I’ve
been wanting to do this for a while, but it isn’t always convenient
for me to spend a whole lot of time looking at Previews
and taking pictures of the comics, toys, and weird Japanese dolls
within. This month it was, so this is the initial installment of what
I would like to be an ongoing series but that probably won’t be.
So
every month a new edition of Previews
is sent out to comic book stores. Contained in the pages within are
products that might be currently available or could be released
anytime in the next year; but typically about two months away. Or
sometimes never. I’ve ordered lots
of things that have just never come in. Without getting into the
specific politics of Diamond, let me just say that they aren’t
quite
a monopoly and also aren’t quite
the worst distributor anybody has ever dealt with in the history of
the universe.
But
I’m not here to discuss that. I’m here to discuss a few of the
weird and/or wonderful items offered in this month’s edition.
Play
Arts Kai’s Star Trek Figures
These
aren’t actually offered until the back of the book, but they are
features right up front and I want to go ahead and address them
because they are the ugliest fucking action figures I have ever seen
in my life.
I
am a big admirer of Play Art’s figures. I like how stylized they
are and the articulation is phenomenal. If I could afford to pay $60
for an action figure I would probably own some (I bought the Metal Gear Solid Meryl Silverburgh
but sold her on eBay). But Kirk and Spock here are absolutely
nightmarish. Their weird superhero physiques and their severe, overly
sensual faces make them look like outer space rape monsters. I do not
want them.
FREE
COMIC BOOK DAY!
I’m
not going to run down all of the titles being offered this year, just
be sure to show up at your Local Comic Book Shop on Saturday, May 3rd
to partake in the fun. Many stores have parties, signings, and other
events to draw attention not only to the best visual medium in the
world but also the importance of the independently-owned stores that
work so hard to bring all of the comic-related goodness to your
neighborhood.
I
will be hosting the Fan-Tiki-Tastic Tiki Zombie Party featuring
Monstrosity Championship Wrestling (probably) at Odin’s Comics in Lilburn,
Georgia. We’ll be recording a LIVE ESO Podcast and the squared
circle will be set up outside the store to contain the madness of
whatever monsters might show up. More details to come, but don’t be
surprised if a certain Tiki fella and maybe even the Allfather
himself show up to GET IT ON!
Check
comicshoplocator.com to find your shop, then give ‘em a call and
see what they have planned!
RoboCop
Vs. The Terminator – Dark Horse
This
came out back before everybody hated Frank Miller. I had the
individual issues, but they are long gone now. I’m excited about
reading it again because I don’t remember a thing about it. I am
stoked about seeing Walt Simonson’s art. I love anything that guy
does and just seeing the cover for this one fills me with nostalgia
for the days of… well, not simpler comic book art. I’m not sure
exactly what it is that I don’t love about comic book art now, but
I’m sure it’s all those Image guys’ fault.
The
Sakai Project
I
mention this not because I am a fan of Usagi Yojimbo – I’m not,
particularly – but because this one is for a good cause. The
proceeds from this book will go to Stan and Sharon Sakai. Sharon is
suffering from a debilitating illness and requires 24 hour care, the
cost of which far exceeds what any independent comic book artist can
comfortably cover.
I’m
buying one because I loved Usagi’s appearance in Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles
and the resulting action figures of the samurai rabbit in both his
armored and outer space (!) looks. I’ve always been curious about
the comics, but just haven’t ever picked them up.
You
can also help out the Sakais through here.
Game
of Thrones Figures – Dark Horse
These
look very nice, but are not action figures. They’re plastic
statues. That’s fine and I’m sure there are plenty of folks (like
sometime contributor Chad J. Shonk) who will love these, but they’re
not for me. I am a bit surprised that we have two lines of figures
featuring likenesses from the TV show, but that nobody has jumped on
the books. I obviously have no idea how George RR Martin has his
licensing set up, but I would bet another company could do toys based
on the books without using the TV show as reference. Actually, it
would be ingenious to do a line of smaller, static figures – army
men style – complete with castles and stuff.
The
New 52: Future’s End – DC Comics
Fucking
shit. Doesn’t DC have enough time frame and continuity problems as
it is? I’m still not comfortable with the New 52 paradigm and
they’re jumping five years ahead? Heck, Scott Snyder can’t even
maintain a Batman timeline because of all of the crossovers and
time-jumping bullshit that keeps happening. I just want some
consistent narratives.
I
suppose I don’t have any right to complain. I’m only buying six
DCU titles anymore and one of those is on the chopping block (the
phenomenal All
Star Western).
The only end I want to see is the end of the New 52 and DC’s
current editorial staff. I know that horse is long dead, but every
visit to the comic shop is frustrated by the fact that I do not like
what DC – my lifelong company of choice – is doing with the
characters that I love.
Batman:
Arkham Origins Action Figure 3-Pack – DC Collectibles
This
makes me angry because it’s some straight-up bullshit and I expect
better from DC Collectibles.
I’ve
been excited about the possibility of an Arkham-based Copperhead
figure since I first saw the character in the game. She’s a great
design and is handled in a genuinely creepy way. The boss battle is
pretty frustrating, but in an awesome and interesting way.
Unfortunately,
you can only get this figure if you buy this three pack, which also
includes minor retoolings of existing figures that I am not
interested in. The first is Red Hood Joker, which uses the inferior
and under-articulated body from Origins Joker.
The second is an unmasked Deathstroke, which is actually pretty cool
but uses the mind-bogglingly fragile body of the Origins Deathstroke
figure. I have that review waiting to go, but for now let’s just
say that I have bought two of these and they have both broken in
different places. I do not want another.
Alas,
I am a sucker and will buy this set. Red Hood will probably go up on
eBay. I might keep the Deathstroke if its sturdier than the two I’ve
already had.
Batman:
Arkham Asylum Action Figure 4-Pack – DC Collectibles
This,
on the other hand, is a good deal. For sixty bucks you get cool
repaints of figures from the first game. It’s a great way to get
these primary characters. I don’t need it, but if you’re looking
to start collecting DCC’s Arkham figures this is a great start.
Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles 30th
Anniversary Special - IDW
I
was excited about this because the blurb mentions Kevin Eastman and
Peter Laird working together for the first time in years. But then I
saw that it was just the cover. I was hoping for 48 pages of
old-school Turtle goodness. Granted, that’s still what this is, as
they have tapped various creators who have worked on the TMNT comics
over the years, but it’s just not what I was hoping for. I’m
still getting it, though.
Chew/Revival
One-Shot – Image Comics
Uh
oh. I’ve been hearing about how good Chew
is for years and just haven’t ever picked it up. Now it’s
crossing over with one of my favorite books from two of my favorite
artists. What do you wan to bet I’m going to be buying some trades
soon?
Savage
Dragon #197 – Image Comics
I
stopped reading Savage
Dragon
years ago. Not for any good reason. It was just one of the casualties
of one of those times that I stopped buying comics. But I wanted to
say how much I admire Erik Larsen for keeping this thing going for so
long and staying true to his vision. And for making this pretty
awesome cover.
Original
Sin – Marvel Comics
This
actually sounds like a pretty good idea for a crossover. Or at least,
what I’ve gleaned from it sounds good. The idea seems to be that
somebody killed Uatu the Watcher – the big-headed dude that
observes all of the goings-on in the Marvel Universe. I’m intrigued
by this, but I don’t read any of the comics that are directly
involved and I honestly can’t afford a crossover.
I
do love the fact that Brian Posehn is a featured writer on one of the
big Marvel event crossovers. That alone makes it all worthwhile.
And
I LOVE that art by Totino Tedesco.
Iron
Fist: Living Weapon – Marvel Comics
I
totally missed this when #1 was offered last month. The story and art
are by Kaare Andrews, whose work I love. I’m in, despite having no
strong feelings about Iron Fist.
Attack
on Titan
Doesn’t
that look like a skinless Brock Samson?
Batman
’66 Busts – Diamond Select Toys
These
look absolutely fantastic. Even the bases are wonderful with their
raised graphics and Bat Signals. I’m not a big statue/bust guy, but
if I were I would buy these.
Andre
the Giant: The Life and Legend - :01 First Second
I
don’t know anything about Box Brown – the creator of this graphic
novel – but the idea of an illustrated biography of Andre
Roussimoff delights me to no end.
Evil
Dead 2: Ash Retro Action Figure – NECA
I
stopped collecting the Mego-inspired figures when I realized just how
overwhelming it was going to be, but this is Ash, baby.
Power
Rangers Madness – Bandai
This
is one of those things about Previews
that confounds me. Featured here are five pages – five
pages –
worth of Power Rangers toys that will be easily obtainable at Target,
Toys R Us, and Walmart for considerably less than what Diamond will
charge for them. This sort of thing happens a lot and I don’t get
it.
Ninja
Turtles – Playmates
I
hate that I am dreading this movie. I really hope it surprises me by
at least not being too profane for me to bring my son. I shouldn’t
have to pre-view this, but I will. Lord knows I don’t need Lil’
Troublemaker asking me about turtle dicks thanks to Michael Bay’s
moronic sense of “humor”.
Tin
Toys
I
won’t buy any, but these are awesome.
3D
TARDIS Life-Size Standup
I
bet this thing is going to be an absolute bitch to put together. I
just can’t see spending $250 for a cardboard box. I’m sure it’s
worth it for the craftsmanship and whatever, but that’s a lot of
scratch for something that one drunken misstep is going to
obliterate.
The
Munsters House Finished Model Kit
This
thing is gorgeous and is sized for HO scale model trains. Which is
what I will start collecting when I turn 107.
DC
Comics Real Action Heroes Figures – Medicom
Not
that I could afford them, but these would look pretty incredible
except for one thing – the design of the superhero overpants.
Rather than being separate pieces they are sewn into the bodysuits
and as a result look… odd. Otherwise the sculpts and costumes –
from fabric to design – look awesome.
DC
Heroes Sofubis – Medicom
I
might pay five bucks for these hunks of crap if I found them at a
flea market or at a stand in Mexico City. You guys – these things
range from eighty to a hundred and twenty bucks. Each. I do not
understand this at all.
3A
X Iron Man Figures – threeA
These
just look awesome. I’d love to own one. They’re 13.5 inches tall,
feature hidden articulation, and have light-up eyes, chest, and
hands. But at $230 each I’m going to have to pass.
GI
Joe Retro Lunchbox
This
is such an odd choice. If you’re going to do this, why not go with
stuff from the early days rather than images from when the line was
dying down? I would have bought this if it were graphics featuring
Duke, Flint, Snake-Eyes, or any pre-1986 iteration of the Joe team,
but to feature Lt. Falcon, Dress Blues Gung-Ho, and Croc Master is
just bizarre.
Also
of Note
While
thumbing through Previews,
I couldn’t help but notice the huge disparity between Marvel and
DC’s sections. I’m talking about the quality of art. Marvel was
packed full of gorgeous graphics, great design, and lots of daring
variation. DC’s section featured an awful lot of art that made me
wonder how it could be cover art for a modern comic book. In short –
Marvel and DC were wowing me, but in totally opposite ways.
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