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VALENTINE'S DAY
ARCHIE’S VALENTINE’S SPECTACULAR ONE-SHOT
Story: Ian Flynn | Art: Holly G | Cover: Dan Parent | Archie | $3.99
BRAND NEW STORY: "Paths to the Heart" The spirits of Valentines are after Betty and Veronica, but will they bring about love or war?
Oh no, Archie's got two girlfriends! What will he do?
DC'S HOW TO LOSE GUY GARDNER IN 10 DAYS #1 ONE-SHOT
Story: Marguerite Sauvage, Dennis Hopeless, Aaron Waltke, Brendan Hay, George Mann, Danny Lore, Alex Galer, others | Art: Marguerite Sauvage, Ivan Shavrin, M.l. Sanapo, Baldemar Rivas, Ted Brandt & Ro Stein, Leonardo Rodrigues, others | Cover: Amanda Conner | $9.99
Romance is rarely a simple affair — love is almost always followed by some sort of conflict. Whether you're Plastic Man twisting yourself into knots trying to please someone, or the Flash traveling back in time to make a catastrophic 50 first dates perfect, or even a lonely robot who just can't seem to find love unless it's mail from a computer screen, like Red Tornado, love actually is ... a pain in the 27 dresses. So in the grand tradition of these dating conundrums a la rom-coms of the '90s and '00s, we are proud to present eight new stories about love and trying to find it in this zany world.
- Guy Gardner in “How to Lose a Guy Gardner in 10 Days” by Kenny Porter and Nick Robles
- Constantine in “Never Been Kissed” by Alex Galer and Derek Charm
- Red Tornado in “Robots are Red, Androids are Blue” by Aaron J. Waltke and Ivan Shavrin
- Plastic Man in “Love’s a Stretch” by Dennis Hopeless and Baldemar Rivas
- Booster Gold in “Golden Pairs” by Danny Lore, Ted Brandt & Ro Stein
- Wonder Woman in “Say Yes to the Mess” by Brendan Hay and ML Sanapo
- The Flash in “Too Many Dates” by Marguerite Sauvage
- Nightwing and Batgirl in “Date Night” by George Mann and Leonardo Rodrigues
They say there's someone for everyone, and no doubt that's true for Guy Gardner. It's just not anybody we know. Or can imagine.
GODZILLA: VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL #1
Story: Zoe Tunnell | Art/Cover: Dani Pendergast | $4.99
Is there anything as romantic as seeing the world together? Hopping from country to country to take in the sights and splendor in the fleeting seconds before Godzilla smashes the skyline? Truly, there's nothing like the thrill of an international game of cat and mouse between an intrepid amateur kaiju researcher and a global kaiju-response lieutenant. But when you're up against Godzilla, it's hard to have a bigger "CRUSH."
Don't you hate it when you're having a good time on a date and a giant radioactive lizard suddenly trashes the restaurant? It's so hard to get back in the mood.
MLP CLASSICS VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL #1
Story: Megan Brown | Art/Cover: Jenna Ayoub | $4.99
In fair Verpona, where we hang our streamers, two party-planning businesses, both alike in silliness, reignite their ancient rivalry. A pair of star-crossed ponies, Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich, fall in love, causing the Capulets and Montagues to start polishing their sparkliest party cannons. It's up to the pair to help their companies find common ground before Princess Cadance bans them from ever partying again!
I do not want to think about pony love. Nope, nope, la la la can't HEAR you.
A VERY VALIANTINE’S SPECIAL ONE-SHOT
Story: Lysa Hawkins, Ryan Cady, Buddy Scalera, Will Pfeifer, Aj Ampadu | Art: Andres Ponce, Emiliano Urdinola, Emilano Correa | Cover: Diego Giribaldi | Valiant | $12.99
Love is in the air! Join us as we explore love Valiant style. In this saucy 50-page anthology, we feature four tales of lost love with Doctor Mirage, family love with Bloodshot, young love on the rocks with Faith and Archer, and lastly, "The Many Loves of Ninjak" — self-explanatory. We know our heroes save the day, but can they save their hearts as well?
It's been so long since I've seen a Valiant book, I have no idea who's hooked up with whom.
YOUNG ROMANCE #125 FACSIMILE EDITION
Story/Art: Various | $3.99
Join master artists John Romita, Jay Scott Pike and more as they dive into the beautiful, tumultuous and tearful world of Young Romance in this full facsimile reprint. Head back to 1963 when comics’ original romance title, Young Romance, first joined the DC comic book lineup in this gorgeously drawn issue.
