Hello CHU-sers! This might be the last FOC article of the year for me. I think DC and Marvel are pretty much dumping a lot of what would normally be on FOC in the following weeks on this week’s FOC. So I’ll be sure to note any books that have release dates in February below.
Judge These Books By Their Covers
There are a lot of good covers this week. Too many to list here. Some are grouped in under other categories below. These are more the stand-alone covers.
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu Gang War #2
This cover stood out to me. At first I thought because it reminded me of Reservoir Dogs…but then I looked closer at the descriptions and noticed it’s a DAVID AJA COVER! Big fan. Sneaky…I don’t know if he’s been the Cover A artist for a series since Hawkeye, so that’s exciting. Unfortunately he’s not the interior artist, but going to check this out anyway and may pick up more in this series.
Issue #7 skipped on featuring the WWII Ghost Rider on the cover, which was silly on Marvel’s part. But he’s back on the cover for Issue #8. This is the finale for this matchup, so who knows if we’ll see the character again (watch him get his own series announced next month…)
Scarlet Witch Quicksilver #1 (Foil Variant)
Nothing about the book interior worthy of noting. But there’s a foil cover for those who can’t resist shiny objects. (February 14 Release Date)
Blue Book: 1947 #1 (Foil Variant Cover)
Blue Book is coming out with a spin-off limited series, 1947. Nothing spec-worthy here, but again putting this out there for those interested in this series and foil covers. (February 7th Release date)
Later Printings & Facsimiles
You knew this was coming…why stop at a 5th printing? Now that they (finally) stopped featuring Skyfire (or is it Jetfire) on the cover, this might be the end of the printings (until Local Comic Shop day or some other promotion). It’s not a bad cover, though (I like the vantage point and how the 2 main characters are featured). And might be worth stashing away on the off chance this series hits the screen some day given a likely low print run.
Void Rivals #6 (2nd Ptg Howard)
I’ve said this in past FOC articles, but I’ve actually been skipping the first prints of Void Rivals because of these second print white background covers. I’m glad they followed through on this for the first story arc.
There really isn’t anything spec-worthy with the first issue of Transformers, or any of the issues so far. I won’t be picking it up, but this isn’t a bad cover (still prefer the TFAW variant, which is on sale through the rest of the year).
Same as above, great action shot of Arcee kicking Decepticon can.
Transformers #3 (2nd Ptg Cover A)
Transformers #3 (2nd Ptg Cover B)
It’s because of the anticipation of these Jason Howard white background character covers I don’t buy the first prints of this series. Why not make these the first print…or at least one of them (Decepticon or Autobot) then the 2nd print would be the other. I don’t get publishers sometimes.
The Flash #123 (Facsimile Edition (Cover C – Foil Variant))
Hey look! Another facsimile no one asked for! At least they have a foil variant for this one. Makes you wonder how they decide foil or no-foil…?
Notable First Appearances
I feel like Ultimate Black Panther has already appeared in the 1610 universe (Ultimate Origins #5?). I get it’s a different ultimate Black Panther, but probably no spec value to this one (and there are A LOT of covers). It is a new start to the ultimate universe so maybe the read will be good. (February 7th Release date)
Miguel Ohara Spider-Man 2099 #5
Introducing Man-Thing of 2099!! And he looks…interesting? More wires and trash than swampy/earthy things. Not a character I see taking off (as not many 2099 characters have…even Venom 2099 isn’t an expensive book), but there he is for Man-Thing fans.
And if you really like this character and don’t mind spending a little extra, there’s a 1:10 design variant.
When the world turned against Krakoa, these five mutants lost their lives; but their mission as X-Men is just getting started. To preserve Xavier’s dream, they must accomplish the impossible – or die again trying!
It seems like these “dead” x-men have not appeared before. So thinking these are new characters, who may just end up dying again at the end of the series. But you never know.
Dead X-Men #1 (Lucas Werneck Variant)
Although they appear on Cover A, the Werneck variant seems to feature these “walking dead” x-men better.
Introducing AZITA CRUUZ, a pirate with a deadly secret, who the HUTTS and the REPUBLIC will stop at nothing to control!
New Star Wars characters aren’t all the rage these days, but here’s another one. Not sure if it’s a male or female, but there is a female that could resemble a pirate (?) on the 1:25 incentive cover. (February 7th Release Date)
1:25 Incentive Variant
Introducing a shared universe of strange, fun, and action-packed characters! What ties Geiger, Redcoat, Widow X, and the other mysterious, historical heroes of The Unnamed together? Why is Rook the key to saving the war-torn world of Exodus? How will everyone’s soon-to-be-favorite family of the future adapt to a new life in the present? THE STORIES ALL START NOW! CREATORS YOU KNOW. CHARACTERS YOU’LL LOVE. THIS IS GHOST MACHINE.
A lot of pre FOC hype surrounding this one, so it’ll likely have a large print run. This is basically a one-shot, with several stories. Many characters have already been introduced, but some stories will include new characters, so could have some spec potential. Some of the variant covers have the new characters featured, so your guess which one(s) to go with is as good as mine. There is a foil variant of Cover A as well.
Ghost Machine (Cover G – Dire Wolf)
Ghost Machine (Cover I – Hyde Street)
Ghost Machine (Cover F – The Rocketfellers)
How can Spider-Boy even hope to stop…the Toy Soldier?! Watch out, kid! This one-of-a-kind collectible can KILL!
New character for Spider-Boy’s rogue’s gallery: Toy Soldier.
Small Publisher Spotlight
A John Doe slaying lures a journalist into a world of political intrigue, a wi-fi-enabled grotto, and a station locker full of secrets. For Bucky, an editor of the crime beat at ‘The Truth,’ it’s all in a day’s work… …but he also happens to be a deer.
Something different. Sometimes Mad Cave books take off (for a little while). Doesn’t seem to have variants or hype around it.
Dirty D’s Pick of the Week
Just when you think you’ve seen the last of mash-up, then along came spider-verse to bring you more of what no one demanded!
Yeah, I know. Everyone has this as their pick. And yes, another spider-verse limited series and more spider variants. But it’s a Wolverine-Spider-Man! Why not?
Looks to be featured on cover A. So at least you can stop there (always bet on cover A!). But there are some other interesting variant covers for fun which I’ll also highlight below. (February 21st Release Date)
Edge of Spider-Verse #1 (Marvel 97 Variant) 1
Edge of the Spider-Verse #1 (Star Wars #1 Homage Variant)
Edge of Spider-Verse #1 (Foil Variant)
Edge of the Spider-Verse #1 (Skottie Young Variant)
Dirty D’s Drek-of-the-Week
All Edge of the Spider-verse incentive variants. None seem to feature the new character. There’s an interesting Spider-Gwen cover (the 1:25 Amanda Conner variant), but don’t pay over ratio if you have to have it.
Parting Thoughts
As I said, I don’t think I’ll be doing another FOC article until the New Year. You can always hit the Forums where there are threads devoted to FOC books, so check it out.
Until then, everyone stay safe and enjoy the holidays with loved ones!!