----------------------------------------------------------------- THE COMIC BOOK NETWORK ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE Issue Number 537 8/19/2005 Edited by: David LeBlanc - ComicBkNet@aol.com Winner of the 2001 EAGLE AWARD as FAVORITE COMICS E-ZINE! FREE VIA EMAIL SINCE FEBRUARY 1995 _________________________________________________________________ C O N T E N T S ------------------------------------------------------------------ [A] Submissions, mailing address, web page [1] On the Net .............................. David LeBlanc [2] Letters to the Editor ................... Your Page! [3] TRIVIA CONTEST .......................... Win *real* prizes! [4] Network Buzz ............................ News/gossip/rumors [5] Storytelling Comics-style ............... Matt Levin [6] Thoughts From the Land of Frost ......... Alex Ness [7] Suspended Animation ..................... Michael Vance & Mark Allen [8] Rich's Reviews .......................... Richard Vasseur [9] M.O.E. Reviews .......................... Paul Dale Roberts [10] My View: Dallas McCoy ................... David LeBlanc [11] TOP 100 COMICS FOR JUL 2005 ............. Diamond Comics [12] New Comic Book Releases List ............ Charles LePage [13] HYPE! & LINKS Section ................... Various _________________________________________________________________ World Wide Web Home Page-->> http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet Archived and mailed by Yahoo!: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ComicBookNetworkEmag ------------------------------------------------------------------ o \o/ _ o _| \ / |_ o_ \o/ o /|\ | /\ _\o \o | o/ O/_ /\ | /|\ / \ / \ |\ /) | ( \ /o\ / ) | (\ / | / \ / \ ------------------------------------------------------------------ The ComicBook Network started by Ed Dukeshire and Mike Imboden ------------------------------------------------------------------ If you wish to receive each issue automatically through your Email account, FREE, please send a message FROM that account TO: ComicBookNetworkEmag-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UNSUBSCRIBE send a message FROM the account to be dropped TO: ComicBookNetworkEmag-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com See section [A] for the address to mail material to be reviewed. _________________________________________________________________ All text contained within is copyrighted to the originating author(s) and is used with permission. Except where elsewhere noted, The Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine is Copyright 2005 by David L. LeBlanc. You may freely distribute or retransmit this file intact without alteration for noncommercial purposes only. Except for personal archiving, permission must be obtained from the individual authors to reproduce, retransmit, or publish any part of this magazine. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors And do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Editor. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [A] E-Mag Info: Submissions, Back Issues, Web Page SUBMISSIONS ----------- To submit an article, review, column, etc. to our Emag, simply Email it to the editor at: ComicBkNet@aol.com You must include your REAL name and a valid Email address in order to be published in this Emag. Sorry, we do not accept anonymous columns. The weekly deadline is 7:00 PM Eastern Time on Thursday - NO EXCEPTIONS! Late submissions are held over for the following week. Reviews of mainstream books are welcome and we encourage reviews of indies and self published material as we feel that material deserves more exposure to the general public. If you write intelligent, coherent, and timely reviews of any comic book it will almost always be printed, so give us a shot. Commentary on the state of the industry, and personal observations and reflections related to comics are *most* likely to be included in our publication. PLEASE, no material on gaming, non-comic derived media, role playing, collectible card games, Anime or other hobbies or collectibles other than comic books. That also includes plugs for web comics and web pages UNLESS they are concerned with print comic books. We do not promote web comics per se, only the printed media. SEND US YOUR WORK ----------------- We also accept product for review purposes. Advanced copies of comic books will not be returned but any comic books sent to us *will* be reviewed in the ComicBook Net Emag in the column MY VIEW. Send material to be reviewed to: David L. LeBlanc 84 Heather Circle Jefferson, MA 01522-1419 Material is generally reviewed in the order received and be advised that we work a few weeks in advance so your review may not be in the magazine immediately. Advanced copies are therefore encouraged so the review will occur prior to your product hitting the stores. THE Comic Book Net WEB PAGE http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet ---------------- If you have access to the World Wide Web, please stop by and visit our web page! On our web page, you can find the latest issue of our E-Mag, in both a text and a zipped version for fast downloading as well as back issues and an annotated index. You'll also find important links to some of the comic companies and creators' web pages and many other Comic Book related links! _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [1] On the Net David LeBlanc ComicBkNet@aol.com For our readers in New ENgland one last reminder about a great weekend at the store of our often sponsor and my part-time employer: Tim Sale and Paul Ryan will be at THAT"S ENTERTAINMENT in Worcester THIS SATURDAY! August 20th - From Noon - 5pm! Paul Ryan is an artist for both DC and Marvel Comics. He has worked with nearly every major character of both publishers. He was the penciller and co-plotter for 'The Fantastic Four' for nearly five years, being behind only Jack Kirby and John Byrne as the artist with the longest run on the comic. He has drawn 'Phantom' comics for the Swedish production (Egmont). His other credits include 'The Avengers', 'Spider-Man', 'Superman', as well as 'Pantheon' for Lone Star Press. (Info from www.lambiek.net) Tim Sale made his debut in 'Thieves' World' in 1985, but had his professional breakthrough as the inker of 'Myth Adventures' at Warp Graphics. He has drawn for such titles as DC's 'Challengers of the Unknown', Wildstorm's 'Deathblow' and Matt Wagner's 'Grendel' at Comico. He began a steady collaboration with writer Jeph Loeb, starting with three 'Legends of the Dark Knight' Halloween Specials ('Choices', 'Ghosts' and 'Madness'). They went on to do such mini-series as 'Batman: The Long Halloween' (1996- 1997), 'Superman: For All Seasons' (1998), 'Batman: Dark Victory' (1999-2000), 'Daredevil: Yellow' (2001), 'Spider-Man: Blue' (2002) and 'Hulk: Gray' (2003) (Info from www.lambiek.net) This will be a HUGE event! We hope to see you there! ****************************************************** The Return of Our Famous No-Minimum-Bid Auction- "Special 25th Anniversary" Edition Sunday, 8/21--- the return of the famous NO-MINIMUM-BID AUCTION, 25th Anniversary Edition! Long-lost store owner Paul Howley will officiate! Paul has been busily searching through our warehouse and recently purchased collections to gather hundreds of cool auction items! Some of the comics that have caught our attention as he sprinted by with them include: 1960's UNCANNY X-MEN #3 (Blob) and #13 (Juggernaut), as well as the key UNCANNY X-MEN #94; Lee and Kirby's classic FANTASTIC FOUR #8, and #26 (guest-starring the Hulk and Avengers!); AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #18 by Steve Ditko! The best part is that these and other valuable Silver and Bronze Age Marvels and DC's (plus some great early fanzines!) will be up for bid with NO minimum and NO reserve! You will definitely want to be holding an auction placard if some guy starts these off with a $1 bid! Paul will also have many big lots of 1980's, '90's, and '00's comics, as well as hardcovers and trade paperbacks, toys, statues, action figures, celebrity and sports autographs, sports and trading card singles and sets, vintage books, pulps and magazines-- and many odd and unusual items, too! Come early because the Auction Preview and Registration starts around 1:00 p.m., and the bidding goes from 3 p.m. -- 6 p.m. The auction moves very quickly, so if you aren't interested in one lot, just wait a minute for the next! Parents, bring your kids! Don't miss it! Don't forget! Our 25th Anniversary Sale is still going on through Sunday!!! For directions go to www.thatse@thatse.com While there get these new comics . . . DC COMICS Authority Revolution #11 (Of 12), $2.99 Green Lantern #3, $2.99 Seven Soldiers Klarion The Witch Boy #3 (Of 4), $2.99 Top Ten Beyond The Farthest Precinct #1 (Of 5), $2.99 /\----------Pick of the Week! MARVEL COMICS Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1, $3.99 Ultimate X-Men #62, $2.50 adult products ICARUS PUBLISHING A G Super Erotic Anthology #17 (adult), $4.99 Another week, another batch of "sold out" announcements. It is so often it makes you feel it is all manufactured to be that way. And sometimes it is. David LeBlanc - ComicBkNet@aol.com Editor The Comic Book Net Electronic Magazine _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [2] Letters to the Editor If you want to comment on this or any previous issue, want to offer something for us to publish, or just want to shamelessly suck up to the editor to try and get your name in print send Email to: ComicBkNet@aol.com Note: Letters of comment, including those sent to the columnists, may be used in future issues of CBEM unless you specifically request us NOT to use them. Your Email address and/or name will be withheld upon request. +++++ From: tbaltulis@cogeco.ca David, This may or may not be of interest to you for the mag, but here it is, from the August 10-16 Detroit Metrotimes weekly alternative paper..... Best Regards, Tony Baltulis http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=8067 Superman is a dick - In light of the forthcoming remake of Superman, set to hit the theaters in 2006, be aware: Superman isn't actually a great guy. No, Superman is really a dick. At least, that's the story according to superdickery.com. This Web site is a collection of old comic book covers and panels that feature Superman behaving in a truly dick-ish manner. Apparently it all started in November 2004, when someone started a thread about outlandish comic book covers on a message board. Two covers featured Superman being a total dick - and from there it spread across the Internet, eventually leading to superdickery.com The site features dozens of pieces of evidence of Superman's dickery, ranging from appalling insensitivity to brazen attempts to take over the world. According to the site all the images are real, but in this day and age of Photoshop, who knows for sure? In any case, some of them are utterly hilarious, especially the Father's Day cover, where Superman incinerates a frumpy sweater with laser beams shooting from his eyes, or the one where Superman bitch-slaps JFK. And the truly disturbing cover where Superman is poised in a Hitler-like salute, surrounded by minions bearing flags with his initial? Kinda makes Grand Theft Auto look innocent in comparison. [I have seen this. It is very funny! - D.L.] +++++ From: "Ken Gale" nuffsaid@riseup.net Subject: RE: Golden Age Artists interviewed on radio and internet Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 Please post and forward to appropriate chat rooms, web pages and e-lists! This will be live on the internet, too. And archived on the net for a week, as well. The next installment of 'Nuff Said!, the Brigadoon of comic book radio shows, will be overnight Tuesday, August 30 (technically early in the morning on Wednesday the 31st) from 3:30 AM to 6:00 AM eastern time. I again substitute for Susan Brown's overnight show, "Punk and Hardcore." The first 90 minutes will be music then I play the tape of a panel with Jerry Robinson and Lew Schwartz, two golden age Batman artists. We also talk about what they've been doing lately and they talk as much about Batman co-creator Bill Finger as about their own art. For those of you in the listening area who won't be up that late, you can tape the radio using a vcr by simply connecting the input of your vcr to the output of your stereo. There is a more detailed description of this on our web site: http://www.comicbookradioshow.com/vcr.html. There is also software that enables you do record the live stream off your computer. But, the WBAI web site (http://wwww.wbai.org) will start archiving ALL shows (www.archive.wbai/org). So you'll be able to listen to this interview at your convenience, but only for a week then it'll be gone. And I'm sure they'll keep track of the hits each show gets so spread the word. I've been doing comic book-oriented radio shows since 1993, live-streamed over the internet for the past several years, usually interviewing a creator. I've covered all styles and all eras, pointing out the diversity of the art form to a radio audience who was often unaware of the versatility of sequential art. I used to be weekly, but since 2002 I have done frequent specials, fill-ins and guest stints, keeping the show alive (see http://www.comicbookradioshow.com/nsgl18.html for a recent list and links to the past Guest Lists). Many other WBAI producers, especially Susan Brown and Sidney Smith, have welcomed 'Nuff Said! segments on their shows and I can't thank them enough. I've been in many different time slots, especially on Tuesdays; check the web site. WBAI-FM, 99.5, is a 50,000 watt station broadcast from the Empire State Building. The signal usually gets out to New Haven, CT; Westhampton, L.I.; the Poconos of Pennsylvania, Orange County, NY and Trenton & Princeton, NJ, although there seems to have been signal or transmitter problems lately. But via the internet for an even greater distance, natch. WBAI-FM is a listener-supported Pacifica Network station. Bernard White, the program director, said on the air June of 2002, soon after the last regular episode, that 'Nuff Said! was not canceled, just put "on hiatus," but when he last brought out a new schedule 'Nuff Said! was absent from it. There are rumors that a new schedule will be revealed Real Soon Now. However, that new schedule has not come out, so it can still be changed. Among his criticisms of comic books are that they are "narrow- focused" and only appeal to "middle-class white males." Even mainstream comics don't deserve those criticisms (except for "male") and nearly every African-American who works at the station is into comics and has told him so, sometimes on the air. It seems to fall on deaf ears. And yet, here I am still on the air talking to comic book creators and fans, just not with a predictable schedule and usually in the middle of the night and usually at the last minute. Check the web site often, especially on a Tuesday. Please spread the word! Even if you're not in the area, you can still listen in via the net, live or otherwise. Thanks. Fannishly, Ken Gale, producer, interviewer and host http://www.comicbookradioshow.com _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [3] [TRIVIA CONTEST] Due to costs, customs regulations, and logistical difficulties: THIS CONTEST IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF THE CONTIGUOUS 48 U.S.STATES! IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A U.S. ADDRESS DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WIN THE PRIZE. THE FIRST PLACE TO FIND THE EMAG EACH WEEK IS ON OUR HOME PAGE! IF YOU ARE DESPERATE TO WIN THE TRIVIA, GO THERE FIRST ON FRIDAY NIGHT! http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet QUESTION OF THE WEEK Prizes donated by Discount Comic Book Service at www.dcbservice.com where you can order most DC, Marvel, Image, and Dark Horse comics, statues and retail products for 35% off. Submit your own trivia and win the CHEEZY PRIZE(tm) if you can stump the readers! You MUST submit the correct answer with your question. LAST ISSUE'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK: 1980 - Frazetta cover, Silver Surfer/Galactus story, Wendy Pini and Starlin - all in what first issue publication? Of course that describes the first issue of EPIC ILLUSTRATED, and everyone knew that that guessed. The first was Jose Catibog and he wins CAGE VOL 1. from Discount Comic Book service. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION: Can you name the issue and circumstances that involved Jann Wenner with DAREDEVIL? IMPORTANT RULES NOTICE Due to costs, customs regulations, and logistical difficulties: THIS CONTEST IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF THE CONTIGUOUS 48 U.S. STATES! IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A U.S. ADDRESS DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WIN THE PRIZE. Email your guess to ComicBkNet@aol.com or just REPLY to the message if you read the Emag in your mail. DO NOT quote the entire message! You MUST allow mail from ComicBkNet@aol.com to be notified if you win. The first correct answer to reach the editor wins the CHEEZY PRIZE(tm). The editor will be the sole judge as to which guess arrived first! Messages with more than one guess will be disqualified. Winners will forfeit their prize if the Email notification is not accepted from ComicBkNet@aol.com LIMIT: ONLY ONE PRIZE every 4 weeks PER PERSON! _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [4] Network Buzz News, gossip and rumors from the industry RUNEMASTER STUDIOS ANNOUNCES CHARITY AUCTION FOR DOWN SYNDROME Studio Places Original Art, Comics, Trade, Posters and Prints on eBay to Benefit Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona In an ongoing campaign of charitable activities, Runemaster Studios, Inc. has just placed a large collection of Runemaster related items on eBay, with all proceeds from the auction going directly to Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals afflicted with Down Syndrome. The auction copy reads as follows: You are bidding on several items from Runemaster Studios line up of all-ages comics and related items. All proceeds from this auction will go directly to Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona, a non- profit organization dedicated to helping individuals afflicted with Down Syndrome. Please be generous. The items in this auction include: 1 Original Art page from Lions, Tigers and Bears #4, page 12 1 Original Art page from The Gimoles #2, page 16 1 Copy of each issue Lions, Tigers and Bears Vol 1 mini series 1 Copy of the Lions, Tigers and Bears Vol 1 trade paperback 1 Copy of The Gimoles #1 2 Lions, Tigers and Bears posters 1 Gimoles poster 1 Lions, Tigers and Bears postcard 1 Gimoles postcard 1 Lions, Tigers and Bears bookmark 1 Lions, Tigers and Bears promotional flat 1 Lions, Tigers and Bears t-shirt (winner's choice of sizes L- XXL) 1 Copy of the original installment of the Lions, Tigers and Bears literacy program newspaper strip 1 Art print featuring the cover art from the Lions, Tigers and Bears Vol 1 trade paperback All items can be personalized at the request of the winning bidder. Remember, all proceeds from this auction are for a very worthy charity. So, be kind, be brave and be generous! Having donated hundreds of comics to local libraries, one story to the Arizona Public Library's Children's Literacy Program, two stories to Ronin Studios' Hope: A Tsunami Relief Anthology and a previous eBay auction to benefit children with Rett Syndrome, Runemaster Studios is no stranger to charitable events and hopes the successes of previous endeavors carries through on their latest efforts. Interested bidders can find this auction at the following url: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6553293572 +++++ The Third Time's a Charm For IDW's Angel: The Curse. IDW Publishing Announces the Third Printing of Their Whedonverse Title. San Diego, CA (August 15, 2005) IDW Publishing is proud to announce that fan support of Angel: The Curse #1 has necessitated an unprecedented third printing of that debut issue. Although the second printing was never even officially announced, a complete sell-out of both the first and second printings have necessitated the third printing. This is the first time in IDW Publishing's history that one of their comic book titles has required a third printing in order to fulfill fan demand. Angel: The Curse, the first five-issue Angel miniseries from IDW Publishing, by writer Jeff Mariotte and artist David Messina, finds Angel on the run in a mysterious forest in Romania, searching for the Gypsy clan that cursed him so many years ago. Issue three of the five-issue miniseries will be in stores on August 24. "While we're much too humble to announce every time one of our books garners a second printing," said Chris Ryall, IDW's humble Editor-in-Chief, "the sold-out status of both the first and second printings are a testament to Angel's fanbase, and something we wanted to make known. We also want to make it known that we're happily headed back to press to keep this issue available to anyone who wants to read it." IDW's additional plans regarding Angel related projects include the second Angel mini-series, Angel: Old Friends, which kicks off in November. Also due out on August 24 is the first Spike one- shot, Spike: Old Times, written by fan-favorite Peter David. The third printing of Angel: The Curse #1 is scheduled to be released in mid-September. The issue's item code is JUN058279 E. +++++ BLOODRAYNE: DARK SOUL OFFERED IN TWO COVERS AUGUST 18, 2005 -- BAYVILLE, NJ -- Echo 3 Worldwide and Digital Webbing want fans to know that BloodRayne: Dark Soul hasn't been cancelled but postponed to be re-solicited in the October Previews catalog for items shipping in December. "Artist, Cedric Nocon was rushed into emergency surgery just after the San Diego Comic Con," explains E3W President, Steven O'Connell. "This forced production to come to a grinding halt." There were two choices they could have taken: get a new artist to complete the book - thus having two artists on the book...or, discard the current pages and have the new artist start from scratch. "As a fan, I thought option two was the right choice," O'Connell emphasized. "I always hated when a book changed artists midway through a story. I'm sure I'm not alone. The easy choice would have been option one...but I'm sure fans will really enjoy the artwork of Rob Delatorre. He's truly doing a bang-up job. Plus, we're utilizing Cedric Nocon's amazing layouts so he still has a hand in Dark Soul, albeit a small but significant one." Echo 3 Worldwide and Digital Webbing are planning two new covers for December release. "We decided as a thank you to retailers and the fans, we'll offer two new covers," explains O'Connell. "The first cover will be by fan favorite, Romano Molenaar (BloodRayne: Skies Afire, Witchblade, The Darkness and Lady Death). The second will be by new artist, Rob Delatorre (Seal Team Seven). Both covers will be available to order through Previews." With their schedule adjusted, the next BloodRayne one-shot to hit shops will be BloodRayne: Lycan Rex (Diamond Item Code: AUG05 2880) available for order right now in the August Previews for items shipping in October. "It's practically ready to ship out to the printer," explains O'Connell. "And there will also be two covers for this book: one by interior artist, Mark A. Robinson (New Mutants, Codename: Knockout)...and another by cover artist extraordinaire, Greg Horn (Elektra, Emma Frost, Vampirella). ORDERING INFORMATION --Retailers can order October's BloodRaynee: Lycan Rex - Robinson cover (Diamond Item Code: AUG05 2880) Greg Horn cover (Diamond Item Code: AUG05 2881). For info on December's BloodRayne: Dark Soul they can contact their Diamond Customer Service Representative. +++++ New Product announcement 8/18/05 We are pleased to announce that Bill Cole Enterprises will be stocking Comic Book Artist Supplies. Since we have been selling these at all the cons, it was natural that we included them as a new feature on our website. Initially we will have the Artists Portfolios, and in the coming weeks be adding pens, pencils, toner, and even new art boards for Manga and Story Board templates. If you are looking for a specific item just let us know. Please go to www.bcemylar.com for more information and pricing. At both the San Diego Comic Con and Wizard World Chicago, we were inundated with requests for heavy-duty plastic storage boxes. These plastic boxes will last much longer than our double wall non-acid free corrugated boxes. Our long box which measures 26 5/8" x 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" would seem to be the most logical one to start with and we have arrived at an estimated price of between $17.00 to $20.00 per box, sold in multiples of three. These prices are very competitive with those already on the market. Please let us know if you have an interest in this type of box and an indication of how many you might purchase. Bill Cole Enterprises, Inc. P.O. Box 60 Randolph, MA 02368-0060 1-781-986-2653 Fax 1-781-986-2656 E-Mail: sales@bcemylar.com WebSite: www.bcemylar.com +++++ Narwain Narwain is to announce 3 hits of the market which are still kept secret. Nonetheless, rumours have it that it is ShI by Tucci, a superhero created by a real guest star, and a comics series based on a famous film or TV show). Narwain gives notice of the first comics which are bound to be out in November and December in the USA. Philip Osboure, Jim Fern (Bird of Prey), Joe Rubinstein (Spiderman), and Takeshi Miyazawa (Mary Jane), will be the authors of Jenna which will feature an introduction by Paul Dianno (Iron Maiden). Its second issue will include a cd with 5 songs by Paul Dianno, which are meant to be the soundtrack of the comics. P. Osbourne maintains that "you're not going to read a comics for teenagers only, even though the arts by Fern and Rubinsten is manga-like. Jenna is a horror comics, and the topics it deals with are really tough. The story features some shojo manga-like characteristics... but they're not the only elements of it. Paul Dianno was interested in the Jenna project just because the series mingles different styles and genres. After all, the very soundtrack which was selected is a result of this double aspect... the record contains hard rock ballads and some real heavy metal." Touch is going to be another interesting piece of news by Narwain next December. The miniseries will be published in 3 parts. Its leading character will be a telepreacher half god and half thief. The artist for Touch is Wellington Dias (CSI) and its cover is by David Mack. Wall after Wall, the comics by Dario Maria Gulli and Alberto Ponticelli, due for next November, will feature an introduction by the leading horror stories author, Tom Savini, who referred to the project as "a masterpiece". The work is going to be published in 12 countries. France, Germany, and the Czech Republic were among the nations which asked Narwain for permission to publish the comics. The work is an unusual comics story, drawn by Alberto Ponticelli who, thanks to Lobo and Marvel Knight, already enjoys popularity in the USA. Among the news which Narwain haven't advertised beforehand, Narwain Preview will be out next November. It is a 32-page book featuring interviews, sketchbook and pieces of news everything Narwain is going to publish. Furthermore, the book contains the number 0 of The Great Seal, drawn by Peter Pachoumis, and a short "Horrorama" story by Sergio Ibanez. Lastly, eventually Narwan is going to give details on the plot of Free Fall, the new comics story by Gianluca Piredda (Winds of Winter), Eric J (Rex Mundi), Jimmy Palmiotti (Beautiful Killer), and Heberlin, with a cover by Jay Anacleto (Aria). Free Fall is a coming back of Gianluca to the thriller. Left the dark atmospheres of Winds of Winter, Free Fall wants to be a mix between comics and cinema. "Cinema has always been one of my bigger passion, and I don't see so many difference between the two medium", Piredda said. Another curiosity about the series: the face of Tim Bradley, one of the characters, is the face of the actor Paolo Seganti, well known for the Largo Winch television series. +++++ The Big Apple Comic-Con: Comic Book, Art, & Toy Show Saturday, Sept 10 (10a-8p) - Sunday, Sept 11 (10a-6p) War, Horror, Suspence, Swords, and Sorcery! Big Apple Comic- Con's salute to Adventure Comics! Over 300 tables of Comic Books, Toys! Contests, Giveaways, Anime, Gaming, Panels, Seminars & Surprises! (www.bigapplecon.com / 201-865-3288) Admission: $10 per day. Children under 8 free. Tickets available: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr CREATORS SCHEDULED INCLUDE: JIM STERANKO (SUN) - Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Captain America, X-Men SAL BUSCEMA (SAT)- Captain America, the Hulk, the Defenders, Spider-Man RUSS HEATH - Arizona Kid' 'Frontline Combat, Sgt. Rock, Sea Devils STEVE RUDE- Nexus, The Moth SAM GLANZMAN - U.S.S. Stevens, Kona: Monaqrch of Monster Isle Voyage to the Deep DICK AYERS - The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, Sgt. Fury, Calico Kid, The Ghost Rider ALEX MALEEV - Superstar Daredevil Artist and Eisner arward winner! MICHAEL NETZER Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Uri-On JAMAL IGLE - Fire Sermon, Blackjack, Honor ALEX SAVIUK - Web of Spiderman, X-Files, Feast of the Seven Fishes JIM KREUGER - Earth X, The Foot Soldiers, Alphabet Supes, The Clock Maker BUZZ - Justice League Quarterly, JSA, Vampirella, Shi, X-Factor, Impulse, Dragonlance, Forgotten BILLY TUCCI (SUN) - Writer and artist of SHI, Atomik ANGELS, The Burning Blue, Diosa, Victoria Cross and The Undaunted. JIM SALICRUP - Spiderman Editor, fr. TOPPS Editor in Chief, Papercutz Editor in Chief DANNY FINGEROTH Spider-man, Superman, creator and editor of Write Now magazine KEN KELLY -Fantasy Master Painter Conan the Barbarian, Tarzan, or the rock group Kiss, DAVE ELLIOTT Atomeka Press, Tundra U.K. , then Blackball Comics, Penthouse Comix, HEAVY METAL RICH BUCKLER SR - Co-creator of Deathlok the Demolisher, The Fantastic Four, The Black Panther, Amazing Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk GUY DORIAN - 'The New Warriors' Ultra Force, Hari Kari, Bad Girls, Hakkiro Soul Quest MARK SPARACIO - Cover artist for Shi, IDW's Shaun of the Dead JIM MUNIZ - Marvel Knights FF4, Hulk's Destruction! KEVIN CONRAD - Hulk's Destruction! MICHAEL GAYDOS Illustrator for DC, Image, Tundra, NBM, Caliber and White Wolf among others. J DAVID SPURLOCK - Prince of Pop Art, Publisher of Vanguard Productions, the Space Cowboy. PETER SANDERSON noted comic book historian, pop culture critic, and bon vivant. MICHELLE WITCHIPOO - Witches Brew DAVID MATTINGLY- Graphic artist for Disney Studios who worked on "The Black Hole", "Tron", "Dick Tracy", Stephen King's "The Stand" and most recently "I, Robot" for Weta Digital in New Zealand. RODNEY RAMOS - Spider-man ,X-men , Transmetroplitan ,Green Lantern , Batman, Toxin JOHN LUCAS TOMMY CASTILLO - Batman Detective Comics and Legends of the Dark Knight, Dragons Myths & Mayhem MARK TEXEIRA - Wolverine, Spiderman, Sabertooth, Ghost Rider, Pscythe GUSTAVO VASQUEZ - Marvel Age: Spider Man, Green Lantern, Sunfire, and has done storyboards for the new TMNT show on FOX. PUBLISHERS: ATOMEKA PRESS - Dave Elliott CRAZEE COMICS Samuel Vera ENEMI ENT. - (Sun Only) John Kotsis, Vengence AND MANY MORE TBA! CGC: COMICS GUARANTEE CORPORATION will be attending to accept submissions to be graded at their home office in Florida The Big Apple Comic Con is located at: The Penn Plaza Pavilion, 401 7th Ave at 33rd St, NY, NY Acr. from MSG & Penn Station. Subway: A,C,E to Penn Stat. +++++ From Jim McCann at Marvel Comics http://www.marvel.com NYX Sells Out Twice As Series Wraps Up NYX #6 and the MARVEL MUST HAVES: NYX #1-3 have both sold out at Diamond, making this exceptional series a hit with fans. Thanks to its unique story and the wildly popular X-23, NYX has retained its popularity throughout the tenure of the series. "With NYX, we tried to add a fresh voice to the X-Men Universe and combine the magic of the New Mutants with today's sensibilities," says editor C.B. Cebulski. "Joe, Josh, and Robert were able to do just that and strike a chord with today's market." Much of NYX's charm is that people are able to identify themselves in the story. The series has enabled many people to make the connection between the world of NYX and the world outside their window. "NYX is unlike any other book in the mainstream marketplace, bringing an edge and honesty while making you care about a group of kids no one thought they could identify with," says Cebulski. Those who have followed the series will not be disappointed with the series conclusion in NYX #7 as Kiden, X-23 and the rest of the kids take on Zebra Daddy and his gang in an all-out brawl. "We were happy to offer the MARVEL MUST HAVES: NYX #1-3 and NYX 4-5 for anyone who missed out on the hard to find early issues," adds Marvel's Director of Sales David Gabriel. To entice new readers we even included some Directors Cut extras in the second Must Have. Both proved quite popular with fans of the series. Now, retailers are advised to order accordingly on NYX #6, the series finale. And don't forget that X-23 is moving over into New X-Men: Academy X with issue #20." The end of this offbeat series is sure to feature ghosts, beastly transformations, and X-23 using her claws to do what she does best.and what she does isn't very nice. Just ask Zebra Daddy. NYX #7 JUN052033 Written by JOE QUESADA Penciled by ROBERT TERANISHI Cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON 32 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY .$2.99 FOC - 7/28, On Sale - 8/31/05 Still available: MARVEL MUST HAVES NYX 4-5 (With Directors Cut extras) APR051929 Marvel Congratulates Wizard Fan Award Winners The 2004 Wizard Fan Awards were announced at Wizard World Chicago on August 5th, 2005 and Marvel would like to congratulate all the well-deserving winners of the event. "When it comes to the Wizard awards, thanks are really simple," says Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada. "First, thanks to the great folks at Wizard for putting on a fun show as always. Secondly, to our great creators and ultimately to all of our incredible fans who voted and made this possible." Marvel was announced as Favorite Publisher and it showed by the number of awards Marvel racked up, totaling winners in 17 different categories. Astonishing X-Men was the big winner of the night taking home a whopping nine awards including Favorite Ongoing Series. The superstar creators behind the fan's choice, Josh Whedon and John Cassaday, were honored with the awards for Favorite Writer and Favorite Penciler. Also receiving awards for their outstanding work on Astonishing X-Men were Laura Martin for Favorite Colorist and Chris Eliopoulos for Favorite Letterer. Astonishing X-Men was also the fans' choice for Comics' Greatest Moment of 2004 for the return of Colossus in Astonishing X-Men #4. The cast of Astonishing X-Men was also recognized with Wolverine, Kitty Pryde, and Nick Fury being deemed the fans' Favorite Male Hero, Favorite Female Hero, and Favorite Supporting Character. Some of Marvel's most talented creators were also recognized by the fans with Robert Kirkman, writer of Marvel Team-Up and Fantastic Four: Foes, being named Favorite Breakout Talent. Scott Hanna was declared the fans' Favorite Inker for his work on Ultimate Spider-Man and the fans chose Greg Horn as their Favorite Painter. Ralph Macchio was also recognized for his outstanding efforts on editing the Ultimate titles, winning the Favorite Editor award for the second year in a row. Marvel's efforts in other media was also praised by the fans with Marvel winning Favorite Comic Movie Project with Spider-Man 2, Favorite Comic Video Game with Spider-Man 2, and Favorite Comic Action Figure Line with Marvel Legends. 2004 was a great year, and 2005 is shaping up to be even better! Thanks to the fans for continuing to make theirs Marvel! Annuals' Triumphant Return: Ultimates Annual #1 Sells Out Faster than Quicksilver, Ultimates Annual #1 has sold out at Diamond and critics are loving the return of Annuals to Marvel. Hilary Goldstein of IGN.com says, "Annuals are finally back and in a big way! Best comic of the week." In a stand-alone story that ties into the monthly title, Ultimates Annual #1 features a story of Nick Fury and his (possible) replacement team of Ultimates. Written by monthly scribe Mark Millar with pencils by Steve Dillon, this double- sized issue is busting at the seams with Ultimates action. "It was important that, although these annuals are stand alone stories, they tie into the events in the monthly Ultimate titles," said Editor Ralph Macchio. "We wanted our annuals to count. And they do." Writer Mark Millar had plenty to say when informed of the book's sell-out. "Am I happy about this? Of course, but more relieved than anything else because the orders for this were ridiculously high for a four dollar book and-- I swear to God-- my greatest fear was that retailers had ordered too many and would be feeding these things to pets and children for years to come. But we sold out! And that's great. And what's even weirder is that there's a huge re-order activity going on too which is completely bloody brilliant so cheers for that. I really should relax more, but I'm more surprised than anyone when this stuff happens. It's insane!" Annuals were once a yearly tradition for all Marvel titles and its successful return with Ultimates Annual #1 has fans clamoring for more. And they'll get their wish, too as Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1 hit stores this week and Ultimate X-Men Annual #1 and Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1 are set for release over the next few weeks. "This quick sell-out is a strong sign of continuing sales momentum in the Ultimate line," says David Gabriel, Marvel's Director of Sales. "We urge retailers to increase orders now on the coming annuals to avoid getting caught short. We are contemplating a quick back to press edition right now depending on the volume of backorders." Be sure to pick up these upcoming Ultimate Annuals: ULTIMATE X-MEN ANNUAL #1 (JUN051988) Written by BRIAN K. VAUGHAN Penciled by TOM RANEY Cover by STUART IMMONEN 48 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.99 On Sale - 8/24/05 ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #1 (JUN051987) Written by MARK MILLAR Penciled by JAE LEE Cover by GREG LAND 48 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.99 On Sale - 9/21/05 Second Wave of House of M Tie-Ins Sell Out House of M tie-ins continue to lay a foundation of success for Marvel's biggest crossover event in a decade! Incredible Hulk #84, Spider-Man: House of M #2, New X-Men #16, and Pulse #10 have all sold out at Diamond. The reaction on these four issues have been just as incredible as the numerous other House of M sellouts and in an effort to leave no fan behind, Marvel is going back to press with Limited Edition Variants of Incredible Hulk #84, Spider-Man: House of M #2, New X-Men #16, and Pulse #10. "The response to the House of M event from readers and retailers keeps increasing with each new release," says Marvel's Director of Sales David Gabriel. "Retailers should place orders on these new printings as soon as possible, as well as increase orders on upcoming issues. Thank you to everyone for continuing to make this event such a success!" As more and more of the House of M mystery unravels, this event keeps getting hotter and hotter. House of M tie-ins are still selling out quickly, so be sure that this time you're not left out in the cold and locked out of the House! INCREDIBLE HULK LTD ED VARIANT #84 (JUN058266) Written by PETER DAVID Penciled by JORGE LUCAS Cover by Andy Brase 32 PGS. /T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP .$2.99 FOC - 8/25, On Sale - 9/7/2005 NEW X-MEN LTD ED VARIANT #16 (JUN058267) Written by NUNZIO DEFILIPPIS & CHRISTINA WEIR Pencils & Cover by AARON LOPRESTI 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP .$2.99 FOC - 8/25, On Sale - 9/7/2005 PULSE LTD ED VARIANT #10 (JUN058268) Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Penciled by MICHAEL LARK Cover by MIKE MAYHEW 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP .$2.99 FOC - 8/25, On Sale - 9/7/2005 SPIDER-MAN HOUSE OF M LTD ED VARIANT #2 (OF 5) (JUN058269) Written by MARK WAID & TOM PEYER Pencils and cover by SALVADOR LARROCA 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP .$2.99 FOC - 8/25, On Sale - 9/7/2005 THE FIRST WAVE OF HOUSE OF M SELL OUTS STILL AVAILABLE IN LIMITED QUANTITIES: FANTASTIC FOUR: HOUSE OF M #1 (of 3) LTD ED VARIANT (JUN058073D) INCREDIBLE HULK #83 LTD ED VARIANT (JUN058074D) IRON MAN: HOUSE OF M #1 (of 3) LTD ED VARIANT (JUN058075) MUTOPIA X #1 (of 5) LTD ED VARIANT (JUN058081D) Captain Marvel Spotlighted in 50th Anniversary Volume of Marvel Masterworks Marvel is celebrating its 50th volume of Marvel Masterworks by placing the spotlight on the character with the company's namesake, Captain Marvel! This anniversary edition of Marvel Masterworks recounts how Captain Marvel went from Kree Captain to Earth defender. It also collects his greatest battles against such terrifying foes as the Super-Skrull, Prince Namor of Atlantis, Sentry #459, and Quasimodo the Living Computer. "I can't think of a more Mar-vellous choice for the 50th Masterworks volume! After 49 books, to see Marvel digging into the stories of the Kree captain- one of the very small handful of characters to get their own title in the latter part of Marvel's Silver Age- is very heartening to me as a Masterworks fan. It clearly shows how committed they are to the line of books, and I couldn't be happier. These are some fun stories and it'll be the cosmic event of the year to get to relive them!" says John Thomas, of MarvelMasterworks.com Crafted by legendary creators Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Gene Colan, Don Heck, and Arnold Drake, Marvel Masterworks: Captain Marvel Vol.1 contains one of the Marvel Universe's greatest Silver Age tales. For protecting the people of Earth, the Kree Captain Mar- vell is labeled a traitor to his people by the vicious Colonel Yon-Rogg. To blend in on his new adopted home Earth, Mar-vell assumes the human identity of Walter Lawson and chooses to defend his new home against all interplanetary threats. Mar-vell evens finds love on Earth as he becomes smitten with Carol Danvers, the woman who would later become Ms. Marvel, in her very first appearance. "The Masterworks program started back in 1987. It got off to a great start then sort of disappeared after a few starts and stops. It is a great pleasure to know that in the last year we've managed to restart the program and to start adding in other silver age titles beyond just the obvious. 2006 will be an exciting year as we continue to add Golden Age titles, Western, and Monster titles to the mix.as well as twelve more Silver Age editions," said David Gabriel, Marvel's Director of Sales. This 50th volume of Marvel Masterworks re-telling the cosmic legend of Captain Marvel collects Marvel Superheroes #12, 13 and Captain Marvel (Vol. 1) #1-9. MARVEL MASTERWORKS: CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 1 (JUL051919) Written by STAN LEE, ROY THOMAS & ARNOLD DRAKE Penciled by GENE COLAN & DON HECK Cover by GENE COLAN 240 PGS./Marvel PSR .$49.99 FOC - 8/18 On Sale - 9/14/2005 MARVEL MASTERWORKS: CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 1 - VARIANT EDITION (JUL051920) Written by STAN LEE, ROY THOMAS & ARNOLD DRAKE Penciled by GENE COLAN & DON HECK Cover by GENE COLAN 240 PGS./All Ages .$54.99 FOC - 8/11 On Sale - 9/14/2005 Another Ultimate Annual Hit: Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1 Sells Out A day after it went on sale, Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1 has sold out at Diamond and the response to the return of Marvel Annuals has been incredible. In a stand-alone story that ties into the monthly title, Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #1 finally reveals who will be Spider- Man's new girlfriend. Written by monthly scribe Brian Michael Bendis with pencils by Mark Brooks, this double-sized issue is sure to have everyone talking about the new woman in Peter Parker's life. "Wow. Thanks so much to our loyal readers. Making a big change like this in Peter's life is a scary proposition and I can't thank everyone enough for being so open to it," says Brian Michael Bendis. "Look forward to all kinds of new story possibilities in the months ahead." Bendis also thanked his co-creators for crafting such a memorable issue. "Mark Brooks has been on my "must-have" list for a while now. I think he's an amazing penciler and he destroyed on this comic book. Congratulations to him, award-winning colorist Dave Stewart, and the entire art team." Every Ultimate Annual will have immediate ramifications on their monthly counterpart titles, which was the plan all along according to editor Ralph Macchio. "We intended for the Ultimate Spider-Man-and all the Ultimate Annuals-- to continue the tradition set by their monthly counterparts: Top creators giving the readership solid stories, beautifully illustrated," says Macchio. "It's a tribute to writer Brian Bendis, penciler Mark Brooks and the rest of the team, that this annual has sold out," adds Macchio. "I'm so gratified Ultimate fans have rallied around this very special once-a-year event. And, of course, we'll continue to deliver on the monthly Ultimate Spider-Man book everyone enjoys." Annuals were once a yearly tradition for all Marvel titles and now it has made its successful return with two Ultimate Annual sellouts in as many weeks. And the Ultimate Annual action doesn't end there as Ultimate X-Men Annual #1 and Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1 are all set for release over the next few weeks. Let the Annual tradition begin! Be sure to pick up these upcoming Ultimate Annuals: ULTIMATE X-MEN ANNUAL #1 (JUN051988) Written by BRIAN K. VAUGHAN Penciled by TOM RANEY Cover by STUART IMMONEN 48 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.99 On Sale - 8/24/05 ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #1 (JUN051987) Written by MARK MILLAR Penciled by JAE LEE Cover by GREG LAND 48 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.99 On Sale - 9/7/05 Fifth Member of the Fantastic Four Gets His Own Special One-Shot Springing from the pages of Fantastic Four and Power Pack comes Franklin Richards...in his very own one-shot special The Fantastic Four Presents Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius. From the creative team of Mark Sumerak and Chris Eliopoulos, The Fantastic Four Presents Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius collects the four critically acclaimed stories from the Power Pack mini-series and features guest appearances of the entire Fantastic Four. Ain't It Cool News gushed over the original Franklin Richards stories saying, "This tiny tale is just that: a work of a genius." This collection also contains a brand-new story that finds Franklin and his robot H.E.R.B.I.E causing wacky Halloween mischief. Its madcap trick-or-treating, fantastic-style as Franklin gears up for his greatest adventure yet: the search for more candy. The Fantastic Four Presents Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius is the only place to find the entire collection of Franklin Richards stories so be sure not to miss out on this compilation of tiny, terrific tales. It's 32 pages of all-ages fun with a little of the fantastic thrown in, courtesy of the littlest fantastic Franklin Richards. THE FANTASTIC FOUR PRESENTS FRANKLIN RICHARDS: SON OF A GENIUS (JUL051878D) Written by MARC SUMERAK & CHRIS ELIOPOULOS Art by CHRIS ELIOPOULOS 32 PGS./All AGES...$2.99 FOC - 8/25 On Sale - 9/14/05 +++++ From THE BEAT by Heidi McDonald at http://www.comicon.com/thebeat/ V FOR VENDETTA moved to spring release Sci Fi among many other places has the news: V for Vendetta, originally slated to open on Nov. 4, has been pushed back to next March, a Warner Brothers spokesperson told SCI FI Wire. In a statement, Warner said: "We have moved the release date of V For Vendetta to March 17, 2006, to accommodate the movie's post-production schedule." The spokesperson, who spoke only on condition of anonymity, denied that the delay had anything to do with the movie's subject matter or the current political climate. V for Vendetta has come under scrutiny for the coincidence of its subject matter and the recent terrorist bombings in London. +++++ From the Comics Continuum at http://www.comicscontinuum.com/: BATMAN BEGINS ON DVD Warner Home Video announced on Monday that Batman Begins, which just went past the $200-million mark at the box office last week, will be released on DVD and VHS on Oct. 18. The double-disc Deluxe Edition will have the following features: DVD ROM Features: Batman Begins Mobile Game Demo & Weblinks. Documentaries: Genesis of the Bat: Batman Incarnations from the Mid-1980s to the Present; The Journey Begins: Creative Concepts, Story Development and Casting; Shaping Mind and Body: Fighting Style; Gotham City Rises: Production Design; Cape and Cowl: The New Batsuit; The Tumbler: The New Batmobile; Path to Discovery: Filming in Iceland; Saving Gotham City: The Monorail Chase Sequence Easter Eggs. Featurette: Confidential Files Character/Weaponry Gallery Interactive Menus: Inner Demonds Comic -- Explore the special features through an exclusive interactive comic book. Exclusive collectible 72-page comic book featuring Detective Comics #37 - the very first Batman story; Batman: The Man Who Falls - a classic story that inspired Batman Begins; Batman: The Long Halloween - a chilling excerpt that also inspired the film. Photo gallery. Theatrical trailer. Here's how Warner describes the film: "Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents' murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect and an array of high tech deceptions to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city." +++++ From ComiX-Fan at http://www.comixfan.com/xfan MARVEL ENTERPRISES SETTLES A LAWSUIT, AS ARCHIE COMICS FILES ONE Marvel Enterprises and 20th Century Fox have settled a lawsuit filed against Revolution Studios and Sony Corp. over the release date of Zoom's Academy. Bloomberg reports that a request to dismiss the complaint was filed on August 12 in federal court in Los Angeles. Terms of the settlement weren't disclosed. The original lawsuit was filed in June, as Marvel and Fox argued that the release date of Zoom, which Revolution and Sony are producing, was deliberately moved to two weeks before the release X3, and complained that the script of Zoom uses elements of the X-Men books and movies. In other news, Archie Comic Publications, Inc. filed a lawsuit on Monday to protect its VERONICA Trademark and Veronica character. The suit was filed against teenage twins Lisa Marie and Jessica Louise Origliasso, who formed a rock band named "The Veronicas," and the record industry businesses acting "in concert" with them, including Warner Music Group Corp.; Warner Bros. Records, Inc.; Reprise Records, Inc.; Sire Records Group, inc.; Das Communications Ltd.; and David A. Sonenberg. According to a press release issued by the company, prior to filing the lawsuit, ACP sought an amicable resolution, going so far as to try to work out a license so that the Origliasso twins could use "The Veronicas" name for their rock band. The Origliassos rejected the offer of a license, refusing to allow Archie Comic Publications to control how they used their "The Veronicas" trademark. The VERONICA trademark and the Veronica character have been in use for well over six decades, covering an extensive range of media platforms, including music and merchandising. Because the Veronica trademark is well known to hundreds of millions of people worldwide, any unlicensed use of the name by "The Veronicas" would be trading upon the awareness and popularity of Archie's Veronica character. +++++ From the DC Comics Online Newsletter at http://www.dccomics.com DC COMICS RUSH SOLICITS SUPERMAN/BATMAN: SUPERGIRL TP As the excitement over the return of Supergirl continues to grow, DC Comics rush solicits the trade paperback of the hit collected edition SUPERMAN/BATMAN: SUPERGIRL. This edition follows the sell-out at DC Comics of the SUPERMAN/BATMAN SUPERGIRL HC. The SUPERMAN/BATMAN: SUPERGIRL TP (JUL058029) collects SUPERMAN/BATMAN #8-13, the best-selling storyline written by Jeph Loeb with art and cover by Michael Turner that reintroduced the Girl of Steel into the DCU! It is scheduled to arrive in stores on September 14. " After the very fast sellouts of SUPERGIRL #0 and #1, it ' s clear that reader and retailer enthusiasm for Supergirl is very strong, " says Bob Wayne, DC ' s VP - Sales. " We ' re happy to rush this collection out so retailers can put it in the hands of their customers. " The SUPERMAN/BATMAN: SUPERGIRL TP (JUL058029) is available for order now and is scheduled to arrive in stores on September 14 with a cover price of $12.99 U.S. To ensure delivery on that date retailers must place orders by Sunday, September 2; please note that quantities on this first printing will be limited and may sell out before September 2. DC urges retailers to place orders as soon as possible to avoid missing out. Retailers may order the issue by contacting their Diamond Customer Service Representative or DC Sales Representative, or by email at reorders@diamondcomics.com. And don ' t miss the other SUPERMAN/BATMAN collected editions, both available for reorder: * SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES TP (JAN050285) * SUPERMAN/BATMAN: ABSOLUTE POWER HC (APR050325) +++++ From ICV2.com Best Buy Sin City Promotion Free Comic with DVD August 17, 2005 Best Buy is running a free-with-purchase promotion to encourage sales of the Sin City DVD, which was released this Tuesday. With each purchase of the DVD, "while supplies last," consumers will receive a copy of the first issue of the A Dame to Kill For Sin City comic series. The movie release had a huge impact on Sin City graphic novel sales because of its close connection to the books and the press coverage that made that connection clear. This promotion reinforces that connection, and samples consumers that may not previously have read the comic with a taste of the comic format Sin City product. Gerard Butler to Star in 300 Shooting Starts in October August 17, 2005 According to the Hollywood trades, Gerard Butler, who most recently starred in Phantom of the Opera, has been signed to star in the movie version of Frank Miller's 300, the graphic novel based on the Battle of Thermopylae. Butler also starred with Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life. The movie starts shooting October 17th in Montreal. Miller & Lee Break Records Best-Seller of the Decade (So Far) August 16, 2005 All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder #1, DC's new comic by superstar creators Frank Miller and Jim Lee, with inks by Scott Williams and trade dress and logo by uber-designer Chip Kidd, is the best-selling full-priced comic since we started tracking comic sales in early 2001, and may be the best-selling comic since sometime in the mid-90s. With over 261,000 copies sold (and shipping with two covers), it easily bested Marvel's House of M #1, which sold a very strong 233,000 copies last month. We've excluded the 10 cent Batman, 9 cent Fantastic Four, and other promotionally priced issues from this comparison. Brian Michael Bendis' New Avengers #7, House of M #3, and House of M #4 followed All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder, with sales of 159,000, 152,000, and 147,000, respectively. As seems to be the case most months, almost every title other than the big hits dropped, with only three titles in the top 25 increasing in sales vs. the previous issue: Ultimate Fantastic Four, Ultimate X-Men, and Superman. The publisher distribution among the top titles was perhaps slightly more DC-favorable, with DC holding three of the top ten and eight of the top 25 titles. Dynamite Publishing had the top title not from the Big Two in July; Red Sonja #1 (featuring five covers) sold over 80,000 copies, putting it in the #14 slot. The next title from a non- Big Two publisher was Serenity #1 (with three different covers), from Dark Horse, at around 38,500 copies in the #49 slot. It's worth noting that the multiple cover phenomenon, at least in part, was responsible for the high sales on All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder, Red Sonja, and Serenity (and others). So it's hard to know how much of the record sales on All Star Batman and Robin, for example, were due to increased numbers of consumers, and how much due to duplicate buying by collectors purchasing multiple copies. Graphic novel piece sales were unspectacular, with the latest volume of Y the Last Man the top graphic novel title at around 8,500 copies. Fruits Basket Vol. 11 was the top graphic novel title from a non-Big Two company and the top manga title, with around 4,200 sold. The top 25 comic titles in July, along with our estimates of the number sold to North American comic shops by Diamond Comic Distributors are: 261,046 All Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder #1 158,693 New Avengers #7 151,744 House of M #3 146,529 House of M #4 127,768 Astonishing X-Men #11 108,341 Superman / Batman #21 99,134 Ultimates 2 #7 93,598 TheOmac Project #4 91,321 Ultimate Fantastic Four #21 88,475 Villains United #3 87,644 JLA #116 87,094 Ultimate X-Men #61 80,603 Red Sonja #1 79,026 The Rann / Thanagar War #3 78,404 Ultimate Spider-Man #79 77,154 X-Men #173 76,906 Ultimate Spider-Man #80 76,651 Wolverine #30 75,505 Day of Vengeance #4 73,130 Amazing Spider-Man #522 71,586 Spider-Man: House of M #2 71,259 Iron Man: House of M #1 71,036 Superman #219 70,827 Fantastic Four: House of M #1 We are estimating actual sales by Diamond U.S. (primarily to North American comic stores), using Diamond's published sales indexes and publisher sales data to estimate a sales number for Batman (the anchor title Diamond uses in its calculations), and using that number and the indexes to estimate Diamond's sales on the remaining titles. We can check the accuracy of our numbers by comparing the Batman number that we calculate using multiple data points; our numbers for Batman are within 1/10 of 1% of each other, ensuring a high degree of accuracy. DC to Run 'Bionicles' as Backups Also in 'Sports Illustrated For Kids' August 18, 2005 DC Comics, which has already published some 40 million Bionicles custom comic books, is now planning to include new Bionicles adventures as backup stories in a number of its kids' titles including Scooby Doo, Looney Tunes, Justice League Unlimited, The Batman Strikes, and Teen Titans Go. The Bionicles backup stories will run in DC's juvenile titles through the rest of 2005. The new Bionicles comic series, which is based on the popular toys from Lego Systems, will also appear in the Sports Illustrated For Kids magazine, and the S.I. For Kids exposure has the potential to engage a wide audience, which may be unaware of the Bionicles toys and comic books. Batman Begins DVD Out on October 18th Deluxe Edition Includes a 72-Page Comic August 18, 2005 Warner Home Video has announced the October 18th release of two DVD editions of Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, 2005's most popular comic book-based movie so far. Batman Begins, which has earned over $200 million at the domestic box office, will be available in a regular single-disk edition (MSRP $28.98), but fans and collectors will want the 2-disk Deluxe Edition (MSRP $30.97), which includes seven documentaries about the making of the film as well as a 72-page comic book containing the very first Batman story from Detective Comics #37 as well as "Batman: The Man Who Falls" and "Batman: The Long Halloween," two stories that inspired the Batman Begins movie. The documentaries in the Deluxe Edition include "Genesis of the Bat," which examines the various incarnations of the Caped Crusader from the mid-1980s to the present, along with features on the film's production design, the new Batsuit, the new Batmobile, the filming in Iceland, the monorail chase sequence and more. In addition to the documentaries the Deluxe Edition also includes an interactive electronic comic book, a photo gallery, theatrical trailers, and Easter eggs. Diamond/Alliance Retailer Summits In Baltimore and Fort Wayne August 19, 2005 Diamond Comic Distributors and Alliance Game Distributors have released details on their 2005 Retailer Summits, the first of which is scheduled for Baltimore, Maryland on Monday, September 19th and Tuesday, September 20th, with the second planned for Fort Wayne, Indiana on Monday, October 22nd and Tuesday October 23rd. These two key trade shows for comic and game retailers will feature exhibits and presentations by over 65 publishers and provide retailers a chance to interact directly with their suppliers, distributors and perhaps most importantly, each other. The Summits will offer a number of Retailing Workshops covering such topics as "Profitably Expanding Your Product Lines," "Attracting New & Different Customers," and "Creating or Improving Your Store's Website." In addition retailers will receive a number of free publisher giveaways, which can be sold to help underwrite the tax-deductible costs of attending or given away to valued customers. Retailers will also receive up to $100 credit (if two or more people per store attend), which can be used in the Alliance Warehouse Sale or on items from Diamond's Super Summit Sale Price List. With the Baltimore Summit just a month away, the time to register is now to ensure that you will receive a full complement of publisher giveaways from Summit Sponsors and Exhibitors -- and retailers can register quickly and easily online at the Diamond and Alliance Websites. Retailers will also be able to learn about the most important upcoming releases from key suppliers who sponsor the Summits' free meal sessions. Unlike comic conventions with numerous publisher presentations scheduled at the same time, the Summits allow retailers to hear from all the key comic, game, manga, and merchandise companies. Retailers will also be able to bid on rare items to aid a number of great causes including the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, A.C.T.O.R. (A Commitment to Our Roots) Comic Fund, and Literacy Volunteers of America. Attendees at the Baltimore Summit will be able to catch an Orioles' Game at Camden Yards and will receive free admission to the Baltimore Comic-Con, which is being held immediately before the Summit on Saturday, September 17th and Sunday, September 18th; while retailers who attend either the Baltimore or Fort Wayne Summits will have a chance to play for valuable prizes in a number of gaming tournaments. +++++ From The SCOOP! at http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/ Tampa Comic Con Next Week Industry News, Scoop, Friday, August 19, 2005 The Tampa Comic Book and Toy Convention takes place next Sunday, August 28 at The Doubletree Inn (located 4500 West Cypress St., Tampa, FL). Guests include TRON's Cindy Morgan, Golden Age Green Lantern creator Mart Nodell, artist Alex Saviuk, artist Pablo Marcos and several notable others. Over 85 vendor tables will be setup in the 10,000 square foot facility. Admission is $5. Show hours are 10 am - 4 pm. Visit http://www.comicbookconventions.com/tampaconvention/index.htm for more information. Virginia Comicon Next Sunday Industry News, Scoop, Friday, August 19, 2005 Will you be near Richmond, VA next Sunday? If so, you may want to check out The Virginia Comicon, where special guests OddGodd Press, Silent Devil Press, and penciller Kevin Sharpe will be on hand for signings and displays. You'll find great deals on Golden, Silver, Bronze, and Modern Age comics, and you're welcome to bring your old comics for trade or sale. The Virginia Comicon will be held at Holiday Inn Crossroads (2000 Staples Mill Road, Richmond, VA) from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, August 28. Admission is $2, and more information is available at http://www.vacomicon.com/ Advent Rising #1 Doubles Size, Not Price Industry News, Scoop, Friday, August 19, 2005 Advent Rising: Rock The Planet #1, the first comic from 360ep, the new company of former Marvel Comics President Bill Jemas, will now be double-sized, but the price will remain the originally announced $2.25. The prequel to the Majesco video game will still run its intended six issues; it will just be seven issues worth of material. In other words, the first issue of the mini-series will contain what would have been the second issue. "We're keen to launch the Advent book with a bang and giving readers the second issue for free seemed like a good way to do that. So Rock the Planet #1 will contain the first issue along with what was intended to be the second issue," writer Rob Worley told Scoop. "Both segments were already longer than normal so that the math comes out to 57 story pages for just $2.25. The double-sized feels like a good way to give readers a sense of what the book has to offer and keep them reading past the first issue." +++++ From John Voulieris in his ALL THE RAGE Gossip Column at: http://www.SilverBulletComicBooks.com Write to him at: johnvM@silverbulletcomicbooks.com RUMOUR BARRIER "I accept that the following material is rumour and gossip, intended to entertain only. I won't repeat the information inside as fact. I understand if I want the truth, I will go to Silver Bulletins. I enter freely with my mind open and my blinkers off." Now, on to the rumours . . . [NOTE: this column may be slightly edited for language. - D.L.] Wall Street Rage By John Voulieris Will Blair return during this fall's Infinite Crisis event or during the House of M aftermath? Or will he join the ranks of Batwoman and the Hypno Hustler in comic book limbo? All will be revealed next week! Crisis On Infinite Shareholders The New York Times recently ran an article about Carl Icahn, billionaire hedge fund owner with over 5 million shares in Tim Warner stock who is looking into trying to provoke some change within the media giant. This is All the Rage and not an SEC report, so I'll get to the point: M. Icahn basically thinks that Time Warner stock is undervalued (it is trading at $18.54 a share these days, down from its high of $94 per share in 1999, and $64 after the America Online merger in 2001) due to some of its under performing divisions (like the cable unit), which he wants to spin off and push to sell, thus driving the stock price back up. So our more astute readers may start to think what other division of Time Warner that comic readers are familiar with may be viewed as "underperforming" by the financial bigwigs and may be put on the chopping block? It's hard to say since DC does not disclose its financials, but profit margins in the comic book industry may not seem that impressive to the billionaire hedge fund set. It also important to note that Mr Icahn won't necessarily get his way when it comes to this tactic (he is trying to recruit more large scale shareholders and hedge funds to back him up and there is no guarantee of success), but a lot of people speculate that DC is a division that stays under the radar so as to avoid attention and now that will be harder to do as the finance guys start looking at which divisions bring in the bucks and which (in their opinion) keep their precious stock from rising. One last item of note quoted from the article: Some investors say Mr. Icahn's shake-up effort may gain broad support. "I think the whole company is too complicated, and they missed every opportunity with AOL," said Stephen Jarislowsky of Jarislowsky Fraser, whose funds own 2.65 million shares. Missed every opportunity with AOL, eh? Comic book readers have been saying that for years (advertising and webcomics via AOL would have definitely given the main DCU characters some more visibility). But, alas, no one listens to the lowly comic fan; they would rather hear it from billionaire finance guys. I guess they prefer advice from the Ivy League than the Justice League. This Has A "Corporate Villains United" Factor Of Six Out Of Ten Mike Grell Freelance Over on his website, Mike Grell recently talked about the shipping delays on his IDW series JON SABLE BLOODTRAIL: I began this book on a schedule set by other minds and was told on the day I signed the contract that it was already late. Therefore, any small delay became critical and potentially disastrous. A recent a death in my family and other related factors started the domino effect on everyone, including Westfield and, ultimately, the readers who are waiting for the book. I'm working to overcome the delay and make up the time in the schedule. Meanwhile, I know everyone here and at IDW is dedicated to maintaining the quality of production that's been the hallmark of the Sable series. I apologize to the readers for the delay and I promise that it'll be worth the wait. Mike has also posted a bunch of preview art from upcoming issues and upcoming trades of Jon Sable. This Has A "Maggie The Cat" Factor Of Nine Out Of Ten All Millar, All The Time Everyone knows Mark Millar, writer of the Ultimates, Wolverine, and Ultimate FF, a top ten mainstay, and message board host of MillarWorld. But did you know that he recently started an online magazine at http://themagazine.millarworld.tv/ that features creator interviews, early reviews, and lots of other cool stuff that will make our fanboy heart rate rise? The latest issue as described by the editor (Alice) features: This month we ask writer Garth Ennis about the characters he'd go out for a drink with; Bryan Hitch talks shop with Jim Lee; Geoff Johns explains why he loves his job (who wouldn't?); we find out more about Serenity and other projects from Adam "Jayne" Baldwin; Allan Heinberg tells us the difference between writing TV scripts for "O.C." and writing comic scripts for "Young Avengers" and we find out what life as Chewbacca is like for the actor Peter Mayhew. We also analyse the Harry Potter saga up to the latest delivery of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince; see the evolution of the comic book hero in the past few decades; find out just how good REM in concert can be; compare the worldwide boozy shenanigans that marked the launch of the.magazine in July and take a look at advance shows coming soon to a TV near you. This Has A "You Beat Me To That Ennis Interview" Factor Of Ten Out Of Ten In With The New There are a lot of new comic publishers popping up these days, and one of the newest kids on the block is Septagon Studios out of Toronto, Canada. Here is their recent press release: In 2005/2006 Septagon Studios will directly move towards the publishing market of Comic Books, Graphic Novels and soon expanding towards other notorious formats. Septagon Studios will not limit itself by being underestimated. It will impact the way in which we look at publishing today. The objective of Septagon Studios is to add to the diversity of the comic book market with a wide variety of titles, in various genres. Septagon Studios will not limit itself by targeting a specific audience. It is a company for every reader. We welcome everyone and anyone who enjoys comics. Septagon Studios is passionate about excellence and producing quality publications for both the modern and traditional generations of comic book readers. Being a creator-based company, we encourage new talent from around the globe to join our already growing staff and give their dreams of creating comic books a chance to come true. Here at Septagon Studios we give you the chance to bring your imagination and creativity to life. Find out more at their website: http://www.septagonstudios.com This Has A "New School" Factor Of Ten Out Of Ten Top Ten Cliff Notes Jesse Nevins, over on The Fourth Rail recently posted his detailed annotations for the 49ers OGN by Alan Moore and Gene Ha. I'm sure everyone caught Zorro and Popeye,but if you want to catch the really obscure references check out Jesse's article. Jess has also posted annotations for Alan Moore's League of Gentlemen miniseries and although not essential to understanding or enjoying the books, they add to the overall experience. This Has A "Where's Waldo?" Factor Of Nine Out Of Ten Silent Diggle Andy Diggle (The Losers, Silent Dragon) recently started his own blog over on http://andydiggle.blogspot.com It's updated quite frequently, so fans of his may want to check in on a regular basis. Andy even chimes in on a recent ATR article written by yours truly. This Has A "Close Quarters" Factor Of Ten Out Of Ten Free Your Mind Over on BobLayton.Com, http://www.boblayton.com/ Bob Layton and David Michelinie give readers of their old Future Comics series insights into where the various storylines would have gone had the series continued and not been cancelled. So all you fans of Freemind or Peacekeeper can now have your curiosity satisfied at last. What? Oh, come on. There is bound to be a few of you out there! This Has A "What About Deathmask?" Factor Of Eight Out Of Ten Next week Geoff Johns promises to explain the retconning of Blair in the newest issue of Teen Titans! Until then, I've been John Voulieris, thank you for all the tips and tricks in the last two weeks! +++++ Items found in Rich Johnston's "Lying in the Gutters" column at http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/ which are all rumors or gossip so take any of it with a BIG bucket of salt! Rich was chosen Best Comics Journalist in the 2003 Usenet Squiddy Awards, his fourth consecutive win. Write to Rich at: richjohnston@gmail.com Rich heard rumors . . . The cover of "Ultimates 2" #8 was solicited with the following image.[a pair of hands in hand cuffs] Rumor or planted bluff is that the traitor is.........Captain America "House Of M." SPOILER One creator at WizardWorld Chicago told an intrepid Gutterati that one of the outcomes of "House Of M" is the revelation that Wanda kept Charles Xavier and Magneto alive, when they should have died years ago. When the Marvel Universe reverts in its new post-HoM form, that will no longer be the case. Just what are CB Cebulski's new creator owned projects? Well, there's "Drain" with Sana Takeda and "Shiki" with Joao. Looks like the UK rights to the manga titles Dark Horse have been publishing have just been transferred - a number of titles will no longer be made available to UK shops to sell. Clint Hilinski, of "Youngblood," "Justice League," "Voltron" and "Belladonna," has a new book on the way called "The Hyper Actives." Another runaround for the media starlets as superheroes _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [5] Storytelling Comics-style Matt Levin walkingmancomics@comcast.net [ Matt self-publishes mini-comics made primarily with rubber stamps in two titles Walking Man Comics Presents and Musicomics, the later which are set to song lyrics. ] Sessions with 4th-6th Graders Third Session When last we met, I asked for a page with 4-9 panels, using stick figures, word balloons, and perspective of LS, CU, etc. Some do this, some do something other, some do nothing. Nobody's getting graded, nobody's getting paid extra; those that do, learn. So do those that don't! We begin with my asking those who did the assignment to show off their page(s) and "Tell us everything about your page". This takes a while, as some descriptions are detailed complete, as the comics aficionados explicate their layout design, use of differing word balloons, plot, characters, story. I thank them for sharing, and briefly show my response to the assignment, too; I've prepared this session's theme on a seven panel page with two characters, one of whom interrupts the other to talk about characters and dialogue. I pass out copies to everyone. I encourage them to make copies too, from now on, if they'd like to share their work around. We have access to a "students' use" photocopier in school. It's cranky, but it works; like me, come to that. I tell them, "This is about 'Who Are Your Characters?'" I'm asked, "You mean what're their names?" I say that's a good place to start. I ask, "What else do we need to know?" I'm told, "What they look like." I say, "Yeah: what they look like is important too--" I say, "The more you know about your characters, the more real they'll be." I say, "Let's make somebody up." We go through male/female, how old, appearance, likes/dislikes, and finally, "how's this person talk?" I ask them to think about this, while I recite (have I mentioned I work with an outline?), "Short answers, or long-winded? Smart-mouthed, or smart? Angry, or just ticked off? Whispering, or loud?" I pass out blank paper. I ask them to draw a quick six panels, any way they choose, but just sketches, nothing fancy. I ask them to think just a moment about two characters - real people or made up, who it is, how each looks, how they speak. "Okay," I say, "get ready to write!" I call out, "Panel 1: 1st person says--_________." There is confusion about what to write down. "Anything-first thing that comes into your head." This provokes a good bit of rude and otherwise "amusing" possibilities. "Whatever," I say; "Panel 2: we see both people, and the 2nd person says-- ____________." I give them far too little time to consider it; "Panel 3," I say. "Wait! Wait!" they say. I segue right into the assignment for next session. "Tell ya what," say I, "for next time, write a script for two characters--you can draw it if you want to, but only after you write it down (and I do this on the board as I speak:) "Panel 1, person 1 says--_____; panel 2, person 2, says-- ________.; person 1 replies--_______. And so on. Make two copies," I tell them, "and we'll use'm next session!" And then it's time for me to rush off back to preschool and cater to the lunch crowd there. And so I do, and so the session ends. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [6] Thoughts From the Land of Frost Alex Ness Alexander@popthought.com http://www.Popthought.com [Alex has taught college level history and is a full time father. His interests include cats, comics and militaria. His writings have been featured on SlushFactory.com, UGO.com, and are currently on the Popthought.com web site. ] INTO THE DARK ADAPTING WORD TO IMAGE. ANDREW DABB & TIM SEELEY AN INTERVIEW FOR POP THOUGHT Drizzt Do'Urden is one of the most popular and well-known fantasy characters in the Forgotten Realms. In books such as Homeland, Exile and Sojourn, New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore tells the tale of Drizzt coming of age in the dark world of Menzoberranzen, the home of the obsidian-skinned race of the treacherous dark elves. Devil's Due Publishing, Andrew Dabb and Tim Seeley are retelling the stories of Drizzt for the first time ever in a graphic format. The first book of the 3-issue series, Forgotten Realms: The Dark Elf Trilogy-Homeland, has already released. Each Salvatore book, including Exile and Sojourn will also be released over the next year, completing the Dark Elf Trilogy. AN: Dark Elf Drizzt Do'Urden is now a character of both fantasy literature and fantasy gaming; with your work upon him he enters the medium of comics. Do you have trepidations that his legions of fans will respond to your work in a sort of ownership fashion as in 'how dare you do this or that'? Is that the ultimate fear of the production of a licensed character? Andrew Dabb: Having the fans turn against you is the ultimate fear of anyone doing a licensed book, yes. If we pissed off the legions of Drizzt fans out there, there's no doubt in my mind that they could sink this book. Which is just more incentive to do it right: a quality product that is faithful to the source material. I think we've done that, so I'm really not all that concerned. I'm sure there will be some people who dislike what we've done, but I'm confident the majority of fans will respond favorably. Both Tim and I are huge fans of this character and this story; we have no intention of screwing it up. Tim Seeley: Heh. Yeah, it's crossed my mind. But, when it comes down to it, Wizards of the Coast was okay with us doing this, and as far as I know "The Bob" is cool with it, so at least I know I'm starting out on solid ground. I know I can't please everyone, but I'll draw the best damn Dark Elf Trilogy I can. Hopefully, that'll please most! AN: Is there a hope that upon completion of the Homelands trilogy that you will commence to writing and illustrating the further adventures of the character? Dabb: I think there is a very, very good chance of that, yes. Seeley: Well, I've already done the cover for the first issue of Exile, and I'm scheduled to start drawing the interiors as soon as I get back from the San Diego Comic-Con. So, it looks pretty good that Andrew Dabb (the writer) and I will be back! AN: He uses two tools while cutting his way through the Icewind Dale and Menzoberranzen: two scimitars of which he is a master, and his deep, hard-fought-for morality. How do you balance the two in a comic book? Dabb: Balance implies the two are at odds and I don't think that's the case. The Dark Elf Trilogy is about Drizzt's morality; how he discovers it and how it shapes his fate. That is really the thematic focus of the novels, so it's our focus as well. At the same time, Drizzt's scimitars--the battles he fights--are what allow him to survive and thrive in the Underdark and beyond; allow him to pursue that fate. The two intertwine. Seeley: What makes Drizzt cool is that he's both a very visually dynamic character and that his personality and actions are very interesting and, ultimately, I think, relatable. I think most "action movie" producers could learn a lot by reading these books! Salvatore knew how to make a guy you liked, who also chopped stuff up. I hope Andrew and I pulled that off in the comic. AN: The Underdark is a place peopled with evil races and treachery. Will the series be for general audiences? Or in creating a visual story will you need to label it as being for older or mature readers? Dabb: It's the equivalent of a PG movie, so the comic is suitable for pretty much everyone. Seeley: Yeah, we toned down the really visceral stuff. If you adapted Homeland, directly, onto a movie screen, it'd be PG-13 or R. So, we dropped a little of the gore, and a bit of the sex, but it's all still implied. AN: Will the adaptation be scene for scene? Will there be liberties taken? Dabb: Some minor liberties have been taken. Unfortunately, when you're compressing a 300+ page novel into a 132-page comic book some scenes are going to have to be shortened or cut all together. But overall the story's plot remains the same. Seeley: We really did do it almost scene-for-scene with a few small changes to account for "running time." But, generally, it's about as faithful an adaptation of a novel as you're likely to find, minus some of the ol' "ultra-violence." AN: For the Geeks out there, will the series be interpretable by D&D rules? Dabb: As much as the novels were. Seeley: Heh. Geez, I'm not even sure how that would work! If you guys figure it out, let me know! AN: Let us say that this series sells oodles and oodles. You write all sorts of adaptations and finally complete all the stories of the Drow books. Do you have hopes of ever creating new stories for the character? Dabb: I would love to, but R.A. Salvatore is still going strong and taking Drizzt new and interesting places so I'm not sure there's a real need for another writer to step in. Seeley: No. I don't know that Andrew or I would be interested in making NEW stories for Drizzt, unless Bob said it was cool, or was involved. This is Bob's show. We're just taking it to a new medium. AN: Of the different volumes of the series, outside of Drizzt, what character is the one that lingers as a favorite, either to write or illustrate? Dabb: I have a soft spot for the old Dark Sun campaign setting and would love to either adapt some of its novels, or do original stories set in that world. Seeley: Well, as the artist, I love to draw the monsters. The Hook Horrors, the Mind Flayers. I've also got a little crush on Vierna, so I like drawing her too. INTRODUCING G.I. JOE ELITE'S TEAM: JOE CASEY & STEFANO CASELLI AN INTERVIEW FOR POP THOUGHT YO JOE!! AN: Why reboot instead of just deal with the previous incarnations of the book as being a different era or a lost chapter? What do you gain, what do you lose? Some fans disapprove of reboots because it seems to devalue their favorite runs, how do you address that without devaluing the current run? Joe Casey: That would be a publishing business question. I just write the book to the best of my ability. The new series is merely the next chapter in a saga begun way back with Marvel Comics' GI JOE #1. Numbering aside, this IS a continuation of the current run, so there's no devaluing at all. At least, not creatively, which is all I care about. Stefano Caselli: I think fans have to be open to change. I know changes can be scary. But changes can bring new energy and interest! If you remain frozen in the past, the results can be boring. And we don't really want that for G.I. JOE; no one does. See? There's a big difference between this: reheat yesterday's dinner, cook something new. Actually, we're taking new ingredients and starting a whole new dish. AN: Who are the main characters that will lose some of the focus and who is going to step up into the new spotlight? Casey: None of the cast will lose focus if I can help it. And, since I'm the writer, I can help it. That's the main reason we went with a smaller cast. To allow all the characters a chance to shine. AN: Which character is the easiest to write? Easiest to draw? Which is the hardest? Casey: They all have their inherent challenges, but fortunately they all have attractive characteristics that allow for a lot of drama. It's the character interaction that keeps readers coming back for more. Caselli: Every character presents its own challenge. But that's what makes it fun. Each character is so different!! I'd say the hardest things to draw are the vehicles! They're so complicated! Plus, I'm drawing weapons, vehicles, destroyed cities, technologies, etc. It's time-consuming! AN: Tell us about your take on the series. Are toy license characters harder to write due to their place in culture or is it liberating? Are they harder to illustrate due to license requirements? Casey: No, I don't think about them as a toy line at all. I think of them as characters. That's what ultimately keeps the fans around-their affection for these characters. And my affection for these characters is what drives me to tell the best stories I can. Caselli: Hasbro is pretty open-minded, actually. It helps us to propose our ideas liberally. They're not harder, really, just different. It's more about living up to fans' expectations. I don't want to disappoint them. At the same time, we want to have a little fun and be ourselves. AN: DDP is a younger publisher than DC, Marvel, Dark Horse or Image. Is that the reason for their willingness to experiment and take on new challenges? Casey: Possibly. I think it's more of just a younger attitude. DDP keeps it lean and mean and that allows for quicker movements, quicker responses to publishing challenges. It's pretty exciting in that regard. Caselli: I have worked for big publishers in the past. But I never felt the same excitement. The DD crew is great. You can feel the passion they have for comic books. And it looks like they're never afraid to TRY something. This is making DD big. And I'm sure one day we'll challenge the BIG TWO. I'm so proud to be part of this family, of this adventure. AN: Who are your favorite characters? Casey: Now that I'm knee-deep into writing the series, I'd have to say that I like 'em all. On a book like this, it's never a good idea to play favorites, because everyone is somebody's favorite character. Caselli: Jenna Jameson and Aria Giovanni. I love 'em!!!!! Oh. Did you mean G.I. JOE?! I've been a fan for so long, I love 'em all. I can't really choose one!!! FINAL THOUGHTS Thanks to Joe Casey, Stefano Caselli, Andrew Dabb, Tim Seeley from DDP and Brian Petkash from Sphinx Group for the interviews. Alexander Ness The Land Of Frost Box 142 Rockford MN 55373-0142 ONLINE ARCHIVES: http://popthought.com/ http://robingoodfellow.com/tftlof.html http://landoffrost.blogspot.com/ http://slushfactory.com/columns/an/ http://stlcomics.com http://hometown.aol.com/ComicBkNet/ _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [7] Suspended Animation Michael Vance & Mark Allen MiklVance2@worldnet.att.net http://www.starland.com/sus [Michael Vance, a professional writer since 1977 and has been published in dozens of magazines including Starlog and Jack and Jill, and as a syndicated columnist and cartoonist in over 500 newspapers. His history book, Forbidden Adventure: The History of the American Comics Group, has been called a "benchmark in comics history". He ghosted an internationally syndicated comic strip, and his wrote own strip, Holiday Out, that was reprinted as a comic book. Vance also wrote the comic books Straw Men, Angel of Death, The Adventures of Captain Nemo, and Bloodtide. He is listed in the Who's Who of American Comic Books and Comic Book Superstars. His short stories have appeared in dozens of magazines and recorded by actor William (Murder She Wrote) Windom. Suspended Animation, has been published for more than sixteen years, and Vance worked in newspapers for 22 years as an editor, writer and advertising manager. Mark Allen lives in Western Oklahoma with his wife and daughter. He has been a Baptist minister for over 15 years, and has also written for the Oklahoma news industry. Having indulged in comics for nearly 30 years, Mark now enjoys using the written word to share with others what he believes is a true, and extremely under-acknowledged, art form.] Hello, Again/$10 & 156 pgs. from Top Shelf Productions/by Max Estes/sold at comics stores and at wwwtopshelfcomix.com. For those readers who don't believe in the moral concept of right or wrong, the idea of forgiveness is useless. Forgive what? Those readers should say goodbye to Hello, Again before you buy it. Hello, Again is all about right and wrong and forgiveness. This is, indeed, a comic book for mature readers and not because it has naked adults running around doing naked things. This odd sized comic book is also about William, his affair with his best friend's girl, his unexpected 'murder' of an old sailor, and moral "baggage" that opens a hole in the ground. A hole in the ground? If this sounds too psychologically dense to be entertaining, all is done (and done well) through dialog and art reduced to their minimums. Max Estes' art looks like doodles on a cocktail napkin. It is so simple that it is initially a bit difficult to distinguish William from his best friend. That difficulty passes, however, and investing yourself in this story offers major dividends. Estes' dialog is about as simple, commonplace, and believable as dialog can get, and yet his message is profound: you have to answer for the past, not live by it. Ah, you say you knew that already. Here is another simple observation from ye old, grizzled, Suspended Animation scribe: knowing it and living it are two different things altogether. Another different thing is Estes' approach to forgiveness and my own. His message is that one must look inside to resolve guilt. My message is that when one looks inside, one only sees one's insides; ultimately, forgive-ness comes from a higher power than my kidneys. Despite this difference, I applaud Estes' courageous choice of an adult subject, his sparing use of profanity (which makes it more powerful), the absence of graphic sex, and his obvious talent. Hurrah! Twice! MV For information on Vance's short stories, comic books, and available work, query MiklVance@Yahoo.com. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [8] Rich's Reviews Richard Vasseur richardv@sympatico.ca http://www.jazmaonline.com [Rich has been collecting comic books for about 25 years. He belongs to two comic book clubs Jazma and ORCA. He has been writing reviews for Jazma's paper newsletter for about 2 years and has his own review page at www.jazmaonline.com] SPOILER WARNING: Some plot details may be revealed in these reviews! Title: Wolverine: Soultaker # 3 Publisher: Marvel Writer: Akira Yoshida Artist: Shin Nagasawa Price: $ 2.99 US, $ 4.25 Can Rating: 2 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Mana is the High Priestess from a long line that has protected Japan for centuries. She is drawn in a manga style which is in contrast to the rest of the comic which isn't. Ryuki a demon plans to open a gateway to Hell. First though he needs henchmen. He can raise the dead and he wants elevan deadly samerai that were executed as traitors to start with. The zombie samerai are skeletal warriors ready to do the demon's beding. There is really nothing that stands out in this issue. The girl is cute but thats it. Title: Wolverine: Soultaker # 4 Publisher: Marvel Writer: Akira Yoshida Artist: Shin Nagasawa Price: $ 2.99 US, $ 4.25 Can Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Wolverine finds its not so easy fighting samerai zombie skelrtons they just keep getting back up. They are wonderfully drawn as is the demon possessed sister, Hana. It is something to see Wolverine having to smash these samerai to keep them down. It is a brutally illustrated battle. Meanwhile Mana seeks help from the Silver haired fox spirit and she gets it. Wolverine standing over the skeletal warriors is a disturbing picture. His expression is one of bestial, insane bloodlust but with his humanity still in control. The drawings of the demons are a site you will not want to miss. They are nightmarish creatures. The blood blade Logan welds from the writing description you are given you will be left with no doubt it is filled with power. Wolverine will need it against these opponents. Title: Wolverine: Soultaker # 5 Publisher: Marvel Writer: Akira Yoshida Artist: Shin Nagasawa Price: $ 2.99 US, $ 4.25 Can Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Right off we are shown all the cast all the demons and the protectors of Japan. Wolverine holds the blood sword it is an awesome looking weapon. His battle against the huge demon creatures is a sight to see. Mana helping Logan gives them the advantage. The monsters and effects around them are spectacular. The head demon Ryuki gets a surprise its one weakness is to gold and Logan had his one set of claws coated in gold. His gold claws are a lovely looking color and even more deadly to Ryuki. Amiko Wolverine's daughter finally gets a goal in life to train to become Japan's protector against magical menaces. She looks cute in her kimono. Title: Wolverine # 30 Publisher: Marvel Writer: Mark Millar Penciler: John Romita Jr. Inker: Klaus Janson Price: $ 2.50 US, $ 3.50 Can Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars Comments: It seems everyone is feeling guilty over what happened with Northstar. Plus the fact that he may not be able to be cured. Wolverine and Elektra are loaded up for bear. They along with S.H.I.E.L.D. plan to shut Hydra down. They are drawn great carrying all the extra weapons and tech. As Wolverine and Elektra attack Gorgon its not pretty as all are bloody. But it comes down to Gorgon and Wolverine. Wolverine's bloody face is not for the faint of heart. Gorgon though decides to turn it around and he is going to kill Nick Fury. Elektra lies beaten in his hands, Nick is unconscious, Wolverine is far away. How will Nick get out of this. For fierce and bloody action your in the right place. Title: House of M # 4 Publisher: Marvel Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Penciler: Olivier Coipel Inkers: Tim Townsend & Rick Magyar Price: $ 2,.99 US, $ 4.25 Can Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Wolverine along with Luke Cage and friends are going to try to restore the world to normal. Seeing all the characters you know but changed makes it familiar but strangely different. Cage's team seems to be made up of some of the lessor powered heroes; Black Cat, Iron Fist, Moon Knight and Hawkeye. Cloak is on it to and he seems to be his normal self; moody, mysterious. He is well portrayed. There is this girl who can make people remember the world as it was. How she can do this who knows. But she uses her ability on the White Queen Emma Frost. And the expression of rage on her face is scary. All her rage is directed at one man, Magneto. The Scarlet Witch isn't shown but she is mentioned as not having any powers in this world. Emma and Wolverine are planning to kill Magneto cause he used the Scarlet Witch to create this world but will they not have to go after her to fix the world. It is wonderful to see these characters in slightly different roles. Title: Marvel Knights Spider-Man # 16 Publisher: Marvel Writer: Reginald Hudlin Pencilers: Billy Tan & Mark Buckingham Inkers: Jon Sibel & Mark Buckingham Price: $ 2.99 US, $ 4.25 Can Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Now this is different. The Owl and his female consultant get the Absorbing Man to change into a white powder drug. They bad him to sell him on the street. Is he going to be mad at them when he reforms. Peter is training Ethan (Virtue). Ethan's powers seem unlimited, flight, super strength, energy blasts, healing powers and speed. The art showing Galactus and his awesome power is very much so in the Kirby style. It is a stunning two pages of drawings. Mr. Fantastic makes a startling discovery. Ethan isn't human. He's a super super skrull. He was sent to Earth to conquer it. The colors are vividly done. They are a delight to the eye. Title: Amazing Spider-Man # 522 Publisher: Marvel Writer: J. Michael Strazynski Penciler: Mike Deodato Inker: Joe Pimentel Price: $ 2.50 US, $ 3.50 Can Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars Comments: As Spidey follows a Hydra agent it is great to see him having some fun. Making jokes. The Hydra installation is a hi-tech set up. And it is huge. It contains an army. Spidey is on his own. As he makes his escape four wannta be Hydra Avengers are waiting. All the New Avengers are very supportive of MJ when she gets put in a scandel magazine as having an affair. Except Wolverine for some reason he is shown as a really rude dude. None of his finess, his honor are here, these things seem to have been forgotten. Aunt May and Jarvis are becoming very close very fast. I hope there is no trouble in paradise for them. Marvel always seems to create trouble for any happy couple. Right now though they make for a perfect couple. Title: Astonishing X-Men # 11 Publisher: Marvel Writer: Joss Whedon Artist: John Cassaday Price: $ 2.99 US, $ 4.25 Can Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Xavier is ready for Danger she took out his X-Men so he is ready. He rams her full force with a transport truck. Shadow Cat and Clossus it seems are still both in love with each other. Seeing them together you can tell they are made for each other. Their emotions run strong for each other. It is wonderful to hear him call her Katya again. The Professor is not an easy target. After ramming Danger he cuts off her head. But she's a mutant robotic machine that can control other machines. She raises up the Sentinal that devastated Genosa. She now controls it. The Sentinal is an awesome looking weapon. Title: Black Panther # 6 Publisher: Marvel Writer: Reginald Hudlin Penciler: John Romita Jr. Inker: Klaus Janson Price: $ 2.99 US, $ 4.25 Can Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Don't try to intimidate T'Challa. Klaw threatens his mother and country. The Black Panther does not waver he stands firm. He is going to kill Klaw. The Panther's family and guards even his mother are all fighters. It is fantastic to watch all his family fighting for their country. His sister uses the Black Knight's sword on the Radioactive Man. His mother kicks Klaw in the groin. His uncle leads the attack on Klaw. It is a family affair. The colors accentuate the art and make it stand out. The bright colors make T'Calla's black costume look even darker. He does have a dark side, a hard side, he can and does make the hard decisions. He is a King among Kings. Title: Michael Turner's Soulfire: Dying Of The Light # 0 Publisher: Aspen Writer: J.T. Krul Artist: Micah Gunnell Price: $ 2.50 US, $ 3.50 Can Rating: 2 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Grace looks lovely flying high. She looks like a fairy but she is a Rahtuni. A dragon shares the skies and perhaps controls them. Or not. The dragon is majestic. There is little to no story. The art looks good but you need something to go with it. Title: Red Sonja # 1 Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment Writer: Michael Avon Oeming with Mike Carey Artist: Mel Rubi Price: $ 2.99 US Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars Comments: The She-Devil rides to the rescue of a messenger. Her arrows fly fast and to their mark. She reacts instinctively, her warrior skills are honed to perfection. As she accompanies the messenger we see beautiful art, her chainmail does not cover up to much. Seeing her in action it is easy to tell how she earned the nick name She-Devil. She delivers the messengers message and for her troubles death? The guardsmen, the horses, the city are all wonderfully illustrated. But Sonja will captivate you. The art will make you feel her warrior soul. The writing is simple and to the point and fits beautifully with the art. Red Sonja her hair is almost as fiery red as her bloodlust towards any that wrongly cross her path. She is a warrior born! Title: Brian Pulido's Gypsy # 1 Publisher: Avatar Writer: Brian Pulido Artist: Paula Siqueira Price: $ 3.50 US Rating: 1 star out of 5 stars Comments: A werewolf attacks a boy. The werewolf is one big hulking monster. Most of the drawings are simple and to basic. The two gypsy sisters are not shown off at all. The action is short lived. You don't get into any of the characters at all. Basicly its a couple of girls walking around. The werewolf adds a little excitement when he attacks one of the gypsy sisters but not much. Title: Lady Death: Death Goddess Publisher: Avatar Writer: Brian Pulido Artists: Richard Ortiz, Juan Jose Ryp, Gabriel Reate & Datty, Matt Martin Price: $ 2.50 US Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars Comments: The preview of The Wicked # 1/2 shows off Lady Death to perfection. This Lady Death is ready to fight. She is dressed in almost nothing and Richard Ortiz draws her sexy and dangerous. His pin-ups of Pariah are lovely. Pariah is beautiful but with a evilness to her. Matt Martin's pin-up is breathtaking Lady Death is a goddess. Matt Martin brings that across very clearly. The preview of Lady Death: Kiss of Leviatha # 1/2 has very detailed backgrounds. The action pose of her kicking as she jumps into battle is gorgeous. Matt Martin's artwork does stand out. Lady Death is one tough babe. Title: Brian Pulido's Lady Death: Abandon All Hope # 1 Publisher: Avatar Writer: Brian Pulido Penciler: Ron Adrian Inker: Rob Lean Price: $ 3.99 US Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars Comments: The art is gorgeous, Lady Death is hot and her companions are well drawn as well. As Lady Death battles some creatures the Kavari we quickly see that this is a pale reflection of the original version as when she gets in trouble she actually calls for help. Her trainer Wargoth is teaching her to rely on herself for help and when and if she learns that lession maybe she will start to become great again. The scenes of Sagos calling up the Dark Gods are a frightening sight. They are creatures of Hell. This Lay Death though while willing lacks the attitude. As her skills and power grow perhaps her attitude will to. Title: Battle of the Planets # 4 Publisher: Top Cow Writer: David Wohl Artist: Wilson Tortosa Price: $ 2.99 US, $ 4.60 Can Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars Comments: The mall is attacked and we see Princess may now be an ordinary person but she's still a hero. When a giant robotic bug attacks she steps up. Princess is drawn as a lovely looking girl. The action is fast paced. But there are to many speed lines, they block the drawings. The space ships look spectaclar. Sleek and fast. Wilson Tortosa and Sonia Oback do deliver a stunning cover. The Princess's emotions are running high. Her costume as well as Mark's are drawn good and the coloring is gorgeous. Title: Battle of the Planets # 5 Publisher: Top Cow Writer: David Wohl Artist: Wilson Tortosa Price: $ 2.99 US, $ 4.60 Can Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars Comments: It starts with speed lines everywhere. Hundreds maybe thousands. Way to many. They get in the way of the art. Princess is back on the team. She is looking great back in costume. The scene having her attacking one of the giant beetles was fantastic as she takes out her frustrations on it. The art still has to many speed lines but it does have some nice action scenes. The one scene of Princess telling Mark shes going with him is nice. She doesn't give him a chance to argue. The team is becoming a team again. The cover though is amazing Wilson Tortosa and Sonia Oback have created a sexy action shot of Princess. Title: Battle of the Planets # 6 Publisher: Top Cow Writer: David Wohl Artist: Wilson Tortosa Price: $ 2.99 US, $ 4.60 Can Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars Comments: Eric Basaldua & Sonia Oback have created a wonderfully provocative cover of Princess. She looks ready for action. G-Force vs Spectre. As G-Force moves through the base they are looking good in action poses. As they rescue the children and escape a squad of giant robotic beetles gives chase. The Red Impulse squad a government jet fighter squad joins in. They make a spctacular site swooping in. The scene at the end as Princess is welcomed back to the team is emotional. The story though needed more action. The art was ok but it should have shown off the characters a lot better. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [9] Multiverse Observer and Explorer Reviews Paul Dale Roberts Silhouet98@cs.com http://www.jazmaonline.com [Paul promotes amateur and professional comic book artwork, scripts, storylines, and unpublished comic books with a newsletter called the Peoples' Comic Book Newsletter. Its website is at Jazma Comic Book Newsletter Productions at http://www.jazmaonline.com/ He is also a prominent letter hack, as anyone who reads comic letter pages would know. He is in production of his own self-published comic book called The Legendary Dark Silhouette and has copyrighted over 600 characters for his Jazma Universe.] SPOILER WARNING: THE FOLLOWING COLUMN MAY REVEAL SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS OF THE PLOTS OF SOME COMIC BOOKS, OR THE ENTIRE STORY. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Name: Ultimate Spider-Man #80 Warriors Part 2 Publisher: Marvel Comics Creative Force: Bendis - Bagley - Hanna Price: $2.99 Email: Ultimateoffice@marvel.com Comments: Today as I walked into Border's Books, there was two things that caught my eye. There was a Lowrider Arts Magazine (Aug/Sept 2005) issue that had a exceptional cover with a scantilly clad woman warrior entangled with a fearsome dragon, but then I saw Ultimate Spider-Man #80 and when I flipped through the pages, I was dazzled by the great fight scene between Moon Knight and Spider-Man. Moon Knight's costume looked awesome, but I must admit Spider-Man had me thinking, why would Moon Knight wear white to a superhero fight? That costume must get filthy, I definitely had some good laughs. The Lowrider Arts magazine merely had a great cover, the artwork inside was mediocre, so I knew it was better to purchase Spider-Man for a mere $2.99, than spend $5.99 for the Lowrider magazine that only had one piece of good artwork. Marvel Comics always has exceptional artists on their staff, that makes the story even more enjoyable to read. It was great seeing Kingpin in this issue, he reminds me a lot like John Gotti (the Teflon Don), does whatever he wants and nothing seems to stick and he always seems to get away scot free. Spidey loathes Kingpin, but this story became very unusual as Spidey makes some deals with Kingpin. This is truly an intriguing Spider-Man story! Name: Futurama Comics #20 Publisher: Bongo Comics Creative Force: Script/Patric M. Verrone Pencils/Tom King Inks/Phyllis Novin Price: $2.99 Email: futuramacomics@bongocomics.com Comments: I wonder if Patric M. Verrone knows anyone named Maiya Williams? That was funny how a planet was named Maiya Williams 7, because of a registry in which people could name the planets/stars. They have that now with the Star Registry that makes claim that you can name a star after a person or give the star your name. They give you a star map and there is a book with a listing of all the stars that you can also purchase. The only thing is, NASA does not recognize the names that are given at the Star Registry, but people seem like they don't care. Since Fry and the crew go at Hyper Drive, I wonder how that compares to Warp Drive? I always wanted to know the difference. I enjoy watching Fry and Bender on their Away Mission and this simple mission was to drop off a package on some gosh forsaken planet. I had some great laughs watching Bender get bent out of shape, when he was used as a trash can and he yells 'it's bendering time!' and rips up the comic page in which I am reading! Who would have thought? Name: Star Wars Tales #24 Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Creative Force: Various creators for a variety of stories. Price: $5.99 Email: swtales@darkhorse.com Comments: I enjoyed all of the 4 stories in Star Wars Tales #24. This is a book that was well worth the money. The concept of what is going on in the Star Wars universe by a variety of writers and artists. The artwork was superb throughout the whole comic book! 'Marked' left a deep impression with me. Not only can there be an abberation in the force itself, but there can be aberrations within the dark side too. The characters of Star Wars can be lighthearted and fun and then some can be very intimidating, like Silus. It was surprising to see such a powerful character like Silus battle it out with fearsome fury and then finally defeated. Then there is the Fett Club which reminded me a lot like the movie "Fight Club", this was a great story and I enjoy the fact that Bobba Fett (a minor character in the original Star Wars movies) continues on in the pages of a Star Wars comic book and various Star Wars stories that can be found in novels. The planet Katarr that once thrived with life, is now a dead planet, with all living things dead and to think that our Earth one day will fall in the same category, may it be by a super nova or perhaps being the casualty of a comet impact. It's something that is hard to imagine, but it comes to light in science fiction and makes you ponder on the outcome of our own planet and our own existence. There are many stories to be told in the Star Wars Universe and the 4 stories in this comic book are the tip of the universal iceberg! Name: X-Men #173 Publisher: Marvel Comics Creative Force: Writer/Peter Milligan Pencils/Salvador Larroca Price: $2.99 Email: OfficeX@marvel.com Comments: Xavier Institute may have welcomed their newest member Foxx, but they had a lot of surprises coming with this new recruit. I love the color of hair that is displayed within the ranks, Foxx with her blue hair and Lorna with her green hair. Their beauty and their hair color is a head turner. Lorna is a typical woman that ponders the man's world of superherodom, as she questions why she must be called an X-Men, why not X-People or simply be called X-Woman. I think Mystique would be a great candidate for the X-Men and she desperately wants in and it was funny to see the surprised looks on the X-Men's face when she shape-shifts from Foxx to Mystique. This is truly an interesting revelation on Mystique's part! Let's see what will happen next! Name: Ultimate X-Men #61 - Magnetic North: Part 1 Publisher: Marvel Comics Creative Force: Vaughan - Immonen - Van Grawbadger Price: $2.99 Email: Ultimateoffice@marvel.com Comments: Is Wolverine that mean, that he would actually kill a cat named Mystique, if that cat would continue to irritate him? Would he kill any small irritating animal for that matter? I'm glad Xavier kept the cat occupied while he talked matters with Logan. I wonder if Logan will ever get his temper under control, he's like a walking time bomb and I was stunned that he would make threats against Xavier's cat. Animal rights advocates would have a field day with Logan. Cyclops is showing his age, as he can't understand these younger X-Men who are fighting in the Danger Room and will kiss and make up later. What a shocking scene as Lorna proclaims that the magnetic fields are awry and since people are in danger, she wants to be taken down and Havoc reluctantly has to blast her to unconsciousness. What a choice Havoc had to make, I wouldn't have wanted to be in his shoes! Now, I hope Lorna will prevail and survive this horrific incident. Name: Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island - The Graphic Novel Publisher: Puffin Graphics Adapted & Illustrated by: Tim Hamilton On Sale: September 2005 Website: www.penguin.com Email: Jessica.Michaels@us.penguingroup.com Comments: This is a story about Jim Hawkins. Jim lives a normal life until the day he comes across a treasure map. His life turns topsy-turvy when he searches out Captain Flint's hidden treasure. Jim comes across the one-legged pirate Long John Silver and finds himself in a world of cutthroat pirates and rogues. Before I get into the story, let's talk about Tim Hamilton who adapted this story. Tim has an impressive resume that includes working on titles such as: The Trouble with Girls, Aliens and Comics Greatest World for Dark Horse Comics. At DC he worked on Justice League of Europe, Green Lantern Quarterly and Justice League International. He also illustrated comic books for Marvel, Malibu, Defiant and Broadway Comics. He regular writes and illustrates for Nickelodeon Magazine and has produced art for the New York Times Book Review, Cicada, King Features and Serializer.net. This is a taste of Pirates of the Caribbean, especially when the story opens up with the roguish song...'15 men on a dead man's chest...yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!" It gets you right in the mood for this classic tale. Treasure Island is an intriguing mystery and with drawings that go with the story, you can't wait to flip the pages to see what will happen next (even though you may already know the story). The artwork is very detailed and is brilliantly done. There is a ship called the Hispaniola, which is very detailed and should be placed on a postcard. The drawings jump off the page and you feel like you are right next to the cabin boy as he sets his eyes for the first time on Captain Long John Silver. If you love adventure and especially adventures set on the high seas, you will definitely want this graphic novel! Treasure Island - The Graphic Novel is a book you can't put down - engrossing, adventurous and high seas fun, a classic story that delivers not only with the story, but also with superb drawings! Wow! Name: L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz - The Graphic Novel Publisher: Puffin Graphics Adapted & Illustrated by: Michael Cavallarao On Sale: September 2005 Website: www.penguin.com Email: Jessica.Michaels@us.penguingroup.com Comments: Michael Cavallarao spent two years at Joe Kubert School of Cartoon Art in Dover, New Jersey. Michael has drawn and painted for Valiant, DC Comics, MTV Animation and Cartoon Network. Michael self-published his own comic book 66 Thousand Miles per Hour. In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and Toto run into the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow in the land of Oz (yep, all of your favorites!). Dorothy finds a world filled with magic, good and bad witches, and a wondrous wizard capable of granting her only wish, to return home. Welcome to Emerald City where Dorothy will meet the powerful Wizard of Oz! Michael Cavallarao adds his touch and spin to this classic story by describing the town in Kansas that Dorothy is from and her family. There are dramatic moods that swing with this story as the expected cyclone hits, but the way that Michael does the storytelling, you're not expecting the cyclone to hit so fast. You will discover the close relationship between Dorothy and Toto and you will be thrilled when Dorothy arrives at the land of the Munchkins. I love the way Michael draws Dorothy's house on top of the Wicked Witch of the East. You'll even get goosebumps as you see those nasty critters - you know what I'm talking about, the winged monkeys! Yep, it's all here in this incredible graphic novel. The Wizard of Oz - The Graphic Novel is the L. Frank Baum's story comes to life, the adaptation by Mr. Cavallarao will thrill all Oz fans, his take on the story has exceptional flare and the artwork jumps out of the pages, it can't get any better than this! Name: William Shakespeare's Macbeth - The Graphic Novel Publisher: Puffin Graphics Adapted by: Arthur Byron Cover & Illustrated by: Tony Leonard Tamai On Sale: September 2005 Website: www.penguin.com Email: Jessica.Michaels@us.penguingroup.com Comments: At an exotic ringworld, there is a hero named Macbeth, he is the bravest of the brave. He is most loyal to King Duncan than any dragon-riding lord. But, in his heart, he desires to become king at all costs. When the opportunity arises, Macbeth and his evil wife kill Duncan. After Macbeth takes over the throne, rivals seek to oust Macbeth from his new position. Vengeance seekers rise up against Macbeth and Macbeth finds himself at war with the dragon-lords. This story is a sci-fi story that is set up in the future. Arthur Byron Cover attended Clarion Science Fiction Writer's workshop in 1971 and made his first professional sale to Harlan Ellison's Last Dangerous Visions. Tony Leonard Tamai is a graphic designer and illustrator, his experimental web-publishing site is located at www.tonikoro.com . Who would have ever thought of taking the classic Macbeth story and setting it up in the future? Stardate 1040. Right in the beginning of the story, there is a fierce battle and Thane Macbeth riding on his dragon with futuristic weapon in his hand is blasting away! The words are majestically flowing with poetry and the artwork goes very well with the script. The artwork is sort of Manga styled and each panel is beautifully drawn! Wow! Macbeth: The Graphic Novel is taken on a spin that will leave the reader in awe, Macbeth in a sci-fi setting, it's engrossing, it's intriguing and it will simply blow you away! _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [10] My View David LeBlanc ComicBkNet@aol.com http://members.aol.com/comicbknet David LeBlanc is the Editor of the Comic Book Network Electronic Magazine; which won the prestigious Eagle Award for Favorite Comic Book Ezine in 2001. He is a long-time fan of comics and the electronic media; having been the moderator of BBS comics forums on WME, FIDONET and the Comic Book Network. He and his wife live in a suburb of Worcester, MA and David works part-time at That's Entertainment, the Eisner-winning Comics and Collectibles store. David's favorite motivational phrase is: BEHOLD THE TURTLE, HE ONLY MAKES PROGRESS WHEN HE STICKS HIS NECK OUT! DALLAS McCOY (one shot) "Star Struck" 24 pages, black & white, color covers Rorschach Entertainment www.rorshachentertainment.com info@rorshachentertainment.com Written by Amy Riddle & Brian Meredith Art by Sidney Lima Letters by Brian Meredith Cover art by Craig Rousseau Created by Brian Meredith The setup: Dallas McCoy is a professional bodyguard for a top firm in the Seattle area. She takes assignments around the world, usually to protect high-profile actors, politicians and insanely rich people. She also has a secret past with the intelligence community of the US government. Now she is assigned to guard a rather difficult teen star, Celeste Robbins, who is being stalked. What she finds is not a bratty kid but someone who instantly wants to be her friend. In fact the girl is absolutely giddy about having Dallas around. Everywhere they go she brags about Dallas to her companions and even points her out during a TV interview. Dallas on the other hand thinks she is being punished and is not enjoying the assignment. The breaking point comes when Celeste decides the two should have a slumber party - you know hang out all night and eat junk food. This is it for Dallas and she rather frankly lashes out about her job is to protect, not to be a playmate. In the next instant her quick reflexes saves both their lives as the stalker strikes! From that point on the story is all action. Dallas goes after the stalker and engages him hand-to-hand. What she discovers about him is just the beginning of a mystery that involves her past. The whole incident leads to trouble with the local police and a connection to her past shows up to do a favor but at what cost? I liked this story as it is well plotted and not a common theme. The art brings the moods to life, especially the facial expressions. From the carefree shopping and beach jaunts to the intense fight scene it all helps move the story nicely. The characters are appealing visually. The reluctant bodyguard softens her hardness as the starlet opens up to her emotionally. It is a nice touch that makes them more real. The ending leaves some questions that makes you want to know what went on before and what will come next. This one was out in July and is worth getting. _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [11] TOP 100 COMICS FOR JUL 2005 Diamond Comics Diamond's top 300 list each month reports totals for the products that have shipped and billed for the month before. Rankings are based on orders placed by comic retailers and reflect total units ordered and dollar values of total ordered. This is NOT a list of comics that sold the most copies to the consumers - it is a list of ORDERS by DEALERS that were actually sold, shipped and invoiced to the dealers by Diamond. Other distributors and sales to newsstands are not included. Items marked ** are In Stock at Diamond and available for reorder. July Market Shares Based on Actual Sales of Products Invoiced in July 2005 Comics, Magazines, & Graphic Novels Publisher Dollar Share Unit Share MARVEL COMICS 37.95% 43.45% DC COMICS 33.57% 37.05% DARK HORSE COMICS 4.96% 3.47% IMAGE COMICS 4.26% 3.98% TOKYOPOP 2.95% 1.13% WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT 2.30% 1.19% VIZ LLC 2.22% 0.97% DYNAMIC FORCES 1.17% 1.47% AVATAR PRESS 0.86% 0.74% IDW PUBLISHING 0.81% 0.56% A. D. VISION 0.60% 0.21% ASPEN MLT INC 0.52% 0.69% FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS/EROS COMIX 0.50% 0.25% GEMSTONE PUBLISHING 0.44% 0.29% SLG PUBLISHING 0.43% 0.24% DEVILS DUE PUBLISHING 0.40% 0.33% RANDOM HOUSE 0.35% 0.12% ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS 0.31% 0.44% ONI PRESS INC. 0.30% 0.19% ALIAS ENTERPRISES LLC 0.30% 0.41% Other Non-Top 20 4.82% 2.82% TOP 100 COMICS Rank Index Title Price Pub 1 398.94 ALL STAR BATMAN & ROBIN THE BOY WONDER #1 $2.99 DC 2 242.52 NEW AVENGERS #7* $2.25 MAR 3 231.90 HOUSE OF M #3 (OF 8)* $2.99 MAR 4 223.93 HOUSE OF M #4 (OF 8)* $2.99 MAR 5 195.26 ASTONISHING X-MEN #11 $2.99 MAR 6 165.57 SUPERMAN BATMAN #21 $2.99 DC 7 151.50 ULTIMATES 2 #7 $2.99 MAR 8 143.04 OMAC PROJECT #4 (OF 6) $2.50 DC 9 139.56 ULT FANTASTIC FOUR #21* $2.50 MAR 10 139.26 UNCANNY X-MEN #462 $2.50 MAR 11 135.21 VILLAINS UNITED #3 (OF 6) $2.50 DC 12 133.94 JLA #116 $2.50 DC 13 133.10 ULTIMATE X-MEN #61* $2.50 MAR 14 123.18 RED SONJA #1 $2.99 DYN 15 120.77 RANN THANAGAR WAR #3 (OF 6) $2.50 DC 16 119.82 ULT SPIDER-MAN #79 $2.50 MAR 17 117.91 X-MEN #173 $2.50 MAR 18 117.53 ULT SPIDER-MAN #80 $2.50 MAR 19 117.14 WOLVERINE #30 $2.50 MAR 20 115.39 DAY O/VENGEANCE #4 (OF 6) $2.50 DC 21 111.76 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #522 $2.50 MAR 22 109.40 SPIDER-MAN HOUSE OF M #2 (OF 5) $2.99 MAR 23 108.90 IRON MAN HOUSE OF M #1 (OF 3) $2.99 MAR 24 108.56 SUPERMAN #219 $2.50 DC 25 108.24 FANTASTIC FOUR HOUSE OF M #1 (OF 3) $2.99 MAR 26 104.46 TEEN TITANS #26 $2.50 DC 27 100.00 BATMAN #642 $2.50 DC 28 96.27 ACTION COMICS #829 $2.50 DC 29 96.26 DC SPECIAL RETURN O/DONNA TROY #2 (OF 4) $2.99 DC 30 89.82 ADVENTURES O/SUPERMAN #642 $2.50 DC 31 89.30 SECRETS O/T HOUSE OF M #1 $3.99 MAR 32 89.09 JSA CLASSIFIED #1 $2.50 DC 33 85.49 INCREDIBLE HULK #83 $2.99 MAR 34 84.68 JSA #75 $2.99 DC 35 82.38 INCREDIBLE HULK #84 $2.99 MAR 36 81.70 WONDER WOMAN #219 $2.50 DC 37 80.94 FANTASTIC FOUR #529 $2.99 MAR 38 79.39 X-MEN THE END HEROES & MARTYRS #5 (OF 6) $2.99 MAR 39 77.75 MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN #16 $2.99 MAR 40 76.77 PULSE #10 $2.99 MAR 41 73.45 FLASH #224 $2.50 DC 42 73.05 DAREDEVIL #75 $3.99 MAR 43 70.82 MUTOPIA X #1 (OF 5) $2.99 MAR 44 68.83 JLA CLASSIFIED #10 $2.99 DC 45 68.52 NEW X-MEN #16 $2.99 MAR 46 67.06 WEAPON X DAYS O/FUTURE NOW #1 (OF 5) $2.99 MAR 47 66.06 OUTSIDERS #26 $2.50 DC 48 60.38 DEFENDERS #1 (OF 5) $2.99 MAR 49 58.84 SERENITY #1 (OF 3)* $2.99 DAR 50 58.54 DAREDEVIL VS PUNISHER #1 (OF 6) $2.99 MAR 51 58.34 NIGHTWING #110 $2.50 DC 52 58.00 DETECTIVE COMICS #808 $2.99 DC 53 57.12 PUNISHER #23 (MR) $2.99 MAR 54 56.96 LEGION O/SUPER HEROES #8 $2.99 DC 55 56.38 NYX #6 (MR) $2.99 MAR 56 55.51 CONAN #18 (MR) $2.99 DAR 57 54.49 GREEN ARROW #52 $2.50 DC 58 53.88 BLACK PANTHER #6 $2.99 MAR 59 53.60 DAREDEVIL VS PUNISHER #2 (OF 6) $2.99 MAR 60 52.64 SHANNA THE SHE DEVIL #6 (OF 7) (MR) $3.50 MAR 61 52.56 CABLE DEADPOOL #17 $2.99 MAR 62 52.52 WONDER WOMAN #218 $2.50 DC 63 52.10 EXILES #66 $2.99 MAR 64 51.58 EXILES #67 $2.99 MAR 65 50.31 SEVEN SOLDIERS GUARDIAN #3 (OF 4) $2.99 DC 66 46.81 BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #67 $2.50 DC 67 46.04 BATMAN DARK DETECTIVE #5 (OF 6) $2.99 DC 68 45.82 BIRDS O/PREY #84 $2.50 DC 69 45.42 ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE #2 (OF 16) $2.99 DC 70 45.28 BATMAN DARK DETECTIVE #6 (OF 6) $2.99 DC 71 45.02 HULK DESTRUCTION #1 (OF 4)(MR) $2.99 MAR 72 44.69 SPIDER-MAN BREAKOUT #4 (OF 5) $2.99 MAR 73 44.18 ROBIN #140 $2.50 DC 74 44.08 HELLBOY THE ISLAND #2 (OF 2) $2.99 DAR 75 43.38 CATWOMAN WHEN I/ROME #6 (OF 6) $3.50 DC 76 42.68 HUNTER KILLER #3 $2.99 IMA 77 42.10 MARVEL KNIGHTS 4 #20 $2.99 MAR 78 41.82 RUNAWAYS #6 $2.99 MAR 79 41.20 BATGIRL #66 $2.50 DC 80 40.50 NEW X-MEN HELLIONS #3 (OF 4) $2.99 MAR 81 40.42 Y THE LAST MAN #35 (MR) $2.99 DC 82 39.70 NEW THUNDERBOLTS #10 $2.99 MAR 83 39.58 SOULFIRE DYING O/T LIGHT #0 $2.50 ASP 84 39.45 X-MEN KITTY PRYDE SHADOW & FLAME #2 (OF 5) $2.99 MAR 85 39.36 BATMAN LEGENDS O/T DARK KNIGHT #193 $2.50 DC 86 39.14 GLA #4 (OF 4) $2.99 MAR 87 39.10 TOXIN #4 (OF 6) $2.99 MAR 88 38.46 NEIL GAIMANS NEVERWHERE #2 (OF 9) (MR) $2.99 DC 89 37.62 FABLES #39 (MR) $2.75 DC 90 37.11 FATHOM #2 $2.99 ASP 91 37.04 YEAR ONE BATMAN RAS AL GHUL #2 (OF 2) $5.99 DC 92 36.17 OFF HANDBK MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS 2005 $3.99 MAR 93 35.69 ARMY O/DARKNESS SHOP TIL YOU DROP DEAD #4 $2.99 DYN 94 34.85 BATMAN JEKYLL AND HYDE #4 (OF 6) $2.99 DC 95 34.46 MARVEL TEAM-UP #10 $2.99 MAR 96 33.11 EX MACHINA #13 (MR) $2.99 DC 97 32.65 HAWKMAN #42 $2.50 DC 98 32.11 NIGHTCRAWLER #8 $2.99 MAR 99 31.86 CATWOMAN #45 $2.50 DC 100 31.76 JLA CYBERFORCE $5.99 DC TOP 100 Graphic Novels Trade Paperbacks Rank Index Title Price Pub 1 13.03 Y THE LAST MAN VOL 5 RING O/TRUTH TP (MR) $14.99 DC 2 9.79 ULT X-MEN VOL 11 MOST DANGEROUS GAME TP $9.99 MAR 3 9.78 ULT SPIDER-MAN VOL 13 HOBGOBLIN TP $15.99 MAR 4 9.70 DEAD BOY DETECTIVES DIGEST (MR) $9.99 DC 5 9.31 SUPERMAN BATMAN VOL 3 ABSOLUTE POWER HC $19.99 DC 6 8.52 100 BULLETS VOL 8 THE HARD WAY TP (MR) $14.99 DC 7 8.06 SPACE GHOST TP $14.99 DC 8 6.95 X-MEN NEW AGE O/APOCALYPSE TP $20.99 MAR 9 6.49 FRUITS BASKET VOL 11 GN (OF 14) $9.99 TKP 10 6.34 WIZARD MICHAEL TURNER MILLENNIUM LTD ED DLX $29.99 WIZ 11 6.15 BERSERK VOL 8 TP (MR) $13.95 DAR 12 6.12 COMBAT ZONE TRUE TALES O/GIS IN IRAQ VOL 1 $19.99 MAR 13 5.97 NIGHTWING YEAR 1 TP $14.99 DC 14 5.82 SW CLONE WARS VOL 6 ON THE FIELDS O/BATTLE $17.95 DAR 15 5.67 TIM BURTONS NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS MANGA $8.99 WAR 16 5.64 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST VOL 2 TP $9.99 VIZ 17 5.27 RUROUNI KENSHIN VOL 16 TP $7.95 VIZ 18 5.26 INU YASHA VOL 22 TP $8.95 VIZ 19 5.07 MICKEY MOUSE MEETS BLOTMAN $5.99 GEM 20 4.88 HOUSE O/M EXCALIBUR PRELUDE TP $11.99 MAR 21 4.83 ESSENTIAL KILLRAVEN VOL 1 TP $16.99 MAR 22 4.81 FLASH THE SECRET O/BARRY ALLEN TP $19.99 DC 23 4.57 THE PULSE VOL 2 SECRET WAR TP $11.99 MAR 24 4.51 WANTED SC (MR) $19.99 IMA 25 4.43 SMOKE #2 (OF 3) $7.49 IDW 26 4.23 SECRET WARS TP $29.99 MAR 27 4.13 EXILES VOL 10 AGE O/APOCALYPSE TP $12.99 MAR 28 4.05 X-MEN GOLGOTHA TP $12.99 MAR 29 4.05 TSUBASA VOL 6 GN $10.95 RAN 30 3.91 USAGI YOJIMBO VOL 19 FATHERS & SONS TP $15.95 DAR 31 3.78 OH MY GODDESS VOL 21 TP $10.95 DAR 32 3.71 CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL 1 WINTER SOLDIER HC $21.99 MAR 33 3.68 SUPERMAN THAT HEALING TOUCH TP $14.99 DC 34 3.68 BONE VOL 2 GREAT COW RACE COLOR ED SC $9.99 SCH 35 3.67 GTO VOL 25 GN (OF 25) (MR) $9.99 TKP 36 3.66 AUTHORITY HUMAN ON THE INSIDE SC (MR) $17.99 DC 37 3.47 TEEN TITANS GO VOL 3 BRING IT ON TP $6.99 DC 38 3.43 DOCTOR SPECTRUM FULL SPECTRUM TP (MR) $16.99 MAR 39 3.42 MARVEL KNIGHTS 4 VOL 3 DIVINE TIME TP $14.99 MAR 40 3.41 APPLESEED VOL 1 (MR) $12.99 DC 41 3.31 AVENGERS WEST COAST VISION QUEST TP $24.99 MAR 42 3.07 CHRONO CRUSADE MANGA VOL 6 TP $9.99 ADV 43 2.99 BATMAN YEAR 1 DELUXE EDITION HC $19.99 DC 44 2.95 BATMAN HUSH VOL 1 TP $12.95 DC 45 2.92 FUSHIGI YUGI GENBU KAIDEN VOL 1 TP $8.99 VIZ 46 2.92 PLOT SECRET STORY O/PROTOCOLS O/T ELDERS O/ZION $19.95 WW 47 2.89 SGT ROCK ARCHIVES VOL 3 HC $49.99 DC 48 2.79 YOTSUBA MANGA VOL 2 TP $9.99 ADV 49 2.76 FREAKS O/T HEARTLAND TP $17.95 DAR 50 2.76 ONE PIECE VOL 7 GN $7.95 VIZ 51 2.68 INVINCIBLE VOL 1 ULTIMATE COLL HC $34.95 IMA 52 2.66 ELFQUEST THE GRAND QUEST VOL 9 TP $9.99 DC 53 2.66 ASPEN EXTENDED ED $5.99 ASP 54 2.59 PROMETHEA BOOK 5 HC $24.99 DC 55 2.58 FULL METAL PANIC MANGA VOL 8 TP $9.99 ADV 56 2.57 SAIYUKI RELOAD VOL 1 GN (OF 4) (MR) $9.99 TKP 57 2.56 TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN HOW TO BE HAPPY TP $12.95 DAR 58 2.53 BATMAN HUSH VOL 2 TP $12.99 DC 59 2.50 F MILLER SIN CITY VOL 1 HARD GOODBYE 2ND TP $17.00 DAR 60 2.47 SAMURAI DEEPER KYO VOL 15 GN (OF 27) (MR) $9.99 TKP 61 2.46 SPIDER-MAN HUMAN TORCH IM WITH STUPID DIG. $7.99 MAR 62 2.45 INITIAL D VOL 19 GN (OF 29) $9.99 TKP 63 2.36 HOT GIMMICK VOL 9 TP $9.99 VIZ 64 2.30 DOT HACK SIGN AI BUSTER NOVEL $7.99 TKP 65 2.29 FUSHIGI YUGI VOL 15 GN $9.95 VIZ 66 2.25 MARVEL MASTERWORKS X-MEN VOL 5 NEW ED HC $49.99 MAR 67 2.22 WALKING DEAD VOL 3 SAFETY BEHIND BARS TP $12.95 IMA 68 2.15 BATMAN DARK KNIGHT RETURNS TP $14.95 DC 69 2.14 WIZARD BEST O/BASIC TRAINING DLX TP $29.99 WIZ 70 2.14 SUPERMAN BATMAN VOL 1 PUBLIC ENEMIES TP $12.99 DC 71 2.12 SCRAPPED PRINCESS VOL 1 GN (OF 3) $9.99 TKP 72 2.11 WALKING DEAD VOL 1 DAYS GONE BYE TP (MR) $9.95 IMA 73 2.05 GRAVITATION VOL 12 GN (OF 12) (MR) $9.99 TKP 74 2.04 THING FREAKSHOW TP $17.99 MAR 75 2.03 KINETIC TP $9.99 DC 76 1.99 MARVEL MASTERWORKS X-MEN V5 HC VARIANT ED $54.99 MAR 77 1.99 BLAME VOL 1 GN (OF 10) (MR) $9.99 TKP 78 1.97 SUIKODEN III VOL 7 GN (OF 8) $9.99 TKP 79 1.95 GIRL GOT GAME VOL 10 GN (OF 10) $9.99 TKP 80 1.93 KARE KANO VOL 16 GN (OF 18) $9.99 TKP 81 1.92 YU GI OH DUELIST VOL 6 TP $7.95 VIZ 82 1.85 SGT FROG VOL 9 GN (OF 10) $9.99 TKP 83 1.83 DESCENDANTS O/DARKNESS VOL 6 GN $9.99 VIZ 84 1.82 RIDE VOL 1 TP $9.99 IMA 85 1.82 BILL & TEDS MOST EXCELLENT ADVENTURES V2 $13.95 SLG 86 1.81 MODEL VOL 7 GN (OF 7) $9.99 TKP 87 1.78 RIZELMINE GN $9.99 TKP 88 1.78 STRYKEFORCE TP $16.99 IMA 89 1.78 WATCHMEN TP $19.99 DC 90 1.73 IS VOL 2 GN $7.99 VIZ 91 1.73 DAMPYR #4 NOCTURNE IN RED $7.99 IDW 92 1.71 DEAD WEST VOL 1 GN $14.95 TEE 93 1.68 ALL NEW TENCHI MUYO VOL 6 TP $8.95 VIZ 94 1.67 REBIRTH VOL 15 GN (OF 18) $9.99 TKP 95 1.67 WALKING DEAD VOL 2 MILES BEHIND US TP (MR) $12.95 IMA 96 1.66 CUTE MANIFESTO TP $19.95 ALT 97 1.65 RAVE MASTER VOL 16 GN (OF 29) $9.99 TKP 98 1.65 CROMARTIE HIGH SCHOOL MANGA VOL 3 TP $10.95 ADV 99 1.64 JOHNNY HOMICIDAL MANIAC DIRECTORS CUT SC $19.95 SLG 100 1.63 X-FORCE SHATTERSTAR TP $16.99 MAR TOP 50 MANGA Rank Title Price Pub 1 DEAD BOY DETECTIVES DIGEST (MR) $9.99 DC 2 FRUITS BASKET VOL 11 GN (OF 14) $9.99 TKP 3 BERSERK VOL 8 TP (MR) $13.95 DAR 4 TIM BURTONS NBX MANGA GN $8.99 WAR 5 TSUBASA VOL 6 GN $10.95 RAN 6 OH MY GODDESS VOL 21 TP $10.95 DAR 7 GTO VOL 25 GN (OF 25) (MR) $9.99 TKP 8 APPLESEED VOL 1 (MR) $12.99 DC 9 CHRONO CRUSADE MANGA VOL 6 TP $9.99 ADV 10 FUSHIGI YUGI GENBU KAIDEN VOL 1 TP $8.99 VIZ 11 YOTSUBA MANGA VOL 2 TP $9.99 ADV 12 ONE PIECE VOL 7 GN $7.95 VIZ 13 FULL METAL PANIC MANGA VOL 8 TP $9.99 ADV 14 SAIYUKI RELOAD VOL 1 GN (OF 4) (MR) $9.99 TKP 15 SAMURAI DEEPER KYO VOL 15 GN (OF 27) (MR) $9.99 TKP 16 INITIAL D VOL 19 GN (OF 29) $9.99 TKP 17 HOT GIMMICK VOL 9 TP $9.99 VIZ 18 DOT HACK SIGN AI BUSTER NOVEL $7.99 TKP 19 FUSHIGI YUGI VOL 15 GN $9.95 VIZ 20 SCRAPPED PRINCESS VOL 1 GN (OF 3) $9.99 TKP 21 GRAVITATION VOL 12 GN (OF 12) (MR) $9.99 TKP 22 BLAME VOL 1 GN (OF 10) (MR) $9.99 TKP 23 SUIKODEN III VOL 7 GN (OF 8) $9.99 TKP 24 GIRL GOT GAME VOL 10 GN (OF 10) $9.99 TKP 25 KARE KANO VOL 16 GN (OF 18) $9.99 TKP 26 SGT FROG VOL 9 GN (OF 10) $9.99 TKP 27 DESCENDANTS O/DARKNESS VOL 6 GN $9.99 VIZ 28 MODEL VOL 7 GN (OF 7) $9.99 TKP 29 RIZELMINE GN $9.99 TKP 30 ALL NEW TENCHI MUYO VOL 6 TP $8.95 VIZ 31 REBIRTH VOL 15 GN (OF 18) $9.99 TKP 32 CROMARTIE HIGH SCHOOL MANGA VOL 3 TP $10.95 ADV 33 RAVE MASTER VOL 16 GN (OF 29) $9.99 TKP 34 VIDEO GIRL AI VOL 12 TP $9.99 VIZ 35 GENSHIKEN VOL 2 GN (MR) $10.95 RAN 36 YELLOW VOL 1 GN (MR) $12.95 DIG 37 SAIKANO VOL 5 GN (MR) $9.95 VIZ 38 VAMPIRE GAME VOL 12 GN (OF 14) $9.99 TKP 39 HUNTER X HUNTER VOL 3 TP $7.99 VIZ 40 FULL MOON VOL 1 TP $8.99 VIZ 41 TOKYO BOYS & GIRLS VOL 1 TP $8.99 VIZ 42 BASTARD VOL 8 TP (MR) $9.99 VIZ 43 CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON VOL 11 GN $13.95 HK 44 SNOW DROP VOL 10 GN (OF 12) (MR) $9.99 TKP 45 HTDM GETTING STARTED $19.99 JCL 46 ULTRA MANIAC VOL 1 TP $8.99 VIZ 47 LAMENT O/T LAMB VOL 7 GN (OF 7) $9.99 TKP 48 CHEEKY ANGEL VOL 7 GN $9.95 VIZ 49 LAND O/T BLINDFOLDED VOL 4 $9.99 DC 50 TRAMPS LIKE US VOL 6 GN (OF 10) (MR) $9.99 TKP _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [12] New Comic Book Releases List [NCRL] by Charles LePage chuck@comiclist.com http://www.comiclist.com New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, 8/24/2005, compiled by Charles LePage with information from Suncoast Comics. This is the *preliminary* list and is not complete. The completed list is posted weekly, usually Tuesday evening, at http://www.comiclist.com and other places. You can receive this list each Tuesday via email by following the instructions at the web site, or you can email NCRL-subscribe@egroups.com PLEASE NOTE- Not all of these titles will actually arrive in all stores. Let CHARLES know if any of the names or numbers are wrong. chuck@comiclist.com (Charles LePage) PUBLISHERS: If you know when your comics are going to be available through Diamond, please email chuck@comiclist.com so that he can place your comics on the appropriately dated list. Thanks! "TPB" = "trade paperback". "GN" = "graphic novel". "AA" = "available again". "SC" = "softcover". "HC" = "hardcover". "S/N" = "signed/numbered". "AR" = "ask retailer about price". PUBLISHER TITLE, ISSUE NUMBER, PRICE IN U.S. DOLLARS DARK HORSE COMICS Super Manga Blast #54, $5.99 DC COMICS Albion #3 (Of 6), $2.99 Authority Revolution Book 1 TPB, $14.99 Batman #644 $2.50 Batman Jekyll And Hyde #5 (Of 6), $2.99 Cartoon Network Block Party #12 $2.25 Catwoman Wild Ride TPB, $14.99 City Of Tomorrow #5 (Of 6), $2.99 Day Of Vengeance #5 (Of 6), $2.50 Hellblazer #211, $2.75 History Of Violence New TPB New Edition, $9.99 Jack Cross #1, $2.50 JSA Classified #2, $2.50 Legion Of Super Heroes #9, $2.99 Mad About The Fifties TPB New Edition, $12.99 Nightwing #109, $2.50 Otherworld #6 (Of 12), $2.99 Robin #141, $2.50 Superman The Man Of Steel Vol 4 TPB $19.99 Tom Strong #34, $2.99 IMAGE COMICS Expatriate #3, $2.95 MARVEL COMICS Arana Vol 2 In The Beginning Digest TPB, $7.99 Black Panther #7, $2.99 Daredevil #76, $2.99 Daredevil Vs Punisher #3 (Of 6), $2.99 Fantastic Four #530 $2.99 Hulk Destruction #2 (Of 4), $2.99 Machine Teen #4 (Of 5), $2.99 Marvel Heroes Flip Magazine #3, $3.99 Marvel Knights Spider-Man #17, $2.99 Marvel Select Flip Magazine #3, $3.99 Mega Morphs #2 (Of 4), $2.99 New X-Men #17, $2.99 Nightcrawler #9 $2.99 Spellbinders #6 (Of 6), $2.99 Ultimate X-Men Annual #1, $3.99 Wolverine #31, $2.50 WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT Wizard Anime Insider Fall Tv Preview Cvr #24, $5.99 assorted Archie & Friends #94, $2.25 Archie Digest #219, $2.39 Banana Sundays #2 (Of 4), $2.99 Comic Shop News #949, AR Comics Journal #270 $9.95 Firefighter Daigo Of Fire Company M Vol 12 TPB, $9.95 From Far Away Vol 6 GN, $9.99 Fushigi Yugi Vol 13 TPB, $9.95 GI Joe Americas Elite #2, $2.95 Game Trade Magazine #67, AR Gloomcookie #24, $2.95 Inu Yasha Vol 23 TPB, $8.95 Inu Yasha Vol 9 2nd Ed TPB, $8.95 Lethargic Lad Jumbo Sized Annual #3 $3.99 Little Star #4 (Of 6), $2.99 Mar Vol 3 GN, $7.99 Newtype Eng Ed W/ DVD Sep 2005, $12.98 Please Save My Earth Vol 12 TPB, $9.99 Previews Vol XV #9, AR Queen & Country Declassified Vol 2 #2, $2.99 Queen & Country Declassified Vol 3 #3 (Of 3), $2.99 Red River Vol 8 GN, $9.99 Simpsons Comics #109, $2.99 Strangers In Paradise Vol 4 Pocket TPB, $17.95 Tuxedo Gin Vol 13 TPB, $9.99 Uncle Scrooge #345, $6.95 W Juliet Vol 6 GN, $9.99 Walt Disneys Comics & Stories #660, $6.95 ComicList for the foreseeable future... TITLE OLD NEW DC COMICS Adventures of Superman #643 08/17 08/31 DC Special: The Return of Donna Troy #4 08/24 09/14 Ex Machina #14 08/17 08/31 Flash #225 08/24 08/31 JSA #77 09/08 09/14 Superman/Batman #22 08/31 09/08 Teen Titans/Outsiders Secret Files 2005 08/31 09/08 MARVEL COMICS Araña: Heart of the Spider #8 08/24 09/07 Astonishing X-Men #12 08/17 08/31 Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2: Dangerous TP 08/31 09/14 Captain America #10 08/31 09/21 Captain America #11 09/28 10/05 Captain America #9 08/10 08/31 Giant Size X-Men #4 08/17 09/07 Kabuki #5 (MR) 08/24 09/07 Marvel Adventures Flip Magazine #3 08/17 08/31 Marvel Adventures Flip Magazine #4 09/14 09/28 Marvel Heroes Flip Magazine #4 09/21 09/28 Marvel Masterworks: Dr. Strange V. 2 HC New/Var. ED 08/24 09/07 Marvel Tales Flip Magazine #3 08/24 09/14 Marvel Visionaries: John Romita Sr. HC 07/27 08/03 Maximum Fantastic Four HC (RES) 11/02 10/26 NYX #7 (MR) 08/31 09/21 New Avengers #10 Reg./Sal Buscema Var. 09/07 09/21 New Avengers #9 Reg./Trimpe Var. 08/24 08/31 Powers #12 Bendis/Oeming Var. Cvrs. (MR) 08/17 08/31 Powers #13 (MR) 08/31 09/14 Powers #14 (MR) 09/14 10/12 Powers #15 (MR) 10/12 11/09 Powers Vol. 1 HC (MR) 07/20 10/26 Stoker's Dracula HC 10/12 10/19 Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #1 08/10 09/07 Ultimate Secret #3 06/08 09/21 Ultimates 2 #8 09/14 09/21 X-Men: Kitty Pryde -- Shadow & Flame #3 08/24 08/31 Young Avengers #6 08/10 08/31 Young Avengers #7 08/31 09/14 Young Avengers #8 09/14 09/28 _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ [13] HYPE! & LINKS Section Various THIS WEEK'S LINKS These are the website URLS to the regular items that are usually here every week or two: World Wide Web Home Page http://members.aol.com/ComicBkNet Yahoo Group CBEM http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ComicBookNetworkEmag Trivia sponsors: Discount Comic Book Service http://www.dcbservice.com That's Entertainment http://www.thatse.com News: Diamond Comics http://www.diamondcomics.com Marvel http://www.Marvel.com DC Comics http://www.dccomics.com The PULSE http://www.comicon.com/pulse/ Comics Continuum http://www.comicscontinuum.com/ Newsarama http://www.Newsarama.com/ X-Fan http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/ The Comic Wire http://www.comicbookresources.com/ ICV2 http://www.ICV2.com The SCOOP! http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/ Alternative Comics http://www.indyworld.com/altcomics All The Rage http://www.SilverBulletComicBooks.com Lying in the Gutters http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/ Columns: New Comics Releases http://www.comiclist.com X-Fan Reviews http://www.comixfan.com/xfan Paul Dale Roberts http://www.jazmaonline.com/ Richard Vasseur http://www.jazmaonline.com/ Michael Vance http://www.starland.com/sus Mark Allen Jonathan A. Gilbert http://www.twmgrafix.com Sarah Haslett http://www.HeroRealm.com http://www.geocities.com/silva_shado Alex Ness http://www.Popthought.com +++++ PREVIEW OF PREVIEWS Diamond has updated their web site for the new PREVIEWS out next week. Writer/Ad Coordinator Vince Brusio is the designated editorial writer for Previews' "The Splash Page" which is our source material Harlequin Romance Goes Manga! Harlequin Romance books have long been a standard for readers eager to immerse themselves in passion, pleasure, and moonlight relationships. Harlequin's paperback novels sweep us up in tales about whirlwhind love affairs, and revelations that can destroy them. Kisses are long. Break-ups are ugly. Phone calls are life lines to landing that perfect somebody. For the longest time - since Harlequins were available - these adventures have only played out in our imaginations. But now that the age of graphic novels has caught up with the successful paperback passions, readers can now put a face to their heroine, and their coveted Romeos. Dark Horse Comics once again shows how it stays on the cutting edge of comics with a Harlequin Romance alliance. This partnership gives comics readers Harlequin Romance stories that are illustrated in the manga medium. Harlequin stories are certain to become even more popular with U.S. readers now that they'll be a part of shoujo entertainment. Harlequin romance stories have already found a home as manga in Japan. Since 1998, hundreds of Harlequin titles have been converted to manga books through the Ohzora Publishing Company. Now Dark Horse's licensing agreement with Harlequin will bring a similar volume of stories to U.S. readers. Two lines of titles will be served up from the Horse: "Harlequin Pink" and "Harlequin Violet." The pink line will be palatable to younger readers, whereas the violet line is better suited to mature readers who want sexier, sensual material. From the Pink line comes the first release titled A Girl in A Million. Written by Betty Neels and illustrated by Kako Itoh, this book centers on a vacation fling that was completely out of character for Carol. She's an old-fashioned girl. She's not the type to just jump on some playboy's yacht for a fast trip to heartbreak. She takes things slow. But her attraction to Marius made her break her own rules, and she finds herself wondering what needs to be done to retain the affections of a sophisticated gentleman. From the Violet line comes the book Response, written by Penny Jordan and illustrated by Takako Hashimoto. This story looks at love in the workplace, and how such emotions while on the clock can make life extremely complicated for Sienna. She may be just a temp, but that doesn't mean she can afford to lose her job! However, her boss is so hot that it makes her act like a school girl. Alex is gorgeous, and a smart, sexy man who is interested in her at the London firm where they both work. Sienna's almost blindsided by his affection, but when she learns there's more to his advances than she first thought, her love for him may not be in her best interests! Look for both of these steamy Harlequin Romance titles in the Dark Horse section of Previews Marvel-After the Storm Dies Not since Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars have we seen such a radioactive dust cloud settle on the shoulders of champions. The "House of M" story was a nuclear meltdown, brought about by events that started with "Avengers: Disassembled." Sure it was going to be a series that was epic in scope, as both the Avengers and X-Men were players in the combat. But did we really expect to see Eric Magnus stop for a photo op at a charity gala with Princess Ororo from Kenya? The two of them are celebrating 30 years of freedom from oppression by Sapiens? Yes. That is how it all played out. A rebellion overthrew the ruling homo sapiens. And the fallout from that explosion gave us a celebrity Spider-Man, an Incredible Hulk that ruled Australia, and a Sentinel police force working for the benefit of mutantkind. But now that all is quiet on the western front, "Decimation: The Aftermath of House of M" is the cleanup crew sent in to put things straight. The following titles will tie into this new Marvel series, so we suggest you grab a paper and pencil to make your own checklist: Wolverine #36, X-Men Deadly Genesis #1, House of M: Day After, X- Factor #1, New Excalibur #1, Generation M #1, Mutopia X #5, New X-Men #20, Uncanny X-Men #466, and X-Men #177 & 178. Look for more information about this huge event in the pages of Marvel Previews! Cool Weather Brings Cooler T-Shirts Usher in the cooler fall weather with these new t-shirts in the Graphitti Designs and Apparel sections! The summer heat may be fading away, but these shirts, packaged in clam shell packaging, are still hot, hot, hot! From Graphitti Designs comes two more of the "World's Finest" T- Shirts featuring classic DC icons. Call on the Dark Knight with the Batman Signal Glow-In-The Dark T-Shirt, while the Daily Planet Press T-Shirt will get you access into all those tough press conferences. From the world of anime and manga come additional InuYasha and Samurai Champloo T-Shirts, featuring Inu and Kagome, and a Champloo collage, respectively. And finally, Shaun of the Dead is back again, but this time as a new T-Shirt featuring Blood & Zombies! Be sure to check out all of these shirts in the Apparel section of Previews! Disney's Rhyme & Reason On November 18, 1928, Mickey Mouse made his first on-screen debut in Steamboat Willie, animated by Walt Disney himself. This cartoon started an institution that was dedicated to the entertainment of children. But at the time, little did Walt Disney know that his cartoon would spawn dozens of characters, and earn millions of fans worldwide. From 1934 to 1944, in response to Disney's overwhelming popularity, Good Housekeeping magazine transformed Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, and Goofy and Pluto cartoons into rollicking, rhyming short stories, each masterfully illustrated by watercolor artists Tom Wood and Hank Porter. These beautifully rendered stories entertained and enchanted audiences for decades. The time has come for history to repeat itself, as all 124 of these legendary stories are finally collected into both a coffee- table sized limited edition hardcover and softcover. This tome of history features an impressive art dust jacket. Adding to the goodie list, The Mickey & The Gang Classic Stories in Verse offers hundreds of rare cartoon story sketches by Carl Barks and other famous Disney artists. Additionally, the book also contains a wealth of contemporary Disney animation art and ephemera, as well as never-before reprinted Floyd Gottfredson comics, rare Mickey merchandise and more. With over 80 years of lavish history, Mickey & The Gang Classic Stories in Verse is a must-have for all fans of Walt Disney's original cartoon characters. Now a new generation of fans can experience the historical Good Housekeeping stories that have been out of print for decades! Be sure to look for it under the Gemstone banner in the Comics section of Previews! Batman Concludes! The film that revitalized DC Comics' superhero film franchise, Batman Begins, finally hits the DVD market this November, packed with incredible extras! Gone is the camp. This is the Batman film that gives fans a "Year One" look into what drives a man to become a legend. Director Christopher Nolan and writer David Goyer not only brought fans the long-awaited return of the Dark Knight, but provided a real-world element that drove the story into our neighborhood. Featuring a compelling story, believable characters and situations, and truly frightening villains who actually live to fight another day, Batman Begins is what a superhero film was meant to be: a punch in the face while you munch on some popcorn. Christian Bale flexes his acting muscles as he plays three different characters throughout the film (the billionaire playboy, the brooding orphan, and the Dark Knight Detective). Cillian Murphy is just as creepy as Dr. Crane as he is when he becomes the Scarecrow. Along with the amazing supporting cast, the film ultimately leaves fans with only one thing on their minds: sequel! Marvel Offers Board Game You can now take control of the Marvel Universe and re-create the amazing adventures of its characters with the Marvel Heroes Board Game! Beginning in Manhattan and moving on into major locations around the Marvel U, like Latveria, Atlantis, and the dreadful Negative Zone, each player controls simultaneously one super-hero and an evil mastermind like Dr. Doom or Magneto. Plot, conquer, defend, or destroy. You're in control! The possibilities for urban destruction are endless. Discover new allies and old enemies; save citizens and lead evil henchmen; all the while preventing the super-villains from fulfilling their insidious plans. Combining the fun of the Marvel comics with the strategy of traditional board games, the Marvel Heroes Board Game looks to be the ultimate comic gaming experience. Showcasing major Marvel heroes like Wolverine and Spider-Man, as well as teams like The Fantastic Four and The X-Men, each of the 20 characters featured in the game is represented by a detailed, fully-painted, 40 millimeter plastic figure, and an accompanying character card describing the character's special abilities and powers. Be sure to check out the Marvel fun from Fantasy Flight Games in the Games section of Previews! The Long Road Traveled by the Big "I" Four men united to create a comics company that they thought would revolutionize the industry. They were young, bright, and hungry individuals who felt that the best way to publish their works was to do it themselves. These creators went by the names of Eric Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino. You know them now as the men behind Image Comics. In 1991, Marvel knew them as the men who rocked the boat. But the die was cast, and the industry was about to be introduced by a comics company that would to do things different. And to this day, over a decade later, the big "I" is still doing things differently. But what a long strange trip it's been. A lot of history has piled up on a shelf since titles like Spawn and Savage Dragon hit the comic stores. Wouldn't it be nice to see the travel log? If you pick up the Image Comics HC, you'll get the grand tour of what happened over at the big "I," and where it took the company for the 21st century. Image took off at the race track because it had guys that didn't care about what sold better with acetate covers. They knew that their books would be hot because they had passion. And this new prestige hardcover shows the fire is still burning for the four remaining Image founders. For starters, Larsen, McFarlane, Silvestri, and Valentino return to the characters that made them sensations, and deliver all-new stories and artwork for the Image Comics HC. The book also features the never-before-seen origin of Savage Dragon, as well as Todd McFarlane's first full-length comics work in nearly 10 years. Readers can expect a story focusing on a turning point in the afterlife of Spawn. Plus, discover the final fate of CyberForce; and learn what lies in the future for ShadowHawk! All of this bang for your buck includes an exclusive introduction by former Image Executive Director and legendary Beanworld creator, Larry Marder! Look for the Image Comics HC in the Premiere section of Previews! The Catch of the Day! The graphic novel Night Fisher by R. Kikuo Johnson is a bird's eye view of life between adolescence and adulthood. It is a book about the rite of passage that men and women alike experience every day, in every country. But Kikuo's vivid accounts of the bumps in the road are what separates Night Fisher from fuzzy recollections of wild nights, and hot and crazy days. It's one thing to draw from memory; it's another to draw from snapshots. Night Fisher could be compared to a photo essay of Loren Foster's life. The details revealed about the end of high school, or the friend that's now distant are 35mm evidence about confusion, uncertainty, and frustration. How does one find the confidence to match or exceed his parents' quality of living when he doesn't have control of his life? Johnson doesn't get sentimental about Foster's immaturity, but rather takes a mature perspective on the loss of innocence, and frames it within the relationships of several characters. This is slice-of-life writing that's poignant. A boy's day out to walk on the railroad tracks. The Night Fisher GN is published by Fantagraphics, and can be found in the Comics section of Previews! When Toys Talk! The worse fate that can befall a child's toy can be debated for hours. Because the possibilities are endless. Steel pins could be stuck in the toys neck, electric wires could re re-routed from a train set to those pins, and bang! Instant evil scientist laboratory. From behind a bedroom door, a mad scream demands from the heavens, "Give my creation, liiiife!" But what could be worse than this kind of terror? Disinterest. Indifference. A sentence of banishment to under-the-bed purgatory. Dust bunnies are your neighbors. Your only salvation is the parent who collects you for the garage sale on Saturday. But such a fate is not in store for Jack and his box, stuck beneath the bed with other castaway toys. A malevolent spirit is set loose upon the world of make-believe, and it threatens the life of Thomas - the boy who has discarded Jack and his fellow toys the Monkey, the Nutcracker, and the Snow Angel. Despite their pain from neglect, these toys choose to rise against the spirit, the Plucker, and defend Thomas from its malevolent intentions. And in the process of mounting their defense, Jack begins learning that there are worse fates that can befall a toy besides being neglected. This dark fantasy comes alive in the Brom: Plucker HC available in the Books section! Red Sonja: Road Warrior! The red-haired lass with plenty of steel for your belly is featured in a new one-shot book from Dynamite Entertainment. This intense special is written and drawn by the red hot UDON Studio creators, currently re-launching the popular Street Fighter series. In Red Sonja Goes East, Sonja heads eastward to the fabled city of Khitai on a mission of mercy. Sonja's sword should help carry some weight should there be intense negotiations. But Sonja does not realize when she hits the road that her sword will not help her so much as her good looks and shapely figure! Sonja, it seems, is just as good for a life of love as much as a life of bloodshed. The hellcat is recruited into a harem, and its not long before she becomes embroiled in untimely palace intrigue! Has life changed for Sonja? Will she hang up the scabbard for silk nightgowns and baths by buckets of fruit and wine? Will her individuality matter little in a group only interested in unlawful carnal knowledge? Possibilities are endless. And who can say for sure how Red Sonja will react to being seen as a sex object? Hopefully, the pleasures of the flesh won't take away Sonja's willingness to cut it! After all, Sonja's at her best when she's doing her worst! Look for Red Sonja Goes East in the Comics section of Previews! Vampirella Back To Square One She's been around since the old Warren magazines. She was shaking her booty back in 1969 when horror mags like Creepy and Eerie had comics fans salivating over the new breed of tease and terror. But we've never gotten close enough to the roots of Vampirella's origin to really know what makes the chick tick, and why she's clueless about the nature of her own beginning. In a scheduled 12-issue series, Vampirella: Revelations is slated to answer long pondered questions that began in the old black and white mags, and continued through glossy four-colored page comics. While still decorated with dazzling visuals, the storyline will rely heavily on character development and plot. Revelations intends to do what is implied in the title: pull back the curtain, and show you the secret behind magic tricks. Such storytelling is welcome, and deserved! Many a Vampi fan has been waiting for real truth to surface about the sexy bloodsucker. Devotion should be rewarded, and it appears that Lucifer scribe Mike Carey has been given the green light to give readers the payoff. Look for Vampirella: Revelations #1 from Anarchy Studios/Harris Comics in the Comics section of Previews! The Agency Back in Business! What was old is new again, as IDW brings Maze Agency #1 back into the comic shops for readers who may have missed out on the classic series. The new series by writer Mike W. Barr features the adventures of private eye Jennifer Mays and her boyfriend/true-crime writer/amateur sleuth Gabriel Webb. They have what some would call a Remington Steele relationship: the two grew increasingly closer as the danger zone got hotter. The cases they worked on were never "dunkers" - all crime scenes were "whodunits." A homicide team's nightmare. However, the crime stories in Maze Agency give the reader "play fair" mysteries, in that all of the clues that Mays and Webb use to solve their cases are right in front of you. It's methodical detective work, similar to the sort of thing you would see in Ellery Queen. Look for Maze Agency #1 from IDW Publishing in the Comics section of Previews! Is It A Wonderful Life? Brian Wood goes the Frank Capra route with his 12-issue series, Local. The focus for the series is life-changing choices for ordinary people, and how choices have repercussions for all those involved in the life of an individual. Much like we were able to see the ripples in George Bailey's life when he opted not to be born in It's A Wonderful Life, so we too see the holes Megan McKeenan makes when she makes a crucial split-second decision about her future. Look for Local #1 from Oni Press in the Comics section of Previews! The ABC's of Japanese Dialect If you have more interest in Japanese culture outside of your mecha collection and bookshelf full of manga, we suggest you check out the Kanji De Manga Special Box Set that uses original manga artwork to teach students how to read and write Japanese. There's no need to audit a class at a community college when you can pour through three books that introduce you to hiragana and katakana (the "ABCs" of Japanese). Learn the basics on how to communicate with your Asian friends, courtesy of this instructional gift that comes with a colorful holiday greeting card. Look for it in International! HeroClix Move into the House of M The Marvel HeroClix: Armor Wars Booster Pack from Wizkids begins the future of HeroClix! Dramatically changed ratios mean that Armor Wars is two times easier to collect than any other HeroClix set, and full-set collectors end up with 78 percent fewer duplicates! Armor Wars features classic Iron Man heroes and villains, rounds out the members of Alpha Flight, and introduces four characters from Marvel's 2005 event - The House of M! Be sure to check this out in the Games section of Previews! A Desperate Diversion Sean has lost yet another job and is desperate. With no hope left, he decides to end it all. Just when he's about to jump off a bridge, Dave and Tim stop him and offer him a deal to be the diversion they need to pull off a robbery. If Sean's performance is up to par, his family gets a share of the loot. So who says that life isn't full of surprises - even if it does mean a dance with the devil? With art from Eric J and Jimmy Palmiotti, be sure to check out Free Fall #1 from Narwain Publishing in the Comics section of Previews! Teen Titans Tome Can you believe it's been 25 years since the New Teen Titans first hit the scene? Most notably, they were the talk of the town when Marv Wolfman and George Perez put the teen superheroes in the path of the wrecking ball. But there's such a rich history behind the super team, any attempt at an all-inclusive history would be a daunting task for any devoted fan. But Twomorrows Publishing did the homework, and came up with The Titans Companion Volume 1 SC to help celebrated the 25th anniversary. Inside are a series of interviews with creators, a comprehensive Silver Age section, and more. Check it out in the Comics section! Close Encounters of the Troubling Kind! In the small town of Jericho, Texas, a yearly phenomenon known as the Jericho Lights brings tourists and UFO enthusiasts from miles around to catch a glimpse of the unknown. The hope is to see an image like so many pictures posted on the Internet, in books, in magazines. On the eve of this year's light show, 19- year-old Zaya Vahn wanders into town. Last seen 3 years earlier, her re-emergence is made stranger by the fact that she's traumatized. And certain people want her to stay that way. Secrets that she carries could make many conspiracy theories look credible! Look for The Black Harvest #1 from Devil's Due Publishing in the Comics section of Previews! Convention Calendar As a service to you, the dedicated Previews reader, we offer this rundown of upcoming events and conventions. GenCon Indy - Indianapolis, IN August 18-21 Canadian National Comic Book Expo - Toronto, Canada August 26-28 Baltimore Comicon - Baltimore, Maryland September 16-17 +++++ Top Shelf News: Tricked, The King, & Spiral-Bound Hit Stores Hey Comics Fans, All seven of the big Top Shelf summer releases have just hit stores, and we want to make sure you know about 'em. Please pick them up at your local retailer, but if you can't find them there, for the next 10 days (until Wed August 24th) we're offering free shipping (for US customers) at the Top Shelf website. All this, plus a Super F*ckers Theme Song and our upcoming October releases, detailed below: ******************************************************* HOT OFF THE PRESS! ******************************************************* TRICKED by Alex Robinson http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=222 From the Eisner award-winning creator of BOX OFFICE POISON (voted by Wizard magazine as the best indy graphic novel of all time), comes the highly anticipated original graphic novel, TRICKED. Four years in development and clocking in at 352-pages, Alex Robinson, "the master of true-to-life relationship drama" (Library Journal), has created another tour de force. TRICKED follows the lives of six people -- a reclusive rock legend, a heartbroken waitress, a counterfeiter, an obsessive crank, a lost daughter, and a backstabbing lover -- whose lives are unconnected until an act of violence brings them spiraling in on each other. Combining intriguing characters with a story structure that is both complex and innovative, TRICKED is not to be missed! -- $19.95 (US), 352 pages, Graphic Novel, ISBN 1-891830-73-2, Diamond: JUN053269 Also Available, the: TRICKED (Hardcover Edition) http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=505 BOX OFFICE POISON by Alex Robinson http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=2 Sporting a brand new cover, the award-winning and long-out-of- print BOX OFFICE POISON is back! This 608-page epic story of Sherman, Dorothy, Ed, Stephen, Jane, and Mr. Flavor is a true comics masterpiece. Alex Robinson's completely natural and inspiring knack for dialogue makes this story of dreary jobs, comic books, love, sex, messy apartments, girlfriends (and the lack thereof), undisclosed pasts, and crusty old professionals one of the most delightful and whimsical graphic novels to hit the stands in years. -- $29.95 (US), 608 pages, Graphic Novel, ISBN 1-891830-19-8, Diamond: STAR13562 Also Available, the: BOX OFFICE POISON (Hardcover Edition) http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=506 THE KING by Rich Koslowski http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=433 From the award-winning creator of Three Fingers, comes an all- new, pop culture adventure/mystery. The King is an offbeat tale of one very enigmatic Elvis impersonator who's taking the Vegas strip, and the world, by storm. Shrouded in mystery with the shining gold helmet that covers his face, The King's performances are so mesmerizing that fans are starting to believe he really is Elvis Presley. Through investigative reporting and a series of thought-provoking interviews, a former tabloid journalist makes it his personal mission to find out The King's true identity. But in his race to debunk The King's latest comeback, he discovers much more than he bargained for. -- $19.95 (US), 264 pgs, 2-Color Graphic Novel, ISBN 1-891830-65-1, Diamond: MAY053049 Also Available, the: THE KING (Hardcover Edition) http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=507 SPIRAL-BOUND by Aaron Renier http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=295 "Brilliant!" -- Dav Pilkey, Author of Captain Underpants "Aaron Renier's Spiral-Bound is exactly the sort of novel I have been looking for." -- Lemony Snicket With an ensemble cast straight from a box of Animal Crackers, this delightful tale of ambition, morality, and self-discovery is the first major work by extraordinary newcomer Aaron Renier. Drawn in a decidedly beautiful fashion, reminiscent of Richard Scary and Lewis Trondheim, Renier has given us a fully-realized and compellingly adventurous narrative, at once both achingly naive and profoundly worldly. A remarkable debut. -- $14.95 (US), 184 pages, Graphic Novel, ISBN 1-891830-50-3, Diamond: JUN053272 AEIOU by Jeffrey Brown http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=464 Originally printed as a limited edition with hand drawn covers, Top Shelf presents the final chapter of Jeffrey Brown's so-called 'Girlfriend Trilogy." AEIOU continues to explore the subtleties of relationships explored in CLUMSY and UNLIKELY, concentrating this time on the differences between knowing and loving someone, invoking the reader's relationship with the book as a parallel to being involved with someone. The story is told with Brown's trademark expressive drawings and juxtaposition of humor and heartache. -- $12.00 (US), 224 pages, Graphic Novel, ISBN 1- 891830-71-6, Diamond: APR053183 THE SURROGATES #1 (of 5) by Robert Venditti & Brett Weldele http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=416 The year is 2054, and life has been reduced to a data feed. The fusing of virtual reality and cybernetics has ushered in the era of the surrogate, a new technology that lets users interact with the world without ever leaving their homes. It's a perfect world, and it's up to Detectives Harvey Greer and Pete Ford of the Metro Police Department to keep it that way. But to do so they'll need to stop a techno-terrorist bent on returning society to a time when people lived their lives instead of merely experiencing them. Welcome to The Surrogates, a daring, five- issue, full-color miniseries. -- $2.95 (US), 32 pages, Full-Color Comic Book, Diamond: MAY053045 SUPER F*CKERS #1 by James Kochalka http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=446 No, it's NOT a sex book! The Super F*ckers are the baddest teenage superhero team around, and everybody wants to join. They live in a big clubhouse, play video games on their state-of-the- art supercomputer, smoke their teammate Grotus' slime drippings, and fight amongst themselves like cats and dogs. Would-be heroes are lining up outside the door for a chance to try-out for a spot on the elite team. But why must they incessantly keep ringing the doorbell? The try-outs aren't until tomorrow. Somebody's got to stop them. This book is outrageously funny, vibrantly colored, and out of control. Just like America. An all-new series from James Kochalka. -- $7.00 (US), 32 pages, Full-Color Comic Book, Diamond: MAR053221 ******************************************************* SUPER F*CKERS THEME SONG! ******************************************************* For fans of Super F*ckers, you might want to check out James Kochalka Superstar's all new Super F*ckers THEME SONG (courtesy of Rykodisc). Just click here and download the MP3: http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=446 ******************************************************* IN PREVIEWS NOW! (For Books Shipping To Stores In October) ******************************************************* CONVERSATION #2 by Jeffrey Brown & James Kochalka http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=502 In this issue, James Kochalka goes up against rising indy-comics star, Jeffrey Brown. The two cartoonists draw together, exchanging pages back and forth, and trade metaphorical jabs in a discussion that quickly devolves into an argument, which quickly devolves into a brawl about art and comics and the role such things play in our lives. See Jeffrey Brown turn into a city- destroying giant! See James Kochalka slap Jeffrey silly with a disgusting mop. Discussing art & life has never been more action- packed, or funnier. -- $4.95 (US), 48 pages, Comic Book, Diamond: AUG053226 SUPER F*CKERS #2 by James Kochalka http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=496 SuperDan and his sidekick Percy are lost in Dimension Zero, which is a pretty boring place if you're invulnerable like SuperDan. Unfortunately, Percy is not invulnerable at all, and it's killing him. Meanwhile, back on earth, the rest of the team is busy trying to spy on each other in the shower, protecting their soda from mysterious attackers, and converting to Christianity. Do they have to cuss so much? Yeah, they do. -- $5.00 (US), 24 pages, Full-Color Comic Book, Diamond: AUG053230 ******************************************************* ******************************************************* Your friend thru comics, Chris Staros Top Shelf Productions PO Box 1282 Marietta, GA 30061-1282 USA chris@topshelfcomix.com http://www.topshelfcomix.com +++++ DC COMICS NOVEMBER 2005 SOLICITATIONS Direct from DC Comics, here are the publisher's solicitation copies and preview images for books which are due to ship in November 2005, pre-solicitations for books due to ship in December 2005, retro-solicted books for September 2005 as well as DC Direct items due to ship in October and March 2006, and April 2006. BATMAN BATMAN AND THE MONSTER MEN #1 Written by Matt Wagner Art and cover by Wagner Matt Wagner takes the Dark Knight through his sophomore season in this 6-issue miniseries! Batman has spent his first year fighting organized crime - but nothing thus far in his early career as the Caped Crusader has prepared him for the new menace facing Gotham: super-powered villains! This is the first of two planned Wagner miniseries featuring Batman, each under the heading "Dark Moon Rising." On sale November 16 . 1 of 6 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US Edited by Bob Schreck BATMAN #647 Written by Judd Winick Art by Doug Mahnke & Tom Nguyen Cover by Jock The Villains United want a piece of Gotham, and Black Mask is just the man to deliver it to them. Batman has his hands full defending the city - but before he can neutralize Deathstroke and company, Red Hood is going to take matters into his own hands! On sale November 30 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #71 Written by A.J. Lieberman Art by Al Barrionuevo & Bit Cover by Claudio Castellini Alfred Pennyworth is about to be arrested for murder, Hush is one step from discovering the secrets behind the Clayfaces' powers, and Batman's last hope is locked away in a tiny corner of Arkham. A nasty surprise is waiting for the Dark Knight, and Alfred's role in the murder is revealed! On sale Nov 23 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #197 Written by Will Pfeifer Art and cover by Chris Weston Part 1 of the 3-part "Blaze of Glory" by Will Pfeifer (Catwoman) and Chris Weston (The Filth)! A criminal with something to prove stalks Batman. But despite the crook's lack of resources, he proves to be not merely elusive, but deadly to the Dark Knight - and all of Gotham! On sale Nov 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US DETECTIVE COMICS #813 Written by David Lapham Art by Ramon Bachs & Nathan Massengill Cover by Lapham The penultimate chapter of the 12-part "City of Crime!" Bruce Wayne forgoes cape and cowl to investigate the mysteries of Gotham's seediest neighborhood: Crown Point. Plus, Gordon's back to help Robin uncover the Ventriloquist's secrets...only Scarface ain't talkin'. On sale Nov 2 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BATMAN: GOTHAM COUNTY LINE #2 Written by Steve Niles Art and cover by Scott Hampton The 3-issue Prestige Format miniseries written by horror master Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) with art by Scott Hampton (Batman: Night Cries) continues! What started as an investigation into a bizarre series of murders takes a more wicked turn as Batman is thrown into the most horrific case of his career - outside his usual territory, in the Gotham suburbs! On sale November 2 . 2 of 3 . Prestige Format . 48 pg, FC, $5.99 US BATMAN: JOURNEY INTO KNIGHT #4 Written by Andrew Helfer Art by Tan Eng Huat Cover by Pat Lee The amazing maxiseries heats up as the mysterious Carrier continues to spread his lethal plague on Gotham! Batman's on his trail, but too bad there are other people in the city with bigger plans for the Carrier - and for his deadly power! On sale Nov 16 . 4 of 12 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BATGIRL #70 Written by Andersen Gabrych Art by Pop Mhan & Jesse Delperdang Cover by Tim Sale The dramatic conclusion of "Destruction's Daughter!" It's a battle royal in the Balkan palace of the deceased Ra's al Ghul between Batgirl, Mr. Freeze, Lady Shiva, Nyssa, the League of Assassins, an army of zombies - and that's not the half of it! On sale Nov 23 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US CATWOMAN #49 Written by Will Pfeifer Art by Pete Woods Cover by Adam Hughes Catwoman's infiltration of a super-villain clique has blown up in her face, and she's got the wounds to prove it. But while the forces of mayhem look for more blood to spill, they've unknowingly attracted the attention of Black Mask! Just wait 'til you see the surprise waiting on page 22! On sale Nov 23 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US GOTHAM CENTRAL #37 Written by Greg Rucka Art by Steve Lieber Cover by Sean Phillips An Infinite Crisis tie-in guest-starring Captain Marvel with art by Steve Lieber (Whiteout)! When a catastrophic cosmic event occurs over Gotham, the detectives discover just what being in over their heads really means! For Crispus Allen, it means trying to find his family! On sale Nov 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US NIGHTWING #114 Written by Devin Grayson Art and cover by Phil Hester & Ande Parks Nightwing is gone, and only Dick Grayson remains. He's been given a new costume and instructed to teach Deathstroke's daughter everything he knows. But Deathstroke is just waiting for an excuse to have Dick killed... On sale Nov 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US ROBIN #144 Written by Bill Willingham Art and cover by Scott McDaniel & Andy Owens Robin and the Veteran scramble to save Bludhaven from an all-out OMAC invasion! As the Veteran's crack team struggles valiantly to toe the line, Robin must break away to save Darla Aquista...even though she's sworn to kill him! On sale Nov 23 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US SUPERMAN ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1 Written by Grant Morrison Art and cover by Frank Quitely DC launches the newest addition to its All Star line of comics - where the industry's top creative talents refine the iconic focus of the world's greatest super-heroes. Writer Grant Morrison (JLA, Seven Soldiers, New X-Men) and artist Frank Quitely (The Authority, New X-Men) - the acclaimed team behind JLA: Earth 2 - are at it once again, this time to strip down the Man of Steel to his timeless, essential elements. The series kicks off with a 12-issue story arc touching on all the classic aspects of the Superman mythology, starting with a daring rescue of a doomed group of helionauts on the surface of the sun. The massive amounts of solar radiation affect Superman in a way no one could possibly anticipate - except Lex Luthor! On sale November 16 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US Edited by Bob Schreck ACTION COMICS #833 Written by Gail Simone Art by John Byrne & Nelson Cover by Dan Jurgens & Kevin Nowlan The Queen of Fables - last seen in JLA - has come for her Prince Charming: Superman! There will be no happy ending for the Man of Steel when he confronts her and a host of Kryptonian fairy tales is brought to life! On sale Nov 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US SUPERMAN: IN THE NAME OF GOG TP Written by Chuck Austen & J.D. Finn Art by Ivan Reis, Carlos D'Anda, Marc Campos and others Cover by Ian Churchill A thrilling new volume collecting Action Comics #820-825! Gog has traveled from the future determined to keep his promise of killing Superman. But before that, the Man of Steel must face some of his deadliest enemies, including the Silver Banshee, Preus, and Doomsday! On sale Nov 30 . 160 pg, FC, $17.99 US SUPERMAN: WRATH OF GOG TP Written by Chuck Austen Art by Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Marc Campos and others Cover by Reis & Campos Reoffered to coincide with Superman: In The Name Of Gog, this volume collects Action Comics #814-819, plus backups from #812- 813! The Man of Steel faces a horde of enemies from Darkseid to Weapons Master. Will he have enough strength to face the villainous Gog? On sale Nov 30 . 160 pg, FC, $14.99 US . RELIST ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #646 Written by Greg Rucka Art and cover by Karl Kerschl Mxy is back! Lois confronts her would-be assassin - and she must do it alone, because Superman has his hands full with a very different Mr. Mxyzptlk! And this time Mxy's no joke! On sale Nov 23 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US SUPERMAN #223 Written by Mark Verheiden Art and cover by Ed Benes & Mariah Benes An Infinite Crisis tie-in! Supergirl breaks the news to Kal that she's heading off into space with Donna Troy. Will their final farewell be cut short by a new and more deadly Blackrock? On sale November 2 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US SUPERMAN/BATMAN #24 Written by Jeph Loeb Art and cover by Ed McGuinness & Dexter Vines As superstars Jeph Loeb, Ed McGuinness & Dexter Vines rocket "With a Vengeance" toward its conclusion, the fate of the universe hangs in the balance unless the World's Finest Team - The Dark Damsel Detective and The Woman of Steel, that is - can stop it! There's nothing more incredible than the debut of Batwoman and Superwoman! Guest-starring Superlad! Retailers note: This issue is resolicited. All previous orders cancelled. On sale November 30 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US . RESOLICIT SUPERMAN/SHAZAM: FIRST THUNDER #3 Written by Judd Winick Art and cover by Joshua Middleton Eclipso, the spirit of vengeance, works his magic on Fawcett City. Can Superman and Captain Marvel defeat Eclipso before the city is engulfed in chaos? Meanwhile, Dr. Sivana hatches a plan to strike at Marvel where he's most vulnerable: his human alter ego Billy Batson! On sale Nov 2 . 3 of 4 . 40 pg, FC, $3.50 US SUPERGIRL #4 Written by Jeph Loeb Art and cover by Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund and Michael Turner After the shocking twist at the end of last issue, what has happened to Supergirl that puts her face-to-face with the JLA in a battle she dare not win? What horrible truth has Lex Luthor uncovered that will change the Girl of Steel forever? Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers by Churchill & Rapmund (50%) and Turner (50%). On sale November 16 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US SUPERMAN SECRET FILES 2005 Written by Devin Grayson, J.D. Finn and various Art by Ariel Olivetti, Ed Benes, Rags Morales, Joe Prado and various Cover by Prado An incredible Special showcasing the Man of Steel! Discover the difference between Superman and Batman (Written by Devin Grayson with art by Space Ghost's Ariel Olivetti). Plus: a retelling of Superman's origin, profiles of Superman's friends and foes, and more! On sale Nov 9 . 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US DC UNIVERSE INFINITE CRISIS #2 Written by Geoff Johns Art by Phil Jimenez & Andy Lanning Covers by Jim Lee & Sandra Hope and George Perez The biggest comics event of the year is just getting started! The heroes are divided as chaos erupts across the world and the universe - from Paradise Island to the farthest reaches of space. But what strange new force prepares to help? And, more important, why? Plus, a time-lost hero returns in search of an object that will turn the tide of one of the many wars. Guest-starring Supergirl, Alan Scott, Metamorpho, Animal Man, Firestorm, Power Girl and dozens of others! Retailers please note: This issue will ship with covers by Lee & Hope (50%) and Perez (50%). On sale November 9 . 2 of 7 . 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US DAY OF VENGEANCE TP Written by Bill Willingham Art by Justiniano, Ron Randall & Walden Wong Cover by Walter Simonson Spinning out of the events of Countdown To Infinite Crisis and leading into Infinite Crisis, the reality-bending 6-issue miniseries from writer Bill Willingham and artists Justiano, Ron Randall, and Walden Wong is collected! In this volume featuring Day Of Vengeance #1-6, Action Comics #826, Adventures Of Superman #639 and Superman #216, Superman and Captain Marvel face off against the evil of Eclipso! Meanwhile, Ragman finds himself at the magical core of the DCU, where he ends up aligned with an unlikely ally: The Enchantress. Together with a ragtag team of magic-based heroes they must face down a foe who has sworn to wipe out all magic...the Spectre! Featuring nearly every magical character of the DCU, Day Of Vengeance may mark the end of magic as we know it. On sale November 2 . 224 pg, FC, $12.99 US THE OMAC PROJECT TP Written by Greg Rucka, Geoff Johns and Judd Winick Art by Jesus Saiz, Rags Morales, Ed Benes, Phil Jimenez, Ivan Reis, and various Cover by Ladronn Spinning out of Identity Crisis, Countdown To Infinite Crisis] was a Special that laid the groundwork for events in the DCU for the year to come. Now Countdown is collected with the hot miniseries that directly spun out of it: The OMAC Project! This crackerjack thriller by Greg Rucka (Adventures Of Superman, Wonder Woman) features the moody, gorgeous art of Jesus Saiz (Manhunter). Every hero and villain in the DCU is under the gaze of an unbelievably powerful spy satellite. It's a technological marvel that answers to only one person - and he's got plans for it that are completely unknown to the superspy organization he controls: Checkmate! In a world where men can fly and melt metal with their eyes, there's now an army created specifically as an answer to them: the OMACs Batman and old ally Booster Gold are about to learn the chilling truth behind the OMAC Project - but will they work with or against each other? This volume includes Countdown To Infinite Crisis], The OMAC Project #1-6, and Wonder Woman #219. On sale November 2 . 256 pg, FC, $14.99 US PRELUDE TO INFINITE CRISIS TP Written by various Art and cover by various Reoffered to coincide with Day Of Vengeance and OMAC Project TPs, this volume collects the crossover story from The Flash #219 and Wonder Woman #214 in their entirety, plus the lead story from Superman Secret Files 2004. Plus select pages from nearly two dozen other DCU comics, with new text! On sale Nov 2 . 96 pg, FC, $5.99 US . RELIST AQUAMAN #36 Written by John Arcudi Art by Leonard Kirk & Andy Clarke Cover by Patrick Gleason Koryak returns to Atlantis to beseech the Congress of Sorcerers to cure Mera's condition by initiating a major incantation. Aquaman is dead set against it, since it may spell doom for Atlantis. Meanwhile, Mera adapts quickly to life in the "surface world" ... maybe too quickly. On sale Nov 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BIRDS OF PREY #88 Written by Gail Simone Art by Joe Bennett & Jack Jadson Cover by Adriana Melo & Will Conrad From the pages of Villains United and Identity Crisis comes the deadly new Calculator - and he's on the hunt for Oracle. It's the ultimate battle of the DCU's biggest information brokers, with their hand-picked teams caught in the crossfire! On sale Nov 16 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BLOOD OF THE DEMON #9 Written by John Byrne & Will Pfeifer Art by Byrne & Dan Green Cover by Byrne Etrigan battles the foe he encountered in issue #8, but the price he pays to stay in the fight may cost him more than it does his deadly adversary! On sale Nov 2 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US BREACH #11 Written by Bob Harras Art by Marcos Martin & Alvaro LopezCover by Martin Breach learns his destiny as secrets from two decades ago come to light in explosive fashion! The Smoking Lady knows more than she's revealed, but now she's ready to tell all - including how to stop the Rifters from invading Earth. And all it's going to cost is the life of a good man. Final issue. On sale Nov 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US DOOM PATROL #18 Written by John Byrne Art by Byrne & Doug Hazlewood Cover by Byrne The Doom Patrol is threatened from all directions as Vortex, Nudge and Grunt give up the last of their secrets. Plus, learn the fate of the Chief! Final issue. On sale Nov 30 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US FIRESTORM #19 Written by Stuart Moore Art by Jamal Igle & Rob Stull Cover by Matt Haley Beginning the storyline that will send Firestorm into his next stage of evolution - as the Infinite Crisis hits full force! Merged with an unexpected partner, Jason (Firestorm) Rusch heads out into space with Donna Troy for a rendezvous with his cosmic destiny! On sale Nov 2 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US THE FLASH #228 Written by Joey Cavalieri Art by Val Semeiks & Livesay Cover by Art Thibert The extraordinary tale "Finish Line" continues as Nightwing tries to help Wally piece together the clues to who's behind the evil threatening the West family. Is the end near for Wally? On sale November 23 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US GREEN ARROW #56 Written by Judd Winick Art by Ron Garney & Bill Reinhold Cover by James Jean "Heading Into the Light, Part 3 of 4." On the trail of the unpredictable Dr. Light, Green Arrow and Black Lightning are sidetracked by an attack from Mirror Master and Killer Frost! But is the appearance of some old foes a coincidence or part of a more sinister plot? On sale Nov 16 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US GREEN LANTERN #7 Written by Geoff Johns Art and cover by Carlos Pacheco & Jesus Merino Guest starring Green Arrow! Out of the pages of Infinite Crisis explodes a villain who's had devastating effects on the life of Hal Jordan - and only the combined efforts of Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen can combat this monster! On sale November 30 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US GREEN LANTERN CORPS: RECHARGE #3 Written by Geoff Johns & Dave Gibbons Art and cover by Patrick Gleason & Christian Alamy The amazing new miniseries continues! Breaking an ancient pact, two veteran Lanterns venture deep into forbidden territory on a life-or-death mission while the Corps' newest recruits find themselves in the very heart of darkness. On sale Nov 16 . 3 of 5 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US HAWKMAN #46 Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray Art by Ron Randall, Art Thibert & Walden Wong Cover by Adam Kubert The Hawk team welcomes a new cover artist - comics superstar Adam Kubert - in an action-packed issue that serves as a prelude to Rann/Thanagar War! Hawkman and Hawkgirl battle Satana's animal men during a daring heist and Brother Eye unleashes an OMAC on St. Roch as they prepare to leave for deep space! Plus, Hawkman reflects on his last meeting with the Atom! On sale November 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US JACK CROSS #4 Written by Warren Ellis Art and cover by Gary Erskine Concluding a 4-part story with a showdown in San Francisco! Jack's confrontation with a cell that has pirated a weapon of mass destruction beyond imagining comes to a head at a California demonstration! On sale Nov 23 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US JLA #122 Written by Bob Harras Art by Tom Derenick & Dan Green Covers by Daniel Acuna "World Without a Justice League" Part 3 of 6! The Key has struck again! While half of what was the JLA investigates the bizarre murder scene, the other half looks to recruit a new member: Supergirl. But the entire group is called to action when OMACs appear on the scene! On sale Nov 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US JLA/AVENGERS: THE COLLECTOR'S EDITION HC Written by Kurt Busiek Art and cover by George Perez Reoffered again, the timeless classic that brought together two of the greatest teams in comics! This oversized, slipcased two- volume set collects the legendary 4-issue miniseries with a full complement of bonus features! On sale Nov 2 . 8.125" x 12.25" 288 pg, FC, $75.00 US . RELIST JLA CLASSIFIED #14 Written by Warren Ellis Art by Butch Guice Cover by Michael Stribling Part 5 of the 6-part "New Maps of Hell." Separated from one another, each member of the JLA is put to the test as they are forced to face their own personal Hell. On sale Nov 30 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT THE JUSTICE LEAGUE TP Written by Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis Art and new cover by Kevin Maguire & Josef Rubinstein A new trade paperback collecting JLA Classified #4-9, the critically acclaimed follow-up to Formerly Known as the Justice League! The Super Buddies open for business, but things hit a sour note when former foe Blackguard and his partner Guy Gardner open a sports bar next door to their new "headquarters" in the strip mall downtown! On sale Nov 23 . 144 pg, FC, $12.99 US FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE JUSTICE LEAGUE TP Written by Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis Art and cover by Kevin Maguire & Josef Rubinstein Reoffered to coincide with I Can't Believe It's Not The Justice League, this collection features the best-selling 6-issue miniseries that reunited the 1980s incarnation of the team! The heroes are convinced by Maxwell Lord to become a team for hire, but no sooner do they re-form than they're captured by Roulette. On sale Nov 23 . 144 pg, FC, $12.95 US . RELIST JONAH HEX #1 Written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti Art by Luke Ross Cover by Frank Quitely The saga of Jonah Hex - the mysterious bounty hunter and thinking man's killer - returns to the DCU in an all-new series penned by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti (Hawkman) with amazing art by Luke Ross (Green Lantern; Samurai: Heaven & Earth) and a debut-issue cover by fan-favorite Frank Quitely (WE3, Bite Club! Saddle up and ride shotgun with the original bad man of the Wild West during an age of plunder, greed and lawlessness. When a millionaire's only son is kidnapped, Hex is called on to track down and recover the boy. But a simple missing person case turns into a hunt for vengeance as Hex unleashes his special brand of justice on the unsuspecting culprits. And don't miss Showcase Presents: Jonah Hex Vol. 1, featuring classic tales of the legendary gunslinger, on page 81! On sale November 2 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US Edited by Stephen Wacker SHOWCASE PRESENTS: JONAH HEX VOL. 1 TP Written by John Albano & Michael Fleischer Art by Tony DeZuniga, Doug Wildey, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and others Cover by Luis Dominguez Witness the earliest adventures of DC's legendary gunslinger from All-Star Western #2-8 and #10-11, Weird Western Tales #12-14 and #16-33! Jonah Hex had no friends, but he did have two companions: death, and the acrid smell of gunsmoke! On sale Nov 2 . 528 pg, B&W $16.99 US JSA #79 Written by Keith Champagne Art by Don Kramer & Champagne Cover by Alex Ross Amid the ruins of Dr. Fate's tower, one half of the JSA fight for their lives against Mordru, free from his imprisonment in the Rock of Eternity. Meanwhile, the rest of the JSA battle to save the Fifth Dimension from the iron grip of...Jakeem Thunder! On sale Nov 2 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US JSA CLASSIFIED #5 Written by Jen Van Meter Art by Patrick Oliffe & Ruy Jose Cover by Joe Bennett & Ruy Jose "Honor Among Thieves," Part 1 of 3, spotlighting the Injustice Society! While the JSA investigates the appearance of the mysterious Prometheus key in their headquarters, the Wizard approaches Icicle with a grave request that will change their fortunes forever! On sale Nov 23 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #12 Written by Mark Waid Art by Barry Kitson & Mick Gray Cover by Kitson The first year of Legion of Super-Heroes wraps up in a finale that must be seen to be believed! The pieces have been put in place over the last 12 months and now the threat to the universe stands revealed, leaving the team - and the 31st century - in shambles. On sale Nov 23 . 40 pg, FC, $2.99 US LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES VOL. 1: TEENAGE REVOLUTION TP Written by Mark Waid Art by Barry Kitson, Leonard Kirk, Dave Gibbons and others Cover by Kitson An amazing collection featuring Legion of Super-Heroes #1-6 and the preview story from Teen Titans/Legion Special #1! A bright, defiant, energized team of super-powered teenagers from different worlds forms a team of passionate activists crusading to leave their mark on a society that has forgotten how to fight for change! On sale Nov 16 . 200 pg, FC, $14.99 US MANHUNTER #16 Written by Marc Andreyko Art by Javier Pina & Fernando Blanco Cover by Jesus Saiz After the events of "Manhunted," Kate and Chase have a much- needed sit-down about Kate's extracurricular activities. Meanwhile, the tabloid noose tightens and Dylan takes action! Plus, an appearance by DEO Director Bones! On sale Nov 16 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US MANHUNTER VOL. 1: STREET JUSTICE TP Written by Marc Andreyko Art by Jesus Saiz & Jimmy Palmiotti Cover by Jae Lee Collecting the acclaimed first five issues of the hot new series! When a case she's lost leads to the murder of innocents, prosecutor Kate Spencer rages into the night, tracking the perp who's eluded justice in the courts. She's found her true calling. She is the Manhunter. And she likes it! On sale Nov 9 . 128 pg, FC, $12.99 US OUTSIDERS #30 Written by Judd Winick Art by Matthew Clark & Art Thibert Cover by Daniel Acuna The team calls on Katana to aid them against a supernatural onslaught unleashed by the DCU's magical crisis! On sale November 2 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US PLASTIC MAN #19 Written by Kyle Baker Art and cover by Baker After the buzz created by last issue's "Edwina Crisis," hot inker Kyle Baker teams with himself to unleash the second chapter of the "Edwina Crisis!" This single issue explores the period in which Woozy Winks disappeared from the DCU! Hey, find out why Kyle Baker won two more Harvey and Eisner Awards! On sale Nov 30 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US SEVEN SOLDIERS: FRANKENSTEIN #1 Written by Grant Morrison Art and cover by Doug Mahnke Doug Mahnke (JLA) joins Grant Morrison for an amazing new miniseries in the Seven Soldiers saga! A bizarre butterfly store opens its doors in a small American town. Pretty, popular teenagers are mysteriously transformed into self-loathing, awkward nerds. A boy with the power to see human thoughts becomes the unwitting vessel of an ancient curse, and deep beneath the sunny sidewalks, something stirs and wakes and opens ancient eyes. Witness the triumphant return to the DCU of one of fiction's most enduring characters as Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke introduce a steam-powered, gun-totin', Milton-quotin' Frankenstein monster you'll never forget! Meet time's executioner as he hunts down the impossible menaces that threaten humanity from beyond reality! On sale November 16 . 1 of 4 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US SEVEN SOLDIERS: THE BULLETEER #1 Written by Grant Morrison Art and cover by Yanick Paquette & Michael Bair The Seven Soldiers saga continues as Yanick Paquette (Terra Obscura) & Michael Bair (Identity Crisis) join writer extraordinaire Grant Morrison for an amazing new 4-issue miniseries! Obsessed with the idea of becoming a famous super- hero and preserving his beautiful wife's youth, Professor Lance Harrower invents Smartskin - a steel-hard living fiber which bonds with skin collagen. When his experiments go awry, Harrower is suffocated under a coating of steel skin. His wife Alix survives the horrific accident only to find herself an outcast and a freak. Now jobless, alone, and encased in super-hard, living metal, she is a truly reluctant super-human. What happens when you get powers and abilities beyond those of mortal men but don't want them? Find out in "Ballistic: How the Bulleteer Began"! On sale November 2 . 1 of 4 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US SON OF VULCAN #6 Written by Scott Beatty Art and cover by Keron Grant The combustible conclusion finds Mikey Devante facing his final trial by fire! Outmatched and surrounded by monsters, Mikey makes a fateful decision with the legacy of the Vulcans hanging in the balance: Will Mikey go it alone as a kid sidekick without a superhero mentor, or can he just hang up his costume forever? On sale Nov 9 . 6 of 6 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US THE SPIRIT ARCHIVES VOL. 17 HC Written by Will Eisner Art and cover by Eisner THE WILL EISNER LIBRARY. Another volume of peak-period story- telling by the master! Volume 17 includes the classic "The Story of Gerhard Shnobble," Eisner's unique take on two stories by Poe and Bierce, and more. Reprinting Spirit sections from 7/4/48 - 12/26/48. On sale Nov 23 . 216 pg, FC, $49.99 US THE SPIRIT ARCHIVES VOL. 16 HC Written by Will Eisner Art and cover by Eisner THE WILL EISNER LIBRARY. Reoffered to coincide with The Spirit Archives Vol. 17, this volume collects Spirit sections from 1/7/48-6/27/48! Featuring an introduction by movie producer Michael Uslan. On sale Nov 23 . 216 pg, FC, $49.99 US . RELIST TEEN TITANS #30 Written by Geoff Johns Art and cover by Tony S. Daniel & Alquiza Part 1 of a 2-part story featuring the return of Brother Blood! As a result of the magic wars in Day of Vengeance, the barrier keeping Brother Blood trapped in hell is broken and he's back ... with some former Teen Titans! And just whose side is former Titan Lilith on? And isn't she dead? On sale November 16 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US TEEN TITANS: THE FUTURE IS NOW TP Written by Geoff Johns & Mark Waid Art by Mike McKone, Ivan Reis and Tom Grummett Cover by McKone Collects Teen Titans #16-23 and Titans/Legion Special #1! The Titans' weekends are usually a chance to get away from it all. But this time, they're really gone...to the 31st century! And their return trip drops them off a mere ten years into the future! On sale Nov 30 . 224 pg, FC, $9.99 US TEEN TITANS: BEAST BOYS AND GIRLS TP Written by Geoff Johns and Ben Raab Art by Justiniano and Chris Ivy, Tom Grummett and Lary Stucker Cover by Ed McGuinness & Dexter Vines Reoffered to coincide with Teen Titans: The Future Is Now, this collection explores the origins of Gar Logan! Featuring the 3- issue Beast Boy miniseries as well as the explosive 3-part story "Wild Kingdom" presented in Teen Titans #13-15! On sale Nov 30 . 168 pg, FC, $9.99 US . RELIST VIGILANTE #3 Written by Bruce Jones Art by Ben Oliver Cover by Michael Golden Delve into the mind of a perfect killing machine and discover what led him to a life driven by a lust for violent justice as the exciting miniseries by Bruce Jones and Ben Oliver continues! With nothing to go on but a "V" of blood as a clue, the police are left chasing a ghost. Can Dr. Powell help the Vigilante before he claims another life? On sale November 23 . 2 of 6 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US WONDER WOMAN #223 Written by Greg Rucka Art by Rags Morales Cover by J.G. Jones As the events of Infinite Crisis heat up, Paradise Island comes under attack by OMACs! But even with Wonder Woman's help, the Amazons must make a fateful decision... one that will change Diana's life, and mission, forever. On sale November 30 . 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US JOHNNY DC THE BATMAN STRIKES! #15 Written by Bill Matheny Art Christopher Jones & Terry Beatty Cover by Dave McCaig The Riddler's come back to Gotham City with a plan to unmask Batman once and for all! It's a power struggle and a race against time, before Gotham City is shown the true face of The Batman! On sale Nov 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.25 US JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #15 Written by Adam Beechen Art by Carlo Barberi & Walden Wong Cover by Carlo Barberi When gang members get hold of high-tech weapons, the Justice League is called in. But when one of those weapons is the atomic- powered Mr. Atom, it might not be that easy for the League to save the day! On sale Nov 2 . 32 pg, FC, $2.25 US TEEN TITANS GO! #25 Written by J. Torres Art by Todd Nauck & Lary Stucker Cover by Sean Galloway Merry Christmas, Teen Titans Go! style! 'Tis the season of giving, but Billy Numerous keeps taking from stores and shoppers at the mall, so it's up to the Teen Titans to take him down like a Christmas tree in January! On sale Nov 30 . 32 pg, FC, $2.25 US TEEN TITANS: JAM-PACKED ACTION VOL. 1 Written and illustrated by various Production art cover By popular demand, the Teen Titans jump from the hit Cartoon Network show to their own volume of Jam-Packed Action! The stories included in Teen Titans Jam-Packed Action feature high- quality screen captures and text straight from the shows' scripts! Retro-solicited; on sale Oct 19 . 5" x 7.375" . 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #15 Written by Robbie Busch and Scott Cunningham Art by Robert Pope, Phil Moy, Scott Underwood, Angus Bungay, and Scott Roberts Cover by Robert Pope Ed is ed-xactly where Eddy doesn't want him-in a bodycast! How will Eddy and Edd keep their muscle in their schemes now? Plus, Grim is put on a special diet to get a little meat on his bones! On sale Nov 23 . 32 pg, FC, $2.25 US LOONEY TUNES #132 Written by Sholly Fisch, Earl Kress & Scott Cunningham Art by Neal Sternecky, Walter Carzon, Scott McRae, and Ruben Torreiro Cover by David Alvarez & Mike DeCarlo Attention, Duck Dodgers! You're due for inspection, so stand up straight and stop snoozing! And sneezing! On sale Nov 2 . 32 pg, FC, $2.25 US THE POWERPUFF GIRLS #68 Written by Amy Keating Rogers, Sholly Fisch, Sean Carolan, Jennifer Moore, and John Rozum Art by Christopher Cook, Ricardo Garcia-Fuentes and Mike DeCarlo Cover by Phil Moy They're baaaaaaaaaack! Those mischievous little duplicates of the Powerpuffs have returned with a new scheme for havoc. Will the girls figure it out before the Micros cause macro confusion? Plus, you too can draw the Powerpuff Girls! On sale Nov 16 . 32 pg, FC, $2.25 US SCOOBY-DOO #102 Written by John Rozum Art by Joe Staton, Robert Pope, Leo Batic, Pablo Zamboni, Scott McRae, and Horacio Ottolini Cover by Joe Staton Tropical terror! The Mystery Inc. gang wants to know why a mysterious Lizard Man is plaguing innocent Amazonian researchers, but they may not be prepared for the answer! On sale Nov 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.25 US BEYOND THE DC UNIVERSE MAD KIDS #1 Written and illustrated by The Usual Gang of Idiots Don't miss the debut issue of a brand-new magazine for kids 8-10 years old, featuring games, puzzles, interviews, posters and lots of laughs - plus the all new adventures of Spy vs. Spy Jr.! On sale Nov 9 . 64 pg, FC, $4.99 US MAD #460 Written and illustrated by The Usual Gang of Idiots You can't afford to miss this issue of MAD! It's the best one since last month! And there's no way a better issue will come along until next month! On sale Nov 2 . 48 pg, FC/B&W, $3.99 US T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS ARCHIVES VOL. 6 HC Written by Wally Wood, Steve Skeates and others Art by Wally Wood, Steve Ditko, Reed Crandall, Gil Kane, Dan Adkins, Chic Stone and others Cover by Wood Collecting T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #15-20 with an introduction by Thunder Agents co-creator and writer Len Brown! The final volume of this classic reprint series features work by many of the giants of the Silver Age. On sale Nov 9 . 224 pg, FC, $49.99 US T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS ARCHIVES VOL. 5 HC Written by Wally Wood and Steve Skeates Art by Wood, Dan Adkins, Mike Sekowsky, Gil Kane, Steve Ditko, Chic Stone, Ogden Whitney, and George Tuska Cover by Wood Reoffered to coincide with T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Archives Vol. 5. Dynamo, NoMan, The Raven and Lightning are back! This volume collects T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #12-14 and Dynamo #4 (1967-69) with a foreword by Bill Schelly. On sale Nov 9 . 216 pg, FC, $49.95 US . RELIST CMX TOWER OF THE FUTURE VOL. 1 Written and illustrated by Hiwatari Saki CMX. Matsuyuki Takeru could not have anticipated the decidedly different turn his life has taken. After his mother's death, life continued at a reasonably normal pace - he studied hard for exams, played fantasy role-playing games, even fell in love. But things began to change when he discovered a half-sister he didn't know about. A strange boy started appearing, claiming to be a warrior reborn who must fight an epic battle against forces of evil! When fantasy becomes reality, will every choice he makes affect the outcome? On sale November 2 . 5" x 7.375" . 192 pg, B&W, $9.99 US . TEEN GALS! VOL. 4 Written and illustrated by FUJII Mihona CMX. Ran and her Gal pals ring in the New Year, a year that will prove to be full of fun and games as well as change and pain. After Miyu's mother refuses to pay her high school tuition, Miyu and the perpetually poor Ran try to find part-time jobs. Even as the Gals are about to enter their second year of high school, they face the possibility of being split up. On sale November 23 . 5" x 7.375" . 192 pg, B&W, $9.99 US . TEEN MUSASHI #9 VOL. 5 Written and illustrated by Takahashi Miyuki CMX. Shingo's rush to protect Akiho has only led to their capture by the terrorists after the ICBM launch codes. Now Shinozuka Kou and Agent Seven must board the terrorists' battleship and make their way through a maze of high-tech security to find the prisoners. But when Number Nine is forced to choose between the life of her friend Shingo and the safety of the world, which will she pick? On sale November 9 . 5" x 7.375" . 192 pg, B&W, $9.99 US . TEEN SWAN VOL. 5 Written and illustrated by Ariyoshi Kyoko CMX. The beloved classic manga continues! When the legendary Dame Margaret Fonteyn encourages Masumi to be herself and express her inner strength through dancing, Masumi gains the hope and confidence she needs to rise to her next challenge. In Russia, Masumi will audition for the lead role in a special performance, but she will be competing against Russia's own prodigy, Larissa Maximova. Will Masumi use Margaret Fonteyn's advice, or be defeated by Larissa's perfect skills? On sale November 2 . 5" x 7.375" . 192 pg, B&W, $9.99 US . ALL AGES TENJHO TENGE VOL. 4 Written and illustrated by Oh! great CMX. Bob and Nagi both survived their brutal beatings at the bowling alley from the Executive Committee Chairman Takayanagi Mitsuomi, making them living legends at Todo High. However, their newfound fame has every tough-guy lining up to take a crack at the indestructible duo. But Bob and Nagi have no time to waste with these subordinates - next on the list is the Chairman's second in command: Tawara, the Committee's consigliere! Retailers please note: This title has been edited for U.S. release. On sale November 16 . 5" x 7.375" . 232 pg, B&W, $9.99 US . TEEN TESTAROTHO VOL. 2 Written and illustrated by Sanbe Kei CMX. Converting heretics to the church of Arsenal is a difficult and sometimes deadly task, and Inquisitor Garrincha is the best Neo Arsen has to offer. It's no wonder the man has scores of enemies among non-believers and those faithful to his church. When an entire village of heretics is found dead, Garrincha and his entourage are brutally captured, and he's charged with the massacre. Now, freeing him and clearing his name is up to his fiercely loyal Rotho, led by the gun-slinging Leonedus - but what if he doesn't make it in time? On sale November 2 . 5" x 7.375" . 172 pg, B&W, $9.99 US . MATURE READERS YOUNG MAGICIAN VOL. 2 Written and illustrated by Narushima Yuri CMX. Carno continues his combat with the mysterious Jack the Ripper! The emergent magician's lust for battle allowed him to easily destroy this demon's disciple, but his lack of experience and formal training puts him at a grave disadvantage. The demon before him possesses a weapon far more powerful than any magic - the mystery to Carno's vanished past and the truth about what really happened to his biological family! On sale November 23 . 5" x 7.375" . 200 pg, B&W, $9.99 US . MATURE READERS WILDSTORM CAPTAIN ATOM: ARMAGEDDON #2 Written by Will Pfeifer Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli & Sandra Hope Cover by J.G. Jones The explosive miniseries bringing Captain Atom to the WildStorm Universe continues! As Captain Atom tries to figure out where he is, the Wildcats gather to uncover the true fate of their fallen comrade Void. Was Captain Atom responsible for her death, or will he be instrumental in bringing her back to life? The clock is ticking, and Captain Atom may hold the fate of the WildStorm Universe in his hands. On sale November 16 . 2 of 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US DANGER GIRL: BACK IN BLACK #1 Written by Andy Hartnell Art by Nick Bradshaw Cover by J. Scott Campbell Get ready for an action-packed new Danger Girl miniseries, written by series co-creator Andy Hartnell with art by talented newcomer Nick Bradshaw and a stunning cover by fan-favortite artist J. Scott Campbell (Wildsiderz)! When a powerful and mysterious Native American artifact is stolen, Danger Girls Abbey Chase and Sydney Savage go undercover and burn rubber to infiltrate an all-girl biker gang! From the black hills of Sturgis to the white sands of Daytona Beach, Abbey and Sydney take a wild ride into the dangerous world of espionage, motorcycles and black magic! With this many twists and turns in the road ahead, can the Danger Girls solve the mystery in time? Join us in this full-throttle tale of action and adventure that only your favorite sexy super-spies can deliver! On sale November 9 . 1 of 4 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US Edited by Scott Dunbier ALBION #5 Plotted by Alan Moore Written by Leah Moore & John Reppion Art by Shane Oakley & George Freeman Cover by Dave Gibbons Our heroes (or are they?) have made it to the Castle. Inside, the Brain is still predicting disaster...and when Robot Archie attacks, he's proved right! But where are Penny, Danny and Charlie Love? Could there be more trouble than even the Brain is expecting? On sale Nov 30 . 5 of 6 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US THE AUTHORITY: THE MAGNIFICENT KEVIN #4 Written by Garth Ennis Art by Carlos Ezquerra Cover by Glenn Fabry Kev sets out to rescue the imprisoned Midnighter, but is he prepared for the ultimate horror that awaits him? Our hero finds himself in a duel to the death with the one opponent he wasn't expecting. May the best man win...which means Kev's got serious problems! On sale Nov 23 . 4 of 5 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US . MATURE READERS DESOLATION JONES #4 Written by Warren Ellis Art and cover by J.H. Williams III Hired to find a stolen box of illicit movies, Michael Jones is finding himself adrift in the seedy underground of Los Angeles. But he must be getting close to the truth, because people keep beating him up! On sale Nov 2 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US . MATURE READERS EX MACHINA #17 Written by Brian K. Vaughan Art by Tony Harris & Tom FeisterCover by Harris A daring new storyline begins in this perfect jumping-on point for the multiple Eisner-winning series! The year is 2003, and the U.S. is on the brink of war with Iraq. Mayor Hundred must deal with violent demonstrators on both sides, or risk a battle on the homefront. On sale Nov 16 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US . MATURE READERS MAJESTIC #11 Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning Art by Georges Jeanty & Trevor Scott Cover by Neil Googe Majestic, Zealot and the cyborg Desmond have uncovered a device that could change the face of the world - literally! But it contains shocking secrets about the origins of the Kherubim race, and it's about to fall into the hands of an enemy they never thought they'd see again. On sale Nov 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US OCEAN TP Written by Warren Ellis Art by Chris Sprouse & Karl Story Cover by Michael Golden Collecting the hit miniseries by Warren Ellis, Chris Sprouse & Karl Story! Lying beneath Europa's half-mile-thick mantle of shear ice is the only ocean in the solar system not on Earth. And within those cold waters could rest the key to life on Earth - and quite possibly its extinction! On sale Nov 30 . 160 pg, FC, $14.99 US ROBOTECH: PRELUDE TO THE SHADOW CHRONICLES #3 Written by Tommy Yune, Jason Waltrip & John Waltrip Art and cover by Omar Dogan and Udon Studios The legendary Robotech saga continues! As the SDF-3 undergoes the final stages of its reconstruction at Space Station Liberty, Admiral Rick Hunter himself makes preparations to pursue the treacherous General Edwards. Will Janice and Doctor Lang be able to reverse-engineer the Shadow Technology in time to save the Robotech Expedition? And what of Captain Grant's assault on the Invid Homeworld?! On sale Nov 16 . 3 of 5 . 32 pg, FC, $3.50 US SILENT DRAGON #5 Written by Andy Diggle Art by Leinil Yu & Gerry Alanguilan Cover by Yu The Regime springs its ultimate trap to destroy the Yakuza once and for all! But as civil war rages across future Tokyo, Reizo abandons both his Yakuza and Regime masters in a desperate attempt to save his lover from Hideaki's impregnable fortress... On sale Nov 30 . 5 of 6 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US WILDCATS: NEMESIS #3 Written by Robbie Morrison Art by Talent Caldwell, Horacio Domingues, and Matt Banning Cover by Caldwell & Banning Nemesis is in a fight to the death with a battalion of Daemonites when unexpected aid arrives...but can they protect themselves and the child Kara simultaneously? And the millennium-old betrayal is at last revealed - but it's not what anyone expects! On sale November 9 . 3 of 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US THE WINTER MEN #4 Written by Brett Lewis Art and cover by John Paul Leon Kris and Nikki uncover more clues about the fabled heroes as they investigate the so-called Boy Scouts and their operation. And could Kris's old team, Red 11, have a connection to the Winter Men? Will the secrets of the Winter Men be revealed? On sale Nov 9 . 4 of 8 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US . MATURE READERS WRAITHBORN #3 Written by Joe Benitez & Marcia Chen Art and covers by Benitez & Joe Weems The Hounds of Brijit have found Melanie, but she doesn't know that she has powers, much less how to use them! How will she escape? Plus, a mysterious stranger shows up, but is he friend or foe? On sale November 16 . 3 of 6 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US ABC ABC A-Z: GREYSHIRT AND COBWEB Written by Steve Moore & Peter Hogan Art by Melinda Gebbie and Rick Veitch Cover by Terry Dodson ABC. The second in the ABC A-Z set of books, filled with page after page of material guaranteed to satisfy new and long-time ABC fans everywhere! ABC A-Z: Greyshirt & Cobweb explores the world of Indigo City's man of mystery and revealsthrough the sultry eyes of the enticing adventuress just how steamy crime fighting can be. On sale November 2 . 2 of 6 . 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US SMAX TP Written by Alan Moore Art by Zander Cannon & Andrew Currie Cover by Cannon ABC. Collecting the acclaimed 5-issue miniseries written by Alan Moore that featured the return of TOP 10's Smax the Dragon Killer! What happens when Jeff Smax and Toybox return to Smax's homeworld? One thing's for sure - it won't be pretty! On sale Nov 2 . 136 pg, FC, $12.99 US TOP 10: BEYOND THE FARTHEST PRECINCT #4 Written by Paul Di Filippo Art and cover by Jerry Ordway ABC. As the Hell Ditch Pilgrim once again materializes high in the skies of Neopolis, terrorizing the populace, Toybox is devastated to learn the truth about her boyfriend. Meanwhile, things heat up for Jack Phantom and Panthalassa! On sale Nov 16 . 4 of 5 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US VERTIGO DMZ #1 Written by Brian Wood Art and cover by Wood & Riccardo Burchielli From Indie comics icon Brian Wood (Demo, Channel Zero, Global Frequency) and up-and-coming Italian artist Riccardo Burchielli (John Doe) comes DMZ, a new monthly series about the ultimate embedded war journalist trapped in a most unlikely war zone: the streets of New York City. In the near future, America's worst nightmare has come true. With military adventurism overseas bogging down the Army and National Guard, the U.S. government mistakenly neglects the very real threat of anti-establishment militias scattered across the 50 states. Like a sleeping giant, Middle America rises up and violently pushes it way to the shining seas, coming to a standstill at the line in the sand - Manhattan or, as the world now knows it, the DMZ. Matty Roth, a naive young man and aspiring photojournalist, lands a dream gig following a veteran war journalist into the heart of the DMZ. Things soon go terribly wrong and Matty finds himself lost and alone in a world he's only seen on television. There, he is faced with a choice: try to find a way off the island, or make his career with an assignment most journalists would kill for. But can he survive in a war zone long enough to report the truth? On sale November 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US . MATURE READERS Edited by Will Dennis 100 BULLETS #66 Written by Brian Azzarello Art by Eduardo Risso Cover by Dave Johnson Victor, Lono and Loop keep on truckin' on a road trip in search of revenge. As more members of The Trust are violently eliminated, it's clear that these three are a team not to be messed with. But which one has intentions all his own? On sale Nov 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.75 US . MATURE READERS FABLES #43 Written by Bill Willingham Art by Mark Buckingham & Steve Leialoha Cover by James Jean Part 2 of the 4-part "Arabian Nights (and Days)." The arrival of the Arabian Nights Fables have plunged Fabletown into a culture clash of dire proportions. Can Prince Charming's secret weapon - a Fables character we haven't seen in some time - diffuse the situation before much blood is spilled? On sale Nov 16 . 32 pg, FC, $2.75 US . MATURE READERS THE FOUNTAIN HC Written by Darren Aronofsky Adapted by Kent Williams Art and cover by Williams Darren Aronofsky proved himself a filmmaker to watch with his provocative debut, Pi. His follow-up, Requiem for a Dream, continued the accolades, receiving Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations. His latest accomplishment, however, comes straight to comics in the form of The Fountain, a gorgeously painted, oversized original graphic novel about the timeless truths of life, love and death. Working with acclaimed painter Kent Williams (Blood: A Tale, Havok & Wolverin), The Fountain crisscrosses through three distinct time periods: 1535, during an ancient Mayan war; the present day, following one doctor's desperate search for the cure for cancer; and the far future through the vast exotic reaches of space. Interweaving these three periods, The Fountain follows Tomas - warrior, doctor, explorer - as he feverishly tries to beat death and prolong the life of the woman he loves. A story so grand, one medium couldn't contain it, Aronofsky's feature film version of The Fountain will be released by New Regency and Warner Bros. Pictures, starring Tony Award-winning actor Hugh Jackman (X-Men, Van Helsing, The Boy from Oz) and acclaimed actress Rachel Weisz (Constantine, The Mummy, the upcoming The Constant Gardener). But before he did, the filmmaker wanted The Fountain to be realized the unique storytelling power and artistic beauty of the graphic novel. Together, Aronofsky and Williams deliver what might be considered the ultimate director's cut. This deluxe volume also features an afterword by Aronofsky. A softcover edition will be solicited in conjuction with the film's release. Retailers please note: This project is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled. On sale November 2 . 8.625" x 11.625" . 176 pg, FC, $39.99 US . MATURE READERS Edited by Karen Berger HELLBLAZER #214 Written by Mike Carey Art by Leonardo Manco Cover by Tim Bradstreet Part 1 of the 2-part "R.S.V.P." John Constantine's back in London to see some old friends, only to realize all his friends are dead (or worse). After a less-than-memorable encounter with one of his last living mates, Constantine realizes he has an addiction to the black arts, and sets out to kick his habit. But what does a mysterious "magic convention" have to do with his decision? On sale November 16 . 32 pg, FC, $2.75 US . MATURE READERS THE LOSERS #30 Written by Andy Diggle Art and cover by Jock "Endgame" continues as the Losers take the fight to Max's door. Now, after all these years, the Losers are getting their payback against the man who destroyed their lives, but none of them are prepared for Max's greatest secret. Their surprise will cost them dearly... On sale Nov 30 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US . MATURE READERS THE LOSERS: CLOSE QUARTERS TP Written by Andy Diggle Art by Ben Oliver and Jock Cover by Jock The fourth volume of VERTIGO's explosive espionage thriller The Losers collecting issues #20-25 of the hit series. An unpleasant but informative reunion with the traitor Roque in the Company- created bank Cayman Credit Internationale then leads them to a cargo ship just off the Azores - and a discovery that raises the stakes higher than anyone could have guessed. On sale Nov 9 . 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US . MATURE READERS THE LOSERS: TRIFECTA TP Written by Andy Diggle Art by Jock, Nick Dragotta and Ale Garza Cover by Jock Reoffered to coincide with The Losers: Close Quarters, this third volume of the Eisner-nominated VERTIGO thriller collects three linked stories from issues #13-19 that take the hard-luck, black- ops band from Qatar to Turkmenistan amid oily dealings and flying bullets. On sale Nov 9 . 168 pg, FC, $14.99 US . MATURE READERS . RELIST LOVELESS #2 Written by Brian Azzarello Art and cover by Marcelo Frusin The gritty new Western miniseries by the incomparable team of Brian Azzarello and Marcelo Frusin continues. With the gunsmoke from the last issue still lingering in the air, Wes Cutter is once again confronted by those out for his blood. Meanwhile, Wes's wife Ruth slowly comes to terms with her own horrifying past as she desperately clings to the future Wes promises her. On sale November 23 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US . MATURE READERS LUCIFER #68 Written by Mike Carey Art by Peter Gross & Ryan Kelly Cover by Michael Wm. Kaluta "Morningstar," Part 5 of 6. The throne of God is shattered, the Silver City has fallen, and Lucifer fights on alone in the wreckage. If there's still a way to save the rest of Creation, then it depends on half-angel Elaine Belloc, who's been summoned before a higher tribunal than she ever imagined possible. On sale Nov 23 . 32 pg, FC, $2.75 US . MATURE READERS NEIL GAIMAN'S NEVERWHERE #5 Written by Mike Carey Consulting by Neil Gaiman Art and cover by Glenn Fabry The Earl sends Richard and Door in search of the Angelus, which could provide the key to the mystery of who murdered Door's family. Their search brings Richard back into London Above, where he meets a familiar face, even if no one there recognizes his. Meanwhile, the Marquis goes solo on a mission that could cost him his life when he saunters into the lair of sardonic assassins Croup and Vandemar. On sale Nov 30 . 5 of 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US . MATURE READERS SWAMP THING #21 Written by Joshua Dysart Art by Enrique Breccia Cover by Eric Powell Kicking off a new storyline, "The Bleeding Raconteur," plus the debut of a new cover artist, Eisner-Award winner Eric Powell (The Goon, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell). In the fallout of the "Healing the Breach" story arc, we return to the Louisiana Bayou to meet William, an irrepressible Cajun storyteller who unwittingly unleashes the nightmarish characters featured in his tales. Once again, it's up to the Swamp Thing to chase them back into folklore, but when he recognizes a familiar face among the myths, he may be reluctant to do so. On sale November 2 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US . MATURE READERS Y: THE LAST MAN #39 Written by Brian K. Vaughan Art by Pia Guerra & Jose Marzan Jr. Cover by Massimo Carnevale The startling conclusion to the 3-part "Paper Dolls" storyline! Love is in the air as two cast members make the connection, and Yorick continues his desperate search for his fiancee Beth. But when 355 risks her life to stop a tabloid journalist from exposing Y to the world, could it put the kibosh on cupid? On sale Nov 9 . 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US . MATURE READERS Y: THE LAST MAN - GIRL ON GIRL TP Written by Brian K. Vaughan Art by Goran Sudzuka, Pia Guerra and Jose Marzan Jr. Cover by Massimo Carnevale The saga of Yorick Brown, the last man on Earth, continues in the sixth volume collecting issues #32-36 of the hit VERTIGO series. Yorick, Agent 355 and Dr. Mann ship out across the Pacific to Japan in pursuit of Yorick's stolen monkey Ampersand, whose innards may hold the key to mankind's future. On sale Nov 23 . 128 pg, FC, $12.99 US . MATURE READERS Y: THE LAST MAN - RING OF TRUTH TP Written by Brian K. Vaughan Art by Pia Guerra and Jose Marzan Jr. Cover by Massimo Carnevale Reoffered to coincide with Y: The Last Man - Girl On Girl TP, this volume collects issues #24-31 of the hit series. Yorick's unbalanced sister Hero tracks him to San Francisco, only to find him seemingly succumbing to the male-killing plague after losing his still-unused engagement ring to agents of the Setauket Ring. On sale Nov 23 . 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US . MATURE READERS . RELIST DC DIRECT BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE Inspired by Mike Mignola Sculpted by Jonathan Matthews A sought-after addition to DC Direct's collection of Batman Black & White statues, this collectible - based on the cover for Batman Black & White Vol. 2 by Mike Mignola - presents a unique vision of the Caped Crusader. Painted in monochromatic tones, this limited-edition statue reflects the mood of Batman Black & White Vol. 1 and 2, the stunning collections of short stories by award- winning talent. The statue measures approximately 7.5" tall 4.75 " wide 3" deep, features a logo-shaped base, and is packaged in a black-and-white box. Advance-solicited; on sale April 19 . Statue . $55.00 US BATMAN BY KIA ASAMIYA COLLECTOR ACTION FIGURE WAVE 2: BATMAN This line of COLLECTOR ACTION FIGURES, designed by acclaimed Japanese artist Kia Asamiya, is manufactured by Japanese toy manufacturer Yamato exclusively for the Japanese toy market. These limited-edition Batman figures are available for sale outside of Asia only under special arrangement with DC Direct! The BATMAN ACTION FIGURE comes with a rock-shaped base measuring .55" H x 2.5" W x 1.5" D. This figure is limited to 7000 pieces. Retro-solicited; on sale October 12 . Action Figure . 7" . PI BATMAN BY KIA ASAMIYA COLLECTOR ACTION FIGURE WAVE 2: EVIL BATMAN The EVIL BATMAN ACTION FIGURE comes with a display base (looks like a piece of statual concrete piece). This figure comes with a base measuring 1.5" H x 3.4" W x 1.25" D and is limited to 7000 pieces. Retro-solicited; on sale October 12 . Action Figure .7.5" . PI BATMAN BY KIA ASAMIYA COLLECTOR ACTION FIGURE WAVE 2: HARLEY QUINN The HARLEY QUINN ACTION FIGURE comes with a frosted-cake display base. This figure comes with a base measuring .25" H x 3.9" W x 4" D and is limited to 7000 pieces. Retro-solicited; on sale October 12 . Action Figure . 6" . PI BATMAN BY KIA ASAMIYA COLLECTOR ACTION FIGURE WAVE 2: POISON IVY The POISON IVY ACTION FIGURE comes with a creeping plant-shaped display base. This figure comes with a base measuring 6.5" H x 3" W x 1.75" D and is limited to 7000 pieces. Retro-solicited; on sale October 12 . Action Figure . 6.5" . PI DEPARTURE FROM KRYPTON MINI-STATUE Original statue designed and sculpted by William Paquet With the destruction of Krypton imminent, scientist Jor-El and his wife Lara placed their infant son Kal-El in an experimental rocket to send him to Earth and safety. This hand-painted cold- cast porcelain mini-statue, measures approximately X" tall x X" wide x X" deep. Packaged in a 4-color box. Advance-solicited; on sale April 12 . Mini-Statue . $49.99 US GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH POSTER Art by Ethan Van Sciver This striking image of Hal Jordan in his triumphant return to the mantle of Green Lantern, originally published as the cover of the Green Lantern: Rebirth hardcover collection is now a stunning 24" x 36" poster! Advance-solicited; on sale April 5 . Poster . $7.99 US JLA CLASSIFIED #1 POSTER Art by Ed McGuinness & Dexter Vines The World's Greatest Super Heroes come together in this stunning new 24" x 36" poster capturing Ed McGuinness's striking image of the JLA originally presented as the cover of JLA: Classified #1! Advance-solicited; on sale April 5 . Poster . $7.99 US JLA CLASSIFIED SERIES 1: AQUAMAN ACTION FIGURE Aquaman makes the final blow to the plans of Nebula Man by freeing the mind of Mariner Beryl's human host. This Action Figure features multiple points of articulation and a display base. Packaged in a 4-color blister. Advance-solicited; on sale April 5 . Action Figure . 6.625" H . PI JLA CLASSIFIED SERIES 1: THE FLASH ACTION FIGURE The Fastest Man Alive uses his powers to protect innocent by- standers from the destruction of the rampaging Ultramarine Corp. This Action Figure features multiple points of articulation and a display base. Packaged in a 4-color blister. Advance-solicited; on sale April 5 . Action Figure . 6.625" H . PI JLA CLASSIFIED SERIES 1: GREEN LANTERN ACTION FIGURE Jon Stewart must overcome his power ring's weakness to yellow when this impurity is restored by The Master. This Action Figure features multiple points of articulation and a display base. This figure also includes a flag accessory. Packaged in a 4-color blister. Advance-solicited; on sale April 5 . Action Figure . 6.625" H . PI JLA CLASSIFIED SERIES 1: MARTIAN MANHUNTER ACTION FIGURE Nearly destroyed by the mind-controlled Olympian, Martian Manhunter recovers in time to coordinate the final assault on the rogue heroes. This Action Figure features multiple points of articulation and a display base. Packaged in a 4-color blister. Advance-solicited; on sale April 5 . Action Figure . 7.5" H . PI JLA CLASSIFIED SERIES 1: WONDER WOMAN ACTION FIGURE Wonder Woman led the charge against International heroes the Ultramarine Corp who were being mind-controlled by Gorilla Grodd. This Action Figure features multiple points of articulation and a display base. Packaged in a 4-color blister. Advance-solicited; on sale April 5 . Action Figure . 6.625" H . PI LOONEY TUNES GOLDEN COLLECTION: SERIES 1: "THE SCARLET PUMPERNICKEL" SYLVESTER ACTION FIGURE Looking to capture the Scarlet Pumpernickel once and for all, the Chamberlain entices the Grand Duke, Sylvester, to set a trap by marrying his daughter. The two battle for the Fair Lady's hand in a dashing sword fight that doesn't turn out as the Duke had planned. This deluxe figure includes all of the pieces needed to create a scene from the classic "Scarlet Pumpernickel" episode. You can mix and match this set with the Daffy figure to create multiple moments from this unforgettable piece of animation history. Accessories include a hat for Sylvester with a flocked feather, a full-size and mini sword, candelabra with a stand, 1.5" Henery Hawk figure with five points of articulation, a bonus figure of Henery Hawk with hat, ascot, scroll and quill, a base and scenic back drop card along with a reproduction of the original animated episodes "title card" and miniature display easel. Packaged in a 4-color box. Advance-solicited; on sale April 19 . Action Figure . 6" . PI LOONEY TUNES GOLDEN COLLECTION: SERIES 1: "THE SCARLET PUMPERNICKEL" DAFFY DUCK ACTION FIGURE Daffy Duck, as the masked swashbuckler The Scarlet Pumpernickel, rides about the countryside thwarting the efforts of the nefarious Lord High Chamberlain. All the while he secretly pines away for his one true love, the Fair Lady Melissa, the Chamberlain's daughter. This deluxe figure includes all of the pieces needed to create a scene from the classic "Scarlet Pumpernickel" episode. You can mix and match this set with the Sylvester figure to create multiple moments from this unforgettable piece of animation history. Accessories include a hat for Daffy, straight pin, sword, a candelabra with a clear candle and a stand, a base and scenic backdrop card along with a bonus figure of Melissa, 3" tall with three points of articulation. There is also a reproduction of the original animated episode's "title card" and miniature display easel. Packaged in a 4-color box. Advance-solicited; on sale April 19 . Action Figure . 4.75" . PI LOONEY TUNES GOLDEN COLLECTION: SERIES 1: "WHAT'S OPERA, DOC?" ELMER FUDD ACTION FIGURE As the demigod Siegfried, Elmer is out to "kill the wabbit." Instead he is stopped in his tracks at the sight of the beautiful Valkyrie Brunhilde, who is Bugs Bunny in disguise. This deluxe figure includes all of the pieces needed to create a scene from the classic "What's Opera, Doc?" episode. You can mix and match this set with the Bugs figure to create multiple moments from this unforgettable piece of animation history. Accessories include a translucent lightning bolt, a magic spear, a set of interchangeable arms, a base and scenic backdrop card along with a reproduction of the original animated episode's "title card" and miniature display easel. Packaged in a 4-color box. Advance-solicited; on sale April 19 . Action Figure . 5.25" . PI LOONEY TUNES GOLDEN COLLECTION: SERIES 1: "WHAT'S OPERA, DOC?" BUGS BUNNY ACTION FIGURE Bugs Bunny disguises himself as a prima donna, Valkyrie Brunhilde, to fool Elmer Fudd. When revealed, Elmer is enraged and commands fierce lightning, heavy rain, wind and hail storms to "kill the wabbit"! This deluxe figure includes all of the pieces needed to create a scene from the classic "What's Opera, Doc?" episode. You can mix and match this set with the Elmer figure to create multiple moments from this unforgettable piece of animation history. Accessories include a divan with a cushion and tassel which measure 3" H x 4" W x 2" D, a base 1" H x 4.5" W x 3.5" D, and a set of interchangeable arms for creating multiple poses. a base and scenic backdrop card along with a reproduction of the original animated episode's "title card" and miniature display easel. Packaged in a 4-color box. Advance-solicited; on sale April 19 . Action Figure . 6.5" . PI SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES SERIES 1: SUPERMAN ACTION FIGURE Designed by Ed McGuinness! Superman, protector of Metropolis, joins Batman to fight crime and bring criminals to justice. This figure features multiple points of articulation and includes a Superman/Batman logo base. Packaged in a 4-color deluxe blister. Advance-solicited; on sale April 17 . Action Figure . 6.75" H . PI . RELIST SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES SERIES 1: BATMAN ACTION FIGURE Designed by Ed McGuinness! Batman, guardian of Gotham City, teams up with Superman to fight crime and bring evildoers to justice. This figure features multiple points of articulation, a grappling gun accessory and a Superman/Batman logo base. Packaged in a 4-color deluxe blister. Advance-solicited; on sale April 17 . Action Figure . 6.75" H . PI . RELIST SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES SERIES 1: CAPTAIN ATOM ACTION FIGURE Designed by Ed McGuinness! In a freak experiment, Captain Atom was given extraordinary powers and made a name for himself as a superhero. This figure features multiple points of articulation and includes a Superman/Batman logo base. Packaged in a 4-color deluxe blister. Advance-solicited; on sale April 17 . Action Figure . 6.75" H . PI . RELIST SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES SERIES 1: METALLO ACTION FIGURE Designed by Ed McGuinness! The powerful Metallo is bent on destroying Superman and everything he stands for! This figure features multiple points of articulation, detachable skull face, removable right arm with gun and right arm steam shovel accessories, plus a Superman/Batman logo base. Packaged in a 4- color deluxe blister. Advance-solicited; on sale April 17 . Action Figure . 6.5" H . PI . RELIST SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES SERIES 1: SHAZAM! ACTION FIGURE Designed by Ed McGuinness! The World's Mightiest Mortal, SHAZAM! uses his magical powers to fight for truth and justice in a troubled world. This figure features multiple points of articulation and includes a Superman/Batman logo base. Packaged in a 4-color deluxe blister. Advance-solicited; on sale April 17 . Action Figure . 6.75" H . PI . RELIST CHECKLIST October 12: Batman by Kia Asamiya Collector Action Figure Wave 2: Batman Batman by Kia Asamiya Collector Action Figure Wave 2: Evil Batman Batman by Kia Asamiya Collector Action Figure Wave 2: Harley Quinn Batman by Kia Asamiya Collector Action Figure Wave 2: Poison Ivy October 19: Teen Titans: Jam-Packed Action Vol. 1 November 2: ABC A-Z: Greyshirt and Cobweb Batman: Gotham County Line #2 Blood of the Demon #9 Day of Vengeance TP Desolation Jones #4 Detective Comics #813 Firestorm #19 The Fountain HC JLA/Avengers: The Collector's Edition HC Jonah Hex #1 Showcase Presents: Jonah Hex VOL. 1 TP JSA #79 Justice League Unlimitted #15 Looney Tunes #132 Mad #460 Outsiders #30 The OMAC Project TP Prelude to Infinite Crisis TP Seven Soldiers: The Bulleteer #1 SmaxTP Superman #223 Superman/Shazam: First Thunder #3 Swamp Thing #21 Swan VOL. 5 Testarotho VOL. 2 Tower of the Future VOL. 1 November 9: 100 Bullets #66 Action Comics #833 Aquaman #36 Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #197 The Batman Strikes! #15 Breach #11 Danger Girl: Back in Black #1 DMZ #1 Gotham Central #37 Hawkman#46 Infinite Crisis #2 JLA #122 The Losers: Close Quarters TP The Losers: Trifecta TP Mad Kids #1 Majestic #11 Manhunter VOL. 1: Street Justice TP Musashi #9 VOL. 5 Nightwing #114 Scooby-Doo #102 Son of Vulcan #6 Superman Secret Files 2005 T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Archives VOL. 6 HC T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Archives VOL. 5 HC Wildcats: Nemesis #3 The Winter Men #4 Y: The Last Man #39 November 16: All Star Superman #1 Batman and the Monster Men #1 Batman: Journey Into Knight #4 Birds of Prey #88 Captain Atom: Armageddon #2 Ex Machina #17 Fables #43 Green Arrow #56 Green Lantern Corps: Recharge #3 Hellblazer #214 Legion of Super-Heroes VOL. 1: Teenage Revolution TP Manhunter #16 The Powerpuff Girls #68 Robotech: Prelude to the Shadow Chronicles #3 Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #1 Supergirl #4 Teen Titans #30 Tenjho Tenge VOL. 4 Top 10: Beyond the Farthest Pricinct #4 Wraithborn #3 November 23: Adventures of Superman #646 The Authority: The Magnificent Kev #4 Batgirl #70 Batman: Gotham Knights #71 Cartoon Network Block Party #15 Catwoman #49 The Flash #228 Gals! VOL. 4 I Can't Believe it's not the Justice League TP Formerly Known as the Justice League TP Jack Cross #4 JSA Classified #5 Legion of Super-Heroes #12 Loveless #2 Lucifer #68 Robin #144 The Spirit Archives VOL. 17 HC The Spirit Archives VOL. 16 HC Vigilante #3 Young Magician VOL. 2 Y: The Last Man - Girl on Girl TP Y: The Last Man - Ring of Truth TP November 30: Albion #5 Batman #647 Doom Patrol #18 Green Lantern #7 JLA Classified #14 The Losers #30 Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere #5 Ocean TP Plastic Man #19 Silent Dragon #5 Superman/Batman #24 Superman: In the Name of Gog TP Superman: Wrath of Gog TP Teen Titans Go! #25 Teen Titans: The Future is Now TP Teen Titans: Beast Boys and Girls TP Wonder Woman #223 April 5: Green Lantern: Rebirth Poster JLA Classified #1 Poster JLA Classified Series 1: Aquaman Action Figure JLA Classified Series 1: The Flash Action Figure JLA Classified Series 1: Green Lantern Action Figure JLA Classified Series 1: Martian Manhunter Action Figure JLA Classified Series 1: Wonder Woman Action Figure April 12: Departure from Krypton Mini-Statue April 17: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Series 1: Batman Action Figure Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Series 1: Captain Atom Action Figure Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Series 1: Metallo Action Figure Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Series 1: Shazam! Action Figure Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Series 1: Superman Action Figure April 19: Batman Black & White Statue Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Series 1: "The Scarlet Pumpernickel" Sylvester Action Figure Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Series 1: "The Scarlet Pumpernickel" Daffy Duck Action Figure Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Series 1: "What's Opera, Doc?" Elmer Fudd Action Figure Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Series 1: "What's Opera, Doc?" Bugs Bunny Action Figure +++++ MARVEL COMICS SOLICITATIONS FOR PRODUCT SHIPPING NOVEMBER, 2005 ULTIMATE MARVEL ULTIMATES 2 #9 Written by MARK MILLAR Pencils & Cover by BRYAN HITCH "GRAND THEFT AMERICA" With the devastating revelation of the traitor in the Ultimates, the team is reeling in shock! But even that sad situation can't stop wedding bells from ringing for Tony "Iron Man" Stark and Natasha "Black Widow" Romanov. Make sure to bring your invitation-to action! Part 3 (of 6) 32 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY ...$2.99 ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #25 Written by MARK MILLAR Pencils & Cover by GREG LAND "TOMB OF NAMOR" Q: Who's buried in Namor's Tomb? A: The Fantastic Four are about to find out! Fathoms beneath the sea, the quartet explores the lost continent of Atlantis-and find more than they expected! Especially Sue.... Part 2 (of 3). 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP...$2.50 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #85 Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Pencils & Cover by MARK BAGLEY "WARRIORS" The Gangwar comes to its shattering conclusion-this is one ending you don't want to miss! Who lives? Who dies? Who will betray Spider-Man?! And what happens when the spark of romance is rekindled between Spidey and the Black Cat? Let the fur fly! Part 7 (of 7). 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.50 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #86 Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Pencils and Cover by MARK BAGLEY "SILVER SABLE" Part 1 (of 5) The head of Roxxon Oil sics the world's greatest mercenary, Silver Sable, on Spider-Man to learn why the webspinner has targeted Roxxon on his nightly patrols. How violently Ms. Sable wants to handle the situation is strictly up to her. Spinning out of the Ultimate Spider-Man video game (written and designed by our longstanding team of Bendis and Bagley!), Ultimate Silver Sable might be the most dangerous foe Spidey has ever faced! Plus- Who is Ultimate Omega Red? 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.50 MARVEL MILESTONES: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, ULTIMATE X-MEN, MICROMAN & MANTOR THE MAGICIAN Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, GEOFF JOHNS, HAROLD DELAY & AL GABRIELE Penciled by MARK BAGLEY, AARON LOPRESTI, PAUL QUINN & AL GABRIELE Cover by AARON LOPRESTI From the Mighty Marvel Digital Archives come two rare tales from the early Ultimate Universe! Danny Rand - the Hero-for-Hire known as Iron Fist - makes his Ultimate debut in ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1/2, and Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch come to grips with Magneto's seeming death in the never-before-reprinted ULTIMATE X- MEN #1/2! Plus: Thrill to the Golden Age adventures of Microman and Mantor the Magician from HUMAN TORCH #2 (Fall 1940)! 48 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.99 ULTIMATE X-MEN #65 Written by BRIAN VAUGHAN Pencils & Cover by STUART IMMONEN "MAGNETIC NORTH" It's the shocking conclusion to the Ultimate X-Men's biggest adventure. In a story that pits brother against brother, friend against friend, it's Magneto versus the X-Men in final battle- inside the Ultimates headquarters, the Triskelion! Part 5 (of 5). 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.50 SPIDER-MAN FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #2 Guest-Writer REGINALD HUDLIN Pencils & Cover by MIKE WIERINGO "THE OTHER: EVOLVE OR DIE" Part 4 (of 12) The second month of "The Other: Evolve or Die," starts here! Spidey faces his biggest threat yet - a foe so insidious that he can't hope to handle it alone. With friends like Reed Richards, Stephen Strange and Hank Pym, he won't have to. But can even the world's greatest minds change the course of fate? And if they could, would they dare? 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN #20 Written by REGINALD HUDLIN Pencils & Cover PAT LEE "THE OTHER: EVOLVE OR DIE" Part 5 (of 12) Having finally accepted his fate, Peter Parker decides to put the red and blue tights in the closet and spend some quality time with Aunt May and MJ. But Morlun's got other plans... 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #526 Guest-Writer REGINALD HUDLIN Pencils & Cover by MIKE DEODATO, JR. "THE OTHER: EVOLVE OR DIE" Part 6 (of 12) It's cover-to-cover action as Spider-Man faces off against Morlun - and this time there's no Ezekiel to helpp him. Sit down for this one, True Believer - you've never seen a fight quite like this, as Spidey faces the one foe he's never beaten! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.50 SPIDER-GIRL #92 Written by TOM DEFALCO Pencils & Cover by RON FRENZ "In The Shadow of Evil--!" After training with the X-People, Nancy Lu finally returns to Forest Hills as Spider-Girl faces the startling return of a powerful super-villain-and it's not the one you think! 32 PGS./ALL AGES ...$2.99 SPIDER-MAN UNLIMITED #12 Written by CHRISTOS N. GAGE & TOM BELAND Penciled by MIKE MCKONE Cover by SALVATOR LARROCA In two short stories, Spider-Man is pitted against two powerful forces! Cristos N. Gage (Deadshot) and THE FANTASTIC FOUR's Mike McKone create a hilarious story featuring the return of BIG WHEEL! And Tom Beland serves up a touching story forcing Spider- Man to face his most terrible foe-HIS PAST! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 MARVEL MUST HAVES: SPIDER-MAN & THE BLACK CAT #1-3 Written by KEVIN SMITH Pencils & Cover by TERRY DODSON Before the long-awaited ending, get caught up on the beginning! The mysterious disappearance of an old friend brings Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat, to New York in search of answers, and a certain web-slinging ex-lover of hers is following the same trail. How long will it take before they do some...catching up? Plus: An 8-page preview of the eagerly anticipated issue #4! All wrapped up with new covers by Terry Dodson! 96 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$4.99 ARANA #11 Written by FIONA AVERY Penciled by FRANCIS PORTELA Cover by ROGER CRUZ Craving revenge on the mysterious man known as Jade, Arana wants to give herself to the hunter-but at what cost? When she loses control, Miguel must find a way to bring her back before she puts everyone she cares about in mortal danger. 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 MARVEL KNIGHTS BLACK PANTHER #10 Written by REGINALD HUDLIN Penciled by SCOT EATON Cover by GARY FRANK "TWO THE HARD WAY" Part 1 (of 4) What type of man does a hard case like Luke Cage look up to? The kind of man who's got the guts to speak the truth and the muscle to back it up. The kind of man who's got all the gadgets to get the job done, a pair of sexy female bodyguards watching his back, and an entire kingdom at his disposal. That man is the Black Panther - and when King T'Challa asks for Cage's expertise in solving a little problem, it's got the makings of a serious team- up, with cameos galore from across the Marvel Universe. Jump on board here, True Believer, as BLACK PANTHER revs up to an event of cataclysmic proportions. 32 PGS/T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 DAREDEVIL VS. PUNISHER #6 (of 6) Written by DAVID LAPHAM Art & Cover by DAVID LAPHAM MEANS AND ENDS In this action-packed finale to the hit miniseries written, penciled, and inked by Eisner-award winner David Lapham, the Punisher and Daredevil face off in a vicious confrontation with the control of Hell's Kitchen - and the entire city -- at stake. Will the cold-blooded "Professor" and his brutal thugs take control of the city from their impenetrable fortress? And will Daredevil and the Punisher be able to quell the violent uprising before it destroys the city - or will they destroy each other first? 32 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY ...$2.99 BLACK WIDOW 2: THE THINGS THEY SAY ABOUT HER #3 (of 6) Written by RICHARD K. MORGAN Layouts by SEAN PHILLIPS Finishes & Cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ Natasha Romanova knows that Sally Anne Carter is still alive. Now comes the hard part: finding her! To do that, she'll have to fight her way through the entire Miami criminal underworld. She likes those odds! 32 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY ...$2.99 DAREDEVIL: FATHER #5 (of 5) Written by JOE QUESADA Art by JOE QUESADA, DANNY MIKI, RICHARD ISANOVE Cover by JOE QUESADA The shocking conclusion as Daredevil comes face-to-face with serial killer, Johnny Sockets! The fallout from this story will rock Daredevil down to his very origin itself! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 GHOST RIDER #3 (of 6) Written by GARTH ENNIS Art & Cover CLAYTON CRAIN "THE ROAD TO DAMNATION" Hot on the heels of the rogue demon, Kazaan, the Ghost Rider has his first run in with another bounty hunter from the other side: a demon named Hoss whose neck is redder than his soul is black. But it's the sultry archangel named Ruth who both had better worry about. 32 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY ...$2.99 MARVEL KNIGHTS 4 #24 Written by ROBERTO AGUIRRE-SACASA Penciled by VALENTINE DE LANDRO Cover by MIKE ALLRED The reality-shredding insanity begun last issue with the Impossible Man's return to Earth amps up with the arrival of the Fantastic Four's evil twins, sudden growth spurts for Franklin and Valeria, and a...Deus Ex Machina appearance in the mighty FF tradition?! Will the FF survive this meta-adventure? Probably-- but will Marvel Comics? 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 DAREDEVIL #79 Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Pencils & Cover ALEX MALEEV "THE MURDOCK PAPERS" Will the justice system Matt Murdock has dedicated his life to serving abandon him in the face of the biggest challenge of his life? The battle for the Murdock Papers takes a shocking turn. Part 4 (of 6) 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 PUNISHER VS. BULLSEYE #1 (of 5) Written by DANIEL WAY Penciled by STEVE DILLON Cover by MIKE DEODATO JR. "THE MAN'S GOT STYLE" Alphonse Patrillo's a rare breed: a mob boss looked down the barrel of the Punisher's rifle, and lived to tell about it. Ever since that day, he's taken pains - great pains - to stay under the Punisher's radar while he schemed his revenge. Now Uncle Fonzie has got a plan: he's going to fight fire with fire. Who do you hire to take out a relentless psychopath like the Punisher? An even more relentless psychopath. And this guy, well, let's just say he never misses. Wall-to-wall action by the creative team behind BULLSEYE'S GREATEST HITS and SUPREME POWER: NIGHTHAWK: Daniel Way and Steve Dillon. 32 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY ...$2.99 WOLVERINE #36 Written by DANIEL WAY Breakdowns by JAVIER SALTARES Finishes by MARK TEXEIRA Cover by JOE QUESADA "ORIGINS AND ENDINGS" Part 1 (of 5) Left shaken at ground zero after the cataclysmic events of HOUSE OF M, Logan has no choice but to soldier on, as he has done so many times before - but has the burden now become too great? In his lifetime, Logan has been both a hero and a villain, a player and a pawn... but what is he now? Don't miss out on the beginning of a year-long epic over a century in the making. 32 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY ...$2.50 MARVEL HEROES AMAZING FANTASY #15 Written by DANIEL WAY, DAN SLOTT, GREG PAK, ROBERT KIRKMAN, & ROBERTO AGUIRRE-SACASA Penciled by PETE WOODS, NICK DRAGOTTA, JEFF PARKER, SAL BUSCEMA, KHARI RANDOLPH & TAKESHI MIYAZAWA Cover by PETE WOODS MILESTONE ISSUE: In the tradition of the original Marvel classic that debuted everyone's favorite wall crawler, we introduce a new generation of heroes in this 48-page special featuring five new stories by our hottest new writers. Will lightning strike twice? Is Marvel's next superstar in these very pages? A guaranteed blast of comic book fun! 48 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.99 BOOKS OF DOOM #1 (of 6) Written by ED BRUBAKER Penciled by PABLO RAIMONDI Cover by PAOLO RIVERA Five-time Eisner-Nominated Best Writer Ed Brubaker turns his shadowy vision to Marvel's greatest villain, Victor Von Doom. With the phenomenal art team of Pablo Raimondi and Mark Farmer, you will witness Doom's life from his earliest moments to the day he took the throne of Latveria. A dark and revealing examination of how an innocent boy grows up to be a tyrant, a new twist on an old legend -- the Books of Doom is a sweeping epic of tragedy, madness, and destiny, and unlike any other Marvel Comic you will buy this year! In this debut issue, turning his back on childhood love, young Victor develops an obsession with the dark arts that stole his beautiful mother from him. But it's his experiments with science that attract the interest of global powers and bring his Gypsy tribe into direct conflict with the despotic rulers of Latveria. 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 DEFENDERS #5 (of 5) Written by KEITH GIFFEN & J. M. DeMATTEIS Pencils & Cover KEVIN MAGUIRE It's the final, fateful showdown between Dormammu and everyone's favorite non-team! Yeah. That's it. Dormammu and Umar and the evil Dr. Strange! Oh! Oh! And a world of evil Marvel heroes! Wow... This is better than I remembered. I think we actually might have pulled it off... 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 CABLE/DEADPOOL #22 Written by FABIAN NICIEZA Pencils & Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER "Bosom Buddies" The Black Box has access to all of the world's telecommunications, and knowledge is power! But you know what else is power? Big smacking guns that never seem to draw blood but make all kinds of crackly energy come out of them! Now THAT's power! And you know who has LOTS of those guns...? Cable, of course! (Where were you in the '90s?) Part 3 (of 4). 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 CAPTAIN AMERICA #13 Written by ED BRUBAKER Pencils & Cover by STEVE EPTING As "The Winter Soldier" arc rockets toward its senses-shattering conclusion, Cap's allies come to his aid in the hunt for the man he believes may actually be his one-time partner. Featuring special guest appearances by both Iron Man and the Falcon! You can't miss this issue, as red-hot creative team Brubaker and Epting up the ante one more time! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 DRAX THE DESTROYER #3 (of 4) Written by KEITH GIFFEN Pencils & Cover by MITCH BREITWEISER An entire town is enslaved by escaped extraterrestrial convicts who want nothing more than to be gone before any of Earth's super-powered defenders know that they were ever there. Their concerns are misplaced. Drax has been reborn and is out to settle the score with anyone who's ever crossed him. Not a good day to be an escaped extraterrestrial convict. 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 FANTASTIC FOUR/IRON MAN: BIG IN JAPAN #2 (of 4) Written by ZEB WELLS Pencils & Wraparound Cover by SETH FISHER ALL-OUT MONSTER RIOT! It's big battle time in Japan and only the kaiju-crushing First Family of Super Heroes and Tony Stark, the Invincible Iron Man can save the city from the size 2000 Nikes of monsters gone mad! You'll find out here and now Reed Richards' answer to the hottest dating question in all of Tokyo: Do you speak monster? 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.50 FANTASTIC FOUR #533 Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI Pencils & Cover by MIKE MCKONE Guest-starring the fighting-mad Hulk! When a doomsday weapon manufactured by Hydra turns up in the Nevada desert, there's only one man the authorities can ask to go in and defuse it-Bruce Banner! What does all of this have to do with the FF, you ask? Well, who do you think has to deal with the fallout when it all goes terribly wrong...? 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 FANTASTIC FOUR: THE WEDDING SPECIAL Written by KARL KESEL Penciled by DREW JOHNSON Cover by GENE HA A true Collector's Item celebrating one of the greatest events in comics history - the marriage of Reed Richards and Sue Storm! Hard to believe they tied the knot 40 years ago... and it certainly doesn't seem that much time has passed to Reed and Sue themselves when a special evening out gives them a chance to look over their entire life together - past, present and future - in an all-new 30-page story by Karl Kesel and Drew Johnson. Also included as an added bonus: Reed and Sue's original 1965 wedding extravaganza, guest-starring the Avengers, X-Men, Spider-Man and a cast of thousands - an epic that could only be told by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby! So, like all great weddings, this Special mixes something old (The original Lee/Kirby FF Wedding Spectacular) with something new ("The Life Fantastic" by Kesel/Johnson) - even though there's nothing borrowed, and the only thing blue will be any fan who misses this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! 64 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$4.99 MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2005 Written by JEFF PARKER, MIKE CAREY & SHAENON GARRITY Penciled by REILLY BROWN, MIKE PERKINS & ROGER LANGRIGE Cover by STUART IMMONEN It's that time of year again (or at least it will be when these books come out), and we've thrown out the rulebook to deliver the wildest set of holiday stories you'll find anywhere! It's a party with the New Avengers as they battle Ultron-programmed to think he's Santa!?! That's courtesy Jeff Parker (Interman, Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four) and hot newcomer Reilly Brown! Then Mike Carey (Ultimate Fantastic Four, Hellblazer) joins Mike Perkins (Spellbinders, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) to take the Fantastic Four on a wild ride! Finally, webcomics superstar Shaenon Garrity (Narbonic) joins indy comics legend Roger Langridge (Fred the Clown, Marvel Monsters: Fin Fang Four) for just the sort of insanity they're known for! 48 PGS./ALL AGES ...$3.99 NICK FURY'S HOWLING COMMANDOS #2 Written by KEITH GIFFEN Pencils & Cover by EDUARDO FRANCISCO The worst-case scenario has come true. Merlin-the world's most powerful sorcerer-has escaped from a high-tech S.H.I.E.L.D. installation. He's not happy, and-after being encased in crystal all these years-none too sane. It's up to the scariest batch of heroes you've ever seen to take him down...if they can. Monster action the Marvel way! Don't miss this exciting second chapter featuring The Living Mummy, Warwolf, The Zombie, Nina Price (Vampire by Night) and more creatures than you can shake a wooden stake at. 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 NICK FURY'S HOWLING COMMANDOS #1 DIRECTOR'S CUT Written by KEITH GIFFEN Pencils & Cover by EDUARDO FRANCISCO This all-new expanded edition reprints the fantastic first issue of NICK FURY'S HOWLING COMMANDOS, plus a supernatural serving of otherworldly extras - including characters designs by Edu Francisco! 48 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.99 INCREDIBLE HULK #88 & 89 Written by DANIEL WAY Penciled by KEU CHA Cover by BRANDON PETERSON "PEACE IN OUR TIME" Parts 1 & 2 (of 4) Bruce Banner has finally found a semblance of peace. Here, in the isolated interior of Alaska, he hopes to protect the rest of humanity from The Hulk's never-ending rampage by secluding himself in self-imposed exile. Banner is confident that his plan will work-after all, who would be foolish enough to actually come looking for The Hulk? But when Nick Fury comes calling, you know there's trouble for someone involved. This arc sets up next year's huge event involving a certain Jade Giant. 32 PGS. (each)/T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 GIANT-SIZE INVADERS #2 Written by ROY THOMAS, BILL EVERETT, CARL BURGOS, JOE SIMON & JACK KIRBY Penciled by JAY ANACLETO, FRANK ROBBINS, BILL EVERETT, CARL BURGOS, JOE SIMON & JACK KIRBY Cover by JAY ANACLETO Captain America, the Sub-Mariner and the Human Torch - together again, in a brand-new story written by the legendary Roy Thomas! Plus: The greatest super heroes of World War II unite to battle the Axis powers in INVADERS #1-2 (August-October 1975); the Sub- Mariner takes on the Torpedo Boat Terror, from ALL-WINNERS COMICS #1 (Summer 1941); the Human Torch gets caught in the Carnival of Death, from ALL-WINNERS COMICS #2 (Fall 1941); and Captain America cracks the Strange Case of the Malay Idol, also from ALL- WINNERS #2. 96 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$4.99 MARVEL TEAM-UP #14 Written by ROBERT KIRKMAN Pencils & Cover by CORY WALKER The team-up you thought you'd never see! Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker's INVINCIBLE bounces over to the Marvel Universe for a visit! Doctor Octopus is on the loose and Spider-Man is on the job with the help of INVINCIBLE. Also, the New Avengers make an appearance- - so don't miss this one-of-a-kind crossover event! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 MARVEL MONSTERS: FROM THE FILES OF ULYSSES BLOODSTONE (AND THE MONSTER HUNTERS) Written by JEFF CHRISTIANSEN, MICHAEL HOSKIN, MADISON CARTER, SEAN MCQUAID & ERIC J. MOREELS Cover by ERIC POWELL Creatures on the loose! This companion volume to October's MARVEL MONSTERS event contains in-depth bios on a cadre of classic creatures, from Blip to Zzutak, as catalogued by the famed Monster Hunters themselves - including Ulysses Bloodstone, Dr. Druid, Makkari the Eternal, Namora of Atlantis and Zawadi of Wakanda! With updates by Elsa Bloodstone, modern-day monster hunter and daughter of Ulysses! Highlights include Devil Dinosaur, Fin Fang Foom, Goom, It the Living Colossus, Krakoa, Orrgo, Red Ronin, Scarlet Beetle, Spragg the Living Hill, Tim Boo Ba, Van Doom's monster and Xemnu the Titan. Plus: An all-new cover by Eric Powell! 48 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.99 NEW AVENGERS #13 Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Pencils & Cover by DAVID FINCH "RONIN" After two years of guessing, the answer is finally here!! Who is the mystery Avenger? Who is Ronin? And what does this mean for the future of the team? Plus Spider-Woman's double-crossing ways finally catch up to her in a big, big way! Part 3 (of 3) 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.50 NEW WARRIORS #5 (of 6) Written by ZEB WELLS Pencils & Cover by SKOTT YOUNG The New Warriors discover the evil mastermind behind a rash of pet abductions in the town of NuPonder. And it is...Albert Einstein?! Join the Warriors as they battle some of history's greatest minds, in what can only be described as an excellent adventure!! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 NEW THUNDERBOLTS #15 Written by FABIAN NICIEZA Pencils & Cover by TOM GRUMMETT So what do you do after kicking the crap out of the New Avengers? Songbird has to face some tough decisions when the T-Bolts' new "handlers" demand that her team jump through ever-nastier hoops. Meanwhile, what's the deal with MACH IV and Blizzard's new team? Where has Swordsman been hiding since the Purple Man went down? And what does Joystick do when she's recruited by the greatest game-player in the entire universe? 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 THE PULSE #12 Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Penciled by MICHAEL GAYDOS Cover by MIKE MAYHEW The Jessica Jones / Luke Cage baby is coming! The first baby born in the post House of M Marvel Universe. What does that mean for Jessica Jones and how can her husband and the New Avengers help her? All this and the mystery of...D-Man! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 RUNAWAYS #10 Written by BRIAN K. VAUGHAN Penciled by ADRIAN ALPHONA Cover by JO CHEN "East Coast/West Coast" Field trip! For the first time in their young lives, the Runaways leave Los Angeles, and travel to New York City to help their old friend Cloak find the villain responsible for putting Dagger in a coma. What big-time heroes will the kids encounter on their tour through the Marvel Universe...? Eisner Award-Winning Best Writer Brian K Vaughan continues to keep fans guessing in this highly acclaimed series! Part 2 (of 4). 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 THOR: BLOOD OATH #4 & 5 (of 6) Written by MICHAEL OEMING Pencils & Cover by SCOTT KOLINS After the earth's mightiest heroes - Hercules, son of Zeus and Thor, Son of Odin - clash as only gods can, Thor and the Warriors Three move on to recover the next magical item on their list: the spear of Chulain, the great Celtic hero. His spear is hidden deep within a forgotten land where it boils in a cauldron of blood! Can anyone control this weapon that overheats with anger and the need for battle? One of our heroes will die before this series ends-- so don't you miss it! 32 PGS. (each)/T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 (each) SENTINEL #1 (of 5) Written by SEAN MCKEEVER Art & Cover by UDON The globally-praised tale of a boy and his 'bot by Eisner Award- Winner Sean McKeever, returns for a limited engagement! After using his refurbished government weapon of mutant destruction to make himself popular, you'd think Juston Seyfert would be on top of the world. Instead, he's run away from home, torn up inside by the guilt brought on by his selfish acts. Now in search of his mother, who left his family at an early age, Juston must figure out what to do with his life. And if he doesn't figure it out soon, there are a couple government types who would be more than happy to figure it out for him! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 SHE-HULK #2 Written by DAN SLOTT Penciled by JUAN BOBILLO Cover by GREG HORN "Cause & Effect" Sure, She-Hulk would risk her life to bring Hawkeye back to life... but will she risk getting disbarred? Some stories are SO big, they crack the internet in half. This one? It's gonna seal it back up-and kiss it to make it better. Be there when She-Hulk and Hawkeye team up for a strange legal adventure... and somehow wind up fighting a giant robot. 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 THE SENTRY #3 (of 8) Written by PAUL JENKINS Pencils & Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. To learn the secret to his past, The Sentry must journey into the Negative Zone, where he is powerless. In order to survive, he enlists the aid of a loyal (yet unwilling) friend - the incredible Hulk! And, as expected, it all goes to hell. 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 WHO IS CAPTAIN UNIVERSE? Captain Universe is known as the name for the recipient of the mysterious Uni-Power, a special kind of energy that endows an individual with superhuman powers during a time of crisis. How it has determined its hosts in the past remains a mystery. In November, the unraveling of one of the greatest enigmas in the universe begins as the Uni-Power must posses a handful of Marvel heroes to save itself from an enemy hell bent on its destruction. CAPTAIN UNIVERSE / HULK Written by JAY FAERBER Penciled by CARLOS MAGNO Cover by DANIEL ACUNA Launching out of the pages of AMAZING FANTASY, the CAPTAIN UNIVERSE event kicks into high gear right here! During times of great crisis, the Uni-Power has been known to grant people the spectacular powers of Captain Universe. But now, the Uni-Power is malfunctioning, and it needs the help of Bruce Banner to survive. But can the faltering Uni-Power contain the rage of the Hulk? 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 CAPTAIN UNIVERSE / DAREDEVIL Written by JAY FAERBER Penciled by PAUL SIQUEIRA Cover by DANIEL ACUNA One man knows more about the Uni-Power than anyone on Earth-but he's currently facing jail time! Matt Murdock's going to have a hard time mounting a defense when he has to contend with one of Marvel's nastiest secret organizations. And then there's the small matter of the amplified senses the Uni-Power has given him -- including sight! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 CAPTAIN UNIVERSE / X-23 Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST AND CRAIG KYLE Penciled by FRANCIS PORTELA Cover by DANIEL ACUNA Theorizing that a healing factor might give it the strength to repair itself, the Uni-Power attempts to bond with X-23. But the Uni-Power didn't realize just how powerful X-23's healing factor is-powerful enough to resist its attempts to bond. Can the Uni- Power convince Marvel's "wild child" to let her guard down? 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 CAPTAIN UNIVERSE / INVISIBLE WOMAN Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by JAMES RAIZ Cover by DANIEL ACUNA The most powerful member of the Fantastic Four takes the spotlight when the ailing Uni-Power bonds with her to copy her powers-she's going to need the added might of the Uni-Power when the Shiar decide it's too dangerous to keep on Earth! Co-Starring the Gladiator! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 CAPTAIN UNIVERSE / SILVER SURFER Written by JAY FAERBER Penciled by CARLOS MAGNO Cover by DANIEL ACUNA It's the conclusion to the first phase of the CAPTAIN UNIVERSE event! The Silver Surfer is busy trying to help a peaceful alien civilization fend off the advances of a vicious warlord, and when the Uni-Power accidentally bonds with the warlord instead of the Surfer, the Surfer's job gets that much harder! This one-shot sets the stage for the upcoming CAPTAIN UNIVERSE mini-series! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 MARVEL 1602: NEW WORLD #5 (of 5) Written by GREG PAK Penciled by GREG TOCCHINI Cover by SERGIO TOPPI War comes to the colony of Roanoke! It's the colonists vs. the Indians and Iron Man vs. the Hulk! Peter Parquagh may have super powers, but will they be enough to stop this devastating conflict? 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.50 THE THING #1 Written by DAN SLOTT Pencils & Cover by ANDREA DI VITO "Money Changes Every THING" It's the ever lovin' blue-eyed THING, back in his own ongoing series! Join Ben Grimm and his pals as they clobber their way through the Marvel U! And, spinning out of events from FANTASTIC FOUR, the idol of millions is now worth billions! So will big bucks make a Rockefeller out of this Rocky fella? Will Ben trade in Yancy St. for Park Ave? Tune in and see, True Believer! Special appearances by: Goliath (Bill Foster), Warbird, Wonder Man, and Peter Parker. 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 YOUNG AVENGERS #10 Written by ALLAN HEINBERG Pencils & Cover by JIM CHEUNG "FAMILY MATTERS" The Young Avengers meet a familiar-looking teenage superhuman who just may be the key to their uncovering the truth about Wiccan's parentage and secret origin. Meanwhile, Hulkling's quest to discover the exact nature of his tie to the Avengers is interrupted when the Young Avengers finds themselves at war with one of the oldest and most powerful alien races in the Marvel Universe. The search for the truth yields more reversals and revelations than the team can handle! Part 2 (of 6). 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 X-MEN DECIMATION: HOUSE OF M - THE DAY AFTER Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT Pencils & Cover by RANDY GREEN ONE-SHOT It was the worst day in X-Men history. Now it's the day after. The House of M is over, but the effects will be felt for the rest of their lives. How do the X-Men pick up the pieces in a world that has completely changed? This special one-shot is the world's first real glimpse into the entire Marvel Universe, post-House of M. It also gives a special preview of the titles that come out of that event, such as New Excalibur, X-Factor, Generation M, and a few we can't name here! We said the world was changed. You've been warned! 48 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.99 X-MEN: COLOSSUS BLOODLINE #3 (of 5) Written by DAVID HINE Penciled by JORGE LUCAS Cover by CHRIS BACHALO The villains pulling Colossus' strings reveal themselves, and fans will flip when they find familiar faces sneering from the shadows! Discover the extremely creepy secrets from Colossus' past. And you thought YOUR family had problems! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 EXILES #72 & 73 Written by TONY BEDARD Pencils & Cover by PAUL PELLETIER "WORLD TOUR: NEW UNIVERSE" Parts 1 & 2 (of 3)! The World Tour continues! What's old is new again as the Exiles travel to the New Universe to save a teammate that could be lost forever! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 GENERATION M #1 (of 4) Written by PAUL JENKINS Pencils by RAMON BACHS Cover by STUART IMMONEN House of M has changed the world forever. Now, from the ashes of this cataclysmic event comes a new generation...GENERATION M. Find out exactly HOW things have changed as a group of mutants brought together by this common tragedy must fight together for a better tomorrow. 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 NEW EXCALIBUR #1 Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT Pencils & Cover by MICHAEL RYAN Excalibur is back, just the way you like them! From the ashes of House of M a new Excalibur team is formed to combat the aftereffects of this cataclysmic event! Witness the birth of Captain Britain's new team forming, as a sinister force already tries to tear them apart! Starring Dazzler, Juggernaut, Nocturne and Pete Wisdom!! Guest-starring the Uncanny X-Men! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 NEW X-MEN #20 Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE Pencils & Cover by MARK BROOKS "CHILDHOOD'S END" Part 1 (of 4) NEW CREATIVE TEAM! Red-hot X-23 writers Craig Kyle and Chris Yost and rising star Mark Brooks (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL, AMAZING FANTASY) take the New X-Men in a bold new direction. Spinning directly out of House of M #8, the New X-Men deal with the changed world. Will X-23 join the team? Will the friendships persevere? Will the kids survive? No one is safe and not everyone will live through this incredible change in the status quo. Brace yourself, the rules have changed and the safety is off. 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 MUTOPIA X #5 (of 5) Written by DAVID HINE Penciled by LAN MEDINA Cover by ANDY PARK The utopia is gone. But what is left? Ismael Ortega finds that his life has completely changed in the wake of House of M. How can he keep going when everything around him is rotten to the core? 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE: X-MEN 2005 Written by ERIC J. MOREELS, STUART VANDAL, MARC-OLIVER FRISCH & RONALD BYRD Cover by MIKE DEODATO JR. & MORRY HOLLOWELL Marvel's mutants unite in this update to last year's X-Men Handbook! This Official Handbook contains more than 25 in-depth bios, from Angel to X-23 - including the recently resurrected Colossus and Psylocke! Plus: A complete X-Men roster, and an all- new cover by superstar artist Mike Deodato Jr., digitally painted by Morry Hollowell. 48 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.99 NIGHTCRAWLER #12 Written by ROBERTO AGUIRRE-SACASA Pencils & Cover by DARICK ROBERTSON "Loose Ends" Part 1 (of 1) It's been a harrowing year for everybody's favorite furry blue elf, so Kurt's due for some well-earned rest and relaxation. Unfortunately, his friends old and new have decided to throw him a surprise birthday party! And at least one uninvited guest will be showing up--but will he be bringing good or bad tidings in this offbeat tale? 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 UNCANNY X-MEN #466 Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT Pencils & Cover by CHRIS BACHALO GREY'S END! Part 1 (of 3) In the wake of House of M, Marvel Girl's emotions are heating up! Faced with a future she thought was destroyed, Marvel Girl will find out just what she is really made of! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.50 X-FACTOR #1 Written by PETER DAVID Pencils & Cover by RYAN SOOK In the fallout from HOUSE OF M and following last year's surprise hit film-noir series--MADROX, a new mutant team is forged! X- FACTOR is an investigative mutant agency including Madrox-the Multiple Man, Guido-the Strong Guy, Wolfsbane-the shape-shifter, Siryn-the chorus girl, Rictor-the living earthquake, and GENERATION X's Monet-the pompous witch. Drawn together in the heart of District X, this rag-tag band of heroes has a lot of answers to find, and fast! BONUS: A key player from HOUSE OF M will play a major roll in X- FACTOR! (No, it's not Wolverine-sigh) 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 X-MEN AND POWER PACK #2 (of 4) Written by MARC SUMERAK Art and cover by GURIHIRU When the Power kids head off to another of their father's scientific conventions, they gear up for one of the most nerd- tastic weekends ever. But things go from geeky to freaky when Dr. Henry P. McCoy unveils an amazing new invention at the convention... a device that certain members of the scientific community would stop at nothing to get their hands on! Power Pack teams up with the bouncing, blue-haired Beast for a tale of mind over matter! 32 PGS./ALL AGES ...$2.99 WEAPON X: DAYS OF FUTURE NOW #5 (of 5) Written by FRANK TIERI Penciled by ANDY SMITH Cover by BART SEARS It all comes down to this! The Weapon X saga reaches its violent end. Who will be left standing, and at what cost?! 32 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 X-MEN: DEADLY GENESIS #1 (of 6) Written by ED BRUBAKER Penciled by TREVOR HAIRSINE Cover by MARC SILVESTRI Variant Cover by JOE QUESADA What happens when the skeletons in your closet finally break down the door and come looking for you? The X-MEN are about to find out! In the wake of the tragic events of House of M, the mutant community is in turmoil, and the X-MEN are bearing the brunt of this New World Order. Amidst the chaos, a new enemy awakens, one whose very existence will haunt the founding members of the X-Men like nothing has before. Who is this new threat? How is he tied to Professor X's darkest secret? Cyclops, Wolverine and the others must find out soon, before they and those closest to them go mad! X-MEN: DEADLY GENESIS, by Wizard Top Ten creators Ed Brubaker and Trevor Hairsine, is a mysterious blend of horror and super-heroics, as well as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of GIANT SIZE X-MEN #1 that will have X-Men fans talking for years to come! 48 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$3.99 X-MEN #177 & 178 Written by PETER MILLIGAN Pencils & Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA HOUSE ARREST Parts 1 & 2 (of 3) Something's amiss at the House of Xavier! A sneak attack forces the X-Men to re-evaluate just who their friends are, and to align themselves with former enemies! The Xavier Institute will never be the same. 32 PGS. (each)/T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.50 (each) MARVEL ADVENTURES MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #9 Written by SEAN MCKEEVER Pencils & Cover by MIKE NORTON Doctor Doom has finally set the stage for a plot to destroy his most hated enemies! (Hint: There's four of them, and they're fantastic.) But there's one little red-and-blue flaw in his plan he has to do away with first! (Hint: It's Spider-Man. Sheesh, couldn't you figure that one out?) Rising-star artist Mike Norton joins his Gravity cohort, EISNER AWARD WINNER SEAN McKEEVER for the all-new, all-ages, all-action fun! 32 PGS./ALL AGES ...$2.50 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #6 Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by MANUEL GARCIA Cover by CARLO PAGULAYAN Underground action rules the day when the Fantastic Four go head- to-head with the Mole Man! Strange tentacles and other weird stuff has been popping out of the New York City streets. The FF want to get to the bottom of it-literally! But when they tunnel to the Mole Man's subterranean territory, even more fantastic surprises are in store... 32 PGS./ALL AGES ...$2.50 MAX COMICS PUNISHER #27 Written by GARTH ENNIS Penciled by LEO FERNANDEZ Cover by TIM BRADSTREET "THE SLAVERS" An NYPD vigilante task force is hot on Frank's trail and he'll have to use every bit of cunning at his disposal to survive - especially if he plans to keep his hot date with an especially nasty crew of Eastern European gangsters who are well overdue for some punishing. Part 3 (of 6) 32 PGS./MAX-EXPLICIT CONTENT ...$2.99 SUPREME POWER: HYPERION #3 (of 5) Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI Penciled by DAN JURGENS Cover by MIKE DEODATO Outed as an alien and betrayed by the government that raised him, Hyperion finds himself on the run, the target of elite, super- powered individuals charged with arresting or destroying him. And with the full resources of the federal government behind them, these four super-powered hunters - based on the characters from the original Squadron Supreme - just might take Hyperion down! 32 PGS./MAX-EXPLICIT CONTENT ...$2.99 SUPREME POWER: NIGHTHAWK #3 (of 5) Written by DANIEL WAY Pencils and Cover by STEVE DILLON The streets of Chicago are running red. A madman's brought his unique brand of insanity to the inner city, and they're lining up for blocks to get a piece of what he's serving. Only one man can hope to defeat this grinning freak, and to do that, Nighthawk may be forced to cross a line that even he fears to cross. 32 PGS./MAX-EXPLICIT CONTENT ...$2.99 ICON COMICS THE BOOK OF LOST SOULS #2 Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI Pencils & Cover by COLLEEN DORAN "Dragons in the Dishwater," Part 2 of 3 When Jonathan took a suicide plunge off the London Bridge more than a century ago, he landed on his feet, in the present, standing at the entrance to a tunnel into a world of mysteries beyond his wildest imagination -- a world of powers and principalities and, above all, rules. Now he's been dispatched by the Dark Man on his first mission. 32 PGS./ T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$2.99 POWERS #16 Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Art & Cover by MICHAEL AVON OEMING "Cosmic" Part Four How does one dead superhero spark a full scale alien invasion? How does deena pilgrim dodge the internal affairs investigation? How do you not buy an Eisner award-winning book written by the writer of New Avengers and Ultimate Spider-Man and art by that guy who killed Thor?? 32 PGS./MATURE ...$2.95 Powers is TM & c 2004 Jinxworld Inc., 2004. All Rights Reserved. FLIP MAGAZINES MARVEL ADVENTURES FLIP MAGAZINE #6 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #6 Written by ERICA DAVID Penciled by PATRICK SCHERBERGER Cover by TONY SALVADOR DANIEL MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #6 Written by JEFF PARKER Penciled by MANUEL GARCIA Cover by CARLO PAGULAYAN 64 PGS./All Ages .$3.99 MARVEL HEROES FLIP MAGAZINE #6 NEW AVENGERS #6 Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Pencils & Cover by DAVID FINCH CAPTAIN AMERICA #6 Written by ED BRUBAKER Penciled by STEVE EPTING & MICHAEL LARK Cover by STEVE EPTING 64 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP .$3.99 MARVEL SELECT FLIP MAGAZINE #6 ASTONISHING X-MEN#6 Written by JOSS WHEDON Pencils & Cover by JOHN CASSADAY NEW X-MEN: ACADEMY X #6 Written by NUNZIO DEFILIPPIS & CHRISTINA WEIR Penciled by MICHAEL RYAN Cover by RANDY GREEN 64 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP .$3.99 MARVEL TALES FLIP MAGAZINE #5 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #34 Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI Penciled by JOHN ROMITA JR. Cover by J. SCOTT CAMPBELL AMAZING FANTASY #5 Written by FIONA AVERY Penciled by ROGER CRUZ Cover by MARK BROOKS 64 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP .$3.99 ULTIMATE MARVEL FLIP MAGAZINE #6 ULTIMATE X-MEN #6 Written by MARK MILLAR Pencils by ADAM KUBERT Cover by JOE QUESADA ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #6 Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS & MARK MILLAR Pencils by ADAM KUBERT Cover by BRYAN HITCH 64 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP .$3.99 ULTIMATE TALES FLIP MAGAZINE #6 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #10 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #11 Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Pencils by MARK BAGLEY Covers by JOE QUESADA 64 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP .$3.99 MARVEL PREMIERE EDITION SHANNA, THE SHE-DEVIL PREMIERE HC Written by FRANK CHO Pencils & Cover by FRANK CHO She's bold, she's beautiful, and she's your best hope of escaping the raptors nipping at your heels. She's Shanna, the She-Devil! Award-winning creator Frank Cho brings you Marvel's bodacious jungle girl as you've never seen her before: Reborn from Nazi science gone mad to battle her genetic destiny on an island full of prehistoric horrors. Trust us, Shanna has never looked this good...or acted this bad. Collects SHANNA, THE SHE-DEVIL #1-7. Trim Size: Standard 168 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY ...$24.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1972-8 WOLVERINE: ENEMY OF THE STATE VOL. 2 PREMIERE HC Written by MARK MILLAR Penciled by JOHN ROMITA JR. Cover by GREG LAND Wolverine may be back in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody, but at what cost? As the X-Men mourn their fallen teammate in a funeral befitting a hero, Hydra celebrates the coronation of a new leader. And the reign of terror continues, as The Hand picks off the meta-humans, one by one... Will Wolverine be deprogrammed in time to stop the carnage? Plus, the secret origin of the Gorgon! Collects WOLVERINE #26-32. Trim Size: Standard 144 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY ...$19.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1926-4 WOLVERINE: ENEMY OF THE STATE VOL. 1 TRADE PAPERBACK STILL AVAILABLE! $14.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1492-0) MARVEL MASTERWORKS MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 9 Written by STAN LEE Penciled by JACK KIRBY Cover by JACK KIRBY FIELD TRIP! That's "Field Trip" as defined in the Lee/Kirby Dictionary, which means you'd better pack that bag lunch in unstable molecules and strap yourself in for a trip around the universe beyond your wildest imagination! First stop: A little visit to the neighbor's place, and hanging with the incomparable Inhumans and titanic team-up against Maximus the Mad! Second stop: Europe. Paris is beautiful in the springtime, but that's nothing. According to the brochure, Latveria's lovely year round. You might want to take that visitor's guide with a grain of salt, though. The savvy traveler never trusts a Chamber of Commerce run by Doombots. Third stop: Down under. Way down under for a big-time battle with the Mole Man! Last stop: Now here's a trip that's far out. The ever lovin' blue-eyed Thing gets whisked away on a galactic tour as a gladiator in the scurrilous Skrulls' slave arena! If that's not enough outer-space exotica for ya, then welcome yourself to a world wrapped in the Roarin' Twenties! With tour guides like Stan and Jack, you'd best make those travel plans today, True Believer. Tickets for this trip are guaranteed to sell out! Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR (Vol. 1) #82-93 272 PGS./ALL AGES ...$49.99 Trim Size: Standard ISBN: 0-7851-1846-2 MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 9 - VARIANT EDITION 272 PGS./ALL AGES ...$54.99 Trim Size: Standard ISBN: 0-7851-1847-0 HARDCOVERS FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 3 HC Written by MARK WAID & KARL KESEL Penciled by MIKE WIERINGO & PACO MEDINA Cover by MIKE WIERINGO This deluxe hardcover completes the collection of Waid and Ringo's run, re-presenting the stories from FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 5: DISASSEMBLED and FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 6: RISING STORM! In DISASSEMBLED, Manhattan is cut off from the rest of the world by a fleet of miles-high alien spacecraft -- and that's just the beginning! With the Avengers in disarray, New York reluctantly turns to the disenfranchised Fantastic Four, the only heroes in town, to save them -- but where to even start? And which member of the team will make a decision that will radically change the Fantastic Four for some time to come? Also: Witness the genesis of an all-new, all-twisted Frightful Four! And in RISING STORM, Galactus's worst Herald ever is running out of time! So far, Johnny Storm has been able to stall Galactus from sating his cosmic hunger -- but that luck won't hold forever. What planet will be chosen as Galactus's next victim? The reintroduction of a fan-favorite Marvel Universe hero into the battle may have caused more problems than it solved, because not even he can save the Fantastic Three from Johnny's newfound might! Who will live, who will die and how will Johnny ever be the same now that he's tasted the Power Cosmic? Collects FANTASTIC FOUR #514-524. 256 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$29.99 ISBN: 0-7851-2011-4 These FANTASTIC FOUR HARDCOVERS STILL AVAILABLE! FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 1...$29.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1471-8) FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 2...$29.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1775-X) MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN VOL. 1 HC Written by MARK MILLAR Penciled by TERRY DODSON & FRANK CHO Cover by TERRY DODSON This deluxe hardcover collects the entire MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER- MAN super-story by the powerhouse creative team of Mark Millar, Terry Dodson and Frank Cho -- plus a web-load of amazing extras! A mysterious villain has discovered the wall-crawler's secret identity...and is using the information to slowly destroy everything and everyone that Peter Parker cares about. But how far will Spider-Man go to protect the people he loves? Is he willing to cross a boundary we thought we'd never see him cross? Featuring Spider-Man's most fearsome foes and avenging allies! Collects MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN #1-12. 304 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$29.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1842-X GRAPHIC NOVELS MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN VOL. 4: WILD BLUE YONDER TPB Written by REGINALD HUDLIN Penciled by BILLY TAN Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN Hollywood heavyweight Reginald Hudlin (House Party, Boomerang) has already brought you his searing vision for BLACK PANTHER. Now, he's teaming up with red-hot artist Billy Tan (X-23) to shake up everyone's favorite web-slinger by turning Peter Parker's life upside down. He's got an incredible new pad (you won't believe where), a new job, and -- although he doesn't know it -- a new nemesis who's everything that Peter isn't. But first, Spider-Man's got to deal with a more pressing problem -- a shape- shifting super-villain who's developed a nasty habit...and will do anything to feed it. And wait -- who's that hitting on Mary Jane!? Collects MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN #13-18. 144 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$14.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1761-X These MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN TRADE PAPERBACKS STILL AVAILABLE! MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN VOL. 1: DOWN AMONG THE DEAD MEN...$9.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1437-8) MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN VOL. 2: VENOMOUS...$9.99 (ISBN: 0-7851- 1675-3) MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN VOL. 3: THE LAST STAND...$9.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1676-1) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 10: NEW AVENGERS TPB Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI Pencils & Cover by MIKE DEODATO JR. Trump Tower has nothing on Spider-Man! Spinning out of the pages of NEW AVENGERS, you won't believe what the fickle hand of fate has in store for Peter Parker, Mary Jane and Aunt May! Collects AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #519-524. 144 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$14.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1764-4 These AMAZING SPIDER-MAN TRADE PAPERBACKS STILL AVAILABLE! AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 1: COMING HOME...$15.95 (ISBN: 0-7851- 0806-8) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 2: REVELATIONS...$8.99 (ISBN: 0-7851- 0877-7) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 3: UNTIL THE STARS TURN COLD...$12.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1075-5) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 4: THE LIFE & DEATH OF SPIDERS...$11.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1097-6) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 5: UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES...$12.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1098-4) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 6: HAPPY BIRTHDAY...$12.99 (ISBN: 0-7851- 1343-6) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 7: THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL...$12.99 (ISBN: 0- 7851-1525-0) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 8: SINS PAST...$12.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1509- 9) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 9: SKIN DEEP...$9.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1642- 7) ORORO: BEFORE THE STORM DIGEST Written by MARC SUMERAK Penciled by CARLO BARBERI Cover by MARK BROOKS Celebrating 30 years of Storm! The back alleys of Cairo's thieves-quarter are no place for a child to grow up -- unless that child is destined to be one of the greatest Marvel heroines of all time! Long before she became the X-Man known as Storm, a young orphan named Ororo Munroe stalked the streets of Cairo picking pockets and scraping to survive. Get ready for some awesome Egyptian action and adventure as Ororo leads her fellow street urchins on the adventure of a lifetime! This is a history lesson you won't want to miss! Collects ORORO: BEFORE THE STORM #1-4. 96 PGS./ALL AGES ...$6.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1819-5 SCORPION: POISON TOMORROW DIGEST Written by FRED VAN LENTE Penciled by LEONARD KIRK & DAVE ROSS Cover by JAMES JEAN Presenting the all-new, all-different Scorpion! After the vicious murder of her adoptive parents, Carmilla Black discovers her biological mother is the top scientist of the worldwide terrorist network A.I.M. Now, to unravel the secrets of her true identity and mysterious power, she's hot on the heels of her enigmatic mother, with S.H.I.E.L.D. close behind, hoping she'll take them right to the terrorists' leadership! Collects AMAZING FANTASY #7- 13. 152 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$7.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1712-1 MACHINE TEEN: HISTORY 101001 DIGEST Written by MARC SUMERAK Penciled by MIKE HAWTHORNE Cover by JAMES JEAN High school meets high-tech as an all-new model of Marvel hero debuts! Meet Adam Aaronson -- the ideal teenager. Straight "A" student. Captain of the West Tech football team. Smart. Handsome. Charismatic. Every boy wants to be him. Every girl wants to be with him! But after a series of debilitating seizures, Adam makes a discovery that will shake his very reality to the core -- the fact that he isn't real at all! Join Adam as he begins to decrypt the truth about his origins and what it truly means to be human! It's not easy being the perfect teen...even when you're BUILT that way! Collects MACHINE TEEN #1-5. 120 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$7.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1799-7 MARVEL NEMESIS: THE IMPERFECTS DIGEST Written by GREG PAK Penciled by RENATO ARLEM Cover by JAE LEE An evil scientist sets his crosshairs on planet Earth, in search of test subjects for his experiments, transforming even the most timid creatures into vicious fighting machines. Thousands of years later, the Thing, Wolverine, Spider-Man and Elektra all find themselves unwilling participants in the scientist's millennia-old trials...or perhaps not all of them are that unwilling. This unprecedented crossover between Marvel and EA will feature stories that tie in to what is sure to be one of the top-selling video games of the year! Collects MARVEL NEMESIS: THE IMPERFECTS #1-6. 144 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$7.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1778-4 SPIDER-MAN VS. THE BLACK CAT VOL. 1 TPB Written by MARV WOLFMAN, DAVID MICHELINIE & ROGER STERN Penciled by KEITH POLLARD, PABLO MARCOS & JOHN ROMITA JR. Cover by AL MILGROM Acrobatic adventures by some of yesteryear's top names! Is she heroine, criminal or both? What motivates her madcap mischief? That's for the Black Cat to know and Spider-Man to find out in his first fights with one his most famous femme fatales! Collects AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #194-195, #204-205 and #226-227. 128 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$14.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1559-5 CAPTAIN UNIVERSE: POWER UNIMAGINABLE TPB Written by BILL MANTLO, GERRY CONWAY, ERIC FEIN, TONY ISABELLA & DAN SLOTT Penciled by STEVE DITKO, JUNE BRIGMAN, NEIL ERRAR, RICK LEONARDI & BILL WILEY Cover by STEVE DITKO He's the hero who could be YOU...but in these stories, being a burglar, a college professor and an astronaut will have to do! Whether it's half-sized as a child or doubled as twins, the Uni- Power transforms its lucky recipient into Captain Universe -- countering crises that range from a masked marauder to the edge of apocalypse! Guest-starring the Hulk, doing the non-mutant cosmic super-hero thing years before Spider-Man made it popular! Collects MARVEL SPOTLIGHT #9-11, INCREDIBLE HULK ANNUAL #10, MARVEL FANFARE #25, WEB OF SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #5-6, MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #148 and COSMIC POWER UNLIMITED #5. 168 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$19.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1891-8 ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 12: HARD LESSONS TPB Written by BRIAN K. VAUGHAN Penciled by STEVE DILLON, STUART IMMONEN & TOM RANEY Cover by STUART IMMONEN Ultimate Wolverine makes his explosive return! Storm travels to the Great White North to find her missing friend, but there's no time for celebration for the tempestuous and troubled duo! They're about to take on an all-new threat to the Ultimate Universe... Lady Deathstrike! Plus: When a dangerous young mutant immune to psychic control takes Charles Xavier and the rest of a Manhattan bank hostage, the Professor must lead a diverse group of humans in a risky bid to end the siege! And finally, witness the return of Ultimate Juggernaut! Juggie makes a play for the Gem of Cyttorak, the jewel that will make him truly unstoppable. Only two small things stand in his way: Rogue of the X-Men and Ultimate Gambit, the new prince and princess of thieves! This story will change the X-Men's status quo forever! Collects ULTIMATE X-MEN #58-60 & ANNUAL #1. 120 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$12.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1801-2 These ULTIMATE X-MEN TRADE PAPERBACKS STILL AVAILABLE! ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 1: THE TOMORROW PEOPLE...$14.95 (ISBN: 0- 7851-0788-6) ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 2: RETURN TO WEAPON X...$14.95 (ISBN: 0-7851- 0868-8) ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 3: WORLD TOUR...$17.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-0961-7) ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 4: HELLFIRE & BRIMSTONE...$12.99 (ISBN: 0- 7851-1089-5) ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 5: ULTIMATE WAR...$10.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1129- 8) ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 6: RETURN OF THE KING...$16.99 (ISBN: 0-7851- 1091-7) ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 7: BLOCKBUSTER...$14.95 (ISBN: 0-7851-1219-7) ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 8: NEW MUTANTS...$12.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1161-1) ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 9: THE TEMPEST...$10.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1404-1) ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 10: CRY WOLF...$8.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1405-X) ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 11: THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME...$12.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1659-1) NEW THUNDERBOLTS VOL. 2: MODERN MARVELS TPB Written by FABIAN NICIEZA Penciled by TOM GRUMMETT & BILL SIENKIEWICZ Cover by TOM GRUMMETT Flushed with success, the Big Apple's newest heroes have to face their greatest challenge yet: an adoring public and the reflections in their mirrors! An old friend asks Speed Demon to pull off a huge heist -- will he do it? And does Blizzard want to stop him -- or get in on the action? Meanwhile, Photon tries very, very hard to remember why he should be mad at Atlas. Radioactive Man gets -- a publicist? And a resignation threatens to tear the team apart before it's even come together! Plus: Everyone in Atlantis is dying and only one man can save them -- the person responsible for their poisoning! Which T-Bolt was willing to kill thousands of people -- and is unwilling to stop the carnage? Also, Photon vs. Photon in a battle you won't believe! And...what's up with Songbird's new boyfriend...he looks a little...purple...Collects NEW THUNDERBOLTS #7-12. 144 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$14.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1794-6 NEW THUNDERBOLTS VOL. 1: ONE STEP FORWARD TRADE PAPERBACK STILL AVAILABLE! $14.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1565-X) EXCALIBUR CLASSIC VOL. 1: THE SWORD IS DRAWN TPB Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT Penciled by ALAN DAVIS Cover by ALAN DAVIS Believing the X-Men to be dead, Nightcrawler and Shadowcat vow to keep the dream alive alongside Captain Britain and the metamorphic Meggan -- but the Warwolves have Phoenix on the run and she leads them to London, right into the formation of the X- Men's first foreign franchise! The Warwolves are on our heroes like a cheap suit (or is it the other way around?) and Chris Claremont doesn't waste any time in setting up the labyrinthine plots his fans know him best for! Aliens, intrigue and Arcade! The mystery of the Hellfire Club's Courtney Ross begins here! Guest-starring the Juggernaut! Collects EXCALIBUR #1-5 and THE SWORD IS DRAWN BOOKSHELF. 176 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$19.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1888-8 X-FACTOR VISIONARIES: PETER DAVID VOL. 1 TPB Written by PETER DAVID Pencils & Cover by LARRY STROMAN The name wasn't changed to protect the innocent, but everything else was as Peter David took over the series from the founding X- Men! Alumni of the X-Men, the New Mutants and the Avengers join refugees from odd corners of the X-Universe as the government's latest super-effort, but Mister Sinister and his Nasty Boys don't want this team to survive long enough to get its roster straight! Featuring the historic first meeting of the cast of Marvel Knights' Madrox! Collects X-FACTOR #71-75. 144 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$15.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1872-1 PUNISHER: RIVER OF BLOOD TPB Written by CHUCK DIXON Pencils & Cover by JOE KUBERT The Punisher faces the Russian mob on its home turf, and the legendary Joe Kubert is there to lend his distinctive style to every explosive detail! Out of his element and outgunned, can the scourge of the American underworld hold his own in Mother Russia? Collects THE PUNISHER: WAR ZONE #31-36. 144 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$15.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1542-0 TOXIN: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW TPB Written by PETER MILLIGAN Penciled by DARICK ROBERTSON Cover by ESAD RIBIC As each new generation of men must hand down the torch to the next, so each new generation of alien symbiotes must hand down the, ah, stringy, fleshy tendrils. So move over Venom, step aside Carnage, because Toxin is taking the spotlight! When the full- scale jailbreak from the pages of NEW AVENGERS leaves New York overrun with super-villains, Pat sees the perfect opportunity to use the creature sharing his body for good. But Toxin might have other ideas! Featuring a special guest appearance by Spider-Man! Collects TOXIN #1-6. 144 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$17.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1804-7 VENOM VS. CARNAGE TRADE PAPERBACK STILL AVAILABLE! $9.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1524-2) PUNISHER MAX VOL. 4: UP IS DOWN AND BLACK IS WHITE TPB Written by GARTH ENNIS Penciled by LEO FERNANDEZ Cover by TIM BRADSTREET Ubergangster Nicky Cavella is back with a vengeance -- this time hitting Frank Castle where he least expects it -- right in the black pit of his hardened heart. With one unspeakable act, Nicky will go right to the top of Frank's "to-do" list -- and there's nowhere he'd rather be. Collects PUNISHER #19-24. 144 PGS./MAX-EXPLICIT CONTENT ...$14.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1731-8 These PUNISHER MAX TRADE PAPERBACKS STILL AVAILABLE! PUNISHER MAX VOL. 1: IN THE BEGINNING...$14.99 (ISBN: 0-7851- 1539-0) PUNISHER MAX VOL. 2: KITCHEN IRISH...$14.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1539-0) PUNISHER MAX VOL. 3: MOTHER RUSSIA...$14.99 (ISBN: 0-7851-1603-6) ESSENTIAL X-FACTOR VOL. 1 TPB Written by BOB LAYTON, JACKSON GUICE, ROGER STERN, LOUISE SIMONSON, WALT SIMONSON & JOHN BYRNE Penciled by JACKSON GUICE, BOB LAYTON, JOHN BYRNE, WALTER SIMONSON, JOHN BOGDANOVE, JOHN BUSCEMA, SAL BUSCEMA, KEITH POLLARD, TERRY SHOEMAKER & MARC SILVESTRI Cover by JACKSON GUICE The death of Jean Grey re-defined the X-Men, but her resurrection did nothing less! Recovered by the Avengers and revived by the Fantastic Four, Jean's return regrouped her fellow founders into a supposed mutant-hunting unit that ferreted out some of mutantdom's rising stars -- including the devastating debut of the ancient evil everyone identifies as Apocalypse! With Mystique, the Morlocks and the Master Mold! Featuring tie-ins to the infamous Mutant Massacre! Guest-starring Thor and Power Pack! Collects X-FACTOR #1-16 and ANNUAL #1, AVENGERS #262, FANTASTIC FOUR #286, THOR #373-374, and POWER PACK #27. 568 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$16.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1886-1 ESSENTIAL MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE VOL. 1 TPB Written by LEN WEIN, MIKE FRIEDRICH, STEVE GERBER, CHRIS CLAREMONT, ROY THOMAS, BILL MANTLO, ROGER SLIFER, MARV WOLFMAN, SCOTT EDELMAN, TONY ISABELLA & JIM SHOOTER Penciled by JIM STARLIN, GIL KANE, SAL BUSCEMA, GEORGE TUSKA, HERB TRIMPE, BOB BROWN, RON WILSON, ARVELL JONES, DICK GIORDANO, MIKE ESPOSITO, DAVE HUNT, SAM GRAINGER, MARIE SEVERIN & JOHN BUSCEMA Cover by JIM STARLIN The Thing can't stay out of trouble, but at least he makes friends wherever he goes! The Ever-Lovin' Idol o' Millions teams up with heroes both frontline and forgotten against menaces spanning time and space! Gods! Aliens! Spies! Demons! Dinosaurs! Time travellers! Martial artists! The Living Eraser and the Mountain That Walked Like a Man! A veritable who's who of history's horror heroes! Fans of NEW INVADERS take notice of Ben's team-ups with the Invaders AND the Liberty Legion! Collects MARVEL FEATURE #11-12; MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #1-20, 22-25 and ANNUAL #1; MARVEL TEAM-UP #47; and FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #11. 576 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$16.99 ISBN: 0-7851-1729-6 ESSENTIAL SILVER SURFER VOL. 1 - NEW PRINTING! Written by STAN LEE Pencils by JOHN BUSCEMA & JACK KIRBY Cover by JOHN BUSCEMA Witness the birth of the Sentinel of the Spaceways, as humanoid being Norrin Radd becomes the Silver Surfer -- Galactus' first cosmic-powered herald and one of Marvel's most noble heroes! 528 PGS./ALL AGES ...$16.99 ISBN: 0-7851-2008-4 ESSENTIAL X-MEN VOL. 2 - NEW PRINTING! Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT Pencils by JOHN BYRNE Cover by JOHN BYRNE Ever expanding their ranks, the Children of the Atom combat the evils threatening both mutants and humans -- like the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, the Hellfire Club and Dark Phoenix! 512 PGS./T+ SUGGESTED FOR TEENS AND UP ...$16.99 ISBN: 0-7851-2007-6 X-MEN DEADLY GENESIS POSTER Penciled by MARC SILVESTRI Inked by JOE WEENS Colored by STEVE FIRCHOW 24" x 36"/FC ...$5.99 FOR 10/13/05 o On-Sale 11/2/05 MARVEL PREVIEWS #28 Each issue of MARVEL PREVIEWS is a comic-book-sized, 96-page, glossy full-color guide to all of Marvel's upcoming releases! Marvel Previews also includes special previews of upcoming or sold-out projects. And MARVEL PREVIEWS #27 features items scheduled to go on sale in FEBRUARY 2006! 96 PGS./MARVEL T+.JUST $0.99! (or FREE with a purchase of Diamond's PREVIEWS!) IN STORES 10/26/05! +++++ Image Solicitations IMAGE COMICS HC (RES) - GEM written by ERIK LARSEN, TODD McFARLANE, MARC SILVESTRI & JIM VALENTINO art & cover by ERIK LARSEN, TODD McFARLANE, MARC SILVESTRI & JIM VALENTINO At last! After years of waiting, the much-anticipated IMAGE COMICS HC is here! The four remaining Image founders return to the characters that made them sensations for a celebration of the creation of Image. The never-before-seen origin of Savage Dragon! A turning point in the life of Spawn - featuring TODD McFARLANE's first full-length comics work in nearly 10 years! The final fate of CyberForce! The future of ShadowHawk! Plus: an introduction by former Image Executive Director and legendary Beanworld creator LARRY MARDER and a quartet of special features by each of the founders covering Image - past, present and future! A long time coming - this special hardcover is finally finished and ready to ship ON TIME! ALL PREVIOUS ORDERS HAVE DECOMPOSED November 2 o 128 pg o FC o $24.99 Limited S&N Slipcase Edition $75.00 (limited to 1000 copies) ASCEND SPECIAL EDITION HC (RES) created & written by KEITH AREM art & cover by CHRISTOPHER SHY ASCEND is set in a time of post-apocalyptic heaven, where the battle for human souls will determine the outcome of a war with Hell. The war has ravaged the universe, and to sustain their armies, Heaven has "harvested" the souls of earth to fight in their battle. The ASCEND SPECIAL EDITION HC includes lots of behind the scenes information, over 20 new pages, completely remastered art and lettering and an extended alternate ending. ALL PREVIOUS ORDERS ARE CANCELLED November 9 o 192 pg o FC o $34.99 RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES BODY BAGS: 3 THE HARD WAY (ONE-SHOT) written by JASON PEARSON art & wrap-around cover by JASON PEARSON Due to the overwhelming success of the BODY BAGS: FATHER'S DAY collection, JASON PEARSON is ready to bring his fans a brand- spanking new Mack and Panda adventure! In "Hit da Switches!" Panda tells all about Mack's killing machine on wheels, "Da Boss." Of course, what fun would it be without a demonstration? As an added bonus, this edition contains two Body Bags short stories ("World Destroyer" and "It's About Time"), reprinted and in color for the first time ever. This is a must read for all Body Bags fans, and will get you ready for January's BODY BAGS: ONE SHOT 48 pages of al-new, all-original Body Bags badness! November 30 o 48 pg o FC o $5.99 RETAILER WARNING: NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES INDUSTRY OF WAR (ONE-SHOT) written by JORDAN RASKIN & ANDREW LELLING art & cover by JORDAN RASKIN Two undercover military agents are charged with the responsibility of hunting down missing malfunctioning experimental weaponry created for the foot soldier, which mistakenly gets into the hands of the general public. All hell breaks loose when the agents discover that not only has the latest weapon on their list been found by a recently paroled ex- gang member, it was programmed with an assassination mission before being shelved for its malfunctioning design. The agents must stop him from completing his mission, unravel the details of the assassination plot - all while uncovering the conspiracy behind a Gulf War cover up. Writer/Illustrator Jordan Raskin marks his return to comics with this intense sci-fi political action thriller. November 16 o 72 PG o BW o $7.99 RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES ROCK'N'ROLL (ONE-SHOT) written by FABIO MOON & GABRIEL BA art by FABIO MOON, GABRIEL BA, BRUNO D'ANGELO & KAKO cover by FABIO MOON Romeo and Kelsie just want to go home, but life has other plans. Strange things happen all around in a story about that music that follows you wherever you go. When it comes to rock 'n' roll, you don't have to understand what they're saying to know what they're talking about. November 16 o 32 pg o BW o $3.50 SPAWN MANGA, VOL. 1 TP written & illustrated by JUZO TOKORO cover by BRIAN HABERLIN & JUZO TOKORO You've never see Spawn like this before! 200 pages of glorious manga by famous Japanese manga master JUZO TOKORO! New Spawns! New and classic villains! What more could any fan want? November 9 o 200 pg o BW o $9.99 A DISTANT SOIL, VOL. 4: CODA TP written by COLLEEN DORAN art & cover by COLLEEN DORAN CONCEPT A foiled coup attempt results in a power vacuum that leaves this alien world without its treasured weapon. The aliens have no choice but to take Liana as their reluctant new Avatar. Only an angry slave and a small group of resistance fighters can free her and the universe from the dangers of her power. Over a decade in the making, A DISTANT SOIL: CODA is the fourth volume and penultimate chapter in this science fiction/fantasy saga. Collects portions of A DISTANT SOIL 32-37. Includes a selection of previously unpublished art. ALL PREVIOUS ORDERS ARE CANCELLED November 23 o 164 pages o BW o $17.99 LIMITED EDITION S&N HARDCOVER $29.95 BATTLE POPE, VOL 1: GENESIS TP written by ROBERT KIRKMAN art & cover by TONY MOORE & VAL STAPLES If you missed out on BATTLE POPE the first time around, now is your chance to find out what everyone was talking about! It's the end of the world and few are worthy of passage to heaven, not even the Pope. God leaves behind Saint Michael, the leader of his army, to act as a guardian for the humans. He fails, and is held captive by Lucifer. God then enlists the aide of the Pope to rescue Michael, and leaves his son Jesus H. Christ to assist him in his quest. Now presented in FULL-COLOR! Collects BATTLE POPE #1-4 November 30 o 120 pg o FC o $12.99 RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES DAWN, VOL. 3: THREE TIERS HC written by JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER art & cover by JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER Here is the collection you've been waiting for! JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER has put three long years into creating this epic work - but you get to read it all at once! In a post-apocalyptic Europa, Dawn leads New York warrior Darrian Ashoka through wars, disasters and fire. His dangerous liaisons bring him up against the three faces of the Goddess. Is Dawn a virgin, a queen or a whore? Is Darrian the earthly manifestation of Death, the Horned God? On his quest for Dawn, Darrian faces dragons, fights duels and shatters mirrors. Will Dawn ultimately make his dreams come true, or his nightmares a reality? Collects DAWN: THREE TIERS #1-6 November 22 o 176 pg o FC o $39.99 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition $49.99 DEATH, JR. TP written by GARY WHITTA art & cover by TED NAIFEH When a school field trip to the local museum coincides with coming-of-age angst and an overly inquisitive friend (a cute goth girl named Pandora), Junior releases something terrible on the world... and its up to him to fix it. Features an awesome cast of back-up characters, including Stigmartha, who's hands bleed when she gets nervous, Smith & Weston, two twins conjoined at the head and The Seep, a foul-mouthed, armless, legless fetus in a tube. November 9 o 144 pages o FC o $14.99 FADE FROM GRACE TP created by JEFFF AMANO written by GABRIEL BENSON art & cover by JEFF AMANO The most powerful superhero love story in years is finally collected! "My husband was a hero, but he never cared about the fame and I love him for it. I just loved him." - Grace, wife of the superhero called Fadee. Includes all five critically acclaimed issues, commentary and cover gallery. November 16 o 136 pages o FC o $14.99 THE GIFT, VOL 2: CONSEQUENCES TP written by RAVEN GREGORY art by TYLER KIRKHAM, RICH BONK, CRISTINA LOPEZ, JASON KEITH & SONIA OBACK Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM The Ancient One's search for humans to receive items of incredible power continues and the reasons behind his mission becomes clearer each step of the way. A grocery store bag boy receives the power to control people's minds, a bum discovers he can control electricity, a father makes the ultimate sacrifice, a teenage girl learns first hand the dangers of smoking, and a fat high school kid becomes the pawn in a timeless struggle between the forces of good and evil. All this, plus an introduction from PAUL JENKINS! Collects THE GIFT #6-10 November 30 o 128 pages o FC o $14.99 GIRLS, VOL. 1: CONCEPTION TP written by JOSHUA LUNA art & cover by JONATHAN LUNA Ethan Daniels is a typical bachelor who suffers from one, infallible truth: dealing with the opposite sex can be complicated. One night, he bumps into a mysterious woman who will change his life. and maybe even the world. November 23 o 152 pg o FC o $14.99 RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES IMAGE FIRST TP written by ROBERT KIRKMAN, JOSHUA LUNA & RICK REMENDER art by KIERON DWYER, JONATHAN LUNA, TONYMOORE, ERIC NGUYEN & SALGOOD SAM If you missed out on the first issues of THE WALKING DEAD (written by ROBERT KIRKMAN with art by TONY MOORE), GIRLS (written by JOSHUA LUNA with art by JONATHAN LUNA), SEA OF RED (written by RICK REMENDER & KIERON DWYER with art by KIERON DWYER & SALGOOD SAM and STRANGE GIRL (written by RICK REMENDER with art by ERIC NGUYEN), now's your chance to sample each in a specially- priced introductory volume. COLLECTS THE WALKING DEAD #1, GIRLS #1, SEA OF RED #1 and STRANGE GIRL #1. November 2 o 96 pages o FC o $6.99 RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES KABUKI, VOL. 5: METAMORPHOSIS TP - NEW PRINTING written by DAVID MACK art & cover by DAVID MACK The story that sets the stage for the current "Alchemy" storyline returns to print! Featuring an introduction by BILL SIENKIEWICZ and an afterward by filmmaker JOHN SAYLES, this is the largest KABUKI collection yet and still one of the most sought after! Collects KABUKI 1-9 November 2 o 280 pg o FC o $24.99 THE WALKING DEAD, VOL. 4: THE HEART'S DESIRE TP written by ROBERT KIRKMAN art by CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN cover by TONY MOORE Life in the prison starts to get interesting for Rick Grimes and the rest of our survivors. Relationships heat up, fizzle out, and change entirely almost overnight. By the end of this volume, relationships between key characters are radically changed, setting the stage for future events in THE WALKING DEAD. Collects THE WALKING DEAD #19-24 November 16 o 136 pg o BW o $12.99 RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES THE AMAZING JOY BUZZARDS VOL. 2 #2 written by MARK SMITH art by DAN HIPP backcover by KHARY RANDOLPH "HERE COME THE SPIDERS," Part Two The world's greatest rock and roll adventure band go head to head against a nefarious group of supernatural-mod-villains, known as THE SPIDER SYNDICATE! Plus: Discover why Stevo Vargas, the band's Bruce Lee-like bass player never speaks, as another mystery is uncovered! November 9o 32 pg o BW o $2.99 ANT #4 written by MARIO GULLY & MARC HAMMOND art & cover by MARIO GULLY Hannah puts together the last piece of the puzzle that is her fractured mind - just in time for a senses shattering battle for survival. Is this the end for Ant? Find out in the blow-out conclusion to the first arc! November 12 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 THE ATHEIST #3 (RES) written by PHIL HESTER art by JOHN McCREA cover by JOHN McCREA "INCARNATE," Part Three: Desperate Measures Sharpe and Nguyen are on the run. The possessed, real or not, are organized and wish to snuff out Sharpe's investigation before he can reveal the truth. Sharpe arms himself with a weapon even the dead will fear, but will he survive long enough to use it? ALL PREVIOUS ORDERS ARE CANCELLED November 30 o 32 pg o BW o $3.50 BATTLE POPE #6 written by ROBERT KIRKMAN art & cover by TONY MOORE & VAL STAPLES Hellcorp is in shambles and Lucifer is back in hell. Without a leader, the demons on Earth are running amok. Too bad Battle Pope is too busy dealing with his new roommate, Jesus. Reprinting Robert Kirkman's first published work, now in STUNNING full color, with a brand new cover by original artist Tony Moore and original cover colorist Val Staples. November 30 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 BONE REST #5 written by MATTEO CASALI art & cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI & LORENZO RUGGIERO "SECOND COMING," Part One Bone and Peace are on their way to NYC, but their ride back will see them hold some unexpected company - a gun-wielding Italian reverend who means business! But Bone and his girlfriend are not the only ones making their return to the Big Apple, and among them is Jerusalem, Peace's best friend -- who's been dead for two years. November 2 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES CASE FILES: SAM AND TWITCH #23 written by MARC ANDREYKO art by GREG SCOTT cover by GREG CAPULLO "FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS," Part Four As the NYPD investigate the person who confessed to killing child star Lacey Anne Lyons, Sam and Twitch come across a shocking and disturbing tribute to the dead girl. Can our favorite detectives solve the case and bring the killer of "America's Lil' Girl" to justice before the lynch mobs start to form? November 30 o 32 pg o BW o $2.95 RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES DEADWORLD #3 (RES) written by GARY REED art & cover by VINCENT LOCKE As Reluctant saviors of the insane Deake, the teens find themselves on the run from King Zombie and his new soldiers, the savage and powerful Grakken. Their only hope may be on a houseboat, but will it take them to safety or lead them into the belly of the beasts? ALL PREVIOUS ORDERS ARE CANCELLED November 9 o 32 pg o BW o $3.50 RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES EXPATRIATE #4 (RES) written by B. CLAY MOORE art & cover by JASON LATOUR The shocking conclusion to issue three left Jack's future in doubt - and late shipping left the future of the series in doubt - but as an all-new, on time EXPATRIATE reeturns, the true scope of Jack's predicament is revealed. And if anything, it's even more horrifying that he could have imagined. Suddenly the fate of Jack Dexter seems tied into the fate of the world. ALL PREVIOUS ORDERS ARE CANCELLED November 2 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 FEAR AGENT #2 written by RICK REMENDER art by TONY MOORE & SEAN PARSONS colors by LEE LOUGHRIDGE cover by TONY MOORE & RICK REMENDER Hopelessly lost and in desperate need of food and supplies (i.e. booze), Alien Exterminator, Heath Huston drunkenly darts toward a near by spaceport. But once on board, he realizes something is terribly wrong. In no condition for a fight, Heath is thrown into a life or death struggle with masses of the same terrifying alien race that cost him his family. November 30 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 FELL #3 written by WARREN ELLIS art & cover by BEN TEMPLESMITH Another self-contained story from Snowtown, the feral city and police detective Richard Fell, injured so often in the first few weeks of his tour of duty there that he no longer owns work clothes without knife-slashes in them. Shopping's a pretty heartbreaking exercise in a place as broken as Snowtown. But it's easy to make bombs. And, sitting in a thrift store changing room in Snowtown, is a guy wearing a bomb and just waiting for an excuse to set it off... November 9 o 24 pg o FC o $1.99 FERRO CITY #4 (of 4) written by JASON ARMSTRONG art & cover by JASON ARMSTRONG Why are steel fisted gangsters and corrupt cops double-crossing each other to decide the final fate of Private detective Cy Smithe and the elusive Medusa Key? Find out as Smithe and One- Eyed Ivan face off in a rooftop shoot-out over Ferro City! The robotic pulp science fiction boils over as young robotologist Kate Weston is kidnapped and her father's killer is finally revealed! November 23 o 32 pg o BW o $2.99 GIRLS #7 written by JOSHUA LUNA art & cover by JONATHAN LUNA There was a time when girls were simply.complicated. Now, things have changed. With the death toll rising and paranormal horrors lurking behind every corner, the people of Pennystown have no idea what's in store for them. November 23 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES GODLAND #5 (RES) written by JOE CASEY art by TOM SCIOLI cover by TOM SCIOLI & RICHARD STARKINGS BOOK FIVE: COMBAT ROCK The all-out, no holds barred confrontation with Discordia - as the lives of Adam's sister and the all-American superhero, Crashman, hang in the balance. But when Adam sees an unexpected vision, will he be able to remain focused on the mission at hand? The cosmic superhero epic of our time continues! ALL PREVIOUS ORDERS ARE CANCELED November 16 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 GROUNDED #4 (of 6) written by MARK SABLE art & cover by PAUL AZACETA Sinister forces seize control of The High, stripping its students of their special abilities and holding them hostage until their superhero parents agree to give up their powers as well. Who can save the school and prevent a world without heroes? How about Jonathan, the only student who's never had any powers - or any fear. November 9 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 HAWAIIAN DICK: THE LAST RESORT #3 (of 4) (RES) written by B. CLAY MOORE art & cover by STEVEN GRIFFIN The follow-up to the critically acclaimed HAWAIIAN DICK finally gets back on track this month as some loose ends are tied together while others unravel. The FBI makes its presence known, and a hungover Byrd confronts the crime families with information regarding their motivations. Meanwhile, Mo prepares for a date with man-eating sharks, and a sunbathing Kahami encounters (a deceased?) Stew Mulligan. ALL PREVIOUS ORDERS ARE CANCELED November 16 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 INVINCIBLE #29 written by ROBERT KIRKMAN art & cover by RYAN OTTLEY & BILL CRABTREE "A DIFFERENT WORLD," Part Five Invincible's struggle to save a dying world has failed - now he must attempt to prevent the extinction of a species. Sadly, the Viltrumites may not even allow that. November 23 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 NOBLE CAUSES #16 written by JAY FAERBER art by FRAN BUENO cover by GABE BRIDWELL Liz knew when she married Race that his career as a super-hero may one day endanger her life - and that day has come! When Liz is targeted by the villainous Blackthorne family, can Race act fast enough to save her? And does he realize exactly what he'll be saving her from? Nov 23 o 28 pg o FC o $3.50 NYC MECH: BETA LOVE #6 (of 6) written by MILES GUNTER & IVAN BRANDON art by ANDY MacDONALD cover by ERIC CANETE "Writers Brandon and Gunter are light-years ahead of so many big timers" - Ain't it Cool News "SOLD! NYC MECH is on the top of my must read list." -Robert Kirkman: Marvel Team Up, Invincible and The Walking Dead. ".this book is gritty, mean, and drawn with love. Pick it up, if you know what's good for you." JG Jones, WANTED, MARVEL BOY This Issue: Enter the insane finale to BETA LOVE. Whatever you thought you were getting yourself into, think again. All bets are off in this explosive and shocking end to the series the critics are calling ".an exhilarating joyride." and ".a far superior effort that will leave you giddy with anticipation." Get ready for the most intense issue of NYC MECH by far. November 2 o32 pg o FC o $2.99 PvP #21 written by SCOTT KURTZ art & cover by SCOTT KURTZ Deadlines, long workweeks and stress are building up for the staff of Player Versus Player Magazine. It's time to blow off some steam and decompress. And we all know how geeks blow of steam...LIVE ACTION ROLEPLAYING! It's nerd overload when the gang dons armor, shields and swords and heads to the park. This can only end one way: PIE FIGHT! November 30 o 24 pg o BW o $2.99 REX MUNDI #15 written by ARVID NELSON art & cover by JIM DI BARTOLO "MOST BELOVED" Was Judas Iscariot really Christ's betrayer, or is the traditional version of his story somehow wrong? How does it tie into Julien's quest for the Holy Grail? Find out this issue, as Julien makes a startling discovery! Also, the Duke of Lorraine and King Louis engage in a political showdown that will decide the fate of France. and the world. November 9 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 SEASON OF THE WITCH #2 (of 4) written by JAI NITZ art & cover by KEVIN SHARPE "SUMMER" Jessica embraces her training to become a Spell Sword, but not quickly gets her first taste of combat as the tyrannical King Elian sends Titus the Black to bring both her and Asamando's budding rebellion to a violent end. November 2 o 32 pg o FC o $3.50 SHADOWHAWK #7 created & plotted by JIM VALENTINO written by SCOTT WHERLE art & cover by CARLOS RODRIGUEZ "MY WORLD ON FIRE," Part One Who's been setting fire to the homes of Eddie's classmates? Who's the mysterious girl with the ability to deflect anything thrown at her? ShadowHawk learns the answers the hard way as he tries to survive a literal trial by fire! November 23 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 SPAWN #152 written by DAVID HINE pencils & cover by PHILIP TAN inks by DANNY MIKI In the depths of hell Spawn faces torture at the hands of The Grand Inquisitor Thamuz, who has sworn to uncover Spawn's deepest secret or tear his soul apart trying. Meanwhile a thirteen-year- old boy is sent on a simple quest, unaware that the fate of mankind lies in his hands. November 30 o 32 pg o FC o $2.95 STRANGE GIRL #6 written by RICK REMENDER art by ERIC NGUYEN cover by ERIC NGUYEN & JOELLE COMTOIS Belial's unforgiving demonic forces converge on the human stronghold, Dead Western, in search of Bethany Black. Alone, with no hope of survival, Bethany makes an irreversible and selfish decision that will have lasting repercussions for those closest to her. November 16 o 32 pg o FC o $2.99 THE WALKING DEAD #25 written by ROBERT KIRKMAN art & cover by CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN Everything is different now. November 16 o 32 pg o BW o $2.99 RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES TOP COW NOVEMBER 2005 SOLICITATIONS Hunter-Killer #7 (W) Mark Waid (P) Eric Basaldua (Col) Steve Firchow (Cov) Jim Lee or Marc Silvestri Special guest penciler Eric Basaldua (Darkness/Vampirella) lays in as the origins of Morningstar and the Hunter-Killer project are laid bare! And the revelations will have you poring over your back issues to find all the clues and hints that have been laid! Whatever you do, don't miss this issue-the Czar Obscura commands it! Full color 32 pages $2.99 ongoing series Two covers available by Jim Lee or Marc Silvestri! Have your retailer reserve your favorite! Witchblade #92 10th Anniversary Special and the BIGGEST Witchblade story ever! Chris Bachalo Eric Basaldua Keu Cha Mike Choi Darwyn Cooke Terry Dodson Francis Manapul Rodolfo Migliari George Perez Brandon Peterson Luke Ross Bart Sears Marc Silvestri (W) Ron Marz (Art) A galaxy of stars! (Cov) Jay Anacleto Sara Pezzini celebrates a decade of wielding the Witchblade, and she's brought along a lot of friends! Witchblade's 10th Anniversary brings the most important and most requested story ever: the origin of the Witchblade! Faithful readers will be rewarded with the answers to the questions they've asked for a decade, while new readers will be treated to a perfect entry point to the series. Ron Marz, who has reinvigorated Witchblade since taking over the writing duties, teams with a dozen artistic superstars! Ten years in the making-don't miss this one! Full color 48 pages $4.99 continuing series Witchblade Tenth Anniversary Cover Gallery (W) Stan Lee and others (Art) Michael Turner, Marc Silvestri and others Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Top Cow's flagship character with this commemorative edition featuring ALL the Witchblade covers of the past decade! Comic writers and experts pick their favorites, and even Stan Lee himself weighs in with his picks, and Stan writes a special introduction! This special bridging the past to the future is NOT to be missed! Full color 32 pages $2.99 one-shot special Witchblade Compendium (W) David Wohl, Paul Jenkins, Ron Marz and more! (Art) Michael Turner, Marc Silvestri, Chris Bachalo and more! The 50 GREATEST Witchblade issues of all time are collected in this massive 10th anniversary hardcover! An impressive volume for your bookshelf, or a blunt-force trauma weapon-take your pick! Full color 1000+ pages $99.99 hardcover collection Down #1 (W) Warren Ellis (Art) Tony Harris (Col) J.D. Mettler (Cov) Tony Harris Five years ago, a narcotics cop was sent undercover, down into the criminal substructure of the city. He never came back. He went native. Five years later, he's running the city's prime drug gang. Today, a second cop, Detective Deena Ransome, in the midst of career flameout, is sent undercover with orders to pull the first one out-In a body bag if necessary. But when she finally reaches down far enough to confront her target, does she kill him where he stands? Or does she take his place? Fast-paced action and thrilling crime noir is brought to you from the award-winning Warren Ellis in this landmark limited series! Full color 32 pages $2.99 part 1 of a 4-part series Freshmen #4 "What time is it in Budapest?" pt. 4 of 6 (W) Hugh Sterbakov (P) Leonard Kirk (Col) Tyson Wengler (Cov) Rodolfo Migliari The team deals with the spectacular loss they suffered at the hands of the super-powered frat guys. Also: The Intoxicator experiments with new forms of.um.intoxication! The Beaver ponders his predilection for dam building! Wannabe struggles to maintain his dubious team leadership, and the kids discover the dark secret of Doctor Tomlinson and the frat guys' powers. This special issue is told in two concurrent storylines that will make you laugh, cry and want to see Cats just to compare. Co-created by Austin Powers and Buffy star Seth Green and written by universe-mastering Hugh Sterbakov. Full color 32 pages $2.99 part four of a six-part mini-series Legal: Freshmen is c 2005 Seth Green, Hugh Sterbakov, and Top Cow Productions, Inc. "Freshmen," the logos, and the likenesses of all featured characters are trademarks of Seth Green, Hugh Sterbakov, and Top Cow Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. V.I.C.E #2 (W) Aron Coleite (P) Tyler Kirkham (Col) John Starr (Cov) Tyler Kirkham Hit TV writer Aron Coleite (Crossing Jordan) and fan-favorite penciler Tyler Kirkham (Darkness/Superman) continue their blistering new ongoing series! The Violent Incident Control Enforcement branch of the FBI-V.I.C.E.-are bad men sent in to do even worse jobs. In this issue, one member of the team dies! The mystery of the suicide bombers unfolds as the secret past of the FBI is revealed, and a "foreign" army invades US soil. Hang on.V.I.C.E. is just getting warmed up. Full Color 32 Pages $2.99 Ongoing Series Rising Stars: Voices of the Dead #6 (of 6) (W) Fiona Avery (P) Al Rio (I) Will Conrad (Cov) Staz Johnson Lionel Zerb wrestles with inner demons as the conclusion to this six-part mini-series whips to a dramatic conclusion. The choice lies between his childhood-love, Lily, and in finding out if there is more to life than he or any other Special can see. Lionel is about to face an eternity in anguish for the answer to the Universe's greatest questions. Is there a God, an afterlife, a rebirth? Great new Rising Stars action is brought to you by Fiona Avery (Amazing Fantasy, Ara¤a)! Full color 32 pages $2.99 part 6 of a 6-part mini-series City of Heroes #7 (W) Dan Jurgens (P) David Nakayama (Cov) Rodolfo Migliari Comics legend Dan Jurgens (Superman) takes his turn in the City of Heroes as events go down a darker path. Manticore lies comatose in a hospital, as the Back Alley Brawler comes out of retirement to get to the bottom of just which major villain left him in such a state! Dan Jurgens weaves his superhero magic, with Kubert School grad and Wizard contest winner David Nakayama on art! Full color 32 pages $2.99 ongoing series Top Cow/Marvel: The Crossover Collection (W) Warren Ellis, Chris Claremont, Paul Jenkins and more! (Art) Marc Silvestri, Michael Turner, Dale Keown and more! (Cov) Eric Basaldua A decade worth of GREAT Marvel Comics/Top Cow crossovers are FINALLY collected in one superstar package! Mephisto moves over from the Marvel Universe to focus his attention on Top Cow in the epic "Devil's Reign" crossover, while Wolverine meets Witchblade and The Hulk takes on The Darkness in separate titanic tales! It's 11 issues worth of worlds colliding! Full Color 304 pages $24.99 trade paperback collection _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------ - End of another Issue .. GIVE A KID A COMMIC TODAY! You know how it is when you go to be the subject of a psychology experiment, and nobody else shows up, and you think maybe that's part of the experiment? I'm like that all the time.