Poyo’s Spec and Drek for August 14th, 2019

Already the second week of August. Last week saw some winners, particularly in the indie and small press department. Hopefully this week brings us winners across them all.

DC Pick

Catwoman #14 (Card Stock Variant)It’s a card stock cover but it’s just an awesome looking Catwoman cover.

Almost looks like it’s straight out of the Batman Animated television series.

But Artgerm does no wrong for Catwoman #14 (Card Stock Variant). Pick it up for the personal collection. I don’t think there will be any heat for this one.

Marvel Pick

I’m picking this as the winner already for this week even if it’s not a spec hit or goes up in value.

That pick is Captain Marvel #9 Mark Brooks Regular Cover. This is a winner because now we’ll get some decent looking covers for Captain Marvel.

Sorry, I’m just not a Connor fan. I mean, she’s not a horrible artist but she does her women zero justice.

This is however already being listed slightly above cover with some trying to push the pre-sales price to the $10 spot. It’ll be a book to watch though with the new character and it already sold out at most online retailers.

Small Publisher Picks

Road of Bones #4 (of 4) (Cover A - Cormack)Road of Bones #4 (of 4) (Cover A – Cormack) is my first pick.

This is the final issue of the 4 issue mini-series (I could be wrong but issue #3 claimed this it was #3 of 5 but now #4 says it’s a #4 of 4 issue). A great read that would make the perfect movie I think.

Either hunt down these issues to read it if you haven’t done so or wait for the trade to read.

The other thing I really like about this series is, one cover for each issue. There was no B covers or ratio variants. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good variant but this really should be the way most books are done.

You can still find Road of Bones #2 and Road of Bones #3 but good luck finding issue #1.

The next pick goes to White Trees #1 out from Image Comics. Great read, I’m looking forward to White Trees #2.

It’ll certainly be interesting to see how this small 2 issue series does and if Chip brings it back for more future volumes.

The next pick is already winning ahead of release. Once & Future #1 was limited at some online retailers but still sold out rather fast.

Right now pre-sales are around the $10 average range. Could go up or could go down when the market truly opens up come Wednesday.

If you got a hold of the SDCC promo’s, those are selling for the $80 type range at time of writing.

Indie Picks

Shows End #1 is a book I almost overlooked.

The cover didn’t really attract my attention but once I read the solicit, I think this could be a fun read.

As a kid I was always fascinated with the freak shows at the Circus and this one is certainly that book.

“Equal parts brutal and beautiful, Show’s End takes place in Georgia during the1920s and follows Loralye, a 12-year-old runaway seeking refuge with a traveling group of freak show performers. At first, she isn’t welcomed for being too “ordinary.” But what her new found family doesn’t know, is that Loralye is hiding a secret more freakish than anyone could ever imagine!”

My last pick is from a publisher I don’t think I’ve ever had as a pick but I mentioned this a few months back in the Indie Outlook as a possible good read.

That book is Watcher #1 which is already sold out online at most retailers.

Not a lot of listings yet either on the secondary market. I’m hoping to nab a copy to read. I’m not a horror fan but there’s just something creepy when it involves religion and priests.

Now on with the dreaded “avoid” pick, every writer and artist worst nightmare when it comes to selling their hard work.

Gwenpool Strikes Back #1 (of 5)…   Really? People read this? Do we really need 6 total covers with some high ratio variants? If this is your thing, all the power to you but I say stick to the regular cover. If you pay over cover for a Gwenpool Strikes Back ratio variant, well, apparently you got a limitless bank account.

34 thoughts on “Poyo’s Spec and Drek for August 14th, 2019”

  1. Think I’ll skip this week. Nothing catching my eye. This probably means buy everything cause I usually miss out. Lol

    2. NEVER underestimate the powers of the handicapped.

      (See if anyone picks up on that reference…I’m figurin’ you young’uns won’t)

  4. Road Of Bones 1 third print has a great cover with new art, as does issue 2 second printing. Issue 1 second print has same cover as first but the IDW logo is red instead of blue.

  6. I’ve had 6 customers call so far asking me to set aside copies of Superman 14 and Supergirl 33 which were both recalled this week. While I am well aware that plenty of shops will happily sell them (see Rabbit, Dead), it bugs me that I have that many folks calling in advance clearly trying to spec on books they “know” I am supposed to not sell. I didn’t sell Wolverine 131 two decades ago, I won’t be selling Superman 14 tomorrow.

    1. A completed sale at $199 and multiple completed sales of $119 for the set of 4. Just crazy to me.

        1. Apparently DC is promising to punish those stores that don’t destroy, they know who sold them on ebay and their online store.

          My guess is this punishment is going to be the equivalent of “Don’t you do that again…..you” along with a vigorous finger wagging.

            1. It’s also the contractual thing to do. But I don’t either is enough to get people to do the right thing.

    2. While I’m not trying to crap on you, I don’t think there’s any need for “standards” when it’s all based on Diamond’s asinine and draconian rules.

  7. Regarding Ironheart.
    YES. it has a last page cameo of a female superhero with a disability- Silhouette Chord
    Who 1st appeared in New Warriors vol 1 #2

  8. Fantastic Four 13 brings the Hulk vs Thing fun to a finish.
    Go Go 22 should be shedding more light on the new Purple Ranger.
    Immortal Hulk #1 Directors Cut
    Hope for Invaders 8 to deliver something
    Powers of X 2, with both HOUSE of X issues selling above cover and getting Powers of X 1 all getting as many as 3 printings I’ll be interested to see if POX 2 keeps up the surprises.
    Reaver 2 to pair up with all those spec #1’s.
    Absolute Carnage was better than I expected it to be last week. Hopefully Scream and Seperation Anxiety #1’s deliver something worth the trouble.
    Captain Marvel 9 is sold out at Diamond and may provide more Star, especially if any confirmation of her civilian identity is confirmed from issue #1.
    Is Collapser 2 going to turn this new into anything with a future?
    Second Coming 2. Does it stay under the radar or ignite a fire of haters?

    1. It’s a great read. It initially went to $10 when released.. I think it’s a good book to own if there’s ever an option or media deal.

      1. I’m really enjoying this series. Issue #3 had damaged front covers on every issue I could find in my area. I’m guessing it’s coming that way from the printer. I’m still searching for a NM #3.

  13. Star is a clone of Captain Marvel created by Dr Minerva.
    She is going to degrade & become in a sense Bizzaro Captain Marvel

    Disney wanted to know why tens of millions went to CM movie, yet CM sells 25k
    It was decided that the character needed a key villain.

    2. I find it hard to believe that Disney is thinking about the comics. Didn’t they set up Ronan as a potential threat? Pretty sure they will find a way to bring him back. What about Deathbird? Mystique? Moonstone (Who Was Ms. Marvel for a minute). Study the history of the character and then you will understand why she doesn’t have one. Her history is all over the place.

        1. I wouldn’t call what you said truth. Its hyperbole which the spec crowd has mastered. Hyperbolic nonsensical statements are designed to exaggerate the importance of the comic and act like its going to be blown up in some future movie. They are also designed to ‘pump’ the sales of comics that would otherwise waste away on the store shelf. Remember these gems:

          General Ross was supposed to Hulk out in Civil War and become the ‘Red Hulk’. It didn’t happen. Captain America was supposed to get shot at the end of Civil War. It did not happen. Nathan Fillion is Richard Rider. LOL. Spider-Man Homecoming will take place in the savage land. LOL. Captain Mar-Vell is Star Lord’s father. LOL.

          I don’t believe that Disney is involved or cares about the comics. Do you not remember when Feigie asked for and got complete control of the films. The comic folks were politely pushed out. The films never synch up with the comics. Was I the only one watching Iron Man 3? How did that Mandarin thing work out for you? They gave us Lethal Weapon 5 with Marvel stuff thrown in. There is zero evidence that comic sales have increased because of the films. Folks might grab t-shirts, pops, posters, and a graphic novel from Barnes and Noble. Not many of them are rushing to the shops to pick up Captain Marvel. So they wanted to know why the comic is not selling? That is easy, no one cares.

          They are trying to turn her into the female version of Superman. As much as her history has changed, it is hard to give someone an antagonist when they can barely pin down an identity. Binary, Ms. Marvel, Carol Danvers, and now Captain Marvel. When is the last time someone really cared about a Superman comic? Tomasi had a better book.

          Remember Mosaic? Where is he? The Dollar Bin. I heard he is going to be in Black Panther 2 with Kraven!! Okay. Sure.

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