January 2012 Newsletter

Dear Friends:

            As much as we look forward to the holidays, don't we all sigh in relief when it's over? Well, maybe not the children. Anyway, it's a new year and I hope that it's better than the last one for us all. 

            The January 2012 Previews catalog has arrived and lists all the comics and products that will begin to arrive in March so I'm going to try to tell you what to look out for and first I'm going to list the most popular creators and what projects they're working on. 

            And here's an explanation of the abbreviations that I frequently use: SC or TP is the soft cover Trade Paperback format, HC is the Hard Cover format and FCBD stands for Free Comic Book Day, an annual holiday that takes place on the first Saturday in May each year.

AARON: The final arc is in progress of Jason's creator owned title about life on the reservation with the corrupting influence of casinos in SCALPED #57 from Vertigo. At Marvel Jason shares writing chores on AVENGERS VS X-MEN #0 of 12 while writing INCREDIBLE HULK #6, WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN #7, WOLVERINE #302 and #303. His work is collected in the WOLVERINE: GOODBYE CHINATOWN Premiere HC.

ABNETT/LANNING: At DC the team continues on their creation with RESURRECTION MAN #7 and Dan Abnett begins a new series at Vertigo, a post-Victorian England zombie/vampire crime story, the NEW DEADWARDIANS #1 of 8. At Marvel Dan and Andy complete VILLAINS FOR HIRE #4 of 4 and continue on NEW MUTANTS #39 where the team battles a super virus. Their recent space tale is collected in ANNIHILATORS: EARTHFALL TP and KINGDOM CALL OF THE WILD TP collects a post apocalyptic British tale with genetically engineered soldiers fight giant alien insects.

ADAMS: Neal continues writing and illustrating BATMAN ODYSSEY II #6 of 7 and some of the artwork used in the AVENGERS ASSEMBLE: HISTORY OF EARTH'S HEROES TP is Neal's.

AGUIRRE-SACASA: Roberto wrote some of the origins included in the AVENGERS MYTHOS HC.

ALLIE: Scott co-writes B.P.R.D.-HELL ON EARTH: THE PICKENS COUNTY HORROR #1 of 2 with Mike Mignola and featuring the art of Jason Latour.

ALLRED: Mike is one of the artists contributing to the Free Comic Book Day offering, YO GABBA GABBA FREE COMIC BOOK TIME and he provides the art and cover for I, ZOMBIE #23. He writes and illustrates one of the stories in the ROCKETEER ADVENTURES HC VOL 1 and the MADMAN TP VOL 1 returns to print.

ARAGONES: Sergio writes and illustrates BART SIMPSON COMICS #69 this month.

ARCUDI: John co-writes BPRD: HELL ON EARTH-LONG DEATH #2 and LOBSTER JOHNSON: THE BURNING HAND #3 OF 5 and he co-wrote the material collected in the ABE SAPIEN TP VOL 2: DEVIL DOES NOT JEST, all with long time collaborator Mike Mignola.

ASMUS: James writes GENERATION HOPE #17 and co-writes CAPTAIN AMERICA & BUCKY #628 with Ed Brubaker.

AZZARELLO: Brian begins his second arc with WONDER WOMAN #7 and his first arc is collected in the WONDER WOMAN HC VOL 1: BLOOD. Plus he and Eduardo Risso pass the mid point with SPACEMAN #5 of 9, one of my current favorite titles.

BARKER: Clive co-writes the HELLRAISER ANNUAL #1, finishing his first year of writing his own characters and setting the stage for the next year.

BEDARD: Tony begins the second arc on both GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #7 and BLUE BEETLE #7.

BENDIS: Brian will write FCBD 2012 AVENGERS 12.1 which is 'free while supplies last' on Free Comic Book Day, the first Saturday in May. He'll also co-write the AVENGERS VS X-MEN #1 of 12 and he writes AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #1 with Mark Bagley providing the art; this new ongoing series will feature the characters from the movie only set in Marvel continuity (isn't that an oxymoron?) and will have the team fighting the brand new Zodiac. Rumor has it that Brian will be finishing up his work with the Avengers soon but he's writing AVENGERS #24 and AVENGERS #24.1 and NEW AVENGERS #23. His 'oral history' of the team that ran as prose back ups to a lot of titles during 'Fear Itself' is collected as AVENGERS ASSEMBLE; HISTORY OF EARTH'S GREATEST HEROES TP with panels from the forty years of the teams' history. Brian continues his stellar run on the schizophrenic hero with MOON KNIGHT #11 and writes ULTIMATE COMICS: SPIDER-MAN #8 and the ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN OMNIBUS HC VOL 1 collects the one half issue plus the first thirty nine regular issues. He's also a contributor to the SHATTERED HEROES HC as are most of the Marvel creators it seems.

BRUBAKER: At DC the final volume of Ed's wonderful crime collaboration with Greg Rucka is offered in the GOTHAM CENTRAL TP BOOK 4: CORRIGAN. At Image Ed's new creator owned horror/noir series continues with FATALE #3 while, at Marvel he writes WINTER SOLDIER #3, CAPTAIN AMERICA #9 and co-writes CAPTAIN AMERICA & BUCKY #628. He's also a contributor to the SHATTERED HEROES HC.

BUCCELLATO: Brian co-writes FLASH #7 with the series' artist Francis Manapul.

BUSIEK: Kurt is a contributor to the AVENGERS: LEGION OF THE UNLIVING TP.

BYRNE: John writes and draws what he says will be the final arc of his creator owned series with NEXT MEN AFTERMATH #41 while some of his earlier issues are collected in the CLASSIC NEXT MEN TP 3.

CAREY: Mike continues his hit Vertigo series with UNWRITTEN #35, a double sized issue and UNWRITTEN #35.5. At Marvel he writes X-MEN LEGACY #263 ending the battle with Exodus, and X-MEN LEGACY #264 featuring Mimic and Weapon Omega. He also co-writes the novel STEEL SERAGLIO, a story of vengeance; 365 concubines sentenced to death against their judge and ruler.

