What’s on Your Pull List: January 21, 2015
Every week, a different Panelteer will give you a rundown of the comics they’re most looking forward to for the week. Floppies, trades and omniboo are all fair game here. This week, Caroline tells us what’s on her pull list.
Powers #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming (Marvel Comics)
Powers is one of those series that has launched and relaunched, and switched publishers and imprints so many times that I tend to forget what its current status is. But this new #1 seems promising by any measure. It looks like a return to the series’ core concept — a police procedural in a world with super-powered beings — and most importantly its core cast: partners Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim. This should be a good jump (back) on point for new and old fans alike.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 10 #11 by Christos Gage, Nicholas Brendon, and Megan Levens, with cover artist Steve Morris (Dark Horse Comics)
Speaking of series that have had me jumping off and on — I loved the Buffy TV show like nobody’s business, but it had been a while since I checked in on the associated comics. Last month’s season 10, issue 10 — a one-shot holiday special — turned out to be a delight, so I’m going to stick with this series for a bit. Issue 11 is co-written by Nicholas Brendon — the actor who played Xander — and actor-writer involvement is not always a good sign. But I trust Christos Gage to steer the ship, and as a further incentive, the preview art by Megan Levens looks fantastic. The Buffy Dark Horse team has never been afraid to push in new directions and take risks, and it’s heartening to see such unique-looking art on what could just be treated as a throw-away tie-in book.
Batwoman #38 by Marc Andreyko and Jason Masters, with cover artist Rafael Albuquerque (DC Comics)
On the other hand, most of us have that series we will stick with through thick and thin, to the bitter end, through artistic changes and even when we have no idea what the book is about or what is going on. For me, that book is Batwoman — whose bitter end may be fast approaching. So, yeah, Kate might be a vampire? The rhyme-speaking demon Etrigan may feature prominently, or maybe they’ve moved on to another demon? I have trouble actually recommending Batwoman at this point, but I’m never gonna stop reading it.
The Wicked and the Divine #7 by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie (Image Comics)
Now if you want to talk about a book that keeps getting better, there’s The Wicked and the Divine. Month by month, I’ve gone from, “This looks great and the story seems cool” to “Wow” to “Oh my God, holy wow!” This issue promises to take us to the musical/spiritual festival called Ragnarock and reveal yet more secrets, and I cannot wait.
All New X-Factor #20 by Peter A. David and Carmine DiGiandomenico (Marvel Comics)
All good things come to an end, and Peter David’s many-year run with the various incarnations of X-Factor — consistently one of the most offbeat teams within the X-Men universe — seems to be wrapping up, at least for now. I was loving the ‘All-New’ relaunch for its use of Polaris and Quicksilver, and the rest of the quirky crew, but I admit I lost track of it during some recent event tie-in or other. (The story of Peter David’s career….) I’ve been reading PAD-written X-Factor teams for close to ten years, though, so I’ll be sure to tune in for the conclusion. THE COVER IS SO SECRET THEY CAN’T SHOW IT TO YOU.
Reyn #1 by Kel Symons and Nathan Stockman (Image Comics)
Happily, new things are always getting started — literally every week, if you follow new releases from Image. Reyn is an intriguing entry into the growing field of fantasy comics. Symons has previously written the pirate comic The Mercenary Sea, while Stockman has a background in animation before coming to print comics. I’m giving this one a try and who knows — it just might be a new favorite.
