MAJOR PUBLISHERS
MARVEL COMICS
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #253 FACSIMILE EDITION reprints the first appearance of The Rose. Which, I have to say, doesn't sound like a big deal.
Dr. Strange guest stars in DAREDEVIL #6.
"Fall of X" continues this week in RISE OF THE POWERS OF X #2 and X-FORCE #49.
"Gang War" continues this week in LUKE CAGE: GANG WAR #4 and SPIDER-WOMAN #4.
ALIEN: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD #1 (OF 4)
Story: Collin Kelly, Various | Art: Michael Dowling, Various | Cover: Elena Casagrande | Teen+ | $5.99
THE ALIEN UNIVERSE AS ONLY MARVEL COULD IMAGINE IT!
Black, white, red — and GREEN! Marvel Comics and 20th Century Studios present a kill-fest of an anthology in chest-rending artistic detail! Here are the tales fans can look forward to in the debut issue:
- Superstars Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing (Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, Guardians of the Galaxy) and brilliant artist Michael Dowling (Black Cat, Amazing Spider-Man) kick off “Utopia,” a generations-spanning saga that will be told across all four issues! Soaring through space to find a perfect world, a society descends into darkness as they’re shaped by their fear of the Xenomorphs!
- Fan-favorite writer Ryan Cady (Winter Guard) and Marvel newcomer Devmalya Pramanik explore the limits of compassion in “Maternal Instincts.” On a deep space vessel, a small child is the sole survivor of a Xenomorph slaughter and her only hope for salvation is the ship’s comforting and guiding AI computer unit.
- Rising stars Stephanie Phillips (Capwolf & the Howling Commandos, Cosmic Ghost Rider) and Marcelo Ferreira (Moon Knight: City of the Dead) deliver a tale of guts, glory and the most exhilarating of games in “The Hunt.” Xenomorphs become the main attraction when Weyland-Yutani gives wealthy thrill-seekers a chance to hunt down the galaxy’s deadliest species.
The tagline for just about any Alien story ought to be "In this issue: Everybody dies!" It's only writer's fiat when somebody lives.
EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE #1 (OF 4)
Story: Jackson Lanzing, Various | Art: Travel Foreman, Eric Gapstur | Cover: Chad Wayne Hardin | Teen+ | $4.99
EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE #1 kicks things off with the first appearance of WEAPON VIII and the exciting comeback of the tech-savvy SPIDER-BYTE!
- We all know who Weapon X is, but WHO IS WEAPON VIII?! Find out in a story from writing duo Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing and artist Travel Foreman! In this universe, when Weapon X escapes from his facility, they call on their greatest previous success to get him back…
- You may not have realized that the digital avatar Spider-Character who made her big screen debut in Across the Spider-Verse came from the comics first! She’s back in comics now and you don’t want to miss her in an all-new adventure by writer Nilah Magruder and artist Eric Gapstur.
- Plus the start of a saga that sets up the next evolution of SPIDER-VERSAL stories!
More Spider-people. I've lost track of the existing ones.
GODS #5
Story: Jonathan Hickman | Art: Valerio Schiti | Cover: Mateus Manhanini | Teen+ | $4.99
The clinic has a wall covered in words. They are written in the blood of men, but no one can read them. Mia gets her first apartment. The juice isn't worth the squeeze.
Tradewaiting.
INCREDIBLE HULK #9
Story: Phillip Kennedy | Art: Danny Earls | Cover: Nic Klein | Teen+ | $3.99
HULK VERSUS THE ANGEL OF DEATH — FROZEN CHARLOTTE!
Phillip Kennedy Johnson's latest spine-chilling tale brings Hulk into a supernatural town haunted by a serial killer ... but she is no mere mortal killer, and Hulk will need the help of a supernatural detective in order to track her down!
Since launching in June, writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Nic Klein’s new run of INCREDIBLE HULK has been serving up a gamma-powered dose of hulkish horror as Bruce Banner descends on a dark journey into the world of MONSTERS! T
I don't know why Marvel felt the need to send out a press release on this particular issue, but I have to say I agree with the premise. Hulk really ought to be a horror book.
PREDATOR: THE LAST HUNT #1 (OF 4)
Story: Ed Brisson | Art: Francesco Manna | Cover: Cory Smith | Teen+ | $4.99
Ed Brisson Brisson will continue the saga of original character Theta and her one-woman rampage across the spaceways to slay the deadly Yautja!
For years, Theta has hunted and killed Predators in her search for the one that killed her parents. Now she’s on a mission to free the human captives from the Predators’ game preserve. But when a Super Predator is on the loose, even a seasoned hunter like Theta can become prey.
“I'm incredibly excited to be continuing my work on Predator,” Brisson said. “This is a book I love dearly. I'm proud of the work we've done in the past two volumes and think readers will be excited to see where we're headed in this third volume. The stakes are higher than they've ever been. Theta has been carrying a lot of guilt over the events of the last arc and has made it her mission to find the Predator Stasis Farms and free the hundreds (thousands?) of prisoners being held for the Predators's hunting pleasure — at the same time, her 20-plus years of Predator hunting is all coming to a head as she suddenly finds herself in the crosshairs as it becomes clear that her mission may be a trap.”
This time around, Brisson will be joined by artist Franceso Manna, known for his visceral work on books like Carnage and Web of Carnage.
“Thrilled to be working with Francesco Manna again!” Brisson added. “He and I first worked on a two-part Old Man Logan story way back in 2018 and I've been looking for any excuse to work with him ever since. He's been absolutely knocking it out of the park.”
