What I’m Getting Wednesday October 7

So the whole Jack Kirby heirs stuff suing for the rights to all of the characters and the continuing drama over Superman’s rights makes me a little worried that one side or the other will get stupid. See if one side gets greedy or does not make a settlement offer, what happens if all the right reverts back to the creator. How does a shared universe work where everyone is getting a piece of the pie? I think that being in a shared universe has helped the popularity of these characters and if everything was turned into an Image type of structure you would lose a lot of what make Marvel and DC so much fun. Hopefully the Kirby heirs and Seigel and Shuster heirs are given enough of a settlement and a stipend going forward to make them all well off, but still make it worthwhile for DC and Marvel to still publish them and exploit these characters across all medias. I think it is the fair thing to do, even if legally Kirby may not have a leg to stand on as he made his deal with the old work for hire contracts.

I have added links to previews of some books; let me know if anyone out there likes this idea.

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

Batman and Robin #5 – I have always loved the Batman character, but right now my enjoyment of this book is over the top as Morrison has made this series fresh and new again. DC says “Written by Grant Morrison; Art and variant cover by Philip Tan and Jonathan Glapion ; Cover by Frank Quitely. Are two Dynamic Duos too much for one city? Batman and Robin find themselves at cross-purposes with Red Hood and Scarlet. Who's right? Who's wrong? And who will end up being the chosen protectors of Gotham City?”

Batman The Unseen #1 (of 5) – Almost an old school book with this creative team at the helm. Of course Kelly Jones Batman art has as many haters as lovers and I admit it took a little while for me to love it when I first saw his work. The hype “Written by Doug Moench; Art and cover by Kelley Jones.The fan-favorite Bat-team of Doug Moench and Kelley Jones reunite to introduce the newest member of Batman's rogues gallery in this twice-monthly, 5-issue miniseries! Horrible and unexplained murders have Gotham City held captive. Bizarre deaths have been occurring throughout the city, but the perpetrator is unknown. Even when the crimes have been committed in view of witnesses, all that is seen is a glimpse of a weird, skinless "meat-man" who seems to fade away after the crimes. Gotham's only hope is their Dark Knight Detective, but how can Batman find and fight an Invisible Man?”

Bloom County The Complete Library Hardcover Volume 1 – Bloom County is one of my all time favorite strips and I was happy to send on my trades of this series to Gwen knowing the hard cover was coming out. Great art and outraqeous humor. This volume contains “Collecting every strip from December 8, 1980, through September 26, 1982, in chronological order, with a new cover inset by Breathed. Berkeley Breathed’s Bloom County burst onto the American comic scene in December 1980 and it soon became one of the most popular comic strips of all time. The endearing and quirky denizens of the strip included Milo Bloom, Steve Dallas, Michael Binkley, Cutter John, Bill the Cat, and Opus the penguin. Bloom County was a strip that dealt with many issues relevant to the period. Occasional “Context Pages” are being added throughout this collection, giving the reader a greater understanding of the time. This is the first time Bloom County has been collected in a handsome hardcover library, five volumes in all. Each newspaper strip is reproduced in chronological order from first to last. Great effort has been made to ensure the highest production values are achieved. Most strips were either shot from printer’s proofs or Breathed’s own original art. This is the first of five volumes. Book design by Eisner Award-winning designer Dean Mullaney.HC • FC • 288 Pages • 11” x 8.5””

Chronicles of Wormwood Last Battle #1 (of 6) – Ennis showing his disdain for religion and I’m guessing a religious upbringing. Not for the faint of heart, but a wild story of the Anti-Christ who never bought off on Dad’s message. Inside the covers “Garth Ennis returns to the fan-favorite Chronicles of Wormwood series! Continuing the on-going series of mini-series, Jimmy the Rabbit, Jay, and Danny Wormwood, the Anti-Christ himself, are back in a new full-color six issue series that promises to provide everything you love about Ennis! Danny has started to get his life back together after averting the apocalypse, and getting rid of God and Devil. But Hell might be getting taken over by something even worse, Pope Jacko! Series artist Oscar Jimenez provides the stunning cover and interior art. Ennis drags the whole world into the gutter with his trademark razor-sharp dialogue, biting wit, and the stunning art of Jimenez, all in full-color.”

