BATTLE FOR THE COWL #3 CONCLUDES, AND UNVEILS THE WINNER OF THIS EPIC CONTEST FOR WHO'LL BE WEARING THE COWL!
The big one this week that's going to be the talk of the shop is the conclusion to the BATTLE FOR THE COWL event that's been running through the Batman corner of the DC Universe. It's been a great storyline so far, and we've actually been extremely impressed with a good deal of the one-shots (especially THE UNDERGROUND, THE NETWORK, and the conclusion to the AZRAEL series which we weren't too hot on at first, but thought it ended pretty well). It all comes to a head this Wednesday with the arrival of this week's BATTLE FOR THE COWL #3! This is the big one, and will show us who will be filling the role of the Caped Crusader in Bruce Wayne's absence (well, he's dead, or displaced in the timestream, or something weird.. but, we all know how those things play out!).
Is it going to be Dick Grayson (we think so!), Jason Todd (oh, we hope not!), Tim Drake (could be cool, but a little too soon..), Two-Face (hey, he's worn the cowl before...), or someone totally unexpected? We don't know, but we're on the edges of our seats to find out who's going to be taking on the role of the Gotham Guardian.
For those of you who may have missed the first couple issues of BATTLE FOR THE COWL, fear not, we've got plenty of #1 back in stock, and still have a nice amount of #2 left for you to catch up on this monumental mini-series that sets the stage for the DCU in 2009!
To check out a preview of BATTLE FOR THE COWL #3 , click here!
WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #2 ARRIVES FROM RISING STAR "SCALPED" WRITER JASON AARON, AND GIVES US CHAPTER TWO OF THE KILLER NEW "ADAMANTIUM MEN" STORY ARC!
When the OLD MAN LOGAN storyline began last Summer, we were blown away. Wolverine was a character that had been over-exposed for a while, and we were looking for the perfect fresh take on the character to make him interesting. And OLD MAN LOGAN, definitely did that. So, then, it's decided, that it's time for a new Wolverine ongoing series. At first, I was skeptical, but then I saw the creative team attached.. Jason Aaron, and Ron Garney. These guys did a terrific sleeper story called GET MYSTIQUE in Wolverine a couple of years ago, and I was really impressed with how well Aaron "got" Wolverine as a character. I was sold. And, when the first issue hit, I gotta say, my expectations were met, and exceeded. It was a fantastic read! So, before we get into the hype on this week's new WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #2, let me give you guys who haven't checked it out yet the quick concept of the book.
Basically, Wolverine: Weapon X is Marvel allowing Jason Aaron (who writes the awesomely gritty and grimy SCALPED Vertigo series) to take the character in a very PUNISHER MAX-like (Garth Ennis's character-defining Punisher run) direction. This means that you get the essence of Wolverine boiled down to what everyone loves about him. The quiet loner with the shadowy past who doesn't think twice about putting his claws through the back of a man's skull. It's bloody, it's brutal, and it's brilliant. Best of all, it's self-contained into one ongoing series, and is the perfect book to follow if you just want a good old-fashioned WOLVERINE story that's not bogged down by his appearances throughout the rest of the Marvel universe. The stories are of a darker theme, and explore his past with the Weapon X program, giving us the return of fan-favorite characters like Maverick, and more. And, Aaron, who is known for the hardcore tone in his writing, is bringing in new and old villains alike to get everyone stoked on this great series. Not to mention, his portrayal of Wolverine, along with Ron Garney's fitting pencils, make the book a very fluid, fun read.
And, now, onto what we can expect this Wednesday... the first issue of WOLVERINE WEAPON X was a set-up issue, it introduces the idea of the ADAMANTIUM MEN (the primary nemesis and main plot-point of the first story arc), a group of super-soldiers being laced with Adamantium and given claws by the Roxxon Corporation. Wolverine makes his debut in the first issue in classic Wolverine fashion (hey, he's even wearing the classic bomber jacket)... and how does he do that? He cuts some crook's hand off at the wrist, leaving him to bleed out on a subway train. The conspiracy theories abound, and now as we head into issue #2, we get to learn just who and what the Adamantium Men are.
