Winter Is Coming

If you live in the northeastern United States, winter has already come, stolen your girlfriend and had sex with your mother. Its been a relentless onslaught since at least mid-December of snow and below-zero temperatures. Being a "fun in the sun" guy, I'm about one more snowfall away from purposely hitting my head on the sharp corner of a table.

There are others out there that find this kind of bullshit enjoyable. They even relish it. But I think even the most hardcore winter lovers are starting to fade. Even the Brizzle, a creature born of these frozen climates, is feeling the tax of shoveling on a daily basis.

We're dying here, Mother Nature. Knock it the fuck off with the winter already.

-Gint

Soss' Pull-List Review 1/30/14

Black Science #1 

This book is like an R-Rated version of the Fantastic Four. Frog people that burp lighting? Check. Dimension traveling? Check. Turtle boats? Check. Enslaved lizard strippers? Check. Good times? Check.

Writer Rick Remender and artist Matteo Scalera drop us right in the middle of this strange world as we run for our lives along with husband and wife dimension-explorers Jen and Grant. Most of the tale is Grant's inter-monologue about his feelings of regret in getting his wife and kids mixed up in this mess. Don't screw around with black science kids, you'll end up in the middle of the Frog/Lizard war.

Matteo Scalera's art sets the mood for this murky, dirty universe. Beautiful stuff. I also got the feeling that this might have been some of the ideas Rick Remender had for his run on Captain America. The Marvel editorial staff's notes probably read "Too weird, take that over to Image". I'm glad he did because this looks like a very promising book. -Soss

Panel of the Week: Giant frogs would make me poop my pants.

McSoss Podcast Episode 41: SeX-Men

We have an X-ceptional episode for you this week folks. Darcy Mahaffey from sordidfairytales.com joins us as we X-plore all things in the world of those moody, self-loathing sissies the X-Men. 

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Passing The Time On The Job

If only fighting the hours at work was as easy as doing battle with a fog monster. I'll be looking for my lightsaber when I punch in. -Soss

Gint's 1-22-14 Pull-List Review

Only one book had a fill-in artist this week and I couldn't believe it.

Sixth Place:

Green Lantern: New Guardians #27

Musical Artists continues this week at DC as Brad Walker rides the pine in favor of Andrei Bressan. He does a nice job. Keeping up with Walker's talents is tough business. The only problem with Bressan's work is character inconsistency. At times, characters look different from panel to panel.

As far as the story goes, Justin Jordan has been doing a good job. He's writing a solid book of Kyle Rayner and the Templar Guardians taking care of business in the Universe. The introduction of the alien Exeter is a nice addition to the GL Universe.

If Jordan would just quit hinting around at a proposed romantic relationship between Kyle and Carol Ferris, I could fully support his work.

Fifth Place:

Batman #27

Though it pains me to say it, I might be losing interest in Zero Year. The first arc was a quick, interesting look back at Bruce's first days at being a costumed hero. Arc Two, Dark City, is starting to drag.

Greg Capullo's art is still top notch. Each page is masterfully crafted. Turns out you CAN be a successful, on-time artist while dealing with a Twitter addiction. Capullo has been pumping out each page of this series with RARELY a fill-in. Makes me wonder what other DC artists are up to that they can't make 2 issues without help.

The only thing I'd like to start getting away from is the light pastel color palette by FCO Plascencia. Its a little too bright and abstract. I'm ready for a more traditional dark Bat-pallette.

Fourth Place:

Justice League #27

Starring CYBORG! When the fate of the world is left in the hands of Cyborg, I just can't get interested. Geoff Johns has been doing his best to make him interesting for 27 issues, but it's just not taking. I miss the Pre-New 52 Justice League that included Martian Manhunter.

Besides all the touching pages about Cyborg and his father's reconciliation while he gets rebuilt and upgraded, Johns digs deep to show us the real reason Victor Stone is a hero. Its not just because of his cybernetic enhancements, he's a hero at heart. We also get a quick glimpse of the New 52 Doom Patrol who gets quickly dismantled by the Crime Syndicate. Much like Cyborg on the Justice League, they make me miss the Old 52.

