What’s on the stands this last New Comic Book Day of May? A whole bunch of annuals, among other things. Plus we have reviews of books from DC, Dark Horse, and IDW.
- DC debuts The Wake and Adventures of Superman, and has a whole bunch of annuals we review below.
- Marvel debuts X-Men and Captain Universe, and has more Indestructible Hulk.
- Image has more Clone, Morning Glories, Thief of Thieves, Chew, and Five Weapons.
- Dark Horse finishes its latest Dragon Age miniseries, launches King Conan: The Hour of the Dragon, and has more Amala’s Blade and The Last of Us.
- IDW concludes Jinnrise and has more Star Trek and Kill Shakespeare.
- And Boom! has an Adventure Time annual, begins Clive Barker’s Next Testament, and has more Deathmatch.
Reviews
Adventures Of Superman #1
This anthology book gets to a strong start with a mix of superhero action, comedy and whimsy. It’s really the central story of Jeff Lemire that’s the best, a lighthearted look at what Superman thinks of kids plays heroes and villains, but the overall book is a lot of fun and well worth picking up.
The Wake #1
Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy have talked to us about the book and what stands out most, aside from Murphy’s detailed, angular art is just how funny this book is. It’s mostly due to the book largely setting the stage for what’s to come, and the ending splash may not be a surprise, but it’s a fast-paced story and you’ll want the next issue right away.
Red Hood and The Outlaws Annual #1
James Tynion IV and Al Barrionuevo tell a fairly solid story and reinvent Cheshire in an interesting way, but unless you’re already following the book, there isn’t much reason to read the annual.
Catwoman Annual #1
Similarly, this is more of a long Catwoman story instead of its own distinct piece, but Ann Nocenti has a lot of fun with Catwoman’s amorality here, and it’s worth reading just for her take on a gang war.
Earth 2 Annual #1
Pretty much just for fans of James Robinson’s take on the Justice Society, but if you count yourself among the book’s fans, this annual is a can’t-miss story about the past of one Al Pratt.
Batman: The Dark Knight Annual #1
Say you’re a criminal in Gotham. You’re probably not the most together person, and in fact you’re likely outright insane. And there’s a man who seemingly swoops from the skies out of nowhere, ruins your carefully crafted schemes, and beats you senseless over, and over, and over again.
How deep would Batman get in your skull? Just how scared of him would you be?
Gregg Hurwitz explores this question in this annual in a one-shot story that’s a mix of scary and funny you rarely see with Batman. Szymon Kudranski’s art only heightens the tone; his taste for shadows and subtly distorting features gives the book a dark horror edge. Highly recommended and a lot of fun.
Amala’s Blade #2
Steve Horton and Michael Dialynas are rapidly putting together one of the best action series on the stands. This book is pretty much entirely action: Amala kicking ass, Amala sneaking into a capital, and ending on a cliffhanger that makes you wonder just how much deeper she can get in over her head. It’s a superb miniseries and if you haven’t been following it, by all means start.
B.P.R.D.: Vampire #3
The surprisingly twisty story to this book is really just the icing on the cake: Gabriel Ba’s gorgeous art would make this book a pleasure to read even with no dialogue. Well worth reading, especially for B.P.R.D. fans.
King Conan: Hour of The Dragon #1
Timothy Truman and Tomas Giorello have some beautiful art here, but the book is undone a bit by being more words than action. Especially with the current Conan ongoing, and its mix of action and emotional texture, this seems a bit thin, more of a throwback to the ’70s comics than in line with the more complex books featuring Conan on the stands right now. It’s still fun, but fans of the ongoing might be disappointed.
Dragon Age: Until We Sleep #3
David Gaider, Alexander Freed and Chad Hardin wrap up their miniseries on a melancholy note, giving a little depth to what’s otherwise a fairly straightforward fantasy comic and giving this a nice and enjoyable wrap-up.
The Last of Us: American Dreams #2
We loved the first issue, and the second issue is just as good. This book does a superb job giving Ellie some real emotional depth while standing as its own story, and even if you don’t care about the game, you owe it to yourself to pick up this book.
Kill Shakespeare: Tide Of Blood #4
Really, if you haven’t been reading this, you’ve been missing out on some of the best comics on the stands right now. Simultaneously deeply faithful to Shakespeare and a fascinating riff on the power of stories, it’s a blast, as we’ve already told you. So check it out.
Full Retail List
DC COMICS
Absolute Top 10 HC, $99.99
Adventures Of Superman #1 (Bryan Hitch Regular Cover), $3.99
Adventures Of Superman #1 (Chris Samnee Variant Cover), AR
Batman Noir Eduardo Risso HC (Deluxe Edition), $24.99
Batman The Dark Knight Annual #1, $4.99
Catwoman Annual #1, $4.99
Constantine #2 (Juan Jose Ryp 2nd Printing Variant Cover)(not verified by Diamond), $2.99
Earth 2 Annual #1, $4.99
Injustice Gods Among Us #4 (Video Game Art 2nd Printing Variant Cover)(not verified by Diamond), $3.99
Injustice Gods Among Us #5, $3.99
Justice League Of America #4 (David Finch Black & White Variant Cover), AR
Justice League Of America #4 (David Finch Combo Pack Cover), $4.99
Justice League Of America #4 (David Finch Regular Cover), $3.99
Justice League Of America #4 (Tyler Kirkham & Batt Variant Cover), AR
Lucifer Volume 1 TP, $29.99
New Teen Titans Omnibus Volume 3 HC (resolicited), $75.00
Phantom Stranger Volume 1 A Stranger Among Us TP, $14.99
Red Hood And The Outlaws Annual #1, $4.99
Smallville Season 11 Special #1, $4.99
Superboy Volume 2 Extraction TP, $14.99
Wake #1 (Of 10)(Adam Kubert Variant Cover), AR
Wake #1 (Of 10)(Sean Murphy Regular Cover), $2.99
Watchmen HC (Deluxe Edition), $39.99MARVEL COMICS
Age Of Ultron #5 (Of 10)(Bryan Hitch 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
All-New X-Men Volume 2 Here To Stay HC (Premiere Edition), $24.99
Avengers The Complete Collection By Geoff Johns Volume 1 TP, $29.99
Avenging Spider-Man #21, $3.99
Captain America #7, $3.99
Captain Universe The Hero Who Could Be You #1, $7.99
Dark Avengers #190 (Final Issue), $2.99
Deadpool Volume 1 Dead Presidents TP, $15.99
Doctor Strange The Oath TP (New Printing), $19.99
Fury MAX #12, $3.99
Gambit #13, $2.99
Hawkeye #9 (David Aja 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Indestructible Hulk #8, $3.99
Iron Man #258.4, $3.99
Marvel Noir Spider-Man Punisher TP, $34.99
Marvel Previews #118 (June 2013 For Products On-Sale August 2013), $1.25
Marvel Super Heroes #9 (Disney Publishing Worldwide), $4.99
Monsters Inc Scary Stories Digest TP, $9.99
Morbius The Living Vampire #5, $2.99
New Avengers #6, $3.99
Punisher Enter The War Zone TP, $16.99
Savage Wolverine #5 (Dave Johnson Variant Cover), AR
Savage Wolverine #5 (Frank Cho Regular Cover), $3.99
Spider-Man 2099 Volume 1 TP (New Printing), $24.99
Superior Spider-Man Volume 1 My Own Worst Enemy TP, $17.99
Thor God Of Thunder Volume 1 The God Butcher HC (Premiere Edition), $24.99
Ultimate Comics X-Men By Brian Wood Volume 1 TP, $19.99
Uncanny X-Force #5 (Kris Anka Regular Cover), $3.99
Uncanny X-Force #5 (Milo Manara Variant Cover), AR
Uncanny X-Men #4 (Chris Bachalo 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Venom #35, $2.99
Wolverine And The X-Men #30, $3.99
X-Men #1 (Arthur Suydam DeadPool Variant Cover), AR
X-Men #1 (Blank Variant Cover), AR
X-Men #1 (Joe Madureira X-Men 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), AR
X-Men #1 (Milo Manara Variant Cover), AR
X-Men #1 (Olivier Coipel Regular Cover), $3.99
X-Men #1 (Skottie Young Variant Cover), AR
X-Men #1 (Terry Dodson Variant Cover), ARIMAGE COMICS
Chew #34, $2.99
Clone #7, $2.99
Clone Volume 1 TP, $12.99
East Of West #2 (2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.50
Elephantmen #48, $3.99
Elephantmen Volume 1 HC (Revised And Expanded Edition), $39.99
Five Weapons #4 (Of 5), $3.50
Lost Vegas #3 (Of 4)(Cover A Janet Lee), $3.50
Lost Vegas #3 (Of 4)(Cover B Tony Fleecs), $3.50
Lost Vegas #3 (Of 4)(Cover C Francesco Francavilla), AR
Mind The Gap #10 (Cover A Rodin Esquejo), $2.99
Mind The Gap #10 (Cover B Sonia Oback), $2.99
Morning Glories #27 (Cover A Joe Eisma), $3.99
Morning Glories #27 (Cover B Jenny Frison), $3.99
Morning Glories #27 (Cover C Rob Guillory), $3.99
Morning Glories #27 (Cover D Shawn Martinbrough), $3.99
Morning Glories #27 (Cover E Jamie McKelvie), $3.99
Morning Glories #27 (Cover F Nick Pitarra), $3.99
Morning Glories #27 (Cover G Emma Rios), $3.99
Morning Glories #27 (Cover H Christian Ward), $3.99
Thief Of Thieves #14, $2.99DARK HORSE COMICS
Amala’s Blade #2 (Of 4), $3.50
Angel And Faith #22 (Rebekah Isaacs Variant Cover), $2.99
Angel And Faith #22 (Steve Morris Regular Cover), $2.99
B.P.R.D. Vampire #3 (Of 5), $3.50
Dragon Age Until We Sleep #3 (Of 3), $3.99
King Conan The Hour Of The Dragon #1 (Of 6)(Gerald Parel Regular Cover), $3.50
King Conan The Hour Of The Dragon #1 (Of 6)(Sanjulian Variant Cover), AR
Last Of Us American Dreams #1 (Of 4)(2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Last Of Us American Dreams #2 (Of 4), $3.99
Star Wars Omnibus Wild Space Volume 1 TP, $24.99IDW PUBLISHING
Danger Girl Trinity #2 (Of 4)(Cover A J. Scott Campbell), $3.99
Danger Girl Trinity #2 (Of 4)(Cover RI J. Scott Campbell), AR
Definitive Flash Gordon And Jungle Jim Volume 3 HC, $75.00
Doctor Who Prisoners Of Time #5 (Of 12)(Cover A Francesco Francavilla), $3.99
Doctor Who Prisoners Of Time #5 (Of 12)(Cover B Dave Sim), $3.99
Doctor Who Prisoners Of Time #5 (Of 12)(Cover RI Fourth Doctor Photo), AR
G.I. JOE #4 (Cover A Juan Doe), $3.99
G.I. JOE #4 (Cover B Steve Kurth), $3.99
G.I. JOE #4 (Cover RI Ryan Dunlavey), AR
G.I. JOE Field Manual Volume 2 SC, $19.99
Godzilla #12 (Cover A Bob Eggleton), $3.99
Godzilla #12 (Cover RI Matt Frank), AR
Jericho Season 4 #3 (Of 5)(Cover A Tim Bradstreet), $3.99
Jericho Season 4 #3 (Of 5)(Cover B Photo), $3.99
Jinnrise #5 (Of 5)(Cover A Mark Torres), $3.99
Jinnrise #5 (Of 5)(Cover RI Eddie Nunez), AR
Kill Shakespeare The Tide Of Blood #4 (Of 5)(Cover A Nimit Malavia), $3.99
My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic #2 (Katie Cook 4th Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
My Little Pony Micro-Series #4 (Of 6)(Fluttershy)(Cover A Amy Mebberson), $3.99
My Little Pony Micro-Series #4 (Of 6)(Fluttershy)(Cover B Tony Fleecs), $3.99
My Little Pony Micro-Series #4 (Of 6)(Fluttershy)(Cover C Sabrina Alberghetti), $3.99
Popeye Classics #10 (Cover A Bud Sagendorf), $3.99
Star Trek #21 (Cover A Tim Bradstreet), $3.99
Star Trek #21 (Cover RI-A Tim Bradstreet), AR
Star Trek #21 (Cover RI-B Photo), AR
Star Trek Classics Volume 4 Beginnings TP, $19.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #22 (Cover A Mateus Santolouco), $3.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #22 (Cover B Kevin Eastman), $3.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #22 (Cover RI-A Declan Shalvey), AR
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #22 (Cover RI-B Kevin Eastman), AR
Transformers More Than Meets The Eye #17 (Cover A Alex Milne), $3.99
Transformers More Than Meets The Eye #17 (Cover B Sean Chen), $3.99
Transformers More Than Meets The Eye #17 (Cover RI Nick Roche), AR
Transformers Prime Beast Hunters #1 (Cover A Ken Christiansen), $3.99
Transformers Prime Beast Hunters #1 (Cover RI Animation Art), AR
Transformers Prime Beast Hunters #1 (Cover SUB Michael Lark), $3.99
Transformers The IDW Collection Volume 8 HC, $49.99
True Blood Volume 5 Shake For Me HC, $24.99BOOM! STUDIOS
Adventure Time Annual #1 (Cover A Ale Garza), $4.99
Adventure Time Annual #1 (Cover B Natasha Allegri), AR
Adventure Time Annual #1 (Cover C Derek Fridolfs), AR
Clive Barker’s Next Testament #1 (Of 12)(Was ‘Clive Barker’s New Genesis)(Cover A Goni Montes), $3.99
Clive Barker’s Next Testament #1 (Of 12)(Was ‘Clive Barker’s New Genesis)(Cover B Ben Oliver), AR
Clive Barker’s Next Testament #1 (Of 12)(Was ‘Clive Barker’s New Genesis)(Cover C Clive Barker), AR
Deathmatch #6 (Cover A Whilce Portacio), $3.99
Deathmatch #6 (Cover B Reilly Brown), $3.99
Deathmatch #6 (Cover C Whilce Portacio), AR
Deathmatch #6 (Cover D Jung-Geun Yoon), ARACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT
Pirate Eye A Pirate’s Life Is Not For Me (One Shot), $3.99
Princeless Volume 2 #3 (Of 4), $3.99
ALTERNA COMICS
Complex Volume 1 Ways Of Life GN, $11.99
AMIGO COMICS
Westwood Witches #1 (Of 4), $3.99
AMP! COMICS FOR KIDS
Lio Volume 2 Making Friends TP, $9.99
AMRYL ENTERTAINMENT
Cavewoman Uncovered Pin-Up Book (Budd Root Special Edition), AR
ANTARCTIC PRESS
Gold Digger Platinum Volume 5 TP, $14.95
ARCANA STUDIO
Breather GN, $6.95
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
Archie #644 (Cover A Dan Parent), $2.99
Archie #644 (Cover B Dan Parent), $2.99
Archie Double Digest #240, $3.99
Sonic The Hedgehog #249 (Patrick Spaziante Regular Cover), $2.99
Sonic The Hedgehog #249 (Patrick Spaziante Throwback Variant Cover), $2.99
ASPEN COMICS
Dead Man’s Run #5 (Cover A Tony Parker), $3.50
Dead Man’s Run #5 (Cover B Siya Oum), $3.50
Executive Assistant Assassins #11 (Cover A Giuseppe Cafaro), $3.99
Executive Assistant Assassins #11 (Cover B Siya Oum), $3.99
Lost Spark SC (by JT Krul)(resolicited), $9.99
AVATAR PRESS
Crossed Badlands #29 (Christian Zanier Torture Cover), $3.99
Crossed Badlands #29 (Gabriel Andrade Wraparound Cover), $3.99
Crossed Badlands #29 (Jacen Burrows Red Crossed Incentive Cover), AR
Crossed Badlands #29 (Jacen Burrows Regular Cover), $3.99
BLACK LIBRARY
Warhammer Elves SC, $17.50
Warhammer Gilead’s Curse SC, $14.00
BLACK WATCH COMICS
North End Of The World HC (not verified by Diamond), $49.99
BONGO COMICS
Futurama Comics #67, $2.99
Simpsons Summer Shindig #7, $4.99BROADSWORD COMICS
Tarot Witch Of The Black Rose #80, $2.95CAMPFIRE
Mother Teresa Saint Of The Slums GN (resolicited), $11.99CHRONICLE BOOKS
In The Kitchen With Alain Passard Inside The World And Mind Of A Master Chef HC, $16.95COMIC SHOP NEWS
Comic Shop News #1354, ARCONUNDRUM PRESS
Obituary Man GN, $15.00DIAMOND PUBLICATIONS
Game Trade Magazine #160, $3.99
Previews #297 (June 2013), $4.50DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Dark Shadows Vampirella TP, $19.99
Green Hornet Legacy #37 (Stephen Sadowski Regular Cover), $3.99
Green Hornet Volume 5 Outcast TP, $19.99
Jennifer Blood First Blood #5 (Of 6)(Mike Mayhew Regular Cover), $3.99
Red Sonja #76 (Lucio Parrillo Regular Cover), $3.99
Shadow Year One #3 (Of 10)(Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover)(not verified by Diamond), AR
Shadow Year One #3 (Of 10)(Blank Authentix Variant Cover), AR
Shadow Year One #3 (Of 10)(Chris Samnee Black & White Variant Cover)(not verified by Diamond), AR
Shadow Year One #3 (Of 10)(Cover A Matt Wagner), $3.99
Shadow Year One #3 (Of 10)(Cover B Alex Ross), $3.99
Shadow Year One #3 (Of 10)(Cover C Chris Samnee), $3.99
Shadow Year One #3 (Of 10)(Cover D Howard Chaykin), $3.99
Shadow Year One #3 (Of 10)(Howard Chaykin Black & White Variant Cover)(not verified by Diamond), AR
Shadow Year One #3 (Of 10)(Matt Wagner Hand-Drawn Variant Cover), AR
Shadow Year One #3 (Of 10)(Matt Wagner Virgin Variant Cover), AR
Shadow Year One #3 (Of 10)(Wilfredo Torres Subscription Variant Cover), $3.99
Warlord Of Mars #25 (Joe Jusko Regular Cover), $3.99
Warlord Of Mars #25 (Joe Jusko Virgin Variant Cover)(not verified by Diamond), AR
Warlord Of Mars #25 (Lucio Parrillo Regular Cover), $3.99
Warlord Of Mars #25 (Lucio Parrillo Virgin Variant Cover), AR
Warlord Of Mars #25 (Lui Antonio Black & White Risque Variant Cover)(not verified by Diamond), AR
Warlord Of Mars #25 (Lui Antonio Risque Variant Cover), AR
Witchblade Demon Reborn TP, $16.99FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS
Cat On A Hot Thin Groove TP, $35.00
Good Dog HC, $16.99FIRST SECOND
Astronaut Academy Re-Entry GN, $9.99
Odd Duck GN, $15.99GRAPHIX
Tommysaurus Rex Volume 1 HC, $19.99
Tommysaurus Rex Volume 1 SC, $10.99INSIGHT EDITIONS
Angry Birds Hatching A Universe GN, $50.00KODANSHA COMICS
Cage Of Eden Volume 10 GN, $10.99
Ghost In Shell Stand Alone Complex Volume 4 GN, $10.99
Sailor Moon Volume 11 TP, $10.99METROPOLITAN BOOKS
Journalism TP, $22.00PAPERCUTZ
Annoying Orange Volume 2 Orange You Glad HC, $11.99
Annoying Orange Volume 2 Orange You Glad SC, $7.99PICTUREBOX
Mere GN, $19.95QUIRK BOOKS
Resurrectionist The Lost Work And Writings Of Dr Spencer Black HC, $24.95
Tales From Lovecraft Middle School Volume 3 Teacher’s Pest HC, $13.99RANDOM HOUSE
Superman The High-Flying History Of America’s Most Enduring Hero SC, $17.00RENEGADE ARTS ENTERTAINMENT
Tales Of The Buddha Before He Was Enlightened TP, $14.99RUNNING PRESS
Doctor Who Dalek Collectible Figurine And Book Kit SC, $9.95
Doctor Who Light-Up TARDIS And Book Kit SC, $9.95SEDUCTION CINEMA COMICS
Spiderbabe Deluxe Pack With DVD, $9.99STORM KING PRODUCTIONS
John Carpenter’s Asylum #1, $3.99VANGUARD PRODUCTIONS
Jeffrey Jones The Definitive Reference HC, $39.95
Jeffrey Jones The Definitive Reference SC, $24.95VERTICAL
Limit Volume 5 GN, $10.95ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT
Grimm Fairy Tales #85 (Cover A Jamie Tyndall), $5.99
Grimm Fairy Tales #85 (Cover B Giuseppe Cafaro), $5.99
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Realm Knights #1 (Cover A Aldredo Reyes)(One Shot), $5.99
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Realm Knights #1 (Cover B Harvey Tolibao)(One Shot), $5.99
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Realm Knights #1 (Cover C Pasquale Qualano)(One Shot), $5.99
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Wonderland #11 (Cover A Steven Cummings), $2.99
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Wonderland #11 (Cover B Jen Broomall), $2.99
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Wonderland Down The Rabbit Hole #1 (Of 5)(Cover A Anthony Spay), $2.99
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Wonderland Down The Rabbit Hole #1 (Of 5)(Cover B Greg Horn), $2.99
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Wonderland Down The Rabbit Hole #1 (Of 5)(Cover C Giuseppe Cafaro), $2.99
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Wonderland Down The Rabbit Hole #1 (Of 5)(Cover D Keu Cha), $2.99