JK Parkin’s pick of the week: American Vampire #1

American Vampire #1

Typically when we make our picks of the week we’re pretty much hypothesizing about how good a comic will be, based on previews, previous issues, the creators involved, interviews and whatever else has appeared on the ‘net about a comic before it is actually available.

In the case of American Vampire, though, Vertigo sent me a copy of the first issue, so I don’t have to guess — I know that I really, really like this comic. Scott Snyder and Stephen King each pen related tales set decades apart, both sharing a common character and drawn by Rafael Albuquerque — actually, let’s stop right there. This book has gotten some decent media coverage due to the fact that best-selling author Stephen King is involved, but the real shining star in this first issue is Albuquerque. His artwork is pretty incredible, and I particularly like how he gives each of the tales and the time periods in which they take place their own distinct visual flair.

And that’s not to take anything away from Snyder and King, who manage to make the now-tired vampire genre their own. I mean, these guys did create Skinner Sweet, the common character in both their stories, who doesn’t actually do much in the two stories except smile, eat some candy and exude a dirty creepiness with every word he says. Already he’s the guy I wanna know more about; he’s gonna be fun to watch.

Anyway, if you’re a fan of King, or Albuquerque, or vampire tales like Near Dark and True Blood, or even stuff like Deadwood, then you’ll probably enjoy this. (DC/Vertigo)

Mysterius the Unfathomable

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: Mysterius the Unfathomable trade paperback

Wildstorm collects Jeff Parker and Tom Fowler’s offbeat, and thoroughly entertaining, 2009 miniseries about an enterprising, if not necessarily ethical, newspaper reporter who becomes the assistant to a difficult and, yes, somewhat mysterious sorcerer/detective. The two form a sleuthing, paranormal Odd Couple, facing technicolor demons, satanists and the terrors of a Burning Man-style festival in what should be, by all rights, a continuing series. And maybe a television show. It’s a nice trade paperback that includes text pieces from a 1935 issue of (the fictional) Diabolic Tales pulp magazine plus Fowler’s lovely original covers. It’s certainly worth picking up for fans of Parker’s higher-profile Marvel work who may have overlooked the original miniseries. (Wildstorm)

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: Krazy & Ignatz in Tiger Tea

Krazy & Ignatz in Tiger Tea

I believe it says somewhere in my Official Comics Critic membership card that I must make every any George Herriman book my pick of the week when it comes out, right next to the part about never recommending any comic that comes with a foil variant cover. This book, from IDW’s Yoe Studios imprint, collects the only ongoing story that Herriman ever did in his seminal Krazy Kat strip, about an amazing substance that, when drunk, gave Krazy and his friends amazing strength, or something like that. It was originally collected by Raw magazine back in the day. Since it may be a long while before any daring soul attempts to collect all of the Krazy dailies, I’d recommend getting this as a nice place filler in the meantime. (IDW)

Batman #697

Batman #397

JK: Tony Daniel reveals who the Black Mask really is. (DC Comics)

Green Arrow #31

JK: Spinning out of the recently completed Cry for Justice comes “The Fall of Green Arrow.” Guy can’t catch a break … (DC Comics)

Siege #3

JK: The war for Asgard continues as Captain America(s) and company get involved in the Siege. This issue also has a special Deadpool variant cover you may have heard about. Preview here. (Marvel)

Spider-Woman #7

JK: As noted earlier this week, this is the last issue of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev’s brief take on Jessica Drew hunting aliens as a member of S.W.O.R.D. She’ll next appear in the Bendis-written Avengers relaunch later this year. (Marvel)

X-Factor Forever #1

X-Factor Forever #1

JK: Is it amazing to anyone else that not only can Marvel successfully publish a ten-years-after-the-fact continuation of Chris Claremont’s X-Men stories, letting him pretend like he never left the franchise back in the 1990s, but also that X-Men Forever would end up being successful enough that they’re willing to try it again with Louise Simonson and X-Factor? This gives me hope that one day ABC will ask Lynch to finish Twin Peaks. (Marvel)

Backing Into Forward: A Memoir by Jules Feiffer

Chris: Not comics per se, but anyone interested in the art form should want to check out this book, Feiffer’s memoir about his life and work, from his childhood in New York, to apprenticing under Will Eisner, to doing a daily strip, to churning out screenplays for folks like Mike Nichols and Robert Altman. I can’t see how this could not be a great read. (Random House)

Green Hornet Year One #1

Green Hornet Year One #1

JK: Following hot on the heels of the first issue of Kevin Smith’s Green Hornet series comes a “Year One” tale written by Matt Wagner that promises to bring Green Hornet and Kato to “their basic roots.” (Dynamite)

Mome Vol. 17

Chris: Paul Hornschemeier concludes his “Life With Mr. Dangerous” story, Dash Shaw and Tom Kaczynski collaborate, and Kurt Wolfgang, Laura Park, Rick Froberg, Sara Edward-Corbett, T. Edward Bak and others contribute the usual amount of snazzy high-brow tales in this new volume of the quarterly anthology. (Fantagraphics)

Ristorante Paradiso

Chris: The latest entry in Viz’s SigIKKI line, Ristorante concerns a young girl who tracks down the mother who abandoned her years ago and finds her the co-owner of a classy restaurant. Melodrama ensues. From the creator of not simple. (Viz)

Sand and Fury: A Scream Queen Adventure

Sand and Fury: A Scream Queen Adventure

Chris: Ho Che Anderson (King) drifts shies away from the fictionalized biography genre to move into more supernatural waters with this horror-tinged, modern update on the Celtic Banshee myth. Lots of kinky sex and blood in this one. If you need the incentive. (Fantagraphics)

With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child Vol. 6

Chris: Hikaru starts attending junior high school in the latest volume by the sadly now deceased Keiko Tobe. (Yen Press)

See what else is coming out this week on Diamond’s website.

To see what we think looks good, read on. And, as always let us know your picks in the comments below.

The Complete Milt Gross Comic Book Stories, Vol. 1

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: The Complete Milt Gross Comic Book Stories, Vol. 1 hardcover

I didn’t even know that Milt Gross, best known for such deliciously absurd comic strips as Count Screwloose and Nize Baby, had worked in comic books before reading the ad copy for this book, part of Craig Yoe’s new imprint for IDW Publishing. Gross was a one-of-a-kind cartoonist, frenzied and inspired, with an off-kilter, anything-goes sense of humor that in many ways was a precursor to MAD. He’s one of those artists that always seems to get sidelined, however, so it’s really nice to see someone put together such a loving collection. Now if only they’d collect his newspaper strips … (IDW Publishing)

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: Haunted

Haunted

Thanks to Peter Laird’s Xeric Foundation, we get to hold in our hands the print collection of Joshua Smeaton’s wonderful webcomic about a group of middle-school friends who want nothing more than to be cool and to attend a Halloween keg party being thrown at an abandoned mansion. But once they sneak in, they quickly discover they’re not the only uninvited guests. Smeaton has described the comic as “like Goonies in a haunted house,” which seems about right. It’s beautifully drawn and colored, with characters who sound like actual 12-year-olds — not what adults think 12-year-olds sound like. It’s a good read, well worth checking out. (Orion)

Gantz Vol. 9

Chris: More ramped-up sex and violence via Hiroya Oku, just the way you like it, you sick, sick puppy you. (Dark Horse)

Hellboy, Vol. 9

Hellboy, Vol. 9: The Wild Hunt

Kevin: Dark Horse collects the eight-issue miniseries by Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo in which Hellboy is invited to join the ancient band of monster hunters called the Wild Hunt, only to end up facing the Queen of Blood. (Dark Horse)

Batman and Robin #10

Chris: So long, Cameron Stewart. Hello, Andy Clarke, as Morrison begins a three-issue arc in which Damian is forced to decide where his loyalties lie. (DC Comics)

Justice League: Rise and Fall Special #1

Kevin: In case you feel like you missed out on the death, dismemberment and general mayhem of Justice League: Cry for Justice, there’s this one-shot, which the League is divided (what, again?) by news of Green Arrow’s murderous ways. The solicitation says that, “A new meaning to the term ‘hunt for justice’ creates fear in the villain populace.” However, I’m not sure “hunt for justice” is, y’know, an actual term that’s used by anyone. (DC Comics)

Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton #1

Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton #1 (of 3)
Superman: New Krypton, Vol. 3 hardcover

Kevin: I’m a little confused, primarily — okay, entirely — because this three-issue miniseries, which leads into DC’s big War of the Supermen event and also kicks off the “Brainiac and The Legion of Super-Heroes” crossover, is called Last Stand of New Krypton instead of … some combination of the words “Brainiac” and “Legion of Super-Heroes.” On a related note, this week also sees a hardcover that collects the aftermath of the “New Krypton” event: Superman: World of New Krypton #1-5 and Action Comics Annual #10. (DC Comics)

Breaking Into Comics the Marvel Way #1 (of 2)

Kevin: This two-part book, which showcases the work of 12 artists discovered by talent coordinator C.B. Cebulski in his global travels, will probably evoke memories among fans of a certain age of The Official Marvel Comics Try-Out Book. This 21st-century version includes commentary from the artists on how they landed their Marvel gigs, step-by-step submission information, a sample Marvel script and more. (Marvel)

Criminal: The Sinners #5

Criminal: The Sinners #5

Chris: More noir shenanigans from Brubaker and Phillips. If you’re waiting for the trade, this is the final issue to a great storyline. Can’t wait to see how it all plays out. (Marvel/Icon)

Ghost Riders: Heaven’s on Fire trade paperback

Kevin: One-time Ghost Rider collaborators Jason Aaron and Roland Boschi reunite for this critically acclaimed miniseries in which Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch must save the Anti-Christ in order to save the world. I’m a latecomer to Aaron’s Ghost Rider work, so I’m looking forward to picking up this collection. (Marvel)

Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers Unleashed #1 (of 4)

Kevin: Chris Eliopoulos and Ig Guara return for a sequel to one of the more unlikely, yet more enjoyable, miniseries of last year — which just happened to star Lockjaw, Hairball, Lockheed, Redwing, Throg, Zabu and even Ms. Lion (of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends fame). (Marvel)

The Mystic Hands of Dr. Strange #1

The Mystic Hands of Dr. Strange #1

Kevin: I’m not sure why Marvel is releasing a black-and-white one-shot “in the spirit of the Mighty Marvel Magazines of yore,” but I have a soft spot for poor, mistreated Stephen Strange. The 48-pager features four stories by Frank Bruner, Mike Carey, Kieron Gillen, Ted McKeever and Peter Milligan. (Marvel)

S.W.O.R.D. #5

Kevin: Kieron Gillen and Steven Sanders’ series about the agency that protects the Earth from extraterrestrial threats comes to its untimely end with this issue. (Marvel)

The Boys, Vol. 6: The Self-Preservation Society

Chris: Here’s the latest trade collection in Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s ongoing superhero satire/political commentary, with some art assistance via John McRea and C. Ezquerra. Here the Boys finally experience a bit of payback from some of the superheroes, and we learn (almost) everyone’s secret origin. There’s some really nice pacing in these issues, particularily when Butcher starts picking off … well, I don’t want to spoil it for you. (Dynamite)

Dungeon Twilight, Vol. 1: Dragon Cemetery

Dungeon Twilight, Vol. 1: Dragon Cemetery

Chris: If you’re new to the Dungeon series, the Twilight arc (no relation to the vampire series) probably isn’t the best place to begin, since it’s set in that fantasy world’s far-flung future, though it certainly isn’t so foreboding you’d be lost. Is that wishy-washy enough of a recommendation? Hey, it’s Lewis Trondheim and Joann Sfar and friends doing great, funny fantasy comics. That either tickles your interest or not. (NBM)

Ghost Projekt #1 (of 5)

Kevin: Darkness Falls screenwriter Joe Harris and Queen and Country artist Steve Rolston team up for this supernatural thriller about a U.S. weapons inspector and a Russian detective who become embroiled in a break-in at an abandoned laboratory. Comic Book Resources spoke with the creators about the miniseries. (Oni Press)

Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1

Chris: And here we have the (potential) 500-pound canary of 2010. Everyone’s betting this manga adaptation of the utterly awesome vampire romance will sell like something resembling hotcakes, and I have no reason to kick against the prevailing wisdom. I do have a question, though: When you hold the book up to the light, does it sparkle? Cause it totally should. (Yen Press)

Find out what else is coming out this week on Diamond’s website.

First Wave #1

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: First Wave #1 (of 6)

I have little to no interest in Doc Savage, or a Spirit by anyone other than Will Eisner (or Darwyn Cooke). Yet I’m still intrigued by DC’s “shocking new pulp universe” in which there’s no supermen — or, more specifically, Superman — largely, if not entirely, because it’s written by Brian Azzarello. In addition to being a fan of 100 Bullets, I hold an unwavering belief that Batman: Broken City, by Azzarello and Eduardo Risso, is superior in every way to the “Hush” storyline that preceded (and overshadowed) it. I’ll fight anyone who says different. So I’m thrilled to read Azzarello again write Batman — excuse me, “The Bat-Man” — especially as a “brash, cocky, inexperienced and daring” vigilante. Also: the under-used, and under-appreciated, Blackhawks! (DC Comics)

Green Hornet #1

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: Kevin Smith’s Green Hornet #1

It’s kind of pulp week in this edition of Can’t Wait for Wednesday, I guess …

You may remember hearing some time back that Kevin Smith was working on the script for a Green Hornet movie … which turned into a non-starter as Miramax lost the rights to the film. That story is now being resurrected in the form of a 10-issue comic book from Dynamite Comics, the first of which arrives this week. It features some pretty excellent artwork by Jonathan Lau, as he teams with Smith to tell the origin of Green Hornet and his sidekick, a female Kato.

Read more about it here and check out a preview here. (Dynamite Comics)

MW

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: MW

It’s a somewhat quiet week, so I’ll go with this paperback edition of Osamu Tezuka’s way, uber, uber crazy thriller about a brutal serial killer who’s out to destroy humanity and the Catholic priest who loves him. Oh, and the reason the killer is crazy is because of a poison gas created by the American government. Oh, and in addition to being a brutal killer, he also indulges in bestiality. With a dog. That bites off people’s testicles. Really, the book just sells itself, doesn’t it? (Vertical)

Milestone Forever #2

JK: I dunno how much interest this two-issue mini-series would bring from folks who weren’t around or didn’t read Milestone the first time around, but as a fan of those books, I was not disappointed in issue #1 and I’m looking forward to seeing it all wrap up. Check out a preview here. (DC Comics)

Sparta #1

Sparta USA #1 (of 6)

Kevin: Writer David Lapham (Stray Bullets, Young Liars) and artist Johnny Timmons (Wolverine) team up for a story about a seemingly idyllic middle-American town and the star quarterback who left, returning only to expose Sparta’s rotten core. (Wildstorm)

Swan Vol. 15

Chris: Someday, when I have nothing but free time on my hands, I’m going to do a feature dedicated to the great, unjustly ignored comics, similar to Shaenon Garrity’s Overlooked Manga series, and Swan is going to be at the top of my list. (CMX)

Underground #5

Underground #5 (of 5)

JK: This issue wraps up Jeff Parker and Steve Lieber’s excellent mini-series about park rangers fighting to save a cave from exploitation and themselves from the exploiters. There’s nothing supernatural or science fiction-y going on here — just a really compelling story. Check out a preview here. (Image Comics)

Black Widow: Deadly Origin Premiere Hardcover
The Invincible Iron Man #24
The Invincible Iron Man, Vol. 1 hardcover
Iron Man: Armor Wars (new printing)
Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle (new printing)

Black Widow: Deadly Origin

Kevin: Determined to have plenty of stock available by the time the Iron Man movie sequel opens on May 7, Marvel keeps issuing and reissuing collections of all things related to the Iron Avenger and Black Widow. Of course in doing so, the publisher risks the problem that’s plagued so many superhero adaptations: Faced with countless collections, where does the elusive new reader, fresh from the theater, begin? Surely not with new printings of the classic storylines “Armor Wars” and “Demon in a Bottle.” As good and important as they may be to the overall mythology of Iron Man, they’re not really a starting point.

Luckily, though, Marvel does provide movie-goers with a flickering (and a little pricey) sign in the form of hardcovers for Black Widow: Deadly Origin and The Invincible Iron Man. The former collects the four-issue miniseries that provides a glimpse into the past of the Soviet super-spy turned superhero — it even has “origin” in the title — while the latter gathers the first 19 issues of the acclaimed Matt Fraction-Salvador Larroca monthly series that manages the same look and tone of the Iron Man movie universe. And on top of all of that, the “Stark: Disassembled” storyline concludes this week. (Marvel)

Girl Comics #1

Girl Comics #1
Strange Tales hardcover

JK: Marvel’s all-female creator anthology kicks off this week, featuring comics by Colleen Coover, Robin Furth, G. Willow Wilson, Lucy Knisley, Val D’Orazio, Devin Grayson, Trina Robbins, Stephanie Buscema, Nikki Cook, Ming Doyle and Agnes Garbowska, and a cover by Amanda Conner and Laura Martin. It’s an awesome group of talented folks; ComicsAlliance has a preview.

This project also seems to be the sister to last year’s Strange Tales anthology, where indie creators tackled some of Marvel’s characters … and, incidentally, is also collected this week into a hardcover. (Marvel)

Civil War Adventure Volume 1

Chris: This retelling of the Battle of Bull Run and other early Civil War exploits comes courtesy of History Graphics Press, a new publishing line founded by Chuck Dixon and Gary Kwapisz with, as the name suggests, a decided nonfiction bent. Looking at the previews on the site, I’m picking up a distinct EC vibe. (History Graphics Press)

One Piece, Vols. 34-37

Kevin: Another month, another four volumes of Eiichiro Oda’s bestselling comedy-adventure manga. (Viz Media)

Our Sentence Is Up: Seeing Grant Morrison The Invisibles

Our Sentence Is Up: Seeing Grant Morrison The Invisibles

Chris: Grant Morrison devotees (and you know who you are) will no doubt want to check out this in-depth look at one of his seminal Vertigo series, written by Patrick Meaney and featuring an interview with the big bald guy hisself. (Sequart Research & Literacy Organization)

Stooge Pile

Chris: Another entry in Drawn and Quarterly pocket sized Petit Livres series of art books, this one focusing on work by Seth Scriver. (Drawn and Quarterly)

Unlovable Volume 2

Chris: Esther Pearl Wilson continues the adventures of teen-ager Tammy Pierce, whose diary she found in a gas station long ago and decided to adapt into comics. Poignant, cringe-inducing comics, to be sure. (Fantagraphics)

Find out what else is coming out this week on Diamond’s website.

The Weird World of Jack Staff #1

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: The Weird World of Jack Staff #1

Britain’s Greatest Hero returns in a much-anticipated monthly series that creator Paul Grist promises will prominently feature Jack Staff’s wonderfully offbeat supporting cast, among them Tom Tom the Robot Man, the investigators of Q branch, and Becky Burdock, Vampire Reporter. The new series also will see the return of Charlie Raven, the greatest escapologist of the Victorian Age — “No door is locked to him! No chains can bind him! No trap can hold him!” — and Lynda Jones, Calendar Girl! Good, or at least weird, times ahead for John Smith & Co. (Image Comics)

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: 45

Forty-Five

A journalist finds out his kid might be born with super powers, so he decides to do some research into what exactly that means by conducting 45 interviews with super-powered folks and their loved ones. This probably falls more into the “book” category than the “comic” category, as each interview is presented as text with an accompanying illustration. But that doesn’t take anything away from what sounds like a fun project that should appeal to fans of the super hero genre. It also doesn’t hurt that the project includes artwork by 45 different comic artists, including Fiona Staples, Charlie Adlard, Gary Erskine, Jock, Sean Phillips and many more. For more information, check out my interview with writer Andi Ewington about the book from back in November. (Com.X)

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: Dodgem Logic Magazine #1

Dodgem Logic

If, for whatever reason, you haven’t been able to get your hands on Alan Moore’s latest project — an “underground” magazine featuring work by folks like Kevin O’Neill and Savage Pencil, you no long have any excuses as Top Shelf has seen fit to make the bloody thing available to comic book shops across North America. Even though it only features a smidgin of comics, and is no doubt very specific to Great Britain and Moore’s home of Northhampton, serious fans of the Magus will no doubt want to snap this up as speedily as possible. Here’s a review by Craig Fischer for the curious. (Top Shelf)

Jet Scott, Vol. 1

Kevin: I’m not sure how I’ve gone this long without being aware of this early-1950s science fiction-adventure comic strip by Sheldon Stark and the legendary Jerry Robinson. I mean, the title character works for an agency known as the Office of Scientifact. What a perfect name. You can see a preview here. (Dark Horse)

The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, Vol. 10

The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, Vol. 10

Kevin: If you’re a fan of quirky horror and you’re not reading this series by Eiji Otsuka and Housui Yamazaki … well, what’s wrong with you? It’s funny, disturbing and fantastic. (Dark Horse)

Batman And Robin #9

Chris: Cameron Stewart wraps up his three-issue run on the series with this comic. Next up: Andy Clarke and Scott Hanna. (DC Comics)

Blackest Night #7

JK: The penultimate chapter in DC’s successful crossover series hits this week, promising to reveal what the big bad, Nekron, is really up to. (DC Comics)

Northlanders #25

Northlanders #25
Viking #5

Kevin: It’s twice the Norse drama as Brian Wood’s Vertigo series Northlanders reaches its 25th issue — the fifth part of “The Plague Widow” story arc, with artist Leandro Fernandez — and Ivan Brandon and Nic Klein’s Viking concludes its first “season.” (Vertigo & Image Comics)

Image United #0

JK: Image’s big crossover series take a bit of a break from its main storyline to offer a prelude featuring the Savage Dragon and Fortress, the new hero Whilce Portacio created for the event. (Image Comics)

Jack Staff, Vol. 4: Rocky Realities

Jack Staff, Vol. 4: Rocky Realities

Kevin : It’s a double-dose of Jack Staff as, in addition to the new monthly series, this week sees the release of this trade paperback, which collects Issues #13-20 and the Jack Staff Special #1. (Image Comics)

Strange Girl, Limited Edition Slipcase Collection

Kevin: This limited-run hardcover — only 1,000 copies were printed — collects all four volumes of the post-apocalyptic action series by Rick Remender, Eric Nguyen & Co. about a world populated by demons and their human slaves. (Image Comics)

Immortal Weapons trade paperback

Immortal Weapons trade paperback

Kevin: The five-issue miniseries starring the Immortal Weapons was supposed to provide a break of sorts for The Immortal Iron Fist monthly comic, which was definitely not canceled. But the miniseries has come and gone, and now the collection is here, and still no Iron Fist. (Marvel)

Avengers Korvac Saga Premiere Hardcover

JK: I remember going through the back-issue bins looking for this one. Korvac, a.k.a. Michael, is a villain from the future who flees from the Guardians of the Galaxy and sets up shop in a quiet neighborhood. The Guardians and the Avengers team up to stop him before he can … um, do something really bad. I don’t really remember what his master plan was, I just remember the brutal battle he had with a few busloads (literally) of Avengers in his suburban home. I will probably pick this up at some point for nostalgia’s sake. (Marvel)

Ms. Marvel #50

Ms. Marvel #50

JK: The last issue of Ms. Marvel features a cover homage to Jim Starlin’s classic Death of Captain Marvel graphic novel. And it’s probably small consolation to her fans, but this time around Carol Danvers at least made it to a respectable issue 50; backk in the ’70s, she only made it to issue #23. (Marvel)

Airfighters #1

Kevin: Airboy and others high-flying action heroes of the era — Skywolf, Flying Dutchman, Black Angel and Iron Ace, among them — return in this 72-page black-and-white issue by a slew of creators that includes Chuck Dixon, Tom DeFalco, Chris Mills, Kerry Talbot and Rick Burchett. (Moonstone)

Bart Simpson Comics #52

Bart Simpson Comics #52

Chris: If you enjoyed last year’s Simpson’s Halloween Special, which featured a bevy of alt-comix folk like Kevin Huizenga and Ben Jones, then you’ll want to check out this month’s issue of Bart Simpson, which includes work by Gilbert Hernandez (Love and Rockets), Carol Lay (Now Endsville), and Chris Yambar (Mr. Beat). All this plus Sergio Aragones! (Bongo)

Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island #1

JK: Warren Ellis kicks off another mini-series at Avatar, this one with art by Raulo Caceres and set in 1830s London. Ellis calls it “An Electrical Romance of a Pirate Utopia Thwarted.” I just really like the title. (Avatar)

Garfield From The Trash Bin Rescued Rejects & Outrageous Outtakes TP

Garfield From The Trash Bin Rescued Rejects & Outrageous Outtakes TP

Chris: This comic strip equivalent of a B-side compilation collects a host of rejected material featuring the fat feline and outtakes “sure to offend just about everyone” according to the ad copy. Unless Jim Davis has been taking pointers from Johnny Ryan, I somehow doubt that’s true. (Ballentine Books)

Panic X Panic Vol. 1

Chris: Here’s a new shojo series from Del Rey about childhood rivals who find they both have magic powers and must join forces to save the world from demons. Why is it always demons, anyway? Why can’t they ever save the world from something less ordinary, like … I dunno … locusts? (Del Ray)

The Splendid Magic of Penny Arcade: The 11 1/2 Anniversary Edition

The Splendid Magic of Penny Arcade: The 11 1/2 Anniversary Edition

Chris: Serious Penny Arcade fans will definitely want to check out this hardcover celebration of all things Gabe and Tycho related. The book features interviews with creators Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, info on their history and significant events like the creation of the PAX video game expo, and some of the pair’s favorite strips. (Del Rey)

Star Trek Movie Adaptation #1

JK: IDW adapts JJ Abrams’ Star Trek film from last summer into a comic, promising “new scenes and moments cut from the movie.” (IDW Publishing)

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea: The Complete Series, Vol. 2 hardcover

Kevin: This collects Issues 7-14 of the 1964-1970 Gold Key comic tie-in to the Irwin Allen science fiction-adventure TV series (itself based on the film of the same name). The 224-page hardcover includes essays, the original covers and pin-ups. (Hermes Press)

We Will Bury You

We Will Bury You #1 (of 4)

Kevin: Heroes actress Brea Grant and her brother Zane team with artist Kyle Strahm for a four-issue miniseries about a zombie outbreak in 1920s New York City and the two unlikely heroines who survive to battle the walking dead. Or flapping dead, maybe. (IDW Publishing)

What else is coming out this week? See Diamond’s website for the complete list.

Captain America #603

Welcome once again to Can’t Wait for Wednesday, our weekly look at what you can expect to find in your local comic shop tomorrow. To see what Kevin, Chris and I have to say about this week’s comics, read on …

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: Captain America #603

Given all the controversy surrounding the previous issue, is it safe to presume there will be a run on Part 2 of “Two Americas” as political pundits and members of right-leaning message boards search for hidden messages and perceived slights? Perhaps instead of those they’ll simply find the kind of engaging, complex and slow-burning story for which Ed Brubaker & Co. — in this case, artist Luke Ross — have become known in the past five years on Captain America. (Marvel)

King Aroo Vol. 1

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: King Aroo Vol. 1

My only exposure to Jack Kent’s whimsical strip about a laid-back king and his odd assortment of subjects was in the Smithsonian book of comic strips that Bill Blackbeard edited way back when. The little I read certainly charmed me, and what little I read about it certainly made it seem like on of those “great lost” strips that everyone would love if they only had the chance, but that chances are it would never get collected. What an age we live in now. Here’s hoping we see a lot more volumes to come, and soon. (IDW Publishing)

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: Ignition City trade paperback

Ignition City

Actually you have you choice of three different versions of this collection this week — a signed and numbered hardcover, a regular hardcover and a trade paperback. But whichever you chose, it’s definitely worth picking up, not only because it’s one of the best Warren Ellis books in recent years, but the artwork by Gianluca Pagliarani is absolutely gorgeous.

This is an alternate history, gritty Buck Rogers-esque tale set after the fall of the space heroes; Earth has given up on outer space, our heroes have been grounded and are living on a lawless island near the equator. There’s a mystery, a lot of subtle and not-so-subtle references to other space heroes and a female lead at the center of it all. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re into science fiction, pulp heroes, alternate histories, Deadwood or Ellis’ other works. (Avatar)

Devil #1 (of 4)

Kevin: Manga artist Torajiro Kishi and anime company Madhouse Studios team up for a Western-style sci-fi thriller about a virus that turns a normal person into a superhuman bloodsucker — the “Devil” of the comic’s title — and the special police unit devoted to stopping a new strain of the agent. You can read Shaun Manning’s interview with Kishi at Comic Book Resources. (Dark Horse)

DC Universe: Origins

Kevin: DC collects those condensed origin stories — most were two or three pages, if I recall — that appeared in 52 and Countdown to Final Crisis and online. At 144 pages, it’ll tide you over until the new Who’s Who debuts. (DC Comics)

Joe the Barbarian #2

JK: The first issue of Grant Morrison and Sean Murphy’s new Vertigo series set things up perfectly for our young hero, and I’m looking forward to seeing where he goes … even if it is just across his house again. (DC/Vertigo)

The Starman Omnibus, Vol. 4 hardcover

The Starman Omnibus, Vol. 4 hardcover

Kevin: This volume, in particular, is a good one as it not only collects eight issues of the well-regarded ’90s series by James Robinson and Tony Harris, but also the crossover with The Power of Shazam, Starman 80-Page Giant #1, Starman: The Mist #1 and the Mike Mignola-drawn Batman/Hellboy/Starman miniseries. (DC Comics)

Tiny Titans #25

Kevin: It’s the return of Superboy — co-written by Geoff Johns! (DC Comics)

Perhapanauts: Molly’s Story

Kevin: Writer Scott Weinstein and artist Jason Copland join Perhapanauts co-creator Todd Dezago for this one-shot telling the origin of Bedlam’s resident ghost, Molly MacAllister. (Image Comics)

Daredevil #505

Daredevil #505

JK: As much as I’ve been enjoying Andy Diggle’s take on Daredevil leading The Hand, I’m mostly mentioning this issue because I wanted to show off Paolo Rivera’s stellar cover. He posted a breakdown of the creation process on his blog last November, which you can check out here. The inside of the book has been a lot of fun, too. (Marvel)

Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural #5

JK: And with that, Marvel’s new master of the mystic arts wraps up his first storyline and his short-lived series. Too bad; I never felt like I really got the chance to know him. (Marvel)

The Incredible Hercules #141

The Incredible Hercules #141

Kevin: With this, the finale of the “Assault on New Olympus” storyline, the series comes to an end. Sort of. You see, The Incredible Hercules is followed in March (if only briefly) by Hercules: Fall of an Avenger which, in turn, is followed in May by Prince of Power, in which Amadeus Cho picks up Hercules’ mace. (Marvel)

Kick-Ass Premiere Hardcover

Kevin: On the heels of the final issue of the Mark Millar-John Romita Jr. series, Marvel releases a premiere hardcover edition collecting all eight issues — at about the same price it would have cost you to buy them individually. (Marvel/Icon)

Almost Silent

Almost Silent

Chris: This rather deluxe hardcover collects four previously out-of-print stories by the Norwegian artist Jason — the mostly gag-filled Meow Baby and the more serious Tell Me Something, You Can’t Get There From Here and The Living and the Dead. That last one by the way is a zombie epic and not an adaptation of the novel by Australian author Patrick White. Just in case you were wondering. Anyway, as the title suggests these are mostly wordless stories, apart from the occasional word balloon. They’re also all very good and if you haven’t had a chance to encounter Jason’s work yet this is a fine place to do so. (Fantagraphics)

Bokurano Ours Vol. 1

Chris: Another new series from Viz’s Ikki/Signaure line. This one’s about a group of kids who discover a cool new video game, pitting giant robots against alien hordes, that may have disastrous consequences in the real world. (Viz)

Meanwhile: Pick Any Path. 3,856 Story Possibilities.

Meanwhile: Pick Any Path. 3,856 Story Possibilities.

Chris: When Jason Shiga first attempted this choose-your-own-adventure story back in 1999 it was a Xeric-winning mini comic. Now it’s a full-fledged, fancy-shmancy children’s book, where its grand formulist play appeals to the elementary school set, who no doubt can best appreciate it. If King Aroo wasn’t out, this would probably have been my pick of the week. (Amulet)

20th Century Boys Vol. 7

Chris: This and Pluto have been some of the most acclaimed manga released in the past year. But I wonder if that translates into sales? Usually the stuff that’s being talked about on the Internet in glowing terms isn’t necessarily what’s selling. Are these books successful for Viz and will it mean the release of more Urasawa in the coming years? Just musing. (Viz)

Check out Diamond’s website for a list of everything hitting comic shops this week, then let us know what you’re getting in the comments section.

Although a snowstorm caused some problems at Diamond Comics Distributors‘ headquarters this week, I hear through the grapevine that they aren’t expecting any delays in getting comics shipped out to shops. Good news indeed.

To see what Kevin, Chris and I have to say about this week’s comics, read on …

Hicksville

Chris Mautner’s Pick of the Week: Hicksville Definitive Edition

One of the most important comics to come out of the art comix scene of the 1990s, Hicksville was the finest love song ever written to the medium at that time. A mystery set in a quaint New Zealand town where everyone just happens to be an ardent comics junkie and no one wants to talk about its most famous resident, superhero artist Dick Burger. It’s such a significant and beloved work that it’s hard to believe it’s languished out of print for so long. Thank goodness Drawn and Quarterly has seen fit to reissue it and get it out in front of people’s noses again. If you haven’t read this yet, you’re missing out on a real treat. (Drawn and Quarterly)

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: Mesmo Delivery trade paperback

Mesmo Delivery

The new edition of Rafael Grampá’s hyper-violent, beautifully illustrated ode to ’70s road movies and horror films was supposed to be released last week, but it was nowhere to be found on Diamond’s shipping list. Whether it’s out this week depends upon whom you ask. No matter, though — whenever Mesmo Delivery hits stores, it’ll be my pick of the week.

Originally released in 2008 through AdHouse Books, Mesmo Delivery centers on two delivery men — Rufo, a brawny ex-boxer, and Sangrecco, an Elvis impersonator who views violence as performance art — who are hired to deliver a mysterious cargo. Of course, everything isn’t quite as it seems — what fun would that be? — and matters only get worse when the duo encounters a group of drunken locals at a rest stop.

The new edition features a new cover, an extended sketchbook, an introduction by Brian Azzarello and pin-ups by Eduardo Risso, Mike Allred, Craig Thompson and Fabio Moon. For more details, you can read my interview with Grampá here. (Dark Horse)

DMZ #50

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: DMZ #50

JK: Is DMZ really up to issue 50? It just doesn’t seem like it’s been around that long, but the numbers don’t lie. This anniversary issue features a bunch of short stories with art by an all-star line-up, as Brian Wood teams up with regular series artist Riccardo Burchielli, his Local collaborator Ryan Kelly, his DV8 collaborator Rebekah Isaacs, Static artist JP Leon and many more. It also includes some one-pagers by folks like Jim Lee and Dave Gibbons.

If you aren’t a regular DMZ reader, this one will be worth checking out, as it should give you a taste of what the series has to offer (as well as some really great art by all the guests). And Wood is donating his page rate for one of the stories — a four-pager drawn by Fabio Moon — to stopclustermunitions.org, so there’s a good cause involved as well. Find out more about this issue here. (DC/Vertigo)

B.P.R.D.: King of Fear #2

B.P.R.D.: King of Fear #2

Kevin: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi and Guy Davis send Kate Corrigan to the ruins of Hunte Castle in Austria, where she hopes to leave the ghost of Lobster Johnston to rest and free the spirit of Johann Kraus. (Dark Horse)

Batman and Robin #8

Kevin: What’s this? Two issues of Batman and Robin in one month? Cameron Stewart continues as artist in a story guest-starring Batwoman, Knight and Squire. (DC Comics)

Hellblazer: Pandemonium

Hellblazer: Pandemonium

JK: It’s John Constantine’s 25th birthday, and to help celebrate former Hellblazer writer Jamie Delano teams with Jock for a hardcover graphic novel that has the birthday boy heading to Iraq. (DC/Vertigo)

Human Target Vol. 3 #1

Kevin: Writer Len Wein returns to the character he created in 1972 with Carmine Infantino in this six-issue miniseries designed to capitalize on the new Fox television series that … doesn’t much resemble the character Wein and Infantino created. Here, Wein is joined by artist Bruno Redondo for a story that pits Christopher Chance against organized crime syndicates from across Europe. There’s also a backup story by Peter Johnson, executive director of the TV show, and artist Chris Sprouse. (DC Comics)

Secret Six #18

Secret Six #18

JK: This issue wraps up the Blackest Night tie-in three-parter written by Gail Simone and John Ostrander, and drawn by Jim Calafiore. The Secret Six and the Suicide Squad take on several deceased Suicide Squad members who have come back as Black Lanterns … and if you know your Suicide Squad history, there were a lot of former members to choose from. (DC Comics)

Choker #1

JK: Writer Ben McCool and artist Ben Templesmith tell the story of Johnny “Choker” Jackson, a cop in a city that’s “a crazed amalgamation of 1930′s gangland Chicago and ‘Blade Runner’s’ Los Angeles.” Check out a preview here. (Image)

Hit-Monkey #1

Hit-Monkey #1

JK: Marvel’s character find of the century gets his online adventures collected into print form, so you can take them with you wherever you go. Check out a preview here. (Marvel)

Nextwave: Agents Of Hate Ultimate Collection TPB

JK: The gift that keeps on giving. This collection of Warren Ellis and Stuart Immonen’s much-loved series collects the entire series, along with its awesome letter columns. Also, I totally agree with Gratuitous Guttenberg, which is something I never thought I would say. (Marvel)

Tails of the Pet Avengers #1

Tails of the Pet Avengers #1

Kevin: This all-ages one-shot by the likes of Chris Eliopoulos, Colleen Coover, Ig Guara and Gurihiru features stories about Frog Thor, Zabu, Lockjaw, Redwing, Lockheed and, yes, even Ms. Lion. Ms. Lion! You can read a preview here. (Marvel)

X-Men Pixie Strikes Back #1

JK: Writer Kathryn Immonen and artist Sara Pichelli take Pixie and several other young mutants currently residing in the Bay Area to high school. The solicit text promises we’ll learn who Pixie’s dad is; apparently he’s a big X-villain. (JK)

Anchor, Vol. 1 trade paperback

Anchor, Vol. 1 trade paperback

JK: BOOM! Studios collects the first four issues of The Anchor into a $10 trade, which is an excellent deal for four issues of any comic, much less one that’s this good. Issue #5 is also out this week as well. (BOOM!)

Chocolate Cheeks

Chris: Here’s a new collection of strips starring Steve Weissman’s enclave of horror-themed little tykes, most of which originally ran online. If you like the Our Gang comics or Archie or the general “kids pal around, go on adventures and make each other miserable” type of comic, chances are you’ll really like this (Fantagraphics)

From the Ashes

From the Ashes

Chris: Bob Fingerman’s tale of love and post-apocalyptic mutants starring (barely) fictionalized versions of himself and his wife gets the trade collection thingy. (IDW)

Hank Ketcham’s Dennis The Menance HC 1959-1962 Box Set

Chris: Two, count ‘em, two thick volumes of classic Dennis cartoons from the late 50s and early 60s. See Dennis bother the barber! Pester the construction workers! Annoy Margaret! Confuse Joey! And generally drive Mr. Wilson and his parents up a frickin’ wall. All in the name of fun. And adorableness. (Fantagraphics)

King Special Edition

King Special Edition

Chris: Ho Che Anderson and Fantagraphics give the lush full-press treatment to the author’s lengthy biography of Martin Luther King Jr., with notebook and diary excerpts, sketches, cut sequences and a whole lot more. This was honestly never one of my favorite graphic novels but I know it has its fans. (Fantagraphics)

Little Nothings Vol. 3: Uneasy Happiness

Chris: A new collection of autobiographical one-page strips by French curmudgeon Lewis Trondheim is always reason to cheer. Provided they’ve been translated into English of course. And they have been. (NBM)

Marat/Sade Journals

Chris: Ooo, this came out of left field territory. For years (16 to be exact), Baron Storey’s Marat/Sade Journals have been highly prized by certain folks in the art-comics crowd. Now here comes a revised and re-edited version, in hardcover no less. I’d snatch this puppy up quick if you chance upon it, ’cause it might be another 16 years before it comes out in print again. (Graphic Novel Art).

Newave! The Underground Mini Comix of the 1980s

Newave Underground Mini Comix of the 80s

Chris: I’m a sucker for discovering unexplored corners of comics history, and this collection of mini-comics from the Reagan era by folks like Mack White, Dan Clowes, Rick Geary and a lot of folks I’ve never heard of before seems to do just that. The book also features a historical synopsis by editor Michael Dowers and interviews with some of the creators. (Fantagraphics)

The Diamond site is still behind due to the snowstorm issues they experienced yesterday, but you can find an almost-complete list of everything hitting stores tomorrow here. Let us know what you plan to get at your local comic shop tomorrow in the comments below.

Crogan's March

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: Crogan’s March

This is the follow-up to the Eisner-nominated Crogan’s Vengeance, the first in Chris Schweizer‘s century-spanning series of graphic novels that detail the lives and adventures of various members of the Crogan family tree. Vengeance focused on the family’s pirate, while this one stars a member of the French Foreign Legion.

