Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 10/05/11

I somehow thankfully survived the onslaught of new books DC threw at the industry last month, and with my life still in tact, am happy to bring you the latest Post-Crisis Previews!  Within, you'll find out which of these new books managed to make it into my pull list for issue #2, along with my thoughts on some of my perennial favourites, including Chew #21, Mystic #3, and Sweet Tooth #26.  See all this and more after the jump!

ACTION COMICS #2

Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Rags Morales

In his weakest moment, Superman is taken down – but by whom? And if the world wasn’t ready for a man with super powers, they’re utterly unprepared for the rage of a Superman cornered! The cornerstone character of the new DCU continues his debut adventure!

Grant: The first issue of this series was pretty good, but didn't quite meet the super high expectations placed on it.  However, it was still a pretty darn good comic, and was a neat take on the Man of Steel.  I'm not yet one hundred percent sold, but I feel like this creative team is well on their way to hitting their stride.  Grant Morrison isn't quite writing as good as he sometimes can, but Rags Morales is killing it on art.  I'm sold on this one for the first arc, so hopefully things pick up.

ANIMAL MAN #2

Written by Jeff Lemire

Art by Travel Foreman

Maxine’s new abilities continue to terrify Ellen and Buddy Baker, and things take a turn for the worse as Buddy begins a startling transformation of his own that will lead him on a journey into the heart of The Red. Meanwhile, The Hunters Three arrive on Earth and set their sights on the Baker family. The Hunt is on as DC’s most surprising new series continues to take ANIMAL MAN in shocking new directions.

Grant: I was excited for this book before it dropped last month, but I was not prepared for how good it would be.  Jeff Lemire's Animal Man didn't really need the reboot to exist, but that doesn't take away how different and interesting the first issue was.  It was the perfect reintroduction to Buddy Baker, and the dream sequence towards the end removed any doubts I might have had about the title.  I can't wait to see what Lemire and Foreman come up with.

BATWING #2

Written by Judd Winick

Art by Ben Oliver

He is called Massacre, and he brings death. What does the soldier in service of Batman Incorporated do when he’s met his match? When he’s been brought so low and been wounded so badly? What does he do when lost Super Heroes begin turning up as victims? Batwing fights back!

Grant: I was a little disappointed with the ending of the opening issue, but the writing - and the art - on this title was enough to convince me to come back for another go around.  Batwing is still in the process of figuring out what it's going to be as a comic book, but I'm liking the general direction of where things are headed.  We'll see if Winick can maintain reader interest, I suppose.

CHEW #21

Written by John Layman

Art by Rob Guillory

“BASEBALL, HOT DOGS AND APPLE PIE,” Part One

Mike Applebee’s good day, Tony Chu’s first day and John Colby’s last day. An issue of beginning and endings, as we head into the fifth story arc of the multi-Eisner award nominated series about cops, crooks, cooks, cannibals, clairvoyants and… meter maids?

Grant: More Chew is always a good thing.  The last arc was a little slower than the norm, in that it felt like there was a lot of moving pieces to set things up for what's to come, but even a slow Chew arc makes for great reading.  And with a new arc starting up, I'm intrigued to see what could possibly be next for everyone's favourite cibopath police officer.  Can Layman and Guillory do better than mysterious alien invasions?  Only one way to find out!

HARK A VAGRANT HC

Written by Kate Beaton

Art by Kate Beaton

HARK! A VAGRANT takes readers on a romp through history and literature -- with dignity for few and cookies for all -- with comic strips about famous authors, their characters, and political and historical figures, all drawn in Beaton's pared-down, excitable style. This collection features favourite stories as well as new, previously unpublished content. Whether she's writing about Nikola Tesla, Napoleon, or Nancy Drew, Beaton brings a refined sense of the absurd to every situation. In just four years, Kate Beaton has taken the comics world by storm with her non sequiturs, cheeky comebacks and irreverent punch lines. With 1.2 million monthly hits on her site -- 500,000 of them unique -- and comics appearing in Harpers Magazine, the National Post and The New Yorker, her caricatures of historical and fictional figures filtered through a contemporary lens display a sharp, quick wit that knows no bounds.

Grant: So you probably already know all about Kate Beaton's absolutely wonderful Hark a Vagrant, but if you haven't, go here right now!  It will be worth your while.  For sure.  Anyways, the important thing here is that this collection will enable readers all over to peruse these amazing comics in book form, even when they don't have access to the internet!  It's the modern day wonders of one of the oldest medium's known to man, and it's going to be amazing.

MYSTIC #3

Written by G. Willow Wilson

Art by David Lòpez

Heart of a Mystic:

Just as Giselle thought she had found her place at the palace, she’s confronted by a prophecy she fears she can never live up to…and the malicious scheming of Felice and her posse. How far will Felice go to oust Giselle and take what she believes is her rightful place at the top of the pack? Magic will go haywire when wielded in fury, in this penultimate chapter filled with ruthlessness, romance and robots!

Grant: I have fallen head over heels in love with this mini-series.  While my constant clamouring for all age titles might get a little old, that doesn't change how good this book has been.  The story of Giselle and Felice has been charming as all get out, and I can't help but smile when I see this book roll around on the solicitations.

OMAC #2

Written by Dan Didio & Keith Giffen

Art by Keith Giffen & Scott Koblish

Brother Eye gives Kevin Kho the ground rules to their new “arrangement.” New players are introduced to the game as Sarge Steel and Checkmate begin their hunt for the One Machine Army Corp, but O.M.A.C.’s appearance may be short-lived when he faces the incredible threat of Rocker Bonn, the Amazing Man!

Grant: I'm still a little shocked that I'm buying this title, but O.M.A.C. was one of the most fun books in the entire New 52.  That mohawk still looks dumb as heck, but it doesn't change the fact that this book manages to call back everything that's fun about earlier ages of comics while keeping within very modern sensibilities.  Can't wait for this one.

REED GUNTHER #5

Story by Shane Houghton

Art by Chris Houghton

"REED GUNTHER AND THE FREAK SHOW SHOWDOWN!"

In the thrilling conclusion to the first story arc, Reed must find a secluded spot in New York City to hide the powerful monster-generating Idol! But where can he hide such a dangerous item in one of the most crowded (and now monster-infested) cities on the planet?

Grant: I've really been enjoying the continuing adventures of Reed Gunther and his trusty bear, Sterling.  This book is well-constructed fun that never takes itself too seriously, enabling it to deliver on the laughs while also telling a darn fine story.  I'm eager to see how the Houghton brothers wrap everything up in this concluding issue, as there are quite a few storylines being juggled at the moment.

ROGER LANGRIDGE’S SNARKED #1

Written by Roger Langridge

Art by Roger Langridge

FIRST ISSUE! Roger Langridge is back! The Harvey Award winner behind THE MUPPET SHOW and THOR: THE MIGHTY AVENGER returns for an all new side-splitting adventure that can only be explained as…SNARKED! Journey with Langridge as he pulls the carpet out from under such Lewis Carroll classics as The Walrus and The Carpenter, Through the Looking Glass, and The Hunting of the Snark, creating an all new world of humorous grandeur. Join Princess Scarlett as she and her baby brother Rusty outwit the villainous royal advisors and team up with the infamous Walrus and Carpenter to set sail in search of their father, the Red King, who has been lost at sea for six months. It’s a rip-roaring industry event you won’t want to miss, featuring connecting covers by Roger Langridge, and a special 1:10 THOR:THE MIGHTY AVENGER homage variant by fan-favorite Chris Samnee!

Grant: That solicitation is a little on the long side, but I'm willing to work my way through it to get more Roger Langridge in my life.  I've raved about his work before, but it's worth doing again - Thor: The Mighty Avenger was one of the best comics to come out in years, and while I know that this won't be the same, I'm still really excited to see what he comes up with.  It doesn't hurt that Langridge's art is top notch.

ROGER LANGRIDGE’S THE SHOW MUST GO ON

Written by Roger Langridge

Art by Roger Langridge

Harvey Award Winner Roger Langridge has been lauded for his work on THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK, THOR: THE MIGHTY AVENGER, and his groundbreaking FRED THE CLOWN. This month while you are checking out his new KABOOM! series SNARKED, make sure you grab this collection of Langridge’s best, uncollected works. So come one, come all! Feast your eyes upon such marvels as Fred the Clown’s Flying Parsnip! See the Devil get outfoxed by the one and only Leppo! Behold the world’s greatest swordsman, the Kabuki Kid! Cower from our strobe-light-loving Undead Revue! Don’t miss the show-stopping song and dance of Frankenstein Meets Shirley Temple! All this and the first time all of his MUGWHUMP strips have been compiled under one cover! Don’t miss this capricious collection of uncollected comics from Roger Langridge!

Grant: Speaking of more Roger Langridge, we have this trade coming out that collects a whole load of his previous work.  I don't know too much about what's in this one, but I've enjoyed all of Langridge's original work that I've read, so I don't see why this will be any exception to that.  I'm also excited to pick up books that I don't quite know what they'll be like, and I'm hoping this unknown treats me well.

SEVERED #3

Written by Scott Snyder & Scott Tuft

Art by Attila Futaki

“IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE"

Things heat up as our cannibalistic salesman meets the kids and invites them over for dinner.

Grant: A mix up at my comic book shop meant that I didn't get my hands on Severed #2 until last week, but it really impressed me, building on the success of the first issue and pushing things forward enough to really grab me. This title is really different than a lot of things coming out right now, offering an interesting look into the past mixed with some strong horror elements. I'm interested to see where it all goes and am definitely in for the long haul.

SKULLKICKERS #11

Written by Jim Zub

Art by Edwin Huang & Misty Coats

"FIVE FUNERALS AND A BUCKET OF BLOOD," Part Five of Five

-oblem with solicitations, right? You have to make people believe in the book, your dependability and tap into their excitement for comics in 50 words or less. It’s tough, especially when so much gets hyped to a ludicrous “Nothing will ever be the same” level, leaving them nowhere els-

Grant: I had forgotten that Jim Zub wasn't really taking these solicitations that seriously. Here we have the continuation of his rant from last month, which once again does a good job of pointing towards the humour that fills this book from cover to cover. Skullkickers continues to be some of the most fun I know of in comic books, and I always look forward to the month's new issue. The conclusion to this latest storyline should be pretty darn good - things have been building, and I imagine the fallout will be quite interesting.

SWEET TOOTH #26

Written by Jeff Lemire

Art by Matt Kindt

Who is Captain James Thacker and what are he and his crew doing in the far northern reaches of Alaska? As Thacker and his crew man a deadly expedition, they will uncover secrets centuries old, but what does any of this have to do with Gus and Jepperd? The answers will shock you and change the course of SWEET TOOTH forever! A bold new storyline begins! Featuring special guest artist Matt Kindt (REVOLVER, Super Spy).

Grant: I must admit to being a tad put out that Jeff Lemire isn't drawing this arc, but I recognize that writing three different comic books probably takes a lot of a guy's time. On the plus side, a cursory internet search of Matt Kindt yields some pretty impressive pieces, so this switch might actually work out beautifully. Either way, it's hard to hold Lemire's artistic absence against him; I imagine that writing three different comic books every month takes up a lot of a guy's time. Hopefully it doesn't take him off art duties permanently though. That would be rather unfortunate.

These are the books that I'm dying to pick up to start off October, but what are you grabbing to kick off the month?  Did any of DC's 52 managed to work their way into your regular rotation?  Or are you happy to continue buying the titles that you were reading before the reboot?  I'd love to hear your thoughts below!

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