Monday, October 19, 2009

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS @ THIRD EYE FOR WEDNESDAY 10/21/09

BLACKEST NIGHT HITS BIG THIS WEEK WITH THE CONCLUSION TO BLACKEST NIGHT SUPERMAN #3 (issues 1 & 2 both well-stocked if you need to catch up), AND DC DIRECT'S BLACKEST NIGHT ACTION FIGURES!



This Wednesday, we've got some big Blackest Night stuff for you guys. And, we know that's what you like to hear, cause just like us, you guys have all been head over heels for what's been DC's best storyline in ages.

On the comics end of things, we've got the conclusion to BLACKEST NIGHT SUPERMAN with BLACKEST NIGHT SUPERMAN #3. The one thing I think that's kept us so into Blackest Night, and has really helped the momentum of the storyline as a whole carry, has been the overall awesomeness of the different tie-in books. In major crossovers, it's very rare that you get total wins on all counts, but with Blackest Night, nearly every tie-in has been a real gem. The Superman one has been especially good with it's usage of Earth-2 Superman as a Black Lantern, and lets not forget the return of Psycho Pirate. Anyways, we're looking forward to seeing how this one is going to wrap up. I mean, the last time we saw Psycho Pirate, he got his face squished through the Medusa Mask... you know that guy's gonna be carrying some serious grief with him. And, if you missed the first two issues of this one, don't worry, we do have plenty of issues 1 and 2 in stock to catch you up. Just click here to read more about BLACKEST NIGHT SUPERMAN #3.



And, then, on the "Cool Things To Have On Your Desk" side of things... check out these awesome little suckers.. the first wave of BLACKEST NIGHT DC Direct action figures hits this Wednesday, featuring RED LANTERN ATROCITUS, ALPHA LANTERN BOODIKA, and BLUE LANTERN ST WALKER. These are just too cool.



COWBOY NINJA VIKING #1 KICKS OFF BRAND NEW IMAGE SERIES THAT KICKS TRIPLE ASS. BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK, FRESH, QUIRKY STORY, ALL IN THE GOLDEN AGE COMIC-FORMAT (similar to VIKING) *THIRD EYE MUST BUY*



Here's one that I am SUPER pumped about. I got a preview copy of this one earlier this month, and read it cover to cover, enjoying every page. It's a brand new Image series, and is one of the freshest new things I've read. The fact that the artwork plays out so nicely in the over-sized Golden Age format size that Image uses for books like Viking is also a big plus.

But, lets cut to the chase, what's the book about? Well, a morally questionable psychotherapist has taken those in society with Multiple Personality Disorder, and found a way of turning them into special agents known as Triplets. Of course, this backfires, and now there's an assassin cadre of Triplets working for an unknown organization.. and it's very bad. And, that's where our hero comes in, the Cowboy Ninja Viking.

Cowboy Ninja Viking, is kind of a Triplet himself, he's got three personalities, one a Cowboy, one a Viking, and one a Ninja. He basically looks like a goof in office clothes carrying a kitana sword, six-guns, and rocking a Viking helmet. Each one of his different personalities speaks in a distinct voice, and the artist has used different word balloons to emphasize this (i.e when the Viking talks, there's a little axe-shape around the word balloon). Of course, the characterization is so spot on (and humorous), that you know right away which voice is which. So, you've got a one man wrecking crew, with three voices arguing over which way to take things... the Ninja being the calm, cool and collected type, the Viking saying they should kill the enemy and eat them, and the Cowboy looking for a brothel.

Does this sound awesome? You bet it does. Anyways, I read the first one. I thought it was great. I don't want to give everything away, but I'd highly recommend giving this one a peek this Wednesday. It's definitely in the same, fresh and original vein that Image has been making a name for itself with books like CHEW, HAUNT, THE SWORD, and more.

Click here for a preview of COWBOY NINJA VIKING #1



JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #38 - BRAND NEW DIRECTION AND CREATIVE TEAM! A GREAT JUMPING ON POINT! FEATURING THE WRITER OF JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE & STARMAN!



Okay, everyone.. it's safe to say, the Justice League just got cool again. While the previous run has had it's shares of ups and downs, I've got to admit, it's been hard for me to stay excited about it because it was so inconsistent. And nine times out of ten, it would always veer off into stories that didn't scream Justice League to me. In my opinion, the Justice League of America should be one of DC's high caliber books. It should be able to stand toe to toe with the Avengers as a top tier book. And, now, with the new direction beginning with James Robinson (writer of the legendary Starman, and the current smash hit Cry for Justice limited series) and Mark Bagley (the man who defined Ultimate Spider-man with Brian Michael Bendis, and has currently been delivering the goods on Batman), I think that we're in store for a return to greatness for the Justice League.

