While Civil War’s main titles take the month off, the peripheral tie-ins chug on dilligently, making sure we don’t forget the big-important-event still exists.

This week, Young Avengers & Runaways #2 is a decent read, warranting a B-/C-. Super bonus points earned for bringing in the fantastic Marvel Boy. Sweetness. And Cable & Deadpool #31 kind of… just… exists I guess, getting a C-/D. Find out why after the jump, and impress everyone at the watercooler tomorrow with your geekery.

[Read the rest of this entry…]

Snakes on a Plane #1 (of 2)
Written by Chuck Dixon, art by Gordon Purcell, covers by J.G. Jones and Jerome K. Moore

For the sake of honesty, I’m going to be perfectly up front and admit that I will not be buying this comic. I just want the world to know that it exists. Also, this image I believe is just for the variant cover, for all you Snakes on a Plane comic book collectors out there. The normal one should just be photo work. Exciting!

Since that’s just about all the nice things I have to say about the book, here’s DC’s fantastic description of it:

You’ve heard the Internet buzz…seen the hair-raising trailer…now experience the 2-part comic-book adaptation of the sensational soon-to-be released major motion picture from New Line Cinema Snakes on a Plane, written by Chuck Dixon (NIGHTWING) with art by Gordon Purcell and painted covers by J.G. Jones (52) and Jerome K. Moore (JSA: LOST)!

Snakes on a Plane stars Samuel L. Jackson as an FBI agent assigned to escort a government witness on a flight to Los Angeles. But when a crimelord sets loose hundreds of deadly snakes during the flight, the agent must band together with the pilot, frightened crew and passengers in a desperate attempt to survive and protect his witness!

Issue #180 of Wizard is going to give a preview of The Mighty Avengers, the upcoming second Avengers book that’ll be done by Bendis and Cho. To promote their promoting of a book (a promotion of a promotion which I, myself, am now promoting), they’ve got an image up to show off the lineup:

• Ms. Marvel, Wonder Man, and Iron Man are all deeply entrenched in the Pro side.
• Black Widow works for the government.
• Yellowjacket – ex-husband and longtime matched pair with the Wasp – has also been prominently featured on the Pro side.

The only puzzler is Axe Man. Based on other interviews, this must be Ares. But why’s he here? I guess it’d help if I’d read his miniseries. Heard it was decent.

Speaking pragmatically, one the one hand, he makes a good counterpart to Thor. But on the other hand, why isn’t Thor on this team? I guess that means him and Spidey are jumping ship together. Quitters. Anyway, keep your eyes on the news sites tomorrow night, as there’ll no doubt be more news busting down the doors during an otherwise quiet week for comics.

Despite promises that its delays will end comic books and the universe as a whole, we still get three crossovers this week. And with every purchase, I feel a little bit more like a whore. Today we’re blessed with Heroes For Hire #1, New Avengers #23, and Wolverine #45.

Heroes For Hire not only deals with the pros and cons to registration – and the Registration Act as a whole – but it even paints the Pro side in a positive light. I’m stunned. B+ / A+ for that bad boy.
New Avengers reaffirms that Iron Man, SHIELD, and (by default) the whole Pro side is full of tools. It gets a C / F.
Wolverine deals with that Atlantis sleeper agent plot from Frontline, and it’s a nice story to boot, warranting a B / C-.

Read on to for details, and prepare get spoiled like that month-old salmon in my fridge.

[Read the rest of this entry…]

Elephantmen #2
written by Starkings, art by Henry Flint and Moritat

This strange little book is being put out by Image right now. I guess it’s not a new series/universe they’re working with, but it’s something the creators have been doing for a little while. I think they’re calling this group of stories “Hip Flask“. Or it’s the name of that universe. I have no idea really, so it was a gamble when I picked up their first issue with Image last month. I’m pleased to say it rocked my nether regions ever so gently. More details, and links to previews after the jump…
[Read the rest of this entry…]

As you might’ve heard, The Tick animated cartoon is finally hitting DVD. Newest news is, you can win it for free. All you have to give out is your home address and phone number! Seems a little excessive, if you ask me. Are they going to peek in your window at night just to make sure you really do live there? Well, regardless, that’s a risk I’m willing to take, as the show was fan-freaking-tastic, and free’s an agreeable price for my moth-infested wallet.

In case you didn’t click above, here’s the link to the SuperheroHype.com contest again. You have untill September 1st to sign up.

Ignoring their recent delays, let’s go ahead and look at what Civil War brought to us this week: Thunderbolts #105, and X-Men: Civil War #2.

Thunderbolts was a pleasant read, and it seems like it’d actually be accessible to a new reader, which is a rare find in a Thunderbolts book. This crossover is an excellent time for such things. It gets a B+ / C. Then there’s the underwhelmingly pointless X-Men. It gets a D / D. Read on for the hows and the whys.

[Read the rest of this entry…]

THE BOYS #1
written by Garth Ennis, art by Darick Robertson

This Wednesday Garth Ennis delivers unto us another dark, deviant look at superhero comics, and he’s dragged Darick Robertson into doing the art chores. They’ve done some work together on some little book called The Punisher. You might’ve heard of it.

Here, ‘The Boys’ refers specifically to our five main characters, who all share a deep, personal hate-on for superheroes. And while it’s not clear what exactly they’ll be doing to fight the heroes of their world, based on the preview available at DC’s site, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that they’re out for blood. Nothing like the comforting visual of hands without a body attached.

Ennis has a solid track record at delivering a fantastically dark take on superheroes, so if you’ve enjoyed any of his work before, this is definitely one not to miss.