Wednesday, March 12, 2008

IN STORES: March 12, 2008
You can probably find complete shipping list updates on most major comics sites. Consider this an opportunity to either do all your info-shopping in the one place, or get a speculative perspective on what might be worth checking out. These are untested reads. Secret Wars on Infinite Earths can offer no guarantee or endorsement of quality. These are simply titles that may be of potential interest. Some items may ship late.

The Infinite Wars now has a gift shop!
Now you'll find Amazon purchase links to hardcovers, trade paperbacks, and other collections, not only on regular entries -- but also new releases at the bottom of the Shipping List, and now a whole catalogue of potential purchases via the Infinite Wars: Amazonian Gift Shop. [Men are also welcome!] By shopping with Amazon via our purchase links, you not only find yourself a great deal, but also sponsor future entries on the Infinite Wars. So throw caution to the wind, and mortgage your future away! Hoo hah hah!


Thin and Crispy...
JAN082137 ANNIHILATION CONQUEST #5 (OF 6) $2.99
NOV072034 ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #5 $2.99
JAN083857 ATOMIC ROBO #6 (OF 6) $2.95
JAN080155 BOOSTER GOLD #7 $2.99
JAN080141 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 7 $2.99
DEC070188 COUNTDOWN TO MYSTERY #6 (OF 8) $3.99
JAN082194 DEAD OF NIGHT FEATURING MAN THING #2 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99
JAN082143 FANTASTIC FOUR #555 $2.99
JAN080087 GOON #22 $2.99
JAN080152 GOTHAM UNDERGROUND #6 (OF 9) $2.99
JAN080157 GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #6 $2.99
JAN080183 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #22 $2.99
JAN082164 MIGHTY AVENGERS #10 $2.99
JAN082193 PUNISHER #55 (MR) $2.99
JAN080151 SALVATION RUN #5 (OF 7) $2.99
JAN080174 SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL #13 $2.99
NOV072176 THUNDERBOLTS #119 $2.99

The Deep Dish...
- JAN080089 ABE SAPIEN THE DROWNING #2 (OF 5) $2.99
- JAN080091 BPRD 1946 #3 (OF 5) $2.99

Now that there's a regular schedule of BPRD titles, I can't help but have a little cry every month. Not because they haven't been good, but because they're notoriously under ordered, and every time I go to play a little bit of a catch-up, I can never string BPRD issues together. I don't do the weekly (or monthly) comic thing, and it sucks. We need a sponsor! I want to learn more about Abe Sapien's mysterious past!

TONY STARK surrenders himself to the mercies of THE MANDARIN: Seen in IRON MAN #312!- DEC072192 IRON MAN ENTER MANDARIN #6 (OF 6) $2.99
For those who don't know, we do not feature the full shipping list. Week to week I pluck some of the titles that I like and that might interest others, and throw them up here for your one-stop convenience. For the past few months Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin has been a subject of internal debate.

This is one of a handful of early tales told by writer Joe Casey who, for the most part, is certainly competent if not remarkable. The creative team could never be a draw alone, but as has been the case quite a bit lately, I've been lured by an amazing cover! And with the Iron Man movie mere months away, it probably isn't a bad way to get yourself in the mood, without having to concern yourself with post-Civil War Tony Stark, Director of PRICK!

- JAN082155 LAST DEFENDERS #1 (OF 6) $2.99
Of course, slap a wacky collective of heroes and the Defenders brand on the cover, and suddenly Joe Casey looks a whole lot more enticing! Long time readers will have by now deduced that I'm a sucker for heroes and villains with a bit of history, and a lot of name value. This time around the Defenders include the [un]likes of Colossus, She-Hulk, and former New Invader, Blazing Skull. None of this deals with the devil/new history bull! This, friends, is what's called a ticket to ride!

- OCT072015 MADMAN ATOMIC COMICS #7 $2.99
With two BPRD books and Madman, it's a pretty big week for the so-called indies!
As is almost universally the case I'm painfully behind on MAC. Actually, I only have one issue, so it's probably more accurate to say I haven't really had a chance to dive in...
Mike Allred is one of the most exciting talents around comics, and Madman is the perfect vehicle for Allred's penchant for graphically surreal adventures. If you loved X-Statix and you haven't yet had an encounter with this original creation, then do yourself a favour. If I had any money and issues of fisticuffs, you know you'd be seeing it!

MODOK has his hands full when he brings the AVENGERS to his level: As seen in MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #9!- JAN082157 MARVEL ADVENTURES HULK #9 $2.99
Okay, so again, there's got to be the disclaimer that I haven't yet had a chance to have a personal encounter with this title. That said, if it even remotely lives up to the solicitation of it's many guests, then Marvel Adventures: Hulk is the perfect alternative for fans of the classic rampages of the big mean green! This month Hulk plays host to his classic gamma-irradiated sparring partner, Doc Samson!
Despite traditionally being fodder for the kids, the Adventures books from both Marvel and DC really do seem to be bringing up the rear in terms of quality. For fans frustrated by the current state of the Marvel Universe, these may just be the perfect opportunity to get a taste of classic Marvel with a contemporary spin.

- JAN082163 MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #7 $3.99
MCP doesn't sound like it's doing so well, and given the history of anthology series in this volatile market, it probably isn't long for this world. The current version of Marvel Comics Presents does everything fans of the original would expect, and like the original, is destined to be a hidden gem long after it's been cancelled. Personally I think the comic's well worth it on it's own merits, but for enthusiasts of the Marvel Universe or particular characters, [like; USAgent, Hellcat, or Taskmaster], it's a rare opportunity to see your low-tier favourites spotlighted! Definitely a book I want to catch up on!

- JAN080171 SUPERMAN #674 $2.99
Superman gets another new creative team, and the prospects don't look any better.
Comics' most recognisable hero seems destined to flounder in the modern era as creative teams and fans alike struggle to grapple with the concept. Kurt Busiek and Renato Guedes will roll out a villain called Paragon, with the ability to match, and excede any opponent's powers. Frankly, like so much Superman over the past few years, it sounds a little tired -- but you never know!

Know Your Trade...
JAN082220 AVENGERS INITIATIVE TP VOL 01 BASIC TRAINING $14.99
NOV070237 JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL HC $24.99
DEC070246 LOBO PORTRAIT OF A BASTICH TP $19.99
DEC070250 ROBIN THE BIG LEAGUES TP $12.99
DEC070258 SHOWCASE PRESENTS PHANTOM STRANGER TP VOL 02 $16.99
JAN083712 SPEED RACER TP VOL 03 $19.99
JAN082217 SPIDER-MAN FAMILY TP UNTOLD TEAM UPS DIGEST $9.99



2 comments:

Stephen said...

ticket to ride indeed. the way the defenders play off of each other is great.

Mike Haseloff said...

I'm just thrilled to see Blazing Skull finally getting a gig after New Invaders. Really miss that book...