(Note: CLICK HERE for Full List.)
TOP 5 PUBLISHERS
MARVEL COMICS
SCARLET WITCH #8
Story: Steve Orlando | Art: Lorenzo Tammetta & Sara Pichelli | Cover: Russell Dauterman | Variants: W. Scott Forbes, Oscar Vega | Teen+ | $3.99
MISCHIEF AND CHAOS COLLIDE IN SCARLET WITCH #8!
GOD VS. WITCH!
When Loki’s mountain giant cousin comes through the Last Door desperate to secure the right to rule his people, the Scarlet Witch agrees to confront the King of Jotunheim. But things are never what they seem with Loki, God of Stories, and when the truth comes out, sparks just might fly! Meanwhile, Hexfinder’s plan is revealed … and those closest to Wanda can no longer be trusted.
- Wanda sure has strange taste in men.
- But it could be a fun storyline.
- (Although it can't end well.)
- Here's a PREVIEW.
SILVER SURFER REBIRTH: LEGACY #1 (OF 5)
Story: Ron Marz | Art/Cover: Ron Lim | Variants: Frank Miller, Ryan Brown, Ron Lim, John Tyler Christopher | Teen+ | $3.99
Ron Marz and Ron Lim, legendary architects of the Marvel Comics’ cosmic landscape, are soaring the spaceways once more with hit after hit series! Following Silver Surfer Rebirth and Warlock Rebirth, Marz and Lim will return with another saga set during their influential run of Silver Surfer: SILVER SURFER REBIRTH: LEGACY!
Launching in September, the five-issue limited series will continue plot threads introduced in the team’s previous series as Silver Surfer and Legacy; the son of the original Captain Marvel, team up on a quest across time. From the not-so-distant past to the very end of eternity, the duo’s mission spirals into the cosmos, pitting them against the likes of Thanos, Adam Warlock’s Infinity Watch, Galactus, and more. And fans won’t believe the mysterious force pulling the strings behind this sprawling story as the next chapter in this new era of Marvel space mythology begins with a bang!
The Sentinel of the Spaceways has taken the son of Captain Mar-Vell under his wing, but even the Power Cosmic can't replace the love of a father! The Surfer knows something that might just be able to soothe a broken heart, but is it worth a clash with the Infinity Watch? Beloved creators Ron Marz and Ron Lim revisit their celebrated run on Silver Surfer and they're not the only time travelers.
"I can't say no to Silver Surfer, and I can't say no to Ron Lim, so here we go again,” Marz said. “Playing in Marvel's cosmic playground with Ron was how my career started, and I think I speak for both of us when I say this is right where we want to be. It just fits. This new series gives us a chance to build on the stories we've been telling, and tie them together into a bigger arc with Surfer at the center. We're having a blast, so hopefully readers will too."
- Jack Kirby's big hand makes another appearance (and gets Millerized) in Cover B below.
- I'm not a big fan of Genis-Vell or '90s comics in general. But I'm glad this is out there.
- Here's a PREVIEW.
"Fall of X"
Epic tragedy and unforgivable betrayals have sent mutantkind away from the safety of Krakoa and into one of the darkest periods in X-Men history. A new world map graphic shows just how tumultuous things will be by pinpointing where various titles and characters end up.
- X-Men comics are so complicated you literally need a map!
X-MEN #26
Story: Gerry Duggan | Art: Stefano Caselli | Cover: Lucas Werneck | Variants: Alex Ross, Javier Garron, Mark Brooks, Jorge Molina | Teen+ | $3.99
“WE’RE NOT LOSING AN X-MAN … WE’RE GAINING AN AVENGER!”
The moment we swore would never happen — heck, the moment EMMA FROST swore would never happen — is here at last! As the Frost/Stark knot is tied in INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #10, Emma’s mutant family reacts to this surprise news!
Hitting stands next month, X-MEN #26 and INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #10 will feature the long-awaited wedding between Emma Frost and Tony Stark! Current X-MEN and INVINCIBLE IRON MAN writer Gerry Duggan will deliver this moment that fans never thought would happen, alongside series artists Stefano Caselli (X-Men) and Juan Frigeri (Invincible Iron Man). Teased for years, this highly-anticipated story will tie directly into FALL OF X, the dark new era of X-Men storytelling which officially kicked off in last week’s X-Men: Hellfire Gala #1.
Krakoa has fallen and for the first time in ages, the X-Men have their backs against the wall. FALL OF X calls for bold new alliances and as Emma Frost and Tony Stark’s Hellfire Club partnership strengthens so will their romantic feelings! First, in X-MEN #26, the X-Men are taken aback by Tony’s shocking proposal as well as Emma’s answer of “Yes!” Then, readers are cordially invited to the wedding of Anthony Edward Stark and Emma Grace Frost in INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #10. Come join the lucky couple as they exchange vows. Attire is Hellfire formal. Orchis raid to follow.
In honor of the occasion, acclaimed artist Meghan Hetrick has turned out two stunning variant covers for INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #10. An homage to Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson’s iconic wedding in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21, this variant cover will be available in two formats, one depicting the characters in super hero attire and one featuring them in fashionable formalwear!
"Neither seems like the marrying type. Why this works, and how this works, and how much fun this is whether their marriage works or not will need to be seen to be believed and you'll have to buy it to find out!,” Duggan told IGN. “They certainly don't seem like they're ready to be married to anyone, let alone to each other, but life can change quickly."
Check out Meghan Hetrick’s covers now and RSVP to the comic book wedding of the decade by preordering X-MEN #26 and INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #27 at your local comic shop today! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
- I guess I'm not going to find out the hows and whys of this (probably) sham marriage until X-Men: Fall of X Omnibus HC. Maybe not even then! But they do make a lovely couple.
- Here's a PREVIEW.
- Immortal X-Men #15 also ships this week. Here's a PREVIEW.
"CONTEST OF CHAOS"
SPIDER-GWEN ANNUAL #1 (ONE-SHOT)
Written By Karla Pacheco & Stephanie Phillips | Art By Rosi Kämpe & Alberto Foche | Cover By R1co | Variants: Mirka Andolfo, Jeehyung Lee | Teen+ | $4.99
GHOST-SPIDER vs. WHITE FOX!
Gwen Stacy technically isn’t even supposed to be in this universe, and now she’s cutting chem lab to go to … a theme park?! Wait, something doesn’t feel right here — and why is this masked fox attacking her? It’s symbiote versus the supernatural when GHOST-SPIDER and WHITE FOX get caught in Agatha Harkness’ tangled web in this rollercoaster of a rumble!
