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Dark Reign: Zodiac #1

2009-07-01T09:42:00.001-04:00

Dark Reign: Zodiac #1

Writer: Joe Casey

Artist: Nathan Fox

Color Art: Jose Villarrubia

Lettering: Albert Deschesne

Associate Editor: Jeanine Schaefer

Editor: Tom Brevoort

Norman Osborn may be running the show, but not every super-villain is going to accept the new world order. But who -- or what -- is ZODIAC? In this dark, brooding tale that snakes through the underbelly of the modern Marvel Universe, the new breed of super-villain has finally arrived! The order of the day is "mischief for mischief's sake," and no one -- neither hero *nor* villain -- is safe!

Characters

Zodiac
Death Reaper
Manslaughter Marsdale
The Clown
David Cannon (aka Whirlwind)
Norman Osborn

The characters are pretty cool. Well, except for Osborn, but since the purpose of this mag is to give some more villains a chance to annoy Osborne, I'm all for it.

This is Zodiac's first appearance, as far as I know. If the last panel when we see his face is supposed to let us recognize who is calling himself Zodiac, it didn't work. He's kind of cool, pulling a little Joker craziness and love of anarchy. I can work with him though.

It's also Death Reaper's first appearance, but she doesn't show much, despite her costume showing...much. We learn she's Nekra daughter, and that's about it. Oh, and she likes flirting with Zodiac talking about phone sex and stuff. I assume she has similar powers and that the Grim Reaper is her daughter, but that's speculation based on her chosen code name.

The Clown, Eliot Franklin, has always been the best member of the Circus of Crime, except maybe Princess Python with her slinky outfit and writhing snakes. Anyway, I'd like to see Eliot Franklin show what has always been slinking underneath his white paint...a sadistic man under silly make-up, not the goofy buffoon he's often portrayed as.

I've never read a comic with Manslaughter Marsdale but I know of him. Created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz, He's only been in a couple of Amazing Spider-Man issues (#271 and #309) before his appearance here. I like the use of the little known characters like Marsdale. It's happening a lot these days with The Hood bringing back the Scourge victims in Punisher. So many cool characters already exist if just given a chance, the need to make so many new guys just doesn't exist.

David Cannon started off his criminal career as the less than threateningly named Human Top in 1963's Tales to Astonish #50. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, in his first appearance he was just a kid and took on Giant Man and Wasp. Roy Thomas and John Buscema reimagined David Cannon 4 years later as Whirlwind, armored for protection and blades whirling in Avengers #46. Now he's posing as Osborn's chauffeur, a role he learned posing as Janet van Dyne's chauffeur in the past. I hope he gets a chance to show off, because if Marvel would let him actually cut people, he'd be intimidating.

Character Rating: 1 Worm. Little used villains hopefully getting a chance to show off. Love it!

Plot

The plot's fairly simple. Zodiac recruits the Clown and kills a bunch of HAMMER agents while we're introduced to Zodiac's crew. Gone are the days of a first issue which stands alone and gives you a feel of the rest of the series, and that makes the first issue suffer. It makes all first issues suffer, really. But Casey does a good job introducing the characters, which not all writers can claim. One problem, though. The title of this issue is "For the Sake of Mischief". And while he talks to the Clown and shows him the heads of the Zodiac criminal team, he talks about anarchy. But he's not just randomly doing stuff...he's targeting Osborn. That means he's not just doing stuff for the sake of mischief. He's doing stuff to rattle Osborn.

Plot Rating: 1 1/2 Worms. Simple issue that introduces the characters.

Art

Sorry, Nathan Fox, I don't like your art at all. It's too much. It's too chaotic. Maybe that fits Zodiac, but doesn't appeal to me.

Art Raing: 1/2 Worm

Overall Rating: 3 Worms - Recommended for fans of Nathan Fox's art and villains giving Norman Osborn a hard time.

Learn more about The Clown here.

Learn more about Manslaughter Marsdale here.

Learn more about Whirlwind here.

Comic Catch: July 1, 2009

2009-06-29T16:52:00.001-04:00

AGENTS OF ATLAS #7 - Story by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Gabriel Hardman, Carlo Pagulayan
Colors by: Elizabeth Breitweiser
Letters by: Dave Lanphear, Nate Peikos
Cover by: Leinil Francis Yu
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Journey to the Deep!! The Agents and the Sub-Mariner face not only a deadly attack beneath the ocean, but Namor and Namora’s budding relationship is hit with some ugly facts of Atlantean history. Also: what does a Lung Dragon dream? Peer into the most treacherous space imaginable, the ancient and diabolical mind of Mr. Lao!

ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE BOOK THREE #3 - Written by: Kurt Busiek
Art by: Brent Anderson
Cover by: Alex Ross
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

The secrets of the Apollo Eleven! The inner workings of PYRAMID! An assault on the First Family! The return of the Silver Agent! A game of Jarts! Charles and Royal get dragged deeper and deeper into the darkness and turmoil of Astro City in the early '80s – only to come face-to-face with the cosmic threat of the Incarnate!

CHEW #2 - Story by: John Layman
Art by: Rob Guillory
Cover by: Rob Guillory
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

It's Tony Chu's first day on the job as a federal agent for the FDA, the most powerful law-enforcement agency on the planet. He's got a new partner who thinks he knows everything, a boss who hates his guts for no good reason, and his first order of business is to eat a decomposing finger found in a fast food cheeseburger. By the end of the day, Tony will ingest rancid sushi, face Yakuza assassins and meet the girl of his dreams. It's all in a day's work for Tony Chu, in the latest chapter of "Chew," a deliciously unsettling new comic about cops, crooks, cooks, cannibal and clairvoyants.

DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #1 - Story by: Victor Gischler
Art by: Bong Dazo, Arthur Suydam, Jose Pimentel
Colors by: Matt Milla
Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
Cover by: Ed McGuinness, Arthur Suydam
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

“HEAD TRIP,” Part 1 of 6 It’s the Merc with two mouths! Deadpool travels to the Savage Land to retrieve what might be the deadliest bio-weapon the universe has ever seen. What is this deadly object? Well, Deadpool's employer is being a little vague about that. Let’s just say when the secret is finally revealed, it's enough to throw even the Merc with two Mouths for a loop…Oh hell, we can’t keep a secret, it’s the severed-but-still-hungry head of the Marvel Zombies Deadpool! To save the universe, Deadpool must team up with himself to dodge Hydra operatives, dinosaurs, cavemen and zombie cavemen as he attempts to take his not-so-precious cargo back where it came from: the Marvel Zombies Universe. Plus, a bonus reprinting of the first apperanace of Deadpool from New Mutants #98!

DESTROYER #4 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Cory Walker
Colors by: Val Staples
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: Jason Pearson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Destroyer at long last comes face to face with the legions of HORDE -- and buried deep within their secret base lays a threat like none Destroyer has ever faced before. This issue, the violence gets turned up to awesome. Make sure Destroyer is added to your pull list...or the next villain Destroyer murders could be YOU!

EXILES #4 - Story by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Casey Jones, Karl Kesel
Colors by: Tony Washington
Letters by: Simon Bowland
Cover by: Dave Bullock
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The latest team of Exiles find themselves on a much more binary Earth than the last, and the Tallus still isn't being much help. How did Machine Man, Vision and Ultron become the new rulers of America, and what chance do six people have against a nation of Machines?

IRREDEEMABLE #4 - Written by: Mark Waid
Drawn by: Peter Krause
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

What if the world’s greatest hero decided to become the world’s greatest villain? The Plutonian’s deadly rampage continues. His former comrades-turned-victims are beaten, tired, and searching for hope. A “twilight of the superheroes”-style story that examines super-villains from the writer of KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE!

JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #1 - Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Mauro Cascioli
Cover by: Mauro Cascioli
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

What brings a team together? Justice! Batman and Martian Manhunter have been slaughtered. But he's not the only hero to fall at the hands of villains. The murder has to stop, and it's time to take the fight to the bad guys! Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Supergirl, Atom, Shazam, Congorilla and Starman unite in a cry for justice!

This 6-part miniseries from James Robinson (STARMAN, SUPERMAN) and rising star artist Mauro Cascioli (TRIALS OF SHAZAM) pushes our heroes to the brink and beyond as evil can no longer be tolerated to win. But when Prometheus plans his revenge on not only the heroes, but on the very places they call home, will this new team be ready to pay the cost for the justice they seek? This time it's personal – and it'll only get more bloody before it's over!

LOCKE & KEY HEAD GAMES #6 - Story by: Joe Hill
Art by: Gabriel Rodriguez
Cover by: Gabriel Rodriguez, Nick Runge
Publisher: IDW
Cover Price: $3.99

“Backstory.” Ellie Whedon is many things: loyal mother, tough coach, embittered daughter, lost soul, Dodge's prisoner and unwilling accomplice. But above all she's a threat to Dodge's safety, the one person who knows the truth about him, and it's time for him to do something about it. Step into Ellie Whedon's tormented memories, and find out how Dodge wound up in that well, in the shattering final issue of the Head Games arc!

MARVEL DIVAS #1 - Story by: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Art by: Tonci Zonjic
Colors by: Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic
Cover by: J. Scott Campbell
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Diva (dee-vah), noun: An unusually glamorous and powerful woman. See: Patsy "Hellcat" Walker; Felicia "Black Cat" Hardy; Angelica "Firestar" Jones; and Monica "Photon" Rambeau. What happens when you take four of the Marvel Universe's most fabulous single girls and throw them together, adding liberal amounts of suds and drama? You get the sassiest, sexiest, soapiest series to come out of the House of Ideas since Millie the Model! Romance, action, ex-boyfriends, and a last page that changes everything! Let your inner divas out with this one, fellas, you won't regret it!

MIGHTY #6 - Written by: Peter J. Tomasi & Keith Champagne
Art by: Chris Samnee
Cover by: Dave Johnson
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Being the commander of Section Omega has its perks — like a free trip to Earth orbit, courtesy of Alpha One! It may be a beautiful view, but Gabriel Cole had better hope it doesn’t turn into a one-way trip! After all, he’s beginning to understand just why he’s had so many predecessors in his job – and why so few have lived to tell about it!

SAVAGE DRAGON #150 - Story by: Erik Larsen
Art by: Erik Larsen
Cover by: Erik Larsen
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $5.99

THIS IS IT! OL’ FIN-HEAD’S FANTASTIC 150th ISSUE!

Just when Dragon thought his struggle to protect Chicago from the
nefarious Vicious Circle couldn’t get any worse, his deadliest foe
returns. The shocker of the year: OverLord Triumphant

SECRET SIX #11 - Story by: Gail Simone
Art by: Nicola Scott, Doug Hazlewood
Cover by: Daniel LuVisi
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

A former Wonder Woman is now a slave? That's just the first shock as the Secret Six face a new enemy with a heart of ice and an entire country at his command! All this plus the return of Mockingbird! It's all heading towards a confrontation against one of DC's biggest powerhouses, and the Six don't stand a chance…

SOLOMON GRUNDY #5 - Written by: Scott Kolins
Art and Cover by: Scott Kolins
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Worse on Friday! With Grundy mortally wounded, can he fend off the revenge of Professor Ivo?It's super science versus evil power! And the bad blood between them forces Cyrus to face his past head on. Will he see through the madness and discover his killer? The end is coming, and it doesn't look good for Solomon Grundy!

SPAWN #193 - Story: TODD McFARLANE
Art and Cover: GREG CAPULLO
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.95

Fan-favorite artist GREG CAPULLO returns as guest artist, bringing his inimitable style to a story arc which includes three characters he is passionate about drawing. SPAWN creator TODD McFARLANE incorporated a one-issue encounter between three of Capullo's favorite characters: detectives Sam and Twitch, who he's perfected during his previous work on SPAWN, and the ultimate personification of evil, the Clown. McFARLANE brought the three characters face-to-face for an ominous meeting that will leave fans ravenous for the next issue.

UNCANNY X-MEN #513 - Story by: Matt Fraction
Art by: Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson
Colors by: Justin Ponsor
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Terry Dodson, Rachel Dodson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

“UTOPIA: CHAPTER 2” WHO ARE THE DARK X-MEN? He has his own Avengers team and now Norman Osborn has his own X-Men team. The other shoe has finally dropped and Emma Frost has betrayed Cyclops and the rest of the X-Men. And that’s just one of the huge surprises in “UTOPIA”. Is that Namor? Cloak and Dagger? Professor X?! The thing that you aren’t ready for is that Osborn is right.

WAR OF KINGS #5 - Story by: Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning
Art by: Paul Pelletier, Rick Magyar
Colors by: Wil Quintana
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Brandon Peterson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The high impact, critically acclaimed sci-fi epic rages towards its explosive climax! Last issue’s jaw-dropping cliffhanger has everyone scrambling! Vulcan’s once unbeatable and vast war machine is grinding to a halt! Black Bolt’s forces are struggling to survive! It’s all coming down to the final clash, king vs. king! But where will the other power players place their loyalty, and can anyone imagine a solution as extreme as the one Medusa is proposing? The Universe is about to change forever in what IGN.com calls “a veritable dream for science fiction/fantasy fans…War of Kings is event comics done right.”

Comic Review: Dark Reign: Lethal Legion #1

2009-06-27T16:40:00.000-04:00

Dark Reign: Lethal Legion #1

Writer: Frank Tieri

Artist: Mateus Santolouco

Color Art: Chris Sotomayor

Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos

Cover: Tommy Lee Edwards

Editor: Jeanine Schaefer

When Norman Osborn takes over, what happens to the villains who don't make his short list of acceptable allies? Grim Reaper, Mr. Hyde, Absorbing Man, Nekra, and Man-Ape are about to find out when their cooperative of crime lands on the wrong side of Norman's law - but they're not going down without a fight.

Characters: Grim Reaper, Tiger Shark, Absorbing Man, Mr. Hyde, Nekra, Grey Gargoyle, Mr. Livingston, and secret last member of Lethal Legion. Cameos from Norman Osborn, Spider-Man/Venom/Scorpion, and Hawkeye/Bullseye.

Let's face it, these days it just doesn't beat to be a villain. Almost seems like every other title focuses on the bad guys, and I love the bad guys. So I jumped at the chance to see Grim Reaper and crew running wild. Especially against Osborn, whom I hate. As more and more people, heroes and villains, turn against Osborn, I cheer. Fury didn't have this much trouble. Stark did, though. Wonder how much longer before someone realizes how much things were better with Fury leading the way.

Anyway, most of the story focuses on Tiger Shark and we see a flashback with Osborn calling him a second-rate nothing, to which I take offense. I always liked Tiger Shark, though I preferred him looking human with the costume to this anthropomorphic shark look they've given him. Anyway, in telling his story I would have pointed out that even though Osborn was belittleing him, he still had to call in Hawkeye and Mac Gargan, whom doesn't have an impressive win record either, to help him toss Tiger Shark out the window. Doesn't sound second rate to me.

The other characters we only saw in passing, although I'm sure we'll see the others as the series goes along. Grim Reaper is crazy cool, and so is his hottie Nekra. Absorbing Man rocks, heh, and Mr. Hyde done right can be scary. To Grey Gargoyle I'm pretty indifferent.

Oddly enough, the solicitation mentioned Man-Ape, but he isn't mentioned in the comic. They should double check the solicitation blurb guy.

Mr. Livingston in the Lethal Legion's lawyer trying to find out what happened. Not very interesting, but then I assume he's not supposed to be.

I'll let the secret Lethal Legion member remain secret, but it's an interesting choice.

Character Rating: 1 Worm. Can't wait until we see more of the others.

Plot:

Livingston is flown to the Raft so he can meet with the Lethal Legion about their case. He first meets with Eric Williams, the Grom Reaper, but the interview is interrupted when some other inmates jump Reaper and stab him. He's rushed to the infirmary where his condition is undisclosed.

Livingston then goes to talk to Todd Arliss, Tiger Shark. Tiger Shark tells Livingston how and why the new Lethal Legion was formed. About Grim Reaper just wanted to "rage against the machine," Nekra was there for Reaper, Grey Gargoyle and Mr. Hyde about embarassments suffered at the hands of Osborn, and Tiger Shark being tossed out of a skyscraper window and disregarded as if he was nothing. Absorbing Man is a mystery.

Another mystery is that someone in the team betrayed them to Osborn leading to their capture. Tiger Shark thinks it's the secret member revealed in the last panel. I think that's too convenient, and I think it's either Tiger Shark himself and his attempted blackmail of Osborn and getting thrown out the window didn't really happen that way, or Absorbing Man since we don't know what motivated him to join the team.

This issue just set up the initial events to what leads to the Lethal Legion's capture. So it's interesting, but not very exciting. Tieri chose a good set up for this tale, starting at the end and telling it in flashbacks. There's plenty of intrigue and, best of all, people fighting Osborn. I love watching people fight Osborn. Especially villains.

