Weekly Reviews - 17 October 2012 (With Previews)

[Mad_Man_Moon]

Hi. This week's reviews thread. The previews section is taken from Diamond's page, here: might be here Favourite Images: Chat later. ONWARD! This is a thread to post some quick one paragraph reviews of the week's releases. We have the reviews section to come back some time in the future, this is more informal and just to get a paragraph of your thoughts on the week's releases, and to discuss each other's opinions thereafter, if one feels the need. Here's the format: Title (publisher) # - Rating Out Of 5 One paragraph review goes here. Title (publisher) # - Rating Out Of 5 One paragraph review goes here. Post as much or as little as you like, I'll create a new thread each week. PREVIEWS: New Releases For 10/17/2012 Every week, PREVIEWSworld announces which comics, books, and merchandise are on tap to arrive at your local comic shop. The products on this list are expected to ship to comic shops on the indicated date. This list, however, is tentative and subject to change. Please check with your retailer for availability, as not all releases may be on sale in all areas the same week. New Releases PDF / TXT View the New Releases Archive. PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS PREMIER PUBLISHERS DARK HORSE COMICS BILLY KIDS ODDITIES & ORM LOCH NESS #1 HOTZ CVR $3.50 BPRD 1948 #1 JOHNSON CVR $3.50 EX SANGUINE #1 (MR) $3.99 JOE GOLEM & THE DROWNING CITY DLX HC $99.99 MICHAEL AVON OEMINGS THE VICTORIES #3 (MR) $3.99 ORCHID #10 (MR) $3.50 SKY ART OF FINAL FANTASY HC BOXED SET $139.99 STAR WARS AGENT O/T EMPIRE HARD TARGETS #1 $2.99 DC COMICS AMERICAN VAMPIRE LORD OF NIGHTMARES #5 (MR) $2.99 BATWOMAN #13 $2.99 BEFORE WATCHMEN MINUTEMEN #4 (MR) $3.99 BEFORE WATCHMEN MINUTEMEN #4 COMBO PACK (MR) $4.99 BIRDS OF PREY #13 $2.99 BLUE BEETLE #13 $2.99 CATWOMAN #13 $2.99 DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #13 $2.99 GREEN LANTERN CORPS THE WEAPONER TP $14.99 GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #13 $2.99 GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS HC VOL 01 RING BEARER $22.99 HE MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #3 $2.99 HELLBLAZER #296 (MR) $2.99 JUSTICE LEAGUE #13 $3.99 JUSTICE LEAGUE #13 COMBO PACK $4.99 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #13 $2.99 NIGHTWING #13 $2.99 RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #13 $2.99 SAUCER COUNTRY #8 (MR) $2.99 SGT ROCK ARCHIVES HC VOL 04 $59.99 SUPERGIRL #13 $2.99 SUPERGIRL TP VOL 01 LAST DAUGHTER OF KRYPTON $14.99 SWORD OF SORCERY #1 $3.99 UNWRITTEN TP VOL 06 TOMMY TAYLOR WAR OF WORDS (MR) $16.99 WONDER WOMAN #13 $2.99 YOUNG JUSTICE #21 $2.99 DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES AME COMI BRAINIAC PVC FIGURE $69.95 AME COMI HARLEY QUINN V2 PVC FIGURE $69.95 IDW Publishing 30 DAYS OF NIGHT MOVIE SCRIPTBOOK TP (SALE ED) $4.99 30 DAYS OF NIGHT TP 30 DAYS TIL DEATH (SALE ED) $4.99 30 DAYS OF NIGHT TP VOL 04 BLOODSUCKERS TALES (SALE ED) $5.99 30 DAYS OF NIGHT TP VOL 05 THREE TALES (SALE ED) (MR) $4.99 30 DAYS OF NIGHT TP