American Splendor #1 (of 4)
Harvey Pekar (w), Dean Haspiel, Ty Templeton et al (a), Glenn Fabry
(cover)
32 pp., B&W
Ordinary life can be pretty complex
stuff. Independent comics luminary Harvey Pekar brings his celebrated
autobiographical anthology American Splendor to DC Vertigo in a four-issue
series featuring artists including Dean Haspiel (The Quitter), Ty
Templeton (Batman Adventures) and more.
Batman: Face the Face TP
James Robinson (w), Leonard Kirk & Don Kramer (a), Simone Bianchi
(cover)
The Dark Knight returns to Gotham
after a year-long absence, to find a rival vigilante is gunning down
the city's resident villains one by one. Still trying to rebuild their
strained relationship with the Gotham City PD, Batman and teen sidekick
Robin investigate the murders from the ground on up while forced to
protect some of their greatest enemies from the shadowy assassin.
Collecting Detective Comics #817-20 and Batman #651-4 from acclaimed
writer James Robinson (Starman) and artists Leonard Kirk (Freshmen,
Supergirl) and Don Kramer (JSA).
Catwoman #59
Will Pfeifer (w), David Lopez (a), Adam Hughes (cover)
32 pp.
The father
of Selina Kyle's baby is finally revealed as she is torn between her
new responsibilities and her former life as Catwoman, while the deranged
Film Freak continues his murderous rampage through Gotham's East End.
Checkmate #6
Greg Rucka, Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir (w), Jesus Saiz
(a)
32 pp.
One of Checkmate
head Amanda Waller's past projects is reactivated as the Suicide Squad
makes its long-awaited return, in the opening of a two-part arc featuring
guest writers Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir (New Mutants).
Gen13: Who They Are
and Who They Came to Be TP
Brandon Choi, Jim Lee & J Scott Campbell (w), Campbell (a)
144 pp.
A new collection
of the original five-part series that introduced the Gen13 team and
kickstarted the career of fan-favourite artist J Scott Campbell. Five
precocious teenagers with superhuman powers they can't yet control
or understand must work together to escape from shadowy intelligence
organisation Internal Operations, which seeks to exploit their gifts
for its own sinister ends.
JSA Classified #17
Tony Bedard (w), Scott McDaniel (a)
32 pp.
Bane takes on Hourman looking
for a new supply of the Venom drug that keeps him at full strength,
in a first of a two-part arc from writer Tony Bedard (Exiles, Spider-Man:
Breakout) and artist Scott McDaniel (Green Arrow, Nightwing).
Mystery in Space
#1 (of 8)
Jim Starlin (w), Shane Davis & Starlin (a)
48 pp.
Who is the
new Captain Comet, and what happened to his predecessor in the aftermath
of Infinite Crisis? Head to a galaxy far, far away in a new series
from cosmic specialist writer Jim Starlin (Thanos, Silver Surfer)
with art by rising star Shane Davis (Batman Annual), plus a 16-page
bonus feature written and illustrated by Starlin chronicling the return
of the Weird.
Superman: Infinite
City SC
Mike Kennedy (w), Carlos Meglia (a)
96 pp.
A softcover
edition of the original graphic novel from Star Wars: Underworld writer
Mike Kennedy and former Action Comics artist Carlos Meglia. In the
seemingly utopian Infinite City futuristic technology and magic smoothly
coexist, but can Superman defeat his analogue in this reality, the
Warden, so he and Lois can return home?
Superman: Up, Up and Away TP
Kurt Busiek & Geoff Johns (w), Pete Woods & Renato Guedes
(a), Terry Dodson (cover)
192 pp.
It's One Year Later in Metropolis
as Lex Luthor returns with a plan to rebuild his super-criminal empire,
but while Clark Kent's journalism career is booming where is Superman?
Collecting Superman #650-3 and Action Comics #837-40 from writers
Geoff Johns (Infinite Crisis, The Flash) and Kurt Busiek (Astro City,
Avengers).
WildCATS #1: Grant Morrison (w), Jim
Lee (a), 32 pp.
Wetworks #1: Mike Carey (w), Whilce Portacio (a), 32 pp.
The Wildstorm universe is reborn
in the first wave of relaunches of its most successful properties,
uniting the original artists of WildCATS and Wetworks with the creative
visions of new writers Grant Morrison (All Star Superman, Batman,
The Invisibles) and Mike Carey (Lucifer, Ultimate Fantastic Four).