- I'm ashamed to say I have no idea who "White Fox" is.
- Here's a PREVIEW.
"DARK DROIDS"
STAR WARS: DARK DROIDS #2 (OF 5)
Story: Charles Soule | Art: Luke Ross | Cover: Leinil Francis Yu | Variants: E.M. Gist, John Tyler Christopher, Rachael Stott, Josemaria Casanovas | Teen | $3.99
The horror continues as THE SCOURGE begins to execute its grand plan, orchestrating its droid minions across the galaxy. It learns more with every passing moment, grows stronger...and is selecting the next targets on its path to total dominion over all mechanical intelligence! Standing in its way, only the warrior-priest droid AJAX SIGMA and the sentient droids of the SECOND REVELATION.
Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2023 Lucasfilm Ltd.
- I'm not sure why they waited until the second issue of Dark Droids to do the connecting cover. But here it is, below. How many droids can you name?
- Star Wars #38 also ships this week. Here's a PREVIEW.
"Weapons of Vengeance"
GHOST RIDER/WOLVERINE: WEAPONS OF VENGEANCE OMEGA #1 (ONE-SHOT)
Story: Benjamin Percy | Art: Geoff Shaw | Cover: Ryan Stegman | Variant: Scott Williams | 40 pages | Parental Advisory | $4.99
LOGAN AND JOHNNY VERSUS THE "STITCHER"!
All bad things must come to an end … but will WOLVERINE and GHOST RIDER meet their untimely demise at the hands of the demonic force known as "STITCHER"?! And who is the mysterious FATHER PIKE?
The secret behind the demon’s birth is revealed as the fate of our heroes, and the boy who started it all, are sealed! Benjamin Percy (Wolverine, Ghost Rider) and Geoff Shaw (Thanos, Guardians of the Galaxy) bring the hellfire in this fiery crossover finale you can’t afford to miss!
- For some reason I thought this four-part "Weapons of Vengeance" thing was connected to "Fall of X." But I've gone back through, and none of the covers have the "Fall of X" trade dress. I guess Wolvie is off doing his own thing while all of his friends die.
- Here's a PREVIEW.
MARVEL NOTES
DAREDEVIL: GUARDIAN DEVIL GALLERY EDITION HC ($50.00) collectes Daredevil (second series, 1998) #1-8 and 1/2 in the oversized gallery format, showcasing what is mostly Joe Quesada-Jimmy Palmiotti art.
LOKI MODERN ERA EPIC COLLECTION VOL. 1: EVERYTHING BURNS TP ($39.99) collects what I assume is all of the "Young Loki" stories, most of which I have not read: Journey Into Mystery #637-645, Exiled #1, New Mutants (2009) #42-43, Mighty Thor (2011) #18-21 and material from A+X #5. I do want to read those stories, but I'll probably do so on Marvel Unlimited.
DC COMICS
BIRDS OF PREY #1
Story: Kelly Thompson | Art/Cover: Leonardo Romero | Variants: Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, Chris Bachalo, Nick Bradshaw, Chris Bachalo, Leonardo Romero, Frank Cho | $4.99/$5.99 (card stock)
Every mission matters. Every life saved is a miracle. But this time, it’s personal.
Dinah Lance is one of the DCU’s most elite fighters, and combined with her sonic scream, she’s a fearsome foe in any scenario … but sometimes even the Black Canary needs help. Faced with a personal mission brought to her by a mysterious new ally, and up against near-impossible odds, she re-forms the Birds of Prey with an unrivaled group of badasses — Cassandra Cain, Big Barda, Zealot and Harley Quinn — and only one goal: extraction without bloodshed. What could possibly go wrong?
Kelly Thompson (Captain Marvel, Black Widow) makes her long-awaited DC Universe writing debut, and is joined by her Hawkeye partners-in-crime Leonardo Romero (Batman) and Jordie Bellaire (Wonder Woman) to debut an all-new, all-deadly Birds of Prey series … still breaking hearts and faces after all these years!
"When I say this is a dream come true for me, I mean not just working on the iconic Birds of Prey title, but also the characters we were able to fold in, and the creative team we assembled,” said Birds of Prey writer Kelly Thompson. “Leonardo Romero and Jordie Bellaire were two of my first partners-in-crime making superhero books and I've been trying to make this happen ever since. It won't surprise anyone to learn that Leonardo and Jordie are even better than they were the last time we worked together — and working together on this wild book is pure magic.”
“I couldn't be happier to announce my first monthly project for DC! With this book, I've had the opportunity to not only draw some of the most badass women in the DC Universe, but also to work once more with the best people in our industry, Kelly Thompson and Jordie Bellaire” said Birds of Prey artist Leonardo Romero. “I missed the dynamic we had on Hawkeye, so I’m very excited to have our team back together! Can’t wait to show you all what we’ve been doing!”
- I'm glad to see this team back, and glad to see Big Barda and Cassandra Cain get some panel time.
- On the downside, I hate seeing Batgirl/Oracle sidelined from the team she created, and I've got Harley Quinn fatigue. Plus, I never thought Zealot or any of the former WildStorm characters were very interesting, and now that they're added to the DCU, they're redundant as well. (Majestic, for example. What unique story could he serve in a universe with Superman and multiple other Kryptonians, Shazam and multiple other Shazam characters, plus Mon-El and a whole planet of Daxamites?) Zealot's role here could and should be handled by any of the Wonder Girls, or the other 5,000 or so other DC super-gals who have no home.
BLUE BEETLE #1
Story: Josh Trujillo | Art: Adrian Gutierrez | Cover: Adrian Gutierrez | Variants: Adrian Gutierrez, David Lafuente, Keron Grant, Emmanuel Valtierra, Pablo Villalobos | $3.99/ $4.99 (card stock)
Just in time for the DC Super Hero's big screen feature film debut, a new “Dawn of DC” Blue Beetle ongoing comic book series will launch out of the final issue of writer Josh Trujillo and artists Adrian Gutiérrez, Wil Quintana and Lucas Gattoni’s Blue Beetle: Graduation Day six-issue mini-series, on sale today! The first story arc of DC’s new Blue Beetle comic book series, due to hit comic shops in September, will be titled “Scarab War” and will team Trujillo back up with artists Gutiérrez, Quintana and Gattoni.
Jaime Reyes’ graduation is over, but his new life in Palmera City and as the Blue Beetle has only just begun! With two new beetles to train in Dynastes and Nitida, Jaime has his hands full navigating being a leader. Thankfully, he has Paco and Brenda by his side as they settle in at Palmera State University. But what lurks in the shadows of Blue Beetle’s new home and what does it mean for the Blue Beetle legacy?
