Indies Previews for December Part 3 of 3

The last bit

Oni Press Inc.
Last Call Vol. 02 GN by (w/a/c) Vasilis Lolos
The Ghost Train is the unearthly engine that travels between dimensions and through the void of space and time. When two normal teenagers, Alec and Sam, mysteriously end up on the train, they're thrown into a world unlike any they've ever seen and in the middle of a killing spree more chilling than anything they could have imagined! After being separated in Volume 1, the pair finally find one another, but it's not the reunion either one expects. Alec has aged ten years while Sam has only been on his own for ten hours! There's no time for the two to catch up though! There's still the issue of who is murdering the passengers and how it's connected to the boy's appearance on the train! 160 pgs, 5x7, B-W, $12.99
Lee: Well, let's see, Vol 1 was published in 2007 so it’s ok if you don’t remember the story. But, since by accident I found my copy the other day I can tell you that this was very, very good. It had both excellent story and art. It's well worth reading and I am ordering this... I just hope it's less than 5 yrs before the next book.  Or I hope there's a conclusion.
Thomm: A good premise and a good looking book. Of course, I’ll have to track down the first volume if I’m going to get this one.

Indies Previews for December Part 2 of 3

Continued from yesterday!

Drawn And Quarterly Don't Go Where I Can't Follow HC by (w/a/c) Anders Nilsen
In this collection of letters, drawings, and photos, Anders Nilsen chronicles a six-year relationship and the illness that brought it to an end. Don't Go Where I Can't Follow is an eloquent appreciation of the time the author shared with his fiancée, Cheryl Weaver. The story is told using artifacts of the couple's life together, including early love notes, simple and poetic postcards, tales of their travels in written and comics form, journal entries, and drawings done in the hospital in her final days. Don't Go Where I Can't Follow is a deeply personal romance, and a universal reminder of our mortality and the significance of the relationships we build. 96 pgs, FC, 6x10, $19.95
Lee: And I dub this the months best depression fest.  I think it's great that Nilsen did this but I can't help but feel it's gonna be sad.  It's worth checking out if you like real life stuff.
Thomm: Depression is obviously a central element to this book. Can Nilsen make it more than just a tear-jerker? I would hope so, but I don’t know enough about him or his work to say.

5 more below the break.  Many of which are happier than the last book!

Indies Previews for December Part 1 of 3

Thomm: This ought to be interesting. Lee picks but I comment first. Mostly first.
Lee: Well, nothing really new here, I got caught behind so I figured Thomm could read my mind and try to figure out what I was thinking.  Let's see how he did.

:01 First Second

Tune Sumo GN by (w/A/C) Thien Pham

Scott is a washed-up football player who never made it, and whose girlfriend abandoned him along with his dreams of playing pro football. But things have a way of working out, in this sweet, poetic tale - and a new chapter in Scott's life begins as the old one ends. Offered a position in a Japanese sumo training stable, Scott abandons his old life, his old name, and even his old hair color, and becomes an aspiring sumo wrestler. And in so doing, he begins to find some kind of center in himself, a center that had seemed lost for good. 112 pgs, 6x9, FC, $14.99
Thomm: And that center is rice. Lots and lots of rice. Well, that’s usually a sumo’s diet. Hard to get a read on whether this will be good. It’s a small look at life kind of thing, which is appealing and can be very good when done right.
Lee: This looks really cool.  I am totally getting sucked in by the cover art but that's nothing new for me.  The story sounds good and the art looks like a minimalist-cartoony blend.  It's certainly worth checking out.

DC Previews for December

Jim: A bit of news, my daughter Gwen used to do these with me, but work and real life has taken her away from being able to do anything with the blog for awhile. One of those “things” was the birth of her and her husband’s son on October 7. So I now have the task of making sure Henry is a comic book fan also.

Lee:  Stepping up to take Gwen's place is... none other than... drum roll please... me!  I haven't done DC in a long, long time so this will be interesting.

Onto the DC preview review. One important question how long does it get to be the “New 52”? Is that still going to be the cover blurb forever?

