Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 10 2013

IMAGE COMICS

FEB130402 INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE #1 [DIG] $2.99

FEB138044 NOWHERE MEN #4 2ND PTG $2.99

FEB130432 POINT OF IMPACT TP (MR) [DIG] $14.99

FEB130461 SAGA #12 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

FEB130463 SEX #2 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

FEB138045 WALKING DEAD #109 BLANK SKETCH CVR (MR) PI

FEB130472 WALKING DEAD #109 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

JAN130626 WALKING DEAD TV SER 3 BLOODY B&W AF 3-PK PI

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for April 10 2013

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

FEB130839 ADVENTURE TIME FIONNA & CAKE #4 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

DEC121237 ALIEN ILLUSTRATED STORY FACSIMILE ED TP (MAY128154) $14.95

FEB130858 ALIENS VS PARKER #2 (MR) [DIG] $3.99

FEB131164 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG (VU) #9 REG LUPACCHINO $3.99

FEB130833 BRAVEST WARRIORS #7 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

JAN131340 CASE CLOSED GN VOL 46 $9.99

JAN130934 CRITTER (ONGOING) #10 $3.50

JAN130895 CROSSED BADLANDS #25 DLX COLL BOX SET (MR) $99.99

MAR120776 DEAD MANS RUN #4 CVR A PARKER [DIG] $3.50

MAR120777 DEAD MANS RUN #4 CVR B RYAN $3.50

DEC120838 DEVIL IS DUE IN DREARY #4 (RES) $3.99

OCT121084 EC JACK DAVIS TAINT MEAT ITS HUMANITY HC $28.99

OCT121087 EC WILLIAMSON 50 GIRLS 50 & OTHER STORIES HC $28.99

JAN131342 EXCEL SAGA TP VOL 25 $9.99

FEB130832 GARFIELD #12 [DIG] $3.99

FEB131220 GFT MADNESS OF WONDERLAND #3 A CVR PANT (MR) $3.99

FEB131221 GFT MADNESS OF WONDERLAND #3 B CVR ERIC J (MR) $3.99

FEB131218 GFT WONDERLAND #10 A CVR KROME (MR) $2.99

FEB131219 GFT WONDERLAND #10 B CVR MYCHAELS (MR) $2.99

SEP121017 GREEN HORNET #34 $3.99

FEB131157 HARBINGER (VU) #11 HARBINGER WARS (2 OF 3) PULLBOX HENRY $3.99

FEB131156 HARBINGER (VU) #11 HARBINGER WARS REG EVANS $3.99

OCT121173 HARVEY HORRORS COLL WORKS WITCHES TALES HC VOL 03 $47.99

NOV121279 HARVEY HORRORS COLL WORKS WITCHES TALES HC VOL 04 $47.99

JAN131246 HARVEY HORRORS WITCHES TALES SLIPCASE ED VOL 02 $113.99

JAN131341 ITSUWARIBITO GN VOL 08 $9.99

JAN131043 JENNIFER BLOOD #25 (MR) $3.99

JAN130851 JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #191 [DIG/P+] $3.99

JAN130852 KEVIN KELLER #8 REG CVR [DIG/P+] $2.99

JAN130935 LEGEND OF OZ THE WICKED WEST ONGOING #6 $3.50

DEC121025 LORD OF THE JUNGLE #14 (MR) $3.99

JAN131343 LOVELESS 2-IN-1 ED TP VOL 03 $14.99

FEB131172 M3 TP $24.99

JAN130857 MEGA MAN #24 [DIG/P+] $2.99

FEB130821 MYLO XYLOTO #3 $3.99

FEB130969 PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #8 CVR A ALEX ROSS $3.99

FEB130970 PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #8 CVR B JONATHAN LAU $3.99

