Category Archives: David’s Diamond Review

David Grouix reviews the upcoming new comics from the Diamond Previews catalogue.

February 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

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February 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

The February issue of Previews is out and with it the full listings for all product shipping in April. In an attempt to revitalize the New 52 from its near stagnation is the recently announced WRF Certified. This refers to the covers of all New 52 books in April, which will be fold-out. The exciting twist though is the cover, when opened there will be a surprise reveal, promising to alter the status quo of the title.

 

I Vampire #19Green Arrow #19          April sadly brings the ending of one of my favorite launches of the New 52, I, Vampire. Issue #19 is the final issue for Joshua Hale Fialkov (W), Fernando Blanco (A), and Andrea Sorrentino (A), who will bring the title to a close. Joshua has mentioned in interviews that he is working on other possible DC books, and that two of the characters that are around at the end may appear in his future work. I for one hope so, as this series has consistently offered an intriguing look into the darkest corners of the DC Universe. These are vampires that you should fear, and Andrea Sorrentino really brings the darkness of their world to the forefront. At least you can see Andrea’s work on Green Arrow with Jeff Lemire writing.

 

Flash #19DC Universe Presents #19          It should be noted that the anthology series, DC Universe Presents, is ending with issue #19, with a story involving time travel and the Flash. It is no surprise that this series failed. With no headlining characters, and a mixed bag of creators, there was nothing in this book to make fans want to pick it up. Here’s hoping that one of these days DC and Marvel check out Dark Horse Presents to see the right way to do an anthology.

 

Justice League of America #3          Justice League of America #3 looks to reveal a traitor in the ranks. My pick is Catwoman, based on two clues; she is not on the cover and there is a whip coiled around Arrow’s neck.

 

Justice League #19          Over in Justice League #19 someone is using Kryptonite against Superman….again. Batman pops to mind for this one, but I could easily be wrong. Geoff Johns is a writer who I am very hit or miss with and it is evident for me between the two League books. I am excited at the stories that Justice League of America will be telling but gave up on Justice League months ago. I may still drop Justice League of America but I am doubtful of that. Stories about government mandated heroes, or teams, are exciting for me, especially if we get to see some of the political power plays that are sure to exist in the New 52.

 

Earth 2 #11          I don’t pick up Earth 2 but I have to give the creative team kudos for an amazing Dr. Fate tweaking. They updated his look, and he looks like a formidable foe, more so than ever, and he still has the helmet, looking as it should.

 

Batman and Robin #19          “Death of the Family” is done and I am thinking my guess of Damian being offed is correct as he does not have a showing in the books. The cover to Batman and Robin #19 appears to be an homage to Frank Millers Dark Knight cover, with an unrevealed Robin.

 

Catwoman #19          Fellow cast members from the Justice League of America make an appearance in Catwoman #19, and there goal, protect Catwoman.

 

Nightwing #19          Nightwing #19 by Kyle Higgins (W), and Brett Booth (A) is going to feature the New 52 premier of the Creeper, at least all of the announced hints would indicate that.

 

           Constantine is like Wolverine, appearing in multiple titles. He of course appears in the 2nd issue of his own series but also pops up in Sword of Sorcery #7, Justice League Dark #19, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pop up over in The Phantom Stranger #7, but that is just a guess on my part.

 

Constantine #2 Sword of Sorcery #7 Phantom Starnger #7Justice League Dark #19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

              Flash appears alongside Constantine in Justice League Dark #19 written by Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes, and art by Mikel Janin. I like the use of characters, that you wouldn’t really expect, in the Dark titles, and Flash displays that. I am at a loss as to how his ability will help defend the House of Mystery? Either way this book comes home monthly with me already and will continue to do so if the high quality of the writing remains.

 

Animal Man #19 Swamp Thing #19          I am loving all of the cover work that Jae Lee is doing and if I wasn’t already collecting Animal Man, I would be picking up the 19th issue of this series, just for the cover. With Rotworld still going through the current issues I am excited to see the fallout in Buddy’s life. I wish I could say the same for Swamp Thing #19, but with Scott Snyder leaving the title with the previous months 18th issue, there will be a mass migration off of this book. I mean no offense to Charles Soule, but allot of people were reading that book because of Snyder. One thing I have to admire still, even though it isn’t coming home with me, is the cover, Andy Brase does a wonderful job creating a strong looking Scarecrow who you could imagine easily taking down the Swamp Thing.

