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 June 8, 2011. This weeks comics feature Hulks, Kings of the Jungles, Frankenstein-Monsters, Vampires, Bat-Women, and… high school students? Single issues and trades, they’re all here.

SINGLE ISSUES

American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #1

Henchman21 Okay. So let’s start with American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #1, written by Scott Snyder with art by Sean Murphy. I just read the Hellblazer: City of Demons trade, which also had art by Sean Murphy, so my anticipation for the art is at a fever pitch.
MK2FAC3: Oh absolutely. Sean Murphy’s recent work on Joe the Barbarian absolutely blew me away. It was the highlight of the series! …and I’m a huge Morrison fan
Henchman21: And if you liked that, you should check out that City of Demons trade or his spectacular self published work OFF ROAD which was re-released by Oni a couple of months ago.
Henchman21: And as much as I love American Vampire and Scott Snyder’s writing, I just cannot wait to see what Murphy does in this universe.
MK2FAC3: Oh absolutely, it’s going to be amazing, I’m sure.
MK2FAC3: He’s got a lot of talent, and the world of America Vampire is going to be a playground for Murphy’s mind.

MK2FAC3: I’m reading the main series in hardcovers, but I don’t think I’ll be able to resist picking up this mini-series in single issues.
MK2FAC3: Anything else you wanted to add?
Henchman21: I just let one of my buddies borrow the first two American Vampire hardcovers, and he was hooked on the series after the first couple of issues. And he was not convinced he would like it, but now he’s hooked and I’m sure he’s looking forward to this one as well.
Henchman21: Sean Murphy is just an amazing talent, and he’s going to shine here.
MK2FAC3: Absolutely he will, but let’s move on to something that I didn’t think I would have on this list until I read last month’s issue…

Birds of Prey #14

MK2FAC3: It’s Birds of Prey #13 written by Gail Simone with art by Jesus Saiz!
MK2FAC3: Now, Chris, you don’t read Birds of Prey, correct?
Henchman21: Actually I jumped back on it a couple of issues ago, and I am picking this one up.
MK2FAC3: Oh, that’s great! Did you read last month’s issue?
Henchman21: I did, but I’m trying to remember exactly what happened. I remember and elevator, and Hawk getting captured or something.
Henchman21: “an elevator”
MK2FAC3: Well, the team of Dove, Lady Blackhawk, and Black Canary went on an industrial spy mission to find out some information about the owner of this company or something like that, and Hawk was their lookout
MK2FAC3: Hawk got busted by the boss’ twin bodyguards, and that was the cliffhanger there.
MK2FAC3: But maybe my favorite part of the issue was when Huntress and The Question (Renee Montoya) were investigating so corrupt cops, and were about to be attacked by the scariest villain in the DC Universe. Junior.
Henchman21: That part I remember now.
MK2FAC3: But what was so great about this issue was Gail Simone’s writing paired with Saiz’s art. They worked perfectly together to tell a real cool spy/action book, and that’s sure to continue in this issue. And that is why I have this issue pulled for the week.
MK2FAC3: It’s unfortunate, though, that once the series got it’s footing, DC decides to relaunch the series. Although the future of the title looks good there, too.
Henchman21: Yeah, Saiz is an artist I have loved for years, and I’m happy to see him continue on the book past the re-launch. I’m actually more excited to read the book once it’s relaunched. I’m kind of just riding this out for the rest of this run. Which doesn’t mean this isn’t a good series. I’ve liked the addition of Hawk and Dove to the series.
MK2FAC3: Yeah, I mean, I’ve loved this series for a long time, and the way the characters work together has always been a highpoint for me, the only thing that bothers me about the new series is the line-up
MK2FAC3: But that’s neither here nor there, let’s move on to a book that I absolutely love…

Blue Estate #3

MK2FAC3Are you reading this book, Chris?
Henchman21: I haven’t been reading Birds of Prey very long, so i’m not as attached to the characters. But I know there are a lot of long time fans that will be disappointed by the change.
Henchman21: As for Blue Estate, I am not reading that series as yet, despite you raving about the first issue.
MK2FAC3: and I did! I also really loved the second issue, as well. This book is created by Viktor Kalvachev, and each issue has very different feel and story
MK2FAC3: The first issue felt like a noir interpretation of Law and Order with a pop sensibility to it, while the second issue felt more like an extended scene from Pulp Fiction.
MK2FAC3: Issue #3 is subtitled “Chop House” and looks to be just as interesting and fun as the last issue, I highly recommend this book
Henchman21: I don’t give enough Image series the benefit of the doubt, much to my chagrin. They have so many smaller books that I can’t tell if I’m going to like or not, so I end up passing on them and regretting it later. I’m sure I’ll pick up the trade when it finally hits.
MK2FAC3: I know a lot of people have the “Vertigo #1” rule, but I tend to do that with Image titles
MK2FAC3: especially if the book looks as intriguing as this did.
MK2FAC3: And that’s one of the benefits of me having a store to go in and browse on Wednesday mornings
Henchman21: And that’s one of the disadvantages of buying from DCBS.
MK2FAC3: If the book looks cool, I can pick it up and look throug the pages, and if I want it, I get it
MK2FAC3: well, DCBS or digital, yeah
MK2FAC3: There are so many reasons to love a LCS, but I digress..

