Being a comic fan can be tough. With so many publishers printing more and more books, canceling titles and starting new ones, it can be daunting when you head to the comic book shop on a Wednesday to know exactly what’s coming out.
The current system of presenting and ordering comics three months ahead of their release as set forth by the sole comics distributor, Diamond Comics, doesn’t make it any easier either. We’re not a fan of that system, we think it’s slowly strangling comics to death, but we realize it’s a harsh reality of how the industry works and we definitely don’t want you to miss out on any of the cool comics being published.
And so, as opposed to regurgitating the list of comics solicited in Previews each month, we present to you some of the highlights of things you probably won’t want to miss out on.
SPOILER WARNING – in order to get people to order comics, the publishers have a funny habit of revealing what’s happening in the books. If you don’t want anything at all to be spoiled, then you’ll probably want to skip this post and take your chances with your pre-orders and/or your shopping.
OK wait, don’t tell me. I know the…
I’m just impressed by that costume design every time.
THE ANSWER! #1 (of 4)
Mike Norton (W/A), Dennis Hopeless (W), and Mark Englert (C)
On sale Jan 23
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
MiniseriesDevin McKenzie is an insomniac librarian with a knack for solving puzzles. The Answer! is a masked crime fighter with a giant exclamation point on his face. Aside from a penchant for late nights, they share nothing in common . . . until both become embroiled in a deadly mystery surrounding a sinister motivational speaker!
If you were into that this, this thing might be for you.
What got me here is that it was written by masterful cartoonist Gene Yang. Talent!
AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER—THE SEARCH PART 1 TP
Gene Luen Yang (W), Michael Dante DiMartino (W), Bryan Konietzko (W), and Gurihiru (A/Cover)
On sale Mar 20
FC, 80 pages
$10.99
TP, 6” x 9”For years, fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra have burned with one question—what happened to Fire Lord Zuko’s mother? Finding a clue at last, Zuko enlists the aid of Team Avatar—and the most unlikely ally of all—to help uncover the biggest secret of his life.
Hey! Francesco!
There is very little limit to the talents of Francesco Francavilla, and here he is making the pulp comics he was born to produce.
THE BLACK BEETLE: NO WAY OUT #1 (of 4)
Francesco Francavilla (W/A/Cover)
On sale Jan 16
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
MiniseriesBlack Beetle’s investigation of two local mob bosses is interrupted when a mysterious explosion murders them and a pub full of gangsters—taking out most of Colt City’s organized crime in one fell swoop. Who could pull off such a coup, and what danger might that murderous bomber do to Colt City and Black Beetle?
That creative team should grab you.
Mike Allred and Brian Clevinger present two tales in this collection of creepy stories should entice you plenty.
EERIE COMICS #2
Brian Clevinger (W), Damon Gentry (W), Mike Allred (A), and Jim Pavelec (Cover)
On sale Jan 9
b&w, 32 pages
$2.99
OngoingEerie returns with two new tales of science gone amok, plus a classic from the dungeon! Mike Allred (iZombie, Madman) embellishes Damon Gentry’s (“The Horror Robber”) tale of communication breakdown between us and “Our Friend the Ant,” while Brian Clevinger (Atomic Robo) warns of aliens’ most insidious invasion plan yet!
Media collide!
It’s a popular web series, and there is a lot going on here.
HUSBANDS HC
Jane Espenson (W), Brad Bell (W), Ron Chan (A/Cover), Natalie Nourigat (A), M. S. Corley (A), Ben Dewey (A), and Tania del Rio (A)
On sale Mar 27
FC, 80 pages
$14.99
HC, 6” x 9”The hit web series Husbands is a comedy about two young men who find themselves legally wed after a drunken Vegas weekend. Unwilling to undermine the hard-fought battle for marriage rights with a public quickie divorce, athlete Brady Kelly and actor Cheeks decide to make a go of it. After all, they were doing okay when they were dating . . .
Genius Legend Reporting for Duty
You’ve heard the term “required reading” yes?
LAST DAY IN VIETNAM: A MEMORY HC
Will Eisner (W/A/Cover)
On sale Mar 6
b&w&sepia, 80 pages
$17.99
HC, 6 1/2” x 9 1/4”Last Day in Vietnam recounts Will Eisner’s own experiences with soldiers engaged not only in the daily hostilities of war but also in larger, more personal combat. Some of the stories in this novel are comical, some heartrending, some frightening, yet all display the incredible insight into humanity characteristic of Eisner’s entire oeuvre.
Surprised, you will be.
If you’re like me, you didn’t expect Brian Wood to be doing a Star Wars comic, but here you are, and let’s find out what this is all about.
STAR WARS #1
Brian Wood (W), Carlos D’Anda (A), Gabe Eltaeb (C), and Alex Ross (Cover)
On sale Jan 9
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
OngoingThis is Star Wars as you remember it . . . and as you have never seen it before! We’re taking you back to those heady, adventure-filled days following the destruction of the Death Star—when the Empire ruled, the Rebels were on the run, and the galaxy was a dangerous place where anything might happen!
For the full list of Dark Horse previews for January, head over to Newsarama.
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wow that is bold, going with the “Star Wars” without any kind of descriptor
so excited for Brian Wood, this will be the first Star Wars comic i ever buy
This will be my first since Dark Empire way back in 1992!
My first since X-Wing Rogue Squadron, sometime in the mid-90’s!
A Star Wars ongoing set during the original trilogy, by a writer I respect is all I really ever wanted.
It’s not all I wanted, that’s for sure.
But I’ll check it out. Sounds promising.
Brian Wood on Star Wars will probably grab a lot of readers previously not reading Star Wars even as they’re mini’s have been pretty good lately. What ever happened to the Star Wars project Frank Quietly was working on? I loved that preview Cantina image with all the sliced up droids, aliens, troopers…etc…
As far as I know, that was a one time thing.
Eerie #2 image is exceptionally creepy and think I will have to check that out as well as Blue Beetle(Ted Kord) meets Lobster Johnson disguised as the Black Beetle, don’t see enough of either of those characters and I’m a sucker for pulp noir. Only question is will it make a better tpb or monthly as the pulp noir waxes nostalgic leaving me with the read em and toss em, eagerly awaiting the next issue feel days of ol’. (I’m only 33 and never did that but do love specific monthlies for that feeling)
don’t think i’ve ever read anything from Brian Wood, but Star Wars books are on fire right now. not all, but a lot. super stoked.
i’m also very curious to read the Black Beetle. i missed the first mini. will anyone vouch for it? i mean, i know the art is fantastic, but how was the script?
Brian Wood has to be my favourite writer in comics at the minute. Demo, Local, DMZ and Northlanders were amazing series, and with his new Conan series he’s shown he can take a licensed property and really reinvigorate it for comics readers. Star Wars is a day one purchase as far as I’m concerned.
Hopefully he doesn’t write Han as a mopey black eyeliner emo.
Finally more Answer!
There’s a librarian character in The Answer? That sort of makes it a must-buy for me.
I haven’t bought a Star Wars comic since the old Marvel series in the 80s, but I might check that one out!
Looks like I’ll be picking up the Black Beetle book. That Francavilla art is just too good to pass up.
Also, very excited for the Brian Wood Star Wars Ongoing. I haven’t picked-up a SW comic since KOTR debuted, and that was only for about an arc or two.