I remember reading some A.B.C. Warriors back when Quality or somebody reprinted them for the U.S., and they weren't very good. This looks like it could be the next generation, so maybe it'll be better.
ABC WARRIORS RETURN TO MARS (HC)
Publisher: REBELLION / 2000AD
Writer: PAT MILLS
Art/Cover: CLINT LANGLEY
$23.99
Mars, the far future. Tasked with increasing the peace on the war-ravaged Red Planet, the A.B.C. Warriors are reunited with one of their oldest number - the mechanic known as Tubal Caine AKA Happy Shrapnel. As Happy explains how he died and was subsequently resurrected by Medusa (the planetary consciousness). Happy's story exposes the identity of the villain responsible for most of the trouble on Mars -- "the father of all A.B.C. Warriors" needs to be executed, and the Warriors are going to need the help of another old ally to carry out the mission!
I can't resist running a Darwyn Cooke cover.
ACTION COMICS #41
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by GREG PAK and AARON KUDER
Art and cover by AARON KUDER
THE JOKER Variant cover by DARWYN COOKE
32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
The epic new storyline “TRUTH” begins! For Superman, there’s no more holding back!
Dinosaurs! And none of those pesky word balloons to cover up the art!
AGE OF REPTILES: ANCIENT EGYPTIANS #1 (OF 4)
Publisher: DARK HORSE
Writer/Art/Cover: RICARDO DELGADO
Colors: RYAN HILL
FC, 32 pages, $3.99
Miniseries
The Eisner Award–winning series returns!
Ricardo Delgado’s gorgeous and brutal Age of Reptiles series returns, marking a bold new direction in wordless storytelling! The steaming swamps of Cretaceous Africa teem with prehistoric life and primordial danger in a tale filled with villains, victims, and one of the most dangerous and unpredictable protagonists ever created: the lonely antihero Spinosaurus aegyptiacus!
Great for all ages!
“Without a single word, this book is easily one of the most intriguing pieces I’ve seen this year.” -- Comic Book Resources
This looks really self-indulgent.
AIRBOY #1 (OF 4)
Publisher: IMAGE COMICS
Story: JAMES ROBINSON
Art / Cover: GREG HINKLE
32 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99
Worlds and minds explode in a brand-new series!
Bestselling writer James Robinson (Starman, Fantastic Four) and artist Greg Hinkle are hired to write a reboot of the 1940s action hero Airboy, but what better way to seek a little creative inspiration than a night of debauchery? Robinson and Hinkle team up to star in this metafiction about two comic book creators gone wild in the new series AIRBOY.
In AIRBOY, Robinson’s reluctant to do yet another Golden Age reboot and he’s worried about his stagnant career, ailing marriage, and all-around doldrum life. But that’s nothing a stiff drink can’t fix! Enter artist Greg Hinkle and a night of partying that has to be seen to be believed. Even Airboy himself will have his work cut out for him if he plans to get the two comic book creators in-line and back on the straight and narrow! Could this task be too much for hero?
“This is me trying something I would never have had the balls to do in the past. Namely, I'm combining the sad details of my real life at a recent much darker time, and having those revelations combined into a stew with gross exaggeration and comic book action fantasy,” said Robinson. “If you like semi-autobiographical drama, combined with drugs, alcohol, flagrant promiscuity, air fighters in two-fisted battle action and myself and artist Greg Hinkle doing full-frontal nudity … then this is the comic you've been waiting for. It's been a blast to write and very cathartic and I hope everyone enjoys seeing a different side to me.”
Robinson and Hinkle’s story, although taking inspiration from real sources, is fictional. “Honestly, in reality Eric [Stephenson] didn't come to me with Airboy, I conceived the whole thing with me in it and all the drinking, drugs and sex and took the idea to him,” said Robinson. “There was never any intended Airboy relaunch. It was all made up by me.”
A humorous blend of fiction and reality (and a healthy dose of embellishment) AIRBOY begins the renewed journey of a character much beloved at one point, but forgotten today.
“Oh and our characters are quite like they're depicted in the comic, including our weak wills, depravity, and cowardice,” added Robinson.
Image Comics Eric Stephenson himself even makes a cameo appearance in the story.
“As the writer of Starman, James is one of comics’ preeminent writers, and when he first started talking to us about doing more creator-owned work at Image, I was thrilled,” said Eric Stephenson, Publisher at Image Comics. “Saviors has been fantastic, obviously, but that in no way prepared me for the absolute insanity of AIRBOY -- and I mean that in the absolute best way possible. What James and Greg have come up with here is nothing short of inspired mayhem.”
AIRBOY is a new ongoing semi-autobiographical series, inspired by the original Airboy comic series, coming to Image Comics in 2014.
Oddly, this is one newspaper strip reprint series I don't mind skipping, even though Spider-Man has always been a fave. But I've read some Spider-Man strips in actual newspapers, and they were really bland.
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL 1
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Adding to IDW Publishing’s ever-growing partnership with Marvel, the publishers announced today at New York Comic Con they will be teaming up to bring the world’s most popular Super-Hero, The Amazing Spider-Man, to IDW’s Library of American Comics (LOAC) imprint.
The wondrous wall-crawler’s long-running newspaper strip by Stan Lee, John Romita, and others will be collected in a series of deluxe new hardcover editions that are sure to leave Super Hero fans and comic-strip collectors equally delighted. Consistent with the other newspaper strip reprints in the Library of American Comics line, each volume in the Spider-Man series will include full-color Sunday pages.
Launched in 1977, the Spider-Man newspaper strip begins with Peter Parker’s arachnid alter-ego facing off against the deadly menace of Doctor Doom! Classic Spidey villains, including Kraven the Hunter, Doctor Octopus, Mysterio, and the Kingpin, make appearances in pulse-pounding tales drawn by master Spider-artist John Romita Sr. and written by none other than Spider-Man co-creator Stan “The Man” Lee! As the series unfolds, the artistic torch was passed to Larry Lieber (Stan’s younger brother), Paul Ryan, Alex Saviuk, and legendary inker “Joltin’” Joe Sinnott. No matter the artistic interpretation on display, The Amazing Spider-Man comic strip features the kind of fast-paced action and genuine human emotion that has made Peter Parker a star in movies, theatre, TV, video games, and the comic books that started it all back in 1962 with Amazing Fantasy #15.
LOAC’s Spider-Man series is designed by Dean Mullaney and edited by Bruce Canwell, both winners of multiple 2014 Eisner Awards for Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth.
“Dean and I both grew up reading the Marvel Comics of the 1960s and ’70s,” said Canwell. “In the third grade, I got sent home at noontime for daring to bring my copy of Spider-Man #53 to school! Lee and Romita wrote and drew that comic book, and it’s great fun bringing their newspaper strip work to a fresh audience. I hope to donate a copy of our first volume to the library at my former grade school!”
The Amazing Spider-Man Volume 1 goes on sale in early 2015, so plan a visit to your favorite comics shop or bookseller so you can enjoy the special Lee/Romita storytelling magic and learn with Peter Parker once again that, “With great power comes great responsibility”.
I kinda hope this family sticks around after Secret Wars in some form. I LIKE this family.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS #1
Publisher: MARVEL COMICS
Written by DAN SLOTT
Art & Cover by ADAM KUBERT
Variant Covers by J. SCOTT CAMPBELL, JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER, HUMBERTO RAMOS and SKOTTIE YOUNG
Ant-Sized Variant by MIKE DEODATO
MAOS Variant by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
Blank Cover Variant also available
Father. Husband. Hero. The Amazing Spider-Man isn’t safe from the Secret Wars – and neither are you! Today, Marvel is pleased to present your first look at AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS #1, from blockbuster creators Dan Slott and Adam Kubert! Trust us, you have to read this to believe it! Prepare for the next evolutionary step in Peter Parker’s life as the Parker family faces Battleworld … together. Peter, Mary Jane and their daughter may not have much, but they have each other. Even as his city is torn asunder by a mysterious new villain, the safety of Peter’s wife and daughter comes first. But who is this mysterious “Regent” who has claimed the lives of so many heroes? How long till Spider-Man and his family are in his crosshairs? This is the story you’ve been waiting for. No fan can afford to miss the seismic AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS #1 when it explodes into comic shops this June!
Is Archie the last title that's had continuous numbering since the 1940s? If so, that means it should have the the biggest number of any title extant. So after it reboots, what title will be the new longevity champ? I mean, assuming you don't count Walt Disney's Comics & Stories, since IDW is going to continue that numbering, even though it has long gaps in publishing. Who else is there that's even over #300?
ARCHIE #666
Publisher: ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
Writer: TOM DEFALCO
Art: PAT KENNEDY & VARIOUS
Cover/Connecting Variants: DAN PARENT
32-page, full color comic, $3.99 U.S.
Archie Comics shocked readers across the world with the announcement of this summer's game-changing ARCHIE #1 featuring the blockbuster creative team of Mark Waid and Fiona Staples. Before moving forward into a new era, ARCHIE #666 takes a look back at the wacky and heartfelt adventures that Archie and the gang have gone on over the years by Archie Comics legends Tom DeFalco, Dan Parent, Fernando Ruiz and Pat & Tim Kennedy!
ARCHIE #666 caps off a legendary run of comic book excellence spanning over 70 years of publishing history while opening the door for the next thrilling chapter of Archie Comics. ARCHIE #666 will feature 6 interlocking covers celebrating Archie's vibrant history and characters by artist Dan Parent.
I can't say I'm really excited about this one. Heck, I didn't enjoy the actual Armor Wars when they originally ran. But it's one of the many Secret Wars titles about which we know little, so I'll run the previews when I get 'em.
ARMOR WARS #1
Publisher: MARVEL COMICS
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by MARCIO TAKARA
Cover by PAUL RIVOCHE
Variant Covers by STEVE PUGH, VANESA DEL REY and SKOTTIE YOUNG
Iron Gwen Variant by DAVID LAFUENTE
MAOS Variant by MARCOS MARTIN
Ant-Sized Variant by PASQUAL FERRY
Blank Variant Also Available
32 PGS / Rated T+ / $3.99
A SHADOW FALLS OVER AN ARMORED UTOPIA!
• TECHNOPOLIS: Amazing Domain of science and wonder created by rival genius brothers TONY AND ARNO STARK. A utopia except ... a unique disease forces EVERYONE to wear armor to live and breathe.
• In this armored land a hero is murdered and the killer’s identity a mystery Baron Tony Stark must solve.
• But in doing so, will Technopolis be forced into a civil war?
This June, venture to a wondrous techno-utopia, with a dark and sinister secret in ARMOR WARS #1 – a new Secret Wars series! Eisner-award winning writer James Robinson and artist Marcio Takara show you the beauty technology can bring…and the horrors it can unleash!
Welcome to Technopolis, a shining beacon for all Battleworld to see. Full of science and wonder created at the hands of rival genius brothers – Tony Stark and Arno Stark. Yet shadows fall over this armored Utopia. A unique disease forces EVERYONE to wear armor just to live and breathe!
“We’ve got this absolutely cool as heck city filled with absolutely cool as heck armored citizens,” says Senior Editor Mark Paniccia. “The design work that Marcio has done with both the environment of Technoplis and the armors of all the various characters deserves its own coffee table art book.
“Plus, James is delving into the kind of emotional and hard-hitting story he excels at,” continues Paniccia. “He’s doing some amazing world-building and bringing us a mystery that -- as it’s peeled back -- will shock readers and make their hearts sink into their stomachs.”
But when murder strikes his domain, Baron Tony Stark must race against the clock to identify the mysterious killer. But is he too late to stop more bodies from showing up? And just who is the mysterious Iron Hand? Find out as the mechanical murder mystery kicks off in ARMOR WARS #1 this June!
Love these covers!
BALTIMORE: THE CULT OF THE RED KING #2 (OF 5)
Publisher: DARK HORSE
Writers: MIKE MIGNOLA, CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN
Art: PETER BERGTING
Colors: DAVE STEWART
Cover: BEN STENBECK
FC, 32 pages, $3.99
Miniseries
Lord Baltimore’s search for the Red King continues, but an ancient evil that threatens the world has its grip on Baltimore’s closest friends. Will they be able to survive its wrath?
“If you’re intrigued about horror in the early twentieth century, this promises to deliver on that premise.”—Bloody Disgusting
Looking forward to this one!
BAT-MITE #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art and cover by CORIN HOWELL
1:25 Variant cover by CORIN HOWELL
32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $2.99 US • RATED E
This issue will ship with two covers.
Bat-Mite is here to fix the DC Universe – one hero at a time! Convinced that he’s the imp that put Batman on the map, he’s spreading his expertise all over the DC Universe, eager to boost the careers of heroes he thinks need his “help.” Don’t miss the start of this six-issue all-ages miniseries!
I haven't ever really enjoyed Batman Beyond, either on TV or in comics. I don't think this will be the title to change my mind, even though it's not Terry McGinnis any more. They just replaced one cipher with another, as far as I'm concerned.
BATMAN BEYOND #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art and cover by BERNARD CHANG
1:25 Variant cover by KALMAN ANDRASOFSKY
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
At last, Batman Beyond gets his own ongoing series in THE definitive future of the DCU! But this isn’t the Beyond you think you know! With the Justice League missing and without Bruce to guide him, this new Batman will need to explore this bizarre world on his own while fighting to raise humanity from an opponent that’s already won.
The heroes Batman knew have failed, the world he knew has been turned on its head, and every step he takes will lead him either toward finding home – or further down the road of disaster!
The Dark Knight Returns! Now costing more money but with less color!
BATMAN NOIR THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS (DLX ED HC)
Publisher: DC COMICS
Writer/Cover: FRANK MILLER
Art: FRANK MILLER, KLAUS JANSON
$34.99
For the first time, DC Comics collects Frank Miller's unforgettable Dark Knight epic in black and white! It is ten years after an aging Batman has retired, and Gotham City has sunk into decadence and lawlessness. Now, as his city needs him most, the Dark Knight returns in a blaze of glory. Joined by Carrie Kelly, a teenaged Robin, Batman takes to the streets to end the threat of the mutant gangs that have overrun the city. And after facing off against The Joker and Two-Face for the final time, Batman finds himself in mortal combat with his former ally, Superman, in a battle that only one will survive.
I had to look up Space Goat Productions. Turns out it's a "packaging and talent management company," whatever that is, which is now launching into print comics. This is one of three new, original titles from Space Goat, plus later there will be a prequel to Evil Dead 2, and then some more original titles down the road. I don't know any of the names in the credits, but "Steampunk Victorian monster hunters" is a pretty nice hook.
BIG GAME HUNTERS #1
Publisher: SPACE GOAT PRODUCTIONS
Writer: SHON C. BURY
Art: JOK
Cover: ESTUDIO HAUS
$3.99
Join this rag-tag band of steampunk Victorian monster hunters as they exterminate a creature in the Scottish Highlands -- but the Tale of the Lizard Baron doesn't truly begin until the hunters' mysterious benefactor in the Queen's Directorate sends them to a deserted Prussian village. All is not as it seems!Boy, this sounds like a big downer. I'll have to read it to find out, I guess.
THE BIGGER BANG
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: D.J. KIRKBRIDE
Art/Cover: VASSILIS GOGTZILAS
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 128 pages
The Big Bang created all life as we know it. THE BIGGER BANG created just one -- at the expense of the human race! Can a hero be born from such cataclysmic destruction? Collects the four-issue series.
“I can’t recommend this book highly enough.” -- Sam Kieth
When this debuted I said I didn't think the movie was as much of a cult favorite as the creators seemed to think it was, and that I didn't think it was strong enough to support a series. I still don't, but here's the collection for those of you who do. (P.S. The Rock is going to star in a remake.)
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA VOL 1 (TPB)
Publisher: BOOM! STUDIOS
Writers: ERIC POWELL, JOHN CARPENTER
Art: BRIAN CHURILLA
Cover: ERIC POWELL
$14.99
What's to Love: Big Trouble in Little China is one of our favorite cult-classic films because it mashed together '80s action and supernatural fantasy movies with '70s kung-fu flicks. This is the first time any new Big Trouble stories have been officially told, and we have the film's original director, John Carpenter, working with Eric Powell (The Goon) on the story, with Brian Churilla (Secret History of D.B. Cooper) on art.
What It Is: Jack Burton, a macho, truck-driving adventurer, shook the pillars of Heaven when he defeated the evil sorcerer Lo Pan. He even helped his best friend Wang save his fiancée from the sorcerer's clutches. Now Wang's wedding has been invaded by evil forces with one thing on their minds-revenge against Jack Burton! Collects issues #1-4 of the critically acclaimed series USA Today calls one of "2014's best of the best."I'm looking forward to this one, too!
BIZARRO #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Written by HEATH CORSON
Art and cover by GUSTAVO DUARTE
1:25 Variant cover by KYLE BAKER
32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $2.99 US • RATED E
This issue will ship with two covers.
“Hate HARLEY QUINN? Then you will super hate BIZARRO! Bizarro star of worstest comic ever! Go ahead and miss it! If there’s one thing this issue not have it these two things: Jimmy Olsen and Chupacabras!” Don’t miss the start of this six-issue all-ages miniseries!
Hot dog! This is gonna be swell!
BRAVO FOR ADVENTURE (HC)
Publisher: IDW PUBLISHING
Writer/Art/Cover: ALEX TOTH
$34.99
Alex Toth's magnum opus, collected in its entirety for the first time ever! This deluxe hardcover edition contains all three of The Genius's stories starring Jesse Bravo, knock-about pilot and reluctant swashbuckler, including the original graphic novel that's been out of print for 30 years. Also included are never-before-seen pencil roughs, preliminary drawings, and story fragments, as well as Toth's own coloring samples for an edition that never saw print, and-freed from storage after 40 years-some of the coloring for what was intended to be Bravo's original 1975 first printing in France! The ultimate Bravo for Adventure, published by special arrangement with the Toth family!
Another apocalypse scenario. Oh, Walking Dead, what hast thou wrought? Still, seems interesting enough to sample.
BROKEN WORLD #1
Publisher: BOOM! STUDIOS
Writer: FRANK J. BARBIERE
Art/Cover: CHRISTOPHER PETERSON
$3.99
What's to Love: We're thrilled to publish the one new original series co-created and written by Frank J. Barbiere (Five Ghosts, Avengers World) in 2015. Broken World is a gripping sci-fi thriller and survival adventure great for fans of Y: The Last Man or The Massive. Barbiere and co-creator/artist Christopher Peterson (Grindhouse, Mayday) will explore the lives of people left behind in the apocalypse.
What It Is: With a meteor days away from causing an extinction-level event on Earth, time is running out for Elena Marlowe. While most of the planet's population and her family were approved by the government to escape on one of the giant spaceships headed to another planet, her application was denied due to her mysterious past. With the meteor fast approaching, Elena desperately tries to find a way to fake her way onto the last ship or else be left behind to die with the rest of Earth’s rejected denizens.
I haven't been following Bunker, but if you have, this week has a one-two punch fer ya.
BUNKER #11
Publisher: ONI PRESS INC.
Writer: JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV
Art/Cover: JOE INFURNARI
Mature / $3.99
Three months later. Grady begins his political campaign while Billy sits in jail for a crime he didn't commit. But once again, everyone is at the mercy of their future selves. Return to the series the New York Times called "gripping"!BUNKER VOL 2 (TPB)
Publisher: ONI PRESS INC.
Writer: JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV
Art/Cover: JOE INFURNARI
Mature / $19.99
The future has not been saved.
A bomb tore a chunk out of San Francisco. Daniel began his job at Aspire, following in his father's footsteps. Will the apocalypse keep happening? Or will something trigger a change in the future? A future where Grady Potts wields his power as president to his advantage. Where Daniel has locked himself away, desperately seeking a cure for the virus. Where Heidi and Billy are criminals. Where Natasha is forced to help Grady find a way to travel into the past ...
... but for what purpose? To help change the future? Or to preserve it?Has anyone been following Captain Midnight? I thought it was a bit derivative when it first debuted, but I have to say some of the covers and previews since have looked interesting.
CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT VOLUME 5: LOST TIME (TPB)
Publisher: DARK HORSE
Writer: JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art: FERNANDO DAGNINO
Colors: JAVIER MENA
Cover: MICHAEL BROUSSARD
FC, 112 pages, $14.99
TPB, 7″ x 10″
After the capture of the technovillain Tempus, it’s time to rebuild the town of Nightshade, raising it up from its fiery ruin. Captain Midnight struggles to acclimate to a future that needs a hero now more than ever, but his allies are forcing his hand in an effort to track down his friend turned enemy, Chuck Ramsey -- the man who killed his sidekick, Rick Marshall -- which results in a battle so epic it threatens to rip a hole in our universe! Oh, and did we mention the werewolves? Captain Midnight Volume 5 collects issues #16-19 of the ongoing superhero epic!
I have enjoyed Lenore, but what th-?
THE CAT WITH A REALLY BIG HEAD
Publisher: TITAN COMICS
Writer/Art/Cover: ROMAN DIRGE
96 pages, HC, FC, 7” X 10.5”
$18.99 / $21.95 CAN / £13.99 UK
FROM BEST- SELLING CREATOR OF LENORE ROMAN DIRGE!
PERFECT FOR FANS OF TIM BURTON’S THE MELANCHOLY DEATH OF OYSTER BOY!
The gothic Michelangelo of the macabre and creator of Lenore: The Cute Little Dead Girl, Roman Dirge is back with a collection of two of his strangest and weirdest tales that take us from the biggest headed cat in the whole universe into the center of a man's body!
Cat With The Really Big Head.
The lead story is the tragic tale of a cat called Cat and his stupidly enormous over-sized head as he struggles with day-to-day problems like coping with hairballs, trying to eat Chunky Beef Chunk With Beef cat food or dealing with the neighborhood mouse, Mr. Stinky, and his army of annoying mice. Life hasn’t dealt Cat a good hand, but still there’s always the prospect of reincarnation and a better life, isn’t there ...?
MONSTERS IN MY TUMMY
Ever wonder what madness happens inside you during times of severity and heartbreak? Feels like a war is being waged in your stomach? Anyone who’s ever been crushed by a loved one will instantly be able to relate to this inner saga.
The Cat With A Really Big Head is available to order now from your local comic book store using Diamond order code: JAN151597
For more information visit:
http://titan-comics.com/c/219-cat-with-a-really-big-head-monsters-i...
I've never heard of this, but it sounds kinda awesome.
THE COMPLETE PISTOLWHIP (HC)
Publisher: DARK HORSE
Writer: JASON HALL
Writer/Art: MATT KINDT
Cover: MARIE ENGER (C)
FC, 336 pages, $27.99
HC, 8 1/4" x 10 1/4"
FIRST TIME IN COLOR!
Matt Kindt and Jason Hall’s breakout crime series returns! This deluxe hardcover edition includes both of Kindt and Hall’s elaborate mystery graphic novels, in color for the first time, along with the Pistolwhip one-shot and a story from Dark Horse Maverick: Happy Endings!
• Deluxe hardcover edition collecting every Pistolwhip story, in color for the first time!
• “Good storytelling; strong, distinctive (and visually pleasing) graphics; and cool names like Charlie Minks and Jack Peril! What more could you ask for?” -- Jeff Smith
• Matt Kindt’s 2001 debut!
This looks to be in the vein of girl-friendly books like Princeless. I hope so, as there can never be too many girl-friendly books.
THE COURAGEOUS PRINCESS VOL 2: THE UNREMEMBERED LANDS (HC)
Publisher: DARK HORSE
Writer/Art/Cover: ROD ESPINOSA
FC, 240 pages, $19.99
HC, 6″ x 9″
Her spirit is mightier than any sword!
The smart and plucky Princess Mabelrose has escaped a dragon and freed the people of Leptia from a tyrant. Journeying home, Mabelrose discovers that her father was coming to her rescue -- but now, he and a posse of princes are the ones who need rescuing! So Mabelrose begins a new quest ...
The continuation of Rod Espinosa’s charming tale!
Wait, we can write "untold tales of the Bible" now? Wow, I have a LOT of ideas for that! First, a whole series of "Li'l Jesus" stories! Tagline: "He's the son of God -- and a little devil!" Then, what happens when Jesus marries Mary Magdalene, and Dad comes to live with them? It's yucks galore in "Holy Father-in-Law!"
Wait, where are you going? I got a million of 'em!
THE COVENANT
Publisher: IMAGE COMICS
Story: ROB LIEFELD
Art: MATT HORAK
Covers A / B: ROB LIEFELD
32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99
In ancient times there was no weapon more devastating than The Ark of The Covenant, containing a power that collapsed enemy nations and destroyed hostile invaders. The Philistine army, led by General Thane, seeks to crush the Israelites as they populate the surrounding territories. A bold move on the field of battle robs the Israelites of their mythical weapon, empowering their most deadly enemy. A young priest, Samuel, determines to steal back the Ark and assembled a group of mercenaries to aid him in the most daring raid in history. An untold tale of the Bible that shifted the balance of power in history.
I can't say this enough: If you like crime noir and haven't read these books, do yourself a favor and start reading!
CRIMINAL VOL 5:THE SINNERS (TPB)
Publisher: IMAGE COMICS
Writer: ED BRUBAKER
Art/Cover: SEAN PHILLIPS
Mature/$14.99
Tracy Lawless returns with a vengeance in this strikingly-designed new edition from Image Comics.
One year after the events of CRIMINAL, VOL. 2: LAWLESS, Tracy Lawless is still a man caught between a history of violence and his own conscience. And now the worst bad guy in the world is tasked with a new job: Solving a series of murders of untouchable crime lords.
CRIMINAL returns to its hard-hitting pulp roots!
If you can't get enough of pre-Code horror -- and I can't -- here's some more!
CRYPT OF HORROR #25
Publisher: AC COMICS
Writers: RUTH ROCHE & VARIOUS
Art: BOB POWELL & VARIOUS
Cover: MAURICE WHITMAN
$29.95
Twenty-fifth issue! Twenty Pre-Code horror stories with a focus on Fiction House art of the great Jack Kamen! Storiers include "Two Ways To Die!", "Flee The Mad Furies," They Vanish At Night," "The Monster Of The Storm" from Avon, Fawcett, Sterling and others. Art by Powell, Ditko, Sekowsky, Whitman and more!
I find it hard to believe any part of this qualifies as "classic."
DRAGONLANCE CLASSICS, VOL. 1
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: DAN MISHKIN
Art: RON RANDALL, MIKE COLLINS
Cover: RON RANDALL
TPB • FC • $29.99 • 212 pages
Open the door to the magical world of Krynn, where the evil Dragonlords rule and meet Sturm, steadfast Knight of Solamnia, veteran of the War of the Lance, and sworn enemy of the tyrants of Krynn. Collects issues #1–8 of the DC Comics series.
Collected for the first time!It sure is a good time to be a Dr. Who fan!
And, BTW, how many doctors did it take them to figure out that the perfect "Companion" should be a hot chick?
DOCTOR WHO: THE TWELFTH DOCTOR #8
Publisher: TITAN COMICS
Story: ROBBIE MORRISON
Art: BRIAN WILLIAMSON
32 pages / FC / $3.99
The thrilling finale of ‘The Fractures’ is here – and it will get under your skin!
Next Wednesday (May 27) sees the release of Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor #8 written by Robbie Morrison (Drowntown, Nikolai Dante) with art by Brian Williamson (Torchwood), bringing us the climactic finale of "The Fractures" story arc!
Bursting from a twisted parallel universe and clawing their way through the void, the Fractures are here, and nothing could prepare the Doctor for their insidious assault on reality!
The Doctor, Clara and UNIT must battle the Fractures, as they slip through the cracks in our world to wear the skin – and bodies – of innocent people, puppeteering them from the inside!
When the war spills out of quiet suburbia and threatens the world, it will take a father and daughter – separated by whole universes – to bring the conflict to an end!
Comes with two covers to collect!
For more information visit:
http://titan-comics.com/c/228-doctor-who-the-twelfth-doctor/
This could be really interesting, especially for those fans with a historical bent.
DRAWN & QUARTERLY: 25 YEARS OF CONTEMPORARY CARTOONING, COMICS, AND GRAPHIC NOVELS
Writer/Art: KATE BEATON & Various
Cover: Various
Hardcover • 776 pages • 7" x 9.2" • full color • mature • $49.95
North America’s pioneering comics publisher celebrates its quarter-century with new and rare archival comics; essays from Jonathan Lethem, Margaret Atwood, Lemony Snicket and more!
Drawn & Quarterly: Twenty-Five Years of Contemporary Cartooning, Comics, and Graphic Novels is a seven hundred and seventy-six page thank-you letter to the cartoonists whose steadfast belief in a Canadian micro-publishers never wavered.
DQ: 25 features hundreds of pages of new comics by Kate Beaton, Chester Brown, Michael DeForge, Tom Gauld, Joe Matt, Miriam Katin, Rutu Modan, James Sturm, Jillian Tamaki, Yoshihiro Tatsumi and more, alongside little-before-seen work from Julie Doucet, Seth, Lynda Barry, Art Spiegelman, Guy Delisle, Shigeru Mizuki, Adrian Tomine, and others. Digging into the archives of one of the first publishers to solely focus on graphic novels, this celebratory book unearths rare photographs, correspondence, and comics; assembles biographies, personal reminiscences, and interviews with key D+Q staff; and features essays by Margaret Atwood, Lemony Snicket, Sheila Heti, Jonathan Lethem, Deb Olin Unferth, Heather O'Neill, Chris Ware, and noted comics scholars. D+Q: 25 is a celebration of the world's best cartoonists and a portrait of a literary movement in progress.
