Brian Buccellato (w)
Ronan Cliquet (a)
J. Scott Campbell (c)
FC • 336 pages • $29.99 • Teen+
The classic pulp vigilante, reimagined for a new generation! Tony Quinn is a brash defense attorney to the mob who compromises his ethics for financial gain. When he refuses to cross the line and commit murder, he is tortured and blinded by his gangster employers. When a fortuitous meeting with a covert agency gives him a chance to make amends, Quinn transforms into the Black Bat and embarks on a redemptive quest to right the wrongs of his past.
Brian Buccellato (w)
Ronan Cliquet (a)
Jae Lee (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
FANS, ASK YOUR RETAILER FOR THE:
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FINAL ISSUE! In the final chapter to this story, the Black Bat is confronted by the unforeseen consequences of his vigilante quest for redemption. He comes face to face with the shadowy villain that has been pulling all of the strings, and must decide how far he is willing to go to save the city.
Brian Buccellato (w)
Ronan Cliquet (a)
Jae Lee (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
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Black Bat has managed to toe the line throughout his quest for redemption. But when someone close to him dies, will he finally cross that line and become a killer? Also, Oliver Snate’s mystery guardian angel pulls back the curtain and finally reveals himself… propelling this story towards its gut-wrenching conclusion.
Brian Buccellato (w)
Ronan Cliquet (a)
Jae Lee (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
FANS, ASK YOUR
RETAILER FOR THE:
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The Black Bat is forced to deal with the idea of betrayal in his own inner circle. Also, the blowback from his prison break-in escalates as he is declared public enemy number one; and the war against him is brought right to his doorstep.
Brian Buccellato (w)
Ronan Cliquet (a)
Jae Lee (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+ • 2/5
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To save Carol Baldwin’s life, the Black Bat must do the unthinkable and break his most hated enemy out of prison. But will doing so cement his status as an outlaw? Also, the police start to lose their grip on the city as vigilantism takes hold with disastrous results.
Brian Buccellato (w)
Ronan Cliquet (a)
Jae Lee (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
The fallout from recent events changes the dynamic between Carol, the Black Bat, and the shadow organization behind his creation. Black Bat wrestles with the choices he has made, and how far he is willing to go to get justice. Are the strings attached to his redemption worth the price?
I thought I’d try something new in the new year as far as our team’s picks each week. Instead of choosing one top pick, I’d just present each of our choices with our individual thoughts as to why we chose the books with one of these being the top choice for each person.
Andrew
Top Pick: Five Ghosts #8 (Image) – I finally got around to purchasing this series’ debut trade paperback this weekend. I can’t speak highly enough of it. Their second (and current) story arc is equally exceptional.
Afterlife with Archie #3 (Archie) – I can’t tell what’s better, the fact that Archie made a zombie comic, or the fact that they got Francesco Francavilla to illustrate. Part three is out this week, get it.
The Black Bat #8 (Dynamite) – Our pulp hero is still reeling from recent events and is continuing to question the price of his ‘gifts.’ The Buccellato/Cliquet duo is still producing top shelf work.
Star Wars #13 (Dark Horse ) – For those that didn’t catch the news, 2014 is the last year Dark Horse will be publishing Star Wars comics. Marvel (owned by Disney, along with Lucasfilm) will be taking the helm in 2015. Who knows where this current series will be, but at least Wood will go out with a bang.
Brett
Top Pick: Afterlife With Archie #3 (Archie) – One of my favorite new series of 2013, Archie has given me an Archie series that I really enjoy! This adult take is a straight up horror series full of zombies, gore and scares. A great story and there’s the amazing art too!
All-New Marvel NOW! Point One (Marvel) – It’s kind of hard to not suggest this one this week. A sample of what we can expect with All-New Marvel NOW!, it’s a good spot to start for those that might be interested.
Black Widow #1 (Marvel) – Black Widow gets the spotlight as part of All-New Marvel NOW! with her own solo series. I’m crossing my fingers the comic is solid and shows a female lead comic can be successful and a best seller.
Death Sentence #4 (Titan Comics) – One of my favorite limited series to debut last year. The comic focuses on a STD that gives you super powers but kills you in 6 months. A great read from a solid publisher.
Letter 44 #3 (Oni Press) – Another one of my favorite debuts of 2013. Writer extraordinaire Charles Soule’s indie series that follows a secret space mission to figure out what some aliens’ intentions are while the new President learns of the mission and discovers his job is much different than he expected.
Brian Buccellato (w)
Ronan Cliquet (a)
Jae Lee (c)
Fans & retailers, order the cover of your choice!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99 • Teen+
The city government tries to pick up the pieces following the tragic climax of the police kidnappings. Looking to assess blame, the District Attorney sets his sights on The Black Bat. And as Carol faces the repercussions of her actions, she turns to Tony Quinn for help.
The Star Wars is the comic version of the unpublished original draft of George Lucas’ Star Wars. For three issues we’ve been introduced to a world that’s so familiar and at the same time different, new and exciting.
General Skywalker and Jedi-in-training Annikin Starkiller have a deadly encounter with mounted Stormtroopers! An encounter with outlaws in a cantina leads to a meeting with smuggler Han Solo! And a Jedi makes the ultimate sacrifice to save one of Princess Leia’s younger brothers!
It’s a duel in the desert for this awesome and fresh Star Wars series.
Check out below for the rest of our picks!
Andrew:
Top Pick: Terminator Salvation Final Battle #1 (Dark Horse) – Straczynski pens a 12-issue, time hopping Terminator series. Why would you not read this?
The Black Bat #7 (Dynamite) – This is a wicked good pulp series that pays homage to a near century-old antihero. It’s early enough to start from the beginning, do it.
Detective Comics #26 (DC Comics) – I had put this series down for a while (I can only read so many Batman storylines), but the cover art and genetically altered bat-people plotline has brought me back.
The Star Wars #4 (Dark Horse) – The places and names still take some time getting used to (Annikin Starkiller…), but overall it’s interesting to see the first draft of one of the world’s most iconic stories.
Graphic Novel/TPB Top Pick: Mouse Guard Legends of the Guard Vol 2 HC (Archaia) – I have just started reading Mouse Guard and it is, by far, one of best stories in print. I am now scouring eBay and Amazon for every collected edition, anthology, and Free Comic Book Day one-off issue.
Brett:
Top Pick: Trillium #5 (Vertigo) – The time travel love story has delivered with every single issue. This will go down as one of the best mini-series of the year. A shining example of Vertigo’s resurgence.
The Fox #4 (Archie Comics) – The classic character has a new life courtesy of Mark Waid, Dean Haspiel and Archie comics. The first issue was solid and actually has me excited for a super hero comic from Archie!
Inhumanity #1 (Marvel) – Infinity is over and now starts the rise of the Inhumans. This’ll be a huge issue setting the tone and direction of the Marvel Universe for at least the next year.
The Star Wars #4 (Dark Horse) – See above why this is on my list.
Velvet #2 (Image Comics) – This spy series from writer Ed Brubaker and artist Steve Epting had an amazing first issue. Can’t wait to see what they have in store for us in the second.
Graphic Novel/TPB Top Pick: Mouse Guard Legends of the Guard Vol 2 HC (Archaia) – I devour each individual issue and when they’re collected as hardcovers. The fantasy series starring mice is absolutely classic and perfect to share with the whole family.
