THE BIG STUFF
Batman: Reptilian #1 (of 6)
DC Comics | 32 pages | $4.99
Writer: Garth Ennis | Art/Cover: Liam Sharp | Variant: Cully Hamner
Gotham City is filled with murderous creatures who stalk the shadows — foul villains with murderous impulses who strike fear into the hearts of every man, woman, and child in the city. But what strikes fear into the hearts of those who terrorize the city? It used to be Batman, but something far more frightening than a mere man has begun stalking the shadows — and it’s after Gotham’s villains. How savage must a monster be to haunt the dreams of monsters?
The Captain's comments: Wait, something is killing Gotham's villains? Drag your feet on this one, Bat-buddy! Oh, wait, you don't do that, do you? Drat.
Black Hammer Reborn #1
Dark Horse | $3.99
Writer: Jeff Lemire | Art/Cover: Caitlin Yarsky| Variant: Jeff Lemire
In 1986, Black Hammer and the rest of Spiral City’s greatest superheroes seemingly died defeating the cosmic despot known as Anti-God and saving the world, leaving the daughter Lucy. Now, it’s 20 years later, and Lucy, and the world, have moved on. Living in the suburbs of Spiral City, Lucy is married and has children. But all is not blissful. Her marriage is falling apart, her job has reached a dead end, and for mysterious reasons, she hasn’t picked up the hammer in years. But, as her domestic life begins to crumble, the secrets of the last twenty years, and the reasons Lucy really gave up being Black Hammer, begin to resurface, threatening her family, and the peace she has tried hard to find for herself.
The Captain's comments: Not only is the "Black Hammer Universe" a delight for its nostalgic charm, but it has Black people from the get-go, which is refreshingly honest. And it's not just nostalgia — Lemire clearly loves the same comics I did growing up, but he's breathing new life into old tropes. The best of Silver Age and the Modern Age rolled up together!
Pre-Read for Your Convenience:
In this first issue, we discover that when Lucy Weber became the second Black Hammer in 1996, it didn't last. She quit and had a family, and a new organization named T.R.I.D.E.N.T. (Tactical Response International Defense Extranormal Neutralization Team) takes care of super-business. Now it's 2016, and something comes along that screams for Black Hammer to return! That's when we find out why she quit.
Good stuff!
Checkmate #1
DC Comics | $3.99
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis | Art/Cover: Alex Maleev | Variant: Matt Taylor
The dark forces of Leviathan have torn through the DC Universe, and now no one can be trusted. No one … not even the person writing to you about this book! That’s why you find out in Justice League #63 that Green Arrow has been secretly funding a group called CHECKMATE because not even the Justice League itself can be trusted. The mysterious MR. KING has helped Green Arrow assemble the greatest team of super — spies the world has ever seen! LOIS LANE, THE QUESTION, ROBIN, STEVE TREVOR, MANHUNTER, BONES and TALIA AL GHUL! will have to outsmart the smartest people in the world before they destroy everything! PLUS! A new mystery character is tip-toeing though the shadows! They call him … the DAEMON ROSE! And he is hunting Lois Lane right under Superman’s nose! It’s an all–new spine-chilling thriller from the Eisner Award-winning team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev!
The Captain's comments: I love Lois Lane being depicted as a detective to be respected. It bugged me in the '60s that a ditzy clutz was the girlfriend of the most powerful man in the world, so her modern persona is more to my liking. And I like the concept of non-powered heroes who are considered the world's best detectives working together on cases requiring brains more than brawn. I'm not much of a fan of Mr. Bones — they still haven't explained how a former supervillain became head of the DEO, have they? — so I'd really rather have Cameron Chase. At least he's visually interesting, so there's that. But Talia al Ghul? They're going to have to work a bit to make me believe she'd work with anyone else, especially on the side of the angels.
Gamma Flight #1 (of 5)
Marvel Comics | 32 pages | Teen+ | $3.99
Writers: Al Ewing & Crystal Frasier | Art: Lan Medina | Cover: Leinil Francis Yu | Stormbreakers variant: Joshua Cassara | Connecting variant: Carlos Pacheco
Gamma Flight had one job: Find and stop the Hulk. But when push came to smash, they sided with the Green Goliath — and the human world intends to make them regret it. Puck, Absorbing Man, Titania, Doc Sasquatch, Dr. Charlene McGowan and a horribly changed Rick Jones are fugitives from every known authority — but a team that full of gamma is bound to break before long. Go on the run with this wild gamma-fueled group in this action-packed addition to the Immortal Hulk mythos!
The Captain's comments: I haven't been following Immortal Hulk, so I don't know how plausible this lineup is. (From the perspective of decades-long fan who was around for each of these character's debuts ... well, it's pretty weird.) But it looks like fun. Well, for everybody but Rick Jones, who can't seem to catch a break these days.
