TOP 10 PUBLISHERS
NO. 1: DC COMICS
ABSOLUTE CATWOMAN #1 (OF 6)
(W) Che Grayson, Scott Snyder (A/CA) Bengal
WITH ALL THE WEALTH … WITH ALL THE GEAR … WITH ALL THE SKILLS, SHE IS THE ABSOLUTE APEX PREDATOR!
Selina Kyle has carved a good life for herself. Through her ingenuity and skills, she's become the greatest thief the world has ever known. With high-tech gear and weaponry, there's no place too secure for Catwoman. But when someone from her past comes knocking at her door, Selina's life comes crashing down around her and she'll need to get to the bottom of a mystery taking her all around the globe! Written by Che Grayson and Scott Snyder with art by Bengal, Catwoman bursts onto the scene in the Absolute Universe!
I got Absolute Green Arrow #1 (of 6) last week, because I was suckered by the central mystery of who's behind the mask. (Which I assume I won't learn until issue #6.) By contrast, we already know a lot about Absolute Catwoman, because Selina Kyle — like most of "our" Batman's rogues gallery — was a childhood friend of Absolute Bruce Wayne. So we've seen her enough that my curiosity is satisfied. Unless I hear fantatic reviews, I'll be skipping this one.
MORE DC
ACTION COMICS #1099
BARBARA GORDON: BREAKOUT #2
BATMAN: GARGOYLE OF GOTHAM #4 (OF 4)
EMPEROR AQUAMAN #18
FURY OF FIRESTORM #3 (OF 8)
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #17
JUSTICE LEAGUE : DREAM GIRLS — A DC PRIDE EVENT #2 (OF 4)
SUPERGIRL #14
SUPERGIRL AND THE LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #23 FACSIMILE EDITION
VERTIGO
BLEEDING HEARTS #5
NICE HOUSE BY THE SEA #10 (OF 12)
COLLECTIONS
ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN VOL 2 HC
BATMAN SUPERMAN: WORLDS FINEST DELUXE EDITION VOL 1 HC
DC FINEST: TEAM-UPS — THE IMPOSSIBLE ESCAPE TP
(W) Bob Haney, Dennis O Neil, Various (A) Jim Aparo, Ric Estrada, Various (CA) Jim Aparo
What's better than seeing one hero fighting villains and saving the day? Seeing them team up with other heroes and using their complementary skills to get out of tight situations, that's what! Collects Batman team-up tales from The Brave and the Bold #106-130, plus additional stories from Super-Team Family #1-7.
I didn't get the last Team-Ups, and I won't get this one, either. I read all these B&B stories when they first came out, and that's enough for me. Brave and Bold wasn't really in continuity, so the events aren't "important," and honestly, I found Bob Haney's strange dialogue and goofy plots to be more irritating than endearing. As for Super-Team Family, those stories were so forgettable that I've forgotten them. I sure don't need to make room on a bookshelf for them.
But I know I'm an outlier. A great many Legionnaires enjoy Bob Haney's screwball take on the DCU, and others have never read these stories at all. More power to you, says I. And I'll still join any conversation that ensues, if there is one.
SUPERGIRL: THE SILVER AGE OMNIBUS VOL 1 HC (2026 EDITION)
NO. 2: MARVEL COMICS
AVENGERS: ARMAGEDDON (2026) #1
Written by CHIP ZDARSKY
Art by DELIO DIAZ & FRANK ALPIZAR
Cover by DIKE RUAN
ARMAGEDDON HAS ARRIVED! Red Hulk's devastating tear across the globe must be stopped ... but it will take a colossal gathering of Earth's Mightiest Heroes to do it! Calling in the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Wolverine and more ... but who will survive this super-powered cataclysm?! There will be a pre-Armageddon Marvel Universe and a post-Armageddon Marvel Universe. Be here to bear witness to the transformation.
