Daily Archives: August 14, 2012

August 2012 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review part 2

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August 2012 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review part 2

          Last but certainly not least is the fourth and final look at the Previews with solicitations for October. There are so many reasons to be excited about comic books at the moment and the back of the book has several reasons.

 

Elmer GN          The first one comes from Amaze Ink/Slave Labor Graphics with a book that is my Back of the Book – Pick of the Month. Elmer GN tells the story about a world quite like ours with one exception, the chickens of this world have gained intelligence and consciousness similar to the human population. This story tells the tale of a segment of the population that has to fight for rights for themselves, and be considered equal in a world that at one time viewed them as nothing more than a food source. This reflects allot of the fights that people around the world are fighting in an attempt to gain basic human rights. Can human rights be shared with chickens or will they be relegated to the role of second class citizen? This is a must buy and part of me is wishing that it was a monthly, the story possibilities are endless. Gerry Alonguilan is the creative team as he provides the writing, art, and covers.

 

Space: 1999 - Aftershock and Awe          Archaia is bringing back one of the best sci-fi creations (in my opinion) with the hardcover book Space: 1999 – Aftershock and Awe. Combining classic material from the 1970’s with new material included to make it a tale for a modern audience. The moon is hurled out of orbit and now the world must deal with the scientific, environmental and social repercussions of the disaster.

 

The Hypernaturals #4          Boom Studios have a hit on their hands with The Hypernaturals and once you read the latest sci-fi epic from writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, with art by Tom Derenick, and Andres Guinaldo you will understand how a science fiction epic should be put together. The mysteries are coming fast and there are wonderful moments of character development that really allow the reader to embrace the world, the characters, and the stories.

 

Harbinger #5          Valiant Entertainment is quickly becoming one of my favorite publishers and if you check out some of their offerings I am confident you will feel the same. The stories are layered, and you just know that the world was well thought out and the characters feel real. The art for the line is consistent and of highest quality. Harbinger, written by Joshua Dysart, with art by Khari Evans brings us the story of the world’s most powerful psionic and his struggle against both his master, and the Alpha to his Omega, Toya Harada, a man that seemingly has everything.

 

Bloodshot #4          Bloodshot’s first issue intrigued me beyond belief and I cannot wait to find out if the title characters life is all fake or what, if any, of it is real. Duane Swierczynski is weaving an intricate tale that shows a promise of amazing things to come. Manuel Garcia on art is a wonderful pairing with Duane. Manuel’s layouts and character designs bring a believable edge to a world of superhero’s and espionage.

 

Valiant Masters: Bloodshot Vol. 1 HC – Blood of the Machine          Valiant is going to be rolling out hardcover collections of some of its original series and Valiant Masters: Bloodshot Vol. 1 HC – Blood of the Machine is the first. This 200 page collection includes the original 8 issue Bloodshot series from 1994, and a brand new story from the original creative team of Kevin VanHook and Don Perlin. Another bonus of this volume is a cover from Barry Windsor-Smith. This is an excellent opportunity to relive the original days of Valiant.

 

That’s it for the Previews soliciting October product. I am in the process of paring down my monthlies in an attempt to make room for some of the Marvel Now! Series and a bit more of a focus on the collections. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks when we turn our attention to the product for November is reviewed, including allot more of the Marvel Now! Launch.

My Alternate Pull List part 2

Amaze Ink/Slave Labor Graphics

Elmer GN

Archaia Entertainment

Space: 1999 – Aftershock and Awe HC

Archie Comic Publications

Kevin Keller Volume 1: Welcome to Riverdale TP

Avatar

Fashion Beast
Hero Worship

Boom! Studios

The Hypernaturals
Steed and Mrs. Peel

Valiant

Archer & Armstrong
Bloodshot
Harbinger
Valiant Masters: Bloodshot Vol. 1 HC: Blood of the Machine

August 2012 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review part 1

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August 2012 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review part 1

With the big two out of the way, we turn our attention this time to Dark Horse, Dynamite, IDW, and Image Comics.

 

Ghost #1          Dark Horse Comics brings us the official first issue of the Ghost mini-series. I do enjoy DeConnick’s writing but it is the art of Phil Noto that initially hooked me. He has clean, smooth lines, that, if needed, will still convey a darker side of the character, without losing the clean edge. I am excited for the #0 issue in September and I am sure that excitement will remain high as this is a creative team that will be sure to deliver.

