Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 21 2012

IMAGE COMICS

OCT100465 ART OF TODD MCFARLANE DEVILS IN THE DETAILS HC $64.99

OCT100466 ART OF TODD MCFARLANE DEVILS IN THE DETAILS HC S/N ED $99.99

SEP120390 CLONE #1 [DIG] $2.99

SEP120392 COMEBACK #1 (MR) $3.50

AUG120506 DARKNESS #108 (MR) [DIG] $2.99

SEP120500 GLORY #30 [DIG] $3.99

SEP120508 IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS #4 [DIG] $2.99

SEP120511 MIND THE GAP #6 CVR A ESQUEJO [DIG] $2.99

SEP120512 MIND THE GAP #6 CVR B OBACK $2.99

SEP120411 RETROVIRUS HC (MR) [DIG] $12.99

SEP120519 REVIVAL #5 [DIG] $2.99

MAY120504 SAVAGE DRAGON #183 [DIG] $3.50

SEP120416 SPAWN #225 OBAMA $2.99

SEP120417 SPAWN #225 ROMNEY $2.99

SEP120420 SPAWN ORIGINS DLX ED HC S/N VOL 03 $150.00

SEP120419 SPAWN ORIGINS DLX ED HC VOL 03 $100.00

SEP120449 WALKING DEAD TP VOL 17 SOMETHING TO FEAR (MR) [DIG] $14.99

SEP120442 WITCHBLADE REBIRTH TP VOL 02 [DIG] $16.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

AUG120544 DARK KNIGHT RISES ROGUES HINES WARD AF PI

AUG120545 HALO 4 SERIES 1 5-PK AF SET PI

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for November 21 2012

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

SEP128109 BRAVEST WARRIORS #1 2ND PTG $3.99

AUG121291 ALICE I/T COUNTRY CLOVER CHESHIRE CAT WALTZ GN VOL 03 (MR) $13.99

AUG120790 AN ELEGY FOR AMELIA JOHNSON HC LEATHER BOUND $29.95

AUG121292 ANGEL PARA BELLUM GN VOL 02 (MR) $11.99

AUG121197 ANIMAL LAND GN VOL 06 $10.99

SEP120791 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #235 [DIG/P+] $3.99

SEP120793 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #207 [DIG/P+] $3.99

AUG121354 BOKURANO OURS GN VOL 07 $12.99

SEP121192 BOOK OF FIVE RINGS GN $14.95

SEP120930 BRAVEST WARRIORS #2 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

JUL121073 CASTLE WAITING VOL II #18 $3.95

AUG120770 CAVEWOMAN 2010 HEROES CON SKETCHBOOK SGN ED PI

SEP120872 CRITTER (ONGOING) #6 $3.50

SEP120871 CRITTER TP $14.99

MAY121049 DARK SHADOWS #10 $3.99

AUG121096 DF VAMPIRELLA #24 RISQUE RED EXC $14.99

SEP120877 DIGESTATE GN (MR) $19.95

JUN121273 DPD DOKTORMENTOR JAIL BABE SURGEON #8 (MR) $9.95

SEP120873 ELECTRIC YOUTH SPECIAL ONE SHOT $3.50

AUG121210 FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET HC $14.99

MAY120883 FATHOM KIANI VOL 2 #4 CVR A NOME $3.50

JUN121024 GAME OF THRONES #11 (MR) $3.99

AUG121435 GFT BAD GIRLS #4 A CVR LILLY (MR) $2.99

SEP121291 GODSTORM #2 A CVR SPAY (MR) $2.99

SEP121292 GODSTORM #2 B CVR SEJIC (MR) $2.99

SEP121293 GODSTORM #2 C CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99

MAR120751 GRAND DUKE HC $24.95

SEP121289 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #79 A CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99

SEP121290 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #79 B CVR CUMMINGS (MR) $2.99

AUG121293 HAGANAI I HAVE NO FRIENDS GN VOL 01 $12.99

SEP121225 HARBINGER (ONGOING) #6 SUAYAN CVR $3.99

SEP120893 HELLRAISER #20 MAIN CVRS (MR) [DIG] $3.99

AUG121072 HENTAI PRINCE AND THE STONY CAT GN VOL 01 $12.95

JUL120783 HEROES OF THE NORTH MISSIONS ONE SHOT (MR) $5.99

AUG121074 HONEY SMILE GN $12.95

SEP121270 INTERVIEW W/T VAMPIRE GN VOL 01 CLAUDIAS STORY $19.99

JUL120976 KEVIN SMITH BIONIC MAN #14 $3.99

FEB120746 LAST DAYS OF AN IMMORTAL HC (RES) (MR) $24.95

JUL120727 LAST ZOMBIE BEFORE THE AFTER #2 [DIG] $3.99

SEP120876 LEGEND OF OZ THE WICKED WEST ONGOING #2 $3.50

SEP120875 LEGEND OF OZ WICKED WEST TP $17.99

MAY121196 LOVE HINA OMNIBUS TP KODANSHA ED VOL 04 $19.99

AUG121073 LOVEPHOBIA GN VOL 02 $12.95

JUL121134 MILES EDGEWORTH ACE ATTORNEY GN VOL 03 (MR) $10.99

MAY121288 MODESTY BLAISE TP VOL 22 LADY IN THE DARK $19.95

OCT121249 NEON GENESIS EVANGELION TP VOL 13 $9.99

SEP121002 PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #3 $3.99

AUG128054 PLANET O/T APES CATACLYSM #1 (2ND PTG) $3.99

JUL120704 PRINCELESS SHORT STORIES FOR WARRIOR WOMEN #1 $3.99

SEP120729 RACHEL RISING TP VOL 02 FEAR NO MALUS $16.99

SEP121402 RAIDERS STORY O/T GREATEST FAN FILM EVER MADE HC $25.99

AUG121356 REAL GN VOL 11 $12.99

AUG121357 SATURN APARTMENTS TP VOL 06 $12.99

SEP120987 SHADOW #8 $3.99

OCT120993 SHADOW HC VOL 01 FIRE OF CREATION SGN ED $49.99

SEP120880 SIMPSONS COMICS #196 $2.99

AUG120806 SONIC SUPER SPECIAL MAGAZINE #5 [P+] $9.99

SEP120804 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG LEGACY VOL 02 $14.99

SEP120805 SONIC UNIVERSE #46 [P+] $2.99

SEP121277 SOULLESS MANGA GN VOL 02 $12.99

SEP120913 STEED AND MRS PEEL ONGOING #3 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

SEP120828 STITCHED HC VOL 01 (MR) $27.99

SEP120829 STITCHED SIGNED LTD HC VOL 01 (MR) $49.99

SEP120827 STITCHED TP VOL 01 (MR) $19.99

SEP120889 SUPURBIA ONGOING #1 MAIN CVRS [DIG] $3.99

AUG121034 THE SPIDER #6 $3.99

APR121344 THEATER TP $15.99

SEP121279 THERMAE ROMAE HC VOL 01 (MR) $34.99

SEP121107 TUNE VANISHING POINT SC $16.99

JUL121233 UPSIDE DOWN A VAMPIRE TALE HC $9.95

JUL121015 VOLTRON #9 $3.99

JUL121272 X 3-IN-1 ED TP VOL 04 $19.99

SEP121229 X-O MANOWAR (ONGOING) #7 $3.99

AUG121294 YOUNG MISS HOLMES COLL TP VOL 02 CASEBOOK 3-4 $16.99

MAGAZINES
AUG121467 BACK ISSUE #61 $10.95
AUG120887 BLEEDING COOL MAGAZINE #1 (MR) $4.99
SEP120651 CARS MAGAZINE #10 $4.99
SEP121329 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1327 PI
SEP120650 FAIRIES MAGAZINE #10 $4.99
SEP121355 HORRORHOUND #38 $6.99

BOOKS

SEP121351 AGATHA H & CLOCKWORK PRINCESS GIRL GENIUS NOVEL SC $15.99

AUG121478 AHISTORY UNAUTH HIST OF DOCTOR WHO UNIVERSE 3RD ED $49.95

AUG121444 ART AND MAKING OF PEANUTS ANIMATION HC $45.00

SEP121306 ART OF HALO 4 HC $34.95

AUG121479 CHICKS UNRAVEL TIME WOMEN JOURNEY THRU EVERY SEASON DR WHO $19.95

SEP121332 DANGEROUS CURVES COMICS SEXIEST BAD GIRLS SC $8.99

SEP121343 DOCTOR WHO DOCTIONARY HC $15.99

SEP121308 DR SEUSS CAT BEHIND THE HAT HC $75.00

SEP121360 DRAWING COMICS LAB SC $24.99

AUG121525 HOLY FRANCHISE BATMAN BRINGING CAPED CRUSADER TO SCREEN HC $19.95

SEP121716 LEGO NINJAGO BRICKMASTER FIGHT POWER OF SNAKES HC $29.99

AUG121492 LORD OF TREES NOVEL $9.95

JUL121245 LOU SCHEIMER CREATING FILMATION GENERATION SC (RES) $29.95

MAY121305 MODERN MASTERS SC VOL 03 BRUCE TIMM 5TH PTG $15.95

SEP121116 OVERSTREET GUIDE TO COLLECTING COMICS SC VOL 01 JUSKO CVR $19.95

SEP121117 OVERSTREET GUIDE TO COLLECTING COMICS SC VOL 01 NEWTON DM CV $19.95

AUG121542 STAR TREK KLINGON BIRD OF PREY HAYNES OWNERS MANUAL HC $28.00

SEP121414 STAR WARS OLD REPUBLIC HC ANNIHILATION $27.00

SEP121338 SUPERMAN IS JEWISH HC $25.00

AUG121378 TEN BILLION DAYS & ONE HUNDRED BILLION NIGHTS NOVEL $14.99

SEP120731 TERRY MOORE HOW TO DRAW SC $16.99

Albert Avilla Reviews: Teen Titans #13

Teen Titans # 13
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Story: Scott Lobdell
Script: Fabian Nicieza
Art: Ale Garza

The Origin of Wonder Girl (Spoilers!)

Cassie Sandmark is a cat burglar who runs afoul of the law and is saved by a muscle-bound guy named Diesel. She falls in love with this bad boy who takes her on a joyride through the dark side. During this time Cassie is traveling around the world with her mother going from archaeological site to archaeological site.

They end up at a site in Cambodia where Diesel decides to steal some buried treasure. Diesel gets attacked by the living armor; Cassie saves Diesel by taking on the armor herself. Diesel is angry and wants the armor back; then, bam, the mountain falls on him. Wonder Girl is born. Back in the present, Cassie, Red Robin, and Superboy are flying to Cambodia to find some answers.

I am a Titans fan, so I am reading this issue, trying to keep up with what the gang is doing. The story is not impressing me very much; I am feeling disappointed by Scott Lobdell, who’s been handling his business of late. Then, bam, the mountain falls on me. I didn’t know this was one of those stories where the shocker comes at the end. The story is made worthwhile with the words “the mark of Trigon.” It’s on now; time for the big boys to get in the game. Mother-shut-my-mouth Trigon is in the works. I can’t wait to see The New 52 Raven. That’s how you leave them wanting more. Okay, give us a little more; the new, fine-ass Amanda Waller is sending one of her boys to bring the Titans in. Mouth watering foreshadowing is what this issue is about.

The art is good. Garza’s talent shines when Wonder Girl is taking the armor. The costume is visually appealing, and the armor is hardcore. When you see it, you know someone will receive more than their fair share of pain and misery. Red Robin is a bad boy in that flying apparatus.

I rate Teen Titans # 13 Buy Your Own Copy. #2 (of 5) Al-O-Meter Ranking

I Reads You Review - MARVEL MUST HAVES: Wolverine #20-22

MARVEL MUST HAVES: WOLVERINE #20-22
MARVEL COMICS

WRITERS: Mark Millar
PENCILS: John Romita, Jr.
INKS: Klaus Janson
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: VC’s Rus Wooton
ADDITIONAL ART: John Romita, Jr. and Richard Isanove
COVER: John Romita, Jr. with Paul Mounts
80pp, Color, $3.99 U.S., $5.75 CAN

Rated: PSR+

I was going through a stack of comic books that I found in the comics graveyard that part of my house has become. I came across Marvel Must Haves: Wolverine #20-22. I remember reading it or at least some of it some time ago. I do remember why I bought this comic book: it collected a hot story arc.

Mark Millar started writing Wolverine (Vol. 3) around 2004. His first story arc was “Enemy of the State” (Wolverine #20-25), which was drawn by John Romita, Jr., with inks by Klaus Janson and colors by Paul Monts. Because the early issues of “Enemy of the State” were selling out, Marvel Comics collected the first three issues in a “Marvel Must Haves” edition. For a time, Marvel re-offered portions of hot story arcs for readers who wanted to catch up on those stories without having to wait for a trade collection in “Marvel Must Have” comic books.

I can only remember reading part of “Enemy of the State,” but I do remember really liking what I read. I can say, after having recently read the entirety of Marvel Must Haves: Wolverine #20-22, “I gots to read da rest!”

In Wolverine #20, our hero, Wolverine/Logan, arrives in Japan to help an old acquaintance recover his kidnapped son. Instead, Logan finds himself battling ninja, before falling into the clutches of Gorgon, some kind of mutant, ninja-master. This is all part of plot involving three groups: Gorgon’s Dawn of the White Light, The Hand (a ninja outfit), and Hydra. Guest-stars include Nick Fury and Elektra Natchios.

In Wolverine #21, Logan infiltrates a S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft carrier in the South Atlantic Ocean, where he takes on Elektra. Guest-stars include Kitty Pryde and Storm of the X-Men. In Wolverine #22, Logan infiltrates the Baxter Building for a battle royale with the Fantastic Four. Dr. Henry Pym and Tony Stark also guest-star.

I think that Mark Millar is one of the best superhero comic book writers to emerge in the last two decades. I’d place him in a group just behind Alan Moore and Grant Morrison. Who else is in that group with Millar? Later for that is what I’ll say for now. Millar has a knack for creating these rousing stories with great action and suspense set pieces that turn his comic books into potboilers. He can do it without developing character relationships in a meaningful way or offering emotional resonance; his work is action movie comics.