CASEY: Joe writes HAUNT #24 and co-writes AVENGERS: ROAD TO AVENGERS TP, a collection of stories in continuity with the upcoming film.

CHAYKIN: Howard is one of the contributing artists featured in the WOLVERINE AND NICK FURY: SCORPIO TP.

CLOWES: The ART OF DANIEL CLOWES: MODERN CARTOONIST HC is self explanatory and the GHOST WORLD SPECIAL EDITION HC is offered again at a new price; this has the eighty page graphic novel plus over 200 pages of extras from the book and the movie for twenty five dollars.

COOKE: Darwyn provides a variant cover for ROCKETEER ADVENTURES II #1 of 4.

CORNELL: Paul writes DEMON KNIGHTS #7 and STORMWATCH #7 at DC while, at Vertigo he begins his creator owned title with SAUCER COUNTRY #1 featuring the artwork of Ryan Kelly, a story of the Mexican American governor of New Mexico and the leading Democratic Presidential candidate who gets abducted by aliens.

COSTA: Mike writes the BLACKHAWKS #7 at DC and co-writes SMOKE AND MIRRORS #1 of 5 at IDW, a tale of a stage magician thrust into a world where magic, not technology, gets things done. He also writes COBRA ONGOING #11 and is a contributing author of TRANSFORMERS TP 7: CHAOS.

DANIEL: Tony writes and illustrates SAVAGE HAWKMAN #7 as well as DETECTIVE COMICS #7 and he also provides the cover art for DEMON KNIGHTS #7.

DAVID: Peter continues adapting DARK TOWER: GUNSLINGER-WAY STATION #4 OF 5 and writes X-FACTOR #233 and he is also a contributor to the AVENGERS: ROAD TO AVENGERS TP.

DIXON: Chuck's area of expertise is martial arts and war so it's no surprise that he's writing G. I. JOE II #11, SNAKE EYES ONGOING #11 and the AIRBOY/G8 LIMITED EDITION HC. He also adapts ROBERT JORDAN'S WHEEL OF TIME-EYE OF THE WORLD #23. Also his work is collected in the SNAKE EYES TP 2.

EDMONDSON: Nathan teases his new 'The Ride' series in the FCBD 2012: ANTI comic which also features Peter Calloway telling the story of 'Zachary', a reluctant and faithless messiah from 12 Gauge Comics. At DC he writes GRIFTER #7 and at Image he continues his creator owned series with ACTIVITY #4.

ELLIS: Warren's latest Marvel work is collected in the SECRET AVENGERS PREMIERE HC 3: MISSION CAUGHT WORLD with six stand alone tales. Also Warren provided the concept and plot for Steve Pugh's beautifully painted and highly recommended HOTWIRE TP 2: DEEP CUT.

ENNIS: At DC Garth's series from a dozen years ago has its' penultimate collection in HITMAN TP 6: FOR TOMORROW. At Avatar Press he's writing maybe the most ultra violent series of his career in CROSSED: BADLANDS #1 and #2 and his offensive stories are colorized in DICKS COLOR EDITION #2 plus his supernatural war story set in the Middle East continues in STITCHED #4. At Dynamite Entertainment he continues adventures of the super hero hating BOYS #64 and the most recent arc is offered in the BOYS TP 10: BUTCHER, BAKER, CANDLESTICKMAKER. And two titles that he created but isn't personally writing are NINJETTES #2 and GARTH ENNIS' JENNIFER BLOOD #13.

FIALKOV: Joshua Hale co-writes ACTION COMICS #7 and writes I, VAMPIRE #7 at DC and DOCTOR WHO ONGOING II #15 at IDW. His own title at Image is collected in the LAST OF THE GREATS TP 1.

FINCH: David co-writes and provides the interior and cover art for BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #7 and provides covers for JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #7.

FRACTION: Under an exclusive contract at Marvel, Matt writes the MIGHTY THOR #12, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #514 and DEFENDERS #4. He is a contributing author on FEAR ITSELF: FEARLESS #10 and #11 of 12, BATTLE SCARS 5 of 6 and the SHATTERED HEROES HC.

GAGE: Christos writes ANGEL & FAITH #8 at Dark Horse and AVENGERS ACADEMY #27 at Marvel. He's a contributing author of the AVENGERS: ROAD TO AVENGERS TP, the FEAR ITSELF: SPIDER-MAN PREMIERE HC and the SPIDER-MAN: RETURN OF ANTI-VENOM TP.

GAIMAN: Sorry, no new stories from Neil although he is a guest star on the GUILD DVD Volume 5.

GATES: Sterling writes HAWK AND DOVE #7 at DC and KIRBY GENESIS: CAPTAIN VICTORY #6 at Dynamite Entertainment this month.

GIFFEN: Keith co-writes SUPERMAN #7 and O.M.A.C. #7 at DC, he wrote one of the stories in the all age Marvel title SUPER HEROES #23 and wrote some of the material collected in the CAPTAIN AMERICA: DEATH OF RED SKULL TP.

GILLEN: Keiron writes JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #635 and wrote most of the stories in the JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY: FEAR ITSELF-FALLOUT PREMIERE HC. He writes UNCANNY X-MEN #8 and #9 and his work is collected in the UNCANNY X-MEN BY GIERON GILLEN PREMIERE HC VOLUME 1.

GISCHLER: Victor writes X-MEN #26 and his work is collected in the FEAR ITSELF: DRACULA PREMIERE HC.

GLASS: Adam writes SUICIDE SQUAD #7 and wrote some of the origins in the AVENGERS: MYTHOS HC.

GRAY/PALMIOTTI: This talented writing duo continues with the adventures of Jonah Hex in ALL STAR WESTERN #7 and completes their series with RAY #4 of 4.

GUGGENHEIM: Marc pens one of the stories in the ROCKETEER ADVENTURES II #1 of 4 and completes his creator owned series with NOWHERE MAN #4 of 4.

HAMA: Larry writes G. I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #176 while the recolored Marvel stories are reprinted in the CLASSIC G. I. JOE TP Volume 14.

HICKMAN: You've probably heard me say that Hickman (and Nick Spencer) are writers to watch; creative, inventive and it's obvious that they learned to write stories by reading books rather than comics. They bring fresh concepts and I especially like their creator owned titles. At Image Johnathan launches a new ongoing series with MANHATTAN PROJECTS #1; the artist is Nick Pitarra and the first arc is entitled 'Infinite Oppenheimers' and that's more than enough information to pique my interest. At Marvel he writes ULTIMATE COMICS: ULTIMATES #8, FF #16 and FANTASTIC FOUR #604. His work is collected in the SECRET WARRIORS TP 6: WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS.

HIGGINS: At DC Kyle writes NIGHTWING #7 and DEATHSTROKE #7 and he contributed one of the origins in Marvel's AVENGERS: MYTHOS HC.

HILL: Joe completes another arc in his LOCKE & KEY: CLOCKWORKS #6 of 6 series, coming to a cable channel near you soon and in collaboration with his father, STEPHEN KING AND JOE HILL: ROAD RAGE #2 of 4.

HINE: David is a contributing author to the BATMAN: GOTHAM SHALL BE JUDGED TP, he writes DARKNESS #101 and ELEPHANTMEN #41 and wrote one of the stories in the LOVECRAFT ANTHOLOGY TP 1. He wrote and created BULLETPROOF COFFIN TP 1, wrote, created and illustrated STRANGE EMBRACE HC 1 and, with Shaky Kane's art writes BULLETPROOF COFFIN: DISINTERRED #3 of 6.

JENKINS: At DC Paul is writing STORMWATCH #7 and co-writing with artist David Finch BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #7. At Marvel he wrote one of the origins in the AVENGERS: MYTHOS HC and collaborated on the material collected in the INCREDIBLE HULK: PAST PERFECT TP.

JOHNS: I think that Geoff along with Grant Morrison is largely responsible for the success of DC's relaunch and Geoff continues on the best selling JUSTICE LEAGUE #7, the surprise hit AQUAMAN #7 and characters that he's been writing for years now in GREEN LANTERN #7. The first arcs are collected in the JUSTICE LEAGUE HC 1: ORGINS and GREEN LANTERN HC 1: SINESTRO.

JOHNSON: Mike continues to co-write SUPERGIRL #7 with Michael Green and at Dynamite he writes STAR TREK ONGOING #7. The first six issues are collected in the STAR TREK ONGOING TP 1.

JURGENS: Dan writes JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #7 and he illustrates and co-writes SUPERMAN #7.

KIRKMAN: Robert writes WALKING DEAD #95, INVINCIBLE #91 and SUPER DINOSAUR #10. He co-writes THIEF OF THIEVES #2 with Nick Spencer and INFINITE #7 with artist Rob Liefield. The WALKING DEAD: CUTTING ROOM FLOOR HC contains all of Robert's plots and notes for the television shows with commentary so the reader can see which plot lines were dropped and which were changed and what suggestions the other writers and producers made. Also there is WALKING DEAD SERIES 1 RICK/MICHONNE 2 PACK ACTION FIGURE SET being offered that's exclusive to comic shops.

KRUL: J. T. writes CAPTAIN ATOM #7, writes the back up story in MEN OF WAR #7 and his work is collected in the TEEN TITANS: PRIME OF LIFE TP.

LAPHAM: David writes THE STRAIN #4 of 12 at Dark Horse which is based on the novel trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan and illustrated by Mike Huddleston. At Marvel he writes AGE OF APOCALYPSE #1 spinning out of X-Force and introducing the X-Terminated. He also continues on DEADPOOL MAX II #6 with Kyle Baker and he contributed to the SHATTERED HEROES HC. At Avatar Press CROSSED III: PSYCHOPATH is collected in a TP format, a HC edition as well as a signed and numbered HC. And his vicious werewolf saga continues in FERALS #3.

LEE: Jim provides the artwork for this years FCBD 2012 tee shirt available in black, white and light blue. Jim's first arc is collected as the JUSTICE LEAGUE HC 1: ORIGINS. He'll provide the cover art for the GEARS OF WAR TP 2 and the ESSENTIAL X-MEN TP 10 and he provides art for the SUPERMAN RAW tee shirt as well.

LEMIRE: Jeff writes FRANKENSTEIN: AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #7 and ANIMAL MAN #7 at DC and writes and provides cover art for his own SWEET TOOTH #31 at Vertigo.

LEVITZ: Paul writes LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #7, LEGION: SECRET ORIGINS 6 of 6 and HUNTRESS 6 of 6 and his work is collected in the LEGION OF SUPER HEROES: WHEN EVIL CALLS TP.

LIU: Marjorie writes X-23 #21 which is due for cancellation soon; I think this is the only female creator at Marvel now and the only solo female character who has a monthly book. Marjorie is listed as writing ASTONISHING X-MEN #48 but I suspect this in another of Marvel's many mistakes in the monthly catalog.  Marjorie is a contributor to the CHICKS DIG COMICS: CELEBRATION OF COMICS BY WOMEN TP.

LOBDELL: Scott co-writes FCBD 2012 WORLDS OF ASPEN and, at DC he writes SUPERBOY #7, RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #7 and TEEN TITANS #7, all of which are beginning new story arcs.

LOEB: Jeph finishes AVENGERS X-SANCTION #4 of 4 with long time collaborator Ed McGuinness, although I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't arrive on time; Jeph isn't very good with deadlines. I ordered his 'Captain America: White' #1 of 6 back in August of 2008 and I'm still waiting. Jeph also contributed to the SHATTERED HEROES HC.

