SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SECRETS OF SINISTER HOUSE TP Written & art by various Cover by Nick CardyDC’s classic gothic horror/romance from 1971-1974 is collected for the first time in this value-priced collection. This moody, atmospheric volume collects THE SINISTER HOUSE OF SECRET LOVE #1-4 and THE SECRETS OF SINISTER HOUSE #5-18.Advance-solicited; on sale February 3 • 496 pg, B&W, $17.99 US
Lee: This is a phone book full of great 70’s DC art. The best part about this collection, and House of Mystery/Secrets for that matter, is the material still holds up. Scary stories are scary stories no matter when they are told. This also includes great gothic stories from the Sinister House of Secret Love. Love stories and monsters! What’s not to love about this collection?
Jim: True, the only reason I'm passing is that I have so many of these I need to read a few before buying anymore.
Lee: This is a phone book full of great 70’s DC art. The best part about this collection, and House of Mystery/Secrets for that matter, is the material still holds up. Scary stories are scary stories no matter when they are told. This also includes great gothic stories from the Sinister House of Secret Love. Love stories and monsters! What’s not to love about this collection?
Jim: True, the only reason I'm passing is that I have so many of these I need to read a few before buying anymore.
Gwen: This actually looks really cool. I may have to pick it up one day when I have time to read for fun again.
WONDER WOMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 6 HC Written by William Moulton Marston and others Art and cover by Harry G. Peter
WONDER WOMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 6 HC Written by William Moulton Marston and others Art and cover by Harry G. PeterIn these fantastic tales from SENSATION COMICS #41-48 and WONDER WOMAN #13-15, Princess Diana explores the mystery of “The Icebound Maiden,” meets a colony of modern-day leprechauns “In Shamrock Land,” and battles The Tigeapes of Neptunia, The Octopus Plant, The Lawbreakers League and more. Advance-solicited; on sale June 30 • 232 pg, FC, $59.99 US
Jim: Damn! DC has tons of material I would gladly buy as an Archive and instead we get more of Golden Age WW. How many bondages scenes can you read about?
Lee: Actually, I’m really excited about this. It’s one of the few female characters from the golden age that’s been collected. And, it doesn’t hurt that Girl loves this material! Gwen: Thanks but I'll take my superpower-free Tai-chi side kick Wonder Woman over this any day.
ASTRO CITY: THE DARK AGE BOOK 4 #1 Written by Kurt Busiek Art by Brent Anderson Cover by Alex Ross
Lee: Actually, I’m really excited about this. It’s one of the few female characters from the golden age that’s been collected. And, it doesn’t hurt that Girl loves this material! Gwen: Thanks but I'll take my superpower-free Tai-chi side kick Wonder Woman over this any day.
ASTRO CITY: THE DARK AGE BOOK 4 #1 Written by Kurt Busiek Art by Brent Anderson Cover by Alex RossRoyal Williams and his brother Charles are hot on the heels of their parents' killer, but their mission is igniting a fire that may incinerate more than they could ever imagine! It's the mid-’80s in Astro City, and not everyone's going to survive. Featuring the Green Man, the Silver Agent, Mirage, Hellhound, the Pistons of Engine, the Crazy Eights and more in the next arc of the critically acclaimed ASTRO CITY series!On sale January 27 • 1 of 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Jim: I love Astro City, but the Dark Age storyline has run way too long.
Lee: I’m not sure the actual story is too long but the publishing schedule has been long and slow. It makes it seem worse than it actually is.
Gwen: At least the covers will be pretty.
THE BRONX KILL HC Written by Peter Milligan Art by James Romberger Cover by Lee Bermejo
Lee: I’m not sure the actual story is too long but the publishing schedule has been long and slow. It makes it seem worse than it actually is.
Gwen: At least the covers will be pretty.
THE BRONX KILL HC Written by Peter Milligan Art by James Romberger Cover by Lee BermejoBeing a cop was in the Keane blood. But Martin wanted to be a writer even if it meant turning his back on the family legacy. Then his wife goes missing, and Martin is forced to delve into the dark history – and darker secrets – of that same family. It’s a path that will lead him back to the Bronx Kill: that lonely, godforsaken stretch of land where many years earlier his grandfather had been brutally murdered, and where finally he will learn the truth about his wife’s disappearance. It’s a truth more monstrous than he could ever have imagined. Entertainment Weekly “It” writer Peter Milligan (GREEK STREET, HUMAN TARGET) joins forces with New York cartoonist and fine artist James Romberger (Seven Miles a Second) for an urban mystery drenched in family secrets. Don’t miss the newest sure-fire hit from Vertigo Crime!Advance-solicited; on sale March 17 • 184 pg, B&W, 5” x 8”, $19.99 US • MATURE READERS
Jim: Peter Milligan has been everywhere again lately. His work is usually good and this sound interesting.
Lee: Milligan is strongest when he’s not doing conventional superheroes. His strengths really are telling those haunting and bizarre stories. So far, this new format has looked good but the stories have been very hit/miss for me.
Gwen: I enjoyed Human Target but Greek Street was just weird. This has good story potential though and I'm always willing to give books like this a shot.
JOE THE BARBARIAN #1 Written by Grant Morrison Art by Sean Murphy Cover by Sean Murphy
Lee: Milligan is strongest when he’s not doing conventional superheroes. His strengths really are telling those haunting and bizarre stories. So far, this new format has looked good but the stories have been very hit/miss for me.
Gwen: I enjoyed Human Target but Greek Street was just weird. This has good story potential though and I'm always willing to give books like this a shot.
JOE THE BARBARIAN #1 Written by Grant Morrison Art by Sean Murphy Cover by Sean MurphyHaving an overactive imagination can get a kid through a lot, but it doesn’t change the facts: Joe’s still the kid in school that can’t fit in. He’s the victim of bullies. His dad died overseas in the Iraq war. And then there’s the Type 1 diabetes he has to live with.So is it insulin-deprived delirium or something much, much bigger that transports Joe to a land inhabited by all his toys – from ninja commandos to action robots to magical knights to star fleet captains? Is Joe really the savior of this wild fantasyland that’s been held under siege by dark magic and evil forces? With the help of a samurai rodent, is he ready to take back besieged castles and win the freedom of an oppressed people? Or is he just an over imaginative boy who could die if he doesn’t take his meds?White-hot writer Grant Morrison follows up his phenomenal BATMAN AND ROBIN with an epic adventure that’s Home Alone by way of Lord of the Rings accompanied with to-die-for art by future superstar Sean Murphy (YEAR ONE: BATMAN/SCARECROW, HELLBLAZER).On sale January 20 • 1 of 8 • 32 pg, FC, $1.00 US • MATURE READERS
Jim: Has a similar type sound as “The Stuff of Legend”, but sounds good. Of course with Grant you never know where we are going.
Lee: This could be great like We3, or it could be another SeaGuy. I’m waiting for reviews.
Gwen: Morrison is very hit or miss with me. I also thought it sounded like Stuff of Legend. Eh, I'll wait to read Jim's review ;)
THE LOSERS VOL. 1 AND 2 TP Written by Andy Diggle Art by Jock and Shawn Martinbrough Cover by Jock
Lee: This could be great like We3, or it could be another SeaGuy. I’m waiting for reviews.
