Broken Frontier

Hey gang!  Mike here again with the newest installment of our “weekly” column… a few weeks late yet again. Geez, you’d think I was moonlighting from a television writing gig or something!

Anyway, zip up your drawers cuz we’re gonna roll fast and loose through the May issue of reviews.  I’m  gonna try to be as succinct and as brutally honest as  possible and when it’s all over we’ll have a few new friends and a few new enemies.  Blast -off!

DARK HORSE

Zero Killer #1 - I’m all excited about this one.  This is from the mind of Arvid Nelson, the guy that brought us “Rex Mundi”.  The Free Comic Day preview was muy intriguing and I can tell the team is really sinking its teeth into this.  We’re grabbing 50 copies for our shelves.

Martha Washington Dies - Not if Frank Miller’s liver dies first!  Hah!  Bad joke, sorry.  I read an article with Frank in L.A. Times a few weeks ago.  I’m glad he’s getting his much deserved recognition from those Hollywood guys he used to gripe about years ago and both “Sin City” and “300” rocked like Whitney Houston at a crack house, but the guy kinda scares me nowadays.  I don’t know where his head is, and truth be told, I’ve never been able to get into the Martha Washington stuff.  I still think the Miller brand warrants a decent order of 30 copies.

Fear Agent: The Last Goodbye #2 - Fear Agent is really the only comic you’ll ever need when it all comes down to it.  50 copies for us!

The Goon #19 - Nothing will make me smile like being able to stock The Goon on my shelves again after a long absence.  40 copies.

Vicious Intent: The Rock ‘N’ Roll Art and Exploitation of Stainboy Reinel - This stuff looks hot!  Another addition to the excellent line of artbooks Dark Horse has been releasing as of late.  3 copies.

Star Wars: Legacy #14 - Where did Dark Horse dig this guy up?  Travis Charest provides the cover to this issue looking every bit like Ralph McQuarrie!  Even without an excellent cover, this book has been a
consistent hit with the Jedis out there.

DC

Countdown 43-40 - Universe changing events!  Death! Funerals.  After these four issues, nothing will ever be the same… better stock up with about 110 copies each.

Action Comics #852 - In this issue, we begin counting down… this time for Jimmy Olsen.  How many people will care if they off the freckled freelancer?  75 copies.

All Star Batman and Robin #6 - Even with the clunky schedule, this book is guaranteed to move and shake off the shelves.  Besides, it’ll probably be late and that means RETURNABLE.  200 copies.

Batman Confidential #7 - “Heroes” writer Michael Green explores the roots of the Joker.  If this book is late, we should never hire another television writer again!  70 copies.

The Brave and the Bold #5 - This issue wraps up the first story arc by Waid and Perez.  Solid seller so far and no reason to think we shouldn’t order at least 100 copies.

Green Lantern Corps #14 - Make sure you bump up your orders for this one.  It appears to tie in to the regular GL’s Sinestro storyline.  We order around 70 Green Lantern and 40 Corps.  We’ll be bumping Corps up to 60 copies this time out.

Green Arrow: Year One #1&2 - Jock is an amazing design -oriented artist.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t always translate to sales.  We’re logging in at 50 copies of the first issue and 40 of #2.

Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #14 - It’s sink or swim time for The Flash.  Major things are happening in this book over the next few months.  I’m pulling for Guggenheim and the gang to pull this title out of the rut.  110 copies.

Justice Society of America #7 - I’ve gotta admit, that cover with Citizen Steel sure is purty!  Worth the price of admission alone and trust me, true believer, that’ll get ‘em in the door! 90 copies.

The Mad War on Bush TP - This book caused a minor frenzy when it was announced on some websites in March.  I’m excited about it… and you know what they say if they can’t take a joke….   12 copies.

Faker #1 (Vertigo) - Interesting concept from the mind of Mike Carey.  This is a six issue mini, so many will want to wait for the trade, but we’ll throw 15 copies on the shelf and see what happens.

