MAJOR PUBLISHERS
MARVEL COMICS
DAREDEVIL: UNLEASH HELL RED BAND #1 (OF 5, POLYBAG, $4.99) is by Erica Schultz (Daredevil: Gang War, Daredevil: Woman Without Fear) and Valentina Pinti (Blade, Immortal Thor). If I'm reading the solicitation right, there's occult-influenced murder happening in Hell's Kitchen, and Elektra's trying to stop it. She's still not killing anyone, but this is a Red Band book, so there's blood spray when she's stabby (as you can see from the preview below). I don't think putting ultra-violent books in plastic bags is going to stop conservatives from trying to ban them if they ever see them, but fortunately for the comics industry, the culture warriors have other targets these days.
Bonus points: I like how they use the vaguely Greek "Elektra" lettering for the Daredevil logo when it's her, and the regular Daredevil logo when it's Matt Murdock.
“It’s been such a pleasure to continue writing Elektra, especially donning the horns,” Schultz said. “In this new series, we have the opportunity to show that just because she doesn’t kill doesn’t mean she won’t make you wish she had. Elektra has been known for her brutality, and we’ll see that on display here. Also, with a Red Band rating, that means we can get real nasty with stuff. Don’t know what I mean? You will. Valentina Pinti and I are very excited to show you this new direction.”
FANTASTIC FOUR #1 FACSIMILE EDITION (OF 12, $4.99) is by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. I've decided I'm going to get these 12 books, not only because they're some of the original Marvel books from the '60s I don't already own, but because my cousin is a huge Lee-Kirby FF fan, and this will make a great present some day. My only question is: Why are there variant covers? Isn't the whole point of a facsimile edition that it's identical to the original?
MAGIK #1 ($4.99) is by Ashley Allen (X-Men: Blood Hunt – Magik) and Germán Peralta (Black Panther, Loki).
I became enamored of all things Russian in high school, where I was taking the language and reading lots of Russian literature. It's been a while since I've spoken po-russki or read Dostoevsky, but I absorbed an appreciation for tragic Russian characters.
That certainly applies to Magik, whose history is so traumatic (and gob-smackingly weird) I try not to think about it. It's gifted her an acerbic, abrasive personality, and her interactions with other characters are usually fun. Marvel is giving every X-character on earth a series lately, but in this case it's deserved. She's always the most interesting, and often the most powerful, member of whatever team she's on.
“I’m beyond excited to be returning to write Illyana!” Allen said. “Supernatural stories featuring characters with hearts of gold are my favorite, so this series has been a dream to write! I can’t wait for readers to experience the adventure we take Magik on to slay some demons … and maybe accept some of her own.”
In a recent AIPT interview, Allen said “Illyana is such an interesting protagonist. She’s a woman who’s gone through a dark past but refuses to let that stop her from doing good in the world. I believe the desire to leave the world a better place than before resonates with a lot of fans (myself included). While she’s snarky and has some walls up, she’s ultimately a sweetheart who loves her friends and family deeply.”
“Since we are talking comics, I’d be remiss to not also discuss the visual elements of storytelling,” Allen continued. “Illyana’s powerset has so many great opportunities for cool visual moments that we can really have shine in a solo series. Her spells, her mutant ability to teleport through space and time, and, of course, her Soulsword. Who doesn’t love a woman with a sword?”
“I am very excited about this project,” Peralta said. “Magik is a character with an incredible background, surrounded by darkness and mystery. Additionally, she is visually spectacular in all her versions, and I personally love Chris Bachalo’s design. I really enjoy drawing action scenes, as well as emotionally-driven scenes, and Ashley Allen writes a super intriguing script, where she balances both of these types of situations, making my job even more fun than it already is. I mean, what artist wouldn’t love to draw Magik with her great sword facing all kinds of demons?”
MARVEL & DISNEY: WHAT IF…? MICKEY & FRIENDS BECAME THE FANTASTIC FOUR #1 (ONE-SHOT, $4.99) is by Steve Behling, Riccardo Secchi and Lorenzo Pastrovicchio. I wasn't into Disney's mice and ducks as a kid, and even as an adult I'm limiting myself to the Carl Barks Library. So this doesn't hold the nostalgic appeal for me that it might have for some. But here it is, for those that want it.
