Hello faithful TRO-ites! Welcome to another edition, or Vol. 2 as I affectionately call it, of Lee’s Pull List (not to be confused with my tug list, which, as I’m sure you can imagine, is something else entirely and not suitable for print on this, or any other, website). Since nobody had anything to say about last months column I can only assume I knocked it out of the park in a stunning display of wit, knowledge and know how. Also, all titles are paperback unless otherwise noted and the suggested retail price is just that: suggested. And, the same as last months column, all of the dates are approximate and subject to change so you should always check with your local comic shop before assuming I don’t know what I’m talking about, (all though, in some cases, you would be right in assuming that).

Without further adieu and absolutely no fan fare we begin!

MARVEL

Marvel Zombies Destroy!

This is the 11th, yes 11th, volume in a series that has now included a Christmas Special, (what the what?!), a crossover with another property and a collection of just covers. I initially assumed MZ would run it’s course after a few collections and a few laughs. Apparently I don’t know squirt. Or zombies are just that danged popular. Insert the obvious jokes about the Marvel Zombies never dying, or being undead if you will, and I think that about wraps up my write up.

SRP: 19.99
Contains: Marvel Zombies: Destory #1-5
Indigo, Amazon – March 19th
Things From Another World, My Comic Shop – March 6th

Kick-Ass 2

Coming to paperback a few months before the movie hits theaters so all the fan boys who couldn’t, or wouldn’t, buy the hardcover can claim they know more then everyone else. Apparently this was written after the first movie was successful so the sequel would have a superior product to butcher. I kid, I kid. Or do I? I guess we’ll just have to find out. The first book and movie were both quite….awesome, (you thought I was going to say kick ass didn’t you? don’t lie, I know you did), so, hopefully this one is as well. On a side note, there’s a prelude book coming out for Hit Girl as well. Not sure if that will tie in to the upcoming movie or not.

SRP: 19.99
Contains: Kick-Ass 2 #1-7
Indigo, Amazon – April 9th
TFAW, MCS – March 27th

Invincible Iron Man Vol. 10: Long Way Down

When I bought issue one of Matt Fraction’s fantastic run on Iron Man I did it mostly for the kinda cool, kinda stupid, photo cover featuring Robert Downey Jr. I knew very little about Iron Man and had just finished watching the movie for the first of many times. Fraction wowed me with his ability to take a movie universe and breath life in to it after the celluloid ran out, something I can only assume is not easy to do. Somewhere along the way I lost touch of what was going on with Fraction’s Iron Man but I’m glad to see he’s still pumping them out. I doubt this would the best place to start if you’re curious about what he’s doing as it sounds like he’s got quite an involved story going, but, if you want to read some Iron Man adventures you could do a lot worse than Matt Fraction’s take. Side note, there’s a Vol. 3 of Fraction’s version of Thor coming out this month as well.

SRP: 16.99
Contains: Invincible Iron Man #516-520 (a few trades ago they jumped out of sequence and started numbering them from 500 onward, not sure why)
Indigo, Amazon – April 2nd
TFAW, MCS – March 20th

(not the final image)

Avengers vs. X-Men

Roll call: Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Ed Brubaker, John Romita Jr., Ed McGuiness, Adam Kubert and more. If that list of names alone doesn’t make your mouth water with the possibilities then there is very little I can do for you and chances are you’re on the wrong website. It’s an all out brawl between some of Marvel’s top tier characters: Iron Man vs. Magneto; Captain America vs. Gambit; Spider-Man vs. Colossus etc. etc. Very cool. I can’t really seem to find out what the story is about per se because most write-ups are filled with a lot of buzz phrases like ‘landmark event’, ‘ultimate showdown’, ‘world changing epic’, ‘pop-culture wet dream’…ok, that last one was me. But, I mean, who cares really? We just want to see the fights!

SRP: 34.99
Contains: Avengers vs. X-Men (2012) #0-12 and some material from Point One (2011)
Indigo, Amazon – April 16th
TFAW, MCS – March 27th

DC

The Sleeper Omnibus (HC)

Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips have become synonymous with hard-boiled, pitch-black crime fiction in the comic book world and for anyone enamored with Criminal this omnibus is sure to be another treasured edition. It’s very hard to talk about the book or the plot without fear of giving away some crucial twist. It is set in the Wildstorm universe and there is a few super-heroes flying around, but they are by no means the crux of the story. If you’re looking for an antidote to capes, tights and cowls then this might be the place for you to start.

SRP: 75.00
Contains: Point Blank #1-5, Sleeper: Season 1 #1-12, Sleeper: Season 2 #1-12, Coup Detat and Coup Detat Afterword
Indigo, Amazon – March 5th
TFAW, MCS – Feb. 27th

Superman: The Death And Return Omnibus (HC)

Continuing with their expanded re-pressings of landmark DC events (see: Knightfall re-release), we are now graced with over 1000 pages collecting, arguably, one of the biggest events in comic book history. For anyone who hasn’t read it or wants to experience the earth-shattering carnage of Doomsday all over again this is the perfect way to do it. And for anyone who can’t get enough Doomsday/Supes action the Reign Of Doomsday story line is coming to paperback at the beginning of the month. You’re all ready spending 100 dollars, so, what’s 15 more?

