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UNTIL YOUR HEART STOPS v29.5
by Brian Domingos

Scenes From The Future: Part LXX

June 3rd, 2009

Welcome to the start of June 2009 and a brand new installment of "Until Your Heart Stops." We’ve begun a new month which means a new PREVIEWS catalogue, which showcases all of the items shipping through the comics industry. The books below are scheduled to arrive in stores during August 2009 and beyond. (As a quick note, the catalogue provides scheduled release dates for the books/items as part of the invoice text.)

It’s hard to imagine a world without REX MUNDI.

I mean, there have been long gaps and periods where there was not any new material coming out, but it was always on the edge of returning to the shelves. But now, with the nineteenth issue, it’s all wrapped up.

Writer Arvid Nelson has worked with a half-dozen talented artists to tell his story – the true story of the Holy Grail and Jesus Christ – and it’s been worth the wait.

Dark Horse Books is reoffering the five previous collections in July so readers can get ready for the finale in August.

As sad as it is to see REX MUNDI coming to a close, we can rejoice as Nelson’s other alternative history title, ZERO KILLER finally gets its fourth issue.

It’s been 34 years since the World fell to nuclear near-destruction and Zero hunts criminals and killer in the high-rises of a partially submerged New York City.

There’s been a huuuuuuuge gap between issues but artist Matt Camp is back with colorist Dave Stewart and hopefully it’ll come out monthly the rest of the way so we can get a nice trade paperback in early 2010.

ZERO KILLER #4 (OF 6) (PAGE 29, $2.99, Scheduled Ship Date: 08/19/09; Order Code: JUN09 0021)
REX MUNDI DARK HORSE EDITION #19 (OF 19) (PAGE 28, $2.99, SSD: 08/19/09; OC: JUN09 0020)
REX MUNDI: GUARDIAN O/T TEMPLE, VOL. 1 DARK HORSE EDITION TPB (PAGE 29, $16.95, SSD: 07/22/09; OC: JUN09 0022)
REX MUNDI: THE RIVER UNDERGROUND, VOL. 2 DARK HORSE EDITION TPB (PAGE 29, $16.95, SSD: 07/22/09; OC: JUN09 0023)
REX MUNDI: LOST KINGS, VOL. 3 TPB (PAGE 29, $16.95, SSD: 07/22/09; OC: JUN09 0024)
REX MUNDI: CROWN & SWORD, VOL. 4 TPB (PAGE 29, $16.95, SSD: 07/22/09; OC: JUN09 0025)
REX MUNDI: VALLEY AT END OF WORLD, VOL. 5 TPB (PAGE 29, $17.95, SSD: 07/22/09; OC: JUN09 0026)

There was never any doubt that I’d be reading “Dallas”, but it was just a matter of finding the right format.

The second volume of THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY - more from co-creators Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá – picks up in the ruins of the “Apocalypse Suite”. There’s been death and destruction and the kids are feeling the brunt of it.

I’ve read the first issue and in it, Number 5 fights off a few dozen assassins and sets off to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I love that Number 5.

Way has managed to create a derivative-yet-unique cast, wearing his influences on his sleeve and morphing adding new story beats to the iconic tropes. He’s clearly a smart guy who knows how to take his favorite things and boil them down to the essence of the story.

And Bá, damn, that guy’s the best. He’s yet to do a piece of work that hasn’t impressed me. And coupled here with colorist Dave Stewart, he’s raising the bar all over again.

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY: DALLAS, VOL. 2 TPB (PAGE 34, $17.95, SSD: 10/21/09; OC: JUN09 0040)

Prior to the Original Graphic Novel, CAIRO, I didn’t know MK Perker from a hole in the wall.

Since then, he moved to the ongoing – Eisner-nominated – series, AIR (also with writer G. Willow Wilson) and quickly became one of my favorite new artists. I’ve always wanted to see him doing new work but I didn’t want AIR to suffer. It looks like he’s accommodating his new fans.

INSOMNIA CAFE is Perker’s new 80 page OGN focuses on Peter Kolinsky, a world-class rare-book expert, who gets wrapped up in mischief with black market book forgers and eventually an otherworldly private library which houses completed copies of books that have yet to be written.

It actually sounds a bit like a lost plot of a SANDMAN story arc, which isn’t surprising, given the influences on CAIRO and AIR.

I like Perker’s storytelling and his figure work. It’s light and airy while still being expressive and detailed. It’s a unique look that helps cement the book’s atmosphere.

He’s also got a story in the upcoming Dark Horse Books anthology called “NOIR”, meaning this could be a banner year for Mister Perker. I’m going to be supporting M.K. no matter what, and this seems like it’ll be worth the cash.

INSOMNIA CAFE HC (PAGE 39, $14.95, SSD: 10/21/09; OC: JUN09 0047)

Volume Seven of THE GOON has been on my reading pile for a week now, and I’m happy to see that the ninth volume is also on its way.

We’ve had a real absence of collections of THE GOON over the last couple of years and it’s clearly being rectified.

“Calamity Of Conscience” contains the conclusion of the “Year of The Goon” and I’m expecting more good stuff. Eric Powell is one of the best creators around and THE GOON is consistently hilarious and moving all at the same time.

Powell’s spoiling us – thank him by buying this book.

THE GOON: CALAMITY OF CONSCIENCE, VOL. 9 TPB (PAGE 44, $15.95, SSD: 10/14/09; OC: JUN09 0056)

DC’s BLACKEST NIGHT continues on with a series of three issue minis and the undead have taken over.

BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN #1 by Peter Tomasi and Adrian Saef & John Dell teams Deadman with the new Batman against the Black Lantern Flying Graysons. If that isn’t a mind-fuck I don’t know what is.

BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN #1 sends Black Lantern Superman (of Earth-2) to Smallville where he discovers that Jonathan Kent has been killed. One exhumation later and all hell’s broken loose in the Kansas town. James Robinson and Eddy Barrows direct the horrors.

J.T. Krul, Ed Benes & Rob Hunter put the Titans through the ringer with BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS. The Black Lantern Titans, led by Terra, face off against the Titans and suddenly Beastboy’s in the mood for some zombie lovin’.

Elsewhere, in the main GL books, the Black Lanterns strike out at Oa (GREEN LANTERN CORPS #39, Peter Tomasi, Patrick Gleason & Rebecca Buchman) and take the fight directly to the other Corps in the universe (GREEN LANTERN #45, Geoff Johns, Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy). Sinestro's forced to defend himself against a legion of dead Sinestro Corps members – it’s not going to be pretty.

Sounds like this is all on the right path. Nice job to Geoff Johns and DC in general.

BLACKEST NIGHT #2 (OF 8) (PAGE 59, $3.99, SSD: 08/12/09; OC: JUN09 0122)
BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN #1 (OF 3) (PAGE 60, $2.99, SSD: 08/12/09 OC: JUN09 0125)
BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN #1 (OF 3) (PAGE 61, $2.99, SSD: 08/19/09; OC: JUN09 0127)
BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS #1 (OF 3) (PAGE 62, $2.99, SSD: 08/26/09; OC: JUN09 0129)
GREEN LANTERN #45 (PAGE 63, $2.99, SSD: 08/26/09; OC: JUN09 0131)
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #39 (PAGE 63, $2.99, SSD: 08/12/09; OC: JUN09 0133)

DC launches the latest Bat-book in August, a new BATGIRL book.

Newbie writer Bryan Q. Miller will be joined by the current art team on THE OUTSIDERS, Lee Garbett & Trevor Scott (and, hopefully, Brian Reber in tow), on a book that once again focuses on the black leather clad female hero. The question here is who it is behind the cowl.

There’s a lot of options and not all of them are all that great. There’s Barbara Gordon, the original Batgirl and currently Oracle, the hivemind of the DC Universe. Barbara was taken out of the suit over twenty years ago and most would argue that her character have grown for the better since then. I happen to agree. The recent (terrible) ORACLE: THE CURE miniseries seemed to hint that things were on the horizon for her, but hopefully this kind of change isn’t what is in the cards.

Then there’s Cassandra Cain, the third Batgirl, and the one who wore this black leather for the longest. I was quite fond of Cassandra’s book for a long time – up until Kelley Puckett and Damian Scott left. It was a consistently good read and made a lot of what could have been a one-note character. Cassandra’s rep has been tarnished recently, having given up the heroics for life leading the League of Assassins and I was sort of numb to the character development. I didn’t find it to be the slap in the face that most fans felt, but it wasn’t the best of ideas. Of course, a lot happened after that and she’s been back in the suit for a while (specifically during “Battle For the Cowl”).

I think the front runner has been Stephanie Brown, which is overall a bad idea. Stephanie was once Tim Drake/Robin’s girlfriend, Spoiler, and eventually she was even Robin for a short time. That ended with her death and really, she was asking for it. She wasn’t as smart as she thought she was and died as a result of a horrific Gang War (the truly awful “War Games” crossover) which she caused. Chuck Dixon, Spoiler’s creator, was back in the saddle for all of ten minutes when he resurrected her with one of the dumbest plot points ever. So she’s back and just floating out there. She could be our Batgirl, but I hope not.

As for Bryan Miller, I don’t know a thing about his writing, but he must be decent (or at least have had a great pitch) to be fronting a book like this. I’ve been enjoying Garbett & Scott a ton on THE OUTSIDERS but I’m sure it’ll be just as good looking over here on BATGIRL.

BATGIRL #1 (PAGE 69, $2.99, SSD: 08/19/09; OC: JUN09 0144)

I’m not super interested in the “Red Circle” characters, but the redesigns by J. G. Jones are awesome and the covers by Jesus Saiz make me wish he was doing all of the interiors.

Instead we have four one-shots written by J. Michael Straczynski and “The Hangman #1” by Tom Derenick & Bill Sienkiewicz, “Inferno #1” by Greg Scott, “The Web #1” by Roger Robinson & Hilary Barta and “The Shield” by Scott McDaniel & Andy Owens.

The characters themselves are not all that enticing, but the sample pages by Greg Scott looked excellent. He’s definitely the best out of the bunch there, but McDaniel & Owens are a close second.

I’ll be checking out these specials but my expectations are low. Time to “wow” me, folks.

RED CIRCLE: THE HANGMAN #1 (PAGE 80, $2.99, SSD: 08/05/09; OC: JUN09 0172)
RED CIRCLE: INFERNO #1 (PAGE 80, $2.99, SSD: 08/12/09; OC: JUN09 0173)
RED CIRCLE: THE WEB #1 (PAGE 81, $2.99, SSD: 08/19/09; OC: JUN09 0174)
RED CIRCLE: THE SHIELD #1 (PAGE 81, $2.99, SSD: 08/26/09; OC: JUN09 0175)

I’m currently approximately 75 pages way from finishing the SHOWCASE PRESENTS edition of DOOM PATROL, so I can honestly say I’ve never been more ready for this book in my life.

Keith Giffen is writing for Matt Clark and it’s a great combination. I find Giffen’s work to be generally serviceable but when he’s good, holy crap he’s good. And I love Clark’s work – he’s in my head when I think of Nightwing. I loved his OUTSIDERS work.

These two are going with the original three members of the Doom Patrol: Cliff Steele, AKA Robotman, Larry Traynor/Negative Man and Rita Farr, the size-changing Elasti-girl. It’s the classic dysfunctional family and it’s going to be a blast. These are the freaks for keeps.

The book also features a co-feature of THE METAL MEN, co-written by Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis with art by Kevin Maguire. I’ve seen some of the preview pages. They are pretty.

Giffen/DeMatteis love that back-and-forth banter style dialogue and Maguire is one of the best at delivering great emotion to dialogue, so it’s going to be another winner.

DOOM PATROL #1 (PAGE 82, $3.99, SSD: 08/05/09; OC: JUN09 0176)

The second collection of the Grant Morrison run on BATMAN, “The Black Glove”.

It features the three issue “Club of Heroes” arc, which is important for a few reasons: It reintroduces the International Batmen; it features jaw-dropping art from J. H. Williams III; it brings The Black Glove into the fold as the latest major Bat-villain. It’s an amazingly fun arc.

Then there’s the four issue arc that introduces Dr. Hurt and begins the unraveling of Batman, leading into “R.I.P.” It explains the three replacement Batmen, which leads into the recent AZRAEL miniseries as well as hints of BATMAN #666 and, like I said, sets the scene for “R.I.P.”

I love this stuff and have been waiting a while for this to be released as a tpb. It’ll be a little over a years since the release of the hardcover when this drops in late September, but it’s worth the wait.

BATMAN: THE BLACK GLOVE TPB (PAGE 91, $17.99, SSD: 09/30/09; OC: JUN09 0205)

Once was lost – now is found!

