The Gallery: War of Kings #4
If you haven’t been reading Marvel’s War of Kings mini-series, you can catch up here. It’s a well written space opera, which is surprisingly easy to follow. The 4th issue, of 6, is out on June 3 and is scripted by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, otherwise known as DnA, with art by Paul Pelletier. Below you can see some text-free pages, with stunning covers from Brandon Peterson and Jae Lee.
The Gallery: Wonder Woman #31
Wonder Woman #31, from DC Comics goes on sale this week. Diana battles Achilles, Zeus’ choice to replace her. The battle of the sexes is on. Written by Gail Simone (Secret Six), with art by Bernard Chang (not Aaron Lopresti despite what DC’s website says), this issue continues the Rise of the Olympian storyline.
See more great art below.
The Gallery: Ms. Marvel #38
At the link beneath the Phil Jiminez cover, you can see a text-free peek at Ms. Marvel #38, on sale on April 29. Marvel’s description of the issue below.
With Carol Danvers no longer Ms. Marvel, who will take up the mantle? Answer: The Dark Avenger formerly known as Moonstone! Writer Brian Reed and artist Rebekah Isaacs team up for an all-new, all-different Ms. Marvel #38! Norman Osborn has appointed the villainous Moonstone to become the world’s new favorite super-heroine–what kind of chaos and mayhem will ensue? This issue also features a Wolverine Art Appreciation variant cover by Paolo Rivera!
The Gallery: The Darkness #76
On sale now is The Darkness #76 from Top Cow. Written by Phil Hester with art by Michael Broussard, a gruesome preview as well as Top Cow’s description of the issue, is below.
Jackie’s face-off against his deadliest foe yet continues as the Legacy numbering of The Darkness goes into full effect, taking into account every issue ever published, regardless of volume.
The Sovereign’s bloody mission for Jackie has finally driven him to despair. Broken and lost, Jackie falls for an otherworldly seductress who seeks to exact a centuries-old curse against The Darkness. Plus, who is The Foreigner and how does his connection to The Darkness predate Jackie Estacado’s?
The Gallery: Unthinkable #1
I trust BOOM! Studios, and while as a fanboy putting your trust in a comic book publisher may be as wise as trusting your ability to get a hotel room at Comic-Con, I feel confident with this one. Lately BOOM! has lifted their game. Series like Station and the recent Hexed and The Remnant have really wowed me. Since Mark Waid has come on board they seem to be putting out quality titles consistently and are showing no signs of slowing down just yet. One of their latest projects is by writer Mark Sable (DC’s Cyborg and Two-Face: Year One) and Julian Totino Tedesco (artist on The Remnant). I can’t explain this series better than the press release, so here it is: They’ve been hired to think the UNTHINKABLE. But what happens when the unthinkable actually happens? After 9-11, best-selling author Alan Ripley joins a government think tank consisting of the most imaginative minds in diverse fields. Their job? Think of nightmare scenarios and crippling terrorist attacks so the government can safeguard against them. But what happens when the think tank folds, and the attacks start to happen?
The first issue of 4 is out in May, and orders from comic shops are due on Tuesday March 31, so check out the HUGE preview at the link below the jump and decide for yourself. It’s a sure bet I’d say.
The Gallery: Daredevil Noir #1
Out on April 8 is the latest series in Marvel’s re-imagining of some of their greatest characters. Daredevil Noir is a new 4 issue mini-series by writer Alexander Irvine and artist Tomm Coker, which takes familiar faces from Matt Murdock’s life and takes them back a few decades. The first issue has a variant cover from artist Dennis Calero. Text-free preview pictures can be seen at the link below.
The Gallery-Wolverine: Weapon X
That Logan fella sure is greedy. Apparently there’s no limit to the number of different series Wolverine can handle. Now, we can add another one as Marvel unveils Wolverine: Weapon X on April 8, a month before his big screen adventure in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Writer Jason Aaron (Vertigo’s Scalped) and artist Ron Garney re-team, after their Get Mystique arc, for this new ongoing series. Weapon X focuses on Rooxon’s attempt to create the perfect killing machine, all tied in with Wolvie’s past and the mysterious Adamantium Men. The first issue arrives with cover variants by Adam Kubert, Alan Davis and Olivier Coipel. See more pics below.
The Gallery: Witchblade #125
The 40 page anniversary issue, Witchblade #125 is out from Top Cow on March 18. It’s another biggie in the series, and also the start of the War of the Witchblades story arc. It’s by the usual dynamic team of writer Ron Marz and artist Stjepan Sejic. Below is the official lowdown on the info, plus some preview pages at the link.
