Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 02/01/12

Happy Post-Crisis Previews everyone!  To kick off February I have somewhat of a glut of books coming my way, with them being almost perfectly divided between Marvel and DC, which is a rarity for me.  So why don't you hit the jump to check out some of the books I'll be putting my dirty mitts on this week, including Animal Man #6, Punisher #8, and Ed Brubaker's newest entry at Marvel, Winter Soldier #1!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #679

Written by Dan Slott

Art by Humberto Ramos

• With time running out, SPIDEY makes a last ditch effort to save time itself!

• Can Spidey win this race against the future?

Grant: So I was a little down on the opening issue of this Spider two-parter.  It had lots of the things that I've loved about Dan Slott's run, but it didn't quite work in my mind.  Things felt just a little too routine and a bit too formulaic.  However, consider how much goodness Slott has delivered with his year on the title, one off issue is nowhere near enough to turn me off this title.  I certainly hope that part two reads with a bit more excitement, but I'm sure things will pick up either way.

ANIMAL MAN #6

Written by Jeff Lemire

Art by John Paul Leon, Travel Foreman, & Jeff Huet

Before he and his family became hunted by The Rot, Buddy Baker starred in a low budget indie Super Hero film. Now we get to “watch” the movie, courtesy of director Jeff Lemire and guest cinematographer John Paul Leon!

Grant: The opening arc of Jeff Lemire and Travel Foreman's Animal Man accomplished what only Grant Morrison has managed before: it made Buddy Baker interesting and relevant again.  Of particular note is the way that they've included the whole Baker tribe in this book.  Horror seems to be a family affair for Bakers, and I'm mighty eager to see how that plays out in the "movie" we'll be seeing this issue.

BATWING #6

Written by Judd Winick

Art by Ben Oliver

The past looms large as Batwing’s early days as a crime fighter come to light, gaining the attention of Batman. In the present, the adventure comes full circle as Batwing faces off against Massacre in the shadows of the Pyramids of Egypt. The mystery of Massacre begins unfolding as the truth of Africa’s greatest Super Hero team, The Kingdom, unravels.

Grant: Batwing is quite possibly my favourite new series from the New 52.  David Zavimbe is probably the best addition to the Bat-family since the introduction of Damian Wayne.  Each and every issue tells another piece of the intriguing mystery of who the members of The Kingdom truly were and why Massacre wants them all dead, all the while providing the reader more information about our new Bat-themed hero.  The whole thing has been a mighty enjoyable ride thus far, and I'm ever eager to see what comes next.

PUNISHER #8

Written by Greg Rucka

Art by Marco Checchetto

• The face to face you've all been waiting for as ex-Hydra and AIM agents work together to bring down the Punisher.

• Frank is up against a soldier who is more like him than either of them realize

Grant: While I came into it with some (grossly misplaced) doubts, Punisher #7 was an absolute revelation.  The fill-in artists of the past few issues have really shone, especially when it was Michael Lark reuniting with Greg Rucka last issue for some Gotham Central-esque reunion.  Still, I'm glad to see Marco Checchetto back on board.  This series started strong and it's been getting better with each and every number.  I cannot wait to see what happens next.  Whatever it is, I know it won't be disappointing.

O.M.A.C. #6

Written by Dan Didio & Keith Giffen

Art by Scott Kollins & Scott Koblish

A quiet double date for Kevin Kho turns into a battle for O.M.A.C.’s life as he faces the seductive menace of the ever so deadly Sweet Leilani! Meanwhile, Max Lord reluctantly joins Brother Eye in his search for answers about the creature known as Zero Patient! Featuring the work of guest artist Scott Kolins!

Grant: From the get go, I've felt that O.M.A.C. was the kind of book where you could turn off your brain, flip through the month's adventure, and have a rip roaring good time while doing it.  This is the kind of book that doesn't bother taking itself too seriously and is just as happy to enjoy the ride as the reader is.  All that being said, I wasn't terribly surprised to hear that the series would be cancelled with issue #8.  The sales were never that great, and it just didn't seem to strike the right chord with the majority of the comic buying public.  We'll miss you, O.M.A.C., but at least you have three more issues to dish out wacky comic book violence.  OMACTIVATE!

SWEET TOOTH #30

Written by Jeff Lemire

Art by Jeff Lemire

After last issue’s startling revelations at The Dam, the girls struggle to survive as Jepperd learns the truth about Project Evergreen. But can he make it back in time to save them? And even if he does, how will he get inside the impenetrable Dam? “Unnatural Habitats” amps up and heads toward a stunning conclusion you’ll never see coming!

Grant: The double dose of Jeff Lemire is one of my favourite ways to start the new month.  Unnatural Habitats has really been raising the intensity for Gus and company.  As always, I love to see Jeff Lemire drawing his own books, and it's even better when the book is as good as his creator owned Sweet Tooth.  So happy that books like this exist.

VENOM #13

Written by Rick Remender

Art by Tony Moore

• PART ONE OF A SIX PART EVENT!

Grant: What the heck is this?  This solicitation tells you absolutely nothing about what's going on in this book.  What more, looking ahead at the rest of the month, there's going to be an issue of Venom coming out every single week.  I don't care what book you're talking about, virtually none need to have five issues in a single month.  That's just too much.  Also, what the heck are we doing with so many characters in Venom's book?  This looks like it might be something of a hot mess.  Marvel's choice often leave me scratching my head, and this is one of the strangest ones.  Where do they expect people to find the money for so many issues of the same title?  I have strong doubts that I'll be able to pony up that kind of cash.

WINTER SOLDIER #1

Written by Ed Brubaker

Art by Butch Guice

• Winter Soldier and Black Widow are the super-spies of the Marvel U!

• Ex-Russian Sleeper Agents awaken, but under who's control?

• Is that Dr. Doom? Uh oh.

Grant: While I've lost all interest in Ed Brubaker's Captain America & Bucky, I'm willing to give him another shake with the new Winter Soldier series.  The previews have been pretty sweet, with this book looking to fall more within his usual noir stylings rather than the superheroics that one might expect.  When Brubaker's name is on the cover, it's usually worth giving it a shot.  I'll let you know how this one turns out.

That's me this week.  There's a few books I'm on the fence about, including the second issue of Brubaker and Phillips' Fatale from Image.  It'll be a last minute decision, so we'll see how it all plays out.  What are you pulling down this week and why?

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