THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS @ THIRD EYE FOR WEDNESDAY 7/14/10

MAGIC THE GATHERING 2011 CORE SET AVAILABLE @ THIRD EYE THIS FRIDAY 7/16/10

We'll have the brand new, highly anticipated MAGIC THE GATHERING 2011 Core Set in stock this Friay July 16th at Third Eye. Like many of the recent Magic sets, expect this one to be in high demand, and short supply at the distributor level. We've got a big shipment coming in this week, which includes plenty of Intro Packs, Booster Packs, and limited Fat Packs.

If you'd like to reserve a booster box to purchase, a fat pack, or any intro packs, then please let us know between now and Friday!

SCOTT PILGRIM'S FINEST HOUR BOOK 6 MIDNIGHT RELEASE
MONDAY JULY 19th @ 11PM!
Be One of the First to See How Scott's Saga Concludes!
Score sweet promo swag, and come dressed as your favorite Scott Pilgrim character
to get limited SCOTT PILGRIM buttons, posters and other items!

Okay, folks, this is it. The wind-up to the raddest little comic of the new millennium. All across the country, SCOTT PILGRIM VOL 6 will be going on sale at the stroke of midnight, and we'll finally get to see just how Scott's epic saga ends.

So, here's the deal.. we'll be closing the shop at our normal time of 9PM on Monday July 19th. And, then we will be re-opening at 11PM, with plenty of free snacks and drinks, as well as a custom Scott Pilgrim-inspired playlist by your very own DJ Third Eye :). And, we'll be having some very special mystery savings on select books that we feel you'd like if you dig Scott Pilgrim, for those of you who'll be hanging out with us for an hour before the book goes on sale.

And, then, at 11:50PM, we'll start having everyone line-up to purchase their SCOTT PILGRIM v.6! At 12:00 AM, we'll start ringing, and then you'll be on your way to find out just what Scott's fate is gonna be. :)

Now, we really wanna encourage some fun, so we wanna see folks dressing up as their favorite SCOTT PILGRIM characters, so whether it's Ramona, Scott, or Wallace, get a costume together! Whoever shows up in costume, gets some one-of-a-kind Scott Pilgrim swag that we'll have just for this event. We've only got a limited amount of swag to give out, so make sure you get line-up early, 'cause we'll be hooking people up right as they come in when doors open.

Now, in a nutshell..

SCOTT PILGRIM VOLUME 6 MIDNIGHT RELEASE
MONDAY NIGHT, JULY 19th
DOORS OPEN @ 11PM
SCOTT PILGRIM'S FINEST HOUR GOES ON SALE @ MIDNIGHT!
Third Eye Comics
45 OLD SOLOMONS ISL RD
ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401


What is SCOTT PILGRIM? Now, we realize that there's still a lot of you who haven't been brought into the awesomeness that is SCOTT PILGRIM yet. Well, we intend to remedy that here at THIRD EYE. Okay, so we know that the size of the book makes it look like a manga, and that a lot of you aren't big into manga... BUT.. trust us, it's not a manga. While there's some influence, this is a 100% Western-style comic narrative, and just takes some stylistic cues from the manga format. Folks, SCOTT PILGRIM kicks ass, and you need to read it. It's one of the best things that's come out in the last few years, and while we know that it might not be for everybody, we think that many of you, our Third Eye Faithful, will truly get what the fuss is all about.

So, what's it about then? Well, SCOTT PILGRIM, is a six volume series, which began in 2004, and will be ending with the sixth volume later this month. The book is a digest-format series which explores the life and adventures of 23-year old slacker, SCOTT PILGRIM, who lives in Toronto, and plays bass guitar in a band called "Sex Bob-Omb." The series chronicles how he falls head over heels for an American delivery girl named Ramona V. Flowers, but must defeat her seven evil exes in order to date her.

Through the series, we've seen Scott go through the hilarious ups and downs of every day life, while balancing this normality with bizarre, over-the-top 16-bit style video game-like fights with Ramona's evil exes, and their henchmen.

Why's the book so good, and everyone loves it? Scott Pilgrim is one of those rare pieces of sequential art that completely defies genre, and category. At first glance, the art seems simple and crude, but once you've read the story, it's amazing at how well O'Malley is able to get the characters' emotions across with so few, and seemingly simple lines. It's this cartoony style that makes the book flow so perfectly, and helps to suck you further into the world of SCOTT PILGRIM.

The book is filled with video game references galore, and is a true treat for anyone who grew up glued to their Nintendo Entertainment System. Scott lives his life like he's a video game character come to life, and things like grocery shopping are turned into an exercise of Final Fantasy-esque "visiting the market" gameplay moments, seeing +5 to health where the calories on a food should be. The fights in the book are done in the style of games like Street Fighter II, River City Ransom, and even shows how fallen enemies turn into coins that Pilgrim redeems for power-ups.

All in all, SCOTT PILGRIM is a MUST-READ, and stands high as one of the more killer books out there. This fits right on the bookshelf with other great, genre-defying comic works like PREACHER, Y THE LAST MAN, FABLES, and PLANETARY. We highly recommend checking the book out, and we've currently got volumes 1-5 in stock right now to get you caught up for the upcoming release of volume 6.