Witchblade #125
(W) Ron Marz (A) Stjepan Sejic (Cov) Chris Bachalo, Stjepan Sejic
One of the longest-running series in comics reaches a milestone: 125 issues and still going strong! There’s no better way to mark this occasion than with the start of the biggest Witchblade story arc ever!
For more than a year now, the Witchblade has been split between two bearers—NYPD Detective Sara Pezzini and dancer Danielle Baptiste—and they have coexisted peacefully. But that’s all about to end.
Beginning in this issue, the six-part “War of the Witchblades” arc will change Sara, Dani and the Witchblade forever. Sara has been Dani’s friend and mentor, but now she becomes her bitter enemy. By the end of the storyline, only ONE bearer will remain.
The critically acclaimed team of writer Ron Marz and artist Stjepan Sejic is joined by cover artist Chris Bachalo (Uncanny X-Men, Amazing Spider-Man), who contributes a two-part cover of Sara and Dani.
Cover A – Chris Bachalo
Cover B – Chris Bachalo
Cover C – Stjepan Sejic
The Gallery: Exiles #1
Those alternate universe travellers are back in a new series of The Exiles. The first issue is out on April 8 and is written by Jeff Parker, with art by Salvador Espin. Blink returns as the leader of this new team, which includes The Beast, The Witch, Panther, Forge and Polaris.
They’ve been pulled away from their unique worlds and have been given a new mission.
At the link below are a few text-free preview pages, and right here you can see the free Exiles Sketchbook.
The Gallery-X-Force/Cable: Messiah War Prologue
X-Force and Cable are the two bad boys of the X-Men flood of books as of late. Now they’re teaming up as part of the Messiah War cross-over, which is the sequel to Messiah CompleX. The first new mutant birth since the house of M (whereby the mad Scarlet Witch’s “No more mutants” dream became a reality) things have been crazy. Cable’s stuck in the future, Bishop’s tracking him down and Cyclops is attempting to protect the future of the mutant race from those that want her for their own ends. So the X-Men’s leader orders something drastic and sends X-Force on a time-travelling adventure after Cable and the youngen.
The prologue is written by Christopher Yost and Craig Kyle with art by Mike Choi and goes on sale on March 25. Then it’s onto Part 2 in Cable #13 on sale on April 1, followed by Part 3 in April 22′s X-Force #14 by Yost, Kyle and artist Clayton Crain. At the link below, there’s a few text-free preview pages of the Prologue. They look gorgeous.
Irredeemable Trailer
Official press release below about writer Mark Waid’s (Kingdom Come) latest project with BOOM! Studios. Click the link at the end for a 7 page preview too.
BOOM! Studios is proud to premiere the trailer to IRREDEEMABLE, Mark Waid’s hotly anticipated new ongoing superhero series that debuts this April.
The trailer for IRREDEEMABLE can be found on YouTube right now and was cut by Craig Kennedy at CK Creative. You can see the trailer here, or below.
Adding to the excitement of this premiere, BOOM Studios is also offering a sneak preview of the first 7 pages of IRREDEEMABLE #1, stoking the fires on what will be the direct market event of the year.
“Here is potentially the biggest independent title of this year,” said retailer Ed Greenberg of Collector’s Paradise in Winnetka, California. “This will be the BOYS of this year, on a much more serious level. This will be the WANTED of this year, and the KICK-ASS and the PAX ROMANA of this year.”
Mark Waid’s IRREDEEMABLE launches this April and will feature variant covers by John Cassaday (ASTONISHING X-MEN, PLANETARY) and Barry Kitson (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) in a 75/25 split with a 1-in-50 incentive cover signed by Mark Waid. IRREDEEMABLE sports interior art is by Peter Krause, who is best known for his run on POWER OF SHAZAM. Issue #1 will also feature a special afterword by Grant Morrison. IRREDEEMABLE is currently available for pre-order from the Diamond Previews Catalog with an order code of FEB094134.
“In superhero comics, pretty much everyone who’s called upon to put on a cape is, at heart, emotionally equipped for the job. I reject that premise,” said series writer and BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid. “IRREDEEMABLE is, in a way, my third and most complex chapter on the cost of superheroics – a pulp adventure tale of horror exploring how the lessons we learn about right and wrong as children can become warped and twisted when challenged by the realities of the adult world.”