First off, reason number one to jump on with this new direction, is the fact that James Robinson is penning it. This is the man who helped define superhero comics in the '90s with his epic run of Starman (something I'd really recommend reading, if you haven't already), and who has currently been turning all kinds of heads with the recent Justice League Cry for Justice limited series. How does Justice League 38 fit into things? It occurs before Blackest Night has begun, but after Cry for Justice, with the following issue catching the book up to the current events of Blackest Night. In fact, the events of Cry for Justice tie strongly into the new Justice League direction Robinson has planned. It looks like Robinson is pushing the League into a new direction, with a new generation of Justice Leaguers, featuring the likes of Dick Grayson as Batman filling the Caped Crusader's role in the Trinity, Mon-El filling Superman's boots (very reluctantly), and Donna Troy stepping in for Wonder Woman. These are all technically second-gen heroes filling the voids of the big dogs, and it's going to be very interesting to see Robinson play with that dynamic. The line-up also includes other characters, that range from classic (yet underused) like Plastic Man, to a certain Scarlet Speedster we all know and love.

All in all, the art looks great, the story sounds fresh, and tight, and we're excited to see where Robinson is going to take the JLA. Click hereto check out a preview of JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #38



AZRAEL #1 DEBUTS THE BRAND NEW AZRAEL ONGOING SERIES THIS WEDNESDAY, AS THE DARKER SIDE OF GOTHAM CITY IS EXPLORED!



One of DC's most popular characters in the '90s was Azrael, the replacement for Batman after Knightfall. And, during the events of BATTLE FOR THE COWL, a new man is wearing the mantle of Azrael, and the new ongoing series featuring the character begins this Wednesday. This picks up right off the events of BATMAN ANNUAL #27 and DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #11, with the EIGHTH DEADLY SIN storyline.

The art for this one looks slick, and the story could go either way, but we're very intrigued. The idea of an Angel of Justice working for a religious order, and existing in the turmoil of Gotham City is definitely an interesting concept that we're eager to see play out.

Click here to read more about AZRAEL #1

CHEW #5 ARRIVES THIS WEDNESDAY, CONTINUING ONE OF THE FRESHEST, STRANGEST STORYLINES OF 2009! CANNIBAL SPECIAL AGENT AWESOMENESS!



Chew has taken Third Eye by storm this year. This quirky, bizarre new Image series featuring a cibopathic detective (cibopathic meaning he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats), and his corpse-munching adventures in a world where all poultry is illegal due to bird flue.... is just too awesome to be contained, folks. Seriously though, we love Chew. It's weird, it's fresh, it's fun, and it's got that perfect dark humor vein running through it that makes Third Eye all warm and fuzzy inside. Anyways, what more can we say about Chew? If you aren't reading it, give it a shot, the trade paperback should be due out within the next week or two, but if you're already reading it... then we know you guys'll be eagerly waiting to snag up this week's issue!


SPIDER-WOMAN #2 FOLLOWS UP THE FIRST ISSUE OF BENDIS & MALEEV'S DARK, GRITTY NEW ONGOING SERIES! LIMITED QUANTITIES OF #1 STILL IN STOCK, IF YOU MISSED IT!



So, did you read Spiderwoman #1? It ruled, didn't it? Bendis and Maleev, those guys are a true dream team, man. Their work on Daredevil is what got me excited about this current run, and man, am I stoked to see where it's going to go. The first issue set the stage for Spiderwoman as a book to be a very dark, moody, espionage-esque series focusing on Jessica Drew as an alien-hunting, alien-exterminating badass. It's not a traditional superhero book, not by any stretch. She's a killer. And, to be honest, the book reminds me more of titles like Ed Brubaker's Sleeper, Gotham Central, and obviously, Bendis's DD run.

Spider-woman works for SWORD, in an effort to hunt down and exterminate the 32 different alien races living in hiding on the planet Earth. And, her first mission has taken her straight to Madripoor to do SWORD'S dirty work.

And if you missed the first issue, even though it's now out of print, and second prints are on the way, we still do have a few copies left in stock here at Third Eye for you to catch up with. So, be sure to snag it up if you haven't already!

Click here to read a preview of SPIDER-WOMAN #2




STUFF OF LEGEND #2 FOLLOWS UP THE FIRST ISSUE OF THIRD EYE'S INDIE HIT OF THE YEAR! IT'S TOY STORY MEETS SAVING PRIVATE RYAN DIRECTED BY GUILERMO DEL TORO... SOUND COOL? READ ON! PLUS, PLENTY OF #1 IN STOCK FOR THOSE WHO MAY HAVE MISSED IT.



