by Brandon
Now that Marvel & DC have released their solicitations for August 2009, I thought it might be worthwhile to look at books coming down the pike that are of interest to collectors. August looks to be a pretty decent month for collectors new and old. Both Marvel and DC have some neat looking books for old and new fans alike just begging to be pre-ordered. I know I'm going to have to make a lot of room for some new titles. Jenn won't be happy, but my inner-fanboy will just love it!
The House of Ideas has a few books that I'll be adding to my order this month. Here's a look at my picks.
- Dominic Fortune # 1 (of 4): It's always good to see Howard Chaykin writing and drawing a book, but its extra nice to see him return to a character that he created. In the various incarnations that have cropped up of this archetypal character from Chaykin's creative stables, Dominic Fortune was one of my favorites. He's been little used, but this looks to be one of those great returns we fans don't get to see very often. This title should be full of violence, zippy dialogue, loose women, and excellent art.
- Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1 and Avengers #1: Oh boy. I haven't made it a secret that I have been displeased with the direction of the Ultimate Universe lately. The bloated and unnecessary Ultimatum freak show has been ridiculously stupid. It's redemption time for this line. Starting with new first issues, Avengers and Spiderman look to be good starting places for those people who left the Ultimate Universe before Jeph Loeb's involvement was just a dusty twinkle in Joe Quesada's bad eye. Perhaps with the always entertaining Millar on board, Avengers will pick up with where his Ultimates 2 title left off. Otherwise, this lines probably in deep shit. Check this out, if only for the train wreck.
- The Marvels Project #1 (of 8): Ed Brubabker? Check. Steve Epting? Check. Worth $3.99 an issue? Not so sure. But, I might be willing to give it a shot. With the aforementioned creative team from Captain America on board, this will probably be entertaining at the very least. With Marvel celebrating "their" 70th anniversary, this title promises to be the centerpiece to their celebrations. Whatever. The big question for Marvel is will anyone care about a miniseries dealing with the Golden Age version of Marvel's oldest heroes. This has the potential to be a bust or a boon. I'm hoping for the latter, especially if I'm going to shell out $3.99 an issue!
- Captain America: The Death of Captain America Omnibus HC: Sweet Jesus! On the one hand, the $75 price tag gives me pause, but getting issues 25-42 of Brubaker and Epting's Captain America saga in hardcover is very tempting. I haven't bought any of Marvel's omnibus editions, but they look sweet and many people have had nothing but great things to say about these volumes.
- Marvel Bromance TPB: Huh? When I first saw this solicitation, I must admit that I almost just skipped reading it. But my curiosity got the better of me and I read it. I hate the term "bromance" but it is oddly appropriate for some comic books match-ups. It is with a little bit of shame that I must admit that this sounds kind of cool. As hokey as they may be, some buddy comics are just fun to read. Marvel selected a wide variety of characters here to spotlight, which is excellent because I don't think having Wolverine or Spider-Man pop up in your book constitutes the "bromance" label. Male bonding is cool and this should be a fun title to read. 
I'm not much of a DC Comics kind of guy, but a couple of things in their August previews looked interesting.
- Red Circle Comics: The Shield, The Web, Inferno, and The Hamngman # 1's: J. Michael Straczynski takes a stab at bringing the Archie heroes into the DCU. I honestly think this is what JMS does best. I just wish he would go back to finishing The Twelve. Regardless, these books should at least be interesting for old and new readers. Plus, these specials are backed by some killer artists including Bill Sienkiewicz, Greg Scott, Roger Robinson, Hilary Barta, Scott McDaniel, and Andy Owens. Fitting these four issues into your order might taking a little more tightening of the belt, but I think they could be definitely worth it.
- Doom Patrol #1: Finally! It seems like DC has been talking about this reboot for months now, so I was happy to see it finally solicited. Kieth Giffen seems like a perfect fit for this book. To sweeten the pot, and to soften the blow of the $3.99 admission price, there is a Metal Men co-feature co-written by Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis with art from Kevin Maguire! That's right, this is the celebrated team that brought us the original JLI title in the late 1980s. I hope Giffen's back to the basics approach works out better for him that it did for John Byrne. I love all the various incarnations of this team and I am highly anticipating the release of this title.
