Tag Archives: avatar

February 2014 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

By | |
Leave a comment

February 2014 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

 

Eve True Stories HC          Marvel and DC are complete so now we will look at the other publishers. Dark Horse has a couple of releases worth noting. First up is Eve: True Stories HC. Daniel Way is the writer and is joined by a plethora of artists, and the main story deals with the downfall of the Band of Brothers alliance on February 5, 2009. This in game event is one of the most amazing stories about one player who brought down one of the most aggressive alliances in the game.

 

Angel and Faith Season 10 #1 SamneeAngel and Faith Season 10 #1          Last month Buffy returned for Season 10, and in April we get Angel & Faith Season 10 #1. Victor Gischler, who has proven himself capable of writing vampires for Marvel, and Buffy’s own Spike, is chronicling the adventures of Angel in London and Faith battling alongside Buffy.

 

Conan the Avenger #1          Fred Van Lente is an extremely talented writer who has spent time with zombies, superheroes, and countless other characters but in April he is writing the adventures of Conan the Avenger in Conan the Avenger #1. A new series that brings Conan back to the world of high adventure and supernatural intrigue. Conan has not been a character that I have wanted to delve into but with a new series, a writer that is worth following, and impressive art displayed on the preview pages, I will at least check out the first arc.

 

Southern Bastards #1          Over at Image, Southern Bastards #1 hits stands in April. Jason Aaron is a writer who garnered accolades from critics and fans for his work on the DC Vertigo series Scalped, and a crime series set in Alabama seems to be up his alley. Throw in artwork by his Scalped artist Jason Latour and this one has hit written all over it.

 

Invincible #111          Invincible #111 promises big changes for the title character. There is a traitor in his midst and he doesn’t catch it in time, leading to a new status quo, and a brutal new turn for the book. Kirkman continues to bring twists to the superhero genre in ways that other publishers are afraid to do.

 

Afterlife With Archie #6 Pepoy Afterlife With Archie #6 FrancavillaAfterlife With Archie TP vol 01 Escape From Riverdale          Afterlife With Archie continues to be a top seller and the artwork and writing are the reasons why. Roberto Aguirre Sacasa (W), and Francesco Francavilla (A) continue to bring us the scary, and sometimes horrifying tale of a zombie apocalypse in Riverdale. Issue 6 of the series out in May brings us more on Sabrina, who unleashed the zombie plague unintentionally. Her Aunts banished her and now we get to see witches’ purgatory where she ended up. For those that missed the initial “Escape From Riverdale” arc can catch up before the sixth issue hits with the trade paperback collecting the first 5 issues. This book is hot, scary, fun, and should be on everyones reading list.

 

Calaban #1Calaban #1 wrap           Garth Ennis is spending a fair amount of time at Avatar and April sees the release of a new Ennis written monthly with Caliban #1. Spending some time playing Dead Space makes me curious about this title. They aren’t related but science fiction and horror is a sub-genre that I have spent very little time in but with Ennis as writer, and Facundo Percio as the artist I will try out the first issue and go from there. If Facundo Percio is not familiar to fans, he is the artist that delivered stunning work on the Fashion Beast mini-series that I raved about months ago.

 

Solar Man of the Atom #1 Solar Man of the Atom #1 sub          Dynamite continues to roll out their superhero universe, first there was Turok, now Solar: Man of the Atom joins them. Solar: Man of the Atom #1 by Frank Barbiere (W), and Joe Bennett (A) reintroduces us to the next Gold Key revival as a scientist attempts to understand the universe, and in these attempts he is transformed by an experimental radiation that gives him abilities far beyond that of normal man. I passed on Turok, but Solar has been a favourite of mine for years and even though I wish he was over at Valiant I will still pick this up.

