Comics related stuff from various publishers that will appear in the May Previews from Diamond, mostly for release in July. You can see the full text from Previews here and get listings from many of the publishers with covers on various sites including Comic Book Resources.
I might have a few more to spotlight a bit later, but this should be most of it.
Jack Kirby material is covered in the appropriate weblog.
DC
SGT. ROCK ARCHIVES VOL. 3 HC
Written by Robert Kanigher
Art by Joe Kubert, Russ Heath and Jerry Grandenetti
Cover by Kubert
An intense portrait of combat and conflict, this volume collects OUR ARMY AT WAR #111-125, featuring the World War II adventures of Sgt. Rock and his colorful band of fighting soldiers originally published in the early 1960s. Featuring an introduction by DCU editor Mark Chiarello.
On sale July 27 o 228 pg, FC, $49.99 US
This is some good stuff, most of it never reprinted before. The two Russ Heath stories I've heard are especially good examples of his work of the era.
What's the Price of a Dogtag
Battle Shadow
Eyes of a Blind Gunner
Killer Sergeant
Rock's Battle Family
SOS Sgt. Rock
Snafu Squad
The Tank vs. the Tin Soldier
A Bazooka For A Babyface
Battle Tags For Easy
New Boy On Easy
Battle of the Pajama Commandos
Battle Brass Ring
Target--Sgt. Rock
Hold--At All Costs
Now that's some comics. And hey, Kanigher got the word "snafu" into a code-approved book.
FANTAGRAPHICS
SQUA TRONT #11
edited by John Benson, cover by John Severin
The John Severin issue!
More pages! More color!
Featured is a long John Severin interview by Jim Vadeboncoeur, Jr., and a complete checklist of Severin's work. Plus lots of rare and unpublished art, including a good selection of humorous illustrations from Severin's correspondence which Harvey Kurtzman has described as Severin at his best. Published for the first time are the amazingly etailed pencilled pages that Roy Krenkel drew for an American Eagle story. There's an interview with EC writer and longtime Severin friend Colin Dawkins, and a remembrance of Severin pal and EC staffer Jerry De Fuccio by Hames Ware (with unpublished Severin caricatures). The EC fanzine series continues with coverage of the original 1959 dittoed SQUATRONT (one word), which had a cover by Severin. SQUA TRONT's editor, Mike Britt writes about his publishing days with Robert Crumb and his contacts with Severin, Steve Ditko and Jules Feiffer. With original Crumb illustrations and a rare, brief Wood interview. "The EC French Connection," by Jacques Dutrey, gives more info on how famous French cartoonists Rene Goscinny and "Morris" hung out with the EC artists, including Severin, in its heyday; illustrated with rare photos and Kurtzman art.
Magazine, B&W SRP: $10.95
This is actually already out, so hopefully I'll find a copy long before July, but for some reason wasn't listed in Diamond's PREVIEWS before this. Anyway, obviously I'm a fan of Severin in particular and EC in general, so this should have a lot of interesting reading.
IMAGE
SEA OF RED, VOL. 1: NO GRAVE BUT THE SEA TP
July 27 • 104 pg • 2C • $8.95
written by RICK REMENDER & KIERON DWYER
art by SALGOOD SAM & KIERON DWYER
cover by KIERON DWYER & TONY MOORE
Since being turned undead by the crew of the cursed Pirate ship, The Black Galleon, Marco Esperanza has spent the past 400 years tied to the bow of a sunken vessel, linging to life in the dark, briny, deep. His confinement at the bottom of the sea ends when he is discovered by film director Joel Cameron's submarine on a scouting expedition for his next film. Hungry to film a live vampire battle, Cameron urges Marco to seek out the man responsible and have his revenge. Includes the first four gruesome issues and many extras from this acclaimed new series by rising star RICK REMENDER and popular veterans KIERON DWYER and SALGOOD SAM.
COLLECTS SEA OF RED #1-4
SEA OF RED #5
July 27 • 32 pg • 2C • $2.95
written by RICK REMENDER & KIERON DWYER
art by PAUL HARMON
cover by KIERON DWYER & TONY MOORE
This special origin issue features the lush art of rising star, PAUL HARMON (MORA).
The year is 521 A.D. and Lesser Blackthroat, assassin for a secret sect of the atholic Church, attempts to obtain the blood of a messiah in hopes of washing clean his cursed spirit. His journey leads him to an underground cathedral in Mesopotamia where the ancient undead guard Blackthroat’s prize and the secret to pure immortality.
As I've mentioned, I enjoyed the recently released first issue of this, so I'm glad to see they're coming out with an inexpensive collection quickly, although I now have to decide if I should skip the monthly book. And I'll be interested in seeing how well the guest artist does since my main attraction for the first issue was the visuals.
MARVEL
MARVEL VISIONARIES: JOHN ROMITA SR. HC
Written by STAN LEE, TOM DEFALCO, ROY THOMAS & ROGER STERN
Pencils & Cover by JOHN ROMITA SR.
Jazzy John and Marvel's Mightiest together in stories that made them both famous! The coming of the communist-hunting Captain America! Peter Parker's parents in perilous predicaments! The first of the final face-offs between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin! The debut of the Devil's Daughter! Also featuring the Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Nick Fury, Wolverine, the Kingpin and more! Includes rarely seen horror tales from the pre-Marvel era! Collects STRANGE TALES #4; MENACE #11; YOUNG MEN #24, 26; TALES TO ASTONISH #77; TALES OF SUSPENSE #77; DAREDEVIL #16 and 17; AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #39, #40, #42, #50, #108, #109 and #365; FANTASTIC FOUR #105 and 106; CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE FALCON #138; VAMPIRE TALES #2; and UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN MINUS 1.
336 PGS./$29.99
Looks like some good stuff, although a bit heavy on the Spider-Man and light on the non-super-hero Atlas work. I've heard his romance work from that era had some nice stuff.
A trio of books from TwoMorrows
HEROES AND VILLAINS: THE WILLIAM MESSNER-LOEB BENEFIT
SKETCHBOOK
by Various
Inkpot Award-winning artist/writer Wm. Messner-Loebs (Journey, The Flash, Wonder Woman) has fallen into financial ruin, landing the beloved comics creator in a Salvation Army shelter. To make matters worse, his wife is chronically ill and there’s no medical insurance and no work or funds coming in. In response, leading comics creators have joined forces with TwoMorrows Publishing to produce Heroes And Villains (96 pages, $24.95), a gorgeous sketchbook and tribute, the proceeds of which will directly benefit Messner-Loebs. Edited by Clifford Meth, the book will include art from Mike Allred, Brent Anderson, Chris Bachalo, Mark Bagley, John Cassaday, Travis Charest, Dave & Paty Cockrum, Gene Colan, Alan Davis, Mike Deodato, Cully Hamner, Dean Haspiel, Greg Horn, Rafael Kayanan, Andy Kubert, Steve Lieber, Steve McNiven, Tom Palmer, Joe Quesada, Darick Robertson, Walter Simonson, Herb Trimpe, Billy Tucci, Sal Velluto and a host of other top pros! PLUS: Written contributions from Neil Gaiman, Peter David, and Beau Smith, and a new cover by Neal Adams! Don’t miss your chance to help a worthy comics veteran; with more names being added daily, this powerhouse collection of talent will be unparalleled!
SC, 8x11, B&W SRP: $24.95
SWAMPMEN: MUCK-MONSTERS OF THE COMICS
Rising from the ooze and mire comes the definitive tome detailing the macabre history of those weird and wondrous swamp creatures of American comics, Swampmen: Muck-Monsters of the Comics! Through interviews with authors Jon B. Cooke and George Khoury (editors of the Eisner Award-winning Comic Book Artist magazine), the writers and artists who worked on this peculiar sub-genre of horror comics recall the creation (or re-animation!) and “lives” of such unforgettable characters as Swamp Thing, Man-Thing, It, the Bog Beast, Marvin the Dead Thing, the Swamp Lurker, and others, including the shambling thing who started it all back in the 1940s, The Heap! Included are essays on their real-life and mythical precursors; their presence in pop culture via movies, television and toys; and a look at why readers of the ’70s seemed to have an insatiable appetite for the muck monsters. Profusely illustrated with rarely-seen and never-before-published artwork (including pages from the unfinished ‘80s graphic novel by Swamp Thing creators Bernie Wrightson and Len Wein, on the character’s “roots”, and much more), we spotlight the exploits of the DC and Marvel monsters — the aforementioned Swampy and Man-Thing — with exhaustive discussions with those beasts’ most renowned artists and writers, including Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, Steve Gerber, Mike Ploog, Rick Veitch, John Totleben, Val Mayerik, and many more. If you’re a fan of horror or an aficionado of comics, this is the book for you!
SC, 8x11, 200pgs, PC SRP: $24.95
JUSTICE LEAGUE COMPANION VOLUME 1 SC
by Michael Eury
Commemorating the Justice League of America’s 45th anniversary, The Justice League Companion is a comprehensive examination of the Silver Age JLA. Written by Michael Eury (author of the critically acclaimed Captain Action and co-author of The Superhero Book), The Justice League Companion traces the JLA’s development, history, imitators, and early fandom through vintage and all-new interviews with the series’ creators, an issue-by-issue index of the JLA’s 1960–1972 adventures, classic and never-before-published artwork, and other fun and fascinating features! Contributors include Dennis O’Neil, Murphy Anderson, Joe Giella, Mike Friedrich, Neal Adams, Alex Ross, Carmine Infantino, Nick Cardy, and many, many others. Plus: An exclusive interview with Stan Lee, who answers the question, Did the JLA really inspire the creation of Marvel’s Fantastic Four? With an all-new cover by Bruce Timm (TV’s Justice League Unlimited), The Justice League Companion is a must-read for JLA fans new and old!
SC, 8x11, 224pgs, B&W SRP: $24.95
Wow, Timm by way of Sekowsky. Weird. This all looks cool, but a little bit pricey. I'm most likely to pick up the SWAMPMEN book first, maybe I'll look at the others and pick them up eventually.
A FINE LINE
PERMANENT PARTY SC
by Donna Barr
Permanent Party is a fictionalized memoir of part of Donna Barr's time in Uncle Sam's Green Machine. In 1971, women in the US Army were still WACS and wore high heels to duty. A white girl has a miscarriage; the black girls get the blame and all hell breaks loose.
Novel, SC, 5x8, 230pgs, B&W SRP: $13.99
This is a prose novel, not a grahic novel. Might be interesting.
ABIOGENESIS PRESS
STRANGEHAVEN VOLUME 3: CONSPIRACIES TP
by Gary Spencer Millidge
The quirky village of Strangehaven, hidden in the depths of the English countryside, has a clandestine society, the Knights of the Golden Light. Newcomer Alex is drawn into a web of intrigue with both the Knights and the secret witches’ coven vying for his allegiance. Collects Strangehaven # 13 - 18. Introduction by Dave Gibbons.
SC, 7x10, 176pgs, B&W SRP: $14.95
I picked up a couple of back issues of this recently, and it looks pretty interesting, so I might try to pick up the first book sometime soon.
ACTIVE IMAGES
THE ALCHEMIST'S EASEL GRAPHIC NOVEL
by Al Davison
Acclaimed artist and writer, Al Davison, author of The Spiral Cage, presents a new collection of short stories inspired by the dreams on which they are based. introduction by Neil Gaiman.
SC, 7x10, 176pgs, B&W SRP: $17.99
SPIRAL CAGE is an old favourite, so this might be worth checking out. Although "inspired by the dreams on which they are based"? Shouldn't that be "based on the dreams which inspired them" or something...
MARVEL
DEFENDERS #1 (of 5)
Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS
Pencils & Cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE
Wong possessed by Nightmare! Dormammu and Umar in unholy alliance! The Hulk and the Sub-Mariner at each other's throats! The Silver Surfer...uh...surfing. Can Doctor Strange reunite the Defenders and save "Reality As We Know It?" Come to think of it, can editor Andy Schmidt save the Marvel Universe from Eisner-award-winning creators Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire? Only the Ancient One knows for sure!
32 PGS./$2.99
I like the original run of this team on JUSTICE LEAGUE, and their recent return on that book looked interesting, though I haven't picked it up yet. This should be worth a gander either here or when it's collected.
IMAGE
THE STARDUST KID #2
July 27 • 32 pg • FC • $3.50
written by J.M. DeMATTEIS
art & cover by MIKE PLOOG
“THE WOMAN”—The entire neighborhood has transformed into a savage, primeval land populated by trolls, elves and other fantastical creatures. Protected by the magics of Paul’s book, these four children are the only ones who remember the world as it was. But how can they survive in this dangerous new world? And how can they possibly change things back?
I liked DeMatteis/Ploog over on the briefly lived ABADAZAD, which is apparently continuing as a series of illustrated novels at some point, so I'll probably be giving this book a shot.
ARCHIE COMICS
JUGHEAD #167
by Craig Boldman and Rex Lindsey
"The Mark of Jughead!": Lock up the kitchens! Somebody is swiping frosting samples from cakes all over Riverdale... and the swipes are in the shape of the letter "J". Who could the culprit possibly be?
32pgs, FC SRP: $2.25
Ohhh, I bet it's that Reggie!!! I never did trust him!
CHECKER BOOK PUBLISHING GROUP
WINSOR MCCAY: EARLY WORKS VOLUME 6 TP
by Windsor McCay
Featuring McCay’s first continuous comic strip, Mr. Goodenough, which ran from January 1904 to March 1905 in the Evening Telegram. The strips features Mr. Goodenough, who continuously tries to improve his life by becoming more active. The result of which inevitably leads to injury or discomfort for the hapless gentleman.
SC, 7x10, 200pgs, B&W SRP: $19.95
I'm impressed they're managing to get so many of these out. I've picked up a couple, and enjoyed them a lot. Some weird stuff, and the reproduction is pretty good considering the age of the material. I'll probably pick up some more of them eventually.
DARK HORSE
LITTLE LULU: LULU IN THE DOGHOUSE TPB
Written by John Stanley, art by Stanley and Irving Tripp.
Little Lulu has been taking shots at the funnybones of comics fans for nearly fifty years‹ but you've got another think coming if you dare assume this means today's readers won't love her, too. As tough as she is tender-hearted, as smart as she is sassy, and as fair and generous as she is cantankerous, Lulu Moppet is a real one-of-a-kind. Now, for the first time ever, comics fans can read and relish every Little Lulu comic book story from the original, long-running Dell Comics series in Dark Horse Books' handy paperback library series! Handy, affordable, and hilarious, these thick, fun-filled volumes are bursting with stories from every angle of Lulu's world‹from the far-flung fairy tales she dreams up to calm the quarrelsome tot, Alvin, to the silly slice-of-life adventures that end with impossible complexities and belly laughs for readers.
208 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on Aug. 10.
This is some good stuff. I'm not sure with Dark Horse's weird release schedule and vague solicitations, but I think this volume includes the earliest issues of the on-going series, following the various Four Color one-shots.
DARK HORSE
CONAN #18
Writer: Kurt Busiek, Fabian Nicieza
Cover Artist: Cary Nord
Penciller: Bruce Timm, John Severin
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Bruce Timm, the innovator whose work has changed the face of American animation as well as American comics, and John Severin, the legendary artist of EC's Two-Fisted Tales, Image's Desperados, and Vertigo's Caper, team up to give fan-favorite Cary Nord a month off. Busiek and Timm join forces on a brief, sadistic little adventure involving a girl, a wizard, a monster, and Conan's very morbid sense of humor. Busiek teams with sometimes writing partner Fabian Nicieza (Avengers/Thunderbolts) and the great John Severin to pick up a loose end from Conan #3, as Conan's destiny is misinterpreted by a series of luckless warriors and shameless opportunists, leading to nothing but misery.
Pub. Date: July 20, 2005
Format: Full color, 32 pages
Price: $2.99
I haven't been picking up the current CONAN series, but I've heard some good stuff about it. I'll probably pick this up for the Severin art (I love his art but haven't been interested in the last few books he's been featured in), and the Bruce Timm art might be interesting as well.
DC
KINETIC TP
Written by Kelley Puckett
Art by Warren Pleece
Cover by Tomer Hanuka
Collecting the complete 8-issue DC FOCUS series! Sickly high-school student Tom Morrell's only escape is the exploits of comic-book hero Kinetic. But Tom's got powers of his own that will change his life - assuming they manifest before Tom decides his life isn't worth living!
On sale July 27 o 192 pg, FC, $9.99 US
Didn't pay any attention to it when the series was being published, but I've liked some of Puckett's writing in the past (primarily his BATMAN ADVENTURES related stuff), and this is a pretty good price. I'm assuming this will be digest sized.
PURE IMAGINATION
WALLY WOOD'S WAYOUT SC
by Wally Wood
This volume celebrates Wally Wood's greatest science fiction and fantasy art with 160 pages of black-and-white wash paintings of robots, aliens, spaceships, and babes. Roughly 90% of this material has never been reprinted since its original publication.
SC, 8x11, 160pgs, B&W SRP: $25.00
Wish this was more specific about exactly where and when the original publication of this material was. Still, it sounds more interesting than the LUNAR TUNES book that Vanguard has coming out, so I'll probably take a look for it when it's published.
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