Current Comics Report for 5/11/05

This is a report about what I think about the comics of this week, based upon Diamond's Shipping This Week list, as reprinted below, with my (sometimes quite snarky, so be forewarned) comments.

Certain sections of the Current Report on the 5/4 Comic Book Week contain forward-looking statements that are based on my expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which include but are not limited to projections of books being good, writing performance, character flaws, artistic coolness and continued title stability.

Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Prognasticators Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:

• A book being better than I thought it would be;

• A different creative team on a book;

• A different type of story than I thought it was;

• Differences in anticipated and actual performance by the writer and/or artist

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or, in the case of any document incorporated by reference, the date of that document.All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to me are qualified by the cautionary statements in this section..

Shipping This Week: May 11, 2005

DARK HORSE

JAN050088 BERSERK VOL 7 TP (MR) $13.95
MAR050056 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #101 (MR) $2.99
JAN050093 COASTER SET BETTIE PAGE (STAR13136) $12.99
MAR050042 CONAN & THE JEWELS OF GWAHLUR #2 (OF 3) $2.99

#1 was pretty boring, and I reluctantly predict that #2 will follow the same path.

OCT040020 DON BLUTH VOL 1 ART OF ANIMATION DRAWING TP $14.95
DEC040039 LAST TRAIN TO DEADSVILLE CAL MCDONALD MYSTERY TP (MR) $14.95

This was a very fun comic book. Well worth picking up. It has one of the most romantic scenes during the middle of a monster battle, well, ever.

MAR050017 MAN WITH THE SCREAMING BRAIN #1 (OF 4) $2.99

I estimate that this will have nice art, but a not so impressive story. I really hope that I am wrong.

FEB050084 MARK BEYER STATIONERY SET $4.99
DEC040065 SKY CAPTAIN ATOMIZER ORNAMENT $14.99
DEC040064 SKY CAPTAIN FLYING WING ORNAMENT $14.99

I am sure retailers all over are quite pleased of the release in May of Sky Captain ornaments. Where are my Sky Captain cardboard cutouts, though?!?!?

DEC040058 STAR WARS EMPIRE VOL 4 HEART OF THE REBELLION TP $17.95
JAN050214 STAR WARS EMPIRE VOL 4 HEART OF THE REBELLION TP $17.95
FEB050199 STAR WARS EMPIRE VOL 4 HEART OF THE REBELLION TP (DEC040058) $17.95

I am glad that this has three solicitations. I wonder which one has the highest orders.

JAN050050 STAR WARS TALES #23 $5.99

So, what do you Star Wars Tales readers think of the revamp on this title? I honestly haven't noticed a difference, really.

JAN050051 STAR WARS TALES PHOTO CVR #23 $5.99

Although, I thank the LORD that I have an option of two covers!! I usually make the obvious choice, and buy both.

FEB050059 TRIGUN MAXIMUM VOL 5 BREAK OUT TP $9.95
JAN050062 USAGI YOJIMBO #83 $2.99

DC COMICS

MAR050382 ACTION COMICS #827 $2.50

I still dislike the cover, but I predict that the interiors will be cool looking.

FEB050265 ADAM STRANGE #8 (OF 8) $2.99

Here's the $64,000 question...when Diggle sat down to write this series, did he know all along that he had to end his series with a setup of the Rann/Thanagar War?

MAR050393 AQUAMAN #30 $2.50

You know what kinda freaks me out? How Gleason has been drawing Aquagirl recently. Am I crazy, or does she look different?

I AM pleased that she has become so popular. Pfeifer did a wonderful job creating her.

MAR050355 BATMAN BEGINS BATARANG PROP REPLICA $150.00

Here's a question - if you design a batarang replica to retail for $150.00 (as we all dream of doing), do you make it so that it looks great or that it actually WORKS?

If you spend $150 on a Batarang, I think it should work.

What say you all?

MAR050356 BATMAN BEGINS BATMAN IN FLIGHT STATUE $195.00

I cannot wait until DC caves in and starts charging that extra five bucks.

I want to see how many people would actually be put off by the price increase.

MAR050366 BATMAN LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #191 $2.50

I predict that this will be an enjoyable conclusion to a fun story by J. Torres.

MAR050430 BATMAN STRIKES #9 $2.25

I think this comic is awfully lame (I do not blame the creative team, though, they are working with a poor concept). With that being said, DC is doing a wonderful job with the whole Jonni DC and the letters pages and the drawings from kids printed in the back. Cool stuff.

MAR050396 BREACH #5 $2.50

Martin is such a good artist. I wish he was drawing a better book.

MAR050463 DESOLATION JONES #1 (MR) $2.99

I predict that this will be one of those "story-packed" Ellis comics, not the "1/2 of a comic per issue!" comics that Ellis is doing with Iron Man and the Ultimate books. And JH Williams on art? Waaaay cool. I think there is a VERY good chance that this will be the best book of the week.

MAR050477 FABLES #37 (MR) $2.50

I really, really dig this comic book. I predict that this issue will not let me down.

MAR050376 GOTHAM CENTRAL #31 $2.50

I think that we have reached a weird time with homages. For instance, a writer on, say, a comic about police officers, can have a scene that is lifted almost directly from an Oscar-winning film starring Jodie Foster, and if anyone complains, the writer could say, "Duh! It's an homage to that Oscar-winning film starring Jodie Foster!"

I think that is a sketchy area.

In fact, it almost sounds like a Cousin Larry trick, doesn't it?

MAR050408 GREEN ARROW #50 (NOTE PRICE) $3.50

Everyone reading Green Arrow and still enjoying it, PLEASE reply. I want to know what you like about it. Thank you.

JAN050302 GREEN LANTERN REBIRTH #6 (OF 6) $2.99

And lo, there came an ending!

Now bring on the coolness of the new series, Johns! I know you have it in you!

MAR050480 HELLBLAZER RED SEPULCHRE TP (MR) $12.99

This reprints Mike Carey's first storyline on Hellblazer. I liked it.

MAR050411 JSA #73 $2.50

Remember that issue of JSA that took place literally between panels in Identity Crisis #6? The autoposy issue? Where the conclusion wasn't even IN the issue of JSA? The issue that reminded everyone of all that was terrible about the "Secret Wars II/Legends/Infinity War" style of comic storytelling?

Well, this issue ties into Day of Vengeance.

I estimate a repeat.

MAR050455 JUDGE ANDERSON VOL 1 ANDERSON PSI DIVISION TP $14.99

I am a fool. Explain to me why I should be excited about this?

MAR050444 MAD XL #33 $4.99
MAR050466 MAJESTIC #5 $2.99

I really liked the mini-series, so I am quite disappointed by how confusing this series has been (for me, at least). Anyone out there digging this?

MAR050458 METABARONS VOL 3 STEELHEAD AND DONA VICENTA TP (MR) $14.99
MAR050487 MNEMOVORE #2 (OF 6) (MR) $2.99

Huddleston is an art god, but the story is just not working for me.

MAR050446 MUSASHI #9 VOL 3 $9.99
MAR050380 NIGHTWING #108 $2.25

I really liked Hester and Park's work on the previous issue. The story is a bit more iffy, but I still have enough faith in Grayson to see where she is going with this storyline.

FEB050299 OUTSIDERS #23 $2.50

Has it really taken THIS long for a Real World inspired superhero comic by Winick? So who was the lucky person who defied the odds (which I think were 5-4 in favor of "Six issues") to take five years in the "How long before Judd Winick writes a Real World inspired superhero comic" pool?

MAR050489 PREACHER VOL 1 GONE TO TEXAS TP NEW EDITION (MR) $14.99
MAR050490 PREACHER VOL 2 UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD TP NEW EDITION (MR $14.99

Good to have these in print.

MAR050421 RANN THANAGAR WAR #1 (OF 6) $2.50

Sadly, I do not even think my comic dreamboat Dave Gibbons can save this mess. WAAAAY too much story to fit into one comic book. This is something that needs to build up, not be "HERE! LET'S FIT YEARS OF POLITICS INTO A COUPLE OF PAGES OF EXPOSITION!"

I admit, though, that I can't wait to see Gibbons write Vril Dox.

MAR050441 SCOOBY DOO #96 $2.25

Worth a look see just to support two great comic talents, Joe Staton and John Rozum.

MAR050454 SINISTER DEXTER VOL 3 SLAY PER VIEW TP (MR) $19.99
MAR050390 SUPERMAN THE WRATH OF GOG TP $14.99

Now, this irks me. I was NOT a fan of Chuck Austen's Action Comics, but how do you take a guy off a book and then give his run a quick trade collection?!!?

Seems like a major case of left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.

