Welcome once again to my spec and my drek, the first one to kick off the new year of comic books. I pick what I think will be winners, not only if you make money by flipping but winners as in either a great read or just awesome art.
Then there’s the pesky drek, the comic you should avoid altogether or not fall into the buying every variant trap.
It’s the first Wednesday of the new year so here’s to hoping for a fabulous year of comic books hitting store shelves.
DC Picks
So we’re not getting the reveal yet but it’s confirmed to happen in Issue #40. This is still a pretty sweet looking Manapul cover though.
Batman Beyond #39 (Manapul Variant)
The mystery of Neo-Gotham’s newest protector deepens! With Terry McGinnis missing, a new, unidentified person has stepped up to replace him as protector of Gotham!
Even the greatest detective of all time, Bruce Wayne, is unable to determine who’s hidden behind the mask. Gotham’s newest hero appears capable, but does she have what it takes to combat Terry’s greatest enemy-the murderer of his father-Derek Powers, a.k.a. Blight? Or will her time as the city’s guardian end in tragedy?
Marvel Picks
Already read this first issue and it’s a great read. Definitely want to see where Cates takes this new volume.
Thor #1
A BRAND-NEW, SUPERSTAR CREATIVE TEAM TAKES THE KING OF ASGARD TO NEW REALMS OF GLORY!
The prince is now a king. All Asgard lies before Thor, the God of Thunder. And after many months of war, the Ten Realms are finally at peace. But the skies above the Realm Eternal are never clear for long. The Black Winter is coming. And the God of the Storm will be powerless before it.
Don’t forget to nab the new Star Wars #1 Bartel variant as well if you can find for cheap or cover price. It’s already seen sales as high as $79.99, so it’s definitely one to watch as Bartel has her fans and so does Princess Leia.
Indie and Small Publisher Picks
This first pick could be a great read or a dud. Only want to find out is to check it out.
I Can Sell You a Body #1
Are you dead? Denny Little can help. This disgraced TV psychic can put your soul in a living body… for a price.
A bad day at the office, however, has just put a bounty on his head courtesy of a murdered mafioso, leaving Denny 48 hours to save his own life.
The Seance Room is a place beyond time and space that exists inside of a castle owned by an eccentric ghost monger. Six ghosts have been trapped there, each with their own expertise of the expired. Do you dare tempt fate and enter the Seance Room?
The debut issue opens the door of the mansion to career politician Senator Donahue. He crashes his car and his hopes at the Magic Manor and, in the Seance Room, he will have to account for his two-faced ways. In politics words are for votes, in the Seance Room, we wrap them around your throat and give you the rope.
Love the classic pulp style books. This next one is a must for me.
Collected here are three vintage tales of horror and the macabre curated by Joshua Werner. Digitally remastered to their original terrifying colors and quality. This is a must-have for fans of horror and classic pulp comics!
Now on with the dreaded “avoid” pick, every writer and artist worst nightmare when it comes to selling their hard work.
All the Thor variants… Pick the one you like most, leave it at that.
Thanks. Always a great article!
I pre-ordered the Scalera variant of Thor #1 for $15…that’s my favorite Of the bunch. Love me a Silver Surfer #4 homage cover swipe.
Ive had that Seance Book for 18 months or so from the creator mist have been the self published version
Doesn’t surprise me… Sometimes the smaller publishers are delayed by Diamond all the time.