The Pull List for October 8, 2014

This trend of my pull list growing doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon, as you'll see over the next couple of months. These publishers just keep popping out engaging books! Damn them. Luckily, most of the series I am content to simply read while I'm on my lunch break, but a few of them definitely are going to have to become a part of my permanent collection. Marvel seems to be increasing their trade paperback prices, so I may just start buying the individual issues there, but for the most part, TPs tend to be the cheaper route.

Three and I may have to invest in a bigger bookshelf.

Via 1Up Collectibles

Batgirl #35 (DC) - Even though I shudder as I say this, I wasn't really a big fan of Gail Simone's run with Babs. It wasn't horrible, but it was a little darker than the title warranted, especially last month's one-shot with Barbara turning into Bane's trainee, Black Beast. Perhaps aging her down will bring a bit of levity, kind of like Gotham Academy from last week, which I must say I enjoyed thoroughly.

Birthright #1 (Image) - I'm a little wary of this one, since it seems that it has elements of a horror comic and that's not really my bag. I think a lot of my unease comes from the fact that Joshua Williamson is the writer, and he's penned Nailbiter and Necessary Evil. But I would love to be wrong, since he says that he was inspired by movies like The Neverending Story, only that he was more interested in what happened once that adventure was over. It's an interesting premise - a young boy, thought to be dead, returns to his parents after accomplishing ... something? - and I look forward to checking it out.

Captain Marvel #8 (Marvel) - The last issue of Captain Marvel left me in stitches, with Carol's cat/Flerken giving birth to eggs aboard the starship. The addition of Rocket Raccoon was ingenious here, and it's not like I wasn't already loving this series. Every now and then, I like to see my superheroes to be involved in seemingly mundane things, especially considering that Carol just saved an entire planet in the last arc, and I can't think of anything better than handling the clutch of an alien that you've been keeping as a pet (then again, I love both Bee and Puppycat and Lilo and Stitch, so take that with a grain of salt if you feel it's necessary).

Via Image Comics

Copperhead #2 (Image) - The first issue of Copperhead sold out within the first hour last month, and you know what? There's a fucking reason. The art is top notch, the story is expertly paced, the setting is reminiscent of Trigun and Tatooine combined, the characters feel real (even Deputy Boo, the giant, furry hornless rhinoceros that he is), and there's a lot of backstory that's implied and guaranteed to be explored. I want to know more about Clara and Zeke Bronson, about the aliens that inhabit this small town, about what happened to the previous sheriff. There is literally nothing about this series that I don't love so far, and, as Image has proven time and time again (well, for the most part), I have full confidence that Copperhead will become a highly recognized and lauded title.

Death-Defying Doctor Mirage #2 (Valiant) - Funnily enough, I ran across an old issue of the original Dr. Mirage in one of our ten-cent bins at the comic store, and I'm happy to report that this new incarnation, with Dr. Mirage as Hwen Dong Fong's wife, Shan Fong, is so much better. She's powerful and determined, and like Katya from The Names, she's a POC. Plus, this title is a first for Valiant Comics: not only is its main character female, but the lead writer (Jen Van Meter) also happens to be of the lady persuasion. I mean, it's about damn time, but yay!

Fraggle Rock: Journey to the Everspring #1 (Archaia) - I absolutely loved Fraggle Rock as a kid, and you know what? I'm not ashamed to say that I have the whole first season on DVD. It's such a sweet show, and whenever Three and I have a kid, Fraggle Rock is going to be a major part of his or her childhood. Plus, Archaia, a sub-company of Boom!, has already done an incredible job with the other Jim Henson title (that I will be purchasing, thank you very much), Storyteller, so I have no doubt that this comic will be excellent.

Via DC Comics

Green Lantern Corps #35 (DC) - I was disappointed in the Godhead one-shot from last week, and Green Lantern #35 didn't really do anything for me. Maybe I needed to have more information about the various Lantern Corps and/or the New Gods to get into the story, but then again, I wasn't really interested in the Lanterns until I red New Guardians and Sinestro, so ... I dunno. I'm going to finish this month's Lantern titles, but I probably won't read further.

Hawkeye #21 (Marvel) - I'm late getting into this series - my favorite issue so far is the one from Hawkeye's dog's perspective - and it pains me to know that the last issue will be for next month. I feel like when I discovered that the sandalwood and fig fragrance by Bath & Body Works was being discontinued: why in the hell did I wait so long??? Unlike a perfume, though, I can always buy trade paperbacks, to be enjoyed time and time again. Last month, I fell in love with Kate Bishop and her cocky attitude, and I'm curious as to how this series will culminate.

Hawkeye vs. Deadpool #1 (Marvel) - While I love me some Deadpool, I've felt that he's been a tad bit overexposed the past few years. Sure, he's got die-hard fans (what comic character doesn't?), but that doesn't mean that he should get a movie or a bazillion different titles with his name emblazoned on them. Despite not being absolutely perfect - Deadpool referencing 50 Cent was eyeroll worthy, for instance - I'll probably stick around for the run to complete. It's a short series, after all.

Imperial #3 (Image) - I'm thinking that this is going to be the last time that Imperial is on my pull list. The only character that I really like is Mark's fiancee, Katie, and the last issue had her bursting into tears (WOMEN, AMIRITE? THEY HAZ TEH IMOSHUNS) in one panel and being completely logical and without tears in the next. I'm sad to say that this series is kind of boring, although I get the feeling that they were inspired by the much better Hawkeye. Oh, well. Image can't win them all.

Injustice: Gods Among Us, Year 3 #1 (DC) - I haven't read any of the other arcs in the Injustice series, and pretty much the only reason that I'm picking this one up is because it has Batman teaming up with Constantine to fight a dictatorial Superman. That just sounds freaking cool.

Via Image Comics

Wytches #1 (Image) - Similar to Birthright, I am going to read this first issue with a bit of trepidation. I mean, the description on Image's website distinctly uses the word "horror." But I like the idea of witches being actual immortal beings that inspire terror to those who know of them. Plus, that cover above looks beautifully haunting. I really hope I don't have bad dreams after reading it.