Forum 2.0

Dan Jurgens' Thor

At the end of Randy Jackson's "Walt Simonson's Thor" discussion last year, I posted: "I'm waffling between "Dan Jurgens' Thor" and "Walt Simonson's Ragnarok." I've finally made up my mind. Before I get to it, though, I would like to re-read Dark Hors

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DCF Blue Beetle

First, Dan Garrett...

Charlton's Blue Beetle was not the first... he was not even the first named "Dan Garrett." The original Blue Beetle was a police officer in his civilian identity who first appeared in Mystery Men Comics #1, published by Fox Publi

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Comics for Sept. 3, 2025

ADVANCE PICK OF THE WEEK

BATMAN #1 (DC, $4.99) is by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez. I assume this will sell pretty well.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Batman," Fraction said. "It was the first comic I ever read. Jorge and I have a very super

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Sky Masters of the Space Force

Here is a complete episode guide for the strip. All art is by Jack Kirby, inked first  by Wally Wood and later by Dick Ayers. The only credited scripters were Dick and Dave Wood, but it is widely believed that Jack Kirby wrote the later scripts.

THE C

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Spectacular Spider-Man Omnibus

I remember when Spectacular Spider-Man debuted (or Peter Parker the Spectacuar Spider-Man, as it was called then). The series' initial raison d'être was to focus on the "Peter Parker" side of "Spider-Man." I turned my nose up at it (same as I did wit

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Comics for Aug. 27, 2025

THIS WEEK'S ADVANCE PICK

THE MORTAL THOR #1 (Marvel, $4.99) is by Al Ewing and Pasqual Ferry. To be clear, I haven't been reading Ewing's Thor. But now I may have to.

Thor is on a hero's journey that may require me to break out my Joseph Campbell. Im

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Cool DC Shop Figurine

I was sure that I could not be tempted by anything superhero-related, but then I saw this.Bat-Signal. 

Here it is at home: 

 

Here it is lit: 

And here's the signal on my ceiling: 

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Comics for Aug. 20, 2025

ADVANCE PICK OF THE WEEK

DC Finest: Hawkman -- Wings Across Time TP (DC, $39.99): I have all of the original comics, and the Silver Age Hawkman Archives, but I'm still excited! I won't mind getting these again, and reading them in order -- especially

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The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told

BATMAN #1 - "The Joker"

The Joker got off to a strong start with not one but two stories in the very first issue of Batman. No clown, he, but a psychopathic thief and serial killer from the very beginning whose murders were nothing short of inventive.

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Gasoline Alley

I just finished reading all of For Better or For Worse, one of three family-oriented continuity strips that occur in more-or-less "real time" that I've been reading for most of my life (the other two being Doonesbury and Funky Winkerbean). But the gr

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Comics for Aug. 13, 2025

Here are some books likely to ship Aug. 13, 2025.

EVENTS

20TH CENTURY FOX/MARVEL

Predator Kills the Marvel Universe #1 (of 5, $5.99): I don't understand the poularity of a series where everyone dies. I don't want to see my favorite characters die! Is

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Moon Knight (1980)

There was a brief time in the early 1980s when Moon Knight was my favorite character (basically the Moench/Sienkiewicz run of the character's solo series). Although I have reread Moon Knight from time-to-time over the years, I always go back to his e

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Comics for August 6, 2025

Some books that will probably come out August 6:

"ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM"

ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM #6 (OF 9, $4.99) is by Ryan North and R.B. Silva.

"Reed reveals a terrible secret he’s acquired about Doom’s global domination." My thinking is (and always h

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Comics for July 30, 2025

Some books that are scheduled for July 30, 2025.

"BRING ON THE BAD GUYS"

BRING ON THE BAD GUYS: LOKI #1  (OF 7, MARVEL, $4.99) is by Anthony Oliveira. Mephisto gives Loki a task. But you and I know Loki never does what he's told.

 

“SUMMER OF SUPER

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Comics for July 23, 2025

Here are some books that will probably come out July 23.

"ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM"

DOOM'S DIVISION #5 (OF 5, last issue)

Here's the solicitation: After being imprisoned by White Fox, Doom’s Division is free--and they want answers. But White Fox won’t gi

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Catacomb of Torment

This is the sixth "EC" title from Oni Press following...

• Epitaphs from the Abyss
• Cruel Universe
• Shiver SuspenStories
• Cruel Kingdom
• Blood Type

ISSUE #1:

• "What's the Deal with Voodoo?" - A culturally insenstitive stand-up comedian intentionally baits his audi

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Krypto - The Last Dog of Krypton

ISSUE #1 - "Krypton"

The destruction of Krypton has been shown so many different times that you wouldn't think there was anything new to be learned, but this time it's told from an entirely different point of view: Krypto's! Writer Ryan North has almo

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New History of the DC Universe - Comments and Questions (SPOILERS)

Issue #1

1. Barry Allen describes himself as "retired". Is this some development that I missed, or is this meant to be "future" Barry?
2. Barry seems to have a large collections of "trophies" from various heroes and villlains. I wonder how he obtained all th

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Comics for July 16, 2025

Here are some books which may or may not come out Wednesday, July 16, 2025 

'SUMMER OF SUPERMAN'

KRYPTO: THE LAST DOG OF KRYPTON #2 (OF 5, DC,  $3.99)

(W) Ryan North (A) Mike Norton (CA) Jae Lee

KRYPTO IN THE CARE OF...LEX LUTHOR?! Krypto, the last d

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Superboy (2025)

The new direction begins in Action Comics #1087. The story opens in the present day, at the Metropolis Expo of Tomorrow, where Superman has provided actual future technology (flight rings) for the exhibit. (Did you know that Perry White is now mayor

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