BEFORE WATCHMEN: MOLOCH #2
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Art and cover by EDUARDO RISSO
Backup story written and illustrated by JOHN HIGGINS
1:25 Variant cover by OLLY MOSS
On sale DECEMBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, 2 of 2, $3.99 US
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US • MATURE READERS
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for more information.
“We are doing great things here, Edgar. Amazing things.”
And don’t miss the latest chapter of the “Crimson Corsair” backup feature from writer/artist JOHN HIGGINS!

Jim: Not sure why they needed an additional two books in the Before Watchmen group and oddly JMS’ work has been looking like the weakest of the books. A pretty good set of books when JMS’ stuff is the weakest. While I look forward to JMS’ work I know he has misses as well as hits in his stuff. Risso on art is an exciting addition. All in all I think for all the hand wringing by people over the BW stuff, it has been well done and entertaining. I think, heck Moore’s work was derivative and built on other people’s work, so what if someone builds on his stuff. And…. Watchmen was not the greatest comic of all time (I can hear the cries of heretic now.).

Lee:  I think you are giving this group of mini-series way to much credit.  Silk Spectre is very good but after that... ummm, it's ok superheroes.  It can be argued if Watchmen was the greatest ever, but it's is still one of the greatest.  I think you judging by today's standards and forget what it was like at the time.

Dark Horse Previews for December

Lee: This week is all about Thomm. I saw lots of interesting things but I couldn’t decide if they were good or not. So… it’s all you Thomm. It’s up to you to make or break the selections. No pressure.

Thomm: Yes! Bow down, ye creators desperately seeking a decent income!

THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERHERO GIRL HC

Faith Erin Hicks (W/A/Cover) and Cris Peter (C)

FC, 112 pages, $16.99, HC, 10 13/16” x 6 5/8”
What if you can leap tall buildings and defeat alien monsters with your bare hands, but you buy your capes at secondhand stores and have a weakness for kittens? Cartoonist Faith Erin Hicks brings charming humor to the trials and tribulations of a young, female superhero, battling monsters both supernatural and mundane in an all-too-ordinary world. A lighthearted twist on the superhero genre!
You can read Hicks Wolverine story here.
Lee: I have been reading Hicks’ work for a long time now. She has never failed to provide a good story and this looks to be more of the same. It’s guaranteed to please.
Thomm: A welcome respite from the “What if Superman went evil and destroyed the world,” theorem. What if Superman (or Superwoman) just wanted to piddle around in the garden? Now that’s something screaming for an answer.

Lots more below the break.  I was feeling wordy this month.

Image Previews for December

Lee: Image continues to produce really strong series but they need to improve on their hype writing skills. Once we get past the first, very obvious pick I start to examine what makes books interesting.
Thomm: That’s probably the Kirkman influence. He’s been the master of brevity for Invincible and The Walking Dead promos for years. Works fine for those books that already have a loyal following and good word of mouth, but not so much for lesser known works.

MARA #1 (of 6)

story Brian Wood
art / cover Ming Doyle - Jordie Bellaire
32 Pages / FC / M / $2.99
Acclaimed creator Brian Wood (The Massive, DMZ, Demo, Northlanders) and brilliant newcomer Ming Doyle (The Loneliest Astronaut, Fantastic Four, Girl Comics) bring you MARA, the story of an especially gifted woman in a sports-and war-obsessed future. Young Mara Prince is at the top of the world, a global celebrity in a culture that prizes physical achievement above all else. After she manifests supernatural abilities on live TV, she becomes famous all over again but for the worst reasons. Integrating themes of superpowers, celebrity worship, corporate power, feminism, and political brinksmanship, MARA takes a classic genre to new places.
Lee: It’s Brian Wood so I am going to get it. But I do wonder with all the books he’s currently writing is he burning out. Probably not on this one so I’m sold.
Thomm: I generally like Wood’s work, though I’m on the fence with The Massive right now. The title caught my eye first because I recall a soft porn book called Mara of the Celts from a couple decades ago. I almost hoped he was re-visiting that, as I’m sure Wood would make it far more interesting than the original.

