Sam's Pull-List 1/15/14

X-Men, X-Men, X-Men this week with three different titles coming out from the same family. Other than that we have a good deal of other Marvel books and some assorted Image titles. Let's get to it!

All-New X-Men #21 (Marvel Comics)
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Brandon Peterson

First up we have All-New X-Men in its last issue pre-relaunch. A wrap-up of this super dry and boring arc, this issue really has to bring it. Although I'm not super pumped to check out this issue, I will read it and review it.

Amazing X-Men #3 (Marvel Comics)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Ed McGuinness

Beast mode! Absolutely can not wait for Amazing X-Men #3 to drop. There are so many storylines that have to be resolved and so many potential storylines not yet started. I will be writing about Amazing X-Men #3 on Wednesday.

Marvel Knights: Hulk #2 (of 4) (Marvel Comics)
Writer: Joe Keatnige
Artist: Piotr Kowalski

Marvel Knights: Hulk #1 was pretty damn good, naturally I'm inclined to buy this next issue. I will not be writing about this on AiPT.

Night of the Living Deadpool #1 (Marvel Comics)
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Ramon Rosanas

I didn't know it was a quad-rilogy... Cullen Bunn is back with yet another Deadpool mini! And if the first three were at all like this one will be, I can't wait!











Rat Queens #4 (Image Comics)
Writer: J. Kurtis Wiebe
Artist: Roc Upchurch

Rat Queens has been a lot of fun so far, how does this first story arc wrap-up? Although I have written about Rat Queens in the past, I will not be putting up a review this week, I'm just so swamped with other reviews, like...

Skyman #1 (Dark Horse Comics)
Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkov
Artist: Manuel Garcia

Skyman! No idea what this is going to be like, but I snatched it for review. I will be reviewing it, and if I so desire talking to the writer, Joshua Hale Fialkov.

Thor: God of Thunder #17 (Marvel Comics)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Esad Ribic

Meh, not totally loving this book right now. Last we checked in with Thor, things were escalating pretty slowly, without any of the magic of the God Butcher story. I'm excited to see the end of Malekith's involvement with this book.

Triple Helix #4 (of 4) (IDW Publishing)
Writer and Artist: John Byrne

What a strange way to end the series! No spoilers: but it's insane! I have already written about this one, although I didn't love it.

Uncanny X-Men #16 (Marvel Comics)
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Chris Bachalo

Love the title and the team, psyched for Uncanny! I will be writing a review for this comic!













That's it for me this week! My total comes to $34.42, $27.54 with my store's subscriber discount and $19.15 with all of my Indie books for free!

What are you getting this week? Leave me a list in the comments below!

Detective Comics: A Twenty-Seven Introspective

Detective Comics 27 was a landmark issue; the 900th issue of the series, filled with 90 pages of creator passion. And while not every story deeply resonated you could feel the creator enthusiasm practically waft off the pages. That sentiment is especially true of Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy’s aptly titled contribution, Twenty-Seven. I could say that the art’s incredible, the story poignant, all of which is true; it’s definitely powerful storytelling for the allotted 12 pages. But I’m not out to review it, there are numerous outlets that can give you a review of this issue, this will not be one of them. No, what I’d like to do is analyze it. Because, in the end it truly does define what Scott Snyder has done, is doing, and will do with Batman.

For starters, Scott Snyder has said that this is the Batman he and Greg Capullo are using, it’s not a what if or elseworlds tale. It’s not a parallel world either, this is the legacy of the Batman you’ve seen in Court of Owls, Death of the Family, and Zero Year. It will likely never be “official” canon; something Scott recognizes. But in his mind “which I think is most important” this is how his Batman tale will end. And it’s as much an interpretation of the “Batman is eternal” concept, made popular by Grant Morrison, as it is an introspective look at what Batman sees in himself. And yet, you see this through a lense that seems to belong to the Bruce we know; while in fact the narrator is someone we’ve never seen before. It’s here that the genius of Twenty-Seven lies.

