Batman #7
By Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo
DC Comics

Liz says: Out of all the good books on the shelf this week, Scott Snyder has once again given me no other choice than to talk about ‘Batman’. This month’s shocker brings the story back around to that insidious cliff-hanger at the end of issue 1, and ties together clues dropped in multiple Bat-books about the direction Snyder’s run may be going. And if the gears are turning in the way I think they are, it might just make my brain explode. What does it all mean, and how will it affect the upcoming crossover? All I can do is speculate, which I will be doing obsessively and often until next month.

Justice League #7
By Geoff Johns and Gene Ha
DC Comics

Taylor says: Yeah, I know the first 6 issues by Lee and Johns sold a bajillion copies and people loved them. I didn’t. But this issue made Steve Trevor a compelling and important character in the new DCU, which is a more significant achievement than anything else achieved in the reboot.
The arc kicking off in this issue seems to be centred around how Steve Trevor has normalised the JL’s existence and actions for average citizens, and both what that has cost him, and why it makes him and the JL vulnerable. This is way more interesting to me than another Darkseid arc, but hey, what do I know? Couple that with a back-up drawn by Gary Frank (yes!) which introduces a new, unlikeable Billy Batson and a new take on Shazam, and this is a genuinely fun double feature with bags of potential for the future! The issue 7’s of the new 52 are in many cases proving more compelling than the issue 1’s were, so jump on board.

Dominique Laveau: Voodoo Child #1
By Selwyn Seyfu, Denys Cowan and John Floyd
Vertigo

Chris says: Selwyn Hinds manages to capture the rhythm and vibe of contemporary New Orleans in this new ongoing series from DC/Vertigo. Descended from a long line of Voodoo Queens, Dominique Laveau finds herself at a strange crossroads – things are falling apart and the only answer seems to be accepting the mantle she was always destined for. Of course, these things never come easily, and Dom soon finds herself on the run from people and forces beyond her control. Wrapped in a gorgeous Rafael Grampa cover, this first issue is also Denys Cowan‘s long-awaited return to regular comics. I’ve got a lot of affection for his run on The Question with Denny O’Neill, so I’m expecting great things here. It’s not perfect book, but there’s enough to get me excited and hold out hope for an engaging long-term read.

Tiny Titans #50
By Franco and Art Baltazar
DC Comics

Adam says: (*Sheds tear*) Grab the last issue of this light-hearted, Eisner-award-winning funfest before ‘new’ (52) continuity is forced upon our cute, cute super-kids! Discover the fate of Terra and Beast Boy! Who do the Titans each aspire to be when they grow up? All this stuff and more- a happy ending? Hurry up and found out, eh!

The Secret History of D.B. Cooper #1
By Brian Churilla
Oni Press

Taylor says: D.B. Cooper was a real-life plane hijacker in the US, who was never caught and remained on Most Wanted lists for decades. No, I’d never heard of him either. But according to Brian Churilla, he was a sword-wielding psychedelic secret agent too bad-ass to be contained by one reality, an assassin from the dream realms! This issue introduces you to his real existence as a government spook distrusted by his colleagues for an over-dependence on exotic chemicals, and his alternate existence in a creepy-cute dreamworld he travels to carry out his missions.
Secret History subtly riffs on ideas from Eternal Happiness of the Spotless Mind, Inception, and even the novels of James Ellroy, but Churilla’s genius is in making this comic feel utterly original, partly by making the art and story work together beautifully. The colours are rich, the pacing is deft, and by the end of the first issue (also the beginning!?) I couldn’t wait for more. Oni’s comics are too often overlooked, so scour the bottom shelves for this one.
Oh, and the cover bears closer inspection, it’s gorgeous design that may even be better than Hickman’s!

Saga #1
By Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples
Image Comics

Liz says: Here it is, the one we’ve all been waiting for: ‘Saga Issue 1’, marker of Brian K. Vaughn’s eagerly anticipated, glorious return to comics. For months now, the hype around this book has been inflating to enormous, Stay-Puft-Marshmallow-Man-sized proportions: word on the street is that it’s Vaughn’s magnum opus in the making. Those familiar with his past work (Y: The Last Man, Runaways, Ex-Machina) might think those are some heady words; I certainly do. And you know what? It. Was. Glorious. Comparisons to Star Wars and Shakespeare are inevitable (for good reason), and yet it all still it feels fresh and authentically crafted, like Vaughn knows this universe and these characters like the back of his hand. Vaughn’s got a knack for writing characters worth caring about, and by the last page of this double-sized first issue, I already do. Fiona Staples’ art and story-telling technique also go a long way toward delivering the goods, giving this epic-scale story the look and feel it deserves. Last words? Believe the hype- it’s justified.