Worth it for the cover.
In case you're wondering, Prize Comics published the first 124 issues of Young Romance.
TOP PUBLISHERS
MARVEL COMICS
ALIEN #4 features a giant Xenomorph that hatches from a kaiju. That's a pretty cool idea.
MARVEL FEBRUARY 1964 OMNIBUS HC: This is the fourth in the series, and I wonder how much longer they can play out this string. The only major new book in February 1964 — and in 1964 in general — was Daredevil #1. Not exactly a barn-burner. The other titles collected in this book are Amazing Spider-Man #12 (second part of a Dr. Octopus two-parter), Fantastic Four #26 (second part of the Hulk-Thing battle, guest starring the Avengers), Journey into Mystery #103 (first Executioner and Enchantress), Kid Colt Outlaw #116, Millie The Model #120, Modeling With Millie #30, Patsy Walker #114, Strange Tales #120 (Human Torch/Iceman team-up), Tales of Suspense #53 (second appearance of Black Widow), Tales to Astonish #55 (Giant-Man vs. Human Top), Two-Gun Kid #69, Avengers #5 (vs. Lava Men), Patsy And Hedy #94, Rawhide Kid #40, Sgt. Fury #7 ("Court-Martial of Sgt. Fury") and X-Men #5 (second appearance of Brotherhood of Evil Mutants).
SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK #5 guest stars Hell-Cat and Captain Marvel. (Wasn't it formerly Hellcat? Maybe the copy writer is new.)
STAR WARS: MACE WINDU #1 (OF 4)
Story: Marc Bernardin | Art: Georges Jeanty | Cover: Mateus Manhanini | Teen | $4.99
One the greatest Jedi must stop an incendiary secret from falling into the wrong hands in STAR WARS: MACE WINDU, a new limited series written by Marc Bernardin and drawn by Georges Jeanty. Even in the years before the Clone Wars, Mace Windu was known for his discipline, determination and combat skills. When a scientist’s discovery threatens the balance of the galaxy, Mace is led down a treacherous path of mystery and action. The series will also introduce Azita Cruuz, a pirate with a deadly secret, who the Hutts and the Republic will stop at nothing to control!
I was (mildly) excited when Star Wars: Episode III — The Revenge of the Sith. came out, and we were finally going to see Mace Windu in action ... and it was over in a blink. Maybe now we'll finally get to see who he is, or was, and why he was so legendary. He sure didn't do much in 2005.
ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER #1
Written by BRYAN HILL
Art and Cover by STEFANO CASELLI
In the wake of Ultimate Invasion, Khonshu and Ra — the force known together as Moon Knight — are seeking to expand their brutal control of the continent of Africa. In response, the lone bulwark against them, the isolated nation of Wakanda, will send forth its champion … its king … the Black Panther! From the creative minds of Bryan Hill (Blade, Killmonger) and Stefano Caselli (X-Men Red, Avengers) comes a bold new take on the world of Black Panther and Wakanda!
"I was invigorated by this opportunity because in addition to my immense respect for Johnathan Hickman's detailed storytelling, the idea of shepherding this bold new take on Black Panther in this event gives me a platform to do the kind of broad, epic, storytelling I've always wanted to do in comics,” Hill said. “My influences range from the history of Black Panther comics, to Ryan Coogler's incredible work with the recent films, to Frank Herbert's world building capacity of Dune. This is something people won't expect, in the best of ways, and full credit to Marvel and editors Wil Moss and Michelle Marchese for bringing this creative possibility to me."
I don't know what you can do to improve a character as cool as Black Panther, but I am a bear of very little imagination.
WOLVERINE: MADRIPOOR KNIGHTS #1 (OF 5)
Story: Chris Claremont | Art: Edgar Salazar | Cover: Philip Tan | Teen+ | $3.99
For 50 years, he’s been the best there is at what he does, and starting in January 2024, Marvel Comics proudly celebrates the milestone anniversary of Wolverine with a berserker’s rage worth of excitement, including Chris Claremont’s return to the character this February in WOLVERINE: MADRIPOOR KNIGHTS!
Having defined the character for decades in his legendary work on Uncanny X-Men and helming the character’s first solo adventures, there’s no better creator to kick things off, and Claremont will mark the occasion by following up on the events of one of the his most beloved Wolverine tales: Uncanny X-Men #268. Featuring iconic artwork by Jim Lee, this blockbuster issue is a hallmark of '90s X-Men. The saga includes Wolverine’s earliest meeting with Captain America during World War II as they team up to rescue a young Natasha Romanoff and connects it with a present-day Wolverine adventure where he fights alongside Black Widow in Madripoor. It’s a one-issue masterpiece of epic storytelling, and now fans can experience a long-awaited sequel to this undisputed classic!
The five-issue limited series will be drawn by acclaimed artist Edgar Salazar, who got his claws bloody in the recent X-23: Deadly Regenesis series. Together, Claremont and Salazar will pick things up where Uncanny X-Men #268 left off as Captain America joins Wolverine and Black Widow in the dangerous streets of Madripoor to hunt down a planet-threatening weapon and … the multiple enemies looking to control it!
CLAREMONT, CAP, WIDOW, and WOLVERINE — TOGETHER AGAIN! When a secret weapon brings Captain America to Madripoor, the trio team-up you’ve been waiting decades for will finally come to pass as the mission brings Logan and Black Widow into a race against time, against a multitude of foes, including the Hand! You’ve been waiting for this one … and you’ll never guess where it goes!
“Hard to believe, Bub, I’ve known Logan for 50 years!” Claremont shared. “And Natasha was in the first Marvel story I ever wrote. This trip back to Madripoor reveals hidden truths about two of my favorite characters on the adventure that shaped their lives.”
Uncanny X-Men #268 is one of those books I somehow missed when it came out, and spent years looking for a copy. Not as long as it took me to get Conan the Barbarian #3, but still quite a while. So I remember it for that (and for the Jim Lee art). The story? Eh. I burned out on Claremont's work long ago. And we're about to get a sequel that's five times as long, without Jim Lee.
And as an aside, it irritates me when the artist draws Captain America's shield as concave, instead of as a disk. (See cover.) How could you throw something shaped like a bowl? Grr.
"Gang War"
DAREDEVIL: GANG WAR #3 (OF 4)
Story: Erica Schultz | Art/Cover: Sergio Davila | Teen+ | $3.99
GANG WAR CONTINUES!
For the first time in her life, Elektra may be out of her depth! With the city engulfed in violence and chaos, she's the only thing standing between the people of Hell's Kitchen and a bloodthirsty criminal conspiracy!
Only one "Gang War" this week. And one month to go.
"Fall of X"
X-MEN #31
Story: Gerry Duggan | Art: Phil Noto | Cover: Joshua Cassara | Teen+ | $3.99
THE ULTIMATE MUTANT HUNTER!
The X-Men lived in fear of Nimrod's creation, and now it's clear why! The ultimate weapon of mutant extinction is ever-adapting, ever-evolving, with only one goal — DEATH TO MUTANTKIND!
The trade dress isn't on these covers, but I assume the X are still Falling. Maybe these are early versions.
Looking at the preview, I see that X-23 (or whatever her name is now) has the same white streak in her hair that Rogue does. Not very imaginative.
DC COMICS
CREATURE COMMANDOS PRESENT: FRANKENSTEIN — AGENT OF SHADE VOL 1 TP: In anticipation of the animated Creature Commandos, the first of this two-volume set reprints Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein and Jeff Lemire's Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1-7. I actually read the Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. series back in the day, and it wasn't bad. I also read Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein but, of course, I didn't understand it. I didn't understand any of the Seven Soldiers books! I need a Morrison-to-Human dictionary!
Milstone alert: ICON VS. HARDWARE HC and STATIC: SHADOWS OF DAKOTA HC ship this week.
POISON IVY #19 promises "the one true secret origin of Poison Ivy." It's been changed a lot over the years, and I assume that with the character's new popularity, they're going to make it more one-sentence friendly. Maybe they'll excise Jason Woodrue's role altogether.
RED HOOD: THE HILL #0 collects collects Red Hood: Outlaw #51 and #52, in anticipation of the new Red Hood: The Hill title.
"The Joker Year One"
BATMAN #142
Story: Chip Zdarsky | Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi, Andrea Sorrentino | Cover: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi & Tomeu Morey | $4.99
The tragic death of the leader of the Red Hood Gang in a vat of chemicals has become the subject of myth ... but what is the heartbreaking and gruesome tale of the monster who walked away from that violent birth? And how does it affect Batman's distant future? The Joker Year One begins here!
