Spotlights for this Thursday’s 20 Dec 2007 shipment include:
ANGEL AFTER THE FALL #2
Joss Whedon & Brian Lynch (plot);
Brian Lynch (w),
Franco Urru (a);
Tony Harris, Urru (c)
Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch and Franco Urru continue to tell the tale of Angel after the climactic battle that ended the Angel television series. Between the array of new enemies and fallen former friends-not to mention the state of Los Angeles itself-can Angel possibly find a reason to go on? And can some familiar faces help provide that reason? Eisner-winning artist Tony Harris once again supplies a special cover, as does series artist Urru.
ARMY @ LOVE #10 (MR)
Written by Rick Veitch
Art and cover by Veitch & Gary Erskine
Loman and Flabbergast are suddenly the ultimate odd couple. Switzer’s two lovers find themselves in close quarters for a secret off-the-books mission to locate Allie. Already married to Healey, she’s enjoying her honeymoon with Batsukh, blissfully unaware that the monstrous Mother of Mountain is about to destroy their romantic idyll forever.
CAPTAIN AMERICA CHOSEN #5 (OF 6)
Written by DAVID MORRELL
Art & 50/50 Cover by MITCH BREITWEISER
Variant 50/50 Cover by TRAVIS CHAREST
Captain America is dying. The super-soldier treatment through which Steve Rogers became the Sentinel of Liberty blessed him with tremendous strength, speed, intelligence and slowed aging. But the human body can only take so much, and after the long years spent serving his country, Steve’s once-frail frame is finally breaking down. Can he be replaced? Is that why U.S. Marine Corpsman James Newman has been seeing Cap in his head during pitched combat in Afghanistan?
Award-winning writer David Morrell — father of the modern action novel and creator of John Rambo in his novel First Blood — and artist Mitch Breitweiser present a stunning vision of Captain America in modern-day wartime, facing the greatest - and final — challenge of his life.
COUNTDOWN ARENA #3 (OF 4)
Written by Keith Champagne
Art by Scott McDaniel & Andy Owens
Covers by Andy Kubert
Variant covers by Dale Eaglesham
Get ready for COUNTDOWN: ARENA - a 4-issue weekly event written by Keith Champagne (JSA) with art by Scott McDaniel & Andy Owens (GREEN ARROW) that pits the DCU’s greatest heroes against themselves! The villainous Monarch begins the last chapter of his campaign against the Monitors, combing the entire Multiverse to enlist the most powerful - or deadly - heroes and villains from throughout existence to join his army. The abducted must battle one another in Monarch’s specially constructed Arena, where only the strongest will survive to join his battle against the Monitors. Carefully selected from worlds throughout all 52 universes, including characters from SUPERMAN: RED SON, DC: THE NEW FRONTIER, BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT, JSA: LIBERTY FILES, JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE NAIL, and TANGENT, among many others, three versions of each hero will walk into the Arena, and only one will walk away. Welcome to THE ARENA, where Monarch’s only rule is to survive at all costs.
COUNTDOWN RAY PALMER SUPERWOMAN BATWOMAN #1
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art by Randy Green
Cover by Ryan Sook
In a world of gender-reversal, an army of Greek warriors led by Wonder Man march against Washington and the JLA! The Challengers must battle to find Ray Palmer and to stop the Multiverse-spanning war.
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 19
Story by Paul Dini; Breakdowns by Keith Giffen
Script by Tony Bedard and art by Carlos Magno
Covers by Karl Kerschl
Karate Kid meets an all-new/old OMAC at the Command D bunker! Jimmy Olsen crosses paths with Mister Miracle! Mary Marvel is taken to Paradise Island! One of the Rogues becomes a real drag! Things are changing for the Monitors! And…at long last…Ray Palmer!
Plus, more DC villains origin backup stories, including Granny Goodness and Sinestro!
The COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS continues!
DETECTIVE COMICS #839 (GHUL)
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Don Kramer & Wayne Faucher
Cover by Simone Bianchi
The startling climax of “The Resurrection of Ra’s al Ghul”! A secret surrounding Ra’s’ lineage is revealed! Everything comes to a head at Nanda Parbat as Batman, Robin, Nightwing and Damian face off against the eternal might of Ra’s al Ghul!
