What are you reading right now? (February 2018)

[Kate]

What are you reading this month? Do you have a favorite series that you're currently reading? Is anything on your pull list getting stale?

[Daniel]

I got a few things from the past week

Superwoman, Volume 1: Who Killed Superwoman?
Batman - Detective Comics Vol. 6: Fall of the Batmen
Nightwing: The New Order - this book so so good! Feels like an Elseworlds, but is it? A lot of fun
Trinity Vol. 3: Dark Destiny
Jean Grey Vol. 2 the last issue of this arc finally out
Phoenix Resurrection: The Return of Jean Grey. Am I a trash person? Yes of course but did I enjoy this book, damn Right bub! Will I pick up X-Men Red next week? Duh-of course!

[Phil]

I'm off to a pretty slow start this year. Recently I read Babyteeth Volume 1 and Shadowman, Volume 3: Deadside Blues. Both of these were better than I expected. The more I read of Shadowman, the more excited I'm getting for the new series that Valiant is launching.

Up next I will be reading Batman: The Dark Knight: Master Race. I've been waiting to get this one from the library for a couple months.

[kaitlphere]

I picked up the first issue of Abbott #1 by Saladin Ahmed. It starts as a real-world crime mystery but adds a supernatural element towards the end of the first issue. After reading the first issue, I added it to my pull list.

I also ended up going to a small comic con over the weekend and picked up Extra! and The Cask of Amontillado #1. Extra! is available online as a webcomic, and I'm really happy about that because I really liked it and want to read more. I need to read the other one yet.

I'm also pretty behind on Doctor Aphra, so I'll be catching up with that.

There have been some pretty good things added to Hoopla lately, like Copperhead, Vol. 3, Betty & Veronica: Vixens #1, and Death: The Deluxe Edition. I'm looking forward to reading those...eventually.

[Robert]

I just got back from the library and grabbed four of the books on the 2018 reading list.

Batman: Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 1
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Out from Boneville

Also catching up on The Walking Dead, Vol. 19: March to War and re-reading Paper Girls, Vol. 1-3

[Mariah]

Robert wrote: "I just got back from the library and grabbed four of the books on the 2018 reading list.

Batman: Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth
[book:Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vo..."

Persepolis is amazing. I suggest reading the complete book.

[Mike, Host & Producer of IRCB!]

Trying my hardest to get caught up on Dept H by Matt and Sharlene Kindt. I managed the first 12 issues last weekend, aiming to read #13-20 this week.

[Robert]

Mariah wrote: "Persepolis is amazing. I suggest reading the complete book"

Oh wow. I finished Persepolis in one night. It's so good. I really thought is would be nothing I would enjoy. I went straight back to the library today to get Book 2. I learned so much. So well done.

[Chris]

I'll be getting around to reading Spider-Man Blue by Loeb & Sale. I figured it would be a fitting read since Valentine's Day is coming up. I'll post a review once I finish it!

[Kate]

Robert wrote: "Mariah wrote: "Persepolis is amazing. I suggest reading the complete book"

Oh wow. I finished Persepolis in one night. It's so good. I really thought is would be nothing I would enjoy. I went stra..."

This is one of my favorites! How did you think book 2 compared to book 1?

[Kate]

Daniel wrote: "I got a few things from the past week

Superwoman, Volume 1: Who Killed Superwoman?
Batman - Detective Comics Vol. 6: Fall of the Batmen
[book:Nightwing: The New Ord..."

How does Trinity compare to the other Bat family books you're reading?

[Daniel]

Kate wrote: "Daniel wrote: "I got a few things from the past week

Superwoman, Volume 1: Who Killed Superwoman?
Batman - Detective Comics Vol. 6: Fall of the Batmen
[book:Nightwi..."

I hate to say it but it’s not as good as Batman or Detective
I loved the First volume but after Manapul left the book it’s been ok
I do like. Book that explores the relationship between Bats Supes and WW

[Robert]

Kate wrote: "This is one of my favorites! How did you think book 2 compared to book 1?"

The first half, before she returned to Iran, was a little boring. I loved Book 1 for what it showed about life inside Iran. The first half of Book 2 could have been any struggling adolescent's story. Once she went back home it caught my attention again. All-in-all, I'd recommend both books.

[Cupcakes & Machetes]

Yesterday I read Locke & Key, Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows. I enjoyed it more than volume 2.

[Daniel]

Swamp Thing Winter Special
Oh boy this book .... worth the price of admission

[Wayland]

Last week's pull was two weeks worth because I was out of town for a bit, and it's too long a list. But, what I really liked was Dynamite has started the second volume of Legenderry Red Sonja. This version of the character is a kind of steampunk pirate and it's a fun read. I hope this means some of the other Legenderry books might make a comeback.

[Wayland]

This week's pull at the shop:

Torchwood 3.4-- the end of the current storyline with Sladen
Titans 20- after the JLA shut the team down, Roy battles Intergang and meets an old friend/foe
Suicide Squad 35- the team tries to recruit a new member, which goes... badly.
Ms. Marvel 27- Kamala's friends continue to carry the burden for the missing hero.
Justice League of America 24- the end of the Fable Queen story
Falcon 4- Sam teams up with a very unexpected Avenger
Falcon 5- (no idea why I have two this week) Sam and his team face down Blackheart
Detective 974- one of the team has done the unthinkable
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey 19- the team loses an ally
Avengers 680- the struggle continues and a mystery gets more complex
Weapon X 14- love is in the air as they deal with Nuke and company
Thrawn 1- the untold story of the Grand Admiral's rise to power

[Daniel]

Quick update for mid month

Out Among the Stars R2D2 is the best
Spider-Man/Deadpool, Vol. 2: Side Pieces
Doctor Strange, Vol. 3: Blood in the Aether
Doctor Strange, Vol. 4: Mr. Misery catching up on Dr. Strange by Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo before moving on to the new Run by Cates
Black Panther Epic Collection: Panther's Rage For our local Book club and for the movie
Spider-Man 2099 Vol. 7 finally finished Peter David’s run - I love Spidey 2099
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol. 2: The Enormous Profit

And Paper Girls, Vol. 1 for the BoTM
Finally Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt (2018-) #1 (Dark Nights: Metal and Thrawn for NCBD

[Kate]

Daniel wrote: "Quick update for mid month

Out Among the Stars R2D2 is the best
Spider-Man/Deadpool, Vol. 2: Side Pieces
Doctor Strange, Vol. 3: Blood in the Aether..."

How was Doc Aphra v2? I am really looking forward to reading it.

[Kate]

Hybrid Creature (devours books instead of brains) wrote: "Yesterday I read Locke & Key, Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows. I enjoyed it more than volume 2."

I really liked volume 1, but haven't had a chance to read the rest yet. Are you enjoying it enough to continue with the series?

[Phil]

Wayland wrote: "This week's pull at the shop:

Torchwood 3.4-- the end of the current storyline with Sladen
Titans 20- after the JLA shut the team down, Roy battles Intergang and meets an old friend/foe
Suicide S..."

How was Thrawn #1? He was one of the best characters from the old extended universe.

[Mike, Host & Producer of IRCB!]

crying profusely

Invincible #144 - The last issue in this 15 year-long series. This is the end and I am very happy with it.

[Wayland]

Phillip wrote: "Wayland wrote: "This week's pull at the shop:

Torchwood 3.4-- the end of the current storyline with Sladen
Titans 20- after the JLA shut the team down, Roy battles Intergang and meets an old frie..."

I actually kinda liked it. Interesting take on the character.

[Daniel]

Kate wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Quick update for mid month

Out Among the Stars R2D2 is the best
Spider-Man/Deadpool, Vol. 2: Side Pieces
[book:Doctor Strange, Vol. 3: Blood in the A..."

Aphra is my favorite book in the Star Wars line and they are all pretty good. She is such a scoundrel but is never treated unrealistic like she can never lose. Things definitely escalate and get outta hand fast
I read this in singles but keep track as the whole volume
Make sure to read issues in the release order including the annual

[Kate]

Daniel wrote: "Aphra is my favorite book in the Star Wars line and they are all pretty good. She is such a scoundrel but is never treated unrealistic like she can never lose. Things definitely escalate and get outta hand fast "

This is one of the things I like about it too. Which other Star Wars books are you reading?

[Daniel]

Kate wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Aphra is my favorite book in the Star Wars line and they are all pretty good. She is such a scoundrel but is never treated unrealistic like she can never lose. Things definitely esca..."

I am currently Buying Darth Vader and Dr. Aphra
But since I have the Marvel unlimited service I am trying to keep up with all of them
All the Mini-Series are pretty great on their own right
My favorite of recent was Captain Phasma

Also I am picking up the new Thrawn

[Phil]

I finally got around to reading Batman: The Dark Knight: Master Race. I'm really glad this was a library book and not something I picked up for myself.

[Wayland]

This week's comic run:

X-Men Gold 22- The new Mesmero gets the team in a lot of trouble.
Tales of Suspense 102- Hawkeye & Bucky on the trail of... Widow?
Red Sonja 13- Red tries to find her way back to her world.
Nightwing 39- The Judge leaves 'Wing in a bad spot
Mighty Thor 704- Asgard is in ruins, but if Jane picks up the hammer again, she'll probably die.
Defenders 10- the team faces off with the Hood, and a new version of an old favorite Final Issue
Luke Cage 170- Luke tries to tell Dani a bed time story, and nothing goes as planned. Final Issue
Bombshells United 12- Batwoman, Rene the Question, and Isis vs. the evil of Black Adam. Last issue of story, unclear about series.
Avengers 681- the game goes on with all of Earth in danger
Aquaman 33- the Crown of Thorns finally comes down and there's a new ruler declared of Atlantis.
Xena, Warrior Princess 1- Xena meets Gabby i the first issue of the miniseries.
Wonder Woman/Conan 6 (of 6)- Gail Simone's tale of these two legends meeting comes to an end Final Issue

[Nick]

The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom
A lot of readers out there know the fabled team of writer Mark Waid and artist Chris Samnee for their fabled run on Daredevil a few years back. Or perhaps for their take on Captain America in recent months. But not everybody is privy to the fact that they worked on this four issue Rocketeer miniseries back in 2012. It's colored by Jordie Bellaire, it's a lot of rip-roaring action and adventure, and the TPB comes with roughly 30 PAGES OF SAMNEE LAYOUTS AND RAW PENCILS...err...ahem...for those interested in that sort of thing.

Justice League International, Vol. 1
Here's a book that honestly feels ahead of its time...and I still can't believe it became a thing over 30 years ago. Written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, and drawn by newcomer Kevin Maguire (helming DC's flagship team book only ONE YEAR after his first professional job), it remains one of the best capes books to blend action and humor.

Following two major events in "Legends" and "Crisis on Infinite Earths," DC was eager to roll out its major team book...but due to certain characters being "off limits" because of rebooting efforts, the team would have to be sans Superman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash.

So we got a quirky lineup of heroes, including Batman, Black Canary, Blue Beetle, Martian Manhunter, Mister Miracle, Guy Gardner, Shazam, and others. What's great is that it's a superhero book that has moments that are funny...but it isn't attempting to cram in a certain quota of goofs and gaffes per issue. It all feels organic. And the art? I think you'd have a hard time convincing people this was a monthly ongoing book from 1987. Nobody would believe you.

Seven Soldiers of Victory, Volume 1
This book is still a "read in progress," and as it is a Grant Morrison book...I'd probably be wise to reserve my thoughts until the end (even though it's possible the confusion I feel now will only worsen by the book's conclusion). It's your typical Grant Morrison "dredging the depths of the D-list dumpster" for (rightfully or not) characters neglected in obscurity...but with a bit more editorial control (thank goodness) than some of his unfiltered fare. At least he brought a couple of wonderful artists (Ryan Sook, J.H. Williams III, amongst others) along for the ride.

[kaitlphere]

Wayland wrote: "This week's comic run:

X-Men Gold 22- The new Mesmero gets the team in a lot of trouble.
Tales of Suspense 102- Hawkeye & Bucky on the trail of... Widow?
Red Sonja 13- Red tries to find her way b..."

Oh man! I forgot Xena was coming out. I will have to jump on that as well. Thanks for the reminder!

[Daniel]

Before Month’s end

Doctor Strange, Vol. 5: Secret Empire had to read this before Volume 6 but it tied in very well with the Secret Empire
Doctor Strange, Vol. 6: God of Magic I am so glad I finally get to read this Donny Cates is Killing at Marvel
Nightwing Vol. 4: Blockbuster love Nightwing, first trade I get when it hits the Library app
X-Men: Blue, Vol. 3: Cross Time Capers a bit of a reward to those reading since before Battle of the Atom

Deadpool vs Old Man Logan finally came to an end so I wanted to catch up on a few of the DP mini series before reading that
Deadpool vs. The Punisher
Deadpool: Back in Black
Deadpool Kills the Marvel UniverseDeadpool Kills the Marvel Universe Again
These are like eating your favorite snack, probably no nutritional value, but they are so satisfying

[Wayland]

Kait wrote: "Wayland wrote: "This week's comic run:

X-Men Gold 22- The new Mesmero gets the team in a lot of trouble.
Tales of Suspense 102- Hawkeye & Bucky on the trail of... Widow?
Red Sonja 13- Red tries t..."

Glad to be of service, Kait.