Weekly Haul 9/24/14

Evil Empire #5

Issue #5 takes a step back from the plot line that has been developing to show us what the world has become after the world went crazy.  This one shot issue introduces us to Ace, a less than likable character, who is struggling to adapt to the new rules of society.  After reading I am left wondering whether the monsters have become “normal” and the “normal” monsters or if Bemis is really suggesting that everyone is a monsters when there are no rules.

Batman Eternal #25

Hush continues to be a step, or two, ahead of Batman and Gotham is slipping deeper into chaos.  With Alfred out of commission his daughter, Julia, continues to fill the void.   As the bat family continues to grow it becomes obvious that they will all need to consolidate and work together closely in order to fight back or at the very least, survive.

New 52 Futures End #21

This could be a point to jump on if you missed the start of Futures End and have been interested in seeing what its all about.  That is because the entire issue consists of Red Arrow and Green Arrow explaining everything that has been going on and Green Arrow reveals his plans to Big Barda and Emiko.   

Saga #23

Prince Robot continues the pursuit of his wife’s killer, Dengo, right to Marko and Alana’s doorstep where the two are dealing with the aftermath of their fight in the last issue. 

Inhuman #6

Dante (Inferno), Jason (Flint) and Naja, an inhuman Dante and Jason met in NYC, infiltrate New Attilan to find Dante’s sister.  Once inside they discover that the old king of the inhumans, The Unspoken, has dethroned Queen Medusa and taken control of the city. 

Letter 44 #10

In space, an alien spacecraft is attacking the Clarke while the crew struggles to establish a plan and rescue members isolated in a damaged area of their own ship.  Meanwhile on earth, the wars in the Middle East escalate even further after The United States deployed the technologically superior weapons last issue.


NXS

Comic Care

Preserving Your Collection

If you’ve recently started collecting comics, especially if it started as a novel interest and has turned into a full-blown hobby, you may have started wondering what to do with all your books.  When every book you buy costs upwards of $3 it is important, not only that you read and enjoy them, but that you can come back and do it again in the future.  This is where proper comic book storage can help. 

There is no one right way to keep your comics safe.  There are three things that a detrimental to the life of your books aside from your own personal clumsiness.  Light, Temperature, and Moisture are the three comic book killers.  As long as you have your books in a dark area with controlled temperature and humidity they will be fine.  That being said there is a lot more you can do to extend the life of your books.  Keeping them in a box tucked away in your closet will give your comics a life of about 10 to 15 years before you might notice some yellowing of the pages.  If you have decided that you are going to collect or that you want to preserve your books so that you can enjoy them as they are 20, 30, or even 90 years down the road, there are steps you can take to ensure that.

Bags

There are two bag families, mylar and poly.  Poly bags get their name from either of the two plastics from which they are made, polyethylene and polypropylene.  While these bags have their drawbacks they are still suitable for protecting and preserving your books.  Polyethylene is preferable for a few negligible reasons, which are outlined here, but if you have a choice go with the option that only has one p.  In either case you’re gonna want to change the bags out after about 5 to 7 years.

If you have the cash to burn then the choice bag for your comics is mylar.  While this option is a bit pricier and harder to find you wont need to change them out in your life-time.

Boards­

What you are looking for here is acid free.  There is acid free at time of manufacture, which is fine for about 5 years.  Acid free is a little bit longer but when it comes to boards you are going to need to change them out periodically.

Here is a video that explains how to get the comic in the bag.  This may seem ridiculous but when you get your bags and boards home and go to bag your first comic you will wish you had taken the time. click this

NXS

What Makes The Killing Joke Great

The Killing Joke

Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Brian Bolland

Many comic enthusiasts will rate The Killing Joke as one of the must read Batman comics.  In the New 52 era we can see it's influence on Scott Snyder's run of Batman with Greg Capullo.  After a first read of this book I felt like I had missed something.  The quality of the work wasn't in question, Moore and Bolland told a good Batman/Joker story.  But I couldn't quite grasp what set this one apart from all the rest, save for the fact that Alan Moore's name was on the cover.  After reading it a couple more times, doing some research and spending some time thinking about it, I can tell you that, yes, this is indeed one of the greatest Batman stories.

If you havn't read it yet then you may not want to continue reading because I'm going to be getting into spoiler territory.  There are two unwritten rules when it comes to Batman that this story breaks, depending on how you want to read it.  The first, and most important, is that Batman does not kill.  The second is that the Joker does not have a fixed back story.  If you are confused at this point that is fine, and in fact, that is what makes this such a great story.  One could easily read this and write Joker's backstory, as it is given, off, because the Joker says that sometimes he doesn't even remember his past.  Batman breaking his golden rule is not spelled out and is actually quite ambiguous.  In the last page both Batman and Joker are laughing but after Batman seizes him the laughter abruptly stops while the police siren continues.  Grant Morrison suggested that Batman had broken his neck however Julian Darius offers up a theory that I find more convincing where Batman has stabbed Joker with his own toxic needle.

