Tag: Brian K Vaughn

Geekscape Comics: Weekly Reads!

by Karson

Welcome to Weekly Reads! It’s your little dose of comic book goodness that focuses on some aspect of my comic book reading!

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That’s right, we are swimming in a pool of awesome comic books this week! Let’s talk about them!

Ongoing Reads

Brian K. Vaughan’s PAPER GIRLS is back with it’s 6th issue! Vaughan tells the story of a group of 12-year-old paper girls who get caught up in some pretty crazy apocalyptic scenario. Aside from a ton of awesome 80’s references, there are also some cool time travel mechanics. There are so many questions I’m dying to find the answers to. I’m really digging Cliff Chiang’s poppy art style too. You won’t want to pick up this book without reading #1-5 first, but they’re definitely worth it.

Jason Aaron and Giulia Brusco’s THE GODDAMNED is a book I want to like a lot more than I actually do. Brusco’s work is breathtaking throughout the series, the sense of bareness and desolation that his settings matchings the book’s tone perfectly. As always, I think my lack of enjoyment for the title stems from some bad expectations on my part. The main character, Cain, just isn’t who I expected him to be. He has done too much crying and not enough kicking ass… It looks like that might change next issue though. I can’t recommend this series because I’m just not a fan, but I think there are a lot of people out there who love and would love THE GODDAMNED.

The second issue of THE PUNISHER was pretty standard Punisher stuff; the Punisher kills a lot of people a lot of different ways. Well, mostly by shooting them. The books ending left me in shock though, it’s a moment that you only see in the medium of comic books. Before you ask, no, Frank Castle didn’t hail hydra.

Dan Slott and Giuseppe Camuncoli’s run on Spider-Man continues with AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #13. If you like seeing super heroes get into school yard fights, this issue is for you. Iron Man and Spider-Man squabble and insult each other while Miles gets into a little bit of trouble with Regent. I can’t see myself getting too invested in this storyline, I just want Dead No More, but we still have 3 more issues to go.

New Reads

Superman Rebirth 1

DC’s Rebirth is in full effect! Last week brought us four Rebirth issues; Batman, Superman, Green Lantern and Green Arrow. These issues feel a lot like Free Comic Book Day books, it’s mostly just setup for things to come. If you aren’t familiar with the DC Universe (like me!) these books are still accessible. Even at the new, lower, price point, I don’t think any of these Rebirth issues are worth picking up, just read a summary instead. If you’re on a tight budget, just pick one of the characters and roll with that. Or wait a month or two and find out what book everyone is loving. Got no shortage of cash? Read em all! Nothing has wowed me yet, I’m just enjoying the newness of it all.

A simple guide for getting into DC Comics:
1. Listen The Geekscape DC Universe: Rebirth Special
2. Accept that Ian Kerner is human and not a walking comic book encyclopedia.
3. Pick one character (or more) that interests you and start reading.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers - Pink 001-000

BOOM! Studios’ Power Ranger line-up is expanding with this week’s MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: PINK #1 by the creative team of Brenden Fletcher, Kelly Thompson, and Daniele Di Nicuolo. This book is pretty much what you see is what you get. It isn’t on the same level as the other Power Rangers book but if you like the universe this is probably worth picking up, otherwise, you’re probably better spending your money elsewhere.

Civil War II 1

Amongst all the DC Rebirth, Marvel quietly began their big summer event with CIVIL WAR II #1. All the big surprises took place in the Free Comic Book Day issue and this book shows us what led up to it and the aftermath. We won’t get into spoilers, but basically a new inhuman is discovered that can see the future, a couple of characters die, and everyone is conflicted over this. There are A LOT of books involved in this arc, and right now I’m worried that it’s going to be hard to keep up with if you aren’t reading everything. This book did nothing to calm my worries.

Invincible Iron Man 10

On that note, I decided to read some more Brian Michael Bendis this week and checked out INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #10. That didn’t do me much good. Unless I’m missing something, this book is lagging behind the rest of Marvel’s ongoing stuff. Mary Jane isn’t even working for Stark yet, which we are seeing in both Civil War II and the Amazing Spider-Man books. So basically we are getting some back story explaining the events that took place on Free Comic Book Day and Civil War II #0, which I guess makes sense since it’s “Road to Civil War II.” Anyways, long story short, it’s frustrating to be reading these things out of order and for me, just makes me feel crazy for not just reading in trade.

Next Time

More Rebirth! More Civil War! The Fix #3!