Replies
Hard to go wrong with a Corben cover. There's a really good one on Rat God #5, which is also out this week, coming up in a bit.
EERIE ARCHIVES VOLUME 19 (HC)
Writers/Art: Various
FC, 272 pages, $49.99
HC, 8″ x 11″
The Rook returns for more adventures, along with scores of aliens, classic creatures, modern terrors, and tales of human folly. Creators include horror masters Bruce Jones, Richard Corben, Alex Nino, and many others! Eerie Archives explores all things strange and horrific to deliver timeless, shocking, and experimental short stories to readers old and new! Collects Eerie #90-94!
An arresting assembly of timeless terror and classic creators that features works by Richard Corben, Alex Nino, Bruce Jones, and more!
FAR OUT FAIRY TALES: RED RIDING HOOD, SUPERHERO (GN)
Writer/Art/Cover: OTIS FRAMPTON
$5.95
While taking a tour of Area 54 with her grandmother, the President of the United States, little Ruby Topper discovers a mysterious little alien carrying a red hood. When Ruby dons the crimson cape and cowl, it grants her amazing superpowers! But will her newfound abilities be enough to save the White House -- and her grandmother -- from the rampaging Big Bad Wolf-Bot?
FAR OUT FAIRY TALES: SNOW WHITE & SEVEN ROBOTS (GN)
Writer: LOUISE SIMONSON
Art/Cover: JIMENA SANCHEZ
$5.95
Far, far away, on a distant planet called Techworld, a little girl named Snow White is born. Created by the planet's smartest minds to be the perfect scientist, Snow immediately shows a knack for working with electronics. The Queen, fearing for her crown, exiles Snow White so she cannot grow up and take the Queen's place as the most intelligent person on the planet. However, Snow White's willingness to help those in need -- especially the downtrodden robots of Techworld -- earns her many friends, and they are all quite eager to help her cause.
This looks fairly by-the-numbers, but might be good if it's well executed.
FATHER’S DAY (TPB)
Writer: MIKE RICHARDSON
Art: GABRIEL GUZMÁN
Colors: JAVA TARTAGLIA
Cover: KERON GRANT
FC, 96 pages, $14.99
TPB, 7″ x 10″
“Father’s Day is solid. The pacing is perfect and the action is well-illustrated.” -- Comic Book Resources
Once a feared mob enforcer, Silas Smith has found peace in seclusion ... until his estranged daughter shows up with a major axe to grind. And though Silas abandoned his past, his former bosses are now on his trail and intent on showing that crime doesn’t play! Collects the four-issue miniseries.
An action-packed crime thriller written by Mike Richardson (The Secret, The Atomic Legion, 47 Ronin).
I managed to get hold of a review copy of this, and quite enjoyed it. I expected the usual "Heroic Earthman" model, but instead Flash is a little green, and doesn't get into all these situations out of heroism, but out of excess enthusiasm and overconfidence. Meanwhile, Dale and Zarkov are more than spectators (or hostages), each having their own set of skills and reasons to tag along. Overall, a well-thought-out premise that provides a canvas for the fun stuff.
FLASH GORDON OMNIBUS VOL. 1: THE MAN FROM EARTH (TPB)
Art: EVAN SHANER, SANDY JARRELL, GREG SMALLWOOD, CHRIS ELIOPOULOS, FAITH ERIN HICKS, JEREMY TREECE, LEE FERGUSON, CRAIG ROUSSEAU, JOSEPH COOPER, STEPHEN DOWNEY, LARA MARGARIDA, RICHARD CASE
Cover: MARC LAMING
294 pages / Teen + / $29.99
Flash Gordon never fit in on Earth. But on the bizarre planet Mongo, Flash's thirst for thrills and daring danger makes him the perfect weapon against the iron-fisted tyrant Ming the Merciless and his awful interplanetary swarms of terror! Can the cocksure Man From Earth funnel his overconfidence into saving whole worlds? Will his less-rambunctious allies, Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov, fashion a lasting peace with such savage races as the Beast-Men of Arboria and Hawkmen of Sky City? Or will the universe fall to Ming?
The full-throttle, complete Flash Gordon saga is collected here, featuring epic space action from the wildly talented creative team of Jeff Parker (Batman '66, Aquaman) and Evan Shaner (Adventures of Superman). This out-of-sight Omnibus edition also includes bonus stories from faraway Mongo, as well as a comprehensive cover gallery! Collects the complete eight-issue FLASH GORDON comic book series, plus the FLASH GORDON 2014 Holiday Special and FLASH GORDON 2014 Annual.
"This is a superior book that is a welcome breath of bright science fiction to a modern world drowning in dystopias. Highest possible recommendation." -- SciFiPulse
"Parker, Shaner, and Bellaire hit the ground running and offer up a great taste of what's in store from here on out." -- Comic Book Therapy
FM PRESENTS GUNSUITS #1
Writer: PAUL TOBIN
Art/Cover: P. J. HOLDEN
$3.99
Potts is a gunsuit pilot engaged in all-out war with horrific tentacled creatures who appear to be from another planet, except in the world of Gunsuits, where wormholes lead to an infinite number of alternate universes, nothing is that simple. Potts is about to come face to face with herself. From the writer of Prometheus and the artist of Numbercruncher!
FRANKENSTEIN: THE MAD SCIENCE OF DICK BRIEFER (HC)
Writer/Art/Cover: DICK BRIEFER
FC, 260 pages, $49.99
HC, 7″ x 10″
Frankenstein: The Mad Science of Dick Briefer reanimates a most unusual Frankenstein monster, one “who, like Ferdinand the Bull, would rather pluck flowers than pluck off people’s heads.” Briefer’s Frankenstein mixes screwball comedy with canny observation of postwar America into a creation that would shock the original monster senseless! It’s alive! Collects Frankenstein #1-6 (Prize Publications, 1945–1946).
A truly unusual take on the Frankenstein mythos.
I loved the original Future Imperfect, but I'm not sure it really needs a sequel. But if it does, here it is. At least Peter David is on board, so we know we'll get the best possible.
FUTURE IMPERFECT #1
Written by PETER DAVID
Art & Cover by GREG LAND
Variant Cover by DALE KEOWN
Ant-Sized Variant by DALE KEOWN
The Ingwenible Hulk Variant by NICK BRADSHAW
32 PGS / Rated T+ / $3.99
ON BATTLEWORLD, THE DICTATOR OF DYSTOPIA IS A FAMILIAR FACE!
• THE MAESTRO rules but there are those who want him dethroned!
• What role does RUBY SUMMERS have in the plan for this dangerous rebellion?
• Have the rebels genuinely found ODIN, the father of The Gods, as an ally against the Maestro?
Can anyone stop the Maestro? That’s the question this June as the oppressive lord of Dystopia enters the Battleworld fray in FUTURE IMPERFECT #1! Writer Peter David returns to the nuclear-ravaged wastelands he made famous. And artist Greg Land joins him for an explosive all-new Secret Wars tale!
In the domain of Dystopia, the Hulk stands triumphant over the world’s heroes and villains. Now calling himself the Maestro and lording over all of Dystopia – his gamma-fisted tyranny knows no bounds! Yet the spark of rebellion still lives within these borders. A small, but fierce band of rebels still remains, willing give all in the name of freedom, even if it means their lives! Time to find out if Hulk really is the strongest one there is?
“It’s really fun to see the Maestro back and the dude is on his home turf so any challengers are going to have a distinct disadvantage when it comes to smash time,” says Series Editor Mark Paniccia. “Some characters from Peter David’s X-FACTOR are going toe-to-toe with Maestro but there’s a great battle coming up with an ever-lovin’ surprise character that promises to give lovers of superhero fights a coast-to-coast grin!”
With their backs to the wall, Ruby Summers and the rebels will seek out anyone who can stand against Maestro’s power. How does Odin factor into their strategy? What character in Maestro’s weight class will face off with him? And will the members of X-Factor survive the first issue? Those answers and more lie in the bombastic, action-packed pages of FUTURE IMPERFECT #1 this June!
GIANT-SIZE LITTLE MARVEL: AVX #1
Writer/Art/Cover: SKOTTIE YOUNG
Action Figure Variant by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
Ant-Sized Variant by TBA
Variant by Humberto Ramos
Young Variant by SKOTTIE YOUNG
32 PGS / Rated T / $3.99
You thought Avengers vs. X-Men was epic? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! This June, superstar writer/artist Skottie Young (Rocket Raccoon) brings his inimitable style to the Battleworld brawls for GIANT-SIZE LITTLE MARVEL: AVX #1 – a new Secret Wars series!
It’s all-out war between the two biggest factions in the Marvel Universe! The toughest, craziest and most popular Marvel heroes are going to THROW DOWN on the surface of Battleworld. Featuring the likes of Cyclops, Hawkeye, Magik, Black Widow, Wolverine, Captain America and many, many more. They’re all here – just shorter!
“I just like the idea of these two groups being at odds with each other at all times,” says Skottie Young in an interview with Marvel.com. “It’s like when you and your friends had a club house and your rivals had one a few streets over. It’s all about who’s crew is the best, except the kids in my story shoot eye lasers and can summon demons from Limbo.”
This June, Skottie Young brings out the big guns for the series fans have been waiting for! Don’t miss one moment of the pulse-pounding action when GIANT-SIZE LITTLE MARVEL: AVX #1 takes one giant-size leap into comic shop and digital devices this June!
A whole book devoted to my favorite tree! (Sorry, Treebeard.)
GROOT #1
Written by JEFF LOVENESS
Art by BRIAN KESINGER
Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY
Variant Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
Gwoot Variant by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI
32 PGS / Rated T / $3.99
This June, the Marvel Universe’s most famous tree is starring in his very own series! That’s right, GROOT #1 is coming – and you will NOT want to miss it! Comics rising star Jeff Loveness (Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Amazing Spider-Man Special) joins Marvel newcomer Brian Kesinger (Disney Animation) for an epic galactic road trip of cosmic proportions!
“There’s a huge language barrier between Groot and the rest of the Marvel Universe,” says writer Jeff Loveness, in an interview with Marvel.com. “He may be a kind-hearted soul to us, but to a stranger, he’s just a terrifying tree-monster. He’s bound to get in trouble because of people judging him before they know him.”
It’s not all fun and games when, for the first time in years, Groot has been separated from his pal and translator Rocket Raccoon and forced to make it on his own in the big, scary galaxy. Armed with just the words “I”, “Am” and “Groot,” he’s about to embark on a new kind of adventure.
“We have the kinds of wacky situations a giant space tree can find himself in,” series Editor Devin Lewis says, “but we’re also striving to show what makes Groot one of the noblest and wisest characters in the Marvel Universe. There are as many feels in this book as there are chuckles, and it’s going to surprise people.”
Explosions! Intergalactic Hitchhiking! Aliens! Space Sharks! And that’s just the first issue, True Believer! Bursting at the seams with action, adventure and excitement – fans will not want to miss out on this epic thrill ride. The intergalactic road trip is about begin. Hang on tight when GROOT #1 sprouts up in comic shops this June!
GREEN ARROW #41
Written by BEN PERCY
Art and cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER
THE JOKER Variant cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Green Arrow returns to Seattle to find the city in chaos! What’s causing this destruction, and can Ollie stop it before it spreads beyond the city?
DC Sneak Peek: Green Arrow
I never enjoyed Mike Grell's work, so this collection comes from my least-favorite Green Arrow period.
GREEN ARROW VOL. 3: THE TRIAL OF OLIVER QUEEN (TPB)
Written by MIKE GRELL
Art by ED HANNIGAN, DAN JURGENS, DICK GIORDANO and others
Cover by ED HANNIGAN and DICK GIORDANO
208 pg, FC, $16.99 US • MATURE READERS
In these stories from GREEN ARROW #13-20, Green Arrow relocates to Portland to be with Black Canary. But after helping out a local resident, he finds himself the target of an assassin who wants to bring his own brand of deadly vigilante justice to the city.
I'm running this for the cool variant cover, which is making my homage sense tingle. Is it reminding me of a Sandman cover? Batman: Arkham Asylum? I can't put my finger on it.
As to the concept of "Hal Jordan, renegade," it strikes me as old hat.
GREEN LANTERN #41
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by BILLY TAN and MARK IRWIN
Cover by BILLY TAN
THE JOKER Variant cover by BEN OLIVER
32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
“Renegade”! Beginning a new chapter in Hal Jordan’s life as he becomes the universe’s most wanted outlaw! And wait till you meet Hal’s new partner, Darlene – she’s definitely not what you’re expecting!
DC Sneak Peek: Green Lantern
GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #6
Writer: BILL WILLINGHAM
Art: DIOGO SAIDO
Cover by CLAY MANN
32 PGS. / Rated T+ / $3.99
Nightcrawler journeys to a far off world to represent Earth in their celebrated interplanetary blade-fighting competition. His hopes to acquit himself well are abruptly stalled when it turns out he’s facing Gamora in the semi-finals.
THE HERO BOOK 1 (HC)
Writer/Art/Cover: DAVID RUBÍN
FC, 288 pages, $24.99
HC, 6″ x 9″
In ancient Greece the first superhero was born. Heracles, the son of Zeus, came into the world with strength, charm and a fighting spirit.
The Hero is a modern retelling of the world’s greatest champion, and chronicles Heracles’s incredible adventures, from his innocent boyhood to his meteoric rise to popularity as he tackles the Twelve Labors.
Heracles, the son of Zeus, came into the world with strength, charm and a fighting spirit. Featuring an introduction by John Arcudi (B.P.R.D., The Creep), The Hero brings the legend to life through Rubín’s masterful storytelling and dynamic art!
His journey is tempered by a steady decay that never relieves him of his heroic burden. And this burden becomes his only grip on reality as Heracles edges toward his fateful end.
The Hero Book 2 will be available in December 2015.
Praise for David Rubín’s The Hero:
“Welcome David Rubín to the table. He is a big talent and the real deal. The Hero is a strong statement of intent.” -- Paul Pope (creator of Battling Boy)
“This book is awesome.” -- Gabriel Bá (Daytripper, The Umbrella Academy)
I think I'm kinda over Hembeck -- I feel like every time I read one of his jokes, I've read it before.
HOUSE OF HEM
Publisher: MARVEL COMICS
Writers: FRED HEMBECK with JIM SHOOTER
Art: FRED HEMBECK with RON WILSON, JOHN BYRNE, MICHAEL GOLDEN, AL MILGROM, JOHN BUSCEMA & MORE
Cover by FRED HEMBECK
104 PGS / Rated T+ / $7.99
• For over thirty years, cartoonist Fred Hembeck has been poking fun at Marvel’s mightiest heroes. Now, some of his greatest works are collected in a giant-sized one-shot that’s bursting with belly laughs!
• Fred relentlessly roasts the Fantastic Four with the help of an all-star cast of artists!
• Fred wipes out the Marvel Universe in the tale they said couldn’t be published (and almost wasn’t)!
• Even Spider-Man and the Hulk are no match for Hembeck’s trademark wit!
• Plus: a cornucopia of side-splitting short strips from the pages of Marvel Age -- and an all-new introduction by the man himself!
• Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR ROAST, FRED HEMBECK DESTROYS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN DIGITAL COMIC #16 -- and material from HULK ANNUAL ’99; and MARVEL AGE #50, #52, #54-55, #69, #97, #122-123 and #130-131.
IMPERIUM #5
Art by SCOT EATON
Cover A by KANO
Cover B by SCOT EATON
Cover C by CAFU
Variant Cover by ROBERT GILL
Variant Cover by SINA GRACE
$3.99 | 32 pages | T+
ALL-NEW ARC! ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT! “BROKEN ANGELS” – PART ONE!
Valiant is proud to announce that veteran artist Scot Eaton ( X-Men: Legacy, Battle Scars) will join New York Times best-selling writer Joshua Dysart (HARBINGER, Unknown Soldier) for a riveting story arc beginning in IMPERIUM #5 – the FIRST ISSUE BROKEN ANGELS, coming in June! The next shocking volume of the latest hit series from VALIANT NEXT, BROKEN ANGELS will introduce the latest superpower to Toyo Harada's growing legion of monsters and malcontents…one they must capture from a technologically advanced enemy stronghold secreted deep beneath the Indian Ocean.
Toyo Harada will create utopia…he just needs the right weapons first! The most powerful man in the world has collected an assembly of monsters, killers, and super-villains…and now he’s set his sights on the last asset his team needs: the renegade Project Rising Spirit scientist called Broken Angel. The only thing standing in his way – an army of enhanced soldiers…guarding a top-secret, highly fortified facility…deep underwater! The impossible heist begins here!
"IMPERIUM is a daring breakaway from anything you can find elsewhere in comics today, even at Valiant," said Valiant Editor Alejandro Arbona. "We're extremely proud of Joshua Dysart and Doug Braithwaite's first arc, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome the talented Scot Eaton into the fold for BROKEN ANGELS. Scot is the perfect choice to follow Doug's masterful turn on this title, and he's already hitting his stride with a new series of covers for BROKEN ANGELS. I MPERIUM was already one of a kind, but it's about to evolve and get even bigger."
This summer, red-hot creators Joshua Dysart and Scot Eaton join forces to realize Toyo Harada's vision of a better world by any means necessary in BROKEN ANGELS, an all-new jumping-on point beginning in IMPERIUM #5! Featuring covers by Kano (THE DELINQUENTS, Gotham Central), Scot Eaton (Black Panther), CAFU (UNITY), Robert Gill (ARMOR HUNTERS: HARBINGER), and Sina Grace (Burn the Orphanage), start reading here this June to find out why IMPERIUM is one of the year's most acclaimed new series:
"A fascinating examination of the effects super powers might have on the real world. … It's worth paying attention." – Wired
✮✮✮✮✮ "Smart and entertaining, gorgeous yet gruesome, and character-driven yet large in scope…[IMPERIUM] is more than worthy of your $3.99, people." – Comic Vine
✮✮✮✮½ "Writer Joshua Dysart really has cooked up something special here to behold. … An enthralling ride…" – Bloody Disgusting
✮✮✮✮½ "A fantastic kick-off. … Perfect for long time fans as well as those who are new and just want to check out a quality comics." – Graphic Policy
✮✮✮✮ "Valiant Entertainment once again delivers an incredibly strong first issue of a new series, as it almost always does. … New readers will find themselves wanting to stick around." – Comic Book Resources
✮✮✮✮ "Dysart and Braithwaite are exploring fascinating ideas in IMPERIUM. … Another accessible, interesting and unique entry point into the ever expanding Valiant Universe." – ComicBook.com
✮✮✮✮ "Eye-popping and energetic. … There's a sense of mystery to IMPERIUM that's admirable and gutsy." – Newsarama
✮✮✮✮ "Twists and turns are coming our way, so if you haven’t picked up [IMPERIUM], now’s the time to get on board." – Major Spoilers
✮✮✮✮ "Masterful. ... IMPERIUM, easily, is another win for Valiant and comic fans everywhere." – All-Comic
JUSTICE INC. VOL 1 (TPB)
Art: GIOVANNI TIMPANO
Cover: ALEX ROSS
184 pages / Teen + / $19.99
A historic crossover seventy-five years in the making! The Shadow, Doc Savage, and The Avenger, the three iconic crime-fighters first introduced in the pulp magazines of Street & Smith Publications, come together for the first time ever to avert global catastrophe!
Out of tragedy, a hero is born ... and an alliance formed! When an airliner carrying industrialist Richard Henry Benson and his family disappears, it's the first strike in a secret cabal's master plan for world conquest. As genius adventurer Doc Savage and brutal vigilante The Shadow attempt to avert disaster with their science and bullets, Benson rises from the ashes with a fearsome new identity: The Avenger. Can three men of contrasting ideology and methodology cast aside their inherent differences and band together to conquer the overwhelming threat of the Voodoo Master and his mysterious allies?
I got hold of a review copy of this, and it's well done. Waid sets up the premise well, and while the story doesn't progress very far, I'll be back for the next issue.
