Saturday, November 01, 2003

Flipping Through Previews...

Yes, it's the amazing return of "Things in Previews That Look Interesting But I Can't Afford To Get (with a list of things I am getting just for contrast)".

First off, neither cover does a thing for me. The Kabuki cover is too monochromatic for my tastes, though if I look closely it isn't bad. It just strikes me as a yellow cover when glancing at the book. The DC cover has the Green Lantern ring, but the art style just makes me cringe. Yeah, we'll probably get it because hubby-Eric is a GL fan, but I really don't know if I'll enjoy it.

Moving on to the splash page (8-9) I see... The Seuss, the Whole Seuss, and Nothing but the Seuss which is just a plain cool name for a book. Probably won't get it, as money is VERY tight this month, but it's fun to look at. Nothing else in the splash draws my interest.

On to Dark Horse. Freaks of the Heartland (18) looks interesting for a horror book. Something I would give a try if I could. I will be getting Usagi Yojimbo #72 (31) for sure. That's a no-brainer. The Jango Fett statue (40) looks cool, but I'm not in for high-end items at the moment (nor am I much of a Star Wars collector).

DC is the big list, of course. When is it not? The features section is always good for a look. DC: The New Frontier (52) is the book that was advertised on the cover, and it looks from the sample pages like the interior art will be fine. The price is an "ouch", but the book itself looks good. Superman: Secret Identity (56) looks very good. I knew a fellow who was named James Kirk, so I feel for the main character in this one, a kid named Clark Kent. I don't know what's more disturbing about Thundercats: The Return TPB (91), the fact that the art looks really good to me, or the fact that I actually understood the solicitation.

Into the main solicitations... in the Batman section we get Batman Adventures #10 and Birds of Prey (97). While the strange crossover in the Superman books looks... um... fun, we won't be buying into it. I see Superman: Birthright #6 (99), Smallville #6, and the previously mentioned Superman: Secret Identity #1 (100). In the regular DC books, Aquaman #14 (100), DC: The New Frontier #1, Fallen Angel #7 (101), Green Arrow #34, Green Lantern #173, H-E-R-O #12 (102), JLA #92, JLA: Zatanna's Search TP, JSA #56, JSA #57 (103), and probably the Hawkman books too, though I'd rather drop JSA during the crossover than buy three extra books in a month. Ahem, continuing on: Justice League Adventures #27 (104), Outsiders #8, and Plastic Man #2 (105). We'll also get Arrowsmith #6 (107).

Onward to Image! No Age of Bronze. In the latest issue (which came out Wednesday), Eric said the next issue would be in February, so look for the solicit next month. I don't know how I'm going to stand waiting that long, but that's life. I've been enjoying PvPonline a lot, but I'm not yet ready to take the plunge and buy the book. Ok, yes, I am ready, but my wallet isn't. Let's just say that I would be buying PvP #6 (144) if I had the money. And 1-5 too. I don't see any Powers this month, so Wildguard: Casting Call #5 (154) is the only other title. I'm slightly interested in Common Grounds #1 (156), but it isn't going to make the list unless I somehow win the lotto without buying a ticket.

Now for Marvel. The shipping list (170) has all the titles, and I guess that's enough to make judgement from. I don't think we'll bother with the 50 cent Avengers, since we can always get it in the store if we want to, and it would be no loss if it sold out before we get one. No point in pre-ordering. I see Supreme Power #6, 1602 #6, and Amazing Spider-Man #62/503. Yeah, we've been caught by 1602. Stop snickering. The Doctor Strange statue is awesome. If I was flush with cash, I'd get one, and I'm not even a Strange fan.

Ah, to the main comics section.

First item of interest is Alice GN (194) from About Comics. I suspect hubby-Eric would enjoy this almost as much as I would. It's an adaptation of Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", and from what little I see it looks good.

Antarctic Press still has me getting Assembly #3 (203) even though I haven't seen the first issue yet. Hey, it's a four issue mini, I'll go with it unless it arrives and is really, really bad. Another interesting looking book from AP is Heaven Sent #1 (206) which could be fun. I won't be getting it, though.

Astonish books has Spooner #1 (210), but it probably won't make the list, either. It looks like a fun book for couples, as it's about a married couple. It seems to be based on a newspaper strip, but I've never seen the strip in question before.

Bloodfire Studios offers Kindergoth #1 (220) which frightens me, if for no other reason than it says "mature readers". Young goths saving the world is kinda scary, too.

Bongo comics is putting out Futurama Comics #16 (220), the book that we can't seem to get off our pull list.

And suddenly we're into the CrossGen books. Abadazad #2 (234) makes the cut. Speaking of cuts, Crossovers has apparently been cancelled, so that's one less book on the pull. No new El Cazador this month. Way of the Rat #21 (245) makes it too. And that's it. Two books. Wonder how much longer CrossGen will exist?

Dork Storm Press puts out another issue of PS238 #6 (259), one of the best all-ages books currently out there. I want the PS238 T-shirts, too.

Drawn & Quarterly has yet another edition of The Golem's Mighty Swing (259), a book I would like to read. I wonder if the local library system might carry it?

Eureka Productions offers Graphic Classics: Mark Twain (276) which features Mark Twain stories adapted into cartoons. I'd like to say the list of contributors is impressive, but the only one I'm really familiar with is Rick Geary.

From IDW Publishing I see Grumpy Old Monsters #2 (294). I guess the proximity to Hallowe'en made me take a second look at this one, as it appears to be a funny story of classic movie monsters living in a retirement home. I missed the solicit for the first issue, but this one looks amusing.

Kim Rehr Productions has the third issue of a series that I thought was only two issues. Tuesday #3 (297) continues the story of how 9/11 impacted one life. I'm not sure if I'll get this, but I'm definitely intrigued. I'll probably dig out the first two and see if I want to continue with it.

Old School Comics title Possum At Large #1 (302) reminded me of my recent possum in the crawl space problems. No, I won't get the book, but it was a zen moment to read the title and flashback to the days of annoyance.

Random House lists Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (305). I think that book is still on my Amazon wishlist. Maybe, if I get any credit from Amazon this quarter for my "store", I can buy it.

Shanda Fantasy Arts has Furry Fandom #1 (307), a nice book to tell you all about those furry fans in all their... um... glory. People who were confused by the recent CSI episode ought to buy this book.

Silver Comics offers... Silver Comics #1 (308) which appears to be another attempt to bring back the good ol' days of comics. The interest to me is in the cover character, Sea-Bolt! Yes, a new underwater character.

Sirius gets serious with Akiko #52 (308). The cover is just wonderful, you gotta check it out. I wish I could find an on-line version of it...

Ok, on to the "rest" of Previews. Nothing of interest in the Magazines, and not much in the books this month, either. Well, except for The Brick Testament: Stories From The Book of Genesis (350). Yup, the website that I thought was so cool has now gone to print.

You can now get a T-shirt that says "Kryptonite" on it (371). Joy.

There's a new Aquaman action figure (386). It's the Justice League version, but it only has articulation at the neck and shoulders. Seems like a waste of money to me. In addition, it's only available in case packs, so unless my retailer wants to risk getting a bunch of other figures that she can't sell, I can't afford this one. No thanks, I'll pass.

I'm not usually into lunchboxes, but I just spotted one (436) that is perfect for hubby-Eric. Yes, it's Eric Shanower's Oz Domed Lunch Box, decorated with some of Shanower's great Oz artwork. I have a strange feeling this one will end up in my house somehow, one way or another.

Wow. Done. 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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