What I’m Getting Wednesday August 12

Healthcare reform is all over the news and regardless of what you think the US is trying to move to a single payer system, i.e. the government runs it. Surprise I’m against it. Our healthcare system is royally screwed up, but you don’t fix it by adding a government bureaucracy on top of it. I think we have to strip away everything and start with is healthcare a right or a service? If you say it is a right, then maybe the government run system is the only way to go. If you say a service, then we have to change the whole system. Right now my personal doctor will not accept Blue Cross/ Blue Shield health insurance, but I think he is a good doctor and I go to him and pay out of pocket. I can than submit the bill the Blue Cross / Blue Shield and I’m reimbursed for what they are willing to pay for the service. This is fair to me. Healthcare to me needs to be fixed in increments as there are so many troubling aspects with the way the system works, but if you think a government run healthcare system is going to be better I would just remind you there are no free lunches. So let’s work on reforming healthcare, but do things slowly and with forethought, tort reform, doing away with Medicare/Medicaid, allowing emergency rooms to not provide service if someone cannot provide insurance or payment, lots of things can fix the system before I want my having to see my doctor on the sly and paying everything in cash.

The books I’m looking forward to most this week are:

Adventure Comics #1 – I’m looking forward to this Superboy series and curious to see what the Starman back-up will be like. The Superboy character has always been a strange duck and I’m never sure it can ever work, but let’s see what Geoff Johns can do with it. The word “Written by Geoff Johns; Art by Francis Manapul, co-feature art by Clayton Henry Covers by Francis Manapul. It's the return of one of DC Comics' longest running books and one of its greatest modern-day heroes – Conner Kent! In our first heroic issue, Superboy can't wait to jump back into his life – but which life will it be? With a clarity he's never had before, Conner makes a beeline for the greatest place on Earth...Smallville? Plus, in the wake of FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS, Starman heads off on an all-new mission in the present. And it's one that will not only impact Superboy, but the future of the DC Universe itself. Fortunately, the off-kilter Legionnaire won't be dong it alone! And in the upcoming months of ADVENTURE COMICS look for Lex Luthor! Brainiac! Lightning Lad! Superboy's pal Simple Simon! Sun Boy and Polar Boy! Ultra, the Multi Alien! Wonder Girl! Black Lantern Alexander Luthor! And many, many more new and familiar faces!”

Blackest Night #2 (of 8) - Loved the first issue, and have enjoyed all the ancillary books to date. DC needs this to be a hit and it looks like it will be. The hype “Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert. The event of the summer continues! The dead rise across the DC Universe, bringing terror and darkness with them. What are the Black Lanterns? What do they want? Will Earth's greatest heroes survive long enough to find out – or will they join the Black Lantern Corps?”

Eerie Archives HC Volume 02 – I swear I will get around to reading all of these books one day and maybe sooner rather then later. Once my real world job eases up a bit this winter (I hope) is when I want to start hitting the hard covers more. Inside this volume “When publisher Jim Warren created Creepy magazine in 1962, he soon realized he'd hit pay dirt on a gruesome gold mine of great comics storytelling. Under the leadership of editor/writer Archie Goodwin, Warren's hit line of horror-comics magazines grew another lurid limb with the introduction of Eerie in 1964, and soon there were two great horror magazines on the rack instead of one. Following in the fetid footsteps of our sinfully successful archive library of Creepy, Dark Horse is also proudly publishing its Eerie equivalent -- keeping chilling stories and incredible artwork in the family! Includes astonishing artwork and classic stories from such comics legends as Gene Colan, Steve Ditko, Gray Morrow, Neal Adams, and Frank Frazetta!”

Green Lantern Corps #39 – I consider this and GL to be essential to the Blackest Night saga. I know they say you don’t have to read it, but I think the GL books are all core material. DC says “Written by Peter J. Tomasi; Art and cover by Patrick Gleason and Rebecca Buchman. Just when things couldn't look any darker after the death and chaos of the Sciencell riot, Blackest Night descends on Oa! The black rings tear into the planet and the Lantern Crypt causing all the dead Corps members to rise and wreak havoc as a new and deadlier battle threatens to engulf not only the Corps, but the Universe itself!”

