This week at your comic shop- 2/9/11

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.

__________________________________________________________

DC Comics Presents Green Lantern Fear Itself #1

DC Comics Presents Green Lantern Fear Itself #1
By: Ron Marz, Brad Parker
Green Lanterns Alan Scott, Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner face a foe that turns their greatest fears into a terrifying reality in this new, low-priced reprinting of the 1999 graphic novel.It’s a tale of three eras, each menaced by an unspeakable evil that grows more powerful with every defeat. In the Golden Age, Alan Scott nearly dies in battle with the monster, who brings his fear of a Nazi-controlled Justice Society to life.

Twenty-five years later, Hal Jordan barely survives his encounter with the same menace, who torments him with images of a Coast City destroyed by nuclear armageddon. And in the modern era, Kyle Rayner must face this being’s deadliest incarnation!
__________________________________________________________

Inannas Tears HC W/ Dust Jacket

Inannas Tears HC W/ Dust Jacket
By: Rob Vollmar, Mpmann
In Sumer, the prosperous city of Birith is known its devotion to the goddess Inanna. But after a millennium, the city is in danger of being overrun by nomadic refugees. Powerful interests outside of the city begin to question the wisdom of continuing to submit to Inanna’s temple’s authority.When the role of consort is passed unexpectedly to a woman named Entika, she must overcome not only the prejudices of her own people but a cunning enemy backed by the rising tide of history.

__________________________________________________________

Thunder Agents #4

Thunder Agents #4
By: Nick Spencer, Ethan Van Sciver, Scott Hanna
As Dynamo leads a desperate, last-ditch attack on Spider’s forces, learn more about what drives the team’s mysterious powerhouse in a sequence illustrated by George Pèrez, and how the secrets of his past may end up costing the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents their future.All this and a twist ending that you’re definitely gonna want to read for yourself before the Internet spoils it for you!

__________________________________________________________

Doctor Who Classics Series 4 #1 Seventh Doctor

Doctor Who Classics Series 4 #1 Seventh Doctor
By: Simon Furman, John Ridgway, Tim Perkins, Robert Hack
IDW’s newly recolored reprints of classics Doctor Who tales return with the Seventh Doctor! In ‘A Cold Day in Hell,’ the reptillian ICE WARRIORS are hell-bent on freezing a luxury planet, with only the Doctor and his companions standing in their way!Features an all-new cover by Robert Hack and new colors by Charlie Kirchoff. __________________________________________________________

Power Man And Iron Fist #1 (of 5)

Power Man And Iron Fist #1 (of 5)
By: Fred Van Lente, Wellinton Alves, Mike Perkins
Charging from the pages of SHADOWLAND comes the collector’s item first ever POWER MAN & IRON FIST #1!When Danny Rand transformed his multinational corporation into a non-profit foundation, he thought he had left fighting behind – but with so many innocents wrongly convicted, the battle never ends!

Their first case is Luke Cage and Danny Rand’s former secretary Jennie Royce, imprisoned for a murder she didn’t commitÖ or did she? And Iron Fist isn’t fighting alone – he’s got a new partner with him: Victor Alvarez, the all-new Power Man, he of the exploding punches – and exploding temper!

Can Danny train his new charge well enough to face returning foil El Aguila as well as new threats Don Pagliacci, the Commedia Dell’Morte, and the beautiful, deadly Noir?

That’s right, Marvel’s original mismatched action duo begins a new era of greatness right here!
__________________________________________________________

Creator Chronicles Complete George Perez DVD

Creator Chronicles Complete George Perez DVD
With many new releases set for 2011 (including a new line of Art Instructional DVDs), we are offering our previous DVDs at a special reduced price!At over 4 hours, this massive interview/DVD set covers all aspects of George’s amazing career, from Titans to Crisis to JLA/Avengers!

__________________________________________________________

Acts Of Vengeance Omnibus HC

Acts Of Vengeance Omnibus HC
By: MARK GRUENWALD, JOHN BYRNE, PAUL RYAN, VINCE MIELCAREK, DWAYNE TURNER, AL MILGROM, KIERON DWYER, RON LIM, ERIK LARSON, TODD MCFARLANE, SAL BUSCEMA, ALAN DAVIS
Two dozen of Marvel’s top talents set more than 40 super heroes against at least as many super villains in the premier crossover event of the 1990s!Plus: the debut of the New Warriors! The destruction of Avengers Island! Spider-Man’s cosmic power and the madness of the Scarlet Witch! A three-headed monster, a three-faced robot, a trip through the worlds of What If? and more! Special guest-appearance by Abraham Lincoln!

This title collects
AVENGERS #311-313, AVENGERS ANNUAL #19; AVENGERS SPOTLIGHT #26-29; AVENGERS WEST COAST #53-55; CAPTAIN AMERICA #365-367; IRON MAN #251-252; QUASAR #5-7; Thor #411-413; CLOAK & DAGGER #9; AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #326-329; SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #158-160; WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #59-61
__________________________________________________________

Marvel Masterworks Atlas Era Battlefield

Marvel Masterworks Atlas Era Battlefield
In the early 1950s with the Korean War raging Marvel Comics’ predecessor, Atlas, launched a bevy of war comics featuring the heroism and horrors of human conflict. Battlefield ranked four-star amongst them with art by Atlas Era luminaries including war comics great Russ Heath along with Paul Reinman, Joe Maneely, Gene Colan, Bill Everett and many more.With challenging scripts by Stan Lee’s stable of Atlas Era scribes these never-before-reprinted pre-Code comics delve into a challenging range of themes-from tales of the American fightin’ G.I., to the machinations of the Communist front, and striking meditations on the atrocities of modern war.

This amazing MARVEL MASTERWORKS collects the complete run of BATTLFIELD in one beautiful volume. Topped off with an introduction by Atlas Era scholar, Dr. Michael J. Vassallo, there’s no doubt that it’s time to join up and set out on the battlefield!

Collecting BATTLEFIELD #1-11.
__________________________________________________________

Amazing Spider-Man #654

Amazing Spider-Man #654
By: Dan Slott, Stefano Caselli
REVENGE OF THE SPIDER-SLAYER-Part 3 (of 3):’Self-Inflicted Wounds’One of the most pivotal moments of the SPIDER-MAN ‘BIG TIME’ era happens here. Other comics promise you their issues will ‘Change Everything’ or that ‘Nothing Will Ever Be The Same.’ No carnival barker-like pitch this time. Just the plain, simple truth: This issue of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN will have repercussions for Peter Parker and this title’s cast for years and years to come. Guest-starring THE NEW AVENGERS.

