159 posts tagged “comics”

REDEYE, a supplement to the Chicago Tribune, is majorly cool. What makes them cool is that they occasionally create tournaments and pick groups of pop culture icons agains one another. Once it was the Simpsons, then it was the cast members of Saturday Night LIve.

 Now, it’s the superheroes turn. They are facing 32 superheroes of note against one another to determine the best superhero ever.

I would like to have been a fly on the wall for the selection process. Because they have a relatively obscure (from a general population standpoint) character like Black Panther on the list, but then they include characters that really don’t fit the definition of superhero (Popeye, for chrissakes!).

The first round is underway. You can make you selection known here.

Via: Gates Rants about Comics

Devil's Cape is part of what I hope will become a trend in books--comic book stories delivered in novel form. Much like the recent Soon I Will Be Invincible, it deals with costumed heroes and villains.

And it is one great book. I would dare say one of the best that I have ever read. Seriously.

The title refers to the setting for the novel, a town in Louisiana. It is a town were evil has won. They control the police, they have their hands in all the businesses, nothing happens inthe town without their sayso.

Any hero that rises up against them loses, and usually is slaughtered mercilessly.

However, a trio of new heroes enter the scene. Each has their own ties to the violence of the city. Some lost family members to the villains that run the city, some have family members in the villains number, some were villains themselves.

This was Rob Rogers first novel. But you would never believe that by reading it. He weaves a unique and realistic world like he's been writing novels for years.

His characters are vibrant and realistic. He plays with the reader's expectations of them like a master. The ones you think will end up good guys turn bad, and vice versa. And never to any of them ring untrue. 

He uses the passage of time excellently. The first eleven chapters span 35 years, providing the exposition in an interesting and effective way. And the way he jumps back and forth through time during the climax enhances the drama and suspense and makes it a real page turner.

If you are a fan of comic books, or just a fan of a good, easy to read page turner, then I can't recommend Devil's Cape highly enough. After reading this, I get the feeling that I am getting in on the ground floor of and author who will be a major talent in the future. Pick this book up and you can say you have been reading Rob Rogers before he hit big.  

What is more pretentious than having one blog? Having two. And I just started a new one called Gates Rants on Comics. More of my comics only posts will be over there, this will be more for pop culture and stuff like that.

I just posted a rant about the whole Final Crisis continuity brouhaha. You can read it here.

 

And feel free to bookmark that site or add it to your feed reader, if you like what I have to say.

 

 

Short version: Some Entertainment Weekly writer says all comic movies suck. I write an editorial and say he's entitled to his opinion, but his logic is flawed. End result: My point is missed and I get called a geek.

 

Long version: Click here.

I'm going to start with Marvel, because I want to.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #1
Written by MARC DEMATTEIS & TOM DEFALCO
Penciled by ALEX CAl & RON FRENZ
Cover by ADI GRANOV
Heads' up, Web-Slingers! Not getting nearly enough bang for your Brand New Buck with Thrice Monthly Spider-Man? Well, get ready to have your Spider-Senses overloaded with the Brand New Amazing Spider-Man Family! Check in here for slices of life from Spidey and the rest of the Brand New Day Cast. We all know Spider-Man's origin - but what happened the day after Uncle Ben died? Find out as J.M. De Matteis and Spanish Sensation Alex Cal bring you SPIDER-MAN: 48 HOURS! Also, the Amazing Spider-Girl team of Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema show us life before MayDay became Spider-Girl with MR. AND MRS. SPIDER-MAN! Also, check out AUNT MAY, AGENT OF F.E.A.S.T. and a flashback to the birth of Spidey's New Ways To Die nemesis, VENOM!
104 PGS./Rated A …$4.99

• What happens when a title doesn't sell very well? Cancel it and restart it under a slightly different name with a new number one!

SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE #1 (of 5)
Written by TERRY MOORE
Penciled by CRAIG ROUSSEAU
Cover by TERRY MOORE
At long, long, long, looooooooooooooooong last, SHE'S BACK!
Mary Jane Watson, in her very own adventures! Superstar writer Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise, upcoming RUNAWAYS) supplies story (and covers!) and artist Craig Rousseau (The Perhapanauts) brings his best for this all-new mini.It's the beginning of a new high school year. MJ finally feels like she's got her life in order. Good friends, good classes, good relationship with a certain Wall-Crawler…but is there someone behind the scenes that's got it in for our rambunctious redhead?
32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99

• Only a mini!?! Really! That sucks. 

CAPTAIN AMERICA #41
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Pencils & Cover by STEVE EPTING
The epic "Death of Captain America" tale hits its penultimate chapter... and the final battle between the New Captain America and the people who killed Steve Rogers begins here! By the Eisner-Nominated team of Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• It's about time!

IMMORTAL IRON FIST: THE ORIGIN OF DANNY RAND
Written by MATT FRACTION, ROY THOMAS & LEN WEIN
Penciled by KANO, GIL KANE & LARRY HAMA
Cover by GIL KANE
Honor. Dedication. And above all, purity of heart. There have been sixty-six men and women to carry the mantle of THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST throughout the ages ?" men and women of great courage, valor, skill and sacrifice. Sixty-six men and women have stood between man and the unstoppable forces of evil, willing to give all they have to hold back the hordes. This is the story of Danny Rand, the Iron Fist of today ?" as told in THE BOOK OF THE IRON FIST! Raised in the otherworldly kingdom of K'un-Lun as an unparalleled martial artist, the Earth-born Rand mastered the ability to focus his spiritual energy into an impervious fist of iron. Now, as the costumed adventurer called Iron Fist, he fights with the fury of his ancestors and a hope for a better tomorrow! Experience the birth of a legend like never before is this special re-presentation of MARVEL PREMIERE #15-16 ?" featuring lush, fully rendered coloring and an all-new framing sequence by MATT FRACTION and KANO!
48 PGS./Rated T+…$3.99

• That's a lot of words dedicated to what is essentially a reprint book.

MARVEL ADVENTURES THE AVENGERS #27
Written by JEFF PARKER
Penciled by IG GUARA
Cover by LEONARD KIRK
Marvel: Okay, 27 is your final Avengers issue- we're expecting something special.
Parker: Oh don't you worry, it will be. Heh.
Marvel: Really? Great! Who's in it?
Parker: Um... the guy with the thing- trust me, it's going to RAWK.
Marvel: You don't know what the story is yet, do you.
Parker: -think my phone's running out of juice-zzzz-can barely hear you--- bwip*
32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99

• Man, either keep Jeff Parker on this title, which he "RAWK"s at doing, or give him something in mainstream Marvel. You are letting a talent just slip out of your fingers.
• And do you think the people writing these solicitations really hate it when they have no idea what's going to be in the issue? I think this solicitation is them not taking it anymore.

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #42
Written by MARC SUMERAK
Penciled by VINCENç VILLAGRASA
Cover by MICHAEL RYAN
A night at the museum becomes a complete cat-astrophe when a feline femme fatale procures a priceless piece of Native American art. But the fur really begins to fly when the beautiful Black Cat is caught in the perilous pounce of the Puma! Looks like we've got ourselves a cat fight, Spidey... and you're caught in the middle! (Watch out for hairballs!)
32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99

• Of course, they don't do much better when they do get the issue info, though.
• CHOO!! CHOO!!! What's that sound folks? It the Secret Invasion Gravy Train, entering the station! Let's see how many books are on it this month? Okay?

SECRET INVASION #5 (of 8)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Cover by GABRIELE DELL'OTTO
Variant Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Variant Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Sketch Variant Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Embrace change. With these two words the Skrull Empire declares their intentions to the entire Marvel Universe.
Embrace change. With these two words thousands and thousands of comic fans who have declared Secret Invasion the comic book blockbuster of the summer brace themselves for the shocking changes that are about to happen to their favorite characters and institutions. Embrace change, True Believer, because change is coming!
32 PGS./Cardstock Cover/Rated T+ …$3.99

MIGHTY AVENGERS #17
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by KHOI PHAM
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN
The legacy of CAPTAIN MARVEL! The return of MAR-VELL has brought with it more questions then answers. In this special Secret Invasion tie-in, all those questions will be answered. Plus, Marvel Boy is confronted with his true destiny.
From Secret Invasion author Brian Michael Bendis and rising star Khoi Pham.
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

NEW AVENGERS #44
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by BILLY TAN
Cover by ALEKSI BRICLOT
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN
The dark secret of the Illuminati. Marvel's most covert gathering of heroes has a secret so dark that they never speak of it, even to each other. And it could be what has brought about the Secret Invasion.
From Secret Invasion author Brian Michael Bendis and Uncanny X-Men's Billy Tan.
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #16
Written by DAN SLOTT & CHRISTOS GAGE
Penciled by STEFANO CASELLI
Cover by MARK BROOKS
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN
For months you've heard one question over and over again: "Who do you trust?" Well we've got your answer right here, Earth-boy: TRUST THE KILL KREW! Yeah, that's right, the SKRULL KILL KREW are back! And they're ready to kill, maim, torture, and butcher every mother lovin' Skrull out there! Also, back at Camp Hammond, ANT-MAN is in a giant world of trouble-the biggest kind of trouble the SECRET INVASION can dish out.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

