Down The Line - Previews review for October 2005 by Randy Lander & Dave Farabee While my Snap Judgments reviews cover books as they are released, I'm as avid a follower of "what's next" as anyone else. So I've teamed up with Dave Farabee, fellow comic book store manager and equally avid follower of the industry, to do these monthly Previews reviews, covering the Diamond Previews that allow fans to preorder comics from their local retailer. This installment covers the August Previews for comics due to ship out in October 2005. Pre-ordering is your friend. If there's stuff you want in October, letting your retailer know before the end of August is the best way to make sure you get it. RANDY: This review covers the Previews for October 2005, which of course includes the launch of DC's gigantic Infinite Crisis event. However, neither Dave nor I have anything to say about this event, having long since sunk into what can most charitably be called apathy about the current Crisis-driven direction of the DC Universe. We will have plenty of other books to talk about this month, including a lot of stuff from Speakeasy, Tokyopop, Slave Labor and the first offerings from Udon Comics and some other tyro publishers. And free balloons for the kids! DAVE: I don't have any wacky intro jokes this round, but I do want to say that this strikes me as one of the most promising Previews I've seen in many a moon. Do we have to have a wacky intro? Oh, alright... Boobies! As you can see from the above, my comments will be the normal type, and Dave's will be in yellow. You might notice in reading these Previews reviews that we've decided to dispense with the Previews organization and just go strict alphabetical, in order to level the playing field between the big guys and the smaller publishers. To facilitate those seeking more information from the Previews catalog, each entry will include the page number of the solicitation at the end of our comments. RANDY'S PICK OF THE MONTH: Loveless #1 (DC Comics/Vertigo) - RANDY: Aw hell yeah! I love Brian Azzarello's work on 100 Bullets, but I've just never gotten into his superhero stuff... the genre just doesn't seem to agree with him, from my point of view. So I'm thrilled to see him instead tackling an ongoing western, one that doesn't seem to have horror elements but instead is pure spaghetti western mixed with the noir sensibilities that Azzarello channels so well, along with fantastic artist Marcelo Frusin. The solicit namechecks Sergio Leone and Deadwood, and if they can really hit the balance between those two styles, we'll all be in for a big treat, whether you're usually a western fan or not. (page 111) DAVE: I'm pretty much always up for checking out comic book westerns and those preview pages look damn sharp. You know the Deadwood reference just means there's gonna be Deadwood-level swearing, though, right? Thus, even before reading it, I proclaim Loveless #1 the cock-suckin'-est comic of the year! Oh, and Fourth Rail's younger readers should get parental permission before reading this column. DAVE'S PICK OF THE MONTH: Chiaroscuro: The Private Lives of Leonardo da Vinci TPB (DC Comics/Vertigo) - DAVE: I chanced across this lesser-known Vertigo series in some cheapie bins a few years back and really took to it. It's a warts-and-all look at the life of legit genius Leonardo da Vinci told from the point of view of apprentice (and lover) Salai. Can't be sure of the historicity or level of speculation in the project, but what really struck me was its ability to draw the reader into the time period of this amazing personage. Recommened to everyone, but especially art history geeks and those fascinated by the concept of the "Renaissance Man." The "OG" Renaissance Man, that is. (page 116) RANDY: I have a certain fascination with the persona of Leonardo Da Vinci based on the "Renaissance Man" thing you mentioned, and I've heard some generally good things about this one. It is amongst the Vertigo projects from the very early days of the imprint that I figured we'd never see, so I'm pleased to see the folks at DC digging a little further into the back catalogues for vanished gems. 24 Hour Comics Day: Highlights 2005 TPB (About Comics) - RANDY: I still haven't gotten around to reading About's original 24 Hour Comics trade, but I'm still big on the idea of these yearly 24 Hour Comics Day collections. It's a great way to sample talent (both new and existing) out there, working on an unusual challenge. It's kind of like a companion to the yearly SPX Anthology, a different celebration of the art of cartooning. This year's contributors include Zander Cannon (Smax) and Ben Avery (Hedge Knight), among others. (page 199) Amazing Fantasy #13-14 (Marvel Comics) - RANDY: I'm honestly surprised it's lasted this long, but I kind of like the new spin on Amazing Fantasy, which is basically a character factory for new and reimagined Marvel Universe characters. Lord knows a little new blood can be good, and while neither Scorpion nor Vampire By Night have been as good as, say, the Livewires or Runaways, they're interesting enough new characters. These two issues introduce two more, a new character named Vegas and the return of Captain Universe, a lame "hero could be you" concept with kind of a fun costume. Writing is by Karl Kesel and Jay Faerber, two guys who know how to do old school when given free reign, art is by... well, two guys I've never heard of. Still... potentially fun. (page M36) DAVE: I like this book too, and honestly, I'd expected it to be a cruddy venue for Marvel to shove new characters down our throat. Certainly Araña wasn't the most auspicious character to debut with, but I've definitely taken a shine to the new Scorpion, and at this point I'm easily willing to concede the title's potential. The Amazing Joy Buzzards Vol. 2 #1 (Image Comics) - RANDY: Like many of you, I missed the boat on this series the first time around. I say to you now, don't miss your second chance. The Amazing Joy Buzzards has great art, a lot of energy and a fun vibe that should be rewarded with many readers. And possibly groupies. (page 134) Arkham Asylum Anniversary Edition SC (DC Comics) - DAVE: This project is both overrated and