What’s awaiting you at the comics shop this week? It’s a fairly light week for fans, but there are some new books to try out.
- DC finishes Team 7 and Deathstroke, and has more Batman, Justice League of America, and Threshold.
- Marvel has more Thor and Wolverine, the latter rapidly turning into one of their best books in print right now and the former being superb as well.
- Image launches Chin Music, and has more Prophet and Walking Dead.
- Dark Horse debuts X, and has more Star Wars and Creepy.
- IDW finishes The Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror, and has more Fever Ridge and Star Trek.
- And Boom! has more Supurbia and Bravest Warriors.
Reviews
Batman #20
Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo pay off their previous Clayface issue with their usual panache. Capullo loves drawing Clayface, and does a wonderful job of making him creepy… and there’s a little nod to the DCAU that I won’t spoil here, but will make a lot of fans’ day.
Batman And Red Hood #20
Peter Tomasi is handling the fallout of Damien Wayne’s death a lot better than the rest of the DC stable. Some of his best work has been on these last few issues of Batman And Robin, and this story makes it painful and personal for Jason Todd. The art team is solid as always, but colorist John Kalisz really stands for his subtle, vivid work here. If you’re not following this book, this standalone issue is a great place to start.
Suicide Squad #20
Ales Kot and Patrick Zircher offer up one of the darker issues of an already fairly gritty book. Amanda Waller has apparently decided the key to restoring stability and control to her team of pet supervillains is to really tick them off. This issue is a slow burn… but so’s thermite, until it catches.
Katana #4
In the last issue, Ann Nocenti cut loose the Creeper, and in this issue… well… let’s just say unleashing a Japanese trickster demon never goes well, and things go downhill from there. Of note is that Art Thibert is on the art team, with Alex Sanchez on pencils, and they’re still working out the kinks: Sanchez is a much different inker, and the book can seem a little flat artistically. But the book remains fun, and that’s what’s important.
Justice League Of America #3
Geoff Johns continues to mix political thriller and old-fashioned team book action, and it’s a pretty good mix. We’ll be meeting the Society of Super-Villains next issue, and we get a taste of it by meeting… Well, let’s say a few reinvented villains.
Also of note, Matt Kindt’s backup features continue to be superbly crafted character pieces. Hopefully Kindt is being groomed to take over JLA; they’re that good.
Star Wars #5
I know I keep saying it, but buy this book. Brian Wood and Carlos D’Anda aren’t just turning out some great Star Wars yarns, they’re making great comics, period.
X #1
This book is strong on action and relatively light on the gore, which is a good thing, but it doesn’t really have much depth so far. We’ll stick with it, not least for Eric Nguyen’s art, but hopefully there’s a bit more to this X.
Creepy #12
Nobody does anthology comics quite like Dark Horse. This book, largely new stories but with a Ditko and Goodwin reprint, runs the gamut from gag strips to disturbing horror stories, with John Arcudi’s story of wolves and honor being the gem of the bunch. But the whole book is worth the price: A nice chill for the start of summer.
The Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror #4
This book has a Cthulhu robot. Admit it, you’re buying it in your mind as you read this. Joking aside, this wraps the miniseries by Roger Langridge and J. Bone on a high note, and is as loving a tribute to Hollywood’s golden age as you’ll ever find. It’s lighthearted and fun, and one of the most joyous books on the stands this week.
Fever Ridge #3
Nick Heimos explicitly admits he’s writing for the trade in this books epilogue, which frankly is a bit unfortunate because of the book’s pacing issues. But Nick Runge’s artwork continues to be superb, and this book ends on a pretty strong cliffhanger, so it might finally be picking up on an issue by issue basis.
Archer And Armstrong #0
Somewhere, a classicist is crying as Fred Van Lente takes on the Epic of Gilgamesh. Clayton Henry clearly loves the goofy pulp SF Van Lente throws at him, and Van Lente’s comedic gifts make it a zippy, funny story that tells us a lot more about Armstrong than one might expect.
Harbinger #12
Joshua Dysart puts a fairly human face on a bunch of insane walking bombs. No, not the Harbinger team, the people they’re trying to help. Character is the focus on this issue, but it’s pretty clear things aren’t going to end well, especially since Bloodshot is on the way next issue.
