Each week, MK2Fac3 and Henchman21 read a lot of comics. Seriously, a lot of comics. Maybe too many comics. They look forward to some more than others, I mean, who doesn’t? So, let’s take a look into the depths of their pull list, grab some issues and we’ll let YOU know what the top books to look forward to are for the week of May 4, 2011. Single issues and trades, they’re all here.

MK2Fac3

ISSUES

Blue Estate #2 (Image Comics – $2.99): When the first of this issue of this came out of nowhere to completely blow me away, I knew that I would be anticipating all following issues. The series centers around a bit of fumbling private detective that gets himself a bit over his head when he picks up a case concerning the Russian mafia. Blue Estate is extremely eccentric with a lot of mystery, but also with a perfect amount of humor to keep the series as one of the most unique books that I’ve ever read. We discussed the first issue on the podcast, but the creative force behind this comic is strong, and this Blue Estate promises to be a breakout series.

But don’t take my word for it, here’s a description of the book given to us straight from creator, Andrew Osborne!

Axe Cop: Bad Guy Earth #3 (of 3) (Dark Horse Comics – $3.50): Oh man, Axe Cop… What is there to say? It’s absolutely awesome. The web comic is awesome. The mini series is awesome. The art is always awesome. And the story… wow. Reading Axe Cop: Bad Guy Earth is the most fun I’ve had with comics in a very long time. But the most appealing thing about this series is that truly reminds me of when I was a kid. Written by 6-year-old Malachai Nicolle, the book encapsulates every child’s imagination of what “AWESOME” really means.

iZombie #13 (Vertigo/DC Comics – $2.99): Chris Roberson and Michael Allred’s Vertigo series is a book that I’ve been hearing about for a while now (I even ordered the first trade, but have yet to receive it), and with its thirteenth issue, it begins an all new storyline that will be going on for the next few months, which is what excites me. Chris Roberson’s recent forays with the Superman and Superman/Batman titles have really impressed me, so I’m dying to catch up on his creator owned series. Also, Mike Allred is awesome.

This week is a pretty light week for me, but I just want to throw in that Secret Six #33 is coming out, and this storyline is insane. It’s not a new story arc, but it’s pivotal to what we’ll be seeing in the next few issues.

COLLECTION

Thor: Wolves of the North TPB (Marvel Comics – $12.99): In the most obvious turn of the week, I’m picking yet another Thor collection! And can you blame me? From what I’m hearing there’s a Thor movie coming out this weekend, and it’s promising to be pretty cool, so we’re getting a lot of Thor now. But Wolves of the North stands out to me because it’s a collection of various tales from The Odinson’s history. And it’s super cheap! So, pick this up for sure if you’re not too familiar with the character, but you’re still excited for the movie. FOR ASGARD!

Also, Secret Six has a new trade coming out called The Reptile Brain that collects some of its best issues of the series. In this trade, we get the incredible Catman story, as well as the entire crossover with Action Comics! All for only $14.99! I know I’m cheating, but I told you I’d always pick Secret Six!

Henchman21

ISSUES

Atomic Robo and the Deadly Art of Science #5 (of 5) (Red 5 Comics – $3.50): Quite frankly, this is one of my favorite series on the stands, and this issue has been delayed too long, so I am happy to see it hitting stores this week. This is the end of the fifth volume of Atomic Robo, and features the end of his training with Jack Tarot. I’m also guessing that this is going to have a bit of a sad ending for Robo and Tarot’s daughter, who have been dating during this series, although I hope I’m wrong. The writing from Brian Clevinger is always funny and his plots are always exciting. The art by Scott Wegener continues to impress me with the amount of emotion he gets out of Robo’s face as well as the way the action flows off the page. Atomic Robo is the perfect light-hearted comic.

Fear Itself #2 (of 7) (Marvel Comics – $3.99): The first issue of Fear Itself impressed me in the art department, but left me a little cool on the story, so I’m looking to see if the second issue improves on that end. I have no reason to worry that Stuart Immonen’s art will be up to his usual standards and I think that in the second issue we will see a lot of action as Thor goes on trial and a bunch of hammers fall to the Earth and turn old fashioned superheroes and villains into new fangled gods. As long as the book stays on schedule and I don’t let myself be overwhelmed by tie-ins, I think this will be another great Marvel event.

Artifacts #7 (of 13) (Top Cow – $3.99): If you like event books, but don’t want to get sucked into fifteen million side books and one-shots, then give Top Cows’ Artifacts a try. The series is tying together all of Top Cows’ big heroes like The Darkness, Witchblade, and Cyberforce, and throwing them into a chase to find 13 artifacts that could destroy the world. Don’t be afraid if you’re not too familiar with the Top Cow heroes; each issue has done a great job of establishing who is who and what their history is. Writer Ron Marz has worked with these characters for a while and he understands them all and the series has been a big rollicking ride and is the perfect book for those looking for an event type book, but have a limited budget.

COLLECTION

Taskmaster: Unthinkable TPB (Marvel Comics – $14.99): – One of my favorite miniseries of late 2010/early 2011 was Fred Van Lente and Jefte Palo’s Taskmaster, and here is your chance to catch up on the series if you missed the issues. The series is, in a word, insane. There is a lot of great action as Taskmaster tries to find out about his past while fighting with a woman who may or may not be his wife. He has to escape from every evil organization in the Marvel universe after it is leaked that he has given important information to Captain America. He has to go on the run and fights against a Mexican-themed villain named Don of the Dead, travels to a Bolivian village where everyone is Hitler, and then fights a collection of henchman from across the Marvel U. The series had me laughing with every issues and the art by Palo was interesting and unique. This is one of those great little Marvel series that flies under a lot of radars, but if you’re looking for a fun series, give this one a shot.