Also in this issue: We finally reveal what has become of the alien symbiote. And a dramatic change to Spider-Man’s powers. Do NOT miss this issue!

__________________________________________________________

Black Panther Man Without Fear #515

Black Panther Man Without Fear #515
By: David Liss, Francesco Francavilla, Simone Bianchi
For the fate of Hell’s Kitchen: T’Challa vs. Vlad the Impaler in a desperate rooftop battle of wills, wits and fists! ‘Urban Jungle’ heats up as Luke Cage guest-stars, friends fall, dark forces prepare to step from the shadows, and a dangerous conspiracy begins to unfold!
__________________________________________________________

Golden Age Flash T-Shirt LG

Golden Age Flash T-Shirt LG
The Scarlet Speedster takes the spotlight this month with three new shirt designs that span the generations. Brightest Day: Flash features the art of Francis Manapul screenprinted in full-color on a naturalcolored, 100% cotton shirt. From days gone by comes this classic rendition on the Golden Age: Flash Shirt also pronted on a naturalcolored tee. Last but not least is the first appearance by Infantino and Kubert on the Silver Age: Flash Shirt screenprinted in color on a stonewashed green, 100% cotton garment. Also available are the ever-popular symbols from Flash’s past, present and future! NOW AVAILABLE for sale in Canada and U.K.
__________________________________________________________

Heroes For Hire #3

Heroes For Hire #3
By: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Brad Walker, Doug BraithwaiteIron Fist asks: Who’s hiring the heroes? The dangerous missions continue — and the mystery behind who’s pulling the strings deepens! As Paladin begins to question the operation he’s signed up to, his curiosity brings him face-to-face with a figure central to Heroes For Hire history…with explosive results! __________________________________________________________

Batman And Robin #20

Batman And Robin #20
By: Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Mark Irwin
Kicking off the action is ‘Dark Knight, White Knight’ part 1 of 3, as Bruce Wayne returns from the dead and Gotham City finds itself locked in the grip of chaos! Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne come face-to-face with what could possibly be the strangest Bat Villain yet.Who is the White Knight, and why is he hell-bent on making Gotham City into Heaven on Earth?

__________________________________________________________

The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor Archives Volume 2

The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor Archives Volume 2
By: Donald Glut, Jesse Santos
The inquisitive and adventurous Dr. Adam Spektor is an occult detective, myth researcher, and demon hunter who travels the world over to investigate the strange and the supernatural, aided by his assistant, Lakota Rainflower.Cocreated by writer Donald Glut in 1972–who also provides this volume’s insightful introduction–the character came into his own when artist Jesse Santos was assigned to Spektor’s ongoing comic–book series. In Doctor Spektor Archives Volume 2, you’ll discover the thrilling chronicles of a strange protector–a character who often breaks the fabled “fourth wall” to address readers directly while narrating disturbing tale after tale from his vast files. As a bonus treat for Spektor spawns and disciples.

__________________________________________________________

Batman Movie Batwing Collectible Prop

Batman Movie Batwing Collectible Prop
Taken from the molds of the original movie models, with the interior references scaled down from the original full-size props, the Batwing prop replica includes a handsome Bat-symbol display base. It also comes equipped with an electronic LED cockpit, two front LED headlights and 2 amber LED landing lights.The Batwing is limited to a production run of 500 units worldwide.

__________________________________________________________

Marvel Masterworks Galactus 19-in Variant Ed Action Figure

Marvel Masterworks Galactus 19-in Variant Ed Action Figure
Galactus! His name instills terror across the universe. A survivor of the universe before ours, who rode out his universe’s ‘Big Crunch’ and entered our universe during the Big Bang, Galactus has traversed the universe in search of planets to consume to feed his unholy hungers.Brought to life as a 19″ tall action figure featuring a variant color scheme and including a bonus Silver Surfer figure, cast in clear plastic!

__________________________________________________________

Doctor Who: The Coming of the Terraphiles

Doctor Who: The Coming of the Terraphiles- Audio CD
Award-winning sci-fi author Michael Moorcock writes a thrilling all-new adventure featuring the 11th Doctor and Amy. There are dark tides running through the universe — so strong they swallow light and threaten Captain Cornelius’s familiar existence; if unchecked, they will absorb the whole of Creation. But for now he tracks into the solar winds, searching for the only being he acknowledges as his peer, who is known simply as “The Doctor.”

Moorcock reads from his book at Austin Books

__________________________________________________________

Incredible Hulks #622

Incredible Hulks #622
By: Greg Pak, Paul Pelletier, Carlo Pagulayan
In the horrific tragedy of life sweepstakes, the Hulk has won the jackpot, time and time again. But now he’s finally had enough.Don’t miss the shocking climax of GOD SMASH as the Incredible Hulk breaks the most fundamental law set by the gods before mortals – by demanding a reckoning from the most formidable Allfather of them all!

__________________________________________________________

Nova Costume Royal Blue T-Shirt LG

Nova Costume Royal Blue T-Shirt LG
Interstellar space is your playground as the power of Nova courses through you!
__________________________________________________________

Namor Visionaries TPB John Byrne Vol. 01

Namor Visionaries TPB John Byrne Vol. 01
Namor, the Sub-Mariner! The world’s first mutant! King of Atlantis!See one of Marvel’s most iconic characters written and penciled by the talented John Byrne! As Namor finally learns the truth about his nasty temper, he faces the corporate threat of the diabolical Marrs’ twins, tames the deadly Griffin, is sued for his attacks on New York and gets beheaded!

It’s Namor like you’ve never seen him before! Guest-starring Namorita, Iron Man and the Fantastic Four!

This title collects
NAMOR: THE SUB-MARINER (1990) #1-9
__________________________________________________________

Flash Dastardly Death Of The Rogues HC

Flash Dastardly Death Of The Rogues HC
By: Geoff Johns, Francis Manapul, Scott Kolins
The Fastest Man Alive must solve the murder of one of his greatest villains and protect his other foes from an elusive killer in this hardcover pulled from THE FLASH #1-6 and THE FLASH SECRET FILES 2010!Racing out of BLACKEST NIGHT, The Flash returns to his life in Central City – but when one of his Rogues Gallery of foes turns up murdered under mysterious circumstances, it’s up to The Fastest Man Alive to solve this bizarre crime and protect those who are targeted by the elusive killer.

This title collects
The Flash #1-6, The Flash Secret Files 2010

__________________________________________________________

Flash #9

Flash #9
By: Geoff Johns, Francis Manapul, francis manapul
Part of DC’s Flashpoint!BRIGHTEST DAY rushes forward! Now, make way for Hot Pursuit – the latest speedster to come out of the Speed Force! He’s here to make sure no one breaks the speed limit – hero or villain! And just wait until you see whose face is under Hot Pursuit’s helmet. . .

This issue will ship with two covers.

__________________________________________________________

Doctor Who: The Dominators

Doctor Who: The Dominators
The Doctor takes Jamie and Zoe to the peaceful planet Dulkis for some much-deserved time off only to land on the ‘Island of Death’ by mistake. The dreaded Dominators and their robotic servants the Quarks have some nefarious plans for the pacifist population of the planet that the Doctor must stop. But how can he help a people who refuse to take any action at all?Written by the creators of the Yeti, Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln (and heavily rewritten by script editor Derrick Sherwin), this is hardly a classic, but still a much-loved artifact of the Troughton era, combining comedy, action and explosives.


__________________________________________________________

New releases 9/9/10

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.
_____________________________________________________

Simon & Kirby Superheroes HC

Simon & Kirby Superheroes HC

By: Steve Saffel (Ed.), Joe Simon, Jack Kirby

Beginning with Blue Bolt in June 1940, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby set the standard for costumed heroes. Their creation Captain America, remains one of the most famous heroes in comic book history, and their work for Timely and DC Comics raised the bar.

This volume introduces some of their most exciting characters: Fighting American, The Fly, Lancelot Strong, and the Hollywood swashbuckler known as Stuntman. Presenting the complete Fighting American, their first collaboration, ‘The Black Owl,’ and Captain 3-D, lavishly restored and presented in full-color for the first time, this is the only edition authorized by both Joe Simon and the estate of Jack Kirby, gathered from the official Simon and Kirby archives. With an introduction from comics legend Neil Gaiman!
_____________________________________________________

Thor #614

Thor #614
By: Kieron Gillen, Rich Elson, Mico Suayan

THOR IN HELL!

It’s the poisonous fruit of Loki’s trickery during the Siege, as the God of Thunder battles demons and monsters to cross from one side of the desolate dimension to the other! At stake…his life and the fate of all Asgardians!
_____________________________________________________

Amazing Spider-Man #641

Amazing Spider-Man #641
By: Joe Quesada, Paolo Manuel Rivera

This is it! The startling conclusion to ONE MOMENT IN TIME!How did the world REALLY forget Peter Parker was Spider-Man? And what does the future hold for Peter & Mary Jane? Every question is answered, the past laid to rest, and Spider-Man swings into a new direction for the future!

Amazing Spider-Man #642

Amazing Spider-Man #642
By: Mark Waid, Stan Lee, Paul Azaceta, Marcos Martin, Marko Djurdjevic

A five part spider-odyssey begins in ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES!

With Peter Parker’s ONE MOMENT IN TIME behind him and Mary Jane back in his life, Spidey finds himself ready for a new start…but the various threads of his life since his BRAND NEW DAY are about to crash together violently. When Norman Osborn’s baby is born… every villain on the planet wants the first ever strain of pure Goblin blood, leaving Spider-Man’s friends and family exposed to a Sinister plan that threatens to bring down every strand or Peter’s life that’s been stitched together carefully over the past few years.

It may be a cliché to say it…but after ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES absolutely nothing will be the same. Also this issue, we begin a series of covers by the brilliant Marko Djurdjevic that when all put together will form a giant wall-sized Spider poster featuring the people in Spider-Man’s life!

Plus…the Spidey Sunday feature continues breaking the 4th wall of Web-swinging Wonder by legends Stan Lee and Marcos Martin (well, Stan’s a legend…Marcos is just a man who draws like one.)

Cthulhu Bobble Head

Cthulhu Bobble Head
Even bobble heads need their unholy gods, and for those bobble heads seeking insanity and fear that is the Cthulhu Bobble Head! The unspeakable horror from the dawn of time revealed in the writings of H.P. Lovecraft is brought to a strangely deformed life with this 6″ tall bobble head that comes complete with the Elder Gods’ wings! Window box packaging.
_____________________________________________________

From Shadow To Light GN Mort Meskin

From Shadow To Light GN Mort Meskin
CAREER-SPANNING BIOGRAPHY-CUM-ARTBOOK ON NEAR-FORGOTTEN GOLDEN AGE COMICS MASTER

From Shadow to Light: The Life and Art of Mort Meskin is a coffee table art book and critical biography of one of the twentieth century’s most influential and overlooked comic book artists. Meskin’s career spanned both the Golden and Silver ages of comics, from the 1940s to the 1960s. His drawing, chiaroscuro technique, and storytelling are considered by connoisseurs of the form to be among the most sophisticated of his time.

Following World War II he formed a studio with the legendary Jerry Robinson, co-creator of The Joker and Robin. He later worked for Joe Simon and Jack Kirby’s company S&K Studio and with Stan Lee at Atlas (Marvel). From Shadow to Light compiles for the first time the best of Meskin’s art from his comic book career, his post-comics career bin advertising, and his fine art. Many of the comics pages are scanned form the original art, thanks to the cooperation of the Meskin estate.

Mort Meskin’s story is one of perseverance and overcoming personal demons. It is the tale of the indomitable spirit of a true artist and innovator. From Shadow to Light: The Life and Art of Mort Meskin will finally set the record straight and add his name to the pantheon of comic book artists who helped create this distinctly American art form.
_____________________________________________________

B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth-New World #2

B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth-New World #2
By: Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, Guy Davis, Dave Stewart

Paranoia and suspicion plague members of the B.P.R.D. as agent Kate Corrigan, strained over the new UN control, must also play mediator between a manipulative Panya and a broken down Johann, devastated over the giant body in a vat he can’t have. Meanwhile, Abe breaks from the team and investigates the horrors of the Northwestern woods.

