Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 3, 2012

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
AUG120004 PREVIEWS #289 OCT 2012 CUSTOMER ORDER FORM PI
AUG120001 PREVIEWS #289 OCTOBER 2012 $4.50

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
JUN121255 2000 AD #1798 $5.25

JUL121197 2000 AD #1799 $5.25

AUG121191 2048 HC GN VOL 01 STORY OF AMERICAS FUTURE $19.95

JUL120757 ARCHIE #637 [DIG/D+] $2.99

JUL120760 ARCHIE LOVE SHOWDOWN TP $9.99

JUL120762 B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #229 [DIG/D+] $3.99

MAY121063 BIONIC WOMAN #5 $3.99

AUG120999 BOYS #71 (MR) $3.99

MAY120882 BROKEN PIECES #4 $3.50

AUG121135 BROXO GN $16.99

JUL120698 CARTER FAMILY DONT FORGET THIS SONG HC $24.95

MAY121397 CHARMED #24 (MR) $3.50

MAY128139 COMP FLASH GORDON LIBRARY HC VOL 01 ON PLANET MONGO $39.95

JUN121176 CRUSADES HC (MR) $34.95

JUL121211 DANCE IN THE VAMPIRE BUND GN VOL 13 (MR) $11.99

JUL121212 DRACULA EVERLASTING GN VOL 02 $11.99

JUN121294 EVERYBODY LOVES TANK GIRL #3 (MR) $3.99

JUL121171 EVERYTHING TOGETHER GN (MR) $19.95

AUG120841 FASHION BEAST #2 (MR) $3.99

AUG120842 FASHION BEAST #2 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

AUG120862 FERALS #9 (MR) $3.99

AUG120864 FERALS #9 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

AUG120863 FERALS #9 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

JUL120855 FUTURAMA COMICS #63 $2.99

AUG121158 GALAXY MAN #3 $3.99

AUG120949 GARFIELD #6 [DIG] $3.99

JUL121159 GERONIMO STILTON HC BOX SET VOL 7-9 $29.99

JUL121320 GFT BAD GIRLS #3 A CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99

JUL121321 GFT BAD GIRLS #3 B CVR CAFARO (MR) $2.99

JUN121379 GFT PRESENTS JUNGLE BOOK TP (MR) $15.99

JUL121213 GIRL FRIENDS COMPLETE COLL TP VOL 01 (MR) $17.99

JUL120720 HEREVILLE HOW MIRKA GOT HER SWORD GN $9.95

JUL120792 HOMECOMING #2 CVR A LASIO $3.99

JUL120793 HOMECOMING #2 CVR B RYAN $3.99

AUG120922 HYPERNATURALS #4 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

JUL121203 JUDGE DREDD CRY O/T WEREWOLF GN (MR) $17.99

JUN121257 JUDGE DREDD RESTRICTED FILES TP VOL 04 $31.99

JUL120768 LIFE WITH ARCHIE #23 FRANCAVILLA CVR $3.99

JUL120767 LIFE WITH ARCHIE #23 RUIZ CVR [DIG/D+] $3.99

JUN121284 LITTLE DEATH GN (MR) $14.99

AUG121408 MAXIMUM RIDE TP VOL 01 NEW PTG $12.99

AUG121409 MAXIMUM RIDE TP VOL 02 NEW PTG $12.99

AUG121410 MAXIMUM RIDE TP VOL 03 $12.99

AUG121411 MAXIMUM RIDE TP VOL 04 $12.99

AUG121412 MAXIMUM RIDE TP VOL 05 $12.99

JUN121268 NAO OF BROWN GN $24.95

AUG121227 NOBROW TP VOL 07 BRAVE NEW WORLD (MR) $24.00

JUL120943 PATHFINDER #2 $3.99

MAY121268 PHAZER #4 $3.99

AUG120914 PLANET O/T APES CATACLYSM #2 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

JUL121292 POKEMON BLACK & WHITE BOX SET $34.99

JUN121023 QUEEN SONJA TP VOL 04 SON OF SET $19.99

FEB120982 RED SONJA #69 $3.99

JUL121310 ROBYN HOOD #1 A CVR BASALDUA (MR) $2.99

JUL121311 ROBYN HOOD #1 B CVR HORN (MR) $2.99

JUL121312 ROBYN HOOD #1 C CVR SEJIC (MR) $2.99

AUG121136 SAILOR TWAIN GN $24.99

JUN121258 SHAKARA THE DESTROYER TP $23.99

JUL121162 SMURFS GN BOX SET VOL 7-9 $17.99

JUL121433 STAR WARS ART ILLUSTRATION HC $40.00

AUG121052 THE LONE RANGER #10 $3.99

JUL121216 VENUS VERSUS VIRUS OMNIBUS ED GN VOL 03 $15.99

MAY121087 VOLTRON #8 $3.99

JUN121073 VOLTRON TP VOL 01 SIXTH PILOT $19.99

JUL120916 WAR GODDESS #10 (MR) $3.99

JUL120917 WAR GODDESS #10 SULTRY CVR (MR) $3.99

JUL120918 WAR GODDESS #10 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

APR121035 WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH THORIS #16 (MR) $3.99

AUG120752 WHITE CLAY ONE SHOT $4.95

JUL121217 WITCH HUNTER COLL TP VOL 02 BOOK 3-4 (MR) $16.99

JUL121085 WRINKLE IN TIME GN $19.99

MAGAZINES
JUL121417 CINEFEX #131 $12.50
JUL121418 CINEMA RETRO #24 $11.99
JUN121399 CLASSIC MARVEL FIG COLL MAG #183 OWL $14.00
JUN121407 COMIC HEROES MAGAZINE #14 $17.99
AUG121469 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1320 PI
JUN121404 DC SUPERHERO FIG COLL MAG #117 WONDER GIRL $14.00
JUN121420 DR WHO MAGAZINE #451 $8.99
AUG120653 FAIRIES MAGAZINE #9 $4.99
MAY121461 FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #253 WALKING DEAD COLOR CVR $9.99
MAY121471 MEGAMI AUG 2012 $16.60

BOOKS
MAY121403 EXPOSE SC VOL 10 $69.00
JUL121339 HELLO KITTY HELLO ART HC $35.00
JUN121458 LIFE 50 YEARS OF JAMES BOND ON THE RUN WITH 007 HC $27.95
JUL121172 NEGRON SC (MR) $19.95
AUG121535 SEX PRESS SEXUAL REVOLUTION IN UNDERGROUND PRESS 1963-79 SC $40.00
JUN121478 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT PORTFOLIO HC I EXPLORERS ED (MR) $29.95
JUN121479 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT PORTFOLIO HC II FANTASY ISLANDS $34.95
JUL121431 STAR TREK NEXT GENERATION 365 HC $29.95
AUG121494 STEAMPUNK GAZETTE HC $24.99
JUL120956 TOLKIEN YEARS O/T BROTHERS HILDEBRANDT TP $29.99
JUL121400 TOO MUCH HORROR BUSINESS HC $29.95
AUG121496 WIZARD OF OZ POP UP BOOK $22.99
JUN121451 ZOMBIE CAT TALE OF DECOMPOSING KITTY $12.95
AUG121506 ZOMBIE MOVIES ULT GUIDE SC 2ND ED $24.95

Albert Avilla Reviews: Batman #0

Batman #0
“Bright New Yesterday”

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Scott Snyder
Pencils: Greg Capullo
Inks: Jonathan Glapion

Let's talk about the first story. Another Batman story before he was Batman story. Hasn't this been done before? Oh, yeah… it's the new 52; we are going to get a new spin on the story. The story is interesting, but it does leave you hanging until 2013; I hope they don't forget to finish this story. The Red Hood character seems to be interesting and he has a gang, too. He's ruthless, sinister, and maniacal. Wait. He reminds me of; no, it's not that obvious. Is it?

We get to see a fumbling, bumbling Bruce almost get himself killed. That was way original. I'm surprised he ever lived long enough to capture a criminal. The Bat-hideout was cool with all the work-in-progress stuff lying around; makes you think that Bruce has time to create all the devices he uses. Does Bruce have to be hit in the head with a brick before he'll understand that he needs to get out of the hood? The authorities are always investigating things in the hood; go back to your nice mansion that sits on a huge cave. How are you going to hide an industrial complex in the projects? With all that said the story perked my interest enough to have me eagerly awaiting the end. Especially if my sixth sense is right about where the story is heading.

“Tomorrow” (back-up feature)

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Andy Clarke

Now we get to the backup story, an eight page classic. Sometimes being concise is effective. This is a Robin before they were Robin story and Batgirl, too. We get an intimate look into the character of each Robin: Tim, Jason, and Dick. Tim the self confident genius, Jason the kid who is willing to do what he has to, and Dick the swashbuckling acrobat with that swagger could not be better developed in a twelve issue maxi series. All inspired by the Batman.

The art in the first story was clean and crisp, not the dark gloomy style that most Bat- artists favor. The industrial high-tech look of the Bat-hideout gave the feel of modernized warfare. The art in the second story was more about character. It did a good job of using facial expressions and body language to project personalities.

"Tomorrow" was worth the $3.99. I rate Batman #0 Buy Your Own Copy.

The (Kinda) New I Reads You

Welcome to I Reads You, a blog about comic books, comics, and related books (mostly). Sometimes, there are posts about or links to other topics: typically books, politics, and entertainment.

October 2012 sees two changes.  The first is the big one and that is that I Reads You is now a ComicBookBin group blog.  The second is that there is a new reviewer, Albert Avilla.  You can follow Al's reviews on this page: http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/p/albert-avilla-reviews_9725.html


There will be more changes and announcements later, and we'll keep you updated.

All images and text appearing on this blog are copyright © and/or trademark their respective owners.

I Reads You Review: ROCKETEER ADVENTURES VOL. 2 #4

ROCKETEER ADVENTURES VOL. 2 #4
IDW PUBLISHING

WRITERS: Louise Simonson, David Mandel, John Byrne
ARTISTS: Walter Simonson, J Bone, John Byrne
INKS: Bob Wiacek, J Bone, John Byrne
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire, J Bone
LETTERS: John Workman, Shawn Lee, Neil Uyetake
PIN-UP: J.K. Snyder, III
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
COVERS: Darwyn Cooke (A, RI), Dave Stevens (B)
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

Here, we are – the final issue of Rocketeer Adventures Vol. 2.

The Rocketeer is a comic book character created by the late artist and illustrator, Dave Stevens. The Rocketeer is Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot who discovers a mysterious jet pack that allows him to fly. Secord dons a funky helmet, straps on the jet pack, and becomes The Rocketeer, beginning his adventures in 1938, in and around Los Angeles.

The Rocketeer returned to comic books in 2011 in Rocketeer Adventures. Edited by Scott Dunbier and published by IDW Publishing, this four-issue, anthology comic book was a tribute to Stevens and featured Rocketeer short stories (about 8 pages in length) from some of the premiere creators in American comic books. The tributes continue in Rocketeer Adventures Vol. 2.

Rocketeer Adventures Vol. 2 #4 opens with “War Hero,” written by Louise Simonson and penciled by her husband, Walter Simonson. The story finds Cliff Secord fuming about being declared unfit for combat in World War II. Now, he is reduced to playing The Rocketeer in war bond drive theatre, but when the Nazi’s show up, Secord gets his chance to show that he is fit for combat.

In “Cliff Secord, Warlord of Blargon,” written by David Mandel and drawn by J Bone, The Rocketeer travels to another planet and completely misunderstands the rules and regulations. “Fair Game,” written and drawn by John Byrne, takes The Rocketeer to the 1939 World’s Fair (The 1939-40 New York World’s Fair, a favorite setting of Byrne’s). Cliff Secord is unhappy with his traveling accommodations, while his girl, Betty, is on the trail of a possible conspiracy. With royalty visiting the expo, the game’s afoot.

Although I’ve had my reservations about Rocketeer Adventures in its entirety, I am a bit sad about the end of Vol. 2. Some of the entries in these two miniseries have not been special or even amounted to much as stories, but they were fitting tributes to Dave Stevens. If there is ever a short list for most beautiful artwork ever produced for American comics, Stevens’ art has to be on that list or that list won’t be worth shit.

This fourth issue of Rocketeer Adventures Vol. 2 features contributions from two comic book legends, John Byrne and Walter Simonson. The Rocketeer first appeared in early 1982 (at least by the cover date) when Byrne was hitting his stride as a writer/artist, especially on Marvel Comics’ Fantastic Four. Simonson would shortly shake the industry with his revamp of Marvel’s The Mighty Thor. David Mandel and J Bone’s contribution here, (“Cliff Secord, Warlord of Blargon”) is cute, but the attractions here are Byrne and Simonson.

“War Hero” offers more than just seeing Simonson art. The story is written by Louise Simonson, once a prolific comic book scribe, and letterer is produced by John Workman, whose collaborations with Walter make great comics. Simonson, with inker Bob Wiacek, also create some spectacular pages of aerial action.

Byrne’s “Fair Game” is spry and fun, and looks like some kind of adventure, espionage, newspaper movie from the 1940s. The fifth page offers some excellent panel design, and Byrne packs more action in pages 6 and 7 than most comic book creators can get in six or seven pages. It’s also nice that Byrne still uses thought balloons, which have largely become passé, most likely because Alan Moore did not use them in Watchmen. And, of course, you know that all comic books must follow the holy writ that is Watchmen.

If editor Scott Dunbier can recruit more veteran creators who worked and thrived in the 1970s and 80s, then, I hope we have more Rocketeer Adventures.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Book Review: Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots

METAL GEAR SOLID: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS
VIZ MEDIA/Haikasoru - @VIZMedia; @haikasoru

AUTHOR: Project Itoh
TRANSLATION: Nathan Collins
COVER: Yoji Shinkawa with Kam Li (designer)
ISBN: 978-1-4215-4001-6; paperback, Rated “T” for “Teen”
364pp, B&W, $15.99 U.S., $18.99 CAN, £9.99 UK

Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots is a novel tie-in to the 2004 Playstation 3 video game, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Guns of the Patriots is an entry in the stealth video games series, Metal Gear, which was created by Hideo Kojima and developed and published by Konami. The novel is written by Project Itoh, which was the penname of the late Japanese science fiction author, Satoshi Ito (Genocidal Organ).

Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots is the latest episode in the bullet-ridden adventures of Solid Snake, the legendary infiltrator and saboteur. A crack soldier, Solid Snake (or simply, “Snake”) is part of a worldwide nanotechnology network known as the Sons of the Patriots (SOP). The SOP system is a network that controls soldiers via the nanomachines inside their bodies. Time is running out for Snake because he is a clone, and he will soon succumb to the FOXDIE virus (which is programmed to selectively kill specific people). Before he dies, however, Snake will end up spreading the disease to nearly everyone he encounters, in essence becoming a walking biological weapon.

Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots is set in a time when the world economy relies on continuous war. This war is fought by private military corporations (PMCs), which outnumber government military forces. PMC soldiers are equipped with nanomachines that enhance their abilities on the battlefield, and are thus controlled by the SOP system. Snake’s enemy, Liquid Ocelot (or simply “Liquid”), is preparing to hijack the SOP network, and whoever controls SOP controls the world. With the help of Dr. Hal “Otacon” Emmerich (who is also this story’s narrator) and a host of old friends and “frenemies,” Snakes races around the world from jungle to desert and from the frozen tundra to the ocean to stop Liquid.

Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots is a light novel, a style of Japanese novel apparently aimed at middle school and high school students, but Guns of the Patriots will interest older readers. This video game tie-in is military science fiction and alternate history fiction. At least as far as I can remember, it’s the best military science fiction combination alternate history book that I’ve read to date. I certainly enjoyed it more than my first military/alternate history sci-fi experience, S.M. Stirling’s perplexing Marching Through Georgia.

Rather than offering some mere action novel, author Project Itoh presents a blend of character drama and political commentary. The author even explains why the idea of equality is actually the cause of war, death, and destruction. Don’t get me wrong: there are some good action set pieces here, and Nathan Collins’ translation deftly captures Itoh’s multiple flavors of battle action. However, Itoh’s novel is a critical look at war, from the perspectives of global economics, international politics, history, technology, culture, and society. This is all played out as character drama with a group of characters in the present and with another group of characters that only exist in the back story or in the novel’s past (many of them dead) whose actions are of perpetual consequence.

When I asked my VIZ Media representative for a copy of this book for review, I did so because something told me that it would be an interesting read. Maybe, it was just a lucky guess, but I was right. Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots is solid, indeed.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Albert Avilla Reviews: World’s Finest # 0

World’s Finest # 0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Paul Levitz
Artists: Kevin Maguire, Wes Craig
Cover: Kevin Maguire and Rosemary Cheetham

I feel that an opportunity was lost. There is a good story somewhere in here. This falls short of what I expect out of my Bat-stories. Batman against putting someone in the line of fire… really? Really? I was expecting more of the dark side in this story or should I say the Cat side? Batman should have had this girl ready for action in every way possible; we are talking about Mr. Be-Prepared-for-anything. Huntress gets introduced to crime fighting by beating up two common street thugs. Crank up the danger, a band of ninjas or meta-powered foe; make us think the girl was risking her life. This Huntress didn’t have that gangsta about her that I’m used to seeing. No mean streak. She has a computer in her wrist band, but she's not equipped with a gas mask. I thought that was standard equipment in the utility belt.

I'm all about the old school Power Girl: so let's not even go there. She will be missed, men. This was the biggest wuss of a Batman to ever be printed. His wife is murdered and his daughter is rushing into danger, and he calls Superman for help. The Batman that I know would have dragged his broken body into the facility and did his own ass-kicking. I’m starting to nit pick now.

Two other things I did not like for aesthetic reasons only are Huntress’s ponytail and that ghastly Bat suit. Bruce should ask for his money back. Huntress’ costume had zero sex appeal. Now that I think about it, Dick Grayson's Robin costume was sexier than this most major fail in character design since the New Mutants’ Cannonball with the goggles.

The story ended with "looks like you had an awful day" and "We're going to be friends forever." Come on. Not “‘expletive’ they killed your Mom.” “I got your back. Let’s hunt these ‘expletives’ down.” Even more words that would make a rapper blush, and “let’s waste these ‘even more filthy words’.” I’m just saying end the story with some fire; not with two kick-ass heroines looking like my six-year-old daughter after her puppy died from a hit run by the cops. I read this story in about ten minutes with it leaving no lasting impression on me. Thanks for small favors.

The art was adequate, but no amount of artistic ability could have saved this book. The Superman scenes were great, but the orange hue of the rest of the pages turned me off.

I rate World's Finest #0 – Don't Waste Your Time and Cash.

Albert Avilla Reviews: Green Lantern Corps #0

Green Lantern Corps #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Peter Tomasi
Pencils: Fernando Pasarin
Inks: Scott Hanna and Marc Deering
Cover: Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna with Gabe Eltaeb

The origin of the bad-ass Lantern is here. The story jumps off into hard core action from the get go. Blood splattering, decapitated heads, and Lanterns with their backs to the wall; we get all of this in the first four panels. Guy, the last Lantern standing, gets a beat down from the alien. Xar.

We get to the origin part of the story. Guy is an ex-cop blamed for deaths that he is not responsible for, living in the shadow of his brother the favored son. Guy is despised by his super-cop father for not living up to the family legacy. He saves his brother’s life with Daddy’s cane and a motorcycle. He gets the ring and cleans up the street in one night. Back to Xar where Guy is getting crushed: Guy mans up and blasts the crap out of Xar.

This is a ret-con of a character that I can agree with for many reasons. Guy is a more well-rounded character; not a meat-head jock who just wants to smash through everything. Being a Green Lantern is a tough, thankless job; it takes a person who is committed to the greater good. They are away from their friends and family for long periods of time. It’s hard on relationships. They don’t do it for riches; I never see them getting a check cut to them. It’s a warrior’s life, and Guy is revealed as a true warrior.

The ring didn’t make Guy a hero; the ring is a hero’s weapon. Guy has strong ties with his family, and he is fiercely protective of them, which explains why he is protective of his sector. Guy’s competitive nature originates from a lifetime of competing with his brother for his father’s approval; this now extends to Hal. Guy’s irritating personality comes from a father who didn’t teach him the social graces. This origin gives Guy more depth as a character; readers can relate to him as a hero with flaws. Guy has evolved from a flat character to a multilayered dynamic personality.

The art was cool. The fight sequences were great; you got the feeling that Guy was risking it all to win. There was a feeling of movement in the art. The crowd scene was engrossing; each person was an individual who is the center of his or her own life, not just extras. The skies over Oa were luminescent. I like bright colors in my comics. The art pops.

I rate this issue Buy Your Own Copy.