Folks, trust us, once you read Scott Pilgrim, you'll be as hyped as we are about the final installment.

THIRD EYE MUST BUY: BATMAN #701 *RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE TIE-IN* - GRANT MORRISON FINALLY REVEALS WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THE CONCLUSION OF BATMAN: RIP and THE BIG OMEGA BEAM ZAP IN FINAL CRISIS! HOW BATMAN WAS LOST IN TIME REVEALED HERE IN THIS SPECIAL TWO-PART TIE-IN TO RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE! This Wednesday, Grant Morrison kicks off a two-part story that finally reveals just what the heck happened in between the events of BATMAN: RIP and FINAL CRISIS. And, this is where the threads laid out in BATMAN #700 are developed, and we learn the mystery of how Batman has been shot back into the past! So far, Morrison's RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE has kept us on the edges of our seats. And, while we thought that issue #2 of the RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE limited series was a bit of a lull in the story, issue #3 ended on a bang! If you're NOT reading RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE, you need to remedy that, for real, 'cause the storyline is beginning to really heat up now. So, what's the scoop on BATMAN #701? Well, it's the first chapter in a two-parter story that's going to be answering questions that MANY of us who've been die-hard fans of Morrison's run are dying to know. The number one question in regards to Batman's current time-leaping predicament is just what the hell happened to take him to this point? And, what went down in between the conclusion of BATMAN: RIP and LAST RITES and that fateful moment in FINAL CRISIS where Darkseid blasted the Omega Beams. This one is chockful of answers in regards to many questions that've been raised throughout the current run of Morrison's Batman stuff, and will play a HUGE role in the red hot RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE storyline that's keeping us all enthralled right now. Final Verdict? You gotta read this one, if you're a Bat-fan, folks. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. First off, it's Grant Morrison, and so far, everything he's done with the Caped Crusader has been pure magic. Secondly, he's pairing back up with RIP artist, TONY DANIEL, who's art is a perfect fit for what Morrison's doing in this story. Third, it's an integral storyline piece that we've all been DYING to find out for the last two years. I mean, for every single person who was curious as to what the hell really went down with RIP and FINAL CRISIS, then this is the clear cut answer on that. I know that this is gonna be the first thing I read when I get a chance on New Comic Day! :) Click here to read more about BATMAN #701 *RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE TIE-IN* THIRD EYE MUST BUY: DAREDEVIL #508 *SHADOWLAND TIE-IN* - HOLY CRAP, DID YOU READ SHADOWLAND #1 LAST WEEK? THIS COULD BE THE BEST MARVEL STORYLINE OF THE SUMMER! Folks, I'm blown away. Last week's SHADOWLAND #1 was one of the best reads I've thumbed through in a while, and I haven't been this excited about Daredevil since the height of Bendis & Maleev's run on the character. The first issue of this series just had such an epic vibe to it, reading through, and Diggle really did a fantastic job alongside Billy Tan in making this one a must-read. I mean, there's very few books that I can universally say that no matter who you are, if you have an even remote interest Marvel Comics, you will love this, but the first issue of SHADOWLAND was this. I haven't had this kind of "WOW" reaction since I first read CIVIL WAR #1. Now, this Wednesday, the saga of SHADOWLAND continues in the pages of DAREDEVIL #508, which shows us just what Daredevil intends to do after making that fateful decision at the end of SHADOWLAND #1. I couldn't help myself, and I went ahead and I read the advance of this week's DD #508, and man, I gotta tell you... it's a great read. It follows up on the events of SHADOWLAND #1 seemlessly, which I guess is due to the fact that Andy Diggle is also writing DD in addition to Shadowland. I can't give away too much, because A LOT of very cool "wow" moments go down in this issue, but I will say that there are some very cool surprise appearances and returns in this one. All in all, it fits very nicely as a piece of the story to take place in between SHADOWLAND #1 and SHADOWLAND #2, and I'd definitely recommend it as a solid tie-in that's worth reading to flesh out the gap between the two issues. What is SHADOWLAND? Shadowland is a five-issue limited series, accompanied by a handful of tie-in issues that centers around Daredevil, and the street-level heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe. Essentially, it revolves around how Daredevil has returned from Japan, is now leading the murderous ninja death cult, the Hand, and in an effort to try and use the Hand as a force of justice, has gone off the deep end. Basically, he's turned half of Hell's Kitchen into a giant prison/temple, and has ninjas roaming the streets as guardians of justice that will protect the city and rid it's streets of crime by any means necessary. And, the whole Marvel crew was cool with letting DD do this, right up until the big conclusion of Shadowland #1 where many heroes looked on as DD broke Bullseye's arms, and ran him through Elektra-style with a sai. Sound awesome? Dude, it totally is. Best thing we read this week, and very much highly recommended. Even