Hannibal Tabu's long running review column THE BUY PILE may sometimes be brutal, possibly even without provocation, but it always shoots straight when taking a gander at the week's latest comics.
RECENT COLUMNS
Thu, February 4th, 2010
It's easy to have a good week when only one book really annoys and the rest are filled with mud-splattered legends, a blood-splattered anti-hero, Chinese super military men, Tony Stark in crisis and a return to Milestone.
Thu, January 28th, 2010
There's not much to celebrate in a week of mediocrity, so while Kurt Busiek and Marvel's reference material shines, there's not a whole lot to say about the various big event comics that hit in the shadow of the iPad.
Thu, January 21st, 2010
Things are looking pretty good this week as this column's reviewer turns 37 which in turn means an abbreviated column that features the king of magic, a transdimensional spy, a demigod and a nice day for a Fable-filled baseball game.
Thu, January 14th, 2010
Smart underdogs make things work for THE BUY PILE this week, with Coluan intelligence, Wakandan wiliness, lots of bullets, bad guys gone good and the best laid plans of billionaire super heroes all showing up to contribute to the win.
Thu, January 7th, 2010
The new year starts off on a good note this week with comics that feature immortal spies, old friends who burned bridges, Chinese fisticism, noirish private detection, the redemption of a hero and the flat-out brilliance of "Dingo."
Thu, December 24th, 2009
The Great Sadness takes hold for the holidays as an inexpensive week is overwhelmed by comics that barely manage to whelm, with event comics, commentary tracks and other business taking center stage.
Thu, December 17th, 2009
Are we in a seasonal depression? It's hard to tell, as Steve Rogers and Guy Gardner usher in an age of sadness that's still outshone by a Wakandan princess, The Advocate, two soldiers, a band of stories and two siblings.
Thu, December 10th, 2009
In this week's comics, bad people do good things worth being grateful for with a secretary, a Marine, a goth, a lunatic, a hybrid and a phonomancer making the week worthwhile, even with the ghosts of comics past stinking up the place.
Fri, December 4th, 2009
It's good times this week as literary espionage meets culture clashes, a web-novel comes to comics and bullet casings fly, while Amazonian princesses go too far, Alpha One can't find a dancing partner and much "meh" manifests in between.
Fri, November 27th, 2009
This time out, a huge holiday week of comic book releases leads to good tidings to be thankful for, as Marvel avenges and dominates the purchases while big event comics slide by with barely a whisper of quality to be seen.
Thu, November 19th, 2009
This week: Hank Pym, "Phonogram" and...wait, what? That can't be right. Seriously? Brother Power The Geek was good enough to buy? Check that again. Really? Wow. Well, okay, there's that, and, uh...some other stuff too.
Thu, November 12th, 2009
The devil's in the details this week, with good dialogue making an appearance in even less-than-clearly-plotted comics, as both William Gravel and T'Challa make it work alongside a mouthy merc and all your favorite stories.
Thu, November 5th, 2009
Another winning week has come and... well, it's still here. The Red Invasion's too good to resist, even stories have spies, Deadshot intimidates, Parker Robbins inspires and only Kal-El and Steve Rogers screw up at all.
Thu, October 29th, 2009
All the titles that didn't make it home were essentially cancelled out as Noh Varr, Astra Furst, Amadeus Cho, Jack Frost and Richard Ryder showed up in full force to get the job done for the week.
Thu, October 22nd, 2009
It's quite a week for characterization with Norman Osborn, an FDA agent, Bruce Banner, toys and Luke Cage, even while the Kryptonians take a break, Hank Pym's more important than need be and Osborn's got a secret.
Thu, October 15th, 2009
You won't need a dose of venom to enjoy this week's wonderfully winning batch of comics, with a flying monkey coming into his own, a combat magician pulling the trigger and much more, moving past extradimensional sidekicks.
Thu, October 8th, 2009
Jericho Drumm reps his city! Parker Robbins makes big moves! Wade Wilson makes pancakes! Could that be ... no, it's not a unicorn or a cheerleader who can cook, it's an issue of "Planetary" joining a winner week.
Thu, October 1st, 2009
The world's greatest detective is a mystery herself, Jack of Fables gets a snack, and a super-powered college grad has a blast. Meanwhile, things go better than expected with a good number of comics and some good times.
Thu, September 24th, 2009
Five comics participate in a meritocracy to make it home with Jessica Drew's soul searching, John Raymond broadcasting, Richard Ryder taking control, Amadeus Cho figuring it out and best of all ... Dog Brother Number One!
Thu, September 17th, 2009
Nothing but good times as Matt Murdock gets serious, Jimmy Woo and Michael Holt figure it out, Tony Stark breaks it down, there's no place like home for MODOK and Frau Totenkinder gets a makeover in a great week for comics.
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