Yes, it's that time again... time for "Things in Previews That Look Interesting But I Can't Afford To Get (with a list of things I am getting just for contrast)". I'm going to go with a slightly different tact this time, starting with the bulk of the book, and listing the "big four" at the end, since those are just so much "so what" to most people anyway. Please remember, I'm listing what looks interesting. My actual purchase list is going to be much smaller.
Covers: I like the Conan cover, but the other one (Authority?) doesn't do anything for me. Ok, moving on to the Splash Page (8-9), there's a bit on the Overstreet Guide updates that was an interesting read for the collector in me, although I don't let her play much. The Sportsclix look very interesting. I will have to get my hands on an Ichiro if at all possible. If not, I'll need to get at least one Mariner. I wonder if I could have them battle with my Heroclix? The article on Conan is strange... well, the fact that it starts out with a double "K" because of a typo is strange. Nothing else jumps out at me, so on to the bulk of the comics.
There's a nice ad for the Xeric Grant winners on page 194. Congrats to everyone.
First book that jumps out at me is Mango & Spit #1 (195) from Aardappel Comics. I think it's the title that made me look twice, because the artwork doesn't really do much for me (and there's a nice larger sample on the side of the page). Looks kind of cute.
Cerebus has only one issue left. Wow.
Next book to catch my eye is Last Minute #1 (196) by Aces & Eights Publications. It's an intriguing premise... owning a watch that stops time. Thing is, I swear I've seen that same premise several times over, including in a movie or two. There just isn't enough in the solicit to let me know if this take would be worth getting.
Amaze Ink/Slave Labor surprises me this month with a few books that get a second look. First one is The 13th of Never (201) which seems to concern a very unlucky fellow on the run through various planes of existence. The art sample looks strange and compelling. If there was more artwork to check out, this one would stand a chance of sneaking onto the list. Next up is Absent Friends #1 (202) which appears to be a collection of short stories. Again, I wish there was more images and more information. How do retailers choose with so little to work with? Ahem. Third book of interest is Evenfall Volume 1: Lay Me Down (203). This one looks a little depressing, with the main character slipping into fantasy worlds after her mother dies. Last up is Pirate Club #1 on the same page, which could well be another fun all-ages book. The sidebar on the previous page says this is a new regular series. Arrrrr!
Antarctic Press has a book that looks good to me. The incredible Rod Espinosa is the force behind The Alamo (204), which is about the famous last stand against the Mexican army. This one might just make it on the list. Next up is Assembly #4 (206), which is the final issue of the mini-series. I liked Assembly #1.
Arcana Studio is the publisher of Ant #1 (211) about an eight-year old girl who is picked on by her classmates and uses her journal to escape into a fictitious world where she is an adult superhero. It looks and sounds intriguing. And there are more samples of the interior artwork on the website, which is good promotion as far as I'm concerned. This one is an on-going bi-monthly series.
Astonish Books is next with a new offering in the form of Herobear and the Kid: Saving Time #1 (214). I've always wanted to try out Herobear, but I've never seen a good jumping on point when I had a little money to spare. This month there's a jumping on point, but no money. Oh well.
Another book with not enough samples to judge by (and no handy web link to help out) is Cloverleaf #1 (222) by Baboon Books. While the solicit makes the book sound funny, without a few samples of what to expect inside for artwork, I'm not about to take the risk.
Next up is Mercy Man #1 (230) from Champawat Pictures. A quick web search revealed that this is already a film project... and you can read the entire first issue on-line. Your mileage may vary.
I'm going to point out CBLDF's anthology More Fund Comics (232) which is being offered again. If you didn't get it the first time, I highly recommend getting it now. For $10 it's a steal.
I'm going to mention Drastik #1 (234) by Critical Element. I'm not sure why I'm mentioning it. It doesn't look like anything I'd be interested in, but it drew my eye, so I'm mentioning it. So there.
And... THUMP! We've run into CrossGen. From their shipping schedule on page 237, it looks like we'll be getting El Cazador #5, Way of the Rat #22, and Abadazad #3... if the publisher lasts that long. I really feel no need to read any of the solicits as I don't want to be disappointed like I was with Crossovers.
Next up is Dark Planet Productions (255). Again, a quick web search revealed a website. Both books look intriguing, and there are sample pages on the website. 2 to the Chest #1 is about a cop who gets shot then has a vision that appears to be of an average crime, but leads him to something completely different. Rogues #1 is a fantasy book that didn't look like much, to be honest.
Moving on to Devil's Due Publishing, The Hedge Knight Collected Edition (256) is being resolicited. I wanted to read them when they first came out, but couldn't afford them. Now I can't afford the collection. *sigh*
Next is 88MPH Studios Inc. (284), who are putting out two nostalgic properties with updates. I admit that I loved the original Tron, so Tron: Derezzed #1 is certainly tempting. I'm not sure the artwork does it for me, but it is interesting. The other is Ghostbusters: Legion #1. I liked the first Ghostbusters movie. I don't think I ever saw the second one, or any other spin-off (like the cartoon). Again, the artwork seems iffy to me. If I was more a fan of either property, I might try these out.
I haven't bought an Overstreet guide (290) in a couple of years now. I don't think I'll get one this time, either. It's not because I've found a substitute for the guide, it's just that I don't sell my comics much anymore. I mostly give them away. You don't want to know their value if you are giving them away.
The second Amelia Rules collection is listed in ibooks section (300). I would get this, because of the new story and the intro by Mark Crilley, but money's tight so it'll have to wait.
On the same page (300), I Box Publishing lists Thieves & Kings #44. That one will make it onto the list.
Ok, I admit I was a little startled to see Jewish Hero Corps #1 (308), but definitely intrigued. It's for real, and there's a nice page of reviews on the team website. The publisher is Judaica Press.
Moonstone Books has The Phantom #2 (310), which my friend will be wanting to order.
Titan Publishing is putting out Modesty Blaise Volume 1: The Gabriel Set-Up (324). I've heard lots and lots of things about Modesty Blaise, and wouldn't mind trying it. The solicit claims that this is the first volume, do they mean that this includes the first stories?
And that takes me out of the regular comics into the back of the book... Nothing of interest in the Magazines. The Books section has a little bit in Pop Culture that made me laugh: Feng Shaun (364). If you haven't seen Wallace & Gromit's "A Close Shave" you won't get it, but there is a certain friend I really wish I could get this book for.
I wouldn't mind a Bizarro T-Shirt (386) from Graphitti designs (I'd probably get the Navy Blue instead of the Eggplant though). I'm unsure what to make of the JLA: Monkey Business T-Shirt (387), but it looks cute. The "Where the Wild Things Are" T-shirts on page 394 appeal to me, too.
I notice that the inspirational Marvel posters are available through Diamond now (438). I'm still not sure what's inspirational about Magneto, but hey, whatever! At least they aren't ugly like the DC Heroes Bobbing Heads (441). I would like a Doctor Who Cookie Jar (441), but at $65 each, they just aren't worth it. Besides, I wouldn't want to eat a cookie that had been inside a dalek.
Over in the gaming section, the Sportsclix (464) are calling to me. I really would like to collect these, but it doesn't look likely. Oh, but to get a full set of Mariners...
Ok... hit the end of the book, so now it's time to bounce back and visit the big four publishers.
Dark Horse. Despite Conan's ugly haircut, the 25 center convinced me that I'd like to try the regular series. So Conan #1 (18) will likely make the list. The other DH book on the list will be Usagi Yojimbo #73 (33).
DC Comics. Who ever heard of Aquaman getting four preview pages in Diamond? But here they are, pages 76-79, with the Alan Freakin' Davis cover and three pages of interior artwork by Pat Gleason. The Gleason pages show Aquaman investigating a sunken San Diego, and are gruesome and effective. This is definitely a new look for Aquaman, and I'm looking forward to it.
I'm going to try to link the main listings here to the solicit on the DC page. Hope this works. In the Batman section, I see Batman Adventures #11 (99) and Birds of Prey #64 (100). Although the Superman arc set on Krypton looks interesting, we'll pass. We will be getting Superman: Birthright #7 (101) and Superman: Secret Identity #2 from the Superman section. From the regular DCU we'll be getting Aquaman #15, DC: The New Frontier #2, Fallen Angel #8 (103), Green Arrow #35, Green Lantern #174 (104), H-E-R-O #13, JSA #58, Hawkman #25 (105), JLA #93, Justice League Adventures #28, Outsiders #9 (106), and Plastic Man #3 (107). There's no Arrowsmith or Astro City this month, but we will be buying Y: The Last Man #19 (114) this month, if only because of the cover. Hopefully, the cover is related to the story inside, for Eric's sake. And that's it for DC.
Image Comics. Age of Bronze #19 (134) is tentatively due out the third week of February. Again, if you haven't checked this series out, please do. There are some sample pages of the first issue available. Also this month is WildGuard: Casting Call #6 (160), the final issue, in which we get to see who made the cut. Last Previews I mentioned the impossibility of getting a certain Top Cow book, but it made the list after all, so Common Grounds #2 (162) will be on this month's list. Rumor has it that Rising Stars will be finished now, as the disagreement that was preventing it from ending has been resolved. I hope to see some sign of that soon.
And so we get to the last little bit. Marvel Comics. Again I'll just look at the shipping list (174) for the titles we are interested in. Let's see... Supreme Power #7, 1602 #7, and Amazing Spider-Man #63/504.
And that, folks, it that. Hope you enjoyed this look at my "Things in Previews That Look Interesting But I Can't Afford To Get (with a list of things I am getting just for contrast)". Until next month...
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