Books of the Week – 02/20/19

Books of the Week - 02/20/19

1. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #3 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Tom Taylor / Art: Juann Cabal / Colors: Nolan Woodard
Great book. Perfect mix of humor, suspense and action. The art is aces too. Looking forward to the next issue.

2. Avengers: No Road Home #2 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Al Ewing, Jim Zub & Mark Waid / Art: Paco Medina & Juan Vlasco / Colors: Jesus Aburtov
This was a really good read (I’m a sucker for narration). Great art. Big shocks at the end. Better than the main Avengers title by a mile. (Hold that thought…)

3. Miles Morales: Spider-Man #3 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Saladin Ahmed / Art: Javier Garron / Colors: Jay David Ramos
This was a fun, old timey feeling adventure. The art continues to dazzle. I love this book.

4. Black Order #4 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Derek Landy / Art: Philip Tan & Marc Deering / Colors: David Curiel
Lots of story and action packed into this book. Nice art captures it all. Good little bits too, including a Black Swan backstory and a traitor revealed.

5. Avengers #15 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Jason Aaron / Art: David Marquez / Colors: Erick Arciniega
Surprisingly enjoyable book. Nice mix of the two storylines. Good action and really nice art. Big improvement.

6. Hulkverines #1 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Greg Pak / Art: Ario Anindito / Colors: Morry Hollowell with Andrew Crossley
I’ll admit, I bought this book for it’s cover, but I was pleasantly surprised. Nice art, fun story, plus the Leader! What’s not to love?

Books of the Week – 02/13/19

Books of the Week - 02/13/19

1. The Batman Who Laughs #3 (DC) ★★★★
Writer: Scott Snyder / Art: Jock / Colors: David Baron
I’m a bit lost in the backstory, but the narrative keeps me hooked. A pleasantly strong series so far.

2. Wizard Beach #3 (Boom! Studios) ★★★★
Writer: Shaun Simon / Art: Conor Nolan with George Schall / Colors: Meg Casey
Things are happening… plus romance? Engaging characters, a compelling story and unique art make this a very entertaining series.

3. Thor #10 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Jason Aaron / Art: Mike Del Mundo / Colors: Mike Del Mundo & Marco D’Alfonso
That was certainly a fun read. Big fight book. Odin backstory, a squished frog. Lots of stuff crammed in there.

4. Avengers: No Road Home #1 (Marvel) ★★★
Writer: Mark Waid, Al Ewing & Jim Zub / Art: Paco Medina / Colors: Jesus Aburtov
Surprisingly good book. Not much happens, but the suspense builds to a strong reveal.

Books of the Week – 02/06/19

Books of the Week  - 02/06/19

1. Daredevil #1 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Chip Zdarsky / Art: Marco Checchetto / Colors: Sonny Cho
Great debut by Zdarsky. Wonderful read. Loved the flashbacks, the fight, everything. Excellent work.

2. Immortal Hulk #13 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Al Ewing / Art: Joe Bennett / Colors: Paul Mounts
Another great book. Just wonderful. And that Severin shirt!

3. Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Comic #4 (Dark Horse) ★★★★
Writer: Harold Buchholz, Joel Hodgson, Matt McGinnis, Seth Robinson, Sharyl Volpe & Mary Robinson / Art: Todd Nacuk, Mike Manley, Jack Pollock & Mimi Simon
Funniest book yet. Sadly no Tom Servo, Boy Reporter, but the Crow story was hilarious.

4. Adventures of the Super Sons #7 (DC) ★★★★
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi / Art: Carlo Barberi / Colors: Protobunker
Nice return to form. Great Damian narrative. Surprisingly suspenseful. Another fun read.

Books of the Week – 01/30/19

Books of the Week - 01/30/19

1. Teen Titans Annual #1 (DC) ★★★★
Writer: Adam Gates / Art: Ryan Benjamin / Colors: Hi-Fi
I enjoyed the Robin/Red Hood sequence. The Joystick character was a bit over the top though. I did enjoy the coda. The art by Ryan Benjamin was quite good throughout.

2. Heroes in Crisis #5 (DC) ★★★★
Writer: Tom King / Art: Clay Mann
Nice, solid read. Great speech by Superman about the need for Sanctaury. Fun with Booster, Beetle, Harley & Batgirl.

3. Marvel Knights 20 #6 (Marvel) ★★★
Writer: Donny Cates / Art: Kim Jacinto & Travel Foreman / Colors: VC’s Cory Petit
Solid and entertaining wrap up to the MK20 story. I may have to reread some earlier issues to catch-up on some things I forgot about. Interesting final resolution.

4. Man Without Fear #5 (Marvel) ★★★
Writer: Jed MacKay / Art: Danilo S. Beyruth / Colors: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Still not a fan of Beyruth’s art, but again, it works here. Nice monolog about pain and what it’s for. Actually sounds familiar. Reminds me of why I like Daredevil.

Books of the Week – 01/23/19

Books of the Week - 01/23/19

1. Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Donny Cates / Art: Geoff Shaw / Colors: Marte Gracia
A perfect book. Great art, an interesting story, big moments, and fun to read. Outstanding.

2. Immortal Hulk #12 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Al Ewing / Art: Joe Bennett & Eric Nguyen with Ruy Jose / Colors: Paul Mounts
Amazing book. Possibly the best issue so far. Everything just works. Wow!

3. Man Without Fear #4 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Jed MacKay / Art: Paolo Villanelli / Colors: Andres Mossa
Paolo Villanelli’s art makes this the best issue of the series so far. Great back and forth between Fisk & Murdock.

4. Quincredible #3 (Lion Forge) ★★★★★
Writer: Rodney Barnes / Art: Selina Espiritu / Colors: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Another wonderful issue. Nice balance between heroics, social commentary and exploring what it means to be a hero. Beautifully done.

Books of the Week – 01/16/19

Books of the Week - 01/16/19

1. Asgardians of the Galaxy #5 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Cullen Bunn / Art: Matteo Lolli with Luca Maresca & Stephanie Hans / Colors: Federico Blee with Stephanie Hans
Solid wrap up to our initial AotG story. Next up: War of the Realms. The art in this issue was aces. Simply wonderful.

2. The Batman Who Laughs #2 (DC) ★★★★
Writer: Scott Snyder / Art: Jock / Colors: David Baron
Riveting read. Grisly at times. Hard to put down.

3. Invaders #1 (Marvel) ★★★
Writer: Chip Zdarsky / Art: Carlos Magno with Butch Guice / Colors: Alex Guimaraes
Intriguing storyline. Art’s a bit dodgy, but I like the way it moves back and forth between time periods. There’s a nice little mystery building too.

4. Man Without Fear #3 (Marvel) ★★★
Writer: Jed MacKay / Art: Iban Coello / Colors: Andres Mossa
Nice use of Defenders flashback story and the present day struggle. The Artist musical chairs continues, unfortunately. Curious how this story gets resolved.

Books of the Week – 01/09/19

Books of the Week - 01/09/19

1. Batman #62 (DC) ★★★★★
Writer: Tom King / Art: Mitch Gerads / Colors: Mitch Gerads
Fascinating book. The art by Mitch Gerads is gorgeous.

2.Miles Morales: Spider-Man #2 (Marvel) ★★★★★
Writer: Saladin Ahmed / Art: Javier Garron / Colors: David Curiel
The art & writing continues to shine. Love the team-up with Rhino. Great book.

3. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 (Marvel) ★★★★
Writer: Tom Taylor / Art: Juann Cabal / Colors: Nolan Woodard
This was a good book. Nice art by Juann Cabal in the main story. I always enjoy Peter Parker stories.

4. Adventures of the Super Sons #6 (DC) ★★★★
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi / Art: Scott Godlewski / Colors: Protobunker
Fun transition into a new phase of the story. Change in art doesn’t hurt the read. Hukka Hukka

5. Nightwing #56 (DC) ★★★★
Writer: Scott Lobdell & Fabian Nicieza / Art: Davide Gianfelice / Colors: Nick Filardi
Art by Davide Gianfelice really improves this book. Nice, dynamic action sequences throughout. I hope he stays on.

6. Thor #9 (Marvel) ★★★
Writer: Jason Aaron / Art: Mike Del Mundo / Colors: Mike Del Mundo
A Thor comic minus Thor. More lead-up to War of the Realms. Not bad.

Best of 2018: Top 20 Comic Book Covers

2018: Top 20 Comic Covers

Top 20 favorite comic book covers for 2018:

1. Marvel Two-In-One #8 Sep-18 (Marvel)
Art: Jay Anceleto & Romulo Fajardo Jr
2. Amazing Spider-Man #796 Apr-18 (Marvel)
Art: Alex Ross
3. Teen Titans #23 (Variant) Dec-18 (DC)
Art: Alex Garner
4. Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #308 Oct-18 (Marvel)
Art: Chris Bachalo
5. Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #1 Mar-18 (DC)
Art: Ben Caldwell

6. Moon Knight #198 Oct-18 (Marvel)
Art: Becky Cloonan
7. Fantastic Four #1 (Variant) Oct-18 (Marvel)
Art: Alex Ross
8. Quicksilver: No Surender #3 Sep-18 (Marvel)
Art: Martin Simmonds
9. Journey Into Mystery: The Birth of Krakoa #1 Nov-18 (Marvel)
Art: Greg Smallwood
10. Fence #10 Sep-18 (Boom! Box)
Art: HamletMachine

11. Flash #56 Dec-18 (DC)
Art: Dan Panosian
12. Ant-Man and the Wasp #3 Sep-18 (Marvel)
Art: David Nakayama
13. Sandman Universe: The Dreaming #1 Nov-18 (DC: Vertigo)
Art: Jae Lee & June Chung
14. Astonishing X-Men #17 Jan-19 (Marvel)
Art: Greg Land, Jay Leisten & Frank D’Armata
15. Best Defense: The Silver Surfer #1 Feb-19 (Marvel)
Art: Ron Garney & Richard Isanove

16. The Fighting American #2 May-18 (Titan)
Art: Andie Tong
17. Heroes in Crisis #1 Nov-18 (DC)
Art: Clay Mann & Tomeu Morey
18. Immortal Hulk #1 Aug-18 (Marvel)
Art: Alex Ross
19. Multiple Man #1 Aug-18 (Marvel)
Art: Marcos Martin
20. Action Comics #1000 Jun-18 (DC)
Art: Jim Lee, Scott Williams & Alex Sinclair

Best of 2018: Top 10 TV Series

2018: Top 10 TV

With News, Sports, and YouTube, I don’t watch a lot of episodic television. That said …
My Favorite TV Series for 2018.

1 – Silicon Valley (HBO)
2 – The Good Place (NBC)
3 – Aggretsuko (Netflix)
4 – Will & Grace (NBC)
5 – Titans (DC Universe)
6 – The Kids Are Alright (ABC)
7 – Barry (HBO)
8 – The Orville (Fox)
9 – The Connors (ABC)
10 – Superstore (NBC)