KC Carlson and the great Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Hooooooooooo!

by KC Carlson

THIS MONTH IN CLASSIC COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS

Batman: Harley and Ivy Deluxe Edition

Batman: Harley and Ivy Deluxe Edition (DC Comics): From Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, the masterminds behind the critically acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series, comes this early adventure of Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, originally released as Batman: Harley and Ivy #1-3. It’s packed with hilarious hi-jinx and tons of action! Harley and Ivy want to take down the Batman once and for all, but first, Harley’s got to prove that she has what it takes to make it as a bona fide villain in Gotham City. This new hardcover also includes tales from Batman Adventures Holiday Special #1, Batman: Gotham Knights #14, Batman and Robin Adventures #8, Batman Adventures Annual #1, Batman Adventures #1, and Batman Black and White #3 — all featuring Harley Quinn!

I think that this is a deluxe version (with added extras) of a previously published Harley & Ivy softcover collection from 2007. But for some reason, DC has neglected to fully explain this to us. This is what happens when publishers limit their product descriptions to a strict word count instead of taking the time to fully explain their collections’ contents. WARNING: You may already own some of this material in another collection. Still, this might be a really nice book, especially for new readers and fans, but DC needs to be more upfront with their customers, instead of occasionally trying to trick them into re-purchasing what they already own.

Besides Dini & Timm, this volume also includes work by Ronnie Del Carmen, Ty Templeton, Shane Glines, Rick Burchett, Dan DeCarlo, and Stephane Roux. Cover by Bruce Timm. 176-page 7.0625” x 10.875” color hardcover. Available in February 2016.

Civil War

Civil War (Marvel Comics): This is the space where I was originally going to talk to you about the new Civil War trade paperback that’s not being published until about eight months from now (to tie into the Captain America: Civil War film, which is also out around then), but you have to order and pay for it now — until I realized that there’s a perfectly good Civil War trade paperback that’s virtually the same as the new one (less some promotional material) that’s currently available to purchase and buy right now. I swear, sometimes these gosh-darn, high-falutin’ funny book companies don’t know their heads from their heinies!

Wow, only two items in and I’m already pickin’ fights with the Big Two. Happy new year! Drink up, Shriners!

Devil Tales

Devil Tales (IDW): The devil you say! The Chilling Archives of Horror Comics have pried open the gates of Hell to serve up another diabolical dish of Golden Age horror hits — this time edited by Steve Banes, aka Mr. Karswell! Devil Tales stars Satan himself (and in one story, herself!) in over two dozen scorching stories of demonic power, featuring artwork from top fan favorites like Don Heck, Gene Colan, Dick Ayers, Lou Cameron, Bob Powell, Howard Nostrand, and more! The hottest book of 2015 already has you under its Satanic spell. (Or maybe it’s just heartburn…) 148-page 8.5″ x 11” color hardcover. Available in January 2016.

The Goon Library Volume 2

The Goon Library Volume 2 (Dark Horse): A mysterious new figure has entered the crime scene, taking out the Goon’s business operations one by one — systematically intercepting shipments, murdering contacts, and alienating friends. As the Goon struggles to keep the city’s organized crime under his control, his mind is haunted by the memories of his darkest moments . . . Creator Eric Powell’s brilliant storytelling is both tragic and hilarious. That’s hard to do. Collects The Goon Volumes 4–6. 416-page 8″ x 12 3/16” color hardcover. Available in February 2016.

Marvel Masterworks: Captain America Volume 8

Marvel Masterworks: Captain America Volume 8 (Marvel Comics): Steve Englehart and Sal Buscema take Captain America and the Falcon on a journey through the madness and machinations of Doctor Faustus! The mind-bending Doctor has captured Agent 13 — but little does Cap know that Faustus also has Peggy Carter, Cap’s long-lost love from World War II. Then, Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. arrive on the scene to conscript Cap into the fight against the Yellow Claw, but the real menace to mankind is more subtly concealed. A Secret Empire moves behind the face of American power. Their goal is to frame and discredit Captain America, replacing him with their own “patriotic” icon. Now, only the combined efforts of Cap, the Falcon, S.H.I.E.L.D., and the X-Men can hope to topple them. It’s the shocking saga that defined Captain America for the ’70s! And that’s just the first issue! (Kidding!) Written by Steve Englehart with Mike Friedrich, Roy Thomas, and Tony Isabella. Penciled by Sal Buscema with Alan Weiss. Cover by Jim Starlin. Collects Captain America (1968) #160-175. 336-page remastered color hardcover. Available in two different dust jacket designs — one in classic Marvel Gray and the other based on the original Masterworks cover design (w/scrollwork). Available in April 2016.

MARVEL EPIC COLLECTIONS Daredevil Epic Collection: A Touch of Typhoid Daredevil Epic Collection: A Touch of Typhoid (Marvel Comics): Volume 13 in the Daredevil Epic Collections. How do you solve a problem like Mary? That’s Typhoid Mary, the lethally seductive assassin unleashed by the Kingpin in his campaign to break Matt Murdock. She’s a “love-maker and a man-hater” with multiple personalities — including one to target Matt, and another with her sights set on Daredevil! Under attack from both sides, the champion of Hell’s Kitchen may be powerless to resist. Then, DD dances with demons when Inferno rages in Manhattan, and his old life will be left in ashes. And everything goes to hell when the ‘Devil locks horns with Mephisto. See both sides as Daredevil clashes with the Punisher, and meet the dark soul known as Blackheart. Will the Man Without Fear be left as a Man Without Hope? Don’t know about you, but Typhoid Mary always creeped me out! And I was pretty sure it wasn’t because she was drawn that way! Written by Ann Nocenti, Fabian Nicieza, and Mike Baron. Art by John Romita, Jr., Ron Lim, Steve Ditko, Whilce Portacio, and others. Cover by John Romita, Jr. Collects Daredevil (1964) #253-270 and Punisher (1987) #10. 472-page remastered color softcover. X-Men Epic Collection: The Gift X-Men Epic Collection: The Gift (Marvel Comics): Volume 12 in the X-Men Epic Collections. Swords and sorcery, mutant style! Finding themselves in the middle of a barbarian nightmare, can the X-Men, Avengers, and Spider-Man restore the world? Things are no less mystical for the X-Men and Alpha Flight when the trickster god Loki offers a gift to the people of Earth — but, big surprise, it comes with a price! And blade in hand, Nightcrawler swashbuckles his way through an other-dimensional solo adventure. Enough fantasy for you? How about sci-fi, courtesy of Lockheed the Space Dragon and the time-tossed future Sentinel known as Nimrod? And for fans of good, old-fashioned superheroics, Power Pack meets Wolverine — and the Juggernaut’s back in town! Written by Chris Claremont, Jo Duffy, and Dave Cockrum. Art by John Romita, Jr., Barry Windsor-Smith, Steve Leialoha, Paul Smith, Dave Cockrum, and others. Cover by John Romita, Jr. Collects Uncanny X-Men (1981) #189-198, X-Men Annual (1970) #8, X-Men and Alpha Flight (1985) #1-2, and Nightcrawler (1985) #1-4. 512-page remastered color softcover. Nimrod. Nimrod? Are we really that close to running out of cool super-names?

ALSO AVAILABLE

Archie Archives Volume 12

Archie Archives Volume 12 (Dark Horse): Collecting every Golden Age Archie appearance from Archie Comics #37–#39, Pep Comics #73–#75, and Laugh Comics #32–#34 — all from 1948-1949. Features work by Bill Vigoda, Bob Montana, Ray Gill, and others. Foreword by Mark Waid — writer of the new Archie series. (Just think — only 65 years until that great series gets archived!) 240-page 7″ x 10″ color hardcover. Available in February 2016.

Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga Volume 3

Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga Volume 3 (DC Comics):Jiro Kuwata’s classic take on the Caped Crusader continues. In this final Batmanga volume, Batman and Robin take on villains who include Planet King, a criminal with seemingly infinite powers, plus the Robot Robbers, Clayface, Catman, and more! Easily the weirdest Batman stories ever told. (Sorry, Grant Morrison!) 336-page 5.8” x 8.1” B&W softcover. Available in January 2016.

Batgirl Volume 1: Silent Knight

Batgirl Volume 1: Silent Knight (DC Comics): Cassandra Cain is spotlighted in this new collection of Batgirl #1-11 and Batgirl Annual #1 compiled from the fan-favorite series from 2000 by Kelley Puckett, Scott Peterson, Damion Scott, Robert Campanella, and others! Trained from childhood by a notorious assassin, this Batgirl has the ability to sense her opponents’ moves before they happen. But when an attempt to “fix” Batgirl’s inability to speak robs her of this sixth sense, she must train with original Batgirl Barbara Gordon to regain her former prowess and live up to Batman’s expectations. Really great stuff! 328-page color softcover. Available in January 2016.

Creepy Archives Volume 23

Creepy Archives Volume 23 (Dark Horse): Collects issues #108 – 111 of Warren Publishing’s classic horror anthology. Devious demons, domineering devils, vindictive aliens, and jealous mutants abound! (Not to mention Alien Alliteration!) (I told you not to mention that! – ed.) Featuring work by Archie Goodwin, Bruce Jones, Alfredo Alcala, Bill DuBay, Jose Ortiz, Klaus Janson, and many others! 240-page, 8 3/8″ x 10 7/8″ B&W hardcover. Available in February 2016.

New Teen Titans Volume 4

New Teen Titans Volume 4 (DC Comics): More classic work by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, with Romeo Tanghal and others. When Cyborg’s ex-girlfriend is murdered, Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, and Raven must search for answers deep within a terrifying cult. Their hunt brings them face-to-face with the Church of Blood, forcing them to fight for their lives. Collects The New Teen Titans #21-27 and Annual #1. 224-page color softcover. Available in January 2016.

Rocky & Bullwinkle: Classic Adventures

Rocky & Bullwinkle: Classic Adventures (IDW): I may be wrong on this, but I believe that this new volume combines all the stories from the first three of IDW’s recent Rocky & Bullwinkle Classics TPBs into one massive volume. So if you already have those, you don’t need this, unless you like everything in one big book. This collects the Rocky and Bullwinkle material from the 1962 (and beyond) series originally published by Gold Key under various titles (which IDW has simplified into saying “includes issues #1–12 of the Gold Key series that began in 1962”). Confusing, yes, but no more confusing than the original Bullwinkle J. Moose himself. Also includes tales starring Mr. Peabody and Sherman, Dudley Do-Right, and the whole gang. Today’s trivia: Both Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose have the same middle initial. Do you know why? Answer at the end of the column. Features work by Al Kilgore, Jack Mendelsohn, Dave Berg, Fred Fredericks, and Jerry Robinson, with a new cover by Andrew Pepoy, one of the few comic creators whose name is fun to sing! 328-page 6.5” x 10.2” color softcover. Available in January 2016.

Supergirl Volume 1: The Girl of Steel

Supergirl Volume 1: The Girl of Steel (DC Comics): I love how DC keeps collecting these great, near-forgotten series (like this and the Batgirl collection above), despite the fact that they have nothing to do with the current incarnations of the characters. Sure, it’s confusing, but good stories are still good stories, right?! In these stories from Supergirl (2005) #0-10 and 12, Kara adjusts to her life on Earth while crossing paths (and trading blows) with the JSA, the Teen Titans, and the Outsiders. But Lex Luthor has uncovered a truth that could change the Girl of Steel forever! Written by Jeph Loeb, Joe Kelly, Greg Rucka, Justin Gray, and Jimmy Palmiotti. Art by Ian Churchill, Norm Rapmund, Ed Benes, Amanda Conner, and Palmiotti. Great cover by the late, great Michael Turner. 304-page color softcover. Available in January 2016.

Will Eisner’s The Spirit: The New Adventures

Will Eisner’s The Spirit: The New Adventures (Dark Horse): In 1997, Will Eisner gave permission for a new series of Spirit stories to be commissioned, written, and drawn by the most famous names in the comics industry. The call went out, and the response was nothing short of remarkable, with contributions from such creators as Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, Neil Gaiman, Paul Chadwick, Eddie Campbell, and more. Also features a previously unpublished story by Gary Chaloner (Will Eisner’s John Law), as well as new Will Eisner sketches! This one’s been out-of-print for a bit, so this is a new printing. 240-page 6 5/8″ x 10 3/16” color hardcover. Available in February 2016

NEXT WEEK: Big Books, Strip Books, Bigger Books, Gift Books, and Floppy Books (okay, they’re magazines! Sheesh, I can’t get away with anything this week…)

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KC CARLSON SEZ: The “J” in both Rocky and Bullwinkle’s names is a tribute to their creator, Jay Ward. There is no truth to the rumor that the KC in KC Carlson stands for “Krappy Commentator”, despite what some of you might think. (I’m looking at you, Earth-Two Wayne!)

WESTFIELD COMICS is not responsible for the stupid things that KC says. Especially that thing that really irritated you. If that thing didn’t irritate you that much, just wait. He says something really dumb about every seven seconds.