LOPRESTI: Aaron is one of the artists working on JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #7 and he's a contributing writer and artist on MY GREATEST ADVENTURE #6 of 6.

MANAPUL: Francis Illustrates and co-writes FLASH #7 and his art graces the FLASH 52 BY MANAPUL tee shirt.

MARZ: Ron writes ARTIFACTS #17 at Top Cow and his Image work is collected in the MAGDALENA TP VOLUME 2.

McDANIEL: Scott illustrates STATIC SHOCK #7 with new series writer Marc Bernadin.

McKEEVER: Ted offers the final issue of MONDO #3 of 3 which he created, writes and illustrates.

MIGNOLA: Along with John Arcudi Mike writes B.P.R.D.: HELL ON EARTH-PICKENS COUNTY HORROR #1 of 2, B.P.R.D.: HELL ON EARTH-LONG DEATH #2 of 2 and LOBSTER JOHNSON: THE BURNING HAND #3 of 5 and their work is collected in the ABE SAPIEN: DEVIL DOES NOT JEST TP VOLUME 2. Mike also co-wrote the JOE GOLEM & THE DROWNING CITY Illustrated Novel HC.

MILLAR: At Marvel's Icon imprint Mark begins SUPERCROOKS #1, a story of super villains moving to Spain to commit crimes someplace with less competition and less super heroes, featuring the art of Steve McNiven.  Mark's work is collected in the ULTIMATE COMICS: AVENGERS VS NEW ULTIMATES DOSM TP, the 'DOSM' standing for the 'Death of Spider-Man'. Also CLINT #15 is Mark's monthly British magazine which contains at least four comics plus interviews and articles; it frequently has a new chapter of 'Kick-Ass', 'Nemesis', 'Turf' and other titles often before they've been released in America.

MILLIGAN: Pete writes RED LANTERNS #7, JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #7 and HELLBLAZER #289.

MOORE: Terry series in progress gets collected in the RACHEL RISING TP 1: SHADOW OF DEATH and his art instruction continues in TERRY MOORE'S HOW TO DRAW #3: BEAUTIFUL. He also contributes to CHICKS DIG COMICS: CELEBRATION OF COMIC BOOKS BY WOMEN TP.

MORRISON: Grant co writes the FCBD 2012 DINOSAURS VS ALIENS comic from Dark Horse, co writes ACTION COMICS #7 and we're halfway through the new printing of STEED AND MRS PEEL #3 of 6, the comic based on the old 'Avengers' television program originally released by Eclipse Comics in 1991.

NELSON: Arvid writes WARLORD OF MARS #18 and LORD OF THE JUNGLE #4 at Dynamite Entertainment.

NICIEZA: Fabian contributed to the SPIDER-MAN AND NEW WARRIORS: HERO KILLERS TP and INCREDIBLE HULK: PAST PERFECT TP.

NILES: Steve writes a new 'Criminal Macabre' tale in DARK HORSE PRESENTS #10 and, at IDW writes 30 DAYS OF NIGHT ONGOING #5. He writes WULF #5 and #6, reviving the old characters from Atlas Comics and there's an interview with him in SCREAM MAGAZINE #10.

OSTRANDER: John writes STAR WARS: AGENT OF THE EMPIRE-IRON ECLIPSE #4 of 5 and STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI #2.

PAK: Greg co-wrote material collected in the FEAR ITSELF: SPIDER-MAN PREMIERE HC at Marvel and writes DEAD MAN'S RUN #3 at Boom! Studios.

PARKER: Jeff writes HULK #49 and THUNDERBOLTS #171 and his recent work is collected in the THUNDERBOLTS: GREAT ESCAPE TP. He also contributed to the FEAR ITSELF: SPIDER-MAN PREMIERE HC.

PEREZ: George contributes to the AVENGERS: LEGION OF THE UNLIVING TP at Marvel.

REMENDER: At Dark Horse Rick wrote stories collected in the FEAR AGENT TP VOLUME 6 while at Marvel he writes SECRET AVENGERS #24, UNCANNY X-FORCE #23 and VENOM #14 and his work is collected in the VENOM BY RICK REMENDER TP 1.

ROBERSON: At DC's Vertigo imprint Chris writes I, ZOMBIE #23 and CINDERELLA: FABLES ARE FOREVER TP is collected. At IDW he writes his own MEMORIAL #4 of 6 as well as STAR TREK/LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #6 of 6 and ELRIC, THE BALANCE LOST #9.

ROBINSON: James co-writes MEN OF WAR #7 and writes SHADE #6 of 12.

RODI: Rob concludes his THOR: DEVIANT'S SAGA #6 of 6 and he co-wrote material in the JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY: FEAR ITSELF-FALLOUT PREMIERE HC at Marvel while at Dynamite Entertainment he writes KIRBY GENESIS: DRAGONSBANE #3.

RUCKA: Greg's caped crusader work gets new editions with the BATMAN: NO MAN'S LAND TP VOLUME 2 and GOTHAM CENTRAL TP VOLUME 4: CORRIGAN. At Marvel he writes PUNISHER #9 and the ELEKTRA BY GREG RUCKA ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP is just what it says. Greg is also interviewed in the CHICKS DIG COMICS; CELEBRATION OF COMIC BOOKS BY WOMEN TP.

SEELEY: Tim writes FCBD 2012 WITCHBLADE: UNBALANCED PIECES, he writes and provides cover art for BLOODSTRIKE #26 as well as HACK/SLASH #14 and he writes WITCHBLADE #155.

SIMONE: Gail writes BATGIRL #7 and of course is a contributor to the CHICKS DIG COMICS: CELEBRATION OF COMIC BOOKS BY WOMEN TP.

SLOTT: Dan co-writes AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #681 and writes AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #682 and he collaborated on the material collected in the SPIDER-MAN: RETURN OF ANTI-VENOM TP.

