue with. The last page was enough to get me to buy one more issue before I decide to drop this book or keep on going.