Quick reviews: Hulk, Black Panther and X-Men

Hulk #41

The finale of the Omegex cycle, the latest issue of the Hulk (red) is full of fisticuffs but also features plenty of character moments and drama for Gen. Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross. Since taking over the series, Jeff Parker has successfully transformed what was a plot gimmick into a fully developed Marvel character.

For traditionalists looking for a more straight forward Hulk comic, this series has been a dream come true. During the off-the-walls Loeb run, the Red Hulk was shown to be extraordinarily powerful. As depicted by Ed McGuinness, these scenes of explosive action are stunning but in retrospect readers had to ask ‘is he really that powerful?’ At the time it felt more at home in a Warren Ellis book with its over-the-top imagery. Following that run, Jeff Parker has taken to honing and defining the limitations of the Red Hulk and even directly addressing the KO of Utatu the Watcher.

Uatu is one of the oldest cosmic characters of the Marvel Universe. Often shown as a benign being, seeing him get knocked out was absurd. In recent issues, Uatu has set events in motion leading to the release of the deadly Omegex, a being created as the absolute engine of destruction in an alien war long forgotten. Gaining the ‘scent’ of the Red Hulk from his punch on Uatu’s jaw, Omegex hurtles toward Earth to perform his duty. Omegex is essentially a ‘Doomsday’-type villain for the Hulk, an unstoppable powerhouse that challenges the Red Hulk’s abilities.

Adding to the mix of trouble is the fact that the Red Hulk has become infected with devices that would kill him should he revert back to his human state. Additionally, a trio of monstrous villains led by Zero/One is on his path. Ross has had something of a crisis lately, looking back at his failure as a man and a career military officer. Revisiting his family farm, Ross wistfully talked about his early days as a pilot before Omegex arrived and began their titanic battle.

During Fall of the Hulks/World War Hulks, Loeb attempted to paint a rich and full portrait of Ross in a single issue detailing what drove him to take the Leader’s offer and become the Red Hulk. While I liked that issue and enjoyed the break in the action, Parker achieves far more with less effort in this comic. Ross is out of his depth fighting Omegex, but just as he faces definite destruction with no regrets, Zero/One forces him to justify his humanity by revisiting past moments of his life. It’s terribly touching to see a rock-solid persona like Ross humbled into sobriety, watching his marriage dwindle by and his daughter fade from his grasp.

In the end, it wasn’t breaking his knuckles that defeated Omegex, but Ross accepting himself, faults and all. In the hands of another writer, this would have been sappy and dire but Parker has such a strong relationship with the character and a skill with character-driven stories that is unparalleled. Next month sees the arrival of a new artist, but for a farewell storyline, Omegex saw Gabriel Hardman off in style.

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Black Panther #523.1

A friend of mine recently spotted the ‘Black Panther- the Man Without Fear!’ headline online and asked me what the Sam Scratch was going on. I answered by saying that it was complicated and left it at that. To be honest, there really is no reason why Black Panther should have taken over Daredevil’s place as protector of Hell’s Kitchen other than the fact that Marvel Editorial had no idea what to do with him. However, author David Liss and artist Francesco Francavilla have taken lemons and made champagne (if you’ll forgive me murdering an adage). A vigilante and cunning crime-fighter, Black Panther has risen from being one of the best heroes of Marvel Comics to an exciting street-level hero. This is significant because Black Panther has often existed in his own little bubble, far away from the rest of the MU. While he has always been a great character, as a Wakandan king, the Black Panther’s adventures often deterred readers not sold with that kind of story. By placing him on the street with no resources other than his own intelligence and physical prowess, he is instantly relatable.

In effect, he’s Marvel’s Batman.

The Black Panther book has received rave reviews for months by fans in love with the rich pulp novel feel of the series. It was a rough road getting used to it, but after getting past the barrier of ‘why is this happening?’ I recognized how great this series has become.