- Peter & Max: A Fables Novel: This is another book that seems to have been discussed for a while now by the folks over at Vertigo. If you aren't reading Fables, you truly are missing out on one of the best titles to ever be published. This prose novel from Bill Willingham will be supported by ink drawings from Fables artist Steve Leialoha. Vertigo always does a good job with these special hardcovers and I don't think this one will disappoint any regular Fables fans. Sounds really good to me! 
That's it for me this week! You can of course check out the Previews website from Diamond Distributors if you want to browse more solicitations and news.
Next week, I'll be back to talk about how my comic book life is changing now that the big wedding date is coming up faster than a speeding bullet. What am I doing to myself?
Read more!
5.24.2009
Panelology - Marvel & DC August 2009 Solicitation Picks
9.18.2008
Beyond the Big 2: Preview Review #2
by Matt
By George Khoury and Eric Nolen-Weathington
BOOK OF THE MONTH WINNER!
John Romita Jr. is one of my favorite artists and I was thrilled that he would have his own Modern Master book. These books are absolutely wonderful, they provide fantastic in-depth interviews with a ton of unpublished sketches and art. This volume did not disappoint. It takes you through his whole career and I was surprised to learn a couple of things. Did you know that he was going to quit Marvel after the debacle of Star Brand? Did you know that Jim Lee invited him to be part of Image but he didn't want to leave the Uncanny X-Men and Punisher? Did you know that he felt betrayed by Bob Harras and Kelly Converse because they screwed him out of his second run on Uncanny and almost left comics for good again? If you are a fan of John Romita Jr, I highly recommend getting this book. A+
By Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp
Published by Avatar Press
I'll pick up anything that Ellis pens but some his work with Avatar Press leaves something to be desired. I took a chance on this series because it was so cheap and his last series Black Summer was so awesome. The premise of the book is that back in the 60's, a drug called FX was developed that allowed users to gain super abilities. I really enjoyed this short preview, it gave a fascinating look at how the drug affected the people who took it. There is a sense of wonder and dread in these pages which makes me really look forward to this series. This issue felt real to me, meaning that it was like I was reading a history text instead of a comic. This is what Ellis does best. The art by Black Summer artist Juan Jose Ryp is incredibly detailed and the best I have seen yet of his work. A-
By Various
Published by Dark Horse Comics
I absolutely love what Dark Horse comics have done with this Omnibus line. You get a nice compact book with over 300 pages of full color comics for such a cheap price. Combine that with the fact that I have a fondness with the Dark Horse Heroes line of comics and I have a winner. I will pick up every volume of the Dark Horse Heroes that come out as an Omnibus. This month I am reviewing the first volume of X and I was surprised at how violent and how much I enjoyed it. Basically this is X's one man battle against crime and in Arcadia there is a lot of crime and no one is safe from X. If you cross the line once, he will give you a warning, cross it twice and you have been marked with an 'X' and marked for death. The latter issues were the best of this volume, X battles Lord Alamout where we get some small peaks at who X is behind the mask. The one drawback of this collection is that we only follow the action (and there is a lot of that) but we do not get to know who X is. Apparently there is more to him than just him and his gun and has to be more than human but we don't know it in this volume. I look forward to the next volume of X. This gets a solid B.
Next month I will return with a couple of new reviews. Flash Gordon #1 is on the list and hopefully a few more! I may sneak in a review of X Omnibus Vol 2 or another book that I read that doesn't come from Big 2.
We'll see you in the back of the Previews.
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9.01.2008
Beyond the Big 2: Aug 2008
by Matt
I love it when comic companies put out a cheap preview issue of a new series to generate interest. I'll usually try out any comic when it is around a buck, I have picked up a bunch of great series because of this with Black Summer and Drafted certainly coming to mind. This month, 3 out of my picks are cheap preview issues!