Gwen: Morrison is very hit or miss with me. I also thought it sounded like Stuff of Legend. Eh, I'll wait to read Jim's review ;)
THE LOSERS VOL. 1 AND 2 TP Written by Andy Diggle Art by Jock and Shawn Martinbrough Cover by JockWith the eagerly anticipated Warner Bros. Pictures movie The Losers set to reach theaters in April 2010, DC Comics collects the first twelve issues of THE LOSERS — from the ANTE UP and DOUBLE DOWN TPs — into a single, explosive volume!This collection introduces The Losers, formerly an elite U.S. Special Forces unit that served as the covert bloody hand of America until they stumbled across a C.I.A. secret they couldn't ignore. The C.I.A. tried to kill them, but they're about to learn that it takes more than one try to eliminate The Losers.On sale January 27 • 304 pg, FC, $19.99 US • MATURE
Jim: Obviously being re-released because of “The Losers” movie being made. Could be a cool movie as this was a very good series.
Lee: I wonder why not the fancy hc re-release? But, $20 for two trades is a really good deal.
Gwen: Never read it - why would an elite unit be called losers?
Lee: Because they were kicked out of their normal undercover gigs because of insubordination or whatnot. Basically, It's a none powered version of Suicide Squad.
SWEET TOOTH #5 Written by Jeff Lemire Art and cover by Jeff Lemire
Lee: I wonder why not the fancy hc re-release? But, $20 for two trades is a really good deal.
Gwen: Never read it - why would an elite unit be called losers?
Lee: Because they were kicked out of their normal undercover gigs because of insubordination or whatnot. Basically, It's a none powered version of Suicide Squad.
SWEET TOOTH #5 Written by Jeff Lemire Art and cover by Jeff Lemire“The new ‘must read’ book.” – Geoff Johns“Dark, moving and intriguing.” – Frank QuitelySurprises abound in this conclusion to the first arc of the red-hot Vertigo series that’s so compelling you’re not going to want to wait for the trade. On the dangerous road to a rumored safe haven, Gus and Jeppard come to a raw moment of truth.On sale January 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS
Jim: One this has been a great book so far. Two, what a awesome cover. Jeff Lemire is a creator whose name I now look for on the credits.
Lee: Lemire is great. I’m surprised how smooth the transition from his Essex County work to this has been.
Gwen: That cover is so wrong...
JLA TROPHY ROOM: BATMAN (MODERN) UTILITY BELT PROP REPLICA
The latest addition to the JLA TROPHY ROOM is one of the most recognizable and important parts of Batman’s costume – his modern utility belt!This prop replica of Batman’s belt is made of faux-leather, includes eight pouches with real, working high-gloss gold snaps with Batman logo emblems and a real, working gold-plated metal buckle with a Batman logo emblem.In addition to a Certificate of Authenticity, a metal display shelf on which the belt can be mounted is included, along with mounting hardware.This mixed-media prop replica belt measures approximately 38” long, and the display shelf measures approximately 7.25” high x 22” wide x 5.25” deep.Limited Edition. Manufactured to order.* Batman’s (Modern) Utility Belt is a prop replica ONLY and is not meant to be worn.Advance-solicited; on sale June 9, 2010 * Prop Replica * $350 US
Jim: So I’m envisioning the “fan” who buys this shows up for his first date with a live girl wearing the utility belt and then goes home alone to look at his Greg Horn and Adam Hughes comic book covers.
Lee: Actually, if he can afford $350 for this and still have enough left over for dinner and a movie… I’m betting he’s got more money than us. Which means he’ll be “artificially enhanced” with the Batman utility belt and she’ll just be artificially enhanced.
Gwen: I have a Batman utility belt for a Halloween costume. It cost $10. Good enough for me.
GREEN LANTERN HONOR GUARD RING PROP REPLICA
Don’t miss out on this exciting new metal ring prop replica, inspired by the contemporary design of the rings worn by the exclusive Honor Guard of the Green Lantern Corps!Cast in silver metal with a green enamel inlay, the ring also features decorative ridges around the band. The ring comes packaged in a two-part box foil-stamped with the Green Lantern logo and with protective foam inside.Available in a men’s ring size of 11, although the ring is a prop replica ONLY and is not meant to be worn.Limited Edition. Manufactured to order.Advance-solicited; on sale June 30, 2010 * Prop Replica * $35 US
Jim: At least this is only $35 and they warn you to not wear it for fear of alienating other people.