Do yourselves a favor, and do not miss the second installment of WOLVERINE: WEAPON X this Wednesday! Click here to check out a preview of WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #2!
THE BOYS HEROGASM #1 - GARTH ENNIS GIVES US THIS BOYS SPIN-OFF LIMITED SERIES THAT SHOWS US HIS TAKE ON CROSSOVER EVENTS!
Every self-respecting superhero universe has big events. It's a staple of comics. Sometimes they're amazing, and sometimes they leave a little to be desired, but it's a foundation of serial superhero fiction. And, Third Eye favorite writer, Garth Ennis, is giving us his own take on big events with the brand new BOYS: HEROGASM limited series. The series is being written by Garth Ennis (the mastermind behind the BOYS, and the man responsible for the amazing PREACHER series), and long-time Ennis collaborator John McCrea. For a lot of you who've just gotten into Ennis, you may not be too familiar with McCrea, but let me tell you, he and Ennis have done some amazing work together. They did the awesome, and often overlooked HITMAN series (which is going to finally be available in trade paperback again very soon), as well as several other great projects. We're really looking forward to them working together again.
Now, onto what Herogasm is about. This is the story of what really happens during crossover events. What do the superheroes do when no one's looking? And what insidious ties do the Vought-American corporation have to this. This one looks to be featuring more on the despicable capes of THE BOYS (the Seven, Teenage Kix, Fantastico, and more), and for those of you who are enjoying THE BOYS, you're gonna love HEROGASM. Ennis will definitely be delivering his twisted sense of humor, and unique storytelling in this great limited series. Click here to read more about THE BOYS: HEROGASM #1 (it's a COMIC BOOK RESOURCES link, so it may not work, and the art pages shown are only in black and white but the series is going to be in full color)!
FANTASTIC FOUR #566 BEGINS MARK MILLAR'S "MASTERS OF DOOM" STORYLINE!
This is the big one, folks. Millar has been leading up to this story arc with his entire FF run, and man, we're pumped. It feels like it's taken a little long to get to this point, probably because of some delays in shipping on several issues of FF (due to Bryan Hitch's amazing artwork, maybe?), but it's finally here. I read the retailer preview this past Saturday, and I have to say, it's a great kick-off. Millar has been very cagey about how it all relates, but apparently, his Fantastic Four run, his OLD MAN LOGAN run, and his epic 1985 mini-series from last year all connect together in some shape or form, and we here at Third Eye are thinking that the MASTERS OF DOOM is going to be a big part of what connects the three.
For the past few issues of FF, there's been a pair of mysterious strangers showing up and wreaking havoc, and now in this week's #566, the Master of Doom, comes forward to see how Victor Von Doom has been progressing. What'd you have to look forward to? Well, some of you may consider this spoilers, so we'll white out the text, to read, just highlight with your mouse cursor: first off, THE WATCHER is DEAD! Who would've thought those guys could even be taken out? Secondly, Doom's master isn't too pleased with his progress... and there's some conflict going on there. Plus, there's a ton of other great moments that look to set up this epic storyline. So, be sure to give the Fanastic Four #566 a look this Wednesday. Click here to check out a preview of FANTASTIC FOUR #566!
DARK REIGN FORECAST: PUNISHER #5 CONTINUES THE AWESOME NEW ONGOING PUNISHER SERIES! AGENTS OF ATLAS #5 CONTINUES TO IMPRESS! HICKMAN'S DARK REIGN FANTASTIC FOUR #3 HITS HARD AND THUNDERBOLTS #132 BEGINS NEW STORY ARC!
