Posts Tagged ‘ Pull list ’

Lots of things coming out of SDCC this weekend – not least of which was the Don Cheadle-less Avengers assembling – but this week, the comics ship again and life goes on. So…

Action Comics #891 – I’m not entirely sold on Paul Cornell’s take on Lex Luthor. A Lois sexbot? Taking time to decide whether to kill an employee who attacked him? Neither of these ring quite true to me. That said, good to see Lex back in charge of LexCorp as I always preferred businessman Lex to mad power suit Lex. Also, I’m sticking around for the Jimmy Olsen co-feature.

Deadpool Team-Up #891 – I…oh, screw it. It’s entertaining, okay?

Fantastic Four #581 – Probably. The fact that I’m *this* close to dropping this due to the writing makes me really sad. I mean, I’ve sat through bad runs before, but the fact that not one thing about this run feels right is incredibly disappointing.

Hulk: Fall Of The Hulks – Red Hulk TP – As with all trades, this won’t be arriving this week since the direct market is generally a week ahead of Amazon but I’m looking forward to starting in with the whole Fall of the Hulks thing. Only problem is that the rest of the Fall of the Hulk tpbs of Hulk,Incredible Hulk and Savage She-Hulks aren’t coming for a few months so I think this may be wasted on me.

X-Men Dark Phoenix Saga HC – The classic storyline collected in one of Marvel’s awesome oversize hardcovers. Uncanny X-Men #129-138, plus Classic X-Men #43 (presumably the back-up), Bizarre Adventures #27, the Phoenix: The Untold Story one-shot, and What If? #27. That’s a pretty comprehensive package but at $75 retail (much cheaper on Amazon, of course) it’s a little steep. Still, the regular tpb collecting just #129-137 is still available much cheaper.

Off-tangent a bit, but judging from Amazon’s usual early posting of upcoming trades, it looks like that collection of Waid/Kubert’s Ka-Zar run that I wrote about wanting a few weeks ago is starting to be collected soon. Oh, the power I wield…

Only two comics this week as the ever-shrinking Pull List gets smaller still – it makes me think I should change this to include trades, even though I get them a week later (at least) due to Amazon releases.

Supergirl #54 – If you’d have said three years ago that Supergirl would be one of the only books I was still picking up on a monthly basis, I would have laughed at you. Now, though, it’s one of the ones I look forward to most. Strong writing, good art and good characterization that make me stay even through the missteps (yes, Insect Queen Lana, I’m looking at you).

Amazing Spider-Man #638 – The Grim Hunt was one of the strongest Spidey-arcs in years, and the culmination of a good run of stories as part of the Gauntlet, even if some of them were a bit superfluous. This issue, it’s the start of the four issue One Moment in Time that reveals what went down with the wedding that didn’t happen, not to mention what Mary Jane whispered to Mephisto. Looking forward to it!

A small week this week (although these days they’re all small weeks) with only three comics being picked up…

Batgirl #12 – Still fun, still optimistic. Still one of the few DC’s picked up monthly.

Superman #701 – The last time I missed an issue of Superman it was still called Adventures of Superman, and I dropped it for three whole issues – from #570-572, cover dated September – November, 1999. Over ten years out the door. I went into what I think about the new direction in detail before, and my feelings haven’t changed.

Amazing Spider-Man #637 – The Gauntlet has been really strong, and this is one of those times where I’m actually disappointed that a story isn’t six issues long – because after the last three issues, to have all the loose ends tied up in this one issue makes it feel like it’s going to be crammed.

Gorilla Man #1 – Oh, I’ll be getting this in trade, don’t you worry.

Spectacular Spider-Girl #3 – Spider-Girl’s swansong continues. I was there at the start, and I’m here at the end – I just missed a lot of the middle, although I am catching up in the great digest format.

Hope everyone had a nice long holiday weekend. This week’s books are a day late…

Red Robin #14 – Still my favorite DC book, and one of the very few I’m still picking up monthly, which I guess says something.

Amazing Spider-Man #636 – Last issue was brutal. Looking forward to this.

Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #1 – I have a feeling my inner continuity nerd may sleep better not reading this as it comes out.

Darkstar and the Winter Guard #2 – If you missed last issue, you missed Gorilla Man throwing Ursa Major in a fastball special. A GORILLA THROWING A BEAR. AT AN ATLANTEAN WARLORD. Read this.

Fantastic Four Annual #32 – Hopefully better than the regular book has been lately.

Shadowland #1 – I’m interested in this but as I haven’t been following Daredevil in a while, and I’m behind on the trades, I’ll wait for the trade.

Spider-Man/Fantastic Four #1 – I enjoyed the previous mini by Gage and Alberti that centered on the X-Men and Spidey, but I may pass on this for the trade. Maybe.

X-Men #1 – Last week’s Death of Dracula was tightly written and beautifully illustrated, setting up the new Marvel Vampireverse (there’s an imprint waiting to happen) rather well, what with different clans and dueling sons of Dracula. Recommended. That said, I’m probably going to trade wait this along with my other X-books. Then again, with Deadpool Merc With A Mouth ending, I am missing my monthly Gischler fix…

Young Allies #2 – Torn on whether to continue picking this up monthly or switch to trades. I personally feel that Toro’s backstory is a little extreme for a book that could otherwise be nicely marketed to kids, especially if it leads to the revelation that his sister was sold into sex slavery as I suspect it may do. On the other hand, the Bastards of Evil is a great name, even if the idea that there are sixteen year- olds with the superpowers of their super-villain parents screws up the general Marvel 10 year sliding timescale.

Also, just for shits and giggles I may pick up Brigade #1. The original series was always the red-headed stepchild of Image’s Liefeld-driven line (and that’s saying something), but I always kind of liked it.

I know. I’m indefensible sometimes.

Alright, a few issues this week…

Action Comics #890 – I’m not 100% sold on this but I’m interested enough – and I have enough faith in Paul Cornell – to give this a try. That said, there had better be a damn good reason Lois Lane is blithely standing by while Lex Luthor orders people killed.

Teen Titans 84 – Still a car wreck. Still reading it anyway.

Wonder Woman #600 – Maybe if only to see how JMS is taking Wonder Woman off the board so he can play with her all on his own. Still bitter about Superman? Yes I am.

Deadpool Team-Up #892 – Stupid but fun. Plus Satanna.

Death Of Dracula #1 – May get this – I enjoy Victor Gischler’s stuff and I’m actually pretty interested by the upcoming vampire infestation of the MU.

Turf #2 – I meant to do a post on why you should be reading this – but you should be, just trust me. Victorian England. Vampires. Aliens. Good stuff.

A much bigger week than most have been recently, but once again, there are some last issues in there too.

Justice League: The Rise of Arsenal #4 – This has got a lot of heat for last issue, which I kind of enjoyed actually. I’m saving my thoughts on the thing until the end of the series – but it hasn’t ended up heading where I expected which is actually a good thing.

Supergirl #53 – Of all the Supercharacters, it’s Supergirl who’s been changed the most by the whole New Krypton storyline. I’ll be interested to see where she goes from here.

Superman #700 – Potentially my last issue, since the more I read about JMS’ upcoming run, the more I’m reminded of ‘For Tomorrow‘.

Amazing Spider-Man #635 – The Grim Hunt kicked off…well, pretty grimly, with the literal sacrifice of a relatively long-standing member of the Spider-cast. Granted, not a member who got much play at all, and a member who was pretty much forgotten for a long time, but still. I hope that her death at least is shown to affect JJJ. Promising.

Fantastic Four #580 – My dissatisfaction with the FF at the moment is reaching breaking point. I have a run back to Byrne – which means, yes, even through that godawful dream FF storyline, but this could be it for me.

Namora #1 – Maybe; I’ve picked up a few of these Women of Marvel one-shots and they’ve ranged from pretty good to pretty mediocre. I like Namora as a character a lot, but I’m sure this will end up in an Atlas tpb so it may be worth waiting for.

And you know what? I may get Sea Bear & Grizzly Shark #1 just because, goddammit, that’s what comics should be about.

A slightly bigger week this week than last week’s two book extravaganza…but not by much.

Birds of Prey #2 – I enjoyed the first issue, but the way I’m feeling about comics right now I have no compunction dropping it for trades. Oh, and White Canary? Totally Cassandra Cain.

