I Read Comic Books discussion

Hiyoooooooooooooo it's July and we gotta know over here at IRCB: What are you reading right now? Any good TPBs or OGNs or single issues? Any bad stuff? Let us know!

I just finished reading X-Men: Gold, Vol. 1: Back to the Basics in singles. It was really hard to for me to rate on GoodReads, because it's actually comprised of two three-issue arcs.

The first one is centered around Kitty's takeover of the team and the public's attitude towards the X-Men post-IvX. It reminded me a lot of a few older X-Men books I've read, like X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills, and I really enjoyed it. I'd give it 4/5 stars.

The second arc was a lot less interesting to me. It involves Gambit accidentally setting loose swarming nanotech with sentinel AI, and the team trying to fight it. This are was more 3/5 stars for me.

Are any of you reading this, or any of the other new X-Men series? What do you think about them? Which is your favorite?

The holiday delayed my comic run, so I went today. A day late, I got:

Wasp 7- Nadia gets help from Janet Van Dyne, the original
Star Wars 33- Luke and Leia are marooned on a water world
Nightwing 24- 'Wing vs a whole mess of low level bad guys
Jessica Jones 10- the strange case of Maria Hill continues
Iron Fist 5- the tournament ends and a secret is revealed
Harley Quinn 23- her parents are here and the dinner cruise doesn't go as planned
Green Arrow 26- Ollie hits the road and teams with the Flash, who is kind of a jerk
Bombshells 30- ok, ya know what? The modern refs in the '40's book are getting REALLY distracting
Champions 10- The Secret Empire stupidity catches up to the young heroes
Avengers 9- What happened to Thor in the Secret Empire?
Justice League 24- Mera stops by after the events of last Aquaman
Invincible Iron Man 9- Doom gets some surprises
X-Men Gold 7- The team has some unwelcome company in the mansion.

Dove into a bunch of my physical comics this weekend: Sex Criminals #18: Totems and Sex Criminals #19: Down With The Thickness (the latter was pretty great), followed by Uber: Invasion #6 and Uber: Invasion #7 which was brutal as hell. There's a moment in #7 that made me cringe in the best way. Gillen knows how to make War very horrifying.

I also sat down and read The Long Year which was a terrifying and beautiful anthology of short comics. I seriously, seriously, seriously cannot get over Claire Connelly's art. It sucks me in in a seriously strong way. I could read her comics for years--she has a TON of them available on her website for free. I really dug this anthology and definitely plan to get my hands on her other works (Black Eyes got me into her work last year and I've been obsessed ever since).

There are a few things i got to read in the past few days.

First, Jeff Lemire's Old Man Logan: Volume 5 "Past Lives" the Last arc written by Lemire. I have been reading this book since secret wars and really enjoyed what Lemire and Sorrentino on art for the most part brought to the book. I do not know if i will keep this on my pull, but i will give it a shot for now.

Also read the Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel (Star Wars crossover. The Marvel Star Wars book are very rarely a miss, i really enjoyed the story becuase i really enjoy the interaction between Doctor Aphra and Luke, they are very similar.

I want to talk about Darth Vader (2017-) #2 by Charles Soule that continues to expand on the mythos. I think this run will add many events of significance to the legend of Vader.

Lastly, I am reading Usagi Yojimbo: Yokai by Stan Sakai for our local Dallas Comic book club. I am not too far into it, but i appreciate that it is a Stand Alone OGN that means i do not have any required reading prior to jumping in.

Daniel wrote: "I want to talk about Darth Vader (2017-) #2 by Charles Soule that continues to expand on the mythos. I think this run will add many events of significance to the legend of Vader."

I haven't had a chance to pick this run up yet. How does it compare to Gillen's DV run?

Kate wrote: "Daniel wrote: "I want to talk about Darth Vader (2017-) #2 by Charles Soule that continues to expand on the mythos. I think this run will add many events of significance to the legend of Vader."

I..."

It has a very different feel, this book takes place immediately after episode III, I think the main focus of the book is to explore Vader at that time. I really enjoy Charles Soule's writing so if you like his stuff this should be a good read. The art is what i want in a star wars book, I like it to match and have a similar feel to the movies so i think is succeed's overall in that. Also I got this thru the Marvel subscription service so its all Half off and i get the digital codes, that definitely makes me feel better about getting the most bang for my buck

Daniel wrote: "...this book takes place immediately after episode III, I think the main focus of the book is to explore Vader at that time. I really enjoy Charles Soule's writing so if you like his stuff this should be a good read. The art is what i want in a star wars book, I like it to match and have a similar feel to the movies so i think is succeed's overall in that..."

I've never actually read any Soule books, which is pretty crazy. I have maybe five of his on my TBR list.

That does sound interesting. I didn't realize this wasn't a continuation of Gillen's DV run.

I completely agree about Star Wars art matching the movies. I am not as into the SW comics with more stylized art, like Star Wars, Vol 4: Last Flight of the Harbinger.

Hey everyone, Nick from the podcast here, figured I'd share a few thoughts on the weird assortment of titles I've read/been reading as of late.

Secret Weapons (2017) #1 has easily been on my Top 5 most anticipated reads for 2017, and for good reason: Valiant Comics managed to nab the screenwriter of last year's "Arrival," Eric Heisserer, to pen the book, alongside one of my all-time favorite artists, Raul Allen. Heisserer is also penning the screenplays for the upcoming Bloodshot and Harbinger movies, to boot.