Scalped #7 & Scalped TP - Here’s a book we underestimated.  We initially ordered 10 copies of the early issues, so the TP will come in handy to those looking to jump onboard this sleeper.  We’re currently
at 20 copies of the regular series and we’ll try 4 copies of the TP for starters.

IMAGE

Astounding Wolf -Man #2 - There was tons of interest in this title on Free Comic Book Day, let’s see how it holds up when the peeps have to plunk down cold, hard cash for it.  Kirkman’s record on creator -owned projects is pretty good and werewolves are always fun.  50 copies.

Dust #1 - Paulo Parente’s covers here are gorgeous, reminiscent of Olivetti’s work on Punisher War Journal.  It sounds like they threw in everything but the kitchen sink here with G.I.s, zombies, robots and babes.  We’re gonna play it safe at 15 copies.

Fell #9 - With a price -tag even your wife will love ($1.99 natch!) and excellent storytelling by Ellis and Templesmith, we can’t get enough of the Fell!  We creep up our orders with every issue.  35 copies.

Hiding in Time #1 - What a great concept!  The Witness Protection Program of the future now relocates people in various places in time.  Ryan Winn participated in one of our 24 Hour Comic Days a few years back and I can tell you, his artwork is great!  Not overstylized, yet kinetic and exciting.  15 copies.

Scrap Mettle HC - Wow!  A 400 page hardcover filled front to back with Scott Morse’s paintings and scribblings.  At $40, you’re talking 10 cents a page!  How do they do it?!!   3 copies.

Meltdown:  The Definitive Collection TP - This 2 issue mini -series took us by surprise.  We sold through several reorders, so this permanent collection is well -deserved.  4 copies.

Bad Planet #2 - Two years between issues?  More like “Bad Creators!”  That said, the first issue was really impressive and the Frazetta riff Wrightson is dropping on the cover of this one guarantees a few people giving Niles & company a second chance.  Forgiveness!  Forgiveness!  Even if… even if… she don’t love me anymore.  20 copies.

Madman Atomic Comics #4 - I love Madman!  I figured there would only be 5 or 6 others like me that still showed Allred the love.  Boy was I wrong!  We sold out of the first issue in one day and we’re now up to 30 copies of this puppy!

Spawn #172 - I haven’t seen a revamp like this since Alan Moore took over Swamp Thing!  Issue 166 took the book to a whole new level of creepiness and it appears that the name David Hine is on it’s way to becoming the new industry buzz -word!  The artwork is nothing to sneeze at either, with Haberlin abandoning his former stiff style for something much more horrific.  40 copies.

MARVEL

Halo: Uprising #1 - Most licensed comic books/videogame spin -offs cut corners with no -name talent spinning stories less complex than your average round of Street Fighter.  The guys behind the Halo franchise do just the opposite, following up last year’s excellent hardcover with this mini -series that boldly reunites the Daredevil team of Bendis/Maleev.  Expect fireworks!  100 copies.

Amazing Spider-Man #543 - This issue promises the end of Aunt May however this broad has had more lives than Babylon 5!  I’m not convinced.  90 copies.

Annihilation: Conquest: Star -Lord #1 - Because you demanded it!  The return of Rocket Racoon!  What?  You DIDN’T demand it?  Well shut up and eat your vegetables… and order 50 copies of this book.

Captain America #28 - The best way to triple sales on your book?  Kill off the title character and let the supporting cast shine for a year or so!  130 copies.

The Champions #1 - No Hercules?  No Ghost Rider?  No Angel or Iceman?  Why is this called the Champions?  I’m sure 70 people are willing to plunk down 3 bucks to find out.

Daredevil: Battlin’ Jack Murdock #2 - Look at that cover.  Ouch!  That’s gotta hurt. 30 copies.

World War Hulk - In the interest of universal balance, here’s a concise rundown of how we’re ordering on World War Hulk and related comics.  It’s a delicate calculation of popularity, prediction of what neighboring stores are ordering and gut-instinct.  It is by no means exactly what we will need or sell, but that’s why they’re called MAJOR CROSSOVERS, eh?

World War Hulk #2 -110 copies
WW Hulk: Frontline #2 -70 copies
Incredible Hulk #108 -125 copies
World War Hulk:  Gamma Corps #1 60 copies
World War Hulk:  Gamma Corps #2 40 copies
World War Hulk: X -Men #2 - 90 copies
Avengers: The Initiative #4 – 75 copies
Ghost Rider #13 - 60 copies
Iron Man #20 - 60 copies
Irredeemable Ant -Man #10 - 40 copies (others will underorder)
Heroes For Hire #12 - 40 copies
Marvel Spotlight:  World War Hulk - 15 copies

New Avengers/Transformers #1 - Potentially the best Transformers crossover since they merged them with Star Wars… I’ll be ordering more on the Transformers end (15 -20 copies) than the New Avengers end (125 copies)

Punisher War Journal #9 - Boy, Frank didn’t even let the body get cold before he started strolling around in Cap’s duds and it paid off in major sales.  Who said the Punisher was a dummy?  120 copies.

She Hulk #21 - In this issue, Dan Slott promises a story that fixes 90% of Marvel’s continuity problems.  Should be a doozy of a read if not a best -seller.  40 copies.

Silver Surfer: Requiem #3 - Straczynski story and gorgeous Esad Ribac artwork featuring one of this summer’s major movie stars should translate to hefty sales.  75 copies.

Omega Flight #4 - Can this surprise hit keep up the heat?  We’re banking 80 copies that it can!

Super-Villain Team -Up/MODOK’S 11 #1 - This looks like fun in a 70’s/early 80’s vein. I’m not sure how many people will hop onboard, but interesting nonetheless.  25 copies.  Oops!  Powell cover, add 8 more copies.

Thor #1 - By the mighty horns of Hogarth!  Thor returns!  Which reminds me of a joke a friend of mine used to tell.  Can’t remember the build -up, but the punchline went something like “You’re Thor?  I’m tho thor, I couldn’t pith for a week!”  150 copies.

Wolverine: Origins Annual #1 - Spider -Man: Reign has put Kaare Andrews on the map in a major way.  Let’s see how that ranking holds up on this annual.  Only question is, which Kaare Andrews is gonna show up?  Kaare (Frank Miller) Andrews?  Kaare (Norman Rockwell) Andrews?  Kaare (anime) Andrews?  I swear, this guy is the Rich Little of comic artists, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  90 copies.

Anita Blake - Vampire Hunter: The First Death #1 -  If you thought Anita Blake sales were through the roof before, this issue features creator Laurell K. Hamilton’s first stab (pun!) at writing the comic book.  Take that, Stephen King!  120 copies.

The Hood Premiere HC - I remember digging this little book when it premiered around ’99 or 2000.  It was written by a little known talent by the name of Brian K. Vaughan with great artwork by the still under-respected Kyle Hotz.  Something tells me that it’ll be underappreciated this time out, too.  3 copies.

THE BACK OF THE BUS (INDEPENDENTS)

Page 215: The Vault of Michael Allred Limited Edition HC - More love for Mikey!  This will make an excellent companion piece to the Madman Omnibus that was solicited a few months back.  I’ve seen the single issues of this series and to say they’re comprehensive is an understatement.  2 copies

Page 223: Jellyfist by Jhonen Vasquez & Jenny Goldberg - Kids will be pouring out of the doors of Hot Topic and into comic shops to pick up the latest from the creator of Johnny the Homicidal Maniac.  30 copies.

Page 228: Bizarre New World #3 - I had the honor of reading all three issues of this series (this morning, actually) and it doesn’t disappoint.  Very unique exploration of what it means to have the power of flight… and what it means to be an ordinary schmoe.  20 copies.

Page 230: Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 #1 - The mouse infestation returns!  Don’t be left out in the cold this time.  Order 30 copies.

Page 239: Doktor Sleepless #1 - Mad scientist Warren Ellis brings us the tale of a… well, a Mad Scientist!  What could be better?  Well, last month he killed Bush.  I guess that was better.  But this could be fun too.  15 copies.

Page 254:  Warhammer 40K Volume 1:  Damnation Crusade TP - For years, some company (can’t remember who) put out a high quality B&W Warhammer series.  We used to order 2 copies and put them on the shelf to collect dust.  Boom Studios takes a full color whack at it and all the sudden it’s gangbusters!  Catch up with this TP.  5 copies.

Page 258: Fone Bone Plush Toy and Bone Volume 6 - Ya know, every so often kids still come into comic shops.  Don’t creep them (or their moms) out with the latest issue of Marvel Zombies.  Sling them a copy of Bone.  Trust me, they’ll dig it.  And their parents will like you. Bone Plush -8 pieces.  Bone Volume 6 -15 copies.

Page 268: Jungle Girl #0 25 cents - Shanna, Sheena, Jungle Action… how many damn Jungle chicks do we need?!  As many as Frank Cho wants to draw!  Plus, it’s only a quarter.  100 copies.

Page 268: Battlestar Galactica: Season Zero #1 - Hopefully this will fight off the shakes while we wait for season four to debut.  25 copies.

Page 294: Punks: The Summer Comics Special -  Elk’s Run creator Joshua Hale Fialkov returns with a twisted new take on comics, PUNKS!  This quirky little book is bound to take some people by surprise.  Zinetastic!  12 copies.

Page 310: Marvel Then and Now: An Evening with Stan Lee & Joe Quesada DVD - Spend 3 hours with Stan and Joe talking comics.  It’ll only cost you $30 and proceeds go to a good cause -the Hero Initiative.  10 copies.

Gene Simmons House of Horrors #1 - Gene Simmons comes at KISS fans with his hand out more than Sally Struthers shilling for hungry kids in Africa.  At least he dusted Todd McFarlane off to provide a cover. 10 copies.

Page 328: Tales of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #36 - Take a closer look at this one.  Paul Harmon (Sea of Red) is one of the most talented hidden artists out there.  I promise most shops are going to overlook this gem.  20 copies.

Page 338: Nexus #99: Space Opera Act 1 of 4 - You gotsta give Mike Baron and Steve Rude some love for bringing back Nexus!   Will this be a hit of “Madman” proportions?  Probably not, but you can’t go wrong with 10 -15 copies.

Page 340: Doris Danger Seeks… Where Urban Monsters Creep and Stomp! TP -
I picked a copy of Doris Danger up at Emerald City and if you have a Kirby itch that needs scratching, Doris can rub the burn.  Fun stuff and so silly at times it should be illegal.

Page 368: The Incredible Change-Bots GN - Solicited as an “all ages” comic (only one guy and some robots die), Jeffrey Brown’s take on Transformers/GoBots is sure to inspire a few chuckles.  Could be just the thing to wash down the Michael Bay film epic.  5 copies.

Page 378: Nicolas Cage & Weston Cage’s Voodoo Child - Supporting Nicolas Cage’s writing career could be much like supporting Shaq’s music career… but at least Cage & co. had the good sense to hire Mike Carey to deliver the words. 10 copies.

Page 398: The Marvel Lead Figures -  Stock up on these.  Take one out of the package and display it on your counter then watch the sales roll in.  3 -10 each.

No time to cover the books, toys and t -shirts in the back of the book but check that stuff out!  Maybe you’ll see something you’ll like or one of your customers will like.  Tell them about it!

Until next time, may your trails be happy and your tears be tears of joy!

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Mike “The Chief” Wellman, is the manager of The Comic Bug, the finest comic store of all Manhattan Beach, CA. His biggest strength is being able to lift 2 long comic boxes 85% full of 70's & 80's comics. Visit The Comic Bug’s website at www.thecomicbug.com.