if you're not a fan of Daredevil, or the NYC-based Marvel heroes, we still recommend this one, as the writing and artwork on it is superb, and continues to be so in this week's Daredevil. We've still got copies of SHADOWLAND #1 in stock, so snag one this Wednesday when you grab DAREDEVIL #508 @ Third Eye! Click here to read a preview of DAREDEVIL #508 *SHADOWLAND TIE-IN* Click here for the official THIRD EYE SHADOWLAND CHECKLIST THIRD EYE MUST BUY: STUFF OF LEGEND: THE JUNGLE #1 OFFICIALLY RELEASES WEDNESDAY, BUT YOU CAN BUY IT NOW AT THIRD EYE! CHECK OUT THE TRADE PAPERBACK OF THIS GREAT SERIES AND GET CAUGHT UP TO READ THE NEW SERIES THIS WEEK! HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Imagine TOY STORY meets SAVING PRIVATE RYAN! If you haven't read STUFF OF LEGEND yet, you REALLY need to try this book, folks. We really mean it when we say that this is one of the best new series we've seen in decades. And, even though the pre-release party has already passed, you can still snag your very own copy of the killer first issue of the latest STUFF OF LEGEND installment, THE JUNGLE. But, we realize that for those of you who've already read STUFF OF LEGEND, you're ahead of the curve, and you're already planning on snapping this one up. 'Cause you already know how good of a book this one is. So, instead, we're going to talk to the uninitiated here, those of you who've yet to read this fantastic series, and tell you why you gotta pick up the trade paperback of the first volume and catch on so you can check out this next installment on Wednesday. WHAT is STUFF OF LEGEND? Stuff of Legend is an urban fantasy series set against the backdrop of WW II in 1944. An allied force advances along a war-torn beach in a strange land, outnumbered and far from home. Together, they fight the greatest evil they've ever known. Never ending waves of exotic enemies come crashing down on them, but they will not rest. Thousands of miles away, the world is on the brink of destruction. But, in a child's bedroom in Brooklyn, a small group of toys brought to life, loyal to their human master, fight an unseen war to save him from every child's worst nightmare: The Boogeyman. The series delivers some of the best artwork and storytelling that we've seen in a very, very long time, and the characterization of the toys is fantastic. One of the elements that really makes the book pop is the dark element of how the toys transform into grisly real-world renditions of themselves when they cross into "The Dark", the Boogeyman's realm. Example, the teddy bear becomes a ferocious grizzly bear, and the jack in the box is a crazy masked jester wielding razor-sharp axes. The relationships that're built between the characters in the book help flesh out both the toys, and even the Boogeyman and his forces, and this just pulls you into the story even more. The first "season" or volume, was two big thick slabs of awesomeness, and is now available in trade paperback here at Third Eye for only $13.00. We sold out of these at the signing on Saturday, but will have another stack of them in stock this Wednesday for you to hop aboard the series. As for the newest series, you can actually grab your very own STUFF OF LEGEND: THE JUNGLE #1 before Wednesday, as we celebrate a special sneak-peek early release of the book on Saturday. THIRD EYE VARIANTS, SIGNED COPIES, & MORE AVAILABLE IN VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES! We currently have a VERY limited amount of STUFF OF LEGEND THE JUNGLE #1 THIRD EYE EXCLUSIVE VARIANT EDITIONS left. There were only 250 of these printed, folks, as a special bonus for the release party. These are going to be very scarce, and if it's any indication from past experience with the die-hard, rabid fanbase that the series has, will be a book that'll be increasing in value. So, in addition to the regular STUFF OF LEGEND THE JUNGLE #1, we'll also have, while supplies last: *STUFF OF LEGEND THE JUNGLE #1 THIRD EYE VARIANT EDITION *STUFF OF LEGEND THE JUNGLE #1 THIRD EYE VARIANT EDITION - SIGNED BY THE ENTIRE CREATIVE TEAM! *STUFF OF LEGEND THE JUNGLE #1 REGULAR COVER SIGNED BY THE ENTIRE CREATIVE TEAM! SUPERMAN #701 BEGINS THE BIGGEST SUPERMAN STORY SINCE "ALL-STAR SUPERMAN" WITH J.MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI'S "GROUNDED" CHAPTER ONE! LETS BRING SUPES TO MARYLAND / DC! I haven't been this excited about a Superman story since Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's incredibly epic, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN limited series. Picking up from the prologue in SUPERMAN #700, critically acclaimed comic book and TV writer, J.MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI (famous for his recent work on THOR, books like SUPREME POWER, and his creator-owned, RISING STARS, as well as his TV work with Babylon 5) is turning the Man of Steel back into a must- read title. This Wednesday, GROUNDED, begins, and so does the Man of Steel's return to the spotlight. I mean, he's Superman, you know? He's one of the most iconic comic book creations of all-time. You can go nearly anywhere in the world, and people know what that big red S means. And, while I know many of you are like me, and grew up not really being major fans of the Last Son of Krypton, you can't deny his importance and appeal over the years. See, the thing about Superman is, he's tricky to write. If you don't have a good writer handling him, then the stories lack any kind of suspense, or excitement, since you know... he's Superman, he