Plot Rating: 2 Worms. Tieri packed in as much action as he could and still set up the background information we need to know before the real story starts. Well balanced tale with action, intrigue, and info.

Art: Not a big fan of Santolouco's art. It seems kind of rough. Some of the panels are pretty cool. The Splash page of Grim Reaper with Oscorp building burning in the background was cool. The panel showing the Lethal Legion doing...lethal things as Tiger Shark tells why everyone was in the group was cool. The mystery member didn't look like himself, though, and it's not just that he was out of costume.

Art Rating: 1 Worm. Just not a fan of the art.

Overall Rating: 4 Worms. Recommended for fans of villains and watching people buck Osborn's system.

Comic Review: Gotham City Sirens #1

2009-06-26T10:52:00.001-04:00

Gotham City Sirens

Writer: Paul Dini

Artist: Guillem March

Colors: Jose Villarrubia

Letters: Steve Wands

Assistand Editor: Janelle Siegel

Editor: Mike Marts

Covers by: Guillem March and JG Jones

Publisher: DC

Cover Price: $2.99

This all-new series features the bad girls of Gotham City! Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn are tired of playing by other people's rules regardless of which side of the law they're on. These tough ladies have a new agenda that's all their own, and they'll use any means necessary to pursue it. But can they get along and work as a team? And who will get hurt along the way? DETECTIVE COMICS and STREETS OF GOTHAM writer Paul Dini kicks off this brand-new ongoing series with amazing artwork by Guillem March (JOKER'S ASYLUM: POISON IVY, GOTHAM GAZETTE).

Characters: Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, Boneblaster, Riddler, and the Broker.

The cast is kind of a hit or miss. I love Harley Quinn and glad to find a title where I'll be able to see her regularly. Poison Ivy I find to be tolerable...though I certainly enjoy looking at her. She's got a whole red-headed Orion Slave Girl thing going. Catwoman I've never much liked and she seems to be the focal point. She clearly is here and hopefully she'll share panel time with the others more as things go along. Especially Harley.

Our villain was a throw away, intentionally lame, but still kind of cool. Boneblaster, with his localized somic gloves that can shatter bone, was uninteresting until you got his whole fan-boy personality. It'd be cool if Riddler didn't kill him and he returned. Speaking of the Riddler, I've always thought the question marked rogue was cool. ANyone think a showdown between the Riddler and the Question would be cool? All right Greg Rucka, get on that in Detective Comics...

The Broker was a cool, if limited, character selling secret lairs to Gotham villains.

A Poison Ivy question...she loves plants and defends them to the end. But isn't she vegetarian? It'd be cool if she ate only meat because she hates animals. Or since she's green does she survive via photosynthesis?

Character Rating: 1/2 Worm...Too much Catwoman. Not enough Harley.

Plot:

Catwoman's been healed from almost having her heart cut out (she needs to have a heart-to-heart worth Batwoman, pun intended), but she's not at full steam, still. She gets beaten and almost killed by newbie Boneblaster, but luckily Poison Ivy rescues her.

Joining Ivy at her apartment, which is really Edward Nigma's, and discovering Harley Quinn was moving in, Catwoman suggests the three join together.

Before Harley and Ivy can agree, Ivy contacts Zatanna to make sure she didn't pull some hocus pocus when healing Selina's heart. It's determined that Catwoman's problem is psychological, and assured Zatanna hadn't boobytrapped Selina's heart, Ivy and Harley agree to join Catwoman under one condition...

Then Boneblaster smashes in the door...He heard Ivy mention where she lived and all he had to do was find the room with the plants growing out of the window...Secret hideout fail, Ivy...They trio easily handles Boneblaster, during which Riddler snaps out of his plant induced trance and pummels Boneblaster for bringing a fight into the apartment.

Catwoman buys a new hideout, an abandoned animal shelter, from the Broker, and the girls begin to set up shop...but not before the condition gets addressed. Ivy demands to learn the secret identity of Batman.

Dini's plot is fun and well paced, tugging us along leaving little hints of stuff to come. Immediately the girls are fighting...kind of...I mean, Ivy using her trance plants on Catwoman to learn Batman's secret ID...Selina's not going to be too happy.

Plot Rating: 2 Worms. Lighthearted dialogue, gripping action, and Zatanna being up ended in the bath tub. It doesn't get any better.

Art: Guillem March's art is nice. There's a softness to his lines that seem to evoke the feminity. His details with Boneblaster's costume...the silly skeleton nose over his bug nose, his big ears obscured by the black sides of his mask but still noticable, help to characterize the villain fanboy out to make a name for himself. And the last panel close up of Ivy, both intimidating and alluring...Good stuff all around.

Art Rating: 2 Worms

Overall Rating: 4 1/2 Worms. Recommended for fans of Catwoman, Batman villains, or just fans who like to look at sexy woman in tights...oh, and one in a bath robe...

And for your Orion Slave Girl viewing pleasure...

via videosift.com

Comic Catch June 24, 2009

2009-06-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

ASTONISHING X-MEN #30 - Story by: Warren Ellis
Art by: Simone Bianchi
Colors by: Simone Bianchi, Morry Hollowell, Simone Peruzzi
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover by: Simone Bianchi
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

“GHOST BOX,” PART 6 Some boxes are best left unopened. It’s the final chapter of the opening epic by the superstar team of Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi.

DARK AVENGERS #6 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Mike Deodato
Colors by: Rainier Beredo
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: Mike Deodato
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

DARK REIGN Big, bold choices! That's what Norman Osborn's H.A.M.M.E.R. and Avengers have been all about! And with every bold choice comes more and more risk! And with risk comes pressure! And with pressure...come the voices. How long can Norman Osborn hold it together? And what is he willing to do to make it look like everything is just fine!

DARK REIGN LETHAL LEGION #1 - Written by: FRANK TIERI
Penciled by: MATEUS SANTOLOUCO
Cover by: TOMMY LEE EDWARDS
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

When Norman Osborn takes over, what happens to the villains who don't make his short list of acceptable allies? Grim Reaper, Mr. Hyde, Absorbing Man, Nekra, and Man-Ape are about to find out when their cooperative of crime lands on the wrong side of Norman's law - but they're not going down without a fight.

DARK REIGN ZODIAC #1 - Story by: Joe Casey
Art by: Nathan Fox
Colors by: Jose Villarrubia
Cover by: Nathan Fox
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Norman Osborn may be running the show, but not every super-villain is going to accept the new world order. But who -- or what -- is ZODIAC? In this dark, brooding tale that snakes through the underbelly of the modern Marvel Universe, the new breed of super-villain has finally arrived! The order of the day is "mischief for mischief's sake," and no one -- neither hero *nor* villain -- is safe!

DETECTIVE COMICS #854 - Written by: Greg Rucka
Art by: JH Williams and Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams : Variant Cover by JG Jones
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

"Elegy" part 1 of 4! A new era in the history of DETECTIVE COMICS begins as Batwoman is unleashed on Gotham City! Marked by the blood-red bat, Kate Kane is a soldier fighting her own private war – one that began years ago and haunts her every waking moment. With a script by Greg Rucka and breath-taking art by JH Williams III, you've never seen anything like this!

Featuring the debut of a new co-feature starring The Question written by Rucka! Odds against you? Alone and nowhere to turn? Willing to fight, but you don't know how? When you're searching everywhere for an answer, sometimes all you need to do is ask the right Question. Renee Montoya again dons the faceless mask to help those in need, all the while searching for her own answers in this new adventure with art by Cully Hamner (BLUE BEETLE).

GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #1 - Story by: Paul Dini
Art by: Guillem March
Cover by: Guillem March, JG Jones
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

This all-new series features the bad girls of Gotham City! Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn are tired of playing by other people's rules regardless of which side of the law they're on. These tough ladies have a new agenda that's all their own, and they'll use any means necessary to pursue it. But can they get along and work as a team? And who will get hurt along the way? DETECTIVE COMICS and STREETS OF GOTHAM writer Paul Dini kicks off this brand-new ongoing series with amazing artwork by Guillem March (JOKER’S ASYLUM: POISON IVY, GOTHAM GAZETTE).

GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #15 - Story by: Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning
Art by: Brad Walker, Victor Olazaba
Colors by: Wil Quintana
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Salvador Larrocca
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

A WAR OF KINGS TIE-IN! Caught between the Shi’Ar and the Inhumans, how can our heroes pretend to be the Guardians of anything if they can’t even defend their own headquarters Knowhere? With nothing less than the entire future of everything at stake, it’s the defining moment for the book Aint It Cool News calls “an overdose of cool”!

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #130 - Story by: Fred Van Lente, Greg Pak
Art by: Ryan Stegman, Terry Pallot
Colors by: Raul Trevino
Letters by: Simon Bowland, Joe Caramagna
Cover by: David Williams
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Pull up a courtside seat for The Trial of this or any other Millennium! PLUTO, Lord of the Dead, is trying ZEUS for Crimes Against Creation in the infernal depths of Hades, with 500 slavering Damned serving as jury, AMADEUS CHO for the defense, and the lead witness for the prosecution...is the incredible HERCULES!

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #34 - Written by: Len Wein
Art by: Jose Luis and JP Mayer
Cover by: Ed Benes and Rob Hunter
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

The cards are against the remnants of the Justice League! And those cards are the Royal Flush Gang! Can even Superman and Wonder Woman save a team whose luck has run out? Featuring the deadly return of an old foe in part 1 of a 2-part story.

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #28 - Written by: Jerry Ordway
Art by: Jerry Ordway and Bob Wiacek
Cover by Jerry Ordway
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

A Japanese spirit has appeared to exact revenge on the living symbols of America's atomic warfare while the rest of the JSA reaches out to another founding member for assistance: The Spectre! Continuing the haunting new arc by Jerry Ordway and Bob Wiacek.

LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #2 - Written by: Gerry Conway
Art by: Chris Batista and Dave Meikis
Cover by: Brian Bolland
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Buddy Baker's powers have picked the wrong time to desert him – a thousand feet above the San Diego skyline! He'll have to rely on the help of a most unlikely ally if he wants to survive his rematch with Bloodrage. But there's more than one homicidal maniac out there with designs on his life, and the Mirror Master's daughter won't settle for the scraps Bloodrage plans on leaving behind!

MS MARVEL #40 - Story by: Brian Reed
Art by: Luke Ross, Sana Takeda, Serge LaPointe
Colors by: Sana Takeda
Letters by: Dave Sharpe
Cover by: Sana Takeda
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The Dark Reign continues! What is the secret A.I.M. project that Karla Sofen has stumbled into...and what does it have to do with Carol Danvers? Special guest stars Spider-Man, Wolverine, Luke Cage...and Deadpool?!

NEW AVENGERS #54 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Chris Bachalo, Billy Tan, Tim Townsend, Matt Banning
Colors by: Chris Bachalo, Justin Ponsor
Letters by: Comicraft
Cover by: Billy Tan
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

A Sorcerer Supreme is chosen! Be witness to a very important chapter in Avengers history and the lore of Marvel magic! Plus, the Avengers finally have a big showdown with the Hood and not everyone walks away from it unharmed!

PERHAPANAUTS #6 - Story by: Todd Dezago
Art by: Craig Rousseau, Jason Armstrong, Jamar Nicholas
Cover by: Craig Rousseau, Matt Pott
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

"PERHAPANAUTS HALLOWEEN SCARE-FEST Special!" Three stand alone, easily accessible, scary, fun, and chilling tales to get your Halloween on! All written by Todd, with spooky art by Craig, JASON ARMSTRONG (FERRO CITY, Lobster Johnson) and JAMAR NICHOLAS (Detective Boogaloo)!

PREDATOR #1 - Writer: John Arcudi
Artist: Javier Saltares
Cover Artist: Raymond Swanland
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

The world's attention is focused painfully on a brutal third world Civil War, a merciless sectarian conflict sparing neither soldier nor civilian, grandmother nor child. But amidst the terror and carnage, where great nations and powerful interests jockey for position and advantage, another blood feud rages in the shadows, one no more humane but decidedly less human. Two warring tribes from the stars have chosen Earth's killing fields as their arena, with each clan sworn to eradicate the other . . . and all who stand between them. Each is the other's prey, each the other's Predator.

SECRET WARRIORS #5 - Story by: Brian MIchael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman
Art by: Stefano Caselli
Colors by: Daniele Rudoni
Cover by: Jim Cheung
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The smashing first arc of Marvel's best new series comes to a climax as the battle between H.A.M.M.E.R., HYDRA, rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, and the Howling Commandos begins! This is the first shot in a war that will result in the establishment of a new global power structure...and who's caught in the middle? You guessed it: Nick Fury and his team of Caterpillars.

SUPERMAN #689 - Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Renato Guedes, José Wilson Magalhães
Cover by: Andrew Robinson
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

What's a young man to do when he's told he's going to die? See the world while he can, of course! Experience a whistle-stop tour of Earth with Mon-El as he tastes life and fights crime with some of DC's international cast of Super Heroes.

Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, a media mogul takes to the airwaves. His goal: the banning of all alien life on Earth. His name: Morgan Edge. And just what is the Prankster planning?

TEEN TITANS #72 - Written by: Bryan Miller and Sean McKeever
Art and Cover by: Joe Bennett and Jack Jadson
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $3.99

Thirty pages of story content! In the first feature, Wonder Girl's leadership is put to the test as the team faces the all-new Fearsome Five! In the debut of the 10-page co-feature, Ravager goes solo for the first time, continuing her descent into darkness begun in TERROR TITANS.

THOR #602 - Story by: J. Michael Straczynski
Art by: Marko Djurdjevic
Cover by: Marko Djurdjevic
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The cataclysmic, catastrophic events of THOR #600 have rocked Asgard. What unexpected way do his true friends figure out to help him? And what could possibly be the next step in the devious Loki’s sinister schemes and machinations?

THUNDERBOLTS #133 - Story by: Andy Diggle
Art by: Roberto De La Torre
Colors by: Frank Martin
Letters by: Comicraft
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

A DARK REIGN TIE-IN! It's Thunderbolt vs. Thunderbolt, as Norman Osborn's black-ops hit squad targets former team-member Songbird—and this time, they're not underestimating this bird of prey! But even with a pack of blood-thirsty killers on her heels, Songbird has a few tricks up her sleeve...and enough experience fighting dirty to know that attack is the best form of defense! The acclaimed team of Andy Diggle and Roberto De La Torre serve up another offering of the book that Wizard calls “a breakout book”!

UNCANNY X-MEN #512 - Story by: Matt Fraction
Art by: Yanick Paquette, Karl Story
Colors by: Justin Ponsor
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Yanick Paquette
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

“The Origins of the Species” As the X-Men reel from the return of one of the greatest X-Ladies, Beast and Angel take the X-Club back to 1906 to investigate the origins of the mutant species as we know it. See the earliest stages of the Hellfire Club and the very first Sentinel ever! This story is not to be missed!

X-FACTOR #45 - Story by: Peter David

Art by: Valentine De Landro, Marco Santucci, Pat Davidson, and Craig Yeung

Colors by: Jeromy Cox, Nathan Fairbairn, and Andy Troy

Letters by: Cory Petit

Cover by: David Yardin

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Cover Price: $2.99

What is "Cortex"? The word keeps coming up in Madrox’s serial killer investigation. Now he confronts the one individual who may hold the answers: None other than Victor Von Doom—but it's Doctor Doom as you've never seen him before. The shocks never stop and the surprises never let up!

X-MEN FOREVER #2 - Story by: Chris Claremont

Art by: Tom Grummett, Cory Hamscher

Colors by: Wil Quintana

Letters by: Tom Orzechowski

Cover by: Tom Grummett

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Cover Price: $3.99

BE HERE FOR THE BEGINNING! Comics icon and New York Times bestselling writer Chris Claremont returns to his legendary run with X-MEN: FOREVER! The shockwaves after the death of Magneto are still reverberating all over the world. Attempting to heal the rift between man and mutant kind, Professor Xavier volunteers his X-Men to go on a mission to capture Magneto’s sole remaining Acolyte, Fabien Cortez! But with Nick Fury—and the entire world—watching over their shoulders, the stakes have never been higher for Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Gambit, Rogue, Kitty Pryde, Storm, Beast, and Professor X. With Tom Grummet bringing Claremont’s vision to the page, this landmark series is packed with enough surprises and twists to shake the X-Men mythos to its very core!

Nick Simmons's Incarnate to Debut in August from Radical Publishing

2009-06-12T15:51:00.001-04:00

They cannot die. They feel no pain. They hunger for human flesh. They are Revenants. Centuries ago, the Revenant known as Mot was worshipped as a God. Now, he walks the Earth in search for a purpose to his immortality – but when a secret society discovers a way to kill Revenants, Mot and his fellow immortals must make a choice: Hunt or be hunted.

