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UPFRONT: Previews Review By Scott J. Grunewald and Christopher Butcher Hello, and welcome to the October PREVIEWS REVIEW, for items shipping this December. This month, we're going to hearken back to our first-ever previews review, by having two staff members do a little back and forth on the solicited items. Publisher Scottie Grunewald will have all of his comments italicized, whilst PopImage Editor In Chief Christopher Butcher will have all of his thoughts in bold. And away we go! The Batman Books This is shocking to you? As much good work that DC does get out there, it’s pretty safe to say that it’s done in spite editorial and corporate interference’s. JLA: EARTH 2 SC - By Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely JLA: WORLD WAR III TP - By Morrison, DeMatteis, Porter, Pajarillo, Dell, and Wong.
Okay, both of these are great works by Grant Morrison, who's a really great creator as far as I'm concerned. I'll buy his work without hesitation, and I have. However, I want you to take a look at the prices and the page count on these two books. The first is 96 pages for fifteen dollars. The second is 200 pages for thirteen dollars. Do you understand this? Neither do I. We're going to immediately discount the economy of scale argument as EARTH 2 was the best selling graphic novel/collection last year (according to Diamond). They're both reprint works, and they're both nearly the same age. Except one is more than twice as much, per page. If anyone from DC can clue me into the idea behind the pricing here, I'd appreciate it. Regarding Grant, I'm with you 100%. Grant Morrison is a super star, and is one of the very few writers that can surprise me with each new project. If someone would have told me 5 years ago that I’d be reading JLA, or a revamp of Marvel Boy willingly, I’d have most likely asked them to take their medication because they were babbling. Now, if only that x-rumor were true… As far as the prices go, we’d have to take a look at the paper quality quite frankly. I remember the paper used for the soft cover versions of previous hard covers were of much higher quality than the paper used in previous JLA trades. If I'm wrong about that, than indeed the prices are confusing. GEN13 #60 - By Adam Warren
Adam Warren is the genius behind GRUNGE: THE MOVIE, and MAGICAL DRAMA QUEEN ROXY, the two superb GEN13 specials that lampooned badly dubbed Hong Kong movies and Anime respectively. Well, Adam is the new writer of the core GEN13 book, and he's decided to provide the artwork for his first issue. The GEN13 kids are the subjects of "Behind the Power" a 'TV' show that takes a look at the high and low points of super powered individuals. If you've never read GEN13 before, well, good for you, but you might want to check this stand alone issue out. Adam Warren kicks ass. I can think of no other writer in comics that I would want writing this book more than Warren. His two previous Gen13 minis, not to mention the short story arc he provided last year, have cut right to the heart of the team and the characters. Particularly the deep examination of Freefall's character in the MAGICAL DRAMA QUEEN series. This is a fantastic move for the book, and with Warren's very contemporary storytelling and language (not to mention art), this is going to be a lot of people's favorite books come December. DANGER GIRL: KAMIKAZE! #1 (of 2) – By Tommy Yune and Vince Russell.