“Steve Behling and Riccardo Secchi have done it again with a wild and funtastic take on Marvel’s First Family!” editor Mark Paniccia said. “Seeing the initial cover sketches by Lorenzo Pastrovicchio with Mickey and friends as the Fantastic Four got our appetite whet for the hilarious hijinks to come, and the final product did not disappoint! Goofy lighting a barbecue? Donald made of rocky feathers? Mole Pete in charge of monsters from the abyss? As a huge FF fan myself, I can say this issue did everything possible to tickle my nostalgic funny bone.”
I'll note for the record that that head-shot vignettes of the regular FF on the first page are by George Pérez, from his time as penciller on Fantastic Four. That's going back quite a way.
NEW CHAMPIONS #1 ($4.99) is by Steve Foxe (Spider-Woman, Timeslide) and Ivan Fiorelli (Daredevil: Woman Without Fear, Timeslide).
I read the original 1970s Champions, five characters who had absolutely nothing in common. Tony Isabella said (in Wikipedia) that his pitch was a road-trip dramedy starring Angel and Iceman, who were in between X-gigs at the time. He said Marvel changed it to a team book — maybe because of the success of Defenders? — and he was told to add a strongman, a female and a character with his own book. Ergo, Hercules, Black Widow and Ghost Rider.
Champions had a merry-go-round of creators, and only lasted 17 issues. But it was fun watching writers jump through hoops to make these five hang out with each other. I mean, Bobby and Warren, sure. But the others were pretty hard to explain.
Not relevant any more, I suppose. This book is picking up the idea of a teen-hero team from the 2016 Champions, which ... I never read. But at least I knew who they were! Ms. Marvel, Miles Morales, Amadeus Cho ... these were all existing characters who had been created elsewhere more or less organically. And they had something in common that gave them a reason to hang out: They were all teens who were disgusted with The Man. That series lasted 27 issues (28 if you count issue #1.MU, 29 if you count the Annual), followed by two more series of 10 issues each.
This book, by contrast, features characters who, with one exception, have only appeared on variant covers. Not stories. Covers. They have a look, but no names or backstories or motivation or characterization or supporting cast. They are ciphers, who are all being created at once, and you know what the Captain Comics Rules say about that.
The solicitation doesn't name all the characters, but the ones they do are Liberty, Hellrune, Moon Squire, Cadet Marvel and Amaranth. Liberty has wings, wears a star on her chest, possesses hard-light powers and is the requisite enthusiastic character. Hellrune is the Viking-looking chick, and is the requisite mystery character. Moon Squire absorbs light, dresses like Moon Knight and appears to be the youngest. Cadet Marvel wears the Ms. Marvel symbol, has jet-powered powers and is the requisite reckless character.
Amaranth, whose name sounds like a liqueur, is Wanda Maximoff's new protégé. She also began life as a variant cover, but has already debuted in Scarlet Witch. Marvel seems to be pushing pretty hard for her to be a breakout character. (Which, he said smugly, is determined by readers and not editors. See: Silver Age Human Torch.)
There's also, according to the solicitation, "a cursed roller derby jammer" and "a Wakandan runaway." (Nothing says "sophisticated" more than roller skates, I always say.) Anyway, those two don't appear in the preview, but we can make educated guesses about who's who on the variant covers.
This sounds like goofy fun. On the other hand, I'm really not interested in re-visiting high school. On yet another hand, look! It's the Brothers Grimm from '70s Spider-Woman! Is it too much to hope that we'll see more of her amusingly ineffective rogues gallery? Like Gypsy Moth? The Needle? Turner D. Century? That would induce me to buy the title, moreso than the usual gaggle of angsty teens engaged in coming-of-age stories, as I have a nostalgic weakness for poorly conceived Bronze Age villains played for laughs.
“As soon as I saw the New Champions variants, my mind started racing, dreaming up possible origins and powers and codenames for these imagined sidekicks,” Foxe explained. “Reverse-engineering the cast from the covers was unlike any other creative process I’ve ever been involved in, and I’m beyond stoked to debut a whole new class of Marvel heroes (and a few villains!) in NEW CHAMPIONS alongside Ivan Fiorelli, who makes each and every one of these new additions feel like they’ve been part of the fabric of the universe all along.”
“I’m really looking forward to diving into New Champions!” Fiorelli said. “What really excites me about this project is the opportunity to bring fresh faces into the Marvel Universe, and explore something completely new. These young heroes have their own stories to tell, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they’ll grow and evolve visually as the series unfolds. I hope readers will enjoy reading our pages as much as I will enjoy illustrating them!”
“I’ve been dying to write a teen hero team my whole career — it’s the time in everyone’s life when we’re figuring out who we really are, and adding Norse magic or jet-powered punches or accidental hell portals to that search for identity is a recipe for storytelling gold,” Foxe added.
UNCANNY X-MEN #8 ($4.99), by Gail Simone and Javier Garron, is part four (of four) of the X-Men/Uncanny X-Men crossover "Raid on Graymalkin." It looks like it's going to end with Cyclops and Rogue "on opposite ends of the mutant struggle, perhaps forever!" Sounds dramatic, but what is "the mutant struggle," now that there's no "Xavier's Dream"? I mean, are they still heroes dedicated to an enlightened philosophy, or are they just rival gangs in Spandex squabbling with each other? Maybe this crossover, which I'll likely read in trade, will establish that.
Cover C is an homage to X-Men #1 (1991) by Jim Lee.
WHAT IF GALACTUS TRANSFORMED GAMBIT? #1 ($3.99) is by Josh Trujillo and Manuel Garcia.
This is the second of five "What Ifs" on the same theme: Galactus picking somebody from Earth to be his herald instead of Norrin Radd. We've seen the Hulk already, and Moon Knight, Rogue and Spider-Gwen are upcoming.
This week we have Gambit, who isn't one of my favorite characters. Ready for a rant? Here goes:
He's so implausible that he breaks my suspension of disbelief. How can a guy with red eyes and black sclera be a ladies' man? Most women (and men) would run screaming after one look at those eyes. And why does a guy who lives in hot, humid New Orleans wear a trenchoat? And what's the deal with that bizarre outfit under the trenchcoat? It's composed of some sort of metal, sci-fi lattice around his neck; a purple, metal cuirass; a topless, blue cowl; pointy metal knee guards; and beveled metal shin guards. Again: hot. But also: bizarre. Where do you even get stuff like that? What's it supposed to represent? Rollerball? And why would a thief wear something so noticeable and clunky? And, of course, there's the annoying accent. You know what Denny O'Neil's advice was on accents? Don't use them, mon ami. Gambit talks like Andre in Blackhawk, who was such a cliche that now he reads like a parody.
/Rant. I can hear the Baron saying, "You're thinking again, skipper." True, true. And I know my annoyance isn't going to stop the Gambit love. But if you're a Gambit fan, this is for you. Mon ami.
DC COMICS
1982 DC COMICS STYLE GUIDE ($95.00) is by Jose Luis Garcia Lopez, a guide used to keep DC merchandise artwork consistent in the '70s and '80s. Which I thought had already been released.
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #4 is by Scott Snyder and Gabriel Walta. "Big Origin Issue!" as Stan Lee would say.
AQUAMAN #1 (48 pages, $5.99) is by Jeremy Adams and John Timms.
Thanks to "Absolute Power," Aquaman's powers have been upgraded. He now has "water-warping" abilities — which sounds suspiciously like what Mera and Aquaman II (fornerly Aqualad II) already have. And it's about time. Aquaman has always been the weak sister among the Justice League founders, and on an Aqua-team that included Mera, Aquaman II and Tempest (formerly Aqualad). All Atlanteans swim fast, and have super-strength and tough skin on the surface, but the other three Aqua-heroes always had better super-powers than Aquaman as well.