Back to Comics: Geekscape Suggests Books You Should Be Reading!

by Scott Alminiana

Here at Geekscape we read a lot of comics! And I mean a lot. If it’s on stands, odds are someone around here has read it. And as anyone who reads comics knows, there are tons of books on stands. Not only are there a ton of books on the stands, there are a ton of crappy books on the stands, but there are also some great books out there. You just have to know what to look for. In an effort to help you wade through the crap and help yourself find a winner, we thought we’d list a few titles that we are currently loving. So, without further ado, in no particular order, we present to you five books you need to check out:

Saga –  Written by Brian K. Vaughan, Art by Fiona Staples

Cover to Issue #1 of Saga

This book is only three issues in and it’s already one of the books I most look forward to every month. Saga tells the story of parents Marko and Alana, as they try to protect their new-born daughter, Hazel, all in the middle of an intergalactic war.  Marko (with ram-like horns on his head) and Alana (with wings on her back) are Romeo and Juilet archtypes, whose planets are at war with one another. They are on the run, branded as deserters and hunted by both sides. Vaughan’s writing is as sharp and original as ever. Fiona Staples’ artwork is just phenomenal, her visuals are truly a sight to be seen. This book has everything from the previously mentioned ram horns and wings, to a bare-breasted spider-woman bounty hunter (yeah, this totally isn’t a book for the kiddies), to Price Robot IV, a character with a TV for a head. If that all sounds wild and wacky that’s because it is…in the best way possible.

The Manhattan Projects –  Written by Jonathan Hickman, Art by Nick Pitarra

A page from Issue #1 of The Manhattan Projects (Image Comics)

This is Jonathan Hickman’s first on-going book for Image Comics and it’s a doozie. The book is set in alternate history that re-imagines such geniuses as  J. Robert Oppenheimer, here a literal mad-man, Wernher von Braun, an evil ex-Nazi scientist with a robot-arm, and Albert Einstein, among many others. The story asks the question,  what if The Manhattan Project, which gave the world the atomic bomb, created other deadlier and fantastic things? Yes, the premise is out there, but it’s oh so enjoyable. Nick Pitarra’s art is stunning and not like a lot of other artwork on comic stands. His art is distinctive and his character designs are just, well…cool. This book is three issues in, so this is the perfect time to catch up.

Daredevil –  Written by Mark Waid, Art by Paolo Rivera

Cover to issue #10 of Daredevil (Marvel Comics)

This latest volume of “The Man Without Fear” has been great right from the start. Gone is the über -moody Matt Murdock of years past with his dark/depressing story-lines. In it’s place, we find Matt Murdock in a much happier place than he has been in quite sometime. Waid is writing the hell out of this book. With thirteen issues to date, we have already seen Daredevil face off against the likes of Klaw, The Mole Man, and the New York crime syndicate (made up of all the major crime groups in the Marvel U). Joining Waid is Paolo Rivera on art. His covers for this book have been some of the best looking covers I’ve seen in  the history of ever! I absolutely love his art on this book. I especially enjoy the way that he draws Daredevil’s “radar-sense,” it’s hard to explain, it’s better to see it for yourself. Pick up an issue and give it a try, I doubt you’ll be let down.

The Flash – Written by Brian Buccellato & Francis Manapul, Art by Francis Manapul

Cover to issue #7 of The Flash (DC Comics)

This is one of the best books to come out DC’s “The New 52.” This book is great for new and old fans of The Flash alike. Co-writters Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul have found new life in an old character and thanks to the relaunch of the DC universe, gone are years of convoluted and confusing continuity. In it’s place, we find Barry Allen, working for Central City PD in the crime lab, while also further exploring his powers and ability to tap into the speed force. Francis Manapul pulls double duty on this series as co-writer and artist and his art is fantastic. Even if the book had a weak story, his art would help to make it better and less noticeable. However, that is not the case, as both story and art have been outstanding right out of the starting gate. Issue nine was just released this week, so it’s as good a time as any to catch up. The Flash is a winner in my book and I’m glad to have Barry Allen back.

Scarlet Spider – Written by Chris Yost, Art by Ryan Stegman

Cover to issue one of Scarlet Spider (Marvel Comics)

Taking place after the events of the “Spider-Island” story-line in The Amazing Spider-Man, this story follows Kaine (Clone of Peter Parker, don’t ask) as he tries to make a new life for himself in Houston, Texas. Being as this is a super-hero comic and all, the citizens of Houston need saving from the evils of the world and thus we find Kaine, reluctantly becoming the new Scarlet Spider. The books motto is “All of the power, none of the resposibility” and that sums up the attitude of series very well. Kaine is no Peter Parker, he has no problem with extreme violence if need be. The story that Chris Yost has been telling follows Kaine as he has becomes a hero, despite wanting nothing to do with heroes in general, hence his being in Houston. The tone is very dark for a Spider-Man book and Ryan Stegman’s art helps establish that. His character designs look great and he draws the hell out of the fight scenes. Sadly, his time on the book will be ending with next months issue six. Artist Khoi Pham will be joining as new regular artist with July’s issue seven. I’m not how Pham’s artwork will mesh with the series, but if Yost continues to tell the quality tale he’s been weaving, then I think it’s safe to say that this book will be around for a while.

 

Well, there you have it…five great titles currently on sale. Hopefully, this will help you the next time you finding yourself in your local comic shop looking for something new to read. Pick up one of the books, heck, pick up all of them. Enjoy the adventures.