Daily Archives: May 19, 2014

May 2014 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

Time to check out the rest of Previews Issue # 308, dated May 2014, with product solicited to start shipping in July 2014.

          Dark Horse is bringing us a Kickstarter success by Gail Simone (W) and Jim Califiore (A). Leaving Megalopolis HC is 120 pages of hard hitting action when we witness the greatest heroes become the biggest threat and threaten to destroy the world’s safest city. What would make them turn on the citizens they protected for so long? I look forward to finding out because Jim and Gail have shown that they can handle teams and bad guys in the pages of DC Comics Secret Six. This is a great deal for $14.99 and an excellent chance to see 2 creators play in a sandbox of their creation.

          Groo Vs. Conan #1 (of 4) is a dream cross-over. Both characters will be drawn by specific artists with Sergio Aragones handling the art for Groo and Thomas Yeates handling the art for Conan. Mark Evanier writes the story that sees once and for all who truly is the greatest barbarian in the pages of a comic book.

          The Massive #25 begins the last storyline for the book. “Ragnorak” will provide the answers that have plagued the cast of the book since the first issue. With the world tearing itself apart will the questions even have time to be answered. I dropped this book shortly after the first year but my need to know where The Massive is never went away. Brian Wood (W), and Garry Brown (A) will surely craft a wonderful, and hopefully happy (at least for some characters) ending that will leave The Massive as one of the best post apocalyptic series to hit the stands in recent memory.

          Ragnarok describes the Twilight of the Gods, the destruction of the 9 realms, and is also the name of the new bi-monthly series from legendary creator Walter Simonson who is providing both writing and art. His take on Thor was epic but this looks to push past anything he has done before when he brings us the ultimate tale of vengeance in a time when hope is in short supply. Ragnarok #1 is brought to us by IDW.

          Also from IDW is the fun looking Transformers Vs. G.I. Joe #1. No longer a mini-series but instead an ongoing series set during a time when the Transformers have just arrived on Earth. This is not in continuity with the other books and for that reason, and the amazing art by Tom Scioli, I will be picking this book up. Tom Scioli brings an early 80’s indie vibe to the book and it is a look you wouldn’t normally associate with two of the larger franchises to infiltrate Saturday morning cartoons, the cinema, and comic books.

          IDW will also be showing us where and when the X-Files started in the pages of The X-Files: Year Zero #1, the first of a five issue mini-series by Karl Kesel (W), Vic Malhotra (A), and Greg Scott (A). Mr. Zero has provided many leads to the FBI, leads that are unusual to say the least and in the 40’s, through a suburban housewife, the seeds were planted for what would become the X-Files.

          Image brings back Supreme in Supreme Blue Rose #1. Warren Ellis writes and Tula Lotay provides beautiful art that is unlike anything we have seen in a Supreme book before. Warren Ellis is a writer who has shown a knack for re-envisioning characters and concepts in ways we have not seen before including the under-appreciated Counter X reboots at Marvel and the currently running and brilliantly written Moon Knight. This will be a hot book that will surely have buzz in the back issue market.

          Archie Comics does the unthinkable and kills their namesake, Archie, in the pages of Life With Archie #36 and two weeks later in issue #37 we see how Riverdale has moved on one year after the tragic death. Even though this title is not in continuity it will be an emotional story since few non super heroic characters have had the long and sustained readership that Archie and the gang has experienced.

          Judy has the reservation list at Book Fair for Life With Archie. There will be 5 different covers each for #36 and #37, as well as a combined #36/#37 in the regular magazine format and in a comic sized graphic novel. Come and see Judy before Wed. May 28 to pick out which covers you would like or if you would like them all.

          Jeff Smith writes and draws a new series when Tuki: Save the Humans #1 premieres. A tale of the first human to leave Africa seems like an interesting premise and Jeff Smith on a regular series is always a welcome sight. This comes from Cartoon Books in July.

          Joshua Hale Fialkov is writing a new series for Dynamite Entertainment called The Devilers #1. This is team book unlike any others. Fialkov collects seven exorcists, each one with a different belief system, who must battle Satan and protect humanity at all costs. Having done an amazing job of writing I, Vampire over at DC, I am more than ready to jump into anything supernatural that Joshua may pen. Matt Triano provides art.

          That’s really all that jumped out at me this month in Previews. See you again soon when we check out next months issue.