5 more below the break!

Indies Previews for November

Lee: Gwen is taking a slight leave so everyone, please welcome Thomm to the Indies review. Let’s see how much extra money I start costing him now.
Thomm: You wish you were that persuasive.

Fantagraphics Books
Cartoon Utopia HC by (w/A/C) Ron Regé Jr.
The Cartoon Utopia is a unique work of comic art that is part sci-fi, part philosophy, part visual poetry, and part social manifesto. Regé's work exudes psychedelia, outsider rawness, and pure cartoonish joy and displays a passionate optimistic idealism that sets him apart from his peers. 144 pgs, b-w, 10x12, $24.99 Visit the artist here. 
Lee: I’m all for more optimistic idealism. The world definitely needs more optimism. Based on the write up, if you’re into alternative comics then this should be great.
Thomm: I’d like a bit more on the substance of the book. Is there any semblance of story? Psychedelia has its uses but a story is necessary, for me.

Seven more below the break.  Read on!

Dark Horse Previews for November

Lee: And now that we’re back in a groove, let’s look at DH for the month.

Thomm: Woo-hoo! We’re back with Previews for fun covers, hopefully content worth our time, and all around loquaciousness.

47 RONIN #1 (of 5)
Mike Richardson (W) and Stan Sakai (A/Cover)
FC, 32 pages, $3.99
Among the best-known tales in Japanese history, the legend of the 47 Ronin and their epic mission to avenge their disgraced master epitomizes the samurai code of honor. It has been said, “To know the story of the 47 Ronin is to know Japan.” Retold through the ages, the legend at last comes to comics in a meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated miniseries from Mike Richardson, Stan Sakai, and editorial consultant Kazuo Koike! Recounting this sweeping tale of honor and violence in all its grandeur, chapter one details the tragic incident that would seal the fate of Lord Asano and set forty-seven of his vassals on a years-long path of vengeance!
Lee: This is all about Sakai! I love his art and always look forward to any work he does outside of Usagi. This should be really good.
Thomm: I wouldn’t sell Richardson short, either. I’m most familiar with his editorial work, but he’s done bits here and there that I’ve enjoyed, too. And I think he knows the subject matter well.

5 more below the break

IDW Preview Review for November

I’m running solo again with some commentary (unless one of my compatriots wants to add commentary after the fact) on selected IDW offerings. In general I consider IDW to be the premier publisher of hard cover collections. They will have some higher cost offerings, but every hard cover collection I have gotten from them is a quality product. The comic book offerings are a mixed bag of licensed material and original material, but the licensed side appears to be a method for a smaller publisher to guarantee a built in audience for some of their books. Also IDW appears to give thoughtful consideration to what they do with their licensed characters and care about what they produce.

JUDGE DREDD #1

Written by Duane Swierczynski, art by Nelson Daniel, Paul Gulacy, cover(s) by Zach Howard, Ashley Wood, Jim Starlin, Whilce Portacio.

In the 22nd century, crime runs rampant in Mega-City One, home to over 400 million citizens, robots, criminals and lunatics. The only line of defense between anarchy and chaos are... the Judges. And Judge Dredd is the toughest of them all. In this, Judge Dredd's 35th anniversary year, IDW is proud to re-introduce Judge Dredd to America in this all-new ongoing series. 32 pages, $3.99. 

Jim: I’m happy to see Judge Dredd back. I have not read any Dredd adventures for a long time and it is fun to see this series come under the IDW umbrella. The old 2000 AD material was so raw and Dredd was an uncompromising character. I hope those elements remain in the book coming out in a more PC time. I also loved the Cursed Earth story lines and enjoy many of the supporting characters. It is safe to say that I’m excited to see this US revival.

Indies Previews for October Part 3 of 3

The conclusion.

