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 #28
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Aaron Kuder
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Who or what is the Ghost Soldier, and what mysterious ties does he have to The Man of Steel? Will he side with Superman as he is caught in the middle of the military’s battle with subterranean monsters?
JASON: Greg Pak has been on fire since he took over Action Comics. If you have been looking for the perfect jumping on point for a Superman book, this is it.
ALL-NEW INVADERS #2
Writer: James Robinson
Artist: Steve Pugh
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Eisner Award winner James Robinson (STARMAN, EARTH 2) returns to MARVEL, uniting with Steve Pugh (ANIMAL MAN, HOTWIRE, GEN-X”) to create a unique new take on the INVADERSAs the ORIGINAL HUMAN TORCH decides to rejoin the human race, he and his fellow INVADERS face the savage fury of Kree’s ultimate hunter, TANALTH THE PURSUER! How can they beat a threat that seems unbeatable?Learn the long-forgotten secret Invaders’ mission — involving dead heroes, Nazis and Norse Gods!And what is the desperate measure the Invaders decide to save their teammate NAMOR from the clutches of the SUPREME INTELLIGENCE?
RODRIGO: I missed the first issue. I plan on rectifying that… and also picking up this issue… because it looks interesting…
STEPHEN: I said I was going to check out the second issue in this series, and I’m keeping to that statement. I hope it is good.
AXE COP TP VOL 05 AXE COP GETS MARRIED
Writer: Malachi Nicolle
Artist: Ethan Nicolle
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $14.99
SOLICITATION: After a messy divorce with Abraham Lincoln, Axe Cop is determined to find a new wife to help raise his newly adopted bat and monkey children in Axe Cop Gets Married! Also features the epic bowzer battle story The Dogs, multiple “Ask Axe Cop” episodes, guest comics, “Axe Cop Presents,” and much more awesomeness!
MATTHEW: Axe Cop is absurd, loopy, fun. I always enjoy it, and hope that this kid who writes it doesn’t go all Hollywood on us…
BATMAN: BLACK & WHITE #6
Writers: Cliff Chiang, Dave Taylor, Oily Moss, Adam Hughes, Dave Johnson
Artists: Cliff Chiang, Dave Taylor, Becky Cloonan, Adam Hughes, Dave Johnson
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
SOLICITATION: “The final issue of the new BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE miniseries is here, with stories written and illustrated by Cliff Chiang, Dave Taylor, Olly Moss and Becky Cloonan, Adam Hughes and Dave Johnson!”
WAYNE: I’m always sad when this terrific miniseries comes to an end! This issue’s going to be a great ride, so don’t miss it!
DIAL H TP VOL 02 EXCHANGE
Writer: China Mieville
Artist: Alberto Ponticelli, Dan Green
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $16.99
SOLICITATION: In these stories from issues #7-15 and JUSTICE LEAGUE #23.3: DIAL E, Nelson and Roxie must unlock the mysteries of the H-dial while being stalked by the mysterious Centipede. It will take every ounce of courage and luck for our unlikely heroes to discover the secrets of the H-dials before their enemy finds them!
ROB: One of the most interesting series to come out of the New 52, you can get the latter half of the series right here in case you missed it the first time around.
JUDGE DREDD: MEGA-CITY TWO #2
Writer: Douglas Wolk
Artist: Ulises Farinas
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “In the hills of what was once California, Dredd has gone undercover as a Cursed Earth biker! His mission: to infiltrate the Children of a Lesser Grud, a bloodthirsty motorcycle cult of outlaw artists! But the rules—and the laws—are very different in Mega-City Two, where image is everything….”
WAYNE: Judge Dredd has long been a favorite of mine, so I’m really enjoying this title! BTW, if you’d like to listen to my interview with Mr. Wolk, go to this link!
JUICE SQUEEZERS #2
Writer: David Lapham
Artist: David Lapham
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: When inquisitive Billy Farnsburger stumbles upon a group of his classmates digging around a series of intricate tunnels, it threatens to expose the covert Juice Squeezers before their secret mission can be accomplished. Oh, and don’t forget the dog-sized bugs Billy keeps seeing! This new town is definitely weird!
