DARK HORSE COMICS
ABE SAPIEN DARK & TERRIBLE VOL 2 TP
ART OF PETER BERGTING HC
Art/Cover: Peter Bergting | $49.99
Dark Horse Books is proud to present a new, beautifully designed hardcover art book, The Art of Peter Bergting. Celebrating the award-winning comics artist and illustrator known for evocative fantasy, horror and sci-fi artwork, this collection showcases a body of work nearly 30 years in the making.
Explore the dark, mystical and mysterious work of Peter Bergting, collected for the first time in a gorgeous hardcover volume with an introduction by award-winning horror writer and longtime collaborator Christopher Golden. This collection includes pages and covers from many popular series that Bergting has contributed to, such as Mike Mignola and Golden’s Baltimore and Tales from the Outerverse. Bergting’s sketches and process art from other comics, magazines, novels and games will also be featured in the book.
Praise for Peter Bergting:
“[Bergting] can do grand fantasy elements and then switch to intimate character moments with apparent ease.” — Mark Tweedale, Multiversity Comics
“[Bergting], just like the artists that came before him in this world, has an excellent hold on storytelling, which is the most important aspect of these types of comic stories …” — Pop Culture Uncovered
"One of the best fantasy comics I've ever seen. Wonderfully atmospheric, beautiful and strange." — Mike Mignola on The Portent
"I love the art!" — Michael Kaluta on The Portent
"Peter's one of my favorite working artists today. Fluid storytelling with an eye for acting and mood." — Rick Remender on The Portent
ASSASSINS APPRENTICE I #5 (OF 6)
BREAK OUT TP
CLEAR #2 (OF 3)
ELIXIR TP
Story: Frank J. Barbiere, Ricky Mammone | Art/Cover: Victor Santos | $19.99
Dark Horse Books and creators Frank J. Barbiere (Five Ghosts, Violent Love), Ricky Mammone (Second Chances), and Victor Santos (Polar, Against Hope) introduce you to a brand-new sci-fi/fantasy world. Elixir is a dark fantasy tale where the magic of the past clashes with the technology of the future.
In a fantastic vision of the future, magic has been replaced with technology. Two factions are in conflict within a sprawling metropolis: The Druids hold on to the past, while huge corporations exploit new technologies that threaten to eradicate magic forever. Mara, the daughter of a druid leader, becomes caught up in a dangerous mission to recover the elixir — a mysterious artifact that could restore magic and defeat the corporations once and for all. The only problem? It’s in the hands of her old mentor, a dangerous warrior who has mastered magic and the blade, and who’s driven by a personal vendetta to destroy the elixir at all costs. Caught between her family and a choice that could shape the future forever, how far will Mara go to recover the elixir for herself, and what will she do with it?
Elixir mixes elements of magic and design from Final Fantasy with the artistic grit of Sin City to deliver an original sci-fi/fantasy adventure with explosive action, sleek style and unforgettable characters.
"I began my career in Europe doing fantasy comics but basically I am known in the USA as a noir-crime author,” says artist Victor Santos. “Thanks to this new collaboration with my partner Frank Barbiere and with the addition of the talented writer Ricky Mammone, I have had the chance to build a world with all the elements and aesthetics I loved reading as a teen but with my experience as a creator and a more modern point of view of what a good fantasy story should be."
“Comics have always been about meaningful collaboration, and I'm thrilled to be working with Victor Santos again,” Frank Barbiere says. “Victor is one of the most innovative, eye-catching storytellers in the business and I can't wait to share all the astonishing work he's done bringing the world of Elixir to life. Along with Victor, co-writer Ricky Mammone is one of the most exciting new voices in comics and it's been a joy to create these characters and tell this story with him. I've always wanted to tell an original fantasy story, and Elixir is a combination of many of our shared loves.”
“So excited to be working with Frank and Victor bringing this fantastical, yet very grounded and human, story to life,” co-writer Ricky Mammone says. “And with everything going on with the environmental crisis nowadays, we feel it’s more pertinent than ever.”
FORTUNE & GLORY TP
- I read this about a million years ago, and remember thinking it didn't seem like a story big, different or interesting enough to deserve its own graphic novel. Also, Bendis drew it, and as an artist, he makes a really good writer. It's been literally decades, though, so I might have a different opinion now.
GREAT BRITISH BUMP OFF #1 (OF 4)
Story: John Allison | Art: Max Sarin | Covers: Dan Hipp | $3.99
Dark Horse Comics and John Allison (Giant Days, Steeple) whisk together a new Agatha Christie-style mystery set in the world of English competitive baking in The Great British Bump-Off. Max Sarin folds their art into John Allison’s scrumptious story, with Sammy Borras incorporating her color to create the light and fluffy, yet perfectly mixed new comic series.
When she enters her country’s most beloved baking competition, Shauna Wickle’s goal is to delight the judges, charm the nation, and make a few friends along the way. But when a fellow contestant is poisoned, it falls to her to apprehend the culprit while avoiding premature elimination from the UK Bakery Tent … and being the poisoner’s next victim!
“I’ve made a lot of comics, I’ve read a lot of mysteries, and I’ve eaten a lot of cakes. You might say that I’ve been preparing for this series since I tasted my first fondant fancy," said John. "And as I’m working with Max and Sammy again, readers can be assured that the confection will look as good as it tastes.”
Praise for John Allison:
“Few comics function as a conduit for happiness quite like Giant Days.” — The AV Club
“John Allison’s Giant Days is one of the best slice-of-life comics today.” — AIPT Comics
“John Allison captures the voice of youth and the search for purpose.” — Bleeding Cool News
“This stylish series [Steeple] launch boasts gentle comedy underscored by charmingly minimalist, animation-influenced art. Who says liturgical head-butting can’t be fun, when there’s monsters involved? This is an unexpectedly hilarious gem.” — Publisher’s Weekly
- I don't watch food shows, so I probably wouldn't get a lot of the satire. But maybe you would!
GRENDEL OMNIBUS VOL 4: PRIME TP (2ND ED)
LEGEND OF KORRA: RUINS OF EMPIRE OMNIBUS TP
MASTERS OF UNIVERSE MASTERVERSE #3 (OF 4)
SHOCK SHOP TP
SPACE JOB #3 (OF 4)
WHITE SAVIOR #4
WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER LIBRARY EDITION VOL 5 HC
DC COMICS
BATMAN & SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES #7
BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS VOL 4: RIDDLE ME THIS HC
BATMAN INCORPORATED #7
BATMAN: THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE SEASON THREE #4 (OF 7)
DANGER STREET #5 (OF 12)
FUTURE STATE GOTHAM VOL 3: BATMEN AT WAR TP
LAZARUS PLANET: REVENGE OF THE GODS #3 (OF 4)
MAD MAGAZINE #31
MULTIVERSITY: HARLEY SCREWS UP THE DCU #2 (OF 6)
SANDMAN UNIVERSE: NIGHTMARE COUNTRY — GLASS HOUSE #1
Story: James Tynion Iv | Art: Lisandro Estherren | Cover: Reiko Murakami | Mature | $3.99
The Corinthian has been turned loose on our realm once more, and this time he sets his sights on the very root of rapacious American capitalism — Silicon Valley. His relentless pursuit of the Smiling Man will carve a bloody path from the C-suite of Prophet Capital to the bowels of a demonic nightclub, and no one will be safe from his reach. Not Ken, living large in the Bay Area since parting ways with Barbie all those years ago. Not Max, a nervous hedge fund manager on the rise who's never quite fit anywhere. Not anyone.
Multiple Eisner Award-winning writer James Tynion IV reunites with superstar horror artist Lisandro Estherren to bring you the nightmare-fueled follow-up you've been craving, a tale that will plumb the bottomless depths of our yearning for more at the heart of the American dream.
Acclaimed horror writer James Tynion IV (Something Is Killing The Children, The Nice House on the Lake) has waited his whole career to pay tribute to the mythos of The Sandman, the work that made him the writer he is today — and now that time has come! With lush, gorgeous art from Redneck’s Lisandro Estherren and a who’s who of superstar guest artists, The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country is designed to welcome new readers into one of the greatest worlds in DC’s library, The Sandman Universe.
