New Comic Book Day Megathread

[CalHab]

My daughter hasn't been enjoying the Moon Girl crossovers as much as the series. Hopefully it picks up.

Having moved across the water, I'm now getting my comics from a new local shop. It's made an absolute mess of my reading, and nearly all my back issues are in a container waiting to be loaded. Still, the new shop has an amazing selection of back issues.

[Colin YNWA]

There's going to be a new ongoing (or extended mini) as well. I assuming to tie in to the new telly show.

[Link Prime]

Holy modern comics suck Batman!
Is there anything on the shelves these days worth reading?

Yes there is old chum, yes there is; The 'Black Label' Batman books.

I brooded over the following new releases this week:

Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo 1; A Marc Silvestri joint. The artwork is unsurprisingly a scorching 10/10, and the writing is surprisingly decent. I've loved Silvestri for as long as I can remember and would find it difficult to pass on anything he produces, particularly a high profile gig like this. I'm in - issues 2 & 3 pre-ordered.
Riddler Year One 1; This is set in the 2022 "The Batman" movie continuity, and is written by yer man who played The Riddler in the movie - Paul Dano. Surprisingly excellent - and I mean excellent. I'm in for the full run on this one too.
Batman: Beyond The White Knight 7; SGM's third "White Knight" series, and by far the weakest of the three. The script is the Achilles Heel of course - painfully contrived for the entire series. Only one issue left in this run, so I will finish it. Even if this series leaves a sour taste in the mouth I will probably be back for more down the line - the artwork is just too frickin good.

[Colin YNWA]

Its been an age since I posted here for various reasons I won't bore you with. So need to catch up BUT no way I'm going to review as normal, far too many. So instead since I'm thinking of a purge I'm going to review by series and say how close to removal from my pull list each series is. So we start with finished so no point worrying:

Alice Ever After (5) - Interesting would pick up second series if it happened.

Antman (2-4) - will be picking up the Wasp series that follows this. Pretty good fun.

Dogs of London (4 + 5) - One of the many Milligan IP factory minis. One of the weakest but good enough.

Moon Girl and... (Avengers + X-Men) - Well it wasn't great, but my affection for the character means I'll be getting the up coming mini.

Slumber (6) - This is meant to be ongoing. I'm not holding my breathe but will pick up more if they land.

Still going and risk of chop:

Absolution (3 + 4) - One of many Pete Milligan current IP factory minis - and a belter. Safe as houses.

Chicken Devils (1) -  new mini from this fun series; safe

Daredevil (2 - 4) - not a DD I'm digging, on the edge of going, but has a little rope.

Han Solo & Chewbacca (5+6) - You are right on the cusp. A book about Han and Chewie shouldn't be dull!

Human Target (7 + 8 + Tales of) - Safe as houses

I Hate this Place (4 + 5) - I love Kyle Starks but this is so close - so disappointing and lost.

Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters (11) - So safe - except next issue is the final - NNOOOOOoooo

Lazarus risen 7 - so safe BUT on hiatus before the last 12(ish) issue run.

Love Everlasting (2 - 4) what is going on? fascinating but a little directionless, at this point, pretty safe.

Mandalorian (2?) - pretty much on its way out.

Predator (2-4) - hmmmm very close to going. I'll finish this opening arc but beyond that... doubtful...

Public Doman (3+4) - Aside from the obvious irony discussed in earlier issue here its a good comic and safe.

Punisher (5-7) - Still not doing what I want it to but I'll give it its 12 issue run... I think...

Sacrament (1-3) - Yet another from the Milligan IP factory - another decent one too.

Superman Space Age (2) - Mark Russell is still one of the best writers out there and add Mike Allred and this is safe (well only one to go anyway!)

That Texas Blood (17-19) - That rarest thing, regular as clockwork and brilliant - so safe

Time Before Time (16 -18) - That rarest thing, regular as clockwork and great - so safe

Travelling to Mars (1) - even after 1 issue this one is safe. More brilliant satire from Mark Russell

Usagi Yojimbo (30 - 31) - the very definition of safe

Venom (10 -13) - hmmm its losing me, even the Ram V bits. And we have a cross over coming. Dropping from safety but not in real danger yet.

