My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic TP (IDW)

Picked by @AndrewJTom
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic TP (IDW), $17.99
One of the most common characteristics of the Collected Edition buyer is that he or she is typically a busy person with many responsibilities. Typically in our latter years one of those primary responsibilities is the care and nurturing of children. I have two older sons who like superhero and adventure comics, but I’ve always found that I had trouble sharing my love of comics with my younger daughters. I bought my youngest daughter a copy of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic #1 at my LCS on one Saturday afternoon. It gave me an opportunity to not only share my hobby with my daughter, but to share it with her in a book that I know she would love. Many nights thereafter I found myself sitting on the side of my daughter’s bed reading the adventures of Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. Though, I initially dismissed this book as a comic “for little girls”, I discovered that if a comic is done well… it can be enjoyable for (not only) little girls, but for the parents who read it to them. Katie Cook and Andy Price have taken a children’s property and turned it into an enjoyable comic that can be appreciated by anyone. If you’ve been looking for a comic to share with your kids (both girls and boys), then this comic is one that I can recommend. A wonderful all ages story with some really great cartooning make this book a worthy successor to the hole left in the hearts of kids who miss Tiny Titans each and every month.
Also, a bit of advice… if you try and do the Pony voices every night at bedtime, you’ll be paying for it in the morning.

New Warriors Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (Marvel)

Picked by @ChrisCampbell8
New Warriors Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (Marvel)
Collects New Warriors #1-26 and Annual #1-2; Avengers #341-342; and material from Thor #411-412, New Mutants Annual #7, X-Men Annual #15, X-Factor Annual #6, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #26, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #12 and Web Of Spider-Man Annual #8, 1064 pages, $99.99
There were always comic books that you worried your buddy down the street would “borrow” because they were just “that book” at the time. They were precious. Hell, some of these titles could serve as playground currency. This could apply to any number of comics throughout the years, but today we’re talking New Warriors. Marvel has released a glorious omnibus covering the group’s earliest appearances, as well as a good chunk of the ongoing series by Fabian Nicieza. The title eventually ran for 75 issues, but this is the magma, the good stuff, that made me love Nova, Firestar, Speedball, and the other members of the team. The comic involved a young, naive group of heroes that were essentially learning the ropes and fighting villains like the Sphinx (bonus points if you remember him from Wolfman’s Nova run) and other characters in the Marvel universe such as the Punisher. It was fun to watch other heroes such as Darkhawk join the group temporarily, and watch the young-hero dynamic play out with all the ego and uncertainty. Capture some 90′s magic and grab this at a discount.

Batman Beyond: 10,000 Clowns TP (DC Comics)

Picked by @CaptDS9E
Batman Beyond: 10,000 Clowns TP (DC Comics)
Collects Batman Beyond Unlimited #1-13, $16.99
Like Smallville Vol 1 which I recommended a few weeks back, Batman Beyond is another of DC’s digital first releases, written by Adam Beechen, with art by the fantastic Norm Breyfogle. I have always been a fan of the Batman Beyond Universe, so I was very excited to hear that the digital comics would continue on from where the animated film Batman Beyond Return of the Joker ended. This trade covers the first giant arc called 10,000 Clowns. Joker Gangs from all over, are gathering in Gotham, and that can mean nothing but trouble. As future Batman Terry McGinnis gets further into his investigation he finds out that this gathering, and it’s ensuing plot, hits very close to his personal life, and will be one of his toughest challenges as Batman yet. To stop the terror, Terry is joined not only by brand new heroes, but others from the Batman Legacy itself. I have read a good chunk of past Batman Beyond comics, and I can say that by the end of this story that not only will you be very entertained, but you will be craving to see what comes next in Terry McGinnis’s universe.

(Marvel Now!) Indestructible Hulk Vol. 1: Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Premiere HC (Marvel)

Picked by @adambesenyodi
(Marvel Now!) Indestructible Hulk Vol. 1: Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Premiere HC (Marvel)
Collects Indestructible Hulk #1-5. Includes designs, sketches, script, and pencils, $24.99
I haven’t read a Hulk comic regularly since Bill Mantlo’s run in the early ’80s. Imagine my surprise when I happened upon a copy of Mark Waid’s Indestructible Hulk #1 and was suddenly, completely swept up in the fun. The notion of Banner and Hulk working together with Director Maria Hill in a remote location (Bannertown!) and being deployed as a weapon of S.H.I.E.L.D. is everything you want in a book. The gorgeous art of Leinil Francis Yu provides the perfect visual complement to the story. The bonus here is that in addition to the usual extras we expect from our collected editions, this one also includes a code for a digital copy of the story. Among the Marvel NOW line, you could do worse than these great, green tales that stand on their own.

