Current Comics Report for 6/15

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 6/15 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: June 15, 2005

DARK HORSE

APR050022 CONAN & THE JEWELS OF GWAHLUR #3 $2.99
NOV048048 DEVILS FOOTPRINTS SET $8.00

It'd be pretty wicked sweet if this was literally a set of the devil's footprints.

APR050068 MAN WITH THE SCREAMING BRAIN CVR #1 BLACK T/S LG $17.99
APR050067 MAN WITH THE SCREAMING BRAIN CVR #1 BLACK T/S MED $17.99
APR050069 MAN WITH THE SCREAMING BRAIN CVR #1 BLACK T/S XL $17.99
APR050070 MAN WITH THE SCREAMING BRAIN CVR #1 BLACK T/S XXL $19.99

As if larger people didn't need ANOTHER reason to lose weight, now they know that they will have to pay an extra 2 bucks for an XXL!!!

APR050073 MAN WITH THE SCREAMING BRAIN MIGNOLA BLACK T/S LG $17.99
APR050072 MAN WITH THE SCREAMING BRAIN MIGNOLA BLACK T/S MED $17.99
APR050074 MAN WITH THE SCREAMING BRAIN MIGNOLA BLACK T/S XL $17.99
APR050075 MAN WITH THE SCREAMING BRAIN MIGNOLA BLACK T/S XXL $19.99

Imagine if this was just a picture of Mike Mignola in blackface.

How would YOU react?

MAR050083 STAR WARS GENERAL GRIEVOUS #3 $2.99

Man...this series has been awful. I estimate that more of the same will occur with this issue. I like Dixon and Leonardi both well enough, but this series has just been terrible.

FEB050054 STAR WARS REPUBLIC #76 $2.99
MAR050058 SUPER MANGA BLAST #52 (MR) $5.99
MAR050047 USAGI YOJIMBO #84 $2.99

DC COMICS

APR050318 ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #641 $2.50
APR050392 AUTHORITY REVOLUTION #9 (MR) $2.99
MAR050351 BATMAN BEGINS MOVIE ADAPTATION $6.99

I'm going to get mine signed by Tom Cruise!!

MAR050352 BATMAN BEGINS THE MOVIE & OTHER TALES OF THE DARK KNIGHT TP $12.99

Marvel was the first one to come up with this idea, and it is nice to see that DC is not above copying a decent idea - combine the movie adaptation with classic reprints.

APR050312 BATMAN DARK DETECTIVE #4 $2.99

I am sorry to say this, but I believe that Marshall Rogers has lost a little of his old zest in his pencils.

APR050303 BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #66 $2.50
APR050328 BIRDS OF PREY #83 $2.50

This is yet another reason why I hate big company wide crossovers. As I have written before, the writer on Birds of Prey now "has" to come up with some explanation for the out of character behavior another writer wrote one of the characters in the book doing.

And whatever reasonable explanation that Gail Simone comes up with (I presume it will involve the whole Brainiac thing), it will categorically NOT be what the writers of Countdown had in mind, as they really didn't have ANYthing in mind - they just needed for everyone (even those like Oracle who WOULDN'T) to ignore Blue Beetle and treat him like garbage.

APR050363 BUGS BUNNY VOL 1 WHATS UP DOC TP $6.99
APR050364 DAFFY DUCK VOL 1 YOURE DESPICABLE TP $6.99

Wow...this is a REALLY clever idea. I take it that these are stories cobbled together out of various issues of DC's Looney Tunes comics, right? And rather than do a "Looney Tunes" digest, they are doing one for each solo character.

Cleeeever.

APR050332 DAY OF VENGEANCE #3 $2.50
APR050393 EX MACHINA #12 (MR) $2.99

A look back at the superhero days of the Great Machine. I estimate it will be a good issue.

APR050337 HAWKMAN #41 $2.50

I just do not care about the Golden Eagle. It isn't going to happen!

APR050339 JLA CLASSIFIED #8 $2.99

I believe that this will be another strong issue by Giffen/DeMatteis and Maguire.

APR050341 JSA VOL 8 BLACK REIGN TP $12.99

Gotta hand it to them, the timing is good.

APR050405 LUCIFER #63 (MR) $2.75
APR050348 MANHUNTER #11 $2.50

I estimate that we will see some cool Mark Shaw action in this issue!

APR050411 MNEMOVORE #3 (MR) $2.99
MAR058148 PRELUDE TO INFINITE CRISIS $5.99

Ah...comics the way DC means for them to be read - all cut up and disjointed.

APR050415 SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATRE VOL 3 VAMP TP (MR) $12.99

I am glad that they are collecting this series. I just hope they sell well enough to keep doing them.

APR050368 SCOOBY DOO #97 $2.25

Worth a look see just to see how Joe Staton is keeping on keeping on.

APR050350 SEVEN SOLDIERS KLARION THE WITCH BOY #2 $2.99

I estimate that we will see our first heavy-duty connection between the Seven Soldiers books!

APR050322 SUPERMAN GODFALL TP $9.99

You DO realize that Suicide Squad is NOT in trade paperback, don't you?

APR050377 SWORD OF THE DARK ONES VOL 2 (MR) $9.99
APR050418 TRIGGER #7 (MR) $2.99
FEB050362 VIMANARAMA #3 (MR) $2.99

Finally!

I love it when there are two Morrison books in one month.

APR050399 WILDSIDERZ #0 $1.99

Mssrs. Welsh and Curran already took care about making fun of this comic, so I will refrain.

APR050299 YEAR ONE BATMAN RAS AL GHUL #1 $5.99

See...this is ANOTHER example of sticking it to a writer by making them deal with the ill-advised decision of ANOTHER writer. Greg Rucka (for whatever reason) killed off Ra's Al Ghul, and now Devin Grayson has to write a story to tie-in to the movie about a character who is dead.

But it is all good, because the new, female Ra's Al Ghul is being used a lot, so her profile is high at least.

What?

She's not appearing in ANY comic?

Oh...what a dreadful mistake that was, then....

IMAGE

MAR051730 ADAM HUGHES WITCHBLADE #86 LITHO $19.99

What better item to hang in your office and/or swinging bachelor's pad?

DEC041515 BATTLE HYMN #3 $2.95

I am enjoying this series well enough, but I found the editorial response in #2 to be quite odd. Very defensive, actually. Still, this series has been good so far.

MAR051739 DALE KEOWN DARKNESS #18 LITHO $19.99

I estimate that I have found the perfect Father's Day present!!!

APR051672 DEATH JR #2 $4.99

Issue #1 was tons of fun, so I estimate that this will be, as well.

APR051675 FREEDOM FORCE #6 $2.95
APR051678 HERO CAMP #2 $2.95

#1 was a major disappointment, but the backup story was good, so I am expecting better with this issue! Fingers crossed!

APR051685 NYC MECH BETA LOVE #2 $2.95

MARVEL

APR058049 ASTONISHING X-MEN LTD ED VARIANT #10 $2.99

Hehe...whoever came up with the "limited edition variant" rather than "second printing" idea is a genius.

It is sad that such a move can actually pay off...but still, a genius.

APR051948 BLACK PANTHER #1 POSTER $5.95

It WAS a cool cover!

APR051939 CABLE DEADPOOL #16 $2.99
APR051967 CAPTAIN AMERICA BY JACK KIRBY BICENTENNIAL BATTLES TP $19.99

That is a weird title...but these were pretty good issues (not great, but pretty good), so it is well worth picking up.

APR051889 DAREDEVIL #74 $2.99

SPOILER WARNING!!!

Does it really count as a surprise that the dude with the cap and the glasses is Matt Murdock?

Seriously, does it?

APR051954 ESSENTIAL FANTASTIC FOUR VOL 4 TP $16.99

I can't wait until they hit Moench's run...then I will proceed with my False Advertising claim.

It is waiting as you read this.

APR051934 GAMBIT #12 $2.99

Sorry to see this series go just as John Layman was hitting his stride.

MAR051919 GIANT SIZE X-MEN #3 $4.99

I'm sorry to say, but 1970s DC Style "One new story and a bunch of reprints" is going to be a HARD sell in 2005.

APR051903 GLA #3 $2.99

I estimate that some people will be VERY saddened by the events of this issue.

APR051891 HERCULES #3 $2.99

I have been impressed so far with #2, so I am hoping that #3 keeps it up. I estimate that fans of Dan Slott will like this issue.

APR051879 LAST HERO STANDING #3 $2.99

And you thought all that time spent memorizing A-Next and J2 trivia was going to be wasted!!!

APR051917 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #1 $2.50

Honestly, does this line have a new #1 issue each month? I think they have had more number ones than they have had total issues combined.