MAR050427 WONDER WOMAN #216 $2.25

This seems like a quick turnaround.

IMAGE

NOV041524 BATTLE HYMN #2 (OF 5) $2.95

I liked #1 well enough to be very interested in how this goes.

MAR051733 CITY OF HEROES KEOWN CVR #1 $2.99
MAR051732 CITY OF HEROES MIGLIARI CVR #1 $2.99
MAR051734 CITY OF HEROES PEREZ CVR #1 $2.99

Who is Migliairi?!!? Keown, Perez...and Migliari?!?

This should be a fun comic book.

DEC041573 DARKNESS #20 $2.99

Wait...has Lapham been laying out the entire run so far? How did I miss THAT?!? Or is it just this issue?

FEB051588 FREEDOM FORCE #4 (OF 6) $2.95
OCT041518 JACK STAFF #8 $3.50

I predict that this will rule.

SEP041538 KANE VOL 4 39TH TP $16.95
FEB051574 NIGHT CLUB #1 (OF 4) $2.95

Mikes Baron and Norton! I anticipate this being very good.

FEB051598 PVP #17 $2.95
JAN051638 RAYMOND FEISTS WOOD BOY #1 (OF 2) $2.95

If you are a fan of a novel, and if you had a choice between a poor comic adaptation or NO comic adaptation...which would you choose?

JAN051660 WANTED HC (MR) $29.99

Off the top of my head, I cannot recall a bigger dropped ball in recent comic history. This was an interesting concept that Millar really did not go anywhere with. I really enjoyed the art, though.

FEB051639 WITCHBLADE #85 $2.99

I estimate that Choi will have three awkward drawings from every good one. Which is NOT a bad ratio for a newcomer, I think.

MAR051725 WITCHBLADE NEW DIMENSION GOLD FOIL EXC #75 $12.00

MARVEL

FEB051889 ARANA HEART OF THE SPIDER #4 $2.99

I anticipate some very entertaining scenes with Arana and Spider-Man, and some not so entertaining scenes with the rest of Arana's cast.

And some weird scenes where she uses those ugly powers of hers.

I think Arana and Guy Gardner: Warrior have GOT to team-up!!

JAN051856 ASTONISHING X-MEN #10 $2.99

I am not a big fan of this comic, but I think it is a bit unfair to hold Whedon over the coals for seemingly redoing the Cerebro storyline. I mean, AI coming to life was not an original idea when Kelly and Seagle did it EITHER!!

MAR051960 AVENGERS KANG TIME AND TIME AGAIN TP $19.99

I think this trade is a good idea. I really like the Stern/Buscema storyline reprinted in here.

MAR051943 BEST OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL 1 HC $29.99

Best of the Fantastic Four? WOW. That's a tough task.

They went with Fantastic Four #1, #39 - #40, #51, #100, #116, #176, #236 and #267; Fantastic Four (Vol. 3) #56 and #60; Marvel Fanfare #15; Marvel Two-In-One #50; and Marvel Knights 4 #4.

That is not at all what I would have chosen, but I must say that it does not make me want to plunge sharp objects into my brain either.

One glaring omission, though, is that they left out Simonson completely. He was really good on FF.

FEB051899 CAPTAIN AMERICA & THE FALCON #14 $2.99

I predict that much of this issue will not make all that much sense.

MAR051897 DISTRICT X #13 $2.99

I anticipate a marked improvement with this issue over the last storyline. Especially as it appears we are done with Izzy for now.

MAR051963 ESSENTIAL FANTASTIC FOUR VOL 1 TP NEW PRINTING $16.99

Good idea!

MAR051934 EXCALIBUR #13 $2.99

So soon? This should be fun, if only to see Claremont bust his butt trying to explain Disassembled...hehe.

FEB051903 FANTASTIC FOUR #526 $2.99

Kesel wasted a good idea on this storyline. This was strictly fill-in area, and Kesel went and used a very cool idea that really could have used some exploring (people having their dreams switched).

The idea of someone else knowing your innermost thoughts?

The ideas are innumberable.

But because of the length of the story and the very nature of the story (i.e. fill-in), we are bound to be left with little in the way of exploriation of those ideas.

MAR051929 GAMBIT #10 $2.99

This book got a LOT better towards the end. I estimate that that will continue with this issue.

MAR051917 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #3 $2.50
MAR051952 MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN VOL 3 THE LAST STAND TP $9.99
MAR051872 MARVEL NEMESIS IMPERFECTS #1 (OF 6) $2.99

Poor Greg Pak. Marvel gives him these really difficult assignments. "Make Phoenix make sense."

"Make a comic that involves aliens infecting four popular, but barely connected, Marvel characters for the purpose of making them fight."

MAR051903 MARVEL TEAM-UP #8 $2.99

I anticipate the best issue of the series.

MAR051884 MARY JANE HOMECOMING #3 (OF 4) $2.99

I predict that this will be a heartfelt, character rich, humor-filled comic book.

MAR051939 PUNISHER #21 (MR) $2.99

I anticipate a return to the interesting plot of #19.

MAR051938 PUNISHER CELL ONE SHOT (MR) $4.99
MAR051957 PUNISHER MAX VOL 3 MOTHER RUSSIA TP $14.99

Pick this up! It was really cool!

MAR051916 TALES OF THE THING #3 (OF 3) $2.50
MAR051876 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #77 $2.25

I would predict that nothing much will happen in this issue, but then I would be accused of just photostating my thoughts about the previous issue.

MAR051936 X-MEN THE END HEROES AND MARTYRS #3 (OF 6) $2.99

I anticipate no less than 10 references to comics Claremont wrote five or more years ago (and I'm talking specific references here!).

WIZARD

MAR052448 TOYFARE BATMAN TABLOID CVR #95 $4.99

Wait...only ONE cover?!?!? This is a mockery of a sham! This is not Iran, we have freedom of choice in America! The freedom to choose whether to have a Lego cover or an action figure cover!

We cannot stand for this!!

MAR052459 WOLVERINE #20 WIZARD WORLD TEXAS SKETCH CVR SGN PI

COMICS

FEB052560 100 GIRLS VOL 1 FIRST GIRL TP $9.95
FEB052487 10TH MUSE VOL 1 TP $9.99
FEB052484 10TH MUSE VOL 2 #1 $2.99
FEB052485 10TH MUSE VOL 2 PHOTO CVR FOIL ED #1 $4.99

Wouldn't it be funny if there really was a 10th Muse, and this actually was a photograph of her?

MAR052961 A G SUPER EROTIC ANTHOLOGY 2005 SUMMER TEASER (A) $1.00

I want to see the person who wasn't SURE that s/he wanted to buy an erotic comic book, until s/he say this teaser.

JAN052374 AMERICAS GREATEST COMICS #11 $6.95
MAR052573 AP HOW TO DRAW MANGA NEXT GENERATION #5 $4.95
MAR052709 AQUARIAN AGE JUVENILE ORION GN #5 $9.99
FEB052568 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #133 $3.59
FEB052612 BRIAN PULIDOS LADY DEATH ABANDON ALL HOPE #1/2 LEATHER CVR $24.99

If this comic does well, I think you will soon see Pulido just put various household products onto the covers of Lady Death until people finally catch on.

Like Lady Death #1: Shoelace Cover or Lady Death #5 : Dryer Lint Cover.

FEB053140 CHEEKY ANGEL VOL 6 GN $9.95
MAR052677 CHEMISTRY ONE SHOT $2.95

I like what I have seen of Steve Peters work, so I anticipate that this comic will be pretty good.

FEB052958 CHICKASAW ADVENTURES #3 (OF 4) $2.99
FEB052911 COMPLETE JON SABLE FREELANCE VOL 1 S&N HC $50.00
MAR052898 CRYSTAL BALLROOM HC (O/A) $19.95

Could someone please tell me what this HC is about?

JAN052846 DARKSTALKERS #1 WONDER CON EXCLUSIVE REG ED $9.99
JAN052847 DARKSTALKERS #1 WONDER CON EXCLUSIVE SIGNED ED $19.99
FEB052480 DEAL WITH THE DEVIL #1 (OF 4) (NOTE PRICE) $0.75
MAR052899 DEATH & CANDY #4 (RES) (MR) $4.95
FEB052920 DESPERADOES BANNERS OF GOLD #5 (OF 5) $3.99

Are they planning more Desperadoes comics?

FEB052807 DF SPIDER-MAN TOXIN #1 SGN $19.99
JAN052715 DF X-MEN END HEROES & MARTYRS #1 CLAREMONT SGN $29.99

Wow, Claremont getting 10 bucks more than Milligan! Impressive!

NOV042610 DIGITAL WEBBING PRESENTS #22 $3.50
JAN052655 DIGITAL WEBBING PRESENTS #23 $3.50

Of the two, I expect #22 to be the better book.

FEB053186 DOLLS VOL 3 GN $9.99
JAN052936 ECLIPSE AND VEGA THE BEDS WE MAKE #2 $2.95

Hey, how come I don't have a copy of #1, Saul?!?!?

FEB052482 ELSINORE #1 (OF 9) (NOTE PRICE) $0.75
FEB052848 ERIKA TELEKINETIKA #3 (A) $3.95
MAR052908 EROS GN 51 BOFFY THE VAMPIRE LAYER (A) $14.95

Wow. That's just sad. Not that there is a porn parody of Buffy. But that the person who came up with it just said, "Yeah, I know it's been done, but I just don't care." Show some more respect for your craft, even if your craft is writing porn parodies!

MAR053028 EVENT HORIZON VOL 1 TP (MR) $19.95
FEB053141 EXCEL SAGA VOL 12 TP $9.99
JAN052858 FINDER #36 (MR) $2.95

I predict that this will be good.

MAR052646 FRIDAY THE 13TH SP #1 $3.99
MAR052650 FRIDAY THE 13TH SP GLOW CVR #1 $14.99
MAR052649 FRIDAY THE 13TH SP GORE CVR #1 $3.99
MAR052648 FRIDAY THE 13TH SP TERROR CVR #1 $3.99
MAR052647 FRIDAY THE 13TH SP WRAPAROUND CVR #1 $3.99

I think this is a really good idea. I don't think the comics will be GOOD, but I think the idea of the series is good.

FEB052922 GRIMJACK KILLER INSTINCT #4 (OF 6) $3.99

Coolness.

MAR052574 I HUNT MONSTERS VOL 2 #5 $2.99
MAR052937 JANES WORLD #19 $5.95

Is this a collection of the Jane's World comic strip by Paige Braddock?

FEB052488 JUDO GIRL #1 (OF 4) $2.99
FEB052990 KICKASS GIRL SKELETONS IN CLOSET #4 $2.99
FEB052481 KILLER STUNTS INC #1 (OF 4) (NOTE PRICE) $0.75

Why so cheap?

JAN052871 KOLCHAK THE NIGHT STALKER EVE OF TERROR GN $5.95
MAR052911 LAMBADA BOOK 3-5 COLL PACK (O/A) (A) $15.00
FEB052493 LEGACY MANGA DIGEST TP $9.99
FEB052856 LIVING WITH ZOMBIES #2 (MR) $2.50

Is there any humor in this comic? Or is it straightforward horror stuff?

FEB052546 MANGAZINE VOL 3 #65 $9.99
MAR052914 MARK BEACHUM GN PACK (O/A) (A) $18.00

And they'll KEEP offering it again until someone finally shows some Mark Beachum some love!!

JAN052467 MIKE HOFFMANS CHILLER THEATRE CON SKETCHBOOK $14.95
MAR053321 NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE TP $6.99
FEB053110 ODDLY NORMAL #2 (OF 4) $2.95

Otis Frampton is quite good. I expect this to be very fun!

FEB052491 PAKKINS LAND VOL 2 #1 $2.99
FEB052559 PAN GEA ONE SHOT (MR) $2.95
FEB052679 PANTHEON 2 PACK $5.00
FEB053111 RANDOM ENCOUNTER #2 (OF 4) $2.95

Sadly, the title describes the story a bit.

FEB053193 RED RIVER VOL 6 GN $9.95
JAN052917 SHANDA THE PANDA #43 (MR) $4.99
FEB053113 SHONEN JUMP VOL 3 JUNE 2005 #6 $4.99
FEB052490 SOULCATCHER GN $4.99
FEB052576 SOULFIRE COLLECTED ED #1 $6.99

It is sad when a comic makes me nostalgic for their Superman/Batman run.

DEC042383 STARKWEATHER #4 $2.95
MAR052486 TACTICS MANGA VOL 2 TP $9.99
FEB052966 TALES OF TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #10 $3.25
FEB052710 TSUBASA VOL 5 GN $10.95
FEB052573 VERONICA #161 $2.19

Like many Archie creators, Dan Parent is extremely underrated. Very talented artist and writer. If I remember correctly, he has worked on this title since #1 (not continuously, but still)!

That is all!

Feel free to share your thoughts, or just stop by later to see if I am right about anything...hehe.