ArtisticallyChill

I’ve been both lazy and busy with other stuff and did not have a chance to actually read any of the comic books I’ve picked up in the last two weeks. Considering that there wasn’t much accumulated in the past two weeks, I’m hoping to get them all read before this weekend so I can read the new stuff that is out this week. Also, I’ve got to do some re-organizing as Serena wants to make the effort of reading what I’m reading. Which is basically all DC stuff at the moment. She got really into the DC panels we attended this past weekend at C2E2, hearing all the fans rave about BLACKEST NIGHT and the excitement caused by the panelists of things to come in BRIGHTEST DAY.

• BATGIRL # 9
• BATMAN # 698
• BATMAN AND ROBIN # 11
• BOOSTER GOLD # 31
• BRIGHTEST DAY # 0
• BUFFY SEASON 8 # 34
• DEADPOOL TEAM-UP # 894
• DELLEC # 3
• THE FLASH: SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS 2010 # 1
• THE FLASH # 1
• JSA ALL-STARS # 5
• THE LIGHT # 1
• THE MICE TEMPLAR # 8
• MINDFIELD # 0
• RED ROBIN # 11

MY PICKS OF THE PILE:

• BRIGHTEST DAY # 0

  

  Written by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi; Art by Fernando Pasarin ; Cover by David Finch; 1:50 Variant cover by Ivan Reis

  The biggest event in comics continues as BRIGHTEST DAY burns back the BLACKEST NIGHT from the writing team behind GREEN LANTERN and GREEN LANTERN CORPS – Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi! And don’t miss the exciting DC Comics debut of red hot cover artist David Finch (New Avengers, Ultimatum)! The effects that the already classic BLACKEST NIGHT will have on the DC Universe will be felt for years to come and this issue not only sets the stage for the new ongoing biweekly DC Universe book BRIGHTEST DAY, but also the next exciting era of the DC Universe!

• THE FLASH # 1

  

  Written by GEOFF JOHNS; Art, cover and 1:100 variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL; 1:25 Variant cover by Tony Harris

  A BRIGHTEST DAY tie-in! Get in on the ground floor of DC’s next epic in the making! The Flash races out of BLACKEST NIGHT and into his own monthly title as the all-new adventures of The Fastest Man Alive start with “Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues!” Barry Allen runs back to his life in Central City, but when one of the Rogues turns up murdered under mysterious circumstances, it’s up to The Flash to not only solve this bizarre crime, but protect those that are still targeted by the elusive killer. Plus, don’t miss a peek into the future of the Flash universe in this special, extra-sized starting point issue!

• BATMAN AND ROBIN # 11

  

  Written by GRANT MORRISON; Art by ANDY CLARKE and SCOTT HANNA; Cover by FRANK QUITELY; 1:25 Variant cover by ANDY CLARKE

  “Batman vs. Robin” part 2 of 3! The Dynamic Duo fight it out in the ultimate duel to the finish. Meanwhile, Robin’s mother, Talia al Ghul, sends an old adversary of Dick Grayson’s to complete the job that her son may not be able to stomach!

SERENA’S PICKS:

• DELLEC # 3

  

  Writers – Frank Mastromauro, Vince Hernandez; Artists – Micah Gunnell, Rob Stull

  After narrowly escaping death and dispensing his own brand of justice, DELLEC wastes no time in setting his sights on his next mark, a freak serial killer with some rather, sadistic fetishes. However, like all things in Dellecs life, he will come to discover the challenge is far greater than the reward and a lot more dangerous. As well, DELLEC begins to realize the violent events in his life are more than simply coincidental, as his destiny may have already been written in a wicked plan cast down at the dawn of mankind!
  A completely brand new maxi-series brought to you by Aspens own Frank Mastromauro, Vince Hernandez and Micah Gunnell, along with inker Rob Stull and colorist Matt Hollingsworth, DELLEC is unlike anything Aspen has ever done before. This inventive new title is set to raise the bar on cinematic storytelling, while keeping you on the edge of your seat every hair-raising moment.

• MINDFIELD # 0

  

  The CIA has created an elite team of telepathic agents dedicated to fighting domestic terrorism. But as Connor and the rest of his crew take to the streets, can they handle the dark thoughts buried inside the minds of ‘we the people?’ Aspen’s newest hit series, MINDFIELD, comes to you courtesy of creator J.T. Krul who blends together a world of action and intrigue the likes of which you’ve never seen! Featuring an all-new 12-page story by newcomer Alex Konat, this zero issue sets the stage for the brand-new MINDFIELD #1 coming this June! Complete with an additional sketchbook section and never before seen art, this special MINDFIELD #0 issue is not to be missed!

• THE LIGHT # 1

  

  story NATHAN EDMONDSON, art & cover BRETT WELDELE

  “OUTBREAK”
  The new series from the writer of OLYMPUS and the artist of THE SURROGATES. In Oregon, a mysterious virus infects anyone that looks into an electric light. An abusive father blindfolds his daughter and together they escape town as people are burning alive from the inside out. A fierce, action-packed and gritty tale of survival, THE LIGHT is 28 DAYS LATER meets 30 DAYS OF NIGHT.

HAPPY READING!

~ LoneWolf

Spent a good time at Keith’s Komix this past Wednesday updating our pull list. Lots of titles got cut (nearly all of Marvel) and I added a just a few titles I started picking up regularly but will most likely get cut when there’s a change in the creative teams. One of those titles is Power Girl. I’ve been loving Amanda Connor’s art and when I heard she was moving on after issue 12, as well as the rest of the creative team, I was a bit disappointed. We also decided to pick up the rest of the stuff we had on hold.

This week we have:

• BATGIRL # 8
• BATMAN # 697
• BOOSTER GOLD # 30
• DEADPOOL: MERC WITH A MOUTH # 9
• EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS # 4
• GREEN LANTERN CORPS # 46
• JOE THE BARBARIAN # 3
• MERCY THOMPSON – HOMECOMING (HC)
• RED ROBIN # 10
• TITANS # 22 and 23
• WOLVERINE ORIGINS # 45

PICK OF THE WEEK: GREEN LANTERN CORPS # 46

Written by PETER J. TOMASI; Art and Cover by PATRICK GLEASON and REBECCA BUCHMAN; 1:25 Variant Cover by RODOLFO MIGLIARI

Blackest Night comes to its epic and stunning conclusion in this over-sized issue as the Green Lantern Corps descends on Earth to make their final stand against Nekron and the Black Lanterns!

SERENA’S PICK OF THE WEEK: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS # 4

Created by David Wohl, Brad Foxhoven & Michael Turner
Written by David Wohl
Art by Eduardo Francisco
Colors by John Starr

The exciting fourth issue of Aspen’s newest action adventure series, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: IRIS takes a look at Iris¹s dark past and what led her to become the deadly assassin she is today! Iris learns old wounds never truly heal as she revisits her youth and the brutal lifestyle she once inhabited in China. With revenge in her heart and tragic memories still
burning inside her, Iris sets out on a mission to bring justice to the man responsible for her broken path–and now cloudy future. And in the process, she could potentially save the lives of many other young girls headed down the same road she took.

From the creative minds of David Wohl and Michael Turner, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: IRIS delivers the thrills unlike anything you’ve ever seen!

GRAPHIC NOVEL SPOTLIGHT: MERCY THOMPSON – HOMECOMING

ABOUT THIS BOOK
Mercy Thompson is a walker, a magical being with the power to transform into a coyote. She lives on the fine line dividing the everyday world from a darker dimension, observing the supernatural community while standing apart.

When Mercy travels to the Tri-Cities of Washington for a job interview, she quickly finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a gang war between rival packs of werewolves. And as if fangs and fur weren’t bad enough, Mercy must deal with the scariest creature of all: her mother, who is convinced that Mercy is making a mess of her life and determined to set her daughter on the right course.

