Wednesday, March 26, 2008

IN STORES: March 26, 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.


Thin and Crispy...
OCT070156 ALL STAR SUPERMAN #10 $2.99
JAN080166 BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #15 $2.99
JAN080180 COUNTDOWN SPECIAL ECLIPSO 80 PAGE GIANT $4.99
JAN080144 COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE #8 (OF 8) $3.99
JAN080188 JSA CLASSIFIED #36 $2.99
JAN082165 MIGHTY AVENGERS #11 $2.99
MAR071853 SAVAGE DRAGON #135 $2.99
JAN083701 SILENT HILL SINNERS REWARD #2 $3.99
APR071879 STRONGARM #5 (OF 5) $2.99
JAN082053 TRANSHUMAN #1 (OF 4) $3.50
JAN082123 ULTIMATE HUMAN #3 (OF 4) $2.99
JAN082126 ULTIMATE X-MEN #92 $2.99
JAN082188 X-MEN FIRST CLASS VOL 2 #10 $2.99

The Deep Dish...
- JAN080143 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 5 $2.99

Poverty has meant I've not seen a single issue of this series, something some might be envious of. I'm not sure if I just gauged the series' content better than most from early interviews, or if I'm really missing something here, but I can't actually imagine Countdown [to Final Crisis] being anywhere near as ghastly as many are saying. In fact, I'm quite sad I've missed out on the exploits of The Challengers; Karate Kid's squabbles with, of all people, Equus; and the back-ended continuation of the madness that is Superboy-Prime. In fact, there are only two concerns I feel for Countdown: One; as with 52, I'll probably never catch up on issues missed. Two; all these Kamandi overtones have me awfully concerned about reboot prospects...

Cover art from DAREDEVIL #90!- JAN082142 DAREDEVIL #106 $2.99
After struggling to get through the latest rivetting instalment of Cover to Cover; I'm reminded of the times when Daredevil was a must-have portion of the site. With the fanbase so heavily populated by those with compulsive bad taste, I like to think of myself as exceptionally well balanced, rather than fickle. That is to say, as much as I enjoy Daredevil as a character, Brubaker's run on DD leaves me waning in the alley, bored stupid.

I don't want to come down on Brubaker, but I was pleased to hear the iFanboys break from their typically predictable opinions, in a recent episode, to note the LBS phenomena in Captain America; albeit, with expected apologies and excuses for said writer. I don't hate Ed. I just curse him for bringing about the day when I actually miss seeing Brian "popeyed bald git" Bendis on something.

- JAN080185 GREEN LANTERN #29 $2.99
It's been just twenty years since the DCU was redefined after the apocalyptic mayhem of Crisis on Infinite Earths. The twentieth anniversary has brought with it a string of Crisis related series, ad nauseum, and as we "countdown" to the Final Crisis, I just can't help but be nervous. If you've noted the Spider-Boycott banner in posts, you know we aren't exactly inclined to make concessions for sloppy, slate-wiping story telling. I'm not quite sure I could hold a grudge against an entire universe, but I do dread the prospect of another DC reboot. ARTWORK: Alex RossEspecially with the work of Geoff Johns, and other, setting so many things right over the past five years.
I don't know if this is really cause for alarm, but it certainly seems odd to see a Green Lantern origin shoe-horned into the core title. A chance to sew the seeds of eagerly anticipated future events, using an illuminated history as retroactive precursor? Let's hope so!

- JAN082156 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #34 $2.99
- JAN082158 MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #11 $2.99

I'm starting to think we might as well hand over a devoted section of the shipping list to the kid-friendly titles. This time around the FF are serving up a throwdown with the Mad Thinker's Awesome Android; while Iron Man, equipped with Centurian Armor, promises a visit with Alpha Flight!
I must reiterate - I have not had a chance to read any of the Marvel Adventures comics with any kind of regularity - but I am starting to suspect we should stop thinking about the line as kiddy books. When I think back to my entry into the Marvel Universe, it was straight in the deep end. If all-ages writing on these books can be purely incidental, this could be a great refuge for fans seeking a brand new slice of classic comics. A real refuge from morose crossovers!

- JAN082166 NEW AVENGERS #39 SII $2.99
It was the tracing hear all around the world!
David Mack; having suffered an online bodyslam for a magazine trace on the cover of this issue; has come out to make vague allusions to a hidden art direction that could've justified the move. Unable to share the details due to story details, Mack has since delivered a brand new version of the cover, which you'll find when you head to stores.
JOHN CASSADAY cover to MOONSTONE BOOKS' first issue of their on-going exploits of the PHANTOM!With relatively small scale output, and lofty expectations, Mack was understandably primed for a sledging from disgruntled fans. The level his art is presented at implies an artform above tracing, giving fans good reason to lash out. That said, as much as this issue will generate sales through sensationalism, it might just make a mark as Mack's redemption, too.

- DEC073813 PHANTOM #22 $3.99
This month we initiated The Phantom into the Infinite Wars rankings - something long overdue! I've had a very long association with the character as a fan, and while I might not be able to recommend Moonstone's series to diehard fans, I like to keep an eye out for the spotted release of issues. For all things Phantom you can head over to ChronicleChamber.com, which has just done a feature on one of our features [Phantom #972], and joined the restructured links list which now boasts only those linking back. Love and war, and all of that...
I look forward to seeing more of the Ghost Who Walks in future entries.

Know Your Trade...
JAN082234 ESSENTIAL OFF HB MARVEL UNIV MASTER ED TP VOL 01 $16.99
JAN082215 IRON MAN DOOMQUEST PREM HC $19.99
NOV070239 JACK KIRBYS FOURTH WORLD OMNIBUS HC VOL 04 $49.99
DEC072280 MARVEL FANFARE STRANGE TALES TP $24.99
JAN082200 MMW SILVER SURFER HC VOL 02 $54.99
JAN082229 PUNISHER MAX TP VOL 09 LONG COLD DARK (MR) $15.99
JAN083711 RACER X TP VOL 01 $19.99
DEC070256 SHOWCASE PRESENTS BOOSTER GOLD TP VOL 01 $16.99
DEC072145 WANTED HC DIRECTORS CUT ED (MR) $29.99



2 comments:

Stephen said...

i was skeptical about the gl origin also. but johns does not dissapoint and has crafted the first part of the origin brilliantly. basically putting in concretely the additions he's made on his run.

Mike Haseloff said...

Yeah, the response to the issue seems to be much the same as Johns' previous issues. And I shouldn't be at all surprised by that!

I do still wonder how this will sit in the context of the greater schedule, though. With obligations to several big events, one wonders if it might not be cramming current events in the title too close together.

With Blackest Night particularly in mind, I guess we'll have to wait a couple of years to really gauge that one! :-p