What to buy, what not to buy from the past month.

WHAT TO BUY: THE TOP 5 TRADES OF JUNE 2011

These get a 100 percent solid recommendation from this city corner of the interwebs:

Honorable mention:  X-Men: Second Coming.  This gets  a mention because it’s a lot of fun.  The tale of Hope coming to the present from the future, to save all mutants.  It sounds stupid, I know, but this is where the X-Men work best: In a straight-shot storyline where there’s lots of doom and gloom and lasers and all kinds of battling.  It’s basically a long-form brawl, and if you’ve not kept up with the mutant line, you can easily jump in here.

5.  Baltimore Volume 1: The Plague Ships. Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden introduced Lord Henry Baltimore back in 2007, but now he’s got his own series.  One of the best-selling indie books of the year (#1 sold out, even though it was also offered for free comic book day).  After Lord Baltimore unwittingly releases a horde of vampires, he goes searching to destroy their leader.  Gothic steampunk horror.

4.  Marvel Universe vs. The Punisher. A miniseries that could have gone horribly wrong goes wonderfully right.  Hilarious, action-packed, and featuring some of the best Deadpool stuff I’ve ever read.  Written by Jonathan Mayberry and illustrated by Goran “PunisherMAX” Parlov.  Chris borrowed my copy of the hardcover, and still hasn’t read it.  Shame on him.  Go on, everyone shame him.  Oh, and also on sale this week (6/29) is the sequel: Marvel Universe vs. Wolverine.  Mmmmm.  Good stuff.

3.  Uncanny X-Force: Deathlok Nation (hardcover). You can wait for the paperback, if you like, but don’t sleep on this, the best X-book around.  When Jason Aaron tried to bring Deathlok back in the pages of Wolverine, it sucked.  This doesn’t.  Plus, it builds on threads extending to the first appearances of Fantomex (in Grant Morrison’s New X-Men, which is mentioned all over this post!)   Featuring Deathlok versions of Captain America, Spider-Man, Elektra, Cyclops, Venom . . . A whole buncha cool stuff.  Plus, they throw in a reprint of Deathlok’s first appearance in Astonishing Tales #25 (1974).

2.  Sweet Tooth Vol. 3: Animal Armies. If you aren’t reading this book, you’re missing one of the best Vertigo books of all time.  Truly.  It’s spooky, odd, quirky, and touching.  And Chris, if you still haven’t read the trades I loaned you: Shame on you!

1.  Batwoman: Elegy. Possibly the most visually arresting comic book produced by one of the big two in the past 10 years.  The story can be a little confusing, but it’s well worth paying attention to.  I had to post some of the interior art here–just to let you see the kind of innovative design you’re missing.

THE TOP 5 REISSUES OF JUNE 2011

In addition to some trades of recently created comic books, check out these blasts from the past:

5.  The Boys Definitive Edition Vol. 3.  Yes, these issues have already appeared in trade paperbacks, and yes $75 is a lot of money.  But this is oversized and hardbound.  Darick Robertson’s art is worth it, don’t you think?

4.  The Impossible Man.  Everyone’s favorite imp, in every appearance drawn by Jack Kirby.  It includes his first appearance in Fantastic 4 #11 (written by Stan the Man), his best appearance in FF #176, my favorite issue of Spider Woman (#45, from 1978), and the best X-Men Annual ever (#7).  Among other things.  Yes, the late 1970s through the mid 1980s were a fantastic time to be reading comics.

3.  New X-Men by Grant Morrison Book 2. The only flaw in this is that it’s “digest sized”—slightly smaller than the average comic book.  But I’ve always said that Morrison’s New X-Men run was about the words, not the pictures.  (Although the issues drawn by Frank Quietly are pretty good, they’re not his best—and I’m not a big Ethan Van Sciver fan.)

2.  Daredevil: Yellow. From the days when the name Jeph Loeb meant something, with art by one of the best: Tim Sale.

1.  Creepy Comics Vol. 1. Reprinting the first four issues of Dark Horse’s reboot of the pre-code horror title, and featuring the work of folks like Doug Moench, Bernie Wrightson, Angelo Torres, Mike Woods, and Jason Shawn Alexander, among many others.  I saw this at my local shop (Victory Comics in Falls Church—holla!) and almost bought it immediately.  But then I remembered I needed to have money for dinner that night.  Maybe next time.