Schweizer’s art style has a great narrative quality that’s both cartoonishly fun and stylistically detailed, and the story was a hell of a lot of fun. I have no doubt this one will live up to the same level of quality he set in that first one. Check out a preview of the first 26 pages here. (Oni)

Smile

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: Smile

Having done her time in the land of the Babysitters Club, Raina Telgemeier ventures into autobiography land with this all-ages tale of her junior high years and how she endured them despite losing her two front teeth and having to wear a series of increasingly elaborate braces and headgear. Telgemeier has a breezy cartoonish style that I like, and the story, though perhaps a bit familiar and not on the “big subject” level that most graphic novel memoirs truck in these days, should resonate with anyone who had to wear a retainer. (Scholastic)

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: DEMO Vol. 2 #1 (of 6)

Demo #1

More than five years after the critically acclaimed first miniseries concluded at AiT/Planet Lar, Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan return with a much-anticipated second volume. While the 2003 version focused primarily on young people with superhuman powers, Wood says this six-issue sequel will have a more supernatural flavor. (That suits me just fine, as my favorite story from the original DEMO is Issue 6, “What You Wish For,” featuring the boy with the resurrected dog.)

This first issue, “The Waking Life of Angels,” centers on a woman has recurring visions of a person falling from a great height. So she sets off to find the person and stop the accident from happening. It sounds like a good start to what’s sure to be a solid series. (DC/Vertigo)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #32

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #32

JK: Brad Meltzer joins the creative team this issue as the identity of Twilight is revealed and Buffy learns how to use her new super powers. If the plot details aren’t enough to get you interested, I hear from a reliable source who has already read this issue that it’s a return to form for the series. (Dark Horse Comics)

Milestone Forever #1

JK: Dwayne McDuffie and a host of the original artists who worked on the Milestone line revisit that universe one more time, explaining how Dakota and all these characters ended up in the DCU. It isn’t often that a canceled line of comics gets a chance at closure. (DC Comics)

Showcase Presents: Secrets of Sinister House

Showcase Presents: Secrets of Sinister House trade paperback

Kevin: DC Comics collects the four issues of The Sinister House of Secret Love and 14 issues of its successor, the better-known Secrets of Sinister House, two of the publisher’s countless early-’70s horror anthology. You know it’s Sinister House because it’s hosted by Eve — issues 6 through 16, anyway — rather than by Cain or Abel. The series featured the talents of such creators as Sergio Aragones, Nick Cardy, Howard Chaykin, Ramona Fradon, Dick Giordano, Michael Kaluta, Joe Orlando and Mike Sekowsky. (DC Comics)

Criminal: The Sinners #4

Chris: This is one of the few monthly titles I pick up at my local shop anymore, partly because of the back essays and other material that isn’t collected in the trades, but also because I simply can’t wait for the book collection with this one.(Marvel)

Marvel Heartbreakers #1

Marvel Heartbreakers #1

Kevin: This Valentine’s Day-themed one-shot features Elsa Bloodstone, Dazzler, Snowbird, Monica Rambeau, Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson in short stories by the likes of C.B. Cebulski, Kathryn Immonen, David Lopez, Jim McCann, Junko Mizuno and Rick Spears. (Marvel)

Siege #2

JK: Marvel’s big crossover to end all crossovers — or at least wrap up many existing plotlines — promises a big battle and the death of an Avenger. (Marvel)

Ultimate Comics X #1

Ultimate Comics X #1

Kevin: Art Adams obviously is the selling point of this new bimonthly series as, after The Ultimates 3 and Ultimatum, it certainly isn’t Jeph Loeb. (Marvel)

Little Lulu Vol. 22: The Big Dipper Club

Chris: Well, I know what my big purchase of the week is. There’s no way I can pass up on a new Lulu volume. It’s like a black hole of comics, sucking me in its sphere, every three months. But in a really, really good way.

The Boys #39

The Boys #39

Chris: Having delved into everyone’s secret origin (jut about). The Boys starts a new storyline where, judging by the cover, the crap hits the fan in a big way. (Dynamite)

One Piece, Vols. 29-33

Kevin: Monkey D. Luffy’s conquest of North America goes unchallenged as Viz Media continues it accelerated release schedule for Eiichiro Oda’s bestselling adventure-comedy manga. (Viz Media)

Sarah Winchester #1

Sarah Winchester #1

JK: Dan Vado and Drew Rausch tell the story of the Winchester Mystery House, the San Jose, Calif. tourist attraction owned by the heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune. To give you a little background from a very under-educated South Bay transplant (I’ve never been to the house, but my wife has taken visiting relatives a couple of times ) … in 1884, Sarah Winchester moved to California and purchased a farmhouse that she immediately began renovating and adding onto, with work continuing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the next 38 years. Legend has it she was “haunted” by the spirits of everyone killed by a Winchester rifle, and a medium told her to build a house where they could all live. Supposedly the medium also told her that if she ever stopped adding onto the house, she would die.

It’s a fascinating story, and there’s a lot more to it than just the legends that paint her as being cuckoo, which I’m sure Vado will get into as the series progresses. I also saw some preview pages of this in San Diego last summer, and they look really nice. (SLG)

Ultimo Vol. 1

Ultimo Vol. 1

Chris: I confess. I’m burning with curiosity to see how Stan Lee’s hyperbolic writing style fits in the Mighty Manga tradition, represented here by Shaman King creator Hiroyuki Takei, who handles the art and co-plotting chores. It could be that Lee didn’t provide more than the barest bones of plot and left much of the heavy lifting to Takei, but even then I’d hope there was enough of Lee’s mannerisms that made it through to the final version. Can I at least hope for an “Excelsior?” More details here. (Viz)

Komiks: Comic Art in Russia

Chris: Your University Press of Mississippi offering for the week. Author José Alaniz examines the history of Russian comics, from the Soviet days to modern times. A must for anyone interested in what folks do with words and pictures outside our borders. (University Press of Mississippi)

Check out Diamond’s website for a list of everything that’ll be available in stores, then let us know in the comments what you plan to buy.

Afrodisiac cover

Welcome once again to Can’t Wait for Wednesday, our weekly look at what you can expect to find in your local comic shop tomorrow. To see what Kevin, Chris and I have to say about this week’s comics, read on …

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: Afrodisiac hardcover

Street Angel creators Jim Rugg and Brian Maruca roll out their high-energy, mind-boggling mash-up of blaxploitation films and 1970s Marvel comics like Masters of Kung Fu and Son of Satan. Alan Diesler is Afrodisiac, “a mysterious man from a far-away land — the original, unbeatable, irresistible, smooth dark-chocolate brother,” who, when not surrounded by foxy ladies, faces the likes of Dracula, Hercules, giant monsters and, perhaps worst of all, Richard Nixon.

Afrodisiac has previously appeared in an issue of Street Angel and in several anthologies, including Project: Superior, Meathaus: SOS and Popgun, Vol. 2. This 96-page hardcover collects all of those appearances and features new stories. You can read a preview and watch the trailer here. (Adhouse Books)

Hotwire Comics Vol. 03

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: Hotwire Comics Vol. 03

Here’s another hefty sampling of edgy, in-your-face alternative comics, edited by Glenn Head, who provides the cover as well as a couple of interior stories as well. This volume boasts a rather impressive A-list of contributors, including Mary Fleener, Michael Kupperman, R. Sikoryak, Mack White, Johnny Ryan and more. The Sikoryak story in particular — a mash-up between Dennis the Menace and Hamlet — is worth checking out, as is the great, surreal tale from White. If nothing else, I’m grateful to Head for giving folks like White a place to get their comics published, as they’re the kind of artists we don’t seem to see enough of these days. (Fantagraphics)

Cosmic Hulk Robot!

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: Fall of the Hulks: Red Hulk #1

Three words: Cosmic. Hulk. Robot. ’nuff said, I think. (Marvel)

Batman and Robin #7

Kevin: Grant Morrison is joined by Seaguy and Seven Soldiers of Victory collaborator Cameron Stewart for a three-issue arc called “Blackest Knight” (hehe!), which features, of course, British vigilantes Knight and Squire, plus — in this issue, at least — Batwoman. (DC Comics)

Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! #12

Kevin: It’s Captain Marvel versus his evil mirror image Niatpac Levram — and Mr. Mind! (DC Comics)

Detective 861

Detective Comics #861

Chris: JH Williams provides only the cover for now, no doubt stepping aside to prepare for the upcoming Batwoman series. That leaves the one-name artist known as Jock to take over for the next couple of issues. I’ll be honest — I’ve never been the biggest fan of Jock’s work, though just about anyone would be a tough act to follow Williams’ stellar work on the series. Still, curiosity will no doubt impel me to plunk down $4 for this. (DC)

Green Lantern #50

JK: Hal Jordan goes one-on-one with a Black Lantern version of the Spectre. (DC Comics)

Justice League: Cry for Justice #6

JK: There are train wrecks, and then there are train wrecks … and then there’s this series. I thought after the first issue it really couldn’t get any worse, but I eagerly read the second issue to see if it could somehow maintain, or even build on, that momentum. I think that was the issue where Hal and Oliver had their awkward “threesome” conversation. And of course, in the last issue, Red Arrow’s arm was ripped off in a scene that reminded me of the time Hannibal Lector ate pieces of that guy’s brain while he was still alive (and watching as his brains cooked in a skillet, no less). I was the only one in the theater who was laughing, because, well, Come on. It was ludicrous.

Cry for Justice #6

But I keep buying Cry for Justice, and I keep reading it, and I keep shaking my head at everything that happens in it … but I love it, in the same way I love stuff like the second Crank movie. Stuff that really shouldn’t exist but I just want to watch it to see how far they’ll go. I like the fact that I get to follow up everything that happens in Cry for Justice with the thought, “Wow, that seemed a bit over the top, didn’t it?” or “I don’t know if that makes sense …” or “Huh, why is [insert random DC character] suddenly popping up in the story? Ah, just go with it.” I couldn’t even tell you what the plot is, or what anyone in it is trying to accomplish — something about Prometheus, I think, who is on the latest issue’s cover. But then again Captain Marvel Jr. and Supergirl made out on the cover of the last issue but never seemed quite that intimate in the book, so who knows? And who cares? Logic be damned, just give us more drama. (DC Comics)

The Losers Vol. 1

The Losers: Volumes 1 and 2

Kevin: Vertigo smartly re-releases in one 304-page trade paperback the first storylines of Andy Diggle and Jock’s 2003-2006 espionage-thriller, in plenty of time for the April debut of the film adaptation. (DC/Vertigo)

Chew #8

Kevin: The surprise hit of 2009 — the highly recommended first trade paperback is a New York Times bestseller — marches on with the “International Flavor” storyline. You can read a preview here. (Image Comics)

The Avengers: World Trust Premiere Hardcover

The Avengers: World Trust Premiere Hardcover

Kevin: I started reading comics again in 2002, around the time Geoff Johns was kicking off his largely underrated run on The Avengers. Or perhaps it was simply overshadowed by Brian Michael Bendis’ disassembling of the title shortly afterward. Whatever the case, it was one of the few titles I could find on a regular basis at the really terrible local comic store, and I liked it quite a bit. The Avengers, not the store. This hardcover collects the first five issues of Johns’ tenure, which paired him with artists Kieron Dwyer, Gary Frank and Rick Remender for a story in which the capitals of every country on Earth have mysteriously disappeared. (Marvel)

Captain America: Reborn #6 (of 6)

Kevin: And so with this finally concluded, we can return to our regularly scheduled Captain America, already in progress. (Marvel)

Fantastic Four #575

Fantastic Four #575

JK: Kicking off a storyline called “Prime Elements,” Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesmith take the FF to the hidden city of the High Evolutionary, bring back the Mole Man and, oh yeah, there’s something about Galactus, too. (Marvel)

Kick Ass #8

Chris: Oh, hey, haven’t seen one of these in awhile. Here’s the final issue in Mark Millar/John Romita Jr’s superhero slash-em-up that will be dismembering criminals at a cinemaplex near you. Hopefully this means the trade collection is only a month or two away, and I can finally read this series (yes, I’m horrible, I know). (Marvel/Icon)

New Avengers #61

JK: With the Siege in full swing, Steve Rogers returns to the Avengers. (Marvel)

Ultimate Comics Enemy #1

Ultimate Comics Enemy #1 (of 4)

Kevin: I know nothing about this miniseries other than what the solicitation tells me: It’s by Brian Michael Bendis and Rafa Sandoval (Avengers: The Initiative), and that it’s apparently the Ultimate Universe all-stars against “the face of true evil” in said universe. (Marvel)

Wolverine: Wendigo #1

JK: This collects a couple of stories that originally appeared on Marvel’s Digital Comics Unlimited site. Written by Frank Tieri, the first features Wolverine’s first foe, the Wendigo, as well as art by Paul Gulacy, while the second features Wolverine and Thor, with art by Paco Diaz. (Marvel)

Barefoot Gen

Barefoot Gen Vol. 09
Barefoot Gen Vol. 10

Chris: The effects of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima continue to resonate many years later in these two volumes of Keiji Nakazawa’s gripping manga. I believe Vol. 10 is the final book in the series, but don’t quote me on that. (Last Gasp)

Dirty Dishes

Chris: From Drawn and Quarterly comes this collection of paintings, drawings and comics from Canadian Amy Lockhart, who frequently palls around and collaborates with her fellow Canuck cartoonist Marc Bell.

Wizard's Tale

Wizard’s Tale

JK: IDW releases a “remastered” version of Kurt Busiek and Dave Wenzel’s story about a wizard who is supposed to be evil, but can’t help but be a nice guy. It was originally published by Wildstorm in the late 1990s after its original publisher, Eclipse, went under before it was published; the new edition has been relettered and color-corrected by Wenzel. (IDW)

What are you getting this week? Check out the Diamond site to see what’s arriving in stores, and let us know in the comments below.

This week is all about the comeback, as we have several big returns making their way to your local comic shop this week. After a brief hiatus due to things like Captain America: Reborn, the regular Captain America monthly title is once again in shops — with Steve, Bucky, 1950s Cap AND the new Nomad. DC, meanwhile, has the return of two titles we haven’t seen in awhile, Starman and Phantom Stranger. And their Vertigo imprint sees the return of one of its favorite sons, Grant Morrison, who teams up with artist Sean Murphy to tell the tale of Joe the Barbarian.

In addition to Joe, there are several other first issues hitting this week, including another Supernatural miniseries from Wildstorm, Avengers vs. Agents of Atlas from Marvel, a new Solomon Kane mini from dark Horse and Merc from Zenescope. They’re joined by the last issue of Dark Horse’s Rapture miniseries, as well as new issues of RASL, Dark Avengers, Thunderbolts, Green Lantern Corps. and Incorruptible, among many others.

Trade waiters, meanwhile, can look for new collections of R.E.B.E.L.S., Justice League, Jack Staff and Captain America, just to name a few.

To see what Chris, Kevin and I are looking forward to, read on …

Captain America #602

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: Captain America #602

Captain America returns! By which I mean, of course, the monthly series, which had been put on hold so Marvel could have a summer event in the form of Captain America: Reborn. (It was critical for the “death” of Steve Rogers to occur in the pages of Captain America, but not his return?) So, yeah, here we are, with issue 602, which kicks off the “Two Americas” story arc (by Ed Brubaker and Luke Ross), featuring the Captain America from the 1950s, Steve and Bucky. Plus, the Nomad back-up story, by Sean McKeever and David Baldeon, debuts! (Marvel)

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: The John Stanley Library Thirteen Going on Eighteen

Thirteen Going on Eighteen

One of my greater comics joys in recent years has been discovering the work John Stanley did apart from the Little Lulu series he’s best known for. Drawn and Quarterly has done a splendid job reprinting this material so far with the Melvin Monster and Nancy volumes, but honestly the one I’ve been looking the most forward to is this one, Thirteen Going on Eighteen.

Based on the little I’ve read, Stanley’s teen comedy series has a manic verve and energy that only matched in his best Lulu stories, and rarely if ever matched by any of his peers. He’s quickly climbed to the top of my “favorite all-time cartoonists” list and I think if you check out this book you’ll see why. (Drawn and Quarterly)

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: Joe the Barbarian

Joe the Barbarian #1

I had a tough time deciding if this or Starman was going to be my pick of the week, but I think Tim’s interview with artist Sean Murphy pushed me in the direction of this one. Writer Grant Morrison returns to Vertigo for an eight-issue miniseries about a boy with a big imagination who wages a war against the evil forces holding a fantasyland made up of his toys under siege. As much as Morrison is a big draw here, I’m also excited to see this world that Murphy has created.

Edit: Oh yeah, and it’s only a buck! (DC/Vertigo)

The Phantom Stranger #42

Kevin: Of all of the DC Comics titles resurrected as one-shots for this Blackest Night gimmick — Catwoman, Starman and The Power of Shazam! among them — this is perhaps the … strangest. I mean, the Phantom Stranger hasn’t had a monthly series since 1976. But, hey, he’s immortal. Plus, he has that groovy medallion. (DC Comics)

Starman #81

Starman #81

JK: Nine years after issue 80 sent Jack Knight off into the sunset (or to San Francisco, actually), Starman returns to stands with a new issue that ties into Blackest Night. James Robinson returns to Opal City to show us what’s been going on since we were last there, as the Shade’s date with Hope O’Dare is interrupted by the re-appearance of a dead Starman. (DC Comics)

Superboy: The Greatest Team-Ups Ever Told

Kevin: DC collects some classic, and not-so-classic, Superboy stories from the 1950s through the ’80s, featuring work by the likes of Otto Binder, Curt Swan, Bill Finger, John Forte and Jerry Siegel. (DC Comics)

Jack Staff Vol. 2: Soldiers

Jack Staff Vol. 2: Soldiers

Kevin: Image releases a new edition of this 2005 collection, which recounts Jack Staff’s battle with the Hurricane in the early 1980s, and the reason why Paul Grist’s superhero left the public spotlight. (Image Comics)

Avengers vs. Agents of Atlas #1

JK: Despite no longer having a regular ongoing, the Agents of Atlas are still in play with several miniseries, guest appearances and the like. Six of one, half a dozen of another … as long as Jeff Parker is still telling these tales, I’m on board. (Marvel)

Captain America: Road to Reborn

Kevin: We get this trade paperback, collecting Captain America #49-50 and #600-601, the same week as Issue 601. Pretty good timing. Of course, we have to wait until next week to see the final issue of Reborn. (Marvel)

Thing: Project Pegasus Premiere Hardcover

Thing: Project Pegasus Premiere Hardcover

Kevin: I’ll admit that I haven’t kept up to date on the adventures of Benjamin J. Grimm, so I may have missed a recent event that puts this in context. However, I can’t help but think this 160-page hardcover collection of eight issues of Marvel Two-in-One from the late 1970s is really … random.

JK: I don’t think this is tied to anything going on in recent comics, Kevin, although I’d love to see Jonathan Hickman’s take on Project: Pegasus. I do remember hunting these issues down in the back issue bins when I was on a Marvel Two-In-One kick back in the day, trying to find them all before I sat down to read any of them. It was a fun story arc in a title that typically told done-in-one stories vs. something longer. (Marvel)

Black Jack Vol. 9

Chris: How did I get so far behind in this series? Oh well, here’s another collection of great two-fisted scalpel action from one of the masters. (Vertical)

Cartoon Introduction to Economics

Cartoon Introduction to Economics Vol 1: Microeconomics

Chris: Grady Klein steps away from his Lost Colony series for First Second to provide this “digestable” and, one hopes, informative and humorous look at the science of economics, along with the requisite expert, Yoram Bauman. Larry Gonick fans may want to check this one out. (Hill and Wang)

Glamourpuss #11

Chris: The Dave Sim fashion train keeps rollin’ along with more on Stan Drake and a cover by Russ Heath. (Aardvark-Vanaheim)

King of RPGs

King of RPGs

Chris: Manga expert and author Jason Thompson enters the fictional side of things with this story of a hyperactive role-playing fan who meets his match once he enters college. Victor Hao handles the art chores. The perfect comic for those who still have an original copy of the Monster Manual on their bookshelves. (Del Rey)

Incorruptible #2

JK: I get the sense from the first issue that this is going to be the flip side to Mark Waid’s Irredeemable not only in terms of plot — the villain turning good vs. the hero turning bad — but also in terms of tone. It felt a little more relaxed and tongue in cheek than Irredeemable did. What’s great is that despite the “shared world” nature of these two stories, they can both be so different and still work as well as they do. (BOOM!)