Radical Publishing is proud to announce its newest title for August 2009: INCARNATE, created, written and penciled by Nick Simmons, son of rock legend Gene Simmons and star of A&E’s Gene Simmons Family Jewels. The three-issue miniseries will feature a brand new 52-page format and $4.99 price point that will be used in future Radical titles such as FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency from David Hine (Civil War: X-Men, Spider-Man Noir) and The Last Days of American Crime from Rick Remender (Punisher, Fear Agent).

The story concerns Mot, a peculiar member of a race of predatory creatures called Revenants. They are immortal, ageless, shape-shifting and vicious. There has never been a force on this earth that has been able to give them the death that Mot (secretly) seeks, until now. A shadow organization known only as Sanctum has discovered a way to kill the Revenants, and is carrying out a secret genocide that spans the globe. Mot, his protégé Connor, and the rest of the Revenants now must decide how to ensure their place at the top of the food chain. Nick Simmons’ breakout American Manga title reveals a world that challenges even the imagination, planting its tongue firmly in cheek, then biting it off...And swallowing it.

“Incarnate is a project that is very close to me,” stated Radical Publishing President and Publisher Barry Levine. “As a rock photographer, I have worked very closely with Gene Simmons and the members of KISS. Since I’ve known him, Gene has always had a passion for comics and has passed that down to his son Nick. After seeing Nick’s concept for Incarnate and the quality of his designs and panels, I immediately felt that this was a great fit for Radical.”

Just before its August release date, Incarnate #1 will debut at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con International with Nick Simmons on hand to sign copies.

Incarnate #1 appears in the June 2009 Diamond Previews catalog, to ship August 2009 and featuring a cover by popular Runaways and Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 cover artist Jo Chen (Diamond Code: JUN091053). Incarnate #1 is a 52-page comic and retails for only $4.99.

Comic Catch: June 10, 2009

2009-06-09T09:36:00.000-04:00

ACTION COMICS #878 - Story by: Greg Rucka
Art by: Fernando Dagnino and Raul Fernadez
Cover by: Andrew Robinson
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Nightwing and Flamebird, meet Nadira Va-Dim and Az-Rel, the Bonnie and Clyde of Krypton. They've got all of your powers, but absolutely none of your morals. Good luck!

BPRD WAR ON FROGS #3 - Writer: John Arcudi
Artist: Karl Moline
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Mike Mignola
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Fan-favorite Fray artist Karl Moline joins series writer John Arcudi and Hellboy creator Mike Mignola for a look through the eyes of a new recruit into the life of the B.P.R.D.'s resident firestarter, as Liz Sherman finds herself thrust from the sidelines to become the Bureau's super soldier in the frog war.

BUCK ROGERS #1 - Story by: Scott Beatty
Art by: Carlos Rafael
Colors by: Carlos Lopez
Cover by: John Cassaday, Alex Ross, Matt Wagner
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.50

The future begins now! Join us as we present pop culture's first hero -- Buck Rogers! The first man out of time... the first man to be taken from his present and thrown into the future... the inspiration for countless heroes, and it all begins here! From the thrilling adventure presented in Dynamite's introductory issue #0 last month, the creative team of writer Scott Beatty, artist Carlos Rafael and 50/50 cover artists Alex Ross and John Cassaday (Cassaday serves as the regular cover artist for the series) present this all-new issue #1! In the tradition of modern stories for iconic legendary heroes, Buck Rogers is the next BIG hit series from Dynamite! Join us for an all-new presentation of this classic sci-fi hero as the future truly begins now! Hey, we could tell you more, but that would ruin the surprise of the comic adventure!

DEADPOOL #11 - WRITER: Daniel Way
PENCILS: Paco Medina
INKS: Juan Vlasco
COLORED BY: Marte Gracia
LETTERED BY: Dave Lanphear, Cory Petit
COVER BY: Jason Pearson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

DARK REIGN TIE-IN “BULLSEYE,” Part 2 Okay, that was…unexpected. Bullseye has learned some new tricks since the last time they met! But now it’s Deadpool’s turn to go on the offensive…and there’s nobody more offensive than Deadpool!

FABLES #85 - Story by: Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges

Art by: Tony Akins and Andrew Pepoy
Cover by: Joao Ruas
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

"The Great Fables Crossover" part 7 of 9! Jack Horner, meet Jack Frost. But wait a minute! Didn't we already establish that Jack Horner was Jack Frost? Concerning the nature of his craft, Tom Clancy once opined that the "difference between fiction and reality is that fiction has to make sense." If this is so, how do we explain Jack being put in charge of the Farm and all of Fablekind? How do we explain Jack being allowed to babysit Bigby and Snow's cubs? How does that make sense? We here at Fables headquarters can only come to one conclusion: as impossible as it may seem, Fables isn't fiction, it's real.

FLASH REBIRTH #3 - Story by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Ethan Van Sciver
Cover by: Ethan Van Sciver
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

At last, the answer to the question that's plagued DC fans for decades: Who's faster, Superman or The Flash? Call your bookie and bet the farm, because you've never seen a run like this – and if speedsters keep dying at the pace they're going, you might never see another one again!

LIFE AND TIMES OF SAVIOR 28 #3 - Story by: J.M. DeMatteis
Art by: Mike Cavallaro
Cover by: Mike Cavallaro; Shawn McManus
Publisher: IDW
Cover Price: $3.99

Having turned his back on his life as a super hero, the legendary Savior 28 sets out to transform himself... and the world. But a humiliating public debacle shows 28 that change isn't as easy as he imagined... and so he sets off on a global journey of self-discovery that sows the seeds of his own tragic downfall.

LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS #2 - Story by: Chris Eliopoulos
Art by: Ig Guara
Colors by: Chris Sotomayor
Letters by: Nate Piekos
Cover by: Karl Kerschl
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The hunt is on! Earth’s Cuddliest Heroes have ventured deep into the dangerous Savage Land, where ne’er has a house-broken animal escaped! Will the help of Zabu the Saber-Toothed Tiger be enough to save the Pet Avengers’ furry necks, so they can SAVE THE UNIVERSE AS WE KNOW IT?????? Featuring GORGEOUS covers by KARL KERSCHL and NIKO HENRICHON!!!

PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #71 - Story by: Victor Gischler
Art by: Gorlan Parlov
Colors by: Lee Loughridge
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: Dave Johnson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

“WELCOME TO THE BAYOU,” PART 1 OF 4 Traveling the Louisiana back roads with something awful stored in his trunk, Frank Castle stops at a service station on the edge of the bayou…and steps into a world of unspeakable horror. Patrolling the depths of hell, the Punisher has crossed paths with some unsavory characters, but noting has prepared him for the unspeakable depravity of the Geautreauxs.

SAVAGE DRAGON #149 - Story by: Erik Larsen
Art by: Erik Larsen
Cover by: Erik Larsen
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

Dart.

STRANGE ADVENTURES OF HP LOVECRAFT #2 - Story by: Mac Carter
Art by: Tony Salmons
Cover by: Adam Byrne
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $4.99

Something sinister has been unleashed into the life of young pulp writer H.P. Lovecraft. His wretched dream of monsters and murder has come true! It can't be coincidence... It can't be merely that he's begun a fast descent into madness... Two men are dead! Can Lovecraft stop the deadly beasts that seem to slip from his subconscious into the real world before the police discover that the trail of blood leads directly to his doorstep....

TITANS #14 - Story by: Hugh Sterbakov
Art by: Angel Unzueta, Wayne Faucher
Cover by: Angel Unzueta
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Starting this issue, we begin one-shot "Day in the Life" stories. And this issue stars Cyborg! In the grueling aftermath of the "Deathtrap" arc, Vic Stone must face the very teammates he feels he let down big-time. How he deals with it will shock you!

UNCANNY X-MEN #511 - Story by: Matt Fraction
Art by: Greg Land, Jay Leisten
Colors by: Justin Ponsor
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Greg Land
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"Sisterhood” We will let this image speak for itself! Part 4 (of 4).

WALKING DEAD #62 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn
Cover by: Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

THE HUNT BEGINS!

It all starts here, the most explosive story-arc in WALKING DEAD history. Who lives? Who dies? Watch as our characters discover just how dangerous the Road To Washington actually is.

X-FACTOR #44 - Story by: Peter David
Art by: Valentine De Landro
Colors by: Jeromy Cox
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: David Yardin
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

“DIRTY SEXY MONET” Monet St. Croix: Smoking hot. Steamy. Gorgeous. Did we mention she was smoking hot? And suddenly she's taking charge of protecting X-Factor’s client from a serial killer while displaying extreme romantic interest in one of the team. Business as usual? Or something darkly sinister going on? And if you were the one Monet was coming on to, would you care?

X-MEN FOREVER #1 - WRITER: Chris Claremont
PENCILS: Tom Grummett
INKS: Cory Hamscher
COLORED BY: Wil Quintana
COVER BY: Tom Grummett
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

BE HERE FOR THE BEGINNING! Comics icon and New York Times bestselling writer Chris Claremont returns to his legendary run with X-MEN: FOREVER! The shockwaves after the death of Magneto are still reverberating all over the world. Attempting to heal the rift between man and mutant kind, Professor Xavier volunteers his X-Men to go on a mission to capture Magneto’s sole remaining Acolyte, Fabien Cortez! But with Nick Fury—and the entire world—watching over their shoulders, the stakes have never been higher for Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Gambit, Rogue, Kitty Pryde, Storm, Beast, and Professor X. With Tom Grummet bringing Claremont’s vision to the page, this landmark series is packed with enough surprises and twists to shake the X-Men mythos to its very core!

Comic Catch: May 28, 2009

2009-05-26T21:30:00.001-04:00

ALIENS #1 - Story by: John Arcudi
Art by: Zach Howard, Mark Irwin
Cover by: Zach Howard
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

A group of wildcat planetary prospectors plant their flag on a distant new world, rich in land, resources . . . and mystery. Within this seemingly uninhabited planet lies the greatest archaeological discovery in history, an ancient, abandoned complex of impossible proportions carved deep within the living rock, a mind-numbing labyrinth of passages, ramps, bridges, and galleries that seems to extend limitlessly. But as the exploration of the leviathan dead city proceeds deeper and deeper, the members of the team slowly begin to lose their grip on reality. But madness gives way to fear as the explorers begin to disappear one by one. Something else lives within the necropolis, a faceless horror as deadly and merciless as space itself, a lethal terror that has waited centuries to awake . . . and destroy.

At long last, Dark Horse Comics heralds the return of the heavyweight champion of modern science-fiction/horror, Aliens!

GHOST RIDER #35 - Story by: Jason Aaron
Art by: Tony Moore
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Arthur Suydam
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS," PART 3

Johnny Blaze has come to a monastery in Japan, just wanting to be left alone as he waits patiently for the end of the world. But when a local biker gang begins terrorizing the town, Blaze realizes that his work as Ghost Rider isn't quite done yet.

GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #14 - Story by: Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning
Art by: Brad Walker, Victor Olazaba
Colors by: Wil Quintana
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Salvador Larrocca
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

A WAR OF KINGS TIE-IN! The savage battle between the Shi’Ar Imperium—ruled by Emperor Vulcan—and the Kree Empire—controlled by Black Bolt—explodes across the universe! The Guardians of the Galaxy know they’ve got to stop the war before it shakes the cosmos apart at the seams, but will any of these heavy hitters listen to a rag-tag bunch of self-appointed galactic protectors who spend half their time quarreling amongst themselves? Find out in the book IGN.com calls “...one of the best titles around”!

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #129 - Story by: Greg Pak
Art by: Ryan Stegman, Terry Pallot
Colors by: Raul Trevino
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: David Williams
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

In this issue: HERCULES AND AMADEUS CHO DIE!!! We heard that cheap death sells comics, and we're more than happy to oblige. Though seriously, if you had to plunge into the UNDERWORLD and bring back Hercules' slain father ZEUS to counter Hera's power, could you think of a better plan? And come to think of it, have you ever noticed how... impermanent death is in the Marvel Universe? Well, while hobnobbing among the most famous Marvel deceased over the last few years, Herc and Cho learn the terrible secret why -- and why PLUTO, Lord of the Dead, is fighting-mad about it!

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #33 - Story by: Dwayne McDuffie
Art by: Rags Morales
Cover by: Ed Benes
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

It’s Dharma vs. Starbreaker for control of the greatest source of power in the DC Universe. No matter the victor, the Justice League loses!

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #27 - Story by: Jerry Ordway
Art by: Jerry Ordway, Bob Wiacek
Cover by: Jerry Ordway
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

The younger JSA team members find their headquarters in total lockdown – with The Flash, Green Lantern and Wildcat trapped inside! Can the junior JSA-ers break into their own home base? And what secret from the Atomic Age seeks retribution from the three founding members?

LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #1 - Story by: Gerry Conway
Art by: Chris Batista & Dave Meikis
Cover by: Brian Bolland
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Is Buddy Baker losing it all? Everyman hero Buddy Baker has fought hard for our world, and for his family. But by the year 2024, the Earth has seen better days: The heroes are growing tired, the villains have grown nastier and Buddy’s own hometown of San Diego has struggled for years to recover from a cataclysmic typhoon. His children have grown and his marriage has gotten colder… and now, as San Diego faces the most vicious Super-Villain it’s seen in years, his powers are starting to fail him! Without his powers, without his family – who is Buddy Baker? Can he still be a husband? Can he still be a father? Can he still be Animal Man? And more importantly, can he even survive the bloodthirsty plan his arch-rival’s progeny has in store for him?

Comics legend Gerry Conway (TV’s Law and Order) makes his return to DC with this can’t-miss miniseries!

MS MARVEL #39 - Story by: Brian Reed
Art by: Sana Takeda
Colors by: Chris Sotomayor
Letters by: Dave Sharpe
Cover by: Mike Deodato
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The Dark Reign is in full effect. Carol Danvers is dead.

Moonstone has taken on the mantle of Ms. Marvel. And the only hope for the forces of good is...Machine Man?! Brian Reed & Patrick Olliffe kick off a new chapter in the legend of Ms. Marvel!

NEW AVENGERS #53 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Chris Bachalo, Billy Tan, Tim Townsend
Colors by: Justin Ponsor
Letters by: Comicraft
Cover by: Billy Tan, Chris Bachalo
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT SORCERER SUPREME? And will he or she survive the initiation? The Avengers fight a battle that they know will shape the future of the Marvel Universe for years to come!

RAPTURE #1 - Story: Michael Avon Oeming, Taki Soma
Art by: Michael Avon Oeming
Colors by: Val Staples
Cover by: Alex Maleev, Michael Avon Oeming
Publisher: Dark Horse
Cover Price: $2.99

After warring for a century, Earth’s greatest champions and villains suddenly disappear, leaving the planet devastated. Like a rapture, the Powers are gone and humanity is left behind to pick up the pieces. Amongst this wreckage, two lovers, Evelyn and Gil, find themselves separated by a continent and will do anything to find each other again. But when a strange being named “The Word” turns Evelyn into a champion with an angelic spear, she finds the force of her love for Gil clashing with her newfound power. Love and destiny collide in what will become the worst breakup—ever.

STAND AMERICAN NIGHTMARES #3 - Story by: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Art by: Mike Perkins
Colors by: Laura Martin
Letters by: Rus Wooton
Cover by: Lee Bermejo, Mike Perkins
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The most harrowing chapter of Stephen King's horror epic yet! When Larry Underwood and his new companion Rita Blakemoor decide to escape from New York, they head for the Lincoln Tunnel...little knowing that they are embarking on a nightmare journey that will unleash their deepest, darkest fears and demons, both real and imagined. Meanwhile, Harold and Frannie set off on their own great adventure--on mopeds!--and Stu Redman meets another survivor. But is he friend or foe?

SUPERMAN #688 - Story by: James Robinson
Art by: Renato Guedes & José Wilson Magalhães
Cover by: Andrew Robinson
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Mon-El’s role as Superman’s stand-in for Metropolis is threatened by a sudden and mysterious power loss. How can he be the hero he needs to be without any special abilities? Meanwhile the Guardian and his Science Police go to the rescue of a missing member of the Legion of Superheroes. And who is the spy within the Science Police ranks?

TEEN TITANS #71 - Story by: Sean McKeever
Art and Cover by: Joe Bennett & Jack Jadson
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

“Deathtrap” aftermath! The team picks up the pieces following their crossover with TITANS and VIGILANTE as Ravager returns. But is she friend or foe?

ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS HULK #6 - Story by: Damon Lindelof
Art by: Leinil Francis Yu
Colors by: Dave McCaig
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover by: Leinil Francis Yu
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Had enough yet? Neither have we!!!