Amazing Spider-Man #633..and #634 – Two issues in the same week? Shed’s been much better than I thought it would be (although the Lizard with hair? Really?) but as much as I like Emma Rios’ work, it would have felt a lot smoother if Bachalo had managed to do the whole arc. In #634, the Gauntlet finally enters its endgame as the Kravens make their move in the Grim Hunt. Hey, remember that other son of Kraven, the Grim Hunter, who lasted about three issues before being killed by Kaine? Why do I think it might be him returning and not the original Kraven

Amazing Spider-Man Presents Black Cat #1 – Ah Felicia. I love ya, but one for the trades,

Deadpool #24 – I know. I know.

Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #12 – The penultimate issue (sniff) as Deadpool and pals try to escape the Marvel Zombieverse.

New Avengers #1 – Trades!

Web of Spider-Man #9 – I love the anthology style of this book but given recent track records with non-core Spidey books, I’ll be surprised if it lasts past #12. If we’re obliged to get another Spidey book outside of Amazing, could we get Marvel Team-Up back, please? It’s not like Deadpool Team-Up’s going to be around much longer.

Comics are on Thursday as today’s Memorial Day – but is it worth me actually going to the store? Of course it is!

Adventure Comics #12 – And I’m done. Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes? Maybe in trade.

Red Robin #13 – Fabian Nicieza jumps on board and Tim is still my second favorite DC character.

Avengers: Prime #1 – In trade in a year’s time.

Darkstar and the Winter Guard #1 – Getting this out of principle; first to support the creators, and second because I already know it’s awesome.

Hawkeye and Mockingbird #1 – Looking forward to picking this up in trade, but as with so many things these days, singles are out.

Heralds #1 – Ditto for this, although I’m not really sure what its about anyway, other than female superheroes team up.

Spectacular Spider-Girl #2 – Picking this up to support the book even this feels like the death rattle of the MC2 Universe.

The Thanos Imperative #1 – Still looking forward to the nice big hardcover collection in six months time…

Two books? Two books.

Two books.

Man, this switching to trades thing is really going to happen, huh?

Age of Heroes #1 – An anthology mini would normally be right up my street but I think I’ll pass – after all, I’m being strong, MI:13 or no MI:13.

Atlas #1 – I felt the first series got bogged down in its own mythology somewhat but still willing to give the first trade of this a try.

Avengers #1 – I’m sticking to my decision: the Avengers are moving to trade.

Avengers Assemble #1 – Proctor? They’re including a profile on Proctor? That alone is almost enough to make me pick this up. Almost.

Deadpool #23 – Of course, if I’m only picking up two books, one of them would be a Deapool one wouldn’t it? Feel free to mock the afflicted…

Enter the Heroic Age #1 – If there’s a story that leads into a series I aim to pick up in trade, it’ll end up in that trade, so why bother picking this up?

The Legion of Super-Heroes #1 – Sorry, not my Legion. I still miss the post-Zero Hour team.

Superman: War of the Supermen #3 – I’m surprised just how much I enjoyed the first two issues of this. Not sure all the strands from the past few years can be wrapped up in the next two issues, but we’ll see.

Zatanna #1 – Dini has really let me down with his recent work. If this gets good reviews I may try the first trade.

I think I’m going to skip going to the comic store this week and just pick these up next week which promises to be a little fuller.

This week’s pull list is full of last issues and dropped books –

Adventure Comics #11 – Wrapping up Mon-El’s story, which seems to have gotten off-track a bit. I get the impression that Mon-El was originally meant to stick around for a while but the powers that be got cold feet about having a second Superman-type running around. Probably my last issue of the book, too, since I think next issue returns it to its Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes roots.

Batgirl #10 – Still one of the most fun DC books out there – and that’s exactly what I’m looking for these days.

Birds of Prey #1 – Maybe. In the midst of all these books I’m dropping I’m reluctant to add one. If I don’t pick it up I’ll definitely get the trade when it comes out in 2013.

Booster Gold #32 – And I’m done. Love the character but I’m switching to trades with the creative switch because…

Justice League: Generation Lost #1 …I’m getting this in trades too.

Superman: War of the Supermen #2 – I enjoyed the first issue much more than I expected. Well, as much as you can enjoy the near-genocide of the Kryptonian race at the hands of Lois Lane’s father.

Amazing Spider-Man #631 – Enjoyed the first part of ‘Shed’ but I have to say that so far it’s pretty much like every other Lizard story I’ve ever read. Connors trying to control Lizard. Connors trying to be good dad to Billy, failing. Connors get angry. Lizard come out.

