And IIIIIIII-EEE-IIIIIIIII-EEEE-IIIIIIIII, will always love COMICS! Pick Of The Week goes to Jason Aaron & Steve Dillon for PunisherMAX #22 (Marvel). Fast Five picks include Batwoman #6 (DC), Conan The Barbarian #1 (Dark Horse), Severed #7 (Image), Wolverine & The X-Men #5 (Marvel), and Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE #6 (DC). Spoilers!

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 9 #5 by Steve Morris

Coming soon to Broadway, the Dark Horse Players present; Buffy The Vampire Slayer & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! All kidding aside, I would totally wear that outfit. Not only am I easily entranced by the bright happy colors, but I love the images and faces melting in and out of it. My eyes are having fun darting all around the cover, but then grow a little sad when Buffy looking worry comes into focus. She’s a tough gal though, so I’m not going to worry too much about her. So back to the pretty colors!

Batwoman #5 by J.H. Williams III

Hey look, it’s the movie poster for the sequel The Ladies In The Water (only, you know; better than the original). That’s the thing about vengeful spirits; they come in several different forms, and sometimes all at once. I enjoyed observing each different face, trying to make sense of it all. The way the four faces slowly converge into one is chilling and suspenseful, and the inclusion of Alice  is a nice eerie cherry on top. There are seven different faces in total on this cover; can you spot them all?

Doctor Who #13 by Mark Buckingham

“Of all the TARDISes, in all the worlds, in all the galaxies, they walk into mine.” -The Doctor

Dark Matter #1 by Garry Brown

I enjoy the sense of unity in this cover, with everyone holding hands. I think hand-holding is a slowly dying act of chivalry, and I’m glad to see it alive and-What’s that? They’re just posing? Oh. Well of course I knew that! Can’t a guy just rant about the good old days when people could hold hands without being whispered about behind their backs?! Moving on, I love the sense of sci-fi action you get at first glance of this cover. Garry Brown does a superb job with the background colors and textures, and the ship blasting-off and through the shards of the universe. I also enjoy the sketchy look of yellow lines around the figures, giving them a movement of sorts. Very visually stimulating, but then again, Garry Brown is synonymous with that.

The Shade #4 Variant by Darwyn Cooke

Darwyn Cooke continues to captivate me with the simple-yet-stylized covers. Immediately I can make out Vigilante, but the rest of it is like a fine painting that you can’t simply take-in all at once. You need to swish the image around in your brain for a few minutes, slowly deciphering its secrets and the underlying themes. Cities, people, tobacco, it all becomes abundantly clear what’s going on in the cover, and makes you feel more appreciative to Darwyn for not spoon-feeding you the overall image. ‘Times Past’ indeed, and Cooke’s notorious old-timey feel is just what the doctor ordered.

PunisherMAX #21 by Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson knows how to tell a story with only a few objects on the cover. Blood splatter, emptied gun, picture of family. A + B + C = I dunno, I failed at algebra in high school. What I do know is this; this is my favorite cover of the week. It’s intense, eye-opening, and makes you utter to yourself “Holy shit!” just looking at it. This wasn’t a game of Russian Roulette gone awry; this was intentional, and a last ditch effort. To assume from the picture and glove that it’s Frank Castle who just offed himself, that makes it even more shocking. Yes, both Hemingway and Thompson went out by their own accord, but they were accomplished authors! Why go the pussy route like Kurt Cobain?! No clue what the motivation is, but this cover has me freaked out about what I might read inside. Well played, Johnson, I now have to read this comic first just so I can move on with a clear head.

Doctor Who #12 by Mark Buckingham

Just to get us all in the holiday spirit, why not start things off with everyone’s favorite Time Lord? Those Santas do not look friendly, so maybe all they really need to warm their robotic hearts is a little loving from The Doctor? I like Buckingham’s old-timey Christmas feel in this cover, no matter how perilous the situation seems to be. Are you my Santa? Saaaanta!

Batwoman #4 by J.H. Williams III

Like a phoenix (or Flamebird) rising from the ashes when Batwoman told her to get lost, this cover has so much happening on it. What I find most unsettling is the hooked hand with blood on it, curved around its next possible target. It’s J.H. Williams III, enough said. You’re just a Grade-A fool if you’re not picking this comic up for the cover alone.

