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August 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

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August 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

Shaolin Cowboy #1          With Marvel and DC taken care of let’s look at the rest of Previews. First is Dark Horse Comics. A book that promises to be a hit is Shaolin Cowboy #1. This is a character that Geof Darrow is closely tied to since he created him in 2004. I admit to not knowing this character, in 2004 I was still blind to anything non superhero related.

 

Brain Boy #2         Without even seeing the first issue of Brain Boy #1, I am eager for #2. I am not sure why the concept of an egotistical mentally powered Matt Price strikes a chord but the book written by Fred Van Lente is a must read for me. I sense this to be the sleeper hit of the year.

 

Elfquest Special Final Quest one shot         Another concept that I know little of but know of its large fan following is Elfquest. Richard Pini (W) and Wendy Pini (W/A). Wendy and Richard created this property in 1978 and it has endeared itself to comic book and fantasy fans alike. This one shop is the prologue to the Elfquest: The Final Quest series, but I think it is a way to test the water for the property. Dark Horse seems to be playing a little bit of the old school genre game, and showing mad love for longtime fans, while opening things to a new generation of readers. While the art is not bad, it is the art that keeps me away from the property. The style pulls me out of the story, but the fan base for this will love it. It is nice to see a title maintain so much consistency in appearance throughout the years, without trying to bow down to a specific flavor of the month sensibility.

 

Locke & Key Alpha #2A Locke & Key Alpha #2B Locke & Key Alpha #2C Locke & Key Alpha #2D Locke & Key Alpha #2E Locke & Key Alpha #2F Locke & Key Alpha #2G         Fans of Locke & Key are both excited and sad as October brings us the closing of the last door and the last story of the Locke children. Joe Hill (W), and Gabriel Rodriguez (A) closes one of the best reviewed and loved books of this generation. Variants are big again and this issue is in on it, but with an incredibly robust range of variant artists including Simon Bisley, Glenn Fabry, Michael Kaluta, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave Sim, and the grand daddy of horror art, Bernie Wrightson. At $7.99 a pop I am going to limit my choice to one, and it would have to be the Dave Sim variant which is a tribute to old school Spider-Man.

 

Star Trek Stardate Coll HC vol 01         IDW are also releasing an amazing Star Trek volume. Star Trek: The Stardate Collection, Vol. 1: The Early Voyages presents the stories of the Star Trek universe in chronological order based on stardate. This series will cover all series from all publishers and the first volumes second half features one of my favorite Marvel runs, Star Trek: Early Voyages, namely the first 7 issues. Star Trek: Crew Issues #1-5 opens the book.

 

Velvet #1         Ed Brubaker (W), and Steve Epting (A), are creators who brought us character defining runs on Captain America. There ability to handle the shadier side of political warfare is strong and that is why Velvet #1 should be a good read. The solicitation is exciting yet vague, but the cover definitely has the air of a female Bond type character which makes me intrigued. There are not enough strong female leads in comicdom and Velvet looks like she may be able to attain those heights. The other thing to keep in mind is that this is an Image first issue, definitely good to get in on the ground floor for these first appearances.

 

Walking Dead #1 - 10th Anniversary Ed         Another fun item is the 10th Anniversary Edition of The Walking Dead #1. What makes this special? Color! Dave Stewart, a phenomenal colorist, brings the world of zombies and survival into a realm we have never seen before. I will be grabbing this for sure!

 

Savage Dragon #193         Savage Dragon, the indy that could, by Erik Larsen, transfers the job of being the lead from father to son, as Malcolm Dragon takes on the title role. Savage Dragon #193 opens a new chapter in one of the original players of Image comics.

 

Archer & Armstrong #14         The last publisher to look at is Valiant and they have a couple of releases of note. First up is another storyline that will change aspects of the Valiant Universe. Much like the wonderfully written, but hastily wrapped up, Harbinger Wars, Sect Civil War will change Archer & Armstrong beginning in the 14th issue of the series. This is all out war between the different factions of the Sect, with the title characters on opposite sides. Harbinger Wars really set a standard for the event comics in the Valiant Universe, and if Archer & Armstrong is handled the same way, this will be an event worth reading.

