I may have used the start of the New Year as an excuse to take a week off, but Diamond Comics waits for no man!
Well, except when they push the release dates for new comics back to Friday, but thankfully, we’re past all that now. What matters tonight is that they’re celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Previews catalog with another five-hundred page pile of comics and merch, and it’s time for me to get back in the ring and take it all on in 2008’s first round of Chris vs. Previews!
Tonight, the Major Publishers! Tomorrow… THE WORLD!
Or the indies. Whichever.
Dark Horse Comics
P. 34 – Conan #50:
This issue marks the end of Dark Horse’s Conan, as the next issue will find it inexplicably relaunched with a new #1 as Conan the Cimmerian, and while I’m not all that excited about the actual relaunch, I am looking forward to the book itself. After all, current Conan writer Tim Truman is sticking around with artist Tomas Giorello, which pretty much ensures that it’s going to maintain the high level of gorilla-punching quality we’ve come to expect from everyone’s favorite barbarian.
Still, I’m pretty intrigued by the last issue here, which was based on a “lost” and unfinished Conan story by Robert E. Howard that, if the cover’s any indication, concerns itself with Conan’s heretofore unexplored interest in gardening.
P. 49 – Hellboy: The Companion: It was all I could to do avoid getting last month’s first Hellboy Library Edition
DC Comics
P. 72 – Justice League: The New Frontier Special: Darwyn Cooke’s New Frontier
New Frontier‘s really good, and while I’m always a little wary of seeing creators return to the same ground they’ve already covered–especially when he could be out there doing The Spirit
Clearly, this is something we’re all going to need.
P. 75 – Detective Comics #842: Okay, before we really get into this, I’d just like to mention that Peter Milligan’s “Dark Knight, Dark City” is one of my favorite Batman stories, and along with Gothic
P. 76 – Robin #172: And this year’s Chris Claremont Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Cramming As Many Cliches As Possible Into One Sentence goes to… DC’s Marketing Department, for their work with Robin #172!
They’ll have to work toegether to get out alive, but someone’s not playing fair, and old hurts can mean new trouble when the chips are down!
Congratulations guys, and good luck at Nationals!
P.89 – Booster Gold v.1 HC: It’s weird to see that DC’s bucking the trend set by Marvel’s “Premiere” hardcovers in that they’re offering one that actually costs five bucks more than the issues, but–and honestly, I can’t believe I’m about to type this–Booster Gold was one of the best surprises of last year, and if you missed out and find yourself with an extra $25 in your pocket (or, y’know, $16.49 on Amazon
Yeah, I said it.
P.90 – JAC KIRBY’S OMAC HARDCOVER!!!:
SECTORS WILL BE EVACUATED!
CONQUERORS WILL BE BUSTED!
ISSUES WILL BE COLLECTED AND MINDS WILL BE BLOWN!
SO IT IS WRITTEN, SO IT SHALL COME TO PASS… IN THE WORLD THAT’S COMING!
P.91 – JLA Presents Aztek: The Ultimate Man TP: And speaking of comics that it shouldn’t have taken nearly this long to collect, we have Aztek! I spent a good two years trying to put together a run of this book and never quite could get the last couple of issues I needed, but after I finally read it through… ahem… completely legal means, I can confirm that it’s pretty darn enjoyable. Admittedly, it reads like a ’90s comic, but it reads like a ’90s comic written by Grant Morrison and a Swamp Thing-era Mark Millar, starring the completely bewildered hero that gave us one of the best moments in Morrison’s JLA
And hey, speaking of…
P.92 – Starman Omnibus v.1:
And continuing this month’s theme of truly awesome collections we’ve been waiting for forever, we have this one, which pretty much sells itself. A friend of mine once told me that it was, and I quote, “criminal” that DC had allowed so much of Starman to fall out of print, and while it’s not strictly illegal, it’s certainly pretty nuts that you can’t walk into a store and walk out with a run of trades like you can with Preacher, Sandman, or the aforementioned JLA–an affliction, I might add, that it shares with Hitman. But now, it looks like those dark times are finally over, and Starman‘s getting the same treatment that the Fourth World got (although hopefully with better paper), and I’m pretty excited about it.
Because really, if you’re gonna drop $300 on high-end collections of a super-hero book from the ’90s, this one oughtta be it.
And also Hitman. Seriously, DC, it would be like printing money.
P. 93 – Showcase Presents the Legion of Super-Heroes v.2: Holy crap, DC’s got a lot of good trades this month. Of course, there’s also that Absolute Black Dossier, wherein DC decides to not even let Jess Nevins catch his breath before they jack the price up by seventy bucks, throw an LP in the box and fleec you for more of that sweet, sweet Alan Moore cash, but all in all, it’s a pretty strong showing.
Anyway, you might’ve noticed that I haven’t written about the Legion in a while, but that’s only because I ran out of archives to read, so I think it’s safe to say that you guys probably already know my feelings about this one. I would, however, like to point out that this one contains nothing less than the senses shattering saga of Bizarro Computo, and a life without that story is hardly a life at all.
Image Comics
P.148 – Transhuman #1: Havig met South Carolina’s own Jonathan Hickman at HeroesCon last year, I can confirm that despite what you might have heard, he’s not a man at all. He is, in fact, a highly sophisticated collective of robots (albeit a nice one that did a sketch of N’Kantu for me), which is the only reason I can think of for the way he came out of nowhere with last year’s awesome The Nightly News
Robots. As usual, it’s the only explanation that makes sense.
P.168 – Youngblood #3: You might recall that I was torn on whether or not to get Joe Casy and Derec Donovan’s Youngblood relaunch back when it was first solicited–a moment of nigh-Hamletian indecision that sparked a debate and proved once again how willing you guys are to give Rob Liefeld my money–but if there’s anything that’ll convince me to actually give this book a shot, it’s a solicitation that leads off with “Death hits like a motherf***er!”
Marvel Comics
P.11 – Ultimate Fantastic Four #52: And now, your obscure fad product joke for this evening:
“Hi, I’m Thanos of Titan, and when I want to impress the foxy embodiment of the End of All Things with my puzzle-solving skills, I make sure to pack at least four Infinity Gems and a generous supply of Cube Lube… And so should YOU!”
P.15 – Ultimate X-Men #92: Okay, seriously you guys, on the real real real real REAL real real real real?
If the Ultimate Universe has gotten to the point where it contains both Onslaught and Stryfe, then come on, man. What’s the freakin’ point?!
P.46 – Mythos: Captain America: I’ll admit to enjoying the couple of Mythos one-shots that I’ve picked up, but to be honest, I mostly just skip ’em, especially since some of them have an alarmingly high presence of scenes where Johnny Blaze rolls around to the tune of “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” which registers a mere ten miliratasses on my interest scale. This one, however, I’ll probably end up getting…
…if only to see Marvel Hunk of the Month Paolo Rivera’s version of Hitler’s “OH SHIT!” face reflected in Cap’s shield. That thing is fantastic!
P.49 – Power Pack: Day One #1: Just in ase you guys missed it, the new Power Pack mini-series is going to include a science lesson in each issue written by Fred “Action Philosophers
In the future, once the ISB’s quest for Total Internet Domination has reached its inevitable success, this is how all lessons will be taught. Even the hated maths.
P.54 – Thor #8: Let’s see here…
Part two of a two-part arc by writer J. Michael Straczynski (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) with sumptuous art by DAREDEVIL cover artist Marko Djurdjevic sees the mighty Thor ruling over anewly glorious Asgard and all its people! But what danger has risen on the horizon of its American heartland surroundings? And how will Thor equip himself to face it??
Translation: “This issue, Thor puts on some clothes and thinks about maybe fighting someone sometime while absolutely nothing continues to happen!”
Also: “Sumptuous?” Really?
p.69 – Logan #1: I’ve mentioned before that I don’t let my (amost nonexistent) pretensions towards being one one of the comic book literati get in the way of my affection for Wolverine when there’s a halfway-decent story involved, but I can pretty honestly say that I never thought I’d be picking up two Wolverine titles a month, and definitely not if they were flashback titles.
And yet, here we are, with Brian K. Vaughan and and Eduardo Risso’s Logan and the awkwardly titled Wolverine: First Class by Fred Van Lente and Andrea Di Vito, and between them, there might just be some Wolverine stories that are actually good again. Who’da thought?
P.91 – Iron Man vs. Doctor Doom: Doomquest HC: Okay, admittedly, twenty bucks might seem like a lot to pay for a comic that contains a grand total of four (4) issues, but when said issues are:
a) about Iron Man and Dr. Doom traveling back to the days of King Arthur and beating the crap out of each other,
b) full of Dr. Doom referring to Iron Man as “errand boy!” and “lackey!” in virtually every scene where they interact, and
c) totally awesome,
…it starts to make a little more sense. I mean, it’s no Armor Wars II or anything, but if you’d like to be reminded of when Tony Stark was a likeable character with a lovable head of hair, you could do a lot worse than to pick this one up.
And that takes care of the majors! Now then, lackeys! Be here tomorrow when the ISB takes on the small press and the merchandise in the second half of January’s Chris vs. Previews… Including a rare look at Previews Adult!
Be there or be square, cretins!
//Including a rare look at Previews Adult!//
My love for you is nastier than the inside of Dum Dum Dugan’s bowler hat.
“And yet, here we are, with Brian K. Vaughan and and Eduardo Risso’s Logan and the awkwardly titled Wolverine: First Class by Fred Van Lente and Andrea Di Vito…”
Don’t forget that Jason Aaron is writing an arc (allegedly titled ‘Get Mystique’) in the main Wolverine ongoing. You might have to pick up 3 (THREE!!) Wolverine books…
“…essentially a story about Batman’s clothes. And not to get too judgmental before the fact here, but seriously? That sounds like the most boring thing I can think of, except maybe a six-part epic about Nightwing’s Shoes.”
I seem to remember a one-issue story about the adventures of Batmans BELT from many years ago….
Can anyone confirm this?
1. Van Lente + Colleen Coover teach science: I concur with your future planning on that…
2. Starman Omnibus: Yep, I’ve already given away my old trades in anticipation of my 3rd time purchasing this series…
3. OMAC and Aztek trades: I look forward to the opportunity to check both these series out…
4. Booster Gold HC: This is one of those internet jokes right? Like the way you people all pretend that All-Star Batman & Robin doesn’t suck ass? Right? Because this is the most meh book I’ve attempted to read from DC since anything featuring the words Green Lantern or Sinestro in the title…
The Doomquest HC is worth the money. Not only are those a great set of stories, but some of them are kinda hard to track down as singles, at least in my area. I had to pay a bit more than I normally do for a good copy of #150 for my collection, for example.
Also, if DC has collected Aztek and is giving Starman the royal treatment, I really think they oughta do the same for Fate!
” Robin #172: And this year’s Chris Claremont Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Cramming As Many Cliches As Possible Into One Sentence goes to …”
In fairness, “old hurts can mean new trouble” isn’t even CLEVER enough to be a cliche.
The OMAC trade has already been pre-ordered, I can assure you. Even if I went out and found all the back issues thanks to the ISB. One can never have too much OMAC.
And here I thought Thanos had just learned that the Cake was a Lie…
“If the Ultimate Universe has gotten to the point where it contains both Onslaught and Stryfe, then come on, man. What’s the freakin’ point?!”
I think it’s part of the Marvel joke. You know, kind of like the new X-Force?
“If the Ultimate Universe has gotten to the point where it contains both Onslaught and Stryfe, then come on, man. What’s the freakin’ point?!”
I’d blame Kirkman, but the editors really should have known what they were getting into with this one. I mean, they’re the ones that put a rabid 90’s fanboy in charge of a comic specifically created to avoid the horrific baggage of 90’s comics, and given his laughable “Rob Liefeld is the modern Jack Kirby” statements it was only a matter of time until he dragged Ultimate Stryfe into the clusterfuck along with Ultimate Cable.
Not that any of this is gonna matter when this and Ultimate FF get cancelled during Ultimatum.
“It’s the only good Geoff Johns comic of the last three years.”
I’m speechless at the idea that people can possibly think things like this.
You forgot the most important comic in Previews this month! I cut out page 319 and hung it on my fridge! Buckaroo Banzai prequel to the movie in a 2 comic special! Groundbreaking! There hasn’t been a NEW Buckaroo Banzai story for a couple of decades!! This calls for celebration!
Because this is the most meh book I’ve attempted to read from DC since anything featuring the words Green Lantern or Sinestro in the title
Every time I see “meh” written on the Internet, it makes me want to stab someone in the eyes.
I’d blame Kirkman, but the editors really should have known what they were getting into with this one.
Yeah, but that’s the weird thing about Kirkman, isn’t it? Sometimes you get Invincible, sometimes you get Ultimate Stryfe.
I’m speechless at the idea that people can possibly think things like this.
I know! Sometimes I’m so astute it’s almost frightening!
You forgot
No I didn’t. It’s not from one of the major publishers, ergo it’s not in the first section of the Previews Roundup.
But I’ll probably be skipping it anyway, so…
You forgot the most important comic in Previews this month! I cut out page 319 and hung it on my fridge! Buckaroo Banzai prequel to the movie in a 2 comic special! Groundbreaking! There hasn’t been a NEW Buckaroo Banzai story for a couple of decades!! This calls for celebration!
Yes, because the last comic was so good we needed more.
… given his laughable “Rob Liefeld is the modern Jack Kirby†statements …
That should be grounds for immediate termination. And I don’t mean from his job.
if the cover’s any indication, concerns itself with Conan’s heretofore unexplored interest in gardening.
It’s as if FTD Florists were updating Merlin Olsen with a more topical spokesman.
And also Hitman. Seriously, DC, it would be like printing money.
Word.
And thanks for reminding us, Chris, that whatever Steve Roger’s final fate: he got to punch Adolph Hitler in the face.
Repeatedly.
Good times…
It might be all co-writer Jeff Katz donig the good stuff, but really: It’s the only good Geoff Johns comic of the last three years.
I thought Up, Up and Away was near perfect, and that was only a year ago.
…’course, that had a co-writer too.
There hasn’t been a NEW Buckaroo Banzai story for a couple of decades!! This calls for celebration!
Yes, because the last comic was so good we needed more.
Seconded. I love the movie and Mac Rauch’s novelization (both of which I read when they first came out, during my formative years (approx. the Hyborian Age)).
But that last mini-series was boring drek.
Re Doomquest, don’t forget Tony’s “interaction” with that serving wench. I have no idea why Tony Stark: Playa doesn’t show up more in the Marvel Adventures Iron Man book.
It’s funny, but I was just thinking this morning that the problem with the Ultimate universe is that it doesn’t introduce anything genuinely new, it’s just “Marvel’s Greatest Hits”. And since they keep going with it, sooner or later they have to recycle the dregs of their old continuity.
And then I see this. Truly, vindication is mine.
so if I may ask, where’s the Johns hate coming from? Just not your bag or do you think he seriously stinks?
I don’t mean this as a fan thing, because I’m ambivalent about his body of work as a whole, but your assessment of Geoff Johns’ recent history as wholly execrable is seriously suspect in the light of a little book called “Justice Society of America.” (Holy run-on, Batman!) This is a team book that has delivered great, uplifting stories, gone unmolested by crossovers, and delivered a quality story featuring the (rightly) questionable insertion of Kingdom Come Superman.
