Current Comics Report for 8/31

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 8/31 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: August 31, 2005

DARK HORSE

JUN050014 BPRD THE BLACK FLAME #1 (OF 6) $2.99

I am pleased that they are going to continue Hellboy withOUT Mignola drawing it, because while I enjoy BRPD well enough, I enjoy it in CONNCETION to Hellboy a lot more than I enjoy it in PLACE of Hellboy.

JUN050064 DARK HORSE LOGO BASEBALL SHIRT LG $24.99
MAY050022 EMILY THE STRANGE #1 $7.95

I enjoy the basic concept behind this book, as Dark Horse is looking to interesting markets. I will look on with great interest to see how this experiment works out.

Anyone know who the heck IS Cosmic Debris? Anyone I would have heard of?

MAY050044 JAPAN TP (MR) $12.95
JAN050109 MIRROR MASK DARK QUEEN BUST $44.99
JUL050186 MIRROR MASK DARK QUEEN BUST (O/A) $44.99
JUN050013 REVELATIONS #1 (OF 6) $2.99

I do not dislike Humberto Ramos, but I predict that his art will not exactly fit the style of story told here.

JUN058085 SERENITY CASSADAY CVR #1 (OF 3) (NEW PRTG) (O/A) (PP #681) $2.99
JUN058086 SERENITY HITCH CVR #1 (OF 3) (NEW PRTG) (O/A) (PP #681) $2.99
JUN058084 SERENITY J G JONES CVR #1 (OF 3) (NEW PRTG) (O/A) (PP #681) $2.99

I am pleased that this series is popular. Hopefully, the movie will be, too!

MAR050081 STAR WARS EMPIRE #33 $2.99

Did I miss an issue of Empire? The last one I was reading was by Thomas Andrews, but this one says it is written by Scott Allie. I guess I missed an issue. Weeeeird.

JUL050148 TIM BURTON OYSTER BOY BABYDOLL T/S MED (O/A) $17.99
JUL050143 TIM BURTON OYSTER BOY BLACK T/S MED (O/A) $17.99
JUL050169 TIM BURTON STARING GIRL BABYDOLL BLUE T/S MED (O/A) $17.99
JUL050140 TIM BURTON TOXIC BOY WRIST BAND (O/A) $4.99

Dammit! Why couldn't this have come out in time for Father's Day!!

JUN050039 USAGI YOJIMBO #86 $2.99

DC COMICS

JUN058175 ACTION COMICS #829 SECOND PTG $2.50
JUN058176 ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #642 SECOND PTG $2.50

What cool variant covers!

The same cover, only in red!

DC is going ALL out for this one!

JUN050420 ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE #3 (OF 16) $2.99
JUN050331 BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #68 $2.50

I give 20-1 odds that this issue will make no sense.

JUN050338 CATWOMAN #46 $2.50

I predict a rollicking issue!

JUN050362 DOOM PATROL #15 $2.50
JUN050399 ELFQUEST THE GRAND QUEST VOL 10 TP $9.99
JUN050426 EX MACHINA #14 (MR) $2.99
JUN050365 FLASH #225 $2.50

I estimate that Johns will give us a feel-good sendoff (granted, I'm already feeling good that he's off the book, but on TOP of that).

JUN050409 GALS VOL 3 $9.99
JUN050366 GREEN LANTERN #4 $2.99
JUN050373 JLA CLASSIFIED #11 $2.99

I half expect to hear stuff like, "You ARE the weakest link...goodbye" in this comic.

JUN050442 LOSERS #27 (MR) $2.99
JUN050403 MAD ABOUT THE FIFTIES TP NEW EDITION $12.99

I like the concept of these collections. There is so much good material, it SHOULD be mined.

JUN050445 NEIL GAIMANS NEVERWHERE #3 (OF 9) (MR) $2.99
JUN050336 ROBIN #141 $2.50

I predict that Willingham will give us a nice resolution to the whole Darla storyline here.

JUN050385 SEVEN SOLDIERS SHINING KNIGHT #4 (OF 4) $2.99

Ah...the first end of a mini-series. I estimate that it will be very cool, although I wonder how much of an END the ending will be.

JUN050432 SILENT DRAGON #2 (OF 6) $2.99

I predict another issue filled with interesting art, and a twisted take on the samurai code. This is a real winner.

JUN050386 SOLO #6 $4.99

I estimate that none of the writers in this issue will be as interesting as Jordi Bernet's art itself.

JUN058177 SUPERMAN #219 SECOND PTG $2.50
FEB050371 SUPERMAN BATMAN SER 1 PUBLIC ENEMIES BATMAN AF PI
FEB050370 SUPERMAN BATMAN SER 1 PUBLIC ENEMIES INNER PI
FEB050369 SUPERMAN BATMAN SER 1 PUBLIC ENEMIES MASTER PI
FEB050374 SUPERMAN BATMAN SER 1 PUBLIC ENEMIES METALLO AF PI
FEB050373 SUPERMAN BATMAN SER 1 PUBLIC ENEMIES SHAZAM AF PI
FEB050372 SUPERMAN BATMAN SER 1 PUBLIC ENEMIES SUPERMAN AF PI

I have to say, these are the best looking action figures that I think I have ever seen.

JUN050394 TEEN TITANS GO #22 $2.25

Go...buy this comic!

JUN050435 TOM STRONG #34 $2.99
JUN050436 TOM STRONGS TERRIFIC TALES BOOK ONE TP $17.99

The one annoying part of ABC is that it DOES take a long time for stories to come out in TPs.

JUN050390 WONDER WOMAN #220 $2.50

I wonder how much of this issue will NOT be just recap of the previous issue?

JUN050408 YOUNG MAGICIAN VOL 1 (MR) $9.99

IMAGE

JUN051772 BODY BAGS FATHERS DAY #2 (OF 2) (MR) $5.99

Really, is the Body Bags story THAT intricate that we need to have it all reprinted before the new series comes out?

MAY051555 DAWN THREE TIERS #6 (OF 6) $2.99
JUN051777 DEATH JR #3 (OF 3) $4.99

I predict a lot of fun in this issue, with really cool art!

FEB051587 EXPATRIATE #3 $2.99
JUN051842 FRESHMEN #2 (OF 6) $2.99

How long was the break between issues? Seemed like a long time.

JUN051788 HERO CAMP #4 (OF 4) $2.99

A giant purple ape trying to destroy the camp...how can that NOT be good?!?

MAY051568 NYC MECH BETA LOVE #3 $2.99

I am thoroughly impressed with how well Andy MacDonald has managed to maintain a distinct style while working in a style a lot of other artists use.

JUN051805 RTA PERSONALITY CRISIS ONE SHOT $3.50

Always nice to see a former Comic Book Idol winner have success in the industry.

JUN051809 SHADOWHAWK #4 $2.99

MARVEL

JUN051995 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #523 $2.50
APR051926 ASTONISHING X-MEN #12 $2.99

Is this the end of the Danger storyline? Or is that the next issue?

JUN052025 CAPTAIN AMERICA #9 $2.99

I predict a bit of a downer for this issue. I do not see much advancing in this issue.

JUN052002 DAREDEVIL FATHER #2 (OF 5) $2.99

Man, the time off for writing lessons better have paid off!!

JUN052052 EARTH X HC $49.99

Well, it DOES have John Paul Leon art!!

JUN052071 ESSENTIAL X-MEN VOL 6 TP $16.99

Soon, the title will just sound awfully silly, won't it?

JUN058199 HOUSE OF M #1 MADUREIRA CONVENTION EDITION PI
JUN052010 MARVEL 1602 NEW WORLD #2 (OF 5) $3.50

Pak gets some crappy assignments. Count this as one of them.

JUN052046 MARVEL ADVENTURES FLIP MAGAZINE #3 $3.99
MAY051775 NEW AVENGERS #9 $2.50

Sentry is getting his own mini-series, so how exactly could he POSSIBLY be Thor?

FEB058379 NEW AVENGERS TRIMPE VARIANT #9 (PP #679) $2.50

Herb Trimpe is a very underrated artist, who I fear is known too much for his disappointing attempt at aping Liefeld in the 90s when he should be known for his yeoman work for Marvel in the 70s.

JUN051994 OFFICIAL HANDBOOK ULTIMATE MARVEL UNIVERSE 2005 $3.99
APR051946 POWERS BENDIS COVER #12 (MR) $3.95
APR051947 POWERS OEMING VARIANT #12 (MR) $3.95

I think this issue has one of the coolest gimmicks that I have heard in awhile, with Bendis doing the art on part of the book. Very cool.

JUN052019 RUNAWAYS #7 $2.99

I estimate that this will be a nice issue where we see a little more demonstrations of what the team is actually DOING nowadays.

JUN058181 SECRET WAR FROM FILES OF NICK FURY (BOGO OF NEW AVENGERS #1 PI

What the hell kind of solicitation is THIS?! bogo?!!?

JUN052070 STRANGE BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS TP $17.99

I think this MAY be the quickest origin story to ever be ignored, slightly edging out Superman: Birthright, which at least had one or two references.

JUN052042 SUPREME POWER #18 (MR) $2.99
JUN052062 ULTIMATES 2 VOL 1 GODS AND MONSTERS TP $15.99
JUN052014 WHA HUH (RES) $3.99

I predict a lot of examples of writers "making fun of themselves" without, you know, actually making fun of themselves.

