twitter.com/MandyBu:
(The idea of a photo of me PEERING at everyone on Comixology’s mailing list is kinda scary)
Well, of Journey Into Mystery and my Uncanny X-men V2 run, anyway, and one issue of Rob Rodi that has got mixed in.
(I’m tagging this YA, as I know a bunch of people have expressed interest in reading the backstory to Kid Loki.)
Comxiology purchases can either be read on Android, Apple, Kindle Fire or Windows 8 devices. They can also be read online in a browser, for those who stay away from tablets and similar.
For those who don’t follow comics or my Marvel stuff, and just want to try a few issues, I’d recommend these ones specifically out of context.
UNCANNY X-MEN 4: A standalone issue from the perspective of an alien creature the X-men end up fighting, with me playing with alien perception and the horrors you can do with juxtaposition. Brandon Peterson really leaned into the bio-organic horror of it all, and does incredible Phalanx. It’s basically the themes of my X-men run in a single issue.
UNCANNY X-MEN 14: While this is embedded deep into Avengers Versus X-men, it’s also its own creature. Basically, it’s an extended pastiche of Notes From Underground in a Steampunk-critique city buried beneath the Earth, and about determinism and society. Even if you don’t read it, it’s worth coming to see what Dustin Weaver does with the cityscapes. It’s virtuoso stuff. I think this may be the best issue I did during Uncanny, and certainly in the top five of what I’ve done for Marvel. Here’s Colin TooBusyThinkingAboutComics writing about it.
JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY 632: While the final issue is JIM’s high point, this is my favourite single issue. It’s a Christmas story based around Loki having to find homes for seven hellhounds. It’s cute and funny, but has a mass of doom and darkness bubbling beneath the surface – which is basically the core of what JIM does. The Breitweisers make it all look like a seasonal card too. I think the panel with Leah holding up her skirt when she chases around the hellhounds may be my favourite image of the Hel-maid in the entire run.
JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY: THE MANCHESTER GODS 639, 640,641: I’d recommend reading it out of contest primarily for people who aren’t actually going to read the rest of JIM. It’s got a fairly serious position in the larger story, in terms of various reveals. However, as its own thing, it’s me writing about the concept of Britain and firing it through a half-dozen fantasy filters. It’s as mad as the maddest parts of Phonogram. For example, it features a Tony Wilson analogue as a urban druid. I still can’t believe I got away with most of this stuff.And a few things I’d say before buying either run.
UNCANNY X-MEN
This stands alone. However, it is embedded in Avengers VersusX-men, the major crossover event of the year it was published. The information you need to know is worked in, and AvX was always where the run was ending at – and my themes aimed to dovetail with i ts – but it’s worth noting. The first 10 issues are by themselves, but do feature a lot of foreshadowing of where it’s going.There’s a sort-of postscript to my run in the form of AVX Consequences, which you can also buy, though it’s full price.
JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY
Journey Into Mystery is basically a closed novel. However due to existing in the modern superhero comics mainstream, it subverted a bunch of crossovers it was involved with to tell it – namely the EXILED crossover with NEW MUTANTS and the EVERYTHING BURNS crossover with Thor. It was also launched out of the FEAR ITSELF crossover, though include any important beats you need to know in JIM. I usually say FEAR ITSELF is WW2, and we’re a story about the Enigma code.Anyway – if you buy the first 14 issues, and 539-541, they stand alone. The issue of Thor and New Mutants you would need to buy to get the complete thing are…
EXILED NEW MUTANTS 42 NEW MUTANTS 43 THE MIGHTY THOR 18 THE MIGHTY THOR 19 THE MIGHTY THOR 20 THE MIGHTY THOR 21
The Exiled/New Mutants issues are now a couple of dollars, but The Might Thor ones are full price.
I suspect it’s still worth throwing down for all the JIM issues. You won’t get them cheaper, and you can always come back and get the others. And to state the obvious, for anyone who pirates comics as they think they’re too expensive, now would be a good time to show that they would purchase at a lower price.
You can buy here. And it’s a sale just for today, so – er – buy today? That sounds about right.
Also, FYI this sale ends promptly at 11PM EST, so waiting until the last minute is something I don’t recommend.
comiXology’s Marvel Monday sale features Iron Man today until 11PM EST.
The following titles* are on sale for $.99:
- Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. (have fun with that broken heart!)
- Iron Man: The Rapture (really disturbing, me gusta)
- Iron Man: Inevitable (good Joe Casey stuff)
- Iron Man #128 (Demon in a Bottle, bro)
- Iron Man #120-127 (Romita Sr, Infantino, & Bob Layton-y goodness)
*Among others
Why should you read Iron Man: Season One?
