So far, we’ve covered our usual beats: we’ve given you a look at both Marvel and DC, as well as Dark Horse and Image. These are the “staples” of this column, because these four publishers put out the majority of the books I — your columnist who is being solicited — read.
There are others, however. I don’t live in some isolated comic book bubble in which nothing but these four things get in. Other publishers simply put out less, or there solicits aren’t as easy for me to come by and take note of. These are the publishers whose books I want to actively support and pre-order more often, but just can’t seem to find the information readily available.
No longer!! The effort has been put in, and wouldn’t you know it, Bleeding Cool has been posting the heck out of solicits for these other companies. Thanks to that and Comic Book Critics’ posting of IDW’s solicits, I can now share some choice items for you to take a look at for July.
Without further ado, take a look behind the cut for some solicits and commentary from other companies.
Avatar Press
Zak Penn Comes To Comics
Avatar puts out… well, let’s say, a very specific kind of comic book. They have essentially cornered the market on gore comics, on uber-violence that would make Alex DeLarge blush. To that end, I don’t find most of their books appealing. I’m not against excessive violence or anything of the sort, and have quite a few Avatar books in collection, but the majority of their output isn’t something I go out of my way to get — unless it’s by an author I really like (see: Warren Ellis’ various Avatar books or Christos Gage’s “Absolution”).
To that end, I’m actually fairly interested to see Zak Penn’s comic. Make no mistake, I don’t think Zak Penn is particularly great (I did see X3, after all), but when he’s on, the guy tells a good superhero story. I quite liked X2 and Alphas, and hey, remember the Last Action Hero? I love that movie! Zak Penn doing a superhero book in comics in conjunction with Scott Murphy should open up a whole new interesting ballpark for the two.
I’ll admit, I’m apathetic to yet another book with the lampoon/satire of a superhero archetype, but hey, still could be fun.
The solicit is as follows:
(W) Zak Penn, Scott Murphy
(A/CA) Michael Dipascale
The biggest superhero screen writer in the World comes to comics for the first time! Zak Penn (writer of the Avengers movie, X-Men II & III movies, and the Alphas TV show) and Scott Murphy (lead writer of Star Wars The Clone Wars) spin a tale about the ultimate celebrity, an indestructible superhero called Zenith, and the rabid fans that worship him. Legions of adoring fans follow every disaster trying to speculate where they can catch a glimpse of their modern messiah. What happens when an unhealthy obsession leads to one fan getting super powers of his own? Available with a Regular, Wraparound, and a special White Knight Incentive cover by Michael Dipascale.
REGULAR–32pgs, FC (1 of 6) $3.99
WRAPAROUND–32pgs, FC (1 of 6) $3.99
BOOM! Studios
Hey! DnA Doing Cosmic Again!
The title says it all: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, the men responsible for all of the awesome Marvel Cosmic stuff, are doing a brand new creator-owned cosmic book with one of the artists from “Guardians of the Galaxy” – THE HYPERNATURALS! Oh, be still my beating heart.
Here is the solicit information for you:
Continued below(W) Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (A) Brad Walker, Andres Guinaldo, Mark Irwin
(C) A: Francesco Mattina (30%), B: Trevor Hairsine (30%), C: Phil Noto (30%), D: Timothy Green II (10%)
It is the far future; the human race has finally colonized the galaxy, preserving an era of prosperity that’s only possible because of The Hypernaturals. They’re a celebrated, galaxy-wide superhero task force that keeps the peace. That is, until they all mysteriously vanish. Now, as the galaxy teeters on the brink of chaos, it’s up to a group of retired and long forgotten – and their novice recruits – to save the galaxy from complete destruction. Featuring art by Brad Walker (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY), Andres Guinaldo (BATMAN), and Mark Irwin (X-MEN)!
32pgs, FC $3.99
Sam Humphries’ “Higher Earth” Sounds Pretty Darn Good
I’ll be honest — I was super-stoked on Humphries as a writer when I happened upon “Our Love Is Real.” I thought it was a genius and exciting little comic. When he put out “Sacrifice”, I was excited to see where this young writer was going to go. “Fanboys vs Zombies”, though? Not a fan. I wanted to like it, but I can’t say I really enjoyed anything about it.
