TOP 10 PUBLISHERS
MARVEL COMICS
ALIEN VS. CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 (Of 4), $5.99: I don't read all the alien and predator crossovers, but I might get this one in trade. Because A) I'm a big Captain America fan, and B) I'm an even bigger Captain America fan when the story is set in WWII!
Writer: Frank Tieri
Penciller: Stefano Raffaele
THE XENOMORPH OF TRUTH?
It's World War II and Hydra seeks a new weapon to defeat the Allies and win the war. To that end, the Red Skull has sent Baron Strucker on an expedition to the Himalayas to find the fabled city of Attilan. But instead of finding the Inhumans, Strucker uncovers something much more deadly. Much more ... Alien. Can Captain America and the Howling Commandoes stop the Skull and his newfound xenomorph weapons ... or will the First Avenger learn that in war-torn Europe ... no one can hear you scream?
ECHO: SEEKER OF TRUTH, $4.99: I've never been a huge fan of Echo, who always seemed more like a gimmick than a character. ("Hey! We've got a blind hero! Let's make hin fight someone with a different disability!") The TV show, which I found so low-stakes we almost didn't finish it, cemented that opinion. Here's the PR:
Written by JIMMY “TABOO” GOMEZ, B. EARL & MORE
Art by JIM TERRY & MORE
New York, NY— August 20, 2025 — Marvel Comics celebrates Native American Heritage Month this year by spotlighting one of its premier Native American super heroes, Cheyenne and Mexican American warrior ECHO, in ECHO: SEEKER OF TRUTH, a Marvel’s Voices special co-written by Jimmy “Taboo” Gomez, Black Eyed Peas member and host of the new Comics and Kicks podcast, and B. Earl. The writing duo behind the upcoming Ultimate Hawkeye one-shot, Taboo and B. Earl previously penned the hero in 2023’s Daredevil & Echo limited series. ECHO: SEEKER OF TRUTH #1 will be drawn by artist Jim Terry and feature a stunning cover by the character’s co-creator, superstar artist David Mack.
The saga follows Echo to Los Angeles where she must protect her family from a new threat. During the course of her mission, the former Avenger will confront a startling secret about her legacy, unlocking a mysterious new gift that will redefine her adventures in the Marvel Universe forever.
NEW AGE OF ECHO!
When her cousin goes missing in Los Angeles, ECHO goes to the City of Angels to find out what happened to her. But what she discovers is a series of disappearances centered around a mysterious wellness cult called Wisteria Meadows. As Echo dives deeper into the mystery, she’ll discover a truth about herself she never imagined. But who is the faceless puppet master behind the cult, and what is their sinister plan?
“Being able to write our second Echo story feels like a super power or strength,” Taboo shared. “As a proud Native American/ Mexican storyteller, having that platform to co-write about super heroes that resonate within our Marvel Universe, is what I call ‘good medicine’ and much needed to inspire our readers. Celebrating the beauty of Echo as our hero is like painting a vibrant mural across the comic book landscape. We aren't just creating stories, these are like bridges to communities, empowerment, and authentic representation.”
“Being a storyteller who loves to marry myth to pop culture, it’s exciting to be able to revisit Echo in a tale that will bring another dimension to her abilities,” B. Earl added. “When our editors asked us to develop a new power for her, we made sure to build it into our own mythic language that was revealed in a previous series. For me this story is also an homage to L.A., being born and raised on the East Coast with a dream to find my way to Hollywood… a dream that ultimately led me to this incredible Marvel journey with Taboo that we have been on for these past several years.”
PLANET SHE-HULK #1, $4.99: I haven't read the full run of Imperial yet, so I haven't thought to check for spin-offs. Sight unseen this seems like an important one. I haven't ordered it, so I'll see if my LCS has enough shelf copies for me to get one. But if I miss it, I'll live. I'm a She-Hulk fan, but not a Sakaar fan. I enjoyed "Planet Hulk," but it's over, and I see no point in re-visiting it. Here's the PR:
Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Penciller: Aaron Kuder
SAKAAR, PARTY OF ONE!