ONE  I WANNA BUY, BUT DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT:

Osborn: Evil Incarcerated. The story of Norman’s life in prison.  I don’t know much about it, but I love the writer (Kelly Sue DeConnick, who wrote the under-read and under-rated Sif miniseries) and the artist (Emma Rios, who is freaking amazing).

THREE NOT TO BUY

Spider-Man: The Original Clone Saga.  The only Spidey story so bad they had to re-make it.  Seriously, this is terrible.  Don’t even be curious.

Daredevil: Reborn. Because Shadowland wasn’t enough to convince Marvel to kick Andy Diggle off of this title.

Uncanny X-Men: Quarantine. Okay, this actually isn’t a horrible book, but what makes me crazy is that Marvel thinks I have amnesia.  Am I supposed to completely ignore the fact that Grant Morrison did a virtually identical storyline in New X-Men?  Wait.  How could I forget that, when Marvel is reprinting New X-Men this very month (see above)!!!  And most importantly, how could Cyclops forget it?!?

Haven’t dropped an underground mixtape in a while, figured you’re all due.

S.P.E.C. Dolla (formally known as Spectacula) disappeared for 2 years.  Dunno if he was in rehab, doing time, having a kid or just getting high.

Nice to hear a guy who can carry his own album without relying on a ton of cameos and guest spots.  And with original beats, too.

Check it out for free here or here.

Mind On Green (Feat.V.I.)

Open Your Eyes

Rapsody (pronounced “Rap City”) is a female rapper.  Let’s get that out of the way at the top.  But that doesn’t mean you oughtta sleep on her.  Thank H.E.R. Now, offered for free from DJBooth.net, is a showcase for “the next big girl MC,” with guest spots and production by more greats that I can count or name, including: Raekwon, Big K.R.I.T, Murs, Jean Grae, 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Estelle, Marsha Ambrosius, Phonte, Vitamin D.

Like any good mixtape, the music borrows heavily–but not too obviously–from recognized masters.  H.E.R. Throne has shades of Marley’s “Rainbow Country,” and there are obvious Diana Ross samples and lots of classic rap samples and tributes.  Her delivery is a lot like Jean Grae–serious, and without a lot of inflection.  She’s not singing.  Singing is the kiss of death for a female emcee–it’s what separates Ms. Dynamite from MC Lyte, and Ms. D–good as she may be–will never be known as a rapper.  I’d like to hear a little more versatility here, but overall this is a terrific mixtape and a promising continuation of Rapsody’s ascension.

So Be It (feat. Big KRIT)

Black Diamonds (feat. Raekwon)

Get the whole thing free here.

From the mind of Adam Carlson.

Overman are four dudes from Illinois.

Overman say that they “understand [Berkeley Place's] contributions to the collective music scene and thus the emotional state of the world.”  And I can’t tell if they’re being sarcastic or honest.

Overman sound like southern rock with an acoustic, soft-ish side–like music you’d hear in a Dead show parking lot or a college dorm.

Overman’s music, however, is unmistakably honest.

Overman should appeal to you if you like Dave Bromberg, Drive-By Truckers, John Prine, Ryan Adams, old fashioned rock and roll, or well-crafted barburners.

Overman have a lighters-up, sing-a-long anthem called “You’ll Feel Better If You Sing” that made me sway while cooking pancakes for my two little boys.

Overman’s album is nine bucks at Amazon.

You’ll Feel Better if You Sing

14 Diamond Rings

I rarely post press releases, but since this could help out a soldier, I’m sharing it with all of you:

DUNKIN’ DONUTS AND BASKIN-ROBBINS LAUNCH NATIONAL SEARCH FOR “AMERICA’S SUPER-SOLDIERS”

In the spirit of “Captain America: The First Avenger,” new contest seeks nominations for veterans or active U.S. servicepersons making a difference where they live or serve

CANTON, MA (June 27, 2011) – In Marvel® Studios’ Captain America: The First Avenger, arriving in movie theaters on July 22, action hero Captain America is created as part of the secret “Super-Soldiers” project. Inspired by the heroic Super-Soldiers in the movie, Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins want you to help identify and honor America’s real Super-Soldiers, the unsung heroes whose service has had a significant impact in local communities throughout our country. Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, with support from the USO (United Service Organizations), today launched “America’s Super-Soldiers,” a co-branded online contest where people can win prizes by nominating veterans or active U.S. servicepersons who are making a difference where they live or serve.

