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.
Once
I’ve narrowed the list down I am going to narrow it further. I’m
not quite sure yet how much. I’ll figure that out once the list is
complete.
Anyway,
the point is that I’m trying to limit what I buy, so this month
might be slightly lighter. It’s not like I buy everything that I
write about in this feature, but I’m sure my frugality will bleed
over into my willingness to spotlight items.
Spawn
#250 – Image (Front Cover)
Wow.
Two hundred and fifty issues of Spawn.
I was there for the first fifty or so. No matter what anybody may say
about Todd McFarlane (and I don’t know if people say anything – I
met the guy once and he was super nice), he revolutionized two
industries that I am passionate about – toys and comics. Kudos to
him for living his dream like a champ.
Superman
– DC (Back Cover)
I’ve
been thoroughly enjoying Geoff Johns and John Romita, Jr.’s
Superman
book. Johns is in “good writer” mode and it’s been some of
Romita’s best work. “New Powers!” is a tricky proposition with
modern Superman, but so far the creative team has kept me hooked and
has earned my trust. I’m excited to see what’s coming after
Ulysses.
Wonder
Woman - DC (91)
That’s
just a kickass image of Wonder Woman.
Batman
Animated Series: The Creeper, Robin, Harley Quinn, and Killer Croc
with Baby Doll Action Figures - DC (139)
The
first figures from this series haven’t even been released and I’m
still ordering everything they offer. I just can’t imagine not
buying these. They look fantastic, are loaded with accessories, and
are from the greatest animated series ever produced. I can’t wait
for the first few to arrive. Should be any day now. I’m really
looking forward to reviewing them.
Arrow
(TV) Action Figures – DC (141)
These,
on the other hand, I can resist. They look great and I’d love to
have them, but I have to show some restraint. I can’t collect
everything.
Batman:
Arkham City Clayface Deluxe Action Figure – DC (143)
THIS
IS IMPORTANT – PAY ATTENTION!
Yes,
we already ordered this figure a few months ago. But for whatever
reason it is being resolicited.
That means that all previous orders are cancelled. So you have to
order him again.
Galaxy
Quest: The Journey Continues #1 – IDW (153)
I
can’t skip over a comic book tied into one of the greatest sci-fi
comedies of all time. I feel obligated to at least mention that this
is happening. As much as I’ve been hungry for further adventures
with the crew of the Protector,
the art shown here leaves me cold. The likenesses are pretty bad and
I just don’t care for the style. If I were familiar with the writer
I might be compelled to look past all of that, but I can’t do it.
I’ll wait for word of mouth on this one.
GI
Joe #5 – IDW (154)
I
tried this based on my love of Karen Traviss’ Star Wars books.
She’s telling a very good story, but I simply do not like the world
that IDW has created for GI Joe. Every single issue it bothers me
that Tomax and Cobra Commander are dead. I don’t even know how many
other changes there are, but those two just keep poking at me.
I still hate the covers, though.
Hack/Slash
Omnibus Vol. 1 & 2 – Image (205)
This
remains one of my favorite horror comics. Now that the first two
omnibuses are back in print, I suggest you pick them up if you
haven’t already. Later arcs were inconsistent, but these first
stories are great.
SEX
#19 – Image (225)
I
don’t read this, but that cover is just… unsettling.
Star
Wars #1 – Marvel (M4-11)
Marvel
is terrible at numbering pages.
I
have to buy this. I like Jason Aaron and John Cassaday, but this is
new Star Wars. Moreover, it’s new Star Wars that is beyond a shadow
of a doubt in continuity with all other Star Wars going forward.
Avengers:
No More Bullying #1 – Marvel (M21)
WARNING:
I am about to express an unpopular opinion. Skip to the next title if
you are a sensitive panty-waist.
This
is fucking stupid. The whole “war on bullying” is stupid.
Bullying will never
stop. This whole movement is ridiculous. You might as well try to end
jealousy. Teach your kids to be kind when they can and strong when
they have to be. That’s all you can do. Teaching kids to run to a
teacher when they get beat up is the worst
advice you could give outside of “strip naked and hand the bully a
knife”.
Let
me know when somebody has rounded up all of the shitbags and shot
them into space. Then I’ll get on board with the idea that bullying
could end. People will never
stop creating shitbags. And decent people just can’t keep up with
shitbag procreation.
Secret
Wars – Marvel (All throughout this thing)
Marvel
has been releasing titles for all of its big events for next year and
they are all things that have already been big events. It seems
pretty lame, but they have such an amazing pool of creators that I
find it hard to believe these will all be as lame as they seem to be.