In some form or another we’ve seen the mantle of Batman passed on before. Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne, Terry Mcginnis have all had their turns as Batman. I enjoyed those stories; but they never satiated my need to see how Batman himself would cope with his death and secure his legacy. Also, from a broader narrative perspective, to see him secure the mythology of his story, since it feels like it deserves to far outlive the life of the “man” in Batman.

In this next section of this article, I go into the finer details of the story. If you haven’t already read Twenty-Seven, this is where you should stop reading, lest you find yourself spoiled.

The story begins with that iconic scene of Bruce in his study, looking at the bust of his father and muttering the iconic words “Yes father...I shall become a bat” It’s right after that moment that the Bruce we all know awakes to a world that is as bewildering to him as it is to the reader. He awakes to a cave he hasn’t built filled with futuristic technology that he doesn’t recognize. And an old man telling him (quite cryptically,)  “you’re here, you’re home.” For you see, Bruce has awoken in what is the 200th year of the Batman. As Scott Snyder wonderfully writes, “there have been many threats, but there’s also always been a Batman to fight them,” to which we are presented a glimpse to the Batmen that have served; come and gone. Yet the Bruce that awoke has no recollection of any of these other Batmen, a fact that was intended by the first Batman. Explained by the Old Bruce as a mean of “renewing” things. All the Batmen awake to the new Gotham upon the moment they swore to become Batman. Meaning, they all experienced the training and the loss that made Batman, well, Batman. And yet the allies and the villains, the kind of Batman they become. Well, that’s all the stories yet to be told.

And that’s the genius of it: Bruce is still Bruce. Never once does Scott Snyder use the word clone. As old Bruce explains, “I’m you. And your me. And we’re both Batman”. Every story before has featured the son of Batman, or the apprentice of Batman; the torch bearer if you will. But in Twenty-Seven, Scott Snyder gave me the answer I’d always been wanting and yet never knew I wanted. Which is: Bruce is Batman and Batman is Bruce, never the end.

I know now, how Bruce becomes immortal, and who knew that it began with showing how mortal he truly is. When you read this book there’s more than one throwback to past Batman writers. Visual cues that are teasers to work past, present, and very possibly future. It’s truly an inspired take on the most resonant themes of Scott’s work on Batman. His ego, His self sacrifice, and a touch of his own “personal” brand of insanity. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Sam's Pull-List 1/8/14

After all of that holiday madness of little-to-no comics I am back with a new week of comics and reviews. Here's what I'm looking at for this Wednesday:

All-New X-Factor #1 (Marvel Comics)
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico

All-New Marvel NOW! and the first new #1 from the X-Men line. Very excited for this one, especially because I have never read much X-Factor. I will definitely be reviewing this on Adventures In Poor Taste.

 Daredevil Dark Nights #8 (of 8) (Marvel Comics)
Writer: Jimmy Palmiotti
Artist: Thony Silas

The end of a wonderful Daredevil series. Although I will not be writing about it, I will be enjoying it.

 Deadpool #22 (Marvel Comics)
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Mike Hawthorne

After a really offbeat and somewhat confusing last issue I am less than thrilled for Deadpool #22. I will not be writing about this title but I will still pick it up.

Drumheller #3 (Image Comics)
Writer: Riley Rossmo
Artist: Riley Rossmo

Although my fellow reviewer Jordan does not agree with me, I have been loving the craziness of Drumheller. Let's see what Jordan thinks of this issue as it's his turn to review it. I am very excited to see how the story continues and am hungry for more of Rossmo's gorgeous art.

Fantomex Max #4 (of 4) (Marvel Comics)
Writer: Andrew Hope
Artist: Shawn Crystal

And thus concludes yet another Marvel mini! I haven't been crazy about this 4 issue series but have really enjoyed how fun and energetic it was. Looking forward to a killer ending.