Full Release List
DC COMICS
Batman #20 (Greg Capullo Black & White Variant Cover), AR
Batman #20 (Greg Capullo Combo Pack Cover), $4.99
Batman #20 (Greg Capullo Regular Cover), $3.99
Batman #20 (Jock Variant Cover), AR
Batman And Red Hood #20, $2.99
Batman Arkham Unhinged #14, $3.99
Batman Death By Design TP, $14.99
Batman Incorporated Volume 1 Demon Star HC, $24.99
Constantine #3 (Juan Jose Ryp Black & White Variant Cover), AR
Constantine #3 (Juan Jose Ryp Regular Cover), $2.99
DC Entertainment Essentials And Chronology 2013 (not verified by Diamond), AR
Deathstroke #20 (Final Issue), $2.99
Demon Knights #20, $2.99
Green Lantern Corps #20 (Andy Kubert Black & White Variant Cover), AR
Green Lantern Corps #20 (Andy Kubert Regular Cover), $2.99
Green Lantern Simon Baz Action Figure, $24.95
Hellblazer Volume 5 Dangerous Habits TP (New Edition), $19.99
Injustice Gods Among Us #1 (3rd Printing Variant Cover)(not verified by Diamond), $3.99
Justice League Of America #3 (David Finch Black & White Variant Cover), AR
Justice League Of America #3 (David Finch Combo Pack Cover), $4.99
Justice League Of America #3 (David Finch Regular Fold-Out Cover), $3.99
Justice League Of America #3 (Herman Mejia MAD Variant Cover), AR
Katana #4 (Juan Jose Ryp Black & White Variant Cover), AR
Katana #4 (Juan Jose Ryp Regular Cover), $2.99
Legion Of Super-Heroes Volume 2 The Dominators TP, $16.99
Ravagers #12 (Final Issue), $2.99
Ravagers Volume 1 The Kids From N.O.W.H.E.R.E. TP, $16.99
Showcase Presents Superman Family Volume 4 TP, $19.99
Smallville Season 11 #13, $3.99
Suicide Squad #20, $2.99
Superboy #20, $2.99
Team 7 #8 (Final Issue), $2.99
Threshold #5, $3.99
MARVEL COMICS
Alpha Big Time #4 (Of 5), $2.99
Astonishing X-Men #62, $3.99
Avengers #11, $3.99
Avengers Arena #9, $2.99
Avengers Arena Volume 1 Kill Or Die TP, $15.99
Avengers Assemble #15AU, $3.99
Avengers Heart Of Stone TP, $24.99
Avengers Vs X-Men Companion HC, $99.99
Avenging Spider-Man #20, $3.99
Avenging Spider-Man Threats And Menaces TP, $14.99
Castle A Calm Before The Storm #5 (Of 5), $3.99
Deadpool #9, $2.99
Disney Princess Magazine #13 (Disney Publishing Worldwide), $4.99
Essential Defenders Volume 7 TP, $19.99
Fearless Defenders #4 (Mark Brooks Regular Cover), $2.99
Fearless Defenders #4 (Stephanie Hans Variant Cover), AR
Iron Man #258.2, $3.99
Marvel Universe The Avengers Earth’s Mightiest Heroes #14, $2.99
Marvel Universe Ultimate Spider-Man Digest Volume 3 TP, $9.99
Secret Avengers #4 (Mark Brooks Variant Cover), AR
Secret Avengers #4 (Tomm Coker Regular Cover), $3.99
Shanna By Milo Manara Poster, $8.99
Spider-Men TP, $19.99
Stand Volume 6 The Night Has Come TP, $19.99
Storm By Milo Manara Poster, $8.99
Superior Spider-Man By Marcos Martin Poster, $8.99
Thor God Of Thunder #8, $3.99
Thunderbolts Volume 1 No Quarter TP, $15.99
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man By Brian Michael Bendis Volume 3 TP, $19.99
Ultimate Comics The Ultimates #24, $3.99
Uncanny Avengers #8 (John Cassaday Regular Cover), $3.99
Uncanny Avengers #8 (Milo Manara Variant Cover), AR
Uncanny X-Force #4 (Giusieppe Camuncoli Variant Cover), AR
Uncanny X-Force #4 (Kris Anka Regular Cover), $3.99
Wolverine #3 (Alan Davis Regular Cover), $3.99
Wolverine #3 (Ed McGuinness Variant Cover), AR
Wolverine By Gabrielle Dell’Otto Poster, $8.99
Wolverine Young Readers Novel SC, $6.99
DARK HORSE COMICS
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 9 #21 (Georges Jeanty Variant Cover), $2.99