The EC Comics Library: Fall Guy For Murder And Other Stories by Johnny Craig (Fantagraphics)

Picked by @Dief88
The EC Comics Library: Fall Guy For Murder And Other Stories by Johnny Craig (Fantagraphics), $28.99
Frank Frazetta, Harvey Kurtzman, and Wally Wood are all amazing artists, but to be honest, Fall Guy For Murder is the book I’ve been most looking forward to since Fantagraphics announced that it would be reprinting classic EC Comics stories in black and white. Johnny Craig may not be as well-known today as the other artists I mentioned (all of whom have already gotten their own reprint books from Fantagraphics), but to my mind his work at EC outshone all of theirs. This book’s solicitation description describes Craig’s style as “elegant,” “crisp,” and “contemporary” – all fitting adjectives. There was a good reason for his being asked by Al Feldstein to draw every single cover of EC’s Vault of Horror series: Craig knew how to tell a whole story with one image. Remember that infamous EC Comics cover with the axe murderer holding up the decapitated woman’s head? That was Craig’s. This book has more than just horror stories, though. Craig did a ton of crime comics too, and it’s amazing to see how that same clean, naturalistic style lends itself in totally different ways to the two genres. If you haven’t picked up one of these black-and-white EC collections yet, there’s really no better time to start.

Bazooka Joe And His Gang HC (Abrams ComicArts)

Picked by @ChrisCCL
Bazooka Joe And His Gang HC (Abrams ComicArts), $19.95
When I was 15, I went away to Canadian Outward Bound located about 100 miles north of Thunder Bay. It was clearly stated that I couldn’t bring anything other then my clothes and a toothbrush, but I managed to smuggle in a small bag full of Bazooka Joe gum. The gum, itself,  was great and got me through some long days and nights while canoeing Lake Nipigon and the Black Sturgeon. But it was the silly juvenile comics that made me realize not to take life so seriously. It wasn’t until 20 years later that I found out that the artwork for Bazooka Joe and His Gang was done by Wesley Morse, who created Tijuana Bibles in the 1930′s! Note – every true comic book fan should own a Tijuana Bible. Anyway, jump to 2013 and Abrams ComicsArts has put together a 60 year celebration of the gum, the comics and the Americana that is Bazooka Joe. The 224 page book includes reproductions of more than 100 classic comics spanning six decades—including the complete first series, reprinted in its entirety for the first time—as well as jokes, fortunes, and tiny ads for mail-order merchandise.

Now it’s your turn. What books that came out this week do you recommend? Take a look at the sidebar to see this weeks collected edition releases.

Valiant Entertaiment

Collected Comics Library Podcast #359
38.0Mb; 41m 22s

In 2012, Valiant Entertainment rebooted several titles that were popular in the 1990’s. The past year has garnered positive responses from fans and critics alike. Along with the expanding library, Valiant is in the midst of their first event: Harbinger Wars and the upcoming Unity event. Valiant has also once again started to re-release their classic material with the hardcover Valiant Masters series. Today I sit down with Publisher Fred Pierce and Marketing and Communications Manager Hunter Gorinson of Valiant Entertainment.

Cheers!

Chris
Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades and Forbidden Planet International (UK)

Space: 1999 – Aftershock and Awe

Collected Comics Library Podcast #358
48.6Mb; 52m 57s

Here in Part 3 of my C2E2 coverage I interview Drew Gaska about his graphic novel and revival of the classic sci-fi tv show with Space:1999 Aftershock and Awe (Archaia). These comics mix the classic original artwork from Gray Morrow with new styles from David Hueso and Miki and also tells the tales of just what happened to Earth on that fateful day – September 13, 1999. We also go over Drew’s other works Critical Millenium and Conspiracy Of The Planet Of The Apes as well as the Blam! Ventures imprint.

In the second part I catch up with my old friend Brion “Sal” Salazar formerly of the Around Comics Podcast. Sal talks about his original artwork, podcasting and today’s state of collected editions.

Also on the show: Jason Wood’s (11 O’Clock Comics Podcast) Kickstarter panel with Ryan Browne and Ryan Stegman, also Browne’s God Hates Astronauts HC, Tim King’s A Once Crowded Sky and I went to see Iron Man 3!

Cheers!

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades and Forbidden Planet International (UK)

Batman, Incorporated Vol. 1: Demon Star HC (DC Comics)

Picked by @AndrewJTom
Batman, Incorporated Vol. 1: Demon Star HC (DC Comics)
Collects Batman, Incorporated #0-6, $24.99
If you’re reading this blog (and other websites), then odds are that you’re pretty up to date on the comics that have been popular over the past year or so. Hidden among Vaughn’s Saga, Snyder & Capullo’s Batman, Waid’s Daredevil, and Aaron’s Thor is an often forgotten book called Batman Inc. This book, written by Grant Morrison, boasts the break-out work of Superstar artist, Chris Burnham. Morrison and Burnham have a great chemistry as they tell the penultimate chapter in Morrison’s epic Batman run. This book, is thought-provoking, beautiful, and lots of fun. If you have yet to discover Chris Burnham, then I recommend that you jump in head first with this volume. You’ll soon discover why Chris Burnham will be one of the most sought after illustrators in comics when his tenure on Batman Inc. comes to a close.

Spider-Men TP (Marvel)

Picked by @CaptDS9E
Spider-Men TP (Marvel)
Collects Spider-Men #1-5, $19.99
One of my favorite comic series for a long time has been Ultimate Spider-Man written by Brian Bendis. When word came out that he had decided to kill off Ultimate Universe Peter Parker, it caused a bit of an uproar. People cried about it being just another stunt. However Peters death very well done, and it then led us to be introduced to young a young kid name Miles Morales. As with the original Spider-Man stories, Miles gets bitten by a Spider, gains powers, and decides to take up the mantle of Spider-Man. Even with the change, the series continued to be fantastic, as Miles is a great character. It’s fun learning about his life, and family, but still seeing characters from before pop up, and interact with him. The one thing everyone wanted to see was Miles meet Peter Parker, and that is where this miniseries comes in. Peter Parker in the regular Marvel 616 universe gets thrown into a dimensional portal while fighting Mysterio, and ends up in the Ultimate Universe. He realizes he is not where he is supposed to be when he runs into different versions of people he knows like Nick Fury (who is African American here), Tony Stark (still drinks liquor), and of course this new Spider-Man. Their meeting at first results in some fighting, but they come together to find out how Peter was transported there. It’s great seeing Peter and Miles work together, and have each other discover their similarities and differences. The real heart of this series though, is when Peter decides to meet Ultimate Aunt May and Gwen Stacy who thought they would never see their Peter Parker again. This is a must read for any Spider-Man fan, and that last part will make you emotional every time.

Essential Defenders Vol. 7 TP (Marvel)

Picked by @adambesenyodi
Essential Defenders Vol. 7 TP (Marvel)
Collects Defenders (1972) #126-139, Iceman (1984) #1-4 and Beauty And The Beast (1984) #1-4, $19.99
Oh, man. Talk about right in my wheelhouse: You can’t get any closer than this collection! This is an assemblage of comics that speaks to me on so many levels. First and foremost, it’s J.M. DeMatteis blowing my young teenage mind when I read these issues fresh off the corner convenience store spinner rack 30 years ago. It’s the heyday of the Marvel Four-Issue Limited Series, collecting TWO of them alongside the introduction of the New Defenders team. There’s the über-trippy Iceman limited series that finds Bobby Drake up against the Void, and everyone’s favorite furry blue Beast falling in love and teaming up with Dazzler to battle Dr. Doom in the Beauty and the Beast limited series. In the collection’s namesake book, Beast rouses the troops, including his fellow original Children of the Atom, Iceman and Angel, alongside Gargoyle (whom DeMatteis would feature in a great four-issue limited series of his own just a year later that I wish Marvel had collected here!), Valkyrie, and Moondragon. This is the end of the original run of the title that began all the way back in 1972, but includes the title’s Assistant Editors’ Month entry by Ann Nocenti! Although you could probably find almost all of these original single issues for a song, the value of the black and white Essentials reprint line is undeniable, and this is a series that begs to be read and reread and passed around.