Halo Escalation #2 (Dark Horse Comics)
Writer: Chris Schlerf
Artist: Michael Atiyeh

I hadn't realized until I saw the description in the freebie list, but Halo is ongoing! I am really pumped to begin following an ongoing Halo comic as I think this creative team in particular can do great things with the universe. I will be reviewing this for AiPT.

Review of #1: http://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/2013/12/11/is-it-good-halo-escalation-1-review/

Manifest Destiny #3 (Image Comics)
Writer: Chris Dinges
Artist: Mathew Roberts

This series is seriously intense! With a killer cliffhanger at the end of #2 I have been waiting ever so patiently for this issue. I will not be reviewing this comic, but you bet your sweet bippy I'll be buying it!

Savage Wolverine #14.NOW (Marvel Comics)
Writer and Artist: Richard Isanove

The first issue of Savage Wolverine in All-New Marvel NOW!, and I am so ready for it! I only got a two page preview of this book but savored every panel. I will be reviewing this book on Adventures in Poor Taste and will link you when I do so!

The Walking Dead #119 (Image Comics)
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Charlie Adlard

All Out War carries on. Blah. I probably won't review this site, unless Image figures out how to get the press copies out. I am excited by the description, however. "The war comes home" sounds pretty ominous.











So that's it! What are you getting this week? What do or don't you like about this list? Leave it all in the comments!

Images courtesy of Comixology pull-list app.

Vertigo In Other Media

2013 has been a decent year for creator owned comic titles making it into other media. This year alone we've had an action blockbuster, Red 2 from Vertigo and Tell Tales narrative, episodic point and click noir mystery game The Wolf Among Us (based on Vertigo's Fables series), as well as a confirmed Sandman movie. It's all a step in the right direction, especially when it comes to changing the broad and narrow association of comics simply being equated to super heroes.

This is an issue that stems in part from poor marketing of creator owned content and imprints. I certainly have a personal bias but I've always seen Vertigo as one of those crowned imprints when it comes to advancing the boundaries of art and storytelling in comics. With so much to be mined and creators so willing to have their titles adapted, it makes me wonder: why have we not seen more?

I can't say I have an answer as it seems to defy the very basic process of corporate logic. But I'll touch on that in a moment. In an age where networks like Showtime, HBO, and AMC dominate our televisions, it surprises me that Warner Brothers as owners of DC and hence Vertigo wouldn't want to rake in money from an audience that clearly is consuming more "mature" content than any other time in our history. If America can embrace shows like Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead, why Warner's doesn't embrace the idea of producing existing IP's like 100 Bullets and American Vampire for television or screen completely confounds me.

Especially since WB isn't producing content to match what these networks already produce anyways. And with fictional worlds so brilliantly crafted and creators so eager, it's one of the most wasted opportunities in recent memory. The same goes for gaming. While it's true that WB's Arkham franchise has been an absolutely massive success, it's been the audience that's driven the medium to the more mature and thought provoking titles of the last few years such as Heavy Rain and The Last of Us. And with The Wolf Among Us receiving critical acclaim, It makes you wonder if Warner's is just beginning to open the floodgate to a veritable  trove of Vertigo content or if they’re still too timid to stray away from DC's tried and true mainstream money making adaptations. Maybe they’re simply lacking the faith to branch out from something other than Superman and Batman. There's irony that a publishing company that prides itself on diversity of titles in art, tone and writing can't say the same for what it puts on our screens.

But alas, we've barely cracked open the new year so who knows what's to be announced in 2014. Lets just hope that it's a bit more than the standard Superman/Batman.

Now Accepting New Writers!

That right people, I want to write with you! If you would like to do some casual, non-commission writing for Sam's Pull-List, tell me! If you are interested send me an email at samspulllist@gmail.com with your name, what experience you have, and what you plan to write about. I am very lenient about what I will accept; if you want to send me a review, opinion, even some art, go right ahead, I'm willing to entertain a whole array of different options.

Thanks so much!