The solicited-then-canceled collection of JAMES ROBINSON'S COMPLETE WILDCATS has been resolicted, due in September. I was excited about it last October and said the following:

Yeah, this is nearly a dream come true: I first really and truly became a fan of James Robinson when he wrote his short arc on WILDC.A.T.S. The run was from #15-20, starting with a two-part arc that introduced the fan-favorite character Benito Santini (later starring in STORMWATCH: TEAM ACHILLES...) and showed off his talent of giving supporting players strong characterizations. #17 sends the heavy hitters of the team off looking for a fallen member, #18 is a trip into the head of Voodoo, #19 features art by Jim Lee and #20 is the second part of the “Wildstorm Rising” crossover. It's all good stuff – and I should say – yeah, most of it features awesome artwork by Travis Charest. Yeah. He and Robinson were chosen by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi to take over the book for a while and this eventually led into the Alan Moore/Charest run and you (should) know how that turned out.

Also included (mentioned in the solicitation) is the WC ANNUAL #1 (with Larry Stroman) and TEAM ONE: WILDC.A.T.S #1-2 with artist Rich Johnson. This is only half of the story (with Steve Seagle's T1: STORMWATCH #1-2 rounding it out) but it sets the tone for the Moore run and a lot of the plot points he chose to focus on were started here. I hope we also get the short story from WILDC.A.T.S #50 that Robinson did with Jim Lee and, come on, how could you have all this great Charest stuff and not included the Steve-Gerber-written SPECIAL. It's just good sense.

I stand by all of that, and can happily add that the first part of “Wildstorm Rising” is also included (art by Barry Windsor-Smith), meaning you get the first two parts and are left on a killer cliffhanger. I wish this included UNION #2 because that’s another great JR issue.

But, at this point, I’ll take what I can, man.

JAMES ROBINSON'S COMPLETE WILDCATS TPB (PAGE 99, $24.99, SSD: 09/02/09; OC: JUN09 0235)

RED HERRING has a helluva high concept: “Red Herring will stop at nothing to halt a global conspiracy of invading aliens and big businessmen. And he's convinced the MacGuffin's near-death experience and dirty little secret affair with a U.S. congressman is the key to his revenge. There are no coincidences. Nothing happens by accident.”

The latest book from David Tischman (frequent collaborator with Howard Chaykin) looks like a riot and, with art by Philip Bond & David Hahn, it’s going to be gorgeous.

Tischman’s recent miniseries GREATEST HITS was a documentary style look at a 60s super group of heroes and was much more interesting than it initially seemed. I loved Tischman’s run on CABLE, jeezus, eight years ago? I also loved SON OF SUPERMAN and BITE CLUB. He’s got a great voice and a sense of timing.

Bond and Hahn – that’s quite an artistic line up. Bond is best known for his work with Grant Morrison on the classic KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND, THE INVISIBLES and VINANARAMA. Hahn illustrated the entirety of the BITE CLUB saga as well as his terrific creator-owned book PRIVATE BEACH. Alone, they’re über talents and together, they’ll be unstoppable.

This is one of those six issue stories that will likely read very well as a trade paperback and I’ll be getting the issues to help ensure that happens.

You’re welcome.

RED HERRING #1 (OF 6) (PAGE 102, $2.99, SSD: 08/12/09; OC: JUN09 0241)

I don’t know how much I’ve written about SLEEPER at this point. It’s a lot, I bet.

I mention it every time it comes up as well as each and every time I take a look at a new book by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. To me, it’s the best that these guys have ever been. It’s a self-contained story – 24 issues over all – that follows the mission of deep cover operative Holden Carver, a truly good guy pretending to be one of the baddest of bad guys.

Season 1 (originally released a 12 floppies, then collected as a pair of trade paperbacks with a giant 12-part tpb due out soon) showed the trouble Holden had with his mission. His handler, TEAM 7’s John Lynch, was incommunicado (shot and placed in coma during the prequel, POINT BLANK) so he was forced to play the part and work his way through the ranks of the empire of the super criminal called Tao. His mission gets exposed at the end of Season 1 and Holden is forced to decide: quit and die or finish what he started.

Season 2 is him finishing the gig. Lynch wakes up and sees how deep Holden has become and spends the rest of the series trying to get him out. Holden spends his time trying to finish off Tao.

It’s an intense epic of gritty action and suspense. It was my “must read” every month for the years it came out. It was the book that I put aside until I was “in the mood”. I had to make sure I had no interruptions. No TV, no music – I just wanted to enjoy every page of it.

And I did.

This collection of SEASON 2 contains all 12 parts of the second volume of SLEEPER as well as the long-lost 8 page prequel story from the COUP D’ETAT: AFTERWORD one-shot. It’s a short but important story that bridges the two seasons.

I already have this book in the four tpbs but I might spring for the new tpb editions. Brubaker’s scripts are sharp and tight and Sean Philips is one of the best storytellers and layout artists ever.

SLEEPER is the best of what work-for-hire has to offer. There would not have been CRIMINAL or INCOGNITO without SLEEPER.

SLEEPER: SEASON 2 TPB (PAGE 108, $24.99, SSD: 09/23/09; OC: JUN09 0248)

Vertigo is retro-soliciting this and it’s a great idea.

The 100 BULLETS #1/VERTIGO CRIME SAMPLER gives readers a chance to try the Vertigo book that showed that the imprint was possible to produce more than the supernatural by offering 100 BULLETS #1 for a buck. The entire first issue by Brian Azzarello, Eduardo Risso, Grant Golesh and Clem Robins – the classic meeting of Dizzy Cordova and Agent Graves, whom asked the question: if you could get justice – set things straight – would you do it? The 100 issue epic started here and it’s an awesome read.

Now, on top of the first issue there, you’ve got sample pages of the first pair of Vertigo Crime books, FILTHY RICH (Azzarello & Victor Santos) and DARK ENTRIES (Ian Rankin & Werther Dell’Edera) as well as sneak-previews of other upcoming VC books.

The VERTIGO CRIME SAMPLER will be available a month before the VC books arrive in stores, so it’ll give you time to reserve your copies from your favorite retailer.

That’s a lot of material for a buck and, although I’ve read both 100 BULLETS and have preordered the pair of Vertigo Crime books already, I’d like to see the sneak-peaks.

100 BULLETS #1 VERTIGO CRIME SAMPLER (PAGE 111, $1.00, SSD: 07/22/09; OC: JUN09 0255)

I took a chance on Jonathan Ames and Dean Haspiel’s Original Graphic Novel for Vertigo, THE ALCOHOLIC and it was a risk worth taking.

