by Josh Crawley

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Please do not be surprised if there are a lot of hard covers I want this month…

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Alabaster: Wolves hard cover

I (still) don’t really know anything about Caitlin R. Kiernan’s Alabaster, but I know that Steve Lieber and Rachelle Rosenberg make gorgeous pictures together, and I’m very happy to be able to put this on my bookshelf not having to settle for a soft cover. While the solicitation copy says this collects the miniseries, the page count may allow for this also including the story that was split between the two FCBD books this year, as well as the DHP story.

It also looks like there may be new Alabaster material in Dark Horse Presents #19.

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Avatar the Last Airbender — The Promise Library Edition hard cover

I’d held off on buying the soft covers of this series, and now I’ll be happy to spend an extra $7 to get it larger, with sketchbook pages, and in hard cover!!! I believe that’s referred to as “Win, win win.”

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Adventures of Superhero Girl hard cover

I’ve heard numerous great things about this title but have never read it.

At this rate, I’ll go poor buying hard covers before I get to the DC solicitations…

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Wonder Woman #15

The daughter of an old god versus a New God? Yes, please!!!

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He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #5

Battle Cat, sans armor = win.

While you’re at it, check out this epic Masters of the Universe 30^th Anniversary Franchise Collection!

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Sleeper Omnibus hard cover

This makes me glad I haven’t had my single issues bound, and not bought any of the soft covers. I’d bet it will look really swell next to the Incognito Classified Edition and the Criminal Deluxe Editions (volumes 1 and 2). If you’re a fan of Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips working together and haven’t read this yet, you are only doing yourself a disservice.

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Global Frequency trade paperback

I appreciate the price point and single volume idea this represents, but I really, really wish this was a hard cover. Of course, since it appears I could build a mansion out of all the hard covers I want this month I can pass on this purchase and save myself some money. If you haven’t read this book yet, I’d definitely recommend it, and for this price, it’s a great dead!

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secret History of the Foot Clan #1

That Rafael Grampa cover is AWESOME!!! It also turns out it the cover we were provided is not the Grampa cover, but trust me on this one — AWESOME!!!

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Dave Stevens’ The Rocketeer Artist’s Edition

You aren’t going to make me say it, are you? Well, it’s a second printing, so how about…

As long as you don’t mind a second printing, you’ll probably save yourself over $200 buying this instead of getting a first printing by other means.

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Mara #1

Having seen Ming Doyle’s  work for years, it’s weird to think of her as a newcomer. Honestly, none of that matters. She’s got skills: the eyes on this cover entranced me the moment I saw them. As for Brian Wood, well, I can’t recall the last time I read something of his that let me down in the slightest.

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Hoax Hunters Volume 1: Murder, Death & the Devil

Missed out the first time around? Get caught up quick & inexpensively before the highly anticipated (Aw yeah hyperbole!) Hoax Hunters #6 is released!!!

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Red She-Hulk #60

Captain Marvel!!!

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Marvel Universe Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes #9

Carol Danvers in her original uniform!!!

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Executive Assistant: Assassins #6 (Khary Randolph cover)

Jordan Gunderson returns!!! Also, check out the Pop Mhan cover !

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The Black Incal Deluxe hard cover

Super-sized 12 inch by 16 inch format; don’t make me convert it to metric, because then I’ll show up on your doorstep and won’t leave ‘til you order this.

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Mermin Volume 1: Out of Water hard cover

Who wouldn’t want to read an all ages comic about a merman that kicks a shark in the nose? If you answered “Me,” then you’re lying.

You lying liar.

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Shadowman #2

♫ Shadowman, Shadowman, does whatever a shadow can! ♪ Plays the sax! ♪ Dresses sharp! ♪ Steven Tyler plays mouth harp! ♫ (Adapted lyrics by me; great lyrics by Molly Clark!)

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Jeffrey Jones: The Definitive Reference hard cover (fancy edition)

Oh my stars and garters! I must own this!!! Though I may have to settle for the standard edition.

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Hero Stance: Captain America snap back cap

Check out that snazzy cap featuring Brice Timm artwork!

Personally, I’m not much for the snap backs. I won’t stop you from getting this, though.

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That’s it for this month and sorry about being M.I.A. last month. To make up for that, be sure to check out the Legend of Zelda Hyrule Historia art book!

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