LAZARUS is back for a third arc, and though we don't get to see the aftermath of the latest Lift selection just yet, we're in for a fascinating trip into Hock land. Rucka and Lark are using another Family as a lens for learning more about the Carlyles, and it looks like there are more secrets yet to unpack.
One of the great strengths of the worldbuilding going on in this title is the attention to exactly the right details to set tone. In this issue, we see subtle differences between Hock and Carlyle -- the caption boxes that led us to believe that people were universally sorted as Family, Serf, or Waste now let us know that Family is a constant across territories, but that Hock prefers a Citizen/Non-Person divide. It's a small difference, for sure, but it conveys a lot of information about how Family Hock operates.
Less subtle are the differences that we learn directly via Hock signage and radio announcements -- and Jakob Hock's treatment of Jonah Carlyle. It's simultaneously refreshing and scary to witness the day-to-day operations of areas outside of Carlyle territory.
Michael Lark's designs are always interesting -- in sharp contrast to what we've seen in Carlyle or Morray, the Hock residents seem to take visual cues from Stormtroopers, nuclear scientists, and swamp militia (the latter likely being a factor of geography). It's another reminder that we're not in the West anymore, and it plays well.
The Bad
The pacing on this issue is a little bit weird at the beginning. Everything gets smoother after New York, but the first few pages drag a bit. It's worth it to keep reading.
The Verdict
LAZARUS enters its third arc and second year with this issue, and it's still very much going strong. I love getting to know more about the vast, rich world that LAZARUS inhabits, and issues like this one -- which convey a ton of information about how things work outside of Carlyle territory -- are great for that. It's also a great time to circle back to Jonah Carlyle, since he's been stewing for a bit after his failed plot. Rucka and Lark tee up another interesting arc, and it looks like we're on the path towards some sort of Five Families-esque meeting with the upcoming Conclave. Intriguing? You bet.
This is Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey's final issue of MOON KNIGHT. Yes, that is a sad thing but holy $#!% is this an amazing book. I wasn't sure what to expect in their final issue and they managed to catch me off guard.
In a first for this volume, Ellis actually takes a tiny thread from the first issue. There's someone that encountered Moon Knight (or Mr. Knight) and soon formed their own agenda. What we witness is an extreme metamorphosis with this character. The reasoning is easily justified and explained within one page. We've seen characters become obsessed and go through their changes but this just has a different feel to it. There has been the occasional disturbing things in this comic but witnessing this transformation is messed up. That's what makes this a wonderful end to Ellis and Shalvey's run. It's not your typical MOON KNIGHT comic, even if each of their issues has had different feels to them.
Shalvey's art is top notch, as usual. Seeing the change a character goes through, you can really feel them changing. It's almost scary, but not in a horror-type fashion. There's definitely some psychological issues going on and Shalvey captures the journey perfectly.
And then there's Jordie Bellaire. Bellaire's colors always impress. We get some gorgeous scenes that cover a variety of places. The way she shifts from the darkness of a person's home to a bright restaurant to the coming of the night in the city, it's almost mesmerizing. There's also some great explosions, flames, and gunfire that are almost brought to life with Bellaire's colors.
The Bad
Of course we're all bummed Ellis and Shalvey are leaving. There might be some anger over their decision to leave but realistically, we should all be so grateful for what they've given us. Let's not forget Bellaire is staying on to be the glue between the arcs. We do get a preview for the next issue here so we can remain positive.
The Verdict
Bravo to Ellis, Shalvey, and Bellaire. Like many others, I didn't this final issue of their run to come. Reading it, you can put down the issue with a smile on your face. It's a great story showing us another aspect of the world Moon Knight lives in. I've been a Moon Knight fan for so long. I cannot express how thrilled and privileged I feel having had these six issues. It's been a joy to read them and I'm even looking forward to the next issue. MOON KNIGHT is definitely the series everyone should be reading. I can't wait to read them all over again.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a franchise I've always been particularly passionate about. I grew up with the animated show, bugged my parents to buy me the toys and, just like many others, dressed up as the characters for Halloween (my mom was kind enough to make me a costume one year). Needless to say, I get pretty thrilled when a new TMNT movie heads to the big screen. I was in college when the 2007 movie came out and I made sure to see it twice in theaters. Even though my love for the franchise wasn't all that strong at the time, the rooftop fight between Raphael and Leonardo blew me away and the rest of the film was legitimately enjoyable. Now, Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman's creations are getting another shot on the big screen. I'll be completely honest with you, kind readers:Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles isn't a good movie, but it is a fun movie. I know that may sound silly, but stick around and I'll do my absolute best to explain!
First and foremost, the writers get the popular heroes right. Yes, these mutants may look and sound different, but none of them feel out of character and they definitely manage to entertain in the scenes that revolve around them. The character dynamics you'd expect from them are front and center and there were several bits of banter that made me laugh out loud. As usual, Raphael is the only one to walk away with some development, but the others still amuse and the proper personalities are present. It just rings true. Mikey is sure to make you chuckle at least once, Donatello's "geek factor" is played up but he serves a critical role and still shines, Raphael's temper is always on display, and Leonardo's just trying to make sure everyone gets along. And thankfully, they live in a universe that allows them to make plenty of references to other superheroes and franchises and those lines are certain to at least make you, my fellow comic book fans, smirk. So, when the heroes in a half shell are around, it's consistently lighthearted and most of the humor can appeal to moviegoers of any age.
When it comes to action scenes, Shredder's a boss and most of the battles are a good dose of amusement. Even though his armor appears to be over-the-top and clunky, he's still able to move fluidly and shows a great amount of skill. Thankfully, there tends to be an extended wide shot for the better melee fights and this allows us to really appreciate all of the movements and brutal connections. Odds are you've seen plenty of the snow chase sequence in trailers and it's without question the highlight of the movie. There's some fairly creative shots thrown in there and it's consistently thrilling.The rooftop battle with Shredder is a blast -- even if it is loaded with tropes -- and the villain's encounter with Master Splinter is also pretty exciting. However, when it comes to Shredder as a character, he's seriously lacking. The villain's agenda is totally cliche and it has quite a few plot holes along the way. To top it off, he also has some pretty silly dialogue. There's an older and memorable line that's brought back but it really doesn't work with this new tone. In a cheesy video game or cartoon? Certainly. As a legitimate threat? Not really. Sadly, there really isn't any depth to the fiends in this one and their mission is very generic and, as said above, quite flawed. There's also a noticeable amount of blatant exposition on this side of the story. I didn't mind it with the turtles (especially with the illustrated opening sequence), but it began to add up with the bad guys. Lastly, Karai is apparently just there for fans to say, "look, there's Karai!" Her role really is limited to shouting orders and failing miserably.
Aside from Splinter -- a character who looks very fake compared to everything else -- the visual effects were solid. I can't say the designs have won me over, but I've come to accept it's a totally different incarnation and, a creepy expression or two aside, I didn't mind how the turtles appeared. Their size means there's an extra emphasis on their strength and durability, but this comes at a cost: their stealth is lacking. Yes, they're still fast and skilled, but I definitely wouldn't call them sneaky (yet somehow they manage to vanish from a crazy scene in Times Square during the day without being spotted?). There's only a moment or two where the visuals faltered a bit, but the motion capture does a fine job often making it feel like these large mutants are flipping across the rooftops or interacting with the humans. Speaking of the humans, Vernon Fenwick (Will Arnett) brings a good dose of levity and charisma to the movie. I mean, did you really expect otherwise from the Arrested Development actor? Meanwhile, the movie tries too hard to tell us April O'Neil (Megan Fox) is this determined and fearless reporter instead of actually showing us. She has a moment or two of bravery, but some of her scenes with other human characters tend to drag or feel dull compared to the rest of the movie, and having her talk about how passionate she is about reporting and her career becomes repetitive and just uninteresting. So when Arnett's in her scenes, it definitely keeps things more engaging. That said, Fox does get a few moments to land the laughs. Considering she's chasing an absolutely ridiculous story, they use her serious delivery of really silly lines to drop a few laughs. There's a few lines in the film that are a bit cringeworthy, but April has a few intentionally ridiculous lines and having her say them in a completely earnest manner pays off.
As stated above, the villain's plan isn't compelling or original, and it turns out that the changes to the Ninja Turtles' origin comes off as pretty unnecessary. They take steps to establish a stronger connection between some of the leads, but it'll instead likely have you asking a few questions about the logic behind a couple of decisions and doesn't really expand the mythos all that much. In fact, the twist isn't even needed to establish a strong bond between certain characters. Still, I'd be a total liar if I said I didn't think the look at the mutants' earlier years wasn't absolutely adorable.
Is this the best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie? No, I'd say the 1990 and 2007 ones have way more depth and much better stories. But is it a fun movie? Yes, and ultimately, isn't that what many of us want when we buy a ticket to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? The plot may be all kinds of generic and filled with some noticeable holes, but they do have a good grip on the team's personality and there's plenty of entertaining action and legitimately enjoyable banter along the way. It likely won't pull at your heartstrings, but they do manage to work in the message about the importance of family, too.
Very young TMNT fans will likely have a blast as they're able overlook the plot's numerous issues and just appreciate the visuals, laughs, and fighting. As for everyone else, if you're a TMNT fan that's been enjoying the recent trailers and clips, odds are you'll have a decent time. It likely won't blow you away or have you reflecting on it for very long, but it's an okay way to spend a couple of hours. But if the trailers and clips have left a bad taste in your mouth or have you feeling mostly uninterested, I seriously doubt the final product will change your mind. Honestly, that crowd would be better off seeing Guardians of the Galaxy or Dawn of the Planet of the Apes again (both are awesome, by the way).
If director Jonathan Liebesman's reboot does well enough at the global box office to warrant a sequel, I'm really hoping the next project will have a far more compelling narrative and take more steps to expand the mythos. All in all, this is a fun albeit mostly forgettable experience. The visuals, action, and humor are solid, but everything else comes off feeling pretty cliche. Oh, and if you do wind up strongly disliking the movie but still love the franchise, please remember the animated show on Nick and the IDW series are both consistently excellent!
It’s all been building to this! Today, Marvel is proud to present your first look at ORIGINAL SIN #8 – the epic final issue from New York Times Bestselling creators Jason Aaron (Thor: God of Thunder, Wolverine & The X-Men) and Mike Deodato (Avengers, New Avengers)! The truth behind Dr. Midas’ gambit, Old Nick Fury’s betrayal, the evolution of the Orb and the secrets the Watcher held will be revealed as the remaining pieces of the puzzle fall into place in this can’t miss finale!
Drained of the Infinity Formula, Nick Fury is dying. Aging rapidly and uncontrollably. In his time as the “man on the wall,” he has survived protecting Earth in secret against monsters, demons and other unseen threats. Yet even he cannot escape old age. But the battle-hardened former director of S.H.I.E.L.D. will not go down without a fight! He’ll fight to his last breath to protect the Marvel Universe from what’s coming – even if it means going through the Avengers to do it!
Yet nothing could prepare them for what’s next. Amidst the chaos and rage of battle, more Watchers have descended upon the moon! Not to observe, but to render judgment on Uatu’s killer! This is it – all your questions will be answered! And the Marvel Universe will tremble at the truth!
Who will watch us now? Don’t miss the heart-stopping conclusion that will leave the Marvel Universe torn asunder! Open your eyes wide when ORIGINAL SIN #8 hits comic shops and digital devices in September!
Everybody has one. This is Marvel’s ORIGINAL SIN!
Every issue of ORIGINAL SIN includes a code for a free digital copy of that same comic on the Marvel Comics appfor iOS and Android devices. Additionally, each issue of ORIGINAL SIN features special augmented reality content available exclusive through the Marvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.
Over at Sideshow Collectibles, Hot Toys announced figures based off of Groot and Rocket Raccoon from the recent Guardians of the Galaxy film in the ultimate "shut up and take my money" move of the week. While these 1/6th scale figures are both sold separately, you can buy them together on the Sideshow Collectibles site.
Sideshow Collectibles and Hot Toys are excited to present the special Rocket and Groot Sixth Scale Figure Set which includes the gun-toting raccoon and his personal houseplant/muscle.
The movie-accurate Rocket Collectible Figure is specially crafted based on his unique physique in the film. It features a finely sculpted head and body, specially tailored costume, weapon, and specially designed figure stand.
The movie-accurate Groot Collectible Figure features a highly detailed head and body with amazing paint application to reflect his distinctive appearance, and a specially designed figure stand.
