Comics Guide: Dec. 26, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023

BOOM! STUDIOS

BOOK OF SLAUGHTER #1

DAMN THEM ALL #3

HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER VOL 2 TP

MMPR/TMNT II #1 (OF 5)

ONCE & FUTURE VOL 5 TP

ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE END OFTHE WORLD #2

WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEY'RE DEAD #15

DARK HORSE COMICS

DOUBLE WALKER TP

FRANKENSTEIN: NEW WORLD #4

IT'S ONLY TEENAGE WASTELAND #2 (OF 4)

QUICK STOPS #3 (OF 4)

ROADIE #4

DC COMICS

ACTION COMICS #1050

Wait! I've seen this cover somewhere before! If I could only remember where ...

BATMAN BEYOND: THE WHITE KNIGHT #7 (OF 8)

BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS -- GILDED CITY #3 (OF 6)

BATMAN: SHADOWS OF THE BAT -- HOUSE OF GOTHAM HC

BATMAN: THE AUDIO ADVENTURES #4 (OF 7)

BATMAN: THE COURT OF OWLS BOOK AND MASK SET (NEW EDITION)

BLUE BEETLE: GRADUATION DAY #2 (OF 6)

DC HORROR PRESENTS: SGT. ROCK VS. ARMY OF THE DEAD #4 (OF 6)

DC MECH #6 (OF 6)

DC POSTER PORTFOLIO BY BRIAN BOLLAND HC

DC VS. VAMPIRES #12 (OF 12)

DETECTIVE COMICS #1067

HARLEY QUINN #25

HOUSE OF MYSTERY: THE BRONZE AGE VOL. 3 HC

I love these! I didn't buy House of Mystery and House of Secrets in the '70s and '80s, so these are "new" Bronze Age DC Comics for me.

JOHN STEWART: THE EMERALD KNIGHT #1 ONE-SHOT

Story: Geoffrey Thorne | Art: Marco Santucci | Cover: Mateus Manhanini | $5.99

John Stewart has been trapped in the dark sectors for months with the rest of his Green Lantern comrades.

With the power of the godstorm at his disposal, John's using everything he can to take down Esak, the mad New God, and bring his fellow Corpsmen home. John will need to become something new to win the war against Esak: he'll need to become the Emerald Knight!

They've always needed to distinguish between the powers of the Green Lanterns, not just the personalities. I wonder if this is the start of that. Or not.

THE NICE HOUSE ON THE LAKE #12 (OF 12)

Looking forward to complete collection.

NIGHTWING VOL 2: GET GRAYSON HC

PUNCHLINE: THE GOTHAM GAME #3 (OF 6)

RIDDLER: YEAR ONE #2 (OF 6)

THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE: DEAD BOY DETECTIVES #1 (OF 6)

The Sandman Universe grows as two of its most beloved characters return to the spotlight! Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine have been detectives for decades — and dead best friends even longer. But their investigation into a Thai American girl’s disappearance from her Los Angeles home puts them on a collision course with new and terrifying ghosts that could give even a dead boy nightmares — including a bloodthirsty krasue. Even scarier than the ghosts? Though neither wants to admit it, the boys might be growing apart. And perilously close by to the boys’ adventure, Thessaly the witch finds herself held hostage by dangerous magics — both a threat to her life and an insult to her ego that simply will not go unanswered.

Eisner Award-winning writer Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian, Infidel) is joined by celebrated artist Jeff Stokely to take the Dead Boys to the scariest place of all: the heart of Hollywood!

“The genius of Sandman is how seamlessly it fits different genres, histories and folklores together, something that definitely inspired Jeff and I for Dead Boy Detectives,” said Pichetshote. “As a Thai-American, I grew up around all this wonderful Thai folklore that’s never made it to American pop culture, so by introducing some of my favorite Neil Gaiman characters to the truly terrifying and bizarre world of Thai ghosts, we will give horror and Sandman fans something new.”

“This is definitely a horror book,” continued Pichetshote, “as the boys discover Thai black magic’s getting more powerful in Los Angeles (the home of the largest Thai population outside Thailand), and it might even be changing the rules governing ghosts. All this, while Charles and Edwin, two ghost detectives, are secretly craving changes themselves — in a coming-of-age story starring two boys who can’t grow up.”

Looking forward to this title — and the TV show! (Mainly the TV show.)

Artist Yoshitaka Amano will visualize the connection between Nightmare Country and Dead Boy Detectives with variant cover artwork for both The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #1, publishing 12/27, and The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country — The Glass House #1, publishing 4/4. The connecting 1:50 incentive covers, with foil treatment, will be available at your local comic shop timed to publication of each launch issue.

SUPERMAN: RED AND BLUE TP

TALES FROM EARTH-6: A CELEBRATION OF STAN LEE #1 (ONE-SHOT)

In honor of what would have been Stan Lee’s 100th birthday (December 28), DC is releasing Tales from Earth-6: A Celebration of Stan Lee, a commemorative one-shot anthology featuring new stories based on Lee’s (with film producer Michael Uslan) interpretations of core DC characters from his Just Imagine series of one-shots (2001-2002).

