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Art by Chip Zdarsky. Copyright 2002.

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02/02/01 - UPFRONT: Previews Review
For items shipping in April 2001

Well folks, it's time once again for the PopImage Previews Review. I'm your host, PopImage Editor-In-Chief Christopher Butcher, and joining me in the review (and in italics) is PopImage's Publisher, Scott J. Grunewald.

Before we start the review this month, we just want to recommend you all go and check out http://www.orderingcomics.com . It's a new "experiment" by our friend Warren Ellis, and it's an activism web site with the primary focus of getting comics fans to pre-order their comics with their local retailers. It is a very important thing to pre-order your comics these days, and in addition to explaining why, Warren makes some suggestions of his own, provides a stable of important pre-ordering links, and generally makes a very convincing argument. Definitely check this one out.

And now, onto the reviews!


BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: WILLOW AND TARA SPECIAL
by AMBER BENSON, CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN, and TERRY MOORE;
FC, 32pg, $2.99, Page 29 (Dark Horse Comics)
Order Number – FEB010019

This is really, really amusing. Now, sure, we here at PopImage have a soft spot for TV's only two out lesbians (now that Anne Heche is dating The Biscuit...), but this is perhaps the most audacious work that I've seen Dark Horse release in quite some time. Terry Moore, who is renowned for drawing and writing comics' favorite (sort of) lesbian couple in his nearly-monthly STRANGERS IN PARADISE is going to be drawing this book. It's like Dark Horse is taking a cue from Marvel and doing a sort of ULTIMATE BUFFY. It's a fantastic coup and a really intelligent move. I'm not embarrassed to say that I'll be picking it up to see just how successful it is. Okay, perhaps a little embarrassed.

Katchoo and Francine are not lesbians. Well, Katchoo is a lesbian, except she has a thing for David despite being deeply in love with Francine. And Francine is set to get married to a hunky doctor, but we all know she's secretly in love with Katchoo because the story flashed forward ten years. But back in the current time, she could never go through with the lesbian thing because she's unsure of herself and honestly doesn't understand how someone like Katchoo could love a "fat" girl like herself. And now, in the future where she's older and heavier and near the end of a failing marriage, she regrets that and seeks out the one true love of her life, Katchoo, who is now a famous artist still in mourning over "What happened to David".

Uhm, yeah, The Willow and Tara special looks to be cool.

LONE WOLF AND CUB VOL. 9: SHADOWS, ECHOES TP
by KAZUO KOIKE and GOSEKI KOJIMA; cover by FRANK MILLER and LYNN VARLEY
b&w, 288pg (4" x 6"), $9.95, Page 37 (Dark Horse Comics)
Order Number – FEB010040

I've been surprised at just how much I've been enjoying the LONE WOLF AND CUB reprints. Sure, I was an ideological supporter of the format since day one, but the quality of the stories in both writing and illustration was really shocking. Despite being nearly 30 years old now, the stories and characters have a resonance that continues to be felt today, and the artwork is still sharp and attractive. I've been informed that the "FIRST", full sized versions of the books had better reproduction, but I think that the trade off in terms of value and completeness easily outweigh any minor lapses in clarity. I should point out that the book is about 6 weeks behind at this point, so you'll likely be seeing either volume 7 or 8 in April, but you can pick them up anyway. The book is a collection of short stories that begin and end, so it's not a terrible worry if you don't have volume 1. Although, if you don't, the first five volumes are being re-offered this month...

And I hear they will remain perpetually in print for the foreseeable future. This is a book that Dark Horse has gotten behind in a big way, and it couldn't have happened to a better book.

HELLOY FIGURE PVC SET
7 piece PVC set, $39.99, Page 40 (Dark Horse Comics),
Order Number - FEB010048

Okay, I must be the only person on the face of the earth who thinks that PVC figures are just stupid. They're like a poor man's action figure, in that they're 4" tall pieces of plastic that just sort of sit there. They're the worst of the merchandising glut, and I don't care if it's HELLBOY or DANGER GIRL or even if they put out a set of INVISIBLES ones, they're just a waste, in my humble opinion.

