Josh Crawley

by Josh Crawley

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Batman Beyond Unlimited #1

Batman Beyond Unlimited #1

Aw yeah!!! Dustin Nguyen & Derek Fridolfs are doing Justice League Unlimited!!! You may recognize their awesome work together on such things as Batman: Streets of Gotham and a multitude of amazing covers, among other things.

I’d also like to point out that this book is a pretty awesome deal, as it’s 40 pages of art & story with a $3.99 cover

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Static Shock #6

Static Shock #6

Technique!!! Hardware!!!

Oh, and Static, too.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1: Change is Constant

If you’ve yet to try out the most recent incarnation of the Ninja Turtles comic book franchise, I’d definitely recommend picking this book up now!

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Darkness #100

The Darkness #100 Cover D by Michael Broussard & Sonny Gho

Seeing the care put into this cover, I really wish we could get an Angelus series illustrated by these two.

Of course, having not seen any sequentials by Broussard since Artifacts Act One, I’d be happy to see him drawing pretty much any title at this point.

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Queen Crab

Queen Crab

I donated to Jimmy Palmiotti’s Kickstarter project for this book and am looking forward to getting this hard cover in my hands.

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Pilot Season 2012

Pilot Season 2012 Trade Paperback

Please don’t let this volume end up like some previous Pilot Season series: unreleased! In this volume you get eight first issues of potential new series for the low cover price of $19.99!

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Gearhearts Steampunk Glamour Revue

Gearhearts: Steampunk Glamour Revue #2

Another issue featuring gorgeous models in creative costumes? Count me in!

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Shrugged Vol. 2 #0

Shrugged Vol. 2 #0

Shrugged Volume 1 is my favorite Aspen Comics series to date, so saying I’ve been hoping for more is like saying I appreciate breathing air: it’s a given.

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Sharknife Vol. 2: Sharknife ZZ

Sharknife Volume 2:Sharknife ZZ

FINALLY!!! Now if only the third edition of the first volume didn’t include a Bonus Stage that I am assuming isn’t in the first edition (otherwise why mention it); grr.

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DC Super Pets: Backward Bowwow

DC Super Pets

Great for younger readers, this year’s wave of six books have been well received, are great sellers in our stores, and are especially recommended for fans of Tiny Titans!!!

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Follow my tweets, email me, and be sure to keep an eye out on the Westfield Comics Facebook.

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

Josh Crawley

by Josh Crawley

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How about some thought on items in the new catalog (at least the things that I remember to mention this time around)…

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Compleat Terminal City

Compleat Terminal City

I’ve wanted to read this material for quite some time now (ten years or so), and this volume is going to make doing that really handy. For those new to the work of Dean Motter, I’d recommend checking out Mister X.

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Dark Horse Presents #8

Dark Horse Presents #8

As the print edition of Previews exclaims “MIGNOLA EULOGY FOR HELLBOY!” and “BRIAN WOOD’S THE MASSIVE DEBUTS!” but what really caught my attention was this comparatively understated bit of information “…new Skeleton Key…”. Andi Watson!!!

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Huntress #4

Huntress #4

Two issues in, and this title is still selling better than many New 52 titles, but that’s not why I’d like to see this series continue with its current creative team (Paul Levitz, Marcus To, John Dell, Guillem March & the gang). I want it to continue as-is because I’m really enjoying this comic (better than many of the New 52)!

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Voodoo #5

Voodoo #5

Having read my fair share of work by Ron Marz, I’d like to think I had some decent expectations before reading this (have you read Magdalena Volume 1 yet?). I wasn’t disappointed! Voodoo is one of my favorites of the New 52, and I expect that to be my opinion for quite some time.

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Xombi SC

Xombi trade paperback

Six issues of a — pleasantly surprisingly to me — well-selling series, plus an issue of Brave and the Bold, all for less than $15? I implore you to order this if you’re on the fence or waiting a few more months, as DC has seemingly not been too hesitant about canceling collections just before going to press.

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Danger Girl: Revolver

Danger Girl: Revolver #1

As soon as I saw an unfamiliar Danger Girl in snake skin pants I knew I was going to be reading this mini-series. Also, having recently seen Chris Madden’s artwork in Jack Avarice is the Courier, fans of J. Scott Campbell should be sure to give this issue a look-see!

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6

Are you reading this yet? I love this book so much I’m actually thinking about hunting down first printings of the first two issues, and in this day and age, that’s a pretty high compliment for this book.

(I also realize I should have looked for them when I bought a couple New 52 first printings when I was at Star Clipper last week; grr.)