Green Lantern: John Stewart – A Celebration of 50 Years HCDC Comics | 368 pages | $39.99
Writer/Art: Various | Cover: Jim Lee, Scott Williams
Fifty years after John Stewart’s debut, this collection highlights the character’s greatest moments over the decades — both spacefaring and earthbound—from his first appearance in the legendary O’Neil/Adams Green Lantern run, to taking over from Hal Jordan as Earth’s Green Lantern, to being rechristened as the first mortal Guardian of the Universe.
This volume includes Green Lantern (second series) #87, #182, and #185, Green Lantern (third series) #74 and #156, Green Lantern (fourth series) #49, Green Lantern: Mosaic #18, and Justice League of America #110.
The Captain's comments: It's taken a while, but Stewart's come into his own. The angry black guy persona didn't really work, the guilt-ridden-failure persona didn't really work and Mosaic didn't even make sense. But Justice League Unlimited worked, as have his most recent turns as the head of the GLC. I'm looking forward to reminding myself of his history with this book, mainly so I can remember to forget most of his early adventures.
Imogen of the Wyrding Way one-shot
Dark Horse | $3.99
Writers: Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden | Art/Cover: Peter Bergting | Interconnecting variant: Peter Bergting
While on a job in Denmark with her fellow Wyrders, Imogen hears some odd news: hundreds of refugees fleeing the spread of Nazism are traveling into the nearby forest, and never returning. Helping a young man find his refugee family will bring Imogen face-to-face with some of the worst that war can inflict upon those in need-and make her ask the difficult question of what she's really fighting for.
The Captain's comments: More Outerverse stuff, yay! This looks to be where Mignola is pouring his energies these days.
Infinite Frontier #1 (of 6) DC Comics | $4.99
Writer: Joshua Williamson | Art: Xermanico | Cover: Mitch Gerads | Interconnecting Card Stock variant: Bryan Hitch
Picking up directly from Infinite Frontier #0, when our heroes saved the Multiverse from Perpetua in Dark Nights: Death Metal, everything was put back where it belonged ... and we do mean everything. All the damage from all the Crises was undone, and heroes long thought gone returned from whatever exile they had been in.
Most of them, at least. Alan Scott, the Green Lantern from the Justice Society of America, has noticed some of his allies are still missing in action, and he’s determined to find them. There are others, though, who would rather remain hidden than explain themselves, like Roy Harper, a.k.a. Arsenal, a man who should be dead but now is not.
What does all this mean for the DCU’s place in the Multiverse? On opposite sides of a dimensional divide, both Barry Allen and President Superman ponder this question. Not to mention the Darkseid of it all! Or a team of Multiversal heroes called Justice Incarnate!
The Captain's comments: I've always loved the Golden Age Green Lantern, maybe because he was such a cipher that I was always waiting to hear more about him. And now DC has decided to fill in that void with a backstory that he's always been a closeted gay during the repressive 1940s and '50s. Well, cool! That's a story I haven't read before, so bring it on.
But I hate, hate, hate Obsidian. Nothing about Todd is appealing. He's a whiny, self-obsessed loser that I don't want to read about. Ohhh, the whinging. I'm getting a headache already.
Marvel Voices: Pride #1
Marvel | 88 pages | Teen+ | $9.99
Writers: Kieron Gillen, Allan Heinberg, Anthony Oliveira, Steve Orlando, Tini Howard, Leah Williams, Mariko Tamaki, Terry Blas, Crystal Frasier, Vita Ayala, J.J. Kirby, Luciano Vecchio & more | Art: Javier Garron, Jim Cheung, Kris Anka, Jen Hickman, Paulina Baucheau, Jethro Morales, Britney Williams, J.J. Kirby, Luciano Vecchio, Jan Bazaldua, Claudia Aguirre & More | Cover: Luciano Vecchio | Runaways variant: Kris Anka | Variant: Olivier Coipel | Captain America variant: Paulina Ganucheau | America Chavez variant: Phil Jimenez | Hulkling and Wiccan variant: Phil Jimenez variant | Karma variant: Ernanda Souza | Northstar variant: Jeffrey Veregge variant | Frame variant: Lucian Vecchio | Iceman variant: Russell Dauterman with colors by Matthew Wilson
Since 1992’s revolutionary ALPHA FLIGHT #106 proudly confirmed Northstar’s sexuality, Marvel has represented LGBTQ+ identities with a wide array of characters and stories. MARVEL’S VOICES: PRIDE #1 will continue this legacy with thrilling adventures starring Mystique and Destiny, Nico Minoru and Karolina Dean, Iceman, Daken, Karma, and more. Plus, writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung make their long-awaited return to Marvel Comics with a new chapter in the love story of their hit creations: Wiccan and Hulkling! MARVEL VOICES: PRIDE #1 will also revisit some of Marvel’s groundbreaking moments and explore the history of LGBTQ+ inclusion and storytelling at Marvel Comics.
