Down The Line - Previews review for March 2003 by Randy Lander While my Snap Judgments reviews cover books as they are released, I'm as avid a follower of "what's next" as anyone else. Thus these Previews reviews, covering the Diamond Previews that allow fans to preorder comics from their local retailer. This installment covers the January previews for comics due to ship out in March 2003. Make sure and also check out some of the other places to get preordering suggestions, including Chris Butcher & James Lucas Jones (Previews Review), who have created a site that centers on monthly and weekly looks at what's coming up and Johanna Draper Carlson (Comics Worth Reading), who has been doing this longer than just about anyone currently doing it. Pre-ordering is your friend. If there's stuff you want in March, letting your retailer know before the end of January is the best way to make sure you get it. BIG FOUR PICK OF THE MONTH: Avengers #65 (Marvel) - Each issue of Geoff Johns's Avengers seems to be gaining a little ground with me, and it looks like the addition of artistic stability with Olivier Coipel may just take it to new heights. I was curious, and a little worried, about how the unusual style of Coipel would work on a straightforward super-hero book like Avengers, but the preview pages in the back of this month's Marvel comics have assuaged all my fears and made me very excited to see "Red Zone," Johns and Coipel's first arc on the book. The Devil's Footprints #1 (Dark Horse) - One of the benefits of getting advance preview copies is being able to see the strong new offerings on the way, and The Devil's Footprints is one such. I've read issue one, and it's a solid horror/mystery book, an original property that should appeal to those who enjoy Hellblazer or Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It creeped me out a little, and has me very anxious to see where the mystery takes us, and the artwork by Paul Lee, who first impressed me on Fused, is spectacular as well. Metropolis TPB (Dark Horse) - I blame Phoenix for turning me into an Osamu Tezuka fan, and it looks like this is a good month to be a Tezuka fan. In addition to another chapter of Astro Boy (which I need to catch up on), Dark Horse offers Metropolis, on which the recent well-liked anime was based, and I expect it to be just as visionary and unusual as Tezuka's Phoenix. Tezuka had a view of the future that was impressive, and his storytelling skills definitely earned him the title "god of manga." Blood World #1 (Dark Horse) - Not necessarily my kind of thing, the science-fiction/fantasy blend of Blood World deserves credit as an entry from the Korean comics market, another original property for Dark Horse and as an almost certain item of interest for those who are enjoying Crossgen's stuff, especially Scion and Sigil. Xenozoic Tales Volume 1 TP (Dark Horse) - I've heard a lot about Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, most of it really good, and the concept sounds like a lot of fun. I'm glad to see Dark Horse putting it back into print in trade paperback form, and I expect I'll be quite pleased now that I'll finally get a chance to see this off-beat series by Mark Schultz. Batman Adventures: Dangerous Dames & Demons TP (DC) - Another Batman Adventures trade is reason enough to celebrate, but it's even more impressive that it collects some of the best stories from the series, including Eisner-winning Mad Love and the annuals and holiday specials. I have all of these stories already, but I'm still tempted by the promise of a new cover (and commentary!) by Bruce Timm. I'd love to see creator commentary become a regular thing on trades in general, actually. Batman Adventures #1 - Newsstand Edition (DC) - Though it's not released until May officially, kudos to DC for giving retailers the option to order the new Batman Adventures #1, which will first be seen at Free Comic Book Day 2. Kudos also for putting Ty Templeton on the book as writer, as he was probably the best writer the series has had, and I'm anxious to see him working on the book again, even if I will miss Tim Levins's artwork terribly. The New Teen Titans: The Judas Contract TP (DC) - What I really want is a chronological collection of the first sixty or so issues of Marv Wolfman's legendary Titans run, but I'll certainly settle for a reprint of this story, which features some pivotal events in the series as well as a strong feature of Deathstroke the Terminator, one of my favorite DC villains. I've honestly picked up most of the stories in Teen Titans from Who's Who and other background knowledge, and I look forward to being able to read some of the actual stories. Danger Girl: Hawaiian Punch (DC/Wildstorm) - I blame my interest in this book on two factors: Phil Noto and Hawaiian Dick. My interest in stories set in Hawaii is at an all-time high, and Phil Noto always impresses, whether it's his cover work on Birds of Prey or his interiors on Beautiful Killer. And setting Danger Girl in a setting with bikinis and tropical fun seems ideal for this guilty-pleasure book. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Absolute Edition HC (DC/Wildstorm) - Yikes. The price is steep, but the presentation does look like a super-deluxe format. I'm not enough of a fan of this series of O'Neill's artwork to pick up this oversized collection of two hardcovers, but those who are more wowed by LOEG than I will no doubt enjoy this package, including the notoriously lengthy Alan Moore's scripts and new illustrations from O'Neill as well as both LOEG stories. Reload #1 (DC/Wildstorm) - Warren Ellis has fully embraced his "Pop Comics" manifesto in 2002 and 2003 looks to be more of the same, with Reload featuring a nifty high concept (catch the assassin after the President is assassinated), an interesting artist (Paul Gulacy, just off Master of Kung-Fu) and a done-in-three issues story. 100 Bullets: The Counterfifth Detective TP (DC/Vertigo) - This story was a little too labyrinthine in single issues, and I imagine a trade collection will benefit it immensely, allowing readers to focus on the gritty new character of Milo and the Chandler-esque narration. In addition, DC again coincides a new 100 Bullets trade with a new 100 Bullets story arc, as 100 Bullets #43 sees the return of Loop Hughes, from my favorite 100 Bullets story "Hang Up on the Hang Low." Blood and Water #1 (DC/Vertigo) - My interest in vampires as sympathetic protagonists ended after we were deluged with material from Anne Rice and White Wolf, but I am somewhat intrigued by Blood and Water since it is the first Vertigo project from Judd Winick. If nothing else, this sounds unlike most of what Winick has done so far, and I'll be interested to see the results of his stretching into new genres and approaches. Zatanna: Everyday Magic (DC/Vertigo) - Zatanna is one of those characters that people only get right once in a blue moon, and she is misused most of the rest of the time. I don't know which this will be, but I think the creative team of Paul Dini and Rick Mays have a better than even chance of doing something cool with her. Bulletproof Monk: Tales of the BPM #1 (Image) - Just in time for the movie, the Bulletproof Monk returns. I honestly found the comics story a little impenetrable, but the list of artists on this one-shot includes some of my favorites: Dave Johnson, Tim Sale and Mike Avon Oeming. I'm unclear on whether Johnson is doing interior illustrations or just a cover, but with these three artists, the story could be gobbledigook and I'll still enjoy it for the art alone. Mythstalkers #1 (Image) - Mythstalkers, on the other hand, is a new project from Douglas Barre, who has done such interesting stuff on Defiance. The list of elements of this story includes gods, magic, cryptozoology and time travel among others, and it's got a lot of promise. I'm disappointed that the promised "Five-Page Online Preview" isn't up at the Image site yet, but I'm still intrigued enough by the concept to be looking forward to this one. The Parliament of Justice (Image) - And then there's Parliament of Justice, which I have already read and enjoyed in preview form. It's a creative peak for Mike Oeming and Neil Vokes, a dark take on the Batman/Robin archetype with serial killing pushing the whole thing forward. This is one of those books that could easily fly under your radar... trust me, you're going to want to make sure it doesn't. Fantastic Four #67 (Marvel) - I can't believe how much I'm enjoying Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo's collaboration on Fantastic Four, but they have really turned a book I have historically had little interest in into one of the Marvel books I look forward to most each month. Waid's take on Dr. Doom, as explored in his online interviews, worries me to some extent, but given how much I've enjoyed these creators on this book, the promise of seeing them write the quintessential FF nemesis has me quite excited. Daredevil Vol. 1 HC (Marvel) - A few months after Daredevil Volume Two was released, Marvel has decided what comprises Volume 1. It makes a certain amount of sense, I guess, collecting all of Joe Quesada's artwork on the book, with writing by Kevin Smith and David Mack. These aren't the strongest stories Daredevil has had, and they pale in comparison to the work of Miller or Bendis, but the artwork is drop-dead gorgeous and deserving of the hardcover format. It'll be on my bookshelf at least. Ultimate X-Men Vol. 2 HC (Marvel) - Volume 2 of Ultimate X-Men, on the other hand, is a little more spotty. Millar's stories didn't seem to come together at the end in these two arcs, and the choices of guest artists seemed not to take into account the general style of the book. I'm afraid that this will look very odd in collected format, and the shift in art will be very jarring. Avengers Vol. 1: World Trust TP (Marvel) - I'm glad to see Geoff Johns's first arc of Avengers get such a quick collection, even if I'm likely to wait until "Red Zone" is collected to pick up his run in trades. What almost tips the decision for me on this one is the inclusion of Bill Morrison's fun and funny "Avengers Simpsons style" story from Marvel Double-Shot #2 as an extra in this trade. INDY PICK OF THE MONTH: Phoenix Volume 2: Dawn TP (Viz Comics) - As I noted earlier in this feature, it was Phoenix Volume One that really turned me on to the genius of Osamu Tezuka. I'm really happy to see another volume of the work that was his life's work and career highlight from Viz, and anxious to see where this story of mysticism and futurism takes me next. The Sandwalk Adventures TP (Active Synapse) - Shortly after the series concluded, the trade is released, and this should be on every comic fan's bookshelf next to Hosler's previous work Clan Apis. The story sounds downright bizarre, exploring the life of a follicle mite on Charles Darwin's eyebrow that can talk to him, but the result is a funny and engaging story that also manages to teach the lessons of evolution at the same time. Sandwalk Adventures, like Clan Apis, would have made me much more interested in science as a kid. Johnny Dynamite TP (AIT/Planet Lar) - Larry Young once again digs up comics gold, publishing a comic I've never heard of from Max Allan Collins (Perdition) and Terry Beatty that I'm sure will become another favorite. If nothing else, I'm a fan of the hard-boiled P.I. genre, but the addition of zombie crime makes it just weird and outlandish enough to really grab my attention. Queen's Day TP (Alternative Comics) - Leela Corman's Subway Series was an interesting rumination on teenaged girls and their sex lives, establishing her talent in my mind. Queen's Day is a genre departure, with the solicitation promising hiking, Russian forest witches and Dutch people, but also mentioning three girls on the verge of something big, which leads me to believe it could have some of the slice-of-life charm that characterized Subway Series as well. Counter-Ops #1 (Antarctic Press) - Antarctic has a poor track record with me, as they seem to have a "house style" that doesn't work for me and their books are over-priced by comparison to the rest of the market. Still, Counter-Ops is another expansion into an interesting genre for them, and just as the tank warfare of Killbox tempted me to take a look, so does the special ops genre of Counter-Ops pique my interest. Lansdale & Truman's Dead Folks #1 (Avatar Press) - Avatar continues to draw talent to them in a bid to overcome their violent porn underpinnings, and I remain skeptical but interested despite myself. This is a full-color series that looks like a post-apocalyptic western, just the sort of thing that fits the creators of the Vertigo Jonah Hex series, and I know I'll find myself tempted by the trade collection when it comes time for that. The Fallen #1 (Blue Feather Press) - Don and I reviewed The Fallen last year, and it seems worth pointing out that it is an unusual mix of fantasy and slice-of-life. Those curious to see more will find a free issue online at www.petestathis.com. Way of the Rat Vol. 1: The Walls of Zhumar TP (CG Entertainment) - Hooray! My favorite Crossgen series finally gets a trade paperback collection, and this trade collects the first six issues of Way of the Rat. This book features bar-none some of the best martial arts sequences ever put to paper, and while I haven't read all the issues in this collection, I got enough of a sense of the book in the first three issues that I'm looking forward to reading more. Solus #1 (CG Entertainment) - Solus has an interesting premise, a girl who changes identities as she moves from world to world, and it's an ideal hook for George Perez, who is the big draw of the book. Perez will have a chance to draw all kinds of different things on this book, and that should translate to some fantastic, detailed and different artwork each month. PS 238 #1 (Dork Storm Press) - Sort of the kids' equivalent of Astro City, PS 238 brings Aaron Williams' perceptive brand of humor out of the dungeons of Nodwick and into the realm of super-heroes. Though the book is about kids, it's