SECRET INVASION: INHUMANS #1 (of 4)
Written by JOE POKASKI
Penciled by TOM RANEY
Cover by STEPHAN SEIJIC
Spinning directly out of SECRET INVASION - the hunt for Black Bolt begins! You learned that he was replaced by the Skrulls in New Avengers: Illuminati, now it's time to find out if the Inhumans' former king is dead or alive! How will the loss of their leader tear apart the Royal Family? Can the mighty monarch recover from this personal blow - that is, if he's even still living? And how far will Medusa, Crystal, Triton, Karnak and Gorgon go to find their disposed king? Writer Joe Pokaski (TV's Heroes) and artist Tom Raney (Annihilation: Conquest) unite for an adventure that not only expands the events of this year's biggest story, but will lead to huge events in 2009!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

SECRET INVASION: THOR #1 (of 3)
Written by MATT FRACTION
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover by GABRIELE DELL'OTTO
The Skrulls are coming for Asgard, and they've got the gods in their sights! But it's not just the pantheon who stand to suffer the repercussions of the aliens' secret invasion -- the citizens of small-town Broxton, Oklahoma are about to become collateral damage in the attack…and the God of Thunder must defend two cites at once! For a job this big, Thor will have to turn to one of his oldest and closest allies…Beta Ray Bill!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

SECRET INVASION: X-MEN #1 (of 4)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by CARY NORD
Cover by TERRY DODSON
It's aliens vs. mutants as the Skrull Invasion hits the West Coast! X-Scribe Mike Carey and super-hot artist Cary Nord (ULTIMATE HUMAN) bring you a story that will shock X-Fans and have everyone talking for years to come. The Skrulls don't expect the X-Men when they hit San Francisco, but don't think they don't have something very special prepared for Cyclops and his army when they find them at their new home. STARRING: ALL THE X-MEN. YUP. ALL OF THEM.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

SECRET INVASION: SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY #1 (of 3)
Written by BRIAN REED
Penciled by MARCO SANTUCCI
Cover by MIKE MCKONE
New York is full of Skrulls and Spider-Man... where the heck is Spider-Man, anyway? Now, thanks to Brian Reed (MS. MARVEL) and exciting newcomer Marco Santucci, Jackpot and the rest of the cast of Brand New Day must pick up Spidey's slack and go toe-to-toe with Super-Skrulls-- including one that might just be Spidey himself!
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

SECRET INVASION: RUNAWAYS/YOUNG AVENGERS #3 (of 3)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Penciled by TAKESHI MIYAZAWA
Cover by MICHAEL RYAN
The rip-roaring teen mini-series comes to a killer climax! The teams are split up, but can they come together and stop the Invasion? Can Hulkling become the Messiah he has been prophesized to be? Is Xavin lost forever?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

SECRET INVASION: FRONT LINE #2 (of 5)
Written by BRIAN REED
Penciled by GG STUDIOS' MARCO CASTIELLO
Cover by JUAN DOE
New York has fallen to the Skrulls, and humanity is struggling to survive. Brian Reed (CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Marco Castiello (P'N'P) bring you the Skrull Invasion through the eyes of the man on the street in the Marvel Universe.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #4
Written by DAN ABNETT & ANDY LANNING
Penciled by PAUL PELLETIER
Cover by CLINT LANGLEY
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!
When their HQ is sabotaged, the universe's scrappiest squad of butt-kickers must ask themselves: "Who do you trust?" Is there a Skrull amongst the Guardians? Maybe the recently returned and revamped Adam Warlock? Or Star-Lord, who now hides behind a mask? And a talking raccoon and a telepathic dog? C'mon, people, you just know they're evil infiltrators! So jump onboard, Secret Invasion maniacs, and find out why ComicPants.com says: "(Writers) DnA are on fire right now, and this team is brilliant."
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

NOVA #16
Written by DAN ABNETT & ANDY LANNING
Penciled by WELLINTON ALVES
Cover by PAUL DAVIDSON
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!
At last - our #1 sci-fi hero rockets into the alien invasion saga that's tearing apart the Marvel Universe! But is our always-outnumbered space cop actually teaming with one of the enemy? When Super-Skrull comes asking for a favor, can you ever trust the warrior whose life was dedicated to destroying us? The summer blockbuster hits here in the book that IGN calls "easily one of Marvel's best titles"!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #120
Written by GREG PAK & FRED VAN LENTE
Penciled by RAFA SANDOVAL
Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR., KLAUS JANSON & DEAN WHITE
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!
"SACRED INVASION" reaches its cosmos-shattering climax! Hercules leads the ragged remains of his God Squad into desperate battle with the unimaginably powerful Skrull pantheon -- and if they lose, Earth dies!
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

MS. MARVEL #30
Written by BRIAN REED
Penciled by ADRIANA MELO
Cover by GREG HORN
Ms. Marvel discovers the Skrulls' dark secret hidden away within Riker's Island. Something even worse than the armies already rampaging across the Earth? Most definitely. Brian Reed (CAPTAIN MARVEL) and Adriana Melo (Witchblade) bring the tale of Ms. Marvel and the Skrull invasion to its brutal conclusion.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI:13 #4
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Penciled by LEONARD KIRK
Cover by BRYAN HITCH
It's the final battle for Britain as MI-13 makes its last stand against the Skrulls. But the door to the darkness has been opened, and evil is loose in the world, and that might make even the end of the Secret Invasion look like the beginning of something much worse. Be here for the moment a team is created, a hero returns and a new legacy is born.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

X-FACTOR #34
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by LARRY STROMAN
Cover by BOO COOK
A SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!
X-Factor is in pursuit of Darwin, whose father is looking for him. She-Hulk and Jazinda are in pursuit of Longshot, who may hold the key to defeating the Skrull invasion. With Darwin and Longshot on the run, neither of them wanting to be found, you'd just assume that X-Factor and She-Hulk will work together smoothly to accomplish both their goals. But what fun would that be?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

SHE-HULK #32
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by GG STUDIO's VINCENZO CUCCA
Cover by MIKE DEODATO
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!
Okay, we know that Jazinda, She-Hulk's fellow bounty hunting partner, claims she's not part of the alien invasion…but can you ever trust a Skrull? Especially one that's the daughter of the infamous Super-Skrull? Months of accusations and mistrust come to a boil as our gamma-powered glamazon leaps into this year's biggest event!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

THUNDERBOLTS #123
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE
Penciled by FERNANDO BLANCO
Cover by BILLY TAN
A SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!
The Skrull armada rains destruction on our nation's capitol! The only thing standing in their way? The Thunderbolts. But if salvation depends on a group of criminals and madmen who can barely keep from killing each other, is Earth doomed? Or are they exactly what we need against the merciless alien invaders? A major turning point for the Thunderbolts begins here!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

NEW WARRIORS #15
Written by KEVIN GREVIOUX
Penciled by KOI TURNBULL
Cover by NIC KLEIN
A "SECRET INVASION" Tie-In that brings you New Warrior against New Warrior!
To discover the true fate of his deceased brother, Night Thrasher will need to survive a melee between his
current teammates and his former teammates, infiltrate a heavily-guarded S.H.I.E.L.D. station, and brave an army of Skrulls armed with the abilities of every superhuman he's ever known. Piece of cake, right?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

BLACK PANTHER #40
Written by JASON AARON
Penciled by JEFTE PALO
Cover by JASON PEARSON
"SEE WAKANDA AND DIE," Part 2
The nation of Wakanda has never been conquered by any outside invader, but then again, they've never faced an army of Super-Skrulls before, have they? As war rages on the plains of Africa, the Skrulls strike a major blow against the Black Panther. Could this be the end for all of Wakanda? No really, could it?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Okay, you have the Secret Invasion series itself, 13 tie-ins to ongoing titles, and 6 brand-new miniseries created to tie-in to the event--four starting this month. That's 20 titles Wow.

NEWUNIVERSAL: CONQUEROR ONE-SHOT
Written by SIMON SPURRIER
Penciled by ERIC NGUYEN
Cover by BRANDON PETERSON
Five thousand years ago, civilization was held in the mighty hand of the slayer called STARR, who defended his kingdom from all invaders. But what were these invaders? Simple monsters…or something more? In this, the second one-shot story exploring the history and mythos of the NEWUNIVERSAL world, writer SIMON SPURRIER-hand-picked by NEWUNIVERSAL's WARREN ELLIS-and visionary artist ERIC NGUYEN bring to life a history like you've never imagined!
48 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

• So, Mr. "I-only-work-hard-for-myself" can't put out two issues of a miniseries in a row and has to "hand-pick" a writer for a one shot? Wonderful.

RUNAWAYS #1
Written by TERRY MOORE
Pencils & Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Come see the beginning of a whole new Runaways! Comics legend Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise, Echo) and super-star artist Humberto Ramos (X-MEN, WOLVERINE, SPIDER-MAN) run back to Los Angeles with your favorite teen heroes. But it's not the same city they left so long ago. The Runaways try to stay off the radar, but the sins of their parents won't make that possible…
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Yes. Yes! YES! This is news most awesome!!!!

NYX: NO WAY HOME #1 (of 6)
Written by MARJORIE LIU
Penciled by KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY
Cover by ALINA URUSOV
Variant cover by JO CHEN
There's no place like home-just ask young mutant KIDEN NIXON. She's survived the hard streets of Manhattan, and she's built a home-and a family-for herself, with her friends TATIANA, BOBBY SOUL and his LI'L BRO. But with fewer than 200 mutants left on the planet, Kiden's become a target-and when somebody strikes at one of her friends, Kiden's going to find out just how much farther she can fall! Don't miss the breathtaking return of this beloved series, by NEW YORK TIMES best-selling writer MARJORIE LIU (the DIRK & STEELE SERIES) with stunning art by KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY! Plus-a special behind-the-scenes gallery!
40 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

• So, has Marvel run out of 1970s properties to bring back and couldn't find any 80s or 90s titles worthy of dredging up that the now have to look to the Zeroes for its nostalgia kick? Really?

CABLE #6
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Penciled by
Cover by ADI GRANOV
"HOMEFRONT"
Special double-sized issue featuring the Uncanny X-Men! Meanwhile, back in the present . . . In the aftermath of the "Messiah Complex" war, Cyclops took a leap of faith and allowed his son Cable to disappear into the time stream with the first new mutant birth since "M" day -- and the future of the dwindling mutant population -- tucked under his arm. Weeks later, he still waits for a sign, however small, that he made the right decision. With evidence pointing to the fact that Bishop has jumped into the timestream and is hot on Cable's trail, the X-Men's unquestioned leader is about to make one final power move to protect the fate of mutantkind - one that he might come to regret.
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

• Do we really need a double sized issue after only 6 issues?

YOUNG X-MEN #5
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Penciled by YANICK PAQUETTE
Cover by TERRY DODSON
The numbers are in and it's official: Young X-Men is Mighty Marvel's newest hit!!! It's Marvel's youngest mutants in their final showdown with and one of them won't be walking away from it. The Young X-Men's first story arc ends here and nothing will ever be the same again. Yeah, we know lots of books make that claim, but with Marc (Eli Stone, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) Guggenheim and Yanick (ULTIMATE X-MEN) Paquette delivering the goods, you know this one's for real!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Wait a minute? A new series with X-Men in the title a success right off the bat!?! HOW CAN THIS BE!!!!!?????!!!!!!

X-FORCE #6
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Pencils & Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
Bloody Variant by CLAYTON CRAIN
"Angels and Demons" Conclusion
The shocking finale to the first arc! Wolverine versus Bastion. Archangel versus the Choir. Wolfsbane versus her father. X-23 versus Matthew Risman. Warpath versus . This is how a species dies.
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

• Okay, is who Warpath is facing supposed to be a secret? Or is this just bad writing?

WOLVERINE: KILLING MADE SIMPLE ONE-SHOT
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & TODD DEZAGO
Pencils by KOI TURNBULL & STEVE KURTH
Cover by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
Wolverine's hard to kill, sure-but if one guy knows how to do it…it's WOLVERINE himself! X-FORCE co-writer Christopher Yost and superstar Koi Turnbull have all the answers as Wolverine faces down NANNY and ORPHAN-MAKER and lets former NEW X-MEN member TRANCE in on all his secrets… And in a special bonus tale, TELLOS writer Todd Dezago and NEWUNIVERSAL's Steve Kurth send Logan to the Arctic Circle, and show us that there's always one more way to die…
48 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

• Okay, Wolverine is finally beyond the point of overexposure and moved on to Marvel just trying to use Wolverine fans' money to finance their organization.

X-FACTOR SPECIAL: LAYLA MILLER ONE-SHOT
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by VALENTINE DE LANDRO
Cover by BOO COOK
Trapped in a future she never made, Layla Miller finds herself smack in the middle of the Summers rebellion that was responsible for the eventual liberation of mutants from the camps. The only question is, will she survive it?
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

• Wait a minute? Layla Miller is still alive? I am behind on my comic reading but the last I saw was she was on the business end of a grenade.

PUNISHER #60
Written by GARTH ENNIS
Penciled by GORAN PARLOV
Cover by TIM BRADSTREET
"VALLEY FORGE, VALLEY FORGE," CONCLUSION
Garth Ennis concludes his epic run - in style! They threw up a wall of good men to shield themselves from the Punisher's wrath. Now these men of influence and privilege are going to pay. Frank Castle is about to bring his personal war to their doorstep in what might be the bloodiest chapter yet of the Punisher saga. Also featuring an 8-page preview of PUNISHER #61, "Girls in White Dresses," written by best-selling crime novelist Gregg Hurwitz (The Crime Writer) and illustrated by
Laurence Campbell (PUNISHER ANNUAL: THE HUNTED).
40 PGS./Explicit Content …$2.99

• Goodbye, Mr. Ennis, you will be missed. And is including the "sneak peek" of the next writer in with this issue really that good of an idea. Wouldn't he only pale in comparisson? The only thing worse would be releasing the next issue in the same month as this one!

PUNISHER #61
Written by GREGG HURWITZ
Penciled by LAURENCE CAMPBELL
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
"GIRLS IN WHITE DRESSES," PART 1
The first of three story arcs written by three of the hottest writers in crime fictions starts here! Best-selling crime novelist Gregg Hurwitz (The Kill Clause, The Crime Writer) and Laurence Campbell (PUNISHER ANNUAL: THE HUNTED) bring you a tale of death, depravity and revenge south of the border. In black vans and under cover of night, they descend on the little Mexican town of Tierra Rota, abducting its women and returning them days later like broken dolls. And no one can stop them. That is, until one brave soul approaches Frank Castle with his heart in one hand and a bag full of money in the other. Now Frank's no bounty hunter, and definitely no hero, but there are some things the Punisher just can't abide.
32 PGS./Explicit Content …$2.99

• Oh. Wow. Nevermind!

And now, DC:

• CHOO!!! CHOO!!! Uh-oh! Another train is pulling into the station! It's the Final Crisis Gravy Train! Let's see who's on it!!!

FINAL CRISIS: REVELATIONS #1

Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Philip Tan, Jeff De Los Santos & Jonathan Glapion
Covers by Philip Tan
Greg Rucka (52, Whiteout, THE QUESTION: THE FIVE BOOKS OF BLOOD) and rising superstar Philip Tan unleash the wrath of God in this FINAL CRISIS tie-in!
With the end of creation nigh, Crispus Allen must embrace his role as The Spectre by exacting God's vengeance on some of the DC Universe's most vile sinners. But even as Allen struggles with his duty, a new threat is arising " one that only his former partner, Renee Montoya, a.k.a. The Question, can help him fight!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers by Philip Tan that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale August 13 • 1 of 5 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #1

Written by Geoff Johns
Art by George Pérez & Scott Koblish
Covers by George Pérez
From the moment Kal-El landed on earth until the end of time, the Time Trapper has sought to erase Superman’s impact on the universe. But the Legion of Super-Heroes have always been there to stop him. This time, though, even the Legion won’t be enough. The Time Trapper has found the ultimate weapon to carry out his plan " a twisted mirror image of the boy of steel from a parallel Earth long dead: Superboy-Prime! Who will answer the Legion’s call for help? Find out here as the Crisis of the 31st century begins!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers by George Pérez that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale August 20 • 1 of 5 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

DC UNIVERSE: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT #1

Written by Brad Meltzer
Art and covers by Adam Kubert & John Dell
New York Times best-selling author Brad Meltzer (IDENTITY CRISIS, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA) makes his return to the DC Universe " and superstar artist Adam Kubert (ACTION COMICS) is riding shotgun!
The final battle is quickly approaching. How do the heroes of the DCU prepare for the end? Whom do they approach and say goodbye to before they make the ultimate sacrifice? Featuring the entire DC Universe, Meltzer takes us deep into the hearts and psyches of our heroes. It's the day before you die. What would you do?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers by Adam Kubert that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale August 27 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US

FINAL CRISIS: SUPERMAN BEYOND #1

Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy
Covers by Doug Mahnke and J.H. Williams III
To save the woman he loves, the greatest hero of all time becomes the pawn of ultra-dimensional forces when a wounded emissary from a world of doomed super gods comes to Earth on the eve of the Final Crisis. His mission: To recruit Superman’s help against an epic, reality-spanning menace that originated in the Crisis on Infinite Earths!
Join the Man of Steel and his alternate-earth counterparts for a mind-blowing voyage to the edge of the DC Universe " and beyond! Can these super champions overcome their differences to beat the clock, find the ultimate treasure and save all existence from extinction?
Writer Grant Morrison and artist Doug Mahnke take you on an unforgettable, hyperdelic journey from the streets of Metropolis, through the 52 worlds of the multiverse, to the haunted court of the King of Limbo, in part one of this 2-issue Superman adventure!
With a unique 3-D section, eye-popping visuals and mind-boggling glimpses into the mysteries behind FINAL CRISIS, SUPERMAN BEYOND takes the Man of Tomorrow to new dimensions of action and excitement! This issue comes with a pair of 3-D glasses!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers (one by Doug Mahnke and one by J.H. Williams III) that will ship in a ratio of approximately 50/50. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale August 27 • 1 of 2 • 40 pg, FC, $4.50 US

FINAL CRISIS #1: DIRECTOR’S CUT SPECIAL

Written by Grant Morrison
Art and cover by J.G. Jones
Come on a guided tour of DC’s FINAL CRISIS #1 and become further enveloped in the event of the century. Delve deep into the mind-blowing first issue as we explore what every page and panel represents, and the process behind the story as Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones reveal secrets hidden in the script and art.
On sale August 6 • 64 pg, FC, $4.99 US

FINAL CRISIS: ROGUES’ REVENGE #2

Written by Geoff Johns
Art and covers by Scott Kolins
Life was easier when the Rogues had Barry Allen for a foe " or at least it was a bit more fun. Now, hunted by Libra and the Secret Society for refusing to worship the impending evil that is prophesized to claim Earth, Cold and his crew find themselves attacked on several fronts . . . and that doesn’t sit well with the Rogues. Plus, a bizarre twist for Inertia!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers by Scott Kolins that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale August 20 • 2 of 3, 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

• So, 4 miniseries, three which are starting this month, and two one-shots (if you call the wholly unnecessary "Final Crisis Directors Cut" a one-shot) for six issues all together! Of course, the fact that there is no issue of the actual Final Crisis series solicited is problematic, but hey, DC is being easier on the pocket book than Marvel for this month at least.

TEEN TITANS #62

Written by Sean McKeever
Art and cover by Eddy Barrows & Ruy José
Guest-starring Cyborg! When villains attack, it's up to two remarkable teens to pick up the pieces so the Teen Titans don't have to. This issue: a heartwarming look at Titans Tower through the eyes of its least-known inhabitants: Wendy, Marvin ... and Wonderdog?!
On sale August 27 •32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Man, to what lengths will DC go to satisfy the nostagia trend! Wendy and Marvin are before even my time, and I'm old!

TITANS #5

Written by Judd Winick
Art by Rodney Buchemi
Cover by Ian Churchill
In the stand-alone story “Date Night,” four Titans face the fact that love is a battlefield. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure is making his way to Titans Tower. Who is this ominous stranger " and how does he or she know the Titans?
On sale August 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• So, at least Winick is paying some lip service to his annoying trend of having his characters hook up. But you can have relationships between characters without them sleeping with each other, Judd.

NIGHTWING #147

Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Don Kramer & Sandu Florea
Cover by Rags Morales
A “Batman: R.I.P.” tie-in! Two-Face hits New York City " but when he takes a bite out of the Big Apple, he finds it rotten to the core. He’ll make Nightwing and all of New York pay for their crimes…unless Nightwing can save one of Harvey Dent’s old flames from an assassin’s bullet!
On sale August 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• "he takes a bite out of the Big Apple, he finds it rotten to the core." Wow. Cliche-laden much? Is this all that is written in the Big Book of Cliches for New York City?

ALL STAR SUPERMAN #12

Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Frank Quitely & Jamie Grant
Cover by Frank Quitely
The Man of Steel has faced twelve super-challenges. Now, as Lex Luthor’s brilliant, criminal machinations come together, what fate awaits the doomed Superman? This is the final, dramatic chapter of the incredible, award-winning 12-issue run of ALL STAR SUPERMAN by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely and Jamie Grant " don’t miss it!
On sale August 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Sooo, does this mean that this is the last issue of All Star Superman? For a while? For ever? And will this mean the end of the "All-Star" experiment?

INFINITY INC. #12

Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Javier Aranda David EnebralCover by Pete Woods
A Dark Side Club tie-in! The mystery of Professor Fogel and his allegiance to the Dark Side Club are laid bare in this harrowing final issue, in which the Infinity Kids find themselves outmatched in every way! A dream comes to an end, but for Infinity Inc., the nightmare is just beginning.
On sale August 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • FINAL ISSUE

• Is the "Dark Side Club" a FInal Crisis thing? Then shouldn't this be a Final Crisis tie-in? Not that it would do it any good.

 

 

Yes, I am one of the last to tackle this topic. After Get Off The Internet, Beaucoup Kevin,  Occasional Superheroine, The Beat and almost countless others have said what they had to say. I thought I said all I had to say about it in my comments on Val's blog, but I felt compelled to write more about it here.

What is the Open-Source Boob Project? Read more about it here but this is the gist of it:

The Open-Source Boob Project.

At Penguicon, we had buttons to give away. There were two small buttons, one for each camp: A green button that said, "YES, you may" and a red button that said "NO, you may not." And anyone who had those buttons on, whether you knew them or not, was someone you could approach and ask:

"Excuse me, but may I touch your breasts?"

And if you weren't a total lout - the women retained their right to say no, of course - they would push their chests out, and you would be allowed into the sanctity of it. That exchange of happiness where one person are told with gropes and touches that they are desirable and the other is someone who's allowed to desire.

For a moment, everything that was awkward about high school would fade away and you could just say what was on your mind. It was as though parts of me were being healed whenever I did it, and I touched at least fifteen sets of boobs at Penguicon. It never got old, surprisingly.

Some women didn't want to. That was fine. We never demanded anything of anyone. And if you didn't want to put yours up for the Project but you wanted to touch, well, that was fine, too. It was simply for folks who felt like being open.

It was a raging success at Penguicon.... And there haven't been any hookups that I know of thanks to the Open-Source Boob Project. It is, as I said, a very special thing. (Though I wouldn't rule it out if two single people exchanged a moment.) And we'll probably do it at other cons, because it's strangely wholesome and sexual at the same time.

I've left off the names, because frankly, people should reveal for themselves whether they're Open-Sourcers or not. Not everyone wants to go public with it, and what happens at the con stays at the con. But trust me. If you are, and I meet you, I will ask. And you'll understand the beauty and simplicity of the Open-Source Boob Project for yourself.

Touch the magic, my friends. Touch the magic.

Yes! A geek's glory land! Being able to touch a woman's boob without dinner and a movie first! Or even showering!

I have these few tips for anybody who thinks that this is a good idea:

1. It's not
2. No, really, it's not.
3. Not every woman wants their boobs touched.
4. Those that do might be coming from a wide variety of reasons. They are not all free thinkers who are comfortable with their bodies. So don't think that if someone doesn't want to have their boobs touched that means something is wrong with them. 
5. Couching your 'feeling girls up' project in new age-y jargon doesn't take a way from the fact that the whole point of the project is so you can get your rocks off by feeling a woman's boobs.
6. Don't try to deny it. You don't need to touch a woman's breasts to say her body is beautiful. You want to touch her breasts so you can touch her breasts.
7. Backpedaling by saying that people have misconstrued your "healing" and "wholesome" breast touching ritual and turned it to a lewd and perverted breast touching ritual doesn't really work. These people might be perverts, but they cut to the gist of your ideas.
8. And for those who think this misguided idea, which gives women a choice in the matter, allows you to just go up to any woman any a convention and cop a feel, you are really, really, REALLY mistaken. I feel sorry for your groin, which will probably be kicked. A LOT.
9. Anybody at a convention who comes up and grabs my wife's boobs will be power bombed through a table.
10. By HER, not ME.
11. If you are so socially maladjusted that the only way you can touch boobs is starting up a program where the willing will allow you to touch their boobs, might I suggest going to a strip club. The less reputable the better. Think BYOB. Sure, you have less money for Star Trek prop replicas and almost naked Japanese vinyl figurines, but, with the right stripper on the right night, you will be able to touch all the boobs you want.
12. Or better yet, how about you start treating women with dignity and respect. Treat them like human beings. Then you might actually get a girlfriend who would let you touch her boobs all the time. Yes, yes, I know. You'd have to start brushing your teeth and showering, and you'd have even less money for Star Trek prop replicas and mostly naked Japanese vinyl figurines and you'll be limited to only one pair of breasts for an extended period of time, but there are other benefits, like having someone care if you live or died.

See, I have a circle of friends where we come up with some wacky, off the wall ideas. But we usually keep these ideas to ourselves. We don't present these wacky, off the wall ideas to the general public where they will be viewed out of context and interpreted differently than we intended. That being said, theferret is either deluded or less suave than he thinks he is. Because as much as he tries to couch his groping in an intellectual way, in a way which he wants to appear is empowering to women, he is still trying to cop a feel of random women's boobies. And even though the women in his circle of friends do not think that's offensive, it doesn't mean that it's wrong for another woman to think it is.

 

After two consecutive years of irritating visits to the New York Comic Con, I was glad one of my best friends was getting married this weekend. I was thinking that I could skip the con entirely. But friends from out of town were coming in, so, since I had Friday free, the wife and I decided to hit NYCC more as a way meet up with friends that we haven't seen in a while.

Imagine my surprise, against my negative expectations, I had one of my best convention going experiences!

Since I had class on Friday, the wife and I didn't get there until after 4PM, an hour after the con opened. I was expecting there to still be a line, but there wasn't. We got our lanyards and were able to walk right in.

The NYCC is in most, if not all, of the top section of the Javits Center this year. This means that the con felt much less crowded. The aisles were bigger too so you were free to walk and weren't bumping into each other. I don't know if the same went for Saturday, but this was a great change.

But best of all, the air conditioning was on. This means that this was the first convention where I wasn't sweating my ass off. Trust me, that was a good thing.

Since I was only going one day to the convention, I made a checklist of things I wanted to do. Luckily, I got most all of them done.

First off, I made a bee line over to the Harry Abrams booth so Mark Evanier could sign my copy of Kirby: King of Comics. I am a huge fan of Mr. Evanier and his newsfromme blog is an everyday read for me. And it should be for you as well.

Next on the list was I wanted to get a Knight Shadow Batman at the Mattel booth. Got it and two other figures.

Next I wanted to meet another of my favorite bloggers, Valerie D'Orazio of Occasional Superhero fame:

 

Note: This will probably be the only appearance of my wife's face on my blog. She thinks that if her face is on the internet, someone will create an exact match of it to create a mask and use said mask to steal her identity, steal all our money and ruin her credit. But since Val already posted a similar picture on her blog, I think I can get away with it this one time.

Val was awesome. Very friendly and down to Earth. I'm really glad I went over to say hi. And we bought a trade from the MoCCA/Friends of Lulu table, which helps both worthy causes.

I will say this. I am going to have to lose some weight. I am a Val-and-a-half-wide. That's not good.

The MoCCA/Friends of Lulu booth was near the Dark Horse booth. So Jen and I decided to go and pick up the hottest commodity of the NYCC--The big yellow bags that Dark Horse was giving away free. These were all over the con as they were big, roomy and excellent for carrying all of your purchases.

But while we were there they were setting up for a Mike Mignola signing. I was a fan back to his days on Alpha Flight and Hulk. I didn't intend on going to the signing. But there was only a small line while I was there so I decide, why not?