Introducing Somnus
A mutant who had an extraordinary impact on an X-Man long ago, Somnus’ powers give him total control of people’s dreams, but he was never able to follow his own. Now, Somnus is given a second chance at life, and he’s determined to make the most out of it on the thriving mutant nation of Krakoa! With a mesmerizing costume design by artist Luciano Vecchio and unique mutant gifts, it’s time for Somnus to step up in a big way and become the hero he was always destined to be.
The Captain's comments: DC did a gay anthology two weeks ago. Here's Marvel's version.
Spawn's Universe #1 one-shot
Image Comics | 52 pages | $5.99
Writer: Todd McFarlane | Art: Jim Cheung, Todd McFarlane, Stephen Segovia, Marcio Takara | Cover A: J. Scott Campbell | Cover B: J. Scott Campbell | Cover C: J. Scott Campbell | Cover D: J. Scott Campbell | Cover E: Todd McFarlane | Cover F: Todd McFarlane
The Captain's comments: I first noticed I didn't care for McFarlane's work way back in Infinity Inc., and nothing he's done since has changed my mind. And I regard this is just an attempt to whip up an IP that looks vaguely like the Marvel Cinematic Universe that can be pawned off to Hollywood for millions it doesn't deserve.
But hey! That's just one guy's opinion, and a cynical guy at that. Other people do enjoy McFarlane's work, and this will come as an exciting development for them. More power to 'em, and I hope they have a good time.
Wonder Woman Black & Gold #1 (of 6)
DC Comics | 40 pages | $5.99
Writers: John Arcudi, Becky Cloonan, Amy Reeder, AJ Mendez Brooks, Nadia Shamas | Art: Ryan Sook, Becky Cloonan, Amy Reeder, Ming Doyle, Morgan Beem | Cover A: Jen Bartel, Cover B: JOshua Middleton, Cover C: Yanick Paquette, Cover D 1:25 variant: Ramona Fradon,
Just in time for Wonder Woman’s 80th anniversary, DC Comics proudly presents a new six-issue anthology series starring the Amazon Princess embellished in the color of her famous lasso. Kicking things off, John Arcudi (B.P.R.D.) and Ryan Sook (Legion of Super-Heroes) re-unite to show us the grace immortality grants a hero. Becky Cloonan (Wonder Woman, Gotham Academy) weaves a spine-tingling tale of Diana’s most precious weapon against the darkness. Then Amy Reeder (Amethyst) takes us back to the Golden Age for a fun romp co-starring Etta Candy. AJ Mendez Brooks (Crazy is my Superpower, Dungeons & Dragons: At the Spine of the World) and Ming Doyle (Constantine: The Hellblazer) travel to Themyscira for a tense family reunion. And finally, Nadia Shammas and Morgan Beem (Swamp Thing: Twin Branches) show us a story of Diana's past failures come to haunt her.
The Captain's comments: Batman: Black & White worked, Superman: Red & Blue worked, so why not give the idea a go with the third member of the trinity? And I check out Ramona Fradon's cover below. Man, it's sure good seeing her work again!
CONTINUING EVENTS
'THE CHAMELEON CONSPIRACY' PART 3
Amazing Spider-Man #69
Marvel | 32 pages | Teen+ | $3.99
Writer: Nick Spencer | Art: Marcelo Ferreira | Cover: Mark Bagley | Variant: Gerald Parel
Spidey and his superspy sister, Teresa Parker, dig to uncover THE CHAMELEON CONSPIRACY. Their investigation is challenged by Chance, Jack O'Lantern and the Foreigner's anarchic alliance!
The Captain's comments: This wraps up with Part 4, a Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man special, I think next week. I kinda thought it was going to be a bigger deal than it seems to be now.
HELLFIRE GALA WEEK 4
S.W.O.R.D. #6
Marvel | 32 pages | Teen+ | $3.99
Writer: Al Ewing | Art/Cover: Valerio Schiti | Dauterman Connecting variant: Russell Dauterman | Captain Britain Character Design variant: Russell Dauterman | Character Design variant: Valerio Schiti
THIS IS WHAT COMES NEXT.
On Earth, the HELLFIRE GALA is in full swing. But on S.W.O.R.D. Station One, a very different guest list comes together … as Abigail Brand finally unveils her plans for Mysterium – and the future of human and mutantkind.
The Captain's comments: Developments in last week's Planet-Size X-Men are likely to enrage every human on Earth ... and while I hate to say it, the anger is justified. The Krakoans have become increasingly high-handed, arrogant and just plain snotty. They're bullies! Especially Storm, below. What happened to that kind and level-headed gal I used to admire? I think the X-books are heading for a huge crack-up ... and, again, they probably deserve it.
Way of X #3
Marvel | 32 pages | Teen+ | $3.99
Writer: Si Spurrier | Art: Bob Quinn | Cover: Giuseppe Camuncoli | Dauterman Connecting variant: Russell Dauterman | Emma Frost Character Design variant: Russell Dauterman | Character Design variant: Bob Quinn
MAKE MORE MUTANTS.
