Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 11 2013

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY130032 BEST OF MILLIGAN & MCCARTHY HC $24.99
MAY130072 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL TP VOL 27 MIST SPIDERS WEB (MR) $19.99
MAY130041 BPRD 1948 TP $17.99
JUL130061 BRAIN BOY #1 MAIN CVR $2.99
JUL130046 BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #25 NOTO CVR $2.99
JAN130153 GARY BASEMAN TOBY PIN $14.99
JUL130060 HALLOWEEN LEGION GREAT GOBLIN INVASION HC $14.99
JUL130026 HALO INITIATION #2 MAIN CVR $3.99
MAY130075 OREIMO TP VOL 04 $10.99
JUL130073 RESIDENT ALIEN SUICIDE BLONDE #1 $3.99
JUL130011 STAR WARS #9 2013 ONGOING $2.99
MAY130063 STAR WARS LEGACY HC VOL 02 $34.99
JUL130074 TRUE LIVES O/T FABULOUS KILLJOYS #4 $3.99
JUL130067 X #5 (MR) $2.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 11 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

IMAGE COMICS

JUN130538 CLONE #10 [DIG] $2.99
JUN130466 EAST OF WEST TP VOL 01 THE PROMISE $9.99
JUL130453 FIVE WEAPONS MAKING THE GRADE TP $15.99
JUL130524 GHOSTED #3 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
MAR130578 MANHATTAN PROJECTS #14 [DIG] $3.50
MAY130569 PROPHET #39 [DIG] $3.99
JUL130542 SIDEKICK #2 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
JUL130549 WALKING DEAD #114 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for September 11 2013

Digital Comics: Digital new releases available from your local comic book shop are marked below. [DIG] = Digital version available. [DIG/P+] = Print-Plus digital/print combo pack available. For more information, go to www.digitalcomicsreader.com.

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
JUL138000 DIAMOND BOOKSHELF #14 PI

