Normally this is when I post my "weekly pull" post.  However, the owner of my main LCS has been sick the last couple of days...because Kansas weather is TERRIBLE....seriously, go check out the last 10 days of weather....it makes no goddamn sense.  So, I went to my secondary spot, picked up my tiny pull list of like 3 books from there, and started catching up on some of my "to read" pile. 

Sooo....Here's what I read throughout the day and some thoughts here-and-there.

 1. The Last Ronin (IDW)
It was sooo good, but I'm not going to talk about it until maybe December 5th in public spaces because ofIDW massively shorting on pre-orders. I'm not gonna be that dick that ruins it.  The 2nd printing releases on December 2nd.  So, if you wanna chat about it, slide into them DM's.

2. Drakkon New Dawn #3 (Boom)
Pretty solid, kinda confused at the end, we'll see how it sets up the November release of the new series launch.

3. Three Jokers #3 of 3 (DC)
I'm conflicted on how I feel.  I think I need to read 1-3 in a single sitting to get my head right.  But, the end reveal is interesting.

4. MegaMan Fully Charged #3 (Boom)
I'm probably done with this book, its just not for me. 

OLD STUFF BEGINS HERE =-)

5. Getting It Together #1 (Image)
This is an interesting coming of age tale with not one but two music playlists, massive embracing of some LGBT relationships, and some not-so-clean relational drama.  I appreciate the Friends homage cover, because this is what the show would have looked like with everyone who is broken.

6. Dark Ark After the Flood #5 (Aftershock)
I'm sad that its done, I didn't know this was the end, but it was a fun 5-issue wrap to the Dark Ark world.  Big fan, Cullen Bunn can do no wrong!

7. Autumnal #1 (Vault)
I think this is going to be AMAZING!!!!!!! #2 drops this week!

8. Yasmeen #3 (Scout)
Holy crap, this series keeps to get more amazing.  I need to line up a creator interview!  If I play my cards right, expect something in the future =-)

9. Concrete Jungle #1 (Scout)
Holy balls, this book was wild and amazing!  I'm going to be all over this series in the future!  

10. Justice League Annual #2 (DC)
While some of it was hoakey (yeah, but a lot of JL is)....I thought this was a fun "what if" with the Halls of Justice, and I'm sad Vendetti is not on the JL anymore, but I like Williamson.....so......

11. TMNT Raphael #1 (IDW)
Yeah, this is good 'ol reprint goodness, but I'm nostalgic AF after reading it, and can't wait for more!!!

12. Harley Quinn (WK Universe--DC Black)
This was ok, I'm not done with all of the Batman White Knight stuff....so I may trade wait this in the long run.

13. An Unkindness of Ravens #1 (Boom)
The stage-setting first 4 pages was dope.  The premise of this is hauntingly interesting.  I can't wait for book 2 to drop this week!

Atlantis Wasn't Built for Tourists #2 (Scout)
Grit #3 (Scout)
Batman/Superman 12 (DC)
Joker Warzone (DC)
Power Rangers Sins of the Future (Boom)--A trade-length one shot (I think)

​Come see the usual "Weekly Pull" tomorrow afternoon!

I don't know how many times I can sing the praises of Stonie Williams and Mad Cave Studios....but here we go!

This news was broken on the Pastrami Nation podcast last night.....

VILLAINOUS #1 HAS SOLD OUT AND HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR A SECOND PRINTING.

You can see how giddy Stonie is in the interview below!

One of the most interesting conversations of my school year is when we get to campaign finance reform, the discussion begins with the simple question of "does the way we spend money, constitute as an act of free speech?"  The class normally begins with a majority of students saying no...and then we talk about the kinds of clothes they buy, the music they choose and why they put money into things they "like" and then opinions start to swing all over the place about making our voices heard with our wallets.

First, this mission to me is awesome.  Second, I have fears supporting some animal rights organizations, because I'm carnivorous, and I don't know if everything I buy is cruelty free etc. and I don't want to be disingenuous, or called out for not being hardcore enough.  However, all of the charities Sigma donates proceeds to are organizations and causes I can fully ensure I can work towards.  Again, from their website: "The groups we support are: American Humane, Animal Welfare Institute, PetSmart Charities and the Humane Farming Association, among others. Each of these organizations has a proven track record of *actually* helping animal causes and working with local governments to ensure lasting change! THAT’S REAL CHANGE!"

On October 16th, Sigma announced their signature series, CALICO.  Check out some of the art, and explanation of the storyline from the creator himself!

