Basement X

Ok, I'm gonna try this idea I had a few weeks ago, and didn't do it last week since I had so few books and got strapped for time.

Every week, we can all post what we thought our favorite book of the week was and why. Look at it as a quick way to recommend your favorite book you bought, or a quick place to say why you thought it was better than everything else without going to all the other forums. If the thread works, the thread works and we can do this every week. If not, well then we wont' do it too often.

My contenders for the week:

Zatanna #7
Supergirl #58
Brightest Day #14

Zatanna was a standalone issue by Adam Beechen (in for Paul Dini) and Chad Hardin, and I felt was a very well done, if not somewhat comical at times, issue. Beechen did a good job of mirroring Dini's writing with Zatanna, so much that at times I wasn't sure it wasn't Dini himself in a few moments. The art was very well done, though I do wish the art would get more consistent on this book. My only complaint is that once again, we got a story playing on Zatanna's father and her relationship with him. I know it's important, but honestly, I feel like it's overplayed. Every other story about her focuses on her dad, and I feel like that been used so much it's hard to find a new way to look at and use it, so that's my only complaint for this issue.

Supergirl brings us the second to last issue of Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle's run, and it's a book I've been steadily loving more and more as they really got into their groove. We get the first of a 2 part story bringing an arc to a close the two initiated way back during the whole New Krypton thing with Cat Grant and Kara, and the new light on Cat made me appreciate her much more than I previously did.

Brightest Day focuses solely on Deadman and his belief that Batman is the 'new protector' but it's mostly a view into Deadman's life and how self centered he's been. I'm under the impression the Deadman sections are written by Johns, but it's hard to tell at times. Overall this one being ALL about Deadman, and pushing the plot further along with him and Dove and his search, I think this one totally takes the prize as my Book of the Week. Deadman's story has been my favorite so far, and an issue all about him, well I've been wanting that again for awhile. Hell I'd read the book if he was the only person being used the whole time. Really enjoyed this issue and if you've been reading and enjoying BD so far, you should too.


That's mine. Which books were your guys' picks of the week?

I don't have my comics yet but very nice idea.
I belive it would be nice to remind everyone at first of all the books you bought that week.

Since I didn't get my copy of Zatanna #7 last week (or any comics) so I will hold off agreeing or disagreeing with you on this. The only other contender on my list as a possible book of the week is Avengers #7, and while I don't care at all for the art, the first story was very entertaining.

This is a good idea and I look forward to the weekly discussions

haha well I'll start another one up tomorrow, or sometime over break. I know a lot of you guys get your books Fridays as it is. We'll see though!

Nice idea Edbert Edbertison.

I shall have a small bag this week, so it should be easy for me to post up a contribution.

No matter! Even put one up when you have a large pull week! all the more to know why that 1 book stood out above the rest!

I'll throw up my favorite books every few months when I pick mine up?

haha sure thing. I know a few people also just get them every 2-3 weeks or longer. I just figured it to be something to pick this side of the boards back up.

Buy
SUPERIOR #2 (OF 6) (MR) $2.99
X-FACTOR #211 $2.99
X-MEN #5 $3.99
BOYS HIGHLAND LADDIE #4 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99
AVENGERS #7 $3.99


My chosen highlights of the week are:
BOYS HIGHLAND LADDIE #4 (OF 6) (MR)
AVENGERS #7

Boys Highland Laddie.
This is a strong issue between two of the lead characters, Hughie and Annie. Almost fifty issues into the book, we get the expected, difficult, truthful and frank conversation of the horrible story element that kicked off #1 of The Boys. It's very well handled by Ennis - as expected, naturally.
The dealing of that revolting subject matter alongside the more puerile story that's building up in Highland Laddie was a bit odd. But, never the less, this character piece on Hughie and Annie is very enjoyable.

Avengers.
New story line! The Hood is getting himself ready for his second coming to the top of the Marvel villain charts and this time to gurantee his ascent to the top, he doesn't appear to be planning on creating a union of super villains to rule over. This time, it looks like he's planning on trusting no one, because he's after the Infinity gems!
Big, crazy time adventure book. It's started out well, but as with every Bendis storyline it's like you know he can do better, so why is he so mediocre on team-up books.
Still, promising so far.

The Hood? Again? Damn, Bendis really loves him, hé?

My pick for book of the week:

Avengers #7
By Bendis, Romita and a bunch other less important artists.

Thanks to Stocky for letting me know the name of the villain (The Hood whom I know nothing about) who was stalking up and down the issue. This Hood character has been circling the globe collecting infinity gems, killing and/or disabling anyone who gets in his way. So far he has collected two gems: Reality & Power and upon gaining hold of the power gem he beats the Red Hulk to a bloody pulp.

The story has been pretty good so far. There's a nice build up of a major showdown about to take place The Hood revealed that he was collecting, infinity gems. Infinity Gems have always been a step above the regular catastrophe of the month within Marvel. They could very easily be a whole mega-event unto themselves or used as plot devices to bring once great characters back into the limelight without cheapening them. Hell, the quest for the infinity gems alone alone can be a great story so I'm really looking forward to this.

However, there were a few things I found strange. Not knowing doody about The Hood, some of his actions confused me: He killed his associates just before taking the Reality Gem. The Hood then used the Reality Gem to break into the Baxter Building to steal the power gem. However, while inside the Baxter building instead of using the reality gem to kill Reed Richards, The Hood simply put Reed to sleep in a creepily soothing voice. I know the rationale behind keeping villains & heroes alive but this just smacked of lazy writing. The Hood, having just killed 4 people who were accompanying him to seize the reality gems, puts Reed to Sleep so he can steal the power gem. Wtf?

Beyond that it was a pretty good story. There is also a subplot involving Wonder Man calling it quits with The Avengers & calling for the Avengers to disband themselves.

Art still blows

I have to say the art is the one thing keeping me from that book right now. I like the Infinity Gems idea, and last I knew those were being held by a member of the Illuminati each. And it seems that if the Power Gem was taken from Reed that's still primarily the case right? I recall Xavier having the Mind Gem, but what about Black Bolt's? And Namor's? Any indication that'll be a followed up on theme or was that undone at some point a few years ago?

The Hood took Black Bolt's (I think) Reality Gem from the now empty moon base. He used it then to teleport him back to Earth and sneak into the Fantastic Four's base undetected (and keep Reed asleep). He found the Power Gem and went and knocked the fuck outa Rulk with it, saying "this is my test". Pretty awesome stuff! And I'm loving the art, then again I've always been a fan of JRJr...