By Larry Hama (W) • Robert Atkins (A)
Published by IDW Publishing
99 cents!
Product Code AUG084120
G.I. Joe has a new base of operations! IDW Publishing is proud to present an all-new era for the legendary Joe team. This specially priced introductory issue re-introduces the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA conflict for today's world, as presided over by G.I. JOE commanding officer, writer Larry Hama. Joining Hama on art chores is artist Robert Atkins. Together, the two tell their first tale-during a routine mission, the Joe team comes under attack by a mysterious outfit with terrifying goals. Featuring a special cover by painter Dave Dorman, as well as a wraparound incentive cover by the inimitable Ben Templesmith, this 24-page comic features a 16-page story, plus character sketches, interviews. All that and more for less than a buck!
I am a child of the 80's and I fondly remember Marvel's GI Joe series. I bought the Image reboot and almost every incarnation since and eventually dropped them because they just didn't capture what I was looking for. Remember GI Joe: Reborn? Ugh. I am hoping that this reboot will recapture that early magic and for a buck I am definitely willing to give it a try!
By Hugh Jackman & Marc Guggenheim (W) Paul Gulacy (A)
Published by Virgin Comics
$1.00
Product Code AUG084355
Its 500 years in the future and an oppressive government monitors everything- including your mind. It's the Patriot Act gone haywire. Everyone on earth has been infected with a virus that allows a central computer to tap into and analyze their thoughts. But a group of rebels have engineered the ultimate weapon: a genetically altered child, born immune to the virus. With the ability to act undetected, he's the only one on the planet that can bring some semblance of privacy and individuality back to the world. It is his destiny. He is the Nowhere Man.
The storyline sounds intriguing but the biggest draw is Paul Gulacy. When I was younger I never liked his art but I have grown to love it. What could have been my first Virgin book now looks like it may never be published. But I am going to order it anyway. 
By Joshua Hale Fialkov (W) Rick Mays (A)
Published by Top Cow Comics
$2.99
Product Code AUG082277A
The “season premiere” of one of last year’s Pilot Season winners! You voted for it, you got it! From the pages of Marc Silvestri’s Cyberforce comes a solo series for Cyblade! Dominique Thiebaut has been leading a double life. By day she’s an awkward teenager, but, at night, a chip in her brain changes her into the deadly master assassin Cyblade. Now she’s broken free from Cyberdata’s control. She must find a way to escape from their clutches, while trying to discover who she really is beneath.
I thought Cyblade was the worst of last year's Pilot Season but I am willing to give this series a try. I am a huge Cyberforce fan and I am hoping that the series will be better that the pilot. I almost didn't order the series because of the lame T&A cover but mailordercomics offered it for 75% off so I will try it again.
By Joe Casey (W) Joe Abraham (A)
Published by Devil's Due
99 cents!
Product Code AUG083930
The comic book legend returns! DDP is proud to present the beginning of the new Zen legend! Trained as a master of the Om martial arts, Zen becomes the galaxy`s deadliest mercenary-for-hire, but at what cost to his soul?
I heard of Zen back in the 90's but I never picked up the book and I have no idea what it is all about. But with Joe Casey writing and it only costing a buck, I will take a peek at this series as well.
I get all my comics, trades and hard covers through Mailordercomics.com. Click on the banner below and you visit their site and you can order these books (and anything else from the August Previews) at huge discounts.
I'll see you next month with some more picks. Make sure you check out my other new column Beyond the Big 2: Preview Review where I will be reviewing picks that I made in earlier columns. Earlier I reviewed Freddie & Me: Coming of Age, Charlatan Ball #1 and Fluffy. This week, I will review No Hero #0 and Modern Masters Vol 18: John Romita Jr and the first X Omnibus!
