Flipping Through Previews...

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 start with the bulk of the book, and then come back and cover the "big four" at the end. Please remember, I'm listing what looks interesting. My actual purchase list is going to be much smaller. The numbers after each title are usually the page number in Previews Magazine, so you can follow along at home.

Let's start with the covers. I don't know why, but the look of the guy on the "American Flagg!" side really does nothing for me. His pose, his leer, something about him gives me an automatic "ug" reaction. Being a superhero fan, the other cover, with the Justice League, does a lot more for me. Pity that the words obscure the look of the characters a bit. To make it short, neither cover does a lot for me, but the JLA cover is much more interesting.

Moving on, let's hit the Splash Page (8-9). I'm slightly intrigued by The Incredibles. The Avengers bit explains a litle bit of the strangeness happening at Marvel, but doesn't even begin to get me up to date on the sudden relaunches of Marvel books. The Simpsons Comics description makes me want to get it. I see that there are going to be Justice League paperweights... like I need any more junk... I hope they don't do an Aquaman one. I couldn't afford it if they did.

The checklist this month is a Holiday/Gift Ideas list.

Skipping the "Premier Comics" and going to the main comic book listings, let's start with the Featured Items (192-195). About Comics has a Schulz's collection of non-Peanuts material. It appears to be about baseball. Hmmm. The already mentioned Simpsons Comics #100 is also listed. I also see the first issue of the Hardy Boys comic. I'm very intersted in getting the Nancy Drew books, but the Hardy Boys weren't something I read much of when I was a kid.

About Comics is presenting It's Only A Game (197), a collection of Charles M Schulz's other syndicated comic. Definitely something to take a second look at.

Absence of Ink has a book called Bluesman #1 (198) that really makes me want to take a look. It's part one of three, and the story sounds different enough to check out. If money weren't tight, this one would be a definite book to try.

Across the Pond Comics has an anthology called ATP Presents #1 (202). While I've had mixed luck with anthologies, it's often a good thing for a studio that you aren't sure about. If the price point was a little lower, it would work as a good sampler.

Adhouse Books has a book up this month called One Step After Another One Shot (203) by an artist named Fermin Solis who won the 22nd Comic of Barcelona prize. Something to look out for.

Just in time to catch us while we are completely broke, the third collection of Girl Genius (217) is solicited by Airship Entertainment. Gonna have to get it. I think I'll also take my copy of the first collection to the next convention I go to and get Phil to sign it.

AIT/Planet Lar finishes off the highly regarded and critically acclaimed series with Demo #12 (217). This one promises to have a bonus story in the back... yeah, like it needs anything else to be one of the best books on the shelf.

A strange book by Aholattafun Ltd is coming out called Plaque X #1 (218). I'm not sure what to think of it... but it sure sounds wonderfully odd. Maybe if I had an art sample or two I'd take a risk on it.

Amaze Ink/Slave Labor has a book Bombaby (221) that looks really cool. Again, if I knew a little more about it and had some samples of the art, I would be tempted to give that a try. They've also got a book called Next Exit #1 (222) that looks fun. If there are samples on the website, I don't see them.

Here's an interesting concept, if not the most compelling one. Atlas (224) from Angel Gate Press is a book about a god who wants to become a superhero. But that's not the best part. No, the fun part is that this is a sixteen page board book for children. Hmmm.

If you missed Ant as it came out, Arcana Studio is giving you a chance to read the whole thing in Ant: Days Like These (232), a collected edition of all four issues.

Archangel Studios continues the saga in Tales of the Red Star #1 (232). I have only read one of the Red Star stories, and I enjoyed it, but the publishing history is so confusing I'm not sure where I would go to start if I seriously wanted to get into it. Anyone know of any good Red Star websites (even fan pages) that tell the whole history of the book?

Atomeka Press (236) recently sent me some review copies that I intend to get into and read this week, so it's only fair that I mention them here. Their offerings this month are A1 Sketchbook and Hero Squared X-Tra Sized Special #1. Full page ad on 237.

A company called Azteca Productions has a book listed called El Gato Negro Legacy #1 (244) which would be the "Black Cat" legacy. Looks like a Zorro/Batman type book, and if there were some samples it would possibly tempt me.

Beckett Comics continues to put out The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty #5 (248) and it continues to be at a price point that people can afford to try it out at. I'll stick with it a bit longer, yeah.

