IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

IDW PUBLISHING

MAY140475     CARTOON NETWORK SUPER SECRET CRISIS WAR #2     $3.99
MAY140476     CARTOON NETWORK SUPER SECRET CRISIS WAR #2 SUBSCRIPTION     $3.99
APR140428     DANGER GIRL MAYDAY #3     $3.99
MAY140514     GHOSTBUSTERS #18     $3.99
MAR140412     GI JOE COMPLETE COLL HC VOL 05     $49.99
MAY140559     INFESTATION OMNIBUS TP     $29.99
JAN140519     JINNRISE TP VOL 02     $19.99
MAR140365     LOCKE & KEY COVERS OF GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ HC     $24.99
APR140450     METAL GEAR SOLID DLX ED HC     $75.00
MAY140540     RIP KIRBY HC VOL 07     $49.99
MAY140481     SAMURAI JACK #10     $3.99
MAY140544     STAR SLAMMERS REMASTERED #5     $3.99
MAY140500     TALES O/T TMNT TP VOL 05     $19.99
MAY140460     TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #31 DAWN O/T AUTOBOTS     $3.99
MAY140531     V-WARS #4     $3.99
APR140454     WELL HC ARON WIESENFELD ART BOOK     $39.99
MAY140546     WRAITH WELCOME TO CHRISTMASLAND HC     $29.99
MAR140467     ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS Z-BOYZ I/T ROBOT GRAVEYARD PROSE TP     $19.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY140027     BALTIMORE WITCH OF HARJU #1     $3.50
MAY140060     CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #13     $2.99
MAY140080     DEEP GRAVITY #1     $3.99
MAR140096     EC ARCHIVES TWO-FISTED TALES HC VOL 03     $49.99
MAY140056     EMILY & THE STRANGERS BREAKING RECORD #2     $3.99
MAR140095     GASOLINE ALLEY HC VOL 02 COMPLETE SUNDAYS 1923-1925     $75.00
MAY140093     KING CONAN CONQUEROR #6     $3.50
MAY140071     MASSIVE #25     $3.50
MAY140070     MIND MGMT #24     $3.99
MAY140068     PARIAH #6     $3.99
MAY140087     STAR WARS REBEL HEIST #4 HUGHES MAIN CVR     $3.50
APR140023     VEIL #4 (MR)     $3.50

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

IMAGE COMICS

MAY140696     BLACK SCIENCE #7 (MR)     $3.50
MAY140608     CHEW WARRIOR CHICKEN POYO #1     $3.50
MAY140700     COWL #3 (MR)     $3.50
MAY140702     DRUMHELLAR #7 (MR)     $3.50
MAY140703     EAST OF WEST #14     $3.50
MAR140516     FATALE #24 (MR)     $4.99
MAR140572     FIVE WEAPONS #10     $3.50
MAY140705     FUSE #6 (MR)     $3.50
MAY148255     HACK SLASH SON OF SAMHAIN #1 2ND PTG (MR)     $3.50
FEB140527     LAZARUS TP VOL 02 LIFT (MR)     $14.99
MAY140566     LOW #1 (MR)     $3.99
MAY140711     MANHATTAN PROJECTS #22     $3.50
MAY140713     MERCENARY SEA #6     $2.99
MAY140714     MICE TEMPLAR IV LEGEND #12 CVR A OEMING     $3.99
MAY140715     MICE TEMPLAR IV LEGEND #12 CVR B SANTOS & FREE     $3.99
MAY148254     NAILBITER #3 2ND PTG (MR)     $2.99
MAY140719     OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #2 (MR)     $2.99
NOV130513     PROPHET #45     $3.99
MAY140643     SHELTERED TP VOL 02     $14.99
MAY148253     SOUTHERN BASTARDS #3 2ND PTG (MR)     $3.50
MAY140732     SOVEREIGN #5 (MR)     $2.99
FEB140637     TEN GRAND #10 CVR A SMITH (MR)     $2.99
FEB140638     TEN GRAND #10 CVR B ANDRASOFSZKY (MR)     $2.99
MAY140748     WITCHBLADE #177 CVR A BRAGA     $3.99
MAY140749     WITCHBLADE #177 CVR B CHRISTOPHER     $3.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

FEB140648     WWE MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE RESIN STATUE     PI

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
MAY140009     PREVIEWS BACKLIST CATALOG 2014     $1.50

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
APR141330     ACG CLASSICS ADV INTO UNKNOWN SLIPCASE ED COLL PACK #2     $169.99
MAR141329     ACG COLL WORKS ADV INTO UNKNOWN HC VOL 08     $47.99
JUN141275     AMULET SC VOL 02 STONEKEEPERS CURSE NEW PTG     $12.99
JUN141276     AMULET SC VOL 03 CLOUD SEARCHERS NEW PTG     $12.99
MAY141251     AND THEN EMILY WAS GONE #1 (MR)     $3.50
MAY141008     ARCHIE 1000 PG COMICS EXPLOSION TP     $14.99
MAY141009     ARCHIE COMICS DIGEST #253     $4.99
MAY141647     ARMOR HUNTERS HARBINGER #1 CVR A REG (AH)     $3.99
MAY141648     ARMOR HUNTERS HARBINGER #1 CVR B CHROM (AH)     $5.99
JUN141285     BABY SITTERS CLUB GN VOL 03 MARY ANNE SAVES NEW PTG     $10.99
JUN141286     BABY SITTERS CLUB GN VOL 04 CLAUDIA & MEAN JANINE NEW PTG     $10.99
JUN141305     BATTLE ANGEL ALITA LAST ORDER OMNIBUS VOL 04     $19.99
MAY141709     BLACK BUTLER TP VOL 17     $13.00
MAY141710     BLOOD LAD OMNIBUS GN VOL 05     $20.00
JUN141018     BONE COLOR ED SC VOL 09 CROWN OF HORNS NEW PTG     $12.99
MAY141559     BRASS SUN #3     $3.99
MAY141447     BUCK ROGERS IN 25TH CENTURY PX HC VOL 01 GRIEVOUS ANGELS     $24.99
JUN140900     CALIBAN #1 FINAL FRONTIER (MR)     $3.99
JUN140873     CALIBAN #5 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140875     CALIBAN #5 TERROR CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140874     CALIBAN #5 WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN141135     CHAOS #1 CAMPBELL HIGH END VIRGIN ART LTD     $300.00
MAY141159     CLIVE BARKERS NIGHTBREED #3 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140922     COMPLETE FUNKY WINKERBEAN HC VOL 02 1975-1977     $45.00
JUN140923     COMPLETE FUNKY WINKERBEAN HC VOL 03 1978-1980     $45.00
JUN140898     CROSSED BADLANDS #50 TROPHIES (MR)     $5.99
MAY141095     CROSSED BADLANDS #58 (MR)     $3.99
MAY141098     CROSSED BADLANDS #58 FATAL FANTASY CVR (MR)     $3.99
MAY141097     CROSSED BADLANDS #58 TORTURE CVR (MR)     $3.99
MAY141096     CROSSED BADLANDS #58 WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
AUG131142     DAY MEN #4     $3.99
MAY141150     DEAD LETTERS #4     $3.99
APR141190     DF AMAZING SPIDER MAN 1.1 ALEX ROSS SGN     $29.99
MAY141389     DF DEJAH OF MARS #3 DF EXC RISQUE RED CVR     $29.99
JAN141177     DF STAR WARS LUCAS DRAFT #0 GOLD MAYHEW SGN     $89.99
MAY141345     DOC SAVAGE #8 ROSS CVR     $3.99
MAY141561     DREDD ILLUS MOVIE SCRIPT & VISUALS LTD ED SGN HC (MR)     $87.99
MAR140957     EVIL EMPIRE #3 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140782     EXPLORER SC VOL 01 MYSTERY BOXES     $10.95
MAY141070     EXTINCTION PARADE WAR #1 DLX COLL BOX SET (MR)     $99.99
MAY141067     EXTINCTION PARADE WAR #1 LEATHER CVR (MR)     $19.99
JAN141519     FUN WITH KIRK & SPOCK HC     $14.95
MAY141406     GAST GN     $22.99
JUN140863     GEORGE RR MARTIN IN THE HOUSE O/T WORM #1 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140865     GEORGE RR MARTIN IN THE HOUSE O/T WORM #1 PAINTED CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140864     GEORGE RR MARTIN IN THE HOUSE O/T WORM #1 WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
MAY141777     GFT NEVERLAND AGE OF DARKNESS TP     $12.99
MAY141729     GFT REALM WAR #1 A CVR CAMPBELL (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
MAY141730     GFT REALM WAR #1 B CVR FINCH (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
MAY141731     GFT REALM WAR #1 C CVR CHEN (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
MAY141732     GFT REALM WAR #1 D CVR MYCHAELS (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
MAY141733     GFT REALM WAR #1 E CVR SPAY (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
MAY141755     GFT TALES OF TERROR #1 A CVR ORTIZ (MR)     $2.99
