WHAT IF BATMAN WAS A SADISTIC, EVIL MENACE? Mark Millar (KICK-ASS, OLD MAN LOGAN) and Steve McNiven (OLD MAN LOGAN, CIVIL WAR) unleash NEMESIS #1 this Wednesday! SIMPLY PUT.. What if Batman was the Joker?
CIVIL WAR? Just the beginning
KICK-ASS? A Warm-Up
NEMESIS IS HERE!
Here it is, folks, the book I am most excited about this Spring. Bar none, I'm looking forward to this more than just about anything else. And, I know what a lot of you guys are saying: of course, you are, Steve, you love all the @$%!ed up violent books. But, hey, that's not true... I love all the @$!%ed up violent books that are well-written! :)
Seriously though, this one's a big deal. First off, it's the creative team of MARK MILLAR and STEVE MCNIVEN. This is the writer/artist combo that brought you CIVIL WAR, and OLD MAN LOGAN. And, for those of you who may not know, OLD MAN LOGAN was the Third Eye Must Buy of 2009, folks. Probably the best Wolverine series in two decades, showing us a Logan who has sheathed his claws permanently, and started a family amidst a post-apocalyptic wasteland of dead Marvel heroes, and supervillains that run the country. But, hey, hold up, that's not all..... Mr. Millar also gave us the INCREDIBLE KICK-ASS, which is on it's way to movie theaters this April. And, with KICK-ASS and OLD MAN LOGAN, he showed us how he was capable of taking the superhero genre and completely spinning it on it's head.
So, WHAT IS NEMESIS? Nemesis is comic book love, my friends. Mark Millar is doing what he does best all over again, and getting ready to put us all through the ringer. Nemesis, in a nutshell, is What if Batman WAS the Joker? In other words, if you had the world's smartest, wealthiest man, and instead of him being dedicated to protecting the innocent, he had committed his existence to terrorizing the innocent. In fact, what he does is he targets a police chief, moves into his jurisdiction, recruits a team from the local hoods, and then goes on a crusade against the entire city. And, it's all executed with the kind of strategy, and bravado that you would expect from an adventure of the Dark Knight.
Now, I've only read the first issue, as an advance copy, but, from what I have read... this book is going to blow you away. It looks like the actual motivations, and origins of Nemesis will be explored further in the series, but that first issue... it's a non-stop bloodbath from beginning to finish. And, it's all done in McNiven's gorgeous, incredible art-style, with of course, the fantastic pacing and storytelling of Mark Millar.
But, back to NEMESIS! So, the first issue starts with NEMESIS, doing some horrible things in another part of the world, before he decides to set his sights on a police chief in Washington, D.C. And, while I'm trying to not give away too much in the way of spoilers, it looks like we're going to see the series being summed up as NEMESIS targeting this ordinary man, and this ordinary man fighting back as best he can. And, see, that's where it looks like the appeal of the series is really going to shine. In the world of NEMESIS, there are no superheroes, no superpowers, there's only one person who qualifies as a superhuman, and that's NEMESIS. And, he's superhuman in the way that Batman is Superhuman, extraordinary athletic abilities, genius IQ, lots of cool gadgets. Now, what do you do to fight back against the supervillain equivalent of Batman, who carries the philosophy of THE JOKER?
That's where things are going to be interesting. The struggle between average man, and the unstoppable force of NEMESIS.
I'm really trying hard to not spoil anything from the first issue, but holy crap, if you guys thought KICK-ASS and OLD MAN LOGAN had some jawdropping events, wait til you read this. Heck, even the level of blood, and guts, illustrated by the very talented Steve McNiven, is at an all-time high.
So, if you're looking for one of the biggest books to hit this year, then look no further, NEMESIS is going to be a mega-hit. And, I can tell this from reading just the first issue, 'cause folks, IT'S ONE HELL OF A GOOD READ!
Click here to read an unlettered preview of NEMESIS #1
BLACKEST NIGHT NEARS IT'S END AS GREEN LANTERN #52 DELIVERS SEVERAL REVELATIONS THAT PAVE THE WAY TO THE FINAL ISSUE, BLACKEST NIGHT #8! YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS ISSUE OF GREEN LANTERN, TRUST US!
Since that last page of BLACKEST NIGHT #7, we've all been eagerly awaiting to see the next step for Sinestro now that he's wielding the White Ring. And, this week in GREEN LANTERN #52, many of our questions are going to be answered. While DC has been cagey on the details surrounding this issue of GREEN LANTERN, we do know that this is the penultimate chapter of BLACKEST NIGHT, with only one more issue (BLACKEST NIGHT #8) left after this. We also know that their solicits have stressed that we do not want to miss this issue, no matter what. And, I have to admit, so far, DC has delivered on their promises with BLACKEST NIGHT. Every issue that's been stressed as being an important, or pivotal part, has been exactly that. This was proven big time to me last week in the pages of GREEN LANTERN CORPS #46, which delivered huge. The issue was promoted as an all-out battle royale, and it sure as hell was. PLUS, BLACK LANTERN ANTI-MONITOR=TOO COOL.
Anyways, back to GREEN LANTERN #52, with only one issue of BLACKEST NIGHT left after this, we're expecting some huge payoffs in this issue, since we know they cannot wrap EVERYTHING up in just one final issue of BLACKEST NIGHT. Plus, the fact that Geoff Johns has been writing the GREEN LANTERN books themselves, and has made each issue of the series fit very nicely in-between issues of BLACKEST NIGHT (going so far as to dub the GL tie-ins as Blackest Night 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, ect,ect), we're sure this one's going to be one hell of a read.
So, folks, gear up, and get ready as we march closer towards the BRIGHTEST DAY, and near the conclusion of BLACKEST NIGHT this Wednesday with GREEN LANTERN #52.
Click here to read more about GREEN LANTERN #52 *BLACKEST NIGHT*
Want to catch up on BLACKEST NIGHT? Click here for the official THIRD EYE Blackest Night checklist.
SIEGE DOMINATES THIRD EYE THIS WEDNESDAY! A BIG HEAPING DOSE OF SIEGE AWESOMENESS ARRIVES THIS WEDNESDAY WITH AVENGERS INITIATIVE #34, MIGHTY AVENGERS #35, NEW AVENGERS #63, THOR #608, and THUNDERBOLTS #142!
Siege makes a huge splash this Wednesday with a full assortment of killer SIEGE tie-ins. Now, I have to say that I've been super impressed so far with the quality and relevance of most of the SIEGE tie-ins. Marvel has done a great job of making each one of the tie-in books feel crucial, and integral to the storyline as a whole, and has done a great job of avoiding the trap of falling into filler with them.
After last week's epic happenings in SIEGE #3, we couldn't be more stoked to see what's coming next this Wednesday with the plethora of killer tie-in issues from Marvel. So, lets go through, and give you the rundown on what to expect...
THOR #608 - THOR vs. THOR CLONE (remember him from CIVIL WAR) in this huge tie-in issue that takes place after the destruction of Asgard!
Those last two pages of THOR #607 were stunning, to say the least. The THOR Siege tie-in, along with the DARK AVENGERS ones, probably have been my favorite tie-ins to the event so far. The writing on both have been top notch, and you know it doesn't hurt that THOR has been just getting better, and better with every issue. Kieron Gillen is definitely an up-and-coming writer to watch, for sure, and he has been really showing how good he can be with his current run on THOR. Not to mention Billy Tan has been delivering some of the best work of his career so far, in our opinion.
This week in THOR #608, we get to see something that everybody has been waiting for... the showdown between THOR and the THOR clone from CIVIL WAR. Ever since the reveal of it's existence, we've been waiting to see how this would play out, and now with the Thor clone (aka Ragnarok) showing up in the thick of SIEGE, it looks like we're going to find out this Wednesday. Not to mention, this issue takes plcae directly after the events of SIEGE #3, and without giving away too much in the way of spoilers... you can be sure there's a huge mess in Asgard that Thor and his Asgardian kin are going to have to take care of!
Click here for a preview of THOR #608 *SIEGE*
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #34 - CAPTAIN AMERICA vs. THE TASKMASTER! THE SURPRISE HIT OF OF SIEGE TIE-INS CONTINUES THIS WEDNESDAY!
One of the biggest surprise breakout hits of SIEGE as far as tie-ins go has been AVENGERS: INITIATIVE. This was a book that really had kinda hit a downward spiral after the start of Dark Reign. It just kind of was there, and didn't really bring anything to the table that made it a must-read. However, when they did that first SIEGE tie-in with AVENGERS INITIATIVE #31, the art and writing on the book really stood out and made us take notice. Basically, we've seen Taskmaster take center-stage, as kind of the voice for your average run-of-the-mill super-villains. The characterization of Taskmaster, Constrictor, and others has really made this an interesting read as we've watched Taskmaster go from a low-level C-list character off on the sidelines, to being the same character but thrown directly into the middle of a War with the Gods. In this issue, we see that Taskmaster may finally realize how far in over his head he really is as it comes down to him and Captain America going head to head.
Click here for a preview of AVENGERS INITIATIVE #34 *SIEGE*
MIGHTY AVENGERS #35 - ULTRON HAS RETURNED...
ULTRON. One of the most classic Avengers villains of all-time, and still, to this day, one of the most terrifying. And, as the MIGHTY AVENGERS are thrown into the mix of SIEGE madness, so is one of their greatest foes, ULTRON. The Mighty Avengers are left without a leader, as Hank Pym is trapped in Pym-Space, with his robotic "son", ULTRON. And apparently, there's supposed to be one of the largest Avengers surprises to be seen in quite a while.
Click here for a preview of MIGHTY AVENGERS #35 *SIEGE*
NEW AVENGERS #63 - IN THE MIDST OF THE DESTRUCTION OF ASGARD, THE NEW AVENGERS ARE PUT INTO A DEADLY POSITION! IS THIS A SNEAK PEEK AT THE NEW AVENGERS LINE-UP?
Another top notch series of tie-ins for SIEGE has been the NEW AVENGERS books, which began with NEW AVENGERS #61. With all the talk of new teams being formed, and new directions for the books, it's been very interesting to watch the NEW AVENGERS and their place in regards to SIEGE. You can almost feel the walls crumbling around them, and even, their more worldly foes, like the Hood. This issue, taking place during the events of SIEGE #3, shows us how the NEW AVENGERS are dealing with being thrown into the middle of Asgard's destruction, and it shows all the moments of that massive battle that were only touched upon in SIEGE #3.
Click here for a preview of NEW AVENGERS #63
THUNDERBOLTS #142 - THE THUNDERBOLTS HEAD TO HEAD WITH THE MIGHTY AVENGERS AS ASGARD FALLS FROM THE SKY!
Another solid SIEGE tie-in was what happened in the pages of THUNDERBOLTS #141, as we saw Ghost invading the walls of Asgard, under orders by Norman Osborn. With the THUNDERBOLTS acting as Marvel's very own suicide squad of supervillains and shady characters that handle the missions almost guaranteed to fail, how will they fare in a battlefield filled with Asgardians, and Avengers alike? And, what will we learn of their motivations?
Click here for a preview of THUNDERBOLTS #142 *SIEGE*
HAUNT volume 1 trade paperback arrives this Wednesday right alongside HAUNT #6. ARE YOU READING HAUNT? Find out why ROBERT KIRKMAN'S (INVINCIBLE, WALKING DEAD) and TODD MCFARLANE'S (legednary Spawn creator) new IMAGE series has become one of our favorite monthly reads! GET THE FIRST TRADE FOR ONLY $9.99, and HOP ON WITH THIS WEEK'S ISSUE #6 TO ENJOY THE MONTHLY SERIES!
One of the best damn series to start in 2009 has been HAUNT, from the extremely talented writer ROBERT KIRKMAN (the man behind WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE, and much more) and TODD MCFARLANE, the legendary comic creator behind SPAWN, and an original IMAGE co-founder. The secret ingredient in HAUNT'S recipe for awesomeness is the mixing of Kirkman's skillful writing and storytelling with McFarlane's visceral sense of BIG. In other words, this book has everything that made you love comics when you were a teenager, combined with the sharp writing and dialogue that makes you love comics today. Plus, it's got that nice little dose of ultraviolence that doesn't hurt to make a book a fun read. :)
This Wednesday, it's a HAUNT double dose, with the first trade paperback collecting HAUNT 1-5, and it's only $9.99. Alongside the first trade comes the sixth issue of HAUNT, which gives you the perfect opportunity to jump onto this great series if you haven't already. For those of you who have been digging the killer range of IMAGE titles like CHEW, INVINCIBLE, and WALKING DEAD, this one's a must-read.
What's the scoop on HAUNT? HAUNT follows Catholic priest Daniel Kilgore, and the ghost of his brother who've bonded together to form the superhero HAUNT. The twist is these two brothers do not get a long with one another at all, with Daniel being a priest who's faith is lacking, and his chain-smoking, hooker picking up lifestyle not being the most chaste path. Kurt, a black ops commando, ends up getting killed on a mission, and something going awry with his death. His ghost comes back just in time to possess his brother, and protect him from being killed, and then from there the book kicks off into a high-energy, non-stop thrillride of espionage, conspiracies, and some very brutal killings. The combination of Kirkman's writing, which keeps things fresh, and interesting with the artwork of McFarlane and Ryan Ottley (INVINCIBLE) fleshing out the story nicely.
A truly visceral, entertaining comic experience, we cannot recommend HAUNT enough if you're looking to get into a gritty, dirty, yet violently fun new series. Ontop of all that, there's those moments where you just stop and go "Wow, THAT'S cool", like when HAUNT uses their ectoplasm-based powers to do neat things (whether it's chopping guys heads off, or shooting out like webbing to slow the descent of a car that's been driven off the side of a building).
What's coming up in HAUNT #6? Well, the first story arc of HAUNT is a nice set-up, but we all know that Kirkman's strength is what comes after he's laid his groundworks. That's when you start seeing the real surprise twists, as he's had time to develop his characters some more. In issues #4, and #5, you learn there's a lot more going on between Kurt and Daniel Kilgore than you realize, and that adds to the intrigue of the series. Issue #6 focuses on Kurt's former lover, and fellow spy, Mirage, where we see more of her origins revealed, and her perspective on the events of HAUNT thus far.