These figures are set to ship in March of 2015. On their own, Groot will cost you $199 and Rocket will run $159. As a bundle, you can get both figures for $359. While there's no discount, the set does come with an additional angry expression face and partially clenched hands for Groot. Groot is 15.3 inches tall and Rocket is 6.3 inches tall. Check out some more pictures below:
You know we can never get enough LEGO. With LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham coming out this Fall, DC Comics is celebrating by showcasing LEGO versions of many of the characters featured in the game. For the month of November, DC will release LEGO variants for select covers.
Here's an exclusive first look at the cover to BATGIRL #36.
The LEGO variants, are the latest in a variety of monthly themes. DC Comics kicked off the year with Scribblenauts in January, followed by Steampunk in February, while March saw Robot Chicken covers based on the Adult Swim show, April celebrated Alfred E. Neuman's birthday with MAD themed covers, May brought a selection of variants by artist Mike Allred done in the groovy style of Batman '66, while June went retro with Bombshell covers based on the popular DC Collectibles line. In honor of the caped crusaders anniversary Batman took center stage in July with Batman 75 variant covers, this month celebrates the self photo with Selfie variant covers, while September jumps to the future with Futures End 3-D motion covers, and just in time for Halloween, October sees Monster variants.
What else can you expect?
Not all covers will feature LEGO variants. Here's a list of the comics that will feature them:
Action Comics #36
Aquaman #36
Batgirl #36
Batman #36
Batman & Robin #36
Batman/Superman #16
Catwoman #36
Detective Comics #36
Flash #36
Harley Quinn #12
Grayson #4
Green Lantern #36
Green Lantern Corps #36
JLU #6
Justice League #36
Justice League Dark #36
New Teen Titans #4
Sinestro #7
Supergirl #36
Superman #36
Superman/Wonder Woman #13
Wonder Woman #36
DC has also revealed, via Twitter, the cover to SINESTRO #7.
In a press release, General Mills and DC Comics announced their partnership in the redesign of some classic cereal characters.
Monsters Cereals partnered with four DC Comics artists to redesign packaging for the Monsters. The partnership stemmed from the DC Comics artists’ love for Monsters Cereals. The artists redesigned both the front and back panels of the cereal boxes, giving the three Monsters a new look and creating unique comic strips for the back of the boxes. The packaging will be available as limited-edition collector’s items for the 2014 Halloween season only.
For the first time ever, General Mills has partnered with four DC Comics artists to redesign this year’s packaging for Monsters Cereals. DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee redesigned Boo Berry, Dave Johnson gave Franken Berry a facelift, and Terry and Rachel Dodson restyled Count Chocula. The partnership stemmed from the DC Comics artists’ love for Monsters Cereals and their enthusiasm for the opportunity to reinterpret the Monsters characters.
“There are many lifelong fans of Monsters Cereal at DC Entertainment so we were excited when the Monsters team at General Mills reached out to us to help design their packaging,” said Lee. “It’s not Halloween without Monsters, and we hope everyone loves the new designs just as much as we do.”
All of the characters were colored by Dave McCaig. What do you guys think of these redesigns? Which one is your favorite?
This September, the Avenging Archer takes on the Merc With a Mouth in a confrontation for the history books in HAWKEYE VS. DEADPOOL #0 – the first issue in a new limited series from critically-acclaimed Deadpool scribe Gerry Duggan and artist Matteo Lolli! This is the Hawkeye & Deadpool comic 75 years in the making! Give or take 75 years! A Halloween murder mystery and ad S.H.I.E.L.D. espionage mission is about to send these two on a collision course with destiny – and each other! Not to mention the desire to one-up the other!
“There is a real threat,” says series writer Gerry Duggan, in an interview with Marvel.com. “There’s a very important thumb drive that’s missing, containing details on the personal and family lives of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. When different organizations hear about this, it becomes a bit of a dog pile.”
“There’s an expectation, too, with a title like HAWKEYE VS. DEADPOOL, that there will be a confrontation between these two,” continues Duggan. “I think we make that happen in a smart way. It’s not the same old take on the misunderstanding that often sends two heroes into conflict. We have a twist on that.”
Long ago, champions emerged to fight the evil that plagued humanity. Champions that fought for salvation, for all that was good and just in the world. Kind, generous and self-sacrificing – they were heroes. These are not those heroes… Who will win in this titanic clash of Avenger & X-Man? Two men enter. One man leaves. Then shortly after, the other man leaves! It all kicks off this September in HAWKEYE VS. DEADPOOL #0!