Without his enhanced abilities or high tech gadgetry, Black Panther has recreated himself as a protector of the innocent. Living a double life as the manager of Diablo’s Kitchen, a dilapidated diner in the heart of the city, Black Panther attempts to keep in touch with the common people around him, often becoming ensnared in their lives in the process. Investigating a series of murders, Black Panther finds that a social worker living across the hall has been killing parents abusing or neglecting their children. Hiring an out of work Russian emigrant, T’Chala finds that he has brought an ex assassin into his little world. It’s all very complicated.

This point one issue is a great opportunity for new readers to catch up and also enjoy an excellent detective/adventure story. Black Panther has been one of Marvel’s rarely respected luminaries for ages. Seeing him gain acclaim has been a fun experience, but I hope I’m not the only one reading. All too often these critically acclaimed books get canceled for lack of sales.

So buy a copy today!
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X-Men Schism #4 (of 5)

The major X-Men event of the ages is coming to a head.

For decades, Cyclops and Wolverine have led the X-Men with a strained kind of respect. The limited series opened showing that even they were shocked at how far they have come, from wanting to kill each other to proudly supporting each other in their leadership of the mutant race. It’s all the more saddening to witness that hard won friendship coming to an end. The schism of the story has, to this point, been one of ideologies. Cyclops has accepted that the X-Men is an army fighting a never-ending war while Wolverine views his teammates as family. This conflict heightens as a global army of malfunctioning Sentinels take to the skies, killing humans and mutants alike. Attempting to save face at the opening of a mutant-related museum opening, the X-Men become targets of the new Hellfire Club led by brutal children bent on domination.

I have always been attracted to the X-Men by their facing impossible odds again and again. There has been no the book showing its cast beaten and battered time and time again like the X-Men. Hated and feared by the world at large, the X-Men are at risk by supervillains and the public citizens as well. It’s a lose/lose situation. Add to that the friction inside the team itself and you have the makings of a powder keg going off every month.

In the latest issue, a mega-Sentinel is bearing down on Utopia island. Cyclops is determined to fight with what he views as his final stand army of children. Wolverine, however, recognizes that they are facing extinction and must evacuate. Unfortunately, Cyclops doesn’t agree, so Wolverine has to force his hand by lacing the island with explosives. On an island about to explode, a massive Sentinel nears with enough power to wipe the entire mutant population from existence.

Then… things get bad.

The friction between Wolverine and Cyclops has always centered on one thing, or person to be more precise… Jean Grey. As soon as she is brought into the argument, things get brutal.

The art chores have strangely shifted each month with this issue drawn by the impeccable Alan Davis. Familiar to comic fans from his work on numerous books, seeing Davis’ art on X-Men again after so long is like a trip down memory lane (a long trip in my case).

Cyclops and Wolverine have had disagreements before but this is bad. I’m very interested in seeing how things shake down in the final part (out today).

Quick reviews: Hulk, Daredevil, X-Men

Hulk #39

By Jeff Parker and Gabriel Hardman
The last few issues of the Red Hulk series have seen a further development of Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross, the birth of a new rogue’s gallery of monsters and the building threat of Omegex. This issue finally sees all of those aspects come to a head and it is marvelous if feeling cut off too soon.

I have been a Hulk fan since childhood when my brother would mutter ‘Jamie Smash!’ whenever I threw a tantrum. The 70’s Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno TV series and the 80’s cartoon continued to hold my interest but aside from a few scattered issues I have not been what I would call an avid follower of the comic book until Greg Pak shot the green goliath into space. Since then I have become connected to fans of the character who have closely followed the character’s adventures and delved more deeply into the past with the Essential Hulk books. After World War Hulk, Banner was de-powered and a new Red Hulk introduced to steal the show. I struggled month to month to decipher if Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’ series was the best or worst book I have ever read and to tell the truth it’s both. It’s a silly slugfest with over the top action and smack talk. When Jeff Parker took over, he smoothed over the wrinkles in the title resulting in a fantastic series that soon became what one would expect from a traditional monthly Hulk comic book.