On what to expect in AVENGERS: ARMAGEDDON’s aftermath, Zdarsky told Marvel.com, “It’s going to be pretty fractured, but when things are looking dark, someone will always step up. But what they’ll face will be wildly unexpected. Man, oh man, I’m pretty excited for people to see where we’re going!”
I imagine everyone on this board recognizes the Alex Ross cover below as the 1970s Avengers. Boy, does that make me nostalgic! (Even though I didn't much care for the Clint Barton Goliath. He was superfluous on a team with the Vision. Moreso if Iron Man or Thor were around. The archer was more useful.)
And I'm a little disappointed in the Jenny Frison cover (Captain Marvel). I generally swoon over her covers. This one's just so-so.
Anyway, I caught up on Captin America and Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon last night. The former has Captain America and an instantly forgettable D-team fighting Red Hulk in Latveria, and the latter had Wolverine fighting Nuke to save John Coltrante, a character invented in Captain America #1-5 in some snowy woodland (I'll guess Canada without looking it up). Neither really got me enthusiastic about "Armageddon," especially given my loathing for Red Hulk.
We do have a hint how it ends, with a press releae Marvel sent out yesterday for Avengers #1 in November. It's subtitled "Earth's Mightiest Survivors" and stars Spider-Man, Wolverine, Captain Marvel, Luke Cage and Daredevil. A new, sixth character is promised, which is I assume will be Coltrane, the team's Captain America. Which means the rest of the world's major heroes will be sidelined, likely by temporary death. Since one of them has already died (I won't say which one) and met the deceased Doctor Doom in the underworld, the story mechanics for their return are already taking shape.
Of course, I could be wrong about all this. But I think I'll tradewait. (Unless they promise to kill Red Hulk for good. I'd buy the whole thing for that.)
Cover: Davide Paratore
THE TIME-LOST X-MAN IS BACK!
Bishop has always lived by a strict code. But that code will get called into question when his sister, Shard, is sent to the present right before she died! Will Bishop adhere to his principles and protect the timestream? Or will he risk it all to save the most important person in his life? Superstar writer Saladin Ahmed will put the tough-as-nails mutant through the wringer!
"Lived by a strict code?" I call BS.
He's been a good guy, a bad guy, and everything in between. Sometimes he's the heroic guy from a dystopic future, sometimes he's the sheriff of mutant town and sometimes he's the Terminator trying to murder Hope Summers throughout time. His backstory, motivations and status quo have changed so many times that he doesn't have a core persona to me. I don't know who he is, despite reading hundreds of stories about him. That's worse than never having read him at all.
MORE MARVEL
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FACSIMILE EDITION (2026) #546
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: SYMBIE (2026) #1
CAPTAIN MARVEL: DARK PAST (2026) #3
JAY & SILENT BOB: JAYS OF FUTURE PAST (2026) #1
STAR WARS: SHADOW OF MAUL (2026) #4
COLLECTIONS
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 3: RESOLUTE TP
ANNIHILATION MODERN ERA EPIC COLLECTION: CONQUEST PROLOGUE TP
PUNISHER: RED BAND — BRAIN BLEED TP
SPIDER-MAN & WOLVERINE VOL. 2: LIFE & DEATH CHOICES TP
WEB OF SPIDER-MAN OMNIBUS VOL. 2 BOB BUDIANSKY COVER HC
NO. 3: IMAGE COMICS
GEHENNA IN TOKYO (ONE SHOT) CVR A ATSUKI YAMAMOTO (MR)
(W) Patrick Kindlon, Marco Ferrari (A/CA) Atsuki Yamamoto
A standalone adventure set in the same world as hit series GEHENNA: NAKED AGGRESSION! Gehenna travels to Japan to end the Yakuza contract on her life. But she finds they do business a little differently in the Land of the Rising Sun. Featuring gorgeous interior art from infamous mangaka ATSUJI YAMAMOTO (Metal Max, X-Men)!
This week's installment of Girls with Guns. I do kinda like these various covers, tho, so I may try it.
