Weekly Reader, December 30, 2024

[Jeff]

Still had 10 checkouts left on Hoopla to use this month so I loaded up this week.  Hopefully I can get to all of these!

Marvel Unlimited
Dare Devil: Woman Without Fear 3
Dazzler 2
Namor 3 - Jason Aaron
Ultimate Spider-Man 9
Wolverine 2
Wolverine Revenge 2

DC Universe Ultra
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #2
ACTION COMICS #1078
BATMAN #155
JSA #2

Legion of Super-Heroes 281
Legion of Super-Heroes 282
Legion of Super-Heroes 283

Hoopla
Savage Sword of Conan 1
Savage Sword of Conan 2
Conan the Barbarian 13
Conan the Barbarian 14
The Hunger and the Dusk: Book Two 1
Animal Pound 5
Redcoat 7
Redcoat 8
Hornsby and Halo 1
Hornsby and Halo 2

ComiXology
Something is Killing the Children 36
Something is Killing the Children 37
Conan the Barbarian FCBD 2024 The Battle of Black Stone

———————————————————————————————

[Perry]

I've got another big week, but also had a few more borrows I didn't want to lose at the end of the month, so I added a couple more Hoopla titles. Including the Ice Cream Man stuff that I haven't read since... well... issue 22 or so and as Jeff reminded me of said title, I figured now would be a great time to get caught up, especially because I have heard about one issue coming up that I know I want to read!


Marvel Unlimited
Deathlok Special
Namor #3
Ultimate Spider-Man #9
Wolverine #2
Wolverine: Revenge #2
Fantastic Four (1976) #177
Fantastic Four (1976) #178

DC Universe Ultra
Absolute Superman #2
Absolute Wonder Woman #2
Batgirl #2
Batman #155
Batman: Last Halloween #3
Black Canary: Best of the Best #1
JSA #2
Justice League Unlimited #1
Superman #20
Two-Face #1

Hoopla
G.I. Joe (2024) #1
Redcoat #8
Geiger #8 - On "that one" site if it isn't uploaded by the time I am ready to read...
Geiger #9
Ice Cream Man v6 (issues 21-24)

[Perry]

Marvel Unlimited
Deathlok Special
Namor #3
Ultimate Spider-Man #9
Wolverine #2
Wolverine: Revenge #2
Fantastic Four (1976) #177
Fantastic Four (1976) #178

DC Universe Ultra
Absolute Superman #2
Absolute Wonder Woman #2
Batgirl #2
Batman #155
Batman: Last Halloween #3
Black Canary: Best of the Best #1
JSA #2
Justice League Unlimited #1
Superman #20
Two-Face #1

Hoopla
G.I. Joe (2024) #1
Redcoat #8
Geiger #8 - On "that one" site if it isn't uploaded by the time I am ready to read...
Geiger #9
Ice Cream Man v6 (issues 21-24)

*******************************************************

Wolverine Revenge - Meh. Started to see a little more of Hickman's voice in this issue, but man, I swear, he must have wrote this entire series in one day. This mini is pure knob service, and not the really good kind that makes you want to stop for cash and come back for more, but the kind that barely does the job and leaves you wondering if it was worth the trip downtown.  I will keep going, but there is nothing here than makes me excited about the next issue. Seems a trend for Marvel lately. I'm reading their books, I'm (some what) enjoying the small amount of titles that I am reading, but there is very little "I can't wait for the next issue" feeling that comes from this company right now.

Wolverine - Case in point. There is nothing inherently bad here, but at the same time, I feel nothing when I reach the last page. Nothing other than "Okay, I read that. Next!". I think Marvel needs to change the way they spell their name. Needs to be spelled - B. O. R. I. N. G

Ult Spider-Man - Maybe I am in a mood that I am not aware of? I don't know, but this issue also left me colder than usual.

Spoiler

From Doc Oc saying that some tech is "beyond him" (something I can't picture him saying or admitting) to both Ben Parker and Jonah needing MJ to tell them their business model is working

[close]

... it all felt off. Oh well, perhaps the next issue I read from this list will be a winner?

