RKMBs Forums .::Robegories::. Comic Books Previewing Previews

So, It’s a really, really boring night at work and all I have to amuse me is the latest copy of Previews. Just some random thoughts as I page through…

Shall we take a look inside?

DC side…

BATMAN #656
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Kubert & Jesse Delperdang
Cover by Kubert
What do you get when you add one Batman, fifty Ninja Man-Bats and the British Prime Minister's wife? Welcome to a glittering night of mayhem among the rich and famous, as Batman faces down a whole army of winged horrors in a no-holds barred, bone-crunching superbrawl among the treasures of London's Pop Art museum. And when the Dark Knight's done, an even greater shock awaits, as we finally meet a startling NEW addition to the Batman family in "Man Bats of London," - Part 2 of the 4-part "Batman and Son," by comics legends Grant Morrison (ALL STAR SUPERMAN, SEVEN SOLDIERS) and Andy Kubert (Ultimate X-Men, 1602)! And don't miss the stunning New Printing of BATMAN: SON OF THE DEMON, solicited on page 60!
On sale August 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

I really, really don’t find Grant Morrison all that interesting. I just don’t see what the big deal is…I enjoyed some of his early stuff like Animal Man and the first half of Doom Patrol, but otherwise his stuff just doesn’t do it for me. Weirdness for weirdness’s sake just isn’t my cuppa. I’ll still pick it up though cuz I’m an idiot, plus Andy Kubert is a God…

DETECTIVE COMICS #822
Written by Paul Dini
Art by J.H. Williams III
Cover by Simone Bianchi
The team of writer Paul Dini (BATMAN: WAR ON CRIME, Batman: The Animated Series), artist J.H. Williams III (PROMETHEA, SEVEN SOLDIERS) and cover artist Simone Bianchi (SEVEN SOLDIERS: SHINING KNIGHT) deliver another intriguing tale of the Dark Knight!
When a young socialite is murdered, her grief-stricken uncle turns to the newly reformed Riddler to find her killer. No longer the villain of old, the Riddler has turned his brilliant brain to crime-solving, and to the surprise of both the police and Batman, he's actually good at it. Has Gotham's most pernicious puzzler turned over a new leaf, or is it all a cover for a darker scheme?
Prepare for twists, turns and betrayals every step of the way as Batman and the Riddler forge an uneasy alliance to track down the mysterious murderer!
On sale August 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

More my style! Really looking forward to Paul Dini’s run. I have a feeling the two main Bat-books are going to end up being polar opposite’s of each other…

BATMAN: FACE THE FACE TP
Written by James Robinson
Cover by Simone Bianchi
Art by Leonard Kirk, Don Kramer, Patrick Gleason and others
It's One Year Later...and who is the mysterious vigilante who's been murdering Gotham's highest-profile villains? Find out in this new collection featuring the 8-part "Face the Face" saga from DETECTIVE COMICS #817-820 and BATMAN #651-654! Batman must uncover the murderer's identity - even as he finds himself in the unlikely role of protecting some of his oldest foes!
Advance-solicited; on sale September 6 • 192 pg, FC, $14.99 US

James Robinson is one of my favorite writers, and this would be an excellent TPB to pick up, except for two things...I just bought the original issues (haven’t even read them yet) and I really can’t stand the paper stock that DC is using on their TPB’s lately. The past year or so, they switched to some kind of really bright paper that feels really cheap. I try not to buy any DC TPB’s anymore…

BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #209
Written by Bruce Jones
Art and cover by Ariel Olivetti
Part 3 of the 5-part "Darker Than Death," written by Bruce Jones (MAN-BAT) with fully rendered color art by Ariel Olivetti (SPACE GHOST)! Is the hostage Batman risked everything to save already beyond his - or anyone's - help?
On sale August 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Remember when this book used to actually feature quality stories by big name creators? James Robinson, Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale, Denny O’neil etc. Now all they have is crap. I picked up issue #200 figuring it would be a nice little done-in-one anniversary story (similar to issue #100!) but it was a piece of crap. This book should have been killed after Archie Goodwin passed away…*sigh*

SUPERMAN #655
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art and cover by Carlos Pacheco & Jesus Merino
Halfway across the world from Metropolis lies a dark secret from another planet, one not even Superman may be able to contain. What is this threat, and why has a certain time-traveling magician taken interest?
On sale August 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

ACTION COMICS #842
Written by Kurt Busiek & Fabian Nicieza
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Dave Gibbons
Part 2 of the stunning, DCU-spanning 3-part story written by Kurt Busiek & Fabian Nicieza with art by Pete Woods (CATWOMAN) and a cover by Dave Gibbons (WATCHMEN, THE ORIGINALS)! An alien race is collecting unique specimens from Earth, and Superman's on the list! When tossed in with heroes and villains alike, it'll be up to the Man of Steel to lead the charge against their interstellar jailers! Guest-starring Nightwing, Firestorm, Aquaman and more!
On sale August 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

I still haven’t read the OYL Superman stuff yet (for this and the Batman stuff, I’ve been waiting to read it as one complete chunk) so I can’t really say if it’s been any good, but with Busiek and Pacheco, how can you go wrong? Can’t wait till Adam Kubert takes over on Action. Supposedly Richard Donner and Geoff Johns will be writing it, but I don’t know how true that is…At least the Superman books should be readable again for once…

SUPERGIRL #9
Written by Joe Kelly
Art and cover by Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund
Don't miss a turning point in Kara's life as some of the missing time from One Year Later is revealed! When Kara returned from space, she found Paradise Island gone, Superboy dead and Superman powerless. Feeling very much alone, she found romance with someone that no hero will condone. Who is Supergirl's boyfriend?
On sale August 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Does anyone even care about this book anymore? Nine issues in and it’s on it’s third writer. Plus, I can’t stand Joe Kelly anymore. He went from one of the best young writers in the business when he broke in at Marvel to one of the biggest hacks around. Kinda reminds me of Scott Lobdell in that I can’t understand how he keeps getting jobs…Dropped this book last month…

SUPERMAN/BATMAN #29
Written by Mark Verheiden
Art and cover by Ethan Van Sciver
In Part 2 of "The Enemies Among Us," Hal Jordan goes mad just as space villains that once plagued the Green Lantern are attacking Earth. Superman and Batman look to the rest of the Corps for help, and instead find Kilowog gone rogue!
On sale August 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Why do I get the feeling that Verheiden’s stuff is just gonna end up being crap compared to Loeb’s? Of course, then again, I think anybody would have looked pretty lame compared to Jeph Loeb on this book…I’m gonna give it a chance, but I don’t have very high expectations for it at all…Maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised…At least it should go back to being on time…And whatever happened to David Goyer taking this book over? Anybody out there know?

THE ALL-NEW ATOM #2
Written by Gail Simone
Art by John Byrne & Trevor Scott
Cover by Ariel Olivetti
Ryan investigates disappearances in Ivy Town and stumbles on the shambling creature M'ngalah and his deformed hordes! Meanwhile, one of The Waiting is given a version of the Atom's bio-belt and becomes the hyper-violent Dwarfstar! What's the connection between all these mysterious events in Ivy Town?
On sale August 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Yech! Gail Simone used to be the other “great young writer” over at Marvel, but something abou the water at DC seems to be screwing up these people’s talent! Plus, bad John Byrne pencils! No thanks…

BLUE BEETLE #6
Written by Keith Giffen & John Rogers
Art by Cully Hamner
Cover by Duncan Rouleau
A jaw-dropping secret about the Beetle's armor is revealed in this can't-miss issue!
On sale August 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

I really liked the first issue, but I still have the feeling that this book won’t last more than eighteen or so issues. Keith Giffen seems to crash and burn more often than not when starting a new book (See Suicide Squad, Dominion, Zodiac etc.)

CHECKMATE #5
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Jesus Saiz
Cover by Lee Bermejo
Three candidates compete to become Black Queen's Knight in the sensational stand-alone tale "Selection."
On sale August 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Now that Gotham Central is no more, I’m expecting this to be my favorite DC book.

THE FLASH: FASTEST MAN ALIVE #3
Written by Danny Bilson & Paul DeMeo
Art by Karl Kerschl
Cover by Ken Lashley
Who's giving the Flash a run for his money as the new hero of Keystone? Illustrated by guest artist Karl Kerschl!
On sale August 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

A guest artist on the third fucking issue??? Jesus Christ…I hope this doesn’t become one of those books that consistently ships late, much like I’m sure Wonder Woman will…And I’m not too sure about the new writing team. Hope they don’t disappoint, cuz I won’t wait around too long if it’s not good…

GREEN ARROW #65
Written by Judd Winick
Art and cover by Scott McDaniel & Andy Owens
Part 1 of the new story "Away Game" - a 3-part flashback explaining what happened to Ollie a year ago after he was left for dead with Mia and Connor. After making it to a desert island, the three lick their wounds and plan a return to full power!
On sale August 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Judd Winick, another writer I used to enjoy (Green Lantern, Exiles & Barry Ween) but since going exclusive with DC doesn’t seem to have it anymore. At least this is one OYL book where it seems like there were real changes and not the “lets just move all the storylines we had lined up one year ahead instead of one week” mentality so many other books seemed to have taken…