Since it began in August 2022, Marvel’s foray into the terrifying Predator universe has delivered all the explosive action and relentless horror that fans of the pop culture phenomenon crave. These new comic series are also perfect for newcomers to the iconic franchise, adding new elements, secrets, and players to the PREDATOR mythos with every story!
“We have a fun surprise in store for long-time fans of the Predator comics, but that's about as much as I'll say on it for now!” Brisson teased.
Earth must have been destination numero uno for the Predators since the get-go, since we apparently put up such an astounding resistance. Funny we didn't now about them until the first movie.
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #2
Story: Jonathan Hickman | Art/Cover: Marco Checchetto | Colors: Matthew Wilson | Variants: Dike Ruan, Mateus Manhanini, Elizabeth Torque, Mark Bagley
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1 was the most talked about launch in recent Marvel Comics history! Hailed as “a fully realized and fresh take” and “one of the most eagerly awaited new comics of 2024,” the issue’s introduction of the Parker family — including a very much alive Uncle Ben — has shown fans just how extraordinarily different Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto’s vision for Spider-Man storytelling will be.
Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe was shaped by the evil Reed Richards variant known as the Maker. Traveling back in time on a parallel Earth, the Maker prevented young Peter Parker from ever being bit by that fateful radioactive spider. Now, 20 years later, the Universe’s own Tony Stark has given Peter the chance to reclaim the heroic destiny that was stolen from him! Taking on great responsibility as Spider-Man, an adult Peter web-swings into the New York skies for the first time, ready to use his newfound abilities to help fix the world in any way he can, all while balancing his new role with being a devoted husband and loving father. Taking place a month into Peter’s burgeoning super hero career, ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #2 will see Peter’s first super powered brawl — an electrifying battle with the SHOCKER!
Peter won’t be the only Parker embarking on new adventures and taking down super villains. Peter’s beloved uncle Ben is an award-winning journalist, and alongside his trusted partner J. Jonah Jameson, he’ll pursue the truth of their corrupt world and the unrest that’s stirring around every corner — starting with discovering the identity and motives of the newly emerged Green Goblin! Get a glimpse at all this and more in today’s all-new preview.
“My love for this character is no secret to anyone,” Checchetto shared. “As soon as I received Jonathan Hickman’s plot of the series, I was immediately fascinated with how he managed to create something truly fresh and new, while keeping the spirit and essence of the web-slinger intact. I really loved the dialogue and got chills drawing these scenes. We have the opportunity and privilege to create our version of Spider-Man, and for me, to create the entire design of the series.”
“Throughout our run, expect changes and both classic and new versions of characters,” he continued. “One of the first you’ll meet is Shocker. He’s at the beginning of his career, so I wanted to create something different. Shocker wears a bomb squad suit to protect himself from the powers of his gloves, but still maintains some details of his classic costume. I had a lot of fun, and I believe it helps convey that we are at the dawn of a new storytelling universe. I would also like to talk about the origin of the Green Goblin's design, but I think it's more exciting to let you discover it by reading the fantastic story created by Jonathan!”
Praise for ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1:
A fully realized and fresh take. ... Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man #1 is the perfect jumping on point. — Comicbook.com
One of the most eagerly awaited new comics of 2024 — IGN
A masterpiece in the making. ... There is no doubt this run will be something spectacular — Comic Watch
This kinda feels like a Spider-Man geared for us older fans.
OTOH, I don't like the idea of Uncle Ben as an award-winning journalist. As depicted in comics and movies, he was a retired blue-collar worker living on a fixed income in a 2 BR 1 BTH in Queens. That's Spider-Man's roots, not someone who has a high profile, who works in Manhattan, who's going to retire middle class or better. One of the things that shapes Peter Parker is poverty, which is why he's such an empathetic character — and a friendly, neighborhood one, instead of being a Superman type.
DC COMICS
"Return to Kingdom Come" concludes in BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST #24.
GREEN LANTERN #87 FACSIMILE EDITION reprints the first appearance of John Stewart.
Milestone alert: MILESTONE COMPENDIUM VOL 3 ships this week.
"The Joker Year One"
BATMAN #144
Story: Chip Zdarsky | Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi, Andrea Sorrentino, Alejandro Sánchez and Dave Stewart | Cover: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi & Tomeu Morey | $4.99
The climactic, chilling conclusion to The Joker Year One that will have massive repercussions for the future! The Red Hood Gang is on a rampage and the only man who can stop them ... is The Joker! And can Batman stop a devastating new virus in a future where The Joker looms over him?
The conclusion! Evidently, this is re-writing Geoff Johns' "The Three Jokers," to where there aren't three of him physically ... there are three Joker personalities. That doesn't explain why he can fight Batman physically to a standstill or his ability to constantly return from certain death. But I doubt those will ever be addressed.
IMAGE COMICS
FIRE POWER BY KIRKMAN & SAMNEE #30
Story: Robert Kirkman | Art: Chris Samnee | Cover: Chris Samnee & Matthew Wilson | Variant: Cliff Chiang | 56 Pages | $5.99
Today Skybound announced that the acclaimed and long-running series Fire Power by Kirkman & Samnee will come to a close with its 30th issue later this year. The comic series from the legendary team of creator/writer Robert Kirkman, creator/artist Chris Samnee, colorist Matthew Wilson and letterer Rus Wooton will see its series finale arrive in comic book shops on December 27, 2023.
Fire Power will end with a supersized 56-page final issue, which promises a finale worthy of the high-octane series made by some of the top talent working in comics today.
Losing his parents. Training at the Temple of the Flaming Fist. Learning the fire power. Starting a family. Owen’s whole life has been building to this moment, where he attempts the impossible one last time.
“It’s all been building to this. From the humble beginnings of Owen’s journey for the truth about his parents, to a world-spanning battle with a gargantuan ancient evil that threatens to destroy the world,” co-creator & writer Robert Kirkman interjected. “It’s been a real thrill to work with Chris for these last few years, building this world and working toward this dramatic conclusion. I can’t believe we’re finally here! I can’t wait for people to see it!”
“It seems like only yesterday I was designing the dragon and Robert was telling me not to show anyone because it would be many issues until it was confirmed that the dragon was even real!” Added co-creator & artist Chris Samnee. “Now I’m drawing page after page of flattened cities as mass chaos. I never knew the scale of this book would change so much! The ending of this series is definitely going to shock people.”
In addition to the main cover drawn by Chris Samnee and colored by Matthew Wilson, Fire Power #30 features an open-to-order variant cover by Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman, Paper Girls) featuring the entire fire power wielding Johnson family.
Select Praise for Fire Power by Kirkman & Samnee:
“Fire Power is likely the best martial arts comic on the stands today” — AIPT
“A combination of quiet family drama and kung fu action, held together with a clever script and truly amazing art, making for a really good comic.” — Major Spoilers
“... one of the most unique and exciting comic books on the stands.” — Multiversity Comics
“A series that is truly worth getting excited for” — Comic-Watch
"Fire Power is recommended reading for anyone who likes a relatable tale with sublime martial arts and a story with plenty of soul.” — AIPT
“Fire Power unites two of the top creators in comics for an amazing tribute to classic martial arts films.” — But Why Tho
“This series has genuinely been firing on all cylinders recently with action abound, kung fu, dragons and drama. Unmissable!” — Sub-City Comics
“It’s borderline criminal that more people aren’t talking about Fire Power as one of the best comics around. ... It will delight fans of action-packed adventures.” — CBR
“Samnee has long been an impressive artist, but this series is providing him with new life and opportunities to cut loose. It’s great.” — Inside Pulse
“Fire Power continues to be a standout title. It’s a must-read for anyone looking for a unique and emotionally charged comic book experience.” — Nerd Initiative
The conclusion! Just about everybody on the board who is reading this recommended it, and yet I never read it. And now it's gone! I feel more ashamed than usual.
THE SIX FINGERS #1 (OF 5)
Story: Dan Watters | Art: Sumit Kumar | Cover: Tom Muller | Art/Cover: Lee Loughridge | $3.99
The Six Fingers will showcase writer Watters paired with artist Sumit Kumar (Man-Bat, These Savage Shores) and Loughridge coloring, in an equally confounding mystery that will have readers on the edge of their seats as the story unfolds.
Neo Novena archaeology student Johannes Vale has always been so very in control of his life. But when he commits a brutal murder, using the M.O. of an historic and notorious serial killer, everything begins to spiral out of control … primarily as Johannes doesn’t remember doing it.
What follows is a deadly cat-and-mouse game as Johannes seeks refuge in the rain-soaked streets of Neo Novena. He will stop at nothing to unravel the secrets and ciphers of what he did and why he did it; but each revelation only leads further into the dark heart of his future-metropolis and Johannes’ own heartbroken soul.
Watters added: “This book is one we’ve been boiling up for years, a true labor of love. We’re doing something with it I’ve never seen in comics before, and I think readers are going to have a hell of a time uncovering the secrets and sins buried between its bloody pages.”
This is the Javert side of a crime, while The One Hand (which launched two weeks ago) follows the Jean Valjean side. I think.
Here's a PREVIEW.
SPAWN #350
Story: Todd McFarlane, Rory McConville | Art: Brett Booth, Carlo Barberi | Cover: Puppeteer Lee | Variants: Todd McFarlane, Ryan Stegman, Brett Booth, Jonathan Glapion | $4.99
This month marks a pivotal moment in the history of Todd McFarlane's Spawn. The monumental issue #350 promises an unprecedented shift and new direction for the acclaimed Spawn series — initiating not only a new era for Spawn, but also sending shockwaves through the rest of the Spawn Universe of titles. In Spawn #350, after a 250-issue vacancy, a NEW RULER will sit on the Throne of Hell, and this momentous reveal will affect the direction of the main Spawn series' storyline — as well as radically change trajectory of its monthly companion series: King Spawn, The Scorched and Gunslinger.
It will affect everyone.
"It will affect everyone." I beg to differ.
DARK HORSE
TAKIO: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION TP
Story: Brian Michael Bendis | Art/Cover: Michael Avon Oeming | Dark Horse | 212 pages | $19.99
Dark Horse Books presents Takio: The Complete Collection, the newest original graphic novel to join Brian Michael Bendis’ Jinxworld imprint, home to award-winning series like Powers, Pearl, Jinx, Torso and more. Takio: The Complete Collection includes the adventure graphic novel by Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, producer of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) and Michael Avon Oeming (Powers, Blue Book) and its sequel miniseries issues #1-4.
Taki and Olivia are sisters in an adoptive family — and they're driving each other crazy! Every day, their overprotective mother makes them walk to school together, eat lunch together and play together — they can't get away from each other!
But when a secret experiment goes catastrophically wrong, the squabbling siblings suddenly find that they have superpowers. They're the first actual superheroes in the entire world — and it is awesome!
But are the girls ready to face the daunting challenges posed by their amazing new abilities? And is the rest of the world ready for real-life superheroes?
“Takio is a true family affair and a labor of complete love made with the same energy and spirit of Miles Morales and Riri Wiliams,” said Bendis. “I know that fans of those characters will be delighted with this entre into a fun new superhero family. Wait till you meet the super sisters of Takio!”
Oeming continued, “Inspired by Brian's daughter Olivia and my wife Taki, Takio is one of our favorite creations because it literally came from our family!"
Takio: The Complete Collection is perfect for fans of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Invincible Iron Man: Ironheart and Young Avengers.
Praise for Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming:
“Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man #12 is a fantastic conclusion to one of the greatest comic book runs of all time. Bendis and Marquez are two of the best in the business and they delivered great work with this comic.” — Comicosity
“This isn't just another Spider-Man title. This is THE Spider-man title. Peter Parker will always be great, but as long as Bendis is in creative control of Miles, this will continue to be the best Spider-Man title on the market.” — All-Comic, Spider-Man #1 (2016)
“Sprung from the minds of some of comics’ best-known names, and a nine-year-old girl, Takio doesn’t just start out as a great superhero book but a great all ages story.” — NJ.com
“With no holds barred, Bendis and Oeming have created a chilling American crime saga that will haunt readers and haven’t skipped a beat.” — Capes & Tights, Murder Inc.: Jagger Rose #1
IDW PUBLISHING
IDW offers two first issues this week, GODZILLA RIVALS: MOTHRA VS MOGUERA #1 and TMNT SOURCEBOOK #1.
MORE COMICS
Antarctic's BLACK HOPS: USA G.I. — BOUND FOR BATTLE TP looks like a lot of rabbit puns.
Fantagraphics' THE COMPLETE CREPAX: EROTIC STORIES, PART II: VOLUME 8: I've pretty much been ignoring the The Complete Crepax series, because for me, Crepax's work fails as both narrative and erotica. IOW, I find it boring, even with all the naked chicks. And "body modifications" repulse me. (YMMV) But this one says it includes The Story of O, which is pretty famous. (I thought it had already been reprinted in its entirety, but maybe that was some other publisher.) While I'm not really into Crepax's art, the line "accompanying essays putting Crepax's stories into historical and cultural context" interests me. I'm the kind of guy who would buy it for the foreword. Here's a PREVIEW.
Oni's CEMETERY KIDS DON'T DIE #1 (OF 4): Some kids get trapped in a video game, which isn't the most origial premise ever. Nice covers, though. Here's a PREVIEW.
Keenspot's CRYING BOY #1: A mother and son move into a house with a painting possessed by a demon from Hell who feeds on the souls of children. Dinner is served! I can't find a preview, but here are some fine covers:
Sigma's HERE COMES CALICO: THE ULTIMATE DEFENDER OF ANIMALS VOL 1 GN: Hector "Calico" Gil dresses like a cat to fight animal cruelty. Were all the good animals taken? Worse, his outfit is all black, which is not what "calico" means. Here's a REVIEW of the first issue.
Invader's NEUROCRON #1 (OF 4): Somebody's read too much William Gibson. Here's a PREVIEW.
PROJECT CRYPTID #6 (OF 6): Ahoy comics alert!
Oni's RICK & MORTY: FINALS WEEK — SHERICK HOLMES #1 is another Rick & Morty miniseries, as you can probably tell from the name.
Storm King's STORM KING COMICS: DARK & TWISTED LONG HAUL TP: Two brothers murder their way up the chain of a serial-killer organizaton in pursuit of the one that killed their sister. Here's a PREVIEW.
Silver Sprocket's SUNFLOWERS ONE-SHOT is an autobiography by a person living with bipolar disorder. Sounds educational. Here's a PREVIEW.
Penguin Workshop's WHO WAS HER OWN WORK OF ART: FRIDA KAHLO HC, a biography of the German artist, seems educational.
BLANCHE GOES TO SAN FRANCISCO
Story/Art: Rick Geary | Headless Shakespeare Press | $6.99
After the death of her father, Blanche is back on the road again, this time landing in San Francisco for a series of concert engagements. There, she'll encounter a powerful psychic, Dashiell Hammett, Harry Houdini and President Warren G. Harding. Join Blanche on a journey of discovery, as she finds out if love transcends time and space.
I love Geary's "Treasury of Murder" series, but the art style there doesn't resemble this cover. In fact, the cover looks like Geary's style from, like, 30 years ago. My suspicion that this is a reprint or inventory material is mildly supported by when Geary released the other Blanche stories: Blanche Goes to New York was 1992, Blanche Goes to Hollywood was 1993 and Blanche Goes to Paris was 2001. And the site where I found the interior page lists the book as "out of print," suggesting it was in print at some previous time (although I can't find it). But who knows? Maybe this is new. Maybe Geary got tired of writing about death and got an itch to re-visit Blanche.
BLASFAMOUS #1
Story/Art: Mirka Andolfo | DSTLRY MEDIA INC. | $8.99
From international superstar MIRKA ANDOLFO (SWEET PAPRIKA, MERCY, UNNATURAL, Harley Quinn, Punchline) comes a new horror comedy that only Andolfo can deliver —asking the question: how many fans is your soul worth?
In a world where pop stars have ascended to divinity, and the masses bow in veneration to a new generation of viral superstars-angels and demons thrive on this exaltation, and revel in this spotlight that grants them unimaginable power.