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Fatale #1

Fatale #1

Ed Brubaker. Sean Phillips. Dave Stewart.

I don’t really have to say any more, do I?

Okay, how about this: Criminal; Incognito; and Sleeper.

Also, after seeing Val Staples coloring Brubaker & Phillips for so long, it’ll be interesting to see Stewart doing colors.

Also available in a beastly variety.

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Cover Girls HC

Cover Girls hard cover

Probably best known for his DC covers the past few years (and recently for Catwoman #1), this book is chock full of Guillem March features copious amounts of work not easily seen in the U.S. before.

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Artifacts Deluxe HC

Artifacts Deluxe signed & numbered hard cover

If you’re going to buy this, you may as well spend the extra 10 spot and get this signed version, right? Right.

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Scarlet Spider #1

Scarlet Spider #1

While you’re waiting for some new Ryan Stegman artwork, why not re/read She-Hulks: Search for the Intelligencia, which was piles of fun to read & look at?!

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Explorer: The Mystery Boxes

Explorer: The Mystery Boxes

Another themed anthology edited by Kazu Kibuishi, this volume will make a fine companion to Flight Explorer for fans of all ages. Also available in hard cover.

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Back Issue #54

Back Issue #54

Full disclosure: I just wanted to help draw more attention to this awesome Bruce Timm bikini-clad Big Barda cover.

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The Bionic Book: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman Reconstructed

The Bionic Book: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman Reconstructed

I’m about 101% certain my pal Jimmy P.S. Hayes is going to be ordering at least one copy of this (and he’ll probably have an extra case of them ordered to keep on hand to replace each copy he destroys from reading it so much).

Just kidding, Jimmy!

(No, not really.)

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Pop! Disney Vinyl Figure: Maleficent

Pop! Disney Maleficent vinyl figure

While many of the Pop! Disney vinyl figures look great, they all pale in comparison to the malevolent & magnificent Maleficent!!!

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Did I miss something you think I should have mentioned? Feel free to call me out in the comments down below!

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Follow my tweets, email me, and be sure to keep an eye out on the Westfield Comics Facebook.

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

Josh Crawley

by Josh Crawley

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The Strain #1

Before I get into the thick of things this month, I wanted to point out a few inexpensive first issues (cover price of 1 United States Dollar; I realize the economy is still slogging really slowly) that the open-minded consumer should be sure to check out: The Strain #1 from Dark Horse features art by the amazing Mike Huddleston; Outcast #1 from BOOM! Studios; and Lord of the Jungle from Dynamite Entertainment is an uncensored adaptation of Tarzan of the Apes. Now, on with the show!!!

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10-Doh! vinyl figures

10-Doh Vinyl Figure

I can’t even formulate the words for how awesome these are.

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Birds of Prey #4

Birds of Prey #4

While I am still enjoying this book post-relaunch, I’m not a big fan of David Finch’s covers so far. That being said, this is the first piece of art I’ve seen of the Batgirl costume that doesn’t really make me cringe. It’s still got a long way to go, but it’s getting better (and it would be great if it had a consistent look with the colors for her costume on her own book).

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Defenders #1

Defenders #1

I’m a fan of Matt Fraction’s writing, but my event fatigue has fatigue at this point. What’s really drawing me to this book at this point is the gorgeous art by Terry & Rachel Dodson of the Red She-Hulk.

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Empowered Deluxe Edition Volume 1 Hardcover

Empowered Deluxe Edition

I love this book so much, I’d consider selling plasma while riding the bus to get this edition, which happens to be limited to this one printing! If you’re hesitant, I’d recommend buying it if only to resell later when it’s out of print, because once that happens I’m pretty sure it’ll go for some great money!

However, I’m not telling you to speculate on this book!!! This is me explicitly telling you not to speculate on this book.

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Fluffy, Fluffy Cinnamoroll

Fluffy, Fluffy Cinnamoroll

Apparently Cinnamoroll is a Sanrio-created dog that like cinnamon rolls. That’s my kind of dog. This being an all-ages adventure book doesn’t hurt matters, either!

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Huntress #3

Huntress #3

I really enjoyed the first issue of this miniseries. The writing by Paul Levitz was enjoyable, and the art by Marcus To, John Dell, and the colorist whose name I don’t have handy looked great!

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Justice League of America 100 Project

Justice League of America 100 Project

It’s a good cause, you get something for helping out… I swear I’ve written this once or twice or five times before.

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The Legend of Zelda Box Set

The Legend of Zelda Box Set

I’ve only been waiting for this set for years!!! It’s like a Triforce you don’t even have to assemble.

