My Top 13 Comics For October 2015

Marvel began publishing its new line-up, set 8 months after Secret Wars… even though Secret Wars (running behind schedule) has yet to wrap. Vertigo offered a first issue on each Wednesday (Survivor’s Club, Twilight Children, Clean Room and Art Ops), while DC relaunched a weekly with Batman and Robin Eternal (featuring the return of Cassandra Cain to regular continuity) and brought back Lois and Clark. These publishers, along with Image and Boom, debuted the new with rock star talents like Cliff Chiang, Darwyn Cooke, Mike Allred, Gilbert Hernandez, Warren Ellis and Mike Carey.

More comics from TV land emerged. iZombie and Supergirl were the two I watched and enjoyed. I’ve dropped Gotham, it’s just too mean and ugly (Alfred –an adult- smacking a kid, Selina - the scene where youths on a School Bus are threatened with guns - the slaughter at the police station). 

Collected Edition of the Month

The Multiversity - Deluxe Edition by Grant Morrison with Frank Quietly, Ivan Reis, Jim Lee, Cameron Stewart and others

13. Gotham By Midnight #10 (DC)
Written by Ray Fawkes
Art and Colors by Juan Ferreyra
Look to this issue for a masterclass on how to draw an astonishing, citywide chase sequence. That final page with the monster was eye popping as well.  Right now the cops are thinking “Good riddance to Corrigan and his crew!” I’m guessing they’re going to rethink that sentiment soon.

12. Black Magick #1 (Image)

Written by Greg Rucka

Art by Nicola Scott * Colors by Scott assisted by Chiara Arena
What you got here is your basic hostage situation, with a Wiccan twist. There’s not much beyond that, but I like the way Rucka establishes his characters and sets up the conflict that will no doubt drive the series.  Nicola Scott’s art is expressive, rendered in black and white with washes - Color blooms when magic is used, which contributes to an incredible looking double page spread.

11. They're Not Like Us #9 (Image)

Written by Eric Stephenson

Art by Simon Gane * Colors by Jordie Bellaire
FINALLY this book gets going again. While it starts off with a lot of dancing, things take a tense turn as Syd and her group discover there are worst Mutants out there than the Voice (who pops back up, and proves he’s still a royal asshat)

10. Toil and Trouble #2 (Boom/Archaia)
Written by Mairghread Scott
Art and Colors by Kelly & Nichole Scott
Macbeth (unknowingly) finds himself in the middle of a heated conflict between 2 of the 3 witches. While the issue is heavy on the narration, the dialog is beautifully scripted, with each woman given a distinct voice. Art wise: The design and coloring was top drawer; especially in those magic-based sequences. 

9. Amazing Spider-Man #1 and 2 (Marvel)

Written by Dan Slott

Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli * Colors by Marte Gracia

In the “new” first issue of Amazing, Slott pretty much recast Peter as Tony Stark. The opening sequence in that issue was fast paced, funny as hell, and hey... the Spider-Mobile is back!  The second issue was even more of a blast! Exciting, hilarious and whip smart. I love this new direction for Spidey! It’s so nice to see Pete finally grow up, realize his potential and be more than a lovable loser. Art was amazing as well, I especially like Gracia’s colors, the way the eyes and logo glow on the costume was a nice touch.

8. Karnak #1 (Marvel)

Written by Warren Ellis

Art by Gerardo Zaffino * Colors by Dan Brown
The inhuman who sees the flaws in everything is a cynic, a philosopher, and a cold hearted jerk. But he's also curiously fascinating. The pacing of the comic is measured - the tone, weird and moody, with dollops of humor. Dialog is impressive, and based on all that I'm giving this issue a high 5. However - while the art is appropriately gritty- perspective is glaringly off kilter and figure work is stiff. Ah, if only David Aja did the interiors as well as the covers.

7. Spider-Gwen  #1 (Marvel)
Written by Jason  Latour

Art by Robbi Rodriguez * Colors by Rico Renzi

She’s back and as amazing as ever. Events from Gwen’s past return to haunt her. And what she uncovers during the course of her investigation is bigger than she imaged. Art is fantastic, brightly colored, stylistic - a kin to trippy 60s pop art. There's a lot of energy in it, with dynamic movements that have Gwen practically leaping off the page. Great stuff (and now I want to see Janet Van Dyne and learn how that connection happened.)