The book surrounds psiots (think X-Men) who survive the "activation" process (there's a real, viable risk/reward process to flipping the switch on one's powers)...only to have powers of questionable/negligible utility. One can talk to birds. Yes...just birds. Another can conjure objects out of thin air...but cannot control at all just what those objects are. Another can make things glow. That's it. I'm sure he's a hit at black light parties, but has limited use outside the rave scene. As of late, they've been hanging at a secret facility dedicated to housing these perpetual benchwarmers.

But now a killin' machine called Rex-O has been hunting them down, and Unity (think Valiant Justice League) leader Livewire (aka Amanda McKee, who, is just the best, honestly) is set on saving them before Rex-O...uhh...does whatever the opposite of saving happens to be. Really, really engaging colorful adventure that's equal parts stylized and approachable for new readers.

Those looking for a comic set on sating that historical fiction urge would do well to grab Brian Wood's REBELS series surrounding the Revolutionary War. I recently read Rebels: These Free and Independent States which is the follow-up miniseries, surrounding the creation of America's navy in an era where American merchant vessels found themselves regularly raided and stopped at the hands of more than a couple foreign powers. If you want proof that somebody does their research, check out Wood's efforts here.

I've been making my way through Chew, Vol. 4: Flambé, on top of its predecessors, at Zander and Mike's behest. And...WOW. If you want a book that starts out weird, and dares to get weirder, that deals in superpowers related to food and food consumption, and that has a deadly chicken named Poyo (whose been modified by government and alien forces alike) as a character...wait....WHY THE HELL WOULDN'T YOU WANT THIS BOOK? LIKE, WHY? It's energetic, animated, and funny in ways that'll actually elicit an audible chuckle.

I just finished Arrow: The Dark Archer by John Barrowman, Merlyn/Jack Harkness himself. It's a lot about Malcolm's background before he came to Starling City and established himself there. He's a clue-- he was never a nice guy.

It's a vaguely Indiana Jones kind of story, but with more violence and sex. It's some fun extra material about a character we apparently won't see any more of. Overall enjoyable, although I do think Barrowman, much as I am a fan, Mary Sues his characters a bit.

Ok, big week at the comic shop this week:

Green Arrow 27- Oliver's next team up is with Wonder Woman
US Avengers 8- The Secret Empire nonsense has Iron Patriot trying to save Sunspot without her armor.
Bombshells 31- more on Killer Frost's background and the fight in Russia against Professor Strange's minons
Aquaman 26- Mera tries to free Atlantis, Arthur finds an ally I don't think we've seen since the dreaded reboot.
X-Men Gold 8- The Secret Empire mess screws up their victory over a serial killer targeting mutants.
Harley Quinn 24- more on her parents visiting, also Sportsmaster and Clock King drop by
Invincible Iron Man 9- Riri goes to Latveria. It doesn't go well.
Luke Cage 3- Luke's investigation into Noah Burstein's death gets even weirder
Mighty Thor 21- one book, three Thors. And a war.
Ms. Marvel 20- it's an ugly story and I think they're finally hitting the political overtones for today's issues a bit too hard.
Nightwing 25- The mess on Ambergis Island ends and Dick has some major personal changes.
Spider-Man 2099 25- Things get weird in the (sadly) last issue.

I read Aliens: Dead Orbit #1 after grabbing it during the Dark Horse sale on comiXology over the weekend and... WOW is this book gorgeous. Like... holy shit. If you have even an inkling of interest in the Alien franchise, you have to read this book.

Read a few more things for the month of July so I am following up here...

I just Finished Darth Maul and It was a great mini, Darth Maul is one of my favorite characters and getting to see some more story prior to the prequels. Also there are some really cool side characters that were a very welcome addition, I say all the Star Wars books are Good to Great and should be read especially if you're a fan

Also, I read All-Star Batman, Volume. 2: Ends of the Earth
Scott Snyder is one of my favorite writers, and getting to follow Batman around the country is really great, my favorite issues was the 3rd in the story with the Madhatter.

Lastly for one of the comic book clubs I am a part of we are doing The Twelve I am not done with the book but so far it is really interesting...

Busy week, so I'm a bit late getting this posted. But my comic run this week got me:

Occupy Avengers 9- The Secret Empire continues to suck for everyone that isn't an Aryan hero-traitor in the final issue.
Doctor Who 14-more on Nine, Rose, and Jack
Detective Comics 961- Azreal's backstory keeps making things hard for the Bat-Squad
Captain America, Steve Rogers 19- Evil Steve insults Thor and imprisons Sharon Carter
Captain America, Sam Wilson 24- is Sam going to take up the shield again to face Steve?
Blue Beetle 11- Dr. Fate vs Arion, the conclusion and aftermath
Weapon X 6- we learn why a young idealistic hero really shouldn't be in this book with the rest of these guys
Batman/Shadow 4- things are looking bad for Gotham and our heroes
Infamous Iron Man 10- Mama Doom comes to visit...
Justice League of America 11- Ray vs Kingbutcher

I read Green River Killer last night and holy shit was it amazing. Easily one of the best non-fiction comics I have read. Ever. If you're into true crime stories, this one is amazing. Simply amazing.

I also read Motor Crush, Vol. 1, which was a heckovalot different than I expected. By a long shot. The end of the volume had me yelling "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" because it was over.

I guess I'm hooked now.

Ok ok Last few things I read in July, (I was sick yesterday so i actually got to read a bunch of things)

I read Daredevil: Back in Black, Volume 4: Identity which explains how Daredevil's identity is no longer public knowledge, very cool way to get there.

Finally I read Huck, Book 1: All-American
It was definitely a quick read but art just makes this book such a success (IMO)
I hope to get more Huck in the future.