Current Comics Report for 5/25

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 5/25 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 25, 2005

DARK HORSE

MAR050040 BILLY THE KIDS OLD TIME ODDITIES #2 (OF 4) $2.99

I don't know what this book is about, but it has the coolest name ever.

NOV040032 BPRD EMBROIDERED PATCH (O/A) $4.99

See, now THIS is the kind of novelty I can totally get behind. Who can have a problem with a BPRD patch for only five bucks!?

Communists, that's who.

FEB050057 KING OF WOLVES TP (MR) $12.95
FEB050055 KOTOBUKIYA STAR WARS SANDTROOPER ORANGE MODEL KIT $99.99

$45 for a Yoda model kit, but $100 for Sandtrooper!?! Makes no sense!

NOV040055 MATRIX REVOLUTIONS NEO MINI BUST $45.00
NOV040054 MATRIX REVOLUTIONS PERSEPHONE MINI BUST $45.00

Aren't busts inherently "mini"?

NOV040063 MIRROR MASK PVC SET #1 $14.99
NOV040064 MIRROR MASK PVC SET #2 $14.99

Now PVCs, I understood the concept before everyone made action figures. Now? Seems kinda...well...chintzy.

APR050090 SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW PIN $6.99

NO problem with it in THEORY, but why pay seven bucks for a PIN when you can get a BPRD patch for two bucks less? In addition, does Dark Horse even make comics anymore, or just novelties?

FEB050056 VAMPIRE HUNTER D VOL 1 NOVEL SC (MR) $8.95

Ah...never mind. Is this that good? I have heard good things.

DC COMICS

MAR050476 100 BULLETS #61 (MR) $2.50
MAR050383 ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #640 $2.50

I estimate that this will go from being the BEST written Superman title to the worst (contextually!! CONTEXTUALLY!!!).

MAR050373 BATGIRL #64 $2.50

Alas, poor Gabrych. Was making a name for himself, but now he gets sucked into Infinite Crisis stuff.

MAR050364 BATMAN #640 $2.25

I estimate that this issue will continue in Winick's surprisingly impressive Batman run. Mahnke RULES on Batman!

MAR050360 BATMAN BEGINS CHRISTIAN BALE BATMAN MINI STATUE $29.99

Mini-statute. It SOUNDS reasonable...but then you realize...wait...if that's all I'm gonna spend, why not just buy an action figure?

MAR050368 BATMAN BROKEN CITY TP $14.99

Good thing they rushed this baby out to the market! Really captured the sales momentum of For Tomorrow!!

MAR050438 CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #9 $2.25
MAR050379 CATWOMAN #43 $2.50

Is this Pfeifer's first issue? I wish he and Pete Woods all the luck in the world. Two good guys deserve a good turn.

MAR050461 CITY OF TOMORROW #2 (OF 6) (MR) $2.99

His Solo effort showed us that Chaykin can mix things up. I predict that this one will show us that he can also do the same old thing as well.

MAR050397 DAY OF VENGEANCE #2 (OF 6) $2.50
APR050333 DC SPECIAL THE RETURN OF DONNA TROY #1 (OF 4) $2.99

DC SPECIAL: Continuity fix!

At least Jiminez really digs Donna Troy, so it is kinda nice to let him be the one who writes it.

MAR050457 DIFFERENT UGLINESS DIFFERENT MADNESS TP (MR) $14.99
MAR050398 DOOM PATROL #12 $2.50

How trippy would it be if Byrne got all Hypertime on us?

NOV040369 FIRST APPEARANCE SERIES 3 BATGIRL ACTION FIGURE PI
NOV040368 FIRST APPEARANCE SERIES 3 COMPOSITE SUPERMAN ACTION FIGURE ( PI
NOV040367 FIRST APPEARANCE SERIES 3 INNER CASE PI
NOV040366 FIRST APPEARANCE SERIES 3 MASTER CASE PI
NOV040370 FIRST APPEARANCE SERIES 3 NIGHTWING ACTION FIGURE PI
NOV040371 FIRST APPEARANCE SERIES 3 RIDDLER ACTION FIGURE PI

First appearances are cool. But Composite Superman is a bit iffy...as I do not recall Composite Superman making all that many appearances that he would CHANGE appearance that much, which is sorta the concept of this line...

MAR050400 FLASH #222 $2.25

Was anyone else disappointed that Birds of Prey only devoted a page to fitting it into the continuity of DC Countdown?

I bet Johns could have gotten three issues out of the phone call Beetle made to Oracle.

MAR050445 GALS VOL 2 $9.99
MAR050377 GOTHAM CENTRAL HALF A LIFE TP $14.99
MAR050403 GREEN LANTERN #1 $3.50

I am predicting that this will be good.

Please prove me right, Mssr. Johns!

MAR050479 HELLBLAZER #208 (MR) $2.75
MAR050407 JLA #114 $2.25

I estimate that this will be a good, action-filled, issue.

MAR050465 LEGEND #4 (OF 4) (MR) $5.99
MAR050414 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #6 $2.99

I predict that this issue will be cool.

MAR050483 LOSERS #24 (MR) $2.99
MAR050381 NIGHTWING ON THE RAZORS EDGE TP $14.99
MAR050415 OMAC PROJECT #2 (OF 6) $2.50

DC FINALLY got my letters! "Give me a grim and gritty Booster Gold! The public NEEDS it!"

MAR050488 OTHERWORLD #3 (OF 12) (MR) $2.99

I presuppose that this issue will be filled with finely detailed art, and more captions and dialogue than has ever existed in the history of non-McFarlane comic books.

MAR050420 OUTSIDERS #24 $2.50

I estimate that this will make sense to, like, three dudes not part of the Johnuckanik collective.

MAR058071 RANN THANAGAR WAR #1 2ND PTG $2.50

Ya see, I just don't believe that this really sold that well. I am sorry, Gibbons, I love you, but I just don't believe that this sold that well. What did they make, 200 copies? And "sold out"?

MAR050470 SLEEPER SEASON TWO #12 (OF 12) (MR) $2.99

I predict that this will be a GREAT conclusion!
MAR050433 TEEN TITANS GO #19 $2.25

I estimate that this book will be great fun as usual.

MAR050425 WRATH OF THE SPECTRE TP $19.99

I gather that this will have some kick ass art in it! And some cool stories that Spectre fans should make sure that they read!

MAR050367 YEAR ONE BATMAN SCARECROW #1 (OF 2) $5.99

IMAGE

MAR051686 ARMOR X #3 $2.95

No offense to either men, but Andy Smith drawing a book written by Keith Champagne has GOT to be one of the more unlikely writer/artist pairings out there.

MAR051671 COMMON FOE #1 (OF 4) $3.50

Wait...wait...is Giffen not scripting this book!?? How did I miss this!! Someone tell me how it is, as I estimate that it will help further prove my Giffen as Plotting God theory!!

MAR051684 DEEP SLEEPER TP $12.95
OCT041508 DESPERADO PRIMER $1.99

I am always in favor of books that show what a line of books have to offer. Would have been nice to be a bit cheaper, though, as it basically is a promo.

JAN051596 EXPATRIATE #2 $2.95

I estimate that this will have more action in it than #1, and I will be happy.

MAR051667 GIRLS #1 (MR) $2.95

I liked Ultra so much, and I really admire their willingness to just go in an entirely different direction.

DEC041541 SEVENTH SHRINE #2 (OF 2) $5.95

Is this based off a video game or a novel or something?

Sounds like it.

Man...it is kinda weird when comics based on Rom look highbrow.

MARVEL

MAR051881 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #520 $2.25

I think JMS wanted to write Avengers.

MAR051950 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL 9 SKIN DEEP TP $9.99
FEB051901 CAPTAIN AMERICA #6 $2.99

I predict that the revelation in this issue is a red herring.

MAR051946 EMMA FROST VOL 3 BLOOM DIGEST TP $7.99
MAR051962 ESSENTIAL THOR VOL 2 TP $16.99
MAR051935 EXCALIBUR #14 $2.99

I wonder where Lopresti is going to end up? He's made himself into a "hot" artist, hasn't he? Impressive job on his part.

