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April 2014 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

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April 2014 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

Emily & the Strangers Breaking Record #1          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.

 

Complete Elfquest TP vol 01 Original Quest          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.

 

 

Angry Birds Comics #1 Angry Birds Comics #1 var            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.   Rocky & Bullwinkle #4 Angry Birds varGhostbusters #17 Angry Birds varThe 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.

Cartoon Network Super Secret Crisis War #1 subCartoon Network Super Secret Crisis War #1  Samurai Jack #9 subSamurai Jack #9

Powerpuff Girls #10 subPowerpuff Girls #10

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.

Outcast by Kirkman & Azaceta #1

          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.

 

The Wicked & the Divine #1Phonogram TP vol 02 Singles ClubPhonogram TP vol 01 Rue Britanna         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.

 

Big Trouble in Little China #1          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.

 

New Vampirella #1 A New Vampirella #1 B New Vampirella #1 C New Vampirella #1 D          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.

 

Doctor Who 10th #1 Doctor Who 10th #1 sub Doctor Who 11th #1 Doctor Who 11th #1 sub

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.

April 2014 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

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April 2014 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

 

Original Sin #3 Original Sin #4          Marvel Comics is deep in crossover territory in June 2014 as Original Sin continues to trek through the 616. Original Sin #3 from Jason Aaron (W) and Mike Deodato (A) looks to add another murder to the story thanks to a discovery made by the Winter Soldier and his team and the fourth issue teams Punisher up with Dr. Strange.

 

Fantastic Four #6 All New Invaders #6 Original Sins #1 Original Sins #2 Original Sin #3.1 Original Sin #3.2 Original Sin #3.3           Let’s not forget the tie ins, in no particular order: Fantastic Four #6, All-New Invaders #6, Nova #18, Original Sins #1, and #2, and Original Sin #3.1, 3.2,  3.3,  3.4.

Avengers #31But that’s not all. Avengers #31 takes the team into the future (again) to see what their actions today have created in the future.

 

 

Mighty Avengers #11          In Mighty Avengers #11 we see another Avengers team from 1972 that no one knew existed. Part of me wishes that Marvel would stop shoe horning these “pivotal” past events into the timeline. Al Ewing is a capable writer and if anyone can make it work he would be one of a small handful that can.

 

Deadpool #30          Dazzler appears to team up with Deadpool in his Original Sin tie in in issue #30 of his series. Oh, and they fight vampires.

 

New Avengers Annual #1 ANMN          New Avengers Annual #1 focuses on Doctor Stephen Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme of the Marvel Universe. With his recent name drop in Captain America: Winter Soldier it is clear that his profile will soon be on the rise. We aren’t that far from Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Frank J. Barbiere (W), and Marco Rudy (A) tell us a story of the good Doctor and a debt he is called upon to pay up by some Himalayan techno-monks.

 

New Avengers #19 New Avengers #20          In New Avengers #19 and #20 we get to see the continued battle between the Illuminati and the latest version of the Justice League, Marvel style. At the end of the day we all know which Earth will survive but the passive aggressive knock towards the Distinguished Competition looks like a fun thing to see play out.

 

Uncanny Avengers #21          Rick Remember (W) and Daniel Acuna (A) close out the epic “Avenge the Earth” storyline, with the fates of 7 different futures at stake. Uncanny Avengers #21 brings the final battle in June.

 

Silver Surfer #4          Let the Guardians of the Galaxy onslaught begin. The team of big screen heroes pays a visit to the pages of Silver Surfer #4 in June when Dan Slott (W) and Michael Allred (A) show us what happens when the Surfer goes to drop off his human companion at Earth. Apparently the Hulk and Doctor Strange show up as well. Defenders and Guardians in one book, with Allred providing the art? This sounds like fun.

 

Wolverine #8 Wolverine #9          Well the cat, or wolverine, is out of the bag. The Canucklehead who is the best at what he does has his days numbered as 3 Months to Die brings us the supposed final story of Wolverine before he bites the big one. No offence to the talent involved but comic book deaths really don’t mean anything to most fans these days, especially when it comes to one of the most bankable characters. We’ll find out the permanency of said death in three months. I, myself, am thinking it is going to be a “bold, new direction” in three months, and then a few months later when they do wave 4 or 5 of All-New our tough as nails mutant will be back to his familiar status quo.

 

          Well surprisingly this month Marvel had a much shorter column than DC. With more launches coming from the big two in the coming months I expect to see some slightly longer columns. See you soon when we look at the rest of the publishers and their offerings starting in June.

April 2014 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

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Hello comic book fans and welcome to the Previews Review for the magazine dated April 2014, showcasing product appearing in stores starting in June 2014. It has been a busy time for me with 2 moves happening within a very short span of time. Once this move is done I hope to get my life back onto a schedule which includes my writing, so with any luck and a major readjustment to my sleeping schedule this will be my last delayed article.

First up will be DC Comics. With delays plaguing many of the Forever Evil related titles these solicitations could be considered suggestions at this point but let’s jump in anyway and see what we have coming up, maybe in June, maybe not, we’ll see.

Infinity Man and the Forever People #1          For many months the New 52 has been an inaccurate description of the publishing line up with the title count not really coming close. DC looks to change that with the first of many new titles launching. We only get one new launch in June but it is an intriguing one. The legacy of Kirby’s Fourth World has been touched upon but the door is thrown open by the creative team of Dan Didio (W), Keith Giffen (W, A), and Scott Koblish (A) in the pages of Infinity Man and the Forever People #1. The premise seems simple enough, 4 students from New Genesis come to Earth to help with the advancement of humanity, that’s the simple part. Expect twists and turns as this is the creative team that brought us the incredibly under-appreciated OMAC launch at the start of the New 52. With Geoff Johns titles mostly playing it safe, Didio is known for taking a few more risks. This is a must buy for me.

New 52 Futures End #5          One thing I am picking up from the previews and solicitations for Futures End is that there have been apparently no new characters to appear in the five year leap forward. While it would have been nice to see the hint at future characters and concepts, the changes that the existing characters have gone through is quite drastic, primarily Frankenstein and Black Widow, never expected to see that. If you haven’t seen it, do look online or wait until the series starts rolling. June sees issues 5 through to 8 on the stands.

Justice League United #2          I am torn on Justice League United. On one hand the title was originally supposed to highlight the Canadian version of the team but instead we get the galactic adventures front and center. On the other hand it is written by Jeff Lemire who I have a large amount of faith in. Issue 2 transports us, and the team to Rann, plus we get a visit from fancy Lobo. While I am missing the Canadian content I am looking forward to reading the continued adventures of the country displaced team.

Worlds Finest #24          World’s Finest #24 by Paul Levitz (W), R.B. Silva (A), and Joe Weems (A) starts a storyline that will bring the two title characters back to Earth 2. Could this series be ending soon? Could it be the start of the road to the Earth 2 weekly that will possibly be joining Batman Eternal and Futures End on the shelves?

Superman #32            I mentioned earlier how Geoff Johns seems to favor the tried and true a little more than taking risks and that is clear in the solicitation for Superman #32 which sees the creative team change. Geoff Johns takes the writing reigns and legendary artist John Romita, Jr. lead the charge that sees Clark get an invitation to return to the Daily Planet. The solicitation promises new villains, and new heroes, and I hope that is true because Superman needs to change with the times, if the readers and DC allow it.

Batman and Ras Al Ghul #32          The question about Damian Wayne’s resurrection may be answered in June when Batman and Ra’s Al Ghul #32 comes to the comic shop. Peter J. Tomasi writes and art is provided by Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray for the concluding chapter of “The Hunt for Robin”. While I have not followed Damian’s exploits prior to his too soon death it is clear he had a following and he brought a human quality to the Dark Knight that you rarely saw in the character, and maybe that is something that will be back soon.

Batgirl #32          Could Oracle be returning in some form? That’s what I would get from the solicitation from Batgirl #32 from Gail Simone (W), Fernando Pasarin (A), and Jonathan Glapion (A) when Barbara has to deal with an enemy who is electronically her true identity. Instead of donning the cape of Batgirl she has to think of an alternative. I have missed Oracle so much since the New 52 rebooted and I feel that we lost something when Barbara left that identity behind in the old DC. Here’s hoping for Oracles return.

Larfleeze #12           Larfleeze is ending in June with issue 12. This may sound harsh but is anyone surprised? The only thing more surprising is the continued publication of Batwing.

Batman 66 Meets Green Hornet #1          Dynamite and DC are teaming up retro pulp style with the release of Batman ’66 Meets Green Hornet #1. This is a digital first series but June will see it in print. Written by Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman with art by Ty Templeton, this is sure to be a hit, as long as Smith respects the theory of a deadline with this one.

Tiny Titans Return to the Treehouse #1          All ages fans look alive. June sees the return of the fan favorite Tiny Titans in Tiny Titans: Return to the Treehouse #1 (of 6). Art Baltazar (A,W), and Franco (W) are back with their Eisner Award-winning series. What happened to the treehouse and why is it so small? This is what Superboy and Supergirl and the others need to find out. These books are fun and a wonderful way to introduce a younger generation to the fun of comic books.

Well that’s it for DC, up next is Marvel!