NBM
Treasury of a Victorian Murder Compendium Vol. 01 by (w/a/c) Rick Geary
In this first omnibus volume from Geary's increasingly storied Treasuries of Murder: the first trilogy of murders that made up the very first volume of this series, Jack the Ripper as only he can narrate it, The Beast of Chicago about H.H. Holmes, possibly the first serial murderer with chilling methodical means and The Fatal Bullet about the assassination of president James Garfield. 6x9, B-W, 228 pgs, $24.99
Lee:  Jim and I have been reading books in the Victorian Murder series for years so now is your time to catch up.  This are incredibly insightful books about true crime.  Very often, gruesome true crime!  This is highly recommended for everyone.

Indies Previews for October Part 2 of 3

Continued from yesterday...

Gingko Press
Steampunk: The Beginning SC ny (W) James P. Blaylock
Steampunk: The Beginning features over 80 illustrations of characters and scenes from three seminal Steampunk novels: Homonculus (1986) by James Blaylock, Infernal Devices (1987) by K.W. Jeter, and Anubis Gates (1983) by Tim Powers. All three authors were students at Cal State Fullerton in the 1970s, where they wrote early Steampunk short stories. Fittingly, the illustrations found in Steampunk: The Beginning are all by Cal State Fullerton students, alumni, and faculty. Essays by the original Steampunks James P. Blaylock, K.W. Jeter and Tim Powers bring the project full-circle. FC, 10x11, 120 pgs, $24.95
Lee:  Actually, I really don't care about this book.  I'm sure it's interesting n'all but it makes me feel m'eh.  BUT, it does make me want to read the three books it references.  I am always looking for a good book and this gave me some great places to start.

Indies Previews for October Part 1 of 3

Lee: It was fun having a month off.  Actually it was a much needed break.  The thing I missed the most was the Indies preview selection.  So, on short notice, let me catch up.

:01 First Second
Tune: Vanishing Point SC by (w/A/C) Derek Kirk Kim
Andy's life is going nowhere, fast. He left art school with his career all worked out ahead of time, but to say it didn't work out is the understatement of the century. Unemployed and living with his overbearing parents, Andy struggles to keep sight of the lofty goals that once drove him. But it's hard, even when he reconnects with his old art school crush, Yumi. Things look better, briefly, with Yumi back in the picture and an actual job offer on the table. But then Andy takes the job offer - to work at a zoo - and finds himself in an alternate dimension. The zoo? Is run by aliens. The exhibit? Is him. FC, 6x9, 160 pgs, $16.99
Read the first issue here.  Visit the artist here.
Lee:  Sometimes you just need a fun book that helps to pass the time.  This looks like that book.  Nothing deep, nothing meaningful, just a whole lotta laughs. 

Dark Horse Previews for September

Lee: And now for something completely different… I picked the books and Thomm is commenting first. So he has no idea why I picked them, or for that matter, why he would care. Oh well! On with the shhhhoooooowwwww!
Thomm: That’s not really different. I never know what’s going on inside your head, even when you write something.

GHOST #0
Kelly Sue DeConnick (W), Phil Noto (A), and Jenny Frison (Cover)
FC, 32 pages, $2.99, Miniseries
Former journalist Vaughn Barnes has been reduced to moonlighting as cameraman for the shoddy paranormal-investigation cable TV show Phantom Finders. But when a curious device summons the specter of a beautiful, translucent woman, Vaughn is plunged into a mystery of criminal intrigue that spans two worlds! Kelly Sue DeConnick and Phil Noto launch their exciting new take on one of Dark Horse’s most popular characters ever!
Thomm: I have read one installment of this in Dark Horse Presents. It looks good, but it’s too early for me to tell if it’s worth a long run. I’m gathering this is an existing character from an earlier era, but I don’t know those stories, either.
Lee: I can't help but think that Ghost would have been a long lost character if it weren't for Adam Hughes.  I am sure Noto's art looks wonderful but I am not sure the character has any appeal. 

Four more below the break.

Image Previews for September

Thomm: What will Lee’s mysterious reasoning for picking books be this time? Or are we back to the totally random?

Gwen: We may never know since Lee's power is out.

HAPPY! #1 (of 4)
story Grant Morrison
art / cover Darick Robertson
32 Pages / FC / $2.99
Meet Nick Sax - a corrupt, intoxicated ex-cop turned hit-man, adrift in a stinking twilight world of casual murder, soulless sex, eczema and betrayal. With a hit gone wrong, a bullet in his side, the cops and the mob on his tail, and a monstrous child killer in a Santa suit on the loose, Nick and his world will be changed forever this Christmas. By a tiny blue horse called Happy...
Lee: I’m waiting for the trade on this one but Morrison uninhibited by any type of continuity is always a good thing.
Thomm: Or not. I’m not the Morrison fan that certain other writers on this blog are. Too much self-absorption for me.




GUARDING THE GLOBE #1
story Phil Hester
art / wraparound cover Todd Nauck - John Rauch
32 Pages / FC / $2.99
The Guardians of the Globe are BACK in an all-new, all-exciting ongoing series! Your favorite heroes – Brit, Outrun, Invincible, Robot, Yeti, Kaboomerang, and more –face new challenges of epic proportions in stories by the all-star team of Phil Hester - Todd Nauck!
Lee: Didn’t you read the last Guardians book? I can’t imagine there is that much demand for this but maybe the last series was that good. Thomm, it’s up to you to see this one.
Thomm: No, the last one was a major disappointment. This is a new creative team, so maybe it’ll go in a better direction, but from what I can tell we’re looking at the same villain lurking in the shadows, and he was the main disappointment with the last series. I’ll be skipping this.



THIEF OF THIEVES, VOL. 1 TP
story Robert Kirkman - Nick Spencer
art/cover Shawn Martinbrough - Felix Serrano
152 Pages / FC / $14.99
Conrad Paulson lives a secret double life as master thief Redmond. There is nothing he can't steal, nothing he can't have... except for the life he left behind. Now with a grown son he hardly knows, and an ex-wife he never stopped loving, Conrad must try to piece together what's left of his life, before the FBI finally catch up to him... but it appears they are the least of his worries. Collects Thief Of Thieves #1-7
Lee: 152 pgs for $15? Sign me up! I don’t think people have loved it as much as they thought they would, but that’s a whole lotta book for not that much money. It’s worth trying at this price.
Thomm: It’s been a good book so far. As of this writing it’s up to the 5th issue, so I’ll be able to say more on it once it hits 7 and has wrapped the first arc. I rather like the cop chasing the protagonist better than the protagonist in this book.


HAUNT, VOL. 4 TP
story Joe Casey
art Nathan Fox - John Lucas
cover Nathan Fox
140 Pages / FC / $14.99
In a bold new direction writer Joe Casey and artist Nathan Fox flip the Haunt series on its head. Still figuring out their newfound ability, brothers Daniel and Kurt Kilgore start experiencing the dark side of their powers, and no one is safe. Collects Haunt #19-25
Lee: Huh? Who? How come this is 7 issues for $15, just like Thief above but this is only 140 pgs? What’s the difference? Anyway, I really like Casey, and I really like Fox-Lucas and that may be enough to overcome my lack of caring about Haunt. Casey is so hit-miss that this will either be great or just plain awful.
Thomm: It can’t be worse than the original team. Not enough Kirkman and too much McFarlane, I think. No surprise there, considering how extended Kirkman is these days, but I gave away that entire run as soon as it ended.



THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #7
story Jonathan Hickman
art Nick Pitarra - Jordie Bellaire
32 Pages / FC / $3.50
"Above And Beyond" At a top Secret meeting in Iceland, the Americans and Russians have a world-shattering encounter with the Science tyrants of the Manhattan Projects.
Lee: I think this is a good book, or at least rumor has that it’s a good book, but wow are these covers dull. The first one was unique but this is the third variation of the exact same thing. Dull dull dull.
Thomm: I wasn’t impressed with the previews I read and haven’t heard anything since it’s been ongoing. I’m not a big Hickman guy, either, so I can’t really say if this is worth getting.