MAR051871 FANTASTIC FOUR #527 $2.99

I predict that this will be a "bringing the FF back to the days of Lee and Kirby, where they introduced new characters every storyline and were explorers, not superheroes."

Like every other new writer on FF...ever.

MAR051958 FANTASTIC FOUR VOL 6 RISING STORM TP $13.99
MAR051900 INCREDIBLE HULK #81 $2.99
MAR051873 MACHINE TEEN #1 (OF 5) $2.99

I predict that this will be fun comics by Sumerak. He is fun.

MAR051918 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #0 $1.99
MAR051945 MARVEL MASTERWORKS INVINCIBLE IRON MAN VOL 2 HC VAR ED $54.99
MAR051944 MARVEL MASTERWORKS INVINCIBLE IRON MAN VOL 2 NEW ED HC $49.99

SWEET! Variant covers for hardcovers! BRILLIANT! Marvel must have figured that some fans really ARE that obsessive!

MAR051923 NEW X-MEN HELLIONS #1 (OF 4) $2.99

I estimate that this will give deep personalities to characters you never would expect to have ANY personalities.

MAR051956 NIGHTCRAWLER DEVIL INSIDE TP $14.99
MAR051911 POWER PACK #3 (OF 4) $2.99

FF? FINALLY! Some action! Yay Sumerak!

MAR051937 ROGUE #11 $2.99
MAR051913 RUNAWAYS #4 $2.99
MAR051912 SECRET WAR FROM FILES OF NICK FURY $3.99

I hope this is a bunch of bios about the characters...I hope I hope (see, the key to not getting disappointed).

MAR051910 SPELLBINDERS #3 (OF 6) $2.99

I could really go for a character guide for this book.

MAR051908 STORMBREAKER SAGA OF BETA RAY BILL #5 (OF 6) $2.99
FEB051878 ULTIMATE IRON MAN #2 (OF 5) $2.99

So soon?

MAR051878 ULTIMATES 2 #6 $2.99

As I told others today, I propose the perfect review of Ultimates.

"Wasn't Cap a dick? They totally underestimate Thor. He's so cool."

and

"Wasn't Thor a dick? I wish Cap could have kicked his ass."

This way, EVERYone is happy!

MAR051933 WOLVERINE SOULTAKER #4 (OF 5) $2.99

I think this will continue to be a fun series.

MAR051925 X-23 #6 (OF 6) $2.99

I predict a good ending from a surprisingly cool series.

MAR051927 X-MEN #170 $2.25

Last issue, Milligan cranked out a good issue. Let's hope he keeps it up! I predict that he will!

FEB058475 X-MEN PHOENIX ENDSONG LTD ED VARIANT COVER #5 (OF 5) $2.99

WIZARD

FEB052421 NEW WEST #2 $4.99
APR052474 WIZARD COMICS MAGAZINE FANTASTIC 4 PHOTO CVR #165 (NOTE PRIC $5.99
APR052475 WIZARD COMICS MAGAZINE WILDSIDERZ CVR #165 (NOTE PRICE) $5.99

Wildsiderz?

Really?

On the COVER?

What, did Campbell agree to do, like, three X-Women T&A covers in exchange for this?

COMICS

MAR052959 A G SUPER EROTIC ANTHOLOGY #13 (A) $4.99
JAN052572 ALEX RAYMONDS FLASH GORDON VOL 3 HC $19.95

Drool.

MAR053140 ALICHINO VOL 2 GN (OF 3) $9.99
SEP042515 ALIEN LEGION FOOTSLOGGERS TP $19.95

I like the idea of keeping these stories in print.

DEC042357 AP HOW TO DRAW MANGA TONING TECHNIQUES CD ED VOL 1 TP $24.95
MAR052598 ARCHIE #557 $2.19
MAR052599 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #161 $3.59
FEB052946 BARBAROSSA AND THE LOST CORSAIRS #2 $3.50
FEB053409 BEANS #19 GOOD EVENING PIPPIN $5.99
FEB053410 BEANS #20 TWINKLE PLANET $5.99
FEB053411 BEANS #21 EVERLASTING $5.99
FEB053412 BEANS #22 SYCAMORE STREET $5.99
FEB053413 BEANS #23 GEMINI GIRLS $5.99

Someone PLEASE explain the appeal of Beans to me, because I just do not get it.

MAR053127 BLAZIN BARRELS VOL 1 GN (OF 18) $9.99
MAR053017 BOLLAND STRIPS TP $24.99
APR052694 BRIAN PULIDOS BELLADONNA LEADER OF PACK ED #3 (OF 5) $5.99
APR052695 BRIAN PULIDOS BELLADONNA WARRIOR SPIRIT ED #4 (OF 5) $5.99
APR052699 BRIAN PULIDOS LADY DEATH SWIMSUIT EMERALD FOIL CVR 2005 $6.99
APR052763 BRIAN PULIDOS LADY DEATH SWIMSUIT MOMENT OF PEACE CVR 2005 $5.99
APR052700 BRIAN PULIDOS LADY DEATH SWIMSUIT SCORCHING ED 2005 $5.99
APR052697 BRIAN PULIDOS UNHOLY BAD ATTITUDE CVR #1 $5.99
APR052765 BRIAN PULIDOS UNHOLY GOLD FOIL ED #2 $5.99
APR052698 BRIAN PULIDOS UNHOLY SHOWGIRL CVR #2 $5.99

Seriously, I'm telling you...Brian Pulidos Lady Death Used Tissue Cvr 2005. It IS coming!

Do not laugh!!

MAR053141 BTX VOL 9 GN (OF 16) $9.99
MAR053130 CARDCAPTOR SAKURA VOL 6 GN NEW PTG (OF 6) $9.99
MAR053142 CHRONICLES OF THE CURSED SWORD VOL 12 GN (OF 16) $9.99
FEB053109 DEAD AT 17 VOL 3 REVOLUTION TP (MR) $14.95

This series was pretty good, I thought. Worth a try-out.

FEB052797 DF COUNTDOWN #1 DOUBLE SGN $49.99
DEC042577 DFE HUNTER KILLER ALT CVR #1 SGN $39.99
FEB052778 DFE RED SONJA B&W AUTHENTIX ED #0 $14.99
MAR053144 DNANGEL VOL 8 GN (OF 8) $9.99
MAR052723 ELVIRA #145 $2.50

I love that Elvira is up to #145. That is sweet.

MAR052940 FLARE #6 $2.99
APR052702 FRIDAY THE 13TH SP NO ESCAPE CVR #1 $5.99

Alternate covers for books that have already come out are lame!

FEB053416 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST ANIME COMIC VOL 1 $16.99
APR052793 GI JOE #43 $4.50

I predict that this will be a bit of a rushed ending. And these new characters they introduced are kinda, well, silly.

MAR052790 GI JOE MASTER & APPRENTICE VOL II CVR B #4 $2.95
MAR052789 GI JOE MASTER & APPRENTICE VOL II UDON CVR A #4 $2.95
JAN052367 GOLDEN PLATES #2 (OF 12) $7.99

This is a really interesting idea, isn't it?

Not my cuppa tea, but still impressive nonetheless.

MAR053118 GRIMOIRE #3 $2.99
MAR053190 GTO VOL 1 GN (STAR15400) $9.99
MAR053117 HUNGER #1 (MR) $2.99
MAR053149 INITIAL D VOL 18 GN (OF 26) $9.99
FEB052947 JADE FIRE #1 $3.50
FEB053044 JAMES BOND DR NO TP $16.95

What is this reprinting exactly?

MAR052974 KARNEY #2 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99

Anyone reading this? I think it is funny to see Kevin Smith's friends do comics.

MAR053194 KING OF HELL VOL 1 GN (OF 10) (O/A) $9.99
APR052701 LADY DEATH LEATHER & LACE 2005 CRUEL MISTRESS CVR $5.99
APR052764 LADY DEATH LEATHER & LACE 2005 PRISM FOIL CVR $12.99

I'm telling you...whatever he finds in the closet, it is going on a cover...I just wonder where he keeps his prisms...

MAR053151 LEGAL DRUG VOL 3 GN (OF 4) $9.99
MAR053152 LOVE OR MONEY VOL 3 GN (OF 5) $9.99
APR052677 MEDIEVAL LADY DEATH FEAR HER WRATH CVR #1 $5.99
FEB052850 MEGAMANGA VOL 21 SUPER TABOO EXTREME TP (A) $15.95
MAR052915 MEGAMANGA VOL 22 SEX WARRIOR ISANE TP (A) $22.95
APR042371 NIGHTJAR #4 (Of 4) (MR) $3.50
OCT042454 NIGHTJAR TAROT COVER #4 (Of 4) (MR) $3.99

I love how having the Tarot on the cover is worse an extra 49 cents. What's up with THAT?

APR042372 NIGHTJAR WRAPAROUND CVR #4 (Of 4) (MR) $3.50
MAR053204 PARADISE KISS VOL 1 GN NEW PTG (MAY042915) $9.99

I like the price point here.

MAR053019 PILGRIM & SON FESTIVAL RITUAL TP (MR) $10.99
MAR053157 PSYCHIC ACADEMY VOL 8 GN (OF 11) (RES) $9.99
MAR052545 PUNCH AND JUDY TP $7.95
MAR053158 RAVE MASTER VOL 15 GN (OF 29) $9.99
MAR053120 RAVENOUS GN (MR) $14.99

Dawn Brown is the ginchiest.

MAR053159 REBIRTH VOL 14 GN (OF 18) $9.99
FEB053420 SAIYUKI RELOAD TV ANIME SC $29.99
MAR053137 SAMURAI DEEPER KYO VOL 13 GN (OF 27) (MR) $9.99
APR052742 SHAOLIN COWBOY NEW PRTG #1 $3.50

Sweet. I missed this the first time around!

APR052675 STARGATE SG1 ARIS BOCH WRAP VIRGINIA GOLD SEAL #1 $4.99
APR052669 STARGATE SG1 DANIELS SONG NOUVEAU CARTER ED #1 $5.99
APR052672 STARGATE SG1 DANIELS SONG NOUVEAU HAMMOND ED #1 $5.99
APR052670 STARGATE SG1 DANIELS SONG NOUVEAU ONEILL ED #1 $5.99
APR052673 STARGATE SG1 DANIELS SONG NOUVEAU TEALC ED #1 $5.99

Wow...not only are they doing multiple covers, but the photo covers are actually MORE money, too?

Weeeeeeeeeak.

By the by, do they tell the actors what they are posing for?

MAR052706 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #32 (MR) $2.95
APR052713 THE BALLAD OF SLEEPING BEAUTY TP $21.95

A bit of a high price point, but this was an interesting series.

MAR053128 TOKYO MEW MEW VOL 1 A LA MODE GN (OF 2) $9.99
JAN052941 TRANSFORMERS ASPECTS OF EVIL GN $7.95
MAR052503 TRUE STORY SWEAR TO GOD VOL 2 THIS ONE GOES TO 11 TP $12.95

This has SUCH a cool cover.

FEB053417 TSUBASA MYOJIN ILLUS $59.99
FEB053421 ULTRA JUMP MEGAMIX VOL1 (MR) $16.99
MAR052927 UNCLE SCROOGE #342 $6.95

Getting towards the end of Rosa, sadly.

MAR052735 UNEXPURGATED TALE OF LORDIE JONES GN $12.00
MAR052926 WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #657 $6.95
MAR052689 WAR OF THE WORLDS BSI ED GN $13.99

What is this reprinting?

SEP042520 WINSOR MCCAY VOL 5 EARLY WORKS (MR) $19.95
MAR053050 ZORRO #1 $2.95

Well, that's for me! Feel free to share your thought on the comic week ahead!

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