M-11_(Earth-616)_Creation

The writers at the Stately Beat Manor just finished reading and writing about the newest supply of comics in time for the weekend (which doesn’t always happen.) Spirits were high and income was low as The Beat crew retired to our quarters late in the evening. Due to all of our recent visits of characters from comics past, we were all sure that was going to be the very first week that we had no visitors and our lives would return to normal. The very next morning, we awoke to find various Beat Staff members left all alone in the laboratory encased in our own attic. They were busy recreating M-11 (also known as Human Robot.) The Human Robot IS a dangerous wildcard and added a lot of stress to the underworked Staff Members (how do you feed a robot?) The Manor divided into subsections of staffers — those that liked M-11, and those that hated him. When the upset staffers finally decided to go confront M-11, they discovered he was nowhere to be found, and was actually waiting for them in the reading room prepared to deliver but one thing: his weekly staff picks for brand new comics.


Alex’s Picks:

We are Robin! #1

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Writer: Lee Bermejo   Artist: Rob Haynes, Jorge Coronoa and Khary Randolph

Spinning out of the pages of BATMAN! The teenagers of Gotham City have adopted the ‘R’ and made it their own. A new Robin? No, HUNDREDS of new Robins! Don’t miss the start of this new series from rising star writer Lee Bermejo (JOKER, SUICIDERS), who also provides the covers!

For all of the hullaballoo about the New DC Universe, most of the series thus far are familiar concepts being dusted off the shelf and turned into new comics. We are Robin! — a title shrouded in delicious mystery is one of the strongest contenders to really add something new to the DC formula — no pressure or anything. M-11 promised me that he would give the first issue a shot after lots of convincing.

X-Men ’92 #1

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Writer: Chris Sims and Chad Bowers   Artist: Scott Koblish  

Everyone’s favorite version of the X-Men from the ’90s is back! When Baron Kelly charges the Clear Mountain Project and it’s mysterious new director with ‘mutant rehabilitation,’ it’s up to the X-Men to investigate! PLUS: Free Range Sentinels?!?

M-11 loves X-Men, and his attachment to the 90’s X-Men knows few boundaries, though he doesn’t like stories that have multiple numbers in their name — M-11 declares this as a forgivable sin. With that in mind, we decided to give a shoutout to one of the most exciting new books of Secret Wars known only as: X-Men ’92. The story stars all your favorites from the old cartoon going and fighting an extremely unique opponent from a different X-TREMELY awesome era of comics.


Matt’s Pick:

SHIELD #7

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Writer: Mark Waid   Artist: Greg Smallwood

The SHIELD agent you’ve been demanding – Skye, a.k.a. Quake, a.k.a. Daisy Johnson – has only one ally she can turn to: her father, Mr. Hyde! Rated T+

Though sales don’t seem to be on its side, SHIELD by Mark Waid and friends is responsible for some of the most fun I’m having reading comics in recent months. This issue, introducing “Skye” to the series, coincides perfectly with my Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD binge on Netflix. Read this if you want solid superheroics with a modern bend and impressive art from The Dream Thief’s Greg Smallwood.


Kyle’s Picks:

Superman #41

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Writer: Gene Luen Yang    Artist: Klaus Jenson, John Romita, Jr.

The epic new storyline “TRUTH” continues with the debut of the amazing new creative team of new writer Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese) and continuing artists John Romita Jr. and Klaus Janson! What will happen when the big secret is revealed?

Gene Luen Yang is writing Superman. I repeat, Gene Luen Yang, multiple Eisner winner, and the cartoonist behind what I’d argue was the finest graphic novel of 2013 (Boxers & Saints) is writing freaking Superman! This is like Jaime Hernandez coming on board to write Wonder Woman, or Craig Thompson taking over Batman, it’s that kind of a monumental hire. Wednesday can’t come soon enough.


Dave’s pick:

Sons of the Devil #2

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Writer: Brian Buccellato    Artist: Toni Infante

After the suspicious murder of his friend, Travis tries to move on with life. But when his girlfriend Melissa follows a clue that might lead to his birth family, they wind up in the crosshairs of a killer. Also, a look into the past and the cult of David Daly! Grounded, character-driven psychological horror.

If you missed issue one, you missed the breakout debut of Brian Buccellato‘s instant classic. Travis is a deeply disturbed enigma you’ll want to know. Murder, the occult, mystery; all the things you expect in an Image comic and more.