Thomm: A lot of single issues or recently collected new series in the picking this month. I think Thief of Thieves is the best bet in the bunch.

Gwen: You can all thank me for the pictures!

Indies Previews for August Part 3 of 3

Sterling Publishing
Princess of Mars Illustrated Classics GN by (w) Ian Edginton (a/c) I. N. J. Culbard
I was filled with a terrible, single purpose ... to survive! First serialized a century ago as Under the Moons of Mars, Edgar Rice Burroughs's planetary romance is recognized today as a genre-bending pulp-fiction classic, more influential even than the Tarzan stories that earned its author fortune and fame. Perhaps the founding text of modern sci-fi, its doomed love story (between the heroic explorer John Carter and Dejah Thoris, The Princess of Mars) was the first to imagine the green men of the Red Planet! 136 pgs. $15.95.  Visit the artist here.
Lee: There have been more comics about John Carter in the last year than you can shake a stick at. It’s been ridiculous. So why would I pick this one? I think this will be closer to a true adaption than the others. And I believe this won’t be a book filled with gratuitous t-n-a. I love the Mars books and Edginton is an excellent, established writer whom I think will do the books justice.  Let's not forget that the art is by Culbard, currently the New Deadwardians artist so that will be good too!
Gwen: Doomed love story?? Maybe they only read the first book... I'm pretty sure I have the artist's adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles and I remember liking it. From what I can find online it does seem to be a faithful adaptation which is good. I'll end up with a copy since I have almost every version of this book out there (since A Princess of Mars is the best book ever written). Seriously, I have a shelf just for Princess of Mars. Okay, maybe only part of a shelf for this book specifically as the other books in the series take up some room too. Also, this is already out, you can buy it from Amazon.

The final 6 below the break

Indies Previews for August Part 2 of 3

Fulcrum Publishing
District Comics: Unconventional History of Washington DC GN by (w) Scott O. Brown (a) Various
District Comics is a graphic anthology featuring lesser-known stories about Washington, DC, from its earliest days as a rustic settlement along the swampy banks of the Potomac to the modern-day metropolis. Spanning 1794-2009, District Comics stops along the way for a duel, a drink in the Senate's speakeasy, a look into the punk scene, and much more. 256 pgs, $24.95 Read the Amazon hype here, but buy the book from your local LCS!
Lee: I hate using Amazon to hype a book but there’s a better list of artists/writers and their accomplishments there. This is full of talented people and since I live relatively close to DC I think it will be fun. DC really is an interesting city and I can’t pass up a chance to learn more about it.
Gwen:I wonder if they'll talk about how the first attempt sunk into the swamp. Anyway Lee, what's wrong with Amazon hype? I love Amazon, the customer reviews can be really helpful if you know what types of pros and cons you're looking for.

6 more below the break

Indies Previews for August Part 1 of 3

Lee: Everytime I think it's gonna be a light month, I seem to find a ton of books to talk about.  I could limit myself but why...
Gwen: Another 3 parter. Let's dive right in!

Abrams Comicarts
Economix: How & Why Our Economy Works & Doesn't Work GN by (w) Michael Goodwin (a/c) Dan Burr
Stimulus plans: good or bad? Free markets: How free are they? Jobs: Can we afford them? Occupy Wall Street... worldwide! Everybody's talking about the economy, but how can we, the people, understand what Wall Street or Washington knows - or say they know? With clear, witty writing and quirky, accessible art, this important and timely graphic novel transforms the dismal science of economics into a fun, fact-filled story about human nature and our attempts to make the most of what we've got. It's the essential, accessible guide to understanding the economy and economic practices. 304 pgs. $19.95
Lee: The market has been flooded with these ‘explanation’ books lately. Between philosophy, history of comics, and now this I think I am just about done with them. That said, this one certainly looks interesting and in this day and age, anything that can simplify world economics for the masses has got to be a good thing. AND, the art is really good too! Burr was the artist on an early, super-amazing gn, Kings in Disguise.
Gwen: I'm a fan of putting topics like this into comic book form. I loved Action Philosophers not only because it was fun but it was also educational. Let's face it, there are a lot of people interested in a variety of topics but not everyone wants to pick up any old dry book on something like economics. Having a comic book alternative is a great way to get such info out to the public. 

