The Year of Comic Books in Review - Part Seven (July)

Hey, we're halfway through! Let's review the titles that are currently in contention for "Best Comic Book of 2003 according to Bloggity-Blog-Blog-Blog": Aquaman Archive Volume One, Aquaman #2, Usagi Yojimbo #63, Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 28, Sandwalk Adventures #5, Astro City: Local Heroes #1, Amelia Rules #9, Crossovers #3, Aquaman Secret Files 2003, PS238 #1, Crossovers #4, Superman: Red Son #1, Leave It To Chance (FCBD edition), and PS238 #2. That's fourteen books.

The first nominee for July is Usagi Yojimbo. This was the middle issue of a three-issue storyarc, and it had everything such a middle issue could hope for. Jotaro showed off his skills, using a weapon he'd gotten in a previous story. Usagi did some swordwork, and giant monsters... when you've got giant monsters, it's gotta be good, right?

The next nominee is The Amazing Spider-Man. This is the Spider-Man I like, the one who handles his real life job with wit and compassion, then goes out and plays "thump" with the bad guys. This is the first part of a story, and a wonderful set-up. The problem is near impossible. As Spider-Man, Peter Parker captured the older brother of one of his students committing a crime. Now he wants to inspire the student to achieve her full potential, but also wants to help her family... which means helping the criminal brother. But Spider-Man puts the bad guys away, right? A great story, of the kind that I really prefer. With lots of teacher jokes, too.

I debated with myself for quite awhile about whether or not I should include the Leave It To Chance hardcover reprints in the nominee lists. But if I'm fair, they have to be added, as they both got 4 1/2 starfish and I got them in July.

So the nominees for July are: Usagi Yojimbo #67, Amazing Spider Man #55/496, Leave It To Chance: Shaman's Rain, and Leave It To Chance: Trick or Threat & Other Stories.