This 96-page Prestige format one-shot features 10 new stories spotlighting the Just Imagine characters from an incredible mix of celebrated comic book storytellers and new and emerging voices in comic books.

In addition to a new story from Michael Uslan, this anthology includes stories written by Mark Waid (Kingdom Come, Batman vs. Robin, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest), Jerry Ordway (Superman, Action Comics), Kenny Porter (DC: Mech), Stephanie Williams (Nubia & the Amazons, Trial of the Amazons), Michael W. Conrad and Becky Cloonan (Wonder Woman, Batgirls), Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing (Batman Beyond: Neo-Year), Meghan Fitzmartin (Tim Drake: Robin), Steve Orlando (Martian Manhunter), and Zac Thompson (Batman: Urban Legends).

Story art and variant covers will be delivered by some of the best artists in comics, including Lee Weeks, Kevin Maguire, Jerry Ordway, Karl Mostert, Juan Ferreyra, Anthony Marques, Pablo M. Collar, Belén Ortega, Max Dunbar and Hayden Sherman. In addition to a wraparound main cover by Jim Cheung (Justice League), this can’t-miss issue features variant covers by Steve Beach (Batman), Riley Rossmo (Justice League), Jason Howard (Green Lantern), Kelley Jones (The Sandman), Ariel Colon (Superman), Kyle Hotz (Shazam!), Christian Ward (The Flash), Clayton Henry (Wonder Woman), Jorge Corona (Aquaman), Belén Ortega, and Dan Panosian (Catwoman), plus a 1-in-25 ratio variant cover by Cully Hamner. Fans can visit their local comic book shop for details and preordering.

I wasn't blown away by these concepts the first time around, and really don't remember them now. DC sure is going gangbusters on them, though.

TIM DRAKE: ROBIN #4

WONDER WOMAN HISTORIA: THE AMAZONS #3 (OF 3)

YOUNG JUSTICE: TARGETS #6 (OF 6)

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

007 #5

IMMORTAL RED SONJA #9

NINJETTES #4

IMAGE COMICS

20TH CENTURY MEN #5 (OF 6)

CREEPSHOW #4 (OF 5)

In the spirit of all iterations of Creepshow in pop culture, each issue of the Creepshow comic anthology series comes packed with two spine-chilling stories.

First, Kyle Starks (I HATE THIS PLACE) and Fran Galán (Lucky Devil) deliver the story of a ragtag group of kids who hunted a nest of vampires in their neighborhood ... and the one who lived to tell the tale.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to get the opportunity to work with a franchise as legendary and iconic as Creepshow,” said Kyle Starks. “I believe we’ve continued with our story its legacy of spooky greatness and timeless creeps.”

“As a kid I watched both parts of the movie Creepshow countless times. I loved being scared with their stories, the animated scenes, the clear reference to the world of comics,” said Fran Galán. “Kyle’s story maintains the purest essence of those stories and drawing it in my mind has evoked that happy time. I hope you have as much fun with it as I did drawing it.”

Then, Henry Barajas (Helm Greycastle) and Dani (Detective Comics, Coffin Bound) drop a hellacious tale of a fallen luchador who will do anything to claw her way back to the top!

"Growing up, my family told me horror stories like La Llorona and El Cucuy. Now I get to pass this tradition down and scare a new generation,” said Henry Barajas. “It's a dream come true to work on Creepshow with Dani. I just want to tell a story that would make the late, great Bernie Wrightson proud."

“Creepshow was one of the shows I would watch feverishly with my family growing up in Greece and only now do I realize how it has affected parts of my tastes and likes growing up,” said Dani. “I’m wishing I could visit my younger self and let her know that she’ll be collaborating with Henry Barajas on a cool Creepshow story sometime in the future!”

In addition to the main cover by Chris Burnham, Creepshow #4 comes with a stacked lineup of variant covers, including a cover by Dani, a 1:10 incentive cover by Vance Kelly, and a Spawn variant cover by Javi Fernandez as part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of both Image Comics and Spawn.

“Horror fans in need of thrills, laughs and all-around creepiness owe it to themselves to pick up a copy of Creepshow immediately.” — Screen Rant

“The essence of the retro horror comics is back in full force, with a classic illustration style, and –most importantly — twisted morals at the end of each tale, brought to you by the Creep himself.” — The GWW

Tradewaiting.

FLAWED #4 (OF 6)

IMAGE 30TH ANNIVERSARY ANTHOLOGY #9 (OF 12)

Image Comics’s 12-issue, show-stopping 30th anniversary anthology will drop another highly collectible installment this December in the upcoming Image! #9. Just in time to curl up and read by light of yule log, Image! #9 will feature a brand new Criminal story from crime noir masterminds Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips titled “Teeg’s Christmas Carol,” the highly anticipated return of Gerry Duggan and John McCrea’s beloved Dead Eyes, as well as many more exciting tales.

Cover art for this issue is by Phillips and will display a cigarette puffing, Santa-hat wearing Teeg.

"I've been wanting to do a Christmas-themed Criminal story since we first started the book," said Brubaker. "So, Sean and I had a blast returning to that world for 'Teeg's Christmas Carol.' Twelve pages of bad dad Christmases and history lessons."