can do it all. However, when you do have a good writer handling him, he can be one of the best damn characters ever. Case in point, Alan Moore's work with WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MAN OF TOMORROW and FOR THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING stories, Grant Morrison's ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, Geoff Johns's SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN and ACTION COMICS run, and even John Byrne's redefining Man of Steel. These were all writers who GOT the character, and really highlighted what makes him click. And, now, J.MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, the self-professed "biggest Superman fan ever" and awesome comic writer overall, is getting ready to give us his take on the Man of Steel. What is GROUNDED? GROUNDED is a new storyline that'll be running through the monthly Superman book beginning with issue #701. Basically, in Straczynski's words, Sueprman is in his eyes, America's hero, and while his mandate is to protect the world, much like jazz, comic books, and Coca Cola, the Man of Steel is inexorably tied to our culture and way of life. And, with recent stories taking the Man of Steel further and further into the depths of space, the Man of Steel has lost focus. And, in Superman #700, he's reminded of this, in a very stark and plain way, that his long absence from Earth has caused pain and distress. Now, he's decided he's going to walk across the country to get back into touch with his humanity, and essentially, ground himself. The way that JMS is describing how he views Superman alone, has us extremely excited about this one. In JMS's own words he says, "When Siegel and Shuster first created Superman, he was the ally of those who had no allies, no recourse, no chance, and no hope. He was the avenger of the average guy, and it's our intention in 'Grounded' to re-engage Superman on that level and return him to his roots." With GROUNDED, DC and JMS are allowing readers to make the decision on where Superman visits next. We've got a link below to an article USA TODAY did on this, which explains how you can write in to vote where Supes goes next! Dude, that gives me chills. That's what Superman is about, and I'm so stoked to see what JMS has planned with the character. So, SUPERMAN #701 kicks this off, what's the first state he's visiting? Philly! The first chapter of Grounded begins in Philly, starting at 48th and Larchwood St. And, from there, where he goes next, I guess, we'll find out. Click here to read an interview with writer J.MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI on SUPERMAN GROUNDED and this week's SUPERMAN #701 *THIRD EYE MUST BUY* DOCTOR SOLAR RETURNS, AND BEGINS THE VALIANT REVIVAL IN DOCTOR SOLAR: MAN OF THE ATOM #1 THIS WEDNESDAY! WRITTEN by THE LEGENDARY JIM SHOOTER! THIS ONE LOOKS KILLER! This Wednesday, the VALIANT revival begins with Dark Horse's new launch of several iconic Valiant Comics characters. The first one they're starting with is one of our own faves, SOLAR, MAN OF THE ATOM. And, they're doing this right too, 'cause they've got Jim Shooter handling the writing duties, and the incredibly talented Dennis Calero (the man behind all those killer Marvel Noir covers) handling the interior art. The Valiant Characters have always delivered a good fusion of superhero awesomeness with pulpy sci-fi goodness, and we're pretty pumped to see them returning to the panel and page. What's the story on Doctor Solar? Empowered by a thermonuclear catastrophe, Doctor Solar can do something cool: he controls energy. That's right, immeasurable strength is his at a whim. Power beyond imagination and all that, coursing through him. Now, this sounds like a recipe for a complete and total super-villain, right? Well, luckily, Doctor Solar's a righteous fellow who knows that the same kind of science run amok that created him can also cook up some serious baddies. And, that's where one Whitmore Pickerel comes in, see, in the aftershock of the cataclysm that created Doctor Solar, Pickerel is imbued with the power to creat life as we know it - which he's decided to use to serve his selfish desires. And, with that, he's created a being, Leviathan, invulnerable and uber-strong, and puts him smack dab in front of the Man of the Atom. I read an extended preview of this bad boy, and I gotta tell you: it's pretty damn cool. It's a new superhero book with a good hook, and a solid concept, that manages to take some retro comic sensibilities, and turn them on their heads with a very unique, modern 21st century spin. Will I Be Lost if I've Never Read Solar Before? Heck no! This, and I'm assuming any of the other characters who'll be making their return, are all fresh starts, and perfect entry points for those of you just finding your way into the world of Valiant's cult favorite heroes. In other words, it's a brand new direction, and a great spot to come in. Click here to read a preview of DOCTOR SOLAR: MAN OF THE ATOM #1 THANOS IMPERATIVE #2 HITS THIS WEEK! MISS ISSUE #1, DON'T SWEAT IT, WE'VE GOT IT IN STOCK TO CATCH YOU UP! THE BIGGEST, AND BEST IN THE COSMIC EVENTS CONTINUES! Cthulhu invades the Marvel Universe! Dude, Marvel is bringing their A-Game with this THANOS IMPERATIVE event. Seriously, I'm impressed. I mean, the Marvel cosmic stuff has been consistently on the rise in awesomeness since ANNIHILATION kicked everything off a few years back. And, now, with the THANOS IMPERATIVE, it feels like the last five or six years of