Scott and Dan pick the comics they’re most looking forward to… — Dan Greenfield, editor, 13th Dimension Batman #9, DC. OK. Nine issues in and I have to say at this point, I’m not sure where this series is headed. I mean, I do know that things with Vandal Savage (and Poison Ivy) are coming to a climax this fall, and it’s about time. It’s just that — and I can’t quite put my finger on why — this series has been less than I expected. It’s had its moments but it feels a bit too loose and disjointed. Staying with it for now, but let’s see how the summer goes. This ish looks like it will lead into the upcoming Barbara Gordon: Breakout series. — The Bat-Man: Second Knight, DC. Hardcover collecting Dan Jurgens and Mike Perkins’ second foray into the early days of Batman, as if it were “real life,” circa 1939-40. Hoping for a third mini, because I really want to see their take on the Dynamic Duo. — Ben 10 #1, Dynamite. My kid — who is now 27 — LOVED Ben 10 when he was a child, so I’m listing this for all you similarly minded fans out there. A great moment: In 2008, we went to a Ben 10 panel at New York Comic Con, and they gave him a jacket — and he looked like he’d jumped right out of the TV screen. A favorite. — The Amazing Spider-Man #28, Marvel. Loooove this variant by Mike Allred, mashing up Silver, Bronze and Modern Age Spidey. — Detective Comics #578 Facsimile Edition, DC. Wrapping up Batman: Year Two. — Steve Rude’s Daredevil and Fantastic Four Variants, Marvel. Oh, just click here. You’ll thank me. — Scott Tipton, contributor-at-large, 13th Dimension The Incredible Hulk Epic Collection: Devolution, Marvel. Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema’s epic Hulk run continues! — JLA Book Three, DC. The more I look back upon Grant Morrison’s JLA run, the more impressed I am by it. This volume includes his ambitious DC One Million event. — Zatanna by Paul Dini Omnibus, DC. Can’t help feeling like Paul Dini’s Zatanna work is tragically overlooked. A nice fat omnibus volume will take care of...
Scott and Dan pick the comics they’re most looking forward to… — Dan Greenfield, editor, 13th Dimension Hey, how about that fancy new banner by our man Walt Grogan! What an ace he is! Now, on to the picks: Swamp Thing 1989 #1, DC. Not billed as such, but this is basically DC’s latest “Fauxsimile Edition” — printing Rick Veitch’s long-unpublished story originally scheduled for 1989’s Swamp Thing #88. (DC was antsy about a story where Swamp Thing meets Jesus, and halted it. Veitch quit in protest.) This issue, which includes period ads and whatnot, is the first in a four-issue miniseries that brings Veitch’s aborted run to its proper conclusion. Includes this evocative variant cover by the late Michael Zulli, the story’s original artist, completed before he died in 2024: — Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #3 Facsimile Edition, DC. One of the two or three best Joker stories ever. A fitting ending for his kind. — The Marvel Creator Collection No. 1: “Back To The Savage Land” — Barry Windsor-Smith at Marvel Vol. 1, Fantagraphics. Boy that’s some title. Launches Fantagraphics’ latest series of high-end Marvel collections. The next one is on Steranko. — Scott Tipton, contributor-at-large, 13th Dimension DC Finest: The Joker — The Last Ha Ha, DC. Classic Bronze Age Joker tales, including his 1970s solo series. Scripts from Denny O’Neil, David V. Reed, Elliott S! Maggin and more! Dan adds: It’s worth noting that this includes 1976’s hilariously weird The Joker #10, which didn’t see the light of day for more than 40 years, until it was finally printed in The Joker: The Bronze Age Omnibus. While I would love to see this as a “Fauxsimile Edition,” getting in a DC Finest volume is an improvement since omnibi are so unwieldy. — The Rocketeer: Thrills, Spills, and Chills, IDW. Along with Dave Stevens’ original classic, this collection features Rocketeer tales from a Murderer’s Row of talents, including Darwyn Cooke, Bruce Timm, Kurt Busiek, John Byrne, Dave Gibbons, Walt Simonson and more. — Nerd Inferno: The Essential Evan Dorkin, Dark Horse. The Eltingville Club, Milk and Cheese and so much more from Evan Dorkin’s darkly hilarious body of work, all in a big fat...
Let’s see, let’s see. Secret Six #1 gets the warmth. So does Just the Tips. Plus, steel yourself for … KRAMPUS!! Oh, and Mark Waid‘s back!
You say you need some stocking stuffers? Dude, here’s a stocking stuffer!
Wanna know what to get that Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Maven? That Batfreak you know? That Wonderful Woman? Look no further …