Avengers: The Initiative #35 – The last issue of what, against all odds, became my favorite Avengers book being published these past three years. I hope some of the older recruits we haven’t seen in a while pop up again in Avengers Academy, and I really want a Taskmaster/Constrictor/Diamondback team-up book.

Dark Avengers #16 – Last issue of a book that felt like Thunderbolts and had touches of being very, very good before it got derailed by the Sentry.

Deadpool Team-Up #893 – Okay, thought this was out last week but my comment stands. Captain Britain. Deadpool. Yes.

New Avengers Finale #1 – You know, at least Avengers Finale had the decency to say good bye to the Avengers and feel like the end of an era. Having New Avengers Finale to wrap up the over-extended Hood storyline prior to relaunching New Avengers as pretty much the same thing seems kind of cheap. I don’t get the feeling this is the end of an era, just more of the same.

Siege #4 – I’d have enjoyed this a lot more if the nerds Osborn wasn’t dealt with quickly in #3 and Dark Willow the Void hadn’t been revealed to be the real big bad. Why? Because I honestly believe at this point that the Sentry may be the worst thing to happen to Marvel in the past ten years.

Web of Spider-Man #8 – These off-center Spidey books haven’t really worked since BND. I don’t think the focus or direction is quite there. We’ll see if the latest revamp is any different.

Here we go…

Red Robin #12 – The end of the first year, and the last issue before Fabian Nicieza takes over the book. Still a great read, and Tim Drake remains one of the best characters in the DCU.

War of the Supermen #1 – I was looking forward to this but after the lackluster Last Stand of New Krypton I have my reservations. At least its going to be over pretty quickly.

Amazing Spider-Man #630 – The much-hyped return of the Lizard begins.

Deadpool Team-Up #893 – Captain Britain and Deadpool? Oh yes!

Spectacular Spider-Girl #1 – I was going to pass over this, but as its now been reduced to a mini to gauge sales I’m going to pick it up. It’s a good book, always has been, and the way that it gets bounced around makes me feel bad for all its fans.

The Many Loves of the Amazing Spider-Man #1 – I’ll be picking this up. Look, its Spidey.

Buffy #35 – Last issue was terrible, but there’s not too many left so I’m sticking with it. Also, great cover.

It’s a big week after a few nice sedate ones – but once again there’s a few last issues for me…

Action Comics #889 – Flamebird and Nightwing’s story finally grinds to a finish and it feels like its been a while coming.

Green Lantern Corps #47 – I’m done with this on a monthly basis, just like the main title. Trades ahoy!

Justice League: The Rise of Arsenal #2 – I probably should have picked this up in trade too, but I’ve always liked Roy, even if he’s been inconsistently portrayed the past fifteen years or more.

Superman #699 and Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton #3 – I’ve decided that this whole storyline was at least three issues too long in total. And it’ll probably be split over two trades in a year’s time, knowing DC.

Amazing Spider-Man #629 – The conclusion of the Stern/Weeks Juggernaut/Captain Universe story – enjoyable but the return I really want Stern working on is the Hobgoblin’s.

Captain America #605 – My final issue before the jump to trades. Great book, but it’ll read so much better in trades.

Deadpool #22 – You know the drill

Fantastic Four #578 – Grumble grumble. Probably time for yet another city to be discovered.

Mighty Avengers #36 – Final issue! I really hope last issue’s final reveal heralds a return, but I have my doubts.

New Avengers #64 – Final issue! Well, I think it is, anyway. Not that it’ll wrap anything up.

Again, following up on last month’s look at the solicits – this time from Marvel. Last month I was left with eleven books – Amazing Spider-Man (which counts for three of them), Web of Spider-Man, Captain America, Fantastic Four, Young Allies, Deadpool, Deadpool Merc With A Mouth and Deadpool Team-Up. Okay, twelve if you count Darkstar and the Winter Guard.

I’m going to trim that back by one book retroactively – I’m dropping Captain America once the current storyline’s run. I just think that this is yet another book which will read better in trade. It’s a bit of a jolt, but I’m done.

In July, Merc with a Mouth puts out its final issue but otherwise, things go on pretty much as usual. There’s only a few new series worth noting for me; Avengers: The Children’s Crusade but given the delays on the first volume of Young Avengers I figure I’ll be better waiting for the trade – and the continuity issues will probably bother me less then.

Similarly, I’m sure Gorilla Man will end up collected in short order, probably with the prior month’s Namora one-shot and maybe the current Uranian series.

I have to admit, I’m sorely tempted by the Death of Dracula and the new Victor Gischler-penned X-Men series – partly because I’ve become a real fan of his work these past few months and partly because it sounds so ridiculous it just might be fun – so maybe, maybe, I’ll be adding that to my list too. We’ll see.

On the trade side, Marvel a slamming it out – I’ll probably get the Thor by JMS HC (which I originally thought was this when I preordered, but it probably isn’t), and I’ve already ordered the Marvels Project HC, the Realm of Kings HC and the Agents of Atlas Vs HC. On the Siege front I’ve pre-ordered the Siege: Battlefield HC and I may get the Siege: X-Men HC.

There are two other books I wish I could justify – namely the X-Men Dark Phoenix Saga HC and Squadron Supreme Omnibus, but as I own the majority of the original issues already I just can’t see myself dropping that amount of money on them. Ah well.

The big cull really kicks off now that Blackest Night’s over, but only a couple of casualties this week….

Green Lantern #53 – …and this is the first. As much as I enjoy the GL books and this GL book in particular, I don’t get the desire to read them every month that I used to. See ya in the trades or back issue bins…

Justice League of America #44 – And again. In spite of enjoying Robinson’s League in spite of myself, there’s a good chance that this will be less choppy in trades. Then again, that big new line up that was touted has fallen apart already. Starfire’s off to R.E.B.E.L.S., Cyborg’s off working on Roy Harper and Red Tornado, Mon-El’s gone (to be replaced by Supergirl), Green Arrow’s gone due to Rise and Fall, I don’t think we’ve seen Atom at all, and Guardian and Dr Light seem similarly AWOL. Man, when editorial get you by the short and curlies, they don’t mind pulling hard, do they?

Supergirl #52 – I’m staying with this though. As lackluster as Last Stand of New Krypton has turned out to be, I’m still digging this book, and I’m looking forward to a fresh start post-War of the Supermen.

Amazing Spider-Man #628 – Captain Universe just bounced Juggernaut and Spidey wants to to stop him finishing him off. What could possibly go wrong?

Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #11 – You know I love this book. Just accept it and buy it!

Firestar #1 – What, me, have a crush on a fictional character since I was a kid! That’s ridiculous!

Guardians of the Galaxy #25 – Last issue before the Thanos Imperative hits and it goes on hiatus (allegedly).

Hercules: Fall of an Avenger #2 – And so ends my run on Hercules. Funny though, Pak mentioned the Amadeus Cho: Prince of Power series as a mini at C2E2 this weekend and I could have sworn that it was originally meant to be ongoing.

Nova #36 – Again, the last issue before hiatus. With Nova showing up back on earth as a Secret Avenger, I’m not sure this is coming back…

Well, this is interesting. One of those weeks with lots of #1s…and very little I’m definitely picking up…

Avengers: The Origin #1 – You know, I love the original Avengers. I enjoyed the hell out of Joe Casey’s Earth Mightiest Heroes books. I even have the Avengers #1/2 issue that came out from Wizard a few years back. So I’m left asking myself: what else about the origin of the Avengers could we possibly be told? Maybe in trades, maybe in back issues – but I’ll pass.

Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of our Fathers #1 – Not picking this up, but just bemoaning the use of ‘Flags of our Fathers’ – I had a story idea involving Joey Chapman’s and Brian Braddock’s fathers (Union Jack and Captain Britain) and the Liverpool chapter of the Hellfire Club back in the 70s. Social unrest, class distinction, that kind of thing. Not that it would ever see light. Ah well.

Deadpool & Cable #25 – Maybe. But probably not. I like the idea of the old partnership being renewed one last time in Cable‘s final issue, and I always thought that the story of how Cable got Hope out of the big massacre at the start of Messiah Complex was worth telling. Still, I may just pick up the trade.

Deadpool Corps #1 – Trades!

New Avengers: Luke Cage #1 – I like Luke. I like Eric Canete’s art. Oddly, though, I can’t think of a worse combination.

S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 – I’ve pissed and moaned about Hickman’s Secret Warriors and his Fantastic Four, so no, I’m not picking this up. He has great ideas but the execution never pulls it off for me. Additionally, I have no need to see the Marvel Universe’s version of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen pulling together SHIELD.

