Hello everyone! It’s time again to take a lot at books on pre-order before before they cut us off! This week doesn’t have much to offer in terms of speculation. Some nice covers and potential reads. I actually considered not having a Pick of the Week highlight…but one book did (sort of) stand out from the rest…barely.
So we’re going to start off this week in a little different order, because my favorite cover is actually a 2nd printing.
Notable Reprints
Spider-Punk Arms Race #1 (2nd Printing)
I can’t quite put my finger on why I like this cover. The right blend of crayon, computers and punk personality? It also seems to somewhat capture the character’s appearance in Across the Spider-Verse. It’s just different, and that’s a good thing. And for that reason it’s Dirty D’s Cover of the Week!
It’s covers like these first two picks this week that makes me wonder why I even buy first prints at all. But I have learned for Image Engergon Universe books it’s better to wait for the inevitable 2nd print. Especially if you like the featured characters with the white background (although I’ve found it extremely difficult to acquire them without color from adjacent books rubbing off onto the white…sigh…)
I am a sucker for these later prints of Void Rivals featuring Transformers characters. But what I really like about this printing, other than it’s likely low print run, is that it features the two main characters introduced in the issue on the cover.
Ok. DC you do realize that this epic 3 part story bombed at the end, right? This is an interesting recoloring of Cover A, but I still prefer the hood being red.
Issues 143 and 144 also have later printings as well.
Edge of Spider-Verse #1 (2nd Printing)
Yes, Cover A sold out…so I suppose a 2nd printing of it recolored makes sense. I still like Cover A better. So I’m not picking this up, but it could get missed by some shops so if you have to have it…
Cool Covers
A new ongoing series from the world of Spawn. Sam and Twitch are back!
I originally had this book in the section below, but moved it up because of this cover. Don’t get me wrong, the Keane cover is nice too, but it doesn’t seem like we get Todd cover art much these days. So I’m going to highlight this book here.
Just a cool Star Wars cover…love the reflection of Lando and Boba from the trooper’s helmet. Some collect these “reflection” style covers too.
Not Ross’s best work (little bit of “Man Hands” going on there…), but I do like a cool cover featuring a classic comic book. The green background compliments Enchantress well.
Harley Quinn #38 (Sozomaika Womens History Month Variant)
I don’t think I need to say why this cover may be popular.
Power Girl #7 (Sozomaika Womens History Month Variant)
Might as well highlight Sozomaika’s other Women’s History Month cover this week. They make a nice pair! (wait…that’s not what I meant…)
New Number 1’s
In an origin story like no other, witness youthful Bruce Wayne become a dark knight shaped by a city in turmoil as it marches towards its prophesied doom. Set against the backdrop of actual historical events, Gotham comes alive, filled with the iconic characters who’ve loved and hated Batman over the years like you’ve never seen them before. A look at Batman as a figure in American history fighting for justice in a world gone mad.
Seems like a “what if Batman was shaped by true world events” type story. It might be a good read.
Spider-Man Shadow of Green Goblin #1
So Norman Osborn apparently was not the original Goblin. There was a “Proto-Goblin”. One first appeared in Peter Parker Minus One. Of course there was. No one takes an experimental serum before trying it on some hapless victim first. I mean, Osborn may be insane, but he’s not stupid. So not sure we really need this story, but it’s getting printed anyway.
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures Saber for Hire #1
Ty Yorrick returns, the former Jedi turned monster hunter is having the time of her life behind the Nihil Stormwall. She’s never been busier, battling dangers that the Jedi would’ve usually handled and earning credits galore. If only she hadn’t agreed to take an apprentice.
Be warned here…this book doesn’t come out until Mid April. Not sure why FOC is so early, but could result in low orders. Hard to know if this will have any new characters, but could be worth asking the LCS to order a copy for you.
Dirty D’s Pick of the Week
Feral #1 (Cover A – Forstner & Fleecs)
Meet Elsie, Lord Fluffy Britches, and Patch, three indoor cats lost in the not-so-great outdoors during a nightmarish rabies outbreak. Without their humans to protect them, the cats rush to find their way home before they’re eaten by the forest full of rabid beasts on their tails. Don’t get bit. Don’t get scratched. Don’t become…FEEERRAAAAALLLLLLL!!!
It’s Stray Dogs meet Walking Dead! But the dogs are cats!
I almost didn’t have a pick of the week because nothing really stood out to me. I don’t expect this book to be gangbusters and demand after market FOMO prices like Stray Dogs did for a while. But Forstner and Fleecs put together a good read for Stray Dogs, and I’m willing to bet this one will be good as well. Buy it because you liked Stray Dogs and if for some reason lightning strikes twice maybe you can flip it for some cash…because you know there will be subsequent printings. But don’t go crazy chasing these incentives or other variants.
Stick with the classic cover A as if it does become a hit people will want to pair it up with Cover A of Stray Dogs.
Parting Thoughts
And that’s it! No foils or facsimiles. What’s going on?
So yeah, a little bit meh FOC this week. Maybe next week we’ll get back into the Ultimate Universe books or something more exciting. Until then, keep it…Dirty? (I need a catch phrase…not sure that one is going to work…we’ll put it in the maybe pile for now, lol.)