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
JUN131366 07 GHOST GN VOL 06 $9.99
JUL130925 3 GUNS #2 [DIG] $3.99
MAY131270 A1 #4 $3.99
JUN131244 ACG COLL WORKS FORBIDDEN WORLDS SLIPCASE ED VOL 02 $64.99
JAN131243 ACG COLL WORKS OUT OF THE NIGHT HC VOL 02 $47.99
JUL130963 ADVENTURE TIME CANDY CAPERS #3 $3.99
JUN131361 ARATA THE LEGEND TP VOL 15 $9.99
JUL131323 ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #13 REG CONRAD $3.99
MAY130919 BALLISTIC #2 $3.50
FEB131027 BILL EVERETT ARCHIVES HC VOL 02 HEROIC TALES $39.99
MAY131067 BIONIC MAN #23 $3.99
JUL131153 BOXERS & SAINTS BOXED SET $34.99
JUL131151 BOXERS GN $18.99
APR130776 CAVEWOMAN MANY FACES OF MERIEM COOPER (MR) $3.75
APR130777 CAVEWOMAN MANY FACES OF MERIEM COOPER SP ED PI
MAY131273 CHRONOS COMMANDOS DAWN PATROL #3 $3.99
JUN131220 CLASSICS ILLUS DLX HC VOL 10 MURDERS RUE MORGUE $17.99
JUN131219 CLASSICS ILLUS DLX SC VOL 10 MURDERS RUE MORGUE $13.99
JAN131272 CLINT 2.0 #8 (MR) $6.99
JUN131260 COMPULSORY FREEDOM COLLECTIVE TP $15.99
JUN130934 CRUSADE GN VOL 01 SIMOUN DJA $13.95
MAY130800 CYBORG 009 HC $24.95
MAY131054 DEJAH THORIS & GREEN MEN OF MARS #6 (MR) $3.99
MAR131129 DF ADV TIME FIONNA & CAKE #1 EXC CVR SGN REMARK PI
MAR131131 DF ADV TIME GRAND SLAM STARTER SET PI
FEB130997 DF ADV TIME MARCELINE & SCREAM QUEENS #6 GRAN SGN ED $10.00
APR131107 DF GUARDIANS O/T GALAXY #1 EXC CVR PLUS PI
JUN131087 DF GUARDIANS O/T GALAXY #5 EXC PLUS BONUS PI
MAY131103 DF IRON MAN #9 EXC CVR PLUS ED PI
JUN131100 DF MARK WAID GREEN HORNET #1 GREEN CVR $75.00
JUN131101 DF RED SONJA UNCHAINED #1 RED CVR $100.00
MAY131117 DF REGULAR SHOW #1 EXC CVR GREEN SGN ED $10.00
JUN131095 DF UNCANNY #1 B&W MIDTOWN EXC CVR $19.99
JUN131102 DF VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #1 VIRGIN ART CVR $100.00
JUN131084 DF X-MEN #1 BROOKS CVR PLUS BONUS BOOK PI
APR131192 DIESEL SWEETIES GN VOL 01 IM A ROCKER I ROCK OUT $19.99
JUN131216 DISNEY FAIRIES HC VOL 12 LOST TREASURE $11.99
JUN131201 DREAM QUEST OF UNKNOWN KADATH & OTHER STORIES HC NEW PTG $24.99
MAY130751 ENDANGERED WEAPON B GN $12.99
JUL131307 ETERNAL WARRIOR #1 PULLBOX HAIRSINE $3.99
JUL131306 ETERNAL WARRIOR #1 REG CRAIN $3.99
FEB130763 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS VOL 3 #5 CVR A LEI $3.99
FEB130764 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS VOL 3 #5 CVR B HANSON $3.99
JUL130941 FANBOYS VS ZOMBIES TP VOL 03 $14.99
JUN130707 FEMFORCE #164 $9.95
JUN130738 GENIE THE GENIUS #1 $2.99
JUL131415 GFT GRIMM FAIRY TALES #89 A CVR LAISO $2.99
JUL131416 GFT GRIMM FAIRY TALES #89 B CVR FRANCHESCO $2.99
JUL131417 GFT GRIMM FAIRY TALES #89 C CVR PANTALENA $2.99
JUN131412 GFT WONDERLAND #14 A CVR FRANCHESCO $2.99
JUN131413 GFT WONDERLAND #14 B CVR ERIC J $2.99
JUN131414 GFT WONDERLAND #14 C CVR PANTALENA $2.99
JUL131397 GFT ZOMBIES CURSED #3 A CVR JOHNSON $3.99
JUL131398 GFT ZOMBIES CURSED #3 B CVR ERIC J $3.99
JUL131399 GFT ZOMBIES CURSED #3 C CVR SEJIC $3.99
JUL131043 GRIMM #5 $3.99
MAR131263 HARVEY HORRORS BLACK CAT MYSTERY SOFTIE TP VOL 01 $24.99
JUL131253 HARVEY HORRORS CHAMBER OF CHILLS SLIPCASE ED VOL 04 $119.99
APR131208 HARVEY HORRORS CHAMBER OF CHILLS SOFTIE TP VOL 03 $24.99
JAN131245 HARVEY HORRORS COLL WORKS TOMB OF TERROR HC VOL 02 $47.99
APR131210 HARVEY HORRORS TOMB OF TERROR SLIPCASE ED VOL 02 $119.99
MAY131344 HAYATE COMBAT BUTLER TP VOL 22 $9.99
JUL130917 HELLRAISER DARK WATCH TP VOL 01 (MR) $14.99
JUL130946 HEROBEAR & THE KID INHERITANCE #2 [DIG] $3.99
JUN131271 HIS FAVORITE GN VOL 05 $12.99
JUL131379 HIT LIST #1 A CVR TYNDALL (MR) $2.99
JUL131380 HIT LIST #1 B CVR MASSAFERA (MR) $2.99
JUL131381 HIT LIST #1 C CVR KROME (MR) $2.99
JUL131382 HIT LIST #1 D CVR MYCHAELS (MR) $2.99
SEP120822 HOMECOMING #4 CVR A LASIO [DIG] $3.99
SEP120823 HOMECOMING #4 CVR B RANDOLPH $3.99
JUN130902 HYPERNATURALS TP VOL 02 $19.99
JUN130882 ILLUSTRATED BRITISH CLASSICS TP KING SOLOMONS MINES $28.99
MAY131274 IT CAME #2 $3.99
JUL130980 KINGS WATCH #1 $3.99
JUN130867 KNIGHTINGAIL SHADOW DIVISIONS #2 $3.99
MAY131179 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #201 $5.99
JUN130875 LIBERATOR #3 $3.50
JUL131374 LITTLE FISH A MEMOIR HC $15.99
JUL131094 LOUIS RIEL A COMIC STRIP BIOGRAPHY TP 10TH ANN ED $21.95
JUL130730 LOW SOCIETY ONE SHOT $4.99
JUN130937 LUCKY LUKE TP VOL 35 SINGING WIRE $11.95
JUN130938 LUCKY LUKE TP VOL 36 DALTONS REDEEM THEMSELVES $11.95
JUN131510 MISSION IN A BOTTLE GN $23.00
JUN131263 MY BOYFRIEND IS A VAMPIRE GN COLL ED VOL 05 (MR) $17.99
APR130832 MYTHOPOLIS #1 $3.99
JUN131205 P CRAIG RUSSELL OPERA ADAPTATIONS HC SET $59.99
JUN130708 RACHEL RISING #19 $3.99
JUL130970 RASL COMP HC $39.95
JUL130999 RED SONJA #3 FRISON CVR $3.99
JUL131000 RED SONJA #3 GUERRA CVR $3.99
JUL130926 ROBOCOP LAST STAND #2 (MR) [DIG] $3.99
JUN130888 ROBOCOP TP (MR) $19.99
MAY130769 ROGUES #4 (MR) $3.99
JUL131152 SAINTS GN $15.99
JUN130939 SCORPION GN VOL 02 DEVIL IN VATICAN (MR) $19.95
JUN130998 SHADOW #17 EXC BRADSTREET SUBSCRIPTION CVR $3.99
JUN130996 SHADOW #17 ROSS CVR $3.99
JUL131024 SHADOW GREEN HORNET DARK NIGHTS #3 CASSADAY CVR $3.99
JUL131025 SHADOW GREEN HORNET DARK NIGHTS #3 EXC SUBSCRIPTION C $3.99
JUL131023 SHADOW GREEN HORNET DARK NIGHTS #3 ROSS CVR $3.99
MAY131246 SLAINE THE KING GN CURR PTG (MR) $24.99
MAY131247 SLAINE TIME KILLER GN CURR PTG (MR) $21.99
JUL131277 SLEEPING MOON GN VOL 02 (MR) $12.99
JUN131272 SOCIETY IS NIX AMERICAN COMIC STRIP 1895-1915 HC $125.00
JUL130914 SONS OF ANARCHY #1 (MR) [DIG] $3.99
JUL130908 SPONGEBOB COMICS #24 $2.99
JUL130845 STITCHED TP VOL 02 (MR) $19.99
APR131264 STREET FIGHTER CLASSIC HC VOL 01 HADOKEN $49.99
JUN131307 STREET FIGHTER ORIGINS AKUMA HC $34.95
MAY131139 SUMMIT OF GODS GN VOL 04 $25.00
JUN130900 SUPURBIA TP VOL 02 $14.99
MAY130932 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #81 DLX ED (MR) $19.99
MAY131066 THE SPIDER #14 $3.99
JUN130940 THORGAL GN VOL 10 SUN SWORD $11.95
JUL131168 UNIVERSE OF LIBERATORE HC (MR) $19.95
APR130917 URSA MINOR TP (MR) $17.99
JUL131045 VAMPIRELLA SOUTHERN GOTHIC #2 $3.99
JUL131046 VAMPIRELLA SOUTHERN GOTHIC #2 EXC PHOTO SUBSCRIPTION $3.99
MAY130782 VICTORIAN SECRET 2013 SUMMER CATALOG ONE SHOT $3.99
APR130782 VICTORIAN SECRET AGENTS #2 IRONWORK ISLE $3.95
JUN138073 WANDERING SON HC VOL 05 $24.99
JUL131208 WATSON AND HOLMES #3 $2.99
JUN130941 WAYNE SHELTON GN VOL 01 THE MISSION $13.95
FEB131178 X 3IN1 ED TP VOL 06 $19.99
JUN131266 YOUNG MISS HOLMES COLL TP VOL 03 CASEBOOK 5-7 $19.99
JUN131267 ZEROS FAMILIAR OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 (MR) $18.99

