By Phantom Troublemaker
If you don’t know, Previews
is the catalog 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 are typically about three months away. Most of
this month’s offerings are scheduled to ship in June.
Now it’s time to discuss a few of the weird and/or
wonderful items offered in this month’s edition!
UGH!
A book I’m reading is crossing over with two books that I
am not reading! Dammit!
Except… everything that DC is putting out right now seems
to be pretty good. I’ve heard great things about Titans and Teen Titans.
Also… the whole thing is only four issues and will be
wrapped up in a single month.
That’s pretty awesome and the kind of crossover that I
can get behind. Especially considering the historical connection between Sale
and the Titans. Typically crossovers encourage me to drop books, but this one
actually has me interested. Well done, DC. Also, welcome back to the front
cover.
*Makes fart noise*
I hope that after this one final blast of mega-event
diarrhea the days of massive, line-wise crossovers are done. At this point,
with Marvel’s history, who the heck is signing up for a nine issue mega-event?
I’ll check back in when Marvel outlines details for their upcoming “Make Mine
Marvel” initiative.
Bonus Advice for Marvel: Reign in your creators on social
media. I’m not suggesting you limit free speech, but you are paying these
people and they are representatives of your product. Their online immaturity is
absolutely impacting your sales. You are losing money so that entitled babies
can be twats online. Is that okay with you?
Bonus Advice for Creators: If you absolutely, positively must share your insipid political views
on social media, open a separate account that is not related to the way that
you generate revenue.
Bonus Advice for Both: Don’t attack your customers,
stupid.
This year Free Comic Book Day falls on Saturday, May 6th.
Visit FREECOMICBOOKDAY.COM for more
details!
I mention this because the new arc is called “The First
Ally” and I am tired of the constant THREATS FROM THE PAST trope. This may not
be exactly what it sounds like and I have faith in Scott Snyder to continue
delivering excellent stories with this title, but “But who is the First Ally?”
sounds an awful lot like a THREAT FROM THE PAST that we’ve somehow never heard
about before. Can we just stop with the stories that rely on uncovering some
heretofore unmentioned history? Can’t villains just be villains with no
connection to the heroes?
Like I said – this may not be that. But I am wary.
Here’s another cool thing –
sometimes characters can show up in other characters’ books without it even
being a crossover! It just happens in the one title! What!?!
The first arc of this book was a fantastic story and a
great introduction to how these characters will interact with one another
within the ongoing title. I’m looking forward to the next arc, as well as this
story about intrigue in the Watchtower! Plus - annuals are always fun. And wasn't it cool back in the 90s when the crossovers would happen in these? There'd be a common enemy or theme, but you could choose to buy them all or just the books you read. I'd love to see that happen again.
This is a delight and a surprise. I’m a fan of both of
these guys’ work and Bane is one of my favorite Bat villains. I can’t wait to
see what his creators can do with him over two decades after his debut.
I will admit to not being particularly well-versed in
Jack Kirby’s New Gods aside from the ones that were part of Super Powers, but
I’ll by any book by the Allreds. They’re pretty much guaranteed fun!
I mentioned this story arc above and recommend this
collection if you’re a fan of any of these three characters. The story doesn’t
belabor meetings or anything like that. As a matter of fact, I found it to be
very reminiscent of the tone of the Justice
League Unlimited cartoon. I could see it playing out as a multi-part
episode.
Surprisingly I’ve heard nothing but good things about
this crossover. Looks like I’m going to take this opportunity to check it out.
The listing claims that this is the first time Detective Comics #854-863 have been
collected, but that’s not true because I have a hardcover edition of exactly
that.
Whatever the case, this gets my highest recommendation.
It’s the story that made Kate Kane what she is today and is one of the best
arcs I have read in my life. If I sat down to list them, I’m sure it would be
top ten, maybe top five. The story is excellent and the art is like nothing I
had ever seen before, though I’ve seen plenty try to duplicate it since
(without much success). You must have this on your shelf.
I love the first two and can’t quite remember the third.
But this is still recommended, especially with NECA’s DC vs. Aliens/Predator
figures coming out later this year! Which I’m sure is just coincidence!
This is a tempting volume, as it features the first
appearance of Swamp Thing and stories from legends like Len Wein, Bernie
Wrightson, Jim Aparo, Wally Wood, and more!
I’ve read a few single issues here and there, but I have
never experienced the full run of Wolfman and Perez’s Titans. I feel almost obligated to pick up this collection. The
cover alone is gorgeous.
Man, DC is killing it with collections this month. And by
“it”, I mean my wallet. These are some of earliest the issues of Batman comic
books I ever read. I have a few, but I’d love to have this collection. These
stories are the Batman that I learned about after the Adam West TV show. They
were tight, entertaining tales with art by some of the best to ever draw the
Dark Knight – Aparo, Garcia-Lopez, Ditko and more.
I’ve mentioned this several times here and on the
podcast, but if you haven’t heard, Dark
Night is Paul Dini’s extremely personal story of the aftermath of a mugging
and severe beating he was victim to over two decades ago. This is an amazing
book and Dini puts everything out there. Eduardo Risso’s art manages to convey
the autobiographical nature of the story with an amalgamation of artistic
styles.
I mentioned this figure during Needless
Things’ Toy Fair 2017 coverage. I think it might be the best Supergirl
I’ve ever seen.
I love that DCC is releasing this set, but why is it
sixty bucks? The single figures are twenty-eight apiece and these are smaller
and don’t come with substantially more accessories. I don’t get it. The figures
do look excellent, though.
Frank Cho’s portrayals of Wonder Woman are awesome. He
draws her thick, muscular, and powerful, but still beautiful. She looks like a
warrior. I’m not saying Wonder Woman always has to look like this and I do
appreciate different takes, but Cho’s is a badass Amazon.
Scott and David Tipton have done wonderful things with
Doctor Who and Star Trek, so I’m very excited to see their take on the Mirror
Universe versions of my beloved 1701-D crew.
That cover alone is awesome,
though Picard sort of looks more like Michael Hogan as Colonel Tigh. Not that
that’s entirely inappropriate given the subject matter. Hogan would be an
awesome Evil Picard. Of course, so would Patrick Stewart.
When people say things like, “And then they’ll launch a
new number one with everything back to the status quo in time for the movie” I
always think they’re being too cynical. But then this always happens.
I don’t know how I feel about this art. I need to see
more of it on panels. I like Star Lord and Rocket. I like how Groot looks like
Sackboy from Little Big Planet. Gamora and Drax look okay, I think?
HOLY SHIT. This is $3.99 an issue, twice a month? That’s
gettin’ pricy, Marvel.
I love this Mike Mayhew cover. I doubt I’ll pick up the
book, but it does sound pretty good – basically Rocket as Danny Ocean.
I never thought about the fact that several of my favorite
mutants also happen to have been hosts for the Phoenix Force. Putting Quentin
Quire, Rachel Grey, and Hope Summers together with Jean Grey for a team book is
an awesome idea but will probably also end up as some sort of universal
Armageddon. I mean, how could it not?
The writer, Dennis Hopeless, is responsible for one of my
current favorite books, Spider-Woman,
so I’m compelled to take a chance on this one.
When Marvel resuscitates a franchise they really don’t
mess around, do they? With last month’s debuts we’re up to seven new mutant
books, aren’t we (including titles I might not have highlighted)? James
Robinson is the guy that wrote Starman,
so I’ll always give him a shot and I already know that I like Carlos Pacheco’s
artwork. This is a can’t-miss #1 for me.
Gillen and Checchetto on Skywalker and Aphra. I’m in.
Sell me twenty of ‘em.
Also, I notice that this tory runs through the main Star
Wars title and Doctor Aphra. I would
be annoyed, but I’m currently buying all of Marvel’s Star Wars books because
they’re great. So whatever.
Easily my favorite Star Wars comic series. Killen and
Larocca told a story that filled in the gaps of Anakin Skywalker’s post-lava
bath adventures and told us so much about what was left of the man under the
black helmet. In these stories, Vader was never out of character but was always
so much more than we have ever seen anywhere else. Plus, this is the book that
introduced Doctor Aphra, who is awesome and who I would love to see in her own
TV show alongside 0-0-0, BT-1, and Black Krrnsantan.
Oh, look – speaking of Doctor Aphra! This is basically a
direct sequel to Gillen’s Darth Vader
and it’s great. A bit more fun, too.
You know all of those Punisher stories by Garth Ennis
that people talk about all the time? This is them. They’re great. You should
buy this book. That first twelve issue series by Ennis and Dillon is what made
me a fan of Frank Castle. I had picked up comics here and there and even had a
good run of Punisher: War Zone
because the first issue had had a die-cut cover (that was my favorite gimmick –
I was a sucker for die-cut covers). But the “Welcome Back, Frank” storyline was
so brutal and darkly hilarious that I was truly a fan of the character for the
first time. And just to be clear – Frank is not hilarious. He was always the straight
man. But Ennis and Dillon created a world of pure insanity around him.
Chip Zdarsky won me over with Howard the Duck (yet another excellent tile that got re-number-oned
several times and then cancelled) and I’m curious to see what he does with
Peter Quill. It seems like a good match between character and creator. I really
don’t like the Manga Romance Book cover art, but maybe it looks better on
panels.
As a white guy, I don’t understand the particulars of
being black in America and I never will. But I’m always curious to understand
more and every once in a while I feel like I have an epiphany about some aspect
of ingrained racism or learned prejudices. I want to read more stuff like this,
but at the same time isn’t it more comfortable not knowing the truth?
The deal here is that the Black Plague was secretly a
zombie outbreak and these knights have to find the source.
This is a brilliant idea, one of those that’s so good you
almost wonder if someone is using comics to pitch a movie. I realize that
suggests that I think that comic books are inherently full of bad ideas, but I
don’t think that’s the case. It’s just that sometimes things sound so perfect
that I think, “Oh, that should be a movie”. I feel like you’ve probably had the
same feelings from time to time and know what I mean.
You used to be able to walk into any old Local Comic Shop
and buy a Tick t-shirt, but I don’t think that’s the case anymore. I can’t even
remember the last time I saw Tick shirts solicited in Previews – certainly not since I’ve been writing this column. If
you need a Tick shirt – and you do – order one now! Like Halley’s Comet, they
won’t return again for seventy-five years!
Maybe not that long.
I love this! Not necessarily because it’s Colossus – I
like him and all, but I don’t need a shirt with the guy on it. No, I dig it
because it reminds me of one of my favorite t-shirts that I have ever owned,
long ago lost to sweat stains and wear and tear. It was simply a group shot of
the pre-blue and gold Uncanny X-Men, all dynamically posed like this. Just the characters - no goofy graphics or corny phrases. Possibly
by Marc Silvestri. I Googled “X-Men shirts”, but you can imagine how that went.
These are some of the most inelegantly designed,
craptastic movie tie-in shirts I have ever seen. They don’t look good enough to
be in the kids section at Walmart. After the reveal of that retro movie title I
expected some rad 80s-style designs. These are just lame.
Licensors tend to not get this sort of thing for some
reason. Many of us would much rather have Star-Lord’s jacket or shirt that he
actually wears in the movie than a shirt with a picture of Star-Lord on it. The
fact that someone is producing a replica of Star-Lord’s movie shirt is
impressive. The fact that they’re getting it out in time for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 (maybe) is
amazing.
Now you can wear your favorite Star Trek memes! Both of
these are amazing, but Riker sitting down is my favorite.
These almost got me the other day. Toys R Us had the mass
market versions of Bunsen and Beaker for $12.99 and Amazon had several of the
direct market versions (that come with extra accessories – the ones offered
through Previews) for less than
twenty bucks. I had Bunsen and Beaker in
my hand and three sets in my Amazon cart. But then I realized that I just
didn’t have enough space for a new line and really
didn’t need to spend the money.
Anyway, the Swedish Chef is my favorite here. Look at all
of the stuff he comes with, including the adorable little talking vegetables!
I love Sam, too, though. He’s my dad’s favorite, so I’ll
always have a soft spot for him.
These are so ridiculously adorable! I’m impressed with
the price points, as well. Thirty bucks for the 7.5” figures and ten bucks for
the minis seems perfectly reasonable. Although it looks like the minis are
blind boxes, which is lame. You guys know I don’t like those.
A couple of years ago I chose to collect Funko’s Game of
Thrones Legacy figures over Dark Horse’s offerings because they were cheaper,
had better articulation, and in my opinion looked better.
Boy, did I back the wrong horse. So to speak.
Funko abandoned their line (admittedly to poor sales) a while ago and Dark Horse’s is still running
strong and have improved in quality. I often complain about statues being so
expensive and large and how I wish some of the companies that make them would
also release smaller PVC versions at a lower price. I wish I’d realized that
that’s basically what these are.
Three pages of all-new product for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which releases on May 5th
and is likely to be the highest-grossing movie ever forever and ever until Vol. 3 comes out. I already have the
Marvel Legends I wanted – Yondu and Angela (review coming soon to Needless
Things), as well as the magical Groot 3-pack (not pictured; review also coming
soon).
As a matter of fact, most of this stuff can be found in
stores right now, so I wouldn’t recommend you actually order it from Diamond.
But it is neat to look at.
I like the animated style 6” figures quite a bit and
would probably be collecting those if I weren’t so budget conscious these days.
They’re doing them for all of the Marvel cartoons – Spidey, Avengers, and
Guardians – and even though I don’t like the shows, the toys are great and a very good price point.
The rest of the stuff is all pretty cutesy but awesome.
I admit that this is awesome. But do you know how many
actual, working guns you could buy with $1200? A few. Add that to the fact that
you’re going to spend at least that much on a screen-accurate Colonial Marine
costume to go with this piece and I think we’re all better off just going back
to bed.
You guys probably know that I’m reviewing (almost) every
version of this Harley that gets released because we’re in an unprecedented toy
situation where quite a few companies are releasing comparable 6” versions of
the character. And also just because I like this design and think Margot Robbie
is super.
So far I only have the Figuarts
Harley from Bandai, but this one and the Medicom MAFEX versions should
be out in the next few months.
This awesome statue is based on art by the incomparable
Francesco Francavilla and inspired by the best-known DC Elseworlds story. If I
was more of a statue guy, I’d get it for sure. Or if they released a smaller,
cheaper PVC version.
(Yes – I am aware that Mattel and DC Direct released
vampire Batman figures. I have both. But they aren’t Francavilla art.)
I can vouch for the excellence of that Cursed
Earth Judge Dredd. If you missed ordering any of the rest of these,
here’s your chance. Personally, I’m going for Black Adam and possibly Reverse
Flash. I have a Punisher on order, but not this pricey deluxe version. The
arsenal is nice, but I don’t need a coat for Frank.
Speaking of Frank, I’m tempted every time I see that
Frankenstein, but I have enough figures of that guy. Seriously.
I saw this at Target the other day and almost bought it
because it looks so cool.
I haven’t mentioned these die-cast figures from Jada Toys
before, but I like them quite a bit. I don’t own any, but I’ve bought a few for
Mrs. Troublemaker because they’re neat and the price is right. I like the
designs quite a bit.
What I’d really
like to see is a Hulkbuster model kit like the Batmobile
that Jada Toys released. I’d buy that in a second.
I cannot believe how much Mezco has stepped up their game
in the past few years. They’ve gone from being a company that I mostly
disregarded to one that I follow closely every week to see what kinds of
must-have toys and collectibles they’ll be releasing next. From their One:12
Collective to simpler things like this vinyl Sam, Mezco is killing it..
It’s a shame, but I consider most of this line to be a
misfire. Doubly a shame because the regular Ash is the best action figure I
bought last year. But with three different Ash figures, these two nearly
identical figures that don’t look great and are based on boring designs in the
first place, and one demon that most folks I know thought was the worst part of
the first season of the show, this has been more of a disappointment than and
six Engineer figures.
I realize likenesses are tricky business, but having
figures of Pablo, Kelly, and Ruby (and now Chet) is a higher priority to me than
any Deadite. This feels like one of those lines where I’m never going to get
the core team, so I might as well stop at the one Ash.
This stuff looks fantastic, but is way out of my budget. I want that APC something terrible, even if
only to fil with GI Joes, but there’s no way I’m spending $250 on it, even
though it looks like it’s worth it.
With lights, sounds, and a fully operational interior,
this is probably the most incredible toy vehicle since Hasbro’s Big Millennium
Falcon. Possibly better if the quality is truly as solid as it looks.
As for the figures, they look great. The prices are a
little more reasonable considering the size, but not without any corresponding toys
to go with them. If you haven’t seen them, check out Hiya’s Colonial Marines.
They’re phenomenal.
This, of course, is the problem with buying outside of
your normal lines like I did with the Figuarts Harley. That figure was
phenomenal and now I want all of the Figuarts figures. For now I’m managing to
control myself and just purchase the Suicide
Squad releases. I know I complain about pricing all the time and it doesn’t
make any sense at all that I’m buying these ridiculously expensive twelfth
scale figures, but they are truly satisfying and for the first time in years I
feel like I’m really getting my money’s worth. Plus I’m usually finding them
for at least a little less than the MSRP.
Wha…
I don’t…
Right. Let's move on.
I have recently taken to wearing enamel pins on my
Phantom gear. Just one on the lapel or pocket, nothing crazy. I’m not up to a
twenty-three pound denim vest or anything.
I like these Marvel heads from Mondo, but I wish they
looked more like the old John Byrne heads from the covers. Still, I’m probably
going to have to pick a couple up to add to my collection. Wolverine is a
definite, Spidey and Storm are strong maybes. I like Baby Groot an awful lot,
too.
Logan
abused me. It was brutal and powerful. I highly recommend it. Read my review here.
It looks like one of my favorite comic books, Spider-Woman, has been cancelled. That
sucks.
Speaking of sucking, I have fallen out of love with Supergirl. The show seems to have been
negatively influenced by its move to CW. I know that sounds ridiculous given
that the same creative team is in place, but I cannot believe the change in
emphasis on relationships and drama lately. The last few episodes have been
disappointing.
Let me know what you’re looking forward to in the
comments, or join the discussion in the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group!
*****
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!
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for
all of the latest toy news and live reports from the stores that carry them!
If you enjoy comic books, toys, or Needless Things, you
might enjoy SupportPhantom.com.
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