Tag Archives: june 2013 previews

June 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

By | | ,
Leave a comment

June 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

 

Halo Initiation #1               The third and final part of our look at the August and beyond shipping product from the most recent issue of Previews. Starting over at Dark Horse, they have something that gamers will be interested in, a new Halo series. Halo: Initiation #1 is the first of three issues that detail the origin of not just Sarah Palmer but also the Spartan IV program. Brian Reed is a writer with a strong pedigree, having crafted Spider-Woman: Origin, one of the best stories about the female webslinger, New Avengers: Illuminati, and so many other notable comic book runs, not to mention he is one of the writer’s from Halo 4. This man knows his stuff so Halo fans take not.

 

The Last of Us American Dreams TP              The more I see of the PlayStation game The Last of Us, created by Naughty Dog Studios, the more I want to know of this world the game portrays, and one of those fixes may come in the form of the recently completed and now collected The Last of Us: American Dreams. This trade paperback contains the mini-series that shows the world while there were still a large number of survivors. The military takes control as the epidemic spreads and pretty soon Ellie feels the need to break free from the military boarding school herself, and other children, find themselves in. The writers involved Erin Hicks, and Neil Druckmann are both qualified in terms of quality such as Hicks, known for The Adventures of Superhero Girl, and Neil Druckmann coming from Naughty Dog itself. With the strength this creative team have, this trade may be worth checking out.

 

BTVS Season 9 Freefall #24 Noto BTVS Season 9 Freefall #24 JeantyAngel & Faith #25 Isaacs Angel & Faith #25 Morris

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

              Buffy fans take note, both Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 9 and Angel & Faith are both in the midst of their season finales. The finale’s for both promise to be spectacular while Severin and Simone put a plan in motion that could very well turn back time in Buffy #24, and Angel & Faith may have to go further than they ever have in order to save millions of lives in peril in issue #25 of their series.

 

Itty Bitty Hellboy #1              Dark Horse hops onto the de-aging and kidifying of their characters with the first issue of Art Baltazar (W/A) and Franco’s (W) newest creation, Itty Bitty Hellboy. Is this an odd trend appearing in comics? And how much longer before we see all the top characters kidified? Will the trend be overdone, making everyone tired of it and end up considering it nothing more than a stunt? I actually don’t think so. The quality of the work is so much fun to look at and the writing is well paced, always packed with a fun story. This book is definitely worth a look.

 

 Thunder Agents #1 subThunder Agents #1              IDW is publishing a wonderful series when they release T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1 by Phil Hester (W), and Andrea Di Vito (A). This book has had a long and sordid history with IDW being the fifth publisher to take its shot, the last one being DC Comics. The story of the people who chose to take on great powers at the cost of their lives has always been a captivating plot point and I hope, with this being the fifth iteration, that it adds something new to the mix to make it a little more relevant, and even unexpected to a degree.

 

Locke & Key Alpha #1              The beginning of the end of Locke & Key: Alpha #1 is the first of two issues by Joe Hill (W) and Gabriel Rodriguez (A) where the last door is finally unlocked.

 

Kiss Kids #1 Kiss Kids #1 sub              Speaking of kidifying we have Kiss Kids #1 (of 4) where we see the children versions of the rock band having fun adventures around town. I wasn’t aware of the demand of this or that the title sounded like a good idea but IDW knows their licenses so I could very well be wrong.

 

Rachel Rising vol 03 Cemetery Songs              The third Rachel Rising trade comes out entitled Rachel Rising Volume 3: Cemetery Songs. I am a huge fan of volume 1 and volume 2 sits on my definite to read list. I hope that the same care that Terry Moore puts into this series is the same care that is applied to the television show. Either way the print edition is amazing and if you have the first two volumes there is no reason to miss on the third. If you don’t have any, get all three to get caught up on one of the best series launches in recent memory.