Criminal Sinners #1 – This series will have to go down as Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips seminal work. I feel we get an embarrassment of criminal noir type books by having both this and Scalped being published at the same time. The crime, this time “One of the most award-winning and acclaimed comics series of the last several years returns to the shelves this September with a perfect new jumping-on point for new readers -- or those who've gotten hooked on Brubaker and Phillips hit series INCOGNITO and are craving more!”

Doctor Voodoo Avenger of the Supernatural #1 – Okay someone tell Marvel he was called Dr. Strange because he was a medical doctor. Just because Brother Voodoo is sorcerer supreme does not give him Stephen’s MD. The Ancient One says “Launching from the pages of New Avengers, Jericho Drumm assumes the role of Marvel’s new Sorcerer Supreme as DOCTOR VOODOO! Having foreseen an unimaginable evil that will soon envelop the Marvel Universe, the Eye of Agamotto has passed the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme on to the one man who has the unique gifts to stave off the coming darkness -- but is Doctor Voodoo ready for the momentous duty as avenger of the supernatural? As Jericho begins to grapple with his colossal new position, malevolent beings of vast power see his arrival as an opportunity to strike. Rising stars Rick Remender (PUNISHER) and Jefte Palo crack open a new chapter in the Book of Vishanti to tell the ongoing adventures of the new Sorcerer Supreme in the Mighty Marvel fashion!”

EC Archives Frontline Combat Volume 1 – What a pleasant surprise it was to see this archive on my list. I’m not sure if the publisher is just finishing out what had been printed and then hung up over payments due or whether this signals the start of the EC Archive program again, but I’ll take it. I’m guessing this book was already printed and some monetary agreement was reached to release it to Gemstone Publishing so they can play out the string, but still good news. The contents “by Harvey Kurtzman, Wally Wood, Jack Davis, John Severin, and Will Elder Legendary artists Harvey Kurtzman, Wally Wood, Jack Davis, John Severin, and Will Elder illustrate these powerful stories written by Kurtzman and Jerry DeFuccio. Long considered to be among the best war stories ever written, Frontline Combat tells poignant tales of 'War and Fighting Men,' reprinted here in spectacular full color. Volume One recaptures the first six complete issues (24 stories) of this ground-breaking title, originally published in 1951 and 1952.”

Haunt #1 – I was all set to pass this book up and I read the preview. McFarlane I can do without, but I will give Kirkman some rope and hope this is more Kirkman then McFarlane. The company line “Daniel Kilgore is dragged into his estranged brother Kurt’s secret life of murder and espionage... by his ghost. With no training whatsoever, guided by the spirit of his secret-agent brother, Daniel must now solve his brother’s murder and save the world – or die trying! It all starts here, people: Witness the birth of HAUNT!”

Irredeemable #7 – This is simply one of 2009’s best series. I still want the pace to be picked up as we need to get to the point where we know what happened and then move forward. The hype “A 'twilight of the superheroes' story that examines super-villains from Mark Waid, the acclaimed writer of Kingdom Come and Empire. The Plutonian's former teammates, the Paradigm, start to turn the tide against their former comrade. But, you know what they say about a cornered animal!”

Planetary #27 – This is wrapping up what has been hailed by many as one of the best series ever done. I can’t wait to read it, but also can’t wait until the second Absolute so I can read the whole saga over one week. The story “Written by Warren Ellis; Art and cover by John Cassaday. Tons of things have changed since writer Warren Ellis (THE AUTHORITY, STORMWATCH) and artist John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men) began their long, strange trip into the bizarre underbelly of the WildStorm Universe, but one thing has stayed the same: Anticipation for this final issue of the critically acclaimed series remains gargantuan! Over a decade in the making, PLANETARY culminates in this spectacular, oversized adventure. Prepare for answers to be revealed as the enigmatic Elijah Snow has one last errand to run! Featuring a stunning 3-piece wraparound gatefold cover drawn by Cassaday, PLANETARY #27 represents the end of an era and should not be missed!”

The Mighty #9 – This is an excellent series from DC that is moving the story forward all the time. I think this has to be a limited series as I cannot envision this as an unlimited series. The word “Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Keith Champagne; Art by Chris Samnee; Cover by Dave Johnson. Alpha One is the fastest man on Earth – but Gabriel Cole will have to be faster if he wants to put his plan in motion before his super-powered adversary catches on! He's literally got something cooking that could really give Alpha a hand…but definitely not in the way you're expecting!”

The rest of the list:

Absolution #2 (of 6) - You've seen Christos Gage's work for Marvel, WildStorm, IDW and others, but you've never seen his imagination unleashed with absolutely no restrictions...until now. ABSOLUTION introduces John Dusk, a superhero in a world where they're a sanctioned arm of law enforcement. But this veteran hero has been scarred by his exposure to man's infinite capacity for evil, and he's seen one too many perpetrators escape justice. One day he crosses the line...lets a murderer die...and discovers it feels good. In this brutal second issue, John Dusk's campaign of exterminating criminals intensifies...as his girlfriend Karen reaches the conclusion that only an "enhancile" could have committed the murders she's investigating. We'll see that not all superhumans in John's world are on the side of the law, and meet some of the renegades, including the enigmatic Happy Kitty. And before the issue's over, someone will discover John's secret... He wants to be forgiven...but he doesn't want to stop.

Authority #15 - Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning; Art by Simon Coleby and Cliff Rathburn and Drew Johnson and Ray Snyder; Cover by Simon Coleby. The team is splintered following Kaizen Gamorra's surprise attack on the Carrier. Jack has been captured by Cybernary, and Swift and the Engineer are Lorenzo's "guests" at Rendlesham. As the plundering of the Carrier begins, can anyone help in this most desperate hour? And where has Midnighter been?

Batman Annual #27 - Written by Fabian Nicieza; Art by J. Calafiore and Mark McKenna; Cover by J. Calafiore. A murdered priest. A desecrated grave marker. A kidnapped child. A secret key. A mystery whose solution could upset the world order. For Batman and Robin to stop the rampage of a zealot named Amon, the Sixth Sinner, they first have to halt a deadlier foe intent on making sure Amon succeeds. To end the killer's mad scheme, Batman faces Azrael, Death's Dark Knight! "The Eighth Deadly Sin" continues in DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #11 and sets the stage for this month's premiere issue of the AZRAEL ongoing series!

Batman Confidential #34 - Written by Peter Milligan; Art by Andy Clarke; Covers by Francisco Mattina. Batman's adventures in Moscow have all been leading to this as BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL double-ships in October! With The Tsar ready to detonate a hydrogen bomb in Moscow, Batman must work with General Lukzov to stop the massacre. In order to save the day, Batman will have to gain a hand from an unlikely ally!

Crossed #7 (of 9) - Garth Ennis takes no prisoners and offers no hope in the most intense book of his career! This issue will shock you and haunt your every moment as Cindy’s rag-tag group of survivors are put through the worst kind of torture you can imagine. Nothing is going right, but this is no fairy tale -- there are no magic cures on the horizon. When civilization crumbles in one terrifying moment; when people are gleefully breaking into unthinkable acts of violence all around you; when everyone you love has died screaming in agony: What do you do? There is no help. There is no hope. There is no escape. There are only the Crossed. This stomach-churning vision is brought to vivid (and more than a little disturbing) life by his partner in crime Jacen Burrows.

Daredevil #501 - Meet Daredevil as you’ve NEVER seen him before! The cataclysmic events of issue 500 left Matt in the toughest place of his life – and forced him to make the hardest decision he’s ever made. Now’s the start of a radically different chapter in Daredevil’s adventures, and the perfect jumping-on point as the new creative team of Andy Diggle (THUNDERBOLTS) and Roberto De La Torre (IRON MAN) take DD to entirely new highs…and lows!

Dark Reign The List : Secret Warriors - Norman Osborn's got it in for Marvel’s super spy, but what happens when he needs Nick Fury to uncover a breach in National Security? Nothing good, nothing good at all. It's lies, interrogations, double-crosses and just a whole bunch of meanness - It's the LIST. Plus, Nick Fury Files and a classic reprint.

Doom Patrol #3 – Written by Keith Giffen; co-feature written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis; Art by Matthew Clark and Livesay;co-feature art by Kevin Maguire; Cover by Matthew Clark. Remember Mento? Yeah, that guy – goofy helmet, lightning bolt on his chest. After reading this issue, it's a sure bet you won't forget him again any time soon. Oh yeah, and the resolution of that whole "black hole" thing from last issue adds a kinda-sorta new member to the Doom Patrol roster. As for everyone's favorite Metal Men, it's the dynamic debut of Douglas, Robot Hunter! We're too good to you.

Final Crisis Aftermath Run #6 (of 6) – Written by Matthew Sturges; Art by Freddie E. Williams II; Cover by KAKO. This is it! The chase is over as everything finally catches up to the Human Flame. But if he's going down, he's going down punching and setting stuff on fire! And maybe, just maybe, he's about to find out he's got more power than he ever imagined. Now if he can only manage not to screw things up.

Ghost Riders Heavens on Fire #3 (of 6) - The brothers Ghost Rider are together again, but it ain't exactly the sweetest of family reunions. When Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch hit the road together, searching for a gateway to Heaven, they find the highways guarded by two of the wildest villains they've ever encountered. And if Big Wheel and Trull the Inhuman don't spell doom for Blaze and Ketch, the bickering brothers may just kill each other.

Grimjack Manx Cat #3 - GrimJack's quest for the Manx Cat and its secrets has led him all over the fabled multidimensional city of Cynosure-and he's in a battle-to-the-finish with the beautiful Darlin' Lil. If that's not enough, GrimJack's visit to The Sleepless Monks has him fighting for his very soul! All this effort for just one damned cat?

House of Mystery #18 - Written by Matthew Sturges ; Art by Werther Dell'Edera and Jeff Lemire ; Cover by Esao Andrews. "The Beauty of Decay" Part 3! Fig, Peter and Jordan venture out into the city of ghosts to visit the long-abandoned Pathfinder's Academy where the most desperate specters wail and gnash. But the Pathfinder's Academy holds more than ghosts – it also contains ancient dark secrets that will change Fig's life forever. Featuring guest art by Werther Dell'Edera (LOVELESS) and a special tale of Fig Keele: "Teen Detective" by SWEET TOOTH creator and Xeric, Alex and Shuster Award-winner Jeff Lemire (THE NOBODY, The Essex County Trilogy).

Jersey Gods #8 - Hecticus has taken Helius prisoner: name, rank and serial number just ain't gonna cut it. Hecticus is looking to extract his pound of flesh. An emergency beacon sends Barock back to Neboron. Zoe tags along and is thrilled to finally see the sights of Neboron - that is until she gets a little too close to the local wildlife...and then meets Barock's mother.

Jonah Hex #48 – Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray; Art and cover by Cristiano Cucina. "Six Gun War" part 5 of 6! Hex has been betrayed and stands alone as he takes on Quentin Turnbull's gang of bounty hunters! But Hex is at his best when he's got no one watching his back. "The Six Gun War" barrels towards next month's bloody conclusion!

Justice League Cry for Justice #4 (of 7) – Written by James Robinson; Art and cover by Mauro Cascioli. How far would you go for justice? The heroes have found themselves turning to darker tactics in their search for retribution. Starman and Congorilla have captured the killers who took down some of their friends, but now what do they do with them? Meanwhile, Green Lantern and company wrestle with the idea of torturing villains for information in order to save lives.

Proof #24 - My date with Bigfoot.

Rebels Annual #1 – Written by Tony Bedard; Art by Kalman Andrasofszky, Derec Donovan, Joe Prado and Karl Moline ; Cover by Kalman Andrasofszky. Tying into his recent debut in R.E.B.E.L.S., the origin of the real Starro the Conqueror is revealed! Why have we never seen this cosmic barbarian before? And how did he amass his horde of super-soldiers? The stellar answers are all in here from R.E.B.E.L.S. writer Tony Bedard and a variety of top artists for each intense chapter!

Sherlock Holmes #5 (of 5) - The acclaimed mystery from Dynamite concludes. Can the world's greatest detective unravel his greatest mystery? Find out in the conclusion of "The Trial of Shelock Holmes!”

Strange Adventures #8 (of 8) – Written by Jim Starlin; Art by Jim Starlin and Al Milgrom and Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens; Cover by Jim Starlin and Rob Hunter. In this grand finale, Adam Strange, Captain Comet, Bizarro and the rest of the gang face off against the cosmic threat of Synnar! Unparalleled space guru Jim Starlin concludes his cosmic DC epic! – There is no way this was suppose to be the conclusion. I assume sales numbers pushed this decision to a too soon finale. A shame as I love Starlin’s work.

Superman World of New Krypton #8 (of 12) – Written by James Robinson and Greg Rucka; Art by Pete Woods and Ron Randall; Cover by Gary Frank. On a mission in space, Superman and his fellow Kryptonians encounter the might of the Thanagarian Army. Can Superman keep things peaceful between the two races – or will The Man of Steel discover that Hawkman's legendary temper is shared by all his people?

Sweet Tooth #2 - Written by Jeff Lemire; Art and cover by Jeff Lemire. "I would crawl over broken glass to read this." –Jason Aaron (SCALPED,Wolverine ) Vertigo's most unusual and terribly cool post-apocalyptic road-trip epic is unstoppable. The innocent deer/boy Gus is forced from his forest sanctuary into the almost annihilated world of men where he's desperately led by a different kind of force of nature: A cold killer who promises the only chance of salvation. Get onboard the buzz bandwagon with the ongoing series mash-up of horror, high adventure and friendship by Eisner-nominated storyteller Jeff Lemire (THE NOBODY, Essex County Trilogy).

Vengeance of Moon Knight #2 - “SHOCK AND AWE,” PART 2 Moon Knight is back in the Big Apple to pick a fight with the man who chased him out of town in the first place: Norman Osborn. Freed of his demons and armed with an arsenal of incredible new weapons, Moon Knight is throwing down the gauntlet to his old nemesis. Is Osborn ready for Round Two? Uh….yeah. The real question is, is Moon Knight ready for the Sentry?

Witchfinder In the Service of Angels #4 (of 5) - A horrific monster rampages through the streets of Victorian London, but not everyone wants to see the menace dead. The Heliopic Brotherhood of Ra wishes to capture the creature for their own dark purposes, and if Edward Grey is to have any hope of killing the beast before it falls into their hands, he’ll have to seek aid in the most unlikely of places -- a lunatic asylum! Mike Mignola and Ben Stenbeck (B.P.R.D.: The Ectoplasmic Man) team up for this long-awaited glimpse into one of the Hellboy universe’s greatest enigmas: nineteenth-century occult investigator Edward Grey! Cover art by Eisner Award–winning Hellboy creator Mike Mignola! Sheds light on the true history of Edward Grey, one of the greatest enigmas of the Hellboy universe.

This week is a huge week of regular comics after what had to be one of the lightest weeks I have had in a long time last week. I sometimes wish I could resist more of the hard cover offerings and indulge even a bigger list of regular comics, but I actually think being forced to pare down helps me enjoy what I get more as I think I avoid a lot of the mediocre books out there.