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Welcome once again lads and lasses to PopImage's PREVIEWS REVIEW. Each month myself (Christopher Butcher, PopImage's Editor In Chief) and Publisher Scott J. Grunewald (writing in italics) go through Diamond Comics Distributors' PREVIEWS catalogue and make our recommendations (and recommendations to avoid) of tons of great comics and related merchandise.
Warren Ellis' ORDERINGCOMICS.COM has recently officially opened it's doors, and we strongly suggest that after reading this article you spirit your way over there. Pre-ordering your comics has never had a stronger advocate, and considering the state of the industry, it's never been more important. Remember to pre-order your comics.
Now, on to Previews!
HELLBOY: CONQUEROR WORM #1 of 4
by Mike Mignola
FC, 32pg, Page 28 (Dark Horse Comics)
Order Number: MAR010018
I'm always wait for the trades when it comes to HELLBOY due to erratic shipping schedules, but I've been told that Mignola is getting better about producing work on-time, so I'm going to give another of his monthlies a shot.
I don't think that Hellboy is going to live or die on the sales of the monthly readers. The book really reads better in a collected fashion. Granted, Mignola does often include interesting back-ups and what not in the monthly books, but the trade format is, to me, more worthy of support.
300 HC
by FRANK MILLER and LYNN VARLEY
FC, 88pg HC, $30.00, Page 30 (Dark Horse Comics)
Order Number: MAR010021, STAR10465
This item has been out of print since just before Christmas. While I find Miller's work a little obnoxious at points, 300 was a really good read (though still obnoxious). It's nice to know that the book will be coming back into print soon. If you're looking for a book for your dad, or a non-comics reading friend, 300 is that book. 300 Greek warriors against the vast armies of Persia in beautiful widescreen. A must-read.
Yeah, this is an excellent book, and an actual affordable hardcover. Great deal, and it’ll look good on your book shelf.
AKIRA VOL. 3 TP
By KATSUHIRO OTOMO
b&w, 288pg, $24.95, Page 35 (Dark Horse Comics)
Order Number: MAR010032
NEO TOKYO IS ABOUT TO...EXPLODE! This is where the series really starts to pick up steam, and where it begins to expand upon and diverge wildly from the animated movie. AKIRA is fantastic, really. It's political, it's sci-fi, it's military, it's humanity and romance. It's all these things. A truly revolutionary manga and anime that changed the face of American comics, in these great phonebook-style volumes. 288 pages for $24.95. It's a must-purchase item.
Most definitely. Many fans of the Anime think that that’s all there is to Akira, but they have no idea what’s to come. You might know this Chris, but wasn’t the Akira Anime supposed to be one of several adaptations of the Manga series?
Never heard that before. To be honest, I could see a variety of interpretations of the series happening. The animated movie focussed primarily on the first two volumes of the manga, with various political asides included. There is going to be a lot of material that will flat out surprise AKIRA fans before the book is over. Like Tetsuo sinking an American aircraft carrier as an example of the independence of New-Japan, for example.
SPOILER!
It's impressive that he does it, yeah. It's more impressive why though. And I'm not going to spoil that...
OH MY GODDESS!: THE DEVIL IN MISS URD TP
by Kosuke Fujishima; produced by STUDIO PROTEUS
b&w, 176pg, $14.95, Page 39 (Dark Horse Comics)
Order Number: MAR010038
OMG! Is sort of the girly flip side to BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL. Both series are among the longest-running at Dark Horse; both are beautifully illustrated in a unique style that compliments the writing of the story; and both tend to be ignored for some of the flashier, more impressive works out there. While we here at PopImage have done our best to provide thorough coverage of BOTI, OMG! Has sort of slipped under our radar. I just want to recommend OMG! as a fantastic series for all ages and both genders, that's among some of the better translated manga. A fun romp through love and growing up, it's Archie with a little more kick. Any trade can be read without being familiar with the series, so feel free to pick up this one and get familiar with a fun, wonderfully illustrated series.
