Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 05/22/13

Welcome to your Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews.  There's a plethora of excellent comics hitting stands tomorrow, including Bounce #1, Mind MGMT #11, Subatomic Party Girls #1, and many more!  Hit the jump to give them all a thorough once over.  I'll see you on the other side.

Major Releases

BATMAN INCORPORATED #11

Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Chris Burnham

Batman’s world has been devastated by his war against Talia, but is he willing to give up on his own humanity?

Grant: We move ever closer to the grand finale of Grant Morrison's long running Batman epic, and I can't help but wonder how in the world he's going to wrap up years worth of Batman stories in three issues.  Considering how solid the majority of the run has been up to this point, I'm obviously willing to trust that Morrison can find a way, but in the interim, I'll happily enjoy the fruits of his and Chris Burnham's labour as things heat up in the ongoing war between Bruce and Talia.

BOUNCE #1

Written by Joe Casey

Art by David Messina

FIRST ISSUE SPECTACULAR!

Meet the ultimate slacker superhero for the 21st Century! Jasper Jenkins is a super-head AND a super-hero! He's relatable AND reliable and he's embarking on the adventure of a lifetime! The sensational debut of the new feel-good hero of the decade! You can't afford to miss it!

Grant: Image is riding high on the Joe Casey name of late, first with Sex and now with this week's Bounce.  I've found Sex to be a little too slow for my tastes, but hopefully with a title as energetic as Bounce, this book's pacing will be a tad quicker. I've also quite enjoyed David Messina in the many licensed books where I've encountered his work previously, so I'm eager to see what he can do with the added freedom of a creator owned book.

YOUNG AVENGERS #5

Written by Kieron Gillen

Art by Jamie McKelvie

• The book where when a character says “I did it half an hour ago” normally means doing “it” half an hour ago reaches its first epic conclusion.

• Why Did Loki Do It? No one kno... okay, we’ll tell you...Well, part of it.

• Miss America probably punches someone. She usually does.

Grant: I say it every month, but Young Avengers has rocketed to the top of my must read pile.  Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie are reminding the world each and every issue why they are such a talented comic book duo.  Everything about this book, from the characters, to the art, to the solicitations, is a ton of fun, and that's exactly how I like my comics.  Seriously, what's not to love?

New Kids on the Block

AKANEIRO #1

Written by Justin Aclin

Art by Vasilis Lolos

From the brilliant imagination of video game auteur American McGee comes a dazzling reenvisioning of Red Riding Hood set in the wondrous world of Japanese folklore! Justin Aclin and Vasilis Lolos take Kania young woman torn between two cultureson an epic adventure battling devious yokai for the fate of her world!

• Based on the hot new game by American McGee’s Spicy Horse Games!

Grant: I'm not terribly familiar with either Justin Aclin's writings or American McGee's games, but I really dug Vasilis Lolos' work over in Conan for issues #8 and 9.  That combined with the relatively interesting concept of reimagining Little Red Riding Hood in Japanese folklore is enough to get me to check out this new miniseries.

GREEN TEAM #1

Written by Art Baltazar and Franco

Art by Ig Guara

INVENTORS! EXPLORERS! ADVENTURERS! Do you need money to finance an important project? Then you should set up a meeting with THE GREEN TEAM!

• Nature of world-changing idea: _____

• Amount requested: _____

• Does your project have the potential to:

Fracture space-time? __

Replace the combustion engine? __

Attract extraterrestrial attention? __

Prove/disprove existence of deities? __

Piss off The Justice League? __

Render the human body obsolete? __

If any of the above are checked, please fill out liability release form GT2013-05. Send any 82 drawings, plans, models, or photos with request.

Grant: I wasn't particularly fond of The Movement, DC's other new title for the month, but I have higher hopes for Green Team.  The concept sounds like the most fun, Art Baltazar and Franco are a talented writer team, and Ig Guara's a solid artist.  Putting it all together should make for a delightful read, right?

HALF PAST DANGER #1

Written by Stephen Mooney

Art by Stephen Mooney

DAMES. DINOSAURS. DANGER. Summer, 1943, and in the midst of a war waged by monsters, Staff Sergeant Tommy ‘Irish’ Flynn never expected to encounter a real one. But on a remote island in the South Pacific, Flynn and his squad come face-to-fanged-face with creatures long thought dead.

Grant: Speaking of fun, what's not to like about a comic called Half Past Danger?  I don't know much beyond the title, cover, and solicit, but it really looks like this will be the kind of pulpy, action-packed comic that the industry can always use more of.  I'm also pleased to see IDW putting out some more creator owned series; that's the kind of thing that there's also always more room for.

SUBATOMIC PARTY GIRLS #1

Written by Chad Bowers and Chris Sims

Art by Erica Henderson

Cleo, Libby and Vette are Beryllium Steel, the hottest power pop trio in the world -- and they're about to be the hottest band in outer space! When a plan to make them the first band to perform live on the moon goes wrong, they find themselves on the wrong side of the galaxy, faced with space pirates, intergalactic crime bosses and no way to get home. Their only option: ROCK OUT!

Grant: Over at Comixology, Monkeybrain's newest series releases this week.  Subatomic Party Girls is a comedy adventure featuring an all female band going to space.  If that isn't enough to convince you, it's written by Chad Bowers and Chris Sims (who you might know from the Awesome Hospital webcomic [and you should know Sims from his venerable work at Comics Alliance]) and drawn by Erica Henderson (who is all kinds of amazing).  This is a winning combination, folks, so check it out.

Fond Farewells

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS #3

Written by Alexander Grecian, Kurtis Wiebe & Joe Keatinge

Art by Riley Rossmo

GOLDEN-AGE FORMAT

Inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead, artist extraordinaire, RILEY ROSSMO, interprets stories from three of today's top writers. From KURTIS WIEBE (PETER PANZERFAUST) comes a heartbreaking love story--in this world or the next. JOE KEATINGE (GLORY, HELL YEAH) offers up Day of the Dead 3000. As Ultra Muertos falls at the hands of Mother Slaughter, his grandson takes over the mantle with a death wish for all-out apocalypse! And New York Times bestselling author ALEXANDER GRECIAN (PROOF) tells a tale of ghost children.

Grant: Riley Rossmo's Day of the Dead anthology comes to a close this month with three stories penned by three talented writers.  This miniseries has been a nice change of pace, featuring Rossmo's brilliant art partnered with plenty of excellent short stories.  I'll be sad to see the book go, but eager to see what Rossmo gets up to next.

GREEN LANTERN #20

Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy

It’s the final battle against the First Lantern and the Guardians in this, the extra-sized finale of Geoff Johns’ historic run on the title! Plus, don’t miss a special retrospective on Geoff’s run on GL!

Grant: This month sees the end of all the current runs on DC's Green Lantern books, including Geoff Johns' tenure as the writer for the main Green Lantern title.  I followed his entire run before the reboot, but couldn't bring myself to continue once the New 52 hit.  Either way, it will be quite the change to see someone else's name on the writer credit for Green Lantern, but I have a funny feeling that Johns will be able to land on his feet here.

That being said, charging $7.99 for 64 pages of content is kind of highway robbery and seeing that makes me glad that I don't follow this title, because I would not want to shell out that kind of cash for something that will have far fewer than 64 pages worth of actual comic content.  Yikes.

You May Have Missed

ADVENTURE TIME #16

Written by Ryan North

Art by Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb

THE FIRST ISSUE OF A NEW ARC AND THE PERFECT JUMPING-ON POINT FOR NEW READERS! It’s an all-new adventure for Finn, Jake and the gang from critically acclaimed writer Ryan North! The best all-ages series of 2012 continues!

Grant: I'm always ready for more Ryan North, Shelli Paroline, and Braden Lamb goodness.  Their run on Adventure Time has managed to stay fresh and exciting through 15+ issues, and I can't wait to see what Finn and Jake get up to next.  It's no coincidence that this book was nominated for three Eisner Awards - it's just that good.  If you've been depriving yourself of this book, I would strongly urge you to change that habit tomorrow.  There's no better time to start reading Adventure Time than as soon as possible.

ADVENTURE TIME: FIONNA & CAKE #5

Written by Natasha Allegri

Art by Natasha Allegri

THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ADVENTURE TIME SPIN-OFF CONTINUES! Fionna and Cake are racing against the clock to save the feral flame boy’s family…but can they do it in time? Written and drawn by Natasha Allegri, the creator of Fionna and Cake, this series is being called one of the best of 2013!

Grant: As you're probably well aware, it's not only the main Adventure Time series that's worth reading, but pretty much every single Adventure Time book that's coming out right now.  Boom! has done an excellent job of finding talented creators to helm their tie-in comics, and Natasha Allegri's Fionna & Cake miniseries has been one of the best books they've done.  Every issue has been an absolute joy, and I can't wait to see what comes next.

MIND MGMT #11

Written by Matt Kindt

Art by Matt Kindt

Once, Mind Management’s agents were trained in its remote headquarters, Shangri-la. Now, with MIND MGMT shut down—at least officially—its location has been erased from every former agent’s memories. So how do you find a secret base? With a secret map.

• Ongoing series from Matt Kindt (3 Story)!

“Kindt's story and art pull you in effortlessly and make you desperate for the next piece to the puzzle.” — Greg McElhatton, Comic Book Resources

Grant: Matt Kindt's Mind MGMT is one of the more challenging comic books coming out right now.  His winding story of secret organizations and agents with superpowers seemingly becomes more complex with each and every issue, but that only adds to its charm.  Kindt's writing and art is rock solid, and Mind MGMT is only getting better.  You should definitely be reading this series if you aren't already doing so.

The Balance

FIVE GHOSTS: THE HAUNTING OF FABIAN GRAY #3

Written by Frank J. Barbiere

Art by Chris Mooneyham

“ENTER: THE FORGOTTEN CITY!”

In a fantastic valley...far from the eyes of man...Fabian Gray meets THE GUARDIAN OF DREAMS!

Grant: Frank J. Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham have been cooking up something special in the pages of The Haunting of Fabian Gray.  Their story has been hinting at a much bigger threat than we've seen thus far, and even if there wasn't something sinister on the horizon, the hook of Fabian's five literary ghosts is already enough to keep me interested.  Adding in all the adventure, explosions, and intrigue only makes this series more worthwhile.

LOBSTER JOHNSON: SATAN SMELLS A RAT

Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi

Art by Kevin Nowland

The artist of Hellboy: Buster Oakley Gets His Wish returns for two-gun vengeance!

Someone is killing off skid row bums and dumping their corpses. The only one who can deliver justice is Hellboy’s favorite gun-blazing vigilante.

“This series continues to prove why Mike Mignola is one of the best creative forces in comic books and should be a must read for anyone." —Technorati

Grant: Lobster Johnson remains one of my favourite Hellboy universe characters, and I've been thoroughly enjoying these one shots.  They aren't necessarily instant classics, but they always tell an engaging story with cool ideas that wrap up neatly within their 22 pages.  Sometimes that's exactly what I want, and I'm happy to turn to Lobster Johnson for that fix.

THE UNWRITTEN #49

Written by Mike Carey

Art by Peter Gross

In the conclusion to “Orpheus In the Underworld,” Tom meets the King of Hell again—and this time it’s even more unpleasant than before. The only way out is up, and the only way to get there is through a story. But what if the story says you have to lose? This issue leads directly into the epic fiftieth issue, and the start of THE UNWRITTEN FABLES!

Grant: The latest storyline of Tom seeking Lizzie in Hell has been... *ahem* one hell of a read (sorry about that).  I'm really excited to see how this all shakes out, and while I've never really read Fables, I'm still intrigued to see what this Unwritten - Fables crossover is all about next month.  This book is always of the best quality, and I expect issue #49 to be no exception.

Pick of the Week

I feel like selecting the Pick of the Week only gets harder and harder, and this time is no exception.  While I'm terribly tempted to go with one of the amazing Adventure Time books, I have to go with Young Avengers #5.  While Adventure Time and Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake are brilliant, Young Avengers is the kind of book I want to see more of from the Big 2, so I can't help but root for it to be ever more successful to send some type of message Marvel's way.

What about you?  Which books are you desiring come Wednesday's arrival?

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