From
Marvel Comics:
Blade #1
Marc Guggenheim (w), Howard Chaykin (a)
32 pp.
The daywalker returns in a new
ongoing series from Wolverine writer Marc Guggenheim and legendary
artist Howard Chaykin.
Captain America #22
Ed Brubaker (w), Mike Perkins (a), Steve Epting (cover)
32 pp.
In the opening of a three-part
Civil War tie-in arc, Sharon Carter is torn between her duties as
a SHIELD operative and her personal relationship with Captain America,
as the pro-registration camp steps up its efforts to bring down Cap's
superhero resistance.
Iron Man #12
Daniel & Charlie Knauf (w), Patrick Zircher (a), Adi Granov (cover)
32 pp.
In the dramatic finale of 'Execute
Program', only Iron Man stands in the way of global oblivion as the
full might of the Argonaut Project is unleashed.
New Avengers volume 4: The Collective
HC
Brian Michael Bendis (w), Mike Deodato Jr & Steve McNiven (a),
McNiven (cover)
128 pp.
In the aftermath of the reality-altering
events of House of M a deadly new enemy emerges, but will the continuing
enmity between SHIELD and the New Avengers mean the response of Earth's
Mightiest Heroes comes too late? Collecting New Avengers #16-20.
1602: Fantastick Four #1 (of 5)
Peter David (w), Pascal Alixe (a), Leinil Francis Yu (cover)
32 pp.
Return to the 1602 universe with
fan favourite writer Peter David (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,
Fallen Angel) and artist Pascal Alixe (Legion), as the Fantastick
Four's greatest enemy unleashes a dastardly plot that will take them
to the ends of the new world and beyond.
Thor: The Eternals Saga volume 1 TP
Roy Thomas (w), Walter Simonson, John Buscema et al (a), Simonson
(cover)
208 pp.
The God of Thunder is humanity's
last line of defence as Earth finds itself in the middle of a celestial
war between the Deviant and the Eternals. Collecting Thor Annual #7
and Thor #283-91 from the classic Bronze Age team of writer Roy Thomas
and artists John Buscema and Walter Simonson.
Ultimate Iron Man volume 1 TP
Orson Scott Card (w), Andy Kubert & Mark Bagley (a)
136 pp.
Multiple award-winning science
fiction novelist Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game) joins star artist
Andy Kubert (Batman, 1602) for the secret origin of Tony Stark, and
a childhood beset by tragedy that sets him on the road to becoming
both a billionaire industrialist and troubled superhero Iron Man.
Ultimate Marvel Team-Up Ultimate Collection
TP
Brian Michael Bendis (w), Matt Wagner, Phil Hester, Mike Allred, Bill
Sienkiewicz, Ted McKeever, Terry Moore, David Mack et al (a), Leinil
Francis Yu (cover)
448 pp.
Rookie superhero Spider-Man meets
more experienced allies including Wolverine, the Hulk, Iron Man, the
Punisher, Doctor Strange, the X-Men, Shang-Chi and many more, in a
giant collection of all 16 issues of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up and the
Ultimate Spider-Man Super Special from superstar writer Brian Michael
Bendis and a host of top artists, with a brand new cover from Leinil
Francis Yu.
Ultimate Spider-Man #100
Brian Michael Bendis (w), Mark Bagley (a)
64 pp.
The biggest secrets of Peter
Parker's tumultuous life as teen superhero Spider-Man are revealed
as the Ultimate Clone Saga continues, in a giant-sized 100th issue
also featuring a look back on the series so far from the superstar
creative team of Bendis and Bagley.
X-Men: First Class #1 (of 8)
Jeff Parker (w), Roger Cruz (a)
32 pp.
Join the first class of the Xavier
School for Gifted Youngsters for brand new untold stories of the original
X-Men: Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel and Iceman.
From Image Comics:
True Story Swear to God #1
Tom Beland (w/a)
24 pp., B&W
The Eisner-nominated autobiographical
series has a new home at Image, continuing cartoonist Tom Beland's
warts-and-all chronicle of life and love as he and his new bride struggle
to make ends meet while freelance clients who haven't paid him in
months demand yet more work.
The Cross Bronx #1 (of 4)
Michael Avon Oeming & Ivan Brandon (w), Oeming (a)
32 pp.
When an assassin targets a seemingly
random spread of dozens of low-level criminals, straight-talking New
York police detective Ortiz must consult a comatose girl for leads
as he begins to suspect an otherworldly element to the case. The new
project from Powers artist and Red Sonja writer Michael Avon Oeming.
