5.2 Reasons Brian Azzarello is One of the Best Writers in Comics

Welcome DC Entertainment fans to a brand new weekly feature where we list off 5.2 Reasons of varying subjects of greatness from across our line of books, collectibles, and more!
 
Wednesday marked the launch of BEFORE WATCHMEN: COMEDIAN, and while old Eddie Blake might see the world as a dark and twisted place, we personally like to take a look at the positives—namely the existence of totally awesome comic creators like Comedian writer Brian Azzarello.
 
Already a huge fan of Azzarello, his involvement in Before Watchmen got us more pumped than Schwarzenegger—especially considering the characters he'd be working on. We took a look at the comic catalog to give you 5.2 Reasons Brian Azzarello is One of the Best Writers in Comics.

1. Wonder Woman
WONDER WOMAN #10 is out this week, but with the first issue alone, Azzarello solidified his spot in the pantheon of brilliant WW writers—embracing instead of shying away from the Amazon Princess's mythological roots. Coupled with the insanely gifted artist Cliff Chiang—who perfectly captures and balances Diana's might and beauty—Wonder Woman is like a gift from the gods.
 
2. 100 Bullets
Loaded with intrigue and blasting a non-stop barrage of action-filled slugs, Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso's 100 Bullets hits the mark as one of Vertigo's quintessential reads. Get the new Deluxe Edition trades or go digital with all 100 issues. And for more awesome collaborations from these two creators, check out BATMAN: KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE and SPACEMAN.
 
3. First Wave
Batman, Doc Savage, The Spirit—classic characters, all interacting and adventuring in the same world along with Black Canary, Rima the Jungle Girl and more. If you love pulp (the style of storytelling, not necessarily the stuff in juice, but sure, that, too) grab the softcover collection, which hit stores this week.
 
4. Joker
This comes as part of a one-two punch with the next entry, but whenever Azzarello teams with artist Lee Bermejo, the only joke is that this collaboration doesn't happen all the time. Insanely beautiful images pair with a darkly disturbing story that explores the criminal side of Gotham and features grisly realistic interpretations of Batman's famous foes.
 
5. Luthor
BATMAN/DEATHBLOW marked the first collaboration between Azzarello and Bermejo, but LUTHOR is the one that put the team on the veritable map. Originally a five-issue limited series, the graphic novel collection includes 10 new pages of material! The title takes a look at the inner workings and motivations behind humanity's self-proclaimed "savior."

 

5.1 He'll Be Teaming With Bermejo Once More On:


 

 

5.2 He May or May Not Be the God of War

 

 

Those are the reasons we're big fans of Brian Azzarello. What are yours? Feel free to sound off below, and we'll see you again in a week with another edition of 5.2 Reasons!

The Batman’s true loyalties revealed?

Writer Brian Azzarello and artist Rags Morales present the next chapter in the FIRST WAVE saga, as Doc Savage and The Spirit have followed the Blackhawks to Hidalgo. But the Red Hand stands between them and the murderous Anton Colossi – who's busy breaking bread with his dear friend Bruce Wayne, i.e. The Batman. And when Doc's newfound fortune is stolen as quickly as it was discovered, it'll take another uneasy truce between The Avenger and Doc's crew of compatriots to track it down.

FIRST WAVE #4 hits 9/29.

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Brandon, Azzarello and Klein sign up with DOC SAVAGE

We’ve teased this creative team a few times here already, but now’s your chance to get a handful of artist Nic Klein’s final pages, penned by the writing team of Azzarello and Brandon.

The US government has offered Doc and his men a deal: run a secret mission in the war-ravaged, blockaded ruins of the Middle East, and they'll wipe the slate clean of the frame-up job that the Secretary of State ran on them. Doc Savage is nobody's errand boy – but if the mission involves saving the life of one of his former compatriots, he might just have to cut a deal with the men who set him up. Click below for a first look at the issue.

DOC SAVAGE #6 hits tomorrow.