Art Of Molly Crabapple SC Vol. 01 Week In Hell
By Molly Crabapple
IDW

Chris says: It’s no secret that I love Molly Crabapple… Her art is as captivating as her persona, and Week In Hell conveniently gives you a brief glimpse into both. Based on Molly’s last Kickstarter campaign, which found her locked in a hotel room for a week surrounded by blank papered walls and a steady stream of visitors, the book is a curious blend of art, photography and anecdotes – a way of capturing the experience more than just the art itself. Most excitingly, this is the first in a series of books focussing on Molly’s exquisite lines and curves (read that as you may) with Volume 2, Devil in the Details, due this July. For just £7 ($10) you can own this gorgeous volume for yourself – it comes with my highest possible recommendation. While you’re at it, I also recommend donating to Molly’s latest Kickstarter campaign, Shell Game, which has some incredible rewards and perks attached. Check it out here.

Avengers: Children’s Crusaids #9
By Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung
Marvel Comics

Liz says: It’s a bittersweet moment: the final issue of ‘Avengers: Children’s Crusade’ is finally on the shelf. I love the Young Avengers, I’ve loved this series, and the delay between issues meant I’ve been able to savour it. Big things have happened; the team have found the long-missing Scarlet Witch, faced off against Doctor Doom, and settled a dust-up between the X-Men and the Avengers. They’ve lost team members in the process, and seen a former team-member inch closer to the dark side. So what now for our heroes, those fallen and those that remain? Well, my favourite characters all survived (phew), and after being declared Avengers by Captain America, I’d love to see them be brought more prominently into the fold. Given my druthers, I’d have Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung creating ‘Young Avengers’ stories on a monthly basis for the rest of their natural lives. However, they’re both busy men so I’ll take what I can get. In the meantime, I hope to see other writers and artists will see the potential in these characters in the greater Marvel Universe and give them important roles to play.

The Manhattan Projects #1
By Jonathan Hickman & Nick Pitarra
Image Comics

Chris says: I wasn’t overly impressed with Hickman’s last Image book, Red Wing. While it had an interesting premise, the potential felt unrealised and muddied by the end. It didn’t help that he was once again mining the age-old trope of fathers, sons and legacy … It’s a rich topic, but not when you’re exploring it in every single book you write. I felt as though I was all ‘Hicked Out’, then along came The Manhattan Projects #1. Here was Hickman playing to his strengths – employing chis ool design sensibilities, introducing clever new ideas as though they were commonplace, and instead of fathers and sons he was now exploring the idea of brothers (baby steps, folks, baby steps!) There was enough here to make a good first issue and not leave me fearful of what’s to come next. I don’t know if my faith is restored, but after a great debut I’m prepared to give him another chance. Honorable mention goes to Joe Keatinge’s Hell Yeah which did not disappoint. It was exactly as good as I expected it to be, and once again Joe has me coming back for more (the other book he did that with was last month’s Glory relaunch.)

Friends with Boys
By Faith Erin Hicks
First Second

Camila says: It wasn’t until a few pages in Friends with Boys that I realized why everything looked a bit familiar – this is the new book by Faith Erin Hicks, the creator of Zombies Calling and The War at Ellsmere. Very much like the stuff Minx used to put out, the book is a highly enjoyable, light-hearted read, that while suitable for younger readers, is definitely not exclusive to them. And the artwork is goooorgeous! But don’t take my word for it, have a look at the first 20 pages at Hicks’ website.

Avengers #23
By Brian Michael Bendis and Daniel Acuna
Marvel Comics

Liz says: It’s been a while since I picked up an issue of ‘Avengers’, but a number of external factors (the film, Bendis announcing his departure from the title… the film) had me in the mood for it. And look what I’ve been missing! I stopped regularly reading ‘Avengers’ after the ‘Dark Avengers’ storyline ended, an era I think of fondly, back when Norman Osborn was puppeteering the show and everything was turned on its head. And lo and behold, Norm’s back in the saddle and I’ve only just noticed! I reckon this means Bendis is going out on a high. Now to find the back issues!

Orc Stain #7
By James Stokoe
Image Comics

Taylor says: Those of you who listen to the podcast will know that me and Chris don’t always agree on comics, but this week we’re like peas in a pod (please don’t quote me). Green Wake was a lovely final issue, and having not read any of the previous issues I’m keen to go back and read through them.
But Orc Stain was simply breathtaking. Maybe it’s the delay since issue 6, but the colours and detail seemed even more vivid than before, while the dialogue is up there with the best banter Marvel has to offer, quality wise. This is the kind of book Image can do really well, a fun adventure comic with a smattering of sexiness and a wholly unique feel. Place your orders for number 8 now!

Green Wake #10
By Kurtis J Wiebe and Riley Rossmo
Image Comics

Chris says: It’s with great sadness that I name Green Wake #10 as my pick of the week. I’m not sad to be choosing it – I’m just sad I’ll never have that option again as it’s the final issue of the series (at least for now). Green Wake was originally launched as a five-issue mini, but it proved so popular and had so much depth it was soon upgraded to an ongoing. Although the first issue had left me a little unsure, I grew to love the look and feel of the series as it went on … That’s a real testament to the great work Kurtis Wiebe (who I recently interviewed) and Riley Rossmo have done on the book. It may be the final issue, but it stands as a great series and will make two very impressive trade paperback collections for you to own. It’s not too late – lose yourself in the world of Green Wake now. Honorable mention goes to Orc Stain #7 which finally came out this week. It may be few and far between, but this issue was the most stunning yet.

Undertow HC
By Ellen Lindner
Soaring Penguin

Camila says: It’s always great to see good self-published titles being recognised and picked up by publishers, and very exciting to see Ellen Lindner’s first graphic novel now available on Soaring Penguin. It had been a little while since I first read Undertow, and what joy it was to pick it up again, now as a handsome hardcover, and let myself be taken into the life of Rhonda, a young girl in Brooklyn in the 1960s. Think Romance Comics with a bit of actual real life thrown in, and you have this cleverly written, sharply drawn novel.

Conan the Barbarian #1
By Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan
Dark Horse

Tom says: Comics publishers of North America, this is how you do it. So I had read a few Robert E Howard Conan stories but had no interest in reading comic adaptations of them. Wood and Cloonan nail it, it’s simple and beautiful, well paced and a great introduction to the character. The back matter wins on repeat as well. A short text piece telling us about Conan’s history at Dark Horse and the comics relationship with the Howard prose and an introduction to the creative team, plus a short and sweet strip about the Robert E Howard himself. It’s fun and slick, another reason DC were mad to let this guy get away and Cloonan is on fine form as ever. We sold out and had to order in more. Only a few copies left on the shelf. GET THEM FOR CROMS SAKE!

Wolverine and the X-men #5
By Jason Aaron and Nick Bradshaw
Marvel

Liz says: It may be just five issues in, but by now it must be acceptable to say that Wolverine and the X-men is the best book with an X- in the title since Joss Whedon finished writing Astonishing X-men in 2008. Drawing deep from the mind-bogglingly brilliant Grant Morrison era, with nods to classic stories across the board, this is a new direction that feels both homey and fresh at the same time. Bright, bonkers and fast-paced, the elements of danger and doom are offset by hysterically funny dialogue and great character interaction. Jason Aaron is clearly in love with writing this story and these characters, and when Jason Aaron is on point, he’s a force beyond reckoning. X-men fans, take note: this is what you should be reading.

Richie Rich: Valentine’s Day Special 2012 One Shot
By Sid Jacobson, Ernie Colo, Warren Kremer and Dustin Evans
Ape Entertainment

Chris says: Words can’t express how overjoyed I am to see Richie Rich back in print! Even more than The Phantom, Richie is the reason I’m into comics today. My Dad used to take me to the newsagent to buy a stack of Richie Rich comics every time I went to see him and I would often draw my own versions of Richie’s adventures. This week’s Valentines Special features a mix of new and classic material, and suddenly I’m that kid again – my love for comics is renewed and I’m transported to a simpler time … It’s nice to remember the innocence and purity of early comics fandom. Of course, it’s not the best book this week (that honour goes to Conan #1), but you should feel proud picking up these two comics together – I know I am!