If you're here in the Panel Discussion programming block, you might be a lapsed comics reader, trying to find a way back to the JLA Satellite. Or you might someone killing time until you pick up your weekly Wednesday pull list. Or maybe you've said goodbye to dozens of longboxes to embrace the promise of digital comics. Whichever it is, you're still interested in the good stuff.
Welcome, then, to the Panel Discussion Dozen Sextet, where I pick out just-released or out-soon comics that I think are worth paying attention to. Ready? Then, let's meet the sequential art that'll be draining your wallet this week. Be sure to chime in with the books you'll be picking up or that you think everybody should be reading in the comments.
The Massive #9
The reason this comic works is that it's built on the premise of ideals and what happens when they're actually tested. The members of the seafaring, eco-activist organization Ninth Wave have been trying doing to survive in a ravaged world without succumbing to the temptations that have captured others. But this issue looks to be the one where their morals and loyalty get pushed to the breaking point. Brian Wood's writing pulls the reader into the shoes of his characters and makes you ask yourself what you would do.
Batman Incorporated #8
This week's big comics news revolves around the events in this issue, which aren't exactly a secret based on that cover. As someone who's loved Damian and the concept of Robin overall, I'm sad to see this happen. As someone who's been reading comics for more than 30 years, I don't believe for a second that this will stick. We'll see what kind of mileage Grant Morrison gets out of this latest plot development.
Borderlands Origins #2
With all the shooting and looting going on in Gearbox's hit franchise, there's not a whole lot of time for backstory. That's where the comics from publisher IDW come in. This new issue tells readers about Lilith, the lethal Siren who rolls with the second crew of Vault Hunters from Borderlands 2. Turns out she's been kicking ass long before Handsome Jack showed his weird-looking face.
Five Weapons #1
Given how good their output has been lately, it's gotten to the point that I'll take a chance on any first issue from Image Comics. This series—written by the sharply funny Jimmie Robinson—looks like it'll be a good reversal of the "gifted children" concept that's so popular in genre fiction:
13-year-old Tyler finds himself in a specialized school where assassins send their kids for education and training in one of the five deadly weapons. Tyler doesn't have a weapon or any fighting skills, but he still plans to graduate by beating every weapon master in the school because he has a powerful ability that nobody can match: his razor-sharp mind! JIMMIE ROBINSON twists the insanity of BOMB QUEEN in a fun new series that will keep you guessing to the end.
Hawkeye #8
Clint Barton is one of those guys who digs dangerous women. He's dated the Black Widow, been married to Mockingbird and is currently fraternizing with fellow Avenger Spider-Woman. So, you know, the young lady on the cover of this series' latest issue is going to be trouble. But you also know that said trouble is going to be another stylish, punchy read from writer Matt Fraction and artist David Aja. Buckle up.
Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1
Marvel's superpowered space-team is set to be the focus of the publisher's next big-budget movie. So this series by superstar writer Brian Michael Bendis and Steve McNiven will be probably worth watching for the tone of what winds up on the silver screen. The team assembled here is a motley crew that doesn't have the same institutional history of the Avengers so it'll be great to see how their personalities interact.