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Another look at DOC SAVAGE #6

Yesterday, we gave you a first glance at Nic Klein’s amazing and gritty pencils for the sixth issue of the Man of Bronze’s ongoing series, which is being co-written by Ivan Brandon and FIRST WAVE writer Brian Azzarello. Today, we checked in with series Assistant Editor Chris Conroy about the new story arc, with more art, of course. But that’s not all. Early next week we’ll hear from Brandon and Azzarello about their work, with, yes, even more new art.

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Take it away, Chris:

If you've been sitting on the sidelines wondering what people see in Doc Savage, then my friend, have we got a storyline for you. Picture it: you're trapped in a biological warfare quarantine zone. You're alone against an army of pissed-off guerilla fighters screaming to be let loose from their prison. The guerillas have nukes... and one of your best friends held captive. Got a plan yet? Because Doc does.

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Everything that makes Doc Savage great is all over every issue of this run -- his cunning, his determination, the death-defying fights and adventures -- and it's all mixed up with strange locales, bizarre villains, and a nuanced appreciation of that quality we in the business call "bad-assery." In creating the FIRST WAVE universe, Brian Azzarello imagined an world without magic or superpowers that still manages to be far more exotic than our own; where every corner of the map holds a mystery to solve. Ivan Brandon is treating that world like his personal playground, filling every page with wondrous and terrible sights. Put those two brains to work on one script, and you're gonna get a story with some serious swagger, and the kind of punch that backs it up one hundred percent.

And as for those wondrous sights... oh brother. It doesn't matter if you know Nic Klein from his previous collaboration with Ivan, Image's VIKING, or if you've never seen a single panel of his work -- this art is going to melt your face clean off. Just look at the pages below -- Doc's commanding physical presence leaps out of every panel. And as for the Two Who Are One... well, they're the Sensational Character Find of 2010, bar none. You'll never believe the twists Ivan's got planned for those guys. That guy. Whatever.

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It's all in DOC SAVAGE #6, on sale September 8th. Buy now and we'll throw in the first chapter of a great new JUSTICE INC. story, "Vengeance and Murder," from Jason Starr and Scott Hampton -- the kind of raw, pulpy crime story that leaves your jaw broken and your knuckles bloody. You have, as they say, been warned.

Warned, indeed. Thanks, Chris!

The branches of The Golden Tree spread out in THE SPIRIT #2

Angel Smerti’s a lady who gets what she wants – and her top priority is seeing The Spirit in a coffin. Plus, our hero’s first encounter with the sprawling criminal empire known as The Golden Tree reveals that the organization threatens much more than just Central City. All of this and a few surprises thanks to writer Mark Schultz and artist Moritat.

THE SPIRIT #2 hits 5/19.

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End your week with some FIRST WAVE #2 pages

Writer Brian Azzarello and artist Rags Morales return for the second installment in the FIRST WAVE mini-series, as The Golden Tree begins to bear fruit. The Blackhawks are on the hunt for the Spirit. Doc Savage is after the Blackhawks. Anton Colossi is after William “Johnny” Littlejohn. And only Rima, the eyes of the jungle, knows what the heroes do not: something glorious and terrible has risen in the darkest corner of Hida’lgo.

FIRST WAVE #2 hits 5/12.

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THE SPIRIT #1 is here

Starting today, the Spirit returns in an all-new ongoing series from writer Mark Schultz and artist Moritat. Central City destroys everyone who lives within its borders, so it's a good thing The Spirit's already experienced being dead, huh?

The international crime syndicate known as The Golden Tree wants to help the devious Octopus consolidate his control over the underworld and the Spirit is the kind of mess the evil conglomerate was created to clean up. What chance does the vigilante have against one of The Golden Tree's deadliest assassins? Guess we'll find out...

THE SPIRIT #1 hits today.

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Get a first look at DOC SAVAGE #1

Writer Paul Malmont and artist Howard Porter join forces to launch the Man of Bronze into his own ongoing series. And with Doc Savage the target of a brazen attack on New York City, you can be sure things don't start off slowly. Tragedy will strike one of Doc's compatriots and someone may not survive the first issue's opening pages. We've got a sneak peek at the first issue right here, which hits today.

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