By Bobby Shortle
Hello everyone and welcome to Talking Comics Presents! Every week we here at Talking Comics will endeavor to give you a personal view of the book we are most excited for, and why!
Remember , I want your input, what books are you excited for? Have you found any great fan art this week? Whats your favorite cover, panel or bit of writing (easy on the spoilers)? Do you have a video testimonial, audio blurb or art of your own you’d like to share? Send these things to bobby@talkingcomicbooks.com and the best of them will be included here from now on!
Don’t forget to check out our Listener Feedback Podcast, review of The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, and of course the reviews from our amazing contributors.
Well, enough with the who, where, what, why and how, I give to you Talking Comics Presents for the comic book releases on 6/12/13.
BOOM! Studios
Six Gun Gorilla #1
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Jeff Stokely
Cover by Ramon Perez
Boom! Says: “Welcome to “the Blister” — a bizarre other-world colonized by humans sometime in the 22nd century, which quickly became a hotly-contested source of fertile land and natural resources long ago exhausted on Earth. In this new frontier, a rogue gunslinger and his companion wander across a wilderness in the grips of a civil war, encountering lawlessness, natives, and perversions of civilization in a world at the crossroads between the past and the future. The fact that said gunslinger is a bio-surgically modified silverback gorilla toting a pair of enormous revolvers is neither here nor there.”
Steve Seigh says: “So now that anyone who listens to the Talking Comics podcast knows that I simply cannot abide by America’s obsession with monkeys, it might strike you as a little odd that I’d be amped for this title. But c’mon, just take a look at that cover! Are you not the least bit curious as to what type of (ape)shit is going to go down? I mean who gives a gorilla a gun and allows him to run rampant on an unsuspecting public?I’ll bet you a bunch of bananas that this book turns out to be awesome!”
Dark Horse:
True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #1
Writer: Gerard Way & Shaun Simon
Artist: Becky Cloonan
Colorist: Dan Jackson
Cover Artist: Becky Cloonan
Dark Horse says: “Years ago, the Killjoys fought against the tyrannical megacorporation Better Living Industries, costing them their lives, save for one—the mysterious Girl. Today, the followers of the original Killjoys languish in the Desert while BLI systematically strips citizens of their individuality. As the fight for freedom fades, it’s left to the Girl to take up the mantle and bring down the fearsome BLI or else join the mindless ranks of Bat City! The final chapter of the Danger Days saga by My Chemical Romance.”
Stephanie Cooke says: “I judged the Umbrella Academy because of Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance) but I won’t make the mistake of doing that with this book. I wound up loving Umbrella Academy and with art by Becky Cloonan, I don’t see how this could possibly go wrong. I’m not listening to the “prequel music” though. Sorry Gerard, I draw the line there.”
Steve Seigh says: “There’s something about The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #1 that is calling to me in a big way. I’m only familiar with Gerard Butler in regard to his work with the band My Chemical Romance, but if Stephanie is to be trusted (and she is) he can also pen one hell of a good story. So with good faith, a vested interest, and a love for Becky Cloonan ANYTHING, I’m totally ready to see what this new series from Dark Horse comics has to offer.”
DC Comics:
Batgirl #21
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Fernando Pasarin
DC says: “Has Barbara gone too far? How can she carry on as Batgirl? What choices will she make, and how will her new, decidedly deadly admirer affect her decision?”
Bob Reyer says: “Things just seem to get worse and worse for Barbara Gordon, don’t they? With enemies seemingly on both sides of the law, how will she persevere?”
Batman #21
Story by Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV
Art by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, & Rafael Albuquerque
Colors by FCO Plascencia & Dave McCaig
Letters by Nick Napolitano & Taylor Esposito
Cover by Greg Capullo & Mikel Janin
DC says: “Witness The New 52 origin of The Dark Knight in BATMAN: ZERO YEAR! Twists and turns are around every corner as Bruce Wayne takes the final steps toward his destiny! And in the backup story, learn more about how different Gotham City was at this dangerous point in time.”
Bobby Shortle says: “The next giant Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo Batman arc is here and it’s the origin story Zero Year. I was initially let down by the team tackling yet another origin of the Dark Knight, but Snyder has promised this will be something drastically different. So, count me in!”
Batman Li’l Gotham #3
Story by Dustin Nguyen & Derek Fridolfs
Art by Dustin Nguyen
Cover by Dustin Nguyen
DC says: “It’s Valentine’s Day in Gotham City, and The Joker’s having a rough time. Not only does he hate the holiday, but when his plan to ruin it for everyone else backfires, he becomes the target of many fan-favorite females’ affections!” And in the second story, set against the backdrop of Gotham City’s Lunar New Year celebrations, Damian and Katana team up to take down some thieves. But when they get captured, can some “old” allies save them?”
Stephanie Cooke says: “If you’re NOT excited for this… GET OOOOUT! Dustin Nguyen’s style is utilized perfectly in this series and it’s absolutely perfect for all-ages fans of the DCU.”