Hounded by the military, the Red Hulk is pursued by General Fortean. Fortean has installed nano bots that will explode the moment Ross calms down and reverts to his human identity. With only a small group of Life Model Decoys as support, Ross tries to stay one step ahead of Fortean who is developing more devastating weaponry to destroy the Hulk. The irony of the situation, a direct role reversal that Ross had with Banner/Hulk, is not lost on the Red Hulk. To add to his problems, former Dr. Kurinji, now the super villainness Zero/One, has assembled a hit squad to eliminate the Hulk forever. Oh, and a galactic destroyer named Omegex is en route to clean the Red Hulk’s clock.

The new issue starts with an unusual amount of backstory on Ross as he revisits his family homestead and opens up to the Life Model Decoy named Annie about a father who was never there for him and a wife that seems to be connected to a life lost long ago. It’s touching but I found myself wanting to check the number of remaining pages when Ross walked into a dilapidated barn housing an old airplane from his youth only to find Omegex waiting in the wings. The fight stretched several state lines and has no sign of stopping.

For Hulk fans, this kind of brawl is a long time coming and just when it appears that things are getting heated up, Zero/One’s secret weapon the Black Fog arrives and enters the fray. This was a very well structured issue, as usual featuring some of the finest artwork in a monthly superhero book by the great Gabriel Hardman and plenty of action. I look forward to seeing where this will go next month. At first I felt sort of cheated by only receiving half of a fight, but given the level of development it made me really invested in the character of Ross. General Ross is a creation that is as old as the Hulk but this issue gave a few new facets in a most dexterous manner. Well played, Mr. Parker.

Daredevil #2

By Mark Waid and Paolo Rivera

Continuing the rebirth of the Man Without Fear, Mark Waid’s Daredevil series dances the line between continuity and a fresh start. Previous to the current run, Daredevil was… not the best of superheroes. Outed in the tabloid press, he denied his double life as a crime fighting vigilante and lawyer. Beating up the competition he declared himself the Kingpin of Hell’s Kitchen and told the superhero community to stay out of his way. Finally he became the vessel for a demon, constructed a pagoda in the middle of Hell’s Kitchen and led a league of assassins known as the Hand into the systematic assault on crime in the city that led to his eventual madness and downfall at the hands of his closest friends. After that he traveled the country and attempted to find himself, clear his head, then head back to NYC and start fresh.

Some people aren’t okay with that and one of them is Steve Rogers, the once and current Captain America. The battle between the two heroes is startling and beautifully crafted by Rivera as the two combatants swap their trademark weaponry of baton and shield, fighting across rooftops and in a deserted warehouse with all the grace and skill of a pair of dancers. Daredevil attempts to clear the air by bringing up the trial of Cap’s dear friend Bucky (bad move given that Buck just died), claiming that like Bucky he was under another power’s influence and not in control of his actions and earns a reprieve. Daredevil’s puckish attitude, dating back to his early days, continues to be troubling as it points to an approaching collapse but it is still so satisfying to see a new/old take on the character.

Daredevil continues to work on the Jobrani case only to discover that other lawyers were threatened to leave it alone via a prank phone call. The strange thing in each situation was that the call seemed to be coming from a dead line, making the lawyer’s fear for their own sanity. Matt Murdock’s partner Foggy Nelson gets some inside info (and apparently much more!) from the sassy DA and passes it on to Matt leading him to Jobrani’s old business, a deserted electronics shop. In the basement, there are strange goings on as several ghost-like partial sound shapes are seen constructing a device. An eagle-eyed reader may recognize the villain as Klaw, the master of sound, but to DD the beings are just static. The battle is brief and nit in our hero’s favor, leading to his capture and inclusion in the bizarre experiment.

The new Daredevil series continues to be a slick and fun superhero book, something that fans have been asking for for ages. Unfettered by back-story, the plot moves along at a quick pace and the artwork is just beautiful. I am very grateful that Waid, Rivera and Martin have united to bring DD back to the heavy hitters of the Marvel Universe by returning him to his roots. I’m also looking forward to seeing the man without fear in the pages of the Avengers next month, something that has been a long time coming!

