Scott and Dan pick the comics they’re most looking forward to…
—
Dan Greenfield, editor, 13th Dimension
Young Romance #125 Facsimile Edition, DC. I don’t know how, but this one escaped my notice until now. It wasn’t in DC’s initial solicitations (I don’t believe) and has flown under the radar since. Here’s the back story: Young Romance, created in 1947 by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby (of course), is widely considered to be the first romance comic. The first 124 issues were published by Prize Comics, with the title purchased by DC in 1963, along with Young Love. So, in other words, this is the first DC issue of the first romance series. Cool — but even cooler is that it features work by John Romita, Jay Scott Pike, Mike Sekowsky, Bernard Sachs, Gaspar Saladino and Ira Schnapp. A fabulous gift for Valentine’s Day.
—
Marvel February 1964 Omnibus, Marvel. The latest in Marvel’s series of omnibi that collect all the comics published in a specific month, timed to a particular landmark. This one celebrates February 1964’s Daredevil #1. (You can read much more about that here.) Also included are such issues as The Amazing Spider-Man #12 (featuring Doc Ock), Fantastic Four #26 (with the Avengers and the Hulk), Journey Into Mystery #103 (first Enchantress and first Executioner) and much more.
—
The Batman and Scooby-Doo Mysteries #2, DC. Batman, Solomon Grundy and those meddling kids. Plus, yes, a real-estate developer!
—
The Question Omnibus by Dennis O’Neil and Denys Cowan Vol. 1, DC. Includes the rest of the classic ’80s series, plus a whole bunch of other stories. Top-level comics.
—
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Master Edition Vol. 1, Marvel. Collecting the ’90s version of the series.
—
Alter Ego #186, Jack Kirby Collector #89, RetroFan #31, TwoMorrows. Big week for our pals at TwoMorrows. I’m especially looking forward to the feature on Time After Time in RF #31. Great movie that I need to see again.
—
Scott Tipton, contributor-at-large, 13th Dimension
DC’s How to Lose a Guy Gardner in 10 Days #1, DC. I have no idea what this is all about, but it sure looks fun.
Dan adds: I don’t know why Amanda Conner hasn’t done much DC work lately. But I’m glad she’s back, at least for this groovy cover. Ish features a bunch of superhero romance stories by various creators, including a Nightwing/Batgirl date. Fun.
—
Fire & Ice Welcome to Smallville #6, DC. Is that L-Ron? Sold.
—
Captain America Epic Collection: Twilight’s Last Gleaming. Marvel. The final collection of Mark Gruenwald’s epic, decade-long Captain America run. As much as I love Da Gru’s work on Cap, I always thought these final issues suffered from an overly dark and depressing feel and an overly ’90s art style.