- I wonder what prompted DC to give this C-lister his own series? Oh, right.
FIRE & ICE: WELCOME TO SMALLVILLE #1 (OF 6)
Story: Joanne Starer | Art/Cover: Natacha Bustos | Variants: David Nakayama, Jen Bartel, Kevin Maguire, Amanda Conner | $3.99/$4.99 (card stock)
Things could not possibly be worse for Fire and Ice, in Beatriz da Costa’s professional opinion. Superman sent the former Justice Leaguers packing for Smallville following an extremely public and utterly disastrous mission (that was all Guy Gardner’s fault, thank you very much) and in doing so doomed them to a fate worse than death: irrelevance.
Ice finds herself drawn to the quiet life and dreams of planting roots. But Fire … well, Fire will do just about anything to get the heck outta Dodge and back on the hero circuit — including challenging the DCU’s biggest villains to a knock-down, drag-out, live-streamed brawl in the streets of Smallville!
A raucous, timely, unflinching comedy about a decades-long friendship on the brink of disaster and what it means to be a superhero at a crossroads in your life, Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville reintroduces the iconic duo to the Dawn of DC, in a series from rising star Joanne Starer (The Gimmick, Sirens of the City) and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur co-creator Natacha Bustos!
- Like Tattooine in Star Wars, Smallville has become such a hub of super-activity that I can't believe it still flies under the radar. If I'm in the Star Wars universe and I'm looking for someone who's hiding, I'm going to Tattooine. If I'm in the DCU, I'm going to Smallville. The Daily Planet should have a bureau there.
- Weirdly, Dynamite also just launched a Fire and Ice book, based on an entirely different property.
"GOTHAM WAR"
BATMAN #137
Story: Chip Zdarsky | Art/Cover: Jorge Jimenez | Variants: Joe Quesada, Gabriele Dell’otto, Salvador Larroca, Rose Besch | 40 pages | $4.99/$5.99 US (card stock)
Batman descends on Gotham City, full of rage and force, more driven than ever to save his home. But the new landscape has turned friends into foes. Can anyone stop his brutal justice? Should they? The Gotham War continues in this second chapter by Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jimenez!
- Does DC have to make Batman and Catwoman enemies? That's such a cliche. And this whole storyline seems so contrived it makes me ill.
- I won't get into the spoiler-y details, but the reason for the "Gotham War" seems spurious to me. It could be solved with a nice discussion over tea. But nooooo. Catwoman's face above left says what I'm feeling.
- Maybe the execution will save it.
DC MANGA
BATMAN: JUSTICE BUSTER VOL. 1 TP
Story: Eiichi Shimizu, Tomohiro Shimoguchi | Art: Eiichi Shimizu, Tomohiro Shimoguchi | $9.99
Gotham City has been under the protection of Batman for only a short amount of time, but since the vigilante's appearance, crime has changed. It's gotten more bold, more destructive. As Batman tries to rise up to meet these new threats, he develops a computer system, ROBIN, to help him analyze and subdue the rising criminal tide and hopefully one day put an end to crime in Gotham. But will its solution be one Batman can execute?
- DC Manga titles are produced in cooperation with Kodansha, and appear in Japan and on DC's digital service before arriving in print in the U.S. Here's MORE INFO and PREVIEWS.
JOKER: ONE OPERATION JOKER VOL. 1 TP
Story: Satoshi Miyagawa | Art/Cover: Keisuke Gotou | $9.99
The Joker like you've never seen him before ... as a single father?! After a fateful encounter with Batman that results in the Dark Knight de-aging to a baby, Joker takes it upon himself to raise the child into the crusader of justice! But does the Clown Prince of Crime really understand what it means to be Batman — or, more importantly, what it means to raise a baby all by yourself? Everyone needs a babysitter who makes them laugh, right?
SUPERMAN VS. MESHI VOL 1 TP
Story: Satoshi Miyagawa | Art/Cover: Kai Kitago | $9.99
It's hungry work being a Superman! That's why every day for lunch, Superman takes a quick stop over in Japan to try a new chain restaurant. Whether it's a hearty bowl of curry or conveyor belt sushi, the Man of Steel loves to indulge in the delectable delicacies the country has to offer. So pull up a seat, and dig in as Superman does battle with lunch.
- Is the whole story about Superman eating noodles? Maybe they're noodles from the doomed planet Krypton that will affect him in strange and unexpected ways for 24 to 48 hours!
DC NOTES
BATMAN ADVENTURES OMNIBUS HC ($150.00) is quite a package, collecting Batman Adventures #1-36, The Batman Adventures Annual #1-2, The Batman Adventures Holiday Special #1, a story from Batman Black & White #1, The Batman Adventures: Mad Love #1, and for the first time ever, the never-before-reprinted comic book adaptation of the animated feature film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. If you're missing any of these, especially Mad Love, and don't have DC's digital service, I recommend it. I actually do the DC service, and have all of these books in print too, and may get this anyway.
Batman Day 2023 is Sept. 16, and Lunar is listing this week what will be available on that Saturday, although it's unclear whether they're free or not: BATMAN DAY 2023 — BATMAN #608 FOIL VARIANT, BATMAN DAY 2023 — BATMAN & THE JOKER THE DEADLY DUO #1 BATMAN DAY SPECIAL EDITION and BATMAN DAY 2023 — BATMAN CATWOMAN PRELUDE TO GOTHAM WAR #1 BATMAN DAY SPECIAL EDITION.
BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD DELUXE EDITION HC ($49.99) collects the story of Jason Todd's return from death and transformation into the Red Hood on its (gulp!) 40th anniversary. Collecting Batman #635-641, Batman #645-650, Batman Annual #25, Red Hood: The Lost Days #1-6, and pages from Batman #617-618. I admit I voted to kill Jason Todd back in the day, because I thought he was a terrible character, and because I thought the era of teen sidekicks — and child endangerment by superheroes — was justly over. Little did I know I would never escape the little brat, or that DC would keep churning out Robins.
GOTHAM CITY YEAR ONE HC ($29.99) is going on my bookshelf next to Tom King's Mister Miracle, Adam Strange and Human Target. It's probably not in continuity, but it should be interesting.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #6 (OF 12, $3.99) has an homage cover to All-Star Squadron #1. The characters from Stargirl and the Lost Sidekicks, or whatever it was called, appear.
The SUPERMAN '78/BATMAN '89 BOX SET ($49.99) collects the two miniseries which continued the stories of the Batman and Superman movies from 1989 and 1978, respectively. I didn't find the art compelling on either, and didn't read them. Which I kinda regret. But not enough to spend $50.
IMAGE COMICS
KILL YOUR DARLINGS #1
Story: Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sheridan | Art: John J. Hill | Art/Cover: Bob Quinn | Variant: Ryan Stegman | Mature | $3.99
SERIES PREMIERE
A new epic begins from debut writers Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan, and superstar art team Bob Quinn (Knights of X) and John J. Hill (Vanish) in this ongoing dark fantasy adventure.
"Ethan and Griffin have crafted an incredible story that’s asked me to draw from the darkest, wildest, and most heart-breaking corners of my imagination," said Quinn. "I’m so excited for people to finally get their hands on Kill Your Darlings, it’s easily my best work to date."
Hill added: "Each issue gets more and more intense, everyone’s really stepping up their game here. Childhood fun and games, teen angst, monsters, magic, gore…this twisted little epic has something for everyone!"
Eight-year-old Rose loves nothing more than to play pretend in a magical land of her own creation. To her, that world is as real as our own—from her fluffy friends to the terrible evil that lurks at the center of it all. In one night, the line between fantasy and reality will disappear, an ancient hunger will feed again, and Rose will be pulled into a gruesome saga that began centuries before her birth.
"Kill Your Darlings is truly a passion project: An uncompromising, deeply personal story told just how we wanted to tell it," said Parker. "I couldn't be more proud of our unbelievable team, we're cooking up something genuinely special together. I wish this book existed when I was a kid. It would've messed me up in the best way."
Sheridan added: "Ethan and I have spent years manifesting Kill Your Darlings into existence. It’s thrilling to be on the precipice of finally unleashing this sprawling story from the confines of our minds. I couldn’t have asked for better collaborators, everyone is firing on all cylinders in every panel, and I cannot wait for readers to experience the book.”
- Has nothing to do with the 2013 movie of the same name.
DARK HORSE
MEMORIA TP
Story: Chuck Pires | Art: Sunando C, Mark Dale | Mature | $22.99
When an aged, terminally ill detective and a young burnout are partnered up and saddled with an unsolvable case, they begin to unravel a sprawling conspiracy that points to one thing: the most prolific serial killer in American history. As they further investigate the case, they make discoveries that will force them to question everything and everyone they know. True Detective meets Lethal Weapon with the prestige dramatic storytelling of a David Fincher film.
- I've never heard of this, so it's probably a collected comiXology Original.
- The Odd Couple Cops trope is so venerable it's probably older than I am. So I can see why they made our two heroes as different as possible. But I have to say: If I'm a terminally ill detective, or terminally ill anything, I'm probably not going to waste what little time I have left going to work.
- Here's a PREVIEW.
TEAR US APART #1 (OF 4)
Jay Baruschel & Van Jensen | Art: Alessandro Micelli | $4.99
Legendary actor Jay Baruschel (How to Train Your Dragon, This is the End) and esteemed comic book writer Van Jensen (The Flash, James Bond) team up with Dark Horse Comics to present Tear Us Apart. This new action-adventure miniseries is a Shakespearean story of teenage love ... with enough bloodshed to make Tarantino blush. Baruschel and Jensen are joined by illustrator and colorist Alessandro Micelli (The Ballad of Sang) and letterer Taylor Esposito (Batman, Red Sonja).
Deep in the Canadian wilderness, a vicious cult, dedicated to an ideology of pain, trains children to become deadly assassins. In the midst of this world of cruelty, two teenagers break the cardinal rule — by falling in love. The only thing standing between them and happily ever after is an army of murderers with a taste for blood.
"This comic is a love letter to the 1990s,” says co-writer Van Jensen. “A story we can all relate to: A boy and a girl meet and fall in love, and the only thing between them and a happy ending is a horde of the world's best killers."
Praise for Van Jensen and Jay Baruschel:
“Van Jensen brings a high level of skill to the writing of this pilot issue (Cryptocracy), deftly building a folklore that is mystic and easy to understand simultaneously.” — Pop Culture Uncovered
“‘Jay is one of the most prolific, well-spoken people I've met in this industry -- I know the Captain is in good hands!’ shared Richard Comely, who created Captain Canuck. — CBR
- Curiously not "Mature Readers."
- The PR says this book is "a love letter to the 1990s," but I won't hold that against it if it's good.
DARK HORSE NOTES
The '80s live again with the launch of MASTERS OF UNIVERSE: FORGE OF DESTINY #1 ($3.99)
IDW PUBLISHING
"Day of Blood"
STAR TREK: DEFIANT #7
Story: Christopher Cantwell | Art: Ángel Unzueta | Covers: Malachi Ward | $4.99
Thousands of years ago, Kahless the Unforgettable led his people to glory and raised an empire of honor. But his clone, Kahless II, has gone too far, murdering innocents in cold blood and hungering for power that can no longer be sated by Qo'noS and the Klingon people. He now stands alongside Alexander in front of Worf and Sisko, pitting father and son against each other and making a mockery of the Bajoran Prophets and their emissary. Meanwhile, the power of the Orb of Destruction surges from his ship above. Can Kahless be stopped, or will he once again prove to be the greatest warrior of them all? Find out in the penultimate chapter of the crossover between Star Trek and Star Trek: Defiant!
- Part four of five.
- If it wasn't for Star Trek, I'd have trouble thinking of an IDW title that isn't aimed at kids.
Speaking of which, more IDW fare for kids this week includes the manga-esque COOKING WITH MONSTERS VOL 1: BEGINNERS GUIDE TO CULINARY COMBAT GN.
SOME BOOKS THAT JUMPED OUT
PROJECT CRYPTID #1 (OF 6)
Story: Grant Morrison, Mark Russell, Paul Cornell | Art/Cover: P. J. Holden, Jordi Perez | Ahoy Comics | Mature | $3.99
The first issue of AHOY Comics’ latest jam-packed anthology PROJECT: CRYPTID will land in stores, featuring unbelievably hilarious and hilariously unbelievable tales about cryptids from around the world. Featuring comics and short stories from well-established creators as well as new voices, PROJECT: CRYPTID will transport readers from the depths of Loch Ness to the wilds of the Yeti’s Himalayan Mountains to the Ohio backroads where the Loveland Frogman lurks, asking the important questions like: Are any of these mysterious, unthinkable creatures actually real? And more importantly, are they funny?
