Monday, June 20, 2011

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS @ THIRD EYE FOR WEDNESDAY 6/22/11

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN DIES THIS WEDNESDAY IN THE HISTORICAL ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #160!

RESERVE YOUR COPIES NOW!

LIMIT 3 PER PERSON

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I'm going to call it right now, Third Eye Faithful: this is going to be one of the hottest books of the summer. Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley, and Mark Millar are all what we'd call the original architects of the Ultimate Universe in Marvel. These are the guys who originally brought us so many kick-ass stories involving the Avengers (and to this day, Ultimate Avengers still stands up as one of THE best intreprations of the Avengers I've seen), Spider-man, and the X-Men.



In the Ultimate Universe, the characters had their stories told in a self-contained universe, with a contemporary spin added. New twists were put onto certain characters, while some characters maintained their same essence. The stories were edgier, the consequences of battle were more serious, and while there's been some low points in the Ultimate Universe, it's only been A+ storytelling since Bendis, Millar and Bagley began their DEATH OF ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN story arc. We haven't been this excited about the Ultimate Universe since it's inception, and now, this Wednesday, the BIG issue drops bringing with it, a change that will shake the Ultimate Universe and it's concept to it's core.



Ultimate Spider-man #160 has made no secret about what it is: this polybagged special issue is the DEATH of Spider-Man, and as we all know: dead means dead in the Ultimate Universe.



From what we've been told by Marvel, this issue not only has the shocking death of Peter Parker, but also sets up for a possible new Ultimate Spidey, and folks, that's why we think this is going to be one of the summer's hottest titles.



We've posted an article, as well as a checklist that has a full listing of all the chapters of DEATH OF ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, which are all in stock and available now at Third Eye. You can check it out by clicking here.



For those of you who'd like to reserve a copy of the book, feel free to respond to this e-mail, or click here to add it to your subscription box. We can hold up to 3 copies per person of the title.





FLASHPOINT WEDNESDAY: FOUR MORE KILLER FLASHPOINT TIE-INS THIS WEDNESDAY, FEATURING FLASHPOINT: KID FLASH LOST #1, FLASHPOINT: LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #1,FLASHPOINT: THE OUTSIDER #1, and FLASHPOINT REVERSE FLASH #1 ONE-SHOT

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Flashpoint has been doing one thing, week after week after week, and that's blowing our freakin' minds. I am constantly amazed at how high the quality has been on most of these FLASHPOINT tie-ins. Last week, the LEGION OF DOOM #1 surprised the heck out of me with it's ending, and surprise twist. I cannot wait to see what's next this week.



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FREE FLASHPOINT KID FLASH BADGE WITH PURCHASE

First off, FLASHPOINT KID FLASH LOST #1 brings in a very interesting aspect of FLASHPOINT, as Bart Allen is introduced to the mix. We don't know where Allen could be, or more importantly: when he could be? :) Is he in the same situation as Barry? Aware of the change in the timestream? Will he seek out Barry, and see if he survived the ending of FLASHPOINT #2? As part of the FLASH family, you can bet that this one is going to be loaded with crucial tidbits to FLASHPOINT.



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FREE FLASHPOINT LOIS LANE / RESISTANCE BADGE WITH PURCHASE

Next up, we've got FLASHPOINT: LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #1, which looks awesome for a number of reasons. Let's count 'em: #1 FLASHPOINT ETRIGAN the DEMON. #2 The Canterburry Cricket? WTF is that? And, finally, #3 it's tied in with the whole Wonder Woman vs. Aquaman war, and that stuff has been pure comic awesomeness. Plus, the button for this one is pretty freakin' epic.

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FREE FLASHPOINT BADGE WITH PURCHASE

This one, I'm personally very excited for, as I've got some really cool hunches as to who the Outsider might be. One of our very own Third Eye Faithful tossed the theory my way about who it might really be, and if it plays out like that, it'd be a very, very cool twist on the plot. Either way, the Outsider made an impressive debut in FLASHPOINT #1, and I'm eager to find out more about this interesting character, who we're still not certain of the identity of.