Join the B.P.R.D.!
www.darkhorse.com/jointhebprd
_____________________________________________________

Billy the Kid's Old Timey Oddities and the Ghastly Fiend of London #1 (Eric Powell cover)

Billy the Kid’s Old Timey Oddities and the Ghastly Fiend of London #1 (Eric Powell cover)
By: Eric Powell, Eric Powell, Kyle Hotz, Dan Brown, Dave Stewart

The world believes the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid was killed by Pat Garrett, but in reality the Kid is very much alive, the hired gun of Fineas Sproule’s traveling spectacle of biological curiosities–or “freaks,” as Billy calls them. In their latest adventure, Billy and crew confront their most vicious challenge yet: Jack the Ripper!

In London to visit a true Elephant Man, Billy, Sproule, and the company learn about the Whitechapel murders and the fact that disfigured people are being blamed for the killings and targeted for mob justice. As the group applies themselves to the case, Sproule looks for information at every bar in the city, while Billy tags along to drink whisky and flirt with prostitutes at each one-which might be a better way to find the Ripper than he realizes.

* Includes Goon backups by Eric Powell!
_____________________________________________________

Creepy Archives Volume 7 HC

Creepy Archives Volume 7 HC
Creepy Archives Volume 7 collects a fascinating array of stories from the second great generation of artists and writers in the history of the world’s best illustrated horror magazine. As the 1960s ended and the ’70s began, the original, classic creative lineup for Creepy was eventually infused with a slew of new talent, with phenomenal new contributors like Richard Corben, Ken Kelly, and Nicola Cuti joining the ranks of established greats like Reed Crandall, Frank Frazetta, and Al Williamson. This volume of the Creepy Archives series collects more than two hundred pages of distinctive short horror comics in a gorgeous hardcover format.

This title collects
Creepy #33-36
_____________________________________________________

Conan: The Newspaper Strips Volume 1

Conan: The Newspaper Strips Volume 1

By: Roy Thomas, Doug Moench, John Buscema, Ernie Chan, Alfredo Alcala, Rudy Nebres, Pablo Marcos, Alan Kupperberg, Tom Yeates
From September 4, 1978, until April 12, 1981, thousands of readers across the country thrilled to the daily adventures of everyone’s favorite barbarian, Conan! Now Dark Horse Comics is proud to present the Conan newspaper strips collected for the first time in a handsome hardcover volume. Readers will once again enjoy the talents of Roy Thomas, Doug Moench, John Buscema, Ernie Chan, Alfredo Alcala, Rudy Nebres, Pablo Marcos, Alan Kupperberg, and Tom Yeates as they artfully unfold the continuing saga of Conan in these daily comic strips!

* Conan remains one of the most popular licensed comics, with newly created Conan stories and an extensive reprint program, both from Dark Horse!

* Collects daily newspaper strips from September 4, 1978, through April 12, 1981.
_____________________________________________________

Classic Marvel Figure Coll Mag Ronan

Classic Marvel Figure Coll Mag Ronan
As ‘Supreme Accuser of the Kree Empire’ it’s Ronan’s duty to pass judgment on heroes and villains across the galaxy. Hailing from the distant planet Hela, Ronan has been at the forefront of the Kree’s attempts to conquer Earth and dominate the entire Milky Way.

A mighty warrior who dishes out his own brand of justice with his hammer, ‘the Universal Weapon’, Ronan has clashed with the likes of the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and the Guardians of the Galaxy. Prepare to be judged with this special edition of Classic Marvel Figurine Collection Magazine featuring a comprehensive, 20-page magazine focusing on Ronan, complete with an imposing, hand-sculpted lead figurine and exclusive slipcase and double-sided poster.

DC Superhero Figure Coll Mag #61 Adam Strange

DC Superhero Figure Coll Mag #61 Adam Strange
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 Adam Strange (#61), Red Arrow (#62), and Hawkgirl (#63).
_____________________________________________________

Next Men Premiere Ed HC Vol. 03

Next Men Premiere Ed HC Vol. 03
By: John Byrne

It’s the conclusion of John Byrne’s ground-breaking series!

Presented oversized and in their original color, the members of Project: Next Men begin to understand the role they play in Sathanas’ master plan. The explosive ending will leave you on the edge of your seat, wishing/hoping Byrne will one day tell the rest of this exceptional saga. This final hardcover edition features an all-new cover by Byrne.
_____________________________________________________

X-9 Secret Agent Corrigan Vol. 01 TPB

X-9 Secret Agent Corrigan Vol. 01 TPB
By: Archie Goodwin, Al Williamson

Al Williamson’s run on Secret Agent Corrigan from 1967 to 1979 stands as one of the artistic highlights in the history of the American comic strip. Williamson’s illustrious career included stints at EC Comics on their legendary science fiction titles, Star Wars, Flash Gordon, and Secret Agent Corrigan (AKA X-9).

Archie Goodwin was one of the most acclaimed writers and editors to work in comics. He edited the groundbreaking Blazing Combat series for Warren Publications, as well as Creepy and Eerie. His writing credits included Batman and the Eisner Award-winning Manhunter series.
_____________________________________________________

Incredible Hercules Assault On New Olympus TPB

Incredible Hercules Assault On New Olympus TPB
By: Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, Rodney Buchemi, Adi Granov

The Fourth Extinction is nigh!

Hera’s plot to become the universe’s ultimate goddess has reached its final stage: With Continuum unleashed, the destruction of mankind is here! But the heroes of Earth and Olympus won’t go down without a fight! Witness Hercules’ final showdown with the nihilistic god, Typhon! Behold the evolution of Amadeus Cho into the kind of champion Athena has been grooming him to be! Watch as the combined faces of the New and Mighty Avengers race through legions of Amazon warriors!

And be there as Peter Parker puts the moves on Hercules’ hot babe of a wife!

This title collects
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #138-141 & ASSAULT ON NEW OLYMPUS PROLOGUE
_____________________________________________________

Invaders #1 (of 5)

Invaders #1 (of 5)
The greatest super heroes of World War II blaze into action-this time in the modern world! For the first time in decades, the original Invaders are alive and active at the same time! But what mysterious force has drawn them all together…and how does it relate to the darkest moment in Invaders history, an event so horrifying it threatens all life on Earth today?