So there we have it. A few that can go, a few at risk. Will be making cuts soon.

[Hawkmumbler]

My goodness how good is Usagi Yojimbo right now though? not that it's ever been anything less that superlative its entire publication history, but Stan the man simply does not let up or let the readers down.

[Colin YNWA]

Okay only the two hauls to catch up on. I must get better at this in the new year. This has always been one of my all time fav threads and while all the regulars might have gone, I still hope hope others will join in.

ANYWAY my latest comics in ... oh I don't know writer  order:

Pete Milligan Love: Is deep and satisfying

He's been churning out 4-6 issue series, I assume as prospective properties for development. They are always interesting, always engaging and often brilliant. Would many times be at home in 2000ad with a bit of retooling. Current issues Absolution 5 - fantastic end to a great series. Sacrament 4 bigging to a thrilling conclusion.

Mark Russell Love: Just as deep, if not deeper, amusing and seems to avoid growing old.

I've been reading the various Mark Russell series for years now and there is such a distinct tone and feel to his satire he's almost instantly recognisable in a way few writers are. I often feel this will get tired and I'll have had enough Mark Russell, but not hitting that and enjoying everything he writes. Current issues Billionaire Island - Cult of Dogs 1 + 2 and My Bad vol. 2 1 see him return previous stories and ignite both with fresh ideas.

Tom King Love: I'm still in denial but I keep going back to him.

I means it not as deep as my lush for the writers above yet here I am with three Tom King series in my last 2 hauls. He constructs interesting tales, if he's a little indulgent and self-satisfyed in their telling. Danger Street 1 sets up a potentially interesting look at some of DCs lesser lights. Human Target 9 builds well on this intriguing anf simply beautiful comic series. Love everlasting 5 is telling me nothing by giving me so much. I'm hooked but damned if I know why!

Chip Zdarsky NOT love: Look I keep jumping into bed with him, but seem to leave unsatisfied a lot!

Daredevil 5 + 6 was a comic I was so looking forward to. Read all the Chip love for the previous volume and haven't picked up DD in floppy for years. Alas this isn't my DD (which is fine I have a LOT of my DD) and has left me somewhat floppy myself. Public Domain 5 has been altogether better. Now finished (I think) I'm left with an irritating iche that I'm just read him writing characters that have exploited the work of others and here is campaigning against that very thing. GRRRRR....

Lots of other odds and sods.

Han Solo and Chewbacca 7 - why am I still getting this???

Predator 5 - well I have no intention of still getting this after this first Kev Walker arc finishes next issue!

Punisher 8 - decent but not what I wanted. Still 4 issues to go and we'll see...

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur 1: Love the character but not hit the heights of the original series with these cartoon supporting recent outings. We'll give this one more time though...

What's the furthest place from here? 8 - brilliant series returns but the fill-in art on this flashback lets the story down a little.

Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters 12 - WHY IS THIS THE END OF THIS MAGNIFICENT SERIES! WHY? WHY! ... why...

Resident Alien - The Book of Love 1 - The fact this has returned when we were told we were done makes me happy again after th lose of Jonna.

[The Monarch]

I don't really get many comics outside of the prog and meg these days but i dunno where else i can rant about this

I hate, hate, hate, HATE what has happened to the 80s version of the eagle when it hit 1990. If anything makes us to feel how lucky we are to still have the megazine around then observe how awful the 90s relaunch of eagle was. it went from weekly to monthly. 32 pages to 68 and like only 8 pages of new strip and the rest is goddamn reprint.

and what the fuck is the deal with this unfunny ongoing joke about giraffes who read the eagle comic?!? is it supposed to be funny? am i missing something?

[CalHab]

I'm loving Human Target as well. I may even double dip and get the collection when it comes out.

[Colin YNWA]

I'm loving Human Target as well. I may even double dip and get the collection when it comes out.

All hangs on how well he pulls off the ending now!