The TALKING COMICS PULL LIST

Every Wednesday, the Talking Comics collective will post a mega-list of the comics they’re most excited to pull off the shelves that week. With the wide range of personal tastes on our staff here, you know there’s bound to be something worth sampling come New Comic Book Day!!!

Then, check back here on Thursday and Friday to see if the comics on the Pull List met the team’s expectations with reviews and quippy quotables!!!

New Comic Book Day – May 4th, 2016

This week’s contributors:

• Bobby Shortle (@bobbyshortle)
• Huw Parry (@H_paz)
• Melissa Megan (@LissaPunch)
• Justin Towson (@joroak)
• Adam Shaw (@KnowNothingNerd)
• John Dubrawa (@thisjohnrd)
• Matt Wood (@JohnnyMattWood)
• Steve Seigh (@dead_anchoress)
• Bob Reyer (bobreyer@talkingcomicbooks.com)

And lovingly edited by Joey Braccino (@joeybraccino)

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BOOM! STUDIOS

Weavers #1 – By Simon Spurrier & Dylan Burnett  

• The Weavers are a powerful East Coast crime family with the added abilities of a supernatural spider that lives inside each member! Crazy, right? I’ve been a big Spurrier fan since X-Men: Legacy, so to see the mind behind the recent supernatural success Cry Havoc take that same aesthetic and work it into the world of organized crime and mafiosos should make Weavers #1 an intriguing read to say the least! – Joey
• Taking a chance on this one. The synopsis says it’s inspired by The Godfather and The Sopranos and mixes in a supernatural element. Featuring a crime family whose loyalty is guaranteed by spiders that live inside them and grant them powers, one member sets out to pursue his own agenda. But the longer the spider lives in him, the more loyal he’s forced to be to the Weavers. A supernatural gangster story is definitely something that could be pretty cool if it’s done well, so fingers crossed this hits the mark! – Huw

Giant Days #14 – Written by John Allison Art by Max Sarin

• There’s never an issue of Giants Days that I don’t look forward to! This week, the girls go house hunting. While that might seem like a mundane adventure to some, it never is when you’re questing beside the likes of Esther, Susan, and Daisy! – Steve

DARK HORSE COMICS

Colder: Toss The Bones #3 – Writer: Paul Tobin, Artist: Juan Ferreyra

• Nimble Jack is back to his old tricks, collecting troubled souls and tormenting those teetering on the edge of insanity. Declan and his girlfriend have discovered Jack now, which means all playful bets are off and things are about to get a hell of a lot more terrifying. Paul Tobin & Juan Ferreyra create one of my favorite currently running horror series in Colder; I’m thrilled to have a new arc and looking forward to seeing how the characters grow now that they are all fully aware of their intentions and abilities. – Melissa

DC COMICS

Gotham Central Omnibus (Greg Rucka, Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark)

• DC has been killing it the past year with their collections, especially their omnibuses and deluxe hardcovers. Gotham Central is one of those series that has become more popular than when it was being released and now is a great time to be reminded of why the series has successful legacy. Also (shameless plug), it will be the topic of discussion on our next episode of Legendary Runs. – Matt

[Editor’s Note: Check out more LEGENDARY RUNS articles and listen to the podcast by clicking here!!!]

IDW PUBLISHING

Drive (TPB) – By Michael Benedetto, Antonio Fuso, and Jason Lewis, Adapted from James Sallis’ noir novel, Drive

• Originally released as single issues between August 2015 and March 2016, IDW’s adaptation of James Sallis’ brutal, lean noir novel (which itself was adapted into a brutal, lean noir film starring Ryan Gosling) won acclaim for its dynamic visuals and terse storytelling. I’m excited to read it all together in collected form. Check it! – Joey

Hot Damn #2  – Written by Ryan Ferrier Art by Valentin Ramon

• After the first bizarre and oddly hilarious issue of this comic, I’m totally ready to go to Hell, once again. This week, the devil himself gets involved with Teddy’s eternal damnation and I can’t wait to see what he has in mind for our anti-hero. – Steve

Star Trek: Manifest Destiny #2 – By Mike Johnson & Angel Hernandez 

• Although I’m a Star Trek fan most of my life, I’m a little embarrassed to admit I’ve never delved into the comics. I suppose I just always banked so much credit on the performances of actors to make Star Trek what it is for me, I couldn’t imagine enjoying reading it that much. I’ve now read a few of the more recent Star Trek series and this one shows potential to keep me hooked for the latest Klingon power struggle. One thing I loved with the new films was the modern imagining of Klingon warriors, so I’m interested (and a little scared) to see more of that. Bring it on, Captain Kirk! – Melissa

IMAGE COMICS

Descender Vol. 2 by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen

• Part Battlestar Galactica, part 2001: A space Odyssey and a lot A.I., this tale of Tim-21 and his struggle to survive was one of my favorite things last year.  I made a conscious choice to trade wait on this title and now with Vol.2 about to hit I’m ready and excited to see how Lemire and Nguyen continue their sci fi tear jerker. – Bobby

The Wicked + The Divine #19 – By Kieron Gillen, Jame McKelvie, and Matthew Wilson

• “Rising Action” Continues!!! Last issue was crazy!!! In fact, ALL THE ISSUES are crazy!!! WHY DO I FEEL LIKE I’M SCREAMING INTO THE ETHER!!!??? Read this book. – Joey