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And, then finally, we've saved the best for last, as this REVERSE FLASH one-shot looks to promise one of the most compelling of the FLASHPOINT tie-ins, delivering what is sure to be vital pieces to the puzzle that is FLASHPOINT. We all know that the Reverse Flash has played a major part in making this world happen, and whether it was his appearance at the beginning of BRIGHTEST DAY, or near the end of TIME-MASTERS: VANISHING POINT, Reverse Flash has been in and out of the time-stream, causing some serious troubles for the last few years.. and it looks like FLASHPOINT is the end result of his grand scheme. Now, the question we hope is answered in this one-shot is: why has he brought us this world?



Missed earlier tie-in issues, or badges? We've got all the tie-ins in stock, along with the FLASHPOINT badges, to get you hooked up.



Click here for the official Third Eye FLASHPOINT Checklist



ROCKETEER ADVENTURES #2 - IDW's revival of the great pulp hero, THE ROCKETEER, is AWESOME. All-Star creators bringing new life to this iconic character makes for some good reading!

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First, let me tell you, I'm a huge fan of the original ROCKETEER stuff that Dave Stevens put out back in the day. To me, that stuff still stands the test of time as pure comic greatness, and if you haven't read it, I'd recommend snagging The Rocketeer hardcover, which collects the run (in stock and available now here at Third Eye).



However, if you've already read that stuff, and are looking for more Rocketeer goodness... all I can say is that this new limited series by IDW is an AWESOME send-up to the Rocketeer. All-star comic creators bring their talents to the character, and tell new stories with the icon, and in this issue, we get some Rocketeer goodness from guys like DARWYN COOKE, ALEX ROSS, and IRREDEEMABLE writer MARK WAID.



Missed issue #1? We've got copies in stock to catch you up this Wednesday!



Image Comics brings on the sleep deprivation with ALL-NIGHTER #1 this Wednesday! A brand new limited series that fans of FORGETLESS, DEMO, and MORNING GLORIES will love.

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We always have to pay attention when Image drops a new book, and this week's ALL-NIGHTER #1 is no exception. ALL-NIGHTER looks to be a fun, modern day riff on the classic crime heist story, with a style similar to NICK SPENCER'S (MORNING GLORIES, INFINITE VACATION) FORGETLESS.



The story focuses on 20 year old art student Kit Bradley who just happens to be a petty criminal who knows it's time to leave her past behind, but isn't quite ready to do so yet.



And, when hanging out at a local diner she spends way too much time at, Kit runs into an old flame of her's that drags her back into the life she's tried to leave behind.



Check it out this Wednesday!



THE MIGHTY THOR #3 - The BEST Thor series in FOREVER continues this Wednesday as Fear Itself writer MATT FRACTION and Siege artist OLIVIER COIPIEL continue their run!

Thor vs. Galactus? Yes!

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DUDE. Mighty Thor is the best damn Thor title I've read since the first arc of J. Michael Straczynski's epic re-invention of the character. Seriously, it's THAT good. We're really digging what they've got going on with this one, Third Eye Faithful, as it brings us something I think many fans have wanted: a Thor title where he's rooted firmly in the Marvel Universe, and interacting with Marvel characters. It's accessible, easy to jump on board with (just start with issue #1), and the artwork in this one is freakin' phe-nom-enal.



The first story arc kicks things off a big, epic tale of how Galactus has set his sights on Asgard as his next target, and the Silver Surfer arrives heralding his master's arrival. With the threat of annihilation looming over the golden realm of Asgad, Thor is their only hope for survival. But, wait, it gets even MORE epic, as we see that Galactus is seeking an ancient artifact known as the Galactus Seed.. and who do you think has that? Yup, ol' One-Eye himself, ODIN.



