The lazy days of summer are quickly approaching. Time to lay out on that hammock, with a cold, tasty beverage perhaps, and curl up with your favorite comic book.  (Note- must buy a hammock).  Since Watchmen, that 12-issue maxi of great comic influence, twisting and complex stories have become the favorite narrative style of comic writers; and with such stories come epic stories of epic epicness (credit due to Scott Pilgrim – I just like that saying). With so much time on your hands, where to begin? That’s a question I ask myself every year. What series will I read? What world will I immerse myself in? What character will become the subject of my temporary obsession? I decided to regurgitate my comic psychosis to my dear readers so that you may reap the benefits of my madness.

This was the year of epic stories. With Blackest Night, SWONK and Dark Reign, I’ve explored deep into the dark recesses of my beloved characters (refrain from vulgar jokes please—that means you Rob). So why not continue the trend into summer? I’ve compiled a list of a few series that I have been contemplating reading or re-reading during these glorious weeks of freedom. Take note. There might be a few that are worth your while:

Starman

Oh my. Where to begin?  Starman is a series that demonstrates the potential power of a superhero story. Gone are the days of stale dialogue of our comic fore fathers. In 1994, James Robinson and Tony Harris set out to do something unique. Something desperately needed in the failing comic industry of the 90s (with no help from Joel Schumacher – nipples on a batsuit ... I mean really). Starman became a bright star and left readers wanting more, even after its 80-issue run. It is the story of Jack Knight, the reluctant hero of Opal City and his journey to find a place within his family’s legacy. Filled with memorable moments and characters, Starman is the story every comic reader should hold in the highest esteem. It’s the hopes of any avid comic reader realized. There is no better time to start reading! DC is releasing beautiful hardcovers in honor of the Knight family. They are worth every cent. Trust me.

Alias 

I think this pick is mostly from my subconscious. Throughout the last eight months, I’ve been gritting my teeth every time I saw Spider-Woman was on the shelf. “Wait until the hardcover” “Wait until the hardcover.” It must have been Maleev’s covers that triggered my hippocampus, recalling David Mack and his cover work with Alias (I don’t know why ---- my brain is weird). But this book goes beyond the cover. It’s always refreshing to see a strong female character get her own book. With Bendis’ storytelling and Gaydos’ art, I anxiously await this 28-issue story. Making its debut in 2001, it escapes me as to how I haven’t read this book yet (worst offenses are yet to come).  It will be a Bendis asskicking that I haven’t seen since Jinx. It will be the summer—of asskicking.

Catwoman

Let me tell you a story about why back-issue sales are awesome. It’s a short story and it shouldn’t take much of your time….. I GOT 57 ISSUES OF CATWOMAN FOR 13 DOLLARS. That’s pretty much the end of the story. Born from the fallout of Darwyn Cooke’s Selina’s Big Score, Catwoman is an 82-issue epic about Gotham’s favorite crook/superhero/Kate Beckingsale impersonator. The series went through a couple creative changes but Ed Brubaker and Will Pfeifer manned the helm. With such a long lasting run ( and tears from a Comicdork with its departure), this is a series I’ve been meaning to read since picking up Selina’s Big Score. This series is a fitting tribute for the leather-clad thief and is the seminal story for a great character in the DCU.

Savage Dragon

Erik Larsen wasn’t kidding when he sprawled across Savage Dragon #1: “INTENSE ACTION.” Here’s the premise — Lizard-humanoid who is a cop named Dragon. You know what, I think I’ll just stop right there.

100 Bullets

Prepare to hate me for life: I have not gotten passed the first trade of 100 Bullets. I will even pause for your anger to subside --------------------------- good? Let me briefly explain why such a tragedy has befallen my comic reading career. As shocking as this seems, I started reading comics (avidly) when the series was well underway. I bought the first trade, which was horribly lost in a open-febreeze-bottle-in-the-back-of-a-car accident (it was signed by Brian Azzarello too….smelled good though). So feel sympathy dear readers, do not cast me out and throw stones because I plan to rectify this misdeed presently. To be honest I’m waiting for those oh so sexy hardcovers, the subject of my dreams (a little depressing but still awesome). Written by Brian Azzarello and art by Eduardo Risso, 100 Bullets is a shoot-em-up action packed thrill ride. While I can’t speak extensively about the book, I hope to better serve my comic community by adding this great series to my comic repertoire.