 

Flash Gordon #1 A Flash Gordon #1 B Flash Gordon #1 C Flash Gordon #1 D Flash Gordon #1 sub          Jeff Parker is a writer who is known for respecting and building on the past and he is bringing that talent to Dynamite in April with Flash Gordon #1. Evan Shaner joins Jeff as the artist. Flash is a daredevil whose thirst for adventure can lead to over confidence, and that could possibly spell doom for the universe. Flash, Ming, Mongo, everything people loved about the original Flash is back. Another first issue worth checking out.

 

Battlestar Galactica Six #1 Bolson Battlestar Galactica Six #1 Frison Battlestar Galactica Six #1 sub          A third book from Dynamite and the one I am most excited about is Battlestar Galactica: Six by J.T. Krul (W) and Igor Vitorino (A). The re-imagined Battlestar universe is one of the best examples of character and story driven science fiction and it has been a long time since Dynamite visited that universe, and they are doing it while looking at Six and who she was and how she got to where we found her when the series started ten years ago. Six is one of the most dynamically written characters in science fiction and a chance to explore her past is too good to pass up.

 

Harbinger #22 Montoya Harbinger #22 Walsh          Valiant Entertainment is heading into an exciting third year of publishing and they are kicking off that excitement with a tragic end to one of the Renegades in Harbinger. I have passed on Harbinger monthly, instead opting for the hardcover route but with the life of a cast member in the balance and the stakes never having been higher I may have to hop back on for this arc. The first part of the three part “Death of a Renegade” kicks off in Harbinger #22.

 

          That’s it for April, see you in a few weeks when we start heading more into spring and seeing what else 2014 has to offer fanboys and girls.

 

If you would like any of these comics, tell Judy to bring them in.

Good reading.

January 2014 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

By | | ,
Leave a comment

January 2014 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

Time to pay a visit to the other publishers now that we have reviewed whats to come from Marvel and DC shipping in March of 2014.

 

Star Wars #15 2013 ongoing Star Wars #6 Lucas Draft Star Wars Darth Vader & Cry of Shadows #4 Star Wars Dawn of the Jedi Force War #5 Star Wars Legacy II #13         

 

 

 

 

            Dark Horse Comics is first up and we received big news on January third that Marvel will be taking over publishing of Star Wars comics starting in 2015. Even though Star Wars accounts for less than ten percent of the indy publishers bottom line they will undoubtedly be beefing up several corners of there publishing schedule.

 

BTVS Season 10 #1 IsaacsBTVS Season 10 #1          One of those corners is the Buffy-verse. March brings us the Joss Whedon produced Season 10 comic book launch. Christos Gage (W) and Rebekah Isaacs (A) are responsible for the new season. Vampires are once again the focus of Buffy but it would seem that magic is going to play a part and maybe be a bit of a game changer.

 

The super hero corner of the Dark Horse publishing line, recently labeled with the Project Black Sky logo continues to move along, but sadly I cannot see any new Brain Boy. In recent interviews his name has been mentioned so with any luck he will be back and maybe in his own ongoing. Fred Van Lente captured the arrogance, power, and vulnerability of the title character. If you want to read a fun superhero book about a powerful man who takes down villains with his mind, while looking dapper in his suits should hit the back issue racks for the 4 issue (#0-3) series.

 

Blackout #1           Blackout is the next hero to join the lineup. After appearing in Dark Horse Presents, this new character gets to display his true power in a four issue mini by Frank Barbiere (W), Randy Stradley (W), Colin Lorimer (A) and Doug Wheatley (A). His ability reminds me a bit of Nightcrawler but instead of an ingrown ability it is a special suit that lets Scott Travers’ appear out of nowhere while really traveling through a shadowy dimension. The best part? He doesn’t know how the suit works. I will give this issue a try and see how it stands up to Brain Boy. It is nice to see Dark Horse adding to the superheroes with a completely new one.

 

GI Joe a Real American Hero #200          IDW has a couple of endings of note and a couple of landmark issues to boot. First up is the 200th issue of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. Larry Hama is appropriately the writer for the Joes during this landmark event and S. I. Gallant provides the art. Judging from the solicitation it would seem that this is a turning point, and will herald in new changes for the Joes.

 

Transformers Regeneration One #100 Transformers Regeneration One #100 sub          Another big release, and also the final issue is Transformers Regeneration One #100. Simon Furman is the writer and Andrew Wildman is on art, joined by Guido Guidi. Simon has been responsible for some of the best Transformers stories in the past and this story will surely join them.

 

Transformers More Than Meets the Eye #27Transformers Robots in Disguise #27 Dark Cybertron part 11Transformers Dark Cybertron Finale #1 part 12 Transformers Dark Cybertron Finale #1 part 12 sub          Also ending is the Dark Cybertron crossover happening in Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #27, Transformers: Robots in Disguise #27, with the big finale in Transformers: Dark Cybertron Finale. I didn’t hop onto this storyline but look forward to the trade, hopefully one that collects the entire epic.

 

Stray Bullets Uber Allies Ed TPStray Bullets #41Stray Bullets Killers #1          One of the greatest crime comics makes its return with Image, in the form of three notable releases. Stray Bullets #41 is a book that has been a long time coming, and closes off the “HiJinks and Derring-Do” arc. We then get the first issue of Stray Bullets: Killers #1, a new set of stories starts here. Finally if you missed out on this series when it started but want to get caught up we have Stray Bullets: The Uber Alles Edition TP. This baby comes in at a whopping 1200 pages and contains issues 1-41. All of this is written and drawn by David Lapham and all are out on March 12. It should be noted that the collection is listed at only $59.99 and is totally worth it. I am making sure the collection and the first issue of the new series will be coming home with me.

 

Starlight #1 A Starlight #1 B          Starlight #1 by Mark Millar (W) and Goran Parlov (A) is apparently the first salvo in the creation of the Millarworld Universe. The artwork brings to mind a very Flash Gordon style world and characters. I am hot and cold with Millar but with early positive buzz my curiosity urges me to try it out, and I shall.

 

Real Heroes #1          Bryan Hitch’s new project that he both writes, and draws seems to be a very interesting deconstruction of what todays celebrities can actually do while playing up a group of actors in very Avengerish roles who may be our only hope for humanity’s safety. Bryan Hitch is another creator that I normally prefer in just an illustrator role but will give this a try. Something tells me that this may be a book to watch Real Heroes #1.

 

Alex & Ada #5         A book that hooked me with the first two issues is Alex + Ada. The fifth issue by Jonathan Luna (W/A) and Sarah Vaughn (W) is out in March. This book is very decompressed but it works for this title and it unfolds like a well scripted television drama. I am not sure where the story is going and the writers are very careful with what they reveal and how they reveal it. We meet the two title characters in the first two issues but their relationship is slowly being built up and the subtleties of what they are going to eventually mean to each other is so enticing I cannot help but want to come back for more. Beautiful art and the story of a lonely, shy man, who ends up developing feelings for an android is a story that has been told before but this is an entirely new way to tell it and I cannot wait to see where they take it.

 

Afterlife With Archie #5 Francavilla Afterlife With Archie #5 Pepoy          I am not going to go into too much detail, but Afterlife with Archie should be in your pull pile, it is one of the greatest books being published in the horror genre. The art is amazing, the writing is superb and anyone who hasn’t checked out this book from Roberto Aguirre Sacosa (W) and Francesco Francavilla (A) are crafting something special. It was one of the best launches of 2013 and as long as the quality holds, and I think it should, it will be one of the best books of 2014.

 

Rover Red Charlie #1 FetchRover Red Charlie #4 wrap  Rover Red Charlie #4          Over at Avatar Press the Rover Red Charlie #4 book is out. Garth Ennis is no stranger to extreme violence, and that shows in Rover Red Charlie. I am still not sure how I feel about the first issue but it definitely made me feel uncomfortable during several sequences, so Garth Ennis is doing his job, and the book fits in perfectly with Avatar’s line. I will continue with this series but watching bad things happen to our furry friends may stop me from continuing, time will tell.

 

Magnus Robot Fighter #1 Magnus Robot Fighter #1 sub          Dynamite Entertainment continues to build their superhero universe with the edition of Magnus: Robot Fighter #1 in March. I still think of Valiant when I see this character but with a writer as wonderful and talented as Fred Van Lente I am excited to sample this book. Lente knows superheroes and his recent Brain Boy series makes me anxious to see this classic hero, Magnus, in a world where he comes up against technology gone bad. Dynamite hasn’t been on my pull list for a long time and this might be there return to it.

 

That’s it for what caught my eye in the pages of the recent Previews. See you next month, which is sure to be a very interesting month for many publishers. Good reading everyone.

December 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

By | | ,
Leave a comment

December 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

 

With Marvel and DC done we now turn our attention to the rest of Previews and the product solicited to start shipping in February of 2014, and there are a few interesting things coming out.

 

Tomb Raider #1         Dark Horse is a home for licenced properties and more recently superheroes. One licenced property that has returned to the world of comics is adventurer Lara Croft. 2013 saw the reboot of the leading lady of video games in her 4 million unit selling Tomb Raider game. They started from scratch and brought the character forward, redefining who she is and where she came from. The monthly Tomb Raider comic has allot going for it. First it has a built in fan base, second is the fact that this book carries on from where the game leaves off, and third one of the best female creators, actually one of the best creators in the business is the writer. Gail Simone can write female characters that can stand toe to toe with any male character in this medium which is still run like a boys club and Tomb Raider #1 will surely carry on that tradition. She is joined by Nicolas Daniel Selma as the penciler. This book will tell stories that tie directly into the video game and specifically the sequel game that is already in production.

Brain Boy TP vol 01 Psy vs Psy         The Brain Boy series written by Fred Van Lente is one I cannot recommend enough and the first trade, Brain Boy Volume 1: Psy Vs. Psy is advance solicited for an April 16th release. This book collects issues 0 through 3 and features art from Freddie Williams II and R. B. Silva. Get this book, support it so that we can get more Brain Boy. This book combines political intrigue with mental powers that would make Jean Grey envious.

 

Ghostbusters #13X-Files Conspiracy TMNT #1 X-Files Season 10 #9X-Files Conspiracy Transformers #1          In January the Lone Gunmen began investigating the Ghostbusters and in February IDW sends the X-Files supporting cast members to look into the Teenage Mutant Turtles and the Transformers in the pages of The X-Files Conspiracy: TMNT (Ed Brisson (W), Michael Walsh (A)) and The X-Files Conspiracy: Transformers (Paul Crilley (W), Dheeraj Verma (A)). IDW and Dynamite are two companies that don’t shy away from crossovers that would appear only on a fan fiction site in the past but now the match ups that fans have debated for years are starting to become a reality and the X-Files crossing over with some of the biggest animated properties of the eighties is a clear indication of that.

 

Other Dead #6         Any comic that has Obama kicking ass is a comic I am down for. Throw in zombie animals and a good time will be had by all … well except for the victims of said zombie animals. The Other Dead wraps up the mini-series in it’s sixth issue. If we are lucky it will end in a way that would allow a sequel because in this day and age everything gets a sequel, and Obama needs to continue with the aforementioned ass kicking.

 

Revenger #1         British talk show host and comic book writer Jonathan Ross in conjunction with fellow Brit and artist Ian Churchill on a brutal tale about celebrity and how you can have everything and have it ripped away, including ones face. The preview shows art that is clearly geared to an adult audience and is not child friendly at all. First Joker then the Revenger, characters without faces might be the next big trend. Faceless Avengers anyone? The Revenger #1 gives us the story of Griffin Franks who never grew much past washed up joke in Hollywood, but thanks to a hit movie he has everything he wanted, and then in a very violent nature it is all torn away. How will Griffin deal with the loss of something he wanted so bad being destroyed after only briefly brushing with success. I look forward to this book. I am not sure if it is an ongoing or a mini but the premise for the first issue has enough story possibilities that I could see this being ongoing. In addition this is the first time I have really enjoyed Ian’s art, not that he was bad but his style never intrigued me, but his style has definitely changed into something that fits the graphic nature of this book, showing detail that will make the squeamish take pause.

 

One-Hit Wonder #1         Ariel Olivetti is an artist whose style I have always loved and find that he has a Norman Rockwell approach making the characters appear as people that you or I could pass on the street and I like that accessibility, it makes the worlds he draws seem that much more real. He pairs up with writer Fabrice Sapolsky on One-Hit Wonder #1, another Hollywood centred tale that introduces us to Richie Reese, one time child actor who is now a Hollywood hitman, and if the preview art is any indication he is one with a big set of you know what. I like characters that aren’t afraid to let their inner jerk shine through and Richie looks like he will shine with an unheard of incandescence.

 

Skyward #8Final Plague #5Princeless Encore Ed #4         One of my favourite artists on the fringe is John Williams, otherwise known as Super Ugly and Action Labs is bringing him on-board for a month of Ugly Love variants for Princeless, The Final Plague, Skyward, Fracture, Jack Hammer, and Zombie Tramp. While I don’t read any of these books, and know nothing about them, these are books I can’t wait to read. Zombie Tramp vol 2 #3Jack Hammer #2Fracture #3I highly recommend any fan of graffiti/street/urban art to head over to thesuperugly.com to check out this guys amazing skills.

 

A disturbing omission in the Archie section would seem to be Afterlife With Archie. I have heard that this series is both a mini-series and an ongoing and I hope it is the latter that is true. This book is beyond hot and combines classic old school, almost EC like visuals with the zombie genre all within Riverdale. Book Fair can’t keep them in stock and many, like myself, pick up all the covers because they are some of the most striking books on the stand. I will be eagerly looking forward to the March solicitations in hopes of it’s returns.

 

Extinction Parade #6 Extinction Parade #6 wrap Extinction Parade #6 End of Species         Over at Avatar we find out that the Extinction Parade, the Vampires vs. Zombies vs. Humans book by Max Brooks (W) and Raulo Caceres (A) is now only a 12 issue series. This could be due to a number of contributing factors namely sales, his workload, or any number of personal issues that have come up for any of the creative team. I enjoyed the first issue and will probably get the whole series in trade at the end of its now limited run.

 

Turok Dinosaur Hunter #1 Turok Dinosaur Hunter #1 sub         Dynamite Entertainment keep snatching up licences and now are hopping on the superhero shared universe bandwagon with the first release from a new line that will focus on old Gold Key characters. Turok: Dinosaur Hunter #1 by Greg Pak (W) and Mirko Colak (A) introduces us to the threat of the Thunder Lizards and if Turok can provide the protection for his people. A part of me wishes this title would be coming from Valiant, I recognize a good home when I see one and Dynamite is sure to do the Gold Key characters proud. Be on the lookout out for fellow Gold Key titles Magnus, Dr. Spektor and Solar. If you’ve always wanted to be on the ground floor of a new shared universe and missed out on the Valiant relaunch, the Dark Horse universe, or find Marvel and DC a little too cumbersome to start on, this is a launch for you.

 

Mocking Dead TP vol 01         Fred Van Lente knows how to write the dead and even make fun of them. The Mocking Dead Vol. 1 TPB gives the black, white, and red 5 issue series that shows us a zombie outbreak int he real world while mocking all of the tropes of the genre. The first issue was a standout and a sellout, and if you missed it grab this trade. Zombie/horror fans do not miss out on one of the most fun mini-series of the 2013.

 

That brings the February 2013 shipping product to an end. These were some of the highlights for me so don’t be afraid to pick up a Previews and check it out for yourself, there is allot of good products out there. See you next month when we look at March shipping product.

 

November 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

By | | ,
Leave a comment

November 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

 

In my opinion Marvel won January between the big two, so let us take a look at the other publishers and see what they have to offer and if Marvel has any competition to kick off 2014.

 

Hellboy First 20 Years HC       Dark Horse comics starts off the new year right with Hellboy: The First 20 Years HC by Mike Mignola. This includes 136 pages of Mignola’s best work, unseen images, and so much more. Sketches and scans fill this book, and allows us to get a peek into Mignola’s process.

 

The Star Wars #0 Lucas Draft          With the various publishers putting out the enhanced issues with different bonus features, Dark Horse is getting in on the game with The Star Wars #0. Acting as a creative themed companion to the eight issue miniseries we get to see behind the scenes and even get a look at the pitch process that Dark Horse did for George Lucas.

 

Serenity Leaves on the Wind #1          While we may not have the crew of the Serenity back on the big or small screens, yet, we get an in continuity follow up in Serenity: Firefly Class 03-K64 – Leaves on the Wind #1 (of 6) written by Joss’s brother Zack Whedon. For fans this will be given a chance to see what happened to Malcolm and his crew after the events of Serenity. This isn’t on my radar but Whedon or Firefly fans will snatch this up.

 

Elfquest Final Quest #1          Elfquest first appeared in 1978, and then the last original work appeared in 2006. Now in 2014 we return to the primitive Earth with 2 moons and the tale of those who try to survive in Elfquest: The Final Quest #1 written by Wendy and Richard Pini, with Wendy doing the art as well. Cutter is back and so are all of your favourites Obviously for an indy title (for most of its existence) to survive how long this one has shows that there is a fan base for this lush fantasy world that the Pini’s brought to us 36 years ago.

 

X-Files Conspiracy #1 X-Files Conspiracy #1 subX-Files Conspiracy Ghostbusters #1 sub X-Files Conspiracy Ghostbusters #1          IDW is getting to be known for their wacky crossovers with licenced properties and January brings more with the X-Files: Conspiracy #1. The Lone Gunmen, some of my favourite characters in the X-Files universe, begin with the Ghostbusters and whether they are legitimate, and if they are a part of or can help against the latest threat to humanity. I am looking forward to their run in with the Transformers personally.

 

My Little Pony Friends Forever #1 My Little Pony Friends Forever #1 sub          IDW also launches a new team up book, and it is not what you might think. Alex de Campi is writing and Carla Speed McNeil is on art duty for My Little Pony: Friends Forever #1, a new ongoing series that shows the adventures of two ponies, and how anything can happen. Applejack and Pinkie Pie team up in the first adventure. With how hot the Little Pony franchise is, and the fun that has permeated the pages of all their previous Pony books, this should be a sure thing for fans of the franchise.

 

Deadly Class #1            Rick Remember writes a new series for Image, being joined by Wesley Craig and Lee Loughride on art. Deadly Class #1 is set in the mid 80’s and is set in a school unlike any other, where our lead character, Marcus Lopez, is failing Dismemberment 101. Teachers are assassins, students are the children of world renowned killers, and you could be killed by your classes, or even schoolmates. I like Remember and look forward to him playing in a self created sandbox. Image is hot and Remember is a hot creator, and the artwork in the previews look slick. This will be coming home with me.

 

Egos #1          Another Image release that has me interested is EGOs #1. Stuart Moore writes a story that combines sci-fi and superheroes. The main character has to bring his old team back together and the solicitation indicates his main roadblock, his wife. Gus Storms provides the art and from the preview pages it is reminiscent of the style seen in the Prophet series which ends . The artwork has me sold and I look forward to checking out the first issue.