Now I’m of two minds. On the one hand, I am excited at this bourgeoning creator’s widespread output and would like to support new talent in the medium. Humphries is capable of great storytelling when there are seemingly no limits and he’s involved in a project he clearly has passion for. On the other hand, I really didn’t like “Fanboys vs Zombies” and don’t really want to read anything similar.
From what I’ve seen and heard about “Higher Earth”, though, I would imagine that it would be the former.
The solicit information is as follows:
(W) Sam Humphries (A) Francesco Biagini
(C) A: Frazer Irving, B: Phil Noto
Still on the run, Heidi and Rex land on the strangest, most dangerous planet yet. Filled with primordial creatures and the even deadlier battle tech of Higher Earth, Heidi and Rex are quickly running out of places to hide…
32pgs, FC $3.99 –
I Am Super Excited For Si Spurrier’s “Extermination”
The other day we posted an exclusive essay by Si Spurrier in which he detailed what his book “Extermination” was all about. In it, he described it as Mad Max with superheroes and wrote “Sometimes I think the two-tone morality of spandex comics can stray into an unhealthily simplistic view of the world — are you a Good Guy or a Bad Guy? All too often our beloved Hit-Things-Until-They’re-Fixed â„¢ genre dodges the gorgeous, ghastly nuances of what’s truly right and wrong. In Extermination we’re taking Costumed Conventionality as our starting-point then stamping on it until it shrieks.”
If that doesn’t get you excited for this, I just don’t rightly know what will.
The solicit information for the second issue is as follows:
(W) Simon Spurrier (A) TBD
(CA) A) Trevor Hairsine/ Cover B: Ben Oliver
Nox and Red Reaper continue their trek across the ravaged American countryside, amassing former friends and foes for the ultimate battle of resistance. But when
old grievances rear their ugly heads, will the alliance survive the journey intact, or will it be torn apart from the inside out? Written by Simon Spurrier (X-CLUB, FEAR
ITSELF: THE HOME FRONT, WOLVERINE: DANGEROUS GAMES), EXTERMINATION is a superhero survival story by an author that boldly explores the dark crevices of an
entire genre. Don’t forget to ask your local retailer about the rare CGC 9.8 near mint variant by John Cassaday!
32pgs, FC $3.99
WHAT TIME IS IT?
I don’t think, at this point in time, I really need to go on about how much we love the “Adventure Time” comic. We’ve already said it quite a few loving times already, and I figure you should probably know that an Adventure Time comic is a comic worth buying.
Now I find out that July brings two “Adventure Time” comics? And one of them is a brand new mini starring Marceline and Princess Bubblegum? Mathematical!
The solicit information for the two books are as follows:
Continued belowADVENTURE TIME: MARCELINE AND THE SCREAM QUEENS #1
(W/A) Meredith Gran, Jen Wang
(CA) A: Jen Bennett, B: Chynna Clugston. C: LUCY KNISLEY
JOIN FAN-FAVORITE CHARACTERS MARCELINE AND PRINCESS BUBBLEGUM FOR RIOT GRRL ROCK-FUELED EXCITEMENT IN THIS BRAND NEW ADVENTURE TIME MINI-SERIES! Thanks to a newfound interest in music, Princess Bubblegum joins Marceline’s paranormal rock band for a tour across the land of Ooo! But when they’re threatened by everything from scenesters to beasts born of self-doubt, can they make it to the RADDEST GIG EVER in time?! Written and drawn by acclaimed cartoonist Meredith Gran (Octopus Pie) and featuring a back-up story from Jen Wang (Koko Be Good),variant covers by rockstar ldady cartoonists Chynna Clugston (BLUE MONDAY), Lucy Knisley (French Milk), Ming Doyle (POPGUN), and fan-favorite comic book artist Colleen Coover (Xmxsen: First Class)! ADVENTURE TIME #1 and #2 were INSTANT SELL-OUTS! DON’T MISS OUT ON THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF THIS ALL-AGES PHENOMENON!
32pgs, FC $3.99 –ADVENTURE TIME #6
(W) Ryan North And Steve Wolfhard
ART: SHELLI PAROLINE, BRADEN LAMB AND STEVE WOLFHARD
COVER A: CHRIS HOUGHTON COVER B: JAMES LLOYD
THE FUN WILL NEVER END IN THIS HOT ALL-AGES SERIES! The awesome adventures of Finn, Jake, Marceline, Princess Bubblegum and the Ice King continue in the latest issue of this critically-acclaimed, ongoing series! Demand is high for this “new all-ages classic” with the first issue going to a 3rd printing and the second issue in its 2nd printing, order early so you don’t miss out!
32pgs, FC $3.99 –
The Valiant Solution
Never in my life have I read a Valiant comic book.
It isn’t intentional, mind you. When I was a young comic reading man, it never really came to me to buy a comic buy a publisher that wasn’t Marvel or DC, and by the time I was a grown and “more sophisticated” reader (however you want to define that), Valiant wasn’t an option.
Now it is, however. Valiant has three books coming out in July, the first issue of “Bloodshot”, the second “Harbinger” and the third “X-O Manowar.” I don’t know much about anything here, but from what I’m told by fellow MC writers Chad and David, they’re probably going to be worth checking out.
As a sample, here is the solicit for “Bloodshot” #1:
(W) Duane Swierczynski (A) Manuel Garcia, Arturo Lozzi
(CA) Arturo Lozzi, Mico Suayan, David Aja, Esad Ribic
The Summer of Valiant continues! It’s the start of a new mission for one of comics’ all-time best-selling superheroes in Bloodshot #1 – the first issue of new ongoing series from acclaimed novelist Duane Swierczynski (Immortal Iron Fist, Birds of Prey) and the lethal artistic tag team of Manuel Garcia (Checkmate) and Arturo Lozzi (Immortal Weapons)!
Your name is Angelo Mortalli. Your brother is trapped behind enemy lines and on the verge of – no. That’s not right. Your name is Raymond Garrison. You’ve retired from the dangers of the field, but a desperate plea from your oldest friend plunges you into a vicious firefight that – no. That’s not right, either. You are Bloodshot. You are the shade of gray that freedom requires. The perfect confluence of military necessity and cutting-edge technology. A walking WikiLeaks that is a reservoir of dirty secrets that could set the world on fire. And you’ve just been captured.
32pgs, FC $3.99
Oni Press
You Should Really Be Reading “The Secret History Of DB Cooper” If You Somehow Aren’t Already
I’ve written a bit about Churilla’s “DB Cooper” already, so I wont’ go too far into the details about the book. If you’d like, you can check out those two articles or any of the other praises the book is getting.
I will, however, say at least this: two issues in, and “DB Cooper” is already in my top favorite books for the year. It’s smart, it’s very well illustrated and it’s an incredibly intriguing comic that entertains quite a lot. If you’re looking for a creator-owned title to sink your teeth into that isn’t part of the Image Renaissance going on, you should really add “DB Cooper” to your pull. You won’t regret it in the slightest.
(Not that their stuff is bad, mind you, but with the amount of praise Image is getting, people seem to be forgetting about the other great creator-owned publishers out there.)
Oh, and hey – look at that! Churilla is going to tackle the actual hijacking in this issue that made DB Cooper an infamous figure in the first place. I would this would be a good time to be on board, wouldn’t you?
The solicit information for July’s issue is as follows:
THE SECRET HISTORY OF D.B. COOPER #5
(W/A/CA) Brian Churilla
C.I.A. assassin Dan Cooper is on the run from his government masters in our world, but in the psychic plane of “The Glut” he still has only one objective – to find his missing daughter! The startling story of the most mysterious airline hijacker in U.S. history concludes in this amazing issue!
32pgs, FC $3.99
Scott Pilgrim In Color Arrives
I’m not sure if I’m going to buy the “Scott Pilgrim” remasters, but I will say this: the colors look absolutely beautiful.