 

Dial H #11          Dial H #11 by China Mielville (W), Alberto Ponticelli (A), Dan Green (A), and Brian Bolland (Cover) continues the confusion I feel over this title, and I am not sure if this issues guest appearance by Flash will help that. I think what China is doing is amazing, and reinterpreting the mythos behind the Dial, into something that is respectful to what has come before, while forging ahead on a new path that had never been traveled. I think I would prefer to see this branded as a Vertigo series, because it does not belong in the New 52, and seems forced to a degree. This mini crossover does not appeal to me either and I am going to take a break from this book, but that is by no means a reflection on it in terms of quality, it is more a personal preference.

 

The ironic thing is I am disappointed that a possible crossover between I, Vampire and Flash is not going to happen. The story would have seen the entire rogues gallery for the Flash become vampires, leaving Flash only 72 hours to save them. That sounds like a dynamic story, but one that will never see the light of day.

 

Stormwatch #19          I think I might be popping back onto Stormwatch. Aprils 19th issue brings us the new ongoing writer, Jim Starlin, and with him on board we see a different Stormwatch from the time stream enter the New 52. The Midnighter and Apollo on this different Stormwatch appears to look a little closer to the way we are used to seeing them pre Flashpoint. Other members of the team include Fahrenheit, the Engineer, and a retooled The Weird, with a few other characters redesigned and added to the roster. I never found this title really found its voice, here’s hoping Starlin can help rectify that.

 

Aquaman TP vol 01 new 52          The New 52 trades I have picked up thus far have been wonderful reads. It is because of this that I am going to check out the Aquaman Vol. 1: The Trench TP. The series by Geoff Johns (W), Ivan Reiss (A), Joe Prado (A), and Ever Ferreira (A), has garnered rave reviews and made Aquaman more popular than ever before. I did try the first couple of issues when it came out but I think this deserves a second look.

 

Demon Knights TP vol 02 new 52          Demon Knights Vol. 2: The Avalon Trap TP is also out in April, and with the enjoyment I had reading the first volume, this book will definitely be joining its preceding volume on my shelf.

 

Stormwatch HC vol 02           StormWatch Vol. 2 HC comes to stores in April as well. This is how StormWatch should be, and Warren Ellis is the writer I most associate with this Wildstorm creation, and when they were at their best. Of course this is the lead in to the game changing series The Authority. This will be joining Volume 1 in my collection. And that draws to a close our look at the new and noteworthy in DC solicitations for their April 2013 shipping product.

 

February 2013 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

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February 2013 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

 

Hey guys! Let’s check out what Marvel has for us in April of 2013. Since Marvel Now launched I have been enjoying several of the titles, and the new direction for many of them. I have also felt that some of the roll out seemed rushed and not as solidly planned out. My second critique is the Age of Ultron crossover. It seems to be happening fairly early in the life of the Marvel Now initiative. As a long time fan of Marvel the crossover doesn’t seem so daunting but if Marvel Now is meant to draw in new readers, a crossover with the scope of Age of Ultron may have the opposite effect. No doubt it will sell, but it may also alienate new readers. This is just a personal opinion even though the fan in me is excited for this crossover.

 

Age of Ultron #4 Age of Ultron #5Age of Ultron #6    Speaking of Age of Ultron, there is no shortage of reading in May with issues 4, 5, and 6 of the main series hits shelves. Ultron #1AU

 

 

In addition to those issues we also get Ultron #1 AU which tells the story of Victor Mancha, the one time Runaway, and son of Ultron. I am looking forward to this book and think this will be one to watch.

 

Avengers Assemble #14AU Wolverine and X-Men #27AU          Avengers Assemble #14 AU, and Wolverine & the X-Men #27 AU also get into the Age of Ultron game showcasing the devastation that hit San Francisco, through the eyes of Black Widow, and Wolverine and the Invisible Woman visit the Avengers past.