Red-hot writer Damon Lindelof (LOST) and superstar artist Leinil Francis Yu (Secret Invasion) conclude the slobberknocker of the century! With his mission a wreck and Fury hot on his trail, can Wolverine pull himself together (literally & figuratively!!) to do what he does best before Hulk pounds him into oblivion first? Don’t miss this explosive final chapter as the battle between Berserker and Behemoth goes to ELEVEN!!

X-MEN LEGACY #224 - Story by: MIKE CAREY
Pencils by: SCOT EATON
Inks by: ANDREW HENNESSY
Colors by: BRIAN REBER
Letters by: CORY PETIT
Cover by: LEE BERMEJO
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

“SALVAGE” Part 5 (of 5)

The climactic finale of “Salvage” is here! Rogue and Gambit fans, DO NOT MISS THIS ISSUE! The status quo is shaken and the effects of the final reckoning between Danger and Xavier are felt!

Comic Book Review: Harker #1 & #2

2009-05-24T21:42:00.001-04:00

Harker #1

When a mutilated body is discovered on the steps of a Hawksmoor church in Bloomsbury, the crime appears to have all the hallmarks of a gotshic murder from London’s Victorian past. The game, as they say, is afoot!

Harker #2

The hunt for the murderer continues, as Critchley hunts Satanists in dusty old bookshops, while Harker is convinced there's a more prosaic explanation. Neither is ready for the bloody horror that awaits them!

Written by: Roger Gibson
Art by: Vince Danks
Published by: Ariel Press

Characters

Harker
Critchley

All the best police dramas feature partners very different from each other who still get along and pool their talents to win the day. That's what we have with Harker and Critchley. Chief Inspector Harker is the aloof detective, someone with whom it is hard to get along. His mind is always assessing a situation and his scepticism keeps him questioning...even his partner. But in contrast, the friendly, hip Detective Sergeant Critchley's smooth style helps in dealing with suspects. The bizarre pair makes for an interesting partnership that you enjoy to read.

Character Rating: 1 Worm

Story

A man's been brutally murdered on the steps of a church and Harker and Critchley are called in to investigate. The two detectives have very little to go on except the victim's identity and a book thread from an ancient book. The two first question the dead man's known associates, and when that turns up little information, Critchley insists they should follow the book thread clue. Harker, sceptical as ever, follows Critchley on what he feels is a wild goose chase trying to track down an old magick book.

Who's right? Is it a simple murder or a Satanic, ritualistic sacrifice?

It's a story that keeps you thinking alongside the detectives. What's being said that might come back later and prove important? What's being overlooked as unimportant? Is the book thread a clue or a red herring? That's a good detective story...one that draws you in, deputizes you, and sends you on the trail of the killer along with the protagonists.

Story Rating: 2 Worms. When you can't wait to see what comes next, it's a good story.

Art

The art is simple, in contrast to the story's complex mystery. The stark images are eye-catching. The characters look real. This is good work. But don't think simple means lacking detail, because Danks architecture and autos and everything look equally realistic.

Art Rating: 2 Worms.
Overall Rating: 5 Worms. An excellent read. Strongly recommended to fans of TV cop dramas, or Paul Grist's Kane. Witty dialogue, captivating story, and wonderful art. You can't miss.

Available At: The Ariel Press Store for a mere $2.99.

Comic Catch: April 20, 2009

2009-05-19T23:57:00.000-04:00

AGENTS OF ATLAS #5 - Story by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Carlo Pagulyan, Jason Paz
Colors by: Jana Schirmer
Letters by: Nate Piekos
Cover by: Billy Tan
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Agents of Atlas face off with the NEW AVENGERS!!! What a perfect time for M-11 to take one of his unpredictable courses of decisive action. Rated V for VIOLENT.

BLACK TERROR #4 - Story by: Jim Krueger
Penciller/Inker: Mike Lilly
Colorist: Vinicius Andrade
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.50

From the shocking last page of issue #3 comes the startling conclusion to the opening story arc of DYNAMITE'S PROJECT SUPERPOWERS series! Overseen by Alex Ross, scripted by Jim Krueger and illustrated by Mike Lilly, issue #4 promises to close this arc with a BANG as the Terror may finally get an answer and the SUPERPOWERS make another drastic and dramatic move that changes the world forever! Featuring three covers: ALEX ROSS, Mike Lilly (1-in-12) and Surprise Artist cover (1-in-15)! All on high-end cardstock covers ala Marvel's Civil War and Secret Invasion!

GIGANTIC #4 - Story by: Rick Remender
Pencils by: Eric Nguyen
Colors by: Matthew Wilson
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

To end The United Broadcast Company's malevolent control over Earth, Gigantic must steal a UFO and battle his way to the UBC's heavily fortified base station on the dark side of the universe. Only one thing stands between Gigantic and his mission to free us all--the entire United States army! Fan-favorite creators Rick Remender (Fear Agent, The End League) and Eric Nguyen (X-Men, Strange Girl) continue their modern twist on classic 1950s sci-fi kitsch!

GREAT UNKNOWN #2 - Story by: DUNCAN ROULEAU
Art and Cover by: DUNCAN ROULEAU
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

While being stalked by a reality TV crew Zach Feld tracks down his old professor in search forfurther clues to the mysterious "idea thefts" he has been experiencing. Along the way he discoversa conspiracy larger than even he could imagine.

INVINCIBLE #62 - Story by: ROBERT KIRKMAN
Art & Cover by: RYAN OTTLEY & FCO PLASCENCIA
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

INVINCIBLE WAR: AFTERMATH!

CONQUEST is here. Invincible is confronted with the most dangerous threat he's ever faced. He will not come out of this unscathed. This issue is not to be missed.

LOCKE & KEY HEAD GAMES #5 - Story by: Joe HIll
Art by: Gabriel Rodriguez
Cover by: Gabriel Rodriguez
Publisher: IDW
Cover Price: $3.99

Checkmate: Dodge's surreal head games come to their shattering conclusion... with one troublesome player removed from the board. Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez continue the head games!

OUTSIDERS #18 - Story by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art and cover by: Lee Garbett & Trevor Scott
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

“The Deep” part 4 of 6. The Outsiders finally discover what The Insiders are searching for thanks to the help of a long lost being known only as “The Outkast.” And the ensuing battle may take them to the very center of the earth itself!

PUNISHER #5 - Story by: Rick Remender
Art by: Jerome Opena
Cover by: Mike McKone
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

“LIVING IN DARKNESS: CONCLUSION”

Frank Castle will kill the Hood or die trying. With his city under siege, a high bounty on his head and nothing left to lose, The Punisher dives in for a direct confrontation with New York's new kingpin of crime -- and what he discovers within The Hood’s secret base will shock the Marvel Universe to its core. Who is The Hood’s mysterious new lieutenant? What is The Hood truly capable of? And exactly how far will he go to take down the biggest threat to his brutal underworld reign?

THUNDERBOLTS #132 - Story by: Andy Diggle
Art by: Roberto De La Torre
Colors by: Frank Martin
Letters by: Comicraft
Cover by: Francesco Matt Mattina
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

A new killer joins the Norman Osborn’s terrifying team! Our crazed covert ops squad sets out to recruit one of the world's deadliest fighters: the ruthless Wolverine foe known only as Mr. X! But first they must defeat him in single combat, and that's easier said than done—especially when one of the Thunderbolts is hiding a deadly secret that could spell death for them all! Be there for the next issue of the book that Aint It Cool News says: “continues to impress…Diggle’s first issue back at Marvel is an excellent benchmark of things to come.”

UNCANNY X-MEN #510 - Story by: Matt Fraction
Art by: Greg Land, Jay Leisten
Colors by: Justin Ponsor
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Greg Land
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

SIEGE! The Sisterhood executes a massive raid on the Graymalkin Facility, taking their fight to the Uncanny X-Men, and you won't believe the ferocity. No one is safe! Everybody fights! But why? How? What do they want? And how long can violence at such an insane level last? Oh, about most of the issue.

Comic Catch: May 13, 2009

2009-05-11T21:37:00.000-04:00

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ACTION COMICS #877 - Written by: Greg Rucka Art by: Eddy Barrows & Ruy José
Cover by: Andrew Robinson
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Nightwing and Flamebird have beaten back Ursa’s first assault. But Round Two is about to begin! Forget brutal – now it gets personal.

ALL NEW SAVAGE SHE-HULK #2 - Story by: Fred Van Lente
Art by: Peter Vale
Letters by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: J. Scott Campbell
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

As the all-new, all-different She-Hulk continues her relentless rampage through New York, the mysterious target of the desperate mission that brought her to our time period is revealed -- and it's a doozy! Only one thing stands between the daughter of Hulk and Thundra and the object of her quest -- her name is JENNIFER WALTERS, and she won't let the She-Hulk mantle be taken away from her without a catfight that measures 10 on the Richter scale! And no matter what the outcome, the DARK AVENGERS wait in the wings to take on the winner! Plus, 8 pages of Director’s Cut-style extras!

BPRD BLACK GODDESS #5 - Story by: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
Art by: Guy Davis
Cover by: Kevin Nowlan
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Trapped between a mad prophet and an apocalyptic battle, Abe, Kate, and Johann must determine the price of their souls as they decide where their loyalties lie—and whether the life of a friend is more valuable than the fate of the world.

Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, and Guy Davis bring B.P.R.D.: The Black Goddess to a stunning conclusion, with a twist that will shake the worlds of B.P.R.D. agents and readers alike.

DEADPOOL SUICIDE KINGS #2 - Story by: Mike Benson
Art by: Carlo Barberi, Sandu Florea
Colors by: Marte Gracia
Cover by: Mike McKone
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

“SUICIDE KINGS,” PART 2: DEAD MAN’S HAND

Deadpool’s latest job has gotten him into a world of trouble. Someone’s framed Deadpool, and it just might be the same guy who hired him in the first place, a guy who just might be using the mouthy merc as a wild card in a twisted wager. If Wade’s going to clear his name and serve up some revenge, first he’s got to avoid getting killed by the force of nature known as the Punisher. That’s right: It’s Wade versus Frank round, like, whatever…and the only way Deadpool’s going to survive is with a little help from a certain Man Without Fear.

FABLES #84 - Written by: Bill Willingham & Matthew Sturges
Art by: Tony Akins & Andrew Pepoy
Cover by: Joao Ruas
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Disgusted with recent events in his own book, Jack Horner quits his own series, returns to FABLES in a big way and tries to pick up his on-again off-again romance with Rose Red while she's at her most vulnerable. But Jack Horner isn't the only wandering Jack who shows up at the Farm. In the meantime, Kevin Thorn is still safely ensconced in his writing retreat and about to start over on the universe, which would mean writing everything that currently exists out of existence!

Jack Staff #20 - Story by: Paul Grist
Art by: Paul Grist
Cover by: Paul Grist
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

Ben Kulmer confronts some dark secrets about his past and some darker secrets about his future when he learns the truth about The Claw!

LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS #1 - Story by: Chris Eliopoulos
Art by: Ig Guara
Letters by: Nate Piekos
Cover by: Karl Kerschl
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

And there came a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth's mightiest heroes were unaware of a threat greater than all of them could handle. And on that day, a teleporting puppy scoured the world to assemble a team of animals to fight the foes no single beast could withstand! Strap on your collar and hop on-board the adventures of LOCKJAW, LOCKHEED, REDWING, HAIRBALL, and an all-new FROG THOR! Written by Eisner-nominee CHRIS ELIOPOULOS with art by fan-favorite IG GUARA, color by INCREDIBLE HULK colorist CHRIS SOTOMAYOR and variant covers by PRIDE OF BAGHDAD artist NIKO HENRICHON!

PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #70 - Story by: Duane Swierczynski
Art by: Michel Lacombe
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: Dave Johnson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

“SIX HOURS TO KILL, CONCLUSION”

Crime novelist Duane Swierczynski’s violently pulpy arc “Six Hours to Kill” ends here! Frank Castle has been abducted, poisoned, beaten, shot, strangled, stabbed and quadruple-crossed in the City of Brotherly Love. And oh, he’s got about a half hour left to live due to the slow-acting poison in his bloodstream. Can the Punisher summon the last bit of strength he needs to unravel the conspiracy that’s torn the city apart over the past five hours…or will he be wasted away on the streets of Philadelphia?

SAVAGE DRAGON #148 - story By: Eric Larsen
Art & Cover by: Erik Llarsen
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

All-new story and art from fan-favorite writer/artist ERIK LARSEN (Spider-Man, Wolverine! There's a new vigilante in town: The Dynamic Daredevil! This recently resurrected hero from comics' Golden Age has made Chicago his new home and it pits him against Chicago's fin-headed finest! Plus: A mysterious assassin from Dragon's past is introduced as Dragon's battle against the notorious Vicious Circle heats up.

A great jumping-on point for SAVAGE DRAGON, which includes the ongoing back up serial that is not available in the Free Comic Book Day edition of this issue, plus the usual assortment of letters, pinups and other features. It's the ultimate introductory issue and fit for readers young and old.

SECRET SIX #9 - Story by: Gail Simone
Art by: Nicola Scott, Doug Hazelwood
Cover by: Nicola Scott
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

Not one, but two members of the Secret Six feel they deserve to wear Batman's cowl, and they return to Gotham City with a semi-delusional Ragdoll determined to be the new Boy Wonder! Unfortunately, everybody in Gotham has other plans!

SECRET WARRIORS #4 - Written by: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS & JONATHAN HICKMAN
Penciled by: STEFANO CASELLI
Cover by: JIM CHEUNG
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The most talked about new Marvel series rolls on as we find out the answer to the question: What happened to all the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

Plus, Daisy Johnson recruits a new member to replace a fallen comrade, the kids spy on Nick Fury and we follow the Colonel as he starts his one man war against the endless hordes of HYDRA.

TITANS #13 - Written by Sean McKeever
Art by Howard Porter
Cover by Andrew Robinson
Publisher: DC
Cover Price: $2.99

“Deathtrap” part 4!

The Titans, Vigilante and now the Teen Titans all get roped into Jericho’s insane plot. Can their combined forces halt their foe’s master plan? This riveting crossover concludes in VIGILANTE #6!

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #132 - Written by: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by: STUART IMMONEN
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Comic Price: $2.99

ULTIMATUM HAS TAKEN OVER THE WORLD!! SPIDER-MAN IS MISSING!! Friends are enemies and enemies are friends as tensions mount to insane proportions. And yes, your eyes do not deceive you: MJ versus Kitty... to the death!!! (well, they slap each other a little.)

WALKING DEAD #61 - Story: ROBERT KIRKMAN
Art & Cover: CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Salvation?

X-Factor #43 - Story by: Peter David
Art by: Valentine De Landro
Colors by: Jeromy Cox
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: David Yardin
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

X-Factor draws one step closer to determining who is targeting former mutants for death...but the answer may wind up hitting too close to home. Meanwhile, Cyclops has a very particular mission that could spell the end for Madrox and his new partner. And Rictor finds himself in a battle to the death with...nah. Why ruin the surprise?

Comic Catch: May 6, 2009

2009-05-05T18:51:00.000-04:00

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THIS WEEK'S COMIC CATCH COMES WITHOUT IMAGES. WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. HOPEFULLY BLOGGER WILL HAVE ITS IMAGE UPLOAD FEATURE FIXED BY NEXT WEEK.

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AGENTS OF ATLAS #4 - Story by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Gabriel Hardman
Colors by: Jana Schirmer
Letters by: Nate Piekos
Cover by: Stuart Immonen, Ed McGuinness
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

What a difference a half-century makes: As the Agents of 1958 find themselves battling deep behind the Iron Curtain, the Agents of today are locked in mortal conflict with Captain America! And if Bob Grayson loses his mind, that may very well be the end for the Agents of today!

ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE BOOK THREE #1 - Written by: Kurt Busiek
Art by: Brent Anderson
Cover by: Alex Ross
Publisher: DC Comics/Wildstorm
Cover Price: $3.99

Astro City's longest and most ambitious epic enters a new era and a new jumping-on point. It's the early 1980s – a time of darkness and danger, the era of the Point Man, the Omega Rangers and others. And for Charles and Royal Williams, it's a time for revenge as their pursuit of the man who killed their parents takes Royal deep into the bowels of the PYRAMID organization while Charles reaches heights he never imagined. Will it be morning in America – or will the long night continue? Also featuring the First Family, the debut of Cleopatra and more!

DEADPOOL #10 - Story by: Daniel Way
Art by: Paco Medina, Juan Vlasco
Colors by: Marte Gracia
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: Jason Pearson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

“BULLSEYE,” PART 1 OF 3

Norman Osborn is through playing around with Deadpool—it’s time to send in the big guns. The big, crazy guns that never, ever miss. He may be wearing a new costume, but he’s still the same ol’ psychopath…

DESTROYER #2 - Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Cory Walker
Colors by: Val Staples
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: Jason Pearson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

“DESTROYER,” PART 2

The clock is ticking, Destroyer's time on this Earth is coming to an end -- so his one-man mission to murder all his villains kicks into high-gear this issue. It's all-out, non-stop mayhem in that time-tested Destroyer fashion. Don't waste a bag and board -- this comic comes drenched in blood!

EXILES #2 - Story by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Salvador Espin
Colors by: Tony Washington
Letters by: Nate Piekos
Cover by: Dave Bullock
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

It appears that affecting the course of history on another world is HARD. Especially when all the mutants of this world work together...against you! How can a new untested team take on The X-Men, The Brotherhood, and everybody in between? Join the Exiles as they tumble head first into the answer as the relaunch of this fan-favorite series continues!

FLASH REBIRTH #2 - Story by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Ethan Van Sciver
Cover by: Ethan Van Sciver
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

What's happened to the Speed Force? One of the world's most powerful speedsters is dead, and Barry Allen must discover who – or what – is responsible! But the reborn Barry is a man haunted by a dark secret in his past. A secret that drives him to push far beyond his limits. A burden that, if he's not careful, could send him right back into oblivion! Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver's reinvention of the Scarlet Speedster picks up the pace – we dare you to keep up!

IRREDEEMABLE #2 - Story by: Mark Waid
Art by: Peter Krause
Colors by: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters by: Ed Dukeshire
Cover by: John Cassaday, Laura Martin, Dennis Calero, Jeffrey Spokes
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Cover Price: $3.99

A comic book industry event: a new original ongoing superhero series from Mark Waid! IRREDEEMABLE dares to ask the question: what if the world’s greatest hero decided to become the world’s greatest villain? Heroes are being picked off one-by-one in a brutal and viscous assault. They never stood a chance – never saw it coming. A small cadre of heroes race against time and space to stay alive and turn the tables. A “twilight of the superheroes”-style story that examines super-villains from the writer of KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE!

JERSEY GODS #4 - Story by: Glen Brunswick, Mark Waid
Art by: Dan McDaid, Joe Infurnari
Cover by: Micheal Allred, Dan McDaid
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

A strange turn of events sends Zoe bargain shopping at the Cherry Hill Mall. Her delight goes sour when an unexpected encounter with fashion mogul Delia forces her to confront a fierce designer-jean counterfeit ring. The gods of Neboron must undergo extreme measures in order to save their planet from an extinction level asteroid. MARK WAID and JOE INFURNARI continue their exciting gods of Neboron Civil War back-up story.

LIFE AND TIMES OF SAVIOR 28 #2 - Story by: J.M. DeMatteis
Art by: Mike Cavallaro
Cover by: Mike Cavallaro
Publisher: IDW
Cover Price: $3.99

“To be... or not to be!” How can a man go on living when everything he’s ever believed is revealed as a lie? That’s the question Savior 28 is forced to ask as we follow him across the decades, from the ashes of Buchenwald to the ashes of 9/11 in this exploration of the dark underbelly of the super hero dream.

MIGHTY #4 - Written by: Peter J. Tomasi & Keith Champagne
Art by: Peter Snejbjerg
Cover by: Dave Johnson
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Fire on the horizon! Cole’s wife Janet is beginning to have deep misgivings about her husband’s trust in Alpha One – but where can she turn? You won't believe this issue's shocking finale, as the world of THE MIGHTY suddenly becomes deadly. And we're just getting started!

NEW MUTANTS #1 - Story by: Zeb Wells
Art by: Diogenes Neves, Klaus Janson
Colors by: Christina Strain
Cover by: Adam Kubert, Bob McLeod, Alex Ross
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

They’re back together again! Cannonball, Dani Moonstar, Karma, Sunspot, Magma and Magik have been gathered once more, but can they stand against one of the most powerful X-Villains of all time? Legion is back, and the villain that thrust us into the Age of Apocalypse is scarier than ever. But what does he want with the New Mutants? Zeb Wells (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and Diogenes Neves (X-MEN: WORLDS APART) bring your favorite teen heroes into adulthood. Don’t miss it!

PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE STRIKES AGAIN - Written By: Chad Helder and Darren G. Davis
Art by: Giovanni P. Timpano
Publisher: Bluewater Productions
Cover Price: $3.99

Rated one of the worst films ever, Bluewater & Legend Films tell the story of what happens after the film. Fifty years after the alien invasion unleashed the unspeakable horror of Plan 9, a corrupt team of government scientists reactivate the zombie horde in order to lure the aliens back to Earth! Their sinister plan: steal the most hideous weapon known to intergalactic intelligence. Only conspiracy theorist, Eugene, and his mother, a former professional wrestler, can expose the shadowy agenda of the government as they fight off the growing zombie horde. This time, a new alien force invades Earth: the revolutionary followers of the martyred Eros. Eugene and his mother join forces with the last remaining heroes of a corrupt government. Together, they must thwart Plan 9 once again, with all life in the universe hanging in the balance.

POWER GIRL #1 - Story by: Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray
Art by: Amanda Connor
Cover by: Adam Hughes, Amanda Connor
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

In her own ongoing series at last! Straight from the pages of JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA, Power Girl starts life anew by building herself a secret identity. But a major villain from her past has other plans in store for the Super Hero, and to get his way, he's holding Manhattan hostage!

From the fan-favorite writing team of Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray (JONAH HEX, TERRA) and featuring the vivacious art of Amanda Conner (JSA CLASSIFIED, TERRA) comes this rip-roaring new series!

SOLOMON GRUNDY #3 - Written by: Scott Kolins
Art and cover by: Scott Kolins
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Married on a Wednesday! Guest-starring Poison Ivy! This is a match not made in heaven. Writer/artist Scott Kolins (FINAL CRISIS: ROGUES REVENGE, THE FLASH) brings you the next horrific chapter of Solomon Grundy and Cyrus Gold! Each harrowing piece of Cyrus' evil past will set the stage for the stunning conclusion!

WAR OF KINGS #3 - Story by: Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning
Art by: Paul Pelettier
Colors by: Wil Quintana
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Brandon Peterson, Paul Pelletier
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Marvel’s next sci-fi spectacular rages on! Emperor Vulcan cuts loose, but will final victory depend less on military might and more on actions of the conscience? And how will the Inhuman known as Crystal and the Imperial Guardsman named Gladiator factor in to the escalating events? The balance of power in the Marvel Cosmos will change in the interstellar battle that IGN.com calls “the fight of the year”!

ZOMBIES THAT ATE THE WORLD #3 - Writer: Jerry Frissen
Artist: Guy Davis
Cover Artists: Guy Davis
Publisher: Devil's Due Publishing
Cover Price: $3.50

Jerry Frissen and Guy Davis continue to bring you the most entertaining Zombie series in comics. Find out what audiences in Europe have already learned - this over the top series is like no other.

Comic Catch: April 30, 2009

2009-04-28T22:02:00.001-04:00

DARK AVENGERS #4 - Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Mike Deodato
Colors by: Rainier Beredo
Letters by: Dave Lanphear
Cover by: Mike Deodato
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

The Dark Avengers’ first mission shows Norman Osborn all the plusses and minuses of the choices he has made for his team. So changes must be made. Some come, some go, and not everyone is happy about it. Also, the Cabal reunites for the first time since the Dark Reign began, and they are REALLY not happy.

DR DOOM MASTERS OF EVIL #4 - Story by: Paul Tobin
Art by: Patrick Scherberger
Cover by: Roger Cruz
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

She predates the birth of man. She manipulates matter at will. She can merge with the shadows. She’s Selene, the original vampire, known as the Black Queen, and in her possession is something Dr. Doom desperately needs, but she’s not going to give it up without a fight. Luckily for Doom, he’s brought along a few friends, like Princess Python, Magneto, and a platoon of Sentinels reprogrammed into Witch-Hunters!

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #26 - Story by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Dale Eaglesham, Nathan Massengill
Cover by: Alex Ross
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Featuring three painted covers by Alex Ross depicting the entire Justice Society of America! In a very special day-in-the-life story of the JSA titled "Black Adam Ruined My Birthday," the team celebrates the birthday of one of their own – Stargirl! Don't miss this momentous issue.

MARVEL ASSISTANT SIZE SPECTACULAR #2 - COVER BY: DAVID WILLIAMS
WRITERS: CHRIS ELIOPOULOS, JASON AARON, CHRIS YOST, CHRIS GIARRUSSO, ADAM WARREN, WYATT CENAC, BRIAN PATCHETT

Rejects, benchwarmers, lovable losers, and might-be Avengers…assemble! In the beloved tradition of Assistant Editors’ Month, we the staffers are sick and tired of our bosses telling nothing but Wolverine stories, Spider-Man stories, Captain America stories…and we’re taking matters into our own oddball hands! Little guys can be heroes, too…and when this motley crew of misfits gets their shot – in stories featuring Elsa Bloodstone, American Eagle, D-Man, the daughter of Galactus, Mini Marvel cake-eating Hawkeye, Candidate Luke Cage, and more – it could be the start of something big! Don’t miss this two-issue anthology of also-rans who might – just MIGHT – ascend to the A-list! (Fingers crossed. Really we’re just hoping this doesn’t get us fired.)

PRICE: 3.99

MASQUERADE #3 - Story by: Phil Hester
Art by: Carlos Paul
Colors by: Debora Carita
Cover by: Alex Ross, Carlos Paul
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Cover Price: $3.50

The mystery of the disappearing heroes deepens as Masquerade continues to flash back to her past and explore the mysteries of the present! A direct tie-in to the best-selling and acclaimed PROJECT SUPERPOWERS series from Dynamite and Ross! Written by Phil Hester, illustrated by Carlos Paul and overseen by Alex Ross - who also provides the incredible main cover of this issue!

MS MARVEL #38 - Story by: Brian Reed
Art by: Rebekkrah Isaacs
Cover by: Phil Jimenez
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

FROM THE PAGES OF DARK AVENGERS! Now it can be revealed. After the fall of Carol Danvers, the villainous Moonstone has now taken up the mantle of the world’s greatest super-heroine. And don’t worry…she’s gonna save the hell out of you.

SPAWN #191 - Story: TODD McFARLANE & BRIAN HOLGUIN
Art: Whilce Portacio, Todd McFarlane, and Jay Fotos
Cover: Greg Capullo, Todd McFarlane, and Jay Fotos
Cover Price: $2.95

Jim continues to seek clues to his missing identity, but each answer only brings more questions. The information he manages to discover about himself and his past life is far from comforting. Meanwhile, the Spawn entity dwelling inside Jim starts to exert its dominance over its host, and Jim finds himself becoming addicted to the power. Brought to you by TODD McFARLANE, WHILCE PORTACIO and BRIAN HOLGUIN.

SUPERMAN #687 - Written by: James Robinson
Art by: Renato Guedes & Wilson Magalháes
Cover by: Andrew Robinson

Mon-El has agreed to be Metropolis’s new champion – unfortunately Metropolis wants nothing to do with him! In the wake of the events in the “New Krypton” saga, Mon-El faces fierce anti-Kryptonian sentiments from a city that assumes he’s Kryptonian. Oh, and there’s also the not-so-small problem of Rampage. Meanwhile, the Guardian and his Science Police must deal with the Prankster’s new wave of murderous fun. And Black Lightning and Steel face the repercussions of a world without Superman.

Cover Price: $2.99 US

TEEN TITANS #70 - Story by: Sean McKeever
Art by: Joe Bennett, Jack Jadson
Cover by: Andrew Robinson
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"Deathtrap" Part 3 of 5! Straight from the pages of VIGILANTE #5, the team gets roped into Jericho's insane plot to take out both Titans teams. But how can they fight back against a menace who can possess their bodies? Continued in TITANS #13, on sale in May!

THUNDERBOLTS #131 - Story by: Andy Diggle
Art by: Bong Dazo, Jose Pimentel
Letters by: Comicraft
Cover by: Francesco Matt Mattina
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

“MAGNUM OPUS,” PART 4 OF 4

Tie-in to “DARK REIGN”

SPECIAL CROSSOVER WITH DEADPOOL! The maniacal Merc with a Mouth has Norman Osborn’s Thunderbolts in his crosshairs – and they’ve got him in theirs! The nastiest fight of ’09 explodes here, and you’ve got the front row seat for all the ultra violence that Andy Diggle (DARK REIGN: HAWKEYE) and Bong Dazo can dish up in the book that Aint It Cool News says “continues to impress”!

ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS HULK #5 - Story by: Damon Lindelof
Art by: Leinil Francis Yu
Cover by: Leinil Francis Yu
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The slugfest continues as a new heavy hitter comes a callin’, the ultra-sexy Ultimate She-Hulk!!! Who is this mysterious jade giantess and, more importantly, who’s she puttin’ the hurt on first??!! Damon Lindelof, the co-creator of the hit TV series LOST, and superstar artist Leinil Francis Yu (Secret Invasion) bring you the next two installments of this gut-wrenching, spine-tingling, head-splattering series!

UNCANNY X-MEN #509 - Story by: Matt Fraction
Art by: Greg Land, Jay Leisten
Colors by: Justin Ponsor
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Greg Land
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The X-Men get up to the delicate art of living as the Sisterhood plan their imminent demise. The Science Team gets to work, trying very hard not to kill one another first. Simon Trask gains traction in the California state legislature, muscling PROPOSITION X to an emergency ballot vote. If it passes, mutants past and present, powered and otherwise, won't be allowed to breed... all this and a friend returns as a foe and ready for murder. Oh, things are getting ugly.

Comic Catch: April 22, 2009

2009-04-21T19:08:00.000-04:00

ASTONISHING X-MEN #29

Story by: Warren Ellis
Art by: Simone Bianchi
Colors by: Simone Bianchi
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover by: Simone Bianchi
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"GHOST BOX," PART 5

The penultimate chapter of the opening epic by the superstar team of Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi. Are you ready for the secret of the Ghost Box?

BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL ARKHAM #1

Written by David Hine
Art by Jeremy Haun
Cover by Ladrönn

Gotham City has become a place of nightmares and madness. At its poisoned heart lies Arkham Asylum. For decades the lunacy has been kept under control by Batman and contained within the walls of Arkham. But with Batman gone, what happens once the walls come tumbling down? In this one-shot, will the Asylum’s administrator Dr. Jeremiah Arkham fall prey to the madness that has plagued so many of his inmates? Or will he seize this opportunity to usher in a new era for Gotham’s most haunted institution?

32 pg, FC, $2.99

BUCK ROGERS #0

Story by: Scott Beatty
Art by: Carlos Rafael
Colors by: Carlos Lopez
Cover by: John Cassaday
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

Join us as we present comicdom's first hero -- Buck Rogers... the first man out of time... the first man to be taken out of his present environment and put into the future!

In the tradition of such best-selling introductory Dynamite launches as Red Sonja and Battlestar Galactica, Dynamite is launching the all-original #0 issue for just .25 cents! Under a John Cassaday cover (Cassaday serves as series cover artist), writer Scott (Batman) Beatty and artist Carlos Rafael present an original 12 page comic book adventure - "The Death of Buck Rogers"! This is where it all begins and Dynamite's plans for Buck Rogers follow the that they've followed over the years beginning with Red Sonja, embracing the history of such classic characters, but giving them a modern edge for today's audiences! All this, and for a quarter to introduce you to the new canon of Buck Rogers!

DETECTIVE COMICS #853

Written by Neil Gaiman
Art by Andy Kubert and Scott Williams
Cover by Andy Kubert

"Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" part 2 of 2! This second part of Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert's special collaboration is sure to be a BATMAN story for the ages. This extraordinary tale, told as only Gaiman and Kubert can, explores the intricate relationships between Bruce Wayne and his friends and adversaries and builds toward an exciting and unexpected climax. It's a classic in the making

48pg. Color $3.99

GHOST RIDER #34

Story by: Jason Aaron
Art by: Tony Moore
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Arthur Suydam
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS," PART 2

Among the truckers who work the loneliest stretches of highways at night, there is a legend. The legend of the Highwayman, the hellbilly terror of the hammer lane, a former trucker who was cursed by the devil and now drives a mystical black rig, preying on the souls of anyone foolish enough to drive his highways come nightfall. This issue, that happens to be Danny Ketch, a man who knows a thing or two when it comes to curses.

GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #13

Story by: Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning
Art by: Brad Walker, Victor Olazaba
Colors by: Wil Quintana
Letters by: Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Salvador Larrocca
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

A WAR OF KINGS tie-in! The guns of the Kree and the Shi'Ar have thundered — and there will hell to pay! Star-Lord’s Guardians spring into desperate action in an attempt to stop the planet-shattering battle, but will either side listen? If they don’t, the walls of the galaxy will disintegrate! It’s more mind-blowing cosmic heroics from the book that made CBR.com rave “if comics were movies, this would be the one people would be talking about all summer!”

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #128

Story by: Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente
Art by: Dietrich Smith, Cory Hamscher
Cover by: David Williams
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

The DARK AVENGERS versus the OLYMPUS GROUP versus Herc & Co! 'NUFF SAID!

INVINCIBLE #61

Story by: Robert Kirkman
Art by: Ryan Ottley, Fco Plascencia
Cover by: Ryan Ottley, Fco Plascencia
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

INVINCIBLE WAR: AFTERMATH! The planet is in ruins. Everything has changed, the world's superheroes are in the hospital or dead. Invincible is left to rebuild -- but now he must face his most deadly and powerful adversary yet. Who... or what is CONQUEST?

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #32

Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art by Federico Dallocchio
Cover by Ed Benes and Rob Hunter

While the team struggles with the aftermath of dissolution, the cosmic force known as Starbreaker sets out to ravage the earth for a hidden source of unimaginable power. But with the team facing its own crisis, who will stand in his way?

DC Universe 32pg. Color $2.99

KICK ASS #6

Story by: Mark Millar
Art by: John Romita Jr.
Colors by: Tom Palmer
Letters by: Dean White
Cover by: John Romita Jr.
Publisher: Marvel Icon
Cover Price: $2.99

This is it—the moment Dave Lizewski has spent his whole brief career as KICK-ASS preparing for. When the chips are down, when everything’s at stake…whose ass will be kicked? KICK-ASS’ origin story unfolds as the smash hit super hero comic of 2008—by legends MARK MILLAR and JOHN ROMITA JR.—continues!

MIGHTY AVENGERS #24

Story by: Dan Slott
Art by: Rafa Sandoval, Danny
Colors by: Dean White
Letters by: Dave Lanphear
Cover by: Khoi Pham
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

"CHASING GHOSTS"

The SCARLET WITCH is back and her brother wants answers! Join QUICKSILVER as he races around the globe, hunting down the MIGHTY AVENGERS! Plus, what's HANK PYM'S problem with MR. FANTASTIC? And what does NORMAN OSBORN have in store for Earth's Mightiest Heroes?

Guest starring QUICKSILVER, and featuring appearances by the YOUNG AVENGERS and the FANTASTIC FOUR.

NEW AVENGERS #52

Story by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Billy Tan, Chris Bachalo
Cover by: Billy Tan, Chris Bachalo
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Who is the new Sorcerer Supreme? The entire Marvel Universe hangs in the balance as the Avengers race to help the fallen Doctor Strange battle the forces of the Dark Dimension as they make their earthly power play.

SAVAGE DRAGON #147

Story by: Erik Larsen
Art by: Erik Larsen
Cover by: Erik Larsen
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.50

The Dragon discovers that when you mess with the Vicious Circle –- you're playing with fire. Nobody's safe. Everybody he's ever known –- everybody he's ever loved –- every life he's ever touched is in jeopardy.

THOR #601

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski
Art by: Marko Djurdjevic, Danny Miki
Letters by: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover by: Marko Djurdjevic
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99

Has Thor turned his back on Asgard…? Has Asgard turned its back on Thor?! After the monumental and cataclysmic events of THOR #600, the God of Thunder’s life has changed completely! New readers…now’s your chance! Jump on board!

ZMD ZOMBIES OF MASS DESTRUCTION #4

by Kevin Grevioux & Geraldo Borges

In the hostile Middle East, U.S. experiment Zombie Zero has gone rogue and is advancing the infection beyond control. Drake finds his family in the hot zone, but his wife has already been infected. Distracted, the back-up unit arrives threatening a nuclear strike, making this a suicide mission for all. From the creator of the Underworld movie franchise.

Format: FC, COMIC Price: $3.25

Summer Reading from NBM Publishing

2009-04-18T15:59:00.000-04:00

A Treasury of XXth Century Murder:
FAMOUS PLAYERS
The Mysterious Death of William Desmond Taylor
Rick GEARY

It’s the early days of Hollywood, movies are just starting to come of their own and gain in popularity. New Stars are made. The movies are still silent but their stars certainly are not, in the scandal sheets. Amidst this new boiling cauldron, William Desmond Taylor, a successful director at the ‘upscale’ Famous Players Studio is found shot in his home.. Could it have been the star Mary Miles Minter or a former butler? But then, what about that strange past Taylor had? Another delectable mystery as only Geary can tell ‘em!

6x9, 80p., B&W, jacketed hardcover, $15.95,
ISBN 978-1-56163-555-9

Full-color trade paperback, 8 x 11, 48pp., $10.95, ISBN 978-1-56163-558-0

Volume 1: THE CURSE OF THE UMBRELLA
Volume 2: THE PRISONER SYNDROME
By Lewis Trondheim

No matter what happens on your vacation, LITTLE NOTHINGS can make you

"LITTLE NOTHINGS is a hoot." -- The Onion

"A charmingly lighthearted stroll through life." -- Publishers
Weekly

"Extraordinary artist." -- Booklist

Each volume is a full-color trade paperback, 6 x 9, 128 pages,
$14.95. Volume 1 ISBN: 978-1-56163-523-8; Volume 2 ISBN:
978-1-56163-548-1

MISS DON'T TOUCH ME

By Hubert & Kerascoet

At the start of the 20th century, the "Butcher of the Garden Cafes" is prowling for loose women. When young, cute Florence loses a friend to the Butcher, she tracks the killer herself. She ends up a servant in a luxury house of call girls, where she becomes good at
certain lascivious practices -- while still remaining a virgin! But she never loses sight of her goal: find the Butcher.

Full color trade paperback, 6 x 9, 96 pages, $14.95, ISBN
978-1-56163-544-3

Comic Catch: April 15, 2009

2009-04-14T16:51:00.000-04:00

ACTION COMICS #876 - Written by Greg Rucka; Art by Eddy Barrows and Ruy Jose; Cover by Andrew Robinson

Enter: Ursa!

FABLES #83 - Written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Art by Mark Buckingham and Andrew Pepoy
Cover by Joao Ruas

Part 1 of “The Great Fables Crossover”! Thrill! To the adventures of your favorite Fables as they fight for their very existence in the greatest Fables epic yet! Shudder! To the danger as all of existence is about to be wiped out with the stroke of a pen! 3 months @ 3 books per month! = 9 amazing issues! Featuring Brazilian newcomer Joao Ruas, who brings his exquisite style and elegance as our new cover artist!

JOHNNY MONSTER #3 - story JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art and cover by JC GRANDE

The peaceful habitat Johnny Monster created for the monsters has been invaded by violent mercenaries causing utter chaos! As a result, the largest monster the world has ever seen has been unleashed on New York City on a quest for revenge! Only Johnny can stop him... but does he want to?Don't miss the exciting conclusion to this monster-ous miniseries!TAG: From the acclaimed writer of Dear Dracula and Necessary Evil!

PUNISHER #4 - Story by Rick Remender
Art by Jerome Opena
Cover by Mike McKone
Cover Price: $2.99

“LIVING IN DARKNESS,” PART 4

Frank Castle is being hunted. Lured into a trap, and torn to pieces by a team of unassailable foes, the Punisher retreats into the dark underground of New York in hopes of discovering the identity of his relentless pursuer. Someone who knows his modus operandi. Someone who anticipates his every move. Someone who has a personal investment in seeing Frank dead. The most astonishing reveal in years!

STAND AMERICAN NIGHTMARES #2 - Story by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Art by Mike Perkins
Colors by Laura Martin
Letters by Chris Eliopoulos
Cover by Lee Bermejo, Mike Perkins
Cover Price: $3.99

The dead are still dead and the living are still finding their way through this horribly altered landscape of America. Thus, it’s a perfect time to—bring on the bad guys! Randall Flagg performs his first act of magic and begins his cross country journey in a souped-up Buick. And then, there’s the strangest addition to the cast yet...Donald Merwin Elbert, the Trashcan Man, a pyromaniac who suddenly has no one to curb his unhealthy obsession with blowing things up. All this plus Rita suggests to Larry Underwood that they should start making their way out of New York, perhaps via...the Lincoln Tunnel! And you know what that means.

STRANGE ADVENTURES OF HP LOVECRAFT #1 - story MAC CARTER
art TONY SALMONS
cover ADAM BYRNE

When an ancient curse transforms young H.P. Lovecraft's darkest nightmares into reality, the timid writer becomes both an unwitting god of destruction and the only person who can battle the evil he's unleashed into the world. One part biography, one part horror pulp, one part fugitive thriller and you have... one weird tale indeed.

UNCANNY X-MEN #508 - Story by Matt Fraction
Art by Greg Land, Jay Leisten
Colors by Justin Ponsor
Letters by VC - Joe Caramagna
Cover by Greg Land
Cover Price: $2.99

The X-Men get up to the delicate art of living as the Sisterhood plan their imminent demise. The Science Team gets to work, trying very hard not to kill one another first. Simon Trask gains traction in the California state legislature, muscling PROPOSITION X to an emergency ballot vote. If it passes, mutants past and present, powered and otherwise, won't be allowed to breed... all this and a friend returns as a foe and ready for murder. Oh, things are getting ugly.

WALKING DEAD #60 - Story by Robert Kirkman
Art by Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn
Cover by Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn
Cover Price: $2.99

Surrounded!

X-FACTOR #42 - Story by Peter David
Art by Valentine De Landro, Craig Yeung
Colors by Jeromy Cox
Letters by VC - Cory Petit
Cover by David Yardin
Cover Price: $2.99

After the shocking events of the past few issues, MADROX has learned that in X-FACTOR, anything can happen. And in this issue—everything does! Separated from his teammates and involved in a war he never expected to see, he can only look back on the days when the team stood together. Now—the rebellion has begun!

X-MEN LEGACY #223 - Story by Mike Carey

Art by Scot Eaton, Andrew Hennessy

Colors by Brian Reber

Letters by VC - Joe Caramagna

Cover by Lee Bermejo

Cover Price: $2.99

“Salvage”

It’s the moment of truth for Danger and Professor Xavier as the seeds planted in ASTONISHING X-MEN finally bloom. Prof. X kept a sentient being almost as a slave and now that she is free of her bonds, Danger will take her revenge. And this time, the X-Men aren’t there to help him. It’s the beginning of the end of Professor Xavier’s part of X-MEN LEGACY! Part 4 (of 5)

Comic Review: Caped #1

2009-04-09T14:55:00.000-04:00

Caped #1

Story - Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle

Art - Yair Herrera

Colors - Renato Faccini

Letters - Johnny Lowe

Edits - Ian Brill

Covers - Saumin Patel, Joe Quinnones

"We save them! So they can save the day!” Think your boss is tough? Try working for a superhero! While your boss is out fighting crime, you get the pleasure of scheduling public appearances, getting the dry-cleaning done, and keeping a tidy secret lair. Millions would kill to be a superhero's personal assistant like Jimmy Lohman. Unfortunately, he's not one of them. A story of capes, cowls and Blackberrys.

Characters

The Edge

Jimmy Lohman

Imagine a series in which Alfred or Jarvis or Amadeus Cho was the main character and Batman, Iron Man, or Hercules was the supporting cast. What do they think of the heroes they assist? What menial, degrading jobs are they asked to do which aren't depicted in the heroes' main titles? That is what Caped is all about.

The personal assistant, the main character, is Jimmy Lohman. Jimmy came to Capitol City to become a reporter, but can't find a job, until, at an interview, Grant Godfried bursts in demanding a new assistant, his 28th assistant. Jimmy jumps at the job. He quickly learns that he's not just a reporter's assistant. He's a superhero's assistant, too. The Edge's assistant. "The hardest working superhero in the business today."

The Edge is a Batman analogue with equipment, Edgecaves, and Edgemobiles...Edge-everything! It'd be cool if, to leave the Edgecave, he leapt off the Edge Ledge, and to return he drove through the Edge Hedge...Anyway, he's got some kind of powers, though unspecified at this time. So imagine Jimmy Olsen becoming a photo-journalist in Gotham City and DC put out, Batman's Pal Jimmy Olsen. Those are our characters, and it's great fun.

Character Rating: 1 Worm. The naivite and the darkness combined is a pairing the DC should have had fun with. But Boom! Studios is there for us with Caped!

Plot

We first meet both Jimmy and the Edge on a train where Craig Gemini is holding the mayor of Capitol City at gunpoint to get his brother Irv Gemini released from jail. The Edge is late because personal assistant #27 gave him bad directions. The Edge's bad day ends up with the train wrecked and the mayor dead. Time for a new assistant.

But the focus is on Jimmy as he begins hunting for a job. He's eager and willing and jumps at the first opportunity he encounters, being Grant Godfried's assistant. He immediately carted off to League headquarters where Irv Gemini has escaped. Will Jimmy be able to handle being a superhero's assistant? Only Caped will tell.

Plot Rating: 2 Worms. It's a fun story with a dark side. I can't wait for more.

Art

The art seems a little flat, a little too dependent on dark lines. It's not bad, just not my taste.

Art Rating: 1 1/2 Worms

Overall Rating 4 1/2 Worms. Strongly recommended for fans of superhero deconstruction and dark stories with a humorous twist.

Comic Catch: April 8, 2009

2009-04-06T17:02:00.000-04:00

ALL NEW SAVAGE SHE-HULK #1 - From a world where society as we know it has crumbled and humanity has been irrevocably changed, she comes-the all-new, all-different SAVAGE SHE-HULK! But now, a deadly mission has brought her to current Marvel continuity. What terrible secret does this gamma-irradiated beauty bare? And is she friend or foe, Inhuman or mutant, Avenger, Defender...or Invader? Discover the mysteries surrounding this all-new superstar in the Marvel Universe as we proudly presents the all new SAVAGE SHE-HULK! Plus 8 pages of Director's Cut Extras!

BPRD BLACK GODDESS #4 - Outside Memnan Saa's sanctum, two armies of monsters clash over the fate of the world; within, the B.P.R.D. can only watch as Saa's machinations continue to unfold around them, building up to an apocalyptic climax with Liz at its core.

Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, and drawn by Guy Davis, B.P.R.D.: The Black Goddess is the second of three arcs pulling together threads from the beginning of the series -- and leaving the B.P.R.D. and the world forever changed

DEADPOOL SUICIDE KINGS #1 - Deadpool’s latest job has gotten him into a world of trouble. Everyone wants a piece of him -- and for a crime he didn’t commit! That’s right: Someone’s framed Deadpool, and it just might be the same guy who hired him in the first place, a guy who just might be using the mouthy merc as a wild card in a twisted wager. If Wade’s going to clear his name and serve up some revenge, he’s first got to avoid getting captured -- or killed -- by some of the Marvel Universe’s heaviest hitters: Daredevil, the Punisher and Spider-Man.

EXILES #1 - Heroes are being pulled out of the worlds they know- The Beast. The Witch. Panther. Forge. Polaris. All find themselves in a place out of time with a new mission in life. But something seems to have shifted in the mechanics of the universe, things may not be quite what we remember... But one thing we know for certain- BLINK is BACK!Plus 8 pages of Director's Cut Extras!

LOCKE & KEY HEAD GAMES #4 - Duncan Locke finds himself faced with a dizzying, impossible revelation; Tyler makes the ill-considered decision to share with others the unlikely powers of the head key; and Kinsey comes face-to-face with a monster lurking... within.

PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #69 - Frank Castle finds himself face down in the Philadelphia gutter — with professional killers, crooked cops, and even the Mayor himself fixing to make sure he dies there. And that’s if the poison racing through Castle’s veins doesn’t kill him first. Can Castle stay conscious enough to save the life of an innocent man—and take out the criminal mastermind behind it all?

SECRET SIX #8 - It's a special double date issue as the surviving members of the Six take a night on the town in that disturbing way that only they can do. It's dinner and a movie with bullets and bloodshed in an all-romance (with violence) issue you won't want to miss! Plus, what does Ragdoll dream about? Um, it’s not for the squeamish.

SALEM’S DAUGHTER #0 - The Salem witch trials of 1692 resulted in the hangings of 19 women and men. Over the years many came to realize that the trials were perhaps done in haste with no hard evidence of witchcraft being used by any of the accused.

Two hundred years later, Anna Williams, is living a regular uneventful life in Essex County, Massachusetts. But there is more to Anna than meets the eye… much more.

Now Anna is beginning to discover her unique powers and knows her life will never be the same as she reluctantly decides to follow her true calling. And a hardened and bitter gunslinger named Braden Cole is the one man who can help her along the way.