Clelia, the reigning queen of pop, finds her throne shaken by a newcomer radiating with enigmatic charm. As her fans waver and the public eye threatens to wander, Clelia and her demonic agent, Father Lev, are thrust into a battle for dominance on this exhilarating stage of music and mysticism. How far will they go to defend her reign and unravel the mystery of this sensational new threat?
Mixing the sacred and profane, Harvey Award-winning Mirka Andolfo effortlessly merges the mythological urban fantasy of American Gods with the sardonic wit of The Good Place in a brand new dark series featuring stunning visual and narrative intensity set in the glittering world of pop music.
Are we sure this is fiction? I mean, how else can Keith Richards still be alive, if not for infernal interference?
Anyway, MIrka Andolof seems to be having a moment these days. Here's a PREVIEW.
ELVIRA MEETS H.P. LOVECRAFT #1
Story: David Avallone | Art: Kewber Baal | Cover: Dave Acosta | Variants: Kewber Baal, David Hack, photo | Dynamite | Teen+ | $4.99
It had to happen someday! Elvira accepts the Collect Call of Cthulhu and finds herself on a comical quest for the last copy of the Necronomicon with the ghost of H.P. Lovecraft. Will she be able to tolerate Lovecraft long enough to save the world from the Great Old Ones? Find out in this tale of cosmic comedy and tentacled terror, from writer David Avallone (Elvira in Monsterland, Bettie Page: Unbound) and artist Kewber Baal (Elvira in Monsterland, Vampirella).
Special Message From David Avallone
Hey, Comics Readers!
I hope 2024 is treating you and yours well.
Dynamite asked me to reach out and let you know what Elvira and I have got coming next, and that’s ELVIRA MEETS HP LOVECRAFT. First issue drops right after Valentine’s Day, because what could be more romantic than a spooky showgirl and the ghost of a dead author going on a cosmic horror quest together?
I kid, of course.
This is my sixth Elvira series, following ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK, THE SHAPE OF ELVIRA, ELVIRA MEETS VINCENT PRICE, ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND and ELVIRA IN MONSTERLAND. Those have all found an audience, and I have a feeling that this next series will attract even more readers.
In all the time I’ve been writing Elvira — since 2018 — she has met Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker, Faust, Satan, Vlad the Impaler, Vincent Price, and the characters from dozens of horror movies (in parody form, of course.) But … I have intentionally avoided Lovecraft. You can probably guess why. Howard Phillip Lovecraft was not a nice man. (Neither was Poe, by the way, but people are less mad at Poe for various reasons.) Never has a creator been more hated, but his creations more beloved. I thought Lovecraft’s whole legacy was more than I wanted to handle in something like a single issue encounter.
Well, after MONSTERLAND wrapped up, I was wondering where to go next with the Mistress of the Dark. I decided that Elvira and I could handle HP if we had five issues to do it in. So in this series, we do come to bury Lovecraft not to praise him, like the man said. The series honors his incredible contribution to horror fiction: his Cthulhu mythos and its kaleidoscopic menagerie of gods and monsters and creatures beyond imagining … but we will also be clear that the man was a bigot, and a pain in the ass, afraid of anything new or different. The man whose nightmares have terrified the whole world, teams up with the thing that frightens him the most: a woman who speaks her mind and takes no crap from him. Strangest “Odd Couple” reboot ever, maybe, but they make a very funny duo.
The creepy ghost author has to enlist Elvira in a quest to save the world from extra-dimensional cosmic destruction … and who can say no to that? The last true copy of the Necronomicon — the cursed book that unlocks the secrets of the Great Old Ones — is about to fall into the wrong hands, and the very universe is at stake. Oh, did I say hands? Tentacles, really, if we’re being honest.
So the unlikely team of Howie and Elvira hit the road to find the book before something scaly and cosmic uses it to open up a gate and let all the evil come flooding back to our vulnerable little planet. Their trip takes them across the country, from Hollywood to Arkham, MA … and then even further, to realms where mere mortals dare not tread. Down the 700 steps, through the Gates of Deeper Slumber, to the icy wastes where the Great Old Ones dream … but now I’ve said too much. Did someone say “Unknown Kadath?” Wasn’t me. But there might be some Mountains of Madness waiting for the attentive comics reader …
All this will come wrapped in some fantastic, eye-catching covers. Dave Acosta is back, Robert Hack brings some pulp-flavored goodness, and interior artist Kewber Baal continues his excellent work from MONSTERLAND. Kewber’s amazing interior work is complimented by Elvira mainstays Taylor Esposito on letters, and Walter Pereyra on colors, back once again to bring their consummate artistry to the comic. And for those fans who can’t get enough of the real thing, each issue, as always, will have a photo cover.
Worth noting: while EMHPL connects to Elvira’s saga from our previous series … this is a great jumping in point for new readers. No knowledge of the prior arcs is required to start reading this comic, and I think it will be a delightful introduction for new readers to Elvira and her world … particularly for fans of the Cthulhu Mythos who’ve never encountered the Mistress of the Dark in comics before. For those fans, the series is chock full of fun Easter Eggs, connecting to the stories and characters they’ve loved for years. Each issue pays tribute to, and parodies, a classic Lovecraft tale. The premiere issue is, of course, “The Collect Call of Cthulhu.” Will you accept the charges?
As it happens, I am re-reading Lovecraft in both prose and comics forms. I may tradewait this one.
Apropos of nothing, my newsfeed told me recently that Cassandra Peterson, who plays Elvira, turned 72. It's hard to think of her as anything but immortal.
