Top comics for June 26th 2013

As you can probably tell from the title, in this feature I spotlight some of the top and most recommendable comic books out this week. I didn't write an article for last week's comics because I was away for five days but it's back this week and there are some great comics out!

Batman/Superman #1

A book that focuses on both Batman and Superman. Not only that, but their first adventures together as superheroes. I think DC have pretty much secured a slot on a lot of people's pull lists this week. As well as having two hugely popular characters as the stars of one book, this book also has two great creators, writer Greg Pak and artist Jae Lee. Greg Pak is clearly getting more important over at DC considering this series and the fact that he's recently been announced as the new full-time writer for
DC Comics' "Action Comics", and from what I've read of his work, he's pretty good, you'll probably know his work from Marvel's "Planet Hulk", which is one of my favourite comic book stories of all time. Then onto Jae Lee, who is a fantastic artist. He has a truly unique style of art and some of the preview pages are just unbelievable, definitely a treat for the eyes. I really recommend this book, it's set to be brilliant.

The Flash #21

It's the first meeting of Barry Allen and Bart Allen ( Obviously, The Flash and Kid Flash ). It's quite hard to believe that it's been twenty-one months since the last meeting between Barry and Bart and it's something I've been eagerly anticipating for that entire time. The Flash family are some of my favourite characters in comic books, Bart being my favourite of them all. It's going to be great to see the Flash meet his 31st century grand-son for the first time in the New 52! Also, this issue is by the double-team of Brian Buccellato of Francis Manapul who are a great pair on this series. Francis Manapul's art on this series has been amazing, with all of his issue blowing me away and this new arc with the Reverse-Flash really has me interested.


The Green Team: Teen Trillionares #2

This is a series that got off to a great start last month and I'm really looking forward to seeing the team of Art Baltazar, Franco and Ig Guara have in store for us this issue! The first issue took a really unexpected turn towards the end of the leader of these rich kids taking on a super-villain. If that doesn't sound good to you, it's probably just my explanation of it, I had to explain it quickly. Seriously, if you're familiar with any of Art Baltazar and Franco's work ( Such as, Tiny Titans, Superman Family adventures ) you'll know this series is a must-buy. And on the topic of the art, I really wasn't a fan of Ig Guara's art until I read the last issue, it really turned around my opinion of his work and I really liked what I saw.

Hawkeye #11

Onto the final pick for this week, Hawkeye. Oh, god, Hawkeye. This series is just... it's honestly too good for anything I say ton do it justice, but I'll have a shot. This series is pretty much the best on the shelves, it's certainly the best thing I've read from Marvel recently. Matt Fraction is a genius, this book is so witty and fun but it really makes you feel for the characters too. He is just a brilliant writer and he's come up with a brilliant concept for this book, something used in no other comic books right now. Then there's the art. The beautiful, wonderful art. David Aja and Matt Hollingsworth are the comic book art team right now, with such a unique style. I honestly can't describe it, but there's just something amazing about it. Anyway, enough about the series! Onto this issue! If all of that stuff about the creative team hasn't got you on board for this, here's something that definitely will. This entire issue is focused on Hawkeye's pet, Pizza-Dog. The entire comic, about his pizza loving dog. You know the creative team are doing a good job when they're aloud to do this. This is my top pick, and the comic I'm most looking forward to this week. If you can only buy one comic, make it Hawkeye!


So, those are my recommendations for tomorrow, hope you try them out!

Hawkeye #11, "Pizza is my buisness", gets a coloured preview!

Recently I talked about the Black and White preview for Hawkeye #11 by Matt Fraction, David Aja and Matt Hollingsworth ( if not, you can check it out HERE ), I was pretty excited by that, this issue is completely focused on Hawkeye's Pizza-loving dog, Pizza-Dog! Well now there's more, a coloured preview with an extra page!

Here it is:

The preview last preview was a few pages longer, without colour or that final page, check that one out HERE.

(Source: Comics Alliance)

Hawkeye #11 is released on June 26th, written by Matt Fraction, pencils by David Aja with colours by Matt Hollingsworth.

Review: The Wake #1

I've never really read a book not part of mainstream DC Comics or Marvel, I've picked up a few Image titles but so far I've pretty much stuck to the mainstream of the Big Two, but I decided to give the Wake a shot because I'd heard a lot of excitement about it. I'm really glad I did!

One of the reasons I decided to pick up this first issue was Scott Snyder. You'll probably know him from his current run on Batman which has been pretty consistently great. I went into the book with pretty high expectations and I wasn't disappointed! Snyder's come up with an interesting premise for the series which really gripped me and I can't wait to read some more of it!

It's a really odd sort of  book but it really works well! There are a lot of interesting characters and it's really not what I'd expected! The story pretty much resolves around the sea, or specifically, what's underneath it. We get hints towards weird creatures and the first scene of the book takes place two hundred years after the main story and that aspect of the issue really grabs you.

Now onto the art. The artist for this series is Sean Gordon Murphy who you most likely know from his own series, Punk Rock Jesus. This is the first time I've seen his work and I was really impressed. There are some beautiful pages in this issue, specifically, the fourth page ( which I can't really describe without spoilers ) and pages thirteen to fourteen, set above Alaska's south slope. The entire issue has amazing art throughout but those three pages really stand out for me.

Another point on the art, the colours. The colourist for this series is Matt Hollingsworth, and he's one of the best parts of the current Hawkeye series from Marvel. Any book he seems to be on is improved by far with his colours and it was really amazing in this issue. Sean Gordon Murphy and Matt Hollingsworth are one of the best art teams in comics right now!

The Wake is a fascinating and intriguing comic with one of the greatest creative teams in comics! A real highlight in the comics world and a true must-read!

Rating: 10/10!

Preview for Hawkeye 11, "Pizza is my buisness", released.

When I first started reading Matt Fraction and David Aja's Hawkeye series ( with Matt Hollingsworth on colours ) I'd already seen endless good reviews and I'd never actually heard of anybody who hadn't liked it. This along with all the scans and pages posted on comic sites convinced me to go and buy my first issue of the series, issue 9. I've now decided to be a regular reader and I'm going back and getting all the issues I've missed. It's one of the best books out there at the moment, seriously, it's a charming and witty series with great writing and amazing art.

Hawkeye #8, Maybe it's the hat? Or the hair?



Cheer up, Pizza Dog.

Now, before I started reading this series one thing really jumped out at me from the articles I'd read on it. Pizza Dog. In case you don't know, Clint "Hawkeye" Barton saved a pizza-loving dog from the tracksuit mafia. Really, A superhero who owns a dog who loves pizza. Take that, Green Arrow!


Anyway, what I'm building to here is, this issue is completely focused on Pizza Dog. A whole 20 page comic focused on Hawkeye's pizza-eating dog who's investigating a murder. Wow. Just...Wow.

Here's a few preview pages ( originally from Comic Book Resources . Head over to their preview for the last page )

 

 

 

Hawkeye #11, "Pizza is my business", by Matt Fraction, David Aja and Matt Hollingsworth is released on June 26th. It's the craziest and greatest idea for a comic ever.