 

Uber #0 enhanced ed              Director’s Cuts visit Avatar with the Enhanced Edition of Uber #0 is released. This book is spectacular with some of the best stories I have seen from Kieron Gillen (W) and Caanan White (A), and the opportunity to see allot of the background work that went into the book is quite the opportunity. The issue is limited to 7500 copies and will be the last printing of the issue until the trade next year. Get this while you can, this book will only get hotter.

 

Frank Miller Robocop Last Stand #1              With a Frank Miller omnibus out from Marvel, Miller fans will find a second reason to celebrate in the pages of Previews when they scope out Robocop: Last Stand from Boom! Studios. This is truly the final story for Robocop as envisioned by Frank Miller, Steven Grant (adapting), and Korjut Oztekin (A). I am going to run the risk of trade waiting in hopes of a nice hardcover collection, but Frank Miller fans will undoubtedly pick up the singles of this book.

 

Harbinger #15 Harbinger #15 pullbox              By August Valiant will have wrapped up their first crossover, The Harbinger Wars, and the after effects begin to ripple through the Valiant universe in the pages of Harbinger #15. This is also the first issue for the new creative team of Joshua Dysart (W) and Barry Kitson (A). I wish them well and while I am nervous about a new creative team I can’t wait to see Peter Stanchek and his crew come together even more after having survived the Harbinger Wars.

 

Bloodshot #0 reg Bloodshot #0 pullbox              Matt Kindt (W) and Chris Cross (A) brings us the definite origin of Bloodshot before we dive into a retitled book in September. We have been given clues throughout the run of the series and it is time to see if we put them together correctly or if something was hidden up Valiant’s sleeve all along. This book has been a consistent good read and the origin better be as strong as the rest of the book has been throughout its run.

 

Well that completes my look at the August and beyond shipping product from the pages of Previews Magazine. Good reading everyone!

June 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

By | | ,
Leave a comment

June 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

 

Justice League of America #7 Justice League Dark #23Justice League #23           While Marvel Comics heads into Infinity, DC Comics takes August to wrap up Trinity War which is the catalyst for their first company wide crossover in September. Justice League of America #7 brings us chapter 4 of this war of the Leagues. And chapters 5, and the finale, #6 happens in Justice League Dark #23, and Justice League #23 respectively. The finale promises to bring to light the secret that Pandora has been guarding about Pandora’s Box. Somehow the ending of this brings a change about that leads into the premise of the villains winning, and the League being dead. I am beginning to think the death of the League might be more metaphorical.

 

Trinity of Sin Pandora #3          There is only 1 tie-in in August, unless you count the Director’s Cut of Justice League #22 which kicked off the actual storyline. Trinity of Sin: Pandora #3 by Ray Fawkes (W), Daniel Sampere (A), and Vicente Cifuentes (A) tells a tale involving Pandora and the Seven Deadly Sins. DC, like Marvel, has lost allot of luster for me, and I am hoping the September event can help rejuvenate a line that is primarily Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern at this point.

 

Justice League of America Vibe #7          Both Katana and Justice League of America’s Vibe hit their 7th issues in August and I can’t help but wonder if they will make it past the September event and if they do, for how much longer. This is not a knock to their quality, just the way the series were launched. We never had an opportunity to get to know these characters before the #1 issues came out.

 

Katana #7          Sure Katana was in Birds of Prey but she was never portrayed as anything more than a 1 dimensional character, and even in her solo series they are still trying to find her voice. Next time don’t spring the characters off into their own books, let them be cultivated in the pages of an existing title, give the readers time to fall for the characters. While I did enjoy the first issue of Vibe’s series and even wanted it on my pull list, at the end of the day I did not have enough of a bond, nor interest in the character for him to survive my pull list cull.

 

Superman Unchained #3           Superman Unchained is proving to be the Superman I never knew I wanted but so happy to have found. Scott Snyder is my favorite writer at the moment, and with the level of quality he consistently points out he is one I will gladly follow. I know Jim Lee won’t be on this book for long, because let’s face it, he normally doesn’t stick around, but while he is on-board, the creative energy apparent between Lee and Snyder is obvious on every page.

 

Batman #23          Speaking of Snyder, he continues the telling of Bruce Wayne’s Zero Year as Batman, and in issue #23 of the hero’s title, we see the moment that millionaire Wayne becomes the caped crusader.

 

Batwing #23          Normally I would be all over the creative team of Batwing but I suspect that issue #23 of the series will be another example as to why this book should be canceled. If it wasn’t part of the Bat-family it would have been gone by now.

 

Nightwing #23          Rumors are swirling that Nightwing is deeply affected by the Forever Evil arc, with some suggesting his death, as the end result, or possibly the catalyst. Based on the cover for issue #23 it doesn’t look like Nightwing is having an easy time of it in Chicago. If it ends up being true this would be one of the roughest years for Batman, and would lead to a very Dark Knight indeed.

 

Threshold #8          August brings us a cancellation extravaganza with the recent anthology series Threshold coming to a close with issue #8, which is no surprise. I tried this book but three tries to read the first issue alone meant this was not a nut I wanted to crack. One word, boring. Which is odd since Keith Giffen usually entertains as a writer.

 

Other series finales include the should have been Vertigo book, Dial H. This book survived allot longer than I expected and closes out at issue #15. Dial H #15  The two other casualties are original launch books, Demon Knights, and Legion of Super-Heroes. These two books draw to a close with issues #23.

 

Demon Knights #23          Cast members of Demon Knights could easily be blended into other titles, such as The Demon over in Justice League Dark. There are too many great characters whose stories still need to be explored.

 

Legion of Super Heroes #23          With the Legion you know that they will be back, and I predict it will basically be a future Justice League since the success of Man of Steel in theaters virtually guarantees a Justice League movie, they will want to dilute the market with the name, just like Marvel and the countless Avengers titles. Either way they will be back.

 

Stormwatch #23          Stormwatch #23 is out in August and I hope that the creative shot in the arm that Jim Starlin has given this book is enough to save it from cancellation. Jim has been able to make this title enjoyable again, and I will admit that the logo change is appreciated. While it doesn’t have the same edge as the original series, it is far closer than the relaunch of the title.

 

Joker Death of the Family HC          There are a couple of collections of note, the first being The Joker: Death of the Family HC. Clocking in at 456 pages and containing the stories that marked the Jokers return to the New 52, this is the perfect way to experiencing this chilling crossover that brought change to the entire Bat-family, all courtesy of the clown prince of crime. The stories are from the entire Bat line of books, and for $29.99 is a great deal when it comes to the creative output from some of the best working in the industry.

 

DC Comics One Million Omnibus HC          I am hooked on the Omnibus format and solicited for October is the collection of one of my favorite story-lines, DC: One Million. This omnibus collects all 1,080 pages of the story and each of #1,000,000 episodes that were released. With a creative roster that includes Grant Morison, Mark Millar, Garth Ennis, James Robinson, Geoff Johns, Phil Jimenez, J. H. Williams III, Bryan Hitch, Sean Phillips, and more, this 1999 story about a sentient super-computer known as Solaris was a benchmark in crossovers and should how truly epic in scope that they could be.

 

DC Comics New 52 Pandora AFDC Comics Super Villains Black Adam AF          The final items that caught my interest is another round of New 52 action figures. This time around we get an additional villain in the form of Black Adam, and the possible cause for the Flashpoint herself, Pandora.

 

DC New 52 Super Heroes vs Super Villains AF 7 pack          The exciting addition is the new 7 pack which features a new Aquaman head sculpt, metallic paint redecos for both Flash, and Batman, and redecos for Captain Cold, and the Joker. The only duplicate I will have to deal with is Black Manta, but I think that will go to my friend Norm. Oh and also in the set is probably the most amazing Catwoman figure I have ever seen. I love the New 52 line and these additions will look great on display with the others.

 

Wake #1 Directors CutTrillium #1          Well that’s my look at DC. I know I didn’t really touch on Vertigo but other than The Wake by Sean Murphy and Scott Snyder, and Trillium by Jeff Lemire, there wasn’t allot that grabbed my attention. Just in a bit more of a superhero mood lately it would seem. Good reading and see you soon with the rest of my look at Previews.

June 2013 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

By | | ,
Leave a comment

June 2013 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

 

It’s time to look at Previews for product shipping in August of 2013, and in particular Marvel Comics. Now I will get this out of the way, Marvel Now, for the most part, did not do it for me. That is not to say that there are not some gems that shine through but it seems, for the most part, especially with the announcement of the Minority …. err ….. Mighty Avengers, that everything is slowly becoming about said Avengers and I cannot help but wonder when every hero will be a member, because in all honesty what it meant at one time to be an Avenger is kind of watered down at this point. There, my rant is done, let’s dive into the solicitations.

 

Infinity #1           The next event officially kicks off in August with the launch of Infinity. The first issue of a six issue mini. This story brings Thanos into the Marvel Now universe and hopefully it is better than the mini-series that focused on his earlier years, because that was not really a Thanos that struck a chord with many readers, and if Thanos is the big bad he has to come across allot more interesting. Some of the early character designs that have been revealed have been captivating but I can’t help but feel that Marvel already has a large library of characters to mine, either way I will check this issue out to see if I will trade wait for it.

 

Avengers #17 Avengers #18  Captain Marvel #15Avengers Assemble #18

 

 

 

 

 

 

With an event we also get official tie ins and Infinity is no exception. Avengers #17 and #18, Avengers Assemble #18, New Avengers #9, Captain Marvel #15, Thunderbolts #14, and the previously mentioned, and disappointing Thanos Rising #5, all make up the tie in line up for August.

 

Thanos Rising #5Thunderbolts #14New Avengers #9           For some of the books it makes sense, namely the Avengers titles as they show the battle from two different fronts, in space, and on Earth. The other ones I suspect are attempts to save titles that may not be selling as much, not because of quality as Captain Marvel is definitely one of the strongest female centric books on the market. Hopefully this crossover will give them the bump they need.

 

In all honesty this crossover does not excite me as it seems more of the same, with a cast change from the last big bad space war, but I could be wrong, and the creative teams involved are strong, but we will see what happens when August hits.

 

Secret Avengers #8           While I do enjoy Secret Avengers and will continue to pick it up in trade format but it really should be retitled to perhaps Agents of SHIELD since the ties to the Avengers are really tenuous, and being a secret type of team that leaves their operatives without the memories of their missions, how can this be called an Avengers title? AIM continues to rear it’s ugly head in issue #8 of the Nick Spencer written and Luke Ross drawn series, as the notorious group of evil scientists lash out at Secret Avengers after their attack on AIM Island.

 

Avengers Arena #13           The brutal blood bath that is Avengers Arena (again barely an Avengers title, not sure why it has Avengers in their name) begins the last story that will end Season 1 of this horrible Battle Royale/Hunger Games rip off. I know I seem harsh with this title, and there are several people who read the book but I am not a fan of the needless deaths of so many characters who are already in peoples hearts or have not had a chance to actually shine.

 

Avengers AI #2           Over in Avengers A.I. #2 we see the return of the Sentient Iron Man armor. My question about this is how story driven is this, or is it done for the sake of having a character, no matter how remotely tied to a major box office player, or is it actually story driven? If the first issue interests me then I will find out when the first arc is out in hardcover, well I am assuming hardcover.

 

Hunger #2           Hunger #2 of 4 comes out in August, and for some reason the Age of Ultron brings forth Galactus, again this is an assumption on my part, but purple and Hunger? Pretty Galactus like to me.

 

Superior Spider-Man Team Up #2 Scarlet Spider #20           Spider-fans take note, in Superior Spider-Man Team Up #2 and Scarlet Spider #20 and #21 features the meeting between Kaine and the man who he killed, Doc Ock, who, as we all know is in control of Peter’s complete identity. Doc Ock has an axe to grind but can he put aside his anger and not blow his identity?