Also: the issue will feature the first installment of THE ALL-STAR ANNUALLY CONVENING COZY DETECTIVES CLUB in PARTIALLY NAKED CAME THE CORPSE!, a 13-part epic that kicks off with an extra-long first installment by the bestselling writer Grant Morrison, whose many award-winning comics works include JLA, New X-Men and Green Lantern, and whose first novel Luda was published last year to great acclaim. A baker’s dozen of the comics industry's finest prose writers have combined to craft the epic serial which will weave in and out of all AHOY’s regular titles over the next three months, plus the fifth anniversary specials THE WRONG EARTH: WE CAN BE HEROES #1-2 and new title CAPTAIN GINGER: THE LAST FEEDER #1-2.
New AHOY anthology series, featuring Bigfoot, Yetis, Nessies, Jersey Devils and more! AHOY presents a deep dive into all things cryptid, legendary, tall tale, and fanciful, written by some of your favorite writers. Issue 1 features Mark Russell's Yeti and Paul Cornell's Mongolian Death Worm. Also: to celebrate AHOY's fifth anniversary, all books from Sep-Nov feature an epic multi-writer prose story-starting here, with a 7-page opening chapter by Grant Morrison! Here's the full lineup.
- I know there are some Ahoy fans here, so here's your alert. Also: Grant Morrison? Whoa!
SHEENA: QUEEN OF JUNGLE VOL. 2 #1
Story: Wes Clark Jr. and Steven E. De Souza | Art: Ediano Silva | Cover: Lucio Parrillo | Variants: Joseph Michael Linsner, Arthur Suydam, Cover D: Cosplay / Rachel Hollon | Teen+ | $3.99
WORLDS COLLIDE AS SHEENA RETURNS FOR HER MOST THRILLING ADVENTURE YET! Which contest will be tougher for our feral champion of the wilderness to face — the savage, claws-out battle for domination of her jungle home, or the savage, claws-out battle for domination of ... the world's most exclusive girl's boarding school? Yup, Cardwell Inc. is betting that some formal education will teach their long-lost, "raised by wolves" scion the niceties of civilization — while also conveniently removing her from her beloved Val Verde rainforest while they continue to relentlessly exploit it!
But while you can take the girl out of the jungle, you can't take the jungle out of the girl — and when Sheena discovers the school's centennial celebration is the target of a deadly plot, classes won't be the only things the Queen of the Blackboard Jungle will have to cut!
Featuring an expertly crafted syllabus from instructors WES CLARK JR., STEVEN E. DE SOUZA, and EDIANO SILVA, this exciting new course is sure to bring learning to life!
WRITERS STEVEN E. DE SOUZA & WES CLARK JR. EXPLAIN!
Steven, you are the modern shepherd of the Queen of the Jungle. What do you feel makes Sheena still so fun and timely today, a full 85 years after she first appeared, alongside other early comics peers like the Big Blue?
Steven: Interestingly enough, both Superman and Sheena have circled back to their roots: Some of Superman’s earliest adventures weren’t taking on supervillains, but miscarriages of justice — if memory serves, his first issue he took on a slumlord, and then stopped the execution of an innocent man moments before the switch was thrown on the electric chair … so recent issues where he and other DC characters deal with grounded, real-world problems isn’t a new idea. Similarly, Sheena was protecting the environment and indigenous people from day one: Her earliest foes were poachers, slavers and intruders stealing timber, diamonds and other natural resources — the same threats facing the rainforests and their peoples today.
Wes: You forgot Nazis.
Steven: We just had Sheena take on Nazis, thanks to some timey-wimey shenanigans.
Wes: The jungle remains a location of mystery and danger to the human imagination. Add a heroine capable of handling man and beast, and you’ve got a story people will keep coming back to. It’s primal.
You and Wes Clark Jr. are taking on the writing of this series together. How did that partnership come together, and how has the collaboration been so far? Are two minds truly better than one?
Wes: Along with other industry figures, Steven and I met in 2002 over free pizzas and soft drinks provided by the CIA to wargame counter-terrorism ideas after 9/11.
Steven: Nice going, blabbermouth. Now we have to go into the Witness Protection Program!
Wes: Actually, in the two decades since, that program has been widely reported.
Steven: Really? Aw, man, after I spent a fortune on that bunker under my house. ... Anyway, we’ve been friends ever since, and in fact, we previously teamed up on a couple of projects that, as so often happens, fell into Hollywood development hell — which is one thing that can’t happen in comics, which is why we’ve wholeheartedly embraced that important, classic and unique seminal American storytelling medium.
Wes: Plus we’re on strike and we can’t work anywhere else.
Steven: Okay, that too ...
Oftentimes fans would expect a Sheena yarn to feature lots of swinging through the jungle, going toe to toe with some fearsome beasts, those kinds of angles. We expect there will still be plenty of thrilling action, but you guys are taking her to a whole other vicious environment — an exclusive boarding school for girls! How did that idea come up, and how are you aiming to contrast it with her usual native environment?
Steven: Believe it or not, this finishing school idea has been in the planning stages for several years now — it’s a logical stage in Sheena’s life: Having returned to civilization after spending her formative years in the jungle, her wealthy family thinks she needs some polishing.
Wes: Not to mention, they want to get her out of the way, because they’re actually among the worst offenders destroying the rainforest.
Steven: But, in truth — just as Tarzan had French explorer Paul D’Arnot to prep him for civilization before he actually got there, Sheena had Don Felipe. ... So she’s not as unsophisticated as she pretends to be, giving her a leg up on enemies who underestimate her.
Wes: We wanted to stretch her character, show her intelligence and skills in an environment filled with dangerous, savage beasts with claws out — but don’t worry, we also still have scenes set in the jungle!
For this latest escapade of jungle action, artist Ediano Silva is joining the party. What made him a great fit for the legendary Sheena? What’s it been like to see your scripts brought to the page with his style?
Wes: Ediano is doing a fantastic job, and, like Sheena herself, he moves effortlessly between the jungle and urban settings.
Steven: And he’s particularly gifted at — for want of a better word — the “acting” of both the human and animal characters — their expressions convey their thinking and emotions so well, the dialogue doesn’t have to do all the heavy lifting.
Sheena is so renowned for iconic artwork, from being created by the industry-shaping Will Eisner to contributions from “good girl art” icon Matt Baker and heavy hitters in the Dynamite era like J. Scott Campbell, that the series necessitates some kickass covers in addition to Silva’s slick interior art. What do you have to say about the likes of Lucio Parrillo, Joseph Michael Linsner and Arthur Suydam pitching in?
Wes: It’s fantastic to have such superstar artists doing these covers; in fact, “covers” is an insufficient word — fine paintings is a better description.
Steven: It’s a nice reunion of sorts with Joseph Michael Linsner, who did some Sheena covers years ago when our girl first returned to comics. And, since you mentioned Matt Baker, I have to give Ediano a shout out, because if you’re a Fiction House nerd you’ve noticed Ediano’s done some homage swipes of Matt’s work.
Wes: So, with Sheena, everything old is new again, in more ways than one!
- OK, that's a lot of words. But I'm just glad to see the first, original jungle queen back in print. Accept no substitutes!
SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR (ONE-SHOT)
Story: Jamie L Rotante Art: Holly G | Art/Cover: Dan Parent, Vincent Lovallo | Archie | $3.99
BRAND NEW STORY: “Power of Three.” Amber Nightstone, Sabrina’s new nemesis, refuses to be defeated, and her power in numbers is growing. Now with two brand new comrades by her side, Jade and Sapphire, Amber has a thirst for power. She decides to kidnap any magic-doers she can find, including members of Sabrina’s family. Sequestering them away to gain their magical insights, Sabrina’s going to have to go at defeating Amber and her cronies alone … unless she can find other magical beings to help her out. All that plus more magical Sabrina content!
Watch out, Greendale — there are two new witches in town! This Halloween season, Archie Comics welcomes Sapphire and Jade to the hometown of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, where they will team up with the villainous Amber Nightstone to form The Wicked Trinity. The new lead story by writer Jamie L. Rotante and artist Holly G! kicks off SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR, a September one-shot comic book collecting magical Sabrina stories from throughout her iconic history.
"We saw such an enthusiastic reaction to Amber Nightstone that we had to go back and see who else she hangs out with," said Archie Comics Editor-in-Chief Mike Pellerito. "Enter The Wicked Trinity! Sapphire and Jade are two new witches who love to be bad, but in a different way from Amber so it makes for some fascinating story angles to come that we're excited to explore. Jamie's story is a great introduction to these two and Holly's art is always magical."
As revealed in Amber's debut comic, SABRINA ANNIVERSAY SPECTACULAR (2022), she was born on the same day as Sabrina. Only one witch born that day is allowed to live among mortals, so Amber sets her sights on unseating her rival. Still smarting from defeats in various stories over the past year, Amber now enlists the help of Sapphire and Jade to accrue as much magical power as she can. Amber's debut issue was an instant sell-out that went to a second printing.
Rotante said, "I'm always ecstatic when Mike asks me to write a new story, especially if I get the chance to help introduce new characters to the Archieverse. It's an honor to get to work on a Sabrina story, and even more so to expand the witch world! Amber Nightstone's introduction last year was such a fun and necessary addition to the magic realm, and I cannot wait for everyone to meet her two new sidekicks--but something tells me Jade and Sapphire won't hide in her shadows for long!"
Holly G!, who says she may be "the first fully functioning witch" to draw Sabrina, said, “When I received Jamie’s script, I felt like I was dropped into this epic dangerous spellventure! I met these two new witches, Sapphire and Jade, and I just love their designs and energy.”
As Pellerito hinted, the two new witches wield power in much different ways than previously seen in the Sabrina side of the Archie Universe.
JADE KAZANE
Jade is a fierce woodland fairy who generates her power from the wind. She can command it at will and use it to create great destruction—which she relishes doing. Jade is an agent of chaos, and is often the wildcard of any operation. Her small stature and slight frame allow her to easily maneuver without getting caught. She may seem unhinged, but she’s quick-witted and has a sharp tongue that often gets her into trouble—something she also loves! Jade adores being in nature; it’s the only time she’s truly at peace.
SAPPHIRE GILL
Sapphire comes from a family of sea-witches. She was never quite able to command her voice enough to become a siren; instead, she was forced to abandon her family, develop legs, and live on land. She still has the ability to conjure water and communicate with sea life, sporting gill tattoos on her neck as a reminder of what she left behind. Despite the abrupt changes she’s faced in her life, she maintains a calm demeanor and can harness a massive destructive power with her water-bending abilities. Despite being linked with Amber and Jade, it seems that deep down Sapphire may want to do more good than harm, but she can’t get past the resentment she has towards the sea witches who cast her aside.
Holly G! further explained: "Jade is this feisty pixie, a force of nature — don’t judge her by her size! (Should I have written that in Yoda-speak?). Then there's Sapphire; she isn’t anyone’s puppet. She wants a place at the table, working with other witches to get the power she craves."
- Yep, new witches.
BLACK PHOENIX VOL. 2 GN
Story: Rich Tommaso | Art: Rich Tommaso | Floating World Comics | $14.95
Black Phoenix is, at its core, a contemporary comics magazine featuring original characters and stories of various comics genres-all dreamed up by its sole author, Rich Tommaso. In this volume, you'll meet Venus The Love Goddess and read all about her many adventures in the whirlwind world of romanceshe attempts to play matchmaker to all of those in need. Wherever there's trouble-Texas, Hollywood California, The Planet Mars, or down south to Miami Beach-she is there to lend a helping hand. While in Miami Beach, Venus becomes acquainted with a group of young, sun-lovin' beachcombers-partly made up of the cast from Tommaso's Horror of Collier County universe-but also starring some new fiends, including a sexy crocodile girl and a vampire cat. Plus, more short stories about love and death.
- I don't have any inside information on this, but it looks like fun. Here's MORE.
NOTES
Terry Moore Alert for Abstract’s PARKER GIRLS #10 (of 10, $3.99)!
Massive’s BAD OMENS: CONCRETE JUNGLE #1 (of 4, $4.99) is based on the band's upcoming album The Death of Peace of Mind. I don't generally find comics and music a good mix, but here's a PREVIEW for those who do.
Golden Age MLJ Western character Nevada Jones appears in Archie's BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #317 ($9.99).
Mad Cave’s CRUSADER #1 (of 4, $4.99) transports a Templar knight into a magical world where he has to fight for survival. The PREVIEW looks nice.
Mad Cave’s DAHLIA IN THE DARK VOL 1 TP ($17.99) is about a washed-up hitman caught in fairyland war. Don't ask me how that works, just look at the PREVIEW.
There are plenty of Dark Shadows fans on the board. Are they interested in Hermes Press’ DARK SHADOWS COLORING BOOK ($19.99)?
Uncivilized Books' DAMNATION DIARIES GN ($24.95) is about a guy in Hell seeing a psychotherapist. "Combining Dante, Douglas Adams and Freud, Damnation Diaries is equal parts horror comedy and character-driven drama, uniquely merging the look of Bronze Age comics with sharp literary satire." OK, then. There's no preview, sadly, but here's MORE information.
