Best comic book this week

was ARCHIE #601 (Part 2 of 6 "Archie Marries Veronica: The Wedding") simply for this panel:



Of course that's an EC/MAD reference, dontcha know. (EC for me, see?)

Behold, from the magical pen of Will Elder, written by the inimitable Harvey Kurtzman, circa 1953:



*snicker*

As for what I think of Archie proposing to Veronica? This is what I imagine (St)Archie should be thinking right about now:



Crack me up.

Visit Scenic Arkham Asylum!

Are you one of the hundreds of thousands of gamers who just got their paws on the new XBOX 360 game BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM?


Did you know it's based on one of the best Batman and Joker stories ever written, Grant Morrison and Dave McKean's BATMAN ARKHAM ASYLUM?

More importantly, did you know you can get a copy of the collected edition at either Comix Connection locations? Well, you do now! Reserve your copy today!

By the way

ARCHIE PROPOSED TO VERONICA!

Get your copy of ARCHIE #600 today and read what all the hubbub is about!

(And how does Betty feel?)

Go read Brian's Batman Blog!

Local comic fan, part-time Comix Connection Counter Monkey, owner of two thousand drill bits, and all around swell pal Brian Linnen has started a highly entertaining weblog... BRIAN'S BATMAN BLOG! Go give it a read! Good stuff, updated twice weekly!

Get your BLACKEST NIGHT rings!

In conjunction with the upcoming Green Lantern story arc BLACKEST NIGHT, publisher DC Comics will be releasing a nifty little promotional item... a BLACK LANTERN RING! We will be giving them out to anyone who signs up for BLACKEST NIGHT while supplies last! That's right, just buy a copy of BLACKEST NIGHT #1 and you will receive a Black Lantern promotional ring for FREE! That way you don't have to do this:


And if you want a taste of Green Lantern Blackest Night, stop in and grab a copy of the Free Comic Book Day comic BLACKEST NIGHT #0... we have plenty of them at both stores, absolutely FREE!

For more on Blackest Night, click HERE! It's gonna be a Green Lantern summer!

What I'm reading now, and why.

I make no secret that my favorite comics are of the Marvel variety. Right now I find the Dark Reign theme really well thought out and backed by a lot of great writers. My favorite books right now are Fantastic Four and Wolverine "Old Man Logan" (Mark Millar), Dark Avengers (Bendis), Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk (Damon Lindelof of Lost fame!), Secret Warriors (Hickman & Bendis), and a little mentioned, hidden gem, The Immortal Iron Fist (Swierczynski).


I rarely hear any mention of the The Immortal Iron Fist, and maybe that's because the character himself is not very popular. The thing I do know, is that if you pick up the current issue and read the re-cap on the first page, it will be worth it! Trust me. The art is phenomenal, not to mention, innovative and the story is epic, but approachable for new readers.


Over at DC comics, it's absolutely no competition, Green Lantern takes the cake! Geoff Johns epic sweeping story picked up with Green Lantern Rebirth a few years back and hasn't stopped running full speed since. The good reason to get into the Green Lantern books now are that coming up on Free Comic Day, the world will be getting the prologue to the big DC event, Blackest Night! This book is not only a great jump on point for people looking to read Green Lantern but also to get on board with the entire DCU current.

Also to look forward to at DC is the upcoming Batman and Robin title, brought to us by the All-Star Superman team of Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly!

As always, the alternative books become a side note. Starting with a well established book that I'm just now getting the chance to dive into. Love an Rockets is available in seven convenient collected volumes. They are not appropriate for young lings, but if you're an adult and want to have a romping good time, try this book today. Its filled with beautifully drawn women in a sci-fi, reality twisted existence. The new format is a small square bound book, titled, Love & Rockets New Stories, continuing the mythos.
I'm catching up on Invincible as well, just completing volume nine, and boy can I say the hype was not unjustified! What an amazing comic. Its a self contained world where a college age man comes to grips with the overwhelming duty of being a real superhero. Let me clarify that it is not done in a corny way either, I, at times really feel for the character in his personal life and his larger than life, superhero dilemmas.


And last, but not least, Incognito! Which I know Bill, if not all of my coworkers, will back me in saying that Brubaker has struck again. After such hits as his mainstream Captain America and Daredevil books and his creator owned Criminal, he now brings us Incognito. Its the story of an ex super-villain who is put into protective custody after a life of crime, and how he fights the urges to go out and wreak havoc again! All beautifully illustrated by Sean Phillips!

So that's what I'm reading and loving, what are you reading and loving?

After WATCHMEN... What's Next?

DC Comics has a program to answer that very question... a selection of some of the best thought-provoking comics that DC has ever published, available in special editions for the low price of ONE DOLLAR EACH!


This is the list of titles DC has selected for this program, all classics in their own right:

Saga of the Swamp Thing #21, March 11
Transmetropolitan #1, March 18
Planetary #1, March 25
Preacher #1, April 1
Identity Crisis #1, April 8

HERE'S more info from the DC website, which also lists more recommended titles for your perusal!

Available in stores right now is Alan Moore's classic SWAMP THING story "The Anatomy Lesson", followed this week by TRANSMETROPOLITAN #1, so come on in and get your copies today!

Did anyone read the latest issue of WOLVERINE (#70) yet?

It's part of the "Old Man Logan" story-arc that's running through WOLVERINE right now, and explains why Wolvie refuses to pop his claws and fight back. What did you think? It made the hair stand up on my arm, personally! This is the best story about Wolverine that I've read since the "Weapon X" story that ran through MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS back in the '90s. I love Wolverine as a character, but in my opinion he's rarely done right. This is great stuff.

What do you think? I'm wondering if it's more fake reality from Mysterio, or not.

Oh, and don't get too excited... the next issue has been resolicited until MARCH! Grrrr.

Talk Amongst Yourselves...

Who are the Dark Avengers? What is the Dark Reign? What does jonathon Hickman (Nightly News) have in store for the Nick Fury and the Secret Warriors?

Did I mention

that noted horror novelist (and all-around great guy) Brian Keene put me in his DEAD OF NIGHT DEVIL SLAYER comic book? Behold:






I'm not showing you the last panel with me actually in it... you're gonna have to grab a copy for yourself.

You all know what this means, of course. I AM NOW OFFICIALLY PART OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE, old chum! That's right, you can draw a direct line from ME to ANY CHARACTER WHO EVER APPEARED IN A MARVEL COMIC. I can die happy now. Thanks, Brian - you're aces!

I can see it in the new OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE...

DEAD OF NIGHT DEVIL SLAYER
Marvel Comics: September 2008

1 - Inro + first app. WILLIAM WAHL, death of WILLIAM WAHL

GD VG FN VF VF/NM NM-
57 114 171 356 591 825

Hehhehhehheh.

This is one of the many reasons that Comix Connections are the coolest comic shops in the universe.

Old Man Logan

WOLVERINE #66:


Just go read it. Seriously.

Writer Brian Keene to pen new DEVIL SLAYER comic for Marvel!

Horror/suspense author (and Comix Connection favorite) Brian Keene is set to write a new four-issue DEVIL SLAYER comic for Marvel Comics this fall!


From Brian Keene's website (CLICK HERE):

“When I was six-years old,” Keene said, “my father took me to the newsstand and bought me issues of The Defenders, Man Thing, and Captain America. I took them home, read them, and immediately abandoned my childhood dreams of being an astronaut or a cowboy. Instead, I wanted to write for Marvel Comics. I’m pleased and honored to finally see that become a reality.”

We're all looking forward to it Brian! Sounds like a match made in... Hell?

(Oh, and if you haven't read all of Brian's awesome novels, pick them up at Comix Connection... we have them in stock! TERMINAL and THE RISING are good starts, and KILL WHITEY was just released in hardcover. Highly recommended!)

DC UNIVERSE #0 SOLD OUT nationwide, but you can still get a copy at Comix Connection

ABSOLUTELY FREE!

That's right, the swell guys at Comix Connection are GIVING AWAY DC UNIVERSE #0! (One per person, please... we want everyone to get one!)


