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.
ACTION COMICS #29
Writer: Greg Pak, Greg
Artist: Aaron Kuder
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Superman must protect the sub-terrans from Ghost Soldier and the U.S. Armed Forces! Is he about to become Public Enemy #1?
JASON: Greg Pak’s Superman work has been stellar. If you’re looking for a man of steel fix this is the book that you need to jump onto.
ADVENTURE TIME FLIP SIDE #3
Writer: Colleen Coover, Paul Tobin
Artist: Wook Jin Clark
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Finn and Jake learn the truth behind why Monkey Wizard doesn’t kidnap princesses anymore. With Marceline helping out, it should be easy for our Heroes to finally get Painting Princess kidnapped…right?!
PAIGE: I haven’t had the chance to read much of the Adventure Time comics, but I’m a fan of the show. With Marceline in particular being among my favorite characters, it’s hard to resist picking any issue with her in it up.
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #4
Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Artist: Francesco Francavilla
Publisher: Archie Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: New Ongoing Series! ‘Escape from Riverdale,’ Part 4 [of 5]. With two more members of our beloved gang infected by the dreadful zombie-virus, Riverdale’s one sanctuary – Lodge Mansion – has been compromised. The kids are left to make a significant decision – do they stay and fight or flee the only town they’ve ever known?
Meanwhile, Archie makes a horrific discovery in his own home, one that may cost him his life! It’s red-headed teen versus gruesomely undead canine in the latest chapter of this ground-breaking Teen+ series! Definitely not for all ages! Covers by Francesco Francavilla and Tim Seeley.
CHRIS: This book should never have worked. It’s so insanely good that even those with little to no knowledge of Archie can enjoy it. Sacasa and Francavilla are killing it and I can’t wait to read each issue. Plus, it’s actually scary!
MATTHEW: Archie Comics and horror are not two things that I expected to work together, but four issues in, and we’re seeing how strong the concepts are. Maybe good characters can work in any setting, given a strong writer and killer art from Francavilla? Either way, lovin’ it.
STEPHEN: BEST. COMIC. EVER. If that other zombie book isn’t doing it for you anymore, Afterlife with Archie has you covered with a series that evokes the best of the zombie genre, classic horror movies, and awesome art.
AUTEUR #1
Writer: Rick Spears
Artist: James Callahan
Publisher: Oni Press Inc.
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Fresh off the biggest bomb in Hollywood history, disgraced and desperate producer Nathan T. Rex enters a downward spiral of drugs and depravity in a quest to resurrect his career and save his soul. Over budget and behind schedule on the latest installment of the horror franchise, PRESIDENTS DAY, T. Rex is backed into a corner by bad publicity, a crap project, and a jerk studio exec, but finds salvation at a strip club by huffing glue, and a chance encounter with cable news. Welcome to the most deranged, notorious, and hilarious comic of 2014! We apologize in advance.
GEORGE: Basically, I will try any comic featuring a glue-huffing protagonist.
BTVS SEASON 9 TP VOL 05 THE CORE
Writer: Andrew Chambliss, Jane Espenson
Artist: Georges Jeanty, Karl Moline
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $17.99
SOLICITATION: When Dawn falls ill, it’s up to best friends Buffy, Xander, and Willow to join forces and find a supernatural cure in a world sorely lacking magic. The trio must fight their way into the Deeper Well, the former home of Illyria and other ancient gods known as the Old Ones, where they hope to jump-start magic back into existence. Collects Buffy Season 9 #21-#25 and “Love vs. Life” from Dark Horse Presents #25-#27.
ROB: Ah, more Buffy to get caught up on. And apparently I’m a few volumes behind here. Looking forward to digging through a ton of Season 9 over the next few weeks then.
CLONE #15
Writer: David Schulner, Aaron Ginsburg, Wade McIntyre
Artist: Fernando Dagnino
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: “’You must hide the trust to save his life.’ As government forces lead an assault on the clones, Luke and his brothers are given an offer they can’t refuse. But what sacrifices must they make to ensure their freedom?
WAYNE: Clones are all the rage these days, including Orphan Black returning BBCA! I love this inventive and engaging comic in that genre!
MAGNETO #1 ANMN
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Paolo Rivera
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Once the deadliest, most feared mutant mastermind on the planet, MAGNETO is no longer the man he once was. After falling in with Cyclops and the X-Men, Erik Lehnsherr became just one more pawn in another man’s war. But now, determined to fight the war for mutantkind’s survival on his own terms, Magneto sets out to regain what he’s lost…and show the world exactly why it should tremble at the sound of his name. Magneto will safeguard the future of the mutant race by hunting down each and every threat that would see his kind extinguished—and bloody his hands that they may never be a threat again.
GEORGE: The series pitch sounds like a riff on the Nazi-hunting Magneto that Michael Fassbender played in “X-Men: First Class,” which is something I would love to read. Post-AvX, Magneto has been severely underutilized and Bunn has a deft hand with darker stories, so this might be something good. Walta’s art looks great in the previews, too.
MATTHEW: Do I believe that Magneto needs his own book? No, not really, but it might be interesting to see what they do with him. But I will say, that cover? Frightens me. It’s disturbing, and has some (hopefully intentional) ugly implications for a concentration camp survivor…
ROB: I have to admit I was hoping for a bit stronger of a redemption hook when I saw this in the solicits, but Magneto as an anti-hero is just interesting enough I think I’ll give this series a shot when I can get to the comic store next.
WAYNE: Cullen Bunn is making a name for himself by scripting “villains” recently. He’s also on tap to write the Sinestro series for DC. Looks like there’s a market for baddies on their own! To listen to my recent interview with Mr. Bunn, go to this link!
MOON KNIGHT #1
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Declan Shalvey
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Marc Spector is Moon Knight!…Or is he? It’s hard to tell these days, especially when New York’s wildest vigilante protects the street with two-fisted justice and three-that’s right, count ’em-different personalities! But even with the mystical force of Khonshu fueling his crusade, how does the night’s greatest detective save a city that’s as twisted as he is? The road to victory is going to hurt. A lot. Marvel’s most mind-bending adventure begins NOW as Moon Knight sleuths his way to the rotten core of New York’s most bizarre mysteries!
CHRIS: I love Marvel’s Batman. The best part of Moon Knight for me is the multiple personalities. Unfortunately he’s one of those characters that can’t seem to maintain a series for long. Hopefully Warren Ellis will revive The Spirit of Vengeance and do him justice.
ROGUE TROOPER #1
Writer: Brian Ruckley
Artist: Alberto Ponticelli
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Nu-Earth, just another planet ravaged by a galaxy-wide war, its atmosphere poisoned by chemical weapons. Created to fight in such conditions were the G.I.s – genetically engineered infantrymen. But now only one remains, the man known as… Rogue Trooper. IDW is proud to re-introduce Rogue Trooper in this all-new series!
GEORGE: IDW is putting their American spin on another 2000AD property in Rogue Trooper. Their take on Judge Dredd has been pretty decent, if not indispensible, so Rogue Trooper might be well worth a look.
SHE-HULK #2
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Javier Pulido
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Jennifer opens her own practice, but things aren’t going as smoothly as she’d like. A new client rides into town…but is he hero or villain? Guest-starring Patsy Walker, Hellcat!
CHRIS: Issue one was awesome, so I’m excited for this one. It’s a standout for Marvel and different from others on the racks. I want this one to last but the grumpy old comic fan in me doesn’t think it’ll last more than fifteen issues. Prove me wrong readers!
STARLIGHT #1
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Goran Parlov
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Forty years ago, Duke McQueen was the space hero who saved the universe. But then he came back home, got married, had kids, and grew old. Now his children have left and his wife has passed away, leaving him alone with nothing except his memories…until a call comes from a distant world asking him back for his final and greatest adventure. This issue launches the much-anticipated Millarworld Universe. Get in on the start of something MASSIVE!
JASON: I’m looking forward to reading this story that is basically retired Flash Gordon. Since this is the launch of Mark Millar’s shared universe, I hope he has invested in an editor with a clock, because the shipping schedules of previous Millar books have been ridiculous. Let’s see if it’s six months till Starlight #2.
STEPHEN: WOW. This is a book that starts off great, and gives me hope for the upcoming issues. This doesn’t read like some of Millar’s other work, and the art is lovely. Definitely a must read this week.
TALE OF HONOR #1
Writer: Matt Hawkins
Artist: Jung-Geun Yoon
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: THE HONORVERSE EXPANDS TO COMICS! Based on the bestselling military science-fiction novels by David Weber, this original comic book series introduces spaceship captain Honor Harrington on the eve of her execution. From prison, Honor relays her epic adventures, starting with a command outpost to a hellish backwater star system that ends up being the linchpin of an interstellar crisis that will bring war to her home planet. This series is part of a new multi-platform story world that includes a mobile game app to be released with the first issue and a feature film currently in development.
PAIGE: I’m a bit wary about anything involving a tie-in mobile app, but I’m willing to give this the benefit of the doubt in the name of interesting sci-fi. I’m also a sucker for butt-kicking women in space prison.
TMNT VILLAIN MICROSERIES TP VOL 02
Writer: Erik Burnham
Artist: Cory Smith
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $17.99
SOLICITATION: The Villains keep on coming! Karai, Hun, Bebop and Rocksteady, and the Shredder all get the spotlight with stories that delve into their pasts and current actions that will have major ramifications on everybody’s future.
ROB: Ever think that Bebop and Rocksteady could be made into legitimate threats? Neither did I, but this book managed to do so and still keep the “charm” of their idiocy. Both Shredder and Karai have a strong story and Hun’s connections to the TMNT family are great.
TRILLIUM #7
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Jeff Lemire
Publisher: DC Comics/Vertigo
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: “The penultimate issue of Vertigo’s acclaimed sci-fi epic is here, and Nika and William are out of time — literally! The last love story ever told nears its conclusion … but what waits beyond the end of the universe? You’ll have to read to find out!”
WAYNE: Jeff Lemire keeps coming up with truly offbeat stories and art that keep me engaged until the very end. Since next issue will be the last, it’s important to know what’s happening before next time! Don’t miss it!
TUROK DINOSAUR HUNTER #2
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Mirko Colak
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: THE GOLD KEY UNIVERSE CONTINUES! It is 1210 AD, and destructive invaders – both reptilian and human – have ravaged Turok’s land. Will the outcast Turok defend the tribe that shunned him, or side with these freakish new warriors? Prepare for history-twisting carnage from superstar GREG PAK (Batman/Superman) and MIRKO COLAK (Conan)!
MATTHEW: Full disclosure: Boss Deon at Gatekeeper Hobbies (Huntoon & Gage Topeka!) loves Turok, and has amassed a pretty sizable run of his original 50’s/60’s era ‘Son Of Stone’ books for me to curate at work, so I’m sort of an accidental fan. #1 had some very strong moments, and all in all, it looks like a book I’m interested in reading. If only we didn’t have Bart Sears involved, this would have been a perfect relaunch…
VEIL #1
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Toni Fejzula
Publisher: Dark Horse
Cover Price: $3.50
SOLICITATION: A beautiful girl wakes up in an abandoned subway station with no memory of how she got there. When men try to hurt her . . . they wind up dead. Where did she come from? And what is she capable of?
PAIGE: I’m a sucker for horror and mystery, so naturally I can’t wait to get my hands on this one. The art also looks to have a great style, which makes me ever more excited to pick it up.
2 Comments
I somehow missed that Afterlife with Archie comes out this week too, so make it my NEBULOUS FOURTH PICK
NO! NO FOURTH PICK!
YOU’LL HAVE NOTHING AND *LIKE* IT! :D