Poyo’s Spec and Drek for August 22, 2018

Welcome once again to the wonderful world of Poyo’s Spec and Drek picks for the week of August 22, 2018.

Here I tell you what I think you should be picking up or at least rather what I’m picking up based on if it’s a spec book, a reader or just has cool cover art to admire before tucking away in the long box for the rest of it’s life or rather your own life.

It’s also that time of year that NYCC is approaching fast so I’m going to start purging some comics to fund my eating and beer drinking habits. I try to have great deals, starting most auctions off at 99 cents. I’ve already put up some books already, including some of those one of a kind Sex Criminal #11 sketches. So feel free to check them out so this Chicken can buy beer in NY come October. You can see my auctions HERE.  If you’re a regular reader and site visitor and you buy something, message me on eBay and I’ll knock off some shipping dollars on books that are $20 or more. I’ll be adding books likely through mid September. And yes, I know this a shameless plug but Anthony told me to do it. I think he wants me to buy his drinks in NY as well.  =)

DC/Vertigo Pick

This is not by any means a spec book but more of a nostalgic pick for me as Kelley Jones returns to the Dark Knight.

My pick this week is Batman Kings of Fear #1 just for the sake that this cover and Kelley Jones style of artwork for Batman takes me back to my early days of reading Batman.

The Knightfall story line brings back so many memories with so many Kelley Jones cover art. I actually find these in the dollar bins at my local Half Price Books and I have to resist buying them just for the shear sake that there are billions of them out there and will likely never be worth more than the $1 they’re being sold for.

I’ll be picking this series up though. Like I said, I don’t expect this to heat up but for long time fans of Batman, these should bring back some fond memories.

Marvel Pick

It’s issue #5 of Venom, but you never know when it’s Donny Cates writing.

Each issue of this Venom series could turn up a new surprise, new character or even a character that was in another title we didn’t even think could make a $1 bin book into a $60 book within a matter of seconds after discovery and posting the news (read more here).

So yes, my pick this week is Venom #5. Each issue we learn more of this ancient god of the symbiote.

I haven’t seen or read any spoilers as of this writing but this still has more potential in going up in value over not going up.

Indie Pick

This next book is a special one and not your typical comic book. My weeks Indie pick goes to The Astronaut One Shot from Amigo Comics.

It’s actually a book to help those with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

It’s already selling out online as Amigo books aren’t usually heavily ordered but with a heavy $9.99 price tag, that’s another reason most shops probably didn’t go heavy on this book.

But Poyo wants to make a plea with you comic book flippers, don’t flip this for your own gain if that’s your plan. Flip it and perhaps donate the money to a charity that benefits ASD.

Or if you get your hands on this book, donate the book itself to a school that perhaps handles and educates children affected by ASD as the description details this book can be used to assist those with ASD or speech/communication learning disabilities.

Small Publisher Pick

If you have kids in the 6-12 age range, there’s a good chance you know who Gumball is.

My kids have drove me nuts watching Amazing World of Gumball on Hulu all summer long. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the show, it’s because they’ve now seen every available episode at least 4-6 times each.

My pick this week is the Amazing World of Gumball Grab Bag 2018 #1.

These are great for the fans of the show, usually your 6 to 12 year olds. But I admit, I really enjoy the show myself and find myself laughing out loud (even after seeing it 4 times already). This by no means is a spec pick but once upon a time we did see the regular series Amazing World of Gumball #1 fetch some decent profit. Perhaps it can make a come back if they ever decided to bring back a regular ongoing series again, which would be much welcomed in my household.

A close second place on my list is Cold Spots #1 out from Image comics and from Cullen Bunn, who has to be the current title holder of most “Ongoing Current Titles” across a slew of publishers.

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Now on with the dreaded “avoid” pick, every writer and artist worst nightmare when it comes to selling their hard work.

Most of you might not know this but I’m a long time Punisher fan. Besides Amazing Spider-Man being some of the first and earliest comic books I read, the other books I got introduced to early on was The ‘Nam from Marvel comics.

That series led me to The Punisher and particularly the ongoing The Punisher War Journal series.

So what’s all this have to do with the drek of the week? I’ll tell you. We’re now on Punisher Volume 11 after yet, another reboot of the series. Not only comes a new #1, it comes with 7 different covers.

Marvel, can we get a Punisher volume to last more than 20 or so issues please? With decent writing? And some story lines that get to the root of Frank Castle?