July 2012 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review part 1
Time to visit some of the other publishers for September. The very first book I want to spotlight is my Dark Horse Pick of the Month, Ghost #0. Kelly Sue DeConnick provides the story with art by one of my favorites, Phil Noto. DeConnick, also the writer of one of my most anticipated new releases this month, Captain Marvel, from Marvel, weaves a story that combines societies seeming dependance on supposed reality television with the paranormal and a dash of criminal intrigue. Phil Noto, who I am loving with his work in Creator Owned Heroes, provides the sharp, clean lines, that brings a level of sexiness to the character. This is a character that has faded from the shelves but can lay a true claim to being one of the most popular creations of the Dark Horse Universe.
Axe Cop: President of the World #3 (of 3) brings the series to an end, but with an animated series on the way from Fox’s Animation Domination programming block, he will be back. 8 year old Malachai Nicolle lets his imagination flow giving us a tale of a final stand as Axe Cop stands alone against evil robots, a Martian mad scientist, and a nemesis known as Every Man. Where are all of the other good guys? The have up and left. Can Axe Cop survive this battle alone? I hope so, just so we can have more from this amazing character!
I have started to pay notice to more of the collected editions that have been released, especially in the case of Nexus. This is a 416 page collection that includes the first 3 issue mini-series, and the first 11 issues of Volume 2. Mike Baron, Steve Rude, and the rest of the creative team helped create a character that has proven the test of time, and even though he has been around for years, I am looking forward to discovering this gem for myself! The Nexus Omnibus Volume 1 is a lesson on how to do galactic comics right.
Another mini-series drawing to an end is Gilbert Hernandez’s Fatima: The Blood Spinners. Fatima and her rag tag group of zombie hunters have to face the fact that they are possibly the last surviving humans. Giant mutants and an end of the world romance fill the pages of this last issue. Hernandez brings the weird, the strange, and the wonderful, all wrapped up in 24 glorious black and white pages.
Bryan Woods, and Garry Browns epic story, the Massive continues on with issue 4. The creative team is building a world where the rules have changed, and once moral men have to question their own beliefs and maybe cross the line that they dare not cross. This book had me with issue one, and with the story’s surface not even scratched this is a book to hop on now before it gets bigger, and more involved, as I am sure Bryan will make it!
IDW Publishing brings us a new ongoing of one of the most beloved pop culture characters from the British people, Doctor Who. This is my IDW Publishing Pick of the Month. Andy Diggle, who wrote the very under appreciated Losers for DC, brings us the stories of the current Doctor. Mark Buckingham is providing the art, and if the cover is any indication the art is going to work nicely in the world of the Doctor and the time traveling Tardis.
The Last Unicorn is one of my favorite stories of all time, and I am sure several others feel the same way too. Peter S. Beagle, the author of that classic work, has his story, A Fine & Private Place, adapted into a 5 issue mini series with artist Eduardo Francisco providing art. I have to admit not knowing much of Beagle beyond the Last Unicorn but with my love of that work I am more than willing to pick this series up. Besides give me a story involving a cemetery, a talking raven, and ghosts, and I am in!
IDW is bringing another omnibus, this time IDW answers the question, “Who’re you gonna call?” with a resounding Ghostbusters! This much anticipated (by my roommate) Ghostbusters Omnibus collection includes three separate tales: “Displaced Aggression”, “The Other Side”, and “Haunted Holidays”. These omnibus collections are some of my favorite ways to read, enjoy, and collect, all in one package, plus I think they look pretty nice on a bookshelf.
Image Comics have a couple of interesting titles coming out in September. Grant Morrison tries to regain a sense of relevancy with Happy!, a four issue miniseries with Darick Robertson of Boys fame, as the artist. Characters with barely any morals coupled with a tiny blue horse sounds interesting but I might wait on trade for this. Grant Morrison fans will no doubt grab this from issue one.
Guarding the Globe #1 brings the Invincible spin off team into a monthly title. Writer Phil Hester joins the art team of Todd Nauck, and John Rauch, and together they bring to life the adventures of the global spanning team, including fan favorite characters Brit, Outrun, Invincible, Yeti, and more.
A title that has been getting rave reviews begins a new story arc. Thief of Thieves #8 starts off a new storyline as Redmond has to deal with the unexpected, and possibly violent aftermath of his big heist. I will be trying out the title in the first trade paperback but it is impossible to ignore the critical and fan success of this title. Robert Kirkman (of Walking Dead fame, like you needed to be reminded), and James Asmus bring the words, with Shawn Martinbrough and Felix Serrano bringing the art.
Another book that has amazing word of mouth is Jonathan Hickmans Secret Service. I will be picking up Secret, Vol.1 TP to experience a world that bridges the world of governments with the shadowy world of private security firms. Hickman has proven that he is one of the best when it comes to conspiracies and the governments that are behind them.
