PREVIEWS REVIEW
A flip through Diamond Comics Distributors' PREVIEWS Catalogue.

Each month, the premiere distributor of Comic Books, Diamond Comics Distributors, produces a catalogue of wares that will be availible through them approximately two months down the road. This catalogue runs over 400 pages, over 250 of those including comic book soliciatations. A lot of people get lost reading them (and can ya blame them?). PopImage endeavours to bring you the best of each Previews catalogue, and lets you know what to ask your retailer to order for you. And we'd like to stress that you ask your retailer to order these books, and don't just assume that they will. That said, we hope you enjoy our picks. This month they're brought to you by Scott Grunewald.

Well the day has come; Diamond has released the May edition of Previews, soliciting comics and merchandise that will be released into stores in July. What? You don't read Previews and pre-order your comics? No problem, we'll read it for you, and suggest to you what to order.

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET.

NEW YORK: THE BIG CITY soft cover - By Will Eisner

In my mind, the coolest thing that DC ever has or ever will do is release new editions of the Will Eisner Library. Eisner truly is a visionary, and virtually every comic professional in the industry today owes something to him. Be it by studying his work, or the work of someone who has. Personally however, NEW YORK: THE BIG CITY is one of my favorite Eisner tales. It's so random, touching, humorous and enthralling that you can't help but read it over and over again. Buy this soft cover graphic novel.

144 page soft cover - $12.95 - Order number MAY000155

THE HUMAN TARGET Trade paperback - Written by Peter Milligan, Art by Edvin Biukovic

If you missed the ultra-cool HUMAN TARGET mini series last year, then you missed one of the coolest things to come out of Vertigo in years. As good as the book is, reading it has become bittersweet due to Edvin Biukovic's untimely and sudden death this past December. Aside from being a great read thanks to a story by Peter Milligan, the series is a reminder of the huge talent that comics lost in Edvin.

104page soft cover trade paperback - $12.95 - Order number MAY000190

HELLBLAZER SPECIAL: BAD BLOOD #1 - Written by Jamie Delano, Art by Philip Bond

A mini series about a sixty-something John Constantine written by the man, the myth, the legend Jamie Delano and art by Mack Daddy Philip Bond? What the hell else do you need to hear??

4 issue mini series - $2.95 - Order number MAY000189

SENTRY #1 - Written by Paul Jenkins, Art by Jae Lee

A mysterious hero who's existence not only predates the Marvel U, but was erased from it? Intriguing idea. Lets not forget that Paul and Jae brought us last years stunning INHUMANS maxi-series. This book looks like it's going to be a killer read.

5 issue mini series - $2.99 - Order number MAY 001108

STRANGEHAVEN: BROTHERHOOD Trade Paperback - By Garry Millidge

It's pretty hard to explain what this book is about, because it's such a dense read. Alex Hunter is trapped in a bizarre English town, surrounded by all manner of its odd inhabitants. But that's just the beginning. Yes, I know I'm being vague, but it's hard to explain what the book is like without ruining it. I was introduced to the series by a borderline insane Icelandic friend, and have been indebted to him ever since. Part Twin Peaks, part Picket Fences, STRANGEHAVEN is a fantastic comic. This Trade collects issues 7 - 12 of the series.

168page soft cover - $14.95 - Order number MAY001302

NOBODY Trade paperback - Written by Alex Amado & Sharon Cho Art by Charlie Adlard

Finally! One of the coolest and most underrated comic's from the past few years is finally getting released through AIT/Planet Lar. NOBODY is the story of an investigator of the bizarre with an odd knack of changing faces when she needs to. This was a very cool read when Oni Press first released it last year, and I've been waiting for a collection since I can't seem to find Issue #3 anywhere. And an introduction by Greg Rucka is a special added bonus with a chewy nougat center.

128page soft cover - $12.95 - Order number MAY001323

CUT MY HAIR - Written by Jamie S. Rich Art by Various

This is the new illustrated novel by Oni Press Editor in Chief Jamie S. Rich, and what can I say, it looks pretty cool. Jamie is the man responsible for getting some of the coolest and innovative comics released on to the market, so I'm dying to see what he can do when let loose. Nifty interior art by Andi Watson, Scott Morse, and Judd Winick isn't a bad reason to pick it up either. If you don't trust me, do check out PopImage's exclusive preview of CUT MY HAIR. Then slap yourself for not listening to me.

