Fans of independent comics are directed to the good folks at the Camden London Underground Comics stall, who this Saturday, 30th September are holding their Low Energy Day! Check the links above for more details!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
London Underground Comics: Low Energy Day
Due To Arrive 04/09/08
Click the full post link below for a tentative list of titles due to ship next week.
Adam Strange Special #1
Amazing Spider-Man #570 NWD
Army @ Love The Art Of War #2 (Of 6)
Authority #2
Batman Strikes #49
Berlin TP Book 02 City Of Smoke
Buffy The Vampire Slayer #18
Counter X TP Vol 02
Criminal Macabre Cell Block 666 #1 (Of 4)
Dark Tower Treachery #1 (Of 6)
Dead Of Night Devil Slayer #1 (Of 4)
Detective Comics #848 RIP
Dr Fate Countdown To Mystery TP
Dynamo 5 #16
El Diablo #1 (Of 6)
End League #4
Eternals #4
Fables #75
Fringe #1 (Of 6)
Godland #25
Green Lantern #34
Hellblazer Presents Chas The Knowledge #3
Hellblazer The Laughing Magician TP
House Of Mystery #5
I Kill Giants #2 (Of 7)
Invasion TP
Invincible Iron Man #5
Iron Man Golden Avenger
Iron Manual TP
Jonah Hex #35
Manhunter #34
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man TP Vol 10
Marvel Apes #1 (Of 4)
Ms Marvel Annual #1
My Name Is Bruce One Shot
Nightwing #148 RIP
Noble Causes #36
Punisher War Journal #23
Roberts #1 (Of 2)
Secret Invasion Front Line #3 (Of 5) SI
Secret Six #1
Showcase Presents Superman TP Vol 04
Spawn #182
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Season 2 #2 (Of 5)
Stand Captain Trips #1 (Of 5)
Storming Paradise #3 (Of 6)
Sub-Mariner Depths #1 (Of 5)
Supergirl #33
Titans #4
Tor #5 (Of 6)
Toyfare #135
Trinity #14
Ubu Bubu #3
Un-Men #13
Venom Dark Origin #2 (Of 5)
Vinyl Underground #12
War That Time Forgot #5 (Of 12)
Witchblade #120
X-Men Manifest Destiny #1 (Of 4) MD
X-Men Origin Beast
X-Men Return Of Magik
The Gosh! Authority 29/08/08
Hiya gang, are we all refreshed from our long weekend? Then let’s get straight to the last Gosh Blog of August!
First up, just in case you missed the news, we here at Gosh are highly excited by the upcoming appearance by counter-culture legend Gilbert Shelton on Saturday 13th September, 2pm-4pm. Gilbert is visiting us in order to celebrate the release of the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers Omnibus, a complete (and very reasonably priced) collection of one of the most influential and revered underground comix ever made. If you can’t make it down for this rare appearance, please let us know and we’ll be happy to arrange for a signed copy to be held for you!
The Olympics may have ended, the summer blockbusters may all be out and all the kiddies are heading back to school, but comics’ event season is still in full swing. Both the big guns have event-related books out this week to fill the void between the regular issues.
DC have three Final Crisis books from three of their biggest creative names on the plate this week. Brad Meltzer makes his return to comics with DC Universe: Last Will and Testament. It’s the day before the final battle between good and evil, and the heroes of the DC Universe have only 24 hours to say goodbye to their nearest and dearest. Who do they visit? Meltzer’s famed for his character work, and this book gives us a rare insight into the hearts and psyches of all the DCU heroes. Expect tears, and maybe the odd revelation. Art chores are handled by Adam Kubert and John Dell, so it should look good as well.
Grant Morrison tackles the Man of Steel from a myriad of alternate universes in this week’s Final Crisis: Superman Beyond. On the eve of the Final Crisis (a lot going on before this Crisis isn’t there?) Superman and his alternate versions have to battle a reality-spanning menace that originated in the Crisis on Infinite Earths! Morrison and superstar artist Doug Mahnke (if you haven’t seen his work on Team Zero, pick up the trade!) promise to take the reader across all the 52 worlds of the DC multiverse, and are even giving us a 3D section (with glasses included!) If Morrison has proved anything, it’s that he can write Superman incredibly well (on that topic the softcover of All Star Superman vol. 1 arrives on Friday) so I have high hopes for this. And while Doug Manke is no Quitely, his art is still gorgeous and intricate. This book is easily my pick of the week.
The last Final Crisis book this week is the second issue of Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins’ Rogues’ Revenge. I really enjoyed the first issue of this series (which we still have if you missed out) and welcomed Johns’ return to the Rogues with open arms. The writer reinvented Flash’s villains in his seminal run, and he’s yet again taking them to new heights. With this mini reaching the midway point, it’s sure to be explosive as Wally West confronts Bart Allen’s murderers. And what is going on with Zoom and Inertia?
Not to be outdone by the direct competition, Marvel have nine books in the midst of their Secret Invasion. In Avengers: The Initiative, 3D Man teams up with the fan favourite Skrull Kill Krew to tackle the team’s rotten core. Both old and current teams fight each other (and the Skrulls) in New Warriors. The Thunderbolts deal with the incursion at their mountain base, and the Super-Skrull manages to appear in both She-Hulk - to deal with his wayward daughter - and in one of Marvel’s best ongoing titles, Nova. Jason Aaron and Francis Portela, meanwhile, continue to wow us with the war in Wakanda in Black Panther, and Brian Michael Bendis delivers both Avengers books, with the New Avengers revealing the dark secret of the Illuminati, and the Mighty Avengers telling the full story on Captain Marvel’s return! If that wasn’t enough for you SI junkies, the Wall-Crawler’s supporting cast feel the effects of the bumpy chinned attack in Secret Invasion: Amazing Spider-Man - Brand New Day (how that all will fit on the cover is anyone’s guess.)
The regular Final Crisis series is back with #4 on 2nd October, and Secret Invasion #6 is due 17th September. As ever gang, those are predicted dates!
If events aren’t your bag the big two have a fair whack of regular books for your visual delight.
Mark Millar fans can jump for joy as the best of his current crop both ship this week. The ever popular Kick Ass (soon to be a major motion picture) finally continues with its fourth issue. The little swearing violent girl’s origin is promised, and by the look of the cover she’s brought a friend. I’m really enjoying this balls-to-the-wall (almost literally after last issue) series, and I love that I have absolutely no idea what it’ll do next. John Romita Jr (who also has Amazing Spider-Man with Dan Slott this week) is doing some of the best art of his career, and the colouring on his work suits the series’ tone perfectly. There’s a reason this book is selling out. If you’ve not yet jumped on, look out for the Marvel Must Have collecting the first three issues, due next week.
Millar also continues his tale of the old Wolverine in part three of Old Man Logan this week. Mucky old Hawkeye’s had a kid with Spider-Man’s daughter, and she’s been captured by the all-new, all different, Kingpin. How can a blind archer and a now pacifist Logan save the new Spider-Girl’s life? I’m a real sucker for alternate desolate future stories, and this run has delivered so far. It’ll be interesting to see not only how the story will progress, but also how it’ll tie into Millar’s 1985 and Fantastic Four.
Terry Moore and Humberto Ramos’ Runaways begins on Friday. Picking up from where the Whedon run ended, the Runaways return to LA. The city’s changed somewhat since they were last there, and it looks like they’ll be suffering further for the sins of their parents. Preview and interview with Ramos over at Newsarama. Moore fans will also be happy to hear that the first collection of his new series Echo also debuts this week, catching us up on the first five issues.
CBR have got the Marvel previews for this week here.
Back over at DC, ex-Gosh man James Robinson’s run on Superman continues, as Superman and Atlas continue their titanic tustle. Superman is in trouble, as Atlas is winning the fight. According to the solicitations a suprise guest star will have to come and save big blue. If you’re enjoying Action Comics, Superman has become a welcome companion to its sister book. Robinson and Johns are working together to create a more cohesive Superverse, and after the current story arcs the two books are crossing over. Preview here.
Talking of Geoff Johns, Justice Society of America continues the Kingdom Come story line this week. The last god of the Third World (Gog) has changed the world and the JSA, seemingly for the better. But after witnessing a violent conflict he decides to create a familiar, if unwelcome, champion. Preview here.
Newsarama have also given us an advance look at the three Kingdom Come specials due out later in the year. Be warned there are spoilers for this week’s issues here.
Vertigo’s Northlanders begins its new story arc with Friday’s issue #9. Brian Wood takes the story to Lindisfarne, the infamous site of the first Viking raid. See this bloody moment in history through the eyes of a young Saxon boy with dreams of a mythical world of heroes and gods. Brian Wood changes tack with this two issue run featuring guest art by Lucifer’s Dean Ormston. He’s not only moved the story southwards, but we’re also at an early part of history. The initial tale of Sven the Returned was brilliantly executed, and I’m hoping this story will handled the same way. As long as Hagar the Horrible doesn’t appear, I’m sure it will.
Image collect Robert Kirkman’s Astounding Wolf Man this week. The first seven issues of Kirkman’s new superhero book are action packed and eventful, to say the least. When succesful businessman Gary Hampton is mauled and left for dead on a family holiday, he’s bestowed with a dreaded curse. Every full moon he turns in to a crazed werewolf. But with the help of a seemingly reformed Vampire, Gary becomes the world’s most unlikely superhero – Wolf-Man. Like all Kirkman’s series, this series boasts fantastic character work, exciting storylines, and tragic twists.
Now to the news!
At this past weekend’s Fan Expo in Canada, Marvel have announced a handful of new series. The Green Goliath’s many relatives will all have tales under one roof with December’s Hulk Family #1. The special will feature stories from his cousin the She-Hulk, his son Skar, his (as-yet) unnamed daughter with Thundra (from Jeff Parker’s Raging Thunder one-shot), and green haired assassin Scorpion (who may possibly be revealed to be a relative.) The comic will be written by Greg Pak, Paul Tobin, Fred Van Lente and another soon to be decided writer. If you’ve been enjoying the state of the Hulk books of late, like me, this book is supposed to have some big reveals for each of the Jade Giant’s titles.
Also announced were the long awaited Iron Man: The End and X-Men: Kingbreaker.
Iron Man’s last story has been in comics’ development hell for a while now, being first conceived eight years ago. The classic shell-head team of Bob Layton and David Michelinie show Tony Stark’s last hurrah in this one-shot in November. The story follows a 70 year old Tony Stark as he decides to pack away the Iron Man suit and probably change it for an iron-walker.
Kingbreaker is due to be the miniseries that bridges the gap between last year’s Emperor Vulcan, and 2009’s space epic War of the Kings. Written by Chris Yost, Kingbreaker follows the space X-team of Havok, Polaris, and Rachel Grey as they fight against the new leader of the Shi’ar, Vulcan. Vulcan is of course the recently discovered bother of Alex (Havok) and Scott (Cyclops) Summers. This murderous villain captured his brother and his team of Starjammers at the end of the last mini-series, and by the beginning of this he’s fully in control of his new empire. The series will show Vulcan’s aggressive stance as a ruler, and how it will effect the Shi’ar’s place in the universe. With a war on the horizon though, I can’t see it ending well.
Barack Obama’s had a good week, as he’s not only been endorsed by the Democratic convention, but also by Image's Savage Dragon! Being a former President himself, Dragon seemed a possible contender for the 2009 election, but instead he’s thrown his considerable weight behind Obama. In September’s Savage Dragon #137, the character will publicly show his support for the Democratic candidate. The issue will sport a special 1:5 variant cover, which we present for your delectation. The New York Times’ take can be seen here.
Sam Raimi and Tom Cruise have announced their intentions to produce a movie of Brubaker and Phillips’ Sleeper. If you’ve never read the series (shame on you!) it follows Holden Carver, a man impervious to physical pain, who goes undercover in a criminal organisation. His remit is to bring down its leader, supergenius Tao. For security reasons only Holden’s handler, John Lynch knows he’s actually a good guy. So when Lynch is put into a coma after an attempt on his life, Carver’s out on his own, trapped in his criminal life. Brubaker’s thoughts on the project are over at CBR. Here’s hoping someone also has the good sense to make a Criminal TV series.
Well that’s all for now, all that’s left to do is congratulate our own Tom, who’s finished his successful run in Edinburgh.
TTFN
Matt
In Store 22/08/08 - 29/08/08
Click the full post link below for a list of items in store this week:
Pals N Gals Double Digest #124
2000 AD #1601
Alter Ego #80
Ambush Bug Year None #2 (Of 6)
Americas Best Comics Primer TP
Angel Revelations #4 (Of 5)
Arsenic Lullaby Pulp Edition #0
Astounding Wolf Man TP 01
Avengers Initiative #16 SI
Marvel Adventures Avengers #27
Mighty Avengers #17 SI (Bendis)
New Avengers #44 SI (B Bendis)
Batman Face II By Lee Blk T-Shirt
Batman Gotham After Midnight #4 (Of 12) (Kelley Jones)
Black Panther #40 SI (J. Aaron)
Blue Beetle #30
Brave And The Bold HC Vol 02 The Book of Destiny
Brit #8
Caliber #5 (Of 5)
Catwoman #82 (Last Issue)
Classics Illustrated
Journey To The Centre of the Earth
Roughrider
Time Machine
Daredevil #110 (Ed Brubaker)
Daredevil By Bendis Omnibus HC Vol 1
DC Universe Last Will And Testament #1 (B. Meltzger)
Deadworld Frozen Over #3 (Of 4)
Death Of The New Gods HC
DMZ #34
Doktor Sleepless #8 (Ellis)
Dragonlance Legends Time Of The Twins #2
EC Archives Tales From The Crypt HC Vol 03
Terry Moore’s Echo TP Vol 01 Moon Lake
Emily The Strange II Alone Issue #4
Fallen Angel IDW #29 (P. David)
Family Dynamic #1 (Of 3)
Fantastic Four True Story #2 (Of 4)
Fantastic Four Visionaries Walt Simonson TP 02
Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #39
Fear Agent TP Vol 04 Hatchet Job
Final Crisis Rogues Revenge # 2 (Of 3) (Geoff Johns)
Final Crisis Superman Beyond #1 (Of 2) (G Morrison/Mankhe)
From Shadow Of Northern Lights TP
Ghost Rider Annual #2
Gravel #4 (Warren Ellis)
Guerillas #1 (Of 9)
Haunt Of Horror Lovecraft #3 (Of 3) (Richard Corben)
Herbie Archives HC Vol 01
Hercules #5 (Of 5)
Hunter #3
Igor Movie Adaptation #2 (Of 4)
Illustration Now HC 25th Anniv Ed
Immortal Iron Fist #18
Ultimate Iron Man II #5 (Of 5)
Marvel Adventures Iron Man TP Vol 03 Digest
Jack Of Fables #25
JLA Deluxe Edition HC Vol 01
Joker Too Serious T-Shirt
Joker What’s So Funny Blk T-Shirt
Justice Society Of America #18
Juxtapoz Vol 15 #9 Sep 2008
Kick Ass #4 (M Millar/Romita Jr)
Legion Of Super Heroes #45
Lost Boys Reign Of Frogs #4 (Of 4)
Madame Xanadu #3 (M. Wagner)
Marlow Soul Of Darkness #1
Marvel Adventures Super Heroes #2
Marvel Comics Presents #12
Marvel Previews September 2008
Metal Men HC (Duncan Rouleau)
Mineshaft #22
MMW Golden Age Marvel Comics HC Vol 03 & Variant
New Warriors #15 Secret Invasion
New Warriors TP Vol 02 Thrashed
Newuniversal Conqueror
Northlanders #9 (Brian Wood)
Nova #16 Secret invasion
Off Hb Marvel Univ A To Z Prem HC Vol 04
Previews Vol XVIII #9
Proof #11
Reign In Hell #2 (Of 8)
Runaways 3 #1 (T Moore/Ramos)
Secret History The Authority Hawksmoor #6 (Of 6)
She-Hulk 2 #32 SI (Peter David)
She-Hulk TP Vol 06 Jaded (P David)
Bart Simpson Comics #43
Simpsons Comics Treasure Trove #1
Skaar Son Of Hulk #3 (R. Garney)
Amazing Spider-Man #569 NWD
Secret Invasion Amazing Spider-Man #1
Ultimate Spider-Man #125
Star Wars Legacy #27
Star Wars Rebellion #16 Vector Part 8
Strange Embrace HC Vol 01
Suicide Squad From The Ashes TP
All Star Superman TP Vol 01
Superman #679 (J. Robinson)
Supernatural Rising Son #5 (Of 6)
Tale of One Bad Rat HC
Tales Designed To Thrizzle #4
Tales From The Crypt GN Vol 04 Crypt Keeping
Teen Titans #62
Teen Titans Year One #6 (Of 6)
Templesmith Art Of Wormwood Gentleman Corpse SC
Thunderbolts #123 Secret Invasion
Transformers Animated TP Vol 04
Transformers Movie Sequel Reign Of Starscream #5
Trinity #13 (Kurt Busiek)
Vertigo Encyclopedia HC
Vix #2 (Of 3)
Warren Ellis Scars TP New Ptg
Wildcats Worlds End #2
Wizard Magazine #204
New Exiles #10
Wolverine #68 (Mark Millar)
Wolverine First Class #6
X-Force #6 Divided We Stand
Ultimate X-Men #97
X-Men Legacy #215 MD
X-Men Legacy Prem HC Vol 01 Divided He Stands
X-Men TP Vol 03 Complete Onslaught Epic
Zombie Tales #4
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Due to Arrive 2/08/08
Click the full post link below for a tentative list of titles due to ship next week. Note it's a day late due to the August Bank Holiday:
Alter Ego #80
Amazing Spider-Man #569 NWD
Ambush Bug Year None #2 (Of 6)
Americas Best Comics Primer TP
Angel Revelations #4 (Of 5)
Astounding Wolf Man TP 01
Astounding Wolf-Man #8
Avengers Initiative #16 SI
Bart Simpson Comics #43
Batman Gotham After Midnight #4 (Of 12)
Betty & Veronica Digest #187
Black Panther #40 SI
Blue Beetle #30
Brit #8
Catwoman #82
Countdown Lord Havok And The
Extremists TP
Criminal Macabre Cell Block 666 #1 (Of 4)
Daredevil #110
Darkness #5
DC Universe Last Will And Testament #1
DMZ #34
Family Dynamic #1 (Of 3)
Fantastic Four True Story #2 (Of 4)
Fantastic Four Visionaries Walt Simonson
TP Vol 02
Final Crisis Rogues Revenge #2 (Of 3)
Final Crisis Superman Beyond #1 (Of 2)
Firebreather Series #3
Gemini #3 (Of 5)
Ghost Rider Annual #2
Godland #25
Guerillas #1 (Of 9)
Haunt Of Horror Lovecraft #3 (Of 3)
I Kill Giants #2 (Of 7)
Immortal Iron Fist #18
Infinite Horizon #4 (Of 6)
Jack Of Fables #25
Jugheads Double Digest #143
Justice Society Of America #18
Kick Ass #4
Legion Of Super Heroes #45
Lost Boys Reign Of Frogs #4 (Of 4)
Madame Xanadu #3
Marvel Adventures Avengers #27
Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #39
Marvel Adventures Iron Man TP
Vol 03 Digest
Marvel Adventures Super Heroes #2
Marvel Comics Presents #12
Marvel Previews September 2008
Mighty Avengers #17 SI
New Avengers #44 SI
New Exiles #10
New Warriors #15 SI
Newuniversal Conqueror
Northlanders #9
Nova #16 SI
Pax Romana #3 (Of 4)
Perhapanauts #4
Previews Vol XVII #9
Reign In Hell #2 (Of 8)
Runaways 3 #1
Secret History The Authority Hawksmoor
#6 (Of 6)
Secret Invasion Amazing Spider-Man #1
(Of 3) SI
She-Hulk 2 #32 SI
Star Wars Legacy #27
Star Wars Rebellion #16 Vector Part 8
(Of 12)
Suicide Squad From The Ashes TP
Superman #679
Supernatural Rising Son #5 (Of 6)
Teen Titans #62
Teen Titans Year One #6 (Of 6)
Thunderbolts #123 SI
Trinity #13
Ultimate Iron Man II #5 (Of 5)
Ultimate Spider-Man #125
Ultimate X-Men #97
Wildcats Worlds End #2
Witchblade #120
Wizard Magazine #204
Wolverine #68
Wolverine First Class #6
X-Force #6 DWS
X-Men Legacy #215 MD
The Gosh! Authority 21/08/08
Welcome back to the Gosh blog; the only place that can make up for a miserable summer.
We’ve got a somewhat quieter reading pile arriving Thursday, but there’re still some treats there.
Marvel rule the week with a slew of delights. First up, the long awaited return of John Romita Jr to Spider-Man begins in Amazing #568. Dan Slott pens this tale which also sees the return of Mary Jane, Venom and the Green Goblin. The six-part story is also the debut of the Anti-Venom. This is a titanic team on Amazing, and the storyline is touted as having major ramifications for the wall-crawler.
Ed Brubaker’s Captain America epic heads towards its explosive conclusion, with #41. This issue begins the final chapter of the Death of Captain America storyline, as Bucky gets closer to Cap’s killers. What will happen with the crazy 50s Cap? What will happen to Sharon Carter and Steve Roger’s unborn child? Will Redwing ever find love? All these questions and more hopefully will be answered!
Now at Gosh we’re unapologetic for our platonic love of Jason Aaron. So when he has not one, but two books appearing on the same day, we’re giddy like it’s Christmas morning. His run on Ghost Rider amps up as Danny Ketch’s reappearance is explained. This run has made the character the best he’s ever been, with fun, high action stories. With Tan Eng Huat on art, it’s guaranteed to look good too! Meanwhile, Aaron’s tour de force, Scalped, finishes its current arc this Thursday as well. After the revelation of last issue, expect another 24-page gut punch. I know we bang on about how incredible Scalped is, but it is easily one of the top five books being released month to month.
After a great start to their run with Uncanny X-Men #500, Matt Fraction and Ed Brubaker start their first full arc. The newly relocated X-Men start to settle in San Francisco, and come up against the new Hellfire Cult (as seen jumping out of a van last issue.) If #500 were any indication, this run promises to be one of the best yet. Fraction and Brubaker have proven their skills working together with their run on The Immortal Iron Fist. And best of all the team now features a Welsh member.
Peter David X-Factor fans can rejoice this week as we have two issues arriving. As well as the final part of the Secret Invasion She-Hulk crossover, we get the Layla Miller special. During the brilliant Messiah Complex, Layla was trapped in a post apocalyptic future and locked in a mutant concentration camp. As we X-historians know, this future’s mutants were liberated during the Summers rebellion and now Layla’s trapped in the middle of it. She may “know stuff”, but can she stay alive to get back to her (prophesied) marriage to Jamie Madrox? X-Factor’s corner of the Marvel Universe is easily one of the best. I know I say it a lot, but if you haven’t taken the plunge get the trades!!
It only feels like last week that we had an issue of Punisher Max. Oh wait, it was! Marvel have jumped straight to the new creative team of crime novelist Gregg Hurwitz (The Kill Clause, The Crime Writer, Foolkiller) and Laurence Campbell (Punisher Annual: The Hunted). The run sees Frank Castle tracking a vicious child killer in a small Mexican town. Campbell’s art on this run looks gorgeous, and you can judge for yourself with this preview.
In fact Comic Book Resources have previews of all the Marvel books from this week here.
Though DC don’t have as many big books out this week, they make up for it tenfold with their biggest. Geoff Johns and George Perez bring us the definitive book of the future with Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds. Spinning out of both Johns’ Action Comics and Green Lantern runs, this series sees Superboy Prime leading the new Legion of Super-Villains against Earth in a no holds barred future epic. The book promises to feature all the different incarnations of the Legion from recent years. It also will clear up any confusion surrounding the young super-team, with their 6 billion re-shakes over the past decade. Geoff Johns is on fire (not literally, put down the extinguisher) at the moment. His DC books have refreshed characters and taken them into their respective golden ages. If you love your DC books action-packed, fast paced and incredibly well written, buy this book. Preview here.
Dark Horse’s stable (see what I did there) features some of the best continuing series of the moment, two of which feature this week. Rick Reminder’s space oddity Fear Agent started it’s new arc last issue, and has taken the action from deep space to the old west. With Tony Moore back on art, this latest story is looking like it’ll hold up against the other four incredible volumes. I’m not going to bother telling you to get the trades, because you already have them, right?
BY CROM! Conan’s back again! This issue continues the tale of Conan's grandfather, Connacht. As well as the usual team of cover artist Frank Cho, writer Timothy Truman and artist Tomás Giorello, this issue features veteran artist Richard Corben. Judging from his work on Haunt of Horror, expect something beautiful and horrific (or Andrew, as we call him).
Dark Horse also have a pair of great trades appearing on Thursday. Myspace Dark Horse Presents collects the first six issues of this great online-resurrected comic anthology. This volume features complete stories by favourites Joss Whedon, Guy Davis, Eric Powell and even has a “lost” Umbrella Academy story by Gerard Way. The book is also noteworthy as it contains a slew of newcomers, as well as established pros. Definitely worth a look.
The second book from the Horse is one of my picks of the week, Achewood: The Great Outdoor Fight. This hardcover volume marks the first time this internationally renowned web strip has been available in print. If you imagine David Lynch writing a newspaper strip about animals, you’re part the way to understanding Achewood. While it has no traditional punch lines and is incredibly surreal, it’s easily one of the funniest things I’ve ever read. If you’re a fan of the dark twisted humour of the Perry Bible Fellowship, Achewood might be right up your street.
And finally to my main pick of the week, Atomic Robo: The Dogs of War. After the success of 
their first hilarious mini series (now available in trade paperback) the boys at Red 5 bring us the first arc of this new ongoing series. If you don’t know Robo, he’s the creation of Nikola Tesla, who since his creation in the 20s has fought the good fight. He founded his own company, and with his team Action Scientists of Tesladyne he’s become the world authority on the unexplained. The new series is set during the war and features Atomic Robo fighting off Nazi super mechs. If that doesn’t convince you to buy it, I don’t know what will!
Now to the news!
The biggest piece of comics news this week is Robert Kirkman’s manifesto and the follow-up interview he did over at Word Balloon. The video blog was Kirkman’s outlining of his future comic plans, and a call to arms for his fellow creators. Kirkman has now stopped writing for Marvel (though Killraven and Destroyer Max are still coming) and will focus on his creator owned books. The writer thinks the industry needs to have its big names focus on their own creations to allow those down the pecking order a chance to shine on big name books. Kirkman also wants the big companies to make their larger titles all-ages accessible, as not enough new readers are coming to comics.
There’s been extremely mixed reaction to the video. Kirkman’s call to arms hasn’t created any bad blood, the consensus is simply that it’s not quite as cut and dry as he makes out. It’s all very interesting stuff and we’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
In exceedingly sad comics news, we bid farewell to acclaimed Argentinian artist Carlos Meglia. The artist is best known in the UK and US for his work on Superman, Elektra and Spyboy. He was a favourite at Gosh and our thoughts are with his family and friends. If you’ve never experienced his gorgeous style, be sure to pick up Superman: Infinite City, his Superman graphic novel.
Paulo Rivera has revealed he’ll be pencilling an issue of Amazing Spider-Man. The Mythos (soon available in hardcover) artist will be joined by writer Zeb Wells on an oversized issue, featuring the Punisher. Issue 577 will also feature Rivera’s first foray at Marvel without his paintbrush, as he’ll be using a more 
regular pencil and ink approach.
With the success of books like 100 Bullets and Young Liars, Vertigo are creating their own Crime imprint. This “subimprint” (it’ll still be under Vertigo) will feature black and white hardcover original graphic novels from some of the best in crime writing. The line will be launching in early 2009 with Brian Azzarello's Filthy Rich and Ian Rankin's Dark Entries.
Ian Rankin though no stranger to crime story telling, is taking his first jaunt into comics with Dark Entries. He’ll be joined by artist Werther Dell'edera and everyone’s favourite chain smoker John Constantine. The story features Constantine investigating the aftermath of a reality TV show disaster.
Brian Azzarello and artist Victor Santos bring us a book set in the 1960s with Filthy Rich. The story follows a man with a life full of missteps and bad choices who is hired as a bodyguard for a wealthy automobile heiress. According to Azzarello, the story concerns "the celebrity culture of wealth". Newsarama claim that this will have a more “upbeat vibe” compared to the writer’s usual grimness.
As well as previews for this week, Marvel have also posted links to upcoming books. First up we’ve got Sub Mariner the Depths a new Marvel Knights limited series from Peter (Shade the Changing Man) Milligan and Esad (Silver Surfer Requiem) Ribic. Next up there’s a preview of the new ongoing Deadpool series by Daniel (Wolverine Origins) Way and Paco (New X-Men) Medina. If you’d like either of these series added to your order, just drop us a line.
A big thank you to all who came along to the Stickleback signing on Saturday. It was a lovely day for all and Matt Brooker (D’Israeli) has posted pictures on his blog. If you missed out on the day, we still have signed copies from Messrs Edginton and D’Israeli available upstairs.
And finally, just a reminder that due to the long weekend, next week’s new comics will be a day late. So we’ll expect to see you all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on Friday 29th August.
And with that I bid you farewell,
Matt
In Store 15/08/08 - 21/08/08
Click the full post link below for a list of items in store this week:
Archie Double Digest #191
Jughead And Friends Digest #29
2000 AD #1600
Judge Dredd Megazine #275
Abandoned Cars HC
Achewood The Great Outdoor Fight HC
Air #1
Anna Mercury #3 (Of 5) (Ellis)
Showcase Presents The Atom TP
Vol 02
Atomic Robo Dogs Of War #1
(Of 5)
Mighty Avengers TP Vol 01
Batgirl #2 (Of 6)
Batman And The Outsiders #10
Birds Of Prey #121
Brave And The Bold #16
Captain America #41
Casey Blue Beyond Tomorrow #4
(Of 6)
Cassegrain Sketchbook
Charlatan Ball #3 (Joe Casey)
Conan The Cimmerian #2
Crisse Sketchbook
Dark Ivory #3 (Of 4)
DC Special Cyborg #4 (Of 5)
DC Wildstorm Dreamwar #5
(Of 6)
Delphine #3 (Richard Sala)
Donald Duck Family
Daan Jippes Collection
Dr Who Magazine #399
Drafted #10
Ultimate Fantastic Four #57
Fear Agent #23 1 Against 1
(Pt 2 Of 6)
Final Crisis Legion Of Three Worlds #1 (G Johns/Perez)
Flash #243
Foolkiller White Angels #2 (Of 5)
Gargoyles Bad Guys #4
Ghost Rider #26 (Jason Aaron)
Grotesque #2
Guardians Of Galaxy #4 SI
Hack Slash Series #15
Helm #2 (Of 4)
Incredible Hercules #120 SI
Iron Fist Origin Of Danny Rand
Iron Man Director Of Shield #32
Justice League Of America #24
Justice Series 8 Action Figures
Killer #8 (Of 10)
Madman Atomic Comics #10
Marvel 1985 #4 (Of 6) (Millar)
Marvel Spotlight Spider-Man
Brand New Day
Midnighter TP Vol 02 Anthem
Mome Vol 12 GN
Moon Knight #21
MySpace Dark Horse Presents
TP Vol 01 (Mignola Et Al)
Myth Of 8 Opus Prologue
Expanded Ed GN (Scioli)
Neverland GN
Ninjatown #1 Adventures Of
Wee Ninja
Okko Cycle Of Earth #2 (Of 4)
Project Kalki #4 (Of 4)
Punisher #61 (L. Campbell)
Punisher War Journal Classic TP
Vol 01
Rann Thanagar Holy War #4
(Of 8)
Red Star Sword Of Lies #3 (Of 3)
Rex Mundi DH Ed #13
Robin #177
Sandman Presents Dead Boy
Detectives TP (E Brubaker)
Scalped #20 (J Aaron/R Guera)
Scorchy Smith And The Art Of Noel Sickles
Scorpion The Devil's Mark SC
Simpsons Comics #145
Skrulls Vs Power Pack #2 (Of 4)
Marvel Masterworks Amazing Spider-Man HC Vol 10
Amazing Spider-Man #568
NWD (John Romita Jr)
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane HC
Vol 02
Ultimate Spider-Man TP Vol 20
Spirit #20
Squadron Supreme 2 #2
Star Wars Knights Of Old
Republic #32
Star Wars Legacy TP Vol 03
Station #2 (Of 5)
Stormwatch PHD
Worlds End #13
Super Friends #6
Superman Batman #51
Superman Chronicles TP
Vol 05
Tangent Supermans Reign #6
Transformers All Hail
Megatron #2
Transformers Spotlight
Doubledealer
Trinity #12
Tripwire 2008 Annual
True Believers #2 (Of 5)
Vatine Sketchbook
Warhammer 40K Exterminatus
#2 (Of 5)
Warhammer 40K Fire & Honor
#1 (Of 4)
When Zombies Attack #3
Witchblade TP Vol 05
World Of Warcraft #10
Wolverine Logan Black & White
Premiere HC
Wolverine Logan Premiere HC
X-Factor #34 Secret Invasion
X-Factor Special Layla Miller
X-Men First Class Vol 2 #15
Uncanny X-Men #501 MD
X-Men TP Divided We Stand
Young X-Men #5 DWS
Young Inhumans TP
Youngblood TP Vol 01
Focus Tested (Joe Casey)
MANGA
Dragon Ball Z Vizbig GN Vol 02
Inubaka Crazy For Dogs Vol 10
Kekkaishi GN Vol 14
Monster Vol 16GN
Yagyu Ninja Scrolls GN Vol 04
Gilbert Shelton - Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers - Signing Tour
12/09/08, Leeds – OK Comics, 19 Thorntons Arcade, Briggate, LS1 6LQ – 3pm-5pm
13/09/08, London – Gosh! Comics, 39 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NZ – 2pm-4pm
14/09/08, Brighton – Dave’s Comics, 5 Sydney St, BN1 4EN – Time TBC
The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers Omnibus represents the definitive collection of the definitive underground comic: 624 pages (including 224 in full colour) for only £20. The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers are legend; published in 15 languages, with world-wide sales of over 40 million comics and countless items of merchandise, it’s the seamless mix of slapstick and satire at the heart of these strips that have kept them so vital for the past 40 years.
Signings by the Paris-based Shelton are few and far between, so don’t miss this opportunity to meet a true comic (in every sense of the word) genius.
Born in 1940, Gilbert Shelton’s first venture into the world of comic art was doing strips for Boy Scout publications when he was in the Explorer Scouts at school. A strange road, then to 1968, when after numerous rock poster designs and various contributions to underground comix with his earliest character, Wonder Warthog, he created The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers.
In 1969 Shelton and some friends from Texas moved to San Francisco to set up Rip Off Press, from where Freak Brothers strips were soon syndicated or “borrowed” by a host of American underground newspapers and magazines. The first collection was published in 1971 and has since been joined by thirteen further Freak Brothers adventures, all now collected together along with all-new material in the complete Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers Omnibus.
