Comics writer Jim Zubkavich (Skullkickers, Pathfinder) announced today via his blog that he will not be writing DC’s Birds of Prey as planned. The writer, who usually just goes by the name Jim Zub, was scheduled to take over the book starting in March 2013. However, with DC’s comic solicitations set to hit this week, the news was going to come out when his name would be noticeably absent from solicitation text.

Zub had this to say about the situation: “DC has decided to go in a different direction with Birds of Prey and it’s been decided that I won’t be the writer on board the series after all.”

Every holiday season, “He’s a mean one, Mr.” Henchman21 and “Cindy Lou” MK2Fac3 give a lot of comics. Seriously, you guys, a lot of comics. Maybe too many comics? I mean, it is possible.. theoretically. Naturally, they look forward to some gifts more than others. I mean, who doesn’t? So, let’s take a look into the depths of their Santa bags, grab some comics, and they’ll let YOU know what the top books to buy for this holiday season. Hardcovers and trades, they’re all here.

What’s this? What’s this!? Hunter’s writing again. What’s this? He’s writing in a pair. What’s this, I can’t believe my eyes, I must be dreaming, wake up, Hench, this isn’t fair! What’s this!? What’s this? What’s this? There’s something very wrong. What’s this? There are people singing songs. What’s this? The streets are lined with little creatures laughing. Everybody seems so happy, have I possibly gone daffy? What is this? The GoD List. Holiday Edition.

Each and every week “My Name is Rob” MK2Fac3 and “My Name is Don” Henchman21 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 26, 2012. Single issues and trades, they’re all here.

It’s another week of great comics, and as always, we’re here to give you a heads up on a few comics out there worth picking up. Keep in mind, this is only a small sampling of the many excellent books out there this week. I wish I could talk about all of them, and I wish I could buy them. And I really wish I had time to read them all, but hey, I’m only one man. I have to ration my time, because if I just read comics all the time, I’d never be able to bring you…The GoD List!

Skullkickers #17
Story by Jim Zubkavich
Art By Edwin Huang & Misty Coats
Cover By Saejin Oh
Image Comics
Release Date: August 29, 2012
Cover Price: $3.50

By the fifth issue of a Skullkickers story arch, typically, you should be knee deep in blood and guts. This most recent Skullkickers story arch however, has been relatively tame, or at least as tame as this comic can be. It’s not that there hasn’t been a fair share of violence and mayhem. It’s just that no one has been stabbed in the eye, disemboweled, or blown up in some sort of sorcery/dynamite related explosion. Violence plays a big role in Skullkickers and not seeing it run rampant through every page and panel is strange. That’s not to say that this hasn’t been a fantastic run of Skullkickers. These last four issues leading up to Skullkickers #17 have introduced readers to deeper three-dimensional characters and a more realized fantasy world.

Skullkickers #17 can be reviewed easily in a sentence or two. This issue is a satisfying end to a fantastic storyline full of all the action and crude behavior expected from this comic. However, to judge this comic 100% accurately you really have to take a step back and view this story arch as a whole. It’s not easy to take a comic that has been traditionally known for being bat shit crazy-violent and slow that action down to a crawl. It was needed though, Skullkickers main protagonists have been kicking and bashing for 17 issues now and while that is fine and well, at some point we need to get under a character’s skin. Luckily, this story arch and issue #17 have really done a terrific job of fleshing out everyone’s favorite skullkickers.

Skullkickers #14
Written By Jim Zubkavich
Art By Edwin Huang
Color By Misty Coats
Image Comics
Release Date: May 9, 2012
Cover Price: $3.50

A portion of the official description of Skullkickers #14 reads, “Secrets revealed. The gun. The gun. The gun. The gun. The gun. The gun. The gun”¦” and continues on 12 more times. It is no surprise to say that this issue of Skullkickers is about one thing and one thing only. The gun. There has been much hype surrounding issue 14 since the secrets of Baldy and his gun were teased at Image Comic Expo. Well, now it’s here and rest assured Skullkickers fans, secrets are in fact revealed. Skullkickers #14 doesn’t dance around the secrets either. Questions are answered as directly as a gunshot that will leave your mind blown.