JUN052039 X-MEN KITTY PRYDE SHADOW & FLAME #3 (OF 5) $2.99

I estimate that Paul Smith will do the best that he can with this script, but ultimately, it will fall flat.

JUN052035 X-MEN THE END HEROES AND MARTYRS #6 (OF 6) $2.99
MAY051787 YOUNG AVENGERS #6 $2.99

I predict some major groans upon the reveal of the new codenames.

WIZARD

JUN052633 SIN CITY MARV TOYFARE EX FIGURE PI
JUL052516 WIZARD COMICS MAGAZINE ALL STAR BATMAN CVR #168 $5.99
JUL052517 WIZARD COMICS MAGAZINE GREATEST CARTOONS CVR #168 $5.99
JUL052522 X 23 #1 ALT CVR SGN CGC 9.8 PI

Only 9.8?!?! I use 9.8s as toilet paper! Which is hard to do, what with the slabbing.

COMICS

JUN053149 2020 VISIONS TP $19.99

I LOVE this concept! The idea of repackaging material DC does not want to publish is SO cool to me.

JUN053035 30 DAYS OF NIGHT BLOODSUCKERS TALES VOL 1 HC $49.99
JUN053034 30 DAYS OF NIGHT BLOODSUCKERS TALES VOL 1 TP $24.99

This will be the best way of reading these stories. I will be interested in seeing HOW much better they read in this format.

JUN053126 AMELIA RULES #14 (RES) $2.95

I think this may be one of those titles that I just cannot get into, no matter the quality of the title.

JUL052894 ANGEL THE CURSE #1 GRAHAM CRACKERS EXCLUSIVE PHOTO CVR $7.99

Man, Graham Crackers really took a long time to get into the game!

JUL052610 AP HOW TO BREAK INTO COMICS $2.99
JUL052611 AP HOW TO DRAW MANGA NEXT GENERATION #9 $4.95
MAY052433 AUTUMN #4 $2.95

Tommy Kovac has something here. I am not sure exactly what it IS, but it is distinct, which is impressive enough, sometimes.

JUN052849 BART SIMPSON COMICS #25 $2.99

Chuck Dixon AND Tom Peyer! Bart Simpson is in capable hands!

JUL053317 BECKETTS BASKETBALL CARD PLUS FALL 2005 #16 $9.99

I didn't like the art in the last issue, but the story improved. I can't wait until the big 25th issue story!

MAY052935 BEOWULF #4 $2.99
JUN052776 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #136 $3.59
MAY053087 BEYBLADE VOL 6 TP $7.99
JUL053026 BRODIES LAW TP $14.95
JUL052988 BUG GIRL #1 (OF 3) $2.95
JUN052986 CHARLES R KNIGHT AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN ARTIST HC $17.95
JUN052985 CHARLES R KNIGHT AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN ARTIST SC $11.95

This looks very impressive.

JUL052592 COLLEGE GIRL NAMED JOE VOL 1 TP $14.95
MAY052796 CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON VOL 1 REVISED & EXPANDED DLX ( $17.95
JUN053031 DESPERADOES BANNERS OF GOLD TP $19.99
MAY052730 DF ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #21 LAND SGN $19.99
JUL052989 DIRTBOY #1 (OF 4) $2.95
JUN053327 DOUBT VOL 4 GN $9.99
JUL052886 EC HAUNT OF FEAR ANNUAL COLLECTORS PACK (O/A) $65.25
JUL052884 EC HAUNT OF FEAR EC LIBRARY COMPLETE SET (O/A) $100.00
JUL052888 EC TALES FROM THE CRYPT ANNUAL PACK (O/A) $60.85
JUL052889 EC VAULT OF HORROR ANNUAL COLLECTORS PACK (O/A) $67.25

I like the CONCEPT, but man...that is some stiff monetary units.

JUL052815 ED THE HAPPY CLOWN #3 (OF 9) (MR) $2.95
JUN053027 ERIC REDS CONTAINMENT TP $19.99
JUN053008 FLARE #27 $2.99
JUN053009 FLARE ADVENTURES #14 $2.99

Flare - porn for people who think porn is too dignified.

JUN052919 FORGOTTEN REALMS DARK ELF HOMELAND CVR A #3 (OF 3) $4.95
JUN052920 FORGOTTEN REALMS DARK ELF HOMELAND CVR B #3 (OF 3) $8.95

What makes cover B so damned expensive?

MAY052673 FROM HEAVEN TO HELL #1 $4.95
JUN053316 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST VOL 3 TP $9.99

I estimate that this will sell like hotcakes.

That is, if hotcakes sell like high-selling comics.

If they sell less, then this will sell like some other kind of cake that sells better.

JUL052789 GI JOE AMERICAS ELITE #3 $2.95

This is the first one in the "Retailers am dumb" promotion, right?