Featuring: Captain America! The Sub-Mariner! The original Human Torch and Toro! The Golden Age Vision! Spitfire! Union Jack! And Steve Rogers!
_____________________________________________________

New Avengers #4

New Avengers #4
With reality under furious attack by arcane power far beyond anything anyone on Earth has ever dealt with before, the Avengers have to start getting creative or forfeit all that we know.

The rules of magic and mysticism in the Marvel Universe are about to change in a gigantic way and it’s all going to happen here! All this plus a brand new chapter in the oral history of the Avengers.
_____________________________________________________

Shadowland Blood On Street #2 (of 4)

Shadowland Blood On Street #2 (of 4)
By: Antony Johnston, Wellinton Alves, Francesco Mattina

Silver Sable…Paladin…Misty Knight…The Shroud! Four very different heroes, all ensnared in a mystery spinning out of Shadowland!

Is Daredevil using The Hand to kill mobsters untouchable by the law? Or is something even more sinister spreading throughout the city? Each hero approaches the puzzle from a different angle, and now they must race to discover the truth-but The Hand has other ideas, and time is running out!

Can this quartet of strange bedfellows put their differences aside and come together before death strikes again?

Join writer Antony Johnston (DAREDEVIL) and artist Wellinton Alves (THUNDERBOLTS) for a trip down the mean streets of Shadowland!
_____________________________________________________

How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack: Defend Yourself When the Lawn Warriors Strike (And They Will)

How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack: Defend Yourself When the Lawn Warriors Strike (And They Will)
Move over zombies and adolescent vampires.

There’s a new threat in town—and it’s only twelve inches tall. How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack is the only comprehensive survival guide that will help you prevent, prepare for, and ward off an imminent home invasion by the common garden gnome. Once thought of as harmless yard decorations, evidence is mounting that these smiling lawn statues are poised and ready to wreck havoc. The danger is real. And it’s here.
Class 1 gnome-slayer and gnome defense expert Chuck Sambuchino has developed a proven system—Assess, Protect, Defend, Apply—for safeguarding property, possessions, and loved ones. Strategies include step-by-step instructions for gnome-proofing the average dwelling, recognizing and interpreting the signs of a gathering hoard, and—in the event that a secured perimeter is breached—confronting and combating the attackers at close range.

About the Author: Chuck Sambuchino is a produced playwright, and a magazine writer, freelance editor, husband, dog owner, and cover band guitarist. He is the author of Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, 3rd Edition, and editor of Guide to Literary Agents and the Screenwriter’s & Playwright’s Market. Sambuchino lives in a heavily fortified residence in a secret Midwest location.
_____________________________________________________

Doctor Who: The Episode Guide (Pocket Essential series)

Doctor Who: The Episode Guide (Pocket Essential series)
A successful new Who series has introduced a whole new generation to the joys of the beloved show, and this updated guide covers the more than 700 episodes and 10 different actors who have inhabited the role of the Doctor

From humble beginnings to its cancellation in 1989 and eventual resurrection in 2005, Doctor Who has a long and colorful history. The spine-chilling theme music, the multi-dimensional Tardis, the evil metallic Daleks, and the ever-changing face of the Doctor himself are explored here as trademarks of the show’s witty, eclectic house style. Over the years Doctor Who has embraced such diverse genres as science fiction, horror, westerns, history, romance, adventure, and comedy—but has never strayed from its first and most important remit: telling good stories. This new, updated edition puts the first 10 doctors under the microscope with facts, figures, and opinions on every Doctor Who story televised. There are sections on TV, radio, cinema, stage, and internet spin-offs; novels and audio adventures; missing episodes; and an extensive website listing and bibliography.

About the Authors: Mark Campbell writes for the Independent and has produced Pocket Essentials on Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, and Carry On Films. Kim Newman is a contributing editor to Sight & Sound and Empire magazines and the author of BFI TV Classics: Doctor Who. He is the author of The Secret Files of the Diogenes Club and Doctor Who: Time and Relative.
_____________________________________________________

X-Men #3

X-Men #3
By: Victor Gischler, Paco Medina, Adi Granov

‘MUTANTS VERSUS VAMPIRES,’ PART 3

In a desperate bid to fend off an endless horde of vampires, the X-Men do the unthinkable: They resurrect Dracula. Will the former Lord of the Vampires go along with Cyclops’ scheme to take down Dracula’s upstart son, Xarus?

Meanwhile, Wolverine sets off to rescue Jubilee, unaware of the chilling transformation she has undergone. To attempt to free his former teammate, Wolverine must embark down his darkest path yet.
_____________________________________________________

Thanos Imperative #4 (of 6)

Thanos Imperative #4 (of 6)
By: Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Miguel Sepulveda, Aleksi Briclot

The all-star alliance of sci-fi heroes strike! Silver Surfer, Quasar and Nova lead a make-or-break attack against the undying Lord of the Cancerverse forces!

It’s either total victory or utter defeat! Meanwhile, in the Cancerverse itself, Star-Lord’s rag-tag team learns whether attempting to make a deal with Thanos was the smartest choice they ever made-or the worst decision of their entire lives!

It’s more star-blasting adventure from the minds of Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, the writing duo that IGN.com calls ‘cosmic masters…(who have) deftly placed Marvel’s cosmic lineup back on top of the pack!’
_____________________________________________________

Spider-Man Fever TPB

Spider-Man Fever TPB
By: Brendan McCarthy

One of comics’ most innovative and original voices, Brendan McCarthy, brings SPIDER-MAN: FEVER – a truly unique and surreal story evoking the classic Silver-Age psychedelia of Steve Ditko’s Dr Strange.

In FEVER, Spider-Man is abducted by a depraved tribe of spider-demons to a bizarre dimension, where he is to be eaten alive. Dr. Strange goes on a perilous occult quest to rescue his friend – and tangles with some very peculiar characters along the way.

Plus: this collection also includes a special reprint of one of Spidey’s earliest adventures into the wondrous world of Dr. Strange!

