Hello CHU Nation! I’m juggling a lot this weekend, so going to keep this intro short. A very light week for speculation (which has been the norm lately), but here are some books that stand out from the rest.

(This post contains links to eBay and TFAW, purchases made through links result in a commission for the site)

 

Judge These Books By Their Covers

 

 

Green Lantern War Journal #6 (Rahzzah Variant)

We’re going to kick things off with a Rahzzah cover (real name is Scott Wilson, btw). Simple yet elegant and detailed. Love the green background-not-quite-negative-space cover. That’s what makes this the Dirty D cover of the week!

 

 

 

Justice League vs Godzilla vs Kong #5 (of 7) (Jock Variant)

DAAAAAAMMMN!!! I’m not following this series for the read, but there have been some great covers for those who are fans of Godzilla and King Kong. I know Barends has kicked @$$ this series, but Jock has a style all his own and takes it to another level here. Batman fans of Jock will need to add this to their collection as well.

 

 

 

Invincible Iron Man #15

Not a whole lot of great War Machine covers out there. This one stands out, though.

 

 

 

Star Wars Thrawn Alliances #2 (Rahzzah Variant)

Rahzzah has several covers this FOC I could highlight, so seek them out if you’re a big fan. I’m highlighting this one because there are a few characters it seems Rahzzah is destined to draw, and Thrawn is one of those. I doubt Thrawn: Alliances is a heavily ordered book, given it’s an adaptation to a novel and interest is waning a bit. So might be best to pre-order this book if you have to have it.

 

Just the Fax

 

 

Marvel Secret Wars #3 (Facsimile Edition Foil Variant)

Let’s highlight a few foil facsimiles. This month we get Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars #3…5 issues to go…we’re (slowly) making our way to the one that matters here.

 

 

 

Green Lantern #87 (Facsimile Edition Foil Variant))

Classic Neal Adams cover, presented to you as an open order Foil. Should be a must for fans of Adams and shiny objects.

 

If At First You Don’t Succeed…Reprint!

As expected, Cobra Commander follows the lead of Void Rivals, Transformers, and Duke, providing some cool second prints.

 

 

Cobra Commander #1 (of 5) (2nd Ptg Cover A)

First up, Cobra Commander character spotlight. This makes a great compliment to the Duke #1 Destro cover.

 

 

Cobra Commander #1 (of 5) (2nd Ptg Cover B)

I haven’t received my copy of Cobra Commander #1 to know who the character on this cover is. If I had to guess, it looks like some transformed version of Serpentor. So whatever this is, if “it” appeared in the first issue, this may be a first cover appearance as well.

 

 

Cobra Commander #1 (of 5) (2nd Ptg Cover C)

Sort of a “team” cover. What I like about this is that it features Destro and Cobra Commander. Also present are Zaranna who (looking ahead) is going to play a significant role in this book to start, and I believe Zartan is also in the back. This also compliments the similar 2nd Print cover for Duke #1.

 

For the Read

 

 

Ghost Rider Final Vengeance #1

By now everyone knows who the new Ghost Rider is going to be, but I won’t spoil it here. It’s not a “new” character, so therefore I’m going to buck the trend others are doing and say this is not a great spec book, but more of a “read” recommendation. And that’s because Benjamin Percy had a decent run on Ghost Rider leading up to this book and makes it worth seeing where this is going. I don’t think this version of the Ghost Rider is going to last all that long, though.

It’s hard to know whether the “New” ghost rider appears on any of the covers…the variants all seem to be versions of either Blaze or Ketch…what is likely is that Cover A has the “human form” of the character. So take that into consideration.

 

 

Ghost Rider Final Vengeance #1 (Foil Variant)

And for those who like shiny things and Ghost Rider, hard to pass this variant up. I think this is Danny Ketch…at least it looks like his bike.

 

Small Publisher Highlight

 

 

Mans Best #1 of 5 (Ashcan)

This story follows three emotional support pets living on the Starship Horizon – a spacecraft searching for a new planet to house a humanity compromised by bad decisions and corporate corruption. But after the ship crashes and their crew is captured, these loyal pets are their owners’ only hope. Outfitted in outrageous mech suits, these three best friends must traverse a hostile world to rescue their owners – leaving them the only hope for a humanity that might not be worth saving, in an adventure threatening to tear their friendship apart. An action-packed sci-fi romp with something to say in a tale that spans the furthest reaches of space to tug at readers’ hearts.

This sounds like a fun, unique read. I’m not a fan of ashcans, but if this takes off or turns into a movie/series in the future, this book may be worth spending $2.99 on. (Unfortunately TFAW did not update their FOC list, so I provided a link to eBay). Actual regular 1st issue FOC is 2/26.

 

 

 

Six Fingers #1

Archaeology student Johannes Vale has always been so very in control of his life. But when he commits a brutal murder using the M.O. of a historic and notorious serial killer, everything begins to spiral out of control… primarily as he doesn’t remember doing it. What follows is a deadly cat-and-mouse game as Johannes seeks refuge in the rain-soaked streets of Neo Novena. He will stop at nothing to unravel the secrets and ciphers of what he did and why he did it; but each revelation only leads further into the dark heart of his future-metropolis and Johannes’ own heartbroken soul. Grippingly written by writer Dan Watter with hauntingly atmospheric art and covers by Sumit Kumar and Lee Loughridge, Six Finger is a miniseries that will keep you on the edge until the very end.

Another book that looks to be an interesting who-done-it thriller. Maybe worth picking up issue #1 to check out the story/art (again, eBay link, no link to TFAW because they are poor at updating FOC dates).

 

 

 

Working Class Wizards #1 (of 3)

Monsters, Wizards, Barbarians, and Heavy Metal set in Chicago of 1976! A heavy metal guitarist in 1970s Chicago hasn’t made the big time with his songs of magic, wizards & elves. Let’s see how he does with the real thing. High stakes action & adventure set to the tune of classic heavy metal and the best of pulp sci-fi/fantasy.

Never heard of Band of Bards, but it’s only 3 issues long and I’m curious to see how it pulls off being set to heavy metal, and what classics from 1976 they pick! Any guesses? It might (and likely will be) a total dud, but weird enough to point it out this FOC. No variants or incentives either! (Oh, and yet again TFAW messes up the FOC so just ask your shop to order a copy if interested).

 

Incentive Variant Spotlight

 

 

Cobra Commander #2 (OF 5) 1:25 Incentive Variant

I don’t normally point out incentives in this article as I think 99% are not worth more (or have better art) than the open order books. But every so often one comes along that is worth noting. I’m not sure exactly what “theme” these G.I. Joe variants are called…but the art and backdrop is reminiscent of the art on the action figures from the 80’s…so there’s a nostalgia factor at play here (Transformers should follow suit). This art seems to be only for the convention exclusives and incentives, unfortunately, so you’re going to be shelling out some cash if you’re collecting. Most of these incentives likely will come down to less than ratio over time, though. Especially when, like with issue #2, there are higher incentive ratios out there to push the print numbers up. But if you have to have it, try to find it at or below ratio. I do like the Dreadnoks too, some of my favorite characters from the original series. This cover features Buzzer.

 

Dirty D’s Pick Of The Week

 

 

Spawn #350 (Cover B Todd McFarlane Variant)

I know what you’re thinking. “Why on earth is this guy putting Spawn #350 as a Pick of the Week…it’s an anniversary issue that’s sure to be heavily ordered!”

That is a fair question…but hear me out. First Spawn has it’s followers, but it’s not as heavily ordered as you might think. Second, I’m not highlighting the issue itself, but the Todd McFarlane variantcover(s). McFarlane hasn’t been providing regular art for this title for years (not since early 300’s). The last one he provided was issue #327, an homage to Spiderman #1.

This FOC is pretty weak on spec. It’d be easy to just throw in Ghost Rider #1 like everyone else as this week’s “spec” pick. But I like to find those “not so obvious” picks and put them here when the opportunity presents itself. It’s more fun to “go off road” for a bit rather than follow the heard. So this week I’m saying putting $4.99 into this book has a higher probability of paying off than the $5.99 in the more likely flash-in-the-pan (at best) Ghost Rider book. And here’s my logic.

Spawn has been holding on to the $2.99 price tag for a long time…which helps shops put a few extra shelf copies out there without much thought. But shops are struggling a little bit these days, looking a lot closer at the bottom line and not willing to take some risks on the
more expensive books. And that means they’re going to play FOC orders conservatively and that probably means not ordering many variants of this book for the shelf given it’s price being nearly doubled this month.

So factor that in with how Toddfather variant covers in the early 300s have appreciated in value, and then you can start to see how this book has some potential. More likely longer term than shorter term, mind you.

I would say where shops are juggling what “special” books to buy extra shelf copies of, they’re going to favor #1 titles like Ghost Rider #1 that customers are talking about, and not so much a variant cover of Spawn, despite it having McFarlane art variants. Some shops will receive a McFarlane signed “thank you” variants…which could draw more attention to these covers upon release. So many potentials out there…we’ll have to see if it turns into something kinetic come day of release.

I’m not a fan of black and white (or sketch) variants, but cover F may be less ordered than B (for what it’s worth).

 

 

Spawn #350 (Cover F – Todd McFarlane Variant)

As a side note the book does solicit that someone will finally be taking over the Thrown of Hell(vacant since issue #100), so there could be some interest in the story as well. If anything, if you want one or both of these covers for the PC, just pre-order now just on the off chance it heats up…avoid the unnecessary stress.

 

Parting Thoughts

Lighter week this FOC, but definitely some fun covers and reads. No “drek” this week…just advice not NOT to go heavy on Ghost Rider #1. Have a great weekend!