Image Previews for August

Lee: And we’re on a roll folks! Image continues to shine with more and more good stuff. They have actually started to account for more of my monthly budget than DC.
Thomm: Considering how things are with DC, that’s not surprising. Oddly, I may be the most satisfied with DC amongst our dedicated staff of writers. Then again, I shop by creators rather than publisher.

THINK TANK #1
story Matt Hawkins art / cover Rahsan Ekedal - Brian Reber
32 Pages / BW / $3.99
Fighting The Man… With Science! Dr. David Loren is many things: child prodigy, inventor, genius, slacker… mass murderer. When a military think tank’s smartest scientist decides he can no longer stomach creating weapons of destruction, will he be able to think his way out of his dilemma or find himself subject to the machinations of smaller men?
Lee: I can’t help but feel that I’ve read this story somewhere before but I can’t figure out where. No matter, I love the idea of super smart man fights the system. And with all the other great stuff Image has been putting out lately I’m good for the first issue.
Thomm: If I’m reading this right, anyone who invents something that kills people is a mass murderer. Plus, I don’t think our blurb writer understands what a think tank is. Those people sit and think and write stuff. They don’t make stuff. This may be a fun read, but the blurb is irritatingly linguistically flawed.

Five more below the break...

IDW Previews for August

Lee: And we’ve officially reached the end of the summer in previews land. The last of the last before the big countdown to Christmas… which should start next month. Actually, it already started at Dark Horse.

Thomm: As any retailer knows, the earlier Christmas shopping starts, the better. It’s not about some guy who rose from the dead later. It’s about profits rising.

The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom #1 (of 4)
Mark Waid (w) • Chris Samnee (a) • Samnee, Dave Stevens (c)
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Rocketeer with an all-new full-length series!
A ship docks in Los Angeles harbor from a far-off and exotic locale—with a big, mysterious… and living… cargo! Danger and mayhem abound as our hero leaps into the fray! Plus, we introduce a lovely new character who will be vying against Betty for Cliff’s affections! FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Lee: I’m not completely sold on the Rocketeer character but I am sold on this creative team. Waid’s been doing some great stuff lately, and Samnee is criminally underrated. Those two alone make it worth the investment.
Thomm: Waid’s the big draw for me here. I haven’t but so much experience with the Rocketeer, but Waid’s consistently good to great in his writing.

5 more below the break...

Dark Horse Previews for August

Lee: DH is a strange little company. I really like them and all their offerings but it always seems… I don’t know… static. Not this month! Wow oh wow do they have a ton of great books coming out. And, to keep the post short, I actually had to skip a couple.
Thomm: DH has a nice variety of things, so a short post is not easy.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE NIGHT THAT CHANGED THE LIFE OF ELIZA SCROOGE HC
Rod Espinosa (W/A/Cover)
FC, 100 pages, $19.99, 6 5/8” x 10 3/16”
Charles Dickens’s holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, is given a fresh twist—with a female Scrooge! Rod Espinosa (The Courageous Princess) adapts and illustrates this story of the miserly Eliza Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of the past, present, and future on one fateful Christmas eve. This hardcover volume makes a perfect gift for the coming season!
Lee: Now this is interesting. DH is smart enough to solicit this wwwaaayyyy in advance of Christmas. It’s semi-annoying but it has built in lag just in case there’s problems at the printers. As for the story… I like it. It sounds like a fun twist on a traditional tale.
Thomm: I’d wager the female Scrooge has been done somewhere already. As many TV shows have done a riff on it, it’s almost a certainty. Doesn’t mean this isn’t good, but it’s not all that original. I’ll stand by my favorite, the WKRP version.

Six more below the break...