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8.23.2008
Coming Attractions: Veeps
by Brandon
The wait is over for us Obama fans. It's Biden. Did you yawn a little too? Yeah. With all of the mystery surrounding Barack Obama's vice-presidential choice and the collective yawn expected coming from old man McCain's choice, it is only natural to want to look back at our Vice Presidents. Thankfully, Top Shelf Productions is there for us fans when we really need someone to give us background on one of the most useless, yawn-inspiring, but usually laughable jobs in the executive branch. Well, at least before we got a buffoon like Bush actually in the Oval Office.
Have you ever wondered about those individuals who are a stroke, bullet, or over-sized pretzel away from being President? It seems like the office of the Vice Presidency hasn't amounted to much until the recent administration. Hell, I even have an undergraduate degree in History and Geography and I must admit that I don't know too much about most Vice Presidents. Everyone knows the guy sitting in the big chair, but not the guy throwing wild drunken, parties just across the street from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. In fact, there probably wasn't much of interest out there on our VP's for anyone to really care. That is until now.
Enter Bill Kelter and Wayne Shellabarger.
In October, their new illustrated novel Veeps hopes to set the record straight on the most peculiar office in Washington. If the previews available are any indication of the overall quality of the book, fans of politics and humor will be very pleased. The book promises to chronicle the Vice Presidential lives of our nation's most obscure statesman. The timing is just right, too. This election is proving to be a high-interest election by anyone's reasoning.
The authors approach their material from a historical vantage point that is dipped in irony and humor. Most comic book fans will appreciate the way the authors approach the material, as it is more akin to reading something from Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert than a history book. This book is set to prove that the truth really is funnier than anything you could make up.
To promote the book, the authors haver established a website, a blog, and Top Shelf is offering a preview as well. Based on the ample preview material, it is safe to say that this will be one of the funniest books to come out this year from any comic publisher. Illustrated novels like this don't seem to see the light of day often from modern comic companies, but Top Shelf has done a bang-up job by getting behind this book. At times, the preview selections available currently are hysterical as is the case with Franklin Pierce's VP William Rufus DeVane King, the nation's thirteenth. 
King was a unique character, potentially the first homosexual to serve in VP capacity. The authors write of King's personal life that, "Besides the Vice Presidency, King shared with Thomas Jefferson a rumored habit of indulging in sexual relationships with his slaves. Unlike Jefferson, though, King’s trysts were believed to be with his male slaves. We can’t know precisely all that John Quincy Adams had in mind when he called King 'a gentle slavemonger', but in this light the imagination wanders." King, like many of our first Vice Presidents, also didn't live too long once in office. He lasted forty-five days before killing over from tuberculosis, leaving a sad postscript as "the least remembered man in American history.”
Politics can be so staunch and stiff that it is a rare and welcome surprise to have a book like this come along, no less from a comic book company. History can be very funny, especially when considering an office like that of the Vice President's. Sadly forgotten over the course of time, Veeps offers an insightful and funny look at what it means to be the number two man in America. 
Veeps is an illustrated hardcover by Bill Kelter and Wayne Shellabarger set to be released on October 29, 2008 from Top Shelf Productions. Readers can preview the content of Veeps by visiting their web page or by visiting Top Shelf Productions. You can order the book via Top Shelf Productions or Amazon.
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7.26.2008
Beyond the Big 2: July 2008
by Matt
By (W)Scott Allie and (A)Mario Guevara
Published by Dark Horse Comics
$2.99
Product Code JUL080016
Robert E. Howard's vengeance-obsessed puritan begins his supernatural adventures in the haunted Black Forest of Germany in this five-issue adaptation of Howard's "The Castle of the Devil." When Solomon Kane stumbles upon the body of a boy hanged from a rickety gallows, he goes after the man responsible--a baron feared by the peasants from miles around. Something far worse than the devilish baron or the terrible, intelligent wolf that prowls the woods lies hidden in the ruined monastery beneath the baron's castle, where a devil-worshipping priest died in chains centuries ago.
My friend Zack is a huge Robert E. Howard fan and he introduced me to the concept of Solomon Kane and I was hooked. I am very interested to see how this goes.
