We lead with the treats this week because the Big 2 news ain’t great. Particularly for Legion, Dial H, Threshold, and Demon Knights readers, but arguably for non-superhero fans in general? Unless summer’s wave of Trinity War crossovers can cool their brows, that is. Not wanting DC to be all alone in cancellation-land, Marvel terminated She-Hulk, but that couldn’t hide their growing Hunger for the comics market. And James Robinson left DC, which is sad, but nothing compared to Tom Scioli leaving comics (noooooo!). The upshot is that despite ComicsAlliance not being around to comment, Multiversity had a good old think about where DC is going wrong, and where they’re going right. Oh, and this is what Infinity looks like. Nice, but we put our money on the Vamps.

Its not comics, but the full trailer for ABC’s S.H.I.E.L.D. series is up! Wired gets forensic on it, while we can’t help wondering if the ADHD Axe Cop cartoon (voiced by Parks & Rec’s Nick Offerman, no less!) isn’t more exciting news?

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an award solely aimed at recognising ”the contributions of writers that have yet to receive their proper due”? There is! While we’re on the topic of recognising and supporting creators, please check out Pioneers Press, they’re an inspiring outfit who make great stuff, and they could do with your support. Alternatively, you could back this Kickstarter by Jarrett Melendez, which has no redeeming social value. At all. Which could also be said of Dennis the Sullen Menace, but not of these small press Comics-as-Poetry, which are pretty tempting. As is this sci-fi anthology, Suspect Device (great name, right?).

Spend some time with royalty this week, or if your prefer, the court Wizard as he waxes lyrical about comics’ long-running soap operas (well, he would, wouldn’t he?). More usefully, the guy whose art stole last week’s dreams has a walkthrough and process post on When Worlds Collide, and Steve Lieber disavows you writers of all that “comics has an unlimited budget” guff. Eric Stephenson is always worth spending some time with (especially as this interview reminded us we still have DeConnick & Rios’s Pretty Deadly to look forward to this year), and Fraction’s teasing Satellite Sam pages…  whaddayathink?

We love a Good Dog at Orbital, almost as much as we love finding these cool Music/Comic mash-ups. But we really love finding out other people take even longer than us to put a blog post together! Worth the wait? That’s up to you, but we’re confident you’ll like this introduction to Mike Del Mundo, who must be one of the most versatile artists in comics right now.

We leave you, as we often do, with a question: Is “Batman” Dumb?

And that isn’t even the most disturbing question to be asked about the Caped Crusader this week. Beware the Orange Hand.

Dark Horse
Akaneiro #1
Dark Horse Presents #24
Deep Sea One Shot
House Of Gold & Bones #2
Lobster Johnson Satan Smells A Rat One Shot
Massive #12
Mind Mgmt #11
Star Wars Dawn O/T Jedi Prisoner Of Bogan #5
Star Wars Legacy #3

DC Comics
All Star Western #20
Aquaman #20
Arrow #7
Batman Beyond Unlimited #16
Batman Incorporated #11
Batman Incorporated #11 Combo Pack
Batman Lil Gotham #2
Batman The Dark Knight #20
Constantine #1 2nd Ptg
Flash #20
Fury Of Firestorm The Nuclear Man #20
Green Lantern #20 (Wrath)
Green Lantern #20 Combo Pack (Wrath)
Green Lantern New Guardians #20 (Wrath)
Green Team #1
Justice League #20
Justice League #20 Combo Pack
Justice League Dark #20
Red Lanterns #20 (Wrath)
Savage Hawkman #20
Superman #20
Talon #8
Teen Titans #20
Unwritten #49

IDW
Ghostbusters #4
GI Joe Cobra Files #2
Half Past Danger #1
Judge Dredd #7
Kiss Solo #3 The Celestial
TMNT Villain Microseries #2 Baxter Stockman
Transformers Robots In Disguise #17
True Blood Ongoing #13

Image
Activity #13
Bounce #1
Dia De Los Muertos #3
Five Ghosts Haunting Of Fabian Gray #3
Invincible Universe #1 2nd Ptg
Miniature Jesus #2
Nowhere Men #5
Revival #10
Sex #3

Marvel
A Plus X #8 Now
Age Of Ultron #4 2nd Ptg Hitch Var
All New X-Men #10 2nd Ptg Immonen Var Now
Amazing Spider-Man #700 4th Ptg Stegman Var
Avengers #12 Now
Daredevil #26
Deadpool #10 Now2
Fantastic Four #8 Now2
Fearless Defenders #4au Now
Iron Man #258.3
Journey Into Mystery #652 Now
Marvel Universe Ultimate Spider-Man #14
Scarlet Spider #17
Superior Spider-Man #10 Now
Ultimate Comics Wolverine #4
Uncanny Avengers #8au Now2
Uncanny X-Men #6 Now
X-Men Legacy #11 Now2
Young Avengers #5 Now

Independent
2000 Ad Prog #1833
Adventure Time #16
Adventure Time Fionna & Cake #5
Anti #4
Bart Simpson Comics #83
Crossed Badlands #28
Damsels #7
Dark Shadows Year One #2
Dmc Devil May Cry Vergil Chronicles #1
Gft Hunters Shadowlands #1
Gft Werewolves Hunger #1
Hellraiser Dark Watch #4
Jirni #2
Masks #7
Occupy Comics #1
Plume #3 (Of 5)
Red Sonja #75
Sixth Gun #31
Solid State Tank Girl #1
Steampunk Snow White One Shot
Steed And Mrs Peel Ongoing #8
Wasteland #45
World Of Archie Double Digest #29

Magazines
Dc Superhero Chess Fig Coll Mag #35 Green Lantern
Marvel Fact Files #10

Graphic Novels And Collected Editions
A Plus X TP Vol 01 Equals Awesome
ACG Coll Works Adv Into Unknown HC Vol 04
Archies 1000 Pg Comics Digest TP
Artifacts TP Vol 05
Borderlands Origins TP
Chasing The Dead TP
Demon Knights TP Vol 02 The Avalon Trap (N52)
Dragon Resurrection GN
FF By Jonathan Hickman TP Vol 04
Flash Gordon TP Vol 01 Zeitgeist
GI Joe Complete Cobra Command TP
GI Joe Complete Coll HC Vol 02
Godzilla Half Century War TP
Grifter TP Vol 02 New Found Power (N52)
Harvey Horrors Witches Tales Softie TP Vol 01
Jim Featuring Sif TP Vol 01 Stronger Than Monsters Now
Powers Bureau #4
Red Sonja Atlantis Rises TP
Sabrina The Teenage Witch Magic Within TP Vol 02
School Bites Independent Studies Coll TP
Sonic Universe TP Vol 05 Tails Adventure
Star Trek John Byrne Collection HC
Sunny HC Vol 01
TMNT Works HC Vol 01
Torpedo TP Vol 03
Vampirella Archives HC Vol 07
Victorian Secret Collection TP
Wally Wood Eerie Tales Of Crime & Horror HC
Wally Wood Eerie Tales Of Crime & Horror SC

Manga
Bakuman Vol 19
Black Bird Vol 16
Bleach 3-In-1 Edition 05
Bond Of Dreams, Bond Of Love Vol 04
Cage Of Eden Vol 10
Claymore Vol 22
Dragon Ball 3-In-1 Edition 01
Durarara!! Saika Arc Vol 02
Ghost In The Shell Stand Alone Complex Vol 04
Limit Vol 05
Naruto 3-In-1 Edition 05
Naruto Vol 61
Neo Magazine #111
Neon Genesis Evangelion 3-In-1 Edition 03
Nura: Rise Of The Yokai Clan Vol 15
One Piece Baroque Works 16-17-18
Psyren Vol 10
Rurouni Kenshin Restoration Vol 01
Sailor Moon Vol 11
Saturn Apartments TP Vol 07
Soul Eater Vol 14
Strobe Edge Vol 04
Tegami Bachi Vol 13
Thermae Romae Omnibus Vol 02
Toriko Vol 16
Wandering Son Vol 04

T-Shirts
Magneto Mag Wings Red Heather T/S

Toys/Collectibles
Dc Unlimited 6-In Injustice Superman Af
Dc Unlimited 6-In New 52 Aquaman Af
Dc Unlimited 6-In New 52 Darkseid Af
Marvel Select Nightcrawler Af

Would you like any of these fine comics posted to you? Email us a list of the titles you’d like and we will get back to you with payment instructions.

Chris says: I’ve got to be honest, I wasn’t expecting much out of Dream Thief… But since it came out the same week as Nate Edmondson’s Dream Merchant, I thought I’d give it a go and compare the two ‘dream’ books. I guess that’s why it was such a pleasant surprise to me … I had no expectations, so the book was free to impress itself upon me. And impress it did. Jai Nitz and Greg Smallwood weave an interesting tale full of believable characters faced with unbelievable situations. You may not like all the characters, but you get a good sense of who they are and where they’re coming from. It’s a level of characterisation I wasn’t expecting, and it’s exactly the thing to keep you coming back for more. Smallwood’s art is also a revelation and I like the way he slips between styles to convey different settings and meanings. Dark Horse have released a number of ‘stealth hits’ like this of late, so it’s my fault for ever doubting them. Needless to say I’ll be around for issue 2 and I recommend you do the same.

Avengers: The Enemy Within #1
By DeConnick (w) and Hepburn (a)
Marvel Comics

Dev says: You know when you open a comic, see the art, and just know you’ll enjoy it? That’s Avengers: The Enemy Within for me! Taylor and I interviewed DeConnick a few months ago, and I have been eagerly anticipating the start of The Enemy Within storyline. It lives up to my expectations!

Captain Marvel is currently in peril; she has a train lesion that stops her from flying, and old enemies seem to be after her. I’ve currently formed a love/hate relationship with Captain Marvel; I get sad she can’t user her powers then worry she does! I’m really excited to see what happens, and am also rapidly becoming enraptured with Hepburn’s art. Anyone who likes a good Avengers story should definitely pick it up! Now!

Marble Season
By Gilbert Hernandez (w/a)
Faber and Faber

Camila says: Gilbert has always been the most prolific of the Hernandez brothers and we’ve seen plenty of his work over the years, and although I’m sure there’s always been autobiographical references here and there; this is his first (semi) autobiographical novel. For those familiar with his work know what to expect and can rest assured not to be disappointed. For those new to G. Hernandez’s work, this is a great introduction to the the work of one of the most iconic modern comics creators.

Marble Season is available in a beautiful slightly oversized hardcover edition, and we managed to get a few copies of the limited signed bookplate edition too. Not to be missed!

Hellblazer Vol.5, Dangerous Habits (New Edition)
By Jamie Delano, Garth Ennis (w) Sean Phillips, Steve Pugh, Will Simpson, Dave McKean, Various (a)
Vertigo

Liz says: Technically this came out last week… but technically, it also came out in 1991. Over the past year or so (in a move I really approve of), Vertigo have given their Hellblazer trades a smart makeover in linear numbered volumes, each with a hearty twelve issues. It’s a lot of book for your buck, and if you’re new to the series they make it a lot simpler to follow. They also contain a lot of material that’s either long out of print or that has never been collected. Volume 5 is a special one for me. After several never-before-collected issues from Jamie Delano, it marks the beginning of the Garth Ennis run, which happens to be one of my favourite stories of all time.

‘Dangerous Habits’ is a Hellblazer classic in which blue-collar sorcerer John Constantine faces up to the one demon he can’t best: lung cancer. A lifetime of heavy smoking has finally caught up with him, and it’s not exactly heaven that awaits. The stories that spiral out from it are, for my money, the defining take on the character. I defy anyone to read them and not become a die-hard Hellblazer fan, as I did. This is Ennis at his best, and in my little world, there’s really nothing better.

JL8: A Webcomic
By Yale Stewart

Thomas says: Bit of an unusual pick this week but I’ve been enjoying this web comic for a while now and had to share. JL8 is a series revolving around the Justice League as eight year-old children and very easily manages to avoid the twee-ness of such a concept. The Leaguers are predictably cute and revolves (mostly) around the young heroes at school under the assured guidance of their teacher Julius Schwartz dealing with the ups and downs of friendships, the school bullies lead by an expensively suited young boy with luxurious ginger hair and the awkwardness of being an eight year-old superhero.

Stewart keeps the Leaguers from becoming sickly sweet by staying true to the characters in his writing illustrated beautifully in a recent installment that had his pint-sized Clark both calming and inspiring an enraged Diana but it’s the undisguised affection in the relationship between Clark and his BFF Bruce where Stewart’s writing shines. The relationships between all of the characters is what really makes this series the joy that it is and is enhanced by the fantastic art where, again, Stewart’s attention to character adds that extra emotional punch when needed. I’m not ashamed to say that the look on Bruce’s face after Clark goes home to his loving parents almost broke my heart.

This is a great, funny and moving web comic that you really should check out and can find it at jl8comic.tumblr.com

In the spirit of that, Orbital Comics are hosting a very special panel discussion this Thursday May 23, to explore Lichtenstein’s work and the original comics he drew inspiration from. No matter where you stand on Roy’s art, it (and the Image Duplicator exhibition) raise some interesting questions that will keep people talking for years to come. So join us from 7:30pm, and be part of this historic event.

Taking part will be:

Chris Thompson (chair)
Chris is a podcaster/blogger known for his work on Pop Culture Hound and The Orbiting Pod.

http://www.popculturehound.com/

Rian Hughes (exhibition co-curator)
Rian is a renowned artist, designer & typographer who has worked for many years in the comic business.
http://www.devicefonts.co.uk/

Daniel Brant (gallerist,curator)
Daniel runs the A&D Gallery which is currently holding an exhibition of Lichtenstein’s prints and will serve as future location for Image Duplicator part 2.
http://www.aanddgallery.com/

Paul Gravett (author,comics expert)
Paul Gravett is a journalist, curator, writer and broadcaster who has worked in comics publishing and promotion for over 20 years.
http://www.paulgravett.com/

Jason Atomic (exhibition co-curator)
Jason is an artist, writer and curator who work has been inspired and affected by various aspects of pop culture.
www.jasonatomic.co.uk

Contributing artists and others are invite to attend and contribute to the debate.

This discussion will be recorded for a special edition of the Orbiting Pod.
www.orbitalcomics.com/podcast/

Welcome to Episode 112 of The Orbiting Pod!

This week, we get Kot off guard by Suicide Squad #20, put the needle on the record with 12 Reasons to Die #1, keep it cool with Astonishing X-Men #62, tell tales with Archer & Armstrong #0, and head Under The Sea Damsels: Mermaids #1.

Chris & Taylor put the pedal to the metal and chat about the latest installment in the vehicular action movie series Fast and Furious, and discuss, amongst other things, why the 6th chapter is more comic book than most comic book films!

Follow us on Twitter:

The Podcast – @theorbitingpod

Chris – @popculturehound

Robin – @rjharman

Taylor – @capelessT

Or be our friend on Facebook!

…and remember to subscribe on iTunes!

Legendary creator Dave Gibbons will be on-hand to sign a limited run of 100 prints featuring his already classic “WHAAT?” image, which is available for just £30 + VAT. There will also be prints of the other images available, with proceeds going towards the Hero Initiative. You can buy them in-store or online at print-process.com.

It’s going to be an amazing show, so be sure to come down and check it out before it ends on May 31. You can read more about the origins and meaning behind Image Duplicator in this chat with Rian Hughes from Creative Review: www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2013/may/image-duplicator-pop-arts-comic-theft.

Sticking with DC and Marvel for a minute, Marvel unveiled the new-look Angela, while DC announced an all-star American Vampire anthology, an all-star Batman Incorporated anthology, and someone shared a first look at Grant Morrison’s Wonder Woman project… and Multiversity. Which makes this seem harsh, but not for long. Oh yeah, apparently there’ll be a SHIELD show soon. And did you know GI Joe played a key role in the evolution of the viral video?

This week, however, looks set to go Kaboom! (see what we did there?) with Regular Show #1 hitting stands, in the spirit of which we give you a Wired preview of the first Adventure Time Original Graphic Novel, and encourage you to buy your tickets to the gun show. KC Green’s Gun Show, that is.

The ever-tighter bonding of digital with independent comics publishers continues, with Alternative Press inking a deal with Comixology. You may not know much of Alternative Press (Taylor keeps buying the last copies on the shelf), but they’re well worth a look. Meanwhile, happy couple Comics and Music invite Digital over to spice things up on the iPad while Dean Haspiel makes sexy pictures. And is this a glimpse of the future?

TCAF has just ended, were you there? If not, let these cool publishers tell you why TCAF rocks; then meet Ryan Sands, the man behind Youth in Decline (you’ll want to read this); check out news of a new Farel Dalrymple hardcover; prepare for a Drawn & Quarterly bonanza; and check out the Doug Wright Awards winners! Speaking of awards, did you spot any of these promising newcomers? Of course, if you were at TCAF, you can just ignore all of that and feel smug.

Last week also brought us this incredible comic/blog post about Depression, which serves perfectly to show how a deliberately crude visual style can sometimes be highly effective. On a similar note, autobiography is terrifying (even when it’s refreshingly non-judgmental).

Matt Kindt stole last week, and was caught red-handed, but made up for it by penning this inspiring essay on creators, joy, and how fans connect the two. As if on cue, Multiversity posted this thoughtful essay on professional fan fiction, and so we ask you: is Rat Queens the answer?

Quote of the week: “Anyone can design any costume for any gender as long as they approach it with with respect and understanding.” Those who disagree get a kick in the crotch. For a month.

