COMICS RELATED
TEEN TITANS GO!
Friday, Dec. 24 (5:30 p.m.) “Christmas Crusaders / The True Meaning of Christmas”
Friday, Dec. 24 (6:30 p.m.) “A Holiday Story / Beast Boy on a Shelf”
BOOM! STUDIOS
EAT THE RICH #5 (OF 5)
FIREFLY BLUE SUN RISING DLX ED HC
HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #3
MAW #4 (OF 5)
POWER RANGERS: UNLIMITED EDGE OF DARKNESS TPB
DARK HORSE COMICS
BLACK HAMMER REBORN #7 (OF 12)
CAT’S PURRFECT STRANGERS TPB
Dark Horse | $14.99
From author Frédéric Brrémaud (Love, Little Tails) and artist Paola Antista (Disney Frozen, Sorceline) and translator Annie Gullion comes an all-ages humorous collection of all the joys of being a cat owner. Published for the first time in English, this volume collects three of the original six French albums.
Best friends Manon, Erika, and Camille see adventure every day, but when all three become cat owners, everything changes—for better or for worse! One cat’s mischief gets him into trouble when he decides to play chase with the wrong prey. Another surprises the girls with his new skill — mimicking scary movies! And just when the girls decide to wind down for a calm and relaxing night, the cats declare playtime! Grow up with these quirky cats and share in all the excitement, frustration and fun that comes with raising a cat.
CC sez: I ran this once before, the first time it was scheduled. Still not a fan of the idea of French cats.
EC ARCHIVES: FRONTLINE COMBAT VOL 3 HC
CC sez: At last! The final "New Direction" books are collected!
ENIGMA DEFINITIVE EDITION HC
HALO LEGACY COLLECTION TPB
HELLBOY: SILVER LANTERN CLUB #3 (OF 5)
JOY OPERATIONS #2 (OF 5)
MAFIOSA TPB
CC sez: I've run this one before, too. I guess, like so many others, it was delayed.
PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES ZOMNIBUS VOL 1 HC
STEPHEN MCCRANIE’S SPACE BOY VOL 11 TPB
STRANGER THINGS LIBRARY ED VOL 2 HC
STRANGER THINGS: TOMB OF YBWEN #4 (OF 4)
DC COMICS
BATMAN/CATWOMAN #9 (OF 12)
BATMAN: ONE DARK KNIGHT #1 (OF 3)
DC Comics | $6.99
Story/Art/Cover: Jock
From high above the sweltering summer streets of Gotham, Batman planned to escort the GCPD as the dangerous metahuman super-villain known as E.M.P. was transferred from a holding cell to his permanent home at Blackgate Prison. E.M.P.’s electrical powers posed a threat, but the situation was in hand—until it wasn’t. Now every light in Gotham is out, the police are in disarray, and a broken, bleeding Batman must fight his way to Blackgate, block by block, dragging E.M.P. behind him. But the dark corners of Gotham hold many surprises…and E.M.P. has many more shocks to deliver before the night is through! One of the most iconic Batman artists of the 21st century, the incomparable Jock (The Batman Who Laughs, Batman: The Black Mirror), has focused all his storytelling powers on the tale of one very, very dark night in Gotham City. It’s always darkest before the dawn — if it ever comes…
CC sez: Weird that I didn't get PR on this. Batman? Black Label? Celebrity artist? That's the PR trifecta right there. Come to think of it, I didn't get PR of any DC books for this week. Maybe someone was on vacation.
BATMAN VS. BIGBY: A WOLF IN GOTHAM #4 (OF 6)
CATWOMAN #38
CATWOMAN: LONELY CITY #2 (OF 4)
FABLES COMPENDIUM VOL 4 TPB
GREEN LANTERN VOL 1: INVICTUS TPB
JUSTICE LEAGUE INCARNATE #2 (OF 5)
LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #8
NIGHTWING #87
NUBIA AND THE AMAZONS #3 (OF 6)
REFRIGERATOR FULL OF HEADS #3 (OF 6)
ROBINS #2 (OF 6)
SUICIDE SQUAD: KING SHARK #4 (OF 6)
SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW #6 (OF 8)
WONDER WOMAN: EVOLUTION #2 (OF 6)
DYNAMITE
ARMY OF DARKNESS 1979 #4
BARBARELLA #6
DEJAH THORIS VS. JOHN CARTER OF MARS #5
IDW PUBLISHING
MARVEL ACTION CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL 3: GHOST IN THE MACHINE TPB
MARVEL ACTION CHILLERS TPB
MY LITTLE PONY: GENERATIONS #3
SEA CREATURES SMITHSONIAN COLORING BOOK
SNAKE EYES: DEADGAME TPB
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #47
TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS #11
TRANSFORMERS: SHATTERED GLASS #5 (OF 5)
IMAGE COMICS
DEEP BEYOND #11 (OF 12)
GUNSLINGER SPAWN #3
KILLADELPHIA VOL 3: HOME IS WHERE HATRED IS TPB
MIRKA ANDOLFO’S SWEET PAPRIKA #6 (OF 12)
MOONSHINE VOL 5: THE WELL TPB
POST AMERICANA TPB
RADIANT BLACK #11
RIGHTEOUS THIRST FOR VENGEANCE #3
THAT TEXAS BLOOD #13
TIME BEFORE TIME #8
MARVEL COMICS
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #82
AVENGERS #51
AVENGERS FOREVER #1
Marvel Comics | Teen+ | $4.99
Story: Jason Aaron | Art/Cover: Aaron Kuder
This December, prepare to enter the ever-fascinating and unpredictable Marvel Comics multiverse in AVENGERS FOREVER. AVENGERS FOREVER will be a new ongoing Avengers series from two of today’s most outstanding super hero masterminds: writer Jason Aaron and artist Aaron Kuder. Spinning out of the cataclysmic events of AVENGERS #750 and operating in lockstep with Jason Aaron’s prime AVENGERS series, this latest great Avengers epic will feature the Mightiest Heroes of every Earth as they assemble for one of the greatest battles the Marvel Universe has ever witnessed. Throughout this saga, fans can expect appearances by fan-favorite characters from across the multiverse such as Captain Carter, America Chavez, Starhawk and more, along with brand-new re-imagined heroes like the Invincible Ant-Man, that will take the world by storm!
It begins with a quest for cosmic vengeance. Ghost Rider finds himself roaring through the wasteland on a ruined Earth, where the great age of heroes never came to be, where hope is a four-letter word and where his only ally in the coming battle against the greatest villains any universe has ever seen is the world’s most wanted archaeologist, Tony Stark … the Invincible Ant-Man.
“AVENGERS #50 lights the fire. AVENGERS FOREVER is the explosion that follows,” Jason Aaron explained. “A slam-bang supernova of a mega-bomb that sends shock waves across all of reality, to earth after earth that's been defaced by the new Multiversal Masters of Evil, to the ruins of Asgard at the end of time, to an Avengers Tower that sits atop a bedrock of fallen gods at Infinity's End. Along the way, we meet some new versions of Avengers we know, as well as witness the return of some dear old friends, in a series that will swing for the fences with each and every issue, as the Mightiest Heroes of all the Earths in the heavens look to assemble as never before.”
“Completely stoked to be working on Avengers Forever … In space no one can hear you scream. In alternate realities, no one can tell you ‘that doesn’t fit with continuity,’ ” Kuder said. “It is a huge blast to work together on this with Jason. The over-the-top nature of this, the craziness of the scope … that is, in my opinion, one of Jason’s strongest storytelling flexes. This is going to be a blast for anyone on this ride.”
CC sez: There was a 12-issue maxiseries in 1998 titled Avengers Forever, by Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco. It had to with "the King/Immortus War" while the Avengers fought the Time-Keepers. Some of those elements are in this series, too, so maybe they're related. Or maybe not, since "multiverse" is the hot topic these days, not time travel.
AVENGERS TECH-ON #5 (OF 6)
BLACK PANTHER #2
DARKHOLD: SPIDER-MAN #1
Marvel Comics | Teen+ | $3.99
(W) Alex Paknadel (A) Diogenes Neves (CA) James Harren
THE SPIDER TRAPPED IN A WEB OF HIS OWN MAKING!
After reading from the ancient Darkhold, Spider-Man was meant to gain the power to enter the dread Chthon's dimension and stop him from spreading his mythic darkness across the globe. Instead the book drove him insane — but what does that mean for the stalwart Peter Parker? Dive into a warped world of Spider-Man's broken mind!
DOCTOR STRANGE EPIC COLLECTION: SEPARATE REALITY NEW PTG TPB
HAWKEYE: KATE BISHOP #2 (OF 5)
IRON MAN #15
KANG THE CONQUEROR #5 (OF 5)
KING CONAN #1 (OF 6)
Marvel Comics | Parental Advisory | $4.99
Story: Jason Aaron | Art/Cover: Mahmud A. Asrar
Writer Jason Aaron, artist Mahmud Asrar, and color artist Matt Wilson will return to the saga of Conan the Barbarian this December in KING CONAN! The superstar creative team relaunched the tales of the Robert E. Howard hero in 2019 to critical acclaim and are back in this long awaited limited series that will take the story of Conan further than has ever been revealed in ANY media to date!
As Robert E. Howard posited, when King Conan grows restless on the throne, he sails west, toward land and adventure unknown. Now see the first step of King Conan’s fateful journey from Aquilonia, as an old and terrible danger threatens to end the saga of the Cimmerian once and for all!
“I knew as soon as Mahmud, Matt and I finished “The Life and Death of Conan” in CONAN THE BARBARIAN, one of the absolute personal highlights from my career as a comic book writer, that I wasn't done hanging out with everyone's favorite Cimmerian,” Aaron said. “As King Conan rode into the sunset at the end of that story, with his son, Prince Conn, by his side, I always knew where I wanted that story to take us next. Now at last comes that next chapter, as Mahmud, Matt and I reunite to reveal a pivotal moment in Conan's life as a king, as a father, as a mortal enemy of snake-worshipping Stygian wizards and as a barbarian who was born to chase the wind, even to the ends of the earth.”