Mera to bad guy: "I can kill you with a wave of my hand!"
Garth: "So can I!"
Kaldur'ahm: "So can I!"
Arthur: "I know what that guppy is thinking!"
It didn't matter when he was just a backup character in the '40s and '50s, but '60s and '70s TV cartoons and made him a star and he needs to pull his weight.
BTW, he's fighting kaiju made of water in this issue. And as you can see from the covers below, one of the first things he makes with water is (sigh) a sword. That's the moral equivalent of using a Green Lantern power ring to make a boxing glove.
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #29 FACSIMILE EDITION ($4.99), by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky, is the second appearance of the Justice League.
DC FINEST: AQUAMAN — KING OF ATLANTIS TP ($49.99) is mostly illustrated by Ramona Fradon and Nick Cardy, and I have never read most of these stories, so you can bet your flippers I'll be getting it.
It collects Adventure Comics #229-280, #282, #284; Action Comics #272; Detective Comics #293-300; World's Finest Comics #125; Showcase #30-33; Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #12; and Aquaman #1-3. That duplicates and exceeds Aquaman Archives Vol. 1 (Adventure Comics #260-280, 282; Showcase #30-31) and duplicates and exceeds Showcase Presents Aquaman Vol. 1, except that the Showcase (which is in B&W) also contains Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #55 and Aquaman #4-6.
All three books skip the first 15 years of the Sea King's adventures, in More Fun Comics #73-107 (Nov 41-Jan/Feb 46) and Adventure Comics #103-228 (Apr 46-Sep 56), which as far as I know have never been reprinted. (I doubt there's much of a market.) Both DC Finest and Showcase begin with Adventure Comics #229 (Oct 56, the introduction of Topo). The single Archives book begins three years later with Aquaman's Silver Age origin in Adventure #260 (May 59).
At no extra charge, here are the rest of the Sea King's pre-Crisis adventures in chronological order, following the stories in DC Finest: Aquaman — King of Atlantis:
- World's Finest Comics #126 (Jun 62)
- Aquaman #4 (Jul/Aug 62)
- World's Finest Comics #127 (Aug 62)
- World's Finest Comics #128 (Sep 62)
- Aquaman #5 (Sep-Oct 62)
- World's Finest Comics #129 (Nov 62)
- Aquaman #6 (Nov-Dec 62)
- World's Finest Comics #130 (Dec 62)
- Aquaman #7 (Jan-Feb 63)
- World's Finest Comics #131 (Feb 63)
- World's Finest Comics #132 (Mar 63)
- Aquaman #8 (Mar-Apr 63)
- World's Finest Comics #133 (May 63)
- Aquaman #9 (May-Jun 63)
- World's Finest Comics #134 (Jun 63)
- Aquaman #10 (Jul-Aug 63)
- World's Finest Comics #135 (Aug 63)
- World's Finest Comics #136 (Sep 63)
- Aquaman #11 (Sep-Oct 63)
- World's Finest Comics #137 (Nov 63)
- Aquaman #12 (Nov-Dec 63)
- World's Finest Comics #138 (Dec 63)
- Aquaman #13 (Jan-Feb 64)
- World's Finest Comics #139 (Feb 64)
- Aquaman #14-56 (Mar/Apr 64-Mar/Apr 71)
- Adventure Comics #435-437, #441-452 (Sep/Oct 74-Jul/Aug 77)
- Aquaman #57-63 (Aug/Sep 77-Aug/Sep 78)
- Adventure Comics #460-466 (Nov/Dec 78-Nov/Dec 79)
- World's Finest Comics ##262-264 (Apr/May 80-Aug/Sep 80)
- Adventure #475-478 (Sep 80-Dec 80)
- Action Comics #517-530 (Mar 81-Apr 82)
- Adventure #491 (Sep 82)
- Action Comics #536 (Oct 82)
- Adventure #492 (Oct 82)
- Action Comics #537 (Nov 82)
- Adventure #493 (Nov 82)
- Action Comics #538 (Dec 82)
- Adventure #494 (Dec 82)
- Action Comics #539 (Jan 82)
- Adventure #495 (Jan 83)
- Action Comics #540 (Feb 83)
- Adventure #496-500 (Feb 83-Jun 83)
IMAGE COMICS
DEATH OF COPRA #1 (OF 4, MR, $3.99) continues Michel Fiffe's superhero revenge story. I haven't read the previous installments, and tried to read this issue cold. Honestly, I didn't get much out of it. Also, the art isn't to my taste. The preview's below if you want to judge for yourself.
“The whole thing is bittersweet, which is perfect in a way,” said Fiffe. “The story of COPRA is one of duality: brutal but tender, bombast as defined by human nuance, crafted with a love of comics history while guided by an eye towards the future.”
Fiffe added: “These characters have been through the wringer for a long time. Some have their retribution and others get their comeuppance; all of these moments have been speeding towards this crucial home stretch. Although COPRA has traditionally been a single ongoing narrative, this final arc deserved its own space to unfold.”
Fiffe further added: “I’m fortunate to have such a passionate readership that has been with me throughout the years. This is my opportunity to stick the landing in a way that honors their loyalty, while also showing the world what COPRA is all about.”
GEIGER #10 ($3.99) is by Geoff Johns and returning artist Gary Frank.
I'm still reading this, and still enjoying it. It's not a complicated story; just a fun ride in post-apocalyptic wasteland with a tragic figure by a couple of A-list comics pros. Junkyard Joe joins the cast this issue, apparently still functional 26 years into the future.
“Issue #10 evolves Geiger’s struggle between the man and the monster as we reach a true turning point in the life of The Glowing Man, a shocking conclusion readers won’t want to miss,” said Johns.
Plus, there's another Action Comics #1 homage.
LUCKY DEVILS #1 (OF 9, MR, $3.99) is by Charles Soule (Eight Billion Genies, The Oracle Year, The Endless Vessel, Star Wars) and Ryan Browne (Eight Billion Genies, Curse Words, God Hates Astronauts).
The premise is that everyone is guided by invisible devils to be their worst selves in exchange for power (which actually does explain a lot). But two minor devils assigned to two really good, decent people get fed up with their miserable assignment, because whatever minor success they may achieve isn't going to get them promoted. So they decide to make these two people really powerful without the evil, so as to turn the board over and get ahead. The phrase "aft gang agley" leaps to mind, which could be pretty cool. Or funny. Or both.
I was intrigued enough by the first issue that I'll certainly try the second.
DARK HORSE
THOSE NOT AFRAID #1 (OF 4, $3.99) is by Kyle Starks (Where Monsters Lie, From the World of Minor Threats: Barfly, Peacemaker Tries Hard) and Patrick Piazzalunga (Monsters Are My Business).
The story opens 30 years ago with a young woman escaping a "murder-hole," an underground lair built for the express purpose of torturing and murdering young women. Fifty-seven young women before her did not escape. In the present, two serial killers are approaching that record, and decide to hold a contest to see who can get to 58 first. There's a third major character, a young woman who podcasts about serial killers — and one of them is llistening. That's really all we know so far.
This is not for the faint-hearted. The serial killers are grisly, awful people, and we learn about their revolting predilections in stomach-churning detail. The art is clear and well-rendered, which in a case like this, can be a downside. But if you can bear it, the story is pretty engaging.
"The title for THOSE NOT AFRAID draws from a chilling quote from pure evil, serial killer Richard ‘The Night Stalker’ Ramirez: ‘We've all got the power in our hands to kill, but most people are afraid to use it. The ones who aren't afraid control life itself,’ ” said Starks. “If you know me and my work know I love horror but I also love true crime stuff, especially when it's serial killers. I wanted to dip my foot narratively into that world — to step away from humor at all, to lean hard into the terrifying depths of that world and the terrifying creatures who inhabit it. With THOSE NOT AFRAID I ask the question, ‘What if two serial killers enter into a terrible competition to break the record for murders?’ If you are a fan of — or know a fan of — true crime and serial killers THOSE NOT AFRAID is going to be the book for you."
Piazzalunga added, "I’m excited about this comic book. I tried something new in my art — it will be much darker, with a lot of black! Like this fantastic thriller by Kyle! Kyle has done a great job and the story it will keep you in suspense."
MORE COMICS
ALTERED STATES: PURGATORI — GRINDHOUSE (ONE-SHOT, $5.99) is by Ray Fawkes (Constantine, Justice League Dark) and Federico Sorressa (Purgatori).
"Altered States" is Dynamite's version of "What If" or "Elseworlds." I'm not familiar with Original Flavor Purgatori, so a different version of her was low on my priority list this week and I didn't get to it. But it's a first issue, so here's the description:
"In the summer of 1976, Tori Sachs and her friends went to an innocent beach party to celebrate the end of high school ... and wandered into a scene of satanic carnage that would shock the world! Now, decades later, the truth can at last be told, and the burning questions answered: Why were the teens targeted for slaughter that night? And what unholy creature did they fall victim to?"
ARCHAIC #2 (OF 5, Ahoy Comics, MR, $3.99): Ahoy Comics alert!
ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #357 ($9.99): This issue's original story (by Dan Parent) involves the debut of a new supervillain with a great name I can't believe nobody else has used: Murder Hornet.
Complete classic story:
EC COMICS: CRUEL KINGDOM #1 (Oni Press, $4.99)
I don't get previews or review copies from Oni — which is a shame, because I'd love to be able to say more about their EC books in advance. (Jeff of Earth-J is doing a fine job of telling us about them ex post publish-o.) But I'll tell you what I know about this title, the fourth from the revived EC Comics line.
The first three are Epitaphs from the Abyss (horror), Shiver SuspenStories (seasonal horror one-shot) and Cruel Universe (science fiction/horror). Universe was a 5-issue limited series, and Cruel Kingdom replaces it on the schedule. Oni's initial announcment said they'd release two books a month, so Cruel Kingdom will join Epitaphs, which has been expanded from a 5-issue limited series to a 12-issue maxiseries.
Kingdom is a fantasy/horror anthology, akin to the original EC's Weird Fantasy. The first issue features writers Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk), Chris Condon (That Texas Blood), Greg Pak (Darth Vader), and Ben H. Winters (Cruel Universe). Artists include Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Kano (Cruel Universe), Leomacs (Ghostlore) and Andrea Mutti (Rebels).
The original Weird Fantasy wasn't a huge hit for EC, eventually combining with Weird Science Fiction (also not a hit) for Weird Science-Fantasy, which ran for only seven issues. I think the odds are better in the current era, now that Dungeons & Dragons, the Game of Thrones TV show and the Lord of the Rings movies have exposed a lot more of the unwashed to fantasy concepts. (We comics fans have always been famililar with fantasy, but as usual, we were ahead of the curve!)
I've enjoyed the previous EC books, so I'll be getting this, if that's a recommendation.
GREEN HORNET/MISS FURY #1 (Dynamite, $4.99) is by Alex Segura and Federico Sorressa.
This is the first meeting of these two characters, but it isn't told in linear fashion. So it begins with them already having met recently, and we'll see the actual first meeting in flashback. The upshot is that their contrasting styles clash. They are initially irritated with each other, but with a will-they-or-won't-they vibe that Kato twigs to right away. That part's pretty familiar turf, and I'm guessing they eventually will.
The art is right up my alley, so I'm looking forward to the next issue.
JIMMY: THE COMIC ART OF JAMES SWINNERTON HC (Fantagraphis, $100.00): Fantagraphics has managed to unearth another early 20th century cartoonist I've never heard of before. Maybe you have.
NEXUS: SCOURGE #2 (OF 2, Alien Books, $4.99) is by Mike Baron and Kelsey Shannon. As I said last issue, I see no point to a Nexus story without Steve Rude. But if you got the first issue, here's a heads-up for the second.