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
As far as a standalone Iron Man story goes, I don’t think I’ve seen anything plotted this tight and long since the Extremis arc. This is an origin story and ties in closely to the Tony we see in the comics (616), not in the films. The interiors and coloring create this hazy vibe of bygone eras, almost like you’re looking through a champagne haze and trying to make sense of what’s happening around you. Tony’s narrative remains personal and strong throughout the GN, and ultimately it’s just plain, old good.
Words: Howard Chaykin
Art: Gerald Parel
The Marvel 700 promotion is back, folks.
Follow the instructions EXACTLY to guarantee that you will have access to a plethora of free digital comics starting April 11th.
If you have any questions, feel free to send me an ask.
Note: Just refresh the page if it doesn’t immediately load.
Living the Shay-Tah Rah lifestyle since 2000.
The Moloids and I have eerily similar reactions to most things.
Words: Fred Van Lente
Art: Steve Kurth
Colors: Joana Lafuente
You guys. Put down your capes and spandex for like five seconds and pay attention to this book. Admittedly, I’ve had a G.I. Joe boner for most of my life, but I’ve never really been able to set time aside and delve into the comics. Fred Van Lente’s new #1 is a perfect entry into the world of the Joe’s as well as being stupidly entertaining. If you’re looking to start reading comics, or you’re getting tired of what you’re currently reading, pick this UP.
Much to my surprise, it has an exceptionally diverse cast.
- Roadblock, African-American
- Quick Kick, half Japanese and half Korean, from LA
- Tunnel Rat, Trinidadian and Chinese, by way of Brooklyn
- Cover Girl, caucasian and a woman
- Shipwreck, traditionally Latino (but I’m honestly not sure here? anyone know for sure?)
- Doc, African-American and a woman
- Hashtag, Indian-American and a woman
- Duke, caucasian
Basically, for anyone who watched the original cartoon (holla at a Netflix) these are mostly familiar faces and a great remix of the primary team.
ANYWAY I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HASHTAG BECAUSE SHE IS MY FAVORITE CHARACTER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.
A BLOGGER.
AN EMBEDDED SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIST FOR A PUBLIC MILITARY SPECIAL OPS STRIKE TEAM.
This is literally everything I’ve ever daydreamed about. Some people day dream about being a superhero. I daydream about being a super blogger.
Look at her. Look how phenomenal she is. She’s going to start Tumblring soon, I bet. Her name is Hashtag. Everyone else go home, Fred Van Lente won the internet.
Friends, enemies…. Hello.
Break your hearts and lose your minds over Marvel’s Civil War on sale right this second for $.99.
We’re talking every book, every tie-in. No really. 112 books. From Heroes for Hire (s/o to my enterprising pro-reg girls, Misty & Colleen) to freakin’ Ghost Rider, it’s all on sale.
Pick your side.
Below you’ll find a quick rundown of my opinions on all the books I read today as well as a few panels, and the links to buy the comics. Remember, kids. The rule is for every negative, I have to write two positives.
This was surprisingly adorable and heart-warming. Traits I really don’t associate with the New 52 from this particular publisher. Revolving around Damian, Bruce, & Alfred this is a wonderful one-shot. For people looking for that glimmer of pre-reboot DC, this is for you.
Actual adult Bruce Wayne.
Well, this is Grant Morrison doing Grant Morrison things. I don’t think there’s been a moment of rest since this series began, but Morrison gets Damian and for that I’m thankful. Have some new Bat-Cat. And Bat-Cow. And Bat-Dog.
Following closely on the heels of the highly anticipated first issue, this book still remains intriguing. Learning about the volleyball work camps and the cutthroat world of corporate sponsorship was a bit of an exposition dump, but as always the art and colors (Doyle & Bellaire, respectively) remained ever-engaging. It felt like an exceptionally short issue. I do enjoy Mara’s pervasive sense of disgruntlement.
I think I figured it out. This book reminds me of every great Sorkin West Wing episode. It’s the cold open. I can’t, in recent memory, recall a comic that has ever used a cold open like this. (I suppose you can count the recent YA #1 as having a cold open, but I digress.) Hickman is producing theatre. He is on, arguably, the flagship Marvel title. This is a stage. The previous 3-issue first arc can even be viewed as a cold open. What I’m saying is that I really like it, and Hickman makes me want to punch myself in the face, he’s that good.
Natasha doesn’t have time for your jungle escapades, Jessica.
Thor is invited to any party I host, lbr.
