THE $40 PULL LIST - MARCH 2008

[Craig Reade]

If this is your first time reading the $40 Pull List, I invite you to see how it works by checking out some of the previous month's editions (listed below). Those will give you a good idea of how the column works, and what you can expect month after month. If you are interested in the "rules" for the Pull-List, check out the very first column, the 01/07 edition. It isn't too complicated, though, so just dive right in if you don't feel like reading back issues! In addition, this column contains Spoilers, so if you are waiting for the trade, read at your own risk!

01/07 - 02/07 - 03/07 - 04/07 - 05/07 - 06/07 - 07/07 - 08/07 - 09/07 - 10/07 - 11/07 - 12/07 - 01/08 - 02/08


February was kind of a downer. While mainstays like Jonah Hex delivered, and Superman was shockingly good, there were some real disappointments. Which titles were duds? Well, you should know already, since you are religiously following the list, but if you don't - read on to find out!


FEBRUARY'S PICKS

Jonah Hex #28, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/06/08 ON TIME

A pretty darned good issue. Really dark, quite bloody, but a nice examination of Jonah Hex's complicated morals. The art was a definite step up from the previous issue - there were still some issues, but a few shining moments that really put Hex's monstrous face on display really made up for it. The way the issue dealt with homosexuality was well done - it seemed to fit the time well, and really handled the topic with a good sense of perspective.

Hex is on a roll again. Looking forward is issue #29!

Status: SAFE

The Twelve #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/06/08 ON TIME

This issue seemed like a step backwards. Of course, it makes sense that Straczynski would want to develop each of the characters, he is doing so in such a haphazard way that almost none of them has any real depth. They went from being shallow Golden Age stereotypes to shallow modern ones. All of the progress from last issue seemed to die as the story shifted to a totally different set of temporal refugees. There are some good plot threads here that I want to read more of - Rock Man being separated from his people (are they real? They must be), the Phantom Reporter and the Electro robot... I get the sense that that is a match made in heaven. But we only get a couple of panels on all of these, instead most of the issue is spent with the clichéd "hero lost in time assumes a black man is a criminal, and refuses to help the mixed couple after he realizes the truth" angle. Give me a break.

This is being billed as a "book-length thriller." That seems like an excuse for a lot of padding and some laborious exposition, something Straczynski has proven to be good at. Even the best novelist knows that you have to have something happen in the first couple chapters to hook the readers, and since the only thing of note that has happened in this series is the group waking up in the future - something we knew was going to happen anyway - this series is failing even as a graphic novel. And what was up with the Blue Blade's death? That whole scene at the beginning of the issue made no sense at all, and was promptly forgotten. Was it supposed to be foreshadowing? A plot progression, followed by an issue-long flashback? And why should I care about his murder, when he was presumed dead anyway, and we haven't really been introduced to him as a character anyway?

This issue proved a dire disappointment, and the way things are going, the series itself isn't going to be much better. Going to give it one more chance, but if the solicit is true, and we are going to see zombified versions of this cast, this title is going to be dropped in a second.

Status: SAFE

Annihilation: Conquest #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 02/13/08 RELEASED 02/06/08

Yikes. Hate to say it, but the issue can only be described as a nosedive. Not that the quality of the series as a whole is suddenly terrible, but absolutely nothing happened in this issue. Nothing at all. Well, there was a bit of bickering, and some whining, and a convenient introduction of a bit of deus ex machine (Sorry, the hidden army of sentinels that were conveniently isolated from everything is a little hard to swallow). Even the art seemed just a little off this issue.

Hopefully, this is just a rare blip, and things will improve a bit next issue.

Status: SAFE

Green Lantern Corps #21, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/13/08 ON TIME

Kripes - talk about a bad time to start this issue. A fill-in arc! And a particularly poor one at that. There was so little to enjoy about this issue. The story was uninspired, the characters were two-dimensional, and all of the book's classic cast were missing.

One more issue to this arc - it is probably best to hold off on that issue and start picking this title up again with issue #23.

Status: SAFE - HIATUS UNTIL ISSUE #23

Nova Annual #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/13/08 ON TIME

A nice homage to the cover of the first The Man Called Nova issue, a nice touch there.

This issue treated us to a retelling of Nova's origin - slightly updated for modern times, but a great recap nonetheless for those of you who haven't been following Nova since was back then. The bulk of the issue was a future what-if featuring a rebuild Nova Corps a few decades in the future, engaging the Phalanx in a final battle around their last stronghold - Earth. Finally, we get a lead-in to the next issue, with Nova battling a manifestation of the transmode virus within him. Great issue and an outstanding annual. Best read of the week bar-none.

Status: SAFE

Superman #673, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 02/13/08 ON TIME

The last issue was weak for logical reasons, but this one had to be the best Superman issue I have read in a long time. It had all the elements - Superman in danger, the normal human helping him to turn the table, and ultimately victory through a totally improbably but wholly Superman act. And a nice tug on the heartstrings at the end. An outstanding issue. If they keep up like this one, Superman will be on the list for a long time to come.

Status: SAFE

Ultimate Iron Man II #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/13/08 ON TIME

Another decent issue - and a far better example of how a novel-style story is supposed to work in a comic. Things happened! One weakness in this volume is that there really doesn't seem to be an overarching point. There is great character development, but it doesn't really seem like we are building to anything particular. I'll bet that at the end of the next issue, things are just going to end again, much like they did last time around. Decent content, but no payoff. May not be the best approach, but in an industry where the build is usually lacking, instead focusing on huge payoff "moments" instead of a good story, that is acceptable for a change. Should finish up fairly well.

Status: SAFE

Marvel Comics Presents #6, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/13/08 ON TIME

The first story in this month's issue was part 6 of the Vanguard story. We are finally starting to see a little more of the title group, but the twist that the story has suddenly taken really has put a damper on what came before. It is a little better in terms of a serial installment, which makes it a little more enjoyable, but the sudden twist is a bit jarring. The fact that we have another 6 months to go before this one wraps up makes things all the worse. Hopefully the individual parts continue to be decent reads - still doesn't mute the disappointment of the overall structure of this story.

The second part of the three part Savage Land story was another highlight. In usual 3 act format, this time the villains gained the upper hand, leaving us with a bit of a climax heading into the final part. Gage should be applauded for his work here - this is what every story in this comic should be like.

The Captain America story was solid - a little confusing though. In one swoop Venditta managed to pay homage to the US soldiers in WWII, while at the same time making them out to be demons. Why would they beat up an unarmed man like that - another American? Made no sense at all. The sneers and the ribbing -perfectly ok. The assault, however, killed all the good the story had to offer. Worth a read, but one flaw kept it from being a perfect story.

The Weapon Omega story showed a little improvement - finally. On the whole it rounded out a pretty solid issue.

Status: SAFE

Young Avengers Presents #2, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 02/27/08 ON TIME

To say this issue was a step up from the last one would be an enormous understatement. It didn't blow me away, but it was a solid one-shot story, and shed a lot of light on Hulkling's character. Not much to add to that really - just a huge relief that this issue wasn't quite so offensive as the last.

Status: SAFE

Teen Titans #56, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 02/27/08 ON TIME

"-- Devil. I'm Kid Devil." Kid Devil mopes. Ah, that opening sequence was classic. The whole issue was quite the riot. Sure, it might have seemed like a "Dump on Kid Devil" party, but it really brought out a lot of fun character traits of the whole team. Robin and Wonder Girl as the team's leaders - burdened more with responsibility (Thanks to their "seniors" likely), Ravager upset not that he threw a party, but did it when she wasn't there, and the Blue Beetle just laughing, a great scene. All to set up the temptation for a turn to the dark side - woven masterfully. McKeever is really on his game here. A month's too long to wait.

Status: SAFE

Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash #5, $2.99, DC/Wildstorm. Due out 02/27/08 ON TIME

Decent issue - really little to add beyond what I have talked about before. We are getting into the climax of the story, so all three are going at it pretty much non-stop at this point. A good, mindless read. Will be wrapping up next month.

Status: SAFE

Rex Libris #10, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due Out 01/30/08 RELEASED 02/27/08

Sad that this title comes out so infrequently - even sadder that it is coming to an end. Slave Labor is going all digital, and while there still may be some hope of that and trades, it isn't the same as getting the occasional comic issue.

It will be missed, though there is no harm in enjoying it while it lasts. And based on this issue, it will have a comfortable home here on the Pull List until the last issue comes.

Status: SAFE

LATE AND UNRELEASED ISSUES

Fear Agent: Hatchet Job #19 (#3), $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 01/30/08 DELAYED UNTIL 03/12/08

Delayed - again. This makes me sad. It would seem that the move to Dark Horse really hasn't done much to improve things where this title is concerned. At least they are being up front with the updated release dates. I would imagine #20 will see a delay too, sadly.

TITLES CARRYING OVER

Jonah Hex #29, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/05/08
The Twelve #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/05/08
Annihilation: Conquest #5, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 03/12/08
Marvel Comics Presents #7, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/12/08
Superman #674, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 03/12/08
Nova #11, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/12/08
Fear Agent: Hatchet Job #19 (#3), $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 01/30/08 DELAYED UNTIL 03/12/08
Ultimate Iron Man II #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/26/08
Young Avengers Presents #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/26/08
Teen Titans #57, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/26/08
Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash #6, $2.99, DC/Wildstorm. Due out 03/26/08
Fear Agent: Hatchet Job #20 (#4), $2.99, Dark Horse. Due Out 03/26/08
Green Lantern Corps #23, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/09/08
Rex Libris #11, $2.95, Slave Labor. Due Out 04/08

New Titles

DC Special: Raven #1 (of 5), $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/05/08

OK, so this makes the list a little Teen Titans heavy, but it isn't like she is a part of the current ongoing title, so why not? Plus it is Marv Wolfman, so if anyone is going to turn out a good Raven mini, it is him. Should be a solid series.

MARCH TOTAL: $39.87

Budget = $40.00 + $3.22 (Fear Agent #19) + $.40 (Bank) = $43.62

$43.62 (Budget) - $39.87 (March issues) - $3.09 (tax) = $.66 banked for April

Here is this month's Pull-List to print out and bring with you to the store: Here you go! Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the file, as always. If you don't have it, you can download the latest version for free at Adobe.com.

[virtuadept]

Totally disagree with you on GLC and on The Twelve. I am loving both of those stories so far.

The Alpha Lantern one is pretty important to the overall GL story since it's detailing more about the "rewritten book of OA" and how the Guardians are radically changing the GLC in (over?) reaction to the Sinestro Corps War. So I really disagree with it being called filler. My only gripe about this arc is that I don't really know the character that well so there is less impact for me that someone who supposedly was once this emotional GL is now this robotic AL.

And I think The Twelve did a good job of showing that these "golden age heroes" are flawed and not an ideal choice for revitalizing public trust in superheroes as the army brass thinks they are. This is exactly what I was hoping for with this series. Showing that beneath the "golden" glory of these "men of mystery" was a dark side.

[WhereIsTony]

wow no drops this month, guess it makes sense overtime the list would stabilize

[Craig Reade]

Yeah - yeah it does. Though we are skipping this month's Green Lantern Corps, so that could be considered a mini-drop.

And it seems I have been tending more towards minis as well, so a couple more should drop off next month as well.

[Terry Verticchio]

So Craig, what did you think of Raven?

[Craig Reade]

Originally Posted by Terry Verticchio

So Craig, what did you think of Raven?

I dunno - you might have to wait until next month :P