Grimjack Manx Cat #1 – Ostrander and Truman back together again. This was being published online and is now finally being put in print, for me this is the best way to read it. Until digital is a hand held device, make my comics print. The scoop “The great IDW/ComicMix.com team-up begins right here! GrimJack is back, and caught in a quest for the deadly Manx Cat! Return with John Ostrander and Timothy Truman to the gritty land of Cynosure. This is the first time the story's ever been in comic book form, and to celebrate, we're giving you a full 26 pages of art and story!”

Marvel Comics #1 70th Anniversary – Only four Marvel books on my list and two made it to the top. This idea of taking the original material and letting modern colorist redo the book sounds fascinating. I have always wanted to see something like this. The press release says “Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Marvel Comics in style the best and brightest color-art talents in the field bring you a bold new look at the comic that started it all! From the first appearance of The Human Torch to the original jungle adventures of Ka-Zar and the incomparable introduction of Bill Everett's Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, each tale from Marvel Comics #1 has been paired with one of the field's most innovative color artists to create a fascinating contemporary take on these classic tales. Including contributions from the trend-setting talents of Dean White (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN; LOGAN), Dave McCaig (NEW AVENGERS; NEXTWAVE), Jason Keith (MIGHTY AVENGERS; SHANNA THE SHE-DEVIL), Morry Hollowell (CIVIL WAR; WOLVERINE) and Frank D'Armata (CAPTAIN AMERICA; HOUSE OF M), there's no question that this will be MARVEL COMICS #1 like you've never seen it before! So come join the party--including Marvel's mega-midnight birthday bash--and toast to the most important comic art achievement of 1939--2009-style!”

The Marvels Project #1 (of 8) - The self referential title is annoying, I blame Kurt Busiek for it. Still even with Ed having a miss with CA Reborn so far, I think this sounds like it could be fun. Marvel says “The centerpiece of Marvel's 70th Anniversary celebration! Who is the mysterious old man who lies on his deathbed in a hospital in 1939, and how does his passing mark the beginning of the first heroic age of the Marvel Universe and signal the rise of the superhumans? Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting unveil the defining story of the origin of the Marvel Universe, revealing the hidden connections that unite the earliest costumed champions, and whose reverberations are felt dramatically into the present day! It’s a world on the brink of war, and the race is on to create the world's first super-soldier! Witness the first days of the Human Torch, the Sub-Mariner, and many more-- how they shaped the world to come, and how the future they would create in turn shaped them! The must-read event of the season for any Marvel fan from the Award-Winning creators who redefined Captain America for the modern audience!”

The Red Circle Inferno – JMS did a great job with the Hangman and I expect nothing less with Inferno. I get the feeling JMS put a lot of time and effort in to giving these characters a foundation that will serve well for years to come. The marketing blather “Written by J. Michael Straczynski; Art by Greg Scott; Cover by Jesus Saiz. J. Michael Straczynski dives into the DC Universe at last – and he's bringing four of the finest heroes of the Golden and Silver Ages with him! Completely reimagined for the modern world from their original appearances in Archie/MLJ publications, these four heroes will show you a side of the DC Universe you've never seen before! The mysterious stranger was brought into the hospital with one name on his lips: "Frank Verrano." He has no memory of who he was, where he came from, or how he could possibly be the only survivor of a bombing attack on a cruise liner that killed hundreds of people. But as deep as that mystery runs, a violent attack on the hospital opens a deeper one. How can this man burst into flames…and survive? And why does the man who stands in those flames, the man know as the Inferno, look nothing like the one who stood in his place just seconds before? Blaze into this thrilling issue featuring art by Greg Scott (GOTHAM CENTRAL)!”