SHE-HULK is back, and she's... stuck on Sakaar?? Spinning out of Jonathan Hickman's hit cosmic epic, IMPERIAL, Jennifer Walters made a promise to her cousin, HULK, to watch over the planet Sakaar and its people for a few days. But it's been longer than a few days, and now She-Hulk is in charge of keeping the peace on a planet at war! But Jennifer is a VERY different Hulk than the one that once smashed Sakaar into submission... is she up for the task?
AGE OF REVELATION
Some "Age of Revelation" books hit a second issue this week. I haven't paid enough attention to know how many titles are miniseries and how many are one-shots. I'm not really interested in finding out. Like Sakaar, I have no interest in re-visiting Age of Apocalypse. Wake me up when this retread "event" is over!
AMAZING X-MEN #2, $4.99
Written by JED MACKAY
Art and Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
OUT OF THE FRYING PAN AND INTO THE HELLFIRE!
X YEARS LATER, the X-Men find themselves at the mercy of the Darkchild and her demon knight, the Juggernaut! Can the X-Men escape Providence, or will they join the residents of that cursed city in damnation? A new ally joins them, but new truths coming to light threaten to tear them apart!
BINARY #2
Written by STEPHANIE PHILLIPS
Art by GIADA BELVISO
THE MIGHT OF THE PHOENIX!
X YEARS LATER, Binary faces threats from all angles – Revelation’s treacherous world, with its endlessly encroaching dangers. The people she’s trying desperately to keep safe, whose resentment for her protection has reached a boiling point. And now…a face from the past, determined to bring chaos and destruction that will challenge even the incredible might of the Phoenix!
LAURA KINNEY: SABRETOOTH #2
Written by ERICA SCHULTZ
Art by VALENTINA PINTI
Cover by ELENA CASAGRANDE
SABRETOOTH HUNTS HER FAMILY!
X YEARS LATER, Sabretooth must hunt her sister Gabby and half-brother Akihiro as they flee the Revelation Territories! But who travels with them, and what threat do they hold over the fate of Revelation? PLUS: the return of a landmark X-Villain!
LONGSHOTS #2
Written by GERRY DUGGAN & JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by ALAN ROBINSON
Cover by DUSTIN WEAVER
HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE MOJO!
X YEARS LATER, the stage is set for a show unlike any other! One so violent, so vile, we have to put the X-Babies on the cover otherwise we’d have to be a poly-bagged RED BAND BOOK! Watch as your favorite characters get plucked from existence and destroyed – all for YOUR entertainment! You can’t miss out on this absolute MOJO BOOK!* ORDER AND PREORDER THIS BOOK NOW: MOJO DEMANDS IT!
*Guys, we can’t say absolute …
ULTIMATE COMICS
ULTIMATE X-MEN #21, $4.99
NO. 2: DC COMICS
BATMAN #47 FACSIMILE EDITION, $7.99: Joe Chill is introduced to the mythos. Also, a Catwoman story!
DC FINEST: SUPER FRIENDS -- THE FURY OF THE SUPER FOES TP, $39.99: I passed on the Super Friends omnibus when it shipped, as I already had a couple Super Friends collections, the entire series in comic book form and the two treasury editions. Enough, I thought, for one lifetime. But when Ramona Fradon died, I began to regret my decision. After all, I'm hardly going to dig those comics out and re-read them, but I would certainly re-read an affordable, comprehensive collection. And here we are. Collects Super Friends #1-26, with additional material from Limited Collectors' Edition #C-41 and #C-46, and the Aquateers Meet the Super Friends minicomic.
SPECTRE BY JOHN OSTRANDER AND TOM MANDRAKE OMNIBUS VOL 1 HC, $125.00: This is by far the best Spectre series ever written, addressing with deep thought and great finesse the theological aspects of "The Wrath of God." And I'm a fan of the Ghostly Guardian when he's badly written! Plus, this is the best work Tom Mandrake has ever done, and he is superbly suited to the material. So yes, I'll get this book for a proper re-read. It collects The Spectre (third series) #0-31.
