VARIANT COVERS

One of my pet peeves is the variant cover schemes Marvel and DC use to bump sales. The requirements have gotten so high lately that most stores never get to see any of them, I usually get 2-3 of  a few each month.
However, DC has decided to make the variant covers to their titles open quantity for June. Meaning I can order as many as I think I can sell...and I do think they'll sell. The variant theme that month is Bombshells. Basically they are drawn to look like the pin-ups that were common during the war.  And they are a gorgeous batch of covers by the talented Ant Lucia who has a line of figures coming from DC Collectibles based on his artwork.
If you are interested in getting the variant version of your regular titles in June( or maybe buying an extra copy) let me know in store or check them off at the on-line store. I'm sure these will sell quick off the shelves once people see them.

Better late than never

Inhuman #1

Marvel's latest universe-wide title is a couple months late, but it picks up right where Infinity left off. The destruction of Attilan has released Terrigen mists across the world, and a good percentage of the population is transforming into Inhumans. Some with amazing powers, and others with nothing more than physical deformities or useless additions.

An Inhuman warrior named Lash has taken to the streets, abducting fresh inhuman cocoons and purging the world of any freshly hatched Inhumans who aren't of value. Lash seems to be amassing an army of sorts, and his opponent looks to be the Inhuman queen Medusa. This Inhuman book seems to focus on both sides, and more importantly how they'll build their armies for the inevitable battle yet to come.

It's also a great way for Marvel to build new heroes and villains. Over the course of the series, you can be sure that Marvel will create and test the waters with some new characters, some who may even eventually see their own individual books, or at least be added to some of the team books in the Marvel Universe. Wouldn't be surprised if they ended up in Marvel movies years from now. It almost seems like a new brand of characters is being started with Inhumans #1.

Inhuman #1 isn't to be confused with 'Inhumanity', which was a two issue series that lead into this book. Marvel could have chosen less confusing titles, which may be a problem with the upcoming event Original Sin. Keep an eye out for the 'sister series' Original Sins which will focus on smaller stories within the event.

With Inhuman #1, we get a good look at how Infinity has affected the Marvel Universe, and it serves as a nice peek at what's to come. A good choice for those who want to keep up to date with the current state of the Marvel U.

IMAGE FIRSTS

Every year for Free Comic Book Day, Image likes to re-release the first issue of some of their biggest titles for the low price of $1.00.
Its a smart idea to capitalize on the influx of potential new readers that flock to stores on FCBD.
This year, the  10 comics they have done are some of the best comics I've read in years. And they cover a wide range of genres, blending science-fiction, horror and fantasy, that are really under represented on the shelves.

Even if you already own these books, pick up a couple and hand them out to friends. Its a great low cost way to help spread the word of this great new era in mature comics reading.Check out the on-line store for more info
http://store.comicsnmore.ca

NEW COMICS APRIL 9th

Hey its an ALL New Marvel week, as Doop gets his own mini-series and the Ultimate Universe launches again.
I guess Marvel figured 5 issues of Doop would satisfy the fans of the little green blob.
The ALL-New Ultimates lives up to its name as we get a completely new roster for the team, including Cloak and Dagger, Spidergirl and Kitty Pryde.
Daredevil #1 sold well, proving $4.00 isnt too much for a comic as long as its a good one. But this month its issue  Daredevil #1.50 which is meant to be a 50th anniversary issue that I guess fits between #1 and #2?
Iron Fist returns to a solo comic( why not All New Iron Fist?). And Nightcrawler 'ports to his own title after his return in Amazing X-Men.
Shutter #1 starts the story of a globe spanning adventurer in a world familiar with demons and supernatural creatures.
Lumberjanes is a comic about 5 girls at summer camp encountering yetis and other odd beasts. Described as a blend of Buffy and Gravity Falls. Looks like a fun all-ages comic by a group of very talented women.
DC gets back into the weekly comics game in a BIG way with Batman Eternal #1. The teasers for this series so far hint at the return of Steph Brown( the Spoiler), Catwoman turns on Batman and it looks like Jim Gordon is arrested in the wake of a major subway train accident.

Marvel Now Reviews

All-New Ghost Rider #1 is a gritty, more adult oriented take on an old character who was in dire need of a reimagining. This Ghost Rider is a new character altogether and one who hopefully will eventually be a bigger part of the Marvel Universe, because this first issue was awesome.

