Skullkickers (or the Merits of Handsome Packaging)

Skullkickers was a book that had drifted on the fringes of my peripheral since it launched. It wasn't that I don't like fantasy books (I do) and it wasn't that I don't like a good action adventure yarn. In the end it came down to one too many books being on my pull list at once and me being forced to ignore stuff that otherwise I might have leaped, not just jumped, on board for.

Last month writer, Jim Zub retitled the book Uncanny Skullkickers, slapped a big old number "1" on there and proved not only that I'm a giant sucker but that there is something to be said for "relaunches". I hopped on, fell wildly in love with everything about the title and quickly caught up on the series through the Treasure Trove hardcover. 

Before I go any further a quick rundown of what the book is about: A dwarf and a big bald guy go around punching (or shooting or axing or cutting or chopping, etc.) stuff in the face for money. That's it. 

Ancillary Characters' Podcast - Episode 26: Putting on a Podcasting Clinic

Here it is, Episode 26: Putting on a Podcasting Clinic!



Let us know what you think, tweet us @AncillaryTweets, @jollygreen05 (Paul), @SethBreedslove, or @kallenboone.

Buy This! - April 11th, 2012

Every Monday Seth picks out three items that are due to ship on Wednesday and directs you toward your best bets for a quality purchase. Some times it's a single issue of a comic, other times a massive omnibus edition of a beloved series, and occasionally a figure or shiny bauble that caught his eye. Read on to find the three items you shouldn't leave your comic shop without this week.

If you're a regular visitor of the site then you've probably noticed the lack of content over the past two weeks. Hopefully, as of this week things will go back to normal and I'll, at the very least, manage to write my Monday column. This week is seeing a huge volume of quality books. My recent switch to digital on over half my pull list seems as though it will be paying off this week, particularly on the Image titles coming out. Marvel launches their Omega Effect crossover this week in the pages of Avenging Spider-Man and the goodness that is Remender's Secret Avengers continues this week. DC has new issues of The Shade, Green Lantern and Batman & Robin (one of the real gems of the new 52) hitting shelves.

As usual this past Saturday we posted a new episode of the AC podcast; this episode featuring Adrienne Koosed in lieu of the vacationing Paul Shirley. We talked Avengers vs X-Men, and some random event comics from the past ten years with a focus on new-reader friendliness. Also discussed was the just-released Avengers vs X-men: Infinite. If you haven't had the chance, be sure to check it out. I feel like this is where digital comics are headed in terms of presentation and really felt it was one of the best books out last week. 

Lets move on to this week's must-buys.

Buy This! - March 21st, 2012

 Every Monday Seth picks out three items that are due to ship on Wednesday and directs you toward your best bets for a quality purchase. Some times it's a single issue of a comic, other times a massive omnibus edition of a beloved series, and occasionally a figure or shiny bauble that caught his eye. Read on to find the three items you shouldn't leave your comic shop without this week.


After the shocking amount of big-name titles that shipped last week I was a little disappointed to find a relatively light week ahead of us. I suppose my wallet will be grateful for the break though. It took me a lot longer to pick titles this week than it has for past columns. I poured through every publisher hoping to find something that would match the excitement of the creator-owned releases of last week like Glory #24, Peter Panzerfaust #2, Saga #1 or Saucer Country #1. While I do spotlight a creator owned title there is nothing that reaches that level of build up. The big two have some of their premier books shipping this week but, in case you couldn't tell, I like to leave single issues of the upper-tier titles out of the column. Its' not like they need the help.

So with nothing too massive hitting your shelves this week I just picked three titles that appeal to me for whatever reason. None of these are really "buzz" books but they at least piqued my interest. 

Buy This! - March 14th, 2012

 Every Monday Seth picks out three items that are due to ship on Wednesday and directs you toward your best bets for a quality purchase. Some times it's a single issue of a comic, other times a massive omnibus edition of a beloved series, and occasionally a figure or shiny bauble that caught his eye. Read on to find the three items you shouldn't leave your comic shop without this week.


We now return you to your regularly scheduled column...

Sorry for the delay this week. I could complain about work being overwhelming and getting in the way of the regularity of Buy This for the last two weeks but without my job I'd be unable to buy any of the stuff I promote on here. Last week's column was written and posted and then promptly destroyed when I attempted to edit the post on my iPad. It didn't end well. However, I did write about the new volume of Emitown as well as Hickman's new creator owned project Manhattan Projects #1 last week and at least one of those two is definitely worth your time. I'll give you a hint as to which it is... it's the one that doesn't have robot samurai in it.

Due to the lack of a column last week and the lateness of this one I'm going double sized. I'd probably have gone bigger with this week's even if it was on time because there is a ton of great stuff coming out this week.

Buy This! - February 29th, 2012

Every Monday Seth picks out three items that are due to ship on Wednesday and directs you toward your best bets for a quality purchase. Some times it's a single issue of a comic, other times a massive omnibus edition of a beloved series, and occasionally a figure or shiny bauble that caught his eye. Read on to find the three items you shouldn't leave your comic shop without this week.
These light shipping weeks are killing me. I mean, this week is so light that my pull list is going to contain a meager three titles. I'd be more irritated by this if not for the fact that I still haven't managed to pick up my pulls after returning from vacation and counting this Wednesday's books I'll be up to three weeks of stuff waiting for me. I guess this couldn't have happened at a better time.

There is still plenty of stuff out there worth picking up this week. Though I'm not adding it to the list, (it's already made at least one prior appearance) The Shade #5 ships this week. Seriously, if you aren't picking this book up you're doing yourself a disservice. Particularly #4 which has my early pick for issue of the year. I've already raved about it here and on the podcast but that single issue perfectly captured everything that makes James Robinson's Starman and the characters therein so special.

Buy This! - Feb 23rd, 2012

Every Monday Seth picks out three items that are due to ship on Wednesday and directs you toward your best bets for a quality purchase. Some times it's a single issue of a comic, other times a massive omnibus edition of a beloved series, and occasionally a figure or shiny bauble that caught his eye. Read on to find the three items you shouldn't leave your comic shop without this week.


Forgive the lack of a new column last week and the lateness of this week's but I've just returned from a week-long vacation down in the swamps of Florida... or Disney World if you prefer. It's sort of a light week, almost to the point where I was going to bail on this week's column and instead write about my trip to the House of Mouse and how it was surprisingly Marvel-free. However, after a bit of searching I did manage to dig up three purchases that would be worth anyone's time.

Before I get to that I'd just like to take this opportunity to again commend Marvel on their omnibus editions. I just picked up the Wolverine by Jason Aaron one this past week and it's definitely impressive. Not only for the wonderful knack Aaron has for writing Logan and the stories he places him in but for the package itself. While light on extras I'm still pleased every time I open a Marvel omnibus. The books lays flat when opened (none of that page-bleeding-into-the-gutter crap that DC pulls) and they're printed beautifully in an oversized format. With artists like Ron Garney and Yanick Paquette contributing to the issues contained therein it's a great book to have in a larger scale like this.

Buy This! - Feb 8th 2012 (and a quick rant about DC collected edition hardcovers)

Every Monday Seth picks out three items that are due to ship on Wednesday and directs you toward your best bets for a quality purchase. Some times it's a single issue of a comic, other times a massive omnibus edition of a beloved series, and occasionally a figure or shiny bauble that caught his eye. Read on to find the three items you shouldn't leave your comic shop without this week.
Sorry for the lateness of this week's column. My only excuse is that I've been stricken with a virus seeking my destruction since Sunday and other than a few hours at my place of employment today, I haven't done much other than sit on my couch watching Community and old episodes of the Office on Hulu. I also managed to read a Fables trade and work my way through one the Wolverine VS the X-Men story arc from Jason Aaron's Wolverine run.