Continued belowThe solicit information for the first volume out in July is as follows:
SCOTT PILGRIM COLOR VOLUME 1: SCOTT PILGRIM’S PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE HC
(W) Bryan Lee O’Malley
(A/CA) Bryan Lee O’Malley, Nathan Fairbairn
Just when you thought you knew all there was to know about Scott Pilgrim comes Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life Special Edition HC! The first in a series of brand new hardcover editions, this FULL COLOR, remastered, 6×9” hardcover presents Scott’s first “evil ex” battle as you’ve never seen it before! Plus, previously unpublished extras and bonus materials make this mighty tome one that’s required reading for Scottaholics everywhere!
HC, 6×9, 192pgs, FC $24.99
Also Of Note
I probably would’ve mentioned this series before if I had been doing solicit commentary on Oni before, but the book “Bad Medicine” does sound fairly intriguing. I don’t know too much about it and obviously haven’t read an issue of it yet, but I know two things: 1. Oni has been killing it with their books lately, and 2. This cover is awesome.
The solicit information is as follows:
(W) Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir
(A/CA) Christopher Mitten
“KILLING MOON” Part 1 (of 3)–When a bizarre attack rocks a small New England town, Doctor Randal Horne, Detective Joely Huffman, and their special team at the CDC are dispatched to Deer Falls, ME to investigate the condition plaguing the attacker!
32pgs, FC $3.99
IDW Publishing
If I Don’t Mention GI Joe, Chad Will Probably Hurt Me
I don’t read a lot of licensed comics. I don’t have anything against them, but they’re not exactly for me. Yet, since joining the Multiversity Comics staff, if there is one thing that Chad Bowers has been emphatically positive about, it’s GI Joe (well, that and Archie, but we’ll get to that another day). He’s written so much about GI Joe that I almost want to dip my toe in the water. (Years of not watching GI Joe cartoons hold me back still, however).
All that said, there are eight GI Joe books (five series and three collections) coming out in July, and they come with a big ol’ Multiversity stamp of approval from the Joe man himself, Mr. Chad Bowers. That should be a glowing enough recommendation for you as is.
Oh, and hey! Check out that cover by my buddy Joe Eisma, eh? Nice stuff!
Speaking of licensed comics, though…
This Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Revival Is Excellent
The “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” was surprising and wonderful. I didn’t expect a blast from my childhood past would read so well when reinvented for the modern era, yet here we are and there it is. The book captures the imagination and excitement the comic and TV show had when I was a kid, and everytime I pick up an issue of the book I am shown just how good an old property can be handled when you have a creative team on it that cares about what they’re trying to do.
To that end, July sees the release of the story that brings to a conclusion the first year of new/re-imagined Turtles stories. After all the challenges they’ve already faced, the Turtles are about to go against Shredder — the new Shredder — and I can’t wait to see the results. If it is anything like all the battles they had against that tinhead when I was younger, this story is going to be Off. The Chain. TURTLE POWER!
(All this said, let it be known that I will not see a Turtles movie with Michael Bay involved in production.)
The Cape Returns!
No, not that Cape!
Man, I loved “The Cape“. The original one-shot was outstanding, and the mini was quite great as well. However, the ending was kind of “final.” There wasn’t much room to grow, and I was afraid that I wouldn’t ever be able to spend time with these characters again.
Oh, but hey! Look at this! The prequel comic mentioned some months ago is finally coming out in the form of “The Cape: 1969”! Prepare yourself. It’s going to get messy.
The solicit information for the prequel comic is as follows:
Joe Hill, Jason Ciaramella (w) – Nelson Daniel (a) – Zach Howard (c)
It’s 1969 and the war in Vietnam rages on. Captain Chase, a Medevac helicopter pilot for the US Army, is shot down over enemy territory. He and his crew are in a fight for their lives as they play a deadly game of cat and mouse with the Vietcong. We soon learn that machine guns and grenades aren’t the only scary things hiding in the jungle. Find out what happens in this origin prequel to last year’s Eisner Award-nominated hit, with story by Joe Hill and Jason Ciaramella, and art and colors by Nelson Daniel (Road Rage, The Cape). Explore your dark side.
FC – 32 pages – $3.99
*Variant covers:
Nelson Daniel cover!
– A prequel to the Eisner Award-nominated series by Joe Hill, Jason Ciaramella, and Zach Howard
– Art and colors by Road Rage artist and The Cape colorist Nelson Daniel
– Covers by original Cape artist Zach Howard
