Fifth Degree: Marvel Previews #76
by Josh Crawley
I want to point everyone to the Senyaka story drawn by Leonardo Manco in this week’s X Necrosha: The Gathering one shot with some great coloring by my friend (and all-around great person) SotoColor‘s Chad Fidler!
A couple various thoughts on recent announcements…
1. Over on DC’s The Source blog, they announced something “interesting.”
“Original stories featuring Batman and Superman in graphic novel form from the biggest creators out there. But these aren’t one-offs. We’re talking ongoing series of OGNs in a new continuity, on a new Earth.
“Sound appealing?
“Starting next year, DC Comics will unveil Superman: Earth One and Batman: Earth One, two graphic novels spotlighting the most powerful heroes of the DC Universe, with their first years and earliest moments retold in a standalone, original graphic novel format, on a new earth with an all-new continuity.”
How many times do we really need to retell things in such a short amount of time? Superman: Birthright is still around and not too old, already being pushed out by Superman: Secret Origin (which has yet to finish), and now this? I’m all for making things accessible and having different versions, but this seems counter-productive.
And to the people commenting that this is like DC’s version of Marvel’s Ultimate line: not really. An argument could be made that Ultimate Comics is Marvel’s version post-Crisis (on Infinite Earths). But this is far more than I’d planned on spending on this…
2. Comic Book Resources has an exclusive interview up about Mark Millar & Steve McNiven’s new project. Sadly, this is going to be yet another Millar book that doesn’t stay on schedule. I would call it a prediction, but that’s far too easy. I can’t recall a book he’s written actually shipping continually on schedule since I started working retail in this industry over eight years ago. Maybe he should go back to Superman Adventures…
Now, a few Previews #255 leftovers, then on to Marvel Previews #76…
The Ame-Comi Heroine Series: Steel PVC Figure was designed by Dustin Nguyen, and the figure looks pretty amazing. The only way I can see it getting better is if it looked more like the way Nguyen draws faces. He posted some design work on his deviantART page. I don’t buy much in the way of figures and statues anymore, but this is really tempting me.
Justice League Crisis on Two Earths Owlman DVD Maquette has a long title, but only needs a short description: AWESOME! Now I only hope the DVD itself ends up as entertaining as the Public Enemies DVD (barring the horribly rushed and lackluster looking Starfire and Black Lightning designs).
If the temptation of the Steel PVC wasn’t enough, Kotobukiya’s Captain America fine art statue is practically taunting me.
The Ultimate Comics Avengers #6 cover has some great inks by Dexter Vines. I wish no ill-will towards Danny Miki, but his style isn’t suited for Carlos Pacheco.
Black Widow: Deadly Origin has had some great Adi Granov covers, but #4 may take the cake; Adorable-Yet-Deadly Cosmonaut Black Widow!!!
Marvel Heartbreakers doesn’t have a cover that really draws me in, but I’m a sucker for some good romance. I hope this delivers.
Let me get this straight: Over 300 pages of Invincible Iron Man by Matt Fraction & Salvador Larocca for under $40?! I’m there! If only the Immortal Iron Fist omnibus had been this price, I’d be set; it was fewer pages at almost twice the price. Yes, I understand the economics of Iron Man selling more, but that still seems far too steep. Oh well.
I know I just mentioned Black Widow: Deadly Origins above, but this time it’s for the hardcover, which I will be buying!
Marvel Masterworks Golden Age Captain America Volume 4 Hardcover Variant Edition Volume 138 has a longer title than the Owlman maquette. Marvel really is trying to put me in the poorhouse this month with hardcovers.
The X-Force Volume 1 hardcover is almost tempting me. Almost.
Either version of West Coast Avengers: Assembled is worth picking up. I got the original miniseries and the first 5 or so of the ongoing series a couple of years ago, and they were far more entertaining than expected.
New Avengers: The Reunion has a great exchange between Clint and Bucky that felt very much like an 80s Clint and Steve exchange (Captain America #316, for example) while still being true to the characters. I also really dig Mockingbird’s new costume, which debuted here.
I would prefer the Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. Ultimate Collection be a hardcover, but I won’t pass up the softcover at this point; Stuart Immonen is awesome!
Feel free to contact me with creators you’d like to see spotlighted, comics for review, comments, concerns, corrections, questions, or even just your favorite beer. Be sure it says ATTN: JOSH if it’s sent post, otherwise we may have issues. If you just want more of me running my mouth, check Twitter.com/joshcrawley.
josh@westfieldcomics.com
Westfield Comics
ATTN: JOSH
7475 Mineral Point Rd STE 22
Madison WI 53717
______________________
Josh Crawley is the tenured Master of Disaster for Westfield Comics, not to be confused with Josh Crawley, the keyboardist for Everclear.
Purchase
The Ame-Comi Heroine Series: Steel PVC Figure
Justice League Crisis on Two Earths Owlman DVD Maquette
Captain America fine art statue
Black Widow: Deadly Origins HC
Marvel Masterworks Golden Age Captain America Volume 4 Hardcover Variant Edition Volume 138
West Coast Avengers: Assembled
West Coast Avengers: Assembled (Variant Cover)
Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. Ultimate Collection
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