DC’s ongoing Dawn of DC publishing initiative is heading toward a thrilling, high-stakes adventure in 2024, and in February, within the pages of Batman, readers will discover a terrifying story featuring the greatest villain in pop culture history! After the current “Mindbomb” story concludes in January’s Batman #141, the Dark Knight will discover the terrible secret behind his greatest enemy! Told in three parts, “The Joker Year One” will ship weekly in February 2024.
“The Joker Year One” begins in Batman #142 by Chip Zdarsky, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi, Andrea Sorrentino, Alejandro Sánchez and Dave Stewart. In part one, the tragic “death” of the leader of the Red Hood Gang in a vat of chemicals has become the subject of myth … but what is the heartbreaking and gruesome tale of the monster who walked away from that violent birth? From the first pages of “The Joker Year One” onward, eager readers will be questioning everything they know about The Joker!
And how does it affect Batman’s distant future? Within each issue of “The Joker Year One,” artists Andrea Sorrentino and Dave Stewart illustrate a story juxtaposed to show the far-reaching impact The Joker will have on DC’s Caped Crusader!
That's right, Batman is shipping weekly until this story is over.
SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL ARKHAM ASYLUM #1 (OF 5)
Story: John Layman | Art: Jesus Hervas | Cover: Dan Panosian | $4.99
Before the Suicide Squad sets their sights on the corrupted Justice League in the upcoming videogame Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, join us for this thrilling prequel and witness them kill Arkham Asylum! Amanda Waller has taken control of the recently rebuilt Arkham, and her brutal tactics and merciless methods have led to the most secure asylum Gotham has ever known. But when the cell doors open, and the inmates are left in a free-for-all deathmatch, Waller's true intentions reveal themselves: Identify the strongest, smartest, and most brutal to serve her on Task Force X. Each print issue includes a redeemable code for a bonus digital token in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League inspired by the comic. Get the new Mr. Zsasz digital doll with issue #1. Paying subscribers with a DC UNIVERSE INFINITE Annual or Ultra subscription (U.S. only) who read the digital issues of Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum will also receive these bonus digital codes.* *Terms Apply. See dc.com/suicide-squad-faq for details. DC UNIVERSE INFINITE is not intended for children.
So you have successful video games named Arkham Asylum and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. What do you do for an encore? Oh, right.
IMAGE COMICS
CRAVE #3: I've read the first two issues of this, and it is dirty, dirty, dirty. Bonus: It's got a real story and terrific subtextual message.
THE ONE HAND #1 (OF 5)
Story: Ram V | Art: Laurence Campbell, Lee Loughridge | Cover: Laurence Campbell, Lee Loughridge, Tom Muller | $3.99
MINISERIES PREMIERE
Neo Novena detective ARI NASSER is about to retire with an enviable record, until a brutal murder occurs, bearing all the hallmarks of the “One Hand Killer”… which should be impossible, since Ari already put him away not once, but twice in the years before.
What follows is a deadly cat-and-mouse game as Ari pursues his quarry down the rain-soaked streets of Neo Novena. Ari will stop at nothing to unravel the secrets and ciphers of this case, but each revelation only leads further into the dark heart of his future-metropolis and Ari’s own beleaguered soul.
Grippingly written by award-winning writer RAM V (The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, Swamp Thing) with hauntingly atmospheric art and covers by LAURENCE CAMPBELL (Old Haunts, BPRD: Hell on Earth) and LEE LOUGHRIDGE (DEADLY CLASS), THE ONE HAND is a miniseries that will keep you guessing until the very end.
For fans of Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, and Black Mirror.
“The One Hand stems from one of those 3 a.m.-frantically-looking-for-a-notebook-to-make-notes kind of ideas," said Ram V. "It took hold of my imagination a couple of years ago and would not let go until the story was made. It is ambitious, seeking to do new things in the medium and unlike anything I've made before. I cannot wait for people to experience it.”
This is an unfortunate title for those of us who have heard of One-Fisted Tales.
The other side of this story will be told in a matching five-issue miniseries, The Six Fingers, launching Feb. 21.
Here's a PREVIEW.
SAUCER COUNTRY: THE FINALE (ONE-SHOT)
Story: Paul Cornell | Art/Cover: Ryan Kelly | $3.99
First there was SAUCER COUNTRY, a dark thriller that blended UFO lore and alien abduction with political intrigue, all set in the hauntingly beautiful Southwest. The story continued in SAUCER STATE … and now, the series reaches its long-awaited conclusion in this special one-shot, as co-creators CORNELL and KELLY present the final story of alien abductee Arcadia Alvarado's campaign to be US President…and her search for the truth of what happened to her!