American Vampire #21 by Raphael Albuquerque

As if Albuquerque’s washes weren’t beautiful enough, he continues with the action happening in the character outlines for this past arc. Just the details of the starry night over the massacre alone is enough to hook me, everything else is just an added bonus. Great color scheme, great use of space, this cover is definitely a homerun.

Green Lantern #4 by Francis Manapul

While the story has been lacking, this variant cover alone redeems these past four issues in my opinion. Just the Hal / Sinestro amalgamation is beautifully depicted by Manapul, who really goes to town on the splatters and crisscrossing colors. I found myself studying this cover for several minutes, because I was so entranced in its glory. I choose this as my favorite cover of the week.

The Walking Dead #92 by Charlie Adlard

Zombies to the left of me, Abraham to the right, here I am (stuck in the middle with Michonne)! It’ll be a hit on iTunes, just you nay-sayers wait!

Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #4 by J.G. Jones

With this diverse cast of horror misfits, it’s only appropriate (given their current situation) to have them depicted in a horror movie cover from the 1950’s. I would go see this movie in a heart-beat, popcorn at the ready! While I want to say the typography at the bottom really sells me on it, look at Franky with his claymore over his shoulder; the dude reeks of badassery.

Have you joined the Occupy Monster Planet movement yet? Pick Of The Week goes to Jeff Lemire & Alberto Ponticelli for Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE #3 (DC)! Fast Five picks include Incredible Hulk #2 (Marvel), Batwoman #3 (DC), Baltimore: The Plague Ships #4 (Dark Horse), Deathstroke #3 (DC), and Avenging Spider-Man #1 (Marvel).

This episode has been brought to you by, Zombie Outlaw.

PIGS #3 by Amanda Conner

Nothing sexier than a half-naked Ruskie in paradise! If you want an artist to draw an attractive woman of any kind on your cover, you hire Amanda Conner. Furry hat, furry boots, Che shirt on, and a rocket launcher draped with the American Flag. Mixed messages are being fired-off here, and yet I still have an erection. If I was a gentleman, I’d offer her some blue jeans to cover-up. But I’m not a gentleman. Final thought; I want to steal her hat.

Avengers Origins: Vision #1 by Marko Djurdjevic

Alright, who told Vision to strike a pose? Vogue choreography aside, I like the imagery in this cover. The gears on the bottom and the illustrated eyes up top give the cover as a whole a nice balance. His yellow cape and red face really pop, and his gray outfit sort of suggests a somewhat sinister tone. I really like the details in his face; very sullen, he may be a little upset about something. Maybe he’s irritated that he only has one arm, and it’s stuck in that position. Forever.

30 Days of Night #2 by Sam Kieth

Such beautifully twisted image, encapsulating the moment of pure horror you feel when being pounced upon by a ferocious beast! Kieth really outdid himself with this cover; it should belong in a galley of some sort, and referred to as ‘how to do it right’ for younger artists. The jaws and splatter almost remind me of Templesmith a little, and that’s good for the feel of the  30 Days of Night series. I just can’t stop looking at it; is it morphing? Is is just naturally that hideous? I want to know more about this haggard-looking creature.

Batwoman #3 by J.H. Williams III

Homer’s The Odyssey comes to mind, more specifically; Scylla & Charybdis. No matter where Batwoman escapes to in this cover, she’s in deep trouble. What has me anticipating with excitement is Alice down on the bottom there! Is she back? Is it just a flashback? I need to know more immediately! Williams III’s painted style is the 9th Wonder of the World, pure and simple. DC, do the man right and have an ABSOLUTE J.H. WILLIAMS III COVER COLLECTION. I will give you many dead presidents for this mythical book that I just made-up.

The Occultist #1 by Steve Morris

Ooh-La-La! What do we have here? It’s really James Jean-esque, and I totally love it. So much is happening in this cover, that it took me several minutes just to observe everything and absorb it all in. It all flows together so smoothly, the man in the red hood being the key target. I hope he brought enough spells for everyone, because they don’t look so pleased to see him. Wacky, elegant, and wild! Make it a poster ASAP!