One of the things that I'm really proud of about our store is how you guys are always ahead of the curve when catching the new stuff that rules. When Stuff of Legend was first solicited way back in the Spring of this past year, it was just a small block of text buried in the back of the Previews catalog. I was lucky enough to get one of the preview copies that the publisher had sent out, and man, it blew me away. So, when the book blew up a week or so after release, and became this huge thing, I can proudly say that you guys were already ahead of the curve, and on what became the biggest indie book of 2009. At the end of the day, we do this cause we love comics as a medium, and helping make new creators and titles break big, is a great feeling.

Anyways, enough of me getting mushy, lets talk about Stuff of Legend. My tag line for it is pretty fitting, it's Toy Story meets Saving Private Ryan, as directed by Guilermo Del Toro... seriously though, this one smokes, folks. Gorgeous, GORGEOUS, artwork, and an incredible story. Basically, a young boy gets kidnapped during WW2, and taken into the Boogey-man's realm. His toys come to life to rescue him, and when they cross through to the Boogeyman's realm, everything becomes pretty horrifying and grisly (i.e the teddy bear becomes a giant, clawed grizzly bear, ect).

All in all, this one is a must for fans of good comics, as a whole. But, especially for those of you who really dig stuff like Fables. Anyways, I can't recommend it enough, and I know many of you guys'll be waiting eagerly for Wednesday to snatch up the second issue.

Did you miss #1? Don't worry, we'll have plenty of #1 in stock as well, so you can snag em both up in one shot if you missed the first one already!

Click here for a preview of STUFF OF LEGEND #2




GREAT WEEK FOR TRADES: NEW SCALPED v.5 HIGH LONESOME, BPRD v.11 THE BLACK GODDESS, FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS HC AND ALEX ROSS'S UNCLE SAM BACK IN PRINT!



It's a great week for new trade paperbacks here at Third Eye! First off, SCALPED VOLUME 5 arrives collecting the next chunk of grimy, dark noir-fused storytelling that Jason Aaron has gotten us hooked with. Why do we love Scalped? Scalped is a character-driven descent into hell, where there's no good, and there's no bad. It's basically THE WIRE if the WIRE was set on an Indian reservation. Good guys go bad, bad guys go good, and nothing is as it seems. The book si very much an ensemble piece, and the only true constant character is the reservation itself.
We love SCALPED.

Next up, is the newest BPRD trade, which is BPRD v.11 BLACK GODDESS. This one is the second act in Mignola's Scorched Earth trilogy, and is as you can always expect from the dark, and creepy world of BPRD, a great read.

Next up, Geoff Johns and George Perez delivered one of the best things to come out of Final Crisis last year with FINAL CRISIS LEGION OF THREE WORLDS. We're stoked to see the gorgeous hardcover collected edition of this one hitting this week. And we know a lot of you are too!

Finally, to complete our foursome of killer new trades hitting (and trust us, there's more than just these four, but we thought we'd narrow it down!) is the new edition of ALEX ROSS'S UNCLE SAM story. Where the American icon is portrayed as a delusiona vagrant, plagued with history travelling visions of America's darker secrets. All in all, a great story, and we're glad to see it back in print. Click here to read more about UNCLE SAM.



BEASTS OF BURDEN #2 FOLLOWS UP THE FIRST ISSUE OF EVAN DORKIN & JILL THOMPSONS AWESOME ANIMAL GHOST-HUNTERS BOOK!



Most of you already know that Third Eye are huge animal lovers. So, this one's a no-brainer for us. But, hey, check it out, it's actually REALLY good. First off, it's written by Evan Dorkin, who is one of the funniest comic book guys around today, and a personal favorite of mine. His work on stuff like Milk & Cheese and Dork is classic, and it's cool seeing him bring these character, the Beasts, into the limelight with their own series.

What are the Beasts of Burden? Well, it's basically a group of dogs (and a cat), who find themselves getting into zany, misadventures hunting ghosts, demons, and all sorts of other madness. So, yeah, it's a talking animal book, BUT, it's the most charming, witty, and entertaining little comic you'll wanna read. If you want something kind of fun, a little light-hearted, but still written with a good slant, we can't recommend Beasts of Burden enough.

Click here to check out a preview of BEASTS OF BURDEN #2

DARK REIGN: THE LIST HULK ONE-SHOT *DARK REIGN: LIST CHAPTER 5* ARRIVES THIS WEDNESDAY EXPLORING THE HULK'S ROLE IN NORMAN OSBORN'S MASTER PLAN!



Marvel's DARK REIGN: THE LIST has been the perfect way to bring DARK REIGN near to it's end, and set the stage for the highly anticipated SEIGE that begins in 2010. Top notch writers and artists telling strong self-contained stories that link together in a unifying way to get everything in order for the next step in the progression of the storytelling. It's good stuff. So far, we haven't had one of these LIST one-shots disappoint us. This week, the DARK REIGN: LIST continues with Chapter 5 being DARK REIGN THE LIST HULK one-shot.