It’s the Hellfire Gala hangover. Nightcrawler tries to root out the evil working to destroy Krakoa by investigating all its laws, starting with … **SEXY SAXOPHONE SOLO**
Wolverine #13
Marvel | 32 pages | Parental Advisory | $3.99
Writer: Benjamin Percy | Art: Scot Eaton | Cover: Adam Kubert | Spider-Man Villains variant: Ryan Stegman | Dauterman Connecting variant: Russell Dauterman | Kate Pryde Character Design variant: Russell Dauterman | Pride Month variant featuring Daken: Phil Jimenez
HELLFIRE COMPROMISED!
Can WOLVERINE and X-FORCE keep the peace or is the gala doomed?
The Captain's comments: If that cover scene reflects actual events, I'm bound to enjoy it. Deadpool at a high-class soiree? That's comedy gold!
HEROES REBORN WEEK 4
Heroes Return #1
Marvel | 56 pages | Teen+ | $5.99
Writer: Jason Aaron | Art: Ed McGuinness | Cover: Leinil Francis Yu | Trading Card variant: Mark Bagley | Action Figure variant: John Tyler Christopher | Stormbreakers variant: Patrick Gleason
The saga of HEROES REBORN will come to a startling end in HEROES RETURN #1, an oversized finale issue that will reveal the fate of Jason Aaron and Ed McGuinness’s new vision of the Marvel Universe. HEROES REBORN presents a world without Avengers where the Squadron Supreme took their place. Now, a group of otherworldly heroes have assembled and are ready to fight for the mantle of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in a glorious superhero slug-fest that will shake the Marvel Universe to its core.
The Captain's comments: Finally, an end, and maybe some answers. I notice the color scheme has changed with the title from orange (Heroes Reborn #1-6) to purple (Heroes Return #1). Last week, Heroes Return #7, was somewhere in between.
PRIDE MONTH VARIANT COVERS
Guardians of the Galaxy #15
Pride Month variant featuring Moondragon: Phil Jimenez
Harley Quinn #4
Pride Month variant: Kris Anka
Manifest Destiny #44
Pride Month variant: Matthew Roberts
Marvel Voices: Pride #1
Pride Month variant featuring America Chavez: Phil Jimenez
Marvel Voices: Pride #1
Pride Month variant featuring Hulkling and Wiccan: Phil Jimenez
Superman #32
Pride Month variant: David Talaski
Teen Titans Academy #4
Pride Month variant: Stephen Byrne
Wolverine #13
Pride Month variant featuring Daken: Phil Jimenez
STAR WARS: WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS WEEK 8
Star Wars: Darth Vader #13
Marvel Comics | 32 pages | Teen | $3.99
Writer: Greg Pak | Art: Raffaele Ienco | Cover: Aaron Kuder | LucasFilm 50th Anniversary variant: Chris Sprouse | Pride Month variant: Kris Anka
DARK LORD VS. DARK DROID!
DARTH VADER and OCHI OF BESTOON embark upon a search for the carbonite-frozen body of HAN SOLO. Get ready for intrigue, betrayal and action in the heart of HUTT SPACE with the explosive reappearance of EVERYONE'S FAVORITE ASSASSIN DROID, IG-88! ... And a shocking cliffhanger brings the shadows to life!
The Captain's comments: If this isn't your bag, you might want to avoid Marvel's Star Wars titles for the next, oh, three or four months. There's always IDW!
V. E. Schwab’s Extraordinary #1
Titan Comics | 170 x 258mm | 32pages | $3.99
Writer: V. E. Schwab | Art: Enid Balám | Cover A: Ana Godis | Cover B: Enid Balam | Cover C: Baldemar Rivas | Cover D: Lenka Simeckova
NYT bestselling author of Addie LaRue, V. E. Schwab returns for a new anti-villain story! Expands deeper into the world of Schwab's critically acclaimed VILLAINS novels! After surviving a deadly crash, Charlotte Tills becomes "ExtraOrdinary", gaining the ability to foresee a person's death. But when she looks into her own future, only the face of notorious EO killer Eli Ever stares back!
Pre-Read for Your Convenience: Last month, Titan released Extraordinary #0, a 14-page prequel to this series. It featured 14-year-old Charlotte Tillis, who dies in a bus crash but is resuscitated at a hospital. Now she sees how people are going to die in reflected images. Well, with one exception: She looks in the mirror one day and sees someone looking back.
Spooky!
Well, this issue we meet that guy. He's an EO, too — an "Extra Ordinary," people who gain some sort of super-power after dying and being resuscitated. Extraordinary #1 gives us the back story on this guy, and it's not a good one. He gains the power to Not Die, and decides that all other EOs are an affront to God and need to die. So he starts killing them. Eventually he gets caught, and now he works with the police from prison to find and dispatch EOs.
His next target? Charlotte.
Can't speak for you, but I'm hooked!
Vinyl #1 (of 6)
When Walter’s best friend, the FBI agent charged with his capture, is kidnapped by a death cult of all-female sunflower farmers, Walter finds himself deep within an underground labyrinth filled with secrets and monsters ... but are their monsters more horrific than his?
Pre-Read for Your Convenience!
The Walter mentioned above is described as a "serial killer" in the dialogue between FBI agents, but he seems more than that. When he puts on the bear mask (named "Snap," I think), he seems superhuman. But maybe he's just a really good serial killer. He's also got a fetish for records (hence the title).
Which comes in handy when Dennis, the FBI agent described above, gets in trouble with the cult mentioned above. Walter joins with Dennis' FBI partner Vic for a rescue ... or something. It's not exactly linear storytelling, but it's interesting. Also gory, so take that into account.
I'm game for at least another issue.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
Bitter Root #14
Image Comics | $3.99
Writers: David Walker, Chuck Brown | Art/Juneteenth variant: Sanford Greene
Bitter Root by Chuck Brown, David F. Walker, and Sanford Greene will feature a special commemorative cover in celebration of Juneteenth.
The Captain's comments: This is the only Juneteenth variant cover I know of.
Guardians of the Galaxy #15Marvel | 32 pages | Teen+ | $3.99
Writer: Al Ewing | Art: Juan Frigeri | Colors: Federico Blee | Cover: Brett Booth | Deadpool 30th Anniversary variant: Rob Liefeld | Pride Month variant: Phil Jimenez | Spider-Man Villains variant: Carlos Pacheco
THE LAST ANNIHILATION will begin in July’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #16 but the mastermind behind this latest threat has been kept under wraps. However, fans won’t have to wait long! After months of speculation, fans will finally learn the identity of the saga’s secret villain next month in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #15. The issue will deliver an ending no one will see coming and will also see two heavyweights from Ewing’s current titles collide. Both reeling from recent conflicts, the new Guardians of the Galaxy will come face to face with mutantkind’s new space agency, S.W.O.R.D. Get a glimpse at the Guardians’ tense showdown with the master of magnetism, Magneto, in all-new never-before-seen artwork by series artist Juan Frigeri!
The Captain's comments: The GotG have actually begun to live up to their name in recent years, adding some serious power players to their ranks. (The original team couldn't guard a golf course.) It appears that's on purpose, as a third Annihilation crossover begins next month. I assume this book acts as a prologue, and that's why Marvel sent me a couple of press releases.
The Secrets of Chocolate: A Gourmand’s Trip Through a Top Chef’s Atelier HC
NBM | $19.99
Writer/Art/Cover: Franckie Alarcon
Following Jacques Genin for a year, Franckie Alarcon hobnobbed with one of the biggest chefs of Chocolate. Former chef and pastry chef for prestigious restaurants, this super-talented autodidact shares all his passion and knowledge of chocolate and his process for creating recipes. In this docu-comic, we travel with the starry-eyed author, satisfying many a craving from the chef’s amazing atelier above his store, trying his hand as an assistant, all the way to the Peruvian cocoa plantations where the chef shows how he carefully chooses his beans, starting from scratch.
The Captain's comments: I'm a mutant, and my mutant power is I don't like chocolate. But the rest of the world does, and this will probably hit their sweet spot. (Sorry.)
X-Men Legends #4
Marvel | 32 pages | Teen+ | $3.99
Writer: Louis Simonson | Art/Cover: Walter Simonson | Deadpool 30th variant: Rob Liefeld | Action Figure variant: John Tyler Christopher
WITH A VENGEANCE!
Things go from bad to worse for X-FACTOR when they must save the baby NATHAN CHRISTOPHER SUMMERS from the clutches of a deadly robot attacker. But who is really at the helm, and what will this mean for the FUTURE of the team and the SUMMERS clan?
Return to this classic era with legends Louise Simonson and Walter Simonson in this ALL-NEW tale set before the original X-FACTOR #43!
The Captain's comments: Marvel sent me PR on this book because ... I dunno, Walt Simonson? Actually that's good enough for me!
What th--?
DC Through the '80s: The Experiments HCDC Comics | 504 pages | $49.99
Stories/Art: Various | Curated by Paul Levitz | Cover: Various | Variant: Gene Colan
cover by GENE COLAN and DICK GIORDANO
The 1980s were a period of unprecedented achievement and transition for DC Comics, one that introduced some of DC’s most acclaimed and bestselling titles, including Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns. For the first time, DC offers a retrospective of this monumental decade in one collected edition, featuring some of the most innovative and creative comics of the era, highlighting the work of groundbreaking creators such as Grant Morrison, Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, and Frank Miller, in genre-bending works that pushed the boundaries of the medium.
Collects Secret Origins #48, Swamp Thing #40, The Sandman #8, Doom Patrol #25, Warlord #48 and #55, Legion of Super-Heroes #298, Nathaniel Dusk #1, Infinity Inc. #14, The New Teen Titans #16, The Best of DC: Blue Ribbon Digest #58, Watchmen #1, Camelot 3000 #1, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #2, Angel Love #1, and History of the DC Universe #1-2, all selected by former DC President and Publisher Paul Levitz.