“Gilbert Shelton is as near as comics have come to producing a natural comedic genius of the same stature as a Chaplin or a Tati. With the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers he has created a hilarious and unlikely sibling trio as timeless in their appeal as the Marx Brothers. He is truly one of the greatest and most sublimely funny talents that the comic medium has to offer.” – Alan Moore
“The amazing thing about Shelton’s definitive underground comic strips is that you can still turn on, tune in, drop out and laugh, which is fabulous and furry indeed.” – Martin Rowson, The Independent
“The fully realised vision of a master story-teller and social critic.” – The Comics Journal
For more details on the signings, please contact:
OK Comics, 19 Thorntons Arcade, Briggate, LS1 6LQ
ph: 0113 246 9366, email ikisscomics@hotmail.com
Gosh! Comics, 39 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NZ
ph: 2027 636 1011, email info@goshlondon.com
Dave’s Comics, 5 Sydney St, BN1 4EN
ph: 0127 369 1012, email davescomicsuk@googlemail.com
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Due to Arrive 21/08/08
Click the full post link below for a tentative list of titles due to ship next week:
76 #5 (Of 8)
Air #1
Alter Ego #80
Amazing Spider-Man #568
Astounding Wolf Man TP 01
Batgirl #2 (Of 6)
Batman And The Outsiders #10
Birds Of Prey #121
Brave And The Bold #16
Brit #8
Captain America #41
Casey Blue Beyond Tomorrow #4 (Of 6)
Charlatan Ball #3
Conan The Cimmerian #2
Dark Ivory #3 (Of 4)
Darkness #5
DC Special Cyborg #4 (Of 5)
DC Wildstorm Dreamwar #5 (Of 6)
Dead Space #6 (Of 6)
Drafted #10
Dynamo 5 #16
Fear Agent #23 1 Against 1 (Pt 2 Of 6)
Final Crisis Legion Of Three Worlds #1
(Of 5)
Flash #243
Foolkiller White Angels #2 (Of 5)
Ghost Rider #26
Guardians Of Galaxy #4 SI
Hack Slash Series #15
Helm #2 (Of 4)
Incredible Hercules #120 SI
Iron Fist Origin Of Danny Rand
Iron Man Director Of Shield #32
Justice League Of America #24
Madman Atomic Comics #10
Marvel 1985 #4 (Of 6)
Marvel Spotlight Spider-Man Brand
New Day
Midnighter TP Vol 02 Anthem
Moon Knight #21
New World Order Dawn Of A New Day TP
Project Kalki #4 (Of 4)
Punisher #61
Punisher War Journal Classic TP Vol 01
Rann Thanagar Holy War #4 (Of 8)
Rex Mundi DH Ed #13
Robin #177
Sandman Presents Dead Boy
Detectives TP
Scalped #20
Scooby Doo #135
Showcase Presents The Atom TP Vol 02
Simpsons Comics #145
Skrulls Vs Power Pack #2 (Of 4)
Spirit #20
Squadron Supreme 2 #2
Stormwatch PHD Worlds End #13
Super Friends #6
Superman Batman #51
Superman Chronicles TP Vol 05
Tangent Supermans Reign #6 (Of 12)
Trinity #12
True Believers #2 (Of 5)
Ultimate Fantastic Four #57
Ultimate Spider-Man TP Vol 20 And His
Amazing Friends
Uncanny X-Men #501 MD
Witchblade #120
World Of Warcraft #10
X-Factor #34 SI
X-Factor Special Layla Miller
X-Men First Class Vol 2 #15
X-Men TP Divided We Stand
Young Inhumans TP
Young X-Men #5 DWS
Youngblood TP Vol 01
The Gosh! Authority 14/08/08
Skrull Matt is back! Our invasion is in full effect in the Marvel Universe this week, with six separate Secret Invasion books arriving! But before I reveal the latest details of our attack upon your race I must remind you of the Gosh Stickleback signing this Saturday. To celebrate the release of their new steampunk masterpiece, Ian Edginton and Matt Brooker (aka D’Israeli) will be signing and chatting in the Gosh basement on Saturday 16th August from 4pm to 6pm. If you’ve not yet picked up this fantastic book, you’re missing out. Stickleback is not only masterfully written by Edginton, but D’Isaeli turns in some of the most gorgeous artwork of his career. If you’re a fan of their other collaborations (The Scarlet Traces Trilogy, Leviathan and Kingdom of the Wicked) then this book is a must. Head here for more info.
First off we have the big push in Secret Invasion #5. The Skrull empire claims Earth as its own and lays down the law with two words: embrace change. Hopefully your heroes will see sense and serve our rule, though I highly doubt it. Meanwhile the aptly named Inhumans go in search of their missing king Black Bolt in Secret Invasion: Inhumans. A word to the wise: this series will play into next year’s Marvel space event War of the Kings, so don’t miss out. Over in San Francisco, the mutants come up against the empire this week in Secret Invasion: X-Men. Mike Carey and Card Nord weave a tale which will have X-fans talking for years to come! The book supposedly features every X-man, so expect 6 million panels.
The shiny new mid-western Asgard comes under attack over in Secret Invasion: Thor this week, when the mighty Skrull Empire shows the Thunder God and his pantheon the folly of having Asgard so close to a human settlement. Even the return of his old friend Beta Ray Bill won’t protect blondie locks from our wrath. This should be a truly epic story from one of Marvel’s hottest writers, Matt Fraction, and art from newly exclusive Doug Braithwaite. Our campaign also continues this week in the pages of Secret Invasion: Runaways Young Avengers #2 and Captain Britain and MI:13 #4, which sees the end of the first arc of that title. To keep up to date on our conquest of Earth read the checklist here.
Punisher fans have both reasons to be happy and sad this week. First up, Garth Ennis’ epic run on Punisher Max comes to its explosive climax. The current storyline, Valley Forge, Valley Forge, has tied off all the loose ends of Ennis’ run and fans can expect a stylish and well executed (with emphasis on the executed) ending. This issue also features an 8-page preview of the next run on the book. Kicking off what is intended to be a series of arcs by revolving creative teams, #61is written by best-selling crime novelist Gregg Hurwitz (The Crime Writer) and illustrated by Gosh favourite Laurence Campbell (Punisher Annual: The Hunted). While drying your tears at the loss of Ennis, you can pick up the reprint of his 1995 book Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe. This What If style story follows Frank Castle as he murders every hero and villain in the MU after his family is killed in an X-Battle in Central Park. If you’re never read this it’s well worth a look, if only for how he deals with Wolverine.
Talking of the hairy Canadian, this week Marvel collect Jason Aaron and Ron Garney’s run on Wolverine in Get Mystique. This incredibly reasonably priced book (£7.50) is a bloody chase story as Wolvie pursues the shapeshifter after her betrayal of the team during Messiah Complex. It also reveals an involved history between the pair during the 1920s. Aaron hasn’t put a foot wrong yet, so you’d be remiss to overlook this collection.
Over at DC, the big guns both make an appearance this week. Superman finally comes face to face with the real Brainiac in Action Comics. In case you’ve been missing it, Geoff Johns and Gary Frank have made their Action Comics run among best that’s ever been, with truly intricate portraits of the Man of Steel and his villains. Just when you think it couldn’t get better, each issue they throw you a hum dinger of a curve ball. Newsarama have been kind enough to provide a 5 page preview of the book.
The Dark Knight continues his drug addled fight against crime over in Batman with Part 4 of Batman RIP. Grant Morrision and Tony Daniel bring us the team up we never expected with Robin and Damian looking for their missing mentor. This issue also features the welcome return of Bat-Mite (even if he is a narcotic induced hallucination.) Preview here.
Small week? No problem, as any Walking Dead week is a good week, and sure enough here comes #51 staggering onto the scene! The zombies haven’t eaten everyone we know as yet and a number of new cast members are slated to make an appearance this issue. Blood, gore and copious swearing are sure to ensue.
