The Walking Dead mid-season premiere has finally happened and the Wednesday Warriors talk about their enthusiasm, or lack thereof, for the show. Warriors discuss their Valentine’s Day plans, or lack thereof. Jeff Lemire’s first issue of Green Arrow is reviewed as well as a plethora of other comics.

(13:40) Walking Dead S03:E09 (AMC)

(23:00) Arrow S01:E13 (CW)

Books reviewed include:

(27:39) Green Arrow #17 (DC Comics)

Written by Jeff Lemire; Art by Andrea Sorrentino

(33:26) Avengers #4 (Marvel Comics)

Written by Jonathan Hickman; Art by Adam Kubert

(44:02) New Avengers #3 (Marvel Comics)

Written by Jonathan Hickman; Art by Steve Epting

(47:42) Snap Shot #1 (Image Comics)

Written by Andy Diggle; Art by Jock

(54:58) Hellboy in Hell #3 (Dark Horse Comics)

Written and drawn by Mike Mignola

(1:00:53) Dia De Los Muertos #1 (Image Comics)

Written by Alex Link, Christopher Long, Dirk Manning; Art by Riley Rossmo

(1:51:52) Young Romance: The New 52 Valentines Day Special (DC Comics)

Written by Cecil Castellucci, Andy Diggle, Ray Fawkes, Kyle Higgins, Peter Milligan, Ann Nocenti; Art by Simon Bisley, Julio Ferreira, Julius Gopez, Sanford Greene, Emanuela Lupacchino, Jaime Mendoza, Inaki Miranda, Robson Rocha

(1:22:06) All-New X-Men #7 (Marvel Comics)

Written by Brian Michael Bendis; Art by Stuart Immonen

(1:28:31) Daredevil: End of Days #5 (Marvel Comics)

Written by Brian Michael Bendis; Art by Klaus Janson, Bill Sienkiewicz

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Episode #178 – Valentines Day Spectacular

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With Marvel Now in full swing the Warriors discuss the difficulties in keeping up with the aggressive publishing schedule Marvel is cursing their fans with. Yet despite burn out they still review Marvel Now’s latest offerings as well as the long-awaited return on Mike Mignola to Hellboy, the latest episodes of Walking Dead and Arrow and oh so much more.

Books reviewed include:

Hellboy in Hell #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

Written and drawn by Mike Mignola

Aquaman #14 (DC Comics)

Written by Geoff Johns; Art by Pete Woods

FF #1 (Marvel Comics)

Written by Matt Fraction; Art by Mike Allred

All-New X-Men #3 (Marvel Comics)

Written by Brian Michael Bendis; Art by Stuart Immonen

Journey into Mystery #646 (Marvel Comics)

Written by Kathryn Immonen; Art by Valerio Schiti

Amazing Spider-Man #699 (Marvel Comics)

Written by Dan Slott; Art by Humberto Ramos

Chew #30 (Image Comics)

Written by John Layman; Art by Rob Guillory

Clone #2 (Image Comics)

Written by David Schulner; Art by Juan Jose Ryp

Fight for Comics Trivia:
The Mighty Thor #1 signed by writer Matt Fraction with sketch covers by Todd Nauck and Mark Brooks.

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Episode #170 – Drowning in Marvel Now

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The best comics of 2011 are named as the Wednesday Warriors give their picks in this exciting 2-part episode.

Books reviewed include:

Wildcard
Best Moment – Aquaman’s return
Best Surprise – Jimmy Olsen one-shot
Most Fun – Infinite Kung Fu
Best Suprise – Strange Talents of Luther Strode

Worst Single Issue
Catwoman #1
Superman #710
Superman #714
Every issue of Green Arrow

Biggest Disappointment
Spider Island Event
No Stephanie Brown in the New 52
Detective Comics ends for the reboot
Shade not part of the New 52
Flashpoint Event

Dropped
The Walking Dead
The Amazing Spider-Man
Justice League
Thunderbolts

Best Comeback
Alan Davis and Art Adams
Daredevil
Swamp Thing and Animal Man
Joe Maduriera

Best Indie
The Sixth Gun
Chew
L’il Depressed Boy
American Vampire

Best Mini-Series
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia
Criminal: Last of the Innocent
Undying Love
Mystic
American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest

Best Adaptation
Captain America: The First Avenger
Man of Bats action figure
Thor

Best Storyline
Dark Angel Saga (Uncanny X-Force)
Skeleton Cases (Detective Comics)
Black Mirror (Detective Comics)

