MY CURRENT TOP 10 COMICS

MY CURRENT TOP 10 COMICS I'M ENJOYING:

(my top 10 changes almost every month, sometimes weekly)

* THE WALKING DEAD: Greatest Zombie story so far! Why this hasn't been picked up to be an HBO series is beyond me! Month-in,Month-out its at the top of my reading list. Even when it slows down a bit, I'm still intrigued by the world Kirkman creates and love every character. This is the one book (that's currently still being published) that I recommend the most to non-comic book readers.

* CIVIL WAR: When it actually comes out, that is (its scheduling is fubar'd).... A botched fight against supervillains by B/C-list heroes ends with thousands of elementary kids dead. The US goverment, spearheaded by Tony "Iron Man" Stark, put through the "Superhero Registration Act" - you have powers, you have 2 choices; 1) Release your secret identity and work for the government as super agents including hunting down other heroes who don't comply, or 2) Live the rest of your life in a Gulog in the Negative Zone. Captain America goes underground, leading other heros, fighting the Act as the Resistance. The Marvel Universe is split in 2; A Civil War. I really miss the Marvel Universe of the 80s, but am happy that they are finally burying the horrible 90s and early Tweens. If anything, we're venturing into new territory which is exciting. My only "complaint" is Tony Stark is now a huge fucking asshole.... but then again, I suppose he always was an arrogant prick. haha! In addition, the Marvel Universe is coming dangerously close to becoming the Ultimates Universe in tone, which I don't want.

* JUSTICE: The "Super Friends" era DC characters approached with modern sensibilities and a pure passion for the material by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Doug Braithwraite. Gorgeous art, awesome story & storytelling! When these guys touch the DCU, it's golden!

* DAREDEVIL: Ever since the title was relaunched in 1998(?) under the guidance of Joe Quesada, its been one of my favorite titles every month! Not since the days of Frank Miller in the 80s have I enjoyed the character so much! And Brubaker/Lark, the new creative team post-Bendis/Maleev, are kicking total ass with the book! Forget the movie. This is great, dirty, urban crime noir!

* 52: The Year following last year's INFINITE CRISIS. Co-written by top writing talent, I'm loving this weekly comic! I can't wait to see where (and how) they take BLACK ADAM!

* CAPTAIN AMERICA: Another book by Brubaker (Daredevil). He's finally taken the character and book to a place where I always wanted it to go. Gone is the campy fun silly Superhero preaching kids to stay in school and drink their milk. Instead, we have the soldier from WWII in our Era still trying to fight the good fight for what is right. Spy espionage, WWII stuff, battles, gunfights, superheroing, supervillains... its all there. Tom Clancy meets Marvel!

* PUNISHER MAX: Written by Garth Ennis (Preacher), he's taken the character to the next level; hardcore! This 18-over only title allows the character to do what he does best without restrictions; blowing badguys the fuck up! Ennis' Frank Castle stays true to his origins as a Vietnam Vet. so he's older but still tough as shit. Gone are the white gloves and boots and scrapping against Spiderman and other costumes. Instead, he's taking on The Mob, Russian weapons dealers, Terrorists, and scumbags deserving punishment. The eerie white skull on the chest remains, which I wouldn't have it any other way!

* GREEN LANTERN CORPS: (Gleason art issues only) Kyle Rayner restored the GL Corps after over a decade of them being gone. What I like the most about this title is their handling of Green Lantern GUY GARDNER. Gone is the lame bowl haircut and arrogant-ass attitude. Instead, he's more like a badass marine who's fucking awesome at what he does, which is usually kicking ass as a Green Lantern. He's still arrogant (he IS Guy after all), but its more confidence than being a chode. Maker said it well with, "He's an intergalactic Jarhead kicking alien ass!"

* AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: I dropped the title after the abyssmal "The Other" storyline and the absolute unforgivable "Sins Past". But now the title has marched directly into the Civil War event with Spidey stuck right in the middle being pulled from all sides. First he chose to side with Tony, revealed his secret identity on TV, but has since regretted the side he chose. He's now on the run from the Government, fighting alongside Captain America & the Resistance. But now everyone knows who he really is, who is wife and aunt are and life in general is pretty shitty for the ole Webhead; exactly how it should be for Spidey! The RON GARNEY art is rocking, too! Plus, he's about to sport his black costume again! I'm giddy! Rumors are that Aunt May and/or MJ get killed soon. Secret Identities - there's a reason for em!

* X-MEN TITLES (hey, these have to count as 1 , otherwise....):
**** X-FACTOR: Peter David writes the best MADROX ever! Crime noir, mutants, private eyes and some great David humor. Again, HBO series someone?!

**** NEW X-MEN: I didn't want to like this book, especially with the newly added X-23 who I loathe... but they're writing a great fun comic that feels more like the old 80s Claremont stuff. Loving Paco Medina's art, too.... although I think he's leaving the book...

**** ASTONISHING X-MEN: Joss Whedon's love letter to the old Claremont/Byrne X-Days. Villains are lame, but the real fun are all those "moment"... you know the ones.

**** X-MEN: FIRST CLASS: A fun book of the first X-Men class, the original members; Cyclops, Jean, Beast, Angel and Iceman. I'm a big fan of that era so I'm enjoying this. I just wish it was written a bit more mature and they were in their actual old school costumes.

**** X-MEN: This book has sucked, in my opinion, since Jim Lee and Claremont left back in 1991(?). The last few years have been painful with Austen on writing chores and then the even-worse Milligan who achieved writing the worst X-Men ever, which is saying something for a franchise that's been around over 30yrs. Anyway, MIKE CAREY (Lucifer), joined by Chris Bachalo on art, is so far making this a must-read x-book. But he's riding a razor edge for me..... looks like Mystique is no longer gay, about to have a fling with Iceman and/or Iceman and Cannonball are about to reveal they're both gay and lovers. Completely out of character for all three anyway you slice it. Hopefully, Carey's just messing with us and will stay true to the characters. Overall, the book could be alot better, the characters could feel more like they should, but atleast its not the horrible horrible Milligan bullshit. Fingers crossed and in a good holdling pattern so far these past handful of months.