I talked about it back in January and I really enjoyed it. It made me a fan of Ames’ writing in general, which led me to his novels. I have read one so far (Wake Up, Sir!) and I have two more (acquired on my West Coast trip – thank you Powell’s and Half-Price Books) in my “prose” pile.

THE ALCOHOLIC is Ames not-really-autobiographical-but-maybe story of Jonathan A., his love affair with drinks and the trials and tribulations of his life. It’s loss and life, blackouts and lucidity.

Haspiel’s art is clear and concise, with tight storytelling. This story moves from the present to the past pretty freely and it doesn’t slow down Haspiel a bit.

I hope these guys get to work together again, and that Ames does some more comics work in the future.

ALCOHOLIC SC (PAGE 111, $14.99, SSD: 09/16/09; OC: JUN09 0256)

It’s hard to believe that DMZ is well into its third year at this point. It’s hard to launch new projects in this current market and apparently this is holding its own. I think it’s mostly due to trade paperback sales. I can tell you that it’s on my list each time it comes around.

“War Powers” collects issues #35-41, setting up in the post-election era of the DMZ. Matty’s side won (volume 6, “Blood In The Game”) and now he’s got a job with the Delgado regime.

Brian Wood is joined by series artist Riccardo Burchielli as well as guests artists Kristian Donaldson and Nikki Cook. Wood consistently has the best looking books on the shelf due to his great artists and colorists like Jeremy Cox.

DMZ: WAR POWERS, VOL. 7 TPB (PAGE 114, $14.99, SSD: 09/02/09; OC: JUN09 0262)

I really, truly, try to limit the amount of toys and figures I bring into my house (because I only have so much space) but sometimes I can’t help it.

I’m slowly collecting the BATMAN: BLACK & WHITE that I think are the coolest looking and it looks like there’s a new one just for me. I’ve got a Paul Pope and a Matt Wagner so far. I’m always looking for a decently priced Eduardo Risso (yeah right). This month solicits the Lee Bermejo edition. It’s really one of my favorites. I’ve been a huge fan of Bermejo ever since SUPERMAN/GEN 13 and this seems like a must to me. This statue is a nod to the JOKER OGN, but it also works with Bermejo’s BATMAN/DEATHBLOW miniseries as well.

Yeah. I can’t wait for this. Of course, I’ll be getting it off of eBay so’s I don’t pay an arm and a leg for it.

Also scheduled for early January 2010 is the second wave of the new JSA figures. It features a Stargirl (complete with cosmic rod) and that’s going to look really nice up there next to my Jack Knight and my two Ted Knights (6 inch and 2 inch).

BATMAN: BLACK & WHITE STATUE LEE BERMEJO (PAGE 128, $80.00, SSD: 01/06/10; OC: JUN09 0289)
JSA SERIES 2 CYCLONE ACTION FIGURE (PAGE 129, PI, SSD: 01/06/10; OC: JUN09 0296)
JSA SERIES 2 STARGIRL ACTION FIGURE (PAGE 129, PI, SSD: 01/06/10; OC: JUN09 0297)
JSA SERIES 2 HOURMAN ACTION FIGURE (PAGE 129, PI, SSD: 01/06/10; OC: JUN09 0298)
JSA SERIES 2 KINGDOM COME SUPERMAN ACTION FIGURE (PAGE 129, PI, SSD: 01/06/10; OC: JUN09 0299)

Marvel is back with a third wave of “Noir” books.

The first two (X-MEN & SPIDER-MAN) were a pair of stinkers. The second pair (WOLVERINE & DAREDEVIL) have been especially good. This batch? Looks like a mix bag.

PUNISHER: NOIR comes from Frank Tieri who is, to put it nicely, not one of my favorite writers. He’s been working consistently at Marvel and DC for a long time now, and that’s great for him and his family, but I think it’s pretty crappy work. And it’s a shame, because The Punisher would be great for this kind of project. Super stripped down/retro action. Paul Azaceta does the art, and that’s a major plus for the book. He’s good.

LUKE CAGE: NOIR is interesting me because of the inclusion of artist Shawn Martinborough. The guy’s a master of atmosphere and subtly. I loved his work on DETECTIVE COMICS so much I had it bound into a custom trade paperback. It’s perfect. He’s working with Mike Benson and Adam Glass and that doesn’t mean much to me. I’ve read a few of Benson’s comics and I haven’t really cared either way. If the script is halfway decent, Martinborough will save the day.

PUNISHER: NOIR #1 (OF 4) (MARVEL PAGE 18, $3.99, SSD: 08/19/09; OC: JUN09 0461)
PUNISHER: NOIR #1 (OF 4) CALERO VARIANT (MARVEL PAGE 18, $3.99, SSD: 08/19/09; OC: JUN09 0462)
LUKE CAGE: NOIR #1 (OF 4) (MARVEL PAGE 18, $3.99 , SSD: 08/05/09; OC: JUN09 0463)
LUKE CAGE: NOIR #1 (OF 4) CALERO VARIANT (MARVEL PAGE 18, $3.99, SSD: 08/05/09; OC: JUN09 0464)

The “Ultimate” universe is being restarted with new number ones and new directions.

Mark Millar is joined by Carlos Pacheco for ULTIMATE COMICS: AVENGERS and, well, it’s probably pretty much exactly what I think it is. Pacheco is a terrific artist, given enough lead time, and Ultimates is pretty much the best work to come out of Millar in the last five, six years. ULTIMATES 2 was a delight and this looks fun, too. Anything to wash the horrible taste of the Jeph Loeb written ULTIMATES 3 out of my mind.

Then there’s ULTIMATE COMICS: SPIDER-MAN and, I’m not as interested as I thought I’d be.

Mark Bagley’s replacement, Stuart Immonen has left the book and David LaFuente has taken over with the new number one. I have generally enjoyed Brian Michael Bendis’ ULT. SPIDER-MAN (many more hits than misses) but it’s been losing speed for me and this might be my out. It’s a new story direction, apparently, and a tone and atmosphere. I picked up the third annual and I realized that LaFuente’s a fine artist, but his stuff’s a bit too cartoony for me. It has a manga influence which isn’t what I really ever look for. I’ll probably try the first tpb, but we’ll see.

