It’s on like Diddy Kong! Pick Of The Week goes to Dan DiDio, Keith Giffen and Scott Koblish for O.M.A.C. #2 (DC)! Fast Five picks include Action Comics #2 (DC), CHEW #21 (Image), Detective Comics #2 (DC), Casanova: Avaritia #2 (Icon), and Justice League International #2 (DC).

In this action-packed episode the Pick Of The Week goes to Scott Snyder, Jock & Francesco Francavilla for Detective Comics #881 (DC)! Fast Five picks include Baltimore: The Curse Bells #1 (Dark Horse), Fear Itself #5 (Marvel), American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #3 (Vertigo), PunisherMAX #16 (Marvel), and Hellboy: The Fury #3 (Dark Horse).

Only 2 video reviews remain until the switch to audio!

Back from Comic-Con, and I grace you all with a Fast Five! Picks include X-Men: Schism #2 (Marvel), The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen – Century: 1969 (Top Shelf), Criminal: The Last Of The Innocent #2 (Icon), Detective Comics #880 (DC), and Amazing Spider-Man #666 (Marvel).

It’s good to be back!

Third week in a row where no comic has been Pick Of The Week worthy. I commit seppuku to show you how truly sorry I am. Fast Five picks include Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #10 (DC), Super Dinosaur #2 (Image), American Vampire #15 (Vertigo), FF #4 (Marvel), and Detective Comics #877 (DC).

This episode has been brought to you by, Valkyrie Squadron!

Tons of comics this week, only so many slots available. Pick Of The Week goes to Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez for Locke & Key: Keys To The Kingdom #6 (IDW)! Fast Five picks include Detective Comics #876 (DC), FF #2 (Marvel), The Walking Dead #84 (Image), Justice League: Generation Lost #24 (DC), and Avengers #12.1 (Marvel).

This episode has been brought to you by Valkyrie Squadron.

Captain America #615 by Marko Djurdjevic

With Captain America on trial, this cover is extremely fitting. It shows Bucky’s struggle with which part of himself to identify with, and how to go about in doing his duty as Captain America. Stand for truth, justice, and all that jazz, or fight against injustice at any means necessary? Again, very fitting cover reflecting the current arc.

Morning Glories #7 by Rodin Esqueljo

So what if I just happen to like cheerleaders? Is that so wrong? It’s not their fault they’re so flexible. Anyways, with the comic fans cheering about this new series, it only seems fitting to have the characters cheering right back at them. Okay, that’s not the reason by a long shot, but the cover does look very nice with the combination of the cheerleader and her big…pom-poms, and the old school action dots surrounding her. Good series, good cover, enough said.

Metalocalypse: Dethklok #3 by Eric Powell

Oh Eric Powell, this definitely was the perfect collaboration for you. Same look, same dark humor as The Goon, illustrating the Dethklok covers with your style was a match made in hell. Here you have Dr. Rockzo the Rock-N-Roll Clown (he does c-c-c-cocaine), about to dive-in nose first to a mountain of cocaine so large, the last time I saw that much was at Charlie Sheen’s bachelor party. For fans of the [adult swim] show, this mini-series has been both hysterical and enjoyable every issue. Covers like this one is just the icing on the cake.

The Amazing Spider-Man #655 by Marcos Martin

It’s the simple covers with minimal details that really make you pay attention. Take this Marcos Martin cover for instance; we see Spidey feeling defeated, and in the center of a web of trouble perhaps caused by him. The blacks and reds of his costume reversed not only look cool, but send the message of something not being okay. This almost looks like something Tim Sale might have done, but if you have a closer look, it’s obviously another Martin masterpiece.

Detective Comics #874 by Francesco Francavilla

Without question, Francesco Francavilla is quickly ascending in the ranks as my new favorite artist of the year. Every cover, every issue featuring his glorious interior art, and I’m left speechless. His pulpy feel sells the covers and characters well, giving you a gloomy, yet suspenseful feeling. And the way he plays with the shades of colors on this cover in particular is just fantastic! Give me more Francavilla Batman, DC. I demand this of you.

