It’s New Comic Book Day!
What should you pick up this week? The Major Spoilers Staff runs down the titles they are most looking forward to this week.
ALL-NEW X-FACTOR #3
Writers: Peter David
Artist; Carmine Di Giandomenico
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “Not Brand X” The All-New X-Factor is meant to help people…But one of their own has a secret.Hint: It’s Gambit
RODRIGO: Gambit’s new costume isn’t my favorite, but arguably it’s better than being a pink half-robot.
BATMAN #28
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: ZERO YEAR: DARK CITY reaches its conclusion! The final chapter of Zero Year is almost upon us, and we’ve saved the best for last! What corners of Batman’s past will be revealed? And how will they impact his very near future? Find out here!
CHRIS: Everyone loves Batman, right? Maybe not, but they should love this Batman comic. There has yet to be an issue that I’ve been disappointed with and I’m dying to see how Zero Year ends and what Snyder has in store next.
STEPHEN: LOOK! A NEW BATMAN BOOK! TAKE MY MONEY!
WAYNE: Zero Year has far exceeded my extremely high expectations, so hats off to Mr. Snyder, Mr. Capullo and everyone on the title!
THE BUNKER #1
Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkov
Artist: Joe Infurnari
Publisher: Oni Press
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: THE SMASH HIT DIGITAL COMIC COMES TO PRINT WITH A DOUBLE-SIZED DEBUT ISSUE! When five friends go to bury a time capsule before going their separate ways, they find a mysterious bunker stamped with their names and containing artifacts from a time that has yet to come. Will their discovery save the world or doom it? From Joshua Hale Fialkov (I, VAMPIRE; ULTIMATES) and Joe Infurnari (MARATHON) comes a new ongoing series that proves outrunning your future is no easier than escaping your past.
ASHLEY: I’ve meant to check out Josh Fialkov’s story about a group of kids stumbling upon a collection of items with their names of it and now that’s Joe Infurnari’s art is being given the colour treatment at the behest of Oni now is the opportune time to drop in!
CITY: MIND IN THE MACHINE #1
Writer: Eric Garcia
Artist: Javier Fernandez
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: New from Darby Pop! Ben Fischer helped build the world’s greatest surveillance system, Golden Shield, which utilizes every camera, cell phone, and computer in San Francisco to battle crime. There is only one problem: Golden Shield can’t work without a human mind to operate it, resulting in a controversial melding of man and machine. Writer Eric Garcia (Anonymous Rex, Matchstick Men) delivers an action-packed story that questions the roles of security and technology in our modern society.
RODRIGO: A new thriller! Also a title that really requires punctuation to read. City Mind: In The Machine. City Mind In: The Machine.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS FELLS FIVE HC
Writer: John Rogers
Artist: Andrea Di Vito
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $49.99
SOLICITATION: Join Adric Fell, the halfling Bree Three-Hands, the dwarf Khal Khalundurrin, the tiefling Tisha Swornheart, and the elf Varis in a tale of high adventure and deep secrets. Collects all 15 issues of the Dungeons & Dragons series and also includes extras like comic and game adventures, character sheets, glossaries, and an art gallery. Hardcover, 424 pages, full color.
ROB: If you’ve enjoyed Critical Hit and want a slightly more traditional take on what a story in this game can be, this is good. If you like D&D, this is good. If you just like a good fantasy story, this is good. What I’m saying is this was good, it’s a shame it ended when it did, and this is probably worth adding to a collection.
FUSE #1
Writer: Antony Johnston
Artist: Justin Greenwood
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50
SOLICITATION: “THE RUSSIA SHIFT,” Part One
Working homicide 22,000 miles up on an orbiting energy platform, in a five-mile-long jury-rigged steel city stuffed with a half million people, with no help from your so-called colleagues back on Earth, is more than tough…it’s murder!
Cynical, foul-mouthed veteran ANTONY JOHNSTON (UMBRAL, Wasteland, Daredevil) gets partnered with fresh-faced idealist JUSTIN GREENWOOD (Wasteland, Resurrection) for a new crime series with attitude! Murder, mayhem, and mystery—22,000 miles straight up.
MATTHEW: I don’t know what this is, but it sounds intriguing, and Stephen and I will be checking it out in this week’s Dueling Review! Good or awful, the only sure thing is we probably won’t agree which.