underrated, but I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that this particular edition - backed by sketches, the entire annotated script, and lots of notes from Grant Morrison - is absolutely worth your money. Hell, I bought the *hardcover* and it was worth my money. Filled with memorable vignettes and pretentious ideas that come alarmingly close to making sense, it's the best (and possibly only) avant-garde Batman story ever. (page 62) Armageddon & Son GN (Oni Press) - RANDY: John Layman is a funny guy. I know this because I've had drinks with him, but also because I've read Puffed, his bizarre and hilarious story of what happens when a poor white guy in a dragon costume gets dumped in the 'hood. Armageddon & Son sounds like something fun in that vein, as the son of a Bond-ian villain discovers his true heritage and hooks up with a spy to try and defeat his old man's plot for worldwide disaster. I took a look at some of the artwork while in San Diego, and it looks great. (page 317) DAVE: There're some nice preview images here. Swanky art. RANDY: You can also preview the first 11 pages of the book in PDF format on Oni's website. Astro City: Local Heroes TPB (DC Comics/Wildstorm) - RANDY: It's been a long time since there's been a new trade of Astro City, but it's finally here. This wraps up the last Astro City series and also contains the Local Heroes miniseries. Astro City doesn't have the hooks in me that it did right in the beginning, but it's still absolutely solid stuff, and sometimes reaches heights beyond that. (page 102) DAVE: Randy's words ring with wisdom. Not the best in the series, but still a must-have for those familiar with Astro City's streets, and a pretty good intro for the newbie looking to see how a series can be both realistic and wonderfully "comic booky" at the same time. Batman: Under the Hood TPB (DC Comics) - RANDY: I'm still not sure whether I like this story or not, but there was enough solid writing, strong art and interesting ideas to at least make it worth mentioning. Especially since DC has given it their promotional pricing, usually seen on Vertigo books, of only $10. (page 63) DAVE: I wouldn't pick it up, but I did keep up an eye on it as it was coming out, and I have to admit: Judd Winick comes through with some strong scenes and Doug Mahnke's art is terrific. A few of the those issues made me wish I was more into DC's current direction. The Book of Lost Souls #1 (Marvel Comics/Icon) - DAVE: This new ongoing series from J. Michael Straczynski can't help but recall his horror maxi-series Midnight Nation. Both feature dead men discovering alternate worlds lorded over by dark forces vying for the souls of men on the fringe. Happily enough, Midnight Nation is my favorite comic work of JMS to date, so similarities aren't exactly going to turn me off (though I suspect they're superficial parallels anyway). The talented Colleen Doran (A Distant Soil, Orbiter) draws. (page M67) RANDY: Big fan of both Doran and (to a lesser extent) Midnight Nation, but Straczynski's work at Marvel has been of variable quality, and has occasionally veered into actual suckage. It seems like Straczynski is a guy who benefits from having an ending, and if this were a limited series (ala Midnight Nation), I'd probably be a lot more interested in it. As is, I'm sure we're going to get some beautiful artwork and probably some good moments. The Brave and the Bold: The Art of Jim Aparo TPB (TwoMorrows Publishing) - DAVE: It's sad that this is as timely as it is with Aparo's recent passing, but it nevertheless presents a terrific opportunity for fans to check out the work of this unsung great. Captain Atom: Armageddon #1 (DC Comics/Wildstorm) - RANDY: I've never been a huge Captain Atom fan (although I liked the role he played in Justice League Unlimited), so transplanting him into the Wildstorm universe doesn't really do much for me either. The solicitation spells out a cliched "misunderstanding, then fight" scenario between Atom and Majestic, which also doesn't really seem terribly promising. However, I like Will Pfeifer's writing, and keep hoping that he'll wind up writing a character that I give a rat's ass about. (page 99) Catwoman: When in Rome HC (DC Comics) - RANDY: Loeb and Sale pretty much have my money when they work together, because I've bought all the various hardcovers they've done, and always get plenty of enjoyment out of their storytelling. Catwoman: When in Rome will be no exception. (page 63) DAVE: Didn't click for me - I'm all about Loeb and Sale on the Marvel nostalgia stuff, not DC. I demand X-Men: Blue & Gold! Chance of a Lifetime #1 (Cellar Door Publishing) - RANDY: Yes, it's another story about Golden Age superheroes, but Chance of a Lifetime has a slightly different approach, as you can see just by taking a look at the preview pages or viewing the trailer at Cellar Door's site. The focus is on the man, not the period, and the artwork and general writing is pretty solid. With this and Shocking Gun Tales as their first two launches, I think Cellar Door Publishing could be a new publisher to watch. (page 253) Conan and the Demons of Khitai #1 (Dark Horse Comics) - DAVE: Akira Yoshida isn't a writer whose name says "buy me", but I've enjoyed decent chunks of his Thor: Son of Asgard and Kitty Pryde: Shadow & Flame, so he at least earns a look. This outing's a four-issue mini taking Conan to the Eastern edge of his mythic world, though I think the biggest threat he's facing these days is overexposure. (page 18) RANDY: My big worry, beyond my general disappointment with Yoshida's work at Marvel, is that this sounds like such a "Hollywood high concept" story. It's Conan versus samurai demons! Get it? Get it? Could turn out to be good, but I think your cautionary words about overexposure are wise. DAVE: I'm not so sure it's particularly Hollywood. Didn't Howard's original material have a Far Eastern setting? I know I recognize the name of the territory - "Khitai" - that's mentioned in the solicit. I guess we'll see. I'm not one of these Conan authority types one's always running into. RANDY: Me neither, so you could be right, I just get a vibe of a story that isn't as true to the spirit of Howard's originals from what little info we have. But I'm not expert enough to say for sure, and I could well be 100% wrong. Wouldn't be the first time. Cromartie High School Vol. 4 (ADV Manga) - DAVE: There's nothing special about this volume, but I've become so taken with this manga that the mere presence of a new collection deserves mention! Short version: Cromartie's a funny-as-hell manga set at a high school for delinquents. That much sounds standard, but Freddie Mercury as a student? Thugs eating pencils? Gorillas on cell phones?! It's actually a masterpiece of absurdist comedy, and one of the things I like about it is that the volumes are more like American comic strip collections - sets of gags (each story is around 8 pages) such that each volume stands alone and you're not compelled to buy the next volume until you happen to feel like laughing hysterically. (page 207) Doom Patrol Vol. 3: Down Paradise TPB (DC Comics/Vertigo) - DAVE: I'm ecstatic to see a third volume of Grant Morrison's psychadelic reninvention of DC's original misfit heroes. The first two volumes were sorta gimme's, but there was no guarantee that DC would continue with the reprints through to the end of Grant's run. I got nervous after many months went by with no announcements. Now, while there's still no official word, I have to think this third volume has crossed a hump for the series. I think DC's takin' it all the way. Rock on wit' that trade program, DC! And Suicide Squad, you're next in the queue! (page 115) RANDY: I really need to read these, especially with as much as I'm enjoying Morrison's work of late. Glad to see DC giving the third trade to this and Sandman Mystery Theatre, and really hoping that we're correctly reading that third trade as an indication of a desire to finish the series out. Kind of wish Shade The Changing Man had gotten the same vote of confidence, as the first trade was intriguing but nowhere near as good as the later issues in the run. Doomed #1 (IDW Publishing) - RANDY: I am at best a casual horror fan, with no special love for Creepy or Eerie or those other '70s illustrated horror mags. However, I know that there's a fandom out there for them, and if you're part of that fandom, I think IDW is going to please with Doomed. The names on the writers' lists include some biggies in the horror genre, and Doomed looks like a deliberate throwback to that black and white magazine format that gave us other beloved cult classic comics like Savage Sword of Conan and the aforementioned horror mags. (page 300) DAVE: I'm torn on this. On one level, I know that Creepy and Eerie were highly regarded for the craftsmanship behind 'em, and I can respect a heartfelt attempt to update that. On the other hand, this horror fan finds that story-centric horror has to be pretty compelling (and possibly long-form) to work (Moore's Swamp Thing, Ennis's Hellblazer, or even Kirkman's Walking Dead), or paced like manga to actually creep me out. As a result, I don't think Doomed is gonna make my list, but I'll want to give it its shot nevertheless. Eden Volume 1: It's An Endless World! TPB (Dark Horse Comics) - RANDY: With my interest in a lot of mainstream superheroes waning, I'm thinking it's time to give some more manga a try, and Eden sounds like the kind of thing that might be up my alley. The cover image previewed here is very nice, and I have a certain fondness for the post-apocalyptic genre, so the story, about a world driven by a strange plague that hardens the skin and dissolves internal organs, sounds right up my alley as well. (page 34) DAVE: Looks good. Or should I say, looking at its exclamation-bedecked title, LOOKS GOOD! Elfquest Archives Vol. 3 HC (DC Comics) - DAVE: By now, everyone knows these Elfquest Archives are pricey, and all I can say is that they're still worth it. Beautifully recolored art from Wendy Pini + a fantasy story to match the best prose swords 'n' sorcery = a series that actually deserves its legendary status. Incidentally, this volume's the Empire Strikes Back of the series - good 'n' dark. (page 88) Essential Werewolf by Night Vol. 1 TPB (Marvel Comics) - DAVE: I've only the vaguest of memories of reading my brother's scattering of Werewolf by Night comics in the late-'70s, but I've enjoyed all the monster comics getting the Essentials treatment. For that reason, for nostalgia, and for an artist line-up including Mike Ploog, Gene Colan, Gil Kane, and Ross Andru, I'm certain to pick this up. (page M94) RANDY: I'm not certain about this, because I don't remember the exact issue number, but this also might contain the first appearance of Marvel cult favorite Moon Knight as well. Exalted #1 (Udon Entertainment) - RANDY: Despite not having ever played or even cracked the covers of White Wolf's fantasy RPG Exalted, I find myself kind of excited about this book. Part of that is the gorgeous art that Udon has been providing for Exalted books, but a lot of of it has to do with Udon project manager/artist Jim Zubkavich talking a good game at Newsarama in a series of articles. At any rate, really sorry I missed Exalted #0 at the San Diego Con (that'll teach me to miss an article) but looking forward to Exalted #1, which might just be the great full-color fantasy/action comic folks have been waiting for since Crossgen went under (aside from Dark Horse's Conan, of course, which is sort of a subgenre in and of itself.) (page 372) DAVE: I'm still waiting for a fantasy comic with really strong story and character content, and I just don't think this is gonna be it. Might be the next Battle Chasers, though. RANDY: Damn, that's cold. Wait, do you mean "next Battle Chasers" as in "the next comic featuring a woman with enormous boobs and a meandering, unclear story that disappears when it's creator fucks off to try and do videogames," or as in "big successful color fantasy?" Because in the latter case, I guess I can agree with that. DAVE: That second thing, mostly, but you might be right - I might be judging this book too harshly. It's just rare to find a glossy, commercial-looking fantasy comic with a story to match the pretty visuals. In fact, I can't think of one since the original Elfquest. So I'm going more on the history of such things than