52: WEEKS 13-17
Written by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid
Breakdowns by Keith Giffen
Art by various
Backup feature by Waid and various
Covers by J.G. Jones
In WEEK 13, featuring art by Todd Nauck & Marlo Alquiza, it's the resurrection of Sue Dibny! But are the Elongated Man's ex-teammates here to help, or hurt? Plus, the origin of Elongated Man by Mark Waid and Kevin Nowlan!
In WEEK 14, with art by Dale Eaglesham & Art Thibert, Steel faces a turning point, and Montoya and the Question go international! Plus, the origin of Steel by Waid and Jon Bogdanove!
It's the death you never expected in WEEK 15, featuring art by Shawn Moll & Tom Nguyen! Plus, the origin of Metamorpho by Waid & Eric Powell (The Goon)!
Celebrate the nuptials of Black Adam and Isis in WEEK 16, illustrated by Joe Bennett & Ruy Jose! Plus, the origin of Black Adam by Waid and J.G. Jones!
WEEK 17 features art by Chris Batista, Jack Jadson & Ruy Jose, and can be described in one word: Lobo! Plus, the origin of Lobo by Waid and Giffen!
52: A year without Superman; a year without Batman; a year without Wonder Woman...but not a year without heroes.
Week 13 on sale August 2 • Week 14 on sale August 9 • Week 15 on sale August 16 • Week 16 on sale August 23 • Week 17 on sale August 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

I don’t know about this book yet. I’ve only read the first issue and it was…meh. Not great, but not terrible either. But, Lobo? Meh.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #3
Written by Dave Gibbons
Art and cover by Patrick Gleason & Prentis Rollins
The explosive conclusion of the 3-part "To Be a Lantern!" On Oa, a murderer is brought to justice and a Lantern is laid to rest, while on Thanagar, a brave warrior's life is changed, perhaps forever.
On sale August 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Could really care less about this book. Maybe if Dave Gibbons drew it…

JLA CLASSIFIED #26
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Carlos D'Anda
Cover by Howard Porter
Kicking off "Kid Amazo," a 5-part story written by Peter Milligan (X-Men) with art by Carlos D'Anda (OUTSIDERS)! Professor Ivo and Amazo have hatched an unusual experiment that just might mean the downfall of the JLA - but could their experiment turn on them?
On sale August 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

See my comments about Batman: LOTDK above. Also applies to JSA Classified…

JONAH HEX #10
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art and cover by Phil Noto
In this gothic tale of horror and honor illustrated by artist Phil Noto (DANGER GIRL, Beautiful Killer), Jonah Hex finds himself at odds with the most ruthless, inbred family of killers he's ever come across. Deep in the Louisiana swamplands, two men and a pregnant woman end up in the wrong place at the wrong time - and it's up to Jonah Hex to set things straight!
On sale August 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

My other favorite DC book. Didn’t have much hope for this book when it originally came out, but love it now…

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1
Written by Brad Meltzer
Art by Ed Benes & Sandra Hope
Two standard covers by Ed Benes
Variant cover by Michael Turner
It begins here - a bold new era for the World's Greatest Heroes by New York Times best-selling author Brad Meltzer and superstar artist Ed Benes! It's Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman...and the true roster of members who will become the new Justice League of America. Join us as we head into "The Tornado's Path." Retailers please note: this issue will ship with two covers by Ed Benes, one featuring Green Lantern and Green Arrow (cover A, left half of art above) and one featuring Superman and Batman (cover B, right half of art above). For a signed edition, see the Dynamic Forces section of Previews. A variant cover by Michael Turner is also available - see order form for details.
On sale August 16 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US

I think this is gonna be a great book. His GA run a few years back is one of my favorites of all time. Can’t wait.

JUSTICE VOL. 1 HC
Written by Jim Krueger & Alex Ross
Art by Doug Braithwaite & Ross
Cover by Ross
The Justice League of America is reimagined by fan-favorite painter Alex Ross (JLA: LIBERTY & JUSTICE, KINGDOM COME) and writer Jim Krueger (Earth X, Universe X) with pencil art by Doug Braithwaite (Paradise X) painted by Ross in this fantastic new hardcover collecting the first four issues of the best-selling maxiseries!
The members of the fabled Justice League of America are about to learn they aren't the only ones who can band together toward a common goal. The greatest criminal masterminds of our time appear to be acting in concert - but with a surprising plan that seeks to achieve more good than the JLA ever could! This first volume of three contains expanded character bios and sketches.
For a signed edition, see the Dynamic Forces section of Previews.
Advance-solicited; on sale September 13 • 160 pg, FC, $19.99 US

Twenty bucks for a hardcover reprinting four issues?!?!?! That’s not Justice…It’s a rip-off!

MANHUNTER #25
Written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Javier Pina & Fernando Blanco
Cover by Jesus Saiz
The solo adventures of Kate Spencer come to a stunning conclusion - but her new life as a dark hero has only just begun! Final issue.
On sale August 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

I really enjoyed this book in the beginning, but it’s really gone downhill since. Would have dropped it last month if I hadn’t heard that it was being cancelled. Oh well…

INFINITE CRISIS HC
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Jerry Ordway,
Ivan Reis, Andy Lanning and others
New cover by Jimenez
The 7-issue miniseries event that rocked the entire DC Universe in 2005-2006 - a sequel to the epic CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS - is now collected in an amazing hardcover collection! Written by Geoff Johns (GREEN LANTERN, TEEN TITANS) with art by a who's who of comics' greatest talents - including Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Jerry Ordway and more, this hardcover is a must-have for any DC collector.
OMAC robots are rampaging, magic is dying, villains are uniting, and a war is raging in space. And in the middle of it all, a critical moment has divided Earth's three greatest heroes: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. It's the DCU's darkest day, and long-lost heroes from the past have returned to make things right in the universe...at any cost. Heroes will live, heroes will die, and the DCU will never be the same again!
This exhaustive volume also contains every cover and variant produced for the project, annotations, character designs, excerpts from scripts, unused scenes, and much more! For a signed edition, se the Dynamic Forces section of Previews.
Advance-solicited; on sale September 20 • 264 pg, FC, $24.99 US

I would really like to know if they plan on issuing an Absolute version of this similar to what they did to the original Crisis. The two of them would look good on my bookshelf next to each other. Think I’ll wait…

MARTIAN MANHUNTER #1
Written by A.J. Lieberman
Art and cover by Al Barrionuevo & Bit
Exploding from the pages of BRAVE NEW WORLD, Martian Manhunter stars in his first solo adventure in over five years! Written by A.J. Lieberman (Harley Quinn, BATMAN: Gotham Knights), who's reunited with the artistic team of Al Barrionuevo and Bit (BATMAN: Gotham Knights), this series will change the way you see the last son of Mars!
Since coming to Earth, J'onn J'onzz has strived to fit in with his adoptive people, even altering his appearance in order to not frighten Earthlings. And in that time, he has struggled between following the ways and customs of his people and becoming human.
But now everything he believed about his past has been shattered, and his tolerance for the failings of humanity is at an end. On a mission to seek the real facts about his past and his long-lost race, Martian Manhunter will stop at nothing to discover the truth about himself and the world he lives in!
On sale August 9 • 1 of 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US Edited by Matt Idelson

Pretty cool character, but I think I’ll pass. Doesn’t sound interesting at all. I’ll probably be able to find this book in a quarter box within a year…

OMAC #2
Written by Bruce Jones
Art and cover by Renato Guedes
The last OMAC managed to escape Firestorm - now he finds himself in Las Vegas, but still with a deadly mission to complete at the heart of the United States' military. Success in this mission will unleash an even greater danger, but what chance do any of Earth's heroes have against the One Man Army Corps?
And while the man who has become OMAC is far from the war machine that is OMAC, what hope does he have to prevent freedom's downfall when he doesn't even know the menace he carries inside him?
On sale August 2 • 2 of 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

All I can say is…Way to fuck up a great concept! Bruce Jones on anything is a bad sign, and him given a chance to fuck up everything Greg Rucka did in last year’s mini-series is a shame. Bad DC! No treats for you!

OUTSIDERS #39
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Matthew Clark & Art Thibert
Cover by Daniel Acuña
For these heroes, being an Outsider is in their DNA. But so are a few other things, as the team's about to learn!
On sale August 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

I finally gave up on this book. Couldn’t follow it, just didn’t care about it. Judd Winick fucks up another good concept for me…

THE SHAZAM! FAMILY ARCHIVES VOL. 1 HC
Written by various
Art by Mac Raboy, Al Carreno Marc Swayze and C.C. Beck
Cover by Mac Raboy
A stunning Golden Age Archive featuring the adventures of Captain Marvel, Jr. and the origin of Mary Marvel from MASTER COMICS 23-32, CAPTAIN MARVEL JR. #1 and CAPTAIN MARVEL ADVENTURES #18! Plus, a foreword by comics historian P.C. Hamerlinck.
Advance-solicited; on sale September 27 • 228 pg, FC, $49.99 US

Pure Heaven! I’ll have to get this eventually, but I know it won’t be for awhile, at least until I can find it half off at a con or on Ebay…I’ve got all the Shazam Archives so far, but unfortunately most of the early stuff wasn’t really very good. I took the character a few years before stuff kicked into high gear, and I’m afraid that at the rate DC is going, I may not live long enough to see that stuff published…

SECRET SIX #4
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Brad Walker & Jimmy Palmiotti
Cover by Karl Kerschl
It's the Secret Six versus the Doom Patrol, fresh off their appearance in Teen Titans! As the Six hunt down the villain who has been targeting them, they uncover some startling secrets. What does the all-new Doom Patrol have to do with all of it?
On sale August 23 • 4 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

I thought that Villains United was lame and I’m afraid this will be just as bad…*sigh* Another casualty of the water at DC…

SOLO #12
Written by Brendan McCarthy, Tom O'Connor,
Jono Howard and Robbie Morrison
Art and cover by McCarthy
It's the final issue of Solo, and we're going out with a bang! Artist/writer Brendan McCarthy (Judge Dredd, Rogan Gosh, Skin) lends his unique style to some of DC's biggest icons: Batman. Superman, the Flash, and even JSA villain Johnny Sorrow! His take on the "World's Finest" is guaranteed to be like nothing you've seen before. And you won't believe what else is spawned from McCarthy's fevered imagination!
On sale August 30 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US

Brendan McCarthy?!?!?! So many great creators out there and they pick Brendan McCarthy???? This has been a great series, and I’m sad to see it go, but it looks like it lasted one issue too long…

SUPERGIRL AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #21
Written by Mark Waid & Tony Bedard
Art by Barry Kitson, Adam DeKraker & Mick Gray
Cover by Kitson
The Legion struggles against the mighty giants of Colossal Boy's hometown! And with Brainiac's resurrection plan in action, can the Legion trust him to play god?
On sale August 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Not really feeling the love for this series that everybody else is…I dunno how much longer I’ll be interested in this book…

TRIALS OF SHAZAM! #1
Written by Judd Winick
Art and cover by Howard Porter
Acclaimed writer Judd Winick (OUTSIDERS, GREEN ARROW) redefines the mighty Captain Marvel in a 12-issue maxiseries featuring a stunning new art style for fan-favorite illustrator Howard Porter (THE FLASH, JLA)!
The world is in magical turmoil as Captain Marvel tries to keep everything under control in the aftermath of the events of DAY OF VENGEANCE. And with the rest of the Marvel Family powerless, it's all up to him - unless some drastic changes occur fast. Luckily, everything changes by this issue's end!
On sale August 30 • 1 of 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

GODDAMN YOU WINICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why did they have to give my all-time favorite DC character to Winick to fuck up?!?!?! I haven’t even read it yet, and I know he’s fucked it up! Why doesn’t DC let Mark Waid take a crack at this character??? God I hate Winick…

TEEN TITANS #39
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Tony Daniel & Kevin Conrad
Cover by Daniels
Part 2 of "Titans Around the World!" It's off to Tokyo to meet one of the many mysterious Teen Titans members from the missing year: the world's greatest teen magician - the all-new Zatara! Plus, Robin and Wonder Girl learn a horrific secret about one of their former members.
On sale August 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

This book started out pretty strong a few years ago, but now it’s kinda…blah. Still willing to check it out for a while longer post OYL, but I don’t know…

SHADOWPACT #4
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Steve Scott & Wayne Faucher
Cover by Scott
A special issue featuring guest art by Steve Scott (JLA) spotlighting a night in the life of Blue Devil! Demons have tracked Blue Devil to his hometown, and the resultant battle may leave it in shambles! It's wild action from writer Bill Willingham (FABLES)!
On sale August 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

The mini was fun, so hopefully to ongoing will be decent too. Or it could be terrible…We’ll see…



UNCLE SAM AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS #2
Written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti
Art and cover by Daniel Acuña
The Brave New World continues as the all-new Freedom Fighters set out on their latest mission - to arrest Uncle Sam!
On sale August 30 • 2 of 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Who cares?

WONDER WOMAN #3
Written by Allan Heinberg
Art and cover by Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson
The adventures of the all-new Wonder Woman continue in Part 3 of the 5-part "Who is Wonder Woman" as three of her predecessor's most powerful enemies unite to declare war on the Amazing Amazon. But when Wonder Woman attempts to answer their challenge, she discovers a heroic figure from her past literally beating her to the punch. But who is the gods' new avatar? And where does that leave the new Wonder Woman?
On sale August 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

I have high hopes for this book, but I think it’s gonna slip into scheduling hell just like Heinberg’s Young Avengers. I hope not, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all…

BATTLER BRITTON #2
Written by Garth Ennis
Art by Colin Wilson
Cover by Garry Leach
Tempers flare in the wake of repeated clashes between the Yanks and their newly arrived Brit Associates. As Battler tries to create a new camaraderie, both camps display heroism in the face of death - and for one of their number, it's too close a call!
On sale August 2 • 2 of 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

THE BOYS #1 & 2
Written by Garth Ennis
Art and covers by Darick Robertson
"This book will out-PREACHER PREACHER." - Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis (Preacher) and Darick Robertson (Transmetropolitan), co-creators of two of the most thought-provoking comics of the last decade, introduce their first original collaboration for a new monthly series: THE BOYS - a dark, twisted look at super powers, super-people, and the men and women who make sure the world's "heroes" never go too far.
With a quarter-million super-powered beings in the world, someone's got to watch what's going on beneath all those masks and capes. In a U.S.A. uncomfortably like our own, that task falls to The Boys, a government-funded group of operatives dedicated to keeping the "supes" in line.
Team leader Billy Butcher, described by a confidential C.I.A. report as "the most lethal individual ever encountered by this agency," is on the hunt for new recruits - but it takes something special to join this outfit. You have to be smart. You have to be strong. And you have to hate supes with every ounce of black passion in your heart.
Issue #1 on sale August 16; issue #2 on sale August 30
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS Edited by Ben Abernathy

A MAN CALLED KEV #2
Written by Garth Ennis
Art by Carlos Ezquerra
Cover by Glenn Fabry
After fleeing the United Kingdom in search of a new beginning, Kev tracks down an old friend and his beloved tiger. What he discovers, though, will have a profound effect on his future - if he can escape the sins of a past that are about to come crashing down on everyone he knows!
On sale August 9 • 2 of 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Lots of Garth Ennis this month, and that doesn’t even count his upcoming Midnighter book! I used to be a bitch for Ennis, especially on Preacher, Hellblazer and Hitman, but lately his stuff hasn’t done it for me. He used to be the best character writer in the biz, but it seems like all he ever wants to do is recycle old Preacher gags. The only stuff of his that I’ve really enjoyed since then has been his War Story stuff for Vertigo. Hopefully Battler Britton will be in that vein. The Boys sounds like it could be fun, or it could be horribly clichéd (like The Punisher). We’ll see…

EX MACHINA #23
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Art by Tony Harris & Tom Feister
Cover by Harris
Part 3 of the 4-part "Smoke Smoke." In the past, the super-heroic Great Machine pursues a drug dealer in a high-speed chase, while in the present, Mayor Mitchell Hundred struggles with crime and punishment in the arena of New York's marijuana laws.
On sale August 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US MATURE READERS

Y: THE LAST MAN #48
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Art by Goran Parlov & José Marzan, Jr.
Cover by Massimo Carnevale
Featuring guest art by Goran Parlov! The final and most important "secret origin" issue of the series reveals the untold story behind former Israeli Defense Forces leader Alter Tse'elon. What drives this female soldier's hunt for the last man on Earth, and what will Alter find that could mean the end of Yorick Brown?
On sale August 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS

PRIDE OF BAGHDAD HARDCOVER
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Art and cover by Niko Henrichon
From one of America's most acclaimed comics writers - a startlingly original look at life on the streets of Baghdad during the Iraq War inspired by true events.
In his award-winning work on Y: THE LAST MAN and EX MACHINA (one of Entertainment Weekly's 2005 Ten Best Fiction titles), writer Brian K. Vaughan has displayed an understanding of both the cost of survival and the political nuances of the modern world. Now, in this provocative graphic novel, Vaughan examines life on the streets of war-torn Iraq. The experience is made all the more evocative by the lush, spectacular artwork of Niko Henrichon (BARNUM!).
In the spring of 2003, a pride of lions escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during an American bombing raid. Lost and confused, hungry but finally free, the four lions roamed the decimated streets of Baghdad in a desperate struggle for their lives. In documenting the plight of the lions, PRIDE OF BAGHDAD raises questions about the true meaning of liberation - can it be given, or is it earned only through self-determination and sacrifice? And in the end, is it truly better to die free than to live life in captivity?
Based on a true story, Vaughan and Henrichon have created a unique and heartbreaking window into the nature of life during wartime, illuminating this struggle as only the graphic novel can.
Advance-solicited; on sale September 13 • 136 pg, FC, $19.99 US • MATURE READERS Edited by Will Dennis

BKV is another favorite of mine, and I can’t decide which book of his I like more! I think Ex Machina might just edge out Y The Last Man only because of Tony Harris’s art. Otherwise, two of the best books on the stands. His new GN also looks really, really cool, but I’ll have to wait for a soft cover that is a little more affordable. Dark Horse also has issue two of The Escapists coming this month. Another great book which I’ve been waiting too long on…

100 BULLETS #75
Written by Brian Azzarello
Art by Eduardo Risso
Cover by Dave Johnson
You know the drill by now: Graves approaches someone down on their luck, gives them the infamous briefcase, and then that person must decide what to do with it. But when Lono is factored in with an offer - and another side of the story in the case - could Agent Graves' mysterious plans be in jeopardy?
On sale August 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS

LOVELESS #10
Written by Brian Azzarello
Art and cover by Marcelo Frusin
Part 2 of "Thicker Than Blackwater." While the notorious Bloody Bill terrorizes the town of Blackwater, Wes realizes that his own plans for revenge and redemption must be put on hold. But will Wes be able to put an end to the outlaw's brutality given their shared past?
On sale August 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS

I used to be a big fan of Azzarello back in the day, and 100 Bullets started out as one of my favorite books, but I’ve all but given up on it. I can’t figure out what the hell is going on anymore. I don’t even know why I still buy this book…*sigh* I did finally drop Loveless after the first story arc. I had such high hopes for this book, but was really disappointed. If you want a good western, check out Jonah Hex instead. I was sure it was gonna be the other way around, but boy was I wrong…

FABLES #52
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Mark Buckingham & Steve Leialoha
Cover by James Jean
Part 1 of the new 4-part story "Sons of the Empire." What's it like being the firstborn son of a bloodthirsty emperor whose empire encompasses more than a thousand kingdoms, scattered over a hundred worlds? Poor little Pinocchio is suffering seriously divided loyalties between his father, the Adversary, and his fellow Fable refugees in the Mundy world. What does he do while his father hosts a secret conference of the imperial elite to decide the ultimate fate of Fabletown? Plus, this issue contains the first of four short self-contained backup stories featuring Rapunzel.
On sale August 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS

JACK OF FABLES #2
Written by Bill Willingham & Matthew Sturges
Art by Tony Akins & Andrey Pepoy
Cover by James Jean
So Jack's gone and got himself kidnapped, bloodied, broken, and spirited away to a mysterious prison camp called the Golden Boughs Retirement Village. For any other Fable this would spell a mess of trouble, but for Jack it's no more than a...okay, it's also a mess of trouble for him, but he'll stay undaunted when he meets the enigmatic author of his current dilemma: the mysterious Mr. Revise!
On sale August 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS

Fables is one of my favorite books, and I hope that it’s spin-off is as good. This book is consistently good from month to month!

Now…lets switch over to the Marvel Catalog…

ULTIMATES ANNUAL #2
Written by CHARLIE HUSTON
Penciled by MIKE DEODATO and RYAN SOOK
Cover by MIKE DEODATO
As the Ultimates clear the wreckage from the recent attack on the U.S., a monstrous evil from the past rises from the ashes to launch an attack when America is at her weakest. Featuring the return of the long-thought-dead bio-fanatic: Arnim Zola! And with the ranks of the Ultimates severely depleted, all that stands in Zola’s path is the indomitable sentinel of liberty—Captain America and Sam Wilson, the high-flying Falcon! Cover to cover action!
48 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$3.99

I dunno ‘bout this one. I would rather see something written by Millar or Loeb, something that ties into the regular series a little bit more. Instead, I have a feeling this is going to feel like more of a one-shot or something. I thought Marvel originally abandoned the annuals five years or so ago because they didn’t have anything to do with the regular series anymore and they figured it would be better to put out a couple of extra issues a year by the regular creative teams. I’m afraid that Annuals by teams not normally associated with those books would start leading back down that slippery slope. Who knows, I could be wrong. Huston has certainly grabbed my attention with Moon Knight, so maybe my fears are ungrounded…

ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #2
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by STUART IMMONEN & FRAZER IRVING
Cover by STUART IMMONEN
Something strange has happened at Nursery Two, the Baxter Building’s Think Tank counterpart in Oregon. It’s disappeared!, seemingly swallowed up by the earth itself! And if you think that heralds the return of the macabre Mole Man...go to the head of the class. Featuring an awesome exploration of a subterranean world that will simply take your breath away...if not your life!
48 PGS./Rated A ...$3.99

ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #33
Written by MIKE CAREY
Pencils & Cover by PASQUAL FERRY
“GOD WAR” Part 1 (of 6)
Seed Nineteen—a bizarre name for the most bizarre characters ever to enter the lives of the F.F.: Threshold, Fountain, Magnificent Brute, Dreamcatcher. These incredible entities hold the key to a cosmic conflict that has raged for untold millennia and now involves our quarrelsome quartet. You’ve never seen anything like it! We promise. And it debuts our new creative team: Mike Carey on script and Pasqual Ferry on pencils!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Not a big fan of Mike Carey, haven’t really enjoyed the little that I’ve read of his, so I’m not really too jazzed up about him on this book. His last run, and the Ultimate X-Men/Fantastic Four mini didn’t impress me at all…So on a scale of GODDAMN YOU WINICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to FUCK YEAH I’M CUMMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I give these books a…meh. Whatever…

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #98 and #99
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by MARK BAGLEY
“THE CLONE SAGA”
Spidey is reeling from the exposure of the Scorpion’s unbelievable identity. But even that pales besides the string of revelations awaiting him such as: Who kidnapped Mary Jane and what does he/she want? Who does Spider-Man struggle against in the old warehouse where he fought his first battle? Who is waiting for him in the house in Queens he and his Aunt May abandoned recently? Your jaw will drop and your mind will go numb when you learn the solution to these mysteries. And the world of Peter Parker will never be the same. Parts 2 and 3 of 5.
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #2
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by MARK BROOKS
The team that brought you last year’s Ultimate Spider-Man Annual returns! And they’ve brought Punisher and Daredevil with them! While Foggy Nelson offers Spidey some legal advice, Police Captain Jean DeWolfe gives him some other advice...on how to take down the Ultimate Kangaroo! Will Peter Parker be able to navigate his way through this all-action moral maze? And more to the point...will Punisher just shoot him instead?
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Bendis almost always gets a FUCK YEAH I’M CUMMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, especially on Ultimate Spidey. This means three issues in one month! It doesn’t get any better than that…

ULTIMATE X-MEN #73
Written by ROBERT KIRKMAN
Pencils & Cover by TOM RANEY
“MAGICAL”
The mysterious Magician’s standing with the X-Men is put to the test as questions about his past begin to surface. Did he lie to gain entry to the group? Do his actions belie his true motivations? Just what is this strange young man all about? Meanwhile, a tormented Jean Grey is having great difficulty dealing with the results of the Shi’ar testing. Elsewhere... Dazzler stirs. Part 2 of 3.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

ULTIMATE X-MEN ANNUAL #2
Written by ROBERT KIRKMAN
Pencils by SALVADOR LARROCA with LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
Dazzler--Alison Blaire, former X-Man--has awakened from her coma only to discover her life is in deadly peril! And even her former fellow X-Men may be powerless to save her as a betrayal within the ranks has left them shellshocked.
Plus: The 2-Page origin of Professor X's cat. drawn by Leinil Francis Yu!
48 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

Kirkman’s work on this title has been ho-hum at best, which really suprises me…Although I think he’s just marking time until Brian Singer’s run comes up, if it ever does…

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #535
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils & Cover by RON GARNEY
CIVIL WAR Tie-in
“THE WAR AT HOME”
Caught in the throes of the Civil War that’s ripping apart the super hero community, Spider-Man contemplates a move that will mean new friends and new foes. In a conflict of this magnitude, three is no middle ground -- Peter Parker’s move will cast him as either George Washington...or Benedict Arnold. Part 3 (of 6).
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

JMS went from having one of the best runs on this book ever, to just putting out some stinky shit! First of all, John Romita Jr. needs to come back, and I mean now. Then JMS needs to forget about all his “Other” and “Sins Past” crap and just get back to telling good stories with strong characterization. Then maybe I’ll be happy again. Although, probably not…And it appears from the cover that Spidey may have finally ditched Tony Stark for Cap’s team. Hmmmmmm. I do have to admit, the Civil War lead up issues were kinda interesting, mainly for the fact that I really liked how Tony Stark took Peter under his wing, even if he did have an ulterior motive…

FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #11
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by TODD NAUCK
Cover by MICHAEL WIERINGO
As the groundbreaking events of CIVIL WAR erupt across the Marvel U, the shockwaves are being felt everywhere! The consequences of Spider-Man’s allegiances have culminated in the ultimate showdown... with Flash Thompson?! Plus, the shocking return of Mysterio!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Luvvin’ this book! Although it’s even better when Wieringo draws it. The best of the Spidey books on the stands right now!

SPIDER-MAN FAMILY: AMAZING FRIENDS
Written by SEAN MCKEEVER
Pencils & Cover by PAT OLLIFFE
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the classic cartoon serial, here comes AMAZING FRIENDS! In an ALL-NEW one shot, a young Spidey’s doing his darndest to find allies in his war against crime, but he didn’t count on being matchmaker to two bickering heroes! Can the webslinger get Firestar to chill out and warm Iceman’s heart...by setting them up on a date!?
Also, classic reprints of UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN, SPIDER-MAN 2099, an ALL-NEW MINI MARVELS tale, and more!
96 PGS./ALL AGES ...$4.99

Is this really an anniversary that has been screaming out for a celebration? Does anybody even care? At least we should get a pretty decent book out of it by McKeever and Olliffe, although doubling the price for reprints of books that I already have kinda torks me off…

SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #29
Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Pencilled by Angel Medina
Cover by Angel Medina
“The Deadly Foes of Spider-Man “ Part 1 (of 3) After the extraordinary events of CIVIL WAR, the heroes and their families try to cope with the remarkable changes in the Marvel Universe. Now, one of Spider-Man’s oldest and most insidious foes--the Chameleon--decides to make his move against the wall-crawler! His first step: gathering a new super-team of Spider-Man’s deadliest foes and striking him where he is most vulnerable...
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Two things…First of all, this is, by far, the worst Spidey book on the stands. Aguirre-Sacasa is terrible. Wish they would find somebody else for this book. Second, I know Bendis can get away with recycling lame titles like “Clone saga” or “Secret War” into good stories, but you Mr. Aguirre-Sacasa are no Bendis! Nobody cared about “The Deadly Foes of Spider-Man “ when it was a bad early nineties mini series. Why would they care now???

SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE #9
Written by SEAN MCKEEVER
Pencils & Cover by TAKESHI MIYAZAWA
It’s time for Mary Jane to take her relationship with a certain someone to the next level, and she knows it. Unfortunately, being the lead in the school play leaves little time for a social life! And is MJ’s mind playing tricks on her, or is Liz getting back together with Flash?
32 PGS./All Ages ...$2.99

I’ve been quite surprised by this book. It’s actually been quite fun! Check it out if you haven’t already. It’s out of continuity, closer to the stuff going on in the Marvel Adventures stuff, but still fun.

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #18
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by MIKE NORTON
Cover by CAMERON STEWART
Those with fear in their heart burn at the touch of MAN-THING! Knowing that the Thingster’s lurking about, will Spidey be able to summon the courage to save people trapped in a Florida swamp? We ain’t tellin’ ya here! Pick up the issue!
32 PGS./All Ages ...$2.99

I know I haven’t read any of PAD’s Marvel Adventures stuff yet, but just by knowing his style and body of work, these should be really, really fun! For the most party, these books have been hit or miss, but I’m actually looking forward to these.

AGENTS OF ATLAS #1 (of 6)
Written by JEFF PARKER
Penciled by LEONARD KIRK
Cover by TOMM COKER
THE SPY, THE SPACEMAN. THE GODDESS. THE ROBOT. THE GORILLA. In the late 1950’s, The U.S. Government let FBI Special Agent Jimmy Woo forge a team of unlikely heroes: Together they stormed the fortress of a criminal mastermind to rescue President Eisenhower, and the group disbanded soon after. Now almost 50 years later, an unauthorized S.H.I.E.L.D. mission goes down in flames--and from the ashes arise forces from the GOLDEN AGE OF MARVEL!
32 PGS./T+ ...$2.99

Looks like crap. No thanks…

ALL-NEW OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z #8
Written by JEFF CHRISTIANSEN, SEAN MCQUAID, STUART VANDAL, RONALD BYRD, MICHAEL HOSKIN, CHRIS BIGGS, MARK O’ENGLISH, ERIC J. MOREELS, MIKE FICHERA, BARRY REESE, AL SJOERDSMA, ANTHONY FLAMINI, MADISON CARTER, CHAD ANDERSON, RICH GREEN & BILL LENTZ
Cover by KEU CHA
The Handbook from A to Z rolls on – including bios on Nekra, N’Garai, Night Nurse, Night Raven, “Red” Norvell, Oblivion, Over-Mind, Phat, Phyla, Piranha, Plant-Man, Presence, Pride, Proteus, Prowler, Quoi and more! This twelve-issue monthly series focuses on new characters, characters who never received a profile and those needing major updates.
64 PGS NO ADS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

I’ve really been enjoying the theme specific one-shots they were doing, but for some reason, I’m not enjoying this recent run. Probably because 85% of the characters are characters I’ve never heard of or cared about. Although, I have to admit that I was rather intrigued to find an entry on “Elf with A Gun” in the most recent issue. At least the guys writing that bio seemed to be having a bit of fun with it…

ANNIHILATION #1 (of 6)
Written by KEITH GIFFEN
Penciled by ANDREA DIVITO
Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
Variant cover by BRYAN HITCH
One empire has fallen.
Two heroes are dead.
It all comes together here! Individually, the Silver Surfer, Super-Skrull, Ronan and Nova have faced down the Annihilation Wave... and lost! Now, they must unite those who remain or die by Annihilus’ hand! The Annihilation has only begun!
No ads - 32 pages of story at no extra cost!
32 PGS. NO ADS!/Rated A ...$2.99

ANNIHILATION: THE NOVA CORPS FILES
Written by MICHAEL HOSKIN, ANTHONY FLAMINI, JEFF CHRISTIANSEN, SEAN MCQUAID, RONALD BYRD, CHRIS BIGGS, ERIC ENGELHARD, CHAD ANDERSON, STUART VANDAL & MARK O’ENGLISH
Cover by ANDREA DIVITO
Get caught up on all of the players in the Annihilation event – just in time for this month’s ANNIHILATION #1! Featuring Annihilus, Nova, Ronan, the Silver Surfer, the Super-Skrull, Thanos and more – all from the Xandarian Worldmind files of the Nova Corps!
48 PGS NO ADS/Rated A ...$3.99

I don’t know about this one. I’ve been following the Annihilation minis so far, and they’re not bad, but I don’t know if they’re really worth the investment either. Again, I have to give it a “meh.” rating. The “Files” books that usually come out at the same time as some of these “Events” and minis are usually hit or miss. I guess it’s better than nothing, but they usually aren’t as good as the regular handbooks…

BLACK PANTHER #19
Written by REGINALD HUDLIN
Penciled by SCOT EATON
Cover by TREVOR HAIRSINE
“WORLD TOUR” Part 1 (of 6)
The Royal Couple -- King T’Challa and Queen Ororo -- embark on a diplomatic tour that will have them spanning the globe -- and beyond! First stop: Latveria, for a meeting with the Dr. Victor Von Doom.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

I have no desire to read this book, or anything else by Reggie Hudlin, but I do have a comment to make. Who the fuck keeps this guy employed?!?!?!?! Aunt May as Iron Man?!?!?!?!? What the fuck?!?!?!?!?! The only thing I can come up with, and this is more about Joe Quesada, is that JQ is looking towards his future. I really think that he sees a day when he won’t be in charge at Marvel anymore, and he may decide that he wants to become a movie producer, or get some other kind of job out in Hollywood. I think that’s why he’s fallen so deeply in love with some of the movie/TV writers he’s brought in over the years. That explains Greg Pak and Reggie Hudlin at least…

BEYOND! #2 (of 6)
Written by DWAYNE MCDUFFIE
Pencils & Cover by SCOTT KOLINS
Still reeling from the shocking death of one of their number, eight of Marvel’s most mismatched super beings struggle to survive both a brutal battle between Medusa and Venom and the impending crash of their damaged starship.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

I don’t know anything about this series, except the title…Could it have anything to do with The Beyonder and Battleworld? Do I care? Not really…

CLAWS #1 (of 3)
Written by JIMMY PALMIOTTI and JUSTIN GRAY
Pencils & Cover by JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER
Shanghaied and transported to a remote desert island, Wolverine and the Black Cat find themselves at the center of a deadly game. A team of filthy-rich hunters have slapped down some serious cash for the opportunity to hunt the Most Dangerous Prey on the Planet – and they’ve got the high-tech weapons to do just that. Like it or not, the key to Logan and Felicia’s survival just might be their ability to cooperate long enough to evade their hunters and uncover the identity of the deadly ringmaster. Brought to you by the team of Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray and superstar artist Joe Linsner.
32 PGS. CARDSTOCK COVER/PARENTAL ADVISORY ...$3.99

Another book I really couldn’t care less about. Except for Jonah Hex, I can’t seem to think of a single think by Palmiotti & Gray that I really enjoyed, or even cared about. Hmmmmm…

CAPTAIN AMERICA #21
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Pencils & Cover by STEVE EPTING
The “TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY BLITZ” rockets to its conclusion, as Captain America and the man he once called his partner, The Winter Soldier, finally come face-to-face again in the fight to save London! Fan-favorite creators Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting made this Wizard’s book of the Year for 2005, and this action-packed issue shows you exactly what all the fuss is about.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

One of the best books on the stands, bar none. Never really been a big Cap fan, but this book is the shit! This definitely gets a FUCK YEAH I’M CUMMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I always thought that even trying to bring back Bucky would be a cardinal sin, but Brubaker pulled it off. Just hope nobody else around there fucks it up…

DAREDEVIL #88
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by MICHAEL LARK
Cover by LEE BERMAJO
This month features a stand-alone issue entitled, THE SECRET LIFE OF FOGGY NELSON,
a special interim episode focusing on Daredevil’s recently deceased best friend. Did we
really know all there is to know about Foggy? What remains hidden in the life of this man,
that could still affect Matt Murdock’s fate to this day?
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

Brubaker is the only person who could have followed Bendis on this book. This stuff has been amazing. And I still think Foggy is alive.

ETERNALS #3 (of 6)
Written by NEIL GAIMAN
Penciled by JOHN ROMITA, JR.
Cover by RICK BERRY
Variant cover by JOHN ROMITA, JR.
People are trying to kill Ike Harris. He remembers things he shouldn’t and for that he must die. Join New York Times bestseller NEIL GAIMAN (MARVEL: 1602, Sandman, Anansi Boys) and comic-god JOHN ROMITA, JR (WOLVERINE, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) to uncover the mystery of Ike Harris and the mystery of creation itself!
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

Neil Gaiman, one of my favorite writers. John Romita Jr., my all time favorite artist. Should be classic! Why do I get the feeling this book is gonna be…meh? Maybe because The Eternals is a concept I could care less about? Watered down Fourth World stuff? I hope I’m wrong…but I was pretty disappointed by 1602 too…

MARVEL SPOTLIGHT: ED BRUBAKER/BILLY TAN
Written by JOHN RHETT THOMAS
By now, loyal Marvel readers know just how deadly X-MEN: DEADLY GENESIS proved to be, and it was ED BRUBAKER who masterminded the storyline that had X-Men fans on the edges of their seats! MARVEL SPOTLIGHT will get to the bottom of DEADLY GENESIS, as well as Ed’s plans for his turn as writer on UNCANNY X-MEN. We’ll also discuss CAPTAIN AMERICA, BOOKS OF DOOM and what many are already applauding as the comic of the year, DAREDEVIL! We’ll also be on board with the newest Marvel art phenom, BILLY TAN. He filled the shoes of none other than the great Terry Dodson on MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN and drew the one of the hottest comics of 2005 in X-23! SPOTLIGHT will take a look forward with Billy as we discuss his next big project, which just happens to be UNCANNY X-MEN! Brubaker, Tan and the Uncanny X-Men! Don’t miss this MARVEL SPOTLIGHT!
32 PGS./No Ads/Rated T+ ...$2.99

I’m just wondering…Has anybody ever actually bought one of these books? Why?

MARVEL TEAM-UP #23
Written by ROBERT KIRKMAN
Penciled by ANDY KUHN
Cover by PHIL HESTER
FREEDOM RING
UNSUNG SUPERHERO SPOTLIGHT! Lesser known characters WOLVERINE and SPIDER-MAN take center stage as IRON MANIAC is let loose in the Marvel Universe! Can he be stopped? And how does Marvel’s hottest new hero -- FREEDOM RING fit in with all of this?! Part 4 (of 5).
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Spotty book…I’m surprised it’s lasted as long as it has…Sometimes fun, sometimes just…bleh…

MARVEL MILESTONES: CHRIS CLAREMONT & JIM LEE - X-MEN & THE STARJAMMERS PART 1
Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT
Pencils by JIM LEE
Cover by JIM LEE
Re-presenting the giant-sized 275th issue of UNCANNY X-MEN from April 1991! In space, the X-Men help Profesor X, Lilandra and the Starjammers overthrow Deathbird’s rule of the Shi’ar Empire -- but is everything what it seems?
Meanwhile, in the Savage Land, Rogue, Ka-Zar and Nick Fury assault Zaladane’s citadel to rescue the captured Magneto!
Note: This story continues in next month’s MARVEL MILESTONES.
48 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

Not a bad book or anything, but is there any significance behind reprinting this book? I’ve notice with a lot of their Marvel Milestones lately, they’ve tied into something that is going on that month or next, yet some of them seem to be totally out of left field. Now that I think about it, I guess it could be considered a tie-in to Brubaker’s run on Uncanny…

MOON KNIGHT #5
Written by CHARLIE HUSTON
Pencils & Cover by DAVID FINCH
“The Bottom: Friendless and Alone”
They promised Taskmaster that Marc Spector would be a sitting duck. When Taskmaster was done with his work, Spector would be battered, bruised, friendless and, most important, alone. Only one problem: Spector is not alone. He’s got a friend. His name is Khonshu. And today, he’s got Moon Knight’s back. It’s time for round two. Part 5 (of 6).
32 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$2.99

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by this book. Better than I thought it would be, considering I never really cared about the character before. He’s always been too much of a Batman rip-off for my tastes…

MARVEL WESTERNS: STRANGE WESTERNS STARRING THE BLACK RIDER
Written by STEVE ENGLEHART & JOE R. LANSDALE
Penciled by MARSHALL ROGERS & RAFA GARRES
Cover by MARSHALL ROGERS & ERIC POWELL
Reuniting the comic legends Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers (BATMAN: DARK DETECTIVE)—the famed writer/artist team tell an all-new tale of Marvel’s dark Western avenger, THE BLACK RIDER. When a mystery brings mild-mannered Doc Masters to New York City, rooftops and dangerous allies lead his dark alter ego to answers that will shock him to his very soul.
PLUS: A dark and devilish 8-page tale featuring a cursed weapon and the man known as GUNHAWK in “Midnight Gun” by Joe R. Lansdale and Rafa Garres.
ALSO: Re-presenting two classic Kirby RAWHIDE KID tales, “The Bat Strikes” and “The Bullet Proof Man.”
48 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

I love Westerns, and Lansdale is a great writer of the genre. Throw in Marshall Rogers and this is a must read for me…

CIVIL WAR #4 (OF 7)
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Variant cover by MIKE TURNER
A death! A funeral! A betrayal! And a team reborn as the war takes a deadly turn!
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

Civil War has started out pretty cool and all, but I’m really burnt out on all the company-wide cross-overs and shit. I know that they always say that you don’t need to read all the extras to get the full story, and that’s not the problem. I’m starting to get sick of all the books I collect regularly getting derailed because they have to tie into a crossover. That was the reason I stopped collecting about half the DC line six or seven years ago and I’m afraid I’m starting to feel pushed to the limit again. When Amazing Spider-Man crosses over for something like nine months, that’s pushing it too far…As an aside, I know Marvel has hinted that next year should be crossover free, but they might be planning something for 2008. I have the feeling they’ll be turning to JMS to direct the next one. I think it’s his turn, especially since he seems to be so involved in this one…

CIVIL WAR: FRONT LINE #5 & 6 (of 10)
Written by PAUL JENKINS
Penciled by RAMON BACHS & STEVE LIEBER
Cover by JOHN WATSON
Embedded within the heart of the battle between super hero registrants and resistors you
will learn the real story behind both sides of the Civil War! In any conflict there are those
who want to keep the facts hidden, but on the Front Lines the truth will be told.
In “The Accused”: The New Warriors survivor goes on trial! Their life was spared from the Stamford Disaster. Will justice be so kind?
Also featuring true tales of war in Civil War: Correspondence.
32 PGS. NO ADS! (each)/Rated T+ ...$2.99 (each)

I like Jenkins generally, and have faith in him on this series. I thought that Generation M was one of the better mini’s to come out of Decimation, and this is basically just a mashing of that and The Pulse. Actually, Jenkins was set to take over The Pulse, but they decided to put it on “hiatus” for this mini…Doubt it will come back afterwards…Of the point, but kind of related…Does anybody besides me think that Bendis will, sooner or later, do a Luke Cage/Jessica Jones series? Wouldn’t surprise me at all…

CIVIL WAR: X-MEN #2 (of 4)
Written by DAVID HINE
Penciled by YANICK PAQUETTE
Cover by JUAN DOE
Civil War Tie-in!
Bishop and the X-Men are on a collision course! Both are searching for the missing 198 and there can be only one victor. It’s X-Man against X-Man! Meanwhile, the O*N*E tightens its grip, but will their power slip away in the process?!
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

Gob…just what we needed…another David Hine Bishop series involving a bunch of characters that weren’t all that exciting when he was doing District X…Won’t he just let it go?

CIVIL WAR: YOUNG AVENGERS & RUNAWAYS #2 (of 4)
Written by ZEB WELLS
Penciled by STEFANO CASELLI
Cover by JIM CHEUNG
CIVIL WAR tie-in!
In the cloud of Civil War the Runaways and Young Avengers find themselves at odds. Meanwhile, across the country, Iron Man puts a plan in motion that’s designed to capture the last of Marvel’s rogue heroes. Can the two young teams find common ground in time to save themselves?
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

Zeb Wells doesn’t really excite me too much, and I don’t have much faith in him handling either set of characters here, especially since both groups are handled regularly by creators with very distinct voices. I have a feeling that this mini will be quickly forgotten and ignored by fans of both regular series…

FANTASTIC FOUR #540
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Penciled by MIKE MCKONE
Cover by ADI GRANOV
CIVIL WAR tie-in!
It had to happen! Amidst the tumult and tensions of CIVIL WAR, the Fantastic Four break up! Who will toe the line, who will join the resistance, and who will leave the battlefield altogether? And is this the end for Marvel’s First Family?
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

I haven’t really enjoyed JMS’s run on FF here at all…It’s been kinda forgettable with stories that haven’t really added anything interesting to the canon. Bring back Waid and Weiringo!

HEROES FOR HIRE #1
Written by JUSTIN GRAY & JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Pencils & Cover by BILLY TUCCI
CIVIL WAR Tie-in!
As CIVIL WAR rages through the Marvel Universe, an unlikely group of heroes have gathered together to hunt down and capture criminals who refuse to sign the Registration Act. In response to the overwhelming number of masked fugitives on the loose, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing use their bail bonds skills, underworld connections and government funding to lead an all-new Heroes for Hire into battle. Action, adventure, crime, beautiful women and Kung Fu chaos come together in this explosive new series from writers Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti with art by Billy Tucci! Featuring BLACK CAT, SHANG CHI—THE MASTER OF KUNG FU, PALADIN, MISTY KNIGHT, COLLEEN WING and THE ALL-NEW TARANTULA.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

Jeebus! How many books do these two write?!?! Otherwise, I don’t really give a shit about it. None of the characters interest me one bit…

MS. MARVEL #6
Written by BRIAN REED
Penciled by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
Cover by DAVID MACK
CIVIL WAR Tie-in
Ms. Marvel enlists in the CIVIL WAR! With the Super Hero Registration Act in full effect, Carol Danvers joins forces with Simon “Wonder Man” Williams and Julia “Arachne” Carpenter to police and train heroes. But there is a traitor in their midst--someone who is undermining the registration movement and endangering everyone!
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

This has been a pretty cool book, but Ms. Marvel is too much of cipher for me…In the last ten years she’s been the alcoholic Warbird in Busiek’s Avengers, Jessica Jones’ bff in Alias, then she was the queen of super-heroes in House of M, right after that she was the director of Homeland Security or O*N*E for about a month until this series came along and they changed direction

Wow,you were bored alright.At any rate though,I enjoyed your thoughts on these titles & recommend you to do this every month.

I recommend he does it every day!

Actually, I didn't even realize there was more that got cut out when I pasted it from MSWord...Here's the rest...


MS. MARVEL #6
Written by BRIAN REED
Penciled by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
Cover by DAVID MACK
CIVIL WAR Tie-in
Ms. Marvel enlists in the CIVIL WAR! With the Super Hero Registration Act in full effect, Carol Danvers joins forces with Simon “Wonder Man” Williams and Julia “Arachne” Carpenter to police and train heroes. But there is a traitor in their midst--someone who is undermining the registration movement and endangering everyone!
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

This has been a pretty cool book, but Ms. Marvel is too much of cipher for me…In the last ten years she’s been the alcoholic Warbird in Busiek’s Avengers, Jessica Jones’ bff in Alias, then she was the queen of super-heroes in House of M, right after that she was the director of Homeland Security or O*N*E for about a month until this series came along and they changed direction on with her again! Make up your freakin’ mind already! And bring back the Frank Cho covers!!! Mack is cool and all, but it’s not as fun to stroke off to!

MYTHOS: HULK
Written by Paul Jenkins
Painted by Paolo Rivera
A fully-painted retelling of the origin and earliest days of the gamma-powered titan, updated and reimagined by Paul Jenkins and PaoloRivera!
32 PGS/Rated T+ ...$3.99

I thought these books would be kinda cool when I first heard about ‘em, but the X-Men book didn’t really do anything for me…We’ll see…

NEW AVENGERS #23
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
CIVIL WAR Tie-In!
The team behind last year’s mega blockbuster HOUSE OF M reunites for a startling important chapter in the CIVIL WAR, the history of the New Avengers and the life of this year’s break-out star Spider-Woman.
Straddling the world’s of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra as a double agent for Nick Fury isn’t going to fly in the middle of a war, and Jessica is going to find this out the hard way. It’s the end of the road for Jessica Drew, and where she ends up will shock you. An important lead-in book for the upcoming SPIDER-WOMAN ongoing debuting after CIVIL WAR!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Wish they had Maleev drawing this instead. Should be a nice set up for her series next year though…

RUNAWAYS #19
Written by BRIAN K.VAUGHAN
Penciled by MIKE NORTON
Cover by JO CHEN
“Dead Means Dead", Chapter One (OF THREE).”Special guest artist Mike Norton (GRAVITY) joins the Runaways for this perfect jumping-on point for new readers, as the Runaways say good-bye to the past, and make hard decisions about their future.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

Normally I’m a slut for BKV, but this book doesn’t really do it for me. It’s not bad or anything, and the plots are good enough, it’s just I don’t really connect with any of the characters. Probably just an age thing…BKV on an off day is still better than most writers best though…

SHE-HULK #11
Written by DAN SLOTT
Penciled by
Cover by GREG HORN
“Creature Comforts”
The honeymoon’s over for Marvel’s latest power couple, She-Hulk and Man-Wolf. She refuses to be his “little woman”, and he refuses to shave. What’s a married green female to do?
This is the issue you’ve been waiting for gamma-fans! Awesome Andy takes a stand! Pug’s finally makes his move! And you’ll NEVER see this ending coming!
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

I’m totally gay for this book, and I miss The Thing already…One of my favorites month in and out.

SQUADRON SUPREME #6
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils & Cover by GARY FRANK
He can’t fly, shoot lasers from his eyes, or bench-press cars, but he might be the more dangerous than Hyperion, Doctor Spectrum, and Power Princess rolled into one.
But how will the vigilante known as Nighthawk respond when he’s asked to join the Squadron Supreme?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$2.99

I really enjoyed this book when it started out as a Max title, but it’s kinda slipped since then. Plus now that it’s not a Max title, no Power Princess bush…

THUNDERBOLTS #105
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA
Pencils & Cover by TOM GRUMMETT
CIVIL WAR Tie-in!
The T-Bolts have taken down a slew of supervillains in order to amass a supervillain army -- but will they use this force to help the U.S. Government capture the RENEGADE HEROES... or to overthrow the U.S, Government? It all leads up to a nasty battle between CAPTAIN AMERICA and ZEMO...but the outcome will shock you! Part 3 (of 3).
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Nicieza’s stuff on this title has never been anywhere near as good as Busiek’s, but anything that keeps Tome Grummett employed is still okay in my book. Otherwise, I’m completely lost by this title now…

ASTONISHING X-MEN #16
Written by JOSS WHEDON
Pencils & Cover by JOHN CASSADAY
“TORN”
The X-Men have been ripped apart and mentally destroyed. Only one remains standing.
But with the combined power of the Hellfire Club standing in their way, what chance
do they have?! Part 4 (of 6)!
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

My only complaint about this book is that it’s not monthly!

EXILES #85
Written by TONY BEDARD
Pencils & Cover by PAUL PELLETIER
“THE NEW EXILES” Part 1 (of 2)!
Snikt, to the sixth power! With the Exiles fired, it’s time for a new group of dimension jumping heroes. Wolverine has always been known as the best there is at what he does, so six Wolverines must be really really REALLY good at what they do! Can the Exiles get their jobs back from these scene-stealing Canucks? Don’t bet on it!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

This book has always had a cool concept, but the execution has been hit or miss over the years. I’ve been looking forward to see what Chris Claremont does with it, but it looks like I’m gonna have to wait a little bit longer…

CABLE & DEADPOOL #31
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA
Penciled by STAZ JOHNSON
Cover by AMANDA CONNER
CIVIL WAR TIE-IN!
"FOR KING AND COUNTRY"
DEADPOOL vs. the RENEGADE HEROES! Can the government’s newest Superhuman Marshall buff his badge and kick some butt? And what’s CABLE up to? Well, with two countries to run, he wouldn’t have any interest whatsoever in using this whole Superhuman Registration Act for his own advantage, would he...? No, not our Cable... that would just be so... insidious...
Part 2 (of 3).
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

Yeah…Who cares…

NEW X-MEN #29
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Pencils by DUNCAN ROLEAU
Cover by PACO MEDINA
“NIMROD”
The mutant hunting robot from the future is back! Nimrod’s first priority: finding his creator.
Who is Nimrod’s mysterious creator?! The New X-Men rush to his aid but discover that
Nimrod is much more than they can handle! Part 2 (of 4)
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

I wanted to like this book, but…Buh-bye!

NEW EXCALIBUR #10
Written by FRANK TIERI
Pencils & Cover by MICHAEL RYAN
“THE LAST DAYS OF CAMELOT” Part 1 (of 3)!
King Arthur’s mighty kingdom lays in ruins! Death is everywhere. Who could possibly save the day? Why, New Excalibur of course! The Black Knight guest stars in a time traveling tale for the ages!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

This book’s been pretty lame and disappointing, so…Buh-bye!

UNCANNY X-MEN #477
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by JOHN WATSON
“THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SHI’AR EMPIRE”
Vulcan is mad. So mad he’s planning on destroying an entire intergalactic empire. The third Summers brother has set his sites on the Shi’Ar Empire, and when he’s finished with them, nothing will ever be the same! Part 3 (of 12)!
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

After the second issue of Deadly Genesis, I decided to put the book aside and wait to read it when it was all available, and boy was I glad I did! Unbelievable stuff! I can’t wait till I get my hands on this stuff!

WOLVERINE #45
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Pencils & Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS
CIVIL WAR Tie-in
“VENDETTA”
Wolverine is trying to find out the secret of the Stamford Disaster, but he’ll have to go through NAMOR THE SUB-MARINER to get it. Marvel’s most popular mutant throws down with Marvel’s first mutant. Guest-starring Iron Man, this chapter features Wolverine and Namor’s undersea kingdom of ATLANTIS as you’ve never seen them before!
Part 4 (of 6).
32 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$2.99

Another Hollywood guy for JQ. I don’t even remember what his claim to fame is. Can’t really judge this one, but my heart says…meh.

WOLVERINE: ORIGINS #5
Written by DANIEL WAY
Penciled by STEVE DILLON
Cover by JOE QUESADA
“BORN IN BLOOD”
It’s Logan vs. Captain America vs. the X-Men in a super-charged standoff that will end with a revelation that will utterly and completely blow both Logan’s and readers’ minds. Do NOT miss out on this issue! Part 5 (of 5).
32 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$2.99

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Way’s arc in Wolverine prior to Origins and adding Steve Dillon and the brown costume actually makes me look forward to this series!

WOLVERINE: ORIGINS #1 DIRECTORS CUT
Written by DANIEL WAY
Pencils by STEVE DILLON
Cover by JOE QUESADA
Discover the origins of ORIGINS! This bonus edition reprints WOLVERINE: ORIGINS #1, plus extras – including an annotated script by writer Daniel Way!
32 PGS./NO ADS/Parental Advisory ...$3.99

These director’s cuts are starting to get really lame. The first couple were pretty cool because they were for books that were sold out, now these damn things are planned before the issue ever hits the stands. When Nick Fury’s Howling Commandos gets a Director’s cut, you know things have gotten out of hand…

X-FACTOR #10
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by ROY ALLAN MARTINEZ
Cover by RYAN SOOK
They have been a thorn in X-Factor’s side since the beginning, and now matters are coming to a head. In the first of a three part epic—“Multiple Disclosure”—X-Factor’s newest assignment causes them to once again cross paths with their arch rivals, Singularity Investigations. The result is revelations that strike to the very core of who and what Jamie Madrox is, especially when he learns that SI head Damian Tryp is responsible for one of the greatest tragedies.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

Another book I’m totally gay for! PAD’s doing the best work of his career since his run on Incredible Hulk with Dale Keown!

X-MEN #190
Written by MIKE CAREY
Pencils & Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
“SUPERNOVAS”
Northstar and Aurora are back! Awoken by a mysterious new threat, the twins have been let loose in the Xavier Mansion, leaving a path way of destruction and death. Their mission: Kill Sabretooth! Part 3 (of 6)!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Again with Mike Carey. But this also has the cover of the month! Is anybody else here as turned off by Chris Bachalo’s art as I am? I can never tell what the hell is going on. His pages are always too dark and busy…

INCREDIBLE HULK #97
Written by GREG PAK
Penciled by AARON LOPRESTI
Cover by LADRÖNN
PLANET HULK, ANARCHY PART 2
Leading his army of gladiators and refugees, the Hulk smashes his way towards the Steppes — and freedom. But what of the millions still enslaved by the Red King? What of the rebels and slaves dying in the streets and fields? Who is the Sakaarson, and when will he come? The answers threaten to rip the Hulk and his allies apart—and precipitate a shocking transformation that could shake Planet Hulk to the core!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

This has been a surprising good read considering I didn’t originally think it stood a chance. Pak has managed to take a semi lame concept and make an interesting story out of it. Here’s to hoping he can keep it up!

PUNISHER #36
Written by GARTH ENNIS
Penciled by GORAN PARLOV
Cover by TIM BRADSTREET
“BARRACUDA”
What’s more dangerous than a barracuda? You’re about to find out. Off the coast of Florida, where human predators converge to enjoy the spoils of corporate warfare, the water is filled with blood. And none of it belongs to Frank Castle. Part 6 (of 6).
32 PGS./Explicit Content ...$2.99

I honestly don’t even know why I still read this book. Every arc seems pretty much the same as the last one, and Garth Ennis seems to be just mailing it in. I think this book really needs an infusion of fresh blood…

JACK KIRBY’S GALACTIC BOUNTY HUNTERS #2
Written by LISA KIRBY & STEVE ROBERTSON
Penciled by MIKE THIBODEAUX
Cover by JACK KIRBY
In order to save his abducted son, Mainframe must reunite the members of his old fighting unit: the sensual Skylla! The effervescent Garm! And the hero-turned-homemaker Tyr! Meanwhile, Garrett Berkley bonds with his captor Slugg as the pair sets course for the most lethal place in the galaxy: Dangerland!
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

Because fandom was just screaming for another lame Kirby concept…

BOOK OF LOST SOULS TPB
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Penciled by COLLEN DORAN
Cover by COLLEN DORAN
The destinies of most people are defined early on. Then there are the others – the lost. Those whose numbers aren’t in yet, who could go toward the light or toward the darkness – indeed, who could be tipped one direction or another. And everything starts with the book. That’s what Jonathan is about to discover. When he took a suicide plunge off the London Bridge more than a century ago, the last place he expected to land was on his feet, in the present, standing at the entrance to a tunnel into a world of mysteries beyond his wildest imagination. A world of powers and principalities and, above all, rules that he’d best learn quickly. Or he’ll have to deal with the Dark Man. And what the Dark Man can’t turn, he devours. Collects BOOK OF LOST SOULS #1-6.
144 PGS./Rated T+ ...$16.99

Was this book cancelled, or is it just “on hiatus”? I read the first two or three issues, and it was just terrible…

SPIDER-MAN: KRAVEN’S LAST HUNT PREMIERE HC
Written by J.M. DEMATTEIS
Penciled by MIKE ZECK
Cover by MIKE ZECK
Writer J.M. DeMatteis and artist Mike Zeck craft the ultimate tale of revenge in this groundbreaking and legendary collection! Kraven the Hunter has stalked and killed every animal known to man. But there is one beast that has eluded him. One quarry that has mocked him at every turn: the wall-crawling web-slinger known as Spider-Man. And to prove that he is the hero’s master, he will pull on his costume and become him...after he shoots and buries him six feet under! Collects WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #32-33, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #393-394 and SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #131-132.
160 PGS./Rated T+ ...$19.99

SPIDER-MAN: KRAVEN’S LAST HUNT PREMIERE HC – VOL. 1 VARIANT EDITION
The variants for the Marvel Premiere Classic line will have a limited print run.
160 PGS./ Rated T+ ...$19.99

I may order a copy or two of the variant edition from Westfield’s, just to flip ‘em on Ebay. I’ve had some success with doing that with some of the Marvel Masterwork variants in the past. I’d really like to know if this is a “print to order” or limited to whatever massive amount we feel like…

DECIMATION: SENTINEL SQUAD O*N*E TPB
Written by JOHN LAYMAN
Penciled by AARON LOPRESTI
Cover by PASQUAL FERRY
Discover the origin of the Sentinel Squad! How did they come together and become the elite group of soldiers to pilot the Sentinels that have made their presence known at the Xavier Institute? Collects SENTINEL SQUAD O*N*E* #1-5.
120 PGS./Rated T+ ...$13.99

This was one of the worst mini-series I’ve read in years. It made my brain hemorrhage!

SPIDER-MAN VISIONARIES: KURT BUSIEK VOL. 1 TPB
Written by KURT BUSIEK
Penciled by PAT OLLIFFE
Cover by PAT OLLIFFE
The wall-crawler’s back in Midtown High’s hallowed halls when award-winning creator Kurt Busiek reveals lost lessons of Spider-Man’s early career! Return to the first starts of our hero’s circle of friends and foes, and meet the ones Lee and Ditko forgot to feature the first time around! Plus: the secret start of Spider-Man’s deadliest enemy! Guest-starring the Human Torch, Captain Stacy and more! Collects UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN #1-8.
176 PGS./Rated A ...$19.99

Actually, just a reprinting or Untold Tales Of Spider-Man Vol. 1, which I’ve already got…Still pretty fun stuff if you’ve never read it before…

DAREDEVIL VOL. 1 HC – NEW PRINTING
Written by KEVIN SMITH, JOE QUESADA, JIMMY PALMIOTTI & DAVID MACK
Pencils by JOE QUESADA, ROB HAYNES & DAVE ROSS
Cover by JOE QUESADA
Now including corrections, additional extras and DAREDEVIL #12! Claiming her infant is humanity’s savior, a teenager entrusts her baby to Matt Murdock. Plus: The femme fatale called Echo sets her sights on Daredevil. Collects DAREDEVIL #1-15.
376 PGS./Rated T+ ...$34.99

Goddamn it! I finally broke down last year and bought a copy of this off of Ebay and now they come out with this…Fuckers!

And there’s a Marvel Milestones Kraven Statue for $150 that is absolutely beautiful. It’s based on John Romita’s cover to Amazing Spider-Man #47 and looks perfect! Too bad I can’t afford that kind of shit…

Other stuff scattered through out the catalog…

THE ESCAPISTS #2: BKV strikes again! This book is so much fun it’s unbelievable. Plus, a “lost” chapter from Gerard Jones’s Men of Tomorrow featuring The Escapist!

STAR WARS: LEGACY #3: Kinda lookin’ forward to this book, but I don’t know if it’ll be any good or not…I’ll give it a chance…

STRANGERS IN PARADISE #84: This book will definitely be missed. I actually started reading this book with the original Antarctic Press mini many many years ago, and it’s kinda sad to realize that it’s coming to an end…

DORK #11 by Evan Dorkin: Yes! It’s been too many years since the last issue! Plus, Milk and Cheese Vinyl figures!!! If only I could afford ‘em…

MOUSE GUARD #4: I’ve heard a lot of buzz about this book, but I’ve never actually seen a copy. I haven’t heard this much buzz about a book like this since 30 Days of Night…Which helped make IDW an actual publisher…

LOVE AND ROCKETS VOLUME 2 #17: Haven’t read this book in years, but it used to be one of my favorites back in the day. Someday, I’d love to pick up the Complete Locas HC…

CSI: DYING IN THE GUTTERS #1: Who killed Rich Johnston? JQ? Ed Brubaker? Peter David? Greg Rucka? Sounds like fun…

EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS’ A PRINCESS OF MARS (IDW) #1: I love Tarzan, but not a big fan of the John Carter stuff, still, I think I’m gonna check this one out…Plus, it’s got a beautiful Frank Cho cover…

FALLEN ANGEL #8: This run is sooooooo much better than the DC run, plus the art by J K Woodward is unbelievable! I can’t believe neither Marvel nor DC has snatched this guy up yet!

DRACULA VS. CAPONE #1: WTF?!?!?! Remember when Jim Krueger used to put out good comics? Like Foot Soldiers? Jeebus…

MANGA STAR TREK: From TokyoPop…Again…WTF?!?!?!

LOST GIRLS DELUXE SLIPCASED EDITION: I remember getting a copy of one of the issues of this series way back when, and being really intrigued by it. Then I stroked off to it…I’d love this book, but $75 is a bit too far out of my price range…

PACESETTER: THE GEORGE PEREZ MAGAZINE #7: I order a copy of this magazine whenever I see one, and although it’s not the most professional looking magazine you can find (it’s barely one step above a fanzine…) it’s still one of my favorites. Always loaded with rare George Perez art and sketches, this issue focuses on Crisis on Infinite Earths…Highly recommended!

STAR WARS: LEGACY OF THE FORCE BOOK 2: Fuck…A nine part series…I’m still trying to muddle my way through the NEW JEDI ORDER shit…Fuck this, I give up!

MARVEL LEGENDS: MASTERWORKS SERIES 2 DIORAMAS: I’m sure the Hulk/Thing one is kinda cool and all, but look at that Galactus one! Fuck, that looks awesome! I think it’s based on a John Byrne cover from around issue #245 of FF, which also happens to be one of my favorite covers of all time…Gotta get this one…

You were bored.

Quote:

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JONAH HEX #10
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art and cover by Phil Noto
In this gothic tale of horror and honor illustrated by artist Phil Noto (DANGER GIRL, Beautiful Killer), Jonah Hex finds himself at odds with the most ruthless, inbred family of killers he's ever come across. Deep in the Louisiana swamplands, two men and a pregnant woman end up in the wrong place at the wrong time - and it's up to Jonah Hex to set things straight!
On sale August 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

My other favorite DC book. Didn’t have much hope for this book when it originally came out, but love it now…

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So its worth a look is it?

Definately.