GHOST PEPPER #12
Today Skybound and Image Comics revealed interior pages and the lineup of variant covers for Ghost Pepper #12, from creator/writer/artist/letterer Ludo Lullabi (TRANSFORMERS, Battle Chasers) and colorist Adriano Lucas (Destro).
Ash’s true nature is revealed for all to see! But what does this mean for the fate of the planet?
This is another one of those cool-looking Image SF books that I keep promising myself I'm going to try. Has anyone else? Imma do it one of these days.
MASK #1
(W) Dan Watters (A) Pye Parr, Pierluigi Casolino (CA) Pye Parr
NEW SERIES THE NEXT PHASE OF THE ENERGON UNIVERSE STARTS HERE! The world is becoming a terrifying place. Matt Trakker needs your help saving it. Enter M.A.S.K. -- a network of specialists recruited to respond to the next global emergency. At a moment’s notice, Trakker and his agents can deploy bleeding-edge technology that converts their vehicles--and their drivers--into the ultimate weapon. But Miles Mayhem and V.E.N.O.M. are one step ahead in a secret arms race, scouring the globe for deadly weapons from this planet and beyond, ready to sell out the entire human race. Only M.A.S.K. can stop them… but will Trakker’s own secrets jeopardize their entire mission? Powerhouse creators DAN WATTERS and PYE PARR launch the most anticipated new series of the year, where anyone--and everyone--in the Energon Universe must join the fight for humanity’s survival. This is the first-ever Energon Universe blind?bag?program. The blind?bags will include a chance to get ANY of the solicited M.A.S.K. #1 covers, A-K, intermixed at varying degrees of rarity. However, there are rare SURPRISE variant covers related to the Energon Universe that can be found in these blind?bags. Those SURPRISE covers will not be announced publicly in advance of the M.A.S.K. #1 release.
If this is for kids, lay on, MacDuff. If, like the rest of the Energon Universe, it's meant for adults ... pass.
MASK #1
MORE IMAGE
BLOOD & THUNDER #14
DORC #5
FORGED #11
FREE PLANET #13
GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #329
KAYA #35
LADY MECHANIKA: THE MECHANICAL MENAGERIE #2 (OF 4)
M1 MONSTER RACING LEAGUE #1
SPAWN: RAT CITY #25
THE THING ON THE DOORSTEP #5 (OF 5)
TIGRESS ISLAND #4 (OF 5)
TRANSFORMERS #33
WITCHBLADE #22
YOUNGBLOOD #100
COLLECTIONS
GOOD AS DEAD TP
SACRIFICERS VOL 4 TP
SUNSTONE VOL 3 TP (NEW EDITION)
NO. 4: IDW PUBLISHING
Some websites say a new Tarzan series is debuting from IDW this week, but it isn't in the IDW previews, so I don't think it is. But I could be wrong.
GODZILLA’S MONSTERPIECE THEATRE PRESENTS: THE ODYSSEY
Wait, Odysseus is going to fight kaiju instead of cyclopes? I don't like his odds, but I will have to read it.
MORE IDW PUBLISHING
THE JEKYLL ISLAND CHRONICLES (THE COMPLETE TRILOGY)
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: ON THE GO VOL. 3
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION — THE MIRROR WAR (IDW CLASSIC COLLECTIONS)
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #19
NO. 5: DARK HORSE
HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: THE WINGS OF FATE #1
MONSTERS IN LOVE: A PRIDE ANTHOLOGY
COLLECTIONS
AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER--FIRE AND FAMILY TREASURY LIBRARY EDITION HC
ORPHAN AND THE FIVE BEASTS VOLUME 2: BATH OF BLOOD TPB
NO. 6: VIZ MEDIA
FUSHIGI YÛGI: BYAKKO SENKI VOL. 4
POKÉMON: SCARLET & VIOLET VOL. 5
SLEEPY PRINCESS IN THE DEMON CASTLE VOL. 30
VAGABOND DEFINITIVE EDITION VOL. 5
NO. 7: DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
As we learned last week, some Dynamite books were delayed at the printer's. They're more than making up for it this week.
