Every month I pre-order comics, trades and other related items from Previews magazine. Even though there is information online for just about everything, I still find the Previews catalog to be the simplest way to scan through the different items and to get some inspiration on what I want to buy.
There’s lots of stuff being offered by Diamond this month: Plenty of great stuff and plenty of crap too… So I will try to sort the wheat from the chaff and hopefully point out some good items that you might order or buy from your LCS or Online Retailer. Our taste may differ– so if you buy something and I hate it… Don’t blame me. I did my best to warn you!
These products will see release during September/October/November.
The STATUS in the description of each product indicates the likelihood of whether I’m going to order it ranging from Firm Order as the most likely to a POS (Piece of Shit)– with everything else being somewhere in between. I’m sure you can figure it out!
The Fifth Beatle HC
144 pages
$19.99Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: The story of Beatles manager Brian Epstein– and how he guided the group to massive success before dying tragically young.
The Colossal Conan HC
1264 pages
$150.00Status: Severely Tempted
Additional Notes: I’ve already got these excellent comics in single form, but its tempting to have them in one tome. The concerns are: I’ve not seen Dark Horse produce an omnibus of this form– will it be as good as the Marvel ones or as bad as the early DC ones? Also, at nearly 1300 pages, the ergonomics of reading it is questionable.
Violent Cases HC
64 pages
$24.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Ok, this has Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean’s names on the cover… But honestly? I thought it was a pretentious load of old bollocks. YMMV.
Sabertooth Swordsman HC
120 pages
$17.99Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: I’ve seen some preview pages for this and it looks really great. A simple farmer is transformed into a sword-wielding sabertooth tiger in order to save the people of his village with copious amounts of beheadings and gore.
Marvel Classic Character – Iceman
$49.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Question: When is Locusmortis going to stop railing on these statues?
Answer: When they stop making these shitty looking pieces of crap.
Justice League of America Vol 1 – World’s Most Shittiest HC
224 pages
$24.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Easily one of the worst comics of the year, Geoff Johns phones in awful scripts to be hacked out with terrible art by the likes of David Finch and Brett Booth. Only buy this if you’re a masochist.
Superman – H’el on Earth HC
296 pages
$29.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: BA-DUM! Wait, what was that noise…? Why I think it was the sound of talented Supergirl writer Mike Johnson being thrown under the bus. Boring hack writers Tom DeFalco and Scott Lobdell conspire to bore the shite out of all and sundry in this phenomenally lackluster waste of paper.
Ame-Comi – Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy Holiday 2-Pack PVC figures
$99.95Status: POS
Additional Notes: I got a few of the early Ame-Comi PVC Figures and they were really good. These, however, look like they’ve been designed with the aid of a flamethrower– making an ugly misshapen mess.
My Little Pony Portfolio
$19.99Status: Actually Not Shit
Additional Notes: Six 11 x 17 inch prints for 20 bucks isn’t a bad deal… And they don’t look like crap either! If you’ve got a kid that likes this kind of thing, then they could easily decorate a room… But if you’re a Bronie… That’s really a fandom too far for me!
Sex Criminals #2
32 pages
$3.50Status: Trade-Waiting
Additional Notes: Writer Matt Fraction’s Marvel work is a fairly mixed bag, but most of his Image work used to be great. This series looks like it could be genius or disaster… Outside of Milo Manara, there are very few creators who can do sexy fun comics. Lets see if Fraction can pull it off.
Rat Queens #2
32 pages
$3.50Status: Trade-waiting
Additional Notes: It’s written by Kurtis Wiebe, so odds are it’s going to be good. It certainly looks like it could be a really fun fantasy series.
Zero #2
32 pages
$2.99Status: Trade-waiting
Additional Notes: Written by Ales Kot, whose stories are generally sharply written and innovative. Kot’s definitely a writer to watch– and the art by Michael Walsh isn’t too shabby either!
Multiple Warheads Downfall One-Shot
80 pages
$7.99Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: It’s by Brandon Graham. Just fucking buy it!
Century West OGN
64 pages
$7.99Status: Very Tempted
Additional Notes: An OGN written and drawn by Howard Chaykin set in the Wild West? Consider me very interested!
Cowboy Ninja Viking Deluxe HC
304 pages
$39.99Status: Highly Recommended
Additional Notes: If you haven’t already gotten this in another format, then it’s the perfect time to get this Hardcover Collected Edition. Riley Rossmo is simply one of the top artists working in American comics at the moment and the story he illustrates here is awesome.
Five Weapons – Making the Grade TP
144 pages
$15.99Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: The new series from Bomb Queen’s Jimmie Robinson. In my review of the first issue, I felt he knocked this one right out of the park!
Afterlife with Archie #1
32 pages
$2.99Status: Uh……
Additional Notes: A Walking Dead ripoff series featuring the Archie characters sounds really shitty. But then they say they have Francesco Francavilla on art– which changes things…
Executive Assistant Iris $1.00 Issue
32 pages
$1.00Status: POS
Additional Notes: What in the fuck is this series even meant to be about? A secretary who’s an assassin or something? “She’s a ninja with notation?”
Valerian Vol 4 – Welcome to Alflolol
48 pages
$11.95Status: Recommended
Additional Notes: The Valerian series was well in its stride by this volume… With Mezieres having refined his artwork a great deal. I can’t recommend this enough.
King’s Watch #1 (of 5)
32 pages
$3.99Status: Trade-waiting
Additional Notes: Another series by Dynamite. “Ho-hum” methinks… But then I see Jeff Parker’s name down as writer (and the usual Dynamite no-name artist drawing the interior). The KW comic essentially uses the cast of the old Defenders of the Earth cartoon– Flash Gordon, The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician.
The Mocking Dead #1
32 pages
$3.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: A Walking Dead parody? Welcome to fucking 2009, Dynamite.
Magic Wind Vol 2
100 pages
$12.99Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: The second book in this landmark Western series (produced in Italy.) Awesome art by Jose Ortiz in this volume.
Sketching Guantanamo -
Court Sketches of the Military Tribunals 2006 – 2013 HC
176 pages
$28.99Status: Hmmm
Additional Notes: This is a book of sketches and paintings by artist Janet Hamlin from the Gitmo courtroom. Be aware, it’s probably mostly paintings of guys with long beards– so if that floats your boat… You might be onto a real winner here!
The Best American Comics 2013
352 pages
$25.00Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Edited by Jeff Smith, this is an anthology of American comic book writer/artists– primarily from the Indie scene– like Evan Dorkin & Terry Smith. The good usually outweighs the mundane and the bad in these volumes.
Mighty Avengers #2
32 pages
$3.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Yet another Avengers title and it’s a tie-in to boot. Al Ewing is a good writer and yet he’s been saddled with this… And I haven’t even mentioned Greg “Porn Tracer” Land is on art yet.
X-Men – Battle of the Atom #5
40 pages
$3.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: All crossover all the time! X-Men fighting each other! That’s new… Isn’t it? What do you mean it isn’t?
BOLLOCKS!
Thor Epic Collection -
War of the Pantheons TP
472 pages
$34.99Status: Recommended
Additional Notes: If I was buying Marvel stuff, I’d buy the shit out of this. It may not be as good as the Simonson Thor but these were the first Thor comics I ever bought– and they were really good.
Cadillacs and Dinosaurs Limited Edition Animation Portfolio
4 prints
$80.00Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Production artwork from the Nelvana cartoon inspired by Mark Schultz’s comic book series. These look sweet but probably aren’t essential enough for me to purchase.
Button Man – Get Harry Ex GN
304 pages
$29.99Status: Highly Recommended
Additional Notes: Created and written by Judge Dredd creator John Wagner, with art by British veteran Arthur Ranson. How this series hasn’t been made into a film is beyond me. Harry Exton is a former SAS soldier who is now a button man– an assassin who participates in a lethal game with the aim of killing other assassins.
Nemesis the Warlock – Deviant Ed. HC
240 pages
$48.00Status: Highly Recommended
Additional Notes: The series that put Kevin O’Neill on the map. It’s batshit insane sci-fi from 2000AD creator Pat Mills– with veteran artists Jesus Redondo and Bryan Talbot contributing art.
Marada the She-Wolf HC
112 pages
$24.99Status: Recommended
Additional Notes: Originally published in Marvel’s Epic Illustrated magazine, this is a beautifully drawn fantasy story by Chris Claremont and John Bolton.
Mobile Suit Gundam – Origin Vol 3 HC
480 pages
$29.95Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: More Gundam fucking awesomeness from Vertical. A must buy for mecha fans.
Sickness Unto Death Vol 1
208 pages
$12.95Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Tell me, who doesn’t want to read a manga about Danish philosophy? This is from Vertical… So it will be better than it sounds.
Tropic of the Sea
220 pages
$14.95Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: The first manga by animation director Satoshi Kon. This is a no-brainer.
Star Trek – Starfleet Engineering Symbol Red Polo Shirt
$30.99 – 32.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: If you wear one of these, you’re just inviting trouble aren’t you? You know the one in the red shirt always gets killed first.
OI Ctulhu Resin Figure
$70.00Status: POS
Additional Notes: This just looks like a guy with a huge lump of snot on his head.
Thor Electronic Hammer
$32.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: I can totally see Tom or Jon from A Comic Book Look buying this.
Kiss Love Gun Plushes
Status: POS
Additional Notes: Supplied pre-infected with an STD of your choice.
The Beatles – Yellow Submarine Maquette
$99.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: LSD not included.
DC Comics Shazam New 52 Artfx+ Statue
$49.99Status: Certified Shit
Additional Notes: This character pretty much sums up everything that’s wrong with the New 52.
Instead of calling him Shazam now, they should be calling him Captain Douchebag.
Marvel Psylocke Ninja Outfit X-Force Bishoujo Statue
$64.99Status: Certified Cool
Additional Notes: If I was still buying Marvel products, I would be all over this. It shows KotoB can still put out decent looking merch, unlike their DC shite.
Doctor Who – Monsters 3D Effect Wall Clock
$59.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Jesus wept… The BBC are really milking the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary to the nth degree. This thing was probably made for about $2 in a Chinese slave labor factory– and they’re selling it for $60.
Super Sonico PVC Figure (Sweets & Bikini Verson)
$154.99Status: If I won the lottery
Additional Notes: The only vocaloid I could give a shit about… Yeah, I’m looking at you Hatsune Miku.
Star Wars – Yoda Super Deluxe 24 inch Talking Plush
$124.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: After my recent bout of praising Star Wars merch, I can get back to normality. I’m mean, just look at this fucking thing! And then it’s got the annoying fucking phrases too! Frank Oz, I love your work but for fuck’s sake– If I hear any of these phrases again, I’ll rip someones head off… Possibly my own.
Daft Punk S.H. Figurarts Action Figures
$44.99 eachStatus: Hmmmm
Additional Notes: I love their work– but stick to making music, eh lads?
Superman Shield Gold Plated Money Clip
$17.50Status: POS
Additional Notes: If I had enough money to necessitate a money clip… I wouldn’t be buying a fucking cheapass Superman one anyway– that’s for fucking sure.
Batman Adult Mask
$19.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Now you too can be Ben Affleck. (Although you’ll probably be a better actor.)
Hulk Smash Cologne for Men
$26.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Made from Anti-freeze, Butane and Hobo Sweat… Guaranteed to get you a date at any Kentucky hoedown!
Firefly – Independents Flag
$29.95Status: POS
Additional Notes: If you put this up people will think you’re just a refugee from the Central African Republic or something. Prepare to be put on the NSA Watchlist.
Mobile Suit Gundam – U.C.
$29.99 eachStatus: Hmmmm
Additional Notes: About fucking time this came out! But they’re taking the piss with the ridiculous prices… $30 for 2 episodes? You must be fucking kidding me! No wonder people prefer fansubs.
Shining Hearts – The Complete Collection Blu Ray
$69.98Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Fantasy series with plenty of fanservice. Character designs by awesome artist Tony Taka.
Robotech – Beyond the New Generation
$19.98Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Loved the original Robotech series but going back and reviving a classic can be fraught with problems. The involvement of Tatsunoko Productions might make this collection of two recent movies worth watching.
Q – The Winged Serpent
$19.97Status: Buy this NOW!
Additional Notes: One of the absolute best B-movies ever made… As a dragon like creature menaces the residents of Manhattan. Some great character actors in this, including Michael Moriarty, David Carradine and Richard Roundtree.
Sapphire and Steel – The Complete Series
$39.97Status: Recommended
Additional Notes: ITV’s sort-of answer to Doctor Who, Sapphire and Steel stars David McCallum and the pulchitrudinous Joanna Lumley eliminating anomalies in the time stream. It suffers from the usual problems that afflicted 70s – 80s British sci-fi– including under-funded special effects. But the series makes up for this with some great creepy stories.
The Fifth Beatle HC
Marvel Classic Character – Iceman
Justice League of America Vol 1 – World’s Most Shittiest HC
Superman – H’el on Earth HC
Ame-Comi – Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy Holiday 2-Pack PVC figures
My Little Pony Portfolio
Sex Criminals
Rat Queens
Zero
Multiple Warheads Downfall One-Shot
Century West OGN
Cowboy Ninja Viking
Five Weapons – Making the Grade TP
Afterlife with Archie
Executive Assistant Iris $1.00 Issue
Valerian Vol 4 – Welcome to Alflolol
King’s Watch #1 (of 5)
The Mocking Dead #1
Sketching Guantanamo -
The Best American Comics 2013
Mighty Avengers #2
X-Men – Battle of the Atom #5
Thor Epic Collection -
Cadillacs and Dinosaurs Limited Edition Animation Portfolio
Button Man – Get Harry Ex GN
Nemesis the Warlock – Deviant Ed. HC
Marada the She-Wolf HC
Mobile Suit Gundam – Origin Vol 3 HC
Sickness Unto Death Vol 1
Tropic of the Sea
Star Trek – Starfleet Engineering Symbol Red Polo Shirt
OI Ctulhu Resin Figure
Thor Electronic Hammer
Kiss Love Gun Plushes
The Beatles – Yellow Submarine Maquette
DC Comics Shazam New 52 Artfx+ Statue
Marvel Psylocke Ninja Outfit X-Force Bishoujo Statue
Doctor Who – Monsters 3D Effect Wall Clock
Super Sonico PVC Figure (Sweets & Bikini Verson)
Star Wars – Yoda Super Deluxe 24 inch Talking Plush
Daft Punk S.H. Figurarts Action Figures
Superman Shield Gold Plated Money Clip
Batman Adult Mask
Hulk Smash Cologne for Men
Firefly – Independents Flag
Mobile Suit Gundam – U.C.
Shining Hearts – The Complete Collection Blu Ray
Robotech – Beyond the New Generation
Q – The Winged Serpent
Sapphire and Steel – The Complete SeriesThere’s some great stuff in the Comics section this month: Exciting new comics and excellent collected editions… And then there’s DC (ahem). All the great comics make up for the lack of anything interesting in the Books and Magazines section… I guess they must be saving the good stuff for Xmas. In common with the last 2 or 3 months, I had to wade through an enormous amount of Doctor Who merch– most of which was utter drek. At least there was some great cult Anime and Movie/TV stuff to make up for all that.
