Comics of the day..

[fajrdrako]

Browsing Comic Book Resources today, I came across something that amused me: a panel by Joe Quesada from Daredevil #6:



The setting is Ennis Tavern (you can see the name backwards in the window). Garth Ennis wrote Preacher; the lead character of Preacher, Jesse Custer, is sitting at the bar. The sign Drink Dillon Ale! is a reference to Steve Dillon, who drew Preacher. Marv from Frank Miller's Sin City is to his right, along with one of the girls from the same comic.

That sort of thing is fun.

Speaking of comics that are fun, I thought the comics that came out today were particularly good. These were:

1. The Avengers vs the X-Men: For a story that advertises itself as a fight-fest (plot, what plot?) this has an incredible wallop when it comes to characterization. First Daredevil vs. Psylocke - not a pairing I ever thought of, but hey, they've both had Ninja training. The second story (Thor vs. Emma Frost) is both written and drawn by Kaare Andrews, with a style all his own, and a spiy edge. "Emma Frost has made a life out of being underestimated. Taking men of power and bending them to her will. No man ever stood between her wants and her needs. This one will be no exception."
   
   
2. Avengers Assemble brings back the Guardians of the Galaxy, a team I always thought so lame I'd mostly forgotten them. But, but... Brian Michael Bendis proves again that he can make gold out of straw, and we get a nice kiss between Hawkeye and Black Widow. I'm never a big fan of Mark Bagley's art, but it looks better than usual here. Who knows, I might come to like it.
   
   
3. Avenging Spider-Man, the much-anticipated first appearance of the new Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) in a story that is funny and smart. Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick (whose work I love), and Terry Dodson, who seldom disappoints.
   
   
4. The Defenders #8 by Matt Fraction and Jamie McKelvie. Not Matt Fraction's best writing - I've been finding the whole "Concordence Engine" storyline someone disjointed - but he writes a fine Black Cat.
   
   
5. The New Avengers #28, by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato, which I thought was absolutely brilliant - moving, surprising, exciting, funny, chilling... and what great characterization. Part of the A vs X, which is getting more interesting all the time.
   

The best of the pile: The New Avengers #28, hands down. A 5-star comic.