WLG #189: Run Back Home!

By Michael A. Diaz

So even though things came up where I wasn't able to write a proper column last week I still went out and bought my comics and properly geeked out. Because I had not read the aforementioned column it was really a kind of surprise to see which books had hit the stands, so I was more than pleased to open my hold bag and see the final issue of Civil War inside.

As soon as I left my local comic book shop I stopped by a local park to eat my lunch and read Civil War #7. I tore through the book and when I got to the end all I could think was “that's it?”

Yes, I am glad that Captain America recognized that he and his fellow heroes were doing far more harm to the city of New York as they fought amongst themselves, so that didn't bother me, but other than that I was hoping for something truly amazing and epic. For my two cents this was anything but.

Did anyone else feel this way?

Maybe it was just another case of the end product not being able to live up to the hype. I admit that I've over-hyped myself plenty of times on many things, be it movies, music, or comics. I'm very obsessive in that sense; because of this there have been several times where the hype did not live up to the reality, or maybe more to the point, my expectation.

I don't know, I think I was just expecting more from Civil War. What? I don't that either, but something different from what I got.

That was offset last week by my purchase of two things that DID live up to their hype, after this disclaimer, of course:

Standard Disclaimer: For those of you new to the WLG experience, here's how it works: Every week I check out the release schedule from the Diamond Comics Shipping List and decide which comics that I am going to spend my hard-earned money on. Yep, my money. That's good, because it helps to maintain my objectivity. If I spend money on a comic book and it turns out to be crap I'm going to be upset.A couple of weeks ago at work a younger co-worker of mine said that he had been listening to NPR and wanted to know if I had ever heard of a graphic novel called Pride of Baghdad. I told him that of course I had (after all, I am a comic book geek) but was sad to say that I had not actually bought nor read the work. I was planning doing such, but just had not gotten around to it.

He announced that he was going to order a copy from Amazon.com. For some reason my inner geek was challenged because I found myself jealous of the fact that this non-comic book fan would be reading a much-lauded OGN (Original Graphic Novel) before me, the comic book snob that read books such as Box Office Poison, Blue Monday, and Blankets.

A couple of days later I cashed in some reward points from my credit card and got a $50 gift certificate to Amazon as well. I bought Pride of Baghdad as well as Star Wars: Empire at War ($16!). I had some room left on gift certificate and found myself searching for something else to purchase. This didn't take long as I quickly stumbled across the over-sized hardcover of 300 for 40% off.

The books showed up last week and I tore through them in a singer night. 300 was wonderful and if anything I am more excited than ever to see the movie. In fact, it was so good that I am actually a touch ashamed that I didn't read this work by Frank Miller so much sooner. Obviously I'm dumb sometimes.

Pride of Baghdad also lived up to its hype. I won't ruin it for you but let me just say that the ending is as subtle as a hammer and just as striking.

Wow!

But enough about last week; let's jump into the comics coming out THIS week and see What Looks Good...

BOOM! STUDIOS

HERO SQUARED #5 $3.99 (Keith Giffen & J.M DeMatteis / Joe Abraham)

Always funny and yet somehow poignant and touching at the same time.

Good stuff; this book is always a favorite for me when it comes out.

IMAGE

NOBLE CAUSES #27 $3.50 (Jay Faerber / Yildiray Cinar)

I'm glad that I jumped back into this book with the last issue because I had ALMOST forgotten not only how fun it is but how much I enjoy these characters. Faerber has been nicely growing the cast from the first issue, naturally adding players to the title as fits the story without ever making it seem forced.

Again, another one of my perennial favorites and well worth the price tag.

MARVEL

ETERNALS #7 (OF 7) $3.99 (Neil Gaiman / John Romita, Jr.)

The FINAL issue is here and pardon me if I borrow from Dune but the “sleeper has awakened.

I'm not usually a big fan of cosmic titles but this has had a truly epic and universal feel to it.

I want more.

RUNAWAYS #24 $2.99 (Brian K. Vaughan / Adrian Alphona)

Sadly it is time to say goodbye to Vaughan and Alphona; since the first issue this has felt like their book, but it's not a creator-owned title and this is where they get off of this train. The question is, how is this creator team going to leave the team that I have grown to love over the past few years? It seems almost assured that ANOTHER member of the team is going to die, which personally, I don't want to see. Of course, my input means squat, but that doesn't change how I FEEL.

A great end to a great run, guys, always keeping us, the readers, guessing. You're certainly ending on a high as far as I am concerned.

Was there something that did it for you this week? If so, stop by the What Looks Good message boards (see link below) and spread the love, my friend.

Until then,

Peace!

-Diaz