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 Sunday to see if the comics on the Pull List met the team’s expectations with reviews and quippy quotables!!!

This week’s contributors:

• Huw Parry (@H_paz)
• John Dubrawa (@thisjohnrd)
• Steve Seigh (@dead_anchoress)
• Bob Reyer (bobreyer@talkingcomicbooks.com)

And lovingly edited by Joey Braccino (@joeybraccino)

New Comic Book Day – July 20th, 2016

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ACTION LAB

Sleigher: Heavy Metal Santa Claus #1 – By Rob Harrington & Axur Eneas  

• I mean, look at that cover. Look at the title. How could you possible say no? – Joey

BOOM! STUDIOS

What Is It (graphic novel) – By Nicole Hoang & Dustin Nguyen

• Nicole Hoang wrote What Is It when she was 10 years old. Dustin Nguyen illustrated the story as a present to her for their wedding. Boom! is now publishing it as a children’s book. I’m crying everywhere. – Joey

DC COMICS

Batgirl #1 – By Hope Larson & Rafael Albuquerque

• After reading the somewhat disappointing Batgirl and the Birds of Prey: Rebirth #1 last week–which glossed over the events of Batgirl #1 as if nothing significant happened during it–I can’t say my expectations for this solo book are as incredibly high as they might have been. Still, it’s Batgirl and with Rafael Albuquerque drawing, I have to at least give the first one the benefit of the doubt. -John D.
• Hoo boy, am I apprehensive about this one. I had grown to adore the Batgirl of Burnside, and this “heroine in training” story-line strikes me as something I’ve seen before, and as it’s the prequel to the new BoP, we kinda know where it’s going before it gets there. I’ll try it, but…–Bob
• This book REALLY has a lot to live up to, the previous volume was a serious high point in the New 52 for me and a consistently great comic. As Bob alluded to, it’s an odd way to go about things having this title be a precursor to BoP and sadly the Rebirth issue last week didn’t do much for me. Let’s give it a go and see, shall we? – Huw

Detective Comics #937 – By James Tynion IV & Alvaro Martinez 

• I’m a big proponent of celebrating continued excellence, and so far, this book has been one of the stand outs since the DC Rebirth initiative began. With the last few pages of issue #936 having dropped a bombshell on us all, it should be interesting to see how the team copes with their new set of circumstances. – Steve
• I kind of felt that the twist in the last issue, although presenting some interesting dynamics from here, was a little obvious. I just had a feeling in my bones that it might happen and it did. That isn’t to say it’s spoiled anything for me at all, as things stand this is comfortably the superior of the two Batman titles on the stands and within 3 issues has become a book I eagerly await. I’m really looking forward to see where things go from here. – Huw

Flash #3 – By Joshua Williamson & Carmine Di Giandomenico

• For me, Flash #2 really kicked things up a notch for this title. I’m anxious to see how Barry responds to the cliffhanger ending of that second issue, and more so what it all means for the DCU. There’s only one way to find out. – Steve

Nightwing #1 – By Tim Seeley & Javi Fernandez

• Boy these double shipping books sure are finding their way to shelves faster than I can read them. I only just finished the Nightwing Rebirth issue and it didn’t exactly captivate me but I’m willing to give the first issue a shot to see if maybe Tim Seeley can move away from the lengthy backstory of Dick Grayson and onto a new adventure. -John D.

Titans #1 – By Dan Abnett & Brett Booth 

• I did quite enjoy the Rebirth issue of Titans and I’m curious where this story is heading considering Wally West seems to be the key to everything that is happening in the DCU right now. I’m hopeful that this issue will begin to flesh out the Titans team a bit more since there’s many members I know absolutely nothing about. But the last issue was intriguing and this one should be no different. -John D.

Wonder Woman #3 – By Greg Rucka and Liam Sharp

• In case it’s not obvious from the cover, The Cheetah is back and looking better than ever. This is actually the second part of Rucka’s present-day Wonder Woman story, and where we left off last time was quite an interesting place with Diana resorting to her old foe Cheetah for help in finding the truth about her memories. I can’t wait to see where this one goes. -John D.

MARVEL COMICS

Civil War II #4 – Brian Michael Bendis & David Marquez

• So …. Hey there. Yeah, I know. I moaned. I complained. I rallied. And now … I’m really enjoying this event thanks in-part to the enthusiasm of my podcast cohosts, as well as the engaging twists and turns of Marvel’s latest game changer. – Steve

Black Panther #4 – By Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze & Laura Martin

• Huge news out of SDCC regarding a spin-off series for Mr. Coates’ work on Black Panther, and we’re just 4 issues in! I mean, how cool is it going to be having Ta-Nehisi Coates AND Roxane Gay writing a Black Panther book? Super cool. This series has quickly made a name for itself for its stellar visuals and its complex, socially relevant approach to the the Wakandan mythos. Any time an issue comes out, I’m there. Let’s do it. – 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