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Magdalena #12

Magdalena #12

I know it’s frustrating waiting for this book to get on schedule, but it’s so great!!! The bright side? It’s pretty pimp the way Patience is wielding both the Spear of Destiny and the Witchblade in this cover.

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Muse Hardcover

Muse Hardcover

I know nothing about this book, save that: 1) I hadn’t heard of it before now; 2) it’s probably pretty great since Humanoids is publishing it; and 3) I must own it since Terry Dodson did piles of gorgeous artwork for it. Word on “the street” (A.K.A. the Staff Picks spotlight in Previews) claims “Fantasy, science fiction, and erotica [are] all abound in Muse.” Doesn’t sound like something to pass up at all!

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Omar Dogan’s Girl Seven

Omar Dogan's Girl Seven

I don’t think I’ve mentioned one of these great Udon art books recently, and Omar Dogan’s work is amazing, so I figured those were reasons enough to spotlight this book.

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The Red Wing Trade Paperback

The Red Wing Trade Paperback

Colors by the lovely Rachelle Rosenberg, and written by some guy who’s written a few comics.

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Secret Avengers #20

Secret Avengers #20

Secret Avengers by Warren Ellis is the book I didn’t quite realize I’d wanted since I first read Planetary Volume 1. It’s been an interesting ten years, but I’m grateful to have this book on the shelves.

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Super Dinosaur Deluxe Coloring Book

Super Dinosaur Deluxe Coloring Book

If I really have to say any more, I’m just going to assume you’re a person who hates fun.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5

While a much less-hyped relaunch than DC’s New 52, this Ninja Turtles relaunch is by no means any less great (and is very possibly even better). IDW claims this stand alone story acts as a great jumping on point, and I don’t really have any basis to argue that, what with me trying to get you to buy it anyways! While I normally tend to wait for the trade paperback, issue 2 of this series had a nice few pages of Kevin Eastman’s layouts for Dan Duncan, so I’m actually tempted to start getting the regular issues (of which issues 1 and 2 have both been announced as going to a third printing). While you’re looking, don’t forget to take a peek at Micro Series #2: Michelangelo.

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Terry Moore Sketchbook: Hot Girls & Cold Feet

Terry Moore Sketchbook: Hot Girls & Cold Feet

Um, yes, please.

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Thundercats Look One Way T-shirt

Thundercats Look One Way T-shirt

Coincidentally enough, I’m actually wearing a t-shirt with this artwork on it right now (though it also has Lion-O and the vintage logo, is bright orange, and has been worn so much it looks like a vintage 80s tee despite not even being ten years old). While you’re checking out ThunderCats tees, you can also show your allegiance to the Ever Living.

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Voltron #1

Voltron #1

Beast King GoLion!!! He’s the King of Robots, yo!

Sorry, I’m pretty stoked about this new Voltron series. And assuming I found the correct Ariel Padilla, you can find some various samples (including a great looking Red Sonja page) on deviantArt here.

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Voodoo #4

Voodoo #4

I haven’t had a chance to read #1 of this series, but most people know by now that I trust Ron Marz to tell a great story. It’s great to see John Tyler Christopher on covers, too, as he’s done some great covers for Marz’s Witchblade and Artifacts issues over the years.

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Follow my tweets, email me, and be sure to keep an eye out on the Westfield Comics Facebook.

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

Josh Crawley

by Josh Crawley

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Conan Road of Kings #10

Conan Road of Kings #10

The art of Mike Hawthorne on this series has polarized many Conan fans, and as a fan of Hawthorne’s art that gives me a grin. I’m now wondering what the reaction to guest artists Dan Panosian is going to be. Recently you may have seen his work on X-Factor Forever.

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Avatar the Last Airbender Volume 1: The Promise Part 1

Avatar the Last Airbender Volume 1: The Promise Part 1

Arguably the best cartoon of the past decade, I’m looking forward to this book bridging the gap to the upcoming sequel.

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Huntress #2

Huntress #2

I just wanted to point out how awesome this Guillem March cover is. Thankfully, I’m also interested in the guts of the book (by Paul Levitz & Marcus To), too!

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro Series #1: Raphael

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro Series #1: Raphael

I’ve really enjoyed the one issue of this TMNT reboot we’ve gotten so far, so I’m hoping for good things from this micro series, too!

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Artifacts #14

Artifacts #14

Just in case you hadn’t heard (but you have, because you listen to the lovely Doughnuts & Top Cow podcast (I co-host), Artifacts is now an ongoing series by the long-term Witchblade team of Ron Marz & Stjepan Sejic.

