February 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review
Last but not least is the back of the book, and a little bit of the front, as we look at the remaining premiere publishers, the smaller publishers, and maybe a little merchandise.
Dark Horse is up first, and it seems they have the license for the upcoming, and eagerly anticipated PlayStation exclusive game, The Last of Us. They will need all of them that they can collect with the impending migration of the Star Wars comic books over to Marvel. The Last of Us is a game that is making me reconsider my interest in buying a PlayStation 3. Everyone who knows me knows I am an X-Box guy, but this post apocalyptic pandemic themed game screams “PLAY ME!”. The Last of Us: American Dreams #1 (of 4) is the official prequel to the game, and follows thirteen-year-old Ellie and her time at a military boarding school. I think this is going to be a sleeper hit.
The Art of the Last of Us HC is full of designs from the game, showing us what a post pandemic society would be like. With the lush details evident in the game itself this would be a beautiful look further into that world. At 184 pages for $39.99 this is an amazing deal for a property that everyone will be talking about. Both of these items will be coming home with me, and will surely tempt me towards a PlayStation 3.
Dark Horse is releasing two more 1 for $1 comics. The Massive #1, and Mind MGMT #1. I collect Massive already and can attest to the quality of this book. As I get more into the writers versus the titles or characters, Brian Wood has a fan in me. Between Star Wars and The Massive Dark Horse will have me as a regular reader, as long as those are around, not long for Star Wars, but The Massive is definitely a long form story. The other issue being offered is Matt Kindt’s Mind MGMT. I missed hopping on board this title at the beginning and think that this is a great introduction to the book. Neither series is that far along so if you do fall in love, it will be one trade and a couple of back issues.
Bloodhound is back, and this time it is at Dark Horse. Dan Jolley brings his one time DC title back with this collection. All 232 pages of the original run are here. This seems an odd fit at Dark Horse. It is a tale of an FBI agent who hunts down super powered criminals. This always struck me as a good fit at DC, and could have been brought into the New 52 quite successfully. This also makes me wonder if a sequel is being set up based on the reaction to this trade? Things that make you go hmmm.
Looking at the solicitation of Star Wars #4, I wanted to mention how this is the best Princess Leia I have ever read. Brian Wood has done a wonderful job crafting a story that fits in nicely, and you can easily imagine it as an actual entry into the movie series.
Buffy fans should take note that the final arc for the Angel & Faith series kicks off in issue #21.
I am excited about the G.I. Joe relaunch coming from IDW, and April sees the third series of the relaunch, G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files #1, premiere. The creative team of Mike Costa (W), Antonio Fuso (A), and Michael Lark (Covers), brings us the story of Chameleon, a member of the Joe team, and one time Cobra agent. The possible darker direction for this book versus it’s parent title, is what draws me to this book, and will be joining both G.I. Joe, and G.I. Joe: Special Missions, in my reading pile.
It looks like 2013 is going to be an even stronger year for Image Comics when April rolls around and brings us the much hyped Jupiter’s Legacy #1. With top creators, Mark Millar (W) and Frank Quitely (A), this new ongoing series will be sure to follow in the footsteps of Saga, Fatale, Revival, etc, and be a sold out hit, with first printings drawing big bucks in the after market. I am not a speculator and don’t purchase based on potential return, but every once in awhile it is nice to try the odds and see if you can land a valuable book. This looks to expand upon the idea of the Superhero Legacy in a darker, perhaps more realistic tone, then we have seen thus far.
I tell ya, $1 comic books are the way to go, it drives sales, and why more publishers don’t take advantage I will never know. (Looking at you Marvel and DC) Image is releasing Morning Glories #26 for $1. This is a smart move, with that issue kicking off season 2 of this hit title. Perfect jumping on point, and for a dollar, how can one go wrong?
Speaking of hit comics, the second issues of Sex and East of West are both out in April, so consider this a friendly reminder to grab the number one issues in March. These books have solid creative teams and with Image’s string of hits you know these are going to be big.
Archaia Entertainment is doing the $1.00 issue route with the preview issue of a classic property, being revamped for the current day. Cyborg 009: Chapter 000 reintroduces us to Shotaro Ishinomori’s manga classic Cyborg 009. This is the first salvo in a complete re imagining of the franchise. This is a property that was created in 1963 and told the story of the first superpowered hero team in Japan. For a small amount of a dollar, it doesn’t hurt to try new things. I am so happy that the smaller publishers are starting to really get into the dollar issue.
Avatar Press has really been catching my eye lately with Fashion Beast being one of my favorite series of the year. It looks like they are doing it again with the release of Uber #0. The creative team is one that is sure to draw in fans. The writer is really the main draw, with his stories of a superpowered presence in World War 2, Kieron Gillen made young Loki a fan favorite with intricate storytelling, and amazing character development in Journey Into Mystery. With artist Caanan White at his side this series is sure to be a sleeper hit, and is an immediate add to my pull list.
I love my My Little Pony box set for the first issues variants, and Boom Studios is giving the same treatment to the first issue of the new ongoing series the Regular Show. This is an adaption of the hit Cartoon Network series about a blue jay and a raccoon, who are best friends, and their odd hijinks that happen to them. This box set includes six of the variants, and there is a really nice pre order variant by Chris Houghton.
Deathmatch is a wonderful change up from the Hunger Games style of story I was expecting, into something that is multi layered, with some nice moments of character development. The battle scenes depict moments of raw emotions from the combatants, who are friends, and in some cases, lovers. Questions about the who and the why, and the where, are still being asked, and the answers are being built slowly, and deliberately. I look forward to this series for the foreseeable future. Boom is putting out Deathmatch Vol. 1 TP, which collects the first four issues of the series for only $9.99. Worth picking up, and an event not to be missed. Solid example as to why Paul Jenkins has the fan following her has.
The first major crossover in the Valiant Universe truly begins in Harbinger Wars #1, written by Joshua Dysart and Duane Swierczynski, the writers for Harbinger, and Bloodshot, respectively. Clayton Henry is up on deck as the artist. The story carries through into Harbinger #11, and Bloodshot #10. If you have been with Valiant since the start of the relaunch then you know that answers are going to be had in this crossover, and more questions will be answered. This crossover is sure to establish a new status quo for these characters.
If you did not have a chance to hop onto Shadowman at the beginning, you can purchase Shadowman Vol. 1: Birth Rites TPB, collecting the first four issues, for only $14.99 is an amazing entry point into the dark worlds in this book. The success of this series by Justin Jordan (W), and Patrick Zircher (W + A) is the reason that there will be an upcoming Valiant Masters edition collecting the Shadowman from the 90’s Valiant Universe, because they have crafted a book that has both fans and critics talking. Now people want to see what these characters were like at there previous peak, I for one cannot wait to add that Valiant Masters to my shelf, right beside my Bloodshot volume.
A solicitation in the Toys, statues, and models section caught my eye. Marvel Minimates: Alpha Flight Box Sets. These sets highlight the original team, including Marinna in her classic look and not the rebellious angsty teenager look she is sporting these days. No price is listed so I am hoping these will be reasonably priced because I really want these.
Well that’s it for April, see you next month when we see what May will have to offer us!