RODRIGO: I missed the first issue. I plan on rectifying that… because bugs are cool… and this book has a funny title… and, yeah, comics…
LOCKE & KEY HC VOL 06 ALPHA & OMEGA
Writer: Joe Hill
Artist: Gabriel Rodriguez
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $29.99
SOLICITATION: The shadows have never been darker and the end has never been closer. Turn the key and open the last door; it’s time to say goodbye. Omega and Alpha, the final two storylines of the New York Times bestselling series, are collected together to offer a thunderous and compelling conclusion to Locke & Key. An event not to be missed!
ROB: It’s the final book to complete the collection. I got into this series via the hardcovers and since I still haven’t found the final issue (sold out too fast) I’ll be leaving the series via the hardcovers too. One of the greatest comics to happen ever, this series deserves its praises.
LOKI: AGENT OF ASGARD #1
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Lee Garbett
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Kid Loki’s all grown up – and the God of Mischief is stronger, smarter, sexier and just plain sneakier than ever before. As Asgardia’s one-man secret service, he’s ready to lie, cheat, steal, bluff and snog his way through the twistiest, turniest and most treacherous missions the All-Mother can throw at him…
ASHLEY: Since the announcement of this title I’ve been filled with both excitement and fear. If Marvel manages to pull off an incredible story and not pander too much to the fan base I will never say a bad word about them again … that might be a lie.
LOONEY TUNES #217
Writer: Scott Gross
Artist: Robert Pope, Scott McRae
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: When Elmer Fudd invades the idyllic serenity of Bugs Bunny’s pastoral home, he brings along thousands of music fans and sets up a music festival! Now that Bugs can’t listen to his carrot-needled phonograph under the hail of noise, a confrontation is bound to set off sparks!
RODRIGO: How do you innovate on a decades old formula? How do you recreate a piece of American culture? Can it be done? Can Looney Tunes #217 live up to the legacy? Probably not, but hey, Carrot-needled phonograph.
MICHAEL AVON OEMING’S VICTORIES #9
Writer: Michael Avon Oeming
Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
Publisher: Dark Horse
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “Following clues left behind by the world’s most powerful superhero, Faustus is on a mission to stop the covert organization terrorizing the world. But when Lady Dragon gets in the way, the Victories suffer another loss . . . for the ‘greater good.’”
WAYNE: It’s a great take on the superhero genre, so it’s a regular for me! BTW, if you’d like to listen to my interview with Mr. Oeming, go to this link!
MS MARVEL #1
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Adrian Alphona
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: The legend has returned! Marvel Comics presents the all-new MS. MARVEL, the ground breaking heroine that has become an international sensation! Kamala Khan is just an ordinary girl from Jersey City–until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the all-new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm, and prepare for an epic tale that will be remembered by generations to come. History in the making is NOW!
ASHLEY: I need this book to be good. More than that – Marvel needs this book to be good. A young female, kick ass POC is an astonishingly excellent choice to fill the void left by the recent departure of the Young Avengers title. Kamala Khan already has the weight of my expectations on her shoulders.
MATTHEW: Do I think Marvel’s overselling the legendary importance of this title? Yep. But I’m still interested in seeing what they’ve got going here, and I’m willing to accept their hype machine if it means a good story and a little more diversity…
ROB: Marvel’s new girl is arriving to her series this week. Here’s hoping this book is good as I do want to see the character succeed.
STEPHEN: I want to see what Marvel is going to do with this character and the superhero she becomes. This could be a great success, or a huge failure. I’m hoping it is a success.
PUNISHER #1
Writer: Nathan Edmondson
Artist: Mitch Gerads
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: For years, The Punisher has waged a war on crime in New York City with an array of very large guns, but a lead on a major source of drugs, weapons, and more has set his many sights due west. NOW! Frank Castle’s in the City of Angels, looking to give the devil his due. Things aren’t all they appear, though, with a highly trained military hit squad hot on Frank’s tail. Caught between a posse of Punisher predators and targets of his own one-man-war, Frank’s manifest destiny may be a shallow grave!
CHRIS: I guess Frank Castle has killed all the organized crime in New York so he’s gonna go murder L.A. Or maybe it’s because Marvel can’t get enough people to buy a Punisher ongoing that they think moving him to L.A. will be interesting enough to get readers? Either way I’m checking it. I’ve missed seeing Frank shoot people in the face.
JASON: Normally I would never recommend a Punisher book as a pick of the week, but this book is by the author of Who is Jake Ellis. Making it a definite read, at least for one issue.
ROVER RED CHARLIE #3
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Michael DiPascale
Publisher: Avatar Press Inc.
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: These three canine companions have traveled out of the city, into the countryside and are now in unknown land fraught with danger. GARTH ENNIS delivers a story like no other, as an unlikely band of canines set out to survive in a world gone horribly mad and fully-painted by Michael Dipascale. Step into the mind of man’s best friend in a story that is one part Animal Farm and 100% Ennis! Available with a Regular, Wraparound, and a Dog Days Order Incentive cover by series artist Michael Dipascale.
ASHLEY: With ROVER RED CHARLIE already halfway through its limited run I’m anxious to see how the doggies continue to fend in the apocalyptic world they inhabit.
GEORGE: I am now an unabashed fan of this series. The second issue built on the great promise of the first. The characterization of these dogs is great, and their conflicts with other animals and crazed humans feel scary and meaningful. Plus, that DiPascale art is a real treat too.
SUPERIOR CARNAGE ANNUAL #1
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Aaron Kim Jacinto
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
SOLICITATION: Cletus Kasady is behind bars! The Carnage symbiote is in quarantine! But we all know that’s never going to last, right? • Cletus has been evaluated and imprisoned and even lobotomized! Carnage has been sampled and cloned and poked and prodded. • But they’ve had enough! It’s time to get the band back together! • A return to bloody, murderous form for the deadliest killer in the Marvel Universe!
CHRIS: Carnage hasn’t made his appearance in about a month so this comic is long overdue. All jack-assery aside, I like Cullen Bunn’s writing and I have a soft spot in my heart for the character. The Carnage books put out lately have been pretty good so I’m in. $4.99 though? Ugh.
TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE #26
Writer: James Roberts, John Barber
Artist: James Raiz & Various
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: CYBERTRON FALLS! The monstrous NECROTITAN ravages the world-but is there anyone left to save it? Meanwhile, in deep space, ULTRA MAGNUS and the crew of the LOST LIGHT struggle to make sense of what they find in the depths of the scarlet sea!
CHRIS: It feels like awhile since I’ve recommended a Transformers book, so here you go. Dark Cybertron is awesome.
TRILLIUM #6
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Jeff Lemire
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Trapped in the distant future, William tries to convince his captors of the truth and search for the missing Nika. Unexpected allies and enemies emerge as our star-crossed lovers fight to set the universe right as Vertigo’s hit science fiction series nears its shocking climax!
GEORGE: If you haven’t been reading this, it’s probably too late – only three issues, this one included, to go. But Trillium is so weird and good, you guys.
TUROK DINOSAUR HUNTER #1
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Miro Colak
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: THE GOLD KEY UNIVERSE BEGINS HERE! Classic Characters by some of Comics Hottest Creators! – Turok, Magnus, Dr. Spektor and Solar! Dynamite is proud to present an all-new, ongoing adventure series from superstar GREG PAK (Batman/Superman) and incredible artist MIRKO COLAK (Conan)! Shunned from his tribe, a young Native American named Turok fights to survive, making a lonely life for himself in the unforgiving forest. But his hard-won cunning and survival skills face the ultimate test when man-eating THUNDER LIZARDS attack his people! Why are dinosaurs here? How have they survived? And will Turok use his abilities to save a society that’s taken everything away from him?
MATTHEW: Turok’s old-school adventures were a wacky blend of sci-fi, barbarian and adventure tropes. With the expectation of more Gold Key guys coming out in the future, I’m cautiously optimistic, if only to see if they leave in the UFOs.
WOLVERINE #1
Writer: Paul Cornell
Artist: Ryan Stegman
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: WOLVERINE NO MORE?
After the events of KILLABLE, Wolverine has something to prove. Before he can take on Sabretooth again, he’ll need to build himself back up, get better and stronger than he’s ever been…but it’s not as easy as he thought, and he’ll soon find himself turning to other means of revenge when the normal channels don’t seem to be working fast enough. Can he fight back his demons, or is this the beginning of a Wolverine who’s gone to the dark side?
PARENTAL ADVISORY
GEORGE: Wolverine… with a gun! Okay, on the face of it, this looks like a dumb concept. But Paul Cornell and Ryan Stegman are both very good at what they do, and Lord knows Wolverine needs a change in his status quo – Headmaster Logan hasn’t been getting it done for me. Also, his new costume looks like the Constrictor and that is a huge plus.