HUMBABA #1 (OF 4)
Story/Art: Ricky Sikes | Blood Moon | $4.99
Deep in the bayou of Louisiana our hero Fil, after being manipulated by sinister forces, must redeem himself after inadvertently unleashing an unspeakable and dangerous mutant creature in an enchanted wildlife refuge. It's mayhem in the bayou with mutants, spirits, and cyborgs, and it all mixes to create a gumbo of horror, comedy and science fiction.
It was only after I finished watching The Pacific that I read somewhere that the character played by Rami Malek was supposed to be Cajun. I don't know where he got that accent, but it's no Cajun I've ever heard. I would have classified it as "louche dementia."
THE JAGUAR (ONE-SHOT)
Script: Keryl Brown Ahmed | Art: Tango | Colors: Ellie Wright | Letters: Jack Morelli | Cover: Maria Sanapo, Ellie Wright | Variant Cover: Reiko Murakami | $3.99
One of the most dynamic superheroes in the Archie Comics roster — the ferociously powerful JAGUAR — returns in a new action-packed one-shot adventure this February! Written by Keryl Brown Ahmed (Big Ethel Energy) with art by Tango (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), the comic charts a new direction for Ivette Velez, the most recent hero to assume the mantle of The Jaguar, whose legacy dates back to the Silver Age of comics.
“The character’s long history and many iterations provided a great creative foundation for me while also leaving plenty of room to explore The Jaguar’s character in ways that felt exciting and authentic," Ahmed said. "I’m very grateful to Archie Comics for entrusting me with her, and I’m excited to see where she goes next!”
Something is killing the Pampas cats of Northern Peru. A group of zoologists has come together to investigate these mysterious slayings. They know the culprit is a bird of prey, but the method of killing is unlike any of the birds local to the region. It’s going to take someone with apex predator abilities to find out who’s causing these murders…someone like Ivette Velez, aka The Jaguar! But will the predator become the prey?
The story serves as both an introduction to the character for new readers and a follow-up to Ivette's adventures chronicled in the 2012 series NEW CRUSADERS, where she debuted in a story by writer Ian Flynn and artist Ben Bates. THE JAGUAR follows last year's BOB PHANTOM by writer James III and next month's DARKLING by writer Sarah Kuhn in reviving Archie superheroes for a new generation.
“When bringing these classic superheroes back to life, it’s our mission to handle each one with care, crafting a story that balances enough familiarity for readers who are aware of the character, with a clear jumping-on point for new readers that we hope turn into new fans,” said Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante. “The Jaguar is a spiritual successor to Darkling and Bob Phantom; all origin stories that are less about our heroes discovering their powers, and more about understanding what having these powers means."
The Jaguar first appeared in 1961's ADVENTURES OF THE JAGUAR #1 as Ralph Hardy, in a story by writer Robert Bernstein and artist John Rosenberger. Ralph, an archaeologist and zoologist, discovers a magical totem in Peru granting him animalistic powers and senses. In NEW CRUSADERS, Ralph passed the mantle to Ivette, and in Ahmed's new story, her powers are reconciled with her ancestry.
"I took the opportunity to address the provenance of The Jaguar’s powers and how they’re Ivette’s birthright even before Hardy bestows the Jaguar suit upon her, whereas Hardy sort of stumbled upon them on his travels," Ahmed explained. "Ivette’s destiny may have been written by her ancestors, but she feels so disconnected from her Peruvian heritage that she has to literally walk the halls of their civilization to fully activate the powers within her.”
Given the character's rich history spanning several milestone eras of superhero comics, Tango drew on classic superhero action for inspiration when developing the comic's dramatic visuals and updated look for the characters. “There’s nothing I love more than really getting to dig in on the physicality of the characters," they said. "The thing that excited me the most about the project was finding the roots of the Crusaders brand stretch all the way back to the days of Alex Toth and Steve Ditko. Those names hold a real sense of reverence. So, contributing in any way to the timeline of these characters came with a very real sense of responsibility for me.”
The Jaguar is one of the few Archie superheroes that isn't of Golden Age vintage, but was instead introduced in the late 1950s or early 1960s (along with The Fly and The Double Life of Private Strong). Perversely, that makes her one of the Archie superheroes I know the least about, since they've been reprinted the least. I do know that the original Jaguar was a man, so this is Jaguar II or later.
And they're going to have to work a bit to make this Latina, cat-themed character different from the Latina, cat-themed Wildcat millions saw on Stargirl, aren't they?
OLD GEEZERS COLLECTED SET
Story: Wilfrid Lupano | Art/Cover: Paul Cauuet | Ablaze | Mature | $34.99
HIT GRAPHIC NOVEL! HIT MOVIE! HIT PRICE FOR TWO VOLUMES OF GRAPHIC NOVEL GOODNESS! The Old Geezers series tells the story of three septuagenarians who have been friends since childhood: Antoine, Emile and Pierrot. They have each taken different paths in life, made different choices, and started (or not) their own families. The series moves back and forth between the '50s and the present day, telling the tragic-comic tale of our time, with all of its social, political, and cultural upheavals!
Beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated, The Old Geezers features four complete stories split between its two volumes: "Alive and Still Kicking," "Bonny and Pierrot," "The One Who Got Away" and "The Magician." Plus, bonus material that takes you behind the scenes of the comic's creation!
Filled with tales of a changing world from the perspective of those who've borne witness, The Old Geezers is an international bestseller, regularly topping the graphic novel bestseller lists across Europe, with hundreds of thousands of copies sold. Come find out why the Geezers have won the hearts and minds of so many with this special two-book deal!
Finally, a GN for my age group! Something I can read while I shake my fist at the sky, and tell kids to get off my lawn! And it was, in fact, a movie: a French production titled Tricky Old Dogs.
SHARP WIT AND THE COMPANY OF WOMEN GN
Story: Jadzia Axelrod, Justin Richards, Michele Abounader, various | Art: Skylar Patridge, Liana Kangas, Eva Cabrera, various | Cover: Tula Lotay | A Wave Blue World | Mature | $19.95
A comics anthology celebrating the strength, power and agency of women, specifically those whose stories begin and end at the point of blade! From the depths of antiquity, female heroes have captivated imaginations. Leaders, keepers of wisdom, warriors of strength, monsters, magicians, or modern marvels; they all stride through these pages in astonishing adventures arrayed with the clang of edged weapons in battle.
Sounds like a book that would be at home at Dynamite. Here's a PREVIEW.
STAR WARS INSIDER PRESENTS: THE MANDALORIAN COLLECTION
There is a passage in Donald F. Glut’s original novelization of The Empire Strikes Back that introduces the bounty hunter, Boba Fett. Glut wrote, “A human bounty hunter, Boba Fett was known for his extremely ruthless methods. He was dressed in a weapons-covered, armored spacesuit, the kind worn by a group of evil warriors defeated by the Jedi Knights during the Clone Wars.”
This, combined with Joe Johnston’s intriguing design, was pure imagination fuel for many fans who wondered who these warriors were and what happened between them and the Jedi.
During the production of the second season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, George Lucas decided it was time to explore the Mandalorian people and their culture. This led to TV series, books, and this collection that you’re reading now.
This specially curated souvenir edition features interviews and articles from Star Wars: The Clone Wars Supervising Director Dave Filoni discussing the animated debut of the Mandalorians to coverage of the filming of the groundbreaking TV series, The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.
Also featured is an interview with the first actor to don the armor on screen, the much-missed Jeremy Bulloch whose dedication and kindness to fans will be remembered always.
CONTENTS
- The Art of Mandalore: Dave Filoni on the Mandalorians as seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season One Companion: An episode-by-episode guide to the first season.
- The Coldest of Cold Opens: Behind the scenes of the first episode of Star Wars: The Mandalorian.
- Mandalorian Mayhem: Ten fantastic fights from Star Wars: The Mandalorian.
- Sharp as a Razor: A behind the scenes look at how the Razor Crest was realized.
- Pedro Pascal: The star of The Mandalorian speaks out.
- Fully Armed and Operational: The Armorer, Emily Swallow, talks about her role on The Mandalorian.
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season Two Companion: An in-depth look at the stories of season two.
- The Journey of Din Djarin: The adventures of Mando and Grogu explored.
- Bo-Katan Kryze Leader in Waiting: An in-depth look at one of the most powerful warriors.
- The Making of a Mandalorian: Katee Sackhoff on making the leap from animation to live action.
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season Three Companion: An episode-by-episode guide to the third season.
- Mando Mania: Creating Admiral Thrawn for Star Wars Rebels.
- Who? What? Why? Wren!: An exploration of the popularity of Star Wars Rebels’ Sabine Wren.
- Introducing Boba Fett: A look back at Boba Fett’s earliest appearance during the Star Wars Holiday Special.
- Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett Companion: An episode-by-episode guide to Boba Fett’s limited series.
- The Fett Family’s Finest: The greatest his of the fearsome Fett family.
- My Star Wars: Temuera Morrison discusses his favorite parts of the saga.
- Boy Trouble: Daniel Logan reflects on the early days of Boba Fett.
- He’s Worth a Lot to Me: The original actor who played Boba Fett, Jeremy Bulloch, interviewed.
- My Star Wars: A quick-fire quiz with Jeremy Bulloch.
- Star Wars: Galactic Tales: “The Wesell Run,” a short story with Jango Fett and Zam Wesell.
THE THEME OF THIEVES #1
Story: D.P. Brown | Art: Dan Ekis, Alex Zief | Cover: Ruben Gonzalez, Veronica Gontz | Comicsburgh | 36 pages | $5.99
Comicsburgh & Krayzehouse Development Media is pleased to announce that writer/creator D.P. Brown (Sammy& Sissy:Protecting People) and artist Dan Ekis (Soul Of The World,Odyssey Inc.) will team up with rising star colorist Alex Zief (MonsterMatador) for the forthcoming comic book science fiction series The Theme Of Thieves. This thrilling new time-travel adventure is produced by Krayzehouse Development Media and distributed through Comicsburgh will be on sale in comic book shops nationwide 2/21/24 and online at www.themeofthieves.com.
“I love to create. There is not a day that goes by where I am not thinking about some elements of this story. My inspiration for it came when I noticed in my observations of young people that they were lacking the knowledge of many aspects of history. My aim with this series is to tell an entertaining adventure with my main characters coming of age as they learn about aspects of history while bouncing around different time periods. My inspiration for this comic comes from my favorite TV shows Quantum Leap, Lost and The Wire,” says D. P.Brown. “I met Dan at a comic book convention in Pittsburgh who I believed had some really strong visuals in his book Soul of The World and those visuals matched with this exciting story just puts Thieves in a category of its own! The readers of my comic will find essential elements I put into a story, such as politics, race, religion and most of important to me strong, multi-layered characters. Great attention is paid to the colors, done by the talented colorist Alex Zief, with supervision by me and my team.”
