This was HUGE week for me. Not only did a bunch of books that I was looking for finally come in, but I also went to TWO shops this week and went a little crazy in the dollar bin of one of them.

New This Week:
True Story Swear To God 12 (Image Comics) – I already read and reviewed this issue. Short answer: get it now (unless you have no love in your heart, then just stick with Blackest Night/Siege).
Girl Comics 1 of 3(Marvel Comics) – Again read and reviewed. Again I recommend you pick it up.
The Great Ten 5 of 10 (DC Comics) – I still think this is the best book coming out from DC and I can’t wait to get the time to read it.
The Sword 22 (Image Comics) – This title is coming to an end soon and I will miss it.
Kevin Smith’s Green Hornet 1 (Dynamite Entertainment) – I’m looking forward to the entire sub-line of Green Hornet books.
First Wave 1 of 6 (DC Comics) – This is the only book I am not completely sold on, but I think this might surprise me.
Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep 9 (BOOM! Studios) – Still a good title and I look forward to it every month.
Age of Bronze: Betrayal Part One TPB (Image Comics) – I decided last week to switch from single issues to trades for this title.
Siege 2 of 4 (Marvel Comics) – I finally found a copy and I’m looking forward to The Sentry vs Ares.
Starman 81 (DC Comics) – Why not, I have a vast majority of the rest of the issues. I might be missing two or three. Maybe as many as six.
Nexus: Space Opera 101/102 (Rude Dude Productions) – I had not idea this even came out, which sucks because I have looking forward to each issue and I doubt there will be any others.
Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys (Viz Media) – I wanted to get Pluto Vol 1, but since they didn’t have it, I picked this up and special ordered Pluto. I want to go on record as saying that I am picking Pluto up on the recommendation of Ryan King, so if I don’t like it, I will blame him. Just kidding, I will blame Vince B.

From The Dollar Bin:
Prophet 5 and 6 (Image Comics) – The only issue of Prophet I have is 7, so it will be nice to see how we got to that point.
Incredible Herc 116/119/120/121 (Marvel Comics) – I have never read a single issue of Incredible Herc, but I heard a lot of good things about it.
War of Kings 2 of 6 (Marvel Comics) – I read the first issue and nothing after that, but I liked it and I want to check it out for a dollar.
Dazzler 26 (Marvel Comics) – I have never read an issue of Dazzler, but this one is the beginning of “The Startling Secret of Dazzler’s Sister.” Plus, there were a LOT of issues of Dazzler in the dollar bin.
Final Crisis 4 of 7 (DC Comics) – I stopped buying after issue 3, but a dollar, why not?
Justice League of America Vol 1 37 (DC Comics) – The cover is torn, but for some reason, I don’t think I have ever read this issue.
Tales of The Teen Titans 81 (DC Comics) – I got this because the creative team is Marv Wolfman, John Byrne and Jose Luis Garcia Lopez. Hall of Famer Creators FTW!!!
Imperial Guard 2 (Marvel Comics) – This has a cover date of Feb 97, but I had no idea this title even existed until I saw it for a dollar.
Fantastic Four 557 (Marvel Comics) – I missed the entire Millar/Hitch/Currie run, so when I saw it so cheaply, I thought I would check it out.
Bullet Points 1 or 5 (Marvel Comics) – I have no idea what this is about, but Tommie Lee Edwards drawing the original gray Iron Man. C’mon.
Give Me Liberty 3 (Dark Horse Comics) – Once again, never read any of the Martha Washington stuff, so why not for a dollar (notice a trend?)

Plus, even though I need about three or four long boxes, I picked up one.

Tags: age of bronze, ares, blackest night, boom studios, bryan hitch, bullet points, dazzler, dc comics, do androids dream of electric sheep, dynamite entertainment, fantastic four, final crisis, first wave, girl comics, give me liberty, great ten, green hornet, image comics, imperial guard, incredible herc, john byrne, José Luis García-López, justice league of america, kevin smith, mark millar, martha washington, marv wolfman, marvel comics, naoki urasawa's 20th century boys, nexus, pluto, prophet, rude dude productions, ryan king, siege, starman, tales of the teen titans, the sentry, the sword, tommie lee edwards, true story swear to god, vince b, viz media, war of kings

So far this is probably my least favorite issue of the series so far, but that’s because it spotlights Bette Noir, who is probably my least favorite regular character. And the villain Orian isn’t one I like either.

