CBF Quick Pick Of 2012

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It’s that time once again. I quickly take a look back at 2012 and look forward to 2013, but otherwise – we’re narrowing it down to the top 5 books of CBF for the year and picking the one that stood out. A strong list, but only one can prevail. What are your thoughts on the top picks for 2012?

Best to the new year!

CBF 40 : 2012 Comics In Review

NO HOLDS BARRED!!

I’d like to say that’s the appropriate theme for the 2012 comic book review edition of the CBF podcast. Bringing both Daniel M. Clark and Jon Stump onto the show together will do that.

This is where we dissect the year of comics and its future. Many bold topics were discussed:

• DC losing ground with its New 52 and the falling of Vertigo
• The good (Marvel NOW!) and not so good (AvX) of Marvel
• Image having probably its best year since their inception 20 years ago
• Our favorite series and what you should be picking up that’s under the radar
• Our concerns for the industry as a whole and what 2020 is going to look like
• Who the heck may becoming a Brony?

Agree? Disagree? This was definitely the most honest podcast we’ve done and it speaks a lot to where comic books are supposedly heading. Give it a listen.

I’ll be back soon to close out the year of 2012 with the Quick Pick of the Year!

Uncanny Skullkickers “Re-Launches” In February

We’re in an industry that’s all about re-launching titles and adding adjectives to names that will grab as much readers’ attention as possible. Just look at the Avengers titles and you’ll get what I’m saying.

Image Comics and frequent CBF interviewee/Skullkickers creator Jim Zub is jumping on that trend, although not in the way you think, with Uncanny Skullkickers #1.

The solicit says enough than I can possibly say:

UNCANNY SKULLKICKERS #1
story JIM ZUB
art EDWIN HUANG
cover EDWIN HUANG & MISTY COATS
FEBRUARY 27
32 PAGES / FC / T
$3.50

The UNCANNY SKULLKICKERS: Two hard-headed mercenaries kill monsters and cause havoc in their search for money, fame and adventure! A bold new direction! A perfect jumping-on point! A newly added adjective! Our nineteenth issue, but also a new issue #1! It’s all here, people! Don’t make us use more exclamation marks!!

P.S. Retailers: Rack this comic beside other “Uncanny” comics you may have hanging around and sell a ton of copies. Do it.

The retailer blurb is great and speaks well to how the comics are being marketed. And no surprise Image is going this route, as they’ve parodied comic book event/re-launch solicits in the past.

CBF Quick Picks #130 : The Manhattan Projects #7

It feels like it’s been forever since we last saw this series, but it doesn’t take away from the quality that Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra continue to bring to this critically acclaimed Image title. The crazy ideas continue to flow out of Hickman’s mind and it’s a wonder to behold when you combine them with the details behind Pitarra’s pencils. There are also many sub-plots to juggle when you consider the cast involved. It makes for one big thrill ride. You can catch up with the first trade.

And to add to the craziness – I read Deadpool #1. This actually happened. And it was funny as heck. Deadpool fighting dead presidents will do that for you. And Tony Moore on art is always a big helping hand too.

CBF Quick Picks #124 : Saga #6

There’s no stopping this juggernaut that is Saga. Issue #6 wraps up the first arc as our protagonists finally reach the Rocketship Forest, only to find out that they’ve got more trouble than they bargained for. The story is ripe with sub-plots and intriguing characters – some of which I’d definitely be interested in reading spin-offs of if Brian K/ Vaughan ever chose to do them. And Fiona Staples once again continues to blow my mind with her vivid detail. The two-month wait until the next arc will be painful, but worth it to see Staples continue to bring the goods.

Meanwhile, Wonder Woman #12 sneaked out of the corner and surprised everybody with its last page and where this arc is going next. Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang are knocking it out of the park with the continuing Greek god family saga that now incorporates a Jack Kirby creation that makes absolute sense in this new continuity.

And lastly, we get a return to form with Batwoman #12. Having J.H. Williams III back on art duty certainly helped and it goes to show that when he’s on point, he’s one of the best artists on the market. Wonder Woman guest starring also helped this issue and the team-up to come will keep me reading.

CBF Interviews #4 : Jim Zub of Skullkickers and Pathfinder

It’s always a pleasure when Jim Zub returns to the show to share his upcoming work and insights on the craft of comic-making. That’s exactly what he does here and I’m pretty sure you’re in for a treat.

We talk a lot about what’s been in the pipeline for Jim since he last came on the show back in January – including his experience at this year’s San Diego show. We take a look into the latest of his Skullkickers work for Image, as he finishes up his Six Shooter on the Seven Seas arc and reveals some plans on what’s in store for future arcs.

We also learn more his new project for Pathfinder, a popular tabletop RPG that’s being adapted to comic form by Dynamite. Jim shares what got him the gig and where he sees the story heading in a world where players make up their own stories.

The big shocker for me was him and other industry writers taking on web comics for classic video game properties on Shifty Look. Never did I see the day that Dig Dug would get its own comic. My dream for a Bubble Bobble comic is coming closer.

And we also touch a bit on the craft of making comics. Jim took to Twitter initially before posting his thoughts on writing via his blog. There’s a lot of great material for aspiring comic book writers (and even artists) to follow to build up their own craft.

Check out all of Jim’s thoughts on his main blog page as well as check out the latest on Skullkickers on the book’s site.

Music provided by Asatron – Delirious

Tags: comics, Dig Dug, Dynamite Comics, Image Comics, Jim Zub, Pathfinder, Shifty Look, Skullkickers

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