By Gilbert Hernandez (W/A)
Published by Dark Horse Comics
$19.95
Product Code JUL080023
There's a peeping tom prowling the neighborhood. Eyewitness reports vary, but one thing is agreed upon: he wears a devil mask. This is the story of Val Castillo, a promising gymnast with a strange hobby. She is secretly the neighborhood peeping tom. At first she is alone in this, but when a male friend discovers her doings he joins her into a dark journey of spying and making discoveries about their neighbors that may have been better left alone. Especially secrets that threaten all involved. Like Val spying on her own father and stepmother in their bedroom. This snowballs into a journey darker than even the most cynical would care to endure.
I was going to pick this series in singles but for some reason I decided to skip until it was collected. I heard good reviews of this book and I am really looking forward to reading it. I have never read anything produced by Gilbert Hernandez. It has a Stray Bullets feel to it which is what attracted me to this series.
By Various
Published by Dynamite Entertainment
$1.00
Product Code JUL083862
Project Superpowers was the blockbuster Dynamite Entertainment event of 2007, and the story continues with the all-new Project Superpowers: The Supremacy! Get ready for the excitement with this special Prelude issue, with previews of the superpowered characters Black Terror, Masquerade, and the Death Defying Devil! The future is now as we launch the second chapter of the Project Superpowers saga!
I liked the first Project Superpowers enough to get this next mini-series. Honestly, I was not impressed by the first series as much as I thought I would be, but superheroes from the past is something that I do enjoy, no matter what superhero universe. I will definitely give this series a try.
I get all my comics, trades and hard covers through Mailordercomics.com. Click on the banner below and you visit their site and you can order these books (and anything else from the July Previews) at huge discounts.
I'll see you next month with some more picks. Make sure you check out my other new column Beyond the Big 2: Preview Review where I will be reviewing picks that I made in earlier columns. Last month I reviewed Freddie & Me: Coming of Age, Charlatan Ball #1 and Fluffy. Next month I will review No Hero #0 and Modern Masters Vol 18: John Romita Jr and hopefully more!
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7.19.2008
Beyond the Big 2: Preview Review
by Matt
By Mike Dawson
Published by Bloomsbury
“When I think of Queen, I can remember my whole life.”
This sums up the book and my experiences perfectly. This combined two of my all-time favorite things, Queen and comic books. This would be the type of comic that I would write and I am absolutely jealous that I didn’t think of it first. My experiences were very similar to the author, and I think they are similar to the experiences of any hardcore Queen fan. 
This is his story of how Queen affected his life, his friendships, his family life and his aspirations. Mike really puts his whole soul into every page and doesn't attempt to hide anything. I especially loved it when his imagination takes over, like when he drew Brian May reading this book and contacting him. This is something that every Queen fan imagines (I have had my own day dreams) and I hope comes true. It certainly makes me want to write about my experiences. As a Queen fan, I give this an A+. But you don’t have to be a Queen fan to really enjoy this book. If you are a hardcore fan of something, this will jog your memory to a time when you were captivated by it.
You can purchase Freddie & Me here.
By Simone Lia
Published by Dark Horse Comics
I was attracted to this book because I had a pet rabbit many years ago that I absolutely loved and I am partial to a book that features a bunny so I had to pick up this book. The book is very charming but at the same time has a tinge of sadness. I do not know if that was the author's purpose (even the cover of the book is a light blue) but at times I felt bad for each of the characters at least once. The relationships rang very true, even with David and his bunny. The artwork was unique and very soft and simple. 
I was a little disappointed with the ending, only because it happened so quickly and was resolved easily, but I understand that sometimes this is how it happens in real life as well. I don't want to ruin the ending for anyone but there is some good closure and the ending does make up for the gloomier aspects found in the rest of the book. I will definitely pick up more Fluffy. B-
You can purchase Fluffy here.