MAY141756     GFT TALES OF TERROR #1 B CVR CUMMINGS (MR)     $2.99
MAY141757     GFT TALES OF TERROR #1 C CVR HUFFOR (MR)     $2.99
MAY141758     GFT TALES OF TERROR #1 D CVR JOHNSON (MR)     $2.99
MAY141746     GFT VS WONDERLAND #1 A CVR TOLIBAO (MR)     $2.99
MAY141747     GFT VS WONDERLAND #1 B CVR JOHNSON (MR)     $2.99
MAY141748     GFT VS WONDERLAND #1 C CVR DOONEY (MR)     $2.99
MAY141749     GFT VS WONDERLAND #1 D CVR LAISO (MR)     $2.99
MAY141762     GFT WARLORD OF OZ #3 A CVR LASHLEY     $2.99
MAY141763     GFT WARLORD OF OZ #3 B CVR ORTIZ     $2.99
MAY141764     GFT WARLORD OF OZ #3 C CVR GARZA     $2.99
MAY141765     GFT WARLORD OF OZ #3 D CVR MYCHAELS     $2.99
MAY141778     GFT WONDERLAND CLASH OF QUEENS TP     $15.99
MAY141085     GOD IS DEAD #17 (MR)     $3.99
MAY141086     GOD IS DEAD #17 CARNAGE WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
MAY141087     GOD IS DEAD #17 END OF DAYS CVR (MR)     $3.99
MAY141088     GOD IS DEAD #17 ICONIC CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140897     GOD IS DEAD #7 CANNIBAL ABERE (MR)     $5.99
MAR140814     GOLD DIGGER #212     $3.99
MAR141331     HARVEY HORRORS BLACK CAT MYSTERY SOFTIE TP VOL 02     $24.99
APR141333     HARVEY HORRORS COLL PACK TOMB OF TERROR BOOKSHOP ED     $89.99
APR141334     HARVEY HORRORS COLL PACK TOMB OF TERROR SLIPCASE ED     $239.99
JUN141208     HOW TO BE HAPPY HC     $24.99
MAY141253     HUGH HOWEYS WOOL #1     $3.99
MAY141711     IM NOT POPULAR GN VOL 04     $13.00
MAY141713     INFERNAL DEVICES GN VOL 03 CLOCKWORK PRINCESS     $13.00
MAY141712     INU X BOKU SS TP VOL 04     $11.99
APR141569     JAY & SILENT BOBS BLUEPRINTS FOR DESTROYING EVERYTHING     $14.99
MAY141563     JUDGE ANDERSON PSI FILES TP VOL 04 (MR)     $35.99
APR141340     JUDGE DREDD DAY OF CHAOS FALLOUT GN (MR)     $29.99
JUN141143     LEGENDERRY A STEAMPUNK ADV #1 EMERALD CITY CON ED     $29.99
MAR141301     LETTER 44 TP VOL 01 ESCAPE VELOCITY     $19.99
MAY141244     LUCKY LUKE TP VOL 47 OUTLAWS     $11.95
MAY141671     MONSTER TP VOL 01 PERFECT ED URASAWA     $19.99
MAR141262     NAJA HC     $29.99
MAY141582     NEWT GN     $7.99
APR141342     NIKOLAI DANTE GREAT GAME GN (UK ED) (MR)     $29.99
MAY141715     OMAMORI HIMARI GN VOL 12 (MR)     $13.00
JUN141259     OPERATION REDUX GN (MR)     $12.99
MAY141568     OWLGIRLS #1     $3.99
MAY141716     PANDORA HEARTS GN VOL 21     $13.00
MAY141279     RED SONJA #0     $3.99
MAY141180     REGULAR SHOW #13 MAIN CVRS     $3.99
APR141343     ROGUE TROOPER TALES OF NU EARTH GN VOL 04 (MR)     $32.99
APR141335     ROY THOMAS PRESENTS CAPTAIN FLASH SLIPCASE ED VOL 01     $64.99
MAR141335     ROY THOMAS PRESENTS CAPTAIN FLASH W/ TORMENTED HC VOL 01     $47.99
APR141391     SALLY O/T WASTELAND #1     $3.99
JUN141146     SHADOW MIDNIGHT MOSCOW #1 RARE FOC ED SGN CHAYKIN     $25.00
FEB141204     SHADOW OVER INNSMOUTH ONE SHOT     $4.99
JUN141147     SHADOW YEAR ONE #1 HAND DRAWN ART WAGNER CVR     PI
MAY141129     SIMPSONS ILLUSTRATED #12     $3.99
JUN141437     SNOWPIERCER GN     $14.99
MAY141717     SOUL EATER NOT TP VOL 03     $13.00
MAY141718     SOUL EATER TP VOL 21 (MR)     $13.00
FEB140900     STEAM WARS #5     $3.99
MAY141233     TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #87 (MR)     $2.95
MAY141703     TERRA FORMARS GN VOL 01 (MR)     $12.99
JUN140899     UBER #10 CANADA BURNING (MR)     $5.99
JUN140896     UBER #12 WAR CRIMES CVR (MR)     $5.99
MAY141719     UMINEKO WHEN THEY CRY GN EP 4 #1 ALLIANCE O/T GOLDEN WITCH     $22.00
MAY141364     VAMPIRELLA TP VOL 06 FINAL CURTAIN     $19.99
JUN141150     WEAPON BROWN HC OMEGA ED (MR)     $34.99
MAY141819     WORDS FOR PICTURES ART & BUSINESS OF WRITING COMICS SC     $24.99
MAY141653     X-O MANOWAR #27 REG SEPULVEDA (AH)     $3.99