Though it sounds like I loathed this issue, Johns and Ivan Reis RARELY do subpar work. And while this isn't the greatest issue of Justice League, it's still a solid chapter in the Forever Evil series.

Third Place:

Batman and Two-Face #27

Pete Tomasi and Patrick Gleason's story of Harvey Dent vs. Erin McKillen continues. This story has been so good I'm looking forward to reading it all in one sitting once its finished.

Two-Face and Erin McKillen are at each others throats trying to kill each other all while the crime familes of Gotham try to kill them. Batman gets caught in the middle trying to save them both. Tomasi and Gleason are both pros. They've been doing this long enough, and with each other that its no wonder the storytelling is so smooth.

I expected this to be a shorter story arc, but either way its playing out as a great Batman story.

Second Place:

X-Men #9

Terry and Rachel Dodson draw a hell of a book. Even if you don't like the story you're reading, they still make the experience still enjoyable.

That's not the case here. The story is plenty enjoyable. Brian Wood is putting together a great X-Men run focusing on the women of the X-Men. The Dodson's know how to draw sexy ladies and that just augments the the book for me. Wood has brought in two characters that I know nothing about, John Sublime and his siter Arkea and has made them instantly intriguing. He's also made me give a shit about the X-Men that I'm usually disinterested in.

Wood and the Dodson's are writing a basic, heroes vs. villains story. But basic doesn't mean bad. The last few issues have been some of the most satisfying books on the Pull-List lately.

First Place:

Animal Man #27

Its going to be a real bummer when this book ends. At least it will end on Jeff Lemire's terms and he'll get to close it out properly.

The big showdown inches closer for Animal Man and Brother Blood, whose taken over the Red pretty successfully. Rafael Albequerque has been a great artist to pick up after Travel Foreman and Steve Pugh. Each artist has brought their own style of super creepy to Lemire's fucked up scripts. Fucked up in a good way, that is.

Only a couple more issues to go til we say goodbye to one of the best things to come out of the New 52.

Panel of the Week:

Patrick Gleason's Harvey Dent in Batman and Two-Face looks like it was based on the Animated Series' Harvey.

-Gint

Take It Off

As great as it might feel the McSoss comic strip does not promote unprotected phones. Be responsible out there kids. -Soss

Soss' 1-23-14 Pull-List Review

I haven't read many current books over the past two weeks but I did recently unearth this old classic.

Young Avengers (2005) #1

This story takes place after the events of Avengers Disassemble. With no Avengers team to speak of who will defend New York from super villains? Besides of course the other thousands of heroes that inhabit Marvel's New York. Enter a young group of heroes dressed as versions of Hulk, Iron Man, Captain American and Thor. 

The first issue highlights this new team and features various reporters from the Daily Bugle attempting to get answers to the questions: Who are these kids? Where did they come from? What gives them the right to call themselves Avengers?

Alan Heinberg's mystery story is worth the price of admission but the real star is Jim Cheung's fantastic art. This was the book the sent him on his current trajectory as one of the finest talents in comics so check this book out to see him starting at the ground floor. -Soss

Panel of the Week: Who the hell do these kid's think they are?!

McSoss Podcast Episode 40: Wonder Woman Sauce

This week we discuss the return of Wally West, the Ant-Man feature film, Aquaman’s second series and the postponement of Superman/Batman 

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Breakfast Is Coming For You

The initial idea of Count Chocula actually being Nosferatu was my brother's idea. It needed to become part of McSoss lore. I've never been a big fan of the monster cereals (sorry Brizzy), and if they marketed Count Chocula like the above, I'd be afraid to have it in my house.

Most of the time when I look back at old black and white horror movies (usually on the recommendation of my mother) the "scare" falls flat and winds up being more corny than anything. 1922's Nosferatu is a different story. That vampire is fucking terrifying. Nosferatu and Barlow in 1979's Salem's Lot are the scariest vampire visuals I've ever seen. Clearly one inspired the other.

As much as I appreciate classic dracula, if you really want to keep me up at night, Nosferatu and Barlow are the way to go.

-Gint

Gint's 1-15-14 Pull-List Review

None of these books were bad this week, but DC's failure to have one artist draw a whole book is more pronounced this week than most.