“By Crom, we're finally bringing the barbarian-turned-king to the readers,” Asrar said. “It's criminal how much I'm enjoying drawing each panel in this book considering what we're putting him through.”
CC sez: Once again, there was a previous title with this name, although it changed to Conan the King with the 20th issue. Each issue was 52 BIG PAGES, IIRC, and it ran for 55 issues. (I remember that, at 75 cents to $1.50 a pop, it was a strain on my budget. My, how quaint that seems now.) That series took place between the time Conan took the crown of Aquilonia, and the time he sailed off for the New World, which had been the end of the Conan saga when I began reading in 1970. This miniseries will apparently pick up at that point, so for the first time since the 1930s, there will be a new ending to the saga. (Unless there was a pastiche before this. I don't read everything, you know.)
LAST AVENGERS STORY MARVEL TALES #1
MMW SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN VOL 4
MOON KNIGHT #6
MS. MARVEL: BEYOND LIMIT #1 (OF 5)
Marvel Comics | Teen | $3.99
Story: Samira Ahmed | Art: Genolet, Andres | Cover: Mashal Ahmed
The next chapter of Ms. Marvel begins this fall! Announced this morning in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, New York Times best-selling author Samira Ahmed (Love, Hate, & Other Filters; Internment; Mad, Bad, & Dangerous to Know) and Runaways artist Andrés Genolet will be taking over Kamala Khan’s newest adventures starting in MS. MARVEL: BEYOND THE LIMIT.
Ahmed, known for her groundbreaking work in Young Adult fiction, will take one of Marvel’s brightest stars to new heights, diving deeper into Kamala’s powers and the strength behind what makes her a hero. Kamala has been an Avenger, a Champion, and even the Chosen One …what comes next?
"For kids of color, Muslim kids, there was literally zero representation when I was growing up," Ahmed told Entertainment Weekly. “So when Sana and Willow announced Ms. Marvel, I was just so stunned. My heart soars for all the kids who will have Ms. Marvel comics as part of their childhood.
“I always tell people that in all my fiction there's this through-line of the 'revolutionary girl.' What girl is more revolutionary than Kamala Khan?”
After an explosion of interdimensional proportions at her cousin’s lab in Chicago, Kamala Khan's world is turned upside down....and into a Bollywood set?! Ms. Marvel's powers are on the fritz and time is running out to figure out what exactly is going on.
“Fans that have been there from day one will love to see how we're playing around with her powers, exploring them, and maybe pushing them,” Ahmed teased. “I don't want to give any spoilers, but there are gonna be some questions that arise about the source of her powers and what that means.
“We're definitely going to have some food in there, we're definitely gonna have some pretty striking South Asian cultural elements that people are gonna see right off the bat in the series. There are gonna be some familiar faces and fan favorites, but also some new faces. ... Willow and then Saladin have created such an incredible world. I'm just excited to explore it and even push it out a little further."
PHOENIX SONG: ECHO #3 (OF 5)
STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #19
STAR WARS: DARTH VADER BY PAK VOL 3: WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS TPB
STAR WARS: DARTH VADER BY SOULE OMNIBUS HC
STAR WARS: HIGH REPUBLIC — TRAIL SHADOWS #3 (OF 5)
SWORD #11
THOR EPIC COLLECTION: ULIK UNCHAINED TPB
VENOM #3
Marvel Comics | Teen+ | $3.99
Story: Ram V. | Art/Cover: Bryan Hitch
Following Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman’s transformative work on VENOM, a new superstar creative team will take the reins. Teaming up with artist Bryan Hitch, mastermind writers Ram V and Al Ewing are set to take the symbiote mythos to the next level with thrilling new developments for father son pair Eddie and Dylan Brock. Each writer will lend their talents to a different character with Ewing taking us beyond the stars with Eddie in his new role as the “King in Black,” and Ram V bringing us back to earth penning Dylan’s beginnings as a superhero. Together, the two writer’s sagas will intertwine and impact one another to create a singular and epic new vision.
In December’s VENOM #3, Ram V will spotlight the early struggles of Dylan’s burgeoning career as a Marvel superhero. As everything Dylan Brock has come to know and love unravels around him, he is beginning to realize a terrible truth: The Venom symbiote is not a harmless pet, no matter how much it pretends to be one. It’s an alien. A dangerous, violent, often bloodthirsty alien. Whatever bond it had with Dylan’s father, Eddie Brock, special as it may have been … is gone. And Dylan might be soon too.
"When I knew I was going to be writing Dylan's story about his time as Venom I pitched it as a story told through the eyes of a boy on a road trip wearing his father's jacket learning a thing or two about where his father picked up his scars and scuff marks along the way,” Ram V said. “I think the story interactions between Venom the symbiote, Venom — his father's symbiote, Dylan's own history and his attempt at finding a new equilibrium are all fascinating things to delve into as we tell this drama through an action-packed tense thriller with a hint of sci-fi, horror."