Batwoman #2 by J.H. Williams III

As usual, J.H. Williams III kicks some serious ass with the Batwoman covers and interior art. It should almost be considered a crime, the guy is so good. I love the two sides we see with Batwoman, both her interior and exterior displayed through the magical x-ray water. The bones detailed flawlessly, with the underwater parts a softer tone than the surface parts. My favorite component of this cover though has to be the melting logo; fits together perfectly between both worlds.

CBLDF Liberty Annual 2011 (Cover B) by Matt Wagner

I was just telling myself the other day; “Cammy, you need to read more Grendel“. I’ve always been a fan of Wagner’s look and style, and the color scheme on this cover in particular is what made it my favorite of all the different variants. The red roses intermingling with the light gray background really make Grendel pop out at you, seriously grabbing your attention. Even the movement and flow with both roses and Grendel falling at the same angle make it that much more exquisite in my opinion. I’d definitely like a print of this cover.

Orchid #1 by Shepard Fairey

Until I saw who designed it, I was going to say Fairey was obviously a major influence for the cover. Little did I realize that it was actually Shepard Fairey himself who illustrated it. I wouldn’t think that such a successful artist would grace the comic book world with a cover, so that’s why I dismissed what is now rather obvious. Sure enough, this looks to be his first comic book cover, and hopefully not his last. The amount of detail with the criss-crossing lines is astounding, that you have to remind yourself all it is really is just red and black skillfully intertwined together artistically. While it first appears rather simple, the execution is faultless.

The Unexpected #1 by Rafael Grampa

I haven’t the slightest clue what’s going on here, and yet I tingle with anticipation! Rafael Grampa, the Emperor of Eye-Candy, has delighted us with another insane cover that makes you instantly fall to your knees and thank *insert your deity here* for giving you sight. The blood splatter on the back of this assassins legs, high-heeled shoes and spiked ball tells you that she means business, while the skimpy striped outfit tell you that she can look good while massacring you. Skulls on the silver screen, a couple about to kiss, and a knife through the back of her mascot head: how does this cover not attract your attention and have you begging to see what’s in store?? So much fantastic detail in this cover, that I would kill to have this as a poster. It’s insane, it’s breath-taking, it’s just plain awesome.

Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #2 by J.G. Jones

While J.G. Jones has been having somewhat of a cover renaissance with the New 52 relaunch, I’ve found myself only enjoying a selected few of what’s he’s submitted so far. This is definitely one of those that I thoroughly enjoy. As you can see, Franky has a lot of his mind; while working solo all these years, he now has the rest of his team to worry about. It almost reminds me of a scene from Locke & Key, more specifically one of the issues in Head Games where the Locke children are able to gaze into each other’s minds. I especially like the texture of the skin in Franky’s face, with the differentiating styles between forehead and cheeks. Even the toned-down and muddier colors really sell it, and make it feel so natural for a horror-pulp-action comic. Great stuff!

The key to the selections this week; a fun time. Pick Of The Week goes to Jeff Lemire & Alberto Ponticelli for Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE #1 (DC). Fast Five picks include Batman & Robin #1 (DC), American Vampire: Survival Of The Fittest #4 (Vertigo), PunisherMAX #17 (MAX), Batwoman #1 (DC), and Scalped #52 (Vertigo).

The DC reboot continues on strong this week!

Uncanny X-Force #15 by Esad Ribic

Another amazing cover from Ribic. When this whole Uncanny X-Force series wraps-up, they need to produce a collection of Esad’s covers because I would definitely buy one in a heart-beat, and place it next to my James Jean cover series. The explosive warm colors in the foreground and the wickedly cooler ones in the background combine with such a feeling of unity, that you feel that the action happening before you is actually quite a peaceful scene. The cherry on top is Fantomex being flung through the air, as he still is opens fire on his target.

Batwoman #1 by J.H. Williams III

We’re finally graced with long-awaited Batwoman artwork by J.H. Williams III, and it’s everything I’ve wanted and then some! Everything from the flowing red hair to the flowing red cape makes me giddy with excitement, and the feeling of nostalgia I got from Elegy comes rushing back to me. Add the creepy imagery of skeleton fish and toothy grins, and I will gladly follow Williams III to the ends of the earth if he let me. It’s been too long, my friends; it’s wonderful to have Batwoman back as a series.

