New Tuesday, new comics, new Previews. This week, I'll be looking at several new miniseries, a couple of stand-alones, and an old stand-by. There's only one book from my regular pull-list, but there's plenty to look at, so let's get going!
But first…. Since there's a new one out this week, I though I should mention it. Papercutz has been releasing reprints of the original Smurfs comics and they're wonderful. My kids have been loving them. There's tons of story for your dollar (and I'm seriously not getting paid to say this, though I feel like I sound like it). The newest one is The Smurfs, vol. 5: The Smurfs and the Egg. Check 'em out for your kids or for nostalgia.
Now, on to the Previews!
5 Ronin #1
- Written by Peter Milligan
- Pencils by Tomm Coker
- Colors by Daniel Freedman
- Covers by John Cassaday
- Variant Cover by David Aja
5 Books, 5 Heroes—1 unforgettable story of heroes pushed to their limits. It is 17th century Japan, a time and place of violent upheaval, wandering Ronin, and mysterious Geisha. Into this strange and dangerous world come Wolverine, Pyslocke, Punisher, Hulk and Deadpool. Five of Marvel’s greatest heroes…as you’ve never seen them before. Each has been wronged by a powerful tyrant. Each has taken a solemn vow…of vengeance!
5 Books, 5 Heroes, 5 Weeks…1 spell-binding story.
I like these Elseworlds-like stories, if done well. It's good seeing familiar characters in unfamiliar situations to explore how they'd handle these new situations. Punisher and Hulk seem the less likely candidates for this, though I can see how they may be protrayed as Ronin. The cover I've shown here is the variant because I like it better — though the regular cover is nice also. Not sure if I can fit this in (the whole mini is a 5-book commitment in little more than one month), but it's worth a look.
Status: Of Interest.
Annihilators #1
- Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
- Pencils by Tan Eng Huat & Timothy Green II
- Cover by Alex Garner
- Variant Cover by Mike Mignola
Because you -- yes,you! -- demanded it: Marvel’s all-star cosmic team – and cult faves Rocket Raccoon & Groot – in one massive mini! The Silver Surfer! Beta-Ray Bill! Gladiator! Quasar! Ronan! When the Dire Wraiths strike, Cosmic Masters DnA (THE THANOS IMPERATIVE, THOR/IRON MAN) and Tan Eng Huat (SILVER SURFER, THOR: FIRST THUNDER) assemble the heaviest hitters in all the universe to save the day! And there’s more! Plus: the demented duo of Rocket Raccoon and Groot return for their own, new-reader-friendly adventure! What do you do after you’ve saved the galaxy? DnA and the fabulous Timothy Green II (STAR-LORD) answer that with madcap SF combat and swashbuckling, space-faring mayhem!
I've barely started reading the recent (few years of) cosmic books from Marvel, so I'm not sure that this is the best place to jump in. I have great interest, but I don't want to jump into a story with tons of backstory I plan on reading but haven't yet. Still, I'll think about it. Again, the cover here is the variant because it's Mike Mignola and it's so awesome (and I hate the regular cover — not a fan of that CG-looking 3D realistic-yet-plastic-looking art at all).
Status: Of Interest.
Axe Cop: Bad Guy Earth #1
- Written by Malachai Nicolle
- Art by Ethan Nicolle
The amazing and hilarious comic is making its debut as an all-new Dark Horse miniseries this spring! Comics fans and fancy news blogs aren’t the only ones to take notice of Axe Cop; now the so-called “real” police know about him, too. And if there’s one thing police don’t like, it’s a guy with an axe who’s better than they are at catching and dispatching bad guys! Now Axe Cop and his partner Dinosaur Soldier are being treated like bad guys, not only by the police, but by the president and the army, too! But when a pair of nasty villains barge in from outer space and turn the army into actual bad guys, who gets the call to set things right? Axe Cop!
I had, for a while, heard of this but never looked at it. Not sure why, I guess I just didn't think about it at the right time. So, the planets aligned and I checked it out. OH MY GOD THIS IS BRILLIANT. How brilliant, you ask? BRILLIANT ENOUGH FOR ME TO USE ALL-CAPS, THAT'S HOW BRILLIANT. In case you don't know, this started as a webcomic (fairly recently collected in print by Dark Horse) and now has this print-only mini. It's written by a (now) 6-year-old and drawn by his (now) 30-year-old brother. The stories are the perfect mix of zany and awesome that only 5-now-6-year-old boys know how to come up with. This is why comics exist, people.
Status: Buying It.
Deadpool #33.1
- Written by Daniel Way
- Pencils by Bong Dazo
- Cover by Dave Johnson
START READING with this Point One issue. Deadpool has risen to prominence, thanks to the immense talent of Daniel Way. And if you haven’t been reading Deadpool, now is the time to delve into the Merc With A Mouth’s twisted world! The Wrecker, an immensely powerful psychopath, is on the loose and wreaking havoc. There’s only one person to call…Deadpool!
I know, I'm a sucker for Deadpool. I probably won't get this, actually, but I have to take a look. If there's an extra spot this month, this'll get a consideration, but truthfully, it'd have to be really super awesome to fit in. If I could pick up 50 books a month (or even 20) I wouldn't have dropped this in the first place, but unless they're delving heavily into what makes Deadpool tick (and this looks to be much more on the wacky-Deadpool side), there's not a big difference between this or that Deadpool book. Funny, yes, but nothing I can't live without.
Status: Of Interest.
Oz Primer
- Written by John Rhett Thomas
- Cover by Skottie Young
Dorothy and Toto. The Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Woodman. The Wicked Witch of the West, the Good Witch of the North. And, yes, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. These are the characters the world has known and loved for more than a century — through writer L. Frank Baum’s original novels, the classic 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland and now the Eisner Award-winning Marvel Comics adaptations by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young. But what of the plucky Tip; his best friend, Jack Pumpkinhead; and Sawhorse, the Woggle-Bug and Jinjur? Just how evil are the Jackdaws? What are the secrets of the Wishing Pills? And who is Tik-Tok, the clockwork man, and how will he help Dorothy and her loyal friends defeat the evil princess Langwidere of the thirty disembodied heads? The Marvelous Land of Oz holds countless secrets, and the Oz Primer will give eager readers a glimpse of the bountiful width and breadth of it. Feature interviews with writer Shanower (Age of Bronze) and artist Young (NEW WARRIORS) will be balanced with an appreciation of Baum and his amazing coterie of characters — an indispensible resource for fantasy lovers young and old!
I love love love the Oz books. So, I probably don't need this but would love it anyway. If it has enough art by Skottie Young in it, I may bite, but I'd probably be better off putting that money towards the Oz hardcovers he and Eric Shanower have done.
Status: Of Interest.
X-Factor #216
- Written by Peter David
- Pencils by Emanuela Lupacchino
- Cover by David Yardin
Ever wonder how X-Factor manages to operate out in the open in a New York City where superhero-hating J. Jonah Jameson is the mayor? Well, here's where you find out, as jolly JJJ thrusts NYC's premiere detective agency into the midst of a murder investigation where the trail may lead them straight to...Jonah himself? Guest-starring the ever-amazing Spider-Man!
It's a good month when I get to pick up two issues of X-Factor. I didn't realize the previous issue was stand-alone, but this starts a several-part story with Spider-Man, J. Jonah Jameson and Black Cat guest-starring. Should be good.
Status: Buying It.
That all for me this week. I'll be heading to the shop for my monthly trip on Wednesday. Anything else I should be looking out for?
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