Beginning today through July 15, 2011, fans can visit Dunkin’ Donuts’ or Baskin-Robbins’ official Facebook pages to nominate a veteran or active serviceperson, answering short questions about why their Super-Soldier is making a difference in their hometown and/or the communities in which they serve. The grand prize winning Super-Soldier, as selected by Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and a representative from the USO, will win a cash prize of $5,000, a new high-definition television, a new Blu-Ray DVD player and a selection of DVD movies in which Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins products are featured. And as a thank you, the nominator of the grand prize winner will also win a $1,000 cash prize and a $100 Dunkin’ Donuts Card. Please visit http://apps.facebook.com/supersoldiers/contests/130457/rules?ogn=facebook for official rules.

Dunkin’ Donuts has a long history of honoring America’s service men and women, and has donated more than 175,000 pounds of coffee to troops deployed overseas since May 2003. The company holds a monthly drawing to randomly select at least 50 United States military members to receive one case of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. During the holiday season, Dunkin’ Brands’ corporate employees also send additional pounds of coffee to the troops.

“Dunkin’ Brands is thrilled to partner with Marvel Studios to bring the excitement of Captain America: The First Avenger to our guests, and we are particularly proud that our America’s Super-Soldiers contest provides an opportunity to continue our tradition of recognizing both U.S. veterans and active servicemen and women who give selflessly,” said John Costello, Chief Global Marketing and Innovation Officer at Dunkin’ Brands. “We hope everyone will help us recognize these real-life heroes whose commitment to our local communities makes such a difference to so many people,” he said.

“America’s Super-Soldiers” is part of a new partnership between Dunkin’ Brands and Marvel Studios to bring the excitement of Captain America: The First Avenger to Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins restaurants nationwide. Leading up to the launch of this summer’s blockbuster, Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins have introduced special new Captain America-themed menu items. At Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, guests can enjoy the new Captain America Coolatta® drink, a cherry-flavored Coolatta frozen beverage, available in a special limited-edition collectible First Avenger Tri-Cup, an innovative three-chamber cup featuring images of Captain America that allows guests to enjoy three different Coolatta flavors (8 oz. each) within the same cup. Dunkin’ Donuts is also serving the brand’s first-ever star-shaped donut, the Captain America Donut, filled with jelly, frosted with vanilla icing, and topped with patriotic red, white and blue sprinkles, as well as the Stars & Stripes Donut, frosted with red icing and topped with patriotic red, white and blue sprinkles.

Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, is featuring an assortment of ice cream refreshments including July Flavor of the Month Super-Soldier Swirl, vanilla ice cream swirled with a combo of blue chocolate chips and a cherry flavored ribbon. Guests can also enjoy the Hydra Force Sundae, Chocolate Mousse Royale ice cream that is chock full of brownies, hot fudge, and whipped cream topped off with chocolate sprinkles and a cherry, or the Super-Soldier Sundae, Super-Soldier Swirl ice cream topped with moist white cake, and a rich strawberry topping (add whipped cream, a cherry, and star-spangled sprinkles for a flavorful patriotic salute). Lastly, the Captain America Ice Cream Cake, inspired by Captain America’s signature shield, is classic sheet cake customized with your favorite ice cream and cake flavors along with a collectable Captain America Cake Topper.

It takes guts to start an album with a song that’s six-and-a-half minutes long.  Guts or skill.  Or both.  Luckily, Vetiver have both.

This NoCal Sub Pop band are now five albums deep into their career, making kick back indie rock with atmospheric feel and hypnotic swells.  They may be from NoCal, but they feel like SoCal: Easy, breezy, laid-back pop that doesn’t talk down to you.  I’m really diggin’ this record.  And I think you will, too.

P.S. Sub Pop is offering a free scrapbook for early orders of the CD.  Check it out here.

Can’t You Tell

Rollin in the Deep (Hourglass Sea Remix)

And the John Legend cover….

http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F12723921 Rollin In The Deep (cover) – John Legend by balladsofmidnight