Broken Frontier

Howdy, folks!  Mike here, back from Emerald City Comicon, a few days late and more than a few dollars short.  That’s okay, I’ve got my Previews and I’m gonna take ya’ll on a walk through the pages to find some of the swankiest, hyped up and, at times, the silliest merch you’ll be able to get your hands on in the next few months.  So lick those fingers and let’s get to strollin’!

Oh yeah, just to show what an upfront and overinformative cat I can be sometimes, I’ll tell ya’ll how many copies of each of these books we’re ordering at The Comic Bug.  Remember though, boys and girls, it’s not science but instinct that drives these numbers.

DARK HORSE

• Fear Agent: The Last Goodbye #1: This edition of Previews gets off to a rollicking start by featuring one of the best comics on the stands on the front cover.  This is my favorite book for many reasons;  It doesn’t rely on crossovers, you feel like you could knock a few back with the main character and the book remains consistently inventive while giving off the throwback vibe.  Be on the lookout for incentive covers by Frank Cho and comic book legend Jack Davis as well!  (50 copies)

• The Art of Matt Wagner’s Grendel and Futura: The Art of R. Black: What better way to class up your shelves than with this pair of (unrelated) art books?  Eye candy like this seems to be on the rise as of late and I couldn’t be happier.  Dark Horse released a gorgeous Tara McPherson book a few months back and let me tell you, they pulled no punches when it came to production value.  I saw a preview of the R. Black book at his booth at WonderCon.  Nice stuff filled with girls you won’t wanna take home to momma.  And we all know Matt Wagner is a sure-fire winner!  (5 copies each)

• Star Wars 30th Anniversary Volume 6 - Endgame: Dark Horse has cradled the Star Wars franchise like a precious baby ever since they got their hands on it.  No silly green rabbits here, boys and girls.  For that matter, there’s not a lot of dreaded Jar Jar action either…  What I’m getting at is that they treat the material with the respect that even its own Daddy doesn’t give it nowadays.  This reprint series hasn’t been too shabby either.  With slick, embossed hardcovers and a uniform metallic logo, these puppies are gonna look pretty nice shelved together once all twelve are released.  (6 copies)

       

• Kotobukiya Luke vs. Darth Vader: Ralph McQuarrie Version Vinyl Model Kit: What do you do when you’ve made at least 2 to 3 model kits and statues of all the major characters from the Star Wars series?  You’ve got two options.  You start scraping the barrel with Ewok maquettes and Cantina Creature Dioramas OR you go back to the early production art of Ralph McQuarrie and give the world some innovative “new” takes on old favorites.  At $200.00, this set ain’t cheap… but damned if it ain’t sexy!!  (1 or 2 kits)

DC

• Detective Comics #833: In an age when it seems writers are gearing their expansive story-arcs for the eventual trade paperback, Paul Dini’s run on Detective is a refreshing blast of fresh air.  Here, he replicates the magic he produced on the Batman: The Animated Series, bringing his keen sense of storytelling into the regular DCU.  This particular issue is going to give us Dini’s take on Zatanna.  Dini girls tend to be more fun than the 48 year old divorcees at the corner bar…  Sounds like a date to me!  (90 copies)

• Action Comics #851: Where’s Ray Zone when you need him?  It seems that Geoff Johns, Richard Donner and Adam Kubert have finally figured out how to enhance the polarity, separate the color and boggle the eyes with 3-D action in this oft-delayed issue.  I’ve been enjoying this run and find more than enough comics to fill the gaps between issues.  Take your time, fellas.  I’ll still be here anxiously awaiting the next installment of a run that incorporates everything I know and love about the Man of Steel.  Superman hasn’t been this charming since Christopher Reeve threw on the tights.   (80 copies of 3-D edition, 15 copies of the Standard)

• Countdown #47-44: Just so you folks don’t think I look at the world with rose-colored glasses (at least not ALL of the time), I present to you “Countdown”… which sounds like a fine story.  Should fly off the shelves… except that it’s weekly.  Which should be okay, too cuz if anything, 52 proved that it IS possible to crank out a product AND have it be consistently good…  my beef is that it’s not so much coming on the heels of another weekly series, it’s kicking it in the shin and making a grab for the wallet before it even gets a chance to replenish.  Guys ever hear of a “breather”?  (85 copies each)

       

• Amazons Attack #3: I was a little puzzled when it came to ordering this book.  While it does seem to be a big “event”, it’s also more of a Wonder Woman related title than anything else.   It looks nice, but with the impending WWIII and the Countdown going on, how much attention is this book going to get?  (65 copies)

• Flash #13: 2 covers, one of them top secret… hmmm.  Word on the street is that DC has big plans for the Scarlet Speedster…  This is a title that could definitely use a kickstart.  Could issue 13 be Flash’s lucky number or is it going to be so unlucky that the droves will have no choice but to buy this issue?  I’m going out on a limb with this book.  (120 copies)

• Justice League of America #10: Nothing profound to say about this one except… flip to page 81 in your Previews.  I haven’t seen a chest that big since Rob Liefeld’s depiction of Cap in 1995’s Captain America: Heroes Reborn!!  (130 copies)

• Justice #12: Here it is, folks!  The stunning conclusion to this barnstormer of a series.  Two covers on this one and with Alex Ross providing the art, you know folks will most likely want both of them.   My only question is, how is Mr. Ross going to convince hot babes and portly men to come pose at his studio now?  (250 copies)

       

• Shazam: The Monster Society of Evil #4: The only thing that prevents me from being sad about this mini-series coming to an end is the prospect of the awesome collected edition to come in the near future.  This book is magic!  (70 copies)

• Gon Vol.1: Did you know that DC has a manga line?  Yeah, I forget every month too.  They imported “Gon” several years back, before it was trendy.  Now, they’re finally putting it back in print and adding some much needed prestige to their CMX line of books.  This is an excellent one for the kids, too!  At $5.99, there’s room to order high.  (12 copies)

• Highwaymen #1: Wildstorm has somewhat of a spotty history with their mini-series.  You just never really know how they’re going to sell, but this concept seems fun and I’m a sucker for road trips and washed up action heroes.  (15 copies)

• Clubbing: Andi Watson is really good at getting in touch with his feminine side when he writes.  Breakfast at Noon was a fun read and Slow News Day held my attention to the end.  Paired with the art of Josh Howard, “Clubbing” looks to be another fine addition to DC’s Minx line. (8 copies)

       

• Army @ Love #4: Rick Veitch was doing Vertigo before there was a Vertigo and the first issue had the best opening sequence since Frank Cho’s Zombie King #0 (whatever happened to that book, anyway?)  (18 copies)

• Batman (Classic) and Batgirl 13” Deluxe Collector Figures: Every single release in this line has been awesome, from the packaging on down to the dolls themselves.  That’s right, I called them dolls!  Although the price tag could be prohibitive when it comes to trying to collect the whole set, this 60’s/70’s era Batman and Batgirl will definitely be a must-have in some households!  (3 Batman, 2 Batgirl)

IMAGE

• The Amory Wars #1: Retailers, read the fine print.  This is another chapter in that Coheed and Cambria saga.  Remember that Turbine Blade comic that was so hot a few years back?  The difference between Coheed and Cambria comics and say, KISS, is that band member Claudio Sanchez is so hands-on, he writes the books!  I think we’re looking at another sleeper here, folks.  (30 copies)

• Alien Pig Farm 3000 #3: Sure, this book sounds ridiculous, inbred and silly, but isn’t that the point?  Every cover has been a winner (this one is by Bill Stout) and I hope that Don Marquez’ interiors hold up to that promise. (8 copies)

• Death Dealer #3: No doubt about it, Frank Frazetta is amazing!  This is the SECOND time a company has taken his 5 or 6 Death Dealer paintings and turned them into comic book narratives.  The interiors on this series don’t look too bad either.  Should give Conan a run for his money.  Crank up the Molly Hatchet to 11 and enjoy!  (25 copies)

       

• Madman Atomic Comics #3: The REAL Madman is Mike Allred, who has been chronicling Frank Einstein’s adventures on and off (mostly ON) for nearly two decades now.  Allred seems to have a knack for coming up with some of the craziest, over-the-top concepts and characters and the dialogue crackles in your brain like fizz pops.  I don’t even think he uses drugs to come up with this stuff!  (12 copies)

• Spawn #171: I haven’t read Spawn in years, but it looks like the series has taken a much needed shift in style.  Hope it serves the legacy well.  (20 copies)

• Madame Mirage #2: Wow!  Madame Mirage is a knockout!  Waitaminute!  That’s your WIFE, Dini?  And she’s a magician, too?!  Must be nice.  Say it with me, everybody.  “WE HATE YOU, PAUL!”  (18 copies)

       

• KISS4K #2: I saw Gene and Paul at this year’s WizardWorld show.  Gene is such a mercenary, I’m surprised he’s not offering gold-plated stapled editions of this book.  Anyhow, this is KISS’ fourth swing at a comic series by my count-The Marvel Super Specials, the McFarlane series, Dark Horse and now Platinum.  Is that what the “4K” means in the title?  Or does it mean that we’re supposed to order 4,000 copies?
(15 copies)

MARVEL

• X-Men: Endangered Species One Shot: I see how it is.  They’re the ASTONISHING X-Men now?  Isn’t that uncanny?  Feels like they’re headed towards the Days of Future Past. (100 copies)

• Ultimate Spider-Man #110: Mark Bagley’s farewell to this excellent run.  The trip’s been long, it wasn’t very strange, but it’s been damn satisfying.  Here’s to you Mark.  May you have a fulfilling post-Spidey career!  (85 copies)

• Sensational Spider-Man #38: Aunt May vs. Venom in the hospital?!  Keep in mind, Aunt May has taken on Doc Ock AND Galactus and has had a few spins in the grave already.  My money’s on the old lady!  (70 copies)

• Annihilation: Conquest Prologue: This is exciting for the Star Lord design alone!  Plus, Marvel’s done a nifty job of relaunching their cosmic guys and gals with this series.  (60 copies)

• Avengers Classic: Ahhh, these were the days.  With an Art Adams cover, a Kevin Maguire back-up and a reprint of Avengers #1, this hefty package feels like an 80’s reprint of a 60’s comic.  However,  it wouldn’t be on here if I wasn’t looking forward to it. (10 copies)

       

• Black Panther #29: Zoooombies!  Suydam cover.  Got milk? (80 copies)

• Captain America #27: Gotta hand it to you Brubaker, you had me at “he’s dead”.  Very curious to see where this one is going.  It’s like “The Death of Superman”… if “Death of Superman” were any good.  (110 copies)

• Daredevil:  Battlin’ Jack Murdock #1: Zeb Wells digs into the only corner of the universe Frank didn’t explore too much.  This book looks like lots of fun… if getting pummeled in the face is your idea of a good time.  Adriaaaan! (40 copies)

• World War Hulk #1: Marvel’s latest, greatest BIG EVENT.  Not so sure this one will get the coverage Civil War got, but it looks to be quite the slugfest.  (120 copies)

• World War Hulk Frontline #1: Because the only thing a major slugfest is missing is a closer, more thoughtful look at said slugfest.  There are repercussions, you know, and here we’ll learn about every one of them.  (75 copies)

• New Avengers #31: The quote says it all “The most important last page of any Marvel Comic this year!”  We’ve learned not to take words like that lightly, haven’t we? (200 copies)

       

• Omega Flight #3: Just because that’s an awesome shot of Vindicator on the cover.  (45 copies)

• Punisher War Journal #8: For a bad-ass, street level vigilante, the Punisher has done some silly things over the years.  Remember when he turned himself into a black man?  Well, putting on a Captain America/Punisher hybrid outfit isn’t quite that stupid, but it ranks up there.  At least Olivetti’s art will be so pretty that we’ll hardly think about it.  (70 copies)

• Silver Surfer: Requiem #2: Silver Surfer seems pretty much unstoppable, but it looks like this is one of those “enemy-within” sorta tales.  Bring a hanky to this party cuz it appears that Straczynski is making a bee-line for the heartstings.  (60 copies)

• Sub-Mariner #1: The Prince of Atlantis vs. Tony Stark’s right-wing nutjobs!  Of all the fallout from Civil War, this book seems to be the one clinging most tightly to the political allegory that made that mini so great.  (80 copies)

• X-Men #200: $3.99 for 64 pages?!  The thing I hate about anniversary milestones like this is my vivid memory of buying 5 copies of the first issue off the stands.  Which reminds me, it’s waaaay past my bedtime!  The David Finch gatefold variant looks AWESOME!  Perhaps I shall dream about it. (150 copies)

       

Coming up next, I’ll be delving into the back-end of the Previews-the Independents, the toys, the t-shirts.  Until then, keep on being the best there is at what you do…

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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.