MAGAZINES
APR141337     2000 AD PACK JUN 2014     PI
MAY141864     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1415     PI
APR141640     DC BATMAN AUTO FIG MAG #36 DETECTIVE COMICS #667     $20.00
MAR141585     DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #60 REVERSE FLASH BLACK BISH     $16.00
MAR141619     HOBBY JAPAN JUN 2014     $16.60
JUN141432     HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 MOVIE MAGAZINE     $4.99
FEB141646     ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE #45     $15.00
MAY141884     LOCUS #642     $7.50
MAR141587     MARVEL CHESS FIG COLL MAG #10 LUKE CAGE WHITE PAWN     $16.00
MAY141857     NON SPORT UPDATE VOL 25 #4 ADVENTURE TIME COVER     $5.99
MAY141885     STAR TREK MAGAZINE #50 NEWSSTAND ED     $9.99
MAY141886     STAR TREK MAGAZINE #50 PX ED     $9.99
MAY141610     STAR WARS MAGAZINE #2     $4.99

BOOKS
MAY141720     ACCEL WORLD NOVEL VOL 01 KUROYUKIHIMES RETURN     $13.00
JUN142305     ART OF WIND RISES HC     $34.99
MAY141813     GREG RUCKA JAD BELL NOVEL HC BOOK 02 BRAVO     $26.00
MAR141381     HYPERDIMENSION NEPTUNIA +MK2 ARTWORKS SC     $39.99
FEB141456     MIKUCOLOR KEI HATSUNE MIKU ILLUS WORKS SC     $39.99
MAY141841     STAR WARS REBELS VISUAL GUIDE HC     $16.99
MAY142818     WARHAMMER 40K BASTION WARS OMNIBUS SC     $17.50
MAY142820     WARHAMMER 40K UNREMEMBERED EMPIRE MMPB     $9.99

Phantom Thief Jeanne: Because I Want You to Love Me...

I read Phantom Thief Jeanne, Vol. 2

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter.

Comic Book Review: THE STRAIN #4

THE STRAIN #4
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

STORY: Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
SCRIPT: David Lapham
ART: Mike Huddleston
COLORS: Dan Jackson
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Mike Huddleston
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (March 2012)

Part 4: “Conspiracy”

Early in 2013, Dark Horse Comics made PDF copies of all 11 issues of its horror comic book series, The Strain, available to comic book reviewers on its mailing list.  This offer was part of DHC’s promotional effort for a second maxi-series, The Strain: The Fall.  I took up that offer and reviewed all 11 issues of The Strain for the ComicBookBin.

I have previously posted my reviews of The Strain, issues #1 through 3 on my “I Reads You” blog.  Over the course of the coming weeks, I will post the reviews of issues 4 to 11 on this blog in conjunction with the broadcast of “The Strain,” the television adaptation of the original novel.  The first episode aired on Sunday night, July 13, 2014 on cable channel, FX, with each new episode airing the following Sunday.

Thus far, the first two issues The Strain comic book are better than the first two episodes of “The Strain” TV series.

------------------

The Strain is the 11-issue comic book adaptation of The Strain, a 2009 vampire novel from filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan.  Hogan’s 2004 novel, Prince of Thieves, became the Ben Affleck film, The Town.  Published by Dark Horse Comics, The Strain comic book is scripted by David Lapham, drawn by Mike Huddleston, and colored by Dan Jackson.

The Strain follows Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).  Eph heads the Canary Project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats.   With his second-in-command, Nora Martinez, Eph has found just that kind a threat.  It begins at J.F.K. International Airport in New York City, where a Boeing 777 went dead silent after landing.

The Strain #4 opens at the Stoneheart Group Headquarters in Manhattan.  There, CEO Eldritch Palmer begins to orchestrate his part in the madness that has already begun.  Eph’s son, Zack, witnesses something frightening.  Exhausted, Eph struggles to discover the secrets of what looks like an epidemic, while Nora comforts him.

Gabe Bolivar, rock star and survivor of the Boeing flight, gets a visit from his manager, Rudy, a visit that leaves the visitor stunned.  The wife of Ansel Barbour, another survivor, seeks comfort in “The Lord’s Prayer.”  Eph and Nora have a completely unexpected encounter with the third survivor, Captain Redfern.

The Strain #3 was f’ing awesome, and so is #4.  Artist Mike Huddleston has complete control of this narrative’s pace.  He draws out the coming horror in a measured pace that tries one’s nerves.  Could I take the heat?  Then, Huddleston unleashes brief action scenes that hit the viewer like a mean action movie.  Every one page of action feels like three pages.  Many media properties would be well served by a Mike Huddleston as their comic book artist.

Fans of horror comic books must have The Strain.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Review: MONSTER: The Perfect Edition Volume 1

MONSTER: THE PERFECT EDITION, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Naoki Urasawa with Takashi Nagasaki
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Camellia Nieh
LETTERS: Steve Dutro
ISBN: 978-1-4215-6906-2; paperback (July 2014); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
432pp, B&W with some color, $19.99 U.S., $22.99 CAN, £12.99 UK

Monster is a seinen manga (comics for adult men) written and drawn by Naoki Urasawa.  It was originally serialized in Japan in the manga magazine, Big Comic Original (published by Shogakukan), from December 1994 to December 2001.  From February 2006 to December 2008, VIZ Media published Monster in 18 paperback graphic novel editions (known as tankōbon in Japan).  Now, VIZ Media is collecting the series in a new “Perfect Edition” format in which two graphic novels are gathered in each oversized paperback volume.

Monster: The Perfect Edition, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 16) reprints Monster Volume 1 and Volume 2.  This edition is print-only and is published under the VIZ Signature imprint and it is rated “‘T+’ for Older Teens.”  The series carries an MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) of $19.99 U.S. and $22.99 CAN.  Monster: The Perfect Edition features a new English translation of Monster, re-mastered pages, and many pages of full-color content.  After Vol. 1, future volumes of Monster: The Perfect Edition will be released four times a year in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand for a total of nine volumes covering the entire series.

Naoki Urasawa’s Monster focuses on a young and very talented doctor who discovers that no good deed goes unpunished.  Dr. Kenzo Tenma moved from Japan to Germany to find success as a brain surgeon.  As the go-to-surgeon at Eisler Memorial Hospital in Düsseldorf, Tenma is the hospital’s golden boy.  However, it comes at a cost.  Tenma writes the medical papers that hospital director, Dr. Heinemann, presents as his own work.  Kenzo dates Heinemann’s daughter, Eva, but she is a spoiled daddy’s girl who cares more about appearances and material wealth than other people.  Then, Tenma makes a decision that leads to his fall from grace with Heinemann.

Tenma is determined to prove that he made the right decision.  So when two children come into the emergency room at Eisler one night, Tenma operates on Johan Liebert, the brother who has been shot in the head.  Johan’s sister, Anna, is in shock, but Tenma is determined to protect them both.  Tenma does not realize that his decision will force him to confront questions of good and evil.  Years later, he discovers a bizarre series of serial murders, and Tenma realizes that he may have saved a monster.

The Monster manga by Naoki Urasawa is one of the best comics published in the last decade of the 20th century.  Urasawa’s acclaimed manga may even be the best.

Monster can best be described as a psychological thriller, in which the central conspiracy expands ever outward.  Although the hero, Dr. Tenma, initially believes that all he has to do is find a serial killer, he gradually discovers that he must investigate history as well as track a killer.  Of course, Monster is a murder mystery, and there is plenty of political intrigue, some of it involving workplace politics. 

Whatever genres and styles upon which it touches, Monster is a riveting, absorbing read.  It is a chilling story in which the monsters are not of supernatural origins, but instead come from the dark recesses of the human mind.  Monster is such an engrossing, page-turner that it is unforgettable.  I never forgot it, and I am ready to read it again – thanks to Monster: The Perfect Edition.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.