“I’m thrilled to announce that Nightmare Country’s follow-up miniseries, The Glass House, is coming early in 2023,” said Tynion. “The Corinthian is going to be making his way to Silicon Valley, where he will go head-to-head with angels, demons and a breed of creature far more terrifying that anything he's faced before — venture capitalists. Lisandro and I are excited to continue this nightmare tour through modern America and can't wait for you all to see what we've got in store for you."
SUPERMAN: LOST #2 (OF 10)
SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL VOL 1: THE TRUTH TP
- Let me guess: The second volume will be subtitled "The Justice," and the third "The American Way."
TOP 10 COMPENDIUM TP
WILDCATS #6
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
007: FOR KING AND COUNTRY #1
Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson | Art: Giorgio Spalletta | Covers: Joseph Michael Linsner, Rebeca Puebla, Chuma Hill, Lesley "Leirix" Li | Teen+ | $3.99
An all-new nail-biting Bond mission from superstar Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Action Comics) and Giorgio Spalletta (Red Sonja). Accused of murder on British soil, James Bond has been branded a traitor by his own government. As M sends the entire 00 division after 007, Bond must go underground with only one ally: Gwendolyn Gann, 003 — another traitor, presumed dead, secretly on a clandestine mission with global implications.
- When I search for Bond books at Amazon and Thrift Books, they include Dynamite's GNs in the selection. That's seems fair — stories written by Warren Ellis and Phillip Kennedy Johnson, despite being illustrated, are as legitimate a continuation of the Bond saga as anything written by Anthony Horowitz or John Gardner.
MADBALLS VS. GARBAGE PAIL KIDS: SLIME AGAIN #3
IDW PUBLISHING
BEAUTY OF HORROR 6: FAMOUS MONSTERPIECES COLORING BOOK TP
Story/Art: Alan Robert | 88 pages | $16.99
Great works of art have survived the test of time, but will they survive Ghouliana’s wrath? The latest edition of IDW’s hit coloring book series, The Beauty of Horror 6: Famous Monsterpieces, aims to answer that very question. Bestselling creator Alan Robert of the popular rock band Life of Agony returns to let his undead superstar Ghouliana loose upon the halls of the art museum. The result is a GORE-geous reimagining of the world's most famous masterpieces.
The Beauty of Horror 6: Famous Monsterpieces is filled with more than 80 pages of intricate hand-drawn designs, striking a perfect balance of horror and comedy to light that creative spark. However, before you pick your palette, be on the hunt for all the lost, historic items Ghouliana has dropped along the way, such as Van Gogh’s Ear, Venus Di Milo’s arms, Renoir’s Pipe, Warhol’s wig, Salvador Dali’s mustache, and more!
“This book is my way of making up for all of the art history classes I slept through at The School of Visual Arts,” laughs Beauty of Horror creator Alan Robert. “But seriously, it’s an absolute blast for me to interpret the iconic work of the masters by adding my horrific spin to them. Although, I’m sure they’re rolling in their graves. I tackle every illustration with a mischievous, tongue-in-cheek sensibility, and I make sure that the humor is just as important as the horror.”
With the exciting new Beauty of Horror developments outlined above, now’s the perfect time to experience what GQ calls “an extraordinary collection of deeply unsettling images,” and The Wall Street Journal calls “scary fun!”
"The continued success of The Beauty of Horror coloring books shows that this is bigger than a trend,” says IDW editor Alonzo Simon. “Alan has connected with like-minded horror buffs who appreciate the amazing art, humor, and overall fun of the series."
"Michelangelo is probably rolling in his grave right about now," laughs Beauty of Horror creator Alan Robert. "But I truly developed a newfound respect for art history during the course of illustrating this book. Mostly, because I used to sleep through a lot of those classes during my time at The School of Visual Arts. So this time around, I dug in deep, did the research, and added my own twisted, tongue-in-cheek sensibility into the tributes. I hope it inspires colorists to go back and check out the Masters."
Hard-rockin’ horror aficionado Alan Robert announced that Ghouliana — the undead superstar of the best-selling Beauty of Horror coloring book franchise — will continue to haunt the IDW library for years to come, thanks to an extended agreement with the publisher.
“Back in 2009, IDW gave me my first shot at becoming a comics creator. Once they opened their doors to me, I was determined to stay,” said Robert. “I made IDW my home for the last 13 years, and I’ve had an absolute blast creating titles such as Wire Hangers, Crawl To Me, Killogy, and The Beauty of Horror with them. I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be continuing my partnership with IDW to expand on Ghouliana’s world with a slew of new Beauty of Horror products! I’ve still got lots of madness up my sleeve.”
BLOOM COUNTY LIBRARY BOOK 2 SC
KEVIN NOWLAN’S MARVEL HEROES ARTIST’S EDITION
Art: Kevin Nowlan | $150.00
IDW and Marvel Entertainment are expanding their longtime collaboration with the development of over two dozen new releases in IDW’s multi-award-winning Artist’s Editions line.
“Marvel has been a vital collaborator in the success of Artist’s Editions since the format debuted in 2010,” says IDW publisher Nachie Marsham. “We’re proud to be able to publish art from more of the industry’s legendary creators, and to continue bringing Marvel’s storied history to the page. We’re honored to continue growing the library of Artist’s Editions with new Marvel projects, all under the expert guidance of our award-winning director of special projects, Scott Dunbier.”
“Marvel Comics’ wonderful output of stories has been an extraordinary playground for me to create Artist’s Editions in,” says Dunbier. “Working with our friends at Marvel will allow us to continue doing books with old favorites like Walter Simonson and John Romita, and focus on a bunch of artists that are brand-new to the format. I think people will be as excited as I am as we roll out the incredible books we have planned in the years to come!”
Setting the industry standard for high-end archival collectibles, IDW’s Artist’s Editions provide comic lovers everywhere with the most authentic original comic art experience possible. Each oversized hardcover in the line collects pages from acclaimed comic book runs, with each page scanned in high resolution from the actual storyboard artwork of such legends as Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, John Buscema, Dave Stevens and many more. Enthusiasts are able to clearly see all the distinctive creative nuances that make original art unique. In a perfect representation of the work in its original form, each page is printed the same size as drawn, and the paper selected is as close as possible to the original art board.
- Always liked Nowlan's work.
STAR TREK #6
STAR TREK DEFIANT #2
TMNT/USAGI YOJIMBO: WHEREWHEN #1 (OF 5)
Story/Art: Stan Sakai | $4.99
In 2023, brilliant storyteller Stan Sakai will once again weave together two of the most beloved concepts in history with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo: WhereWhen. This five-issue comic book miniseries, published by IDW in partnership with Dogu Publishing and Paramount Consumer Products, features colors by Hi-Fi.
In 1984, the indie comics scene erupted with the creation of two enduring phenomena: Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo, and Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Given the two series’ anthropomorphic heroes, reverence for Japanese culture and mutual respect among their highly skilled creators, it was no wonder that the two properties would cross over in comics, multiple animated series and toy lines over the next four decades.
“I am so pleased with the story and art for WhereWhen,” says Sakai. “There is a lot of emotion and, of course, lots of action. I actually wrote this story about five years ago and had been anxious to get to it. In the past, the Turtles have met just a few of Usagi’s friends. This time, everyone is thrown in — Gen, Tomoe, Jotaro, Yukichi, Kitsune, Chizu and more! This one is epic!”
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pursue the evil cyborg genius Dr. WhereWhen through a time portal … and emerge in feudal Japan! There, they encounter Miyamoto Usagi, 20 years into the samurai’s future but decades after the arrival of Dr. WhereWhen — who has already carved himself a fiefdom using mechanized clockwork samurai robots, with the intention of conquering both the past and current timelines!
Each and every issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo: WhereWhen will feature a glorious wraparound cover by Stan Sakai, plus alternate covers by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, Sarah Myer (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures), and David Petersen (Mouse Guard). Issue #1 will also include a blank cover variant, perfect for artists or even convention commissions.
“Usagi Yojimbo arrived in the world of comics the very same year as TMNT, and our lifelong personal and creative relationships with the characters and each other were built on mutual love and respect for the medium. Anytime Stan Sakai wants to bring them together for a tale, I’m 100% front row center,” says Eastman.