The latest big screen adventure of Hellboy is out next week (August 20th), and to get you in the mood Dark Horse have delivered the second issue of the Crooked Man. With art by Richard Corben, you really should pick up this wonderful yarn as Hellboy battles for Tom’s lost soul. That’s Tom in the story, not Gosh Tom.
The Year of the Goon continues on Thursday and I couldn’t be more excited! Issue 28 is a special issue as it features a trio of stories by different artists. As well as creator Eric Powell, Kyle Hotz (The Incredible Hulk, Criminal Macabre) draws a tale of Goon and Frankie’s hunt for the elusive Skunk Ape. The third tale features the art of Rebecca Sugar, a new discovery for Dark Horse, and features the return of Dr. Alloy.
In the news, Dark Horse Comics have announced a Nov. 26 launch for The Umbrella Academy: Dallas, a six-issue mini-series by Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba. The series picks up right after the Apocalypse Suite, as the team licks their wounds in the ruins of their former home. This is a must for those of you who enjoyed the first sold out mini. If you missed it, be sure to pick up the trade!
One universe Skrulls won’t be invading is the Marvel Apes U. Idiotic villain the Gibbon features in the four part miniseries from Marvel. Karl Kesel talks on his new series, with preview art, over at CBR.
Yours in conquest,
Skrull Matt.
In Store 08/08/08 - 14/08/08
Click the full post link below for a list of items in store this week:
Betty & Veronica Double
Digest #163
2000 AD #1599
Judge Anderson TP Shamballa
Angel After The Fall #11
Batman #679 RIP
Batman Confidential #20
Batman Strikes #48
Black Diamond Get In The
Car & Go TP
Blade Of The Warrior
Kshatriya #1
Booster Gold #11
BPRD The Warning #2 (Of 5)
Broken Trinity Darkness One-Shot
Buckaroo Banzai The Prequel #1
Captain Britain And MI 13 #4 SI
(Cornell)
Charlton Spotlight Magazine #6
Checkmate #29
Chuck #3 (Of 6)
Clockwork Girl HC
Comics Comics #4
Criminal Vol 3 TP
Cthulhu Tales #4
Deathblow And Then You Live TP
Uncle Scrooge #378
Walt Disneys Comics &
Stories #693
Doctor Who Special #20
Fall Of Cthulhu Godwar #1 (Of 4)
Fantastic Four #559
(Millar & Hitch)
Final Crisis Revelations #1 (Of 5)
Firebreather #2
Frank Frazettas Dracula Meets
The Wolf-Man
Galaxy Quest Global Warning #1
Gen 13 #21
Golly #1
Goon #27
Green Arrow Black Canary #11
Green Lantern Corps #27
Halo Uprising #3 (Of 4)
(Bendis & Maleev)
Hellboy The Crooked Man #2 Hulk Chronicles WWH #2
Hyperkinetic #2 (Of 4)
I Was Kidnapped By Lesbian
Pirates Outerspace #2
Igor Movie Adaptation #1 (Of 4)
John Buscema Life In
Sketches SC
Justice League International
HC Vol 02
Last Defenders #6 (Of 6)
Legion Of Super Heroes In The
31st Century #17
Lone Ranger #12
Mad Magazine #493
Marvel Adventures Hulk #14
Marvel Adventures Hulk TP
Vol 03
Marvel Adventures
Spider-Man #42
Marvel Illustrated Prem HC
Picture Of Dorian Gray
Mercy Sparx #0
Middleman Collected Series
Indispensability
Compendium TP
Millennium TP
Modern Masters SC Vol 17
Lee Weeks
Moon Knight Prem HC Vol 03
God & Country
Nightmares & Fairy Tales TP
Vol 04
100 Bullets #94
Paintings Of J Allen St John HC
Punisher #60
Punisher Kills Marvel Universe
New Ptg (Ennis)
Secret Invasion #5 (Of 8) SI
Secret Invasion Inhumans #1
(Of 4) SI
Secret Invasion Runaways Young
Avengers #2
Secret Invasion Thor #1 SI
(Fraction & Braithwaite)
Secret Invasion X-Men #1 SI
Simon Dark #11
Simon Dark What Simon Does TP
Sisterhood #3 (Of 3)
Spawn #181
Amazing Spider-Girl #23
Amazing Spider-Man #567
Spider-Man TP Kravens
Last Hunt
Spider-Man TP One More Day
Supergirl Beyond Good And
Evil TP
Action Comics #868
(Johns & Frank)
Testament TP Vol 04 Exodus
The Number HC
Thunderbolts By Ellis
Prem HC Vol 02
Tiny Titans #7
Torchwood #8
Toyfare #134
Transformers Animated Arrival #1
Transformers Best O/T UK
Time Wars #1
Transformers Movie Sequel Reign
Of Starscream #4
Transhuman #3 (Of 4)
Trinity #11
Walking Dead #51
Warren Ellis Crooked Little
Vein MMPB
Welcome To Hoxford #1
Wonder Woman #23
Worlds Of Dungeons &
Dragons #3
Astonishing X-Men #26 MD
(Ellis)
Genext #4 (Of 5)
New Exiles TP Vol 01 New Life
New Gambit
New X-Men By Morrison
Ultimate Coll TP
Wolverine TP Get Mystique
(Aaron)
X-Men Origins Jean Grey
Young Liars #6 (Lapham)
Zorro #6
MANGA
Blood Plus GN Vol 03
GTO The Early Years Vol 8 GN
Tea For Two Vol 2 GN
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Due to Arrive 14/08/08
Click the full post link below for a tentative list of titles due to ship next week:
100 Bullets #94
Action Comics #868
Amazing Spider-Girl #23
Amazing Spider-Man #567
Astonishing X-Men #26 Manifest Destiny
Atomic Robo Dogs Of War #1 (Of 5)
Batman #679 RIP
Batman Confidential #20
Batman Strikes #48
Booster Gold #11
BPRD The Warning #2 (Of 5)
Broken Trinity Darkness (One Shot)
Buckaroo Banzai The Prequel #1 (Of 2)
Captain Britain And MI 13 #4 Secret Invasion
Charlatan Ball #3
Checkmate #29
Chuck #3 (Of 6)
Deathblow And Then You Live TP
Dynamo 5 #16
Fantastic Four #559
Final Crisis Revelations #1 (Of 5)
Firebreather Series #2
Gargoyles Bad Guys #4
Gen 13 #21
Genext #4 (Of 5)
Godland #25
Goon #27
Green Arrow Black Canary #11
Green Lantern Corps #27
Halo Uprising #3 (Of 4)
Helen Killer #4 (Of 4)
Hellboy The Crooked Man #2 (Of 3)
Hulk Chronicles World War Hulk #2
Hyperkinetic #2 (Of 4)
Jughead And Friends Digest #29
Last Defenders #6 (Of 6)
Legion Of Super Heroes I/T 31st Century #17
Lone Ranger #12
Marvel Adventures Hulk #14
Marvel Adventures Hulk TP Vol 03 Strongest
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #42
Millennium TP
Modern Masters SC Vol 17 Lee Weeks
Perhapanauts #4
Punisher #60
Punisher Kills Marvel Universe
Secret Invasion #5 (Of 8)
Secret Invasion Inhumans #1 (Of 4)
Secret Invasion Runaways Young Avengers #2
Secret Invasion Thor #1 (Of 3)
Secret Invasion X-Men #1 (Of 4)
Simon Dark #11
Simon Dark What Simon Does TP
Spawn #181
Spider-Man TP Kravens Last Hunt
Supergirl Beyond Good And Evil TP
Testament TP Vol 04 Exodus GN
Tiny Titans #7
Toyfare #134 Mattel Skeletor Cvr
Transhuman #3 (Of 4)
Trinity #11
Uncle Scrooge #378
Vix #2 (Of 3)
Walking Dead #51
Walt Disney’s Comics & Stories #693
Wolverine TP Get Mystique
Wonder Woman #23
Worlds Of Dungeons & Dragons #3
X-Men Origins Jean Grey
Young Liars #6
Zorro #6
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Gosh! Authority 07/08/08
Hello Goshers,
Welcome to the first Tom-Free blog, you’ll have to make do with me again, while our fresh faced thesp tours Butlins across the UK. But fear not, I’ll be gentle.
This week brings an eclectic mix of comics delight to the Gosh shores. We’ve got something for everyone as all the big, and some of the smaller, companies treat us with their wares.
Garth Ennis fans will jump for joy as we have two very different books appearing on Thursday. First up The Boys continues the explanation of Voight-America’s rise to power, and the secret history of The Seven. The series has really hit it’s stride of late, and the books are worth a peek if you’re not yet hooked. Expect lots of blood, guts, and poo jokes. On the other end of the Ennis spectrum is his latest series from Avatar. Crossed begins this week with a 75p #0. It’s touted as being the most twisted book of the writers career. The ten issue series follows a world where society has crumbled and all that remains is the purest, most gruesome evil humanity can create. There is no help. There is no hope. There is no escape. There are only the Crossed. Not one for kids, grandparent or reading with the light off.
Gosh fave Criminal starts a new story arc this week, with “Bad Night” the first in a four part run. The story follow Jake, a retired criminal who’s life is torn asunder when he’s accused of a grisly crime. Five years later and he’s become a shadow of his former self, and after walking into the wrong place at the wrong time; his whole life changes again. The masters of noir, Brubaker and Phillips, are sure to delight. Best of all the third trade paperback has recently caught the story up, and along with our signed copies of the first two volumes, you really have no excuse not to pick up this incredible series.
If you’re a fan of Sean’s beautiful artwork (like me) be sure to head over to his blog: http://surebeatsworking.blogspot.com/ He also has a collection of his painting and sketches called Blow Up available exclusively from Lulu. It’s available in both Hardcover (http://www.lulu.com/content/2066364) and Softcover (http://www.lulu.com/content/3103910), at 400 pages it’s a bargain at either price.
A duo of horrific delight ships this week. First up 
DC Showcase finally gets to the original House of Secrets, with 500 pages of tales from the original masters of horror. This volume also reprints the first appearance of everyone’s second favourite moss-covered hero Swamp Thing. At only £10.99 it’s a bargain of horrific proportions. And if that wasn't enough for horror fans, Dark Horse kick off their archival collection of the original Creepy magazine. This hardcover collects the first five issues, and features the art of such greats as Joe Orlando, Al Williamson, Alex Toth, and Frank Frazetta. If you’re like me, this is the Archives you’ve been waiting for, and best of all they’re printed in the original magazine size!
If horror and crime aren’t your bag, then the superheroes are represented in abundance this week.
DC’s summer event Final Crisis continues to build up steam. With the male heavy hitters of the Justice League out of commission, only Wonder Woman stands to face the Evil Gods. After last issue’s surprise return, can the heroes stop the rise of evil across the DCU? This series may have had a slow start, but I think as it moves forward Grant Morrison will prove he’s got what it takes to steer a company wide event.
Talking of Morrison, Batman RIP spills over into the other Bat titles this week, hitting Robin, Nightwing and Detective. The latter features new fave Bat villain Hush, who’s touted as being a major player in the post RIP Bat-World. DC have provide fans with a checklist of all the titles in the crossover here. so be sure to print it up and stick above your mantelpiece. For those of you just following the regular Bat series, the next part hits our shores next Thursday.
Though Marvel’s Secret Invasion is kept just to Front Line this week, you’d be remiss to ignore this series. The best of the Front Lines so far, this series focuses on different regular people around war torn New York. Regular Secret Invasion hits shelves next week as well!
Two of Marvel’s big guns go head to head as Thor makes a guest appearance in Hulk. Expect thunder, lightening, shouting (and large thighs) as Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness rocket towards the conclusion of this first story arc (which ends with #6.) As much as I’m enjoying it, I’m giddy like a schoolgirl for the next run, where superstar artists Arthur Adams and Frank Cho share art duties. This all starts with with #7.
Much like the Dark Knight, Spider-Man’s main title takes a break this week; but that doesn’t mean Spider-fans miss out. We have not one but two new Spidey series this week. First up Marvel’s best writer (in my honest and humble opinion) Zeb Wells teams up with Angel Medina to bring us the early days of Eddie Brock in Venom Dark Origin. Wells’ talent for chracter work shines through in this examination of a disturbed man, desperate to please his father. Rumour is Brock’s coming back to the regular Marvel Universe soon, so it might be time for a refresher on the chracter.
We’ve also got the first issue of Terry Moore’s run on Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane. If you’re a fan of Mr. Moore’s Strangers in Paradise, it’d probably be a safe bet to grab this series. And with art by Perhapanuts’ Craig Rousseau , it’s sure to be pretty to look at. Terry Moore’s other Marvel book, Runaways is due to ship at the end of the month.
In Image’s corner is the second collection of Robert Kirkman’s Brit. This book collects the first five issues of the current ongoing (written by Bruce Brown, edited by Kirman), about an aged indestructible man. The Kirkmanverse is only going to grow now the creator’s a partner at Image, so it’s well worth peeking an eye at this book. Expect high octane sci-fi fun.
Last and by no means least Tripwire’s 2008 Annual has arrived! The boys have pulled out all the stops for this issue, with interviews with Futurama creators Matt Groening and David X Cohen, and Heroes’ Tim Kring and Jeph Loeb. The mag also has a feature on the new wave of British genre TV, focusing on Ashes to Ashes, Life on Mars, Primeval and that one about the old guy who flys about in a phonebox. And best of all it’s wrapped in a gorgeous Tommy Lee Edwards Doctor Who cover. If only my Beano annual was this good.
News this week is pretty light on the ground after San Deigo. The biggest news is that our esteemed manager and friend Andrew Salmond tied the knot with his fiancée Alex. A joyous (and sunny) day was had by all. We at Gosh wish Alex and Andy all the best, and remind Andy that his work is piling up for him. .
It’s one week and counting to our Stickleback signing. Ian Edginton and D'Israeli will be instore on 16th August, and will sign for2 hours from 4pm til 6pm. Full details here. If you can’t make it, let us know and we’ll reserve you a signed copy of the book. And remember to let us know if you want it personalised or not. The books are now instore, if you want to have a gander at their loveliness.
Those of you waiting for the League of Extraordinary Gentleman Black Dossier Absolute and Softcover will be happy to hear we are accepting reservations on them both. The softcover is out in October, and we should be receiving the Absolute in mid to late November. If you’re interesting in the Absolute, I’d get your name in soon, as the run on this book may not be that large. Take it from someone who missed out on the original Absolutes!
Until next week, stay frosty.
Matt
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