I’ve been getting away from straight forward comic reviews lately; however, I thought I’d drop some titles on you in a little segment that I’m going to call “Prioritizing the Pull List.”
So, when I pick up my comics, which is about once a month, I usually have a fairly large stack waiting for me. The stack contains all sorts of titles from most of the major publishers.
On the drive home, I excitedly thumb through the stack at stop lights, wondering what I’m going to read first. I make it my priority to read at least 5-7 of the issues I just picked up that evening. While this list varies from month to month, there are some usual suspects, and this week I’d like to give a shout out to the top 5 titles (in no particular order) that made the cut this past Wednesday, and I’d also like let you know why you should be reading them…
- Superman: American Alien (DC Comics)
Until this series, I was not a Superman fan. However, Max Landis has made me a believer. This run is currently on issue 3 of 7, and each issue, while written by Landis, is drawn by a different artist. Each issue can stand on its own, for it tells a small snippet of Clark Kent’s growth as a person and a hero. It’s outstanding. My students love it. You will too. Pick it up, and read it…like now!
- Ms. Marvel (Marvel Comics)
If you read my blog, you know that I am a big fan of Kamala Khan. She’s the coolest. The Pakistani American Muslim teenage female breaks all sorts of ideas of what a super hero can be. The cast of characters in the book is great, and while the new story run feels a bit similar to the last, Ms. Marvel is a favorite of mine and my students. Plus, a Ms. Marvel poster does appear on Alex’s dorm room wall in the hit television show Modern Family! How cool is that?
- Paper Girls (Image Comics)
This strange comic is set in 1988, and it follows a group of teenage girls and their paper route. However, the reader quickly realizes that this book is about much more. The girls’ town is invaded by aliens (from the future?), and the girls need to figure out how to survive. Not for the faint of heart. The comic is currently on issue 4. It’s wild, and when I get a copy, I absolutely cannot put it down. The art is cool, and the story is written by Brian K. Vaughn. If you dig the 80’s, a strange plot, and weirdo futuristic aliens, check this one out.
- Archie (Archie Comics)
I love the new run of Archie! These issues cannot come out quickly enough, and my students can’t seem to put them down. It’s a modern, hip, funny, well-written book that needs to be read. My only problem with the book is that the back matter takes up too much space, limiting the story content in each monthly issue. If you have students looking to explore a new title, put this book into their hands, and see what happens. I think I have 7-10 kids in each of my comics’ classes that scrap for the new issue when it comes out.
- Captain America (Marvel Comics)
Sam Wilson is my Captain America! While he’s recently been turned into a werewolf, the new Captain America is making waves; here’s a clip where they discuss the new take on the character on Fox & Friends:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v46yDz70X8
And here is a response to that clip from the writer:
The book is great, and if it’s creating controversy like this, you know your students are going to love it. It’s cool, well written, and current. You need a book like this on your list of must-reads.
There you have it…a quick run-down of my first reads for this month. I hope this list encourages you to go out and pick up some of these amazing titles!
I also want to plug my new podcast, “The Alternate Reality”; This is a show that I record with a few friends at our local comic book shop. You should totally subscribe and check us out. It’s a bit more adult themed, but you will learn more about comics, the industry, new titles, old titles, etc. Check it out:
http://thealternatereality.tumblr.com/
Start with episode one to find out who we all are!
Happy reading!
And as always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions.
Eric
@comics_teacher
mr.kallenborn@gmail.com