Volume 13 #3
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“News, reviews and opinions from the world of comics”
The Dead Shall Rise! Blackest Night #1
“The Blackest Night falls from the skies...” It’s all been leading up to this! As the Spectrum of Lanterns grows and the Black Hand gains control of the black power battery (and Batman’s skull?!), the Blackest Night grows closer. Considered by writer Geoff Johns to be the final part of the War of Light Trilogy (following Rebirth and The Sinestro Corps War), Blackest Night promises to be the
Wednesday Comics #1
biggest Green Lantern story in years. “...the darkness grows as all light dies..”. But it’s not just the Lanterns that will be affected by this event. Blackest Night is all about the dead rising from the grave, and a few highprofile d e a d folks will be returning to the DCU as Black Lantern “zombies”. Firestorm, Earth-2 Superman, Martian Manhunter, and Aquaman have all been confirmed, and hints have been dropped about characters ranging for Conner Kent to Bruce Wayne.
DC is trying a new format this month, a 12 issue weekly series where each issue has one page of 15 different comics. That sounds annoying, until you realize that each page of a series is after you fold out the comic to make it quadruple-sized, with each page 14
“...we crave your hearts and your demise...” Whomever we see return during Blackest Night, the eyes of the comics world will be looking toward the Green Lantern books this summer, and if Johns and Company hav e proven anything over the past few years, it’s that we won’t be disappointed. ...by my Black Hand--the dead shall rise!”
inches wide and 20 inches tall! Imagine your newspaper Sunday color comic, but each page is one strip, and you get the idea! Comics in the paper used to be this size WAY back in the day, so it’s a nice throwback idea. But here’s the kicker – the titles,
July 2009
Captain America: Reborn #1
What exactly is Reborn you say? Reborn is a Marvel Comics miniseries about… umm… Marvel won’t say what Reborn is or why they are keeping it a secret. Let’s examine the clues: 1) Marvel says they can’t talk about Reborn until Captain America #600 hits the stands. 2) It’s written by Ed Brubaker and drawn by Bryan Hitch. 3) There is a Captain America movie in the works. Now, I may be grasping at straws here, but I get the sneaking suspicion that this miniseries will be all about the return of Captain America. Not Bucky Cap or US Agent or the Black Cap (see: Captain America: Truth), but THE Captain America: Steve Rogers, baby!! At first you may feel, like I did, that maybe it’s too soon after Steve’s death to bring him back and that Bucky Cap deserves more time to shine, but I have two words for you: ED BRUBAKER! He’s done some things that sounded like bad ideas on paper: no other writer could have brought back Bucky and killed Cap without it being horrendous. Now imagine how terrible it would have been if Marvel waited another year or two to bring Steve back and Brubaker was no longer writing the book!
and the creators. I’ll just list a few here for ya to drool over: Batman by Azzarello/Risso, Adam Strange by Paul Pope, Metamorpho by Gaiman and Allred, Kamandi by Gibbons and Sook, Hawkman by Kyle Baker and Sgt. Rock by Joe and Adam Kubert. Plus Deadman, the Flash and more!
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Hotline: 301.718.1890 it all… Plus I hear rumors that there may be some Blackest Night hijinks! Everyone loves Blackest Night!
North 40 #1
Aaron Williams, from PS238 and Nodwick, writes a darker tale, in which an Midwest town is turned into a place of monsters and nightmares. Some of the residents start adapting to this new supernaturnal madness in unusual ways as well.
Immortal Weapons #1
Star Wars Invasion #1
Star Wars comics return to the timeline that people actually care about! Taking place 25 years after Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Invasion features the escapades of none other than Luke Skywalker! Remember that guy? He’s the one that WASN’T in the Clone Wars!
Greek Street #1
Peter Milligan catches a lot of flak from comics fans. I think it’s mostly his X-Men run, what with the brain slugs and all. But fear not! Peter Millgan has also written a ton of GREAT comics. From the underrated Shade the Changing Man to the underselling X-Statix, Milligan has proven that he knows how to turn comics conventions on their heads. His new Vertigo series, Greek Street, promises to do just that when he transplants the bloody and treacherous tales of Dionysus to modern-day London. Plus, it’s only $1.00!
28 Days Later #1
Tired of the slow “roamers” in Walking Dead? Satisfy your need for fast zombies with the new ongoing 28 Days Later comic! Bridging the gap between the two movies, 28 Days Later: The Comic is sure to be a “Rage”-ing good time. (Sorry about that one, but it had to be done!)
Halo: Helljumper #1
An obvious attempt by Marvel and Bungie to cash in on the entertainment giant that is Halo. The weird thing, though? The
first series was great! Sure, it was written by Bendis with art by Alex Maleev, but this series is written by Peter David with art by Eric Nguyen! Halo, FTW!
Doctor Who #1
Through mini-series after mini-series, the Doctor Who comic franchise has been a jumbled mess over the last year. IDW looks to remedy that situation by doing what they should’ve done in the first place: putting out an ongoing monthly Doctor Who series!