Parental Advisory

This title collects
SPIDER-MAN: FEVER #1-3, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #2
_____________________________________________________

Doom Patrol returns (… again)

The comic book that will not die, the Doom Patrol, will once again be seeing a new volume from DC Comics. Anyone keeping track know which volume this will be? Me neither.

104415__doompatrol_l

I don’t mean to hammer home the point that this title has seen more iterations than any other comic on the market but it just bothers me that DC is not really learning from their mistakes here.

Grant Morrison's DP circa 1989

Grant Morrison's DP circa 1989

Each version so far has almost entirely divorced itself from what came before and then introduced ideas that proved far too outlandish to include in a relaunch, then it has gotten canceled. From the fan favorite Grant Morrison absurdist run to the all but unknown John Byrne volume, each time the title has resurfaced it has looked drastically different. This may not be such a problem if the characters didn’t exist in continuity. And there’s also the pesky problem of the precious few fans who get excited by news like this only to be frustrated by the end result. Doom Patrol fans walk around with burnt fingers, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

All that said… this time sounds very promising. Star writer Keith Giffen and artist Matthew Clarke (very annoyed that his name was omitted in the NYCC announcement of the series this past weekend) are the ideal team to make this series work. Essentially a story of freakish victims of misfortune who band together because they have nowhere else to go, the Doom Patrol in its infancy was such a dynamic comic series that many feel it was mimicked by the X-Men at Marvel. Giffen seeks to return the series to its rightful oddball status and Clarke is anxious to begin the series he has waited his career to work on (if he can ever get over his rightfully hurt feelings).

In an interview with cbr.com, Giffen had much to say about the series, and laughed hysterically at one point when the interviewer referred to the Doom Patrol as a kind of ‘alternate trinity’ Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. It takes skill to make Giffen laugh and I’m sure he appreciated it.

“There is the opportunity to tell almost any kind of story that you want to tell within the framework of the Doom Patrol book, as long as you realize that you are dealing with characters that have been published for years,” said Giffen. “This isn’t one of those things where I am going to go in and do ‘Doom Patrol’ my way and erase everything that’s ever happened. Everything that Doom Patrol has been through is part of their history. I just want to take that and push the group not so much a different direction but just not in the direction that they have been bumping up against for a long time now. And one of the things I think Geoff Johns does better than anybody else in the comic book business right now is he can take a character and find a way of making all of these events from the past work within the context of the story that Geoff wants to tell.

“So that’s definitely what we’re going to be doing with the Doom Patrol. We’re not going to just ignore what Grant did or what John Byrne did. They’ve got a history and that history will be acknowledged. But I am hoping if you pick up ‘Doom Patrol’ #1 and you’ve never heard of Doom Patrol before, you can get into the story.” (read the rest here)

Byrne's DP circa 2004

Byrne's DP circa 2004

Introduced in the pages of ‘My Greatest Adventure,’ The Doom Patrol was the brainchild of Arnold Drake and Bruno Premiani. Featuring the pop idol race car driver Cliff Steele (reduced to a brain encased in a robot body due to a racing accident), test pilot Larry Trainor (wrapped in specially treated bandages to keep his radioactive body from infecting others and to keep the strange negative man from escaping) and starlet Rita Farr (made into a freak capable of changing size by inhaling unearthly vapors during a movie shoot), the team is lead by a man simply referred to as ‘the Chief’ (brilliant Niles Caulder who is confined to a wheelchair). Many readers see the incessant bickering that takes place in the pages of the Doom Patrol as being similar to Marvel’s Fantastic Four, but as writer Arnold Drake gleefully pointed out to me at a convention, ‘they hate each other and they hate themselves… they’re just miserable!’ It’s this kind of self-hated wrapped into a super hero that would make such a series commonplace nowadays in a world of comics like Ennis’ The Boys, but this was 1963!

The team made a big splash when they were featured in the pages of the New Teen Titans of Wolfman and Perez, causing a steady revival of interest that eventually brought the team back in print. More recently, the DP made an appearance on the small screen in the Cartoon Network series Teen Titans. I still avidly avoid the PIXAR film The Incredibles due to its shameless cribbing of the Doom Patrol and was not surprised at all to hear that a feature film was in the works… three years ago. No matter how you cut it, these guys have made an impact into the mass comic book psyche, yet they cannot remain in print for some reason.

Many creative teams have attempted to make their mark on the series, but none have really touched upon the genius that was so very visible on the pages of the original series. I was surprised to hear that Drake somewhat respected Morrison’s version but not at all surprised that he hated Byrne’s (which is actually worth reading I might add). This latest version of the comic has a lot going for it, but as writer Giffen has noted, a lot against it as well.

I wish this latest Doom Patrol series the best of luck… it’ll need it.

Recommended:
Showcase Presents: Doom Patrol Vol. 1
The Doom Patrol Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions)
Doom Patrol, Book 1: Crawling From the Wreckage

What to do with the Superman movies

DC Comics/Warner Bros is currently stalled in the production of a second new generation Superman movie. Rumor has it that after the unparalleled impact that The Dark Knight had with cinema goers, the producers want to follow suit with the ideas used in The Dark Knight for their boy in blue. This would conceivably mean darker Superman film with more serious plot elements.

This is, to my ears, a very bad idea. However, anything that perpetuates what we have seen thus far is a bad idea to me.

After seeing the 4 films in the 1970’s/80’s Superman movies and the more recent Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns, I think I know how things can be ‘saved.’ The first two Superman films work quite well in their time (aside from the strange ‘Can You Read My Mind’ musical number). Seeing as how this was the only comic book film on the block at the time and special effects were still in an early developmental stage, the tagline ‘you will believe a man can fly’ could not have been more apt. That was the selling point right there. Anything else was icing. The producers had a golden opportunity with Christopher Reeves, a talented stage actor who perfectly sold the character of Clark Kent/Superman in a way we may never see replicated (and that’s okay, there’s a reason legends exist).

However, all 5 Superman movies to date share mainly the same ideas and plots recycled over and over (aside from Superman II featuring evil Kryptonian criminals which many still think of as the best one). I swear, if I see one more movie featuring Lex Luthor plotting an evil scheme I will shave my own head. This is in no way a judgment on either Hackman or Spacey‘s performance as both owned the character completely. I’m still overwhelmed with Spacey‘s amazing performance as Lex Luthor.