JAN131242 PS ARTBOOKS SHOWCASE TP VOL 01 $7.99

DEC121030 QUEEN SONJA TP VOL 05 ASCENDANCY $19.99

FEB131017 RELISH MY LIFE IN KITCHEN GN $17.99

DEC120998 SHADOW #11 $3.99

FEB130754 SHRUGGED VOL 2 #2 ASPEN RESERVED CVR $3.99

FEB130753 SHRUGGED VOL 2 #2 DIRECT MARKET CVR $3.99

FEB130824 SPONGEBOB COMICS #19 $2.99

JAN131007 STANDARD #2 $3.99

NOV121310 STUFF OF LEGEND TOY COLLECTOR #4 $3.99

FEB130860 SUPURBIA ONGOING #6 [DIG] $3.99

FEB130659 TALES OF FEAR #1 (MR) $4.75

FEB131173 TIGER & BUNNY GN VOL 01 $9.99

JAN131096 UNICO GN $34.95

JAN131012 VALERIAN GN VOL 01 CITY OF SHIFTING WATERS $11.95

DEC121011 VAMPIRELLA #28 $3.99

FEB130941 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #4 CVR A JOHNNY D $3.99

FEB130942 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #4 CVR B NEVES $3.99

DEC121021 WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH THORIS #24 (MR) $3.99

JAN131014 XIII CINEBOOK ED GN VOL 15 OPERATION MONTECRISTO $11.95

MAGAZINES
FEB130587 CARS MAGAZINE #13 $4.99

FEB131243 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1347 PI

FEB131246 COMIC SHOP NEWS FCBD 2013 SPECIAL PI

FEB131307 DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 66 BAMA CVR $14.95

FEB131306 DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 66 REG CVR $14.95

JAN131410 DR WHO MAGAZINE #458 $9.99

FEB131230 HI FRUCTOSE MAGAZINE QUARTERLY #27 $6.95

FEB130585 MARVEL SUPER HEROES #8 $4.99

JAN131438 SFX #233 $10.99

FEB131308 SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 71 $14.95

DEC121389 VIDEO WATCHDOG #173 (MR) $8.95

BOOKS
NOV121478 ANDREW LOOMIS FUN WITH A PENCIL HC $39.95

DEC121360 DOCTOR WHO CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA HC $16.99

FEB131258 DOCTOR WHO DALEK GENERATION SC $9.99

FEB131259 DOCTOR WHO PLAGUE O/T CYBERMEN SC $9.99

FEB131260 DOCTOR WHO SHROUD OF SORROW SC $9.99

JAN131406 INVINCIBLE IRON MAN ORIGIN STORY YR HC REVISED ED $8.99

DEC121255 PLUGGED IN COMICS I/T VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY SC $16.95

JAN131450 STAR TREK PHASER KIT $9.95

JUL120957 TOLKIEN YEARS O/T BROTHERS HILDEBRANDT TP SIGNED $75.00

JUL120958 TOLKIEN YEARS O/T BROTHERS HILDEBRANDT TP SIGNED & REMARKED $200.00

JAN131989 WARHAMMER 40K FIRE CASTE TP $11.99

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: Synchro vs. Synchro!!

I read Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, Vol. 4 (Yu-Gi-Oh! (Graphic Novels))

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

Review: TIGER AND BUNNY Volume 1

TIGER & BUNNY, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Mizuki Sakakibara
PLANNING/STORY: Sunrise
ORIGINAL SCRIPT: Masafumi Nishida
ORIGINAL CHARACTER DESIGN: Masakazu Katsura
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Labaamen and John Werry, HC Language Solutions
LETTERS: Stephen Dutro
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5561-4; paperback (April 2013); Rated “T” for “Teen”
172pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Produced by Sunrise, the Japanese animation studio and production company, Tiger & Bunny is a 2011 science fiction and superhero anime series. It ran for 25 episodes in 2011 and yielded a one-shot manga during its original television run in Japan. Shortly afterwards, manga and comic book artist Mizuki Sakakibara began producing a regular manga series based on anime, also entitled Tiger & Bunny.

Tiger & Bunny takes place in a world where 45 years earlier, super-powered humans, known as NEXT, started appearing in the world. Some of them fight crime as superheroes in Sternbild City (a re-imagined version of New York City). They promote their corporate sponsors while appearing on the hit television show, Hero TV (or HERO TV). Each season, the superheroes compete to be named the “King of Heroes.”

Tiger & Bunny, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) introduces two of these superheroes, Wild Tiger and Barnaby Brooks, Jr. Kotetsu T. Kaburagi AKA Wild Tiger is a veteran superhero, but his ratings have been declining. Under orders from his new employer, Apollon Media, Wild Tiger teams up with the newest NEXT sensation, Barnaby Brooks, Jr., the “Super Rookie.” The two heroes don’t want to work together, but they will have to do just that if they are to stop a new NEXT from destroying the city.

