As reported by Comic Book Resources, Marvel Comics has issued a press release stating that for every 50 copies of unsold DC Comics revolving around their recent Blackest Night ring promotion, retailers will be sent a rare Deadpool-centric variant for Siege #3, the publisher’s current event series. Requesting the covers of the unsold issues only, Marvel claims this initiative was put in place to “provide assistance to comic retailers in 2010.”

It should be noted that Diamond Distributors is not involved in this trade promotion, and should not be contacted for information regarding it. Marvel did provide all of the relevant information within the press release (which can also be found below), and further questions can be directed to helpme@marvel.com.

All submissions must be received at the Marvel office by Tuesday, February 16, 2010.

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Welcome to another edition of The Pull List Comic Reviews! We’ve got a lot off good issues to get through, so let’s get to it. As always, WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

PULL OF THE WEEK:

S.W.O.R.D. #1 – Marvel Comics – $3.99 US
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artists: Steven Sanders, Jamie McKelvie
Score: 9.0

Spinning out of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s seminal Astonishing X-Men run, S.W.O.R.D. is the new title focusing on the organization entrusted to ensure that alien invasions are kept to a minimum. The Sentient World Observation and Response Department’s co-commander, Abigail Brand, has enough on her plate as it is, but having Henry Peter Gyrich – yes, THAT guy – as your co-commander simply can’t be a good thing.

After making a name for himself with the critically acclaimed Phonogram series, Marvel thought that writer Kieron Gillen would be able to handle the launch of a new, ongoing series that has a lot of ties to it, and boy were they right. The juggling parallels between what Agent Brand must endure and the various plot threads that Gillen must keep going wasn’t lost on me; in fact, I’d say it only added to the story’s flow. Imagine Men In Black done up right.

So new that he could be considered a rookie, artist Steven Sanders is anything but. Sharp, clean pencils fill this issue from cover to cover, and while his interpretation of how Beast looks takes a little getting used to, ultimately it’s nit picking on an otherwise near-perfect comic. His rendition of Gyrich, especially, should be noted, as the character has never looked more dick-ish.

About as entertaining as an issue can be, this first issue manages to draw you in with quirky moments – Beast’s lovesick commentary, Lockheed’s binge drinking – and stunning revelations – hello, Kitty! – made this an incredibly easy selection for our Pull of the Week.

OTHER PULLS:

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These days its sometimes hard finding good comics to read every week and even harder finding the money to pay for all of them. There are a lot of comics coming out each week but fortunately, we here at The Flickcast care about what you read and what you spend your money on.  So, with that in mind, there’s a lighter load of comics this week from a superhero mayor of New York City, to a jerk from the future to gigantic fighting robots.

My first recommendation this week is Ex Machina #42, written by Lost writer/producer Brian K. Vaughan and drawn by the brilliant Tony Harris (Starman). Easily my favorite book on the stands now, it tells the story of Mitchell Hundred the first super-hero known as the Great Machine who can get machines to do anything he wants. 

After 9/11, Hundred decides he’s merely maintaining the status quo as a superhero and decides to reveal his identity on national television and declare his candidacy for Mayor of New York City. Of course, he wins, and this comic is about his time in office.

Part West Wing and part super-hero action, with only eight issues left, I can’t wait to see how this story concludes.

My second recommendation is X-Men Origins: Wolverine producer and friend of The Flickcast Jeff Katz’s book Booster Gold is a high flying adventure telling the story of the 25th Century football star who travels back in time to fill his large ego.  Co-written with Flash: Rebirth star Geoff Johns the trade paperback, out tomorrow, is a classic fun adventure comic where Booster must act exactly as he normally does, like a dick, in order restore the timeline. 

Also, but probably inadvertently, he causes the creation of the Sinestro Corps. They don’t make comics this fun anymore.

My third and final recommendation is Rick Remender and Eric Nguyen’s comic Gigantic. Which is part Japanese Giant Robot vs Giant Monster Battle Royale and part Mojo-verse storyline from old 80’s X-Men comics. 

To be honest, I don’t know what to make of this comic besides saying “You remember this guy: Ultraman?” Yeah, its kinda like that, except not cheezy.

If these comic recommendations don’t suit your fancy, be sure to check out the excellent Midtown Comics list and order there. They will even mail your comics right to your door.