I love this book. This is box of a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts book. There is nothing not short of fabulous. Greg Pak somehow fills this books with the best villainous tropes while keeping it fresh and original. Also, Paco Diaz can get it.
Mirrorball. Wedge. Boots.
Everyone go home.
24 pages. 2 complete and engaging stories. No one likes a showoff, Fraction. Just kidding, though. I loved it. This is a great example of micro-storytelling and keeping what’s essential in a book to make a great story.
Loved the art from Hamm and Lieber, and Hollingsworth always comes through and ties everything together with his muted palette.
Go away.
Apparently it’s a pre-requisite for Asgardian titles to just not give anything away. I have no idea where this book is going. At all. Still hanging in there, though. I do enjoy the Bayeux Tapestry feel to this opening page.
Go buy this. Go buy this now. I’ll wait. By far the most impressive title to come out of the Monkeybrain imprint so far, this book is just fantastic. The art is perfect for it’s slightly seedy setting, and the main characters are terribly enchanting, and I want to read more NOW. Did I mention it’s $.99?
Seriously, this is one of my favorite titles.
It’s a 4-book mini written by Scott Snyder.
Imagine Tony Stark as an Allan Quatermain/Indiana Jones crossover AU while still being 100% Tony Stark.
That’s what this book is. Go get it.
Plus intrepid-girl-reporter Pepper Potts.
This entire series will cost you less than a latte from Starbucks.
I’ve been meaning to start a brief word vomit of the books I’m reading each week, but I was going to wait until 2013 except I found myself with some spare time. My one caveat to this is if I mention something negative about a title, I will force myself to find and relate TWO positives about the comic. This is the beginning of a movement I’ll talk about more as we get get closer to 2013. I expect you all to hold me to this. Note: The titles below are in no specific order except for the order in which I read them.
While the cold open left me unsettled, I quickly gained my footing with the book. It’s an intriguing start to getting the band (more or less) back together. Very strong showing from Larroca, and I enjoyed the grittier coloring from D’Armata.
I really dug this. I went into the title with an open mind unlike possibly the rest of the internet. Surprisingly compelling (not a huge fan of teenage superkids) and with lovely art by Kev Walker, this looks to be a wonderfully self-contained story. While the the villain seems heavy-handed, it gels nicely overall.
Great. Great. Great. Despite the direness of the situation leading to the F4’s space field trip, this title is permeated with hope. Exceptionally engaging, and lovely overall. Fraction’s Reed is possibly my favorite thing.
Dire. Dire. Dire. “Hi. Come on in.”
I’ve been trying to think of the best way to describe this title since Bendis started it, but Kelly Sue has certainly cemented the tone of this ongoing: This is Marvel Adventures for Grown-Ups. Managing to maintain whimsical superhero fun with the gravitas of Avengers-level situations isn’t an easy task, but it’s happening and happening well. Another huge win for Caselli on art with this issue as well. Also, loved the bit with Carol and Steve. (Very much reminded me of Bruce’s “Can’t Fly” moment.) Comics should be fun. This is fun.
This is going to be long. I’m not even going to mention Greg Land. It’s a fool’s errand. I’ve been surprisingly mum about this ongoing since it began. Upon realizing I was being unfair to KG, and letting my love for Fraction/Larroca’s run color my views on a new creative team, I’ve reread these issues. There’s an archetype here. I forget where I read it, but in some interview Gillen compares Stark to a traditional armored knight. This is reading like a modern grail quest. If I had a white board, you can bet there’d be giant diagram of Joseph Campbell, comparative mythology, and Gillen’s current Iron Man plot. I want to believe.
Guilty-pleasure comic alert. I will read this until the day I die, and I don’t even LIKE the X-Men. Why? “A supremely powerful, death-dealing, Brood-possessed Acanti skywhale Xavier.” It’s fun. It’s slightly moody.
This feels like a swan song, and that makes me so sad. While I’m ready for the current story to wrap, I simply hate that Brubaker is leaving. It seems like he’s pulling out all the stops for this final push. Also this is some of the BEST sequential art this week. Guice conveys speed very well in this book, and Jordie Bellaire makes me want to be a better person. Colors, man. I can’t even.
I’m so completely charmed by this title. It’s interesting, self-contained Iron Man in the current Ultimate Comics landscape. Who woulda thought it? Also, Matteo Buffagni. Put this man on more books. This isn’t a deep book, but it’s thoroughly Stark.
Closing out a delightful and sub-texty arc, M&TSQ is fresh and a very welcome respite from superhero comics. Coupled with the same charm as the show, but with a bit more artistic freedom, I hope we see more in this spin-off from the main series.
Science!