Namor - Nope. Love the art showing the past, has that really cool Skottie Young'ish look to it, but I really couldn't care less about this story. That said, I am wanting to see where Namor ends up, in the context of the Marvel Universe I mean, so I will read on

[Jimmy T]

MARVEL

Only a Spider-Man week for me!...and most weeks

Chasm 2 -my fave Spider-clones doing their business. I like the suits, and ...Druig is here!!

Amazing Spider-Man 58 - Ugh, Romita art. Ugh, someone emptying a clip from a hand gun at a non powered person from 1 foot away, and missing the entire time. Ugh. The stakes are there, the story & art are not

Ultimate Spider-Man 9 - I don't feel any connection to this. I don't know why. Maybe I do. Because people just speak aloud their epitaph moral stances/thoughts, and don't talk with each other. That make sense? It just doesn't feel cool to read.

[Jeff]

Amazing Spider-Man 58 - Ugh, Romita art. Ugh, someone emptying a clip from a hand gun at a non powered person from 1 foot away, and missing the entire time. Ugh. The stakes are there, the story & art are not

Oh that reminds me what I was going to ask you earlier but couldn't remember what!

Maybe Tombstone is secretly a Storm Trooper?!? 

[Jimmy T]

Ha! 

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
Dare Devil: Woman Without Fear 3
Dazzler 2
Namor 3 - Jason Aaron
Ultimate Spider-Man 9
Wolverine 2
Wolverine Revenge 2

DC Universe Ultra
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #2
ACTION COMICS #1078
BATMAN #155
JSA #2

Legion of Super-Heroes 281
Legion of Super-Heroes 282
Legion of Super-Heroes 283

Hoopla
Savage Sword of Conan 1
Savage Sword of Conan 2
Conan the Barbarian 13
Conan the Barbarian 14
The Hunger and the Dusk: Book Two 1
Animal Pound 5
Redcoat 7
Redcoat 8
Hornsby and Halo 1
Hornsby and Halo 2

ComiXology
Something is Killing the Children 36
Something is Killing the Children 37
Conan the Barbarian FCBD 2024 The Battle of Black Stone

———————————————————————————————

Legion of Super-Heroes 281 & 282 - Man what a bloody mess this three part story was.  Levitz basically forced a wrap up of all the dangling plots from the previous creative teams and it felt like it. I can't blame him even though none of the solutions made any sense. I think he just wanted to move on and I'm ok with that.

Savage Sword of Conan 1 - I liked this a lot.  Classic Conan feel in great black and white art.  The second story in this issue is about a character named Solomon Kane.  I've never read anything with this character. I had not heard of him until Perry brought him up after reading this.  But I like him and I like the part one of this story.

Dare Devil: Woman Without Fear 3 - Good issue! After the day I had today I know EXACTLY how Elektra feels! Too funny.

Dazzler 2 - I'm enjoying this enough to finish this arc.  It's not anything great but it's a bit of a guilty pleasure.

Namor 3 - I liked this issue. I'm starting to enjoy this a little more each issue.  Could be another Aaron slow burn to a big ending.

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
Dare Devil: Woman Without Fear 3
Dazzler 2
Namor 3 - Jason Aaron
Ultimate Spider-Man 9
Wolverine 2
Wolverine Revenge 2

DC Universe Ultra
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #2
ACTION COMICS #1078
BATMAN #155
JSA #2

Legion of Super-Heroes 281
Legion of Super-Heroes 282
Legion of Super-Heroes 283

Hoopla
Savage Sword of Conan 1
Savage Sword of Conan 2
Conan the Barbarian 13
Conan the Barbarian 14
The Hunger and the Dusk: Book Two 1
Animal Pound 5
Redcoat 7
Redcoat 8
Hornsby and Halo 1
Hornsby and Halo 2

ComiXology
Something is Killing the Children 36
Something is Killing the Children 37
Conan the Barbarian FCBD 2024 The Battle of Black Stone

———————————————————————————————

Ultimate Spider-Man 9 - I thought this was a good issue.  Maybe you guys just had a bad day? But I guess I do like the weird ones sometimes.

Wolverine 2 - There's nothing really wrong with this story but it's not pulling me in. I'll probably read the next issue to see how it ends but as of right now I don't think I'll be in for the long haul.