The Gallery-Dark Reign: Elektra #1
On sale on March 25 is the first issue of Dark Reign: Elektra, a new 5 issue mini-series from writer Zeb Wells and penciller Clay Mann. The story centres on the red clad ninja assassin, and former flame of Daredevil, in her quest for answers, after a rather busy period in her life including “death,” captivity and now freedom.
She wants answers and ain’t happy! The series follows on from the events of New Avengers #31, in which Elektra was seemingly killed and revealed to be a shape shifting Skrull alien.
At the link below you can view some text-free preview pages of the first issue from Marvel Comics.
The Gallery- Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #1
It’s a brand new, dark day in the Marvel Universe, and it’s creeping onto the footsteps of Marvel’s First Family.
Dark Reign: Fantastic Four #1 hits shelves on March 4. Writer Jonathan Hickman (Pax Romana, The Nightly News) and artist Sean Chen launch the new series as the FF find themselves battling H.A.M.M.E.R agents invading their home – the Baxter Building.
The series’ first issue has a gorgeous cover by Simone Bianchi (Astonishing X-Men) and a variant cover featuring Thing by Marko Djurdjevic.
Click below for some text-free preview pages of this issue.
The Gallery: Gears of War #4
On sale on February 11 is the fourth issue of DC/Wildstorm’s Gears of War comic series, based on the awesome XBOX 360 games. Written by Joshua Ortega, who is very familiar with the Gears universe, and with pencils by Liam Sharp (Hulk) this series is a mature readers only look at the world of War.
This 32 pager centres on Sigma Squad, led by Augustus “Cole Train” Cole as they search for Marcus Fenix and his Delta Squad teammates, avoiding seismic disturbances, Locust hordes and Brumaks along the way.
The cover is by Brandon Badeaux and there is also a video game art variant cover.
Click below for some tasty preview images.
The Gallery-Wolverine: Origins #33
It’s father vs son in Wolverine: Origins #33 out on February 25.
These two clawed individuals have had a rather heated relationship, as Daken blames Logan for his mother’s death, and now that Daken has turned up in Dad’s old brown costume as part of Norman Osborn’s (Green Goblin) new Dark Avengers, things aren’t simmering down.
As Nick Fury and Wolverine uncover some secrets about the Japanese mutant offspring of everyone’s favourite X-Man, they delve deep into the underbelly of the Marvel Universe.
Written by Daken’s creator Daniel Way, with pencils by Doug Braithwaite, a text-free preview of the ish can be seen at the link below.
The claws are out!
The Gallery: War of Kings #1
On sale on March 4, War of Kings #1 is the first issue of a 6 issue mini-series from Marvel. Written by frequent writing partners Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, with art by Paul Pelletier the series is an unashamed space epic. The mute leader of the Inhumans, Black Bolt launches headlong into a war with the Shi’Ar Empire, and its leader (and X-Men baddie) Vulcan. Click the link below for some text-free preview pages, and covers by Brandon Peterson and Ron Lim.
The Gallery: Ms. Marvel
Popular Avenger Ms. Marvel has a name change in her title, becoming Dark Ms. Marvel in issue 38. Last year, Marvel concocted a similar change to Hulk’s title, which went from The Incredible Hulk to The Incredible Hercules, as the Greek god took over the title. Now, tying into Marvel’s Dark Reign epic that has Norman Osborn (Green Goblin) effectively running America, Carol Danver’s life as Ms. Marvel is about to undergo some major changes. Click below for looks at covers for the next four months, including this week’s Ms. Marvel #35 by Ed McGuiness, and #36-#38 (the issue which begins Dark Ms. Marvel). All issues are written by Brian Reed with interior art by Patrick Olliffe.
The Gallery: Caped #1
Caped is a new series from BOOM! Studios, which debuts in March. Written by South Park scribes Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle with art by Yair Herrera, the series is an irreverent look at superheroes and their crazy world. You can order Caped from your local comic shop now. Click the link below the official press release for a sneak peek.
Think your boss is tough? Try working for a superhero! A story of capes, cowls and Blackberrys, CAPED comes to you from the brains of SOUTH PARK writers Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle, with art by Yair Herrera.
In CAPED, we meet Jimmy Lohman. Millions would kill to be a superhero’s personal assistant. Unfortunately, Jimmy’s not one of them. Down on his luck, and assisting a has-been hero, will anyone take Jimmy seriously when he uncovers the plot to kill off every superhero in town?
“Josh and Darin are some of the funniest guys I have met. And CAPED captures that completely. It’s a laugh out loud funny superhero story that every tights and spandex fan will love,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid.