Loverboy

Loverboy

Chris: Irwin Hasen of Dondi fame tells a risque tale of a short bachelor who’s got a thing for tall women. The odd, Updike-esque plot, plus the fact that it’s by the guy who did freakin’ Dondi makes this worth at least a flip through if nothing else. (Vanguard Productions)

All My Darling Daughters
Not Simple
Oishinbo Vol. 7
Pluto Vol. 7
Real Vol 7
Vagabond Vizbig Vol. 6

Pluto Vol. 7

Chris: It’s a big week for fans of Viz’s signature imprint as they seem to have let loose the floodgates. First up is Fumi Yoshinaga’s collection of short stories about a group of women friends. Then there’s the debut volume of work by Natsume Ono, whose work Viz is serializing quite a bit of through their Ikki Web site. We’ve got the (sob) final volume in the Oishinbo food manga (hopefully that’s a temporary thing), and the next to last volume in Naoki Urasawa’s Tezuka revamp. Finally, for all you Takehiko Inoue fans out there, there’s the seventh volume of his gritty basketball manga, and the latest phone book sized collection of his fictionalized look at the life of samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Man. That’s a lotta manga. (Viz)

What are you getting this week? Check out Diamond’s site for a list of everything hitting stores, and let us know in the comments section.

As you may have already heard, the week isn’t completely dead … even if the one new mainstream comic you can buy features a bunch of guys who are. Blackest Night #6 shipped early, meaning your retailer should have a copy waiting for you. Marvel, meanwhile, is releasing a free comic book, Origins of Siege, along with a calendar and some Avengers ID cards. And Dark Horse doesn’t have any new books out, but they are updating their MySpace Dark Horse Presents site a little early, with new stories by folks like Jill Thompson and Mark Crilley.

And, of course, there’s Indy Comic Book Week. Indy comic creators saw the potential void left on retailer’s racks this week, so they kicked off a movement to get their books onto shelves. Tim spoke to four of the planners behind the event about their endeavor, and we’ve been running previews from various creators for the past couple weeks. You can see even more of them at the Indy Comic Book Week blog.

So, for this very special edition of Can’t Wait for Wednesday, Chris, Kevin and I thought we’d get into the spirit and pick out some of the indy releases that we thought looked kinda interesting. These, of course, are only a handful of books that’ll be available, and they may not all be available at your local shop. So follow the links we’ve provided to see if you can buy them locally … and if not, see if you can buy them online. You might also check out Indy Planet, Midtown Comics and Things from Another World, as many Indy Comic Book Week books can be found on those sites as well.

Carnivale DeRobotique

Carnivale DeRobotique by Tony Trov, Johnny Zito, Mark Fidona and Gabriel Bautista

JK: The writing duo of Tony and Johnny have tackled zombies, vampires and, in the upcoming Moon Girl, superheroes. This one’s a little bit different than what you might expect from them — the story of a nanny droid named Wendy, “who runs away to be a ballerina in the robot circus.” Hey, we’ve all got dreams, right?

Ex Occultus: Badge of Langavat, by Robert James Russell, Sandra Lanz and Tim McDonley

Kevin: All I needed to know is that it’s a Victorian supernatural detective-adventure. But if you require more, Ex Occultus is described as “a globetrotting, serialized epic combining elements of Indiana Jones, H.P. Lovecraft and The X-Files.” If that doesn’t sell you on it, nothing will. This one-shot finds occult hunters Franics Wakefield and Fergus Duff in Scotland searching for missing children and stumbling upon a castle belonging to a family of cursed werewolves. But they’re not just any cursed werewolves; they’re cursed undead werewolves. That’s the worst kind.

The God of Rock

God Of Rock A Seventy-Two-Hour Comic by Paul Milligan

JK: I was hoping to get Brutal Legend for Christmas, but that didn’t happen … so I think I’ll check this graphic novel out instead. It stars The God of Rock, Pan, and his band … the Gods of Rock. One of whom is a ninja. And they fight robots, according to the preview up at TFAW.

Green Monk, by Brandon Dayton

Kevin: The debut minicomic by animator and illustrator Brandon Dayton is, judging from these sample pages, a beautifully drawn tale about a monk who wanders the countryside of a mythical Russia wielding only an enchanted blade of grass.

Invisible Sam

Invisible Sam, The Unremarkable Man by Adam O. Pruett

Chris: This sort of “tale of lowly nobody” has been done enough times before to warrant its own genre, but I like the art style, which seems to have as much of an European sensibility as an American one. That in and of itself can be enough to spur my curiosity. Check out our preview here.

Life (With Friends) #1 by Adam Wilson and Mike Kay

JK: Wilson and Kay offer what looks to be a nice-looking slice of life story about a group of friends trying to find their way after graduating college. Check out some preview pages here.

One Night Stand by David Hopkins and friends

Chris: I like the basic concept behind this minicomic– a collection of one-page strips about casual sexual encounters — and the collection of artists like Ryan Dunlavey and Nate Bramble suggests a cartoony vibe I can get behind. Plus, comics about sex! Those are always funny, right? Find more info here and here.

Senryu

Senryu, by Matthew Warlick

Kevin: Another debut, this time from Dallas-based artist Matthew Warlick, is a bit of a hybrid — or is that a chimera? — blending poetry, comics, prose and who knows what else. Warlick dubs it “an abstract journey into the mind, dreams and subconscious of the artst,” so make of that what you will. The art looks nice, though.

So Buttons by Jonathan Bayliss

Chris: Yet another autobio comic, but the samples on Bayliss’ page suggest a nice sense of self-deprecation, particularly when writer Bayliss works with artist T.J. Kirsch. I seem to recall the book popping up on my radar elsewhere — perhaps at SPX — so it’s definitely something I’m at least curious to check out.

If you’ve waited until now to start buying gifts for that special comic book lover in your life, then you are in luck … there should be something for every fan on your list in comic shops this week.

If you need a few last-minute gifts, there’s the new Joe Sacco’s latest graphic novel, Footnotes in Gaza; Image has another volume of Fantastic Worlds of Frank Frazetta; Marvel has a collection of some of Brian Michael Bendis’ stories from the past decade; Fantagraphics has the Definitive Prince Valiant Companion for the comic strip fan; and Red 5 puts out another Atomic Robo collection. And that’s just a handful of spined goodness ready for your wrapping paper.

And what better stocking stuffer could you find than a comic book? Grab a copy of Blackest Night JSA #1, Image United #2, Fantastic Four #574, Beasts of Burden #4 or Bart Simpson Comics #51, among others, and make someone’s Christmas morning complete.

To see what Chris, Kevin and I plan to stuff into our own stockings when Santa’s not looking, read on …

Footnotes in Gaza

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: Footnotes in Gaza

I had to dig through the “Merchandise” section to find this, which is frustrating considering it will easily be one of the most talked about books of 2009. Or would be if it weren’t coming in so late in the year. Anyway, with a minimum of fanfare comes Joe Sacco’s latest graphic novel, a work which finds the intrepid comics reporter moving away from the Balkans and back to the Middle East, this time examining the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestines, specifically a bloody incident from 1956. I can’t imagine this being anything but excellent. (Metropolitan Books)

Kevin Melrose’s picks of the week: Brian Michael Bendis: 10 Years at Marvel and Daredevil by Brian Michael Bendis & Alex Maleev Omnibus, Vol. 2 hardcover

Brian Michael Bendis: 10 Years at Marvel

Love his work or hate it, there’s little denying that Brian Michael Bendis has played a significant role — perhaps second only to Joe Quesada — in shaping the Marvel Universe over the past decade. With these two books, the publisher celebrates some of the writer’s significant, and not-so-significant, contributions to Marvel mythology, from Daredevil and Alias to Ultimate Spider-Man and New Avengers.

The first book, 10 Years at Marvel, is a stroll down memory lane, with a couple of curious detours. (For instance, I’d forgotten about Bendis’ tour of duty on Ultimate X-Men — certainly not a title with which he’s closely associated.) The second showcases Bendis’ work, primarily with artist Alex Maleev, on the title with which he made his mark at Marvel: Daredevil. Specifically, this volume collects the duo’s last issues on the series — #61-81 — along with Bendis’ three-issue Daredevil: Ninja miniseries (with Rob Haynes) and the What If … Karen Page Had Lived? one-shot (with Michael Lark). (Marvel)

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: The Last Days of American Crime

JK: I spoke with Rick Remender about this book many moons ago, and I’ve been waiting for it to come out ever since. The book centers on a grifter, Graham Brick, who has about a week left in his criminal life before the United States government begins broadcasting a signal that will eliminate all criminal thought from the minds of its citizens. So Brick decides to go out with a bang by committing the crime of the century.

It’s a crime story, mixed with a political thriller, with a little bit of an ethics discussion thrown in as well. I can’t wait. (Radical)

Beast of Burden #4

Beasts of Burden #4 (of 4)

Kevin: Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson conclude their miniseries with a story that sends the four-legged spook squad to the local cemetery to solve yet another paranormal mystery. (Dark Horse)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8: Willow

Kevin: Hey, this 40-page one-shot comes with a choice of covers: Clothed Willow, or Naked, Snake Lady-Entwined Willow! (Dark Horse)

Hellboy: The Bride of Hell

Hellboy: The Bride of Hell

Kevin: Mike Mignola and Richard Corben reunite as Hellboy tracks down a kidnapped woman in a strange tale that promises “ghosts, demonic revenge, lost love and King Solomon.” Not enough comics nowadays feature King Solomon. (Dark Horse)

Blackest Night JSA #1

JK: James Robinson has the Justice Society seeing double, as classic JSA members like Mr. Terrific and Dr. Midnite return from the dead to attack their namesakes in this Blackest Night tie-in. (DC Comics)

Detective Comics #860

Detective Comics #860

Kevin: Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III wrap up their well-received origin of Batwoman. Bonus: The Huntress guest stars in The Question co-feature. (DC Comics)

Northlanders #23

Kevin: If the outstanding cover and solicitation text don’t sell you on the third part of Brian Wood and Leandro Fernandez’s “The Plague Widow” arc, nothing will:

“‘Deathships’ haunt the Volga – floating mass graves, Viking ship crews struck down by the plague in transit. They present an irresistible temptation to the quarantined town: precious cargo there for the taking if only a volunteer could be found to risk infection and pull the ship to shore.”

Northlanders 23

“Deathships”! That’s how you write a solicitation. If you need a little more, you can check out the preview here. (Vertigo)

Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade

Kevin: The delightful all-ages series by Landry Q. Walker and Eric Jones gets a softcover collection. Hopefully it’ll sell well enough for the publisher to continue the title. (DC Comics)

Frank Frazetta’s Dark Kingdom #3

Chris: Man,the latest news about Frazetta just makes that title take on a whole different, unintended meaning, doesn’t it? (Image Comics)

Image United #2

Image United #2

JK: Image’s founders + Robert Kirkman continue their extra-large mega-crossover, as Savage Dragon, Witchblade and the rest team up to take on the original Spawn, who we found out last issue was the big bad. (Image)

Captain America: Who Will Wield the Shield?

JK: Although the Captain America: Reborn mini-series won’t wind up until the end of January and we won’t know how Steve Rogers came back from the dead until then, what we do know is that he’s back … and with this one-shot, we see how the old Cap reacts to the new Cap.

And while it would have been optimal for the mini-series to wrap up before this special came out, I’ll quote my friend Sean T. Collins, from a discussion we had about this a week or so ago: “Pretend it’s like Lost and you see something happen but only get the explanation later,” he said. I kinda like his perspective. (Marvel)

Criminal Sinners #3

Criminal Sinners #3

Chris: With my tight budget, this will likely be the only pamphlet buy for me this week, but it will remain a completely satisfying read for me nevertheless. Much more for me, I imagine, than three of whatever random pamphlets happen to be coming out from Marvel this week. (Marvel/Icon)

Doctor Voodoo: The Origin of Jericho Drumm #1

Kevin: Who would’ve guessed that 2009 would see a Brother Voodoo — excuse me, Doctor Voodoo — miniseries *and* a one-shot? This special reprints the first two appearances of Jericho Drumm from 1973′s Strange Tales #169-170, by Len Wein and Gene Colan, packaged with a new framing sequence by Roy Thomas and Alex Massacci. (Marvel)

Fall of the Hulks: Gamma #1

Fall of the Hulks: Gamma #1

JK: If you read the “Alpha” part of this two-part prelude to Marvel’s big Hulk event, you know that a super-secret group of villainous scientists, which included The Leader, Dr. Doom and the Wizard, among others, has been working behind the scenes for years to gather information and to do generally bad things to the Marvel Universe. And their latest project, well … I don’t wanna spoil anything, but it’s very Hulk-related. As for the Gamma portion of the crossover, this issue gets the heroes involved, and according to Marvel.com, it also features the funeral of a character who passes away in the first few pages. Then no doubt some Hulks get mad and start the smashing. (Marvel)

Fantastic Four #574

Fantastic Four #574

JK: Alan Davis provides a really nice cover for this issue, which focuses on the second-youngest member of the cast, Franklin, and his big birthday party. Hickman’s run on the book has been can’t-miss-fun so far, and FF has quickly become one of my favorite Marvel titles. (Marvel)

Art of Herge: Inventor of Tintin Vol. 02 (of 3)

Chris: I really liked the first volume of this series from Last Gasp, as it collected not only sketches and art related to the famous cow-licked boy reporter, but also featured some of Herge’s other illustration and commercial work, underscoring just how talented an artist he was. I’ll have to put this new book on my Amazon wish list tout suite. (Last Gasp)

Conceptual Realism: In the Service of the Hypothetical

Conceptual Realism: In the Service of the Hypothetical

Chris: A new collection of high-low painter Robert Williams’ work, spanning most of the past 10 years, with essays by the artist. (Fantagraphics)

Definitive Prince Valiant Companion SC

Chris: As promised, here’s the paperback version of the book that’s all about Prince Valiant. I talked a littlle bit about it in last Sunday’s What Are You Reading? column. (Fantagraphics)

Gahan Wilson: 50 Years of Playboy Cartoons LTD ED

Chris: And hey, if you haven’t picked up that ginormous Gahan Wilson collection yet and need the extra incentive, here’s a special signed, limited edition version that runs you $50 more. You’ve got the cash, right? (Fantagraphics)

The Great Anti-War Cartoons

The Great Anti-War Cartoons

Chris: Editor Craig Yoe (Secret Identity, Boody!) provides a collection of various gags, editorial cartoons and illustrations all having to do with war and war-related horrors. It’s certainly a nice looking book, though the themes and images tend to repeat themselves over time. I reviewed the book last week, if you want more thoughts on the matter. (Fantagraphics)

More Than Complete Action Philosophers

Chris: Fred van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey’s fun nine-issue look at some of the world’s biggest thinkers gets collected into one chunky volume, with four all-new stories sandwiched in between. (Evil Twin Comics)

The Original Johnson Vol. 01

The Original Johnson Vol. 01

Chris: Hey, did you read that interview with Trevor von Eeden in The Comics Journal a few months back? Man, was that an incredible, somewhat creepy and unsettling piece or what? Anyway, here’s Eeden’s latest work, about famed boxer Jack Johnson, done through ComicMix and IDW though according to that interview there were problems between the artist and publisher. Hopefully that will all be settled now. One things for sure, this book is going to look stunning. (IDW)

Sublife Vol. 2

Chris: John Pham’s ongoing story about a small neighborhood full of oddballs continues, along with other short stories and stand-alone strips (Fantagraphics)

Now make your own list, check it twice, and post it in our comments field below. You can find everything due in stores this week over on the Diamond Comics website.

If you’re still doing your Christmas shopping and have a fellow fan on your list, you probably can’t go wrong by choosing one of several collections arriving this week. You can choose from one of three Robert Crumb books, Craig Yoe’s Art of Steve Ditko, a massive collection of Gahan Wilson’s Playboy cartoons, a Charles Vess art book, a Batman archive, the definitive Rocketeer and a collection of Matt Fraction’s previous Thor stories — just in time for the announcement that he’s writing the title. That collection includes Reign of Blood, which will always have a soft spot in my heart just because I really dig seeing our own Carla Hoffman explain the story of the Blood Colossus to various folks at conventions. We should really tape her performance and post it here for the whole world to see.

On the comic front, Image kicks off a new series called Forgetless, BOOM! shows us Mark Waid isn’t as evil as we once thought with Incorruptible, DC continues the Blackest Night story with a couple of tie-in books, and X-Factor gets renumbered just in time to celebrate its 200th issue. And that’s only a brief glimpse of the bounty waiting for you tomorrow.

To see what Kevin, Chris and I have to say about this week’s stash, please read on … and let us know in the comments what you’ll be getting.

Gahan Wilson: Fifty Years of Playboy Cartoons

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: Gahan Wilson: 50 Years of Playboy Cartoons

There are reprint projects and then there is this: A massive, three volume, hardcover, slipcased set that includes every single gag cartoon (and even some short stories) the puckishly macabre Wilson has done for the house that Hefner built since the late 50s. I’ve been perusing the thing over the past week and it’s really a sumptuous package, exquisitely designed and full of great, great work from one of the finest (and sadly, often ignored) cartoonists of the modern era. If you’ve got a spare $125 lying around your house somewhere, you really need to check this out. (Fantagraphics)

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: Incorruptible #1

Incorruptible #1

I wasn’t instantly sold on Mark Waid and Peter Krause’s Irredeemable series. But by issue 3 or 4 I really started to appreciate the story, particularly the way Waid and Krause were picking apart not just the life of the Plutonian, but society’s idea of what a hero is expected to be and to do. Although the concept — Superman goes bad — is fairly simple, the execution has been anything but.

So now comes a similar concept from Waid and artists Jean Diaz and Belardino Brabo — Incorruptible, featuring a villain who went good after Irredeemable‘s Plutonian went bad. Waid told our own Tim O’Shea that the book will give him the opportunity to explore different themes from Irredeemable, as well as inject a little more humor into the story. I’m looking forward to it. (BOOM!)

The Complete Rocketeer Collection, Vol. 1 hardcover

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: The Complete Rocketeer Collection, Vol. 1 hardcover

Dave Stevens’ well-regarded homage to the pulp heroes of the 1930s and ’40s finally receives a hardcover collection, recolored by Laura Martin (the choice of the late creator). Even if you’ve never read the comics, which debuted in 1982, you’re likely familiar with the premise of The Rocketeer, thanks the 1991 Disney film: Daredevil pilot Cliff Secord discovers a prototype jet pack hidden by the enemy agents who stole it, dons the mysterious device, battles the Nazi spies and becomes a hero/adventurer. This hardcover collects the original The Rocketeer stories, plus The Rocketeer: Cliff’s New York Adventures previously published by Comico and Dark Horse. (IDW Publishing)

Drawing Down the Moon: The Art of Charles Vess

Chris: While I’m not one for fantasy art in general, I do like Vess’ work a great deal and am happy to see Dark Horse give him his due via this art book. (Dark Horse)

Green Lantern Corps #43

Green Lantern Corps #43

JK: So Guy Gardner has had both green and yellow rings in the past, and in this issue, it looks like he’s getting a red one. Maybe it would have just been easier to buy a copy of Justice League #39 like everyone else, Guy … (DC Comics)

Godland #30

Chris: I’ve drastically reduced my weekly comics purchases due to the poor economy (I do work at a newspaper, after all) but this is one series I continue to buy in pamphlet format pretty regularly, and I’ll be sorry when it finally comes to a close. (Image)

Next Issue Project #2 (Silver Streak Comics #24)

Next Issue Project #2 (Silver Streak Comics #24)

JK: Erik Larsen spearheads another anthology of new Golden Age stories by folks like Paul Grist, Michael T. Gilbert and Alan Weiss, among others. The idea behind this book is kind of interesting — pick a title that was canceled back in the Golden Age (and whose characters have fallen into public domain) and tell the tales of what would have happened if they’d just had one more issue. This time around they’ve chosen Silver Streak Comics #24, which featured characters like Silver Streak, Captain Battle, The Claw and the Golden Age Daredevil. CBR has an interview with Larsen about the book here. (Image)

Captain America: Reborn #5 (of 6)

JK: Ed Brubaker and Bryan Hitch continue to tell the tale of how Steve Rogers came back from the dead. (Marvel)

Nomad: Girl Without a World #4 (of 4)

Nomad: Girl Without a World #4 (of 4)

Kevin: Sean McKeever and David Baldeon wrap up their unlikely miniseries starring Rikki Barnes, the Bucky from “Heroes Reborn.” Hopefully, we’ll see more of Nomad soon. (Marvel)

Thor: Ages of Thunder trade paperback

Kevin: With Matt Fraction now confirmed as the next permanent writer of Thor, this trade paperback may serve as a perfect primer for his run. It collects all four one-shots Fraction wrote in 2008: Ages of Thunder, Reign of Blood, Man of War and God-Sized. (Marvel)

X-Factor #200

JK: The team returns to New York and to their original numbering with this issue, as Madrox and co. take up the case of the disappearing Invisible Woman. Peter David talked about the anniversary issue here. (Marvel)