SRP: 99.99
Contains: The Death Of.., World Without A.. and The Return Of.. trades plus “bonus material”
Indigo, Amazon – March 26th
TFAW, MCS – March 20th

 

Day Of Judgment

Finally! OMG, yes! Now I can retire my single issues and get the beautiful trade that my collection sorely deserves. Back before Geoff Johns was Mr. DC he was just a guy writing good stories, and this was one of his first. Working with Scott Beaty and featuring the Hal Jordan version of the Spectre in a key roll this is a story that sounded hokey on paper, (something about hell fire and demons and tortured souls), but was awesome in execution and gave us a hint of what GJ was capable of. If you’re a fan of Geoff Johns or epics starring the Justice League then you’ll all ready want this. If you’re not then I’m not sure why you’re still reading this.

SRP: 14.99
Contains: Day of Judgment #1-5 and Day of Judgment Secret Files
Indigo, Amazon – April 2nd
TFAW, MCS – March 27th

Batwing Vol. 2: In The Shadows Of The Ancients

In response to Uncle Gorby’s essay this month, and for my unabashed love of all things Bat, I’ve decided to include the second volume of Batwing. Spawning from Batman Inc. and kept alive by the overwhelming popularity of the Bat this second volume features material that ties in to The Court Of Owls with Batwing coming to Gotham. Written by Judd Winnick, (love him!) and featuring awesomely slick art by Dustin Nguyen this volume should be a winner and will, hopefully, let Batwing’s run continue because apparently he’s part of a quickly dying breed.

SRP: 14.99
Contains: Batwing #0, #7-12
Indigo, Amazon – April 2nd
TFAW, MCS – March 27th

INDIES

Chew Omnivore Edition Vol. 3 (HC)

For those of us who like to take big mouthfuls of story comes Vol. 3 of the Chew Omnibus, or “Omnivore Editions” as they have so cleverly called it. If you’re looking for Vol. 3 chances are you’re all ready familiar with the story of cibopathic detective Tony Chu. Essentially, he’s a man who runs around munching on dead people to find out who killed them. This may leave a bad taste in the mouth for some, but, for other’s it’s a sweet treat. If you’re the latter, grab Vol. 1 and enjoy one of the most bizzare detective stories ever told in sequential format.  Also, see the review for Vol. 1 of the trades for more information on whether this is the right meal for you.  I think I’ve just about had my fill of eating related puns, so, that’s my cue to move on.

Publisher: Image
SRP: 34.99
Indigo, Amazon – March 26th
TFAW, MCS – March 13th

Vampire Hunter D Vol. 19: Mercenary Road

When did Dark Horse start pumping out so much manga? About half of their output this month is related or inspired by anime/manga products. I mean, if it works for them, have at it. I was just surprised to see it. As for the story, it’s something to do with bank robbers, bounty hunters and an army. Looks like somebody will need D to help them clean up the mess. Not sure if there’s any actual vampire hunting per se, but, if you’re looking to buy Vol. 19 I’d say you’re probably invested in the story and characters either way.

Publisher: Dark Horse
SRP: 11.99
Contains: 160 pages of b&w Japanese fury
Indigo, Amazon – March 19th
TFAW, MCS – March 6th

Jennifer Blood Vol. 3: Neither Tarnished Nor Afraid

Now that we’re all done drooling over the beautiful cover by Tim Bradstreet, may I continue?  Thank you.  I love Garth Ennis. I may not have read all his stuff, but what I have read has been unique, emotional and over the top: equal parts fun and frustration, but, always entertaining and original. Now, apparently Ennis only wrote the first two volumes on this comic which feels like a riff on the Punisher with a female perspective, but, the man himself says his replacement, Al Ewing, is more than up to the task having penned the second volume with him. Since it’s the beginning of a new arc with a new writer this could be a good starting point for anyone curious, but, let’s face it – if you’re going to read this you might as well get the first two volumes written by such a unique talent. And for those who scoff at Ennis leaving the book and letting someone else take the reigns – get over it.  Everybody deserves a shot.

Publisher: Dynamite
SRP: 19.99
Contains: Jennifer Blood #13-18
Indigo, Amazon – March 26th
TFAW, MCS – March 13th

Ghostbusters Vol. 4: Who Ya Gonna Call?!

When I first saw the title of the fourth story by Erik Burnham I thought, “Well, that seems a little obvious” and then I read the plot outline and it’s actually kind of clever. Apparently, there’s a new group of supernatural investigation and elimination specialists setting up shop in the Big Apple and they’re stealing all of the ‘Busters work! But all is not as it seems, (when is it ever?), and Egon begins to worry that these new specialists haven’t thought everything through. Can the Ghostbusters talk some sense in to them? Or is it going to be an all out brawl? By the looks of it these are self-contained stories and not issues that form arcs re-printed. So, if you’re curious as to what’s going on in the comic book world of the Ghostbusters this is as good a place as any to start.

Publisher: IDW
SRP: 17.99
Contains: 104 pages of four color, Ghostbusting action.
Indigo, Amazon – March 26th
TFAW, MCS – March 13th

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