Want to get caught up on HAUNT? Pick up the first trade this Wednesday for only $9.99, or for those of you who're into getting the single issues, we still currently have all five of the previous issues in stock to get caught up on. Either way, give the series a try, it's FANTASTIC! And, hey, while you're at it, you can jump aboard the ongoing and look forward to HAUNT every month with this week's issue #6!
Click here to read an interview with ROBERT KIRKMAN on the future of HAUNT!
SUPERGOD #3 ARRIVES AFTER MUCH ANTICIPATION TO CONTINUE WARREN ELLIS'S (TRANSMETROPOLITAN, PLANETARY, CAPTAIN SWING) EPIC TAKE ON SUPERHUMANS!
It's been a longtime coming, but finally we're seeing the release of the third issue of SUPERGOD. Okay, so it hasn't been THAT long, but that's just how good this series has been, that we're on the edge of our seat waiting for the next installment. The second issue really opened things up as we saw more depth given to the American SUPERGOD, and his place in the grand scheme of things.
Now, for those of you not yet reading SUPERGOD, here's the scoop on the series.
What's SUPERGOD all about? Ellis's SUPERGOD is the third part in a themed-trilogy of stories that Ellis is doing on the idea of superhumans. Now, by no means do you HAVE to read it's predecessors, BLACK SUMMER, and NO HERO (although they're both damn good, and we recommend it), but it's just an overall theme that Ellis has been exploring in these stories. SUPERGOD is all about what would REALLY happen if the militaries and governments of the world explored building superhumans. What we're shown through the series is how each country's "supergod" is defined by the major religious beliefs of that nation. So, when India builds their Supergod, it looks like Krishna. And, the first issue begins with Krishna arriving to save the country.. by destroying it. And, that pretty much sets the stage for SUPERGOD. There's a lot of focus placed on Jerry Carney, a deceased U.S Air Force pilot who has been resurrected, and had his body retrofitted with artificial technology to make him into the U.S's SUPERGOD. Upon realizing he's dead, and should not be alive, but in heaven, the U.S puts him in a government facility that looks like Suburbia, and keeps him in this personal heaven until they need his skills.
This third issue looks to be following up on a massive battle between Jerry, and Russia's Supergod (crammed into the body of a gigantic robot) Novaya Goraj. The collateral damage is huge, and these aren't even the most powerful of the Supergods.
So, essentially, Supergod is what a Superhuman Arms Race would actually be. Take every superhero comic ever published, shove them into a nuclear-powered blender, soak it in bad vodka, and set the whole thing ablaze, and that's Supergod. Pure ELLIS insanity that'll have you on the edge of your seat all throughout.
UNCANNY X-MEN #522 - THE RETURN OF KITTY PRYDE IS HERE! 'NUFF SAID!
One of the Marvel Universe's most beloved characters will be returning this Wednesday in the pages of UNCANNY X-MEN #522, and we're stoked as hell for it. Kitty Pryde, who hasn't been seen since the conclusion of Joss Whedon's incredible run on ASTONISHING X-MEN, looks to be alive, and (hopefully) well, as Magneto is working his mojo to bring her back to Earth. And, how could he do that? Well, last we saw, Kitty was trapped inside of a giant metal bullet that got shot into a planet. And, since a return this big deserves to be done up properly, Marvel's knocking it out of the park this Wednesday with a special over-sized issue featuring the incredible artwork of PHIL JIMINEZ and WHILCE PORTACIO.
Now, with SECOND COMING right around the corner, we can only wonder what Kitty's return will mean in the grand scheme of things? What is Magneto's real motivation for bringing her back? And, how will her fellow team-mates, especially Colossus deal with her return?
X-Fans, this is one you are not gonna wanna miss!
Click here to check out a preview of UNCANNY X-MEN #522!
ATTN: WHEDON FANS, DR. HORRIBLE'S FELICIA DAY WRITES THE GUILD #1 AND IT ARRIVES THIS WEDNESDAY! A MUST-READ FOR FANS OF MMO GAMES!
Here's a big one for all you Whedon fans out there, especially those of you who are big fans of DR. HORRIBLE'S SING-ALONG BLOG. Felicia Day (of DR. HORRIBLE fame) has brought her killer web series to the world of comics, in this new series which fills in and explores details never before revealed on the web show.
The Guild is a series that chronicles the humorous on and offline lives of a group of internet role-playing gamers, the Knights of Good. If you've ever been hooked on games like World of Warcraft or Everquest, then this series is guaranteed to hit your funnybone hard. Plus, it's being written by series creator, Felicia Day, and we hear she's a super nice lady. :)
Click here to check out a preview of THE GUILD #1
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE RISE OF ARSENAL #1CONTINUES THE RISE AND FALL OF THE GREEN ARROW STORYLINE THIS WEDNESDAY!
The RISE AND FALL of the Green Arrow storyline has been keeping us hooked so far, with a return to awesomeness for Oliver Queen, but now we're stoked to see the ramifications of Cry for Justice explored in this new 4 issue limited series featuring Arsenal, aka Red Arrow. Roy Harper got it pretty bad in Cry for Justice, barely surviving the brutal dismemberment that cost him his arms at the hands of PROMETHEUS. And, now, awakened from his coma, Arsenal is finding that his journey into despair is just beginning as his old mentor, the Green Arrow, has taken a dark turn, and the Justice League is out on the hunt for him.
Click here to read more about JUSTICE LEAGUE: RISE OF ARSENAL #1
NORTHLANDERS v.3 BLOOD IN THE SNOWtrade paperback arrives this Wednesday! Another slab of Viking awesomeness from the crazy talented BRIAN WOOD (DEMO, DMZ)
One of the best damn Vertigo series hitting the stands right now is Brian Wood's NORTHLANDERS. If you couldn't already tell from the heaps of praise we pour onto series like DEMO, and DMZ, we're all big Brian Wood fans here at Third Eye.
This Wednesday, the third slab of his Viking saga continues, and we couldn't be more stoked to get our hands on another trade of Northlanders. If you haven't read Northlanders before, allow us to give you the scoop on why this series is the bees knees.
Northlanders is a series of fictional stories set in and around the historical events of the Viking Age. The series itself is divided up into long story arcs that alternate with shorter arcs. In the first story arc, Sven the Returned, we get to watch as Sven, a self-exiled Viking warrior serving in the Varangian Guard, returns to his birth region of the Orkney Islands to reclaim his inheritance. Of course, his evil uncle stands in his ways, and what happens from there is one of the most bloody, beautiful "lone wolf" pitted against immense odds stories we've ever seen.
From there, we see stories that focus on everything from the sacking of the Lindisfarne monastery at the beginning of the Viking Age to an Irishman fending off occupying Viking forces in Dublin using guerrilla tactics.
The thing that makes the series great is the fusion of very talented artists and Brian Wood's well-paced, well-crafted storytelling. Another added bonus is the dialogue, a lot of stories set in the distant past get stunted on dialogue that is difficult for us as readers to have pull us into the story. In Northlanders, the characters talk like real people, and it really helps pull you further into the story.
The third trade, due out this Wednesday, features several different stories set in the Northlanders world, including our personal favorites the Viking Art of Single Combat, and Sven the Immortal.