SANCTION TP (Mad Cave, MR, $17.99) is by Ray Fawkes and Antonio Fuso. As a longtime Russophile (see above), this caught my attention. (Well, that and the preview Diamond provided.) It's about two detectives in Soviet-era Leningrad trying to catch a serial killer. I've always imagined that trying to be a good cop on a Russian police force would be a challenge all on its own. And who knows, maybe they're not good cops.
WINDSOR MCCAY COMPLETE LITTLE NEMO HC (Taschen, NEW PTG, $100.00): Here's an artist from the early 20th century thst I have heard of, because he's justifiably famous. I already have a hardcover collection of "Little Nemo in Slumberland," and if you don't, you should do yourself a favor and get one to savor. This one would be a good choice if you can afford the 100 smackers, as Taschen is a high-quality publisher.
ZOOTOPIA #1 ($4.99) is by Jeff Parker (Thunderbolts, Hulk) and Alessandro Ranaldi (Negaduck, Disney Villains: Hades). I've always enjoyed Jeff Parker's work, so I'm cofident he'll do a good job here. If you liked the movie, you'll probably like this.
"The team and I know how eager the audience has been for more stories in the world of ZOOTOPIA and we thank Disney for giving us the chance to tell them," Parker said. "Readers are going to love how Alessandro brings Judy and Nick to life, you can truly hear their voices as you read. Speaking of that, all I have to do to get Nick Wilde's voice right is imagine editor Nate Cosby saying anything. And don't worry, there'll be plenty of the booming Chief Bogo! Zootopia has so much potential for more crime-solving animal adventure, I hope this is just the tip of the iceberg for the Dynamite Disney comics."
Replies
Turner D. Century should only come back as someone who dresses like someone from the early 2000's.
Something like this then?
It's stills from various movies that came up when I Googled "early 2000s fashion."\
Something like that, yeah.
NEW CHAMPIONS #1: This book, by contrast, features characters who, with one exception, have only appeared on variant covers. Not stories. Covers. They have a look, but no names or backstories or motivation or characterization or supporting cast. They are ciphers, who are all being created at once, and you know what the Captain Comics Rules say about that.
Yes, I do. The original Champions appealed more to my heart than to my head. Foxe's enthusiasm is infectious, and it sounds as if it has the potential to be quirky fun. I now know more about these new Champions than I did before, but I really don't think I'm the intended audience for this series. I'm at the phase that I am very selective about new series. It's like that What if Mickey & Friends Became the Fantastic Four? one shot.
I wasn't into Disney's mice and ducks as a kid, and even as an adult I'm limiting myself to the Carl Barks Library.
Exactly.
Ready for a rant?
Go for it.
"What If Galactus Trasnformed Gambit?" I was going to answer that question, but such a stupid premise doesn't deserve one.
1982 DC COMICS STYLE GUIDE ($95.00)
Isn't that a bit pricey for something that's no longer relevant? It's like that Marvel Handbook omnibus. Sure, they're both interesting snapshots of the past, but neither is being followed any longer.
DC FINEST: AQUAMAN — KING OF ATLANTIS - I have never read most of these stories, so you can bet your flippers I'll be getting it.
Ditto.
At no extra charge, here are the rest of the Sea King's pre-Crisis adventures in chronological order..
Ooh... Thanks!
(Jeff of Earth-J is doing a fine job of telling us about them ex post publish-o.)
Thanks!
The original Weird Fantasy wasn't a huge hit for EC, eventually combining with Weird Science Fiction (also not a hit) for Weird Science-Fantasy, which ran for only seven issues.
Gaines was most proud of these, willing to publish them in the red supportedby the success of the horror titles.
GREEN HORNET/MISS FURY
I've got no business reading this. I have yet to finsish the two volumes of Tarpé Mills' work that I have. IDW was smart about the way they published this one. They started with the second volume (1944-1949), the strips strongest period. They followed that up with 1941-1944, before she hit her stride but still pretty good. There is enough for a third and final volume, but that period is generally considered the weakest and I guess sales of the volume of early material didn't warrant it. I'm a completist by nature, but in this case I'm happy with what I have and am not complaining.
JIMMY: THE COMIC ART OF JAMES SWINNERTON HC: Fantagraphics has managed to unearth another early 20th century cartoonist I've never heard of before. Maybe you have.
Honestly I have not, but I pre-ordered this volume to take advantage of a 35% discount.
NEXUS: SCOURGE #2 - As I said last issue, I see no point to a Nexus story without Steve Rude. But if you got the first issue, here's a heads-up for the second.
Honestly, I liked Scourge better than Rude's recent Nexus work, but I liked Rude's better than Baron's previous Nexus series, Nefarious, with art by Richard Bonk. (Who?)
WINDSOR MCCAY COMPLETE LITTLE NEMO HC
That's pretty sweet, but I already have Fantagrapics' six-volume set from the '90s. I passed on Krazy Kat and Yellow Kid when I had the chance, but I hear there's an upcoming single-volume set of Krazy Kat. (Now if they'd only do Yellow Kid.)
I really don't think I'm the intended audience for this series.
Same. I think I'd have been interested in New Champions in my teens or even my early 20s. No later than that, though.
At no extra charge, here are the rest of the Sea King's pre-Crisis adventures in chronological order.
I didn't include stories where he was the guest star. I don't know any way of figuring that out except going through all of DC's titles during the years in question, and that is too time-consuming with too little reward. He could have popped up anywhere, like this 1968 issue of Jimmy Olsen:
I'm content to let DC collect the stories chronologically for me, assuming they ever do.
Isn't that a bit pricey for something that's no longer relevant? It's like that Marvel Handbook omnibus. Sure, they're both interesting snapshots of the past, but neither is being followed any longer.
That was my reaction as well. I do have most of the Marvel and DC handbook omnibuses, but I got them AS snapshots of the past, to have something authoritative I could quote from that era in future columns or books. As my column has ended and a book career recedes farther into the realm of unprobability, that is no longer an incentive.
DC FINEST: AQUAMAN — KING OF ATLANTIS TP
All three books skip the first 15 years of the Sea King's adventures, in More Fun Comics #73-107 (Nov 41-Jan/Feb 46) and Adventure Comics #103-228 (Apr 46-Sep 56), which as far as I know have never been reprinted. (I doubt there's much of a market.) Both DC Finest and Showcase begin with Adventure Comics #229 (Oct 56, the introduction of Topo). The single Archives book begins three years later with Aquaman's Silver Age origin in Adventure #260 (May 59).
Since DC is inspired by Marvel’s Epic books, maybe they will follow their example (and that of the Carl Barks HCs) and follow up with the earlier material in later volumes. This could also apply to the Superboy volume.
Since DC is inspired by Marvel’s Epic books, maybe they will follow their example (and that of the Carl Barks HCs) and follow up with the earlier material in later volumes. This could also apply to the Superboy volume.
That is my hope as well.
I wasn't into Disney's mice and ducks as a kid, and even as an adult I'm limiting myself to the Carl Barks Library.
In my case, Barks' duck adventures got me started in comic books, followed closely by the Weisinger books. Back then they made us think that Walt Disney was the writer and artist. I'm pretty sure that in 1956 they were already mostly reprints.
I'm pretty sure that in 1956 they were already mostly reprints.
I didn't have the slightest idea, so I looked up Dell's Walt Disney's Comics and Stories for the year 1956 on GCD, and skimmed through three of them. There's a Barks 10-pager in each, which appear to be new. In fact, all the material appears to be new, except for some half-pagers and three-quarters-pagers that are reprinted from the King Features "Donald Duck" comic strip.
It could be that the GCD is just incomplete, and the stories had appeared elsewhere before 1956. But if so, I wouldn't know where to look (and it might not be in this country).
Wikepedia has a list of Carl Barks stories https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Disney_comics_by_Carl_Barks. It appears that his last story in WDC&S appeared in #312, September 1966. Prior to that and for years after there were new Donald Duck stories in WDC&S by other folks. The reprints must have started much later than 1956.
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