No, you're not the only one who thinks that they are crap. I have had a bad taste in my mouth in regards to PVC figures for years now. Many, many moons ago, I was a small, stupid kid, and a greedy comic store owner convinced me that a PVC figure of Rogue was a rare collectable, and would go up in price in a matter of months. Like a fool, I paid him 10 bucks for an item that shouldn't have been more than 2. I still have the figure, and I keep it as a reminder that speculation and collecting of comics and comic merchandise for profit is not only a fools errand, but it brings out the worst traits in people. Traits like the willingness of a grown man to trick an 11 year old boy out of one weeks hard earned allowance and not feel guilty about it.

Exactly. If you wanna go where the money is, it's all about Pokemon cards! Oh, wait, that market crashed. Well.. uhh... Hey kid, you seen this rare Ultimate Spiderman comic? $25 and only 5 months old! Invest in your college education!

STARMAN: TO REACH THE STARS TP
by James Robinson, Jerry Ordway, Tony Harris, Peter Krause, Gary Erskine, Matt Smith, Mike Mayhew, Wade von Grawbadger, Ray Snyder, and Dick Giordano. Painted Cover by Tony Harris
FC, 192pg tpb, $17.95, Page 78 (DC Comics)
Order Number- FEB010428

I'm really happy to see that DC is committed to continuing the STARMAN collections, despite the very imminent end to the series. I've been enjoying the series (though not finding it the masterwork that many others have) and these trade paperbacks are definitely my preferred method of collecting. This trade paperback reprints STARMAN #39-45 and the crossover issue THE POWER OF SHAZAM! #36. Although I gotta say, that cover is pretty disturbing.

I enjoy STARMAN (Like you, I read it in trades), but I'm still shocked at how people respond to it as if it were the Second Coming. But then again, I'm still trying to figure out why people like SAVAGE DRAGON, so what do I know.

CODENAME: KNOCKOUT #0
by Robert Rodi, Louis Small Jr., and George Freeman. Painted Cover by Joe Chiodo.
FC, 32 pg, $2.50, Page 84, (DC/Vertigo)
Order Number - FEB010457

Finally, a "Bad Girl" done right. The author of some truly wonderful little novels, FAG HAG, DRAG QUEEN, and KEPT BOY is starting up a new action series from Vertigo. An action satire book may be a bit of a stretch for Vertigo, but everything I've heard about this book has been hugely enthusiastic and positive. I think CODENAME: KNOCKOUT is going to be a hit, and you'll be missing out if you skip it.

I'm looking forward to this, but it's definitely going into my guilty pleasure pile. Louis Small Jr. has some nice artwork, but it's a little too… I don't know. Something flashier might've suited this series better. It's playing itself as a smarter, funnier DANGER GIRL. Maybe they should've thrown a lot of money at Campbell…?

Well, I'd imagine Vertigo Editorial actually wanted the book to see print, so Campbell was ruled out early on.

Heh, makes sense. Still, I think Small's tendency to draw more realistic "Bad Girl" figures might turn off mainstream readers (despite a top-notch cover from Chiodo, shame it reproduced so poorly on the cover of Previews). I can't help thinking that Campbell (or a reasonable facsimile) would get the Rodi's writing into the hands of all sort of social malcontents, and tricking them into reading a book mocking their favorite genre has something deliciously subversive about it.

DEADENDERS #16
by Ed Brubaker, Warren Pleece and Cameron Stewart. COVER BY Philip Bond
FC, 32 pg, $2.50, Page 84 (DC/Vertigo)
Order Number- FEB010459

"In stores April 18. Final Issue." Dammit. I really liked this one. It survived my personal "Time of Cleansing", and I promoted it at my store. This is really lame, and I'm sorry to see it go. And hey, make sure to pick up this last issue to show DC that this book was a good one that just didn't find it's audience. Besides, I really wanna know how it ends.

