Every month I pre-order comics, trades and other related items from Previews magazine. Even though there is information online for just about everything, I still find the Previews catalog to be the simplest way to scan through the different items and to get some inspiration on what I want to buy.
There’s lots of stuff being offered by Diamond this month: Plenty of great stuff and plenty of crap too… So I will try to sort the wheat from the chaff and hopefully point out some good items that you might order or buy from your LCS or Online Retailer. Our taste may differ– so if you buy something and I hate it… Don’t blame me. I did my best to warn you!
Editor’s Note
Many apologies to Locusmortis!
As always, these columns were turned in on time. .. But we were unable to fulfill our end of the deal to get them published as promised. As 2014 starts, we hope to keep any future delays to a minimum. We know you’ll enjoy Locusmortis’ patented snark and truth anyway– we’ll just have to make certain it arrives in a timely fashion next time.
These products saw release during October/November/December– with a few still to come in January 2014.
The STATUS in the description of each product indicates the likelihood of whether I’m going to order it ranging from Firm Order as the most likely to a POS (Piece of Shit)– with everything else being somewhere in between. I’m sure you can figure it out!
Manara Library Vol 6 HC
224 pages
$59.99Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: In this volume, Manara teams up with long-time Moebius collaborator Alejandro Jodorowsky to weave the tale of one of Europe’s most corrupt and depraved families.
Eerie Archives Vol 15 HC
294 pages
$49.99Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: Warren Publishing was editorially flaky around this time– but still packed with some of the best Spanish artists of the era along with Paul Neary, Howie Chaykin and Bernie Wrightson.
Shaolin Cowboy #1
32 pages
$3.99Status: Trade-waiting
Additional Notes: Art by Geof Darrow. Do you need any more incentive?
The Occultist #1
32 pages
$3.50Status: Trade-waiting
Additional Notes: Writing by Tim Seeley, with art by Mike Norton. Seems like a perfect creative pairing for a horror adventure story.
The Black Beetle – Necrologue #1
32 pages
$3.99Status: Trade-waiting
Additional Notes: Seriously, if you don’t know how good Francesco Francavilla is– then what fucking planet have you been on the last few years? Do yourself a favour– if you like comics then buy this… Then buy one for a friend too.
The Victories Vol 2 – Transhuman
168 pages
$17.99Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes:Artist Michael Avon Oeming– without the lead weight around the ankles that is Brian Michael Bendis. Quality stuff.
Conan and the People of the
Black Circle #1
32 pages
$3.50Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: The solicit says these two creators have worked on Conan before– but honestly, I can’t remember when that might have been and I’ve bought every Conan comic for the last 25 years or so. Still, it’s gotta be better than the regular Conan series.
Elfquest Special – The Final Quest
One Shot
64 pages
$5.99Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: Elfquest is a series that has gone down as legendary in the history of Independent comics… But it was a bit before my time so I’ve never read any. Still, with its reputation– it’s got to be worth a shot.
Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven and the Red Death One-Shot
32 pages
$3.99Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: Legendary Creepy/Eerie artist Richard Corben returns to write and draw adaptions of two Poe stories.
Nexus Omnibus Vol 4
$24.99
424 pagesStatus: Firm Order
Additional Notes: Sometimes nostalgia can cloud the brain and lead one to false reminiscences. Thankfully Nexus isn’t one of those cases– it really is as good as I remembered it and it’s great to have it in a handy collected format.
Marvel Classic Character: X-Men #6 – Magneto
$49.95Status: POS
Additional Notes: The solicit describes the style of these as being “funky and distressed”.
Well I’d certainly feel funky if I ordered one of these abominations… And I’d definitely feel distressed if I’d somehow shelled out my hard-earned cash too.
Action Comics Vol 2 – Bulletproof
$16.99
224 pagesStatus: POS
Additional Notes: Some of the worst comics Grant Morrison has ever written… And it’s no surprise he seems to have lost heart during the ongoing trauma that is the DC’s New 52. The fact that this has 7 pencilers credited for 6 issues of content should tell you enough about the current state of DC.
Creature Commandos TP
288 pages
$19.99Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: This just looks like fun comics, something the current DC Editorial regime seems to have forgotten about.
Scooby-Doo Team-Up #1
32 pages
$2.99Status: Hmmm
Additional Notes: Batman and Robin team up with the Scooby-Doo gang. Could well be the best bat-comic this month!
The Sandman – Overture
Special Edition #1
$5.99
42 pagesStatus: POS
Additional Notes: An extra $2.00 for a bunch of backmatter? Fuck off, DC!
