Comic Shop Corner: August 2014

On it's surface August seems like a weak month, but if we dig a little deeper we'll find there is some books that may end up being quite good.

August's Donny-Approved Series:

DC's The Multiversity

Biggest Storylines:

Dark Horse Comics: The end of an era...

Dark Horse Comics has been releasing Star Wars comics for well over 15 years. When Disney acquired the rights to the Star Wars franchise last year the writing was on the wall for a move to Marvel as Disney now owned both companies. August though is the official end of the Star Wars at Dark Horse era... August sees the release of Star Wars #20, Star Wars: Darth Maul—Son of Dathomir #4, and Star Wars: Legacy #18. All these stories may be concluding, but it's the end of Star Wars as comic fans know it. Here's hoping September brings some great Star Wars work over at Marvel. But until then we mourn.

DC Comics: The Multiversity explained

The biggest adventure in DC’s history is here!
Join visionary writer Grant Morrison, today’s most talented artists, and a cast of unforgettable characters from 52 alternative Earths of the known DC Multiverse! Prepare to meet the Vampire League of Earth-43, the Justice Riders of Earth-18, Superdemon, Doc Fate, the super-sons of Superman and Batman, the rampaging Retaliators of Earth-8, the Atomic Knights of Justice, Dino-Cop, Sister Miracle, Lady Quark, the legion of Sivanas, the Nazi New Reichsmen of Earth-10 and the latest, greatest Super Hero of Earth-Prime: YOU! Comprising six complete adventures – each set in a different parallel universe – plus a two-part framing story and a comprehensive guidebook to the many worlds of the Multiverse, The Multiversity is more than just a multipart comic-book series. It’s a cosmos spanning, soul-shaking experience that puts YOU on the frontline in the Battle for All Creation against the demonic destroyers known as the Gentry! In issue #1, pencilled by superstar artist Ivan Reis (Aquaman, Justice League), President Superman of Earth-23 uncovers a threat to all Reality so apocalyptic it will take a team of incredible heroes from across the Multiverse to face it – including Captain Carrot, like you’ve never seen him before! But even with a multitude of alternate worlds to choose from, where every variation is possible, can anyone hope to prevail against the onslaught of ultimate evil and undying hatred – in the unstoppable form of a one-time cosmic defender with unimaginable powers?! Join us, if you dare, for the beginning of The Multiversity!

IDW Publishing: The War For Cybertron begins

It's here the beginning of the end! The Monumental final chapter of the Cybertron War trilogy begins, written by World of Warcraft and Diablo’s Chris Metzen and the legendary Transformers writer Flint Dille comes Transformers: Primacy #1. Optimus Prime versus Megatron. Autobots versus Decepticons. At the dawn of the conflict, battle lines are drawn and sides are set… now legends will be made. The war that would define a planet begins in earnest—and its revelations will shake the TRANSFORMERS’ world to the core! No word yet on if the outcome will effect the other Transformers series however seeing how IDW has been working in phases with it's Transformers title one has to imagine that the outcome will send ripples through fan favourite titles Robots In Disguise and More Than Meets The Eye.


Image Comics: Jim Zub spotlight!

Okay so Image actually has a lot of new titles this month, the most interesting however is Jim Zub's new series Wayward which has been dubbed as "Buffy The Vampire Slayer for a new generation". It follows Rori Lane who is trying to start a new life when she reunites with her mother in Japan, but ancient creatures lurking in the shadows of Tokyo sense something hidden deep within her, threatening everything she holds dear. Can Rori unlock the secrets of her power before it's too late? I'm not sure but I'm intrigued to sy the least! But that's not all for Mr. Zub this month, we get the landmark 30th issue of Skullkickers. In this special issue we discover different sets of Skullkickers from across space and time and you'll get a glimpse at some of these deadly duos for the first time—a tasty appetizer before the fighting feast yet to come...

Marvel Comics: The Road To Spider-Verse

I really could've talked about Figment and continued on with Jim Zub but... What the hell? Superior Spider-Man? Didn't this end in March? How in the world? Oh big Spider-Man crossover in the fall called Spider-Verse you say? Featuring all kinds of Spider-Men, some we know and love, some extremely obscure and some we haven't even met? So that includes Doc Ock's version of Spidey... And the story starts here!? Well yeah okay so not the main story but a prequel so to speak? Okay cool. Dan Slott is writing too? Oh with Gage... Still impressive. I'm excited. What goes on? Any teasers? No? So you're just going to make me pick up the book then? Wow how rude... Oh I didn't realize Andy Kubert was doing the art, that's pretty cool... Okay you talked me in to it. I'll grab Superior Spider-Man #32.

Other Top Titles:

FADE OUT #1
Publisher: IMAGE COMICS
Creative Team: Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, Elizabeth Breitweiser
Estimated Release Date*: 8/20/2014
Description: The first project from their groundbreaking five-year deal at Image will have Brubaker and Phillips fans, old and new, at the edge of their seats, as they weave an epic crime story unlike anything they’ve done before. Hollywood – 1948. A noir film stuck in endless reshoots. A writer plagued with nightmares from the war and a dangerous secret. An up-and-coming starlet’s suspicious death. And a maniacal Studio Mogul and his Security Chief who will do anything to keep the cameras rolling before the Post-War boom days come crashing down. THE FADE OUT is the most ambitious series yet from the award-winning Noir Masters.

JUDGE DREDD ANDERSON PSI DIVISION
Publisher: IDW PUBLISHING
Creative Team: Matthew J. Smith, Carl Critchlow, Matt Haley
Estimated Release Date*: 8/20/2014
Description: In an all-new adventure from Cassandra Anderson’s early days in the Mega-City One Psi-Division, writer Matt Smith and artist Carl Critchlow present “King of the Six Sectors.” It all starts with Anderson awaking from an unusually strong vision of an attack on the Megapolitan Museum showcasing Cursed Earth artifacts…

Comic Shop Corner: October 16, 2013

Everyone over their Villains Month hangover yet? I'm just about there but in the meantime let's take a look at the books coming out this week that will hopefully eventually find their way to the top of my stack.

Dark Horse Comics

Conan The Barbarian #21

With the movie reboot tanking and the Arnold movies long forgotten it's weird to see Conan doing this well at Dark Horse as this is the most talked about I've ever heard Conan be. Mind you Brian Wood has goodwill behind him after his day 1 sellout of Star Wars so there seems to be at least some good writing to look forward to as a twisted religious order targets the heathens Conan and Bêlit, who flee with a relic of immeasurable value. Mad warrior monks pursue the couple across a mazelike landscape, cutting off every avenue of escape. With no other options, Bêlit looks to the mysterious item, hoping to find some salvation within.

Also available: Bloodhound Crowbar Medicine #1, Strain The Fall #4, B.P.R.D. Hell On Earth #112, Brain Boy #2, S.H.O.O.O.T. First #1, and many more!

DC Comics

Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion #1

The Rogues call no man boss, but a new evil threat might not leave them much choice! Will they fall in line, or refuse and risk certain death? The answer will tear the Rogues apart! You have to give me some credit I've been trying not to push Forever Evil that much but this series has been so good I can't help it. This mini-series tie-in focuses on The Flash's most renowed villains group as they decide wheather they will fight with or against The Secret Society of Earth 3.

Also available: Batman/Superman #4, Justice League of America #8, Green Lantern New Guardians #24, Batman '66 #4, Batwoman #24, 100 Bullets Brother Lono #5, Wonder Woman #24, Trinity of Sin: Pandora #4, Supergirl #24, Batman Beyond Universe #3, Animal Man #24, Fables #134, and many more!

IDW Publishing

Star Trek Khan #1

"Shall we begin?" Don't miss this all-new mini-series event overseen by Star Trek Into Darkness writer/producer Roberto Orci! Witness the shocking origin of Khan Noonien Singh from his earliest years through his rise to power during the epic Eugenics Wars! Behold the events that led to his escape from Earth aboard the Botany Bay! Learn the truth behind his re-awakening by Admiral Marcus and Section 31! It's the origin of Star Trek's greatest villain, only from IDW!

Also available: Transformers More Than Meets The Eye #22, X-Files Season 10 #5, G.I. Joe A Real American Hero #195, and many more!



Image Comics

Whispers #6

After his journey through hell, Sam is able to untangle reality from fiction and discover the shocking truth about his powers. But when he confronts the source, will he be able to discover the truth about himself? It all ends here in the dramatic conclusion of Whispers! The best part about this ending? Now I can look forward to a trade to read it all since I missed out on the first couple issues but if you were smart, unlike me, this epic conclusion promises to be tasty.

Also available: Zero #2, Thief Of Thieves #17, Nowhere Men #6, Invincible #106, Bushido #3, Morning Glories #33, and many more!



Marvel Comics

Superior Spider-Man #19

Necessary Evil concludes in this thrilling issue as we finally encounter the moment that changes world of Spider-Man, and the Marvel Universe for years to come.Which Spider-Man is responsible for such a thing? Spider-Man 2099 or the Superior Spider-Man? Major developments for both Spider-Man's cast... and for the future. And the variant cover pictured here is just beautiful.

Also available: Avengers Assemble #20, Guardians Of The Galaxy #7, Indestructible Hulk Special #1, Avengers #21, Wolverine MAX #12, Hunger #4, Fantastic Four #13, Cable And X-Force #15, Hawkeye #13, Marvel Universe Ultimate Spider-Man #19, A+X #13, X-Men Legacy #18, New Avengers #11, Uncanny X-Men #13, and many more!


Spotlight:

Monsterverse Comics: Devils Dog #1

You thought we were going to go a week without a Halloween book didn't you? Ha! In this new 3 part horror mini series a mysterious driver in a Plymouth Barracuda (with the body of a young female hitchhiker in the trunk) passes through a small Oklahoma town in the Summer of 1969. But his evil nature is somehow sensed by a local resident who has the town staked out for himself. After a beastly attack, a demonic curse is passed on to the stranger and his full evil will finally be released in this dark tale of the supernatural by a newcomer in writer/artist Scott Youtsey.