SMITH: Kevin co-writes KEVIN SMITH'S BIONIC MAN #8.

SNYDER: Scott writes BATMAN #7 and SWAMP THING #7 and his first arc is collected in the BATMAN HC 1: THE COURT OF OWLS. And he continues on the award winning series that he began with Stephen King, AMERICAN VAMPIRE #25.

SPENCER: At DC Nick writes his penultimate chapter with THUNDER AGENTS II 5 of 6, at Image he continues with his great MORNING GLORIES #19 series and offers THIEF OF THIEVES #2, which he created and writes with Robert Kirkman. At Marvel he writes ULTIMATE COMICS: X-MEN #9 while his first arc is collected in the ULTIMATE COMICS: X-MEN BY NICK SPENCER PREMIERE HC 1.

SPURRIER: Simon writes X-CLUB #4 of 5 with Paul Davidson's art where Danger discovers that she's pregnant. (Rahne just had her baby and Kitty's pregnant; haven't these mutants discovered birth control? Xavier should start handing out condoms at the mansion.)

STRACZYNSKI: Joe pens TWELVE #11 of 12 with Chris Weston's art; it should arrive less than three years from the original due date.

SWIERCZYNSKI: Duane begins the second arc with BIRDS OF PREY #7 with a big fight issue as Black Canary fights Poison Ivy, Batgirl fights Starling and whoever Katana fights will most likely be sliced and diced.

THOMAS: Roy contributed to the material collected in the SHOWCASE PRESENTS ALL-STAR SQUADRON TP VOLUME 1, AVENGERS: LEGION OF THE UNLIVING TP and MMW AVENGERS TP 4. 'MMW' is Marvel Master Works, archiving all past issues in chronological order.

TOMASI: Peter writes BATMAN AND ROBIN #7 and GREEN LANTERN CORPS #7.

TRUMAN: Tim writes KING CONAN: PHOENIX ON THE SWORD #3 of 4 and Tim and his son co-write HAWKEN #5 of 6 featuring Tim's artwork.

VAN LENTE: Fred contributed to the material collected in the AVENGERS: ROAD TO AVENGERS TP and the SHATTERED HEROES HC.

VAN SCIVER: Ethan co-writes and provides cover art for FURY OF FIRESTORM; THE NUCLEAR MEN #7.

VAUGHAN: Brian co-wrote the material collected in the BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SEASON 8 HC VOLUME 1: THE LONG WAY HOME and, at Image comics Brian begins a new, ongoing science fiction/fantasy series with Fiona Staples' art entitled SAGA #1. Described as a 'Star Wars', 'Game of Thrones' mash-up I'm expecting this to be great. After Brian finished his 'Y: THE LAST MAN' and 'EX MACHINA' series' I feared he'd go back to writing television and film and I'm very pleased to be proven wrong.

WAGNER: Matt writes and provides cover art for ZORRO RIDES AGAIN #9 of 12.

WAID: Mark writes DAREDEVIL #10 at Marvel and writes his own INCORRUPTIBLE #28 and IRREDEEMABLE #35 at Boom! Studios. He co-wrote STAN LEE'S TRAVELER TP VOLUME 3 and is a contributor to the CHICKS DIG COMICS: CELEBRATION OF COMIC BOOKS BY WOMEN TP.

WALLACE: Eric begins the second arc on MISTER TERRIFIC #7.

WAY: Daniel writes DEADPOOL #52 and previous issues are collected as DEADPOOL TP 8: OPERATION ANNIHILATION and DEADPOOL PREMIERE HC 10: EVIL DEADPOOL.

WELLS: Zeb writes AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #5 with Lenil Yu replacing Joe Madureira on art chores and CARNAGE USA #4 of 5 with artist Clayton Crain.

WHEDON: Zach Whedon co-writes the FCBD 2012 STAR WARS/SERENITY book, Joss co-writes the BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SEASON 8 HC 1: THE LONG WAY HOME and his mutant work is collected in ASTONISHING X-MEN: WHEDON/CASSADAY ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP VOLUME 2. The CABIN IN THE WOODS NOVELIZATION MMPB is not adapted by Joss but he did contribute to the CABIN IN THE WOODS OFFICIAL VISUAL COMPANION TP. Fans may be interested in the WHEDONISTAS: CELEBRATION OF THE WORLDS OF JOSS WHEDON BY WOMEN TP. Also offered is the FIREFLY: LITTLE DAMN HEROES SERENITY MAQUETTE.

WILLINGHAM: Bill's hit series continues with FABLES #115 and collected editions continue with the FABLES DELUXE EDITION HC 5. A new ongoing series spinning out of 'Fables' is FAIREST #1 which will feature arcs focused on female cast members like Snow White and Rapunzel. The first arc will focus on Briar Rose and the art will be by Phil Jimenez.

WILLIAMS: J. H. co-writes BATWOMAN #7 beginning the second arc with art by Amy Reeder.

WILLIAMS: Rob co-writes the FCBD 2012 2000 A.D. JUDGE DREDD SPECIAL. He writes GHOST RIDER #9 and DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE #22 and #23 at Marvel and ROBOCOP: ROAD TRIP #4 at Dynamite Entertainment.

WINICK: Judd writes BATWING #7 and CATWOMAN #7 for DC and maybe the funniest comic I've ever read comes back into print as the BIG BOOK OF BARRY WEEN, BOY GENIUS, not for the easily offended.

WOLFMAN: Marv returns to his creation with NIGHT FORCE #1 of 6 and writes DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #25 and #26.

WOOD: After years of running his own company (AIT/Plantlar) and self publishing Brian has finally received the recognition he deserves. In DARK HORSE PRESENTS #10 he continues his 'Massive' story, his early self published work gets collected as the CHANNEL ZERO: COMPLETE COLLECTION and he and frequent collaborator, Becky Cloonan continue on CONAN THE BARBARIAN #2, all at Dark Horse. At DC SUPERNATURAL #6 of 6 concludes the tale, at Vertigo he comes close to the end with NORTHLANDERS #49 and at Marvel he writes WOLVERINE AND X-MEN: ALPHA AND OMEGA #3 of 5.