Fifth Place:

Rogues Rebellion #4

Scott Hepburn, who should be able to handle this book himself, had André Coelho to help him out. Coelho's pages are well done, but Hepburn has a neat little style that's set the tone for this book. It should be solely his.

For as good as this book has been up to this point, this issue was 95% filler. Besides Heat Wave making the ultimate sacrifice at the end, this book was just 20 pages of fanboy "who would wins" facing the Rogues off against a handful of Gotham villains. A lot of the interesting character moments that have made the first three issues so enjoyable seemed to get lost in the battle royale of the issue.

I say forgive and forget. Brian Buccellato has two issues to put this one behind him and wrap this one up in grand fashion.

Fourth Place:
Superman Wonder Woman #4

I guess the theme for this week is "Multiple Artists." Tony Daniel, who has been drawing the Christ out of this book only does the first half. Then Paulo Siqueira takes over. They're essentially two separate stories but DC is just flushing artistic consistency down the toilet at this point.

As far as Charles Soule's story goes... it was alright. Diana spends most of the issue philosophizing over the relationships of gods and that myths are almost tragedies in every case. Meanwhile, Supes gets schooled by Zod who uses the fortress to get Faora out of the Phantom Zone. Daniel draws Faora in her Man of Steel costume. Its nice to see DC recognizing the new status quo for the overall Superman design. Though I'll always prefer Ursa.

Though the last two issues have taken some slower steps than the first, this book is still the best representation of Superman in the DCU.

Third Place:

DC Universe vs. Masters of the Universe #4

This issue had the same problems Rogues Rebellion #4 did: lots of pages of "who would win" pitting heroes against heroes with a very limited number designated for plot and story advancement.

We get to the crux of this arc where the heroes AND Skeletor realize Orko's been playing them both. He's in league with Hordak and has Superman captured. Next issue promises the origin of Dark Orko which I'm pretty excited to hear about. Keith Giffen and Tony Bedard are going to have to work overtime to turn the comedic relief of the old cartoon into the most evil villain Eternia has seen.

The coolest part of this story is a quick couple panels with dialog that elude to Moss Man being Eternia's Avatar of the Green. A great little nod to the parallels between him and Swamp Thing.

Second Place:

Green Lantern Corps #27

As far as I can tell, if the Green Lantern writing team ignored the whole "finite ring engergy" angle and just focused on the Durlans trying to bring down the Corps, this could be a good story. However, they keep mucking it up with the worst GL plot idea in at least 10 years.

We get into some straight up space cop business this issue as John Stewart leads a group of Lanterns to help Lantern safehouses that have come under attack. The Khunds have teamed up with the Durlans and all hell is breaking loose. If you take out the finite reservoir angle, the story doesn't change. Less is more folks.

Bernard Chang, who is the reason I was excited about this book, drew about half of it. Seems to me every week that goes by I'm looking at straight-up fill-ins or shared artists. I guess gone are the days of one artist on an entire run.

First Place:
Nova #12

Month to month, Nova is EASILY one of the most consistent books on the Pull-List. Even though we've gone from Jeph Loeb to Zeb Wells to Gerry Duggan on writing duties, all of them have maintained an incredibly consistent dynamic and tone. Not to mention the art of Paco Medina seamlessly following Ed McGuinness. AND Medina draws the whole book. An approach DC has abandoned.

The learning curve for Sam Alexander is interesting. Duggan is off to a great start taking Sam from adventure to adventure while still searching for the helmets of dead Novas. The story telling is so smooth and organic, I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this book.

I really appreciate this Nova title. Its quelled any uncertainty I had when I heard about the relauch. If DC wants to see how a book is supposed to be done, they could learn a lesson from this one.

Panel of the Week:

Bruce Wayne with brown hair and brown eyes?! TRAVESTY! Colorist Veronica Gandini has clearly never seen Bruce Wayne before.

-Gint

Justice League Dark

DC missed a prime opportunity in the 70s while blacksploitation was at its peak to score maybe the greatest superhero movie of all time. I would see this movie. I would read the comic. Its looking like if this is going to be done, I'm going to have to do it.

As far as Cyborg is concerned, his inclusion (that I disagree with) in the Justice League is two-fold: 1. Geoff Johns really likes the character and thinks he can be A-list. Geoff Johns is wrong. 2. He's a minority, and the Cracker League of America needs some color. This was the perfect opportunity to use John Stewart, the black Green Lantern, or even Johns own creation Simon Baz, the Arabic Green Lantern. Either would be more appropriate than Cyborg who just ISN'T A-list. Not because of his ethnicity, but just because he's not that cool.

That is, after all, my opinion. My apologies to all the Cyborg fans out there.

-Gint

Soss' 1-16-14 Pull-List Review

Thor: God of Thunder #16

I'm really enjoying The Accursed arc. While the screen version of Malekith left much to be desired Jason Aaron's spin delivers a deranged and frightening dark elf renegade. He clearly is a match for Thor and The League of Realms. In fact, he seems like more then a match. This is the dynamic character missing from Thor: The Dark World.

I did have some problem's with Thor's behavior and leadership skills in this issue. He seemed more in line with the young, brash, impulsive god from the Vikings era then the proud Avenger we know and love. 

Ron Garney is very good. The choice to go for a more painted style to match the tone of the previous arc is a good one. -Soss

Panel of the Week: Malekith visit's the deli.

McSoss Podcast Episode 39: Lickity Split (The Green Lantern Episode)

This week we discuss the Green Lantern Universe, talk some Marvel space as well as talk about some of the news regarding the new Star Wars films. 

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When Your Lip Goes Rogue

If DC wants to get a leg up on Marvel, maybe they need to start thinking outside the box. Licenses, folks. They're right there waiting for you.

Captain Cold has been on the brain lately due to his large role in Geoff Johns' Forever Evil. Johns has had a pretty good run of writing books I like but I was leery when it came to Forever Evil. Seemed gimmicky and too early for a New 52 crossover. But, he's hooking it the fuck up.

Lex Luthor, Black Manta, Captain Cold, Black Adam and it looks like Sinestro will be going toe to toe with the Crime Syndicate. Each issue has had the perfect balance of action and character development. And unlike some other writers lately, I'm looking at you J.M. DeMatteis, Johns books have been perfectly scripted.

The auxiliary books have been tedious, but the main book is all you need to get a great story. Fingers crossed he can end it as strongly as it began.

-Gint

 

Gint's 1-8-14 Pull-List Review

When I buy my weekly books, my expectation is to be entertained and derive enjoyment from what I'm reading. Every so often you get a week that's neither enjoyable or entertaining.

Third Place:

Green Lantern: New Guardians #26

This issue goes off the rails pretty quick. Part 2 of a two-parter, Part 1 was a well-told, concise sci-fi story teaching the lesson that we have to take responsibility for all our actions. Instead of wrapping up the story in a nice, tight package, this issue devolves into one big confusing fight between two identical races.

Brad Walker's art is great as usual, and Geraldo Borges fill-in work on seven pages more than holds up. But due to questionable character design and a convoluted planetary eco-system setup, this issue is really hard to understand. Since the races are identical, their design makes it hard to easily follow who's doing what.

Justin Jordan has had a really nice run so far. He was bound to have a stinker sooner or later.

Second Place:
Green Lantern #27

I think I can officially say I don't like the current direction of this book. The whole, "not allowed to use the color spectrum" angle is dumb. Why bother reading about Superman if he can't fly or use his powers? See? Dumb.

The GL's also get fucking PUNKED in this issue. Writer Robert Venditti should have come up with a better plan for the Durlan's to take out the GLs because this issue just made them all look utterly incompetent. If THIS is how easily our GLs get the beat down, they SHOULD get beat down.

Dale Eaglesham fills in on art and he's a welcome change from the regularly inconsistent Billy Tan. The story is still stupid, but at least its nice to look at.

First Place:

Star Wars #13

I wasn't very favorable in my last couple reviews of this book. In thirteen issues, not a lot has happened. This issue, which clearly feels like filler, was still kind of interesting. Not all that good, but interesting.

