TOP PUBLISHERS
MARVEL
HOWARD THE DUCK #1
Story: Chip Zdarsky, Daniel Kibblesmith, Merritt K, more | Art: Joe Quinones, Annie Wu, more | Cover: Ed Mcguinness | Teen+ | $5.99
Fans are invited to a birthday blowout for one of comics’ most unique characters in HOWARD THE DUCK #1! Howard the Duck’s 50th anniversary one-shot will be an giant-sized spectacle that will reunite writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Joe Quinones, the sensational creative team behind Howard’s smash hit and critically acclaimed 2015 ongoing series. Joined by other writers and artists eager to put their own spin on this fan-favorite icon, Zdarsky and Quinones will get into the nitty-gritty of the private-eye’s hectic history with a feather-raising journey through the Howard-verse! This collection of all-new tales will tackle all the different paths Howard could’ve taken during his offbeat adventures, and pose fascinating questions for this furious fowl’s future!
Meet Howard. He’s a hard-boiled P.I. with problems by the duckload. But a cosmic, all-seeing friend(?) known as the Peeper(!) is giving him a chance to see what his life COULD be! The joys he COULD have! All the ways his life COULD suck way less than it does now! In other words: “Whaugh If?”
Here’s some of the craziness that readers can look forward to:
- Emmy-nominated writer and comedian Daniel Kibblesmith and acclaimed artist Annie Wu put Howard in the Oval Office! Inspired by a classic tale from Steve Gerber and Gene Colan’s 70s’ run, Howard the Duck has been sworn in as President. Find out if how gutsy he is as Commander in Chief when the Earth is invaded by aliens in this startling political satire!
- Popular video game designer and writer Merritt K makes her Marvel Comics debut alongside artist Will Robson with a cosmic comedy that sees Howard the Duck leaving the chaos of Earth behind to take over as leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy! Playing Star-Lord is all fun and games for Howard until some of his most iconic classic villains band together to take him out once and for all!
- And more!
- Howard was never the same for me after Steve Gerber. I didn't always understand what Gerber was doing, but when I did get it I liked it. Afterwards, Howard wasn't Howard any more ... especially when Bill Mantlo established that Howard and Bev's relationship was sexual. That not only fundamentally changed their book, but was really icky. But maybe now that he's owned by Disney he can stop wearing pants!
- Here's a PREVIEW.
"Gang War"
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN GANG WAR: FIRST STRIKE #1
Story: Zeb Wells | Art: Joey Vasquez | Cover: John Romita Jr. | Teen | $5.99
SPECIAL ONE-SHOT GANG WAR PRELUDE!
The super-crime landscape of New York has been on edge. This issue, they jump over that edge. What incites the war?! Who hired Shotgun and took out Tombstone? What, if anything, can Spider-Man do about it? Everything you need to know before GANG WAR officially kicks off next month is HERE.
- So, the ganglords of New York are going to war, and Spidey will assemble a team to take them all down, says the PR. This Spidey isn't my Spidey, of course, but some of my fondest Spidey memories reside in the Lee/Ditko Crime-Master/Green Goblin storyline. Spidey's at his best when fighting street-level thugs.
- Here's a PREVIEW.
LUKE CAGE: GANG WAR #1 (OF 4)
Story: Rodney Barnes | Art: Ramon F. Bachs | Cover: Caanan White | Teen+ | $4.99
GANG WAR: FIRST STRIKE!
In the wake of the Anti-Vigilante Act, Luke has been trying to save the city from behind a desk. But a meeting with old friend Danny Rand reminds him of the good old days when problems could be punched in order to solve them. As New York descends into a GANG WAR, Luke must use every power he has to protect the innocent and save his city!
- I'll take anything that gets Luke Cage back into print!
- Here's a PREVIEW.
MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #12
Story: Cody Ziglar | Art: Partha Pratim | Cover: Federico Vicentini | Teen | $3.99
GANG WAR: FIRST STRIKE!
Spider-Man is on the hunt to find a terrifying new foe before they sink their fangs into Miles’ best friends. Only the vampire hunter Blade and his daughter, Bloodline, may know the secret of the villain’s past — but are the vampire hunters keeping secrets of their own? And what is Hobgoblin secretly scheming while Spidey is completely overwhelmed? Last issue before GANG WAR!
- Wait, this came out with the "Gang War" PR, and it's not even "Gang War" yet? Collecting comics is hard.
- And, yeah, one of the variant covers is of another event, "Last Days of Moon Knight" (or as it's called at Diamond, "Knight's End").
- Here's a PREVIEW.
SPIDER-WOMAN #1 (OF 4)
Story: Steve Foxe | Art: Carola Borelli | Cover: Leinil Francis Yu | Variants: Bengal, Felipe Massafera | Teen+ | $4.99
GANG WAR: FIRST STRIKE!
This November, Jessica Drew has a new mission, and this time, it’s personal! Announced last month at San Diego Comic-Con, SPIDER-WOMAN is a new ongoing series that spins directly out of Gang War, the upcoming crossover that sees war erupt between New York City’s deadliest crime lords. Written by Steve Foxe (X-Men Annual, Dark X-Men) and drawn by rising star Carola Borelli, Jessica Drew will strike out in a brand-new direction as she’s tasked by Spider-Man to take down some of her most bitter foes. But something has made Jessica angrier than ever, and her ruthless crime fighting will shock her fellow heroes during and beyond the events of Gang War. As she tries to solve the heartbreaking mystery that’s upended her entire world, Spider-Woman will come face to face with a terrifying new force of evil. Fans can discover more about what kicks off Jessica’s dramatic new journey in a special preview in Amazing Spider-Man #31!
The Web of Destiny restored Spider-Woman’s life, but even Captain Marvel and Madame Web can tell something’s changed. After Viper engineers a deadly union between Hydra and Diamondback that’s about to tear the city apart, Spider-Man wants to recruit her for a new team to face an all-new foe — one who is powerful enough to destroy the city while burning Spider-Woman’s world to the ground.
"Jessica Drew has been my favorite Marvel heroine since I was a kid,” Foxe said. “From the instantly classic costume to her complex backstory, there's just SO much to her. She's a spy, a street-smart detective, a superheroic best friend, an Avenger, a Spider-Verse-hopper, a mother, and a survivor. Getting the chance to do it alongside Carola, as well as Eric Koda on our prologue, has been bioelectric heaven. The events of Gang War ended up being the perfect springboard for a story that embraces what Zeb [Wells] and co. are doing in Amazing Spider-Man while also telling a distinctly Spider-Woman saga--with lasting ramifications for some of her closest relationships — in her own book. Few characters have been through Hell like Jessica Drew has been through Hell, and I'm so excited to throw EVEN MORE at her."
- Don't be fooled — this title may be launching out of "Gang War," but it's not a one-shot or a miniseries, and will continue as an ongoing after "Gang War" is over. If history is any judge, that won't be for long, as the longest run a Spider-Woman title has had is 50 issues. But they're trying.
- Here's a PREVIEW.
"Last Days of Moon Knight"
MOON KNIGHT #29
Story: Jed MacKay | Ar:y Federico Sabbatini | Cover: Stephen Segovia | Variant: Inhyuk Lee | Teen+ | $3.99
The clock is ticking down and the final hours of Moon Knight are upon us! Over the last few years, Jed MacKay and Alessandro Cappuccio have revitalized the Moon Knight mythology, blessed the character with profound new purpose, and made MOON KNIGHT one of the hottest titles on stands! Now, Marc Spector’s journey reaches a climactic end. Starting in October’s MOON KNIGHT #28, witness the full scope of MacKay and Cappuccio’s vision for MOON KNIGHT in an epic new three-part storyline that will serve as the culmination of Moon Knight’s current era and the beginning of his next chapter.
Today, fans can see the cover for MOON KNIGHT #29 which features artwork by the series’ regular swing artist, Federico Sabbatini. Arriving in November, the issue will see Moon Knight battle the Black Spectre for the fate of the city – and every step forward is paid for with blood. Will Moon Knight and his allies thwart the Spectre’s scheme? And if they do, what will remain of them?
"Almost all the pieces are now on the board — on one side, Moon Knight and his allies in the Midnight Mission, and on the other, the Black Spectre, his creatures, and his plan for New York," MacKay explained. "We've been building towards this confrontation since #19, and starting with MOON KNIGHT #28, Moon Knight and the Black Spectre go to war. It's not just a question of victory, but survival itself. The Midnight Mission is already cloaked in the black of mourning ..."
- Since death isn't permanent in comics, the only question is: Who will be Moon Knight until Marc Spector is somehow resurrected?
