by Josh Crawley

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Doing something new this month: I’m starting from the end of the comics & graphics novels section and working my way forward! I’m hoping this doesn’t throw me off my already not-so-great game.

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Alluring Art of Margaret Brundage

A book showcasing sexy pulp art? Wow, we’re off to a pretty awesome start this month!!!

And I’ve heard some people put down the design and/or reproduction of Vanguard’s product, but compared to much of what’s out there, it’s pretty decent in my book, and my book is more discerning, so haters can just stay outside.

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Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

A classic in a nice hardcover format for the first time in a coon’s age? You had to know I was going to point this out. I’m hoping the paper quality is comparable to that of the Vizbig editions.

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Nikolai Dante: Sympathy for the Devil

Seeing that this is the final volume, it’s probably a good time for me to really read beyond the first volume (which I think is a pretty good plan, because then I know it will have a conclusion, instead of just making me waiting impatiently for more).

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Charles Burns’ The Hive

I don’t quite understand doing something as a series and having a part of that series being such a different trim size from the previous volume… unless it fits the storytelling really well. If not, it’s just frustrating (grr). Here’s hoping.

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Betty & Veronica #262

A Dan Parent cover featuring a Veronica + Vampirella mash-up is enough for a mention.

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Red She-Hulk #58

I don’t even know what to say.

Other than that I’m really interesting in checking this out!

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Captain Marvel #5

Kelly Sue DeConnick reunited with EMMA RIOS!!! Word on the street is they’re a pretty deadly team! Also, I so love this book!!!

And don’t forget Captain Marvel #6

Completely unrelated (possibly) to me loving this book: issue #1 at the East Side store is the best-selling regular ongoing Marvel book we’ve had since opening. It’s only been beat out by Avengers Vs X-Men (which is soon to be very, very finished).

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Marvel Universe Vs the Avengers #1

I’d consider myself a fan of Leandro Fernandez’s art, and since this story seems to focus on neither Wolverine nor the Punisher, I’ll probably check it out.

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Witchblade #162

Let there be no doubt that it’s baseball season!

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Revival #4

I don’t know what’s up with the weird quick-healing-don’t-look-like-normal-zombies zombie-type people, but the first issue of this title was great. I was satisfied but left wanting more! More!

MORE!!!

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Hoax Hunters #4

This great title keeps selling out, so I think it’s really just time you started buying it already.

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Saga Vol. 1

Seven regular-sized issues worth of material (issue 1 was double-sized, yo) for less than ten dollars?! If you’ve been hesitant to try out this series written by the guy who also wrote Y the Last Man and Ex Machina, you’re not going to get too much better a bargain than this (almost half the retail price of the single issues, though I doubt it includes the utterly hilarious letters columns).

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Cyber Force Origins Vol. 1

Before you can stop into your local comic shop for new free Cyber Force, check out where the Top Cow revolution began! And as an avid supporter — not just via Kickstarter — you’re welcome! If you’ve got time, check out this fun podcast my friend John & I did with Marc Silvestri & Matt Hawkins about the Kickstarter campaign!

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Halloween Eve

No need to fret if you missed the Kickstarter campaign, get your gorgeous Amy Reeder artwork on order now!

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Gil Kane’s Amazing Spider-Man Artist’s Edition

Just… order it. Really. Will you finally take my word for it?

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Danger Girl/GI Joe #4

Zarana!!!

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2012

It’s always good times seeing TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman making new Turtles art!

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Fairest #8

That’s some pretty hair.

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Masters of the Universe: The Origin of Skeletor #1

Don’t get me wrong, this is going to be a gorgeous book, but honestly, I’m of the mindset that some origins just really don’t need to be told. Sometimes, the vaguer, the better. That being said, I will be reading it, and I’m sure it’ll be very well written by Josh Fialkov.

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Batman: The Black Mirror TP

People can finally stop asking when this is coming out. Also, I’m pretty shocked at the price. Hopefully the money that will be lost on this being so cheap will be recouped by selling piles & piles of copies. So go buy one (or two; give one to a buddy). How can you really go wrong at that price?

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Catwoman #13

If anyone has ever wondered why I get so annoyed and tune out stunts like DC’s Zero Month last month, the final line of this issue’s solicitation copy should explain quite a bit: The true origin of Selina Kyle revealed!

Um, when did we get her fake origin? And if it was just last issue, as the press-release-reported-as-news would lead us to believe, isn’t that a little soon (seeing as how it isn’t even at the printer yet)?

Arg.

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Ghost #1

Not to worry, we’re going to end on a good note: more Kelly Sue DeConnick!!! With Phil Noto!!!

Added bonus: check out some vintage Kelly Sue in 30 Days of Night Omnibus vol 2.

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