Morning Glories #10

Henchman21: One Image book I did take a chance on at the start of the series is Morning Glories, and boy am I happy that I did.
MK2FAC3: Oh me too, my friend, me too.
Henchman21: Issue 10 is out this week, and if I’m not mistaken, this is another character study, this time looking at ummm, someone. I can’t remember who it is this issue. Give me an assist on this one.
MK2FAC3: This issue focuses on fan favorite, Jade!
Henchman21: Yeah, that one. I think this is Nick Spencer’s best series so far. You can tell that this is his baby.
Henchman21: And Joe Eisma is a great up and coming artist. I wish I had been able to talk to him when you guys interviewed him on Comics of Doom. You can tell that he has a lot of passion for the series as well.
MK2FAC3: Oh, he absolutely does. This is definitely their labor of love, and I’m grateful for it.
MK2FAC3: What do you think of the current character studies arc?
Henchman21: I have loved it. Especially the previous issue. This seond arc has given me a lot of perspective on each character, and I think it’s going to pay off long term for the series. The mystery in this series is going to mean nothing if there aren’t characters that we as the reader care about.
MK2FAC3: I couldn’t agree with you more. I know a lot of people have been feeling a disconnect with the series, and it has slowed down a little bit. But each one of the issues has given us a lot of perspective on who each one of these characters truly are. And, clearly, this is all going to pay off further down the line.
Henchman21: I mean, they have said that they have a lot of issues left to go in the series, so I’m not worried. This series is going to be a slow burn.
MK2FAC3: And if you know anything about how I like my comics, it’s a slow burn.
MK2FAC3: But you know what hopefully won’t be a slow burn since it only lasts three issues?
Henchman21: Is it Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #1, winner of the first annual longest damn title in the history of anything award?

Flashpoint: Frankenstein and The Creatures of the Unknown #1

MK2FAC3: That’s right, Christopher! But do you know WHY I’m excited about this book?
Henchman21: Is it because Frankenstein is freaking awesome?
MK2FAC3: That’s part of, Money Bags! The other part is that A.) Seven Soldiers of Victory is what I pretend is the “real” DC Continuity, and B.) That this is going to be written by Jeff Lemire! Rejoice! Rejoice!
MK2FAC3: Jeff Lemire does such an amazing job with writings characters in general, but he really shines when he focuses on a character that is more obscure, more off the beaten path, more of a “freak”, as high school kids would call the,
MK2FAC3: them
MK2FAC3: And I can’t think of a character that exemplifies that more than Frankenstein. I’m pretty sure that this mini-series is going to have no implications on the overall landscape of Flashpoint, but I really don’t care. This is the one of two mini-series from Flashpoint that I was looking forward to, and since Knight of Vengeance didn’t really grab me… this is the only thing about Flashpoint that I really care about now.
Henchman21: Totally. This one and Secret Seven both feature kind of obscure DC characters in adventures that don’t on the surface seem to tie into the main Flashpoint story, but may or may not pay dividends to the over all story. But in the end, not of that really matters, because both series feature top notch talent telling great stories. It doesn’t matter to me how much they do or do not tie into Flashpoint.
Henchman21: Also, I think you’re wrong about Knight of Vengeance. Risso man, Risso.
MK2FAC3: his art was great, but tell me how it rains in Gotham City without any rain?
Henchman21: It’s always raing in Gotham, in this or any other dimension/timeline/what-have-you. It’s like you’ve never read a Batman story before. I’m convinced that Bats has the worse altheletes foot in the history of anything.
MK2FAC3: But there was no actual rainfall in the issue! It wasn’t drawn in! Puddles and umbrellas were there, but no rain!
MK2FAC3: Either way, the art was great, right. But there were a lot of flaws with the story, like “Why hasn’t Thomas Wayne killed Croc or The Joker before now?”
Henchman21: Eh, you’re just crazy. Let’s move on before your insanity infects me.
MK2FAC3: Will do!

Hulk-Sized Mini-Hulk #1

MK2FAC3: Next up, we have Hulk-Sized Mini-Hulks from Audrey Loeb, Chris Giarusso, Carlos Silva, and Dario Brizuela!
Henchman21: Yes, Hulk-Sized Mini-Hulks collects a bunch of the Mini Marvel strips with art by the fantastic Chris Giarusso. I know both of us are huge Giarusso fans.
MK2FAC3: you got that right. In a world where comics are super serious and filled with hate, Chris G. refuses to accept that.
MK2FAC3: And I can’t be happier. More people should read his stuff, y’know?
Henchman21: They really should. I have rarely been more sad than when Marvel stopped running the Mini Marvel strips as back ups. And these Hulk ones are particularly good. If one Hulk isn’t enough for you, how about three?
MK2FAC3: Oh, more than one hero with the same name is too confusing for readers.
MK2FAC3: but yes, it’s really awesome that Marvel is reprinting these so they can live on in the hearts of readers. But what do we have next?

