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(Tag : Marvel)
7 September 2010 Previews Blogging: Aug Edition
Every month, I go through Diamond's Previews to figure out what I want. From now until, I will blog about what I see that catches my attention. Keep in mind that most of my comic buying consist of #1s, collected editions (hardcovers or TPBs), or OGN (original graphic novels). I buy #1s to see if it's something that I will get later in a collected edition.

This covers everything in main Previews as apparently I didn't do it last month and I can't find the Marvel Previews book. Sucks for them, they should go back to being inside the main Previews book.
 
Dark Horse
It's a rare month where there is nothing that I'm interested in from Dark Horse. This month is one of those rare months. However, I will mention Beasts of Burden/ Hellboy as a book to watch. I hope that this is collected with the other stories with either of these properties. I'm passing because, I'm not a fan of single issues.
 
DC Comics
Wow, nothing from DC as well. Maybe this is the reason why I forgot this month of Previews.
 
IDW Publishing
Page 140: Richard Stark's Parker: The Outfit
Darwyn Cooke is adapting another Parker novel into graphic novel format. If you like the Hunter, then you should pick this up as well. If you didn't like the Hunter, then you didn't read it.
 
Page 160: Genius, Isolated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth
At $60, I'm not so sure that I will be buying this,but Alex Toth's art is pure genius, so I make purchase it at a later date at a reduced price.
 
Image Comics
Page 166: The Walking Dead Book 6 HC
I only 3 HCs into the Walking Dead, and I hope to catch up with the other 2 volumes before this one hits the shelves. I probably won't, but that's the goal. A friend recently commented that Walking Dead moved to slowly for him to enjoy. If the "monthly" series moves too slow, then I recommend reading it in collected form, so you can get larger chunks of the story at once. I read these in the hardcovers and usually read all 12 issues at once. Yes, that means you have to wait another year to get your next dose of Walking Dead, but there are lots of other books to read in its absence.
 
Page 167: The Walking Dead: The Covers Vol 1 HC
I'm a process junkie. I like being able to see as much of the creation process as I can, so having a collection of the covers with sketches and commentary really appeals to me. The fact that it's a hardcover making is it even better.
 
Page 180: The Haunt Vol 2 TP
I've read the first story arc and I'm unsure about continuing reading this series. Most of my desire to read the series came from the curiosity of Kirkman and McFarlane working together with Ottley and Capullo. The series reads like a Spawn redux, but far more interesting than Spawn ever was. I'm torn because I followed Spawn for 100 issues, but I'm not so sure I want to see a retread of the concept even if written by Kirkman.
 
Page 184: Spawn Origins Book 2 HC
Remember above when I said I followed Spawn for 100 issues? That's the part of me that wants to continue to buy this series of Spawn hardcovers. I mean, it's a hardcover and it's collecting early Spawn! These are the stories that I read as I was just getting back into collecting comics after a 2 year break. It was Spawn #10 that got me back into comics, so I'm torn here.
 
Page 191: Savage Dragon #165
Savage Dragon is a series that I never question buying. Larsen always delivers something entertaining.
 
Page 193: Sweets #4 (of 5)
If I bought singles Sweets would be on the top of my list. However, I'm waiting on the inevitable collection because with all the press, Sweets is guaranteed to be collected. Kody Chamberlain is a creator to watch.
 
Everything else ...
Now we enter the section of PReviews devoted to all the comics not from the top 5 publishers.
Page 225: Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard HC (Archaia)
Archaia collects almost everything it publishes, so it's good to see that this mini series of Mouse Guard stories by other creators is seeing print. I love the concept of having an anthology of stories that center arund being in a tavern telling stories. Did I mention there is a new story in the collection? Even more reason to buy it!
 
Page 238: Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence GN (Beacon Press)
I'll buy anything from Jamar, but give me a story about the inner city with Jamar urban cartoony style and I'm sold. I saw the original art to this book last weekend at Baltimore Comic and I can't wait to read this. I think we will see comparison's to MF Grimm's Sentences novel almost immediately.
 
Page 262: Vampirella Archive Volume 2 Hardcover (Dynamite)
As long as Dynamite and Dark Horse are reprinting this Warren magazines in magazine hardcover format I will be buying them.
 
Page 270: Bear Nuts: Volume 1: The Book of Prozac (DMF Comics)
Take the Care Bears make them dysfunctional and place them in a zoo, and you'll have the Bear Nuts. I follow the web comic online and I'm a bit curious why the book is so late in being distributed to comic book stores as Volume 2 is on it's way already.
 
Page 284: Xenozoic: The Complete Collection TP (Flesk)
If this was in hardcover format, I would be buying it. I think Xenozoic Tales is one of the best creator owned pulp-influenced, sci-fi stories in comic book format. However, i already own the 2 TPBS that Dark Horse made several years ago that collected the entire series.
 
Page 290: Flourescent Black GN (Heavy Metal)
Set in the future divided between utopia and dystopia, I'm looking forward to this "bio-punk" graphic novel. There is so little cyberpunk in comic book format, so I'm always interested in well done cyberpunk.
 
and with that, I'm done... until later this week when I get to this month's Previews.



15 June 2010 Previews Blogging: June
Every month, I go through Diamond's Previews to figure out what I want. From now until, I will blog about what I see that catches my attention. Keep in mind that most of my comic buying consist of #1s, collected editions (hardcovers or TPBs), or OGN (original graphic novels). I buy #1s to see if it's something that I will get later in a collected edition.

This covers everything in Previews.
 
MARVEL COMICS (Marvel Previews)
Page 10: Sky Doll : Lacrima Christi #2 (of 2)
For me, Soleil is still Marvel's best line. I've yet to be disappointed in one of their hardcovers. I imagine that these 2 issues will be reprint with the previous 2 issues mini series.
 
Page 35: Captain America: the 1940s Newspaper Strip #3
I'm really curious to see this. I'm even more curious to see how this is going to be collected. I have to constantly remind myself that Karl Kesel is not the same person as Karl Kerschl.
 
Page 50: Hawkeye and Mockingbird #3
This series is still going with no signs of cancellation. I've very happily surprised because hopefully I'll get at least one TPB of one of my favorite WCA couples.
 
Page 62: Steve Rogers: Super-Solider #2 (of 4)
I didn't realize that this was a mini series. The only reason I'm even mentioning this books is because Pacheco drew Steve's head really small.
 
Page 82: Secret Invasion HC
Secret Invasion is now collected, so now I'll be able to make some sense out of what's going on. Why is Mockingbird alive and not a Skrull. I'll probably have to grab a Seige HC as well,
 
Page 100
Husk Premiere HC
Tales of the Dragon Guard Premiere HC
2 Soliel HCs this month means $45 leaving my pocket.
 
and that's all for Marvel previews.
There are covers with 9 Daredevil, 9 with Spider-Man, 9 with Wolverine, 6 with Iron Man and 5 with Deadpool. Remember when did Deadpool, Iron Man and Daredevil were B characters?
 
 
And now on to the main Previews book.
 
DARK HORSE
Page 26-27: 1 for $1 Program
Dark HOrse has 6 books that it will be making available for $1. the only one of the 6 that I;m interested in and haven't read is Usagi Yojimbo. The only other that I havne't read is Aliens Vs Predators and I have no intentions to read it.
 
Page 33
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 20
Conan Volume 9
Originally, I had my doubts about how far Dark Horse would go with the Conan reprints from Marvel. There's only about 30 more issues with Buscema art. I'm along for the long haul, but they stories and art  do start getting weaker with Thomas and Buscema gone.
 
Page 34: Solomon Kane Volume 2: Death's Black Rider
Allie won me over with the first Kane series from Dark Horse, so I'm along for the ride now.
 
Page 38: De: Tales
Moon and Ba won me over with Daytripper and now I'll read anything by the 2 of them almost sight unseen.
 
Page 51: Scary Godmother
One of the best comics to come from Sirius Entertainment was Scary Godmother. Sirius hasn't produced much since Drew hayes death and I feared that this book was be lost. It's great to see it being reprinted and hopefully we'll see new stories from Jill Thompson.
 
DC COMICS
 
Page 68: Superman: Earth One HC
I had high hopes for DC's Earth One line of original graphic novels, but I have little interest in Superman and even less interest in Superman at 132 pages for $20.
 
Page 88: Superman/Batman #75
There seem to be a lot of unfinished covers on DC books this month. This book is notable because it features an Adam Hughes Supergirl/Batgirl story.
 
Page 101: Luthor HC
This is not so much a Superman story as it is a story about Lex Luthor. Joker by the same team was a solid story so I'll try this one as well.
 
Page 111: Astro City: The Dark Ages 2 - Brothers in Arms HC
Astro City is a celebration of super hero concepts told from different vantage points. I'd loved almost every single issue, so it's time for me to start collecting this series once again and enjoy all this stories anew.
 
Page 132: Y: the Last Man Deluxe Edition Book 4 HC
I go through these books as  soon as they come in. This is one of my favorite series of HCs. I still wish DC would give Transmetropolitan the same treatment.
 
IDW PUBLISHING
Page 145: Dungeons & Dragons #0
I don't know a fantasy fans who isn't waiting to pick up this comic. I just hope IDW does a good job with the license. This is fertile ground for so many stories that I'm sure we'll see many D&D books rolling out soon. Andrea DiViro formerly of CrossGen's First and Brath is a good choice as the artist. He's grown much stronger as an artist while at Marvel.
 
Page 155: Sword of Dracula
I guess IDW printed a lot of these back in 2005 because they are soliciting the book again. Oddly enough there is nothing noting that it's an older book. I remember thinking it was expensive in 2005. I thought the original price was $19.99, but now it's $14.99, so I could be remembering incorrectly. The concept is Dracula with more control over blood and essentially a terrorist that Ronny Van Helsing must stop. I suspect this is a primer for new Sword of Dracula material.
 
Brief aside... 
IDW seems to be following in Dark Horse's tracks. They've been extremely successful with licenses and creator owned material.
 
IMAGES COMICS
Page 168-171: Guardians of the Globe #1
This looks interesting. I'll pick it up when Kirkman collects it.
 
Page 196: Savage Dragon #163
I'm not sure where Larsen is going with Dragon reverted back to the Emperor Kurr personality. Kurr is not a particular pleasant fellow so I can't imagine this lasting too long,but I don't see any way for us to get the good Dragon back.
 
Page 228: Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #4 (Archaia)
The final issue of this series brings the strongest creator line-up with Karl Kerschl, Craig Rousseau, Mark Smylie and of course David Peterson. My only frustration is the lettering my David Peterson, but even that I've been able to get by as it's gotten better in this series.
 
Page 244: Dante's Divine Comedy HC (Bloomsbury)
I love Dante's Divine Comedy, and I'd love to see it in comic book format, but... I have no idea about who Seymour Chwast is and I'm not familiar with his art. Nothing online has returned anything about the art of this book,s o I'm left wondering if I should bother.
 
Page 258: Bone Tall Tales HC (Cartoon Books)
If it's Bone in comic form with Jeff Smith involved then I'm  there.
 
... and that's it for this month! Although, I may pick up The Art of Drew Struzan (page 336), but it's not a comic book.



15 June 2010 Previews Blogging: June
Every month, I go through Diamond's Previews to figure out what I want. From now until, I will blog about what I see that catches my attention. Keep in mind that most of my comic buying consist of #1s, collected editions (hardcovers or TPBs), or OGN (original graphic novels). I buy #1s to see if it's something that I will get later in a collected edition.

This covers everything in Previews.
 
MARVEL COMICS (Marvel Previews)
Page 10: Sky Doll : Lacrima Christi #2 (of 2)
For me, Soleil is still Marvel's best line. I've yet to be disappointed in one of their hardcovers. I imagine that these 2 issues will be reprint with the previous 2 issues mini series.
 
Page 35: Captain America: the 1940s Newspaper Strip #3
I'm really curious to see this. I'm even more curious to see how this is going to be collected. I have to constantly remind myself that Karl Kesel is not the same person as Karl Kerschl.
 
Page 50: Hawkeye and Mockingbird #3
This series is still going with no signs of cancellation. I've very happily surprised because hopefully I'll get at least one TPB of one of my favorite WCA couples.
 
Page 62: Steve Rogers: Super-Solider #2 (of 4)
I didn't realize that this was a mini series. The only reason I'm even mentioning this books is because Pacheco drew Steve's head really small.
 
Page 82: Secret Invasion HC
Secret Invasion is now collected, so now I'll be able to make some sense out of what's going on. Why is Mockingbird alive and not a Skrull. I'll probably have to grab a Seige HC as well,
 
Page 100
Husk Premiere HC
Tales of the Dragon Guard Premiere HC
2 Soliel HCs this month means $45 leaving my pocket.
 
and that's all for Marvel previews.
There are covers with 9 Daredevil, 9 with Spider-Man, 9 with Wolverine, 6 with Iron Man and 5 with Deadpool. Remember when did Deadpool, Iron Man and Daredevil were B characters?
 
