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.
This
issue – both the main book and Marvel’s strangely separate
catalog – seems huge.
Also
worth noting is the fact that the order form is now a pleasant blue
rather than the annoying yellow they used to be. It seems to accept
ink better, as well.
Back
to the Future – IDW (Front Cover, 172)
I
haven’t been signing up for too many licensed comic books lately.
After the disappointment of Big
Trouble in Little China and
Escape
from New York
I’m too wary of the artwork to bother investing the time and money
in checking them out. If I were better about cancelling titles I
might give more a shot, but it usually takes me six or so issues to
realize that I don’t like something that might not be outright
terrible.
So
despite loving the BTTF
trilogy, I didn’t bother with the comics. Because if people felt
that it was okay to use cartoony art for the tow I mentioned above,
then I’m sure that’s what we got with this one.
That
being said, if you’re buying this and liking it, that’s awesome
because with issue #6 it is becoming an ongoing title.
Predator:
Life and Death – Dark Horse (Back Cover, 56-58)
Fire
and Stone
scratched my Predator/Alien/Prometheus itch quite nicely, so I’m in
for this one. If you don’t know, Fire
and Stone
was a massive crossover of titles that told a cohesive story across
several different ages. I thought it was great. This looks to be a
spiritual successor, though I don’t know yet if it will encompass
four miniseries or not.
FREE
COMIC BOOK DAY! (33-50)
I
won’t get too deep into FCBD until we get closer, but I wanted to
go ahead and mention these awesome shirts by Phantom Phavorites Art
Baltazar and Francesco Francavilla, available in several colors,
including Phantom Phurple!
THEY’RE
BACK! – DC (91)
I
am going to write a little something about this before I even turn
the page to find out what it means.
To
me, this suggests that our beloved, pre-Flashpoint
Batman and Superman are returning. The words suggest that, anyway.
The picture of Superman does not. And even as I type I remember that
Bruce Wayne hasn’t been Batman for a while. I stopped reading
Batman
and have no idea what’s going on in the various Super-titles right
now.
So
I suppose this means that the New 52 versions of the characters are
back and I can continue not caring.
Legends
of Tomorrow #1 – DC (94)
Everything
here sounds like fun. It appears to be four standalone tales
featuring Firestorm, the Metal Men, Metamorpho, and Sugar and Spike
(who?). Firestorm seems to be the only clear tie-in to the
forthcoming Legends
of Tomorrow
TV show, but at the very least this might be an interesting way for
DC to test the waters for new titles or characters. I approve.
Deathstroke
#16 – DC (112)
I
haven’t read any New 52 Deathstroke because I thought his costume
looked so ludicrous, but I have to admit that this cover image got me
in the same way that a Kevin Owens versus Brock Lesnar matchup would.
This is a fight that I would very much like to see.
Superman:
The Men of Tomorrow TP – DC (142)
This
collects Superman
32-39, which I actually read because John Romita, Jr. did the art. I
enjoyed the story of how Superman reacts to another being like
himself and how the ensuing story unfolded. I recommend it. It felt
almost like it fell outside of New 52 continuity and was its own
thing. This story could have been told during any era of the Man of
Steel.
Elseworlds:
Batman Vol. 1 – DC (144)
I
love
Elseworlds. If I didn’t already own most of the titles listed here,
I would definitely pick this up. They aren’t all fantastic, but
they’re all interesting. The included Dark
Allegiances
is one of my favorites.
DC
Comics Super-Pets Plush Figures – DC Collectibles (166)
I
was not aware that there was a Wonder Woman-themed kangaroo named
Jumpa. She’s adorable and I like the little wink she’s giving. I
am, of course, aware of Ace the Bat-Hound and will be ordering one
for my son. He’s almost too old for plush, but not quite.
Deviations
One-Shots – IDW (168-169)
AKA
= IDW’s version of What
If?, a
concept that I am totally okay with.
What
if Optimus Prime hadn’t died? What if Fox Mulder had been abducted
when he was a child? What if Shredder controlled the Ninja Turtles?
What if the Ghostbusters hadn’t crossed the streams? What if one of
Cobra Commander’s insane plans had actually worked?(!)
These
are the questions posed by IDW in March’s event, which runs through
many of their licensed titles. Granted, they shied away from actually
saying “what if?” and went with “In a world where”, but we
get the idea. I’m excited about all of these except for X-Files
and GI
Joe. I
dig X-Files,
but am not super-jazzed about this idea. GI Joe is one of my favorite
things ever, but that cover art is not to my liking. And it appears
that it was done by the interior artist.
Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles #56 – IDW (187)
This
is a gorgeous cover. Leatherhead in the foreground with the
Technodrome planted in the middle of a city is a great image, and the
colors are fantastic. This is the sort of thing that I would just
pick up if I saw it on the shelf.
The
Walking Dead Negan T-Shirt – Image (255)
Oh…
now that’s just fucked up. I don’t want to talk to the kind of
person that would wear this.
Standoff – Marvel (M Cover, 20-27)
I was all ready to not care about this crossover (ugh) until I saw this WANTED poster:
I’m an X-Men/mutants guy and Sunspot is one of my guys. I really dig the idea that he’s gone bad and is heading up AIM. I’m sure this is something that happened in some book that I don’t read (there are plenty of those), but I would absolutely read an AIM book starring Roberto. Sadly, nothing in the blurb for this New Avengers refers to him at all.
International
Iron Man #1 – Marvel (M3-5)
I
like Iron Man comics when they’re good. Alex Maleev is one of my
favorite artists working today. I like the idea of this very
different (all-new, all different, if you will) Victor Von Doom as
Tony’s sort-of-ally. The big question mark here is Bendis. He is
responsible for what I frequently refer to as the greatest run of a
comic book ever with Ultimate
Spider-Man.
He is also responsible for some of the worst comics I have ever read,
with Avengers
from a few years ago as the prime example. It was intolerable.
There’s
another factor at play here and with other titles I am interested in
– I just want to read some good superhero comics that stand alone.
I don’t want angst, I don’t want world-shattering conflicts, and
I don’t want crossovers. Just give me twelve issues of rip-roaring,
self-contained fun and I’ll be happy. It looks like Marvel’s new
Spidey
title might be on the right track for that. We’ll see.
Black
Widow #1 – Marvel (M12-13)
The
creative team behind the most recent Daredevil
book is now doing a Black Widow comic. I’m on board since that’s
one of the best runs of comics I’ve read in years. Every issue was
a delight and I looked forward to it every month. I’m ready for
more of the same.
Haunted
Mansion #1 (of 5) – Marvel (M14-15)
Slave
Labor Graphics produced a fantastic run of comics based on the
inhabitants of Disney’s Haunted Mansion about ten years ago. I
don’t doubt that Marvel is capable of doing just as good a job if
not better, but I dug those comics. To me they fleshed out (so to
speak) the story of the Mansion. I’m curious to see how this turns
out. I know friend of the site Ryan Cadaver from The
Casket Creatures
will probably check it out.
Mockingbird
#1 – Marvel (M18-19)
Wise
move, Marvel. Putting a female creative team on a book starring a
strong and now somewhat popular female character (thanks to the
Agents
of SHIELD
TV show) is good PR.
Sorry
if I sound cynical, but I promise you that every single decision that
Marvel or DC makes regarding gender, race, or sexual orientation is
driven by the desire to make money. That says nothing
about
the potential quality of any comic, but praising them for
“progressive thinking” is just silly. If it doesn’t sell,
Mockingbird
will get cancelled and replaced just as quickly as any other comic
book.
Next
agenda: women on all-male books!
Howard
the Duck #5 – Marvel (M39)
This
is an excellent book that you should be reading.
Silver
Surfer #3 – Marvel (M45)
This
is also an excellent book that you should be reading; possibly the
best thing that Marvel is publishing right now.
Spidey
#4 – Marvel (M62)
I
don’t usually talk this much about books that I am currently
reading, but the first issue of Spidey
was great. I’m a sucker for Nick Bradshaw’s artwork and the story
is simple and fun. I’m not sure how successfully the ground of
Peter’s high scool years can be retread with Ultimate
Spider-Man
as fresh in my memory as it is, but as long as these guys keep the
book fun to read and look at, I’ll keep buying it.
Hulk
Retro-Style Aurora Model Kit – Diamond Select (M98)
This
is awesome, but I can separate myself from my nostalgia gland long
enough to recognize that it looks like Hulk is tripping over a stack
of hamburger patties. Look at his face. That is the face of someone
in mid-calamity.
Wolverine
Resin Statue – Diamond Select (M99)
I
love
this statue. Not as much as my Wolverine as Brood statue, but close.
That footprint in front of Wolvie is so powerful – that person
isn’t in the picture, but eventually they’re screwed. Because
Logan is on the trail. I love it! I’m almost positive that this is
from a specific comic or at least image, but I can’t seem to track
it down.
Mighty
Morphin Power Rangers #1 – BOOM! (306-307)
Because
Rad Ranger would be very upset with me if I didn’t mention this.
I
don’t give a rat’s patoot about Power Rangers, but I get their
place in pop culture and respect their longevity and selling power.
Here’s the thing – Kyle Higgins is writing this comic (at first,
anyway). He is a very
good
writer. Like, so good I’m halfway considering picking this up
despite the aforementioned lack of patoot giving. Plus the art looks
great.
Vampirella
#1 – Dynamite (328-331)
It
seems that Dynamite has saved their biggest reboot for last, as
Vampirella is one of the biggest pop culture cheesecake icons to have
come out of comic books. It would be safe to say that her immediately
recognizable and almost non-existent costume has been her biggest
selling point since her inception. I’m not saying there haven’t
been great Vampy stories and tons of wonderful art, but let’s be
real.
I
hope that this initiative works for Dynamite and that they establish
some powerful female role models with these comics. I might have been
pretty cynical up above about the Big Two, but this effort seems more
like it’s coming from an earnest place. And yes – they earnestly
want to make money. But I think Dynamite truly wants to do something
significant here.
As
far as the redesign, I’m not a fan of the bike shorts under the
short coveralls (or whatever). I think just covering the legs would
have been better.
The
Birth of Kitaro SC – Drawn & Quarterly (355)
I’m
not familiar with Kitaro or his creator, but I love that mummy.
Modern
Masters Volume 29: Cliff Chiang & Volume 30: Paolo Rivera –
Twomorrows Publishing (426)
I’ve
mostly stopped buying art books because I look at them once and then
stick them on the shelf, but I love both of these guys’ artwork.
I’m often tempted by these Modern
Masters
releases and thought that these were worth pointing out.
Ghostbusters
Select Action Figures Series 2 – Diamond Select Toys (427,499)
I’m
so excited about DST’s Ghostbusters figures, but man – that Dana
looks terrible. It’s almost like they didn’t even have the rights
to Sigourney Weaver’s likeness. The other releases thus far have
had that look where you can tell they’ll be better in person, but
every picture I’ve seen of her has been bad.
And
yet still far better than the Mattycollector version.
“I
Am April O’Neil” 1-Piece Romper Suit (487)
Ladies,
get yourselves some white boots and a camera that turns into a gun
and you will be the hottest thing at… wherever one wears romper
suits.
Evel
Knievel Messenger Bag (488)
This
is incredible, but you’re probably going to have to fend off some
nitwits who will think it’s a play on the Confederate battle flag.
Or heck, even jerks who don’t like the American flag. And yeah –
I know that first one sounds like a stretch, but you’re reading
words from a guy that routinely gets labeled as Bane, Nacho Libre,
Rey Mysterio, and many other masked individuals that look nothing
like me. The public has no ability to recognize color and design.
The
Hateful Eight 8-Inch Action Figures – NECA (519)
I
want these SO BAD. I saw the movie this past Saturday and it is even
more incredible than I had been expecting. Every single actor is
amazing. Jennifer Jason Leigh delivers an Oscar-winning performance.
Tim Roth delivers the most Monty Python-esque line that has been
uttered since 1975. I loved each and every one of these characters.
Little
Grey Sofubi – MEDICOM (559)
NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO
NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO
NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO
NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO
NOPE.
Gary’s
Pick of the Month! - Cthulu
Stress Toy (569)
Now
that our pal, Gary Mitchel, is here in Atlanta I’m sure he could
use a squeezable Old One to deal with the stress of Atlanta traffic!
Unaffiliated
Thoughts
Once
again I am struck by the amazing and beautiful art that fills
Marvel’s book. It is a direct contrast to much of the “how can
this be a cover?” art in DC’s section. I hate to be a dick about
the hard working artists that are producing that stuff, but when
you’re working for the Big Two I think you had better be top-notch.
And an awful lot of the DC stuff is just not fun to look at.
Meanwhile Marvel’s little catalog almost feels like some kind of
art book.
I
am very dissatisfied with DC’s recent games of musical artists. One
of the key things that I need from a comic book is artistic
consistency; at least within story arcs. Lately DC has not even been
maintaining that within single
issues.
It’s jarring and annoying and I’m over it. I understand their
perceived need for hitting deadlines, but I’d rather wait an extra
couple of weeks for a comic than have the art visibly deteriorate
over the course of the issue.
Unless,
of course, the story is time sensitive in relation to other titles.
There is literally no point in reading Secret
Wars
any more other than it’s actually a lot of fun and I am enjoying
it. But the suspense and wonder of reading a universe-altering story
has been removed by the fact that it is so late and the rest of the
Marvel Universe has had
to move on. Oops.
*****
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!
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