X-Men: Schism #3 (of five)

By Jason Aaron and Daniel Acuna
The very expensive five part story that promises to revitalize the X-Men books and give them a new direction continues. Jason Aaron has a firm grasp of the enormous cast of characters in the X-verse, something that is no easy task. In just a few issues he has given some characters attention that have languished in off-panel obscurity for too long, such as Iceman. It’s not much, but I appreciate it. The main story persists in an attempt to get off the ground but like an old Dodge Charger on a cold morning, it’s cranking over several times and failing to start.

There are three main plot threads in Schism; Cyclops and Wolverine are developing into different characters who do not share the same point of view, the mutant population is again under threat by a world that hates and fears them and a new Hellfire Club consisting of creepy children are determined to kill the X-Men with strange alien technology. Quentin Quire, a left over from the Grant Morrison days, was seen early on as a major threat by instilling a riot during an international arms conference but has since disappeared. These plots have been twirling around for three months now in more or less the same stages. Cyclops and Wolverine are starting to get more ill at ease with each other but have yet to have a full-out argument, the anti-mutant sentiment is palpable but hasn’t really resulted in anything and the Kid Hellfire Club continues to feel like a bad idea. I’m not saying that the series should have shot out the gate guns blazing with Cyclops and Wolverine at each other’s throats, but looking back over two thirds of the story I can see very little actual movement.

At the opening of a Mutant History Museum exhibit, Emma Frost leads a contingent of X-Men in a show of force and defiance to the anti-mutant aggression. Meanwhile, X-Men teams are fighting Sentinels run amok across the globe while Wolverine sulks in a bar and drinks beer. When the museum comes under attack, Cyclops and Wolverine rush to the scene, each shouting contradictory commands at the team on site. By the time they get there, the carnage is massive and the powerful mutants are beaten savagely by a bunch of kids. Only the young mutant Idie is still able to get the innocent bystanders clear of the bomb blast, but the abandoned Hellfire Club soldiers are left to die in the explosion. For some reason, this upsets Wolverine yet Cyclops seems to be coldly aware that they are at war and war has casualties. When the bomb is revealed to be some kind of device that creates a Sentinel from the floating debris, the X-Men realize that they are up against a foe that could be is outside of their abilities.

I like how the recent X-Men run has built up the teamwork aspect of the X-Men and the brilliant tactical mind of Cyclops. In comics, there is often a case of ‘who’d win in a fight of ___ against ___’ and to be honest the X-Men never fare all that well. The Fantastic Four (or FF as they are now known) have immense power levels, the Avengers (pick your team) is a collection of heavy weights, but the X-Men isn’t really known for having a roster of powerful characters. Their real strength is in systematic teamwork, each member using his/her skills and abilities to assist the other. The dissolution of that team (or family) is what this book is all about and so far things are not looking good.

The Kid Hellfire Club is dangerously close to a very bad idea. Presented as the young heirs to various financial empires, each member is roughly the same age and all are bloodthirsty killers. I find it a little hard to believe that all of them are so similar and it makes them seem more like a joke than a real threat. It is also worrisome that Namor and Magneto, two of the biggest bruisers in the Marvel Universe, are taken out by these brats so easily and quickly. It’s still unclear to me what their goal is, if they had wanted to kill the X-Men they could have easily done so, but so far I am worried if this is the main threat of the mini-series.

I have high hopes for the outcome of this series, two distinct flagship books with different directions and different leaders, but this mini-series is spinning wheels so far. I hope that next month when the action really gets started this old car gets its engine going and hits the road roaring. With Alan Davis on hand for art chores, it should at least be pretty to look at!

New Releases 12/1/10

For the complete list of this week’s comics, click here.

Not sure where your local comic shop is? Try comicshoplocator.com!

(note: all information including ad copy is from the publisher)

If you can’t make it to the shop, just click on any of the images below to be taken to an online retailer. I don’t get any referrals for these sales, I’m just doing my bit to spread the word on some neat products.

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What If Iron Man Demon In An Armor

What If Iron Man Demon In An Armor
By: David Michelinie, Graham Nolan, Bob Layton
Would Tony Stark still be Iron Man…if he wasn’t Tony Stark? Twenty years ago, in a college experiment gone bad, the young Stark’s mind is transferred to the body of impoverished but brilliant fellow student, Victor von Doom! Blamed for the unsanctioned research, his memory wiped clean, Tony is deported and forced to face life as a disgraced Latverian commoner.

