IT’S NEW COMIC BOOK DAY!
Major Spoilers runs down the comics we are looking forward to, and recommending, this week.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #700.1
Writer: David Morell
Artist: Klaus Janson
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: Okay, who called a year for Parker’s return? Seriously though, the utter lack of “why” in this solicitation has me baffled and I think I may have an extra Spidey book to pick up this week.
AMAZING X-MEN #2
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Ed McGuinness
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: • The X-Men, on the search for Nightcrawler, find themselves separated!
• Wolverine and Northstar are mysteriously in… heaven?!
• But where does that leave the rest of the team?
GEORGE: I was a bit dubious about Amazing X-Men writer Jason Aaron engaging with some of my least favorite X-Tropes – namely, the constant resurrection of dead X-Men, and anything involving the Chuck Austen era. But by recasting Azrael as a swashbuckling pirate-demon leading raids on Heaven, he presented a delightful solution to the issue of Nightcrawler’s death, while creating a stupidly fun first issue. If you’re tired of X-Angst but still want some X-Men, Amazing might be the place for you.
BLACK BAT #7
Writer: Brian Buccellato
Artist: Ronan Cliquet
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “The city government tries to pick up the pieces following the tragic climax of the police kidnappings. Looking to assess blame, the District Attorney sets his sights on The Black Bat. And as Carol faces the repercussions of her actions, she turns to Tony Quinn for help.”
WAYNE: This book is a great example that there’s still life in the superhero genre. It’s different and powerful storytelling, so I highly recommend it!
CATACLYSM: THE ULTIMATES’ LAST STAND #2
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Mark Bagley, Andrew Hennessy
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: The ULTIMATES discover where GALACTUS has come from. If they send the WORLD DESTROYER back to where he came from all that will do is create more destruction and havoc! MILES MORALES is headed to the Marvel Universe.
ELIJAH: This has been a really fun event, especially since The Ultimate universe seems like it could REALLY end, and endings are getting rarer and rarer in big two comics. For those who have a problem with Bendis’ dialogue, like I usually do, he seems to be on his best behavior in this series and has pulled back from his more annoying writing tropes.
DETECTIVE COMICS #26
Writer: John Leyman
Artist: Aaron Lopresti
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “Batman works to contain a swarm of genetically altered killer bats, as well as She-Bat and other humans who have been mutated into bat-people”
WAYNE: Detective Comics is going through a transition as Layman and Fabok are scheduled to leave the title soon. Until they go, though, I’m going to enjoy every single page! They’re setting a high standard for those who will follow. I’m glad Layman will be working on Batman: Eternal, so it’s not the end of his wonderful take on the Dark Knight.
ELEPHANTMEN #52
Writer: Richard Starkings
Artist: Axel Medellin
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: “PICKING UP THE PIECES,” Part Two
Farrell and Hip Flask are investigating a tragic lover’s tiff… but perhaps there are bigger issues at stake.
RODRIGO: I don’t keep up with Elephantment as much as I want to, it’s time for me to dive back in.
FEARLESS DEFENDERS #12
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Will Sliney
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: The Defenders make a stand against the apocalyptic Doom Maidens! Hopefully some of the team survives! Valkyrie and Annabelle have a complicated relationship… and it’s only going to become even more perplexing and problematic as of this issue! A new (cosmically awesome) character joins the team! And you’ll never expect this addition to the cast! Caroline LeFay comes face to face with one of her estranged parents!
CHRIS: The true “Inhumanity” this week is that this series has been cancelled. So, so sad for its to end.
THE FOX #2
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dean Haspiel
Publisher: Archie Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: From the world of the New Crusaders, comes the high-flying FOX! Emmy Award winning writer/artist Dean Haspiel (Billy Dogma, HBO’s Bored to Death) and Eisner Award winning writer Mark Waid (Daredevil, Thrillbent) continue the saga of the legendary, pulp-style hero The Fox in FREAK MAGNET Part Two: “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”! When the beautiful Queen of Diamonds enlists our hero to save the diamond realm from the deadly Druid, the FOX faces a whole new dimension’s worth of pitfalls, peril and—familiar faces?! Then, acclaimed writer J.M. DeMatteis (Abadazad, Justice League 3000) and Eisner-award nominated artist Mike Cavallaro (Parade (with Fireworks), The Life and Times of Savior 28) take us back in time for an ALL-NEW story featuring the world’s first patriotic super hero and leader of the New Crusaders: THE SHIELD! What connection does Shield’s top-secret mission in the arctic have to do with the Fox’s diamond-studded adventure? And what ultra-powerful villains have arrived to wreak havoc?? Read on, dear reader—The Fox and the Shield have their work cut out for them!
MATTHEW: The Archie Comics heroes are some of the oldest and most mishandled heroes in comics history, but the new take on the Fox as “Freak Magnet” hits the hat trick: It’s funny, clever and unique, and Haspiel’s art is charming as hell. If you’re looking for a fun story that won’t force you to read three crossover minis, this may be right up your alley!
GREEN ARROW #5
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: “THE OUTSIDERS WAR” begins here! Oliver Queen finally knows the location of the Outsiders’ base, but first he must return to the place where Green Arrow was born: The Island! Secrets are revealed, new villains introduced, and a mind-blowing final page kicks off this new storyline with a bang!
WAYNE: Whether he’s writing, drawing or both, Mr. Lemire gets my attention! He’s moved Green Arrow into a very interesting place, and I can’t wait to see how this new storyline will go!
HELLBOY IN HELL #5
Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Mike Mignola, Dave Stewart
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: Hellboy helps a confused man who sold his soul for a magic whip-a story inspired by one of the stranger Grimm’s fairy tales.
CHRIS: It seems like forever since the last issue of Hellboy In Hell and that’s because it pretty much has been. Even though I’m totally behind on Hellboy’s story (except the previous four issues), this is one great read. It’s been awesome to see Hellboy’s progress as a character and his interactions with Hell.
JUPITER’S LEGACY #1 STUDIO EDITION
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist Frank Quitely
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
SOLICITATIONS: In Jupiter’s Legacy #1, superstar creators MARK MILLAR and FRANK QUITELY introduced an epic tale about the explosive tensions between two generations of superheroes. Now, this special edition spotlights Quitely’s artwork in detailed black and white, plus includes Millar’s original script and other special features.
RODRIGO: I’m sorry, I’m not actually interested in this, the only way I’d read this is if the description read like this:
In Jupiter’s Legacy #1, superstar creators MARK MILLAR and FRANK QUITELY introduced an epic tale about the explosive tensions between two generations of superheroes. Now, this special edition is written by a different writer and drawn by a different artist.
THE OTHER DEAD #1
Writers: Joshua Ortega, Digger T. Mesch
Artist: Qing Ping Mui
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: The world’s first Zombie Animal epic is here! A deadly hurricane threatens New Orleans just as a frightening and mysterious outbreak hits the animal kingdom! Join all-star creators Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Joshua Ortega (Gears of War), and Digger T. Mesch (Agent 88) for the beginning of this year’s most anticipated new horror series! With art by rising star Qing Ping Mui, The Other Dead is destined to be the most talked-about zombie book since The Walking Dead!
RODRIGO: Zombie animals attack! Zombies are usually not my thing, but this book looks like it has some awesomely gross art.
POWER RANGERS MEGAFORCE GN VOL 04
Writer: Stefan Petrucha
Artist: Paulo Henrique Marcondes
Publisher: Papercutz
Cover Price: $7.99
SOLICITATION: The Power Rangers must battle one of their most powerful foes yet: Fokion, a monstrous soldier under the direct command of Creepox, with the ability to absorb, concentrate, and spread radiation. When a nuclear-powered particle accelerator becomes active, the Rangers must contain the dreaded Fokion before the situation blows up in their faces!
MATTHEW: This weekend’s finale of Power Rangers Megaforce ended with a huge WHAM moment for me, setting up for something that I am hoping upon hope will be as awesome as it was in Japan. I hope the Yellow Ranger makes it across the border unchanged. I hope that I get to shake the Red Ranger’s hand. I hope that the Blue Ranger is as blue as in my dreams.
I hope…
But, anyway, here’s some cool Power Ranger comics.