When Archie wipes out while surfing a monster wave at Riverdale beach, he meets a beautiful rescuer with … fins and seashell accessories? She’s beautiful, rich, kind, and she takes Archie’s breath away—literally! Is Archie’s new discovery a friend or a siren? Will she bring Archie safely back to his friends, or will Riverdale be missing its favorite redhead? Find out in “Mermaid Service,” the lead story in this summery fun issue of Archie’s Funhouse Comics Digest!
The hit series continues with a new creative team & a bold new direction this September in MOON KNIGHT #7! Eisner-award nominee Brian Wood (DMZ, X-Men) and critically-acclaimed artist Greg Smallwood (Dream Thief)pick up the reigns from Ellis & Shalvey and kick off the next era of Moon Knight with a bang and a blackout! Using all his cunning and gadgets, Moon Knight pursues a dangerous new foe through the darkened streets of NYC! Plus, those questions you’ve had since way back in Moon Knight #1? Answers will be revealed! The ‘weird crime’ smash-hit continues this September in MOON KNIGHT #7!
Storytellers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato have ended their first arc, Icarus, on DETECTIVE COMICS. Their run, thus far, has really changed the face of the book, putting a heavy focus on the detective side of things, as well as more of a focus on Harvey Bullock. Manapul and Buccellato talked to us over the phone about what's coming down the road for the book, as well as their writing style for this series.
COMIC VINE: In issue #34 of DETECTIVE, the conclusion of Icarus, there's a startling/disturbing revelation where with the Icarus drug is coming from. Are we going to see some resolution with that character in upcoming issues?
FRANCIS MANAPUL: Not any time soon.
BRIAN BUCCELLATO: [laughs] That's the honest answer. We're not going to see him in this arc.
FM: Yeah, he's a character who we will get back to. He's got a lot of emotional problems and I feel that us having just dealt with Icarus the drug, it's time for us to focus on a different aspect of Gotham city. Where as with the first arc, the drug, the dealers and the people affected by it, the second arc is going to focus a lot on kids, in particular orphans, and how they grow up in a system like Gotham City. If you're not a billionaire and you lose your parents, what happens to you? What opportunities do you have? That's going to be the main focus of our next arc.
CV: In DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #3, we got our first real glimpse of Calendar Man. What can we expect from this character in the future?
BB: Actually, Calendar Man does make a prominent appearance in the Futures End event issue, so you will see him there. The Riddler teams up with Batman to go on an adventure, five years in the future, and the villain, in that story, will be Calendar Man.
CV: What led you guys to bringing him into the book?
BB: I wanted to the origin of a Batman villain based around Batman, who beats up a guy who beats his kid and the ramifications. That whole story is about unintended consequences which is why I called it "Chaos Theory." So the unintended consequence of getting a little bit of justice, in beating up Julian Day is you create a character that is a super-villain.
CV: Do either of you have any involvement with the Futures End stuff next month?
FM: Not me, but Brian will be doing some stuff for that.
BB: The Detective Comics issue for Futures End featuring Riddler and Calendar Man is a one-off and part of the whole September event and it plays off some of the stuff I set up in the Annual.
CV: With this last arc, there was a heavy focus on Harvey Bullock. Are you going to be expanding on the next arc with secondary heroes in Gotham?
BB: We're gonna start calling the book "Detective and Harvey." We have no plans to give him up, so definetly more Harvey, all the time.
CV: The art style and page set ups here is a bit different from other current books. Francis, what's your process for the art in this book?
FM: Well, we write the story, then I draw it. [laughs] It's actually much more straightforward than THE FLASH. I'm kind of taking a more structured approach to my storytelling and a lot of that has to do with the story that we're both telling. It's very much a classic, detective story. I just felt that a clean way to tell a story, especially if the book is about a murder and once you delve into the complexities of each character and their motivation. It just felt like something that clean and easy to read was the best approach.
CV: Are there any aspects of the Batman universe that have not come into the New 52 that you both would like to work on?
FM: Our interpretation of Anarky is going to be quite different. More of less, she is being introduced like a brand new character. A lot of the major villains have already been introduced.
CV: One thing that's really interesting about this book is that there's no inner-dialogue from Batman. Is that something you guys started consciously working on when you came onto the book?
FM: The thing is when we writing the first arc, we had mentioned not doing it at all. As we were telling the story, it just didn't need it. Anything that went on in his head, it felt superfluous. We want the reader to encounter and see the things as Batman is seeing them and be in the moment and be driven by the dialogue rather than the internal monologue and it just allowed us to be more in the now and have the story move at a much more brisk pace. Also, it just felt better. I think, with a character like Batman, you can get lost with the internal monologue and be too insightful, in terms of what's going on in his mind, instead of just showing it. We're trying to show and trying to tell through dialogue rather than have the character tell you how he feels. We want the readers to see how he feels.
BB: A lot of it has been pretty liberating to not have to create some kind of inner-monologue. I think it's been done so much and so often that we felt like didn't need to do it. Let me start by saying that we're not going to do it. Right now, we just don't want to do it. I don't have any desire to get into his head. I like the challenge of revealing the information in dialogue and through art.
FM: Don't get us wrong, I love internal monologue. When done well, it's fantastic. All to often, you can see that it's written poorly and it doesn't even occur to me now to write internal monologue with the way we're telling the story. I think with a character like Batman, why wouldn't you want to do that but with everyone doing that Brian and I wanted to take a different approach. Once you read it in that way, you feel like you're finding out that information after the character is. It's a different experience, I guess. That's not to say we won't do internal monologue in our other stories, but I think for the faith of DETECTIVE, it's going to be driven by the dialogue.
CV: This is just my opinion, but that's one thing that makes DETECTIVE such a stand out series, for me, as a reader. Because Snyder's [BATMAN] is very inner-monologue driven, it great, but this makes it feel like a very separate book, with the same characters, which is kind of awesome that we have two, very strong Batman titles going on at the same time.
BB: Yeah. I love what Scott is doing and we're not trying to bad-mouth inner-monologue because he's doing a really great job. I just want to point that out. We do love all that stuff. It's just that we love what we're doing too.
FM: Absolutely, if you read our FLASH stuff, you know that we love doing internal monologue. I've been a fan of Scott Snyder's work for a long time, especially AMERICAN VAMPIRE, and I remember when I was talking to Brian, I said "Dude, you have to read AMERICAN VAMPIRE. I really love the way Scott does his narration and captioning." We did that in the FLASH. We both felt that once jumped onto DETECTIVE, it was a whole new ballgame and we weren't going to play it the same way we played THE FLASH.
Many thanks to Francis and Brian for taking the time to talk to us and make sure to check out DETECTIVE COMICS as well as the Futures End issue in September.
I'm sure those opening lines sounded really mean. However, it's meant in the best way. Overdrive's origin is well, the least interesting origin story I've read in quite some time, but that's really the charm of this whole story. Everyone expects a villain's origin to be full of revelations and epic moments that shaped the person they are now. With Overdrive, he's a race car driver that wants to eventually become a hero, so he can hang out with the Avengers. It's a bit sad, but it really shows how much heart this character has.
This issue is 100% non-stop fun. In fact, the whole series is. Nick Spencer writes a fun series with characters most folks don't even care about. It's nice to see they have a home in such an amazing book. Lieber, Ellis, and Rosenberg provide art that molds well with the writing. It's zany, fun, and has cartoonish elements to it. Everything about this series is the best.
One of the best moments here is the two page spread which we'll call "Overdrive's How to Guide." It's fun and silly and a nice little way to present an action sequence in a whole new way. This is something I love about this series. This creative team is always presenting stuff to the reader in a whole new light.
The Bad
Little to nothing bad about this issue. It's exactly what you'd expect, month after month.
The Verdict
SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN is the cat's pajamas. The story inches forward, but we're getting to know a little bit more about Overdrive and his relationship with the rest of the team. I laughed a lot during this issue. It's easily one of the funnest reads each month. Pick this up in trade and catch up. It's easily the best on-going series about Spider-Man B-list villains ever made. However, I can't think of too many others. Anyway, I highly recommend this issue.
The numbers for July are in! Diamond Comic Distributors has compiled the data from July and placed into awesome tables for math nerds, like us, to stare and enjoy. Let's get right down to the numbers.
Marvel takes the top spot for July, once again, with DC falling a bit behind.