ULTIMATE COMICS: AVENGERS #1 (MARVEL PAGE 20, $3.99, SSD: 08/12/09; OC: JUN09 0468)
ULTIMATE COMICS: SPIDER-MAN #1 (MARVEL PAGE 21, $3.99, SSD: 08/05/09; OC: JUN09 0471)

It’s weird to think that I’ve been reading for over a decade. I took some time off here or there (post Cary Nord to Scott Lobdell/Cully Hamner and then post David Mack ‘til Brian Michael Bendis/Alex Maleev) but I’ve been there for a long time now.

Ed Brubaker’s run with Michael Lark has been solid, with the good stuff being up there with the good Bendis/Maleev stuff. Unfortunately, it’s dragged a bit at times and not delivered the wallop that I was expecting. Brubaker has focused on the negative aspects of Matt Murdock’s life, tearing him down wherever he can. It’s a nice angle – lots of drama there – but sometimes it gets a little dreary. Lark’s become one of the premiere DD artists.

Their final issue is #500, the finale of the “Return of the King” arc, wrapping up the Lady Bullseye story and most likely leaving a mess for the new creative team (writer Andy Diggle and… Someone). It’s 104 pages and contains additional stories by former creators like Ann Nocenti, and David Aja.

My question to Marvel is whether or not their final DD tpb is going to include the couple Black Tarantula one-shots/annuals from over the last couple of years.

DAREDEVIL #500 (MARVEL PAGE 44, $4.99, SSD: 08/19/09; OC: JUN09 0528)

A lot of things have been happening for Jonathan Hickman these days.

He started over at Image with a titanic miniseries, THE NIGHTLY NEWS, moved on to a trio of vastly different books before making his way to the big leagues at Marvel. His first major gig, SECRET WARRIORS gets better by the issue and now he’s taking over the company’s flagship title, FANTASTIC FOUR.

Hickman’s run follows Mark Millar’s 18 month, middle-of-the-road arc and hopefully be better. He’s currently wrapping up his short “Dark Reign” FF miniseries, which shows off his love of the high concept and thinking out of the box. He’s got aloof Reed Richards down which is really the hard part, as far as I can tell.

Dale Eaglesham comes on as the artist and over the last half decade he’s become one of the best superhero artists around. His art exudes emotion and his storytelling is cinematic and vibrant. (His final issue of JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA turned out to be one of my favorite issues of the year, bringing a real sincerity to the nearly sugary-sweet script.)

It’s an unexpected pairing but not an unwelcomed one. I hope they have a great time together. I’ll be checking out the tpbs down the road.

FANTASTIC FOUR #570 (MARVEL PAGE 47, $2.99, SSD: 08/26/09; OC: JUN09 0532)

Howard Chaykin has done a ton of work-for-hire projects for Marvel lately and I was wondering when he’d get around to doing his own projects again.

Apparently DOMINIC FORTUNE ran as a backup story 30 years ago and Chaykin is back to reintroduce the character. He’s a 1930s pulp adventurer, which is what Chaykin does best. I was lucky enough to find a copy of the collection of Chaykin’s THE SHADOW and it’s a solid piece of work. This looks like more of the same.

Fortune is a Depression-era Hollywoodland body guard whose new clients are a real handful. Their poor behavior leads him to serious situations that open up into a growing International Situation.

It’s tough guys, sexy gals and gun play; all the best parts of a Chaykin story.

DOMINIC FORTUNE #1 (OF 4) (MARVEL PAGE 78, $3.99, SSD: 08/05/09; OC: JUN09 0602)

Lots of Marvel collections to talk about:

CAPTAIN AMERICA: DEATH OF A DREAM OMNIBUS is the second omnibus of Brubaker’s game-changing run on CAPTAIN AMERICA. It, of course, starts with the death of Cap. and leads to Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, picking up the shield for a while.

It’s been a solid political/conspiracy story with consistent art by Steve Epting, Mike Perkins, Butch Guice, Roberto De La Torre & Luke Ross. It collects #25-42 and, if you can find it at a decent discount, this would make a lovely addition to your book shelf.

Then there’s the first all-Matt Fraction collection of UNCANNY X-MEN, “Sisterhood”. It follows the growing anti-mutant threat that is Proposition X with art by Greg Land & Yanick Paquette. The latter is better than the former. Collecting UNCANNY X-MEN #508-512.

Wrapping it up is a trio of PUNISHER related collections:

The opening arc of Rick Remender’s PUNISHER: DARK REIGN series gets a hardcover and as much as I enjoyed it, I don’t think it’s worth springing for the premiere edition. I’d wait for the tpb down the line (January?). Remender’s Frank Castle is planted firmly into the Marvel U but is just as gritty as his Max counterpart. The arc featured Remender’s FEAR AGENT colleague Jerome Opeña on art chores and it’s a gorgeous piece of work. The story doesn’t exactly end with issue five, which is kind of crappy, but at least the lead in is obvious.

PUNISHER, FRANK CASTLE MAX: SIX HOURS TO KILL is novelist Duane Swierczynski’s arc with artist Michel Lacombe. The last volume of PUNISHER MAX by Gregg Hurwitz was OK – not anything worth really talking about. I’ve read a few of Swierczynski’s prose stories and they tend to be better than his comics work. Maybe this is more his speed, the hyper-violent, vigilantism type of story. Michel Lacombe is a newer artist with a style similar to Chris Weston. This arc is set in Swierczynski’s home town of Philly and will likely have some authentic locales included.

Finally: the tpb edition of Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s six issue arc. I’ve been waiting on that. It’s what you expect: beautiful carnage.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: DEATH OF A DREAM OMNIBUS HC (MARVEL PAGE 82, $75.00, SSD: 11/04/09; OC: JUN09 0606)
UNCANNY X-MEN: SISTERHOOD TPB (MARVEL PAGE 107, $14.99, SSD: 08/26/09; OC: JUN09 0641)
PUNISHER: DARK REIGN PREMIERE HC (MARVEL PAGE 98, $19.99, SSD: 08/19/09; OC: JUN09 0630)
PUNISHER, FRANK CASTLE MAX: SIX HOURS TO KILL TPB (MARVEL PAGE 115, $16.99, SSD: 08/19/09; OC: JUN09 0653)
PUNISHER: WAR ZONE TPB (MARVEL PAGE 116, $19.99, SSD: 08/12/09; OC: JUN09 0655)

ABSOLUTION is Christos Gage's new mature-readers superhero epic with Avatar Press.

It occurs in a world where super humans are a sanctioned section of law enforcement and follows John Dusk, a good guy who's literally taken the law into his own hands and now doesn't want to turn back.

Gage has written great anti-hero drama in DEADSHOT and superhero police procedurals in STORMWATCH: P.H.D. So I know he's got the chops.

The art is by a newcomer, Roberto Viacava, and, although I couldn't find any sample pages from ABSOLUTION, I found a blog of his (after a quick look) and his sketch/color pencil work is really, really nice. Much better than the usual Avatar fare.

ABSOLUTION is a six issue miniseries with a short #0 out there (reoffered this month). I'll check out the first issue and probably come back for the tpb.

ABSOLUTION #1 (OF 6) (PAGE 201, $3.99, SSD: 08/26/09; OC: JUN09 0733)
ABSOLUTION #1 (OF 6) WRAP COVER (PAGE 201, $3.99, SSD: 08/26/09; OC: JUN09 0734)
ABSOLUTION #1 (OF 6) CRIMEFILES EDITIONS (PAGE 201, $3.99, SSD: 08/26/09; OC: JUN09 0735)
ABSOLUTION #0 (OF 6) AUXILIARY EDITIONS (PAGE 201, $1.99, SSD: 08/26/09; OC: JUN09 0737)

I've been receiving advanced previews of Mark Waid's IRREDEEMABLE and it's been a hoot to read.

Boom! Studios is offering the collection of the first four issues in a tpb for 10 bucks as well as the fifth issue for 99 cents. “Five issues for 11 bucks” says the ad and it's a great deal.

Waid is one of the smartest writers in the industry which means his “the world's #1 superhero turns evil” plot is more complex and well thought out than the usual book of this type. Thus far, the behavior – the hows and the whyfors – leading to the Plutonian's change of heart have not been revealed but it's been interesting to see the intricate dismantling of heroes in villains alike at the hands of this iconic hero.

Peter Krause supplies the art and while in the past he's never done much for me, he's doing some nice work here. He's filling in the Barry Kitson shoes nicely, delivering strong storytelling and clean linework.

This is a great deal for anyone looking to expand their horizons a little.

IRREDEEMABLE #5 (PAGE 216, $0.99, SSD: 08/26/09; OC: JUN09 0778)
IRREDEEMABLE, VOL. 1 TPB (PAGE 219, $9.99, SSD: 08/26/09; OC: JUN09 0793)

I've been waiting for this.

Devil's Due Publishing is releasing a collection of John Cassaday and Fabien Nury's WWII-era supernatural epic I AM LEGION after completing the serialization of the material in six issues.

The project was originally seen in France and later the first third was released in a prestige format book by DC/Humanoids in 2005. The remaining parts were never reprinted due to the collapse of the DC/Humanoids relationship.

It's now been reprinted – all of that glorious Cassaday art – and it'll be collected by September. All that and it's two bucks cheaper than the cover price of the issues.

I AM LEGION TPB (PAGE 223, $18.99, SSD: 08/26/09; OC: JUN09 0811)

Last up is the COMPLETE ESSEX COUNTY, a reprinting of Jeff Lemire's award-winning trilogy.

Lemire is the creative force behind the upcoming Vertigo OGN, NOBODY and his early work is being collected in both hardcover and trade paperback.

I have seen a little bit of Lemire's work – mostly samples of ESSEX - and based on that, I decided to preorder NOBODY. I was planning on tracking down the individual volumes of EC but Top Shelf has made it easier for me.

Lemire is one of the new upcoming creators in the industry whom has a fresh look at the mundane and a real sense of storytelling.

I've been waiting for this solicitation to come around.

COMPLETE ESSEX COUNTY HC (PAGE 280, $49.95, SSD:08/26/09; OC: JUN09 1068)
COMPLETE ESSEX COUNTY TPB (PAGE 280, $29.95, SSD:08/26/09; OC: JUN09 1069)

Wow. August looks like a great month for comics and June is starting off pretty strong as well.

Upcoming…
Books and items shipping Wednesday June 3rd, 2009

FEB094258 32 STORIES COMPLETE OPTIC NERVE SP DEFINITIVE ED BOX SET (MR) $19.95
FEB094273 4 GIRLFRIENDS GN VOL 02 (A) $10.95
FEB094309 A G SUPER EROTIC ANTHOLOGY #105 (A) $4.99
APR090486 AGENTS OF ATLAS #6 DKR $2.99
APR090449 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #596 DKR $2.99
APR090885 ANGEL NOT FADE AWAY #2 $3.99
MAR092507 ANITA BLAKE LC NECROMANCER #2 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
MAR094068 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #199 $3.99
APR090488 ASTONISHING TALES #5 $3.99
APR090895 ASTRO BOY MOVIE PREQUEL UNDERGROUND #2 $3.99
APR090234 ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE BOOK THREE #2 (OF 4) $3.99
MAR094409 ATOMIC ROBO SHADOW FROM BEYOND TIME #2 (OF 5) $3.50

APR090237 THE AUTHORITY #11
Wildstorm/DC Comics
$2.99

The last issue of THE AUTHORITY was awesome. It was a fill-in story of sorts that helped to flesh out some of the missing plot points since the “World's End” era began. It ended with a look at Gamorra island and I'm guessing that's where we're headed next. Can't wait.

MAR094464 BABY & ME GN VOL 14 $8.99
MAR090244 BALLAD OF A SHINIGAMI VOL 01 $9.99
APR090265 BANG TANGO #5 (OF 6) (MR) $2.99
MAR090176 BATGIRL REDEMPTION TP $19.99

APR090147 BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
DC Comics
$2.99

Grant Morrison. Frank Quitely. BATMAN AND ROBIN. Score.

MAR094185 BATTLESTAR GALACTICA FINAL FIVE #3 (OF 4) $3.99
MAR094069 BETTY #180 $2.50
MAR094072 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #171 $3.99
MAR094240 BIOGRAPHIC NOVEL 14TH DALAI LAMA GN $15.95
APR091054 BLACK GOD TP VOL 06 $10.99
APR090482 BLACK PANTHER 2 #5 DKR $2.99
APR090766 BOYS #31 (MR) $2.99
JUN083806 BOYS DEFINITIVE ED HC SGN & SKETCH (MR) $499.99
APR090057 BTVS TALES OF THE VAMPIRES ONE SHOT BA & MOON CVR $2.99
APR090056 BTVS TALES OF THE VAMPIRES ONE SHOT JO CHEN COVER $2.99
FEB094447 BUZZBOY SIDEKICKS RULE #3 (RES) $2.99
APR090602 CAPTAIN AMERICA FIGHTING CHANCE TP VOL 01 DENIAL $19.99
APR090631 CAPTAIN BLOOD ODYSSEY #1 (OF 5) $3.50
APR090496 CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 ANNUAL #1 $3.99
APR090230 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #38 $2.50

APR090337 CHEW #1
Image Comics
$2.99

Former editor John Layman's CHEW centers around a homicide detective whom ordains details about items after he eats them. So he tastes dead people to find out who killed them. Yeah.

APR091055 CIRQUE DU FREAK GN VOL 01 $10.99
MAR090055 CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #11 $2.99
APR090706 CROSSED #4 (OF 9) AUXILIARY ED (MR) $3.99
APR090441 DAREDEVIL NOIR #3 (OF 4) $3.99
APR090442 DAREDEVIL NOIR #3 (OF 4) CALERO VAR $3.99

JAN092561 DAREDEVIL OMNIBUS BY BRUBAKER & LARK, VOL. 1 HC
Marvel Comics
$74.99

The first 24 issues of Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark's run on DAREDEVIL in one – well, not handy, because it's massive but in – one place. It starts off on a high point (Matt in prison) and continues on and on. I really dig this stuff.

MAR092531 DARK AVENGERS #5 DKR $3.99
FEB090136 DARK HORSE AMANO 11 OZ MUG $9.99
MAR094182 DEAD IRONS #4 (OF 4) $3.99
APR090180 DEAD ROMEO #3 (OF 6) $2.99
APR090724 DEAD RUN #1 $3.99
APR090542 DEADPOOL SUICIDE KINGS #3 (OF 5) $3.99
APR090583 DEADPOOL TP VOL 01 SECRET INVASION $14.99
APR090584 DEADPOOL TP VOL 01 SECRET INVASION DM ED $14.99
SEP084003 DF AVENGERS INVADERS #6 EX CVR SGN $29.99
APR090886 DOCTOR WHO CLASSICS SERIES 2 #7 $3.99
MAR094143 EUREKA TP VOL 01 (OF 4) $15.99
APR090487 EXILES #3 $2.99
MAR094453 EYESHEILD 21 TP VOL 26 $7.99
JAN094075 FARSCAPE HC VOL 01 $29.99
MAR094137 FARSCAPE STRANGE DETRACTORS #3 (OF 4) $3.99

APR090143 FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH RUN #2 (OF 6)
DC Comics
$2.99

I'll be covering these FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH books next week but so far I'm enjoying all of them. Run is an uphill battle as it follows an utterly unlikeable character – the Human Flame – and we all want him dead.

NOV083786 FLASH GORDON #5 $3.99
MAR094221 GEORGE SPROTT HC $24.95
APR090867 GI JOE BEST OF DUKE GN $19.99
APR090866 GI JOE MOVIE PREQUEL #4 SNAKE EYES $3.99
MAR090182 GREEN LANTERN CORPS SINS OF THE STAR SAPPHIRE TP $14.99
MAR092489 HALO UPRISING PREM HC (RES) (MR) $24.99
MAR094488 HAPPY HAPPY CLOVER GN VOL 02 $7.99
MAR094466 HONEY & CLOVER GN VOL 06 $8.99
MAR094454 HOSHIN ENGI TP VOL 13 $7.99
APR090270 HOUSE OF MYSTERY #14 (MR) $2.99
MAR090236 HOUSE OF MYSTERY TP VOL 02 LOVE STORIES FOR DEAD PEOPLE (MR) $14.99
FEB098554 INCREDIBLES FAMILY MATTERS #1 (OF 4) 2ND PTG $2.99
FEB098596 IRREDEEMABLE #1 2ND PRT (PP #863) $3.99

APR090731 IRREDEEMABLE #3
Boom! Studios
$3.99

This issue starts off with some seriously weird behavior and ends with a bang. More great stuff from Mark Waid and Peter Krause.

APR090385 JERSEY GODS #5 $3.50
APR090187 JONAH HEX #44 $2.99
DEC080077 JOURNAL TIM BURTON OYSTER BOY LIGHT UP ED $14.99
APR090908 JUNGLE JOURNAL GN $5.99

MAR090190 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: INJUSTICE LEAGUE, VOL. 3 TPB
DC Comics
$17.99

Dwayne McDuffie's run on J.L.A. started with such promise. It's excellent art and character work. But, it's all down here from here folks.

MAR094414 JYU OH SEI GN VOL 03 (OF 3) (RES) $14.99
MAR094363 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #151 $4.99
MAR094459 KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC TP VOL 26 $7.95
APR090630 LEGEND O/T FIVE RINGS DEATH AT KOTEN GN $24.95
MAR094117 LEGEND OF ISIS (BLUEWATER) #1 $3.99
MAR094487 LEGEND OF ZELDA GN VOL 05 $7.99
MAR094116 LIONSGATE FILMS LEPRECHAUN #1 (MR) $3.99
APR090232 LOONEY TUNES #175 $2.50
APR090746 LOVE IS A PECULIAR TYPE OF THING GN (MR) $10.00
JAN094510 MAGIC TOUCH GN VOL 02 $8.99
MAR092643 MARVEL ILLUSTRATED PREM HC KIDNAPPED $19.99
APR090610 MARVEL YOUR UNIVERSE #5 $5.99
APR090182 MIGHTY #5 $2.99
MAR092534 MIGHTY AVENGERS #25 DKR $2.99
FEB094402 MIJEONG GN $19.95
MAR094467 MIXED VEGETABLES GN VOL 04 $8.99
JAN092563 MMW ATLAS ERA JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY HC VOL 02 VAR ED 118 $59.99
JAN092564 MMW AVENGERS HC VOL 09 $54.99
JAN092565 MMW AVENGERS HC VOL 09 VAR ED 117 $54.99
MAR094471 MONKEY HIGH GN VOL 06 $8.99
APR090803 MOOMIN COMPLETE TOVE JANSSON COMIC STRIP HC VOL 04 $19.95
MAR090245 MOON CHILD VOL 13 $9.99
MAR094460 MUHYO ROJIS BUREAU SUPER INVEST TP VOL 11 $7.99
MAR094141 MUPPET SHOW #3 (OF 4) $2.99
APR090913 MY MERMAID COUNTING BOOK $7.99
APR090479 NEW AVENGERS REUNION #4 (OF 4) DKR $3.99
APR090536 NEW MUTANTS #2 $2.99
APR090708 NIGHT O/T LIVING DEAD NEW YORK ONE-SHOT CON ED (MR) $4.99
APR090697 NO HERO #5 (OF 7) AUXILIARY ED (MR) $3.99
MAR094461 NORA LAST CHRONICLE OF DEVILDOM GN VOL 05 $7.99
MAR090212 OCEAN TP NEW EDITION $19.99
APR090429 OFFICIAL INDEX TO MARVEL UNIVERSE #6 $3.99
MAR094457 ONE PIECE TP VOL 21 $7.95
MAR094472 OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB TP VOL 12 $8.99
FEB094398 PHANTOM GENERATIONS #2 $3.99
DEC083744 PIRATES VS NINJAS IT TAKES A PILLAGE PKT MANGA TP $14.95
MAR094490 POKEMON ADVENTURES TP VOL 01 2ND ED $7.99
MAR094486 POKEMON DIAMOND & PEARL ADVENTURE GN VOL 04 $7.99
APR090250 PROTOTYPE #3 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99
FEB094251 PS238 #39 $2.99
JAN092571 PUNISHER MAX HC VOL 05 (MR) $34.99

