Monday, May 16, 2011

Sensational Comics for August, 2011



I was looking forward to running another "Imaginary Wednesday," but one of my Photobucket accounts is down for repairs, leaving my Wonder Woman and (Captain) Atom blogs a mess. Therefore, you get solicits! Yay?

Wonder Woman
DC RETROACTIVE: WONDER WOMAN – THE ‘80S #1
Written by ROY THOMAS
Art and cover by RICH BUCKLER
In a new adventure written by 1980s WW scribe Roy Thomas, Wonder Woman battles the sinister Silver Swan to protect her secret identity from being revealed. And don’t miss a classic tale from that era, also written by Thomas!
ONE-SHOT • On sale AUGUST 3 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
For some damned reason, the Wonder Woman books are the only Retro-Actives not to feature new cover art in the solicitations.

DC RETROACTIVE: WONDER WOMAN – THE ‘90S #1
Written by WILLIAM MESSNER-LOEBS
Art and cover by PARIS CULLINS
It’s a defining tale of Wonder Woman from the creators who crafted her courageous career in the 1990s, as she shows young women everywhere what it means to be Princess of the Amazons. Plus: a classic 1990s tale also written by Messner-Loebs.
ONE-SHOT • On sale AUGUST 17 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
It would have been pretty awesome to get Bolland back, but Cullins didn't get to do any his own covers, and I'm not sure he's done any for Wonder Woman since the early '80s.

WONDER WOMAN #614
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI and PHIL HESTER
Art by DON KRAMER and WAYNE FAUCHER
Cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON
1:10 Variant cover by ALEX GARNER
The all-new Wonder Woman reaches the end of her epic “Odyssey” and comes face-to-face with the malevolent force behind it all! But the only way to defeat her nemesis may be to become her – giving her own powers over to an all-consuming hatred for life on Earth! Is Diana strong enough to control a force that seeks vengeance on all mankind, or will the warrior within her condemn her to a life of eternal bloodshed?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 24 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
This damned well better mean I'm done looking at that ugly costume. You know, the one they used as a model for the failed TV pilot that will never air? Lick it up, baby... lick, it. up.

FLASHPOINT #4-5
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by ANDY KUBERT and SANDRA HOPE
Covers by ANDY KUBERT and SANDRA HOPE
1:25 Black and white variant covers A by ANDY KUBERT
Issue #4 Variant cover B by IVAN REIS and GEORGE PEREZ
Issue #5 Variant cover B by RAGS MORALES
FLASH FACT: The war between the Amazons and the Atlantians has arrived. The battle between Diana of Themyscira and Emperor Aquaman will tear this world apart – unless The Flash can fix it!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Because of its impact on the DC Universe, FLASHPOINT #5 is the only title that DC Comics is soliciting in this catalogue to arrive in stores on August 31.
Retailers please note: These issues will ship with three covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
Issue #4 on sale AUGUST 3
Issue #5 on sale AUGUST 31
4 and 5 of 5, 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
I haven't read the first issue yet, but if it really comes down to Amazons versus Atlantis, how likely is the general public to care? It's a no-win for Paradise Island, since losing to Atlantis would be an enormous black eye, and winning just means they beat up the one nation more prone to decimation that Themyscira.

FLASHPOINT: EMPEROR AQUAMAN #3

Written by TONY BEDARD
Art and cover by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES
FLASH FACT: Arthur Curry’s rage has sunk countries, killed millions, and begun a world war. But as the end approaches, he will have to gather the ferocity needed to destroy his enemy utterly.
On sale AUGUST 10 • 3 of 3, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Any idea how many times Wonder Woman has to step on Batman's neck to make up for Aquaman doing her even once?

FLASHPOINT: HAL JORDAN #3

Written by ADAM SCHLAGMAN
Art by BEN OLIVER
Cover by J.G. JONES
FLASH FACT: This will be Hal Jordan’s greatest moment: delivering the bomb known as the Green Arrow. If he fails, it’s all over.
On sale AUGUST 24 • 3 of 3, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
No really, I think Hal Jordan is Dickish Steve Trevor reincarnated.

FLASHPOINT: WONDER WOMAN AND THE FURIES #3
Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING
Art and cover by SCOTT CLARK and DAVE BEATY
FLASH FACT: The secrets behind Queen Hippolyta’s death and the start of the world war are revealed.
On sale AUGUST 17 • 3 of 3, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
That's a whole lot of Aquaman fighting for one month, huh?

FLASHPOINT: LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #3
Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING
Art by EDDIE NUNEZ
Cover by EDDIE NUNEZ and SANDRA HOPE
FLASH FACT: The Resistance has found Britain’s last great hope, the enigmatic and immensely powerful Brittania. It’s time to take back England!
On sale AUGUST 24 • 3 of 3, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
What an ugly comic book. Is it 1997 again?

FLASHPOINT: WORLD OF FLASHPOINT #3
Written by REX OGLE
Art by EDUARDO FRANCISCO
Cover by BRETT BOOTH
FLASH FACT: As the war between Amazons and Atlanteans rages on the battlefield around her, Traci must find the strength to stop her father before he rips the world asunder.
On sale AUGUST 3 • 3 of 3, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T
...zzzzzzzzzz...

DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #13-14
Written by MARV WOLFMAN and TONY BEDARD
Art by MIKE S. MILLER, HOWARD PORTER and LIVESAY
Cover #13 by HOWARD PORTER and LIVESAY
Cover #14 by IVAN REIS and OCLAIR ALBERT
Superman’s power fluctuations are out of control, and while he’s battling everyone around him in a mass of confusion, a surprising figure tries to intervene! But can anyone – or anything – stop an enraged Kryptonian?
And in issue #14, it’s a tale of tragic proportions as an unexpected character falls in the line of duty...but who and how will forever change the course of the series.
Issue #13 on sale AUGUST 3
Issue #14 on sale AUGUST 17
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Woof. Anybody still buying this? If so, why?

DC COMICS PRESENTS JLA: HEAVEN’S LADDER #1
Written by MARK WAID and RON MARZ
Art and cover by BRYAN HITCH, PAUL NEARY and ANDY LANNING
The powerful graphic novel from 2000 is reprinted, along with GREEN LANTERN #1,000,000!
When the Earth is wrenched from its orbit and transported into a massive alien craft, The Justice League quickly begins an investigation to discover the identity of the culprit and his scheme. Earth’s greatest heroes soon learn that an eons-old race of scientists on the verge of extinction is acquiring planets in the hopes of finding a homeworld. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash and The Atom must save these disparate worlds while aiding the godlike race in their quest.
And in the story from GL #1,000,000, also illustrated by Bryan Hitch, Kyle Rayner must adapt to a challenge in the 857th century when a rampaging interstellar menagerie is set loose. During the struggle, Kyle learns that there’s a traitor among the future JLA!
On sale AUGUST 24 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US
Good Lord, this will be my heaviest ordering month in a while. This came out when I still had my shop. I sold out before reading it, sold through my reorders, and never bothered to buy a copy for myself. I hate the unwieldy Treasury format, so I'll finally buy this thing as a standard comic (even with the unnecessary Green Lantern issue, especially when Martian Manhunter #11 would have been a better choice.)

JLA VOL. 1 TP
Written by GRANT MORRISON and MARK MILLAR
Art by HOWARD PORTER, JOHN DELL, OSCAR JIMENEZ and others
Cover by HOWARD PORTER and JOHN DELL
The legendary 1990s JLA series written by comics mastermind Grant Morrison (FINAL CRISIS) with stunning art by Howard Porter and others is now collected in trade paperback, including issues #1-9 and JLA SECRET FILES #1.
The action begins as the JLA reunites to stop the Hyperclan, who have come to Earth posing as a new group of Super Heroes. But as their true nature comes to light, only the World’s Greatest Super Heroes can stop them! Standing side by side, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter take on alien posers and come to realize that Earth needs a protectorate made up of only the mightiest icons.
This new trade paperback includes several issues written by Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, Ultimate Fantastic Four) that were not collected in the hardcover JLA DELUXE EDITION series.
On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 256 pg, FC, $19.99 US
Diana was not especially well treated in this series, but that was at least in part due to John Byrne's meddling, and they're great stories regardless.

SHOWCASE PRESENTS: ALL-STAR COMICS VOL. 1 TP
Written by PAUL LEVITZ and GERRY CONWAY • Art by WALLACE WOOD, JOE STATON and others • Cover by BRIAN BOLLAND
The JSA’s 1970s adventures from ALL-STAR COMICS #58-74 and ADVENTURE COMICS #461-466 are collected in a value-priced Showcase edition! Don’t miss the team’s battles with the Psycho-Pirate, Vandal Savage, the Injustice Society and more.
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 448 pg, B&W, $19.99 US
Any other month, I'd have been tempted, but I'm drowning in books here!

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST VOL. 2 HC
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art by AARON LOPRESTI, FERNANDO DAGNINO, JOE BENNETT and others
Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
In this second JLGL collection featuring issues #13-24 of the twice-monthly series, the U.N. revokes Checkmate’s charter, Captain Atom is wanted for murder, and Blue Beetle is . . . dead? Don’t miss the second half of this can’t-miss epic!
On sale OCTOBER 12 • 320 pg, FC, $39.99 US
Despite featuring a bunch of characters I like, I wouldn't go near this series.

Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark)
TEEN TITANS #99-100
Written by J.T. KRUL
Issue #99 art by JOSE LUIS and SANDRO RIBEIRO
Issue #100 art by NICOLA SCOTT and DOUG HAZLEWOOD
Covers by NICOLA SCOTT and DOUG HAZLEWOOD
Issue #100 1:10 Variant cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Superboy Prime makes his move against the Titans, which means the return of some familiar faces. Can our heroes handle an all-new Legion of Doom?
Then, in the bonus-sized 100th issue of TEEN TITANS, It’s all-out war as Titans old and new come together to face the greatest threat to their existence. Can anyone stop Superboy Prime from destroying everything the team stands for?
Retailers please note: Issue #100 will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
Issue #99 on sale AUGUST 10 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Issue #100 on sale AUGUST 24 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
Did this Solstice thing pan out? I was expecting a Brightest Day tie-in there that never came about.

Wonder Girl (Donna Troy)
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #60
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by DANIEL SAMPERE
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
1:10 Variant cover by DAVID MACK
In the aftermath of “Eclipso Rising,” the team faces an uncertain future. Be here for a tale of love, friendship and heroism when this incarnation of the JLA must decide whether they have anything left to offer the DC Universe. And the mystery of Jesse Quick’s wavering speed powers is solved in a revelation that will shock everyone.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale AUGUST 17 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
I only count three penises, and only one is human, strictly speaking. I suppose we'll be seeing more following Flashpoint, and that they'll be white and Silver.
DC COMICS PRESENTS THE TEEN TITANS #1
Written by BOB HANEY, MICHAEL ALLRED and LEE ALLRED • Art by JAY STEPHENS and MICHAEL ALLRED • Cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
The original Teen Titans go on a secret space adventure at the behest of President Kennedy in this reprint of the LOST ANNUAL! Plus, it’s the Teen Titans vs. the Doom Patrol and more from SOLO #7!
On sale AUGUST 17 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US
How am I going to afford all of these books? There's so much good stuff out this month!
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: TEAM HISTORY TP
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art and cover by MARK BAGLEY and ROB HUNTER
Now in trade paperback!
In this first volume collecting stories by James Robinson and Mark Bagley from issues #38-43, the JLA is reborn with a new roster of heroes: Batman, Green Lantern, The Atom, Green Arrow, Donna Troy, The Guardian, Cyborg, Mon-El, Starfire and Congorilla. Also in this volume, the BLACKEST NIGHT darkens the skies over the Justice League. Can the team get it together in time to survive the return of the undead, villainous Dr. Light?
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 192 pg, FC, $17.99 US
This line-up lasted nanoseconds.

I-Ching
BATMAN: EYE OF THE BEHOLDER HC
Written by TONY DANIEL
Art by TONY DANIEL and others
Cover by TONY DANIEL
Bruce Wayne may have returned to Gotham City, but when an aging but wealthy technology developer comes to Gotham with his beautiful daughter, it turns out he’s in search of a joint project with WayneTech. DNA tracking is the name of his game, and there are others interested in his proposal. But when the developer goes missing, Batman finds that his tracks stop in the city’s violent Chinatown neighborhood, where a new deadly gang has taken hold. Collecting BATMAN #704-710!
On sale OCTOBER 5 • 168 pg, FC, $22.99 US

Jonny Double
VERTIGO RESURRECTED: JONNY DOUBLE #1
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO • Art by EDUARDO RISSO
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
In a story by the creators of 100 BULLETS, San Francisco P.I. Jonny Double is hired to watch over a rich man’s rebellious daughter. But after being seduced by the girl, Jonny finds himself mixed up in a scheme to plunder an old bank account that belonged to Al Capone.
On sale AUGUST 10 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US • MATURE READERS
Folks may not recall, but Jonny Double was brought into Diana Prince is the New Wonder Woman's supporting cast for the last few issues. It's a shame Vertigo didn't throw in his debut in Showcase.

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