Angel #28

Angel #28

Kevin: Fables writer Bill Willingham kicks off his anticipated run on the series with this issue. You can see a preview here. (IDW Publishing)

Okko: The Cycle of Earth #3 (of 4)

Kevin: This continues the Archaia editions of Hub’s sprawling, violent samurai fantasy (peppered with mecha and magic) set in a world resembling medieval Japan. I haven’t been following this miniseries, but I enjoyed the previous volume. (Archaia)

The Art of Steve Ditko HC

The Art of Steve Ditko HC

Chris: Craig Yoe’s imprint over at IDW — the subtly titled Yoe! Books — debuts with this large format coffee table book showcasing the work of one of the Silver Age masters, with essays by P. Craig Russell, John Romita and Jerry Robinson, and an all-new introduction by Stan Lee. Man, Ditko’s been all the rage lately, hasn’t he? (IDW)

Asterix and Obelix’s Birthday

Chris: Holy cow, is Asterix really 50 years old? Man, that’s astounding to me for some reason. Anyway, this new book celebrates the anniversary in style I would imagine, though they seem to be a bit hush-hush about the details. (Orion)

Book of Genesis by Robert Crumb LTD HC
Complete Crumb Vol. 7
Complete Crumb Vol. 12

Chris: Apparently it’s Robert Crumb week at Diamond, though for some reason I didn’t get the memo. Oh well, there’s a new signed and limited edition version of his Genesis adaptation in case you’ve been holding out for that one, and new printings of Vols. 7 and 12 in Fantagraphics Complete Crumb series. That features some of his early and late 70s work, respectively. (Fantagraphics)

Children of the Sea Vol. 2

Children of the Sea Vol. 2
Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys Vol. 6
Ooku: The Inner Chambers Vol. 2

Chris: Viz unleashes not just one but three titles in their Signature line this week. Of the three, I’m probably the most interested in Boys, since that’s my favorite manga these days. I have lots of love for Children, though, and am eager to see how the story progresses. As far as Ooku goes, I will say that while I wasn’t crazy about the first volume, I might pick up the second down the line just to see if Fumi Yoshinaga can write herself out of the corner she seems to have put herself in. (Viz)

The Complete Little Orphan Annie Vol. 04

The Complete Little Orphan Annie Vol. 04

Chris: Covering 1932 and most of 1933, now with the Sundays in full color. Man, I still have to get volume one of this. (IDW)

The Definitive Prince Valiant Companion

Chris: Hey kids, do you like Prince Valiant? I mean really, really, really like Prince Valiant? Then you’re going to go ga-ga for this book by Brian Kane, which seems to contain about as much trivia and history about Hal Foster’s strip as you could possibly want and then some, including interviews with Foster and his successors, John Cullen Murphy and Gary Gianni and Mark Schultz. It’s a nice book, though it makes me wish people would do similar books on my all-time favorites, like Popeye and Krazy Kat. Oh, and if that hardcover price seems a bit high, I believe a paperback version is coming down the pike as well. (Fantagraphics)

Love and Capes #12

Love and Capes #12

JK: This was going to be the last issue of Thom Zahler’s fun sitcom-via-superheroes romance book, at least in its current form, but he’s mentioned on his site that he will have a 13th issue out on Free Comic Book Day. Which is good news. In more good news, this issue features the long-awaited wedding of Mark and Abby. (Maerkle Press)

To see the list of everything hitting comic shops this week, check out the Diamond Comics website.

Of course, it’s not all manga: B.P.R.D.: War on Frogs and Citizen Rex come to a close, Daytrippers, Nation X and The Muppet Show Comic Book debut, and War Machine says farewell … for now.

And that’s just for starters. JK Parkin is on vacation this week, but to see what Chris Mautner and I have to say about this week’s releases, keep reading. As always, let us know in the comments section what you plan to get.

One Piece: East Blue 1-2-3

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: One Piece: East Blue 1-2-3

This creatively, and perhaps confusingly, named book is an omnibus edition collecting the first three volumes of Eiichiro Oda’s smash-hit pirate comedy-adventure (East Blue is the ocean setting for the first six arcs).

If you haven’t heard of One Piece — come on now, how can you not have? — it’s probably because in North America Naruto rules the manga roost. But in Japan, One Piece is the (pirate) king: As I noted earlier today, its 55 volumes to date have sold 176 million copies, making it the bestselling series in manga history.

One Piece is a little … well, loopy. But that’s a large part of its appeal. It’s the story of Monkey D. Luffy, a dim-but-likable teen-ager who dreams of succeeding the King of the Pirates by finding the fabled One Piece treasure. He’s aided in his quest by superhuman powers — he accidentally eats a Devil Fruit that gives him stretching abilities but leaves him unable to swim — and a crew of misfit pirates called the Straw Hats (a swordsman, a thief, a marksman, a chef, etc.). I could go on, but you’d be better served by reading these two reviews.

East Blue 1-2-3 is a really good deal: Three volumes — 608 pages! — for $14.99 (less with a discount, of course), compared to the $23.85 you’d pay for them individually. (Viz Media)

Yotsuba&! Vol. 7

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: Yotsuba&! Vol. 7

It’s a slow week, so I’ll go with the tried and true and pick the latest volume of Kiyohiko Azuma’s always-delightful series about a precocious but somewhat innocent green-haired little girl and her suburban adventures with her older neighborhood friends and adoptive dad. Apparently this volume features cows, which is always something to look forward to. (Yen Press)

Citizen Rex #6 (of 6)

Chris: Mario and Gilbert Hernandez’s light sci-fi opera comes to a close with this final issue. That’s good news for me, as I’m waiting for the trade. (Dark Horse)

Crossing the Empty Quarter and Other Stories

Crossing the Empty Quarter and Other Stories

Chris: Hey, two Carol Swain books in one year, that’s got to be noteworthy for one reason or another. This trade collects more than 30 short stories by the London artist. (Dark Horse)

Batman: The Cult (new printing)

Chris: A new printing of Bernie Wrightson and Jim Starlin’s over-the-top Batman-versus-crazy-underground-cult story is always worth celebrating. If you’re a Batman fan and you haven’t read this saga yet, it’s high time you did. (DC Comics)

Daytripper #1 (of 10)

Daytripper #1

Kevin: The much-anticipated miniseries by brothers Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon (Casanova, The Umbrella Academy, BPRD: 1947) already is getting praise from the likes of Paul Pope, Terry Moore and Gerard Way — not to mention Vertigo, which is comparing the work to that of Pope, Craig Thompson and David Mazzucchelli. Big shoes. The 10-issue Daytripper focuses on a Brazilian obituary writer/aspiring author who hates his job and begins to re-examine his life. However, the publisher assures us this isn’t just another slice-of-life comic: This first issue apparently contains a twist that “will grow into a mystery about the meaning of life itself.” You can read a preview here. (Vertigo)

DC Holiday Special 2009 #1

Kevin: It seems as if every time I talk up a holiday special from DC or Marvel it ends up getting panned. But I have a good feeling about this one, as it features the talents of Jeff Lemire, Fred Van Lente, Amy Wolfram and others. Plus, I’d buy it for that Dustin Nguyen cover alone. (DC Comics)

The Unwritten #8

The Unwritten #8

Kevin: Not that he realizes it, or even cares, but I owe Mike Carey an apology. You see, while I enjoyed his now-canceled Vertigo monthly Crossing Midnight, I was terribly disappointed by his graphic novel God Save the Queen and his miniseries Faker. So when I read about his new series The Unwritten, I discounted it, figuring that, like Faker, it might not hold up under the weight of its high concept.

It’s about a young man who, as a child, served as the model for the title character of his father’s popular series of fantasy novels about a boy-wizard. Think Christopher Robin meets Harry Potter. As an adult, he becomes a D-list celebrity, eeking out a living on the circuit — at least until a series of events blur fiction and reality, suggesting that he actually is the boy-wizard.

So, yeah, I was … dismissive. Then over the weekend I read the first issue  of The Unwritten (available for free download on the Vertigo website), and I was completely sold. It’s good –  so good that I’m ordering the first trade paperback in an attempt to play catchup. (Vertigo)

Nation X #1

Nation X #1 (of 4)

Kevin: This is a peculiar anthology that’s unlikely to set the sales charts on fire. Nonetheless, I’m happy that Marvel is releasing it, if only because it means we get to see creators like Michael Allred, Becky Cloonan and Tim Fish tackle Nightcrawler, Gambit and Northstar, respectively. From what I gather — I haven’t found much information about the miniseries, really — Nation X centers on how the members of the X-Men are adjusting to their lives in their sovereign mutant nation on an island off the coast of California. Hey, there are certainly flimsier concepts for an anthology series. (Marvel)

Sky Doll, Vol. 1

Chris: So how did Marvel’s great experiment with French publisher Soliel turn out? I imagine it was something akin to DC’s partnership with Humanoids, although perhaps the former fared a bit better. At any rate, here’s the first trade collection of their flagship title in this line, about a sex android who tries escape her master and her programming. (Marvel)

The Tomb of Dracula Omnibus, Vol. 2

The Tomb of Dracula Omnibus, Vol. 2 hardcover

Kevin: If I had heaping piles of cash lying around getting moldy, I’d likely snap up these $100 hardcover collections from the heyday of Marvel’s horror comics. This volume collects Issues 32-70 of The Tomb of Dracula (the series ended in 1979 with #70), plus Doctor Strange #14 — part of a crossover with The Tomb of Dracula #44, in which Strange is transformed into a vampire — and Giant-Size Dracula #5. (Marvel)

War Machine #12

Kevin: Bring out your dead! There, there, don’t cry: It’ll be back in time for the Iron Man movie sequel. (Marvel)

Death Metal City, Vol. 3

Death Metal City, Vol. 3

Chris: More ridiculous heavy metal shenanigans, courtesy of Japan. I really need to start getting caught up on this series. (Viz Media)

The Muppet Show Comic Book #0

Kevin: Roger Langridge writes and Shelli Paroline illustrates a stand-alone story — a prelude to the ongoing series — centering on the “Pigs in Space” recurring sketch. (BOOM! Studios)

Portable Grindhouse: The Lost Art of the VHS Box, Vol. 1

Chris: It’s not comics, but there will surely be some crossover appeal nevertheless. From Fantagraphics comes this collection of box art from the heady days of VCRs and videotapes, with a special focus on direct-to-video B-movies and trash cinema. A specific audience, to be sure. (Fantagraphics)

The Return of King Doug

The Return of King Doug hardcover

Kevin: Optioned for a film way back in April 2008, this fantasy-comedy-adventure by Greg Erb, Jason Oremland and Wook-Jin Clark at last hits stores this week. The Return of King Doug focuses on a boy selected to lead the forces of good against the armies of darkness in a battle for the Narnia-esque wonderland of Valdonia. But the young hero does what any 8-year-old might do: He flees back to Earth. Now as an adult he comes to realize he can’t run away forever. (Oni Press)

Vietnam Journal, Vol. 1: Indian Country

Chris: At the same time Marvel was putting out The Nam, Don Lomax was serializing this edgier, Harvey-winning series based on his own experiences in Vietnam. This 138-page trade collects the first couple of issues. (Transfuzion Publishing)

Check out Diamond’s website to see what else will be in stores this week, then tell us what you’re buying in our comments section.

It’s the week after a major holiday in the United States, which means that comics won’t be hitting U.S. shops until Thursday, Dec. 3.

But it should be worth the wait, as it’s a pretty big week on the event front for Marvel and DC. Although the regular Blackest Night book doesn’t come out this week, two new tie-ins kick off starring Flash and Wonder Woman. Marvel, meanwhile, kicks off a couple of events — first there’s Siege Cabal, which leads into their big tie-up to the Dark Reign storyline, plus “Fall of the Hulks” kicks off with a prologue of its own.

Those are just the tips of the iceberg this week, as Jonah Hex hits a milestone (as much as I love this book, I’m surprised — pleasantly, of course, but still surprised — to see it make it to issue 50 in this day and age), the JSA gets a second title and The Comics Journal says goodbye, at least to its current format. To see what Chris, Kevin and I have to say about this week’s releases, read on, and let us know in the comments section what you plan to get.

One Model Nation

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: One Model Nation

It wasn’t all that long ago when I would’ve immediately written off a comic co-created (or, worse, “conceived”) by a singer or actor as a vanity project or a failed movie pitch. But Gerard Way’s work on The Umbrella Academy has done much to atone for the comic-book sins of countless celebrities. With that prejudice momentarily set aside, I can look past the name of the writer — C. Allbritton Taylor, aka Courtney Taylor of The Dandy Warhols — and focus on the concept and, even better, the artist: one Jim Rugg, of Street Angel and Afrodisiac fame. As if Rugg’s name weren’t enough, One Model Nation is edited by Mike Allred and Joe Keatinge.

I don’t want to gloss over the concept, though; it’s definitely intriguing (even if it was, indeed, a failed screenplay). The 144-page graphic novel centers on an industrial/electronic band in late-1970s Berlin who, along with groups like the Red Army Faction, exert a great deal of influence over youth culture of the era. The problem is that the government has a hard time differentiating between the musicians and the terrorists.

“It’s about a group of artists and the effect that the politics of the day have on their lives,” Taylor told Comic Book Resources last month. “When the politics intrude, it focuses mainly on the smallness of the individuals who are involved on the political side, whether it be media, or political activism, or what have you.”

I’m not expecting One Model Nation to be Graphic Novel of the Year, but it definitely has enough going for it to convince me to check it out.

Siege Cabal

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: Siege Cabal

As the solicitation says, “The Siege starts here!” Marvel’s big event to end all big events –at least for the time being — kicks off this Wednesday with a one-shot by Brian Michael Bendis, David Finch and Michael Lark.

If you’ve been closely following the Marvel universe for the last few years, from “Avengers Dissembled” to Civil War to the 50-State Initiative to Secret Invasion to “Dark Reign,” get ready for some payoff. If you’ve been wondering when Norman Osborn and his crew of maniacs were gonna get what they had coming to them, here you go. And if you’ve just been sitting on the sidelines waiting for all of it to be over, well, you have something to be excited about too, I guess, since this book marks the end of an era, of sorts. I fall into that first category; the last few years of stories have had more ups than downs, but it’s time to see where it’s all headed. (Marvel)

GoGo Monster

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: GoGo Monster

Viz is putting on the fancy pants for this Signature edition of Taiyo Matsumoto’s early work, encasing it in a handsome cardboard slipcase with nice paper and whatnot, which is good as a) Matsumoto deserves this sort of treatment; and b) it’s a sign that their Sig line is doing well enough for them to up their production budget. The book itself is similar in many ways to the author’s Tekkonkinkreet (though an earlier work). Both are about two young boys, one of whom seems to be touched by a greater, perhaps sinister force. The difference in this case is that the boy can see monsters that seem to haunt their modern-day public school. If you’ve read Tekkonkinkreet or seen the movie, you can expect the same sort of moody atmospherics and disjointed narrative as before, though considerably less violence. It’s still a good read despite that absence. Review to come, hopefully soon. (Viz)

Beanworld Vol. 3: Remember Here

Chris: You know, if you had told me that comics’ near future would include not just one, but three hardcover volumes of Larry Marder’s Beanworld I’d have slapped you silly and called for the doctors. I might still do that, but just for laughs you understand, not because of Beanworld. That’s a great comic and deserves this sort of treatment. I’m just slap-happy. (Dark Horse)

Empowered

Empowered: The Wench With a Million Sighs

Kevin: Adam Warren’s “sexy superhero comedy” returns in this one-shot that has Empowered grappling with a grave-robbing super villain as an imprisoned alien demon lord in her apartment weaves a revealing tale about our heroine. (Dark Horse)

Little Lulu TP Vol. 21: Miss Feeny’s Folly & Stories

Chris: Just in time for your holiday shopping comes another round of great all-ages (there’s that dreaded phrase again) comics by the one and only John Stanley. As long as Dark Horse keeps this stuff in print, I will never once complain about there not being any good comics for kids. (Dark Horse)

MySpace Dark Horse Presents, Vol. 4

MySpace Dark Horse Presents, Vol. 4

Kevin: After two years and four print collections, it’s probably safe to conclude that Dark Horse is pleased with the results of its monthly online anthology. This 165-page trade paperback includes comics by the likes of Kate Beaton, Jo Chen, Farel Dalrymple, Guy Davis, David Malki, Chris Onstad, Eric Powell and Joss Whedon, plus a lovely cover by Kristian Donaldson. (Dark Horse)

Blackest Night: The Flash #1
Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #1

JK: Two more “Blackest Night” tie-in minis kick off this week by creative teams I can really get behind. First, Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins detail the Flash’s side of things, while Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott tackle Wonder Woman. (DC Comics)

Jonah Hex #50

Jonah Hex #50

Kevin: You could do far worse this week than a double-sized anniversary issue of Jonah Hex illustrated by Darwyn Cooke. Yes, Darwyn Cooke! (DC Comics)

JSA All-Stars #1

JK: The repercussions of the latest Justice Society storyline are felt here, as all the young up’n'comers associated with the team spin off into their own series. Without any adult supervision, I picture them spending all their time playing Xbox 360, listening to Lady Gaga and eating Lucky Charms (they are magically delicious) instead of doing their homework. (DC Comics)

North 40 #6

North 40 #6 (of 6)

Kevin: The largely positively reviewed Lovecraft-meets-middle-America miniseries by Aaron Williams and Fiona Staples wraps up with this issue. Staples’ art is just stellar. You can see for yourself on the Wildstorm website. (Wildstorm)

Teen Titans: Deathtrap trade paperback

Kevin: Although “Deathtrap” would be a fitting title for most, if not all, of this series’ run, it only refers to a crossover that entangled Teen Titans, Titans and Vigilante. This collects all of those issues. (DC Comics)

Black Widow & The Marvel Girls #1

Black Widow & The Marvel Girls #1 (of 4)

Kevin: Am I the only one who saw the name of this miniseries and envisioned an all-superheroine band, possibly with a not-dead Janet van Dyne on keyboards, Brunnhilde (Valkyrie) on bass and Medusa on drums? Alison Blaire and Lila Cheney would be their chief rivals, and — well, never mind. In reality, it’s a flashback-filled walk through Black Widow’s history, with each issue teaming her with a different female figure from the Marvel Universe: Enchantress, whose profile has risen significantly recently, the Wasp, Ms. Marvel and Storm. It’s written by Paul Tobin, so it receives the benefit of the doubt. (Marvel)

Dark Avengers Annual #1

JK: This annual details what Noh-Varr, a.k.a. Marvel Boy, has been doing since ditching the team because he found out they were a bunch of psychopaths and criminals. (Marvel)

Fall of the Hulks Alpha

Fall of the Hulks Alpha
Hulk Winter Guard One-Shot

JK: You can get your Hulk on twice this week … first, with the prologue to the “family” event that’ll run through the Hulk titles, and second, with the Winter Guard one-shot by the creative team behind Zuda’s High Moon comic, David Gallaher and Steve Ellis. (Marvel)

Thor #604

Kevin: Kieron Gillen and Billy Tan begin their six-issue run on the series. (Marvel)

Asterios Polyp

Chris: For some reason this is being offered again. Oh well, it’s a great book, if I do say so myself. And I did. (Pantheon)

Binky Brown Meets the Holy Virgin Mary

Binky Brown Meets the Holy Virgin Mary

Chris: I’m not big on canons — they serve a purpose but too often become inflexible in certain scholarly and critical circles. Still, this book by the one-time and hopefully future underground cartoonist Justin Green is pretty much canon and deservedly so. Not only is it the (I think) first autobio comic but it still retains a good deal of its power and artistry these many years later. How nice of McSweeney’s to re-release it. (McSweeney’s)

The Boys #37

Chris: Continuing the secret origins of the supporting cast, this week we learn all about the Frenchman. This is also a good reminder that I need to pick up that Herogasm trade. (Dynamite)

Dingo

Dingo #1

Kevin: Michael Alan Nelson, who seems to write at least half of BOOM!’s titles, teams with artist Francesco Biagini for a supernatural-crime miniseries about a man named Dingo who, with an enormous dog named Cerberus, goes in search of a mysterious box. It’s described as “in the vein of 100 Bullets,” so make of that what you will. (BOOM!)

Glamourpuss #10

Chris: Dave Sim continues his in-depth comic strip history lessons combined with obvious jokes about fashion magazines. This week he’s talking about Gene Colan, which should make for a good read. (Aardvark Vanaheim)

Goats Vol. 2: The Corndog Imperative

Chris: Del Rey continues their trade collection of Jonathan Rosenbaum’s webcomic. (Del Ray)

The Good Neighbors, Vol. 2: Kith hardcover

The Good Neighbors, Vol. 2: Kith hardcover

Kevin: I’m a big fan of Ted Naifeh (Courtney Crumrin, Polly and the Pirates), and his art for the first volume in this series, Kin, certainly didn’t disappoint. I wasn’t so impressed by the writing of popular YA novelist Holly Black (The Spiderwick Chronicles). I’m likely in the minority, though, as I’ve seen this contemporary fantasy crop up on lists of books recommended for young readers. It’s about Rue Silver, a teenager whose father is accused of murdering her mother. But Rue discovers there’s much more to the story, and to her mother, who is actually a faerie called back to the otherworld after Rue’s human father broke a promise. Now, of course, Rue must save her mother and defend the people she loves from her grandfather’s plans. You can learn more about the series on the publisher’s website. (Scholastic)

North World Vol. 3

JK: Oni releases a third volume of Lars Brown’s fun webcomic. Set in a world much like our own, only with monsters and magic and other fantasy elements, it’s a fun story with a great cast of characters. (Oni Press)

Popeye Vol. 4: Plunder Island

Popeye Vol. 4: Plunder Island

Chris: OK, here we go. This is it. The crown jewel in the Popeye crown. If you only buy one volume in the series, blah blah blah. Seriously, hopefully you’ve been collecting all the Popeye books, because it’s one of the greatest comics ever, but this volume contains what must surely be E.C. Segar’s finest hour, namely, the “Plunder Island” storyline, where in Popeye and friends search for treasure and come afoul of the Sea Hag. I have a tendency to quote from this strip the way some folks quote from the Simpsons. Which probably says more about me than Popeye, but still — it’s a great comic to pull funny quotes from. (Fantagraphics)

Starstruck #4

Chris: You know, I’ve read all three issues so far, and I’m not quite sure I understand what’s going on here yet. The interesting thing is, I really don’t seem to mind all that much. (IDW)

The Comics Journal #300

The Comics Journal #300

Chris: This thing landed with a thud in my mailbox yesterday. Man, what a brick it is, but a brick full of great interviews, as old and new creators get together to talk about art and the industry. Check out this line-up: Art Spiegelman gabbin’ with Kevin Hiuzenga, Frank Quitely chattin’ with Dave Gibbons, David Mazzucchelli jawin’ with Dash Shaw, Howard Chaykin talking to Ho Che Anderson, Denny O’Neil kvetchin’ with Matt Fraction, and much, much more. Plus reviews of big, important books like Asterios Polyp and that Acme Novelty Library that came out a year ago. (Fantagraphics)

Check out Diamond’s website to see what else will be in stores this week, then tell us what you’re buying in our comments section.

This week sees the debut of Image United, the big mega-event crossover that brings together all the current and former Image partners under one comic cover (actually, multiple comic covers … you’ll have your choice of seven different ones). We’ve also got the return of Powers, the long-running superhero/cop mash-up, with a new #1. DC’s big event continues to roll on, as both Blackest Night #5 and Green Lantern #48 hit shops, among several other tie-in titles. And you’ll also find new issues of Beasts of Burden, Chew, The Goon, Detective Comics, Uncanny X-Men, New Avengers, Die Hard Year One and Fantastic Four on shelves.

On the trade front, look for collections of Chew, Justice League International, Shade the Changing Man, Incognito, Astonishing X-Men, The Winter Men and The Boys spin-off series, Herogasm.

And that’s only the first course of the magnificent bounty that awaits. Keep reading to see what Chris, Kevin and I have to say about this week’s releases …

*****

Ganges #3

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: Ganges #3

Kevin Huizenga knocks it out of the park once more in this third issue of his ongoing Ignatz series from Fantagraphics. For those unfamiliar, the series focuses on title character Glenn Ganges, and his thoughts and fears during a particularly sleepless night. It sounds dull, I know, but Huizenga manages to make the most mundane material come alive with his ingenious layouts and penetrating insight. I’ve never seen insomnia portrayed so agonizingly accurately or inventively. Seriously, to try to capture these kinds of everyday emotions and experiences in prose as well as he does here would be nigh-impossible. (Fantagraphics)

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: The Winter Men trade paperback

The Winter Men

The solicitation for this long-awaited collection doesn’t do justice to the much-delayed miniseries by Brett Lewis and John Paul Leon. It makes The Winter Men seem like one of those generic superhero comics sprinkled with bits of post-Cold War politics instead of the intricately plotted and beautifully illustrated work that it is. Sure, some 27 months passed between the release of the first issue and the last — a 40-page fifth issue in what initially was billed as an eight-issue miniseries — but, man, was it ever worth the wait.

As 2009 winds down and more people begin to assess the best comics of the decade, I’ve found myself thinking a good deal about this series, which centers on the former members of Red-11, a squad of armor suit-wearing operatives tasked with protecting Soviet interests and keeping the country’s superhuman program in check. I’ve mentioned my love for this comic before, and Joe “Jog” McCulloch has written eloquently and at length about the series, so I’m not sure that there’s anything I can add. I will say, however, that on the short list of comics from the past several years that have bowled me over, The Winter Men rates up there with Tekkonkinkreet: Black & White, Pluto and 20th Century Boys. (Wildstorm)

Powers #1

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: Powers #1

Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming’s creator-owned series returns with a new first issue and the promise of a monthly schedule. Speaking of the best comics of the decade, particularly those featuring superheroes, I’d probably rate this one near the top of my own personal list. I remember when it first debuted I counted it as one of my two favorite comics on the stands (the other being Authority) and for a long time it was my “go to” book when recommending comics to friends — still is, actually, especially those first few trades. Anyway, it’s good to see this back on the shipping list. (Marvel/Icon)

Blackest Night #5

JK: DC’s big Green Lantern event is past the halfway mark, as the big bad behind all those undead Green Lanterns makes his presence felt. (DC)

Northlanders #22

Northlanders #22

Kevin: Brian Wood and Leandro Fernandez continue the eight-part “Plague Widow” storyline. Massimo Carnevale’s covers for this series have been, of course, gorgeous. This one’s no different. (DC/Vertigo)

Shade the Changing Man TP Vol. 01 American Scream
Shade the Changing Man TP Vol. 02 Edge of Vision

Chris: Well, here’s a welcome sight for sore eyes. Peter Milligan and Chris Bachalo’s riff on Steve Ditko’s creation became one of the seminal Vertigo titles, a lengthy, trippy and occasionally disturbing look at American culture and attitudes. An attempt was made several years ago to collect the series in trade, but that quickly fell out of print and it seemed as though Shade would remain yet another Milligan project that failed for some strange reason to make the bookshelf. But low and behold it seems Vertigo is finally getting around to collecting the blasted thing, as they’ve not only reprinted that first volume, but are releasing a second trade as well. Huzzah! Now let’s see Egypt get a trade release. (DC/Vertigo)

Teen Titans #77

Teen Titans #77

Kevin: In this issue, nothing terrible happens! Just kidding! (DC)

Image United #1

JK: Image’s original seven — including Jim Lee in the form of one of the covers — provide the art for a Robert Kirkman-scripted crossover event that brings together Spawn, Youngblood, Savage Dragon, Witchblade and many other Image characters. And each artist drew their own characters, which has my curiosity piqued about how this will turn out. (Image)

Incognito

Incognito TP

Chris: Trade waiters such as myself see their patience pay off with Marvel’s release of Ed Brubaker/Sean Phillips’ modern homage to the pulp era and return to the superhero antics that won them such deserved attention in Sleeper. (Marvel/Icon)

Captain America: The Death of Captain America Omnibus hardcover

Kevin: As you may guess from the title, this 480-page hardcover collects the massive storyline that began way back in April 2007 with the assassination of Steve Rogers in the wake of Civil War. (Marvel)

Invincible Iron Man #20

The Invincible Iron Man #20

Kevin: I’m sure this “Stark: Disassembled” arc, by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca, will be great and all, but I’m really just following along for the covers, by Larroca and designer/artist Rian Hughes. (Marvel)

Thor: Giant-Size Finale (by JMS) #1

Kevin: Previously known as Thor: Defining Moments Giant-Size #1, this special issues wraps up the delay-plagued, Eisner-nominated run by J. Michael Straczynski, with Olivier Coipel and Marko Djurdjevic. (Marvel)

The Boys Vol. 5: Herogasm

The Boys Vol. 5: Herogasm

JK: Dynamite collects the recently wrapped-up Herogasm mini-series into trade form. I read the singles; it’s filthy, hedonistic, conspiracy-rich fun that regular Boys readers should love. (Dynamite)

Doris Danger Giant Monster Adventures TP

JK: SLG releases a collection of Chris Wisnia’s Doris Danger stories, which feature the title character attempting to capture evidence that giant monsters exist. (SLG Publishing)

Jericho Season 3 #1

Jericho #1

JK: Here’s another one I’m curious about, as Devil’s Due resurrects the post-nuclear CBS drama Jericho. I enjoyed the TV show, especially when it focused on world-building plots and the new political order of the ravaged United States. That being said, it’s been off the air for more than a year now, so I’m not sure if I’m still that interested in it … I’m hoping the first issue will help remind me why it was such a great story. (Devil’s Due)

Moyasimon GN Vol. 1

Chris: This new manga from Del Rey focuses on a fresh-faced youth who possesses the unfortunate ability to see microscopic germs with the naked eye. With an eccentric professor he sets about preventing food poisoning and uncovering illegal hooch operations. Matthew Brady reviews the book here. (Del Ray)

A Distant Neighborhood Vol. 2

A Distant Neighborhood Vol. 2
Years of the Elephant

Chris: Two from European manga publisher Fanfare/Ponent Mon. The first is the second volume in Jiro Taniguchi’s two-part tale of a man who finds himself magically forced to relive his adolescence in the hopes of preventing his father from leaving. Think of it as “18 again,” but with more wistfulness.

The second book is by Belgian artist Willy Linthout and concerns the author’s attempts to come to terms with his son’s suicide. Not a slap-happy good time to be sure, but the book has been garnering strong praise, both here and abroad. I picked up a copy at SPX, but have yet to dig into it. I suppose I’m trying to work up the courage. (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)

For the complete list of comics hitting shops this week, check out Diamond’s website … then tell us what you’re looking forward to getting tomorrow.

On the first issue front, Wildstorm kicks off a new Sherlock Holmes mini called Victorian Undead, while Marvel has an Inhumans mini tying into their Realm of Kings event. Red 5 has Drone (which I think came out last week, didn’t it? At least at my local shop), BOOM! has a Farscape ongoing and a mini called Nola, and IDW has a tie-in for the upcoming Legion movie … which isn’t about Saturn Girl, but about angels. There’s also a Dr. Horrible one-shot from Dark Horse, a new creative team on Thunderbolts and, I believe, the last of the List books from Marvel … this one featuring Spider-Man. Oh, and country star Trace Adkins gets his own comic. Hey, if it worked for Tori Amos and Gerard Way, why not?

Looking at the stuff with a spine, Dark Horse brings Alien Legion back into print, DC’s Battle for the Cowl and Marvel’s Destroyer get collected, and AdHouse releases what’s already being named one of the year’s best books.

And there’s much, much more … click on the link below to see what Chris, Kevin and I have to say about this week’s releases.

*****

The 'Nam

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: The ‘Nam TPB Vol. 1

Well here’s another potential “Collect This Now” column I can scratch off my “to do” list. Back in the 1980s, when Marvel was drunk with money, they took the chance of publishing this rather realistic and occasionally gritty comic about the Vietnam War. Written by Doug Murray with art by Michael Golden, this series managed to rather accurately portray the war from the foot soldier’s point of view surprisingly well, especially since it avoided any explicit violence or language. Until Marvel ruined everything after about the 12th issue, that is. It looks like this trade collects the “magazine” edition, which were just black and white reprints of the original run. I’d prefer to see a “colorized” version that matches my original impressions of the book, but I suppose I’ll have to just be happy this is coming out. (Marvel)

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: Rip Kirby, Vol 1 hardcover

Rip Kirby

IDW Publishing expands its impressive comic-strip archive with this series devoted to Alex Raymond’s famous investigator — “the first modern detective” — Remington “Rip” Kirby. Best known for creating Flash Gordon in 1934, Raymond followed the now-legendary space adventure with Jungle Jim (with Don Moore) and Secret Agent X-9 (with Dashiell Hammett). But in 1944, Raymond joined the Marines and served in the Pacific Ocean theater. When he returned two years later, he set to work not on his established strips but on the adventures of a bespectacled, pipe-smoking Marine turned private detective.

Raymond (with co-writer Ward Greene, the King Features editor who suggested the strip) broke with the hardboiled tradition, creating a cultured, sophisticated detective who would rather sip brandy than brandish a weapon. His sidekick wasn’t the typical hired muscle, either; just the opposite, actually. And the string of female clients/love interests? Forget about them. Rip Kirby was a one-woman man; granted Honey Dorian was a fashion model. (So perhaps you can see why “the first modern detective” appears on the cover of the collection.) Raymond worked on the strip, which in 1949 received a Reuben Award from the National Cartoonists Society, until his death in a car accident in 1956.

This 320-page hardcover, which collects the strips from 1946 to 1948, includes an essay by cartoonist and cartooning scholar Brian Walker, and an introduction by Raymond biographer Tom Roberts. (IDW Publishing)

Driven by Lemons

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: Driven By Lemons

Joshua Cotter’s amazing Skyscrapers of the Midwest comic was collected by AdHouse last year and ended up on many “best of” lists for 2008. Although it was first self-published by Cotter a few year back, I didn’t read it and fall in love with it until getting the hardcover last year.

And now AdHouse brings us Cotter’s next work, Driven By Lemons, which is also popping up on “best of” lists for 2009. And according to our own Sean T. Collins, was the “book of the show” at SPX this year, while Chris called it “stunning” and “powerful stuff.”

So what is it, exactly? Well, it’s a replica of a sketchbook Joshua did of “recent multimedia explorations in intuitive narrative.” I have no idea what that means, to be honest, but after reading the rave reviews and seeing the short preview on the AdHouse site, I’m really looking forward to learning. Hell, he had me at the Lefty Lemon reference in the preview. (AdHouse Books)

Alien Legion

Alien Legion Omnibus Volume 1

JK: Dark Horse brings the classic Epic series back into print. Absolutely loved this when it first came out, especially those first dozen or so issues. USA Today has preview pages. (Dark Horse)

MAD Magazine #502

JK: This is the annual “20 Dumbest People, Events and Things of the Year” issue; if you’re curious to see who tops the list, Comics Alliance has the spoiler. (DC Comics)

Victorian Undead

Victorian Undead #1

JK: Ian Edgington and Davide Fabbri pit Sherlock Holmes against a zombie plague. Although I’m sure many will dismiss this as being a bit behind the zombie curve, I like to think they’re getting a jump on the Sherlock Holmes hoopla the new film starring Robert Downey Jr. might usher in. (DC/Wildstorm)

Vigilante #12

Kevin: Bring out your dead! (DC Comics)

Black Knight

The Black Knight #1

Kevin: This collects the origin of Black Knight/Dane Whitman — a character seen most prominently in the canceled Captain Britain and MI13 — that previously had been serialized online at the Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited hub. (Marvel)

Kookaburra K #1

Kevin: Easily the title on this week’s shipping list that’s the most fun to say, this space opera by Crisse Hicks and Humberto Ramos is part of Marvel’s deal with French publisher Soleil, which released the first volume (“Big Bang Baby”) in 2006. (Marvel)

Powers Encyclopedia

Powers Encyclopedia, Vol. 1

Kevin: I drifted away from the Brian Michael Bendis/Michael Avon Oeming superhero-crime series quite some time ago, but I’m intrigued by what’s being billed as “the definitive Powers handbook.” Granted, I’ve always been a sucker for guides like Who’s Who in the DC Universe and the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. Still, this 64-page encyclopedia seems like a smart way to reintroduce lapsed readers to the Powers universe. (Marvel)

Thunderbolts #138

JK: Jeff Parker picks up where Andy Diggle left off, as he tells the story of Norman Osborn’s team of ‘bolts, as well as the originals, who are none too happy with the current team. (Marvel)

24 Omnibus, Vol. 1

Kevin: On the heels of its CSI Omnibus, IDW Publishing releases a hefty collection of its comics based on the mayhem-and-torture television drama 24. (IDW Publishing)

Jesus Hates Zombies featuring Lincoln Hates Werewolves

Jesus Hates Zombies featuring Lincoln Hates Werewolves

Chris: James Buchanan and Pontius Pilate, meanwhile, hate gimmicky comic book titles. But who cares what they think? (Alterna Comics)

Luke McBain #1

JK: I know what you’re thinking … it’s another celebrity-inspired comic. On the plus side, however, it’s written by David Tischman with art by Kody Chamberlain, so it could end up rising above its pedigree. (12 Gauge Comics)

Miss Don’t Touch Me

Chris: Offered again for your reading pleasure, Hubert & Kerascoet’s tale of sex and murder set in a high-class bordello with an S&M-inclined prude as the heroine who must solve her sister’s slaying. I gotta review of the thing here. (NBM)

Oishinbo Vol 06 Joy Of Rice

Chris: I haven’t been following this cooking manga series at all yet but I understand it’s pretty good and I look forward to eventually checking it out. This latest volume collects assorted stories about that essential staple, rice. (VIZ)

Pluto Vol. 6

Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka, Vol. 6

Chris: The next volume of Naoki Urasawa’s Astro Boy riff arrives. I think it’s pretty close to nearing the end at this point, with one, maybe two, more volumes to go. I heavily expect this to be a front-runner in the “best manga of 09″ contest. (VIZ)

RASL starter pack #1-5 with tattoos

Chris: Fallen behind on Jeff Smith’s new noir/sci-fi series? Here’s your chance to get caught up and get some (I’m assuming) washable tattoos to boot. Man, wouldn’t it be great if a real tattoo was included with the comics? Like, there was a greasy biker guy waiting by the cash register to put a little Phone Bone on your shoulder? Well, I think it would be kind of cool anyway. (Cartoon Books)

The Talisman: The Road of Trials #1

The Talisman: The Road of Trials #1

Kevin: Del Rey adapts the bestselling 1984 fantasy-horror novel by Stephen King and Peter Straub. I’ve read just one King book (The Stand), and no Straub novels, so I don’t know much about The Talisman, which I guess somehow ties into King’s Dark Tower epic. Which I also haven’t read, obviously. (Del Rey)

Tezuka’s Black Jack TPB Vol 08

Chris: Oh what medical wonders will the mighty surgeon Black Jack perform this time? More great scenes of high melodrama, slapstick comedy and detailed shots of people’s innards from the mighty Tezuka no doubt. (Vertical)

Treasury 20th Century Murder softcover Vol 02: Famous Players

Chris: Here’s the paperback edition of Rick Geary’s latest tale of murder most foul, this time taking place in the silent era of Hollywood. It’s a pretty solid entry in the series, though, honestly, not quite as stellar as The Bloody Benders or the recent Lindbergh book. I interviewed Geary about the book and other stuff here. (NBM)

Wasteland, Vol. 5: Tales of the Uninvited

Kevin: Antony Johnston and Christopher Mitten’s post-apocalyptic Western epic gets a fifth trade paperback. That’s an impressive achievement, particularly considering that it’s a monthly sci-fi series released by a smaller publisher. This collection features guest art by Carla Speed McNeil, chuck BB and Joe Infurnari. (Oni Press)

Take a look at Diamond’s shipping list and let us know what you’re getting this week.

Marvel alone has six new series kicking off this week: PunisherMAX, Dark X-Men, S.W.O.R.D., Strange, Sky Doll: Doll Factory and Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard. DC, meanwhile, launches a whole new world with the Batman/Doc Savage Special, catches folks up on the Authority’s “lost year” with the Authority Lost Year Reader and brings the Modern Warfare video game franchise to comics. There’s also Tracker from Top Cow, a new Casper series from Ardden Entertainment, Ghoul and a new Locke & Key series from IDW, a new WALL-E series from BOOM! (which is technically a “zero” issue) and Supergod from Avatar.

And if you’re looking for something a bit longer and more self-contained, there’s Beast from Image, an Absolute Justice collection from DC, the Luna Park OGN from Vertigo, the Steve Ditko Archives from Fantagraphics and many, many others … it’s a pretty big week at your local comic shop.

To see what Chris, Kevin and I have to say about this week’s comics, keep reading …

*****

Pim & Francie In Golden Days

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: Pim & Francie In Golden Days hardcover

Hopefully you’ve all been reading Sean’s and my posts on Al Columbia, so I don’t have to go into great detail as to who Columbia is or why I’m making this my pick of the week. Suffice it to say he’s one of the most talented and sporadic people working in comics today, and has mined the horror vein to great effect. This isn’t a collection of his work up till now, however, but more a collection of what “might have been” — it’s uncompleted stories and art featuring Columbia’s two naif-child characters, forever hurtling into one dangerous situation after another but never reaching any conclusion. It’s probably worth noting that a good deal of the pages are torn or pasted back together, the victims, no doubt, of Columbia’s perfectionism. It’s the sort of thing that will frustrate some, but it does offer an elliptical, sideways path into Columbia’s world, which perhaps makes the journey all that more frightening. (Fantagraphics)

Luna Park

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: Luna Park hardcover

I’m a little perplexed as to why Vertigo didn’t package this graphic novel with its recently launched crime “sub-imprint.” After all, it’s a crime story, written by bestselling author Kevin Baker (Dreamland, Paradise Alley), illustrated by acclaimed artist Danijel Zezelj (Desolation Jones, Loveless) and colored by the masterful Dave Stewart. Luna Park would seem like an ideal shelf mate for Brian Azzarello and Victor Santos’ Filthy Rich and Ian Rankin and Werther Dell’Edera’s Dark Entries. But what do I know?