Quick Mentions

Henchman21: Before we jump to trades, I also want to bring up Echo #30, which is the last issue in Terry Moore‘s series. I’m reading Echo in trade, so I’ll read this in a month or so, but a big congrats to him on bring the series to a close, and I’m looking forward to his next series, Rachel Rising.
MK2FAC3: yeah, I am not currently reading this series, but I have literally heard nothing but good things about, so once it finishes, I will definitely be looking to check out this series
Henchman21: I’m also looking forward to a couple of smaller series from Marvel, Mystery Men #1 and Iron Age Alpha #1. Mystery Men is written by David Liss, who is currently working on the Black Panther series. I don’t know much about the series, but I heard Liss talking about it at C2E2 this year. If I remember correctly, it’s about a bunch of Pulp heroes in the Marvel Universe. It sounded intriguing. Iron Age Alpha is written by up and comer Rob Williams, who Marvel seems to be giving a lot of work, and features art by Rebekah Isaacs, who really impressed me with the DV8: Gods and Monsters mini.
MK2FAC3: The Iron Age stuff looks really cool, for sure.
Henchman21: And here’s one for you, Amazing Spider-Man/Ghost Rider – Motorstorm #1, which collects a series of back-ups that recently ran in AS-M. It was also written by Rob Williams, and has art by your main man Lee Garbett. It was a really fun story.
Henchman21: And now I’m done. Onto the collections!
MK2FAC3: Lee Garbett IS my comic book crush, so yeah, I need to get that. Is that in the “Must Have #1” line? I really like how they’re doing those, if it is.
Henchman21: I don’t think this one actually is, but yeah, those Must Have’s are awesome.
MK2FAC3: totally, so let’s move on to a book that I have in hardcover

COLLECTIONS

Batwoman: Elegy Paperback

MK2FAC3: I know you have this, right?
Henchman21: I have the issues, which originally came out in Detective Comics. This is the first story line of Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III Batwoman story, right?
MK2FAC3: Well, it’s the entire run of the Rucka/Williams team up
MK2FAC3: I have both the single issues and the hardcover. I absolutely could resist the hardcover, because it was one of those Deluxe editions with oversized pages
MK2FAC3: It’s the only way to view Williams’ work
MK2FAC3: And the interesting thing about this… I want the trade, too
MK2FAC3: It’s seriously one of my favorite storylines of all time, and I always get distracted when I tried to read the hardcover, so shrunken a little bit, I may be able to actually read it
Henchman21: Well, I don’t think I need to buy it again, but Williams III art is amazing, and it is a fantastic story. I wish that Williams III or DC or whoever would get off their keisters and finish the next Batwoman arc.
MK2FAC3: Well, Batwoman has been announced for The September Relaunch
Henchman21: Yeah, but it was supposed to be out months ago. I’ll believe it when I see it. This collection is, like you said, just an amazing story. I would definitely pick up the hardcover if I was looking for a collected version, but this trade will be a good bet for anyone who hasn’t read it before. Williams layouts are beyond anything that anyone is currently producing.
MK2FAC3: Yeah, it’s a safe bet for everyone. Anybody can pick this up without any prior knowledge and just go. I loved Batwoman on Detective. I can’t praise this enough.
MK2FAC3: But what do we have next?

Sweet Tooth, Vol. 3 Paperback

Henchman21: Next we have Sweet Tooth, Vol. 3 softcover from someone we have mentioned earlier, Jeff Lemire. And Sweet Tooth is, like Morning Glories is for Nick Spencer, the book that you can tell Lemire is really focused on. This is the one that he both writes and draws.
Henchman21: Sweet Tooth has been great so far. It;s the story if Gus, a weird deer/kid hybrid, living in a post apocalyptic world.
MK2FAC3: Absolutely, and every single issue make me horribly depressed that I couldn’t read it for a while
MK2FAC3: It’s so good, but it just hurts my soul.
Henchman21: Lemire’s art is not for everyone, but it’s so unique, and the story is great. You’re right, it a depressing story at times. It’s a freaking post-apocalyptic journey. These things never end well. It could be worse, they could cross over with The Walking Dead. No THAT would be depressing.
MK2FAC3: That’s just a cocktail of certain death, Hench!
Henchman21: I have a high tolerance for misery.
MK2FAC3: I have enough of that in my every day life, but that’s it for this week’s GoD List! But let us know what you’re looking forward to in the comments section below!