Dark Horse Presents #5 by Eric Powell

While this cover is horribly depressing to me, I also find it rather beautiful at the same time. A lonely, sad robot at its wits end finally deciding to end it all after several months (even years perhaps!) aboard an empty space station. I love the watercolors seen in the sun’s rays and shadows of the moons. If I were a robot about to meet the blue screen of death, I’d chose this view as my last too.

Star Trek / Legion of Super-Heroes #1 by Keith Giffen

Excuse me? Baking powder? Of all the company-wide crossovers to happen, I did not imagine this one by a long shot! But now that I take a second to think about it, the meeting of these two properties in particular does make a lot sense. As usual with any first meeting among heroes, there’s a lot of fighting and misunderstanding (which can be seen with this cover). What absolutely blew my mind was Giffen once again channeling Jack Kirby style-wise, and I’m going ga-ga for it! It does seem like the kind of wacky tale he would design. With this cover and the success from the O.M.A.C. relaunch, I think Keith Giffen is once again on fire!

What a great week it was for comics! Pick Of The Week goes to Grant Morrison & Chris Burnham for Batman Incorporated #7 (DC)! Fast Five picks include American Vampire #16 (Vertigo), Witch Doctor #1 (Image), Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #6 (Marvel), Scalped #50 (Vertigo), and The Goon #34 (Dark Horse).

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.

Live from the New York Comic-Con…Is not this show! Pick Of The Week goes to Jai Nitz & Andie Tong for Tron: Betrayal #1 (Marvel). Fast Five picks include Uncanny X-Force #1 (Marvel), Sweet Tooth #14 (Vertigo), Dethklok #1 (Dark Horse), iZombie #6 (Vertigo), and Ultimate Thor #1 (Marvel).

Stay in San Diego like me, and you’ll remain bed bug free!

Another big week! Pick Of The Week this time around goes to Jason Aaron & R.M. Guera for Scalped #38 (Vertigo). Fast Five picks include Justice League: Generation Lost #2 (DC), Secret Avengers #1 (Marvel), Northlanders #28 (Vertigo), Chimichanga #2 (Albatross Exploding Funny Books), and Power Girl #12 (DC).

Jason Aaron telling more Vietnam stories? Yes please!

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!

Last review episode EVER…or just of the year. No Pick of the Week, so it’s a Fast Five episode instead! Picks include Green Lantern Corps #43 (DC), Thunderbolts #139 (Marvel), Chimichanga #1 (Albatross Exploding Funnybooks), Fables #91 (Vertigo), and The Marvelous Land of OZ #2 (Marvel).

While there won’t be a review show next week, there will be a special episode as my present to you all, followed by another Indie Comics Episode next Sunday.

In this special episode, Cammy reviews Atomika from Mercury Comics. God created Man, then Man created God.  Special thanks to Sal Abbinanti!

Stay tuned at the end for a special Atomika Contest!

Another huge week for comics! Will I ever get a break?  From Eric Powell, The Goon #32 (Dark Horse) reigns supreme!  Fast Five picks include War Of Kings #1 (Marvel), No Hero #4 (Avatar), Daredevil #116 (Marvel), Batman: Cacophony #3 (DC), and Secret Warriors #2 (Marvel).

Tune in tomorrow for Episode 70.5, where I’ll be reviewing five more picks I didn’t have time for in this episode!  Happy Birthday Goon!