Jeffrey K. Lyles' Movie Files

I was actually lucky enough to read an advanced copy of this one a few months back, and I’ve been sitting on my excitement for it ever since, as not to drop any spoilers.

So, when I say that I’m stoked to share this one with you guys, folks, you better believe it. This is THE best Batman you will read this year that does not have the first name Scott and the last name Snyder on it.

Bar none. This ranks right up there with COURT OF OWLS / BLACK MIRROR, and I guarantee you, as soon as it drops on Wednesday, it will become an instant classic in the Batman library, taking it’s place amongst highly regarded favorites like THE LONG HALLOWEEN, YEAR ONE, DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, and more.

This is about a Batman who could really exist. This is about the psychology that drives such a man. And, most importantly, this is about the lengths that he will go to in order to prevent what happened to him from happening to anyone else.  And, folks, it is FREAKIN’ great. Do not sleep on this book! You will love it!

ACT TWO OF AVENGERS VS X-MEN HAS UPPED THE STAKES

AVENGERS VS X-MEN began it’s second act in issue #6, and holy crap… did this book go from good to great. I mean, we were already loving the hell out of AVX, and it really has cemented itself as everything that you could ask for out of a Marvel crossover. Great tie-in books, top notch superstar creators, major storyline revelations that deliver a lasting impact to the Marvel landscape.. it has it all.

But, did #6 make this one into a major game-changer or what? I was seriously floored with how stoked I was to see Olivier Coipiel come on board as the artist for the second half of the series, as he captures the downright scary vibe of the PhoeniX-Men perfectly.

AvX has taken a very dark turn, as the war between the AVENGERS and X-MEN has resulted in Cyclops, Colossus, Emma Frost, Namor, and Magick becoming the Chosen Five of the Phoenix Force, and taking it into themselves as hosts.

Now, deeming themselves as the saviors of not just mutant kind, but Earth itself.. they’re using their newly enhanced abilities, and newfound Phoenix powers to literally solve all of the world’s problems. The development of Cyclops has been spot on for years, and we’ve seen this change coming for him, but the perfect fit of the other Four? Now, that, that is clever.

This series is everything that is right about superhero comics, and we cannot recommend it enough.

BEFORE WATCHMEN: OZYMANDIAS #1

 So far, every installment of BEFORE WATCHMEN has been a near flawless execution of not just exploring the deep, and rich tapestry of the WATCHMEN universe, but also staying true to the spirit and tone of DAVE GIBBONS and ALAN MOORE’S original storyline.

This book is amazing, and I gotta tell you, both story and art are right on point here. Jae Lee’s art brings the otherworldly, almost unreal feel of Ozymandias and his worldview to the forefront in a major way, and helps to deliver a completely immersive comic book experience. Meanwhile, Len Wein, who actually worked with Moore and Gibbons on the original WATCHMEN series as editor, delivers an amazing story here that is totally worthy of the WATCHMEN tag.

Folks, if you’ve yet to jump into BEFORE WATCHMEN, I cannot stress enough: GIVE THESE BOOKS A SHOT. If you even remotely enjoyed the original WATCHMEN series, you’ll love what’s being done here, with these very special prequel series.

WITNESS THE DEBUT OF THE EARTH-2 GREEN LANTERN!

James Robinson is seriously delivering some of the best work of his career here. EARTH-2 is quite possibly the best thing he has done since STARMAN, and that’s a very high compliment.

Okay, now, moving on, EARTH-2 continues this week, and we are hooked. The DC NEW 52 re-invention and re-introduction of the JUSTICE SOCIETY had us hooked from the get-go.

Much like JUSTICE LEAGUE, this isn’t just a great book, this is a foundation-building, universe-expanding story that lays the groundwork for much of what will become the history of the DC NEW 52. The continuity importance of EARTH 2 is huge, and we love the way that DC has a very solid plan for where their universe is going.

Nicola Scott’s artwork is on a whole new level of awesomeness, and she is really delivering one hell of a great looking superhero book. This week, in EARTH-2 #3, Alan Scott makes his big debut as the GREEN LANTERN, and holy crap, look at that cover art — this is going to be bad-ass!

THE RETURN OF SABRETOOTH BEGINS!

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the regular WOLVERINE title really launch itself into the spotlight as a major must-buy read, and folks, we are pretty stoked to tell you: WOLVERINE #310 is the best issue of Wolverine we’ve read since the first chapter of OLD MAN LOGAN.

WOLVERINE: THE RETURN OF SABRETOOTH is the story that fans have been waiting on for nearly a decade. In a storyline going back nearly half a decade titled EVOLUTION, Wolverine learned all sorts of startling revelations about his origins, and his past… as well as his connection to his most hated foe: Sabretooth.

The storyline built up into a bloody, carnage-filled throwdown that left many characters from WOLVERINE dead, or near-dead, and then the ultimate ending: Wolverine beheaded Sabretooth.

Featuring the writing talents of JEPH LOEB (BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN, BATMAN: HUSH, AVENGERS X-SANCTION, and more) and the gorgeous painted artwork of SIMONE BIANCHI (WOLVERINE: EVOLUTION — Uber-Talented artist!), THE RETURN OF SABRETOOTH gives us what we’ve always wanted from the regular ongoing WOLVERINE title: a huge, bloody throwdown featuring one of the most notorious, and iconic X-Men villains in history.

How did Sabretooth survive the brutal beheading Wolverine served up to him? What has brought him back? And, how badly will those near and dear to Wolverine pay in regards to this? Not to mention, as the war between the AVENGERS and X-MEN rages on, Sabretooth chooses this as the perfect time to strike at Wolverine during his weakest points.

THE ULTIMATE ICON OF ’80S ACTION NOSTALGIA HAS RETURNED!

I mean, the world of He-Man is such a perfect fit for a kick-ass, cutting-edge comic book re-invention, ya know? Eternia is this fascinating mash-up of science fiction, sword and sorcery, and superheroes, and when put together, it literally feels like you put Conan the Barbarian in Asgard.

Anyways, if you’re like me, you were probably already on board when you saw that cover art for issue #1, but here’s the skinny on the new HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE limited series from DC.

Written by EARTH-2 scribe JAMES ROBINSON, and featuring the artwork of the extremely talented PHILIP TAN (GREEN LANTERN: AGENT ORANGE), this limited series shows us a very dark, very mature and cutting edge look at the world of Eternia, as Skeletor returns to strike with a master plan that will finally put him in control of the realm.

INVINCIBLE TPB VOL.16 FAMILY TIES

  

Folks, we love INVINCIBLE. We just can’t get enough of this series. Seriously. And, if you’re not yet reading it, we think you should be. Why? It has remained one of the best consistently well-written superhero comics on the stands for almost 8 years now.

From ROBERT KIRKMAN, writer of THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE is the story of a teenage superhero who’s superhero father turns out to be an alien invader intent on enslaving humanity, and using the planet for his homelands.

And, yes, it is bloody as hell. Taking much of the same real-world feel of WALKING DEAD, when superheroes throw down, it’s a lot more intense than your average fist fight. Torsos explode. Heads shatter. Blood sprays the page. It’s ridiculous.

All I can say is give INVINCIBLE a shot, just like WALKING DEAD, there’s a few different formats you can try it in, whether it’s the COMPENDIUM (the first 9 trades in one massive tome for only $65), the hardcovers, or the individual trade paperbacks, READ INVINCIBLE.

THE RETURN OF THE LIZARD CHAPTER 2!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN has been quickly climbing in the ranks as one of the best damn superhero comics on the stands, and folks, we’re telling you right now: grab AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #688, a perfect jumping on point, and the first chapter of THE RETURN OF THE LIZARD. This is a great spot to get into one of the best books on the stands, and we really cannot recommend the title enough.

With the LIZARD playing a major role in the upcoming AMAZING SPIDER-MAN film, regular series writer DAN SLOTT is doing an amazing job of re-introducing the character into the world of Spidey in this incredible new storyline that features THE LIZARD as more brutal, and bloodthirsty than ever.

Folks, trust us: if you’re even remotely interested in Spider-Man, or are just big Marvel fans, you should be reading AMAZING SPIDER-MAN. This book gets better and better with each issue, and we cannot recommend it enough.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 9 VOL.1 TPB — JOSS WHEDON’S Buffy saga continues

  

A few years back, Dark Horse and Joss Whedon made history by working together to follow up his cult favorite television series, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, with an eighth season in comic book form.

For nearly 50 issues, Whedon and crew, delivered the kind of stories that he could only tell in the world of comics, exploring the mythos and foundations of the Buffyverse, without having to worry about the limitations of TV.

Now, Whedon has returned, to follow up BUFFY SEASON 8, with the new BUFFY  SEASON 9, continuing to explore the world of Buffy, her friends and enemies, and more.

We saw SEASON 8 ending with a bang that cut the world off from magic-culminating in another set of world-ending problems. Buffy has left her best friend, Willow, powerless, and brought an end to a millennia-long tradition of superpowered girls. By day, Buffy is a twenty-something waitress with no real direction, and even though magic is gone, she’s still a vampire Slayer by night.

Featuring writing and direction from JOSS WHEDON, Buffy SEASON 9 continues to deliver the kind of top notch storytelling we’ve grown accustomed to from the DARK HORSE Buffy comics.

DIAL H #3 – -Another NEW 52 favorite continues

  

Written by acclaimed horror novelist China Melville, DIAL H, is delivering the darkest take on the superhero genre since last year’s ANIMAL MAN and SWAMP THING debuted.

Playing on the outrageous Silver Age concept of a magical phone booth where dialing a certain number turns you into a different superhero each time, with new powers, this book brings an innovative and dark twist to the concept.

We’re loving the fascinating, and often humorous new superheroes that the protagonist finds himself turning into, as the Dial leads him down a dark, and unclear path, in his goal to go from being an everyday joe to a celebrated hero.