Each and every week “Hey, How Ya Doin’?” Henchman21 and “Mustard Head” 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 21, 2011. Single issues and trades, they’re all here.

This week boasts a load of titles that fit all sorts of niches for all comic book fans. There are titles hitting stores this week like the Comics of Doom-approved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Bionic Man, as well as the latest installments of Daredevil and Invincible. But as great as all of those books are bound to be, they didn’t make it to The GoD List. So then, what did? Well let me give you some hints, two are DC “New 52” titles picked by MK2FAC3, one of which is written by Jill Thompson’s husband. Another comic is a comic based on a movie that’s based on other movies that were based on a television series, while one is B.P.R.D.. And the last book is a go-to “Classic McDavid” pick. Continue on to see just why we picked these books.

MK2Fac3

Well sirs and madams, this week I’m breaking all of the rules that I have set up for myself. I’m only choosing two, count “˜em two single issues this week, and they’re both DC books. And then, wait for it… I’m picking two trades! And neither of them are creator owned. Take that, naysayers!

ISSUES:

Batman #1 (DC Comics – $2.99): It may come as a shocking revelation to our millions…. and millions of readers, but I love Batman. Like, I freaking love Batman. And although I may not be high on the entire DC Relaunch and Bat titles, in general, I have no doubt that I will love this book. To address the art first, Greg Capullo is teamed up with Jonathan Glapion on inks, and sir let me tell you, they are an amazing team. While I wasn’t feeling the story in Haunt, the art always had me engaged. They have such a talent for not only telling a dynamic story with their art, but also tell a good story, and I couldn’t think of a better person to have the work with Scott Snyder. Yes, that Scott Snyder. The same guy who blew the roof off the DCU with his outstanding run on Detective Comics, and this is the first time Snyder has had a shot at telling a Batman story that stars Bruce Wayne. Scott Snyder loves Batman. I love Batman. So, I love Scott Snyder, and I literally cannot wait until I get to read the Batman story that he truly wants to tell. Right on, Snyder. Right the F on.

Wonder Woman #1 (DC Comics – $2.99): Jill Thompson’s husband and Cliff Chiang team up to tell a story that actually gets me excited about a run on the book. Jill Thompson’s husband has been making a huge impact on the indie and major circuits with titles like 100 Bullets, Batman, and many more credits to his name that further solidify his awesomeness within the world of comic books. So, just with Jill Thompson’s husband’s name on this book, it’s worth buying. That’s without taking into consideration who the artist on this book is. And that artist is none other than Cliff Chiang. Chiang has arguably the best artistic rendition of the make believe character, and has showcased his Wonder Woman work through all sorts of commissions and art that he just does for fun. If you don’t believe me, just Google “Cliff Chiang Wonder Woman. It’s freaking awesome. So I can’t wait to read this. Cliff Chiang is one of the best artists working today, and Jill Thompson’s husband is Brian Azarello. And he’s… aweeeeeeessssoooooommmeee!

COLLECTION(S):

As always, there are a lot of amazing collections coming out this week in the form of trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and original graphic novels, but the two books that “tickle my fancy” (note: I have no idea what the Hell that’s supposed to actually mean. I mean, I don’t own a fancy, and if I did, I wouldn’t want you to tickle it. I keep to myself, you see?) are Morning Glories and The New York Five.

Morning Glories, Vol. 2 TPB (Image Comics – $12.99): I know that a lot of people were not all about this second set of Morning Glories issues, but in my opinion, those people were wrong. Each one of the character one-shots were really engaging to me and served a larger purpose to the story, as a whole. I know there were some slight delays a few issues, and spacing them out may have not worked for the best, considering the story, but I have no doubt that those who may have been a little hesitant with those issues will enjoy this collected edition. Morning Glories continues to be an exciting, in depth story. So, don’t give up on this yet. You may just want to trade wait if you’re not digging the single issues. I don’t normally do this, but this comic is one of the few titles that I want to own both the single issues and the collected editions. Not to mention the oversized hardcover collected both trades that coming soon. Make sure to check back to The GoD List to see when I ultimately this that here, as well.

The New York Five (Vertigo/DC Comics – $14.99): This was one of my favorite comics of the past year. Written by Brian Wood, with art by Ryan Kelly, I was engaged throughout the entire four issues that were released. It’s a follow up to the Minx original graphic novel entitled The New York Four, and picks up pretty much where that left off. (Side note: The New York Four is still being published, so if you don’t have a copy, make sure to get yourself one soon.) This comic is a slice of life tale, and it’s a good one. If you live in New York, love New York, or just love good comics, you have to read this book. And after you read this, make sure to check out the other Wood/Kelly books like LOCAL, because honestly, I think they may just be the best creative team of our day. These two creators get each other in a way that I’ve never seen before, so hopefully they’ll work together again. But if they don’t, we still have three amazing books that have excellent reread value.

Henchman21

Booyah!

ISSUES:

Star Trek #1 (IDW Publishing – $3.99): I know if you’re reading this site, there’s a better than even chance that you’re a fan of Star Trek. And whether you like the old original series or the new movie version, this comic will be the perfect book for you. The premise of this series is that we will be getting stories from the original series set in the timeline of the new movie, so this is the best of both worlds. The first issue is a re-telling of the TOS episode “Where No Man Has Gone Before” and we’ll just have to see what is old and what is new again. My biggest hope is that this will make the time till the next movie pass at least a little quicker.

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia #1 (of 5) (Dark Horse Comics – $3.50): I’ve read this issue already, and it’s great. I know there are a lot of other B.P.R.D. stories out there and it may be a little scary to just jump into the series at this point, and I was worried about the same thing, but honestly, you can start here and never miss a beat. Mike Mignola and John Arcudi have created a very creepy story involving some deep Russian secret project and something that is turning people into monsters. The art by Tyler Crook projects the right amount of creepiness and his characters have the right amount of expressiveness to them to get the story about. Don’t be afraid to jump into the series.

X-Men Schism #4 (of 5) (Marvel Comics – $3.99): The last issue of Schism finally gave us our first look at what the whole argument between Cyclops and Wolverine is all about, and this issue will bring more of the fallout. So far, Schism has been a comics event that has lived up to the hype, bringing a story that promises to have last ramifications, while still telling a satisfying story of its own. This is all due to writer Jason Aaron, who clearly understands these characters, particularly Wolverine. The work that Aaron has done on Wolverine’s solo series the last few years pays dividends here (not that the regular Wolverine series isn’t worth reading on its own). The mini-series has featured a different artist each issue, and this issue brings comic legend Alan Davis, who has been experiencing a career renaissance the last year or so at Marvel, working on a series of high profile books. I can’t wait to read his work on this issue and I can’t wait to see how the story ends.

COLLECTION:

Chew Vol. 4: Flambé TPB (Image Comics – $12.99): There are a lot of great trades coming out this week. I’m looking forward to the first volume of the Ruse revival from Marvel/Cross-Gen as well as Green Wake from Image, but the book I’m most looking forward to is the fourth volume of John Layman and Rob Guillory’s Chew. I read this series in trade, and I have done well to not learn what happens in the issues collected here, so don’t go trying to spoil me now. I know enough from the first three volumes that I’m probably going to enjoy this. Layman’s story of a FDA agent who can see the memories of anything he eats has been fun, quirky, and exciting at every pace. Guillory’s art is highly exaggerated but is perfectly suited for the style of the story being told. Chew is unlike any other comic on the market and it is as good as you have heard. If you haven’t read the series before, you should find the first volume and give it a shot. And if you’ve been reading all along, well then you’re probably going to buy this anyway. Why do I need to convince you?