There is no good way to describe this book. It’s exciting. It’s so NEW I want to weep. If Kanye West wrote a comic book while strung out on peyote and channeling Jorge Luis Borges, this would be it. Because goddamn it’s that good.
Now and going forward, these posts will be tagged with “comics report”, so Tumblr Savior them if you’d rather ignore these.
During the holiday season it might not be financially feasible to give EVERYONE a gift, but here’s a budget-conscious way of giving and personalizing gifts to many friends!
Pick a comic from comiXology and gift it to your friend or frenemy! Simple as that. Single issues range in price from $.99 to $3.99 depending on the title.
Why should I do this, Mandy?
- Mailing things is an absolute bitch. I loathe going to the post office/shipping centers this time of year. Also, it’s expensive.
- Save trees or something.
- I love giving personalized gifts. More importantly, I love saying YOU SHOULD READ THIS, and then giving them the book based on their interests.
- Boost sales on YOUR favorite title by gifting it to someone else!
How do I gift a comic?
- Create or sign into your comiXology account.
- Select the title you want to gift and then click the little present beside the buy option.
- Then you can checkout, business as usual, except you’ll be prompted to fill out a form so the comic can be sent to the lucky person of your choice. NOTE: You’ll need the recipient’s email address, so you know, get on that.
- You can also leave a personalized message. I like “hi haters”. Concise. Eloquent. Classy.
- Pay for it.
- Ya done good kid.
Free Comics To A Good Home:
To celebrate the holidays, comiXology is giving away a free comic a day for 12 days.
What does this mean?
- It’s free
- It’s a full-length comic
- It’s free
- Do I have to spell this out in a PowerPoint presentation?
- It’s free
What do you need?
- The internet
- A comiXology account
How do I get a comiXology account?
- Do I have to do everything?
- You can register here.
- If you have difficulties with your account, hit me up on @CMXSupport.
Okay, bye.
Note: Today’s 100% FREE comic is Avengers vs. X-Men #0!
Books of Note*
- First appearance of Miss America Chavez (Vengeance #1), soon to be featured in KG & McKelvie’s Young Avengers. Joe Casey on vocals with Nick Dragotta on art. Educate yourselves, etc.
- The Order. Look, you already know how I feel about Fraction. Don’t make me pull out my embarrassing pie charts and talk about my feelings. You can own the COMPLETE run for $10. Barry Kitson on art. Let it happen. For those playing along at home, this is where you start to see Fraction transforming Pepper into the force she is today.
- Thunderbolts. Uncle Warren sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. Just treat yo self, okay? This is something everyone needs to own and read. Thank me later.
*Sale ends at 11PM EST. Meaning you have basically a little over an hour to snatch and grab.
Continuing my “So you like (…)” series, today’s Marvel Monday sale features The Avengers. I’ve got several asks in my box right now, so this is your mass-answer!
If you’re looking for the most current and easily accessible jumping on points outside of Marvel NOW, comiXology just became your best friend. Keep in mind, this sale ends promptly at 11PM EST this evening.
Today’s sale is the beginning of Marvel’s Heroic Age. This is a post-Siege event showcasing heroes being heroes, and carries through right up against AvX. Firstly, I suggest you buy ALL of Avengers Vol. 4, New Avengers Vol. 2, and Secret Avengers, because at $.99 these are a STEAL, but for those looking to read on a budget, I’ll break it down nice and easy. Let’s do this.
Avengers Vol. 4
- #’s 1-6: Buy it. Read it. Bendis is a sneaky man. A chart on a fucking cave could possibly have everything to do with the new Ultron event.
- #’s 7-12: This is actually a decent refresher on what the Infinity Gems are, and might help you understand the next Avengers movie a bit more. Bonus Illuminati to prep you for the new team, and self-righteous Cap.
- # 18: Acuna. It’s really pretty.
- #’s 1-6: Immonen. Dr. Strange. Some sick inter-dimensional bullshit. Note: This arc completely sets up the endgame for New Avengers that’s happening right now.
- #’s 16-21: I can’t even. This is the way this book should always be. Imagine a Global Frequency/Avengers mashup. This is it. SIX SELF-CONTAINED ONE-SHOTS. Warren Ellis, let me love you. All you need to know is that this is pretty much the Black Ops/Wet Works team for the Avengers. Artists include: McKelvie, Aja, Maleev, & Immonen. It’s sublime and absurd, and everything this title should have ALWAYS been.
Also on sale is Avengers Academy #’s 1-28. If you’re a fan of superhero kids, go for it. I read the initial few arcs, but kid heroes and I don’t mix unless she goes by the name Nomad.
MB, out.