Spider-Man:Fever #1 – This looks awesome, but in line with my policy of trying not to pick up minis…I’m trying not to pick up minis. As a result, I’m passing for now.

The Flash: Secret Files and Origins 2010 #1 – Maybe. I love these books so I may pick it up…but as I’m not planning to pick up the Flash book itself, should I bother? We’ll see.

Red Robin #11 – Finally, something I’m definitely getting! I still think Tim Drake’s one of the better characters in the DCU (and probably in my top three favorites there), so this is staying on the pull list.

Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton #2 – This isn’t a bad crossover, but I could do with less splash pages of the Legion shouting that they’re getting back in the fight and flying off heroically.

Buffy #34 – Lord I wish I’d quit this book years ago and started picking it up in trades, but I suppose it’s too late for that now.

I didn’t get to the comics store last week – but chances are good that I’ll be picking these up this week…

Adventure Comics #9 – Continuing Last Stand of New Krypton – which has, so far, been pretty enjoyable. Still not entirely sold on this Legion, but I guess it doesn’t matter much at this point.

Blackest Night #8 – The End.

Justice League of America #43 – The Fall of Green Arrow continues into the JLA. Still enjoying this but I can’t really explain why.

Teen Titans #81 – Ditto. Not particularly good but oddly readable. So kind of like a car crash – you want to look away but you can’t.

Amazing Spider-Man #627 – Roger Stern and the Juggernaut. And Lee Weeks, too. Looking forward to this more than I am Blackest Night this week.

Cloak and Dagger #1 – My favorite two-person team in the MU (sorry, Daughters of the Dragon) illustrated by Mark Brooks, who was born to draw them? Oh hell yes. Still sorry that Valerie D’Orazio’s take on the pair seems to have been shelved but any page time for these two is good page time in my book!

Fantastic Four #577 – I’m more and more dissatisfied with Jonathan Hickman’s run on the book. While I think he really gets the core of the book, I’m not a fan at all of his writing technique. Recap pages at the end of stories, rushed conclusions and moments of very sloppy characterization all mar what is otherwise a well-conceived run.

After yesterday’s look at the state of my DC pulls, it’s Marvel’s turn, what with the new solicits being up and all.

And the grand total of ongoing titles I’ll be picking up is…EIGHT – another incredibly low number for me. One of them is Amazing Spider-Man though, so I guess that counts as three which makes eleven titles, the others being Web of Spider-Man, Captain America, Fantastic Four, Young Allies, Deadpool, Deadpool Merc With A Mouth (ending in July) and Deadpool Team-Up.

There’s probably another post or two about my current Deadpool obsession, but at least I’m picking up Deadpool Corps in trade, okay?

So what happened to all the rest of the Marvel Universe?

Well my X-Men withdrawal is pretty well documented, but what I haven’t really mentioned before is that I’m out of the Avengers once everything comes to an end with Siege. It’s a tough decision for me, too, since Avengers has for a long time been hands down my favorite team book out there – and the Stern/Buscema reprints of the Sanctuary II saga and tie-ins to Secret Wars II in the UK weekly are what converted me to US comics in the first place.

But I’ve finally come round to the fact that these Avengers aren’t my Avengers. I’ve been dissatisfied with New Avengers for a while now as it limped from event to event; Mighty Avengers is ending; Dark Avengers was never going to last and just felt like Thunderbolts anyway, and Avengers The Initiative is done too. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll probably be picking up the trades but monthly-wise, I’m done.

Then there’s the cosmic books. With Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy both going on hiatus for the duration of The Thanos Imperative, I think I’ll move to trades for them too – and the big hardcover collections of the cosmic crossovers have been pretty impressive, so I’ll be getting the Thanos story in that format.

I’m waiting patiently for a great big Fall of the Hulks hardcover to be solicited containing the entire thing, so I’m not following the Hulk books right now, even if I’ve grown quite fond of Llyra in her appearances so far.

I was disappointed in the conclusion of Incredible Hercules – the Assault on New Olympus storyline felt rushed and packed with too many incidental characters that weren’t needed or didn’t add anything. I don’t believe Hercules to be gone for good, of course, but I don’t feel the need to follow Amadeus Cho into his own Prince of Power series, at least not in monthly installments.