Dark Reign continues to keep us hooked week after week, and one of our favorite of the new ongoing series launched out of Dark Reign, the new Punisher series, will be hitting the racks this week. Rick Remender, and Jerome Opena have really taken the ball and ran with it in this amazing series. They've taken the character, and done what's been impossible to do for many years, and that's integrating him into the mainstream 616 Marvel universe. Between Opena's fresh, gritty pencils, and Remender's great approach to the character (a combination of Ennis's gritty take with the old school flavor of the classic '80s Punisher stuff), this series has had us loving it. It's The Punisher vs. the Hood, and he's going to kill him or die trying! I mean, come on, the Punisher's decked out with an old Ant-Man helmet, Hawkeye's old bow and arrow, and a variation of the Cap shield... and somehow, someway, this WORKS. Don't miss the conclusion to the first story arc this Wednesday in PUNISHER #5! And, if you want to jump aboard the series, don't worry, Third Eye's got your back. We still have plenty of the first four issues in stock!
Also, on the schedule for Dark Reign this week, we've got the sleeper hit AGENTS OF ATLAS #5 where the Agents of Atlas go head to head with the NEW AVENGERS, which gives us the quirkiest team the Marvel universe has ever known (Well, outside of NEXTWAVE), and THUNDERBOLTS #132 begins new story arc begins in the red-hot THUNDERBOLTS title that's been impressing the hell out of us ever since Andy Diggle took over with issue #126. In this new arc, it looks like the Thunderbolts are out to recruit one of Wolverine's deadly, older foes, Mr. X.
Finally, one of the biggest surprises, rising star writer Jonathan Hickman delivers the goods with the brand new DARK REIGN: FANTASTIC FOUR #3 . Even with a great writer like Hickman heading up the title, we were a little skeptical at first. Because, lets face it, there's a TON of limited series that spark up during these big events, and not all of them feel like essential reading. HOWEVER, Hickman's Dark Reign Fantastic Four mini has been one of the most fun reads we've been following. Finally, SKRULL KILL KREW #2 brings us what everyone wants? Skrulls getting blown the heck up!
So, as you guys can see, it's going to be a great week for Dark Reign stuff!
PLANET SKAAR PROLOGUE: SKAAR IS COMING HOME TO EARTH, AND HE'S LOOKING FOR HIS POPS!
Skaar, the Son Of Hulk, has been a fantastic, and consistent read. It's been a Hulk meets Conan kind of read, as we get more Planet Hulk-esque goodness every month. And now, the big one's brewing, as Skaar is coming to Earth, and he's got one thing on his mind: he wants to go head to head with dear old dad, the Hulk. What's going to happen when these two green giants go head to head, and the planet Earth is stuck in the middle? How does the rest of the Marvel Universe feel about this? Will this be the final culmination of the events of PLANET HULK, and WORLD WAR HULK? Marvel's been kind of tight-lipped on the details, but we're pumped. And the creative team is looking pretty awesome, as we get Greg Pak (the man behind PLANET HULK, plus a slew of other great reads), and RON LIM (one of the most renowned Silver Surfer artists of days gone past) deliver the goods on this one-shot setting up for the new Planet Skaar storyline that's going to be a must-read for HULK fans this summer.
Click here to check out a preview PLANET SKAAR: PROLOGUE!
DYNAMITE DEBUTS COMPLETE DRACULA #1 THIS WEDNESDAY AND IT LOOKS AWESOME!
Dynamite has a great reputation for taking classic characters and breathing fresh new life into them, and the new COMPLETE DRACULA series looks like it's going to be awesome. This is the complete story of Dracula, the one that Bram Stoker intended to tell over a century ago, and this includes, "Dracula's Guest." A beautifully illustrated gothic masterpiece, this one looks like it's going to be a solid read where the blood flows freely, and the Lord of the Undead is given all the creepy, eerie kinds of treatment that you'd want. I'm personally stoked for this series, because as a kid, I loved Horror comics. Especially the ones that took all the classic characters I knew well from the old Universal flicks, and Hammer horror films, and expanded on their stories. This one looks to be a fantastic combination of that old school horror comics vibe with the high level of new school artwork, and storytelling that's become the standard in comic books these days. The tone, and mood of the series looks perfect.
Click here to check out a preview of COMPLETE DRACULA #1!
HULK #12 *OFFENDERS VS. DEFENDERS WAR PT 3* BRINGS MORE BIGGER THAN LIFE COMIC BOOK ACTION THIS WEDNESDAY!
The current HULK series falls into a strange yet lovable place for comicdom. The storytelling isn't complex, and sometimes, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, BUT, it delivers on that primal big monsters and superhumans smashing the hell out of each other kind of level. It's pure Jack Kirby-fueled fun the way that old school comics tended to be, but with a nice breath of modern air breathed into the story. The thing that makes this book really pop, and really work well, is that the artist line-up has been consistently incredible for the entire series. Right now, Ed McGuiness has been doing the current Offenders vs. Defenders arc, and we gotta admit.. it's pretty killer. I mean, Tiger Shark, Baron Mordo, Terrax and Red Hulk going head to head with Silver Surfer, Hulk, Dr. Strange, and Namor makes for some smash-em up over the top comic book awesomeness. Click here for a preview of HULK #12 OFFENDERS vs. DEFENDERS WAR PT 3!
CAPTAIN AMERICA HITS LANDMARK ISSUE THIS WEEK WITH CAPTAIN AMERICA #50!
A big landmark for Marvel will be made this Wednesday as the current run on Captain America hits #50. The awesome thing about this is that Ed Brubaker has been penning the series for the entire 50 issues of the run, and it really shows. He's developed so many supporting characters in Cap's background, as well as breathed fresh air into classic Cap villains throughout the course of the 50 issues. Not to mention, the direction the book has taken since Bucky has become the new Captain America has been so freaking good. Bucky makes a compelling Cap, because without the same super soldier serum that kept Steve Rogers out of harm's way, he's much more vulnerable and, sometimes, more easier to relate to than Steve Rogers. When he falls out of a second story window, ribs crack. When he throws the shield with his bionic arm, he can feel the tendons come close to ripping. We HIGHLY recommend going back and snagging the trade paperbacks that collect Brubaker's run, as you're missing out on what's some of the best Marvel Comics goodness coming out today if you don't. And now, after 50 issues, Brubaker gives us one heck of a warm, heartfelt story focusing on Bucky. I won't say too much, as I don't want to spoil anything (and no, Steve Rogers does not return in this issue), but it's a great stand-alone issue that would be a good spot to hop aboard the monthly Captain America series.
Click here for a preview of CAPTAIN AMERICA #50!
WATCHMEN & PHILOSOPHY ARRIVES THIS WEDNESDAY AT THIRD EYE!
Here's a very cool book that we're going to be getting in here at Third Eye this Wednesday. "WATCHMEN & PHILOSOPHY" gives us several essays and articles on the philosophy behind the story, the characters, and the world it's set in. Everything from how Rorschach justifies his brutal brand of justice to the relationship between Silk Specter and her mother. It's just an interesting sounding concept for a book, and hey, I love it when people see the depth and meat in great stories like WATCHMEN. I haven't read anything from the book yet (as there were no preview pages or anything available upon ordering), but from what I've read about the book it sounds like the author (or authors) tackles the subject very well. Here's a link to an article about the book.
WARREN ELLIS'S HOTWIRE #3 BRINGS MORE CYBERPUNK GHOSTBUSTING ACTION THIS WEDNESDAY!
Radical Publishing has been dropping our jaw with every new release they put out (and if you haven't already checked out CITY OF DUST, and CALIBER, we'd highly recommend giving them a read), and when they announced they were going to be putting out a series by a Third Eye favorite, Warren Ellis, we were pumped. Hotwire is all about a future where the existence of paranormal activities (you know, ghosts, spirits, possessions, and all that fun stuff) is accepted as scientific fact. And because of this, of course, there's a need for paranormal police officers. This is where Hotwire, Detective Exorcist, comes into play. She's the cop on the force that's shunned by many of her co-workers, but, she's the one who has what it takes to keep all these angry ghosts at bay. It's one part Ghost Busters, one part police drama, and one part cyberpunk. And, in this week's third issue, the conspiracy to infest the city with a plague of crazy, whacked out ghouls and other nasties comes into full play. Click here to check out a preview of HOTWIRE REQUIEM FOR THE DEAD #3! And, don't worry, if you missed issues one and two.. we got plenty in stock to catch you up!
