by Josh Crawley

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Before I get into the usual run down, I’d like to take a moment to share some great news: the podcast my friend John & I record — Doughnuts & Top Cow (@DTCPodcast) — was recently announced at Image Comic Expo as becoming the official podcast of Top Cow; by the fans & for the fans! In our inaugural episode, we chat with Ron Marz about Artifacts #14. We’d really appreciate it if you’d take a listen!

If you’re subscribed to the old feed, don’t worry: we’ll still continue to do a not-quite-as-frequent podcast available from Derek Coward’s great Comic Book Noise Family. We’re planning on doing fun stuff like commentaries for the Witchblade anime and TNT series while consuming beverages of a more mature nature.

Now? On with the show!

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The Guild: Fawkes

While I’m not much of a gamer, I really do enjoy The Guild. As I also enjoy Jamie McKelvie’s artwork, this really is quite a no-brainer. They really went all out on making this an issue I’d want to read, what with having covers by both Paul Duffield — whose Anna Mercury covers melt my soul — but the variant cover is by Emma Rios, whose work (most recently on Spider-Island Cloak & Dagger) has never failed to be enjoyable.

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Usagi Yojimbo Volume 26: Traitors of the Earth

I’m more than my fair share of behind on Usagi Yojimbo, and I learned something while helping a customer out this week: do not wait to pick these books up. Many of the volumes have gone out of print, and Dark Horse doesn’t seem in too much of a hurry to put them back into print, which is a shame…

Because unless this is the first thing you’ve ever read by me, you know I think Usagi Yojimbo is one of the ten best comics ever.

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Skeleton Key Color Special

While I prefer earlier Skeleton Key, I’m not going to turn up my nose at new stuff (especially since I haven’t read it yet, so I may like it quite a bit)!

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While we’re looking at Dark Horse stuff, be sure to check out Mike Norton’s Battlepug and Blacksad: A Silent Hell HC, too!

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Ravagers #1

I’m a bit saddened that Ian Churchill isn’t using the style for this book that he used on his Marineman all-ages book. I think it’s a change of pace the New 52 could use from itself. Also, possibly a bit heretical, but I kind of wish Fairchild was using the codename Knockout, what with being a built redhead that made a first appearance in Superboy, and all of that jazz. Oh, and because Fairchild seems like a horrible codename.

A few other quick thoughts on New 52 books this month:

– I keep seeing how the Night of the Owls books continue the story, but I don’t recall seeing anything that mentions it beginning. Mind you, I don’t have an issue with this (and it very well may have been in a previous month). I actually like the idea quite a bit, unlike…

– I really wish instead of getting annuals, titles could just have an annual issue of the regular series that was along the lines of a regular issue with a bunch more material, especially if the regular monthly story is a crossover that leads into the annual. The more I think about it, the more I may want to punch whoever came up with the idea in the first place.

– Recently, Chris Butcher (of the Beguiling, in Toronto) questioned the logic of publishing trade paperbacks of New 52 books that have been cancelled due to low sales/ little to no market for the books. While I generally agree with Mr. Butcher, I also appreciate that DC is taking a chance on seeing if there is another market for these books in a different format.

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Superman Family Adventures #1

Aw, yeah! Comics for all ages!!!

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David Mazzucchelli’s Daredevil: Born Again Artist’s Edition

If the amazing sell-outs of previous versions of this book haven’t led anyone to believe they need to preorder this book as soon as possible, I’m just going to start assuming that the people that are looking for it after it’s released don’t actually like comics.

Worst case scenario: flip it for a good 100% profit after you’ve had it sitting around for a few months.

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Mind the Gap #1

Look at those gorgeous cover colors by Sonia Oback!!! That’s all the proof I need that I should check out this book; her years of coloring Mike Choi’s work — going all the way back to Witchblade #90 or so — don’t hurt, either.

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Shinku #7

I still sell runs of previous issues of this series, and I still love it, so there.

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Witchblade #157

The first part of a new story, so if you’ve been holding out waiting for a good chance to start reading, here’s another good time to start!

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New Avengers #26

Forgive me if this seems like I’m expecting a bit much, but in my mind, if something really is “One of the most important chapters” in a certain story, it should be in that story’s main book a bit more prominently, or at least billed as expanding/revealing on that most important piece that was mentioned in the main story.

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Marvel’s The Avengers: The Avengers Initiative

Other than having a ridiculously awkward title, I’m not too impressed by the style of coloring used on Ron Lim’s artwork here (and believe me, I’ve seen plenty of Ron Lim artwork).

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Incredible Hulk #7.1

Does this book really need a good jumping on point (as I seem to recall the Point One books being when first announced) after only six issues have come out?

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Daredevil #12

I’m guessing that’s Kirsten McDuffie.

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X-Factor #235 & #236

All-new villain Scattershot?!  I really need to get caught up with this run of X-Factor (which is most of it, sadly).

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Cursed Pirate Girl hardcover

I sold five copies of this in softcover when it came out last year while we were still getting the new store up and running, and I was never able to get a reorder. I could have only imagined how it would do if I had more copies, but now I get to see it for real! Added bonus, it’s going to be a hardcover from Archaia, so it’s virtually guaranteed to be a great looking object aside from the already gorgeous art.

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Archie #633

Considering the ire that’s been raised recently by some groups concerning Kevin Keller, I can only imagine what will be unleashed when some close-minded people find out there’s a version of Archie that has had a baby with Valerie.

Oh noes, the humanity!!!

I’m kidding, by the way. You can tell by the fact that I typed “noes.”

Seriously, I applaud Archie for their open-minded, inclusive thinking & publishing of material that allows more people to relate to comics. Thank you.

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Atomic Robo’s Real Science Adventures #3

That, friends, is Atomic Robo dressed as the Shadow. We in Twitterland call that #awesome.

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X-O Manowar #1

The original was awesome — there’s a pretty snazzy looking hardcover collecting some of those early issues & a new-to-this-volume story– and I have high hopes for the new Valiant. I could definitely use a different logo on the book, though.

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Well, that’s all for this week, folks! Good Journey!

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