March 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

In between work, prepping to move, and trying to channel my creative muse I have gotten behind on this article, but here it is, our look at the back of the Previews for comics coming out in May of 2013.

         We begin our look at some of the publishers from the front of the book, beginning with Dark Horse. When Ghost was reintroduced in the pages of Dark Horse Presents and then a mini-series (which became an ongoing) I had no idea it was a precursor to the reappearance of a re-imagined superhero universe. X, another character recently brought back to the pages of Dark Horse Presents, and is now getting a 4 issue mini-series. Duane Swierczynski is writing and if his work on Bloodshot over at Valiant is any indication, this book will be one to jump on. I predict this series will graduate to an ongoing. Eric Nguyen is the artist on this relaunch, and his style fits well with the dark story of a man combating a corrupt police department teamed up with an extensive criminal establishment.

         Michael Avon Oemings The Victories begins it ongoing series in May, and joins X and Ghost as part of the larger superhero universe they are re-launching. Also joining the superhero fray over at Dark Horse is Blackout, premiering in Dark Horse Presents # 24. This is a new character created by Frank Barbiere (W), and Micah Kaneshiro (A). This is another example of what makes Dark Horse Presents an amazing anthology. Not only do they bring us stories that matter about fan favorite characters, with an amazing creative team, but also introducing us to brand new creations. I am unsure why other anthologies don’t look at what works, but until then Dark Horse Presents has a niche all of its own.

         Angel & Faith #22, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer #21 are the first issues for each titles respective last story arcs. Over in Buffy we get a little bit of an old school feel when Xander, Willow, and Buffy are back as the beloved Scooby Gang, on a mission to protect something very special to them. The three of them back together makes me miss the television show even more. I think it’s almost time to re-watch the series from the beginning again.

         IDW brings a new series by John Byrne who handles not only the writing but the art as well. Byrne is hit or miss with me, and sadly, mostly a miss. I know that there are allot of Byrne fans out there and while his work isn’t bad, it never resonated with me. He has my attention with Doomsday.1 for two reasons. First it is a four issue mini-series, so the commitment isn’t that long (I hate dropping titles before a story has ran its length) and the subject matter intrigues me. I am a fan of stories involving the apocalypse and natural disasters. The premise of the series sees the crew of the International Space Station, including a Canadian (go home team), witness a massive solar flare ravage the Earth. They venture planet-side and see what is left of the civilization they once knew. As long as this is more captivating than Lab Rats or his Doom Patrol I can’t wait.

         Anyone who knows me knows I love My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and if you have been on the fence, then May is the time to try it, as the first trade paperback is released and collects the first four issues of this wonderfully delightful series. Bronies, and all Pony fans take note, the creative team of Katie Cook (W) and Andy Price (A) have done an amazing job of capturing the voices of the Mane 6 and this is one of the strongest licensed comics on the market.

         Image Comics is bringing Joe’s Comics back with a J. Michael Straczynski penned series called Ten Grand. I have never been a big fan of Straczynski but I know many that are. Ben Templesmith brings his gritty, beautifully rendered characters and settings to what is sure to be a dark and moody tale, that is also a little bit of a love story. Based on Ben Templesmith I may have to take a look at this on the stands.

         Dear Skull-Kickers, your little comics in joke with the relaunches and the retitling isn’t all that funny anymore. At this point anyone wanting to pick up your books may be turned off. Numbers could tell me otherwise and that is fine, but my interest in this one, note joke is pretty done.

         Archie fans are being given an amazing deal in May with the release of the Archies 1000-page Comics Digest TP. The kicker is the price, $14.99. For a whopping $15.00 you get an amazing collection that tells classic stories from Riverdale. Archie Comics may not deliver universe shattering battles with monsters, heroes, demons, or villains, but they tell solid stories that can bring a smile to your face, and take you to a place that is a nice break from the world around us today.

         Avatar Press is bringing out the first issue of a new ongoing I am extremely excited about, Uber. This is written by Kieron Gillen who has proven his mettle with Journey Into Mystery (Loki is now a favorite of mine thanks to Kieron), and drawn by Caanan White. This series shows us a World War II that went differently when the Nazi’s bring super soldiers onto the battlefield. This book has been automatically added to my pull list, and I highly recommend anyone else who has or has not experienced the writing of Kieron Gillen because he is a master at character building and the world that Kieron and Caanan builds will be compelling to say the least.

         I want to take a quick moment, not to necessarily discuss books but actually a new publisher, Black Mask Studios. This is a new indie start-up and the brain child of Steve Niles, Brett Gurewitz, and Matt Pizzolo. With the talent involved this is going to be a publisher to watch. Well I think I may discuss books after all because they do have an impressive mini-series coming out that includes an astounding roster: Alan Moore, David Lloyd, Mike Allred, Ben Templesmith, Art Spiegelman, Charlie Adlard, JM DeMatteis. The book is Occupy Comics, and as you can easily tell from the title, it is directly related to the Occupy movement and will help raising funds for said movement. The series documents, and discusses what is behind the Occupy movement and why it is important. Three issues with over 50 comic book creators makes this worth looking at.

         Boom Studios is releasing a new series that seems to have a new take on the superhero genre. Mike Carey creates and writes while Elena Casagrande provides the pictures for this story of a world where heroes don’t exist, well very few of them anyway. Some heroes don’t need powers and that is a good thing because on this planet only the villains have the numbers. Leo Winters is a cop who has seen several of his comrades fall to the villains and he decides that he needs to make more of a difference. Can he do so, and who will help them. With the world described and the storyline, how can anyone not at least try Suicide Risk #1?

         For those that have not jumped onto the Valiant bandwagon, as most comic fans SHOULD, May is providing all five of the first issues from there current monthlies for only a dollar each. For five dollars you can get the number one issues of Shadowman, Harbinger, Bloodshot, Archer & Armstrong, and X-O Manowar.

          Get addicted then pick up the trades to catch up because once you start reading any of these, depending on your genre tastes, you will become hooked. My personal favorites are Harbinger, and Bloodshot, which are both involved in the Harbinger Wars which enters it’s second month in May.

Well that is the back of the book for the May releases, see you soon when we look at June.