However, the idea of a man flying and a charismatic character actor do not a super hero film make. Times have changed and what was once an oddity is now a genre. Audiences are used to bigger explosions and effects, sure, but each successful comic book movie has its own flavor. Dark Knight is scary and high-art in its approach, X-Men is an ensemble film replete with adolescent angst, Iron Man is a fun and action-packed film that appeals to almost everyone, Spider-Man is a modern-day serial picture almost perfectly capturing the spirit of the original… so where does that leave Superman, formerly the only show in town?

Richard Donner recently suggested that his former assistant and current comic book wonder writer Geoff Johns be approached to write the next Superman film tentatively entitled ‘Man of Steel’ (currently in what is called ‘development Hell’).

While I do hold a very special spot in my heart for Geoff Johns’ comic books (his runs on Green Lantern, Flash, Hawkman and Action Comics are absolutely superb), I think that having him on the next film would push the franchise down a path it does not need to go and frankly would not excel at- a dark action super hero flick.

One of the seminal super hero comic book characters in the industry, Superman remains unique in that there have been so many approaches to what makes him tick. From comedy to fantasy to hard sci-fi, big blue has seen it all. Most recently Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely collaborated on a series intended to entice new readers to the character called All Star Superman. A veritable love letter to the madly inventive tales of the 1960’s, the series is an utter success and has been hailed by comic book readers who would never have read a Superman comic otherwise.

This approach of ‘use what works’ had also been done as a one-off by Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) and legendary Superman artist Curt Swan in ‘Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?’ (collected in DC Universe The Stories of Alan Moore) a story that is regarded as one of the absolute best the Metroplois Marvel has starred in.Replete with out of this world adventure and nail-biting drama, Alan Moore‘s story also honors the character for what he is and the talented British writer ignores the temptation to ‘make his mark’ or ‘fix’ anything. It is also a milestone as it serves as the last Superman story before John Byrne took the character over with Marv Wolfman in 1985 and transformed the title into an homage to the 1950’s run mixed with a hard-edged sci-fi feel.

This backdrop of madcap inventiveness and absurdity played against mundane everyday life is the character’s strength, in my opinion and could easily make Superman movies a force to be reckoned with.

If you must have Luthor in the film, keep him, but do something some of the best Superman writers have done, use him in a new way (rather than a simple mustache-twirling villain coming up with a half-baked scheme that Superman puts a stop to in the fourth act).

My idea would involve Superman in an off-world adventure that got him out of Metropolis and into an eye-poppingly odd environment where he can perform super feats. While he is away, Luthor would no longer have to worry about Superman‘s interference, allowing him to completely take over for the first time. Lois and Jimmy could try and stop Luthor and could hold him at bay until Superman returned from his other adventure and got to clean house. This formula would make what has become a frankly tired franchise new again and introduce new strengths to moviegoers that are tried and true concepts to comic book readers. A solid supporting cast of Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane and the oddball hyper-inventive ideas that could be used in a new setting would really make Superman pop out to moviegoers all over again, and honestly that needs to happen.

This is not rocket science, guys. I love the Superman films, but even as a kid was terribly disappointed by the fact that there wasn’t anything to really challenge him in any of the 5 movies. The filmmakers tried to compensate with the ‘feats of strength, speed’ etc that make him far hardier than a mortal man, but I don’t think that is enough for modern audiences.

We need a new Superman movie to make the guy on the street as excited to see it as he was to see Iron Man or Batman and that does not mean to imitate either. Superman is the blueprint for the superhuman hero and it’s for a reason. I just hope that the moviemakers don’t forget that.

Recommended:

DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore
All Star Superman, Vol. 1
All Star Superman, Vol. 2
Superman: Last Son
Showcase Presents Superman VOL 04 (Showcase Presents)

Superman, superman, superman…

I recently won a large box of comics on e-bay. It contained mainly recent comics that I had either sold recently or was mildly interested in reading. As it happens, the box contained a few different variations on Superman.

As DC Comics has recently entered into it’s next attempt to nab my wallet called Countdown, (written by Batman, Superman and Justice League cartoon creator and writer of the TV series Lost, Paul Dini) which will ‘change the DC Universe forever,’ I figured I’d take a look at how they’ve treated their number one money-maker over the years.

Action 544/545: Superman at 45 years old

Hidden amongst the lot of modern comics were two veritable diamonds in the rough. And what gems these two are! Action Comics 544 and 545 introduce the reader to new interpretations on two classic foes, Lex Luthor and Brainiac.

The first issue is double sized and even features contributions from Superman‘s creators, a history of the character’s genesis by writer Jerry Siegel and a drawing by Joe Shuster. Very touching stuff.

super powers luthor

The first part is a mind-blowing tale by Cary Bates, drawn by the #1 Superman art team of Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson. The story is about Lex Luthor apparently leaving his evil ways behind him to live on an alien planet with his wife and child… and he’s a hero on this planet, not a villain. Meanwhile, Supes is tracking him down with annoyance in his eyes after one of Lex’s left-behind schemes went into automatic and trapped Metropolis in an unbreakable bubble. While Luthor is ‘turning over a new leaf’ in public, he is secretly plotting a way to destroy Superman, cursing himself and in a very strange internal monologue, blames the Man of Steel for making him evil. At that moment, he falls into a cave of alien tech and builds the ‘super armor’ you may recall from the Super Powers toy line, designed by George Perez.In this super armor, he commits crazy crimes and causes trouble, etc, until Superman shows up. In the climax of their battle, Lex’s alien planet explodes, taking Lex’s wife and child with it… oddly mirroring the explosion of Superman‘s home planet of Krypton.

Superman figures his enemy is dead and flies off, leaving an incredibly enraged Luthor behind, clinging to planetary debris, plotting revenge for the life he almost had. This could be one of the most disturbing moments in comics at the time. The issue had humanized Luthor into a sympathetic character only to expose his genuine twisted madness. Modern comics wish they were this dark and grim!

The second story is written by Marv Wolfman and drawn by Gil Kane (of Green Lantern fame). In this story, Brainiac is reduced to a molecular state and travels into a black hole only to witness the birth of the universe. In this moment, a gigantic armored glove reaches out to trap Brainiac and in that moment of trauma, he sees Superman‘s face. He exits the experience, completely redesigned as a bizarre skeletal robot.This weird experience causes him to regard Superman as the ‘Angel of Death’ and working for the ‘Master Programmer’ seen in his vision re-shaping creation (a concept later re-used by Wolfman in the epic Crisis on Infinite Earths). Then Brainiac builds an army of conquered alien races to destroy Superman. This story spills over into the next two issues.