EX MACHINA #33 (MR)
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Art by Tony Harris & Jim Clark
Cover by Harris
In the shocking conclusion of his globetrotting adventure to Vatican City, superhero-turned-mayor Mitchell Hundred learns that religion and politics can be an explosive mix.
EXILES #100
Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT
Pencils & Cover by TOM GRUMMETT
Adios, Exiles! They’ve left their footprints across the multiverse for a hundred issues, but what threat will make Blink and Co. close up shop for good? It’s not what you expect! And what’s this we hear about an all NEW EXILES…Also! Re-presenting the classic Exiles #1 by Judd Winnick and Mike McKone!
PRODUCT UPDATE (112107): Exiles #100 will now have 72 pages, not the originally solicited 64 pages.
GLISTER #3
“GLISTER AND THE FAERIE HOST”
Boundary changes mean Fairyland and Whixleyshire’s borders meet right beside Chilblain Hall. Glister crosses into faerie territory in pursuit of lost laundry only to find she has to retrieve someone much closer to her heart.
GRENDEL BEHOLD THE DEVIL #2 (OF 8)
Hunter Rose tightens his grip on the New York underworld through violence and intimidation in this previously untold chapter in the life of the original Grendel! Writer and artist Matt Wagner tells the tale of a brilliant and confident Rose-successful novelist, deadly assassin, and ruthless mastermind-held back from complete success by a single problem. The man who stalks the night as Grendel is being haunted himself. As the feeling of being watched grows, Rose becomes increasingly distracted-a dangerous proposition for a man hated by both cops and robbers alike. Grendel must maintain order within his growing empire, even as the greatest threat to his sovereignty may be the one lurking in shadows.
HELLBLAZER BLOODLINES TP (MR)
Written by Garth Ennis
Cover by Glenn Fabry
Art by Will Simpson, Steve Dillon, Mike Barreiro and Kim DeMulder
Collecting two pivotal storylines and a one-shot from acclaimed writer Garth Ennis. Reprinting HELLBLAZER #49 (featuring a very special Constantine Christmas), #52-55 (”Royal Blood,” which pits Constantine against the demon Calibraxis), and #59-61 (”Guys & Dolls,” which sets the stage for the final showdown between Constantine and the First of the Fallen).
INCREDIBLE HULK #112
Written by GREG PAK & FRED VAN LENTE
Penciled by KHOI PHAM
Cover by ART ADAMS
CLASSIFIED
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16
Written by Dwayne McDuffie
Art and cover by Joe Benitez & Victor Llamas
Lightning strikes again as a Flash returns! Where’s this Flash from…and what is she doing on our Earth?
MADAME MIRAGE #4
With the answer to the most asked question of the summer answered - “Who is Madame Mirage?”, award winning author Paul Dini (COUNTDOWN, LOST) and hot new artist Kenneth Rocafort (HUNTER-KILLER) turn the excitement up to eleven. Mirage cuts loose in this issue and stretches her powers to the limit as she unleashes an all out assault on Aggressive Solutions International’s headquarters!
Mirage is through toying with the villains of ASI… or is she?
MIGHTY AVENGERS #6 CWI
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by FRANK CHO
The shocking conclusion to the Ultron terror as the Avengers reassemble and go on the offensive. It’s now or never for an Ultron butt-kicking. How on Earth will Tony Stark survive this??? And how does this connect to the startling Skrull infestation that may have taken over the Marvel Universe? The next big clue to the truth is HERE!!
NEW X-MEN #45 MC
X-Men #45 Reg Cvr X-Men #45 variant cover
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Penciled by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Cover by DAVID FINCH
1:15 Variant Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
MESSIAH COMPLEX Part 8
A three way melee erupts over the baby! Some want to kill it, some want to save it, and when the dust settles, not everyone is left standing. Meanwhile, Layla Miller and Madrox gather clues while Madrox Prime slips deeper into his coma.