You’re going to this, right? Okay, maybe not, but you must be coming to this, its at Orbital and everyone’s very excited about it! Or maybe you’ll be too busy freeing comics in chains, reading Paul Pope’s awesome reviews-as-comics, or just working to be a Stand Up Man. Whatever you’re doing, don’t fall into the trap of reading this rejected comic which is much better than many accepted ones. But if you do, then definitely avoid the creator’s webcomic, its terrific. And if you’ve fallen for those traps, then you may as well check out this enlightening Declan Shalvey interview. Rarely is an artist as savvy and charming as he is talented, but Declan pulls it off.

Kickstarter offers you (and us) a choice: Hinges or Rocket Girl. There is a third way: both. They look terrific.

Whatever you do or don’t click through in this post, be careful. For fear has a new name. Extinction Buzzard.

Dark Horse
BPRD Hell On Earth #107 Wasteland #1
Conan The Barbarian #16
Dream Thief #1
Edgar Allan Poes Fall O/T House Of Usher #1
Star Wars Darth Vader & Ninth Assassin #2
To Hell You Ride #4

DC Comics
Batgirl #20
Batwoman #20
Birds Of Prey #20
Catwoman #20
Fables #129
Green Lantern The Animated Series #13
He Man And The Masters Of The Universe #2
Injustice Gods Among Us #2 3rd Ptg
Injustice Gods Among Us #3 2nd Ptg
JSA Liberty Files The Whistling Skull #6
Justice League Of Americas Vibe #4
Legion Of Super Heroes #20
Nightwing #20
Red Hood And The Outlaws #20
Supergirl #20
Sword Of Sorcery #8
Wonder Woman #20

IDW
Doomsday.1 #1
Gi Joe A Real American Hero #190
Gi Joe Special Missions #3
My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic #2 3rd Ptg
My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic #7
TMNT Ongoing #20 2nd Ptg
Transformers Fall Of Cybertron #1 2nd Ptg
Transformers Regeneration One #91

Image
Dream Merchant #1
East Of West #1 3rd Ptg
Fatale #14
Five Ghosts Haunting Of Fabian Gray #2 2nd Ptg
It Girl & The Atomics #10
Legend Of Luther Strode #5
Non Humans #3
Nowhere Men #1 5th Ptg
Sex #2 2nd Ptg
Think Tank #7
Vescell #8

Marvel
Age Of Ultron #3 2nd Ptg Hitch Var
Age Of Ultron #8
Avengers Enemy Within #1
Cable And X-Force #8 Now2
Deadpool Killustrated #3 2nd Ptg Del Mundo Var
Ff #7 Now
Gambit #12
Iron Man #10 Now2
Nova #4 Now
Superior Spider-Man #1 4th Ptg Stegman Var Now
Superior Spider-Man #3 3rd Ptg Stegman Var Now
Thunderbolts #9 Now2
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #23
Wolverine And X-Men #29
Wolverine Max #7
X-Factor #256

Independents
2000 Ad Prog #1832
Battlestar Galactica #1
Bionic Man #20
Bionic Man Vs Bionic Woman #5
Bleeding Cool Magazine #4
Bloodshot (Vu) #11 Harbinger Wars
Drew Hayes Poison Elves #2
Fanboys Vs Zombies #14
Gft Madness Of Wonderland #4
Gft Unleashed Vampires Eternal #2
Helheim #2 2nd Ptg
Helheim #3
Jennifer Blood #27
Judge Dredd Megazine #336
Lord Of The Jungle #15
Mark Waid Green Hornet #2
Night O/T Living Dead Aftermath #8
Pathfinder #7
Peter Cannon Thunderbolt #9
Regular Show #1
Shadow #13
Simpsons Comics #202
Sonic Super Digest #3
Sonic Universe #52
Soulfire Vol 4 #5
X-O Manowar (Vu) #13

Magazines
Alter Ego #117
Comic Book Creator #1
Juxtapoz #149 Jun 2013
Marvel Fact Files #8
Marvel Fact Files #9
Marvel GN Coll Vol 37 Fantastic 4 Unthinkable HC

Graphic Novels and Collected Editions
American Comic Book Chronicles HC 1980s
Aquaman HC Vol 02 The Others (N52)
Aquaman TP Vol 01 The Trench (N52)
Authority HC Vol 01
Batman Beyond 10000 Clowns TP
Bloodtrail TP
Captain Marvel TP Vol 02 Down
Crossed Wish You Were Here HC Vol 02
Crossed Wish You Were Here TP Vol 02
Eerie Archives HC Vol 13
Exile To Babylon TP
Garfield TP Vol 02
Gft Fly The Fall TP
Gft Godstorm TP
Hellraiser TP Vol 05
Hoax Hunters TP Vol 02 Secrets And Lies
Incredible Hulk TP Crossroads
Indestructible Hulk Prem HC Vol 01 Agent Of Shield Now
Iron Sky TP
Justice League Beyond Konstriction TP
Lil Depressed Boy TP Vol 04
Mass Effect Library Edition HC Vol 01
Mega Man TP Vol 05 Rock Of Ages
MMW Invincible Iron Man HC Vol 08
My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic TP Vol 01
New Avengers By Brian Michael Bendis TP Vol 04 Avx
New Warriors Omnibus HC Vol 01 Young Cvr
Pathfinder HC Vol 01 Dark Waters Rising
Peter Panzerfaust TP Vol 02 Hooked
Remind HC GN Vol 01
Remind HC GN Vol 02
Ripd City Of The Damned TP
Scott Pilgrim Color HC Vol 03
Spawn Origins TP Vol 18
Strange Attractors HC
Transformers Prime Rage O/T Dinobots TP
Wolverine And X-Men By Jason Aaron TP Vol 04 Avx
Wolverine Official Index To Marvel Universe GN TP

Manga
Alice In The Country Of Hearts: My Fanatic Rabbit Vol 02
Black Butler Vol 13
Bunny Drop Vol 08
Case Closed Vol 46
Devil And Her Love Song Vol 08
Disgaea 3 School Of Devils GN Vol 01 (of 2)
Doubt Omnibus Vol 01
Inu Yasha Vizbig Ed GN Vol 15
Is This A Zombie Vol 04
Jormungand GN Vol 11
Kieli: The Novel Vol 08
Kimi Ni Todoke Vol 16
Loveless 2-In-1 Edition Vol 03
Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya Vol 15
Pandora Hearts Vol 15
Pokemon Adventures TP Vol 16
Pokemon Black & White GN Vol 09
Punch Up! Vol 04
Tiger & Bunny Vol 01
X 3-In-1 Vol 05

Toys/Collectibles
Dc Comics Aquaman Artfx+ Statue New 52 Ver
Mass Effect Commander Shepard Bishoujo Statue
Yotsubato Yotsuba Moiwai Plastic Mdl Kit

T-Shirts
Guardians Of The Galaxy 4 Guardians Nvy T/S

Adventure Time Merch
Adventure Time 10″ Super Poseable Finn
Adventure Time 2″ Figures In Blind Bags
Adventure Time 2″ Twin Pack AF
Adventure Time 24″ Finn Sword
Adventure Time 5″ AF
Adventure Time Face Pint 4pk Set
Adventure Time Finn & Jake 10″ Plush
Adventure Time Jake Handle Mug

Would you like any of these fine comics posted to you? Email us a list of the titles you’d like and we will get back to you with payment instructions.

Taylor says: I badly wanted to pick Jess Fink’s We Can Fix It this week, as it looks like another immaculately produced (one rounded corner!), sexy, irreverent mash-up of autobio and time travel. But I haven’t read it.
What I did read was a Hickman Avengers book that gave us a break from the doomy foreboding epicness, and sent a bunch Avengers off on a suspiciously fun mission that involved turning AIM agents by partying with them, brandishing Stark Tech nunchuks, Dragons vs Serpents, Captain Marvel talking some grade A trash, and Jessica Drew doing the “Rendition version of Who’s On First?” with Black Widow (Abbott and Costello fans will appreciate that last one). Big fun.
All of this was wrapped up in the latest evolution of Deodato’s style, still very digital but lacking the leaden quality of other artists working in that vein (*cough*Finch*cough*), with his usual dynamic layouts and the excellent colouring Marvel seems to have cornered the market in. This book feels like a proper flagship again.

2 Guns: Second Shot Deluxe Edition
By Steven Grant (w), Mat Santolouco (a)
Boom! Studios

Dev says: Sometimes I just want to read a fun, shoot-em up story. 2 Guns is basically that. This is as action packed as I need a story to be! So two guys rob a bank, but the’re both undercover officers from different fields, and the money may not be the drug money they assumed it was. I can see why Universal is making 2 Guns into a film. The lead characters, Bobby and Marcus are surprisingly relatable and very likeable. Gratn’s pacing is ont he ball, and Santolouco’s art fleshes out the world of 2 Guns brilliantly. So, if you’re looking for some action and crime that’s both a thrill ride a witty story, look no further!

This edition also contains a neat cover gallery and introduction by Grant. Pick it up while you can, it’ll probably be better than the film too!

Thor: God of Thunder #8
By Jason Aaaron (w), Esad Ribic (a)
Marvel Comics

Liz says: I can’t help it. I have to pick Thor. I’ve done it before, I’ll do it again, but this week there’s no other option.
Thor’s ambitious first arc is coming to a head as Young Thor, Avengers Thor and King Thor finally (hilariously) come face to face. Their meeting comes not a moment too soon, as things look dire for the remaining Gods with the God Bomb nearly finished and ready to go off.
Aaron and Ribic are the powerhouse team behind this book, and man, do these guys know how to tell a story. As dark and as tense as things can get, they still manage to sneak in enough comedy to have me laughing out loud, and enough deep character insight to make me empathize with their outwardly despicable villain. And the last page… oh man. A masterpiece in the making.

The Creep
By John Arcudi (w), Jonathan Case (a)
Dark Horse

Tommy says: Arcudi weaves an almost Coen Brothers-esque mystery following the suicides of two teenage boys and does so in an engaging tale that avoids most of the ham fisted crime noir tropes that lesser writers cling too with such fervor. Like any great mystery the story carefully leads you down one path before spinning you out into a resolution that you weren’t expecting and yet, of course, the signs were there from the beginning.
Jonathan Case’s art suits the story perfectly shifting effortlessly between hazy, idealized daydreams to the harsh reality of the world that Oxel, the acromegaly suffering protagonist, seems to drift through without much pleasure. Oxel’s design is subtle and far from the potentially monstrous features the character’s affliction could have been portrayed as but also nicely avoids being a cuddly bear type.
A testament to both writer and artist is that, although obviously a device, never once do you feel that the acromegaly is all that Oxley is, he feels real and is a great character that I personally would love to see more of and hopefully this collection will sell well enough for Arcudi and Case to be able to produce another tale.

Red Handed: The Fine Art of Strange Crimes
By Matt Kindt (w/a)
First Second

Camila says: Matt Kindt’s Mind MGMT has been one of my favourite (if not THE favourite) ongoing titles for some time now, so there’s no need to say that I was dying to get my hands on his new graphic novel, Red Handed: The Fine Art of Strange Crimes. I haven’t finished the book yet, but I read enough to say that it proves that Kindt’s brilliance has no end.

Told from the point of view of several different characters, as well as newspaper clippings and book covers and filled with puzzles and set pieces that I’m sure will come together cleverly by the end of the book, Red Handed is hard-boiled detective fiction to its best!

Welcome to Episode 111 of The Orbiting Pod!

This week, we go on the pull with Transformers Spotlight: Hoist #1, lose the flak jackets for Suicide Risk #1, get mobbed up with The Movement #1, pay our dues with Ten Grand #1, go on patrol with The Activity # 12, head for the stars with Iron Man #9, and clear out the belfry with Black Bat #1.

Follow us on Twitter:

The Podcast – @theorbitingpod

Chris – @popculturehound

Robin – @rjharman

Taylor – @capelessT

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A little bit of catch up regarding con season, as the record-busting C2E2 offered a glimpse of the future with their Graphic Storytelling panel, Stumptown Comics Fest revealed their award-winners, and Tom Spurgeon provided another one of his so-real-you-can-smell-the-air reports, will pretty much make you feel like you were at Stumptown with him. Since the next major con is TCAF (in Toronto), lets spread some Canadian comics goodness with an Inkstuds panel video featuring Brandon Graham and Emily Carroll; all the colouring inspiration you need to get started (as a podcast and accompanying samples) courtesy of Sloane Leong, Patrick Bergin, and Inkstuds again; nominee interviews from the Doug Wright Awards (winners to be announced at TCAF this weekend), and a funny guide to what questions not to ask if you find yourself attending a panel.

Comics Alliance was shuttered (in typically abrupt corporate fashion) by AOL, and we’ll all miss their thoughtful and entertaining coverage. On the positive side, they earned some interesting tributes from folk at The Comics Journal, The Beat… and Hitler. (yes, we posted a link to that video yesterday, but its just that good.)

This week-end was Free Comic Book Day (the UK’s most successful one yet, so thank you all for coming down and making it such a blast!), but was also Star Wars Day, and vorpalizer brought the force with hourly updates (be sure to scroll to the bottom and hit “next post”). Cosplayers abounded over the week-end, but we still aren’t sure whether to be relieved or gutted that this Thor fan didn’t show up.

The Iron Man 3 review by Jim Rugg and Laura Hudson is possibly more fun than the movie, while our first glance of Wood/Coipel’s X-Men is (shock! gasp!) beautiful. Gabriel Hardman is going to Monkeybrain with his latest project, and talks you through the concept here, as The Beat covers a new UK digital comics venture which looks pretty interesting. Go UK comics scene! Or you can play it safe with this master list of all Comics Should Be Good’s Greatest Stories Ever Told. Speaking of the greatest ever, The Comics Journal reran this very 90′s Todd McFarlane interview. Greatest Ever? Or does this epic 5 part David Mack interview fit that bill better? No, wait, its definitely this Terry Moore 2-parter. Ah forget it, with so many giants around, maybe its better to just learn the art of the fill-in from John Ostrander. Most usefully of all, Simon Moreton has posted a history of his evolution into a small press creator, which shows you how long it takes, and how many steps there are along the way.

Over in the land of crowd-funding, Andy Ristaino has a crazy colourful project that looks like a whole lot of Vidiotic fun, while Nix Comics look locked-on to that record store/comics store nexus with their IndieGoGo project. And Greg Rucka, who remains under-appreciated (by the Big 2, anyway) for his excellent Batwoman run and even better Punisher work, wants you to meet Lady Sabre. Its risk-free, already funded, and a whole lot of fun, so here’s hoping he gets all the recognition he deserves for something he’s created.

All of which brings us to this week’s kooky misfits, those picked last. Here are Ridley Scott’s comics, or Ridleygrams. Meet Prisoner of None and jump on board early with this compelling new webcomic. Everybody loves to pit the Big 2 against each other, but how do their events stack up? This is the Ayn Rand biography comic you will enjoy reading (because its Darryl Cunningham, y’all!). When life gives you lemons, paint them red and make good art.

And never, never, disrespect Krypto. It ain’t smart.

Dark Horse
BTVS Season 9 Freefall #21
Creepy Comics #12
Star Wars #5
X #1

DC Comics
Batman #20
Batman #20 Combo Pack
Batman And Red Hood #20
Batman Arkham Unhinged #14
Constantine #3
Deathstroke #20
Demon Knights #20
Green Lantern Corps #20 (Wrath)
Injustice Gods Among Us #1 3rd Ptg
Justice League Of America #3
Justice League Of America #3 Combo Pack
Katana #4
Ravagers #12
Smallville Season 11 #13
Suicide Squad #20
Superboy #20
Team 7 #8
Threshold #5

IDW
Fever Ridge Macarthur Jungle War #3
Memorial Imaginary Fiends #3
Rocketeer Hollywood Horror #4
Star Trek Ongoing #20

Image
Chin Music #1
I Love Trouble #5
Prophet #35
Storm Dogs #5
Walking Dead #110
Witchblade #166

Marvel
Alpha Big Time #4
Astonishing X-Men #62
Avengers #11 Now
Avengers Arena #9 Now2
Avengers Assemble #15au Now
Avenging Spider-Man #20
Castle A Calm Before Storm #5
Deadpool #9 Now2
Fearless Defenders #4 Now
Iron Man #258.2
Marvel Universe Avengers Earths Heroes #14
Secret Avengers #4 Now
Thor God Of Thunder #8 Now2
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #24
Uncanny Avengers #8 Now2
Uncanny X-Force #4 Now
Wolverine #3 Now

Independents
12 Reasons To Die #1
2000 Ad Prog #1831 £2.35
Archer & Armstrong (Vu) #0
Archie & Friends Double Digest #27
Battlefields #6 Fall & Rise Pt 3
Bravest Warriors #8
Critter (Ongoing) #11
Damsels Mermaids #1
Dark Shadows #16
Dresden Files Ghoul Goblin #4
Drew Hayes Poison Elves #1 2nd Ptg
Executive Assistant Assassins #10
Fathom Vol 4 #9
Ferals #14
Gft Robyn Hood Wanted #1
Grimm #1
Harbinger (Ongoing) #0 2nd Ptg
Harbinger (Vu) #12 Harbinger Wars
Joan Of Arc From The Ashes #4
Jugheads Double Digest #192
Knights Of The Dinner Table #197
Legend O/T Shadowclan #4
Legend Of Oz Scarecrow #1
Legend Of Oz The Wicked West Ongoing #7
Life With Archie #29
Mega Man #25
Mylo Xyloto #4
Red Sonja Annual #4
Sherlock Holmes Liverpool Demon #4 (Of 5)
Sonic Super Special Magazine #7
Spongebob Comics #20
Supurbia Ongoing #7
Uber #0 Enhanced Ed
Uber #1
Vampirella #29
Warlord Of Mars #24
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #25

Magazines
Clint Volume 2 #7
Dc Batman Automobilia Fig Coll Mag #10 Batman #311

Graphic Novels and Collected Editions
Avengers Arena TP Vol 01 Kill Or Die TP Now
Avengers Heart Of Stone TP
Avengers Vs X-Men HC Companion
Batman Death By Design TP
Batman Incorporated HC Vol 01 Demon Star (N52)
Benny Breakiron HC Vol 01 Red Taxis
Bomb Queen Dlx Ed HC Vol 02
BTVS Season 9 TP Vol 03 Guarded
Chronicles Of King Conan TP Vol 05 Black Dragons
Comeback TP
Creep HC
Criminal Macabre No Peace Dead Men TP
Essential Defenders TP Vol 07
Fanboys Vs Zombies TP Vol 02
Freaks Amour GN
Hatter M Looking Glass Wars HC Vol 04 Zen
Hatter M Looking Glass Wars TP Vol 04 Zen
Hellblazer TP Vol 05 Dangerous Habits New Ed
Hellraiser The Road Below TP Vol 01
Legion Of Super Heroes TP Vol 02 Dominators (N52)
Lego Minifigure Character Encyclopedia
Little Prince HC
Mark Ryden Gay 90s HC
Marvel Universe Ult Spider-Man Digest TP Vol 03
Metabarons Ultimate Coll Ed
Mumbai Confidential HC Book 01 Good Cop Bad Cop
Planet Of The Apes Cataclysm TP Vol 01
Prophecy TP
Ravagers TP Vol 01 The Kids From Nowhere (N52)
Raven Girl GN
Red Handed Fine Art Strange Crimes HC
Rocketeer Adventures Treasury Ed
Showcase Presents Superman Family TP Vol 04
Smurfs GN Vol 15 Smurflings
Smurfs HC Vol 15 Smurflings
Snake Pit Gets Old GN
Spider-Men TP
Stand TP Vol 06 Night Has Come
Star Wars Knight Errant TP Vol 03 Escape
Steed & Mrs Peel TP Vol 01 Very Civil Armageddon
Thief Of Thieves TP Vol 02
Thunderbolts TP Vol 01 No Quarter Now
Two Guns Second Shot Dlx Ed TP
Ult Comics Spider-Man By Bendis TP Vol 03
We Can Fix It GN
Westward TP Vol 01
Winx Club GN Vol 07
Wolverine Young Readers Novel TP
Wonderland TP Vol 02
Youre All Just Jealous Of My Jetpack HC
Zeros Familiar Omnibus TP Vol 01

Manga
Dance In The Vampire Bund GN Vol 14
Dengeki Daisy GN Vol 12
Heroman GN Vol 04
Hunter X Hunter TP Vol 30
La Corda Doro TP Vol 17
We Were There GN Vol 16

Toys/Collectibles
Dark Knight Trilogy Play Arts Kai Bane Af
Dark Knight Trilogy Play Arts Kai Batman Af
Dc Unlimited 6-In Injustice Batman Af
Dc Unlimited 6-In New 52 Wonder Woman Af

Posters
Shanna By Manara Poster
Storm By Manara Poster
Superior Spider-Man By Martin Poster
Wolverine By Dellotto Poster

Would you like any of these fine comics posted to you? Email us a list of the titles you’d like and we will get back to you with payment instructions.

Taylor says: Have you ever enjoyed a story about a mismatched team thrown into peril with only each other to rely on? Do you like the concept of teams like the Thunderbolts or the Suicide Squad, flawed characters whose desire for redemption is constantly misdirected and abused by those in power? Secondarily, are you looking for something beyond the usual publishers, something outside the Jim Lee clones and the spandex action?

If you answer yes to any of those questions, pop into the West Wing and check out the COPRA Compendium. It collects the first 3 issues of COPRA, a Suicide Squad inspired comic written, drawn, coloured, printed, and distributed by New York based creator Michel Fiffe (he’s a busy man). This book manifests the best qualities of small press, combining terrific storytelling with kinetic, well thought out action, to produce the distilled essence of the team book. We’re proud to stock the first compendium, compiled and distributed by Bergen Street Comics in NY, and don’t worry, the second compendium will drop in a couple of months, so you don’t have to worry about this series leaving you hanging.

COPRA is the perfect combination of the creator-owned and self-published ethos with the “super” books we all love. We hope you’ll enjoy it.

Iron Man #9
By Kieron Gillen (w), Dale Eaglesham (a)
Marvel Comics

Liz says: While I liked all the done-in-one issues that made up the first leg of Gillen’s run, I feel like he was still finding his feet with the character. And now that he has, things have really ramped up in an exciting way! The past few issues, beginning with the Voldi storyline, are really the start of this story. This issue in particular was a standout; Gillen’s style and sense of humor are fully on show here, especially when he’s given an opportunity to demonstrate his singular flair for writing likeable but treacherous characters. Oh, and there’s also a massive surprise at the end. Go read it to find out!

Hawkeye #10
By Matt Fraction (w), Francesco Francavilla (a)
Marvel Comics

Dev says: This issue goes back to happened in #9 to focus on whodunit to Grills as well as giving the murderer a back story. To me, Hawkeye has been a continuously strong series that I thoroughly enjoy! And as much as I love Aja’s art, I have a massive spot in my heart for Francavilla, and always will! So this issue to me was basically gold dust. Fraction does a great job of building up Kazi’s character, as well as adding even more layers to Clint and Kate’s relationship. In turn Matt’s writing is funny, well paced and intriguing all at the right times. Then you have Francavilla’s excellent art making the whole package complete. His layouts and panels add to the story without detracting from the words. You must look at this book and appreciate the artistry involved. Also, I am still crying about Grills.

Abe Sapien #2
By Mike Mignola/Scott Allie (w), Sebastián Fiumara (a)
Dark Horse

Thomas says: After the scene setting of the first issue, Abe Sapian is off and running. The recent changes that Abe has gone through have reignited the mystery surrounding his existence, something that had taken a back seat in recent years since the discovery of Everett Caul and Abe’s almost ordinary status as a member of the B.P.R.D. and is a welcome change for the character. Although very little is revealed the issue plays out almost as a mission statement for this series, more so than the first issue, and it does so in an tantalizing fashion. To put it blandly, Abe Sapien is the fugitive meets Lovecraft while Sebastián Fiumara’s art is perfect feeling like a strange hybrid of Guy Davis and Richard Corben yet still managing to be it’s own beast and is gorgeous for it aided by the always wonderfully atmospheric colours of Dave Stewart.

Jack Kirby Omnibus Volume 2
Jack Kirby & Friends (w), Jack Kirby (a)

Chris says: This wonderful new volume from DC’s Jack Kirby library features some of his more obscure work and one-shots from the 1970s & ‘80s. While this isn’t necessarily Kirby’s best work, The King on a bad day is still better than most artists on a good day, so there’s a lot to enjoy here. Personal highlights for me were Black Magic, Kobra, and the three 1st Issue Specials he did. If you’ve ever wanted to dabble in Kirby’s back catalogue and explore some of the work he did outside of the typical Marvel fare, then I highly recommend this book and the previous volume. The enduring legacy and influence of Jack ‘King’ Kirby is something that cannot be denied.

It’s not every day that I get the opportunity to attend a US comic book convention and rarer still that Washington, DC holds one. So when the stars aligned a few weeks ago and the opportunity had arisen, well…’ask me, I won’t say no, how could I?’

Pod-given press pass in hand, I didn’t know quite what to expect. DC is a strange city, even stranger when considering that it’s a capital city. It is wholly and unsubtly dedicated to function, to business and absolutely not to people. The con was held at the Walter E. Washington Center in Mount Vernon Square, just a couple of Metro stops from my lebensraum and in terms of its size, the whole affair was probably comparable to London’s Kapow! and Super Con, if not a little larger perhaps. Small for a North American con, but for me, the porridge was just right. The show hadn’t sold out in advance, but it didn’t seem to matter: the turn-out was fantastic, a really pleasant cross-section of ‘comics etc.’ folk.

Retailers were diverse, reasonable and a good number of those with whom I came into contact seemed like they’d be equally at home serving Silver-Age-list-man as they would fourteen year-old Manga Harley. This is important, I think. There was a good showing of independent creators and merch-makers. Amongst my personal highlights was Tracie Ching whose pop art prints and posters genuinely stood out, from afar and up close. To my disappointment, her Steve Zissou sold out within an hour of the con’s opening! I scored a nice little Carrie Fisher sticker though. I was also impressed by the work of C Dowd, whose Lilith Dark (lilithdark.com) must invariably draw a few Courtney Crumrin comparisons. The comic is both webcomic and printed comic book, which is nice. On checking out his site, I particular enjoyed Mr Dowd’s simple explanation: ‘Buying a copy of LD also helps to keep the series going. Making comics is hard, and takes a long time, and blah blah blah. I don’t need to explain that, you guys get it. I don’t ask for donations, I sell comic books.’

The con featured a decent schedule of panels and talks over the two days. Of note, I marked out the Star Trek vs. Star Wars debate, and the Fantasy Writing discussion. My attendance of the debate did, I confess, come from my own deep and secluded well of exoticism – I wanted to see, well, quite how bad it might get. Sure enough the battle, waged by two teams of rival panellists, sat awkwardly between the considered insights of the ST team and the clumsy they-love-a-bit-of-it fanboyism of their SW opponents. A particularly low moment came when ‘Discuss the role of women in each franchise’ was followed by ‘Now, would you rather see your girl in a metal bikini or…[whatever it is they wear in Star Trek]?’ One good Trekkie stood up and plainly asked the moderator if he even realised quite what he’d just managed to do.

The Fantasy Writing: Novels and Comics panel, on the other hand, was both entertaining and smart. Moderated by Alma Katsu, the panel consisted of Justin Jordan, Allison Pang, Diana Peterfreund, Meagan Spooner and Tom King, and listeners were treated to thoughtful discussions of recent trends, the unlikely-to-change quintessential, the dangers (and realities) of homogenisation, and the world of publishing. Speaking of recent phenomena in the genre, Peterfreund suggested a notable rise of fantasy being situated more obviously in ‘our world’, rather than say, Middle Earth. This sat nicely alongside Justin Jordan’s emphasis on the current prominence of psychological realism and grey morality. On the eternal elements of fantasy, all writers stressed the hero’s journey and the passage from anonymity to individualism. Meagan Spooner added the simple maxim that good fantasy shows, and convinces the reader, that ‘winning is possible’. When asked about their relative experiences with publishers, each writer seemed to have a full arsenal of horror stories she or he could have unleashed. Writers are very often, it seems, asked to show how their work can match a particular contemporary trend. King stressed that in many cases publishers are reticent about it, that they’re even ashamed, at times. They need something they can bank on, he says, but they still do their best to put out works of quality they personally believe in: ‘They’re barnacles, but they wanna be the best barnacles’.

Also: without giving too much away, Justin Jordan told us that he’s got at least two new creator-owned books coming this year, and is pitching another very soon. More on this anon, I hope!

Finally, as if it wasn’t enough of a treat attending a really lovely con, I also met a delightful group of comics/alternativa enthusiasts through the marvel that is Sci-Fi Speed Dating. Though I confess I’d been unsure about participating, I decided to step out of retirement for two hours of three-minute dates. Essentially, it’s speed dating with a higher probability of common ground. Without exception I think, everybody I ‘dated’ was outgoing, personable, and evidently happy to meet new people. Now, I shan’t divulge my own results, for a good girl never tells, but suffice to say, any Saturday at a con which ends with a batch of new friends, a few bars and karaoke will receive no complaints here. Singing “Heroes” past midnight with a root beer in hand, I figured I had had a pretty decent time of it.

Tremendous thanks for Ben Penrod and Steve Anderson, the team behind Awesome Conventions LLC, for having me along. I would not hesitate to go again, and truly hope they manage to make it an annual affair. DC needs more of this.

Your podcaster in exile,
Adam KS

Welcome to Episode 110 of The Orbiting Pod!

This week, we go back to school with Morning Glories #26, say cowabunga with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #21, travel far with A Distant Soil #39, act the goat with Rachel Rising #16, hang high with Arrow #6, and ask questions with The Answer #4.

Follow us on Twitter:

The Podcast – @theorbitingpod

Chris – @popculturehound

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Taylor – @capelessT

Or be our friend on Facebook!

Back once again, (for the renegade master) it’s the Orbiting Pod Crew of Chris, Taylor & Robin!

Just like last month, and the month before that, (and so on), we look at the latest issue of Previews, and let you know what we are most looking foward to. July is looking like a jam packed month, but we got all our picks crammed in in just over 10 minutes!

Like the sound/look of the books? Why not preorder them? As always, be sure to let us know what you think!

Robbi Rodriguez’s free comic: http://frankiegetyourgun.com/

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Con season rumbles on, with Tom Spurgeon finally posting his MoCCA write-up, (which reads more like a guided tour of New York’s comics quarters, the only omission being this cool-sounding new store), and C2E2 and Stumptown both happening this week-end just gone. Of the former, other than IDW and Dark Horse’s dominance, Itty Bitty Hellboy is our favourite announcement, though you can catch up on the rest here. As for Stumptown, Mr Spurgeon has recommends for you. And if you consoled yourself for your inability to attend by watching Iron Man 3 instead, here’s some news from Warren Ellis: Extremis ain’t that far-fetched. Still not seen it? These rules may help you enjoy it more.

If all that has given you an urge to roam, Fatale knows how you feel, as she’s Seattle-bound in this preview. Or if you’re just missing the wet what with all this sunshine, you can read Snyder and Murphy on their upcoming The Wake. In terms of things to look forward to, this blog will prepare you for incoming Lone Wolf & Cub from Dark Horse, Great Beast has beastly plans for summer, Image serves up Rat Queens (which may just be what Fearless Defenders should have been), Nobrow 8 is still out, looking (& smelling!) lovely, Alternative Comics are back (what should we order for you?) Dynamite and Dark Horse are teaming up to offer you more, and Thrillbent, in their now-weekly mention, are simply saying “Aw Yeah!”. It’s good to be alive. Of course, you never know when or how you may go.

Eisner nominees are still available to read online for free, so you can play judge-along, and io9 is plugging Oyster War, while hopping over to Study Group… well, it will all hurt. It ain’t nominated, but Vorpalizer reckons you should read The Hand of Gold. And we agree. You could also take a trip to Trip City and binge on Dean Haspiel and college pals’ Comix, or let BoingBoing show you Real Stuff. If that’s all a bit much, try the Greatest Bill Sienkewicz Stories Ever Told, provided you can find them. While you’re searching, here are Jim Rugg’s recommendations from Image’s back catalog. Just don’t get jealous of anybody’s Jet Pack.

This graphic novel is beautiful, and we’ll let creator Miriam Katin seduce you into reading it, while hopefully this terrific video will get you all nostalgic about (and respectful for) Harvey Kurtzman’s art. If they’ve inspired you to get your work out there (DO IT!), maybe it’ll help if one creator walks you through their Comixology Submit experience.

And now, we leave you with some questions.

Why Cheap Art?

Is Age of Ultron the Perfect Event?

Is this the future of comics?

Are little girls better at designing superheroes than you?

Dark Horse
47 Ronin #4
Abe Sapien Dark & Terrible #2
Michael Avon Oemings Victories #1 Transhuman
Mister X Eviction #1
Star Wars Dark Times Fire Carrier #4

DC Comics
Action Comics #20
Action Comics #20 Combo Pack
Ame Comi Girls #3
Animal Man #20
Aquaman #19
Batwing #20
Detective Comics #20
Detective Comics #20 Combo Pack
Dial H #12
Earth 2 #12
Fairest #15
Green Arrow #20
Legends Of The Dark Knight #8
Mad Magazine #521
Movement #1
Phantom Stranger #8
Scooby Doo Where Are You #33
Stormwatch #20
Swamp Thing #20
Worlds Finest #12

IDW
Colonized #2
Dungeons & Dragons Cutter #2
Ghostbusters #1 2nd Ptg
Jack Davis Ec Stories Artist Ed HC
Joe Palooka #6
Judge Dredd #1 2nd Ptg
Mars Attacks #10
Michael Golden Gi Joe Artist Ed Portfolio
Star Trek Countdown To Darkness #1 3rd Ptg
TMNT Color Classics #10
TMNT Ongoing #18 2nd Ptg
TMNT Ongoing #19 2nd Ptg
TMNT Secret Foot Clan #2 2nd Ptg
TMNT Secret Foot Clan #3 2nd Ptg
Transformers Spotlight Hoist #1
Transformers Spotlight Megatron One Shot 2nd Ptg

Image
68 Jungle Jim #2
Activity #12
Artifacts #27
Blackacre #6
Epic Kill #10
Image Firsts Bedlam Curr Ptg #1
Image Firsts Morning Glories Curr Ptg #1
Image Firsts Peter Panzerfaust Curr Ptg #1
Image Firsts Super Dinosaur Curr Ptg #1
Invincible Universe #2
Mice Templar Iv Legend #2
Savage Dragon #187
Sex #1 3rd Ptg
Snapshot #4
Son Of Merlin #4
Spawn #231
Super Dinosaur #19
Ten Grand #1

Marvel
Age Of Ultron #2 2nd Ptg Hitch Var
Age Of Ultron #7
All New X-Men #11 Now
All New X-Men #9 2nd Ptg Immonen Var Now
Hawkeye #8 2nd Ptg Aja Var
Hawkeye #10
Indestructible Hulk #7 Now
Iron Man #258.1
Iron Man #9 Now2
Iron Man Coming Of Melter #1
New Avengers #4 2nd Ptg Jock Var Now
Nova #2 2nd Ptg Mcguinness Var Now
Red She-Hulk #65 Now2
Superior Spider-Man #6 2nd Ptg Ramos Var Now
Superior Spider-Man #9 Now
Thanos Rising #2 Now
Ultimate Comics X-Men #26
Winter Soldier #18
X-Factor #255
X-Men Legacy #10 Now2

Independents
2000 Ad Prog #1830
3 New Stories One Shot
Archer & Armstrong (Vu) #1 One Dollar Debut Ed
Archie #643 Archie Meets Glee Pt 3
Archie Double Digest #239
Army Of Darkness Ongoing #13
Bionic Man #19
Black Bat #1
Bloodshot (Vu) #1 One Dollar Debut Ed
Charismagic Vol 2 #1
Cyborg 009 Chapter 000 One Shot
Dan The Unharmable #12
Fashion Beast #9
Game Of Thrones #14
Garfield #13
Gft Jungle Book Last O/T Species #3
Harbinger (Vu) #1 One Dollar Debut Ed
Harbinger Wars (Vu) #2
Hypernaturals #11
Miss Fury #2
Planet O/T Apes Cataclysm #9
Polarity #1 (2nd Ptg)
Polarity #2
Red Sonja Unchained #2
Red Ten #3
Satanika Anniversary Special
Shadowman (Vu) #0
Shadowman (Vu) #1 One Dollar Debut Ed
Simpsons Illustrated #6
Sonic The Hedgehog #248
Spider #11
Suicide Risk #1
Vampirella Strikes #5
Wasteland #44
X-O Manowar (Vu) #1 One Dollar Debut Ed

Magazines
Back Issue #64
Comic Heroes Magazine #18
Dc Superhero Chess Fig Coll Mag #34 Wonder Woman
Heavy Metal #262
Juxtapoz #148 May 2013
Marvel Fact Files #7
Marvel GN Coll Vol 36 Wolverine Origin HC

Graphic Novels and Collected Editions
Aliens HC Inhuman Condition
Army Of Darkness Omnibus TP Vol 03
Army Of Darkness TP Vol 01 Hail To The Queen Baby
Bedlam TP Vol 01
Blackacre TP Vol 01
Cable And X-Force TP Vol 01 Wanted Now
Criminal Macabre Cal Mcdonald Casebook HC Vol 01
Croods Prequel Digest Gn
Dungeons & Dragons Drizzt TP Vol 01 Neverwinter
Fubar Sc Vol 03 American History Z
G-Man TP Vol 03 Coming Home
Get Jiro TP
Girl With The Dragon Tattoo HC Vol 02
Graveyard Of Empires TP
Great Pacific TP Vol 01 Trashed
Iron Man War Machine TP Hands Of Mandarin
Jack Kirby Omnibus HC Vol 02
Legends Of The Blues HC
Lone Ranger Snake Of Iron TP
Magic The Gathering TP Vol 03 Path Of Vengeance
Marvels Iron Man 3 Slipcase HC Art Of Movie
Michael Kaluta Sketchbook Series Sc Vol 04
MU Avengers Earths Heroes Digest TP Vol 03
Pietrolino HC
Shame GN Vol 02 Pursuit
Superman Action Comics HC Vol 02 Bulletproof (N52)
Superman Action TP Vol 01 Superman Men Of Steel (N52)
Superman Earth One TP Vol 01
TMNT Ongoing TP Vol 05
Transformers Regeneration One TP Vol 02
Vaders Little Princess HC
What Lies Beneath HC
Wolverine Best There Is TP Complete Series
World Of Warcraft Dark Riders HC

Manga
Bleach Vol 56
Blue Exorcist Vol 09
Flowers Of Evil Vol 05
Jiu Jiu Vol 04
Negiho
Nura: Rise Of The Yokai Clan Vol 14
Toriko Vol 15

T-Shirts
My Little Pony Better Than The Rest Blk T/S

Would you like any of these fine comics posted to you? Email us a list of the titles you’d like and we will get back to you with payment instructions.

Chris says: I know, I know – I’m just as surprised as you are by my pick this week … The fact is I didn’t want to like this book. I’ve been so disappointed with the last few Millarworld titles and felt he’d lost the heart that serves to balance out his excesses, but with Jupiter’s Legacy it’s back – well, maybe. It’s a little early to make sweeping proclamations, especially with a book that’s so obviously and eagerly clamoring for acclaim, but if issue 1 is anything to go by then we’re in for a great ride. Quitely’s art is stunning and really functions as the main draw here. While Bryan Hitch has cornered the market on over-the-top Michael Bay-style action, Quitely can pull off the same thing but with an emphasis on character. It’s not as amazing as Mark Millar would have you believe, but it’s not as bad as his recent output would suggest either – so this is one Millarworld title I’m eager to follow every 2-3 months (c’mon, you never thought it would be monthly, did you?) … Don’t miss out.

FF #6
By Matt Fraction (w) Joe Quinones (a)
Marvel Comics

Taylor says: It’s a lie to say that this is my pick, because this week was too full of great comics to only mention one. The Massive #11 featured the most beautiful work I’ve seen from Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire, and took the book back to the spooky beauty of its initial concept. Journey into Mystery #651 (also coloured by Bellaire) was a stand-out standalone issue featuring all your favourite Asgardians (literally all of them) getting woken at odd hours to fight the Fenris wolf. Snacking, hook-ups, runaway pooches and humour abound. Mind MGMT #10 was a perfect tale of the supreme boredom foresight can create, and the weak spots it can create.
But ultimately, I was too excited to see Joe Quinones doing interiors instead of covers to not name FF as my pick. He’s been killing it on covers for Dark Avengers and Captain Marvel, and now, inked by Laura Allred, he’s wreaking perfect havoc with Fraction’s FF. This book feels like the maverick stepsister of Fantastic Four, the book where there are no rules and anything goes. So you have transgender Moloids, Yancy Street Hackers, Baxter Building schematics, Dragonman hide-and-seek, She-Hulk training to Eminem, and Scott Lang manning up, all rendered in style. This is a beautiful madcap romp of a comic, the kind of stuff Fraction excels at, jamming at a wicked cool tangent with the rest of the 616.
What a great week!

Avengers Arena #8
By Dennis Hopeless (w), Kev Walker (a)
Marvel Comics

Liz says: I don’t think I’d be alone in saying that I never expected much from Avengers Arena. My initial impression was that it was just a Battle Royale knockoff riding the wave of success of that other Battle Royale knockoff, and I found it borderline offensive that Marvel were willing to treat a bunch of their precious few high-profile teen characters as cannon fodder for the sake of it.
But as it turns out, that’s not what this book is like at all.
Dennis Hopeless (a writer I wasn’t previously familiar with) is very respectful of these characters, and very insightful when writing them. Each issue so far shifted focus on a different character and powerfully invested me in that character and their fate by the end of the issue. The characters I already liked are developing further, and the ones I was unfamiliar with now feel worth caring about, which really ups the stakes! It’s also worth noting that this book, along with Young Avengers, marks a great time for reading teen characters at Marvel (a pretty hit or miss prospect in the past.) All in all, Avengers Arena has been a real surprise and has exceeded my expectations in every way. Touché.

Journey into Mystery #651
By Immonen (w) and Larraz (a)
Marvel Comics

Dev says: Immonen’s run on JIM has so far been comical, touching, thrilling and, just generally solid gold. This issue continues to show just how great a tale Immonen can spin. This one shot issue focuses on Hilde, and the trouble one girl can cause when she can’t sleep! The story of Hilde trying to take Hati for a walk is in turn hilarious and action packed. Hilde stumbles across trouble in the forest of Asgardia and eneds up seeking the help of a Gunch of brave-albeit sleepy-warriors. Larraz’s art is an utter delight. I know I say this a lot, but I really do love an artist who can create such expressive looking characters and scenarios. Larraz does this so well that I am immersed. On top of this, Bellaire is a genius colour artist! JIM #651 really is a beautiful comic about sleepy Asgardians, hellhounds, and mischievous children. I would advice you to check JIM out now; it only seems to get better.

Peter Bagge’s Other Stuff
By Peter Bagge (w/a)
Fantagraphics

Camila says: Neat little volume featuring lots of previously uncollected Peter Bagge shorts, including a bunch of collaborations (with the likes of G.Hernandez, Dan Clowes, Alan Moore, Adrian Tomine, and even Alice Cooper!), a few of his lesser-known characters and an entire section of “Rock n’ roll” comics, featuring a lot of the Wilson family (of the Beach Boys) and a hilarious one-pager with AC/DC.

A lot of the material appeared in the single issues of Hate and Hate annual, but there was plenty in there that I had never before.

The fun starts at 10.30am when we open our doors and the free comics mayhem begins! We’re expecting certain titles to be fairly popular, so the earlier you’re here the better your chances of getting exactly what you want. To get an idea of what books are available this year, check out the Free Comic Book Day website.

Of course, it’s not just about the freebies … Sure, they’re great, but we’re also going to ensure our back issues and trade paperbacks are stocked up. This is your chance to kill two birds with one stone! And it doesn’t end there – we’ll be having numerous events throughout the day, including:

* Jessica and the wonderful folks from Eggs Milk Butter will be in-store all day selling yummy Adventure Time-themed cakes and hot beverages to all you ravenous comic fans … If you haven’t sampled the delights of Eggs Milk Butter then here’s your chance with some amazing themed cakes and other novelties. Mathematical!

* We’ll also have the wonderful caped crusaders from Heroes Alliance UK here in full cosplay glory to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Heroes Alliance do such a great job, so why not bring along some extra change and give something to help make a few wishes come true?

* In addition Paul Colliciutt, creator of The Murder Mile for Self Made Hero, will be making a flying visit as part of his run around town to promote his new graphic novel. Paul will be signing copies of the book and there may even be a giveaway or two!

* Best of all, we’ll have an exclusive in-store signing with Orbital Comics’ friend, Kieron Gillen! Kieron has been a wonderful supporter of the shop and it’s great to finally have him in for an event. The signing starts at 4pm, so it’s the perfect way to finish off your day in town … We’ll have loads of trade paperbacks and single issues in stock to help fill your gaps and give him something to sign.

See you next Saturday – and May The Fourth be with you!

Welcome to Episode 109 of The Orbiting Pod!

This week, we take to the skies with Captain Marvel #12, get mathematical with Adventure Time #15, start a new career in a new town with Nightwing #19, thug it out with Star Wars: Darth Vader & the Ninth Assassin #1, reach out and touch faith with Minature Jesus #1, and find that evil things come in small packages with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Krang.

We also have an advanced look at the upcoming pulp series Half Past Danger by Stephen Mooney, from IDW. World War II, ninjas, and dinosaurs: what’s not to love?!

Follow us on Twitter:

The Podcast – @theorbitingpod

Chris – @popculturehound

Robin – @rjharman

Taylor – @capelessT

Or be our friend on Facebook!

Welcome to another special episode of The Orbiting Pod!

Last week, the crew had the pleasure of attending an advance screening of Iron Man 3. Since then, we’ve been dying to tell you what we thought about it, and now (finally!) the embargo has been lifted!

Will it succeed where other threequels have failed?

Can Shane Black bring something new to the franchise?

Will the big screen do the Mandarin justice?

We discuss this and much more with our special guest, Rich Johnston from Bleeding Cool!

Follow us on twitter:

The Podcast – @theorbitingpod

Chris – @popculturehound

Robin – @rjharman

Taylor – @capelessT

We also saw the last B & B column over at CBR. Will you miss it? The abrupt cancellation and reasons behind it (too many sensitive questions, basically) elicited some strong responses. Coupled with this pretty damning screed on the New 52′s Wonder Woman, DC needed to bounce back. They did. Meet The Joker’s Daughter. Time to invoke The Maggott Defence perhaps? Or just cross your fingers for Marvelman.

Kickstarter-side, Greg Pak (he’s BUSY this year, but not as busy as Jack Kirby in the 1960′s) and Jonathan Coulton want to Kickstart Everything, so Code Monkey can Save the World. And Frank Cho has teamed up with Bill Willingham to offer you… dinner?

In case you missed it, Superman turned 75. Apparently there’s a movie soon? Anyway, the comics web celebrated in style, with a celebration of his many looks (wisely omitting the Red/Blue period), the 75 Greatest Superman Stories of All-Time, Mark Waid’s Toughest Superman Quiz… Ever, and a few thoughts for his creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Plus, the Ultimate Superman story. We were wondering what Superman’s Facebook timeline would look like, and figured we’ll never know, but we can show you Mad Men’s!

Worm Trolls are Mean. It’s important you know that. And here’s a lesson in humour from MAD magazine. Which leads us into the gorgeous miscellanea section of NTK #13, so grab a drink, smooth your hair, and meet Borb. Then, iFanboy would like to introduce Liz Suburbia, and her awesome webcomic. Speaking of free comics, have you met Off-Life magazine (often found hanging out in the West Wing)? Could they be part of this UK Graphic Novel Renaissance folks are talking about? Or is that more Stephen Collins’ thing (note: this preview and process post comes Karrie Fransman-approved)? Not that a Renaissance makes earning a living from comics any easier, but it’s nice to be associated with fancy words. Besides, Art for Art’s Sake ain’t so bad… BUT we digress, please say hello to Ed Brubaker, Sammy Harkham, Paul Pope, and Matt Kindt (he has wisdom to share!), they’re all dying to meet you! Oh, and Yeti Press wants to show you something (be sure to click on the images).

Maybe this article on Navigating Comics will be what helps your comics-averse friends to take the plunge? Can’t hurt to try. Especially if you compose the email to them on this keyboard. Or just sign them up to Brandon Graham’s blog, we dare them not to fall in love.

Well, until NTK #14, enjoy the sun, your comics, and the anticipation of an ever-nearing Free Comic Book Day, but above all, respect the power of cartoons.

Dark Horse
Amalas Blade #1
Angel & Faith #21
Answer #4
BPRD Vampire #2
Dark Horse Presents #23
Dragon Age Until We Sleep #2
Massive #11
Mind Mgmt #10
Star Wars Legacy #2 Prisoner O/T Floating World

DC Comics
All Star Western #19
Arrow #6
Batman Incorporated #10
Batman Incorporated #10 Combo Pack
Batman The Dark Knight #19
Before Watchmen Comedian #6
Before Watchmen Comedian #6 Combo Pack
Flash #19
Fury Of Firestorm The Nuclear Man #19
I Vampire #19
Injustice Gods Among Us #4
Justice League Dark #19
Katana #3
Red Lanterns #19 (Wrath)
Savage Hawkman #19
Superman #19
Superman Family Adventures #12
Talon #7
Teen Titans #19
Unwritten #48

IDW
Alan Robert Killogy #4
GI Joe #3
Haunted Horror #4
High Ways #4
Jinnrise #4
Joe Hill Terrifyingly Tragic Treasury Ed
Judge Dredd Year One #2
Kill Shakespeare Tide Of Blood #3
Kiss Solo #2 The Starchild
My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic #6
My Little Pony Micro Series #3 Rarity
Tmnt Ongoing #21
Transformers More Than Meets Eye #16
True Blood Ongoing #12

Image
A Distant Soil #39
Clone #6
Darkness #112
East Of West #1 2nd Ptg
East Of West #2
End Times Of Bram & Ben #4
Five Weapons #3
Invincible #102
Jupiters Legacy #1
Lost Vegas #2
Manhattan Projects #11
Mighty Skullkickers #1
Morning Glories #26
Whispers #5
Witch Doctor Malpractice #6

Marvel
A Plus X #7 Now
All New X-Men #8 2nd Ptg Immonen Var Now
Avengers #10 Now
Avengers Arena #8 Now2
Deadpool #8 Now2
Deadpool Killustrated #4
Fantastic Four #7 Now2
Ff #6 Now
Fury Max #11
Gambit #11
Guardians Of Galaxy #2 Now
Journey Into Mystery #651 Now2
Marvel Previews May 2013
Marvel Universe Ultimate Spider-Man #13
Morbius Living Vampire #4 Now
New Avengers #5 Now
Powers Bureau #1 2nd Ptg Oeming Var
Powers Bureau #2 2nd Ptg Oeming Var
Scarlet Spider #16
Superior Spider-Man #5 2nd Ptg Camuncoli Var Now
Thor God Of Thunder #5 2nd Ptg Ribic Var Now
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #22
Uncanny Avengers #7 Now2
Uncanny X-Men #3 2nd Ptg Bachalo Var Now
Uncanny X-Men #5 Now
Wolverine And X-Men #28
X-Termination #2 Xt
Young Avengers #4 Now

Independents
2000 Ad Prog #1829 £2.35
Bart Simpson Comics #82
Bela Lugosi Tales From Grave #3
Bionic Man Vs Bionic Woman #4
Bionic Woman #9
Crossed Badlands #27
Dark Shadows Year One #1
Deathmatch #5
Dejah Thoris & Green Men Of Mars #3 (Of 8)
Evil Ernie #5
GFT Grimm Fairy Tales #84
GFT Unleashed #1
GFT Unleashed Vampires Eternal #1
Green Hornet #35
Helheim #2
Jennifer Blood #26
Jennifer Blood First Blood #4
Masks #6
Miriam #1
Neozoic Traders Gambit #1
Night O/T Living Dead Aftermath #6
Night O/T Living Dead Aftermath #7
Pathfinder #6
Peanuts Vol 2 #8
Princeless Vol 2 #2
Queen Sonja #35
Rachel Rising #16
Red Sonja #74
Rogues #1
Shadow #12
Shadow Year One #2 (Of 8)
Simpsons Comics #201
Steed And Mrs Peel Ongoing #7
Stitched #13
Wheel Of Time Eye O/T World #34