In both tales, Superman is a very vague character, anxious and confused by these unexpected changes in his life. Up until this point in his publication, he had gotten used to understanding his foes. Seeing Lex Luthor baring his fists to duke ’em out took him off guard and he has no idea what to make of Brainiac‘s insane experience painting the Kryptonian as a demon… he IS after all, just a simple country boy.

This era is very inventive with some of the finest art and clever plotting of its time. To re-invent Superman in any way is a very tricky thing and these two issues do a superb job of just that by re-invigorating his chief villains.

If you like bronze age super-heroes, I recommend reading these.

All Star Superman

Next in the pile was a stack of issues 1-7 of All-Star Superman, a series I admit to being only part-way caught up with. All Star Superman is part of a line of comics geared to attract new readers with ‘non-canon’-stories and hot creative teams.

The other title in this line is All Star Batman by Frank Miller and Jim Lee.

The Superman team is Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, which strikes many comic fans like something they heard in a dream rather than reality.

Quitely is an artist who is familiar to most from his run on the amazing ‘Flex Mentallo‘ series and ‘The Authority.’ A master of the dynamic line and producer of some of the most unique faces you’ve ever seen in a comic book, I’m still surprised DC assigned him to Superman. His line-work is very ‘quirky’ and strange, something that you rarely find on a strong comic book character.

Grant Morrison‘s previous successes in the Doom Patrol and experimental magical spell made into a comic, The Invisibles, have lent him a kind of celebrity uncommon in the field. It’s fair to say that he has built a cult following with his comics, including a group of online followers who enjoy dissecting his writing to a stunning degree. He has gone from strength to strength in the past few years, from We3 to a stunning multiple mini-series extravaganza Seven Soldiers of Victory.

He’s also one of the most genuine and polite comic book personalities that I’ve met. And he never shies away from complementing the ‘little fellow,’ as seen here as he holds a copy of my self-published sci-fi anthology… available for purchase on my site I might add.

In any case, Morrison‘s take on Superman is something that many readers are very excited about, and in honesty they should be. While not a strict Silver Age interpretation as I had been lead to believe from its reputation, All Star Superman is a fun and inventive comic book that is not afraid to re-interpret a world where a man flying into the sun has become so commonplace that modern readers just yawn.
It’s this ‘re-invention’ (spotting a theme yet?) that is the real success of the series. The action is imaginative and strange, but the supporting cast of Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen and my favorite obscure character former football player Steve Lombard appears in a new light.

Morrison and Quitely are very respectful of the material with their revision, allowing a kind of subtle touch to the characters that provides a new universe for new stories to take place in without screaming ‘look at my new ideas’ the way similar attempts in this vein have.

All in all, All Star Superman is successful in creating a new Superman comic that appeals to the reader who wants to avoid the monthly series and all that its multiple creative teams and story paths bring. If you’re the target audience that wants to read Superman… but not read Superman, this is the ideal comic for you.

Up, Up and Away

Which brings us to the One Year Later story, Superman: Up, Up, and Away! consisting of eight issues of both Action Comics and Superman. The monthlies I referred to above that readers wish to avoid.

Growing up, I was Marvel Zombie. I had no interest in DC Comics. It wasn’t until Marvel creators Frank Miller and John Byrne tackled DC’s big two with Batman: Year Oneand Superman: The Man of Steel that I took notice. Since then I’ll check out either title from time to time based solely on the merits of the creative teams involved. This is weird because I dislike that kind of reader. I guess I dislike myself. I should really take myself out for a nice meal and have a long talk about it.

Anyway, the ‘Up, Up and Away’ storyline has Kurt Busiek (of Marvels and Astro City) and Geoff Johns (of JSA, Hawkman, and Green Lantern) on writing chores while newcomer Pete Woods draws up the pages, has the unenviable task of establishing the character of Superman in the aftermath of an unexplainable cosmic event (Infinite Crisis ) that happened One Year Ago.

Not easy, huh?

It succeeds brilliantly. The story follows a powerless Clark Kent and his wife Lois living the normal life of a human. Somehow he lost his powers… and he seems okay with this. The charm of the story comes from these moments that develop the simple character of Superman.

Ofcourse Lex Luthor is in the shadows, furiously crafting a wicked scheme that leads to a punch-up of mammoth proportions, but it’s the excellent writing by both Busiek and Johns that makes Superman into a character you actually care about and Luthor someone you are worried by.
The idea that Luthor is a mad genius is rarely used in comics. In the 80’s, Marv Wolfman and John Byrne re-created Lex Luthor in the image of an evil, bald Donald Trump (or just bald Trump) since the mad scientist angle wasn’t cutting it anymore. But here the mad science comes together, with Luthor using the strange Kryptonian crystals to create the perfect trap for Superman.

Yes, I know it sounds exactly like the movie Superman Returns… I can’t figure it out either.

The biggest achievement of this story is that it takes place in the dreaded monthly comic. In recent years the new fan following of comics has shied away from reading monthlies, preferring the glossy glare of a hardcover or reading the hip downloaded version.

It’s a shame because the monthly comic book is the lifeblood of the industry. They can be bad… (witness the days when readers had to follow the numbered S shield in the upper corner to figure out what part of the multiple part epic they needed to get next) they can be terrible (there have been moments when the aforementioned multi-parter is broken up with other stories, seen in Dave Lapham‘s run on Detective Comics), actually, but monthly comic books are what it’s all about. Collecting that stack of comics to dig through on a weekly basis is, to me, part of the comic book experience.

I only just realized that my British readers are laughing through their noses every time I say ‘monthlies.’

For those of you who dislike comic shopping, all of these stories I reviewed minus two are available in collected editions.

After reading all of these comics, I remembered the ‘big cosmic event’ in DC’s pipeline and sighed. The incessant need to re-invent and revise characters rather than just tell a story using what is there just astounds me. Will they ever just let these characters rest?

superman blue

Guess not.

Look for recommended goodies at the Daily P.O.P. Store!