Comic Shop Corner: August 2015

Hey folks! We had an even 30 this month but looks like a few titles (Silver Surfer, Sex Criminals, All-New Hawkeye) got delayed until September so we'll roll with 27 this month due to double shipping last month and likely this month upcoming too... Let's hit it!

27. Justice League United #12
Last ranking: 25 (out of 28)

A mission to save our world from cosmic calamity has separated Swamp Thing from the Green, threatening to destroy him forever. Only an improbable team of heroes and villains, led by Poison Ivy, can traverse conflicting realities and save Earth's plant elemental from non-existence.

26. TMNT Color Classics #8
Last ranking: 23 (out of 28)

In "City at War, Part Six," the war for New York escalates as Karai and the Rat King enter the fray! (Originally printed as Mirage TMNT #55, Volume 1.)

25. Gotham By Midnight #8
Last ranking: 22 (out of 28)

Two of Gotham City's top news anchors seem to be swaying the minds of the public with sinister supernatural intentions.

24. Past Aways #6
Last ranking: 21 (out of 28)

Across space and time, the immortal Past Aways have battled their share of monsters-but a new beast has reared its ugly head, and the team may not be able to survive the onslaught of the terrible creature known as . . . celebrity!

23. Secret Six #5
Last ranking: 15 (out of 28)

After the initial attack on Big Shot's home (and the shocking revelation of one member's true identity), the team's suburban retreat has been exposed. As the team starts to fracture, this highly dysfunctional band of outcasts prepares for the next strike from Mockingbird!

22. TMNT: Amazing Adventures #1
Last ranking: NEW!

This new series will feature crazier stories in it's own all-ages continuity that draws inspiration from the hit Nickelodeon cartoon! Featuring backups from some of the finest cartoonists in comics today!

21. Lobo #9
Last ranking: 17 (out of 28)

As Lobo hunts for Sinestro and a big payday, only one more killer stands in his way: Wyvern Cross, possibly the only alien more deadly than the last Czarnian!

20. Secret Wars #5
Last ranking: 18 (out of 28)

OWEN REECE DIED FOR OUR SINS!

19. Bat-Mite #3
Last ranking: 19 (out of 28)

Bat-Mite and Robin! It had to happen...even if Damian fights it every step of the way! Does Bat-Mite really believe that Batman's son will welcome his efforts to coach him? Sadly, yes. Say hello to crime fighting's new Dysfunctional Duo.

18. Harrow County #4
Last ranking: 16 (out of 28)

Kept prisoner by a monster of her own creation, Emmy is forced to confront the truth about the evil witch of Harrow County and the power she wields!

17. Howard The Human #1
Last ranking: NEW!

Spend a day with Howard, a private investigator and the only human living in city full of animals. But not, like, criminals and lowlifes. We're talking elephants, apes, ducks and kitty cats. Catching a case, grinding a few gears, dodging some bullets and almost getting killed by an anthropomorchic monstrosity. It's just another Monday for Howard the Human brought to you by Skottie Young (ROCKET RACCOON) and Jim Mahfood (MIAMI VICE REMIX).

16. American Vampire: The Second Cycle #9
Last ranking: 24 (out of 28)

Trapped behind the wall, Felicia and Pearl must run from the horrors they find lurking in Area 51. Whether they make it out alive or become test tube experiments may not be up to them. AMERICAN VAMPIRE: SECOND CYCLE continues here!

15. Hip-Hop Family Tree #1
Last ranking: NEW!

The New York Times bestselling book series debuts as a  monthly  comic book (!) with new covers, artwork, a "director's commentary" section that describes the motivation, process, and research involved in making this masterpiece, plus other surprises! This first issue highlights the breakdancers, graffiti artists, DJs and MCs who formed hip hop culture beginning in the tenement rec rooms of the south Bronx in the 1970s. You'll discover who invented the term "Hip Hop". You'll see names you recognize like Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa and you'll discover where they fit into the culture as pioneers... every month!