BOOM! has two first issues this week, FIREFLY: THE FALL GUYS #1 (of 6) and HUNT FOR THE SKINWALKER #1 (of 4). They send me nothing, so I know nothing. You can click on the links to find out more.
Dynamite's INVINCIBLE RED SONJA VOL 1 HC ($34.99) collects the series by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, two of my favorite creators.
Mad Cave’s JOHN TIFFANY GN ($19.99) is about a bounty hunter who gets a bounty put on his head.The ART looks classic noir-ish.
If you want a graphic novel that reads like an adaptation of Penthouse Letters, then Dynamite’s KARMA TP is for you.
The autobiography of Scott Lang promised in Ant-Man and Wasp: Quantumania is finally here: LOOK OUT FOR THE LITTLE GUY HC (Hyperion Avenue, $26.99)
More good ART in Ablaze's LOVECRAFT VOL. 1: UNKNOWN KARDATH GN ($19.99). Also, you know, Lovecraft.
Mercy Sparx is a devil who is heaven's fixer. First published in a 2008 miniseries, she's been published off and on by Devil’s Due ever since. She's being reintroduced this week in the MERCY SPARX: OH S**T SHE’S BACK $1.99 SPECIAL ($1.99, obvsly).
American Mythology's PHAZER UNIVERSE #1 ($3.99) seems like typical, mediocre superhero fare ("a superpowered hero lost in time ... Action, Adventure, Dinosaurs, Aliens, Super Science, Androids," yada yada) but it does boast Mariano Nicieza, who worked on William Shatner War Chronicles, as one of the writers.The first issue also has a Giant-Size X-Men #1 homage cover.
Humanoids writer Rodolfo Santullo teams with Argentinian artist JOK in a sci-fi/horror REFLECTION GN (mature, $7.99) from Massive. If that makes you as curious as it made me, here’s a PREVIEW.
The B-move Scream Queen returns in American Mythology’s SONYA DEVEREAUX: RENEGADE ROAD RIDERS 3 #1 ($3.99). At last, an actress who has found a way to never age beyond 29.
Conundrum Press’ WHAT`S FEAR GOT TO DO WITH IT? GN ($18.00) is "part of the new Balkan Renaissance in comics." What? There's a Balkan Renaissance and nobody told me? Anyway, the story is about two twentysomething gals with the same boyfriend, who is a big-time criminal. I'm guessing not everyone comes out of this alive.
Penguin Workshop's WHO WAS ACCUSED IN SALEM WITCH TRIALS? TITUBA GN (the trials from an accused slave's viewpoint, $7.99), Pantheon’s WHERE IS ANNE FRANK? GN (about Frank's imaginary friend from the diary, searching for Frank in the present, $75.00) and Princeton's THIS COUNTRY: SEARCHING FOR HOME IN (VERY) RURAL AMERICA GN (a memoir about an urban man learning to live in Idaho, $25.95) all seem very educational.
SOME PREVIEWS
HEAT SEEKER: A GUN HONEY SERIES #3
Story: Charles Aradai | Art: Ace Continuado | Cover: Leirix | Variants: Thaddeus Robeck, cosplay, Ace Continuado, Claudia Caranfa | $3.99
Marked for death by a U.S. intelligence agency, Gun Honey, Joanna Tan turns to Dahlia Racers to help her pull a vanishing act. But the killer hot on her trail, beautiful sociopath Sarah Claride, will leave bodies strewn from New York to Las Vegas to Tijuana, Mexico, if it means cornering Dahlia — and breaking her.
- Yes, there will be boobs. Many, many boobs.
MAGE AND THE ENDLESS UNKNOWN GN
Story/Art: SJ Miller | Iron Circus | Teen/YA | 160 pages | $15.00
While it’s common to see wordless graphic novels on kids’ shelves, it’s rare to find one that confidently explores older themes normally reserved for young adult and up. It’s that unusual — and unsettling — place you’re about to visit in SJ Miller’s astonishing debut horror graphic novel, MAGE AND THE ENDLESS UNKNOWN, pubbing in June from Iron Circus Comics!
Miller tells a beguiling story in a series of arresting single-panel pages, densely packed with detail and the kind of expressive cartooning skill normally seen in artists with many more books under their belts. When a nameless hero wakes up in a strange world at the start of a magical adventure, Miller immediately undermines that traditional start with a sudden turn towards Junji Ito-esque horror and bloodshed that knocks you off balance. From there, the stakes are amped, and you know the young mage is in for it!
The mystery of the quest deepens as it’s explored, and the book rewards a slow, immersive read with a surprisingly emotional journey to a bizarre new world. Miller is a talent to watch, and this gorgeous hardcover edition of their first work will be a valued keepsake for anyone who appreciates inventive play within the comics medium at the start of a bright career.
You can start the journey with the advance review copy linked here, and there's some shareable art here. Good luck on your quest to come — you’ll need it! — and many thanks for considering a review!
- Here's MORE.
Replies
Is the whole story about Superman eating noodles?
It could be. I've seen manga like that.
Gotta love the Japanese.
I'm not a big fan of Genis-Vell or '90s comics in general.
What kills me is that, back in the '90s, both Marvel and DC tried to sort of "force" creativity by mandating that each annual that year introduce a new character. The thought process seems to have been no more complex than: "New characters often prove to be popular in the long run. Let's introduce a whole slew of new characters to appeal to the speculators." Genis-Vell is (correct me if I'm wrong) the only one to have achieved even a semblance of popularity, and only then after he was completely rebooted by a decent writer, Peter David. I find this kind of thing (this kind of thinking) fascinating. I think I have every appearance of Genis-Vell, but only way, way, WAY after-the-fact.
But they do make a lovely couple.
Do they? Meh.
I'm ashamed to say I have no idea who "White Fox" is.
And I have no idea who "Spider-Gwen" is (but the word's not "ashamed").
I'm not sure why they waited until the second issue of Dark Droids to do the connecting cover.
Sure you do. It's because the first issue of a new series is expected to sell; it's the second one that needs a gimmick.
Gotta love the Japanese.
Gotta love noodles.
I... didn't read [SUPERMAN '78/BATMAN '89]. Which I kinda regret. But not enough to spend $50.
I read them both and enjoyed them both more than the movies. They were good, but not $50 good. You may pass without regret.
IMAGE COMICS
I noticed that Image Comics' listing in Previews is now a single page for its entire line. Hmm...
