HOT PICKS! On Sale This Week! (4/9/14)

Doop! But that’s not all!

Christy Blanch, Alter Ego Comics, Muncie, Ind.

Shutter #1, Image. I’ve been waiting for this one. They say it’s a modern day Indiana Jones and when I read that I was sold. Plus, Joe Keatinge and Leila Del Duca? We ordered heavy on this one because it’s bound to be a winner! I just can’t wait.

Lumberjanes #1, Boom! Noelle Stevenson. Oh, did you want more? I figured that was enough. So five friends at camp who have to fight off crazy monsters? I’m in. One of our customers alerted us to this series, then Boom! told us about it. And it looks amazing! I’m a big fan of Ms. Stevenson’s web work, so I’m really looking forward to this!

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Daredevil 1.5, Marvel. No, I am not forced to choose Daredevil as my pick. It’s just that I am a huge fan of Mark Waid’s run on Daredevil. It’s just THAT good. And after the end of the #1 last month, I’m hoping that we get some clues as to what is going to happen to Matt and Foggy! And if that wasn’t enough, new stories from Bendis and Kesel! This is going to be a keeper!

This was a tough week! There was also Captain Marvel #2, Iron Fist Living Weapon #1, Nightcrawler #1, Batman Eternal #1, Coffin Hill #7, Flash Gordon #1, Walking Dead #125, and the list goes on and on. What a great time for comics!!

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Aimee LoSecco, JHU Comic Books, Manhattan

Nightcrawler #1, Marvel. Kurt Wagner is back from the dead and loving it!  The whole world is falling down around his ears, but he’s not gonna let that wreck his party.  He’s teaming up with his ol’ pal Wolvy to right some wrongs and kick some ass. Chris Claremont’s at the helm, so get ready for some classic X-Men action!

All-New Doop #1, Marvel. Doop is like the Plastic Man of the Marvel Universe. Sure, he looks goofy, and has this Orko/Gomer thing going for him, but when put to the test, he proves that he’s more powerful than anyone’s given him credit for. Remember when Plastic Man was atomized into millions of microscopic parts saving the JLA, scattered over the ocean floor, and managed to pull himself together? Like that. But with X-Men.

DC Comics Crime Syndicate figures, DC Collectibles. This wave of figures gives us Crime Syndicate powerhouses Ultraman, Power Ring, and Superwoman. Designed by fan fave David Finch, these figures are epic in their bad-assery. It’s a word. Check out the pompadour on Superwoman. Rrrowwrrr!

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Ted Alexander, manager, Midtown Comics’ Downtown location, Manhattan

Batman Eternal #1, DC Comics. A couple months ago, we were treated with a nice look into the middle of the yearlong Batman weekly title. If you weren’t sold on the idea of a weekly Batman title written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV before, that glimpse should have sold you. We got to see Bluebird and also someone that we have been wishing would appear in the New 52 for years. Come by the shop Friday night where Scott and James can scribble on this issue for you. They will be signing at 6 PM at my Downtown location.

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Walking Dead #125, Image Comics. “All Out War” is finally wrapping up and I haven’t seen Rick in this much trouble since it began. Walking Dead has always been a book that keeps you guessing on what is going to happen. This issue isn’t any different because Rick is in a spot that he may not get out of. I always figured that Carl would eventually be the star of this series, but I never know when he will take over. It looks like that could be coming sooner than later…

Liberator trade paperback, Black Mask Comics. Even if you already picked up the four issues of the series written by Matt Miner, you should pick up the collection. In addition to the four-issue series, there are also new stories written and drawn by Tim Seeley, Tess Fowler, Ryan Kelly and a host of others. It will be well worth the price.

Menachem Luchins, owner, Escape Pod Comics, Huntington, L.I. 

Liberator trade paperback, Black Mask. Finally collecting the acclaimed series about a real hero, one who fights to end animal cruelty and experimentation, in one volume. People were disappointed when this trade was delayed, but when they found out that it was so they could add bonus stories from Ales Kot, Alex De Campi, Ed Brisson, Tim Seeley and more, that anger turned to joy. A great mini-series PLUS a load of extras? How can you resist?

Cosplayers, Fantagraphics. Dash Shaw’s latest is a bizarre and twisted tale of teen cosplayers who have too much free time. Shaw is known for his experimental paneling and coloring as well his unique voice both in writing and art but one thing he also always brings to the mix is the sort of humor that makes you laugh and then makes you think. If you’re looking for a one-shot to throw onto your pile this week, this is the one.

Three trade paperback, Image. Ryan Kelly and Kieron Gillen have created the anti-300. Set in Spartan Greece during their decline in power, this carefully researched story tells the tales of the Helots, the Spartan “slave” class that pretty much kept that whole society running. More than just a historically accurate adventure piece, the tale is also a meditation on the unhealthiness of a society geared for and defined by war and conflict. Seriously, a must-read.

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Dimitrios Fragiskatos, manager, Midtown Comics’ Grand Central location, Manhattan

All-New Doop #1, Marvel. What can I say? I love the old X-Statix comics from 2001. (Yes, 13 years ago — let that sink in), and I am a glutton for Doop. This enigmatic blob of randomness has had some weird adventures; he fought Wolverine in World War II, had the Avengers fight over his brain, worked for Apocalypse, became a receptionist at the Jean Grey Academy, etc. I wonder what they will do next. Maybe the next crossover between Marvel and DC should be Shade the Changing Man and Doop.

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Nightcrawler #1, Marvel. Everyone’s second favorite wall-crawler is back, and in the hands of Chris Claremont and Todd Nauck. I know there have been criticisms of Claremont’s recent writing, but frankly, if you look at the man’s body of work as a whole, you’ll agree with me that he is ALWAYS worth giving a shot, on any project he takes.

Tim Finn, Hub Comics, Somerville, Mass.

Lumberjanes #1, Boom! Happy to see talent from Adventure Time and Bravest Warriors move over to creator-owned work. The art looks great on this, and a “team” or group book with all women is welcome, even if the tagline of “five buttkicking, rad teenager girls wailing on monsters and solving a mystery with the
whole world at stake” isn’t new. Boom! is hit or miss, so we’ll see — “Midas Flesh” hasn’t performed well, the covers work against it, whereas the image above says “Pick me up and read me.”

Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #1, Marvel.  Kaare Andrews has a good reputation for design, covers, and interior art.  His writing on “Spider-Man: Reign” was fine, so with the added buzz of a monthly All-New Marvel Now Exclamation Point title, we’re willing to give this more than a chance. If it’s half as good as the previous Fraction/Brubaker/Swierczynski run, we’ll be happy.

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Shutter #1, Image. Writer Joe Keatinge’s star is slowly rising, but he doesn’t yet have any traction at Hub Comics. We didn’t carry his Hulk, and no one noticed. That said, this looks different, and Leila del Duca’s art reminds me of Michael Dialynas’ work on Amala’s Blade, so we’re optimistic about this.

Author: 13th Dimension

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