April 2014 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

          Well DC and Marvel are done. That leaves us with the rest of the Previews. Let’s dig in. Dark Horse brings the return of Emily and the Strangers in June with the first issue in a three issue mini-series called Emily and the Strangers: Breaking the Record. With a feature film in the works (what comic book doesn’t have a movie deal these days) this would be a good jumping on point. Great for fans of the medium who want to see a book well written and done in a way that is a strong book for female readers but open to fans of any age, or gender.

          If you’re like me and missed the beginnings of the Elfquest saga 35 years ago Dark Horse has you and I covered with an impressive 720 page collection of the original Elfquest stories. The Complete Elfquest Volume 1: The Original Quest TP reprints the first twenty issues of the series, all in black and white, by the creative duo of Wendy Pini (W/A) and Richard Pini (W). For $24.99 you can’t go wrong and miss this exciting collection.

           IDW has proven time and again that they can get all ages books into the hands of kids and in June one of the biggest franchises that appeals to young and old alike in the pages of Angry Bird Comics #1. The creative team will appeal to comic readers with the intriguing addition of fan favorite Jeff Parker as writer.   The art looks terrific with David Baldeon bringing a translation of the characters and their world to the paper that is exactly as you would imagine. Be on the lookout for Angry Bird variants for several of their other titles including Ghostbusters, Rocky and Bullwinkle and more.

Normally the big crossovers are the domain of Marvel and DC but IDW has tipped their hat into the ring with many of their licensed properties but on that looks like more fun than it should be is the Cartoon Network: Super Secret Crisis War! #1 (of 6).  Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10, Samurai Jack, and more crossover when a demon gathers together the baddest of the bad from the Cartoon Networks rogues galleries, and attempts to stage an interdimensional takeover. Louise Simonson writes and Derek Charm provides the art for this not to miss crossover.

          Image leads their solicitations with a new book by a writer who is worth taking notice of, Robert Kirkman. The man behind The Walking Dead, and Invincible, brings us a new book with art by Paul Azaceta and Elizabeth Breitweiser. Kirkman can bring new voices to the superhero community but it can’t be argued that horror is one of his strongest genres and Outcast #1 looks to a fine addition to his darker books. The lead character is plagued by demonic possession that could lead him to the end of all of our lives. The artwork looks suitably moody and disturbingly relatible. This should be another hit in the Image stable.

         First Phonogram, then the recently wrapped run of Young Avengers, no Kieron Gillen (W), Jamie McKelvie (A), and Matt Wilson (A), bring us a whole new story in The Wicked + The Divine #1. The story details a new batch of gods that rise every 90 years and what they do with their abilities, whether it be good or bad. This book is sure to be one to follow.

          Boom Studios adds another licensed property to its repertoire and this one was one I never expected. Big Trouble in Little China #1 hits in June with story by John Carpenter and Eric Powell, with Eric also tackling the art. These are all new stories brought to you by the original creator of the story and one of the best talents in the industry. Jack Burton is sure to have some rough times ahead, and that can only be a good thing for the readers.

          Dynamite Entertainment adds another classic character to their library with New Vampirella #1 by Nancy A. Collins (W) and Patrick Berkenhotter (A). It has been 45 years since this scantily clad vampire first appeared and her iconic look has never looked better. Any story that involves the Vatican sending Vampirella out on a mission has got to be good.

Even though IDW was putting out some of the best Doctor Who comics in a long time, the license went to Titan Comics at the end of last year. June sees the launch of not one but two Doctor Who comics. One for the tenth Doctor, Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor by Nick Abadzis (W), and Elena Casagrande (A), and Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor #1 by Al Ewing (W), Rob Williams (W), and Simon Fraser (A). These promise to be all new stories with a whopping 15 issues each to be released per year. Doctor Who fans should be adding these to their pull lists.

Well that’s the look at some of the standouts for June. See you in a few weeks when we take a look at our July shipping products. Good reading everyone.