Click here to read more about NORTHLANDERS v.3 SNOW IN THE BLOOD
ORC STAIN #2 CONTINUES JAMES STOKOE'S SURREAL, QUIRKY, AND INCREDIBLE-LOOKING ORC WORLD MADNESS!
Here's a big cult favorite here at Third Eye, and dude, we could not be more stoked to see the second issue arriving this Wednesday. This series has some of the BEST artwork going on right now, in my opinion. Hyper-detailed, freshly colored awesomeness from James Stokoe (the author of Wonton Soup) that makes us think of Geoff Darrow and Paul Pope.
The actual series itself is a fantasy book that takes place on a planet populated almost entirely by hordes of orcs. After countless generations of in-fighting, the Orc Chief is looking to unite the armies and build his long-lasting empire. But, to do this, he has to enlist an orc treasure hunter by the name of One-Eye.
And, that sums up the plot, it's not complicated. But, it is FUN as hell. It's like some bizarre cross between those animated Ralph Bakshi sword and sorcery flicks of the '70s, H.R Giger's ALIENS, and the zaniness of modern day awesomeness like Scott Pilgrim.
The real stand out though however is the artwork, which is honestly some of the best looking stuff I've seen. The colors, and the attention to detail in this series is gorgeous, and that alone makes the book worth the price of admission.
If you guys want something that's pure fun, and haven't already tried Orc Stain, snag up the first issue (still in stock here at Third Eye), and grab a copy of #2 this Wednesday here at Third Eye!
ROBERT JORDAN'S WHEEL OF TIME GETS THE COMIC TREATMENT THIS WEDNESDAY WITHWHEEL OF TIME: THE EYE OF THE WORLD #1!
Originally, the Dabel Brothers were going to release Robert Jordan's killer Wheel of Time saga in comic book form, but unfortunately, could not get the book out on time. So, thankfully, Dynamite has acquired the rights to publish Wheel of Time, and we'll get to see this killer look at the world of Jordan's fantasy explored on a consistent, on time basis.
This first issue collects both issue #0, and issue #1 of the series, in one big 64 page issue (and heck, it's only $3.99 too!), written by Robert Jordan and Chuck Dixon, with the stellar artwork of Chase Conley, this one's a must read for all you die-hard Wheel of Time and Robert Jordan fans out there. A true fantasy epic getting the comic treatment it deserves.
Click here for a preview of ROBERT JORDAN'S WHEEL OF TIME: EYE OF THE WORLD #1
SHUDDERTOWN #1 DELIVERS DELIVERS A GRITTY CRIME NOIR HORROR STORY THAT FEELS LIKE "THE WIRE" MEETS "SE7EN"
Folks, this one looks super freakin' cool. A brand new Image limited series that feels like a mix of THE WIRE and SE7EN, and sports some of the sweetest looking artwork we've seen in a while. Apparently, people who're supposed to be dead have been committing brutal murders, and troubled homicide cop Isaac Hernandez is on a search for answers. He finds himself being drawn into the corridors of the Shuddertown housing projects, and the truth is something he may not want to face.
I've seen some preview pages of this one, and it looks really killer. The artwork is A+, and the story and dialogue has a nice grit to it that looks like this'll be a fun little crime/horror story.
Great artwork, and what sounds like a very promising story, this is definitely one worth giving a look.
Click here to read an interview with Nick Spencer, series writer, about Shuddertown.
PHONOGRAM v.2 SINGLES CLUB TRADE PAPERBACK HITS THIS WEDNESDAY! STRAIGHT UP CERTIFIED COOL, 100%, IMAGINE WARREN ELLIS'S PLANETARY... BUT USING THE POP CULTURAL WORLD OF MUSIC!
One of the biggest sleeper hits I think I've seen was Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie's killer Phonogram series. The first miniseries, Rue Britannia, explores the world of a magician who uses the medium of Britpop music to interpret his magic. The series kind of makes you think of something like PLANETARY, but instead of the worlds of serial and pulp fiction being explored, it's the world of music. Dave Kohl, the mage in question, learns that someone is planning to resurrect Britannia, the goddess of Britpop, in zombified form. The series is a true tribute to the power of popular music, and weaves references and phrases into the story so seamlessly that you feel like you're there. The surrealness of seeing Blur turn up, and the way that it weaves with the comic bookness of the series is incredible.
And, now, this Wednesday, the second mini-series, Singles Club, is hitting trade paperback, and we know you guys are stoked to give it a go. See, in the world of Phonogram, music is pure magic, and the practicioners of this dark yet fun art are known as Phonomancers, living amongst us, and we'd never know. While Rue Britannia focused on Dave Kohl, this new miniseries focuses on a new cast of phonomancers, who are younger, and more impressionable, and don't quite grasp how wonderful and dangerous the urban fatnasy world is in which they dwell.
The series is weird and wonderful, and it's some of the best written stuff we've seen recently. Give it a shot, and try the trades, we guarantee you won't be disappointed!
YOU WANTED NIGHTCRAWLER? YOU'RE GONNA GET NIGHTCRAWLER! Everyone's favorite X-Men finally gets a killer Origins one-shot this Wednesday in X-MEN ORIGINS: NIGHTCRAWLER!
A fan-favorite, for sure, Nightcrawler is one of those X-Men characters that's got such a cool visual, combined with a killer backstory, and neat powers, that he's really amassed a loyal fan-following. And, one of the questions I get asked frequently is "Steve, what's a good Nightcrawler story?" I normally point people to stuff like God Loves, Man Kills, which is a great story, and has a nice focus on our favorite teleporting mutant, as well as strikes a chord with who and what he's all about. But, there has never really been a good definitive one-off Nightcrawler story, until now.
Yup, this Wednesday, the elf gets his own one-shot exploring his origins, his past, and his future in the Marvel Universe. And, keeping in tune with the past X-Men Origins one-shots, the artwork in this book is freakin' gorgeous, courtesy of Cary Nord.
Click here to check out a preview of X-MEN ORIGINS NIGHTCRAWLER #1
STAFF PICKS
Steve - AMERICAN VAMPIRE #1 = A fantastic start here, the writing and artwork mesh well, and there's really a strong sense of a compelling world for us to explore. Vampires done right.
Trish - IRREDEEMABLE #12 = Irredeemable moves it's way to the top of my read pile every month, and this issue continued that trend. More and more questions answered, more and more questions formed. LOVING THIS SERIES!!!
Torma - SIEGE #3 = Siege is the best Marvel event I've read in a long long time. This issue has it all, including Iron Man coming back into action rocking his old armor. And, the ending... I NEED TO KNOW!!
Matt - AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #625 = The first Rhino story that Joe Kelly did in #617 was over-the-top awesome, but this follow-up was even better. If you're not following THE GAUNTLET, you need to check this out. The bet Spidey has been in ages.
CIVIL WAR? Just the beginning
KICK-ASS? A Warm-Up
NEMESIS IS HERE!
Here it is, folks, the book I am most excited about this Spring. Bar none, I'm looking forward to this more than just about anything else. And, I know what a lot of you guys are saying: of course, you are, Steve, you love all the @$%!ed up violent books. But, hey, that's not true... I love all the @$!%ed up violent books that are well-written! :)
Seriously though, this one's a big deal. First off, it's the creative team of MARK MILLAR and STEVE MCNIVEN. This is the writer/artist combo that brought you CIVIL WAR, and OLD MAN LOGAN. And, for those of you who may not know, OLD MAN LOGAN was the Third Eye Must Buy of 2009, folks. Probably the best Wolverine series in two decades, showing us a Logan who has sheathed his claws permanently, and started a family amidst a post-apocalyptic wasteland of dead Marvel heroes, and supervillains that run the country. But, hey, hold up, that's not all..... Mr. Millar also gave us the INCREDIBLE KICK-ASS, which is on it's way to movie theaters this April. And, with KICK-ASS and OLD MAN LOGAN, he showed us how he was capable of taking the superhero genre and completely spinning it on it's head.
So, WHAT IS NEMESIS? Nemesis is comic book love, my friends. Mark Millar is doing what he does best all over again, and getting ready to put us all through the ringer. Nemesis, in a nutshell, is What if Batman WAS the Joker? In other words, if you had the world's smartest, wealthiest man, and instead of him being dedicated to protecting the innocent, he had committed his existence to terrorizing the innocent. In fact, what he does is he targets a police chief, moves into his jurisdiction, recruits a team from the local hoods, and then goes on a crusade against the entire city. And, it's all executed with the kind of strategy, and bravado that you would expect from an adventure of the Dark Knight.
Now, I've only read the first issue, as an advance copy, but, from what I have read... this book is going to blow you away. It looks like the actual motivations, and origins of Nemesis will be explored further in the series, but that first issue... it's a non-stop bloodbath from beginning to finish. And, it's all done in McNiven's gorgeous, incredible art-style, with of course, the fantastic pacing and storytelling of Mark Millar.
But, back to NEMESIS! So, the first issue starts with NEMESIS, doing some horrible things in another part of the world, before he decides to set his sights on a police chief in Washington, D.C. And, while I'm trying to not give away too much in the way of spoilers, it looks like we're going to see the series being summed up as NEMESIS targeting this ordinary man, and this ordinary man fighting back as best he can. And, see, that's where it looks like the appeal of the series is really going to shine. In the world of NEMESIS, there are no superheroes, no superpowers, there's only one person who qualifies as a superhuman, and that's NEMESIS. And, he's superhuman in the way that Batman is Superhuman, extraordinary athletic abilities, genius IQ, lots of cool gadgets. Now, what do you do to fight back against the supervillain equivalent of Batman, who carries the philosophy of THE JOKER?
That's where things are going to be interesting. The struggle between average man, and the unstoppable force of NEMESIS.
I'm really trying hard to not spoil anything from the first issue, but holy crap, if you guys thought KICK-ASS and OLD MAN LOGAN had some jawdropping events, wait til you read this. Heck, even the level of blood, and guts, illustrated by the very talented Steve McNiven, is at an all-time high.
So, if you're looking for one of the biggest books to hit this year, then look no further, NEMESIS is going to be a mega-hit. And, I can tell this from reading just the first issue, 'cause folks, IT'S ONE HELL OF A GOOD READ!
Click here to read an unlettered preview of NEMESIS #1
BLACKEST NIGHT NEARS IT'S END AS GREEN LANTERN #52 DELIVERS SEVERAL REVELATIONS THAT PAVE THE WAY TO THE FINAL ISSUE, BLACKEST NIGHT #8! YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS ISSUE OF GREEN LANTERN, TRUST US!
Since that last page of BLACKEST NIGHT #7, we've all been eagerly awaiting to see the next step for Sinestro now that he's wielding the White Ring. And, this week in GREEN LANTERN #52, many of our questions are going to be answered. While DC has been cagey on the details surrounding this issue of GREEN LANTERN, we do know that this is the penultimate chapter of BLACKEST NIGHT, with only one more issue (BLACKEST NIGHT #8) left after this. We also know that their solicits have stressed that we do not want to miss this issue, no matter what. And, I have to admit, so far, DC has delivered on their promises with BLACKEST NIGHT. Every issue that's been stressed as being an important, or pivotal part, has been exactly that. This was proven big time to me last week in the pages of GREEN LANTERN CORPS #46, which delivered huge. The issue was promoted as an all-out battle royale, and it sure as hell was. PLUS, BLACK LANTERN ANTI-MONITOR=TOO COOL.
Anyways, back to GREEN LANTERN #52, with only one issue of BLACKEST NIGHT left after this, we're expecting some huge payoffs in this issue, since we know they cannot wrap EVERYTHING up in just one final issue of BLACKEST NIGHT. Plus, the fact that Geoff Johns has been writing the GREEN LANTERN books themselves, and has made each issue of the series fit very nicely in-between issues of BLACKEST NIGHT (going so far as to dub the GL tie-ins as Blackest Night 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, ect,ect), we're sure this one's going to be one hell of a read.
So, folks, gear up, and get ready as we march closer towards the BRIGHTEST DAY, and near the conclusion of BLACKEST NIGHT this Wednesday with GREEN LANTERN #52.
Click here to read more about GREEN LANTERN #52 *BLACKEST NIGHT*
Want to catch up on BLACKEST NIGHT? Click here for the official THIRD EYE Blackest Night checklist.
SIEGE DOMINATES THIRD EYE THIS WEDNESDAY! A BIG HEAPING DOSE OF SIEGE AWESOMENESS ARRIVES THIS WEDNESDAY WITH AVENGERS INITIATIVE #34, MIGHTY AVENGERS #35, NEW AVENGERS #63, THOR #608, and THUNDERBOLTS #142!
Siege makes a huge splash this Wednesday with a full assortment of killer SIEGE tie-ins. Now, I have to say that I've been super impressed so far with the quality and relevance of most of the SIEGE tie-ins. Marvel has done a great job of making each one of the tie-in books feel crucial, and integral to the storyline as a whole, and has done a great job of avoiding the trap of falling into filler with them.
After last week's epic happenings in SIEGE #3, we couldn't be more stoked to see what's coming next this Wednesday with the plethora of killer tie-in issues from Marvel. So, lets go through, and give you the rundown on what to expect...
THOR #608 - THOR vs. THOR CLONE (remember him from CIVIL WAR) in this huge tie-in issue that takes place after the destruction of Asgard!
Those last two pages of THOR #607 were stunning, to say the least. The THOR Siege tie-in, along with the DARK AVENGERS ones, probably have been my favorite tie-ins to the event so far. The writing on both have been top notch, and you know it doesn't hurt that THOR has been just getting better, and better with every issue. Kieron Gillen is definitely an up-and-coming writer to watch, for sure, and he has been really showing how good he can be with his current run on THOR. Not to mention Billy Tan has been delivering some of the best work of his career so far, in our opinion.
This week in THOR #608, we get to see something that everybody has been waiting for... the showdown between THOR and the THOR clone from CIVIL WAR. Ever since the reveal of it's existence, we've been waiting to see how this would play out, and now with the Thor clone (aka Ragnarok) showing up in the thick of SIEGE, it looks like we're going to find out this Wednesday. Not to mention, this issue takes plcae directly after the events of SIEGE #3, and without giving away too much in the way of spoilers... you can be sure there's a huge mess in Asgard that Thor and his Asgardian kin are going to have to take care of!
Click here for a preview of THOR #608 *SIEGE*
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #34 - CAPTAIN AMERICA vs. THE TASKMASTER! THE SURPRISE HIT OF OF SIEGE TIE-INS CONTINUES THIS WEDNESDAY!
One of the biggest surprise breakout hits of SIEGE as far as tie-ins go has been AVENGERS: INITIATIVE. This was a book that really had kinda hit a downward spiral after the start of Dark Reign. It just kind of was there, and didn't really bring anything to the table that made it a must-read. However, when they did that first SIEGE tie-in with AVENGERS INITIATIVE #31, the art and writing on the book really stood out and made us take notice. Basically, we've seen Taskmaster take center-stage, as kind of the voice for your average run-of-the-mill super-villains. The characterization of Taskmaster, Constrictor, and others has really made this an interesting read as we've watched Taskmaster go from a low-level C-list character off on the sidelines, to being the same character but thrown directly into the middle of a War with the Gods. In this issue, we see that Taskmaster may finally realize how far in over his head he really is as it comes down to him and Captain America going head to head.
Click here for a preview of AVENGERS INITIATIVE #34 *SIEGE*
MIGHTY AVENGERS #35 - ULTRON HAS RETURNED...
ULTRON. One of the most classic Avengers villains of all-time, and still, to this day, one of the most terrifying. And, as the MIGHTY AVENGERS are thrown into the mix of SIEGE madness, so is one of their greatest foes, ULTRON. The Mighty Avengers are left without a leader, as Hank Pym is trapped in Pym-Space, with his robotic "son", ULTRON. And apparently, there's supposed to be one of the largest Avengers surprises to be seen in quite a while.
Click here for a preview of MIGHTY AVENGERS #35 *SIEGE*
NEW AVENGERS #63 - IN THE MIDST OF THE DESTRUCTION OF ASGARD, THE NEW AVENGERS ARE PUT INTO A DEADLY POSITION! IS THIS A SNEAK PEEK AT THE NEW AVENGERS LINE-UP?
Another top notch series of tie-ins for SIEGE has been the NEW AVENGERS books, which began with NEW AVENGERS #61. With all the talk of new teams being formed, and new directions for the books, it's been very interesting to watch the NEW AVENGERS and their place in regards to SIEGE. You can almost feel the walls crumbling around them, and even, their more worldly foes, like the Hood. This issue, taking place during the events of SIEGE #3, shows us how the NEW AVENGERS are dealing with being thrown into the middle of Asgard's destruction, and it shows all the moments of that massive battle that were only touched upon in SIEGE #3.
Click here for a preview of NEW AVENGERS #63
THUNDERBOLTS #142 - THE THUNDERBOLTS HEAD TO HEAD WITH THE MIGHTY AVENGERS AS ASGARD FALLS FROM THE SKY!
Another solid SIEGE tie-in was what happened in the pages of THUNDERBOLTS #141, as we saw Ghost invading the walls of Asgard, under orders by Norman Osborn. With the THUNDERBOLTS acting as Marvel's very own suicide squad of supervillains and shady characters that handle the missions almost guaranteed to fail, how will they fare in a battlefield filled with Asgardians, and Avengers alike? And, what will we learn of their motivations?
Click here for a preview of THUNDERBOLTS #142 *SIEGE*
HAUNT volume 1 trade paperback arrives this Wednesday right alongside HAUNT #6. ARE YOU READING HAUNT? Find out why ROBERT KIRKMAN'S (INVINCIBLE, WALKING DEAD) and TODD MCFARLANE'S (legednary Spawn creator) new IMAGE series has become one of our favorite monthly reads! GET THE FIRST TRADE FOR ONLY $9.99, and HOP ON WITH THIS WEEK'S ISSUE #6 TO ENJOY THE MONTHLY SERIES!
One of the best damn series to start in 2009 has been HAUNT, from the extremely talented writer ROBERT KIRKMAN (the man behind WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE, and much more) and TODD MCFARLANE, the legendary comic creator behind SPAWN, and an original IMAGE co-founder. The secret ingredient in HAUNT'S recipe for awesomeness is the mixing of Kirkman's skillful writing and storytelling with McFarlane's visceral sense of BIG. In other words, this book has everything that made you love comics when you were a teenager, combined with the sharp writing and dialogue that makes you love comics today. Plus, it's got that nice little dose of ultraviolence that doesn't hurt to make a book a fun read. :)
This Wednesday, it's a HAUNT double dose, with the first trade paperback collecting HAUNT 1-5, and it's only $9.99. Alongside the first trade comes the sixth issue of HAUNT, which gives you the perfect opportunity to jump onto this great series if you haven't already. For those of you who have been digging the killer range of IMAGE titles like CHEW, INVINCIBLE, and WALKING DEAD, this one's a must-read.
What's the scoop on HAUNT? HAUNT follows Catholic priest Daniel Kilgore, and the ghost of his brother who've bonded together to form the superhero HAUNT. The twist is these two brothers do not get a long with one another at all, with Daniel being a priest who's faith is lacking, and his chain-smoking, hooker picking up lifestyle not being the most chaste path. Kurt, a black ops commando, ends up getting killed on a mission, and something going awry with his death. His ghost comes back just in time to possess his brother, and protect him from being killed, and then from there the book kicks off into a high-energy, non-stop thrillride of espionage, conspiracies, and some very brutal killings. The combination of Kirkman's writing, which keeps things fresh, and interesting with the artwork of McFarlane and Ryan Ottley (INVINCIBLE) fleshing out the story nicely.
A truly visceral, entertaining comic experience, we cannot recommend HAUNT enough if you're looking to get into a gritty, dirty, yet violently fun new series. Ontop of all that, there's those moments where you just stop and go "Wow, THAT'S cool", like when HAUNT uses their ectoplasm-based powers to do neat things (whether it's chopping guys heads off, or shooting out like webbing to slow the descent of a car that's been driven off the side of a building).
What's coming up in HAUNT #6? Well, the first story arc of HAUNT is a nice set-up, but we all know that Kirkman's strength is what comes after he's laid his groundworks. That's when you start seeing the real surprise twists, as he's had time to develop his characters some more. In issues #4, and #5, you learn there's a lot more going on between Kurt and Daniel Kilgore than you realize, and that adds to the intrigue of the series. Issue #6 focuses on Kurt's former lover, and fellow spy, Mirage, where we see more of her origins revealed, and her perspective on the events of HAUNT thus far.
Want to get caught up on HAUNT? Pick up the first trade this Wednesday for only $9.99, or for those of you who're into getting the single issues, we still currently have all five of the previous issues in stock to get caught up on. Either way, give the series a try, it's FANTASTIC! And, hey, while you're at it, you can jump aboard the ongoing and look forward to HAUNT every month with this week's issue #6!
Click here to read an interview with ROBERT KIRKMAN on the future of HAUNT!
SUPERGOD #3 ARRIVES AFTER MUCH ANTICIPATION TO CONTINUE WARREN ELLIS'S (TRANSMETROPOLITAN, PLANETARY, CAPTAIN SWING) EPIC TAKE ON SUPERHUMANS!
It's been a longtime coming, but finally we're seeing the release of the third issue of SUPERGOD. Okay, so it hasn't been THAT long, but that's just how good this series has been, that we're on the edge of our seat waiting for the next installment. The second issue really opened things up as we saw more depth given to the American SUPERGOD, and his place in the grand scheme of things.
Now, for those of you not yet reading SUPERGOD, here's the scoop on the series.
What's SUPERGOD all about? Ellis's SUPERGOD is the third part in a themed-trilogy of stories that Ellis is doing on the idea of superhumans. Now, by no means do you HAVE to read it's predecessors, BLACK SUMMER, and NO HERO (although they're both damn good, and we recommend it), but it's just an overall theme that Ellis has been exploring in these stories. SUPERGOD is all about what would REALLY happen if the militaries and governments of the world explored building superhumans. What we're shown through the series is how each country's "supergod" is defined by the major religious beliefs of that nation. So, when India builds their Supergod, it looks like Krishna. And, the first issue begins with Krishna arriving to save the country.. by destroying it. And, that pretty much sets the stage for SUPERGOD. There's a lot of focus placed on Jerry Carney, a deceased U.S Air Force pilot who has been resurrected, and had his body retrofitted with artificial technology to make him into the U.S's SUPERGOD. Upon realizing he's dead, and should not be alive, but in heaven, the U.S puts him in a government facility that looks like Suburbia, and keeps him in this personal heaven until they need his skills.
This third issue looks to be following up on a massive battle between Jerry, and Russia's Supergod (crammed into the body of a gigantic robot) Novaya Goraj. The collateral damage is huge, and these aren't even the most powerful of the Supergods.
So, essentially, Supergod is what a Superhuman Arms Race would actually be. Take every superhero comic ever published, shove them into a nuclear-powered blender, soak it in bad vodka, and set the whole thing ablaze, and that's Supergod. Pure ELLIS insanity that'll have you on the edge of your seat all throughout.
UNCANNY X-MEN #522 - THE RETURN OF KITTY PRYDE IS HERE! 'NUFF SAID!
One of the Marvel Universe's most beloved characters will be returning this Wednesday in the pages of UNCANNY X-MEN #522, and we're stoked as hell for it. Kitty Pryde, who hasn't been seen since the conclusion of Joss Whedon's incredible run on ASTONISHING X-MEN, looks to be alive, and (hopefully) well, as Magneto is working his mojo to bring her back to Earth. And, how could he do that? Well, last we saw, Kitty was trapped inside of a giant metal bullet that got shot into a planet. And, since a return this big deserves to be done up properly, Marvel's knocking it out of the park this Wednesday with a special over-sized issue featuring the incredible artwork of PHIL JIMINEZ and WHILCE PORTACIO.
Now, with SECOND COMING right around the corner, we can only wonder what Kitty's return will mean in the grand scheme of things? What is Magneto's real motivation for bringing her back? And, how will her fellow team-mates, especially Colossus deal with her return?
X-Fans, this is one you are not gonna wanna miss!
Click here to check out a preview of UNCANNY X-MEN #522!
ATTN: WHEDON FANS, DR. HORRIBLE'S FELICIA DAY WRITES THE GUILD #1 AND IT ARRIVES THIS WEDNESDAY! A MUST-READ FOR FANS OF MMO GAMES!
Here's a big one for all you Whedon fans out there, especially those of you who are big fans of DR. HORRIBLE'S SING-ALONG BLOG. Felicia Day (of DR. HORRIBLE fame) has brought her killer web series to the world of comics, in this new series which fills in and explores details never before revealed on the web show.
The Guild is a series that chronicles the humorous on and offline lives of a group of internet role-playing gamers, the Knights of Good. If you've ever been hooked on games like World of Warcraft or Everquest, then this series is guaranteed to hit your funnybone hard. Plus, it's being written by series creator, Felicia Day, and we hear she's a super nice lady. :)
Click here to check out a preview of THE GUILD #1
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE RISE OF ARSENAL #1CONTINUES THE RISE AND FALL OF THE GREEN ARROW STORYLINE THIS WEDNESDAY!
The RISE AND FALL of the Green Arrow storyline has been keeping us hooked so far, with a return to awesomeness for Oliver Queen, but now we're stoked to see the ramifications of Cry for Justice explored in this new 4 issue limited series featuring Arsenal, aka Red Arrow. Roy Harper got it pretty bad in Cry for Justice, barely surviving the brutal dismemberment that cost him his arms at the hands of PROMETHEUS. And, now, awakened from his coma, Arsenal is finding that his journey into despair is just beginning as his old mentor, the Green Arrow, has taken a dark turn, and the Justice League is out on the hunt for him.
Click here to read more about JUSTICE LEAGUE: RISE OF ARSENAL #1
NORTHLANDERS v.3 BLOOD IN THE SNOWtrade paperback arrives this Wednesday! Another slab of Viking awesomeness from the crazy talented BRIAN WOOD (DEMO, DMZ)
One of the best damn Vertigo series hitting the stands right now is Brian Wood's NORTHLANDERS. If you couldn't already tell from the heaps of praise we pour onto series like DEMO, and DMZ, we're all big Brian Wood fans here at Third Eye.
This Wednesday, the third slab of his Viking saga continues, and we couldn't be more stoked to get our hands on another trade of Northlanders. If you haven't read Northlanders before, allow us to give you the scoop on why this series is the bees knees.
Northlanders is a series of fictional stories set in and around the historical events of the Viking Age. The series itself is divided up into long story arcs that alternate with shorter arcs. In the first story arc, Sven the Returned, we get to watch as Sven, a self-exiled Viking warrior serving in the Varangian Guard, returns to his birth region of the Orkney Islands to reclaim his inheritance. Of course, his evil uncle stands in his ways, and what happens from there is one of the most bloody, beautiful "lone wolf" pitted against immense odds stories we've ever seen.
From there, we see stories that focus on everything from the sacking of the Lindisfarne monastery at the beginning of the Viking Age to an Irishman fending off occupying Viking forces in Dublin using guerrilla tactics.
The thing that makes the series great is the fusion of very talented artists and Brian Wood's well-paced, well-crafted storytelling. Another added bonus is the dialogue, a lot of stories set in the distant past get stunted on dialogue that is difficult for us as readers to have pull us into the story. In Northlanders, the characters talk like real people, and it really helps pull you further into the story.
The third trade, due out this Wednesday, features several different stories set in the Northlanders world, including our personal favorites the Viking Art of Single Combat, and Sven the Immortal.
Click here to read more about NORTHLANDERS v.3 SNOW IN THE BLOOD
ORC STAIN #2 CONTINUES JAMES STOKOE'S SURREAL, QUIRKY, AND INCREDIBLE-LOOKING ORC WORLD MADNESS!
Here's a big cult favorite here at Third Eye, and dude, we could not be more stoked to see the second issue arriving this Wednesday. This series has some of the BEST artwork going on right now, in my opinion. Hyper-detailed, freshly colored awesomeness from James Stokoe (the author of Wonton Soup) that makes us think of Geoff Darrow and Paul Pope.
The actual series itself is a fantasy book that takes place on a planet populated almost entirely by hordes of orcs. After countless generations of in-fighting, the Orc Chief is looking to unite the armies and build his long-lasting empire. But, to do this, he has to enlist an orc treasure hunter by the name of One-Eye.
And, that sums up the plot, it's not complicated. But, it is FUN as hell. It's like some bizarre cross between those animated Ralph Bakshi sword and sorcery flicks of the '70s, H.R Giger's ALIENS, and the zaniness of modern day awesomeness like Scott Pilgrim.
The real stand out though however is the artwork, which is honestly some of the best looking stuff I've seen. The colors, and the attention to detail in this series is gorgeous, and that alone makes the book worth the price of admission.
If you guys want something that's pure fun, and haven't already tried Orc Stain, snag up the first issue (still in stock here at Third Eye), and grab a copy of #2 this Wednesday here at Third Eye!
ROBERT JORDAN'S WHEEL OF TIME GETS THE COMIC TREATMENT THIS WEDNESDAY WITHWHEEL OF TIME: THE EYE OF THE WORLD #1!
Originally, the Dabel Brothers were going to release Robert Jordan's killer Wheel of Time saga in comic book form, but unfortunately, could not get the book out on time. So, thankfully, Dynamite has acquired the rights to publish Wheel of Time, and we'll get to see this killer look at the world of Jordan's fantasy explored on a consistent, on time basis.
This first issue collects both issue #0, and issue #1 of the series, in one big 64 page issue (and heck, it's only $3.99 too!), written by Robert Jordan and Chuck Dixon, with the stellar artwork of Chase Conley, this one's a must read for all you die-hard Wheel of Time and Robert Jordan fans out there. A true fantasy epic getting the comic treatment it deserves.
Click here for a preview of ROBERT JORDAN'S WHEEL OF TIME: EYE OF THE WORLD #1
SHUDDERTOWN #1 DELIVERS DELIVERS A GRITTY CRIME NOIR HORROR STORY THAT FEELS LIKE "THE WIRE" MEETS "SE7EN"
Folks, this one looks super freakin' cool. A brand new Image limited series that feels like a mix of THE WIRE and SE7EN, and sports some of the sweetest looking artwork we've seen in a while. Apparently, people who're supposed to be dead have been committing brutal murders, and troubled homicide cop Isaac Hernandez is on a search for answers. He finds himself being drawn into the corridors of the Shuddertown housing projects, and the truth is something he may not want to face.
I've seen some preview pages of this one, and it looks really killer. The artwork is A+, and the story and dialogue has a nice grit to it that looks like this'll be a fun little crime/horror story.
Great artwork, and what sounds like a very promising story, this is definitely one worth giving a look.
Click here to read an interview with Nick Spencer, series writer, about Shuddertown.
PHONOGRAM v.2 SINGLES CLUB TRADE PAPERBACK HITS THIS WEDNESDAY! STRAIGHT UP CERTIFIED COOL, 100%, IMAGINE WARREN ELLIS'S PLANETARY... BUT USING THE POP CULTURAL WORLD OF MUSIC!
One of the biggest sleeper hits I think I've seen was Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie's killer Phonogram series. The first miniseries, Rue Britannia, explores the world of a magician who uses the medium of Britpop music to interpret his magic. The series kind of makes you think of something like PLANETARY, but instead of the worlds of serial and pulp fiction being explored, it's the world of music. Dave Kohl, the mage in question, learns that someone is planning to resurrect Britannia, the goddess of Britpop, in zombified form. The series is a true tribute to the power of popular music, and weaves references and phrases into the story so seamlessly that you feel like you're there. The surrealness of seeing Blur turn up, and the way that it weaves with the comic bookness of the series is incredible.
And, now, this Wednesday, the second mini-series, Singles Club, is hitting trade paperback, and we know you guys are stoked to give it a go. See, in the world of Phonogram, music is pure magic, and the practicioners of this dark yet fun art are known as Phonomancers, living amongst us, and we'd never know. While Rue Britannia focused on Dave Kohl, this new miniseries focuses on a new cast of phonomancers, who are younger, and more impressionable, and don't quite grasp how wonderful and dangerous the urban fatnasy world is in which they dwell.
The series is weird and wonderful, and it's some of the best written stuff we've seen recently. Give it a shot, and try the trades, we guarantee you won't be disappointed!
YOU WANTED NIGHTCRAWLER? YOU'RE GONNA GET NIGHTCRAWLER! Everyone's favorite X-Men finally gets a killer Origins one-shot this Wednesday in X-MEN ORIGINS: NIGHTCRAWLER!
A fan-favorite, for sure, Nightcrawler is one of those X-Men characters that's got such a cool visual, combined with a killer backstory, and neat powers, that he's really amassed a loyal fan-following. And, one of the questions I get asked frequently is "Steve, what's a good Nightcrawler story?" I normally point people to stuff like God Loves, Man Kills, which is a great story, and has a nice focus on our favorite teleporting mutant, as well as strikes a chord with who and what he's all about. But, there has never really been a good definitive one-off Nightcrawler story, until now.
Yup, this Wednesday, the elf gets his own one-shot exploring his origins, his past, and his future in the Marvel Universe. And, keeping in tune with the past X-Men Origins one-shots, the artwork in this book is freakin' gorgeous, courtesy of Cary Nord.
Click here to check out a preview of X-MEN ORIGINS NIGHTCRAWLER #1
STAFF PICKS
Steve - AMERICAN VAMPIRE #1 = A fantastic start here, the writing and artwork mesh well, and there's really a strong sense of a compelling world for us to explore. Vampires done right.
Trish - IRREDEEMABLE #12 = Irredeemable moves it's way to the top of my read pile every month, and this issue continued that trend. More and more questions answered, more and more questions formed. LOVING THIS SERIES!!!
Torma - SIEGE #3 = Siege is the best Marvel event I've read in a long long time. This issue has it all, including Iron Man coming back into action rocking his old armor. And, the ending... I NEED TO KNOW!!
Matt - AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #625 = The first Rhino story that Joe Kelly did in #617 was over-the-top awesome, but this follow-up was even better. If you're not following THE GAUNTLET, you need to check this out. The bet Spidey has been in ages.
NEW TOYS, GAMES, AND OTHER COOL SWAG IN STOCK THIS WEEK AT THIRD EYE!
NEW GAMES, TOYS & OTHER SWAG IN STOCK THIS WEEK AT THIRD EYE!
Some cool new goodies hitting the shop this week.
MAGIC THE GATHERING PHYREXIA vs. THE COALITION DUAL DECKS
GHOSTBUSTERS LOGO BANK
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS PLAYERS HANDBOOK 3!
NEW BLACKEST NIGHT "OATH" MAGNETS!
GOBLINS CARD GAME (for fans of MUNCHKIN!)
DUNGEON LORDS BOARD GAME (for fans of SMALL WORLD)
PELOPONNESS BOARD GAME (for fans of SETTLERS OF CATAN)
KIDROBOT SIMPSONS, FUTURAMA BACK IN STOCK!
MORE KIDROBOT AWESOMENESS, INCLUDING THE BRAND NEW KARNIES SET & MORE!
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