Scott and Dan pick the comics they’re most looking forward to…
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Dan Greenfield, editor, 13th Dimension
Superman 100 Project, Hero Initiative. The Hero Initiative’s latest publication to benefit comics creators in need stars the Man of Steel — with more than 100 original sketch covers for the most recent Superman #6, by superduperstars like Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Frank Miller, Alan Davis, Dan Jurgens, Frank Quitely and tons more. This is the only printing the book will ever see.
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Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #34, DC. Possibly the best issue of this series was #12, Robin and Supergirl’s date. You’d have thought a Robin and Supergirl pairing would have been a natural back in the day but that issue answers why not — in laugh-out-loud fashion. Here, we get a should-have-happened-long-ago Batgirl/Jimmy Olsen team-up — plus, Krypto… and Ace… and Beppo(!) — in a tribute to Scooby and the gang. (What is it with Mark Waid and monkeys in these one-offs?)
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Green Lantern/Green Arrow: World’s Finest Special #1, DC. With the “World’s Finest” tag on this one, you know this will be filled with references to the classic Denny O’Neil/Neal Adams run. (The solicitation info even mentions “the hard-travelin’ heroes” and there’s that logo (though I woulda preferred the original). Plus, a Flash backup that also appears soaked in the Bronze Age.
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Batman & Robin: Year One #3, DC. All I have to say at this point is that Waid and Samnee’s Dynamic Duo book is living up to my expectations.
Plus, dig this Mike Allred variant with the always-cool Batboat:
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Crisis on Infinite Earths #9 Facsimile Edition. Incredible cover by George Perez. Meanwhile, go check out Fred Van Lente’s COMIC BOOK DEATH MATCH: Secret Wars #12 vs. Crisis on Infinite Earths #12. Click here.
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Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #12, Marvel. So, now I’ve read the series and it is everything everyone said it was, for good and for bad. On the whole, I’m glad we’ve come to the end. Meanwhile, again, go check out Fred Van Lente’s COMIC BOOK DEATH MATCH: Secret Wars #12 vs. Crisis on Infinite Earths #12. Click here.
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Amazing Spider-Man #263 Facsimile Edition. So, now we’re at the finish of the 12-month reprint of the so-called Black Suit Saga. I’d never read these issues and they were quite enjoyable. It was fun to check in on what Peter Parker was up to in the mid-’80s, since my last committed Spidey read ended in the ’70s. Good comics by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz (but that’s no surprise). The 12 issues will be collected in an oversize Gallery Edition in 2025, with all the ads, letters and whatnot.
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Superman: The Definitive History, Insight Editions. Perfect gift for that Superfan in your life (in addition to the Superman 100 Project). A gorgeous slipcase hardcover by Ed Gross and Robert Greenberger.
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Scott Tipton, columnist, 13th Dimension
Alligator Loki Holiday Special #1, Marvel. ’Tis the season for more Alligator Loki.
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Challengers of the Unknown #1, DC. I’ll always give a new Challengers series a try.
Dan adds: DC seems to be ackowledging that the only way today’s fans will buy a Challengers series (this is a 6-issue mini) is by bringing Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman aboard. Hey, whatever it takes.
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New Avengers Modern Era Epic Collection Vol. 2: Civil War, Marvel. The Bendis era of Avengers got off to a very bumpy start with Disassembled, but I have to admit that once he found his groove, it’s a very enjoyable run.
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Superman: Kryptonite — The Deluxe Edition, DC. An often-overlooked gem from two of comics’ much-missed greats — Darwyn Cooke and Tim Sale.
December 16, 2024
That Insight Editions Superman book is gorgeous. I just got mine last week. Beautifully designed and produced. My only issue is that it’s so big and so heavy. I wish publishers would understand the physical realities of having to store these books. Most bookcases aren’t big enough to accommodate a book this big. If it had been kept at the size of an Absolute Edition (for me, the ideal size for an oversized, “IMAX” presentation), nothing would have been lost. But again, beautiful book.