ALTERED STATES: WARLORDS #1
(W) David Avallone (A) Mariano Benitez-Chapo (CA) Joseph Michael Linsner
Welcome to Altered States... Dynamite Entertainment's parallel reality in the vein of DC's Elseworlds and Marvel's What If! Our debut Altered States title starts with Red Sonja, the She-Devil of Hyrkania, finding herself transported to Barsoom – better known to Earth-readers as Mars – in the ancient past of the mysterious red planet! What happens there sets up events that will ripple across the planet and will draw in the legendary heroes Vampirella, John Carter, Dejah Thoris, and, direct from Earth, the Lord of the Jungle himself! Writer David Avallone (Elvira, Savage Tales) is joined by rising star Mariano Benitez-Chapo (Vampirella, Elvira, Savage Tales) and cover artists Joseph Michael Linsner, Mike Rooth, and Chapo, as well as a stunning cosplay image by Jackie Goehner! Plus: Mike Rooth and Chapo each have created a stunning series of connecting covers for this series! It all starts in June! Be there!
So, Vampirella, Red Sonja, John Carter, Dejah Thoris ... and is that Tarzan? Maybe he's not at IDW, after all.
Hmm. I think that's a new cosplayer.
BEN 10 #2 CVR A ROBERT CAREY
(W) Joe Casey (A/CA) Robert Carey
Now in possession of a mysterious alien device, not only is young Ben Tennyson taking on a variety of strange, otherworldly forms, but the United States army has him on the run! He's learning more about the Omnitrix - the hard way! Also hot on Ben's trail is his grandfather, Max, a man with his own set of secrets. Not to mention cousin Gwen, who isn't about to sit out these adventures either! From Ben 10 co-creator Joe Casey and artist Robert Carey, Dynamite's new BEN 10 comic book is jam-packed with fun, tension, and over-the-top action!
BEN 10 is electrifying the comics community with the first issue out this week. Fans are flocking to stores after we heard record reports of new customers calling into stores about the new release. The first printing sold out through our distributors, so we rushed forward a #1 SECOND PRINTING. Check out a sneak preview of issue #2, details on the reprint, and more below. Make sure to preorder this hotly anticipated chapter from Joe Casey and Robert Carey. Fans won't want to miss the first appearance of CANNONBOLT!
SUPERNATURAL SPECIAL CASTIEL #1 (ONE SHOT)
(W) Preeti Chhibber (A/CA) Pasquale Qualano
Fan-favorite Supernatural character Castiel makes his comics debut! Castiel has always been sure. Of his faith. Of his duty. Of his position.Always. So why is he suddenly having doubts? The only thing he knows is that it has something to do with the Winchesters. He’s followed them to Gainesville, FL, on a chaotic weekend when music and sports fans have descended on the city. And wherever Castiel goes, the Winchesters are one step ahead of him, hunting for the monsters that have been reported in the vicinity. Whether it’s at a concert, a frat party, or wherever – by the time Castiel follows the trail there, the Winchesters have come and gone. Until they find the thing they’re all looking for…together. But will Castiel help the brothers in their mission, or just get in the way?
I never watched Supernatural, so I guess this wouldn't mean much to me.