OH MY GODDESS? Good lord Chris, why don’t you just recommend Ranma 1/5...
Note: It's Ranma ½. I'm sure that Scottie will say that he just made an error and he really knows that, but I think it's important we all take a moment to laugh at him. And I would recommend Ranma. It's a good series, though I like Maison Ikoku better.
And I know that if I correct the simple type-o you’ll just make it wrong again you oppressive bastard. Ranma is bad, and OMG is silly. You need to start reading boy Anime ;)
Now, who's opinion do you trust? I know that manga means comics and anime means animation. Scottie, apparently, doesn't. That's right, check out Oh My Goddess...
GREEN LANTERN: WILLWORLD HC
By J.M. DeMatteis and Seth Fisher
FC, 96pg HC, $24.95, Page 78 (DC Comics)
Order Number: MAR010417
WILLWORLD is illustrated by HAPPYDALE artist and longtime "Friend Of PopImage" Seth Fisher, and on those merits alone it's probably worth a look. However, this is a story that takes place in the imaginations of the entire Green Lantern Corps, and the art is a sort of acid-trip Moebius, which will be adequately shown-off by the high quality of the hardcover format. J.M. Dematteis is no slouch either, and I expect this book will be one of the few to truly warrant the Original Hardcover format.
While I'm always weary of new Hal Jordan stories (They always seem to stir up the "Hal is the only good Green Lantern ever and I’ll never stop hating Kyle Rayner, but I'll continue to buy the book and wish death on Ron Marz because I have no life and will never see another human naked." sect) this one looks damn cool.
SUPER FRIENDS! TP
Written by E. Nelson Bridwell, Alex Toth, and Kurt Schaffenberger; art by Ramona Fradon, Alex Toth, Ric Estrada, Bob Smith, Joe Orlando and Vince Colletta. Cover by Alex Ross.
FC, 176pg, $14.95, Page 80 (DC Comics)
Order Number: MAR010433
Now, I want you to be aware of something. These stories, despite the obvious talents of the folks involved (Ramona Fraden! Alex Toth!) are going to be... terrible. Do you remember the Superfriends? The heroes subdued the villains by... placing their hands on the villains shoulders. But, the stories are going to suck in an incredibly funny, kitsch sort of way. I cannot wait to see them personally...
15 bucks for kitsch? You have way more disposable income that I do, my friend.
The sad part is that I really don't.
WONDER WOMAN: THE GODS OF GOTHAM COLLECTION
Written by Phil Jimenez and J.M. DeMatteis; Art by Phil Jimenez and Andy Lanning. Cover by Adam Hughes
FC, 96pg, $5.95, Page 81 (DC Comics)
Order Number: MAR010436
Yeah, sure, it's gonna be on newsprint. But I don't really care. Phil's relaunch of Wonder Woman has been fantastic, and this four issue crossover story between Batman and Wonder Woman was really interesting reading. I don't have the affection for WW that say, Scottie does. But I do admit, I like to read a good yarn featuring any of DC's major icons, and Phil's work to date certainly falls into the category. This book is a great value and a beautiful introduction to the series. If you ever might have liked Wonder Woman but just couldn't get into the character over the past few years, you could do a lot worse than picking this up.
I LOVE that he’s turned Artimis into an uber dyke! All that’s missing is her Volvo and a well worn copy of the SEARS Craftsman Tool Catalogue!
Seriously though, Phil does a great WW, and overnight has repaired the damage done by years and years of mistreatment. If you missed this first story, this is a cool, cheap way to jump on board and try the series out.
JENNY SPARKS: THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE AUTHORITY TP
by Mark Millar, John McCrea & James Hodgkins
FC, 120pg, $14.95, Page 82 (DC/Wildstorm)
Order Number: MAR010447
I remember as this series was coming out in single issue form, it got a lot of criticism. People said it was pointless and overblown, or just plain bad. I couldn't understand that reaction, I was loving each and every issue almost as thoroughly as I enjoyed THE AUTHORITY. Basically, it lead me to the opinion that everyone else was wrong, and I was right. I was right, and if you skipped this series because of some bad talk, then get the trade. Who are you going to listen to, them, or me? That’s right, get out your checkbook, good boy....
Unless this book is printed on some ultra-glossy stock, $14.95 is too much for a 120 page AUTHORITY book. Are they really thinking it isn't going to sell well? Or are they just gouging customers for $3? We'll see when it comes out. And it wasn't that great Scottie.
I disagree. I think Jenny Sparks was the coolest character to be unleashed on comics in years, and Mark Millar had an excellent handling of her. Wrapping her life around the events and happenings of the century that she represented without making it look cheap and exploitative was a major undertaking, and he pulled it off. JENNY SPARKS was one of the better comics to come out this year.
ANIMAL MAN TP - NEW PRINTING
Written by Grant Morrison; Art by Chas Truog, Tom Grummett and Doug Hazlewood; Cover by Brian Boland
FC, 240pg, $19.95, Page 85 (DC Comics/Vertigo)
Order Number: MAR010461
Ask and ye shall receive. Grant Morrison's long out-of-print trade paperback gets a new printing. In last week's Animal Man review in the Grant Morrison ProFile, we lamented the lack of availability of this trade, and now DC has been good enough to print one up for us. Fantastic. Even stranger? The solicitation text actually refers to Grant's X-Men work, and how he made JLA DC's #1 title - something that they had been reticent to admit for a great while, preferring to promote editors instead of creative talent (yes, I know this sounds strange). Anyhow, kudos to DC for smart marketing, an important nod to Grant, and for bringing the volume back into print. Here's to hoping more collections of his work are to follow.
Grant's run on the book was a serious high point in his career. He managed to merge politics, satire, superhero fun, and good old-fashioned Grant wackiness together without running the book off track or losing his readers attention. Good job reprinting this DC, lets just hope more DOOM PATROL is next!
LUCIFER: DEVIL IN THE GATEWAY TP
Written by Mike Carey; Art by Scott Hampton, Chris Weston, and James Hodgkins; Painted Cover by Duncan Fegredo
FC, 160pg, $14.95, Page 86 (DC Comics/Vertigo)
Order Number: MAR010466
I'm not really a fan of the new Lucifer series. It's not bad, but I've decided it's just not my thing. However, I wanted to take a moment to throw a nod to DC for putting out an affordable, quickly-released trade to build and maintain interest in the title. Although Marvel seems to be garnering acclaim for it now, DC pretty much invented it and I think they do deserve some recognition for it.
I on the other hand am actually a fan of the new Lucifer series. Not since Warren Ellis’ DOOM 2099 have I had this much fun rooting for a really, really bad guy.
TRANSMETROPOLITAN: FILTH OF THE CITY
By Warren Ellis, Brian Micheal Bendis, Mike Avon Oeming, Chris Weston, Jill Thompson, Steve Lieber, Carla Speed McNeil, and various
FC, 48pg, $5.95, Page 87, (DC Comics/Vertigo)
Order Number: MAR010473
TRANSMETROPOLITAN is easily one of my favorite regular series on the market today, and with good reason. Warren Ellis is on the top of his game with TRANSMET, and the mad art of Darick Robertson is the perfect fit to Ellis scripts. Well like last years I HATE IT HERE, snippets of Spider Jerusalem's acidic columns are paired with some of the most talented artists working today. I don't know about you, but I'm dying to see Mike Avon Oeming's version of Spider.
I really liked the last book as well, though I would've really liked to have read more of Spider's columns than the brief snippets we often got. No offence to the great pinups, but it's Spider's voice and vision that I come to TRANSMETROPOLITAN for, and the more I get of that the happier I am.
APHRODITE IX #0
By David Wohl, David Finch & Joe Weems
FC, 24pg, $2.95, Page 104, (Image Comics)
Order Number: MAR011242
Sigh. I'm really tired of stuff like this... In the solicitation for APHRODITE IX #0 published by Top Cow we have a 'sexy' picture of the books star showing off her butt floss style costume with the caption "Maybe you missed it the first time -- Butt don't miss it again" Notice the "Butt" spelling. Grow the fuck up guys, really.
