Meghan's Pick of the Month

Young Avengers Vol. 1 Sidekicks

In the wake of Avengers Disassembled, a mysterious new group of teen super heroes appears. But who are they? Where did they come from? And what right do they have to call themselves the Young Avengers? Young Gun Jim Cheung and TV superstar writer Allan Heinberg (The O.C., Sex and the City, Party of Five) promise to shock and surprise!

The Young Avengers is a fun series about a group of teenagers stepping into the shoes of their favorite superheroes. The teenaged protagonists worry more about their parents finding out about their secret life as superheroes than they do about the danger of their chosen vocation. I liked the realism of seeing a team of inexperienced crime fighters who sometimes fumble in their attempts at saving the day, and the dialogue was witty and clever without seeming contrived. The characters are what really make this book stand out— my favorites are Hulkling and Wiccan, who make a really adorable couple.

Lloyd's Pick Of the Month

                        
                   THE ORDER VOL. 1: THE NEXT RIGHT THING

A team of long-dormant Soviet super-weapons is awake, angry and heading straight at the heart of Los Angeles ready to finish World War III! The front line of defense is a team that's been together since just before nine this morning! The queen of PR starts her spin! A dead body hides more than just a murder mystery! AND AND AND - a super-sex tape! What on Earth could justify the use of that many exclamation points? Surely, it could only be The Order, written by Matt Fraction (IMMORTAL IRON FIST, PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL) with art by the amazing Barry Kitson. Collecting THE ORDER #1-5.

I started reading this right before I got on a flight and when I landed, went to a local shop and got Vol. 2. This is some of Fraction’s earliest work at Marvel, and most original. All the characters are new and fresh so you don’t know what is going to happen from one page to the next. An excellent read with a super-hero team for today’s world.

Spotlight On: S.H.I.E.L.D.

What if, long before Captain America or Iron Man were born, people like Sir Isaac Newton, Imhotep, Zhang Heng, Galileo and many other geniuses throughout history were the first heroes to defeat Galactus, the Brood, and turn the Celestials back? What events were set in motion that affect the Marvel U today, and how is Leonardo Da Vinci still around 400 years later? Discover the secrets of the brotherhood of S.H.I.E.L.D.

This book is the surprise hit of the year! This title has taken the Marvel Universe’s History and turned it on the head. By combining real world historical figures with Marvel’s history, the reader is given us a unique look into the past and possible future of the Marvel Universe. Nothing is what it seems in this book. We thought S.H.I.E.L.D. was an organization started during the cold war to act as a “police force” for the USA. Instead, S.H.I.E.L.D. has been around for thousands of years, and is a brotherhood guiding and protecting mankind from all kinds of dangers. Each question answered only leads to more questions about the nature of the universe, what S.H.I.E.L.D. really is, and who these people are. The art brings the storyline home, and captures each moment in this book. You do not have to know anything about the Marvel U to enjoy this book. If you are a fan of historical fiction, secret groups, and stories that affect the universe we know, then this is a must-read title. Do not miss this Marvel Comics masterpiece that fans will be talking about for decades to come. All the insanity is courtesy of Jonathan Hickman (Fantastic Four, Secret Warriors, Nightly News) and superstar in the making Dustin Weaver (X-Men).

Picks of the Week for August 4

Shadowland #2

The battle for New York begins as battle lines are drawn and war forges strange allies. Luck Cage, Iron Fist, Spider-Man, Moon Knight and...Kingpin?! Plus, a dangerous new player enters the battle, one that could win the fight...or damn all of New York!
32 PGS./Rated T+

Shadowland: Bullseye

THE MAN WITHOUT FEAR'S DEADLIEST ENEMY! For years he's haunted Daredevil's life, violently striking the Man Without Fear in the places that hurt like hell. Now, with his life as an Avenger behind him, Bullseye's secrets finally stand revealed.
32 PGS./One-Shot/Parental Advisory

Avengers Prime #2

Steve Rogers, Tony Stark and Thor have travelled to a mysterious dimension of the broken Nine Realms and have to fight their way to one another's side or they will never make it back home. This vital chapter will impact the lives of all of the characters and resonate in the pages of Thor for years to come!
32 PGS./Rated T+

Shannon's Pick of the Month

The Stuff of Legend TP

A stunningly beautiful graphic novel, The Stuff of Legend is a wonderful and haunting tale of loyalty, friendship, and perseverance in the face of a nightmarish foe. When a child is taken by the fearsome Boogeyman, his loyal toys rally and stage a rescue operation to get him back. Led by the fearless Colonel, Max the Bear, Percy the Pig, Jester, and others must fight hordes of toys in order to save the boy from the absolutely fearsome Boogeyman.

This book really caught me off guard. I had no idea what it was, but thankfully, I decided to flip through it. I was pleasantly surprised by the fantastic artwork, and it caught my eye immediately. Once you add a Toy Story meets Apocalypse Now story to it, you’ve got a real gem.