Well, 2024 has gotten off to quite an exciting start in the comic book world. First slab-gate, then Beneath The Trees got hot, now Ultimate Spider-Man is what everyone is talking about!

After a few big FOC weeks to start 2024, this week is a bit of a dud. Only a few books worth mentioning. So this article is going to be quite short.

First Appearances

 

HULK VERSUS THE ANGEL OF DEATH – FROZEN CHARLOTTE! Hulk enters a supernatural town haunted by a serial killer…but she is no mere mortal killer, and Hulk will need the help of a supernatural detective in order to track her down!

A “frozen charlotte” is a doll made from of china (or bisque doll) from the era of 1850-1920.The form is a standing, naked figure modeled of one solid piece without joints. They were inexpensive, referred to as Penny Dolls.

The name originates from a ballad (Fair Charlotte) of a young girl who refused to wrap herself up warmly on a sleigh ride to a New Year’s Eve ball…and her fiancé discovers her frozen to death upon arrival. The ballad is based off a poem titled “A Corpse Going to a Ball” by Seba Smith, written based on an incident recounted in an 1840 New York Observer article which stated as occurring on January 1st, 1840, and to be true (no location actually given).

So…how true will this new character stay to the origins of her name? We shall see. The story is an interesting one, so I’ll be picking up a copy just out of curiosity. I believe the character is on Cover A.

 

 

A vigilante known only as Strike works with her team to keep the town known as The Hill safe–but she’s not alone. Jason Todd, one of the Hill’s newest residents, is more than happy to don the visage of Red Hood to help Strike. But a new villain is emerging from the shadows!

I believe Strike first appears in Red Hood #51, but the book promises a “new villain” at the very least (who may also be on the B cover – they are fighting quite a few baddies). Yeah, it’s a stretch, I know. Story could be good…

 

Extra Printings

 

Third printing of a book that needs no introduction. I hope everyone who picked up the 2nd print as spec opportunity has dumped them by now. The question now is, will there be a 4th?

 

Small Publisher

 

The city of Oshawa, Ontario has vanished without a trace. Even worse, nobody remembers it or the 170,000 missing residents that disappeared along with it. As the survivors also fall into the forgotten, they must seek each other out, if they hope to have any chance of surviving in a world where no one believes they exist! How can you feel connected to reality or each other if by all veritable means, you don’t exist?

Sounds eerie…stands out in a week that doesn’t have much to offer. Being a mini-series, it does have some potential for being optioned.

 

Dirty D’s Pick of the Week

Ultimate Spipder-Man #2 – Cover A

I waivered on whether to put the Hulk #9 vs. USM #2 here this week. I like them both, but USM is just hotter at the moment. This book should not catch anyone off guard, but you never know…Issue #1may have brought new fans who may do the same exact thing and look for shelf copies rather than pre-order or add it to their pull list at an LCS. And then there are those who will scarf up shelf copies thinking the series is going to be a great return on investment.

We’ll see how it goes, but I don’t see this book having much long term spec potential…that is not what this is. However, the quality read is likely to continue, so this recommendation is more as a “don’t forget to secure a copy for the day of release” so you’re not caught up in any silly FOMO that week. Otherwise wait for the (inevitable) second print or just wait out the insanity.

 

Parting Thoughts

Short list this week after a robust start to the year. I apologize for any “dead links” that are in the article. Those on the forums know I complain about TFAW not being good about updating links of books that have been pushed out for one reason or another. Just that much more reason to support your local LCS by pre-ordering!

Have a great weekend everyone!