Suicide Squad #21
Story by Ales Kot
Art by Patrick Zircher
Cover by Jason Pearson
DC says: “The Suicide Squad takes over Belle Reve! When the team decides they’ve had enough of Amanda Waller’s manipulations, they turn the tables on their boss. But Waller still has a few tricks up her sleeve—or more accurately, a bomb in everyone’s neck!”
Sean Lamont says: “After last month’s extremely solid start to his run on Suicide Squad, I am sincerely looking forward to this week’s issue to see if he can maintain the same creepy and melodramatic vibe that he was able to pull off so effortlessly last time.”
Steve Seigh says: “Suicide Squad has jumped to the very top of my reading list since new creative team Ales Kot and Patrick Zircher climbed on board this gritty and grizzly DC title. Their debut in issue #20 really won me over and I cannot not wait to see what new twists and turns await some of the most unlikely villains in the DCU.”
Superman Unchained #1
Story by Scott Snyder
Art by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, & Dustin Nguyen
Cover by Jim Lee & Scott Williams
DC says: “When thirteen satellites fall from the sky in one day, the logical suspect is Lex Luthor—even though he’s still locked up in prison! But a stranger question remains: If Superman didn’t stop the last satellite from falling, who did? There’s a mystery hidden where even Superman can’t see it—Can The Man of Steel drag a decades-old secret into the light? Don’t miss the debut of this red-hot new series from two of comics’ brightest superstars: SCOTT SNYDER and JIM LEE! This debut issue also includes a bonus two-sided, tipped-in poster measuring 11.6875” x 18.875” that is part of the reading experience and can be easily removed for display!”
Adam Shaw says: “Superman Unchained “Snyder. Lee. Superman. ’nuff said.”
Bobby Shortle says: “With Man of Steel opening this Friday there could not be a better time for Scott Snyder and Jim Lee’s Superman Unchained. The simple promise of a great Superman story, in a landscape of the poor ones for the last few years, is enough to make this a definite pull.”
DOOMSDAY.1 #2
Writer/Artist: John Byrne
Colorist: Leonard O’Grady
IDW says: “Is there any hope Humanity can recover from doomsday? Odds seem low, as our intrepid team discovers the survivors include the worst of the worst.”
Bob Reyer says: “Out of the fire, and into the frying pan”, I guess? It seems as if surviving the world-wide holocaust may only be temporary for our lead characters! The first issue of John Byrne’sDoomsday.1 was stellar, and I’m much looking forward to seeing where Mr. Byrne is headed!”
Peter Panzerfaust #11
Story by Kurtis J Wiebe
Art by Tyler Jenkins
Image says: “CRY OF THE WOLF” Having faced the wrath of The Hook, Peter and the Lost Boys join forces with the Braves in guerilla warfare from their secret hideout in the Sticks. This time, Felix is the man with the memories, and as Mr. Parsons soon learns, he’s not eager to revisit that life. A NEW STORY ARC BEGINS HERE! PERFECT JUMP ON POINT!
Mara Whiteside says: “This issues starts off Felix’s leg of Peter’s story. This comic book is story oriented, and Weibe is doing a wonderful job retelling Peter Pan’s legend.”
Marvel:
Avengers Assemble #16
Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Artist: Matteo Buffagni
Cover: Joe Quinones
Marvel says: “THE ENEMY WITHIN: PART 2 OF 5 – Who wants YOU for dinner? The Brood! – Spider Woman & Captain Marvel declare war on the Magnetron! (Who?) – Hawkeye has a bright idea!”
Bob Reyer says: “Kelly Sue DeConnick’s work on resurrecting Captain Marvel has led to one of my favorite comebacks in comics history. This cross-over event got off to a great start in “The Enemy Within”, and if you missed that one, go out right now and pick it up! You’ll thank me later!”
Guardians of the Galaxy #3
Story by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Steve McNiven
Cover by Steve McNiven, Leinil Francis Yu, & Ed McGuinness
Marvel says: “THE BIGGEST NEW BOOK OF THE YEAR CONTINUES! As the Guardians first story wraps up, the mysteries leading to the next great Marvel event become clearer.”
Stephanie Cooke says: “This book has surprised the heck out of me and I’m enjoying a lot. I can’t wait for more of the comic and I DEFINITELY can’t wait for the movie (Two words: KAREN GILLAN!).”
Vertigo:
American Vampire: The Long Road To Hell #1
Story by Scott Snyder & Rafael Albuquerque
Art by Rafael Albuquerque
Colors by Dave McCaig
Letters by Jared K. Fletcher
Cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Vertigo says: “Fan-favorite character Travis Kidd—the vampire hunter who likes to “bite them back”—makes his return in this new AMERICAN VAMPIRE one-shot! It’s a story burned deep into the American psyche: two young lovers, a stolen car and the open road. But these young lovers are newly turned vampires trying to fight the bloodsucking urge inside them. To make matters worse, they’ve got a pack of angry vampires on their tails—plus bad-ass vamp-killer Travis Kidd. He’s tracking the “Heartbreak Killers” across the heartland, but can he stop them before it all ends in tragedy? This one-shot special sets the stage for the AMERICAN VAMPIRE relaunch later this year!”
Stephanie Cooke says: “Ummm… hell YES American Vampire is back in anthology form. I am all over this like ummmm… me on comics. So there.”