 

 

 That's Joshua Dysart in the back, handing me my autograph book. Duncan Fergedo, Paul Azaceta, and John Arcudi also signed the book. I have a picture of Mr. Arcudi, but since he doesn't like to have his photo taken, I will honor at least part of his wishes and not put it on my blog. (BTW< the not taking pictures isn't a diva thing for him. He just doesn't like it. Seeing myself in these pictures, I'm beginning to see where he's coming from in a personal sense.)

From there, we booked it over to artists alley where I met one of my idols, Geoff Johns:

 

I actually got to tell him that he writes a great "last page". I told him that many times reading the JSA. that I came to his last page, I really wanted it not to end and eagerly awaited the next issue.

What's cool, is that when he signed my book, he drew a little Hawkman mask around his name. This is the second writer who drew something in my book. Brian K. Vaughan drew a monkey when he signed my book. which was cool.

I had wanted to get Peter David's autograph, but, unfortunately, he wasn't there. Unfortunately, his wife got in a traffic accident which caused him to leave early. She's okay, but he did the right thing.

After this, we needed to sit down and relax. So we bought some overpriced drinks from Starbucks and went downstairs. It was down there where I realized I might be secretly a Skrull.

 

Or, even worse, secretly a Simpson!

 

Yes, I am a dork. But I am a fun dork, if that counts for anything.

As we were waiting there, this big group of people walks by. A bunch of NYCC red-shirts, a couple suits and an extremely skinny woman were in the group. Turns out, that it was that noted comic writer Jenna Jameson herself. Funny thing is, she passed us by at 7:15PM, a time which she was supposed to be at that "Girls who kick ass" panel that she should never have been a part of. I don't know what this means. One option was that she went to the panel, found out she really had nothing to add, and left. That would be funny, but unlikely. More likely she was just late, pulling a diva stunt, like being called a comic writer for coming up with an outline for a Virgin series makes her worthy of being on the same panel as Louise Simonson and Colleen Doran and isn't a big enough diva stunt the way it is.

But I digress.

We went back up and walked around for a few minutes. Jen picked up some Sojourn trades from the Checker tabel. Then we went back downstairs and met our friend--and my employer--Rich Drees of Film Buff Online fame after the X-Files 2 panel. 

 

And since Rich is a cool guy. He posed with me, masked.

 

This way, when he becomes a respected movie critic on the lines of Roger Ebert or Pauline Kael, a picture of him wearing a Lisa Simpson mask will be on the internet. And I'm glad that I can make that happen.

Then we went upstairs and met our friend, Jeff Stolarcyk, of Conditional Axe, Another Castle and Snackbar Games fame 

 

We decided to take them to one of our favorite places to eat in the city, Stout. Usually, it is so crowded that you can't get a seat, but that was not the case on Friday. It was, however, louder than usual. Not very condusive to conversation. But the food and drink was good, so we had that going for us.

 

Now, in order to make this the longest post ever, my thoughts on some of the NYCC announcements.

ITEM!!: Gail Simone to write a Secret Six ongoing: Three words. This. Is. Awesome. But since I am a negative bastard, I just hope this isn't like the recent Waid/Flash thing where Gail only writes the first six issue and then leaves. Speaking of Waid...

ITEM!!! Mark Waid joins the Amazing Spider-Man writing team: I thought that his BOOM! EIC duties would preclude doing anything else, but maybe just being part of the rotation makes this work. He's a good fit nonetheless.

ITEM!!! Trailer for The Spirit debuts: Somebody should tie Frank Miller to a chair and explain to him, at length, that not every comic property worked better if you make it exactly like Sin City. Actually, most don't.

ITEM!!! Marvel announces Marvel Apes: I am not a big fan of apes, so I could be wrong when I say this is the stupidest idea ever, but this is the stupidest idea ever. Most stupidest. But I do know that this is really too much like the JLApe story line DC did years ago. You know what, Marvel, instead of releasing Indentity Disc the same time DC released Identity Crisis and apeing DC's Invasion and Millenium with Secret Invasion, and now this one, why don't you show some real back bone and do a crisis of your own. Serious, stop pussyfooting around and just do it already.

ITEM!!! Duane Swierczynski, Gregg Hurwitz  and Victor Gischler replace Garth Ennis on Punisher: It takes three writers to replace him, and they still seem puny in comparisson. Credit to you, Mr. Ennis.

ITEM!!! Gordon Lee case dismissed: See what happens when the D.A. can't price a defendant out of pleading not guilty? Justice, at a cost, is finally served. BTW, donate to the CBLDF.

ITEM!!! Power Girl gets her own ongoing: Palmiotti, Gray and Connor make this a must pick up.

ITEM!! Stan Lee to create superhero line for Virgin:  There is a joke out there somewhere about Lee working for the same company--in the same capacity--as Jenna Jameson, but I just can't wrap my mind around it. Anyone care to take a shot? 

Another round of solicitation mockery. Up first is Marvel. But before we start, let me just say something:

 

This is what happens when Greg Horn doesn't use photo reference.

DARK TOWER: END-WORLD ALMANAC
Written by ANTHONY FLAMINI & ROBIN FURTH
Cover by JAE LEE & RICHARD ISANOVE
Woe unto those who traverse beyond the cursed Borderlands into End-World! ’Tis a twisted and desolate realm where it seems as if the world passed ages ago. From the blasted landscapes of Thunderclap to the frozen heights of Empathica, End-World shows no mercy to unwary young Gunslingers. In a world where information - and a bit of luck - is the key to survival, the End-World Almanac serves as your guide to the Badlands, Le Casse Roi Russe and beyond!
32 PGS./CARDSTOCK COVER/Parental Advisory …$3.99
©2008 Stephen King. All rights reserved

• Would it have killed them to just say "this tells you all you need about the world of Dark Tower?"

ULTIMATE X-MEN #96
Written by ARON ELI COLIETE
Penciled by MARK BROOKS
Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
X-Men vs. X-Men! After their attack on Alpha Flight, Colossus and his team are wanted fugitives! Worse, they’ve become addicted to the insidious drug known as Banshee! Now it’s up to the other X-Men to take them down. Yes, it’s mutant vs. mutant! When the X-Men go to war with each other, who wins? Plus, the startling revelation of Jean Grey! Where did she go after defeating Apocalypse? Find out here!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Poor Banshee. Killed off in the mainstream universe, and in the Ultimate one he's not even a character. He's just a drug. 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #564
Written by BOB GALE, Marc Guggenheim & DAN SLOTT
Penciled by Paulo Siqueira
Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
It's a good old fashioned He Said/He Said/He Said when Spidey, Vin Gonzales and SWING SHIFT Heavy OVERDRIVE find themselves in a car chase across the Big Apple! Three members of our Braintrust's best give you each side of the same story, as Gale, Guggenheim and Slott team up for “TRAFFIC JAM!”
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• Why do I think that this issue result in from a conversation that went like this: "Steve, I'm running late! I can't finish writing a full issue in time! Issue #564 will have to be late!"  "Whoa! Whoa! Could you finish a third of an issue?" "Yeah, but..." "Hold on, I'll call you back. I have an idea."

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #565
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Pencils & Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Her name is . She's Spider-Man's newest and most terrifying nemesis -- and she just discovered his secret identity. With an army of villains at her command, even with the help of Daredevil, can Spidey protect his secret identity from his new foe? Find out as Marc Guggenheim and Phil Jimenez give you the fight of Spidey’s life against the Brand New !
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• Take a look at that first sentence. Her name is what, exactly? I mean, come on Marvel! I know solicitations are probably low on your things to do, but at least have someone look them over! The general public is going to see this!
• And Brand New is a goofy, goofy name for a character.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY EXTRA!!
Written by JOE KELLY, MARC GUGGENHEIM & ZEB WELLS
Art by CHRIS BACHALO & VARIOUS
Cover by GREG LAND
Even with three issues every month, we can't fit everything we want into Amazing Spider-Man. So BRAND NEW DAY: EXTRA!! takes a deeper glimpse into Spidey's new world with three stories that flesh out his family, friends and foes, stories that will affect Spidey deeply over the coming months. Spidey Braintrust members Guggenheim and Wells welcome Joe Kelly (DEADPOOL, Superman) for a one-shot marking the return of one of Peter's most unforgettable enemies: Hammerhead! It's a sign of things to come…and it's looking deadly.
48 PGS./Rated A…$3.99

• Or, in other words, Marvel doesn't think you're spending enough on this whole Brand New Day thing. Three books a month is just too little!

AVENGERS/INVADERS #3 (of 12)
Written by JIM KRUEGER & ALEX ROSS
Penciled by STEVE SADOWSKI
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Variant Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
The King of Atlantis vs the Prince of Atlantis with an entire kingdom as the ultimate prize. Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Steve Sadowski continue the year’s most surprising cross-time epic with a battle that promises to tear two centuries asunder. Plus, more clues to the mystery of just how the Invaders landed in 2008!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• I thought the time travel cliche was that if a future self met up with their past self, the universe would be destroyed?

CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHITE #0
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by TIM SALE
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, the Eisner award winning team (DAREDEVIL: YELLOW, SPIDER-MAN: BLUE, HULK: GRAY, Batman: The Long Halloween, Superman For All Seasons, Television's HEROES) return to Marvel and their prestigious "color" book series. CAPTAIN AMERICA: WHITE is their newest creation, peeling back an untold tale of Captain America and Bucky during World War II. Their unique combination of in-depth characters and high stakes action shines here with Cap's deadliest mission of all. Marvel is proud to bring you Captain America: #0 this summer as a taste of what’s to come. Featuring an all new full story about the Origin of Bucky Barnes and how he came into Cap’s life, this special edition features a cover gallery, sketchbook, script samples, and an interview with the creators. They are happy to be back at Marvel and we're thrilled to have them! Plus, the whole story seen in black-and-white.
48 PGS./Cardstock Cover/All Ages …$3.99

• BTW, I DO NOT think the title of this book is racist. And I think that anybody whose inclination is to think it is should just unclench.

FANTASTIC FOUR #559
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils & Cover by BRYAN HITCH
You should have remembered the old adage, Johnny: love the woman, love her family. And when the woman is the super-villain called Psionics, that raises the stakes to a whole other level. Now it’s the morning after, and Lightwave, Natalie X, Alex U-16, Doc Banner and the Burning Man expect you to live up to your responsibilities. It’s the Human Torch’s worst break-up ever -- or will it be a shotgun wedding? Plus: where in the world is Doctor Doom?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Speaking of horrible character names.

FANTASTIC FOUR: TRUE STORY #1 (of 4)
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Penciled by HORACIO DOMINGUEZ
Cover by NIKO HENRICHON
A threat to the minds of the whole human race sends the FF somewhere they've never been before: into the realm of fiction itself! Where Ben finds himself clobbering a demonic army to save the cast of Sense and Sensibility. No, really. And it gets weirder from there. Dante (not the one from Clerks)! Willie Lumpkin! Behold, the Fictocraft! And it's actually kind of smart and serious too. You're at least going to flip open the first page in your comic store, right?
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• Do you get the feeling Mr. Solicitation Writer guy likes writing blurbs for some books more than others. I mean, it seem like he just kinda gave up on this one towards the end.

IMMORTAL IRON FIST #17
Written by Duane Swierczynski
Pencils and Cover by Travel Foreman
“The Mortal Iron Fist" part 1 of 4
Marvels’ kickingest, punchingest, kung-fu-iest book just got bigger! Following the character-redefining, critically-acclaimed, fan-favorite events of “The Seven Capital Cities of Heaven,” the all-new IMMORTAL IRON FIST creative team of Duane Swierczynski (CABLE) and Travel Foreman (ARES) takes it to the next explosive level! Think you know everything there is to know about the traditions of the Immortal Iron Fist? If you do, then why’s Danny sweating bullets over an inescapable legacy that’s haunted the Iron Fists for centuries, huh? Tell us that, if you’re so smart. What was the deeper meaning of Xao’s ominous threat? And what incredible new adventure are Danny’s fellow Immortal Weapons embarking upon?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• How could replacing Brubaker/Fraction on the book with Duane Swierczynski make the book bigger? Is this some kind of wacky, opposite world we're talking about here?

MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #1
Written by PAUL TOBIN
Penciled by ALVIN LEE
Cover by ROGER CRUZ
It’s probably a bad sign when Hercules comes asking for a favor. It’s juuuuuust a little job that needs doing, but this is Hercules; isn’t he supposed to be REALLY good at doing labors himself? Before they know it, Iron Man, Spider-Man and the Hulk are stuck looking after Orthus and Cerberus, the two legendary hounds of the underworld! Luckily, the dogs learn to behave after chewing up only a few cars, a statue, and Iron Man, and finally they’re obedient enough for the Metro Dog Show! Only problem, Hercules wants the dogs back. Oh no, Herc, not before the Hulk gets his ribbon! It’s two dogs with five heads between them, and all the action you can handle.
32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99

• HULK DON'T GET RIBBON, HULK SMASH!!!!!! HULK THINK DOGGIE GAIT JUST FINE!!! FIND HULK'S DOGGIE'S CHEW TOY OR HULK'S DOGGIE WILL SMASH!!!!

MARVEL ADVENTURES HULK #13
Written by PETER DAVID
Penciled by JUAN ROMAN
CANO SANTACRUZ
Cover by SEAN GORDON MURPHY
Hulk and his traveling buddies (fun-loving teen, Rick Jones and rollicking monkey, Monkey) have returned to New York City to find something amiss… all the super heroes have been transformed into ravenous, stumbling monsters! But can even the strength of the Hulk stand up to the unstoppable… MARVEL MUMMIES?!? Fan-fave Hulk creator Peter David comes to Marvel Adventures Hulk with unlucky issue 13, bringing our most mummified issue ever!
32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99

• Two things: 1) Peter David on the Hulk is always a good thing, 2) The way Marvel does things, there will be a Marvel Mummies miniseries in the future, and then a whole bunch of Mummy Variant covers soon after.

PATSY WALKER: HELLCAT, AGENT OF THE INITIATIVE #1 (of 5)
Written by KATHRYN IMMONEN
Penciled by DAVID LAFUENTE
Cover by STUART IMMONEN
Patsy Walker, S.H.I.E.L.D. wants YOU to join the Initiative…and protect the frozen north. You heard me right, sister. The Klondike. Seward’s Folly. Alaska. So pack some long johns and prepare for trouble. GUEST-STARRING: IRON MAN!
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• I am glad that Marvel Comics Presents are spawning miniseries, but if the series has Initiative in its title, wouldn't Iron Man automatically be guest-starring? Would it really be all-caps worthy?

SECRET INVASION #1 DIRECTOR’S CUT
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by LEINIL YU
Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Go behind the scenes of the event that will change the Marvel Universe forever! The shape-shifting alien race known as the Skrulls has secretly infiltrated every super-powered organization on Earth with one goal: full-scale invasion! Now, get closer to the action than ever before! This bonus edition reprints SECRET INVASION #1 in its entirety - plus the SECRET INVASION PROLOGUE, previously available only online, and other choice extras!
64 PGS./ Rated T+ …$4.99

• The series is only four issues old and it's getting a "Director's Cut" already? Really?

SQUADRON SUPREME 2 #1
Written by HOWARD CHAYKIN
Penciled by MARCO TURINI
Cover by GREG LAND
“POWER TO THE PEOPLE” PART 1 (OF 6)
They were gods walking the Earth… powerful but flawed, they dreamed of remaking the world in their image. After their apocalyptic battle with Redstone, and after their terrifying fight with the Ultimate Universe, that dream has become a nightmare. While mankind struggles to rebuild, new heroes appear -- and Nick Fury, left behind after the hit ULTIMATE POWER limited series, learns the shocking secrets of four astronauts who returned to Earth…changed. Join comics legend HOWARD CHAYKIN and newcomer MARCO TURINI to ask the question -- whatever happened to the Squadron Supreme?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

• I know it's been a while since the last issue came out, but how bad is it that I can't seem to recognize anybody on this cover?

TRUE BELIEVERS #1 (of 5)
Written by CARY BATES
Pencils & Cover by PAUL GULACY
“PAYBACK IS A BITCH”
Super heroes running a female fight club? Unbelievable perhaps, but it's a tale of depravity that will send shockwaves across the globe once the sordid details appear on a podcast uploaded by the TRUE BELIEVERS! Who are these counter-culture subversives with strange powers and abilities who have proclaimed themselves 'warriors of the information age'? The True Believers not only speak truth to power, they wield it like a weapon using it to root out lies and deception, cover-ups and conspiracies wherever they find them. Whether it’s S.H.I.E.L.D. or the Illuminati, HYDRA or Weapon X, the CIA or the CSA, no target is too big and no one is off-limits -- including a wary superhuman community with plenty of its own secrets to hide!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Wow! Cary Bates, back writing comics! What's next? Elliot S! Maggin?

UNCANNY X-MEN #500
Written by ED BRUBAKER & MATT FRACTION
Penciled by GREG LAND & TERRY DODSON
50/50 Wraparound Cover by ALEX ROSS
50/50 Wraparound Cover by GREG LAND
Variant Cover by MICHAEL TURNER
Variant Cover by TERRY DODSON
“SFX”, PART 1!
Sentinels? What? And Magneto? And is that the Master Mold? What the hell is going on in San Francisco now that the Uncanny X-Men have relocated there? They’ve got a new Headquarters and a new status quo as the gauntlet is thrown for a new era of mutantkind. It’s all here in the double-sized anniversary issue that sets up the plotlines that will be developed over the next year in UNCANNY. And it’s all brought to you by the hot writing team of Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction (Immortal Iron Fist) and fan favorite artists Greg Land (ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, X-MEN: FREE COMIC BOOK DAY) and Terry Dodson (SPIDER-MAN/BLACK CAT, Wonder Woman). New creators, new home. The future begins now.
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

• So, am I supposed to be excited that the X-Men are in San Francisco? Uh, okay. Yay.

CABLE #5
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Pencils & Cover by ARIEL OLIVETTI
Variant Cover by MARC SILVESTRI
The war that started in “Messiah CompleX” continues here! Hang on to your Bjorn-straps, people: Here it is, the can’t-miss conclusion to “War Baby”! Both Cable and Bishop have crossed lines they thought they’d never cross. There’s no going back now. And in the disaster-ravaged streets of a near-future Manhattan, it all comes down to which X-Man wants to accomplish his objective more. The gloves are off…the guns are loaded…and nobody’s going to walk out of this one unscathed…
including the baby!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• NO! NOT THE BABY! (See, this is what happens when you put the kid in from of you in your bandolier strap)

X-MEN: ODD MEN OUT ONE-SHOT
Written by ROGER STERN & MICHAEL HIGGINS
Penciled by DAVE COCKRUM
Cover by ERIC NGUYEN
Featuring two never-before-seen stories illustrated by the late, legendary Dave Cockrum. First up, relive the history of the
X-Men, as recounted by Professor X and his old friend, former FBI Agent Fred Duncan. Then, the New Mutants - Rictor, Boom Boom, Cannonball, Rusty, Skids, Sunspot and Wolvesbane - face off against the Mad Thinker.
48 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

• Not that paying tribute to Dave Cockrum isn't a good cause, especially if some money goes to his widow, but who thinks these stories have been stuck in a drawer somewhere for 20 years.

FINAL CRISIS #3
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and covers by J.G. Jones

Batman missing in action! Superman immobilized! Green Lantern on trial for his life!
A shadow is falling across Earth’s super heroes -- and now it’s Wonder Woman’s turn to face the Evil Gods!
What bizarre warning from beyond awaits Frankenstein, The Question and the agents of S.H.A.D.E. in the shadows of the Dark Side Club? What grim fate lies in store for The Human Flame? What happens when the Anti-Life Equation hits the internet? Can the Fastest Men Alive outrun The Black Racer -- Death himself? And who are the Justifiers?
The answers are all here as the unstoppable rise of evil continues in FINAL CRISIS #3 by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones.

Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers by J.G. Jones that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

On sale July 30 • 3 of 7 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

• I don't know. I'm still not feeling it. 

FINAL CRISIS: REQUIEM #1
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy
Covers by J.G. Jones and Doug Mahnke

A very special FINAL CRISIS one-shot honoring the passing of a great hero who’s been a staple in the DC Universe for years. All that remains is one final memory that the League experiences together as they must fulfill his last wishes or die trying!

Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers (one by J.G. Jones and one by Doug Mahnke) that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

On sale July 9 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

• Yes, this will honor the A-list hero who will be back in six months, or the Z-list hero no one cared about until they were killed off--who also will be back in six months. 

 

FINAL CRISIS: ROGUES’ REVENGE #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and covers by Scott Kolins

The critically-acclaimed FLASH team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Scott Kolins reunites for a tale of villainy and twisted justice tying in to FINAL CRISIS! Captain Cold and the Rogues were accessories to the murder of Bart Allen. They’ve become what they never set out to be -- wanted! Wanted by the good guys, by former Rogue Pied Piper, and by the Secret Society of Super-Villains. But just as they try to disappear underground, good, old-fashioned revenge yanks them back. And where is the Flash during all of this? It’s a Crisis -- take a guess.

Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers by Scott Kolins that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 16 • 1 of 3 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

• Thanks DC. Putting Johns and Kolins back on Flash? You're forcing me to throw my plans to cut back on my comics buying out the window.

AMBUSH BUG: YEAR NONE #1
Written by Keith Giffen & Robert Loren Fleming
Art by Giffen & Al Milgrom
Cover by J.H. Williams III
Variant cover by Giffen

The wait is over -- everyone's favorite Bug is back, courtesy of the original AMBUSH BUG team of Keith Giffen and Robert Loren Fleming! Cities will be destroyed! Cats and dogs will live in sin! Every unanswered question of the DC Universe will be answered! Live heroes will die and dead heroes will live! Okay, none of that actually happens, but join us anyway for this totally irreverent romp through the DC Universe as only Ambush Bug could give you!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by J.H. Williams), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Keith Giffen). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

On sale July 23 • 1 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• See above.

BATMAN #679
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel & Sandu Florea
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant cover by Daniel

“Batman R.I.P.” -- Part 4! Robin and Damian team up -- yes, you read that right -- to search for the missing Batman. Meanwhile, the Club of Villains -- The Hunchback, Pierrot Lunaire, King Kraken, Charlie Caligula, Scorpiana and El Sombrero -- rampage through Gotham City! This incredible fourth chapter of “Batman R.I.P.” ends with the surprising return of a character you never thought you’d see again!

Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Alex Ross), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Tony Daniel). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Could that character be Batman?

THE JOKER’S ASYLUM

THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: THE JOKER #1
Written by Arvid Nelson
Art by Alex Sanchez
Cover by Andy Kubert
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: PENGUIN #1
Written by Jason Aaron
Art and cover by Jason Pearson
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: POISON IVY #1
Written by J.T. Krul
Art and cover by Guillem March
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: SCARECROW #1
Written by Joe Harris
Art and cover by Juan Doe
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: TWO-FACE #1
Written by David Hine
Art and cover by Andy Clarke

A cast of top creators lends their talents to THE JOKER’S ASYLUM -- a special month-long, weekly series of one-shots starring the greatest villains in Batman’s rogues gallery.

Each issue tells a special stand-alone story that gives readers an inside look into the insane lives of the Dark Knight’sgreatest adversaries. And all the stories are narrated by the Asylum’s leading homicidal maniac -- The Joker!

THE JOKER on sale July 2 • PENGUIN on sale July 9 • POISON IVY on sale July 16 • SCARECROW on sale July 23 • TWO-FACE on sale July 30 • Each 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Ah, The "let's release a lot of Batman books to coincide with the movie" tactic. Because, you know, people coming in shops wouldn't buy any of the 15 regular monthly Batman series.

CATWOMAN #81
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez & Alvaro Lopez
Cover by Adam Hughes

Catwoman’s on the run in Gotham City once more. Can she stay one step ahead of Batman while trying to turn the tables on the man who’s destroyed her life?
On sale July 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • FINAL ISSUE

BATGIRL #1
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Jim Calafiore & Jonathan Glapion
Cover by Andy Clarke

Fresh from appearances in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS, the enigmatic Cassandra Cain stars in this six-issue miniseries written by Adam Beechen (COUNTDOWN, ROBIN) with pencils by Jim Calafiore (GOTHAM UNDERGROUND)!

Now that Batgirl has finally gained Batman’s trust, it’s time to conquer her inner demons and prove herself to the rest of the world. This six-issue epic will take Cassandra on an intense, personal journey involving friends, family and foes!

On sale July 16 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $2.99 US

• Catwoman ends but Batgirl begins? Sad.

TWO-FACE YEAR ONE #1
Written by Mark Sable
Art by Jesus Saiz & Jimmy Palmiotti
Cover by Mark Chiarello

In a time of corruption and greed, the only force keeping Gotham City from collapsing into utter chaos included Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent, a cop named Jim Gordon, a vigilante known only as Batman -- and a mysterious group of untouchable crimefighters working outside the law. Be here to witness the beginning of a legacy, when a meeting between Gotham’s Finest and Gotham’s Vilest spawn the protectors who will safeguard Gotham’s future, as well as the monster who will try to burn it to the ground.

Don’t miss the start of this exciting 2-part miniseries featuring one of The Dark Knight’s most fearsome foes!

On sale July 16 • 1 of 2, 48 pg, Prestige Format, FC, $5.99 US

• Movie tie-ins are okay, but you get only 2 issues instead of the ordinary 6.

BLUE BEETLE #29
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art and cover by Rafael Albuquerque

New series writer Matthew Sturges (JACK OF FABLES, HOUSE OF MYSTERY) comes aboard to kick off “Boundaries,” with returning series artist Rafael Albuquerque! As Blue Beetle struggles to establish himself as the protector of El Paso and Cuidad Juarez, he finds himself thrown into the heart of the immigration struggle, made all the more complicated by the involvement of Intergang -- and another, more mysterious, figure. Coming at you straight outta Texas, Sturges takes our hero into new territory as Beetle works out his responsibilities as both a hero in the DC Universe and a citizen of a border town.

On sale July 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• I don't know if Matt Sturges is the right guy to take over BB. I mean, I like his Jack of Fables and his wrapping up of Shadowpact was okay, but using the immigration conflict as a story idea seems a bit cliched.

THE ALL-NEW ATOM #25
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Pat Olliffe & John Stanisci
Cover by Ladrönn
Out of place, out of time and out of hope, Ray Palmer and Ryan Choi face the Worm-Man from the sub-atomic prison world of Lady Chronos! Will Ryan make the ultimate sacrifice so Ray and the rest of Ivy Town can live to see another day?

On sale July 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • FINAL ISSUE

• Aw! This sucks. I guess Remender/Oliffe were only brought on to wrap things up.

THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #15
Written by Mark Waid
Art and cover by Scott Kolins

The siege of Nanda Parbat continues as Green Arrow and Deadman get some much-needed assistance from Nightwing and Hawkman!

On sale July 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Okay, the artist on this book has made a serious downturn. Let's stop it before it goes any father.

GREEN ARROW/BLACK CANARY #10
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Mike Norton & Wayne Faucher
Cover by Cliff Chiang
Speedy and the shady Dodger are up against the League of Assassins by themselves -- until Batman joins in. And along the way, the Dark Knight lets them in on Ra's al Ghul's involvement in the assassination attempt on Connor Hawke!
On sale July 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Notice what's missing from this solicitation? The words Green, Arrow, Black and Canary.

JONAH HEX #33
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art and cover by Darwyn Cooke

A special issue drawn by Eisner Award-winning artist Darwyn Cooke (DC: THE NEW FRONTIER, THE SPIRIT)! Jonah Hex travels to Canada on the trail of his latest bounty. But with the Mounties hot on his heels, this isn't going to be an easy job.

On sale July 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• This makes me happy.

MANHUNTER #32
Written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Michael Gaydos
Cover by Liam Sharp
Drawn deeper into the politics of a missing-persons mystery, Manhunter calls on local heroes -- and even villains -- to navigate the twilight world of the U.S.-Mexican border, invoking the wrath of Director Bones and the DEO!

On sale July 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Wow. Two comics with immigration themes. It's gone from cliched to redundant. But at least Manhunter's back!

THE SPIRIT #19
Written by Sergio Aragones & Mark Evanier
Art and cover by Paul Smith

Once again the Spirit finds a way to cheat death in Central City in his trademark two-fisted-yet-lighthearted fashion!
On sale July 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Or, in other words. "We don't know what the hell is in this issue!"

MILLENNIUM TP
Written by Steve Englehart
Art by Joe Staton, Ian Gibson and others
Cover by Joe Staton & Mark Farmer

The 1988 8-issue miniseries MILLENNIUM is collected for the first time! The Guardians of the Universe have left our dimension behind -- and in their absence, the deadly robotic army of Manhunters threatens the survival of the DC Universe!

Advance-solicited; on sale August 6 • 192 pg, FC, $19.99 US

INVASION TP
Written by Keith Giffen & Bill Mantlo
Art by Todd McFarlane, Bart Sears, P. Craig Russell, Joe Rubinstein and others
Cover by McFarlane & Rubinstein

The massive 3-issue miniseries from 1988 is collected for the first time! In this universe-spanning saga, the deadly but emotionless Dominators have come to Earth to wipe out the threat posed by metahumans. But what is the real reason for their attack?

Advance-solicited; on sale August 27 • 256 pg, FC, $24.99 US

• Released, apparently, to tie-in to Marvel's Secret Invasion.

WILDCATS: WORLD’S END #1
Written by Christos Gage
Art by Neil Googe and Trevor Hairsine
Covers by Neil Googe

After the shattering conclusion of NUMBER OF THE BEAST, a jaw-dropping new status quo will be established in the WildStorm Universe -- and it begins now! Christos Gage (WILDSTORM: ARMAGEDDON, THE AUTHORITY: PRIME) and Neil Googe (WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY, MAJESTIC) bring a unique new vision to the classic Wildcats team, reuniting the classic team with some surprising new members. Also, a new monthly backup story begins, kicked off with the return of John Lynch by Gage and X-Men: Deadly Genesis artist Trevor Hairsine!

Retailers please note: This issue will feature two covers that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio and join together to form a single image. Please see the Previews Order Form for more details.

On sale July 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Hey, if at first you don't succeed, well, keep trying until you do.

STORMING PARADISE #1
Written by Chuck Dixon
Art and cover by Butch Guice

It’s 1945, and Europe lies in ruins, the Nazi war machine defeated. As the United States looks east to the last remaining Axis power and the final push in a long war, a miscalculation in the Manhattan Project results in annihilation of the team of scientists developing the American atomic bomb. America's only remaining option is Operation Olympus -- the invasion of Japan! But the bloody, island-hopping campaign that brings American forces to Japan’s doorstep won’t prepare the G.I.s for the horror they will face as women, children and the few surviving Japanese soldiers begin the grim preparation for repulsion.

This brutal, revisionist look at the second World War could only be handled by master storytellers Chuck Dixon (ROBIN, TEAM ZERO) and Butch Guice (ACTION COMICS, Daredevil). Every angle of this conflict will be touched upon, from the infantry storming the beaches to the Army Air Corps bombing the home islands of the Empire of the Rising Sun to the desperate struggle of the Japanese to save their culture from annihilation, as the true meaning of “war is hell” is explored in full.

On sale July 2 • 1 of 6, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Dig the concept, but isn't Butch Guice a Marvel exclusive?

FABLES #75
Written by Bill Willingham
Art by Mark Buckingham & Steve Leialoha
Cover by James Jean

Don’t even ask us the title, because it’s a secret! Have you ever read those new-comics blurbs that promise things like, “After this issue nothing will ever be the same again,” but you know in a few months none of those so-called big events will have mattered? Well, this isn’t one of those times. This time when we say FABLES will never be the same again after this issue, that’s a promise you can take to the bank. So, without further ado: After this issue of FABLES, nothing will ever be the same again. Oh, and someone dies.
On sale July 16 • 64 pg, FC, $4.99 US • MATURE READERS

JACK OF FABLES #25
Written by Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham
Art by Russ Braun & Andrew Pepoy
Cover by Brian Bolland

Let's face it: You already know what's going to happen in this issue. Jack’s going to do something smarmy, some creepy guy will do something creepy, an egg will explode, and a little blue pig will pontificate on weighty matters while wearing a brassiere on his head. Just another typical chapter in the life of Jack of The Tales. In this issue, however, we learn a bit more about the lovely young librarian Robin Page, and find out why she does the things she does. It’s part one of a new story, even!

On sale July 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS

• You can say one thing about the Fables solicitations, they sure are unique!

 

I came home from school and there was a message from Stan Lee asking me to come out to the New York Comic Con! Wow. I guess they didn't tell him I was already going.

I wonder if this means ticket sales aren't as good as last year? Or that sales haven't picked up enough to cover the increase in floor space? Or are they just trying to get as many people in as they could?

Either way, I have Stan The Man on my answering machine. Which is somewhat cool!

Yeah, I know I just made two other posts. But this one is going to be a catch all for all the other, smaller new items I want to rant about. It could be a long one. And all over the place.

ITEM!!! I will be attending the New York Comic Con: I know, I know. I have been critical of the NYCC in the past. But it is practically in my back yard and it is quickly becoming a place where my comic loving friends from NEPA and I can meet up.

I will only be going on Friday, however, for those of you who will accept that as a protest. A wedding and Kids in the Hall tickets interfere with me making a weekend out of it.

They are making changes to some of the issues I had with the convention. Not necessarily the changes I think they should make, but at least they are addressing the problems. When I got my ticket, the letter, instead of saying I could proceed directly to the show floor like last year's did, at least alerts me that there will be a line. Why there needs to be a line is beyond me, but at least now I know. Not that knowing does me any good, because I can't get there early, like they recommend, because I have class that day. Of course, if I had a VIP badge, which costs $400, I could get directly in. This is quite a bit more expensive than Wizard's baseline VIP package, and you get far less swag for it.

They also addressed the issue of not everybody getting a chance at an autograph with their special guests (last year, all the ticket were handed out a good 8 hours ahead of schedule due to demand). Their solution? Charge for it! $200 for Mike Mignola and Grant Morrison, $350 for a VIP party with Stan Lee, $500 for a party with Neil Gaiman. The proceeds for the last one go to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a worthy cause, but the rest I guess the money goes to NYCC. I guess there could be a better way, but at least this give the people who want Grant Morrison's autograph but can't camp out overnight a chance at meeting him.

ITEM! Bill Richardson creates divisive act, calls for unity: I was going to give this one it's own post, but decided against it. I will say this: if you are a man who kept his name in the political spotlight through mentioning his friendship with the Clintons--even going so far as to speak to Anderson Cooper for 10 minutes about watching the Super Bowl with Bill Clinton--then you go and give your Superdelegates to his wife's opponent, you, sir, are a hypocrite and are in no position to ask for unity. And the fact you gave them to Obama after your state voted for Clinton is even worse. Worse yet is the fact that you stated that the Governors should give their Superdelegates to whoever their states votes for makes you the king of all hypocrites. Sure, he might have been just following his own beliefs, but lets just see if he lands a place on Obama's ticket somewhere.

ITEM!! Firefly might be coming out with a special edition of the complete TV series: If I thought for a second that buying this might get another season or movie out of the cast and crew, I'd buy it. But it reeks of the powers that be trying to wring a little more dough out of their fevorent fan base. I mean, really. Will there be enough new stuff on this edition that I have to buy it? If so, why not put it on the first edition in the first place. It's not like you seriously thought it would be this popular at the time, was it?

ITEM!!! Comic Book Resources updates it's look: I don't like it. The old way might not have been fancy, but at least you knew that the left side had news, the right had columns, and the new ones were at the top.

ITEM!! Comics Should Be Good starts its 100 Greatest Creative Team Runs countdown!: The idea is to list the Top 100 creative teams or creators who worked on a book for an extended period of time. Clicking above will take you to 100 to 91, clicking here will take you to 90 to 86.

ITEM!!! Entertainment Weekly runs down the 20 Worst Comic Book Movies: Their definition of "comic book" is a bit stretched. I'm not certain, but I don't believe Brenda Starr ever was a comic book. But, regardless, it is fodder for conversations at your local comic shop.  

ITEM!!! Kids on the Block to reunite: I'm with Joel McHale. I doubt the apocalypse is ever going to arrive. I mean, if this isn't a sign, then nothing is.

ITEM!! Set pictures from The Spirit released: You know, the more I see of this movie, the less I want to see.

ITEM!!! Uwe Boll will stop making movies if they gets 1,000,000 signatures on a petition asking him to stop: Finally! A cause everybody can get behind!

ITEM!!! Fraction and Brubaker off of Iron Fist, Johns and Katz off of Booster Gold, Ellis off of Thunderbolts: My reactions, in order:1) Noooooooooooooooo!!!!! (Swierczynski is, really, no replacement), 2) Noooooooooo!!! (If DC really wanted to give fans a treat, they'd have Jurgens take over the writing as well. 3) Wait a minute? Marvel is still publishing Thunderbolts? (No, seriously, are they still publishing Thunderbolts?)

ITEM!!!: Marvel fan is a contestant on Deal or No Deal: Spoiler alert: The guy opens a million on the first case. The banker reveals himself to be Mephisto and offers to put the million back in play if the guy gives up his marriage.

ITEM!!! New Guiding Lines columns published: There's a link to all of them.

ITEM!!! Also, my article on the Geppi Entertainment Museum is posted: Click above for the link to that.