OK, I know what you’re thinking. Who cares? Who in their right mind cares what comic books some random douchebag is buying when the whole world is sinking into the sea faster than you can say “Oh my God, the whole world is sinking into the sea”? Yes, it’s true…while Jesus global-warms up for Armageddon; while sick babies shoot other sick babies with guns they traded for heroin or prosthetic limbs or Cokes; while America is off firing missiles at a toxic-waste-laden satellite that was in danger of crashing back to earth (which it probably still did after we blew it up); while all of these stupefying things are going on, where am I? At the comic shop, buying colored paper. The terrorists have won.

That said, how about those comics, huh? Huh. I bought a few things last week, with mixed results.

Omega the Unknown is getting too weird and hard to follow. This week it took a strange narrative shift that felt odd to me. And not odd-good, like this book used to feel.

The Twelve is still good, one of the better comics I read these days. A little wordy at times, but also well written and very nice to look at. The flashback panels had some of the best zombies I’ve seen lately, and there’s a lot of ‘em out there right now. The one dude with the beard/feathered cap/cape/skirt/shirtless combo is questionable, but, you know…

Logan was fun, well-rendered (if familiar) territory for your favorite Canucklehead. I feel like so far this story is nothing new, and the (very talented) creative team only has two more issues to shine. I mean, every time Wolverine hooks up with a chick in a kimono, things end badly. For everyone. But mostly for the girl. Will this tale be any different?

Another book I enjoyed was Terry Moore’s Echo. This new black and white title from the creator of Strangers in Paradise has a steady, assured look and feel that grabbed me right away, even though not much really happened. But that’s how it is with origin stories sometimes. At any rate, the dialogue and character interactions felt like they took place in the real world, which I appreciated. Only the first issue, but so far so good.

OK, that was then…but what about now? Well, since this here post is a little late this week, I can tell you what I actually bought rather than merely speculate (somewhat speciously). So here’s the goods.

First of all, these didn’t come out (despite what the Marvel website may have told you) — New Avengers #39 and Ultimates 3 #4. Too bad…both were highly anticipated titles. In response to this mysterious discrepancy, Marvel had this to say: “Psyche!” But the House of Ideas did manage to come through on the following:

Avengers: The Initiative #10 continues a story that I didn’t have a lot of faith in initially…I only read it once the first trade was collected. But when I did, I enjoyed this take on a team of unknowns going through superhero boot camp. Good concept, zesty dialogue, Taskmaster…what more do you want?

Tunderbolts #119! Finally…this book is consistently one of my favorites, but it hardly ever comes out (not counting those often-lame one-shot filler issues they throw us–I think there’s been three of those since the last real issue). This team (Bullseye, Venom, Norman Osborn, that radioactive Chinese guy, etc.) is just a sick, ticking time bomb waiting to erupt and bite someone’s arm off…I’m mixing metaphors, I know, but it is that good. Mixed metaphor good. Go read the Thunderbolts: Faith in Monsters trade. You’ll see.

Mighty Avengers was also at one time the victim of slow shipping, but the appearance of issue #10 so soon on the heels of the last one is cause for…well, maybe not celebration, I mean, even I’m not that big a geek, but, well…it’s cause for something. I like this book a lot, despite its flagrant and unapologetic use of thought bubbles, and I think it’s one of the key titles in the current Marvel Universe.

I’m giving another chance to this new Fantastic Four arc (continued here in issue #555…wow, that’s a pretty big number), although the first issue didn’t wow me. But a slow start is fine if the overall tale is epic, and this creative team has definitely done epic before. That’s why they got my 3 bucks again.

Last Defenders #1 was the rando this week…I know next to nothing about this book (all I know is who’s on the cover), but if it factors into current Marvel events I may stick with it. If it’s some unrelated tale with no impact, it’s outta here. Outta here!!

That’s all for this week. I’ll let you know how they are. Or, if the world ends before next week, not. Actually, next week’s installment, if it happens at all, will be delayed due to the record release party for my new album “Brokelore” (March 20th at Milk in San Francisco)…me and the whole Rec will be representing in the flesh with (possibly) live performances, world famous DJs (DJ Design!), and hopefully some kind of illegal animal show. Bring the whole family. Only 5 bucks!

Alrighty then. Until next time, get your read on, get your hair did.

Bagged and boarded,

Grip

Posted by Grip Grand on Thursday, March 13th, 2008 at 1:03 am.