The rest of the list:

Action Comics #880 – Written by Greg Rucka; co-feature written by James Robinson and Rucka; Art by Julián López; co-feature art by CAFU; Cover by Fernando Dagnino and Raúl Fernandez."Codename: Patriot" part 2! Nightwing and Flamebird are hot on the trail of the psycho sleeper agents Nadira and Az-Rel when the heroes run into another deadly duo – Reactron and Metallo! What do these two want and how does it tie in with General Lane's plans? Meanwhile, Superman and Supergirl arrive on Earth searching for the shooter – but will their actions here cause more harm than good? Continued in SUPERGIRL #44! And in part 2 of the new co-feature, Captain Atom's memory is falling apart right in the heat of battle – can he keep it together without annihilating an entire town? Luckily a deadly new player is about to take that choice out of his hands – permanently!

Batman #689 - Written by Judd Winick; Art by Mark Bagley and Rob Hunter; Cover by Andy Kubert. "Long Shadows" continues! Batman forges ahead in his battle to retrieve the escapees from Arkham Asylum, while Two-Face begins a ground war of his own. Elsewhere, Penguin wants to become Gotham City's new king of crime, but to do so he has to make a deal with the devil.

Blackest Night Batman #1 (of 3) - Written by Peter J. Tomasi; Art by Adrian Saef and John Dell; Cover by Andy Kubert. Deadman can't shut out the cries of the dead rising as he comes to the aid of the new Batman. It's just in time, too, as the duo face a circus of zombies including the Black Lantern Flying Graysons! BLACKEST NIGHT blankets Gotham City in this 3-issue miniseries from writer Peter J. Tomasi (GREEN LANTERN CORPS, THE MIGHTY) and hot new talent Adrian Saef!

Booster Gold #23 – Written by Dan Jurgens; co-feature written by Matthew Sturges; Art and cover by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund; co-feature art by Mike Norton. "Day of Death" continues! Booster Gold reveals the Black Beetle's plan to wipe out the entire JLA by going after their most incompetent former member – Booster Gold! Plus, Blue Beetle comes face to face with the mad scientist who created the robot army that's destroying Texas!

BPRD 1947 #2 (of 5) - A chilling old-world vampire tale! As the rest of the team hunts for their missing man, a lone agent follows his mysterious benefactor further into the dark recesses of her world. Joshua Dysart (B.P.R.D.: 1946) and Hellboy creator Mike Mignola team up with sequential heartthrobs Gabriel Bá (The Umbrella Academy) and Fábio Moon (Sugarshock) for a new chapter in the hidden history of the B.P.R.D.! A direct sequel to the critically acclaimed B.P.R.D.: 1946! Art by Eisner Award-winning rising stars Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá!

Escape from Wonderland #1 (of 6) - Two years ago you returned to Wonderland with Calie Liddle, a scared teenager who was led into the realm of madness to fend for her life. Last year you witnessed as Calie found madness had reached Beyond Wonderland into this world. Now it is time to see Calie in an entirely new light as she transforms into the hero she was destined to become and attempts to save her baby girl from the grips of madness itself! It is time for Carol Ann Liddle to once and for all Escape from Wonderland!

Existence 2.0 #2 (of 3) - Sylvester the scientist has taken over Marko the assassin's body through a consciousness transfer, and as he desperately tries to find out who has kidnapped his daughter, he learns that a beautiful Russian assassin has been dispatched to take care of him! The closer he gets to finding the answers, the more questions there are to distract him!

Fables #87 – Written by Bill Willingham; Art by Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha; Cover by Joao Ruas. Part 1 of "Witches"! The business office got lost somewhere when Fabletown collapsed into ruins. Now Bufkin, the meek and mild flying monkey, is trapped inside with the evil witch Baba Yaga – and she's in a really bad mood. How is poor little Bufkin going to survive her tantrum? At the same time, Frau Totenkinder and the witches upstate at the Farm prepare to deal with Mister Dark down in what's left of Fabletown.

Farscape Dargo’s Trial #1 - He is a warrior. He is a Luxan. And he has a past. The tragedy behind one of Farscape’s greatest character’s is explored in this new mini-series. Before his life on Moya Ka D’Argo struggled to keep his marriage to a Sebacean woman alive under Peacekeeper pressure. And when D’Argo is under pressure… Written by FARSCAPE’s Keith R.A. DeCandido and Executive Produced by show creator Rockne S. O’Bannon.

Final Crisis Aftermath Escape #4 (of 6) – Written by Ivan Brandon; Art by Marco Rudy; Cover by Scott Hampton. The drugs are wearing off, and Nemesis can finally clear his head enough to make sense of life in Electric City as a "guest" of the Global Peace Agency. So what could be worse than having to experience Electric City under the influence of tranquilizers and truth serums? How about living there with a clear understanding of what's really going to happen when they're done with you…

Hellboy Wild Hunt #5 (of 8) - Hellboy and Alice have prevailed against a vicious ambush, but they haven't come out unscathed. After she is struck by a poisonous arrow, Alice's life hangs by a thread, and Hellboy's only hope of saving her rests inside a castle under assault by a horde of demons. To get to the castle, and the mysterious sorceress inside, Hellboy has to punch through her castle's fiercest assailant -- a demonic commander of the legions of Hell who guards the entrance to her stronghold! After a brief hiatus, Hellboy: The Wild Hunt resumes its monthly schedule, revealing new secrets about Hellboy's origins!

Hercules Knives of Kush #1 (of 5) - Steve Moore returns to take Radical’s controversial hero into Ancient Egypt, where mysticism and intrigue awaits. Recovering from the Thracian Wars, Hercules and his suriving band of mercenaries must take on Egyptian spies, assassination and face the mystery of a death cult known as…Kush.

JSA vs Kobra#3 (of 6) – Written by Eric Trautmann; Art by Don Kramer and Michael Babinski; Cover by Gene Ha. The JSA follow the trail of Kobra into Opal City! But the stars of this shining metropolis have been darkened by a deed so vile, it's a new low for the global terrorist. Meanwhile, Kobra warriors have been turning up dead. Is Jason Burr a lone serpent now, or is there a greater plan at work?

Killer #10 (of 10) – The first story arc comes to a conclusion, as the Killer exacts what he hopes will be his revenge on those that have sent his life and career into its long and downward spiral back into humanity.

Ms Marvel #43 - Karla Sofen's bad day gets worse as the summer's blockbuster Dark Reign event continues. WAR OF THE MARVELS Part 2 brings the Dark Avengers to the front lines.

Rebels #7 - Written by Tony Bedard; Art by Andy Clarke; Cover by Kalman Andrasofzsky. As Vril Dox tries to rally resistance to the overpowering forces of Starro, Dox learns that allies are difficult to come by and that one planet holds the key to Starro's further conquest. Unfortunately, that world suffers the consequences in brutal fashion!

Red Robin #3 - Written by Christopher Yost; Art by Ramon Bachs; Cover by Francis Manapul. "The Grail" part 3 of 4! "Batman Reborn" continues, but is Red Robin's quest to find Bruce Wayne at an end? Because in a German museum, answers await. But to get to those answers, Red Robin has to go through the Global Guardian known as the Wild Huntsman. Making matters worse, Red Robin's got an unwanted ally – Ra's al Ghul! Also, discover what happened in the days after BATTLE FOR THE COWL?

Sandman by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby HC - Written by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; Art and Cover by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. At last, the classic 1940s Super Hero series by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby is collected from the pages of WORLD'S FINEST COMICS #6-7, ADVENTURE COMICS #72-97, #100-102 (1942-1946) and SANDMAN #1, the comic that reunited Simon and Kirby in 1974! In the capable hands of Simon and Kirby, the Sandman left behind his trademark green suit, fedora and gas mask to become a brightly costumed adventurer on the trail of crime in the big city with the help of his sidekick, Sandy the Golden Boy. With a strong element of the fantastic in the form of haunted dreams and foes claiming to be figures of myth, these stories were perfect examples of the fast-paced, slam-bang adventures that made Simon and Kirby the most celebrated comics talents of the 1940s.