PLASTICLAND HC
The man credited with single-handedly reviving the concept of rock posters as an art form, Frank Kozik was first exposed to the counterculture world of “designer art toys” on a trip to Japan in 1996. His collecting hobby soon mutated into a new profession, and in 2002 Kozik made the leap from illustrator to toy designer. Now considered one of the world’s top three underground toy designers, Kozik shares all the secrets of this arcane and cutting-edge art movement in Plasticland. This deluxe oversized volume, the first collected work of Kozik’s foray into this explosive new phenomenon, offers a fascinating look at the creation and end result of modern toy design. A dazzling photographic record of all Kozik’s production and custom pieces through early 2006, the book also features his new works in serigraphy and oil painting.
# Frank Kozik has created works for Nike, BASF, Slim Jim, and MTV. He divides his time between San Francisco and Tokyo.
# Frank Kozik has been the subject of numerous magazine and newspaper articles, including features in Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Spin, and Details.
Text and illustrations copyright © 2006 Mike Baron and Steve Rude. Nexus® is a registered trademark of Mike Baron and Steve Rude. All other prominently featured characters are trademarks of Mike Baron and Steve Rude. Text and illustrations of Plasticland™ © 2006 Happy Plastic, Inc.
ROBERT E HOWARDS CONAN FROST GIANTS DAUGHTER ONE SHOT
This December, Conan turns seventy-five! But while the Cimmerian may be seasoned, he’s still going strong, as Dark Horse celebrates the barbarian’s birthday with the first in a series of special-edition reprints of their adaptations of Robert E. Howard stories-with cover art by definitive Conan illustrator Frank Frazetta. The Frost Giant’s Daughter reprints Conan #2 and features Frazetta’s origal cover painting “The Frost Giants,” first seen on the jacket of Lancer’s 1969 edition Conan of Cimmeria.
SPECIAL FORCES #2 (OF 6)
We meet all the characters, they earn their nicknames. Who will be nicknamed “Hummer” and why? Characters die in gruesome ways, and it’s just the basic training issue! Either you buy this book or you’re against us! HARDER THAN NAT TURNER! The war comedy that makes Dr. Strangelove look like Dr. Strange! We don’t even know what that means! All we know is you either buy this book or you support terrorism! And we can find you! It’s a Kyle Baker book! What!
STAR WARS CLONE WARS ADVENTURES VOL 10 TP
Loved by Star Wars fans of all ages, Clone Wars Adventures returns with four more fantastic tales!
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker take a junked speeder on a deadly race through a canyon teeming with bounty hunters, a duty bound clone trooper finds himself the sole defense against an army of droids, a free-spirited young Jedi is tasked with a dangerous mission of greater significance than she realizes, and a peaceful group of farmers find themselves on the frontlines in the fight against the Separatists-all in this action-packed collection of stories told in the super-popular stripped down stylization of the Cartoon Network micro-series!
SUPERMAN #671
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Peter Vale & Jesus Merino
Cover by Brad Walker & John Livesay
Superman faces an army of insect warriors and Lana Lang is missing in “Insect Queen,” Part 1 of 3! It all sets the stage for the debut of an updated take on a classic figure from the past! Plus, parenthood ain’t easy - and something’s up with Chris Kent. Can Lois handle it, or will growing pains spell trouble for Lois, Clark, and all of Metropolis? Featuring guest art by the sensational Peter Vale (SUPERMAN #659)!
TALES OF THE MULTIVERSE BATMAN VAMPIRE TP
Written by Doug Moench
Art by Kelley Jones, Malcolm Jones III and John Beatty
Cover by Jones
TALES OF THE MULTIVERSE is a new series of titles collecting stories of familiar heroes reimagined in startling ways. This inaugural volume collects the dark tales originally presented in BATMAN/DRACULA: RED RAIN, BATMAN: BLOODSTORM and BATMAN: CRIMSON MIST, written by Doug Moench with macabre art by Kelley Jones.
The legendary horror known as Dracula has descended upon Gotham City - and he’s brought his deadly children of the night with him. Now, it’s up to Batman to stop the Lord of the Undead’s assault on his city - but after being bitten by Dracula, Batman himself joins the ranks of the undead. Will Batman be an even greater threat to the citizens of Gotham City than Dracula?