 

The Massive #5          With every issue that comes out I imagine Brian Wood’s The Massive as a very high concept genre show on one of the larger cable companies, maybe even acting as counter programming to The Walking Dead. It is a definite that there would be crossover fans for both, but The Massive would be an amazing way to build a science fiction fan community that would rival that of the zombie loving throngs of Walking Dead fans. The characters seem real, you feel the loss they feel, the sense of confusion, and the sense that while the global population may have gone down, the world has gotten bigger and far more dangerous. I am a fan of the mysteries, and post apocalyptic settings that have presented themselves thus far, and hope for a nice slow burn. The Massive is my Dark Horse Pick of the Month!

 

Tarzan: The Once and Future Tarzan          I am not normally a fan of Tarzan but Dark Horse is tempting me with a story of Tarzan in a future London, a London that is mostly submerged. Tarzan: The Once and Future Tarzan written by Alan Gordon, art by Thomas Yeates, is a collection taken from the pages of Dark Horse Presents. If anything is going to get me into Tarzan, this may be it.

 

          IDW is becoming a publisher that I am starting to pay a little more attention too. They are snagging some interesting publishing rights (as a Brony I am stoked about a monthly series based on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic announced from IDW!) and have started to get excited when reviewing their monthly solicits.

 

Mars Attacks the Holidays           They have managed to combine modern story sensibilities with a retro flavor that you really cannot find anywhere else. Mars Attacks I am looking at you. The new series is a wonderful homage to science fiction from decades ago that was full of innocence, curiosity, and sometimes, even with questionable effects, a couple of genuine scares. Mars Attacks: The Holidays is one I am buying because of one creator (no offense to the others but I am a huge fan of one) and that is Fred Hembeck. His style of humor and illustration always brings a smile to my face. Christmas and martians? How could you not be in?

 

Frank R. Paul: The Dean of Science Fiction Illustration         My IDW Pick of the Month is a book that leads to memories, my first memories of science fiction, and the worlds and stories that these amazing pieces of fiction were about! Frank R. Paul: The Dean of Science Fiction Illustration is a 150 page hardcover that celebrates the “Father of Science Fiction Illustration”. I love the imagination and creativity that oozed from every classic science fiction illustration before the eighties and cannot wait to enjoy this book which will become a mainstay on my coffee table.

 

Cyber Force #1           My Image Comics Pick of the Month is Cyber Force #1. 20 years after they debuted to record breaking sales, Image is bringing back Cyber Force, and the best part is that the first 5 issues are free! Thanks to Kickstarter and some well placed incentives for retailers, this is an innovative way to shine a spotlight on a new release! Marc Silvestri and Matt Hawkins are the writers with Khoi Pham and Sunny Ono providing art. A free comic book, how can you go wrong? At that price it is more than worth it to pick up the first arc and see how the creative team have updated this earliest of Image concepts.

 

Think Tank #3           Think Tank by Matt Hawkins, Ransan Ekedal, and Brian Reber, has recently become an ongoing and it is no doubt because of the story. Tightly written, full of intrigue, and what appears to be an interesting variation on the Iron Man character. Time will tell if this title can shake the comparisons to Mr. Stark but if the first issue is any indication, that should not be too much of a problem.

 

Evil Ernie #1            My Dynamite Entertainment Pick of the Month harkens back to the nineties with Evil Ernie #1. Dynamite presents the first issue in the relaunch of my favorite character from the Chaos library of characters. For some I am sure it was all about Lady Death but there are plenty of examples of the bad girl in comics, whereas Evil Ernie was something different. Sure it was (and hopefully still will be) excessively violent, but Ernie was both a horrible, sadistic killer, and oddly sympathetic, it was the first time I actually cared about a bad guy. I am not that familiar with the creative team of Jesse Blaze Snider writing, and Jason Craig on art, but I am more than willing to give this new ongoing a chance with hope that it captures the magic that made the first run of this character so memorable for me.

 

My Alternate Pull List part one

Dark Horse Comics

Ongoings

The Massive

One Shots/Mini-Series

Axe Cop: President of the World
Ghost
Fatima: The Blood Spinners
Tarzan: The Once and Future Tarzan

Special Order

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 8 Library Edition Volume 3 HC

Dynamite Entertainment

Evil Ernie

Special Order

Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist Vol. TP

IDW

Ongoing

Doctor Who
Mars Attacks

One Shots/Mini-Series

A Fine & Private Place
Mars Attacks: The Holidays One-Shot

Special Orders

Frank R. Paul: The Dean of Science Fiction Illustration
The Real Ghostbusters Omnibus, Volume 1

Image Comics

Saga
Think Tank

 

DROPPED AS OF OCTOBER

Creator-Owned Heroes
Prophecy
Transformers: Regeneration One