YOST: At Marvel Chris co-writes PRELUDE TO MARVELS AVENGERS #1 and #2 of 4, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #681, FEAR ITSELF: FEARLESS #10 and #11 of 12 and BATTLE SCARS #5 of 6. He also contributed to the SHATTERED HEROES HC, X-MEN: FIRST TO LAST TP and FEAR ITSELF: SPIDER-MAN PREMIERE HC. On his own he writes SCARLET SPIDER #3.

            There's the list of one hundred and ten creators and that covers a good percentage of all the comics being offered. Here's a list of the publishers where I'll tell you about anything that I haven't already covered above (or maybe mention stuff that I already mentioned just because I like it).

DARK HORSE: The KULT TP collects the four issue series based on the RPG and RAGEMOOR #1 begins a new limited series, a Gothic nightmare written by Jan Strnad and illustrated in black and white by longtime collaborator Richard Corben. THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF DOG MENDONÇA AND PIZZABOY TP is a comedy import featuring a werewolf, a demon and a pizza boy battling occult evils, Nazis and impending global doom. AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER VOLUME 2 TP is offered as well as Adam Warren's EMPOWERED VOLUME 7 TP. The FLCL OMNIBUS collects all the manga, not with bonus color illustrations and remastered story pages and MANARA EROTICA VOLUME 1: CLICK! AND OTHER STORIES HC will collect all of Milo's beautiful adult stories and graphic novels in this and subsequent editions. Dark Horse also has a lot of merchandise from the DOMO franchise as well as a lot of new GAME OF THRONES merchandise including figures, journals, patches, bookmarks, playing cards, mugs and more.

DC: The 'New 52' titles begins their second arcs and have new creators working on many. Beginning with JUSTICE LEAGUE #7, the art team will be Gene Ha and Gary Frank; Jim Lee will provide covers. FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #7 will now be written by Ethan Van Sciver with Joe Harris taking Gail Simone's place as co-writer. The new team starting with GREEN ARROW #7 is Ann Nocenti with Harvey Tolibao's art, DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #7 will be written by Dan Didio and Jerry Ordway will co-write and illustrate, SAVAGE HAWKMAN #7 will have James Bonny sharing writing chores with Tony S. Daniel, Morrison and Rags Morales continue on ACTION COMICS #7 but there will be a back up story in each issue. Josh Williamson takes over writing with STORMWATCH #7, Rob Liefeld provides art and story in HAWK & DOVE #7, Marc Bernadin begins writing and Scott McDaniel remains as artist on STATIC SHOCK #7 and Tom DeFalco writes LEGION LOST #7 with Pete Woods' art. BATMAN: DEATH BY DESIGN DELUXE EDITION HC will be written by Chip Kidd with art by Dave Taylor. Chip Kidd is perhaps the most in-demand person for book design in the business and has won countless awards; this is his first published fiction to the best of my knowledge. BATMAN BEYOND UNLIMITED #2 is a 48 page comic that also features a JUSTICE LEAGUE BEYOND adventure in each issue and, did you notice that Marv Wolfman is writing NIGHT FORCE #1 of 6, a series he worked on in the late nineties? T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS II #5 will feature part one of a two part back up starring Undersea Agent by Michael Uslan and Mike Choi. BATMAN: KNIGHTFALL VOLUME 1 TP: NEW EDITION is part of DC's effort to bring some of the classics back into print in more affordable formats; this one is 640 pages for thirty bucks and they're offering BATMAN: NO MAN'S LAND VOLUME 2 TP: NEW EDITION as well, weighing in at 520 pages. BEYOND THE FRINGE is a one shot written by Joshua Jackson who plays Peter Bishop on the program.

DC-VERTIGO: SAUCER COUNTRY #1 starts a new series created by Paul Cornell and Ryan Kelly, a thriller combining themes of alien abduction, UFO's and political intrigue. FAIREST #1 is a new ongoing series spinning out of 'Fables' and featuring the secret histories of Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Rose Red, Snow White, etc. and will be illustrated by Phil Jimenez with Adam Hughes' covers. Another spin off from the hit 'Fables' series is the second espionage tale, now collected in soft cover: CINDERELLA: FABLES ARE FOREVER. DOMINIQUE LaVEAU: VOODOO CHILD #1 is a new horror series taking place in post Katrina New Orleans and written by Selwyn Sefu Hinds with Denys Cowan's pencils and covers by Rafael Grampá. The AARON AND AHMED TP is a relevant tale about a bond between the prisoner and the interrogator at Guantanamo Bay.

DC-DIRECT: The BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY SERIES 2 ASSORTMENT features action figures based on the video game designs and this set includes Batman: Detective Mode Variant, Jervis Tetch: The Mad Hatter, Hush, The Riddler and Catwoman and they will sell for $20.99 each. There are also two new Ame-Comi figures: Raven: Angel of Azarath Variant and Raven: Demon Daughter Variant for $70.00 each plus a Batman: Black and White Statue based on the artwork of Sam Kieth that sells for $80.00.

IDW: INFESTATION 2: G.I. Joe #1 of 2 (and #2 of 2) are offered as the Elder Gods overrun the IDW universe and it continues in INFESTATION 2: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #1 of 2 (and #2 of 2) are offered. ROCKETEER ADVENTURES II #1 of 4 features three stories per issue by top creators under a Darwyn Cooke cover and SMOKE AND MIRRORS #1 of 5 is a story of a stage magician thrust into a world where magic, not technology, rules and it's written by Mike Costa and Jon Armstrong with Ryan Browne's artwork. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: EBERRON ANNUAL 2012 is by Paul Crilley and Paco Diaz. Although Marvel has been adapting all of the Frank L. Baum original novels to comics IDW has the license for the upcoming animated film and will publish DOROTHY OF OZ: PREQUEL #1 of 4. The STAR TREK: 100 PAGE SPECTACULAR 2012 features several classic stories plus the never told tale of how Captain Pike became disfigured, which is a lead-in the the original pilot episode 'Menagerie'. The first four issues are collected in the GHOSTBUSTERS VOLUME 1 TP.