any actual vibe I've gotten from the comic. Fables #42 (DC Comics/Vertigo) - DAVE: Just a note that a new story arc's beginning in the best ongoing title on the stands. This one sees the Eurocentric Fabletown dealing with an influx of decidedly non-Euro residents (the cover is filled with "Arabian Nights-style imagery). (page 116) Fantastic Four/Iron Man: Big in Japan (Marvel Comics) - RANDY: In addition to the Howling Commandos and Marvel Monsters events, Marvel is giving in to the Halloween spirit in October with this miniseries, written by Zeb Wells (whose New Warriors and Spider-Man/Doctor Octopus: Year One are both solid reads) with art by Seth Fisher (whose strange, ultra-detailed style seems perfect for this). Iron Man and Fantastic Four are, it turns out, hugely popular in Marvel's Japan, especially when battling giant monsters like Droom, Giganto and Eerok the giant ape. Given Wells's ability to write comedy and classic Marvel-style superheroics, I'm expecting good things. (page M53) Fear Agent #1 (Image Comics) - RANDY: Read the preview for this after San Diego, and it looks like a lot of fun. Old school '50s style science-fiction about an alien exterminator who wanders the galaxy keeping Earth safe from alien monsters by, well, exterminating them. Rick Remender brings a nice sensibility of sci-fi love and humor, and the artwork for the first arc is by Tony Moore, with Cory Walker alternating after that. (page 132) DAVE: I'm looking in on this more for the artist than the writer, but looking in nevertheless. Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy Book 1 - Homeland TPB (Devil's Due Publishing) - RANDY: Of course, if you're looking for more traditional D&D style fantasy, you could do worse than this adaptation of the beloved Dark Elf trilogy from Devil's Due. It didn't top the Mishkin-penned D&D comics in the '80s for me, but it's a pretty good adaptation with nice art, and full credit to Devil's Due for the quick trade paperback turnaround and release of the next part of the trilogy with Exile #1 this month. (page 262) DAVE: Yeah, there's an air of amateurism to the Devil's Due D&D stuff that keeps it from winning me over. Nothing terrible, mind, and the flashy coloring and painted covers might almost convince one otherwise, but it's still not even hitting the quality levels of DC's workmanlike D&D material of the '80s. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 (Marvel Comics) - RANDY: I've sort of lost my taste for most of the big superheroes these days, as a result of both the general editorial direction at Marvel/DC proper and a disconnect from most of the talent on those books. However, I remain a big Peter David fan, and have fond memories of his work on Spider-Man in the '80s and/or '90s (speaking of which, a trade or two of that stuff would be great). On the other hand, I hate crossovers, and this 12-part crossover through four months of Spidey book seems excessive. On the other other hand, it appears that the first month is written by Peter David, which means I'll probably at least enjoy that. At any rate, David/Wieringo seems a great team for Spider-Man, and I'm sure I'll enjoy at least some of the stories being told in this book... just not sure if it'll be enough to win me back onto one of the icons books at this point. (page M7) DAVE: Uh, isn't the whole point of a new book, especially a new Spider-Man book, to distinguish itself from the pack? And they're doing this with a goddamn crossover with said pack?! It's so colossally stupid I'm losing brain cells just thinking about it. Peter David got hosed. Goon 25 Cent Comic (Dark Horse Comics) - RANDY: I know that the cheap comic is a gimmick, but it's one I much prefer to crossovers and variant covers and "nothing will ever be the same!" shock storytelling. I especially like when the cheap comic gimmick is applied to a comic that I really like but which could use that extra push, such as with Image and Invincible or Dark Horse and The Goon. The Goon is a comic that I think a lot more people would enjoy than are currently reading, because it's really a pretty mainstream book. It's full-color, outrageously funny and features artwork that pretty much anyone is going to say is beautiful. (page 29) The Haunted Mansion #1 (Slave Labor Graphics) - DAVE: Disney bringing in the likes of Roman Dirge (Lenore) for their new Haunted Mansion anthology? Why, it's almost hip. Madness! And I note that the solicit is quick to point out that the comic is inspired by the famed theme park attraction and has nothing to do with the Eddie Murphy vehicle of the same name from a few years back - smart move. I think this could be fun all-ages creepyness. (page 219) RANDY: Nice art, at any rate. Slave Labor has been chugging along in the small press trenches for a long time, and aside from their "goth" stuff, a lot of it has been unfairly ignored by a wider audience. Hopefully these Disney comics, on top of bringing in cash to the company, will get more folks to give their other books a look as well. Hero Corps: Rookie GN (Baby Shark Productions) - RANDY: Neat pitch, great cover for this original graphic novel, about superhero "cops" in a world where one out of every hundred people has superpowers. It's got some elements in common with Speakeasy's Helios and of course Top Ten, but there's plenty of room in this subgenre for more. This preview is a little too short to really give an idea what to expect, but I have to admit, I'm intrigued. (page 246) Heroes and Villains: The World and Art of Michael Golden (Image Comics) - DAVE: Michael Golden is probably the most reclusive artist to be hugely influental since Steve Ditko, wedding high energy cartooning (McFarlane before McFarlane was McFarlane) and hi-tech detail to rival manga artists. But fans who were lucky enough to be there for his work on Micronauts, The 'Nam, and the legendary Avengers Annual #10 know full well what a stunning talent he is. 