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UNTIL YOUR HEART STOPS v14.2
by: Brian Domingos
I Will Follow You into the Dark
June 21st, 2006
Things are of course as busy as possible. Meaghan had an awesome wedding shower on Saturday (thanks to all attendants) and we got some really cool stuff (Ipod! vacuum! knives! cash!).
I've been talking about doing some reviews and time hasn't exactly been on my side but I've decided that enough is enough and I should do at least one. So here's one with more on the way next week. I'm shooting for two. Don't go too crazy.
WONDER WOMAN #1
Writer: Allan Heinberg
Artists: Terry Dodson (p), Rachel Dodson (i)
Colors: Alex Sinclair
Letters: Rob Leigh
DC Comics
$2.99/Monthly
I’ve been reading some negative press about the new WONDER WOMAN revamp and I wanted to formally add my two cents. Many fans read the issue and were rubbed the wrong way. They either didn’t like the new direction of the book or they had trouble following the story.
I found Allan Heinberg’s script to be fun, exciting and above all other things – clear. It quickly catches new readers up with the current status quo. We’re told from the start who Wonder Woman is, the backstory of the Who and the Why and then we’re off to the actual plot. Wonder Woman heads to the Museum of Natural History for a hostage situation. The kidnappers want Diana-Wonder Woman and unfortunately for them, all we have is the Donna Troy variety. That’s right – Donna Troy is the new Wonder Woman. It’s a logical choice – way more so than Artemis was – and Donna does pretty well, I think. She arrives to rescue Steve Trevor – Diana’s former flame – and then fights a new humanoid Cheetah (no longer a cat woman) a supped up Giganta and the ever-so-creepy Dr. Psycho. Heinberg expertly introduces these classic Wonder Woman characters. He throws in quick and easy captions that say enough and let the artwork say the rest.
The artwork is perfect for WONDER WOMAN. The Dodsons display Donna’s strength and power while keeping her feminine angles. They know how to direct her across the page as well as when to let the dialogue breathe and when to come in with the striking images. The most important thing for this kind of introductory issue is the storytelling. It’s easy to follow with clear-cut pacing and flawless direction. It’s a glorious portrayal of the icon, no matter who’s in the armor.
You can tell that Heinberg loves the character and its legacy and the Dodsons should do nothing but Wonder Woman stories for the rest of their collective career. The cliffhanger of this issue sealed in the need to at least finish the arc. Please check out this issue and any additional installments. I highly recommend picking up the next issue, which I think is due in two weeks. At the very least, check out the trade paperback, which is probably due in early 2007. You won’t be disappointed.
And now a weekly look:
Upcoming...
Books and items of note shipping Wednesday, June 21st, 2006
- MAR063447 110 PER CENT OGN
Top Shelf
$12.95
I don't know anything about 110PER¢ but last week Ed said: Tony Consiglio's 110PER¢ is about a middle-aged woman and her obsession with a boy band. It's 134 pages long, and is just like Top Shelf's BLANKETS, only shorter, a lot funnier, and not boring. They both have a sex scene, but this one is with consenting adults. Ok, so it's nothing like BLANKETS. Pick it up and make the comparison yourself. I didn't like BLANKETS either, so I might have to check this out.
APR060203 52 WEEK #7
DC Comics
$2.50
52 Week #6 introduced the new Chinese superhumans that were spotlighted in that national newspaper a few weeks ago, along with a few new plot lines. The good thing about the weekly format is that there’s a ton of material to cover, but the bad thing is that I find that I’m missing stuff week to week. I want more Ralph Dibny and Steel. And what about The Question & Montoya? Or the guys in space? There’s a lot to cover. The Booster stuff was interesting this time around. Meaghan thought it was kind of scummy what he did with Manthrax, but no one got hurt, right? I did LOVE the Rip Hunter stuff. That must have been a major blow to Booster’s ego. So I say, “bring it on” to the rest of 52.
MAR060295 ALL STAR SUPERMAN #4
DC Comics
$2.99
This really isn’t that late. Not really. Just like a month. That’s not too bad. And you know, it’s totally worth it. Issue three had some totally excellent old-school Silver Age moments. And this time is Superman Vs. Jimmy Olson? Yes please.
APR061769 AMAZING JOY BUZZARDS VOL 2 TP $12.99
APR063219 ANGEL OLD FRIENDS TP $19.99
APR063215 ANGEL SCRIPTBOOK #4 $3.99
APR062009 ANNIHILATION NOVA #3 (OF 4) $2.99
APR062931 ARCHIE #567 $2.25
FEB062968 ARMY OF DARKNESS #8 $2.99
FEB062969 ARMY OF DARKNESS ALT CVR INCENTIVE #8 $2.99
FEB063499 ART OF BARON VON LIND SC (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $14.95
APR062063 ASTONISHING X-MEN #15 $2.99
MAR060291 BATMAN DYNAMIC DUO ARCHIVES VOL 2 HC $49.99
APR062081 BEST OF SPIDER-MAN VOL 5 HC $29.99
APR060207 BIRDS OF PREY #95 $2.99
- APR060286 BITE CLUB: VAMPIRE CRIME UNIT #3 (OF 5)
Vertigo/DC Comics
$2.99
I really think that BITE CLUB: VCU is just one big joke by Howard Chaykin to Vertigo. It’s the sickest, most vile thing he’s written in a ling time. (I just read BLACK KISS a few weeks ago, so I know what I’m talking about.) That’s not to say I don’t love it. It’s a great book. David Hahn needs to get Brian Miller to be his permanent colorist. He never looks better than when Miller’s doing the coloring and in this sort of story, if the artwork falters, it doesn’t work.
MAR063320 BLUFF #2 (OF 3) $3.49
APR062016 CAPTAIN AMERICA #19 $2.99
 APR061763 CASANOVA #1
Image Comics
$1.99
It’s like everything Matt Fraction has done up until this point was a practice for CASANOVA. And Gabriel Bá? Forget about it. It barely gets better than this. Sexy super-spies and interdimensional law-enforcement agencies happen to be right up my alley. I feel like I’ve been waiting for his book for my whole life.
APR062089 CHAMPIONS CLASSIC VOL 1 TP $19.99
APR062842 CHRONO CRUSADE MANGA VOL 8 TP $9.99
MAY061779 CITY OF HEROES #14 $2.99
APR060278 CLAW THE UNCONQUERED #1 $2.99
MAY062991 COMIC BOOK HOLOCAUST GN (MR) $9.95
APR063487 COMICS BUYERS GUIDE SEPT 2006 #1620 (C: 0-1-2) $5.99
APR060011 CONAN #29 (MR) $2.99
APR060012 CONAN BOOK OF THOTH #4 (OF 4) $4.99
FEB060059 CONAN VOL 3 TOWER OF THE ELEPHANT & STORIES TP (C: $15.95
 APR062846 CONTINUITY OGN
AiT/Planet Lar
$12.95
I don’t remember when the last AiT/Planet Lar Original Graphic Novel came out. I think it was Rob Osborne’s SUNSET CITY. So this is a new book from Jason McNarama and Tony Talbert - two guys that Larry Young trusts. That’s enough for me.
MAR060046 CRIMINAL MACABRE: FEAT OF CLAY
Dark Horse
$2.99
I really like Steve Niles’ character Cal McDonald. I’m not crazy about some of his work but the Cal stuff always works. I love the short stories. Kyle Hotz is joining Niles on the art this time and that's exciting itself. Give it a look.
MAR063171 DIGITAL WEBBING PRESENTS #29 $3.99
MAR063174 DORK TOWER #34 $3.49
MAR063175 DR BLINK SUPERHERO SHRINK #3 (RES) $3.49
MAY062841 EIKEN VOL 4 GN (MR) $9.99
APR062022 ETERNALS #1 (OF 6) $3.99
APR068106 ETERNALS COIPEL VARIANT LTD ED #1 (OF 6) $3.99
APR062023 ETERNALS ROMITA JR VARIANT #1 (OF 6) $3.99
APR060276 EX MACHINA #21 (MR) $2.99
MAR063718 FACETTES ART OF HUBERT DE LARTIGUE TP (MR) (C: 0-1 $32.99
APR063221 FALLEN ANGEL IDW #6 $3.99
 APR061774 FEAR AGENT: RE-IGNITION, VOL. 1 TPB
Image Comics
$9.99
I only read the first issue of FEAR AGENT but I was sold on the hopeful trade. Rick Remender created a cool character here and the little universe is fun. Tony Moore’s artwork is nice, too. It’s nice to read this and not have to see exploding cockroaches. “Re-Ignition” is the first four issues for ten bucks. The best deal of the week.
APR060211 FLASH THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE VARIANT EDITION #1 PI
APR060210 FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE #1
DC Comics
$2.99
I don’t know how I feel about the new FLASH series. I loved Geoff Johns’ stuff and these two new writers (from the FLASH TV show) scare me a bit. And then there’s the artwork by Ken Lashley. I’ve seen some blurry artwork online but I’ve liked his stuff in the past (WETWORKS with Steven Grant!) so It gets a look.
APR062879 GARGOYLES #1 $3.50
APR062030 GIANT SIZE HULK #1 $4.99
APR061787 GIRLS #14 (MR) $2.99
APR063313 GIRLY VOL 1 TP $11.95
MAR063508 GOLGO 13 VOL 3 GN (MR) (C: 1-0-0) $9.99
- MAR060318 GREEN LANTERN CORPS: RECHARGE TPB
DC Comics
$12.99
I read a couple issues of this mini series and I like the idea of Green Lanterns needing partners. That’s a pretty good idea. And I liked Patrick Gleason’s artwork, too. He’s a solid artist who’s work is a lot like Doug Mahnke, which I of course like. This isn’t a “must” but it is an eventual buy.
APR062077 HAUNT OF HORROR EDGAR ALLAN POE #2 (OF 3) (MR) $3.99
MAR063501 HANA KIMI VOL 12 GN (C: 1-0-0) $9.99
APR060289 HELLBLAZER #221 (MR) $2.99
APR063490 HOGANS ALLEY #14 (C: 0-1-2) $6.95
APR062921 HORRORWOOD #2 (OF 4) (MR) $3.50
MAR063502 HOT GIMMICK VOL 11 TP (C: 1-0-0) $9.99
MAR063154 HOW TO SELF PUBLISH COMICS #4 (OF 4) $4.95
NOV053452 HTDM COMPUTONES VOL 4 PORTRAYING COUPLES TP (C: 0- $22.99
JAN063604 HTDM COMPUTONES VOL 5 AIMING FOR ACTION TP VOL 40 $22.99
MAY063130 I LOVE LED ZEPPLIN SC $19.95
 NOV051715 INVINCIBLE: DIFFERENT WORLD, VOL. 6 TPB
Image Comics
$14.99
God, it’s been so long since the last INVINCIBLE tpb that I don’t even remember what happened with the last one. I wish Kirkman didn’t need all the Marvel gigs to feed his family so I could get a regular dose of INVINCIBLE. And really, how hard is it to get the collection of a book out on time? I realize that the monthly book was late, but this is still two months passed when it should have been out.
MAR063492 INU YASHA ANI MANGA VOL 15 GN (C: 1-0-0) $11.99
APR062029 IRON MAN #9 $2.99
MAY063620 JAPANESE COMICKERS VOL 2 TP (C: 0-1-2) $24.95
FEB063179 JENNA AND NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #3 (OF 3) $3.49
APR060224 JSA CLASSIFIED #13 $2.99
MAR063354 JUDGE DREDD THE ART OF KENNY WHO? TP (C: 0-1-2) $30.99
APR060218 JUSTICE #6 (OF 12) $3.50
MAR063568 JUXTAPOZ JUNE 2006 VOL 14 #6 (C: 0-1-2) $4.99
- APR063231 THE KEEP TPB
IDW Publishing
$19.99
I don’t know a thing about this but I like Matt Smith’s artwork so I’ll give it a shot.
MAR063312 LAI WAN #1 (RES) (MR) $3.99
MAR060357 LAND OF THE BLINDFOLDED VOL 8 (C: 1-0-0) $9.99
APR062006 LAST PLANET STANDING #4 (OF 5) $2.99
APR062881 LITTLE SCROWLIE #14 $2.95
MAY063266 LOVE AND CAPES #1 $3.95
DEC053140 LOVE AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE #5 (MR) $5.95
APR060179 MAN-BAT #3 (OF 5) $2.99
APR060227 MANHUNTER #23 $2.99
APR062033 MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #2 $2.99
APR062086 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN VOL 3 DOOM WITH VIEW $6.99
APR062082 MARVEL MASTERWORKS RAWHIDE KID VOL 1 NEW ED HC $49.99
APR062045 MARVEL WESTERNS OUTLAW FILES $3.99
APR060259 MEGATOKYO VOL 4 $9.99
APR063156 MOME VOL 4 GN $14.95
MAR060359 MOON CHILD VOL 3 (C: 1-0-0) $9.99
JAN063016 MY MOST SECRET DESIRE 10TH ANNIVERSARY ED HC (MR) $19.95
MAR063509 NAOKI URASAWAS MONSTER VOL 3 TP (C: 1-0-0) $9.99
APR062050 NEW AVENGERS #20 $2.99
APR062065 NEW EXCALIBUR #8 $2.99
APR063495 NEWTYPE ENG ED W/ DVD JULY 2006 (C: 0-1-2) $12.98
APR061793 NOBLE CAUSES #21 $3.50
APR063120 NODWICK #33 $2.99
MAR060024 OCTOPUS GIRL VOL 2 TP (MR) (C: 1-1-2) $12.95
MAR063394 PLATINUM GARDEN VOL 1 GN (OF 10) $9.99
APR060250 PRINCESS NATASHA #1 (OF 4) $2.25
MAR063120 RED SONJA #11 $2.99
MAR063122 RED SONJA LEE SNEAK PEEK ED INCENTIVE #11 $2.99
MAR063121 RED SONJA LEE VIRGIN ED INCENTIVE #11 $2.99
MAR063116 REVENGE OF COUNT SKARBEK VOL 2 HEART OF BRONZE GN $19.99
APR061820 RISING STARS UNTOUCHABLE #5 (OF 5) $2.99
- APR060178 ROBIN #151
DC Comics
$2.99
Adam Beechen and Freddie Williams, II are doing a helluva job on ROBIN. Really stellar stuff.
APR060256 SCOOBY DOO #109 $2.25
MAY062960 SERENITY VOL 3 BASKET CASE TP $7.97
MAY062961 SERENITY VOL 4 RAVE N RANT TP $7.97
MAY062962 SERENITY VOL 5 SNOW BIZ TP $7.97
APR060235 SGT ROCK THE PROPHECY #6 (OF 6) $2.99
APR061801 SHADOWHAWK #13 $3.50
APR060231 SHADOWPACT #2 $2.99
FEB063373 SHOJO BEAT JULY 06 VOL 2 #7 (C: 1-0-2) $5.99
MAR060299 SHOWCASE PRESENTS SUPERMAN VOL 2 TP $16.99
FEB061765 SIGHT UNSEEN TP $19.99
APR063020 SIMPSONS COMICS #119 $2.99
MAR063091 SINGAPORES GREATEST COMICS $19.95
MAY063576 SPACE 1026 PULLING TEETH HC (C: 0-1-2) $24.95
JAN063453 SPOOKY A WARREN FANZINE #5 (C: 0-1-2) $4.95
APR060059 STAR WARS LEGACY #1 (C: 1-0-0) $2.99
APR060061 STAR WARS REBELLION #3 (C: 1-0-0) $2.99
- MAR063075 STARDUST KID #4 (OF 5)
Boom! Studios
$3.50
Being issue four of five, I’m a bit lost. That said, it doesn’t seem like the kind of story for me. I tried J. M. DeMatteis & Mike Ploog’s ABADAZAD books but they’re not my thing. This is more of the same. It looks like a strange and fun children’s story, though, so I’m not writing it off. It’s just not tops of my list.
MAR063309 STARSHIP TROOPERS #3 (OF 4) $3.50
MAR060302 SUPERGIRL POWER TP $14.99
APR060191 SUPERMAN BATMAN #27 (RES) $2.99
MAY060147 SUPERMAN BATMAN COLLECTOR SET $29.99
APR060188 SUPERMAN RETURNS LEX LUTHOR $3.99
APR060295 SWAMP THING #28 (MR) $2.99
APR063261 TALES OF LEONARDO BLIND SIGHT #1 (OF 4) $3.25
FEB063080 TALES OF THE CHAMPIONS #4 (NOTE PRICE) $3.25
APR060297 TESTAMENT #7 (MR) $2.99
APR063201 TOMMYROT ART OF BEN TEMPLESMITH $19.99
FEB061989 ULTIMATES 2 #11 $2.99
APR062068 UNCANNY X-MEN #474 $2.99
APR062069 UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL #1 $3.99
APR062087 UNCANNY X-MEN THE NEW AGE VOL 4 END OF GREYS TP $14.99
APR063172 UNCLE SCROOGE #355 $6.95
MAR063511 VAGABOND VOL 21 TP (MR) (C: 1-0-0) $9.95
APR063173 WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #670 $6.95
MAY062944 WARREN ELLIS BLACK GAS AUXILIARY ED #2 (NOTE PRICE $3.99
APR061821 WITCHBLADE #99 $2.99
MAR063247 WITCHGIRLS INC #4 $3.25
APR062809 WIZARD ANIME INSIDER NARUTO CVR #34 $5.99
MAR060339 WONDER WOMAN VOL 4 DESTINY CALLING TP $19.99
- MAR063073 X ISLE #1 (OF 5)
Boom! Studios
$2.99
I hate to say this about new comics… but it seems like the point of this whole series to sell a movie. We get Sam Jackson making yet another comic appearance, Philip S. Hoffman as a quirky scientist with water wings, The Rock as trusty sidekick and middle aged actor #1 (Clooney?) as the lead. It’s about a marine biologist/professor who – with his team – is investigating a brand new biological find. They’re on a research vessel and Marine Biologist’s daughter has arrived just in time for a horrible boat-sinking storm. The crew, ex-Navy SEAL captain included – land on a strange island and the stars are all different! Then the monsters arrive. I had high hopes for this because I like Greg Scott’s work quite a bit but it doesn’t salvage the Sci-Fi Original Movie feel to the whole thing. Pass.
APR062072 X-MEN FAIRY TALES #2 (OF 4) $2.99
MAR063473 YOULL HAVE THAT VOL 1 TP $4.95
MAR063494 ZATCH BELL VOL 7 GN (C: 1-0-0) $9.99
See? I got you a formal review. Maybe more next week. Thanks. 
Brian Domingos is the Columns Editor at Popimage.com. Questions? Comments? Love Notes? Email him via brian@popimage.com.
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