IT’S NEW COMIC BOOK DAY!
Major Spoilers runs down the comics we are looking forward to, and recommending, this week.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #700.2
Writer: David Morrell
Artist: Mirco Pierfederici
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: One year after his death at the hands of the Superior Spider-Man – PETER PARKER IS BACK!Acclaimed novelist David Morrell (First Blood) and legendary comics icon Klaus Janson (DAREDEVIL: END OF DAYS) team up to kick off this celebration of the world’s greatest super hero!With a blizzard crippling New York City, Spider-Man must protect the city – but Aunt May’s life is in danger!
ROB: So, the first issue brought us back to Peter Parker as Spider-Man, and I’m still trying to decide if that was handled how I wanted or not. Guess we’ll go ahead and finish reading the story at least, as it is decent enough.
ASTRO CITY #7
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Brent Eric Anderson
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: A major new 4-part epic begins featuring Winged Victory, Samaritan and the Confessor, three of Astro City’s most popular heroes. It begins when a young boy seeks sanctuary and training at Winged Victory’s school for battered women – and builds to revelations, accusations and a threat that may spell the end of her heroic career. Plus: Winged Victory’s origin is revealed at last.
KEVIN: Astro City’s relaunch has been everything you can hope for in a superhero comic book: original plots, exploration of the Astro City world, as well as unique heroes and villains. So far, it has been one short story per issue. However, Astro City #7 will be the first time this series will tackle a several issue story arc. It is a nice change of pace for the series, focusing on their big three superheroes, Samaritan, Winged Victory and the Confessor.
BATMAN #26
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo, Danny Miki
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “ZERO YEAR continues! With Gotham City thrown into total chaos by The Riddler, Batman and Jim Gordon must learn to work together!”
STEPHEN: Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na, Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na – BATMAN!
WAYNE: It only FEELS like a really long time since Batman #25 arrived! That’s because this comic’s quality makes me wish there were a weekly named Batman Eternal! Oh, wait ….
CHEW #38
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Rob Guillory
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: “FAMLY RECIPE,” Part Three
Cibopath behind bars.
ROB: More Chew is always good. Also, we’re still trying to figure out what the plan between Tony’s partner and Savvoy is, so that’s got me excited for this particular issue.
DEAD BODY ROAD #1
Writer: Justin Jordan
Artist: Matteo Scalera
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Writer JUSTIN JORDAN (LUTHER STRODE) and artist MATTEO SCALERA (BLACK SCIENCE, Indestructible Hulk) craft the bruising story of one man’s revenge and the dark road he travels.
GEORGE: I’m in the mood for a good crime comic. I didn’t read Jordan’s work on Luther Strode, but I heard good things. And I do know that Scalera’s work can be quite gorgeous.
DEATH SENTENCE #3
Writer: Monty Nero
Artist: Mike Dowling
Publisher: Titan Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Given amazing superpowers – and six months to live – by the G+ Virus, three Londoners struggle to make their time count!
Discover what made Monty such a manipulative s**t – can he use his powers to climb all the way to the top? Washed-up singer-songwriter Weasel puts in a paternity visit – and ends up on the run from GCHQ’s power-hunting division! Already imprisoned, can Verity’s artistic side flower in captivity? More importantly… is there a chance that the G+ Virus could be cured?!
CHRIS: This book has grown on me and I find myself very curious as to where it will go next. Both the writing and art are great and it’s a wonderful alternative to the mainstream. Very much a punk rock book, which is probably why I’m digging it.
JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000 #1
Writer: Keith Giffen & J. M. DeMatteis
Artist: Howard Porter
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: The new series starring the heroes of today – tomorrow is resolicited, now with legendary artist Howard Porter (JLA) on board! But what are these heroes doing in the year 3000? And who (or what) brought them there? Get ready for a dose of wonder from the writing team of Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis!
CHRIS: I’ve got no clue what this is or what it plans on doing but my curiosity is peaked. Surely those better versed in comics history could fill me in but there’s just enough tweaked to make this look different. Plus it’s $2.99, so what the hell.
GEORGE: It’s always worth taking a chance on Giffen and DeMatteis, two writers behind some of the most fun DC series in history. The New 52 needs a shot of lightness, so here’s hoping these two can grab me with this more than they did with the Larfleeze series.
STEPHEN: So this is what happens when the publisher closes the door on the Legion of Super-heroes? We’ll find out later today when I pick up a copy and then discuss the issue in detail with Matthew on the next Dueling Review.
KRAMPUS #1
Writer: Brian Joines
Artist: Dean Kotz
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: “Meet the Secret Society of Santa Clauses. For centuries, Father Christmas, Ded Moroz, Hoteiosho, and others have magically distributed Christmas cheer to children around the world. But when the source of their power is stolen, a desperate Society turns to an usual source for help: the dreaded Krampus, child-punishing demon of holiday lore. Free of his cell for the first time in decades, will the Krampus uncover the truth behind the Santas’ depowering or leave his jailers to their ultimate fate? It’s Snake Plissken by way of the Grinch as the darkly comedic adventure begins here.”
CHRIS: I didn’t even realize Krampus was a real thing until recently. Shows how stupid I am. That makes it even more hilarious. Such a mean and twisted concept. This looks to be capturing some of that hilariousness and I hope there’s just enough insanity to make this a personal holiday classic.
WAYNE: With the holidays right around the corner and Krampus’ popularity on the rise, this comic couldn’t come at a better time! Check out the Anti-Santa Claus!
MAGIC THE GATHERING THEROS #2
Writer: Jason Ciaramella
Artist: Martin Coccolo
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $4.99
SOLICITATION: Dack Fayden follows the trail of his most recent stolen artifact to THEROS, where he makes his way to a sinister island that holds the secrets of his newest acquisition. But such powerful artifacts are rarely left unguarded…
ROB: Always happy for more Magic story, and I think Dack is one of the more entertaining Planeswalkers in the Pantheon at this point. Besides, getting more of Theros is also a very nice thing, and a new promo card to boot!
MIGHTY AVENGERS #4.
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Greg Land
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION:
• In the aftermath of Infinity, Luke Cage brings his Mighty Avengers together! And a certain Superior someone is not happy about it!
• Plus: The birth of the new Ronin!
• This solicit sponsored by CORTEX Incorporated. CORTEX. Tomorrow is in our hands.
MATTHEW: Luke Cage’s new team fell off my radar briefly, due to the flurry of Infinity crossovers and Avengers books, but I’m still excited about this book and the characters herein contained. I hope it doesn’t go the way of Young Avengers and Fearless Defenders… Fingers crossed!
RICHARD STARK’S PARKER: SLAYGROUND HC
Adapted and Illustrated by: Darwyn Cooke
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $17.99
SOLICITATION: “In this newest graphic novel, Parker is put to the test against crooked cops and sleazy gangsters after a heist goes south and he finds himself trapped in an amusement park closed for the winter, and embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse… a game that slowly starts to favor the mouse.”
WAYNE: From the start, I’ve loved Mr. Cooke’s adaptations of the Parker series. I can’t wait to get the next one! It’s a perfect marriage of script and art!
SATELLITE SAM #5
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Howard Chaykin
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50
SOLICITATION: The plot sickens as Michael and Kara descend into some dark, DARK places together all in the name of discovering the truth behind Carlyle White’s death. The only truth they’re going to find is that some hungers never go away. Meanwhile, Guy finds himself between a rock and a hard place as his secret threatens to sneak out. It’s sex, death, and live TV the way YOU demanded it from this summer’s dark noir smash.
MATTHEW: This is like a nexus of things I like: Fraction scripts, the history of broadcast television, Howard Chaykin drawing girls in their underwear… Hell, if it had a nice bleu cheese burger and a frozen mocha latte, I’d never have to leave the house. Image is doing wild, weird stuff these days, and this series is an example of why this is a very good thing!
SHERLOCK HOLMES MORIARTY LIVES #1
Writer: David Liss
Artist: Daniel Indro
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Professor James Moriarty has faced his arch rival, Sherlock Holmes, above Reichenbach Falls, where they have both plummeted to their doom. Or have they? Washed ashore in a strange town in Switzerland, Moriarty is alone, penniless, and without his network of thieves. Will his cunning and guile be enough against a foe more ruthless than Holmes himself? It’s one of the greatest villains of all time as you’ve never seen him!
CHRIS: I’m a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, having read all the original stories and absorbed lots of other media involving the character . It’s amazing how Moriarty has become so prominent, considering he only actually appeared in two stories. He’s become one of my favorite villains of all time and I can’t wait to see what this comic does with him.
THREE #3
Writer: Kieron Gillan
Artist: Ryan Kelly
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Curse the Spartan who is a Trembler. Shave his beard. Rip his cloak. Beat or spit on him if you will. If you found yourself condemned in such a fashion, a few short years after all of Sparta’s men ran, the hypocrisy could bite. Discover why it’s not just the helots who suffer under Spartan Law, and discover what a Trembler plans for the three slaves responsible for his shame…
KEVIN: Considered the anti-300 Spartans comic, Three uses the escape of three slaves from Sparta to empathize its downfall within the ancient world. The comic book series is not only a great story, but also has concrete historical context backing it up. Kieron Gillian uses Spartan history to create a page-turning plot while Ryan Kelly’s artwork sets the harsh environment of ancient Greece.
THUNDERBOLTS #19
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Gabriel Hernandex Walta
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: • The Thunderbolts hit the road in the Punisher’s War Wagon!
• A team that gets along this well will be a dream on a road trip, right?
• RIIIIIIIIGHT…
GEORGE: Since Soule took over, Thunderbolts has been an oddly fun teambook. He does a great job working with a bunch of characters I never dreamed could function together as a team. But now that I know what he can do, the idea of Red Hulk, Red Leader, Elektra, Venom, Deadpool and the Punisher on a roadtrip in the War Wagon sounds… quite good.
WWE ONGOING #1
Writer: Mick Foley
Artist: Alitha Martinez
Publisher: Papercutz
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “Pandemonium Squared,” Part 1 of 4. WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley brings us an all-new adventure straight from the world of WWE’s powerful, ongoing clashes. It all starts with a fierce battle between WWE Champion John Cena and Mark Henry, but quickly turns into all-out chaos! Soon virtually every WWE Superstar faces off in a no-holds-barred Brawl to End it All – but what has caused the wrestlers to virtually go berserk? Can Vickie Guerrero and Booker T manage such chaos, or will Mr. McMahon have to step in?
MATTHEW: Because who doesn’t love a good trainwreck?