'Bout time he got an art book! The question is, will 64 black-and-white pages be enough to do him justice and will this Image-released title include his Marvel/DC work or just more esoteric material? (page 139) The Hunger Volume 1 TPB (Speakeasy) - RANDY: The Hunger is a strange but very compelling zombie story wherein the zombie is the hero, and he's mixed up in a bunch of crime in the city of New Orleans. It's got a dark humor streak running through it, but it's not really a comedy, more of a crime/psychological thriller with great art by Chris Dibari. Glad to see that Speakeasy is edging towards the quicker compilation side of things when it comes to trade, and I'm looking forward to picking this one up. (page 336) Important Literary Journal #1 (Kyle Baker Publishing) - RANDY: It appears that Kyle Baker has broken down his Cartoonist volumes into several different serial format series, and Important Literary Journal is the home of the non-Bakers stuff, including Sweet Sue, Defense Attorney and Myrna Burner, Psychonaut. The ad copy shows off Baker's well-developed sense of ironic humor, and I have no doubt that this will be a fun read. Also worth noting that Nat Turner #2 is solicited this month, since Nat Turner #1 was incredibly good. It's a good time to be a Kyle Baker fan in the comics industry. (page 308) DAVE: Baker's always a hoot, and one of the best cartoony cartoonists this side of Sergio Aragones. JLA #120-121 (DC Comics) - RANDY: This new story, about the Justice League reforming after the Crisis-related falling out of the big three, sounds only mildly interesting to me, and that only because I enjoyed some of Bob Harras's work on Avengers and I'm a big fan of second string leaguers like Green Arrow and Black Canary. But I just wanted to point out that the covers, by Daniel Acuna (a name I'm unfamiliar with), look fantastic. He's also got a spiffy-looking cover on Outsiders #29. (page 75) Justice City Chronicles #1 (Ape Entertainment) - RANDY: Sounds like futuristic super warfare in the Justice City Chronicles, and the preview artwork looks pretty action-packed and very nice in color. Can't tell much about the story from the unlettered previews, but I'm at least mildly intrigued. Livewires: Clockwork Thugs Yo Digest (Marvel Comics) - RANDY: Hooray! Given the low sales and general lack of interest, I was afraid that this series might not rate a trade. Truthfully, I'd rather have a full-size trade that really shows off Mays's artwork, but I'll happily take a digest of Adam Warren's tremendously inventive, action-packed and fun next generation robot superhero miniseries. This might be the best thing Marvel publishes this year. (page M81) DAVE: I've really enjoyed this series too, an evolution in superhero sci-fi and an all-around rollercoaster of weirdness. The Living and the Dead GN (Speakeasy) - RANDY: While Speakeasy has definitely picked up some new talent, I note that they're also sharing familiar names, either guys who have been out on the fringes a while (like Marc Bryant of Gatesville Company) or guys who are also producing at Image, like Todd Livingston and Robert Tinnell, co-creators of The Black Forest who are also doing The Living and The Dead for Speakeasy. This one's a full-color original graphic novel (five of my favorite words in the comics industry) with a crazy high concept about a country doctor haunted by horrors in his past who might be forced to dredge up those horrors to stop a maniacal serial killer. I don't know the work of Micah Farritor, the artist, but Tinnell and Livingston have good taste in artists on their other projects, so I expect he's pretty good. (page 336) Mark of the Succubus Vol. 1 (Tokyopop) - RANDY: OK, I admit it... I've steered clear of a lot of Tokyopop because what I've sampled just hasn't clicked with me. But the increasing development of original properties to go along with their translated manga has gotten my attention, and there are no less than three books they're soliciting this month that sounds interesting. Mark of the Succubus is the first, and it sounds like a fun (if bizarre) premise about a succubus in training and her wacky friends, with very attractive art by Irene Flores. (page 344) DAVE: Just come out and say it, Randy: you want Amerimanga, not Japanamanga. You sicken me! On the other hand, this book actually does look very cute and the art's got a serious Chynna Clugston-Major vibe. This is a good thing. Manga: Masters of the Art (Comics) - DAVE: I'm a sucker for overviews of the greats in any entertainment industry, and one so alien as manga sounds very appealing right now. This book's $24.95, but covers 256 pages - some color, some black-and-white - and features a wide variety of favorite Japanese artists, from Kia Asamiya to the studio CLAMP. RANDY: I've got a little 8-page sampler of this book from the publisher, and let me tell you, it looks very well-produced and written from that sample. Worth trying out if you want a primer as a new fan or an overview as a casual fan, I would guess. Marvel Monsters (Marvel Comics) - RANDY: I'm usually no big fan of these "fifth week" style events, but Marvel Monsters sounds like fun. Basically, it's all the Kirby style giant monster stuff, with creators who sound perfect for the work like Steve Niles and Eric Powell, as well as some weird indy choices like Roger Langridge (Fred the Clown) and Jeff Parker (Interman) and popular esoteric superhero guys like Peter David and Keith Giffen. Good and unusual creative talent, strange concepts and fun solicits (Fin Fang Four has four giant monsters shrunk down and playing the role of the Fantastic Four) make for a promising project. (page M47-50) DAVE: Something else cool about Marvel Monsters (aside from Powell's brilliant covers) is the fact that each issue has as its back-up story a classic Kirby monster comic from the '60s. I think this is gonna be fun. With monsters named Grogg, Rombuu, and Goom, how can it not be? Standout issue promises to be the one Eric Powell writes and draws, featuring legendarily bizarre Kirby creation Devil Dinosaur (and Moon Boy!). Marvel Visionaries: John Romita Jr. HC (Marvel Comics) - RANDY: Dave, I think you might be psychic... didn't you call this one when we were talking about potential Visionaries subjects a month or so ago? (page 77) DAVE: 'Bout time the Quesada/donkey pics got me something I wanted! Now, granted, a Gene Colan Visionaries shoulda come first, but if there's any Bronze Age artist deserving