14. We Stand On Guard
Last ranking: 20 (out of 28)

The summer blockbuster from BRIAN K. VAUGHAN and STEVE SKROCE continues, as the futuristic conflict between the Canadian freedom fighters and their American occupiers takes a shocking turn!

13. Justice League Of America
Last ranking: 13 (out of 28)

Churches of Rao are being built all over the world. A new world religion has appeared seemingly overnight. Sick people are healed. The world suddenly knows peace. So what's wrong with this picture? The Justice League is about to violently find out.

12. Deadpool's Secret Secret Wars #4
Last ranking: 8 (out of 28)

You guys understand this is NOT A SECRET WARS TIE-IN, right? It's nothing less than the TRUTH that THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW! THIS is how the ORIGINAL SECRET WARS really ended! YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE IT! Which is your right. Parental Advisory

11. Action Comics #43
Last ranking: 9 (out of 28)

"Truth" continues as Superman defies the Metropolis police and faces a new threat from the shadows!

10. Magneto #21
Last ranking: 12 (out of 28)

With the Earth on the verge of destruction, the Master of Magnetism is determined to be mutantkind's savior once more... But at what cost? Parental Advisory

9. Batman Beyond #3

Last ranking: 11 (out of 28)

The world starts to give up on its new Batman as the secret of the cyborg Justice League is revealed. Plus, Brother Eye takes both a giant leap and one small step toward bringing down the final stronghold of humanity: Neo-Gotham.

8. Hero Cats Of Stellar City #7

Last ranking: 7

A new Hero Cat named Bandit joins the battle as our team is faced with their biggest challenge yet.  An evil alliance conspires to bring Stellar City to its knees.  Can the Hero Cats stop them in time?

7. Howard The Duck #5

Last ranking: 10 (out of 28)

While the world's greatest super heroes fight to save NYC - and possibly America and parts of Canada - Howard and Tara Tam learn a lot about each other, and themselves. Communication is key in life. Be inquisitive about the people you surround yourself with. RETAILER NOTE: This issue is a HOWARD THE DUCK #4 tie-in!

6. Batman #43

Last ranking: 7 (out of 28)

In the start of a new epic, a new villain stalks Gotham City. Will Batman be able to uncover the mystery of Mr. Bloom?

5. Fight Club 2 #4

Last ranking: 6 (out of 28)

Each time Sebastian's drifted off to sleep, Tyler's emerged to run Project Mayhem. The "Human Sacrifices" who've pledged their lives to fulfilling their dreams . . . becoming doctors, accountants, lawyers-even MBAs! . . . what they're really becoming are Tyler's slaves. And the ones who fail him? They die . . .

4. Grayson #11

Last ranking: 4 (out of  28)

It's Grayson versus...Grayson? To save Agent 1, Dick must face his most dangerous enemy yet: himself.

3. Nailbiter #15

Last ranking: 3 (out of 28)

A shocking death unlocks the secrets of Buckaroo!

2. Justice League #43

Last ranking: 2 (out of 28)

"The Darkseid War" event rages on as Batman takes a dark journey into the depths of Godhood and unlocks the forbidden knowledge of the DC universe! Meanwhile, arch-enemies Superman and Lex Luthor must stand together in order to survive, and Wonder Woman leads the Justice League in an offensive against the Anti-Monitor and Darkseid! But what is Grail's true mission during this war--and what is the secret she holds over Wonder Woman?

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #49

Last ranking: 1 (out of 28)

A final battle looms as Karai decrees a "Gauntlet" battle between ancient foes Splinter and Shredderbut first the Turtles must defeat the Foot mutants- Koya, Bludgeon, Bebop & Rocksteady! With Leo making an unimaginable battle gamble, a second Turtle's life may be on the line!

Series Dropped: The New Suicide Squad

Series Finished: Edward Scissorhands, C.O.W.L.

Comic Shop Corner: July 2015

We'll do 28 this month since there's a bunch of issues double shipping this month as well as annuals.

28. C.O.W,L. #11
Last ranking: 30 (same issue)

Arc two comes to a close with a monster issue. All of Geoffrey's lies, secrets, and rationalizations have led to this. Plus, Radia's public stand against C.O.W.L.—will she win the independence she wants? And does Arclight have a future with C.O.W.L.? Or at all?

27. New Suicide Squad #10
Last ranking: 29

What do you get when you take on an unstable breakaway faction from the League of Assassins? Dead Squad members, that’s what!

26. Edward Scissorhands #10
Last ranking: 24

Whole Again concludes, as Edward realizes that only he can rescue his new friends, even though it might mean sacrificing his best chance to be “normal.” But what’s normal, really?

25. Justice League United #11
Last ranking: Unranked

The Convergence is over! Now, Alanna Strange, Stargirl and Equinox must assemble brand-new and wildly untraditional teams of heroes and villains to work together and stop another cosmic catastrophe before it happens. In this issue: Mera, Poison Ivy, Swamp Thing and Etrigan!

24. American Vampire: The Second Cycle #8
Last ranking: 27 (same issue)

With Skinner and Calvin leading the space race, back on Earth it’s time to face the most guarded stronghold in the country: Area 51! Felicia and Pearl go behind the fence to expose the nation’s extraterrestrial secrets. What do they encounter floating in the test tubes? You’ll find out here!

23. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Colour Classics #7
Last ranking: 26

In "City at War, Part Five," the TMNT and their allies must face their personal doubts, motivations, and mortality as the war for New York continues to explode out-of-control around them! (Originally printed as Mirage TMNT #54, Volume 1.)

22. Gotham By Midnight #7/Annual
Last ranking: 16

7: The responsibilities of the Midnight Shift can take its toll on even the bravest. What trials has Lt. Weaver endured – and has he reached his breaking point?

Annual: Get set for a tale of love and vengeance in this centuries-old mystery for the Midnight Shift – and the Gentlemen Ghost!

21. Past Aways #5
Last ranking: 23

Phil and his new student experiment with a novel form of time travel, Art begins a dangerous relationship with a 2015 native, and the impossible occurs when one of the immortal Past Aways passes away!

20. We Stand On Guard #1
Last ranking: NEW!

SAGA writer BRIAN K. VAUGHAN teams with artistic legend and MATRIX storyboard artist STEVE SKROCE for an action-packed military thriller that will have everyone talking. 100 years from now, a heroic band of Canadian civilians must defend their homeland from invasion...by the United States of America! The hyper-detailed combat between badass freedom fighters and giant f***ing robots begins with a spectacular 40-PAGE FIRST ISSUE for the regular price of just $2.99!

19. Bat-Mite #2
Last ranking: 12

Bat-Mite assists Batman on yet another case…whether the Dark Knight needs his help or not. This time, it leads the imp to the diabolical Doctor Trauma, who has terrible plans in store for Hawkman!

18. Secret Wars #4
Last ranking: 22/21 (same issue)

All the Angels sing!

17. Lobo #8/Annual
Last ranking: 14

8: Lobo battles fiendish robotic surgeons in the horrific “flesh factory”!

Annual: Lobo’s faced murderers, thieves and tyrants as he slaughtered his way across the universe, but now he meets the one group that might shut down his work for good: the Sinestro Corps!

16. Harrow County #3
Last ranking: 13

Terrified by what she's learned of witches and monsters, Emmy takes shelter in an ancient graveyard, as she's hunted down by her own family!

15. Secret Six #4
Last ranking: 20

It's the Secret Six versus the Doom Patrol, fresh off their appearance in Teen Titans! As the Six hunt down the villain who has been targeting them, they uncover some startling secrets. What does the all-new Doom Patrol have to do with all of it?

14. Silver Surfer #13
Last ranking: 19

From the edge of Battleworld to the far reaches of the cosmos – every planet, moon and star has been extinguished. Except for the Surfer, Dawn and Toomie! How did they pull this off? And more importantly, can they figure out a way to bring everything back?

13. Justice League Of America #2
Last ranking: 18

The JLA learns more about the armada of religious zealots that has arrived on Earth – and their stunning ties to Krypton!

12. Magneto #20
Last ranking: 15

Earth is careening toward oblivion and Magneto is desperate to prevent mutantkind from meeting its untimely end… But could it be that the key to salvation has been right in front of him all along in the form of his daughter, Polaris?

11. Batman Beyond #2
Last ranking: 5

Thirty-five years in the future, Batman’s gotten himself caught in a P.O.W. camp where the enemy refuses to give up trying to crack the only “data source” he can't access – the human mind! And this foe doesn’t care how many people he has to burn through to get there, including original Batgirl Barbara Gordon! To make his great escape, Batman will have to take down both his greatest hero and a traitor to humanity! Featuring the DC Universe debut of Batman Beyond-villain Inque!

10. Howard The Duck #5
Last ranking: 9

While the world’s greatest super heroes fight to save NYC – and possibly America and parts of Canada – Howard and Tara Tam learn a lot about each other, and themselves. Communication is key in life. Be inquisitive about the people you surround yourself with. RETAILER NOTE: This issue is a HOWARD THE DUCK #4 tie-in!

9. Action Comics #42
Last ranking: 25

The Superman epic you never expected – “TRUTH” continues! Who will stand by Clark Kent?

8. Deadpool's Secret Secret Wars #3
Last ranking: 11

The war that's so secret, the rest of the Marvel Universe doesn't even remember it! Amid the chaos Deadpool dons...a new costume?!?! Plus: our heroes stage a huge attack on the gluttonous GALACTUS!

7. Batman #42
Last ranking: 2

More surprises around every corner as the all-new Batman hits the streets of Gotham City!

6. Fight Club 2 #3
Last ranking: 17

Tyler’s been around a lot longer than anyone realized . . . To gain admittance to the current generation of Project Mayhem, Marla is more than happy to provide Sebastian with plenty of bruises, and thus, the search for their son begins . . .

5. Sex Criminals #11/12
Last ranking: 6 (Issue 11 resolicited)

11: NEW STORY! NEW ARC! SAME OLD MATT AND CHIP.
Jon and Suzie have a gift: when they have sex, they stop time. And they’re not alone. Get on board the book that’s been called “hilarious” and “arousing” — by Chip’s mommy. OH! All these issues? They’re all in a sealed bag because 1000 totally random blank covers have been “customized” by Matt and Chip. Will YOU be one of the lucky ones (thousand)? Will YOUR copy be worth a million dollars one day because it is one-of-a-kind and unique (probably not)? YES! (No.)

12: Suzie and Jon continue the worst recruitment plan in the history of entertaining second-act montage sequences. Getting the band together never had so many fluids. By Hollywood jerkhole MATT FRACTION (ODY-C, SATELLITE SAM, Hawkeye) and literally a shed-full of car keys that somehow manages to draw comics.

4. Grayson #10
Last ranking: 8

For the first time since FOREVER EVIL, Dick Grayson comes face-to-face with Lex Luthor!

3. Nailbiter #14
Last ranking: 3

One of the biggest secrets of the serial killers is revealed!

2. Justice League #42
Last ranking: 10

The epic “Darkseid War” event storyline continues with the critically acclaimed team of Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok! As Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor maneuver toward inevitable war, Wonder Woman leads the Justice League against a force that holds the answers on how to stop it – but the price might be Batman’s soul! Meanwhile, Mister Miracle faces off against a mysterious hero who has been fighting in the shadows for decades!

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #47/48
Last ranking: 1 (Issue 47 resolicited)

47: The Stockman Swarm engulfs NYC searching high and low for the Turtles. The Turtles are on the run and desperate. Will they be able to find sanctuary before it's too late?

48: The Turtles take the fight to Baxter Stockman as both Karai and Shredder plan their final moves!

Series dropped: Postal

Series finished: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures