Preview #29: Comic Book For The Week Of Wednesday, December 29, 2010:

Action Comics  #896 (DC)

And of course I will see what I can find to fill in the gap in my Superman collection!

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Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

Issue #106: Comic Books For The Year 2011:

While everyone is polishing off their gift shopping list, as well as adding those last inute items on their wish list for Santa Claus, I thought I would post my comic book list for the coming year. With DC Comics dropping the majority of their titles back to $2.99, I looked at my subscription list to see what I could add to my list while staying within my budget. I wound up being able to add one title to my subscription list at Acme Comics, in Longwood, Florida.
There are a few titles on my short list of comic books that I'm interested in adding to my pull list as I can afford it:

Fables (Vertigo/DC)
Jack Of Fables (Vertigo/DC)
Elephantmen (Image)
Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse)

The majority of my subscription list will remain unchanged.

DC Comics:

Action Comics
Adventure Comics
Legion Of Super-Heroes
Superman

After the whole New Krypton storyline ended, the current storyline, Grounded, has been disappointing. I can't buy into the premise, at this point of Superman's career, even though some issues have had some good stories. In 2011 Doomsday will return. I'm hoping to see more of Clark Kent. I'll be happy to see gold ol' Clark again. One thing I hope DC doesn't do with Doomsday is think, "What can we do with Superman that hasn't been done before?" and decide to have Doosday rip off one of Superman's arms or something like that. The two Legion titles have been more fun for me. While the Legion is my second favorite group, it's still sad that my favorite comic book hero, Superman, isn't on par with the Legion titles right now. I've read a lot of Superman stories over the years, beginning in the mid-1960's when I first learned to read. There have been a lot of bad as well as good stories, so I'm not looking to drop the Superman titles. But if the Doomsday plotline continues a decline in quality, I might consider dropping Superman until the next storyline comes along. Then I would check it out and see if I'd want to pick it up again. I hope it won't come to that.

Icon/Marvel:

Powers

With Bendis and Oeming doing another creator owned all ages project, I've not heard when the next issue, #7 will be published. But it's such a great series, I'll wait patiently for it. In the months it doesn't publish, I'll use that money to fill the gap in my Superman collection in the early 2000's.

Image

Invincible

This is my only Image title, but it's enough to make me a fan of Robert Kirkman's writing. He knows how to build characterization into each issue, as well as build multiple plots into the continuing narrative month to month.

Abstract Studios

Terry Moore's Echo

This series will wrap up in four more issues, and I haven't heard what his next project will be. I began collecting his original series, Strangers In Paradise, somewhere in the 70's by issue number. Rest assured I will be picking up his next series, no matter what it is. I enjoyed how SIP ended, and Echo has been equally fantastic. Terry Moore can't lose, as far as I'm concerned.

The title I've decided to add to my comic book pull list is Fables, published by Vertigo/DC, and written by Bill Willingham. I've heard nothing but great things about the title, and now is the perfect time to jump on board. I have read the first trade paperback, and part of the second. I can't afford to add its companion titles, Jack Of Fables, or Cinderella (which was published in a mini-series, with a second being published now if I'm not mistaken). I can't wait to begin following Fables monthly.

Meanwhile, let me wish everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and may all of the presents you get be comic book related! If you're reading this blog you will probably find that a good thing.

Send e-mail to mypulllist@gmail.com.

Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

Preview #28: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, December 22, 2010:

Legion Of Super-Heroes #8 (DC)
Invincible #76 (Skybound / Image)

Since Christmas is only a few days away, let me wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! And may all of your gifts be comic book related. That's what I hope for each year.

Send e-mail to mypulllist@gmail.com.


Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

Issue #105: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, December 15, 2010:

Superman #706 (DC)
John Byrne's Next Men #1 (IDW)

and from the back issue bins:

Superman #154 (March 2000) (Triangle # 2000: 10)

Superman #706 (DC) *  *  *  *

During these months of the Grounded storyline, I've almost dreaded reading Superman because I've almost come to expect being disappointed. Seveal of the issues have been pleasant surprises, but they haven't changed my opinion of the Grounded storylne. It hasn't worked for me. This issue was my favorite Superman issue, mostly because it had little to do with the current storylilne. The issue focuses on the Daily Planet, which is facing tough times, with declining revenues and declining circulation. To add insult to injury, a new hip blog seems to have uncovered evidence that Superman and the Planet have an under the table agreement, and maybe another under the sheets. Lois might have an inside track for all of the Superman scoops she's written over the years. Perry uses all of his years of journalism experience to handle the crisis. superman makes a cameo, but it's the supporting cast that carries the issue. Too bad the creative team haven't given the Man of Steel a worthy story for him to carry on his broad shoulders.

John Byrne's Next Men #1 (IDW) *  *  *  *

I still have every issue of the original run of this series, published by Dark Horse Comics in the early 1990's. When this new series was announced I re-read that first series,and it still holds up well today. This new series by IDW begins the next chapter, and it does not disappoint. The only way I can describe this first issue, without spoilers, is as a maze, within a maze, within a maze. And the last panel begins a mystery that will being me back for the second issue. the last series by John Byrne I read was hisrun on Doom Patrol a few years ago. It was slow to get going, and seemed to go around in circles for the first few issues before telling a good story. If he doesn't fall into the same trap with this new Next Men series, it will be a fun series to read.

and from the back issue bins:

Superman #154, March 2000 (Triangle # 2000:12) *  *  *  *

This issue wa part two of 5 of the Y2K story. Brainiac13 has begun to transform Metropolis into a literal City of Tomorrow. Superman also fought a juiced up Metallo. Jimmy found a vital clue that might help Superman defeat his foe. And Lex Luthor got a surprise from her toddler daughter Lena. At the end of the issue Superman may have found a way to beat Brainiac and Metallo. This issue also marked the artistic debut of Ed McGuinness.

Send e-mail to mypulllist@gmail.com.


Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

Issue #104: Comic Books For The Weeks Of Wednesday, December 2 & 8, 2010:

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, December 2, 2010:

Action Comics Annual #13 (DC)
Adventure Comics #521 (DC)

Comic books for the week of Wednesday, December 8, 2010:

Terry Moore's Echo #26 (Abstract Studios)

and from the back issue bins:

Superman Y2K (February 2000, Triangle #: 2000: 7) (DC)

Action Comics Annaul #13 (DC) *  *  * 1/2

This Annual continues Action Comics' feature of Lex Luthor as the main character. This issue fills in some of the details of young Lex Luthor's education of villainy, first with Darkseid and then Ra's Al Ghul, in separate stories. Both stories were interesting looks at Luthor's development. The art on the Darkseid had some dynamic layouts, but in some of the early panels it was hard to tell who was Lex and who was the other guy. But my enjoyment of the issue was tempered by the fact that it was not a Superman story. I'll be glad when the Man of Steel will return to the title that propelled him to stardom.

Adventure Comics #521 *  *  *  *

Adventure Comics has ended its look at the early Legion, but has become a companion title of the current Legion Of Super-Heroes book, featuring the modern Legion. Earth Man can't get rid of Dyogene, who has returned to Legion HQ in the quest for the next Green Lantern. The choice, at the end of the issue, is surprising but makes sense. A group of Legionnaires respond to an area of Africa hit by an earthquake, while Wildfire and Dawnstar discover the source of the quake. I'm relishing these new Legion stories. I'm glad the Legion is on a firm footing with Paul Levitz' return. And the Atom second feature only has gotten better, but this will be its last issue in the back of Adventures. The Atom story will continue in The Atom Special in March 2011.

Terry Moore's Echo #26 *  *  *  *  *

Our heroes reach an Alaskan truck stop on their way to the particle accelerator to stop the experiment. Most of the issue takes place at one of the restaurant's tables. It sounds boring, but the conversation moves the story along and develops the plot, bringing it closer to the climax with the final issue at #30. A sign of a great comic book storyteller, both with the writing and art, is making a quiet scene interesting, and Terry Moore is a master. I came in around the last dozen issues of his series Strangers In Paradise, and just had to get his next series, which is this title, Echo. Terry Moore is on my short list of comic book creators who I will follow from series to series. I can't wait to find out what his next series will be.