By Joe Casey and Andy Suriano
Published by Image Comics
I picked this up only because the solicitations looked wild and I was right, I was treated to a wild ride. The art certainly lives up to the story, very vivid colors and Kirby-esque figures. The story revolves around Chuck Amok, a street magician that is not very talented and he works in the local bars. In another dimension, where magic actually works a sinister being wants to win a major magic competition and grabs Chuck to his dimension to cause a distraction so he can win and ultimately rule the world. All this and a large, talking rabbit that gets transported with Chuck. There are certainly a lot of wild ideas and art being thrown around that I am curious to see where it goes. I'll probably pick up the first arc and decide if the book is right for me. I am giving this a C+ for the first issue, we'll see if that grade changes as the series progresses.
Next month I will return with a couple of new reviews. No Hero #0, Modern Masters Vol 18: John Romita Jr and hopefully more! I may sneak a review of another book that I read that doesn't come from Big 2.
We'll see you in the back of the Previews.
Read more!
7.16.2008
Panelology - Where We Buy Comics
by Brandon
Where do you buy comics? This week, I am running under the assumption that you, my dear readers, actually buy comics and that you are not one of those commies who steals via the Internet. There has been quite a evolution over the last few years with comic books with the "where" question. It seems that comic books are both readily available and far out of reach all at once. Today, I'll be looking at some of the more popular ways and places to buy comics today. 
God I hope this doesn't turn out to be one of those "I remember the good ol' days" articles, but I have a feeling it will shortly. I remember the good ol' days when I could walk into the local yokel Circle K convenience store and buy comic books. One of the most memorable issues was of the first issue of the Nomad miniseries. That's right. Don't laugh. He had a gun , dude. On the cover. And Captain America was in it. He was on the cover too. It was kind of like my patriotic duty to buy the comic. I flipped through the issue and had the classic moment of the clerk saying it wasn't a library. I paid for my Thirst Buster and comic, walking out the door to go read it in quiet solidarity. Ah, those were the good ol' days.
It seemed like comics were sold everywhere back then, but now the market is fairly limited. I can't even recall the last time I saw a comic on the shelf outside of a bookstore, comic shop, convention, or online venue. It makes me sad. Well, not really. I have a pretty healthy dose of apathy, but today's comic book market is very different than it was twenty years ago.
So... Where do we buy comics? 
Local Comic Shops
I talked about comic shops in an early edition of Panelology, and probably in not such a rosy manner. I won't go into that amount of gruesome detail, but comic shops are the norm for most individuals. Comic shops are a mixed bag in terms of quantity and quality of the merchandise, but the weekly pilgrimage to the shop is a time-honored tradition for fans everywhere. Most shops offer a pull or save system for reader where shop owners will hold the most recent issue for you of your favorite titles. Some places have limits, some don't. Some require you to fill out a previews sheet monthly, so don't. Some shops even have pretty anal policies about pull lists like having only seven days to come get your books before they are thrown on the shelf. Many shops today offer some type of discount, which is good for el cheapo's like myself. The big advantage to comic shops is the social networking aspect to it. I'm not really talking about the gamers (pictured to the right) here either. I loathe those demons. Comic shops can be like Cheers for fans. We may look more like Norm Peterson than Sam Malone, but Norm always had much more fun anyway.
Bookstores
Bookstores have move more into the graphic novel segment of comic books recently, but even then they have taken a backseat to Manga. The local Borders and Books-a-Million had rather large graphic novel sections about five years ago, but now they have puttered down to two shelves, where as Manga may take up an aisle at least. Many of the larger bookstore chains have websites where you can buy graphic novels. Amazon has a great used section where I buy 99.9% of my trades because I am a cheap bastard. many of the larger chains do offer discounts for joining their discount rewards program, but that's generally only about a 10%-15% discount. It's better than nothing. 
eBay
It's time for my hourly eBay rant. eBay's slogan of late should be "It's not rape when you buy something from a seller, it's consensual buggery!" I can't find solid deals on eBay to save my life. A few years ago, eBay was the place for deal, but that has sort of dwindled away. There are deals to be had out there on eBay. Maybe I don't have the patience to bid and re-bid. Some collectors really love shopping here. I have found shipping prices to be outrageously inflated on eBay. For collectors, buying single issues on here is like taking a digital crap shoot. The seller can say mint, but that could really mean that it has melted mints all over the book. It can be a good place for a deal, but it is only for the patient, mentally ill, or Guardians of the Galaxy fans.
