The weekend is almost here, and I’m heading to the Small Press Expo!
Around the Tubes
Spinoff Online – ‘Venom’ Director Explains His Vision For the ‘Spider-Man’ Spinoff – Anyone want to see this?
Around the Tubes Reviews
Talking Comics – Archer & Armstrong #24
Talking Comics – Batman: Futures End #1
CBR – Copperhead #1
Talking Comics – Copperhead #1
Comic Vine – Copperhead #1
Talking Comics – Death of Wolverine #2
Comic Vine – Hawkeye #20
CBR – Superman Unchained #8
It was new comic book day yesterday! What’d everyone get? What have you read that was good?
Around the Tubes
Robot 6 – It’s official: Bob Bretall has world’s largest comics collection – What’s your collection look like?
Around the Tubes Reviews
Comic Vine – The Amazing Spider-Man #6
The Mary Sure – Annihilator #1
CBR – Annihilator #1
Comic Vine – Archer & Armstrong #24
Comic Vine – Batgirl: Future’s End #1
Comic Vine – Batman: Future’s End #1
Comic Vine – Batman Eternal #23
Comic Vine – Captain Marvel #7
Comic Vine – Deadpool #34
Comic Vine – Death of Wolverine #2
Comic Vine – Edge of Spider-Verse #1
Comic Vine – Fantastic Four #10
Comic Vine – Ghosted #13
Comic Vine – Green Lantern Corps.: Future’s End #1
CBR – Hawkeye #20
Comic Vine – New Suicide Squad: Future’s End #1
Comic Vine – Prometheus: Fire and Stone #1
Talking Comics – Prometheus: Fire and Stone #1
Comic Vine – Spread #3
Talking Comics – Teen Dog #1
Comic Vine – Velvet #7
Talking Comics – Wild’s End #1
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in! Below are ten suggestions of comics, graphic novels, or trade paperbacks you should spend some extra time checking out and think about picking up.
Pick of the Week: The Bunker #6 (Oni Press) – He came from the future to save the world, but, is the only way to save it to destroy it? Young and Old Grady meet, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Joshua Hale Fialkov and Joe Infurnari’s series will be at the top of numerous “best of” lists when this year is up.
Archer & Armstrong #24 (Valiant) – Valiant has the best universe out there, and what they’ve put together has been amazing, what a cohesive comic universe should be. Archer & Armstrong is an awesome example of their series, mixing humor and action with every issue.
Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers #2 (Dynamite) – Joe Casey and Nathan Fox are continuing their run on one of Jack Kirby‘s greatest creations, Captain Victory! The first issue exceeded my expectations, to the point we wanted to see what happened next. Bring on issue two!
Copperhead #1 (Image) – Westerns are a genre that are hit and miss in comics (and in general). This new series mixes in some sci-fi, in an extra long first issue for the regular price.
Death of Wolverine #2 (Marvel) – The first issue blew us away. Our cynicism was prepared for a cash in, but the writing of Charles Soule and art of Steve McNiven is an amazing combo for this fitting send-off.
Edge of Spider-Verse #1 (Marvel) – A Spider-Man centric event brings together wall crawlers from around the multiverse to deal with a killer who is hunting them down.
Prometheus: Fire and Stone #1 (Dark Horse) – Dark Horse is relaunching the Alien/Predator/Prometheus universe in comics. This series promises to bridge the cap between Prometheus and Alien, and hopefully right some of the wrongs from the movie. No matter, we want more Alien!
Stumptown Vol. 3 #1 (Oni Press) – Greg Rucka‘s fan favorite private eye is back, and now it’s an ongoing series! If you haven’t read the first two volumes of the series, you’re still good to pick up this one. The detective Dex has to get to the bottom of some violence before a heated rivalry transforms into war.
Wild’s End #1 (BOOM! Studios) – When a rural English community of the 1930s is the victim of an alien invasion, the residents’ lives are upended by the harsh realities of life-and-death violence. Led by the town’s outsider and retired war veteran, they will have to rally together to uncover the secret of their invaders and ultimately fight back. Writer Dan Abnett does War of the Worlds!
The Walking Dead #131 (Skybound/Image) – Did you read the last issue!? That ending alone is the reason this issue winds up on the list. What the hell is going to happen next?
Baltimore Comic Con begins today! We’ve got a panel tomorrow for you to come to. And here’s some news to keep you buys until then.
Around the Tubes
CBS 6 – This girl inspired latest Marvel comic featuring deaf hero Hawkeye – Cool!
Bleeding Cool – That Disney/Marvel Bust Up Over Big Hero 6 – Sigh. Guessing we won’t see comics based on Darkwing Duck or Rescue Rangers for a while.
GamePolitics – IGDA Working With FBI to Combat Developer Harassment – Good, so folks should be going to jail.
Kotaku – D&D Gear For The Fancy Role-Playing Type – I expect to see a Kickstarter in 3…2…1…
Around the Tubes Reviews
Comic Vine – Deadpool vs. X-Force #4
Talking Comics – The Death-Defying Doctor Mirage #1
Talking Comics – Death of Wolverine #1
Comic Vine – Hawkeye vs. Deadpool #0
CBR – The Names #1
Talking Comics – Original Sin #8
This is how the world ends…. the quote usually says “not with a bang, but with a whimper,” but when it comes to Wolverine, would you expect it to be a whimper? Left without his mutant healing factor, his enemies now close in for the kill – and the Wolverine faces his greatest battle alone. A battle he will not return from. After a century of being the best there is at what he does, the day has arrived where his best will not be good enough.
Death of Wolverine by writer Charles Soule and artist Steve McNiven begins what is the final (or next great) chapter of Logan’s, aka Wolverine’s, life. Taking place over the month of September, the limited series promises exactly what its title says, the death of Wolverine.
You can be cynical about how long that death will last, but the first issue really throws that cynicism out the window painting a morose, gloomy, swan-song for a man who has abused his body over his life, only to be protected by his mutant healing factor. With that gone, the abuse remains, which is hammered home in the first issue. Soule intelligently lays out, through a simple conversation, the exact sorts of issues that would have built up over time. It’s not old age that’ll get Logan, it’s the remnants of the abuse.
But on top of the abuse Logan has also built up a long list of enemies over the years, enemies who would jump at the chance to kill the man who used to be unkillable. It’s open season, Logan’s wounded, and as we saw at the end of Wolverine’s regular series, his enemies are more than happy to take advantage, and looks like there’s a massive body count already when we come into the story.
Soule’s fantastic script is brought to life by McNiven’s art which tells the story even when there’s no dialogue. The small details add to the overall narrative. A picture is worth a thousand words, and that’s shown here. All of McNiven’s skill (and Soule’s thought out script) are shown off in commentary at the end of the issue. I usually just skim that material, but here I’m glad it didn’t, as it made me appreciate what I had just read even more.
Logan has lived a hard life, and you feel the weight of it all coming down on him. I myself went in with a bit of cynicism about death in comics, but really who cares. The story is fantastic, the art is amazing. The combination of the two, perfect (add in beautiful coloring too). Wolverine deserves a solid send-off, and in this first issue it looks like he’ll get one that befits him.
Story: Charles Soule Art: Steve McNiven
Story: 8.75 Art: 9 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in! Below are ten suggestions of comics, graphic novels, or trade paperbacks you should spend some extra time checking out and think about picking up.
Pick of the Week: Death of Wolverine #1 (Marvel) -Its been months of teasing and build up, but we’re finally at the point where Wolverine (may) die. I’m still not sure if this isn’t more of a philosophical death than physical, but we will see courtesy of Charles Soule and Steve McNiven.
A1 Presents: Carpe Diem Vol. 1: I Hate Mondays (Titan Comics) – If you caught the short stories in the previous A1 Presents releases, you’ll know how hilarious and entertaining this comic is. If you missed that, here’s your chance to find out!
Cloaks #1 (BOOM! Studios) – A street illusionist entertains folks with his magic, but also steals from corrupt Wall Street bankers with it too. Still a somewhat timely subject, it’ll be interesting to see how the comic handles the continuing political issue.
The Death-Defying Dr. Mirage #1 (Valiant) – Valiant has one of the best comic universes out there right now, and this new Dr. Mirage finally gets the spotlight in this four issue mini-series.
Ex Con #1 (Dynamite) – Duane Swierczynski’s creator driven comic from Dynamite.
Kill My Mother (Liverlight) – Veteran cartoonist Jules Feiffer combines dizzyingly good pictures with a bizarre tale.
Lumberjanes #5 (BOOM! Studios/BOOM! Box) – One of the best, and most fun comics on the market right now. And it doesn’t hurt it’s one of the most diverse group of characters too.
The Names #1 (Vertigo) -A new 8 issue series from Peter Milligan and Vertigo. It’s a dark, contemporary thriller set in the world of Big Money: hedge funds, leveraged buyouts, market raids, flash crashes. High-end finance that can ruin entire economies, run by a cabal of the world’s richest (and sickest) people.
Original Sin #8 (Marvel) – Marvel’s summer event wraps up. There should be some ramifications for things going forward after this ends.
She-Hulk #8 (Marvel) -One of Marvel’s best comics on the market. It perfectly mixes humor, action, and She-Hulk trying to live a normal life.
It was a long weekend, and I hope folks got to relax because tomorrow is new comic book day!
Around the Tubes
Kotaku – Over 600 Game Creators Call For An End To “Hateful, Harassing Speech” – Good! Now we need comic creators to step up too.
The Mary Sue – Marvel’s EIC Apologizes For Any “Mixed Messaging” That Spider-Woman Butt Cover Might Have Caused – Awe, that’s super.
Around the Tubes Reviews
CBR – Death of Wolverine #1
Comic Vine – Death of Wolverine #1
It’s the story that has the whole world talking, and Marvel has released a first look at Death of Wolverine #2 – the second chapter of the blockbuster four-issue event beginning in September! Witness the end of the best there is at what he does, as he makes his valiant last stand against scores of deadly foes.
Superstar creators Charles Soule and Steve McNiven unite to take Wolverine back to the choked and claustrophobic streets of Madripoor, as the once indestructible killing machine paints the town red! And a deal gone wrong that sends an injured Wolverine into a battle he can’t hope to win! But who’s pulling the strings? Among the perilous streets of the world’s most dangerous city stalks a villain who seeks Wolverine’s head – and has some interesting plans on how to claim it!
Each issue of Death of Wolverine is oversized and features stunning Weapon Etched Holo Foil cover treatment. Exclusively crafted for this series, each foil-wrapped issue of Death of Wolverine is poised to leap off comic shop shelves come September!
Time is running out for the Wolverine. The epic end of the world’s most famous X-Man is upon us, and no fan can afford to miss out on the spectacular Death of Wolverine #2 when it hits comic shops and digital devices in September!
DEATH OF WOLVERINE #2 (JUN140601)
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Canada Variant by STEVE MCNIVEN (MAY148257)
Variant Cover by LEINIL YU (APR148360)
On-Sale – 09/10/2014
Marvel has released a first look at Marvel Chief Creative Officer, Joe Quesada’s jaw dropping variant cover to Death of Wolverine #1 – the story that has the whole world talking! Brought to life in Quesada’s iconic style, this stunning cover features the titular mutant in his final days.
Written by chart-topping writer Charles Soule and superstar artist Steve McNiven, this four issue limited series chronicles the last stand of the Wolverine as he faces down his deadliest foes. Left without his healing factor, the indestructible killing machine must come to terms with his newfound vulnerability. And when word gets out that the Wolverine is mortal, villains from Logan’s past and present set their sights on their greatest enemy!
After being the best there is at what he does for over a century, the day has arrived where his best will not be good enough. With Death of Wolverine poised to shake the foundations of the Marvel Universe this September, no fan can afford to miss out on this epic comic event of September! What does the world look like without Wolverine in it? Find out when this spectacular Death of Wolverine #1 Joe Quesada variant cover hits comic shops on September 3rd!
DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1 (JUN140590)
DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1 QUESADA VARIANT (JUN140591)
DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1 QUESADA SKETCH VARIANT (JUN140592)
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
On-Sale September 3rd!
He is many things to many people. Hero. Teacher. Friend. X-Man. Avenger. But above all else, he is one – Canadian! Marvel has unveiled “Canada Variants” for all four issues of the highly-anticipated Death of Wolverine series! Comic superstar Charles Soule and Steve McNiven explore the untimely end of the Great White North’s most well-known mutant hero. Each cover features stunning cover art gorgeously rendered by Steve McNiven and proudly displays the Maple Leaf flag of Logan’s proud home and native land of Canada.
Born in Alberta, Canada – James Howlett’s long and eventful life now comes to an end. He has been counted among the X-Men, the Avengers and Canada’s own Alpha Flight. He’s fought alongside heroes in numerous wars. He’s been the headmaster of a school for gifted youngsters. He has been the best there is at what he does for over a century. But the day has come where his best is not enough…
Left without his mutant healing factor, his enemies now close in for the kill – and the Wolverine faces his greatest battle alone. As he runs the gauntlet of his deadliest foes, be there when the once indestructible killing machine makes his final stand! What does a world without Wolverine look like? Be there when Death of Wolverine shakes the foundations of the Marvel Universe this September!
DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1 MCNIVEN CANADA VARIANT (MAY148256)
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
56 pgs…$4.99
FOC – 07/14/14, On-Sale – 09/03/14
DEATH OF WOLVERINE #2 MCNIVEN CANADA VARIANT (MAY148257)
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
40 pgs…$4.99
FOC – 07/14/14, On-Sale – 09/10/14
DEATH OF WOLVERINE #3 MCNIVEN CANADA VARIANT (MAY148258)
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
40 pgs…$4.99
FOC – 07/14/14, On-Sale – 09/17/14
DEATH OF WOLVERINE #4 MCNIVEN CANADA VARIANT (MAY148259)
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
40 pgs…$4.99
FOC – 07/14/14, On-Sale – 09/24/14
