While browsing through lists of upcoming comics, I discovered that there just isn't much coming out these days that appeals to me. I don't see many World War II era stories coming out, but that could change with the release of the Captain America movie in May. And what happened to DC's multiverse? Sure there are series like First Wave which take place in some of these alternate realities, but I was hoping for some good crossovers. I haven't seen the Justice Society of Earth Two since Justice Society of America Annual 1 and that was nearly three years ago! Plus it's getting really pricey to collect comics. I hear DC will be drawing the line at 2.99, but even at that a comic had better be consistently good before I drop that kind of money.
My pull list is currently down to a couple of titles: DCU: Legacies and Justice Society of America. The first is a limited series that will soon end and I may drop the second due to DC's recent trend of inserting their bleeding-heart liberal agendas into the stories. So I may be done with JSA very soon.
But I haven't given up comics completely and I was most recently impressed by DC's hardcover one shot Superman: Earth One by J. Michael Straczynski. It was a masterpiece, reminiscent of all the best elements from previous Superman origin stories, all integrated into this one streamlined reimagining. The art by Shane Davis is some of the best I've seen. The dialog, especially between Perry, Lois, Clark, and Jimmy during Clark's "interview" was priceless.
So I think I'll start going the trade route in the near future. Then I can read a complete story in one sitting. Here is my most wanted reading list as of today:
1) Crisis on Multiple Earths, Volume 5 - More reprints of the JLA / JSA crossovers.
2) Invaders Classic, Volume 1 - In all there are four volumes of these 70s reprints by Roy Thomas.
3) Bat Lash: Guns and Roses - Western adventure reprinting the 6 issue series.
4) Batman: Earth One - by Geoff Johns, if it ever comes out.
5) Superman: Secret Origins - by Geoff Johns. I may wait for softcover since hardcover is so expensive.
6) Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman, vol. 1 - 3 vol.s with Eaglesham art in the first two.
7) Team ups of the Brave and the Bold by J. Michael Straczynski. Soon to be in paperback, August 2011.
8) Thor by Straczynski (3 volumes altogether)
9) Superman: Grounded, Volume 1 Straczynski hardcover due August 2011.
10) JSA vs. Kobra reprints 6 part mini-series.
11) Legion of Superheroes by Levitiz. Hardcover available in April 2011.
14) Spiderman: The Complete Clone Saga Epic, Book 1 (at least five volumes)
15) Simon and Kirby Superheroes
I think I'll head to the public library with this reading list.