Wolverine Revenge 2 - I really like this.  It's a "What If?" type story and I like where it's going.  Not sure what Hickman's got against Colossus but let's see where this goes.

[Perry]

Happy New Year!!!

I had a couple more borrows left on Hoopla, so I added a couple more titles because, well, last day of the month, why not?
I also... hurriedly... read through and finished that first Hellbalzer trade and while my feelings have, somewhat, changed on Delano's early writing (I did enjoy it more this time around), it is nothing compared to the greatness that followed. In-fact I thought about that so much that I added the issue that starts Ennis' run. Going to do the single issues instead of the trades as it eases the pressure I feel of having to read five or six issues in addition to my every growing list. Hahaha.
Also added Detective to my "pull" as I had forgotten about Janin coming on for art duties and I do love looking as his stuff!!!

Marvel Unlimited
Deathlok Special
Namor #3
Ultimate Spider-Man #9
Wolverine #2
Wolverine: Revenge #2
Fantastic Four (1976) #177
Fantastic Four (1976) #178

DC Universe Ultra
Absolute Superman #2
Absolute Wonder Woman #2
Batgirl #2
Batman #155
Batman: Last Halloween #3
Black Canary: Best of the Best #1
JSA #2
Justice League Unlimited #1
Superman #20
Two-Face #1
Green Arrow #18 <- Added
Hellblazer v1
Hellblazer #41 <- Added
Detective Comics #1090 <- Added
Detective Comics #1091 <- Added

Hoopla
G.I. Joe (2024) #1
G.I. Joe (2024) #2 <- Added
Redcoat #8
Geiger #8
Geiger #9
Ice Cream Man v6 (issues 21-24)
Local Man v3 (Collects issues 10-13) <- Added

*******************************************************

Deathlok - Nice seeing Cowan art again, been a minute, and the stories were okay. Nothing special, but fine. Made me miss Rich Buckler though 

Absolute WW - A little less "punch" with this issue, but still a great read. Love the lasso; Nemesis, and how it is almost akin to Ghost Rider's Penance Stare. I mean different, but with hints of it. Haha. Also, that last panel hit me with such a cool H.P Lovecraft vibe... I can't tell ya!!!

Last Halloween - This one, was a little on the rough side, art wise. I didn't hate it, but it did lessen the enjoyment a tad. Oh well, next issue should be a return to form

Black Canary - This was an odd read. A good one, but yeah, wild set-up. Almost had a Daniel Warren Johnson's "Do a Power Bomb" comic, but with a nice twist or plot semi-reveal that was very cool. There is a character called "Wordy John" in here and all I could think about was how that was a good name for Tom King with this issue. Lots and lots of dialog, but it didn't drag the issue down. Plus Ryan Sook's art is always great to gaze upon Can't wait for more

JLU - A good intro though I feel somewhat bad for the one character. He hasn't been used much at all at DC and now...??    This showed the scale of the Watchtower and that was also cool. I enjoyed this a lot, especially the call back to the Black Hawk War Wheel. However, they need to stop putting Boom Tube sound effects in space. Sound no worky in space, regardless of what Star Wars and Trek tell you. HeeHee Oh, and Dan Mora killing it, especially with the Firestorm panels. Looks very similar to his fantastic work on Once and Future!!!!

Superman - I am still not sure I like you know who being you know who, but hey, if it was never established who you know who was, why not, yeah?  And damn if Dan Mora isn't the new George Perez. Not only knocking out issue after issue, but knocking our socks off at the same time.

Green Arrow - I'm on this to see what Chris Condon can do and so far, I am liking what I am seeing. I also like, perhaps strangely so, Ollie's costume here. Has a very cool Long Bow Hunters feel but also a very cool Green Lama shout out to it as well. Yeah, I dig it!!