Magazines
Dc Batman Automobilia Fig Coll Mag #9 Batman #5
Dc Superhero Chess Fig Coll Mag #32 Question
Marvel Fact Files #6
Previews #296 May 2013

Graphic Novels and Collected Editions
Avenging Spider-Man Threats And Menaces TP
Bart Simpson Big Shot TP
Batman Illustrated By Neal Adams TP Vol 02
Blue Beetle TP Vol 02 Blue Diamond (N52)
Castle TP Richard Castles Deadly Storm
Courtney Crumrin Spec Ed HC Vol 03
Dark Tower Gunslinger TP
Deathmatch TP Vol 01
GI Joe / Transformers TP Vol 03
GI Joe Tales From The Cobra Wars Mmpb
Invincible HC Vol 08 Ultimate Collection
Jerusalem Story Of City Gn
Knuckles The Echidna Archives TP Vol 04
Meathaus TP #8 Headgames
Mighty Crusaders TP Vol 01 Origin Of Super Team
MMW Incredible Hulk HC Vol 07
MMW Mighty Thor TP Vol 04
Morning Glories TP Vol 04 Truants
Ningens Nightmares TP $12.99
Peanutbutter & Jeremy Best Book Ever Tp
Shadowman (Vu) TP Vol 01 Birth Rites
So Long Silver Screen Hc
Squadron Supreme TP New Ptg
Star Wars Darth Vader & Ghost Prison HC
Superman Beyond Man Of Tomorrow TP
Twelve HC $39.99
Uncanny Avengers Prem HC Vol 01 Red Shadow Now
Vaders Little Princess Hc
Who Is Ac GN
X-Men Fall Of Mutants TP Vol 02
X-Men Longshot TP New Ptg

Manga
Atelier Artworks Of Arland Sc
Bride Of The Water God TP Vol 13
Excel Saga TP Vol 25
Gantz TP Vol 27
Itsuwaribito GN Vol 08
Neo Magazine #110
Pepita Inoue Meets Guadi HC Vol 01
Spice And Wolf Novel Vol 08

T-Shirts
2000 Ad Prog #238 Nemesis Is Back T/S
Amazing Spider-Man #47 Classic Cover T/S
Batman Inc Symbol By Burnham T/S

Toys/Collectibles
Batman Unlimited 6-In Dark Knight Returns Af
Batman Unlimited 6-In Planet X Batman Af

Posters
Gamora By Manara Poster

Mugs
Marvel Comics Classic Corner Boxes Mug
Marvel Comics Mug Hulk Logo Steranko
Marvel Comics Mug Thanos
Marvel Comics Spider-Man & Rogues Mug
Marvel Comics Three Avengers Mug

Would you like any of these fine comics posted to you? Email us a list of the titles you’d like and we will get back to you with payment instructions.

Dev says: I have found Batwoman to be an enjoyable series, and this story arc looks set up not to disappoint. It’s DC’s “WTF” (or whatever they decided to call it) this month so it’s meant to be a shocker. Also the gatefold cover by McCarthy is beautiful! The art on the cover and throughout the issue is wonderful and so full of expression. Major’s colours just add to this, creating a piece that is a joy to read and look at. Williams III and Blackmen are telling a tale that may end up more twisted and complicated than a first look could warrant. Kate’s got family issues, girlfriend issues, and the D.E.O. still trying to get her to do their bidding. And now they’re upping the stakes. I’m really excited to see this story arc progress; it feels to me like it’s going to be a pretty epic, amped up tale for Batwoman.

Vader’s Little Princess
By Jeffrey Brown (w, a)
Chronicle Books

Liz says: Last year Jeffrey Brown explored the softer side of the galaxy’s most infamous villain with Vader and Son, in which the Darth Vader must juggle serving the Empire with raising his four-year-old son Luke. This week we’re treated to a second installment of Star Wars themed parenting with Vader’s Little Princess, Brown’s take on Vader’s relationship with daughter Leia as she grows from angelic little girl to moody teenager, guiding her through dating, driving and not going out in that gold bikini. Watching the Sith Lord be forced to wear a tea cozy over his helmet, wonder whether to allow his daughter to go to a Max Rebo concert, and meaningfully show Han Solo his carbon-freezing chamber is absolutely priceless. A hilarious, thoroughly charming follow-up that will leave you with a grin on your face for days.

Mara #4
By Brian Wood (w) Ming Doyle (a) Jordie Bellaire (c)
Image Comics

Taylor says: I freely admit to having no clue what this comic is about. Sure, its about a glamorous athlete-celebrity in a future where those two things are even closer than they are now, and even more constricting and lucrative. And sure, its about said megastar suddenly manifesting superpowers, leading to lost sponsorship and accusation of cheating, lying, and deceiving an adoring public. But there’s more.
I can’t tell you what it is, but between Doyle and Bellaire’s art, every bit as alluring yet unrevealing as Mara herself, and Wood’s low-key progression through Mara’s “becoming”, there’s an open-ended tale here that’s rich for reading into. Every month I return to Mara and feel like it’s the book I’ve been thinking about for 30 days, even though I haven’t.
There’s something here.

Adventure Time #15
By Ryan North (w) Shelli Paroline & Braden Lamb (a)
Kaboom!

Chris says: There’s no denying the magical power of Adventure Time. Even if you just dip in and out of the series, it’s always a pleasure to come back to. This issue of the comic series is no exception and harnesses the power of graphic storytelling to do something a little different that would only work in comic form. It’s a fun experiment that sits perfectly alongside the Adventure Time aesthetic and creates a comic book worthy of the cartoon series. If you’re a fan of Adventure Time, or experimentation in comics, then this one is for you … Mathematical!

Nobrow 8: Hysteria
Anthology
Nobrow Press

Camila says: The new issue of the Nobrow Magazine is, as usual, a gorgeous edition showcasing the work of great young British illustrators and comic artists. In the same format as the previous two magazines, it’s a double-cover flip-book with illustrations on one side and comics on the other, all brought together by a single theme, in this issue, “Hysteria”.

My personal high points were the pieces by Luke Pearson, Philippa Rice and Dilraj Mann /Laura Halliwell, who continue to raise the bar.

Welcome to Episode 108 of The Orbiting Pod!

This week, we keep watch with Buffy Season 9 #20, get carried away with Batman & (Red) Robin #19, give thanks for treats with Batman Lil Gotham #1, get Martian militant with Colonized #1, extend the family circle with Invincible Universe #1, and begin the countdown with Thor: God Of Thunder #7.

Following the end of his exhibition in the Orbital Comics gallery space, we catch up with Des Taylor (aka Despop) to see how it went, and what projects he has in the pipeline.

But WAIT! We promised you MoCCA coverage, even if belated, so here’s a solid overview from Publisher’s Weekly, The Beat’s summaries of the Art as a Profession and SelfMadeHero panels (both well worth reading, for creators and fans alike), a review of 10 MoCCA debuts (different to last week’s 10 previews!), and The Comics Reporter’s hub for all the other coverage you could want!

Back to the NOW! and Margaret Thatcher has died, though possibly more upsetting is the news that Winter Soldier has been cancelled with #19 (a shame, as its the best book you’re not reading). But [insert hoary old saying about doors opening and closing] Ales Kot’s Suicide Squad is almost in our hands, and Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez may be doing a superhero book soon…? Speaking of future releases, here’s your homework before Sheltered drops from Image (courtesy of Ed Brisson) in July, iFanboy has you covered for pre-movie Mandarin studies, and recommend these as the antidote for your spandex overdose!

To save you the effort, someone has used Bulletproof Coffin: Disinterred #4 as it was intended to be used! Almost makes you wonder… “is it a comic?“. Another benevolent soul has started translating the visual language of comics via the fight scene, using King Kirby’s royal screeds, no less! And here’s some creator advice you should question. Oh, and Tom Spurgeon, Jim Rugg and then Corey Blake got into it about what comics should aim for, so… what do you think, 200,000 or 2 million? Also, Creativity: Do not exceed the recommended dosage.

In the world of crowd-funding, somebody’s finally launching a Lovecraftian Art Zine (we’ve waited so long)! This campaign wants to beautify your Meatspace, but as always, you gotta beware of the Video Nasties. They’ll mess you up (but they are free, at least). Noah van Sciver has a new site up with collaborator Joseph Remnant and their free comics, point being if you can’t find something to read this week, well, its you, not them.

We’re not sure whether this is a “WTF” or a “What If?”, but Remender and Albuquerque once had big plans. Elsewhere (Elseworlds?) Paula Andrade draws a whole lot of women. Which can’t leave her much time to practice her Tie Chi.

We leave you in the capable & colourful hands, of The Realist.

Dark Horse
Black Beetle #3 No Way Out
BPRD Hell On Earth #106 Cold Day In Hell #2
Conan The Barbarian #15
House Of Gold & Bones #1
Star Wars #1 (4th Ptg)
Star Wars Darth Vader & Ninth Assassin #1

DC Comics
Batman #18 2nd Ptg
Batman Beyond Unlimited #15
Batwoman #19
Birds Of Prey #19
Catwoman #19
DC Universe Presents #19
Fables #128
Green Lantern New Guardians #19 (Wrath)
He Man And The Masters Of The Universe #1
JSA Liberty Files The Whistling Skull #5
Justice League #19
Justice League #19 Combo Pack
Justice League Of Americas Vibe #3
Legion Of Super Heroes #19
Nightwing #19
Red Hood And The Outlaws #19
Supergirl #19
Sword Of Sorcery #7
Wonder Woman #19

IDW
Danger Girl Trinity #1
Ghostbusters #3
GI Joe A Real American Hero #189
Godzilla Ongoing #11
Judge Dredd #6
Magic The Gathering Path Of Vengeance #4
Popeye Classics Ongoing #9
Tmnt Villain Microseries #1 Krang
Transformers Robots In Disguise #16
Vitriol The Hunter #3

Image
Chew #33
Cyber Force #4
Danger Club #5
Five Ghosts Haunting Of Fabian Gray #1 2nd Ptg
Five Ghosts Haunting Of Fabian Gray #2
Hoax Hunters #9
It Girl & The Atomics #9
Lil Depressed Boy #16
Mara #4
Miniature Jesus #1
Peter Panzerfaust #10 2nd Ptg
Revival #9
Thief Of Thieves #13
Todd The Ugliest Kid On Earth #4
Witchblade Day O/T Outlaw One Shot

Marvel
Age Of Ultron #6
Astonishing X-Men #61 Xt
Cable And X-Force #7 Now2
Captain America #6 Now2
Captain Marvel #12
Daredevil #25
Daredevil End Of Days #7
Dark Avengers #189
Iron Man #8 Now2
Nova #3 Now2
Savage Wolverine #4 Now
Superior Spider-Man #8 Now
Thunderbolts #8 Now2
Ultimate Comics Wolverine #3
Venom #34
Wolverine And X-Men #27au
Wolverine Max #6
X-Factor #254
X-Men Legacy #9 Now2

Independents
2000 Ad Prog #1828
Adventure Time #1 New Ptg Connecting Cvrs
Adventure Time #2 New Ptg Connecting Cvrs
Adventure Time #3 New Ptg Connecting Cvrs
Adventure Time #4 New Ptg Connecting Cvrs
Adventure Time #5 New Ptg Connecting Cvrs
Adventure Time #6 New Ptg Connecting Cvrs
Adventure Time #15
Atomic Robo Real Science Adv #7
B & V Friends Double Digest #233
Betty & Veronica #265
Bloodshot (Vu) #10 Harbinger Wars (3 Of 3)
Bodie Troll #1
Fanboys Vs Zombies #13
Hellraiser Dark Watch #3
Idolized #5
Jirni #1
Judge Dredd Megazine #335 £5.60
Lookouts Riddle Vol 01 #5
Sixth Gun #30
Sixth Gun Sons O/T Gun #3
Sonic Universe #51
Victorian Secret Agents #1 Ironwork Isle
World Of Archie Double Digest #28
X-O Manowar (Vu) #12

Magazines
Classic Marvel Fig Coll Mag #200 Hela
Geek Magazine #6
Marvel Fact Files #3
Marvel Fact Files #4
Marvel Fact Files #5
Marvel Gn Coll Vol 35 House Of M HC
Strip Comic Magazine Vol 02 #1

Graphic Novels and Collected Editions
Age Of Apocalypse TP Vol 02 Weapon Omega
Angel & Faith TP Vol 03 Family Reunion
Avengers Prem HC Vol 01 Avengers World
Avengers Vs X-Men TP X-Men Legacy
Batman Year One Hundred TP New Ptg
Birds Of Prey TP Vol 02 Your Kiss Might Kill (N52)
Darkness Rebirth TP Vol 02
Dial H TP Vol 01 Into You (N52)
Double Fine Action Comics TP Vol 01
Double Fine Action Comics TP Vol 02
Dragon Age World Of Thedas HC Vol 01
Frankenstein Agent Of Shade TP Vol 02 Secrets Dead (N52)
GI Joe Cobra TP Oktober Guard
Hack Slash TP Vol 12
Happy TP
Harvest HC
House Of Secrets Omnibus HC
Iron Man 2020 TP
Joe Golem & Drowning City Ill Novel Sc
Manhattan Projects TP Vol 02
Mars Attacks Idw TP
Marshal Law The Deluxe Edition HC
Popeye Classics HC Vol 01
Scarlet Spider TP Vol 02 Lone Star
Smallville Season 11 TP Vol 01 The Guardian
Smurfs Gn Box Set Vol 10-12
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #50 Treasury Ed
Transformers Robots In Disguise TP Vol 03
Transfusion TP
Uncanny X-Men Complete Coll By Fraction TP Vol 02
Venom Devils Pack TP
X-Men Legacy TP Vol 01 Prodigal

Manga
Animal Land 7
Arisa Vol.10
Bloody Monday Vol 10
Bokurano Ours Gn Vol 08
Dorohedoro Gn Vol 09
Durarara!! Saika Arc Vol 01
Kanokon Gn Coll Ed Vol 01
Knights Of Sidonia Vol 02
Negima! Magister Negi Magi Vol 38
Skip Beat 3-In-1 Ed TP Vol 04

T-Shirts
Batman City Of Owls By Capullo T/S
Venom Symbol Px Black Thermal Shirt

Toys/Collectibles
Injustice Deathstroke Vs Green Arrow 2 Pack Af
Injustice Wonder Woman Vs Solomon Grundy 2 Pack Af
SW Jaina Solo Bishoujo Statue
Walking Dead Tv Ser 3 Bloody B&W Af 3-Pk
Walking Dead Tv Series 3 Af Asst

Posters
Iron Man By Rivera Poster

Would you like any of these fine comics posted to you? Email us a list of the titles you’d like and we will get back to you with payment instructions.

Chris says: If you don’t have at least one ‘fun’ book in your monthly stack then that’s something you need to correct. Comics are an outlet, and sometimes that outlet requires a laugh – or at least a wry smile … Something Batman: Li’l Gotham provides in spades. Unlike many of the kiddie books on the stands, this one is steeped in continuity, yet remains completely accessible. It provides some clever in-jokes and asides, while sharing some simple and relatable Bat-humor. It’s also the only place you can find Damian Wayne these days, so that’s a few extra bonus points right there! I can’t recommend this book highly enough, and the gorgeous art by Dustin Nguyen is a delight to behold. Miss this book at your peril! (And keep an eye out for Chris Burnham’s exquisite variant cover featuring Damian and the irrepressible Batcow.)

Avengers Assemble #14AU
By Al Ewing [w] Butch Guice [a]
Marvel

Taylor says: Ah, the event tie-in. A forlorn example of the comic form. Runt of the widescreen, crossover event litter.
Or an opportunity for new-to-the-company writers, filling in for regular series creators, to do something interesting. Not having read much of Al Ewing’s work, I don’t know if he always brings this depth of characterization, humanity, and pace to the page, and I’m sure having Butch Guice draw your pages helps, but this comic was the first time I ever really felt like I understood Black Widow. What it takes to be her, what it costs, why it works.
This comic does everything you could hope for a crossover issue to do, it adds context to the interactions in the main book (letting you know what Widow really thinks of Marc Spector, for instance), reveals the less heroic side of heroism (failing to save lives, lying to people), gives you an idea of how heroes live out of costume, and makes the lead even more bad-ass. Plus, it’s chock-full of Guice-rendered Ultronian destruction.
So this week I learned that tie-ins don’t have to suck. Thanks, Al & Butch!

Uncanny Avengers #6
By Rick Remender (w), Daniel Acuna (a)
Marvel

Liz says: Uncanny Avengers, to my mind, was basically meant to take over for Uncanny X-Force in the ‘awesome-epic-team-book-by-Remender’ department, and after a slightly clunky first arc (from issue #5) that’s exactly what it’s shaping up to be! It now feels like Remender has really found his footing with the book and the characters and the direction he’s going to take. In issue #6 he pulls back from the full-cast storyline, time-jumping into the past to to hone in on Thor (as well as an ancestor of Wolverine, which leads to one of the most hilarious twists on a well-known catchphrase I’ve heard). It’s a blast of an issue, with lots of great twisty-bits and fun Asgardian interactions. And have I mentioned Daniel Acuna? Because… wow. This is some of the best work of his I’ve seen in a while, which is saying a lot because his stuff is always fantastic. Much as I love Cassaday, I’d be thrilled to see Acuna on this book regularly. So, to anyone who’s had doubts about this book, stick with it! If you haven’t been reading it, jump on here!

Thor: God of Thunder #7
By Jason Aaron (w), Esad Ribic (a)
Marvel

Dev says: Have you read Thor: God of Thunder yet? Because you really should. It’s my favourite Marvel Now! book. It’s exquisitely written, and Ribic’s art makes me want to cry, it’s just that beautiful. The story Aaron’s been telling is still holding sway over me. The story of the God Butcher trying to kill all the Gods continues. The story chills me, the art thrills me, and there are also some wonderful laughs along the way. A highly enjoyable read of the standard worthy of Gods; get this issue now!

Relish: My Life in the Kitchen
By Lucy Knisley
First Second

Camila says: As a huge Lucy Knisley fan, I’m very familiar with her auto-biographical work and would be excited to see any new material in print, but Relish is not just any collection of short auto-bio stories – it’s a collection of stories about food! As unusual as that may seem at a first glance, it makes perfect sense once you start reading it, not just because she grew up surrounded by people who enjoy good food (she’s the daughter of a chef and a gourmet, and goddaughter of an acclaimed food critic), but as Lucy herself points out, the taste, smell and texture of a nice meal are powerful memory triggers, and as that, a very fitting topic for a collection of autobiographical shorts.

In twelve chapters, the book starts with Lucy as a toddler and ends with her as an adult, covering everything from comfort food to exotic gourmet cuisine. There’s also recipe at the start of each chapter, that is not only gorgeously illustrated but look delicious too, and are definitly going on my ‘recipes-to-try’ list.

Whether you enjoy food, auto-biographical comics or just good story-telling, Relish is a must!

Welcome to Episode 107 of The Orbiting Pod!

This week, we don’t monkey about with 68: Jungle Jim #1, get to the core with Thanos Rising #1, do the riech thing with Uber #0, face our fears with Swamp Thing #19, and go back to school with The Last of Us: American Dreams #1.

Accentuating the positive, this week ComicsAlliance’s Best Art Ever lived up to its billing, and Superheroines got clothes. Also, a late addition from WonderCon saw Terry Moore and Jeff Smith share insight on self-publishing, and Jim Zub continued his deep dive into the fiscal reality of digital and print.

But we should drag ourselves back to the Big Two for a minute. DC continued to slaughter sacred cows this week (Year One Zero), announcing a college-age Carrie Kelley for the New 52. However, they also launched an IndieGoGo campaign for a very good cause, so we forgive them (at least until we read the issue!). Plus, we found this Josh Simmons Batman strip we’d forgotten, with a great Vorpalizer review, and heard DC announced more Tom Strong which made everything better! Meanwhile Marvel had a Spidey week, announcing Superior Foes of Spider-Man, “Superior No More”, Superior Spider-Man Team-Up, Superior going to Shadowland (that one makes us really nervous), and Superior Carnage. Hopefully we’ll have recovered from reading all that by the time the new Casanova hits, with Michael Chabon back-ups (and to hear Fraction and Chabon talking, go here). They did not, however, announce any charity initiatives.

Speaking of giving, maybe you’ll want to lend your support to this Starstruck Kickstarter? Or any of this excellent selection, particularly Bingo Baby, or this project, which will SAVE EARTH THROUGH CARTOONS. You may, of course, be looking for another one of those cool comics subscription arrangements, you know what we mean? Yeah, Dude. And if you want the obvious route to good indy comics, just walk into the West Wing and buy some Decadence Comics, they’re good! Speaking of comics collectives, we reckon Partyka have something for everyone.

Of course, its still lean times for many of us, so maybe take a free bite with Sharkmouth, check out some sexy new Dylan Horrocks, visit the refreshed and much improved Thrillbent (a favourite of ours is Clown in The Mirror), or just Throw Your Keys Away. If you’re feeling really lean, maybe dispense with everything but colour? Actually, now we think of it, all you really need is the cover.

Looking to learn? How about this stellar list of The Greatest Stories Ever Told over at CBR, voted for by you! We particularly like the What If…? and Brian K Vaughn entries. Maybe this will be the week you “get” Zippy. Or the beginning of an epic Reread. Dennis Hopeless has much to share regarding Avengers Arena and how much crap comics fans can fling, too. Or a slice fo history, with the First Parody Account.

Here’s a question: Should these awards exist? Maybe the answer lies through this question: How many of those comics or creators had you heard of?

Baseball’s boring, but this comic book is beautiful!

MOCCA news will have to wait until next week, but here’s a smorgasbord of what was on offer. No Chinese retro superhero comics unfortunately, but wait, Sonny Liew and Gene Luen Yang gotcha back! And who knows what this will look like, but a Joe Casey tease is always worth a peek.

And forget the Mankankosappo. Its the Vader you need to watch out for.

Dark Horse
1 For $1 Mind Mgmt #1
Btvs Season 9 Freefall #20
Sledgehammer 44 #2
Star Wars #4
X #0

DC Comics
Batgirl #19
Batman #19
Batman #19 Combo Pack
Batman And Robin #18 2nd Ptg
Batman And Red Robin #19
Batman Arkham Unhinged #13
Batman Incorporated #8 3rd Ptg
Batman Lil Gotham #1
Constantine #2
Deathstroke #19
Demon Knights #19
Detective Comics #18 2nd Ptg
Django Unchained #3
Green Lantern Corps #19 (Wrath)
Nightwing #18 2nd Ptg
Punk Rock Jesus TP
Ravagers #11
Red Hood And The Outlaws #18 2nd Ptg
Saucer Country #14
Suicide Squad #19
Superboy #19
Team 7 #7
Threshold #4

IDW
Colonized #1
Dungeons & Dragons Cutter #1
GI Joe #1 2nd Ptg
GI Joe Cobra Files #1
Kiss Solo #1 The Demon
Mars Attacks #9
Rocketeer Hollywood Horror #3
Star Trek Countdown To Darkness #4
Tmnt Color Classics Micro Series Leonardo
Transformers Regeneration One #90
True Blood Ongoing #11 [Dig/P+]
Will Eisner Spirit Artist Ed HC
Zombies Vs Robots Premier Convention Ed HC

Image
Invincible Universe #1
Nowhere Men #4 2nd Ptg
Saga #12
Sex #2
Walking Dead #109

Marvel
Age Of Ultron #5
Alpha Big Time #3
Avengers #6 2nd Ptg Kubert Var Now
Avengers #9 Now
Avengers Arena #7 Now2
Avengers Assemble #14au Now2
Avenging Spider-Man #19
Deadpool #5 2nd Ptg Darrow Var Now
Deadpool Killustrated #2 2nd Ptg Del Mundo Var
Fantastic Four #6 Now
Fearless Defenders #3 Now
Hawkeye #2 5th Ptg Aja Var
Hawkeye #9
Indestructible Hulk #4 2nd Ptg Yu Var Now
Marvel Universe Avengers Earths Heroes #13
Nova #1 2nd Ptg Mcguinness Var Now
Secret Avengers #3 Now
Secret Service #6
Thor God Of Thunder #7 Now2
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #23
Ultron #1au
Uncanny Avengers #6 Now2
Uncanny X-Men #4 Now
Wolverine #2 Now
X-Treme X-Men #13 Xt

Independents
2000 Ad Prog #1827 £2.35
Adventure Time Fionna & Cake #2 (Of 6) 2nd Ptg
Adventure Time Fionna & Cake #4
Aliens Vs Parker #2
Archer & Armstrong (Vu) #9
Bravest Warriors #7
Critter (Ongoing) #10
Dead Mans Run #4
Devil Is Due In Dreary #4
Garfield #12
GFT Madness Of Wonderland #3
Green Hornet #34
Harbinger (Vu) #11 Harbinger Wars (2 Of 3)
Jennifer Blood #25
Jugheads Double Digest #191
Kevin Keller #8
Legend Of Oz The Wicked West Ongoing #6
Lord Of The Jungle #14
Mega Man #24
Mylo Xyloto #3
Peter Cannon Thunderbolt #8
Shadow #11
Shrugged Vol 2 #2
Spongebob Comics #19
Stuff Of Legend Toy Collector #4
Supurbia Ongoing #6
Tales Of Fear #1
Vampirella #28
Vampirella Strikes #4
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #24
Wonderland #10

Graphic Novels and Collected Editions
100 Bullets HC Book 04
Batman Detective Comics HC Vol 02 Scare Tactics (N52)
Captain America By Ed Brubaker TP Vol 03
Ec Jack Davis Taint Meat Its Humanity HC
Ec Williamson 50 Girls 50 & Other Stories HC
Essential Iron Man TP Vol 05
Flash Chronicles TP Vol 04
Judge Dredd (Idw) TP Vol 01
Judge Dredd Complete Carlos Ezquerra HC Vol 01
Marvel Universe Iron Man Digest TP
Mind Mgmt HC Vol 01
Oz Road To Oz HC
Point Of Impact TP
Punisher Nightmare TP
Queen Sonja TP Vol 05 Ascendancy
Relish My Life In Kitchen GN
Rocket Raccoon And Groot Complete Collection TP
Star Trek Space Spanning Treasury Ed
Swamp Thing TP Vol 02 Family Tree (N52)
Tales O/T Tmnt TP Vol 02
Tiny Titans TP Vol 08 Aw Yeah Titans
Tmnt Ult Coll HC Vol 04
Uncanny X-Force TP Vol 06 Final Execution Book 1
Wolverine Covenant TP
Worlds Finest TP Vol 01 Lost Daughters (N52)
X-Men Reckless Abandonment TP

Magazines
Classic Marvel Fig Coll Mag #199 Deathbird
DC Batman Automobilia Fig Coll Mag #8 Animated Ser
DC Superhero Chess Fig Coll Mag #31 Azrael
Hi Fructose Magazine Quarterly #27

Manga
07-Ghost 03
21st Century Boys 02
Arata 13
Demon Love Spell 2
Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden 11
His Favorite 03
Oh My Goddess Rtl TP Vol 44
Rin-Ne 11
Skip Beat 3-In-1 Edition 04
Strobe Edge 03
Unico GN

T-Shirts
2000 Ad Slaine Kiss My Axe T/S
Amazing Spider-Man Head T/S
Magneto Was Right T/S

Posters
Ultron By Djurdjevic Poster

Would you like any of these fine comics posted to you? Email us a list of the titles you’d like and we will get back to you with payment instructions.

Liz says: 20th Century Boys is one of the most complex works of fiction I’ve read in years, and one of the most satisfying. And yet for all of its intricacy, at it’s core is a simple premise: even the smallest of actions can have sweeping consequences, and something as simple as a song, a sleight, or a secret childhood club can be the catalyst to the change the world.
Urasawa is a masterful artist and storyteller, and as long and involved as the plot is, he keeps you absolutely gripped throughout. He gives you heroes worth rooting for, villains worth pitying, thrilling action sequences, comedy, tragedy and pathos. And now with this final volume, he gives the answer to the question that’s been driving me as the reader to the brink of insanity trying to figure it out.
Overall, an immensely satisfying, insanely suspenseful series, right to the very last page. Highly recommended.

Fairest #14
By Bill Willingham [W], Barry Kitson [A], Inaki Miranda [C]
Vertigo

Dev says: I have been enjoying ‘Fairest’ since the beginning. It’s a different pace from ‘Fables,’ and has great back stories for the female characters from ‘Fables.’ This issue is a one shot tale of love and woe about Princess Alder (a tree woman) told by Reynard T. Fox. It’s a fun and humorous story, which I really like as both ‘Fairest’ and ‘Fables’ have recently had quite dark connotations behind their respective stories. This may be why I liked #14 so much. It’s good to see the connections between characters, and Willingham does a wonderful job of showing the reader all the unique characters and how they intertwine in the world he created. Kitson’s art is very energetic and flows beautifully from panel to panel, with Miranda’s colours working nicely with the art. I am looking forward to see what else comes out of the ‘Fables’ universe!

Swamp Thing #19
By Charles Soule (w) Kano (a)
DC Comics

Taylor says: It’s so nice to feel wholly positive about a DC book! Whatever you thought of Rotworld, Snyder’s final issue left Swampie with a terrific balance of trauma and power, the perfect platform from which to build. Charles Soule (of 27 fame, and with an upcoming Archaia release, Strange Attractors, due in mere weeks!) has gotten straight to work exploring the responsibility Swampie now bears, the abilities he has, and given that this issue is set in Metropolis it’s a safe bet Soule will be broadening the scope of the book to include more of the DCU’s cast.
As for the artwork, it’s perfect. Rich in detail but uncluttered, Kano walks the line between the magical and the creepy with aplomb, and his more panoramic pages are full of thought and beauty. This is a great example of what DC has the potential to produce, and should restore faith to the weary.

Adventure Time mugs
Cartoon Network/ Pyramid

Camila says: As someone who drinks way too much tea and is seriously addicted to Adventure time, how could these mugs not be my pick of the week? We’ve got 4 designs: Marceline, Finn, Jake and both Finn and Jake. Mathematical!!!

Welcome to Episode 106 of The Orbiting Pod!

This week, things get off to a Rocky start with Time Warp #1, get sucked into BPRD: Vampire #1, catch the buzz of Green Hornet #1, plead guilty with All Crime Comics #1, and face possible extinction with Planetoid #5.

There are very few seats left for the Des Taylor Pin-up Art Class tomorrow. We’re still taking bookings, but if you’re interested in attending, please book before midday tomorrow – Friday 5th.

It is sure to be a fun evening and we are all really looking forward to it.

In the meantime, check out some photos taken by Nick Ascott at Des’ Exhibition Opening last week.

Dark Horse
1 For $1 The Massive #1
Abe Sapien Dark & Terrible #1
Last Of Us American Dreams #1
Snow Angel One Shot
Star Wars Dark Times Fire Carrier #3

DC Comics
Action Comics #19
Ame Comi Girls #2
Animal Man #19
Batwing #19
Detective Comics #19
Detective Comics #19 Combo Pack
Dial H #11
Earth 2 #11
Fairest #14
Green Arrow #19
Green Lantern #19 (Wrath)
Green Lantern #19 Combo Pack (Wrath)
Injustice Gods Among Us #2 2nd Ptg
Legends Of The Dark Knight #7
Looney Tunes #212
Phantom Stranger #7
Scooby Doo Where Are You #32
Smallville Season 11 #12
Stormwatch #19
Swamp Thing #19
Worlds Finest #10 2nd Ptg
Worlds Finest #11

IDW
Borderlands Origins #3 2nd Ptg
Gi Joe Special Missions #2
Godzilla Half Century War #5
Joe Palooka #5
Judge Dredd #2 2nd Ptg
Kill Shakespeare Tide Of Blood #2
Locke & Key Omega #4
Memorial Imaginary Fiends #2
My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic #2 2nd Ptg
Popeye #12
Transformers Spotlight Trailcutter #1

Image
68 Jungle Jim #1
Bedlam #6
Blackacre #5
Glory #34
Great Pacific #6
Legend Of Luther Strode #2 (Of 6) 2nd Ptg
Mice Templar Iv Legend #1
Mind The Gap #9
Nowhere Men #3 3rd Ptg
Repossessed #4
Savage Dragon #186
Sex #1 2nd Ptg
Snapshot #3
Son Of Merlin #3
Spawn #230
Super Dinosaur #18
Witchblade #165

Marvel
Age Of Apocalypse #14 Xt
Age Of Ultron #4
All New X-Men #10 Now
Castle A Calm Before Storm #4
Dark Tower Gunslinger Evil Ground #1
Deadpool #7 Now2
Indestructible Hulk #6 Now2
Invincible Iron Man Origin Story YR HC Revised Ed
Kick-Ass 2 Uk TP GN
Marvel Universe Iron Man Comic Reader TP #2
Red She-Hulk #64 Now2
Superior Spider-Man #4 2nd Ptg Camuncoli Var Now
Superior Spider-Man #7 Now
Thanos Rising #1 Now
Ultimate Comics X-Men #25
Venom #33
Winter Soldier #17

Independents
2000 Ad Prog #1826 £2.35
Archie #642 Archie Meets Glee Pt 2
Archie & Friends Double Digest #26
Army Of Darkness Ongoing #12
Caligula Heart Of Rome #4
Dark Shadows #15
Fashion Beast #8
GFT Jungle Book Last O/T Species #2
GFT Robyn Hood Vs Red Riding Hood #1
GFT Unleashed #0
Harbinger Wars (Vu) #1 Hw (1 Of 3)
Hypernaturals #10
Knights Of The Dinner Table #196
Legend O/T Shadowclan #3
Lone Ranger #14
Masks #5
Miss Fury #1
Planet O/T Apes Cataclysm #8
Polarity #1
Princeless Vol 2 #1
Shadowman (Vu) #6
Sonic The Hedgehog #247
Uber #0

Magazines
Alter Ego #116 £6.99
Back Issue #63 £6.99
DC Batman Automobilia Fig Coll Mag #7 Batman #575
Marvel Fact Files #2 £2.99
Marvel Fact Files #3 £2.99
Marvel GN Coll Vol 34 New X-Men Vol 2 Imperial HC
Sketch Magazine #42 £4.99

Graphic Novels and Collected Editions
Adventures Of Superman Jose Luis Garcia Lopez HC
Armies HC
Avengers Vs X-Men TP Vs
Avengers West Coast Omnibus HC Vol 01
Batman Detective TP Vol 01 Faces Of Death (N52)
Brodys Ghost TP Vol 04
DC Super Heroes Batman YR TP Man Behind The Mask
DC Super Heroes Batman YR TP My Frozen Valentine
DC Super Heroes Superman YR TP Kid Who Saved Superman
DC Super Heroes Superman YR TP Last Son Of Kryton
DC Super Heroes Superman YR TP Menace Of Metallo
DC Super Heroes Superman YR TP Meteor Of Doom
DC Super Heroes Superman YR TP Museum Monsters
DC Super Heroes Superman YR TP Stolen Superpowers
DC Super Heroes Superman YR TP Toys Of Terror
DC Super Heroes Superman YR TP Under The Red Sun
DC Universe By Alan Moore TP
DC Universe Secret Origins TP
Dungeons & Dragons TP Vol 03 Down
Fantastic Four TP Vol 01 New Departure New Arrival
GI Combat TP Vol 01 War That Time Forgot (N52)
GI Joe Cobra Civil War Compendium TP
Iron Man Extremis Prose Novel HC
Iron Man Extremis TP New Ptg
Iron Man Prem HC Believe Vol 01
Iron Man Season One Prem HC
Kiss TP Vol 02
Letting It Go HC
Lone Ranger Omnibus TP Vol 01
Marvels Iron Man 3 Prelude TP
Recounting Streets HC
Red She-Hulk TP Hell Hath No Fury Now
Savage Sword Of Conan TP Vol 13
Superman Secret Identity TP New Ptg
TMNT Classics TP Vol 04
Totally Useless Mad TP
Tyrex GN
X-O Manowar (Ongoing) TP Vol 02 Enter Ninjak

Manga
Attack On Titan Vol 04
Bakuman Vol 18
Barrage TP Vol 02
Battle Angel Alita Last Order Ominibus Vol 01
Certain Scientific Railgun GN Vol 07
Crimson Empire Circumstances To Serve A Noble Vol 01
Dawn Of The Arcana TP Vol 09
Fullmetal Alchemist 3-In-1 Edition Vol 04
Gothic & Lolita Bible #45
Hana Kimi 3-In-1 Ed TP Vol 04
Hobby Japan Mar 2013
Library Wars Love & War GN Vol 09
Megami Feb 2013
Missions Of Love Vol 03
Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin Vol 01
My Boyfriend Is A Vampire GN Coll Ed Vol 04
Newtype Feb 2013
One Piece Vol 66
Psyren Vol 09
Rosario + Vampire Season 2 Vol 11
Slam Dunk GN Vol 27
Story Of Saiunkoku GN Vol 09
Tenjo Tenge Vol 11
Valkyria Chronicles Sc Vol 03 Comp Artworks

T-Shirts
Nowhere Men Science I/T New Rock N Roll

Toys/Collectibles
Tekken Tt2 Jaycee Bishoujo Statue

Would you like any of these fine comics posted to you? Email us a list of the titles you’d like and we will get back to you with payment instructions.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way and admit that there was a con this week-end, WonderCon of Anaheim to be precise, which is apparently the accepted kick-off for the US con season. So here are CBR’s Friday and Saturday round-ups (Sunday wasn’t available as this post was finalised, sorry!). Last week’s dastardly duo of debate consisted of Valiant’s just announced Quantum and Woody series (Kevin Maguire helpfully articulated the potentially problematic history of the property, and this article on diversity and identity gives the broader context from the creator side); and THAT page from Uncanny Avengers #5, which generated a deluge of commentary, of which David Brothers’s is certainly near the best (though the ultimate best, of course, comes from Cyclops). Oh, and we mentioned it last week, but even Todd McFarlane himself couldn’t muster a care for Marvel’s Angela reveal. Whereas we were all sad to hear Bruce Timm is leaving DCU Animated Original Movies. But… Cheer up!

With that out of the way… last week was a bumper week for advice, with iFanboy talking you through the decision “Physical Comic or Website?”, Oily Comics’ Chuck Forsman offering Advice to a Young Cartoonist, and Ryan Estrada spilling the truth about chasing your dreams. And if you’re further along with your projects, make sure you’re keeping an eye on Thrillbent, they’re making moves.

Similarly, there was a wealth of creator interviews, beginning with this one, that starts fanboyish and then gets Hickman opening up about the genesis of East of West. Jason Brubaker shares his earned wisdom from Kickstarter, Comixology, and the wider world of self-publishing, and you’ll enjoy browsing his graphic novel reMIND. Minimum Wage’s Bob Fingerman points out the glacial pace of so much comics publishing, and talks re-editing and reviewing. And Shaky Kane discusses his wilderness years and the keys to Shaky-ness. Then Tom Kaczynski’s Trans Terra sounds compelling, as do all of Uncivilized Books’ books, but particularly Dash Shaw’s New Jobs.

How much do you know about Manga? Well, here’s a quick and dirty history to catch you up. We also found more proof, if it were needed, that the best things in Superman comics are outside continuity. And our theory that Archaia is where people go to build worlds gets more confirmation from Moro Roberts, while the Immonens offer a several-page glimpse of their next creator-owned project, Russian Olive to Red King. Lots to look forward to (though holding your breath on that last project isn’t advised).

Few things are as lovely as spending time Ina Garden… Except maybe being introduced to other talented independent creators by Ina’s creator, Roman Muradov. Or breathing The Tragic Air of Miss Chiff at Trip City. Oooorrr when illustrator Kevin Wada makes a fashion piece out of the new X-Men line-up. Or, when iFanboy has another Upstart to introduce, meet George Kambadais, everybody! And check out his Tumblr! But there is one thing that’s particularly lovely, and that’s a boxfresh preview of a favourite creator’s newest foray into creator-owned… that’s Uber-lovely.

Finally, in a comparatively rare interview, Chris Bachalo talks Steampunk, dread of costume design, and love for white space over at Robot 6. The Beat also ran a great feature, which could well have run for 48 or 72 hours, but hey, 24 hours of Women Cartoonists is a pretty good start, and Lucy Knisley doing this week’s daily Cartoonist’s Diary at TCJ is a nice follow-through. And the Longbox Project is your chance to be part of what you might call crowd-sourced curation, but whatever you call it, there’s definitely a whole lot of love for comics here.

Normally, over here at Need To Know, we don’t sneer. But Mashable misappropriated the Hadouken this week, and that warrants all the sneers. The question remains though, is this the Makankosappo, or the Kamehameha? Well? Sound off!

Above all, until next week, stay away from Negative Emotions.

Liz says: After reading #1 of this five-issue mini-series a week too late to talk it up as my staff pick, I feel compelled to do so now. Five Weapons is, so far, one of the most enjoyable new Image books I’ve had the pleasure to read in a while. It’s set in a school that specializes in training teenagers to become assassins. Our protagonist (new to the school, and already notorious as the son of the world’s most famous assassins) refuses to use anything but his wits to stay out of dodge. It’s fun, it’s funny… and then there’s a great big twist that throws the whole thing upside down. Grab this book while you can, you’ll be glad you did!

Green Hornet #1
By Mark Waid (w) Daniel Indro (a)
Dynamite

Chris says: Mark Waid is on a hot-streak right now, and his take on the Green Hornet is no exception. He manages to perfectly balance and flesh out Britt Reid’s civilian persona, while cleverly incorporating the Green Hornet as an almost separate character. It’s not dissimilar to Waid’s efforts on Daredevil, which take classic elements of the character and filter them through a modern lens. Despite this modern sensibility, the book maintains a distinctly pulp feel and manages to straddle the line, so you never know quite what era it’s set in. Daniel Indro does a great job on art, and ensures the characters are visually different and interesting, even when it’s just a room full of people talking. If you’re a fan of Waid and/or pulp in general, then you’re definitely in good hands.

Julio’s Day
By Gilbert Hernandez
Fantagraphics

Camila says: Originally serialized in Love and Rockets Vol. II but just only completed, Gilbert Hernandez’s latest graphic novel chronicles one life, from the moment or birth to that of death. The book is made up of a series of short little tales, most of time not directly about Julio himself, but that together work incredibly well in telling one story and work better together than they ever could on the serialized format. One of Gilbert’s best recent works and a must have for any Love & Rockets fan.

East of West #1
By Jonathan Hickman (w) and Nick Dragotta (a)
Image

Taylor says: Another week, another sell-out Image number one, but I don’t mind the repetition when the book itself is so fricking good.
However you feel about Hickman (though if you’ve enjoyed his work before, this is good Hickman), the real draw with this comic is Nick Dragotta. If you’re a long-standing comics fan, he has been compared favourably to Alex Toth. If you’re newer to comics, he’s the guy who created Miss America Chavez in Joe Casey’s Vengeance mini. If you don’t get either of those references, he’s an artist operating at the highest level of mainstream comics accomplishment, and this comic is a showcase of his abilities, aided and abetted by Frank Martin’s bold yet washed out colour scheme.
There’s also an intriguing premise, an alternate future America where natural (possibly supernatural) calamities have rendered much of the land a barren Wild West style expanse, the perfect setting for the coming of the Four Horsemen. Except for some reason, Death is missing. Rogue.
There’s so much more to this book than there is room in this pick, but it’s the most exciting #1 I’ve seen in a long while.

Welcome to Episode 105 of the Orbiting Pod!

This week, we decide what’s zarjaz with 2000AD Prog 1824, light up with Constantine #1, get literal with Five Ghosts: The Haunting of Fabian Grey #1, slip into fantasy with Memorial: Imaginary Fiends #1, and look for a remedy with Poison Elves #1.

We also catch up with friend of the pod, Jason Atomic, who tells us all about Satanic Mojo (get involved: there’s still time!), and the upcoming exhibitions he’ll be taking part in the Orbital Gallery.

Finally, we close the episode with Taylor’s chat to Cristian Ortiz, creator behind Golden Campaign, about the collected edition of the webcomic, how the strip came about, and how real life somewhat inspired the stories.

You can follow the latest developments on the exhibition and the growing list of contributors on the group’s Facebook page. And if that’s not enough for you, you can read more about Lichtenstein and his work in this wonderfully researched piece by Paul Gravett. No matter what you think it is, Image Duplicator is going to be something special … Stay tuned for further details, including a debate on Lichtenstein’s work with some very special guests!

Paul Gravett brings a clear eye to the Lichtenstein debate, and if you want to get involved with the artistic response to the exhibition, let Rian Hughes know. While you’re on Paul’s site, check out his guide to May in comics, it’s eye-opening, and maybe if you swing by Comiket in April you can discuss it with him? Speaking of comics critics worth watching, Tom Spurgeon celebrated Mini Comics Day by posting an old entry of his. Show-off!

For those of you living under rocks, Brian K Vaughan and Marcos Martin blew up the internet with Private Eye (go. buy. read. smile.), and Warren Ellis made this sanguine observation of the event. He also posted a lovely collaboration with Molly Crabapple, and got his own Avengers rumour, to boot! Bleeding Cool also had this timely piece on French attempts to legislate for authors in a digital/print world. Oui, and while we’re Francophone, the Finalists for Canada’s Doug Wright Awards were announced (lots of NTK favourites on there, and more to discover!). If you’re unfamiliar with Doug Wright or the Awards, Seth’s speech from their inaugural year is an intelligent, spirited introduction. Enough of French though, as our very own Si Spurrier is bringing you Six Gun Gorilla… and he’s no surrender-monkey (it was just there, I’m so sorry).

Kickstarter’s popping fresh this week, with this anthology based around body/gender, and this volume of Humour and Despair, but I’m pre-ordering Devastator. Because I’m intimidated. Not as intimidated as I am by Shamification, though. Unless its for Steve Ditko’s benefit…

All a bit heavy this week, so far, isn’t it? Sorry. Here, check out these Super-moves. Or this Tumblr has you covered. Or a funny look at one artist’s demons. Whatever you do, just don’t have a cow, Tetsuo, be like Mateus Santolouco, and say Cowabunga! Lengthier, but just as inspiring, Rick Remender gives a great interview. Eddie Campbell also has a theory (I’m not sure it’s really his though…), but the man with the plan this week is Five Ghosts’ Frank Barbiere. He brings you the new blood.

Sometimes helping an artist out reaps serious rewards, sometimes you read a review and recall how much you loved the comic they’re reviewing (mermaids, humour, and solitude are in that mix), and sometimes you want a creator to hold your hand through the building of pages.

But sometimes, all you get is Toxoplasmosis. Or Aquaman in a bustier.

Dark Horse
Angel & Faith #20
Answer #3
BPRD Vampire #1
Criminal Macabre Final Night 30 Days Xover #4
Dragon Age Until We Sleep #1
Massive #10
Mister X Hard Candy One Shot
Star Wars Dawn O/T Jedi Prisoner Of Bogan #4

DC Comics
All Star Western #18
Aquaman #18
Arrow #5
Batman Incorporated #9
Batman Incorporated #9 Combo Pack
Batman The Dark Knight #18
Flash #18
Fury Of Firestorm The Nuclear Man #18
I Vampire #18
Injustice Gods Among Us #3
Joe Kubert Presents #6
Justice League Dark #18
Red Lanterns #18 (Wrath)
Savage Hawkman #18
Superman #18
Superman Family Adventures #11
Talon #6
Teen Titans #18
Time Warp #1
Unwritten #47

IDW
Borderlands Origins #1 4th Ptg
Complete Zaucer Of Zilk
Judge Dredd #5
My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic #5
Popeye Classics Ongoing #8
Star Trek Ongoing #19
Transformers Robots In Disguise #15
Transfusion #3
Vitriol The Hunter #2

Image
Clone #5
Dia De Los Muertos #2
East Of West #1
Fatale #13
Five Weapons #2
Hack Slash #25
Legend Of Luther Strode #4
Morning Glories #25
Planetoid #5
Savage Skullkickers #1
Think Tank #6
Todd The Ugliest Kid On Earth #2 2nd Ptg
Witch Doctor Malpractice #5

Marvel
A Plus X #6 Now
Age Of Ultron #3
Astonishing X-Men #60 Xt
Deadpool Killustrated #3
Fantastic Four #5au Now
Ff #5 Now
Fury Max #10
Gambit #10
Guardians Of Galaxy #1 Now
Hawkeye #1 5th Ptg Aja Var
Journey Into Mystery #650 Now2
Kick-Ass 2 Prelude Hit-Girl Prem HC £16.99
Marvel Previews April 2013
Marvel Universe Ultimate Spider-Man #12
Morbius Living Vampire #3 Now
Powers Bureau #3
SCarlet Spider #15
Superior Spider-Man #6au Now
Thunderbolts #7 Now2
Ultimate Comics Wolverine #2
Uncanny Avengers #5 Now2
Uncanny X-Force #3 Now
Wolverine And X-Men #27
X-Men Legacy #8 Now2
Young Avengers #3 Now

Independents
2000 Ad Prog #1825
All Crime #1
Bart Simpson Comics #81
Battlefields #5 Fall & Rise Pt 2
Betty & Veronica Double Digest #211
Bionic Man Vs Bionic Woman #3
Critter (Ongoing) #9
Crossed Badlands #26
Deathmatch #4
Ferals #13
Finding Gossamyr #4
Futurama Comics #66
Gft Grimm Fairy Tales #83
Legend Of Oz The Wicked West Ongoing #5
Life With Archie #28
Mark Waid Green Hornet #1
Peanuts Vol 2 #7
Plume #4
Red Team #2
Shadow Falls #1
Sherlock Holmes Liverpool Demon #3
Sixth Gun Sons O/T Gun #1 2nd Ptg
Sixth Gun Sons O/T Gun #2
Tarot Witch Of The Black Rose #79
Wonderland #9
Zombies Vs Cheerleaders Vol 2 #1

Graphic Novels and Collected Editions
68 TP Vol 02 SCars
All New X-Men Prem HC Vol 01 Yesterdays X-Men Now
American Vampire HC Vol 05
Art Of Bioshock Infinite HC
Art Of Brutal Legend HC
Asterix TP Vol 08 Asterix In Britain New Ptg
Astonishing X-Men TP Vol 11 Weaponized
Avengers Vs X-Men TP
Bad Machinery GN Vol 01 Case O/T Team Spirit
Batwing TP Vol 02 In The Shadow Of Ancients (N52)
Bomb Queen Dlx Ed HC Vol 01
Dave Sim Conversations HC
Day Of Judgment TP
Doom 2099 Complete Collection By Warren Ellis TP
Gft Sleepy Hollow TP
Guarding The Globe TP Vol 02
Hawken Genesis HC
Husbands HC
It Girl & Atomics Round One Dark Streets Snap City TP
Johnny Boo HC Vol 05 Does Something
Loac Essentials HC Vol 02 Gumps Saga Mary Gold
Love And Capes TP Vol 04 What To Expect
Marvel Universe Vs Avengers TP
Mighty Thor By Matt Fraction TP Vol 03
Mmw Golden Age Human Torch TP Vol 01
Nexus Omnibus TP Vol 02
Showcase Presents Sgt Rock TP Vol 04
Simon & Kirby HC Library SCience Fiction
Spawn Origins HC Vol 08
Spider-Man Lizard TP No Turning Back
Star Trek Tng Hive TP
Superman Vs Zod TP
Tarzan Russ Manning Years HC Vol 01
Tower Chronicles GN Vol 04 Geisthawk
Transformers More Than Meets The Eye TP Vol 03
Unwritten TP Vol 07 The Wound
Witchblade Red Sonja TP
Wolverine And X-Men By Jason Aaron TP Vol 03 Avx

Magazines
Classic Marvel Fig Coll Mag #198 Wiccan
Dc Superhero Chess Fig Coll Mag #30 Killer Croc
Juxtapoz #147 Apr 2013
Previews #295 April 2013

Manga
Angelic Layer TP Book 02
Blood Lad Omnibus Vol 02
Growlanser Art Works SC
Midori Foo Book Of Pictures SC
Neo Magazine #109
Takehito Harada Art Works SC

Would you like any of these fine comics posted to you? Email us a list of the titles you’d like and we will get back to you with payment instructions.

