Hey guy’s, there are so many great books out there right now that we can’t keep up. Let me rephrase that, I can’t keep up. But here we are right now with ten books I think are great and that you might want to give a look to. We have a few cool number ones, and some old favorites, here we are…
Conan and the Midnight God (5 of 5)
Writer: Joshua Dysart
Pencils: Will Conrad
Publisher: Dark Horse
Cover Price: $2.99
This is the last book in the series in all fairness, but I’m bringing it to your attention because the trade paperback will be available soon. With a great new video game on the way, and a possible return to theaters Conan has been getting some love across the net. As far as comics go, Conan fits in well with the Dark Horse family of titles, the books are easy to pick up and get invovlved with and it’s Conan, one of the coolest warriors in fiction. Check out one of the individual issues and decide for yourself if you need the trade.
X-Men 204
Writer: Mike Carey
Pencils: Mike Choi
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
In case you haven’t noticed, Messiah Complex has just hit stands, and the big X-Men story of the year is finally upon us. X-Men 204 is the issue that leads up to the big event and therefore has pertinent info for readers who only check in for the big event books. The artwork is beautiful, and the book really helps set the stage for a Messiah Complex story that hits the ground running. With Carey delivering a perfect set-up for Ed Brubaker to swing for the fences, this will be a great series to wrap the year with, so get on board now before you find yourself five issue behind.
World War Hulk Frontline (5 of 6)
Writers: Paul Jenkins
Pencils: Ramon Bachs
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
The second to last issue of one of the coolest concepts Marvel has come up with in a while. The Front Line series of books are just a great way to add depth to Marvels bigger story arcs, and Paul Jenkins and company take full advantage of the format. Talking especially to people who are interested in Marvel but aren’t sure about diving head long into a monthly book, this title offers unmatched perspective inot major events affecting your favorite Marvel characters. Hopefully the House of Idea’s has some more cool Front Line books planned for the big time stories to come.
Jack of Fables 15
Writer: Bill Willingham
Pencils: Tony Akins
Publisher: DC/Vertigo
Cover Price: $2.99
This is our first time telling you about a Vertigo book which is sad and misleading considering how many quality titles come out of that imprint. The main Fables title has been running for a while, and the Jack of Fables books are an offshoot of the main title. The story follows Jack (naturally) who seems to be the center point of fiction, as the world is inhabited by regular folk, and characters of legend. It’s an engrossing tale that will really draw you in if given the chance, get this book.
Omega the Unknown
Writer: Jonathan Lethem
Pencils: Farel Dalrymple
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Marvel isn’t exactly known for its way non-canon books, and because of that when they do publish a book that isn’t part of their particular line up of characters (Dark Tower series, Halo, Last of the Mohicans to name a few) it’s usually a sign of something truly special. That’s also the case for Omega the Unknown, a book over thirty years in the making. Steve Gerber brought us the original 10 issues of Omega in 1975, and this modern telling by Jonathan Lethem (a childhood fan of the series) will pay tribute to Gerber’s original work.
Justice League of America 14
Writer: Dwayne McDuffie
Pencils: Ed Benes
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
DC comics on a whole are better to me now than ever have been, with tons of great issues coming out week after week. One of the best and brightest of the titles has been JLA, with great consistency. Right now the stage is being set for all of DC’s major stories to come to a final conclusion. Books like JLA will be key with so many central characters found within the books pages. Lex Luthor and his latest version of the Injustice League are the major threats in the present, but what their up to will have bigger implications than the events taking place in JLA, so save your money and get ready to buy some books.
Robin 166
Writer: Adam Beechen
Pencils: Freddie E. Williams II
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
If there was one character that DC wishes it could take back, my money is on Robin, (oh the lammmmmme!!!) big bad dark knight of vengeful justice Batman hangs out with a 14 year old boy dressed up like Mr. Miracle (you know I’m right) who also doesn’t have any powers. I know what you’re thinking, if I hate Robin so much then why is he on the list. Simply put, what’s done is done, and it’s certainly not Adam Beechen’s fault that Robin was created; he’s just been tasked with chronicling the adventures of the guy. That’s actually why Robin 166 is a book you should read, it’s a great jumping on point, and lame characters are hard to write for. Beechen deserves a nod for making something great out of weak source material, and my hat goes off. Read Robin when you can and you’ll see what I mean.
Green Lantern 24
Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Ivan Reis
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $ 2.99
One of the best things about the Green Lantern books these days has got to be Superboy (better known these days as Superman Prime) from the original Earth X comics. I never would have imagined that they would have utilized that character in such a fashion, it’s really beyond cool. Superman Prime is featured in the GL books mostly due to events taking place in the Sinestro Corps War (one of DC’s brightest bright spots) that has run through every GL title and is currently in its eighth part by Green Lantern 24. The events of the war have finally spilled over on to Earth as this series starts to wrap, and it looks like Countdown will start to factor into the war more directly. Like a said before, there are a lot of great things going on at DC right now, and Green Lantern is a good book for getting in on the action.
The Death of the New Gods 1
Writer: Jim Starlin
Pencils: Jim Starlin
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $ 3.50
Finally one of the final pieces needed to draw Countdown together is finally upon us as Jim Starlin brings us the death of the New Gods. The book is written very well, and the artwork is a great homage to the King himself. What’s most important is I think this might be the first time we’ve seen the ‘big bad’ behind (potentially) all this madness affecting DC. Our mystery player has remained a mystery so far which really puts a special edge on the book. Issue two just hit the stands, so it’s not too late to pick up issue one and get the story from the beginning.
The Authority Prime 1
Writer: Christos Gage
Pencils: Darrick Robertson
Publisher: DC/Wildstorm
Cover Price: $2.99
Ever since the Authority books have gone from one ongoing series, to a collection of limited series’ the book has been hit or miss, which is to be expected with that kind of format. The basic premise of The Authority hasn’t changed much which means that most books will likely be good. This current series, The Authority Prime is only in its first issue, but so far so good. The reason I like this book is that it brings back a lot of the stories that existed prior to the team’s existence. Stories like this remind readers that The Authority have strong contemporary comic roots, and it’s fun to see the characters in that mode. This book would be great company for the current Stormwatch series out.
That’s it guy’s, now head down to your local shop and rifle through the back issues like there’s no tomorrow. Oh, and if there are any books out there that you think people should CraveOnline, then hit the message boards and let me know. Until then…