 

Afterlife With Archie #4 Francavilla Afterlife With Archie #4 Seeley          Afterlife with Archie is a stunning comic. I loved the first issue and Roberto Aguirre Sacasa writes, and Francesco Francavilla draws an amazing old school horror that reflects a pulp sensibility, all the while appreciating and incorporating all that has come before in Riverdale. This book is not for young readers as the horror is quite evident right from the first issue. Horror fans should pick this up, you will not be disappointed in the slightest. Issue 4 of the series is out in January.

 

God is Dead #5 God is Dead #5 End of Days         Avatar’s title, God is Dead, by Jonathan Hickman (W) and Di Amorim (A) has been announced as going monthly versus being a mini. The fifth issue of the series is out in January. While the Previews lists it as the fifth of six issues, it should be noted the announcement came after the Previews solicitations were released.

 

Lil Battlestar Galactica #1 Lil Bionic Kids #1 Lil Ernie #1 Lil Sonja #1 Lil Vampi #1          Fans of the Li’l version of characters will be happy when Dynamite releases the cutest 5 week event in January when we get five one shots; Li’l Battlestar Galactica, Li’l Vampi, Li’l Bionic Kids, Li’l Ernie, and Li’l Sonja. While I enjoy the occasional variant cover by Baltazar I myself am going to pass on this but there are those of you out there who will have trouble resisting the cuteness.

 

Well that is our look at the back of Previews, see you in a few weeks when we look at what is coming in February 2014.

Good reading to all.

October 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

By | | ,
Leave a comment

October 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

 

Terminator Salvation Final Battle #1          Now that we have visited Marvel and DC let’s take a look at what the rest of Previews has to offer us for product shipping as early as December 2013. The retro trend that took pop culture by storm continues to rule a large chunk of the comic book market and Dark Horse plans to encourage that with Terminator: Salvation – The Final Battle. The first issue of the 12 issue series brings the story that brings an end to the stories of John Connor and Skynet. Normally I wouldn’t pay much attention to these licensed properties but with J. Michael Straczynski (W), and Pete Woods (A) on board I am curious enough to check out the first issue.

 

Halo Escalation #1         Dark Horse launches another ongoing based on a hit video game franchise when Halo: Escalation #1 by Chris Schlerf (W), Sergio Arino (W), Juan Castro (I), and others, comes to the stands in December. Fans of the Halo game series take note, the writer, Christopher Schlerf, is the lead writer of Halo 4 which means this comic book will tie perfectly into the huge world that the franchise has created.

 

Brain Boy #0         My new favourite series is Dark Horse’s Brain Boy. The first issue completely hooked me with both the writing by Fred Van Lente, and the art by Freddie Williams II (P), and Ego (C), with a five star shout out to the amazing covers by Ariel Olivetti. In December Dark Horse ships a zero issue which reprints the adventures of the egotistical title character from the pages of Dark Horse Presents. I missed out on those stories, and as a huge fan of the first issue this is coming home with me. I highly recommend this book to anyone curious about this character.

 

Breath of Bones A Tale of the Golem HC         There are two reasons I am recommending Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem HC; first of all, the creative team is worth the price alone with Steve Niles (W), Matt Santoro (W), and Dave Wachter (A) providing the art and story, secondly is the recent flooding that has done much damage to the home and possessions of Steve Niles. Purchasing this book will undoubtedly help a creator during his time of need. I had decided to bring this book home before the flooding happened but it makes me happy knowing I will enjoy the story and help a creator in the process. The story tells us of a Jewish village where the residents create a monster to help them fight back against the Nazis.

 

         IDW is trying a format I am personally not a fan of but it is sure to draw in fans of the original Star Trek. Star Trek Annual 2013 is put together using screen shots from the original series, but it tells a new story with words provided by legendary creator John Byrne. The tale is a sequel to the classic episode that saw Kirk lose his dearest and oldest friend Pike, but is Pike actually gone? Byrne does not appeal to me, nor do photo based comics but classic Trek fans will no doubt want this for their collection.

 

Doctor Who vol 3 #16 Doctor Who 3 TP vol 04 Dead Mans Hand Doctor Who Special 2013 #1         IDW puts out the last of it’s Doctor Who titles as their licencing deal comes to a close. The final issue of the monthly series hits with issue #16, the trade vol 4 that collects issues #13-16 follows shortly after. Doctor Who Special 2013 brings the IDW chapter of Doctor Who to a close, with a story that has the Doctor Who coming face-to-face with the actor Matt Smith. For Matt Smith fans this may be the last chance to pick up his comic book appearances since his next regeneration is just around the corner.

 

The Other Dead #4 The Other Dead #4 sub         The fourth issue of The Other Dead hits in December, and having read the first issue I will be picking up all 6 issues of this mini that tells the story of a zombie apocalypse with a twist, this time the animals are the ones that transmit the virus. What this means is that the cute puppy at your feet or the kitty that is snuggled on your lap could become the living dead, still want to cuddle them? As a self proclaimed cat lover I cannot imagine something so horrific as having to deal with my cute little bundle of fur if she ever turned into a blood thirsty zombie. For zombie fans this is a book worth getting, oh and Obama kicks ass in it, which is another reason this is a must read for me.

 

Invincible Universe #8         Invincible Universe #8 has a cover that brings to mind one word: Darkseid, which is unfortunate since that is a DC character. Sadly that is the only thing I noted in the Image solicitations.

 

         Afterlife with Archie is going to be one of the sleeper hits of the year. The art by Francesco Francavilla brings a dark, mature edge to a still recognizable and iconic Riverdale and it’s characters. Bringing in Sabrina as the root cause of the zombies is an amazing idea in the first issue and I cannot wait to see how Roberto Aquirre Sacasa continues to blend the young reader friendly world into something dark, horrific, and decidedly mature. Issue #4 is out in December and is worth picking up site unseen.

 

Rover Red Charlie #1 Rover Red Charlie #1 wrap         Being the animal lover I am, there are a few comic book series that have captured my attention over the years including We3, The Other Dead, The Liberator, and a few others, because they have featured an animals perspective on well known comic book archetypes and story-lines. Avatar, a publisher that is moving up my must read list pretty fast, is bringing us the tale of the end of the world from the perspective of our furry friends. Garth Ennis is an interesting and intriguing choice for a storyteller of this nature but I am down and more than willing to give this mini series a go. Rover Red Charlie #1 hits in December and should be checked out!

 

Doc Savage #1         Dynamite Comics brings us a pulp series featuring one of the most prominent and well known pulp fiction characters in the world, Doc Savage. Doc Savage #1 by Chris Roberson (W), Bilquis Everly (A), and obligatory cover by Alex Ross, looks to bring us back to his creation in 1933 and bridge yesterday with today throughout this series. Pulp fans will undoubtedly be checking out this series.

 

Robotech Voltron #1         Tommy Yune returns to the world of Robotech when he writes the story that brings Robotech and Voltron together in Robotech/Voltron #1 (of 5). Tommy Yune also contributes the covers with interior art provided by Elmer Damaso. This series has it all; Roy Fokker, Zentraedi, Macross Island, the ten lions, all in one series. Anime/manga fans will be nabbing this, so will I.

 

WWE ongoing #1         The WWE is doing comics. That is about the only thing you will ever hear me say about that. I thought I would mention it for any wrestling fans out there. That being said WWE #1 by Mick Foley (W) and Alitha Martinez (A) is out in December.

 

Shadowman #13 Shadowman #13 pullbox         A creator shift happens in Valiant’s Shadowman #13 as Peter Milligan takes over as writer with Roberto De La Torre covering art. Milligan has been hit and miss with his work but Shadowman, a story of a man possessed by dark magic, seems right up his alley. I will pick up this issue to see how it goes.

 

It was a short but sweet look at the rest of Previews and there are some definite gems in the pages. Good reading and see you next month.