DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for April 11, 2023

DC COMICS:

Batman And Scooby-Doo Mysteries #7 (Cover A Dario Brizuela), $2.99

Batman Detective Comics Volume 4 Riddle Me This HC, $24.99

Batman Incorporated #7 (Cover A John Timms), $3.99

Batman Incorporated #7 (Cover B Mico Suayan Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman Incorporated #7 (Cover C John Timms Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #4 (Of 7)(Cover A Jorge Corona), $3.99

Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #4 (Of 7)(Cover B Mike Perkins Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #4 (Of 7)(Cover C Brian Bolland Villain Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #4 (Of 7)(Cover D Hayden Sherman Card Stock Variant), AR

Danger Street #5 (Of 12)(Cover A Jorge Fornes), $4.99

Danger Street #5 (Of 12)(Cover B Mitch Gerads Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Danger Street #5 (Of 12)(Cover C Tom King April Fools Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Future State Gotham Volume 3 Batmen At War TP, $16.99

Lazarus Planet Revenge Of The Gods #3 (Of 4)(Cover A Guillem March), $4.99

Lazarus Planet Revenge Of The Gods #3 (Of 4)(Cover B Simone Di Meo Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Lazarus Planet Revenge Of The Gods #3 (Of 4)(Cover C Michael Cho Card Stock Variant), AR

MAD Magazine #31, $5.99

Multiversity Harley Screws Up The DCU #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Amanda Conner), $4.99

Multiversity Harley Screws Up The DCU #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Vasco Georgiev Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Multiversity Harley Screws Up The DCU #2 (Of 6)(Cover C John McCrea Card Stock Variant), AR

Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #1 (Of 6)(Cover A Reiko Murakami), $3.99

Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #1 (Of 6)(Cover B Rod Reis Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #1 (Of 6)(Cover C Rafael Albuquerque Card Stock Variant), AR

Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #1 (Of 6)(Cover D Yoshitaka Amano Foil Variant), AR

Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #1 (Of 6)(Cover E Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant), AR

Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #1 (Of 6)(Cover F Yoshitaka Amano Wraparound Card Stock Variant), AR

Superman Lost #2 (Of 10)(Cover A Carlo Pagulayan & Jason Paz), $4.99

Superman Lost #2 (Of 10)(Cover B Lee Weeks Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Superman Lost #2 (Of 10)(Cover C Howard Porter Card Stock Variant), AR

Superman Son Of Kal-El Volume 1 The Truth TP, $16.99

Top 10 Compendium TP, $59.99

WildC.A.T.s #6 (Cover A Stephen Segovia), $3.99

WildC.A.T.s #6 (Cover B Nathan Szerdy Card Stock Variant), $4.99

WildC.A.T.s #6 (Cover C Dan Hipp Card Stock Variant), AR

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DC Comics from Lunar/UCS Distributors for August 18, 2020

DC COMICS:

Aquaman #62 (Cover A Robson Rocha), $3.99
Aquaman #62 (Cover B Tyler Kirkham), AR
Batman #97 (Cover A Guillem March), $3.99
Batman #97 (Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman #97 (Cover C Jorge Jimenez Harley Quinn Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Adventures Batgirl A League Of Her Own TP, $9.99
Catwoman #23 (Sean Murphy 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Catwoman #24 (Cover A Sean Murphy), $3.99
Catwoman #24 (Cover B Junggeun Yoon), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal Guidebook #1 (Cover A Yasmine Putri), $5.99
Dark Nights Death Metal Guidebook #1 (Cover B Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson), AR
DC Poster Portfolio James Jean TP, $24.99
Harley Quinn #75 (Cover A Guillem March), $5.99
Harley Quinn #75 (Cover B Frank Cho), AR
Justice League #51 (Cover A Philip Tan), $3.99
Justice League #51 (Cover B Nick Derington), AR
Metal Men #9 (Of 12)(Cover A Shane Davis), $3.99
Metal Men #9 (Of 12)(Cover B Brian Bolland Card Stock Variant), AR
Nightwing #73 (Cover A Travis Moore), AR
Nightwing #73 (Cover B Alan Quah), $3.99
Power Of Shazam Volume 1 In The Beginning HC, $49.99
Question The Deaths Of Vic Sage #4 (Of 4)(Cover A Denys Cowan & Bill Sienkiewicz), $6.99
Question The Deaths Of Vic Sage #4 (Of 4)(Cover B Andrea Sorrentino), AR
Scooby-Doo Where Are You #105, $2.99
Teen Titans #44 (Cover A Bernard Chang), $3.99
Teen Titans #44 (Cover B Khary Randolph), $3.99
Wonder Woman #759 (David Marquez 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Wonder Woman Annual #4, $4.99
Wonder Woman Dead Earth #4 (Of 4)(Cover A Daniel Warren Johnson), $6.99
Wonder Woman Dead Earth #4 (Of 4)(Cover B Daniel Warren Johnson), AR
Wonder Woman The Hiketeia Deluxe Edition HC, $29.99
Wonder Woman Volume 2 Love Is A Battlefield TP, $19.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 12, 2018

