If you’re not into some crazy, far-fetched, kind of out there ideas, then this week’s Presents might not be for you. Then again, you may be digging around in the wrong form of entertainment if that’s not your bag—it’s kind of what comics is all about. What do Hawkguy, vampires, six supernatural guns, and a time traveling doctor (who isn’t even a doctor, mind you!) have in common? Nothing at all; except they can all be found in the article below, and I’m going to try my best to make you spend your money on all of them.
Sixth Gun #28, Oni Press
Recommended by Sean
Guess which plotline is this book’s in the intro above? I’ll give you a minute. Turns out, this may be one of the craziest things I have ever heard of, but I’d be damned if I could say that Sean hasn’t caught my attention. So, there are these 6 guns, all with special powers, and people are trying to gather them together to reshape all of creation in any way they choose–told you. Drake and Becky have 5 of the guns and are in hot pursuit of the final piece of the puzzle, all the while being chased down by other individuals or groups of people for the guns that they possess. Um, yes please!
Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time #1 (of 12), IDW
Recommended by Travis
What do we Who-vians get for the 50th anniversary of one of the most popular TV shows of all time? A comic, naturally. Not only is this a completely new story involving the Doctor—it’s a completely new story involving ALL the Doctors! A shadowy figure is looking into the past, present, and future and taking notice of the Doctors and their helpers. Who is this, and what his end game? Find out this week!
Mara #2 (of 6), Image
Recommended by Stephanie and Tali
Ming Doyle’s work on Mara #1 was drop dead gorgeous, and that Brian Wood guy did pretty darn good job in setting up an intriguing story. Issue #2 picks up with Mara’s ability being exposed to the world, and her being defamed as a fraud. We get to see how a celebrity, and their crew, goes in to positive spin mode in reaction to such a story, but will it do any good? Um, ask the Kardashians. I’m pretty sure they could make Mara pseudo famous and a millionaire out of this little mishap.
Emily and the Strangers #1, Dark Horse
Recommended by Bobby and Steve
Sometimes I can’t describe things better than the people who made it. I know, it’s a rarity, but there are times. So here’s the official word on this little book:
“With the help of her trio of troublemaking cats, Emily is determined to make the most rockin’ song the world has ever known and win a legendary haunted guitar . . . but can she do it solo? Only one thing is for sure-what Emily wants, Emily gets . . . sometimes.”
It had me at cats.
I, Vampire #16, DC
Recommended by Adam
This guy’s building up the brownie points! I don’t think it’s a shocker that my day was made by just know that I get to talk about I, Vampire some more, but if there was any doubt, just know that it totally was. Josh Fialkov has remained a part of I, Vampire, and it is certainly a good thing, as the art was not what we have come to expect in issue #15. Following Andrea Sorrentino is no easy task though, so I’ll give it another shot. Issue #16 gives us a look into the origins of vampires in the DC Universe, and delves into Andrew’s plan as Vampire King.
Dark Avengers #186, Marvel
Recommended by Bob
Well, with Thunderbolts being a bust it looks as if we’ll have to pretend that this is the Thunderbolts Bob has been telling us about (that and because it kind of is). This week we see the return of the U.S. Agent, and, from the preview pages that are out there, I’d be shocked if you didn’t get a couple of true laughs out of the issue. While Hawkeye gets his due in the next bit, Trickshot’s dream-thing nearly had me in tears. Your move, Mr. Fraction, because Jeff Parker just dropped the mic and walked off.
Hawkeye #7, Marvel
Recommended by Comics Fans Everywhere! And us, here.
This book would have made Presents even if I didn’t have a snazzy segue in the previous book’s little “fifteen words of fame” (That’s what I’m calling these things. Don’t count the words). Not only is Hawkguy one of the best books in all of comics, this particular issue of the Average Joe Avenger (Do I get royalties if that becomes a thing? TM David Short if so) is for a very good cause. A few months back the Northeast United States endured a terrible tragedy in Hurricane Sandy. Hawkeye #7 is a book that takes us back to that time, and puts our Hawkeyes in the midst of normal people trying to get through it. Not only that, but Matt Fraction has agreed to donate all the royalties that he receives from the sales of this book to a charity to benefit those who were affected by this event. So let’s go out and buy like 8 of these books and sacrifice a few variants this month. What do you say?
Others To Watch For
All Star Western #16
Avengers #4
Superior Spider-Man #2
Batman Inc #7
Invincible #100
Journey into Mystery #648
Talon #4
Emails by the Fire with Robert Reyer
“The largest American sporting event of the year is on tap for next Sunday, and with “Super Bowl fever” gripping the nation harder than the latest strain of influenza, I thought it an appropriate time to bring up the disdain that many “sporting folks” have for those in the Sci-Fi/Comic world, despite the fact that many of us are sports fans as well, and the denigrators’ over-sight of their own “nerd” tendencies to boot.
Now, I’ve been a sports nut since I was old enough to have a catch with my Dad, so I don’t want to tar everyone with the same brush, but why do some in the “athletic” community still see the need to look down their mostly-broken noses at those of us who choose to indulge our fantastic or creative sides? Seemingly, (to borrow an idea from a comedian from the film “Trekkies”), though it is perfectly O.K in the minds of most for a guy who’s never done anything more athletic than operate the TV remote to walk around this week in a Baltimore Ravens jersey, but if a comics fan had worn a Fantastic Four shirt, or a Captain Marvel hoodie to go grocery shopping, there would probably have been some sniggering behind their back followed by a snarky Facebook posting. One’s the same as the other, people; shouldn’t we all be able to recognize each others “nerdity”, and appreciate the time and effort it takes to be a real fan of anything?
(Sadly Robert, it seems as if there are folks in your own hobby who take it upon themselves to decide who is “real” and who is “fake”. Take a look at the cartoon at this link, darlings! Audrey {with thanks to Ms. Gail Simone, whose blog “Ape in a Cape” pointed out this lovely cartoon to us!})
http://www.dorktower.com/2012/12/04/fake-geek-girl-dork-tower-04-12-12/”
There you have it! Money well spent. I know because I took a trip in a blue telephone booth, or so I remember. It might have had something to do with the baggie of goodies left by the guy before me. Either way, you’re welcome!
PS. You want to know how the world ends? Daleks. Gail Simone was right all along.
A conversation left me listening to The Ocean as I put a face on this thing. You’re really lucky this didn’t get super meta really quick. Again, you’re welcome.