"We're thrilled to bring you lots more of the unkillable comic Dead Eyes," said Duggan. "McCrea and Spicer show why they're one of the best teams in the business. Ring in the new year with us in Image! # 9, and a bunch of criminals. 2023 is going to be Dead Eyes' year."

McCrea added: "Knock him down, he just gets back up — check out this KO of a Kristmas story, Gerry and my way of saying 'Welcome back to Dead Eyes, folks!' "

Image! #9 also includes an all-new short by Bitter Root co-creator Chuck Brown and artist Steven Statz, “Familiar Fears;” as well as the latest chapters of "The Blizzard" by Geoff Johns and Andrea Mutti; "Closer" by Kieron Gillen and Steve Lieber; "Red Stitches" by Brenden Fletcher and Erica Henderson; "Gehenna" by Patrick Kindlon and Maurizio Rosenzweig; "Hack/Slash vs. Image" by Tim Seeley and Stefano Caselli; "Billy Dogma" by Dean Haspiel; and "Stupid Fresh Mess" by Skottie Young.

The Image! anthology is a 12-issue series celebrating the 30th anniversary of Image Comics. It treats readers to all-new stories from some of the biggest and best names in comics and is curated by Image Comics' Publisher Eric Stephenson. The series features a combination of ongoing serials, standalone short stories, and first looks at exciting upcoming projects at Image.

They're making it hard for me to pass this up. I must. Be. Strong.

KILLADELPHIA #26

KING SPAWN #18

LOVESICK #3 (OF 7)

MANIFEST DESTINY #48

Covers: Roberts & Gieni, Roberts & Gieni

Today Skybound unveiled a first look at Manifest Destiny #48, the series finale of the highly acclaimed series from the superstar team of writer Chris Dingess, artist Matthew Roberts, colorist Owen Gieni, and letterer Pat Brosseau.

In 1803, Lewis and Clark led the Corps of Discovery across America so their great nation could fulfill its destiny. Years have passed, and now a new monster has been birthed in the heart of their country.

Since 2013, Chris Dingess (TV’s Doom Patrol, Marvel’s Agent Carter) and Matthew Roberts have created an alternate history of the United States, and now it’s time to bring Lewis and Clark’s expedition to its blood-soaked end.

In addition to the main cover, Manifest Destiny #48 will also feature a Spawn variant cover by Roberts & Gieni as part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of both Image Comics and Spawn.

Select Praise for Manifest Destiny:

“Often beautiful to witness and terrible to contemplate, Manifest Destiny promises a potent finale” — ComicBook.com

“Manifest Destiny presents an alternate history of the United States, filled with horrific creatures, plant zombies and fantastic art and writing.” — CBR

“A desperate tale of escape by a desperate and disparate band of characters. Elements of American folklore abound in this tale of frontier exploration.” — Major Spoilers

“An intriguing read, opting for slow-boil storytelling as opposed to back-to-back terror. It works greatly in its favor and makes for a great read.” — Bleeding Cool

“This whole series and everything about it, every component is magnificent.” — PopCultHQ

“A concept and execution that stands up against any of the dozens of dynamic creator-owned works running today” — Multiversity Comics

“That’s the fun of Manifest Destiny. You never know what’s lurking just ahead in this great journey of exploration and adventure. More often than not, it’s pure, unbridled terror with monsters the likes of which haven’t been seen on this continent in a few hundred years.” — Horror DNA

“For history fans who love adventure stories, Dingess and Roberts nail this.” — Comic Crusaders

“A stellar comic” — ComicBook.com

Last collector's item issue!

PLUSH #2 (OF 6)

SPAWN ORIGINS DELUXE EDITION VOL 5 HC

SPAWN ORIGINS VOL 24 TP

MARVEL COMICS

ALL-OUT AVENGERS #4

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #16

Story: Zeb Wells | Art: Ed McGuinness | Cover: John Romita Jr. | Teen | $3.99

SPIDER-MAN VS. CHASM!

After the battle with Venom last issue, it's time for the main event? That's right, it's Peter Parker vs. Ben Reilly, no-holds-barred in the craziest battle you've ever seen! Chasm secures his place in Spidey's rogues' gallery — as the one who finally vanquishes Peter Parker?!

"Dark Web" tie-in

CAPTAIN AMERICA: SYMBOL OF TRUTH #8

Written By Tochi Onyebuchi

Art By Ig Guara

Cover By R.B. Silva

Over in CAPTAIN AMERICA: SYMBOL OF TRUTH #8, writer Tochi Onyebuchi is once again joined by guest artist Ig Guara as Sam Wilson’s high-stakes mission in Wakanda continues. As Falcon’s condition worsens, Captain America comes face-to-face with the unintended consequences of his escalating conflict with the White Wolf. Nomad is willing to make the compromises necessary to take down the Black Panther’s errant brother, but can Sam Wilson say the same? And what is Sam’s old sparring partner Nightshade doing in Mohannda, anyway?

"Cold War" prelude.

CAPTAIN MARVEL BY KELLY SUE DECONNICK OMNIBUS HC

CARNAGE #8

DARK WEB: X-MEN #2 (OF 3)

Story: Gerry Duggan | Art: Rod Reis | Cover: Phil Noto | Teen+ | $3.99

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO BAD!

Some reunions — like those with an evil ex who rules a dimension of demons — are not so great. Sometimes even having your AMAZING FRIENDS at your side isn't enough to save things.

"Dark Web" tie-in

DEADLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #3

DEFENDERS EPIC COLLECTION: DAY OF THE DEFENDERS TP

DOCTOR STRANGE: FALL SUNRISE #2 (OF 4)

FANTASTIC FOUR: HEROES RETURN COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 4 TP

MARAUDERS BY STEVE ORLANDO VOL 1 TP

MIDNIGHT SUNS #4 (OF 5)

MILES MORALES VOL 8: EMPIRE OF THE SPIDER TP

MIRACLEMAN BY GAIMAN & BUCKINGHAM: THE SILVER AGE #3

The wait is over! Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham present the story comic fans have waited decades for: the first ALL-NEW chapter of MIRACLEMAN: THE SILVER AGE! Young Miracleman is back from the dead and adapting to a strange new world, and this poignant and relevant super hero epic represents the next chapter in Miracleman’s monumental legacy.

Forty years ago, Miracleman reinvented the super hero genre and changed the world of comics as we know it. Now, these two industry legends return to do it all over again with this timely and riveting new beginning for the Age of Miracles! Fans new and old can first witness the epically remastered MIRACLEMAN BY GAIMAN & BUCKINGHAM: THE SILVER AGE #1-2, and then jump into the first thrilling all-new chapter of this groundbreaking saga in MIRACLEMAN BY GAIMAN & BUCKINGHAM: THE SILVER AGE #3! Back and more impactful than ever, this new story chronicles the bright Golden Age hero tackling the complexities of today’s modern world!

"This script was written 30 years ago and has never been seen until now. It feels so liberating to be able to bring people new Miracleman for the first time in three decades,” Gaiman said.

"We're back! And after thirty years away it is both thrilling and terrifying,” Buckingham said. “Neil and I have had these stories in our heads since 1989, so it is amazing to finally be on the verge of sharing them with our readers."

Get a first look at this new chapter set high atop the Himalayas where Dickie Dauntless, aka Young Miracleman, is on a desperate search to find his place in the Age of Miracles. Before finding new allies, he’ll first have to confront his frightening past with Johnny Bates! It's Young Miracleman and Kid Miracleman face-to-face at last! This perfect jumping on point will add new depth to the character of Young Miracleman as he takes a brave first step to living life as his true self.

"I have pushed myself to my limit to craft something special for these issues," Buckingham continued. "Cinematic in approach, clean and elegant, drawing on the best of my own style, but also paying homage to the exceptional talents of all who came before us, whose unique visions have shaped this ground-breaking series over 40 years, and the 1950s MARVELMAN foundations on which it was built.”

MOON KNIGHT #18

MURDERWORLD: SPIDER-MAN #1

Story: Jim Zub & Ray Fawkes | Art: Farid Karami | Cover: Paco Medina | Teen+ | $3.99

The Murderworld stream will not be stopped and, as its dwindling contestants grow more desperate, the wall-crawling web of death surrounding them begins to tighten — Thwip, thwip ... Murderworld is a chaotic contest filled with treachery and tragedy from the minds of Ray Fawkes (One Soul, Constantine) and Jim Zub (Conan the Barbarian, Avengers: No Surrender) illustrated by Farid Karami. Arcade and his schemes have been a punchline in the past, but this game is no laughing matter. Each issue ups the ante and will keep readers guessing right up until the end. Don't miss it!

"Murderworld" Part 2

NEW MUTANTS #33

OFFICIAL HANDBOOK MARVEL ‘89 OMNIBUS HC

PARKER MILES SPIDER-MAN DOUBLE TROUBLE #2 (OF 4)

PREDATOR ORIG YRS OMNIBUS VOL 1 HC

Written by Mark Verheiden, Franz Henkel, John Arcudi, Dan Barry, Andrew Vachss, Randy Stradley, Evan Dorkin, Jerry Prosser, Brian Mcdonald, Jason R. Lamb, Scott Tolson, Neal Barrett Jr., Chuck Dixon, Charles Moore, Terry Laban & more

Penciled by Chris Warner, Ron Randall, Dan Barry, Mark Bright, Evan Dorkin, Jordan Raskin, Lauchland Pelle, Derek Thompson, Jim Somerville, Mitch Byrd, Brian O’connell, Roger Petersen, Leo Duranona, Enrique Alcatena, D. Alexander Gregory, Howard Cobb & more

Covers: Iban Coello, Chris Warner | $125.00

Just as the Predators make their Marvel debut, fans can experience their original comics legacy in PREDATOR: THE ORIGINAL YEARS OMNIBUS VOL. 1. Following the landmark 1987 film, the Predator franchise thrilled comic book readers with various series depicting terrifying encounters with the extraterrestrial hunters and exploring the dark history of their species. Both Predator aficionados and newcomers will be able enjoy these classic tales in hardcover format this July.

Nowhere is safe when the remorseless alien killers stalk the concrete jungle of New York City, leave a trail of death across the American Southwest and ignite the Cold War by landing in Siberia! Find out if the Predators came to Earth during Vietnam or World War I and see the hunters make a new enemy in Dutch’s brother, Detective John Schaefer. Read on as an Arizona prison becomes a slaughterhouse and witness a Predator vs. psychotic Predator showdown in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey! Finally, take a trip to 1950s Hollywood, where only a child with special glasses can see the monster in the midst of Tinseltown! It’s total carnage, Predator-style! This unprecedented collection includes: PREDATOR (1989) #1-4, PREDATOR 2 #1-2, PREDATOR: BIG GAME #1-4, PREDATOR: COLD WAR #1-4, PREDATOR: THE BLOODY SANDS OF TIME #1-2, PREDATOR: RACE WAR #1-4, PREDATOR: BAD BLOOD #1-4, PREDATOR: INVADERS FROM THE FOURTH DIMENSION, PREDATOR: DARK RIVER #1-4, PREDATOR: STRANGE ROUX and PREDATOR: KINDRED #1-4 — plus material from DARK HORSE PRESENTS (1986) #46, #67-69 and #119; DARK HORSE COMICS #1-2, #4-7, #10-14, #16-18 and #20-21; and A DECADE OF DARK HORSE #1.

SAVAGE SHE-HULK #1 FACSIMILE EDITION

SHANG-CHI AND TEN RINGS #6

SHE-HULK #9

STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #27

STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA VOL 5: SPARK ETERNAL TP

STAR WARS: HAN SOLO & CHEWBACCA #8

STAR WARS: HIGH REPUBLIC #3

STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC — THE BLADE #1

Story: Charles Soule | Art: Marco Castiello | Cover: Giuseppe Camuncoli | Teen | $3.99

Hundreds of years before the Skywalker Saga, witness the rise of a legend - the mighty Jedi PORTER ENGLE, perhaps the most skilled lightsaber wielder in the High Republic.
With his fellow Jedi Knight Barash, he travels the galaxy, serving as a guardian of peace and justice.
But even Porter Engle has enemies he cannot defeat.

Author of STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC: LIGHT OF THE JEDI and one of the chief architects behind the STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC storytelling initiative, writer Charles Soule will team up with artist Marco Castiello on STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC — THE BLADE #1. The four-issue limited series will explore the mysterious backstory of Porter Engle, the Jedi-turned-cook also known as the Blade of Bardotta.

STAR WARS: YODA #2

STRANGE ACADEMY: FINALS #3

THUNDERBOLTS #5 (OF 5)

TIMELESS 2022 #1

Story: Jed Mackay | Art: Salvador Larroca, Greg Land & Patch Zircher | Cover: Kael Ngu

TIMELESS #1, the special year-ending one-shot that sets the stage for upcoming stories in the Marvel Universe, will return for a second year! Last year’s installment was a must-have for fans and received a much-demanded second printing. This year’s TIMELESS promises to be even more shocking with mysterious teases, exciting first appearances, and, at its core, a dramatic high-stakes journey for Kang the Conqueror! Marvel Comics superstar Jed MacKay (Moon Knight, Black Cat) will once again pen this thrilling adventure through Marvel space and time alongside a trio of blockbuster talent: Salvador Larroca, Greg Land and Patch Zircher. Laying the groundwork for 2023’s biggest developments, including what’s to come for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in the wake of AVENGERS ASSEMBLE, TIMELESS #1 will be an epic giant-sized comic that fans dare not miss!

The last battle of Kang the Conqueror! Tyrant of the timeline, master of endless legions, warrior and conqueror without compare, Kang is in search of the one thing he cannot have. But he is not the only one after the Missing Moment, and Kang soon finds himself in a new position — on the run across the events of the Marvel Universe’s future!

"Kang is back on another adventure – but could this be his last one? Once again, we step into the Conqueror's thigh-high boots to go stamping through the future. But this time Kang is in an unfamiliar position: fleeing,” MacKay explained. “TIMELESS 2022 is bigger and better than ever before. More previews of what the Marvel Universe has in store, more action, and a story that sets up the dominoes for a huge story coming in the future that I'm really excited to see play out!"

TRIALS OF X VOL 3 TP

VENOM #14

Story: Al Ewing | Art/Cover: Bryan Hitch | Teen+ | $3.99

In Al Ewing and Bryan Hitch’s VENOM #14, secrets are revealed! Madeylne Pryor has plans for Eddie Brock and the symbiotes he can control — in this issue, she and her new ally CHASM bring them all to bear! Unwittingly turned into a slathering and terrifying monster you might recognize, Eddie Brock’s fears from the last year stand fully realized in this turning point for Al Ewing, Ram V and Bryan Hitch’s enthralling run on the title!

"Dark Web" tie-in

X LIVES OF WOLVERINE/X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE TP

X-TERMINATORS #4 (OF 5)

X-TREME X-MEN #2 (OF 5)

MORE COMICS

ALGORITHMIC REALITY GN

Story: Damian Bradfield | David Sanchez | NBM Publishing | $17.99

Your phone reminds you all day long that you were interested in buying those shoes. Your device knows the places where you go, the books you like and your friends' faces. The world's most valuable resource is no longer oil, but data. The more they know about you, the better you can be targeted, and then, monetized. The British businessman Damian Bradfield, co-founder of WeTransfer, and the Spanish comics author David Sánchez build an ironic dystopic world, disturbingly similar to ours, to explore the addictive effects of social media, the stealthy invasion of privacy and the dangers of data misuse. With a wry acidic sense of humor, they blur the boundaries between the online and offline worlds and spin disturbingly recognizable tales about our overconnected society.

Here's a preview.

ALIENGAGED #3

ALLEY OOP AND SEVEN CITIES OF GOLD

Heads up, comic strip collectors!

ALPHA BETAS #3 (OF 4)

ARCHIE'S LAUGH COMICS TP

AUGUST PURGATORY UNDERGROUND #4

BACKSTABBED IN A BACKWATER DUNGEON VOL 1 GN

BEAK & ALLY VOL 4: SNOW BIRDS GN

BEAUTY AND BEAST OF PARADISE LOST VOL 5 GN

BECOMING FRANKENSTEIN #5

BERSERK OF GLUTTONY VOL 7 GN

BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT HOLIDAY SPECIAL ONE-SHOT

Story: John Barber | Art: Juan Samu | Art/Cover: Butch K. Mapa | Opus Comics | $6.99

Roll over Beethoven, the Wyld Stallyns have their own ode to joy to share with the world! John Barber (Back to the Future) and Reilly Brown (Deadpool) bring you this most triumphant message of peace, love, and understanding. Plus, another bonus story featuring Rufus!

Still haven't seen any Bill & Ted movies.

BLINK #5 (OF 5)

BLOOD ON TRACKS VOL 12 GN

BLOODSHOT UNLEASHED #4

A bloody blast from the past!

In the present, Bloodshot must track down Verlane, a “spent shell” experiencing nightmarish visions of his past being pursued by the authorities.

In the past, Bloodshot has the fight of his life against Hobbes, exploring what occurred prior to the events of issue #1 to shatter Bloodshot’s family and home.

Two escaped weapons. Two timelines. One epic issue!

Valiant sends me PR, and I run it.

BLUE BARRY & PANCAKES VOL 5: BIG TIME TROUBLE GN

CARMEN GN

Story: Alek Shrader | Art: P. Craig Russell | Art/Cover: Aneke | $35.00

Perhaps the most famous opera in history, Georges Bizet's CARMEN premiered in 1875 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. The four-act opera, featuring a libretto written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy and adapted from the novella by Prosper Mérimée, remains one of the most exciting and popular works in the repertoire. Now, nearly 150 years after its premiere, Arizona Opera is presenting the story of Carmen, adapted as a graphic novel by tenor, director, and writer Alek Shrader, illustrated by legendary artist P. Craig Russell (NEIL GAIMAN'S AMERICAN GODS) and the acclaimed artist Aneke (BYLINES IN BLOOD), and lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This epic hardcover graphic novel features a stunning cover illustrated and colored by Aneke.

I've never seen this opera. Or any opera, come to think of it.

CATEGORY ZERO CONFLICT #1

Story: Adem Kiamil | Art: Ton Limae | Scout Comics | $4.99

Tensions heat up as rioters take to the streets in protest against Sanaxus and their brutality towards One Percenters. The truth behind STRIX's origin is uncovered and Jade shows that she has a much darker side to her!

Scout Comics is rapidly expanding, with six first issues promised in March alone. After the demise of AfterShock, is that really wise?

CAVEWOMAN: BADLANDS ONE-SHOT

CIH PRESENTS THREE WHEELER ANNUAL ONE-SHOT

COMPLETE CREPAX VOL 1: DRACULA FRANKENSTEIN HC (NEW PTG)

Story/Art: Guido Crepax | Fantagraphics | Mature | B&W | $85.00

REVISED AND EXPANDED: with a new introduction and new essays by international comics scholars — plus, an in-depth biography. Italy’s Guido Crepax is one of the most acclaimed and influential cartoonists in the world. From the 1960s to the 1990s, he created and chronicled the adventures of Valentina — a globe-trotting photographer with a propensity for surreal BDSM in her dreaming life — and legitimized the erotic comics genre. In addition to the artist’s unique take on the eponymous literary works by Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley, Vol. 1 of The Complete Crepax features a half-dozen Valentina stories — several never before published in the U.S. before this volume — influenced by the French New Wave.

"Crepax's audacious visual techniques, which combine sensual linework, fluid storytelling and innovative panel breakdowns, strongly influenced both his contemporaries and subsequent generations of comics artists, and they look as strikingly bold today as they did a half-century ago." — Booklist

Nothing like a little BDSM to enliven boring books like Frankenstein and Dracula.

COUNTRY WITHOUT HUMANS VOL 3 GN

COVER OF DARKNESS COLLECTED ED TP

CURSED PRINCESS CLUB GN VOL 01

D&D DUNGEON CLUB GN VOL 01 ROLL CALL

DANCE IN VAMPIRE BUND AGE OF SCARLET ORDER GN VOL 07

DEAD KINGDOM #3

DIVIDE #1 (OF 2)

Story: Karim Ahmad | Art/Cover: David N. Gordillo | CEX | $6.99

When Salim is separated from his family and imprisoned with countless other Muslims and immigrants, he and his allies develop a plan to return home. But can they escape before this prison's supernatural secret consumes them all? Inspired by current events, this double-sized first issue of Divide brings you a monstrous and heart-rending story about the toll of divisive politicking and family separation!

Ripped from today's headlines! (And maybe from Star Wars just a little, too.)

DOOR TO DOOR NIGHT BY NIGHT #2

DRAGON WHISPERER: SEARCH FOR OBSIDIAN #5

DUEL #4 (OF 10)

EDEN'S ZERO VOL 20 GN

ENTANGLED WITH YOU GARDEN OF 100 GRASSES GN

EXCITING COMICS #28

FEARLESS DAWN #3 (OF 4)

FIST OF THE NORTH STAR HC VOL 07

FLESH-EATING CHEERLEADERS FROM OUTER SPACE #2

FOREVER FORWARD #4 (OF 5)

FRANK FRAZETTA'S DEATH DEALER COVER GALLERY #1

GIGANT VOL 10 GN

GOLD DIGGERS #295

A GUARDIAN #3 (OF 3)

HELLOWEEN #3 (OF 3)

HIDDEN DUNGEON ONLY I CAN ENTER VOL 7 GN

HISTORY COMICS ROSA PARKS & CLAUDETTE COLVIN GN

Story: Tracey Baptiste | Art: Shauna Grant | First Second Books | $12.99

Turn back the clock with History Comics! In this volume, learn about two brave women who stood up against segregation, setting in motion the Montgomery Bus Boycott! A Black woman who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus sparked a bus boycott and became part of one of the most iconic moments in American history. Yet, few know that Rosa Parks had actively worked toward social justice her whole life. And even fewer know that the seeds of the statewide bus boycott were first planted by a teenager named Claudette Colvin, who was arrested on similar charges months earlier. Parks and Colvin inspired a nation, showing how positive change can start with a single defiant act. Their actions have become the stuff of legend, but there is so much more to their lives, their stories, and the movement they began!

From the artwork, this looks geared to kids. But the Rosa Parks story is irresistible.

I CAN READ COMICS: MY LITTLE PONY SISTER SWITCH GN

IN HIS TIME: THE EARLY STORIES OF ERNEST HEMINGWAY BY JASON NOVAK

Story/Art: Jason Novak | Fantagraphics | $22.00

Ernest Hemingway, as the author of this graphic adaptation acknowledges, may be culturally out of fashion, but his short stories, especially those that appeared in the first 1924 version of in our time, are timeless. The stories from that edition are, as the cartoonist Jason Novak writes in his introduction, “the shortest Hemingway ever wrote. Most of them could more properly be described as vignettes. Any one of them taken alone might be better classified as a prose poem; it is only when read together that they achieve a cohesion as 'stories'.

In this new adaptation, Novak finds the graphic equivalent of Hemingway’s lean, muscular prose — stark, punchy, beautifully composed panels that illustrate the understated poetics of those early, famously groundbreaking stories.

I hope the book ends before he shoots himself. (Oops! Spoiler!)

I WAS REINCARNATED AS 7th PRINCE VOL 3 GN

IMPOSSIBLE JONES: NAUGHTY OR NICE #1

Story: Karl Kesel | Art/Cover: David Hahn | Scout Comics | $4.99

A Very Special Holiday Special! Holly Daze threatens to blow up the city, forcing IMP to play hero just as she's planning her own Holiday Heist! And IMP thought they were friends! :-( Added Bonus: a seasonal Even Steven story where his insistence that everything be equal is tested when he receives an anonymous gift-and returning the gesture is, well, impossible!

Another Scout first issue. At least it's a one-shot.
And it looks like The In-Betweener is moonlighting. That suit doesn't fool us, bro!

JUNGLE COMICS #10

LIBRARIAN OF AUSCHWITZ GN

Story: Salva Rubio, Antonio Iturbe | Art: Orlando Arocena | Art/Cover: Efa | Henry Holt | $14.99

A graphic novel adaptation of The Librarian of Auschwitz, inspired by the true story of Holocaust survivor Dita Kraus. This graphic novel tells the incredible story of a girl who risked her life to keep the magic of books alive during the Holocaust. Fourteen-year-old Dita is one of the many imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz. Taken, along with her mother and father, from the Terez n ghetto in Prague, Dita is adjusting to the constant terror that is life in the camp. When Jewish leader Freddy Hirsch asks Dita to take charge of the eight precious volumes the prisoners have managed to sneak past the guards, she agrees. And so Dita becomes the librarian of Auschwitz. Out of one of the darkest chapters of human history comes this extraordinary story of courage and hope.

MAGICAL ANGEL CREAMY MAMI SPOILED PRINCESS GN VOL 04

MAISON IKKOKU COLLECTORS EDITION GN VOL 10

MANGA Z #5

MORTIMER LAZY BIRD #1

MY BAD VOL 2 #2 (OF 5)

MYSTERY BROTHERS #4

NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #185

NOW LET ME FLY: PORTRAIT OF EUGENE BULLARD GN

Story: Ronald Wimberly | Art: Brahm Revel | First Second Books | $29.99

From Ronald Wimberly, creator of the viral comic Lighten Up, comes a soaring graphic biography that casts new light on the first African American fighter pilot. On the eve of World War I, Eugene Bullard was one of a small but growing number of African American refugees living in France. At just eleven years old, Bullard had fled the dangers of the Jim Crow South, determined to find a place where a Black man would be treated as a human being. His search took him across the Atlantic and through a myriad of lives as a horse racer, vaudeville performer, and boxer. In 1913, he settled in Paris. In 1914, the Great War began, and Bullard made history as the first African American fighter pilot. In this candid-but-sensitive graphic memoir, Ronald Wimberly and Brahm Revel capture moments from Eugene Bullard's life with remarkable empathy, from the muddy trenches to the open sky.

OFFICER CLAWSOME VOL 1: LOBSTER COP GN

OTHERSIDE PICNIC VOL 3 GN

PENCILMATION GRAPHITE NOVEL

PINK LEMONADE #4

PLANET COMICS #12

REBORN AS A BARRIER MASTER VOL 3 GN

RED WINTER FALLOUT #1 (OF 4)

Story: Michael Gordon | Art: Alberto Massaggia | Scout Comics | $4.99

The last time we saw Joseph Winter, he was fleeing the scene of a massacre at the Moscow Oil Refinery which decimated the ranks of Kapotnya's rival gangs and left his father Eli dead. Now Joseph is on his own, desperate to find a way out of a city that seems hellbent on killing him. Vasily Andropov is out for blood, and the Moscow police force is closing in too - but then help comes from a very unlikely source. At the same time, local detective Max Voronin is assigned the Refinery case, all while an American agent is tasked with doing whatever it takes to keep a lid on what really happened.

Another Scout first issue.
What's the font the title is in? I see it used a lot for Russian/Soviet-oriented books. I think it was used on DC's Superman: Red Son.

SACRAMENT #5 (OF 5)

SAGA OF A DOOMED UNIVERSE #2 (OF 3)

Another sequence of homages:

SALA NI YALO PATH OF THE SHADES

SANTA VS ZOMBIES HC

Story: Koji Sakai, C. W. Cooke | Art/Cover: Cesar Diaz Legaspe, Andy Poole | CEX | $19.95

Meet Santa. He's having a mid-life crisis. And that's why he doesn't notice the zombie apocalypse until it's almost too late. On the run and just trying to survive, Santa rediscovers his Christmas spirit and does everything he can to save Christmas -- even if it means his own death!

I remember as a kid waiting for the first zombie of the season. So magical!

SHANGRI LA FRONTIER VOL 3 GN

SHE BITES #3

SHE PROFESSED HERSELF PUPIL OF WISE MAN GN VOL 07

SHRIEK #2

SORRY FOR MY FAMILIAR GN VOL 10

SPARKS OF CHAOS #3 (OF 3)

STABBITY BUNNY #12

STAN LEE CHAKRA THE INVINCIBLE STAN LEE 100th BIRTHDAY SPECIAL

Story: Ashwin Pande, Sharad Devarajan, Stan Lee | Art/Cover: Jeevan Kang | $2.99

To celebrate the centenary of the legend himself, we are reprinting for the first time the original short story by Stan Lee of his superhero, Chakra The Invincible. This special edition also features an all-new special story by Chakra co-creator, Sharad Devarajan and longtime series writer Ashwin Pande, in which Stan Lee meets his creation and joins Chakra on an exciting new adventure!

I love how Stan's toupee has lived beyond him. Excelsior!

SUPER SUCKERS #4

Binge book.

SURVIVAL IN ANOTHER WORLD WITH MY MISTRESS VOL 3 GN

TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #137

THUS SPOKE ROHAN KISHIBE VOL 2 GN

TORADORA VOL 10 GN

TWO OF THEM ARE PRETTY MUCH LIKE THIS VOL 2 GN

UNWANTED #2

WAR PARTY #1 (OF 6)

Story/Art: Justin Murphy | Rampart Press | Mature | $3.99

After their families are killed during the French & Indian War and the surviving child is captured, three brothers organize a rescue when they receive shape-shifting powers from a female shaman. Wolf, bear, eagle, jaguar and gator all team up in an alliance against the French and the British.

From its website, Rampart looks like a one-man show. Possibly self-published.
Placing this book during the French and Indian War (which was just a sideshow of the Seven Years War, the first true world war) is a pretty neat idea. Even if history indicates these guys didn't make much of an impact.

WEST OF SUNDOWN #7

WHAT DID YOU EAT YESTERDAY VOL 19 GN

WORLD WAR 3: RAID ON TOKYO #1 (OF 5)

Story/Art: Motofumi Kobayashi | Antarctic Press | $4.99

More hard-hitting alternate-history action from combat manga master Motofumi Kobayashi (Cat Shit One)! The abolition of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty leads to incursions by Soviet forces. As the Soviets proceed from landing grounds in Niigata toward Tokyo, the JSDF, isolated from their government, must begin extrajudicial actions to survive. Will they be able to defend their country?

Has anybody read any of these? The solicitations always look interesting, but I've never seen one.

YEAR ZERO VOL 0 #3 (OF 5)

YUUNA & HAUNTED HOT SPRINGS VOL 22 GN

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Comics Guide: Dec. 26, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023

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