Jumping On Points 04-20-2011

This column looks at the best access points in comics for new readers, and old readers looking for new titles. You must read this article before you hit your LCS this week to see what you can slip on into. Hit the jump to see why you don't need continuity, background knowledge, or prior love to buy and enjoy Image, DC, Marvel, dinosaurs, zombies, and the return of Dark Horse Presents.

It’s hard to get new readers into the comic stores and when you do stage a coup and get them across the threshold there so rarely much that seems approachable. Most superhero comics have continuity longer than anyone can reasonably chase down, and many indie comics are going the same way. However, there are jumping on points to be found and this column is going to highlight them. Sometimes it might be a new number one, other times a creative team change or new direction. No matter what, we’re dedicated to finding perfect points for you and your friends to try new comics without being weighed down by too much.

Dark Horse Presents #1

“Frank Miller (W/A/Variant Cover), Harlan Ellison (W), Howard Chaykin (W/A), Neal Adams (W/A), Richard Corben (W/A), Carla Speed McNeil (W/A), Michael T. Gilbert (W/A), Randy Stradley (W), Paul Chadwick (W/A), David Chelsea (W/), Patrick Alexander (W/A), and others

$7.99

The legendary, premiere anthology is back! The 80-page spectacular, Dark Horse Presents returns with all-new stories by Neal Adams, Howard Chaykin, and Richard Corben; a new Concrete story by Paul Chadwick, a new Crimson Empire story from the Star Wars universe, and an exclusive sneak peek of Frank Miller’s highly-anticipated prequel to 300, Xerxes!

The celebration continues with a brand-new, all-color Finder story by Carla Speed McNeil, a prose piece from science fiction legend Harlan Ellison, the return of Michael T. Gilbert’s Mr. Monster, and much, much more!

• 80 pages of original content with no ads.”

This anthology hasn’t been around for years. But when it was in its salad days it was a title with force. Frank Miller’s Sin City originated here but a slew of other Dark Horse titles were kept within its pages. This was a book that bucked the trend and now it’s back. After so very long. If you really want to see what other stuff is out there, what is possible in comics, then this title should be a go to purchase.

Prior Knowledge Needed – This title never minded doing something different. There appears to be some very different stuff lined up for this debut issue. As for specifics, Concrete is an old comic about a guy who gets his brain put into this big concrete creature. Harlan Ellison is a sci fi writer with plenty of great ideas and a very big mouth from which to spout them. Howard Chaykin is an industry titan. Miller’s new Xerxes is a sequel to 300 and while it will be cool to bash the comic in social situations those same people will be checking this portion out.

’68 #1

“story MARK KIDWELL

art NAT JONES, TIM VIGIL & JAY FOTOS

cover A: NAT JONES

32 PAGES / FC

$3.99

On February 13, 1968, during the darkest days of the Vietnam conflict, the gates of hell opened wide, unleashing new and hungry life into the countless war-torn dead. The horrors of war take a back seat as an American tunnel rat crawls into a Viet Cong warren turned undead slaughterhouse, rotting snipers fire their final bullets from treetop perches, and freshly filled body bags twitch and rise from the slab. There are zombies in the razor wire…

Horror comics creators NAT JONES, MARK KIDWELL and JAY FOTOS return to the jungles of Vietnam, expanding the zombie epic started in the original one-shot ’68 with this four-issue mini-series of undead military horror. Each issue features multiple covers by Jones and Fotos, full 22-page stories in series continuity and a bonus 4-page short that expands on the zombie-infected world of 1968 by horror titan Tim Vigil.

Welcome to 1968… and the end of the world.”

A horror zombie Vietnam War comic. You always wanted that, right? This comic looks like a real horror comic. Not horror like a sci fi aspect that scares, but an actual gorefest of a comic. That could be very cool.

Prior Knowledge Needed – This does continue on from a one-shot from some time ago but it should open to a new crowd. Oh, and zombies want to eat your brain and the Vietnam War was just a terrible event in human history that produced enough gore in real world.

Power Girl #23

“Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by SAMI BASRI

You might think Power Girl and Superman would be more than up to the task of taking down a few dozen dinosaurs – but we forgot to mention they were magic dinosaurs. The kind that spontaneously grow wings. And shoot lasers from their eyes. Under ordinary circumstances, they’d turn to Zatanna for help – but it looks like she’s the one who summoned the dinos in the first place! What’s going on here?”

This issue sounds like such fun. It sounds like one of those zany tales from the Silver Age, and I think that’s awesome. If you only pick up one Power Girl issue this year I’d make it this one.

Prior Knowledge Needed – Power Girl is a Kryptonian, but isn’t everyone in the DCU, and she generally only gets known for her massive bust. More recently, Palmiotti and Conner made her more known for an actual good run on the title.

Super Dinosaur #1

“story ROBERT KIRKMAN

art & cover JASON HOWARD

$2.99

ALL-NEW FROM ROBERT KIRKMAN & JASON HOWARD!

This is where it begins! The Evil Max Maximus wants to get to Inner-Earth! He wants the dinosaurs that live there! He wants the powerful DynOre mineral that originates there! SUPER DINOSAUR and DEREK DYNAMO are the only ones who can stop him! The fate of the world rests on the shoulders of a ten year-old kid and his best friend, a nine-foot tall Tyrannosaurus Rex who loves to play video games.”

A comic for kids. People say these don’t exist and yet when they launch they then flame the books because they’re childish. I’m interested to see how this one lands. It’s going to very much be a kids book, aimed at kids, and making with the kid level of entertainment. I still can’t understand how Kirkman can write this stuff and The Walking Dead at the same time but I’m sure he manages to switch his brain from one gig to another.

Prior Knowledge Needed – T-Rex’s have small arms, that’s why Super Dinosaur uses his little arms to remote control the massive arms on his armour. Robert Kirkman can be a great writer, but also a very average writer. Your mileage may vary.

Thunderbolts #156

“Written by JEFF PARKER

Penciled by KEV WALKER

Cover by JEAN-SEBASTIEN ROSSBACH

Lines are drawn and secrets are revealed as the dark.

PROVING GROUND sets off. The Raft is full of action as candidates vie for selection on the second squad of Thunderbolts, BETA TEAM! The main team isn't too happy about Warden Walker's initiative to expand their ranks, but even they are curious: out of the Marvel Universe vast pool of powerhouse criminals, who will make the cut? Many are called, but in this issue few are chosen!”

I am so pumped for the Beta Team. Such a cool concept and a great opportunity to fill a title that already has B-list characters with even more obscure characters. I want Madame Masque on this list but I’ll take more Batroc the Leaper. I want this to happen.

It also helps that this aside is yet another point where a reader should be able to jump into the title without too much prior knowledge. This looks at the new team being put together so you don’t need to know too much about the current status quo.

Prior Knowledge Needed – Luke Cage is running the Thunderbolts now. It seems he has some misgivings about the recent squad, and probably rightfully so, and as such he’s looking for a B team to train underneath and always be ready to step up. All of the possible candidates are Marvel B-listers but all awesome in some way. That’s all you need to know, I’m sure Jeff Parker will put them on the page for you to enjoy.

Uncanny X-Force #8

“Written by RICK REMENDER

Penciled by JEROME OPEÑA

Cover by ESAD RIBIC

Before the Fall: part 1

A nuclear facility has been infiltrated and taken over by the Shadow King! With nuclear missiles now aimed at both Utopia and New York, the lives of Earth's heroes hang in the balance. X-Force heads into action, but to save the world, they must make a terrible choice. In order to prevent a nuclear holocaust, Wolverine and his team must kill every last person working in the facility. X-Force can save the day, but at what cost?”

It’s a new arc for Uncanny X-Force and while that doesn’t always necessitate a jumping on point I think after reading this solicit you’ll be keen to pick this issue up. It just seems like more Rick Remender insanity as he takes elements of the Marvel U, and X-continuity, and puts his own unique spin on them. This mission sounds like fun, doesn’t it? I’m certainly keen for it and I have no idea what it will call back to, if anything.

Prior Knowledge Needed – This is the X-team that kills. Jerome Opena killed the first issue on art. Absolutely monstered it.

If you pick any of these up throughout the week please let us know what you thought of them in the comments.