 
And now on to the main Previews book.
 
DARK HORSE
Page 26-27: 1 for $1 Program
Dark HOrse has 6 books that it will be making available for $1. the only one of the 6 that I;m interested in and haven't read is Usagi Yojimbo. The only other that I havne't read is Aliens Vs Predators and I have no intentions to read it.
 
Page 33
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 20
Conan Volume 9
Originally, I had my doubts about how far Dark Horse would go with the Conan reprints from Marvel. There's only about 30 more issues with Buscema art. I'm along for the long haul, but they stories and art  do start getting weaker with Thomas and Buscema gone.
 
Page 34: Solomon Kane Volume 2: Death's Black Rider
Allie won me over with the first Kane series from Dark Horse, so I'm along for the ride now.
 
Page 38: De: Tales
Moon and Ba won me over with Daytripper and now I'll read anything by the 2 of them almost sight unseen.
 
Page 51: Scary Godmother
One of the best comics to come from Sirius Entertainment was Scary Godmother. Sirius hasn't produced much since Drew hayes death and I feared that this book was be lost. It's great to see it being reprinted and hopefully we'll see new stories from Jill Thompson.
 
DC COMICS
 
Page 68: Superman: Earth One HC
I had high hopes for DC's Earth One line of original graphic novels, but I have little interest in Superman and even less interest in Superman at 132 pages for $20.
 
Page 88: Superman/Batman #75
There seem to be a lot of unfinished covers on DC books this month. This book is notable because it features an Adam Hughes Supergirl/Batgirl story.
 
Page 101: Luthor HC
This is not so much a Superman story as it is a story about Lex Luthor. Joker by the same team was a solid story so I'll try this one as well.
 
Page 111: Astro City: The Dark Ages 2 - Brothers in Arms HC
Astro City is a celebration of super hero concepts told from different vantage points. I'd loved almost every single issue, so it's time for me to start collecting this series once again and enjoy all this stories anew.
 
Page 132: Y: the Last Man Deluxe Edition Book 4 HC
I go through these books as  soon as they come in. This is one of my favorite series of HCs. I still wish DC would give Transmetropolitan the same treatment.
 
IDW PUBLISHING
Page 145: Dungeons & Dragons #0
I don't know a fantasy fans who isn't waiting to pick up this comic. I just hope IDW does a good job with the license. This is fertile ground for so many stories that I'm sure we'll see many D&D books rolling out soon. Andrea DiViro formerly of CrossGen's First and Brath is a good choice as the artist. He's grown much stronger as an artist while at Marvel.
 
Page 155: Sword of Dracula
I guess IDW printed a lot of these back in 2005 because they are soliciting the book again. Oddly enough there is nothing noting that it's an older book. I remember thinking it was expensive in 2005. I thought the original price was $19.99, but now it's $14.99, so I could be remembering incorrectly. The concept is Dracula with more control over blood and essentially a terrorist that Ronny Van Helsing must stop. I suspect this is a primer for new Sword of Dracula material.
 
Brief aside... 
IDW seems to be following in Dark Horse's tracks. They've been extremely successful with licenses and creator owned material.
 
IMAGES COMICS
Page 168-171: Guardians of the Globe #1
This looks interesting. I'll pick it up when Kirkman collects it.
 
Page 196: Savage Dragon #163
I'm not sure where Larsen is going with Dragon reverted back to the Emperor Kurr personality. Kurr is not a particular pleasant fellow so I can't imagine this lasting too long,but I don't see any way for us to get the good Dragon back.
 
Page 228: Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #4 (Archaia)
The final issue of this series brings the strongest creator line-up with Karl Kerschl, Craig Rousseau, Mark Smylie and of course David Peterson. My only frustration is the lettering my David Peterson, but even that I've been able to get by as it's gotten better in this series.
 
Page 244: Dante's Divine Comedy HC (Bloomsbury)
I love Dante's Divine Comedy, and I'd love to see it in comic book format, but... I have no idea about who Seymour Chwast is and I'm not familiar with his art. Nothing online has returned anything about the art of this book,s o I'm left wondering if I should bother.
 
Page 258: Bone Tall Tales HC (Cartoon Books)
If it's Bone in comic form with Jeff Smith involved then I'm  there.
 
... and that's it for this month! Although, I may pick up The Art of Drew Struzan (page 336), but it's not a comic book.



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