I am REALLY pissed off about this series ending. It quickly became a personal favorite, and seemed to have set up enough cool story ideas to keep this book running for years. The series is so good in fact, that much like the long gone CHASE from DC Comics; this is a book that is going to be "discovered" after it's gone. It's a shame that readers aren't willing to take a greater risk on new non-superhero series'.

THE QUOTABLE SANDMAN HC
Written by Neil Gaiman, with art by various. PAINTED COVER BY Dave McKean
FC. 96 pg 7" x 6" HC, $9.95, Page 86 (DC/Vertigo)
Order Number- FEB010468

Bahaha… Just when you thought they couldn't rape the corpse of their best-selling title any further, Vertigo brings us "The Quotable Sandman". Now, yeah, the activist in me thinks "Well, this could make it into book stores as one of those little novelty books, and like, it could bring folks back to comics with SANDMAN! This is probably a really good idea." Then, the realist in me says "This is a direct market item, being sold to people who most likely already have all of the comics that these quotes were taken from, and it's just a disgusting cash grab." Maybe if this were published in the book industry, where it could do some good for the medium.

I'm getting a premonition from the future! By this time next year, thousands of young, goth wannabe girls will have new Sandman quotes for their Sig files!

As much as I love SANDMAN, I have to admit few books have a more annoying fan base than this one. Uhg, this will be eaten up by the "Black is the color of my soul, not a fashion choice" sect.

You're just intolerant of people different than you. Which makes that… pretty much everyone, doesn't it? (heh).

WONDER WOMAN TIARA, BRACELETS AND EARRINGS PROP SET
$149.95, Page 89 (DC Comics/DC Direct)
Order Number- FEB010484

Oh my god! The little gay boy who DREAMED of being Linda Carter is simply AWASH with joy! I'll be spinning in circles for hours when I get my tiara and bracelets! HOURS!

All it'll take is $150 and a stern warning that these are not to actually be worn/used. You'd think that DC could put together a $14.95 version made out of plastic for the… spinning and twirling.

And they don't really deflect bullets! I mean, what's the point now?

AGE OF BRONZE TPB VOL I: A THOUSAND SHIPS
b&w, 208pg, $19.95, page 109 (Image Comics)
Order Number- FEB011246 (Also availible as a ltd. edition hardcover).

AGE OF BRONZE is simply one of the most amazing comics to ever be produced. It's beautiful, engrossing, and truly spectacular. This is the epic tale of the Trojan War as told by Eric Shanower, and trust me, it makes Frank Millers 300 look like an episode of Xena: Warrior Princess. Without the lesbians of course.

Heh. I've been waiting for the trade on this one for a long time. I'm happy to finally get my hands on it (or will be in April). One of the nicest bits is that this is a comic that could make it into school and be a part of curriculums, while still being incredibly entertaining. Sure, that sounds a little bit geeky, but like they say, Children ARE our future. ;)

DARK ANGEL: PHOENIX RESURRECTION #4
by Kia Asamiya, with colour by J.D. Smith
FC, 32pg, $2.95, Page 112 (Image Comics)
Order Number- FEB011252

The oft delayed series solicits its fourth issue. I've been assured that as of this solicitation, the book will begin to ship regularly again. Granted, if it doesn't I'm sure that the lowliest of comic fanboys will behave in a mature manner and simply express their displeasure by voting with their wallets, and not doing something ludicrous like buying a copy of the book (thereby sending the message to the retailer, publisher, and creator that you enjoy the book and will buy it when it comes out) and then burning it. Why, that would be a weak, mixed message that would make them look like psychos. For my dollar though, this book is wonderfully illustrated with some great artwork and colour.

Hey, I thought I was supposed to be the bitchy one?

Sorry about that. I'll let you be bitchy for the NEXT solicitation.