DC COMICS

JAN180393    ABSOLUTE BATMAN THE KILLING JOKE HC    $49.99
JUN180567    ALL STAR BATMAN TP VOL 03 THE FIRST ALLY    $16.99
JUN180561    BATMAN KNIGHTFALL TP VOL 01 25TH ANNIVERSARY ED    $19.99
MAR180337    BATMAN THE ARKHAM SAGA OMNIBUS HC    $150.00
JUL180631    CATWOMAN #3    $3.99
JUL180632    CATWOMAN #3 VAR ED    $3.99
JUL180637    DETECTIVE COMICS #988    $3.99
JUL180638    DETECTIVE COMICS #988 VAR ED    $3.99
JUL180641    FLASH #54    $3.99
JUL180642    FLASH #54 VAR ED    $3.99
JUL180655    HAWKMAN #4    $3.99
JUL180656    HAWKMAN #4 VAR ED    $3.99
JUL180609    HOUSE OF WHISPERS #1 (MR)    $3.99
JUL180610    HOUSE OF WHISPERS #1 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
JUL180657    IMMORTAL MEN #6    $2.99
JUN180582    JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 07 JUSTICE LOST    $14.99
JUN180584    NIGHTWING TP VOL 06 THE UNTOUCHABLE    $19.99
JUL180680    PLASTIC MAN #4 (OF 6)    $3.99
JUL180682    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #26    $3.99
JUL180683    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #26 VAR ED    $3.99
JUL180685    SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #29    $3.99
JUL180686    SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #29 VAR ED    $3.99
JUL180688    SIDEWAYS #8    $2.99
JUL180617    SUICIDE SQUAD #46 SINK ATLANTIS    $3.99
JUL180618    SUICIDE SQUAD #46 VAR ED SINK ATLANTIS    $3.99
JUL180690    SUPERGIRL #22    $3.99
JUL180691    SUPERGIRL #22 VAR ED    $3.99
JUL180692    SUPERMAN #3    $3.99
JUL180693    SUPERMAN #3 HUGHES VAR ED    $3.99
JUL180694    SUPERMAN #3 MACK VAR ED    $3.99
JUL180699    TITANS #25    $4.99
JUL180700    TITANS #25 VAR ED    $4.99
JUL180706    WILDSTORM MICHAEL CRAY #11    $3.99
JUL180707    WONDER WOMAN #54    $3.99
JUL180708    WONDER WOMAN #54 VAR ED    $3.99
JUN180592    WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 06 CHILDREN OF THE GODS    $16.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 29, 2018

DC COMICS

JUN180460    BATGIRL #26    $3.99
JUN180461    BATGIRL #26 VAR ED    $3.99
JUN180462    BATGIRL ANNUAL #2    $4.99
MAR180336    BATMAN A LOT OF LIL GOTHAM TP    $24.99
MAY180565    BATMAN ARKHAM PENGUIN TP    $19.99
FEB180298    BATMAN BRAVE & THE BOLD BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02    $99.99
JUN180444    CATWOMAN TWEETY & SYLVESTER SPECIAL #1    $4.99
JUN180445    CATWOMAN TWEETY & SYLVESTER SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
MAY180574    DC BOMBSHELLS THE DELUXE ED HC BOOK 01    $29.99
FEB180332    DC DESIGNER SERIES BATMAN BY BRIAN BOLLAND MINI STATUE    $80.00
MAY180580    HARLEY & IVY MEET BETTY & VERONICA HC    $24.99
JUN180446    HARLEY QUINN GOSSAMER SPECIAL #1    $4.99
JUN180448    HARLEY QUINN GOSSAMER SPECIAL #1 BLANK VAR ED    $4.99
JUN180447    HARLEY QUINN GOSSAMER SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
JUN180449    JOKER DAFFY DUCK SPECIAL #1    $4.99
JUN180450    JOKER DAFFY DUCK SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
JUN180451    LEX LUTHOR PORKY PIG SPECIAL #1    $4.99
JUN180452    LEX LUTHOR PORKY PIG SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
MAY180587    NEW GODS BY JACK KIRBY TP    $29.99
JUN180522    NIGHTWING ANNUAL #1    $4.99
JUN180527    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS ANNUAL #2    $4.99
JUN180433    SCARLET #1 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
JUN180435    SCARLET #1 (OF 5) BLANK VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
JUN180434    SCARLET #1 (OF 5) VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
JUN180535    SILENCER ANNUAL #1    $4.99
FEB180328    TEEN TITANS STARFIRE MULTI PART STATUE    $80.00

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 21, 2017

DC COMICS

APR170266    ALL STAR BATMAN #11    $4.99
APR170267    ALL STAR BATMAN #11 ALBURQUERQUE VAR ED    $4.99
APR170268    ALL STAR BATMAN #11 FIUMARA VAR ED    $4.99
APR170271    AQUAMAN #25    $3.99
APR170272    AQUAMAN #25 VAR ED    $3.99
APR178934    BATMAN #24 2ND PTG    $2.99
APR170281    BATMAN #25    $3.99
APR170282    BATMAN #25 VAR ED    $3.99
APR170283    BATWOMAN #4    $3.99
APR170284    BATWOMAN #4 VAR ED    $3.99
APR170401    CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #9 (MR)    $3.99
APR170402    CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #9 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
APR170380    DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #29    $3.99
MAR170418    DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS TP VOL 04 QUEENS    $19.99
JAN170427    DC DESIGNER SER JOKER BY BRIAN BOLLAND STATUE    $150.00
MAR170353    DC SUPER HERO GIRLS TP VOL 03 SUMMER OLYMPUS    $9.99
MAR170423    DEATH OF HAWKMAN TP    $16.99
JAN170390    DOOM PATROL THE SILVER AGE OMNIBUS HC    $99.99
APR170301    GREEN ARROW #25    $3.99
APR170302    GREEN ARROW #25 VAR ED    $3.99
APR170305    GREEN LANTERNS #25    $3.99
APR170306    GREEN LANTERNS #25 VAR ED    $3.99
APR170313    HARLEY QUINN #22    $2.99
APR170314    HARLEY QUINN #22 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170404    HARLEY QUINN TP VOL 02 JOKER LOVES HARLEY (REBIRTH)    $16.99
APR170382    INJUSTICE 2 #4    $2.99
APR170319    JUSTICE LEAGUE #23    $2.99
APR170320    JUSTICE LEAGUE #23 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170412    JUSTICE LEAGUE VS SUICIDE SQUAD HC (REBIRTH)    $29.99
APR170363    LOBO ROAD RUNNER SPECIAL #1    $4.99
APR170364    LOBO ROAD RUNNER SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
APR170398    MAD MAGAZINE #546    $5.99
MAR170405    NEW SUPER MAN TP VOL 01 MADE IN CHINA (REBIRTH)    $16.99
APR170329    NIGHTWING #23    $2.99
APR170330    NIGHTWING #23 VAR ED    $2.99
APR170394    ODYSSEY OF THE AMAZONS #6 (OF 6)    $3.99
APR170343    SUPER SONS #5    $3.99
APR170344    SUPER SONS #5 VAR ED    $3.99
MAR170428    SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPERHEROES HC VOL 01    $49.99
APR170341    SUPERMAN #25    $3.99
APR170342    SUPERMAN #25 VAR ED    $3.99
MAR170432    SUPERMAN THE GOLDEN AGE TP VOL 03    $29.99
APR170397    TEEN TITANS GO #22    $2.99
APR170351    TRINITY #10    $3.99
APR170352    TRINITY #10 VAR ED    $3.99
APR170376    WILD STORM #5    $3.99
APR170377    WILD STORM #5 LEE VAR ED    $3.99
APR170378    WILD STORM #5 SHALVEY VAR ED    $3.99
APR170367    WONDER WOMAN TASMANIAN DEVIL SPECIAL #1    $4.99
APR170368    WONDER WOMAN TASMANIAN DEVIL SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99

Review: DOOM PATROL #1

DOOM PATROL No. 1 (2016)
DC COMICS/Young Animal – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gerard Way
ART: Nick Derington
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: Todd Klein
COVER: Nick Derington
VARIANT COVERS: Brian Bolland; Sanford Greene; Jaime Hernandez; Babs Tarr; Brian Chippendale
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (NOVEMBER 2016)

Mature Readers

Doom Patrol created by Arnold Drake

“Happy Birthday, Casey Brinke” Part One: “Brick by Brick”

The Doom Patrol is a DC Comics superhero team.  The original version of the Doom Patrol first appeared in the comic book, My Greatest Adventure #80 (cover dated:  June 1963).  DC Comics apparently officially credits writer Arnold Drake as the creator of the Doom Patrol, but writer Bob Haney, artist Bruno Premiani, and editor Murray Boltinoff also contributed to the creation of the original concept and team.

The first Doom Patrol consisted of super-powered misfits who had abilities (or “gifts”) that caused them alienation and trauma.  However, there have been many incarnations of the Doom Patrol since the first group that more or less work along the same lines or share the spirit of the original  The most famous iteration of the Doom Patrol since the original would probably be the one created and written by Grant Morrison that first appeared in Doom Patrol (Vol. 2) #19 (cover dated:  February 1989).

There is a new version of the Doom Patrol.  It is part of the new DC Comics imprint, “Young Animal,” which is “curated” and overseen by Gerard Way.  Way is the creator of the comic book series, The Umbrella Academy (Dark Horse Comics), and is also a lead vocalist and co-founder of the rock band, My Chemical Romance.  The new Doom Patrol is written by Way, drawn by Nick Derington, colored by Tamra Bonvillain, and lettered by Todd Klein.

Doom Patrol #1 (“Brick by Brick”) introduces Casey Brinke.  Maybe, she's a “space case,” but, for sure, she is a hot-shot ambulance driver.  However, goings-on in other dimensions will make her weird even weirder, including meeting a new roommate.

This first issue of Young Animal's Doom Patrol is certainly intriguing, but there is nothing here that will make me, dear reader, convince you to buy the first issue.  This is not a bad story, but Gerard Way spends so much time teasing that he only has enough space to do one other thing, make Casey Brinke likable.  That is something.  I am a longtime fan of the Doom Patrol, so I was going to try this comic book for at least a few issues.  Casey Brinke makes me think a few issues are a decent investment.

I do really like the art by Nick Derington.  His simple, clean style recalls small press and indie comics released by publishers like Drawn & Quarterly, Oni Press, SLP, etc.  The popularity of artists like Bruce Timm and the late Darwyn Cooke, whose slick styles recall comic books from an earlier era, made it possible for the rise of artists like Babs Tarr and Chris Samnee in superhero comic books.  In fact, Derington reminds me of Chris Samnee.

The fact that this is Doom Patrol and that I like the style and design of Nick Derington's graphical storytelling and art means I will be back for more.  Perhaps, I can highly recommend the Young Animal Doom Patrol to you at a later date.

[This comic book contains a “special sneak preview” of Shade the Change Girl #1 by Cecil Castellucci, Marley Zarcone, Kelly Fitzpatrick, and Saida Temofonte.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 11, 2015

DC COMICS

JAN150291     ACTION COMICS #40     $3.99
JAN150355     ARROW SEASON 2.5 #6     $2.99
JAN150398     ASTRO CITY #21     $3.99
NOV140331     ASTRO CITY PRIVATE LIVES HC     $24.99
DEC140407     ASTRO CITY VICTORY TP     $16.99
JAN150229     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT #1     $3.99
DEC140388     BATMAN BEYOND JUSTICE LORDS BEYOND TP     $16.99
JAN150301     BATMAN ETERNAL #49     $2.99
JAN150394     COFFIN HILL #16 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150264     CONSTANTINE #23     $2.99
JAN150311     DETECTIVE COMICS ENDGAME #1     $2.99
JAN150244     EARTH 2 WORLDS END #23     $2.99
JAN150395     FABLES THE WOLF AMONG US #3 (MR)     $3.99
JAN150401     FBP FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS #19 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150345     GREEN LANTERN CORPS #40 (NOTE PRICE)     $3.99
JAN150357     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR THREE #11     $2.99
DEC148490     IZOMBIE #1 SPECIAL ED (MR)     $1.00
DEC140382     JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 05 FOREVER HEROES (N52)     $14.99
JAN150254     JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #10     $3.99
JAN150269     KLARION #6     $2.99
JAN150354     MORTAL KOMBAT X #4 (MR)     $3.99
DEC148482     MULTIVERSITY GUIDEBOOK #1 2ND PTG     $7.99
JAN150224     NEW 52 FUTURES END #45 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
JAN150274     NEW SUICIDE SQUAD #8     $2.99
JAN150389     SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #55     $2.99
JAN150362     SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 CONTINUITY #4     $3.99
DEC148491     SUPERMAN #38 2ND PTG     $4.99
DEC140398     TINY TITANS RETURN TO THE TREEHOUSE TP     $12.99
JAN150299     WORLDS FINEST #32     $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
SEP140354     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT BATMAN STATUE     $124.95
JUN140334     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY BOLLAND 2ND ED     $79.95

I Reads You Review: JUDGE DREDD CLASSICS: The Dark Judges #1

JUDGE DREDD CLASSICS: THE DARK JUDGES #1
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

WRITERS: John Wagner (writing as “John Howard”); Alan Grant (writing as “T.B. Glover)
ART: Brian Bolland
LETTERS: Tom Frame
COLORS: Charlie Kirchoff
COVER: Darick Robertson with Diego Rodriguez
VARIANT COVER: Sam Shearon
28pp, Colors, $3.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Judge Dredd created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra

I will take any opportunity to praise legendary British comic book artist, Brian Bolland, that is presented to me.  The most recent opportunity comes in the form of the latest Judge Dredd Classics series from IDW Publishing.  Judge Dredd Classics: The Dark Judges reprints the best stories from British comics weekly, 2000 AD, that pitted Judge Dredd against the “Dark Judges.”

For those who don't know, Judge Dredd is a British comics character.  He was created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra, and first appeared in the second issue of 2000 AD (1977), the long-running, weekly science-fiction British comics anthology.  Joseph Dredd a/k/a Judge Dredd is an American law enforcement officer in a post-apocalyptic future.  In the dystopian future city of Mega-City One, Dredd is a “street judge,” and he is empowered to summarily arrest, convict, sentence, and execute criminals.

Judge Dredd Classics: The Dark Judges #1 offers four episodes (known as “progs” in 2000 AD) of the Judge Dredd comics strip that guest-starred the ultimate Dark Judge, Judge Death.  All four progs in The Dark Judges #1 are drawn by Brian Bolland.

Progs 149 to 151 comprise the story known as “Judge Death,” which introduce both Judge Death and Psi-Judge Anderson (or Judge Anderson from the Psi-Division).  This story opens with the arrival of Judge Death in Mega-City One.  An alien super-fiend from another dimension, Death believes that all life is a crime, and he is such a bad-ass that even the vaunted Judge Dredd seems unable to stop him.

Judge Dredd Classics: The Dark Judges #1 closes with Prog 224, the first chapter of the classic story, “Judge Death Lives!”  Judge Death escapes imprisonment with the help of a fool.  Meanwhile, three new characters arrive to pass the sentence of death on Mega-City One.

I think this is the first time that I have read the stories, “Judge Death,” written by John Wagner (using the name “John Howard”), and “Judge Death Lives!,” written by Wagner and Alan Grant (writing as T.B. Glover).  I bought this comic book because of Brian Bolland's art, but I must admit that I enjoyed the stories.

Bolland's work here shows why he is one of the most celebrated comic book artists of the last four decades and also why he is a beloved Judge Dredd artist.  Bolland's robust compositions, sturdy figure drawing, imaginative storytelling, and precision draftsmanship are all on display here.  For this series, Bolland's art is refreshed and revitalized by Charlie Kirchoff's coloring.

I am surprised by Judge Dredd Classics: The Dark Judges #1, because I did not think that I would want to buy anything past the first issue.  I think, however, I should try more, because I did end up enjoying reading the thing.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for January 21, 2015

IDW PUBLISHING

AUG140503     BATMAN SILVER AGE NEWSPAPER COMICS HC VOL 02 1968-1969     $49.99
NOV140513     BIGGER BANG #3     $3.99
AUG140505     BLACK DYNAMITE TP     $19.99
OCT140571     BORDERLANDS FALL OF FYRESTONE #6 TANNIS & THE VAULT PT 2 OF     $3.99
NOV140419     BORDERLANDS TP VOL 02 FALL OF FYRESTONE     $17.99
NOV140451     CARTOON NETWORK SUPER SECRET CRISIS WAR TP VOL 01     $19.99
NOV140514     CREEPLE PEEPLE #1     $3.99
NOV140506     DUNGEONS & DRAGONS LEGEND OF DRIZZT TP VOL 01 HOMELAND     $19.99
NOV140503     DUNGEONS & DRAGONS LEGENDS OF BALDURS GATE #4     $3.99
NOV140504     DUNGEONS & DRAGONS LEGENDS OF BALDURS GATE #4 SUBSCRIPTION V     $3.99
NOV140420     GALAXY QUEST JOURNEY CONTINUES #1     $3.99
AUG140494     GENIUS COLLECTED ALEX TOTH SLIPCASE SET HC     $149.99
NOV140431     GI JOE SNAKE EYES AGENT OF COBRA #1     $3.99
NOV140515     IMAGINARY DRUGS TP     $24.99
NOV140527     INDESTRUCTIBLE #10     $3.99
NOV140509     JUDAS THE LAST DAYS TP     $24.99
NOV140477     JUDGE DREDD CLASSICS DARK JUDGES #1     $3.99
NOV140407     MILLENNIUM #1     $3.99
NOV140402     OCTOBER FACTION #4     $3.99
OCT140562     POPEYE CLASSICS HC VOL 05     $29.99
NOV140466     POPEYE CLASSICS ONGOING #30     $3.99
NOV140452     SAMURAI JACK #16     $3.99
NOV140410     STAR TREK PLANET OF THE APES #2     $3.99
NOV140470     TMNT COLOR CLASSICS SERIES 3 #1     $3.99
NOV140468     TMNT NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURES #19     $3.99
NOV140475     TMNT ONGOING #42     $3.99
NOV140437     TRANSFORMERS #37 DAYS OF DECEPTION     $3.99
NOV140436     TRANSFORMERS PUNISHMENT (ONE SHOT)     $5.99
APR140426     WILD BLUE YONDER #6     $3.99
JUL140337     WILL EISNER SPIRIT ARTIST ED HC VOL 02     PI
OCT140528     WINTERWORLD #6     $3.99
NOV140399     ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS #1     $3.99
NOV140388     ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS HUNDRED PENNY PRESS ED     $1.00

I Reads You Review: BATMAN: Li’l Gotham #2

BATMAN: LI’L GOTHAM #2
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITERS: Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs
ART/COVER: Dustin Nguyen
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (July 2013)

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns was a critical and sales success, likely even beyond what anyone expected.  In response, DC Comics, in what can only be described as an unleashing, started releasing Batman publications that ran the gamut from new ongoing comic book series and miniseries to original graphics novels and special editions.  It also seemed as if anything about Batman that had once been fit to print was fit to be reprinted – sometimes in cheap editions and other times in expensive hardcover books and archival editions.

The year 1988 saw the publication of Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s one-shot comic book/graphic novel, Batman: The Killing Joke, and also the formal announcement of a Batman movie scheduled to be released during the summer of 1989.  After that, DC Comics literally flooded the market with Batman publications, apparel, and assorted merchandise.  With limited capital, comic book shops chose Batman, but to do so, many apparently cut orders elsewhere.  In my experience, that elsewhere turned out to be fewer orders of comic books from independent, alternative, and small press publishers.