GREAT PACIFIC #13
Writer: Joe Harris
Artist: Martin Morazzo
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: “When a mysterious visitor washes up warning of UFOs and invaders from space, Chas Worthington finds his grip over New Texas threatened. But if the aliens are coming, Chas knows just the leader the earthlings need to represent them – himself!f”
WAYNE: I’ve been completely surprised by this book ever since I picked up the first issue. Don’t miss it!
INSECT BATH #1
Writer: Various
Artists: Various
Publisher: Profanity Hill
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Out of the nihilist inkwell and printed in poison! Meet the finest in new cosmic horror! Face melters from: Max Clotfelter (Henry & Glenn Forever), Alex Delaney, Eamon Espey (Wormdye and Songs of The Abyss), Noel Freibert, Sammy Harkham (The Simpsons’ Tree House of Horror, Kramers Ergotand Everything Together), Juliacks, Jason T. Miles, Scott Roller, Matthew Thurber (1-800 Mice and Infomaniacs), and Zach Hazard Vaupen.
RODRIGO: If you’re keeping track of my responses, you know I’m usually down for anthologies. You also know that I like space aliens. You know a lot about me now, I feel very exposed.
LETTER 44 #4
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Alberto Alburquerque
Publisher: One Press
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: The crew of the Clarke has their first real encounter with the alien technology being built in the asteroid belt, while back on Earth, President Blades discovers the truth behind the brutal attack on his closest advisor, and unseen forces continue to move against him.
ASHLEY: The best part of this story is all the space stuff and this issue promises to provide more and more of that. This is one of the smartest, best comics being published right now.
GEORGE: Letter 44 is fantastically interesting, a realistic look at politics, space travel and… alien contact? Our own Wayne Hall reviewed issue 3 last month, so check that out for a more in-depth look. Letter 44 is one of the best new series on the stands, so jump on while you have the chance.
THE MERCENARY SEA #1
Writer: Kel Symons
Artist: Mathew Reynolds
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: “NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT”
Action and adventure set in 1938-The South Seas. Japan has invaded China. War in Europe is imminent. Ex-bootlegger Jack Harper captains The Venture, a refitted German U-Boat, with a crew of expats, mercenaries and treasure hunters. They do whatever it takes to stay afloat, often running up against pirates, headhunters, spies, and soldiers. They’re always one step away from the greatest score of their lives…or their certain demise.
GEORGE: This looks and sounds pulpy as all get out. The art looks interesting, very stylish and sleek. It reminds me of a Johnny Quest-type adventure show. Kel Symons is a relative newcomer, and I don’t know what to expect from him. I’ll be reviewing this one later in the week.
RED PANDA MASK O/T RED PANDA TP
Writer: Gregg Taylor
Artist: Dean Kotz
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $17.99
SOLICITATION: Racketeers, gangsters, the occasional power-mad super villain-all have fallen before the iron resolve of the city’s masked protectors. But when forces with powers from beyond this world threaten to bring their war to the streets of Depression-era Toronto, can even the Red Panda prevent disaster? Bringing to life characters from The Red Panda Adventures, Decoder Ring Theatre’s award-winning radio drama series, Mask of the Red Panda is pulse-pounding pulp perfection for all those who love the classic two-fisted adventures of the golden age of radio, classic movie serials, and the hero pulps.
MATTHEW: Stephen keeps encouraging me to check this out, and some of my favorite people love it… I like The Green Hornet, and dig a nice pulp story now and then, so I’m going to give this one a run up the flagpole, as it sounds pretty interesting.
STEPHEN: I love the Decoder Ring Theater podcast, and the Red Panda Adventures are always a lot of fun. Can’t wait to get my hands on this trade!
WAYNE: I crave variety in my reading, so I’m hooked on this excellent comic! I love the story and art, so I highly recommend it to anyone who loves action heroes of the 1930s and 40s. To listen to my interview with Mr. Taylor, go to this link!
ROBOCOP TO LIVE AND DIE IN DETROIT ONE SHOT
Writer: Joe Harris
Artist: Piotr Kowalski
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: RoboCop is too good at his job. While the people love him, his ability to find and remove corruption puts fear into the corporate heads and government leaders. With OCP at the wheel, they will do their best to steer him away from the powerful corrupt leaders, and keep him on the lower-level criminals. But some crimes cannot go unpunished.
ROB: This year’s RoboCop reboot has me pretty excited and I want to see more going on in this world. Seems like this is a good enough place to go for more of that.
SHE-HULK #1
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Javier Pulido
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: JENNIFER WALTERS IS…THE SHE-HULK! A stalwart Avenger, valued member of the FF, savior of the world on more than one occasion, she’s also a killer attorney with a pile of degrees and professional respect. A 7-foot-tall drink of cool, emerald water, she’s tough enough to knock out Galactus with one punch (possibly?) and has a heart bigger than the moon. But juggling cases and kicking bad guy butt is starting to be a little more complicated than she anticipated. With a new practice, a new paralegal and a mounting number of super villains she’s racking up as personal enemies, She Hulk might have bitten off a little more than she can chew…but she just calls that that Tuesday.
CHRIS: It’s crazy, but I’m dying to read this book. I’m not even a She-Hulk fan or know much about the character but what little of the Dan Slott run I’ve read I really enjoyed. I hoping this will be a great alternative to the majority of Marvel titles and, if so, that it will last more than twenty issues.
MATTHEW: I’ve loved She-Hulk ever since she ran around in a Danskin and legwarmers, and even though I’m concerned about her new costume, she’s been due for a new one for a while. Here’s hoping this one breaks her record, as this is (to my memory) She-Hulk Volume 5 or 6. Either way, Jennifer is my favorite big green smart woman, and I’m excited to see her back on the scene in solo action…
SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #27.1
Writer: Slott, Dan
Artist: Camuncoli, Giuseppe
Cover Artist: Camuncoli, Giuseppe
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: ‘Goblin Nation’ #1 (of 5)
JASON: It’s time for the greatest battle in all of nature: the spider versus the GOBLIN! I’m excited to see the Superior Doc Ock Spider-Man throw down versus Norman Osborn.
TMNT ONGOING TP VOL 07 CITY FALL PT 2
Writer: Tim Waltz, Kevin Eastman
Artist: Kevin Eastman, Mateus Santolouco
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $17.99
SOLICITATION: “City Fall” concludes as Shredder reveals his new second-in-command and launches a full-scale war on New York City! Forced to make strange alliances, the Turtles fight back against their most deadly enemy.
ROB: I still can’t get over how well this series is blending the elements of all the Turtle stories that came before it, and with the massive City Fall story line coming to a head here you can see that in it’s best form yet.
THOR: GOD OF THUNDER #19
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Esad Ribic
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: THE LAST DAYS OF MIDGARD begin NOW!
Thor, Asgardian God of Thunder, has always fought to save his adopted home of Earth. But who can he fight when the planet itself is dying? Thor’s mortal ally and environmental secret agent Roz Solomon has a few ideas. Namely the world’s largest and most nefarious energy company Roxxon, and its ruthless new CEO known as “The Minotaur.” Has the God of Thunder finally met his match, in the form of a multinational super-corporation? Meanwhile, many millennia ahead, a future version of Thor faces a very different battle to save what remains of the earth–a battle against the greatest villain the Marvel Universe has ever known-Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds!
GEORGE: While always a strong book, Jason Aaron’s Thor was at its most interesting when he was juggling multiple Thors from the past, present and future. It looks like he’s returning to that intriguing structure, and I couldn’t be happier. Esad Ribic’s art is always a treat.
UNCANNY #6
Writer: Andy Diggle
Artist: Aaron Capbell
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: When both sides are gunning for you, keep your head down and play them off against each other. That’s Weaver’s only chance to get out alive. If he runs, he’ll lose his last chance to discover the truth about his own origins. But if he stand his ground, he might just find there’s a worse fate than death awaiting the Specials…
ASHLEY: The more I put together about this world the more interesting it is to see Weaver navigate his way through it. I just hope it reels a bit further away from the X-Men tropes than it’s been doing recently.
JASON: This book has a lot illusions to the famous Mutant team that is being published by Marvel, but It still is a lot of fun. Andy Diggle is crafting one of the best crime books on the stands.