MORE DYNAMITE
ARCHIE X ARMY OF DARKNESS #5
DARKWING DUCK CLASSICS VOL 1: DARKLY DAWNS THE DUCK TP (Resolicit)
DISNEY VILLAINS: GASTON #4
DISNEY VILLAINS: URSULA #4
MUPPETS NOIR #4
RED SONJA: SHE-DEVIL WITH A SWORD #2
SPACE GHOST (2025) #12
THUNDERCATS CLASSIC YEARS COLLECTION VOL 1 TP
THUNDERCATS X SILVERHAWKS #3
NO. 8: BOOM! STUDIOS
BABY GARFIELD #3
FALL OF THE HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #2
LUMBERJANES BOOK FIVE
THE CENTER HOLDS #4
NO. 9: KODANSHA
THE FRAGRANT FLOWER BLOOMS WITH DIGNITY VOLUME 13
SHUGO CHARA! JEWEL JOKER VOLUME 2
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: THE ORIGIN DELUXE VOLUME 6
NO. 10: ONI PRESS
DESTINATION KILL #2 (OF 4)
RICK AND MORTY: WUBBA LUBBA DUB-DOOM (ONI COMPACT COMICS EDITION TP)
MORE PUBLISHERS
ARCHIE COMICS
ARCHIE COMICS 85TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTS: ARCHIE AMERICAN ALL-STARS #1 (ONE-SHOT)
Script: Tania del Rio
Pencils: Dan Parent
Inks: Bob Smith
Letters: Jack Morelli
Colors: Glenn Whitmore
Main Cover: Dan Parent
Variant Cover: Dan Parent
Foil Variant Cover: Stan Goldberg w/ Rosario "Tito" Pena
32-page, full color comic
$4.99 (REG) | $7.99 (FOIL)
First appearance of the new character and soccer star ETERNITY FIELDS just in time for FIFA World Cup 2026!
It’s almost time for the big Boy vs. Girls All Star Soccer Game and Reggie wants his team to do whatever it takes to win—but when a mysterious new girl named Eternity Fields joins the girls’ team and makes them unstoppable, the boys are going to have to work extra hard to beat them . . . but will they heed Reggie’s advice? And just who is Eternity Fields, and how is she so good?! Celebrate the World Cup with this fun, sports-themed issue!
Not for me, thanks. I'd rather read 50-year-old comics by Dan DeCarlo, Harry Lucey or Samm Schwartz.
Classic Story Reprint
FANTAGRAPHICS
LOVE AND DESIRE IN THE PROMISED LAND: THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS HC: I imagine when someone says their love life is "complicated" in the Middle East, they're understating it.
FLOATING WORLD
APE #1 (ONE SHOT)
(W/A/CA) Rich Tommaso
Rich Tommaso spent over six years--going from his work on a variety of Black Phoenix projects and returning every so often, to this special one, to slowly craft a panel here and a page there, little by little. All in an effort to sharply hone his skills in order to produce a comics art work reminiscent of the early 1952-1956 Mad magazines! Studying (and deeply admiring) the “Mad” works of Will Elder, Wally Wood, Jack Davis and of course, the Mad creator himself, Harvey Kurtzman, by 2026, after five months of uninterrupted work, Rich has finally finished this long-awaited project. In this one-shot comic book, APE No. 1, you’ll read about mad scientists, strange visitors from outer space, horny bald men in newspaper offices, gun crazy cowboys, junkies, flunkies, businessmen, husbands, wives, lovers, haters and angst-ridden teenagers!,,,Everything you’d expect to find in an old, mid-20th-century issue of Mad!
Hmmmm. I think I'll just re-read the originals again.
MASSIVE PUBLISHING
FRANKENSTEIN WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY GUILLERMO DEL TORO HC
(W) Sheila O'Malley
Explore the enchanting artistry and visionary storytelling behind Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro, where stunning visuals and insightful commentary reveal the creative process and craftsmanship that bring Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece to life like never before. Dive into the mesmerizing world of the highly anticipated film Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro, with the exclusive Art and Making of Frankenstein. This stunning volume offers an extensive behind-the-scenes look at the creative genius of del Toro and his collaborators—including his all-star cast: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz and more—and showcases breathtaking concept art, an array of period-specific props, locations, costumes, and deep insights into the filmmaking process. Discover the visionary interpretations of classic characters, the meticulous craftsmanship that brings them to life, and the rich thematic layers that define this reimagining of Mary Shelley's timeless tale. Combining in-depth commentary with unparalleled set access, this insightful book will provide a deeper understanding of Del Toro’s legendary creative process. Exclusive interviews with the director, cast, and production crew are paired with candid set photos, exclusive storyboards, costumes, and concept artwork. This book is a must-have for fans of del Toro, film enthusiasts, and art lovers alike. Immerse yourself in the darkly enchanting universe of Frankenstein and witness the magic of storytelling through the lens of one of cinema's most imaginative directors. The book will also contain del Toro’s own developmental sketches of the monster from his legendary notebooks and over twelve unique ephemera items inserted by hand into each book. Sheila O'Malley (W), Guillermo Del Toro (Foreword), Oscar Isaac (Introduction) GOTHIC CLASSIC: The story that birthed an entire genre, Frankenstein is the quintessential gothic masterpiece. Now, experience as never before through the unique vision of Director Guillermo del Toro, who has dreamt his whole life of making this film. VISIONARY DIRECTOR: Known as the master of monsters, Guillermo del Toro’s unique blend of beauty and horror make a perfect marriage with the tale of Victor Frankenstein’s tragic, thrilling and human Monster. BREATHTAKING VISUALS: This deluxe coffee table book will feature exclusive storyboards, concept art, behind-the-scenes photography, and film stills to go along with interviews and insights from the creative teams.
I have loved everything Guillermo del Toro has ever done ... except the one movie he seemed born to do. If you loved del Toro's Frankenstein, more power to you. But for my part, it was too ham-handed. It doesn't take a genius to read Shelley's original and realize Frankenstein is a monster. And that's how he should be portrayed. But Oscar Isaac's Frankenstein tortured the monster, imprisoned him and then tried to burn him alive ... things that never happened in the book. Frankenstein's crime was his callousness, his lack of empathy, the rejection his creation. Not outright brutality. It's the difference between abandoning your children, and beating them daily. Del Toro's sympathy for the monster was too obvious, and Frankenstein was just too over the top. Especially when Frankenstein's brother — who had been a steadfast ally — suddenly declares (as he is dying) "YOU are the monster!" Well, duh. If you feel compelled to state the premise of your movie in dialogue, you're overdoing it.
TITAN COMICS
CONAN AND DRAGONERO #2 (OF 7) CVR A FERNANDO DAGNINO (MR)
(W) Luca Enoch, Stefano Vietti (A) Lorenzo Nutti (CA) Fernando Dagnino
Pulled to the mysterious land of Erondár by dark forces, Conan comes face to face with the famed dragon slayer, Dragonero, and the two warriors must set aside suspicion to stand back-to-back against a supernatural force poised to doom both their worlds.
Titan is doing good work with Conan. A lot of the later Marvel work doesn't hold up, becoming stale and repetitive. But Titan bounces around Conan's established history, using a variety of scenarios to keep things fresh. The wholly original miniseries, like this one, stay true to the character but stretch beyond the boundaries set by REH and Roy Thomas.
I may eventually tire of it, as I did with Marvel's Conan. But I haven't so far.
MORE TITAN
DEAD BY DAYLIGHT THE HILLBILLY #3 (OF 4)
THE ONE LATER ON VOL 1 TP
SAINT SEIYA DARK WING TP VOL 03
SCAVENGERS ANOTHER SKY TP VOL 02
SOMALI AND THE FOREST SPIRIT TP VOL 05 (OF 6)
TWO MORROWS
All these magazines seem to me to do exactly the same thing, but I haven't actually read them. So, to those who read them, what distinguishes the content of, say, Alter Ego from Retrofan? Not that I mind, if I'm interested in the subject matter. It just seems like most of the articles could appear in any of the four titles. Comic Book Creator might be a little more specialized, but it still seems like any profile that shows up there could have just as easily been printed in any of the others.
ALTER EGO #200
(W) Roy Thomas (A) Jack Kirby, Barry Windsor-Smith (CA) Jack Kirby
Alter Ego #200 is a double-size bicentennial blitzkreig of Bronze Age comics history! A/E editor/co-founder Roy Thomas talks in-depth about his five favorite all-time comics series to write: All-Star Squadron, Conan the Barbarian, The Avengers, The Invaders, and Fantastic Four! With surprise interviews by Richard Arndt, and awesome art by the Brothers Buscema (John and Sal, natch!), Barry Windsor-Smith, Gil Kane, Jerry Ordway, Rich Buckler, Frank Robbins, George Pérez, Don Heck, Gene Colan, et al.! Plus a special installment of FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America), Michael T. Gilbert in Mr. Monster’s Comic Crypt—and lots more!
BACK ISSUE #168
(W) Roger Ash (A) Paul Smith, Alan Davis (CA) Paul Smith
For Back Issue #168, we’re sailing into uncharted waters with our “Here There Be Dragons” issue. There’s sure to be danger ahead with Killer Croc, Savage Dragon, Lockheed, Bone, Daughters of the Dragon, and more. Featuring the work of Jeff Smith, Erik Larsen, Gerry Conway, Chris Claremont, Alan Davis, Chuck Dixon, Dan Mishkin, Ron Randall, Louise Simonson, June Brigman, and others. With a Lockheed and Kitty Pryde cover by Paul Smith! Edited by Roger Ash.
COMIC BOOK CREATOR #44
(W) Jon B. Cooke (A/CA) Carmine Infantino
The great Flash and “Adam Strange” artist, Carmine Infantino, gets the treatment in CBC #44 with both a comprehensive “Nuff Said” radio interview conducted by Ken Gale and Ed Menje, plus an essay by editor Jon B. Cooke on the artist’s tumultuous stint as DC editorial director and publisher, a period which brought out the absolute best at the company and some of its worst. We also feature an incredible account, R.K. in the U.K., about writer/editor legend Robert Kanigher’s late-in-life love affair with comics fandom in the British Isles… (well, at least his candid 1989 conversations with late Brit fans Steve Whitaker and Tim Bateman!) We also feature Part One of TED JALBERT’s interview with JACK KATZ, and examine the work of Dave Cockrum on those “Aurora Comics Scenes” model kit pamphlets of the 1970s. We start Glen Cadigan’s three-part interview with Joe Hill, horror comics writer and certain “Son of King”! Oh, and, of course, Fred Hembeck, natch!
RETROFAN #45
(W) Ed Catto (A) Green Hornet, Jonathan Winters (CA) Various
What’s blue, white, and read all over? It’s RetroFan #45's spotlight on the 50th anniversary of America’s Bicentennial—and all its pop culture history, collectibles, comics, and even the 1776 Broadway Musical! Plus, you’ll be buzzing as Will Murray drives the Black Beauty behind that “Kissin' Candy” billboard to reveal the secrets of The Green Hornet, while Scott Shaw! shines the spotlight on funnyman Jonathan Winters. Also: ReJECTED by Scott Saavedra, columns by regulars Mark Voger and Andy Mangels, and more! Edited by Ed Catto.
Replies
Are people still interested in the Absolute Universe, generally? I lost interest in it fairly early on, but that could just be me. I'm curious how it's going over with others.
Frankenstein's crime was his callousness,
Which is how Young Frankenstein could be a comedy, because Froderick took responsibility for his creation.
Tarzan's novels from 1912 to 1930 must be in public domain so any publisher can use Tarzan but won't be able to name him, hence being called the Lord of the Jungle over at Dynamite, a title they already used for the Ape Man!
ALTER EGO is about comics and creators from the 40s, 50s and 60s with an emphasis on history.
BACK ISSUE is about comics and creators from the 70s, 80s and 90s with an emphasis on characters and themes.
RETROFAN is about pop culture, mostly between the 50s to the 70s.
I like all three of them!
YOUNGBLOOD #100
"Youngblood #100"? 100?! Bwah-ha-ha! You could take all Image comics with the word "Youngblood" in them (which is I'm sure what they've done), total them up, and still not have 100, I'll betcha. Wanna try? Let's see, we've got...
I count 50 issues... tops. Throw in Team Youngblood, Youngblood Strikefile, Youngblood Genesis, Youngblood Imperial, Youngblood Yearbook (all mostly one-offs), and perhaps one or two others, and we're still nowhere near 100. I'd be curious to know which comics they're actually counting to reach that "milestone."
Reading Rob Liefeld's Youngblood is an experience not unlike reading Howard Chaykin's Hey Kids, Comics!, except instead of being a roman a clef in which it's fun to identify individuals from the comic book field, it's fun to guess which characters he swiped from which company. The last Liefeld Youngblood comic I read was about "Darkseid" and "Thanos" teaming up to invade the "Savage Land," which was being defended by "Ka-Zar" and the "Sub-Mariner" (and of course"Youngblood" is already and X-Men/Avengers amalgam). I just may have to pick this one up (so you don't have to).
GODZILLA’S MONSTERPIECE THEATRE PRESENTS: THE ODYSSEY
I really enjoyed the original Monsterpiece Theatre and Romeo and Juliet & Godzilla as well. I expect to enjoy this one, too.
But for my part, [Guillermo del Toro] was too ham-handed.
I never thought about it that way before, but I'll be damned if you aren't right.
It doesn't take a genius to read Shelley's original and realize Frankenstein is a monster.
As the saying goes, "Knowing Frankenstein is the doctor is knowledge; knowing Frankenstein is the monster is wisdom."
Are people still interested in the Absolute Universe, generally?
I stopped being interested in the Absolte Universe right around the time I stopped posting about it HERE (April 6, 2025).
I forgot to make fun of Youngblood #100. I should have, because it deserves to be made fun of. Thanks for filling in the slack, Jeff of Earth-J!
Are people still interested in the Absolute Universe, generally?
The Absolute books are selling so well they've catapulted DC into No. 1. Here are the top 12 best-selling comics in America in June:
1 Absolute Batman (2024) DC Comics
2 Batman (2025) DC Comics
3 Absolute Green Arrow (2026) DC Comics
4 Absolute Catwoman (2026) DC Comics
5 Absolute Wonder Woman (2024) DC Comics
6 Daredevil (2026) Marvel Comics
7 Absolute Superman (2024) DC Comics
8 Absolute Flash (2024) DC Comics
9 Invincible Universe Battle Beast (2024) Image Comics
10 Lobo (2025) DC Comics
11 Absolute Green Lantern (2024) DC Comics
12 Batwoman (2025) DC Comics
Yeah, I think you could say there's some interest.
For my part, I absolutely love Absolute Wonder Woman. I buy Absolute Superman and Absolute Batman to see where they're going, not because I love them. They're OK, and I enjoy them well enough, but I will quickly forget them. I did love Absolute Martian Manhunter when it was a six-part series, but when it became a 12-part series, I got annoyed and lost interest. (Sometimes more is too much.) I read Absolute Flash and Absolute Green Lantern, and didn't love them. Quit with issue #6 for each. I've started Absolute Green Arrow despite knowing better, and hoping it will remain a six-issue series with a definite ending. I have no interest in Absolute Catwoman, or any more Absolute titles. Enough is enough. This is not a cool new universe; it's just Earth-3 with a few new twists and way too many titles.
But that is a very old fan talking. These Kids Today™ are crazy about this stuff.
But that is a very old fan talking. These Kids Today™ are crazy about this stuff.
I guess this is me, then:
OK, here's a mystery to me.
You and I, Bob, are not excited about this stuff. And Jeff Plackemeier has said often (and I believe him!) that These Kids Today™ aren't buying comics.
So who is? Why is there a comic book industry? Who is buying the books?
Investors? Completists? Introverts? Force of habit?
Fewer and fewer people every week.
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