I haven't been reading Saucer Country, but if you have, you'll need this.
Here's a PREVIEW.
MORE PUBLISHERS
Comic-strip collectors alert: Manuscript Press' ALLEY OOP AND THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH TP ships this week.
Fantagraphics' DISNEY'S MICKEY AND DONALD: FANTASTIC FUTURES CLASSIC TALES collects stories exploring Duckburg and Mouseton 100 years from now. Here's a PREVIEW.
GODZILLA: THE ULTIMATE ILLUSTRATED GUIDE HC is by Welbeck Publishing, a UK publisher which has some connection to Hatchette, but I can't say I've heard of it before. The PR promises the book to be "the ultimate illustrated reference work to all things Godzilla," which I think would be of interest to a lot of folks here, including me. I couldn't find a preview, but I found a REVIEW that offered one, although the review says the publisher is Toho. What th--!? Maybe Welbeck is just the English publisher. Anyway, it's $34.95.
LOST FEDERATIONS: THE UNOFFICIAL UNMADE HISTORY OF STAR TREK SC is by another publisher I've never heard of, Polaris. It promises
"an alternate history of the franchise, one filled with roads not taken, from early 1960s feature films and spin-offs, the original sequel Star Trek: Phase II in the 1970s, via epic planned movies such as Planet of the Titans and into many untold episodes, arcs and character stories from The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager, all the way through to the modern era." That's quite a promise, and one that, again, I think would be of interest to folks here, including me. It's prose, $21.95.
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE RETURN #1: Amy Jo Johnson, the Pink Ranger, writes an alternate-universe version of the MMPR where it's 20 years after the defeat of Rita Repulsa, and the Red Ranger has gone missing. The children of the originals go hunting for him. Here's a PREVIEW.
About Comics' self-explanatory SCOTT SHAW'S COMIX & STORIES ABOUT FANDOM & COMIC INDUSTRY could be fun. Here's a PREVIEW.
Valiant alert: X-O MANOWAR UNCONQUERED #6 ships this week.
AYA: CLAWS COME OUT HC
Story: Marguerite Abouet, Clement Oubrerie | Art/Cover: Marguerite Abouet, Clement Oubrerie | Drawn & Quarterly | Mature | $24.95
Abidjan’s favorite daughter returns in an all-new volume of writer Marguerite Abouet’s beloved series
Long-time creative team Marguerite Abouet and Clément Oubrerie make a stunning comeback after a lengthy twelve-year hiatus. Aya: Claws Come Out takes us all back to Yop City — home to the hustle and bustle of the Ivory Coast.
As Solibra’s newest intern, clear-eyed college student Aya finds an unexpected adversary in the beer giant’s brand-new head of HR. Her friend Moussa, heir apparent to the company’s CEO Mr. Sissoko vies for his father’s attention while struggling to tone down his tendency to party. After being outed, Albert must find a new place to stay and grapples with the realities of insufficient student housing. His old flame Inno discovers first-hand how difficult life can be for undocumented migrants in France. Back at home, Bintou navigates the ups and downs of newfound soap opera stardom. All the while, Didier just wants to take Aya out to dinner — if she can ever find the time.
Now translated from the French by Edwige Dro, Aya and all her friends greet the bigger, bolder world of the ‘80s in true Abidjan style, delighting fans both old and new with vibrant but too often unseen depictions of middle-class life in Africa.
"Abouet’s brilliantly illustrated series about the lives of three friends in Abidjan is as funny and sharp as ever [with] feminist sass and distinctive wit." — The Guardian
Praise for Aya series
“Oubrerie's style animates both the broadly funny and painfully grave moments in Abouet's rhythmic slice-of-life storytelling.” — Washington Post
“[Aya] tells of a lost age … when the Ivory Coast was basking in the glow of an economic boom, when disco seeped from the open air clubs in Abidjan and teenage girls … were able to enjoy one last flirtatious summer before adulthood.” — The Guardian
I believe this is the second in this series.
DARK SOULS: THE WILLOW KING #1 (OF 4)
Story: George Mann | Art: Maan House | Cover: Stephanie Hans | Variants: Maan House, Alan Quah, Nick Marinkovich, Diego Yapur Cover | Titan Comics | Mature | $3.99
Titan Comics is thrilled to announce that it will be venturing back into the decaying world of DARK SOULS with the next installment of the critically praised comic series, DARK SOULS: THE WILLOW KING. Based on Bandai Namco’s multi-award-winning game franchise, the title sees the return of cult sci-fi and fantasy writer, George Mann, with break-out artist Maan House.
THE WILLOW KING is the fifth entry into Titan Comics’ DARK SOULS comic saga, originally launched in 2016. The title has received wide praise from critics and fans alike.
The mighty king USTRAD OF UTHREL linked the flame, after his servant Herad failed and was consumed by the fire, reduced to ashes. Now, the time has come to link the fire again, but Ustrad now refuses to do his duty to his kingdom. HERAD, resurrected as unkindled, returns to unite three mighty warriors to venture into the WILLOW KING’S domain, and do what needs to be done.
“I’m overjoyed to be returning to the dark, grim, Hollow-ridden world OF DARK SOULS for this brand-new comic series.” Says writer, George Maan. “Like an Unkindled, we’re rising from the ashes to bring you something entirely new and exciting. We’ll journey with Heroth the Unlived as he and his companions seek out a reluctant Lord of Cinder, The Willow King, to try to bend him to his task. Expect new monsters! Giants! Unseen horrors! Dungeon delves and ruined cities! Will the flame ever be linked? You’ll have to read to find out … unless the Hollows get to you first …”
On the launch of THE WILLOW KING, series editor Calum Collins says, “I am extremely excited to work with George and Maan to return to the world of DARK SOULS and seek to link the flame once more! In this story, a band of desperate ashen hollows will attempt to link the flame where they once failed, venturing into the creaking monster-filled domain of the Willow King to accomplish their goal. Expect grim gothic vistas, twisted monsters, and an epic quest into a dungeon unlike any seen before.”
Based on a video game. Here's a PREVIEW.
FRANK JOHNSON: SECRET PIONEER OF AMERICAN COMICS TP VOL 1 TP
Story/Art: Keith Mayerson, Chris Byrne | Fantagraphics | $49.99
An astonishing historical and artistic discovery: a 2300 page proto-graphic novel begun by a "weekend cartoonist" in 1928 and continuing over the next 50 years!
When Frank Johnson, an itinerant musician and shipping clerk, died in 1979, he left behind a startling discovery: more than 2,300 notebook pages of comics and 131 unbound drawings, among them a massive, continuous storyline beginning in the earliest surviving notebook dated 1928 — before the existence of comic books! — and following the exploits of his own cast of characters across 50 years until Johnson passed away. During this lifelong project, Johnson invented in private many of the conventions and tropes that define comics storytelling, effectively enacting an alternative secret history of the comics medium.
This debut publication of Johnson's work is the first of two 600+ page volumes that will collect the best 1,200 pages of his comics, including Wally's Gang, his 50-year magnum opus chronicling the humorous, cliff-hanging adventures of a group of bachelor friends; The Bowser Boys, a seamy, darkly slapstick depiction of Bohemian street life that could be considered the first underground comic series; and, coming in Volume 2, Juke Boys, absurd, self-reflexive graphic experimentation. Curator and historian Chris Byrne and fine artist and graphic novelist Keith Mayerson have brought this astounding work into the light of day and provide historical background and analysis.
Yeah, comic books hadn't been invented yet (as we know them). But comic strips pre-existed this, and some graphic stories that anticipated comics, so I don't accept that as a selling point. Anyway, 50 years is pretty impressive. But I have questions! Like, why didn't the author try to publish this after comic books became an industry? He was around for the small-press explosion of the '80s, where he wouldn't have to sign a work-for-hire contract. Or he could have tried for a conventional book contract at any time.
I think I'd like to see this for its historical value, but I'm not sure I'd want to buy it. On the fence.
Here's a PREVIEW.
GRIT N GEARS: WAR BETWEEN THE DAMES ONE-SHOT
Story: Angel Fuentes | Art/Cover: Nahuel Sb | Blood Moon Comics LLC | $5.99
Reeling from the battle of Steam's Eddy and the loss of their leader, tracker Rosey May is left to pick up the pieces of the Clandestine Nation automatons. But when an overseas company arrives with their own formidable automaton to hunt down her kind, Rosey will need to lock, load and get ready for war. Bagged with a limited edition collector's card!
There was a seven-part Grit N Gears miniseries last year that I didn't read. It's a steampunk Western.