I think this is one of those stories in which Millar’s script is more than just a guide for the artists. His writing dominates, and just about any comic book artist with strong storytelling skills could have done a good job with “Enemy of the State.” Janson’s inking streamlines Romita’s chunky compositions, and Mounts coloring makes the art pop off the page. Still, this is Millar’s show, and it’s a good show.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Rin-ne: Shinigami Rivals

I read RIN-NE, Vol. 10

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

Albert Avilla Reviews: Talon #0

Talon #0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Plot: James Tynion IV and Scott Snyder
Writer: James Tynion
Art: Guillem March

The Long Run (Spoilers!)

When I first looked at the cover, I was thinking, what is this corny B. S.? After reading the story, that is a faded memory soon to be completely lost in the recesses of my mind. No, my thoughts are that Talon is the best new character to come bursting on the scene this month. Everything that I saw as a joke is now awesome in my sight.

In the opening scene, we find eight-year-old Calvin Ross, Talon, locked in a dog kennel by his sick father. His flair for the art of the escape emerges and an escape artist is born. Talon tells his origin during his own failed assassination. Young Calvin escapes to Haly's Circus to become an apprentice to an escape artist and eventually becomes a star in his own right. Calvin is taken by The Court of Owls to be trained to become a Talon. Calvin is won over by The Court of Owls with promises of fighting evil. To become a Talon, Calvin must kill the present Talon. Calvin is quilt ridden after killing the Talon. He continues to amaze The Court by being the first to escape their Labyrinth and becoming the new Talon.

On his first mission, Talon is ordered to kill a twenty-three-year-old heiress and her two-year-old daughter. Instead, Talon rescues Casey and Sarah Washington and once again performs an amazing escape. He is now a target of The Court. The Talon sent to kill Calvin makes the mistake of testing Calvin's skills by locking him in the trunk of a car and dumping it in the river. Calvin once again escapes and defeats the Talon. Now a man on the run, Talon must continue to escape The Court of Owls.

Talon has the potential to be the next big thing. Snyder and Tynion have overcome my prejudgments by creating a fresh new character. Talon’s unique skills take him from being a circus act to an assassin to a hero. Calvin Ross's heroism is demonstrated by his ability to rise above evil's influence throughout his life. Talon does not allow himself to become a victim of circumstance, but fights to forge his own path into heroism. A hero arises from The New 52.

The art is an integral part of the story. It does its part to demonstrate the enormity of the forces arrayed against Talon and the difficulty of the tasks he must accomplish. The immensity of the structures in comparison to Talon is symbolic of the position that Talon finds himself in his struggle against The Court of Owls.

I rate Talon # 0 Buy Your Own Copy. #2 (of 5) on Al-O-Meter Ranking

Albert Avilla Reviews: Secret Avengers #33

Secret Avengers # 33
Marvel Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Andy Kuhn

Rise of the Descendants (Spoilers!)
We have good comic book stuff going on here, and we have bad comic book stuff going on here. We are left with no doubt that Black Ant is a despicable piece of slime. This is revealed in his thoughts about dying a hero and his murder of Max Fury. Heroes are measured by the villainy that they face. I like to hate my villains with a passion. This leads to his betrayal of the Avengers when he teleports the descendant onto the Lighthouse Station.

Hawkeye and Captain Britain have their hands full facing off against the Avengers of the Undead and the Undead Celestial to regain the Orb of Necromancy. At the Lighthouse Station, the Descendant Wasp uses Hank Pym’s guilt to defeat him. The other Descendants get the jump on Valkyrie and Venom, who are about to have relations. If I was Venom, and I was about to have a sexy blonde goddess have her way with me, then, these mother-shut-my-mouth Descendants stop that. You know he’s ready to rain his wrath down on some life model decoys. They kidnap Hank, leave Valkyrie and Venom adrift in space, and destroy the Lighthouse Station. Oh, yeah! There is some payback coming for the Descendants. That’s all the good stuff.

I know that writers take some liberties to tell a good story, but damn. Hank Pym, one of the greatest intellects in the Marvel Universe, Giant-Man tries to defend himself with a scalpel and is taken down with one punch. He used to slap the Wasp around on a daily basis, and now he’s crying like a little bee. The Descendants enter the Lighthouse Station without some defense system to at least impede them. You would think that the Avengers would have defense systems that backup the defense systems that backup the defense system.

The art doesn’t help matters at all. When I said that Valkyrie was a sexy blonde goddess, it wasn’t the art that put the image in my mind.

I rate Secret Avengers # 33 Read a Friend’s Copy. #3 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter Ranking