This story concept fits into the types of things I love to read anyway.  I love stories that elevate the voices of communities of color, the LGBTQ community, immigrants and refugees and/or the perspective of anyone else who's disenfranchised.  So why not check out a story about someone who speaks up for the voiceless, the other co-habitants of our planet!  I'm down to check out the first issue, probably even the whole first arc.  

However, this series may not be for the feint of heart.  Sigma describes their storytelling method as "...stories inspired by actual events, which often receive very little media coverage in the news. The stories are graphic, violent and uncensored, exactly as they would occur in real life. As such, our comic books are made strictly for mature audiences."

All-in all, I really have my interests piqued in terms of the storyline, the cause, and of course, I'm all about taking down big A-holes!

Have I told you all how much I love Stonie Williams?   Author of Vala the Beast Heart....Mad Cave Studios talent search winner, and author of Villainous, well he just shared with me a little sneak peak into Issue #2.​

The book resumes immediately where it left off, with our two detectives investigating the bombing and theorizing about if this is the true work of the Shadow Order and what may happen if they have folks on the inside.  You also get a nice taste of how society truly feels about supers through their eyes: clearly the Coalition are the good guys and the Shadow order are bad.  Someone would even say that the Order's plan to overthrow the Coalition is rediculous.....

Shortly thereafter we get to meet members of the Shadow Order, with their pitch to Tilly as to why they either need Tilly to join them OR to stay with them in an attempt to lay low and stay safe.  THERE IS EVEN A TRAINING VIDEO (might be better than the one Bendis chopped up in his new run of Legion) where Sedition (who appears to be the leader of this parade) defends his organization and its mission, and we see if there is anything that kicks itself into action if Tilly decides to tell them what she's learned about the Coalition and its plans.....and you'll have to read the rest on November 11th to find out more!

I think Villainous #2 is as good as if not better than #1 (and normally a lot of books slump in #2 in my opinion).  In terms of the three areas we tend to focus on as readers, here's how I feel!

Story:
I think Williams has created something stellar here.  Who is really good and who is really bad?  This play on Duality of good vs evil or hero vs. villain is an excellent thought discussion, especially when you add in the question of if the Media serves as a buffer for the Coalition's actions while equally desparaging the Shadow Order.  Tilly has quite the Sophie's Choice to deal with in this book.

The Art
Sadzinski and Lafuente create a compelling virtual narrative to match the story.  The recruitment video looks and sounds like every tacky HR video we've ever had to deal with.  They also create awesome authentic facial features to match the emotions of the Shadow Order in not really believing they are in the wrong, the general concern they have for what they're doing is breathtaking.  Some of the power displays (which I don't want to spoil) make this book worth the price of admission alone!!!!

The Lettering
What preview would be complete without a shout-out to the letterer?  I love the subtle shift in font used from the dialogue text to the information we get from the recruitment video and how it shifts again when we see some passages read from files. All of the different backgrounds in each of the text passages are also amazing, and a certain Bald Bearded Bird informed me that Justin did that all himself!!!!!  That is AMAZING!!!!

Go find a copy of #1 and pre-order #2 which comes out on November 11th.

It's been a long last 10 days full of craziness at work, a depressive flare-up (with no meds), and falling asleep on Comic Burrito's livestream.....

I feel balanced, refreshed, and ready to read and write about some books!  Here's the reading order for the week:

1. Something is Killing the Children #11 (Boom!)
2. Dryfoot #2 (Mad Cave Studios)
3. Miles to Go #2 (Aftershock)
4. Family Tree # 9 (Image
5. Justice League #55 (DC)
6. TMNT #110 (IDW)
7. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #55 (Boom!)
8. Maestro #3 (Marvel)
9. Batman #101 (DC)
10. Stillwater #2 (Image/Skybound)
11. Big Girls #3 (Image)
12. Devil's Highway #4 (AWA/Upshot)
13. Dead Day #4 (Aftershock)
14. X-Men 13 (Marvel)
15. Excalibur #13 (Marvel)
16. Scumbag #1 (Image)
17. Daredevil #23 (Marvel)
18. Shadow Service #3 (Vault)
19. Engineward #4 (Vault)
20. Spider-Wman #5 (Marvel)
21. Iron Man #2 (Marvel)
22. Dune House Atrides #1 (Boom)
23. Harley Quinn (from the White Knight Universe) #1 (DC)

Bought But Behind on ......
Robin King #1
Venom #29