IMAGE: This is the publisher who has given us all the new hot writers these past few years; they bring their creations to Image, win accolades and then get hired by the big companies and end up doing less inspired work on the characters who are perpetually fighting WWII. I mentioned SAGA #1 earlier because it's by B.K. Vaughan who brought us 'Y, The Last Man' and 'Ex Machina' and I mentioned THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #1 because it's by Jonathan Hickman but these are two of the books that I'm most looking forward to in March so I had to mention them again. There are preview pages of both at Images' web site as well as in the Previews catalog; check them out online or next time you're at the shop, I think they'll both be excellent. HELL YEAH #1 is by Joe Keatinge with art by Andre Szymanowicz and is about the second generation of heroes. HOAX HUNTERS #0 is a play on Mythbusters; the first case is an investigation of a mysterious astronaut made of crows who appears in Russia. REBEL BLOOD #1 of 4 is a Twilight Zone type take on yet another zombie infestation. And I'll mention THIEF OF THIEVES #2 again as it's another one I'm anxious for by Kirkman and Nick Spencer with Shawn Martinbrough's artwork.

MARVEL: The next year long limited series (which will, no doubt feature lots of cross overs) begins with AVENGERS VS X-MEN #0 and #1 of 12 written by Bendis and Aaron with Frank Cho's art on the zero issue; then the title has two creative teams; one will handle the Avengers and the other will handle the X-Men. The creative teams are Aaron/Bendis/Brubaker and Coipel and Fraction/Hickman/Kubert/Romita Jr. and with eight people on the book maybe it will even ship on time! AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #1 is a new ongoing series by the team of Bendis and Bagley and will feature the cast of the movie in Marvel continuity (if such a thing still exists; Quesada keeps saying that continuity doesn't matter if the stories are good). There's also PRELUDE TO MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS #1 and #2 of 4 with back story leading up to the film. AVENGERS ACADEMY #27 features the Runaways. JOHN CARTER: THE GODS OF MARS #1 of 5 is the latest entry in Marvel's comics tying into the John Carter movie. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #682 begins the 'next big Spider-Man event' titled 'Ends of the Earth' and featuring Doc Ock as the villain. In DAREDEVIL #10 our hero vs. the Mole Man with the art of Paolo Rivera and Francesco Francavilla provides the art on CAPTAIN AMERICA & BUCKY #628. Marvel's two all-age titles reach their final issues with SUPER HEROES #24 and SPIDER-MAN #24 while TOY STORY #1 of 4 is offered. GHOST RIDER #9 is the final issue of that series; the sixth time they've canceled it; want to bet they try again? AGE OF APOCALYPSE #1 is written by Dave Lapham and spins out of 'Uncanny X-Force'; I have hopes that Dave will make something out of the title as he's a talented and ruthless writer as you know if you've read his 'Crossed' series or 'Stray Bullets'. I also have hopes for the new team on ASTONISHING X-MEN #48; Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins. DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE #23 will be the final issue of that series and the same goes for X-23 #21 and DEADPOOL MAX II #6 (of 12). The X-MEN: SEASON ONE PREMIER HC is unusual for Marvel as it's not a reprint; it's an original graphic novel written by Dennis Hopeless and penciled by Jamie McKelvie it tells the tale of the very beginning of Professor's School for Gifted Mutants. And this begins a series of original hard cover graphic novels which includes DAREDEVIL: SEASON ONE PREMIERE HC by Antony Johnston and Wellington Alves as well as SPIDER-MAN: SEASON ONE PREMIERE HC by Cullen Bunn and Neil Edwards. The Spider-Man book is recommended for all ages. SPIDER-MAN: THE GRAPHIC NOVELS HC collects some stories that were never in the monthly comics including 'Amazing Spider-Man: Hooky', 'Amazing Spider-Man: Parallel Lives', 'Spider-Man: Fear Itself' and, by Charles Vess, 'Amazing Spider-Man: Spirits of the Earth'. For fans of Mark Millar's creator owned work at Marvel (Kick-Ass, Nemesis, Superior) you will probably like SUPER CROOKS #1 with the art of Lenil Yu (pay attention, Taylor Garrity); this one is about some powered villains that decide to commit crimes in Spain where there's less competition and less heroes.

            Those are the publishers called the 'Big Five'; their sales are significantly higher than the other publishers so they get to be in the front of the catalog each month. 

