Since I’ve been slacking-off so royally around here lately, this is the first $20 Pull List since the end of February. As always, for the uninitiated, $20 Pull List is where I go through the previews for next month’s comics and pick out what I want to pick out within my $20 comics budget.
I’m also interested to see what everyone else is excited for. Feel free to make your own $20 Pull List and share it here in the comments or add it as a comment on this item on our Facebook page.
Kick-Ass 3 #1 ($2.99)
Release Date: June 5th
Well, I got the Kick-Ass 2 hardcover for my birthday in June of last year. It’s still in my read pile. But, with the film adaptation of that series coming out in August, you’d figure that there’d be a new title hitting store shelves to capitalize on the hype. And you’d figure correctly as June 5th marks the launch date for the final story in the series.
The 8-issue series (and since it’s Marvel, it’ll be double-shipping) will show Kick-Ass going solo once again as he has to rescue his partner from prison. I’m a fan of the series, but Kick-Ass 2 was just a little too much, too over-the-top (part of the reason why I haven’t gotten around to reading the hardcover). So I’ll definitely pick up Issue #1 and see what it has to offer.
Star Wars #6 ($2.99)
Release Date: June 12th
While I’m several months behind, or just plain given-up, on many of the titles I’m reading, I have been keeping up month-to-month with Brian K. Wood’s Star Wars title. What can I say, I’m a complete Star Wars mark.
This title, which takes place between Star Wars and Empire, completely fits within the Star Wars film continuity. The way Wood approaches the story – as if only the original Star Wars exists – makes this an easy read for those without years of Expanded Universe knowledge like some of the other Star Wars titles. Plus, the characters are just pitch-perfect representations of their on-screen selves. Just love this book. Next month’s Issue #7 brings on Ryan Kelly – who has worked with Wood before on The Massive and X-Men, and he just completed Saucer Country (a title I really liked) for Vertigo) – so it seems like Star Wars is just going to get better.
Batman #21 ($3.99)
Release Date: June 12th
Well kids, get ready for some more dead parents and sulking. With Issue #21 writer Scott Snyder goes about re-telling the origin story of the young Bruce Wayne becoming Batman.
The year-long arc will introduce the early-years of Batman under the new mythos of DC’s New 52. While I’m sure certain aspects of his mythology must be preserved, Snyder’s run of the last couple years has proven that he can give a twist to aspects of Bruce Wayne and the Bat-family that we weren’t expecting. So yea, I’m in for a few issues. Considering some of the, lets just say odd, timing of events in the New 52, it’ll be interesting to see how they attempt to work in his backstory within the constraints of that time-period.
Indestructible Hulk #9 ($3.99)
Release Date: June 19th
Like I mentioned a moment ago, I’m several months behind on my comic pile. Among those that I still end up buying month-to-month but never getting around to read is Mark Waid’s Indestructible Hulk. While I’m still in the story where Hulk is having to team-up with Iron Man – leading to great interactions between the arrogant geniuses Bruce Banner and Tony Stark – the cover of Issue #9 introduces a new team-up. The newest arc will show the relationship between the lovable green behemoth and ‘The Man Without Fear’, Daredevil.
Similar to the previous arc with Iron Man, you’re also going to get to spend some time with the men behind the heroes. The preview states that we’re going to learn more about the relationship between Dr. Banner and Matt Murdock, Esq.
Larfleeze #1 ($2.99)
Release Date: June 26th
I started reading Geoff John’s run of Green Lantern during the days of the Sinestro Corps War. During the War of Light phase, followed by the Blackest Night, one of my favorite characters to pop up was the ‘Avatar of Avarice’ (that’d make a great wrestling game), Larfleeze – the wielder of the Orange Lantern. His storyline in the follow-up, Brightest Day, was the primary reason why I stuck with that series as long as I did.
Given that Larfleeze has become such a popular character among Green Lantern fans, it was only a matter of time before he starred in his own title. What worries me about this is the adage about having too much of a good thing. I was a fan of the Red Lanterns in other titles, but burned-out on their series at Issue #3 (now, if it was just Dex-Starr book, I’d have every f’n issue). I’m afraid that the joke behind Larfleeze’s character will get old quickly. But I’m definitely down for at least the premiere issue.
TOTAL: $16.95 + $1.02 (Tax) = $17.07 In order to stay on budget, I dropped East of West #4 – I really liked Issue #1 and have Issue #2 but haven’t read it yet - as well as Kick-Ass 3 #2 – like I mentioned, Marvel will be double-shipping. These $4 books, man… Honestly, since I have Kick-Ass 1 & 2 in hardcover, I’ll likely only buy Issue #1 and then wait for the hardcover to finish my set whenever it comes out. With East of West, it’s seemingly not a title many people are talking about. So, if I like the issues that I have, I’ll likely just hold-out and wait to get the rest when they’re collected in trade. So hey, I save $3. May pick up some of the digital-first stuff on Comixology people keep raving about.
