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With years spent reading single issues here and there, juggling storylines of dozens of titles, I decided it was time to find a better way to read comics. So, it was off to the back issue bins armed with the longest want list you’ve ever seen! Putting together series after series and reading them in their complete goodness, I was reborn as the Retro-Reader!

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Number of Issues: 12
First Issue: December 2006 ($2.99)
Last Issue: November 2007 ($2.99)
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Phil Hester

Eric O’Grady is a bit of a dirtbag. Alright … he’s a huge scumbag. He’s a liar, a cheater, a thief, a peeping tom, a fast-talker … the list goes on and on. He’s also a low-level S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and when the situation presented itself to him, he stole the newest Ant-Man suit that Hank Pym was developing for S.H.I.E.L.D. as the ultimate spying device. The costume allows him to shrink down to ant-size (while maintaining his full-sized strength), communicate with ants and fly utilizing poweful thrusters. Unfortunately for him, it doesn’t create food out of thin air … and a guy’s gotta eat! So, on the run from S.H.I.E.L.D. (who certainly wants this high-priced gadget back), Eric has to make … or steal … a living for himself. In the months that follow, he befriends the Black Fox and finds employment with Damage Control. But, S.H.I.E.L.D. wants that suit back and you can bet that they’ll get it!

The Bad: In today’s world of flashy, ultra-detailed artists, Phil Hester’s work seems kind of basic. Oh … and the “hero” of the book isn’t all that likeable. The title certainly holds true here!

The Good: Kirkman exercises his familiarity with the Marvel Universe by including lesser-known characters: the Black Fox (an old Spider-Man villain) and Damage Control (the guys who clean up the mess after the super-hero vs super-villain fight is over). After this series was canceled, the character went on to be featured in Avengers: the Initiative. It’s nice to see he wasn’t so quickly discarded and forgotten.

The Verdict: Kirkman set out to create the world’s most unlikeable super-hero. And he succeeded! This title was canceled one year after it debuted. It was certainly a unique approach to comics storytelling – making the lead character “irredeemable”. It was a strange experience not liking the “hero” of the book … and hoping he got what was coming to him. But, even with that in mind … I really enjoyed the whole “switcheroo” he pulled in the last issue. When all is said and done, I still don’t like the character but I do admire his cunning. And, the mixed emotions of rooting both for and against the main character was a new experience for me.

On Ebay: Ant-Man | Robert Kirkman | Phil Hester

With years spent reading single issues here and there, juggling storylines of dozens of titles, I decided it was time to find a better way to read comics. So, it was off to the back issue bins armed with the longest want list you’ve ever seen! Putting together series after series and reading them in their complete goodness, I was reborn as the Retro-Reader!

Publisher: Marvel Comics [Marvel Knights]
Number of Issues: 6
First Issue: June 2004 ($3.50)
Last Issue: February 2007 ($2.99)
Writer: Joe Quesada
Artist: Joe Quesada

A heat wave has put the pressure on the people of Hell’s Kitchen as a new serial killer, named “Johnny Sockets” by the media, is leaving a trail of murdered victims without their eyes. Meanwhile, a group of vigilantes known as the Santerians aren’t too pleased with Daredevil’s methods. He cleans up Hell’s Kitchen but isn’t concerned with the other ares of NYC that are affected by the criminals who’ve changed locales to avoid him. An altercation with them leaves Daredevil battered and bruised. But, he’ll need all the strength and speed he can muster to uncover the true identity of the murderer before the next target, Foggy Nelson, is killed!

The Bad: Not that it matters now but, there were over 30 months between the cover dates of the first and last issues. I’m glad I wasn’t reading this issue by issue (the joys of “retro-reading”!). The killer’s motive is kind of left up-in-the-air … insanity, while certainly a motive in reality, is not quite a fulfilling plot conclusion.

the Good: Quesada’s art is high-quality and features brilliant coloring by Isanove. Joe’s created a murder mystery here that’s very well done and I must admit that I did not see the plot twist coming (although, if you go back and check issue one, the clues shown in issue six were certainly included).

The Verdict: This is a murder mystery that also explores the relationships between sons and fathers. I enjoyed that Quesada introduced new characters to set up several possibilities for the reveal and his art, coupled with Isanove’s coloring, did a great job of keeping the story visually-engaging. If you accurately guessed the killer by issue two, color me impressed!

On Ebay: Daredevil | Joe Quesada