Unnatural Creatures Stories Selected By Neil Gaiman SC (Harper Collins)

Picked by Shane
Unnatural Creatures Stories Selected By Neil Gaiman SC (Harper Collins), $9.99
I’ve loved Neil Gaiman’s writing ever since my friend put a copy of Good Omens (his collaboration with author Terry Prachett) in my hand. I immediately sought out more of his prose writing. Some of those works included American Gods and its sequel Anasi Boys, now both favorites of mine! A few of his books have been adapted into film and TV such as Stardust and Coraline. The British TV series Neverwhere was written by him and Lenny Henry and then Gaiman adapted and expanded it into a novel. I really enjoy this series and it is well worth watching! I haven’t even mentioned his comics yet. The Vertigo Sandman series is revered as one of the greatest comics of all time. You’ll hear stories of people who aren’t even big comic fans and they’ve read it. Its sister series Death was equally entertaining and his Marvel and DC runs are definitely worth seeking out. His Marvel series 1602 was an elsewhere tale of sorts that puts famous Marvel characters into the era of the 1600s; a time of American exploration by Europeans. Imagine the possibilities or just pick up the book and see what he did with it! Now, I’m going on and on about Gaiman and this collection of short stories wasn’t necessarily written by him, but they are stories selected by him. Because of his pedigree with fantasy and science fiction, I trust that he picked out a great selection of stories. This collection intrigues me. It contains sixteen stories all dealing with magical creatures. Some you’ve heard of before, some were made up for the stories in this book. One of the really cool things about getting this book is that sales of Unnatural Creatures benefit 826DC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students in their creative and expository writing, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. So not only are you getting a great book, you are supporting a great cause. Check it out and also check out some of Gaiman’s other prose and comic works. You won’t be sorry! By the way, for you Doctor Who fans, the second Gaiman penned episode is airing this week.  Don’t miss it!!

Complete Don Quixote GN (SelfMadeHero)

Picked by @ChrisCCL
The Complete Don Quixote GN (SelfMadeHero), $27.50
I was exposed to The Man Of La Mancha at a very early age. I saw the musical as a kid, read the book in high school (an updated translation) and saw the musical again (with Robert Goulet) in my 20′s. Each time I saw different things with this wildly peculiar hero. Yes, I said hero. In fact, if you didn’t know, Don Quixote was published in 1605! This fully illustrated edition from SelfMadeHero is a collection of Two Volumes that was published in 2011 and 2012. Now, here, in 2013 The Complete Hardcover has been published. Rob Davis has translated and illustrated the founding work of modern western literature with the utmost respect and care. Mr. Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) would be very proud. One question: Is Sancho Panza the first side-kick?

and…

Thunderbolts Vol. 1: No Quarter TP (Marvel)

Thunderbolts Vol. 1: No Quarter TP (Marvel)
Collects Thunderbolts (2013) #1-6, $15.99
As a Punisher fan, I wasn’t sure how well I’d like Frank in a team book. I mean, I enjoyed Marvel Knights all those years ago, but this time around he’s been paired up with Red Hulk, Deadpool, Elektra and Venom. As it turns out, this “team” is so dysfunctional – it works! The violent artwork from Steve Dillon is spot on and because of that, I’m surprised that it’s not a MAX book. You just wonder how long these Thunderbolts will be around for and just how it will inevitably implode. My money is on Frank.

Now it’s your turn. What books that came out this week do you recommend? Take a look at the sidebar to see this weeks collected edition releases.

Tarzan of The Apes/The Return of Tarzan

Collected Comics Library Podcast #357
29.2Mb; 31m 49s

Here in Part 2 of my C2E2 coverage I catch up with Charles Pelto of Classic Comics Press. I last had Charles on the show for episode #300. Charles has also teamed up with Tom Gianni for his reprints of Edgar Rice Boughos Tarzan novels with his Homeworld Press line. Sal Amendola supplied the artwork for the Volume 1: Tarzan of The Apes/The Return of Tarzan and now Tom his on board for Volume 2.

Also on the show: Free Comic Book Day and what I bought at C2E2…(hint: there’s a few Punisher books involved).

Cheers!

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades and Forbidden Planet International (UK)

Is there one book that is a “must have” that came out this week? My friends Andy Tom (@AndrewJTom), Chris Campbell (@ChrisCampbell8), Marc Diefenderfer (@Dief88), Shane Hannafey, Adam Besenyodi (@adambesenyodi), Joey Nazzari (@CaptDS9E), and I (@ChrisCCL) are sharing some comic book collected editions, reprints and/or graphic novels released this week that you may be interested in.

Get Jiro! TP (DC Comics/Vertigo)

Picked by @AndrewJTom
Get Jiro! TP (DC Comics/Vertigo), $14.99
Who would’ve thought that a guy like Anthony Bourdain had it in him to write a comic? Not only did he write a comic… he wrote a GREAT comic. Last year I was up at Wizard World Chicago and I was digging around in one of those $5 trade bins. When low and behold, I pulled out the new Get Jiro HC (which I’d heard Chris Neseman swoon over on a recent EOC podcast). I snatched this sucker up lickety-split, gave the foolish vendor my $5 and stuffed that bad boy in my backpack. Eventually, the books I brought home from the show made it to the top of my Regina pile (If you don’t know what a Regina Pile is, check www.urbandictionary.com). I was shocked by the goodness that was in this book. There’s really nothing that I can say to accurately describe this book, except that it’s something that you need to experience for yourself. This isn’t a book for “foodies”, it’s a book for comic nerds, film geeks, and foodies. Don’t expect this book to be like a $100 steak dinner. This book is more like a great burger and fries prepared by the hands of a master griller. Not exactly the most sophisticated of high art, but ohhhhh soooo good, and just what you needed.

Iron Man/War Machine: Hands Of The Mandarin TP (Marvel)

Picked by @Dief88
Iron Man/War Machine: Hands Of The Mandarin TP (Marvel)
Collects War Machine (1994) #8-10, Iron Man (1968) #310-312, Force Works #6-7 and material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #169-172, $24.99
If you’re looking for some never-before-reprinted Iron Man stories featuring characters from Iron Man 3 this FCBD, Hands of the Mandarin is your ticket. This era of Marvel comics tends to get a bad rap (and for good reason, in some cases), but you could do a lot worse than the mini-crossover collected in this trade. Included are all of the “prologue” issues, as well as tie-in issues of Force Works, an underrated series that featured early superhero writing by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. This trade should also definitely be on the radar of anyone who picked up War Machine Classic Vol. 1, since we’re unlikely to see a second volume and Hands of the Mandarin picks up right where that trade leaves off.

(FCBD) TMNT The Animated Adventures (IDW)

Picked by @CaptDS9E
(FCBD) TMNT The Animated Adventures (IDW)
Contrary to popular belief, there are a lot of comics that are good for kids to read. So I decided my two picks for FCBD, would be titles that both parents and kids could read together and have fun with.  The first is TMNT New Animated Adventures which is based on the  animated series that airs on Nickelodeon every Sunday morning. For those who do not know , the series is about four mutant turtles, and their allies, who try to stop the evil forces of the Shredder, Karai, and the evil aliens named the Kraang.  There is always a great mix of action, comedy and all around fun make this book a must read for fans of the series, as well as new readers interested in this very popular property.
and…

(FCBD) Atomic Robo and Friends (Red 5)

(FCBD) Atomic Robo and Friends (Red 5)
The second book is Atomic Robo and Friends. I recently caught up on every Atomic Robo release, and I am  Pissed it took me so long to finally read them, as they are fantastic. Atomic Robo is a wise cracking Living Robot who was created by famous scientist Nicola Tesla. Every chapter of this series is a different adventure spanning a period of Robo’s life. Sometimes we see when Robo was newly created, and fighting a  creature from a different dimension, sometimes we follow his adventures in WWII fighting crazy Nazi scientists, and sometimes fighting a smart talking dinosaur. Anything is possible in this series, which makes every arc feel like a new book.
So on FCBD make sure to pick these two issues up, as you will not be upset with your choice, and either will be the kid your are bringing with you. Enjoy!

(FCBD) Mouse Guard (Archaia)

Picked by @adambesenyodi
(FCBD) Mouse Guard (Archaia)
For the fourth year in a row, Archaia Studios Press is featuring David Petersen’s Mouse Guard as their Free Comic Book Day offering. After a brief departure in format last year, the distinct square flip book design returns this year. Set in the past of this now familiar world of altruistic, anthropomorphic mice that protect those that need protecting, the FCBD book features a backstory about young Sadie, further developing the rich history of these characters and their realm. As impressive as it is to realize Petersen writes, draws, colors, and letters the book, the more impressive feat is creating a completely immersive world filled with genuine characters and real emotion. It’s an all-ages book with adventure and heart. The original series was the first comic book I read to my kiddo when he was old enough to understand the medium. And it’s a series that we both still read to this day. If you’ve never picked up a Mouse Guard book – or a comic book, for that matter – I couldn’t recommend this any more highly. Get out and find your local comic book shop on Free Comic Book Day, pick up a copy of Mouse Guard, maybe buy a book or two while you’re there, and feel good about supporting your local community and the medium we love!

(FCBD) Prince Valiant (Fantagraphics)

Picked by Shane
(FCBD) Prince Valiant (Fantagraphics)
When I was young, nothing excited me more than stories set in the realm of King Arthur. That is why I always loved reading Prince Valiant. To this day, I read it every Sunday in my local paper. The problem with reading an epic story like this is the pacing. Reading a grand adventure a few panels at a time every week is painstaking. That is why I am always happy to see collected editions of these strips, so I could read a whole adventure in one sitting instead of reading it over a few months span. This FCBD edition collects two stories, Home Again and The Challenge. I look forward to reading them both and I think you will too!
and…

(FCBD) 2000AD Special (2000AD)

(FCBD) Judge Dredd Classics (IDW)

(FCBD) 2000AD Special (2000AD) and (FCBD) Judge Dredd Classics (IDW)
People who know me well, think I’m an anglophile (a person who greatly admires or favors England and things English). As I sip my Earl Grey tea, I like to watch my Doctor Who, Monty Python or (insert BBC comedy or Scifi show here). Over time, I’ve also sought out other things British, like their comic books. Such as the stories of Judge Dredd and other classics from the 2000 AD series. The recent Dredd film has seemingly opened the floodgates. We Americans are getting reprints and new stories from these British Scifi worlds. I am really looking forward to both the 2000 AD special and the Judge Dredd Classics FCBD editions. The Dredd edition promises some reprints of classic tales, but with an all-new coloring as well as some other bonus material. The 2000 AD special also offers up a Dredd story, but lets us sample some other British Scifi goodness. I look forward to both editions and the many other fun books this Free Comic Book Day. I have made it a tradition for my son and I to go every year and it seems like the offerings keep getting better and better.

(FCBD) Valiant Masters (Valiant)

(FCBD) Harbinger Wars (Valiant)

Picked by @chriscampbell8
(FCBD) Valiant Masters (Valiant) and (FCBD) Harbinger Wars (Valiant)
Valiant Comics has you covered this Saturday, with FCBD offerings covering the past, present, and future of the Valiant Universe. The reason that they’re able to cover so much ground is that they’re actually offering two different comics. Amazing, right? The first sampler focuses on the recently relaunched series, with a special focus on their first mini-series and crossover event, Harbinger Wars. This sampler should give the reader a good idea of what the new Valiant universe is all about – great characters, crisp writing and beautiful art. The downside? This is just a sampler, so if you flip through this book this weekend, consider taking the plunge with one of the series the next time you’re in the shop. The second sampler deals with the classic Valiant material, and focuses on Ninjak, Shadowman, and Eternal Warrior. This work is definitely from another era, which can be a good thing at times! There are masters at work in these pages, such as Barry Windsor Smith. And this sampler will help you decide if you’re ready to dip your toe into classic Valiant! Happy FCBD!

(FCBD) Star Wars (Dark Horse)

Picked by @ChrisCCL
(FCBD) Star Wars (Dark Horse)
Darth Vader and Boba Fett.
Sometimes Adversaries.
Sometimes Allies.
Sometimes Employer and Employee.
Always two of the most popular villains in the history of pop culture.
‘Nuff said. Pick up this book.
There’s also excerpts from the new Captain Midnight series and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Now it’s your turn. What books that came out this week do you recommend? Take a look at the sidebar to see this weeks collected edition releases.

I’m back from C2E2 and this is the first of three special podcasts!
Here in Part 1 is the unofficial comic book podcasters roundtable with me and my good friends: John Siuntres from Word Balloon, Pants (Brian Christman) from  Comic Geek Speak, MikelOD (Mike Pfeiffer) from Most People Are DJ’s, Stevie D. from Comic Book Queers, and Wendi Freeman from Double Page Spread.

There is so much to go over — and much more to come!
Enjoy Part 1 and I’ll talk to you again in a few days.

Cheers!

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades and Forbidden Planet International (UK)

Batman – Year One Hundred TP (DC Comics)

Picked by @AndrewJTom
Batman: Year One Hundred TP (DC Comics) - New Printing
Collects Batman Year One Hundred #1-4, plus a story from Batman Chronicles #11, $19.99
Every once in a while, a critically acclaimed artist will take a shot at one of the icons. Whenever this phenomenon occurs, Batman is typically the target of the creator’s efforts. Several years ago, I was browsing the Batman Black and White statues and saw that one of the more expensive and rare stautes was the Paul Pope statue. I was unfamiliar with Paul Pope at the time but was intrigued by the look and unique take of the Batman. I decided that I would pursue this Paul Pope Batman and promptly checked out Batman: Year One Hundered from the local library. What I discovered was not only a phenomenal artist, but a unique story featuring a story of what may or may not be tied to the Batman that I know and love. I won’t spoil the story for you but understand that this book is both beautiful and worth every penny of your $20. It’s definitely worth a spot on your shelf.

Smallville Season 11 Vol. 1 – The Guardian TP (DC Comics)

Picked by @CaptDS9E
Smallville Season 11 Vol. 1: The Guardian TP (DC Comics)
Collects Smallville Season 11 #1-4, $14.99
I was late to the Smallville TV show party, as I started watching when there were only a few seasons left. I went back to watch the entire thing, and the show did have it’s low points, but it also had a lot of high ones as well. So it was great news when DC announced that Smallville would be returning for a Season 11, only this time as a digital first. It is written by Brian Q Miller (one of the writers from the show), and drawn by Pere Perez (both worked on the excellent Stephanie Brown Batgirl series pre New52). This collection is the first four issues worth of story, and picks up six months after the end of the show. Clark stopped Dark Seid’s plans, so the world now finally knows him as Superman. Everything seems pretty peaceful as Clark and Lois have moved onto married life, as have Ollie and Clohe. But as usual it does not stay that way for long. Lex Luthor, who lost his memory towards the end of the show, realizes that someone from his family is more close to him then he could ever imagine, and he starts plotting to once again to take down Superman, leading to the origin of a classic villain. Meanwhile Clohe and Ollie investigate a crashed alien ship, which has some very surprising origins. What they find out will have lasting implications as Season 11 moves on. Vol 1 is a great set up of the things that are to come. As the Digital releases are now a few volumes or so ahead, I can highly recommend this, as you do not want to be left behind for the things that are to come. Lot’s of fun, especially oif you are a fan of the show.

Star Wars – Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison HC (Dark Horse)

Picked by @adambesenyodi
Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison HC (Dark Horse)
Collects Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison #1-5, $24.99
If you’re an old school Star Wars fan, there isn’t always a lot to get excited about. But with the prospect of a new trilogy on the horizon that carries the torch from what originally made us fans in the late ’70s and early ’80s, and stories like Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison, the tide appears to be turning. Haden Blackman, probably best known for his work on The Force Unleashed video game and scores of quality in-continuity stories for Dark Horse, delivers again with this taut thriller about a secret maximum security Jedi prison investigated by Vader. Gustin Alessio provides a cinematic window that is often as all encompassing and breathtaking as much of what can be found on the big screen. Come for the art, but stay for the story. Blackman offers up some strong character growth for everyone’s favorite heavy-breathing man in black.

Mars Attacks IDW TP (IDW)

Picked by Shane
Mars Attacks IDW TP (IDW), $19.99
Mars Attacks didn’t do too bad for a franchise based on a trading card series from the sixties. I remember reading a retrospective article about the cards when I was younger and being both fascinated and horrified at the same time. Some of the cards had some incredibly violent imagery. In the eighties there was a mini revival of sorts with a card series reprint, a mini-comic series as well as some regular size comics printed by Topps. I didn’t really collect any of these but I do have some of the mini-comics. It was the hilarious 1996 Tim Burton film that really got me interested in the series. The film had a great cast and paid homage to some of the graphic scenes depicted in those sixties’ cards. But that being said, when IDW got the franchise license I didn’t run out and buy the comics. Then I heard a lot of great things about the series which made me curious. When they put out the 2012 Holiday one-shot, I grabbed one off the stands and was instantly hooked. It had some great stories and artwork within the pages. When they announced the crossover series with other IDW licensed franchises, I was definitely intrigued and hooked in by the covers but didn’t get them all. Now with the trade being released, I’m really excited about picking this up and reading what they did to crossover Mars Attacks with such properties as Kiss, Popeye, Ghostbusters and Transformers to name a few. Also, I’m looking forward to being able to look over all the crossover covers they did for the multi-cover printings. This one is a must buy for me. I like what I’ve read of IDW’s Mars Attacks series and pairing it with some of my favorite characters has me dying to get my hands on this one!!

Modesty Blaise Volume 23 The Girl In The Iron Mask TP (Titan Publishing)

Picked by @ChrisCCL
Modesty Blaise Volume 23 The Girl In The Iron Mask TP (Titan Publishing)
Collects the stories 70/Fiona, 71/Walkabout and 72/The Girl In The Iron Mask (September 1990-February 1991), $19.95
I really never read Modesty Blaise. Oh sure, I glanced at the strips in the Detroit Free Press from time to time, but for whatever reason I was never really interested in it. I think that is all about to change thanks to a comp copy of this book I received from Titan. There’s no doubt that this is a sexy and well told comic strip that reminds me much of James Bond and Secret Agent X-9. The entire series that ran from 1963-2000 was written by Peter O’Donnell and the artwork in this book is supplied by the wonderful Enric Badia Romero. Each section has an introduction by Modesty Blaise expert Lawrence Blackmore and also boasts a complete checklist.

and…

Marshal Law: The Deluxe Edition HC (DC Comics)

Marshal Law: The Deluxe Edition HC (DC Comics)
Collects Marshal Law #1-6, Marshal Law: Fear And Loathing, Marshal Law Takes Manhattan, Marshal Law: Kingdom Of The Blind, Marshal Law: The Hateful Dead, Marshal Law: Super Babylon and Marshal Law: Secret Tribunal #1-2, $49.99
Make no mistake, there are many people who have been waiting for this book for nearly two years! First announced as the Marshal Law Omnibus from Top Shelf, for whatever reason it was never published and DC picked up the reprint rights. Note that these comics collected here are the solo series and do not include the crossovers with Savage Dragon, The Mask or Hellrasier. Let’s hope there will be a Volume 2. What’s that? Never heard of Marshal Law? Well this comic created by Pat Mills and Kevin O’Neill was first published under Marvel’s Epic line in 1987 and is akin to Judge Dredd. A creator owned property, it has moved around to many a publishing house and is still “ongoing” today. It’s nice to have all the early comics in one place rather then trying to hunt them down – an almost impossible task.

Now it’s your turn. What books that came out this week do you recommend? Take a look at the sidebar to see this weeks collected edition releases.

Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four Volume 5

Collected Comics Library Podcast #355
34.3Mb; 37m 22s

Back in the day The Fantastic Four was dubbed The World’s Greatest Comics Magazine. No such truer words were written when in 1965-1966, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby not only wed Reed Richards and Sue Storm but introduced characters like The Inhumans, Galactus and The Silver Surfer who have had impact in the Marvel Universe for 50 years and in today. Today we explore this comic that have been collected in Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four Volume 5.

Also on today’s show: Marvel’s New Epic line of what are turning out to be colorized versions of the Essentials, thoughts on Carmine Infantino, DC’s New 52 Villains Omnibus due in December and the Eisner Awards.

Cheers!

Chris

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But I think there is even more going on here. In late 2012, Marvel ceased publication of the Premiere Classic line. These books were usually 120-160 page hardcovers that were priced anywhere between $19.99 and $34.99. It looks as though the Epic line is an extension of the MPCs. Marvel has even stated that when the new Softcovers are lined up they will all conform in unity the same way the spines do with the Variant Editions of the MPC’s.  It’s be very interesting to see if Marvel re-collects any of that material in these new editions.

Marvel is serious about this line, so much so they have already commissioned four lines, a few volumes are already mapped out:

Marvel Epic Volume 9: Avengers: The Final Threat
Collects Avengers #150-166, Annual #6-7 and Super-Villain Team-Up #9 and Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2

Marvel Epic Volume 10:  Iron Man: The Enemy Within
Collects: Iron Man #158-177 and Annual #5

Marvel Epic Volume 16: Thor: War Of The Pantheons
Collects: Thor #383-400

Marvel Epic Volume 20: Amazing Spider-Man: Cosmic Adventures
Collects: Amazing Spider-Man #326-333, Annual #24, Spectacular Spider-Man #158-160 and Annual #10 and Web Of Spider-Man #59-61 and Annual #6

UPDATE:

OK so apparently these will be colorized versions of the Marvel Essentials. Which begs the questions – how will this effect the current Essentials? Plus with the advent of the Masterworks hitting Volume 200, one has to wonder if that program will go on hold for a few years. Only time and solicitations will tell.