Ryan says: As many of you know, I’m an artist at heart, and nothing makes me happier reading a comic than when an artist and writer compliment each other the way they have here. It’s a shame it’s not more common practice really. I was really excited to hear that McGuinness would be working on this title as I’ve admired his artwork for years; it presents an even mix of cartoonish expressiveness with anatomical understanding. So in the back of my mind I’ve been praying this comic would come out a success, and thanks to the creative teams involved, my prayers were answered.
Loeb has done a terrific job of bringing the story to life with humour and personality. Without filling the page with complex backstory, and just letting the characters exist and interact, you quickly get a feel for who they are and where the story is going. You don’t need to have read anything prior to get it. I’d even say you could probably just jump on at issue 2 and not feel like you’ve missed too much from its predecessor (although I’m certain there will be a second printing of it soon enough). All this is only made more beautiful by Marte Gracia’s atmospheric, near-cinematic use of colour and light.
I’d say if you enjoy books like Invincible and Superior Spider-man, this will probably be another title you won’t be able to put down. I’m eager to see where the story will take our young would-be hero, and the characters he’ll meet along the way.

Five Ghosts #1
By Frank Barbiere (w) Chris Mooneyham (a)
Image Comics

Taylor says: Pulp has become a catch-all phrase for everything from homage, through pastiche, all the way down to pretty lazy riffs on anything from cops and robbers to adventurers, film noir, and horror. Its almost meaningless as a signifier or an indicator of what to expect from a book, at this point.
So Five Ghosts focuses instead on story, visuals, and pace. This story of a treasure-hunter spurred by the hanging fate of a loved one to risk ever greater peril, is paced perfectly, giving you more than enough action without skimping on the character moments that make you care. Mooneyham is obviously channeling some prodigious comics ghosts himself, and part of the pleasure of the art is spotting the influences and flourishes amidst the detail. Between them, the creators bring you a book that wears its influences on its sleeve, but tailors itself in the lines of a modern classic. This book is a perfect package, a gateway to further reading for kids, a romp for young adults, a product of diverse and rich literary histories for those old enough to know or care. Five Ghosts is one impressive book.

Star Wars: Legacy #1
By Corinna Bechko/Gabriel Hardman (W) and Gabriel Hardman (A)
Dark Horse

Chris says: I love Star Wars – that’s a simple, undeniable fact. However, outside of the recent Brian Wood ongoing, I haven’t been invested in the comics for a long time. That all changed this week as Dark Horse released another new ongoing by the stellar team of Corinna Bechko & Gabriel Hardman, who have been doing such great work on the Planet of the Apes franchise for Boom! Bechko and Hardman turn their cinematic eye to the Star Wars Expanded Universe and give us a worthy addition to the ‘legacy’ of the series. Telling the story of Ania Solo and her Mon Calamari companion, Sauk, the book is an object lesson in how to work with a licensed property and make it great. If I’m honest, this is the kind of book I was hoping the Brian Wood series would be, and it’s easily the stronger of the two. If you’re a fan of epic sci-fi, then this is the book for you – and as another $2.99 ongoing, it’s great value as well.

Constantine #1
Jeff Lemire/Ray Fawkes (w) and Renato Guedes (a)
DC Comics

Liz say: Okay, I’ll be honest- I was dreading this issue. All of my instincts were at war with the idea of a toned-down, de-aged, mainstream-DCU John Constantine, with no Vertigo alternative. But you know what? This was not a bad issue. In fact I’d go as far as to say that I enjoyed this issue more than the last two years of Hellblazer.
Of course, things are different now. Let’s talk about what’s different.
Yes, John is now a younger, better-looking bloke without numerous facial scars. He doesn’t appear to be living in Brixton, and Chas is nowhere in sight. However, he does seem to be free of a lot of baggage (numerous dead lovers, alarmingly young wife, haunted trench coat, etc.) that have been heaping up, so I’d say being given a clean slate to work with isn’t necessarily all bad.
As for what hasn’t changed? John is still a slippery, self-serving, duplicitous bastard who’s dodging the eternal flame by the skin of his teeth. He’s still surrounded by violence and horror, more so than you’d think a mainstream DC book would let him get away with. And if you were worried John had quit the fags and drink and had taken up yoga, fear not; he’s already got a cigarette hanging out of his mouth by page 2.
The story itself… well, read it! I’m a lot more hopeful for the future of Constantine for having done so, and if you go into it with an open mind, you may be too.

Welcome to Episode 104 of the Orbiting Pod!

This week, we find a slice of heaven with Ultimate Comics X-Men #24, look for the Genesis of Sledgehammer 44#1, get lost in the shadows with Spawn #229, walk the beat with Buddy Cops, and look for bluebirds with Crossed Badlands #25.

We also had a chance to talk to Kelly Sue DeConnick, where we chatted about the upcoming Captain Marvel/Avengers Assemble crossover The Enemy Within, and the double meaning of the title, whiteboards, Carols love life resistance, Medusa’s hair, and much more.

You’ll notice the puns were already a strong part of his comics commentary, so the crazy stuff you hear on The Orbiting Pod really isn’t anything new … What secret origins are you hiding?

(click on the image to enlarge)

Here are our opening hours for this Easter Bank Holiday.

Friday, 29/04 – 10:30 – 19:00
Saturday, 30/04 – 10:30 – 19:00
Sunday, 31/04 – 11:30 – 17:00
Monday, 01/04 – 12:00 – 18:00

Thursday, 04/04 – NEW COMICS!

We’ll be open our regular hours on Friday and on the weekend, and from 12:00 to 18:00 on Bank Holiday Monday. New comics will be out a day later that week, on Thursday, April 4th.

Dark Horse
BPRD Hell On Earth #105 Cold Day In Hell #1
Conan The Barbarian #14
Dark Horse Presents #22
Mind Mgmt #9
Star Wars Clone Wars TP Defenders Lost Temple
Star Wars Legacy #1 Prisoner O/T Floating World
Wild Rover Ft The Sacrifice One Shot

DC Comics
Action Comics #18
Action Comics #18 Combo Pack
Batman Beyond Unlimited #14
Batwoman #18
Birds Of Prey #18
Catwoman #18
Constantine #1
DC Universe Presents #18
Django Unchained #1 3rd Ptg
Fables #127
Green Lantern New Guardians #18 (Wrath)
Jsa Liberty Files The Whistling Skull #4
Justice League #18
Justice League #18 Combo Pack
Justice League Of America #2
Justice League Of America #2 Combo Pack
Justice League Of Americas Vibe #2
Legion Of Super Heroes #18
Nightwing #18
Red Hood And The Outlaws #18
Supergirl #18
Sword Of Sorcery #6
Wonder Woman #18

IDW
GI Joe #2
GI Joe Special Missions #1
Hollows #4
Judge Dredd Year One #1
Memorial Imaginary Fiends #1
My Little Pony Micro Series #2 Rainbow Dash
Mystery Society Special 2013
Popeye #11
Star Trek Countdown To Darkness #3
Tmnt Ongoing #20
Tmnt Secret Foot Clan #4
Transformers Fall Of Cybertron #1
Transformers More Than Meets Eye #15

Image
Artifacts #26
Chew #32
Comeback #5
Elephantmen #47
Five Ghosts Haunting Of Fabian Gray #1
Invincible #101
It Girl & The Atomics #8
Nowhere Men #1 4th Ptg
Revival #8
Saga #11
Storm Dogs #4
Thief Of Thieves #10 2nd Ptg

Marvel
All New X-Men #9 Now
Amazing Spider-Man #700 3rd Ptg Camuncoli Var
Avengers #5 2nd Ptg Kubert Var Now2
Avengers #8 Now
Cable And X-Force #6 Now2
Captain America #3 2nd Ptg Jrjr Var Now
Captain America #5 Now
Captain Marvel #11
Daredevil #24
Dark Avengers #188
Deadpool #1 3rd Ptg Darrow Var Now
Deadpool #2 3rd Ptg Darrow Var Now
Deadpool #3 3rd Ptg Darrow Var Now
Deadpool #4 2nd Ptg Darrow Var Now
Deadpool #6 Now
Hawkeye #3 3rd Ptg Aja Var
Hawkeye #4 3rd Ptg Aja Var
Hawkeye #5 3rd Ptg Aja Var
Hawkeye #6 3rd Ptg Aja Var
Indestructible Hulk #5 Now2
Iron Man #6 2nd Ptg Land Var Now2
New Avengers #4 Now
Nova #2 Now
Savage Wolverine #3 Now
Superior Spider-Man #3 2nd Ptg Stegman Var Now
Superior Spider-Man #6 Now
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #21
Wolverine Max #5
X-Factor #253
X-Termination #1 Xt

Independents
2000 Ad Prog #1824 £2.35
Adventure Time #14
Archer & Armstrong (Vu) #5 2nd Ptg Zircher Cvr
Archie Comic Super Special #2
B & V Friends Double Digest #232
Bionic Man #18
Damsels #6
Drew Hayes Poison Elves #1
Executive Assistant Assassins #9
Fanboys Vs Zombies #12
Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #10
GFT Madness Of Wonderland #2
Harbinger (Ongoing) #10
Hellraiser Dark Watch #2
Jennifer Blood #24
Judge Dredd Megazine #334 £5.60
Queen Sonja #34
Shadowman (Vu) #2 2nd Ptg Zircher Cvr
Simpsons Comics #200
Sonic Universe #50
Soulfire Vol 4 #4
Spider #10
Steed And Mrs Peel Ongoing #6
Supurbia Ongoing #1 (3rd Ptg)
Voltron #11
World Of Archie Double Digest #27
X-O Manowar (Ongoing) #11

Magazines
Marvel GN Coll Vol 33 Spider-Man Blue HC

Graphic Novels and Collected Editions
Avatar Last Airbender TP Vol 04 Search Part 1
Batman HC Vol 02 The City Of Owls (N52)
Batman TP Vol 01 The Court Of Owls (N52)
Captain Pugwash Comic Book Coll
Daredevil By Mark Waid TP Vol 03
Deadpool Classic TP Vol 08
Eternal Descent TP Vol 02
Gambit TP Vol 01 Once A Thief
GI Joe A Real American Hero TP Vol 06
GI Joe Target Snake Eyes TP
Godzilla Ongoing TP Vol 02
Invincible Iron Man TP Vol 10 Long Way Down
Leonard Starrs Mary Perkins On Stage TP Vol 11
Massive TP Vol 01 Black Pacific
Maximum Minimum Wage HC
Mmw Amazing Spider-Man HC Vol 15
Popeye TP Vol 02
Ripd TP Vol 01 2nd Ed
Secret Avengers By Rick Remender Prem HC Vol 03
Superman Death And Return Of Superman Omnibus HC
TMNT Adventures TP Vol 04
TMNT Animated TP Vol 01
Unauthorized Tarzan HC
Winter Soldier TP Vol 03 Black Widow Hunt
Wonder Woman Amazon Princess Archives HC Vol 01

Manga
Fairy Tail Vol 24
Genshiken Season Two Vol 02
Gto 14 Days In Shonan Vol 08
Higurashi When They Cry: Massacre Arc Vol 03
Jack Frost Vol 07
Limit Vol 04
Love Hina Omnibus Vol 05
Sailor Moon Vol 10
Soul Eater Vol 13
Vagabond TP Vol 34

Toys/Collectibles
Batman Unlimited 6-In New 52 Batman Af

T-Shirts
Gi Joe Viper Stripe Aop-M Px Blue Heather T/S
Son Of Satan Px Blk T/S
X-Men Phoenix Red Gold Womens Fitted T/S

Would you like any of these fine comics posted to you? Email us a list of the titles you’d like and we will get back to you with payment instructions.

Meanwhile, Publishers Weekly has some thoughts on 2012 in comics crowdfunding, which given the Veronica Mars funding extravaganza makes us think of this thread, and then this article. Is licenced crowdfunding part of comics’ future? We hope so!

Are you enjoying your copy of Nemo: Heart of Ice? Yes? Great! But, are you really “getting” it? This may help. Likewise, Change #4 came out from Image this week, and ComicsAlliance has this Ales Kot-endorsed review that may help you appreciate the Cthulhu-ian mini. Also, Morgan Jeske killed it on Change, but his own comics are great too, and print-bound in 2014! Study Group Comics have a host of other lovelies for you this week, too, with a new Conor Willumsen joint, and the first part of Haunter, which is a bona fide must-see. Trip City have great new strips up from Zees, and Eggers/van Sciver, about which I can only say “aaw” and “Hup!”. Ever heard of Activate Comix? Well, now they’re 7 years old and want to tell you about themselves, after which we recommend you go straight to Cristian Ortiz’s Golden Campaign (which we are proud to have print copies of in the West Wing!). Regarding comics online, here’s a good, short video from PBS on webcomics, and how they changed the game.

In other news from the future, new Seth! Brandon Graham flaunts his Walrus! Jordan Crane leaves us Non-plussed (technically that’s not from the future, but work with me!)! Bags of Bagge! Jim Rugg’s Supermag is coming! In the future, will brands sponsor superheroes? Will Walt Simonson’s Hulk look amazing (hint: yup!)? Cartooning and Journalism certainly have a bright future together, as demonstrated by Derf Backderf in this video.

Now relax… and enjoy a fireside chat with the Buddy Cops guys. Better? In another relaxing treat, this week’s Orbiting Pod will feature Kelly Sue Deconnick, but rest assured she won’t be revisiting this plotline. And in a soothing tangent from the Lichtenstein debate, Bob Temuka explains the love of the perfect panel, while thanks to Tom Spurgeon, you’ll see that the Fantagraphics offices are exactly how you’d like them to be.

In terms of what’s good looking this week, Rafael Grampa draws an awesome Spidey. Actually, Grampa’s just awesome (on the topic of Spidey, is this a more truthful version of the Spidey myth?). 2000AD has an issue out this week that’s a perfect jumping-on point, apparently, and DC’s New 52 turns… 50? We’re all relieved to hear Scott Snyder is NOT writing a do-over of Year One. Well, not really.

This week, if you do one thing, buy a book that doesn’t matter.

And who’s the man? Red Ketchup’s the man!

Camila says: In the book intro, Cristian Ortiz describes Golden Campaign as ‘an attempt to tell an account of his life disguised as an epic fantasy graphic novel’. And an epic fantasy graphic novel it is! Well, I’d probably say it’s more sci-fi than fantasy, but whichever way you choose to describe it, it should come with a ‘good’, ‘great’ or ‘ace’ before it.

The first volume has been out for a few months now, but we just only got it in stock this week. In a way, I’m glad we only got it now, so the wait for the next one won’t be as long, because it sure left me wanting more!

Avenging Spider-man #18
Christopher Yost (w), Marco Checcetto (a)
Marvel Comics

Liz says: Avenging Spider-man was a treat this week with Superior Spidey reluctantly teaming up with the God of Thunder! Two arrogant Avengers versus one scorned, tricked-out Electro makes for a prickly partnership, especially when it seems that Superior Spidey might like to electrocute Thor himself. Again, this title has continued to impress me more and more, and because each issue is a standalone story, it’s a great one to pick up and jump on at any point. Start with this one!

Todd, The Ugliest Kid on Earth #3
Ken Kristenson (w), M.K. Perker (a)
Image Comics

Tom says: ‘Todd’ is one of the best comics out there at the moment, yes it’s completely over the top but the frightening thing about this comic is how close to reality it is, illustrated wonderfully in the very real Chief Hargrave, a man I have known far too many times in my life but it’s the undaunted naiveté of Todd that makes this comic so great for me. Todd as a character reminds me of Wile E. Coyote in his unflinching optimism in the face of the futility of his existence, Todd can never win and that alone should make it worth a read. This is a great, mad, laugh out loud comic and should be snapped up immediately.

Buddy Cops One-Shot
Nate Cosby (w), Evan Shaner (a)
Dark Horse

Dev says: Not read ‘Buddy Cops’ yet? Search deep within yourself and ask; “why not?!” Buddy Cops is a One-Shot from Dark Horse that was originally printed in ‘Dark Horse Presents’ so it’s basically mini One-Shot stories collected in a One-Shot comic and it is fabulous! As can be deduced from the title, the duo are cops [in the future?] who are buddies, right? Not so much. Write Nate Cosby delivers some wonderful one-liners and is a joy to read and I pretty much love ‘Doc’ Evan Shaner’s art. All the ‘Case Files’ are witty, well paced and awesomely illustrated. Yes, a demoted intergalactic space cop and an anal Police robot from the 1970’s seems like an implausible team but it works! It works so well. I hope to see more of the buddy cops in the future! Make it so!

Sledgehammer 44 #1
By Mike Mignola (w), John Arcudi (w) and Jason Latour (a)
Dark Horse

Taylor says: Okay, lets start with the obvious disappointment of this issue. It has nothing to do with the Peter Gabriel song. I know, sucky suck sucks. Now let’s move on. This is one of those incidental BPRD 2-parters that anyone can pick up, much like the Lobster Johnson minis, and enjoy for what it is rather than its place in the over-arching BPRD journey. As someone who likes BPRD but gets the feeling he missed the party, these minis are the closest I’ll come to an invite, and I’m happy to accept!
Mignola and Arcudi can craft this stuff in their sleep, it seems, so whichever artist is on board really gets the chance to shine. Its no secret I’m a fan of Jason Latour, who is currently getting more Marvel work for his writing, but I’m particularly a fan of his art, and its kineticism and texture. So he takes this stripped-down story featuring a behemoth WW2 robot slugfest and makes it into a great war comic in the tradition of, well, the great war comics that we never got to read because they got replaced by all the not so good war comics of the last 30 years, or the really good ones that didn’t make it to ongoing status (I’m looking at you, Men of War, I miss you). So Sledgehammer 44. Take a swing.