After falling in love with Tommy Yune's work in the astounding Speed Racer miniseries last year, I promised myself I'd buy anything he put out. That extends to this very cool looking new DANGER GIRL mini-series. I'm not really a fan of the book, or Campbell's work ethic (I mean, the same day I learn that Danger Girl 7 is going to be late after 8 months, I see a bunch of Campbell pin-ups in Playstation Magazine… gah…), but at the same time Yune draws a sexy story, and his writing has been really interesting so far to boot. Definitely a thumbs up for me. NAMES OF MAGIC #1 - By Dylan Horrocks & Richard Case
I often referred to BOOKS OF MAGIC as Vertigo's Red Headed Stepchild, as it was often ignored and never given the credit that it deserved. That book took a quiet powder a few months ago, but thankfully Tim Hunter is back, less whiney and annoying, and ready to reclaim the magic he's misplaced. It's also a great place to cut your teeth on the character and work your way back if so inclined. I just pity the fact that this is Tim Hunter, a bespectacled young wizard, going to wizard school, and it will be seen as a rip-off instead of a natural progression of a great character… POWERS # 8 – By Bendis, Oeming, and Garrahy
Coming from my editorial this week, I just wanted give a plug to the new issue of powers. Starting a brand new story-arc, this is the perfect time for you to jump on and start reading a great book. Oh, and check out POWERS @ PopImage too… :) Bendis is one of those creators that has rarely (if ever) let me down. POWERS is an excellent read, and I'm eager to read the new story arc. And is it wrong of me to find the star detective so attractive? I feel like one of those sad little fan boys popping boners over Jim Lee’s Psylock, but dammit if Christian Walker isn’t a hottie. LAZARUS CHURCHYARD: THE FINAL CUT - By Warren Ellis and D'Israeli
LAZARUS CHURCHYARD is the potting soil that such classic Warren Ellis books like DOOM 2099, TRANSMETROPOLITAN and AUTHORITY grew from. Long out of print, this collections brings these classic Ellis tales back, and gives us an all new story as well. If you're a fan of Ellis, then this is a must, and if you're a fan of sick, twisted, cyberpunk tales, then you must give this book a looksie. I got a chance to purchase the original LAZARUS CHURCHYARD collection, and even though I own it I'll definitely be picking this one up. Lazarus was a neat piece of sci-fi, very of it's time, and it's good that this piece of work is coming back into print. ULTIMATE X-MEN #1 - By Mark Millar, Adam Kubert & Art Thibert
Well, it's only 6 months too late to do much good for new fans of the movie, but that doesn't mean that we, the disenfranchised X-Fans who have dropped the meaningless and confusing core books can't enjoy a fresh re-launch. Yes it does. Best of luck on the book, but I don't need X-Men. You don't need X-Men either. None of us need X-Men. Maybe 8-13 year old kids do though, so I hope that they find the book. But Scottie, you don't need it. Spend the $3 on something cool. Like Sidekicks. Bah. We don’t need Sidekicks (And yes Christopher, I do plan on picking Sidekicks up as well) either. We read books that may interest us, I know X-books couldn’t be described as interesting for going on 8 or 9 years now, but that doesn’t mean that a talented writer like Millar couldn’t change that. Look what Bendis did with Spider-Man. I have. That's why I really enjoy POWERS.
SPACE BEAVER VOLUME 1 TP – By Darick Robertson
Um, normally I wouldn't recommend something called SPACE BEAVER, because normally something called SPACE BEAVER from the back half of the catalogue would come with a nude-variant cover. This SPACE BEAVER though is by Transmetropolitan artist Darick Robertson, published by the fine folks at AIT/PlanetLar, and is actually about an anthropomorphic Beaver who flies through the Cosmos. Sporting an intro by Warren Ellis, and a great insight into the mind behind the visual design of Transmet's THE CITY, Space Beaver gets some mad PopImage props. SKELEBUNNIES #1 - By Tommy Kovac
Originally just 4 page back-up stories in Kovac's STITCH mini series, the SKELEBUNNIES now have their own 24 page comic. The "Skellies" are a brother and sister pair of dead bunnies out to have a good time. SKELEBUNNIES is bound to be sick, twisted and just as funny as the original 4 page stories. If you're not a fan on Tommy Kovac, then become one. Fans of books like SQUEE and JOHNY THE HOMICIDAL MANIAC should especially pick up this book. STITCH Trade Paperback - By Tommy Kovac
And while you order SKELEBUNNIES, make sure you pick up the new trade paperback collection of STITCH, the funny, disturbing, and oddly touching and romantic mini-series that started it all. WARREN ELLIS' STRANGER KISSES #1 (OF 3) - By Warren Ellis and Mike Wolfer
Here's an excerpt from the solicitation copy from PREVIEWS: "STRANGER KISSES is about people for whom two genders are not enough, no matter how you play mix-and-match with sexuality. It's also about videotape, bad secrets, and what it's like to have an entire city out to kill you. The videotape is of seriously physically modified whores. Possibly altered at the genetic level... because those orifices look grown... and those weird protuberances don't look artificial." Sometimes, there's nothing I can say that the book doesn't say itself. By reading that, you'll know if this book is for you or not. I'm waiting for the trade on this one… COM X #0 – By Various
This is the first book from a new British publisher that made quite an impression at UKCAC this spring, and as their first offering I'm curious to see what the future holds. Quite a few rather-nice things were said about them. I guess we'll see. I'm ordering this book as well, I’ve heard good things about them, and I'm curious how British comic creators get along without American restrictions blocking their way. COLOSSUS Graphic Novel - By Mark Andrews
Many of you discovered IRON GIANT on video, so you might have missed COLOSSUS, an original graphic novel by the IRON GIANT'S award winning storyboard artist. Infused with the same style and emotion that made IRON GIANT so good, COLOSSUS is the story of a man forged of metal who craves the humanity he can never have, set in a medieval world full of magic, myth and violence. This is actually the second solicitation for COLOSSUS, and if you missed it the first time around make sure to pick it up. It's a great story, with some truly outstanding storytelling. In a fair and just world, this is award-winning material. Don't let it pass you by a second time if you enjoy fantasy, swords and sorcery, or just wonderfully laid out work. POP GUN WAR #1 - By Farel Dalyrymple
A boy from the inner city finds the severed wings of an angel and discovers that they give him wonderful gifts, but also set him apart from everyone else. A pretty simple and intriguing concept and if it's half as good as FAREL'S previous outing, SMITHS ADVENTURES IN THE SUPER MUNDANE, then it'll be just as much of a classic. This is a Xeric Award-winning comic. BLUE MONDAY: THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT Trade Paperback - By Chynna Clugston-Major
I know you didn't read the three issue series when it was out, I can tell by that scrunched up look on your face. 'What the fuck is this?' I see you thinking. BLUE MONDAY has the distinct honor of being a book that I willingly read, and yet cringe in pain over. No, not because it's bad, but because I'm not alone in my Adam Ant obsession, and neither are you. Buy this book, I'm too tired to hurt you right now, but that doesn't mean I won't hurt you later. Aside from the 3 issue mini-series, this trade also collects the various short stories and strips that have been sprinkled throughout various indy anthologies over the years. If, from my description in this month's editorial, DEADENDERS is ARCHIE on meth-amphetimene, BLUE MONDAY is ARCHIE with decent music and a pack of cigs. Very funny, very cool, and though a little juvenile at points, so is adolescence and being a teenager. One of the best comics I discovered last year, and CHYNNA is a peach. Seriously, pick this one up! SCARY GODMOTHER ACTIVITY BOOK #1 - By Jill Thompson
God, how much do I love Jill Thompson's SCARY GODMOTHER stuff? This freakin' much! I sure know that I won't feel silly cutting out the paper dolls, playing with the finger puppets, or solving the puzzles, will you? I'm buying a couple. One to keep, and a few to give to my younger cousins. If I can ease them into comics with cool works like SCARY GODMOTHER, then I'll be a happy guy and they'll be thanking me later in life. METROPOL COLLECTED EDITION VOLUMN 1 Trade Paperback - By Ted McKeever
This is; essentially, the director's cut of METROPOL, and collects everything from METROPOL and METROPOL AD, including pages from Ted's sketchbooks. METROPOL is the story of the apocalypse. Demons and monsters erupt from the ground; killing thousands while at the same time a plague is wiping humanity off the earth. But thankfully, angles come down from Heaven, and desperately try to save humanity. Ted McKeever's classic story is being pulled together in this first of 5 definitive collections. This is one of those classics of comicdom that you hear the old-timers talking about, but have never really had a chance to read for yourself. I'm interested in finally reading this work, in the same way that I'm looking forward to LIKE A VELVET GLOVE CAST IN IRON, a new printing of which was solicited last month; A classic of the genre that's been built up in my mind, and will have to go a long way to equal the accolades it has received. I'm a little disconcerted that I'm being referred to as an ‘old timer’, but I really can’t stress how good this book was. It first came out when I was in the middle of my "superheroes rule" stage and sent me spiraling into the wonderful world of early 90’s indy comics. That's it for this month. Thanks for reading, and make sure to pre-order your comics, because if you don’t, we’ve been instructed to tweak your nipples, and not in the good way!
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