I don’t plan to dive into any of them, though. I’ll be waiting
for word of mouth. Well, unless there’s one that’s written solely
by Kieron Gillen.
Hawkeye
Omnibus – Marvel (M87)
I’ve
been hearing about how great Matt Fraction’s Hawkeye
is for quite some time. For some reason it’s really hard to get
trade collections at my Local Comic Shop unless I remember to order
them when they’re first solicited, so I missed out on this one. Now
I can get twenty-two issues, an annual, and a special all in one
shot.
Afterlife
With Archie – Archie Comic Publications (???)
Where
the heck is Afterlife
With Archie?
The magazine version of #4 is listed, but the regular comic is not. I
think it’s doing very well, so hopefully they’re just taking a
little time off. I can’t honestly say that Afterlife
is better than The
Walking Dead,
but it’s a very close second for Best Horror Comic. And that’s
darn good.
On
a side note, Sabrina
was great. The first issue was wild and creepy. I’m in.
Grimm
Tales of Terror #7 – Zenescope (394)
This
is another great horror comic. If you haven’t read my write-up of
the first four issues, go check it out.
Dark
Knight International T-shirts – Graphitti Designs (424)
I
bet these sell like crazy. They look cool and they’re a different
kind of Batman.
STOP
PUTTING CAPES ON THINGS – EVERYBODY (430)
Seriously.
Just stop.
I
was in Target the other day. I need new boxers. I don’t like
anything but knit boxers, but the only kind you can get now are the
licensed ones and those are hard to find in anything close to solid
colors. They had Batman ones and Ninja Turtles ones that were fairly
normal looking until you turn them around and see stupid capes on the
back. Of fucking boxer shorts.
The
Ninja Turtles do not even wear capes.
This
needs to stop now.
Star
Trek Select Lt. Worf Action Figure – Diamond Select Toys (436)
Man,
this sculpt is absolutely fantastic, but I am not a fan of the static
poses on this line. I know DST has tried everything with the Star
Trek lines, so there’s only so much left to do, but this just isn’t
my thing.
In
related news, now that October and 31 Days of Halloween are all done
I can get back to my crazy TNG
marathon. As soon as I get caught up on Sons
of Anarchy.
Mechagodzilla
Vinyl Figural Bank – Diamond Select Toys (437)
This
is a toy disguised as a bank. Look at it. Nobody is looking at this
thing and seeing a bank. This is a heck of a way around licensing
limitations. The
freaking head even comes off.
This thing looks amazing.
Batman
Retro 1966 TV Series Action Figures – Figures, Inc. (445)
I
put my Mattel Batman ’66 figures up on eBay, along with the
Batmobile. They have a bid right now, so soon they’ll be gone. I am
okay with this. Mattel botched that line SO HARD. I wish I had known
what Figures (a company I love anyway) was planning with their line.
I would’ve gotten them from the start. After all, they only cost
TWO DOLLARS MORE than Mattel’s.
He's not pictured here, but Egghead is the one that's really killing me. I want an Egghead.
One:12
Collective: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Action Figure – Mezco
(447)
Ah
– here it is.
I
saw the black version up for preorder on BigBadToyStore,
but that’s not the one I wanted. I wondered where this one was.
It’s a Previews Exclusive.
I
don’t have any business spending this much on an action figure. But
it looks so amazing. And I am a sucker for any kind of new style of
action figure or action figure technology. With things like this I
always plan to review it and then sell it or trade it if I don’t
like it. I can justify things for review purposes. Not that I get
anything for free, but it just makes me feel better.
Imaginext
DC Superfriends: Hall of Doom – Mattel (448)
I
hope this comes out before Christmas because Lil’ Troublemaker is
definitely
getting one. This is awesome.
But,
you know, toy companies can’t make playsets.
Papercraft Figure Kits – MOMOT (450)
If
your life isn’t already stressful enough you can spend twenty
dollars
on a bunch of paper that will never fit together properly.
Closing Thoughts
Once I got done with this issue of Previews, this was the list of titles I wanted to keep getting:
Hellboy
& the B.P.R.D: 1952
All
Multiversity books
Superman
Batman
Eternal
Batman
and Robin
Batgirl
Harley
Quinn
The
Wicked + The Divine
Star
Trek/Planet of the Apes
The
Walking Dead
Saga
Saga
Star
Wars
Angela:
Asgard’s Assassin
Thor
Rocket
Raccoon
Daredevil
Silver
Surfer
Magneto
Death
of Wolverine books
X-Force
All-New
X-Factor
Sabrina
Afterlife
With Archie
Annihilator
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