Lee: I like the fact that DC has to highlight the fact this is a prop ONLY and not meant to be worn. Oh yeah, that’ll stop the average fan boy. Maybe it needs a surgeon general warning like “Wearing this ring will decrease the changes of you getting laid.” That might be more effective.
Gwen: Why can't you wear a prop ring? Why else would they tell you the size? I want a working Legion flight ring, that would be much cooler.
SINESTRO CORPS MINI NEON SIGN
Lee: Lemire is great. I’m surprised how smooth the transition from his Essex County work to this has been.
Gwen: That cover is so wrong...
JLA TROPHY ROOM: BATMAN (MODERN) UTILITY BELT PROP REPLICAThe latest addition to the JLA TROPHY ROOM is one of the most recognizable and important parts of Batman’s costume – his modern utility belt!This prop replica of Batman’s belt is made of faux-leather, includes eight pouches with real, working high-gloss gold snaps with Batman logo emblems and a real, working gold-plated metal buckle with a Batman logo emblem.In addition to a Certificate of Authenticity, a metal display shelf on which the belt can be mounted is included, along with mounting hardware.This mixed-media prop replica belt measures approximately 38” long, and the display shelf measures approximately 7.25” high x 22” wide x 5.25” deep.Limited Edition. Manufactured to order.* Batman’s (Modern) Utility Belt is a prop replica ONLY and is not meant to be worn.Advance-solicited; on sale June 9, 2010 * Prop Replica * $350 US
Jim: So I’m envisioning the “fan” who buys this shows up for his first date with a live girl wearing the utility belt and then goes home alone to look at his Greg Horn and Adam Hughes comic book covers.
Lee: Actually, if he can afford $350 for this and still have enough left over for dinner and a movie… I’m betting he’s got more money than us. Which means he’ll be “artificially enhanced” with the Batman utility belt and she’ll just be artificially enhanced.
Gwen: I have a Batman utility belt for a Halloween costume. It cost $10. Good enough for me.
GREEN LANTERN HONOR GUARD RING PROP REPLICADon’t miss out on this exciting new metal ring prop replica, inspired by the contemporary design of the rings worn by the exclusive Honor Guard of the Green Lantern Corps!Cast in silver metal with a green enamel inlay, the ring also features decorative ridges around the band. The ring comes packaged in a two-part box foil-stamped with the Green Lantern logo and with protective foam inside.Available in a men’s ring size of 11, although the ring is a prop replica ONLY and is not meant to be worn.Limited Edition. Manufactured to order.Advance-solicited; on sale June 30, 2010 * Prop Replica * $35 US
Jim: At least this is only $35 and they warn you to not wear it for fear of alienating other people.
Lee: I like the fact that DC has to highlight the fact this is a prop ONLY and not meant to be worn. Oh yeah, that’ll stop the average fan boy. Maybe it needs a surgeon general warning like “Wearing this ring will decrease the changes of you getting laid.” That might be more effective.
Gwen: Why can't you wear a prop ring? Why else would they tell you the size? I want a working Legion flight ring, that would be much cooler.
SINESTRO CORPS MINI NEON SIGNBring the excitement of BLACKEST NIGHT into your home or store with this affordable mini neon sign featuring the Sinestro Corps’ yellow emblem!The adjustable base unit can sit on a tabletop or be mounted to a wall.Powered by a plug-in, UL-adapter, the sign itself measures approximately 9" wide x 8" high and has a base measuring approximately 5.5” in diameter. Packaged in a 4-color box.Advance-resolicited; on sale June 9, 2010 * Neon Sign * $89.99 US
Lee: Screw the rings and belts… IT’S THE RETURN OF THE NEON SIGNS!!!! Yahhoooo!
Lee: Screw the rings and belts… IT’S THE RETURN OF THE NEON SIGNS!!!! Yahhoooo!
Jim: So I'm guessing we will have one for each one of the new corps.
Gwen: Please, no more neon signs *cries*
WORLD OF WARCRAFT HORDE COLLECTIBLE COIN SET
WORLD OF WARCRAFT HORDE COLLECTIBLE COIN SETWhether looting dead mobs or completing a quest, now is the time to hold and horde solid precious metal coins from the game in your hand.All three coins included in this special World of Warcraft collectible set are plated in precious metals, and each coin features a Major Horde Leader on one side and the leader’s corresponding city on the opposite side.The 24 karat gold-plated coin features the Orc Warchief: Thrall of Orgrimmar and measures approximately 1.625” in diameter. The sterling silver-plated coin features the Forsaken Queen: Lady Sylvanas Windrunner of Undercity and measures approximately 1.375” in diameter. And the copper-plated coin features the Tauren High Chieftain: Cairne Bloodhoof of Thunder Bluff and measures approximately 1.25” in diameter. All coins are approximately 0.125” thick and are removable from the box. A non-removable commemorative metal plaque with the Horde emblem is also included.Ready to be displayed on a desktop or wall, the set is presented in a black, hinged wooden box with a glass window and a flocked, vacu-formed tray. The box measures approximately 6.25” wide x 3.25” deep x .75” high. The product is packed in a protective self-shipper.Limited Edition. Manufactured to order. Advance-solicited; on sale June 23, 2010 * Collectible Coin Set * $69.99 U.S.
Jim: Pay $70 for real replica coins from an online video game. Yes you can exchange these coins for absolutely nothing in the real world, but you can impress your WOW friends that you have never met in real life.
Lee: I thought WOW stood for “Whip’em Out Wednesday”… Are we talking about the same thing?
Gwen: WoW does all sorts of random stuff to steal money away for fans. Right now they are selling a pet you can use in WoW for $10 - apparently $5 goes to the Make A Wish Foundation but it's obviously just a ploy to encourage more people to give them $$. I mean it's a virtual pet. It doesn't cost anything except paying the guy that programed it so that last $5 is all profit. And BTW, I know all my WoW friends in real life Jim :P
Jim: Feels like DC is holding back right now as I know they have a lot of plans for changes after Blackest Night and I think it maybe handcuffing what they can do with new titles and stuff. Still plenty of direct market stuff to mock (said the guy with 100 action figures).
Lee: Mock? What’s the mock? Neon Signs have returned! YAY Neon signs.
Gwen: Mocking commentary is easier to write, that's for sure.
Jim: Pay $70 for real replica coins from an online video game. Yes you can exchange these coins for absolutely nothing in the real world, but you can impress your WOW friends that you have never met in real life.
Lee: I thought WOW stood for “Whip’em Out Wednesday”… Are we talking about the same thing?
Gwen: WoW does all sorts of random stuff to steal money away for fans. Right now they are selling a pet you can use in WoW for $10 - apparently $5 goes to the Make A Wish Foundation but it's obviously just a ploy to encourage more people to give them $$. I mean it's a virtual pet. It doesn't cost anything except paying the guy that programed it so that last $5 is all profit. And BTW, I know all my WoW friends in real life Jim :P
Jim: Feels like DC is holding back right now as I know they have a lot of plans for changes after Blackest Night and I think it maybe handcuffing what they can do with new titles and stuff. Still plenty of direct market stuff to mock (said the guy with 100 action figures).
Lee: Mock? What’s the mock? Neon Signs have returned! YAY Neon signs.
Gwen: Mocking commentary is easier to write, that's for sure.
Gwen, I also play World of Warcrack. Enjoy the heck out of it.
ReplyDeleteI have a mix of friends both here and across the globe who play the game, and I don't think they would spend 70 bucks for the coins.
I am however, adopting the pet you mentioned. Yes, it's a way to get money from you, but it's only $10. With half of that going to charity, seems like an epic WIN for everyone.