I’ll be upfront about Tiger & Bunny. I really enjoyed reading this manga, even after one volume. I’ll be shocked (Shocked!) if I don’t really like the second volume. Why do I feel the love for Tiger & Bunny? I think it appeals to me so much because it is a manga that is a genuine superhero comic book.

I also think that Tiger & Bunny is the kind of quality, honestly kid-friendly, superhero comic book of which the North American market needs more. This manga is more about superhero action than it is about action violence. It is snarky and humorous, but does not parody or make fun of superheroes or the superhero genre. The story also digs deep into what it means to be a hero, to overcome adversity and scorn, to make amends for transgressions and such. Over the course of the series, it seems as if the dominant theme will be about comprise and partnership. Tiger & Bunny looks like it is going to offer a good time for a long time.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Valiant Comics for April 2013

Solicitations for APRIL 2013

HARBINGER WARS #1 (of 4)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART & DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by LEWIS LAROSA
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
Variant Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER

“Do you know where the children are?”

HARBINGER WARS, Valiant’s first family crossover event, begins here! A decades-old secret is about to put BLOODSHOT and HARBINGER on an inescapable collision course – and, soon, the most powerful forces in the Valiant Universe will be drawn into a battle without sides, without rules, and without mercy.

•Two dozen undisciplined, untested and untrained superhuman children have just escaped from a top-secret research facility and into the world.

•When Bloodshot, Toyo Harada and Peter Stanchek join the chase, will the Valiant Universe be ready for its first all-out superhuman showdown?

•Start reading here for a high-stakes tale that will put Valiant’s greatest heroes to the ultimate test!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE APRIL 3rd!
--

HARBINGER #11 (HARBINGER WARS)
Written by JOSHUA DYSART
Art & Cover by KHARI EVANS
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER

“Your system has failed us. Now we must build our own.”

All-new arc, all-new jumping-on point! HARBINGER WARS continues in a standalone, four-part arc of HARBINGER, featuring the return of original series artist Khari Evans (Carbon Grey)!

•The world has just become a much bigger, much more dangerous place for Peter Stanchek and the Renegades…

•How will they react to the revelation of Project Rising Spirit’s secret mission and the harbinger hunter known as Bloodshot?

•Find out in PART ONE of HARBINGER WARS: HARBINGER!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE APRIL 10th!
--

BLOODSHOT #10 (HARBINGER WARS)
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by BARRY KITSON
Cover by MICO SUAYAN
Pullbox Exclusive Variant by CLAYTON HENRY
Wraparound Variant by LEWIS LAROSA

“Hitting the target is more important than who pulls the trigger.”

All-new arc, all-new jumping-on point! HARBINGER WARS continues in a standalone, four-part arc of BLOODSHOT, featuring comics legend Barry Kitson (Fantastic Four)!

•Bloodshot has banded together with Project Rising Sprit’s most dangerous escapees.

•Can he shape them into a force for good – or are they too far gone?

•Find out in PART ONE of HARBINGER WARS: BLOODSHOT!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE APRIL 17th!
--

X-O MANOWAR #12
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by CARY NORD
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Variant Cover by JUAN DOE

What lurks beneath the surface of PLANET DEATH?

Aric of Dacia has taken his one-man war to the Vine’s homeworld, Loam, and is using their own X-O Manowar armor to wage it. Finding an ally in the unlikeliest of places, Aric will discover that his mission to reduce Loam to ash will come with a high price. Past, present, and future are about to collide, and if Aric isn’t careful, he will be the common thread that undoes them all.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE APRIL 17th!
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ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #9
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art & Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Variant Cover by CLAYTON HENRY

It’s all over for the Eternal Warrior!

Gilad and Armstrong must set aside their sibling rivalry long enough to defeat the deadly new champion of The Null... ARCHER! It's win or go home (i.e. "die") as "Wrath of the Eternal Warrior" reaches its bone-crushing conclusion!

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE APRIL 10th!
--

SHADOWMAN #6
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN & PATRICK ZIRCHER
Art & Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER
Variant Cover by DAVE JOHNSON

The dead rising are rising in New Orleans.

The Deadside is spreading throughout the city, while a sinister new menace gathers an army that can't be killed. Meanwhile, Jack is about to discover that his Shadowman powers are as much a curse as a blessing.

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.
ON SALE APRIL 3rd!
--

SHADOWMAN VOL. 1: BIRTH RITES TPB
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN & PATRICK ZIRCHER
Art & Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER

There are a million dreams in the Big Easy. But now its worst nightmare is about to come true.

As the forces of darkness prepare to claim New Orleans as their own, Jack Boniface must embrace the legacy he was born to uphold. As Shadowman, Jack is about to become the only thing that stands between his city and an army of unspeakable monstrosities from beyond the night. But is the mantle of Shadowman a blessing or a curse? And what is the true cost of his otherworldly power?

From rising star Justin Jordan (The Strange Talent of Luther Strode) and comics superstar Patrick Zircher (Captain America, Hulk), this volume collects SHADOWMAN #1-4.

“It's simply stunning… ‘Shadowman’ is another awesome notch in the belt of Valiant.” – IGN

“Jordan and Zircher have given us a winner with ‘Shadowman.’" – Comic Book Resources

$14.99/T+/112 pgs.
ISBN: 978-1-939346-00-1
ON SALE APRIL 24th!

DC Entertainment Announces "We Can Be Heroes" Year Two

DC Entertainment Kicks-Off Year Two of We Can Be Heroes Giving Campaign

We Can Be Heroes offers one-of-a-kind experiences and limited edition items designed to unlock the giving power of fans and raise funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Get something good. Do something great.

This is the theme of the second year of DC Entertainment’s We Can Be Heroes giving campaign designed to raise funds and awareness for the devastating hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

Inviting fans to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Super Heroes of the Justice League and the creators who bring them to life, DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson today proudly announced a collection of exciting new initiatives that will support the continued success of the We Can Be Heroes (http://www.WeCanBeHeroes.org) giving campaign.

“We hope to build upon last year’s very successful inaugural campaign, which raised more than $2 million and helped change the lives of more than 5 million people,” said Nelson. “You don’t need a super power to be a hero. One small act can make you a hero and a lot of small acts can save millions of lives.”

This is the second year of the biggest philanthropic initiative in DC Entertainment and its parent company, Warner Bros.’, corporate history. It is designed to raise funds to benefit more than 8 million men, women and children in the Horn of Africa. The various 2013 program initiatives offer unique Super Hero experiences and limited-edition merchandise to engage, excite and empower legions of supporters.

The first of such initiatives starts Tuesday, April 2 with the launch of a Super Hero-themed crowdfunding campaign. Made up of several mini-campaigns throughout 2013, each will feature members of the Justice League – Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg – and will be hosted on Indiegogo, the world’s largest crowdfunding platform (www.indiegogo.com/at/WeCanBeHeroes).

The first phase of the campaign (April 2 through May 7) will focus on Batman, featuring one-of-a-kind experiences and limited edition items related to one of DC Entertainment’s most popular Super Heroes. Additional phases will follow, featuring other members of the Justice League. Several levels of donation incentives have been created in order to encourage participation. From signed graphic novels and video games, to the opportunity to meet your favorite creators, to being drawn into a Batman graphic novel, there is something for every fan.

“Crowdfunding is the perfect platform for We Can Be Heroes. The more fans contribute, the more they can get! Those with fewer dollars to offer will find there is something that shows their support for the campaign and their love of these Super Heroes, and those with more to donate will find that their contribution level directly ties to the level of collectability and special access offers that every fan wants,” said Nelson.

Donation Incentives Include:

•“Batman: Earth One Vol. 1” hardcover (signed, sketched, and numbered by the writer and artist)

•We Can Be Heroes t-shirt featuring original Batman artwork by Jim Lee

•Warner Bros. Animation studio tour featuring a meet and greet with the legendary creators behind “Batman: The Animated Series,” “Batman Beyond,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” and “Beware the Batman”

•Invitations to the exclusive DC Entertainment VIP Event at 2013 Comic-Con International: San Diego

•Comic-Con International: San Diego Experience with Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, including two passes to the already sold-out event, airfare and hotel room. Opportunity to be drawn into a Batman graphic novel and receive the original art of appearance (personalized & signed by the artist)

Additional elements of the We Can Be Heroes giving campaign include Super Hero-inspired vehicles, an online auction and digital bundles – all designed to harness the passion fans have for their favorite Super Heroes and transform it into critical funding to fight the hunger crisis:

•Justice League-inspired vehicles: Over the last six months, DC Entertainment has partnered with KIA Motors to bring the World’s Greatest Super Heroes to life by combining automotive styling with comic book art. The partnership, which has yielded seven individually customized vehicles to date, harnesses the talents of legendary comic book artist and DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee, who has collaborated on the design of each car with his vision for each iconic member of DC Comics’ Justice League.

•In addition to the seven KIA vehicles inspired by the individual Super Hero characters, the DC Entertainment-KIA partnership will culminate with a fully-drivable custom car, also designed by Jim Lee, that encompasses each member of the Justice League to be auctioned off at 2013 Comic-Con International: San Diego to raise money for the cause.

•Online Auction: The online auction will also include other highly unique items such as a collection of original pieces of comic book character artwork, entitled Darkness & Light, which was custom commissioned and created by contemporary artists for the benefit of We Can Be Heroes.

•Digital Bundles: An online fundraising initiative that offers fans a suite of popular digital comic books, movies, games, and music from DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. with the opportunity to set a percentage of the purchase price to go to the We Can Be Heroes campaign.

All funds raised will benefit the campaign’s humanitarian aid partners - Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps - to deliver food, medicine and other resources critical to the survival of people in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.

For more information on We Can Be Heroes, visit www.WeCanBeHeroes.org. For more information specifically on the Batman Crowdfunding Campaign on Indiegogo, log on to www.indiegogo.com/at/WeCanBeHeroes.


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 www.WeCanBeHeroes.org —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.

Review: STAR WARS: Legacy Volume 2 #1

STAR WARS: LEGACY VOLUME 2 #1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

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

SCRIPT: Corrina Bechko and Gabriel Hardman
ART: Gabriel Hardman
COLORS: Rachelle Rosenberg
LETTERS: Michael Heisler
COVER: Dave Wilkins
EDITOR: Randy Stradley
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (March 2013)

Prisoner of the Floating World Part One

Dark Horse Comics recently launched a new Star Wars comic book series. Star Wars: Legacy Volume 2 is written by Corrina Bechko and Gabriel Hardman, drawn by Hardman, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, and lettered by Michael Heisler.

In the Star Wars Expanded Universe, Legacy is a time period that begins 40 years after the end of the original Star Wars (or Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) and continues to some indeterminate time. There was a long-running comic book series, Star Wars: Legacy, which Dark Horse Comics launched after the release of the film, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

Star Wars: Legacy Volume 2 is a new series set in the Legacy era. The events of Legacy Volume 2 take place “approximately 138 years after the events in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.” [Of note, the previous series began 130 years after A New Hope.] This new series focuses on the character Ania Solo, who is the great-great granddaughter of Han Solo and Leia Organa Solo and who also owns a junkyard.

Star Wars: Legacy Volume 2 #1 opens as Imperial Knight Yatla Val leads a mission to the Carreras System in the Outer Rim. This is part of a larger effort by the Triumvirate, which is a unity government made of the Jedi Council, Imperial Court, and Galactic Alliance, to connect the galaxy. The mission meets an unexpected snag.

On an ice mining platform in the rings of Carreras Minor, Ania Solo shows her latest finds to her friend, Sauk, a refugee from Mon Calamari. The young junkyard owner has recovered a lightsaber and an Imperial communications droid, and both will mean trouble for her.

Sometimes, I review books and don’t give a thought to revealing spoilers; if I spill a secret, it either does not bother me much or I wince a only a little. Other times, I am fastidious about saying too much, to the point that my review ends up being a timid paragraph dedicated to secret-keeping.

In this new review, I’m definitely being the latter. I want to be tentative and persnickety about my review of Star Wars: Legacy Volume 2 #1. Co-writer Corrina Bechko and co-writer/artist Gabriel Hardman give this first issue so many layers, such depth, and rich texture that it seems more like the first chapter of a prose novel than the first issue of a comic book. In Ania Solo, they have the potential to create one of the truly exceptional and great Star Wars Expanded Universe characters.

The art by Gabriel Hardman recalls the art Al Williamson produced for Marvel Comics’ adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back in the publisher’s long-running Star Wars comic book series. I don’t know anything about the quality of Corrina Bechko and Gabriel Hardman’s previous work on Betrayal of the Planet of the Apes, but Dark Horse should chain them in the company dungeon and keep them working on Star Wars comics.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux