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.
In
other news, I recently dropped my pull to fifteen titles a month,
give or take some miniseries. I’m spending way too much on comics
and only a few of them – perhaps not even fifteen – really
deserve my precious time.
No
worries for you guys, though – I can still sit down with Previews
every month and speculate about what’s cool and what isn’t.
Wonder
Woman: Earth One Volume One - DC (Front Cover, 68)
I’m
surprised that I haven’t seen any online outrage over Wonder Woman
being chained up on the front of this book.
I’ve
been longing for a great Wonder Woman comic book for years. The New
52 reboot was a cool book, but it wasn’t really a great Wonder
Woman book. Now, with the character being committed to film in the
very near future, DC obviously sees the opportunity to give her the
spotlight she deserves. Between this and The
Legend of Wonder Woman
I’m hoping we can finally get some great stories.
While
that title is a new ongoing debuting next year, this one is another
of DC’s special projects almost along the lines of Elseworlds
(and if there were any successful corporate synergy attached to the
brand “Elseworlds”, I guarantee you these would be stamped with
it). I was a big fan of the Earth One Batman and I love Grant
Morrison and Yanick Paquette (who my son and I once watched paint a
picture of Swamp Thing and it was magical), so this is a no-brainer
for me. I’m always interested in non-continuity alternate takes.
Unless
they involve the entire Universe, I suppose.
Aliens
30th
Anniversary: The Original Comics Series HC – Dark Horse (36)
I
thought I had read most of the earliest Alien comics from Dark Horse,
but a comic book sequel to James Cameron’s Aliens
– particularly one that is contradicted by Alien
3 –
does not ring a bell. Dark Horse always does nice special editions,
so I’m on board for this one.
Hellboy
in Mexico TP – Dark Horse (37)
This
collection of stories of Hellboy’s adventures south of the American
border gets my highest recommendation. From vampires to luchadores to
tequila, this book has it all!
The
Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade #1 – DC (66)
These
guys brought you prequels to Watchmen.
Are you really surprised at this?
I’m
not saying it won’t be good. It might. But this is another instance
of a thing where I think I might prefer the backstory be left in
shadows. Part of the coolness of DKR
is not
knowing exactly how things got where they are when the book started.
I don’t really want it all explained. Which is what I’m assuming
this book is going to do, not that you can tell from the description.
Superman:
The Coming of the Supermen #1 – DC (67)
I
hope this is twice as bonkers as Adams’ Batman:
Odyssey,
which I couldn’t even finish because it was so fucking insane.
Poison
Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death #2 – DC (82)
Wait
– so Ivy doesn’t have some stupid black bodysuit anymore? I don’t
even need her to be half naked like many of your more lascivious
artists have drawn her (not that there’s anything wrong with that),
I just hated that black leotard. If you’re going to do anything,
put her in green. Maybe I’ll check this out. It does sound like an
interesting story.
Swamp
Thing #2 – DC (84)
I
know I don’t normally mention a book that I’ve covered in a
previous column, but LOOK AT THAT GORGEOUS KELLEY JONES COVER!
Coloring
DC – DC (110)
Sixteen
dollars for a coloring book.
Look
– these are a neat idea and this whole “adult coloring book”
thing probably isn’t nearly as lame as I’m inclined to think it
is, but that is a lot of money for a coloring
book.
Batman:
Europa HC – DC (111)
Now
I’ll buy this. I like the idea much more as a collected edition
than as a monthly miniseries.
Batman:
Endgame TP – DC (116)
I
recommend this. It was solid storytelling that moved along at a pace
that not many comics do now. Of course, I also recommend you read
“Death of the Family” first. I think it stands as one of the best
Joker stories ever written.
Robin
Vol. 2 TP – DC (118)
I
loved all of these Chuck Dixon Robin
comics when they were coming out. I lost or sold them long ago, so
I’m very happy that DC is collecting them.
Gotham
Central Omnibus HC – DC (119)
I
have heard so many good things about this series and I came to love
several of the main characters thanks to Rucka’s work on other
books. This is a great price for forty issues of a comic, but I
already have so many collected editions and omnibuses laying around
that I don’t think I can justify buying another one to add to the
pile.
Icons
Static Shock Deluxe Action Figure – DC Collectibles (133)
Forty-five
dollars!?!
There’s
no denying that this looks like a great action figure. And my recent
reviews of the Deadman
and Batman
Icons have shown that this is a great line. But that price is crazy
for a 6” scale action figure of this style.
DC
Comics Designer Series: Darwyn Cooke Action Figures – DC
Collectibles (134)
Clearly
the long-dreaded I(by me, anyway) DC Collectibles price hike is in
full effect.
These
figures are twenty-eight dollars apiece, which seems a bit steep for
DCC’s standard limited articulation. I also find it odd that
they’re doing a Batman, given the fact that we got a very similar
one in the Frontier
line a few years ago. I would’ve taken the opportunity to release a
character that hadn’t been done in Cooke’s inimitable style
already.
All
that being said, I’d love to have this Harley and I’m finding
that Supergirl to be almost irresistible, what with Streaky and
Krypto. But toys are getting more expensive across the board and I’m
really starting to be conscious of that.
Batman
Black & White Batman and Robin by Carmine Infantino Statues –
DC Collectibles (136)
These
are beautiful and classy, but I wish they were just regular color
statues. I’d love to have Infantino’s versions of the Dynamic
Duo, but I want them in glorious full color. To me, the Black and
White collection is more of a solo Batman thing. That being the case,
I want a Jim Aparo Batman ASAP.
Wonder
Woman The Art of War by Amanda Conner Statue – DC Collectibles
(137)
This
is by far my favorite of this series of artist-specific
interpretations of DC’s greatest female superhero. I am very
tempted by this one. I don’t have many statues, but this one might
join them.
Street
Fighter X GI Joe #1 – IDW (142-143)
I
have zero interest in this one. I haven’t enjoyed what IDW has done
with (to) GI Joe and I’m not much of a fighting game guy, let alone
a Street Fighter fan.
I
will, however, vouch for artist Emilio Laiso, as his artwork on
Hack/Slash:
Son of Samhain
was fantastic.
Spider-Man
#1 – Marvel (Marvel Cover, M4-6)
The
inevitable has happened and Miles Morales has finally been
incorporated into the 616. I was very
cynical about Miles when he was first introduced. Partially because I
am always
suspicious of the intentions of publically traded companies, but also
because he was ending the run of one of my favorite comic book
characters of all time – the Peter Parker of Earth-1610.
At
this point it’s nothing but good news that Miles is joining the
proper MU. He’s established, people love him, and Bendis has taken
very good care of him as a character that people can get invested in.
Power
Man and Iron Fist #1 – Marvel (M8-9)
I
loved Kaare Andrews’ recent Iron Fist comic and want to read more
adventures starring Danny Rand. I’ve only read a smattering of
stories featuring Luke Cage (and enjoyed him on Jessica
Jones),
but I’m up for this one.
Spider-Woman
#4 – Marvel (M47)
A
number of Marvel books got dropped after Secret
Wars
because I saw it as an opportunity to… uh… drop books. This was
not one of them. I almost didn’t buy it when it came out, but it’s
just so good. I couldn’t let it go. This is one fo the titles I
truly look forward to reading every month.
THE
GREEN SECTION
Alright,
Phantomaniacs – this is a one-time special offer to see if I can
get a recurring column going again. If you would like to see me
review some random-ass, potentially shitty comic book from The Green
Section, let me know in the Needless
Things Podcast Facebook Group
and I will order and review it. Nothing is off limits. Find something
you’re genuinely curious about or just try to pick out the
worst-looking or weirdest thing you can. I will give it an honest
review.
Femme
Fatale Sally PVC Figure – Diamond Select Toys (295,465)
You
might be thinking, “Gee, isn’t ‘Femme Fatale’ a little
inappropriate for our sweet, innocent, stitched-together patchwork
Franken-girl?”
Check
yourself.
I
say that because we should all offer up a prayer of thanks to the
geek gods that this isn’t a statue of Sally bent over in a thong
with wacky skulls stuck to her boobs.
Granted,
I haven’t made it to the Imports section yet.
Dejah
Thoris #1 – Dynamite (296-297)
Dynamite
Entertainment’s rebooting of its ladies continues this month with a
slightly more demure Princess (now Queen, apparently) of Mars. I
think it’s a brave move, as there’s no denying that saucy T&A
covers sell comics. But I definitely approve of an emphasis on
storytelling and excitement, particularly for a character with as
much genre credibility as Thoris. Granted, she has been depicted as
98% naked in the almost one hundred years since her first appearance,
but the world is a much more prudish place now. Apparently.
Doctor
Who: The Fourth Doctor #1 – Titan (378)
Titan,
would you please let Diamond number your effing pages?
I
have to mention this one even though I haven’t read any of Titan’s
Doctor Who comics. I hear they’re good. I don’t know exactly why
I’m hesitant to give them a shot, but it probably has something to
do with how much I don’t like the show right now. If all goes as
planned, I should’ve posted about that yesterday.
Anyway,
if you’re a fan of Titan’s comics and of Tom Baker, this is
happening.
My
First Wonder Woman Book – DC (428)
Oh,
come on.
Flash
TV Show T-Shirts – Graphitti Designs (449)
I’d
like to have a Flash shirt. I’d also like to have a S.T.A.R. Labs
shirt. But I do not care for the little “Graphitti” that adorns
the left sleeve of the shirts they make. It’s not present in any of
these pictures, but that doesn’t mean much. I wouldn’t include my
tacky logo on licensed stuff I was trying to sell, either.
Harley
Quinn Stars T-Shirt (449)
This
is a great image of Harley Quinn, but that’s not why I mention it.
I don’t know who this girl is, but from the look on her face she
was into Harley before you were.
iZombie
Liv Moore “Full On Zombie Mode” Previews Exclusive Action Figure
– Diamond Select Toys (460)
I
ordered the standard release Liv that was offered a couple of months
ago (and that should be arriving any week now). I love this show and
it only seems to be getting better, but I can’t help but feel like
this could have just been an extra head packed in with the other
figure. I don’t think the color of the clothing is even different.
Superman
Retro Series 2 8” Action Figures – Figures Inc. (472)
In
a way this wave of figures represents one of the biggest wants of my
youth – regular people. I always wanted civilian action figures to
go with GI Joe, superheroes, and even Star Wars. Without them, who
were the good guys fighting for? I love that Figures is making the
likes of Jimmy, Lois, and Perry.
Doctor
Who Action Figures – Underground Toys (476)
I
am beyond thrilled to see a figure of Paul McGann as he appeared in
the “Night of the Doctor” short that preceded the Fiftieth
Anniversary Special. The Eighth Doctor is more than deserving of a
better figure than the two we’ve gotten from the TV movie and the
head that came with the John Hurt figure.
I
may not be enjoying the show now, but I do like Michelle Gomez as
Missy. Combine that with the fact that Mary
Poppins
is secretly one of my favorite movies of all time and this figure is
a must-have.
They’re
also making a new Clara figure. I’m not buying that one.
Gremlins
2: Bat Gremlin Action Figure (482)
Must-have!
I’ve got the Spider Gremlin from NECA and I don’t even like
spiders. I actually thought that this guy had already come out and
that I had missed him. I’m happy to see him here.
TMNT:
Donatello 1/6 Scale Figure - Mondo (486)
If
I was going to get one of these awesome looking Turtles, it would be
Donatello. He’s always been my favorite. Not just because of the
purple, but because he’s the geeky one that I always identified
most with.
Justice
League Crazy Foam (520)
“Hey
kids – now you can bathe in the vomit of your heroes!”
Everyone
else is sort of phoning it in, but Superman looks like he’s really
going for it. Can you imagine the force of Kryptonian projectile
vomiting?
Unaffiliated
Thoughts
Jessica
Jones
is phenomenal. If you haven’t watched it yet, please do. I liked it
more than Daredevil,
which I loved. The characters of Jones
got me more. Krysten Ritter is powerful.
Supergirl is fun. It isn't the best show ever, but it's finding its way. It uses powerful emotional moments to great effect in the midst of lighter superhero fare. Melissa Benoist has an amazing range. And is adorable. I think my son has a crush on her.
Ash vs. Evil Dead is not very good. The cast is incredible. I could watch them read the phone book. Those folks and the occasional awesome practical effects are how I'm able to hang in there for a show that is decidedly sub-par. There - I said it.
This
isn’t comic book related, but Into
the Badlands
is also amazing. I highly recommend this mix of Mad
Max,
Deadwood,
and Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
This is a BADASS show.
*****
That’s
all I’ve got for this month. Start putting your pennies in your
Diamond Select figural bank and remember to drop your order form off
at your Local Comic Book Shop!
Yipe, that DC Collectibles price jump is scary. Really want Static, too.
ReplyDeleteI have a few old trades of the <a href="http://random-happenstance.blogspot.com/2012/07/if-you-thought-dcs-continuity-had.html>Aliens</a> stuff contradicted by Alien3: they were initially with Hicks and Newt, but changed the names later so they were just similar characters.
I suspect publishers and editors will see a lot of colors samples from Hush and Mad Love in the near future thanks to those coloring books. I also second the nods to Jessica Jones and Supergirl. Both are amazing, but in different ways. Phantom, your son has good taste. Our Supergirl is adorable.
ReplyDeleteBobby