Superman Secret Files 2009 - Written by Sterling Gates, Geoff Johns, James Robinson and Greg Rucka; Art by Pete Woods, Jamal Igle, Renato Guedes, Julián López and various; Cover by Aaron Lopresti. There's never been a better (or busier) time to be a Superman fan! With so many new characters and locations to keep track of, DC brings readers the definitive guide to the ever-expanding world of Superman. Here you will get profiles of characters like Nightwing and Flamebird, General Zod, Supergirl, Mon-El and more, plus maps of locations such as New Krypton's Kandor and Metropolis. Also included is a bittersweet story about the friendship of Supergirl and Flamebird, and a story revealing the dark legacy of Pete Ross' brief time as President of the United States. Plus, a week in the life of Science Cops Billi Harper and Jonathan (Mon-El) Kent. This SECRET FILES issue serves as an excellent primer to this month's "Codename: Patriot" crossover in the Superman titles, so don't miss out!

Titans #16 – Written by Christopher Yost; Art by Angel Unzueta and Wayne Faucher; Cover by Angel Unzueta. Why has Starfire been acting odd the past few issues? Turns out the warrior woman has major rage issues coming out of her recent breakup with Dick Grayson, the events of FINAL CRISIS and more. Her super-powerful emotions could very well rip the team apart!

Uncanny X-Men #514 - UTOPIA rages on! Norman Osborn’s victory in San Francisco is cemented when the Dark X-Men succeed where the X-Men can’t. All the while the Dark Avengers are forced to watch from the sidelines. But how long will Bullseye and Ares sit idle? Part 4 (of 6)

The Unwritten #4 – Written by Mike Carey; Art by Peter Gross; Cover by Yuko Shimizu. In the Swiss villa where Mary Shelley conceived Frankenstein, Gothic and modern horror collide. Someone is killing writers, and Tom Taylor stands right in the path of danger. But Tom can't leave until he's found his father's last message to him – and a bizarre gift that will bring him into direct conflict with the Unwritten.

Walking Dead #64 - THE HUNT CONTINUES! They've never been in more danger.

Wednesday Comics #6 (of 12) – Various Writers and artists.WEDNESDAY COMICS, DC's spectacular 12-issue weekly series, continues to offer a comics experience unlike any other this August. In its second month, don't miss the action in these continuing features: WEDNESDAY COMICS, DC's spectacular 12-issue weekly series, continues to offer a comics experience unlike any other this August. In its second month, don't miss the action.

Werewolves on the Moon vs Vampires #3 (of 3) - In olden times, when mankind was less enlightened, it was thought that exposure to the light of the Moon could cause a person to go insane. This ailment was called "Lunacy." Fortunately we're not so backward anymore. We know that there's nothing to fear from the Moon or the light reflected from its surface. In fact, we now know that the Moon is a place of tranquility and serene beauty. A place where vampires swarm hungrily over the surface of the dark side. A place where werewolves are free to roam, snarling and gnashing, without fear of turning human again. And a place where humans can cower in fear as the resident vampires and werewolves try to slaughter one another, turning the lunar dust red with the blood of monster and innocent alike! Yes, there's nothing remotely insane about the Moon. Nothing at all. Features fan-favorite werewolves AND vampires now in an all-new lunar setting!

This month has been killer because I had a fair number of hard covers that were pushed back and delayed and it looks like everything else will hit on time. Still I have been managing to read a few of my trades and send them down the road so my four book cases have room for the new hard covers that keep comic home. I’m not sure how to kick this addiction, I quit saving floppies, now I need to find a hard cover patch.