Incidentally, the Alex Ross cover is an homage to the Joe Kubert cover for DC's Justice Inc. #1 from 1975.
JUSTICE INC.: THE AVENGER #1
Art: RONILSON FREIRE
Cover A: ALEX ROSS (30%)
Cover B: WALTER SIMONSON (30%)
Cover C: FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA (30%)
Cover D: MARC LAMING (10%)
Blank Authentix Variant available
32 pages / Teen+ / $3.99
Dynamite Entertainment is proud to announce that Mark Waid, one of the comic book industry's most accomplished writers, will be scripting the upcoming Justice, Inc.: The Avenger series. Joined by Dynamite artist Ronilson Freire, Waid will expand the Justice, Inc. universe of pulp heroes that include Condé Nast's The Shadow and Doc Savage. The new series will debut with a #1 issue in June 2015 and focus on wealthy industrialist Richard Henry Benson, the tragic, relentless vigilante and master of disguise known as The Avenger.
In Justice, Inc.: The Avenger #1, Waid and Freire continue the adventures of Richard Henry Benson, a victim of a criminal attack that left his facial features forever deadened, gray in color and incapable of showing genuine emotion. And yet, the harsh stroke of fate gave him the ability to mold his face to match the appearance of anyone ... a skill he could employ as the ultimate master of disguise. Driven to mete out retribution against those who would prey on the innocent, The Avenger finds himself on a collision course with a villain even more secretive, brutal and unrelenting than himself: an Invisible Man.
Mark Waid's participation in the Avenger launch fulfills a longtime writing goal; he says, "Moreso than The Shadow, moreso than Doc Savage, the Avenger has always, always been my favorite pulp hero, and I've been aching to write this story since I was eleven years old. What a blast! Having the opportunity to dive into the psyche of a crimefighter as unique as Benson has been a lifelong dream -- I've been thinking about what his life and mind would be like ever since I read my first Avenger paperback back in the day. How does a man live his life when he has nothing to live for but justice? How does he navigate in a world of life and love and joy when his own features are frozen and stiff like putty, mirroring his cold, dead insides? There's so much here to unpack."
With more than 25 years of experience in his field, Mark Waid has written a wider variety of well-known characters than any other American comics author, from Superman to the Justice League to Spider-Man to Archie and hundreds of others. His award-winning graphic novel with artist Alex Ross, Kingdom Come, is one of the best-selling comics of all time. Waid has also written two well-received titles from Dynamite Entertainment, Mark Waid's The Green Hornet and Doctor Spektor: Master of the Occult.
"Since striking up our great partnership with Condé Nast a few years back, the team here at Dynamite has looked forward to the day that The Avenger would have his own series," says Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. "We've been waiting for quite some time for the perfect writer to helm the project, and Mark Waid IS that perfect writer. He has a profound appreciation for the character, his history, and the genre of pulp adventure. Retailers will take heart that we've placed one of the most innovative, marquee writers on the project, and fans will surely be awestruck by the twists and turns in each and every Waid-penned issue of Justice Inc.: The Avenger."
Justice, Inc.: The Avenger #1 will be released with a number of cover options for fans to enjoy, illustrated by many of the comic industry's most recognizable artists. The first issue will feature variant editions by Alex Ross (Kingdom Come), Walter Simonson (Thor), Francesco Francavilla (Afterlife with Archie), Marc Laming (All-New Invaders), and Barry Kitson (The Amazing Spider-Man).
The Avenger originally debuted in September 1939 as the lead character in an eponymous pulp magazine, published by Street and Smith Publications. Writer Paul Ernst is credited with creating many of the earliest Avenger tales (published under the house writer pseudonym "Kenneth Robeson"), blending the qualities of contemporary pulp heroes like Doc Savage and The Shadow, as well as his own creations that included Seekay, The Wraith, Dick Bullitt, Old Stone Face, the Gray Marauder and Karlu the Mystic. The Avenger appeared in numerous prose novels, radio programs and comic books throughout the decades, most recently in Dynamite Entertainment's 2014 revival of the Justice, Inc. series written by acclaimed author Michael Uslan and illustrated by Giovanni Timpano.
JUSTICE LEAGUE #41
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by JASON FABOK
THE JOKER Variant cover by DAVID FINCH
Blank variant cover
48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
This issue will ship with three covers.
The critically acclaimed team of Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok present the much anticipated, extra-sized first chapter of “DARKSEID WAR”! When the Justice League investigate a series of unexplained murders on Earth, it leads them to the frontlines of a war unlike any the DC Universe has ever seen – a battle between the two most powerful villains in existence: Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor! Meet Darkseid’s daughter – a mysterious force of evil with a bizarre connection to the Justice League! Plus: The horrible secret of Superwoman’s baby! The ultimate temptation of Batman! Lex Luthor vs. Superman – no holds barred! New villains! New allies! And so much more in the DC Event that has been building since JUSTICE LEAGUE #1!
That is a lot of zombies!
LAST ZOMBIE ZOMNIBUS (TPB, SIGNED EDITION)
Writer: BRIAN KEENE
Art: JOE WIGHT & Various
$49.99
Presenting the complete post-zombie-apocalypse saga by Shocker and Bram Stoker Award-winner Brian Keene (The Rising, City of the Dead, The Conqueror Worm), all in one voracious volume! This 25-issue tome tells of the cross-country journey of Dr. Ian Scott and a small band of soldiers and scientists in the wake of the zombie apocalypse. As if it weren't already epic enough, we now offer copies SIGNED by Brian Keene himself! Quantities are limited and allocations may occur, so capture one now before they die off!
What is it I like about this character again? Oh yeah, nothing.
LOBO #7
Written by CULLEN BUNN
Art and cover by CLIFF RICHARDS
THE JOKER Variant cover by NEIL EDWARDS
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
Cosmic speakeasies, intergalactic drug dens and even exotic alien women can’t distract
can’t distract Lobo from his first love: hunting men for money! Once you’re on Lobo’s hit list, there are only two possible outcomes: your death or his.
DC Sneak Peek: Lobo
Here's another "Space Goat" production.
MAGE INC #1
Writer: SHON C. BURY
Art: IAN WARYANTO
Cover: ARIS AGUIAR
$3.99
It's Keira Zeleznovova's first day as an unpaid intern at Mage, Inc. The only thing she wants is to be an apprentice and practice the few feeble spells she kinda knows -- but her curmudgeonly mentor always has more paperwork for her to file. Things really heat up on a routine dues collection when a homunculus is summoned -- and a mage dies!
Wow! This package is so pretty that it makes me want it, even though I already have all the comics, and some of 'em are pretty bad.
MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS: BATTLEWORLD BOX SET (HC SLIPCASE)
3,568 pages / Teen + / $500.00
Before the all-new Secret Wars takes the comic world by storm in just over a month, relive the complete Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars legacy in one complete, stunning package. Today, Marvel is proud to present your first look at the MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS: BATTLEWORLD BOX SET SLIPCASE, a deluxe collection of 11 hardcovers chronicling the history of one of Marvel’s most storied events!
Available in June, readers will be transported to Battleworld and back as they experience over 30 years of Secret Wars stories in one of the most comprehensive collections we’ve ever released! Plus, each of these extremely limited box sets comes complete with a full-size poster: legendary painter Alex Ross's rendition of the cover to Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1!
“Our Marvel Famous Firsts: 75th Anniversary Masterworks Slipcase Set was a huge hit with fans and retailers, selling out almost instantaneously. We knew we had to follow that up with something big,” says Marvel SVP Sales & Marketing David Gabriel. “Not only do you get the entire history of Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars along with a complete hardcover jam packed with extras and bonus material, but they are all presented in one of the most stunning packages we’ve ever produced.”
MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS: BATTLEWORLD BOX SET SLIPCASE is only available in extremely limited quantities, so don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Marvel history. This slipcase will arrive at local comic shops in June 2015 containing the following volumes:
And does the cover below strike anyone else as an homage to the first MAD cover? ("It's Melvin!")
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: NOT BRAND ECHH VOL 1 (HC)
$69.99
When Stan Lee set the tone for the Marvel Age of Comics it came with a healthy dose of humor. When fans demanded more of that Marvel mayhem, Stan, along with Jack Kirby, Gene Colan and theBullpen's mistress of mirth, Marie Severin, turned the dial up to 11 and let loose! What came blasting out was the masterpiece of Silver Age satire Not Brand Echh. Each issue came packed with Marvel's greatest talents taking a sideways look at the super heroes they made famous (and even some that they didn't!) Now, Charlie America, Scaredevil, the Revengers, Sore Son of Shmodin, the Sunk-Mariner and the one and only Forbush Man are coming at you in this unprecedented enormous Marvel Masterworks! Collecting NOT BRAND ECHH (1967) #1-13 and material from DAREDEVIL ANNUAL (1967) #1, FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL (1963) #5, SGT. FURY ANNUAL (1965) #4, AVENGERS ANNUAL (1967) #2 & AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL (1964) #5.
What is it I like about this character? Oh yeah, nothing.
MIDNIGHTER #1
Written by STEVE ORLANDO
Art and cover by ACO
1:25 Variant cover by BRYAN HITCH
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
Spinning out of GRAYSON comes a solo series starring the man who can predict your every move… but no one will be able to predict what he’ll do next! A theft at the God Garden has unleashed a wave of dangerous biotech weapons on the world, and Midnighter intends to put that genie back in the bottle by any means necessary. But something else was stolen from the Garden as well…the secret history of Lucas Trent, the man Midnighter once was!
DC Sneak Peek: Midnighter
What is it I like about these characters again? Oh yeah, nothing.
THE OMEGA MEN #1
Written by TOM KING
Art by ALEC MORGAN
Cover by TREVOR HUTCHISON
1:25 Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
The Omega Men are back in an all-new series! They’ve murdered White Lantern Kyle Rayner and now, the universe wants them to pay! Who are these intergalactic criminals – and is there more to their actions than meets the eye?
DC Sneak Peek: The Omega Men
It's weird how the Ghost Who Walks is being published simultaneously by both Hermes and Dynamite. But the former has Peter David, so I think they win on points.
THE PHANTOM #3
Writer: PETER DAVID
Art/Cover: SAL VELLUTO
$3.99
The saga of the original Ghost Who Walks continues with issue #3 of this 6-part miniseries written by Peter David with art by Sal Velluto. En route to the ancient fabled city of Gold with Diana and his new allies the Phantom's plane is hit and damaged throwing him out to certain death at the hands of a Singh Pirate. Will he survive to stop the Singh! You'll have to read this issue to find out!
RAT GOD #5 (OF 5)
FC, 32 pages, $3.99
Miniseries
Eisner Award Hall of Fame inductee Richard Corben concludes his chilling tale inspired by the works of H. P. Lovecraft! City slicker Clark Elwood finds more than he anticipated in the spooky town of Lame Dog, ruled by an ancient power that draws its strength from occult savagery.
ROY THOMAS PRESENTS: PLANET COMICS VOL 4 (HC)
Writers: ROY THOMAS, RON GOULART & Various
Art: JOHN CELARDO & Various
HC, $47.99 / Slipcase Ed, $69.99
Long before Star Wars, there was Planet Comics, home to a veritable parade of steely-jawed interstellar adventures and some of the most gorgeous damsels in distress you could ever with to find. More than fifty years since Planet closed up shop. We are making the whole run available again from the original groundbreaking awe-filled Planet Comics that appeared from Fiction House over a thirteen-year period ending in 1953. They’re all here . . . Flint Baker, Reef Ryan, The Space Rangers, Gale Allen, Star Pirate, Mysta of the Moon, Norge Benson plus many more AND a bevy of the most scantily-clad females you’re likely to see outside of Silvio Dante’s Bada Bing strip joint in The Sopranos.
This fourth volume fills the gap due to us not being able to locate suitable source material to complete the publication. Issue #13 was kindly provided by Michael T. Gilbert and Issue #15 was kindly provided by Karl Janet. Many thanks to these superstars! Volume Four brings together July 1943-March 1944 issues #25-29. Presented by our very own Roy Thomas, this title features a brand new introduction by Ron Goulart, specially written for this publication.
Limited to just 2,000 copies and split across two editions, this book is available to order through pspublishing.co.uk.
SLIPCASE EDITION: Housed in full colour slipcase and limited to 300 copies worldwide.
BOOKSHOP EDITION: 1,700 unsigned bookshop copies available.
ROY THOMAS PRESENTS: PLANET COMICS VOL 8 (HC)
Publisher: PS ARTBOOKS
Writers: ROY THOMAS, RICHARD A. LUPOFF & Various
Art: GEORGE TUSKA & Various
HC, $59.99 / Slipcase Ed, $69.99
Long before Star Wars, there was Planet Comics, home to a veritable parade of steely-jawed interstellar adventures and some of the most gorgeous damsels in distress you could ever with to find. More than fifty years since Planet closed up shop. We are making the whole run available again from the original groundbreaking awe-filled Planet Comics that appeared from Fiction House over a thirteen-year period ending in 1953. They’re all here ... Flint Baker, Reef Ryan, The Space Rangers, Gale Allen, Star Pirate, Mysta of the Moon, Norge Benson plus many more AND a bevy of the most scantily-clad females you’re likely to see outside of Silvio Dante’s Bada Bing strip joint in The Sopranos.
Volume Eight features a special introduction by Richard A. Lupoff. Not forgetting the original comics painstakingly restored from original source material! Issues included in this Volume are Issues from May 1944-March 1945 issues #30-35.
Limited to just 2,000 copies and split across two editions, this book is available to order through pspublishing.co.uk.
SLIPCASE EDITION: Housed in full colour slipcase and limited to 300 copies worldwide.
BOOKSHOP EDITION: 1,700 unsigned bookshop copies available.
ROY THOMAS PRESENTS: RULAH JUNGLE GODDESS VOL 2 (HC)
Writer/Art/Cover: ROY THOMAS & Various
HC, $59.99 / Slipcase $69.99
You know what? I’m packing my bag -- just the essentials, of course -- and preparing to head on out to darkest Africa (or some such like) cos that’s where all the babes hang out ... the latest being Rulah. Rulah first appeared in Zoot Comics #7 back in June 1947 and she’s generally regarded as being the brainchild of Matt Baker and, some time later, Jack Kamen and Ghastly Graham Ingels. Hey, what’s not to like, right?
For those interested in such stuff -- okay, okay ... put your hands down!- -- Rulah was ranked #79 in Comics Buyer's Guide's "100 Sexiest Women in Comics." All I gotta say here is, I wanna see numbers #1 through 78!
Roy Thomas presents the leopard-skin-clad Jungle Jane collected together in her own hardback collection. Includes a special introduction from Roy Thomas as well all the original comic stories digitally enhanced and faithfully reproduced.
Collects Rulah #17-27, August 1948 to June 1949.
Limited to just 2,000 copies and split across 2 editions this book is available to order through pspublishing.co.uk.
SLIPCASE EDITION: 125 copies in full colour slipcase
BOOKSHOP EDITION: 1875 bookshop copies available.
I assume the first cover is an homage to the original Secret Wars #8, which introduced Spider-Man's black costume.
SECRET WARS #3 (OF 8)
Writer: JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art: ESAD RIBIC
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Variant Cover by ESAD RIBIC
Connecting Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
Variant Cover by MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
Action Figure Variant by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
Dr. Gwendge Variant by NICK BRADSHAW
Variant by BOB MCLEOD
32 PGS / Rated T+ / $3.99
ALL THE DEVILS DANCE!
SECRET WARS: BATTLEWORLD #2 (OF 4)
Writers: DAVID WALKER and DONNY CATES
Art: JJ KIRBY and MARCO TURINI
Cover by CHRIS B. MURRAY
Variant Cover by JAMES STOKOE
32 PGS / Rated T / $3.99
• BLADE is on the trail of the dreaded Count Drakula, but not if HOWARD THE DUCK has something to say about it! (Spoiler: He Does!)
• Rising star David Walker (SHAFT) and JJ Kirby tell the tale of the Daywalker trapped in a city of ducks!
• The death of his daughter has made gladiator Thaddeus Ross a true WAR MACHINE, but will he ever find vengeance in the ring or become the monster he hates? Donny Cates (BUZZKILL, GHOST FLEET) and Marco Turini (CYBERFORCE) bring the pain and the glory!
SIXTH GUN VALLEY OF DEATH #1
Writer: BRIAN HURTT
Art/Cover: A.C. ZAMUDIO
$3.99
It is a time before THE SIXTH GUN. Yet, the darkness and corruption that precede the coming of The Six are in their season. The Crossroads is broken. A door to the Spirit World is ajar. And what has slipped through threatens all of creation. It is up to the reclusive witch, Buzzard Wife, to gather the tribes and form a Hunting Party. With the help of the legendary White Wolf, she will lead this elite group of shamans, scouts and warriors into battle. Into legend. Into the Valley of Death.
This continues Marvel's Star Wars title from the '70s which, IMHO, is for completists only. Your mileage may vary.
STAR WARS: THE ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS OMNIBUS VOL. 2 (HC)
Written by ARCHIE GOODWIN, WALLY LOMBEGO, LARRY HAMA, MIKE W. BARR, DAVID MICHELINIE, CHRIS CLAREMONT, LOUISE SIMONSON, WALTER SIMONSON, JO DUFFY & MORE
Penciled by CARMINE INFANTINO, WALTER SIMONSON, AL WILLIAMSON, JOE BROZOWSKI,
RON FRENZ, GENE DAY, KERRY GAMMILL & LUKE MCDONNELL
Cover by GENE DAY
Direct Market Variant: GREG HILDEBRANDT
848 PGS / Rated T / $125.00
Trim size: oversized
The very first STAR WARS comic-book series continues! After the events of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, loveable rogue Han Solo is lost, frozen in carbonite. But as the search for Solo begins, Imperial Forces and other troubles keep getting in the way. Princess Leia clashes with Darth Vader! Luke Skywalker goes on trial for treason! C-3PO and R2-D2 face danger on a droid moon! Lando Calrissian finds Cloud City deserted! If the Crimson Forever doesn’t get the rebels, maybe the new Imperial super-weapon will! And a new member joins the gang, with a crush on a certain handsome Jedi! Meanwhile, the discovery of a gold statue of Han reveals a hidden story from his and Chewbacca’s past. And who are the Hoojibs? It’s Star Wars in the Mighty Marvel Manner! Collecting STAR WARS (1977) #45-78 and ANNUAL #2.
Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2015 Lucasfilm Ltd.
OK, Vampirella vs. dinosaurs! Red Sonja vs. Dejah Thoris! Plot progression, characterization and action! NOW we're getting somewhere!
SWORDS OF SORROW #2 (OF 6)
Art: SERGIO DAVILA
Cover A Main: TULA LOTAY
Cover B Variant: EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Cover C Subscription: ROBERT HACK
32 pages / Teen+ / $3.99
Gail Simone (Batgirl, Red Sonja) and rising star Sergio Davila (Legenderry) team to bring you this epic tale, featuring the most amazing, most beloved, and fiercest pulp heroines of all time! All the great Women of Dynamite are united against an unbeatable horror, and this historic issue features, for the first time ever, characters from the worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard as Dejah Thoris and Red Sonja clash!
The SWORDS OF SORROW series is also supported by several companion one-shots, written by some of today's hottest talents, like G.Willow Wilson, Marguerite Bennett, and Erica Shultz!
THANOS: THE INFINITY RELATIVITY (OGN, HC)
Writer/Art/Cover: JIM STARLIN
120 PGS / Rated T+ / $24.99
Trim size: oversized
This coming June, the Mad Titan continues his crusade for untold power as legendary creator Jim Starlin returns for THANOS: THE INFINITY RELATIVITY OGN, a brand-new, full-length original graphic novel! Following up 2014’s New York Times Bestselling Thanos: The Infinity Revelation, this new original graphic novel marks another stellar offering from Marvel’s all-new OGN line, featuring the world’s most popular super heroes brought to life by the industry’s most popular creators and debuting in a high-end, oversized format featuring sophisticated packaging and design.
Annihilus, lord of the Negative Zone has re-ascended to power, more dangerous and more deadly than ever before. When he and his Negative Zone armies make another, renewed assault on our universe in search of a source of infinite power, a fragile alliance of the universe’s most unlikely protectors will form to stop him.
Now the Guardians of the Galaxy, Gladiator the Majestor of the Shi’ar Empire, and Adam Warlock and more must unite like never before! Only Adam Warlock’s complex cycle of death and rebirth has left him more confused than ever before. What is his purpose in the universe? Why is he here? With his Infinity Watch reunited alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy, between them they may hold the key to ending the threat of Annihilus once and for all – but to do so they’ll need to enlist the help of another.
Could it be that the fate of everything lies in the hands … of Thanos?
Find out when comic legend Jim Starlin returns for his next cosmic epic this coming June for THANOS: THE INFINITY RELATIVITY OGN!
Additionally, this original graphic novel will also include a code for a bonus digital edition of Thanos: The Infinity Relativity, redeemable for reading via the Marvel Comics app (for iPhone®, iPad®, iPad Touch® & Android devices) and online in the Marvel Digital Comics Shop. This code is included at no extra charge, allowing fans to keep their copy of Thanos: The Infinity Relativity on their bookshelves but still carry this exciting story with them on the go to read anytime, anywhere! Thanos: The Infinity Relativity also features special augmented reality content available exclusive through the Marvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.
Oh, and this seems to be an homage to Avengers #221.
THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #6
Writer: RYAN NORTH
Art/Cover: ERICA HENDERSON
32 PGS / Rated T / $3.99
• The start of a new arc! Squirrel Girl meets some potential new allies, including ... GIRL SQUIRREL??
• I don’t know why we put question marks there; it’s actually what happens!
• Also a hippo named “Hippo” is in this issue! This character already existed and we absolutely did NOT make him up at the last minute!
• ALSO THERE’S FIGHTS!! AND EVEN SOME FEELINGS!
VENOM BY RICK REMENDER: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL. 1 (TPB)
Written by RICK REMENDER
Penciled by TONY MOORE, TOM FOWLER, STEFANO CASELLI, LAN MEDINA & SHAWN MOLL
Cover by JOE QUESADA
320 PGS / Rated T+ / $34.99
Flash Thompson is Spider-Man’s biggest fan. That hero worship inspired him to join the Army, where he became a decorated war hero. And though he lost his legs, Flash never lost his dignity — or his desire to serve. Now, the government has offered him a chance to don the alien Venom symbiote and be a hero once again! Flash Thompson is Venom, the government’s most lethal special operative. But Flash soon finds himself losing control of his own mind to the symbiote! And when his nemesis, Jack O’Lantern, blackmails Flash into serving the merciless Crime-Master, can Venom complete his mission and save his loved ones? Plus: What if the Venom symbiote bonded with…Deadpool?! Rick Remender’s gripping run is collected in two volumes! Collecting VENOM (2011) #1-12 and VENOM/DEADPOOL: WHAT IF?
THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #11
story: KIERON GILLEN
art / cover: JAMIE MCKELVIE & MATT WILSON
32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.50
The end of Fandemonium. The end of Ragnarock. The end of the arc. The start of something else. Everything's going to be okay.
X-TINCTION AGENDA #1
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Art by CARMINE DIGIANDOMENICO
Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA
Variant Cover by MIKE DEODATA
Wanted Variant by MARK BROOKS
32 PGS / Rated T+ / $3.99
This June, return to the fight against the corrupt, mutant-exploiting government as a classic X-Crossover is reborn in X-TINCTION AGENDA #1! Writer Marc Guggenheim (Arrow Executive Producer) and artist Carmine Di Giandomenico (All-New X-Factor) return to the shores of Genosha and to one of the most beloved X-Men crossovers of all time!
It has been ten years since the fall of Cameron Hodge and his fascist regime. Ten years that Havok and Wolfsbane have toiled and labored to rebuild Genosha into the proud mutant homeland it once was. But a decade removed from Hodge and his iron rule, their work may all be for naught. A plague has spread across the nation, infecting mutants and threatening their race with extinction. With all of Genosha quarantined and all but abandoned by the rest of the world, including the X-Men, old friends may become new enemies!
“A virus is decimating the mutant and mutate population,” says writer Marc Guggenheim in an interview with Marvel.com. “The X-Men have a cure in the form of Triage, but won’t violate the quarantine that Genosha is under, not wanting to risk extinction should the virus spread. Havok and Wolfsbane take it upon themselves to go and get Triage and bring him back to Genosha, by force if necessary.”
Ask yourself – what lengths would you go to save your people? Havok and Wolfsbane will stop at nothing to save the people of Genosha – but have they doomed Earth in the process? Find out as the landmark X-Crossover of the 90’s makes it to Battleworld in X-TINCTION AGENDA #1 this June!
Experience an alternate future fueled by the events of the landmark first X-Crossover of 1990, X-Tinction Agenda!
YEARS OF FUTURE PAST #1
Art by MIKE NORTON
Cover by ART ADAMS
Variant Cover by MIKE NORTON
And SKOTTIE YOUNG
Ant-Sized Variant by MIKE PERKINS
40 PGS / Rated T+ / $4.99
You thought the horrors were over? Think again! It’s time to return to the ruined wastes of New York City once more in YEARS OF FUTURE PAST #1 – a new Secret Wars series coming this June! Writer Marguerite Bennett and artist Mike Norton take you back to the apocalyptic future of one of the most famous X-Men tales of all time – and the tragedies that come with it.
Amid the ravaged hellscape of Battleworld’s Sentinel Territories, armies of armored behemoths patrol the skies and streets. Their mission – exterminate all mutants! Amid the rubble walks Kate Pryde – mother, warrior, X-Man. A heroine tried and true and tested by war, she stokes the fires of revolution.
“Harkening back to the source material, this Kitty Pryde is a grown woman – now called Kate Pryde,” says writer Marguerite Bennett in an interview with Marvel.com. “She is no longer a desperate girl with nothing to lose, she’s a mother and wife with more to lose than ever before. On her shoulders rest not only the lives of her family and friends and a solitary mission, but the survival of her entire people who are dwindling to nothingness through the purges of the Sentinels and the abuses of the regime in power.”
Rebellion is in the air, and Kate Pryde will do anything to ensure the survival of her people – including breaking the remaining X-Men out of their military prison! But is she willing to risk everything, even her family? The answers lie within this June in YEARS OF FUTURE PAST #1!
I'm giving both BATMITE and GROOT a try.
I think there's room for fun in our funnybooks!
True but GROOT better have a supporting cast! Can't just read "I am Groot!" all day!
Well, the Doctor's female companions have always been good-looking. The First Doctor, William Hartnell, was 55 years old, but played the part much older. His first "companion set" was a sort of surrogate family, with the Doctor as grandfather, schoolteachers Ian and Barbara as father and mother, and his young grand-daughter Susan completing the set. As supporting actors came and went, male companions tended to be young men who could handle any physical stuff that would've been beyond the elderly Hartnell, and the girls tended to be surrogate grand-daughters. It was only towards the end of Hartnell's tenure that he had a female companion that might be considered "glamorous", swinging 60's "dollybird" Polly.
With the transition to Patrick Troughton, the Second Doctor's relationship with his companions became less grandpaternal and more avuncular. His female companions, while attractive, were not presented as sex symbols, as such. This was still largely considered a kid's show after all.
With the advent of Jon Pertwee's Third Doctor, there was a deliberate effort to make the show somewhat more "adult" in tone. Pertwee's first companion was scientist Liz Shaw, who was dropped after one series, since the producer realized that when your lead character is a super-scientist, his foil shouldn't be another genius. Instead, he needs a "Watson", someone to ask him to explain the plot to them, and thus the audience. Thus, Liz was replaced by cute, ditzy, but stalwart Jo Grant,
This pretty much set the pattern for the rest of the original series. The Doctor's companions tended to be attractive young women, who asked him plots of questions, and got captured by alien baddies alot, although they did their share of saving the Doctor occasionally, as well. Pertwee's Doctor tended to treat his companions as proteges. Jo Grant's replacement was Sarah Jane Smith, played by the late, great Elisabeth Sladen. She worked with Pertwee for one season, and then stayed on after the transition to the Fourth Doctor, played by Tom Baker. The Baker/Sladen team were the greatest Doctor/companion duo in the program's history. Despite later revisionism, the Doctor and Sarah were portrayed simply as great friends, with no hint of romance. Baker famously said that "The Doctor doesn't know about girls". This pattern of the Doctor and companion being close friends continued for the rest of the original series, although during Sylvester McCoy's tenure as the Seventh Doctor, his relationship with his companion Ace, played by Sophie Aldred, once again became more that of a mentor.
When the new series debuted, a new wrinkle was added. Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) became the first companion to take a romantic interest in the Doctor. Also for the first time, there were hints that her Doctors (Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston and Tenth Doctor David Tennant) might be romantically interested in her, although the show never quite pulled the trigger on them developing a full-blown romance.
The new series presented variations on this theme with subsequent companions - for example, there was Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), whose affection for the Doctor was unrequited, and Donna Noble (Catherine Tate), who was definitely NOT interested in a romance with the Doctor.
With the transition to the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith, the youngest actor ever to play the part), a triangle was introduced, with the Doctor becoming an unwitting part of the relationship between companions Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill). When they left, the new companion was Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman), who represented a return to the "quasi-girlfriend" character. However, with the switch from the youthful Eleventh Doctor to Peter Capaldi's older, crankier Twelfth Doctor, the relationship has altered, becoming more of a "running buddies" situation.
I always got the impression that the Tenth Doctor and Donna acted like a couple. She was a bit put off by River Song.
And the Eleventh Doctor definitely had feelings for Amy. Reluctant feelings but feelings nonetheless.
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