APR090549 PUNISHER MAX NAKED KILL #1
Marvel/Max
$3.99

Another new one-shot: I don't know writer Jonathan Maberry's work but I've been enjoying the hell out of Laurence Campbell's artwork. He's like a new Michael Lark.

MAR094456 RAL OMEGA GRAD GN VOL 04 $7.99
MAR094451 ROSARIO VAMPIRE GN VOL 07 $7.99
MAR094368 ROTTEN #1 $5.99
MAR094417 SAMURAI HAREM ASU NO YOICHI GN VOL 01 (OF 7) (MR) $12.99
MAR090240 SCALPED #29 (MR) $2.99

APR090274 SEAGUY: THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #3 (OF 3)
Vertigo/DC Comics
$3.99

I read the first issue and it was a head scratcher. I'm waiting to read all three together. Cameron Stewart's art is lovely but the story is, as my mother-in-law would say, “bizaah”.

APR090194 SECRET SIX #10 $2.99
APR090589 SENTRY TP AGE OF SENTRY DM ED $19.99
FEB094485 SHAMAN KING TP VOL 22 $7.95
FEB090063 SHAMAN WARRIOR TP VOL 07 $12.95
APR090593 SHE-HULK TP VOL 09 LADY LIBERATORS $14.99
MAR094448 SHONEN JUMP JULY 09 $4.99
MAR094122 SIMPSONS SUMMER SHINDIG #3 $4.99
MAR092572 SKAAR #11 $2.99
MAR094458 SLAM DUNK GN VOL 04 $7.99
APR090195 SOLOMON GRUNDY #4 (OF 7) $2.99
MAR092463 SPAWN #192 $2.95
MAR094473 ST DRAGON GIRL GN VOL 03 $8.99
APR090893 STAR TREK CREW #4 $3.99
APR090197 STRANGE ADVENTURES #4 (OF 8) $3.99
DEC084361 STRAW MEN #1-3 SET (MR) $3.00
FEB090216 SUPERMAN BATMAN FINEST WORLDS HC $19.99

APR090166 SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #4 (OF 12)
DC Comics
$2.99

I really wasn't expecting anything from this “World of New Krypton” book but James Robinson and Greg Rucka have done a great job fleshing out Kandor and the Kryptonian culture. The art by Pete Woods is great, too.

FEB094422 TALES FROM THE CRYPT #12 $3.95
APR090622 TERRY MOORES ECHO TP VOL 02 ATOMIC DREAMS $15.95
MAR098122 THUNDERBOLTS #131 2ND PTG DAZO VAR (PP #867) $2.99
APR090513 TIMESTORM 2009/2099 SPIDER-MAN $3.99
APR090815 TINY TYRANT GN ETHELBERTOSAURUS $9.95
JAN094426 TORCHWOOD GN RIFT WAR $14.95
MAR094293 TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED TP VOL 09 $7.99
APR090852 TRANSFORMERS BEST O/T UK CITY OF FEAR #5 $3.99
APR090855 TRANSFORMERS REVENGE O/T FALLEN MOVIE ADAPT #3 $3.99
APR090445 TROJAN WAR #2 (OF 5) $3.99
FEB092478 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #133 $3.99
MAR098007 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #133 WHITE IMMONEN VAR (PP #865) $3.99
MAR098131 ULTIMATUM #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG FINCH VAR $3.99
MAR098132 ULTIMATUM #2 (OF 5) 3RD PTG FINCH VAR $3.99
MAR098133 ULTIMATUM #3 (OF 5) 2ND PTG FINCH VAR $3.99
JAN092453 ULTIMATUM #4 (OF 5) $3.99
MAR098107 ULTIMATUM #4 (OF 5) PETER PARKER RIP VAR $3.99

APR090587 UNCANNY X-MEN: LOVELORN TPB
Marvel Comics
$15.99

The last of the Ed Brubaker X-stuff. Terry Dodson does the art so it should look nice. This book isn't clicking for me as I think it should but I'm willing to give it some more time.

MAR092510 UNIVERSAL WAR ONE REVELATIONS #3 (OF 3) (MR) $5.99
MAR094252 UPTIGHT #3 (RES) $2.75
MAR094118 VINCENT PRICE PRESENTS #9 $3.99
APR090521 WAR OF KINGS #4 (OF 6) $3.99
MAR094119 WARLOCK (BLUEWATER) #3 $3.99
APR090201 WARLORD #3 $2.99
APR091062 WELCOME TO WAKABA SOH GN VOL 01 $10.99
APR090021 WEREWOLVES ON THE MOON VERSUS VAMPIRES #1 (OF 3) $3.50
MAR094475 WILD ONES GN VOL 07 $8.99

APR090546 WOLVERINE REVOLVER #1
Marvel Comics
$3.99

Victor Gischler's limited comics work hasn't impressed me much and I don't know artist Das Pastoras at all. These random one-shots are weird.

NOV080271 WOMEN OF THE DCU SERIES 2 PHANTOM LADY BUST $55.00
MAR094455 YU GI OH GX GN VOL 03 $7.99

Thanks for reading. Next Week: Reviews of recent first issues.

Brian Domingos is the Editor-in-Chief at Popimage.com. Questions? Comments? Love Notes? Email him via brian@popimage.com. To submit a comic for review, please email him at the email link. We're always interested to see what people have to offer.

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