"How me and Ram are working together — we're a band, essentially. Every issue is a new single, every trade is an album, and Eddie and Dylan are our instruments,” Ewing explained. “They're similar, but they make different notes, produce different sounds, build different stories. And for a while — so you should get used to it now - we're going to be taking turns in the spotlight, playing Dylan songs or Eddie songs, while the other band member stays in the background. As each new single comes out, you'll see how it fits together, forms one big concept album — or maybe a symphony. And then, when we're ready, we bring all the instruments in for the crescendo — and that's going to be something to hear."
VENOM EPIC COLLECTION: LETHAL PROTECTOR TPB
WASTELANDERS: HAWKEYE #1
CC sez: Series of one-shots previewed last week.
WOLVERINE #19
X-MEN: TRIAL OF MAGNETO #5 (OF 5)
CC sez: Weirdly, there has been no trial so far.
OTHER PUBLISHERS
A KING'S VENGEANCE #1
Scout | $3.99
Story: Peter Ricq, Davilla LeBlanc | Art/Cover: Peter Ricq
A vexed warrior who was once a loving father and husband is brought back to life 25 years later and proceeds to avenge himself on the demons responsible. From the creator of the hit Scout series Once Our Land, get this awesome new first issue!
ADVENTURES OF ADRIENNE JAMES #0 (OF 12)
Heavy Metal | $4.99
Story: Matt Medney, Bruce Edwards | Art: Geraldo Borges | Cover: Sobreiro
High adventure among the stars! In a far-off galaxy obsessed with rarity and the exotic treasures of a million worlds, thousands of treasure hunting factions vie for the rarest treasure of them all — the fabulous and mysterious E-Ra-Du! Long rumored to be the source of ultimate power and hidden somewhere in the galaxy by the long-lost Elders, the E-Ra-Du holds the key to dominance over the cosmos. The star-scattered secrets leading to it and the spoils it promises have long been lost over eons. And now AeroJ, capital of the galaxy, is rocked by the death of the leader of the virtuous Lumans, Waldun Li, while he and his partner, the intrepid and infamous Adrienne James, were hot on the trail of the E-Ra-Du! Still reeling from his shocking death, Adrienne, who must now take on the mantle of High Luman is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime — which begins, of course, at her own funeral.
CC sez: So, a little Star Wars, a dollop of Tomb Raider, a pinch of D&D ... a little something for everyone, I guess.
AGGRETSUKO: OUT OF OFFICE #2
AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY MONSTERS VOL 2 #3
American Mythology | Mature | $3.99
Story Dan Parsons, Konstantine Paradias, Glenn Moane | Art: Dan Parsons, Cyrus Mesarcia, Ev Cantada | Cover: Neil Vokes
The final issue of American Mythology Monsters Vol 2 is here! Dan Parsons concludes the tale of a modern vampire and her 21st century problems. Konstantine Paradias and EV Cantada complete their peek into Hell itself.
CC sez: It's a big week for American Mythology, with 10-you-count-'em releases. They sent me press on all of 'em, so I feel obliged to pass it on, even though I've never seen, much less read, an American Mythology comic book.
ASTRO MOUSE AND LIGHT BULB VOL 2: TROUBLESOME FOUR GN
BARBARIC VOL 1 HC
BEAUTY AND BEAST OF PARADISE LOST VOL 3 GN
BEAUTY AND FEAST VOL 2 GN
BEQUEST TPB
BERSERK OF GLUTTONY VOL 4 GN
BEWARE THE WITCH’S SHADOW: NIGHT FRIGHTS #1
American Mythology | Mature | $3.99
Story: James Kuhoric, S.A. Check, Alexander Banchitta | Art: Horacio Domingues, Cyrus Mesarcia, Puis Calzada | Art/Cover: Puis Calzada
The wisecracking Witch is back! If you find yourself in a cabin deep in the woods it may already be too late. The Witch welcomes visitors with tales of terror before stealing their wicked souls.
BLACK BEACON #4 (OF 6)
BOSTON METAPHYSICAL SOCIETY: BOOK OF DEMONS ONE-SHOT
Source Point Press | $4.99
Story: Madeleine Holly-Rosing | Art: Gwynn Tavares
When Erin, Caitlin's mother, discovers her daughter can control a demon, she is outraged. In her mind, only a Great House has the right to such power, but who will listen to a poor Irish woman? House Lowell will. For Alice Lowell has inherited an old Puritan journal which describes how to find and enslave a demon, but she needs a psychic to do it. Kidnapping Caitlin is the first step in a plan to rid her husband's House of debt. But with a demon to do their bidding, her ambitions will be limitless. The Book of Demons can be read as a standalone story, but also acts as a continuation of the hit comic "Boston Metaphysical Society: Ghosts and Demons."
BOUNTIFUL GARDEN #4
CAGASTER VOL 1-6 COLLECTED SET
CAT MASSAGE THERAPY VOL 1 GN
CC sez: What's with all the cats these days?
CHICKEN DEVIL #3
CITIZEN #4
COUNTRY WITHOUT HUMANS VOL 1 GN
DANCE CLASS VOL 12 NEW GIRL HC
DAV PILKEY HERO COLLECTION 3-BOOK BOXED SET
DESERTER JUNJI ITO STORY COLL HC
DISNEY MANGA: STITCH & SAMURAI VOL 3 GN
FAIRY TAIL: 100 YEARS QUEST VOL 9 GN
FATHOM THE CORE #2
FIRE FORCE VOL 25 GN
FIST OF THE NORTH STAR VOL 3 GN
GIRL WITH SANPAKU EYES VOL 3 GN
GOLDEN KAMUY VOL 24 GN
THE HARBINGER #3
Valiant | 32 pages | Teen+ | $3.99
Story: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing | Art: Robbi Rodriguez | Colors: Rico Renzi | Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou | Covers: Robbi Rodriguez, Adam Pollina, Damion Scott
Peter Stanchek suits up for his mission to "BE BETTER" in THE HARBINGER #3.
As he comes to terms with losing all of his memories, Peter Stanchek chooses to fight back, not just for himself but all of Psiot City, which has been oppressed by a legal force known as The Warning. Wearing a brand-new mask and wielding a revelatory new understanding of his own powerful potentials, Peter takes on the mantle of The Harbinger to pave the way for the future of all psiots. But will he start something so dangerous even he can't stop?
THE HARBINGER #3 is co-written by COLLIN KELLY and JACKSON LANZING (Kang The Conqueror, Batman Beyond: Neo Year), features art by ROBBI RODRIGUEZ (Spider-Gwen, Batgirl), colors by RICO RENZI (Mister Miracle: The Source of Freedom, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl), letters by HASSAN OTSMANE-ELHAOU (X-O MANOWAR, The Blue Flame), and covers by ROBBI RODRIGUEZ, ADAM POLLINA and DAMION SCOTT.
HATH NO FURY #3
HEARTSTOPPER VOL 4 GN
HITORIJIME MY HERO GN VOL 11
I’M THE CATLORD’S MANSERVANT VOL 2 GN
CC sez: More cats!
IMPOSSIBLE JONES #2 (OF 4)
IN SPECTRE VOL 14 GN
I’VE BECOME AN OMEGA TODAY GN
JARMIL IN INDIA PICTUREBOOK GN
KINGDOM HEARTS COMPLETE NOVEL COLL ED BOX SET
LAUGHING UNDER THE CLOUDS VOL 5
LET THIS GRIEVING SOUL RETIRE VOL 1 GN
LEVIUS EST VOL 9 GN
LIVING CORPSE RELICS #5
Story: Buz Hasson, Ken Haeser | Art: Jeff Dillon, Jordan Grosser, Mike Shipley | Art/Cover: Buz Hasson, Ken Haeser
American Mythology | $3.99
Celebrate the return of The Living Corpse with a special Relics Encore Edition! The reemergence of an ancient evil lures The Living Corpse out of his seclusion at the mysterious monastery in the mountains of Tibet and back into action.
LUPIN III: LUPIN THE 3RD GREATEST HEISTS CLASSIC MANGA HC
MAISON IKKOKU COLLECTORS EDITION VOL 6 GN
MARIA LLOVET’S PORCELAIN #5
MENOPAUSE COMIC TREATMENT HC
MINKY WOODCOCK VOL 2: THE GIRL WHO ELECTRIFIED TESLA HC
Titan | 112 pages | $24.99
Story/Art: Cynthia von Buhler | Cover: Robert McGinnis
Titan Comics and Hard Case Crime are thrilled to announce the return of the critically acclaimed Minky Woodcock hard-boiled detective series in a brand-new graphic novel. Written and illustrated by award-winning artist, author, director and playwright Cynthia von Buhler, Minky Woodcock: The Girl Who Electrified Tesla also features stunning cover art by the legendary Robert McGinnis, poster artist for classic films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the original James Bond movies.
Minky’s new adventure is set during World War II, nearly two decades after the events of the first volume (Minky Woodcock: The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini) and pits the talented female detective against another sinister and twisted conspiracy when she gets involved with world-renowned inventor Nikola Tesla, Nazi agents and the race to command the world’s first weapon of mass destruction. Based on extensive historical research by von Buhler, the story teams the fictional Minky Woodcock with real-world figures such as the ground-breaking performer Josephine Baker, who secretly spied for the French during the war; Nazi agent Otto Skorzency; multiple generations of the J.P. Morgan family, driven by greed to stifle Tesla’s inventions; and Dr. John Trump, Donald Trump’s scientist uncle, who was recruited by the FBI to investigate Tesla’s design for a death ray.
Von Buhler’s past projects include collaborations with Steven Spielberg, Clive Barker and Neil Gaiman, who said he was “seduced by Cynthia von Buhler’s artwork. She is a wonder.” Geeks Worldwide described the first Minky Woodcock volume as “Stunning … 10 out of 10,” while NB Magazine called it "bold and extravagant … weaves fantasy into fact to dazzling effect.”
Cynthia von Buhler is not only the creative talent behind Minky Woodcock, but also an internationally celebrated artist and the visionary creator of Titan’s bestselling graphic novel The Illuminati Ball and the immersive NYC theatrical experience of the same name. Her work has featured in outlets including the New York Times, Broadway World, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal.
Describing Minky’s new adventure, von Buhler said, “As with the Houdini episode, all the anecdotes related to Tesla’s life in my book are based on fact. I really love finding bizarre, unbelievable facts and weaving them into my stories.”
MURCIELAGO VOL 17 GN
NO HOLDS BARD #1 (OF 6)
Behemoth | $3.99
Story: Eric Gladstone | Art: Gabrielle Kari | Cover: Logan Faerber
When Queen Elizabeth I is kidnapped, only the dramatic duo of William Shakespeare and William Page in their superhero alter-egos, THE BARD and PAGE can save her! Written in iambic pentameter, No Holds Bard is a throwback comedy adventure 400 years in the making.
Gail Simone says, "... brilliantly written, gorgeously illustrated. This is why I am in love with comics."
CC sez: What th--?
NOBODY’S CHILD #4 (OF 6)
NORAGAMI STRAY GOD VOL 23 GN
OCTOBRIANA WITH LOVE #1
Dead Good Comics | 64 pages | $9.99
Story: Stephanie Phillips, Stuart Taylor, Andrea Towers | Art: Simon Fraser, Marc Laming, N. Steven Harris, Andy Belanger, Stephen Byrne, Juni Ba, Vincenzo Riccardi | Cover: Marguerite Sauvage
David Bowie was going to make a superhero movie about her.
Billy Idol has a tattoo of her.
And now, 50 years since her debut, celebrate the return of one of the most enigmatic comic book characters that you've never heard of ...
OCTOBRIANA WITH LOVE is an all-star, 64-page, full color softcover graphic novel, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the cult underground Russian superhero by an exciting mix of creative talent.
For centuries, immortal warrior woman Octobriana has been the champion of the oppressed. Leading a rag-tag group of freedom fighters, Octobriana travels the dimensional highways in her Wonder Machine, disrupting authoritarian regimes, overturning tyrants ... and gate-crashing the best parties!
In OCTOBRIANA WITH LOVE, Octobriana and her underground take on a daring rescue mission above the skies of a near future Britain to rescue Lucretia Hussain, a young vlogger destined to be a figurehead for a future revolution. To correct the course of history Octobriana clashes with her ancient nemesis Baba Yaga, leading Octobriana to relive her past and setting the stage for a whole new universe of adventures.
CC sez: I remember buying her first appearance, Octobriana and the Russian Underground, in the 1970s, and my young self being confused. She seemed opposed to the Soviet government, but her (highly political) dialogue wasn't aligned with the West, which didn't fit my Cold War political paradigm. And she wore skimpy clothing and was posed provocatively, but wasn't exactly "Good Girl" art, as she wasn't particularly attractive. And what she was supposed to be, and what she could do, seemed to shift randomly from story to story.
All became clear over time, though. Octobriana was created by Soviet bloc dissidents as an embodiment of the ideals of the Russian Revolution, and is opposed to the oppression of the Soviet/Russian regimes. (Also American oppression. See "Marxist-Leninism.") And, yes, she's supposed to be somewhat sexy, a free-love believer, but her facial features are heavily Mongolian, which aligns with romanticizing a pre-Soviet, non-European Russia and rejecting Western standards of beauty. (As you can tell, she also doesn't shave her legs or armpits.)
And since she's an embodiment of Communist ideals, she isn't copyrighted — anybody can use her. And many people have. So her "continuity" is a mess. Or rather, it doesn't really exist. Her concept and past is whatever the current story says it is.
Like this one, where her face is more Euro-Russian and less Mongolian-Russian.
PROJECT PATRON TPB
REAL VOL 15 GN
ROBONIC STOOGES: FANTASTIC FOOLS #3
American Mythology | $3.99
Story: S.A. Check, Jordan Gershowitz | Art: Philip Murphy, Jorge Pacheco | Cover: Eric Shanowar
The Saturday Morning Cartoon Revival Continues! The Robonic Stooges are back and fans have responded with a resounding Nyuk Nyuk to the Nyuk! They've already saved the planet from the world-devouring Oreganose, and the subterranean terror known as MoleShemp!
CC sez: You have to squint, but it's an homage to Uncanny X-Men #142!
SAINT’S MAGIC IS OMNIPOTENT VOL 4
SAVAGE CIRCUS #7 (OF 10)
SCARY CHRISTMAS VOL 2 #1
Story: Alexander Banchitta, S.A. Check, G.O. Parsons, James Kuhoric | Art: Horacio Domingues, Puis Calzada | Cover: Buz Hasson, Ken Haeser
The Christmas creeps are back! While everyone else is dreaming of sugar plumbs, we're delivering a dose of holiday horror that you won't forget!