not just for them, and in fact adults who have a fondness for the super-hero genre will probably get the biggest kick out of the book, which has been teased in a number of backup strips in Nodwick throughout 2002. Future Comics (Future Comics) - Future Comics wisely joins up with Diamond in this issue of Previews, which should get them a much higher profile in a very competitive comics market. I've read some of Freemind and one issue of Metallix, and I get something of an early Valiant vibe off the company, which is both good and bad, but it does provide an interesting alternative for super-hero fans who aren't finding their needs served by Image, Marvel and/or DC. Though it seems strange given the super-hero glut, there are enough different approaches within the genre that Future fills a genuine void. Super-Hero Happy Hour #2 (Geekpunk) - The first issue of this book was a lot of fun, and the second issue, "Lady's Night" should be a hoot as well. Bratpack TP (King Hell Press) - More than just a book-length story exploring the gag of Batman and Robin secretly being gay lovers, Bratpack is a twisted and funny look at the super-hero/sidekick genre trope, and what I read of this way back when it was first published had me in stitches. The Collected Prison Funnies #1 (Legion of Evil Press) - This one, on the other hand, I'd never read or even heard of until Don reviewed it. His generally positive comments, as well as his description of the book, have me interested to see what seems like an unusual and fun take on a strange genre. Comiculture #3 (Mad Science Media) - Comiculture made my list as one of the best new titles of 2002, even though I've only seen one issue so far. This is your newest chance to see why, as the third issue of this full-color, magazine-size anthology is solicited this month. How Loathsome #1 (NBM Publishing) - Ted Naifeh has captured my attention with his story of unusual child Courtney Crumrin at Oni, and How Loathsome looks both completely different and equally engaging. It's a story of love, sex and subcultures and if the first eight pages are any indication, should make for quite an interesting read. Days Like This GN (Oni Press) - I've had the chance to read the first half or so of this graphic novel about the music scene in the early 1960s, and it is pure solid gold. Torres brings his understanding of people and how they interact to bear on the story of a three girl singing act, the family of the lead singer, a songwriter and a divorcee who is starting her own record company to create a story that is riveting and fun. And the art by newcomer to comics Scott Chantler is just as impressive as the writing. Skinwalker Volume 1 TP (Oni Press) - One of my favorite mini-series of last year, Skinwalker is a return to crime/horror for Oni and it's a triumphant piece of fiction that stands alongside Whiteout in my mind as some of the best crime work Oni has published. The creative team is re-teaming again this year for Three Strikes, and I can't wait. Schism Night Crossing #1 (Summertime Comics) - Don't know much about this one except that it's about a man fighting demons to protect an ancient tribe of wise men. I don't need to know much more, though, because Invincible Ed from Summertime Comics has been a great find, and if Schism is even half as good it should be a solid read. Syncopated Comics Volume 1 (Syncopated Comics) - At 64 pages, this is either a small graphic novel or a large periodical, but the talent attached is what got my attention. James Kochalka continues to pop up in seemingly every indy anthology out there, which is no bad thing, I recognize the name Ivan Brunetti from Hooked on Comix Volume 2 and Jen Sorenson's Slowpoke is another book I've heard plenty of buzz on. So three names I recognize and want to see more of, and a handful of names I don't. It's a risk at this point, but I remain curious about Syncopated Comics. Rebound Volume 1 (TokyoPop) - A friend of mine is absolutely ga-ga over Harlem Beat, the story of a street basketball team that was published fairly recently. Rebound is the sequel, published in the ever-popular $10 format by Tokyopop, and it's another strong entry in their unbelievably solid manga line-up. James Kochalka's Sketchbook Diaries Volume 3 TP (Top Shelf Productions) - Through what I can only assume was a stroke of really good fortune, I wound up with a lot of comp copies of Kochalka's work at the end of 2002, and I fell completely in love with his often surreal but always goofy and fun stories. Sketchbook Diaries Volume 2 was one of my favorites, and so I'm anxious to see more of that kind of thing with Volume 3. Email Randy Lander comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.