It’s officially March, and it’s time for some Madness (and perhaps squeeze in some college basketball time permitting).
This week’s list is pretty full. Lots of interesting things coming up in about 30 days. Hopefully we don’t get April Fooled. But I think there are a few winners in the bunch. But in the end, buy what you love, and you can’t go wrong. Let’s dive in!
COVERS
Batman 158 (Launch Party Glow-In-The-Dark Foil Variant)
Everyone knows Hush is returning, and a new character is showing up (Silence). This cover is open order, but shops need to “unlock” it before they are able to order copies (which I believe is 25 copies of the ashcan of issue #159, more on that later). In fact, DC is allowing shops to sell Batman 158 a day early (evening of Tuesday, March 25th) in celebration of this event. A such, this cover is being called the Launch Party variant…it’s not only foil, but will glow in the dark to reveal the trade dress and bats! The cool factor makes this cover the Dirty D Cover-of-the-Week!
FYI – Since it is an unlockable, it’s possible your shop may not get copies. So if you must have one, look to order ahead.
Just when you thought we had “covered” all that’s cool about Batman 158…well, what if I told you there was a “Giant Sized” edition too? What is different, you ask? Well, it’s the same story and same Cover A (Jim Lee art), but the book will be Magazine sized (11″ tall by 17″ wide if you were to lay it open flat). A little bit pricier, but who knows what trend this will start. There is also a Giant Sized Foil version too.
Don’t forget about this ashcan issue to Batman 159, to be handed out (or sold) at the Launch Party. There are some places (like My Comic Shop) you can pre-order.
G.I. Joe A Real American Hero #315 (1:10 Incentive Camo Variant)
I don’t normally highlight incentive ratios, but 1:10 can usually be found for not much more than cover price if you seek them out. This one is just a cool Cobra Commander cover, pretty much a negative space variant. But the story is also intriguing. This book promises “The Fate of Cobra Commander Is Revealed” and the main site has some preview pages to read through if interested.
The last one in this series was vs. Thing, and it had a “Versus” boxing match style cover as well. Pretty cool. More are coming in these series, but the Hulk and Thing covers are likely the best.
It’s the first ever CONCERT OF CHAMPIONS, a festival bringing together the Marvel Universe’s biggest and brightest musical stars! Headliners include DAZZLER, spinning out from her recent hit-making limited series, K-pop sensation LUNA SNOW, interdimensional rockstar LILA CHENEY and many more…
New series and latest in the Marvel Rivals Netease Games variant series. Promises a “top secret debut” as well. So maybe a first appearance here.
It wouldn’t be an FOC list without a Mark Spears cover. Normally Dynamite I’d recommend staying away from (unless you love it) as they make 1000 variants of the same art. However this cover was a late add and it might get short ordered. That being said, this one also has a few other open order variants (Cover W, Cover X foil, Cover Y Foil Virgin and a Cover Z Purple Variant). So good luck finding these online.
Universal Monsters continues with another limited series, this time featuring the Mummy. Joshua Middleton covers have been pretty sweet. I think he does a great job here too.
SPOILER ALERT
All New Venom #5 (Spoiler Variant)
When all the red herrings have been weeded out – who’s left? The clues have been in front of you the whole time – and by the end of this issue, you WILL know the name of the ALL-NEW VENOM
I find the “Suspect” variants for this issue to be lame. This cover likely will feature the All-New Venom in action.
JUST THE FAX
Fantastic Four #4 (Facsimile Edition – Foil Variant)
Doom is coming, but this month it’s Namor, The Submariner’s first Silver Age appearance that is being Faxed.
Reprint of Batman’s strangest cases. Foil variant.
I didn’t even know there was a Superman Day. I missed out last year. But not this year! Unfortunately I stocked up on some of the regular sized format facsimiles for Action and Detective…but these are the ones you want to have…even if you need to buy some golden age bags to put them in. Don’t forget there is also a foil variant as well.
FIRST APPEARANCES
It’s a birthday celebration a decade in the making, and the whole MARVEL UNIVERSE is invited! But MOON GIRL is bringing her own agenda to the party – what could her secret plans be? PLUS: Who is DEVIL GIRL AND MOON DINOSAUR?!
I’m a fan of Moon Girl. It’s too bad the cartoon didn’t take off. Hopefully she hits the big screen and makes a bigger splash. It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since her debut. But the reason this book is really highlighted is because we’re going to see some new characters in her gallery. Almost like a mirror universe. But the cover to get is this one as it’s a cool homage to the first issue 10 years ago.
NEW NUMBER ONES
After a horrific series of events, the world is in shambles. Matt Murdock is old, and his powers have faded to nothing. Matt will not, however, sit by and watch his fellow New Yorkers suffer, so instead of swinging around the city from his billy club line, he slings soup at a food center for the poor. But when a mysterious wrinkly old man interrupts a secret convoy causing an explosion, a deadly gas fills Hell’s Kitchen and this tale takes a turn that will change how you look at the Man Without Fear.
Old Man Daredevil has already debuted in Old Man Hawkeye, however this is likely a different universe.
Tokyo 2099. The time rift has disrupted the Web of Life and Destiny, leaving the world’s heroes to battle it out over the best way to fix it. One group, led by Peni Parker, wants to plug the Web into Cyberspace to repair it. The other group, led by Spider-Man, favors a more conservative approach of using Chronovium to strengthen the web and allow it to repair itself. The time rift makes rivals out of us all, but which team will overtake the other?
Collects the Marvel Rivals Infinity Comic (2024) #1-6 for the first time in print!
Beyond Mars…beyond physical form…beyond Human Understanding…all that’s left is the ultimate alien: the Absolute Martian Manhunter!
Doesn’t really say much to get one excited for this limited series. But it’s another absolute title debut.
We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us #1 (of 6)
After her mad-scientist father is killed by the world’s greatest spy, 13-year-old Annalise is left all alone in the world. Sort of. Her dead dad’s robot bodyguard is following her around for some reason. Now Annalise has a choice: try to lead a normal life for the first time ever…or seek revenge and maybe overthrow the world order in the process. Image Comics proudly presents a journey of regret and retribution, super spies and pseudoscience, growing up and global domination.
Double-sized first issue!
You’ll Do Bad Things #1 (of 6)
It’s been ten years since the release of He Came in With a Smile , the true crime smash hit that chronicled the brutal murders committed by the Nursery Rhyme Killer. But in the decade since its release, its author Seth Holms hasn’t produced another title. He wants to write a story with a happy ending, but every time his fingers clack across the keyboard, it always ends in his character’s death. Worse yet? These tales of blood and barbarity that flow so freely from Seth’s mind are starting to happen in real life. Turn the page on this giallo-inspired thriller!
Every parent thinks their kids grow up too quickly… but not like this . In one bewildering, terrifying instant, every child below the age of one disappears-to be replaced by creatures beyond their mothers & fathers’ understanding. What happened to the kids? Who are these deranged, hyper-violent adults who’ve taken their places? One horrified couple do their best to solve the nightmarish puzzle-but before they can find the answers they seek, they must survive the night…
This one-shot will be magazine trim size (8.5″ x 10.875″) & feature a cardstock cover.
INDY SPOTLIGHTS
A 56-page, self-contained one-shot that delivers a brutal new vision of capitalism by combat. In the future, the World Finance League exists to benefit all, randomly choosing those from among the billionaires and trillionaires of the world and presenting them with a choice: either donate half of their assets to the common good-or defend them in ritual combat. Reigning champion and real estate magnate Ted Brooks has 22 victories under his belt-defending the wealth he schemed and stabbed to get-when he is forced to face his ex-wife, Luella Dominguez, in a fight to the death. Luella has been training, waiting for this moment. But will she have what it takes to defeat the man who would do anything-absolutely anything-to keep his fortune? It’s every shareholder for themselves when death and bankruptcy collide.
A giant-sized, one-shot from Eisner Award-nominated cartoonist Patrick Horvath; Oni Press.
In the summer of 1983, teen friends Mike and Brian seek escape from rainy day boredom by exploring Brian’s abandoned family home, a notoriously haunted house. What they find below their sleepy Eastern Pennsylvania suburb will unlock the doors to adventure—and danger.
This one is from Mad Cave Studios.
PICK OF THE WEEK
MEPHISTO created the Demon BAGRA-GHUL for his entertainment – and now the demonic lord is not amused by DAKEN turning HELLVERINE against Hell! It’s time for Hellverine to pay…and this devil isn’t making any deals!
This is supposed to be a spoiler, but the secret is out now. We already had Devil Hulk (Banner’s Dad, via Banner’s head). Now we’re getting Hell Hulk. The Hell-verse is starting!
I just wish this was a Hulk 340 homage…but you know that’s coming. Anyway…a lot of good books…I could have put a few others here, but I’m going with the oldie but goodie Hulk vs. Wolverine…IN HELL!!!
Parting Thoughts
That was a lot of books. Hopefully everyone’s wallet is going ok… Have a great week!