APR051957 MARVEL AGE SPIDER-MAN TEAM UP VOL 1 HELP FRIENDS DIGEST TP $7.99
APR051896 MARVEL KNIGHTS 4 #19 $2.99

I believe that Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is one of Marvel's three best superhero writers.

APR051913 POWER PACK #4 $2.99

Here's my big, big, big Power Pack complaint.

And it is a BIG one.

Little kids don't want to read comics that are written for little kids.

Do if your villain has all the depth of Bob the Builder, then you are aiming way too low.

MAR051940 POWERS #11 (MR) $2.95
APR051886 SPIDER-MAN BREAKOUT #3 $2.99

I predict that Tony Bedard will give us more insight into the minds of the U-Foes and Crossfire than you ever thought was possible.

APR051904 STORMBREAKER SAGA OF BETA RAY BILL #6 $2.99

In this story, Beta Ray Bill becomes a black man.

Seriously.

Lois Lane, Punisher and Mach IV, welcome to your new friend!!

APR051919 ULTIMATE MARVEL FLIP MAGAZINE #1 $3.99
APR051921 ULTIMATE TALES FLIP MAGAZINE #1 $3.99

I really hope these things work!

APR051937 UNCANNY X-MEN #461 $2.50

I predict that this issue will be better than last because, since the X-Babies are in it, Tom Raney will not have the opportunity to draw sexy babes, and everyone will be much happier (really, Tom! Marvel Girl in a skintight mini-skirt? You REALLY thought that was appropriate?).

MAR058208 UNCANNY X-MEN ADAM KUBERT VARIANT COVER #461 $2.50

This should be a new thing.

"Hey, look at what I found in the file cabinet, something Andy drew."

"Cool.....hey, wait a sec, what if we make that a variant cover, and say that retailers can get one for every 15 copies of the regular cover they buy!"

"No way. Who would fall for THAT?"

APR051895 WOLVERINE #29 $2.50

I estimate some ninja-stomping coolness in this issue.

COMICS

MAR053092 2000 AD #1439 $3.75
MAR053093 2000 AD #1440 $3.75
APR053183 AEIOU GN $12.00

Can someone refresh my memory? Which story in Project Superior did Jeremy Brown do? I think that I like his work a lot...but I cannot remember which story he did.

FEB053010 ANACONDA DAVIDA #1 (A) $5.99
APR052636 ARCHIE & FRIENDS #92 $2.25
APR052637 ARCHIE DIGEST #217 $2.39
MAR052736 ARGOSY QUARTERLY #3 $20.00
APR052880 BARRY WINDSOR SMITH OPUS VOL 1 (MR) $39.95
APR052881 BARRY WINDSOR SMITH OPUS VOL 2 (MR) $49.95

Well, I am always asking for new coffee table style artbooks, aren't I?

APR052723 BART SIMPSON COMICS #19 (O/A) $2.99
APR053088 BATTLESTAR GALACTICA VOL 1 SAGA OF A STAR WORLD TP (RES) $19.95
APR052642 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #134 $3.59
MAR052694 BIG BEEFY BOOK OF BART SIMPSON TP $13.95
MAR052968 BIGFOOT #4 $3.99

I estimate that Richard Corben's art will be awesome.

APR052536 BLACK DIAMOND ON RAMP $2.95
APR052882 BLOOD ORANGE #1-4 PACK $19.95

I predict that purchasing this series of anthologies would be money well spent.

NOV042464 BRIAN PULIDOS BELLADONNA #5 $3.99
NOV042466 BRIAN PULIDOS BELLADONNA ADRIAN CVR #5 $3.99
NOV042467 BRIAN PULIDOS BELLADONNA PREMIUM CVR #5 $9.99
APR052696 BRIAN PULIDOS BELLADONNA RAW POWER ED #5 $5.99
NOV042465 BRIAN PULIDOS BELLADONNA WRAPAROUND CVR #5 $3.99

Do you think Brian Pulido writes his name on stuff around his house?

Like, if you open a desk drawer, will you see stuff marked "Brian Pulido's pen," "Brian Pulido's stapler."

Or in the freezer, "Brian Pulido's Ice Cream," "Brian Pulido's Frozen Peas."

I wonder about these things so that you do not have to.

FEB052614 BRIAN PULIDOS MEDIEVAL LADY DEATH #3 $3.99
FEB052617 BRIAN PULIDOS MEDIEVAL LADY DEATH FOIL INC #3 PI

Is the price of foil fluctuating AGAIN?!?! Damn you Reynolds Metal Company!!! DAMN YOU!!!

FEB052616 BRIAN PULIDOS MEDIEVAL LADY DEATH PREMIUM CVR #3 $9.99
FEB052615 BRIAN PULIDOS MEDIEVAL LADY DEATH WRAPAROUND #3 $3.99
FEB052618 BRIAN PULIDOS WAR ANGEL #2 $3.50
FEB052620 BRIAN PULIDOS WAR ANGEL ADRIAN CVR #2 $3.50
FEB052622 BRIAN PULIDOS WAR ANGEL PREMIUM CVR #2 $9.99
FEB052619 BRIAN PULIDOS WAR ANGEL RYP CVR #2 $3.50
FEB052621 BRIAN PULIDOS WAR ANGEL WRAPAROUND CVR #2 $3.50

Do you think the other War Angel issues get, like, self-conscious when they are on the same comic rack as the PREMIUM War Angel issue?

I'm just trying to ask the hard questions.

FEB052938 CAPCOM SUMMER SPECIAL EXCLUSIVE CAN NATL ED #1 $19.99
FEB053005 CAPTAIN GRAVITY AND POWER OF THE VRIL #5 $2.95

Sal Velluto and Bob Almond...what's the phrase?

Ah yes.

Kick ass.

APR052896 CAVE BANG #1-4 PACK (O/A) (A) $10.00
MAR053100 CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE #3 (MR) $2.99
APR053006 COCAINE COMIX #1 (MR) $2.95
APR053007 COCAINE COMIX #2 (MR) $2.95

What cool books to reoffer for the current comic reader (these ARE reprints, right?)

JAN052809 CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON VOL 2 REVISED & EXPANDED ED (MR) $13.95
JAN052810 CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON VOL 3 REVISED & EXPANDED ED (MR) $13.95
MAR052805 DARKSTALKERS VOL 1 TP $12.99
FEB052492 DAVIDS MIGHTY MEN GN $4.99

This is written and drawn by Javiar Saltares, right?

Hm...has anyone here ever read anything written by Saltares before?

FEB052783 DF MONSTER WAR MAGDALENA VS DRACULA FOIL CVR #1 $10.00
FEB058457 DIGIMON VOL 1-4 GN SET $19.99
APR052911 DONALD DUCK AND FRIENDS #329 $2.95

Almost through...

APR053008 DUTCH TREAT (A) $2.95
APR052824 EYES OF ASIA #4 $3.50
MAR052953 FLUFFY #3 $15.99
DEC032190 FRANK MILLERS ROBOCOP MILLER CVR #8 (MR) $3.99
OCT042440 FRANK MILLERS ROBOCOP OBLITERATE ED #8 (MR) $5.99
DEC032191 FRANK MILLERS ROBOCOP RYP WRAP CVR #8 (MR) $3.99

Marvel should call Daredevil "Frank Miller's Daredevil."

Wouldn't that be a good idea?

FEB053009 FURRLOUGH FINEST VOL 2 $5.99
FEB053011 GENUS #71 (A) $3.50
FEB052654 GHOSTHUNTERS #3 $2.99
APR052794 GI JOE #0 PI

Ah...please inquire. Always good to see that on a comic price. "How much is it?" "For you? 25 cents."

"How much is it?" "For you? 3 bucks."

APR052886 GLAM WARP (MR) $6.95
MAR052560 GOLD DIGGER #64 $2.99

I believe that Fred Perry is cool.

MAR052572 HEAVEN SENT #11 $2.99
JAN052801 HEAVY METALS DRACULA HC (MR) $14.95
MAR052774 HELIOS #4 $2.99
MAR052973 JON SABLE FREELANCE BLOODLINE #2 $3.99

Recently, I forgot that IDW was publishing this title. I apologize, Mike Grell!

APR053068 JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #232 $11.99
MAR053015 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #103 $3.99

Did you know that this was the longest running comic about gaming?

MAR052477 LAST MINUTE #6 (MR) $3.00
APR052897 LUST VOL 1 GN (A) $14.95
MAR052576 MANGAZINE VOL 3 #66 $9.99

I like the idea of Manga anthologies.

I think I just like the fact that they actually SELL.