I really have nothing to add. Deplorable, agreed.
A DISTANT SOIL TPB VOL III: THE ARIA
By Colleen Doran
B&W, 164pg, $16.95, Page 125 (Image Comics)
Order Number: MAR011274
A DISTANT SOIL is one of those books that I simply have to wait for the trades to come out. Reading it issue to issue is simply too stressful, because I hate waiting in-between issues. I'd rather have a huge trade full of Colleen Doran goodness! If you haven't tried A DISTANT SOIL yet, then pick up the first trade GATHERING and give this really beautifully illustrated series a try.
I've actually got a very early version of the beginning of ADS, and though I've always been intrigued by it I never really followed up. Despite Colleen Doran being wonderful when I met her. With the release of the third trade paperback coming up, I can think of no better time to give her my money.
ELECTROPOLIS #1
By Dean Motter
FC, 32pp, $2.95, Page 131 (Image Comics)
Order Number: MAR011285
We've mentioned before that it's nearly criminal that the majority of the really important, resonant works of comics are out of print and difficult to find. For example, though I've greatly enjoyed some of the great works inspired by the slick and definitive design style of MR. X, I've never read the original series itself. Same thing with books like METROPOLIS, incidentally. So, I'm glad to get a chance at a new work from MR. X creator Dean Motter. Motter is highly respected in the comic industry, and I've greatly enjoyed his TERMINAL CITY and PRISONER mini-series'. I'm looking forward to supporting this creator-owned series.
I’ve only read TERMINAL CITY, and if this is half as good as that, consider me sold.
LAST SHOT: FIRST DRAW #1
By Ken Siu-Chong, Studio XD, and Long Vo
FC, 32pg, $2.95, Page 133 (Image Comics)
Order Number: MAR011290
This is my guilty pleasure of the month. This book is brought to you by the folks primarily responsible for Dreamwave's ECHO. Although it's currently stalled at 5 issues, it was one of my favorite new series from last year thanks to it's frenetic anime/video game pacing and style, and it's fantastic, beautiful artwork. It's not high art. It's actually a steampunk spaghetti western. But damn, does it look pretty.
POWERS #12
By Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming.
FC, 32pg, $2.95, Page 135 (Image Comics)
Order Number: MAR011292
Just a brief note. This is the beginning of a new story-arc for POWERS, and if you've been hearing the really good buzz on the book but were hesitant to jump on either in the midst of an arc or with an investment in the trade paperback, why not pick up this issue? It's about super-hero groupies, which sounds pretty interesting. POWERS is a look at cops and popular culture, filtered through a superhero lens. It's also damn good. Give Bendis your money here.
POWERS is easily one of the coolest and most enjoyable regular series’ on the market today. Seriously, if you have not tried this book yet, do it. I Guarantee that it is not at all what you’re going to be expecting.
X-MEN MADNESS!!!
This month, Marvel are rebooting or retooling the vast majority of their X-Men line of comics. We've taken a down and dirty look at the re-launches.
UNCANNY X-MEN #394 by Joe Casey, Ian Churchill & Mark Morales
$2.25 - Full Color - 32 pages - page 162 (Marvel) - Order Number MAR011523
Wow, why Ian Chruchill? I mean, I understand Joe Casey, he turned Wildcats into a fantastic, genre busting pot boiler, but the artist of COVEN? I saw the preview art, and color me underwelmed, I thought the X-Office learned their lesson with Jim Lee clones 5 years ago...
They did. And the name of that Jim Lee clone was... Ian Churchill. Heh. Seriously, I don't think he'll be all that terrible, but I am fairly underwhelemed with his work.
X-TREME X-MEN #1 by Chris Claremont & Salvador Larroca
$2.99 - Full Color - 48 pages - page 163 (Marvel) - Order Number MAR011527
Yawn. Larroca's art is always great to look at, but if this is more of the same boring stories that Claremont has pushed off on us this last year, count me out.
Why would you bother anyway? This is pretty much the epitome of "Just another X-Book". Larroca is tragically wasting his talent.
NEW X-MEN # 114 by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely & Tim Townsend
$2.25 - Full Color - 32 pages - page 164 (Marvel) - Order Number MAR011528
Now this ladies and gentlemen, is how a revamped X-Book should look. I am SO Grant and Frank's bitch.
I'm intrigued, I'll say that much. It sounds like it's going to be a really interesting book, but I'm fairly sure I gave up X-Men for good after Seagle and Kelly were phased-out. I just feel dirty giving money to Marvel. If it does happen though, it'll be for the trade paperbacks of this work that will almost-certainly be produced, according to Marvel EIC Joe Quesada.
X-FORCE #116 by Peter Milligan & Mike Allred
$2.25 - Full Color - 32 pages - page 165 (Marvel) - Order Number MAR011532
Well, I have no idea on this one, it's either going to be really cool, or really lame. I trust Milligan and Allred, so I’m there for the first issue, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit I was slightly nervous about it.
This will be interesting. I'm pretty much convinced that it's going to be a spectacular commercial failure. I just can't see your typical X-Fan latching on to Allred's work, and I can't see the folks who would appreciate that work buying X-Books. Should be really interesting to watch.
THE BROTHERHOOD by Writer X, Essad Ribic & Kent Williams
$2.25 - Full Color - 32 pages - page 165 (Marvel) - Order Number MAR011533
Oooooo, with a mystery writer X! How mysterious! How novel! How lame. I do not buy comics, most especially an X-Comic, site un-fucking-seen without even knowing who the creator is. Period.
Yes, yes you do actually. Just a little bit further down the review, you make a point of mentioning you're going to buy Bi-Polar #1, sight unseen. You're a filthy liar. Oh, and the mystery creator thing is just played out. But then, if I was Marvel I wouldn't want Howard Mackie's name on a high-profile book either. He tends to have people hate his guts, and that doesn't bode well for new-issue sales.
I’ll buy a book cold based on solicitation copy and preview art. I won’t buy a book not even knowing the name of the damn writer. If this is supposed to be a sales gimmick, it’s a lame one, and one that I can’t even imagine paying off.
Marvel seems to be working on the "Any press is good press..." ideology. And we are talking about it as opposed to ignoring it. Perhaps it did pay off...?
MARVEL BOY TPB
By Grant Morrison & J.G. Jones
FC, 144pg, $15.95, Page 167 (Marvel Comics)
Order Number: MAR011538
Fuck the nay-sayers, MARVEL BOY was the coolest, hippest and sexiest mini-series of the year. Grant infused the book with his trade marked spastic fun and J.G. Jones' brilliant artwork rounded the book out and grounded it's out there ideas in the real world. This is a must buy!
MARVEL BOY was on my top ten of last year, and I'm really happy to see a quickly released, mostly-affordable trade paperback of the series. The book was just an idea a minute, a big screen romp through the Marvel Universe, the first in a good long while.
WARREN ELLIS: COME IN ALONE
By Warren Ellis
B&W, 200pg, $16.95, Page 204 (AIT Planetlar)
Order Number: MAR011783
For one year, Warren Ellis subjected thousands of comics fans to his bile filled rants, thoughts and ideas about the comic industry on the granddaddy of comic web-sites Comic Book Resources (http://www.comicbookresources.com). The columns made him famous, as well as infamous, for his cut-no-slack criticism of the industry, the people who run it, and the people who refuse to let it grow. I think it's safe to say, that no comic creator around is capable of stirring up as much discussion and controversy as Warren Ellis, and this collection is a shining example of exactly why that is.
And all under a fairly stunning cover too. A strong, strong image that doesn't have fuck-all to do with comic books. Brilliant, I think. It's a book that is selling entirely on the strength of the creator, and you really don't see too many of those around. Despite all of the criticism, I think the net has a vast wealth of intelligent writing (some of which can be found at PopImage), and I like the idea and legitimacy of seeing these works come into print. It lends strength and validity to web-journalism, and erodes, however slightly, the strangle-hold that Wizard's brand of crap-journalism has on the comics world. Kudos to Warren and Larry Young for seeing it published. And in an Original Graphic Novel to boot.
WARREN ELLIS' BAD WORLD
By Warren Ellis & Jacen Burrows
Reg. Edition: $3.50 - B&W - 32 pages - page 213 (Avatar Press) - Order Number MAR011856
Wraparound Cvr: $3.95 - B&W - 32 pages - page 213 (Avatar Press) - Order Number MAR011857
I have no idea what this is about, but the cover sports a bloody Christ-like figure holding a semi-automatic handgun and a halo of fire. How there am I?
And it's solicited directly above two buxom bad girls rubbing their breasts together. Fuck Avatar, the company is just disgusting. I'll buy the trade, maybe. And hope this is the last of Warren Ellis there.
Yeah, that was a nasty picture, and I’ll admit, Avatar is not the publisher that I’d wish to be associated with if I were Warren, but they do let him get away with anything he wants. There’s something to be said for that.
CBDLF NEWSLETTER: BUSTED! #11
By Randy Dahlk
B&W, 16pg tabloid, Free, Page 234 (CBLDF)
Order Number: MAR011940
This isn't a comic book. What it is, is the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's newsletter. The CBLDF is an organization dedicated to protecting the first amendment rights of comic book creators, publishers, and retailers. This newsletter keeps us all updated on what's happening vis a vis the legalities and attacks on the industry and the medium. It's an important slap in the face, and worth paying attention to. I'll just quote a little bit of the solicitation for you:
"What Scares You? Police raids on comic shops? Undercover investigations instigated by your town council? Corporations too powerful to be parodied? If you care about the future of comics, you must read Busted!, the newsletter of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Get the inside information on America's ongoing war on comics with detailed case updates, incident reports, complete convention coverage, and much more..."
Ask your retailer to carry BUSTED!
THE COPYBOOK TALES COLLECTION TP
By J. Torres and Tim Levins
B&W, 240pg, $18.95, Page 262 (Fanboy Comics)
Order Number: MAR012032
The Copybook Tales is, by-and-large, one of the favorite comic series of many, many online comics reviewers. The reasons are simple. It has strong, natural characters. It has some solid, clean artwork. Perhaps most importantly, it speaks to comics fans. Yeah, it's one of those books that speaks directly to people already reading comics. But to be totally up front about things, J. and Tim are friends of mine, and this book is really, really good. Probably the best of the "books about people who read comic books", although that is damning with faint praise. Let's put it this way: it's good, and you won't regret buying it.
WHITE RAIN #1
By Yoshitoshi ABe
B&W, 40pg, $4.95, Page 264 (Fanboy Comics)
Order Number: MAR012034
Yoshitoshi ABe is brilliant. I fawned over his haunting, beautiful work enough last month. Suffice to say it's still haunting and beautiful, but now it will be in a beautiful comic book. WHITE RAIN is creepy, SERIAL EXPERIMENTS LAIN-like science fiction, created entirely from pencils and zipatone. I'm so very happy to see this coming to print. Order two. One for yourself, and one for a friend.
So does that mean you’re going to buy me a copy of this?
I don't know. I don't think you're sufficiently equipped to read manga. (giggle). Sure. Maybe if you're good I'll send you SIDEKICKS as well.
BIPOLAR #1
By Tomer Hanuka, Assaf Hanuka, & Etger Keret
B&W, 32pg, $2.95, Page 266 (Five O'Clock Shadow)
Order Number: MAR012057
Another sight-unseen purchase on my part. The cover and ad caught my eye and I've decided to give it a try. It looks to be a slice of life anthology with a supernatural edge, and the art looks very nice. Give it a try, it's only 3 bucks.
I'd say we have very similar tastes. Bi-Polar jumped out at me as well while reading the catalogue. The art has a roughness to it, but it's smooth as well. Hard to say really. It's sort of like Adrian Tomine crossed Risso on 100 bullets, but with a more kinetic quality. And it's real-life stories as well. Really intriguing book.
VAMPIRELLA MODEL SEARCH SPECIAL
FC, 32pages, $2.95, page 269 (Harris Comics)
Order Number: MAR012068
Because comics are not looked at enough as a pathetic pastime for virginal losers, Harris Comics presents a brand new reason to hide your face when you go to a comic store!
Hey, i'm talking to you you socially inept shut-in! Can you believe it? A new stroke book for only $2.95! Kewl! When you buy your copy of the VAMPIRELLA MODEL SEARCH SPECIAL with the foil enhanced cover, you're guaranteed 32 pages bursting with pictures of boobies and tid bits about the various models (Because models are SO deep) interviewed for what it most certainly a well sought after gig! Just think, the model chosen gets to go to comic conventions and have smelly fanboys gape at their breastisisis! Gawd, how lucky! Did I mention that there are certain to be pictures of boobies?
Well, I guess it beats putting Kevin Lau on the cover again...
Bad Girls for Fanboys - The Photo Edition!
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE: HACKMASTERS OF EVERKNIGHT #7
By Greg Rucka and Manny Vega
B&W, 32pg, $2.95, page 276 (Kenzer & Company)
Order Number: MAR012092
"What?" You're saying. "Greg Rucka is writing a KotDT book?" That's the same thing I said, and frankly, there is enough morbid curiosity inside me to buy the book and see what this is all about.
FRUMPY THE CLOWN VOLUME II: THE FAT LADY SINGS
By Judd Winick
B&W, 136 pages, $15.95, page 283 (Oni Press)
Order Number MAR012127
This is the second and final collection of the very underrated classic comics strip by Real World alum Judd Winick. Warning though, Judd is about as far left as a lefter can get, so stay away if you're not going to like the bleeding heart liberal slant of Frumpy. I purchased the first Frumpy collection this past week at San Francisco’s Alternative Press Expo and loved it. Frumpy has my highest recommendation.
I never actually read the first collection. Please, please James. Don't beat me. I'm sorry. I'll order it when I get to work on Wednesday... Please don't hit me James...
VOX #3
By Leland Purvis
B&W, 48pg Magazine, $4.95, page 283 (Pack Rabbit Press)
Order Number MAR012133
VOX is simply a stunning comic series that I recently discovered. It’s very intellectual, thought provoking, and unique, and anyone who’s looking for a smarter comic book should look no further.
This is the one book I regret not having bought at SPXPO last year. But then I was pretty out of it. Still, everyone is hyping the hell out of this book, and apparently with very good reason. Pre-order a copy.
RPM COMICS #1
By Various
B&W, 24pg magazine, $3.00, Page 284 (RPM Comics)
Order Number: MAR012152
This is a Xeric Award winning comic. I usually make it a point to at least flip through the Xeric winning comics, and though RPM definitely looks rough, sometimes it's more important to support the idea. It also makes me feel less dirty recommending an Avatar book. :)
Agreed. I’ve discovered some fantastic comics by picking up the Xeric award winners. LITTLE RED HOT, VOX, and Clan Apis are all Xeric award winners, and they rank among the best comics around. Support the Xeric Foundation!
SCARY GODMOTHER #1
By Jill Thompson
B&W, 24pg, $2.95, Page 285 (Sirius Entertainment)
Order Number: MAR012156
We're old school Jill Thompson fans here at illustrious PopImage.com, so we know well enough to order the beautifully illustrated, kid-friendly-but-still-fun-for-adults, very cool SCARY GODMOTHER. The question is, do you?
We’ve just signed a deal with Jill and Sirius Entertainment to be the SCARY GODMOTHER enforcers. If you don’t buy the books, then Chris and I will beat you senseless at conventions and signings. We’re getting paid very well to hurt you, so don’t expect us to go easy on you.
CARDCAPTOR SAKURA VOLUME 3 POCKET MIXX TP
By Clamp
B&W, 186pg, $9.95, Page 290 (Tokyopop Press)
Order Number: MAR012182
I love Cardcaptor Sakura. And no, the printing in this book isn't nearly as nice as it is in the Japanese version. And no, the translation is definitely not as accomplished as it should be. But it is cheap and available and a hell of a lot of fun. I wish they released these volumes twice as often, because they're such a blast to read! It's a little girl who captures magical tarot-like cards using other tarot-cards, set against a backdrop of mystery and everyone falling in love with this one cute highschool boy. Again, it's a bit of a guilty pleasure, but it's a really fun and cute read.
A COMPLETE LOWLIFE TP - REVISED EDITION
By Ed Brubaker
B&W, 112pg, $12.95, Page 291 (Top Shelf Productions)
Order Number: MAR012193
I know little about these autobiographical stories other than they are seemingly early work by one of my current favorite writers, Ed Brubaker. Ed of course writes DEADENDERS, a very cool Vertigo comics that’s ending far too soon for my tastes, and has recently written some excellent BATMAN stories.
I got the chance to read LOWLIFE for the first time earlier this year. It's a very good book, though very dark and vicious at points. It was a little hard to get into at times, because like most western readers I really do have to like the protagonist of any story. It did soften me up considerably for the complete bastard that is the lead character of Deadenders though. Definitely worth a look for new fans of Ed's work, or who like their autobiography with a hard edge.
PULP VOLUME 5 #6
By Various
B&W, 184pg, $5.95, Page 293 (Viz Communications)
Order Number: MAR012204
I don't buy Pulp. I rather enjoy a number of the features present in the book, but I decided that I didn't need any more floppy comics lying around, unless it was an absolute necessity. Considering that nearly all of the material in pulp is eventually collected into trades, I've seen no reason to change my mind. Until now. For now begins the serialization of CINDERELLA-CHAN, by Junko Mizuno. This work is sort of like the figures on a rave shirt, brought to life in a magic-mushroom hallucination on the nature of death and fairy tales. Junko's work is utterly unlike any comic on the stands, aside from perhaps the Powerpuff Girls, and as such it makes for a fascinating reading experience. Truly creepy and insane. And if you find you love it, track down SECRET COMICS JAPAN which was released in 2000.
IRON CHEF OFFICIAL BOOK HC
FC, 224pg, $21.95, Page 317 (Putnam Publishing)
Order Number: MAR012386
IRON CHEF! Coming out about 4 months too late to tap into the viral meme that was Iron Chef, nevertheless it seems to be a damned cool book. IRON CHEF is one of my favorite TV shows (but then I watch nearly 20 hours of the Food Network a week), and a companion volume seems like a gloriously wonderful idea.
LEA HERNANDEZ RUMBLE GIRLS SIGNED LITHOGRAPH
FC, 11x17, $14.95, Page 392 (Fanboy Entertainment Inc.)
Order Number MAR012935
Even if you haven’t read RUMBLE GIRLS, this Lithograph is truly beautiful. Lea knows how to draw a striking cover, and the painted cover to RG #3 is now ready to be framed and hung on your wall. Run, don’t walk kiddies.
RESERVOIR DOGS FIGURES: MR CLEAN 12-INCH LIMITED EDITION FIGURE
Reservoir Dogs: $13.99 Each - 4 Figures - page 366 (Mezco) - Order Number MAR012798
Mr Clean: $16.99 - One disturbing figure - page 397 (Mr Clean) - Order Number MAR013000
Okay, enough is e-freakin-nough. There does not have to be an action figure for every goddamn cult movie, comic, icon or cartoon! What’s next, the OJ Simpson action figures? OJ comes with slashing knife action, and Nicole Simpson comes with removable head and a bad bleach job? Come on...!

Christopher Butcher is the Editor In Chief of PopImage.
Scott J. Grunewald is the Publisher of PopImage.

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