Well, I know that, like Baker’s Dreamland, Luna Park is set in Coney Island, where a Russian soldier-turned-Brooklyn mob enforcer hatches a desperate plot with his prostitute/fortune teller girlfriend in hopes of escaping their miserable lives. Baker, who’s celebrated for his well-researched historical fiction, brings that knack to Luna Park, which apparently moves from modern-day Brooklyn to late-’90s Russia to early-20th century New York. That, combined with the creative team, is more than enough to make Luna Park my pick of the week. (DC/Vertigo)

S.W.O.R.D.

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: S.W.O.R.D. #1

The Marvel universe’s Sentient World Observation and Response Department, a.k.a. S.W.O.R.D., gets its own title this week courtesy of writer Kieron Gillen and artist Steven Sanders. The book stars Agent Brand, the green-haired secret agent who debuted in Astonishing X-Men and was featured prominently in Secret Invasion, along with her boyfriend, The Beast, former pet sidekick Lockheed the dragon and longtime thorn-in-the-Avengers-side Henry Gyrich. Gillen says this book “exists absolutely at the boundary between Earth and Space,” as the crew deals with extraterrestrials living on Earth and those who decide to visit.

The draw here for me isn’t so much the characters — although the tenuous relationship Gyrich and the Beast shared back in the day should offer some fun moments — it’s the creative team. Gillen has delighted with his take on Beta Ray Bill and of course with his creator-owned Phonogram, while Sanders drew the awesome Five Fists of Science written by Matt Fraction a few years back. This looks and sounds like fun.

Insomnia Cafe

Insomnia Cafe

JK: Air artist M. K. Perker makes his American feature-length writer-artist debut in this original graphic novel from Dark Horse, about a rare books auctioneer who discovers a library of unwritten volumes. (Dark Horse)

Authority The Lost Year Reader

JK: Once upon a time, Grant Morrison and Gene Ha were set to take the Authority into a bold, new direction … but the comic fizzled out and didn’t make it past issue #2. Now Wildstorm is reprinting those two issues for $3, just in time for Keith Giffen and a variety of artists to complete Morrison and Ha’s story. (DC/Wildstorm)

Batman/Doc Savage Special

Batman/Doc Savage Special

JK: Doc Savage returns to comics in a one-shot that kicks off DC’s pulp-influenced universe, which will be populated by unpowered folks like Savage, The Spirit, the Blackhawks, Rima the Jungle Girl, Batman and more. Here’s a preview. (DC Comics)

Batman & Robin #6

JK: CBR ran a preview of this one yesterday, featuring the debut of a new villain called The Flamingo. He looks a lot scarier in the preview than he initially sounded. (DC Comics)

Superman: Red Son Deluxe Edition hardcover

Kevin: The well-regarded 2003 Elseworlds miniseries, by Mark Millar, Dave Johnson and Killian Plunkett, is at last collected in a hardcover format. (DC Comics)

Beast

Beast graphic novel

JK: Marian Churchland, who drew a recent arc of Richard Starkings’ Elephantman comic and a Conan story for Dark Horse Presents, shows off both her writing and artistic chops with this original graphic novel about a sculptor working a project for a mysterious shadowy figure named Beast. I actually own a copy of this, having bought it from Churchland at APE, but a friend took it home with them shortly after that and I haven’t gotten to read it yet. They speak highly of it, and I’m guessing they aren’t giving it back easily. (Image)

Dark X-Men #1 (of 5)

JK: Spinning out of the Utopia event that saw Norman Osborn create his own version of the X-Men comes this miniseries by the Captain Britain and MI13 team of Paul Cornell and Leonard Kirk … which is all I need to know. (Marvel)

Punisher MAX #1

PunisherMAX #1

Kevin: The mature-readers series relaunches, with a short title and a new creative team in the form of Jason Aaron (Scalped, Ghost Rider) and Steve Dillon (The Punisher, Preacher). The new monthly kicks off with a story — “the biggest story in MAX history,” we’re told — that introduces Wilson Fisk into the imprint’s universe. (Marvel)

Strange #1 (of 4)

Kevin: Poor Stephen Strange. With rare exception — the 2006-2007 miniseries The Oath, for example — he’s been woefully mistreated for several years now. If he wasn’t being depicted as a convenient deus ex machina and explainer of convoluted plots, then he was shown as detached and uncaring (or worse, inept). As if all of that weren’t bad enough, he surrendered the title, and responsibilities, of Sorcerer Supreme. That brings him, and us, to Strange, a four-issue miniseries by Mark Waid and Emma Rios.

Strange #1

No longer burdened by his weighty cosmic responsibilities, Strange, in Waid’s words, has been on “a mystical walkabout,” allowing time for reflection. Now he’s back, with a stubborn young mentor in tow, even if he’s no longer Sorcerer Supreme. With his powers, and access to tools of the trade, limited, a more “human” Strange will have to rely more on his wits and less on elaborate incantations (and grand pronouncements) to protect himself and his feisty sidekick. It may be a nice change for Doctor Strange, and his fans. Comic Book Resources has a preview. (Marvel)

Casper and the Spectrals #1

Kevin: I nearly wrote off this stab at updating Casper, Wendy and Hot Stuff — “an all-new take on the world’s most famous ghost and his two friends” — but it’s written by Todd Dezago of Tellos and Perhapanauts fame. And the interior art, by Pedro Delgado, is decent. I’m not big on the new designs for Wendy and Hot Stuff, though. You can see a preview here. (Ardden Entertainment)

Comic Book Comics #4

Chris: I’ve been enjoying Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey’s ongoing history of the industry. This latest issue covers the turbulent 60s, with a focus on the Marvel era and the undergrounds. (Evil Twin Comics)

The EC Archives: Shock Suspenstories Volume 1 and 2

Chris:I can’t imagine any EC fan desperate enough to fork over $300 for leather-bound editions of Shock SuspenStories, but I suppose such a person must exist. I would like to imagine that person writing a blank check to me on a frequent basis. (Gemstone Publishing)

Female Force: Stephenie Meyer

Female Force #9: Stephenie Meyer

Kevin: Bluewater Productions cashes in on the Twilight craze with a biography of the series’ author. It’s a comic that likely will only appeal to the die-hard fans, which should be more than enough to ensure brisk sales. (Bluewater Productions)

The Ghoul #1

Kevin: Steve Niles and Bernie Wrightson reteam for this story about a Los Angeles police detective who, while investigating an unusual Hollywood mystery, receive a monstrous hand from The Ghoul, an investigator of weird crimes. This issue also includes a prose story by Niles. Comic Book Resources has a preview. (IDW Publishing)

Hot Potatoe

Hot Potatoe hardcover

Chris:The ever-eccentric Marc Bell offers an attractively packaged collection of comics, art and other stuff made over the past ten years. Bell is easily one of the most idiosyncratic artists working in comics today and his style can take a bit of work to ease into (you have to have an appreciation for oddball whimsy for one thing) but it’s an effort worth making. (Drawn and Quarterly)

Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows #1

Kevin: Bestselling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez return for a third installment in their critically acclaimed horror series. You can see a preview here. (IDW Publishing)

Nylon Road: A Graphic Memoir of Coming of Age in Iran

Nylon Road: A Graphic Memoir of Coming of Age in Iran

Chris:I know nothing about this book — it certainly wins the “out of left field” award for the week — but the subject matter, plus the striking cover, certainly make me curious. I can’t imagine it’s as good as Persepolis — indeed a bit of coattail riding may be involved — but I’d certainly be willing to give it look-see. (St. Martin’s Griffin)

Peanuts 60th Anniversary Book

Chris: Egad, has it been that many years already? In honor of the upcoming anniversary, here’s a big, fat treasury of Peanuts comics from Andrews McMeel, complete with commentary by Schulz, memorabilia and more. Perfect for the Peanuts fan who doesn’t want to buy the Complete series. You cheapskate you. (Andrews McMeel)

Selfish Mr. Mermaid Vol. 2

Chris: Those are the worst kinds of mermaids. (Yaoi)

Strange Suspense: The Steve Ditko Archives (Vol. 1)

Strange Suspense: The Steve Ditko Archives (Vol. 1)

Chris: Some of Steve Ditko’s earliest, pre-code work, mostly done for Charlton is collected in this chunky volume, edited by Blake Bell, who wrote the Ditko biography/analysis Strange and Stranger. Gruesome stuff for the most part, but you can see the artist trying to forge his way through. Definitely a must for anyone who calls themselves a Ditko fan. (Fantagraphics)

Supergod #1 (of 5)

Kevin: Warren Ellis describes this miniseries as the third part of a thematic trilogy that began with Black Summer and No Hero. Supergod continues his examination of superheroes, this time from the perspective of a superhuman who’s no longer … human. With artist Garrie Gaston, Ellis envisions a super-powered arms race in which one of the weapons gets loose. Mad science, destruction, not-so-heroic superheroes — it all sounds very Ellis. (Avatar Press)

WALL-E #0

WALL-E #0

JK: The little robot who could returns for more Earth-cleaning adventures set before the 2008 movie, written by J. Torres. He talks about the book here. (BOOM! Studios)

The Year of Loving Dangerously

Chris: Editorial cartoonist and gadfly Ted Rall talks about his early years of bitter struggle with Pablo Callejo providing the art. If you tend to like Rall’s text pieces but can’t stand his art, then this might fit your bill. If you can’t stand Rall, regardless of prose or comics, then this isn’t going to help matters any. (NBM)

To see everything on Diamond’s weekly shipping list, click here, then let us know what you’re getting tomorrow in the comments field below.

Rock stars, meanwhile, are kind of like super spies, only with guitars and groupies instead of guns and Bond girls. And this week sees several rockers releasing books, as Anthrax’s Scott Ian tackles a new Lobo miniseries, Zak Sally of the band Low does Like a Dog and the second issue of Kill Audio by Claudio Sanchez of the band Coheed and Cambria hits shelves.

Several new series kick off this week; in addition to what I listed above, there’s also a new Age of Reptiles series, a Great Ten miniseries, Charlie Huston’s Deathlok, another Oz series from Marvel, Psylocke and Iceman minis, and the long-awaited Stumptown. And wrapping up this week are Marvel’s Strange Tales anthology, Dark Horse’s End League and Witchfinder, Tyrese Gibson’s Mayhem, Iron Man Armor Wars and Boys Herogasm.

These only scratch the surface of what you’ll find in stores this week. To see what Kevin, Chris and I are keeping an eye out for, read on …

Stumptown #1

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: Stumptown #1

Greg Rucka returns to the world of creator-owned comics this week with the release of Stumptown #1 by Oni Press. Joined by artist Matthew Southworth, Rucka introduces us to Dex, a private investigator with a gambling problem attempting to work off her extremely high debt to her friendly neighborhood casino.

I checked out a PDF of the first issue yesterday, and it’s got everything you could ask for in a Rucka story — a likable female protagonist, gritty realism and enough of a hook that simply makes you want more at the end of the issue. Check out a preview here. (Oni)

Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love #1

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love #1 (of 6)

Despite my repeated attempts, I’ve never been able to get into Fables, the quaint concept-turned Vertigo flagship-turned successful franchise (it’s already spawned a pair of graphic novels, the spinoff Jack of Fables, a crossover, a prose novel and, possibly, a network-television drama). It’s just never clicked with me, for some reason. However, I am fond of certain characters — among them, Boy Blue, Goldilocks and Cinderella, the last of whom is the ideal candidate for the spotlight. In Bill Willingham’s world of Fables, Cindy runs a shoe store while secretly operating as a spy for Fabletown’s sheriff. She’s a femme fatale, an envoy, an interrogator, a killer and, now, the star of her own miniseries, by Chris Roberson and artist Shawn McManus (with beautiful covers by Chrissie Zullo).

In the six-issue tale, Cinderella travels the globe, James Bond-style, to discover who’s been smuggling magical artifacts out of the Homelands and into the mundane world. If that weren’t enough, the mystery apparently has a connection to her long-lost Fairy Godmother. Plus, there’s a subplot involving at attempt by Cinderella’s assistant to take control her boutique. I’m intrigued enough to give the world of Fables another try. (DC Comics/Vertigo)

Like a Dog

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: Like a Dog hardcover

If you follow the indie music scene at all you might have heard of Zak Sally, as he spent a number of years playing bass for the band Low. He’s also a cartoonist, and a thumpin’ good one at that, as this collection of just about everything he’s ever done short of his Ignatz series Sammy the Mouse proves. Sally’s one of those artists who can convey a sense of dread or horror out of seeming thing air, and he’s really been on the periphery for far too long now. Hopefully this book will thrust him into the limelight. (Fantagraphics)

Witchfinder: In the Service of Angels #5 (of 5)

Kevin: Mike Mignola and Ben Stenbeck wrap up the miniseries about an Victorian occult investigator, and strengthen its ties to the Hellboy Universe by having Sir Edward Grey meet up with a young Memnan Saa, later enemy of Lobster Johnson and the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. (Dark Horse)

Usagi Yojimbo: Yokai

Usagi Yojimbo: Yokai hardcover

JK: Stan Sakai does a stand-alone, watercolored graphic novel featuring his signature rabbit ronin. Usagi is one of the most consistently entertaining comics out there, and I imagine this will be something special. (Dark Horse)

Lobo: Highway to Hell #1 (of 2)

JK: Scott Ian of the metal band Anthrax pits the Main Man against the forces of hell and the devil himself. Hence the title. Check out CBR’s interview with Ian from earlier today for more info. (DC Comics)

Assault on New Olympus prologue

Assault on New Olympus prologue

JK: Marvel kicks off a mini-event of sorts that’ll run for the next few months in the pages of Incredible Hercules. In it, the title character leads an all-star cast of allies against his step-mom, Hera. More details can be found here.(Marvel)

Black Widow: Deadly Origin #1 (of 4)

Kevin: I like the idea of Black Widow, the Cold War super-spy-turned-superhero, even if her portrayals more often than not fall well short of the concept. She’s typically relegated to the role of femme fatale/love interest and guest star. But with this miniseries, and a second launching next month, Marvel aims to raise the character’s profile — and have a couple of new-reader friendly collections in bookstores — in time for her big-screen debut in the Iron Man movie sequel (in which she’ll be portrayed by Scarlett Johansson). Black Widow: Deadly Origin, by Paul Cornell and Tom Raney, looks to be pretty much what the title suggests: a flashback-dotted look at Natalia Romanova’s life and loves as a present-day mission endangers old flames. In interviews, Cornell (Captain Britain and MI13) has called the miniseries a “high-powered techno-thriller,” and referenced James Bond, so there’s a good chance the Black Widow will get her due. (Marvel)

Criminal: The Deluxe Edition

Criminal Deluxe Edition

Chris: Perhaps you’ve heard about the highly acclaimed crime series Criminal and thought, “Hmmm. I like Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. And I tend to like crime stories. And that series has won a bunch of awards. I should probably check it out some day.” Well, your some day is officially here. This spiffy $50 omnibus collects the first three story arcs of the series (Coward, Lawless and The Dead and the Dying) and also includes a number of extras like a never-before-printed, five-page “trailer” to announce the series online. This will make a very nice Christmas present for somebody. (Marvel/Icon)

Deathlok

Deathlok #1 (of 7)

JK: Crime novelist/Moon Knight writer reboots cult favorite Deathlok in a new Marvel Knights mini-series, with art by Lan Medina. (Marvel)

Immortal Weapons #4 (of 5)

Kevin: When I saw this title on the shipping list I thought, “Didn’t that end a while back?” I guess the absence of an issue in October just made it seem that way. Anyway, here’s another spotlight on one of the five Immortal Weapons — this time it’s Tiger’s Beautiful Daughter — introduced last year in The Immortal Iron Fist #13. The issue’s by Duane Swierczynski and Khari Evans, the creative team for Iron Fist before that series was put on “hiatus” … and replaced by this miniseries. Has there been an announcement yet about the return of the monthly title? (Marvel)

The Marvelous Land of Oz #1

The Marvelous Land of Oz #1 (of 8 )

Kevin: Eric Shanower and Skottie Young follow their well-received adaptation of The Wonderful World of Oz with this take on L. Frank Baum’s sequel, which stars a boy named Tip (who’s actually … someone else) and Jack Pumpkinhead, features a few old friends, and introduces new enemies. (Marvel)

X-Men Origins: Iceman

Kevin: I haven’t been following the X-titles for a while, so maybe I’ve missed out on the rise to prominence of Iceman and the demand for a retelling of his origin. I don’t know, it just seems really random. On the plus side, this one-shot is by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Phil Noto, so odds are that it’ll be pretty decent. (Marvel)

Strange Tales #3

Strange Tales #3 (of 3)

Chris: The last issue of Marvel’s indie mash-up/humor series arrives. Twas fun while it lasted. (Marvel)

Best of Wizard of ID

Chris: Back in the latter half of the 20th century, when newspapers were still important means of conveying information about the outside world and not bloated dinosaurs, the Wizard of Id was actually seen as one of the fresher, hipper comic strips around. That seems an odd thing to say given the cliched, worn, fossilized thing it’s become, but perhaps this new collection, from Titan Books, will bring about a re-appreciation of sorts. Or not. (Titan Books)

The Boys #36
Boys Vol. 1 hardcover: Name of the Game

Chris: If you’ve been wanting to check out Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s superhero decadence comedy/satire/withering critique of the abuses of power but fell behind, Dynamite is offering a hardcover version of the first story arc (though it’s not like that was difficult to find in stores). If you are all caught up, here’s the latest issue as well, continuing the secret origin of “Mother’s Milk,” which will no doubt be sure to be emotionally devastating and disgusting all at once. (Dynamite)

Boys: Herogasm #6 (of 6)

JK: And if that’s not enough Boys for you, the last issue of the spin-off “event” miniseries, Herogasm, also hits stores this week. I like the fact that they did this as a separate series versus a storyline in the regular Boys book, considering it’s The Boys universe’s twisted take on “event” comics and everyone knows big event comics demand spin-offs. Plus, it’s been a really good story. (Dynamite)

BP Comics Revival Previews Exclusive 3-Pak #1

BP Comics Revival Previews Exclusive 3-Pak #1

Chris: I thought Buenaventura Press’ plan — to release three titles packaged together at a low price — was a great way to try to combat Diamond’s recent minimum order changes. And the comics themselves aren’t too shabby either. $12 nets you the latest issue of Ted May’s hilarious Injury, up and comer Lisa Hanawalt’s newest comic, I Want You, and a new series from Eric Haven, The Aviatrix. It’s really a great way to get work that might otherwise have a tough time getting in stores make it’s way onto shelves. Here’s hoping my LCS took a chance with this one. (Buenaventura Press)

Camilla d’Errico’s Burn

Kevin: Camilla d’Errico’s (Nightmares & Fairy Tales, Make 5 Wishes) first creator-owned series, originally published in 2008 by Arcana Comics, gets a collected edition courtesy of Simon & Schuster’s YA imprint Simon Pulse. It’s the story of a 13-year-old boy (Burn of the title) who lives in a world where humans and mecha co-exist — at least until the machines declare war on their creators. When one mechanical monster, Shoftiel, rips through Burn’s home, the two emerge from the rubble and carnage to find they’ve merged, becoming something that’s neither completely human nor machine. (Simon Pulse)

James Bond Omnibus, Vol. 1

James Bond Omnibus, Vol. 1

Kevin: Before Ian Fleming’s legendary spy made the leap from prose page to silver screen he appeared in a long-running newspaper strip that adapted the novels and short stories at the excrutiatingly slow pace of two to four panels a day. Action! Adventure! Cobwebs! They were beautifully illustrated, though, first by John McLusky and then by Yaroslav Horak. It’s the first four years or so of the McLusky era, from 1958 to 1962, that are represented in this bumper volume, with adaptations of Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, From Russia With Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, Risico, From a View to a Kill, For Your Eyes Only and Thunderball. (Titan Books)

SKRWL: Triptych Journal Collection

Chris: Show your love for all things James Jean-related with this handsome collection of mini-journals designed by the former Fables cover artist. (Chronicle Books)

Take a look at Diamond’s complete list of comics arriving in shops this week, and let us know what you’re getting in the comments below.