Citizen Rex #1
Gilbert Hernandez has scifi weirdness with hot women. Plus co-written by the elusive Bro Hernandez, Mario! The humanlike robot CTZ-RX is arrested and deactivated after a terrible scandal, so throw in robot vs. human rights, investigative reporters, the mob, and more hot women!
Justice League: Cry For Justice #1
You’ve probably seen the preview, with Cascioli’s amazing art, but James Robinson will be telling an impressive story too. Green Lantern leads the JLA to deal with the villains who have been killing off the heroes, but when Prometheus is involved, and an army of supervillains, and maybe a greater villain behind
Fave new pulpy writer Jason Aaron brings a new series out of Iron Fist – the Immortal We a p o n s ! And why not start with Fat Cobra! Plus Danny Rand is off on his own mission. Do you think your devil’s skullcrusher can defeat my sumo thunder stomp?!
Marvel Divas #1
Alright, it’s no Millie the Model, but you do get Hellcat, Black Cat, Firestar and Photon dealing with drama, romance, action, ex-boyfriends, and more drama. Fabulous!
Witchfinder: In the Service of Angels #1
Mike Mignola presents the 19th century adventures of Edward Grey, in service to the Queen, as he battles the Heliopic Brotherhood of Ra secret society! Plus spectral assassins, mediums, murder, and conspiracy most foul!
Dethklok vs. The Goon
Everyone’s favorite Scandinavian Death-Metal band vs the Goon. Who will win? My money’s on the Goon, cuz from the cover it looks like he’s got two axes! And if you’ve got a hankering for more Goon, the new paperback, Goon Vol.8: Those That Is Damned comes out this month too!
Incredible Hulk #600
If you’re confused by the numbering, join the club. The important bit is that the Incredible Hulk is back, written by Jeph Loeb, with art by Ed McGuinness. Red Hulk, Green Hulk, Spiderman, and a surprise ending. What more do you want? A She-Hulk backup story? Got that too.
Amazing Spider-Man #600
This numbering is slightly more clear-cut, right? The important thing is that this issue features a main story featuring Daredevil and Doctor Octopus by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr, a backup career retrospective story by Stan (“The Man”) Lee and Marcos Martin, and covers by Romita Jr and Alex Ross. In the words of Stan, “’Nuff said”.
Creepy #1
The horror anthology is back, with a lineup including Wr i g h t s o n , Torres and Jason Alexander. The Stuff of Legend #1 One of the hits of Free Comic Book Day, a group of kid’s toys fight to save him from The Boogeyman and his army of cast off toys lurking in The Dark.
Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #1
Mark Waid finally returns to Hunter-Killer with a crossover when the team is directed to strike against Cyberforce. But hey, it’s a team-up book, they’ll probably fight the bad guys together soon enough.
Hotline: 301.718.1890
www.bigplanetcomics.com | 3 like a dog, this book is for you.
Tales Designed to Thrizzle HC
Finally! The amazingly hilarious adventures of Snake n Bacon are available in a trade paperback! Must be read to be believed. Boils over with awesome.
The Epic Chronicles of Hagar the Horrible 197374
John Stanley Library: Nancy vol.1 HC
John Stanley is best known for his genius run on Little Lulu, but D&Q have also brought us his Melvin Monster comics, and now his Nancy comics. Maybe not quite as good as the original Ernie Bushmiller comics, but still cool, and with a definite Stanleyflair. Recommended for children of all ages.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Collected Book vol. 1 SC
All the best early TMNT stories in one book! The first 11 issues, plus all four solo micro-series, all by series creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. FYI these are not the kidfriendly, pizza-eating Turtles--they’re ninjas, so they actually kill people (only the bad guys, but fair warning). And if you want to feel old, this collection is being released to celebrate the Turtles 25th anniversary...
3 Story
Matt Kindt has been writing and drawing quality comics for close to twenty years now (Pistolwhip, Superspy), and his newest, 3 Story, looks to be the best yet. Following the life of “Giant Man” Craig Pressgang and told in three different eras, 3 Story could be the sleeper indie GN of the year.
The Hunter HC
One of the greatest crime novels ever by Richard Stark, this is now making it to comic book form thanks to Darwyn Cooke. This has been made into a couple of movies already (last one Payback with Mel Gibson), but if you want badass criminal who stops at nothing to get his revenge and cash after being betrayed by his girl and partner, and shot down
I was trying to think of something nice to say about this, but all I can think is that the comic strip reprinting has gotten completely out of hand.
Ghost Rider: Trials and Tribulations SC
On top of all the other great books that Jason Aaron’s been writing (Scalped, Wolverine, Black Panther, The Other Side), he finds a little time every month to write Ghost Rider. It started off underthe-radar, seemingly as a 1970s horror movie pastiche, but it has evolved into something major involving all of the Spirits of Vengeance and a war for Heaven. Really, really fun.
