Three Month Wait

It's that time again. This month it’s all Marvel with one appearance from DC. While I have some Indy books I can't wait to read like Buffy, Angel and The Circle they don't excite me as much as the stuff I've included.

5. Fantastic Four #553

Dwayne’s take on the Fantastic Four is off and on. He wrote a really badass Sue Richards in one issue that I loved. This issue promises the reveal of Reed’s Civil War plans. It’s got me interested.

4. Booster Gold #6

This series really has been fantastic so far. This issue sees the end to the first arc and apparently the return of the original Blue Beetle. From the sound of things it ends the status quo of the series as it is now, so it’ll be very interesting to see where it goes next. I hope this doesn’t end the Sliders/Exiles feel the book has to it.

3. Avengers: The Initiative #9

Secrets revealed! Taskmaster! Antman! Death! I love this book, I can’t imagine thee Marvel Universe without it.

2. Hulk #1

A brand new Hulk series. I have to be honest; this shocks me… it’s not like Incredible Hulk sets the charts on fire. The death interests me; I’m thinking Rick Jones sadly. The seller however has to be Ed McGuinness’ art. I’m still holding out for Loeb to write a good Marvel story. I hope this is the one, I’m sick of wasting money on mediocre comics from him.

Captain America #34

We’ve all seen the concept designs by Alex Ross. We all know what is coming. A brand new Captain America. I can’t wait for this.

Three Month Wait

It’s time for me to peek at the solicitations for December 2007 as say what I am most excited to get after another three month wait.

5. Indiana Jones Omnibus Vol. 1

I’m a big Indiana Jones fan but of course let’s be honest… who isn’t? Most people have seen an Indy film and enjoyed it but I’m sure there are many of those people who never read any of the Indiana Jones comics. I’ll be taking this opportunity to read "Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis," "Thunder in the Orient," and "Indiana Jones and the Arms of Gold" for the first time.

4. Booster Gold #5

This comic is good. I’ll admit I do get a bit confused when they go off on long explanations of time travel in the DC verse but for the most part this is introducing me to key points in the DC universe. I’m not a big DC reader so I’m finding this a valuable learning experience, which is fun at the same time.

3. Avengers: The Initiative #8

This book sort of snuck up on me. #1 was ok and then they off’d my favourite character in it. I figured I’d give Slott a chance as I love his work and somewhere in the space of 4 or 5 issues it’s become a book I can’t imagine Marvel without. It’s key book in the post Civil War World and just gives you a look at everything in the Marvel Universe. It’s great. This issue promises new recruits and old ones graduating so it should be a key point. Also, looks like there is an Irremediable Giant-Man.

2. Captain America #33

The book promises Iron Man and Bucky. The book promises a shocking ending. The book is reading by Ed Brubaker. So yeah, we are getting all of that and so much more. It’s perhaps the most solid solo book out right now and has been for three years.

1. Amazing Spider-Man #546-547

This is it! Spider-Man goes thrice weekly with Slott at the helm of the first arc. Even if I’m a little nervous about the fallout of Brand New Day it’s hard to argue this is isn’t an exciting time to be a Spider-Man reader.

Three Month Wait

I know it was just days ago I complained that everything is always spoiled 3 months in advance but I’ll admit I still look at the solicitations released from publishers. I need to in order to preorder my comics and receive a 25% discount. So yeah, that's my fault but it's a necessary evil if I'm going to get the most bang out of my buck. Do be warned though, if you don't read solicitations then this column might spoil the premise and plots of upcoming books.

Anyway, I plane to a run down of the titles I'm most excited for every month. So welcome to the first regular column on this blog "Three Month Wait".

We begin with the November 2007 solicitations. We’re out of the Marvel cross over event World War Hulk and while sometimes this is a quiet period, this year it seems we are jumping straight into the next event, the Skrull Invasion. DC on the other hand is busy counting down to Final Crisis with a series and many tie-ins’ no one really seems to care that much about.

Without further ado, here are the comics I really can’t wait three months for!

5. Robin #168, Nightwing #138, Detective Comics #838 and Batman #671

That's right, one pick in and I'm already cheating by listing four comics as one. While DC are hyping Final Crisis to be their next big crossover they don't seem mind having lots of mini crossovers in the meantime. With Countdown I'm skipping all the tie-ins’ I don't care about (That being 95% of them) and the other crossovers between titles I'm just ignoring altogether. However with the Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul I am making an exception. The reason I'm making this exception is because Robin is easily one of my favourite DC characters, if not my favourite (I'll leave defining that list for a future blog) and I love the Batman family almost as much.

4. Heroes Hardcover

Yes, I've read all of the chapters before but still I think they were well written and the art was great. I'm a big fan of the show so I'll be getting this for sure. I think the online comic tie-ins were great and gave people an extra insight into the show and its’ characters. I'd like to believe this will bring new people into the comic store but with them being free on the Internet, I doubt it.

3. Illumanti #5

As I've made clear I am very interested into the Skrull Invasion, especially the part with the heroes mistrusting of each other. I also enjoy the Illuminati even if they apparently haven't done anything of use, ever. This issue promises to reveal a member or members of the group as Skrulls. I can't wait to see whom!

2. Angel: After The Fall #1

Let's get this out here, as it's a good a place as any. I love Joss Whedon. I'll admit I got into the game late when it comes to his work but I will never leave his world now. He has me in his grasp and he can do with me what he wishes. The only reason the follow up to Angel Season 5 isn't #1 is because of the hefty $3.99 IDW price tag. I still can't justify paying a $1 more for better paper quality, especially when the last 4 or 6 pages are adverts for their other books. Still I can't wait; Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 8 has been excellent.

1. Amazing Spider-Man #545 and Marvel Masterworks Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 9

Yup, I'm cheating again. There is a reason though. As we know very little about #545 apart from rumours and speculations, all I can say I am interested in is the apparent fallout, which leads to the thrice a month Spidey book. It's not enough to give it the full #1 spot. Hopefully I’ll enjoy the first three parts but I won’t know until I get them in my hands.

Marvel Masterworks Spider-Man Vol. 9 is here because I love the classic Spider-Man stuff with Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and John Romita. If I'm honest, I prefer it more then the legendary Fantastic Four run from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. I've been waiting for this a long time. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

So that's it for this run down of my top picks from the November Solicitations. We'll see in 3 months if I've picked wrong and end up disappointed.