As always, “Five & Three” brings you my favorite things in comics this week. Every week I pick my five favorite covers and three favorite panels to create “Five & Three”. I like to talk about why I picked the covers and panels and welcome hecklers and trend setters alike.
There were a ton of great books for me to choose from this week. I’ll have plenty to re-read while I’m waiting for the sun to go down. Many of the moments this week were as explosive as the fireworks that will be going off in celebration of the United States Birthday. Seeing as I’m a citizen of the good ‘ol USA, I’m going to celebrate the July 4th holiday with a bit of a change up. This week you’ll get four covers and four panels!
I’ve been trying to feature a “Satellite Sam” cover by Howard Chaykin since the book launched but none of the covers were tame enough for this article. I’ve really enjoyed the concept of a murder mystery wrapped up in the dawn of television from the late 40’s and early 50’s. Matt Fraction is writing a story no one expected. Anyone that gives the story some time falls in love with the characters and Chaykin’s art is half of the reason they do. This isn’t quite “Black Kiss” risqué but it can get a bit tawdry so remember this title is for adults only.
Next up is probably the number one featured artist in “Five and Three”, Francisco Francavilla. His coloring is spectacular for this cover and nearly any cover he creates. The tone of the story is set immediately an in this “Twilight Zone” cover for issue six, that tone is spooky, dark, and isolated.
Speaking of creepy, here’s a clown by Brandon Lauthon for the Maddox Publications book “Clown”. I saw this in the new releases on ComiXology and new I had to pick it. This artist needs to draw a cover for a DC book featuring The Joker. In the meantime, the “Clown” has an amazingly life like cover with a clown who looks tired and a bit sadistic. The paint of his face is rubbing off and his smirking smile and cold gaze are terrifically done.
Last up is one of the books I’d consider in my current top five, “The Punisher”. Nathan Edmondson and Mitch Gerads fire on all cylinders when they’re telling a military themed tale. I love the boots and the helmet because it reminds me of our men and women in uniform who are willing to sacrifice all they are and can to serve their country and their fellow (hu)man. I figured this was the best cover for the 4th of July holiday and for this special 4 and 4 “Five and Three”.
Speaking of the other four, the panels I want to start off with a wonderfully fun series from Skottie Young on the new “Rocket Raccoon”. The book was immediately put up for a second printing by Marvel because it’s so good it flew of the shelves.
How about some more humor from “Quantum and Woody”? This book continues to make me laugh and it’s going to be combined into a larger team up book called the “Delinquents” courtesy of some bright minds over at Valiant.
Let it be known that I believe Declan Shalvey can make an action sequence be stunning and packed with so much movement in static images that it’s cinematic. The story for “Moon Knight” #5 by Warren Ellis is astoundingly simple but through Shalvey’s deft pencils and some amazing colors by Jordie Bellaire, you can feel the crack of that poor fool’s ankle and you’ll wince when he comes down on that stair case. All of this happens so fluidly while Moon Knight makes his way up the staircase to save the life of a little girl named Scarlet.
Last up this week is some fireworks courtesy of a trick arrow. Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino continues to make me giddy with the type of joy one can only feel as that first THUMP of a rocket is felt in ones chest. You know the explosion is going to be spectacular and the anticipation is half the fun. That’s the way I feel every week a new “Green Arrow” title is on sale.
That’s all for this holiday edition of “Five and Three”. If you disagree with a pick, let me know in the comments or on Twitter @MarkAvo or on Instagram @TheMarkAvo. If you think I should’ve picked something else or if you have a pick in mind for next week, give me a shout out and let me know. If you’d like to check out more “Five and Three” comic book moments start with “Five and Three” from last week staring Geekshow Podcast’s Shannon Barnson. If you’d like more of me yammering on about art you can check me out on video with my buddies from the Salt City Strangers doing the deviantArt Podcast right here. Until next week, grab some BBQ, some refreshing beverages and be sure to read your new comic books before the sun sets and the fireworks start.