As mentioned earlier Thief of Thieves, Vol. 1 TP hits in September and is my Image Comics Pick of the Month. This trade collects the first seven issues of the hit series from writing duo Robert Kirkman and Nick Spencer. The art is provided by Shawn Martinbrough and Felix Serrano. This series starts with Conrad Paulson, a.k.a. Master Thief Redmond, and his attempts to balance his life of crime with a son he knows little about, an ex-wife who still holds a place in his heart. Finding a balance in his life is further complicated by the FBI who are hot on his trail. I am excited to try this book and see what all the excitement is about.
Dynamite Entertainment have proven themselves as a company that resurrects characters and concepts that have seemingly disappeared, brushing them off, and giving them a new lease on life and Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt #1 continues that tradition. Alex Ross and Steve Darnall write the adventures of Peter Cannon, who balances his life of international celebrity, writing world renowned books, with his life as the superhero known as Thunderbolt. Peter Cannon is a man who cares little for his own celebrity and even less about other people. This may lead to his downfall as new and old foes setup Peters downfall. For fans of Alex Ross, Dynamite, or heroes long forgotten, this book will be for you.
Alan Moores daughter Leah Moore, teams with John Reppion as writers on Damsels #1. This promises to take the idea of the Disney princesses and create something unseen before. The first issue introduces Rapa. Her day spirals into something unexpected with twists and turns developing faster than she can deal with. Memories flash into her mind, hazy, and those memories, and some odd tattoos are all she has to try and help her figure out the confusion that is her life.
Unfortunately Dynamite Entertainment is not releasing anything that warrants a pick of the month but they do have some strong books coming out, but nothing out of the ordinary for them.
Dark Horse Comics
Axe Cop: President of the World
Dragon Age: For Those Who Speak
Fatima: The Blood Spinners
Ghost
The Massive
Special Order
Nexus Omnibus Volume 1 TP
The Strain Volume 1 TP
Dynamite Comics
Prophecy
IDW Comics
Deadworld: War of the Dead
Doctor Who
A Fine & Private Place
Mars Attacks
Transformers: Regeneration One
Special Order
Ghostbusters Omnibus
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Vol. 1 TPB
Image Comics
Creator Owned Heroes
Saga
Think Tank
Special Order
Secret, Vol. 1 TP
Thief of Thieves, Vol. 1 TP
Abstract Studios closes out Terry Moore’s How to Draw series, with the fifth issue, tackling comics in general. Everything from paper to photoshop is looked at by Terry Moore who brings tips for both the beginners and the pros.
Ardden Entertainment publishes my Back of the Book – Pick of the Month in September. And they get that honor by providing me with my favorite story, Canadian superheroes! As a Canadian I have to admit that I feel slighted by the lack of Canadian heroes on the stand. Sure we get Northstar, who just had that big splashy wedding in New York, but where are the other Canadians? Nordik, The Canadian, Fleur-de-Lys, Arcadia and more arrive in Heroes of the North: Missions One Shot!
Regardless of my thoughts on Alan Moore as a person, as a creator I am still awed by his creativity and Avatar Press is bringing to paper one of his long lost screenplays in the form of a comic book. Fashion Beast #1 brings us a dystopian future where fashion is the control! The dialogue in this comic is the dialogue from the script, and the art is being provided by Facundo Percio (Anna Mercury) This title is a must purchase on sight!
Last month we had the #0 issue which featured the return of the original Hellfire Club, this month in Steed and Mrs. Peel #1 the title characters realize that every aspect of British society has been infiltrated by Hellfire, and the only people that they can trust is each other. Mark Waid, Caleb Monroe, and artist Steve Bryant truly begin the first story of this new take on two of the most iconic characters in spy fiction.
Boom Studios is giving science fiction fans reason to cheer. Planet of the Apes: Cataclysm #1 tells the story of the Apes, 8 years prior to the arrival of astronaut George Taylor, and how one mad monk wishes to unleash destruction, and how Doctor Zaius attempts to stop the madness that has surrounded him on all sides.
I may find Apple owners sometimes display cult like personalities but there is no denying Steve Jobs genius. This man knew what everyone wanted before they even knew themselves. This is a 104 page graphic biography, for all ages, that attempts to show us some of the life of a genius who helped make Apple the juggernaut today, and the creator of the I Pod, I Touch, I Phone, I Pad, and countless other products that we are exposed to every day. Steve Jobs: Genius by Design Campfire GN is an example of comics thinking outside the box, with it’s subject matter, and art style. If the interiors resemble the cover I will be happy. The art is clean, simple, and the artist delivers a simple drawing of Steve Jobs while really capturing his deep in thought look that he always seemed to have.
I cannot rave about the return of Valiant enough! Harbinger 1 and 2 really pulled me in. The story is paced beautifully, with enough action so it never gets dull, but never enough to answer any of the mysteries piling up. You get a distinct feeling that the creative team has a destination in mind, and that the journey is well planned.
Bloodshot #1 also felt the same way, with a multi layered story of deception, always leaving you to wonder who to trust and what’s real. The art on both books is outstanding. I cannot wait to see what else Valiant has up their sleeve!