cosmic events have just been the build-up to this extremely sweet storyline. I mean, all the heavy-hitters are here: Thanos, Nova, Silver Surfer, Quasar, Gladiator; it's intense. And, the storyline, like much of the cosmic stuff has been picking up on some of the most insane, over-the-top awesome comic concepts we've seen in a long time. So, what is the THANOS IMPERATIVE? Well, first and foremost, it's the grand return of the Mad Titan, who when we last saw him, had his heart ripped out by Drax the Destroyer in ANNIHILATION. But, his return, as the new Avatar of Death, chosen by Oblivion, serves a higher purpose. See, there's this alternate reality called the Cancerverse, where life is overwhelming and has filled it. Death has been killed, and Lord Mar-Vell leads a group that worships the Many-Angled Ones, Lovecraftian Cthulhu-esque monsters that need the empty space of our universe to grow. And now, the Fault (the gateway to this Cancerverse) has been blasted wide open, and these monsters and forces are spilling into the regular Marvel Universe, and the cosmic heroes are the first (and possibly only) line of defense against them. But, the real threat to these guys is Thanos, who the Guardians end up having to reluctantly ally with to take these guys down. Okay, so many reasons why this one is good, but lets start with the obvious: THANOS. A CTHULHU-ESQUE MARVEL UNIVERSE. The Guardians of the Galaxy. Abnett and Lanning. Basically, you're taking some of the raddest concepts I've seen in a while with the Marvel Universe, and having them being written by one of the most underrated and talented creative teams, with Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, these guys are good, REAL GOOD. Books like Nova, Guardians of the Galaxy, and past cosmic events like ANNIHILATION, CONQUEST, WAR OF KINGS, and REALM OF KINGS have all been tightly-written, entertaining stories, all penned by Abnett and Lanning. They've managed to take the space heroes of the Marvel Universe, and apply this really great Star Wars Trilogy meets Warhammer 40,000 feel to it. If you missed issue #1 of this one, we've still got both THANOS IMPERATIVE #1 and the prologue, THANOS IMPERATIVE IGNITION #1 in stock to get you caught up. Click here for a preview of THANOS IMPERATIVE #2 SIEGE HARDCOVER HITS THIS WEDNESDAY, COLLECTING THE ENTIRE EPIC MARVEL UNIVERSE DEFINING SAGA IN ONE VOLUME! This Wednesday, hot on the heels of last week's BLACKEST NIGHT hardcover release, is the release of Marvel's universe-defining epic, SIEGE in hardcover. This was the big one, folks, the event to end all events in the Marvel Universe. Beginning with the ravaging effects of AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED and following the aftermath of HOUSE OF M, CIVIL WAR, and SECRET INVASION, culminating with the DARK REIGN of Norman Osborn, the Marvel Universe has been left with it's greatest villains holding more power and control than ever before. And, on the brink of madness, Osborn, in his final bid for control, targets the final obstacle in his mission: Asgard. From there, we're taken on a killer non-stop thrillride of awesomeness as Marvel's Greatest Heroes finally re-unite after the schisms caused by CIVIL WAR divided them. This is the storyline that's set up for the HEROIC AGE, and we highly recommend giving it a read. It's a fantastic read, with killer art, and is most definitely worth checking out. Snag your copy of the SIEGE HC, which collects SIEGE 1-4, SIEGE THE CABAL and the previously unreleased SIEGE prologue into one big thick deluxe hardcover! THE SIXTH GUN #1 and THE SIXTH GUN #2 ARRIVE THIS WEDNESDAY, DELIVERING A DOUBLE-WHAMMY OF STEAMPUNK WESTERN AWESOMENESS THIS WEDNESDAY! A Brand New Ongoing Series! Here's one that kinda flew by many on Free Comic Book Day, that I feel is going to turn into a real indie gem this summer. Why? 'Cause it's a damn good read! It's a great Weird West kinda story, that combines a steampunk sensibility with the Old West, and of course, some supernatural mojo. And, it's all done in a very cool style that will appeal to those of you who dig stuff like Hellboy/BPRD, ROBOT 13, THE GOON, and ATOMIC ROBO. What's THE SIXTH GUN ABOUT? During the darkest days of the Civil War, wicked cutthroats came into possession of six pistols of an otherworldly power. The Sixth Gun - the most dangerous of the weapons - has vanished. When the gun surfaces in the hands of an innocent girl, dark forces reawaken. Villains thought long dead set their sights on retrieving the gun and killing anyone in their path. And, the one and only Drake Sinclair, a gunslinger with a shadowy past, stands in their way. The book looks and reads great. Fantastic artwork, and fantastic storytelling combine to make a great, engrossing read. The book delivers a very cool, atmospheric feel, a razor-sharp wit, and a just plain creepy-awesome steampunky kinda Wild West vibe. We recommend checking it out this week here at Third Eye, since Oni is hooking it up by releasing both issues #1 and issue #2 at the same time. Plus, haunted six-shooters, zombies, and gunfights are ALWAYS a bonus. :) ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN / WOLVERINE #2FOLLOWS UP THE SMASH HIT FIRST ISSUE OF THIS KILLER LIMITED SERIES by SCALPED/WEAPON X Writer JASON AARON and THE LEGENDARY ADAM KUBERT! Miss issue #1? Still have copies in stock, including limited quantities of 1st prints! Man, there's a lotta good reads coming out this week. I'm really excited about the second issue of this ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN / WOLVERINE limited series that's hitting on Wednesday. The first issue of this was a real surprise here at Third Eye, and quickly became a store-favorite. Now, we're getting issue #2, and I couldn't be more pumped. This one really captures that Marvel magic perfectly, and brings back the prestigious feel that grand Marvel team-ups like these used to have before team-up mini-series became a dime a dozen in the '90s. So, don't be mistaken, folks, this isn't just another random pairing of two major characters, this is a GOOD story, with GREAT artwork, and we couldn't recommend it enough. The scoop on ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN/WOLVERINE? Well, the current branding of "ASTONISHING" on books like X-MEN XENOGENESIS and SPIDER-MAN/WOLVERINE is basically a way to signify a stand-alone limited series that feature all-star talent. Basically, cream of the crop mini-series spotlighting Marvel icons in a new and exciting way. The first issue of this channeled the kind of crazy comic book energy that really sucked you in when you were a kid. You know, just the cool factor of seeing Wolverine and Spider-man paired up, but before it became a common occurrence. This is really a testament to Jason Aaron's fantastic writing, as he gives us the BEST characterization I've seen on both Spider-man AND Wolverine in a very long time. There's a perfect balance of humor (Spider-man) with the serious (Wolverine) that really makes the book pop, and it's the little touches like Spidey's menagerie of giant insects caged in his dwellings, and Wolverine teaching the natives how to brew beer, that really make the book a fun read. The plot? Spider-man and Wolverine have both been transported back to the prehistoric age, where one of the two denies their predicament and hates it, and the other endures, and almost relishes in it. From there, the fun starts, and pulls you in hard. Folks, this one is a great, self-contained, stand-alone mini-series that's new reader friendly. If you just want a good Spider-man and Wolverine story, then this is the book for you. Think of it like DC's ALL-STAR line for ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, and you're on the right track. You just need to know who Spider-man is, and who Wolverine is, and you're good. The book really is a creative high point for Marvel this summer, and we recommend checking out the first and second issue this week at Third Eye! Click here for a preview of ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN/WOLVERINE #2 HACK/SLASH MY FIRST MANIAC #2 - Image's new HACK/SLASH YEAR ONE mini-series is GREAT! FIND OUT WHY THIS BOOK HAS REMAINED AN INDIE FAVE FOR US HERE AT THIRD EYE! Hack/Slash is a damn good series, and now, with the series being published under IMAGE COMICS, it's the perfect time to get into the book, as they're kicking things off with a fantastic, new-reader friendly YEAR ONE-style story called MY FIRST MANIAC. Hack/Slash is more than just a good comic, it's a love-letter to '80s horror flicks, especially slasher films. Any self-respecting horror fan will enjoy the tastefully-handled references and homages to horror icons and horror obscurities that're weaved throughout the stories. And, ontop of all that, the series is just plain good, with some very sharp storytelling, and some fantastic art. What's HACK/SLASH about? Meet Cassie Hack, a once nerdy girl who was picked on by her fellow students, until her mom, the lunch lady of the school, began chopping those kids up and cooking them in the school lunch. And, then, in a moment recalling the neighborhood residents of Elm St. storming the boiler room for Freddy, the kids of the high school burned Lunch Lady Hack alive with her own gruel, and thus, she was reborn as a vengeful undead with a mission to kill, known only as The Lunch Lady. Cassie realizes it's up to her to put her mother to rest, once and for all. This is the genesis of Cassie Hack, and is just the tip of the iceberg being explored in the new four issue MY FIRST MANIAC limited series. We get to see Cassie before she becomes the hardened hunter of slasher killers, and it's pretty damn cool. What's a slasher? Well, slashers, known to the government as "Revenants", are divided into two categories. The first and most common is the undead variety. People who died while filled with rage toward life, and somehow return from the grave filled with only that rage driving them to kill. While their exact abilities vary individually all possess resistance to damage and must suffer severe bodily harm to be killed. This kind can be controlled by the proper magics and once their body has been sufficiently destroyed usually stay dead. The other kind are people who are still alive, but are often insane and engage in Slasher behavior. They're a little easier to kill. So, in a nutshell, slashers are basically a term given to the '80s movie monster that was prominent in flicks like FRIDAY THE 13th, HALLOWEEN, NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, and scores of lower budget features. The book is fantastic, and the writing is sharp. There's a nice balance of suspense, sharp humor, and a hefty dose of violence that makes HACK/SLASH a great read. If you missed issue #1, don't worry, we've got issues in stock to get you caught up to issue #2 this week. AVENGERS ACADEMY #2 FOLLOWS UP THE SURPRISINGLY AWESOME FIRST ISSUE OF THIS KILLER NEW ONGOING SERIES! I gotta tell you guys, I was REALLY impressed by the first issue of AVENGERS ACADEMY. This was the one series out of the bunch that I had expected to be the weakest link, but the creative team of Gage and McKone really impressed me on this one. It had one of those great hooks of an ending, like YOUNG AVENGERS #1, and THUNDERBOLTS #1 (GOING WAYYYYY BACK on that one. :) ) that just made you want to see what came next. Plus, the characters are cool. I mean, I'm often not receptive to new characters, 'cause they're often lame. But, the AVENGERS ACADEMY line-up has that same kind of fresh feel that new characters that debuted in books like RUNAWAYS and YOUNG AVENGERS had. Of course, I think Finesse, is going to be the fan-favorite, and in this issue, we're going to be getting a look into the enigmatic polymath who can duplicate any skill but finds human interaction completely impossible to understand. Now, what was the big hook at the end of issue #1? Well, it was revealed that these kids were chosen to be the next training class of Avengers not because they were super-gifted, or special, but because they were the ones that Norman Osborn psychologically damaged the most during his reign over the Initiative. These are the kids that the Avengers fear could turn into the next Red Skull, and we find out at the end of the first issue, that some of them... think the Avengers might be right. We've still got limited quantities of issue #1 in, so give it a go if you haven't already, folks. And, I did read the advance of #2, and it's even better than #1, I'm REALLY getting pumped about this series. Click here for a preview of AVENGERS ACADEMY #2 *HEROIC AGE* X-MEN SECOND COMING #2 FINALE! *X-MEN SECOND COMING CHAPTER 14 - THE CONCLUSION!* - THE BIGGEST X-STORY IN TWO DECADES ENDS HERE! This is it, folks, the grand conclusion. Sacrifices have been made, BIG-TIME, and now it's do or die time.. will the mutant race be exterminated, or will they be brought back from the verge of extinction and repopulate? By now, you've heard me rant and rave about SECOND COMING, but seriously, if you still haven't hopped aboard, catch up now. We've got all the issues in stock to get you where you need to be on it. It's probably the best X-MEN crossover I've seen in YEARS, and has lived up to the hype with each and every issue. And for those of you who read the INCREDIBLE X-FORCE #28 last week, which brought us the penultimate chapter in SECOND COMING, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Click here for a preview of X-MEN SECOND COMING #2 FINALE *X-MEN SECOND COMING CHAPTER 14: THE CONCLUSION* Click here for the official THIRD EYE COMICS X-MEN SECOND COMING CHECKLIST X-FILES / 30 DAYS OF NIGHT #1 - SCULLY & MULDER RETURN TO FACE STEVE NILES & BEN TEMPLESMITH'S BLOODTHIRSTY VAMPS! Steve Niles teams up with TOOL guitarist ADAM JONES to pen this six-issue miniseries! Here's a perfect pairing: the characters and world of the incredible X-Files television series, and the bloodthirsty vamps of Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith's classic 30 DAYS OF NIGHT saga. Niles returns to write his vampire fiends alongside TOOL guitarist ADAM JONES, and breathe fresh life into the X-Files world. The story takes Mulder and Scully first to Alaska, where 30 Days has been traditionally set, and into the broader geography of the Arctic Circle. There's a whole new horde of undead baddies Niles plan to introduces, and there's one big mystery and surprise surrounding the Arctic that sounds too damn cool. As a huge fan of X-Files AND 30 Days of Night, I'm personally very stoked about this one. Check it out this Wednesday here at Third Eye! Click here to read more about X-FILES/30 DAYS OF NIGHT #1 X-FORCE: SEX AND VIOLENCE #1 - CRAIG KYLE, CHRIS YOST and SUPERSTAR ARTIST GABRIELE DEL'OTTO SEND OFF X-FORCE IN STYLE WITH THIS 3-ISSUE LIMITED SERIES! Just when you thought that everyone's favorite team of mutant killers were going to be gone from the spotlight, the driving creative force behind X-Force gives us one last killer X-Force story before the team is disbanded with the upcoming X-FORCE: SEX AND VIOLENCE 3-part limited series. These guys have done INCREDIBLE work on X-Force in the past, and with this limited series, it's gonna be a fantastic send-off, especially when you take a look at the amazing interior art being provided by international superstar, Gabriele Del'Otto. What's the plot on this one? Well, Wolverine and Domino have always had a special relationship, but things start to go upside down when the Assassins Guild puts out a hit on Miss Domino. Why do they want her dead? And, more importantly, how many people have to die before Wolverine and Domino get to spend some quality time together? Bloody, and awesome, this one's gonna kick-ass. Click here for a preview of X-FORCE: SEX AND VIOLENCE #1 OFFICER DOWNE ONE-SHOT *THIRD EYE CERTIFIED COOL* - HYPERVIOLENCE ON THE CITY STREETS, FEATURING THE BADASS WITH A BADGE! THIS ONE LOOKS AWESOME! This one sounds too ridiculous not to be awesome. Plus, the artwork looks badass in that killer Geoff Darrow-kinda way. He walks the eternal beat... and delivers the eternal beatdown! This one-shot special shows us a lone Badass with a Badge taking on the scourge of teh criminal underworld: Headcase Harry! The Fortune 500! Zen Master Flash! Not even death itself can stop this powerhouse of justice! Loads of guns, awesome artwork, and more violence than you can shake a stick at. Officer Downe is gonna kick ass this Wednesday at Third Eye! UNCANNY X-MEN: THE HEROIC AGE ONE-SHOT SETS UP WHAT'S TO COME IN THE UNCANNY X-MEN THIS WEDNESDAY! In the wake of SECOND COMING, and the dawn of the Heroic Age, there's a lot of questions as to what's going to be going down with Marvel's Merry Mutants. This one-shot explains how the X-Men fit into the Marvel Universe, and the Heroic Age as a whole, and is a great spot to get a feel for where things are going in the wake of SECOND COMING. Plus, it's being written by MATT FRACTION, and has art by some all-stars like WHILCE PORTACIO and JAMIE MCKELVIE (Phonogram) Click here for a preview of UNCANNY X-MEN: THE HEROIC AGE #1 THE CALLING: CTHULHU CHRONICLES #1 *THIRD EYE CERTIFIED COOL* - BOOM STUDIOS, PUBLISHERS OF "IRREDEEMABLE" & "INCORRUPTIBLE" LAUNCH A NEW ONGOING SERIES INSPIRED BY LOVECRAFTIAN'S CTHULHU MYTHOS! Here's another one we're pretty stoked about this week here at Third Eye. BOOM! Studios, the folks behind killer series like IRREDEEMABLE, INCORRUPTIBLE, THE ANCHOR, and 7 PSYCHOPATHS are launching a brand new ongoing series that's inspired by the Lovecraftian tales of supernatural horror, especially of the tentacled variety. The series kicks off with a cruise ship coming to port, hundreds onboard are dead, but no one knows why. Clayton Diggs, a pharmaceutical salesman discovers his sister has committed herself to an insane asylum; she's checked herself in, fearing she'll hurt herself or someone else. All across the world, ordinary people in an ordinary world find themselves drawn by fate to see darkness and dspair unlike anything they ever could imagine. And, meanwhile, a death cult makes its move, believing that there is a great one sleeping that will hear the Calling. Sound creepy? You bet! Boom's no strange to the Cthulhu stuff with their fantastic Fall of Cthulhu books, and this new ongoing series is a great, fresh, and new-reader friendly spot for all of those who're like us and can't get enough of Lovecraft-influenced tales of terror. X-MEN ORIGINS DEADPOOL ONE-SHOT GIVES US THE MERC WITH A MOUTH'S OWN SPIN ON HIS UPCOMING MAJOR MOTION PICTURE! FROM THE WRITER OF DEADPOOL: WADE WILSONS WAR, DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI! The Origin of Deadpool Revealed Here! So, here's the deal... there's a DEADPOOL movie in the works, right? Well, apparently Wade Wilson's heard about it, and he's determined to tell his own story before Hollywood screws it up. He's even going to hire his own screenwriter for it, who manages to get the Merc with a Mouth to open up like never before, revealing not only his origin story, but shocking details you've never heard before. Plus, it's a kick-ass DEADPOOL one-shot, and in a sea of DEADPOOL comics, it's always cool to get to see good ones. This one's being penned by the same guy who's doing the WADE WILSON'S WAR limited series which has been AWESOME. Click here for a preview of X-MEN ORIGINS: DEADPOOL #1 one-shot SWEETS #1 KICKS OFF A NEW IMAGE LIMITED SERIES THAT BRINGS GRITTY CRIME NOIR TO THE STREETS OF NEW ORLEANS! Here's a new one from Image that looks pretty nifty, just judging from the concept description, and the cover art. The whole shebang is being done by one guy, so the cover art is indicative of what you'll get on the inside. SWEETS is the story of a spree killer that's terrorizing New Orleans days before Hurricane Katrina makes landfall. Detective Curt Delatte just buried his only daughter, and he's in no condition to work. But, when the bodies pile up, he masks his grief, and joins the hunt through the bowels of the Big Easy. It won't be long until his city - and his evidence gets washed away. Sounds pretty rad, and you know we're sucker for a good gritty crime noir story here. CHEW #12 CONTINUES ONE OF THE BEST DAMN IMAGE BOOKS WE'RE READING! IF YOU'RE A FAN OF WALKING DEAD, YOU NEED TO CHECK THIS ONE OUT, 'CAUSE IT'S RIGHT UP THERE WITH IT! The saga of cibopath, Tony Chu, continues this week as the killer rooster, Poyo returns. Feather's gonna fly, and blood's gonna spill, as the next issue in what's become one of our biggest favorites around here at the shop hits the racks this Wednesday. Still not reading CHEW? You are missing out, my friend. If you haven't already heard what CHEW's about, here's the series in a nutshell: imagine the near-future, all poultry under prohibition due to Avian Bird Flu, and a black market has emerged built around poultry products. The FDA is the equivalent of the ATF. Speak-easies serve chicken and turkey dinners. And, at the heart of it all, you've got Tony Chu. Chu is unique, because he's cibopathic, which means he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats. If he eats a hamburger, he sees the cow getting killed, if he eats an apple, he can smell the pesticides on it. And, after a case gone awry, Tony Chu gets snapped up by the FDA to eat the remains of murder victims, amongst other things, to help solve crimes. This book is whacked out, ridiculous, and awesome, and is one of the freshest things on the stands. If you haven't tried it yet, pick up the first trade paperback, CHEW volume 1, this week at Third Eye for only $9.99. STAFF PICKS Steve - SHADOWLAND #1- Dude. Best thing I've read all Summer. I am so stoked for this. READ IT! Trish - SCARLET #1= AWESOME. Kick-ass female lead. Lots of blood. Violent as hell, AND a good story. Loved it. Torma - BATMAN AND ROBIN #13= The best issue of BATMAN and ROBIN yet. This was epic, and totally casts the Joker in a new light. Matt - CASANOVA #1 = Pure bigger than life sci-fi awesomeness from Matt Fraction and the creators of DAYTRIPPER. Awesome stuff.