HYPERICUM HC
Story/Art: Manuele Fior | Fantagraphics | $29.99
A sublime and romantic journey into Egyptian grandeur and a romance in the making, from the incomparable Manuele Fior (Celestia).
Teresa's life has always been a comfortable straight line, with every goal set for herself achieved right on schedule. It comes as little surprise when she wins a prestigious scholarship to help mount an exhibition in Berlin celebrating the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb by Howard Carter in 1922. Ruben is a fellow young Italian who never finished his art studies and views Berlin as his personal playground. When Teresa and Ruben meet, fate will forever change the trajectory of their existence.
Hypericum follows, in parallel, Carter's landmark 1920s discovery in Egypt and Teresa and Ruben's passionate yet tormented love affair, set in 1990s Berlin. Between Egypt and Berlin, the two eras confront and intertwine in a story that has at its center the hypericum, or St. John's wort, a plant with unusual properties ...
This sublimely romantic journey into Egyptian grandeur, the vibrations of youth, and the anxiety of the heart is a masterpiece of graphic fiction by one of the world's great contemporary graphic novelists, about how the strongest bonds are created by the passage of time.
I would be more interested in the archaelogical history than the romance, but that might be enough. Besides, it looks European, so there might be boobs!
Here's a PREVIEW.
SPACE NEGRO: THE LAST NEGRO #1 (OF 5)
Story/Art: Jared Sams | 1First Comics | Mature | $9.99
Part 1 of a 5-issue, monthly mini-series! A million years in the future and a brother still can't catch a break! Space Negro is "Supernova" Watkins, the last Black man in the universe. From the mind of comedy writer/artist Jared Sams, the Space Negro preview book has been the best-selling show comic in 1First's 41 years!
I know this is a comedy, but ... what happened to all the other Black people? It can't be a funny answer. Probably best I don't think about it.
THUNDERCATS #1
Story: Declan Shalvey | Art: Drew Moss | Cover: David Nakayama | Variants: Lucio Parrillo, Declan Shalvey, Jae Lee & June Chung, Ivan Tao, Rob Liefeld | Dynamite | Teen | $4.99
Fleeing through space to escape their dying home world, the ThunderCats were attacked en route by their mortal enemies, the Mutants of Plun-Darr. After diverting their damaged flagship to a planet called Third Earth, the surviving ThunderCats now strive to rebuild their society in harmony with the new world's natives. But the Mutants, determined to possess the ThunderCats' mystical gem, the Eye of Thundera, have tracked them down - and they've also forged an alliance with Mumm-Ra, the devil-priest of Third Earth!
Now the ThunderCats, led by an inexperienced Lion-O, must band together as never before to protect their legacy from this combined enemy. But will they be able to withstand the onslaught of Mumm-Ra the Ever-Living, once he sets his eyes upon them?
The triple-threat talents (writers, artists and ThunderCats superfans) of DECLAN SHALVEY and DREW MOSS join forces to bring this exciting new entry in the ThunderCats canon to life! This premier issue features 24 story pages as well as a host of the finest cover artists the galaxy has ever seen, including SHALVEY, DAVID NAKAYAMA, LUCIO PARRILLO, JAE LEE & JUNE CHUNG, and IVAN TAO!
As we've discussed on this board before, there are cycles of nostalgia, where children who are fans of a given property get old enough to A) have buying power and B) become leaders in comics. Then that property suddenly makes a comeback. We've seen it with G.I. Joe, with Transformers, with He-Man, and so on. Now it's ThunderCats' turn. I am not surprised at all to see it.
But I completely missed ThunderCats when it was originally on TV, as I had aged out of the Saturday morning cartoon phase. So younger fans (well, younger than me), can you fill me in on what's attractive about it? Was Jack Kirby involved? (I think I read that somewhere.) Tell me your ThunderCats stories!
And I notice that Lion-O says "Thunder" when using some lightning power with his sword. No wonder a generation of Americans mixes up thunder and lightning. Let's review: Thunder is the harmless noise, lightning is the part that fries you to bits of burnt toast. It is useful to know which is which.
Also, I am not going to laugh at "Lion-O" as a name. After He-Man, the bar is so low that anything is acceptable.
U & I #1 (OF 6)
Story: J. Michael Straczynski | Art/Cover: Mike Choi | AWA | $3.99
The Resistance Universe Returns in a New Tale by J. Michael Straczynski!
The next chapter in the saga of the Resistance Universe focuses on an unlikely love story. The mysterious "U" has no memory of his past before awakening with powers after the Great Death that took many lives and created the superpowered Reborns. His vision of the world is one that is more beautiful and full of hope than the rest of us can see. In searching for a purpose, a reason to live, he discovers Isabelle, whose father died in the plague, and who has recently been thrown out to live in the streets by her uncle. When the two meet, a spark is lit between them. But another spark is lit-one that's sure to lead to explosive consequences-when U runs afoul of a crime syndicate that will stop at nothing to get revenge.
The Resistance launched in 2020, and there have been a lot of them.
Here's a PREVIEW.
WINE GHOST GOES TO HELL GN
Story/Art: Sage Coffey | Iron Circus | Mature | $12.00
When Wine Ghost was alive, she was a booze-soaked train wreck. Now that she's dead ... well, to be honest, not a lot has changed.
But when an old friend from her days among the living unexpectedly turns up in Hell, she's faced with a lot more responsibility - and self-reflection — than she's used to dealing with! Fortunately, if anyone knows how to handle life after death, it's Wine Ghost.
She learned the ins and outs of Hell a long time ago, but it's her pal's first days down in The Depths. And boy howdy, are they both in for a wild ride!
"Surreal and hilarious happenings in the Beetlejuician afterlife." — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“Balances the silly with the serious to tell an unreal, too-real emotional tale." — BITCHES ON COMICS
"Deceptively emotional ... a comic that you must read twice." — WOMEN WRITE ABOUT COMICS
"This is Cathy for ironic millennials.” — AiPT COMICS
This opens up some possibilities. Think there's an opening for a Beer Ghost?
MORE PREVIEWS
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #7
GUMAA: BEGINNING OF HER #3 (OF 7)
KAMEN RIDER KUUGA VOL. 4 GN
Story: Shotaro Ishinomori, Toshiki Inoue | Illustrator: Hitotsu Yokoshima | Titan Manga | 224 pages | B&W | $12.99
The all-new explosive fourth volume of Kamen Rider Kuuga! Based on the classic tokusatsu show of the same name, kindhearted Yusuke Godai returns to stave off the Unidentified Lifeform as the insectile superhero Kamen Rider kuuga!
A new wave of Unidentified Lifeform killings is sweeping across Tokyo and only one hero can stop it: Kamen Rider Kuuga! Godai and Ichijo team up to stop a monstrous creature from murdering high school students but Kuuga is struggling with his arcane powers! Meanwhile, the spirit stones awakens the ancient power of Agito, allowing it to escape into the world!
ROBOTECH RICK HUNTER #3 (OF 4)
WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #137
Replies
I do not want to think about pony love. Nope, nope, la la la can't HEAR you.
Too late.
(You started it.)
That Jeff of Earth-J, always horsing around.
SPACE NEGRO: THE LAST NEGRO #1 (OF 5)
I know this is a comedy, but ... what happened to all the other Black people? It can't be a funny answer. Probably best I don't think about it.
Back when Star Trek TOS debuted, many black people were happy to see that they still existed in the future. This doesn't sound like it would have been popular.
I don't know what you can do to improve a character as cool as Black Panther, but I am a bear of very little imagination.
Our friend Doc Beechler reports that he "Just got notification from my LCS that Ultimate Black Panther is already sold out."
How could that be? You posted this on Saturday and it wasn't supposed to go on sale until today. I looked for it, my my LCS didn't have it. (I was there about five minutes after they opened.) I was in ahurry so I didn't ask about it, but are we sure it even shipped this week? I don't get it.
STAR WARS: MACE WINDU #1 (OF 4) - There was a previous Mace Windu series from Marvel, that I found pretty unimpressive. Hopefully, this will be better.
But I completely missed ThunderCats when it was originally on TV, as I had aged out of the Saturday morning cartoon phase. So younger fans (well, younger than me), can you fill me in on what's attractive about it? Was Jack Kirby involved? (I think I read that somewhere.) Tell me your ThunderCats stories! - It isn't like I have a ton of stories, but the one thing I do remember about this series, is that it was the cartoon I watched after school as I rolled up newspapers for my paper route. I just found it to be a fun action series. I was a bigger fan Tygra than Lion-O. Actually Lion-O was pretty low on my list of the characters.
The Resistance launched in 2020, and there have been a lot of them. - I read the 2 or 3 of these, but got bored of it pretty quickly. Sorry, JMS.