August 2007

July 2007

30 Days of Night: Beyond Barrow #1 (IDW)
[Goes on sale September 2007, written by Steve Niles; art and cover by Bill Sienkiewicz. 32 pages, $3.99.]
After years of attacks, and several without, the citizens of Barrow have become united against random attacks on their city by the undead. Unfortunately the same does not apply outside of Barrow or the rest of the mysterious Arctic Circle. Co-creator Steve Niles and legendary artist Bill Sienkiewicz take the 30 Days of Night mythos and turn it on its head in a terrifying new graphic series. Forget everything you ever thought you know about 30 Days of Night.

Captain America: The Chosen #1 (of 6) (Marvel)
[Goes on sale September 5, written by David Morrell; art by Mitch Breitweiser, Brian Reber, and Cory Petit; cover by Mitch Breitweiser. 32 pages, $3.99.]
New York Times best-selling novelist and creator of Rambo, David Morrell, takes on Captain America in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE CHOSEN—a six-issue Marvel Knights limited series in the tradition of SPIDER-MAN: REIGN! Super-star-to-be Mitch Breitweiser provides the finest art of his career as he chronicles the last days of Captain America..

The Ultimate Spider-Man 100 Project (Hero Initiative/Marvel)
[Goes on sale September 2007, 104 pages, $10.00.]
You've seen the amazing art. You've seen the original covers sell for up to $6700! Now you can get your very own copy of all 100 Hero Initiative Ultimate Spider-Man #100 covers! This stellar artbook includes great Spidey art from Mark Bagley, J. Scott Campbell, Frank Cho, Neil Gaiman, Adam and Andy Kubert, George Perez, Joe Quesada, John Romita, Sr. and Jr. and many more! And would you believe it has in introduction by Stan "The Man" Lee himself? NOTE: Through special arrangement with Marvel Comics, there will be only one printing of this book ever! Order it now so you don't blow your chance, True Believers! (Taken from Previews Vol. XVII, #7)

Kirby: King of Comics (Abrams Books)
[Goes on sale October 2007, by Mark Evanier. 224 pages, $40.00.]
Jack Kirby created or co-created some of comic books’ most popular characters including Captain America, The X-Men, The Hulk, The Fantastic Four, The Mighty Thor, Darkseid, and The New Gods. More significantly, he created much of the visual language for fantasy and adventure comics. There were comics before Kirby, but for the most part their page layout, graphics, and visual dynamic aped what was being done in syndicated newspaper strips. Almost everything that was different about comic books began in the forties on the drawing table of Jack Kirby. This is his story by one who knew him well—the authorized celebration of the one and only “King of Comics” and his groundbreaking work.

Gris Grimly: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Atheneum)
[Goes on sale October 2007, written by Washington Irving; illustrated by Gris Grimly. 40 pages, $16.99.]
Are all the lights on? Is there a parent in the house? Are the windows shut and locked? Double-check! They have to be if you're going to read this book, which is undoubtedly the scariest rendition of one of the greatest ghost stories ever told: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. While you may have heard of Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel, and the Headless Horseman, you've never Seen them quite like this - through the macabre imagination of the inimitable Gris Grimly.

Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four Vol. 5 (II) (Marvel)
[Goes on sale September 19, written by Stan Lee; art and cover by Jack Kirby. 240 pages, $54.99.]
Stan "The Man" Lee called it the "World's Greatest Comic Magazine" and he wasn't kidding. If Lee and Kirby set the comics world on fire in 1961 with the debut of The Fantastic Four in 1965 they burnt the house down. Releasing an unmatched burst of rapid-fire creativity, they gave birth to the Frightful Four, the Inhumans, Galactus, the Silver Surfer and even pulled off the first super-hero wedding while they were at it, and all in just 11 issues. With incomparable embellishment by Joe Sinnott, guest-appearances by everyone in the Marvel Universe, there's no denying that this is the essential volume for any and every Marvel fan! Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR # 41-50 and ANNUAL #3

June 2007

Baltimore, Or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire (Random House)
[Goes on sale August 2007, written by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden. 336 pages, $39.95.]
From celebrated comic artist Mike Mignola and award-winning novelist Christopher Golden comes a work of gothic storytelling like no other. Reminiscent of the illustrated tales of old, here is a lyrical, atmospheric novel of the paranormal—and a chilling allegory for the nature of war.
“Why do dead men rise up to torment the living?” Captain Henry Baltimore asks the malevolent winged creature. The vampire shakes its head. “It was you called us. All of you, with your war. The roar of your cannons shook us from our quiet graves…. You killers. You berserkers…. You will never be rid of us now.”
When Lord Henry Baltimore awakens the wrath of a vampire on the hellish battlefields of World War I, the world is forever changed. For a virulent plague has been unleashed—a plague that even death cannot end.
Now the lone soldier in an eternal struggle against darkness, Baltimore summons three old friends to a lonely inn—men whose travels and fantastical experiences incline them to fully believe in the evil that is devouring the soul of mankind.
As the men await their old friend, they share their tales of terror and misadventure, and contemplate what part they will play in Baltimore’s timeless battle. Before the night is through, they will learn what is required to banish the plague—and the creature who named Baltimore his nemesis—once and for all.

Action Comics #855 (DC)
[Goes on sale August 29, written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner; art and cover by Eric Powell. 32 pages, $2.99.]
The dynamic writing team of Geoff Johns and Richard Donner joins artist extraordinaire Eric Powell (The Goon) for "Escape from Bizarro World," a 3-part story that will thrill and horrify! Last seen in ACTION COMICS #845, Bizarro returns to kidnap one of the most important people in Superman's life. But what does the twisted, ersatz Man of Steel want? The only way to find out is to travel to the enemy's home: Bizarro World!

The Last Fantastic Four Story #1 (Marvel)
[Goes on sale August 1, written by Stan Lee; art by John Romita, Jr., Scott Hanna, and Morry Hollowell; cover by John Romita, Jr. 64 pages, $4.99.]
Legendary writer and Fantastic Four co-creator Stan Lee unites with artist John Romita Jr. to tell his final story of the team that started the Marvel age!

January 2007

After the Cape #1 (of 3) (Image)
[Goes on sale March 14, written by Howard Wong; art by Marco Rudy. 24 pages, part 1 in a 3-part series, black-and-white, $2.99.]
Ethan Falls had a successful career as a superhero, and had gained the respect of those around him - until his drinking problem got out of control. After hitting rock bottom, not being able to provide for his family, and losing everything, a life of crime and "easy money" is starting to look promising. An Image Comics "Gem of the Month"!

Thunderbolts #112 (Marvel)
[Goes on sale March 14, written by Warren Ellis; art by Mike Deodato, Marko Djurdjevic, Rainier Beredo, and Richard Starkings. 32 pages, $2.99.]
This issue finds the Thunderbolts recuperating from a catastrophic mission - imprisoned! Plus, is all the pressure finally starting to get the better of Norman Osborn? Read all about it in this issue.

Spider-Man: Back in Black Handbook (Marvel)
[Goes on sale March 28, written by Mike Fichera, Ronald Byrd, Al Sjoerdsma, Stuart Vandal, Anthony Flamini, Michael Hoskin, Jeff Christiansen, Sean McQuaid, and Madison Carter; art by Aaron Lopresti. 48 pages, $3.99.]
This handbook will not only further explore Spider-Man's powers, but will also feature answers to some long-awaited questions that have been on the minds of Spidey fans everywhere. Examples: Has Uncle Ben really come back to life? Who's Iguana? What is the current count of the number of employees at the Bugle that J. Jonah has hired and fired? Find out all that and more in this handbook!

Andy's 2006 Picks

Andy's 2005 Picks