Best Short Story
Nova (Marvel’s Point 1)
Open the Moon (Locke and Key: Guide to the Known Keys)
The Cape one-shot
Skeleton Cases (Detective Comics)

Best Graphic Novel
Petrograd
Leo After Hours by Elin Isakson
Habibi
Any Empire

Best Single Issue
Wolverine and the X-Men #1
Fantastic Four #600
Hellboy: Being Human
Wolverine and the X-Men #1

Best Series
Uncanny X Force
Detective Comics (Scott Snyder run)
John Constantine, Hellblazer
Batman and Robin

Looking forward to in 2012
Dark Knight Rises
Saga by Brian K Vaughn
The Avengers movie

Trivia contest: Rust hardcover graphic novel signed by writer/artist Royden Lepp and an original Royden Lepp sketch.

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Running out of ideas on what to ask for Christmas this holiday season? Or maybe you don’t know what to get your best friend who is a comic book enthusiast but has everything. Well the Fight for Comics Holiday Gift Guide Graphic Novels is here to help. Here is a gift guide comprised of the latest original graphic novels that have been released within the last six months. All are self contained stories come with the Wednesday Warriors highest recommendation.

Habibi

Writer: Craig Thompson
Artist: Craig Thompson
Publisher: Pantheon
Price: $39.99
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 672

Craig Thompson’s new masterpiece is a moving tale about two orphaned refugees struggling to survive in the Middle East. This graphic novel is moving, thought provoking and every bit a worthy successor to Thompson’s Blankets, (which is also available now in an all-new hardcover edition for those that have not read that essential graphic novel yet).

Rust: Visitor in the Field

Writer: Royden Lepp
Artist: Royden Lepp
Publisher: Archaia Entertainment
Price: $24.95
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 192

One of the best graphic novel debuts this year from new writer/artist, Royden Lepp. Lepp delivers a thrilling story about how one farmers life is changed when a robot from a distant war crashes into his barn. Part Rocketeer and part Iron Giant, this is a book that will have readers talking about it in years to come. Jump on the bandwagon now so you can say you were there first.

Infinite Kung-Fu

Writer: Kagan McLeod
Artist: Kagan McLeod
Publisher: Top Shelp Productions
Price: $24.95
Format: Paperback
Pages: 464

No other graphic novel put a bigger smile on my face this year than McLeod’s Infinite Kung Fu. Get ready for flying fists and martial arts action as Lei Kung goes on a quest to fight those who have been poisoned with poison Kung Fu. Supernatural elements and zombies are also thrown into the mix to crank this book’s fun level up to eleven. And for those that have still not seen the amazing Infinite Kung Fu trailer, check it out here.

Petrograd

Writer: Philip Gelatt
Artist: Tyler Crook
Publisher: Oni Press
Price: $29.99
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 264

This is well-researched historical fiction about the international conspiracy behind the murder of Gregorii Rasputin. But what makes this a must read is perfectly executed Gelatt and Crook are able to recreate an amazing story that surrounds the real events. Plus it satisfies an itch in the international spy genre that no book has been able to satisfy since Queen & Country ended.

Batman: Noël

Writer: Lee Bermejo
Artist: Lee Bermejo
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $22.99
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 112

Batman finds himself being confronted by villains from the past, present, and future in this fun retooling of A Christmas Carol. Usually Marvel and DC only put out a 64 page Holiday Special that is usually only short stories. Hats off to DC for getting such a high profile like Lee Bermejo to give us a tale that I am sure will start becoming a regular must-read every holiday season, (right behind Lobo’s Paramilitary Christmas Special).

Any Empire

Writer: Nate Powell
Artist: Nate Powell
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
Price: $19.95
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 304

This is the follow-up graphic novel to the Eisner award winning Swallow Me Whole. This coming of age story follows three childhood friends and how violence redefines their friendship once they meet each other again as adults. Thought provoking and beautifully told, Any Empire is a tremendous achievement from Nate Powell.

One Soul

Writer: Ray Fawkes
Artist: Ray Fawkes
Publisher: Oni Press
Price: $24.99
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 176

Every once in a while a comic breaks new ground and pushes the envelope to really stretch and showcase just what the medium is capable of. One Sould is just such a book. Ray Fawkes writes 18 different people’s journey from birth to death all in a two page spread divided up into 18-panel grid. All of these characters never live outside their own panel and they do not even live in the same time period as the rest of the characters but readers will be moved to find out just how similar everyone’s life really is. Every bit as poetic as a Terrence Malick film, One Soul is fine art at its best.

Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand

Writer: Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl
Artist: Ramón Pérez
Publisher: Archaia Entertainment
Price: $29.95
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 152

An unproduced screenplay that Jim Henson never had a chance to make before he died gets adapted to comic form. It stars Mac who wakes up in an unfamiliar town, and is chased across the desert of the American Southwest by all manners of man and beast of unimaginable proportions.

Bad Island

Writer: Doug Tennapel
Artist: Doug Tennapel
Publisher: Graphix
Price: $10.99
Format: Paperback
Price: $24.99
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 224

I wish every creator seemed to be having as much fun as Doug Tennapel seems to have with all his stories. The Earthworm Jim creator’s second color graphic novel from Graphix follows a family who gets shipwrecked on a mysterious island. Crazy things happen as they slowly begin to solve the mysteries or the Island. Sound familiar? The Lost comparisons seem unavoidable but where Lost left most fans confused and angry, Bad Island will have readers of all-ages satisfied and loving every minute of it.

Anya’s Ghost

Writer: Vera Brosgol
Artist: Vera Brosgal
Publisher: First Second
Price: $15.99
Format: Paperback
Price: $19.99
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 224

Anya’s Ghost marks another stunning debut from an emerging writer/artist in the comic field. Vera Brosgol delivers a delightful tale about a young girl named Anya who befriends a ghost her same age after she falls down a well. Could this be her new BFF or does the ghost having something else in mind? Find out what happens in the book that Neil Gaiman has declared, “A masterpiece.”

Hellboy: House of the Dead

Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Richard Corben
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $14.99
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 56

Here is something we have never had before. An all-original Hellboy graphic novel by Mike Mignola and Richard Corben. While some may balk at its 56 page count and argue it is just a two issue story put out under the guise of a graphic novel, it still doesn’t change how awesome of a story it is. We find Hellboy in a Mexican bar where he is recruited to step into the ring for a wrestling match with a Frankenstein monster. Fun from start to finish.

MetaMaus: A Look Inside a Modern Classic, Maus

Writer: Art Spiegelman
Artist: Art Spiegelman
Publisher: Pantheon
Price: $35.00
Format: Hardcover (plus bonus DVD-R)
Pages: 300

In MetaMouse, Art Speigelman takes a look back at his Pulitzer Prize winning graphic novel, Maus. Everything is covered here, from personal and in-depth interviews to early sketches. Plus it has a DVD-R that references even more Maus material. This is the perfect chance to go back and revisit a classic. And for those that have yet to eve read Maus, it has just been released in a stunning new anniversary hardcover that matches MetaMouse in design.

- Sean Leslie

The Warriors get into the Halloween spirit by talking about their favorite spooky titles and discussing a top 10 scariest villains list. Happy Halloween indeed!

Books also reviewed include:

Resurrection Man #2 (DC Comics)
Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning; Art by Fernando Dagnino

Batman #2 (DC Comics)
Written by Scott Snyder; Art by Greg Capullo & Jonathan Glapion

Batgirl #2 (DC Comics)
Written by Gail Simone; Art by Ardian Syaf & Vincente Cifuentes

Trivia Contest:
B.P.R.D.: The Black Goddess #1-5 signed by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, Guy Davis, and Dave Stewart
Abe Sapien: The Haunted Boy #1 signed by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, and Patrick Davis
Hellboy II: The Golden Army signed by Mike Mignola

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Spider-Island: Cloak & Dagger #1

Writer: Nick Spencer
Artist: Emma Rios
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99

Nick Spencer seems to be jumping all over the Marvel Universe with titles like Iron Man 2.0, Secret Avengers, and now Cloak & Dagger. He is either wanting to write many different characters or he just wants to dip his toe in the Marvel Universe before he jumps in head first. Either way, Cloak & Dagger has been my favorite book he has done at Marvel so far.

Having left the X-Men, Cloak and Dagger find themsleves back in every day problems. The chapel they live in is getting demolished and they don’t know where to go. Next thing they know New York is being infested with people with Spider-Man powers. After helping out the Avengers for all of three pages, Cloak asks Dagger why she is leaving the battle. Luckily Dagger seems to care as much as the readers do that this series takes place in a big Marvel event. She replies that Cage and others are on top of it and thankfully that seems to be the end of the titles tie-in to Spider Island. Not that Spider Island is going to be a bad event, it just seems unnecessary for Cloak and Dagger to involved and the big Spider-Island logo on the front is only there to help sales. For the rest of the issue Cloak and Dagger begin to show trust issues with each other which seems will be the meat of the story for the remaining story. But don’t worry. A villain pops up towards the end which will surely lead to more action later on.

Nick Spencer is one of the few writers to write Cloak with a personality. The banter that goes on between him and Dagger will keep you laughing. When the Avengers ask for their help Cloak wonders why everyone only talks to Dagger. And Dagger is not impressed when Cloak puts a billboard with their picture on Times Square to try and advertise themselves as heroes. The exchange and playful banter between the two is what makes this issue so enjoyable. Emma Rios’s artwork is really good. Her artwork is a huge departure from Mark Brooks cheesecake style we got the last time we saw Cloak and Dagger and it is all the better for it.

Spencer really understands these characters and they are the most interesting I have ever seen them. Thankfully Spencer doesn’t feel obligated to put them front and center in Marvel’s Spider-Island event. Let’s hope the next two remaining issues are half as good as this one and it leads to a Cloak & Dagger ongoing.

Review by Sean Leslie

Mystic #1

Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Pencils: David López
Inks: Álvaro López
Publisher: Crossgen/Marvel
Price: $2.99

I have never read any Crossgen books back when Crossgen was a publisher really trying to get their foot in the door to a really competitive industry. That being said I really had no idea what to expect when Marvel announced plans to start publishing some of the Crossgen after Disney bought Crossgen back in 2004. Does Mystic continue from where it left off? Is the title going to be more of a reboot? I have no idea. But it doesn’t matter since I had no ties to the earlier story. But what did matter was if I was going to like a reserected book from a company that fell apart. Luckily, I was delighted with what G. Willow Wilson and David López gave us with issue #1.

The story follows two orphans, Giselle and Geneviere, who live in an orphanage in the slums of Hyperion. They are best friends and both always dream of the day they will be free of the orphanage. Both seek a refuge in the royal palace after escaping some mischief. While in the palace they come upon the Choosing Ceremony where the High Artisan picks ten worthy young men and women to be his apprentices. After getting a question right that no one else is able to answer Giselle is chosen to be an apprentice.

While it might be part Annie and part Harry Potter, G. Willow Wilson’s writes these characters in a way that you feel how close they are from page one. How close Giselle and Geneviere will remain friends now that destiny has led them down different paths is not yet determined, but readers will be more than interested to watch it unfold in this high fantasy series set in a Steampunk era. I have always loved how well David López’s draws women. He does not over emphasize a characters sex appeal on every panel like so many artists fall victim of on todays stands. Instead he draws characters with huge emotion and life which makes them leap off of the page.

Ever since Vertigo’s series Air ended I have been itching to get a regular dose of Wilson’s writing. Thankfully this issue delivers and I can’t wait to see what is next.

Review by Sean Leslie

Hellboy: Buster Oakley Gets His Wish (one-shot)

Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Kevin Nolan
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50

Did I honestly just read a story where Mignola stooped to aliens probing Hellboy’s ass joke? Hellboy has always been quality and I have never been let down by an issue…until now.

Hellboy is one of those books where it can be really dark and heavy for a few issues and then a one-shot will come out that is totally light and silly and still make it work. I understand this issue was supposed to be light and fun and I did appreciate the man with a cow head helping Hellboy overcome the aliens, but this seemed like an 8-page story stretched out to be 22 pages. I also really didn’t care for the art. I have always been a big fan of Kevin Nolan but here his style is too clean for Hellboy. I didn’t care for him coloring the issue as well. Too bright a palette. Dave Stewart was missed.

Review by Sean Leslie

Hellboy: Being Human (one-shot)

Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Richard Corben
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50

The last issue of Hellboy, Hellboy: Buster Oakley Gets His Wish, I had my first disappointment with the title and thought it was a huge misstep. Well Mignola must have heard my cries because he not only went a full 180° with his writing from last issue, but he just put out one of my top favorite Hellboy stories with Being Human.

The story is an older tale back when Hellboy was still in the B.P.R.D.. Hellboy is tasked with taking Roger out on his first mission which includes investigating a witch and her zombie playing host to a dinner party full of corpses. Being his first mission, Roger is hesitant and is still trying to find his place in the world. Mignola writes Roger’s innocence and vulnerability perfectly. I was laughing out loud when the zombie starts attacking Roger and he keeps talking to the zombie very politely and trying to reason with the guy. Then the ending Roger is presented with a moral choice that is shocking and so perfectly executed I can do nothing but stand up and applaud.

Richard Corben being a guest artist on an issue is always worth the price of the book alone. And Corben delivers not only the same expected quality but he does his best work on this issue. Hopefully Mignola will have many more issues for Corben to draw in the future.

This is one of the few instances in comics where right after I finished reading it, I turned it back and reread the issue again. This issue is already in my top favorite issues for the year.

Review by Sean Leslie