From the DC Comics website:

Written by Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns; Art by George Pérez, Tony Daniel, J.G. Jones, Aaron Lopresti, Ivan Reis, Philip Tan and Carlos Pacheco; Cover by various

This is it! The greatest DC characters! Your favorite writers and artists! Everything leading to Final Crisis and beyond starts here! Take a journey through the past and present of the DCU, and witness the emergence of the greatest evil in the universe — and the stunning return of a force for good! You dare not miss DC Universe: Zero!

DC Universe | 32pg. | Color | FREE!

If you read ANY DC COMICS AT ALL, you're going to want one of these... this is where it all begins!
We'll have these available all week, through Free Comic Book Day (THIS SATURDAY!) If you want a copy, stop by either location and ask the Counter Monkey to locate you one! This is just another example of why Comix Connection is Central Pennsylvania's Ultra-hip Pop Culture Mecca™!

Officer Lefevre snags a CRIMINAL at the Mechanicsburg store!

A copy of CRIMINAL VOLUME 1: COWARD that is. Know your enemy, eh Brian?

Get your copy today before Officer Lefevre runs you in!





(I am not going to make any donut jokes. I promise. I'm sure very few police officers actually eat donuts, as it would interfere with their ability to run down miscreants. Yep. No donuts.)

Guess who's the featured retailer at Rude Dude Productions?

That's right, Comix Connection is the featured retailer this month at Steve Rude's website. (Click HERE to view.) Steve Rude is of course the creator of the comic book NEXUS, along with writer Mike Baron. Nexus is back and it's like he never left the racks.

And all of you are reading NEXUS, right? Well, here's a handy-dandy summary from the Rude Dude Production's website:

The year is 2841. On the distant moon of Ylum, an enigmatic man is plagued by nightmares. He is forced to dream of the past. He dreams of real-life butchers and tyrants, and what they have done.

And then he finds them, and kills
them.

Thanks for the honor, Steve!

RESERVE YOUR HEROES HARDCOVER GRAPHIC NOVEL TODAY!

From DC Comics' press release:

DC Comics, the world's largest English language comic book publisher and home to Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman announced plans to publish a hardcover collection of graphic novels based on NBC’s Emmy and Golden Globe nominated “Heroes,” the #1 new series on television for the 2006-2007 season, from executive producer-creator Tim Kring (NBC’s “Crossing Jordan”). The stories, which mark the first printed graphic novel adaptation of the show, were originally created for and new chapters continue to be exclusively available on NBC’s “Heroes” website. The collection will also feature the artwork of legendary comic book artist Tim Sale (“Batman: The Long Halloween”), whose work was featured prominently throughout the first season of the series through the visuals created by a drug-addled painter with apocalyptic visions of the future.

“We are very excited to be releasing the compilation of “Heroes” comics through DC Comics. Until now, most of these stories have only been available on NBC.com. To have this first printing coming from DC, the premier publisher of comic books, is a dream come true,” said Tim Kring, creator-executive producer, “Heroes.”

I you want a copy of this ultra-cool book, let us know as soon as possible so that we will add you to the reserve list! 240-page hardcover book for $29.99, on sale October 24, 2007. More info HERE at the Wildstorm/DC website.

UN-MEN Artist Mike hawthorne interviewed

Go check out this cool interview over at comicon.com with artist Mike Hawthorne discussing his upcoming UN-MEN series from Vertigo/DC. Who are the UN-MEN? Click HERE to find out. And click HERE to see more of Mike's art... that guy is SO talented!

UN-MEN #1 ships real soon (early August 2007), so reserve yours today! This is looking awesome!

The Weekend Comics Chat Open Thread - The Spider-Camel Edition

I have no idea what that picture means.

Anyway... what did you read this week? WORLD WAR HULK #1 was great, but the real surprise book was NEW AVENGERS #31. If you've been following the Marvel Universe at all the last year or two, you're in for a shock. Things may not be what they seem... This issue opens up ALL KINDS of possibilities and the implications are enormous. Trust me on this one, it's a keeper!

Be advised that any comments MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!

So what do you think?

He's back, and BOY is he -uh- peeved!

That's right, WORLD WAR HULK #1 comes in to the stores this Wednesday... are you ready?

Plus, NEW AVENGERS #31 is coming in too. Rumor has it that the last page of this issue sends shockwaves through the Marvel Universe and sets the tone for the next year or two... looks to be an interesting summer heating up in the comic world!

No Post

I got nuttin'.

MELTDOWN collected!

Readers of this site will probably remember how I ranted last year about the cool comic MELTDOWN and how much I liked it. Well, if you didn't try it then, here's your chance! I recently received the following email from writer David B. Schwartz:

Hi, Bill!

Thanks again for the great review you gave to our comic MELTDOWN on the ComixConnection.com website!

I just wanted to give you a quick heads up about our latest MELTDOWN news. A press release is below, but I'd be happy to offer up whatever additional info you might like. Needless to say, we're really excited about the book.

Also attached are two pieces of artwork for your viewing pleasure: our cover art (by the incredible Chris Bachalo), and one of the cool pin-ups we've got in the TPB (this one's by Micah Gunnell).

Thanks again for all of your support!

- DBS

IMAGE UNLEASHES A MASSIVE MELTDOWN Critically Acclaimed Series Collected in Jam-Packed TPB

Just a year ago, very few readers had ever heard of David B. Schwartz, Sean Wang, or their comic book MELTDOWN. Of course, that was before their Image Comics miniseries began garnering some of the strongest reviews for a debut comic in years. Now, due to the overwhelming fan reaction for MELTDOWN, the boys are back at work putting together a jam-packed trade paperback edition.

“We’ve got the full 96 pages of story that were in issues one and two,” says Schwartz, “but there’s gonna be a lot more than that. We’re really thinking of this like an ultimate edition DVD release, and packing it with tons of great bonus features.”

“I’m opening my entire sketchbook,” said Wang. “You’ll get to see all of the design work I did when creating the look of these characters, and I talk you through the whole process.”

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The senses-shattering collection will also feature:

- “The Making of Chris Bachalo’s Cover," a rare look inside the creative process of one of comics’ top artists, where you’ll get to see his thumbnails, pencils and inks.

- A foreword by superstar writer Robert Kirkman, creator of THE WALKING DEAD and INVINCIBLE.

- The original series pitch

- Pin-ups by other great artists, giving their interpretations of the MELTDOWN characters

- Deleted scenes, alternate endings, and more…

- Plus much, much more cool and exciting behind the scenes material!

MELTDOWN tells the story of a reluctant superhero whose fire-based powers are killing him by melting him down from within. With only 7 days left to live, he must put his life in order, and make amends for all of his regrets. The script is by David B. Schwartz, artwork is by Sean Wang (creator of RUNNERS), colors by Guru-eFX, and incredible covers by both Bachalo (issue 1) and Greg Horn (issue 2).

"MELTDOWN: The Definitive Collection" trade paperback, a 152-page full-color comic, ships JULY 5...


Sounds great, David! Looks like I'll be picking this up just for the extras! Veddy cool!

UN-MEN Update!

Check this out! Local artist Mike Hawthorne is currently working on a new series from DC/Vertigo... the UN-MEN! Spinning out of the old SWAMP THING (1972) comic, the UN-MEN were created by Anton Arcane as immortal and invincible bodies for him to occupy... and some of them are still out there.

For more info, HERE'S an article/interview from Comic Book Resources. And HERE'S a link to Mike's own website with some cool artwork from the series.

Mike also sent me the following info from the solicitation for UN-MEN #1, which will be in the next PREVIEWS!

THE UN-MEN #1
WRITER - JOHN WHALEN
ARTIST - MIKE HAWTHORNE
COVER ARTIST - TOMER HANUKA

ARE YOU READY TO GET YOUR FREAK ON?

They say the freaks come out at night. But in Aberrance City, being a freak is big business. Sitting on the board of directors are the weirdest freaks of all -- birthed in the profane laboratories of Anton Arcane -- the Un-Men. In this new, ongoing series that combines gritty noir, grindhouse horror and gallows humor, an albino agent known as Kilcrop is dispatched by the government to investigate the murder of a sideshow attraction called The Gill-Boy. To uncover the truth, Kilcrop must infiltrate Aberrance, where society's most misshapen outcasts can find their own kind of freedom. But with the original Un-Men in charge of the city, Kilcrop must confront a corruption far deeper than the mysterious death of a man who breathes through his neck. He must deal with his growing love for a one-armed, angel-winged beauty named Niko - an attraction that could prove fatal. And the truth he discovers may be the secret of his own outsider∂s soul. Breakout debut writer John Whalen and artist Mike Hawthorne (THE EXTERMINATORS, Queen and Country) bring chilling new life to the characters created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson in the original SWAMP THING, with a series that explores what it means to be a freak in a society filled with gawkers.

Did I mention that MIKE HAWTHORNE will be at COMIX CONNECTION-YORK on FREE COMIC BOOK DAY? He'll be there from 1PM-4PM, signing autographs and chatting with fans... ask to see some of his pages from the UN-MEN! They're incredible!

LEAGUE of EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN News!

I just ran across this article over at ICV2:

Top Shelf Productions and Knockabout announced plans to release the first of three installments of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 3: Century #1 by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill in 2008. The first two League of Extraordinary Gentlemen collections and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier, now slated for October release, are published by Wildstorm, but as was previously announced in 2005 (see "Alan Moore Ankles DC Comics"), the third collection will be published by Top Shelf and Knockabout.

The stories in Black Dossier occur between Volumes 2 and 3, and Volume 3 (Century) is comprised of three self-contained stories spanning a century, each presented as a 72-page, full-color perfect-bound volume. LOEG follows some familiar and some new characters throughout the Black Dossier and Century chapters.

YAY! You can never get enough LEAGUE of EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN.

For that matter you can never have too much Alan Moore!

Have you ever read...?

Have you ever wanted to try

• DEADMAN
• JACK OF FABLES
• SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATER
• INVISIBLES
• DEATH: THE HIGH COST OF LIVING
• HUMAN TARGET
• BOOKS OF MAGIC
• THE LOSERS
• EXTERMINATORS
• SWAMP THING
• HELLBLAZER
• DOOM PATROL
• TESTAMENT
• AMERICAN VIRGIN
• LOVELESS
• TRANSMETROPOLITAN
• DMZ
• SANDMAN
• PREACHER
• 100 BULLETS
• Y THE LAST MAN
• or FABLES?

FOR FREE?


Well, now you can! Thanks to the fine folks at DC/Vertigo, you can now download and read the first issues of all the above comics... for free! Go HERE to check it out. If you were ever curious about ANY of these title, what are you waiting for?

You're all reading THE SPIRIT aren't you?

I just can't imagine NOT reading Darwyn Cooke's WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT right now. This book is a pure delight. It contains single issue stories that are gradually filling us in on the background of one of comic's greatest characters... the masked adventurer the Spirit, originally created by Will Eisner. Cooke is also (re)introducing Eisner's vast array of supporting characters, all the while telling fast-paced, rollicking adventure stories. Issue 4 (now on the racks) brings us a Silk Satin story, with the mysterious nemesis the Octopus as the villain pulling the strings. These stories are not your typical super-hero fare, but if you are a fan of high adventure crime-fighting, then this series is for you.


Cooke's beautiful layouts resurrect and capture the -er- spirit of the old strip, his artwork more homage to the master than mere duplication. If anyone can do Eisner's SPIRIT, Darwyn Cooke can.

Will Eisner would be proud.



Oh, and check out Darwyn Cooke's NEW FRONTIER from DC Comics... the absolute best stories of the 1950s DC characters EVER.

Nicky Tells a Story

Nicole Wagman, part-time Comix Connection Counter Monkey in the Mechanicsburg store, emailed me this story she submitted for the Savannah College of Art and Design's annual student anthology book:

The theme this year was "discovery" and it had to be a story about a real object that we "discovered" so I picked my funky little magnet ring. You know, the one I wear on my CLAW!

(That "CLAW" reference is to the absolutely bizarre way Nicky holds a pen to write... you have to see it to believe it!)

Behold:





I thought this was GREAT! Very cool, Nicky! Thanks for letting me post this... now I can say I was the first to publish your work!