Sam Noir: Ronin Holiday sees the Samurai Detective taking some well deserved R&R but you just know it won’t last. More black and white samurai action from Eric Anderson and Manny Trembley in this three issue mini starting early February 2007. Anticipation factor: 7
Nexus returns next summer after co-creators Mike Baron and Steve Rude finally agreed on the direction the series should take. Nexus, an intergalactic vigilante, is one of the most successful independent superhero creations ever and it’s great to have him back. Next year promises to be the year of Steve “the Dude” Rude as he has several other exciting projects in the pipeline all from his new Rude Dude Productions company. Anticipation factor: 9
Buffy The Vampire Slayer is a must for anyone who wondered what happened after the end of the TV series. Written by Buffy creator Joss Whedon this is effectively season eight but without the restrictions of a TV budget. Art is by Georges Jeanty and issue one of this miniseries hits the shelves in March. Anticipation factor: 7
Grifter & Midnighter puts two of the Wildstorm Universes meanest hombres head to head. Expect violent action from Chuck Dixon and Ryan Benjamin in a six issue miniseries that starts March. Anticipation factor: 6
Dynamo 5 is a new team book from Image but with a difference. When philandering hero Captain Dynamo dies his widow tracks down his five illegitimate offspring who each have inherited one of the dead hero’s powers but can they work as a team? Writer Jay Faerber and artist Mahmud Asrar are the creators behind this ongoing series that kicks off in early March. Anticipation factor: 6
After the Cape promises to be a dark take on the superhero theme. This story of a once respected hero who’s drinking problem causes his life to take a downward turn promises to be a serious look at the life of a costumed vigilante. Howard Wong and Marco Rudy are the creators behind this one and the only thing black and white here should be the artwork. Anticipation factor: 7
This month's reading:
The Amazing Spider-Man 536
The promised free-for-all with Iron Man sadly doesn’t come to pass (the confrontation’s over in just four pages) and the rest of the issue deals with Peter Parker and family finding a place to hide from the Armoured Avenger and the government authorities. Straczynski’s script is up to his usual high standard and there’s plenty of humour, most of it at the expense of Aunt May, a character JMS excels at writing. Unfortunately the same can’t by said of artist Ron Garney whose May Parker is still firmly stuck in the '70s (that’s the decade not her age) although his depiction of Iron Man is first rate. Grade: B
Article comments
1 - Bill Sherman
Gotta admit I'm looking forward to Whedon's comic book continuation of the Buffy saga . . .
2 - Joy
Awesome!! I love comic books! And it's really great to read something from someone who knows so much about them!!! =)
3 - Rohan Venkat
Was surprised to see that your forthcoming list doesn't include Civil War #6, just recently out on the east coast, an issue I'm really looking forward to.
I remember discussing about the fact that Civil War was leaning very much to the anti-registration side, and probably wouldn't change anyone's mind past the first few issues. I now feel that I was wrong, because from this last month's glut of (often filler issues to replace the late Civil War ones) Civil War tie-in issues, I'm quite surprised to say that I'm on the pro-registration side now.
That is to say, I'm on the leave America, but if you stay in the country then register side, because, for one, I don't see Congress ever repealing the law, and also, I have complete confidence in Tony Stark's belief that if the superheroes don't do this now, then the American Government would have done something much worse (a sky full of sentinels watching our every move) to them.
So while I don't agree with the pro's ideology, if the heroes choose to continue staying in the States, then I'd suggest they register. And this change in my ideas comes right after my favorite character switches from pro to anti.
Of course, if I were American I might not have the same belief, since I'd want to stay in my home country, and then I'd be anti.
Sorry for the excessively long comment.
4 - Ian Woolstencroft
Bill,
I’m trying not to get my hopes up too high for the Buffy mini series but it will definitely be interesting to see where Joss takes the story now that there is more than just one slayer (well there was already more than one but now there’s a LOT more than one).
Joy,
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it and I hope you’ll come back next month. :)
Rohan,
Glad you’re still enjoying Civil War, I am too. It wasn’t included in the forthcoming titles section only because I use that section to spotlight new series and major events in regular titles (like Spider-Man this month). If it was a list of the regular titles coming out each month that I'm most looking forward to Civil War would be right at the top (with Desolation Jones).
I agree that in recent months we’ve seen the viewpoint of the opposing sides from a more even perspective. Cap’s side could almost be viewed as terrorists, although the only time they’ve attacked anyone has been either defending themselves or trying to free captured comrades.
From your comment I’d say you'd be off to France with Mr Grimm. ;)
5 - manfred
I have read that JMS will quit Spiderman after this summer leaving only a final story of Mary Jane and Peter Parker , penciled by the big man himself; Joe Quesada. Too bad he has had a magnificent run.
Great review by the way overall , as usual.
By the way will you review: Spiderman: Reign 1 and X-23: Target X ?
6 - Ian Woolstencroft
Thanks Manfred,
I hadn't heard that JMS was to quit Spidey. I seem to remember a few years ago there was a rumour he was to leave, with Kevin Smith set to take over, but that never happened (Smith did a Spidey/Black Cat Limited Series instead) and I hope this turns out to be false as well. I know he is going to be doing the Thor relaunch and he's gone on record as saying that was his reason for leaving the FF.
As for Spider-Man: Reign and X-23: Target X both will be reviewed at some point, although it may be the first few issues or even the complete series. I'm tending to read new titles a few issues at a time in order to get a truer "taste" of what they have to offer.
Next month currently looks likely to include: Justice League of America 0-5, Gen 13 1-3, Immortal Iron Fist 1-2, Impaler 1-2 and Justice Society of America 1-2 plus a few others.
It's nice to know I've got a couple of regular readers in you and Rohan.
7 - manfred
I could accept Kevin Smith as a worthy successor for JMS. I read the Evil men do limited series.
If the rumours are true then Marvel will have a hard time finding a decent replacement for him I think.I just hope it wont be Brian Micheal Bendis, no offense but we get so much of that guy already.
And thank you for writing the reviews :)
-manfred