This issue follows African/Latino-American-ish, female Ensign Nanda on an unauthorized mission with Darth Vader to see how Colonel Bircher infiltrated the Empire so easily. They take six elite Stormtroopers with them and there's a LOT of senseless killing, just like in A New Hope. The Stormtroopers and Vader do quite a bit of killing, some warranted, some not. Ensign Nanda narrates it all.

My cheif problem with Ensign Nanda is that she's a woman. I know in this day and age we're trying to be more inclusive of minorities in comics, but after watching six Star Wars movies, do you think the EMPIRE would be very minority-friendly? I do not. They're kind of nazis. In the context of the story and the universe, I don't believe the Empire would run a woman up the ranks so fast.

What's promised on the cover is an issue about Darth Vader. What we get is an issue about a fake Star Wars character created for this issue. Had this issue actually taken you through the mind of Darth Vader, and made him the point character, it would have been a lot more effective.

Panel of the Week:

An example of the wanton violence in this week's Star Wars as illustrated by Facundo Percio.

-Gint

They're Out There

Besides Ronald McDonald, between Killer Clowns From Outer Space and IT, my childhood was littered with clowns of the murderous kind. I don't suffer from coulrophobia (fear of clowns), but that doesn't mean they're not a little bit unsettling. Though what I find infinitely more unsettling than Pennywise are the people that want to BE a clown. In college there was a guy who was working on being a real clown. He had a passion for it. He was also one of the most terrifying people I've ever met.

What I'm trying to say is, unless they're offering you a Big Mac, stay away from clowns. You know what, if a clown is offering you a Big Mac, maybe you should stay away from him too. Better safe than sorry.

-Gint

McSoss Podcast Episode 38: Unoriginal

Welcome Back! In the first installment of the new year we preview what 2014 has in store for us in regards to television, film and of course comic books. 

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Soss' 1-8-14 Pull-List Review

Daredevil #27

The mystery villain in the iron maiden is revealed. Even though it is a huge revelation I was let down. We never get to watch said surprise villain in action so it felt kind of hollow.

Daredevil has his finally battle with Ikari which was fun seeing as their power set's are similar. Chris Samnee's action sequences are exciting as always.

I'd highly recommend anyone to pick up Mark Waid's recent run on Daredevil. It's a light hearted take on The Man Without Fear that does not lose any of the characters edge. -Soss

Panel of the Week: Crusin' through the rooftops.

The Most Electrifying Man In The DC Cinematic Universe

If Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson can make the Fast and the Furious movies enjoyable for me to watch maybe he can do the same for the Superman movies. Fingers crossed. -Soss

Gint's 12-31-13 Pull-List Review

In a week where nothing is very inspiring, a Flash fill-in book lands on top.

Sixth Place:

Superman Unchained #5

I'm willing to nominate this book as the most underwhelming of 2013. "But, Gint, shouldn't you wait until its finished before passing that judgement?" No. Because in a serialized form of storytelling like comics, each issue should be entertaining, not just the whole when its finished.

I don't think I like anything about this story. I don't think I like anything about New 52 Superman (Charles Soule's Superman Wonder Woman aside). It turns out Wraith (original name) who looks like an evil bad guy... really IS an evil bad guy! Lois is in a lot of trouble with the terrorist group Ascension who are going to use an element they created called Earthstone to send humans back to the stone age. I guess there's other crap going on but none of it is all that interesting.

I get that Superman is a science fiction character and that like any good sci-fi it should raise questions about ethics and morality and make us think, but I think I prefer my Superman to just punch stuff.

Fifth Place:
Justice League Dark #26

The more I read of J.M. DeMatteis' writing, the less I like it. He's not very good at hiding exposition in the story. Each time its like, "THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO TELL THE READERRRRRRRR!!!!!"

I also don't think the story of Blight is very good. Blight is the badguy who is the embodiment of all the evil in humans. The Dark's contribution to Forever Evil is to stop him. So far they find Deadman trapped at the bottom of the sea in the body of the Sea King (the Crime Syndicate's Aquaman). So that's kind of a neat twist that could have cool ramifications.

The story just feels uninspired since Jeff Lemire left the writing duties. I hope part of that is Dark's forced involvement in Forever Evil. Maybe once that's over DeMatteis can give us some sweet Justice League Dark stories.