Similarly, the relaunched Atlas holds limited appeal monthly as I found the last series read better when I read a few issues together. I haven’t picked up Thor since this volume began (but have already pre-ordered the JMS omnibus), and I won’t be starting now. I like Black Widow a lot, and I’m intrigued by her ongoing but, again, it’s a trades issue for me; same with the new iteration of Thunderbolts (which I dropped a while back anyway), and the new Hawkeye & Mockingbird series – I like the Reunion mini but it read better in one sitting than it did in single issues.

Iron Man I moved onto trades a few months back, Secret Warriors I dropped because I honestly believe it to be a very poorly written book (I know I’m in the minority there), and as a result I have very little interest in Shield. I’m sticking with Hickman’s FF only because it’s the Fantastic Goddamn Four, and I’ve been through a hell of a lot worse with them. Hickman’s big ideas are great, the execution not so much – and you know what no comic should have? A last text page telling you what happens at the end of the story. If it’s important to the story, put it in the story.

If there’s one thing I may get outside of these, it’s David Gallaher and Steve Ellis’ Darkstar and the Winter Guard mini – partly because I’m a big fan of both creators and partly because, you know, Ursa Major.

He’s a talking bear, people. A talking bear.

Yesterday DC Comics released their solicits for June 2010 – and for the first time since jumping back onto the DC bandwagon around 1994, I’m down to less than a dozen ongoing comics.

In fact I’m down to just FIVE titles – Action Comics, Superman, Supergirl, Batgirl and Red Robin – with another one a possibility (the one being Teen Titans which, despite not being very good, I just can’t seem to quit).

Beyond that, there’s only one mini on there – and that’s the final issue of the Rise of Arsenal, the first issue of which comes out this week.

Everything else is either off my pull list completely, or I intend to pick it up in trades at some point. Of course, because of DC’s terrible trades policies I may not even do that, having forgotten them by the time they came out.

This isn’t exactly unexpected for me, as I’ve been making an effort to purge my pull list over the past several months with varying degrees of success, but this is a huge step down.

The end of Blackest Night is really the final nail in the Green Lantern books for me – I intend to pick them up in trades, but the Blackest Night/Brightest Day demarcation line is a pretty clear one for me. It’s a jumping off point for their monthly adventures. Yes, even Guy’s when his book launches.

As far as Batman goes, I weaned my self off the core books (Batman, Batman and Robin and Detective) a few months into the Reborn arc, along with ancillary titles like Streets of Gotham and Gotham City Sirens which I simply wasn’t enjoying that much. The intention is to pick up the main books in trades but, well, again I guess it depends on when those trades come out.

I’ll continue following Wonder Woman and Secret Six in trades, and I intend to for the Justice Society books, the new Green Arrow and the Justice League too – but again it’s the same old song: depends when they come out.

I quit The Outsiders not because I don’t like the team (or the creative team either, although I’m not a fan of Tan and I’ve heard Dan Didio may have his detractors) but because no matter what direction the team has taken in the past few years, it hasn’t felt right to me. I like the characters, I like the name. I just don’t feel that either have been done justice.

The Flash and Legion relaunches (in both their own book and Adventure Comics) I have no interest in. Barry Allen isn’t my Flash; these aren’t my Legion. My Legion is the post-Zero Hour Legion. I gave the Waid/Kitson relaunch a chance but it never quite felt like a good fit and I’ll be damned if I’m doing that again here. Maybe in trades, but probably not.

Of the more recent launches, R.E.B.E.L.S was the only one I really started picking up but something just wasn’t clicking for me with it, so I dropped that a few months back too.

The two biweekly books, Brightest Day and Generation Lost, both have a lot of appeal to me but honestly the older I get the more I’d rather have trades on the bookshelf to reread than comics stored in a longbox somewhere. Same with Booster Gold, as that book looks to be tying in with Generation Lost somewhat.

And I think that’s what it comes down to – the five books I’m definitely getting contain my favorite DC characters – Superman, Lois, Supergirl, Tim and Stephanie – and I want to support them.

The rest I can take or leave on a weekly basis (and honestly, depending on how I find JMS and Guggenheim, the same may happen with the Superman books) and if and when I do catch up with the trade paperbacks, I’ll be paying less for them and storing them easier.

I wonder what Marvel’s June solicits will hold for me?