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 9 #21 (Phil Noto Regular Cover), $2.99
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 9 Volume 3 Guarded TP, $17.99
Chronicles Of King Conan Volume 5 The Black Dragons And Other Stories TP, $18.99
Creepy Comics #12, $4.99
Criminal Macabre No Peace For Dead Men TP, $17.99
Freaks’ Amour GN, $17.99
Star Wars #5 (Alex Ross Sketch Variant Cover), AR
Star Wars #5 (Rodolfo Migliari Regular Cover), $2.99
X #1 (Of 4)(Dave Wilkins Regular Cover), $2.99
X #1 (Of 4)(Paolo Rivera Variant Cover), AR
IMAGE COMICS
Bomb Queen Deluxe Edition Volume 2 HC, $24.99
Chin Music #1, $2.99
Comeback TP, $14.99
Prophet #35, $3.99
Storm Dogs #5 (Of 6), $3.50
Thief Of Thieves Volume 2 TP, $14.99
Walking Dead #110, $2.99
Witchblade #166 (Cover A Diego Bernard), $2.99
Witchblade #166 (Cover B John Tyler Christopher), $2.99
IDW PUBLISHING
Fever Ridge A Tale Of MacArthur’s Jungle War #3 (Of 8)(Cover A Nick Runge), $3.99
Fever Ridge A Tale Of MacArthur’s Jungle War #3 (Of 8)(Cover RI Nick Runge), AR
Memorial Imaginary Fiends #3 (Of 3)(Cover A Rich Ellis), $3.99
Michael Golden’s G.I. JOE Yearbook Artist’s Edition Portfolio TP, AR
Rocketeer Adventures Treasury Edition TP, $9.99
Rocketeer Hollywood Horror #4 (Of 4)(Cover A Walter Simonson), $3.99
Rocketeer Hollywood Horror #4 (Of 4)(Cover RI Walter Simonson), AR
Star Trek #20 (Cover A Tim Bradstreet), $3.99
Star Trek #20 (Cover RI-A Tim Bradstreet), AR
Star Trek #20 (Cover RI-B Photo), AR
Transformers Spot Trailcutter #1 (Dynamic Forces Exclusive Cover), $10.00
BOOM! STUDIOS
Bravest Warriors #8 (Cover A Tyson Hesse), $3.99
Bravest Warriors #8 (Cover B Nick Edwards), $3.99
Bravest Warriors #8 (Cover C Yehudi Mercado), AR
Bravest Warriors #8 (Cover D Jeremy Sorese), AR
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser The Road Below Volume 1 TP, $14.99
Fanboys Vs Zombies Volume 2 TP, $14.99
Grace Randolph’s Supurbia #7 (Cover A Stephane Roux), $3.99
Planet Of The Apes Cataclysm Volume 1 TP, $14.99
Steed And Mrs Peel Volume 1 A Very Civil Armageddon TP, $14.99
Two Guns Second Shot TP (Deluxe Edition), $19.99
ABRAMS COMICARTS
Good Riddance A Graphic Memoir Of Divorce GN, $17.95
Legends Of The Blues HC, $19.95
Raven Girl GN, $19.95
AC COMICS
Men Of Mystery #89, $29.95
AMULET BOOKS
Will And Whit GN, $12.95
APE ENTERTAINMENT
Drew Hayes’ Poison Elves #1 (2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
ARCHAIA ENTERTAINMENT
Mumbai Confidential Volume 1 Good Cop Bad Cop HC, $24.95
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
Jugheads Double Digest #192, $3.99
Life With Archie #29 (Fernando Ruiz Regular Cover), $3.99
Life With Archie #29 (Jon Gray Variant Cover), $3.99
Mega Man #25 (Matt Herms Evil Friends Forever Variant Cover), $2.99
Mega Man #25 (Patrick Spaziante Gatefold Regular Cover), $2.99
Sonic Super Special Magazine #7, $9.99
ASPEN COMICS
Executive Assistant Assassins #10 (Cover A Jorden Gunderson), $3.99
Executive Assistant Assassins #10 (Cover B Ryan Odagawa), $3.99
Fathom Volume 4 #9 (Cover A Alex Konat), $3.50
Fathom Volume 4 #9 (Cover B Giuseppe Cafaro), $3.50
Fathom Volume 4 #9 (Cover C Alex Konat), AR
Legend Of The Shadowclan #4 (Of 5)(Cover A Cory Smith), $3.99
Legend Of The Shadowclan #4 (Of 5)(Cover B Cory Smith), $3.99
Legend Of The Shadowclan #4 (Of 5)(Cover C Cory Smith), $3.99
Legend Of The Shadowclan #4 (Of 5)(Cover D Cory Smith), $3.99
AUTOMATIC PICTURES
Hatter M The Looking Glass Wars Volume 4 Zen HC, $24.99
Hatter M The Looking Glass Wars Volume 4 Zen TP, $14.95
AVATAR PRESS