The Theme of Thieves tells a story of a mysterious time traveler, The Man In The Red Suit, that comes and takes two young teens coming of age, Rebecca and Jason, as they journey through different time periods in history. Rebecca is strong-willed and is still processing the loss of her mother while Jason continues to be bullied in school and berated by his father. During their travels, they all work together to unravel the cause behind a disappearing of people, a phenomenon called “evanescence” that’s been happening since the 1700s and continues in present day. The stories in this comic book series and its companion website www.forthesakeofthecity.com are the stories of a broken and conflicted world trying to find a sense of hope while dealing with the evanescence phenomenon that is affecting politics, religion, families and life in general. As world tensions continue to escalate in the present, our heroes inthe past gather clues to this mystery of evanescence that they are determined to solve. Will the heroes succeed and comeback into the present in time to save the world from itself?
“I’m thrilled about this new adventure: I teamed up with D.P. as an artist on this project because of my faith in him as a storyteller and his debut writing a comic book story professionally, I couldn’t think of a better debut for DP,” says Ekis. “We started working on this project in a world which seemed much less hopeful during the pandemic. It’s amazing that he built up a story which appears to be intense and delicate at the same time, entertaining, sometimes harsh, and shocking, but also making people reflect on where we are and where we want to go in life.”
Ekis added: "It's great to be involved in this awesome adventure, which allows me to draw great characters. I loved the story from the first day I read the pitch, and I couldn’t be more excited about joining such a talented writer on this project. I can just say that TheTheme of Thieves will be one of the most exciting comic books I've ever read!"
I like the cover, as growing up I saw about a bajillion redneck tarts like the one on the cover. Verisimilitude! Do rebellious rural Southern girls still dress this way?
ZERO POINT TP
Story/Art: Agustin Graham Nakamura | Alien Books | $16.99
Immerse yourself in the adrenaline-pumping pages of "Zero Point," a graphic novel that pays homage to '80s and '90s action films!
Meet Bird, a hitman seeking redemption from his ruthless past under the shadow of his mentor, Crow. When a final mission goes sideways, he's pitted against Kat, a young and deadly assassin. As roles reverse and loyalties blur, "Zero Point" delivers charismatic characters, intense battles and unexpected alliances, all illustrated in captivating Manga-style artwork. Get ready for a roller-coaster ride where the line between predator and prey is shattered.
Black Rain meets The Professional.
I think my personal nostalgia stops somewhere around 1974, and anything after was the soul-deadening pop culture of my young adulthood, that I'd rather not be reminded of. Nice cover, tho.
MORE PREVIEWS
ARCHIE 1000 PAGE COMICS TRIUMPH TP: Full Superteen story!
COBRA COMMANDER #2
FORGOTTEN RUNES: WIZARD'S CULT #2 (OF 10)
G.I.JOE: A GREAT AMERICAN HERO #304
THE GREAT YOKAI WAR: GUARDIANS VOL. 2
Replies
Hulk really ought to be a horror book.
Immortal Hulk was pretty horrific. Did you every get around to readfing that? (You were tradewaiting, as I recall.)
This kinda feels like a Spider-Man geared for us older fans.
The first issue had kind of an "Elseworlds" feel. At first, I put it back on the shelf after reading the convoluted "recap" (or "lead-in" or whatever), but then I reconsidered and bought it anyway. I skipped the recap and pretended I was coming it fresh. I recently dropped the current iterration of Amazing and am l;ooking to fill the spider-shped whole in my life. I'll continue to buy it for the time being.
Evidently, this is re-writing Geoff Johns' "The Three Jokers," to where there aren't three of him physically ... there are three Joker personalities.
Just as well. I read that. Didn't do much for me. I don't need to "reset" becaue I never accepted it in the first place.
Just about everybody on the board who is reading this recommended it, and yet I never read it. And now it's gone! I feel more ashamed than usual.
You should. Now that it's done, I'll probably reread it start to finish. (I'm pretty sure you'd like it if you tried it.)
"It will affect everyone." I beg to differ.
*SNORT!*
Xenomorphs become the main attraction when Weyland-Yutani gives wealthy thrill-seekers a chance to hunt down the galaxy’s deadliest species.
Elsewhere, the Predators are calling their lawyer.
More Spider-people. I've lost track of the existing ones.
Here's a list of all the ones that I've found, although I wouldn't perish from astonishment if it turned out that there were more that I'd missed.
Immortal Hulk was pretty horrific. Did you every get around to reading that? (You were tradewaiting, as I recall.)
Yep, I was tradewaiting! Then I decided I shouldn't pay for books I could read on Marvel Universe. Then I decided to cancel a whole bunch of stuff to pay for remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms, including Marvel Universe. So now I haven't read it anywhere. I figure someday I'll subscribe to Marvel Universe again, and read it then. Or maybe I'll be dead by then. Who knows? It's tough to make decisions when you're having an existential crisis.
I don't need to "reset" [on Three Jokers] because I never accepted it in the first place.
Same. What a disappointment.
*SNORT!*
You wouldn't believe how much self-congratulatory claptrap I deleted before we got to that point.
Elsewhere, the Predators are calling their lawyer.
I liked the first two Alien movies better than any Predator movie, or any of the later Alien movies. I never watched the Alien vs. Predator movie. Or movies, if there were two. Y'all will have to tell me your impressions, and/or what I missed.
PREDATOR: THE LAST HUNT #1 (OF 4)
Earth must have been destination numero uno for the Predators since the get-go, since we apparently put up such an astounding resistance. Funny we didn't now about them until the first movie.
In the first movie (only one I've watched) they had personal cloaking. They could have killed a lot of people while they were invisible.