248page soft cover - $14.95 - Order number MAY001495

THE 6: MEK POWER #1 - By Paul Pope

For me, Paul Pope equals instant erection. Buy this new series, and get your own erection. This is a great place for new readers to give Pope's comics a shot as well.

64page - $3.95 - Order number MAY00

FORTUNE & GLORY: A TRUE HOLLYWOOD COMIC BOOK STORY Trade Paperback - By Brian Michael Bendis

You've probably heard about this funny as hell series, but had trouble finding the damn thing due to it's selling out so damn fast. This is the true story of Bendis' Hollywood adventures. You see, Bendis sold the rights to his ultra cool crime comic GOLDFISH, and hilarity ensued. FORTUNE & GLORY is as biting at THE PLAYER, and as funny as the short-lived ACTION! TV show. A must read as far as I'm concerned.

128page soft cover - 14.95 - MAY001685

SIMPSONS CLUE

No, you are not reading wrong! They are releasing a version of the uber cool CLUE game based on the Simpson's characters. Does life get any better than that? I think not.

Game - PI (That means that you need to ask your retailer for a price) - Order number MAY002219

TREKKIES - Hosted by Denise Crosby

You think comic fans are scary? Shit, they are nothing compared to the oddly likable freaks on display in TREKKIES. A woman who goes to jury duty dressed as a Starfleet Officer, people dressed as Klingons who will only speak the real Klingon language, and a woman obsessed with an android named data. Oh yeah, the cross-dressing, singing guy is a hoot as well. This is a wonderful documentary that anyone who thinks dressing up for conventions is fun should

VHS $14.95 - DVD $29.99 - Order number (VHS) MAY002345 (DVD) MAY002346

WHAT YOU NEED TO SKIP!

UNIVERSE X #0 - Written by Alex Ross & Jim Krueger Art by Doug Braithwaite & Bill Reinhold

Is there anyone out that there REALLY knew what EARTH X was supposed to be about? I'll tell you, it was an excuse for Alex Ross to paint a cover and sell a shit load of crappy comics based solely on that. Guess what, it's more of the same. Yawn, next please. (Editor's Note: Chris Butcher here. I'd just like to point out that I enjoyed EARTH X, and I'm a big fan of Doug Braithwaite. I'm eagerly anticipating UNIVERSE X, although it does look even... spacier... than EARTH X was.)

PENANCE #2 Written by David Ryan Art by Peter Palmiotti

Who cares what the fucking book is about. It's got an impossibly figured woman (I'll give the cover artist bonus points for proper, if delusional anatomy however) wearing a metal bathing suit with nipples and matching thigh high metal boots. And this isn't even what's offensive about the book! Red Anvil (the company who publishes the book) has purchased a full page ad depicting the submissive woman in metal with the tag line "MYTHOLOGY WITH P.M.S." ! Jesus. Why don't they just say that the only time a woman can kick ass is when she's on the rag? When oh when will this insulting and masochistic 'Bad Girl' thing go away for good??? My only salvation is the fact that this book is most likely only going to sell to the eleven sex starved rejects who by BODY DOUBLES. Seriously, if you were even thinking of getting this book, just stop and invest in real porn.

ERIC CARR COMMEMORATIVE TRADING CARD SET

Who is Eric Carr you say? That's what I said! But I guess he was a drummer with Kiss for 11 years or something. All I know is that he has Paula Jones' haircut and a flabby stomach so hairy that it's practically screaming "Nair me, please!" Gag. I know I'm playing with fire by tempting the tempers of Kiss fans, but god, there has to be something better to spend your money on than this shit.

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I have given you your instructions, now I suggest you obey them! Until next month kiddies, remember to always tie your shoes, wear clean underwear, and always, always PRE-ORDER YOUR COMICS!

Scott Grunewald is the publisher of PopImage.

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