APR052898 MARA SUMMER COUNTRY GN (A) $12.95
APR053043 MAX HAMM FAIRY TALE DETECTIVE VOL 2 #3 (O/A) $4.95
MAR052964 METAL GEAR SOLID VOL 1 TP $19.99

Well, sadly enough, this is the only place you'll be finding Ashley Wood art, so it might very well be worth a look see.

APR052914 MICKEY MOUSE AND FRIENDS #278 $2.95
MAR053124 MODESTY BLAISE HELL MAKERS TP $16.95

I am pleased that these are being reprinted. I really enjoyed the first collection of strips.

MAR053234 ODDLY NORMAL #3 $2.95

Oddly Normal is a real fun book. I suggest that you folks check it out.

APR052602 OZ THE MANGA #1 $2.99
APR052888 PECULIA GN $12.95
APR052500 PERVERTS PEDOPHILES AND OTHER THEOLOGIANS GN (O/A) (MR) (NOTE PRICE) $9.00

Gene Colan and Steve Gerber both contribute! I predict some creepy stuff, but some interesting work!

MAR053235 RANDOM ENCOUNTER #3 $2.95
DEC042750 SCOTT PILGRIM VOL 2 VS THE WORLD GN (MR) $11.95

Is this a big MOCCA release date? This AND Skyscrapers #2.

MAR052763 SHI JU NEN #2 SIGNED GRAPHITE ED $19.99
APR052720 SIMPSONS COMICS #107 $2.99

I estimate more Boothby fun!

APR052724 SIMPSONS COMICS #92 (O/A) $2.99
APR052725 SIMPSONS COMICS #93 (O/A) $2.99
FEB058458 SKULL MAN VOL 1-4 GN SET $19.99
APR052517 SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST #2 $5.00

I estimate that this will be awkwardly BRILLIANT.

APR052648 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #150 $2.25

Alex Segura tells me there is some cool new Sonic book coming out. I think it is Sonic XXX...or maybe just Sonic X. In any event, let's give this book a hand! 150 issues is a lot for a video game spin-off!

APR052505 STRANGERS IN PARADISE #74 $2.95

Let's keep the plot a-moving! I hope that we get more plot movement (but I estimate that we will not).

MAR052473 STRANGERS IN PARADISE MOLLY & POO TP $8.95

This has got to be one of the niche-iest projects ever.

APR052576 STREET ANGEL VOL 1 TP $14.95

When I was in Ireland over the summer, the folks there made fun of American accents sometimes, and one of the words they would mock is Awesome (they would say it as AussSOMe).

Well, when I saw that the Street Angel TP was coming out this week, all I thought was, "AussSOMe!"

FEB053043 STUDENTS OF THE UNUSUAL #5 (MR) $3.50
APR052719 TALES OF BLOODY MARY #2 $2.95
APR052902 TEENS AT PLAY SUMMER SPECIAL (A) $5.95

Has it been a whole season since the last teens at play?!?! Where does the time go?!!?

FEB052939 TOMB RAIDER TWO PACK GREEN & TURNER $14.99

I don't even know what this solicit MEANS!

APR052651 VERONICA #162 $2.25
JAN052940 WALLACE AND GROMIT BOOTIFUL GAME HC $12.95
FEB052763 WARS END PROFILES FROM BOSNIA 1995-96 HC (MR) $14.95
APR052945 WESTERN TALES OF TERROR #4 (MR) $3.50

This is the anthology issue with the Jay Faerber story, right? I predict some good stories in this one.

FEB058459 WILD ACT VOL 1-4 GN SET $19.99
FEB052941 WITCHBLADE TOMB RAIDER WWTX LTD DIG PAINT ED #1 $24.99

Remember before?

When I said I had found the perfect Father's Day present?

I was a fool and a liar!

THIS is the ticket!

FEB052942 WITCHBLADE TOMB RAIDER WWTX LTD S/N ED #1 $29.99

I hope it is signed by Millar.

And I hope it is signed in the blood of those that assuredly killed themselves after giving up the will to live after reading the thorougly depressing Witchblade story Millar wrote in this issue.

FEB052940 WITCHBLADE TOMB RAIDER WWTX LTD SKETCH ED #1 $19.99

I understand that the abbreviation is for Wizard World Texas (okay, I don't UNDERSTAND that, I am basically PRESUMING that)...but wouldn't it be neat if it stood for, like, "What Would TeXas do?"

Well, those are my estimations!

Feel free to share your own, or just check back to see how wrong I was!

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