Tracie's Pull List - Week of August 3, 2011

So there's something in the news today.

I'll touch on it a little bit at the end, here (as nonspoilery as I can), and probably a bit more in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Cowboys & Aliens was actually pretty badass so you all can just stop your scoffing and go pop over to the ciniplex for some sci-fi western fun.

I can't yet speak as to the quality of Smurfs, however.

But--COMICS!



15 Love #3 (OF 3)

This series finally comes to a close after it's long, strange journey, and it's made for a charming little story that's a rather uncommon sight in mainstream comics--especially from the "Big Two." I'm glad that something as unusual and sweet as a manga-styled tennis comic starring a rebooted Millie the Model finally saw the light of day.

Batman Gates Of Gotham #4 (OF 5)

The penultimate issue to the beautiful and fascinating glimpse into the true history of Gotham City and how it effects the Bat Family today. And it just may be one of the last times we see Cassandra Cain in a long while.

Flashpoint #4 (OF 5)

Th penultimate issue to the Flashpoint saga, as we rapidly approach the moments that will reshape the DC Universe into that which we see from September onward.

Flashpoint Batman Knight Of Vengeance #3 (OF 3)

Knight of Vengeance #2 and Project Superman #2 have been my most favorite of the Flashpoint tie-ins thus far so I'm very excited to see what Knight of Vengeance lays on us in this final issue. Powerful, moody stuff from the 100 Bullets team of Azzarello & Risso.

Flashpoint The World Of Flashpoint #3 (OF 3)

World of Flashpoint #2 did a lot more of the worldbuilding that I was hoping to see in this series. I don't know if we'll get as much of that here, as we're likely just to see what the final fate of Traci 13 is in this universe and hopefully it's a character we could see again, after September.

Irredeemable #28

Brand-new arc! Jumping on point! Creepy and intense "Superman" gone amok!

Moon Knight #4

Last issue was the very best yet and hopefully that trend keeps up as the new life of Marc Spector and the LA underworld builds with some really interesting characters and concepts from the Marvel Universe at large.

Mystic #1 (OF 4)

I considered waiting for the trade on this but I think it's important to support something like this (much like 15 Love) which is an unfortunate oddity in a "Big Two" (or Big Three or Four) comic. A series starring two female lead characters, written by a woman, G. Willow Wilson (creator of the acclaimed Vertigo series, Air) with cover art by the incredible Amanda Conner. I never followed the original Crossgen comic of the same name, but this is a complete reimagining of the concepts and characters and the series features absolutely BEAUTIFUL artwork from Hawkeye/Mockingbird artist David Lopez and colorist Nathan Fairbairn. It has the vibrancy and grace of the best Disney features. Comics Alliance called it "the best looking book in August." Just see for yourself.

Roger Langridge Snarked #0

For just $1 you can get a special introductory issue of the new series from Thor: The Mighty Avenger writer and Muppet Show writer/artist Roger Langridge. Set in the expanded world of the Alice books, this series focuses on the Walrus and the Carpenter. I'm a sucker for Wonderland stories Langridge has proved himself an immense talent so color me intrigued.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Vol 2 #2

Leonardo Da Vinci versus Issac Newton! In a Marvel comic! Genius stuff.

Secret Six #36

This is it. Perhaps my favorite thing to come out of DC Comics in... maybe ever? It was distinctive, powerful, twisted, and one of the few "mainstream" comics that felt like it actually had something to say. That's a important thing and this series will be greatly, greatly missed. I don't know if we'll have anything quite like it at DC, come September, but it's definitely the kind of voice DC would do well to seek out again soon.

Sonic The Hedgehog #227

So this whole "Genesis" anniversary reboot story thing has actually managed to drag me back to Sonic the Hedgehog comics for the first time since I started collecting comics nearly 20 years go. Sonic was one of the first few series I bought consistently, alongside Wolverine and adjectiveless X-Men. I don't think I stayed with it for more than a year before I was exclusively Marvel Mutants, but this reboot is making for kind of a fun little journey back to my childhood, though I can't imagine I'll stick with it past these Genesis issues.

Superboy #10

One of two Superboy comics we're getting this month before the series comes to an end and he becomes an evil robot or something.

Sweet Tooth #24

"Endangered Species" concludes and something terrible just happened!

The Punisher #1

TRACIE MAUK IS BUYING A PUNISHER SERIES. WHAAAAAAT. Punisher isn't a thing that is usually "for me." I have a couple War Zone issues with pretty Romita Jr. art and a MAX one-shot because a woman wrote it and that's it. But here we have one of my favorite writers, Greg Rucka, climbing on board and if there's ANYONE who could provide some reason to care about and be invested in the character of Frank Castle, it's Greg. This is the most excited I've been about The Punisher in EVER.

Thunderbolts #161

Fear Itself tie-in. Thunderbolts being total badasses. Comics being fun. Yep.

Ultimate Comics Fallout #4 (OF 6)

And then there's this thing. You've probably already read it in the news or seen it on TV. Unless you're much smarter than me and able to encase yourself in a media-free bubble. The new Spider-Man is revealed here and, don't let yourself get jaded, it's a big deal. It's also exactly what the Ultimate Comics Universe should be about and allow. You don't get to bitch about "buhhhh Spider-Man HAS to be Peter Parker." You get to read Peter Parker Spider-Man in the twice-monthly Amazing Spider-Man, both Avengers books, FF, and November's Avenging Spider-Man ongoing. Also, much of the last 50 years of comics. This? This you don't get to read about nearly often enough in comics, much less carrying the name and costume of one of the most popular and recognizable characters in all of pop culture. I'm probably being unnecessarily vague and I'll talk more about this when Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1 launches, next month, but yeah. This is a thing.