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. The front cover shows Batman holding an unidentifiable fallen hero. It really is nicely done concept for drawing in readers and making them curious. I'm not sure I really like Alex Ross' painting with Jim Lee's pencils. It's ok, but I'm not overwhelmed. The back cover shows Hunter Killer, which just looks like yet another tough guy book. Nothing special.

The full page ad on the inside of the front cover caught my eye only because it brought back happy childhood memories of watching the original Star Wars movies.

Moving on, let's hit the Splash Page (8-9). I'm not at all interested in Orson Scott Card's efforts on Iron Man. I don't really have a big problem with Card's fiction, but it isn't anything that interests me. I want the Wizard Basic Training book. It looks really cool, and there will be lots of artwork samples from a good variety of artists. Beyond that, nothing springs out at me and says "buy me!"

The 2005 Readership Survey (12-14) is in this issue. I might just fill it out.

The first of the Free Comic Book Day bits is in this one, on page 15, in the form of apparel for comic shop people to wear.

Skipping over the big four, Black Bull (190) has a new book that I'm not at all interested in. Except for Wizard Best of Basic Training (192-193), I'm not interested in much of anything Wizard is offering.

Jumping to the Featured Items pages for the main comic book section (202-205), the Hedge Knight trade is good. I enjoyed the first edition, but I don't plan on getting the second. Another cool thing is Barbarossa and the Lost Corsairs, which is a pirate book, arrrr! That's pretty much all that looks good.

AAA Pop Comics (206) has the second issue of The Golden Plates. I'll be getting it, of course. The only question is how many extra copies I'll be buying for family. I know I'll be getting at least two extra.

Next item of interest is from AIT/Planet Lar. The cover didn't make me look twice, but the description looks good. Filler (223) is about a person who is living in the backgrounds of other lives. It doesn't look quite like my cup of tea, but I suspect a number of bloggers will enjoy it. I also can recommend Astronauts In Trouble, which looks to be a new edition that's quite affordable. If you haven't tried the series, go for the trade. I don't think you'll be disappointed. There's something in there for everyone.

Amaze Ink/Slave Labor has a couple of books to note. Seamonsters & Superheroes Vol 1 (227) collects the individual issues. If you are bold and willing to put up with a lot, this is one to get. Street Angel #5 is also being solicited. Not something for me, but it's popular among my fellow bloggerati.

I seem to be moving through this issue of Previews pretty quickly, so next up is Beckett Comics (246) which we'll be buying The Ballad of Sleeping Beauty #8 from. Intriguing cover.

Bongo stays up to their normal wildness with Futurama/Simpsons Crossover Crisis Part 2 (246). Yes, we'll get it.

Classics Illustrated Jr is putting out the second issue of Dorothy Gale: Journey To Oz (250). Because it's Oz, we'll be getting it, but I'm a little confused... is the price $4.99 like in Previews, or $5.99 like on the order form. We'll go with the order form, but hope for the lower price when the book comes.

Comics Conspiracy (252) is back with Generic Mini-Series This was a fun book back when hubby-Eric and I collected the original run. I'm not sure if we'll get this one, though Generic Man going up against Villain-Come-Lately sounds fun. Note that there is a Generic Ad on page 254.

DBPro (258) is offering The Hedge Knight trade again. This was a pretty good adaptation of the short story. Worth a look if you are a fan of George R.R. Martin.

Digital Webbing (274) continues their anthology book Digital Webbing Presents with issue #23. Of interest is a story in which we "imagine a world where betting on the outcome of superhero battles is the hippest craze."

My favorite on-going series of 2004, PS238 shows up in Dork Storm Press's listing (275). This one looks like a lot of fun... more torture for poor Tyler.

The Dreamwave listings seemed mildly ironic to me in light of the recent news of them shutting down.

I Box Publishing (304) has a resolicit of Thieves & Kings #46. I really would like more of this book. It's one of those books where the slow release schedule definitely detracts from the enjoyment. At least there's a strip on the website to take away some of the annoyance of waiting.

Illusive Productions (311) solicits the second issue of Dorothy, which I already have. This is a very good revisit to Oz from a modern viewpoint. Not for little ones.

Another cool-looking book is Barbarossa & The Lost Corsairs #1 from Kandora Publishing (312). There's a full-page ad on 313, and more on their site including some sample pencils which, frankly, look fantastic. Writing by Brian Augustyn. Hmm. Do I want to read another pirate book?

I mentioned Chickasaw Adventures last month, there's another issue coming from Layne Morgan Media (312) in this Previews. Yes, I'll be getting it.

NBM Publishing (316) shows off the second issue of Cryptozoo Crew which I'd really like to try. Too bad I can't really afford it. Also of interest are The Yellow Jar and Silk Tapestry, both of which were worth getting, and are being offered again.

Nothing of interest in Sirius Entertainment. Will Akiko ever be coming back?

Speakeasy Comics (323) has an interesting looking book called The Grimoire #1 (326). I wish I could find some art samples for it, as I'm not inclined to purchase it without a better idea of what's inside. Then again, it does seem right up my alley.

I think I saw a sample of Oddly Normal in the back of Daisy Kutter, which makes sense seeing as how they are both from Viper Comics (354). This one looks good, and might just sneak onto the list.

And that wraps up my trip through the comic section for this month. Wow. Moving on in Previews... nothing in Magazines strikes me as worth a mention... There's a biography of DeForrest Kelly (387) in the books section which I wouldn't mind reading. I think I read every other cast members' bio or autobio except Shatner, who I can't stand. The best one was "To The Stars" by George Takei, in my opinion. But then, I've always had a thing for Sulu.

I'm also seeing a novelization of The Crisis on Infinite Earths in the books section (389), and a couple of Green Lantern novels. I'm not sure if I want to read superhero novels or not. So much potential... will they be any good? I'm thinking library on these, though who knows if the library will ever get them.

Moving on... Graphitti Designs has a nice JLA logo shirt (411). I'm still waiting for my Aquaman logo shirt. I suspect I'll never get it.

You can get a Dalek, Cyberman, or TARDIS cookie jar (473). Who would want to eat cookies out of a Dalek?

Looks like a new DC Heroclix set is arriving. 97 new figures... I need to know if Aquaman is one. The ad on page 493 shows Batman, Wonder Woman, Superboy, Ra's, Kingdom Come Green Lantern, and some really tall person I don't recognize. The 2005 Sportsclix are also shown. Again, I'd like to get the Mariners and nobody else.

And that's it. Time to jump back to the beginning and cover the handful of publishers that take up the most space in Previews. I never know what order to do the Premier comics in, just that I like doing DC last. So I guess I'll list them in the order they show up in the book. And that means that first up is...

Dark Horse Comics. I note that the comic book adaptation of Revenge of the Sith is being solicited (22). Indeed, the Star Wars stuff dominates the first few pages. Anyway, I'll be getting Conan #14 (28), Usagi Yojimbo #83 (32), Samurai: Heaven & Earth #4 (34), and Samurai Executioner Volume 5. I'd like to point out page 31, which has some Will Eisner stuff.

Next up is Image Comics. I plan on getting Battle Hymn #4 (138) since I ordered the rest. We'll also be getting Lions, Tigers & Bears #3 (151). And we'll be getting Lullaby: Wisdom Seeker #2 (152) as well as going back and ordering issue #1 because the solicit on this one says they are headed to Oz. We can't miss Noble Causes #9 (155). We still haven't decided on whether or not we'll be getting The Pact (156), but I think I'm leaning toward it. Sea of Red (160) sure seems like a sure thing... vampires and pirates, what a combination. Probably won't make my list, but definitely a sure thing.

As usual, I didn't get Marvel Comics (182) super special extra book. For me, I'll be getting Amazing Spider-Man #518 and Supreme Power #16.

And finally, we reach DC Comics. It's about freakin' time. Section by section.

Batman (61-68): Nothing I'll be getting, but Batman Cover to Cover looks good. I'd also love to get Batman: Chronicles Volume 1 because I like to support inexpensive reprinting of Golden Age comic stories. I wish they'd reprint more Golden Age tales, with every different character they own the rights to. That's another argument entirely, though, so on to Supes.

Superman (69-75): The cover to Adventures of Superman #638 is hilarious. Particularly the expressions on Clark and Lois' faces.

DC Universe (76-94): Aquaman #28 appears to herald the return of that wierd cop in the last issue. I'm not finding much enthusiasm for the book right now, but maybe I'll enjoy it when it actually comes out. I've always liked Etrigan, and Blood of the Demon #1 looks promising, but I probably won't get it. I'd also love to get the Comic Cavalcade Archives Volume 1. I think I have all those issues on fiche, but nothing compares to holding them in your hands. Another book that looks interesting is The Human Race #1, but I don't think I'll get it. Books I will be getting: Birds of Prey #80, Bloodhound #9, DC Countdown, Fallen Angel #19, Green Lantern: Rebirth #6, Green Arrow #48, JLA #112, JLA Classified #5, JSA #71, Plastic Man #15, and Outsiders #22. And finally, I'll probably be getting the two Seven Soldiers books, Seven Soldiers: Guardian #1 and
Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight #1. I just wish the mini-series were not running concurrently.

Johnny DC (95-96): I'll be getting the usual, The Batman Strikes #7 and Justice League Unlimited #7.

DC Library (97-103): Nothing.

Wildstorm (104-111): Also nothing.

Vertigo (112-123): I was tempted by Otherworld #1, but I think I'll probably pass on it.

DC Direct (124-132): There's quite a statue there of Superman, Hawkman, and Red Robin from Kingdom Come. And those Bat-Villain action figures look nasty. Amazing that the Penguin actually looks threatening. But, no, nothing here for me.

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.