IT’S NEW COMIC BOOK DAY!
Major Spoilers runs down the comics we are looking forward to, and recommending, this week.
BATMAN SUPERMAN #2
Written by: Greg Pak
Art by: Jae Lee
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “Batman and Superman travel to Earth 2, where they find familiar heroes who are trying to kill them!”
WAYNE: With the news that a film with both Superman and Batman from DC Comics in it, look for this title to take off! Not only that, it’s very good!
CAMELOT 3000 TP
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Artist: Brian Bolland
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $19.99
SOLICITATION: In the year 3000, an armada of destructive aliens has unleashed an all-out assault on Earth and is poised to conquer the planet. But when a young boy stumbles upon the crypt of King Arthur, the legendary monarch and the Knights of the Round Table are magically reincarnated. Together once again, King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, Merlin, and the rest of the classic knights take on the invading extraterrestrials and their wicked leader, Morgan Le Fay, the half-sister of Arthur!
MATTHEW: This ain’t the first time this book has been collected, nor the first time I’ve bought it. It’s a lovely mix of vaguely historical sword-and-sorcery, science fiction and a smidge of superheroes, and if you’ve never read it, YOU NEED TO. It’s an experience unto itself, and it still looks amazing even 30 years later.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #9
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: John Romita
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: • With the only way back to Earth slowly closing forever, Captain America must make the hardest decision of his life.
• A new ally from the past arrives, and makes everything worse.
• Zola’s plot is hatched, humanity in the crosshairs.
• The final days Dimension Z are here, and if Steve Rogers escapes intact, he will never be the same again.
GEORGE: Captain America #8 ended with a hell of a cliffhanger. Rick Remender has a history of putting his characters through the wringer and Captain America is no exception. This arc is entering the final stages, and the tension is ratcheting up quite nicely.
FLASH #22
Writer: Brian Buccellato
Artist: Francis Manapul
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: History is made when The Flash comes face to face with Reverse Flash for the first time!
KEVIN: Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul have revamped Barry Allen, a.k.a. the Flash, into a hero of their own. Manapul’s colorful artwork and Buccellato’s writing style have me coming back to Flash’s new adventures every month. Since this is the first appearance of Reverse Flash since Flashpoint, I look forward to seeing where this creative team will go with the supervillain.
GAMBIT #15
Writer: James Asmus
Artist: Clay Mann
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Gambit is once again the premier thief in the Marvel Universe.But when you’re at the top, there’s nowhere to go but down ? and a rival thief is hot on his heels!
ROB: I am still enjoying Gambit’s solo adventure as a thief. Taking the character back to his roots has been fun and I’m happy to see it continue with a new rival.
GAMMA ONE SHOT
Writer: Ulises Farinas, Erick Freitas
Artist: Ulises Farinas
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Dusty Keztchemal is a pathetic coward. He failed the entire planet, and now, the only way he can make a living is by getting punched in the face for money. But when a beautiful stranger wanders into his saloon looking for help, Dusty thinks he can conjure up the man he once was—the greatest monster trainer in the world!
* The first original story from Catalyst artist and rising star Ulises Farinas (Transformers: Heart of Darkness, Glory)!
RODRIGO: If you heard my review in the last Major Spoilers Podcast then you know this is a merciless parody of the monster catcher genre. Be aware, no one’s likeable in it.
GHOSTBUSTERS #6
Writer: Erik Burnham
Artist: Dan Schoening
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: A ghost ship roams the waters off Long Island, leaving fear — and ice — in its wake. The governor calls on the Ghostbusters to stop these spectral sailors and their maritime malevolence… but they’ll have to do it without the aid of Egon Spengler, who is currently concerned with rescuing the stolen spirit of Janine Melnitz!
ROB: The entire group is back together, so now we have two full teams of Ghostbusters and more entertainment because of it.
HAWKEYE ANNUAL #1
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Javier Pulido
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Go west, young lady! Kate Bishop heads to Los Angeles — to get away from New York, life (and Clint Barton?) but NOT trouble! But Madame Masque is hanging out at poolside with the rich and famous as well! Who is Kate Bishop? Find out alongside Kate Bishop herself as a wild new status quo comes to HAWKEYE.
MATTHEW: Katie Bishop’s relationship with Clint Barton is half the fun of this wonderfully engaging series, and now she gets her own spotlight. Sadly, Madame Masque might have a few things to say about Kate’s impersonation of her a few months ago. Okay, this looks bad…
HUNGER #1
Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkov
Artist: Leonard Kirk
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: • The fallout from AGE OF ULTRON rips open a dangerous rift in the universe!
• Prepare for a hunger so strong, that no universe is safe.
• Is this the beginning of the end?
MATTHEW: It’s over-priced and I’ll probably be bitterly disappointed in the end, but I can’t miss the chance to see the Ultimate universe get destroyed…
LARFLEEZE #2
Writer: Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis
Artist: Scott Kolins
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Larfleeze faces the celestial being known as the “Laord of the Hunt”! Will our Orange Lantern end up stuffed and mounted on the wall of a cosmic lodge as a trophy?
RODRIGO: Confession time: I didn’t get a chance to pick up the first issue. I plan to hopefully get both next time I’m in civilization.
WAYNE: Larfleeze is one of the most unique of Lanterns created by Geoff Johns, and having Mrs. Giffen and DeMatteis scripting is a perfect fit! I also enjoy Mr. Kolins’ art, so I am anxious for this book to get here, already!
LAZARUS #2
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Michael Lark
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: “FAMILY,” Part Two
The Carlyle Family has been attacked by their enemies to the south, and Forever’s father suspects a conspiracy amongst his children. To root it out, he sends Forever into the arms of the enemy, Family Morray.
GEORGE: Lazarus #1 was a boss debut. Get in on this series on the ground floor – Greg Rucka rarely disappoints, and this series about a divided class dystopia is starting off great.
MIND MGMT #14
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Matt Kindt
Publisher: Dark Horse
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “What you don’t know about Meru could just about fit in this issue! A single-part story perfect for new readers!”
GEORGE: I don’t know how MIND MGMT could possibly top its surreal level. That alone would get me through the door, but that cover (and the promise of “sleeper agent The Home Maker”) seal the deal. This dream-like tale of psycho-espionage gets it done every week. With its first major arc concluded, can’t wait to see what’s next.
WAYNE: Mind Mgmt is unique in its ability to use up as much of the pages as possible to tell as many stories as Mr. Kindt can! You’ll get your money’s worth out of this book, which will include great storytelling! It’s the ideal time to check out this comic!
WITCHBLADE #168
Writer: Tim Seeley
Artist: Diego Bernard
Publisher: Top Cow
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: “ABSOLUTE CORRUPTION,” Part TwoAfter failing to capture the murderous criminal Toio Mulranny, Sara is forced to ask who is the greater threat: Toio or former Witchblade bearer Katarina Godliffe?
RODRIGO: Diego Bernard draws some attractive ladies… also other things are presumably happening in this comic.
X-TREME X-MEN TP VOL 02 YOU CANT GO HOME AGAIN
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Andre Lima Araujo, Paco Diaz Luque
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Price: $16.99
SOLICITATION: The team’s mission hits home when they land in the United States of California, birthplace of Kurt Waggoner! What happens if they can’t defeat this Xavier — and what does it mean for Nightcrawler? Then: Meet the X-Treme X-Force as Dazzler is confronted with the person she might turn into if she never gets home! And in the wake of recent events, something is off about Xavier. Will the team be able to close the tears between dimensions without him? Plus: Romance is in the air — or it could be, if Dazzler and Cyclops don’t kill each other first! And when Dazzler and her team find themselves in a war against the Brood, the dimension they land in is strangely familiar. Collecting X-TREME X-MEN #6-7, #7.1 and #8-11.
ROB: A fantastic series killed well before its time, X-Treme X-Men had me hooked from issue one. With a very unique take on some familiar characters this book was a fun set of alternate reality stories.
ROBOT OVERLORD: GO FORTH AND CONSUME!