6. Harrow County #6 (Dark Horse)
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art and Colors by Tyler Crook

I have questions about just how Kammi came to learn of her sister, but her presences and her interaction with Emmy are incredibly scripted, Bunn has such command of the character of language, it’s a joy to read. The contrasts in each women is fascinating - Emmy is stable, mature for her age, while the older Kammi is quietly unhinged and that’s damn scary.

5. Paper Girls #1 (Image)
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Art by Cliff Chiang  * Colors by Matt Wilson
While Vaughan's script was exceptional, Chiang's contributions were equally as important: A few sequences I admired... After the dream, when Erin leans over the bunk bed to ask her sister if she's dead; the expressions in those panels were priceless (grumpy, woken up sister, to Erin's relieved smile). Little things like that impressed me. Or Tiffany's upset over having the stolen radio. That was such a small, but wonderful scene, and my heart went out to her. She doesn't have money to burn, and the artistic details add much (a small tear, her torn jeans). Also Chiang's double page spread when Erin first heads out to deliver her papers - I loved the composition in that page. 

Heck, Vaughan could have tossed out the spooky weirdness and it still would have been great, just as the first chapter in a coming of age story. While it was decompressed in spots that's not a negative here, it suited the tone of the piece early on, with those sleepy mornings when things are quiet. I like how it set things up, allowed us to ease into this girls life. Story wise, I was thinking of Super 8 as I read it.

4. Catwoman #45 (DC)
Written by Genevieve Valentine
Art by David Messina* Colors by Lee Loughridge

There are some great dramatic moments here. Penguin really shines, as he wheels and deals and does whatever he needs to position people where he needs them, in order to get what he wants. All while smiling that smile of his. Antonia was also a highlight, as was Catwoman;s confrontation with Mask -- though sequences thereafter felt hurried. Still there are so many great moments. And to see these circumstances wither away whatever chance at a relationship Selina and Eiko might have had, adds to the rather Shakespearean tragedy Valentine has been building.

3. Twilight Children #1 (Vertigo)
Written by Gilbert Hernandez
Art by Darwyn Cooke * Colors by Dave Stewart
Sweet Sassy-Molassy this was simply one of the best comics I've read this year. Within you'll find that wonderful Gilbert weirdness set among the mundane, everyday life, with rock solid character work, married to Cookes perfect pencils... it's a match made in Heaven. The story is very mysterious, kind of reminds me of 50s sci-fi movies. I can't wait to see what comes next.

2. The Fade Out #10 (Image)

Written by Ed Brubaker

Art by Sean Phillips * Colors by Elizabeth Breitweiser

The slow burn is heating up as more pieces of the mystery fall into place. In addition to Charlie and Gil’s investigation, we learn that Dottie -a woman who knows the power of secrets- has a secret of her own. Brubaker is doing some masterful writing here (and on Velvet). I don’t know that I’ve ever enjoyed his work more (it’s at least the equal to Winter Soldier)

1. Prez #5 (DC)

Written by Mark Russell

Art by Ben Caldwell * Colors by Jeremy Lawson

Caldwell’s back so the art, its ability to sell and tell the story, is aces! And while I might not agree with everything Madam President is doing, I am grateful to have a book that encourages me to pause, use my brain and ponder these complex issues. It’s one of the qualities that make this title important, special. I like the ideas presented, I like that there are repercussions (Beth can’t just make all the bad go away). I like how it exposes flaws and corruption within the pharmaceutical companies and special interest groups. And I am curious to see where Russell’s going with his ‘War Beast’ subplot. It’s not subtle - there was some obvious (though hilarious) foreshadowing with a ‘meat generator’ in this chapter. But all told, Prez proves to be trenchant political satire on “Dr. Strangelove” levels of brilliant.

Other Favorites: Doctor Strange #1 (Marvel), 1602: Witch Hunter Angel #4 (Marvel), 1872 (Marvel), Revival #34 (Image), Action Comics #45 (DC), Rowans Ruin #1 (Boom), Batman & Robin Eternal #1 through 3 (DC), Plutona #2

Writer of the Month: Gilbert Hernandez (Twilight Children)
Every writer on my top 14 is worthy of this accolade, but I gave it to Beto because his Vertigo team-up with Cooke more than met expectations.

Artist of the Month: Cliff Chiang (Paper Girls)
It was so nice to see Cliff back on an ongoing series that I'm putting him in the spotlight ahead of stalwarts Caldwell, Cooke and Phillips.

Art Panel of the Month

Invincible Iron Man #2 from Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez - Tony remembers his past with Whitney Frost. 

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