SEARCH FOR HU #4
SECOND PLACE #1 (OF 4)
SERIAL #9
SNELSON #5 (OF 5)
Ahoy | $3.99
Story: Paul Constant | Art/Cover: Fred Harper
SNELSON: COMEDY IS DYING is swiftly approaching its imminent demise, as the fifth and final issue of the darkly hilarious satire hits stores on December 22. Make you sure you catch up on all of Snelson's mishaps before the last issue hits by checking out this incredibly thoughtful review of issues #2-4 that the folks over at COMICS XF put together.
Still need a bit more encouragement to take a look? Did we mention that David Sedaris called SNELSON "the best satire in America" recently? Cuz, yeah. That happened.
SO I’M A SPIDER SO WHAT? VOL 10 GN
SPACE RIDERS VOL 2: GALAXY OF BRUTALITY GN
SPECTACLE VOL 4 GN
STARCRAFT GHOST ACADEMY VOL 3 TPB
STARRING SONYA DEVEREAUX: SCREAM QUEEN SUMMER CAMP MASSACRE #1
American Mythology | 48 pages | $4.99
Story: Todd Livingston, Nick Capetanakis | Art/Cover: Brendon Fraim, Brian Fraim
In this issue: "Scream Queen Summer Camp Massacre" - When real life scream queens LINNEA QUIGLEY, BRINKE STEVENS, MICHELLE BAUER and TIFFANY SHEPIS costar with Hollywood's 306th Best Actress Sonya Devereaux in this one-of-a-kind movie-within-a-movie-within-a-comic-book, horror films have never been so bloody hilarious.
Starring Sonya Devereaux: Scream Queen Summer Camp Massacre #1 is the new 48-page one-shot issue of the unique series in which real-life actors lend their likenesses to co-star with fictional B-movie actress Sonya Devereaux in outrageous, ultra low-budget, so-bad-they’re-good movies. The legendary trio, along with popular genre actress Tiffany Shepis, find themselves in familiar territory with Sonya playing Scream Queens attending a horror convention held at the notorious summer camp that inspired the slasher genre. What could possibly go wrong, right? Glad you asked. Their camp uniforms are too small, there’s only one stall so showering becomes a group activity, and the original serial killer, Rag Face, is back to continue his streak of creative, gory murders — and to stalk the sexy starlets.
Starring Sonya Devereaux, an independent comic book published by American Mythology Productions, and its creative team were voted “Best Comic,” “Best Artists”and “Best Writers” in Critical Blast’s Best of 2020 Awards that included titles from major publishers like DC Comics. This is only the second time readers have voted for the creative team of one book to win all the top prizes in the annual awards held by the news and review site for entertainment and pop culture.
Starring Sonya Devereaux: Scream Queen Summer Camp Massacre #1 is written by Emmy Award and Rondo Award winning writer Todd Livingston (The Black Forest, Rocky & Bullwinkle Show, Sheena – Queen of the Jungle) & Nick Capetanakis (Pink Panther, So, You’ve Downloaded A Demon, Hobbes & Phil vs Zombies) and illustrators Brendon & Brian Fraim (The Three Stooges, Overstreet FCBD, Knights of the Dinner Table). They are also the team responsible for The ODD Squad and the critically-acclaimed America JR (where Sonya first appeared). Colors are by industry veteran Matt Webb.
“It’s so intelligently done on so many levels that it’s entertaining, engaging and just a pleasure and a half to read. … this is just genuine fun in the most absurd way possible and it needs to find its way into your world.” — READING WITH A FLIGHT RING
CC sez: All this, and an Avengers #181 cover homage too:
TANGLED RIVER #2
TEA DRAGON FESTIVAL TPB
TECHNOFREAK #3 (OF 3)
American Mythology | Mature | 40 pages | $3.99
Story: John Charles, Barry May | Cover: John Charles | Art/Cover: Tom Newell
TechnoFreak #3 ramps up the action. ... It's Karaoke night at the Dog & Duck and there are killers on the loose, with Jon Sherlok their target. This ain't gonna be a quiet night out.
TELEPATHS #4 (OF 6)
THREE STOOGES STOCKING STUFFER #1
American Mythology | $3.99
Story: James Kuhoric, S.A. Check, Jordan Gershowitz | Art: Matthew Hansel, Jorge Pacheco, Diego Tapie | Cover: Philip Murphy
It's Christmas with The Three Stooges! The holidays are a time to enjoy with family and friends. And if your friends are knuckleheads, you know the kind of slapstick hijinks they can get up to!
