Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 10/08/08

Okay, here's my little state of the union address before sending you guys off to view this week's previews. I've been trying to update and just been hitting wall after wall over the past month and I've taken measures to get things back on track this week. There will be no more delays or missed updates for this week and I'm looking to keep that momentum rolling to get things back on track for future weeks.

You guys have been fantastic in bearing with me over these past few weeks and I want you to know I appreciate you all taking the time to keep checking the site and keep replying with comments. It really means a lot to me, especially with all the difficulties I've been having.

For this coming week, you can look forward to these previews, tomorrow's 'catch up day', with reviews and MotW from last week, and the irregularly scheduled reviews and MotW to cap off the week. I shouldn't have to tell you these will be posted, as it should be expected, but I want to make it known that these delays and excuses are through and you guys can expect things to be 'back to normal' from now on.

With that out of the way, hit the jump to see what I'll be picking up this week and what you can look forward to in the reviews.

ACTION COMICS #870
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank and Jon Sibal

The "Brainiac" finale! It's Superman versus Brainiac with everything at stake! No longer content to simply eradicate Superman, Brainiac is now determined to destroy Earth like so many other planets he's left in his wake. But Brainiac's ship is full of many bottles, inside of which some surprise guest-stars lurk! And while hope may blossom on Brainiac's ship, there's one life even the Man of Steel can't save.

Kirk Says: Colour me intrigued. Who could possibly die? Do we even have anyone setup for a possible death? Can't be Lois, Ma or Pa Kent, anyone at the Daily Planet or even Supergirl. So, who's gonna die? No one else has been introduced in the story outside of Supergirl's parents and they're in a bottle still.

Regardless of who ends up biting the big one, this is one of the best Superman stories in a long time and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it plays out.


DETECTIVE COMICS #849
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs

A "Batman R.I.P." tie-in! In this penultimate chapter of the 5-part arc "Heart of Hush," Batman tears his way through Gotham City's underworld to reach his dangerous adversary. But after the Dark Knight learns what his childhood friend-turned-villain is really after, will Batman be able to survive what Hush plans next? The lives of both Bruce Wayne and Tommy Elliot come full circle in this story of beginnings and brutal endings!

Kirk Says: I can't believe how much I've been enjoying this Hush story. Dini has done a great job turning a rather one-dimensional character into a fully fleshed out and worthy viallain for Batman. While his motivation is still a little flimsy, I can at least buy into this long lost best friend now hating Batman/Bruce's guts enough to become this kind of villain.


ENDER'S GAME: BATTLE SCHOOL #1
Written by Orson Scott Card
Adapted by Chris Yost
Art by Pasqual Ferry

There’s a war coming. The same aliens who almost destroyed Earth once are coming back to get the whole job done this time. But we aren’t going to just sit and die. The international military is taking our best and brightest to mold them into the finest
military minds ever—and they’re taking them young. 8-year-old Ender Wiggin is the best they’ve ever found. Can he save the Earth? Can he survive Battle School and the game that they will force him to play? The legendary sci-fi epic by New York Times Bestseller Orson Scott Card comes to comics! Join hot writer Christopher Yost (X-FORCE) and superstar Pasqual Ferry
(ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, ULTIMATE IRON MAN) as they tell one of the greatest science fiction story of all time.

Kirk Says: As much as I love Ender's Game, the novel, I'm still a bit iffy on this purchase. There's Yost, who's a great talent, adapting the story and Ferry's art is unique and adds some visual flair to the story, but I have an image of what Ender's Game is like in my mind already and I think this could spoil a lot of the things that my imagination had conjured up to fill in the blanks of the story and it's descriptions. I'll be taking a flip through this at the shop and it'll be a last minute decision on whether or not I actually pick it up, but I'm hoping it turns out okay.


FINAL CRISIS: SUBMIT
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Matthew Clark and Norm Rapmund

In a world overrun by Darkseid's Anti-Life Equation and his relentless storm troopers, do you choose to SUBMIT? As the lines between Super Hero and Super-Villain become blurred, the ultimate odd couple of Black Lightning and Tattoo Man, in what could be their final adventure, battle against the odds to save a family from the great darkness.

Kirk Says: Why is this on my pull list? I'd almost completely forgotten about the whole Final Crisis debacle with this delay between issues (oh, sorry, "scheduled dramatic tension") and now Grant is back with a fill-in-the-blank story for us.

Maybe the downtime will give me some new perspective for this story and I might actually enjoy this issue more than I'm giving it credit. I'll let you know how it turns out.


GREEN LANTERN #35
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert

The conclusion to "Secret Origin"! The prelude to the Blackest Night begins as the climax of the story of Hal Jordan's first adventure comes to a close! Hal and Sinestro are confronted by the Guardians over their greatest fears. Plus, Sinestro uncovers a new prophecy all his own as the stage is set for next month's "Rage of the Red Lanterns"!

Kirk Says: That's one creepy looking Guardian. Secret Origin has almost completely redeemed itself after a lackluster start and this issue looks to seal the deal with a great lead-in to the Rage of the Red Lanterns.



GREEN LANTERN CORPS #29
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art and Cover by Pat Gleason and Drew Geraci

The lead-in to "Blackest Night" begins with "The Sins of the Star Sapphire." Catch a glimpse into the beginning of the latest Corps being formed and what it will mean to the Green Lanterns. Plus, Ice proposes to Guy Gardner!

Kirk Says: This cover seems so familiar. I'm thinking some X-Men cover, maybe with the Living Monolith or something from The Twleve, but it's been driving me nuts trying to pin down where I've seen a similar composition.

As for the actual story, why do I get the feeling Ice will be the newest Star Sapphire?


INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #6
Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Salvador Larroca

Has Tony Stark come face to face with his equal? His better…? Stark Industries is beset on all sides by the evil Ezekiel Stane and his hordes of suicide bombers around the world. Can Iron Man be in four places at once while his empire crumbles? Don’t miss the devastating conclusion to THE FIVE NIGHTMARES. It’s INVINCIBLE IRON MAN, the book Entertainment Weekly calls an A- and praised by fans and critics alike!

Kirk Says: This marks my final issue of Invincible Iron Man. It's a shame, too, as Iron Man has been my favourite character over the past year or two with his appearances in the Knaufs' Director of SHIELD title and in Captain America. With the Knaufs gone, DoS a dead book and his roll in Cap's book diminished, it looks like ol'Shellhead is gonna be fading back into obscurity in my eyes.


SECRET SIX #2
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood

One of the most-requested and anticipated confrontations in recent DC history takes place right here: Catman vs. Batman! The Six's latest mission takes the team to Alcatraz to free a Super-Villain, but what is the secret she carries that hundreds of villains would give their lives to possess? DC's dirtiest team only gets dirtier, and we wouldn't want it any other way!

Kirk Says: The first issue of Secret Six was...interesting, to say the least. I enjoyed it, but it was not what I was expecting either. Issue two looks like it'll be the one to watch though.




SPIDER-MAN LOVES MARY JANE #3
Written by Terry Moore
Art by Craig Rousseau

Eisner award-winner Terry Moore returns with another exciting issue starring Spider-Man's favorite girl! Someone at Midtown High is leading a double life...but it ain't who you'd expect. Can MJ conceal her secret identity from her closest friends, or will her double life be revealed to the entire school!?!?!? (Hint: Her double life will be revealed to the entire school)

Kirk Says: This is probably the best Spider-Man title on the market right now. I'm not sure how to feel about that statement though. Good comics are good comics, but I kind of wish the main titles could be as good as this is and has been even before Moore took over.


THE WALKING DEAD #53
Written by Robert Kirkman
Art by Charlie Adlard

To the rescue.

Kirk Says: Short and sweet solicit for this one. The Walking Dead is an amazing book and this issue should signal the introduction of a new supporting cast for Rick and Carl, along with some familiar faces. A great jumping on point, too. *hint hint*.

Related Posts