Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 13 2013

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC128352 BLACK BEETLE #1 NO WAY OUT (2ND PTG) $3.99

NOV120067 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL TP VOL 26 BLIZZARD (MR) $19.99

NOV120049 BTVS SEASON 8 LIBRARY HC VOL 04 $29.99

JAN130083 BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #19 NOTO CVR $2.99

JAN130100 BUDDY COPS ONE SHOT $2.99

NOV120032 CHRONICLES OF CONAN TP VOL 23 WELL OF SOULS $18.99

NOV120058 CRIME DOES NOT PAY ARCHIVES HC VOL 04 $49.99

OCT120065 DOMO QEE SERIES 5 PI

DEC120098 EMILY & THE STRANGERS #2 MAIN CVR $3.99

DEC120057 GHOST #4 $2.99

DEC120061 RIPD CITY O/T DAMNED #4 $3.50

JAN130096 SLEDGEHAMMER 44 #1 $3.50

JAN130113 STAR WARS #3 $2.99

NOV120013 STAR WARS CLONE WARS TP DEFENDERS LOST TEMPLE $7.99

NOV120065 TOKYO BABYLON GN VOL 01 $19.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 13 2013

IMAGE COMICS

JAN130575 CHANGE #4 (MR) [DIG] $3.50

JAN130491 CHEW OMNIVORE ED HC VOL 03 (MR) $34.99

NOV120555 DARKNESS #111 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

JAN130582 END TIMES OF BRAM & BEN #3 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

JAN130592 HOAX HUNTERS #8 [DIG] $2.99

NOV120566 MANHATTAN PROJECTS #10 [DIG] $3.50

NOV120568 MIND THE GAP #8 CVR A ESQUEJO [DIG] $2.99

NOV120569 MIND THE GAP #8 CVR B OBACK $2.99

JAN138083 NOWHERE MEN #2 3RD PTG $2.99

DEC120579 NOWHERE MEN #4 [DIG] $2.99

NOV120575 PETER PANZERFAUST #10 [DIG] $3.50

JAN138082 PETER PANZERFAUST #9 2ND PTG $3.50

JAN138087 SNAPSHOT #1 2ND PTG $2.99

JAN130609 SPAWN #229 $2.99

JAN130614 TODD THE UGLIEST KID ON EARTH #3 [DIG] $2.99

JAN130525 TRIGGERGIRL 6 #1 [DIG] $5.99

JAN130615 WALKING DEAD #108 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

NOV120587 WHERE IS JAKE ELLIS #3 [DIG] $3.50

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for March 13 2013

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

DEC120011 FCBD 2013 LOLLIPOPS PI
DEC120015 FCBD 2013 TEMPORARY TATTOOS PI

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
DEC121289 07 GHOST GN VOL 03 $9.99

JAN130978 ADVENTURE TIME MATHEMATICAL ED HC VOL 01 $34.99

JAN130942 ALIENS VS PARKER #1 (MR) [DIG] $3.99

DEC121283 ARATA THE LEGEND TP VOL 13 $9.99

JAN131307 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG (NEW) #8 REG LUPACCHINO CVR $3.99

DEC120816 ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #25 [DIG/P+] $3.99

DEC120800 BAD KIDS GO TO HELL VOL 2 #1 $5.99

JAN131079 BIONIC MAN ANNUAL #1 $4.99

JAN131312 BLOODSHOT (ONGOING) #9 REG HENRY CVR $3.99

JAN130971 BRAVEST WARRIORS #6 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

JAN130884 CROSSED BADLANDS #25 (MR) $3.99

JAN130890 CROSSED BADLANDS #25 BURN BABY BURN CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN130891 CROSSED BADLANDS #25 CHOPPER CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN130888 CROSSED BADLANDS #25 DIE CUT CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN130889 CROSSED BADLANDS #25 FOXY CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN130892 CROSSED BADLANDS #25 LIP SNIP CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN130887 CROSSED BADLANDS #25 TORTURE CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN130885 CROSSED BADLANDS #25 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN131063 DEJAH THORIS & GREEN MEN OF MARS #2 (MR) $3.99

DEC121080 DF ADVENTURE TIME #12 EXC CVR $19.99

DEC121091 DF DEJAH THORIS & GREEN MEN #1 RISQUE ANACLETO CVR $19.99

DEC121083 DF MY LITTLE PONY #2 EXC CVR PI

DEC121084 DF MY LITTLE PONY #3 EXC CVR PI

DEC121088 DF SHADOW YEAR ONE #1 EXC B&W CVR $50.00

JUN121104 DF WARLORD OF MARS #23 EXC RISQUE CVR $14.99

DEC120847 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS VOL 3 #3 CVR A LEI [DIG] $3.99

DEC120848 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS VOL 3 #3 CVR B QUALANO $3.99

NOV120805 FEMFORCE #162 30TH ANNIV SPECIAL $9.95

DEC121290 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 3-IN-1 ED TP VOL 04 $14.99

OCT121029 GAME OF THRONES #13 (MR) $3.99

JAN130980 GARFIELD #11 [DIG] $3.99

JAN131045 GARTH ENNIS JENNIFER BLOOD TP VOL 03 (MR) $19.99

DEC120799 GEARHEARTS STEAMPUNK GLAMOR REVUE #6 $3.99

DEC121325 GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS TP VOL 05 $19.99

JAN131362 GFT ST PATRICKS DAY SPEC A CVR CAFARO (MR) $5.99

JAN131363 GFT ST PATRICKS DAY SPEC B CVR SEJIC (MR) $5.99

JAN131157 GRAPHIC CLASSICS GN VOL 24 NATIVE AMER CLASSICS $17.95

JAN131368 GRIMM UNIVERSE #4 A CVR SPAY (MR) $3.99

JAN131369 GRIMM UNIVERSE #4 B CVR MYCHAELS (MR) $3.99

JAN131370 GRIMM UNIVERSE #4 C CVR RUFFINO (MR) $3.99

DEC121219 HAIRSHIRT HC GN (MR) $24.95

DEC121205 HAND DRYING IN AMERICA HC $29.95

DEC121227 HIS FAVORITE GN VOL 03 $12.99

JAN131090 JIM BUTCHERS DRESDEN FILES GHOUL GOBLIN #3 $3.99

DEC120821 JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #190 [DIG/P+] $3.99

DEC120824 MEGA MAN #23 [DIG/P+] $2.99

MAY121178 MICKEY SPILLANE FROM FILES OF MIKE HAMMER VOL 01 $49.99

NOV121284 MOON GIRL TP $14.95

JAN130939 MYLO XYLOTO #2 $3.99

OCT121259 NAOKI URASAWA 21ST CENTURY BOYS GN VOL 02 $12.99

DEC121291 NEON GENESIS EVANGELION 3-IN-1 ED TP VOL 02 $19.99

DEC120878 NIGHT O/T LIVING DEAD AFTERMATH #5 (MR) $3.99

DEC120880 NIGHT O/T LIVING DEAD AFTERMATH #5 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

DEC120879 NIGHT O/T LIVING DEAD AFTERMATH #5 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN131320 PARADISE KISS TP VERTICAL INC ED VOL 03 $19.95

JAN131080 PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #7 $3.99

DEC121284 RIN-NE GN VOL 11 $9.99

NOV121128 ROBERT JORDAN WHEEL OF TIME EYE O/T WORLD #33 $3.99

DEC120825 SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH MAGIC WITHIN TP VOL 01 $10.99

NOV121085 SHADOW #10 $3.99

JAN130868 SHRUGGED VOL 2 #1 ASPEN RESERVED CVR $1.00

JAN130867 SHRUGGED VOL 2 #1 DIRECT MARKET CVR $1.00

JAN130941 SPONGEBOB COMICS #18 $2.99

JAN130965 SUPURBIA ONGOING #5 [DIG] $3.99

OCT121045 VOLTRON YEAR ONE TP $19.99

MAGAZINES JAN131399 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1343 PI

JAN131444 DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 65 $14.95

JAN131436 GRIMM MAGAZINE COLLECTORS SPECIAL #1 (RES) $14.99

NOV121421 ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE #40 $15.00

OCT121364 MEGAMI JAN 2013 $16.60

AUG121501 MONSTERS FROM THE VAULT #31 $9.98

OCT121365 NEWTYPE JAN 2013 $16.00

NOV120738 PHINEAS AND FERB MAGAZINE #16 $4.99

NOV121474 RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #131 $9.95

JAN131445 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 70 $14.95

JAN131451 STAR WARS INSIDER #140 NEWSSTAND ED $7.99

JAN131452 STAR WARS INSIDER #140 PX ED $7.99

AUG121526 SUPERNATURAL MAGAZINE #36 NEWSSTAND ED $6.99

AUG121527 SUPERNATURAL MAGAZINE #36 PX ED $6.99

BOOKS
JAN131418 FLYING HENRY YR HC $12.95

SEP121231 FRAZETTA SKETCHBOOK SC $24.95

FEB131297 GAME OF THRONES POSTER COLLECTION $24.99

NOV121420 ILLUSTRATORS ANNUAL OF AMERICAN ILLUSTRATION TP VOL 54 $45.00

JAN131382 SWISSTED VINTAGE ROCK POSTERS REMIXED & REIMAGINED SC $40.00

Review: STAR WARS #3

STAR WARS #3
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

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

SCRIPT: Brian Wood
ART: Carlos D’Anda
COLORS: Gabe Eltaeb
LETTERS: Michael Heisler
COVER: Alex Ross
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (March 2013)

“In the Shadow of Yavin” Part Three

All that is old is new again in the new Star Wars comic book series from Dark Horse Comics. Simply entitled Star Wars, it is written by Brian Wood, drawn by Carlos D’Anda, colored by Gabe Eltaeb, and lettered by Michael Heisler, with covers provided by Alex Ross. This Star Wars is set during the time of the original and classic Star Wars films: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi.

It destroyed the Galactic Empire’s fearsome space station, the Death Star at the Battle of Yavin, but the Rebel Alliance still must fight off attacks from the Empire. The rebels are also trying to find a new permanent home base and to restock supplies and armaments. Princess Leia Organa has formed a secret squadron of stealth X-wings to help find a new rebel base and also to help expose a spy within the Rebellion’s ranks

As Star Wars #3 opens, Darth Vader begins his new assignment in the Endor System, managing the building of a second Death Star. The Sith Lord, however, chafes under this demotion, handed down by Emperor Palpatine for Vader’s failure at Yavin.

Han Solo and his first mate, Chewbacca, continue their secret mission for Mon Mothma, leader of the Alliance. The two pirates land on the imperial center of Coruscant, where they await a meeting with a contact who can sell them the supplies that the Rebel Alliance so badly needs. Meanwhile, Leia confronts a troublesome member of her secret squadron, Flight Officer Luke Skywalker!

Brian Wood and Carlos D’Anda are still doing the damn thing. The new Star Wars isn’t a fluke. Issue #3 is as good as the first two issues. The action gets hotter. See Han Solo and Chewbacca in a gun fight! Plus, Wood’s spin on the Luke-Leia relationship is hard to ignore; this may be the most personal drama any Star Wars comic book has ever attempted.

The Force will call readers of Star Wars comics and fans of the original Star Wars trilogy to the new Star Wars.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

"Justice League of America #1" Leads DC Comics' Feb. 2013 Charge

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1 Tops February Comic Book Sales

DC Entertainment sees strong February numbers

BookScan numbers up 65 percent from 2012

Digital-to-print series INJUSTICE sells out in comic shops

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DC Entertainment (DCE), the largest English-language comic book publisher in the world announced today that JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1, written by the acclaimed Geoff Johns and drawn by superstar artist David Finch, was the best-selling comic book to specialty retailers in February 2013, according to information provided by Diamond Comic Distributors. This caps off a hugely successful month for DCE – with robust sales coming via comic retail, book trade and digital channels.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1 launched in February with a cover featuring the U.S. flag along with 52 variant covers, one for every state plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. DC Comics is currently sold out of 14 state covers, the digital combo pack and the collector’s bundles containing all the covers.

On the bookstore side, February saw DCE publish 15 out of the top 50 titles according to Nielsen Bookscan. Additionally, overall February book trade sales were strong, up 65 percent from last year. Notable sellers include: BATMAN: NIGHT OF THE OWLS, FABLES: CUBS IN TOYLAND Vol. 18 and JUSTICE LEAGUE Vol. 2.

On the digital comics front INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, the weekly digital-first comic based on the upcoming video game from Warner Bros. Interactive, continues to dominate the charts, selling four out of the top five digital books for the month and seven out of the top 10. BATMAN INC. #8, BATMAN #17 and JUSTICE LEAGUE #17 were also top sellers.

“February was a tremendous month for DC Entertainment, and the numbers show that fans are engaging with our stories across all platforms – from digital to retail,” said Diane Nelson, President, DC Entertainment. “We had a record-breaking 2012 in terms of sales, critical acclaim and visibility, including a near 50 percent increase in fan reach through our websites. Last year also represented our first full year of support and commitment to We Can Be Heroes, our philanthropic initiative to raise funds and awareness for the famine-stricken Horn of Africa. We are incredibly proud of where the business is and where we are headed in 2013.”

Hitting The New York Times Hardcover Bestseller lists in February, DC Comics titles included JUSTICE LEAGUE Vol. 2 appearing at #1, WONDER WOMAN Vol. 2, BATWOMAN Vol. 2, GREEN LANTERN: REVENGE OF THE BLACK HAND, BATMAN: THE COURT OF OWLS, Vertigo’s THE BOOKS OF MAGIC: DELUXE EDITION, and backlist favorites like BATMAN THE KILLING JOKE and ABSOLUTE BATMAN & ROBIN: BATMAN REBORN.

While over on The New York Times Paperback Bestsellers lists Vertigo’s FABLES vol. 18 arrived on the list at #1 and DC Comics JUSTICE LEAGUE vol. 1, SUICIDE SQUAD Vol. 2 and backlist favorite WATCHMEN all made appearances in February.

Earlier this month, DC Entertainment was acknowledged as the recipient of several Gem Awards including Comic Book Publisher of the Year, Backlist Publisher of the Year and Toy Manufacturer of the Year for 2012 for DC Collectibles. Notably, DC Collectibles spotlighted the We Can Be Heroes initiative with their We Can Be Heroes Justice League 7-Pack, which saw 10 percent of proceeds go to providing relief for the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa. The Gem Awards are recognized within the comic book industry as the pinnacle of sales achievement from Diamond Comic Distributors, the world's largest distributor of comics, graphic novels and pop culture merchandise.

The print comic book version of INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US #2 went back to press for a second printing, while over at DC Comics’ mature readers imprint Vertigo, DJANGO UNCHAINED #1, based on the Academy Award-winning Best Original Screenplay by Quentin Tarantino, went back to press for a third printing.


About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

Psyren: The Living Island

I read Psyren, Vol. 9: The Living Island

I posted a review at ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

I Reads You Review: KINGS IN DISGUISE #2

KINGS IN DISGUISE #2 (OF 6)
KITCHEN SINK PRESS, INC.

WRITER: James Vance – @authorjvance
ARTIST: Dan Burr
INKS ASST.: Debbie Freiberg
COVER: Harvey Kurtzman and Peter Poplaski
32pp, B&W, $2.00 U.S., $2.60 CAN (May 1988)

Kings in Disguise was a six-issue comic book miniseries, published in 1988 by Kitchen Sink Press. Created by writer Jim Vance and artist Dan Burr, Kings in Disguise was a highly acclaimed comic book, drawing praise from such comic book luminaries as Alan Moore, Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman and Art Spiegelman.

Kings in Disguise is set during the Great Depression. The story follows 13-year-old Manfred “Freddie” Bloch, a Jewish boy from the fictional town of Marian, California. His father becomes a victim of the Depression when he loses his job, and he subsequently abandons his sons. Freddie’s brother, Al, runs afoul of the law, leaving the boy alone.

Freddie takes to the rails – traveling the country by train as a hobo – where he meets Sammy. Calling himself “the King of Spain,” Sammy is a sickly, older hobo who takes Freddie under his wing. Together, they travel through a scarred America, searching for Freddie's father.

Kings in Disguise #2 opens after a stranger saves Freddie from the crazed hobo, Joker. Who is Freddie’s savior? Why, it is none other than Sammy, the King of Spain. Freddie discovers, however, that King Sammy is unstable. Though he is affable, Sammy could be friend, foe, or even annoyance.

Kings in Disguise has an attention to detail that results when a writer and artist are two separate individuals who can come together to become essentially one creative voice, sharing a singular vision. As a writer, James Vance is both human and humane. As an artist, Dan Burr has an old-fashioned sensibility that uses the bells and whistles of black and white magazine illustration to create texture and veracity. Ink turns the interplay of black and white space into graphics and images that are solid, so this world Burr draws has verisimilitude. Solidity births that which seems like something genuine to the reader, encouragement to buy into the world of Kings in Disguise.

Kings in Disguise is a great American story of true grit. It is easy to see why Kings in Disguise is considered one of the greatest graphic novels of all time.

A+

NOTES:
Harvey Awards
Best New Series
1989 Kings in Disguise, by James Vance and Dan Burr (Kitchen Sink Press)

Eisner Awards:
Best Single Issue/Single Story
1989 Kings in Disguise #1, by James Vance and Dan Burr (Kitchen Sink)

Best New Series
1989 Kings In Disguise, by James Vance and Dan Burr (Kitchen Sink)

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux