Black Panther #11, Dial H For Hero #2, & Wizard Beach #5

The order in which I expected to enjoy this week’s books (from most to least): Wizard Beach #5, Dial H For Hero #2, Black Panther #11 The order in which I actually enjoyed this week’s books: Wizard Beach #5, Dial H For Hero #2, Black Panther #11

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Black Panther #11 I have to admit that I'm losing interest in this book, but only because it has been difficult to keep track of the new (at least to me) characters, settings, alliances, betrayals, etc. I look forward to reading it in one sitting, though, and will finish the run (which appears to be going through at least a half-dozen more issues.) On the plus side, these are some of the most eye-catching covers on the stands today! VERDICT: Great story, fantastic art, I'm sticking with it but I wish I had waited for the trade paperback collection.

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Dial H For Hero #2

This is a book that shouldn't work at all, much less in 2019.

A magic dial that turns the user into a random super-powered being is the epitome of a hokey Silver Age gimmick.

A comic book that experiments with changing the format to match the style and era of the hero the users become could easily disrupt the flow of the story. Two kids running away in a mayonnaise-themed food truck, an evil organization known as The Thunderbolts (led, of course, by Mr. Thunder), an enigmatic guide known only as "The Operator", and a battle between Jobu the Zonkey King and Iron Deadhead all sound like ideas an eight-year-old would come up with while stuck inside during a rainy recess.

But writer Sam Humphries and artist Joe Quinones don't just make all that (and more!) work, they balance everything PERFECTLY. The "real life" portions of the story don't exist simply to fill the space between the "hero" sections, or vice versa. While the story is absurd and fun for the reader, the characters take the events seriously and understand the peril that they are in. Also, I don't recall any annoying dialogue like "this is like being in a comic book!"

VERDICT: Glad I bought it and can't wait for the next issue!

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Wizard Beach #5 Man, am I bummed to see this title end.

When I started buying again three years ago, one of the "rules" I put in place was that there would be no impulse buying. I would look at the Previews catalog each month, place an order, and stick to it. Thus far it has served me (and my budget) well.

However... I broke that rule minutes after flipping through the first couple of issues, and I'm so glad I did as it has become one of my favorite titles since I started collecting again. I can't recommend it highly enough!

VERDICT: Glad I bought it - wish there was a next issue!