by Josh Crawley

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I was going to apologize for writing this even more poorly and uninterestingly than usual, but I don’t normally find myself stunning people, so we’ll just get right into things this month…

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Dark Horse Presents #13

There’s a plethora of talent working on this issue, as there is every issue, but I’m especially looking forward to Kelly Sue DeConnick & Phil Noto rebooting Ghost (which was just recently announced as already spinning off into its own series). There’s also a Tim Seeley cover available to order, too, but more on him later!

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Empowered Deluxe Edition Volume 2 HC

I’m hoping that with this second volume so close on the heels of the first that we’ll get to see a good chunk of new material sooner than later, but honestly, I’m very okay with sacrificing quantity for quality at this point (which is much easier to ask for after already getting well over 1,000 pages).

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It was bound to happen: me running my yap about Before Watchmen. Truthfully, I have some mixed feelings, nor am I a lawyer, so anything I’d say would be not as well informed as I’d like (yet still possibly more informed than most running their mouths). Here goes…

I hope people take the time to search out creator-owned material by these creators (if it exists). Like Amanda Conner’s artwork in Silk Spectre? Check out The Pro (which isn’t always in print, admittedly, but it seems to be reprinted frequently enough that shouldn’t be too much of an issue). Like Brian Azzarello writing the Comedian? Try 100 Bullets if you haven’t already.

Anyways, I’m sure you get the point.

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Batwoman #10

Back around issue #4 of Nightwing, I was espousing how much more I wanted Trevor McCarthy art in comics. With this issue, it looks like someone who had control of those kinds of things agreed with me! (Amy Reeder-Hadley is not drawing the issue as is detailed here.)

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Deathstroke #10

I’m trying really hard not to make a Deadpool & Bloodwulf joke right now… and by trying really hard, I mean that I’m just not good enough to make one. Also, I don’t want to be that guy, because I know Rob truly is a good-hearted guy.

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Voodoo #10

I started reading Voodoo because Ron Marz was writing it, and unfairly, I was hesitant to read it after Josh Williamson took over. I have to say, I’m pretty glad I gave Williamson a chance, as I still enjoy what I’m reading (Voodoo is one of three New 52 books I read regularly, or as regular as I get reading monthly mega-corporate comics).

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Superman Family Adventures #2

Aw yeah Superman Family Adventures!!!

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American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares #1

For those who don’t know, I’m a pretty big fan of Dustin Nguyen’s artwork (most recent example: buying two issues of Batwing despite having no interest in it just because Nguyen, inked by Derek Fridolfs, drew it). Add in a period setting and I really wish it was already June 13.

Also, a lot of people seem to like how this Scott Snyder guy writes that Batman fellow.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1: Change is Constant Deluxe Edition

The process nerd in me really, really wants this. The nostalgia nerd in me is also looking really forward to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classics Vol. 1 softcover. I need to find the millionaire nerd part of my brain in gear so I can buy all of these great TMNT products  (Micro Series #5 for Splinter? Awesome!).

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Creator Owned Heroes #1

This book is like a stacked deck of awesome creator-owned goodness, and I want you to have good things. If that isn’t enough, Phil Noto draws a lady putting her underwear on & that’s pretty hot.

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The Red Diary/The Re(a)d Diary flipbook HC

As I mentioned before, I’m a process nerd, and the end results of the differing processes for translating this work really have me intrigued.

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Witchblade #158

Tim Seeley cemented me as a happy reader with issue #154, and then told me this issue is one of his favorites so far. Seeing the steampunk-influenced cover, I’m thinking it could be mine, too.

Speaking of Seeley, I really, really enjoyed his first issue of Bloodstrike; so much so that I want to reread it again already & start buying the single issues. I don’t recall that happening in quite some time, at least to the extent it’s happened with this series. While I’m not too fond of Liefeld’s artwork, I’ll be content if it’s less than half of issue 29.

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Defenders #7

I always somehow forget that I’m reading Defenders monthly when customers ask. I need to do a better job of remembering, because I really do enjoy Matt Fraction & the Dodsons working together. Red She-Hulk wielding a giant sword and the Black Cat on the cover don’t hurt, either.

It also looks like you can see these folks (the characters, not the creators [but that would be pretty rad]) over in New Mutants #44 this month.

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Incognito: The Classified Edition

I like these guys working together, and I like big, beautiful hardcovers. If you’ve just discovered these guys thanks to their work on Fatale, you should definitely pick this book up.

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Prophecy #1

First he did it with the Top Cow Universe, and now Marz is looking to destroy the Dynamite line! While I don’t have the attachment to these characters I do with the Top Cow characters, I trust this will be an interesting, compelling story that’s really enjoyable.

While I’m pimping great stuff by Marz, don’t forget to check out the creator-owned Shinku #8, and his work from Top Cow in Witchblade Compendium Vol. 3 (available in both hardcover and softcover), Artifacts #19 & Artifacts Vol 4.

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Naughty and Nice: The Good Girl Art of Bruce Timm

I don’t recall Flesk ever going back to print on a book so quickly, and it seems rare that they ever do, so I’d very much recommend picking up this book now!

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Alien: The Illustrated Story Artist’s Edition

If IDW’s artist editions have taught us anything, it’s that we should order them (if we have the money) if we’re on the fence about wanting them (because, inevitably, they become unavailable in less time than it takes to spell unavailable correctly). Illustrated by Walt Simonson, this volume will look great sitting next to, say, a Simonson Thor Artist Edition hard cover.

Not to fret, though. If your budget is an issue, the standard edition is still a book worth owning, especially for a retail price below USD 15.

And if you’re like some people out there, you could just order both of them!

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Josh Crawley may or may not be the keyboardist for Everclear. He strongly suggests you not bet that he is.