If
you don’t know, Previews
is the catalogue that Diamond Comic Distributors use to offer the
products they distribute to comic book stores around the country.
This is where you can view and order (through your favorite Local
Comic Book Shop) comic books, trade paperback collections, t-shirts,
books, media, and toys and other collectibles from hundreds of
different vendors that deal in geek-oriented merchandise. The genius
part is that you actually have to pay for your copy of Previews
for the privilege of ordering other things to pay for. It’s like
the Ren Fest except without the horse poo smell.
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.
I
was way more excited for this before Batman,
Incorporated
nosedived into its drawn-out and disappointing conclusion. But I
still love Grant Morrison and will be checking this out. Well, giving
this a chance. I also want to point out that while I may have worked
up an irrational amount of hatred towards Mattel for their choice to
release that stupid rabbit in their Masters of the Universe Classics
line, this image of Captain Carrot delights me.
I
don’t know what the heck Multiversity is going to be about, but my
curiosity is definitely piqued. I think part of what has me so
interested is that it really has nothing to do with DC’s current
continuity.
Sixis
– Marvel (Back Cover)
I
believe this is a major event.
No
– not “Sixis”. I don’t know anything about that. I am
referring to the fact that I am interested in the things being
advertised on both covers of Previews.
This
is by Rick Remender – one of my favorite current writers – and
features the biggest villains in the history of the Marvel Universe.
And Carnage. I’m sure this and Multiversity will be elaborated upon
inside, but I just wanted to point out how impressive these covers
are. This looks to be an exciting issue of Previews!
Terminal
Hero – Dynamite (Inside Front Cover)
I
see Jae Lee’s art and I immediately want to buy whatever it is. But
then I see Peter Milligan’s name and I’m kind of like, “Eh…”.
It’s not that I don’t think that Milligan is a talented writer,
but he’s just not always on my wavelength. I believe I’ll pass on
this one.
Battlepug
Volume 3: Sit! Stay! Die! HC – Dark Horse (56)
I
don’t know exactly how to describe Battlepug
– the first webcomic I ever read - but I will say that if you love
Conan the Barbarian and pugs, then it’s for you! Mike Norton has
created an extremely weird world that’s ended up being much more
than the gimmicky thing it seems to be.
The
Art of the Venture Bros. – Dark Horse (58)
SOLD.
The
Venture Bros.
is one of the very best things that has ever been on TV. It excited
me greatly that something like this is coming out. I will state this
right now – this will be the source of a new tattoo.
Batman
Eternal – DC (105)
I
meant to read this. What happened? I’m 95% sure I didn’t put it
on my pull list, but I don’t know why. Is this good? Help me out,
Phantomaniacs!
Batman#34
– DC (107)
I
think that is an absolutely fantastic cover. I’ve given DC a lot of
shit for the sub-par art they’ve been choosing to promote their
book sin the pages of Previews
ever since I started this column, but they seem to have a stepped it
up a notch with this issue. Of course, I still have quite a few pages
of DC solicitations left…
All-Star
Western #34 – DC (118)
DAMMIT
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT
Damn
it.
Batman
’66 #14 – DC (121)
Introducing
this:
Into
Batman
’66
canon.
Okay,
maybe not really. But still awesome. I dearly love this book. I read
it to Lil’ Troublemaker and do all the voices to the best of my
ability.
Batman:
Arkham Asylum 25th
Anniversary Deluxe Edition HC – DC (132)
This
irritates me. I already have the original hardcover of this story. If
this is just a reprint I don’t need it. But if there are extras or
something I totally want it. This blurb doesn’t say anything about
that despite the fact that the title refers to it as a “Deluxe”
edition.
Arkham
Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
(as it is properly titled) fucked me up. I was thirteen when it came
out, and I did not have access to the brain-staining perversions of
the internet that kids today do. I wasn’t ready for the familiar
villains of wacky Gotham City to be acting like this. It was a whole
different kind of darkness from The
Dark Knight Returns.
Dave McKean’s creepy, wonderful art didn’t help things. I think
this might have disturbed me even more deeply than Batman XXX.
Batman
Animated Series Action Figures – DC Collectibles (146)
I
do not need to start another collection, but I can’t not buy these.
I just can’t. Batman:
The Animated Series
and the DC animated universe in general are responsible for such a
huge portion of my love for DC and form a big foundation for my adult
dorkery. If I have to drop something else to collect this line, I
will. Heck- if I have to sell my DCUC to collect this line I will. I
would much
rather have animated-style versions of all of those characters (if
that is a possibility).
For
now I am ordering this first wave for review. I’m not committing to
the whole series yet. But I have
to give it a try.
Batman
75th
Anniversary Action Figure 4-Pack Set 2 – DC Collectibles (147)
I’ll
not this second set just because I want to once again point out that
I think re-decoing all of the old DC Direct/Collectibles figures to
match is an excellent idea, but these are overpriced. Whoever does go
for these is going to have one fantastic looking shelf, though.
Batman:
Black & White Statues – DC Collectibles (153)
I
want all of these. I don’t quite understand why the Eduardo Risso
one isn’t sporting the Noel
costume, though.
Guardians
of the Galaxy #18 – Marvel (M12)
Against
my better judgment I picked up Guardians
#14 because I love Nick Bradshaw and also because the movie is coming
out and I don’t actually know much about the Guardians of the
Galaxy. I say “against my better judgment” because I am not a fan
of Brian Michael Bendis’ work on team books.
But
I enjoyed that first issue and was looking forward to following the
series.
And
now I see that Ed McGuinness is taking over art duties. I don’t
care for McGuinness’ art. But I’m going to hang in there and give
it a shot, just like I did with Bendis’ writing.
Ultimate
FF #6 - Marvel (M22)
…what!?!...
Silver
Surfer – Marvel (M59)
This
is an incredible and delightful book. I hope you’re all reading it.
Giant
Robot Warrior Maintenance Crew – Cosmic Times (303)
I
will give this a chance based on title, concept, and cover art. It
looks a little too cartoony for me, but if it’s good storytelling
I’ll be okay. I’ll let you guys know what I think.
Bob’s
Burgers – Dynamite Entertainment (310/311)
I
am always hesitant to buy television tie-ins like this, but I love
Bob’s
Burgers
and Loren Bouchard himself assures us that it might be a good idea to
buy the book:
Maybe.
Steampunk
Battlestar Galactica 1880 – Dynamite Entertainment (314/315)
As
if millions of Dragon Con-goers suddenly cried out in ecstasy.
This
seems absurd and unbelievable – like one of Comics Alliances’ old
April Fools’ Day jokes – but Tony Lee is a great writer. I’m
not gonna buy it because not one bit of this concept is my thing, but
if you like either of the involved concepts I’d suggest you give it
a shot.
Owly
Books – Top Shelf Productions (384)
Some
of the best comics I have ever read and fun for all ages – buy them
all! I read my first ones before we even had Lil’ Troublemaker and
loved them.
Biff’s
Pleasure Paradise Merchandise – Diamond Select Toys (412)
I
am buying one of those shot glasses. This stuff is great.
Bounty
Hunter Code: Revelations of Boba Fett – Star Wars (421)
From
the description this doesn’t actually sound like something I’m
all that interested in, but it’s a Boba Fett thing. I’m torn.
This is something I think I need to flip through before I buy it.
The
Walking Dead: Michonne & Walker T-Shirt (435)
That’s
a sword, idiot.
I
often wonder who is responsible for the copy in Previews.
Sometimes it’s painfully bad and other times it actually contains
massive spoilers for comic books. But again – that is a sword, not
a bat.
Army
of Darkness S-Mart Work Shirt (436)
I
would absolutely buy that and write “Phantom” on it if it weren’t
for the stupid “Army of Darkness” logo on the sleeve. I suppose I
could just make my own.
Walking
Dead Michonne Vinyl Bust Bank – Diamond Select Toys (453)
I
told you guys last time – I’m going to keep putting these Diamond
bust banks over until you all own one. They’re awesome.
X-Men
Legends 6-Inch Action Figures – Hasbro (460)
There’s
an awful lot of wacky speculation surrounding Marvel and FOX right
now, so I suppose I might as well take this opportunity to weigh in.
I
absolutely, 100% believe that something is up and that Marvel/Disney
is fucking with FOX’s Marvel franchises. There is simply no other
explanation for the complete lack of merchandising tie-ins to Days
of Future Past.
I’ve heard all kinds of incorrect rationalizations for why this
might be – other X-movies haven’t had successful toy lines, the
franchise isn’t kid-friendly enough – but there is simply no
way
that FOX didn’t want to cash in on one of the best-known comic book
franchises of all time. Now, I don’t know what happened. But there
is not a doubt in my mind that Marvel is cockblocking FOX from
merchandising money. Have you ever
seen a sequel of this scale follow something as successful as First
Class
and not even have a fucking t-shirt?
I’ve
said my piece. If I’m wrong…. Well, I’m not. I don’t know
exactly what Marvel’s endgame is – other than possibly just
wanting to harass FOX – but something is definitely up.
Oh,
and I’ve decided to skip these figures. They’re a shared
Exclusive between Diamond and Toys R Us. I’d like to have Stryfe
and the Jubilee build-a-figure. Storm looks okay but is all paint and
no sculpt barring the head. Magneto loos good, but not $23 good.
The
Next Next Wave of ReAction Figures – Funko (468)
It
was brilliant of Funko to plan for these to hit stores right before
Halloween. This assortment features all of the modern horror guys,
Predators, the Universal Monsters, and The Goonies. Once again – as
soon as I find some of these at retail I’m going to be in trouble.
Predators:
Bad Blood Action Figure – NECA (469)
You
guys know how much I love NECA and how much I love the Predator
franchise, but I think I’ve decided that this guy looks kind of
stupid. He’s from one of the Dark Horse comic books and I think
that maybe he looked cooler on the page than he does in three
dimensions.
Predator:
Blade Fighter Vehicle – NECA (469)
It
is totally mind-blowing that NECA is releasing an update of the old
Kenner Blade Fighter. It looks fantastic and I would love to have
one, but I just cannot justify that price. I’m not saying that it
isn’t worth it, but I just can’t spend that much for one.
Sadistik:
The Diabolikal Super-Kriminal – Go Hero (470)
If
this were an actual figure of Diabolik I would buy it in a second. As
is it is always just going to be a knock-off of Diabolik, no matter
how cool it looks.
Really
Expensive Sixth Scale Sportsball Figures – Enterbay (501)
These
look pretty amazing but I just don’t understand. I know, I know –
I am not a sports guy. And sports guys probably can’t understand
why I would choose a sixth scale Boba Fett loaded down with weapons
and armor over one of these guys in short pants.
I
will give Enterbay credit for producing a goal.
Game
of Thrones: Tyrion Lannister Sixth Scale Figure – threeZero (510)
This
figure presents me with a problem. I do not want to start collecting
sixth scale Game of Thrones figures. But I really
want this Tyrion because not only does it look incredible, it is the
first Tyrion figure to represent him as he should be – in regular
court clothes rather than battle armor. He even comes with a book.
$130 isn’t bad for an import sixth scale figure, but future GoT
figures would be more since they’re going to be 12” tall rather
than 8 5/8”. But this Tyrion really does look amazing. Maybe I
could just buy a Tyrion and stop there. Yeah, sure I could.
Evil
Dead Masks & Book – (526/527)
The
masks look fantastic and I want all three of them. The Necronomicon
looks a little sketchy and I’m going to need to know if it opens
and has pages inside before I commit anywhere near fifty bucks to it.
Also
of Note
DC
seems to have stepped up their art game a bit, but Marvel is still
producing the most dynamic and interesting images for their Previews
pages. I guess that’s what you have to do when you have your own,
separate book. I still think that’s kind of lame.
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