It's pretty obvious that ROCKET RACCOON #1 took first place, especially after it was announced that the first issue sold 300,000 copies.
Image comics continues to do extremely well in the trade market with volume 21 of THE WALKING DEAD taking the top spot and two volumes of SAGA making the list.
If you were wondering how many books each of the companies shipped out, here's the numbers. There's only a difference of one item between Marvel and DC.
How do they calculate this information? It all starts at the comic book shop.
Data for Diamond’s sales charts — which include the monthly market shares and all top product charts — are compiled by Diamond Comic Distributors from a universe of over 3,500 comic book specialty shops located in North America and around the world. The account base includes brick-and-mortar comic book specialty shops, Internet merchants, and other specialty stores.
Unit and dollars sales are calculated based upon orders invoiced and shipped to Diamond accounts during January to December 2013, which comprises initial pre-orders, advance reorders, and reorders, minus any copies that are received back from a title marked as returnable.
What are your thoughts on all these numbers? What's your predictions for this month?
THE DEATH-DEFYING DR. MIRAGE #2 (of 5) (VALIANT FIRST)
Written by JEN VAN METER
Art by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
Cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN (AUG141728)
Leaving her mortal body in deadly danger, the spirit of Dr. Mirage is about to enter the afterlife’s web of worlds, and begin the fight to win back the husband she thought she’d lost forever. But enemies lie in wait everywhere, and while demons and beasts besiege Mirage in the spirit world, an unexpected new eruption of evil will threaten her life on Earth...
Death is just the beginning…and, on October 8th, Dr. Mirage's obsessive, astonishing quest into the lands of the dead to rescue her lost love continues in THE DEATH-DEFYING DR. MIRAGE #2 – featuring a cover by fan-favorite artist Travel Foreman (Animal Man)!
$3.99 | T+ | 32 pgs. | ON SALE 10/8/14 (FOC –8/11/14)
There's a new episode of Teen Titans Go! airing Thursday, August 14, on Cartoon Network at 6:00/5:00c. In "Salty Codgers," the Teen Titans aren't really teens anymore.
Mad Mod steals the youth from Cyborg, Beast Boy, Starfire and Robin, turning them into Raven’s favorite type of people: salty codgers. Instead of helping the Titans get their youth back, Raven teaches them how cool old people are.
Check out the clip at the top of the page.
Here's some more images, courtesy of Warner Bros. Television.
*Did you want to vote but you didn't have an account? Well, what are you waiting for?! Signing up is beyond simple. CLICK HERE to register and then you'll be able to vote in all of our polls and join the countless discussions. Go on, make an account!*
2012's Superman vs. The Elite is heavily inspired by ACTION COMICS #775. Writer Joe Kelly's story attempts to show the modern world why the Man of Steel is so much more than a boring boy scout and why his no kill policy is something that's respectable, not foolish. It's a character study that's packed with spectacle and something many of us consider to be the best Superman animated feature yet.
2009's Wonder Woman gave the world what it deserves: an epic movie featuring Diana. The tale is technically an origin story and covers a whole lot of ground. It showcases what makes the Amazon interesting, presents a thrilling narrative, and successfully includes a lot of heart and massive action.
Both of these animated features are excellent solo adventures, but this week, we couldn't help but wonder if the Comic Vine crowd has a preference between these two terrific options. We opened the poll on Monday and, since then, both of these films have received a ton of praise in the comments. Many Viners admitted they love both choices, but ultimately sided with one of them for key reasons. Throughout the week, the poll went back and forth, but in the end, one of these options took a moderate lead. Ladies and gentlemen, the winner is...
Wonder Woman!
"A Woman Woman movie likely wouldn't work." If you even remotely believe that, you need to watch this animated movie as soon as possible. You don't even need to be a Wonder Woman fan going into it and odds are you'll still have a great time with the adventure. Directed by Lauren Montgomery, produced by Bruce Timm, written by Gail Simone and Michael Jelenic, and with voices provided by Kerri Russell and Nathan Fillion, it really is no wonder why many consider this project to be one of DC's best animated features. Don't get me wrong, Superman vs. The Elite offers a terrific insight into Superman, but Wonder Woman is an epic journey from start to finish. It delves deep into her mythos, gives the character depth, and manages to include an impressive amount of thrilling action and enjoyable character moments along the way. All in all, it's a great movie and needs to be experienced at least once by DC fans. You could have zero interest in Diana before watching this and when the credits begin to roll, it's quite possible you'll want to pick up her collections and check out the current run.