 

Quantum & Woody #4         Quantum and Woody #4 introduces the Goat! Nuff said.

 

X-O Manowar deluxe HC vol 01         Valiant looks to be releasing collections that will truly show the amazing storytelling that has cemented Valiant Entertainment as a comic book company that believes in quality, and tight storytelling. X-O Manowar Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 HC is an oversized collection of X-O Manowar #1-14, plus 20 pages of extras. For $39.99 and 384 pages, oversized pages, this is a wonderful first book in this series of collections, and will be joining my growing library of collections.

 

That brings an end to our look at product shipping to comic book stores starting in October of 2013. See you soon for November.

August 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

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August 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

Forever Evil #2          Let us turn our attention to DC Comics this time, and DC related product starting to ship in October of 2013. In October we find that villains have won and that the line changing Forever Evil kicks into high gear when issue #2 of the Forever Evil mini-series by Geoff Jones (W), David Finch (A), and Richard Friend (A) hits the stands. With the “adults” of the Justice League out of commission, the Teen Titans try to do what the adults couldn’t. With Batman shown on the cover I am curious who is under the mask because it may or may not be Bruce Wayne.

 

Forever Evil Directors Cut #1         We are treated to another Director’s Cut with Forever Evil Director’s Cut #1. These are amazing resources that allow you to see behind the scenes of a comic’s creation. With the original script by Geoff Jones and the amazing pencil work by David Finch on display, this is a way to see the story in its rawest form.

 

Forever Evil Argus #1         A cross-over always brings tie ins, and Forever Evil is no different. Steve Trevor rally’s what’s left of the troops and attempts to help the civilians caught in the wave of global sweeping evil. With ARGUS essentially wiped out, including their headquarters and most of their agents, Steve has an uphill battle in Forever Evil: A.R.G.U.S. #1 by Matt Kindt (W), and Manuel Garcia (A).

 

Forever Evil Arkham War #1         Arkham Asylum and Blackgate Prison hold the worst of the worst, and unfortunately for the people of Gotham there is no Dark Knight defender when the villainous population of both facilities is let loose in the city without a protector. Peter J. Tomasi (W), Scot Eaton (A), and Jaime Mendoza (A) shows us what happens when some of the scariest members of the New 52 rogues can roam unrestrained and unwatched, or are they? Forever Evil: Arkham War #1 brings the bad in October.

 

Forever Evil Rogues Rebellion #1         The third tie in by Brian Buccellato (W), and Patrick Zircher (A), focuses on perhaps the most well known rogues gallery, that of the Flash. With the status quo upset and the pecking order of the world’s villains drastically changed can the Rogues stick together or will they split apart when push comes to shove? Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion #1 hits in October.

 

Teen Titans #24 EvilSuicide Squad #24 Evil         For completists Forever Evil also invades Suicide Squad #24 by Matt Kindt (W), and Patrick Zircher (A), and may show us a new Suicide Squad team, one that Waller didn’t form. Teen Titans #24 by Scott Lobdell (W), Angel Unzueta (A) and Art Thibert (A) show us a splintered team, who, according to the solicits, are definitely not together.

 

Justice League 3000 #1         I was going to talk about my excitement over Justice League 3000 #1 but that excitement is going to have to wait as Keith Giffen has been pulled from the title, and the job of creating a darker future for the Leaguers falls into the hands of Howard Porter. Look for a re-solicitation of this title in December, complete with a new solicitation blurb.

 

Superman Wonder Woman #1         I can’t help but feel that Superman/Wonder Woman #1 is the start of the first soap opera comic of the New 52. With Superman in the title I am sure this will sell but I cannot see this title maintaining itself for very long without looking past the super relationship of the DC Universe, and there are a countless number of Superman titles where that occurs. I wish this would have been announced as a 12 issue maxi-series and Wonder Woman would have gotten a second solo series. If she does get a second series I will be on board, this title though, not so much.

 

Green Lantern #24 Green Lantern Corps #24 Green Lantern New Guardians #24 Red Lanterns #24Green Lantern Annual #2 The next cross-over for the Green Lantern family begins in Green Lantern #24 by Robert Venditti (W), and Billy Tan (A). With the lead villain being Relic, it is a safe bet that his villains month issue will be key, and thanks to the much publicized allotments, allot of people might be missing out unless they can grab the non 3D printing. As per the norm for any Green Lantern cross-over “Lanterns will die, others change allegiances, and nothing will be the same again”, do they just copy and paste that now for each GL storyline? The cross-over continues in Green Lantern Corps #24, Green Lantern: New Guardians #24, Red Lanterns #24, and comes to it’s status quo altering closing in Green Lantern Annual #2. The one thing that is nice about this cross-over is that it begins and ends in the same month, which is a refreshing change from their usual mega arcs.

 

Stormwatch #24         I have been waffling on Stormwatch but issue #24 by Jim Starlin (W), Yvel Guichet (A), and LeBeau Underwood (A) introduces Storm Control. Since Jim Starlin came on board and erased the horrible start the relaunch had, he has infused the book with a sense of history, and a legacy feel, which was never built on before. This will be coming home with me.

 

DC New 52 Villains Omnibus HC         I decided to skip on the single issues for villains month and I am happy I did. With recent allocation issues surrounding the titles shipping in September I look forward to getting DC Comics – The New 52 Villains Omnibus HC. This book totals 1,184 pages and features all 52 villain tie ins, with participation from the entire creative team from DC Comics. With an exclusive 3D Motion montage cover and so many stories, this is a far better value than purchasing the single issues separately.

 

Sandman Overture #1         The big news at DC in October takes place in their Vertigo line. The Sandman: Overture #1 by Neil Gaiman (W), and J.H. Williams (A) brings us back to the character that changed how the world viewed comics. This is the origin story that has never been told in the 25 years of this characters history. Get this book and be reminded where comics can take you besides the traditional and much loved superhero genre.

 

That brings us to the end of our look at the DC Comics Previews with items starting to ship in October of 2013.

August 2013 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

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August 2013 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

Marvel Universe Avengers Assemble #1 SYU         Time to look at the items coming to your local comic shop starting in October of 2013 and listed in the August 2013 issue of Previews. Marvel is once again aiming their marketing machine at the sadly lacking youth market with their new “Share Your Universe” initiative, and with the initiative comes the launch of the comic book adaption of the current Disney series Avengers Assemble. Marvel Universe Avengers Assemble adapts stories from the lackluster follow up to Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

 

Marvel Universe Hulk Agents of Smash #1         Hulk: Agents of S.M.A.S.H. #1 is the first in a four issue mini-series adapting the next animated release from Marvel. These titles are sure to appeal to a younger audience but it’s a shame that Marvel has seen fit to alienate their adult fans that do enjoy animation.

 

Infinity #4 Infinity #5         Infinity is close to running it’s course and will undoubtedly change the Marvel Universe forever, as every cross-over claims to do. The Jonathan Hickman penned story brings the war front to Earth with the solicitation for issue #5 promising that “The War for Earth Begins.” I hope that the New Universe characters are involved, if the Infinity #5 Heroes Variant is any indication, because that would be the one possible aspect that would intrigue me.

 

Avengers #21 Infinity Avengers #22 Infinity New Avengers #11 Infinity Secret Avengers #10 InfinityMighty Avengers #2 Infinity Nova #9 Infinity Guardians of the Galaxy #8 Infinity Fearless Defenders #10 InfinityAvengers Assemble #20 InfinityThunderbolts #16 Infinity Heist #2 Infinity Hunt #2
         Infinity also spills into the pages of Avengers #21, and #22, New Avengers #11, Secret Avengers #10, Mighty Avengers #2, Nova #9, Guardians of the Galaxy #8, The Fearless Defenders #10, Avengers Assemble #20, Thunderbolts #16, and #17, Infinity: Heist #2, and #3, Infinity: The Hunt #2, and #3. It is the constant building towards the next big event that finally turned me off of monthlies. The one thing I look forward to with these events are the titles that they sometimes spawn, and with the promise of a Marvel Now Phase 2 there should be some intriguing books released.

 

 Avengers AI #4        Avengers A.I. #4, and #5 continues to unfold and the first issue was very intriguing and sheds light on the robotic side of the Marvel Universe. This squad helps S.H.I.E.L.D. and Vision may not like dancing to their tune. Sam Humphries (W) is a capable writer and proved with issue one that even though it is a roster of robots, character development is still absolutely possible.

 

Hunger #4         The Ultimate Universe seems to be heading towards another rough stretch of highway when Hunger #4, the last issue of the Galactus visit to their Earth, hits the stands. My prediction is the complete destruction of the Ultimate Universe or a New 52 style reset. Cataclysm #0.1, also arriving in October, will give us hints as to the goal of the story, or I hope it does. The Ultimate Universe lost me as a fan when they did the Ultimatum hack job. Let’s hope that Cataclysm is more than a wholesale murder of the remaining characters.

 

Marvel Knights Spider-Man #1         Matt Kindt (W) and Marco Rudy (A) help rejuvenate the Marvel Knights line with Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #1 (of 5). The premise sounds like fun, and a whole heap of danger for the webslinger as he has to face down 99 of the Marvel Universes toughest villains, ones that will have no problem killing innocents if he doesn’t.

 

Captain Marvel #17         The recent cross-over with Avengers Assemble, and the rapidly spreading good word of mouth seems to have helped Captain Marvel stave off cancellation for the time being. Kelly Sue DeConnick (W) and Filipe Andrade (A) bring us issue #17, billed as the Carol Corps Issue! This is one of the most under appreciated books put out by the House of Ideas, and deserves a stronger showing. There are very few titles that have managed to star a female lead and exhibit the quality and relatability of it’s lead.

 

Iron Man #17         The fanboy conversations online about Iron Man and the current running “The Secret Origin of Tony Stark” will no doubt reach a crescendo in October with the release of the concluding chapter in Iron Man #17 by Kieron Gillen (W) and Mahmud Asrar (A). Yet another promise that “Nothing Will Ever Be The Same!” I won’t lie, I am interested, and intend on reading the story as a whole in trade form. Iron Man has become such a stronger character over the years, in no small part to his movies, and a change in his history compels me to read it. With what looks like possible green blood on the broken picture of the Iron Man headed Stark family, it is sure to be a change that might very well break the internet in half…..again.

 

Thor & The Mighty AvengersThor Crown of Fools #1         With a Thor movie out in November the product of the Thunder God starts to roll out. Both Thor: The Crown of Fools #1 by Bryan J.L. Glass (W), and Andrea Di Vito (A), and Thor & The Mighty Avengers by Roger Langridge (W) and Chris Samnee (A) bit shelves, presenting a chance to do a little catch up on the history of this son of Asgard.

 

Fantomex Max #1         Rarely does a Max series catch my attention but Fantomex Max by Andrew Hope (W) and Shawn Crystal (A) has done just that. Fantomex has been an interesting character from the start, and with the exception of the current arc in Uncanny X-Force, he has consistently made me want to know more. This four issue mini-series brings Fantomex back to his international super-thief routes. Some might argue that that role is handled quite capably by Gambit, but as I am not a fan of the Cajun thief, I am more than willing to give Fantomex a shot.

 

Thor vs Thanos TP         Once we hit the collected edition portion of Marvel’s Previews we see a couple of pages of Thor trades. One of the more interesting ones is Thor Vs. Thanos. At 256 pages and a creative roster including: Dan Jurgens (W), John Romita Jr. (A), Michael Ryan (A), Jerry Ordway (A), and Jose Ladronn (A) this is well worth the $24.99 price tag. With Thanos figuring quite prominently in the ever expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe this is an exciting way to witness the God of Thunder facing off against a villain that wants nothing more than Death.

 

JIM featuring SIF TP vol 02 Seeds of Destruction         Another trade worth looking at is Journey Into Mystery featuring Sif Vol. 2: Seeds of Destruction. Journey Into Mystery by Kathryn Immonen (W), Matteo Scalera (A), and Valerio Schiti (A) made Sif a leading lady and it is a shame that this title was so drastically over looked. Get this trade and Volume 1 if you haven’t yet. You are in for a treat. Plus in Volume 2 you get Beta Ray Bill, and that can be nothing but entertaining.

 

         That is our look at Marvel for product shipping starting in October of 2013.