DARKMINDS TPB VOL I: PARADOX
By Pat Lee, Adrian Tsang, Pat Lee, Alvin Lee, Angelo Tsang & Pat Lee
FC, 240pg tpb, $19.95, Page 113 (Image Comics)
Order Number- FEB011255

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think reissuing trade paperbacks with the addition of extra story pages that change the nature of the story is a betrayal of the readers who supported your work the first time. This trade paperback does just that by including the #0 and #1/2 stories not present the first time around. Granted, it's one of the best books that Dreamwave has put out (The first three issues being a particularly spectacular example of the effect Anime has had on the book), but it still doesn't sit right with me. Oh, and Pat Lee's name REALLY IS in the credits 3 times, which I think it a little egotistical. I mean, we get it Pat, it's your book… : )

Oh, I loved DARKMINDS when I first read it; of course it was called AKIRA or GHOST IN THE SHELL at the time... Come on Chris, this book is just full of shameless "homage's" (Read: Lifts) to Anime and Manga that it was sometimes hard to understand what I was reading. I'd find myself going "Hey, I remember that from Appleseed" or "I need to rent Akira again". Pat is certainly a talented artist, but I'd rather he use it on stories that I haven't read before.

That's a fair comment, it does overly "homage" various anime, and I think it's one of the failings of the work. But at the same time, the original DARKMINDS series, and particularly the first few issues, marked some of the best production on a comic book at the time, brought the "cell shading" style of colouring to the masses, and is perhaps the most successful integration of the Japanese "studio-style" comic production method. Pat Lee has his failings (and a legion of detractors to point them out), but he's also done some fairly innovative and important things for American comics, and the effect he's had is noticeable.

But once again, couldn't he hire a real writer to come up with an original story?

THE DISCIPLES #1
by Chris Dows, Colin Clayton, Laurence Campbell, Larry Shupet and Jon Proctor.
FC, 32 pg, $2.95, Page 117 (Image Comics)
Order Number- FEB011264

This seems to be a really interesting series. I really like the angular nature of the artwork, and the cover/advertisement is really well prepared and attractive. The only thing that bothers me is the interior art. The cover looks like this sleek, sexy look at magic and society, and the interiors look like flatly coloured old MARVEL books. I only hope that this is pre-production colouring, and not the final version, because this flat colouring could very well betray the beautiful art and truly intriguing story it might be. Either way, I'm intrigued by this book and definitely looking forward to it.

This is either going to be really cool, or really lame. Based on the solicitation copy, it can go either way. I'm pulling for cool, because I have a serious magic and horror story hard-on, and there aren't enough books like this on the market today. Here's hoping.

Indeed. I've been informed that we're actually going to be following up on this series and exploring it further a little down the road. PopImage will be happy to bring you updates on the book, and we hope you'll give the first issue a shot.

GOGIRL! #3
by Trina Robbins, Anne Timmons, and Christopher Butcher
BW, 32pg, $3.50, Page121 (Image Comics)
Order Number- FEB011270

I'm hearing rumors that GOGIRL! isn't selling all that well, and It's starting to piss me off. I always Always ALWAYS hear comic fans bitching and complaining that there aren't enough good, quality comics for kids or girls, and here we have a perfect example of a comic tailored to girls and no one is reading it! Except me, but last time I checked I wasn't a little girl.

Shut up Butcher.

I'll just add that it also works as a colouring book :).

MINISTRY OF SPACE #1
by Warren Ellis, Chris Weston and Laura DePuy.
FC, 32pg, $2.95, Page 122 (Image Comics)
Order Number- FEB011273

Now, I urge you to read the solicitation info for this project, because even if you think you have no interest in this project, you most assuredly will. This sounds like a brilliant book, with gorgeous artwork and a compelling story, which is all we could really ask for. But what's nice is that it's going to be an important project to pitch to the non-comic readers, and proof of what the medium is capable of to the outside world. I'm just incredibly annoyed that it's a mini-series, and that there's no mention of a trade paperback release.

I'm not surprised no trade was mentioned, as in the current market, I could see it cutting into sales significantly.

Well, in our interview with Warren Ellis in October (You did read it, didn't you?), he stated that the solicitations for MoS would include a hard sale-date for the eventual trade paperback. If the circumstances have changed I accept that (as I did at the time). I plan to support it anyway, because I think the importance of buying the book for political reasons outweighs the political reasons not to support the format. That, and I'm fairly convinced it's going to be absolutely fantastic.

MINISTRY OF SPACE #1 DYNAMIC FORCES EXCLUSIVE ALTERNATE COVER
Signed by creator Warren Ellis, Chris Weston, and Laura DuPuy!
Suggested Retail Price - $49.99. Order Number - FEB011323

*Cough*, *Cough*.

What? In a few years you'll be able to buy a house with that sucker! Didn't you know, according to Gareb Shamus, comics are more lucrative than the stock market!

OBERGEIST #1
by Dan Jolly, Tony Harris, Ray Snyder, and Matt Hollingsworth.
FC, 32pg, $2.95, Page 140 (Minotaur Comics/Image Comics)
Order Number- FEB011298

This, I think, will be an interesting experiment. For those not familiar, Obergeist was planned as the next Jolly Roger Studios comic to be released from DC. Apparently though, the folks at DC were so frightened at the idea of Nazis seeking a kind of redemption in the afterlife that they balked, and not even the mature-themed VERTIGO could publish it. Which means that this will be a really interesting book to watch. Will it spawn controversy and outrage? Will it go largely ignored (as the LAZARUS 5 series that proceeded it)? Like I said, and interesting experiment.

I really liked LAZARUS 5, and am seriously looking forward to a comic so controversial that Vertigo wouldn't even publish it. I only wish it was possible for other companies to pick up such censored classics as the HELLBLAZER: SHOOT one shot, and the SEX DETECTIVES One shot.

TANGLED WEB: THE THOUSAND #1
By Garth Ennis, John McCrea, and James Hodgkins. Painted cover by Glenn Fabry
FC, 32pg, $2.99, Page 159 (Marvel Comics)
Order Number- FEB011556

This looks to be a new anthology series with rotating teams of creators focusing on the people who come across Spider-man, rather than the web-head himself. It's an interesting concept, but only being a marginal Spider-man fan, I'll be taking this on a case by case basis. Starting things off is Garth Ennis, who is about as unlikely a choice for Spider-man as I could have ever imagined, but somehow I don't think Ennis would have done the book if he didn't have a good story to tell. We'll see how well webs and Garth mix.

Who is the target market for this series? I mean, Garth Ennis' SPIDER-MAN seems just too weird.

I said the same thing about HULK SMASH, but found that quite enjoyable. I dunno, honestly I'd rather Ennis does something more mature and closer to his heart, but if he's gonna play with the big toys, he might as well mess with them as much as he can.

True, and I suppose DC's LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT has found a niche for itself producing interesting tales of Batman by people not normally known for doing Batman stories. Fair enough.

DAREDEVIL #16
by Brian Michael Bendis, David Mack
FC, 32 pg, $2.99, Page 167 (Marvel Comics)
Order Number- FEB011576

"Paging Mr. Don't Get Your Hopes Up, Paging Mr. Don't Get Your Hopes Up, you have a phone call on the courtesy white telephone..." I'll believe this book is shipping when I see it.

This is the solicitation for Daredevil 16: "C'mon, by now you should know this solicitation by heart: Beginning a new story arc written by Brian Michael Bendis and painted by David Mack!" First off, this is mildly annoying because the reason that we should know this solicitation by heart is that the new Editor and Chief can't manage to do any better than drawing a book every 4 months. But anyway, that's in the past. Let's talk about the future. Joe Quesada has all of February, and the first two weeks of March, to put out DAREDEVIL #15 so that this book is not re-solicited yet again. He's got 6 weeks from today. Anyone willing to take bets?

To be fair, he IS running all of Marvel Comics right now, but I'm still trying to figure out why he doesn't just hire a new artist at this point. I mean come on, enough is enough.

UPDATE: I've been informed by Stuart Moore (new Marvel Knights EIC) that Quesada did take himself off of DAREDEVIL when he was appointed as EIC. Apperantly, Dave Ross pencilled the last half of Daredevil #14 and will be pencilling all of Daredevil #15. Which Stuart says will be out in 3 weeks or so. This is a very surprising move on the part of Quesada, and I'm happy to see this happen. So, um, I guess I'll be taking that bet now.

PUNISHER: WELCOME BACK, FRANK Trade Paperback
by Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon, and Jimmy Palmiotti
FC, 272pg, 24.95, Page 168 (Marvel Comics)
Order Number- FEB011580

Look at that page count vs. that price! Not only is Marvel rushing out the trade of this very cool series, but they are keeping the whole 12 issue run together, and pricing it reasonably affordable. Fantastic! This was easily one of the cooler series to come out last year, and I'm looking forward to being able to loan it out in trade form. You must get this book even if you're not a Punisher fan you will love it!

Actually, the price is about average, though considering how many of these they're going to sell it isn't revolutionary. Earth X is listed at Amazon as being 388 pages for $24.95. Now that is a good deal. Still, good on Marvel for putting together something affordable. Though, I mean, really. I can think of about 5 books that were better than this last year. Marvel Boy, for example…

But only 2 years ago, had Marvel put out a trade of this series at all, it would have been cut in half so as to maximize profit. And each trade collecting six issues from the series would have been at least 15 to 20 dollars.

And yes, Marvel Boy WAS cooler, but only by a bit.

Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't aware you hadn't read Marvel Boy. For, if you had, you would have realized just how much better than Punisher it was. No offence to Mr. Ennis, but while one is a fairly mindless romp, the other was... Well... It had HEXUS THE LIVING CORPORATION in it for christ's sake. Brilliant insanity.

MINISTRY OF SPACE T-SHIRT
T-Shirt (Men's L - FEB011791, XL - FEB011792, Women's L - FEB011793, XL - FEB011794), $17.95, Page 190 (AIT/Planetlar)

I remarked upon original seeing this logo that it was a very very cool design. And Lo and behold, they have released it on a T-Shirt now! Should be a classic for those folks who like to wear "subversive" comic T's, meaning attractive looking shirts without a muscular man swinging, slashing, or shooting. For arbiters of taste everywhere.

All the sexy comic fans will be wearing these this year, I'm sure. And I think of special note is the separate sizes for women. I think Larry Young is the first publisher to actually acknowledge that women read comics and thus would enjoy a nice t-shirt that is made for their bodies.

MYSTIC VOLUME 1 TP
by Crossley, Dell, Lipka, Marz, McNiven, and Smith. Cover by Joe Linsner
FC, 176 pg tpb, $19.95, Page 233 (Crossgen Comics)
Order Number- FEB011972

SIGIL VOLUME 1 TP
by Elliot, Ensign, Kesel, Lai, M Niven, Moeller, Sharpe, Smith and Quintana. Cover by Christopher Moeller
FC, 186 pg tpb, $19.95, Page 233 (Crossgen Comics)
Order Number-FEB011973

Few problems here. First, weren't there two Lai's (Ray and Ben) that worked on Sigil? The solicitation only lists one, despite listing 10 names. Then, $19.95?! For 176 and 186 page trade paperbacks? This makes them some of the most expensive trades released this month. Typically, trade paperbacks adhere pretty strictly to the 10 cents per page (or less) formula. For these you're paying 11.3 and 11 cents respectively. Not much, but consider for a moment that buying all of the 7 issues contained within each of these trades would have cost you $20.65. That's right, this trade paperback is a whopping seventy cents cheaper than the cost of the original issues, despite the enormously cheaper costs to the company for having already paid for all of the writing, art, colouring, and the cost of the colour film. Granted, at least it's not as deplorable as the Marvel AVENGERS trades which actually cost more than the issues, but it's still really disappointing from a company who says they have a commitment to the trade paperback market.

Oh wow, could I be less interested in these? I don't think so.

In all seriousness, I really respect Crossgen and what they are trying to do with the comic industry. They run a very cool business model and know how to put out product on time, and give retailers reasons to support them. But would it be possible for Crossgen to put out a comic that isn't boring? I mean really guys, give me a reason to buy you books, please!

JAR OF FOOLS D&Q EDITION
By Jason Lutes
b&w, 148pg, $14.95, Page 235 (Drawn & Quarterly)
Order Number FEB011989

Last month you saw me go on and on about Jason Lutes BERLIN, well, I'll spare you the slobbering and hyperbole and just cut straight to the chase. Get this fucking book and worship at Jason Lutes feet right now! You think I'm kidding? Come on, try me, don't buy this book and just SEE what I do! That's right, you're my bitch...

If Scott's vicious insults don't persuede you (and I wouldn't be all that surprised if they didn't), I'll just point out that Jar Of Fools really is a masterful work. It was referenced numerous times in Scott McClouds REINVENTING COMICS as being indicative of the promise of the medium in terms of pacing, layout, and panel transition. Now in this complete edition, JAR OF FOOLS has become a necessary addition to all comic readers' libraries.

ESSENCE: THE ART OF YOSHITOSHI ABe
b&w, 72pg book, $7.95, Page 242 (Fanboy Comics)
Order Number- FEB012031

The great company with the terrible name releases my most desired item of the month, ESSENCE: THE ART OF YOSHITOSHI ABE. ABe is the talented Japanese artist responsible for the brilliant character designs and accompanying artwork for the Anime SERIAL EXPERIMENTS LAIN. His artwork is brilliant, truly unique and moving, and it has definitely influenced my own art and colouring. This book, a collection of ABe's b&w art and comics work will delight fans.

Yoshitoshi is such a cool name! Like most people, you all probably just skipped over the name thinking that you'd never be able to properly pronounce it anyway, well I'm here to tell you that this name is worth slowing down and pronouncing! Yo-she-toe-she. Isn't that cool?!?

Actually, he goes by ABe (pronounced Ahh-Beh). Cough.

Oh, and SERIAL EXPERIMENTS LAIN is really cool anime, and at only $7.95 this art book is a total steal.

Well, it's going to include artwork, comics, story ideas, the whole nine yards. Tres cool.

SIDEKICKS #3
by J. Torres & Takeshi Miyazawa. Covers by Miyazawa & Mike Wieringo.
b&w, 32pg, $2.75, Page 242 (Fanboy Comics)
Order Number- FEB012033

The final issue of, hands down, my favorite new series of 2000. Takeshi Miyazawa is the most talented new creator of the year, and these books show off both his attention to detail and his fantastic character designs. His work gets to shine thanks to the humanistic dialogue and fantastic plotting of J. Torres, and the whole package in terms of colouring, production, and supplemental material is just top-notch. If you're not reading this book, you should be. I've included a quick sample of the interior art from issue #2 to… convince you. :)

Is there a trade coming out? I mean, I want to check it out, it looks really cool, but I missed the first issues and my store doesn't have them. Or, if they are still available from the publisher, how can we get in touch with them? Can you tell I'm setting Chris up for an informative response that will basically give you no reason to not seek this book out?

Thanks, Scott. There is indeed a trade paperback collection planned for Sidekicks. It was, I believe, tentatively scheduled for this summer (though with the delay to the third issue that may have changed). It's worth noting though that the first and second issues are still available from Diamond (and therefore, your local store) and at a cover price of only $2.75 I strongly urge you to check them out.

SOUNDTRACK: SHORT STORIES 1990-1996 TP
by Jessica Abel
b&w, 120 pg, 12.95, Page 244 (Fantagraphics)
Order Number- FEB012041

I'm so excited about this collection. I recently got Mirror Window, the collection of her Art Babe series published by Fantagraphics and absolutely loved it. SOUNDTRACK is the best of Abel's self published ART BABE stories and I'm simply dying to get more comics from her. If you're a fan of Adrian Tomine, then ART BABE is right up your alley.

I've heard a lot of great things about Abel, but unfortunately I haven't had a chance to experience her work yet. Both this trade paperback, and the re-offered Mirror Window are on my pre-order list for April.

BOX OFFICE POISON COMPLETE EDITION
by Alex Robinson
b&w, 608 pg 6" x 9" tpb, $29.95, Page 266 (Top Shelf Productions)
Order Number- FEB012168

If you (like me) have been "Waiting For the Trade" on this series, rejoice because now it's here. For $30, you can get all 600 pages of BOX OFFICE POISON, a critically acclaimed slice-of-life. I think that this is not only a fantastic deal, but one of the best ways to release a work like this. I've been loving the "Phonebook" Akira re-releases, and this will look great up on the bookshelf next to it. Kudos to Top Shelf for picking it up and putting it out.

600 pages for 30 bucks! Jesus that's cool. I'm a huge BOP fan, have been from the beginning, and I'm very excited about this collection.

I'll buy almost anything that's 600 pages for 30 bucks. If the recently released GOLD DIGGER BRICK was closer to this price range, it would have been in my pull list as well. So, let this be an official note to publishers: I WANT BIG VOLUMES OF COMICS. CHEAP.

DRAW! #1
b&w, 88 pg magazine, $5.95, Page 278 (TwoMorrow's Publishing)
Order Number- FEB012232

An interesting idea that's been a long time coming. A magazine about being a comics creator, intended for comics creators. Should be a well put together magazine, along the lines of TwoMorrow's other publishing ventures.

I agree, this is a fantastic idea, however, is enough of a fan base to keep it alive? I don't mean to be a pessimist, but if it's too pro friendly, fans will be turned off, and if it's not pro friendly enough, fans will still be turned off. With comic magazines popping up overnight, and then vanishing just as quickly, it's a bad time to launch a new publication. However, I'm hoping this is as cool as it sounds, and I'm certainly going to get the first few issues.

Well, the recently released SKETCH magazine treads on similar ground, and it seems to be doing quite well (selling out it's print runs). I think there's a market for this magazine, though I feel bad about giving all these people the hope of working in comics. If you talk to even established pros, they'll tell you there's not tons of work out there, and it seems a little cruel to try and raise a new generation of comics creators when the previous one has 20 years left in them.

RUDY BOESCH NAVY SEAL 12-INCH FIGURE
Action figure, (Regular) $35.00, Page 337, Order Number- FEB012757
Action figure, (Signed) $50.00, Page 337, Order Number- FEB012758

Okay, this Survivor thing has just gone too far now. Why do we need an action figure based on a cranky, homophobic, annoying asshole? What's next, a anatomically correct doll based on the creepy, slimy, and annoying Richard Hatch?

Actually, that's not a bad idea. I'd buy both dolls, and make then do dirty, dirty things to each other.

And send the video tape to both of them, I'm sure.


And on that note, we end the April Previews Review. We'd just like to take a second to remind you to PRE-ORDER YOUR COMICS. By that I mean go to your store, and let your retailer know what books you would like in April. Make him write it down, or better yet, write down a list and hand it to him. Only you can save the comics industry.

Until Next Month!

Christopher Butcher, EIC

Scott J. Grunewald, Publisher


Christopher Butcher is the Editor In Chief of PopImage, and yes, he worked on GoGirl! and feels a little slimey about recommending it. But honestly, it's a very good book and I think you should check it out. Scott J. Grunewald is the Publisher of PopImage.


OrderingComics.com - A new resource site for pre-ordering comics.
April 2001 Trade Paperback Solicitations - PopImage's new Trade Paperback release list.
March Previews Review - Check out last month's PREVIEWS REVIEW, for items shipping in March 2001.
PopImage Forum - Discuss this message at the PopImage forum.