Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 12/28/11

It's hard to believe, but we've already come to the last edition of the Post-Crisis Previews for the year! I'd like to think that we've had some fun together in 2011, and I hope to keep that ball rolling as we take a look at such wonderful titles as American Vampire #22, Green Wake #8, Spaceman #3, and more! So get to that clicking and see what's what!

AMERICAN VAMPIRE #22

Written by Scott Snyder

Art by Raphael Albuquerque

Get ready – it’s hot rods, poodle skirts and rock ‘n’ roll as AMERICAN VAMPIRE goes screaming into the 1950s! Who is Travis Kidd? What do the mysterious Vassals want with him? And what does it all have to do with Skinner Sweet? Find out in “Death Race” part 1!

Grant: After the rather disappointing fill-in arc that was "Beast in the Cave", I'm hoping that the return of Raphael Albuquerque can right the ship.  Fortunately, the choice to move into the 1950s looks like it will go a long way to get things back on track.  Knowing Scott Snyder and Albuqerque, I have faith that this title will soon return to its former happy days.  Geddit?  Happy Days?  Like the TV show?  Pretty clever, no?  Moving on.

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BUCKY #625

Written by Ed Brubaker & James Asmus

Art by Francesco Francavilla

• The original Human Torch guest-stars as Captain America teams up with Bucky in the present day… for the first time?!

• Rising stars James Asmus and Francesco Francavilla join Eisner award winner Ed Brubaker for a rollicking adventure into the future of the star-spangled Avenger’s past!

• Brand new arc! Easy jumping on point!

Grant: Ugh, I have to agree with Ryan that these solicitations are absolutely horrendous.  Isn't there some intern that Marvel could get to spend the few minutes necessary to at least lend the appearance that they care what these things say?  Solicitation laziness aside, I must say that I am quite excited for this issue.  I really enjoyed the opening arc of Captain America & Bukcy, and even though I am sad to see Chris Samnee go, I can't think of an artist I'd rather see come on to this title than Francesco Francavilla.  I've loved his work since I first stumbled across it, and considering what great things he did with Jock and Scott Snyder on Detective Comics, I'm eager to see what he'll pull out here.

FLASH #4

Written by Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato

Art by Francis Manapul

As Central City remains dark from the recent EMP blast, The Fastest Man Alive remains in hot pursuit of the one who set it off: Mob Rule! What does Mob Rule really want? Learn the rest of his origin right here!

Grant: Contrary to what the cliffhanger last issue would have led you to believe, it would appear that Barry Allen has somehow survived that bullet to the head (quelle surprise).  However, despite that incredibly unconvincing fakeout last time around, I continue to be quite impressed with Francis Manapul and Brian Buccelato's Flash book.  Manapul's work with Geoff Johns on the character really seems like it was a trial in comparison, because while Manapul's art was great, it is leagues better in this run.  It seems like the proverbial lightbulb has turned on, because Manapul seems to really understand the possibilities inherent in superpowers as vague as "superspeed", unleashing some really exciting stuff onto the page.  I can't wait to see what comes next.

GREEN WAKE #8

Written by Kurtis J. Wiebe

Art by Riley Rossmo

“LOST CHILDREN,” Part Three

After the horrific murder of one of Green Wake’s most elusive citizens, a new organization emerges in open rebellion against the followers of Micah. While the opposing sides clash, murders continue to surface with no suspect in sight.

Grant: Sometimes I can't quite put my finger on why I like Green Wake so much.  Part of it must have to do with how different it is from a lot of the books on the stands.  Riley Rossmo's art is fantastic, being a lot looser and more expressive than most things you'll find anywhere else.  It's not quite to the same degree, but I would venture to say that there are some commonalities with Ashley Wood's work.  Of course, art will only take a book so far, and it certainly helps that Kurtis J. Wiebe is writing a compelling and complex story that is easy to follow, but challenging to really get your head around.  I often find myself wanting to go back through earlier issues to make sure I'm getting everything that's happening, which is a nice change of pace from the norm.

JOE HILL'S THE CAPE #3

Written by Joe Hill & Jason Ciaramella

Art by Zach Howard

How do you measure evil? Hell-bent on destroying everything in his path, and fuming from his latest setback, Eric makes a decision that will push him past the point of no return. Explore your dark side. 

Grant: This title has been resoundingly answering the question of "what would a morally ambiguous person do if they found out they had superpowers?"  Seriously, every issue seems to give me chills - in the good way.  Joe Hill has created a truly sick and depraved character in young Eric, and being the sick and depraved reader that I am, I cannot wait to see what horrors he gets up to next.

SPACEMAN #3

Written by Brian Azzarello

Art by Eduardo Risso

The space-spanning adventure from the creative team behind 100 BULLETS rolls on as our hero, Orson, drowns in a sea of star pirates, dirty drugs and his own intergalactic failures. Can he keep his head above water long enough to do the right thing?

Grant: I'm still on the fence on Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso's Spaceman.  The dystopian setting and eccentric characters seem pretty darned interesting, but two issues in, it doesn't feel like anything really meaningful has happened yet.  I recognize that there will be nine issues all told, but that doesn't really give you license to stretch things out.  A story should be as long as it needs to be to fit in all the good stuff a storyteller needs to tell their story, and as much as I like Azzarello and Risso, I'm going to need a little more this time around to show me they have something worth telling.

UNWRITTEN #32.5

Written by Mike Carey

Art by Peter Gross & Dean Ormston

In ancient Mesopotamia, just after the Flood that almost ended the world, the hero-king Gilgamesh embarks on a monster-hunt – but the biggest monster may be walking at his side. A time-lost legend that casts unexpected light on the most ruthless of Tom’s enemies: the man known as Pullman.

Grant: My adoration for this series should be well known at this point.  I'd call it a guilty pleasure except that there really isn't anything shameful about liking The Unwritten.  It's an intelligent and fun book that makes great use of the English literary cannon to fuel its stories and settings.  Half the fun is recognizing all the references; the other half is how damn good each issue actually is.

And there we have it.  The last list of Previews for 2011.  It's been one hell of a year for comic books, so here's hoping that 2012 can follow suit, eh?

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