Coipiel's art compliments Fraction's writing perfectly, but, it's really the art that makes this one pop. It's one of the prettiest, most action-packed superhero books on the stands, and if you don't believe me, click the preview link and see for yourself.



Even if you've never been a big Thor fan, this is the kind of book you should be reading, as it's too good to NOT be following right now.



Click here for a preview of MIGHTY THOR #3



Missed issues 1 and 2? We've got copies in stock to catch you up!



BRIGHTEST DAY AFTERMATH: THE SEARCH FOR SWAMP THING BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY, AND WE CANNOT WAIT! ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE NEW DCU BEING LAID HERE? HOW DOES THIS AFFECT FLASHPOINT? FIND OUT WEDNESDAY!

John Constantine in the DCU again? Yes!

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Totally stoked for this! I loved BRIGHTEST DAY, and if you haven't yet read Geoff Johns's incredible year one rebuilding of the DC UNIVERSE, then we highly suggest you do (we've got the entire series in stock in both single issue format, as well as the first two of three hardcovers for those of you who prefer trade-waiting). Geoff Johns, the driving creative force behind the DCU, pretty much rebuilt the DCU from the ground up with BRIGHTEST DAY in the wake of BLACKEST NIGHT, and took many characters that we had once overlooked or forgotten about, and turned them into major players.



However, the most compelling and interesting aspect of BRIGHTEST DAY is the re-introduction of VERTIGO-centric characters like John Constantine, Swamp Thing, and more into the DC UNIVERSE proper.



Considering how big of a part some of these re-introduced characters will be playing in the upcoming relaunch of many DC titles, we're very intrigued to see just how much this limited series exploring the post-BRIGHTEST DAY landscape of the DCU, ties into the relaunch of those titles. Plus, it's more BRIGHTEST DAY awesomeness, and that is NEVER a bad thing. :)



Check it out this Wednesday here at Third Eye!



THE GUILD: BLADEZZ ONE-SHOT by FELICIA DAY and GUILD director SEAN BECKER explores the Knights of Good's Rogue!

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We are HUGE fans of the web-series THE GUILD by Felicia Day and company, and we've totally been digging the comic book treatment that's been given to this humorous take on MMORPGs.



Previously, we've seen takes on both Tink and Vork, and now, this Wednesday, the secret origin of Bladezz's alter ego is revealed.



Written by the one and only Felicia Day and GUILD director Sean Becker, this one looks to deliver more of the high quality excellence we've seen in the previous GUILD comics.



Check it out this Wednesday, and you missed the others, don't worry, we've got plenty of copies in stock to get you hooked up!





JESUS HATES ZOMBIES: JURASSIC KINDA LIFE GN VOLUME 1

ZOMBIE DINOSAURS, WEREWOLF HUNTING ABE LINCOLN, and MORE IN THIS BRAND NEW JHZ ONE-SHOT

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What can we say? We love the ridiculous here at Third Eye, and 215 INK (an up and coming small publisher that's been impressing the heck out of us lately) bringing more JESUS HATES ZOMBIE goodness to the masses is always a good thing, right? Especially when you involve dinosaurs, and cavemen... and zombie plagues.



Seriously though, this week, the fine folks at 215 INK deliver a stand-alone graphic novel this Wednesday for only $5 (how's that for a steal?), which shows Jesus and President Lincoln smack dab in the middle of another zombie outbreak, only this time it's taking place in the prehistoric age. And, zombie dinosaurs, cavemen, and other over-the-top madness runs wild as our heroes try to stop this new zombie plague and return Abe to his own time.



Missed the original JHZ? We've got the whole shebang for just $10.99 in stock now.



FEAR ITSELF: THE SHADOW OF FEAR ITSELF FALLS ON IRON MAN 2.0 #6,SECRET AVENGERS #14, and THUNDERBOLTS #159 THIS WEDNESDAY

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Another great week for FEAR ITSELF titles, as we see the arrival of some of our favorites. First off, we've gotSECRET AVENGERS #14, and if you've been following our newsletter for a while you know how much I dig SECRET AVENGERS. Nick Spencer has done a great job of following up Ed Brubaker on this title, and has brought his own knack for sharp storytelling right to the forefront on this title.



Next up, we've got IRON MAN 2.0 #6, which delivered a GREAT FEAR ITSELF tie-in last month, as it showcased some incredible artwork, and the role of Titania and Absorbing Man in the FEAR ITSELF landscape.



Finally, THUNDERBOLTS #159 continues to explore the ramifications of the Juggernaut getting chosen as one of the Worthy, and being given one of those nifty magic hammers that make Marvel characters into total badass engines of destruction.



Missed earlier FEAR ITSELF chapters? We've got issues of all tie-ins, and all issues in stock and available now to catch you up.



Click here for the official Third Eye FEAR ITSELF Checklist





BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM #2 FROM AMERICAN VAMPIRE/DETECTIVE COMICS scribe SCOTT SNYDER continues to explore the dark history of Gotham City, and the many families that built it!

A MAJOR LEAD-UP TO THIS FALL'S NEW BAT-TITLES

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We are big, big fans of Scott Snyder, and the work he's done on series like AMERICAN VAMPIRE and DETECTIVE COMICS. So, when we saw that Gates of Gotham was his next Bat-project, we totally got stoked. This guy GETS IT. He knows how to write a solid Batman story, and really hits a home-run with most of the stuff he's doing. One of the better new talents in the field, we can't recommend checking out some of his stuff enough, and GATES OF GOTHAM is a perfect place to start.



Snyder is exploring the history of Gotham City and the families that built it: The Waynes, The Thomas's, The Elliott's, The Kanes, ect. In a very gritty, and almost macabre sense, he dives deep into the murder and mayhem that built empires, while also telling a present day storyline involving Batman unearthing these various puzzles and mysteries.



This limited series looks to be setting up MAJOR stuff in the fall for the Bat-titles, and with Snyder having been announced as the upcoming writer of BATMAN when the relaunch goes down.. we feel that GATES OF GOTHAM will be a crucial part of paving the way.



Missed issue #1 last month? We've got copies in stock to catch you up.



AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER THE LOST ADVENTURES TP - LOADS OF NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN, OR LONG-OUT OF PRINT IN-CONTINUITY AVATAR COMICS COLLECTED IN ONE MASSIVE TOME

avatarairbendertpb1 While the movie by M. Night Shyamalan wasn't exactly the most faithful in terms of adapting the incredible cult favorite anime series, AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER, it did prove one thing: there's a lot of people out there who're into this series, and for that, we're grateful, 'cause it means we get more Avatar stuff.



Presented as an all ages series, but much like BONE or STUFF OF LEGEND, it's an all ages series that truly people of all ages can enjoy. The storytelling in the Avatar series is rich, and layered with strong characterization, and compelling plot twists. And, of course, really cool powers.



Now, DARK HORSE, the publishers who've brought us the MASS EFFECT comics, many of the STAR WARS series, and more (showing they're no strangers to properly handling licensed properties) is unleashing this trade paperback of Avatar awesomeness which collects many never-before-seen, or long out of print official, in-continuity AVATAR comics.



Snag yourself a copy this Wednesday, and get more of your Avatar fix!



METALOCALYPSE'S VERY OWN DETHKLOK GETS THE HARDCOVER TREATMENT THIS WEDNESDAY FROM DARK HORSE

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Who doesn't have a soft spot for Adult Swim's riffing on extreme music, METALOCALYPSE? DETHKLOK got the comic book treatment last year, and we totally loved it. Totally ridiculous, and totally over-the-top, this limited series captured everything we love about the Dethklok crew, and now you can put it on your bookshelves next to your copies of Lords of Chaos and Choosing Death. ;)



Available in hardcover this Wednesday, this one collects the full METALOCALYPSE DETHKLOK limited series as well as the elusive GOON vs. DETHKLOK one-shot by GOON creator ERIC POWELL.



Check it out this Wednesday!



MARVEL SERVES UP MORE PULP CRIME NOIR AWESOMENESS WITH THE SECOND ISSUE IN THEIR MYSTERY MEN LIMITED SERIES THIS WEDNESDAY!

Missed #1? We've got copies in stock to catch you up!

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Mystery Men #1 was a very cool surprise which gave us a very INCOGNITO-esque riff on the Marvel Universe, much like their 5 Ronin re-imagining earlier in the year but with a different genre and time period.



The first issue showed that this one has real potential to be a great read, and folks, we can't recommend picking it up enough. Patrick Zircher's art looks AMAZING in this one, and he really teleports you to the 1930s of the Marvel Universe.



With each page, Zircher's art showcases how his style has evolved and really is a perfect match for this world. He'd be great on a series like Daredevil or the Punisher.



The story itself focuses on Depression era New York City, as a masked man known only as The Operative has been blamed for a crime he didn't commit. He's got to unravel the mystery that has ensnarled him, and utilize the assistance of the equally mysterious Revenant.



The way this series evokes the Pulp Era is dead on, and the hints as to what connections these characters may have to the Marvel Universe is downright intriguing.



A great read with great art, if you like a little pulp in your comic book storytelling, you have to check this one out.



Snag issue #1, and catch up to this week's #2 this Wednesday.



Click here for a preview of MYSTERY MEN #2





BATMAN: THE RED HOOD LOST DAYS TRADE PAPERBACK HITS THIS WEDNESDAY EXPLORING THE RETURN OF JASON TODD, AND HOW HE GOT TO BEING THE RED HOOD HE IS TODAY

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The Red Hood has slowly been building up his cult favorite status over the last few years since his original return, and with a new ongoing series coming up for him as part of the new line of Fall DCU titles... this is the perfect book to catch you up to speed on the Red Hood, and his origins.



LOST DAYS tells the story of how Jason Todd returned to life, and the fight he's been having to rediscover his humanity after the brutal events he'd been through.



The secret events that led him down the path of death and destruction are revealed in this six issue-limited series available in trade paperback this Wednesday.



Written by Judd Winick, the man who's been penning the recent return of Red Hood in BATMAN AND ROBIN, and originally brought the character back, he's a perfect fit for this story.



How did he get so damn crazy? Find out in this one on Wednesday!



SUICIDE GIRLS #3 CONTINUES IDW'S KILLER SUICIDE GIRLS LIMITED SERIES FEATURING STORY BY STEVE NILES (30 DAYS OF NIGHT) and ART BY CAMERON STEWART (BATMAN AND ROBIN)

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A true guilty pleasure, for sure, but man, is this one a blast or what? IDW puts one of the most talented up and coming artists in the field right now, Cameron Stewart, on SUICIDE GIRLS, and the results are amazing. A fun story about the SuicideGirls working as a spy-ops organization, and getting mixed up in all sorts of wacky violence, it's a lot of fun.



Missed issues 1 and 2? We've got copies of both in stock to catch you up.



X-MEN SECOND COMING TRADE PAPERBACK HITS THIS WEDNESDAY DELIVERING THE THIRD AND FINAL COLLECTED INSTALLMENT OF THE "MESSIAH COMPLEX" TRILOGY

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X-MEN: SECOND COMING was an AWESOME read, and was the third and final installment of the HOPE trilogy that began with X-MEN: MESSIAH COMPLEX, continued with X-FORCE: MESSIAH WAR, and then finished in SECOND COMING.



Now, with Hope having grown up in the future with Cable as her guardian, she has returned to the present, and with her, has brought new hope for the entire mutant species. However, the Human League is bent on eradicating all mutants on Earth so mankind can evolve. Led by Bastion, a highly evolved form of Sentinel, the Human Leage knows only one thing can solve this: KILL HOPE.



A true X-MEN epic, SECOND COMING delivered so many fascinating twists and turns that it kept us coming back again and again for more each week, as the book captured the kind of high-energy X-MEN storytelling that you want out of an X-Book.



If you dug MESSIAH COMPLEX and MESSIAH WAR, then you must get SECOND COMING, 'cause not only does it finish the trilogy, but it's the highest point of it, in our opinion.



Snag the trade paperback this Wednesday, collecting the entire SECOND COMING.



X-MEN: AGE OF X hits this Wednesday in HARDCOVER - Collecting the AGE OF APOCALYPSE-esque STORYLINE ABOUT A WORLD WHERE THE X-MEN NEVER EXISTED

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Speaking of must-have X-MEN graphic novels, how can we overlook the fact that this year's epic AGE OF X storyline will be hitting this Wednesday in graphic novel? This one was a KICK-ASS story, from UNWRITTEN writer MIKE CAREY, and it delivered on every level.



In a world where the X-Men never existed and mutantkind has been hunted to extinction, the few remaining mutants have banded together to make their last stand. They spend each day scuring the walls of their stronghold, Fortress X, beating back the anti-mutant forces out. But, when a conspiracy is discovered within Fortress X itself, could it be that mutantkind's last bastion will crumble from the inside out? And, when the dust settles? No one wil lbe left the same.



In a world where the X-MEN never formed, and staved off all the persecution of mutants, everything has changed. The Avengers especially have a different take as they're a mutant-hunting task force, which has members that will kill, and others that won't.. and the results of that will shock the heck out of you.



THIRD EYE RETRO PICK: DR STRANGE INTO THE DARK DIMENSION featuring one of our favorite Silver Age artists, PAUL SMITH

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One thing we hear often here at Third Eye is that there needs to be more trades and hardcovers of DR. STRANGE stories. And, folks, let me tell you, as big Strange fans, we could not agree more.



So, when we saw that Marvel was putting out this killer hardcover collecting Roger Stern (one of THE Strange writers of all-time), and Paul Smith's (one of our own personal favorite artists of the Silver Age) INTO THE DARK DIMENSION story arc, we had to give it some love on here.



So, what's it all about? Well, Dr. Strange, the Master of the Mystic Arts, starts his day by curing a mystically cursed sword and ends it by overthrowing a dimensional dictator. All in a day's work, right? The Sorcerer Supreme faces threats on cruise ships, military bases, and alien planets -- seeking to restore the cosmic balance. And, as the origins of the Dark Dimension stand revealed, Strange's true love, Clea, heads a rebellion against her evil mother, Umar.



A blast for any DR. STRANGE fan, check it out this Wednesday, as it's brimming with the kind of psychadelic, mystic awesomeness you'd want out of a good Strange story.

















STAFF PICKS

STEVE: THE CAPE #1 ONE-SHOT- You probably saw me gushing over this book last week, and how awesome it was. Seriously, if you're into the darker takes on superheroes like in IRREDEEMABLE, and the like.. you need to read this!



TRISH: CROSSED PSYCHOPATH #3 - Just the covers alone on CROSSED are making it worth it, but the story of PSYCHOPATH has got to be the highest level of violence and disturbing madness I've seen yet.



TORMA: FLASHPOINT GORILLA GRODD - FINALLY. Gorilla Grodd gets some respect. Seriously, he's one of the smartest villains in the DCU, and it took him this long to get his own one-shot? But it was totally worth the wait!



TONY (PRINCE FREDERICK): FLASHPOINT: LEGION OF DOOM #1- I really dug this one, and I think the fact that I wasn't sure what to expect going in, was a big part of it. The ending to this one was one of the best surprises of a Flashpoint book yet.

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