However, the scene at the dinner table was chilling, creepy and worth the price of admission.

Tags: boom studios, irredeemable, mark waid

This is what I got this week from Detroit Comics:

Stumptown 1 (Oni Press): I have already read the second issue and liked it. I’m glad Brian was able to find the first issue for me.

Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island 1 of 4 (Avatar Press): I haven’t heard anything about this book, but Brian pulled it for me because he thought I might like it. We’ll see if I add the rest of the issues to my pull list.

DeadWorld: Frozen Over 4 of 4 (Desperado Publishing): I have had this on my pull list for so long that I forgot it was there until Brian showed me. I completely forgot what was going on in this book. It will be a long time before I get another DeadWorld/Mike Raicht/Federico Dallocchio/Desperado Publishing single issue. I might pick up a trade, but this long time between issues has really soured me on the franchise/creators/publisher.

Image United 0 of 6 (Image Comics): I have really been enjoying this series. I have said it in the past, it is like a puppy: big, goofy, stupid and fun.

Irredeemable 11 (BOOM! Studios): I still think this is one of the best books out there right now and I can’t wait to read this issue.

Fantastic Four 576 (Marvel Entertainment Comics): I am thoroughly enjoying the Hickman/Eaglesham/Mounts run on this title. It’s not that I didn’t like the previous creative teams, I just never read them.

Buck Rogers 9 (Dynamite Entertainment): I always smile when I see another issue has come out.

Madame Xanadu 20 (Vertigo): Joelle Jones is handling the art chores on this issue (and the last). There is nothing wrong with her artwork, but I started getting this title because of the Amy Reeder Hadley pencils and I get frustrated when she isn’t on the book.

Fall of The Hulks: Red Hulk 2 (Marvel Entertainment Comics): Yeah, I know, but Jeff Parker had me at “Hello”.

28 Days Later 7 (BOOM! Studios): I don’t know why more people aren’t getting and talking about this book. It is as enjoyable as the first movie and better than the second.

Choker 1 of 6 (Image Comics): I loves me some Templesmith. I don’t remember ever reading a Ben McCool story, but he would have to be absolutely horrible for me to not like this title and I don’t ever remember hearing that he is absolutely horrible.

Tags: 28 days later, avatar press, boom studios, buck rogers, captain swing and the electrical pirates of cindery island, choker, dead world: frozen over, desperado publishing, dynamite entertainment, fall of the hulks: red hulk, fantastic four, image comics, image united, irredeemable, madame xanadu, marvel, oni press, Stumptown, vertigo

This book just gets better with each issue. I thought I was all zombied-out, but I was wrong. I recently watched the movie ‘28 Weeks Later’ and strongly feel this is a much better worth successor to the original ‘28 Days Later’.

Recommended.

Tags: 28 days later, boom studios

The story takes a radical change of focus for this issue. It shows what is going on in other parts of the world. Another strong issue with great dialog and pictures to match. Michael Alan Nelson and Marek Oleksicki have taken what could have been a pedestrian licensed property title and turned it into something very special.

Thumbs up.

Tags: 28 days later, boom studios

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Ryan usually writes the show notes but this time Eric will take a crack at it. Won’t be nearly as clever or pun filled but hey, this episode features Chris Eliopoulos’ first appearance as part time co-host. Chris is a prolific comic book letterer and writer of the Franklin Richards 1-shots and Lockjaw and The Pet Avengers from Marvel Comics. Join us as we discuss the illustrious career of Chris and then talk about some of the comics we have read. Ryan and Chris loved Amulet and Eric finally weighs in on Boom Studios’ The Muppet Show and The Incredibles. We wrap up with some insight into comic book lettering.

Tags: amulet, boom studios, chris eliopoulos, franklin richards, pet avengers, the incredibles, the muppet show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In this episode, Ryan reveals his thoughts about two new titles from BOOM! Kids: “The Muppet Show” and “The Incredibles”, Eric reveals his love for “Tellos”, they both reveal their feelings about movies like “Monsters Vs. Aliens” going 3-D, Ryan reveals some upcoming Marvel toy news, and the new special guest host reveals… himself! It’s the reveal that sure to break the internet in half (or at least the small section devoted to all ages comic book podcasts)

Tags: boom studios, monsters vs aliens, tellos, the incredibles, the muppet show

As usual, we do a quick rundown of the comics scheduled to ship this week: January 4th, 2008.

Up first we have reviews of two of Derek Coward’s favorite independent titles from the past year: Potter’s Field from Boom Studios, and Infinite Horizon (Preview) from Image Comics.

We have a review from Jason Page of the Fanboy Faceoff podcast, of Pax Romana. (The link is to a comic book resources Preview page. I continue to have major problems navigating Image’s website!)

Happy New Year! (and don’t forget, comics ship on Friday, January 4th, this week!)

AiT/PlanetLar
Black Diamond (AiT/Planetlar) #6

Antarctic Press
Gold Digger #91
Gold Digger Sourcebook The Official Handbook To The Gold Digger Universe #12
Pirates vs Ninjas II Up The Ante #6
Sky Sharks #5

Ape Entertainment
Misadventures Of Clark & Jefferson #1

Archie Comics
Sonic X #28
Tales From Riverdale Digest #26
Veronica #186

Avatar Press
Brian Pulidos Lady Death 2007 Swimsuit Special Premium Cvr
Brian Pulidos Lady Death 2007 Swimsuit Special Reg Cvr
Brian Pulidos Lady Death 2007 Swimsuit Special Seeley Cvr
Brian Pulidos Lady Death 2007 Swimsuit Special Take A Bite Ed
Brian Pulidos Lady Death 2007 Swimsuit Special Wrap Cvr
Doktor Sleepless #4 Incentive Warning Sign Variant Cover
Doktor Sleepless #4 Reg Cvr
Doktor Sleepless #4 Wrap Cvr
Gravel #0 Incentive Black Magic Variant Cover
Gravel #0 Reg Cvr
Gravel #0 Wrap Cvr

Archaia Studios Press
Okko Cycle Of Water HC

Bongo Comics
Simpsons Super Spectacular #6

Dark Horse
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Vol 2 #10 (Season 8 ) Regular Jo Chen Cover
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Vol 2 #10 (Season 8 ) Variant Georges Jeanty Cover
End League #1
Lobster Johnson Iron Prometheus #5
Star Wars Legacy #18
Doctor Solar Man Of The Atom Vol 4 HC

Devils Due Publishing
Dragonlance Chronicles Vol 3 #6 Cvr A Gopez
Dragonlance Chronicles Vol 3 #6 Cvr B Walpole
Forgotten Realms Halflings Gem #3 Cvr A Seeley
Forgotten Realms Halflings Gem #3 Cvr B Walpole
Hack Slash #7 Cvr A Seeley
Hack Slash #7 Cvr B Pichelli
Patrick The Wolf Boy Vol 4 TP Pocket Ed

Dynamite Entertainment
Battlestar Galactica Origins #1 Foil Cover
Battlestar Galactica Season Zero #4 Foil Cover
Highlander Way Of The Sword #1 Foil Cover
Painkiller Jane Vol 3 #4 Foil Cover
Red Sonja Vol 4 #28 Ron Adrian Foil Cover

Image
Dynamo 5 #10
Fearless #3
Lucha Libre #3
Overman #2
Shark-Man #1
Sorrow #3
Strange Embrace #7

Image/Top Cow
Witchblade Takeru Manga #11

Microcosm Publishing
Applicant SC
Indestructible SC
My Brain Hurts Vol 1 TP

Papercutz
Tales From The Crypt Vol 2 #4

Red 5 Comics
Atomic Robo #1 2nd Ptg

Sirius Entertainment
Poison Elves #80 Limited Edition

Viz Media
Shonen Jump #62 Feb 08

Tags: boom studios, bruce rosenberger, comics, derek coward, image comics, indie comics, infinite horizon, pax romana, potter's field, Reviews