Fantagraphics Books co-publisher Gary Groth described, in The Comics Journal, all the Batman products as “bat guano.”  If I remember correctly, Groth wasn’t calling this Batman stuff “crap,” because it was necessarily awful in terms of quality.  Perhaps, he meant “crap,” as in “Look, at all this shit!”

So...

Batman: Li’l Gotham is another of DC Comics’ digital-first comics (read using an app on a PC, smart phone, tablet, or other hand-held device).  The series features diminutive or child-like versions of characters from the world of Batman comic books.

Batman: Li’l Gotham #2 collects Chapters 3 and 4 of the series.  The first story (Chapter 3) takes place during the Christmas season.  Batman and Nightwing team-up (1) to stop a well-intentioned, but misguided plot by Mr. Freeze and (2) to find the missing children’s choir of Saint Peter Academy.

Chapter 4 stars the Gotham City Sirens:  Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy.  After a rendezvous with Batman, Catwoman-Selina Kyle is ready to sit back and relax on New Year’s Eve.  Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, however, insist that Selina Kyle join them on a crime spree – that will be for the benefit of man and beast, of course.

Pretty art, pretty weird.  That’s the best way that I can describe what I read in Batman: Li’l Gotham #2.  Chapter 3 pulls off the unusual hat trick of being poignant, creepy, and well-intentioned.  I can’t figure out what is the intended audience for this story (or comic book).  Chapter 4 is just lame.

Co-writer and artist Dustin Nguyen pulls off the cute with his “chibi” versions of Batman characters.  But is this a kid’s comic book or just another way for DC Comics to exploit Batman and take cash from their suckas... I mean, customers?

I think there have been four issues of Batman: Li’l Gotham published as of this writing, and maybe, I would like them more than I do #2 if I had the chance to read them.  But either way, Batman: Li’l Gotham seems more Bat-crap – more Bat-guano.

C

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 24 2013

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I Reads You Review: ZATANNA: Everyday Magic

ZATANNA: EVERYDAY MAGIC
DC COMICS/Vertigo - @DCComics

WRITER: Paul Dini
ARTIST: Rick Mays
COLORS: Brian Miller
LETTERS: Comicraft
COVER: Brian Bolland
48pp, Color, $5.95 U.S., $9.95 CAN

Zatanna Zatara, better known as simply, “Zatanna,” is a DC Comics character. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Murphy Anderson, Zatanna first appeared in Hawkman Vol. 1 #4 (October–November 1964). She is the daughter of the character, Zatara (Giovanni “John” Zatara), and like her father, she is both a stage magician and a real magician.

Published by Vertigo, the DC Comics’ imprint, Zatanna: Everyday Magic is a 2003 stand-alone, one-shot comic book from writer Paul Dini and artist Rick Mays. Everyday Magic finds Zatana in sort of a career and midlife crisis. For one thing, she wants more name recognition for her show; after all, she is a real magician using real magic, and not a stage magician wowing the audience with illusions and tricks.

Meanwhile, back in her home base of San Francisco, ex-lover John Constantine has run afoul of Nimue Ravensong, a Goth girl and user of some edgy, dark magic. Now suffering from one hell of a curse, Constantine is crashing on Zatanna’s couch and crashing her attempt at a new love life with Hal Cook, the regular guy who’s fallen under her spell.

At the time he probably pitched Zatanna: Everyday Magic, Paul Dini, an Emmy-winning writer of animated television programs, was a marquee writer. He perhaps could have gotten just about any comic book project that he proposed published. He was (and still is), after all, also an acclaimed comic book scribe.

Well, Zatanna: Everyday Magic is just about anything. It pretends to be a supernatural romantic comedy, or supernatural romance and comedy, or comic romance. However, it isn’t really romantic, but it is mildly amusing in the way mediocre, average, and/or harmless comedies are. As romantic leads, not one character in this trite concoction has any spark. In fact, Dini can add this nugget to his trophy shelf of achievements: he’s actually made Constantine boring, a witless fan-fiction version of a character who almost always has spark.

If you mixed some lolicon with the way Matt Wagner drew his early Grendel comic books, you’d have Rick Mays’ art for Zatanna: Everyday Magic. This chunky, cutesy style must be appropriate for something, but Mays’ art is just as clueless as Dini’s story. Brian Miller’s robotic coloring is pointless.