This should be interesting.

MAY053003 GIRL GOT GAME VOL 1 (OF 10) GN (OCT032721) $9.99
JUL052605 GOLD DIGGER ANNUAL 2005 $4.50
MAY052938 GRIMOIRE #5 $2.99
JUN052915 GUNDAM SEED VOL 5 GN (OF 5) $10.95
JUN053329 HAPPY HUSTLE HIGH VOL 3 GN $9.99
APR052728 HERO SQUARED #2 (OF 3) $3.99

I liked #1, I hope #2 keeps it up.

JUL052975 HOAX #3 (MR) $2.95
MAY052671 HORROR SHOW #1 $4.95
JUL052868 HOT MOMS #6 (A) $4.95
JUL052897 HUNTER KILLER #1 GRAHAM CRACKERS EXCLUSIVE CAMPBELL FOIL CVR $12.99

J. Scott Campbell AND Foil?

Can something be TOO 90s?

APR052933 IMAGO ART OF JIM BURNS DELUXE HC $29.95
JUL052968 INAMORATA EROTIC ART OF MICHAEL MANNING HC (RES) (A) $29.95
MAY052842 JOHNNY RAYGUN QUARTERLY #6 $2.95

I dig Johnny Raygun. Just weird enough.

MAY052865 KHAN #1 $2.95
JUN052801 LADY DEATH WICKED #1/2 WHITE LEATHER CVR $24.99

Hmmm...the cover incentive screams Pulido, but no name on it! WHAT TO DO?!? WHAT TO DO?!?!

JUN052708 LITTLE SCROWLIE VOL 2 DAWN OF FASHION VICTIMS TP (MR) $12.95
JUL052656 LOST DOGS VOL 1 GN (MR) $13.00
MAR053073 LOVE AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE #3 (MR) $6.95

This is one of those titles where I like the idea so much that I find myself overlooking the quality (or lack thereof).

JUN052916 LOVE ROMA VOL 1 GN (MR) $10.95
JUL052899 LUIS ROYO CONCEPTIONS VOL 3 HC $14.95
JUL052898 MAGDALENA VS DRACULA GRAHAM CRACKERS EXCLUSIVE LINSNER CVR ( $12.99
JUN053322 MEGAMAN NT WARRIOR VOL 8 GN $7.99
APR052928 MICHAEL TURNERS SOULFIRE #1 WWCG SPECIAL LTD ED $14.99

What Would Cartman Grow?

I do not know.

But I hope not this comic book.

JUN052990 MICKEY MOUSE ADVENTURES VOL 5 TP $7.95
JUN052743 NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #131 $2.99
JUN052940 OR ELSE #3 (MR) $3.50

This is the Kevin Huizenga comic, right?

I like his style.

JUL053024 PERSEPOLIS 2 STORY OF A RETURN SC $11.95
JAN052663 PRETTY MANIACS VOL 1 TP $9.95
JUL052969 PURE TRANCE GN (MR) $19.98
JUN053218 ROMEO CINEMANGA GN $7.99
JUL052816 SCRAPBOOK UNCOLLECTED WORK 1992 2004 TP (O/A) (MR) $24.95
JUL052551 SMOKE & GUNS GN $12.95

This looks REALLY cool.

JUL052651 SONIC & KNUCKLES MECHA MADNESS SPECIAL #1 CUR PTG (O/A) $2.25
JUL052649 SONIC & KNUCKLES SPECIAL #1 CUR PTG (O/A) $2.25
JUL052648 SONIC IN YOUR FACE SPECIAL #1 CURR PTG (O/A) $2.25
JUL052650 SONIC PRESENTS KNUCKLES CHAOTIX SP #1 CURR PRTG $2.25
JUL052653 SONIC SUPER SPECIAL #2 BRAVE NEW WORLD (O/A) $2.00
JUL052654 SONIC SUPER SPECIAL #3 SONIC FIRSTS (O/A) $2.25
JUL052652 SONIC VS KNUCKLES BATTLE ROYAL SPECIAL 2ND PTG (O/A) $2.25

WOW. That is a lot of Sonic comics! I like it! Capitalize on Sonic X!!

JUN052976 TRAPDOOR SPIDERWOMAN #2 (A) $3.95
MAY052943 UBERBABE VOL 1 LOST BOOKS OF EVERYTHING TP (MR) $38.00
JUN052782 VERONICA #164 $2.25
JUN052988 WALT DISNEYS WORLD OF THE DRAGONLORDS GN $12.99

This is the trippiest Disney comic ever...or so I hear.
MAY053163 WJHC VOL 2 HOLD TIGHT TP $11.95
FEB052937 ZIPPY ZIGGY VOL 1 GN $9.95

Well, that's it for me!

Feel free to check back later to tell me how off my predictions were!

Read More