Robbie Reyes is the new Ghost Rider, and as the covers and previews have shown, he's less about bikes and more about cars. His life has been spent protecting his young handicapped brother and earning a wage to support his family, but things don't quite work out so well and the spirit of vengeance enters the picture. This first issue sets a pretty dark tone for the rest of the book, and it's a little more graphic than I was expecting. Not that that's a bad thing.

Tradd Moore's art is as good as his work on Luther Strode, so fans of the style will enjoy this. Felipe Smith lets Tradd do a lot of the talking in certain sections, many of which are just atmospheric and silent panels. For those who aren't fans of the art style, there's still a lot to be enjoyed from the pacing and the story itself.

This seems like one of the All-New Marvel NOW! titles that's easy to overlook, or even one of the books that fits a niche reader base, but All-New Ghost Rider has been one of the better titles of the lineup. Whether or not that momentum can sustain at $3.99 will have to wait to be seen, but if the rest of the series is anything like this first issue, there shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully more fans unfamiliar with Ghost Rider will give this one a shot.

Silver Surfer #1

It's been a while since Silver Surfer has had his own book, and Marvel chose a good creative team to breathe new life into the character. This first issue is a good choice for fans of the Surfer, and it offers a bit of insight into his role as Herald for newcomers.

Not much to say about the story as of yet, as it really only picks up with the final couple pages. It seems like Bendis (unsurprisingly) has a long term plan with this one, but hopefully it'll branch out to some of the other cosmic Marvel titles after a while and experiment with a few other characters.

Allred's simple art style was a good choice, though it might not be for everyone. Bendis is as good as he ever is with story and dialogue, so fans of his other work should enjoy Silver Surfer #1 as well.

NEW COMICS APRIL 2nd

Sad news as Jeff Lemire has decided to attend the FanExpo in Regina rather than coming here on Free Comic Day. We're currently trying to set a new date sometime in April.


After the last 2 massive weeks, we see a little bit of relief this first week of April, although there is quite a few #1's to mention.
Marvel delivers Deadpool VS. Carnage, a book that literally needs no further explanation.
Guardians of the Galaxy Prelude is a little 2 issue lead-in to the movie and features 2 short stories on Nebula, and Gamora. The 2nd issue will feature Groot and Rocket raccoon. These are the movie versions of the characters and the stories will have nothing to do with the regular Guardians of the Galaxy comic. I did not order a lot of these because Marvel gave us NO INFO at all on them( not even a cover), so it was ordered blind.
Inhuman #1 finally arrives, delayed since before Christmas, this is the main title dealing with the effects of the Terrigen mists being released with the destruction of Attilan. With Charles Soule writing we should get a great story, with Joe Madureira drawing we should see a lot more delays.
What If Age of Ultron #1 starts a weekly look at alternate endings to last years summer event.
Ultimate Spider-Man hits #200 somehow, I'm not sure if math is really Marvels strong suit.
Angel and Faith returns for a new season, I'm sure the Whedonites are lining up already.
Aquaman spins off into his new title Aquaman and the Others, the group he was shown to be a part of prior to his League adventures.
Caliban is a new Avatar title from Garth Ennis, about a group of deep space explorers running into an alien ship.
Dead Letters #1 is a crime comic about an amnesiac waking up in a motel room to find himself caught in the middle of a gang war.
The Field #1 is a crime comic about an amnesiac waking up in a field with nothing but a cellphone and his underwear.
Amazing Spider-Man Family Business is an ORIGINAL hardcover story never before seen in print. Apparently Peter Parker was not an only child.

NEW COMICS MARCH 26th

I havent seen a week this busy in ...well ever. Not just in volume but new titles and heavy hitters all at once.
Marvel delayed the All New Ghost Rider for a few weeks, but its here now, along with the first issue of the new Iron Patriot series, and the new Silver Surfer.
Marvel also relaunches the Ultimate Universe (AGAIN) with, Survive. A one-shot that gives us the low down on whats left of the Ultimates after their big Galactus battle.
Millar World launches another title, Real Heroes, dealing with movie stars stepping up their act to help save the world.
DC continues to spotlight the women of the DC Universe with The Amanda Waller Special.
Sandman Overture #2 finally arrives, but even as late as it is, people will be swarming the stores next Wednesday for thier copies.
Justice League Dark #29 wraps up the Blight storyline featuring the magic/ supernatural side of the
Forever Evil story.I have to say I've been enjoying this as much, if not more than the main story.