ABSOLUTE COMICS
ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN #8, $4.99: This book is finally giving up some explanations to the various puzzle boxes. It's too late for me. I've been so frustrated with this book that I've already decided to drop it at issue #12.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #13, $4.99: This is another that has frustrated me, but only mildly. My chief complaint was that the first 10 issues or so were just one long chase scene, doling out expository information, backstory and familiar characters (much changed in the Absolute universe) in dribs and drabs. Last issue promised "The Battle of Smallville," though, so it looks like something is going to finally happen.
DC K.O.
DC K.O. KNIGHTFIGHT #1 (OF 4), $3.99: This is the other "event" I'm avoiding. If the reviews turn out good, I'll get the collection. But meanwhile, I will watch from afar (by reading Superman).
(W) Joshua Williamson (A) Dan Mora (CA) Fabrizio De Tommaso
SUPERSTARS JOSHUA WILLIAMSON AND DAN MORA TEST BATMAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE! Experience Batman’s epic journey during the explosive DC K.O. event! The Dark Knight is forced to take a different path in the tournament for the Heart of Apokolips--one that has turned Gotham into a deadly arena where Batman must battle against the Batmen of the future! Who are these Batmen? Stay tuned to find out! Get ready for the greatest fight of Batman’s life in this over-the-top crossover miniseries!
HARLEY AND IVY: LIFE AND CRIMES #1 (OF 6), $3.99: I love the cartoon, but I'm not sure the zaniness would translate to the printed page. (Although I'll forever hear Kaley Cuoco's voice when I read Harley.) I'll tradewait and watch the reviews.
(W) Erica Henderson (A) Erica Henderson (CA) Nathan Szerdy
SUPERSTAR ERICA HENDERSON DIVES INTO THE DEFINITIVE ORIGINS OF HARLEY AND IVY'S RELATIONSHIP! Because you demanded it--a new series entirely about Harley and Ivy’s relationship! Witness the entire story of the DCU’s number-one criminal couple from the very start! Eisner Award-winning artist and writer Erica Henderson weaves the canonical story of how Ivy and Harley went from enemies to friends to lovers! See their first kiss, their first embrace, their first fight, the first time Harley went to the bathroom with the door open in front of Ivy (that one is a joke, jeez), etc.! You’re gonna love the way this book makes you look--we guarantee it!
JSA #13, $3.99: As Jeff of Earth-J has mentioned, this new storyline will explore the early days of the JSA, presumably before All-Star Comics #3 but after "The Origin of the Justice Society" in Secret Origins #31 (which shows them all meeting for the first time). You know I'll be on board for this. Besides, any change will be an improvement over that story, which was adapted from DC Special #29, and wasn't one of my favorites. From the cover, it looks like Sandman and Hourman will up to bat first. That's not particularly accurate; the actual order of character introduction for those appearing in All-Star Comics #3 was: Sandman, Flash/Hawkman/Johnny Thunder, Spectre, Hourman, Doctor Fate, Green Lantern, Atom, Red Tornado. But I won't quibble if it's a good story, especially since that actual order of introduction didn't leave much time for the likes of Atom, Green Lantern and Red Tornado to have had a lot of adventures and meet all the others. We don't have a lot of information about the Big Eight before All-Star Comics #3, so the order can be re-ordered in my head canon quite easily.
(W) Jeff Lemire (A) Gavin Guidry (CA) Dave Johnson
A BRAND-NEW ARC STARTS HERE! The first days of the JSA are explored as we see the formation of the world’s first super-team! JSA Year One starts here!
NO. 3: IMAGE COMICS
ASSORTED CRISIS EVENTS #6, $4.99: I know a number of Legionnaires are reading this book,
G.I. JOE #13, $3.99: Random press release.
THE DREADNOK WAR BEGINS HERE!
When Cobra Commander is betrayed by one of his closest allies, he’s targeted for revenge by the Dreadnoks! But in his darkest hour, the only one who can save Cobra Commander is…Duke?
The team-up you never expected kicks off THE BIGGEST G.I. JOE story yet, one so action-packed that it will ship bi-weekly from the dream team of Joshua Williamson and Tom Reilly!
“Ever since we started talking about the Energon Universe, we had an idea of showing how there were different factions in the G.I. JOE mythology,” said Joshua Williamson. “That it wasn’t going to always be G.I. Joe versus Cobra. We wanted the Dreadnoks to be its own challenge—but not just for GI Joe but for Cobra. I’m pumped to be starting this arc now. It’s one that we were all really excited about from the start. Tom and Jordie have been killing it on all the pages in this storyline. It’s non-stop action and adventure with an Energon Universe twist. Get ready for the unexpected!”
“I’d say I’m excited to be back on G.I. JOE, but I really never left!” said Tom Reilly. As soon as I finished the first arc I jumped onto this one, working with Josh, Jordie, Rus and the rest of the Skybound team to bring you the most high-octane story we can. You won’t want to miss what we’ve been cooking up!”
IMPACT WINTER: EVENFALL (One-Shot), $4.99: Some Legionnaires are familiar with Audible, so I hope they have something to say.
LOS ANGELES 10/03/2025 — Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with Anonymous Content and Audible, revealed a first look at Impact Winter: Evenfall #1, a new one-shot prequel story to the hit Audible Original. From Audible series creator/writer Travis Beacham (Pacific Rim, Carnival Row) and artist Sumeyye Kesgin (Voyagis), the post-apocalyptic tale will be available in comic book shops on November 5, 2025.
The year is 1953. The Cold War is at its height, and intelligence operative Penelope Chambers is running an off-the-books investigation into the disappearance of female agents in Eastern Europe. When she’s called to Soviet Prague for a routine drop, Penelope will come face-to-face with death or the possibility of everlasting life...
The previously announced Impact Winter Trade Paperback (ISBN: 978-1-5343-3587-5| SRP: $16.99) will collect Impact Winter #1, Impact Winter: Rook #1, and Impact Winter: Evenfall #1 and will be available everywhere books are sold August 2026. Collected for the first time ever, these stories will entice new readers and longtime fans of the Audible Original to explore the world of Impact Winter with Travis Beacham and artists Stephen Green (Hellboy & the BPRD), Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander), and Sumeyye Kesgin.
With three seasons currently released and a fourth season on the way, the audio drama from Audible, Skybound Entertainment, and Anonymous Content was the #1 Audible Plus listen across categories for three weeks following its launch and the #1 Audible fiction bestseller in its week of launch. This action, romance, coming-of-age story delivers an unprecedented sonic experience via binaural action sequences, original music and incomparable sound design, all of which come together to bring to life this post-apocalyptic world in visceral detail. Impact Winter is also available via all major podcast providers, including Apple, where it has ascended as high as #3 on the fiction podcast charts.
VOID RIVALS #24, $3.99: Random press release.
LOS ANGELES 10/09/2025 — Today Skybound and Image Comics, in collaboration with leading games, IP and toy company Hasbro, revealed interior pages and the lineup of variant covers for Void Rivals #24. From the blockbuster creative team of writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead), artist Conor Hughes (White Ash, The Game), colorist Patricio Delpeche (The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country), and letterer Rus Wooton (Fire Power), the arc finale of this epic space opera hits comic book shops on November 5, 2025.
THE END OF AN ARC...
SOLILA BETRAYED! OR... is SHE the betrayer?!
Each issue of Void Rivals promises to take readers further into the Energon Universe, with more familiar faces to appear, including some of the most popular TRANSFORMERS bots, allies, enemies...and shocking reveals!
