PREVIEWS | 13th Dimension, Comics, Creators, Culture

Aug08

FIRST LOOK: ARCHIE COMICS’ Classic Christmas 2022 Line Launches in November

Posted by Dan Greenfield on Aug 8, 2022

FIRST LOOK: ARCHIE COMICS’ Classic Christmas 2022 Line Launches in November

FIRST LOOK at FIVE titles! Grab the sunscreen — and think of the yule log: Christmas will be here before you know it! It’s 86 degrees as I write this but let’s pretend it’s, oh, 36 degrees instead — because here’s your FIRST LOOK at Archie Comics’ initial Christmas offerings for the 2022 season. These will be listed in Archie’s November solicitations later this week but you loyal 13th Dimension readers are getting a fancy SNEAK PEEK at what Santa’s got in store. “There are a few times a year that feel totally Archie to me; Christmas is one of them,” said Archie Editor-in-Chief Mike Pellerito. “We know people use the digests as an annual stocking stuffer, and we here at Archie HQ try to come up with the best mix of new stories and much-loved comics from years past to fulfill every wish on the nice list. “We started branding our holiday issues as the ‘Official Comic Book of Christmas’ because, let’s face it, we are. We have four terrific digests and a new comic book in November featuring new favorite characters like Harper Lodge and Toni Topaz, along with Betty, Veronica, Archie, Jughead, Jingles the Christmas Elf, Sugar Plum the Christmas Fairy, Santa Claus, and his daughter Noelle all joining in the festivities.” It’s not to early to spike the eggnog, so grab yourself a big glass and dig these upcoming titles: ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #335 BRAND NEW STORY! In “Adventures in Christmas Babysitting,” Archie, Jughead, Betty, and Veronica have taken Jellybean, Leroy, and Souphead to the mall at Christmastime. While Betty and Veronica take Jellybean to shop at a “boring” clothing store, Archie and Jughead volunteer to take the kids to see Santa. But as soon as Souphead and Leroy are out of Betty and Veronica’s view, they unexpectedly dart off! Can Archie and Jughead find the kids and keep them from getting into hijinks? Script: Francis Bonnet Art: Holly G, Glenn Whitmore, Jack Morelli Cover: Francis Bonnet, Jeff Shultz, Rosario “Tito” Peña On Sale Date: 11/16 192-page, full color comic $8.99 U.S. — BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER: CHRISTMAS PARTY #1 Betty & Veronica are inviting you to a festive fun party, and they’re kicking off the celebration with a BRAND NEW story! In “Klosetz 4 Kids,” Eliza Han’s thrown a successful holiday party...

Aug04

DC to Re-Release JEFF SMITH’s Beloved SHAZAM! Miniseries in Hardcover

Posted by Dan Greenfield on Aug 4, 2022

DC to Re-Release JEFF SMITH’s Beloved SHAZAM! Miniseries in Hardcover

The Monster Society of Evil awaits you… Hey, look — there’s another groovy book that’s been added to DC’s new slate of retro(ish) trade collections: Jeff Smith’s 2007 Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil, a wonderfully warm tribute to the original Captain Marvel and his Golden Age adventures. Dig this official description from Penguin Random House, which handles DC’s book distribution: SHAZAM! THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL Young orphan Billy Batson finds himself wielding truly amazing magic powers–just in time to face an invasion of alien and earthly monsters! All he has to do is say the magic word: Shazam! When Billy Batson follows a mysterious stranger onto the subway, he never imagines he’s entering a strange world of powerful wizards, talking tigers, kid eating monsters, political intrigue and mysterious villains. But Billy encounters all that and more when the wizard gives him a magic word that transforms him into the world’s mightiest mortal. Now, he must use his extraordinary new abilities to face an incoming invasion of alien creatures and to stop mad scientist Dr. Sivana and his Monster Society of Evil from taking over the world! Acclaimed and award-winning writer and artist Jeff Smith (Bone) brings his talent for crafting stories with adventure, humor and gorgeous artwork as he reimagines Shazam! for a whole new generation of readers. Collects Shazam!: The Monster Society of Evil #1-4 — A few thoughts: — The 272-page hardcover is due May 2, 2023. It lists for $39.99. — If you’ve never read this, I highly recommend it. It’s wonderfully funny and warm, just the kind of tone you want from a timeless Captain Marvel story. — There’s been speculation that the Shazam! movies are headed toward a Monster Society of Evil storyline. (The new Shazam! Fury of the Gods is due in theaters in December.) If so, it makes sense that DC is making this available again in hardcover, especially since the publisher doesn’t wish to publish the original story from the Golden Age. Then again, it makes sense to re-release it just because it’s Shazam/Captain Marvel and it’s fab. — Standard caveat: This has not been formally solicited – it’s not even on Amazon yet as I write this – so anything can change. Keep coming to 13th Dimension for updates. — MORE — SHAZAM! Dig This INSIDE LOOK at the Rare Spanish...

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