“Stan Sakai, aside from being a genius storyteller, is a kind and gracious person. It’s always a pleasure to work with him. WhereWhen is a truly epic story, filled with excitement and all-out action, and we at IDW could not be prouder to publish it,” says editor Scott Dunbier.
IMAGE COMICS
ALL AGAINST ALL #5 (OF 5)
AMBASSADORS #2 (OF 6)
BLACK CLOAK #4
DARK RIDE #5
Story: Joshua Williamson | Art/Cover: Andrei Bressan & Adriano Lucas | Variants: Covers: Reiko Murakami, Paulina Ganucheau, Dennis Culver & Tony Fleecs | Mature | $3.99
Skybound today unveiled a first look at Dark Ride #5, which kicks off the second story arc of last year's hit horror comic book series from the iconic Birthright team of writer Joshua Williamson (DC’s Superman, Dark Crisis), artist Andrei Bressan (DC’s Justice League Incarnate), colorist Adriano Lucas (Nightwing), and letterer Pat Brosseau (Creepshow).
Owen Seasons has been found, but the mystery around his death continues to haunt Sam Dante. As darker forces emerge in Devil Land, can Sam really control his family’s terrifying legacy?
"The first arc of Dark Ride was about establishing the world and the cast, and now with our second arc, it's about the history. The history of the park, but also the history of the Dante family,” said Joshua Williamson. “Sam refuses to believe anything nefarious, let alone supernatural, is going on in his family's park, but his search for answers will lead him down a dark path. In the new arc we up the scares and the family drama in big ways. The horror gets super weird and dangerous, and we're excited to take everyone on a new ride starting with Dark Ride #5!"
"Oh boy, I'm getting back in line for Devil Land again! I'm blood-addicted and ready to go on ride after ride!!” said Andrei Bressan. “Jokes aside, I'm very happy to be drawing this new arc. This comic is getting even wilder!"
"Do not miss this book." — The Beat
"Dark Ride is my favorite comic of the back half of the year, and it’s only going to get better from here." — Multiversity Comics
EIGHT BILLION GENIES #8 (OF 8)
THE GIANT KOKJÜ #1 (OF 3)
Story: Gerry Duggan | Art: Scott Koblish | Covers: Scott Koblish, Garry Brown | Mature | $3.99
The Despicable Deadpool duo — Gerry Duggan and Scott Koblish — reunite to give the world the giant monster attack story that Hollywood is too squeamish to provide in the upcoming, The Giant Kokjü. This three-issue miniseries is sure to turn heads this April from Image Comics.
A tale of woe, The Giant Kokjü is about a monster with physical needs. It needs a restroom. It needs food, too. And, most unfortunately, it needs …sexual satisfaction. The only thing standing in its way are the men and women of science.
"I recently celebrated 10 years of collaborating with Scott, and this is how I thank him," said Duggan. "Giant Kojkü is a cornucopia of low hanging fruit, and it all works. Scott will make you laugh in one panel and bum you out the next. I never wanted to see a kaiju's dick either but the last few years haven't been kind. We're making the best of it. The Giant Kokjü has it all — laughs, tears, and a beating heart ... and some other body parts. Get smashed this April."
Koblish added: "I pledged during the pandemic to start drawing comics that no one else could draw — and to spend much of my time creating things outside of the major comic mainstream. This is definitely that. People often make the pledge that you 'have never seen what you’re about to see in a comic book ever before!' but I can guarantee with every issue of The Giant Kokjü, Gerry and I are prepared to deliver on that promise."
Duggan and Koblish are proudly flying their M rating flag for violence, mild gore, sexual situations, nudity, dude-ity, turds, comedy, drama and, um, some very tasteful swearing.
- Oh, I get it. Giant cock + kaiju = Giant Kokju. Geez, even my inner 12-year-old thinks that's lame.
HEXWARE #5 (OF 6)
KROMA BY LORENZO DE FELICI #4 (OF 4)
Story/Art: Lorenzo De Felici | $7.99
Skybound today revealed a first look at Kroma by Lorenzo De Felici #4, the series finale of the acclaimed prestige comic book series written, drawn, and colored by superstar creator Lorenzo De Felici (Oblivion Song, Void Rivals).
Kroma’s life alongside her new family is violently interrupted. If the rulers of the Pale City won’t let them live in peace, Kroma will give them war.
In addition to the main cover by De Felici, the Kroma variant cover program includes two covers by rotating artists, including a colored dressed cover and a 1:10 black & white full art incentive cover, as well as a 1:25 black & white full art incentive cover by De Felici. The Kroma #4 variant lineup features a variant by Gigi Cavenago (Dylan Dog/Batman, The Magic Order 3), available in both full color and B&W versions.
"As Lorenzo’s friend, I’ve seen him create Kroma from the very beginning,” said Cavenago. “Now, reading the completed comic gives me immense joy, and being able to set foot in this world is truly an honor.”
“This astonishingly illustrated book is one of my top books of 2022.” — The Fanboy Factor
“Kroma gives De Felici the chance to both write and illustrate a wonderful story.” — Capes and Tights
- Someone call the ancient Egyptians and tell them one of their gods has gone AWOL! Seriously, the art on this is really impressive.
LITTLE MONSTERS #12
MONARCH #3
NEMESIS RELOADED #4 (OF 5)
NITA HAWES' NIGHTMARE BLOG VOL 2 TP
NOCTERRA #13
PAKLIS #6
PHANTOM ROAD #2
RADIANT BLACK #23
SPAWN #340
STONEHEART #2
TWO GRAVES #6
VANISH VOL 1 TP
W0RLDTR33 #1
Story: James TynionIV | Art: Jordie Bellaire | Art/Cover: Fernando Blanco | Variants: David Aja, Jenny Frison, Bill Sienkiewicz, Zu Orzu, Alvaro Martinez | $3.99
Image Comics is pleased to reveal the eerily-toned cover artwork that will set the vibe for the highly anticipated series W0rldtr33 from bestselling writer James Tynion IV (The Department of Truth, The Nice House on the Lake, Something is Killing the Children) and his Razorblades collaborator artist Fernando Blanco (Detective Comics, Catwoman). First teased in the pages of the Image! 30th anniversary anthology, this riveting new thriller is set to launch in April from Image.
“I think W0rldtr33 might be the most frightening thing I’ve ever written," said Tynion IV. "This story has been living in my head for such a long time, and I’m thrilled that Fernando, Jordie, Aditya, and I are finally going to bring it all to life.”
In 1999, Gabriel, Amanda, Liam, Yoshi and Darren discovered what they dubbed the Undernet — a secret architecture beneath the internet. They charted their exploration of the Undernet on a private message board called W0rldtr33. Then they lost control. And unleashed unimaginable horrors.
- It's funny to me how the Thor movies have brought Norse mythology into the mainstream. Time was, I would be the only person at the party who had ever heard of Ragnarok, Bifrost, Yggdrasil, etc. Now concepts like a world-tree (above) and Fimbulwinter (Black Crabs) are dropped willy-nilly into pop culture, with the full expectation that the audience is already familiar.
- All this material was available in books and comics for decades. But it took movies dripping the material into their eyes for Americans to learn it.
- Here's a preview.
MARVEL COMICS
BLOODLINE DAUGHTER OF BLADE #3
CAPTAIN AMERICA: COLD WAR ALPHA #1
Story: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing & Tochi Onyebuchi | Art: Carlos Magno | Covers: Patrick Gleason, Carmen Carmero | Teen+ | $4.99
The current era of Captain America is about to explode! Last year, both Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson picked up the shield and embarked on separate journeys in the pages of Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing and Carmen Carnero’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: SENTINEL OF LIBERTY and Tochi Onyebuchi and R.B. Silva’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: SYMBOL OF TRUTH. Now, the two Captains will reunite for CAPTAIN AMERICA: COLD WAR, a crossover event that will make them question everything they believe in … and each other. Today, fans can get their first taste of the high-octane action that awaits in the all-new CAPTAIN AMERICA: COLD WAR trailer, featuring never-before-seen artwork.
