House to Astonish Episode 118
With one thing and another, we’re a little behind, so apologies for the slight delay in getting this episode to you. This time round, we’re discussing Marvel’s announcements, including a variety of new series, the relaunch of the Ultimate books, and… something to do with Spider-Man? We’re also looking at Lex Luthor taking the reins of the Justice League, DC’s second Aquaman series, and the Vertigo anthology CMYK, and whizzing through all of the announcements coming out of the Image Expo. We’re also reviewing Black Widow, Black Dynamite and EGOs (in the context of which we fail to notice that the artist and colourist are the same person), and the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is in fact only a clockwork toy to be wound up by God or the Devil. All this plus Prisoner: Deep Space 9, What If: Essex and Rich Johnston’s gang of comics gossip urchins.
The podcast is here, or here on Mixcloud, or available via the player below. Let us know what you think, either in the comments, on Twitter, via email or on our Facebook fan page.
And hey, there are swish t-shirts and hoodies available on our Redbubble store. Why not treat yourself?
Housekeeping
For those wondering: there’s a podcast recorded, and it should be up tomorrow. Chart post probably tomorrow too, since it’s 90% written. Reviews… um, hopefully in the course of the week.
Charts – 12 January 2014
Wolverine #8-13 – “Killable”
Much like the North Korean military, Marvel believes that if you keep relaunching long enough, eventually the damn thing will stay up. Hence the upcoming yet-another-revamp of the Ultimate books, and the likes of Fantastic Four, X-Force, Other X-Force, Hulk and Wolverine all being slated for fresh issue #1s only a year or so after the last one.
In fact, I don’t have a particular problem with starting from #1 when you have a genuinely fresh start on the book. At least that’s drawing attention to the first issue of a story. Other books like Daredevil and Hulk are keeping the writer but changing the set-up, which is a bit tenuous, but it’s something. And then we have Wolverine, which is rebooting its numbering in the middle of a storyline.
Charts – 5 January 2014
Not exactly a regular chart week – this chart still covers the holidays between Christmas and New Year. But this time there are a scattering of singles trying to sneak a hit in the dead period.
39. Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams – “Get Lucky”
35. Chase & Status featuring Jacob – “Alive”
34. Wilkinson – “Afterglow”
A handful of re-entries at the lower end of the chart, where things are sort of swirling around in the absence of anything better to do.
18. Matrix & Futurebound featuring Max Marshall – “Control”
House to Astonish 117 – The Homies
Welcome to 2014, a shiny new year of comics, and what better way to see out 2013 than to look back at the best it had to offer? Paul and I are naming our picks in a variety of categories, with the result of the listener vote also being revealed. We’ve also got a little news, regarding Star Wars moving to Marvel, Jim Starlin’s new Thanos graphic novel and Deadpool’s wedding celebration, but the emphasis is on the Homies as we hand out the gongs… or rather, have to watch them being handed out. There’s the best new series, best actually new series, pleasant surprises, cliffhangers and outstanding achievements, among others, so please do join us. All this plus Frankly Cock Cho, banana peels and seltzer bottles and the Five Interesting Things You Meet In Heaven.
The episode is here, or here on Mixcloud, or available via the player below. Let us know what you think, in the comments, on Twitter, via email or on our Facebook fan page.
And why not start the year by spending a little of that Christmas money on a lovely new t-shirt or hoodie? Christmas jumpers are for Christmas, but HtA merch is for life.
Savage Wolverine #12-13 – “Come Conquer The Beasts”
Continuing its format of bringing in a new creator for each story, Savage Wolverine brings us Phil Jimenez as writer and artist. Or rather, as co-writer and as artist for most of the book. The second issue features another four people working over his breakdown pencils. But still, there’s no mistaking his layouts, which are loaded with panels without getting weighed down.
As for the story, it’s a very earnest piece about rhino and elephant poaching.
The Homies 2013
We’re one day off the end of 2013, and our next episode (coming this weekend) feature our review of 2013. Those of you who heard last year’s Christmas special (which is all of you who’ve ever heard an episode of the show, I imagine, as it’s still our most-downloaded episode) will know that this means that we’re going to be awarding House to Astonish’s own awards – the Homies – in a variety of categories. As with last year, we want YOU to help – Paul and I are each going to select our winners in the following categories, but we’re also going to read out what our listeners think on the next episode. So check out the categories below, and let us know who or what you think deserves to take home each gong!
BEST NEW SERIES
This one’s pretty self-explanatory – any comic whose first issue was published between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013 is eligible. What new series got your attention the most this year?
BEST ACTUALLY NEW SERIES
This one’s a little less self-explanatory – what series, again first published between 1 January and date of broadcast, did you think was best, with the proviso that it has to be something where the property wasn’t in existence prior to the start of 2013. We’re counting re-use of titles as well as concepts, so Hellboy in Hell, Young Avengers or Batman ’66 wouldn’t be eligible, but (for example) Sex Criminals would.
MOST WANTED
This is for the comic, series or graphic novel that saw print this year which you’d want to see more of, whether that be a book that was cancelled before its time, a one-shot or mini that just begs for a follow-up, or an OGN that you’d love to see a sequel to.
MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE
It may have seemed unappealing when you read about it online, and those preview pages may have looked unremarkable, but when you finally got the winner of this category in your hands you were ready to eat your words. What comic, series or graphic novel did you find yourself enjoying much more than you thought you would?
STIFF DRINK AWARD
This award will go to the comic or graphic novel that most made us gasp with surprise – an unexpected plot twist, a daring cliffhanger or a shocking denouement will stand a book in good stead here.
THE BILL ODDIE SPRINGWATCH AWARD FOR EMERGING TALENT
Here we’re looking for the comics creator whom you think is the one we should all be observing closely in 2014 – they may have had a good year in 2013, but they’re someone whom you believe is only going to go from strength to strength.
THE GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS AWARD FOR EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
What move did a comics company or creator make this calendar year that made you glad you didn’t have to work with them? Wonky management edicts, prima donna creators and tales of publisher woes are what we’re looking for here.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
This is exactly what it says – which creator, creative team or publisher really knocked it out of the park this year?
Let us have your picks in the comments thread below, before midnight (your local time) on 3 January. Only ONE NOMINATION per category, please – any that say “oh, I just couldn’t decide, so here are two, or three, or five suggestions” will be disregarded in relation to that category. Please also let us have a bit of info on your thinking on each one – we’ll read out a range of the responses on our big end-of-year show. Happy nominating!
Charts – 29 December 2013
Welcome to the annual Weird Chart. Once upon a time, the two charts after Christmas were basically a write-off because the shops were closed for so long. In the download era, that’s no longer a consideration, but almost nobody releases new material in Christmas week because of the near impossibility of getting anyone to pay attention. Next week’s chart will be a bit closer to normal, as Pitbull tries to sneak himself a number one.
In the meantime, we have a chart in which the top 75 is basically shoved into a blender and rearranged in a random order. This is because, even though there’s no new material available, there are plenty of people who got gift cards or MP3 players for Christmas, and who want to fill them up. Cue the march of the re-entries…
Longshot Saves The Marvel Universe
Marvel’s publishing strategy over the last year or two has shifted away from the scattering of under promoted miniseries that used to reliably prop up the bottom end of the chart, and understandably so, since most of them were basically thrown out there to die unmourned and unnoticed. A few of these books do still emerge, though, and since they’re no longer a dime a dozen, they get a bit more attention than before.
Longshot Saves The Marvel Universe is one of these oddities. Whatever may have prompted Marvel to publish a Longshot miniseries written by Christopher Hastings (the creator of Adventures of Dr McNinja) and drawn by Jacopo Camagni (who’s done a scattering of work on the likes of Marvel Adventures: The Avengers), it surely wasn’t visions of dollar signs.
