A few collections making the Previews this week, including the première issue of the new Dark Horse Presents. Other than that, it's a slow week for me, and it'd be slower without mega-crossovers for Red Robin. Keep reading to see what I'm talking about.
Dark Horse Presents #1
- Written by Frank Miller, Harlan Ellison, Howard Chaykin, Neal Adams, Richard Corben, Carla Speed McNeil, Michael T. Gilbert, Randy Stradley, Paul Chadwick, David Chelsea, Patrick Alexander & others
- Art by Frank Miller, Howard Chaykin, Neal Adams, Richard Corben, Carla Speed McNeil, Michael T. Gilbert, Paul Chadwick, Patrick Alexander & others
- Cover by Paul Chadwick
- Variant Cover by Frank Miller
The legendary, premiere anthology is back! The 80-page spectacular, Dark Horse Presents returns with all-new stories by Neal Adams, Howard Chaykin, and Richard Corben; a new Concrete story by Paul Chadwick, a new Crimson Empire story from the Star Wars universe, and an exclusive sneak peek of Frank Miller’s highly-anticipated prequel to 300, Xerxes!
The celebration continues with a brand-new, all-color Finder story by Carla Speed McNeil, a prose piece from science fiction legend Harlan Ellison, the return of Michael T. Gilbert’s Mr. Monster, and much, much more!
I've never seen the earlier Dark Horse Presents but I hear it was a good source of stuff you wouldn't normally see. And it's a pretty good deal: $7.99 for 80 pages of (new, ad-free) content (though the solicited cover shows a $6.99 price). As with all anthologies, could be great, could be crap; though I trust this will be more of the former.
Status: In Consideration.
Gotham City Sirens #22
- Written by Peter Calloway
- Art by Andres Guinaldo
- Cover by Guillem March
In part 2 of this month's 3-part crossover with RED ROBIN and BATMAN, the Angels of Death having sworn judgment on Gotham City, which they see as a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah – but Gotham's heroes are fighting back! And when secrets surface – secrets she'd rather kept hidden – Selina finds herself in the middle of a fight for the very existence of Gotham! Guest starring Batman and Ra's al Ghul.
Batman #709
- Written by David Hine
- Art & Cover by Guillem March
This month's 3-part crossover with RED ROBIN and GOTHAM SIRENTS reaches its conclusion as Batman becomes Gotham City's last hope! Can he help the city avoid a cleansing scourge? Will the Angels of Death find one good man whose soul is pure? And what is the tragic secret in Dick Grayson's past that might doom Gotham? Guest-starring Red Robin, Catwoman and Ra's al Ghul!
I haven't seen this month's Red Robin (not due to the comic shop until the beginning of May) so I can't say much on the story so far. I'll say this though: this had better be a really good story to make me buy two extra comics this month just to keep up with Red Robin. I wasn't too impressed with the Teen Titans crossover (I enjoyed the Red Robin issue — but I always do; the Teen Titans issue was alright, it just seemed to amount to a whole lot of nothing, story-wise). For reference, I really enjoyed the Batgirl crossover way-back-when, and it made me wish I had the funds to pick up that title. But this is getting to be too much crossing-over for one title.
Status: Yeah, Buying Both (but only because I'm a Red Robin slave).
S.H.I.E.L.D.: Architects of Forever (HC)
- Written by Jonathan Hickman
- Pencils by Dustin Weaver
- Cover by Gerald Parel
Leonardo Da Vinci was an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. So was Issac Newton. So were Imhotep and Zhang Heng and Galileo and many other geniuses throughout time. They were the first heroes to defeat Galactus and the Brood and turn Celestials back. They saved the world long before Captain America or Iron Man were ever born, but what does this mean to our heroes of today? What does this mean to Nick Fury? Do not miss this Marvel Comics masterpiece that fans will be talking about for decades to come. All the insanity is courtesy of Jonathan Hickman (FANTASTIC FOUR, SECRET WARRIORS, Nightly News) and Dustin Weaver (X-MEN). Collecting S.H.I.E.L.D. #1-6 and materials from S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 DIRECTOR’S CUT.
If you haven't been reading S.H.I.E.L.D. then start now. Pick this up, love it. Get it especially because it's an oversized hardcover. Dustin Weaver's art is beautiful, and even though I'm not one to double-buy stuff, I'm thinking about it here because I'd be able to see that art closer to how it was conceived. Also, the story's really intriguing. So, seriously, read S.H.I.E.L.D.
Status: Of Interest.
X-Factor #218
- Written by Peter David
- Pencils by Emanuela Lupacchino
- Covers by David Yardin
If you have tears, prepare to share them now. For, as X-Factor and the Black Cat battles the S.C.A.R. in a desperate attempt to save J. Jonah Jameson--yes, THAT J. Jonah Jameson--one of our heroes lies dying, and survival isn't looking too likely.
I don't think we'd been told that the baddie trio of femmes is called S.C.A.R. (assuming there isn't something else that we really haven't been told about) but I'm really interested in them — what made them like they are and what did General Ryan (and J.J.J.) do to them to make them hate them so much? Also: not Guido!
Status: Buying It.
X-Men First Class: Class Portraits (TPB)
- Written by Various
- Art by Various
- Cover by Ramon Perez & Roger Cruz
Scott Summers: Team leader, always helping people in need. Also: Never happy! Maybe a visit from Batroc the Leaper and the Circus of Crime can shed some light on what makes Cyclops tick! Nothing ruins spring break faster than a giant monster stomping through the streets of the city. But what are Iceman and Angel to do when all the “real” super heroes are too busy to help? Before the Brotherhood, before his greatest battles with the X-Men, there was a man named Erik Magnus, gathering mutants to join his cause. Does the young Magneto have what it takes to build an army? When Jean Grey’s best friend was tragically killed in a car accident, her strange psychic powers appeared. Now, alongside four other gifted youngsters, she must learn to master her mutant abilities — before they destroy her! Plus: untold tales guest-starring Spider-Man, the Thing, the Hulk, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch! Collecting CYCLOPS #1, ICE MAN AND ANGEL #1, MAGNETO #1, MARVEL GIRL #1; and material from SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #8-9 and MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS (2007) #3.
I love the First Class books. I know the one-shots collected here were made because there's a movie coming out, but I'll overlook that if the stories are up to the level of quality I expect from my First Class books. I've only looked at the Iceman and Angel issue (good writing, good art except I hate how all the people look) so I'm not sure if the rest is worth it or not, but hey: Batroc! There's one plus already.
Status: Of Interest.
Okay, your turn: what are you looking at / buying this week?
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