 

Thanos Rising #1          Anticipation for Avengers 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy is already high and it will only get higher. Marvel is capitalizing on this with a five issue miniseries spotlighting the main villain coming soon to the Marvel Movie-verse, Thanos. Thanos Rising is by Jason Aaron (W), and Simone Bianchi (A) shows us how Thanos became the tyrant he is and how his past will shape the future of the Marvel Universe.

 

X-Men #1           The X-Men relaunches with a new #1 and a very publicized line up, all female. The roster is a who’s who of the X-Men women, including Storm (with her hottest look in years), Rogue, Psylocke, Shadowcat, Jubilee, and Rachel Summers. Brian Woods, who is one of my favorite writers, and I am sure many of you feel the same about him, and Olivier Coipel, who is one of the most striking artists on the stands, infuse new life into X-Men and I look forward to this book becoming a key book once again. Rumors abound that the real focus of this book will be Jubilee, and that has me excited.

 

Avengers #9 NOWAvengers #10 NOW          Over in the Avengers we meet a new Omega Flight team from Canada while the New Universe continues to get folded into the Marvel Universe proper. This relaunch of the Avengers has allot of promise but Jonathan Hickman needs to crank it up a notch because it feels like this title is not as tight as it could or should be. The pace seems uneven, but with Jonathan Hickman being one for layering story elements and really building a story from the ground up, I am going to stay with this book for the time being but changes need to happen soon.

 

Avengers Arena #7          When I started Avengers Arena I wondered where Arcade suddenly got his godlike powers from, but then I dropped the book because it seemed like a horrible riff on the Hunger Games, and Battle Royale. I don’t see myself coming back to the title but for those that have been patient the payoff is coming in issue #7 where we find out exactly how Arcade became the threat that he now is.

 

Fearless Defenders #3         Warrior Woman, a new character that looks like she should hop over to the Distinguished Competitions universe, and take up residence on Paradise Island, joins the Fearless Defenders. I appreciate the fact that Marvel has a hard time creating a long lasting book with a female lead but is trying the team route with both The Fearless Defenders, and The X-Men. Keep it up Marvel.

 

Young Avengers #4         Young Avengers #1 is one of my favorite titles in this relaunch, and a prime example of how to introduce a new book with established characters and still be new reader friendly while appreciating those that are coming onto the book who know the characters. Kieron Gillen is a writer who I am starting to take more notice of, and Journey Into Mystery, and Young Avengers are two of the reasons why.

 

Captain Marvel #12         Captain Marvel #12 kicks off a crossover with the Avengers. This usually means one thing, this is a last ditch effort to raise the profile of a book before possible cancellation. This is a shame because this is a really well done book. The art is solid and Kelly Sue Deconnick writes a realistic Carol, and she brings us into her world, not just during the superhero moments, but also Carols quietest moments in life.

 

X-Termination #2 Astonishing X-Men #61 XT           I assumed when X-Termination was announced that it was the death knell for any number of the titles involved, and I am still surprised that Astonishing X-Men survived.

 

 

 

Age of Apocalypse #14X-Treme X-Men #13          X-Treme X-Men is ending with issue #13, and Age of Apocalypse is ending with issue #14. They should have just brought back the Exiles.

 

 

Phase One Avengers Assembled Blue Ray box set

 

         Marvel Zombies everywhere will be eagerly anticipating April 2, 2013 when the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One – Avengers Assembled collection is out. It includes all 6 movies in Phase One: Iron Man 1 and 2, Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, and The Avengers, all on Blu-ray with Captain America, Thor, and The Avengers being released in Blu-ray 3D. It arrives in a very SHIELD looking briefcase, and even contains the Tesseract, well a facsimile of it anyway. A list price of $219.00 seems a steal for everything you get as part of this package. I cannot wait to see how they are going to release Phase 2!

 

Journey into Mystery featuring Sif vol 01         Some of the first Marvel Now trades start appearing on shelves in April, and there is one you should get if you haven’t been picking up the singles, Journey Into Mystery featuring Sif Vol. 1: Stronger than Monsters TPB by Kathryn Immonen (W) and Valerio Schiti (A). This is a strong female led book, that really shines the light on a character that has been deserving of more attention for awhile. It is obvious the creative team agrees and their appreciation of the character, and her world is evident in the writing, the art, and the covers by Jeffrey Becker.

 

That’s our look at Marvel for April 2013.

January 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

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January 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

          Let’s pay a visit to the back of the Previews for product shipping in March 2013.

 

Criminal Macabre and The 30 Days of Night #4          Dark Horse is up first. The final issue of the horror crossover between Criminal Macabre and The 30 Days of Night comes to our local comic shops in March and only one of the franchises will make it through. I love the movie 30 Days of Night (and I know I am in the minority) so I am a little bias, but I imagine Cal will be the winner.

 

Massive #10          The Massive #10 by Brian Wood (W) brings us the first of three stand alone issues, each with a different artist, and this issue brings us Gary Erskine. Erskine has an impressive resume including The Filth (inks), Dan Dare, and Army@Love, which is a small listing from his impressive body of work. This is a book more people should be reading.

 

Mass Effect Library Edition vol 1 HC          Mass Effect fans, and even myself, have a pretty good reason to be excited. Mass Effect Library Edition: Volume 1 HC, a 416 page collection of all four Mass Effect series. I am not one for the games but the back story is amazing and to have all of this in one collection makes this a book worth getting.

 

GI Joe Special Missions #1          IDW continues with its G.I. Joe relaunch with G.I. Joe: Special Missions #1 by Chuck Dixon (W), and Paul Gulacy (A). First up, lets celebrate Chuck Dixon writing the Joes! This makes this title worth picking up alone, but the fact that this story features my favorite Cobra villain, Baroness! Baroness is one of the more complicated characters in the Joe-verse and any story that focuses on her is a good one in my books. This one isn’t hopping automatically onto my pull list but I will gladly check out the first arc.

 

My Little Pony Micro-Series #2 Rainbow Dash          My favorite Pony, Rainbow Dash, is the focus of My Little Pony Micro-Series #2. The first issue of the regular ongoing series was one of my favorites of the year, and displayed an appreciation for it’s younger and older fans. The comic lived up to the series and I have every belief that this micro-series will be the of the same pedigree.

 

Iron Sky TP          Iron Sky is a wonderful guilty pleasure of mine, and those that have not seen this amazing, publicly funded, movie about Nazi’s launching an attack on present day Earth….from the moon should check this out as soon as you can. And I did say Nazi’s on the moon! This is easily a property that has so many stories to tell, and this is an excellent way to see the movie, in comic book form. This is a 112 page adaption of the best combination of sci-fi and comedy I have ever seen, sorry Spaceballs. Mikko Rautalahti (W), Gerry Kissell (A) and Amin Amat (A) are the team who are going to bring this satire of politics, both past and present, to the comic book page, and I cannot wait to see the results.

 

East of West #1          I believe Image is going to have two of the biggest hits of the year coming out in March. These titles will help make this year even bigger than Image had last year. First up is a dystopian future and the four horsemen of the apocalypse, and they are trying to kill the President. That is enough reason to pick up this book but East of West #1 also has an amazing creative team in Jonathan Hickman (W) and Nick Dragotta (A).

 

Sex #1          The other book that is sure to sell out its first print is the Joe Casey written Sex #1. Piotr Kowalski is an artist I am not overly familiar with but from the art seen I like his retro style art, but with a darker sensibility, which works really well with the subject matter. I am always intrigued on what superhero writers pen when they aren’t restricted by an editorial mandate, and can really say what they wanted to say.

 

Bloodstrike #35Youngblood #77Glory #34          How can Bloodstrike and Youngblood continue, yet something wonderfully different like Glory gets the ax is beyond me. Glory #34 brings an end to this gloriously re-imagined property that once had it’s start as a generic, t & a title that existed solely on riffs from other female heroines. It became so much more than what it originally started as. I am worried that Liefeld will bring Glory back into his books and undo what has been done. If it does at least there will always be the trades of this run.

 

Hack Slash #25 cover CHack Slash #25 cover B Hack Slash #25 cover A          Another series ending is Hack/Slash #25. Tim Seeley (W) and Elena Casagrande (A) brings us the blood soaked finale. I am just discovering a fondness for these characters after finally getting around to the Omnibuses, and I am sad to see their story ending, but I can’t deny I look forward to sitting down and reading the entire run in omnibus form (as long as they keep coming out).

 

Poison Elves #1          Ape Entertainment has a much anticipated release in March with Drew Haye’s Poison Elves #1. Robb Horan (W), Osvaldo Pestana Montpeller (A) bring us back to the world of Lusiphor with stories that are based on ideas of Drew Haye’s and where he wanted to go with the series. I am hoping that new reprints of the original trades will be released, and hope that this book gets supported enough for Ape to look at the trades as a possibility.

 

Mark Waid Green Hornet #1          Relaunches are happening all over the place and over at Dynamite they join the relaunch band wagon with Mark Waid’s Green Hornet #1. Fans of the character and Mark Waid’s name should be enough to make this one of Dynamites best selling issues of 2013.

 

X-O Manowar #11Shadowman #5          Over at my personal favorite publisher, Valiant we get new story lines starting in Shadowman #5 by Justin Jordan (W), Patrick Zircher (A/W), and X-O Manowar #11 by Robert Venditti (W) and Cary Nord (A). Planet Death is promised to be a mega-event in X-O Manowar. That is a pretty big claim but the quality of the Valiant releases to date makes me believe the claim.

 

X-O Manowar Vol 2 Enter Ninjak TPB          Speaking of X-O Manowar, his second trade X-O Manowar Vol. 2: Enter Ninjak TPB comes out in March. I am excited for this. I am not a trade waiter but I thought I would give it a try and I am happy I did. The first X-O trade blew me away and actually makes me want to go monthly on the title but on the other hand this was such a satisfying read when read as one trade. I will keep going trade on this, and it has opened my eyes to the joys of trades. This might make me switch to trade on some books.

 

          That’s it for March 2013, see you soon when we look at April.

January 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

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January 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

Justice League of America #2 Justice League #18          DC Comics has a few interesting items coming out in March of 2013. Some excitement from February continues to spill over into March with the second issue of Justice League of America by Geoff Johns (W) and David Finch (A) continues the true motives of the League members while the back up brings us the hero formally known as Martian Manhunter, now known only as Manhunter, into the spotlight when his motives for both the Justice League of America and the Justice League start to become clear.

 

Green Arrow #18          Another follow up issue to be excited about is Green Arrow #18. In February the new creative team of Jeff Lemire (W) and Andrea Sorrentino (A) brought there own spin onto this misunderstood character. I haven’t read their first issue yet but I have the sneaky suspicion that this is going to be a run that defines who Green Arrow is in the New 52.

 

 Flash #18Dial H #10         Dial H readers should be sure to check out Flash #18 by Brian Buccellato (W) and Marcio Takara (A) which promises a twist ending that impacts Dial H. Seems like an odd spot for a secret crossover of sorts and I might pick up this issue just for that reason. This might be an interesting way to bring some of the more Vertigo inclined New 52 readers (myself included) to give the superheroes another go. I can’t see myself picking up the Flash on a monthly basis but something like this makes me curious.

 

Action Comics #18         Following Grant Morrison can be tricky but Andy Diggle will be doing just that when he takes over the writing reins of Action Comics in issue #18 with Tony S. Daniel and Batt providing art. There isn’t much about this title that interests me but I have to say that I would be intrigued with Snyder, or Lemire tackling the blue clad boy scout. That being said, expect some major gushing about the upcoming Man of Steel.

 

 

Batman #18 Catwoman #18 Nightwing #18 Red Hood and the Outlaws #18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most of the Bat Books in March deal with the tragic ending of the Jokers grand return in Death of the Family. My money is still riding on Damian to bite the big one, with Alfred running a possible second, and Joker offing himself as my third. This is entirely speculation on my part as I decided to follow the Bat crossovers in trade so I could be entirely off base on my prediction.

 

Batgirl #18         Oh Batgirl you are quite the talked about title. Issue #18 sees the first of two issues guest written by Ray Fawkes. I love the guest writing credit. For those that do not know, Gail Simone the writer of the series had been fired from the book, and from DC, and then when fan outrage reached a feverish peak they rehired her, and put her back on…..wait for it……Batgirl. I am happy that she is back on the book because in the end I believe it is better for Ray Fawkes. With the fan love that Simone receives she would have been a tough act to follow.

 

Green Lantern #18 WRATH Green Lantern Corps #18 WRATH Green Lantern New Guardians #18 WRATH         Oh Green Lantern titles, when I look at your titles and read your solicitations you seem to be getting more like a private club every month as “Wrath of the First Lantern” marches through the 18th issue of each series. I dare not pick up these books for fear that I will not understand what is happening. The creative teams are solid but it would be nice for some simpler stories for a little while.

 

Constantine #1  Sword of Sorcery #6Justice League Dark #18         My favorite corner of the New 52, the Dark, has some interesting stories making their way through the ether. In February Hellblazer ended its historic run over at Vertigo and in March the kingpin of the DC supernatural landscape, Constantine, gets his first issue in his new ongoing brought to you by Robert (W) and Renato Guedes (A). The way Marvel uses Wolverine, and now Iron Man, namely appearing in every comic, is similar to Constantine, but with Constantine, it is believable. This is a man that can traverse between realms with the ease of crossing a threshold. This means his appearances in Constantine #1, Justice League Dark #18, Sword of Sorcery #6, and a couple of other guest appearances I am sure, all the more believable.

 

Animal Man #18 ROT Swamp Thing #18 ROT         Animal Man #18 by Jeff Lemire (W) and Steve Pugh (A) and Swamp Thing #18 by Scott Snyder (W) and Yanick Paquette (A) both bring us the epilogue of “Rotworld” and what it has changed about two of the darker heroes in the DC Universe. Issue #18 is also the end of this creative teams run on the book and I hope whoever takes over after provides us the continuing love story, saga of a man trying to find himself, and guardian of the green, in a way that will keep us coming back for more.

 

Threshold #3 Legion of Super Heroes #18         Threshold #3 gives us another new look at an old character, and it’s not Spoiler, nor Wally West, nor Donna Troy, but Captain Carrot, this time re-envisioned as Captain K’Rot! If anyone can make this work it is writer Keith Giffen. Speaking of Giffen, his art on Legion of Super-Heroes may be a reason to try this book again. Fun is what Legion had been missing.

 

 

Ame Comi Girls #1          Ame-Comi Girls #1….this leaves me speechless and not in a good way.

 

Dial H TP vol 01Frankenstein Agent of Shade TP vol 02 New 52         March sees another set of collections get released. Some worth noting including the first collection of Dial H. Dial H Vol. 1: Into You TP collects issues #0-6. For a very Vertigo experience in the New 52 look no further than this book. The second Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. Trade, and Swamp Thing Vol. 2 both hit shelves that month as well.

 

Authority HC vol 01         For fans of old school Wildstorm we get The Authority Vol. 1 HC with a creative roster that is unmatched, including, but not limited to: Warren Ellis (W), Mark Millar (W), Bryan Hitch (A), Frank Quitely (A), and many others. With the horrible treatment of many Wildstorm characters in the New 52 (I am looking at you Stormwatch) it is refreshing to be able to go back and read the stories that made these characters great.

 

Punk Rock Jesus TP         Vertigo is releasing the trade for Punk Rock Jesus, perhaps the best mini-series of 2012 and 2013. Written and drawn by Sean Murphy, this book makes amazing use of it’s black and white colour palette and exposes allot of the weakness’s of the human race, of you and I. Sean Murphy has created one of his seminal works that is going to be talked about for years to come. Get this trade and see why comics are amazing.