[Perry]

Marvel Unlimited
Deathlok Special
Namor #3
Ultimate Spider-Man #9
Wolverine #2
Wolverine: Revenge #2
Fantastic Four (1976) #177
Fantastic Four (1976) #178

DC Universe Ultra
Absolute Superman #2
Absolute Wonder Woman #2
Batgirl #2
Batman #155
Batman: Last Halloween #3
Black Canary: Best of the Best #1
JSA #2
Justice League Unlimited #1
Superman #20
Two-Face #1
Green Arrow #18
Hellblazer v1
Hellblazer #41
Detective Comics #1090
Detective Comics #1091

Hoopla
G.I. Joe (2024) #1
G.I. Joe (2024) #2
Redcoat #8
Geiger #8
Geiger #9
Ice Cream Man v6 (issues 21-24)
Local Man v3 (Collects issues 10-13)

*******************************************************

Redcoat - A "nice and friendly"   one and done story with a very interesting last page. Ohhhh !?!?!!!

G.I. Joe - This is fine, really well done actually, but I just don't seem to care. I did have a fondness for the original, Marvel, Larry Hamma Joe series, but as much as my younger brothers loved all things Joe and Transformers, I think I was a little too old for the product they were putting out. Now, even though this is updated for a more adult read, I just have no connection. Even after reading the introduction mini's (in the hope of getting more attached to some of these characters), I just don't "feel" anything here. This is certainly a great product, just isn't for me I think. Oh well, I hope it lasts for a long time as it is, again, done very well

Detective - Let's start with this, I think Tom Taylor is a good writer. He incorporates a lot of emotions and relevancy to his stuff but... I think he is also a little too... ummm... soft (?) with Batman. Not that his Bats is a puss or anything, he just has a little more emotional range than I am used to. Not a bad thing, all the DC characters want Bruce to open up a tad, hahaha, and this is not egregious in emotional outpouring or anything, just a little... yeah... softer Batman, in tone. I am still here, I think this is a good story, even though we know what is going on with the new character almost immediately and are proven correct in the last panel of issue #1091, I can't say that I saw the other, hospital reveal coming. That was a great twist. Yes, this is a good story, well written and damn well drawn. I am all over it.

[Jimmy T]

MARVEL

Only a Spider-Man week for me!...and most weeks

Chasm 2 -my fave Spider-clones doing their business. I like the suits, and ...Druig is here!!
Amazing Spider-Man 58 - Ugh, Romita art. Ugh, someone emptying a clip from a hand gun at a non powered person from 1 foot away, and missing the entire time. Ugh. The stakes are there, the story & art are not
Ultimate Spider-Man 9 - I don't feel any connection to this. I don't know why. Maybe I do. Because people just speak aloud their epitaph moral stances/thoughts, and don't talk with each other. That make sense? It just doesn't feel cool to read.

DC ULTRA

Black Canary: Best of the Best 1 - Interesting start. I'm into it so far. Although I would have thought Shiva would be wanted internationally for many murders, and to be brought to justice!

Flash 15 - this is poor, and bad. Maybe the fill in artist (who is POOR) is also part of a fill in story! I'll be keeping an eye on this to see when the arc is finished, then I'll try it again, but maybe I'm just flipping through this one instead of reading it.

Detective 1091- Ah, very cool! Digging Janin on art, and digging where the story may be heading yet!!

Justice League Unlimited 1 - Waid leaves a great final page, and brings ina  new threat; I'm so all on board!

Green Arrow 18 - I dig the new costume. A little short cap to protect against the cold? Really like the art alot, too! I'm fully on board

B & R Year 1 #2 - I just like reading this book. Keep it up!

Nightwing 120 - Dan Watters is no Tom Taylor. The heights of last writer is not being seen now. May cont to page through this 90s feel book, but I could see dropping this.

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
Dare Devil: Woman Without Fear 3
Dazzler 2
Namor 3 - Jason Aaron
Ultimate Spider-Man 9
Wolverine 2
Wolverine Revenge 2

DC Universe Ultra
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #2
ACTION COMICS #1078
BATMAN #155
JSA #2
ADD: Superman 19
ADD: Superman 20 A Perry suggestion

Legion of Super-Heroes 281
Legion of Super-Heroes 282
Legion of Super-Heroes 283

Hoopla
Savage Sword of Conan 1
Savage Sword of Conan 2
Conan the Barbarian 13
Conan the Barbarian 14
The Hunger and the Dusk: Book Two 1
Animal Pound 5
Redcoat 7
Redcoat 8
Hornsby and Halo 1
Hornsby and Halo 2

ComiXology
Something is Killing the Children 36
Something is Killing the Children 37
Conan the Barbarian FCBD 2024 The Battle of Black Stone

———————————————————————————————

Savage Sword of Conan 2 - Another good and horrifying story. I'm finding these more fun than the regular book.  The Solomon Kane story didn't move the story much. Hoping for more next issue.