From the back issue bins:

Superman Y2K (February 2000, Triangle # 2000: 7) *  *  * 1/2

As I continue filling in the gap in my Superman comic book collection from the early 2000's, this special issue took place at the turn of the century, and tapped into the Y2K scare (which turned into a lot of worry about nothing). The story weaved three main plot htreads, snippets of history in the development of Metropolis from the original settlers to today, the Millennial celebration, and a new threat by Brainiac. I didn't like how Superman talked pretty rough to the badf guy, if only to scare him. To me, it's too out of character for the Man of Steel. Otherwise, it's a solid story that makes the coming of the new century more than just a cheap gimmick. And now on to the next issue in my quest.

Send e-mail to mypulllist@gmail.com.


Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

Preview #27: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, December 15, 2010:

Superman #706 (DC)
Next Men #1 (IDW)

I'll be hitting Acme Comics in Longwood, Florida on Saturday to pick up my titles, probably after my wife and I take our daughter to lunch. She turns 19 tomorrow. Time flies! We finally reach the halfway point of Superman's walk across America. I wish he would pick up the pace. While some of the later issues have been pretty good, this whole storyline leaves me cold. Forest Gump did it better. I'm adding a new title to my pull list. Next Men was John Byrne's creator owned title, originally published by Dark Horse Comics in the 1990's. It was a realistic look at how super powers would affect human physiology, with a large dose of suspense and intrigue. Byrne ended the series after the 30th issue. That was around the collapse of the comic book industry mid-decade. He stated in the back of the last issue that he would bring the title back when he felt the time was right. That time has finally arrived. After some fine work at IDW on their Star Trek titles, they will publish the next installment of the Next Men. I can't wait.

Send e-mail to mypulllist@gmail.com.


Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

From The Comic Shop #17: Wednesday, December 8, 2010:

On my way to pick up my daughter from the University of Central Florida (whose football team will play the Goergia Bulldogs in the Liberty Bowl on Friday, December 31 - GO KNIGHTS!), I left home early enough to swing by my local comic book shop, Acme Comics in Longwood, Florida, to pick up my comic books.

Action Comics Annual #13 (DC)
Adventure Comics #521 (DC)
Terry Moore's Echo #26 (Abstract Studios)

and from the back issue bins:

Superman: Y2K, February 2000 (DC)

as I continue to fill the hole in my comic book collection from the early 2000's when I wasn't collecting comic books for a while, because of no local comic shop, and I hadn't found a shorter route to Acme Comics.

Send e-mail to mypulllist@gmail.com.


Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

Issue #103: Comic Book For The Week Of Wednesday, November 24, 2010:

Action Comics #985 (DC) *  *  *  1/2

Lex Luthor continues his quest for the black power spheres as well as his tour of the DC villains, this time the immortal Vandal Savage. The creepiest part of the stroy is when it answers the question: yes he does -- with his Lois-bot. It shows just how creepy and twisted Luthor is, when he wakes up in bed with her - it. Forget Superman finding out. If I were Lex, I wouldn't want Lois Lane to find out. The story jumps through time as we see Savage in possession of two black power spheres. Savage is in a quest through the centuries as well, searching for someone we know to be the Lex Luthor of the 21st Century. Savage's centuries spanning plan comes to fruition, and it ends with both Vandal Savage and Luthor clashing with conflicting plans. The Jimmy Olsen second feature more enjoyable, with Olsen boring the partiers from outer space to death. It ends with Lois promising to help Jimmy with a personal issue, and her expression in the last panel is pretty creepy. I don't think the artist meant for her to have that expression. I might enjoy this Luthor story more if the Superman title was better, and if the Man of Steel wasn't missing from the title that gave him birth.

Send e-mail to mypulllist@gmail.com.


Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

My Pull List Issue #102: Comic Books For The Week Of Wednesday, November 17, 2010:

Superman #705 (DC)
Legion Of Super-Heroes #7

and from the Superman back issue bins at Acme Comics in Longwood, Florida

Action Comics #762 (Triangle #: 200 #9) (DC)

Superman #705 (DC) *  *  *

The John Cassaday cover sums up the subject of the issue, domestic abuse. Superman enters Mount Prospect, Illinois, and the citizens are nervous about the Man of Steel entering their city. In the background of one panel is a woman who resembles a character from a previous issue, and is in one of Clark Kent's nightmares in this issue. If collateral damage from superhero/villain battles were a part of real life, I'd be nervous too. If a superhero was coming to town, was a super villain far behind? Clark and Lois continue to spend time together in the evening, which I'm glad for in this storyline, since the rest of Superman's supporting cast are not a part of the story. The Man of Steel discovers a case of domestic abuse. I was pleasantly surprised that the issue was not as heavy handed in handling the message as past DC stories have been. The situation was handled in a real and convincing manner. That feeling was ruined by Superman's last coment in this issue:

All it needed ... all it really needed -- was someone, anyone, with a pair of eyes, a voice, a phone -- and ten cents worth of compassion.

I can understand Superman's anger over the abuse the wife and son experienced. But I thought that the purpose of this storyline was to have the Man of Steel reconnect with humanity. Instead, he continues to act as if he is above everyone. The lesson isn't sinking in, yet. I wonder when Sueprman will begin to get the message. This isn't the same Superman from the end of the War Of The Supermen storyline. And he isn't a sympathetic character. Is this how J. Michael Straczynski sees the Man of Steel? We don't see the same character.

Legion Of Super-Heroes #7 (DC) *  *  *  *

A Legion team  assist the Science Police with a murder investigation of a United Planets Councilor. They discover a clue that leads them to suspect Durlans are behind it, in time to engage a few of them in a fight. Mon-El and Earth Man have a meeting of minds over Shadow Lass, and you can imagine how that goes. The second story of the issue, involving Brainiac 5 and Chameleon Boy going to Naltor, where B-5confronts Professor Li over the secret he has discovered about her. Legion and Adventures continue to be the best DC comics I'm reading this year.

Wish I could say the same about Superman. I don't enjoy being negative about Superman. I'm going to see this storyline, as well as the Lex Luthor story over in Action Comics, until they end, and see what comes next. I've read a lot of Superman stories over the years, and they aren't all great. If next year's stories, which DC has announced will involve the return of Doomsday, continue to underwhelm me, I will consider dropping the Superman titles for a while. But I won't cross that bridge until I get there.

Action Comics #762, February 200 (Triangle # 2000: #9) (DC) *  *  *  *

This is the first back issue of my quest to fill the hole in my Superman comic book collection. This was a Christmas story, which began with Clark and Lois decorating their apartment and discussing  the problems of gift shopping for a super hero. It's a humorous scene when Superman agreed to do his Christmas shopping as Clark Kent and braved the horde of rabid holiday shoppers. Lois had some second thoughts about making her husband do his Christmas shopping as a mere mortal, and finding another reason why she loves him. The magical character La Enchantadora, who I am not familiar with, was also doing her holiday shopping at the same mall where Clark discovered The Demon playing the mall Santa. Superman and The Demon battle over the true meaning of Christmas. I was surprised that I liked this issue more than what I expected I would. I also like Plastic Man;s version of Jingle Bells, "Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Barda laid an egg..." Just don't tell her I said so.

Send e-mail to mypulllist@gmail.com.


Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

Preview #27: Comic Books For The Week Of Thursday, December 2, 2010:

Action Comics Annual #13 (DC)
Adventure Comics #521 (DC)

Since I get paid on Friday, I will take a peek at the Superman back issues at my local comic shop, Acme Comics in Longwood, Florida. I hope everyone here in the United States had a nice Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family. Because of the holiday, comic books here in the States will be released on Thursday, December 2, 2010.

Send e-mail to mypulllist@gmail.com.


Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.

From The Comic Shop #16: Saturday, November 27, 2010:

Action Comics #895 (DC)

This week was between paydays, so I only had enough money to buy this issue, and had to skip checking out the Superman back issues.

Send e-mail to mypulllist@gmail.com.


Superman Fan Podcast can be found at http://supermanfanpodcast.mypodcast.com. Expanded show notes are available at http://supermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail about the podcast to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join both the Superman Fan Podcast and My Pull List groups on facebook. Follow both the podcast and blog on twitter @supermanpodcast.