MAGAZINES
MAY131241 2000 AD PACK JUL 2013 $26.25
JUL131441 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1369 PI
JUN131438 COMICS REVUE PRESENTS AUG 2013 $19.95
JUN131476 DOCTOR WHO BOOKAZINE #1 THE DALEKS $19.99
JUN131477 DOCTOR WHO BOOKAZINE #2 THE COMPANIONS $19.99
JUN131475 DR WHO MAGAZINE #463 $9.99
APR131432 G FAN #103 $6.95
MAY131242 JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #338 $12.25
JUL131284 MONSTER HIGH MAGAZINE #4 $4.99
JUL130656 PHINEAS AND FERB MAGAZINE #20 $4.99
MAY131464 SCI FI & FANTASY MODELLER VOL 30 $27.99
MAY131459 SCREAM MAGAZINE #19 $8.99

BOOKS
JUL131433 FASTNER & LARSONS TRICKS & TREATS SC (MR) $14.95
JUN131245 FRANK HAMPSON TOMORROW REVISITED DLX TRAY CASE ED $399.99
JUL131473 HARRY POTTER PAGE TO SCREEN COMP FILMMAKING JOURNEY $1,000.00
MAY131187 JAMES O BARR UNCOFFINED SGN ED $24.99
JUL131186 LITTLE TOMMY LOST TP VOL 01 $15.00
FEB131021 LOVE AND ROCKETS THE COVERS HC (RES) $35.00
JUN131478 NOW ON BIG SCREEN UNOFF & UNAUTH GT DR WHO AT CINEMA SC $29.95
JUN131514 STAR TREK ART OF JUAN ORTIZ HC $39.95
JUN131516 STAR WARS JEDI ACADEMY YR HC $12.99
JUN131519 STAR WARS LIGHTSABER THUMB WRESTLING $12.99
JUN132366 WARHAMMER 40K DEATH OF INTEGRITY TP $16.00
JUN132368 WARHAMMER 40K PRIESTS OF MARS SC $14.00
JUN132370 WARHAMMER ORION TEARS OF ISHA SC $14.00

Strobe Edge: I Want Jessie's Girl

I read Strobe Edge, Vol. 6

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

Review: THE STAR WARS #1

THE STAR WARS #1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

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

SCRIPT: J.W. Rinzler
ART: Mike Mayhew
COLORS: Rain Beredo
LETTERS: Michael Heisler
COVER: Nick Runge
VARIANT COVERS:  Jan Duursema, Douglas Wheatley
EDITOR: Randy Stradley
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2013)

Apparently, filmmaker George Lucas had ideas for what would become his film, Star Wars, years before he completed the 1977 Oscar-winning, box office record-setting movie.  In May 1974, Lucas completed the first-draft full screenplay, entitled The Star Wars, the first of four drafts.

Dark Horse Comics has initiated a comic book adaptation of that 1974 screenplay, and the result is The Star Wars, a new eight-issue Star Wars comic book miniseries.  The creative team on The Star Wars is J.W. Rinzler (writer and script adaptation), Mike Mayhew (artist), Rain Beredo (colors), and Michael Heisler (letters).

The Star Wars #1 opens after the recent “Great Rebellion,” in which the Empire has given way to the “New Galactic Empire.”  On the fourth moon of Utapau live Kane Starkiller and his two sons, Annikin and Deak.  Events force great change, which present to Annikin Starkiller the chance to follow in his father’s footsteps.  Meanwhile, the Emperor sets his sights on the Aquilaean System, the last of the independent systems.

Of all the Star Wars comic books that I’ve ever read, The Star Wars is the one that I think will have the least appeal to readers who are either not interested in Star Wars or are only casually interested.  Still, it is good to get this visual and graphical interpretation of early Star Wars, which makes The Star Wars the comic book equivalent of a curio-piece.

If anything The Star Wars makes it obvious how much influence Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Barsoom” book series had on George Lucas.  In fact, Mike Mayhew’s art, with Rain Beredo’s colors, recall the magazine illustration and pulp art from the first half of the twentieth-century that Lucas says influenced his storytelling.  As of now, Mayhew and Beredo are good reasons to keep reading.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Psyren: Blood and Determination

I read Psyren, Vol. 12

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free comics).

I Reads You Review: All Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder #2

ALL STAR BATMAN & ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER #2
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: Frank Miller
PENCILS: Jim Lee
INKS: Scott Williams
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
40pp, Color, $2.99 U.S., $4.00 CAN (November 2005)

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

Recently I started reading All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder, again.  Written by Frank Miller and drawn by Jim Lee, All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder was the first series in DC Comics’ then new “All Star” imprint.  This publishing initiative would offer comic book miniseries produced by writers and artists who were renowned in the American comic book industry.  The Batman All-Star title was shortly followed by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All Star Superman.

I can’t remember how much or if I liked All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder #1, but I did enjoy it after recently reading it again.  How did I feel about All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder #2?  I certainly remember my feelings because I have written proof.  Here is my review of it for the Comic Book Bin, back in 2005:

What can I say? All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder is a bigger over-hyped bomb than Batman: Hush, and Jim Lee’s art was better. Honestly, I don’t think that many people expected this title to be great, but buying it has to be a necessity to so many super hero comic buyers precisely because of the reason for the hype – Frank Miller and Jim Lee.

The problem is Frank Miller. He stated in one the of interviews he gave concerning ASBARTBW that this title was taking place in the Batman “universe” he created for The Dark Knight Returns. However, this title lacks the explosive, in-your-face drama of DKR or the wacky, cartoonish violence that made The Dark Knight Strikes Again fun to read. This Batman doesn’t seem at all like any Batman ever portrayed in a DC comic. He rambles and his violence seems joystick directed. In fact, I would say that if a Batman like this exists anywhere, it’s probably in one of those unproduced screenplays Warner Bros. has commissioned over the years while they developed various Batman feature films. Miller even makes Alfred the butler a former military special operative. Whatever.

Having a bad script could have reduced Jim Lee to being an unimaginative art robot. But all his drafting skills are on display; the man can draw to the point of impressing the viewer. Lee struggles to make good compositions out of this mess, and for the most part he succeeds. If there is any fun in this, it’s seeing this virtuoso pianist turn a lame symphony into easy listening eye candy.

C+

Wow!  I really hated on Miller, and, as usual, I completely hung on Jim Lee’s jockstrap.  So I recently read All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder #2 again, and I certainly liked it more than I did the first time.

Miller’s script is certainly over-the-top, but this time, I think that there are only a few pages that come across as tedious.  I think Miller has always seen Batman as being similar to Clint Eastwood’s screen persona, especially Eastwood as “Dirty” Harry Callahan.  That has never been more obvious than in All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder, and this time it works for me, for the most part.

The last three or four pages are basically a two-man play featuring Batman and a grieving Dick Grayson.  Miller handles this with a mixture of pathos and humor that belie this series’ general acerbic tone.  I think Miller is having fun with “his Batman,” while lampooning his audience’s expectations or demands that he give them a proper sequel to Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

As for Jim Lee’s art, produced with Scott Williams (inks) and Alex Sinclair (colors):  I’m starting to think that All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder is Lee’s best work.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.