 

Green Lantern Simon Baz action figure         It isn’t often that I mention merchandise in this column but I have to admit a new addiction. The DC Direct New 52 figures. I picked up the 7 figure box set of the Justice League and I am blown away at the details bestowed up these figures. From a statuesque Wonder Woman, to a Cyborg so souped up on detail that you will look at the figure non stop out of amazement, to the sexiest Aquaman I have ever seen. The paint application is flawless and I want more. I am excited to add a Green Arrow to the line up and the Green Lantern Simon Baz figure in March. I am not into Green Lantern (see earlier comments) but with figures that look this amazing, it inspires you to get them all.

 

That is my look at DC, see you soon with the Back of the Book review.

January 2013 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

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January 2013 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

 

Time to dive into the Previews for product shipping in March of 2013. First we are going to visit Marvel and see what they have to offer.

 

Age of Ultron #1 NOW         First up is the long promised Age of Ultron, the last Avengers story to be told by Bendis. This seems like a series that was originally meant to be released earlier but was obviously side tracked due to the sprawling and Marvel Now catalyst Avengers Vs. X-Men. March sees the first 3 issues of the 10 issue series come out. Bendis is writing and Bryan Hitch will be providing his last mainstream work for a little while giving him the chance to focus on creator owned work.

 

 

Fantastic Four #5 NOW Superior Spider-Man #5 NOW        So far there are two tie ins announced for March and they are tie ins in a very unconventional way. While there is a Fantastic Four #5 and a Superior Spider-Man #6, there is also a Fantastic Four #5AU and a Superior Spider-Man #6AU.  Neither of these will be coming home with me. The main series will, and that is primarily because of Bryan Hitch, but as much as Marvel states this story will have ramifications, I cannot imagine it will, just because of the amount of work and planning that has gone into Marvel Now. I may be wrong, but time will tell. Avengers fans will scoop up these tie ins, and I am sure that April will bring more.

Fantastic Four #5AUSuperior Spider-Man #6AU

 

Either way, with Hitch doing the art on the main 10 issue series, this is worth picking up and admiring what may be Hitch’s last work on the Avengers for the next while.

 

 

 

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 NOW         The road to the next Marvel big screen masterpiece, Guardians of the Galaxy kicks off with the official first issue of the Marvel Now relaunch of the title. I am excited for this as it brings back some of the more fun characters of the Marvel Universe, namely Rocket Raccoon and Groot. How can a tree and a raccoon in space not be fun? The only flaw that I can see so far is the inclusion of Iron Man. I am assuming that this is a way to bring in new readers who might be more attracted to the title with an A list character from the movie-verse. I will try this title but the second it looks like it is turning into another Avengers, this one being galactic, I will drop it. Before that I will enjoy the book for what it is, and what I hope it becomes, a sprawling space epic with consequences for the universe as a whole.

 

Wolverine #1 NOW         Wolverine gets his second Marvel Now relaunch in the form of the simply titled Wolverine #1. The creative team is strong, not one that necessarily appeals to me, but one that will appeal to many. Paul Cornell, who did a masterful job on Captain Britain and MI 13 (but a less than stellar job on Doctor Who) is writing, and legendary artist Alan Davis is providing the pictures, in the wonderful fluid way that he does. I’m not sure why, but this strikes me as an odd creative team but as long as they can show the Canadian mutant doing what he does best, I am sure that it will do well.

 

Uncanny Avengers #6 NOW         Uncanny Avengers #6 brings Daniel Acuna on board as the new regular artist (the phrase “regular artist” really does not mean much these days does it?) with Rick Remember writing. This issue had me as soon as I read Apocalypse Vs. Thor in the 11th century! Throw in a little Kang and a sprinkle of Rama Tut and this is a recipe for an amazing issue. And yet again those often spoke reverberations will affect the entire Marvel Universe (another claim that is starting to lose quite a bit of its meaning due to repetitiveness). Regardless, Daniel Acuna is a worthy artist, the characters are well portrayed (even if they act occasionally out of character), and the premise of this issue seems to be an exciting start to a new story arc.

 

Avengers Arena #6 NOW         I really wanted to like Avengers Arena but can safely say that after two issues, I will be kicking this off of my pull list. If it was an indy title or one that was considered out of continuity I might be digging it but I cannot buy Arcade (seriously, when and why did he gain godlike powers?), and the title seems like a chance to off a chunk of the younger characters in the Marvel Universe, characters that had potential but are now used as cannon fodder.