The Captain's comments: Well, we know which of this stuff had legs, because they're available in comprehensive hardbacks, and have spawned sequels: Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, Doom Patrol, Alan Moore's Swamp Thing. I'm not sure New Teen Titans should count as an experiment, since it was just a revival using Marvel's X-Men formula.
So really, all a post-1980s fan would be reading this for is the stuff that didn't stick very well. Of that, I can tell you that Nathaniel Dusk was an overly wordy crime noir (Ed Brubaker's work is far superior); Ronin was Frank Miller's attempt to swipe manga before swiping manga was cool (it just looked odd at the time, and the story was a bloated mess); Amethyst was an attempt to woo female readers, with a Billy Batson arrangement (this has since been discarded); Angel Love was another attempt at female readers, an upbeat office-girl scenario with cartoonish art (didn't sell); Camelot 3000 was an OK plot about Arthur's return when 3000 CE England is invaded by aliens, with superior Brian Bolland art (the final issue was delayed by almost a year, which just murdered enthusiasm and affection) and Ambush Bug was a re-invention of an existing supervillain as a sort of Deadpool character (which you probably know).
So if any of that whets your appetite, here's an issue or two of each.
Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special
IDW Publishing | 80 pages | $8.99
Writers: Ian Flynn, Gale Galligan, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Travis McElroy | Art: Aaron Hammerstrom, Reggie Graham, Mauro FoNSEca, Thomas Rothlisberger
IDW will release the Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special, a super-sized 80-page comic book featuring three tales of colorful heroes and dastardly villains, sure to tug at the heartstrings of fans of all ages! With the franchise entering a new decade, the anniversary issue will feature the writings of New York Times best-selling authors Gale Galligan and the McElroy Brothers to bring a fresh spin to the Blue Blur’s next chapter.
The Captain's comments: It's hard to believe there's still strong interest in this character three decades later. He must have something going for him I don't see.
Summoner's War Legacy #3
Image Comics | $3.99
Writer: Justin Jordan | Art/Cover: Luca Claretti, Giovanna Niro
After last issue’s stunning turn of events, Abuus Dein faces off against rogue summoner Voss Ayers in a battle for the ages!
The Captain's comments: I don't read this book, but Dark Horse thought enough of this issue to send me a press release and preview. So here ya go.
Warlash: Dark Noir #1 (of 3) signed edition
Asylum Press | General Readers | 56 pages | Perfect Bound | $6.99
Writer: Frank Forte | Art: Frank Forte, Steve Mannion, Szymon Kudranski, Marcin Ponomarew | Cover: Bruno Werneck
Giant-sized first issue! Warlash, armored warrior of the apocalyptic future, is reintroduced in with four tales of hard boiled crime noir terror. In "Phlegm Fatale" by Frank Forte, Warlash battles a biogenic beast in the sewers below Pittsburgh. "Grubbs," with art by Steve Mannion, introduces Warlash to the seedy underside of the city he is sworn to protect. In "Wormwar" Part 1, by Szymon Kudranski, a secret formula is stolen from an underground lab and Warlash must find out who. In "The Demon," Warlash is confronted with a satanic rite and hellspawned beast they have released. Signed by creator Frank Forte with Certificate of Authenticity.
The Captain's comments: I get a lot of Asylum PR pushing Kickstarter goals for this character. I don't read them, since I'm not interested. But apparently this one worked, so Asylum is reprinting a miniseries that first ran in 2008, only now it's signed by writer Frank Forte. BTW: Isn't "Dark Noir" redundant?
Warlash: Dark Noir #2 (of 3) signed edition
Asylum Press | General Readers | 40 pages | Saddle-stiched | $6.99
Writer: Frank Forte | Art: Frank Forte, Steve Mannion, Szymon Kudranski, J.C. Wong, Nenad Gucunja | Cover: Bruno Werneck
Action-packed second issue! This issue continues the "Phlegm Fatale" storyline wherein Warlash battles a biogenic beast in the sewers below Pittsburgh. In "Enter: The Bladeviper," Warlash fights a sexy blade wielding villainess in a story with stunning J.C. Wong artwork. The final chapter of Steve Mannion's "Grubbs" sees Warlash battle a shape-shifting maniac. And finally, in Nenda Gucunja's "Tentacles," an injection transforms a bum into something ... more. Signed by creator Frank Forte with Certificate of Authenticity.
Warlash: Dark Noir #3 (of 3) signed edition
Asylum Press | General Readers | 40 pages | Saddle-stitched | $6.99
Writers: Frank Forte, Royal McGraw | Art: Frank Forte, Szymon Kudranski, J.C. Wong | Cover: Aly Fell
Warlash, armored warrior of the apocalyptic future, returns. This issue concludes the "Phlegm Fatale" storyline wherein Warlash battles a biogenic beast in the sewers below Pittsburgh, but the battle is not over even after the beast has been destroyed. "Rocket's Red Scare" pits Warlash against a biogenetically engineered villain who goes by the name of Trotsky De Sade, the crazed leader of the Gene Communist Militia. De Sade is a Neo-Cold War menace who has taken the form of Joseph Stalin to try to wreak havoc upon the capitalist pigs of Pittsburgh. Can Warlash and his new ally Vigil stop him? Signed by creator Frank Forte with Certificate of Authenticity.
THE FULL LIST
BOOM! STUDIOS
Dune: House Atreides Vol 1 HC
Firefly #30
Good Luck #1 (of 5)
Power Rangers #8
Something Is Killing the Children #17
DARK HORSE COMICS
Black Hammer Reborn #1
Imogen of Wyrding Way one-shot
Kingdom Hearts Ultimania Story Before Kh3 HC
Lady Baltimore: Witch Queens #4 (of 5)
DC COMICS
Action Comics #1032
Batman: Reptilian #1
Batman/Superman #19
Checkmate #1
DC Through the ‘80s: The Experiments HC
Detective Comics #1038
The Dreaming: Waking Hours #11
Future State: Justice League TPB
Green Lantern John Stewart: A Celebration of 50 Years HC
Harley Quinn #4
Infinite Frontier #1 (of 6)
Justice League #63
Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol 1
Mister Miracle: The Source of Freedom #2 (of 6)
Robin #3
RWBY/Justice League #3 (of 7)
Superman #32
Teen Titans Academy #4
Transmetropolitan Vol 5 TPB
Wonder Woman #774
Wonder Woman: Black and Gold #1 (of 6)
DYNAMITE
Red Sonja #28
Vengeance of Vampirella #19
IDW PUBLISHING
Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special
Star Wars Adventures (2020) #5
TMNT #118
Transformers #31
Transformers/Back to the Future #4 (of 4)
IMAGE COMICS
Ascender #16
Bitter Root #14
Family Tree Vol 3 TPB
Home Sick Pilots #6
Jules Verne Lighthouse #3 (of 5)
Killadelphia #14
Manifest Destiny #44
Nomen Omen Vol 3 TPB: As the World Falls Down
Old Guard: Tales Through Time #3 (of 6)
Sea of Stars #10
Shadecraft #4
Spawn Universe #1
Stray Dogs #5
Summoners War Legacy #3
Undiscovered Country #13
Vinyl #1 (of 6)
MARVEL COMICS
Amazing Spider-Man #69
Captain Marvel #29
Fantastic Four Life Story #2 (of 6)
Gamma Flight #1 (of 5)
Guardians of the Galaxy #15
Heroes Return #1
King In Black: The Return of the Valkyries TPB
Marvels Voices: Pride #1
Miles Morales: Ultimate End TPB
MMW Uncanny X-Men Vol 13 HC
Reptil #2 (of 4)
Silk #4 (of 5)
Silk Vol 2: Out of the Spider-Verse TPB
Star Wars: Darth Vader #13
Star Wars: Darth Vader by Greg Pak Vol 2: Into the Fire TPB
Star Wars Legends Epic Collection Vol 4: Old Republic TPB
Sword #6
US Agent: American Zealot TPB
Way of X #3
Web of Spider-Man #2 (of 5)
Wolverine #13
X-Men Epic Collection: Mutant Genesis New Ptg TPB
X-Men Legends #4
OTHER COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
Aggretsuko Vol 3: Little Rei of Sunshine HC
American Cult: Graphic History of Religious Cults in America
Archie at Riverdale High Vol 3 TPB
B&V Friends Forever Summer #1
Bakemonogatari Vol 9 GN
Becstar #2
Bequest #4
Blood on the Tracks Vol 6 GN
Bloom #2 (of 4)
Blue Flame #2
Boarding School Juliet Vol 15 GN
Cardcaptor Sakura Collected Edition Vol 8 HC (of 9)
Cells at Work Baby Vol 2 GN
Chariot #4
Chunky GN
Claire and the Dragons #1
Crumrin Chronicles Vol 1 TPB
Daily Lives of High School Boys Vol 6 GN
Dark Age #6
Fuzzy Baseball Vol 4 Di No Hitters GN
Geeky Fab Five Vol 5: Smoky Mountain Science Squad GN
Geraldine Pu & Her Lunch Box Too GN
Giga #4
Girl With Sanpaku Eyes Vol 2 GN
Gleipnir Vol 9 GN
Grand Blue Dreaming Vol 13 GN
Great Gatsby #1
Grimm Fairy Tales #49
Grubbs #3
Horror Comics #5
I Can Read Comics Level 1: Clark Shark & School Sing GN
I Can Read Comics Level 1: Fish & Sun GN
I Can Read Comics Level 2: Friendbots Blink & Blank GN
I Can Read Comics Level 3: Tiny Tales Shell Quest GN
I Like To Read Comics: Five Magic Rooms GN
Ice Nine Kills Inked In Blood TPB
Inside Mari Vol 7 (of 9)
Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters #4
Jungle Fantasy Fauna #0
King Tank Girl #5 (of 5)
Kitchen Witch GN
Kyle’s Little Sister GN
Let’s Not Talk Anymore GN
Long Distance GN
Loud House Summer Special Hc
Magic Tree House Vol 1: Dinosaurs Before Dark GN
Maria Llovet’s Eros Psyche #4
Mfkz #1
Mischief and Mayhem Vol 1: Born to Be Bad HC
Modern Frankenstein #3
Mongolian Wind Art of Lu Ming HC
Monsterverse Titanthology Vol 1 TPB
Mythics Vol 3: Apocalypse Ahead GN
Nuclear Family #5
Nugget and Dog : All Ketchup No Mustard GN
Oscar Martin’s Solo Vol 2 HC
Peach Boy Riverside Vol 1 GN
Phantom on Scan #3
Pleasure & Corruption Vol 3 GN
Pup Detectives Vol 3 GN
Secrets of Chocolate Gourmands Trip HC
Shadow Service #9
Shadowman (2020) #3
Strange Attractors (It’s Alive) #2
Super Turbo Vol 3: Vs Pencil Pointer GN
Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Moved Vol 4 GN
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Vol 16 GN
Thunder & Cluck: Friends Do Not Eat Friends GN
Total Waste of Space Time Vol 2 GN
Turtle in Paradise GN
V.E. Schwab’s Extraordinary #1
Vietnam Horror #4
Warlash: Dark Noir #1 (of 3) signed edition
Warlash: Dark Noir #2 (of 3) signed edition
Warlash: Dark Noir #3 (of 3) signed edition
Wasted Space #21
Witch and Beast Vol 5 GN
World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #110
Replies
Along with Mario, Sonic is one of the icons of the video-gaming world. Why he spawned a comic that lasted so long, I have no idea.
The Baron said:
I've read a couple of issues of Sonic, although I think he was being published by Archie at the time. It's not aimed at me, so I didn't make it a regular thing. Are they still making Sonic video games? If the brand is still widespread, that might make for name recognition at the comic shop.
Yeah, they're still making Sonic games. Also, he's a guest character in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, which is a big deal for a character.
Captain Comics said:
Camelot 3000 was an OK plot about Arthur's return when 3000 CE England is invaded by aliens, with superior Brian Bolland art (the final issue was delayed by almost a year, which just murdered enthusiasm and affection)
When I returned to buying comics (instead of just CBG) in 1989 I had to play catchup with the 80s gems as collections, Camelot 3000* among them. I remember some people questioning why King Arthur thought the antagonists were demons and not aliens from another planet. Well, duh! In the 6th Century nobody conceived of planets other than Earth.
*Unless I'm mistaken, Camelot 3000 deserves more respect as a first attempt at non-Code work with then-controversial material.
Richard Willis said:
*Unless I'm mistaken, Camelot 3000 deserves more respect as a first attempt at non-Code work with then-controversial material.
You're not mistaken at all, Richard, and I'll add my voice to your chorus. Camelot 3000 was a big effin deal (to paraphrase our president) at the time, and fans were very enthusiastic. It was a bold horse out of the gate, and everybody was a-buzz at the possibilities it created.
There had been other non-Code approved material, like the three "drug" issues of Amazing Spider-Man, and the "Snowbirds Can't Fly" storyline in Green Lantern.
But Camelot 3000 was conceived from the get-go as a standalone, non-Code-approved, evergreen comic book that was meant to be adult. It still deserves credit for that — it paved the way for later works — but I mentioned the year delay because that was, in fact, a killer. Everybody was high on Camelot 3000 ... and then everybody hated it, because they were so disappointed.
"Everybody" didn't include me (it almost never does), but I understood the disappointment. After decades of being made fun of for being comic book fans, of the Batman show reducing our beloved characters to clowns, here was a shot at comics — and comics fans — being respected. And DC bungled it. The rage and disappointment was palpable.
And other books rounded that corner sooner, because they weren't hobbled in that way. And those books tend to get the credit you mention.
"I'm not sure New Teen Titans should count as an experiment, since it was just a revival using Marvel's X-Men formula."
It's not the entirety of New Teen Titans #16; it's the "Captain Carrot" preview from New Teen Titans #16. Similarly, Warlord #48 is "Arak, Son of Thunder" and LSH #298 is "Amethyst: Duel in Dark Magic." Also, the Nathanial Dusk section reprints only the first eight pages. I intend to cover DC Through the 80s in more deatil in a thread of its own soon.
Well, that's a horse of a different color.
As we've been discussing on the Anything, Everything, Nothing at All thread, we're not getting alerted to new posts consistently. I didn't see this until Thursday night.
If the main problem with Camelot 3000 was a long delay, I escaped that by reading the collection.
By the way, Green Lantern #85 with the "Snowbirds" story was Code-approved. They didn't challenge the Code like Stan did.
Captain Comics said: