Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 4, 2015

MARVEL COMICS

JAN150761     ALL NEW HAWKEYE #1     $3.99
JAN150802     ANGELA ASGARDS ASSASSIN #4     $3.99
JAN150815     AVENGERS #42 TRO     $3.99
DEC140957     AVENGERS TP VOL 05 ADAPT OR DIE     $19.99
JAN150818     AVENGERS WORLD #18 TRO     $3.99
DEC140980     DEATH OF WOLVERINE TP WEAPON X PROGRAM     $19.99
DEC140815     GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #1     $3.99
DEC140975     HAWKEYE VS DEADPOOL TP     $16.99
JAN150845     HULK #12     $3.99
JAN150844     IRON FIST LIVING WEAPON #10     $3.99
JAN150837     MARVELS ANT-MAN PRELUDE #2     $2.99
DEC140951     MARVELS AVENGERS TP AGE OF ULTRON PRELUDE     $16.99
JAN150856     MIRACLEMAN #16 (MR)     $5.99
APR140749     MMW CAPTAIN AMERICA HC VOL 01 NEW PTG     $49.99
APR140750     MMW DAREDEVIL HC VOL 01 NEW PTG     $49.99
JAN150835     OPERATION SIN #3     $3.99
JAN150727     PRINCESS LEIA #1     $3.99
JAN150861     RETURN OF LIVING DEADPOOL #2     $3.99
JAN150798     ROCKET RACCOON #9     $3.99
JAN150787     SPIDER-WOMAN #5     $3.99
DEC140982     SUPER VILLAINS UNITE TP COMPLETE SUPER VILLAIN TEAM UP     $34.99
JAN150866     WOLVERINES #9     $3.99
JAN150876     X-MEN #25     $3.99

I Reads You Review: STAR WARS #1

STAR WARS (2015) #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

["Star Wars Central" review page is here.]

STORY: Jason Aaron
ART: John Cassaday
COLORS: Laura Martin
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: John Cassaday with Laura Martin
VARIANT COVERS: Bob McLeod; Simone Bianchi, Mark Brooks, J. Scott Campbell with Nei Ruffino; Pascal Campion; John Tyler Christopher; Alan Davis, Dale Keown; Sara Pichelli; Humberto Ramos; Alex Ross; Skottie Young
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (March 2015)

Rated T

Book 1: Skywalker Strikes

In 1977, Marvel Comics published a comic book adaptation of the movie, Star Wars, over the course of six issues.  Because of the sales success of that adaptation, Marvel continued publishing this comic book, also entitled Star Wars, assigning a number of writers and artists to fashion new adventures featuring the cast of the Oscar-winning Star Wars, which broke box office records.

During its run of 107 issues and 3 annuals, Star Wars the comic book series also adapted the 1980 film, The Empire Strikes Back (over the course of six issues).  The series created new stories to continue the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, Chewbacca,  C-3PO, R2-D2, Darth Vader, and new characters like Lando Calrissian and Boba Fett.  A comic book adaptation of Return of the Jedi was published in a separate four-issue miniseries.  Marvel also published two other Star Wars comic books, a fourteen-issue series, Ewoks, and an eight-issue series, Droids.  In 1986, Marvel stopped producing new Star Wars comic books.

From 1991 to 2014, Dark Horse Comics held the license to publish Star Wars comic books.  During that time, Dark Horse published hundreds of individual Star Wars comic books, paperbacks, and hardcover collections.  The Walt Disney Company bought Marvel Entertainment, LLC in 2009 and Lucasfilm Limited, LLC in 2012 (the home of Star Wars, of course), making Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm corporate siblings.  Because of that, Marvel Comics was slated to once again be the publisher of Star Wars comic books.

To begin this new era of Star Wars comic books, Marvel recently launched a new comic book entitled Star Wars.  This title returns to the period immediately following the events depicted in the original Star Wars film (also known as Episode IV – A New Hope).  That means new adventures featuring the classic versions of Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca,  C-3PO, R2-D2, and Darth Vader.

Marvel's Star Wars #1 opens shortly after Luke Skywalker destroyed the evil Galactic Empire's most feared and greatest weapon, the Death Star.  Now, the Rebel Alliance wishes to press the advantage they gained over Imperial Forces and are launching a daring offensive in a bid to defeat the Empire once and for all.

Now, Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2 have secretly infiltrated the Corellian Industrial Cluster.  Han is pretending to be the official emissary of Jabba the Hutt, whose organization will provide the raw material that the Empire needs for its weapons factory.  Our favorite rebels are about to discover that another negotiator is also on his way, and he is someone familiar to them.

What can I say?  I love Star Wars.  I have only read a small portion of the books and comic books produced in what is called the “Star Wars Expanded Universe.”  I have occasionally bought toys, clothing, and other merchandising.  Still, I love Star Wars.  I have seen all the films (including the Star Wars: The Clone Wars film) in whole or in part so many times that only God knows the number.  I did not watch much of the old “Droids” and “Ewoks” Saturday morning cartoon series, but I have seen most of the recent animated series, like “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels.”

Yes, I love Star Wars.  Marvel's new Star Wars #1 does feel like it is connected to the original Star Wars film, at least to me.  Writer Jason Aaron is spot-on with the dialogue.  Han's dialogue recalls Harrison Ford of the original trilogy.  There are moments in this first issue when artist John Cassaday draws the characters as if he had gone back in time and was the official portrait artist on the set of Star Wars in 1976 when George Lucas began shooting the first film.  So what can I say?  Of course, I like this.  Of course, I love Marvel Comics' new Star Wars #1.

[At the beginning of 2013, Dark Horse Comics launched a comic book entitled Star Wars.  It also took us (as a press release said) “back to those heady, adventure-filled days following the destruction of the Death Star—when the Empire ruled, the Rebels were on the run, and the galaxy was a dangerous place where anything might happen!”  Dark Horse's Star Wars was a character-driven, science fiction adventure serial, and, to be fair, it was quite good.]

A

[This comic book includes previews of the following comic books:  Star Wars: Darth Vader by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larocca and Star Wars: Princess Leia by Mark Waid and Terry Dodson.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 19, 2014

DC COMICS

JUL140235     AQUAMAN HC VOL 05 SEA OF STORMS (N52)     $24.99
AUG140327     AQUAMAN TP VOL 04 DEATH OF A KING (N52)     $16.99
SEP140336     ASTRO CITY #17     $3.99
SEP140289     BATMAN 66 MEETS GREEN HORNET #6     $2.99
SEP140290     BATMAN 66 THE LOST EPISODE #1     $9.99
SEP140251     BATMAN AND ROBIN #36 (ROBIN RISES)     $2.99
JUL140239     BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS HC VOL 05 GOTHTOPIA (N52)     $24.99
AUG140329     BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS TP VOL 04 THE WRATH (N52)     $17.99
SEP140245     BATMAN ETERNAL #33     $2.99
SEP140239     BATMAN SUPERMAN #16     $3.99
SEP140242     BATMAN SUPERMAN #16 COMBO PACK     $4.99
SEP140271     BATWOMAN #36     $2.99
JUL140271     DUST COVERS THE COLLECTED SANDMAN COVERS HC NEW ED (MR)     $49.99
SEP140205     EARTH 2 WORLDS END #7     $2.99
SEP140340     FABLES #146 (MR)     $2.99
AUG140364     FAIREST IN ALL THE LAND TP (MR)     $14.99
SEP148167     GOTHAM ACADEMY #1 2ND PTG     $2.99
SEP148168     GRAYSON #1 3RD PTG     $2.99
SEP140278     GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #36 (GODHEAD)     $2.99
SEP140268     HARLEY QUINN #12     $2.99
SEP140298     INFINITE CRISIS FIGHT FOR THE MULTIVERSE #5     $3.99
SEP140297     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR THREE #4     $2.99
SEP140185     JUSTICE LEAGUE #36     $3.99
SEP140188     JUSTICE LEAGUE #36 COMBO PACK     $4.99
SEP140180     MULTIVERSITY PAX AMERICANA #1     $4.99
SEP140219     NEW 52 FUTURES END #29 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
SEP140272     RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #36     $2.99
SEP140299     SENSATION COMICS FEATURING WONDER WOMAN #4     $3.99
SEP140236     SUPERGIRL #36     $2.99
SEP140233     SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #13     $3.99
SEP140235     SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #13 COMBO PACK     $4.99
SEP140222     TEEN TITANS #4     $2.99
JUL140249     TEEN TITANS A CELEBRATION OF 50 YEARS HC     $39.99
JUL140221     TEEN TITANS EARTH ONE HC VOL 01     $22.99
SEP140224     TRINITY OF SIN #2     $2.99
AUG140344     VAMPIRE DIARIES TP     $24.99
SEP140173     WONDER WOMAN #36     $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

JUN140313     BATMAN ANIMATED NBA BATMAN AF     $24.95
APR140327     BATMAN LIL GOTHAM HARLEY QUINN MINI ACTION FIGURE     $12.95
APR140325     BATMAN LIL GOTHAM ROBIN MINI ACTION FIGURE     $12.95
MAY140419     DC COMICS GOTHAM CITY GARAGE CATWOMAN STATUE     $349.95

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 9 2013

MARVEL COMICS

AUG130857 ASTONISHING X-MEN #68 $3.99
AUG130768 AVENGERS AI #4 $2.99
AUG130774 AVENGERS ARENA #16 $2.99
JUL130721 AVENGERS TP KREE SKRULL WAR ALL NEW ED $24.99
AUG130814 CAPTAIN AMERICA #12 $3.99
AUG130903 CAPTAIN AMERICA LIVING LEGEND BY GRANOV POSTER $8.99
AUG130906 CATACLYSM BY CLASSIFIED POSTER $8.99
JUL130719 DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER TP MAN IN BLACK $19.99
AUG130847 DEADPOOL #18 $2.99
AUG130832 DEXTER #4 $3.99
AUG130760 FEARLESS DEFENDERS #10 INF $3.99
AUG130735 INFINITY #4 $3.99
JUL130716 IRON MAN TP ARMORED VENGEANCE $14.99
AUG130905 MARVEL NOW WHAT BY YOUNG POSTER $8.99
AUG130733 MARVEL UNIVERSE HULK AGENTS OF SMASH #1 $2.99
AUG130904 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN BY CAMUNCOLI POSTER $8.99
JUL130602 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN TEAM UP #4 INF $3.99
JUL130704 THANOS RISING TP $17.99
AUG130822 THOR GOD OF THUNDER #14 $3.99
JUL130708 THOR GOD OF THUNDER PREM HC VOL 02 GODBOMB $24.99
AUG130782 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #32 $3.99
AUG130852 UNCANNY X-FORCE #12 $3.99
AUG130855 WOLVERINE #10 $3.99
AUG130839 X-MEN #6 $3.99
JUL130722 X-MEN STORM BY WARREN ELLIS AND TERRY DODSON TP $19.99

I Reads You Review: SUMMER OF SPIDER-MAN SAMPLER #1

SUMMER OF SPIDER-MAN SAMPLER #1
MARVEL COMICS

WRITERS: Dan Slott, Brian Michael Bendis, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Jeph Loeb
ART: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Sara Pichelli, Terry Dodson, Simone Bianchi
ADDITIONAL ART: Rachel Dodson, Simone Peruzzi
28pp, Color, Free

Of course you know that Sony Pictures/Columbia Pictures is just a little more than a week away (as of this writing) from releasing their latest Spider-Man movie, The Amazing Spider-Man, in movie theatres across the globe. As it did around the release of the earlier Spider-Man movies, Marvel Comics is also releasing multiple Spider-Man comic books and book collections.

Enter the Summer of Spider-Man Sampler #1. This is a free comic book that is available at comic book shops. It offers 5-page samples from upcoming Spider-Man comic books. We get five pages of The Amazing Spider-Man #688 (by Dan Slott and Giuseppe Camuncoli), in which Spider-Man takes on The Lizard (also the villain in the upcoming movie).

There are five pages from Spider-Men #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli. This is the five-issue miniseries that unites Peter Parker-Spider-Man with Ultimate Spider-Man-Miles Morales. The sample ends before Miles’ appearance in the story, but the first issue is already available at comic book shops.

Marvel’s recently launched Spider-Man team-up book makes an appearance with pages from Avenging Spider-Man #9 (by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Terry Dodson). Captain Marvel makes her debut in her new costume, which is a redesign of the one worn by Marvelman, the British comic book superhero whose rights Marvel acquired recently.

Summer of Spider-Man Sampler #1 is also a flip book. Turn to the back cover and flip this comic book, and you have a five-page preview of Wolverine #310 from writer Jeph Loeb and artist Simone Bianchi. This is the beginning of a new story arc that sees the return of Sabertooth, although the stars of the sample are Wolverine and Cloak (of Cloak and Dagger). I am not a fan of Loeb’s, but I have to admit that this is my favorite sample.

If the point of Summer of Spider-Man Sampler #1 is to whet comic book reading appetites, then, it is successful. I am hankering to purchase Wolverine #310 and Spider-Men #1. The Summer of Spider-Man Sampler #1 free. If you can still find it, get it if you don’t already have it.

A-