The saga will pay off story threads that have driven both titles including the surprising return of Ian Rogers, AKA Nomad; Sam Wilson’s intense conflict with Wakanda and White Wolf; and Bucky’s bold new mission as the New Revolution. When Bucky and White Wolf join forces and kidnap Ian Rogers in a twisted plan to unleash Dimension Z, will Steve and Sam see eye to eye on how to set things right? This globetrotting, espionage-fueled thriller with shocking twists and turns promises to be a milestone chapter in Captain America’s 80-year legacy that will impact both Steve and Sam’s future as shield-bearers. In the trailer, fans can spot Bucky and White Wolf making their deadly alliance, surprising betrayals as the battle lines are drawn, the massive armies of Dimension Z, and more!
- “Cold War” Part 1
- Marvel has been touting this event since the fall.
- Here's a preview.
- Here's a trailer.
CAPTAIN MARVEL #48
CARNAGE #12
FANTASTIC FOUR #6
FCBD 2023 SPIDER-MAN/VENOM #1
FCBD 2023 SPIDEY & FRIENDS #1
GHOST RIDER VOL 2: SHADOW COUNTY TP
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1
Story: Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing | Art: Kev Walker | Colors: Matt Hollingsworth | Covers: Marco Checchetto, Derrick Chew, Aaron Kuder, Kael Ngu, Skottie Young, Alex Ross, Kev Walker | Teen+ | $4.99
The Guardians of the Galaxy return with a new ongoing series this April!
First teased at New York Comic Con, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1 will be written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, the superstar writing duo behind Steve Rogers’ bold ongoing adventures in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, and drawn by artist Kev Walker, known for his recent acclaimed otherworldly artwork on Predator. This hot new creative team will chart a course into dangerous new territory as Marvel’s beloved team of intergalactic super heroes venture to new, never-before-seen planets, encounter brand-new alien species, and discover long-hidden galaxy-bending truths that will make readers question everything they thought they knew about the cosmic side of Marvel!
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1 introduces an overwhelming new cosmic threat to the Marvel Universe, one that emerged from the very heart of the team: GROOTFALL. This mysterious phenomenon will push Marvel’s beloved team of intergalactic super heroes to the Manifold Territories: an uncharted, lawless area of Marvel space filled with never-before-visited planets and undiscovered alien species. The Guardians have brought to their lowest depths and their found family is fractured like never before. Tying to outrun their tragedy, the Guardians rise as the Folds’ only chance at salvation. Can they rediscover their heroism and humanity on the bleakest frontier? Can they forgive the failures of their past? Or will they fade into the dark, eternally unforgiven? In the new trailer, fans can see the lineup of the new run in action including Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Nebula and Mantis. They can also glimpse the devastating effects of GROOTFALL and witness the true, galaxy-bending might of what the Guardians are up against…
“These characters have been psychedelic super heroes, lovable smugglers and cosmic war fighters who are living under constant chaos. This was a chance to take them somewhere completely different,” Lanzing told CBR in a recent interview. “So, the Western became a way for us to say that the tone of this book is going to be different from the Guardians books that you’re familiar with, and it allows us to get a little crazier.”
“I think fans can also get excited about the structure of our run,” Kelly added. “Initially, we’re popping off five individual issues. This is the story of every week coming to a new town and discovering the trauma, drama, and pain, then engaging with that and not necessarily resolving it in the best of ways, but stepping into it in their own way and then coming out the other side.”
One year ago, the Guardians of the Galaxy were destroyed. Their optimistic future shattered by the betrayal of one of their own. Now they ride the space lanes of a lawless corner of the galaxy, trying to outrun their tragedy. Can they rediscover their heroism and humanity on the bleakest frontier? Can they forgive the failures of their past? Or will they fade into the dark, eternally unforgiven?
"Welcome to a whole new era for the Guardians of the Galaxy, riding like mad through an endless alien dust storm of sun-soaked tragedy, intense violence and deeply dysfunctional heroes,” Lanzing said. “The optimistic peacekeepers that defeated the reborn Olympian Gods and overcame ‘The Last Annihilation’ have fallen about as far as they possibly could — and now Peter Quill and what remains of his found family will have to fight like hell in a new Western-fueled frontier to find a scrap of forgiveness. After all, the Guardians are a fire — and a fire only ends one way."
"Sharing the reins with us is the amazing Kev Walker, our partner from Captain America & the Winter Soldier Special #1. His unique blend of realism and wild imagination brings the alien frontier of the Manifold Territories to windswept life like no one else could,” Kelly added. “Together, we're guiding the Guardians on a new trail — one that will make them look inwards, even as they face the threats over the next horizon. Grab your element gun, True Believers — it's time to go for a brand new ride."
“I honestly can’t believe I’m finally getting a chance to work on Guardians,” Walker said. “I’ve been wanting to draw these characters for a long time, (I have some of the first Guardians of the Galaxy comics in my collection). I came close when I did Annihilation: Nova years ago, but never envisaged I’d be doing this kind of all-encompassing relaunch. Pushing existing characters in a new direction is always a daunting challenge, but working with Jackson, Colin and Matt has been a lot of fun and I think we’re producing something a very different to what’s has gone before.”
- It's a Western! It's a Star Wars swipe! It's two mints in one!
- The Dr. Doom cover is a misdirect; it's just another in the Alex Ross "Timeless" series and has no bearing on the contents.
- Here's a preview.
- Here's a trailer.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY EPIC COLLECTION: EARTH SHALL OVERCOME TP
MARVEL’S VOICES: SPIDER-VERSE #1
Story: Cody Ziglar, Jeremy Holt, Vita Ayala, Steve Foxe, J. Holtham, Jason Loo, & Cheryl Lynn Eaton | Art: Jahnoy Lindsay, Eric Koda, Alberto Alburquerque, Luciano Vecchio, Ken Lashley, Jason Loo, & Julian Shaw | Covers: Leinil Francis Yu, John Giang, Phil Jimenez, Inhyuk Lee | Teen | $9.99
A brand-new edition of the acclaimed anthology series, MARVEL’S VOICES, web-swings into comic shops in April! MARVEL’S VOICES: SPIDER-VERSE will continue the Marvel’s Voices tradition of spotlighting diverse creators and characters with thrilling stories set throughout the Marvel Universe, but this time, it’ll highlight the unpredictable heroes and storytelling found in the Spider-Verse! The oversized one-shot will assemble Marvel’s finest creators as well as rising talents, each bringing their own unique perspectives and stylings to the Web of Life and Destiny!
The collection of stories will see new spider-heroes finding their way in the Marvel Multiverse, and the return of familiar faces! Here are some of the interdimensional adventures fans can look forward to:
- Writer of the smash-hit Miles Morales: Spider-Man ongoing series, Cody Ziglar returns to the Spider-Verse alongside superstar artist Jahnoy Lindsay with a teamup story starring Miles Morales and Misty Knight with Miles’ baby sister Billie along for the ride!
- Cooper Coen, aka Web-Weaver, is back to slay another day! Co-creator Steve Foxe and showstopping artist Luciano Vecchio take the breakout hero from Edge of Spider-Verse to Fire Island for a showdown against a new version of Kraven the Hunter!
- Writer Vita Ayala and artist Alberto Alburquerque craft a wild day for Miles Morales as his duties as Spider-Man threaten to steal him away from those he loves most!
- Fresh off his limited series, Spider-Punk and his band return to face down his reality’s version of the Sinister Six, the SINISTER SEXTET! Rock out with writer J. Holtham and artist Ken Lashley in this action-packed tale!
- Writer Jeremy Holt and artist Eric Koda tell a thought-provoking and personal story straight from Silk’s point of view that explores the toll of being a super hero!
- Meet SPIDER-FRIEND! This all-new character comes from a corner of the Marvel Multiverse that’s filled with laugh tracks and filmed in front a live studio audience! Don’t adjust your television set as you enjoy this one-of-a-kind story from writer/artist Jason Loo!
- And writer Cheryl Lynn Eaton and artist Julian Shaw bring readers to a dystopian future where Electro controls the power grid and keeps the world in the dark until a new Spider hero rises up… Witness the very first adventure of RECLUSE!
- And more!
Check out all the covers for MARVEL’S VOICES: SPIDER-VERSE #1 right now, including Inhyuk Lee’s that spotlights both Spider-Friend and Recluse, and get a sneak peek at each story!