Also hitting stores this week are several first issues — DC has a new World’s Finest miniseries, Red Sonja gets promoted to Queen Sonja by Dynamite, Dark Horse gives us more Groo and Ares fights his way into his own mini. This week also sees some endings, several minis wrap up, including Last Days of Animal Man, Killapalooza, Marvel Divas and Ambush Bug.

To see what Chris, Kevin and I have to say about this week’s releases, read on …

*****

Red Snow

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: Red Snow HC

Attention Gekiga fans! Drawn and Quarterly knows how to slake your thirst for mature, literary manga with the release of this collection of short stories by Susumu Katsumata. Set in a pre-modern, rural Japan, the stories focus on the relationships between men and women, both young and old, in an agrarian culture where gender roles are strictly enforced. And if I’ve now made this book sound like a snoozefest, let me add that Katsumata is a natural-born cartoonist, with a charming round-headed style and never once comes off as didactic or forced, but instead is graceful and funny as well as touching. I’m not the only one who feels this way. This won the 2006 Japanese Cartoonists Association’s Grand Prize Award. And they’re no dummies. (Drawn and Quarterly)

Unknown Soldier 13

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: Unknown Soldier #13

Joshua Dysart and Alberto Ponticelli’s Unknown Soldier series has really been working for me. There’s a danger in something that focuses on or is set against real life issues becoming the comic equivalent of those Very Special Episodes we used to get from Different Strokes or Family Ties. Y’know, the ones where Dudley gets touched by the guy from WKRP in Cincinnati or Alex P. Keaton becomes addicted to uppers, and nobody acts like they would in every other episode because it fit the message the suits wanted to send.

Luckily for us, Dysart is as invested in the characters as he is in the cause, which makes Unknown Soldier compelling reading that has thus far stayed out of that territory. With this issue, Ponticelli steps away for a couple of issues and Patrice Masioni Makamba, originally from the Congo, steps in for a two-parter. And yeah, this could be seen as the equivalent of stunt casting, but as we’ve seen, Masioni’s got the goods. I’m looking forward to checking his art out on the full issue. (DC/Vertigo)

Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer

As I mentioned in April when this SLG Publishing graphic novel was announced, there’s something so perfect, yet so delightfully ridiculous, about the concept behind Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer. I mean, the title tells you all you need to know: The little wooden boy whose growing nose provides an ever-present stake and … well, he kills the creatures of the night.

If you require a little more than the high-concept pitch, there’s this: In the tale by Dustin Higgins and Van Jensen, Pinocchio witnesses the death of Geppetto at the hands of vampires, and swears revenge. He’s a little liar on a mission to save humanity from the fanged menace!

Still need more? Then check out the previews at the publisher’s website and at Comic Book Resources, and this interview with Jensen here at Robot 6.

Abe Sapien: The Haunted Boy

Abe Sapien: The Haunted Boy

Kevin: Part of Dark Horse’s “One-Shot Wonders” initiative, this standalone story teams frequent collaborators Mike Mignola and John Arcudi with artist Patric Reynolds, who worked previously with Hellboy creator on a short for MySpace Dark Horse Presents. In his early days as an agent of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, the amphibious Abe Sapien is sent to investigate the seemingly accidental death of a young boy and subsequent haunting. (Dark Horse)

Groo: Hogs of Horder #1

JK: Groo wanders back into comic shops this week with a brand-new miniseries about a force more destructive than Groo himself. If such a thing is possible. Check out a preview here. (Dark Horse)

Ambush Bug #7

Ambush Bug Year None #7 (of 6)

JK: Yes, you’re reading that right … after weeks? months? years? decades? centuries? (ok, enough!) of waiting, DC is finally wrapping up the Ambush Bug mini-series with a seventh issue, completely skipping over issue six. If you’ve ever read Ambush Bug, well, this probably isn’t surprising. (DC Comics)

Detective Comics #858

Chris: I wasn’t too crazy about that surprise twist ending in the last issue, but man, I’d pay $4 to see JH Williams draw a board of supervisors meeting, you know what I’m saying? (DC Comics)

The Sandman: The Dream Hunters hardcover

Kevin: This collects P. Craig Russell’s four-issue adaptation of the award-winning 1999 novella by Neil Gaiman and Yoshitaka Amano. In the 144-page tale, a shape-shifting fox falls in love with a Buddhist monk — she’d initially set out to drive him from his temple, but that’s neither here nor there — and discovers a plot against the holy man by a wealthy onmyoji and a group of demons. So she turns to Morpheus, appearing here as an enormous black fox, for help. (DC/Vertigo)

World’s Finest #1

JK: This four-issue mini-series written by Sterling Gates sees the writer teaming up with different artists each issue to showcase team ups between various members of the Superman and Batman families. This issue features Red Robin and the Kryptonian Nightwing. (DC Comics)

Eternal Conflicts of the Cosmic Warrior one-shot

Eternal Conflicts of the Cosmic Warrior one-shot

JK: Paul Grist started this story on Facebook earlier this year; in fact, I think you can still check it out over there. It’s also undergone a name change, from The Timeless Adventures of the Eternal Warrior to what you see above, no doubt to differentiate it from the old Valiant comic of the same name. (Image Comics)

Marvel Holiday Spectacular

Kevin: It’s a $10 holiday crap shoot, I guess, as the publisher doesn’t provide much information about the content or creative teams contained within this 104-page one-shot. (Marvel)

Spider-Man Newspaper Strips hardcover

Kevin: This oversized hardcover collects the first three years of The Amazing Spider-Man newspaper strip, by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. Maybe that was back when it was good, or at least tolerable. (Marvel)

Spider-Man: The Short Halloween Premiere Hardcover

Spider-Man: The Short Halloween Premiere Hardcover

Kevin: Just in time for Halloween, Marvel rolls out a hardcover packaging that recent one-shot by Saturday Night Live cast members Bill Hader and Seth Meyers and artist Kevin Maguire with issues 4-6 of Amazing Spider-Man Family. (Marvel)

Wolverine: Old Man Logan hardcover

Kevin: Billed as “the most important Wolverine story of the 21st century,” the eight-issue arc by Civil War collaborators Mark Millar and Steve McNiven lost much of its momentum due to publishing delays and a weird scheduling shuffle. So maybe a collection will make it easier to determine whether this near-future, Dark Knight Returns-inspired story is all that Marvel assures us it is. (Marvel)

X-Factor #50

X-Factor #50

Kevin: And so here we are, at the final issue of X-Factor … under the current numbering system, in any case. After a one-month break, the series returns in November with Issue 200, a new artist (Bing Cansino) and a new direction. (Marvel)

X Necrosha

JK: Marvel kicks off a mini-event in some of their X-titles with this one-shot this week, as the old Hellfire Club member Selene starts bringing some familiar-looking X-characters back to life to cause havoc in upcoming issues of X-Force, New Mutants and X-Men Legacy. I’m mentioning it here for two reasons: one, because I really dig the Lost Boys movie poster homage ad that Marvel’s been running in some of their comics, and two, to prove I can make it through this write-up without mentioning DC’s big “let’s bring everyone back to life as villains” crossover, Bla …whoops, almost had me there. (Marvel)

Boys #1 Dynamite Edition

JK: As a way to hook new readers, Dynamite is releasing a $1 version of the first issue of Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s The Boys — a comic they didn’t have the opportunity to publish the first time around, since the book started out at Wildstorm. If you’ve ever been curious about the book, here’s a chance to check it out on the cheap. (Dynamite)

Bob Dylan Revisited Illustrated

Bob Dylan Revisited Illustrated

Chris: Here’s an intriguing oddity. A bunch of Eurocomic artists translate the lyrics to some of Dylan’s most classic songs to comics. Lorenzo Mattotti and Dave McKean are the only names that jump out at me, but perhaps you’ll see one or two you recognize. Get it for the Dylan fan in your house. (W.W. Norton)

Che Graphic Biography

Chris: Having thoroughly covered 9/11 and its aftermath, Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon look at the live of revolutionary Che Guevera. (Hill & Wang)

Fat Freddy's Cat Omnibus

Fat Freddy’s Cat Omnibus

Chris: I just finished reading this over the weekend. Like the title suggests, it’s a thick-volumed collection of every strip Gilbert Shelton did featuring the striped orange tabby that lives in the Furry Freak Bros. apartment. Since a lot of these strips ran as one or half-page fillers, the quality varies, but it’s an entertaining enough collection, especially if you like cats. I’ll try to have a more thoughtful review up sometime soon. (Knockabout)

Map of my Heart

Chris: Zine comics king John Porcellino celebrates his 20th anniversary of making comics with this hefty volume of material taken from his King-Cat series. Porcellino’s works are about as minimalist as they come, yet they’re always imbued with deep emotion and intelligence. This would probably be as good a place as any for newcomers to discover his work. (Drawn and Quarterly)

Secret Science Alliance

Chris: Boy howdy, did I like this book a whole lot. It’s about a trio of kid scientists and how they learn that the local grown-up scientist is attempting a robbery and try to foil his plot. Author Eleanor Davis fills the pages with detail and flowcharts and diagrams. It’s honestly one of the most fun reads I’ve had this year and I quickly passed it onto my daughter who was captivated just as quickly. I hope it sells a million copies. (Bloomsbury USA)

Tribute: Michael Jackson King of Pop

Chris: I’m sure the fact that this is coming out the exact same day the big event Michael Jackson movie is being released is just mere coincidence and was not the result of crafty planning on anyone’s part. I also believe in unicorns. (Bluewater)

Key Moments from the History of Comics

Key Moments from the History of Comics

Chris: This looks to be an amusing little chapbook from French cartoonist Francoise Ayroles, and published by The Beguiling (along with D&Q) of all things. It’s basically a series of one-page gag panels featuring various famous cartoonists like Charles Schulz and Jack Kirby. You can get a sampling over at Chris Butcher’s site. (Beguilling Books)

Check out Diamond’s complete list of releases this week, then tell us what you plan to get in the comments below.

Other notable floppy releases include DC’s Justice League #38, the first issue by James Robinson and Mark Bagley, and Oni’s Resurrection #4, where a former president joins the cast. Hey, at least they didn’t try to jump on the already overloaded Obama bandwagon. There’s also a handful of second issues I’m personally looking forward to — Beasts of Burden, Underground and Spider Woman.

And trade waiters have a lot to look forward to this week as well: Legion of Three Worlds, Garth Ennis’s series of Battlefield miniseries, the Vertigo Uncle Sam series, Wolverine Noir and Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers get the hardcover treatment, while softcovers of recent issues of Jonah Hex, Superman, Thunderbolts, Echo and War Machine arrive. And comic strip fans can scratch their Family Circus itch with the first of IDW’s mammoth collections of the series.

To see what Chris, Kevin and I have to say about this week’s loot, read on.

What a Wonderful World Vol. 1

Chris Mautner’s pick of the week: What a Wonderful World Vol. 1 & 2

Chris: I wasn’t crazy about Asano Inio’s Solanin, but it certainly showed enough life and skill to make me interested in this big two-volume collection of interconnected short stories. The scantillation crowd, especially Dirk Deppey, had real positive things to say about this series, which blends the everyday with the fantastic.

I suppose some of the faults that tripped up Solanin could show up here, but considering that was an early work, I’m willing to be persuaded that Wonderful World carries the game a couple of rungs up the ladder. (VIZ)

JK Parkin’s pick of the week: Underground #2

Underground #2

JK: If you had told me I’d be recommending a book about park rangers trying to save a cave from corrupt businessmen in this week’s Can’t Wait for Wednesday, I probably would have said, “Hey, is Jeff Parker writing it? Because I’m all over that.”

Parker and his artistic partner, Steve Lieber, really pulled me in with the first issue of their new creator-owned series from Image, where two park rangers try to protect a cave that the local town wants to turn into a tourist attraction. What I like about it is that it’s not such a black and white issue; the town is really struggling, and they make a good case for how it could help the local economy. And what could have been a boring, after school special on Why Caves Are Important is actually a great comic filled with engaging characters, sexual tension and even an explosion or two. (Image Comics)

Noir, Vol. 1

Kevin Melrose’s pick of the week: Noir, Vol. 1

Kevin: This anthology would be difficult to pass up even if I weren’t a fan of the crime genre. I mean, look at the creative lineup: Brian Azzarello, Gabriel Ba, Eduardo Barreto, Ed Brubaker, Rick Geary, Paul Grist, David Lapham, Jeff Lemire, Fabio Moon, Dean Motter, Sean Phillips …

Seriously. How can that not be my pick of the week? (Dark Horse)

Beasts of Burden #2

Kevin: Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson’s ragtag pack of dogs (and a cat) — the “spook squad” — follow the trail of some missing pups and end up uncovering a bigger, and more horrific, mystery. I still haven’t read the first issue, so don’t tell me what happens! (Dark Horse)

Sugarshock One-Shot

JK: Dark Horse is releasing several stand-alone one-shots over the next few months as a way to introduce readers to their various properties, starting with last week’s Star Wars: Invasion #0. Like that one, Sugarshock doesn’t sound like it actually has a new story in it, though — based on the solicitation, it sounds like it collects the material that was presented online on MySpace, along with 14 pages of sketches and other bonus material. But it’s a good story that’s worth checking out if you missed it the first time around. (Dark Horse)

DCU Halloween Special

Kevin: The 80-page themed issue features more than a dozen new stories by Billy Tucci, Rags Morales, Joe Prado and others. DC hasn’t released many details, but the holiday specials are generally pretty decent. (DC Comics)

Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds

JK: I’m still not sure exactly what this had to do with Final Crisis, other than the fact that it came out around the same time, but this collects the Geoff Johns/George Perez miniseries that pits the Legion –actually, three different Legions — against an army of super villains led by the evil Superboy from our dimension. I really dug it. (DC Comics)

Justice League #38

Justice League of America #38

JK: James Robinson and Mark Bagley come aboard as the book’s new creative team, kicking off “a new era,” according to the solicitation text. The new team isn’t introduced until issue #41, though, so this is likely a “bridge the gap” issue between what came before and what Robinson and Bagley ultimately wnat to do with the book. In any event, the headline here is that the guy behind Starman and Cry for Justice is writing, and the guy who drew Ultimate Spider-Man and Trinity is on art. If I can just ignore certain elements of Cry for Justice, I’m optimistic about this. (DC Comics)

Showcase Presents: The House of Secrets, Vol. 2

Kevin: Nearly 500 pages of horror from the 1970s, featuring the talents of John Albano, Jim Aparo, Sergio Aragones, Michael Kaluta, Sheldon Mayer, Tom Palmer, George Tuska, Bernie Wrightson and others. (DC Comics)

Cowboy Ninja Viking #1

Cowboy Ninja Viking #1

Kevin: A.J. Lieberman (Batman: Gotham Knights) and Riley Rossmo (Proof) team up for this series about a “rogue psychotherapist/covert op/DJ” who uses patients with multiple personality disorder to create a counter-intelligence unit known as the Triplets. (Sure, why not.) Things go awry, of course, and the titular character is called in to rein in the other agents. You can check out a preview here. (Image Comics)

The Five Fists of Science (new printing)

Kevin: Before Matt Fraction made a name for himself with titles like Casanova, The Immortal Iron Fist and Invincible Iron Man, he created this steampunk adventure with Steven Sanders starring Nikola Tesla, Mark Twain and Bertha von Suttner. They battle the likes of Thomas Edison, J.P. Morgan and Andrew Carnegie. Yes, it’s glorious. (Image Comics)

Dark Avengers #10

JK: Kicking off a new storyline that features “on an Avengers style mission, with all the twists and turns that entails.” Plus, the Molecule Man. Cool. (Marvel)

The List: Hulk

Dark Reign The List: Hulk One-Shot

JK: So far I’ve been enjoying the various one-shots that Marvel has been putting out that have Norman Osborn trying to knock a few “to do” items off his wish list. It’s helped that the creative teams have been strong. In this issue, Greg Pak and Ben Oliver pit Osborn and friends against Bruce Banner and his boy, Skaar. (Marvel)

Invincible Iron Man #19

JK: Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca wrap up their long-running and quite good “World’s Most Wanted” story arc. (Marvel)

Marvel Masterworks: The Inhumans, Vol. 1 hardcover

Kevin: I like The Inhumans as much as the next guy — okay, probably not — but I have to wonder how much of a demand there is for a $55 collection like this. Sure, that money gets you classic tales by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, Gene Colan and others, but … The Inhumans? Eh. (Marvel)

Comic Diorama

Comic Diorama One-Shot

Chris: From Top Shelf comes this collection of short, surreal stories by Grant Reynolds involving mermaids, alcoholics and the planet Pluto. There’s a preview here. (Top Shelf)

Robotika: For a Frew Rubles More Double-Sized #3 & #4
Robotika, Vol. 1 hardcover with dust jacket

Kevin: Alex Sheikman’s “steampunk sushi samurai Western” is one of those instances where I feel I missed the boat. That whole “steampunk sushi samurai Western” thing? I should’ve been all over that. But was I? Nope. Here’s my chance to make up for that oversight with the collection of the original 2006 series and the latest double-sized issue of the current volume. (Archaia)

Angel vs. Frankenstein

Angel vs. Frankenstein

Chris: John Byrne offers a one-shot story about the TV vampire and his 18th-century battle against Frankenstein’s Monster. IDW sent me a preview copy of this and, you know, I don’t know a blessed thing about Angel. I’ve never watched the show, nor any episode of Buffy. And yet? I had absolutely no problem following this story. It wasn’t necessarily my kettle of fish, but I certainly appreciated the clarity and grace of its storytelling. Considering the quality some of the comic book spin-offs that end up in my mailbox, I’m supremely grateful for those aspects alone. (IDW)

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid HC Vol. 04

Chris:While all the big boys at the comics table brag about how many hundreds or tens of thousands of copies their pamphlets sold this little sorta-comics/sorta-not kids book will rocket to the top of the best-seller charts and sell a couple of million copies before the year is even out. Just wanted to provide a little bit of perspective there. (Abrams)

Family Circus Library Vol. 1

Chris: These days the Family Circus is synonymous with all things safe and saccharine on the comics page, but surely back in the day it must have been worthy of praise, right? I dunno. We’ll have to buy this $40 collection of the first two years of Bill Keane’s strip to find out. (IDW)

Garth Ennis’ Battlefields Volume 1

Garth Ennis’ Battlefields Volume 1

JK: This collects all of the recent Garth Ennis Battlefields comics into one gigantic hardcover, including The Night Witches, Dear Billy and The Tankies. (Dynamite)

Resurrection #4

JK: This issue of Marc Guggenheim’s post-alien invasion series adds a new and notable cast member — former President Bill Clinton. According to the good folks at Oni, “This is not a publicity stunt, this is not a one-off, this is the 42nd President of the United State as a full time cast member.” Check out a preview here. (Oni)

Talisman Road Of Trials #0

Talisman Road Of Trials #0

Chris: Peter Straub and Stephen King adapt their fantasy novel to comics. OK, not really. Actually it’s Robin Furth, Tony Shasteen and Massimo Carnevale who provide this $1 preview of the upcoming series. A quick flip-through didn’t do much for me, but if you’re a fan of the book you’ll probably want to check this out. (Del Ray)

The Book About Moomin, Mymble and Little My

Chris: This is an adorable picture book, the first in Drawn and Quarterly’s Enfant line, featuring Tove Jansson’s Moomin characters and using die-cuts to move the story along. It’s not really a comic per se, but if you’ve been enjoying D & Q’s collection of Moomin strips, or if you’re looking for a nice picture book for your kids, then you really should pick this up tomorrow. (Drawn and Quarterly)

The Waiting Place

The Waiting Place

Kevin: The well-regarded 1997-2002 series that established Sean McKeever’s credentials as a writer of teen drama gets an omnibus edition courtesy of IDW Publishing. The collected volumes feature art by Brendan Fraim, Brian Fraim, Mike Norton and David Yurkovich. (IDW Publishing)

Talking Lines hardcover

Chris: I really like the work of R.O. Blechman, as I’ve said before numerous times on this blog. So I’m very please to see Drawn and Quarterly make an effort to start reprinting his work. This is a rather nice collection of short stories Blechman has done for various publications, including Humbug, The Nation and the New York Times. Blechman’s line is about as simple as it gets, and his stories trade heavily on satire and metaphor, but they’re a delight to read nevertheless and I strongly recommend checking this out. (Drawn and Quarterly)

Dread & Superficiality

Dread & Superficiality: Woody Allen as Comic Strip hardcover

Chris: Between 1976 and 1984 a cartoonist by the name of Stuart Hample produced a daily newspaper strip about Woody Allen. Abrams collects the best of the run in this largish book. You can read my review of it here. (Abrams)

To see everything that’s arriving in comic shops this week, check out the Diamond Comics website. And let us know what you’re getting in our comments field.