            The smaller publishers sit in the back of the bus but by no means does that mean that they're inferior so I'll try to point out the ones I suspect you'll be interested in (if I haven't already mentioned them under the creators). I know that you people who shop here are an extremely intelligent bunch with wide interests so here's the first one I'll mention: journalists and fans of 'Transmetropolitan' and the Beat Generation might like this new soft cover book from ABRAMS COMICARTS: GONZO: A GRAPHIC BIOGRAPHY OF HUNTER S. THOMPSON. ABSTRACT STUDIOS offers the first collection, RACHEL RISING VOLUME 1: THE SHADOW OF DEATH with the first six issues of Terry Moore's epic in progress. ANTARCTIC PRESS has some parodies including DIARY OF A ZOMBIE KID: FCBD SPECIAL and DEAD POOH, a mash up of 'Deadpool' and 'Winnie the Pooh'. (Don't hold me to the 'DIARY' book; I just heard that there may be some licensing problems there.) ARCANA is publishing an all ages H. P. Lovecraft story, HOWARD LOVECRAFT AND THE UNDERSEA KINGDOM GN so if you think your kids are ready for Cthulhu and the Elder Gods here's a primer. ARCHAIA PRESS has an original hard cover graphic novel for all ages written and illustrated by Rachel Hope Allison 'based on the real-life occurrence of The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an island of floating trash more than twice the size of Texas' titled I'M NOT A PLASTIC BAG, printed on 100% recycled materials, Archaia will plant two trees for every one used in production of this book published in conjunction with Jeff Corwin of 'Animal Planet' and scheduled to arrive in time for Earth Day.  ARCHIE COMICS has ARCHIE MEETS KISS: THE COLLECTED EDITION available in hard cover and soft cover editions and BEST OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG HC as well as the KNUCKLES THE ECHIDNA ARCHIVES VOLUME 2 TP. Apparently an imprint of Archie Comics, 'Stan Lee Comics' presents STAN LEE'S MIGHTY 7 #1 where an alien prison ship crash lands right in front of Stan Lee! ASPEN STUDIOS offers FATHOM: KIANI II #0 and continues DEAD MAN'S RUN #3 of 6. AVATAR PRESS offers the first two issues of the fourth volume with CROSSED: BADLANDS #1 and #2 plus CROSSED VOLUME 3: PSYCHOPATH is offered in paperback, hard cover and signed hard cover. BLUEWATER has biographical comics of BILL GATES: THE CO-FOUNDER OF MICROSOFT and FEMALE FORCE: CARRIE FISHER and the poorly titled POLITICAL POWER: HERMAN CAIN. Lest we forget, BONGO COMICS offers BART SIMPSON COMICS #69, FUTURAMA COMICS #60 and SIMPSONS COMICS #188. BOOM! STUDIOS has SUPURBIA #1 of 4 from the viewpoint of the wives of Earth's Greatest Super Hero Team, a 'scandalous, TMZ-fueled look at what it's like to live with a superhero'. Also EXILE ON THE PLANET OF THE APES #1 of 4 and the TANPOPO COLLECTION VOLUME 1 HC is a new story written and beautifully illustrated by Camilla d' Errico. At their all age imprint, KaBoom! They have ADVENTURE TIME #2 and PEANUTS #3 among others. DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT launches a third monthly title with VAMPIRELLA: THE RED ROOM #1 written by popular artist Dan Brereton, the first collection, DARK SHADOWS VOLUME 1 TP arrives in time to coincide with the movie starring Johnny Depp, THE BIONIC WOMAN #1 begins a new ongoing series, THE BOYS VOLUME 10: BUTCHER, BAKER, CANDLESTICKMAKER TP collects the six issue limited series while the regular series is just eight issues from the end and the GEORGE R.R. MARTIN'S A GAME OF THRONES: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL VOLUME 1 HC will be in stores in time for season two of the HBO series. NEW ENGLAND COMICS offers THE TICK #100: THE TICK MEETS INVINCIBLE written by Benito Cereno with art by Les McClaine. ONI PRESS offers the SECRET HISTORY OF D. B. COOPER #1 with story and art by Brian Churilla that looks suitably bizarre. The BAD MEDICINE #1 FCBD is a full color crime/horror series written by the talented team of Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir with Christopher Mitten's artwork, a title I recommend sight unseen, just based on the past work of these creators. They're also offering YO GABBA GABBA FREE COMIC BOOK TIME for free comic book day. RED 5 COMICS has ATOMIC ROBO VOLUME 6: ATOMIC ROBO AND THE GHOST OF STATION X and announces, finally, an ongoing series: ATOMIC ROBO: REAL SCIENCE ADVENTURES #1. SELFMADEHERO has THE LOVECRAFT ANTHOLOGY TP, a graphic anthology featuring David Hine's writing, D'israeli's art and other contributors. TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS has BLUE, the debut graphic novel of Australian cartoonist Pat Grant; part autobiography and part science fiction I suspect this one will win some awards this year. ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT offers a new series loosely based on the Rudyard Kipling classic with THE JUNGLE BOOK #1 written by Mark L. Miller and shipping with four connecting covers by Ale Garza.

            And that's the end of the comic section which is mostly what we're concerned with, but in the book section is the CHICKS DIG COMICS: A CELEBRATION OF COMIC BOOKS BY WOMEN SC which is full of essays by just about everyone. And I guess it's a trend; there's also CHICKS DIG TIMELORDS: A CELEBRATION OF DOCTOR WHO BY WOMEN SC and the WHEDONISTAS: A CELEBRATION OF THE WORLDS OF JOSS WHEDON BY WOMEN SC. JOE GOLEM AND THE DROWNING CITY: ILLUSTRATED NOVEL is by Christopher Golden and Mike Mignola, and of course Mike does the illustrations. The last time these guy teamed up for a novel it was the 'Baltimore: The Steadfast Tin Soldier' which was excellent and launched the 'Baltimore' comic series at Dark Horse. Also Tim Lebbon writes the novelization of 'The Cabin in the Woods'; the plot has been a closely guarded secret although Joss Whedon says 'not just a slasher in the woods. It's a little more complicated than that.' HEROES FOR MY DAUGHTER HC is by Brad ('Identity Crisis') Meltzer and contains a collection of 55 heroes picked by Brad for when his son grows up, some well known some not, featuring vignettes, black and white photos of each, quotations and this looks like it would make a nice gift. And there's ALIEN CHOPSTICKS in three different styles: 'Big Chap', 'Chestburster' and 'Face Hugger' for $9.99 per set. And there are a couple of new Avengers tee shirts and a V For Vendetta one that says 'People should not be afraid of their governments; governments should be afraid of their people' with crossed swords under the Guy Fawkes mask. And there's hats and hoodies, statues and action figures, Legos and plushes, Star Wars cuff links and Albert Einstein flash drives, DOMO wallets and Marvel character shot glasses and trading cards and skateboards and guitars and, well, lots more than comics so if you're in the shop please take a look and see or check it out on line at www.diamondcomics.com.

Peace,

            Charlie