Anyway, I wasn't sure if I'd work up the energy to plop this column down or not but I finally managed to psyche myself up on enough tea to get me going so here I am. Bed worn and slightly unaware of what I'm typing exactly. Due to the fact that I can, at a later date, claim I didn't realize I was ranting I'd just like to take a moment yet again to proclaim that DC really is taking things in the right direction with their collected editions while simultaneously continuing to frustrate me every time I crack a cover.

Buy This - February 1st, 2012

Every Monday Seth picks out three items that are due to ship on Wednesday and directs you toward your best bets for a quality purchase. Some times it's a single issue of a comic, other times a massive omnibus edition of a beloved series, and occasionally a figure or shiny bauble that caught his eye. Read on to find the three items you shouldn't leave your comic shop without this week.

Initially, while perusing this week's shipping list I was a bit underwhelmed. However, despite the lack of new product I noticed three things in particular that more than make up for it. Quality over quantity and all that...

Before we get to that I just wanted to mention again that the first episode the Ancillary Characters podcast is now available for download on iTunes or directly from our site at podOmatic.com. Download it, give it a listen and then rate and review it. Also, pay attention to the end of the show where I announce or first podcast-related giveaway. Also, I noticed that Locke & Key oversized hardcover of Welcome To Lovecraft is again being solicited to ship this week. Definitely grab that and the Amazing Spider-Man by John Romita: Artists Edition; both published by IDW. Those Artist Edition books are really incredible and probably the best possible format to experience your favorite artist's work.

As well, I won't be writing about it but the Justice League: Generation Lost trade paperback volume 1 (already available in hardcover) ships this week. If you haven't tried this series out do so now. It's good comics.

Okay, on to this weeks list...

Buy This! - January 11th, 2012

Every Monday Seth picks out three items that are due to ship on Wednesday and directs you toward your best bets for a quality purchase. Some times it's a single issue of a comic, other times a massive omnibus edition of a beloved series, and occasionally a figure or shiny bauble that caught his eye. Read on to find the three items you shouldn't leave your comic shop without this week.

...and after an extended break I return triumphantly to bring you yet another barrage of buyable items. Hopefully everyone enjoyed their New Year weekend as much as I did. I managed to pack and move apartments in a matter of two days and still found time to read the X-Men: Schism hardcover, and the Death of Ultimate Spider-Man prelude hardcover as well as a handful of single issues. It was busy few days but interesting and obviously, I was too occupied to find time (or the inclination) to sit down and write up my column.

No house cleaning this week other than the usual disclaimer that I'm pulling the shipping items listed here from the Comixology site. Don't blame me if they aren't available come Wednesday, blame Diamond or the publisher... or your store owner.

Tales from the Long Box: Best of the... Rest...

Every week Seth goes into his back issue bins, picks out a single issue, story arc, or creative run, pours through it and then writes about it. He calls it Tales from the Long Box. Though old and now either retconned out of existence or made irrelevant by the latest event, these books still share something in common... they're bagged, boarded, and a part of comics history.

So it's now 2012 and by now most comic bloggers and journalists have moved on from "best of" lists. Not me! Oh no, at this rate I'll still be writing Best of 2011 lists well into next year... or until the oncoming apocalypse. Today I wanted to spotlight some books that I love but haven't found the chance/time to write about during the past few months. It's been a fantastic year, quality wise, for comics. The big two were pumping out some high quality books that were matched by the smaller publishers.

At IDW Locke & Key remains one of the most consistently good books on the stands, not just in terms of writing and art but in the wonderful hardcovers that are released soon after the story arcs wrap up. IDW also published the Rocketeer Adventures hardcover recently which collected the mini series with contributions from the likes of Mike Allred, Alex Ross, Darwyn Cooke, John Cassaday and writers like Mark Waid and Kurt Busiek. Rocketeer Adventures was in the running for best mini series of the year and if that decision had been based solely on fun and pretty visuals it no doubt would've won. It's a lovely book and the hardcover makes a beautiful addition to my library.