Both movies are thoroughly entertaining, so it's no surprise the poll was pretty close. Check out the voting results below and then see what the community had to say about this match!
Wonder Woman 47%
Superman vs. The Elite 40%
I can't choose... I like them both equally! 6%
It brings me great shame to admit I haven't watched these movies and I won't be able to before Friday 6%
Sorry, I'm not a fan of either movie 2%
UltimateSMfan
"Easiest decision i've ever made on one of these :) Loved Wonder Woman but Superman vs the elite is something that makes you look at the character in a whole new amazing light, i forgave whatever minor problems i had with art for that remarkable story. Everyone should watch it!"
The Stegman
"WW easy. I think it was a very well done origins story and made me like Steve Trevor. Plus, that opening Amazon fight was glorious."
Aros001
"While I love the Wonder Woman movie and was glad she finally got the spotlight, Superman vs. The Elite was the most inspiring version of Superman I'd ever seen. Whenever I think of Superman, it tends to be that version more than any other. The movie just makes you go "Hell yeah! Superman!!! Da da da da da, da da da. Da da da da da, dun da daaaaaa!!!!!!!!" (You better be able to name that tune)"
MrMazz
"Wonder Woman, in the pre-Flashpoint Paradox anthology style animated features, Wonder Woman was one of the high points and signs of what is possible when you have the right script and good casting. Kerri Russel brings youthful exuberance but hardened life to Diana Prince. Nathon Fillion's Steve Trevorris a fun scamp to play off of.
Superman vs. The Elite, though based on one of the more acclaimed stories just didn't feel right to me. Maybe it was the art style, it and Unbound were an odd stylistic choice. Even though it has fine moment in which Supes finally lets go, the overall quality of Wonder Woman can't be denied."
Lvenger
"Superman vs The Elite and that's no contest. Whilst Wonder Woman was a very good film, Superman vs The Elite was a brilliant adaptation of one of my all time favourite Superman storylines. It shows Superman's morality as the front and centre issue, utilises The Elite to propose the counter argument, creates situations where Superman's morality is tested and challenged as well as The Elite's morality having its own perks and appeals. But it ultimately shows why Superman acts the way he does and why he adhere to a high moral standard and that storyline provides one of the best arguments for why I love Superman as the moral paragon of virtue. He doesn't steep to his enemy's level because Superman has a responsibility to himself and the world to show what a better way of living looks like."
SupBatz
"Both are great, but Wonder Woman is second only to Under the Red Hood. Animation, voice acting, plot, and characterization were all perfect. DC should use Wonder Woman as a reference in planning their next movie."
The_Comebacks
"Wonder Woman the Animated Movie is far superior. This is the type of movie fans want to see a live action version of. The story is humorous, characters are lovable and the music is epic. I went into this movie being skeptical that a WW movie could work, but by the end I had been convinced a WW story can deliver the goods. The dvd sales for this movie were originally low, but within the past year and a half it has shot up the DC animated movie sales list. If you haven't seen this movie, you may be missing out on one of the gems of the dc animated universe."
Antihero_Jaymok
"While I will admit Superman vs the Elite is one of my favorite DC movies, I really did enjoy WW's movie more. I saw S vs E twice, but WW's movie is one I put on whenever I can't decide on anything to watch because it's just that good to me. The story, the art, the voice acting, EVERYTHING about that movie just grabs my attention and refuses to let go. So, in conclusion... Wonder Woman gets my vote. :)"
Do you have a favorite moment from either of these movies, Viners? If so, tell us about it in the comments and explain why you think it's such a memorable bit! Also, don't forget to check the homepage next Monday for a new edition of this segment. If you want to suggest a future match-up (it can be comics, TV shows, movies, or video games), tell us below or reach out via twitter.
Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman (w) • Cory Smith (a) • Smith, Eastman (c)
From the start, two villains have dominated the Turtles’ lives: Shredder and Krang. Now, for the first time, they come face-to-face with each other in the present day! Will they be able to overcome their differences and join forces? It’s a very special stand-alone issue that guarantees some major surprises!