Moon Girl #4 by The Rahzzah

Not going to lie, I’m not familiar with either the series or the artist. However, upon seeing this cover I was instantly intrigued. First of all, I’m smitten with the splattering design and the chaos it brings to the cover. Secondly, the brash font of the title fits so perfectly with the image itself. Add a dash of the color red in there, and it’s like looking at the cover of Schindler’s List. Okay, it’s nothing like that, but it is a damn sexy cover, that’s for sure! I can see this as a poster, hanging on a wall at the local punk rock venue. I would love to see the artist’s process in creating such a beautiful thing. The Rahzzah, you have definitely caught my attention!

Daredevil #3 by Paolo Rivera

It’s only fitting to portray Daredevil getting a splitting headache from Klaw. After all, it’s a lethal combination introducing the man who relies on sound with the being that is made-up of pure sound. Obviously there will be some friction of large magnitudes! The vibrant colors and jagged lines really sell the cover to me, and it’s a constant reminder of the kick-ass work Rivera has been doing these past three issues. I especially love the small squiggly lines that Daredevil relies on to form targets being used to make-up Daredevil himself. Very clever, and very extraordinary!

Deathstroke #1 by Simon Bisley

This cover encapsulates the newly rebooted Deathstroke perfectly. He’s intense, he’s terrifying, and he’s completely fuckin’ metal. He’s so metal on this cover, he makes Dethklok shit their pants. Simon Bisley is an expert at this style and look, and he’s capable of anything it seems as long as he has acrylics handy. It’s no surprise his work has been seen on music album covers (Danzig), and other twisted comic book properties. Just the way Slade is slaughtering his victims with a gigantic claymore in one hand and a vicious looking dagger in the other, has me dropping $3 no problem. I want to see more of this kind of action on the inside, and if DC were really looking to milk me dry, they’ll put Bisley on interiors ASAP!

Batman Incorporated #4 by J.H. Williams III

America; fuck yeah! Patriotism aside, the cover illustrates beautifully which characters to expect in this issue, and where it’s going to take place. While we all know J.H. Williams can draw the hell out of Batwoman, it’s interesting to see her as a footnote on the cover, where the main character on display is none other than Batman. I especially love how the logo and seal of Gotham flow along with the American flag, giving a great sense of unity.

FF #1 by Daniel Acuña

My favorite of the sixteen covers. Okay, there weren’t sixteen covers, but didn’t it seem like Marvel was taken over by Dynamite or Avatar this week? All joking aside, I’ve always loved Daniel Acuña’s art, and I especially love this cover of the Future Foundation he illustrated. It does a wonderful job establishing the new status quo, costumes and all. As for the costumes, I’m personally a fan. I really like how Reed, Sue and Ben each get their own highlighted hexagon on the outfit. Very unique design. And for Spider-Man? Yes it feels like he has a new costume every week, but this one looks great on him so I’ll give it a pass (this time).

Fables #103 by Joao Ruas

Simple, yet effective. The current story arc is tackling superheroes for the first time in the Fables universe, so what better way to illustrate the cover than with a John Byrne homage cover? Usually in a situation where one rips-open their shirt to reveal what’s underneath, it takes place at a strip club or a phone booth in Metropolis. For this cover, it’s the logo, and a damn fine shiny one. This looks like a job for, Joao Ruas!

5 Ronin #4 by David Aja

Another week, another beautiful Aja cover. Believe me, I’m not selecting his covers on purpose. Every week I browse online the comics that came out, and dammit, so far Aja’s 5 Ronin covers almost get me every time! This gem for instance; the girl with the butterfly tattoo (isn’t that a Stieg Larsson novel?); the use of violet with the butterfly being displayed on a bare back really captures your attention because it’s calming and beautiful. Then all of a sudden you notice the katana but it’s too late! Damn sexy assassins get me every time!

In this special episode, Cammy the elf helps you with some gift suggestions for that special geek in your life.