As you guys are likely well aware, virtually every comic I read regularly is a creator-owned book. I no longer collect anything from the Big 2 (not counting Vertigo or Icon). In my not-so-humble opinion, the creator-owned space is where all the real innovation in the industry happens and where all the best stories are being told. While Marvel and DC are busy trying to figure out what new world-shattering event they can put together to tie in with their other media properties, the best creators in the industry are shaping extraordinary books like Sheltered and Fatale and Sex Criminals.
I don’t fault anyone who’s into the capes books from the Juggernauts. If you’re one of them, though, I suggest two things: a) Take my list of weekly picks with a grain of salt. I’m not saying there aren’t good Marvel and DC books coming out this week, I’m just saying I don’t read them, and b) take a leap on some of the creator-owned work that you may not normally read. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. And, for more well-rounded discussions and opinions, give the Trade Secrets Podcast a try. I’m our creator-owned guy, Eddie is clearly our DC fan, Anne promotes the hell out of little-known indie works, Joel is our Marvel guy, and Andy… well, Andy will read damned near anything.
This is a middlin’ week for me as far as volume is concerned, with five books coming in. Revival is consistently good. Rat Queens is one of my favorite new books, especially for anyone who’s played D&D since they were a kid like I have, and Letter 44 is a really interesting concept that has me hooked enough to pay attention for a while. There are two books I’d like to focus on this week, though:
Pretty Deadly rocked the creator-owned comics world last month by selling out in two days, of a print run that was wildly larger than even the creators expected. And the brainchild of Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Rios did not disappoint. Haunting visuals and a lyrical writing style make Pretty Deadly one of the most unique offerings on the market right now, and well worth your three bucks. I’m looking forward to issue two almost as much as I’m looking forward to…
Black Science. There are few comics that have ever held as much hype for me as Rick Remender and Mateo Scalera’s new offering. Touted as a spiritual successor to Remender’s magnum opus Fear Agent, the early reviews for Black Science are glowing. There is no better way to advertise one of Remender’s works than to attach it to Fear Agent, which is one of my all-time favorite comics. Black Science looks astounding, and knowing Remender’s deep-seeded love for pulpy science-fiction, this first issue can’t get here fast enough.
In addition to my normal subscriptions, there are two must-buy hardcover collections coming this week: 100 Bullets Deluxe Edition Vol. 5 – the book that completes the entire run of 100 Bullets now in hardcover – and The Sixth Gun Deluxe HC Vol. 1. The Sixth Gun is, without question, my favorite comic book, and this will be the fourth different version of the first eleven issues I own. And I’m not sorry for that.
Here’s the Diamond Previews list of this week’s NEW RELEASES. Get you to your local shop on Wednesday and pick up some comics!
Luke’s Picks for November 27th, 2013: Black Science #1, Pretty Deadly #2, Rat Queens #3, Revival #15, Letter 44 #2, 100 Bullets Deluxe Edition Vol. 5, The Sixth Gun Deluxe HC Vol. 1