At first I thought it was cool that Moore had managed to kill Joker right in front of me without my noticing.  That being said, just because Batman breaks his rule to end the collision course that he shares with Joker doesn't make this a great book.  The beauty lies in how this is all presented.  Moore and Bolland have not broken any rules while doing so at the same time.  A reader can take it any way they wish.  That is what I believe elevates this from a good story to a great one.


NXS

Weekly Haul 7/16/14

Comic Book Store

This is a tough week to be starting into comics.  I'm not sure I can recommend anything to first timers.  But if you are intent on picking up a series try Teen Titans.

Batman Eternal #15

I'm really starting to enjoy Batman Eternal but unless you want to try and track down the first 14 issues or get them digitally it is best to wait on this one until it comes out as a tpb.

New 52 Futures End #11

The story is still going in a hundred different directions.  This is a good comic to pick up if you want to be thoroughly confused.

Robin Rises Omega #1

This is one to pick up if you've been following The Hunt For Robin arc that has been running in the Batman and Robin series.  Other than thats it's a one shot which probably won't make much sense on its own.

Manifest Destiny #8
This is a great series.  The art and story are superb.  The trade for the first few issues is available and you can wait for then second volume or jump in and get the digital issues to fill in the space and pick this up.

Uncanny X-Men #23
A trade is available for this series but I would suggest starting with Avengers vs. X-Men and working your way up to this series.  It will fill in a lot of the holes by letting you know whats lead up to this point.

X-Men #16

The same thing goes for this series.  This isn't a good jumping on point, the series isn't a good jumping on point.  It's almost like its part of Marvel's master plan to sell trades.  Start with Avengers vs. X-Men.

100th Anniversary Special X-Men #1

This is a #1 in name only. If you are looking to get into X-Men get a trade.

Teen Titans #1

I wasn't planning on picking this up but when I saw it on the shelf and it was a #1 I figured I'd give it a shot.  The writer, Will Pfeifer, is signing at a local comic shop so that also helped.

Grayson #1

This came out last week and I picked it up today because the writer, Tim Seeley, will be signing at a store near me and I thought it would be cool to get this particular issue autographed.  I was on the fence and passed on it before but I look forward to seeing how this series develops.


NXS

United States of Murder Inc.

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis

Artist: Michael Avoe Oeming

I was able to pick up the first three issues of this creator owned book after I saw the reviews it was getting which was a great surprise.  United States of Murder Inc. lives up the hype.  Bendis and Oeming have created a world that I can’t wait to explore.  The more that’s revealed, the more I want to know.

The story opens with Valentine being initiated as a made man and being given a mission.  From that point forward everything that happens leads to a twist or reveal, deepening the readers understanding of this fictional world while also thickening the plot.  Everything about this story, from the foundation up, is engaging and entertaining.

Michael Oeming is a name I hadn’t heard before so I really didn’t know what to expect.  When I opened the book to see his cartoon styled art I know quite what to think.  It seemed at odds with the seriousness of the story being presented and the mature dialogue.  I quickly became quite comfortable with it and think it does a great deal of good in allowing the reader to get themselves into the world that has been masterfully orchestrated.  On a couple occasions I had trouble following the panel movement and I’m not sure if I am to blame or if there are some layout issues.

If you can’t get the back issues at your comic shop you can find them online at comixology or wait for the trade to come out in December.  Either way is ok as long as you read it.  I give this series a 5 out of 5 and I pity the fool who misses out.

NXS

Spread #1

Writer: Justin Jordan

Artist: Kyle Strahm

I contemplated picking up this book because I wasn’t familiar with either of the creators but the teaser page in Preview caught my attention and I’ve given plenty of books a shot based on much less.  I’m so glad I did because the issue has sold out with Diamond.  If you can’t find this book in your shop a digital copy is 50 cents cheaper and Image has announced a second printing so you can still get your hands on it.

While the plot appears to be the skeleton of a critter I’ve seen before, the creative touch makes Spread a blast to read.  It flows beautifully!  Before I knew it I had finished and needed was compelled the issue a second go around.  Can’t wait to see where Jordan takes this.

I was turned off by the art at first glance but after reading I can’t imagine it any other way.  Strahm’s stylized work allows the reader to really enjoy the world they have created because it plays so well with the concepts and action of the story.

I give Spread a 5 out of 5 and this it will definitely be added to my pull list.  This new Image title is my Pick of the Week.  So, if you are looking for a new series to follow, try and track down Spread #1.


NXS