ROVER RED CHARLIE #1
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Michael DiPascale
Publisher: Avatar Press
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: When a worldwide epidemic suddenly rids the Earth of all humans, what happens to man’s best friend? GARTH ENNIS – the master wordsmith of Preacher and Crossed – delivers a story like no other, as a band of canines set out to survive on their own for the first time. This is the story of three best friends at the end of the World. Charlie was a helper dog and he was good at getting his feeders safely around. Now he and his pals Rover and Red must escape the failing New York City and find their way in this new order. Ennis applies his incredible talent for creating rich and complex characters to a whole new species, with this shockingly original tale that is fully painted by Michael Dipascale. Available with a Regular, Wraparound, and a Dog Days Order Incentive cover by series artist Michael Dipascale.
GEORGE: I can’t help but thinking about the classic We3 when reading the solicits for this book. But Garth Ennis has somewhat different sensibilities than Grant Morrison, and I still haven’t read an Avatar Press series that isn’t chock full of blood and guts. But three dogs, best of friends! I am definitely picking this up, with the full understanding that I could end up totally horrified by it.
SIX GUN GORILLA #6
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Jeff Stokely
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: Blue has almost made it back to the BlisterGate in his mission to return the dying general’s love-token to his Earth-side wife. The only problem? He’ll have to cross a battlefield to get there, with both the Rebels and the BXF soldiers out to get him and no 6GG in sight.
CHRIS: I’ve already read this issue and it is awesome. If you’ve been reading so far you won’t be disappointed with the ending. If you’ve haven’t been reading, you should. It’s a great story about the nature of fiction and imagination and what our lives would be like without it. There’s also some great social commentary on reality TV. A must read!
SWAMP THING #26
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Jesús Saíz
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: The Avatar of the Green has something to prove, and he’s going to do it by killing Animal Man and/or destroying the world—not necessarily in that order! Plus, the origin of Swamp Thing’s newest foe, the implacable Seeder, in a story filled with cameos from some of the DCU’s darkest magical denizens!
ELIJAH: Soule has been just amazing on Swamp Thing, and the Seeder arc has been a blast through and through. This is easily one of the best books in the not-so-New 52, and all the faithful Spoilerites should at least try it out.
TMNT VILLAIN MICROSERIES #8 SHREDDER
Writer: Paul Allor
Artist: Dan Duncan
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Cover Price: $3.99
SOLICITATION: The Turtles’ greatest foe closes out the Villain Micro-series! A man of endless ambition, Oroku Saki harbors many secrets. This story delves into Shredder’s inner mind to reveal the demons he’s hidden from everyone. Will Shredder be his own undoing?
ROB: Finally, the villain every one wants to know about. What makes this version of the Shredder tick? What secrets has he been hiding. I’m certainly excited to find out.
TRILLIUM #5
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Jeff Lemire
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION: The last love story continues to amaze in the book the critics at Big Shiny Robot call “unique in its storytelling, dense and well-rendered… a work of artistic craftsmanship that you just don’t see in comics anymore… have this title added to your pull list immediately.” Indulge in the romance and discover how the fabric of the universe will never be the same.
GEORGE: Trillium has lived up to its promise, presenting a weird, science fictional world well-realized in the art and writing of Jeff Lemire. And while Lemire’s story is plenty interesting, it’s his sublimely unique art that keeps me looking forward to each issue of this miniseries.
YOUNG AVENGERS #13
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Jamie McKelvie
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
SOLICITATION:
• This periodical plans to include an above-industry average amount and standard of drama, conflict (both internal and external), action set-pieces. It will include 20 pages of comic art. It prominently features heroic attempts to save the world and kissing.
• “The best comic I’ve ever written. Called Young Avengers #13.” – Kieron Gillen.
MATTHEW: I’m kind of sad to see the end of so many of the most promising books, but none more so than Young Avengers. Still, if any book had to live fast, die young, and leave a good-looking trade paperback, this is the one. You should really check it out…
ROB: Hmm, no solicitation, that’s odd, but whatever. It’s time for the final showdown with Mother and the team just got huge. With this many characters in one book I am ridiculously excited to see what all goes down.
