Each and every week “The Garden State Stud” Henchman21 and “The Pencil-Neck” MK2FAC3 read a lot of comics. Seriously you guys, a lot of comics. Maybe too many comics. I mean, it is possible… theoretically. 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 lists, grab some comics, and we’ll let YOU know what the top books to look forward to are for the week of September 14, 2011. Single issues and trades, they’re all here.

No jokes this week. It’s all about serious business. I want to throw out that a lot of great DC books are coming out this week and I chose one, and Chris chose another. But it’s worth noting that I am really looking forward to Batwoman and Demon Knights, as well. We’re making a real attempt here to put a spotlight on a lot of either the lesser known, lower selling books from publisher, or straight up creator owned works. We’re all excited about this gigantic DC Relaunch, whether we love them or not, it’s exciting. But it’s extremely important for all of you to know that there are other books out there that could really use the attention, so if you’ve never listened to us before, please do so here. It’s a great time for comics, and it’s time for everybody to expand their horizons.

MK2Fac3

ISSUES:

27 Second Set #1 (Image Comics – $2.99): I know next to nothing about this series except for the fact that it’s a book about music and that it centers around the phenomenon that several great musicians die at the age of 27. I have no idea how that plays out in comic book form, but the fact that it does, intrigues me. And what else gets me interested in this book is that the writer also works on a book about a luchador. ¡Los Luchadores y musica! Okay, so maybe not together, but after hearing about how great this book is from fellow Comics of Doom host Willie Gillis and his interview with the writer Charles Soule, I have to give this a shot. Like I said, I don’t really know a lot about this book, so obviously I haven’t read the first mini-series, but hopefully I won’t be lost with the first issue of this, the second set. I’ve heard great things about it, so now it’s time to face the music! Terrible pun, I know….

Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1 (DC Comics – $2.99): I’m pretty much already sure that this is going to be my favorite comic of the week. Jeff Lemire’s last outing in the New 52 gave us the mind-blowing Animal Man that stood out in originality, quality, nods to the past, and everything else that I was looking for. So, without a doubt, I have ultimate faith for this title as well. And if I didn’t, I’d check my issues of the Flashpoint: Frankenstein and The Creatures of The Unknown mini-series. Because if you want a feel for how Lemire would write Frankenstein, that’s the place to see it. He did an amazing job with Frank before, he did a phenomenal job with Animal Man, so I have zero doubt he’s going to knock it out of the park with this one. He loves the character, and it showed in Flashpoint, so I’m sure it will here, too.

Pigs #1 (Image Comics – $2.99): An ongoing Image book by the writing team of Nate Cosby and Ben McCool. Are you serious, bro? Of course I’ll read it! This book deals with all sorts of serious topics spawning from a second generation Cuban sleeper cell that plans to overthrow the government through assassinations and other forms of pro-violence revolution. It sounds serious, and with the writing team, it also sounds awesome. I can’t wait to check this out because there’s a lot of promise. And the fact that it’s one of the very few ongoing books on Image makes me take it a whole lot more seriously.

COLLECTION:

There are seriously a lot of great things coming out this week. I know I say that a lot, but that’s because there’s a lot of good stuff, but after reading the book I’m about to talk about, you’ll understand my decision.

Sweets TPB (Image Comics – $14.99): This is a really, really, really awesome book. It’s a serial killer murder mystery based in New Orleans, LA right before a giant storm hits the area. Most people evacuate, but there’s a few that don’t, and those few are going to regret that decision. Awesome concept, right? That’s not the only reason to check out this book. Kody Chamberlain did all the creative work on it. He wrote, pencilled, colored, and lettered the book, and he did it so painstakingly well that he nailed the look to a popular New Orleans Saints hat that I noticed the specific style because my father owned one. This book is unlike anything I’ve read before. If you’ve every experienced the darker side of New Orleans, this book is for you. If you like a good murder mystery, this book is for you. If you like crime comics, this book is for you. But if you only like super heroes and capes, then it’s probably not your cup of tea. But instead of that tea, might I suggest some Cajun coffee?

Henchman21

ISSUES:

Punishermax #17 (Marvel/Max – $3.99): I’ve said tons of times before how much I love Punishermax both here on the GoD List (I think) and definitely on the Comics of Doom podcast, so I am just going to reiterate a few points. This is the start of a new story arc, picking up from the end of “Frank” story. The Punisher begins his war to take down the Kingpin, except he has no money, no place to sleep, and most importantly, no guns. So, how is he going to set about this? I don’t know, but I do know that writer Jason Aaron has a few ideas, and he is going to bring readers along for the ride. Aaron has proven over the course of this run that he understands who the Punisher is and puts the readers into his mind in a way few other writers ever have. He is joined by artist Steve Dillon, who is doing some of his best work ever. Never before has an artist gotten so much emotion out of one man’s grimace. Dillon is a master storyteller and is putting all his years of skill and training to good use. And just look at that cover by Dave Johnson! Punishermax is a great book, and this is a good point to start reading if you haven’t been.

GI Joe Cobra #5 (IDW – $3.99): Wait a minute? Didn’t issue 4 come out just last week? You know what, I don’t care. In fact, I love it. Another issue just means I get to dive right back into the world of Cobra. This is the best of the GI Joe books that IDW is releasing, looking at the dark underside of the Cobra organization. It’s so much fun to see writer Mike Costa humanize what used to just be a bunch of literal cartoon villains. He’s turned Major Blood into a drug runner who would rather do the dirty work than take charge. He has turned Serpentor into a religious zealot who wants to control the world by making everybody feel good about themselves. He’s turned Tomax and Xamot into businessmen who don’t finish each other sentences anymore. He has turned these one dimensional characters into people. It’s been a fascinating read so far, and it just keeps getting better.

Batwoman #1 (DC Comics – $2.99): It’s about freakin’ time this book came out. I don’t remember when this book was originally supposed to launch but I know it was a while ago. This was supposed to come out before the DC relaunch so what I’m most curious to see is how this fits in with the rest of the new universe. JH Williams III is back to write and draw the story of Kate Kane, an army brat who is trying to fit into the role of Batwoman. I’m assuming this will tie heavily into the run that Williams III worked on before (written by Greg Rucka). It will also be interesting to see how Williams III handles the writing duties. What I do know is that this book is going to look amazing. Williams III does the best and most inventive layouts in comics, and he’s had plenty of time to perfect the look of the issue. I can guarantee that this will be the best looking book on the stands this week. That is my stone cold lock of the century”¦of the week.

COLLECTION:

Blue Estate Vol. 1 (Image Comics – $12.99): “THE FAC3” turned me onto this series, but I was only able to find the first issue, so I have been eagerly waiting for the first trade to come out. It’s been a while since I read the first issue, so it’s basically like coming to the story fresh.  I remember the first issue uses a Law & Order gimmick to set the story, but from what I’m told, the rest of the series becomes more of a standard murder mystery. I do remember the first issue being an intriguing start to the series. Writer/artist Victor Kalvachev knows how to set the mood and has established an interesting mystery, Between this and Sweets, it’s going to be a like watching a Murder, She Wrote marathon followed by watching a million episodes of Magnum P.I. and I will love it.