"Fall of X"
X-MEN BLUE: ORIGINS #1 (ONE-SHOT)
Story: Si Spurrier | Art: Wilton Santos & Marcus To | Cover: Francis Manapul | Variant: Russell Dauterman | Teen+ | $5.99
Since his earliest days with the X-Men under writer Chris Claremont, the circumstances of Nightcrawler’s birth have been the subject of rumors, half-truths, and heartbreak — until now! This November, Si Spurrier, the writer who’s masterfully guided the character through the Krakoan age, will clear away all the lies to tell the definitive Nightcrawler origin story in X-MEN BLUE: ORIGINS #1! With art by Wilton Santos and Marcus To, this special one-shot will deliver a rousing saga that spans mutant history with revelations that X-Men fans have longed for.
You think you know the tale of Mystique and Azazel’s devilish affair, but what role did Mystique’s true love, Destiny play? Their beautiful romance has steered the course of mutantdom throughout the century, and when they reunited on Krakoa, they became two of mutantkind’s most prominent leaders. Now, with FALL OF X spiraling around them, it’s time to spill their biggest secret! Fans can celebrate this pivotal moment for this iconic Marvel couple with Russell Dauterman’s new X-MEN BLUE: ORIGINS #1 variant cover. The gorgeous piece blends the passion and doom of their storied relationship spectacularly and is perfect for what is sure to be one of the most talked about issues of the year!
“It’s not often you get the chance to shine new light into the origins of a truly beloved character. To do so for two at once is an unprecedented privilege,” Spurrier shared. “With this book, we’re breaking new ground in more ways than one. We’re walking this path with the deepest love for Nightcrawler and Mystique, and the deepest respect for the formative stories that surround them. And yet… by shifting perspective … by wondering which parts of the standard history can be trusted and which are unreliable … by climbing into the minds and memories of mother and son alike … we’re enriching their shared tale in a way that will cast fertile shadows across everything they do from now onwards. This is one of those books that will be discussed for years to come.”
And X-MEN BLUE: ORIGINS #1 is not the only chapter of Nightcrawler’s FALL OF X transformation! The one-shot will spin out of his adventures in Spurrier and Lee Garbett’s UNCANNY SPIDER-MAN limited series. After the devastating events of the Hellfire Gala, Kurt Wagner is on the run - and having the time of his life?! On the darkest of days, he is the spark in the shadows! Swashbuckling about NYC in disguise, the Uncanny Wallcrawler sets aside his mutant angst and dedicates himself to the hero's life: saving civilians, hanging with fellow wallcrawlers, battling baddies, and hunting down the best pizza on the planet. But he can't ignore the mutant plight forever. … Between X-MEN BLUE: ORIGINS #1 and this joyful series, Nightcrawler will be shaken to his foundations — and have a hell of a good time doing it!
“Mystique, she's fascinating and wonderful and would be an utterly unlikable character if it weren't for the fact that everything she does is purely and pragmatically focused on love,” Spurrier told Looper in an exclusive interview. “That redeems so much — this idea that she and her wife have this centuries-old romance that is so overwhelming that it threatens to destroy not only everybody around them but also each other. They keep coming together and smashing together and then going away and coming back. It's this elaborate decades dance, which is such a wonderful thing to think about. Everything they do is focused on each other, so we can, if not quite forgive a lot of what Mystique does and has done, we can at least understand it in that context. That buys her a lot of points in my view.”
- "Mystique ... would be an utterly unlikable character if it weren't for the fact that everything she does is purely and pragmatically focused on love."
- Uh, what? Sorry, not buying it. Mystique is a mass murderer, one of the most ruthlesss, cruelest and most unrepentant people in the Marvel Universe, and no matter the motives for any of the various acts of barbarism she has commited, she IS an utterly unlikable character.
- "Their beautiful romance has steered the course of mutantdom throughout the century ..." Again, WHAT? "Beautiful romance"? "steered the course of mutantdom"? Are we talking about the same people? I am outraged, suh! I say, OUTRAGED!
- "Fall of X" continues in MS. MARVEL: NEW MUTANT #4 (OF 4) and REALM OF X #4 (OF 4).
UNCANNY X-MEN #142 FACSIMILE EDITION reprints "Days of Future Past" Part 2.
DC COMICS
BATMAN ’89: ECHOES #1 (OF 6)
Story: Sam Hamm | Art/Cover: Joe Quinones | $3.99
YOU WANNA GET NUTS? LET'S GET NUTS! After Harvey Dent’s crusade against Gotham and Batman, the Caped Crusader has disappeared without a trace. In his place, ordinary citizens have taken to the streets to root out crime. As innocents get hurt, the question on everyone's mind is the same: Where is Batman? Sam Hamm, screenwriter of the 1989 Batman movie, and Joe Quinones reunite for another tale in Gotham!
- Would it really be so bad to be 1989 forever?
DOOM PATROL #99 FACSIMILE EDITION reprints the first appearance of Beast Boy.
Milestone alert: STATIC: SHADOWS OF DAKOTA #7 (OF 7)
TITANS: BEAST WORLD #1 (OF 6)
Story: Tom Taylor | Art/Cover: Ivan Reis, Danny Miki | $5.99
Clawing its way out of the pages of Tom Taylor and Nicola Scott’s Titans “Dawn of DC” comic book series comes an unprecedented threat to the DC Universe, an intergalactic Sea Star — a conqueror like Starro, but one that is far more frightening. Superman, Wonder Woman, Starfire — all are powerless to stop The Necrostar from ending all life on Earth. And the only superhero who can save the world is ... Beast Boy?!
With Nightwing, Raven, Cyborg and the Titans beside him, can Garfield Logan rise to battle an ancient evil? Or is he doomed to become the greatest threat to the DC Universe? What will Amanda Waller do to take advantage of the situation as millions of people are changed into rampaging creatures? And can humanity survive all-powerful superheroes and supervillains transformed into ferocious beasts?
DC proudly presents the first Titans comic book crossover event, “Beast World,” featuring the brand-new series, Titans: Beast World, brought to you by the all-star creative team of writer Tom Taylor and artist Ivan Reis. This epic event, which continues into January 2024, sets the stage for what’s to come for the DC Universe! Part of the “Dawn of DC” storytelling initiative, “Beast World” will also connect into Tom Taylor’s ongoing series Titans and Nightwing.
“I’m beyond excited to bring this DC crossover event to life starting in November with our new Titans: Beast World series, featuring art by the incomparable Ivan Reis. ‘Beast World’ will also thread the needle between the current series that I’m writing about the Titans,” said writer Tom Taylor. “Friends will fall. Super Heroes will rise. And nothing will ever be the same again. Earth is about to become ... Beast World.”
As the Titans rally together in the pages of Titans: Beast World to prepare to fight the intergalactic beast, The Necrostar, Starfire discovers how it was first defeated by the Tamaraneans of the past: it was beaten by Starro. Luckily, the Titans have a warrior that can take the shape and match the powers of a world-conqueror like Starro — Beast Boy!
So Starro Beast Boy becomes a world conqueror, and DC’s Titans lose their shape-changing teammate in the process. Titans: Beast World will tell his story — and the story of the Titans fighting to bring him back from the abyss — beginning in November 2023.
And what does all of this have to do with Amanda Waller? The threat Beast Boy poses will further Amanda Waller's crusade against metahumans and her anti-alien alliance … by any means necessary. As Waller looks for ways to take Starro Beast Boy down, she will form a cautious understanding with none other than Lex Luthor — as an expert in dealing with alien threats.
- Here it is, as promised: The first Titans-based crossover event.
WONDER WOMAN: OUTLAW EDITION collects the new Wonder Woman #1-2.
IMAGE
CRAVE #1
Story/Art: Maria Llovet | Mature | $3.99
Fan favorite Heartbeat writer/artist Maria Llovet (Faithless, Sandman Universe Thessaly) will make her first Image Comics debut in the upcoming erotic thriller, Crave. Eyes Wide Shut meets Black Mirror in this dark, sexy mystery set to launch in November.
CRAVE, a mysterious app that promises to make your desires come true, spreads among the students of an elite university who use it as a hookup app. David, a top student, engages in a game of seduction with the unattainable Alexandra. But as requests to the app escalate and wreak havoc on campus, David and his friends' only chance to stop this spiral is to find out what really lies behind CRAVE.
"Crave was born by reflecting on how we connect in the modern world; to what extent do we control how much we share, and how much others know about us, especially now that we are in the dawn of AI," said Llovet.
- Kinky!
- I assume the chained-up girl is lead, or at least the female lead. Having a female lead with small breasts is probably the most daring thing in the book.
DARK HORSE
ONI RONIN TP
Story: Mack Flavelle & Kohei Naganime | Art: Tatsubi | $14.99
Presenting one of the first collaborations from Dark Horse Books and Stan Sakai’s Dogu Publishing: Oni Ronin. This is an epic journey of self-discovery set in the afterlife of Japanese folklore, written by Mack Flavelle and Kohei Naganime, with art by Tatsubi, and creative assistance from Maldoror, Manabu Seko and Keojimal.
Set in Japan during the Sengoku or “Warring States” period, Oni Ronin is a tale of cowardice, sacrifice and redemption. Combining historically accurate characters and locations with mythical kitsune and malevolent demons from Japanese folklore, Oni Ronin is the redemption story of the cowardly Sarobei, a samurai messenger who meets feudal lords, brave warriors and heroic ghosts on his journey of self-discovery.
- Is this new, and not a reprint from Japan?
- Here's a PREVIEW.
THALAMUS ART OF DAVE MCKEAN HC SLIPCASE SET
Story/Art: Dave McKean | Dark Horse | 608 pages | $149.99
Dark Horse Books proudly presents this two-volume hardcover artbook collection showcasing the work of the legendary artist Dave McKean, who has created some of the most iconic images in modern comics, literature, film, and music.
Featuring his visually-stunning work from Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, Mirrormask, Arkham Asylum, Cages, Black Dog, Raptor and so much more, as well as artwork featured in prose publications, film, music and never-before-seen bonus material with commentary by Dave McKean.
This deluxe two-volume set is collected into a gorgeous slipcase featuring original artwork by McKean, also including a satin ribbon marker in each volume, and a foreword by David Boyd Haycock.
Praise for Dave McKean:
“Dave McKean has been a peerless and unstoppable force in the world of comics and graphic design for decades. And now, contained between these beautiful covers, is a thrilling tour of his entire career, his process and his art. This book is a must have for anyone interested in the cutting edge of comics and visual storytelling." — Jeff Lemire (Black Hammer)
“My admiration for Dave McKean has many facets: as an artist, as a storyteller, and as an innovator. He revolutionized the illustrated book narrative with his multimedia use of real objects, art and photography collages, and elaborated some of the most amazing box art to present entire worlds on a cover, a single page, or a sequential art layout. He is an emblematic, powerful artist, and his unique style stands as a landmark in multiple mediums: Film, photography and graphic arts. Two volumes offer barely a glimpse of his capabilities and horizons.” — Guillermo del Toro
- If I bought books like this, this is one I'd buy.
- Here's a PREVIEW.
OTHER PUBLISHERS
Comic strip collectors alert: ALLEY OOP: BACK TO THE MILLION DOLLAR NUGGET TP (Manuscript Press, $27.50)
ASSASSIN'S CREED: VISIONARIES #1 (OF 4)
Story: Ale Santos | Art: Rafael Albuquerque, Stephane Louis, Marcelo Maiolo, Vera Daviet | Cover: Yanick Paquette | Mature | $4.99
These are the three connecting covers by Yanick Paquette, the Eisner-nominated, Shuster Awards Winner, and #1 New-York Times best-selling comics artist known for Batman, Swamp Thing, Wonder Woman: Earth One, INCAL and more.
The Assassin's Creed® franchise was created over 15 years ago, so what better way to celebrate it than to give renowned comic artists complete creative freedom to share their own, personal visions of Ubisoft's hidden blade-wielding, parkour-running, century-spanning Assassin's Creed®? Assassin's Creed: Visionaries will be the first Assassin's Creed comic adaptation to debut before a video game release. Each issue will feature two stories by today's top talents in the comics and pop culture industry and all assassin characters will be created by the artists themselves.
In this first issue, celebrated artist RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE (American Vampire, Blue Beetle, Detective Comics, Prodigy) is joined by writer Ale Santos and colorist Marcelo Maiolo to tell the story of an Assassin chasing Nazi officers, now hiding in Argentina.
Also, European writer/artist STÉPHANE LOUIS (Tessa Agent Intergalactique, Carmen McCallum, Aquablue) is joined by Véra Daviet to weave us a tale set in a future where the Templars are on the verge, yet again, of eliminating the Assassin Brotherhood once and for all!
- I thought Titan had this franchise! Well, if it's moved, then Massive is pretty smart to enlist the likes of Rafael Albuquerque and Yanick Paquette.
- Here's a PREVIEW.
BARBARIC: WRONG KIND OF RIGHTEOUS ONE-SHOT
Story: Michael Moreci, Nicholas Eames | Art: Julius Ohta | Cover: Nathan Gooden | Vault Comics | $6.99
Vault Comics first teased art and details on a full year of its popular Barbaric franchise late last year. Dubbed the Year of the Axe, the publisher announced the first-ever spinoff series Queen of Swords, which recently broke comic shop sales records ahead of release. In addition, new arcs were announced, and a collaboration with best-selling, Gemmell Award-winning Fantasy author Nicholas Eames (Kings of Wyld) was teased.
Today, Vault can reveal full details around Barbaric: Wrong Kind of Righteous, which unites the original Barbaric co-creators with Eames for a special story from the past which introduces an all-new sentient weapon, and dives into Owen and Axes past!
“I’ve loved Barbaric since Michael sent me an early look at the first issue. My books, he said, had been an inspiration while writing it, and when I read those pages, I felt right at home. The humor, the heart, the delightfully twisted tropes. … It was so much fun” says Nicholas Eames. “I’ve been a fan of comics my whole life and have always dreamed of writing my own, so when Michael — and Vault — offered me the opportunity to co-write something set in Barbaric’s world I jumped at the chance. It was, I think, the perfect way to try my hand at a medium I’ve always loved while learning from a writer (and editor) who I greatly admire.”
Barbaric: Wrong Kind of Righteous is a double-sized one-shot introducing Sir Borys the Righteous Paladin and his trusty, talking Flail, as he enlists the help of Owen, Axe, and Soren on his noble path. There will be virtuous bloodshed! There will be wailing protests! There will be two talking weapons! And there will be wyvern burgers served (for better or worse) with pickles!"
Eames continues “When it came to pitching a story, I sent Michael the first idea that came to mind but promised to brainstorm further — except Michael loved that first idea, since it also served as a means of exploring Barbaric’s lore, especially when it comes to … well, I suppose you’ll have to read and find out.”
- I know there are Barbaric readers here. Show yourselves, so my axe may feed!
BASIC INSTINCT #1 (OF 4)
Story: Sam Freeman | Art: Vanesa Del Rey | Massive | Mature | $4.99
Cover by Cuban artist Vanesa Del Rey, co-creator of Redlands (Image) whose work has also appeared on Scarlet Witch, Spider-Women Alpha and Daredevil Annual (2016) for Marvel Comics.
Flesh seduces. Passion kills.
An anonymous artist who draws their inspiration from famous murders has opened their newest exhibit surrounding the now infamous "Icepick Murder" centered around Catherine Tramell. However, when a security guard of the exhibit is murdered on it's opening night, the art director responsible for the opening is thrust into an investigation that forces him to question his own involvement.
- I wasn't very impressed with the movie back in 1992, but I like these covers.
BUZZELLI COLLECTED WORKS VOL 1: THE LABYRINTH TP
Story: Guido Buzzelli, Jamie Richards | Art: Guido Buzzelli | Floating World | $29.99
A series of volumes collecting Guido Buzzelli's stories in English for the first time. Featuring never-seen-before work, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his death and his masterful skill and subversive art.
- Wikipedia tells me Guido Buzzelli is an important European artist, about whom I am entirely ignorant.
- Here's a PREVIEW.
DIRTY PANTIES GN
Story/Art: Maybelline Skvortzoff | Editions Tanabis | Mature | $21.00
Roxane is a young Parisian whose Bohemian life seems stuck in an endless loop of idle afternoons and wine-soaked nights with her roommate. Strapped for cash and novelty, she starts selling her used underwear online. Dirty Panties chronicles her first steps in this marketplace, from the creation of her online persona to the real-life rendezvous with shady customers. This new business soon impacts Roxane's daily life and the people around her. The world she has just stepped into might be much more bizarre than what she expected. Roxane's journey exploring her own appetite for transgression tackles such contemporary themes as sex work, consent and economic domination. How far will she go and where will this end?
- I've heard of this sort of thing, but have never run across it or understood it. I don't travel in the right circles, I guess.
- Here's MORE.
DOBBLE: DOUBLE TROUBLE HC (Ablaze) is based on a card game I’ve never played. Looks like it might be for kids. Here's a PREVIEW.
DRACULA, FRANKENSTEIN HCs
Famed French artist Georges Bess, who has done a lot of work with Alexander Jodorowsky (among other things), has adapted two seminal horror novels for Magnetic Press ($34.99 each). The covers look great, and his other work speaks for itself. But do I need another version of these books? Here's MORE on DRACULA BY GEORGES BESS HC, and MORE on FRANKENSTEIN BY GEORGES BESS HC, plus a video (below).
FASCINATING FOLKLORE COMPENDIUM OF COMICS & ESSAYS HC (Liminal 11, $19.99) does seem fascinating, as writer John Reppion supposedly writes about folklore from all over the world, which is then illustrated by P.J. Holden. But the cover, an example of artist Holden’s work, wasn't my cup of tea and I don't want a whole book of it.
Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like the FLESH-EATING CHEERLEADERS HOLIDAY SPECIAL one-shot (Dren Productions, $5.99). Here's MORE.
“A sentient house falls in love with its architect and sole occupant, but soon the architect falls for someone else and the house seeks vengeance” in Blood Moon’s HAUNTED HOUSE LOVE STORY #1 (OF 6, $4.99). That’s all I know, but it's an interesting idea.
MICHAEL MOUSE ONE-SHOT (Floating World, $12.00) is a Disney parody. “Mitch Lohmeier's Michael Mouse follows the story of David Duck as he gets roped into completing one final job by his old pals Goony and the titular Michael Mouse. Betrayal, abandonment and murder abound in this action-packed drama. It's a story so fraught with catastrophe and angst that you'll forget you're reading a cartoon.”
MUNDUS TENEBRAS #1 (OF 3)
Story: Pablo Stanisci | Art/Cover: Nicolas Nieto | Blood Moon | Mature | $4.99
Not everything that happens is as it seems. Father David, after a failed exorcism, experiences a crisis of faith that leads him to question the purity of the church he serves. A mysterious woman will cross his path with an offer to answer his questions. But, who is she? Will Father David be prepared for the truth? Mundus Tenebras is a path of discovery through the darkness. Do you dare to walk it with David?
- In case you were wondering, Mundus Tenebras means "World of Darkness" in Latin.
NADIA & THE NOMOBOTS #1
Story: Diego Agrimbau | Art/Cover: Juan Manuel Tumburnres | Opus Comics | $4.99
In Sileo City, emotions are literally sold in the streets. Humankind toils for the coldly sentient robot community, called "Nomobots", producing Emopills designed to satisfy the automata's craving for sensations. Jimmy, a Nomobot, rescues Nadia, a female human, from an Emopill factory. Soon Jimmy finds out that humans are much more than the total sums of their emotions. An intriguing cyberpunk tale of social complexities, moral dilemmas and plot twists!
- Here's a PREVIEW.
RICK AND MORTY: MEESEEKS PI #1 (Oni, Mature, $4.99) is the beginning of another four-issue R&M miniseries.
SCARY CHRISTMAS IV is the fourth annual holiday horror anthology by American Mythology (Mature, $4.99).
SIRE: LOST IN TIME #1 (OF 4, $4.99) stars Dren Productions’ (generic-looking) superhero in a new adventure.
SPACE TRUCKIN #1
Story: Timothy Hendrick | Art: Silvano Beltramo | Cover: Ryan Christensen | Opus Comics | $5.99
Gorri Y'barra is a smuggler, fugitive, and wanted in multiple timelines. Buckle up for interstellar thrills as the infamous bootlegger moves adrenochrome through Jupiter, with bounty hunters closing in.
- Haven't seen that logo's "sci-fi" lettering style since the '70s, when it was everywhere.
- The D cover is by Joseph Michael Linsner. When you have a "name" artist, why not use him for the A cover?
TALES OF THE BIZARRE #1 ($5.99) is a sci-fi/horror anthology from Dren Productions. It's evidently free in digital form at the Dren Productions home page.
THIS LITTLE PIGGY #1
Story: Shawn Gabborin | Art: Carlos Lopez | Cover: Joe Bocardo | Scout Comics | $4.99
All Reggie wants to do is uphold family tradition. He has studied, has learned every technique, now it's simply time to put everything into practice. After stapling piggy masks onto their faces, Reggie must confront hunting down his long-time crush Abigail and her family. Coming of age is hard when you're a werewolf.
- What th--!?
- Here's a PREVIEW.
VECTORS #1
Story: Timothy E. Bacon, Grant Fraggalosch | Art: Ruben Gil | Colors: Juan Manuel Cañada Aguilera | Letters: Lettersquids | Scout Comics | $4.99
A NASA capsule unexpectedly crashes back to Earth after having been presumed lost in space 50 years ago. But its sudden return raises more questions than answers when it’s revealed that its crew of three is not only still alive but haven’t aged since their launch. As the world becomes captivated by their startling story, the astronauts struggle to adapt to life in the 21st century while embarking on a far-reaching quest to uncover the mysteries and conspiracies surrounding their original mission, their unexplained disappearance and, ultimately, the future-altering reasons of why they’ve suddenly returned to Earth.
“We’re thrilled to bring our story to such an exciting and dynamic company as Scout and have the opportunity to work with an incredibly talented group of creators — all of whom helped elevate VECTORS beyond what we could have imagined.” — Timothy Bacon & Grant Fraggalosch
- Not exactly an original idea, so execution will be important.
ZAGOR: THE SCEPTER OF TIN HINAN GN (Epicenter, $40.99) is the last in this series of Italian reprints of Native American adventurer Za-Gor-Te-Ney. Here's a PREVIEW.
ZOMBIE ZERO TP (Critical Entertainment, Mature, $24.99) is the story of the last zombie after the apocalypse is over, who is now searching for his family. Here’s a PREVIEW, and a trailer (below).
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Replies
I wasn't all that overwhewmed by Howard the Duck when Gerber was doing it, but I've never seen a non-Gerber treatment of the character that was as good as Gerber's was.
That's pretty much my opinion, too, just more succinct.
This Spidey isn't my Spidey, of course, but some of my fondest Spidey memories reside in the Lee/Ditko Crime-Master/Green Goblin storyline.
Yeah, but I suspect this "Gang War" is more likely inspired by the "Gang War" of the '80s (nostalgia for the creators and all that).
Wait, this came out with the "Gang War" PR, and it's not even "Gang War" yet?
At least they didn't title it "Zeroeth Strike!"
"Mystique ... would be an utterly unlikable character if it weren't for the fact that everything she does is purely and pragmatically focused on love."
Uh, what?
Yeah, I'm having trouble processing that one, too. I find it distressing when Marvel doesn't "get" their own characters.
Would it really be so bad to be 1989 forever?
Yes. Yes, it would.
I wasn't all that overwhewmed by Howard the Duck when Gerber was doing it, but I've never seen a non-Gerber treatment of the character that was as good as Gerber's was.
What he said.
DRACULA, FRANKENSTEIN HCs
I damn near bought these today. They are really slick-looking, handsome volumes. Will I read them more than once, though? That has become a new criterion for me. I'll think about it for a week. Maybe they'll have sold by then, taking the decision out of my hands.
Yeah, but I suspect this "Gang War" is more likely inspired by the "Gang War" of the '80s (nostalgia for the creators and all that).
I don't even remember the Gang War of the '80s. This one's going to have a lot of superheroes and supervillains, though, unlike the Lee/Ditko gang war (which only had one superhero and supervillain). I guess you can't go home again.
Yeah, I'm having trouble processing that one, too. I find it distressing when Marvel doesn't "get" their own characters.
I think it's likely they're trying to redeem Mystique, at least into an anti-hero, like they did Magneto. We comics fans generally consider Mystique an unpleasant B-list character, but to movie-goers, she's that heroic gal played by Jennifer Lawrence. We're apt to see a lot more of her in comics AND movies.
I damn near bought these today. They are really slick-looking, handsome volumes. Will I read them more than once, though? That has become a new criterion for me. I'll think about it for a week. Maybe they'll have sold by then, taking the decision out of my hands.
When I wrote the Guide, I thought, "Nope, no way I'm buying another version of those two stories." A week later and I'm thinking, "Gawrsh, they sure is purdy." Will I be Goofus, and buy them, or Gallant, and forswear? Tune in to the next installment of "Goofus and Gallant," right here in the Comics Cave!
I don't even remember the Gang War of the '80s.
I stopped buying Spider-Man for a time in the '80s and have never read this story, but I remember the covers.
Tune in to the next installment of "Goofus and Gallant," right here in the Comics Cave!
We should do a podcast. You wanna be Goofus or Gallant? :)
This is the Gang War Cap and I remember. I thought they used Gang War as a title in the two-parter, but I guess they didn't.
This is the Gang War Cap and I remember.
Oh, I remember it, too, I just think it's more likely the creators had the '80s one in mind when they launched the new one.
Come to think of it, the "Owl-Octopus War" was much more likely to have been inspired by the Lee/Ditko "Green Goblin-Crime Master" one.
That's a new one on me. I never knew about the Owl-Octopus War.
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