I'm tempted to get Simpsons Comics #100 (248) because the theme is comics... but the price is definitely off-putting. But then, it has Sergio making a guest appearance... hmmm. This one requires some thought.

Burlyman Entertainment shows up with Shaolin Cowboy #1 (252) which caught my eye, I know not why. I swear I've heard of this before. What, exactly, am I associating this with? Anyone know?

Just to absolutely murder our pocketbooks, Checker Book Publishing is putting out Star Trek: Key Collection Vol 3 (256). Ouch ouch ouch. These stories fit the "so bad it's good" genre of early comics, and I really want to know if the later stories improve any.

Colonia Press is putting out Colonia #11 (258), which will complete the latest three-issue storyarc. I'm looking forward to this one.

I kind of miss thumping into the CrossGen listings somewhere around this point in the book. Now that all the books have been officially cancelled I find myself wondering if we will ever get to see more Abadazad, and if so what form it will take. It's a shame.

Digital Webbing (284) doesn't have anything that interests me this month. When they do a "Bad Elements" collection I'll be first in line to get it, though.

What may be the absolute, without a doubt, best superhero comic book on the market today is up to issue #9. You MUST buy PS238 #9 from Dork Storm Press if you like superheroes. Definitely worth it. Consistently 4 1/2 starfish rated. Go for it.

I don't know what they publish, but the name "Drunk Duck Comics" (286) amuses me so I thought I'd mention them. Looks like a webcomic that's gone hardcopy.

Speaking of fun names, Epoch (299) has a book called Monkey and the Moon Patrol #1. Not enough info there for me to check it out, but definitely an eye-catching name.

Funnypages Press, the nuts behind Opposite Forces, have a book listed called Boyrobo #1 (303). There's a quicktime trailer on the website that has lots of art samples in it. Looks cute.

I Box Publishing is putting out Thieves & Kings Volume 5: The Winter Book (311). I'm still collecting individual issues.

NBM Publishing appear to be the mad geniuses behind the move of the Hardy Boys to comic book form, and they are offering Hardy Boys #1 (324) this month under their new division "Papercutz". I was never much into the Hardy Boys, but I'm somewhat tempted by this... The full page ad on page 325 says Nancy Drew will be out in February 2005, I'll probably wait for that instead.

Now Comics has an intriguing looking book called Mirrorwalker (326) listed. A mix of cartoon and "special effects photography". Could be something new. Preview pages are available at the website.

Renaissance Press resolicits Amelia Rules: Super-Heroes #4 (330), which means we should be getting some more Amelia soon?

Don't miss Daisy Kutter #4 (361) from Viper Comics.

Moving out of the main comic book section and into magazines...

Another issue of Comic Book Digest (376) from Lamp Post Publications is solicited, still at $1.95 for 80 pages of 8-page previews. It claims the previews are from publishers like Image, Dreamwave, DBPro, and Arcana. And this issue claims to have a full length comic story by Mike S Miller. Hmmm. Probably gonna get it.

The movie isn't even out yet, but there's a $40 Art of the Incredibles book (390). Um. The movie isn't out, is it?

On page 394 we see All Things Alice. Eric has All Things Oz, and it's an excellent reference book, so I'm guessing that this one is probably pretty good too.

Another Doctor Who novel and another Faction Paradox book (395). Someday I might actually start reading the Doctor Who novels again.

The Encyclopedia of Guilty Pleasures (399) looks like something I wouldn't want, but something that a number of people I know might find enjoyable. I'm also amused by Hello Kitty Everywhere on the same page because, ya know, "I have no mouth and must scream". Heh. How to be a Superhero is written by "Doctor Metropolis". Huh. Wonder if that's a penname. And Kung Fu For Girls looks like something I would have enjoyed as a teen.

Hey, another JLA T-shirt (431) with Aquaman on it! Unfortunately, the image is so much better suited to a collector's plate... which I already have. I think I'll probably pass on that one.

Cheap LEGO knock-off toys featuring DC Characters on pages 448-449. Luckily, I don't see an Aquaman set so I can pass on them, although the mini starfighter with Martian Manhunter is certainly cool.

Oh, hey... if I had a little more spare scratch, I would definitely get the Super Friends Fold and Mail Stationary (496). Hey, it's got Aquaman on it! I wouldn't bother with the Wonder Woman Lava Lamp on the next page.

There's a tessellating Homer Simpson jigsaw puzzle on page 503. Now that's scary.

The DVDs of the Doctor Who: Lost In Time collections are solicited this month (545). These discs have episodes from stories that were mostly lost. Most Americans have never seen these episodes because Doctor Who is generally sold to foreign markets in stories, and none of these are a complete story. I'm sure Eric and I will get these eventually.

Jumping back to the beginning of the book, it's time for me to cover the "big four" Premier Publishers. As usual, I'll finish with DC Comics, since they are the publisher I tend to buy the most books from.

Let's start with Marvel Comics (176) this time. If I understand this right, and I'm not sure I do, Avengers, Captain America, and Iron Man are all restarting. I'm not sure which books David (my buddy who gets a handful of Marvels through me) will want. It's a confusing morass... For my part, I'll be getting Amazing Spider-Man #73/514 and Powers #6 for sure. I'm also tempted by Spider-Man: India #1.

Moving back to Image Comics, I'm definitely looking forward to Noble Causes #5 (148), which guest-stars Invincible. I'll have to think about Firebirds (139), another book by Jay Faerber, but he's not led us wrong yet, so I would call it likely. Rising Stars #23 (163) will be on the list. I'm just glad it's almost done finally. I highly recommend the Common Grounds Trade Paperback (169) to anyone who missed the books. I'm really tempted to get it myself despite having got all the books.

Jumping back even further, it's Dark Horse. Conan #10 (16) makes the cut. Hubby-Eric wants to get The Incredibles #1 (17), and I'm tempted too. It depends on the rest of the order. Hubby also wants Jingle Belle #1 (20). I wouldn't mind it myself, but we'll have to see. Usagi Yojimbo #80 (23) gets on the list. I'll also probably get Samurai Executioner Vol 3 (33).

And on to the finish... the big one... DC Comics.

In the Batman section (55-60): Detective Comics is up to issue 800. Wow. I don't plan on getting it, but wow. I will be getting Birds of Prey #76, although with how little I've been enjoying the book lately I'm not entirely sure if I know why I'm still getting it.

In the Superman section (61-65): Superman: Secret Identity is being collected. I recommend this one to the fans out there. It's a good 'un. If you like Busiek and Immonen at all, get it. I'll also be getting Smallville #11 from the Superman section.

In the DCU section (66-83): JLA: Classified #1 has Aquaman on the cover. That's not really enough of a reason for me to get it, but it will have to do. I really like this version of Aquaman, too. He looks good.

I'm hoping to get a chance to read Adam Strange #3, and of course Aquaman #24 will be in my box in multiples. I'm also likely to get Fallen Angel #17.

And here I run into my first big problem. I don't want to buy Firestorm #7. I'm just not interested in it. But it's crossing over with Bloodhound #5, which is a book I have been mostly enjoying. So what do I do? If I buy Bloodhound but it's unreadable without reading Firestorm, I'm out $3 and I'll be angry. I'm not willing to buy Firestorm. So do I take the risk and buy Bloodhound anyway, or do I just drop the book for this month and hope that next month isn't incomprehensible? Do I just drop the book entirely? I'll admit I'm inclined to do the last option. After all, why should I support a book that forces me to buy a book I'm not interested in to get a whole story?

Moving on from moral dilemmas, Green Lantern: Rebirth #2 makes the cut. Definitely a hubby-Eric book. We'll also get Green Arrow #44, Identity Crisis #6, and
H-E-R-0 #22. There's no doubt that JLA #108, JSA: Strange Adventures #4, and JSA #67 also make the cut. I would love to get the Justice League of America Archives vol 9, but we can't really afford it this month. Luckily, the Archive program seems to be a pretty safe deal, so we'll get it later. We'll also get Outsiders #18 and Plastic Man #12. I would like to get The Question #1, but I'm not sure it will make the cut. With this book, maybe I'll wait for reviews and/or the trade.

Moving on to the "Johnny DC" section (84): We'll be getting The Batman Strikes! #3 and Justice League Unlimited #3.

And that is it. Whew.

So that's it for this month's "Things in Previews That Look Interesting But I Can't Afford To Get (with a list of things I am getting just for contrast)". Comments? Questions? Did I miss any really cool books that you know about and would like to point out? Do you disagree with something I wrote, and want to correct me? There's the comments, right below. Post something. And, yes, I accept review copies. I'm willing to give almost anything a try.