Meanwhile, von Doom grows and flourishes in the wealth and privilege of being sole heir to Stark Industries. Thus, in separate cauldrons on different sides of the world, both Iron Man and Dr. Doom are forged anew. But who are the men inside the armors…really? Find out in ‘WHAT IF TONY STARK HAD BECOME DR. DOOM?’

PLUS, What If: The Venom Symbiote Possessed Deadpool – Part 3!
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Forry: The Life of Forrest J Ackerman

Forry: The Life of Forrest J Ackerman

Forrest J Ackerman (1916-2008) was an author, archivist, agent, actor, promoter, and editor of the iconic fan magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland; a founder of science fiction fandom; and one of the world’s foremost collectors of sci-fi, horror and fantasy films, literature, and memorabilia. This biography begins with a foreword by Joe Moe, Ackerman’s caregiver and close friend since 1982. It documents Ackerman’s lifelong dedication to his work in both literature and film; his interests, travels, relationships and associations with famous personalities; and his lasting impact on popular culture. Primary research material includes letters given by Ackerman to the author during their long friendship, and numerous reminiscences from Ackerman’s friends, fans and colleagues.

Deborah Painter has written articles for such magazines as Filmfax and Horse and Horseman. She is an environmental services director for REMSA Incorporated and lives in Norfolk, Virginia.
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Creepy Archives Volume 8 HC

Creepy Archives Volume 8 HC
Dark Horse’s multiple award winning archive editions of Creepy have arrived at one of the most compelling and legendary eras of the horror magazine’s epic run. Creepy Archives Volume 8 collects issues #37 — #41, which herald the beginning of the more psychedelic and strangely spooky stories that came into vile vogue with the onset of the 1970s. This gore — geously designed volume highlights work from amazing artists such as Basil Gogos, Ernie Colon, Vaughn Bode;, Ken Kelly, and others, and stories written by Nicola Cuti, Phil Seuling, Doug Moench, and other great monsterminds!

* Creepy Archives Volume 1 was awarded the 2009 Will Eisner Award for Best Archival Collection.

* “Terrifyingly good!” -Cory Doctorow, boingboing.net
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DC Comics Presents Batman Beyond #1

DC Comics Presents Batman Beyond #1
By: Hilary Bader, Brian Stelfreeze
Blast into the future of Gotham City with these tales from BATMAN BEYOND #13, 14, 21 and 22, as Terry McGinnis teams up with Barbara Gordon, Etrigan the Demon, the Green Lantern of the future, Big Barda and more!
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The Official Underground 2012 Doomsday Survival Handbook

The Official Underground 2012 Doomsday Survival Handbook
Nuclear holocaust, super volcano, asteroid impact, mega tsunami, alien invasion, zombie outbreak? Will the world end with a whimper or a bang? However it goes, W.H. Mumfrey will prepare you for what to expect when the world is ending, how to survive a litany of doomsday scenarios and how to rebuild the earth if you?re one of the survivors. This book covers such essential topics as: foraging for food, looting 101, barricades and fortifications for beginners, retro-technologies, dealing with cannibals, mutant identification, post-apocalyptic fashions, renovating your subterranean hideout, decoys and booby-traps for dummies, dating after doomsday, and more.

W.H. Mumfrey (aka Grant Murray) graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 1989 and, among other things, has worked as a science/computing educator, landscape photographer and scientific research assistant in the deserts of central Australia. Having lived in a number of countries, including South Korea and New Zealand, he currently resides in Tasmania.

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The Dream World of H. P. Lovecraft: His Life, His Demons, His Universe
Occult scholar Donald Tyson plumbs the depths of H. P. Lovecraft’s cosmic visions and horrific dream world to examine, warts and all, the strange life of the man who created the Necronomicon and the Cthulhu mythos.

Lovecraft expressed disdain for magic and religion, and most of his biographers have dismissed the mystical side of his nature. This book redresses this imbalance. Here you will find the roots of Lovecraft’s extraordinary cosmic vision laid bare. The dream-world sources for his mythic Old Ones are examined, along with the practical esoteric implications of Lovecraft’s unique mythology. A man in fundamental conflict with himself, Lovecraft lived always on the brink of madness or suicide. Tyson reveals Lovecraft for what he truly was—a dreamer, an astral traveler, and the prophet of a New Age.

PRAISE:
“The Dream World of H. P. Lovecraft is a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating book. Its fusion of sound biographical knowledge and critical insight makes it a must-read for Lovecraftians.”
—S. T. JOSHI, LEADING AUTHORITY ON H. P. LOVECRAFT

Donald Tyson is a Canadian from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Early in life he was drawn to science by an intense fascination with astronomy, building a telescope by hand when he was eight. He began university seeking a science degree, but became disillusioned with the aridity and futility of a mechanistic view of the universe and shifted his major to English. After graduating with honors he has pursued a writing career.

Now he devotes his life to the attainment of a complete gnosis of the art of magic in theory and practice. His purpose is to formulate an accessible system of personal training composed of East and West, past and present, that will help the individual discover the reason for one’s existence and a way to fulfill it.
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Destroy All Movies!!! The Complete Guide to Punks on Film

Destroy All Movies!!! The Complete Guide to Punks on Film
The most dazzlingly insane film reference book of all time, Destroy All Movies!!! is an informative, hilarious and impossibly complete guide to every appearance of a punk (or new waver!) to hit the screen in the 20th Century. This wildly comprehensive release contains A-to-Z coverage of over 1100 feature films from around the world, as well as dozens of exclusive interviews with the cast/creators of crucial titles like Repo Man, Return of the Living Dead, The Decline of Western Civilization and Valley Girl. Also examined are several hundred prime examples of straight-to-VHS slasher trash, Brooklyn skid row masterpieces, Filipino breakdancing fairytales, no-budget apocalyptic epics and movies that shouldn’t even have been released, many of which have never been written about. Plus hundreds of eyeball-smashing stills and posters, many in full color!

Interviewees include screen veteran punk musicians Richard Hell, Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat, Lee Ving of Fear, Exene Cervenka and John Doe of X, Keith Morris of Black Flag and Circle Jerks, Chris D. of The Flesh Eaters, Youth Brigade’s Shawn Stern, Sickie Wifebeater of The Mentors, Ivan Kral of the Patti Smith Group and many others. Also featured are conversations with filmmakers Penelope Spheeris (the Decline of Western Civilization documentaries, Suburbia), Mark Lester (Class of 1984), Martha Coolidge (Valley Girl), Alex Cox (Repo Man), Lech Kowalski (D.O.A.), Allan Arkush (Rock ‘n’ Roll High School), Amos Poe (The Blank Generation), Susan Seidelman (Smithereens), Slava Tsukerman (Liquid Sky), Alan Sacks (Du-beat-e-o), Eric Mitchell (Underground USA), Brian Trenchard-Smith (Dead End Drive-In), Dave Markey (Desperate Teenage Lovedolls), Bruce LaBruce, and NYC transgressor Nick Zedd. Performers like Mary Woronov, Eddie Deezen, Clint Howard, Jon Gries, P.J. Soles and Dick Rude speak out, plus countless other actors and creators from the frontlines of punk’s big-screen explosion.

Destroy All Movies!!! nails down decades of insanity with superhuman research, vicious precision and electrically charged stills and images, and is the first and final definitive armchair roadmap to punk and new wave on celluloid. Five years in the making, this pulse-bursting monument to lowbrow cultural obsession is a must for all film fanatics, music maniacs, anti-fashion mutants, ’80s nostalgists, sleazoids, cop-killers and spazzmatics!
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Chaos War God Squad #1

Chaos War God Squad #1
By: Marc Sumerak, Dan Panosian
CHAOS KING has decimated the Pantheons of Earth, but the new GOD SQUAD have a last, desperate plan to halt Mikaboshi’s march towards oblivion!

