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 Podcast on Why Comic Books are awesome, our new Shop Talk video series, Mara Wood’s new Gender Issues 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 6/26/13.
Batman/Superman #1
Written by Greg Pak
Art by Jae Lee
Cover by Jae Lee, Kenneth Rocafort, & Guillem March
DC Comics says: “A new epic begins with the debut of this new, ongoing series! Don’t miss the first fateful meeting of Batman and Superman in The New 52!”
Adam Shaw says: “Batman/Superman #1: The relationship between these two characters has always been one that has fascinated me since I was a child. I’m excited to see what adventures await the world’s finest superhero duo.”
Bobby Shortle says: “We’ve been waiting almsot two years to find out what the beginnings of the New 52 timeline really look like and I feel like Batman Superman could finally be that book. “
Lazarus #1
Story by Greg Rucka
Art by Michael Lark
Image Comics says: “In a dystopian near-future, government is a quaint concept, resources are coveted, and possession is 100% of the law. A handful of Families rule, jealously guarding what they have and exploiting the Waste who struggle to survive in their domains. Forever Carlyle defends her family’s holdings through deception and force as their protector, their Lazarus. Shot dead defending the family home, Forever’s day goes downhill from there….”
Bobby Shortle says: “Greg Rucka is back to once again bring the pain! His Punisher run ended much to soon, but this series promises a sci fi premise, an intriguing murder mystery and a kick ass female lead. Count me in!”
Aquaman #21
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Paul Pelletier & Sean Parsons
Cover by Paul Pelletier & Sean Parsons
DC Comics says: “DEATH OF A KING CONTINUES as Aquaman uncovers a shocking secret—and a potential ally—that could change everything Arthur’s ever known about the Seven Seas! Meanwhile, the armies of the Dead King continue to amass as turmoil within Atlantis mounts threatening Arthur’s leadership. Plus, whose side are Murk, Tula and Swatt on? Arthur’s…or Orm’s?”
Sean Lamont says: “Aquaman #21 ekes out a close one for me this week. With a plethora of story threads spinning out of the Throne of Atlantis crossover and last month’s sidebar issue toying with my impatience, this chapter has me quite excited to see where this title is going to end up. “
Age of Ultron #10A.I
Story by Mark Waid
Art by Andre Araujo
Colors by Frank D’Armata
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover by Sara Pichelli, Marte Gracia, & Paolo Rivera
Marvel says: ” One of Marvel’s most classic characters, Hank Pym, stands at the crossroads! Faced with a dilemma only he can solve, Pym gambles his past and his future! Some men are beyond redemption! By story’s end, Hank Pym will have an entirely new role in the Marvel Universe!”
Bobby Shortle says: “I, like most of us, am feeling a bit of Ultron fatigue, but this final issue comes from the mind of the great Mark Waid. It also promises a look at Henry Pym one of my favorite, but criminally underserved characters.
Hawkeye #11
Story by Matt Fraction
Art by David Aja
Colors by Matt Hollingsworth
Letters by Chris Eliopoulos
Cover by David Aja
Marvel says: “THE breakout character of 2012. . . becomes the breakout character of 2013. . . as PIZZA DOG gets his own issue. Literally. . . the entire issue. . . it’s all from the dog’s point-of-view. Pizza Dog gets hired to solve a crime — the grizzly murder that shocked Team Hawkguy — and the only thing more shocking than THAT. . . is what happens the end of THIS. Seriously. This is not a joke! Even the coloring. Dog issue. We’re all gettin’ fired. PLEASE READ. . . ‘Pizza is my Business’ . . .before it’s too late for us.”
Joey Braccino says: “Pizza Dog. ‘Nuff Said!”
X-Men #2
Story by Brian Wood
Art by Olivier Coipel
Cover by Olivier Coipel & Amanda Connor
Marvel says: “The school is on lockdown…but if the bad guys can’t get out, neither can the X-Men! John Sublime is back, but is one of the X-Men’s scariest villains not who we should be afraid of? Who or what is Arkea?”
Joey Braccino says: “Now that the stars are out of my eyes after last month’s fantastic debut issue, I’m pumped to really get into the story with Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel’s all-female, all-awesome X-Menrelaunch!!! And damn that baby is adorable.”
Young Avengers #6
Story by Kieron Gillen
Art by Kate Brown
Cover by Jamie McKelvie
Marvel says: “Ever wonder what the super hero equivalent of a terrible soul-sucking talent-wasting temp job is? You haven’t? Oh go on. Actually, don’t. We’ve done it for you and written a story about it. This one. Wonder what Tommy (aka Speed) has been up to? Discover herein. Wonder why mutant David Alleyne (aka Prodigy) hasn’t been even in the background in any one of the eight thousand X-books? Discover that herein too. Existential horror turns cosmic horror as something emerges from the shadows of the past. It seems the Young Avengers have yet one more thing to worry about.”
Joey Braccino says: “Prodigy and Speed star in Young Avengers: The Curse of the Swingline! Hop on for a new arc in Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie’s break-out, post-modern superheroic comic!!!”
Steed and Mrs. Peel #9
Writer: Caleb Monroe
Artist: Yasmin Liang
BOOM! says: “The return of the monster! John Cartney thought his children were the key to finally finishing off John Steed and Emma Peel – but they failed. So, since blood didn’t work, he’s turning to cold, hard steel� Evil levels up as this all-new STEED & MRS. PEEL story begins!”
Bob Reyer says: “In a fun surprise, Caleb Monroe has all the plot threads of the previous issues starting to be interwoven as part of The Hellfire Club’s scheme for revenge, and in using the Cybernauts, he has brought one of The Avengers‘ most memorable TV adversaries to comics! I can hardly wait to see Yasmin Liang’s take on those mechanized menaces!”
Masks #8
Writer: Chris Roberson
Artist: Dennis Calero
Cover: Alex Ross
DYNAMITE says: “Our heroes have finally come face to face with the power behind the Justice Party, and the identity of the mysterious master has been revealed. But now that they’ve learned the full extent of the Justice Party’s plans, is it too late to stop them? And who will be left to serve true justice when the law itself is unjust?”
Bob Reyer says: “Chris Roberson and Dennis Calero have made the past live again with this masterful tale of a pulp magazine/radio hero “Justice League”! I’m only sorry that it’s coming to a close with this issue…and that Mr. Roberson & Mr. Calero didn’t pull double duty as the creative team on Dynamite’s awful Miss Fury!”
Well that’s all for this week’s Talking Comics Presents, don’t forget to send your picks and submissions to bobby@talkingcomicbooks.com, and check out the Talking Comics Podcast. On this week’s show we discussed what we love about comic books.