Fourth Place:

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #6

Killjoys wraps up this issue with a satisfactory finale. Its such a wacky world that's been established in this book that I wonder if this WOULD be a better read in trade format.

The Girl and Destroya enter Battery City to bring it and evil corporation BLI down. For all of the setup, character development and small touches through the first 5 issues, this issue ends pretty quickly. Almost with an, "oh that's it?"-type feeling. You understand the ending, but it leaves you wanting more. The great battle that's being built up leaves you hanging.

Now that alls said and done this was a very cool story. Gerard Way is a bright guy. Shaun Simon as well. And Becky Cloonan's art is some of the best in the business. Its not often I break out of character and buy something un-superhero-ey, but I'm glad I did in this regard. I recommend picking this up when the trade is released.

Third Place:
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #9

Rafael Kayanan is off art duties and this book becomes 90% more readable. Michael S. O'Hare isn't a familiar name, but his tight sketch-style works well for He-Man. He's also very good at drawing mouths. Weird, but true.

King Randor continues to lead his team through Subternia to find Zoar in order to bring the Sorceress back to life. Moss Man thinks its a terrible idea for reasons we find out this issue. The team gets split up and everything's looking pretty bleak at the end of this issue.

The worst part of this book is almost every line out of Teela's mouth is a zinger. I assume Dan Abnett is following previous writer Keith Giffen's lead, but it gets old fast. I think I'd prefer a more stoic Teela. At least a Teela that's more Charles Soule-Wonder Woman and less Kathy Griffin.

Second Place:
Aquaman #26

This barely missed First Place. It might have made it if Paul Pelletier drew the whole book. But we frown on the fill-in artist here at McSoss. For as passable as Netho Diaz's work may be, he's no Pelletier.

Jeff Parker's run starts with Arthur trying to effectively balance being a super hero on the surface world with running the kingdom of Atlantis. He's doing a terrible job and the Atlantean council hates him. It not a very unique take. I think just once I'd like to see Aquaman be able to capably handle all of his duties.

In the meantime some Atlantean/Xebellian myths seem to be waking up and attacking the surface world. Parker's run in starting in a great place, seamlessly picking up where Geoff Johns' left off. If only we could get Pelletier back to whole issues, we'd be golden.

First Place:

The Flash #26

The magical run by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato is over. In the meantime before a 3-issue arc by Buccellato and Patrick Zircher, we get a one-and-done by Christos N. Gage and Neil Googe. Heh heh. Googe.

They do a nice job. Googe's art works well for a Flash story. Its a looser version of Marcus To, whose work I'm a big fan of. Barry has to track down and capture a villain called Spitfire who is essentially Roxy Rocket from Batman: The Animated Series. Same MO, same look (red hair, bomber jacket, goggles)... she doesn't ride a rocket. But she has a rocket-pack/glider thing. Close enough. Why not just make her Roxy? Legal somethingorother I assume.

A nice one-shot by these guys that would be a nice Flash: The Animated Series episode.

Panel of the Week:

Mikel Janin gets to flex his giant sea creature muscles in this month's Justice League Dark.

-Gint

Eye Candy

The CW went all out this fall to capture the female demographic. As well as guys that can appreciate chiseled dudes.-Soss

Soss' 1-2-14 Pull-List Review

The Saviors #1

I was intrigued to see what James Robinson was looking to explore in this creator-owned offering from Image comics. I've read his mainstream work on Starman and from a quick glance at this book you can tell he is going in a totally different direction.

The story revolves around Tomas Ramirez, an easy going friendly stoner living in what appears to be New Mexico or Arizona. We travel along with him for his daily routines and wonder, could his life be any more boring? That is until people start transforming into lizard men.......or is he just too high and paranoid?

Artist J. Bone provides some very nice black and white art. You'll find a lot of energy and fluid motion in his ink work. I know black and white art isn't for everyone but it fits well with this book. 

I'm excited to see how the mystery of this story plays out and would recommend this to anyone that wants to experience something new and different from a familiar writer. -Soss

Panel of the Week: 

Is this real or am I just super baked?