Written by PLANET HULK scribe, GREG PAK, this one takes a look at Osborn as he hunts down Bruce Banner, and the Son of the Hulk, Skaar. And, how does he plan to take em out? He's got a whole bevy of his most dangerous femme fatales gunning for em.

This one follows right after DARK REIGN THE LIST SECRET WARRIORS *CHAPTER 4*, and should shed some light on a corner of the Marvel Universe that Dark Reign has not yet touched.

And, for those of you who may be unclear on the reading order it's:
    DARK REIGN THE LIST AVENGERS - CHAPTER 1
    DARK REIGN THE LIST DAREDEVIL - CHAPTER 2
    DARK REIGN THE LIST X-MEN - CHAPTER 3
    DARK REIGN THE LIST SECRET WARRIORS - CHAPTER 4

DARK AVENGERS #10 - NORMAN OSBORN HAS LOST HIS MIND! ARE YOU REALLY SURPRISED?



I think we all knew it was only a matter of time before Osborn lost his cool. I mean, he's been a ticking time bomb ready to go off since before this whole thing began. In fact, if you look back to the incredible Ellis run of Thunderbolts (which pretty much was the prototype for DARK AVENGERS), you could see Osborn was about to crack his shell then. And, now, according to the solicits (and you know how enigmatic Marvel can be with their's), this issue has ol' Norman Osborn finally going off the deep end, as big things go down in the world of the DARK AVENGERS.

So, I guess, the only thing we can do, Third Eye Faithful, is wait and find out this Wednesday just what they've got in store for us!

Click here for a preview of DARK AVENGERS #10




UNDERGROUND #2 FOLLOWS UP THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE NEW IMAGE SERIES THAT IS "THE DESCENT" OF COMIC BOOKS!


Here's one that really impressed us last month, Image Comics new limited series, UNDERGROUND. And, basically, if you've seen the horror film, the DESCENT about some cave-diving folk running into all kinds of flesh-eating beasties, then you've got a good idea of just what this one's all about.
Now let me say, one of the things that made this comic so darn cool was that the writer JEFF PARKER managed to make a comic about caves and park rangers COOL. The first issue was a fast-paced read that really shows a lot of passion in the storytelling, and the characters are really well put together.

And yes, it's about caves, with monsters, and horrible other things dwelling underneath, and the ballsy park ranger who's going in after them.

It rocks, and if you missed #1, fear not, cause we still got some in stock for you to catch up with!


DEADPOOL: MERC WITH A MOUTH #4 CONTINUES THE HEADPOOL INSANITY!



Deadpool? Over-exposed? We don't think so! We have to admit, we were worried when we first saw that the Merc With A Mouth was getting hit with a second ongoing series, limited series galore, and all these one-shots. But you know what, we can't get enough. We're really hooked on Merc With A Mouth, especially, as it's the most bizarre, over-the-top, fourth-wall breaking Deadpool insanity-a-thon that we've seen.

Plus, while we're suckers for a good cover, and the covers on this title have been over-the-top, folks.

Anyways, the madness in the Savage Land continues, as Deadpool, is fending off crazy cavemen, and Headpool keeps on spreading that zombie plague to the Savage Land and beyond. And, of course, one bite could be all it takes to give us TWO zombie Deadpools. Now, what madness would that be?

And, c'mon, the Scarface homage cover is AWESOME.

Clickhere to read a preview of DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH 4

SUGARSHOCK ONE-SHOT WRITTEN BY JOSS WHEDON (FIREFLY, SERENITY, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER... you know, THAT guy).



Joss Whedon. That's all you need to say, folks, and we're in. This is the guy who gave us crazy, awesome sci-fi western madness with FIREFLY/SERENITY, and the man who created BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. Not to mention, he redefined the world of the X-MEN with his run on ASTONISHING X-MEN.

And this week, we've got this cool little one-shot from Joss Whedon and Fabio Moon about the rock band, SUGARSHOCK, who's got a frontwoman with a big hate-on for Vikings, and a bass player that's a robot. And, from there, who knows where this thing goes.. all we know is it's Whedon at his wittiest, and most hyper-active, and we can't wait to give it a read this Wednesday.




SOMETHING FOR YOUR MOM: OPRAH WINFREY GETS A COMIC THIS WEDNESDAY!




All right, Third Eye Faithful, it's time to do something nice for your wives, moms, and girlfriends. Everyone has one woman in their life who is a huge Oprah fan, and this Wednesday, her life story is being laid out in the pages of the latest Bluewater Female Force comics. Oprah's an international icon, and we know that Momma Third Eye is gonna be getting one of these, cause she loves everything Oprah. Pick one up for mom, and you can remind her where to get you gift cards this Christmas when you give it to her. :)

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