Poyo's Spec and Drek for Dec. 13th 2017

Oh look at that snappy new title? Because I don’t only spec now, I tell you what to not buy, well, at least don’t buy to possibly flip or make profit later on.
A shout out to our regular visitor Vann for the suggestion. I liked it so much, I’m sending him a signed Eric Powell Spongebob #73 comic book.

So what has potential this week? Last week I think the clear winner was Batman White Knight Cover B. We won’t really know until the masses start consuming books, seeking out the ones they desire, creating demand. On with the picks we shall go..
DC/Vertigo Pick
Batman Who Laughs #1 2nd Print. Yeah, sure, there’s a new Artgerm Supergirl but as much as I enjoy his artwork, the spec on these now is dead. Buy one or two for personal collection to sell later as a set. But don’t expect much heat on this book.
As for Batman Who Laughs? I think this new character is the hottest thing DC has going right now.
I think people like the coolness factor of this new character. The costume is pretty cool if you ask me. My only question is, how does he see with the spiked collar around his eyes? Or am I missing something obvious.
Anyway, this book is a 2nd print and if it’s a smaller print run from the first print, could be sought after for those collector completists. So nab one to hold, if it does heat up, it won’t be immediately but could turn into that long term gamble. At the time of this writing I have yet to confirm if it’s the same cover with different colors or an entirely new cover (which only sweetens the deal and spec).
Marvel Pick
Venom Inc. Part 2, Amazing Spider-Man #792, with a new character? Yeah, this is the only thing spec worthy to me in the Marvel Universe this week.
Pick up the All-New Wolverine Torque regular cover as well, this Wolverine series has been pretty enjoyable to read (it’s one of the few pulls I still have) and it’s Torque artwork, for a regular cover.
But the potential goes to Venom Inc. Part 2 in Amazing Spider-Man #792.
We’re approaching issue #800 and I’m sure this series is building up to something big. You know how are minds operate with numbers and patterns. We humans are so easily amused and predictable. Regardless of Slott writing this series and Amazing Spider-Man, it’s still worthy of checking out and paying attention to for new characters or stories that affect our Spidey Universe.
Indie Pick
Like Anthony mentioned in his Spec Video for this week’s releases, I have to go with Under Scourge of the Sewer #1 from Titan Comics Statix Press. I was also blessed with an advanced copy of this to review and it meets Poyo’s standards of a great Indie book.
Cover A’s artwork reminds me of the more recent Godzilla style art, which I adore. There’s a pretty rad BW Virgin cover as well.
If popular though and having a $5.99 price tag, these could be under ordered by most shops so don’t expect the print run to be high and plentiful for this book.
From the Description:

Some people bury their secrets underground. In Megalopolis, the dirt flows into the sewers. LT Wilson Jericho, disgraced from his position above ground and now an officer in the sewer police, thinks he knows everything there is to know about what lies beneath. But scientist Sandra Yeatman is determined to discover the truth behind the legends, and something is threatening to crawl out and rip the city apart…

Small Publisher Pick
Aliens Dead Orbit #4 is this weeks Small Publisher pick. This has been a great read, the best in quite some time for me at least for the Aliens franchise.
This issue concludes James Stokoe’s mini-series and take on Aliens. You gotta love the artwork too with his very noticeable style.
From the description:

With one last gambit aboard the space station, Wascylewski finds himself ambushed by two more deadly xenomorphs that will stop at nothing until he’s dead. The conclusion to Orc Stain creator James Stokoe’s thrilling and claustrophobic Aliens story!

Now on with the dreaded “avoid” pick, every writer and artist worst nightmare when it comes to selling their hard work.
This weeks avoid list is an entire series. It’s the Phoenix Tribute covers. Yeah yeah, Phoenix is cool, she has her fans but these are cover price. I anticipate just like the Venom covers they won’t heat up nor should have any spec value. So do not waste your money on these, unless you really have to have them for the personal collection.
Honestly I’ve had a hard time moving some of my Venom covers, even the ones that introduced new characters. I think the only one that contained it’s heat or spec has been Rob!’s Gwenom from Guardians of Knowhere, which is a much better Gwenom than the one they came up in the regular Spider-Gwen series. So, avoid if you can.