of appearance in this series, it's Romita Jr. all the way. And I see some real winners here: the Amazing Spider-Man issues with the Juggernaut, a sampling of the Daredevil origin story Man Without Fear, and even a few recent issues of Incredible Hulk (which I consider a career peak for Romita, the hit-and-miss stories of Bruce Jones notwithstanding). I am buying this without hesitation. And if any other relative younglings get the Visionaries treatment, may I suggest: Simonson, Byrne, Miller and Neal Adams. A Midnight Opera Vol. 1 (Tokyopop) - RANDY: This is the second Tokyopop property to grab my attention this month, and the description makes it sound like a war against a shadowy cabal of undead living amongst us and an anti-undead faction within the Catholic Church, but the art makes it look like rock and roll is somehow involved as well. Might wind up being too goth for me, but the promotional art and concept caught my eye. (page 345) DAVE: Another zombie comic rising from the grave? Not enough to impress in and of itself, but if the creator does manage to squeeze in rock 'n' roll... coolness. Mr. Night (Slave Labor Graphics) - RANDY: "The enemy of Mankind takes a holiday in Greece..." So begins the solicitation for Mr. Night, which sounds quite strange, but what caught my eye were the names on the book. Glen Dakin created the very funny Temptation comics, and Phil Elliott drew the quirky and fun Illegal Alien for Dark Horse, so I'm curious to see what fun weirdness these two can craft for Slave Labor. (page 222) DAVE: Seems like it's a good month for diversity at Slave Labor. Nexus Archives Volume 1 HC (Dark Horse Comics) - DAVE: With the archival collecting of '80s sci-fi smash, Nexus, I think the indie-retro movement has finally covered all the good stuff. We've seen Dreadstar, Grimjack, Elfquest, Jon Sable, and even Coyote, for which the respective re-issuers deserve much praise. They've managed to catch me up on all the bitchin' stuff I missed in the '80s, and I'm really looking forward to rounding it out with Nexus. For newbies, Nexus is a sci-fi book about a man plagued with nightmares of tyrants and killers, ultimately drawn to track and execute them in his waking hours. The art's by the legendary Steve Rude, channeling '60s-era Space Ghost 'toons even as writer Mike Baron pushes the stories into the realm of challenging sci-fi. Haven't read tons of it, but what I have has been a really unique, energizing combo. If you can afford the price tag ($49.95, just like the DC Archives, I definitely recommend this. (page 23) RANDY: Given the relative obscurity of this cult favorite, I'm a little puzzled by the $50 hardcover format as a choice. Seems like a new trade paperback would have been a better way to rope in potential new fans as well as just getting the original fans to pony up for a deluxe new version. Nick Fury's Howling Commandos #1 (Marvel Comics) - RANDY: My taste in Marvel and DC heroes these days skews toward the weirder, fringe projects. And you don't get much more fringe than Keith Giffen writing about a covert SHIELD unit made up of Marvel's "monster" characters! Sounds like potential fun, even if I don't know the artist and Giffen's writing is hit and miss for me. (page M12) DAVE: I want to be excited. I used to always dig S.H.I.E.L.D. and I think this is a really fun concept. And yet... Somehow Marvel's made Nick Fury so damn ubiquitous that I don't want to see his monocular mug in another comic for at least half a decade. Unless Dan Slott's writing him. He could make it work. Paradox #1 (Arcana Studio) - RANDY: Christos N. Gage, the writer of the excellent Deadshot miniseries for DC, returns to comics at Arcana Studios with an oriignal story about a homicide detective on a world where technology is powered by magic. Sounds like a fun concept, and while I don't know the name Luis in the solicits, it appears that Deadshot artist Steven Cummings is also involved. Worth a look. (page 228) Paris #1 (Slave Labor Graphics) - RANDY: Paris is the story of two free-spirited young girls in Paris bumping against the cultural mores of their older patrons and supporters. I've read the first 10 pages, and it's a low-key but very intriguing offering, with beautifully detailed, stylized artwork from Simon Gane and writing by Andi (Slow News Day, Little Star) Watson. (page 222) DAVE: This looks interesting to me and I'm impressed with what I see of cartoonist Simon Gane. Psy-Comm Vol. 1 (Tokyopop) - RANDY: The third Tokyopop offering to catch my eye this month is about psychic commandos battling for corporate city-states in wars scheduled for television as entertainment. Beyond the story idea, which sounds interesting, this one caught my eye because of the writers, Jason (Sword of Dracula) Henderson and Tony (CBR's Calling Manga Island) Salvaggio. (page 347) Runaways #9 (Marvel Comics) - RANDY: The Runaways head to New York to reunite with Cloak & Dagger. Given that the Cloak & Dagger issues of the first volume of Runaways were some of the best Cloak & Dagger stories ever (I know, I know, damning with faint praise), I'm looking forward to this, as well as to seeing the team dropped into superhero central in New York. (page M43) DAVE: What I think Vaughan did with that first Cloak & Dagger appearance is A) remind readers of their potential as additions to the pantheon of Marvel's street-level heroes, and B) counter the popular Marvel notion that every guest-star has to f*$@ing be Wolverine! Looking very forward to their return. The Season of the Reaper: Winter #1 (Speakeasy) - DAVE: Points for the premise on this three-part mini: an Indian tribe in the Old West ends up raising an outsider kid whose ability to draw photorealistically raises fears that he's stealing souls like the White Man's camera. Is the boy death incarnate? (page 336) RANDY: This is another promising offering from Speakeasy for the month. The artwork by Mark Santiago looks pretty spectacular as well. Season of the Witch #1 (Image Comics) - RANDY: Dave and I mentioned the #0 issue of Season of the Witch when it was solicited, but I've had the chance to read the black and white preview now and can say that this looks like a pretty good fantasy series with impressive artwork. Nitz (or Image, or whoever is responsible) deserves credit for the schedule, as well, which lets retailers and readers sample the zero issue before deciding what to do about ordering the rest of the series. It's a good month for fantasy fans abandoned by Crossgen's departure, because Season of the Witch could probably help to fill that niche as much as Exalted or Forgotten Realms. (page 136) DAVE: Sounds a bit like the manga, InuYasha. I missed the preview, though, and I have to say that based exclusively on the pages in Previews... seems a little conventional to me. Figure I'll give it a shot, though. Hard to make a judgement based on four pages. She-Hulk Vol. 2 #1 (Marvel Comics) - DAVE: Ah, now here's the comeback I've really been waiting for: Dan Slott's She-Hulk! Slott was single-handedly battling the forces of grim 'n' gritty, continuity-abandonement, and long-ass-story-arcs with this title, and its return should absolutely be a rallying point for fans of superhero fun. I'm especially happy to have Juan Bobillo back as artist on the title. Dude's idiosyncratic as hell, but that's what I love about him. (page M11) RANDY: Truthfully, after being a little let down by the GLA miniseries, I'm not as excited about the return of She-Hulk as I originally was, but I'm still hopeful that Slott and Bobillo can recapture the magic that the book had in its early days, and maybe earn it the sales it deserved in the first go-round. This relaunch with a second volume approach seems to have worked with Runaways, at least. Showcase Presents: Metamorpho Vol. 1 TPB (DC Comics) - DAVE: Ah, vintage wierdness! For those that don't know, Showcase Presents is DC swiping a page from Marvel's Essentials line with thick, inexpensive black-and-white reprints of Silver Age material, and covering oddball material like Metamorpho's original adventures is precisely how they're gonna hook me. You go, Rex Mason! (page 78) Solo #7 (DC Comics) - DAVE: The cover of the month here, beyond a shadow of a doubt! Yep, that's Mike "Madman" Allred getting the spotlight this time, and his kitschy clean-line style is sure to please on stories like "Batman A-Go-Go" and "Doom Patrol vs. Teen Titans." Great work on this series, DC. (page 80) RANDY: I love Solo. Every issue so far has been a delight (I even liked the Chaykin one, and I usually can't stand Chaykin's writing), and the Allred focus should be no different. I'm still hoping for a cool oversized hardcover collection of these issues as well, but they are enjoyable as standalone issues in a way that so few comic books are these days. Something So Familiar (New Radio Comics) - RANDY: Silent comic, Xeric winner, about a man who is driven to suicide by the loss of his wife and child but discovers upon leaping that he can fly. Sounds like something worth taking a look at. You can check out the work of creator Alex Cahill on the New Radio Comics website. (page 317) Spawn Vol. 1 TPB (Image Comics) - RANDY: I'd rather be covered in live bees than read Spawn again, but that doesn't make this any less worthwhile a project. Spawn has never been properly reprinted, it has only existed in mostly out-of-print small prestige format type collections, and for all that I think it's a pretty bad comic book series, there's no denying that it's part of the foundation of Image Comics and holds a lot of appeal for a lot of readers. It's a good idea to finally put these issues together into trade paperbacks in sequential order. That is, if you're in the camp that believes publishing them in the first place was a good idea. (page 131) DAVE: Hey, dude, stoners 'n' headbangers need comics too. Stoker's Dracula HC (Marvel Comics) - DAVE: I don't know if this recently completed miniseries warrants a hardcover, but I was pretty impressed with it anyway. Was a sort of "lost" project - a four-issue adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula begun by Roy Thomas and Dick Giordano in the '70s, but left incomplete until this very year when they returned to finish it off. Highlighted by Giordano's ultra-detailed brushwork and lovely gray washes, this is a pretty cool collection for the classic horror fan with a little money to throw around (twenty-five bucks to be exact). (page M75) Sullengray #1 (Ape Entertainment) - RANDY: This one has a great solicitation, about childlike terrors and a place where those terrors live, and "only one person can control it... if his brains don't get eaten first." Taking a look around on the Internet, I also found the mini-site by the publisher, Ape Entertainment, with plenty of preview art (gorgeous!) and more information. New publishers take note: This kind of thing is remarkably helpful to potential customers trying to decide whether or not to give a book a try. I went from "mildly curious" based on the solicitation to "very interested" based on all the info on the site. (page 228) DAVE: Absolutely. Previews is such an overwhelming tome that it's tempting to skip past names one doesn't know, but I can turn around in an instant with a good preview available online. And I think Sullengray looks pretty snazzy too. Sunset City GN (AIT/Planet Lar) - RANDY: Rob Osborne, creator of the unusual autobio/comedy minicomic/graphic novel 1000 Steps to World Domination, returns to AIT/Planet Lar with the story of a retirement community dweller who "takes life by the balls." Do I know what that means for the plot? No, not really, but Osborne's sense of humor and previous work on 1000 Steps makes it something worth looking into. (page 210) DAVE: Old folks represent! Seriously, the comics biz is so youth-centric that the notion of a comic focusing on a retiree actually sounds refreshing. Super-F*ckers #2 (Top Shelf Productions) - RANDY: James Kochalka's dirty-minded, trash-talking, ultraviolent and sex-obsessed superteens return for another go-round. I'm pleased by this, as I'd assumed Super-F*ckers was a one-shot, and while it does seem like a gag that couldn't run forever, if you've never seen the strange mind of Kochalka applied to full-color superheroics, you really owe it to yourself to check it out. It'll f*ck with your head. This month also sees Kochalka teaming up with Jeffrey Brown for