VOL 07 EBEN & STELLA (SALE ED) $4.99 30 DAYS OF NIGHT TP VOL 08 RED SNOW (SALE ED) $4.99 30 DAYS OF NIGHT TP VOL 09 BEYOND BARROW (SALE ED) $4.99 AMERICAN FREAKSHOW GN (SALE ED) $4.99 BARACK OBAMA COMIC BOOK BIOGRAPHY HC (SALE ED) $4.99 CAPE 1969 #4 [DIG/D+] $3.99 CLASSIC POPEYE ONGOING #3 [DIG/D+] $3.99 CLASSICS MUTILATED MMPB (SALE ED) $3.99 DARE NOVEL (SALE ED) $3.99 DOC MACABRE HC (SALE ED) $4.99 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS FORGOTTEN REALMS #4 [DIG/D+] $3.99 EVERYBODYS DEAD TP (SALE ED) $4.99 FISHTOWN HC (SALE ED) $9.99 FRANKENSTEIN MOBSTER TP (SALE ED) VOL 01 $4.99 FREAKS OF THE HEARTLAND SCRIPTBOOK SC (SALE ED) $4.99 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #183 [DIG/D+] $3.99 GODZILLA HALF CENTURY WAR #3 [DIG/D+] $3.99 GRAVESLINGER TP (SALE ED) VOL 01 $4.99 GRIMMS FAIRY TALES HC VOL 01 (SALE ED) $8.99 GROOM LAKE TP (SALE ED) $4.99 GRUMPY OLD MONSTERS GN (SALE ED) $4.99 NIGHT MARY TP (SALE ED) $4.99 SNAKE EYES & STORM SHADOW #18 [DIG/D+] $3.99 TRANSFORMERS IDW COLLECTION HC VOL 07 $49.99 TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE TP VOL 02 $19.99 WOMANTHOLOGY SPACE #2 [DIG/D+] $3.99 YOURS TRULY JACK THE RIPPER TP VOL 01 (SALE ED) $4.99 ZAUCER OF ZILK #1 [DIG/D+] $3.99 IMAGE COMICS ACTIVITY #9 [DIG] $3.50 BLOODSTRIKE TP VOL 01 REBORN UNDER A BAD SIGN $14.99 CHEW #29 (MR) [DIG] $2.99 CYBER FORCE #1 [DIG] PI DARKNESS #107 (MR) [DIG] $2.99 GLORY #29 [DIG] $3.99 IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS #3 [DIG] $2.99 MIND THE GAP TP VOL 01 INTIMATE STRANGERS (MR) $9.99 MUDMAN TP VOL 01 $9.99 NO PLACE LIKE HOME #5 (MR) [DIG] $2.99 NOT MY BAG GN [DIG] $12.99 SAVAGE DRAGON #182 [DIG] $3.50 SHINKU #5 (MR) [DIG] $2.99 SKULLKICKERS TP VOL 03 SIX SHOOTER ON THE SEVEN SEAS [DIG] $16.99 WALKING DEAD #100 3RD PTG (MR) $3.99 WALKING DEAD #103 (MR) [DIG] $2.99 IMAGE COMICS/TOP COW PRODUCTIONS MARVEL COMICS A-BABIES VS X-BABIES #1 $2.99 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #8 $3.99 AVENGING SPIDER-MAN TP FRIENDS BEAT UP YOUR FRIENDS $19.99 AVX CONSEQUENCES #2 $3.99 CAPTAIN MARVEL #5 $2.99 DAREDEVIL #19 $2.99 DARK AVENGERS #182 $2.99 DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER MAN IN BLACK #5 $3.99 FEAR ITSELF TP SPIDER-MAN $16.99 GAMBIT #2 2ND PTG MANN VAR $2.99 HAWKEYE #2 2ND PTG AJA VAR $2.99 HAWKEYE #3 $2.99 INFERNAL MAN-THING TP $14.99 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY TP VOL 03 TERRORISM MYTH $16.99 MARVEL FIRSTS BEFORE MARVEL NOW TP $24.99 MARVEL NOW POINT ONE #1 NOW $5.99 MARVEL ZOMBIES HALLOWEEN $3.99 MIGHTY THOR #21 BURNS $3.99 NEW AVENGERS #31 AXFO $3.99 PUNISHERMAX TP HOMELESS (MR) $15.99 ULTIMATE COMICS IRON MAN #1 $3.99 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #16 UWS $3.99 UNCANNY X-MEN #20 AXFO $3.99 UNTOLD TALES OF PUNISHER MAX #5 (MR) $3.99 VENOM #26 $2.99 VENOM TP SAVAGE SIX $16.99 X-FACTOR #245 $2.99 ZOMBIES CHRISTMAS CAROL TP $19.99 COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS AFTER EARTH ONE-SHOT $3.99 AIRBOY DEADEYE #4 $3.50 ALICE IN WONDERLAND HC (MR) $24.99 BETTY & VERONICA #262 [DIG/D+] $2.99 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #206 [DIG/D+] $3.99 CAVEWOMAN NATURAL SELECTION #2 $3.75 CAVEWOMAN NATURAL SELECTION #2 DEVON MASSEY SP ED PI CHARLES BURNS HIVE GN $21.95 COURTNEY CRUMRIN ONGOING #6 $3.99 DICKS $19.99 ELRIC THE BALANCE LOST TP VOL 03 $14.99 FINDING GOSSAMYR #2 $3.99 GARTH ENNIS JENNIFER BLOOD #18 (MR) $3.99 GFT SLEEPY HOLLOW #1 A CVR SEJIC (MR) $2.99 GFT SLEEPY HOLLOW #1 B CVR TRIANO (MR) $2.99 GODSTORM #1 A CVR SPAY (MR) $2.99 GODSTORM #1 B CVR CHA (MR) $2.99 GOLD DIGGER SWIMSUIT ANNUAL #1 $4.99 GRAY MORROWS ORION TP (MR) $39.99 GREEN HORNET #29 $3.99 HARBINGER (ONGOING) #5 AJA CVR $3.99 HARBINGER (ONGOING) #5 SUAYAN CVR $3.99 HOW TO DRAW ALIEN BABES & PRINCESSES TP $21.95 JAMES BOND OMNIBUS TP VOL 04 $19.95 JUDGE DREDD DIGEST TP DARK JUDGES (MR) $11.00 KITCHEN PRINCESS OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 $14.99 KUZIMU COLL ED TP (MR) $19.99 LIMIT GN VOL 01 $10.95 LOOKOUTS RIDDLE VOL 01 #2 $3.99 LOVECRAFT ANTHOLOGY TP VOL 02 $19.95 MAN OF GOD #3 $3.50 MARCH STORY TP VOL 04 (MR) $12.99 MIKE NORTONS CURSE GN $14.99 MORTENSENS ESCAPADES GN VOL 01 MYSTERIOUS MANUSCRIPT $6.95 NANCY DREW & CLUE CREW GN VOL 01 SMALL VOLCANOES $6.99 NANCY DREW & CLUE CREW HC VOL 01 SMALL VOLCANOES $10.99 PEANUTS VOL 2 #3 [DIG] $3.99 PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #2 $3.99 PHAZER #5 $3.99 PINOCCHIO VAMPIRE SLAYER GN VOL 04 WOOD & BLOOD PT 2 $10.95 PROPHECY #4 $3.99 SHADOW BLOOD & JUDGMENT TP (MR) $19.99 SIMPSONS COMICS #195 $2.99 SIXTH GUN #26 $3.99 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #241 HORN CVR $2.99 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #241 REG CVR [D+] $2.99 SONIC UNIVERSE #45 [DIG/D+] $2.99 STITCHED #9 (MR) $3.99 STITCHED #9 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99 STITCHED #9 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #76 DLX ED (MR) $19.99 TENJO TENGE GN VOL 09 (MR) $17.99 THE LONE RANGER SNAKE OF IRON #3 $3.99 THREE STOOGES GN VOL 02 EBENEZER STOOGE $6.99 THREE STOOGES HC VOL 02 EBENEZER STOOGE $10.99 THUNDA #3 $3.99 WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH THORIS #17 (MR) $3.99 WITCHBLADE DEMON REBORN #3 $3.99 WIZARD OF ID HC DAILIES & SUNDAYS 1972 $19.95 WULF #6 (RES) $2.99 X-O MANOWAR (ONGOING) #6 BRAITHWAITE CVR $3.99 X-O MANOWAR (ONGOING) #6 CHAR DESIGN CVR $3.99 ZOMBIES VS CHEERLEADERS MISADV OF BECKY & BOB #1 $3.99 MAGAZINES ALMOST NAKED ANIMALS MAGAZINE #1 $4.99 CARS MAGAZINE #9 $4.99 CINEFANTASTIQUE PRES ULT GUIDE TO ZOMBIES $9.99 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1322 PI DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 62 BAMA CVR $14.95 DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 62 REG CVR $14.95 FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #264 $9.99 JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #328 MOVIE SPEC $13.00 JUXTAPOZ #142 NOV 2012 $5.99 LOCUS #621 $6.95 MARVEL SUPER HEROES #4 $4.99 SCREAM MAGAZINE #13 $8.99 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 65 $14.95 If there's anything wrong with this, shoot me a PM.

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[MechanicalClavicles]

It's going to be at least another week 'til I make it to the shop, but put me down for...


Walking Dead #103 - Part 1 of a new story arc... really just a continuation of the Negan storyline that could drag on for awhile. How long? Maybe 40 or 50 issues, if Kirkman is really trying to top the Governor. Something to fear indeed...

Marvel Zombies Halloween Special - Fred Van Lente returns to what he does best--- writing awesome Marvel Zombies tales! Kirkman who? Pick up a discount copy of Marvel Zombies 3 or 4 in time for Halloween if you've never read them before!

Dark Avengers #182 - this series has been terrible lately, so I imagine this issue will fall to the bottom of the read pile. Sad.

Journey into Mystery TP Vol. 03 - The Terrorism Myth - been looking forward to this one for awhile.


I may also go for Mudman TP Vol. 01 eventually, but I have other things to get to in my read pile before then.


Also, it looks like Wolverine & the X-Men #18 has been delayed from its original release date? I was looking forward to Jason Aaron writing Ghost Rider again. Humbug.

[MechanicalClavicles]

Journey into Mystery TP Vol. 3 - "The Terrorism Myth"
Marvel/ $16.99

Collects Journey into Mystery #632-636

by Kieron Gillen, Mitch Breitweiser, Richard Elson, Stephanie Hans


I'm just getting into this one, but so far it's a solid 5/5, even with Mitch Breitweiser playing it loose with the line work in the opening chapter. No matter. Journey into Mystery is currently one of the industry's best fantasy titles (along with Brian Wood's Conan the Barbarian) thanks to Kieron Gillen's exceptionally clever scripts. It's almost Vertigo-good, which is something I never thought I'd say about a Marvel title--- and B-level Thor spin-off book, at that! Thunderstrike was never this magical.

Chapter 1: It's the winter solstice and Young Loki is tasked with finding homes for a litter of unwanted mongrel hellhounds or be forced by the voices in his head to gas the worst runts of the litter. Lots of fun supporting characters in this one, the first installment of JIM not forcibly tied-in to Fear Itself.

Further comments once I'm finished reading.

Stephanie Hans contributes some of the year's best covers:

[MechanicalClavicles]

Journey into Mystery TP Vol. 3 - "The Terrorism Myth"
Marvel/ $16.99

Collects Journey into Mystery #632-636

by Kieron Gillen, Mitch Breitweiser, Richard Elson, Stephanie Hans


I'm just getting into this one, but so far it's a solid 5/5, even with Mitch Breitweiser playing it loose with the line work in the opening chapter. No matter. Journey into Mystery is currently one of the industry's best fantasy titles (along with Brian Wood's Conan the Barbarian) thanks to Kieron Gillen's exceptionally clever scripts. It's almost Vertigo-good, which is something I never thought I'd say about a Marvel title--- and B-level Thor spin-off book, at that! Thunderstrike was never this magical.

Chapter 1: It's the winter solstice and Young Loki is tasked with finding homes for a litter of unwanted mongrel hellhounds or be forced by the voices in his head to gas the worst runts of the litter. Lots of fun supporting characters in this one, the first installment of JIM not forcibly tied-in to Fear Itself.

Further comments once I'm finished reading.

It took a few days, but I finally made it through the rest of the Terrorism Myth. I have mixed feelings about the board game ending, but it turned out to be a solid story. The comparisons to Sandman are fairly obvious, but this is a Marvel comic, so be prepared for crossover and tie-in references that will seem arcane in a few years (or months) time.

On the plus side, Kid Loki and spiteful Leah (Hela's handmaiden) are endlessly entertaining.

Son of Satan is on hand to play the part of John Constantine. (As a side note, how amazing is it that DC's kept Hellblazer going for almost 300 issues, yet the idea of a Son of Satan series lasting 300 issues at Marvel sounds completely absurd?).

Not a bad collection, though. I'll give it 4/5 stars overall.

Also, there's more awesome artwork from Stephanie Hans.





So, what's next for Journey into Mystery? Should I pick up the Exiled/ New Mutants crossover thing or just go straight to the Manchester Gods volume?

[Grendel]

Co-written and drawn by Tim Seeley (Revival, Hack/Slash) A vampire I want to read about. The Feds who think he's a serial killer. No spoilers here, the book made me want to read more. Another book well written and drawn that's now on my list. I'm a new Tim Seeley fan.

4 out of 5 Stars

[MechanicalClavicles]

The Walking Dead #103 - 2/5 stars
Image/ $2.99

Negan, in just his 2nd appearance, is jockeying for position as one of the worst comic book villains of all time. And by "worst," I don't mean evil like Dr. Doom --- this guy is just obnoxious and the whole issue suffers greatly because of it. I can't imagine that this vulgar goon will gain Kirkman's series any new readers. I'd also question the thinking of publishing such an awful installment of the comic during the month of the tv show's season premiere.

On the plus side, the issue was a quick read. Took me just 8 minutes to get through, mercifully.

[MechanicalClavicles]

Marvel Zombies Halloween - 4/5 stars
Marvel/ $3.99

Oh snap! It's been awhile since Marvel released anything really spooky, so leave it to Marvel Zombies master Fred Van Lente to deliver just in time for Halloween. This one hits all the right notes, even if it is a bit detached from whatever on-going plot is left in the main Marvel Zombies books (Howard the Duck? okay...).

Artist Alessandro Vitti deserves big credit for making this comic effectively bloody, even if the zombies on hand are mostly D- and F-list characters like Darkhawk, Squirrel Girl, and Mettle. Marvel Zombies Halloween is probably the best thing that Vitti has ever drawn --- much, much better than anything he ever did while helping Jonathan Hickman run Secret Warriors into the ground.

And hey - for any of you true "Marvel Zombies" out there, this Halloween special features the first time (ever) that we're given a partial glimpse of Darkhawk's face (even if it is rotting off!).

And there's a Francavilla cover, which seals the deal. Yeah, it's a quick read for $3.99, but definitely a treat.

[MechanicalClavicles]

Dark Avengers #182 - 3/5 stars
Marvel/ $2.99

I rated last issue 1/5 stars, so I naturally had low expectations coming into this one, which marks like 6 straight issues devoted to having the Dark Avengers battle Rulk villain Sultan Magus while the Thunderbolts dick around on some Judge Dredd-inspired future world populated with petri dish descendents of modern day Marvel heroes. It's all been a bit rotten.
This issue, thankfully, ties things up as the Thunderbolts return home and Juggernaut gets his groove back, with everyone teaming up to lay the smack down on the (worthless) new Dark Avengers. YES!
Dark Avengers #182 marks the end of the time-travel storyline which began 20+ issues ago. It was a fun trip, but it probably ran about 7 or 8 issues too long.

[Andy]

Justice League #13 (DC COMICS) - 2.0/5

Daniel's art hasn't suddenly made this better. That is all.

[Andy]

Hellblazer #296 (VERTIGO) - 4.0/5

Revelations and deceit; a demon (or not) that wants shoes was fun. Constantine's own self-loathing has led him in the wrong direction but now most of the cards are out and the all-too-human foibles are, as ever, the root cause of the more grisly supernatural shenanigans. Good stuff!