Void Rivals #24 will feature a main cover by Lorenzo De Felici, along with a lineup of variant covers including an open-to-order cover B by Conor Hughes, the final installment of the 1:10 incentive variant connecting cover series by Martín Morazzo and Patricio Delpeche, a 1:25 incentive variant by DANI & Brad Simpson, and a 1:50 incentive variant by E.J. Su.
As previously announced, Void Rivals will kick off its biggest story yet with Quintesson War, which begins in December with issue #25. Robert Kirkman will be joined by new series artist Andrei Bressan (Destro, Uncanny X-Men) for an Energon Universe epic like nothing you've experienced...and the Sacred Ring will never be the same.
NO. 5: DARK HORSE
SPACE SCOUTS #1 (OF 3), $7.99: This doesn't sound like my cup of tea, but it is by Matt Kindt, who is usualy pretty good.
Dark Horse Comics and Flux House Books present Space Scouts, a new sci-fi space odyssey comic series from Matt Kindt and David Rubín, the team behind the acclaimed sci-fi/fantasy comic series, Ether. This three-issue series, written by Kindt (Gilt Frame, If You Find This, I’m Already Dead) and illustrated and lettered by Rubín (Operation Sunshine, Cosmic Detective), will be presented in magazine-sized issues (8” x 10.875”) with 32 story pages. Each issue will also include bonus content like character designs and variant covers by Sergio Aragones (#1), Brian Hurtt (#2), and Alvaro Martinez Bueno (#3).
About Space Scouts:
A young girl heads to the center of the universe to compete in a reality show to become the next “Space Scout.” What starts as a teenage drama turns into a deadly war at the edge of the universe as the “winning” recruits are sent into a clandestine, interminable battle that they most likely won’t survive.
“Space Scouts is dream project that David and I have had for a long time - getting to tell a story that centers around thousands of teenage super-heroes recruited to save the universe,” said Kindt. “It gives us a chance to let our creativity run wild - with different super powers and aliens all tied to a competition/reality show. As a long-time fan of the crazy 1950s Superboy comic book covers - this scratches that inspirational itch.
“Working with David is something I will never turn down. He's a generational talent - I'm happy to just be alive and working in the same era as him. There hasn't been a visual artist as inventive and energetic as David since Jack Kirby. He channels that same bonkers energy without being derivative in the least - David is a true original.”
“Work with Matt is always like going to a wild party; exciting, full of surprises, very, very fun and at the same time it is demanding and hard,” added Rubín. “Matt always brings me the opportunity to search new paths on my art, to play with the storytelling and made me grow up as artist. This is the third or fourth time that we work together, and I'm pretty sure that it won't be the last." Here's a PREVIEW.
NO. 7: DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
DIE!NAMITE: BLOOD RED #1, $4.99
THUNDERCATS: PUMYRA #1, $5.99
NO. 9: ONI PRESS
CROWNSVILLE #1, $4.99: This looks interesting (not to mention creepy as heck).
(W) Rodney Barnes (A) Elia Bonetti (CA) Jason Shawn Alexander
SINS OF THE PAST DON’T STAY BURIED ... THEY ALWAYS FIND A WAY OF RISING FROM THE GRAVE!
From Eisner Award–nominated writer and master storyteller Rodney Barnes (Batman: Full Moon, Killadelphia) and phenomenal artist Elia Bonetti (Death of Wolverine: The Logan Legacy), enter a century-spanning tale of suspense and sorrow as true crime meets shocking terror inside an infamous asylum with a tortured past in this double-sized, 48-page debut . . . Founded at the turn of the 20th century outside of Annapolis, Maryland, the Crownsville Hospital was a notoriously segregated, all-Black psychiatric institute. After decades of overcrowding and neglect—alongside darker, more-persistent rumors of patient abuse and illegal medical experiments—it was finally closed. Today, it stands condemned—a crumbling testament to a legacy of all-too-real terror inflicted on a marginalized and vulnerable community. But even as a ruin of its former self, Crownsville still casts a long shadow. . . . When an unexplained death inside the abandoned hospital is ruled a suicide, Annapolis police detective Mike Simms and journalist Paul Blairare are compelled to dig deeper, only to discover the reality of the horrors that once took place there . . . and the powerful connection they share to the anguished spirits of the dead that are still locked within its walls.
CRUEL UNIVERSE 2 #4 (Of 12), $4.99: Still on board.
(W) Cecil Castellucci, Ryan Haddock, J. Holtham (A) Brian Level, Andrea Mutti, Claire Roe (CA) Lee Bermejo
Feeling content and at peace with the state of the cosmos? WRONG! Don’t worry, Cruel Universe 2 is here to dispel that tragically optimistic fantasy! We’ve trapped—er, we mean tapped—writers Cecil Castellucci (Girl on Film), Ryan Haddock (EC’s Catacomb of Torment), and J. Holtham (Hulu’s A Handmaid’s Tale) to remind you of your life’s limited span, and to assure you that hubris and gullibility are two sides of the humanity coin. In case you’re not convinced—or can’t read—artists Brian Level (Night People), Andrea Mutti (EC’s Cruel Kingdom), and Claire Roe (The Hollywood Special) are on hand to imprint horrifying visuals into your eyestalks.
MORE PUBLISHERS
AHOY COMICS
DEATH DOG #1 (Of 2), $4.99
(W) Bryce Ingman (A/CA) Alan Robinson
In a near-future America, Wyatt—an innocent 13-year old accused of shoplifting—is pursued by murderous robot police dogs. But an accident transforms one of his terrifying pursuers into a tame, docile, and affectionate robodog who tries to bond with and protect Wyatt! A touching tale of a terrifying future, from the deranged minds of Bryce Ingman (MY BAD) and Alan Robinson (New Fantastic Four). Here's a PREVIEW.
TOXIC CRUSADERS #2 (Of 5), $4.99
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
ARCHIE FACSIMILE #9: SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #1, $6.99: I enjoy these Archies from the 1960s and '70s, not only more than current Archie comics, but more than a lot of Big Two material.
(W) Frank Doyle (A/CA) Dan DeCarlo, Rudy Lapick, Bill Yoshida
MILESTONE FIRST ISSUE OF SABRINA’S FIRST-EVER COMIC SERIES! Re-live the magic when everyone’s favorite teenage witch got her very own comic series! Experience history (and even more pages than ever!) in SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #1, faithfully reprinted in a full-facsimile edition!
Archie Facsimile #9 Sabrina The Teenage Witch #1 (Cover B Andy Price), $6.99 (find on eBay)
DRAWN AND QUARTERLY
REEL POLITIK TP, $20.00: "An absurdist comic strip satire of cinephilia in the attention economy." Here's a PREVIEW.
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS
DOGTANGLE HC, $19.99: "A satirical comedy about an ambitious power couple in a bleak corporate landscape who defy God and nature to create a modern Cerberus for their time." Here's a PREVIEW.
PAST IS A GROTESQUE ANIMAL HC, $29.99: "A rich collection/scrapbook of over two dozen short stories, plus diary entries, photos, and other images fueled by a propensity to understand the way we relate to each other, and told with a visual and lyrical beauty — and raw emotion — that collectively reaffirms the power of art." Here's a PREVIEW.
SHADOWS OF THE SEA HC, $24.99: "Told through powerful allegory, Shadows of the Sea is a story about grief and the winding path to healing, with help from friends, loved ones, and a little magic." Here's a PREVIEW.
TALES OF PARANOIA #1 (ONE SHOT), $5.99: "The first R. Crumb book in 23 years!"
TURN LOOSE OUR DEATH RAYS AND KILL THEM ALL: THE COMPLETE WORKS OF FLETCHER HANKS TP, $44.99. If you haven't read this, you probably should. Here's a PREVIEW.
MAD CAVE STUDIOS
CIRCUS MAXIMUS #1 (Of 5), $4.99: It's the first issue of a series that sounds interesting but that I'll never see.
(W) Mark Sable (A) Giorgio Pontrelli (CA) Francesco Francavilla
Rome. 64 AD. The most daring heist in history is being planned by an unlikely crew - a former slave, a Vestal Virgin, a charioteer and a disgraced architect – each with their own personal motives. While Rome is distracted by the chariot racing and gladiatorial games of the Circus Maximus, the crew plans to rob the Imperial treasury under the Temple of Saturn. But when Emperor Nero sets fire to the city, they’ll be lucky to escape his wrath with their lives, let alone the loot.From Mark Sable (Graveyard of Empires, Miskatonic) and Giorgio Pontrelli (Miskatonic) CIRCUS Maximus is GLADIATOR meets HEAT - a blood-soaked historical thriller.
TITAN COMICS
DOCTOR WHO: THE PRISON PARADOX #1 (OF 4), $4.99
LITTLE NIGHTMARES DESCENT TO NOWHERE #2 (OF 4), $4.99
SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #11, $6.99
Replies
I might get this one in trade. Because A) I'm a big Captain America fan...
Funny... that's the same reason I won't be getting it.
ECHO: SEEKER OF TRUTH
I got a little thrill there because at first I thought you were talking about this one:
Art by JIM TERRY & MORE
Speaking of "Terry Moore," what ever happend to that SiP-related Trigger Warning one-shot?
X YEARS LATER...
Is that the Roman numeral for "10" or does it indicate an unknown number? On second thought, who cares?
TALES OF PARANOIA #1 (ONE SHOT): "The first R. Crumb book in 23 years!"
This will likely be my "Pick of the Week."
TURN LOOSE OUR DEATH RAYS AND KILL THEM ALL: THE COMPLETE WORKS OF FLETCHER HANKS:
I don't remember seeing this solicited. I probably wouldn't have ordered it because I have the two-volume set. I met Paul Karasik (the cartoonist/editor of the collection) and he did a sketch for me. Lately I've been on this kick of trying to read comics the way I did as a kid, which, among other things, means re-reading them. This is one that was on my list of re-reads. Back when we were doing "The Cappies," I voted for this as "Best Collection of Archival Material" but I don't remember whether or not it won. (It won a "Jeffie" and that was enough.) My nominees seldom won, but those are the ones on the top of my "to re-read" pile.
CIRCUS MAXIMUS #1: It's the first issue of a series that sounds interesting but that I'll never see.
I read a preview and was unimpressed. One thing that will turn me from an historical comic quicker than anything is anacronistic (contemporary) speech patterns. In this case, the main character refers to his attacker as a "mugger." I will grant you that ancient Romans certainly must have had a similar word, and the writer might argue that it is translated into modern English for readers' convenience, but it just doesn't "read" right to me. Were I to read it, I fear I would spend my time obsessing over the language. The "high concept" is "GLADIATOR meets HEAT"? Pass. Why will you "never see" it?
It makes my ears sting when I'm watching a period piece and it uses modern slang or turns of phrase. It hurts especially when the phrase or word is referencing something that doesn't exist yet, or hasn't happened yet. We've been watching Poldark (18th century Cornwall) and have wondered if the strange way they talk on the show is accurate. But it's impossible for us to know, and in the end we're just happy it doesn't sound like modern speech with the occasional "ye" tossed in. We can understand it at least, despite the occasional term we've never heard before, as compared to Scottish shows where we have to watch the closed-caption!
I make allowances, especially if something is set in a time and place where they wouldn't be speaking English at all, but having too many unintended anachronisms irks me. I had that problem with Deep Cuts, a graphic series about the history of jazz. Kyle Higgins knows his jazz and the anthology has much to recommend it, but virtually every chapter has at least one anachronistic reference or word that serves no purpose, except to distract pendants, I mean, historically-minded readers such as myself.
I'm an editor, so pedantry is my vocation.
My particular favorite from Deep Cuts, among several, was having someone refer to the police as "5-0" before, not just the show that gave us that slang, but Hawaii was even a state.