It’s Saturday, and that means it’s time to get serious about what books are up for a Final Order Cut-Off this week.
This will be a short list this week. Not too much exciting stuff, but there are a few fun books worth a second look.
Judge These Books By Their Covers
Daredevil #14 (Chip Zdarsky Variant)
Not only is this a great Zdarsky cover, he’s had a great run and this book promises a big ending.
A new volume (Issue #1) comes out in September with a new team.
Superman 2023 Annual #1 (Cover B – Jock Variant)
With all the Knight Terrors stuff going on, DC snuck in a Superman Annual. Might actually be an interesting read (if not a break from the Terrors onslaught), as it promises to provide big puzzle piece leading to a massive Superman crossover in 2024.
Cover of the Week
Ghost Rider #17 (Bjorn Barends Variant)
There are some pretty cool covers this week, but this is my favorite/must have. When you think memorable ghost rider covers, Mark Texeira is likely the first name that comes to mind. Barends is making a solid case to rival Texeira. We don’t get too many Wolverine vs. Ghost Rider covers…a lot of GR covers just get consumed with flames and some crazy action pose. It’s the subtlety that makes this one for me. Its framed like an old western standoff right before the shootout. All that’s missing is the lone tumbleweed blowing across between them. A++
Small Publisher New Series (#1)
Legendary writer J. Michael Straczynski teams with superstar artist ACO for a tale of bloody revenge. Sarah Ross’s godlike powers made her the perfect candidate for the world’s toughest wetwork jobs, until her government employer decided she wasn’t needed anymore. To close the books on Sarah, her handlers decide the smart move is to assassinate her-along with anyone who happens to be nearby. Now, stark-raving mad and laser-focused on revenge for the murder of her family, Sarah faces an army of super-powered operatives determined to stop her. It’s Kill Bill meets The Avengers in this superhero revenge epic no one should miss!
This book has been on my radar for several weeks now. The concept isn’t all that unique, but I have liked Straczynski‘s work in the past. Why not pick up cover A and see if it draws you in?
Reprint of the Week
Star Wars Dark Droids #1 (2nd Printing)
1st print hasn’t hit the stands yet, but was likely heavily ordered by retailers. So who asked for a 2nd printing? How did this happen?
Regardless, when something like this does occur, it can make for small orders on the second print. I’m not sure what droid Boba is fighting, but if he’s a significant character in this series this cover could catch some short term heat (the whole supply vs.demand thing). Besides all that, I’m grabbing it for the cool movie poster look.
But What About Spider-Boy?
You may have heard about this character in recent months…Spider-Boy? I know there hasn’t been much talk, but he seems to be slowly getting some attention.
Ok, if you didn’t find that amusing, how about the solicitation for this issue?
who IS this Spider-Boy, and what is his connection to the Amazing Spider-Man?!
Well, we were told the answer was coming in last months Edge of Spider-Verse #3…which did not deliver. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Either way, if you’re collecting Spider-Boy covers, might as well grab this one. Although Bagley is not my favorite Spider-Man cover artist, I think this cover will show much better in person than what you see on your screen. That light blue background almost creates the look of a negative space variant.
I’m also not crazy about the Luciano Vecchio Variant as Spider-man looks to be a little too close to the boy…and Bailey has a look like “uh, Peter….a little personal space please?”
For Spider-Boy haters, there’s a Momoko homage variant cover as well.
Pick of the Week
Death of Venomverse #2 (of 5) (Venom Boy Variant)
Is it Venom Boy, or Kid Venom? Please don’t let it be Venom Boy. At least Kid Venom sounds kinda hip…like Kid Ray (remember him …from Lean On Me?)
Anyway, no one is sleeping on this book. So at best this is long term spec. But this specific variant does check a few boxes with first appearance plus cover. And it seems like he’s destined to have some run ins with Spider-boy (too much of a coincidence with these “boys” showing up)…every good Spider-variant needs a Venom antagonist…
Or Morgan Freeman is right and he could be a total flop. Still going to grab a copy or two and stash away.
Drek of the Week
Same as previous weeks. We are loaded with Miss Minutes variants and Knight Terrors. Buy’em for the read, or you like the cover. But know you’ll be able to grab these soon enough in $1 bin sales in the not too distant future…
That’s it for this week my CHU friends! See you next week!