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Super Dinosaur Vol. 1

Super Dinosaur Volume 1 trade paperback

This comic is so much fun! If you’re a fan of talking dinosaurs, non-long-winded sciency technical jargon, and all around fun, you’re only doing a disservice to yourself by not checking it out.

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Magdalena #11

Magdalena #11

I find it humorous that Ron Marz has barely left Witchblade when he then uses her in another book he’s writing; not that I’ve got a problem with that. It’ll also be nice to see Nelson Blake II, David Marquez & crew illustrate another lovely Top Cow lady!

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Astonishing X-Men #44

Astonishing X-Men #44

While the colors of this cover look a little off, I’m going to assume it’s my monitor or the files Marvel supplied, because despite not being a big fan of Mike McKone, this cover looks amazing in print. I may be biased, though, as it’s colored by a friend of mine: the lovely Rachelle Rosenberg! Also? Sexy kissing!

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Uncanny X-Force #17

Uncanny X-Force #17

While no kissing, this cover is still pretty sexy, what with Archangel and Lady Mandarin with their hands all over each other. Aw yeah!

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Gearheart's Steampunk Glamor Revue

Gearheart’s Steampunk Glamor Revue #1

If you picked up the recent Victorian Secret special from Antarctic Press, you’ve seen a preview of this already. If you haven’t and you’re in any way interested, I would strongly recommend getting this book full of gorgeous models in amazing costumes!

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Naughty and Nice: The Good Girl Art of Bruce Timm

Naughty and Nice: The Good Girl Art of Bruce Timm

I’m pretty sure this one is self-explanatory, so just consider this a reminder/in-case-you-glossed-over-it heads-up; also available in an even more awesome edition.

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King of Braves Gao Gai Gar D-Style model kit

King of Braves Gao Gai Gar D-Style model kit

I wouldn’t normally point something like this out, but for some reason a lion head on the chest seemed extra awesome this month. Also, it appears that this model can actually be broken into the component pieces — bomber, drills, bullet train, and lion — and that’s just too sweet to pass up!

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Pop! Marvel Captain America vinyl bobble-head figure

Pop! Marvel Captain America vinyl bobble-head figure

While there are numerous awesome Funko Pop! vinyl figures this month ranging from DC’s Aquaman to Marge Simpson, Captain America is the one I am most looking forward to. Also, while it claims to be the movie design, I don’t see it (and that’s a good thing!).

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Follow my tweets, email me, and be sure to keep an eye out on the Westfield Comics Facebook.

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

~

DC Comics Presents: JLA The Age of Wonder

DC Comics Presents: JLA The Age of Wonder

I honestly don’t remember much about this Elseworlds story, save that it was enjoyable and had gorgeous art. If you missed it the first time around, I’d definitely recommend picking this up. It also makes an for an interesting “alternate history” companion piece to JSA The Liberty Files.

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Supernatural #1

Supernatural #1

While I’m about a season and a half behind on the television series, these mini-series are prequels to the show. I’m also looking forward to see what Brian Wood does with the characters.

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Annotated Sandman Vol. 1

Annotated Sandman Volume 1 hard cover

I’m looking forward to seeing how these square editions compare to the Absolute Editions.

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Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes

Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes #1

As I’m guessing this is a dream project for Jeff Moy, I’m very much looking forward to his art on this mini-series, his first large chunk of comics work in over ten years!

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CBLDF Liberty Annual 2011

CBLDF Liberty Annual 2011

As if new Grendel by Matt Wagner weren’t enough, there’s a Dustin Nguyen Batman pin-up, too!!!

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Witchblade #151

Witchblade #151

Ladies & gentlemen, boys & girls (okay, maybe not boys & girls), Tim Seeley’s first issue of Witchblade!!! You may know him as that guy who writes those entertaining Hack/Slash funny books. Also, be sure to check out the Dennis Calero cover, too.

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Princeless

Princeless #1

Having met Shawn from Action Lab at Summit City Comic Con this year, I’m really looking forward to the books they put out. Added bonus: this is an all-ages book!

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Stan Lee's How to Write Comics

Stan Lee’s How to Write Comics

I’m not sure just how much one could really learn from this these days, but I look forward to being entertained while finding out!

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Apple Selection Vol. 2

Apple Selection Volume 2

I’m really only suggesting this because it’s been a couple of months since I’ve recommended one of Udon’s great art books.

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Doctor Who Personalize Your Sonic Screwdriver Kit

Doctor Who Personalize Your Sonic Screwdriver Kit

A sonic screwdriver that can be customized? Awesome! While you’re looking, take a look at all the other sonic screwdriver items, too!

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Pop! Movies The Wizard of Oz Winged Monkey vinyl figure

Pop! Movies The Wizard of Oz Winged Monkey vinyl figure

Because everything is better with flying monkeys!

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Follow my tweets, email me, and be sure to keep an eye out on the Westfield Comics Facebook.

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

~

Hellboy: House of the Living Dead

Hellboy: House of the Living Dead hard cover

Sure, it’s Hellboy, Richard Corben, and an original hard cover graphic novel (which Dark Horse seems to do well with), but the important detail is Hellboy wrestling as a luchador!!! That’s like the peanut butter & apricot* preserves of comics.

* Peanut butter & apricot preserves may not be as well known as peanut butter & jelly, but it’s easily just as tasty! (That’s fact, not opinion.)

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Batman: Noel

Batman: Noel Deluxe Edition hard cover

Not only is this volume illustrated by Lee Bermejo, unlike Luthor and Joker (both also illustrated by Bermejo), this volume is also over-sized and written by Bermejo, as well. “All the better to see his amazing artwork,” the big bad wolf-disguised-as-granny said. Add in the cruel, cold setting of Gotham winter, and I’m positive this is going to be an amazing book.

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Ame-Comi PVC Figure: White Canary

Ame-Comi Heroine series: White Canary PVC

Hot out of the pages of Birds of Prey: Endrun, White Canary is a great companion piece to the Black Canary . As for the speedster fans out there, be sure to take a peek — if you can — at the Ame-Comi Black Flash!

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Ghostbusters #1

Ghostbusters #1

I have yet to read IDW’s previous Ghostbuster offerings, but the first issue of a new ongoing series seems like a great place to start!

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Suicide Girls SC

Suicide Girls Volume 1 trade paperback

I’m not quite sure just how much material IDW has added to the original 4-issue mini-series to get a 120 page graphic novel, but I’m guessing (and hoping) it includes all the variant covers, as well as plenty of previously-unseen sketches & scripts.

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Witchblade #150

Witchblade #150 Sejic cover

Instead of mourning the end of Ron Marz’s run, we get to celebrate with this extra-sized issue, and four different covers you can choose from. For those that don’t want this issue spoiled, I would strongly urge you not to read any news on the new creative team taking over next issue, though I’ll tell you I was beyond ecstatic when I heard the new writer was going to be Hack/Slash creator Tim Seeley!!!

For more Ron Marz awesomocity, be sure to check out the Blade of Kumori graphic novel from Arcana Studio & featuring artwork by Graphiksismic.

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LoveSTRUCK

Lovestruck

An original graphic novel by Dennis Hopeless (just announced as doing a Legion of Monsters mini-series for Marvel) and Kevin Mellon (just announced as collaborating with Chris Crank & Blair Butler on the forth-coming Heart from Image Comics), you can read Roger’s interview with the creators & see preview pages here. Added bonus: all copies preordered from us will be signed by Hopeless & Mellon and will include a special print!

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Do It Yourself Doodler

Do it Yourself Doodler

The cover drew my eye, and it’s never really let go. At the very least, this is sure to be an interesting conversation starter for anyone’s coffee table.

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White Picket Fences: Red Scare

White Picket Fences: Red Scare trade paperback

This volume collects some great mostly-all-ages Cold War fun illustrated in part by my pal Micah Farritor (who’s also illustrated Night Trippers by Mark Rickets from Image Comics). I would also like to note that I’m pretty sure the page count for this volume must be much high than 50 pages, as the original 3 issue series would put the page count for this volume at least around 72 pages, if not closer to 90.

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Doctor Who Character Building Mini-Figures

Doctor Who character building mini figure packs

Doctor Who figures at the same scale as Lego figures? I’m pretty sure nothing more need be said.

Oh, except maybe “Awesome!”

And for those worried about duplicates, though, I’m sure there will be a market for them. I know I’d love to have an Amy Pond and some Weeping Angels, Cybermen, and Daleks.

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Pop! Rocks Notorious B.I.G Vinyl Figure

Pop! Rocks Legendary Rappers Notorious B.I.G. vinyl figure

I didn’t want to choose — and you don’t have to — between East Coast or West Coast, so who to spotlight came down to Biggie’s Pop! vinyl cane!

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That’s it for this month. Play nice!

Follow my tweets, email me, and be sure to keep an eye out on the Westfield Comics Facebook.

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

~

Angel & Faith

Angel and Faith #1

It been quite some time since I’ve been caught-up on reading the goings-on of the Buffyverse, but the tag team of Angel and Faith is one I will always root for. What really clinches the deal for me, though, is the stellar Rebekah Isaacs on art! Her most recent projects include DV8 with Brian Wood and Magus, published by 12 Gauge Comics.

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Gate 7

Gate 7 Volume 1 Tp

I haven’t read or really seen much by Clamp in the past five years or so, but the artwork for this cover looks amazing, and it’s being released just months after being released (as a collection, I presume) in Japan, so I imagine this is what a lot of newer Clamp stuff may look like that we haven’t readily had a chance to see here in the States.

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Batman 80 Page Giant 2011

Batman 80 Page Giant 2001 #1

I really, really want to see a Dustin Nyugen art book from DC. I also wouldn’t mind having a better idea of who’s going to have work in this comic, but hopefully in the next few weeks we’ll get more details. For more awesome Nguyen covers, check out Batgirl #24 and Superman Beyond #0.

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Supergirl

Supergirl #67

This is the final issue of Kelly Sue DeConnick’s run, and I’m really looking forward to reading it after her great Osborn mini-series and Captain America and the Secret Avengers one-shot recently!

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Secret Six

Secret Six #36

For now, all I’m going to say about the DC relaunch is this: I hope we still get new Gail Simone Secret Six in September and beyond. Simone’s writing on this book is especially twisted and amazing for a DCU book, and I think the relaunch could only benefit from this book and may be hampered without it. Also, be sure to check out Birds of Prey: The Death of Oracle HC!

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Young Justice

Young Justice #7

We finally get to see Artemis. I really wish it hadn’t taken until the eighth issue (remember, the series started with issue #0).

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DC Super-Pets: Midway Monkey Madness

DC Super-Pets soft covers!

All of these books feature the amazing art of Art Baltazar and are sure to entertain the entire family*!

*- That is in no way a guarantee, except maybe a guarantee that you’re cranky.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

Dan Duncan’s pencils look great, and I’ve always liked what TMNT pieces Kevin Eastman has painted, so I am figuring the layouts Duncan is working from will be great, too. Added bonus: the TMNT Ultimate Collection Volume 1 HC! If you’re looking for something a little different, you can still order the TMNT Adventures Volume 1: Heroes in a Half Shell soft cover from Archie.

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Invincible Compendium

Invincible Compendium Volume 1

Forty seven issues of Invincible in a handy, inexpensive soft cover tome; if you’ve been waiting to try this book, time’s up! Now is the time to jump in with both feet!

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The Many Adventures of Miranda Mercury

The Many Adventures of Miranda Mercury hard cover

I’ve been waiting over three years for this book!!! To say I’m looking forward to having this book in my hands is an understatement. Gorgeous artwork and a fun script are just where this book starts to entertain!

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The Bionic Man

The Bionic Man #1

I’m not going to lie: I only included this for my pal, Jimmy “P.S.” Hayes! If you enjoyed Kevin Smith’s take on the Green Hornet, I’d definitely recommend this book, as it’s from the same team! Also from Dynamite Entertainment this month is Warehouse 13 #1, a show I’m pretty fond of!

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Mockingbird Mini Bust

Mockingbird Mini Bust

I’m about 98% sure my friend Tim would break someone’s kneecaps to get this mini bust. I don’t blame him! While I prefer Mockingbird’s contemporary design, this is still a great design brought to three dimensions well.

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Pop! Heroes Green Lantern Sinestro Vinyl Figure

Pop! Heroes: Green Lantern vinyl figures

While I’m not a big fan of the movie designs, there’s something especially & adorably evil looking about Sinestro in Pop! vinyl form! Also, be sure to check out the Pop! Ad Icons!

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That’s it for this issue! Talk at you next time!

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Josh Crawley

Before I get started, I’d like to point all of you (with Facebook) to an event page: Chris & Debra Wozniak from the Lower East Side, NYC. While I know the title seems odd, its intent is to help raise money for the Wozniaks, as they recently lost their house in Tuscaloosa during the devastating tornadoes that swept through the South.

Chris Wozniak worked on numerous DC and Marvel books in the 80s and 90s, but most recently he’s been working on creator-owned work. If you’ve read my column much, you know how tough creator-owned can be, and I’m pretty sure we can all agree losing all of your possessions wouldn’t help. Even if only half of the people who bought Blackest Night #1 donated USD 1, it would help beyond belief.

For those that unable to sign-in to Facebook, CBR’s Robot6 blog has information, including a link to Paypal for donations.

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Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Fun

Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Fun #1

Apparently there’s a chase scratch-n-sniff cover; I can’t tell you how absolutely awesome that is!

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Comic Book Comics

Comic Book Comics #6

In this final issue of the critically-acclaimed history of the comic book industry, I’m really looking forward to the Direct Market presentation. As someone who grew up and lives in Madison (home of numerous comic book distributors), I wonder just what we will – and won’t – be seeing.

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Heavy Metal

Heavy Metal (September 2011)

This is why I need to look through Previews more than once: Imaginary Friends Studios is doing an entire issue of Heavy Metal?! Heck yeah! IFS may be best known for the amazing coloring they’ve been doing on Top Cow’s Artifacts series. A little bit of trivia: they also colored my friend Jim’s comic Gangs of Camelot back in “the day.”

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Brave 10

Brave10 Vol. 01 GN

Sadly, I highly recommend no one bother order this as Tokyopop is no longer going to be publishing in the U.S. as of May 31, so even if this volume does end up shipping, I assume this is not just a stand-alone volume. All that being said, though, this cover looks amazing, so I know I’ll be looking for more of Kairi Shimotsuki’s artwork in the future. In the meantime, I’ll just look at the pretty artwork in Apple Selection from Udon.

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Lou Scheimer: Creating the Filmation Generation

Lou Scheimer: Creating Filmation Generation SC

While I’m not a big fan of Orko, or even the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon at times, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t ecstatic for this book (another that I didn’t notice the second time I flipped through Previews, though I do recall seeing on my initial flip through)… and that lack of love also won’t stop me from ordering the Masters of the Universe: Large He-Man & Retro Logo T-Shirt Blue.

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And that wraps up Previews…

So, did any of you see the awesomocity that was Fast Five?! Did you stay through the fancy animated closing credits?

“Do you believe in ghosts?”

You’d better believe I do!!!

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Follow my tweets, email me, and be sure to keep an eye out on the Westfield Comics Facebook.

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

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Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages; Westfield Comics proudly brings to you… Previews #272!!!

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The Complete Major Bummer Super Slacktacular

The Complete Major Bummer Super Slacktacular TPB

Having not seen Doug Mahnke’s awesome pencils until I started reading the Superman: Man of Steel run penned by Mark Schultz, and not being the kind of person to hunt down back issues, this collection is very welcomed. The only thing I really worry about, though, is the quality of reproduction. I’m really hoping it isn’t page after page of lackluster scans, as collections of material this old can end up being.

Of course, I also tend to find most people aren’t anywhere near as picky as me in that regard, so it may be a moot point.

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Madame Xanadu Volume 4: Extra Sensory

Madame Xanadu Volume 4: Extra Sensory

If you’ve read my review of Volume 1, you’ve probably (very rightly) guessed that I’m very much looking forward to the release of this volume, the bittersweet finale of the series.

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Walter Simonson's The Mighty Thor: Artist's Edition

Walter Simonson’s The Mighty Thor: Artist’s Edition

Honestly, if I have to say anything to convince you to buy this book you probably shouldn’t be buying it anyways… because no offense to Stan Lee or Jack Kirby, but these are probably the best Thor comics ever. (See, it’s so matter of fact I didn’t even use and exclamation mark.) If you’re on the fence, consider just how well the similar Rocketeer collection was received not too long ago (was it really almost two years ago?). Speaking of the devil, check out this amazing collection of Stevens’ sketches from IDW this month, too!

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Parker: The Martini Edition

Parker: The Martini Edition

Not only does it have a classy name, it may double as a deadly weapon (if you can manage to throw it at someone).

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The Red Wing

The Red Wing #1

I’m just going to assume by now that you all know this is the same Jonathan Hickman who’s been writing Fantastic Four (and more recently FF, which stands for both First Family and Future Foundation, depending on who’s there), S.H.I.E.L.D., and some creator-owned titles like Red Mass for Mars, The Nightly News, and Pax Romana. Also, he’s not to be confused with Troy Hickman, the Pilot Season-winning creator of Twilight Guardian which just wrapped up.

Really, though, I just wanted to spotlight it because my friend Rachelle Rosenberg is doing some pretty colors for the book. Her work can be seen most recently in Doctor Who: A Fairytale Life, Captain America The Korvac Saga, and possibly my favorite, the Namora Women of Marvel one-shot.

It may also be a fun novelty gift for the Detroit Red Wings fan in your life, too.

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Avengelyne

Avengelyne #1 (cover B – Gieni)

I’d love to be proven wrong, but as this is a book Rob Liefeld controls, my hopes aren’t too high. However, I love the look of Owen Gieni’s art here. It reminds me of a slightly less cartoony Josh Howard. Also to help you get caught up, why not check out the Avengelyne Podcast from the fine folks at Image Addiction?

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Reaper

Reaper #2

I’m not quite sure I ever read the first book of this series from long, long ago (seven years ago; scripted by Robert Kirkman from a story by Cliff Rathburn, if memory serves me), but the preview art has a scantily clad, creepy & demony-looking lady, so you know I’ll check it out.

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Bomb Queen: Gang Bang

Bomb Queen: Gang Bang TPB

I’m a fan of “director’s versions” of things, even if in comics it usually is just commentary and sketches, not recut material.

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Strange Girl Omnibus

Strange Girl Omnibus HC

I just wanted to point out that my friend, Micah Farritor, drew an issue of this series, too. You may know him from such titles as Night Trippers and White Picket Fences.

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Cap and Thor! Avengers

Cap and Thor! Avengers

I don’t even want to include a link to this, honestly, as I’m a huge fan of Ron Lim’s (especially his run on Captain America), and my feelings towards the movie costume are pretty much the exact opposite of that. Also, I’m of the general idea that making comics that feature the “characters from the films” is redundant. Those characters have been in plenty of comics already, and if the characters are different from the comics, why do those movies have their names on them, and why should we go watch them?

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And sadly, on that note, I’m going to call it a week. Tune in next week, though, for… the rest… of Previews.
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Follow my tweets, email me, and be sure to keep an eye out on the Westfield Comics Facebook.

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

Josh Crawley

by Josh Crawley

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Every so often, I get in the mood to mash some buttons, usually in the form of Street Fighter Alpha 3 for the PlayStation. Along with that mood — being a comic book junkie — is usually the desire to read some comics about the characters in the games, since there’s really very little story in the games themselves (especially if, like me, you can’t really get too far into the game). Thankfully, Udon Entertainment has produced a plethora of Street Fighter products to sate my appetite for variety; can it match that with quality?

Street Fighter Gaiden Vol. 1

Having recently moved and not owning too much in the way of video game equipment (my PS is a hand-me-down from a high school friend & old roommate), it was actually relatively easy to decompress with Street Fighter Alpha 3 recently. What wasn’t so easy to do was trying to figure out which of my many, many boxes contained my Street Fighter comics produced by Udon. Working in a comic book store, though, it was easy enough to look on the shelf and see what was readily on-hand. We didn’t have any of the Udon-produced material in stock, but Udon has done a number of translated volumes of SF manga. Having been not-too-horribly enthralled with the Super Street Fighter II Cammy manga I read a few years ago, I decided against a single longer story and thought I’d give Street Fighter Gaiden Volume 1, primarily composed of 16 to 26 pages stories, a try.

I’m very glad I tried it! Many of the stories give an interesting insight to the characters they focus on. I enjoyed Eliza’s, which is really about Ken & Ryu’s friendship, until she makes an odd and out-of-place comment about how “Men have their own special world, into which we girls can never go.” I’m pretty sure both Chun-Li and Cammy would have taken exception to that when that line was first written, and there are many more woman who’ve joined the ranks of the fighters in the time since that was first written who’d join in that sentiment. Even that isn’t enough for me not to like the story, though.

There’s also a great, touching Thunder Bird story with an appearance by Balrog, as well as a story featuring Fei-Long that seems even less likely to be canon than anything else in this volume: he seems to have influenced a child that grows up to be Ryu. We also get a glimpse of Guile near the beginning of his journey for Charlie, whose likeness is handily obscured from view not by shadows, but well drawn glare on the glass of a picture frame.

On the flip side of those stories is a longer, more action-geared story featuring Chun-Li. This story didn’t do quite as much for me, possibly due to the ease with which a video game can display the fighting, while I think a well-done comic can display the more emotional moments much better.

That being said, Mami Itou does an amazing job both writing and drawing the quieter and louder moments of this book. And before I forget, the majority of this volume is in black & white, save for the first few pages.

Marshall Dillon (who’s lettered most, if not all, of the Udon-produced SF comics, if memory serves me) does some great lettering here. He does a great job of making the sound effects fit in with the rest of the art. It’s also nice to see him using Piekos Professional to letter this, as I find it much easier on the eyes than the font used for the Udon-produced comics.

Street Fighter Gaiden Vol. 2

Honestly, I liked this volume so much I’m really looking forward to reading Volume 2 very soon, in addition to all the other SF material Udon has published. If I enjoy it as much as I enjoyed SFG Vol 1, there’s a pretty good chance I’ll be reviewing those, too.

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Follow my tweets, email me, and be sure to keep an eye out on the Westfield Comics Facebook.

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