Conan the Barbarian 13 & 14 - Good start to this arc and I'm fascinated by this strange woman. I'm really liking all these Conan stories.

The Hunger and the Dusk: Book Two 1 Good first issue. I'm happy to be back into this story and looking forward to this new chapter.

[Jeff]

Marvel Unlimited
Dare Devil: Woman Without Fear 3
Dazzler 2
Namor 3 - Jason Aaron
Ultimate Spider-Man 9
Wolverine 2
Wolverine Revenge 2

DC Universe Ultra
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #2
ACTION COMICS #1078
BATMAN #155 - Didn't see this drop on DC Ultra today.
JSA #2
Superman 19
Superman 20

Legion of Super-Heroes 281
Legion of Super-Heroes 282
Legion of Super-Heroes 283

Hoopla
Savage Sword of Conan 1
Savage Sword of Conan 2
Conan the Barbarian 13
Conan the Barbarian 14
The Hunger and the Dusk: Book Two 1
Animal Pound 5
Redcoat 7
Redcoat 8
Hornsby and Halo 1
Hornsby and Halo 2

ComiXology
Something is Killing the Children 36
Something is Killing the Children 37
Conan the Barbarian FCBD 2024 The Battle of Black Stone

———————————————————————————————

ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #2 - EXCELLENT! This was a marked improvement over issue 1 and sets Absolute Superman at the level of Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman. The Absolute universe has kicked off with three hits as far as I'm concerned.

ACTION COMICS #1078 - Much better story arc.  Looks like this may finish strong after all.

JSA #2 - Hmmm.  This would be more fun if the art wasn't so bad.  I'd almost rather Lemire did the art himself.

Superman 19 & 20 - Oh wow.  Dammit Perry! I'm All In for this story arc!  Both of these issues were really good.  That's high praise from someone who hates Doomsday.

Legion of Super-Heroes 283 - Great Wildfire origin story one shot.  Next issue starts the classic Paul Levitz run!

[Perry]

Marvel Unlimited
Deathlok Special
Namor #3
Ultimate Spider-Man #9
Wolverine #2
Wolverine: Revenge #2
Fantastic Four (1976) #177
Fantastic Four (1976) #178

DC Universe Ultra
Absolute Superman #2
Absolute Wonder Woman #2
Batgirl #2
Batman #155
Batman: Last Halloween #3
Black Canary: Best of the Best #1
JSA #2
Justice League Unlimited #1
Superman #20
Two-Face #1
Green Arrow #18
Hellblazer v1
Hellblazer #41
Detective Comics #1090
Detective Comics #1091
Legion of Super-Heroes #283 <- Added

Hoopla
G.I. Joe (2024) #1
G.I. Joe (2024) #2
Redcoat #8
Geiger #8
Geiger #9
Ice Cream Man v6 (issues 21-24)
Local Man v3 (Collects issues 10-13)

*******************************************************

LoSH - A much more fleshed out origin. A good read, and felt sorry for poor Wildfire not being able to get in on that 2-on-1 action  Dude could do it all, but that it seems.

Two-Face - A pretty cool story. Enjoy the idea of The White Church (a villain based judicial system  ), I liked the murder "mystery" explaining why we were there and seeing Harvey struggle with himself is always a fun treat.

Spoiler

Not sure how I feel about the coin now being a two headed coin that is scarred on both sides, but that may be a cool story element as well

[close]

JSA - Much like I had to do with my Levitz apology, I now offer one to artist Olortegui. I did not enjoy his art, at all, on that Flash comic I tried to read, but here, in back to back issues, he is reminding to once again, never judge by a singular item. "One" is rarely an absolute of anything. The first look often doesn't tell the story. What I mean is I am really liking his Scott Kollins like look and his panels are, primarily, filled with interesting aspects, so yeah, sorry man. As for the story, I do enjoy that DC is (hopefully) trying to make their Cobra an essential antagonist. I have always like them, though admittedly, I don't know why.  A little pet peeve of mine, and I know it is stupid, but

Spoiler

I hate that Jay called Obsidian by that name, instead of "son". Is that still a thing, he being both Jade and Obsidian's father or has that been retconned? Just curious?

[close]

Absolute Supes - This was enjoyable, it was,

Spoiler

but damn what is with the capes in this Absolute Universe? The "Sunstone Dust"? Did Aaron and Snyder read Spawn lately and incorporate his cape into this Darkseid Universe? Haha. I did think that Lois saying that Supes "smelled of oak barrels filled with Burgundy" was a little too much  but enjoy that she is writing here as well.

[close]

Yeah, good stuff, but a title that was fighting for my favorite last month, has easily fell to third in this months outings. Still a good, fun read, but the other two are hitting better for me. I am also sure, much like the Ghost Machine stuff, I will swap and switch favorites almost each and every month

[Perry]

Marvel Unlimited
Deathlok Special
Namor #3
Ultimate Spider-Man #9
Wolverine #2
Wolverine: Revenge #2
Fantastic Four (1976) #177
Fantastic Four (1976) #178

DC Universe Ultra
Absolute Superman #2
Absolute Wonder Woman #2
Batgirl #2
Batman #155
Batman: Last Halloween #3
Black Canary: Best of the Best #1
JSA #2
Justice League Unlimited #1
Superman #20
Two-Face #1
Green Arrow #18
Hellblazer v1
Hellblazer #41
Detective Comics #1090
Detective Comics #1091
Legion of Super-Heroes #283
Legion of Super-Heroes #284 <- Added
 
Hoopla
G.I. Joe (2024) #1
G.I. Joe (2024) #2
Redcoat #8
Geiger #8
Geiger #9
Ice Cream Man v6 (issues 21-24)
Local Man v3 (Collects issues 10-13)

*******************************************************

LoSH 284 - There is some good here, but there is some bad as well. I'm not shocked by it, Levitz is still not a great writer, for me, although I am excited to put Conway's Legion in my rearview mirror, so I am hoping his worst is better than Conway's best... at some point. But yeah, this... not the title's saving issue, but again, I didn't expect it to be... not yet.

Spoiler

We lose Bouncing Boy and Duo Damsel, again, and I enjoyed the Medicus One stuff and even had to smirk at the name of the "Organleggers" group, a black market organ reseller, but the main villain... Organus? Organus? Oh "F" right the "F" off.  I also laughed at Levitz not liking Timberwolf's look, so he had it reverted, haha, that was cool, but I bet the Vulcans are not happy about the ears. Also, I would love to read Action Comics #387 to find out why the Legion is limited to no more than 25 members "for tax purposes"  but I suppose Wiki will have to do.

[close]

Geiger - Had to go to the online comic site to read this one and... Hot dog!! I forgot about Paul Pelletier coming on to do some art duties for a couple issues. Love seeing his stuff. I owe him so much for being the artist that brought me back into comics. I flipped that Negation comic from CrossGen open and fell in love. His art doesn't currently hit me as strong nowadays, and I am not sure this title is the best for his art (I think this book would do better visually with a darker/edgier look to it), but I am not complaining too loudly as I think both he and Gary Frank are fantastic artists and I do like the uber clean look to this book, but I also just think it is a slight contrast to the book itself. Still, if you're going to have mismatched art and tone and topic, there are few better to be mismatched with 

Spoiler

Hate to see the book burning thing return, must be a real sore spot for Johns (and me as well), but also glad to see the return of the Vegas crew!!!!

[close]

Batman -

Spoiler

So we get the reveal that the Madhatter is responsible for Gordon shooting the mayor... that was not the spoiler that I am aware of, so that was cool to see... and I think Chip writes Gordon and Bullock very well. So much so that I would want him on a new GCPD if that were to ever happen. Heck, the art in this book looks very much like the ole GCPD by Rucka... double heck... I need to read that come to think of it.

[close]

Anyway, this was a good issue.

Batgirl - This was fine. I am a little intrigued with this new group,

Spoiler

but it is also very reminiscent of a group we were just talking about... The Hand. But hey, that's okay. Also, odd seeing Lady Shiva in so many books. Haha.

[close]