SOLOMON GRUNDY #2 - Christened on a Tuesday! Writer/artist Scott Kolins (FINAL CRISIS: ROGUES REVENGE, THE FLASH) brngs you the exclusive first-ever Solomon Grundy battle with Bizarro! The two monsters smash through Gotham City in a stirring, mind-blowing death match you’ll have to see to believe! Plus: Witness more of the origin of Cyrus Gold as he begins his evil destiny by committing his first horrid murder. Will Cyrus ultimately uncover who murdered him and unravel the Solomon Grundy curse forever?

TITANS #12 - “Deathtrap” Part 1 of 5! Completely unhinged, Jericho continues his assault upon his former teammates. As if that wasn’t enough, he also draws the Teen Titans into his twisted plot. And the Vigilante makes it his mission to stop Jericho – permanently!

Comic Catch: April 1, 2009

2009-03-30T22:34:00.000-04:00

AGENTS OF ATLAS #3 - Back in the 1950's our heroes fall deeper into the mystery of the Dragon's Corridor- leading them to Communist plots and two mysteriously familiar bodies on ice. In the present day, a similar trail of intrigue winds back to secret plans of the Atlas Foundation. The Agents look to be building a hellish arsenal for Norman Osborn, and they've just gotten the attention of none other than CAPTAIN AMERICA.

DEADPOOL #9 - “MAGNUM OPUS,” PART 3 OF 4

Tie-in to “DARK REIGN”

SPECIAL CROSSOVER WITH THUNDERBOLTS! Love is in the air — but so are a whole lotta bullets! Is Black Widow really falling for Deadpool, or is she using her feminine wiles to bamboozle our questionable hero? Here’s a hint: her name is Black Widow! Don’t do it, Wade! MAGNUM OPUS, the shoot-‘em-up romp of the year, revs toward its conclusion as Deadpool pulls an ace from up his sleeve. Enter: TASKMASTER!

DESTROYER #1 - For sixty years, Keen Marlowe has been a super hero, taking down bad guys, fighting the good fight. But it's is about to come crashing to an end. See, Marlowe is dying -- maybe today, maybe tomorrow, the only question is when. But Marlowe isn't about to go quietly into the night. Before he goes, he intends to leave the world a safer place for his family. And if that means hunting down -- and murdering -- every super-villain he can, so be it. They don't call him "Destroyer" for nothing.

DR DOOM MASTERS OF EVIL #3 - We already brought on the bad guys; now it's time to bring on the Blastaar! When Doom and his Masters of Evil head into space on a quest for the power cosmic, they encounter Blastaar, the Living Bomb-Burst, and his own plans for ultimate power, and it sure doesn't take long before they each find that space itself isn't big enough for the two of them! Will Doom be able to live up to his name, or will his dreams for conquest literally blow up around him?

FLASH REBIRTH #1 - Through the decades, many heroes have taken the mantle of The Flash, but they all ride the lightning that crackles in the wake of the greatest hero the DC Universe has ever known, the man who sacrificed himself to save the Multiverse: Barry Allen!
Following the events of FINAL CRISIS, Barry has beaten death and returned to a fast-paced world that a man out of time wouldn’t recognize. Or is it a world that is only just now catching up? All the running he’s done before was just a warmup for the high-speed race that he and every other Flash must now run, because even though one speedster might have beaten death, another has just turned up dead! From Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver, the visionaries responsible for the blockbuster GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH and THE SINESTRO CORPS WAR, comes the start of an explosive and jaw-dropping epic that will reintroduce to the modern age the hero who single-handedly birthed the Silver Age of comics! DC history will be made, and the Flash legacy will be redefined!

HELM TPB - Matt Blurdy's day has gone from crap to worse. Not only did his girlfriend break his heart at work--and in front of all of the video-store patrons--but he just got fired. All that's left to do is minibike his sorry, thirty-year-old (and freshly unemployed!) butt back home to his mom's basement and drown his sorrows in a bucket of extra-crispy chicken while contemplating where his life went wrong.

On the way home, Matt decides to quiet his aching heart with a brief detour to a garage sale. When an ancient-looking helmet calls to him as "the Chosen One," exhorting him to don the mantle of the "Valhalladrim," Matt touches it with trembling fingers--and is jolted by raw magical power. Holy crap! Is he going to be a superhero? Is this why he always felt special even when everyone else thought he was a loser? Then the helm gets a sense of whom it's dealing with. Suddenly, it changes its tune: "I was mistaken. You are not the chosen one. Good day."

- Collects the four-issue miniseries.

IRREDEEMABLE #1 - A comic book industry event: a new original ongoing superhero series from Mark Waid! IRREDEEMABLE dares to ask the question: what if the world's greatest hero decided to become the world's greatest villain? A "twilight of the superheroes"-style story that examines super-villains from the writer of KINGDOM COME and EMPIRE!

JERSEY GODS #3 - Civil war erupts on Neboron - Barock, Helius and Rushmore’s plan to kidnap Deltus and bring a quick end to the skirmish fails miserably. On Earth, Zoe gets an earful from her parents. She also discovers the reason why her best friend’s been ducking her and it ain’t pretty. Also in this issue, MARK WAID, begins his JERSEY GODS story. This, the first of four consecutive six-pagers by WAID, sets the stage for his ten thousand year-old war story that tells the tale of a crucial battle in the history of gods of Neboron and features art by Eisner Web-comic nominee, JOE INFURNARI – “The Transmigration of Ultra-Lad.”

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #25 - The "Black Adam and Isis" epic concludes here! With Billy Batson banished from the Rock of Eternity, the Justice Society calls upon an old friend to help in the battle against the Black Marvel family and stop Black Adam and Isis once and for all!

LONDON HORROR COMICS #2 - The critically acclaimed horror-comedy anthology returns with a second helping of chuckles and chills! A pair of priests tests more than their faith after running over a sexy vampire, a daughter prepares a gruesome welcome party for her mother, and the evils of celebrity culture tear apart an all-girl super-team. Richly rendered by the talents of John-Paul Kamath (Trailer Park Of Terror), Lee Ferguson (Black Canary Wedding Planner), Marc Deering (Miranda Mercury), Matty Ryan (New X-Men), and Hi-Fi Designs (American Virgin).

MARVEL ASSISTANT SIZE SPECTACULAR #1 - Rejects, benchwarmers, lovable losers, and might-be Avengers...assemble! In the beloved tradition of Assistant Editors' Month, we the staffers are sick and tired of our bosses telling nothing but Wolverine stories, Spider-Man stories, Captain America stories...and we're taking matters into our own oddball hands! Little guys can be heroes, too...and when this motley crew of misfits gets their shot - in stories featuring Elsa Bloodstone, American Eagle, D-Man, the daughter of Galactus, Mini Marvel cake-eating Hawkeye, Candidate Luke Cage, and more - it could be the start of something big! Don't miss this two-issue anthology of also-rans who might - just MIGHT - ascend to the A-list! (Fingers crossed. Really we're just hoping this doesn't get us fired.)

MASQUERADE #2 - As the mystery of the slowly disappearing heroes deepens, Masquerade finds herself hot on the trail, but not before teaming up with Pyroman to battle the Black Dragon Society and The Black Terror on a stake-out. As the heroes compare notes, a pattern begins to emerge that sets Masquerade further on her quest! Written by Phil (The Darkness) Hester, illustrated by Carlos Paul and overseen by Alex Ross - who also provides the incredible main cover of this issue!

MIGHTY #3 - Alpha One may be the most powerful being on the face of the planet, but emotionally, he’s vulnerable – and he needs a friend he can trust. His ally Gabriel Cole, who has just officially taken command of Section Omega, is becoming that friend. But neither man knows the danger they tempt by inviting each other into their homes. And what amazing secrets are hidden in Alpha One’s underground headquarters?

SAVAGE DRAGON #146 - The Dragon is out to shut down Chicago's notorious criminal organization the Vicious Circle and that means breaking up speakeasies, bookie joints, gambling houses, fight clubs, nightclubs, distilleries, breweries and brothels. The Dragon is back on the force! Criminals beware!

SECRET WARRIORS #3 - The most talked-about new Marvel series continues as HYDRA's plans pick up speed while more remnants of S.H.I.E.L.D. fall. Nick Fury reconnects with an old colleague and finds out that the balance has shifted between him and some of his former soldiers. All that, and the Warriors suffer their first casualty of war.

TEEN TITANS #69 - Get ready for the debut of the new Teen Titans line-up! What surprising heroes show up as part of the team? Who made the cut and who got sent home? And where do they go from here? This special issue sets the stage for the "Deathtrap" crossover with TITANS, which kicks off in the upcoming TEEN TITANS ANNUAL!

TEEN TITANS ANNUAL 2009 #1 - Prelude to the “Deathtrap” crossover between the pages of TEEN TITANS, TITANS and VIGILANTE! Titans Tower has mysteriously come to life to attack the Teen Titans! But The Titans have one secret weapon their unknown assailant doesn’t know about. Will they be able to use this weapon in time to save themselves? Find out as the story continues in TITANS #12! And be sure to check out the awesome interlocking covers by Andrew Robinson spanning the entire “Deathtrap” story that create one massive image!

WAR OF KINGS #2 - The cosmic heavyweights come out swinging! Black Bolt! Gladiator! The Inhumans! Vulcan! The Starjammers! As Kree outworlds burn, Shi’Ar forces move in for the kill—as first blood goes to Vulcan and the Imperial Guard! Can anything withstand the military juggernaut of Vulcan’s Imperium? And are the lines of allegiance drawn as clearly as it first appears? The major players make their big moves as the battle that will reshape the cosmic power structure rages on!

Invincible War...Published by the Big 2.

2009-03-28T16:17:00.000-04:00

In Image Comics's Invincible #60, Angstrom Levy unleashed an army of evil Invincibles on Earth. It was a double-sized issue covering the entire event. Mass crossover as all of the major Image heroes of the past and present appeared in at least one panel fighting the evil Invincibles. It was great!

It made me think about mega-events from the Big 2. You know who I'm talking about.

If the Invincible War was published by Marvel - A 6-8 issue limited series titled Invincible War. A series of other miniseries focussing on other heroes in the event including Iron Man: Invincible War, Avengers: Invincible War, X-Men: Invincible War, and Fantastic Four: Invincible War. This is separate from the main titles all having between 1-3 issues dedicated to the events. Also, the 4 issue mini-series Invincible War: Front Line. One of the top heroes would get killed (to be replaced by someone using the same name), and a 4 issue miniseries focusing on the aftermath of his/her death would follow, such as Sub-Mariner Requiem. Minimum of 50 issues dedicated to the event. Minimum cost: $149.50

If the Invincible war was published by DC - A 52 issue weekly comic titled Invincible Crisis, containing titles-spanning changes that you'd miss if you didn't follow the series and which would only get a cursory reference in the primary titles. Cost: $155.48

Image's Invincible war cost: $3.99

That's why I love Indy comics...

Comic Catch: March 25, 2009

2009-03-23T18:37:00.003-04:00

CAPED #1 - "We save them! So they can save the day!” Think your boss is tough? Try working for a superhero! While your boss is out fighting crime, you get the pleasure of scheduling public appearances, getting the dry-cleaning done and keeping a tidy secret lair. Millions would kill to be a superhero's personal assistant like Jimmy Lohman. Unfortunately, he's not one of them. A story of capes, cowls and Blackberrys.

DEATH DEFYING DEVIL #4 - The first four issue story arc of the Death Defying 'Devil comes to a senses-shattering conclusion! We've met Silver Streak and The Ghost, followed the mystery of the Dragon and seen flashbacks to 'Devil's battles with the Claw and now, it all comes to a close! The final pages of this issue will shake the very foundations of the PROJECT SUPERPOWERS Universe! You are warned! Written by Joe Casey, illustrated by Edgar Salazar and overseen by Alex Ross - who also provides the incredible main cover!

GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #12 - If Captain Marvel is no more, how is he here? With War of Kings about to explode across the galaxy, two of the Guardians face death itself! Drax and Quasar journey beyond the veil of life in a desperate quest to find Moondragon. But what is waiting for them on the other side, and will it ever let them return? It’s a double shot of cosmic horror – that plants the seeds for where GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY is heading next!

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #127 - There have been sixty-six men and women to carry the mantle of the Immortal Iron Fist – sixty-six men and women who have proudly and eagerly stood fast before the unstoppable forces of evil, and valiantly fought them back. Except one.

This is the story of Park Li – a pacifist, who sought to pursue wisdom rather than war. But fate would defy him – as K’un-Lun is overwhelmed by a deadly plague, Park Li is the only student ready to become the city’s Immortal Weapon. And war is coming…bloody, brutal war…

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #31 - Death, destruction and betrayal! The fallout from FINAL CRISIS leaves the Justice League of America on the brink of dissolution. Black Canary faces her greatest test as she tries to hold her devastated team together. Will those who remain be enough to save the world?

MERCY SPARX #3 - Mercy checks another angel off of her hit-list, but grows increasingly curious about Pastor Jeremiah’s connection to Mr. Suit. Meanwhile, despite her disdain for all earthly things, could she have a small crush on her neighbor? Find out if it’s love or hate.

MIGHTY AVENGERS #23 - How can the Mighty Avengers save all of reality from one of their greatest foes... when they can't even stop fighting each other? To survive their first trial by fire, lines will be crossed, ideals will be compromised, and not every hero will make the cut.

MS MARVEL #37 - It's a throwdown in Hong Kong against the mysteriously powered Ghazi as Ms. Marvel finally discovers the origin of her mysterious enemy. However, Carol has been keeping a secret connected to the Dark Reign concerning Norman Osborn and it may just mean she won't survive the fight.

NEW AVENGERS #51 - WHO IS THE NEW SORCERER SUPREME? Doctor Strange has failed as the Master of the Mystic Arts and all the other mystic characters are the heir apparent. Strange comes to the New Avengers for help as the mystic battle royale begins. Plus, how can the Avengers trust Spider-Man if he won't take his mask off?

SPAWN #190 - Jim Downing awoke from a long coma to discover he has no memories of his past life, and worse, he seems to be possessed by a dark, violent power that emerges in times of stress. As Jim struggles to piece together the events that led him to this fate, he finds himself at the middle of a great conspiracy, stalked by agents of both Heaven and Hell. Help is offered from surprising quarters, but can anyone truly be trusted? Brought to you by the all-star team of TODD McFARLANE, WHILCE PORTACIO and BRIAN HOLGUIN.

THUNDERBOLTS #130 - “MAGNUM OPUS,” PART 2 OF 4 -- CROSSOVER WITH DEADPOOL

Everyone’s favorite Merc with a Mouth has the Thunderbolts in his crosshairs – but don’t expect this murderer’s row of

butt-kickers to lay down! The nastiest fight of ’09 has begun, and you’ve got the front row seat for all the ultra violence that

Andy Diggle (DARK REIGN: HAWKEYE) and red-hot artist Bong Dazo can dish up!

Comic Review: The Life and Times of Savior 28 #1

2009-03-19T18:36:00.000-04:00

The Life and Times of Savior 28 #1

Written by: J. M. DeMatteis
Art by: Mike Cavallaro
Colors by: Andrew Covalt
Letters by: Neil Uyetake

Published by: IDW Publishing

He is the first, and greatest, super hero: an American legend. But when tragedy forces Savior 28 to question the very beliefs that have guided him for seventy years, his life begins to unravel and his nation turns against him.

Characters

Savior 28
Savior 13
Dennis McNulty

This story is clearly about Savior 28, a Superman/Captain America analogue whose origins are clouded in mystery as the stories changed in his 70 years of heroic action. He represents everything good and noble about the human race and America. Well, almost...Arrogance and alcohol lead to his downfall, but then I guess we can see some of that in both the human race and America, as well. Anyway, Savior 28 finds himself unable to cope with the changing social sensitivities of America and swings from the extreme of the Golden Age punch first don't worry about the questions method of superheroics, to a more PC can't we all just get along motif. But a more cynical America turns on the peace loving hero.

Savior 28 is interesting as he represents the social evolution of America and comic books. His ever changing origin mirrors many Golden Age heroes' origins who changed throughout the years, and the ever maturing comic fan demanding less childish slugfests and more characterizations fleshing out the villains so that these days, it's a revolving door of character alignment.

His chief opponent throughout his fisticuff years was Savior 13, his Bizarro, who underwent the same procedure, but unlike other attempts whose subjects died, drove the man who became Savior 13 insane. It's Savior 28's accidental killing of Savior 13, plus the death of Savior 28's wife, that leads him down the path of peace.

A Captain America element to Savior 28 is his sidekick, the Daring Disciple, Dennis McNulty. Dennis is the story's narrator. The bitter sidekick tells us his version of events leading up to Savior 28's assassination. We're apparently supposed to take his word for Savior 28's character, but his closeness to the events and the character put his point of view into question. That makes for a very active reading experience.

Character Rating: 1 Worm. If they make you think about what you don't mind pondering, you have good, engaging characters.

Plot

Talking about the characters pretty much gets the plot out there as well. DeMatteis presents a great story with a twist and you'll be left wanting to know more.

One problem: Dematteis delves, all be it briefly, into politics. It's a little less forced, a little more natural than some recents inclusions of presidents and presidential hopefuls, so I admit that DeMatteis may be suffering from backlash of my annoyance, but I had a flare of annoyance with the political criticism.

Plot Rating: 1 1/2 Worms. Loss of 1/2 worm for annoying political criticism. Would have lost more if he didn't do it so well.

Art

The art's not bad, but there's something about Cavallero's style that I don't like. If I knew more about art, I might be able to explain better, but I find the dark, heavy lines on the characters' faces distracting. The layouts are fine, though, so he displays the story well. It's just a matter of style.

Art Rating: 1 1/2 Worms. Dark, heavy lines...bad.

Overall Rating: 4 Worms. Highly recommended for fans of dark superhero deconstructions.

The Life and Times of Savior 28 #1 is available on Amazon.com.

Comic Catch: March 18, 2009

2009-03-16T19:29:00.000-04:00

BOMB QUEEN V #6 - The final chapter of Bomb Queen's battle with The White Knight - but there's more at stake than a mere blood brawl. Mysterious origins are revealed leading to a trail of death and destruction. Now the Queen's greatest foe is the TRUTH!

DARK AVENGERS #3 - The phenom that is the Dark Avengers continues. BATTLEGROUND LATVERIA as Morgana Le Fey attacks with all the power at her disposal. Meanwhile these new Avengers discover all the dirt and hidden secrets of their notorious pasts.

DEADPOOL GAMES OF DEATH - 'GAME$ OF DEATH'-Pain Factor: The reality TV game-show so controversial, it's been banned around the world! Today, eleven desperate men will travel to a desert island to compete in a series of outlandish challenges that will leave one of them rich and the rest of them dead. Among the competitors, a certain 'Merc with a Mouth,' who's been hired to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a millionaire's son. The trail ended here for Junior, but will it for Deadpool? Not if he has anything to say about it. After all, nothing brings out Wade's competitive streak like cold, hard ca--I mean, justice.

GROOM LAKE #1 - The truth is out, er, under there? In the remote Nevada desert there sits a dry lakebed called Groom Lake, and under that land resides a secret base that holds all the secrets of the world. Not this world, either. Writer Chris Ryall and artist Ben Templesmith present a four-part tale of abductions and probings, conspiracies and secrets. And the key to it all is held in the grey, six-fingered hand of one Ng Hudson.

HAMAZING SPIDER-MAD - Funny wild boar Zannablù finds a job as a sidekick of a superhero-to-be, who gets himself purposely bitten by a radioactive spider to obtain its powers. The results, rather than heroic, are catastrophic! Meanwhile Norman Ospork has become a weird guy in a green mask and New Pork is in danger!

INVINCIBLE #60 - THE CROSSOVER EVENT OF THE DECADE! Invincible is drawn into company-wide crossover event done in ONE oversized issue! SPAWN! SAVAGE DRAGON! YOUNGBLOOD! SHADOWHAWK! CYBERFORCE! PITT! ULTRA! and many, many more all here for one issue - don't miss it!

JOHNNY MONSTER #2 - SPECIAL GUEST: FIREBREATHER! Johnny Monster is busted, his secrets have been revealed, his fans are pissed and the government has no choice but to hire violent mercenaries to hunt down and kill the monsters Johnny calls family! And to make matters worse he is trapped by an angry tentacle beast and the only person that can save him is� Firebreather!

MEN OF MYSTERY #78 - Another issue of 100% quality- Quality Comics that is, as Everett Arnold's late, great comic house of the 1940's and early '50's is the complete focus of this volume of MOM. Inside Mike Machlan's superb Jack Kirby homage cover of Quality Comic's MANHUNTER you'll find that very same character himself in the lead story, as a criminal convention nominates a team of underworld killers to try to take out The MANHUNTER and his dog THOR, in an unnamed story originally seen in Police Comics #25, with art by Reed Crandall and Rudy Palais. Then, it's Paul Gustavson's JESTER, wherin the laughing clown of crimefighting breaks up a phoney charity casino scam in a vintage tale from Smash Comics #34, followed by Jim Mooney and Robert Turner's groundbreaking "good girl" art superheroine, WILDFIRE ; who stops a vicious gang of killers intent on destroying America's oil fields in a story from Smash Comics #30. Next, LADY LUCK breaks up a Japanese plot to devastate the US with bubonic plague in a screwball drama drawn by Klaus Nordling, followed by the MOM debut of a never-previously-reprinted Quality hero- The MARKSMAN!! Polish Baron Povalski leads a TRIPLE life in occupied Europe of WWII; "haunting" his own ancestral castle (taken over by Nazi forces as a local headquarters), he infiltrates the enemy forces themselves disguised as "German" Major Hurtz, and using the information he gleans in that guise to thwart Nazi plans as the cloaked, bow-wielding MARKSMAN, in an untitled story from Smash #34. Then, it's another MOM first-timer, The RED TORPEDO!! A mysterious masked vigilante pilots his navagible, one-man torpedo in a quest to keep the high seas safe, in an H. C. Kiefer-drawn story from Crack Comics #5; followed my the return of an old nemesis in a feature-length DOLLMAN adventure drawn by John Spranger. The UNDERTAKER returns in "The Million Dollar Corpse", from late in the run of Dollman Comics. Then, it's Pete Trask- T-MAN in "The Voice of Russia", from T-Man Comics. The courageous government undercover agent must block a Soviet plot to over-broadcast the Voice of America radio program with Communist lies. Art by W. G. Hargis. Finally, this issues' THIRD debut character, The UNKNOWN rings in as he fights the Axis powers inside the occupied areas of the Balkans in an untitled story (drawn by Bernie Klein) from National Comics. As always, Men of Mystery is 64 pages of crisp, clean, full-story black & white reprints from actual Golden Age comics.

PUNISHER #3 - The only thing standing between the new king of crime and his dark reign of New York is a lone soldier doing what none of the capes will: taking out the bad guys permanently. Frank Castle has torn open an artery of the most feared crime family in the history of New York, and it will not go unanswered. A lesson must be taught - a bloody, public lesson. How can the Punisher possibly contend? With an arsenal of the most powerful weapons in the Marvel Universe - and a smile

ULTIMATE X-MEN #100 - Xavier's School for Gifted Students was a sanctuary for young mutants�but in the wake of Ultimatum, it's starting to look more like a graveyard. Don't miss this groundbreaking series' final issue as the scattered X-Men pull together to stand united in the face of extinction!

ULTIMATUM #3 - The saga that will change the Ultimate Universe continues! What is Magneto's true plan? Can he be stopped before all the heroes die? And in the end, what fate is in store for The Fantastic Four? The Ultimates? Even Spider-Man?

UNCANNY X-MEN #507 - The secret of the Cooperstown Massacre goes worldwide and anti-mutant hysteria explodes nationwide. If Scott and Emma don't trust each other, how can mutantkind keep it together? Beast and the newly-assembled science team fight for their lives on Hokkaido Island...and the Angel's deepest, darkest secret is revealed to all present. Uh-oh. Innocent lives are trapped between the Russian mob and everybody's favorite heartbroken mutant Colossus, fighting along against old-world horrors that have followed him here. Oh! And the Sisterhood is finally assembled and ready to destroy the X-Men once and for all.

X-FACTOR #41 - Maru. Mr. Tryp. X-Cell. The Isolationist. Madrox has gone against his fair share of unseemly and unfamiliar antagonists of late, but some villains never go out of style. Like Sentinels. Big, honking Sentinels. Oh yes, this is going to be fun!

X-MEN LEGACY #222 - Rogue's past comes back to haunt not only her, but Professor X and Gambit. The horrors of the past are brought here by a mysterious villain who has a beef with the X-Men that they plan on settling here and now. You may not believe it, but the villain CAN win.

ZOMBIES THAT ATE THE WORLD #2 - In a hilarious homage to the zombie genre as only Jerry Frissen and Guy Davis could depict it. The entire world must change to confront the emergence of zombie life in this all new edition of a comics masterpiece from DDP and Humanoids!

Cool New Titles in May!

2009-03-10T10:06:00.001-04:00

From the March Previews, check out these cool new Indy titles coming out in May!

BOMB QUEEN PRESENTS: ALL GIRL COMICS

Story & Plot: Kristen Simon & Jim Valentino
Dialogue: Kat Cahill
Cover: Jimmie Robinson
Art: Seth Damoose
Publisher: Image Comics

Scheduled Release Date: May 27

Price: $3.50

Diamond Order Code: MAR092468

Bomb Queen! Dee Rail! Blacklight! Rebound! Editor Girl! Tempest! Fetish! The girls must work together to solve a problem that affects them all - something is rendering all the men in the world impotent! Bomb Queen reluctantly teams up with the super-heroines to find the culprit and save the human race - although not for that reason.

Tongue-in-cheek sexual situations (but probably not enough!), drawn by fan favorite artist Seth Damoose of I Hate Gallant Girl!

BUCK ROGERS #0

Writer: Scott Beatty
Art: Carlos Rafael
Main Cover: John Cassaday
Sneak Peek Cover: Alex Ross
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

Price: $0.25

Diamond Order Code: MAR094162

Join us as we present comicdom’s first hero — Buck Rogers… the first man out of time… the first man to be taken out of his present environment and put into the future!

The launch of Buck Rogers is in the tradition of Dynamite’s best-selling books at introductory pricing to allow readers and retailers to confidently order and check out our new series! Under a John Cassaday cover (Cassaday serves as series cover artist), writer Scott (Batman) Beatty and artist Carlos Rafael present an original 12 page comic book adventure – “The Death of Buck Rogers”! This is where it all begins and Dynamite’s plans for Buck Rogers follow the model that they’ve followed over the years beginning with Red Sonja, embracing the history of such classic characters, but giving them a modern edge for today’s audiences! All this, and for a quarter to introduce you to the new canon of Buck Rogers!

RAPTURE #1

Writer: Michael Oeming, Taki Soma
Artist: Michael Oeming
Colorist: Val Staples
Cover Artist: Michael Oeming
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Scheduled Release Date: May 27, 2009

Price: $2.99

Diamond Code: MAR090044

After warring for a century, Earth’s greatest champions and villains suddenly disappear, leaving the planet devastated. Like a rapture, the Powers are gone and humanity is left behind to pick up the pieces. Amongst this wreckage, two lovers, Evelyn and Gil, find themselves separated by a continent and will do anything to find each other again. But when a strange being named “The Word” turns Evelyn into a champion with an angelic spear, she finds the force of her love for Gil clashing with her newfound power. Love and destiny collide in what will become the worst breakup—ever.

Comic Catch: March 11, 2009

2009-03-09T18:32:00.000-04:00

ACTION COMICS #875 - To give the full details of this story would spoil the dramatic finale of the 'New Krypton' crossover, and we don't want to do that! Suffice to say, a 'World Without Superman' is a very dangerous place, indeed, and the only thing standing between the good (and not so good) folks of Earth and an impending shadow of doom are the all-new Nightwing and Flamebird! Eisner Award-winning writer Greg Rucka (FINAL CRISIS: REVELATIONS) teams with rising star Eddy Barrows (TEEN TITANS) to kick off a bold new era for ACTION COMICS!

ADAM LEGEND OF BLUE MARVEL #5 - It all comes down to this! The Blue Marvel and his greatest arch-nemesis, the virtually indestructible Anti-Man, face each other for the first time in over 45 years! The last time these two titans clashed, the villain was nearly killed and the hero’s life was all but destroyed. Now full circle, Adam Brashear, the Blue Marvel, stands up to reclaim the legacy that should have been his all along. But at what cost…?

BLACK TERROR #3 - Spinning out of Alex Ross' Project SUPERPOWERS is the first new ongoing series -- opening with a story arc by Ross, Krueger and Lilly!

In this issue, The Black Terror has bitten off more than he can chew on his quest to find out the ultimate fate of his sidekick, Tim. On this quest, he's run right into "The Patriots" and the battle leaves the Terror shaken, but at the end of it, he comes face-to-face with President West!

Featuring three incredible covers that span the ages: Alex Ross (main cover), Mike Lilly (1 in 10) and a “sketch: cover by Mark Texeira (1 in 15)! All covers will be printed on high-end card stock paper (similar to Marvel's Civil War and Secret Invasion)!

BPRD BLACK GODDESS #3 - As Johann faces the fight of his life, Abe and Kate learn the story of Victorian occultist Martin Gilfryd's transformation into Memnan Saa, the prophesied king of Hyporborea who would "tame fire to breed dragons."

Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, and drawn by Guy Davis, B.P.R.D.: The Black Goddess follows The Warning as part two of a trilogy that pulls together threads from the beginning of the series--and leaving the B.P.R.D. and the world forever changed.

FABLES #82 - In this special epilogue to “The Dark Ages” titled “Waiting for the Blues,” Boy Blue is back at the Farm, and he and Rose Red have finally had their no-holds-barred, all cards on the table conversation about love and marriage and the possibilities of finally getting together at long last. But is true love still possible between them – considering all of the trials and tribulations, bizarre sicknesses and rebound romances that have intervened? Or will Rose Red forevermore be waiting for the Blues? Oh yes, on another note, Bigby and Beast fight tooth and claw. It’s all leading up to the “Great Fables Crossover Event” beginning right on this issue's heels!

GHOST RIDER #33 - TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS,” PART 1 After the shocking events of last issue, the all-new Caretaker struggles to pick up the pieces of her life, but the mad dog man-mountain called The Deacon has other plans. Also, Caretaker gives us a special guided tour of the long sordid history of the Spirit of Vengeance in America, including glimpses of some previously unseen Ghost Riders of the past.

GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #11 - If Captain Marvel is no more, how is he here? With War of Kings about to explode across the galaxy, two of the Guardians face death itself! Drax and Quasar journey beyond the veil of life in a desperate quest to find Moondragon. But what is waiting for them on the other side, and will it ever let them return? It's a double shot of cosmic horror - that plants the seeds for where GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY is heading next!

LIFE AND TIMES OF SAVIOR 28 #1 - He is the first, and greatest, super hero: an American legend. But when tragedy forces Savior 28 to question the very beliefs that have guided him for seventy years, his life begins to unravel and his nation turns against him.

PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #68 - So much for Brotherly Love…Seems like everyone in Philadelphia won’t be content until they’re staring at the 200-pound corpse of Frank Castle. See, everybody’s gunning for the Punisher tonight—a crooked Mayor, a hot blonde, a pair of dirty ex-cops, a roving gang of executioners, the Russian mob…oh, and the Philly PD and FBI, too. And if none of the above get him, the clock will—thanks to the poison racing through Castle’s veins that will kill him in less than three hours.

STAND AMERICAN NIGHTMARES #1 - The second arc begins! The deadly super flu Captain Trips has devastated the country and now the few survivors must pick up the pieces and go on. Larry Underwood seeks escape from New York City. Lloyd contemplates an extremely unsavory dinner option in jail, and Stu Redman makes a desperate bid for freedom from his interrogators. Most ominous of all, the stange being called Randall Flagg continues his dread journey across the devastated landscape of America. You must not miss it!

SUPER HUMAN RESOURCES #1 - Tim joins the HR department of the world's greatest super-team. Let's hope that he survives the experience! (Because, um, he might not... just saying.) 'If you ever had a job, Super Human Resources is funny. If you ever liked superheroes, Super Human Resources is very funny.' Joe Kelly (Writer: Spider-Man, JLA, Deadpool.)

SUPER-ZOMBIES #1 - 1. Super -Zombie /'super/ [soo-per zom-bee]
-noun
a. flesh eaters with super powers.
2. Super -Zombies /'super/ [soo-per zom-bees]
-noun, plural
The next BIG hit from DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT!

In a world filled with super-heroes, one man stands apart, Neuron, once known as Bernard Jaeger, the man responsible for saving the world, most particularly from the KHR SYNDROME. But it was this very plague which began to change the world forever, filling its population of super heroes with a deadly new hunger - a hunger for human flesh!

TITANS #11 - Shaken by the loss of one of their teammates, the Titans attempt to regroup and move on. But they discover that their problems aren't even close to over as their past comes back to haunt them in this prelude to the major “Deathtrap” crossover with TEEN TITANS starting next month!

WALKING DEAD #59 - Overwhelmed!