Apparently you ninnies need a spoiler warning from now on, so consider yourself warned! Pick Of The Week goes to Rick Remender & Jerome Opeña for Uncanny X-Force #4 (Marvel). Fast Five picks include Avengers #9 (Marvel), Scalped #45 (Vertigo), Thunderbolts #152 (Marvel), Detective Comics #873 (DC), and Fantastic Four #587 (Marvel).

Heads-up number two; I slightly rant about Marvel’s PR and the Fantastic Four this episode.

Uncanny X-Force #4 by Esad Ribic

So I have just been loving these Esad Ribic covers for the past few issues. The man is a genius with the paint brush, and this cover proves it with all this action going on. I especially love how the lights fit beautifully with the darks, highlighting the good, the bad, and the extremely evil. Doesn’t hurt that it’s such a fantastic series too. Esad Ribic needs to do EVERY Marvel cover as far as I’m concerned, because he’s just that good.

The New York Five #1 by Ryan Kelly & Brian Wood

While Ryan Kelly did do covers and illustrations for Wood’s The New York Four series at MINX, it’s nice to see him doing what he does best; creating spectacular images like this one for comics. The mellow yellow highlighted by the dark red / black blend does a magnificent job leading the eye, and the style allows us to see every detail. Add the skyline of New York City in the background, and you’ve got yourself a real winner on your hands. If I worked at Vertigo, I’d recommend to my bosses that this be turned into a poster. I could easily see this hanging-up on my wall.

Detective Comics #873 by Jock

This is a perfect example of why Jock is such a master of his craft. First of all, he draws a damn good Batman; it’s not your Adam West Batman, or your typical Jim Lee looking dark knight. No no no, Jock gives you the gritty goddamn Batman that kicks ass and takes names. And besides the wonderful simplicity of this cover, I especially like the movement we see. When you take a photo of moving lights at night, you get the cool effect of zig-zagging lights. Jock has captured that perfectly, and even added a lens flare for good measure.

Avengers #9 by John Romita Jr.

John Romita Jr. makes me smile every time I see his art work. It’s not a conventional style, and that’s what I enjoy the most about it. It’s simply quirky and unique in it’s own way, and yet it still works in hooking different audiences. This cover immediately catches your attention with all the pretty colors from the dreaded Infinity Gauntlet, and usually if someone in particular is wearing it, there’s a good reason to have the same expression on your face as our heroes do on this cover. Chaotically divine!

Fables #101 by Joao Ruas

Like many of you, I was upset when I heard James Jean was no longer going to be doing covers for Fables. Who could possibly hold a candle to him? Then comes along Joao Ruas and I find myself asking, “James Jean who?” This cover in particular is very breathtaking to look at, and it’s not just because this is my first time tripping on acid and reading comics. The style is so soft that I’m afraid I’m going to break it just by looking at it! And the colors do a wonderful job blending together in certain areas. You don’t have to be a fan of comics to look at this cover and know beauty when it’s right in front of you. It’s covers like this one that have me thankful for Joao Ruas spending some of his time entertaining us mere mortals.

The year may be coming to an end, but the good reads keep going strong! Pick Of The Week goes to Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez for Locke & Key: Keys To The Kingdom #3 (IDW). Fast Five picks include Batwoman #0 (DC), The Traveler #1 (BOOM! Studios), Justice League: Generation Lost #14 (DC), Scalped #43 (Vertigo), and Detective Comics #871 (DC).

Bat books are still going strong as well!

In this 2009 wrap-up, I discuss my favorite Writers, Artists, Series, Story Arc, Single Issue, and Hardcover.

Best Writers – Ed Brubaker, Jonathan Hickman, Peter Tomasi, Mark Waid, Geoff Johns

Best Artists – J.H. Williams III, Tony Daniel, Sean Phillips, Eric Powell, Gabriel Ba

Best Series – Detective Comics (DC), Scalped (Vertigo), Green Lantern Corps (DC), Amazing Spider-Man (Marvel), Green Lantern (DC)

Story Arc – Detective Comics #854-857 “Elegy”

Single Issue – Jonah Hex #50

Don’t agree with my picks? Complain about how wrong I am on the forum!