Even Brian Bolland’s cover is bland, which is shocking considering all the stunning cover images that Bolland has produced for American comics book over the better part of the last 30 years.

I don’t know why I bought this comic book, Zatanna: Everyday Magic, some 10 years ago. I recently found it while looking through a box of unread stuff. There are a few nice moments, so I finally extracted some of my $5.95 out of it.

D+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for December 19 2012

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 12 2012

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Brian Bolland Headed to 2012 Baltimore Comic-Con

Baltimore Comic-Con Spearheads New "British Invasion" with Addition of Brian Bolland

The Baltimore Comic-Con is proud to announce the addition of British comic legend Brian Bolland to the growing line-up of guests for this year's show, taking place September 8-9, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Bolland, best known for his meticulously detailed line work, is one of the artists who helped define Judge Dredd for the British anthology series 2000 AD. In 1982, Bolland spearheaded what has become known as the "British Invasion" of the American comic industry, blowing open the doors for some the most prolific creators from across the pond to showcase their work throughout the States.

Bolland's cover work for such DC Comics titles as Animal Man, The Invisibles, and Wonder Woman defined the look and feel of these books through the late-'80s and early-'90s. His most recent work includes Cover Story: The DC Comics Art of Brian Bolland, which hit stores last September, and covers for DC Comics' Dial H, one of the titles in the second wave of books from the New 52, which hit stores this past week.

"We are delighted to have Brian Bolland attending this year's show," said Marc Nathan, show promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "His influence on both the world of British and American comics continues to be felt through his eye-catching composition gracing the covers of DC Comics."

In addition to Bolland, other confirmed guests for the show including: Laura & Michael Allred (Madman, iZombie); Greg Capullo (Batman, Spawn); Tommy Castillo (Grimm Fairy Tales); Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman); Frank Cho (Avengers vs. X-Men, Liberty Meadows); Steve Conley (Bloop webcomic www.bloopstree.com); Amanda Conner (Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre); Lar deSouza (Looking For Group, Least I Could Do); Dan Didio (O.M.A.C.); Garth Ennis (The Shadow, Hellblazer, Preacher, The Boys); Rich Faber (Roboy Red); David Finch (Batman: The Dark Knight); John Gallagher (Buzzboy); Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman); Keith Giffen (Superman, OMAC, Green Arrow); Gene Ha (Justice League); Larry Hama (G.I. Joe, Wolverine, The 'Nam); Cully Hamner (Action Comics); Dean Haspiel (Billy Dogma, ACT-I-VATE, Trip City); Jamal Igle (KISS, Supergirl, The Ray); J.G. Jones (Wanted, Doc Savage); Barry Kitson (Captain America, Iron Man, Fantastic Four); Scott Kurtz (PvPonline.com); David Mack (Kabuki); Ron Marz (Artifacts, Voodoo); Bob McLeod (DC Comics Presents: Wonder Woman); Mark Morales (Avengers vs. X-Men); Jimmy Palmiotti (All-Star Western); David Petersen (Mouse Guard); Brian Pulido (Lady Death); Frank Quitely (All Star Superman, Batman & Robin); John Romita, Jr. (Avengers Vs. X-Men); Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge); Stuart Sayger (Infestation 2: 30 Days of Night One-Shot); Walter Simonson (Thor, Legion of Super-Heroes, Avengers); Ryan Sohmer (Looking For Group, Least I Could Do); Scott Snyder (Batman, Severed, Swamp Thing); Brian Stelfreeze (ICE); Karl Story (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9); Peter Tomasi (Batman and Robin); Billy Tucci (A Child Is Born, Shi); Matt Wagner (Tower Chronicles, Mage, Grendel); Mark Waid (Daredevil, Incorruptible, Irredeemable); and Bernie Wrightson (Frankenstein).

In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 8-9, 2012. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, September 8th.

Please take a moment to help us spread this message using the social media links embedded, reposting, or retweeting!

Contact Information
Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:

press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution

promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications

registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations

harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet

general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries


About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 13th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 8-9, 2012. For more information, please visit http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 7 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit http://www.harveyawards.org/.