Happy first week of NFL football. Hope all your teams and fantasy teams are doing better than mine this week. One thing that isn’t filled with losers, this week’s FOC. Check out what is on tap!
BATMAN #153
Why? First appearance of a new hero named Commander Star.
A BRAND-NEW EPIC BATMAN STORY ARC STARTS HERE! Batman is back with a vengeance and Bruce Wayne’s new public initiatives have Gotham on the verge of finally becoming a great city! Does that bright future include the Riddler, who’s seemingly gone legit? Or the new, unnerving hero, Commander Star? And can Gotham survive the shocking murder of one of its greatest citizens? The Dying City starts here with a case that only Batman can solve, but the answers may unravel his world and all of Gotham!
BIRDS OF PREY #14 SOZOMAIKA VARIANT
Why? Superheat Cover Artist Sozomaika turns out a great “ThrillKiller” style cover.
The Birds of Prey are back to business as they infiltrate The Ninth Day, a mysterious corporation the Birds believe has kidnapped people–including Amazons that have gone missing. When their spy on the inside, an undercover Cassandra Cain, breaks contact, it’ll be up to Oracle, Black Canary, Big Barda, Megaera, and newcomers Grace Choi and Onyx to bust her out. Don’t miss the start of this thrilling new arc, where the fate of the Amazons rests in the hands of a silent warrior!
Cullen Bunns Body Bag #1
Why? A must for horror fans, first appearance of new monster characters, zipped inside a body bag. Interesting concept.
Cullen Bunn’s Body Bag, the debut release of Overlook, will introduce the world to four new creatures straight from the twisted imagination of the horror scribe. But which creature will invade your nightmares? Four different tales of terror. Four startling new monsters. Four different approaches to the beasts that go bump in the night. Each sealed ‘Body Bag’ contains the chance to uncover alternate storylines and monsters. So tread lightly. Hold your breath. There’s no way of telling which monster you’ll uncover… until you unzip the body bag. With each monster you’ll see a very different story play out in a gruesome and frightening way… This is pure, horrific fun on the page!
DC ALL IN SPECIAL #1
Why? Bad ass Darkseid story, and I mean a killer story. Cameos of Absolute Batman, Superman, an Wonder Woman
Following the events of DC’s blockbuster storyline Absolute Power, the heroes of the core DC Universe have fought against the deep divisions in the world around them to usher in a new era of unity. And it’s just in time, too–because Darkseid has returned. Superman must gather every hero on Earth to hold the line against a very different version of the Lord of Apokolips, as they raise our cosmic defenses and prepare for war…and when the first blows land, the shock waves will ripple into every series in the DCU and shake the nature of their reality to its core! But little do they know…the greater threat is still to come. For there is another Earth: the Absolute Universe. Here, DC’s biggest icons are coming of age with fewer advantages and facing greater opposition than ever before…while miraculously retaining the immutable heroism that has inspired fans for decades. But can they really protect the light that shines inside them when the world in which they live is hurtling toward a terrible destiny?
EXCEPTIONAL X-MEN #2
Why? First appearance of Ako, second of three new mutants being introduced
Kate Pryde’s continued attempts at living a normal, non-mutant life go laughably wrong as she finds herself in the middle of a brawl started by a couple of headstrong teens with remarkable abilities – which, of course, they’re terrible at controlling. She’s sworn off being anybody’s teacher, mentor, professor, sensei or anything that reminds her of her old life. But will the White Queen force her hand?
HYDE STREET #1
Why? Ghost Machine has been cranking out hit series. This is a new horror themed one
In every city and town, off every country road and metropolis avenue, if you make a wrong turn…you might find yourself on Hyde Street. But be careful who you talk to and what you do because the consequences make death itself seem like the easy way out. Introducing MR. X-RAY! PRANKY, THE WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS SCOUT! MISS GOODBODY! AND MANY MORE…out to delight, fright, and say good night. What is their secret and that of Hyde Street? Only they know. For now.
IRON MAN #1
Why? A stripped down Iron Man, no high tech and more DIY.
Roxxon and AIM team up to take on Stark Unlimited! But they’re ready for the old Tony Stark. This one? He’s a lot angrier than he used to be. Iron Man is going to war! New armor, old enemies, and unbelievable twists abound in this fresh take on a fury-powered Iron Man from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Spencer Ackerman and groundbreaking artist Julius Ohta!
SKIN POLICE #1
Why? Cool looking killer clone story from Oni Press
In the year 2142, fertility levels around the globe plummeted, and a black market for illegal clone babies emerged. Millions of parents used their own genetic material to welcome these new children, only realizing the horrific consequences far too late. At some point in their life cycle, three in four of these genetic duplicates transform into psychologically unstable killing machines known as Dupes.Fortunately, the United Nations of Europe has decided to take an active role in containing the growing threat. Their specialized task force has taken up the unenviable task of hunting Dupes before their violence can spread. To the government, they’re the Duplicate Identification and Capture Division. To everyone else, they’re the Skin Police. The worst part of the job? It’s always the one you least suspect . . .
ULTIMATES #5
Why? New Hawkeye appears
ULTIMATE HAWKEYE TARGETS CAPTAIN AMERICA! Hawkeye No More? Not for long! A new challenger approaches when an unknown civilian picks up a discarded bow and arrow – and refuses to let the Ultimates reclaim the stolen Stark Tech! Captain America tries to settle the dispute, leading to an action-packed brawl of arrows versus shields! Meanwhile, the Ultimate Hellfire Club is up to something…
VENOM #38 GABRIELE DELL’OTTO VARIANT
Why? Dell’Otto covers are getting some heat again, and he does great Venom work. Just looks like a good grab.
OLD MAN VENOM’S TIME QUEST CONTINUES! Old man Dylan Brock’s adventure through time to bring an end to the Venom War takes him to one of the darkest places – the realm of Chthon! Can even Doctor Strange help him when confronted with the ultimate temptation of evil?
Spider-Woman 2099 (first appearance?) and first appearance of Spidercide.
Powered by cutting-edge nanotech, this new generation of Sentinels protects a fragile peace between mutants and humans. But when being a Sentinel is your job – your life – is it possible to stay human?
Who is the mysterious new warrior Ewok returning to Bright Tree village, and what is their connection to WICKET W. WARRICK?
Just when you thought it was safe to read Star Wars comics again, the Marvel brings the Ewoks back! And perhaps a new Ewok character as well…(that’s right…Ewok Spec…!). It’s possible this character is on the Harvey variant 3 cover…if you’re a gambling spirit…
Am I the only one who wonders why Wicket has a middle initial in his name…?
In nature there are gods older than the devil… Nothing can prepare you for what’s coming in this violent, electrifying descent into this bloody, black metal infused revenge saga.
Val, an American metalhead attending a festival in Oslo, begins her penumbrous pilgrimage into the vast depths of vengeance.
After her victimization at the hands of a charismatically vile local band, the Old Gods of Norse Mythology guide her along her path in the name of women everywhere.
Will she walk a warrior’s path… or become a behemoth beyond human recognition?
Harvey and Eisner Award-winning, New York Times bestselling Brian Azzarello brings metal, magic, and mayhem to a revenge story akin to Swamp Thing by way of The Crow, brought to life with breathtaking imagery by acclaimed artist Vanesa R. Del Rey (The Empty Man, Redlands).