Conventions
Comic book conventions are like the United Nations, there is a lot of hustle and bustle going on, but you ultimately feel like nothing much meaningful is getting accomplished. That may or may not be an accurate statement for some, but comic book conventions can be huge. Sometimes too huge! I despise looking through long box after long box that is not alphabetical order and is filled with more shitty issues of Submariner or Green Lantern than you could shake a black-bagged Superman's Death at. However, for those who persevere and overcome the hardships of endless sifting, you too can find that issue of Spider-Man 2099 #14 you have sought for all of your life. Now that your life is complete, you may leave the convention floor, champion of the long box! ... But seriously, there can be good deals to be found here, but for my dollar it probably isn't worth going through thousands of boxes where someone's 1990's backstock has thrown up in. 
Online Comic Stores
The growth of monthly online comic book stores and backstock stores has been a great boon for the industry. Being an online shopper myself, I have to admit a certain degree of bias. I love my monthly online store, Mail Order Comics. The discount is right, they have good shipping options, and they have never messed up an order of mine. It sucks that I am perpetually a month behind on comics, but I'm cool with that. Being behind is the cool thing for many comic companies, so why not their fans? I do sort of miss going to a store weekly, but I think I buy less now, which is a good thing. My wallet thanks me. Most online stores that sell back issues run regular sales. That is typically when I get comics from these venues. Often times, if they aren't on sale, I feel the prices are bit inflated. They are a nifty place to find comics and are generally easy to navigate. I see these as being "online conventions" because their prices are sometimes comparable to what you might pay at the convention without having to see forty copies of the first issue of Mutant Agenda. Many of these sites offer e-mail subscriptions where you can receive store updates, coupons, secret promotions, and porn. Well, maybe you won't receive any porn. There are websites devoted to that too. There are some very cool sites out there. Both for porn and comics. In terms of comic shops, My Comic Shop, Comic Book Supermarket, and Mile High Comics are three that I have had good transactions with.
Sadly, I can't add Circle K here, but the above list gives you an idea of where comics can be bought today. Who knows? Maybe in ten years the list will look completely different. Collectors should really try lots of places out to find where they can get the best deals and quality product for their taste. If you can think of some great places to buy comics, be sure to respond to this article.
Panelology will take a one-week hiatus, but I will be back at that appointed time to deliver my final article on the essentials of comic books. It will deal with the Trades vs. Single-issues debate. Until then, you can catch my two X-Files articles next week. I'll start the week off with a look at the series and end it with a look at the new movie. See you then.
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6.21.2008
Beyond the Big 2: June 2008
by Matt
America`s beloved sci-fi hero is back in a brand new ongoing series, based on Alex Raymond`s original ideas but with a modernized twist for the 21st century! CIA Agent Dale Arden draws a reluctant Flash Gordon back into the world of espionage to track down the allegedly insane Hans Zarkov - who`s been accused of creating a weapon of mass destruction. Elsewhere in the universe, Ming the `Merciful`s` tyrannical shadow looms over Mongo, where an impending civil war is escalating!
FLASH! AAHHHHHHHH! Savior of the Universe! I am a HUGE fan of the cheesey 80's epic movie that I will check out any Flash Gordon. I am hoping this this comic is a little more true to the original series that the recent television show or the silly updated Flash Gordon cartoon a few years back. I have not seen any interviews or previews of the title but I had to give this a shot! Check out the official site for more art and an interview with the creative team.
By (W)Justin Marks and (A)Jean Diaz
Published by Devil's Due Publishing
$0.99
Product Code JUN083852
At the whim of social prejudice, Nathan Spencer fell from grace in the Federation he once saved. Stripped of his bionic arm and cast out of society, Spencer is reluctantly called upon once again to fight-this time against his fellow bionic outcasts who are waging war against the government that rebuked them.
I grew up playing Bionic Commando on the old NES system and I cannot wait for the new version of the same game for the new platforms. I absolutely loved this game and I think this could have the potential to be a successful translation. And for only 99 cents, how can I not try it out? The last time I picked up a Devil's Due preview book for 99 cents was Drafted and that turned out to be one of my favorite books. Looking forward to this book.
By (W)Eric Luke, (A)Adam Hughes, Terry Dodson, Scott Benefiel, Matt Haley and others.
Published by Dark Horse
$24.95 TPB
Product Code JUN080071
If you`re already dead, you might as well make the best of it. Someone brutally murdered reporter Elisa Cameron, but back from the grave as the spectral avenger Ghost, Elisa intends to find out who killed her and why and grab a double dose of .45-caliber retribution. But Ghost`s journey to the truth follows a dark, twisted path, and the revelations she unearths may lead not to redemption, but damnation. Collects Ghost Special #1, Ghost #1-12 (first series), and `Sweet Things` from Decade of Dark Horse #2.
I fondly rememeber most of Dark Horse's superhero universe back in the 90's and I am pleased that they are reprinting a ton of material from those days. The one that I am most excited for is this volume. The only Ghost stories (hey I made a funny) that I have read were her first appearence and the story that is being reprinted from the Decade of Dark Horse mini series. Ghost is probably the most popular charcter of that universe and I am interested to see why.
I get all my comics, trades and hard covers through Mailordercomics.com. Click on the banner below and you visit their site and you can order these books (and anything else from the June Previews) at huge discounts.
Next month I will return with 2 new columns! I will be posting my normal Beyond the Big 2 but I will also be posting a new column called Beyond the Big 2: Preview Review where I will be reviewing picks that I made in earlier columns. Next month will include Freddie & Me: Coming of Age, Charlatan Ball #1 and Fluffy, a hardcover I ordered a few months ago.
We'll see you on the flip side.
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5.03.2008
Beyond the Big 2: May 2008
by Matt
I love going through the Previews magazine every month. I spend hours going through every page, reading every solicitation and I usually find something that piques my interest. Each month I try to pick up a new book that is NOT part of the "Big 2". Now I know this is a little late but here are a couple of new books that I am giving a try from the June 2008 Previews. 
By Mike Dawson
Published by Bloomsbury
Freddie & Me is a wonderfully funny and moving graphic memoir of Mike Dawson's lifelong obsession with Freddie Mercury and Queen. Told alternately from Mike's childhood, teenage and adult perspectives, Freddie & Me explores the way in which music changes and shapes our lives, and the way in which random memories can both prop up and undermine the stories we tell ourselves. The counterpoint to Mike's obsession is his younger sister's love of George Michael and Wham - including several deliciously funny imagined scenes which, like the book as a whole, is written and drawn with a brilliant combination of exuberance and subtlety.
I am picking this up because Queen has been a huge part of my life as well. I am looking forward to reading this novel and seeing how Queen affected his life. Mike and I are pretty close in age (I am a year or two older) and so I am very curious to read about his experiences. I wish I thought of this first!
By Joe Casey and Andy Suriano
Published by Image Comics
WELCOME TO THE BALL!
Meet Chuck Amok, a down-and-out stage magician pumping the sleaze ‘n’ peanut circuit. When he and his trusty rabbit, Caesar, are transported to a reality where magic actually works… Chuck’s showbiz compulsions take on a whole new meaning. But why was this wayward chucker picked? Only the vile Demon Empty knows for sure! Take your comic book rulebook and tear it up, y’all! This is graphic fiction on shrooms, True Believer!
I am picking this up because it just sounds so outrageous, over-the-top and fun and with a tag line like "Charlatan Ball: The Only Comic Book Where You Can Lick The Pages And Ride Your Own Melt!" How could I resist? Casey's writing is usually very clever so I am looking forward to getting high on this. I wonder if you smoke this comic what would happen?
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