Another week, another pull list…

Green Lantern #52 – In which something tangentially related to Blackest Night occurs which won’t be referred to in the main series.

Justice League: The Rise of Arsenal #1 – I enjoyed last week’s Green Arrow (even if I wasn’t a huge fan of the art) and I always liked Roy even if he is a complete dick a lot of the time – or maybe because he’s a complete dick a lot of the time – so chances are good I’ll pick this up. I would wait for the trade but DC’s atrocious trade program means I may not.

Superman #698 – The Last Stand of New Krypton continues.

Amazing Spider-Man #626 – After last issue’s heartbreaking Rhino story (well, okay, ‘heartbreaking’ might be a bit strong), the Scorpion checks into the Gauntlet. That’s the new, female Scorpion introduced a few years ago who may or may not be the daughter of Bruce Banner. She’s a good character and I’ve always enjoyed her appearances. She’s been pretty much AWOL since World War Hulk, so good to see her back.

Avengers: The Initiative #34 – I’m not sure how exactly Christos Gage made me root for Taskmaster so much, but he did. I doubt he’ll make it onto the faculty of Avengers Academy, but I hope he doesn’t get killed off as this series and Siege wind down.

Captain America #604 – Still a solid, solid book but this arc isn’t quite working for me. For some reason it reminds me of one of the early John Walker Cap/BuckyBattlestar arcs (or it may just have been an issue) from about 20 years ago. On the other hand, it was about 20 years ago so nobody but me may remember it.

Deadpool #21 – The Deadpool/Spidey/Hit-Monkey arc continues. I know.

Mighty Avengers #35 – The team’s pretty much disbanded in disgust at Pym offering Loki membership, I suspect that events may have caught up with the Hercules book, and Ultron’s back. This has been a truly offbeat book this past year and although I’ve had my ups and downs with it, I will miss it when its gone.

New Avengers #63 – This book, however, has been needing a kick in the ass for a while. Basically, it seems that the comic and team have been floating from event to event, and fighting the Hood and his men again and again in between. Hopefully the next, Thing-laden incarnation of the book will be a little more enjoyable.

Peter Parker #1 – Under normal circumstances I’d be picking this up as, you know, Spider-Man. In this case, though, I’ll be passing as it’s already on Marvel’s Digital Comics which I subscribe to. I can’t recommend it either as the comic’s pretty pedestrian and throwaway.

The Guild #1 – I’m a latecomer to the wonder that is Felicia Day’s The Guild, but I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it. Even so, I won’t be picking this up either since it’s a three issue mini and will inevitably be collected. Nice cover by Cary Nord though:

It’s a pretty big-ass week by recent standards, with both DC and Marvel pumping out a ton of stuff I’m interested in. Dammit.

Booster Gold #30 – I think this or next issue is the end of Jurgens’ run on the book and despite the incoming team I’ll probably be leaving with him in an effort to cut back.

Green Arrow #31 – Undecided. I picked up the JLA special last week and I like where this is going, even if Barry seems a bit over zealous in his judgement of Ollie. Not sure if I’m getting this monthly or trade waiting, though.

Supergirl #51 – The Last Stand of New Krypton continues – so far, this is shaping up to be a nice little arc.

Titans #23 – Indefensible, I know. Shut up.

Amazing Spider-Man #625 – The Rhino story a couple of months ago was stellar, and I’m actually rooting for the big dumb lug in this sequel. I don’t think he’ll get a happy ending though.

Dark Avengers #15 – Blah blah, Sentry, blah blah boring.

Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #9 – Still awesome.

Guardians of the Galaxy #24 – I’m just glad all those deaths seem not to have happened. Cosmo lives!

Hercules: Fall of an Avenger #1 – And so a great run wraps up. Herc’s been dead before, not to mention comatose so I’m sure he’ll be back. I’d guess he’s trapped on the empty world that the Continuum was bringing in to replace Earth. In any case, I’m done after these two issues – no Amadeus Cho starring Prince of Power for me.

Nova #35 – The nice little time-traveling arc continues. Always good to see the Sphinx and Namorita and Rich back together.

Siege #3 – In which after what feels like two issues of build up (and in a four issue mini that’s way too much), it seems that things may actually happen. Hopefully.

X-Factor Forever #1 – Waiting for the trade, but Weezie back on X-Factor? Only a shame that Walt’s not with her!