TOM HOLLAND’S FRIGHT NIGHT #1
American Mythology | $3.99
Story: James Kuhoric | Art: Cyrus Mesarcia, Neil Vokes | Cover: Roy Allen Martinez
Veteran comic book scribe James Kuhoric — the man who breathed four-color life into Battlestar Galactica for Realm Press, the Six Million Dollar Man for Dynamite Entertainment, and Hatchet for his own American Mythology Productions, among others — brings Tom Holland’s beloved horror film Fright Night back to comics with the all-new American Mythology series, Fright Night: Dead By Dawn.
Joined by Bronze Age comics legend artist Neil Vokes and Jason Craig, his collaborator from the massively successful horror mashup Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash, the new series brings back fan-favorite characters from Holland's timeless tale in a brand new story. Filled with horror, and humor, and most of all heart — the film introduces Charlie Brewster, a typical teenager with a not so typical neighbor. A vampire has moved in next door and now this teenage horror fan has to stop the undead monster before it can bleed his hometown dry! All your favorite characters return in this new comic book series that is based on Holland's original screenplay and the novelization of Fright Night!
This fun and unforgettable vampire tale returns with a series that picks up right after the events of the 1985 screenplay. Fully authorized by Holland himself, the story begins one year after Dandridge died (again) and life is still crazy for the impromptu vampire killers. But something ancient and evil has clawed from the ground and found them. And they are going to discover that once you look into the undead abyss, the monsters hiding there also look back.
“Tom Holland’s directorial debut is still a horror masterpiece today,” said Barlow Jones. “This latest chapter in the Fright Night series not only carries his blessing, but also has proven to be one of American Mythology’s strongest works to date.”
TWITTERING BIRDS NEVER FLY 6
TWIZTID HAUNTED HIGH ONS CURSE OF GREEN BOOK #2 (OF 4)
UNDONE BY BLOOD VOL 2: OTHER SIDE OF EDEN GN
WHITE #6
WILD BULLETS #2 (OF 3)
WILLY’S WONDERLAND PREQUEL #2
American Mythology | $3.99
Story: S.A. Check, James Kuhoric | Art: Puis Calzada | Cover: Buz Hasson, Ken Haeser
Open a fresh can of Punch Pop and enjoy a bloody good party! Willy's Wonderland is the surprise hit horror flick of 2021! This official prequel to the film takes you back to the beginning ... when psychotic killers became immortal animatronic slashers!
WINGS OF FIRE VOL 5: BRIGHTEST NIGHT HC
WORLD OF BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #11
YUKI VS PANDA #5
MAGAZINES
COMICS REVUE PRESENTS DECEMBER 2021
DEEP RED #0 FACSIMILE
STAR WARS: CLONE WARS OFFICIAL COLL ED
STAR WARS INSIDER #207
TOYROBOT MAGAZINE #1
VAMPIRESS CARMILLA #7
BOOKS
DOCTOR STRANGE BOOK OF THE VISHANTI HC
Abrams ComicArts
One of the most formidable and powerful items in the Marvel Universe, Book of the Vishanti is the ultimate collection of spells, history and personal accounts recorded by practitioners over centuries, including notes from Doctor Strange himself. Featuring detailed inscriptions, mind-bending illustrations, and everything you need to know about the heroes, villains, artifacts, creatures, and worlds that make up the mystical and supernatural side of the Multiverse, this immersive in-world guide is a must-have for all Marvel fans.
CC sez: Oh yeah, I'm getting this. Now if I can just get the Darkhold and the Necronomicon, I can start that second career as an evil sorcerer.
FAILURE FRAME LIGHT NOVEL VOL 3
HARRY POTTER FILM VAULT COMPLETE BOX SET
LIFE & COMICS OF HOWARD CRUSE: TAKING RISKS SC
MARVEL GUARDIANS GALAXY: ART OF THE GAME HC
MARVEL STUDIOS: BE MORE LOKI HC
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE BOOK HC
MOVIEMAKING MAGIC OF MARVEL STUDIOS: SPIDER-MAN HC
STAR WARS: BE MORE BOBA FETT HC
WHAT IS THE STORY OF CAPT KIRK? HC
Replies
Andrew as Evil Sorcerer: "By my dark powers, screw up Hawkman's continuity even further!"
Boston Metaphysical Society looks like a pale imitation of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
The Baron said:
Andrew as Evil Sorcerer: "By my dark powers, screw up Hawkman's continuity even further!"
Oh, the writers are doing a fine job of that on their own. It's far more evil to step back and allow them to continue.
Jeff of Earth-J said:
Boston Metaphysical Society looks like a pale imitation of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
I haven't actually read it, but yeah, that's what it looks like. With maybe bits of other Victorian-set series, like Sherlock Holmes, Penny Dreadful and Irregulars.
As they say, there's nothing new under the sun.
AVENGERS FOREVER: It used to be that Marvel was "The House of Ideas"; I suppose that's technically still true, but they're someone else's ideas. Avengers Forever (along with The Last Avengers Story and The Trial of Magneto, which also shipped this week) is the latest series in Marvel's rehash of past glories.
Inferno is currently being used for a second time, with no connection between the two versions. And the recent “Last Annihilation” has nothing to do with the first two.