Each week, the Capeless Crew picks out those books that we think are most worthy of your dollars and attention. Without further ado, here are this week’s picks!
“MANHATTAN PROJECTS #10″
This book is on our list every month, and for good reason. Jonathan Hickman, aided ably by the art of Nick Pitarra, has crafted a science-fiction epic that verges on magnificence. This issue is somewhat of a place-holder, but fills in some critical gaps in character development that were necessary to facilitate the breakneck pace of the story to this point. The mad genius of Oppenheimer is a fascinating character study, and the way Hickman couches it in terms of multiple realities is nothing short of groundbreaking. As the book enters it’s next phase, this issue is sure to be critical moving forward..
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“MIND THE GAP #8″
This is another aeries that finds its way onto this list month after month. while this iasue may not be a great “jumping on point”, right now there is no better thriller on shelves. Jim McCann has shown he has mastered the art of suspense and intrigue. Every issue brings new revelations, and this one is no different. The first volume is out in trade, so do yourself a favor: catch up and jump on board to join the rest of us for this wild, imaginative ride.
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“NOWHERE MEN #4
Eric Stephenson has built a fascinating world around a simple idea: science is the new rock and roll. He has taken that theme and used it as an avenue to explore everything from corporate maneuvering to the ethics of unsanctioned human testing. It’s the Beatles with a Steve Jobs flavor. Buy. This. Book.
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“AGE OF ULTRON #2″
The first issue was non-stop action, so look for BMB and Bryan Hitch to spend some time exploring the character impacts as this series continues to ramp up in its early going. As before, this is sure to be one of the most talked-about books of the week, and Marvel has promised big consequences spinning out of it. Don’t miss out.
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“EARTH 2 VOL 1: THE GATHERING” (TPB)
For the second week in a row, we’re putting a TPB on this list. As before, there is a very good reason.
When DC decided to reboot their universe and create the New 52, one of the greatest casualties was the existence of characters who could trace their publishing origins back to the days of World War II. Thanks to the strength of the Geoff Johns-helmed “JSA”, many of these characters had developed a small but loyal fan following among the present generation.
DC tapped veteran writer James Robinson (The Golden Age, The Shade, Starman) to recreate this universe, and what he has done with it is nothing short of amazing. He has crafted a world that, in many ways, surpasses the mainstream continuity of the DC Universe in terms of action, the stakes of perils, and originality of character concepts. He successfully updated (with the help of some amazing character design work by Brett Booth as realized by artist Nicola Scott) characters with over 60 years of history under their belts. What’s more, he made them more interesting than they have been in years, if not decades. This may not be your grandfather’s Justice Society, but what it is stands out as being utterly fantastic. “Earth 2″ is a corner of the DC Universe worth exploring, even if you’ve never met these characters before. Treat yourself and pick this up. You won’t be disappointed.
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Filed under: ADVANCE SCOUT, COLUMNS Tagged: Age of Ultron, Brett Booth, Brian Michael Bendis, Bryan Hitch, DC Comics, Earth 2, Eric Stephenson, Image Comics, James Robinson, Jim McCann, Jonathan Hickman, Manhattan Projects, Marvel Comics, Mind the Gap, Nick Pitarra, Nicola Scott, Nowhere Men
