Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews for 05/15/13

It's time once again for our Post-Crisis Comic Book Previews.  While the main attribute I look for in compiling this list is books that look worthwhile to read, we've ended up with a bit of a theme this week.  With great comics like Dream Thief #1, Helheim #3, and Conan the Barbarian #16, to name but a few, it seems to be the week of warriors here.  So please enjoy the bloodlust and battle and check them all out beyond the cut!

Major Releases

DREAM THIEF #1

Written by Jai Nitz

Art by Greg Smallwood

After stealing an Aboriginal mask from a museum, John Lincoln realizes that the spirits of the vengeful dead are possessing his body and mind while he sleeps! His old problems have been replaced by bloody hands and the disposal of bodies—and now remembering where he spent last night has never been more important! 

• Bram Stoker Award winner Jai Nitz and Greg Smallwood craft a gritty, fast-paced drama.

• Cover by Alex Ross!

Grant: I'm not terribly familiar with either of the creators working on this book, but the solicitation alone piques my interest.  When you add in that gorgeous cover, it's hard to say no to the Dream Thief proposition.  I'm always happy to check out new series, and this is one that I'll definitely be reading through come Wednesday.

THE DREAM MERCHANT #1

Written by Nathan Edmondson

Art by Konstantin Novosadov

"PART ONE." 

A double-size issue to kick off a new sci-fi series from Nathan Edmondson and newcomer Konstantin Novosadov. Haunted by recurring dreams, a boy named Winslow is hunted by mysterious beings and protected by an old traveler. Soon Winslow will realize that what is in his dreams is what the rest of the world has been made to forget--and what strange entities will stop at nothing to erase from his mind.

Grant: It's a dream filled week, as we have yet another new dream-based series launching, this time from Image Comics.  And while I don't know Konstantin Novosadov's previous work, I have been read a number of Nathan Edmondson's comics and they are always a treat.  Once again, we have an exciting sounding solicitation, and as an added bonus, The Dream Merchant #1 is a double-sized issue at regular-sized issue price.  So if you like good comics and good value, this book is the one for you.

New Kids on the Block

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA #1

Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning

Art by Cezar Razek

MEMORIAL: Part 1! 2013 marks the 35th anniversary of the original Battlestar Galactica TV series and to celebrate Dynamite is launching a brand new series, written by cosmic supremos, Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (Legion, Nova, Guardians of the Galaxy)! Set in classic BSG continuity, this series celebrates 35 years of epic space opera when, following a surprise Cylon attack, Adama and the crew of the Galactica are forced to deploy Dr Zee's experimental temporal weapons with unexpected results that leave Apollo and Starbuck lost in time and space in an alternate reality with no Galactica and no way of returning home! 

Grant: Dynamite's rollout of new licensed number one issues continues with the release of a new Battlestar Galactica book.  However, as the solicitation tells you, this is for the original Battlestar and not the newer series from a few years back.  I'll admit that I'm not entirely certain how big of an audience there is for classic Battlestar comics, but I will give Dynamite props for bringing in Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, two of the best cosmic comic writers, to helm this book.  I'm pretty sure they can make anything worth reading, so maybe there'll be more of an audience than I imagine.

REGULAR SHOW #1

Written by K.C. Green

Art by Allison Strejlau

Backup by Brain Butler

REGULAR SHOW. . . IT'S ANYTHING BUT!

Cartoon Network's powerhouse series now has its own comic book series! Hot on the heels of the smash hit adaptation, ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! unveils the next all-ages comic phenomenon!

BJoin Mordecai the Bluejay and Rigby the Raccoon, a couple of best bros in their twenties just tryin' to chill for a bit, man. But when you're livin' in as crazy a world as they are, no day can be called. . . regular! 

Grant: Speaking of licensed comics, Boom! has another one in the form of Regular Show #1 for your reading consideration.  Like their Adventure Time books, Boom! has tapped some well-respected webcomic creators to work on this book, which has worked out quite well for them thus far.  Will lightning strike yet again?  Only one way to find out.

You May Have Missed

ADVENTURE TIME: PLAYING WITH FIRE

Written by Danielle Corsetto

Art by Zack Sterling

AN ALL-NEW ADVENTURE TIME ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL!

Join Flame Princess, alongside Finn and Jake, as she leaves the Flame Kingdom and goes on her very first adventure!

Written by acclaimed cartoonist Danielle Corsetto (GIRLS WITH SLINGSHOTS) and drawn by rising star Zack Sterling (BRAVEST WARRIORS, ADVENTURE TIME). A pocket black and white edition appealing to fans of SCOTT PILGRIM and Japanese manga! 

Grant: Clearly Boom! is no longer satisfied with making some of the best monthly comic books with their various Adventure Time series, so they've decided to move into original graphic novels as well.  I for one welcome this move, because the creators they've been bringing in for these comics have been telling some really great comics that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.  Can't wait to read through this bad boy.

HELHEIM #3

Written by Cullen Bunn

Art by Joëlle Jones

Rikard was raised from the dead as a weapon against the witch Groa. But his thirst for blood has waned. Tormented by his very existence, the draugr wanders the land, pursued by demonic enemies he had no desire to fight. Only when he meets a young woman named Kadlin does he learn the true price of the war between the witches. 

Grant: Cullen Bunn and Joëlle Jones are back for another round of undead viking goodness, and I couldn't be happier.  Helheim has been one of my favourite new series of 2013, and each issue raises the bar in some way, shape, or form.  Bunn's writing has been excellent, and Jones' art has been brutally beautiful.  While past issues have been pretty heavy on the violence (which I'm not complaining about), I am interested to see the change of pace that's implied by the solicitation here.  There's been some hints about the emotional pain Rikard is going through as a ungodly monster of undeath, and I can't wait to see that explored a bit more in-depth here.

The Balance

BATWOMAN #20

Written by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman

Art by Trevor McCarthy

Batwoman is being played right into a confrontation with Batman…and that’s the least of her problems after the final page of issue #20!

Grant: Oh, Batwoman.  This series has been lacking focus a little bit in the past few issues, trying to cram in just a bit too much in too few pages, but I can't help digging the book anyways.  While J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman may be giving their characters a bit too much to do, at least there's a lot of interesting things going on.  And Trevor McCarthy is invoking his inner Williams, laying down some pages that are a potent combination of his own work and Williams' unique style.  Batwoman hasn't been quite on the same level as it has been in the past, but that still leaves it as one of the better books DC is putting out right now.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #16

Written by Brian Wood

Art by Davide Gianfelice

After a series of trials that nearly tore them apart, Conan and Bêlit use a brief respite to embark on a vision quest. But with violence, pain, and death their constant companions, the vision quickly becomes a nightmare!

• New story arc from Northlanders team Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice!

Grant: Speaking of strong warrior-types, Brian Wood's Conan the Barbarian is back for what looks to be yet another round of greatness. Like in Helheim, after all the battles and blood that Conan and Bêlit have been through, it should be really interesting to delve a bit more into the psychological side of it all through this vision quest the solicitation speaks of.  And while I have yet to read all of Northlanders, I am excited to see Wood and David Gianfelice back together for some barbariany goodness.

THE LEGEND OF LUTHER STRODE #5

Written by Justin Jordan

Art by Tradd Moore

Luther has been Bound. Petra has become Jack’s new friend. Binder gets a surprise from an unexpected source. And the world burns down around them all.

Grant: While there's been a bit of delay between issues, the wait will more than likely have been worth it.  Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore are talented dudes alone, but some of their best work still seems to be done when they work together.  Their second Luther Strode mini has been as violent and balls to the wall as ever, and that's a good thing.  The question always seems to be how Jordan and Moore will outdo themselves next, but thankfully they've yet to have much difficulty finding a way to do just that.

WONDER WOMAN #20

Written by Brian Azzarello

Art by Cliff Chiang

Wonder Woman was certain there was one person in her life she could trust—but she thought wrong!

Grant: I've really been enjoying Brian Azzarello's Wonder Woman.  He's definitely taken some big departures from earlier incarnations of the character, but on the whole, he's been telling an engaging and fun story, which is really the most important thing.  In my opinion, the biggest problem with this title is that Cliff Chiang isn't always drawing the interiors.  While Tony Akins and friends have been improving by leaps and bounds, it just isn't the same as the magic Chiang can unleash on the page.  Fortunately, that's something that won't be a problem this time around, which raises my excitement to another level.

Pick of the Week

There is a ridiculous amount of quality books coming out on the morrow, and any one of them could easily grab Pick of the Week, but I'm going to have to go with the tried and true Helheim #3.  In only two issues, Cullen Bunn and Joëlle Jones have created one brilliant story, and it really feels like things are only getting started.  You should definitely be checking this series out.

What books are you looking forward to this week?  Are you salivating over any of the ones listed here or are there other titles that have caught your eye?  Let me know in the comments!

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