The Kami of Japan once trapped Chaos King in Yomi – the Japanese Underworld – but even with the God Squad’s help, can his old pantheon put the genie back in the bottle? The gods themselves aren’t prepared for what they may find at the gates of Hell! Join the HELLSTORM, SILVER SURFER, SERSI, VENUS and more of Marvels’ most daring deities on an epic adventure that’s sure to rock the heavens!

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Daredevil #512

Daredevil #512
By: Andy Diggle, Roberto De La Torre
SHADOWLAND TIE-IN: FINAL ISSUE!

Years of acting as the Guardian Devil of Hell’s Kitchen have taken their toll on The Man Without Fear. Hell’s Kitchen lies in ruins, and it is up to the people of New York to start anew and begin rebuilding. In this last chapter of his story, will Matt Murdock at last find final redemption for the events of SHADOWLAND?

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Gorilla Man TPB

Gorilla Man TPB
By: Jeff Parker & Jason Aaron, G Caracuzzo & R Cruz, Dave Johnson
Shooting from the pages of ATLAS, comes an all-new exploration of fan-favorite GORILLA MAN! Yes, Ken Hale is blessed with might and cursed with inhumanity, but you don’t know the entire tale, and how his history may destroy his present!

See his storied past as an Agent of Atlas, a soldier of fortune, an ally of the Avengers, and a Howling Commando! Plus, learn the history of Marvel’s Gorilla Men in ‘Tales of the Gorilla Man’ and then watch as Ken Hale takes the X-Men on a journey through the jungle in X-MEN: FIRST CLASS #8.

This title collects
GORILLA MAN #1-3 and material from AVENGERS VS. ATLAS #4
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Spider-Man Noir TPB Eyes Without A Face GN

Spider-Man Noir TPB Eyes Without A Face GN
Written by DAVID HINE & FABRICE SAPOLSKY Penciled by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER The Goblin is gone. The Spider-Man saw to that. But then, along came the Crime Master, and now New York City’s criminals have a new overlord – one who strikes terror in the hearts of the innocent and guilty alike. He must be stopped. And then there’s Dr. Otto Octavius, a brilliant scientist working out of a U.S. Government lab on Ellis Island. What’s he up to? What’s the European connection? Robbie Robertson wanted to know. He never knew what he was getting himself into. Who is the Crime Master? What’s going on in Octavius’ lab? Who’s behind it all? Peter Parker has to find out, and fast. Before his friend Robbie is lost forever. Before more innocent people are killed. And before Spider-Man loses his greatest battle with the deadliest foes he’s ever faced – enemies for whom the prize is not just control over the city, but over the world itself… Collecting SPIDER-MAN NOIR: EYES WITHOUT A FACE #1-4. 112 PGS./Rated T+
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Heroes For Hire #1

Heroes For Hire #1
By: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Brad Walker, Doug Braithwaite
In the aftermath of Shadowland, Marvel’s greatest street heroes – Punisher, Moon Knight, Shroud, Elektra, Paladin, Silver Sable, Ghost Rider, Iron Fist, Falcon, Misty Knight and more – leap into one all-new series!

Who has brought these dangerous loners into one fighting force? How is this network different from all other teams? Who is their first target, and what mysteries wait for them? Discover the answers and enter the action on Marvel’s mean streets.

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Iron Man Thor #2 (of 4)

Iron Man Thor #2 (of 4)
By: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Scot Eaton, Stephen Segovia
Captured by the High Evolutionary and his unlikely allies, Iron Man learns the dark truth of the genius creator’s plans. Meanwhile Thor battles to recapture the Destroyer armor stolen from Asgard.

The paths of these two heroes are about to cross, and if they can’t stop the High Evolutionary’s schemes, then the fates of Mankind and Planet Earth alike will be altered forever!

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Iron Man War Of Iron Men Prem HC

Iron Man War Of Iron Men Prem HC
By: Fred Van Lente, Steve Kurth, Francis Tsai
Tony Stark’s worst fears are realized when stolen Iron Man technology is used for ethnic cleansing in a civil war-ravaged land.

When he defies U.S. government orders to confront the armored assassins himself, Stark sets off an international conflagration that threatens his friends, his company, and his very life — and sets him on a collision course with China and Russia, and their champions, Radioactive Man, Titanium Man and the Crimson Dynamo! Guest-stars galore!

This title collects
IRON MAN LEGACY #1-5 and IRON MAN: HARD RAIN

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DC Superhero Figure Coll Mag #69 Det Chimp

DC Superhero Figure Coll Mag #69 Det Chimp
The ultimate collection for comics fans, the DC Superhero Collection Figurine Magazine brings together DC Comics’ greatest heroes and villains! Official figurines of the characters, both good and evil, are cast in lead, individually hand-painted and numbered to form an authentic collector’s edition.

Each comes with a 20-page magazine providing detailed history and background on the featured characters, including exclusive images and interviews. Choose this month from Captain Atom (#68) or Detective Chimp (#69).

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Classic Marvel Figure Coll Mag #134 Son Of Satan

Classic Marvel Figure Coll Mag #134 Son Of Satan
These fully-authorized, hand-painted lead figurines are sculpted by master craftsmen and based on original pieces of Marvel artwork.

Each 3 1/2″ figurine is individually numbered, comes stamped with the Marvel official logo, and comes packaged in its own box. The accompanying magazine provides a detailed history and background on the featured character, including exclusive images and interviews. The fabulous characters featured this month are Son of Satan (#134) and Nomad (#135).

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Vertigo Resurrected Winters Edge

Vertigo Resurrected Winters Edge
In time for the frigid depths of winter are ten previously uncollected short stories from the pages of VERTIGO WINTER’S EDGE – the timeless Vertigo title that featured comics’ most select and sensational creators tackling the imprint’s most enduring characters. Featuring The Endless, Swamp Thing, John Constantine and Tim Hunter.
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Planetary TPB Book 04 Spacetime Archaeology

Planetary TPB Book 04 Spacetime Archaeology
By: Warren Ellis, John Cassaday
The final, spectacular collection of Warren Ellis and John Cassaday’s PLANETARY is now available in trade paperback!

Book 4 features the final battles waged by Elijah Snow, Jakita Wagner and The Drummer against the mysterious Four along with the surprise return of a key player no one could have foreseen! It’s been over a decade in the making – don’t miss this unforgettable conclusion to one of WildStorm’s most acclaimed series.

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Marvel Masterworks - Golden Age Marvel Comics Vol. 05 HC

Marvel Masterworks – Golden Age Marvel Comics Vol. 05 HC
By: Joe Simon, Ray Gill, Andrew McWhitney, Carl Burgos, Bill Everett, Jack Kirby, Paul Gustavson, Steve Dahlman, Bob Oksner, Ben Thompson, Alex Schomburg
This item is currently not available, but we will special order a copy from our supplier if you choose to backorder it from us today. Delivery will be delayed by two to four weeks while the backorder is processed and shipped from our supplier to our warehouse. Your credit card will not be charged for this item until it is ready to be shipped to you. For more information, please see our backordering help page.

The greatest comic magazine of the Golden Age returns with the Marvel Masterworks!

Headlining the heavy-hitters of the Timely era, Marvel Mystery Comics has it all-from top-of-the-field super hero action to bizarre mystery, otherworldly noir, jungle adventure and boy detectives! And it all starts off with the history-making Human Torch/Sub-Mariner team-up by the titanic talents Carl Burgos and Bill Everett! Then the Human Torch’s sidekick Toro, the Flaming Kid, makes his Marvel Mystery debut. Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, takes his uniquely anarchic brand of action straight to the Nazis’ noses, while the Angel’s origin is revealed and he begins a multi-part crusade against the sexy villainess, the Cat’s Paw.

Rounded out by Jack Kirby’s eerie agent of vengeance, the Vision; the wonderfully weird Electro; Terry Vance, School Boy Sleuth; and the adventures of Ka-Zar, it’s the classic package that made Marvel famous!

This title collects
MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS #17-20

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