Wednesday, March 05, 2008

IN STORES: March 5, 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 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...
JAN083506 BOYS #16 (MR) $2.99
JAN082183 CABLE #1 DWS $2.99
DEC070187 COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE #7 (OF 8) $3.99
JAN080140 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 8 $2.99
DEC070228 GREEN LANTERN #28 $2.99
DEC078147 LOGAN #1 (OF 3) BLACK AND WHITE VAR (PP #803) $3.99
JAN080165 NIGHTWING #142 $2.99
NOV072173 PENANCE RELENTLESS #5 (OF 5) $2.99
JUN071919 RIDE DIE VALKYRIE #3 (OF 3) (MR) $2.99
JAN082085 SCUD THE DISPOSABLE ASSASSIN #22 $3.50
JAN082177 TWELVE #3 (OF 12) $2.99
JAN080258 VINYL UNDERGROUND #6 (MR) $2.99
JAN080243 YOUNG LIARS #1 (MR) $2.99

The Deep Dish...
- JAN080163 DETECTIVE COMICS #842 $2.99
Flicking through an issue of Superman/Batman I discovered that Dustin Nguyen really doesn't do a very good Superman. Which is a good thing, because he's back on Batman, this time with writer Peter Milligan. Looking over some previews I've come to the conclusion that this could either be what really brings me back to Batman, or something that's so beyond silly, it staggers momentum that should be building before the released of a feature film. My perspective is that the art's great and the script execution is classic, but the subject matter of an ancient suit of Bat-armor that's influencing Batman's decisions? Has the potential to go all kinds of wrong, not unlike Milligan's recent Ra's Al Ghul resurrection!

- JAN080154 JUSTICE LEAGUE THE NEW FRONTIER SPECIAL $4.99
I was a big fan of Mask of the Phantasm, to the point where I um'd and ah'd about it during the first few hundred viewings of Batman Begins that eventually convinced me it was the best Bat-film thus far. Even with that shift of opinion, I've continued to hold DC's first animated feature in great esteem, making it a true acknowledgment to suggest The New Frontier is the first significant release since the 1996 Bat-mystery.

From what I've seen I have to admit I'm a little disappointed with some of the very obvious intereferences that are typically run through these things. There are moments in the film that not only feel like they aren't all they could be, but are bitterly shown up by what was a far superior source. That said, that's a bitter criticism of what is still a fantastic creative release.
DC have been impressed enough to include the New Frontier in it's 52-Multiple Earths, and it took very little savvy to see the potential in a special to coincide with the DVD release. I only hope we get to see more of Darwyn Cooke's work under the faciliatory convenience of the Earth-21 branding.

- JAN080216 JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #43 $2.25
Continuing the theme established in previous Shipping List entries; the "kids" books continue to make good. This time around it's DC's JLU line which promises a brand new tale featuring one of comics' best known buddy-teams; Blue Beetle and Booster Gold! Not only that, but one of the men key to establishing the legacy, (and Infinite Wars top ten creator!), Keith Giffen, steps up to write the sucker! Now that's an investment in quality! Nice!

- JAN082192 LOGAN #1 (OF 3) $3.99
I really wish I knew what to think about this one, War Mongers.
Brian Vaughan is one thing, but pencil chores by Eduardo Risso just opens up a whole new scope on what might otherwise be another stagnant piece of crap in the Wolverine history. Harsh words, particularly given the goodwill BKV has racked up, but I call them as I see them, folks. Much like Pete Milligan's efforts on Batman, this one could really swing wide on the positive, or the negative. Given BKV's success with the recent Dr. Strange: The Oath mini-series, I'm going to hold out for the positive!

- NOV078017 SECRET INVASION SAGA PI $0.00
ARTWORK: Paul RyanThat's not a typo folks -- this one's free!
Now, considering the price tag, I see absolutely no reason to overlook this one, assuming retailers are going to have enough in stock, and aren't going to be dicks about the thing (I'm sure they won't). This one is sold with a premise, but it's essentially glorified hype material, so don't go in expecting any revelations about the identities of Skrull impostors who haven't already been revealed [those being a phony Elektra and Black Bolt].

Perhaps more interesting than the recapping contents; [Tony Stark's efforts to backtrack the Skrull presence on Earth, starting with their earliest encounters with the Fantastic Four]; has been recent dramas surrounding the title. Grant Morrison's interview quips about, Final Crisis being far cooler than the undeniably tried method of hidden invaders, was met with some broken ranks hostility from Invasion writer, Brian "Bonehead*" Bendis. Likewise, Bendis' running buddy, David Mack, has copped criticism for a particularly evident magazine swipe plastered on the cover to one of the upcoming issues. Despite the dramas, Secret Invasion will inevitably be heading for top ten sales as the Marvel Universe gears up for another line-wide crossover (ala; Civil War, which the Scot describes as the more interesting story).

Know Your Trade...
JAN082233 CABLE CLASSIC TP VOL 01 $29.99
DEC070297 FABLES 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL SC (MR) $14.99
DEC070247 HAWKGIRL HATH SET TP $17.99
DEC072052 HAZED GN (MR) $14.99
DEC072259 IRON MAN PREM HC DEMON IN A BOTTLE $24.99
DEC070254 SUPERMAN THE MAN OF STEEL TP VOL 06 $19.99
SEP071961 UNHUMAN ELEPHANTMEN ART OF LADRONN HC (MR) $29.99
JAN082232 X-MEN VS APOCALYPSE TP VOL 01 THE TWELVE $29.99



* Not an actual nickname for Bendis.

No comments: