Let’s start with MARVEL this month…
First of all (and I should have mentioned this last month but I didn’t notice), Walt Simonson has joined Mark Waid for an Indestructible Hulk storyline. I just recently dropped this title because, although I was enjoying it, I didn’t feel I was enjoying it enough. IOW, it didn’t make me glad to spend four bucks per issue. But Walt Simonson does Hulk art all too infrequently, and I once made a vow to myself that I’d buy any Hulk story drawn by Walt Simonson.
Second, ignore the stupid numbering (#258.1-258.4), David Michelinie and Bob Layton are back on Iron Man for a four issue run (another pairing I will always support).
Most importantly I’m excited to see the return of Marvel’s “Premiere Hardcover” line after an absence of several months. I’m not interested in this particular volume (X-Force), but I I support the line whenever possible.
Moving on to other publishers…
DARK HORSE features Tarzan – The Sunday Comics – 1931-1933 by Hal Foster. First of all, there’s the price: $125.00. Second, there’s the size: although the diminsions are listed as 7” x 10” it’s described as “giant size” so I assume it’s printed at full Sunday size. I already own a complete collection of Tarzan Sundays by Hal Foster and Burne Hogarth, but I’m afraid if I don’t get this one I’ll regret it… maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of my life. It’s expensive, but 1931-1933 ought to be Foster’s entire run. Decisions, decisions…
Speaking of Tarzan, IDW offers volume one (1967-1969) of Russ Manning’s Tarzan at a much more affordable 50 bucks. No-brainer, there (for me, anyway).
And speaking of way expensive things, the latest offering in IDW’s “Artist’s Edition” series is The Best of EC, Vol. 1. (Vol. 1? What are you trying to do guys? Kill me?) I’ve seen the Wally Wood and MAD ones and they are gorgeous (not to mention HUGE!).
The final thing of note from IDW is a new four-issue comic book mini-series by John Byrne, Doomsday.1 (and if you think that harkens back to John Byrne’s very early Doomsday+1, go to the head of the class!). I was there for the original in the ‘70s, the reprint in the ‘80s, and I’ll be there for this.
DC offers an original hardcover graphic novel, 7 Against Chaos, by Harlan Ellison and Paul Chadwick which looks interesting.
Remember all the complaining we did when DC solicited a Crisis on Multiple Earths tpb sans the two All-Star Squadron issues of that year’s five-parter? Well, previous orders have been cancelled and the title resolicited with all chapters complete. What were they thinking, anyway?
The Tales of Batman: Archie Goodwin collection has also been resolicited.
HERMES PRESS offers a collection of Brenda Starr comic books. I would klikely be buying this anyway, but the solicitation (pluss additional full page ad) makes it sound pretty racy!
The next in FANTAGRAPHICS’ EC Library series is “Fall Guy for Murder” and Other Stories by Johnny Craig. This took home the 2012 “Cappie” award for “Best Reprint or Archive,” so give it a look!
Also up is Volume 1 (?) of Walt Disney’s Donald Duck by Carl Barks. How does this differ from the Carl Barks Library? I’m so confused.
PC ARTBOOKS: Remember when Craig Yoe edited the best of Dick Briefer’s Frankenstein, both funny and serious versions? Now PC Artbooks is going to begin a comprehensive collection of all of it. Yay!
I’ve got all of the Dan Dare collections (as well as the Best of Eagle 1950s, 1960s and Cutaways), but I’m not sure if I want to own the Dan Dare: Spacefleet Operations Manual. Again, “Decisions, decisions…”
On the video front, a new two-volume set collection all 52 episodes of the original Astro-Boy will soon be available, as well as Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot: the Complete Series on DVD. I’ll probably get the former, certainly the latter, but I’ll get them via Amazon.com.
And that wraps up another month! Those are my thoughts. What are yours?
Replies
Finally, got mine done, and I avoid this thread until I finish. I don't want to be swayed in anyway.
1. I guess Black Mask Comics paid to be in the front of the catalog.
2. Is it just me or is it hard to get excited about a King Conan series?
3. Richard Corben adapting Poe? I'm in!
4. I love that there is a song for 2-XL
5. That Superboy cover could use some more blood...
6. I sure am glad I bailed on Sword of Sorcery when i heard it was cancelled. Eclipso? Again? DC has been trying 20 years to make him a serous villain, and has anyone bought into it yet?
7. Harland Ellison and Paul Chadwick on graphic novel sounds like a real tour de force. Telling me the protagonists are a sci-fi seven samurai sold me on it.
8. At least they didn't spill the beans on Damian here.
9. That archie Goodwin Batman collection sounds great. It includes his Manhunter story. I already own most of it, so I will pass. For now.
10. Nice to see that Phil Jimenez come back to Fairest.
11. I am not a Ben Templesmith fan at all, but the premise of Ten Grand is just too much for me to pass up.
12. What the hell is a "super-head"?
13. Okay that Galactus bottle opener looks neat.
14. 258.1-258.4? Ugh. Marvel, Marvel, Marvel.
15. Dark Avengers has been cancelled which put a pretty significant dent in my Marvel pull list.
16. I never thought I would see the day that a Spider-Man 2099 collection would appear, and I liked the series.
17. Holy crap, Marvel is actually showing us what their new posters will look like. Something I have been asking for for about 2 years.
18. As a huge fan of the crime genre, I am glad I have so many options now.
19. A new Jason book? Bought no questions asked. Everyone should at least try him out.
20. I like the video game Team Fortress 2 and all, but I can't ever imagine paying $200+ for a statue for it.
I would guess this focuses on Donald solely, whereas the Library covers all of the characters he worked on.
Something I would love to have, but certainly not in my budget right now. I need to find me a sugar momma.