“First thing you should know is that CAPED is autobiographical. We both had bosses who were jerks. They hogged all the credit but passed on all the blame. We wanted to tell a story about the unsung heroes and nowhere were those themes bigger – and funnier – than the superhero genre,”said CAPED co-writer Darin Moiselle.
CAPED features interior illustrations by Yair Herrera, known for his work on IDW’s ZOMBIES: ECLIPSE OF THE UNDEAD! and THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO DRAWING SUPERHEROES AND VILLAINS.
“Sometimes we just need to make fun of superheroes!” said CAPED series editor Ian Brill. “This is the series to do that.”
The Gallery: Hulk Vs Concept Art
Like Hulk? What about Thor? How do you feel about Wolverine? If you’re fond of those three Marvel superheroes, then the Hulk Vs DVD is for you. Being released on January 27, the animated film is made up of two features, where Bruce Banner’s alter ego battles the norse god Thor and the popular X-Man Wolverine. Marvel has just released some great concept sketches of the film, including some from Jeff Matsuda, art director on the recent The Batman cartoon. For more info on the DVD and it’s new-fan friendly features, go here, and for more art click below, or go here.
Top Cow in April
Publisher Top Cow (The Darkness, Witchblade, Impaler and so much more) has just released a few cover images for their books launching in April. Below are my favourites, for your viewing pleasure. The pictures are of the The Darkness #75 by Michael Broussard, Impaler #4 by Matt Timson, Jingle Belle: Santa Claus vs Frankenstein by Greg Horn and Witchblade #126 by Stjepan Sejic.
The Gallery: Witchblade # 123
On sale now is Witchblade #123 from Top Cow, and the great team of writer Ron Marz and artist Stjepan Sejic. At the link below you can see some interior pages from the issue, which is gearing things up for the big no. 125. Cop, and new mum, Sara Pezzini has half of the mystical gauntlet known as the Witchblade and must face an ancient foe terrorizing Brooklyn’s Ultra Orthodox Jewish community, that may or may not be the Angel of Death.
At the same time, the wielder of the other half of the ‘blade, dancer Dani Baptiste aims to help one of her students but it may not be such a wise move.
The Gallery: Solomon Grundy #1
Part of DC Comics’ Faces of Evil series, which spotlights some of the greatest villains in the DC Universe, is Solomon Grundy #1. A one-shot written by Geoff Johns, with art by Scot Kolins, it shows the Gotham zombie-like brute. It offers a brief origin , as a risen corpse from the 1800s, who has grappled with life, as well as foes like Superman, Batman and Green Lantern. It’s not a bad issue, and though I’ve never been a fan of Kolin’s sketchy style, it works with the distressed character here. The issue also looks like it sets the stage for his 7 issue mini-series beginning in March, written and pencilled by Kolins, as well as the beginnings of the Green Lantern Blackest Night epic that Johns is spearheading, which sees dead DC characters resurrected with a new purpose. This Grundy one-shot also features cameos from other less well-known charcaters, such as the Killer Croc and Phantom Stranger. If you’re interested in knowing more about DC’s baddies, a full list of January’s Faces of Evil one-shots and tie-ins can be found here, and a preview of Solomon Grundy #1 is at the link below.
The Gallery: Black Panther #1
Writer Reginald Hudlin and artist Ken Lashley launch a new Black Panther series, on February 4. Focusing on T’Challa, the King of Wakanda known as the costumed adventurer Black Panther, the series will soon shift to a new heir to the Panther legacy – a female!
The identity of the new Panther is a mystery for now, but to tide you over until next month, below are some preview pages from the first issue, featuring T’Challa, his wife Storm (from the X-Men) and Namor, the King of Atlantis.
Click on the link below to see Lashley’s gorgeous art.
The Gallery: Broken Trinity Angelus #1
From Top Cow, this one-shot comes with a handy intro page for new readers and focuses on the adventures of Celestine, the new host of the Angelus force, as she deals with the supernatural goings on in the Top Cow Universe.
Written by Ron Marz, with gorgeous artwork by Brian Stelfreeze (Batman: Shadow of the Bat) a few preview pages can be seen at the link below. If you like what you see, you can check out Stelfreeze’s The Ride and Gun Candy from 12 Gauge Comics, of which he is also the art director.
The 32 page issue is available now and comes in two covers. One is from Stelfreeze (shown here) while the other is from Jeffrey Spokes.