- That's a lotta Spider-people.
MIGHTY MMW MIGHTY THOR VOL 3: TRIAL OF THE GODS TP
MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #5
MOON KNIGHT #22
NOVA: SAM ALEXANDER TP
PREDATOR #2
SHANG-CHI AND THE TEN RINGS TP
SILVER SURFER: GHOST LIGHT #3
STAR WARS: BOUNTY HUNTERS #33
STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #30
STAR WARS: HIGH REPUBLIC #8
STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI — EWOKS #1
- Marvel is publishing 10 Star Wars comics this month, and I didn't count the collections, or the Star Wars books at other publishers. Batman had better watch his back!
- As to Ewoks, I remember thinking while I was watching Return of the Jedi: "How did the Empire conquer an entire galaxy when they can't handle a bunch of Stone Age teddy bears?"
STORM & THE BROTHERHOOD OF MUTANTS #3 (OF 3)
Story: Al Ewing | Art: Alessandro Vitti | Cover: Leinil Francis Yu | Teen+ | $3.99
Mutantkind makes its last stand in STORM & THE BROTHERHOOD OF MUTANTS #3! One thousand years in the future, the Empire of the Red Diamond has located Fortress Arakko — the burning Last Castle at the heart of the Storm System! The only hope for the universe lies in bringing a long-lost legend back to life … Ororo of the Storm returns to the Sinister Age for the final battle!
- "Sins of Sinister" tie-in.
WAR OF KINGS OMNIBUS HC
X-23 DEADLY REGENESIS #2
X-MEN #21
X-MEN 1963 #1 FACSIMILE EDITION NEW PTG
X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION LEGACIES TP
MORE COMICS
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE #1
Story: Jarred Lujan | Art: Matt Harding | Cover: Marco Fontanili | Scout | $5.99
Joe is an elderly dementia patient that becomes possessed by a powerful demon. In order to save him, an unconventional and mysterious exorcist, JC Garcia, must venture into his mind. Once inside, he finds far more than he bargained for: an ever-changing hellscape created by a fusion of Morris' and the demon's memories that brings JC face to face with his own traumatic past. All the Devils are Here reinvents the exorcism story with a unique, emotional tale about the power of love, loss and memory.
- Dementia makes me too sad to read this.
ALTER EGO #181
AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY MONSTERS VOL 3 #3
ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #339
Script: Ian Flynn | Art: Steven Butler, Lily Butler, Holly G, Bob Smith | Colors: Glenn Whitmore | Letters: Jack Morelli | Cover: Bill Golliher, Dan Parent | 192 pages | $9.99
First, in “Chain of Command,” Pureheart the Powerful teams up with the Crusaders! But will their powers combined be a match for Bronto, a humanoid rock monster bent on destruction?
Next, in “Mother’s Little Helper,” the hero She-Fox arrives in Riverdale on an important mission: to drive her son Shinji to school! But when terror strikes in the form of a dinosaur supervillain, will She-Fox need some help to take down the t-rex tyrant?
ART OF METAL: 5 DECADES OF HEAVY METAL ALBUM COVERS, POSTERS, T-SHIRTS & MORE
- Prose with illustrations, for you metal-heads.
ATOM: THE BEGINNING VOL 4
Story: Osamu Tezuka (Original Story), Masami Yuuki (Script) | Art: Tetsuro Kasahara| Cover: Hitotsu Yokoshima | Titan Manga (Titan Comics imprint) | 208 pages | $12.99
Dig into the secrets of ATOM: The Beginning Volume 4, the award-winning prequel series to Osamu Tesuka’s Astro Boy!
More robot madness awaits, perfect for mecha fans of all ages! The military base was indeed holding secrets — as Six and his human friends face down the terrifying military robot Ivan, our robot with a heart of gold hears a strange cry for help from the sentinel soldier.
BARBARIC: HELL TO PAY #3
BELIT & VALERIA VOL 1: SWORDS VS SORCERY TP
- Boob teases, but no boobs. Sorry.
- Here's a preview.
BRIAR #4 (OF 4)
BRICK JOURNAL #79
CHILDREN OF THE BLACK SUN #4
- In case we forgot what X-Men #50 looks like.
CINDERELLA VS. QUEEN OF HEARTS #1 (OF 3)
COLA POP CREEMEES OPENING ACT GN
Story/Art: Desmond Reed | Birdcage Bottom Books | $15.00
Dramedy has never looked so ... squiggly. The Cola Pop Creemees: Opening Act is the debut graphic novel by Desmond Reed, and features seven stories starring the five members of the eponymous psychedelic rock band, The Cola Pop Creemees. Laugh and cry as you witness Ralph Jonathan, Mona Gertrude, Gil Christopher, Henrietta Susan and Wallace T.J. tackle depression, anxiety, trauma, family, heartbreak, jobs, parents, memories, addiction, drugs, alcohol, stress, comics, obsession, loss, creativity, music, school, unrequited love, mental health, existential sadness and more!
- This looks like it's for kids, but apparently it's tackling adult topics.
- Is it my imagination, or do all the characters have two first names?
DEEP RED MAGAZINE #3
DEVIL’S ROAD HC
Story: Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco | Art: Allan Otero | Art/Cover: Jaime Martinez Rodriguez | Zenescope | Mature | $24.99
A bus carrying two dozen resort guests on the "Highway of Death" through Mexico is taken hostage by a ruthless gang. But it's not a ransom that the kidnappers are interested in ... It's something much more terrifying than anyone could have imagined.
This is a story of survival that nightmares are made of!
Also, included in this volume, another tale set in the disturbing world of Devil's Road!
- This is unlike any of Zenescope's other output — it's for Mature Readers, it doesn't feature a half-naked girl — and it's not on their website. Curious.
END AFTER END #6
EXORCISTS NEVER DIE #1 (OF 6)
Story: Steve Orlando | Art/Cover: Sebastian Piriz | Mad Cave | $4.99
Syd Miller and Ellen Blair are the world's two premier combat exorcists. The only problem? After a nuclear breakup years ago, they can't stand each other. But when the biggest soul auction in history kicks off beneath Los Angeles, Syd and Ellen have no choice but to come together to raid the HELLSCRAPER, an infernal tower going straight down into the Earth. With thousands of souls on the line, Syd and Ellen must fight their way to the bottom or die trying.
- The art's kinda bland, but I try not to judge a book by its cover. Oh, wait! I do that all the time! It's kinda my thing!
- Here's a preview.
FCBD 2023 MECH CADETS SPECIAL
FOX POINT`S OWN GEMMA HOPPER GN
FRANK FRAZETTA'S TALES OF SCIENCE FANTASY #1
- "Alien Crucifixion."
GOLD DIGGER #297
GRYFFEN #1 (OF 3)
Story: Ben Kahn | Art/Cover: Bruno Hidalgo | Whatnot Publishing | $5.99
Series artist Bruno Hidalgo, known for his work on the Ignatz Award-nominated series Heavenly Blues, offers an original cover design for Gryffen in print for the first time.
In the distant future, mankind has taken to the stars and spread across the galaxy. They've encountered hundreds of worlds, met dozens of species ... and crushed them all in the iron fist of humanity! Humans now reign over the Milky Way as a fascist empire known as the Sovereign Reach, and their most feared soldier is the merciless Captain Lyla Gryffen. Six months ago, they disappeared. One week ago ... they returned. Changed. Radicalized to bring down the empire they once served. Now, Captain Gryffen has a new mission — to recruit a crew of rogue officers and mad scientists, and set fire to the galaxy, no matter how many get burnt along the way.
- I see a Star Trek: The Motion Picture homage among these covers. There may be more homages, as there are some pretty generic Star Wars and Flash scenes. I don't recognize anything specific, though.
- Here's a preview.
GUN HONEY VOL 1: BLOOD FOR BLOOD TP
Story: Charles Ardai | Artist: Ang Hor Kheng | Cover: Stanley ‘Artgerm’ Lau | Hard Case Crime (Imprint of Titan Comics) | 112 pages | $17.99
With weapons expert Joanna Tan, the legendary “Gun Honey,” off the grid recuperating from her last job, a vengeful rival takes her place — and frames Joanna for murder. On the run from Malaysia to Milan, from Montana to Monaco, can Joanna catch up to her ruthless enemy ... or will she catch a bullet first? Collects issues #1-4.
“The finest kind of pulp noir.” — Ed Brubaker
- Definitely boobs in this one.
HEAVY METAL #320
HOAN OF ORCS #1 (OF 4)
Story: Nahuel Sb | Blood Moon | $4.99
It's been too long since the first battle between Orcs and Elves. The so-called "War of a Thousand Years" brought a dark outcome to the Orc kingdom whose inhabitants are born weaker and die faster with each new generation. Hoan, a young Orc girl who encounters this bleak scenario, decides to build an army to strike at the heart of the problem. In order to survive, the Orcs must once again face the Elf empire and reclaim the rightful place they've lost in the mystic lands.
- As Captain Kirk said in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, "Let them die!"
- OK, the point of the movie was that he was wrong. Still, hard to sympathize with orcs.
- And I can't escape the suspicion that the genesis for this story was the similarity of the words "Arc" and "orc."
JUNGLE COMICS #14
KITSUNE #2 (OF 6)
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #303
KNOW YOUR STATION #5 (OF 5)
KOTTO KOTORRA HC
LEGEND FELL #1
Story: S.A. Check, James Kuhoric | Cover: Vincent Spencer | American Mythology | $3.99
Epic Fantasy Arrives at American Mythology! There's an evil growing inside the kingdom of Shadowrock! Death has found a home in the villages outside of the castle's mountainous walls, and King Eldros has put out a call to the greatest warriors of the realm. What he gets is a disgraced noble, a freelancer looking to repair his father's shattered legacy, a dwarf with a bad attitude, a thief looking to secure her place in the Madori, a caster, a grey heart — the last of his kind, and a boy looking to avenge his family after losing them to "those who sleep below"! It's sword and sorcery — the American Mythology way! Part terror — part magic — all adventure! Can this mismatched group of adventurers learn to work together and find the one weapon that can stop this evil before the entire kingdom is lost? Join us on an epic journey into a bold new world of magic and monsters brought to you by the comic company that myths call home! This issue comes with four covers — Main Cover by concept artist Vincent Spencer, Homage Variant by Buz Hasson & Ken Haeser, Adventure Awaits Variant by Eliano Marques, and a special Century Edition limited to just 100 printed also by Hasson & Haeser.
- I'd say the Dungeons & Dragons movie has inspired all these D&D-ish comics, but honestly, there's always been a lot of them.
MANIAC OF NEW YORK: DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK #2
MECHATON #1
- For kids
MISSING YOU TP
Story: Phellip Willian | Art: Deyvison Manes | Art/Cover: Melissa Garabeli | Oni | $15.99
Siblings Thomas and Lara recently lost their mother. Along with their father, they miss her terribly. When the family spots an injured deer on the side of the road, they decide to rescue it. Bringing the deer home, they name him Lion and quickly become best friends. The new woodland creature brings warmth and fun back into their lives, and a sweet companionship begins.
Before meeting Thomas and Lara, Lion also missed his mother. The baby deer was left alone and scared after losing his mother to hunters. Upon meeting the young children, Lion finds comfort in their new friendship.
But when Lion grows more and more curious about the forest beyond the house, Thomas and Lara start to wonder if the woods are where Lion is meant to live. After so much loss, will the children be able to say goodbye to their new friend?
From award-winning Brazilian creators Phellip Willian and Melissa Garabeli, Missing You is a beautifully illustrated and heartfelt story about companionship and learning how and when to let go.
- Probably for kids, but maybe in the Old Yeller sense. Important Lessons will be learned!
MOON BOOTS CHRONICLES OF COUNTRY CROONER GN
Story: Lorenz Peter | Conundrum Press | $17.00
When Lester LaFleur's relationship is upended by a breakup with his girlfriend, he decides to leave the city for good. With his guitar on his back and cowboy boots on his feet, Lester heads west across Canada, playing his hurtin' songs in empty taverns and to anyone who cares to listen. As Lester travels across the country, he meets others who appreciate his music and share his experiences — and develops a deep kinship with his fellow drifters. As they ride together toward their unknown fortunes, adventures ensue. Cartoonist Lorenz Peters uses gentle humor and expressive lines to explore the lifestyle of a travelling musician — and discovers that sometimes, home is the open road and family is the people you meet along the way.
- Puts me in mind of Ballad of Buster Scruggs, for some reason.
MY BROTHER’S BLOOD MACHINE #5 (OF 6)
MYTHSPACE IGNITION TP
Story: Paolo Chikiamco | Art: Koi Carreon, Paul Quiroga, Jules Gregorio, Mico Dimagiba, C.R. Chua, Borg Sinaban | Cover: Various | Ablaze | Mature | $19.99
Full color ANIME-infused stories inspired by Philippine folklore from SUPERSTAR CREATORS!
Mythspace: Ignition is a graphic novel collection of six stories exploring a universe where the old tales of monsters and folklore creatures from the Philippines — Tikbalangs, Kapres, Manananggals — were inspired by actual alien civilizations. From a young man's journey into myth, to a Kapre war, to a Manananggal coming of age, these stories (now depicted in full color) will take readers on an unforgettable journey both strange and familiar.
The collection was written and co-created by Paolo Chikiamco and features art from a cadre of acclaimed Filipino illustrators including Koi Carreon, C.R. Chua, Borg Sinaban, Jules Gregorio, Paul Quiroga, and Mico Dimagiba.
- Evidently the Philippines have a vibrant comics industry.
NEVERENDER: FINAL DUEL #1 (OF 3)
Story: Devin Kraft | Art/Cover: Devin Kraft | Sumerian | Mature | $3.99
The year is 2X19 and due to breakthroughs in artificial accelerants, mankind has taken to the stars. At the edge of civilization, the dominant sport is a civilized sword duel to the death. The top five fighters are protected by Saguaro, a talented and tenacious duelist. Team Egalite is forced to choose which direction to fight after Merrick openly criticizes the Colonial Republic after his previous duel. Dice and Kino equip Neverender for the endgame.
NIGHT TERROR HC
Story/Art: John Kenn Mortensen | Fantagraphics | $29.99
Reminiscent of Edward Gorey and Bernie Wrightson, a collection of spine-chilling line drawings of the creatures that haunt our dreams when night falls. When the sun goes down, our minds invent all manner of horrors that may lurk in the darkness. Danish cult illustrator John Kenn
Mortensen (Sticky Monsters) draws inspiration from this shadowy realm, and his pen skillfully conjures these eerie visions on paper. Open this book (if you dare) to encounter a frightful horde of sepia-toned spooks — witches, wraiths, goblins, giant spiders, wild boars, evil clowns — and countless other unspeakable creatures. Hairy, hooded, or horned, they peer at you ominously through dead eyes, their fangs bared. By turns playful, wicked, stunningly imaginative, and masterfully rendered, the compositions in Night Terror are like a combination of Edward Gorey and Bernie Wrightson - and the monsters themselves are as formidable and menacing as those that The Witcher might hunt down. A deliciously creepy collection of pen-and-ink drawings for those who find themselves beguiled by the things that go bump in the night.
- I'm not usually interested in books with no narrative. But this art looks cool.
- Here's a preview.
NIGHTFALL DOUBLE FEATURE #3
PARALLEL SPECIAL EDITION TP
Story: Jason Douglas | Art: Adam Ferris, Josh Sobek | Cover: Lyx Lyon | Source Point Press | Mature | $19.99
The SOLD OUT twice Ringo Award Nominated story is BACK!
Landon is experiencing a quarter-life crisis. The decision he made in his early 20's to abandon his dreams of music have resulted in a life mired in stagnation, depression, self-doubt, and a loveless marriage. When the voices start and the visions appear, Landon fears for his sanity but is nevertheless tempted and awoken to a unique possibility. A PARALLEL version of himself is offering a chance to change it all. His fate was sealed, and now his destiny awaits! What price would you be willing to pay for a second chance at the dreams you thought you left behind?
PARALLEL: Special Edition expands upon the origins story with 50 bonus pages of exciting content, galleries, annotations, and a brand new "between the panels" 10-page story, exclusive to this edition!
- I confess that I have never cared for these rise-of-a-musician stories, because I feel that, at their heart, they're stories of selfish people. Our "hero" isn't trying to cure cancer. He isn't feeding the hungry. He isn't defending the powerless. He's trying to become rich and famous. Good luck with that, I guess, but I genuinely don't care if he makes the Big Time or not.
PLAN 59 FROM OUTER SPACE #1 (OF 3)
Story: James Mascia, Michael Dolce | Art: Joaquin Gonzalez, Daniele Caramanico | Cover: Richard Ortiz | Dren Productions | Mature | $4.99
Back in 1957, Ed Wood brought us a movie about aliens who tried to raise the dead in order to destroy humanity in order to prevent us from causing a galaxy destroying weapon that they believed we would one day create. This was Plan 9 from Outer Space. Obviously, plans 1 through 8 failed, and (spoiler alert, but frankly the movie has been out for 63 years now, so there shouldn't be much to spoil) so did Plan 9. But what happened in the years since 1957? Did the aliens just give up? Were they going to cease their plans to stop us and save the galaxy? Of course not. Almost 60 years have passed, and in that time, they have attempted to destroy us nearly 50 more times, and humanity has become quite adept at fighting them off. But today, they are coming back for their 59th plan, a plan that is so nefarious, it just might work!
- Yes! Pretty excited to see this. I can't imagine why it's for Mature Readers, though. Boobs, maybe.
PROMETHEE 13:13 TP
RED ZONE #2 (OF 4)
REYNARD’S TALE STORY OF LOVE AND MISCHIEF HC
Story/Art: Ben Hatke | First Second Books | $22.99
Beloved children's author Ben Hatke turns his pen to a very special project for adults: an atmospheric tribute to the medieval folklore tradition of trickster tales, starring Reynard the Fox. Inspired by the twelfth-century tales of the indomitable trickster fox Reynard, this offbeat tribute to the archetypal rogue has a satisfyingly old-fashioned feeling to it. Although this Reynard adventure is entirely the creation of modern fairy-tale master Ben Hatke (Mighty Jack), it fits seamlessly into the body of Reynard tales still beloved in Europe to this day. Featuring charming black-and-white illustrations and a clever narrative, Reynard's Tale follows our hero through a series of encounters with other classic figures from this body of folklore to piece together a headlong journey through a perilous landscape filled with murderers, kings, ex-lovers, mermaids and even Death herself.
- This looks cool. I love mythology, legends and folklore, especially those of other cultures.
SEASONS HAVE TEETH #1 (OF 4)
Story: Dan Watters | Art: Sebastian Cabrol | Cover: Qistina Khalidah | BOOM! Studios | $4.99
In a drab, colorless world, the seasons bring change ... and also destruction.
Andrew, a retired conflict photographer, lives a life steeped in regret after an unthinkable tragedy, but everything shifts when the seasons arrive-each one a personified, god-like creature.
As he risks everything to track down Spring, Summer, AutumnFall, and Winter, will capturing the perfect picture of each be enough to find redemption... and ultimately bring color back to his world?
Dan Watters of Sword of Azrael and Home Sick Pilots writing acclaim is joined by artist Sebastian Cabrol (Anthony Bourdain's Hungry Ghosts, Maestro: World War M) for a tale that is both down to earth and supernaturally apocalyptic in its pertinence.
STEADY ROLLIN LIFE IN PICTURES GN
STUFF OF NIGHTMARES TP
THE GIMMICK #2 (OF 5)
- Heads up, Ahoy fans!
THOR & LOKI: MIDGARD FAMILY MAYHEM HC
- For kids
TRAVELING TO MARS #5
- In case you forgot what the trade dress to Marvel's Marvel Preview magazine looked like.
WALT DISNEY’S SILLY SYMPHONIES 1932-1935: STARRING BUCKY BUG AND DONALD DUCK HC
Story/Art: Al Taliaferro, Earl Duvall, Ted Osborne, Merrill De Maris | Fantagraphics | $39.99
The wild adventures of the first Disney star created just for comics — and Donald Duck’s hilarious funny-page debut!
1932 saw the launch of Disney’s second-ever original comic strip, the full-color weekly "Silly Symphonies," and with it came the debut of Bucky Bug, a daring, rhyming, mischievous squirt whose escapades took him from brutal birds of prey to the terrifying trenches of the Great Flyburg War! With his brave lady friend June and bumpkin pal Bo, Bucky even travels to a mixed-up Mother Goose Land … where a not-so-merry Old King Cole has mayhem on his mind!
Now in this latest standalone Disney reprint collection, readers can follow all of Bucky’s adventures and the Symphonies Sunday sagas that followed, which also includes Donald Duck’s debut as the barnyard’s spoilt brat in “The Wise Little Hen” … and further tales of golden age Silly Symphony cartoon stars: egotistical Max Hare, slow-but-sure Toby Tortoise and that awful bandit Dirty Bill (who “never took a bath, and he never will!”).
WAR PARTY #4 (OF 7)
WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEY’RE DEAD VOL 3 TP
WEST OF SUNDOWN #10
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: TALENT SHOW TROUBLES GN
ZILTOID THE OMNISCIENT #1
MORE MANGA
AM I ACTUALLY THE STRONGEST VOL 2 GN
BLACK OR WHITE VOL 6 GN
BLITZ VOL 2 GN
CALL GIRL IN ANOTHER WORLD VOL 6 GN
CASE CLOSED VOL 86 GN
CHRONICLES OF ARISTOCRAT REBORN IN ANOTHER WORLD GN VOL 6
COARAPTOR KAIJU OF THE WIND #5
DANDADAN VOL 3 GN
DONT BE CRUEL GN
DON’T TOY WITH ME MISS NAGATORO VOL 14 GN
DUNGEON BUILDER LABYRINTH MODERN CITY VOL 7 GN
FAIRY TAIL 100 YEARS QUEST VOL 12 GN
GUNBURED X SISTERS VOL 4 GN
HUNTERS GUILD RED HOOD VOL 3 GN
IDEAL SPONGER LIFE VOL 13 GN
KAIJU NO 8 VOL 6 GN
KINGDOM OF Z VOL 6 GN
KOMI CAN’T COMMUNICATE VOL 24 GN
LEGEND OF ZELDA TWILIGHT PRINCESS VOL 11 GN
MALEVOLENT SPIRITS MONONOGATARI VOL 2 GN
MOMO BLOOD TAKER VOL 4 GN
MY COWORKER HAS A SECRET VOL 1 GN
MY DRESS UP DARLING VOL 8 GN
MY ISEKAI LIFE VOL 6 GN
MY NEW LIFE AS A CAT VOL 1 GN
NO LONGER ALLOWED IN ANOTHER WORLD VOL 2 GN
ORIENT VOL 14 GN
PARALLEL PARADISE VOL 13 GN
PERSONA 4 ARENA VOL 1 GN
POKEMON SWORD & SHIELD VOL 6 GN
SAKAMOTO DAYS VOL 7 GN
SENGOKU YOUKO VOL 1 GN
SHIKIMORIS NOT JUST A CUTIE VOL 12 GN
SHONEN NOTE BOY SOPRANO VOL 3 GN
SLEEPY PRINCESS IN THE DEMON CASTLE VOL 20 GN
SNOW FAIRY GN
THERE’S NO FREAKING WAY BE YOUR LOVER VOL 1 GN
THIS IS SCREWED UP REINCARNATED AS GIRL VOL 6 GN
TO YOUR ETERNITY VOL 18 GN
TRAPPED IN DATING SIM WORLD OTOME GAMES VOL 7 GN
WITCHCRAFT WORKS VOL 17 GN
WORLD’S END HAREM FANTASIA VOL 8 GN
WORLD’S END HAREM GN VOL 14 GN
YUUNA & HAUNTED HOT SPRINGS VOL 23 GN
Replies
GUN HONEY VOL 1: BLOOD FOR BLOOD TP
"Gun Honey" was the name some right wingers coined for Maria Butina, the Russian agent who pretended to be an activist for gun rights in Russia. (There's no such thing in reality)
"All this material was available in books and comics for decades. But it took movies dripping the material into their eyes for Americans to learn it."
I went to lunch with a friend last Tuesday. He knows I'm into comics and asked me what I'm interested in today. I'd rather not discuss comics with a mundane, but the next day was Wednesday so I mentioned the Adam Warlock omnibus (then explained what an "omnibus" is). He said, "Oh, I guess I don't know that character yet." I didn't think of it at the time (probably because I was so eager to change the subject), but I wish I would have said, "Do you know who Thanos is?" (I'll bet he would have.) If Warlock is ever featured in a movie, he'll know him then.
As to Ewoks, I remember thinking while I was watching Return of the Jedi: "How did the Empire conquer an entire galaxy when they can't handle a bunch of Stone Age teddy bears?"
They're doing well recently, but the last time the Dodgers were on top, the team with the worst record would come to town and sweep three games. Possibly, the Empire couldn't see the Ewoks as a threat and weren't on the top of their game. (Also, their soldiers can't hit a barn door)
"Gun Honey" was the name some right wingers coined for Maria Butina, the Russian agent who pretended to be an activist for gun rights in Russia. (There's no such thing in reality)
Right. In Russia, like most countries, owning guns is illegal or strictly limited.
I'd rather not discuss comics with a mundane ...
I feel the same way. And I bet we both feel that way for the same reason nuclear physicists are reluctant to discuss nuclear physics with non-nuclear physicists. The gap in knowledge is too wide to bridge in a single conversation, and it would be pretty one-sided. It's not that comics and nuclear physics are equally important, it's that comics, like nuclear physics, is a subject about which "mundanes" know absolutely nothing. Actually most people probably have a smattering of knowledge about nuclear physics. When it comes to comics, most people say "I didn't know they still made those." They certainly have no idea how they're made. (The other thing they say is "I remember when those sold for a nickel!" No, you don't.)
If Warlock is ever featured in a movie, he'll know him then.
Adam Warlock is going to be a major player in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Possibly, the Empire couldn't see the Ewoks as a threat and weren't on the top of their game.
You're very generous, but sure, I'll go along with that.
(Also, their soldiers can't hit a barn door).
Even if they're inside the barn! I don't know if you watch The Mandalorian, but they made a joke about that in the first season. Two Stormtroopers were on duty where they basically had nothing to do but stand around and wait in the desert, so they did a little target practice. Neither could hit a darn thing, and it was implied that it was because of the helmets.
"I bet we both feel that way for the same reason nuclear physicists are reluctant to discuss nuclear physics with non-nuclear physicists."
...and why real vampires don't go out on Hallowe'en.
"...comics... like nuclear physics, is a subject about which 'mundanes' know absolutely nothing."
Worse yet, everything they think they know is from the movies.
"Adam Warlock is going to be a major player in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."
Great. My friend will know "all about" him next year.
I've said for a long time the movies are made for the people who don't read the comics.
... and why real vampires don't go out on Hallowe'en.
Or as vampires refer to it, "amateur night."
Worse yet, everything they "know" is from the movies.
There's an upside/downside argument to be made there. The downside is, yes, the movies make changes to our beloved characters and storylines, and moviegoing mundanes become instant, self-appointed experts on deep, deep waters that they've only dipped their toes in. The upside is: How many people knew Iron Man even existed before the first movie? Answer: Nobody but comics fans, about .00000001% of the population. So the movies are raising the ignorance bar slightly. It's nice that I can make a Wolverine reference now and people instantly get it.
Great. My friend will "know" him next year.
Yes. Yes he will. Complete with ironic quotes. Hint: He won't know that Warlock was famous for having the Soul Gem, because that was destroyed in Avengers: Endgame. But Warlock will have something on his forehead, so that's a bit of a mystery for now ...
I've said for a long time the movies are made for the people who don't read the comics.
Yes and no. I know you don't watch the movies, but I do, enthusiastically. (I've waited since I was 12 for this, and dammit, I'm going to enjoy it!) I even know two bartenders in town who A) read the comics and B) watch the movies. When I drop by their establishments, they always ask me about what I think about the latest movie, and whether I approve of what changed from the comics. (And they have their own opinions, of course.) And that's just bartenders!
But yeah, I really enjoy the movies. And let me make a case for that.
No, the Thanos movies didn't follow "Infinity Gauntlet" exactly, but I didn't expect it to. I don't expect movie adaptations like Great Expectations, Jane Eyre or All Quiet on the Western Front to follow the books exactly. But they generally have all the story elements I'm familiar with, and being slightly different is actually a plus, since I know the books by heart already. I had no idea how Endgame was going to end, for example, since it didn't have the elements necessary to end like the comics. (Death wasn't a character, for example.) And what they served up was genuinely moving.
It's often said on this board that adapting properties from one medium to another requires changes. Novels, for example, are good at examining the characters' interior lives, which doesn't -- can't -- translate to film. So the movies emphasize acting, and sets, and spectacle, which is what movies are good at. Novels can be as long the story requires, whereas movie and TV shows generally have an upper limit on length. And so forth.
Heck, half the fun of watching the current Perry Mason -- which probably has Earl Stanley Gardner spinning in his grave -- is ogling the 1930s sets, clothing and cars. I literally stop the show, with my wife's enthusiastic agreement, just to stare gape-mouthed at some speakeasy or casino scene where the actors are dripping with upscale, era-appropriate clothing and the sets send my mind tumbling back to a time when I wasn't even alive.
It's what TV and movies are good at, whereas I'm sure the books emphasized different things altogether. (I don't know, as I haven't read them. My only knowledge of Perry Mason comes from the original TV show. Which probably wasn't accurate to the books either.)
No, I don't go to Marvel movies thinking, "I must set aside expectations from my beloved comics, and embrace the changes necessitated by adaptation." Frankly, the "Gee whiz!" factor generally overwhelms my analytical faculties, at least at the outset. I know you don't share that.
But you could approach the Marvel movies in the same way you do other adaptations. I mean, you watch Bond movies, don't you?
How many people knew Iron Man even existed before the first movie? Answer: Nobody but comics fans, about .00000001% of the population.
The same goes for the X-Men. This opinion piece from Comic Buyers Guide was so good I saved it:
Captain Comics said:
I just got the three single-issue comics recently. I had read this collected in one book before, and I think Brian Michael Bendis' art is charming. It's cartoony, but suited to the task, and I learned a lot about the mysterious workings of Hollywood, so I found it to be fun.
"Great. My friend will know 'all about' HIM next year."
No pun intended. HA! I just thought of that. (I crack myself up.)
"He won't know that Warlock was famous for having the Soul Gem..."
...or even that they were originally called gems, not stones.
"(I've waited since I was 12 for this, and dammit, I'm going to enjoy it!)"
"...they always ask me about what I think about the latest movie"
My friends (back when I had friends) used to express shock when I told them I hadn't seen the latest superhero movie. "But I thought you liked comics books...?" was a common query. My stock answer became: "Those aren't comic books."
"And let me make a case for that."
No need; I get it. I just can't stack, what is it, like 40 or 50 hours of the MCU up against 40 or 50 years of reading comics.
"I mean, you watch Bond movies, don't you?"
Yes, but I knew James Bond from the movies first. A better example (for me) would be Tarzan. I've heard that ERB purists hate the Johnny Weissmuller films, but y'know what? I love 'em! Those are what got me interested in reading the books in the first place. So I do get what you're saying about raising awareness.
"This opinion piece from Comic Buyers Guide was so good I saved it"
JJM's anecdote reminded me of going to see Fellowship of the Ring in the theater with a buddy of mine. there were these two women who sat across the aisle from us who liked thought the whole movie... I mean the whole movie. When it was over, one of them asked, "Is that the end?" to which my friend replied, "Of part one," and I added, "Actually, it's just the beginning."
"I mean, you watch Bond movies, don't you?"
Yes, but I knew James Bond from the movies first. A better example (for me) would be Tarzan. I've heard that ERB purists hate the Johnny Weissmuller films, but y'know what? I love 'em! Those are what got me interested in reading the books in the first place. So I do get what you're saying about raising awareness.
Same here, and in my high school years i bought and read all 24 Tarzan paperbacks.
I liked the movies better.
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