(For mature readers.)
Doll and Creature volume 1: Everything
Turns Gray TP
Rick Remender (w), John Heebink (a), Kieron Dwyer & Kevin Nowlan
(cover)
104 pp.
In a post-apocalyptic future
in which religion is outlawed and hedonism is the norm, a nameless
creature emerges to combat the new designer drug Grey Matter and the
horrid mutants it spawns. Collecting the cult miniseries from Rick
Remender (Fear Agent, Sea of Red), remastered and in colour for the
first time.
The Darkness Compendium TP
Garth Ennis & Paul Jenkins (w), Marc Silvestri & Joe Benitez
(a)
1248 pp.
Go back to the beginning of the
Darkness in a giant omnibus collection of issues #1-40 plus the Tales
of the Darkness companion series, by writers Garth Ennis and Paul
Jenkins and artists Marc Silvestri and Joe Benitez.
From
Dark Horse Comics:
The Escapists #3 (of
6)
Brian K Vaughan (w), Steve Rolston & Jason Alexander (a), John
Cassaday (cover)
32 pp.
Pulp superhero the Escapist
continues his modern-day revival under a hip young creative team,
but when the reviews and sales numbers for their labour-of-love first
issue come in will they go too far in promoting the series to a depressed
comics market? Continuing the acclaimed limited series from award-winning
writer Brian K Vaughan (Y the Last Man, Ultimate X-Men), with a cover
by Astonishing X-Men's John Cassaday.
The Goon Noir #1 (of
3)
Patton Oswalt, Steve Niles et al (w), Eric Powell, Mike Ploog, Ryan
Sook et al (a), Powell (cover)
32 pp,. B&W
Eric Powell's hugely acclaimed
monster-smashing Goon is recast in a shadowy noir world of booze,
broads and bullets in the debut of an anthology miniseries headlined
by comics-loving standup comedian Patton Oswalt and legendary artist
Mike Ploog (Ghost Rider, Werewolf by Night), with additional short
stories from Steve Niles, Ryan Sook, Bill Morrison and the Eisner-winning
Powell.
The Dark Horse Book
of Monsters TP
Mike Mignola, Kurt Busiek, Evan Dorkin, Leah Moore et al (w), Mignola,
Keith Giffen, Jill Thompson, Paul Lee et al (a)
96 pp.
The latest Dark Horse
horror anthology includes a new Hellboy story from Mike Mignola, a
tribute to the monster comics of Jack Kirby from Kurt Busiek and Keith
Giffen, and new work from Evan Dorkin, Jill Thompson, Gary Gianni
and more.
Star Wars: Knights of
the Old Republic volume 1: Commencement TP
John Jackson Miller (w), Brian Ching & Travel Foreman (a), Travis
Charest (covers)
152 pp.
On the planet Taris young
Jedi apprentice Zayne is framed for a brutal crime against the Jedi
order. Now a wanted fugitive on the run from his former masters, Zayne
is forced to find new allies in the criminal underworld. Set thousands
of years before the landmark film series, a new saga in the Star Wars
Expanded Universe begins as told by writer John Jackson Miller (Iron
Man) and pencillers Brian Ching and Travel Foreman (Doctor Spectrum)
with covers by superstar artist Travis Charest.
From
the smaller Publishers:
Transformers Spotlight: Shockwave one-shot
Simon Furman (w), Nick Roche (a)
32 pp.
Beginning a new series of character-focused
one-shots, as Decepticon master tactician Shockwave unleashes a plan
of colossal scope and ambition to wipe out his Autobot enemies once
and for all. Guest-starring the Dinobots.
Popbot Collection TP
Sam Keith, Ashley Wood (w), Wood (a)
300 pp.
Collecting the sold-out first
six issues of acclaimed artist Ashley Wood's robot spotlight series
plus a generous serving of bonus material and a new Wood cover, and
featuring guest appearances by Andy Warhol, co-writer Sam Keith's
The Maxx and more.
Night of the Living Dead: Back from
the Grave one-shot
John Russo (w), Sebastian Fiumara (a)
16 pp.
The cult classic film that defined
the zombie horror genre comes to comics in a prequel story to Night
of the Living Dead from original co-screenwriter John Russo plus a
preview of the forthcoming ongoing series, fully approved by visionary
director George A Romero. (For mature readers.)
Barron's Graphic Classics: Oliver Twist
GN: Penko Gelev (a), 48 pp.
Barron's Graphic Classics: Treasure Island GN: Penko
Gelev (a), 48 pp.
Two classic stories from the
canon of English childrens literature are transformed into engaging
graphic novels through the sumptuous art of Penko Gelev, available
in both soft and hardcover editions and each featuring a biography
and timeline of its author plus a glossary and index.
Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror
#12
Kyle Baker, Terry Moore, Eric Powell (w/a)
56 pp.
Eisner-winning creators Eric
Powell (The Goon), Kyle Baker (Plastic Man) and Terry Moore (Strangers
in Paradise) apply their individual styles to brand new tales of terror
in the latest Simpsons Halloween special.
The Lone Ranger #1
Brett Matthews (w), Sergio Cariello (a), John Cassaday (cover)
32 pp.
The Lone Ranger rides again as
the masked lawman's origins are redefined for the modern era in a
new series from writer Brett Matthews (Firefly) and veteran artist
Sergio Cariello (Iron Ghost, Azrael), with covers by Eisner winner
John Cassaday.
Popeye volume 1: I Yam What I Yam HC
EC Segar (w/a)
200 pp.
Fantagraphics continues its reference
quality reprints of classic comics material with the original Popeye
strips from EC Segar, an early innovator of the sequential art form
and one of the most popular cartoonists of his day. This first hardcover
collection covers 1928-30, as Popeye's courtship of Olive Oyl is interrupted
by her brother Caster Oyl's discovery of the mysterious Whiffle Hen
and attempts to mold Popeye into a boxing champion.
Hardy Boys volume 7: Opposite Numbers
GN
Scott Lobdell (w), Daniel Rendon
(a), 96 pp.
Nancy Drew volume 7: Charmed Bracelet GN
Stefan Petrucha (w), Vaughn Ross (a), 96 pp.
As their all-ages
graphic novel series continue America's top teen sleuths find themselves
in hot water, as the Hardy Boys are accused of murder aboard the maiden
voyage of a high-speed bullet train and Nancy Drew is threatened with
a lawsuit while investigating the theft of a revolutionary new computer
chip.
Charley's War volume 3: October 1916
- February 1917 HC
Pat Mills (w), Joe Colquhoun (a)
112 pp., B&W
In
the continuation of one of the most acclaimed and realistic war comics
ever, collecting chapters #60-83, Charley Bourne is injured on the
front lines of World War One and returns home to recover -- only for
the Germans to bring the war to him in London. Featuring commentary
material and a new introduction from writer Pat Mills.
Brother princes Rama and Lakshman are
bound by honour to defend the outpost of Ayodhya, with not even this
peaceful area and its inhabitants safe from the marauding hordes of
Nark.
Go inside the mind of methodical
and unassuming serial killer John Doe in the opening of a seven-issue
prequel to acclaimed movie Seven, from writer Raven Gregory (The Gift)
and artist Josh Medors (GI Joe: America's Elite). (For mature readers.)
From the Manga range:
NANA Volume 4 GN
Ai Yazawa
192pp.
She's lost her job and her boyfriend,
and she has no money. The perfect Tokyo life that Nana K. dreamed
of seems to rapidly be falling down around her ears. But when she
finds out a secret from Nana O.'s past, Hachi temporarily forgets
her troubles as she takes on the role of cupid to try and help out
her best friend. Will the two girls get closer to realising their
own dreams? Find out in another drama-filled edition of one of Japan's
best-selling manga.
Angel Sanctuary Volume 16 GN
Kaori Yuki
192pp.
When Setsuna and the rebel angels attack the courtroom,
chaos ensues, and the truth about the mysterious Sevothtarte is finally
revealed! Who is he exactly, and what is his connection to the Sandalphon
project? With all the disorder, Rosiel and his new ally stand poised
to take control over all of Heaven. But now that Sandalphon has been
released, the balance of power could all-too-easily change...
For fans of the best-selling manga series Godchild,
its prequel, The Cain Saga, explores the background of the Hargreaves
family in a series of mini-stories revolving around the protagonist
of the sequel series, Cain Hargreaves, a young lord living in 19th
century London.
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Volume
1 GN
Shiro Amano
192pp.
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
follows the story of Sora from where the Kingdom Hearts miniseries
left off, adapted from the first sequel to the best-selling game released
originally for Gameboy Advance. In this volume, Sora, Donald and Goofy
realise that their magic and skills have been completely stripped
away from them... and now, Sora must travel on his own! What will
happen? You'll have to read it to find out.