Batman – Hush: Batman & Catwoman Kiss Statue
$249.95Status: POS
Additional Notes: Seems like there are a LOT of “Jim Lee inspired” statues being produced by DC Direct lately… Wonder how much royalty money he’s raking in off them?
Forever Evil Director’s Cut #1
$5.99
64 pagesStatus: POS
Additional Notes: A director’s cut is generally considered to be better than the original right? When the names Johns and Finch are attached, I highly doubt it.
Justice League 3000 #1
32 pages
$2.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: The solicit originally said “Art by Kevin Maguire”. Of course, we know since then Maguire’s been thrown under the DC bus and replaced with the horrendous art of Howard Porter– because everything DC produces now MUST be Grim n’ Gritty.
Action Comics Annual #2
48 pages
$4.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Normally my eyes glaze over when I see the word “Annual” in Previews– because these days they’re usually a waste of money and paper. In this case though, it said “Krypton Returns”. But wait, didn’t DC already do that story about 3 years ago? Is the New 52 so bereft of ideas they have to recycle stories that are only a few years old?
DC Comics – The New 52
Villains Omnibus HC
$150.00
1184 pagesStatus: POS – Certified POS Collection of the Month
Additional Notes: The rain forest is being destroyed at an ever increasing rate for shit like this? For fucks sake, what kind of moron would pay money for this shit?
Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating
The DC Universe Omnibus HC
728 pages
$75.00Status: POS
Additional Notes: Or: “How the Marvel Universe would have turned out if Stan Lee didn’t have Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko to do the heavy lifting for him.”
Joe Kubert Presents TP
304 pages
$19.99Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Legend Joe Kubert’s last comics work. I’ve heard mixed reports about it, but 300 pages for 20 bucks has to be worth a shot.
The Sandman – Overture #1
36 pages
$4.99Status: Trade-waiting
Additional Notes: I wonder just how much money DC flung at Neil Gaiman to entice him into doing this? I think I’ll hang on and wait for the innumerable different collected versions to come out.
Batman Arkham City -
Catwoman Statue
$124.95Status: POS
Additional Notes: Who ever is running the DC Direct Collectibles Department these days must have suffered from a stroke before approving this appalling looking statue.
Judge Dredd Year One TP
104 pages
$17.99Status: Hmmm
Additional Notes: This series was actually really great… But the price seems rather high for four issues worth of stories.
Black Science #1
32 pages
$3.50Status: Trade-waiting
Additional Notes: Matteo Scalera and Dean White’s art on this looks like Angus McKie’s art from old Heavy Metal magazines– which is a big plus. However Rick Remender’s writing has been a bit shonky recently, so I’ll wait for reviews before committing to this.
Drumhellar #2
32 pages
$3.50Status: Trade-waiting
Additional Notes: It’s a Riley Rossmo book. ‘Nuff Said!
Godland Finale
72 pages
$6.99Status: Recommended
Additional Notes: The final issue in this fucking awesome series. If you haven’t been buying it– all the previous issues are available in 5 trades.
Pretty Deadly #1
32 pages
$3.50Status: Trade-waiting
Additional Notes: Plus point- Emma Rios on art. Minus point – Kelly Sue DeConnick is writing. Or perhaps it’s just that DeConnick is another creator whose writing is only shit when it’s for Marvel Comics?
Rocket Girl #1
32 pages
$3.50Status: Trade-waiting
Additional Notes: The preview art by Amy Reeder is so good that I think I could forgive this comic if the story is shit… Which it probably won’t be.
Dia De Los Muertos TP
128 pages
$16.99Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: Art by the rather prolific Riley Rossmo. Again, ‘Nuff Said.Terry Moore’s Echo -
The Complete Edition SC
600 pages
$39.99Status: Highly Recommended
Additional Notes: This is one of my favourite series from the last decade. A complete, incredibly satisfying story featuring two of Terry Moore’s trademark strong female lead characters.
The Fox #1
32 pages
$2.99Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: The Fox looks an awful lot like The Batman or The Daredevil– but there’s nothing wrong with borrowing from archetypes as long as it’s done well. Plus its written by Mark Waid, probably the best superhero writer of the modern age of comics.
All New Soulfire #1
32 pages
$1.00Status: POS
Additional Notes: Seriously why not just call this “Chicks in Bikinis” and be done with it. Oh and “written by JT Krul” is really going to pump the sales right up, isn’t it?
Uber Vol 1 Enhanced HC
336 pages
$34.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: I usually just completely ignore Avatar’s shitty offerings but I actually read Uber 0 and #1. Big mistake– this really is the worst sort of garbage you could look at.
Sergio Aragonés Funnies
32 pages
$3.50Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: Why in the fuck have I not been buying this so far? Honestly, sometimes even for someone like me who sift’s through the dark corners of Previews magazine– you can miss a gem or two along the way.
Valerian Vol 5 – Birds of the Master
48 pages
$11.95Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: The first of Cinebook’s reissues of the Valerian series that I don’t already have! Gimme, gimme, gimme!
Battling Boy GN
208 pages
$16.99Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Written and drawn by Paul Pope, these are just flat out fun comics without all the angst attached– like how Marvel comics used to be.
Legend of the Scarlet Blades Deluxe HC
200 pages
$49.95Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Saverio Tenuta is one of my favourite European artists. He’s had a lot of work reprinted in Heavy Metal magazine over the years and this looks like a nice book. But I think I’ll wait for the general edition rather than this numbered edition. Stardrop Vol 2 – A Place To Hang My Spacesuit GN
208 pages
$12.95Status: Recommended
Additional Notes: Creator Mark Oakley self-published some of the all-time best all-ages comics in the late 90s/early 00s– but then sort of dropped out of the industry for a while. Thankfully, he’s back in style.
Vinland Saga Volume 1 HC
464 pages
$19.99Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: I’ve been waiting for this series for a while… I’ve read some chapters and this is a really nicely written and drawn adventure saga.Amazing X-Men #1
32 pages
$3.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Marvel’s boomerang of resurrection strikes and delivers Nightcrawler back from whatever freezer they had him stored in.
X-Men Phalanx Covenant HC
552 pages
$75Status: POS – Certified Shit
Additional Notes: From the mid-90s– when hacks Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza were stinking up the X-comics. Marvel has the nerve to try charging $75 for this bucket of bollocks.
Gold Pollen and Other Stories HC
176 pages
$27.50Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: The cover design for this book caught my eye… And when the solicit mentioned avant-garde manga, I got really interested. If money permits, I’m going to give this a shot.Rogue Trooper – Tales of Nu-Earth Vol 2
400 pages
$19.99Status: Recommended
Additional Notes: Straightforward future-war tales from the golden age of 2000AD– with stellar black and white art by Cam Kennedy, Colin Wilson and others.
Zombo – You Smell of Crime
and I’m the Deodorant GN
128 pages
$16.99Status: Recommended
Additional Notes: This is a series that proves that Al Ewing isn’t a hack– which is the impression you’d get from reading his Marvel work. This is funny stuff with extremely well-drawn art.Senran Kagura – Skirting Shadows Vol 1
244 pages
$12.99Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Honestly, the solicit had me at “buxom ninja girls”.Accident Man TP
256 pages
$29.99Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: I first read this in the short-lived 2000AD rival Toxic about 20 years ago. I thought I’d never see it collected, and yet here it is. Written by Pat Mills with typical savage wit and drawn by the late great Martin Emond– this is Mills’ take on James Bond.
Charley’s War Vol 10 – The End
120 pages
$19.95Status: Highly Recommended
Additional Notes: The final volume in this landmark series– the highwater mark of British war comics. A fiercely honest anti-war saga, it’s one of my top 5 favourite comic series of all time.
Garth Ennis Presents Battle Classics HC
256 pages
$29.95Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: Battle was the comic that Charley’s War and Johnny Red were originally presented in back in the 70s and 80s. This is an anthology of some of the shorter complete stories from the title. Absolutely top notch writing and art.Sunny Vol 2 HC
216 pages
$22.99Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: The first volume of Sunny by Matsumoto Taiyo was an off-beat slice-of-life manga. I expect this edition to continue in the same vein. Matsumoto’s art is a blend of Japanese and European influences– which gives it a distinctive look.
Uzumaki Deluxe Edition HC
648 pages
$27.99Status: Highly Recommended
Additional Notes: If you like fucked-up, bizarre horror stories– then this complete collection is a must have.
Bakuman Complete Box Set
20 Volumes – around 3500 pages
$159.99Status: Highly Recommended
Additional Notes: So for anyone that hasn’t been following one of the best comics stories of the last decade, here’s a chance to get it all in one go. One thing that slightly pisses me off: The 20 volume box set costs less than getting all the individual volumes one by one– and the box set comes with an additional mini-comic and poster.
Tiger and Bunny – The Beginning
Side A and B
160 pages each
$9.99Status: Hmmmm
Additional Notes: This is an adaption of the animated film T & B the Beginning– so it isn’t in the same continuity as the regular manga series. Might wait before getting it.Knights of Sidonia Vol 5
186 pages
$12.95Status: Highly Recommended
Additional Notes: This series gets better and better with every volume. The story is utterly absorbing and I can’t wait to read each volume quickly enough.No Matter How You Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular! Vol 1
144 pages
$11.99Status: Hmmm
Additional Notes: I only picked this out because it has the most ridiculously long title I’ve ever seen on a comic book. While I’m here though, can anyone tell me if Yen Press is still printing their books on really awful quality paper?Guillermo Del Toro – Cabinet of Curiosities Limited Edition
256 pages – plus assorted nick-nacks
$750.00Status: For Those with More Money than Sense
Additional Notes: I can’t believe anyone would be dumb enough to buy one of these but I guess there must be plenty of stupid people with lots of money out there.
Star Wars – The Death Star Owner’s Technical Manual
128 pages
$30.00Status: Firm Order
Additional Notes: So who the fuck WOULDN’T want to own a Death Star? Sure you’ve got a minor exhaust port issue, but on the other hand you’ve also got a big fuck off laser that can destroy planets!!!
William Shakespeare’s Star Wars HC
176 pages
$14.95Status: POS
Additional Notes: I’ve mentioned this before: I fucking hate these kinds of novelty books. They bring this sort of shit out every Christmas with the aim on conning the significant other of a Star Wars/Star Trek/Game of Thrones/Whatever fan into thinking said fan will get a kick out of it. NO, THEY WILL NOT! It’ll go to the most neglected bookshelf and eventually find its way to a charity shop.
The DC Comics Guide to Creating Comics – Inside the Art of Virtual Storytelling
192 pages
$24.99Status: “Recommended”
Additional Notes: I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to create great comics. Read this thoroughly and do the exact opposite of whatever it says– and then you might avoid creating anything as awful as the majority of DC’s New 52 comic books.
A Very Klingon Christmas
32 pages
$16.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Yet another one of those loathsome “humorous” novelty TV tie-in books that are about as funny as being poisoned with Polonium 210.
The Wit and Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister HC
112 pages
$18.00Status: POS
Additional Notes: See “A Very Klingon Christmas”
Batman “Hero Wide Point” Knit Hat
$17.99Status: Hmmm
Additional Notes: From the color scheme of this hat, it would appear that Batman is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
The Big Bang Theory -
Sheldon 17″ Talking Figure
$44.95Status: POS
Additional Notes: Given that Sheldon’s only catchphrase is knock, knock, knock “Penny!”, knock, knock, knock “Penny!” I can see the “charm” of this wearing off VERY quickly.
The Hunger Games – Catching Fire Action Figures
$18.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: No sooner is fucking Twilight gone, but we’re subjected to the adventures of Katpiss and her friends.
Gremlins – Spider Gremlin Deluxe Boxed Action Figure
$49.99Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: I have zero memory of this appearing in either film– but nevertheless, this would make for a magnificently ugly addition to any mantelpiece.
Magdalena “Artifacts”
Fine Art Bronze Statue
$3400.00Status: Certified Beyond Shit (and in Another Dimension of Excrement)
Additional Notes: Jesus wept! Look at the price– and it isn’t even remotely good looking.
Stryfe Statue
$250.00Status: POS
Additional Notes: Does the world really need a statue of Rob Liefeld’s lamest design? But hey, the statue designer at least gave Stryfe feet– which Liefeld never bothered to draw!
Star Trek Captain Kirk Granix
Slate Artwork
$34.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: 35 bucks for a picture of William Shatner in a girdle? I don’t fucking think so…
Robotech Plushes
$25.00Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Plushes are normally beyond shite, but these are Robotech –so that gives them a free pass. These could make for great cushions for a den or study… Just sayin’.
4D Cityscape Game of Thrones Westeros Puzzle
$49.99Status: WANT WANT WANT
Additional Notes: Yeah this is probably the best piece of merch I saw in Previews in 2013. “A bargain at 50 bucks!”, says me.
Prometheus Series 3 Action Figures
$21.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: What in the name of Hell’s Teeth are these ugly pieces of shite?
Grumpy Cat 11” Plush
$21.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Old internet meme is old.
It Conquered The World Beulah Statue
$124.99Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: This thing is magnificently, spectacularly ugly. I’m tempted to get one just to freak people out.
The Walking Dead Governor Mini-Bust
$80.00Status: POS
Additional Notes: Ian is buying 10 of these as you read this…
DC Comics Supergirl New 52
Artfx+ Statue
$44.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Is that a metal crotch protector that she’s wearing?
Godzilla vs Biollante – Biollante S.H. Monsterarts Action Figure
$229.99Status: Certified Cool
Additional Notes: Hey! Remember how I said that Gremlins statue was magnificently ugly? Well this is fuckin’ spectacularly ugly! Bravo, Tamashii Nations!
DC Comics Black Adam New 52 Statue
$49.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: ARGGGHH! MUST CLENCH TEETH HARDER!!!
Doctor Who – Not Another Dalek 5 Case
$17.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: I suppose if you want to hide the fact that you have a fucking iPhone, this might be OK.
Mobile Suit Gundam GG – Gundam Exia Repair Metal Build Figure
$149.99Status: If I won the lottery
Additional Notes: These metal figures are fucking sweet.
The Women of Marvel Series 2 Trading Cards
$4.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: From the promo art, it would seem the only qualification needed to be a “Woman of Marvel” is to have ginormous boobs.
Psych Seasons 1 – 4 Trading Cards
$3.50 eachStatus: POS
Additional Notes: People want Psych trading cards? REALLY???
Duck Dynasty Wacky Wobblers
$14.99 eachStatus: POS
Additional Notes: I have no idea who these people are, but they look like inbred hillbilly cunts. So– am I right?
Palligator Sleeping Bag
$200.00Status: Errr….
Additional Notes: Perfect for those with bad taste. And the guys at A Comic Book Look.
DC Heroes 12 oz Coffee Mugs
$13.99Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: These are just about kitschy enough not to be shit.
Doctor Who – River Song Deluxe Replica Journal
$79.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: This was going to get a tempted rating, until I saw the fucking price! For that I could get about FIVE moleskin journals.
Motorhead – Lemmy Kilmister Icon Series 2 Action Figure
$29.99Status: POS
Additional Notes: Comes with authentic warts.Super Friends Season 6 – The Legacy of Super Powers
$14.97Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Hey look! It’s DC’s heroes from before they became arseholes with turned-up collars!
Gatchaman – The Complete Collection
$129.98 DVD / $142.98 Blu rayStatus: Recommended
Additional Notes: The first anime I ever saw was Battle of the Planets– the crippled American translation of Gatchaman. This set is the real deal, with the original hard-hitting plots– and without 7-Zark-fucking-7.
The Guild – Complete Megaset
$69.95Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: It’s got Felicia Day in it for fuck’s sake! What more do you want???
Inspector Gadget Season One & Two
$100 (approximate)Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Loved this cartoon (and its annoying theme song) when I was a kid. Perhaps some things are better left in the past though.
AKB0048 Season 1
$59.98 – 69.98Status: Recommended
Additional Notes: Another part of AKB’s programme of mass indoctrination of Japan– this time of the young. For a kids cartoon, it’s pretty decent… Plus it has some of the group members as voice actors.
Golgo 13 The Complete Collection
$99.98 – $129.98Status: Cheaper at online retailers
Additional Notes: This is a fucking classic anime– absolutely top-notch stuff.
Mobile Police Patlabor TV Collection Two
$59.98 – $69.98Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: Loved the OVA back in the day, but the TV series never came out here before.
Space Pirate Captain Harlock -
The Complete TV Series
$69.95Status: Highly Recommended
Additional Notes: Anything by Matsumoto Leiji is fucking excellent– especially Harlock.
The Odd Angry Shot
$19.95 – $24.95Status: Recommended
Additional Notes: Little known fact, Australian troops fought alongside Americans in Vietnam War. (There’s an excellent documentary about the Battle of Long Tan here.) But why there’s a film about the Australian experience of the war in Previews is beyond me.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 -
The Movie
$29.93Status: Recommended
Additional Notes: Most of you will probably have seen this already but for those who haven’t– this is funny as fuck.Pornodelic Pleasures
184 pages
£19.95Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: An illustrated biography of Jess Franco, the maker of some of the best/worst 70s exploitation films like Vampyros Lesbos and Venus in Furs.
Star Wars Lava Lamps & Mood Lights
£15 – £40Status: Tempted
Additional Notes: These actually look sinister enough to be kind of cool.
So that’s two month’s of belated Previews comic shop offerings. Expect new, up to date columns soon! Apologies again to Locusmortis– and all the Previews Hits and Misses™ fans.