What I Read during Week 5 of 2019

This week I jumped into 3 new graphic novels – Extremity, Gotham City Sirens, and Starman and while they were all quite different, I enjoyed them all. I did only start each of them so far but I gave the first issues Must Read status and am excited to be continuing the stories. I also read a really good novel by Fritz Lieber, one of the founding fathers of the fantasy genre, and on the whole, I had a good week reading.

• Extremity #1
• The Amazing Spider-Man #4 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Published by Marvel Comics, 1963. Spider-Man takes on Sandman and the fight is pretty good. There were times when it looked like Spidey was having some serious problems and he even nearly exposed his identity. Pretty good and I give it a Read.
• Tales of Suspense #39 having looked at this issue with the introduction of Iron Man before, I still rate it a Must Read.
• Fantastic Four #12
• Fantastic Four #13
• Tales of Suspense #45 – The Icy Fingers of Jack Frost by Stan Lee, Robert Bernstein, and Don Heck. Published by Marvel Comics, 1963. In this issue we see the introduction on Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan so it’s gotta be a Read.
• Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
• Gotham City Sirens #1 – Union by Paul Dini and Guillem March. Published by DC Comics, 2009. The girls are definitely back in town in this first issue as we get a team up with Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn. We’re also introduced to Boneblaster, a new thug on the scene who decides to mess with the women and one who might very well be reconsidering his choice of being a criminal in Gotham after this issue.
  This looks like it’s leading to what could be a very enjoyable story arc if not a longer series as I can’t wait to see how this trio of women tackle the streets of Gotham together. I give this issue a Must Read and am looking forward to the rest of the first volume.
• Gotham City Sirens #2 – Girls Talk by Paul Dini and Guillem March. Published by DC Comics, 2009. At the end of the last issue, Ivy and Harley were trying to get Selina to divulge who Batman is. Fortunately with training from Talia Al Ghul that we flashback to, Catwoman keeps his identity secret and they all kinda make up. Not able to handle the stress, Harley’s gotta go out shopping and while she’s out, she interferes with a group of thugs trying to kidnap Bruce Wayne. When Catwoman receives a photo of Harley and Bruce hanging out though, she suspects Quinn might be in more trouble than she can handle on her own.
  This issue keeps up the great art and story that started in #1 so I give this issue a Must Read since this also reveals a bunch of Batman’s world that I’m unfamiliar with.
• Young Justice: Secret Files & Origins #1
• Starman #0
• Starman #1 – Sins of the Father Part Two: Oil (Paint) and Water by James Robinson, Tony Harris, and Wade Von Grawbadger. Published by DC Comics, 1994. In issue #0, someone engaged in a coordinated attack that killed Starman and his brother and blew up the home of their father, the previous Starman. In this issue, we learn that someone is The Mist, the archenemy of Theo(Ted) Knight and this enemy is determined to make Ted’s remaining life a living hell. We also meet the Shadowy, Shadowy Man who seems to be stopping crime only to commit it himself. The plot is getting thicker and this story is pulling me in further. I’ll definitely keep Reading this series.
• Starman #2 – Sins of the Father Part Three: Mercy by James Robinson, Tony Harris, and Wade Von Grawbadger. Published by DC Comics, 1994. Things are getting complex as The Shade (who last time I called the ‘Shadowy, Shadowy Man’) meets up with The Mist to plan out how to take down Starman while Jack Knight struggles with the decision to become a hero or run away. This story is quite well written and I love the art – the backgrounds are incredible! This is a strong Read in my book.
• Swords and Deviltry by Fritz Lieber. Published by Ace Books, 1970. I had to give this story a try since it was one of the original Sword & Sorcery novels out there. This coupled with books by Tokein and the Conan series are some of the primary foundations of what we call fantasy today and I have to say, I enjoyed this story. I give this first installment of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser a Must Read for anyone interested in fantasy, magic, or swords. If you like Game of Thrones, you’ll like this, if you like Lord of the Rings, you’ll like this, if you like Star Wars, you’ll like this. I just really think it will appeal to anyone with an interest in any flavor of fantasy story telling. I’m definitely gonna read the rest of this series.

Reading | What I Read during Week 5 of 2019