Ferals #14 (Gabriel Andrade Regular Cover), $3.99
Ferals #14 (Gabriel Andrade Gore Cover), $3.99
Ferals #14 (Gabriel Andrade Slashed Incentive Cover), AR
Ferals #14 (Gabriel Andrade Wraparound Cover), $3.99
Uber #0 (Caanan White Enhanced Edition Cover), $4.99
Uber #1 (Caanan White Regular Cover), $3.99
Uber #1 (Caanan White Blitzkrieg Incentive Cover), AR
Uber #1 (Michael Dipascale Propaganda Poster Cover), $3.99
Uber #1 (Caanan White Wraparound Cover), $3.99
BIG DOG INK
Critter #11 (Fico Ossio Cover), $3.50
Critter #11 (Romano Molenaar Cover), $3.50
Legend Of Oz The Scarecrow #1 (Of 2)(Carlos Reno Cover), $3.50
Legend Of Oz The Scarecrow #1 (Of 2)(Nei Ruffino Cover), $3.50
Legend Of Oz The Wicked West #7 (Carlos Reno Cover), $3.50
Legend Of Oz The Wicked West #7 (Nei Ruffino Cover), $3.50
BIG FINISH
Doctor Who The Auntie Matter Audio CD, $18.99
Doctor Who The Companion Chronicles TheFlames Of Cadiz Audio CD, $21.99
Doctor Who The Wrong Doctors Audio CD, $24.99
BIRDCAGE BOTTOM BOOKS
Snake Pit Gets Old Daily Diary Comics 2010-2012 GN, $16.95
BLACK MASK COMICS
12 Reasons To Die #1 (Christopher Mitten Cover), $3.50
12 Reasons To Die #1 (Ronald Wimberly Cover), $3.50
BONGO COMICS
Mylo Xyloto #4, $3.99
BROADWAY
Doctor Who Earthworld MMPB (50th Anniversary Collection Edition), $12.99
Doctor Who Fear Of Dark MMPB (50th Anniversary Collection Edition), $12.99
COMIC SHOP NEWS
Comic Shop News #1351, AR
CONUNDRUM PRESS
Library HC (by Chihoi), $20.00
DRAWN AND QUARTERLY
Paying For It GN, $19.95
Playboy GN (New Edition), $16.95
You’re All Just Jealous Of My Jetpack HC, $19.95
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Damsels Mermaids #1 (Chris Eliopoulos Subscription Variant Cover), $3.99
Damsels Mermaids #1 (Cover A Paul Renaud), $3.99
Damsels Mermaids #1 (Cover B Jay Anacleto), $3.99
Damsels Mermaids #1 (Jay Anacleto Black & White Variant Cover), AR
Damsels Mermaids #1 (Paul Renaud Black & White Variant Cover), AR
Dark Shadows #16 (Francesco Francavilla Regular Cover), $3.99
Garth Ennis’ Battlefields #6 (Of 6)(Fall And Rise Part 3)(Russ Braun Regular Cover), $3.99
Grimm #1 (Alex Ross Black & White Variant Cover), AR
Grimm #1 (Alex Ross Regular Cover), $3.99
Grimm #1 (Phantom Variant Cover), AR
Grimm #1 (Photo Subscription Variant Cover), $3.99
Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files Ghoul Goblin #4 (Of 6)(Ardian Syaf Regular Cover), $3.99
Prophecy Volume 1 TP, $19.99
Red Sonja Annual #4 (Jose Malaga Regular Cover), $4.99
Vampirella #29 (Fabiano Neves Regular Cover), $3.99
Vampirella #29 (Lucio Parrillo Regular Cover), $3.99
Vampirella #29 (Paul Renaud Red Variant Cover), AR
Vampirella #29 (Paul Renaud Regular Cover), $3.99
Warlord Of Mars #24 (Joe Jusko Regular Cover), $3.99
Warlord Of Mars #24 (Lucio Parillo Regular Cover), $3.99
Warlord Of Mars #24 (Lucio Parillo Virgin Variant Cover), AR
Warlord Of Mars #24 (Risque Variant Cover), AR
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #25 (Fabiano Neves Regular Cover), $3.99
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #25 (Paul Renaud Regular Cover), $3.99
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #25 (Sergio Fernandez Davila Risque Variant Cover), AR
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #25 (Wagner Reis Risque Variant Cover), AR
EAGLEMOSS PUBLICATIONS
Classic Marvel Figurine Collection Magazine #198 (Wiccan), $14.00
Classic Marvel Figurine Collection Magazine #199 (Deathbird), $14.00
Classic Marvel Figurine Collection Magazine #200 (Hela), $14.00
DC Batman Automobilia Figurine Collection Magazine #6 (Detective #156), $20.00
DC Superhero Chess Figurine Collection Magazine #30 (Killer Croc Black Rook), $16.00
DC Superhero Chess Figurine Collection Magazine #31 (Azrael White Pawn), $16.00
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS
Walt Disney’s Donald Duck Volume 1 The Old Castle’s Secret HC, $28.99
FIRST SECOND
Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong GN, $16.99
Red Handed The Fine Art Of Strange Crimes HC, $26.99
FUTURE PUBLISHING
SFX #234, $10.99
HARPER COLLINS
InterWorld TP (by Neil Gaiman), $9.99
Silver Dream An InterWorld Novel HC, $18.99
Unnatural Creatures Stories Selected By Neil Gaiman SC, $9.99
HERMES PRESS
Frank Robbins’ Johnny Hazard The Newspaper Dailies Volume 2 1946-1948 HC (resolicited), $49.99
KENZER AND COMPANY
Knights Of The Dinner Table #197, $5.99
MOONSTONE
Savage Beauty TP, $11.99
NBM
Treasury Of Murder Softcover Set, $26.99
PANINI PUBLISHING
Doctor Who Magazine #459, $9.99
PAPERCUTZ
Benny Breakiron Volume 1 The Red Taxis HC, $11.99
Smurfs Volume 15 The Smurflings SC, $5.99
Smurfs Volume 15 The Smurflings HC, $10.99
PS ARTBOOKS
American Comics Group Collected Works Out Of The Night Volume 1 HC (Slipcase Edition), $62.99
Harvey Horrors Collected Works Witches Tales Volume 3 HC (Slipcase Edition), $119.99
Roy Thomas Presents The Heap Volume 1 HC (Slipcase Edition), $119.99
REBELLION
Slaine The Grail War GN, $29.99
SCREEN POWER PUBLISHING
Scream Magazine #17, $8.99
SELFMADEHERO
Complete Don Quixote GN, $27.50
Sandcastle GN, $19.95
SEVEN SEAS ENTERTAINMENT
Dance In The Vampire Bund Volume 14 GN, $13.99
Zero’s Familiar Omnibus Volume 1 TP (Volumes 1-3), $19.99
TH3RD WORLD STUDIOS
Shadowgirls HC, $29.95
TITAN PUBLISHING
CLiNT 2.0 #7, $6.99
Once Upon A Time Souvenir Special Magazine #2, $14.99
Star Trek Magazine #45 (Newsstand Edition), $14.99
Star Trek Magazine #45 (Previews Exclusive Edition), $14.99
TOOL PUBLICATIONS
Westward Volume 1 TP, $15.99
TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS
We Can Fix It GN, $14.95
UNITED PLANKTON PICTURES
SpongeBob Comics #20, $2.99
VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT
Archer And Armstrong #0 (Clayton Henry Regular Cover), $3.99
Archer And Armstrong #0 (Lee Garbett Pullbox Cover), $3.99
Archer And Armstrong #0 (Tom Fowler Variant Cover), AR
Harbinger #0 (David Lapham 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Harbinger #12 (Amy Reeder Regular Cover), $3.99
Harbinger #12 (Khari Evans Pullbox Cover), $3.99
VERTICAL
Heroman Volume 4 GN, $10.95
VIZ MEDIA
Bakuman Volume 19 TP, $9.99
Black Bird Volume 16 GN, $9.99
Bleach 3-In-1 Edition Volume 5 TP (Volumes 13-15), $14.99
Claymore Volume 22 TP, $9.99
Dengeki Daisy Volume 12 GN, $9.99
Hunter x Hunter Volume 30 TP, $9.99
La Corda d’Oro Volume 17 TP, $9.99
Naruto 3-In-1 Edition Volume 5 TP (Volumes 13-15), $14.99
Naruto Volume 61 TP, $9.99
Otomen Volume 15 GN, $9.99
Pokemon Adventures Volume 16 TP, $9.99
Psyren Volume 10 GN, $9.99
Strobe Edge Volume 4 GN, $9.99
Tegami Bachi Volume 13 GN, $9.99
We Were There Volume 16 GN, $9.99
WINX Club Volume 7 GN, $6.99
ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Robyn Hood Wanted #1 (Of 5)(Cover A Artgerm), $2.99
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Robyn Hood Wanted #1 (Of 5)(Cover B Stjepan Sejic), $2.99
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Robyn Hood Wanted #1 (Of 5)(Cover C Harvey Taliboa), $2.99
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Robyn Hood Wanted #1 (Of 5)(Cover D Artgerm), AR