Process Recess 3: The Hallowed Seam HC
James Jean may not be doing the covers for Fables anymore, but he’s still producing tons of art for books, magazines, and advertising. Check out the newest volume of his illustrations in a beautifullydesigned (and normal-sized) hardcover. This guy is so good-and he turns 30 this year....
The Zombies That Ate the World vol.1 SC
It’s the first half of the Los Angeles zombie apocalypse! Zombie black comedy by Jerry Frissen (the guy who does Lucha Libre) and Guy Davis (the guy who did Sandman Mystery Theater and The Marquis). Get the first four issues here, and jump on with issue #5, also due out this month.
The Muppet Show
It’s time to start the music! It’s time to light the lights! It’s time to experience the best Muppets ANYTHING of the last twenty years tonight! Roger Langridge does everything right with this book and captures the look and feel of an episode of the Muppet
Show to perfection. If you’ve ever loved a terrible joke that Fozzy has told or wanted for more “Pigs in Space”, this is the book for you!
The Surrogates: Flesh & Bone SC
Indy boys make it big! Rob Venditti and Brett Weldele’s The Surrogates is being made into a MAJOR motion picture, starring Bruce Willis and Ving Rhames! Hopefully you already read the original book, the one the movie is based on. Now check out the prequel. Cyberpunk noir at its finest!
Usagi Yojimbo vol. 23 Bridge of Tears
Well, Usagi is celebrating its 25th anniversary, after over 180 issues, so I hope you fools have checked it out by now! If not, there’s a new book with the return of the League of Assassins. And heck, Brian K. Vaughan does the intro to this one. BRIAN K. VAUGHAN!
The Marquis: Inferno
Guy Davis, the amazing artist on recent BPRD stories, wrote and drew this 18th century series of a Marquis who has the ability to find the demons hidden among the masks of corrupt hiding from the Inquistion. Or he’s just crazy. Either way, faith, demons, and carnage, all in one huge collection!
Unknown Soldier vol. 1: Haunted House SC
The relaunch of Unknown Soldier puts pacifist doctor Lwanga in the chaotic killing fields of Uganda, where children soldiers battle each other and tourists are hacked up by machete. But when Lwanga is threatened, he suddenly knows how to kill all too well. What is the voice inside him, and why does his bandaged face mimic the original Unknown Soldier?
Dan Dare SC
different media to create his original style. This book collects them together.
Zeke Deadwood, Zombie Lawman
When a villainous band of outlaws rampages through a town in the Old West, who can you turn to, but Zeke Deadwood, zombie lawman! If you want to be saved by the walking dead, of course.
The Big Kahn SC
A family has to deal with grief and betrayal when at the funeral of their Rabbi father, it’s revealed he isn’t Jewish! One son abandons the faith, one tries to redeem their family’s name, and the rebellious daughter reconsiders the religion she had been dismissing.
The Middleman: The Doomsday Armageddon Apocalypse! SC
The TV show wraps up in this all-new graphic novel, based on Grillo-Marxuach’s lost script!
Jesus Christ: In the Name of the Gun SC
So Jesus tried teaching peace, love and understanding, but nearly 2000 years later, it hasn’t taken so well. So when he sees World War II a-brewin’, it’s time to head back to Earth and knock off Hitler! Unless a time-traveling Ernest Hemingway has something to say about it. Hilarious and awesome. Plus impressive use of his Walk on Water ability.
Little Mouse Gets Ready
Jeff Smith takes a quick break from the trippy scifi Rasl to do an all-ages book about Little Mouse getting ready for a trip to the big barn! Perfect for beginning readers.
Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine tell Dan Dare’s next story, after the Space Fleet has been disbanded, and Dare is in exile. But when his forgotten enemy returns, Dare is brought back for some crazy space violence! A fun update to the classic Dan Dare adventures.
Pictures That Tick SC
Dave McKean, artist of Mr. Punch and Arkham Asylum, also did his own short comics, mixing
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Hotline: 301.718.1890
Best Panels of the Month
There are always a few moments in a comic that are particularly striking, from great twists to really funny dialogue or great art. We’ve picked a few of our
favorites from last month below. Send us an email at bigplanetvienna@verizon.net if you have some suggestions from this month for the next issue!
Final Crisis Aftermath Run #2
The “no pets allowed” laws in most condos make it pretty easy to become a supervillain.
Dark Avengers #6 If your dad is the Green Goblin, you’d better clean your room when you’re told.
Funny Book Funny by John McNamee and Kevin Panetta
Big Planet Orbit Volume 13 #3; July, 2009 is published by Joel Pollack, Peter Casazza, Jared Smith, and Greg Bennett for Big Planet Comics. www.bigplanetcomics.com.
Big Planet Comics, Inc. 4908 Fairmont Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814, 301.654.6856 Big Planet Comics of VA Inc. 426 Maple Ave. East, Vienna, VA 22180, 703.242.9412 Big Planet Comics of DC Inc. 3145 Dumbarton St. NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202.342.1961 Big Planet Comics of College Park Inc. 7315 Baltimore Ave. , College Park, MD, 20740, 301.699.0498