Every time I see “meh†written on the Internet, it makes me want to stab someone in the eyes.
Luckily I have anti-stabbing goggles…
Mr. Sims said:
“It’s the only good Geoff Johns comic of the last three years.
Yeah, I said it.”
Just because you say…doesn’t mean is the truth!
Ooooooohhhh!!!!! :P
Yes, Yes it does.
Chris, could you say I get free lego Spiderman and Batman sets for life?
I picked up Booster Gold 1-3 and 5 because of the ISB.
Between this and Nova and possibly a 3rd comic that is escaping me now but I KNOW I mentioned to my wife when we had this discussion, Chris is batting 1000 at our house.
Fables should be next. Start at the beginning of the trades, or should we pick it up elsewhere because the first storyline is really working out the kinks?
Start at the begining, ’cause its a really good murder mystery…
And also Hitman. Seriously, DC, it would be like printing money.
I’m sure you’ve seen this, as Chris Sims Sees All, but from Lying in the Gutters column before last:
…DC representatives contacted Jim Hanley to ask him to ask Rich Johnston not to run any campaign in LITG for the reissue and completion of “Hitman” in TPB format, or else they would cancel any such plans?
Madness! DC, I want to give you my money, but you make it so hard for me.
About Detective Comics #842: Yeah, I don’t know what’s up with Milligan lately. I’m still a big fan (in fact, he wrote one of my favorite comics ever, Enigma), but lately he’s kind of boring. Infinity Inc and the Programme are alright but don’t come close to Shade or X-Statix.
I don’t mean this as a fan thing, because I’m ambivalent about his body of work as a whole, but your assessment of Geoff Johns’ recent history as wholly execrable is seriously suspect in the light of a little book called “Justice Society of America.â€
Oh, right, sorry, I forgot about the centerpiece of the kinder, post-Infinite Crisis DCU and its reliance on the violent dismemberment of children.
How could it have slipped my mind?
Oh snap, someone just got ISBoned.
I’m also a little confused as to how JSA went “unmolested by crossovers” during a little thing called The Lightning Saga.
“unmolested by crossoversâ€
That’s my new benediction for my favorite series:
“Oh, Jonni DC, may Blue Beetle be unmolested by crossovers. Amen.”
Re: DC printing money
How about a “catchall” book of uncollected Ennis and Morrison stories, like fill-ins and one shots? That’d be cause to throw cash at DC…
Mr. Sims said:
“Oh, right, sorry, I forgot about the centerpiece of the kinder, post-Infinite Crisis DCU and its reliance on the violent dismemberment of children.
How could it have slipped my mind?”
That actually was pretty good writing there…the murders were committed by Nazis. Geoff cleverly illustrates the cruelty of the Nazis in that particular JSA issue.
I mean, if you were offended by the illustration of killing children in fiction. Don’t ever bother to read world history. In which far more innocent children were kill by real Nazis.
:(
If Geoff Johns weren’t writing more popular comics than God (spelled K-I-R-B-Y) and rolling around in a ridiculous amount of fan appreciation I might feel bad for the guy with the way you tear him down. As it is, he has his own forum and I give him too much money every month so…he can take it, even if his fans shed manly tears on his behalf.
But now, it looks like those dark times are finally over, and Starman’s getting the same treatment that the Fourth World got (although hopefully with better paper), and I’m pretty excited about it.
I’ve only bought one of the Fourth World collections but I *liked* the paper they used. It made me feel like I was reading it as it was first released and if there’s one thing I want to feel when reading A Kirby DC comic, it’s that I’m back in the sweet, sweet 70’s. Even though I wasn’t alive then.
Might as well start a new savings account for all the DC trades I’ll be getting…
That actually was pretty good writing there…the murders were committed by Nazis. Geoff cleverly illustrates the cruelty of the Nazis in that particular JSA issue.
Oh, right! I completely forgot Nazis were bad. I’m glad Geoff Johns was around to remind me, because I never could’ve remembered that myself.
BURN!