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November 2013 Alternate Comics Diamond Previews Review

In my opinion Marvel won January between the big two, so let us take a look at the other publishers and see what they have to offer and if Marvel has any competition to kick off 2014.

       Dark Horse comics starts off the new year right with Hellboy: The First 20 Years HC by Mike Mignola. This includes 136 pages of Mignola’s best work, unseen images, and so much more. Sketches and scans fill this book, and allows us to get a peek into Mignola’s process.

          With the various publishers putting out the enhanced issues with different bonus features, Dark Horse is getting in on the game with The Star Wars #0. Acting as a creative themed companion to the eight issue miniseries we get to see behind the scenes and even get a look at the pitch process that Dark Horse did for George Lucas.

          While we may not have the crew of the Serenity back on the big or small screens, yet, we get an in continuity follow up in Serenity: Firefly Class 03-K64 – Leaves on the Wind #1 (of 6) written by Joss’s brother Zack Whedon. For fans this will be given a chance to see what happened to Malcolm and his crew after the events of Serenity. This isn’t on my radar but Whedon or Firefly fans will snatch this up.

          Elfquest first appeared in 1978, and then the last original work appeared in 2006. Now in 2014 we return to the primitive Earth with 2 moons and the tale of those who try to survive in Elfquest: The Final Quest #1 written by Wendy and Richard Pini, with Wendy doing the art as well. Cutter is back and so are all of your favourites Obviously for an indy title (for most of its existence) to survive how long this one has shows that there is a fan base for this lush fantasy world that the Pini’s brought to us 36 years ago.

          IDW is getting to be known for their wacky crossovers with licenced properties and January brings more with the X-Files: Conspiracy #1. The Lone Gunmen, some of my favourite characters in the X-Files universe, begin with the Ghostbusters and whether they are legitimate, and if they are a part of or can help against the latest threat to humanity. I am looking forward to their run in with the Transformers personally.

          IDW also launches a new team up book, and it is not what you might think. Alex de Campi is writing and Carla Speed McNeil is on art duty for My Little Pony: Friends Forever #1, a new ongoing series that shows the adventures of two ponies, and how anything can happen. Applejack and Pinkie Pie team up in the first adventure. With how hot the Little Pony franchise is, and the fun that has permeated the pages of all their previous Pony books, this should be a sure thing for fans of the franchise.

            Rick Remember writes a new series for Image, being joined by Wesley Craig and Lee Loughride on art. Deadly Class #1 is set in the mid 80’s and is set in a school unlike any other, where our lead character, Marcus Lopez, is failing Dismemberment 101. Teachers are assassins, students are the children of world renowned killers, and you could be killed by your classes, or even schoolmates. I like Remember and look forward to him playing in a self created sandbox. Image is hot and Remember is a hot creator, and the artwork in the previews look slick. This will be coming home with me.

          Another Image release that has me interested is EGOs #1. Stuart Moore writes a story that combines sci-fi and superheroes. The main character has to bring his old team back together and the solicitation indicates his main roadblock, his wife. Gus Storms provides the art and from the preview pages it is reminiscent of the style seen in the Prophet series which ends . The artwork has me sold and I look forward to checking out the first issue.

          Afterlife with Archie is a stunning comic. I loved the first issue and Roberto Aguirre Sacasa writes, and Francesco Francavilla draws an amazing old school horror that reflects a pulp sensibility, all the while appreciating and incorporating all that has come before in Riverdale. This book is not for young readers as the horror is quite evident right from the first issue. Horror fans should pick this up, you will not be disappointed in the slightest. Issue 4 of the series is out in January.

         Avatar’s title, God is Dead, by Jonathan Hickman (W) and Di Amorim (A) has been announced as going monthly versus being a mini. The fifth issue of the series is out in January. While the Previews lists it as the fifth of six issues, it should be noted the announcement came after the Previews solicitations were released.

          Fans of the Li’l version of characters will be happy when Dynamite releases the cutest 5 week event in January when we get five one shots; Li’l Battlestar Galactica, Li’l Vampi, Li’l Bionic Kids, Li’l Ernie, and Li’l Sonja. While I enjoy the occasional variant cover by Baltazar I myself am going to pass on this but there are those of you out there who will have trouble resisting the cuteness.

Well that is our look at the back of Previews, see you in a few weeks when we look at what is coming in February 2014.

Good reading to all.