Ripping Good Yarns: Top 'o' the Comic Rack!

Here are some of the cartoon books I've been reading:


The Flash Chronicles

Great chronological presentation of the Barry Allen Flash Stories.  This current volume covers June 1960 to February 1961.  It includes all the great covers, like Flash No. 113 where the Trickster is walking on air.  I've finished the story King of the Beatniks and the next one I read i The Day Flash Weighed 1000 Pounds.  Great fun!

Rachel Rising

The new comic from the incredible Terry Moore (Strangers In Paradise), it is a zombie/undead story of a completely different stripe.  As usual with Terry Moore great characters and story pacing, and written in a very female friendly way,

Earth 2

Superheroes from an alternate Earth, using the Justice Society of America (first comic super-hero team from the 40s) as a model. Features Alan Scott as a gay billionaire who discovers the Green lantern power, and a teenage Jay Garrick becoming The Flash. Written by James Robinson, art by Nicola Scott.

All-Star Western

Features two great western stories every issue!  One is the incredible Jonah Hex, scarred bounty hunter working with Dr. Arkham in the 1870s.  The other features any of the other fine DC western heroes, including Nighthawk and Cinnamon, Dr, Thirteen and Bat Lash.  Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti.

Fairest

Spinoff of the remarkable comic Fables, it centers on some of the female characters, including the White Witch and Briar Rose.  Written by Bill Willingham and illustrated by Phil Jimenez.

Buffy, the Vampire Slayer

I enjoy this comic, which is an extension of an imaginary season 9.  The humor and rhythm of the characters often come through, but I don't much care for the art.  Written by Andrew Chambliss and art by George Jeanty.  Creator Joss Whedon occasionally writes and is involved in the production of the comic.

Fantastic Four 

Great comic dating back to the early sixties.  Marvel has had a lot of trouble consistently numbering and putting out comic titles consistently, but this is one of their best centered on the first family of super-heroes - Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, Human Torch and The Thing.

Fables

Fairy story characters hiding in exile on Earth, this has been one of the best comics for the last decade!  Think Once Upon A time, but juiced up to the Nth degree and aimed at adults.  A favorite of both Alison and myself.  Written by Bill Willingham and art by Marc Buckingham.

The Amazing Spider-Man

Another classic going back to the 60s, it has done a fairly good job of sustaining it's number, and I look forward to the arrival soon of issue #700!  A number of creators are involved, and depending on who is handling it the quality varies greatly.  But they usually have a great supporting cast, one of the major reason this comic and the group of comics that follow next are consistently among my favorites.

Supergirl, Superman, Action Comics

I am first and foremost a Superman fan.  Truth, justice and the American Way, fighting the Neverending Battle!  Best supporting cast in comics - love Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen and Perry White and many, many more.  And no, I'm not happy about DC renumbering everything back to number 1 again - I still think my indicia idea is the perfect solution.  And no, I'm not looking forward to the Superman/Wonder Woman in love story-line.  It's Lois Lane or nobody in my opinion! (Aside to Smallville fans - damn, was Erica Durance a great Lois Lane!)


And there you have it!  A quick rundown of my current favorite comics!  Yes, these are real comics that I'm really reading!  Ripper comic fans - unite!  What have you been reading lately?

Until next time, Rippers!

T.M. Strait