 

Guardians of the Galaxy #6Rocket Racoon TP Tales From Half World           With the upcoming release of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie picking up steam you can expect Marvel to try and capitalize on an increased interest in a one time little known property and it is starting already with the release of Rocket Raccoon: Tales from Half-World. This trade collects the four issue mini-series that brought Rocket Raccoon’s early exploits to life, with appearances from Bucky O’Hare and his first mate Wal Russ. Rocket Raccoon and Guardian enthusiasts should grab this book. In addition to this Rocket trade you are treated to another Neil Gaiman co-written issue of Guardians of the Galaxy. In issue 6 of the series Angela continues her attack on the Guardians, and first up is Gamora. This will be an amazing (hopefully anyway) introduction of a one time Image character into the Marvel Universe.

 

Journey Into Mystery #655           August also sees the end of one of the most under appreciated runs coming out of Marvel, Journey Into Mystery written by Kathryn Immonen, and art by Valerio Schiti. Issue #655 marks the last issue for the far too short run that focused on one of the most fascinating, and stronger female characters in the Marvel Universe. I would honestly love to see her join the Avengers, or the Defenders, and in the case of the Defenders, I would actually try out the title again. An added bonus would be to see the same creative team work with Sif, maybe in a new series, or team book. An all female Avengers would work, and let’s face it, it is only a matter of time before every title has Avengers in it.

 

Daredevil #30           Oddest guest star of the month is Silver Surfer, appearing in the pages of Daredevil #30 by Mark Waid (W) and Chris Samnee (A). The Silver Surfer is a character who has been little seen as of late and one can’t help but wonder if this is the start to a comeback? With Galactus, or a facsimile of, returning in the Hunger mini-series, there may be some connection to this return.

 

Captain America #10           Good news for those that felt the way I did about the odd direction in Captain America, it seems to be coming to a close in Captain America #10 where we have the finale for the Dimension Z story. This title was one I was originally excited about but quickly found it to be far to weird for me, and I did not feel like I was reading a Captain America book. Hopefully whatever comes after this will be better and return Steve Rogers to a time and place that makes a little more sense for the character.

 

Dexter #2           The second issue of the five issue Dexter mini-series is actually solicited for August. This is impressive and I would not have been surprised to see this issue missing from the pages considering all the false starts this book has had.

 

Uncanny X-Men #10           Dazzler is a character Marvel seems to be trying hard to bring the forefront of the Marvel Universe, first by placing her in charge of a rag tag group of time travellers in The Exiles …. er I mean X-Treme X-Men, but of course that title failed, and instead of placing Dazzler on the shelf for a little bit she is now joining the ranks of SHIELD. I suspect Disney is eying Dazzler as a potential role model for young Disney girls. A pop singer who has light based powers is right up their alley. Dazzler joins the government organization in Uncanny X-Men #10 by Brian Michael Bendis (W) and Frazer Irving (A). The remainder of the X titles look to be more of the same, with nothing exceptional really jumping out.

 

Daredevil by Miller and Janson Omnibus HC           Collections are a different story with several titles of interest showing up in the solicitations. Frank Miller and Klaus Janson’s run on Daredevil is collected in a new printing of the omnibus collection. This is one of the best respected, most well known, and original runs in Daredevils history. While Daredevil is not a must have for me, this is a classic run that should be in every collection when looking at career defining runs.

 

Avengers Endless Wartime OGN HC           The original graphic novel, Avengers: Endless Wartime, by Warren Ellis (W) and Mike McKone (A) and features a well used plot of a danger from the past being unearthed and the heroes having to rally. With Warren Ellis penning the tale I hope that some freshness is introduced. With Avengers in the title it will surely sell.

 

Hawkeye HC vol 01           One hardcover that is coming home with me will be Hawkeye Vol. 1 HC collecting issues #1-11 and Young Avengers Presents #6. This is one of the best, if not the best book that Marvel is putting out and is an amazing example of a risk taken, and the company promoting the book, showing absolute faith in something that was so different from anything else in their publishing line up. This is a classic, and will be held up as a run to be remembered.

 

And with that I bring my look at Marvel for August to an end. Up next, DC!