Fifth Degree: Covers for January 2010


Super Real

Super Real

by Josh Crawley

I’m not one for segregating stuff like this by company, just like I don’t like to rack comics in the store by company. That makes it too easy for good products to be overlooked just because someone has an archaic bias that has no foundation in reality.

Next time I may go in reverse-alphabetical order, but it’s just straight-up alphabetical this time, barring one item. And thankfully, you don’t have to read my writing about how great Dustin Nguyen is this time around (and there’s only one mention of Jim Cheung).

Before I get on with the show, I want to direct you to my friend Tim’s comic book review blog (as long as you don’t visit until you’re done here): Comic-Per-Day Reviews. He writes reviews the way I wish I could; basically, they read well.

Super Real Graphic Novel
My friend Jason Martin created, wrote, drew*, colored*, lettered*, and self-published this enjoyable take on genetically-engineered super powers meets reality television (lack of) sensibility. *The specials actually have some great big-name and up-&-coming artistic talents. Also, the Movie Industry Special was primarily lettered by Yours Truly. While I don’t see any cash money from this project, it was a lot of fun to work on, and I’d like other people to have fun reading it, too!

Adventure Comics #6

Adventure Comics #6


Adventure Comics #6
…Not to be confused with Adventure Comics #509! Krypto and a dinosaur!

Blacksad

Blacksad


Blacksad
Nothing I can tell you, nor no matter how awesome the cover, can make you want this comic. Mostly because I’ve never had a chance to read it, since iBooks folded before I got around to it. I hear great things, though!

Catwoman #83

Catwoman #83


Catwoman #83
I have no issues with Fabian Nicieza, but did anyone ask Will Pfeifer if he’d write this issue? Also, the image I’m looking at right now is the Adam Hughes cover to #82 in greyscale and inverted.

Darkness: Shadows & Flame

Darkness: Shadows & Flame


Darkness: Shadows and Flame
Cthulhu-esque looking Darkness? Sign me up!

Green Lantern #50

Green Lantern #50


Green Lantern #50
Look out, Hal Jordan, there’s Parallax! Oh, wait, you are Parallax. Either way, I’ll be keeping an eye out for the 1-in-25 Jim Lee variant cover!

Green Lantern Corps #44

Green Lantern Corps #44


Green Lantern Corps #44
Kyle, look out; Guy has Red Lanterns for eyes! All kidding aside, this is one of the titles I look forward to every month, without fail.

Green Lantern: Honor Guard Ring Prop Replica

Green Lantern: Honor Guard Ring Prop Replica


Green Lantern: Honor Guard Ring Prop Replica
Because an actual ring designed to be worn would be too cool and would probably make DC too much money; heaven forbid.

Invincible Ultimate Collection Vol. 5

Invincible Ultimate Collection Vol. 5


Invincible Ultimate Collection Volume 5 Hardcover
I love reading Invincible in these affordable, oversized hardcovers. They tend to cost about the same as the issues do, but they’re on nicer paper (in addition to the whole oversized hardcover part of the deal).

Local HC

Local HC


Local Deluxe Hardcover
I was thinking about writing about this next week, but just in case I don’t, I wanted to be sure it was mentioned. I’d read the first few issues when they first came out, but this material (and in this inexpensive and great looking format) should not be passed up! It’s the kind of comic that reminds me of how happy I am comics exist.

Marvel Adventures Super-Heroes #19

Marvel Adventures Super-Heroes #19


Marvel Adventures Super Heroes #19
I have no clue who that is on the cover, maybe Sue Storm, but I really like this Niko Henrichon cover. (You might recognize his work from a not-too-well known graphic novel called Pride of Baghdad). Sadly, the solicitation information doesn’t help inform us who that is on the cover.

Mesmo Delivery

Mesmo Delivery


Mesmo Delivery
This looks (and sounds) like crazy fun!

Ms. Marvel #49

Ms. Marvel #49


Ms. Marvel #49
Sana Takeda has done some gorgeous covers for this series recently, but I’m waiting for the hardcover. That doesn’t mean you should, though.

New Avengers Vol. 4

New Avengers Vol. 4


New Avengers Volume 4 Hardcover
Not only is this book oversized and hardcover, it’s got the entire Illuminati mini-series drawn by Cheung, in addition to him doing cover art!

Okimono Kimono

Okimono Kimono


Okimono Kimono
A book full of pretty kimono illustrations and whatnot? Sign me up!

Planetary Vol. 4

Planetary Vol. 4


Planetary Volume 4 Hardcover
I can finally give volumes one through three the sibling they’re been missing for ages.

ShadowHawk Chronicles

ShadowHawk Chronicles


ShadowHawk Chronicles Volume 1
Wow; eighteen issues of ShadowHawk in black & white for less than $20!

Tiny Titans #24

Tiny Titans #24


Tiny Titans #24
Hey look: Tinier Titans! I really need to start reading this book. Thankfully, a third(?!) trade paperback is solicited this month, too!

Wildcats #19

Wildcats #19


Wildcats #19
This cover is half of an image with the Authority #18 image. This issue is also the first by someone I first met in college (Also known as “back in the day”). Be sure to check out Tim Seeley drawing damn near all the heroes in the WildStorm universe! Also, if you’re a fan of cool 80s toys, check out the free web-comic Colt Noble by Tim; it’s a blast! And now that you’re back, be sure to check out Hack/Slash Volume 7 (featuring upcoming DV8 artist Rebekah Isaacs), or any of the other Hack/Slash products available, like the awesome original art size “Art of” books!

Witchblade #131 (Smith Albany Comicon variant)

Witchblade #131 (Smith Albany Comicon variant)


Witchblade #131 Albany Comic Con Variant
Matthew Dow Smith has drawn some pretty awesome things: Supernatural: Origins, Doctor Who, and now Witchblade-bearer Sara Pezzini!

Witchblade #134

Witchblade #134


Witchblade #134
I have no clue what Michal Ivan has drawn in the variant cover, but it’s AMAZING! Ron Marz, who’s been awesome on this run, bringing Aphrodite IV (not quite Aphrodite IX) back to Witchblade is pretty awesome, too!

X-Men Legacy #232

X-Men Legacy #232


X-Men Legacy #232
Another month, another sexy cover from Marvel. I wouldn’t mind a poster of this.

Wizard's Tale

Wizard's Tale


Wizard’s Tale
This hardcover written by Kurt Busiek looks promising!

Zorro Vol. 2: Clashing Blades

Zorro Vol. 2: Clashing Blades


Zorro Volume 2 Hardcover
I just read Volume 1 of this, and knowing Matt Wagner, this book will be just as great, if not better, than the first!

Feel free to contact me with creators you’d like to see covered, 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 there may be issues involving me living up to that “Master of Disaster” tag I’ve gotten. 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 at Westfield Comics, so you should check yourself.

Purchase

Super Real Graphic Novel

Adventure Comics #6

Blacksad

Catwoman #83

Darkness: Shadows and Flame

Green Lantern #50

Green Lantern Corps #44

Green Lantern: Honor Guard Ring Prop Replica

Invincible Ultimate Collection Volume 5 Hardcover

Local Deluxe Hardcover

Marvel Adventures Super Heroes #19

Mesmo Delivery

Ms. Marvel #49

New Avengers Volume 4 Hardcover

Okimono Kimono

Planetary Volume 4 Hardcover

ShadowHawk Chronicles Volume 1

Tiny Titans #24

Wildcats #19

Witchblade #131 Albany Comic Con Variant

Witchblade #134

X-Men Legacy #232

Wizard’s Tale

Zorro Volume 2 Hardcover