There are plenty of Dark Shadows fans on the board. Are they interested in Hermes Press’ DARK SHADOWS COLORING BOOK?
Not really, no. I passed out of my coloring book phase some 50 years ago.
I'm ashamed to say I have no idea who "White Fox" is.
White Fox is Ami Han, a Korean super-hero who was one of the Agents of Atlas, and is now part of Tiger Division, the Korean national super-team.
And I have no idea who "Spider-Gwen" is (but the word's not "ashamed").
Really? Then who was the "Jeff of Earth-J" who responded (on page 4) of my conversation about Spider-Gwen comics? More seriously, I would have thought it would be harder not to know about her. She's been all over the MU lately.
To refresh your memory, She is the Gwen Stacy of Earth-65, a world in which Gwen Stacy was bitten by the radioactive spider, and Peter Parker died after becoming the Lizard. Also, on Earth-65, Captain America is an African-American woman named Samantha T. Wilson, Matt Murdock is the Kingpin and Shadowcat is a SHIELD agent with adamantium claws.
Gwen-65 is a college student and was the drummer in a band called the Mary Janes, whose other members included Em Jay Watson, Glory Grant and Betty Brant. She initally called herself "Spider-Woman", but later switched to "Ghost Sider, because obviously Marvel readers can handle more than one "Spider-Man", but they couldn't possibly handle more than one "Spider-Woman".She's appeared in a number of multiversal crossovers and spends a lot of time on Earth-616.
The character has also appeared in the computer-animated features Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), both times voiced by Hallee Steinfeld.
A "kid' version of the character sppeared in the animated series Spidey and His Amazing Friends, this time voiced by Lily Sanfelippo
Really? Then who was the "Jeff of Earth-J" who responded (on page 4) of my conversation about Spider-Gwen comics?
That was probably me, but just because I know there's a character called "Spider-Gwen" doesn't mean I know anything about her.
I just read what you wrote abour Earth-65, but I won't remember it five minutes from now.
I just read what you wrote abour Earth-65, but I won't remember it five minutes from now.
That's understandable. If you're not into a thing, you're not going to reserve space in your brain for it. I just thought that she might be one of those characters that everyone knew about through cultural osmosis even if they've never read/watched any of their adventures, the way that I know that there are characters called "Bella" and "Edward" in something called "Twilight" that involves a "pretty boy" vampire who falls for the least interesting woman ever, and that in the movie they're portrayed by actors that are incapable of dislaying believable human emotions, which sounds like an interesting casting choice.
What kills me is that, back in the '90s, both Marvel and DC tried to sort of "force" creativity by mandating that each annual that year introduce a new character.
It's almost like non-creative but highly paid executives don't understand creativity at all, don't care about it, and are just trying to squeeze as much money as they can out of their poorly paid creative types before they throw them away.
The thought process seems to have been no more complex than: "New characters often prove to be popular in the long run. Let's introduce a whole slew of new characters to appeal to the speculators."
I have actually said before that when a writer comes up with a bunch of characters all at once, you're likely to end up with one memorable one and the rest will be poorly-thought-through cliches that end up in limbo. It appears this carries over to when it's a bunch of writers coming up with a bunch of characters at once.
You may pass without regret.
Sounds like good advice.
I noticed that Image Comics' listing in Previews is now a single page for its entire line. Hmm...
As of Sept. 1, Diamond is no longer distributing Image, which is exclusive with Lunar now. Like with Dark Horse and IDW, Image releases are now primarily listed in the generic "Comics & Graphic Novels section." I'm surprised they list them at all, but I guess there are people who buy their comics retail through the Previews site, and they have to have a comprehensive list.
White Fox is Ami Han, a Korean super-hero who was one of the Agents of Atlas, and is now part of Tiger Division, the Korean national super-team.
Thank you.
... the way that I know that there are characters called "Bella" and "Edward" in something called "Twilight" that involves a "pretty boy" vampire who falls for the least interesting woman ever, and that in the movie they're portrayed by actors that are incapable of dislaying believable human emotions, which sounds like an interesting casting choice.
Or the way that I know all the Kardashians without the slightest bit of interest. I wish I was devoting those brain cells to something else, but alas, pop culture will seep in no matter what you do.
This was a light week for me, so I took some chances on a few items I might otherwise have passed. First up...
SUPERMAN VS. MESHI VOL 1 TP
It's hungry work being a Superman! That's why every day for lunch, Superman takes a quick stop over in Japan to try a new chain restaurant. Whether it's a hearty bowl of curry or conveyor belt sushi, the Man of Steel loves to indulge in the delectable delicacies the country has to offer. So pull up a seat, and dig in as Superman does battle with lunch.
Honestly, if I had super-powers, I might well spend my days flitting across the globe sampling international cuisine. Asian noodles (Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean...) are a favorite of mine, and I know all the best spots in the Metroplex for each. Flipping through it, I think the whole story is about Superman eating noodles (Batman's in it, too) which is great! I'll let y'all know soon in the "What comic books have you read today?" discussion.
Second up (from last week's "Comics Guide" but it shipped to my shop today)...
• I have never been able to discern the genius in "Nancy," but I am a bear of very little imagination. Abrams ComicArts offers THREE ROCKS: THE STORY OF ERNIE BUSHMILLER, THE MAN WHO CREATED NANCY for those who are more perspicacious than I.
I've got to admit, I was never a big fan of Ernie Bushmiller's Nancy myself, although I was aware that, in certain circles, Ernie B. and Nancy were extremely popular. Then,starting in 2012, Fantagrafics released what would be the first of three volumes collecting dailies from the height of his run, 1943-1951. I bought the first and I was hooked. I get it now (Nancy's appeal). Nevertheless, I wasn't particularly interested in an Ernie Bushmiller biography... until I saw it, that is, and discovered it was in graphic novel form. Even that wouldn't have been enough to sway me, necessarily, until I discovered the art, by Bill Griffith, strikes me as a mash-up of Spiegelman's Maus, McCloud's Understanding Comics and Bushmiller's own Nancy.
Now I'm considering FUNNY THINGS: A COMIC STRIP BIOGRAPHY OF CHARLES M. SCHULZ, also described in last week's Comics Guide (although I didn't see that one come through my shop either last week or today).
PROJECT CRYPTID #1 (OF 6): I know there are some Ahoy fans here, so here's your alert. Also: Grant Morrison? Whoa!
Also, I neglected to pre-order Project: Cryptid and my LCS didn't get any for the shelf. I know from the last time this happened that none of the other comic shops in the area have even heard of AHOY! Comics, and that getting a replacement is going to be a real bitch.