I’m officially three major comics’ buying trips behind on “Comics I Bought Today” series. I’m hoping that I can catch up big time on this one entry.
All of these books were purchased at Comics Store West over the last few weeks. The bulk of this entry covers new comics, but a few were obtained during a special “clear out the back stock room sale,” so I picked up a ton of old stuff from the 1980s.
So without further ado, here’s the Comics I Bought “Today”:
Buck Rogers No. Zero — Ah, good ole Buck. I’ve been patiently waiting for this book. It looks good. It can’t be any worse than any previous incarnations of the classic space-age hero. I love the space-suit redesign, though I hope we eventually see some more retro outfits as well.
Land of Oz: The Manga – Return to the Emerald City No. 4 — Yes, I’ve finally caught up to buying the current issue! Good stuff all around. Great art, although often a little short in its offering of “story material.” You should really listen to me on this one.
Marvel Assistant Sized Spectacular No. 1 Marvel Assistant Sized Spectacular No. 1 — It’s not hard to sell me on any book with American Eagle in it. But then you go ahead and add D-Man, and I’m really there. Very eager to read this. I would love it if this book were to spawn an ongoing sampler book of Marvel’s bottom-of-the-barrel characters. There’s plenty I’d like to see in modern tales that don’t make them look like pathetic jerks.
Irredeemable No. 1 — I bought this entirely on the recommendations of the good folks at the Captain Comics Web site. They all liked it, so I figured I’d give it a try. I’m not entirely keen on the anti-hero angle, and I might say more about it when I get to the actual comic. I am certainly a fan of Mark Waid’s writing, so at least the comic has that going for it!
Booster Gold No. 19 — Once I read No. 18, I might have more to say on this that I haven’t said here and here.
Green Arrow No. 18 and No. 19 — Same problem as above, which I talk about here. I will note the inordinate amount of cleavage on the cover of Issue 19 though. Geez!
Teen Titans No. 69 — Probably my current favorite DC title, Teen Titans has really intrigued me since One Year Later. However, writer Sean McKeever has left the book and where it goes from here is a mystery. I suppose this is a good time to mention my great appreciation for the fact that artists are no longer the “It Girls” of the comics industry. Currently, it’s really about the writers and the directions they choose to go. Back in the dark days of the 1990s, it was the exact opposite, and it was disastrous for the industry. Now if we could only recruit some writers who don’t always turn to killing and maiming characters to make a point. Sean McKeever did this, for better or worse for the Titans.
Teen Titans Annual No. 1 — What the?? An Annual?? What is this, 1985? I have no idea why an annual was trotted out for the Teen TItans, but hey, I’ll give it a shot. I’m not buying a whole ton of DC lately, so it’s a good splurge book.
The Amazon No. 2 — Tim Sale? Steven T. Seagle. Oh, yeah. That’s a must buy. That and the fact that I just love books, movies and TV shows set in the jungle. I don’t know why I dig that particular setting type, but I just do.
G.I. Joe No. 3 — Just grabbed this after nothing else on the shelf appealled to me. I’m OK with the story so far, but I’m still PO’d at the price. Yes, I’m soundling like a broken record in my complaints. Sorry.
Johnny Monster No. 1 — A splurge comic for this most recent trip to the comic store. Johnny Monster is a monster fighting hero. Could be good, could be bad. Art looked passable, and any giant monster comic is a good giant monster comic.
Solomon Kane No. 1 — Originally written by Robert E. Howard of Conan fame, Solomon Kane has always been one of those characters I’d hear about, but I never saw a book, comic, TV show or movie about. I have no idea if this will appeal to me, but its pulp magazine ties do appeal to me.
A Treasury of XXth Century Murder: Lindbergh Child — Somewhere along the way, I became intensely interested in the Lindbergh Kidnapping case. This is the first comic-book version I know of it. Very eager to read this. (Me? I think Bruno Hauptmann was framed.)
Essex County Vol. 1: Tales from the Farm — I read this series out of order. No. 1 will be the last for me to read. I loved No. 2, and I hope that this graphic novel helps me make more sense out of issue No. 3. Jeff LeMire offers a haunting tale with grim visual
s and a unique
story.
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So the batch above is all the fairly new comics I bought. Here’s some of the rest of my recent purchases, all of which were part of a special sale at Comics Store West, and everything was dirt cheap.
Torpedo 1936 No. 5 — This short graphic novel is misogynistic to the max — but sometimes, you just gotta read those sorts of comics. Set in 1936, the comic focuses on a gangster enforcer and his many trials. Good art, lots of violence, a smattering of nudity and two decent stories.
Pogo and Albert: At the Mercy of Elephants — This classic collection of old Pogo strips by Walt Kelly really stars Albert the Alligator. I had long heard about how clever and cute these books are, and seeing it so cheap I snapped it up. At first I was a little flummoxed by the dialogue, but if you sound it out, you get a real vibe for Walt Kelly’s magic with words. This isn’t high brow stuff, but it’s a great reader on stereotypical southern speak. This probably where Chris Claremont learned how to write Rogue and Cannonball in full-on Southern Drawl. Published by the late, lamented Eclipse Comics.
Ace of Diamonds No. 1 — Found it in the 25-cent bin. I like Marvel’s Jack of Hearts, so maybe I’ll like Lone Star Press’ Ace of Diamonds. Okay, I’m stretching it, but for 25-cents, I’ll stretch a lot of things. One complaint: Why did the artist obscure the heroes face on the cover? Bad layout choice.
Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man Annual No. 7 — The Puma is in it. Why don’t you own this book yet? Why hasn’t there ever been a Puma limited series? Why doesn’t Marvel buy my idea for the Puma? Why do I think you will answer my questions?
Male Call by Milton Caniff — This amazing collection features the entire Male Call/Miss Lace run of comic strips through World War II and a year or so after. This is some great stuff that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s sexy, it’s playful and drawn superbly. Only two complaints from me:
- Miss Lace’s eyebrows make her look downright EVIL at times. Very Joan Crawford. Very creepy.
- Some of the jive talking was just silly. I suppose its possible people talked that way, but it sounds very “dialogued” as opposed to natural speech.
But I did like this, and here’s a sample of just how great it was:
Whew! That’s it for now. I still have at least 10 more books to talk about. Check back soon on that bunch!
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