Marvel, DC, Image, More. We have it all this week. We have it all for you and you have it all in your face starting now, spoilers and all. Let’s do this!
TART #1 – Leidamarie Tirado-Lee
Confession- I’ve actually know about Tart for quite awhile because I discovered it on Kickstarter (pure serendipity really) but it is so good that I just had to share it!! Do you like time travel? Tart is for you! Do you like demon hunting a la Buffy? Then Tart is also for you! Follow Tart on this first adventure to 1950s NYC while she hunts down a demon who can change the history as we know it if not stopped. Tart is tough and sassy but at the same time you can see flashes of vulnerability which makes her lovable. Ludo’s art is out of this world gorgeous. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Tart is strangely beautiful and beautifully strange! Tart is now available on ComiXology Submit for just $0.99.
About me: Just another carbon-based life-form of the female persuasion trying to find my place in the world. This much I do know: I am a nerd and I’m proud of it. It’s been that way as long as I can remember. I love comics, archery, science, and beer (both drinking and making it). Follow me on Twitter @LeidamarieTL for more nerdy awesomeness.
DEADLY CLASS #1 – Scott Keys
This week’s Honor Roll has actually taken me out of my comfort zone (the capes and cowls if you couldn’t tell), and put me squarely into the indy zone. Deadly Class #1 was suggested to me on twitter (you know who you are) and am I glad that I actually listened! This isn’t something I usually read, but as my tastes are expanding, and I’m becoming more “enlightened,” it’s books like Deadly Class that absolutely blow me away! Check it out if you haven’t already, you won’t be disappointed (unless you don’t like quality comics).
About Me: Scott Keys is a father, Butler University grad, pharmacist, and full-time comic nerd. You can follow his adventures around the spinner-rack and his Incoherent Comic Book Ramblings on: Twitter: @Like_car_Keys / Tumblr: likecarkeys.tumblr.com / Facebook: Scott Keys (Likecarkeys) / Google+: Scott Keys
DEAD BODY ROAD #2 – Corey Fryia
Sometimes it’s he little thing with comic book art that make the story that much more effective. That’s the case with this panel from Dead Body Road #2 by Justin Jordan and Matteo Scalera. Why is this particular panel effective? Even without the speech bubble Rachel’s sinister grin says everything you need to know. Spectacular work from Scalera.
About Me: Corey Fryia is a independent comic book creator and former Associate Editor at Readcomicbooks.net. He loves creator-owned comics and has a very manly beard. You can follow him (and his manly beard) on Twitter @coreyfryia
FF #16 – J.J. Conquergood
The last issue of FF was so full of great panels to choose from that I had to go with the on the nose joke. Good one Darla.
About Me: Full time cable guy, Star Wars geek and soccer fanatic. The twitter addict can be found @loafandjug tweeting about insane customers, what he’s reading or being a soccer hooligan online.
DEADLY CLASS #1 – Ben Diederich
This book had me at 1980s punk rock assassins. But then it throws in beautifully rendered action scenes that impart a notion of speed and movement, a heartbreaking opening half, and an action packed second half. There were so many panels I could have picked, so many panels I should have picked, but in honor of the countless hours and quarters I wasted playing 720, I had to choose this scene.
About Me: @Punkrocksellout is a former punk rocker turned molecular biologist turned patent attorney turned father, who spends way too much time on twitter when he’s not out running barefoot.
MIND MGMT #18 – Thomas Zimmer
Matt Kindt delivers a beautiful, uplifting “one and done” issue of Mind MGMT this month. Issue number 18 is the kind of story that celebrates the goodness in ‘being human.’ Of being rewarded for standing up for your beliefs. And the courage to create your own peace. It was transcendent. It was in my opinion Matt Kindt’s masterpiece. Thanks.
About Me: Im Tommy. I love comics. Enjoy every sandwich. Follow me @VictorVonZoom
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #24 – Joey Caswell
A fitting and powerful send-off for a powerful character; all hail Belit, Queen of the Black Coast!
About Me: Joey is a graduate research scientist working in the areas of neuroscience & biophysics. He is also a reviewer and editor at All-Comic.com, and lives for all things nerd; comic books, roleplaying games, science fiction, fantasy, horror, etc. Follow him on twitter @summoning_ifrit
FF #16 – Tom Barnett
Mountain Doop! I’m really going to miss this crazy version of FF.
About Me: I’m Tom. Slightly addicted to comics, Doctor Who, Star Wars and Star Trek. I also try to spend some time behind the lens of my camera. Love Bronze Age comics and the Black Hole movie from Disney. Follow me @tphoto10
FF #16 – Pete Buser
I may be cheating a bit, but technically this is one really big panel and worth every penny that Marvel paid Mike & Laura Allred. Here, they lay out a big family shot at a BBQ on the moon. On the right are a couple of distinguished guests and looking down is the most recent amazing scribe of the fantastic family’s tales. Over 16 issues, Matt Fraction wove a yarn of love, heart, bravery, tenderness and family. I, for one, will miss what he and the Allreds gave to me every month.
About Me: Pete Buser is an enigma wrapped in a variant cover. Follow his mystery @petebuser
THE UNWRITTEN: APOCALYPSE #1 – Hansel Moreno
Peter Gross and Mike Carey bring The Unwritten to a close with the final arc Apocalypse. They both have been doing great story weaving these past 50+ issues and it was amazing to see how they tied in morality fables this issue. Major Spoilers Ahead! Reading about Aslan realize that although he is more than a lion he is no more than a story was incredible. It was painful to watch him die again but his and Tom’s rebirth lead to salvation. A few more of these issues and I’m going door to door preaching the book of Peter and Mike!
About Me: Hansel reads dozens of comics when not providing technical support. He is sorry to fall into the stereotype and makes up for it by jogging constantly and sewing when he has the chance. Read short reviews on his local comic book store web site, http://legacy-news.com/ and follow him on twitter @hanselthelost
THE WALKING DEAD #120 – Roderick Ruth
Negan’s self-indulgent banter has got to be the most refreshing and funniest thing to develop in The Walking Dead series. So much so that I’m getting a “Lucille Two” just thinking about it.
About Me: Roderick is an avid comic reader and collector, with a particular fondness for funny books and nerd nostalgia from the “Dark Ages of Comics” (also known as the late 80′s and 90′s). When he’s not diving in $1 long boxes trying to recapture his youth or working out his biceps from lifting his massive pull list every Wednesday at his comic shop, he can be found on Twitter @roderickruth.
DOC SAVAGE #2 – Mike Morgado
Doc Savage is fantastic in all its pulp goodness. This panel made me smile. Doc in a jet pack. For those who don’t know, Doc supposedly made a jet pack that was ‘misplaced’ and ended up with Cliff Secord, The Rocketeer.
About Me: Mike Morgado has been a comic nerd going on over 30 years. When he’s not at work or with his family, his favourite place to be is at the local comic shop on Wednesday’s with what he refers to as his comic club pals. He can be found online at @WTFisHalonCon or his incredibly ignored blog http://www.fourcolourwesterns.blogspot.com/
GEORGE ROMERO’S EMPIRE OF THE DEAD #1 – Conrad Roth
A tale penned by The Godfather of Zombies, elegantly illustrated by Alex Maleev?! Throw in some zombie gladiator games, in the middle of a stadium in Central Park, orchestrated by a man called Barnum… you’d have to be zombified to pass on this book!
About Me: When I’m not buying, bagging, boarding, or reading comics, I’m likely to be found boisterously bitching about them on Twitter @conmandtherad.
BLACK WIDOW#2 – Kulbir Mann
The blend of inking and colouring becomes seamless as Noto almost refuses to define his characters. Widow’s hair flowing beautifully as it blends into the background behind. The reflections of light on her outfit provide the depth that allows us to see her figure and her actions. The thin white action lines are delicately used to great effect as she hurtles towards us. SO much so that she breaches the borders of the panel. The art of this book is so incredible that I would be happy with pointless recurrent action sequences all day long, as long as Noto is drawing them.
About Me: I Spend the day as a surgeon operating on people, spend the night as a blogger operating on comics! Check out my blog www.houseofflyingscalpels.com or follow me @kooliebear
DEAD BODY ROAD #2 – Ian Stephen
After the first issue of Dead Body Road, I was filled with mixed feelings and wasn’t sure if I was going to continue the series. Once at the comic shop and seeing issue two on the shelves I figured, let’s give it one more issue and I’m glad I did. With the introduction of the character Rachel and the overall plot thickening, the second issue changed my mind. This panel stuck out to me because Rachel was going a good job of playing the innocent female victim but when she flashed her evil smile it really caught my eye.
About Me: Ian Stephen is a human just like you (don’t question it) who loves comics and music. When I’m not making food for the hungry over-fed American population you can find me harassing musicians and comic-creators alike on Twitter @ianthevillain where I tend to spew hot garbage for the internet masses to ignore.
FF #16 – Cameron Williams
Part of what makes Marvel great these days is their willingness to take risks. FF was the series Matt Fraction first pitched for Marvel NOW!, and they gave him Fantastic Four in the deal. Of the two, FF broke new ground every issue and told stories with characters that nobody knew they would miss. Now that it’s ending, these characters need a new home. Some of them will show up in new series, others will move to Fantastic Four. But these wonderful takes on characters won’t be soon forgotten. Thanks to Matt Fraction and Team Allred. It’s been great.
About Me: Cameron Williams is struggling to keep up with comics lately. He made the mistake of thinking that taking a couple of courses would be easy. He’s now full of regret. He mostly blames Twitter where he’s known as @Wasgo. Stop being so distracting Twitter!
UMBRAL #3 – Aaron Meyers
I love high paced fantasy horror with infinite possibilities. This book gets more amazing with every issue.
About Me: Aaron Meyers loves reading comics, collecting comics and talking about comics. He’s grateful to share his love of comics with all of his friends on the Internet. From Twitter at @aaronmeyers, to his new podcast, Comics Therapy with Andrea Shockling, it’s all about the love of comics. He also loves his family, especially his wife, Chrissy Meyers. And while you were taking the time to read this, Aaron went and bought all the best issues from your store’s dollar bin. You lose, Aaron wins. #AllTheComics
Thanks as always for reading and sharing the most honored comics of the week with us. Same time next week, stay tuned!