 

 

Avengers #7 NOW New Avengers #4 NOW          Jonathan Hickman (W) and Dustin Weaver (A) bring on issues #7 and #8 of the Avengers to us in March. I am torn on this title, as after two issues it feels like trade padding. The story in the first two issues could have probably been told in 1 issue. But these issues seem to be hinting at an integration of the New Universe. How could one not think that with the obvious cover homage to that universe? Issue #8 also promises to tie into New Avengers and show how the two titles are related. The story ideas behind the Avengers seem to be sound but the pace needs to pick up a little bit.

 

All New X-Men #8 NOW          In the All-New X-Men issues #8 and #9 by Brian Michael Bendis (W) and David Marquez (A) (I am already missing Stuart Immonen, who is only providing covers for these issues) bring the Avengers face to face with the X-Men from the past, and they update their old school yellow and black uniforms with something a little more modern. This series has proven to be one of the best launches from Marvel Now, not always a home run, but there is a consistency to the series that keeps you hooked, and wanting to find out what happens next. The grasp that Bendis has of the old school X-Men seems to be stronger than the grasp he had of the Avengers at the beginning and I am excited about what that means for the future of the X-Verse!

 

Savage Wolverine #3 NOW         Amadeus Cho surprisingly joins the cast of Savage Wolverine in issue 3. Amadeus is one of a number of intriguing characters that have been conspicuously absent from the Marvel Now relaunch, and this is a surprising title to see him pop up in.

 

Journey Into Mystery #650 NOW          Journey Into Mystery has turned into another one of my favorites with Lady Sif taking on the lead role. Issue #650 of the series by creators Kathryn Immonen (W) and Valerio Schiti (A) wrap up the first arc that shows us whether Lady Sif can handle her new found abilities in the name of Asgard. This book is tied for my favorite female led book with DC’s Wonder Woman, and even though it will not happen, I cannot help but imagine what a crossover featuring these two leading ladies would be like. If you like fantasy, action, and strong characterization which really showcases who Lady Sif is, and this is just the beginning, you should be picking this book up. It is a worthy follow up to the run featuring Loki.

 

Ultimate Comics Ultimates #22          They may not be the West Coast Avengers, but over in Ultimate Comics Ultimates #22 and #23 by Sam Humphries (W) and Joe Bennet (A) bring us the West Coast Ultimates, and they may not be friends of the Ultimates but instead, are their opposites and strike at the United States, and it’s President, Captain America. As a fan of the original run of the West Coast Avengers, I am looking forward to seeing who makes up this team.

 

 

X-Treme X-Men #12 XT Age of Apolcalypse #13 XT X-Termination #1 XT          Another smaller crossover begins in X-Treme X-Men #12 and Age of Apocalypse #13 with prologues to X-Termination. The AoA Nightcrawler wants to go home and he will do anything to reach that goal. The story kicks off properly in X-Termination #1 by David Lapham (W), Marjorie Liu (W), and David Lopez (A) where we see Wolverine battle a one time ally who betrayed him.

 

Astonishing X-Men #60 XT          Part 2 of the crossover takes place in Astonishing X-Men #60 where we see Wolverine Vs. Wolverine. The one thing that worries me about this is that these titles are low selling titles for the most part, and have been completely disregarded as part of the Marvel Now event, which means that this could very well be a last ditch effort to save one, two, or all three titles from cancellation. With the uninspired writing in X-Treme X-Men, I would not be surprised if that one was going to end shortly after the crossover, the same with Age of Apocalypse could happen.

 

Doom 2099 Complete Collection by Warren Ellis          Over on the collections front I am excited to see a complete Warren Ellis collection of his run on Doom 2099. Warren Ellis started his re-imagining of the series with issue #24 and ran until issue #39 when most of the 2099 line ended. Also in this 432 page collection is material from the short lived 2099: World of Tomorrow. This series sees the Latverian ruler set his sites on a new office, the Oval Office. Being a long time fan of Warren Ellis, I will be bringing this home.

 

That’s Marvel for March 2013, next we will tackle DC, see you soon.