another volume of Conversations, an improvisational jam comic conversation between two indy creators. (page 364) Transformers #0 (IDW Publishing) - DAVE: I only had a few Transformers comics back in the '80s when I had buttloads of the toys, and they were pretty awful. Then the Dreamwave books came along! They were pretty awful too. Now IDW's got the license! And, y'know... Maybe? Classic Transformers writer Simon Furman writes, which doesn't mean anything to me, but I know he's a fan-favorite. And it's the writing that's my main concern. I just want those super kickin' neat-o toys of my youth to find their way into some cool, readable stories with memorable personalities . The art? Whatevah. All I ask is good adventure stories on par with, say, Larry Hama's old G.I. Joe material and I'll show. And I say that knowing full well how unlikely such a thing is. (page 299) RANDY: I know you and I basically burned out on the nostalgia stuff a while back, which is kinda sad given that we're both children of the '80s who can trace a lot of our history with comics back to G.I. Joe in the first place. I'm not really excited about Transformers at IDW for my sake, although I expect it'll probably be readable and pretty at the very least, but I have to say, this is a boon for the company in terms of mainstream exposure. If publishing Transformers means more readers for stuff like Smoke, Grimjack, etc., etc. I'm all for it. And EIC Chris Ryall and company are being very smart about their "everyone's invited to the party" style of publishing Transformers, as detailed in this Newsarama article. Like I said, not really for me, but kudos to IDW for what appears to be grabbing a valuable license and knowing what to do with it. Vertigo: First Offenses TPB (DC Comics/Vertigo) - DAVE: This is Vertigo's second cheapie sampler trade (five bucks for five great first issues), and despite an ugly-ass cover, it really is a helluva intro to the line. Collects first issues for The Invisibles, Fables, Preacher, Sandman Mystery Theatre and The Sandman Presents: Lucifer. Buy one for your non-comics-readin' pals and sneak a copy into their bathrooms. Stealth indoctrination! (page 119) RANDY: I love the idea of these sampler trades, love the price point, and while the selection on the first one was pretty solid, the selection here is even better. It's a tighter grouping, genre-wise, and features some of my favorite all-time Vertigo books. One thing, though... with all the design talent at DC, they couldn't have come up with a cover that looks less like a brochure from a high school guidance counselor's office? I mean, kudos to whoever figured out a way to write off their clip art purchase, but c'mon, guys, you've got access to money, designers and a ton of great art... why the cover that runs so contrary to the spirit of the interiors? The Walking Dead Script Book #1 (Image Comics) - RANDY: I love a good scriptbook, and I love The Walking Dead. Kind of surprised to see this project, but it's a pleasant surprise. (page 143) DAVE: Kinda interesting. Here's my impression of it: Zombie: Greaargh! Pretty cool, huh? Wally's World (Vanguard Productions) - DAVE: At $24.95, this hardcover bio of legendary comics artist Wally Wood is a bit too steep for me, but it sounds like a bang-up production and looks to be supplemented by unpublished art and photos. Just from the solicit, I can see Wood was even a bigger pop figure than I knew. A good one for those interested in the history of the guys who made the medium what it is. (page 372) Young Avengers Vol. 1: Sidekicks HC (Marvel Comics) - DAVE: Hmm. You know, this book really caught me by surprise with its quality, but did I like it enough to drop 22 bucks on it for a hardcover collection? I can't quiiiiiiite say as I did, and as with DC's recent Green Lantern: Rebirth hardcover, this edition runs the risk of actually derailing my interest in the series by making me wait for the softcover edition. I know, I know: boo-frickin'-hoo. I'm just saying: I think the smarter play is a simultaneous release with the softcover, the extras-packed hardcovers being the choice of the hardcore fans even as the softcovers sell gangbusters to more casual readers who just want the story. As an aside, I see that Young Avengers #9 is a jumping-on point this month, so newbies should give 'er a look. (page M76) RANDY: Totally with you on this. I like Young Avengers, but will I still like it 6 or 8 months down the line when the trade edition comes out? The hope is yes, but the increased lateness gives me worry that the book will lose momentum as so many other promising mainstream books have in the last few years, and in that case, Marvel's lost an impulse purchase from me, since I would have at least bought a trade of the first volume at this point based on what I've already liked and expectations. No big deal if they lose my impulse buy, but multiply that by a number of jaded readers with plenty of other available comics options, and you've got the makings of a downward spiral. Zombie Tales: Death Valley #1-2 (Boom! Studios) - RANDY: The first Zombie Tales was a terrific anthology of zombie tales, but this one is a miniseries (number two hits in December and is advance solicited here) about high school graduates who find themselves in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. It's written by Andrew Cosby and Johanna Stokes, two of the collaborators on the original Zombie Tales, and features art by impressive-looking newcomer Klebs Silva Jr., whose work you can check out HERE. Oh, and groovy covers by Kaare Andrews, too. (pages 250-251) Zombieworld: Champion of the Worms TPB (Dark Horse Comics) - DAVE: I remember reading the miniseries this collects when it first ran back in the '90s and not knowing quite what to make of it. Mike Mignola wrote it, Pat McEown provided some really nice, cartoony art, and yet I recall the action/horror mix being surprisingly flat. Had something to do with a team of investigators delving into stuff man wasn't meant to know, etc., but even with lackluster memories, I'm thinking Hellboy/B.P.R.D. fans will want to at least look in on it. (page 30) Email Randy Lander and Dave Farabee comments about this review.