Hot Off The Comics Press: Picks Of The Week 15 March

Blog by Thom Atkinson | 15 Mar 2011

Robert Kirkman is so hot right now – The Walking Dead seems to be on everyone’s radar, from last week's comic picks to the rumour mill picking up speed on season 2 of the hit adaptation. But Kirkman hasn’t always been about the undead – like all good writers he knows how to stretch his spandex writing muscles and we should not forget about Invincible #78, this week’s indie alternative. Born out of the ashes of Kirkman’s less well received Capes, Invincible follows a father son superhero team in this distinctive, clever and lively title. Though, like The Walking Dead, this may not be the starting off point for new readers; instead look for Invincible: Family Matters the TPB in stores now.

Talking of starting off, it's event time in the Marvel Universe again and love them or hate them Fear Itself will be this year's talking point, so be sure to check out Fear Itself: Book of the Skull #1 by Ed Brubaker. Originally set as a tie in for the Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger movies out this summer, Fear Itself has evolved into so much more. Spanning the Marvel universe it begins with all the Red Skull’s terrible secrets and plans in the hands of his evil daughter, Sin. Find out about the Skull’s most dangerous WWII mission and how it will tear the Marvel Universe asunder.

With such redefining world events going on at Marvel, it’s a curiosity to know just how DC will compete, but there is one area that they seem to have their rivals licked – animation. A huge debate could rage over just which publisher provides the best Saturday morning cartoons, but the fact is DC is more efficient, more prolific and arguably higher in production value than Marvel. As Young Justice, the story of the sidekicks Robin, Superboy, etc, becomes a jaunty success on TV there is no harm in keeping things simple with Young Justice #2, with artwork by Mike Norton.

Remember Wednesday is Comic Book day.