The Bullpen

[Sean M.]

Drums(Image)- Solid opening for this voodoo-crime. While some of the dialogue is a little clunky, the art is fabulously atmospheric.

Last Mortal (Image)- Hyperbole is a dangerous beast but I absolutely loved this book. It's about a small-time criminal but that's all the information I want to give- this is one of those times where more details would detract from the enjoyment. The writing is really sharp and the black and white art, which has a brutal realism to it, reminds me alot of Christian Ward. I've been picking up most of the Image #1s recently and this is the best i've read so far. If you read it and hate it, just blame me.

[Luke_Sims]

I got issues 13 and 14 of Avengers Academy! I dig Sean Chen's art and I'm loving what Marvel is doing with the Sinister Six, so I had to pick it up.

[Tim H]

There was one of the best Hank Pym monologues ever in Avengers Academy this week.  Bravo Christos Gage   Here's the line.  It does contain major spoilers for the issue so I'll hide it.

After getting manipulated, tricked and defeated by the Sinister Six we find Hank Pym and the Academy kids in the medical ward.  The children are struggling with the guilt of the defeat and everyone feels like they are to blame.  Hank Pym steps up and says

"You're right.  And that's why this is my fault.  I wish you could stay off the front lines for years, train slowly let things sink in but I'm afraid we don't have that luxury.  There will come times when every adult hero on the planet isn't enough.  When the survival of the world--of the universe requires every hand on deck.  It's my job to get you ready for that moment.  And clearly I haven't.  You have no idea how hard this life can get.  How high the price for simple survival.  And I wish you never have to find out.  But because you have powers...because of what's been done to you...because you're who you are--you will.  All I can do is try my  best to give you the tools to survive it and I've failed at that.  So we'll try harder.  Combat Drills before school.  Strategy sessions after.  Weekend classes from now on.  Once again, I'm sorry.  Sorry that I didn't prepare you for today and that I can't spare you tomorrow."

[Luke_Sims]

There was one of the best Hank Pym monologues ever in Avengers Academy this week.  Bravo Christos Gage   Here's the line.  It does contain major spoilers for the issue so I'll hide it.

After getting manipulated, tricked and defeated by the Sinister Six we find Hank Pym and the Academy kids in the medical ward.  The children are struggling with the guilt of the defeat and everyone feels like they are to blame.  Hank Pym steps up and says

"You're right.  And that's why this is my fault.  I wish you could stay off the front lines for years, train slowly let things sink in but I'm afraid we don't have that luxury.  There will come times when every adult hero on the planet isn't enough.  When the survival of the world--of the universe requires every hand on deck.  It's my job to get you ready for that moment.  And clearly I haven't.  You have no idea how hard this life can get.  How high the price for simple survival.  And I wish you never have to find out.  But because you have powers...because of what's been done to you...because you're who you are--you will.  All I can do is try my  best to give you the tools to survive it and I've failed at that.  So we'll try harder.  Combat Drills before school.  Strategy sessions after.  Weekend classes from now on.  Once again, I'm sorry.  Sorry that I didn't prepare you for today and that I can't spare you tomorrow."

That was cool. I just finished 13 & 14 and loved them both! I'm going to stick around for a while at the Avengers Academy

[JoeyN]

Good to hear. Academy is my favorite regular Marvel U book.

[SDAL]

Light week, but enjoyed every one of my books, which were:
Drums #1-Like Sean M. said, really solid. I didn't find the art clunky, but I'm not going to argue the point, cause I can see why someone might say that
Batman and Robin #23-I'm not familiar with Judd Winick's actual work, just his name, so was prepared to drop the title if it did nothing for me, but I guess I'll keep sticking around, 'cause this was good fun. Felt pretty Punishery to me, but I guess that's why it was fun. Who doesn't want to see bad guys have bad things happen to them?
Uncanny X-Force #10-I missed Dean White on colours, but liked where the story went and the character they brought into it. Nice set-up for up coming story arc.
Science Dog #2- I buy my Kirkman stuff in trades and omnibus, but I would gladly have him stop work on those titles to get more Science Dog. I thought this had really nice emotional beats to it, and Cory Walker does pretty nice clean art.
Intrepid #1-A B&W indie comic, I just picked up from the shelf because I thought the art looked pretty solid. Kind of looks like someone finding their own voice still, as the Finch and Bisley influences seem to be apparent, but it was pretty good. The story seems to be about a time when superheroes have had to go underground, and the government agency that maybe isn't dealing with them the way they should be. Nothing necessarily original, but told well.

I was hoping to buy Last Immortal, but it didn't seem to ship here in Brisbane Australia, unless no store ordered it, but I went to 4 different ones, and no one seemed to know what I was talking about. Hope it comes in next week's shipment now, sounds like it's good, thanks to Sean M.
Also forgot to pick up Gates of Gotham, but I got them to stick in my box, so it'll be there waiting for me.