Both Bryan McKee and Chad Rivard are keen on Scottish comic book writer Grant Morrison, who is currently scribing DC’s Action Comics as part of the venerable publisher’s revamp of its superhero line. Rivard calls Morrison’s All-Star Superman, a 12-issue series that ran over three years, a favorite. McKee adds Jonathan Hickman and Scott Snyder, the latter working on the new Batman relaunch, and who got his first big exposure while working on the American Vampire series with Stephen King.
Of the new issues, McKee recommends The Walking Dead, the inspiration for the hit AMC show, and currently the store’s hottest title. He also endorses the new DC titles, which have recently started over at #1, and in particular recommends Batman and Justice League. A special edition Justice League title will be among the free offerings on May 5.
McKee admits the variety can be confusing, but says the staff is there to filter through the noise for customers. “It depends on what age they are. You try to find out what else they’ve read.”
Neil Johnson, Emerald City’s owner, says he reads more now than he has in years.
“The storylines have matured as we’ve matured,” he says.
Johnson lists a number of comics that he looks forward to reading as soon as they arrive, including Aquaman, Batgirl and the hot-selling Justice League.
On the topic of writers, Johnson recommends the Tampa Bay area’s Jim Palmiotti, as well as Geoff Johns, Brian Michael Bendis, Gail Simone and Scott Snyder.