MARVEL COMICS

Black Widow #3 – By Chris Samnee & Mark Waid

• This book has really become a showpiece for the storytelling prowess of Chris Samnee’s art. Natasha is a woman of few words so far and that’s allowed the visuals of the book to really shine. With Mark Waid helping to shepherd the plot and Matthew Wilson’s gorgeous color work there isn’t a more exciting book coming from the big two right now. – Bobby
• Simply put, Black Widow (in just 2 issues) has become one of my favorite and most anticipated books of the year. I’m anxious to see how the plot thickens this week, and take in some more of that sweet, sweet artwork from Mr. Samnee. – Steve

Amazing Spider-Man #12 – By Dan Slott & Giuseppe Camuncoli

• This issue kicks off a new story arc titled “Power Play” and looks like it’s going to be a big one. With Iron Man and the All-New All-Different Avengers joining up with Spidey to take on a foe from Secret Wars, Dan Slott having all those heroes in his toy box to play with could well make for some serious fun. – Huw

Poe Dameron #2 – By Charles Soule & Phil Noto

• Mo’ Poe is good Poe! The first issue of this series was great fun, mixing Soule’s ability to work great humour and adventure into a story with Noto’s unsurprisingly gorgeous art. I wasn’t expecting just how close to Star Wars: The Force Awakens this story takes place but let’s face it, more time spent with everyone’s favourite suave, wise cracking ace pilot isn’t a bad thing no matter when it’s set. If you missed the first issue, jump in now because this is shaping up to be a fun ride! – Huw

PUNISHER #1 – By Becky Cloonan & Steve Dillon 

• After seeing Frank Castle come back in a big way during the second season of Netflix’s Daredevil TV show, the timing of this new series couldn’t be more perfect. I’ve always waded in and out of reading Punisher, but with Becky Cloonan writing the book, I’ve got to at least check out the first couple of issues and give it another shot. I haven’t actively sought out any interior art for the book, so I have no idea what to expect. Consider my hype level at 11. – John D.
• Becky Cloonan writing a Punisher book is one of the coolest things to happen in comics in a long time. I’m fascinated to see what she brings to Frank Castle and how she interprets the character.  My continued interest in this book will rest on how Castle himself is portrayed. Is his ultra violence and moral greyness something that is celebrated as bad ass or will it be used to show the inherent issues with the character? If it’s the latter I will be along for the journey, but if it’s the former I will end up checking out very early.  – Bobby

• Um, duh! How could I not want to check out a Punisher comic written by my girl in Metal, Becky Cloonan? Also, let’s not discredit the talents of Steve Dillon. Yes, some of you might recall my saying that I don’t care much for his style, that was until I started reading Preacher. Now, I’m totally digging his lines and ability to capture an entire spectrum of emotion in his characters. Becky, Steve, and Frank Castle? Bring it the [expletive] on! – Steve

• I’m a big fan of Becky’s and given her penchant for things that are dark and broody, seeing her on a Punisher book seems like a match made in heaven and it’s great to see her spreading her writing wings. I’m hoping this carries on in a similar vein as Greg Rucka’s run in giving Frank Castle some depth whilst taking the book in new directions with Becky putting her own stamp on character. – Huw

Empress# 2 by Mark Millar and Stuart Immonen

• It must be nice to be Mark Millar and only work with the best talent in the industry.  Seeing that Stuart Immonen is on art should sell this book to you by itself.  It doesn’t hurt of course to a have Millar doing a really cool Sci-Fi story as well.  The first issue of Empress was a gorgeous looking start, I’m anxious to see what’s next. – Justin

Thunderbolts #1

• Like DC’s Suicide Squad, The Thunderbolts is a team that I’ve been intrigued by the mere concept of, but has never been a series I outright sought to read. However, with Winter Soldier taking the reigns as the team’s leader, that has me curious enough to check out a first issue. The cover makes this title look a little too ‘90s for my taste, but I’m hoping Jim Zub’s script compliments the over-the-top character models well. – John D.

VALIANT COMICS

 4001 AD #1 – Matt Kindt & Clayton Crain 

• If you are a frequent visitor to the site it is no secret I love most things Valiant (check out the Talking Valiant podcast). Yes, 4001 A.D. is another event, BUT, and a very big but, Valiant has proven they can handle events (check out their masterful handling of Armor Hunters). The story in Rai has been incredible so far, but events have reached a point that one book cannot handle everything that is going on. Crain’s digital painting is an incredible visual treat that will prove therapeutic for your eyes. -Adam

[Editor’s Note: In case you missed that link, check out Adam’s expertly done Talking Valiant podcast by clicking here!!!]

OTHER PUBLISHERS

Cinema Purgatorio #1 (Avatar Press) – From Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill

• A new anthology series from the visionary minds behind League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Cinema Purgatorio started as a Kickstarter campaign earlier this year. In Moore’s own words, “In a world of used ideas spun out into unending single-premise sagas and told in full cyber-enhanced Technicolor, unapologetically we offer up CINEMA PURGATORIO, a black and white horror anthology which reaches for something both new and startling beyond the endlessly recycled characters and concepts of the 60s and the 70s.” Featuring strange new stories from creators like Moore, Kieron Gillen, Christos Gage, Garth Ennis, Gabriel Andrade, and Max Brooks, Cinema Purgatorio #1 might just be the start of something weird. – Joey

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And that’s our Pull List for this week!!! If you happen to pick up any of these books, please join the conversation here or on twitter and let us know what you think! As we update the site with reviews and verdicts on these comics, we’d love to include your input!

#READCOMICS