The thrilling adventures of Mercy Thompson–Moon Called, Blood Bound, and Iron Kissed–have topped the New York Times bestseller list. Now Mercy makes her comics debut in an exclusive new story created by Patricia Briggs. Mercy Thompson: Homecoming is sure to please longtime fans and capture new ones with its mix of unforgettable characters and thrilling supernatural intrigue.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Patricia Briggs is a #1 New York Times bestselling author who has written more than a dozen novels, including the first three books in her hit series about Mercedes “Mercy” Thompson, a VW mechanic who also happens to be a shapeshifter in touch with the strange, unseen world of vampires, werewolves, ancient fae, and other mystical creatures. Briggs lives in Washington.

Francis Tsai is a freelance illustrator and concept designer. His clients include Marvel Comics, Dabel Brothers, Devil’s Due Publishing, Top Cow Productions, Warner Bro., Wizards of the Coast, Rockstar Games, High Moon Studios, and ImagineFX magazine. He lives in San Diego.

Amelia Woo is a Brazilian artist who has worked for Dark Horse and Marvel Comics, as well as a variety of smaller publishers.

MINI-SERIES AWESOMNESS: JOE THE BARBARIAN # 3

Written by GRANT MORRISON; Art and Cover by SEAN MURPHY

What menace lurks within the midget submarines of Crater Fjord? What is the shocking secret of The Dying Boy? And what part must Joe play in the prophecies of the threatened Kingdom? All this and Smoot, the world’s biggest dwarf, in the latest chapter of this epic adventure of a boy and his rat.

Happy Reading!

~ LoneWolf

Our visit to Keith’s Komix was a bit brief because I had an Tech Support call at my aunt’s house and work later that Wednesday evening. Cut a few more comics today. No more Adventure Comics, Teen Titans, and Titans. Batman comics took up the majority of the stack as I have been holding off on picking them up til they were all in. Surprisingly, an Aspen Comic came out today, Dellec # 2.

• DEADPOOL # 19, 20
• DELLEC # 2
• BATMAN # 696
• BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL # 42
• BATMAN AND ROBIN # 9
• BUFFY SEASON 8 # 33
• GOTHAM CITY SIRENS # 9
• JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA # 42
• JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA # 36
• OUTSIDERS # 27
• POWERGIRL # 9

PICK OF THE WEEK: BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL # 42

Written by SAM KIETH; Art and Cover by SAM KIETH

The “Ghosts” storyline written and drawn by Sam Kieth continues with part 3 of 4! Batman and Callie become closer as they literally share their troubles when Batman goes blind! And the creature they’re fighting continues taking the two down memory lane. But can either Batman or Callie handle being forced to face the loss of their parents?

SERENA’S PICK OF THE WEEK: DELLEC # 2

Frank Mastromauro & Vince Hernandez – Story / Micah Gunnell – Pencils / Rob Stull – Inks / Matt Hollingsworth – Colors
Tragic secrets of the past are revealed in this pulse-pounding second issue as we learn that deep wounds can never be healed-no matter how much time may pass. Meanwhile last issue, the unlawful forces of evil received a startling crash course in holy retribution from DELLEC, however, the final-and fatal–surprise was saved for DELLEC himself. Staring down death once again in crushing fashion, DELLEC unveils one of the most powerful weapons in his arsenal against the Creator’s evil! A completely brand new maxi-series brought to you by Aspen’s own Frank Mastromauro, Vince Hernandez and Micah Gunnell, along with inker Rob Stull and colorist Matt Hollingsworth, DELLEC is unlike anything Aspen has ever done before. This inventive new title is set to raise the bar on cinematic storytelling, while keeping you on the edge of your seat every hair-raising moment. Plus, to prove DELLEC’s worth, we’re introducing this new series to you at our lowest price ever! So take the chance and see why DELLEC will soon be one of the most talked about new series in comics!

Happy Reading!

~ LoneWolf