TRANSFORMERS OPTIMUS PRIME BUST
A Diamond Select Release! An Art Asylum Design & Sculpt! Leader of the Autobots, the legendary Optimus Prime will live on forever thanks to his efforts against the evil Decepticons. Standing six inches tall, this Transformers Optimus Prime bust was designed and sculpted by Art Asylum. Limited to 1,500 pieces, each bust features a hand-numbered base with matching box and Certificate of Authenticity.
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN VENOM PREM HC
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by MARK BAGLEY
Cover by MARK BAGLEY
Spider-Man’s ultimate villain gets the Ultimate treatment! After reuniting with his childhood friend Eddie Brock, Peter Parker discovers a secret about their fathers’ pasts…a black liquid that can transform into a protoplasmic bodysuit, curing any illness and enhancing the wearer’s strength and abilities. But when Peter tries to continue his father’s work, he accidentally becomes encased in the murky liquid and becomes nearly unstoppable…but at a terrible price. Collecting ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #33-39.
PRODUCT UPDATE (101707): Ultimate Spider-Man: Venom Premiere GC will run 176 pages, not the solicited 168.
UMBRELLA ACADEMY APOCALYPSE SUITE #4 (OF 6)
While The Umbrella Academy reconnects over the death of their father, a displaced sibling finds her next fix-in music. The influence of music transforms the lost member of the team; the family that rejected her will realize just how profoundly they underestimated their powerless sister. Conceived and written by Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, Umbrella Academy features interior art by Eisner Award-nominated artist Gabriel Bá (De:Tales), colors by Eisner Award-winning colorist Dave Stewart, and covers by multiple Eisner Award-winning painter James Jean (Fables).
WHAT IF CIVIL WAR
Wraparound Cover Marc Silvestri Cover
Written by ED BRUBAKER, KEVIN GREVIOUX & CHRISTOS GAGE
Penciled by MARKO DJURDJEVIC, GUSTAVO & HARVEY TOLIBAO
Cover by MARC SILVESTRI
Wraparound Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
When a stranger appears in front of Iron Man, visiting Captain America’s symbolic grave at Arlington, he is told of two diverse ways CIVIL WAR could’ve concluded. The first: What If CAPTAIN AMERICA led all the heroes against the Registration Act? The second: What if IRON MAN lost the Civil War?
Join writers Ed Brubaker (Captain America, Daredevil), Kevin Grevioux (New Warriors, the movie-Underworld) and Christos Gage (Civil War: Casualties of War, World War Hulk: X-Men, TV’s Law & Order: SVU) in a giant-size issue that answers the questions Iron Man never wanted to ask!
With interior art by superstar cover painter Marko Djurdjevic, artist Gustavo (Marvel Age Spider-Man, Green Lantern, TMNT and The Amory Wars) and newcomer Harvey Tolibao (Iron Man Annual, Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic), this issue will fulfill your Civil War withdrawal!
WOLVERINE FIREBREAK ONE SHOT
Written by MIKE CAREY
Art and Cover by SCOTT KOLINS
A brand-new, stand-alone story by X-MEN’s Mike Carey and OMEGA FLIGHT’s Scott Kolins! Everyone knows that Wolverine is an expert tracker, but what about when he’s been blinded? The fighting Canadian must lead a vacationing family out of the woods, using only his 4 remaining senses and the help of that same family. Things get more complicated, however, with a visit from Advanced Idea Mechanics. Also, as an added bonus: a special back-up story by Macon Blair (24Seven) and Vasilis Lolos (Pirates of Coney Island).
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #2
Written by Walter Simonson
Art by Ludo Lullabi & Sandra Hope
Covers by Jim Lee and Samwise Didier
Now battle-tested, Rehgar’s gladiators head to Dire Maul where they will square off against the reigning champions, the Gor’Dok Ogres! The mysterious fighter begins to unravel his past, but lucky for him and his unlikely elvish allies, he doesn’t need his memories to fight to the death!
WORLD WAR HULK WARBOUND #1 (OF 5) WWH
Written by GREG PAK
Pencils by LEONARD KIRK
Cover JIMMY CHEUNG
The puny humans hate the Warbound, the savage alien monsters who joined the Hulk in his quest for vengeance against the heroes of Ear
